The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-12-04

IA houu W luIIu CouuiSt tOOh paw W
tween the forces; but so ~resolute was
the charge, that the enemy were oblig.
ed to give way, being driven from their
guns. They were pursued by our dra-
goons for some distance, but the pur-
suit was checked by the arrival of their
re Inducements. Col. Germans regi-
ment, on arriving at the entrance to
the city at about the same time as the
reintorcements of the enemy, opened q
well.directed fire, which succeeded in
routing them. With the left wing Of
his regiment he proceeded in person to-
wards the upper part of the town,
where the enemy still were, and sue
ceeded in dispensing them. Col. Wyn-
koop's command, with the batteries, as
sumed their positions; but before they
were within range, the enemy fled in
haste. The same occurred with Capt.
Hein,zleman's command. The enemy
entering the town becoming somewhat
scattered, Maj. Lally, with his regi-
ment, proceeded across the fields to cut
off his rear and intercept his retreat.--
This movement not being perceived, |
ordered him 10 advance towards the
town; thus depriving him, unintention-
ally, Of an opportunity of doing good
service. Capt. Walkers force had been
engaged some th~ree-quarters of an hour
before the infantry arrived to his sup
port. He succeeded in capturing two
pieces of artillery from the enemy, but
was not able TO use them, owing to the
want of printing tubes. although every
effort was made. On this occasion
every officer and soldier behaved with
the utmost GOODNESS, and my warmest
thanks are due them. Col. German,
Lieut.. Col. Dumont, and Maj. Mccoy,
Of the Indiana regiment; Col. Wyn-
koop, Pennsylvania volunteers; Major
LalIy and Capt. 11eintzIeman rendered
me most efficient service by their
promptness in carrying into execution
my orders. To Surgeons Reynolds and
Lamar the highest concentrations are
due, joining as they did in the charge
of the cavalry, Surgeon Reynolds,
side by side with Capt. Walker, rushed
on the enemy's lines, and, after the con-
fict was ended, rendered professional
services to the wounded, promptly per-
forming amputation and other surgical
operations on the field of battle. Lieut..
Claiborne, mounted rihemen, captured
a six-pounder in Il gallant manner;
while Capt. Fitzhuman, company c
mounted riffemen, captured a mounted
howiizer. Corporal TiIlman is highly
spoken Of by all. Lieut.. Anderson,
Georgia volunteers, succeeded in cap
Col. La Vega and Major ltur-
bide, narrowly escaping with his life.
The cavalry were much exposed, and
behaved with that daring which char
acterizes American soldiers on every
occasion Of danger. My thanks are
due to the members Of my staff present,
for their promptness in serving me.
Capt. Besancon, with his command
OF (mounted) Louisiana volunteers, in
promptly following the command of
Capt. Walker, was separated by a large
body of Iancers from the remainder Of
the squadron, but CALAMITY succeeded
in cutting his way through them.--
Lieut.. Henderson, Louisiana volun-
teers. was acting as one of my aids.
The colors Of the Indiana volunteers
were planted on the arsenal the mo
ment the enemy were routed. This
victory is saddened by the loss of one
of the most chivalric, noble-hearted
men that graced the profession Of arms
Capt. Samuel Fl. Walker, of the
mounted rihemen. Foremost in the
advance, he had routed the enemy
when he fell MORALLY wounded. In
his death the service has met with a
loss which cannot easily be repaired.
Our total loss is thirteen killed and
eleven wounded. We succeeded in
capturing one %six-pounder brass gun
and one mountain 10 witzer, bothmount-
ed, together with a large quantity OF
ammunition, and wagons, which | was
compelled to destroy. The enemy's
loss was about one hundred and fifty.
] must beg leave to further mention
Lieut.. B. P. Mcdonald. Sd artillery.
who was SEN with an order into the
town previous to my entry, accompa'
MED by Mr.. Bradley, of the quarter
masters department. He was sur.
rounded by %lancers, but succeeded in
escaping.
have the honor to be, sir, very re-
specially, your most obedient servant.
JOSEPH LANE,
Brigadier General.
To the ADJuTANT GENERAL United
States Army, Washington, D. G.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT PERoTE,
Daroto Octohar ODD 12d7