The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-05-29
II III Z nj E nj o l X >
CHAPTER w.
BATTLE OF REsACA DE LA PALMA

BAL LIZ Of hESACA LIE LA hbh n
On the morning,of The ah.of May, 1916,
the. enemy, WHO had been encamped near
the batlle-frld of the day previous, was dis
covered moving -by his left flank evidentl,
in retreat, and perhaps, al the same time,
with a'yiew 10 gain anew position on the
road to-AIatamoras, and there again to resis'
the advance OF the American army.
General Taylor ordered the supply trai'
to be strongly packed at its position, am
left with it four pieces Of artilleTy-,he two
1S-pouEde :, which had done such goot
service on the previous day, and two u
Founders, which had not been in the action,
The wounded officers and men were at the
same time sent back to Point Isabel.
lie then moved forward with the columns
to the edge of the chaprarral or forest,
which extends TO the Rio Grande, dis
lance Of miles. The light companies OF
the first brigade, under Captain c. F. Smith,
of the Cd artillery, and select detachment
Of light troops-ihe whole under the COM
mand Of Captain McCalI, Of the 4th infan.
try-were thrown forward into the chap
arral to feel the enemy and ascertain his
position.
About 3 o'clock in the day report was
received from the advance, that the enemy
was in position on the road with at least
two pieces of artillery. The command was
Immediately put in motion, and about A
o'clock, il came up with Captain Mccall,
who reported the enemy in force, in front,
occupying a ravine which intersects the
road and which is skirted by thickets Of
dense chaparral.
Ridgeley's battery and the advance I'M
der Captain Mccall, were at once thrown
forward on the road and into the chaparral
on either side, while the 9Th infantry and
one wing Of the 4ih were thrown into the
forest on The left, and the Sd and the other
wing of the 4th into the forest on the right
of the road. These corps were employed
as skiTmishers 10 cover the battery and EN-
gage the Mexican infantry. Capt. Nc CalPs
command became at once engaged with the
enemy, while the light artillery, though in
a very exposed position, did great execu-
ton The enemy had at least pieces Of
artillery, and maintained an incessant fire
upon the advance Of the American line.
The action now became general, and
though the enemy's infantry gave way be-
fore the steady fire and resistless progress
of the American infantry. yet his artillery was
still in position to check their advance-se-
veral pieces occupying the pass across the
ravjne, which he had chosen for his position.
Perceiving that no decisive advantage could
be gained until the artillery was silenced,
Gen. Taylor ordered Captain May TO charge
the batteries with his squadron Of dragons.
This was CALAMITY and effectually executed.
The enemy was driven from his guns, and
General La Vega, who remained alone a,
one Of the batteries, was taken prisoner
The squadron suffered much in this charge
and not being Immediately supported by in
fantry, could not retain possession Of The
artillery taken, but it was completely ST.
fenced. In the mean time the 9Th infantry
had been ordered up and had become warm
ly engaged on the right Of the road. This
regiment and part Of the 9Th were now
directed to charge the batteries, which was
handsomely done, and the enemy was en-
tlrely driven from his artillery and his po-
sition on the left Of the road.
The light companies Of the lst brigade,
and the Sd and 4th regiments of infantry,
had been deployed on the right OF the road !,
where, at various points, they became
briskly engaged with the enemy. small
party, under Captain Buchanan and Lieute-
nants Wood and Hays, Of the 4lh infantry,
composed chiefly Of men Of that regiment,
drove the enemy from breast work he
occupied, and captured piece Of artillery.
An attempt to recover this piece was repel-
ed by Captain Barbour of the Sd infantry.
The enemy was at last completely driven
from his position on the right Of the road,
and he reTeated precipitately, leaving bag
gage Of every description. The 4th infan-
try took possession Of camp where the
headquarters OF the Mexican General-in-
Chief were established. All his officlal
correspondence was captured at this point.
The artillery battalion excepting the
flank companies had been ordered TO guard
the baggage-train, which was packed some
distance in the rear. That battalion was
now ordered up to pursue the enemy, and
with the Sd infantry, Captain Ker's dra-
goons and Captain Duncan's battery, they
followed him rapidly 10 the river, making a
number Of prisoners. Great numbers Of the
enemy we're drowned in attempting to cross
the.river near Matamoras. The corps last
mentioned encamped near the river, the
remainder Of The army on the field Of bat
tie 20 =. Il r.
j TO be coniinued.) i