Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-05-27

in his pocket The lancers followed our boys clear
into the road, aud cut down several in sight of the
force at the pass but at this time Col. Washington
opened upon them and tumbled half dozen, which
turned tile rest back. and about 800 Of boys came
in safe under the fire of this battery.
Thus ended this most unfortunate charge-the hea-
viest--indeed the only reverse Of the day. II was
Col. Hardn's movement, by permission only of
Gen. Taylor, and whether wise not IL cost him his
life, and that Of many gallant spirits besides. That
the charge would have been successful, but for the
concealed reserve, doubts for moment, and It
il had been successful y would have ended the day in
blaze Of glory. Hardin had been kept oct Of most
Of the fight during The day. and he burned 10 be in it,
and TO do something that would tell He knew his
men, aud knew that they would follow him anywhere,
and they had 10 follow 10 be with him, for he was al
ways ten rods ahead Of them, and could out them
all when moving f0irardS the enemy. Except the
charge upon The battery, be knew there no more
to do, for the Mexicans Withdrawing from the
field, and the fight at end
Ii was after this terrible disaster that the AIexcans
had completely whipped if they had only known
IT, Instead of continuing their retreat, they halted
on the ground around their baiiery-wle our whole
force, except Col Lanes regiment and 4c0 horse,
were OFF the field tired and completely worn down,
and scattered in hundred different directions. 1t
would have been utterly impossible got togetl
er thousand Of our men had the attack been renew
eJ After strenuous effort, not hundred men out
or OOO That were on The height at, ana IN The encamp
ment of the LIST Illinois regiment, could be prevailed
upon TO go back to take position 10 meet the
enemy if they should advance, and the field must
have been left completely clear of infantry, except
Lanes regiment which still remained with Bragg's
battery, had not COL Weatbcrford taken three compa-
MES Of our regiment thai had remained all day to
guard WashingiOn's battery with about hundred
Others from all regiments and moved to the field
These Col. w. strung out far he could and had
Lane draw up his regiment in as imposing manner
possible and this display had the desired effect it
kept the Mexicans from following up their success
and was all that saved us. But they doubtless
tired as we were, ard as willing Ia stop for the day
and although they did make feint towards another
attack, few volleys from a company of Lanes men
put them out of the notion
Thus ended the fight for the day, at about O'Clock
in the evening, and both sides lay down pant. The
MeXieans lad been kept the nearly all day,
u nd must have been very tired Our men, though
they had not moved about much much ex-
hauscd that if ever they once Ivy down, it i'm
possible TO get them up again. So apparent was this,
that Gen. Taylor sent 10 town and had the four COM
panies brought ont that stationed there, who,
with the two fresh companies from regiment here,
were the only movable force that could be relied
upon until the men could have rest And thus
we went TO rest for the night expecting to have ano-
ther heavy days work of iton the morrow.
| We have thus condensed the account of the Free
Trader, supplying few points from other sources,
so give clear view Of the battle possible,
without diagram. The object of Santa Anna in
advancing on our left flank we do not understand
With his superior numbers, he should have sought
our right, when the open fields would have enabled
his cavalry To act with advantage and where his
heavy nortars would have had full play, He chose
the other movement, and the result is Known.