Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-11-04

column, Wnlcn tney COulu not Slanu LOT
moment, and commenced n confused ant
preci plate retreat. After that they rail-
ed twice and attempted to return, but a
each time our little handful of dragons
. made them leave without exchanging
cards; while the cavalry and infantry
rallying, succeeded in carrying the build
iDgs and breastworks which the enemy
held, and compelled them to retreat, cap.
turing seven pieces of artillery, a large
quantity of ammunition, small arms, &c, ant
about 600 prisoners. ......
AS soon as they were driven from the
building, Capt. Drum and Col. Duncan
advanced their light batteries, and Lieut.
Stone brought forward one of the "a
Founders, the whole Of which opened a
most destructive fire upon them as they
re,realed across low plain to the plain
to the rear of the position they at first &C.
cupied. Our loss was very heavy, and
regret TO say, that some of the very best
officers Of our army fell killed and wound.
ed, while the Mexican loss was very slight
until they commenced their retreat
While tbe cavalry were passing, in order
to charge the column Of lancers, they
we're not under the fire more than ten
seconds, and during that time they sus-
lained loss OF 6 officers wounded, 80
privates killed and wounded, and a loss Of
l05 horses. There were but two officers
that did not have their horses shot under
them-but there is one thing very remark.
able, that the horses from which the RI
ders had been shot, wheeled and moved
with the same regularity as though they
had been mounted, until they came to halt
from the charge. when they all kept on in
a body in direction of the enemy.
We were deceived in reference 10 the
character Of the building as there was no
boundary, or even semblance of one
and after blowing up some of the building
and bringing of our killed and wounded,
we evacuated the place, as the occupation
of it would give us no advantage. Our
loss was 800 killed, wounded and miss
ing.
The result Of this engagement taught
US one lesson, which was, that the Mex-
cans use their arms well, when they are
in position; and although the superiority
of our arms, and the valor of the troops
will eventually triumph, yet still We must
call into rcquisilIon al! our military sci
ence and skill, or we purchase our vic,o.
res at too dear price. A list of the
killed and wounded, you will find in the
general recapItulaton which | send you,
Many tear will be shed on its perusal,
and many a heart will bleed for the noble
souls, and the old and firm veterans who
fell in the assault.
Col. Riley was now advanced from
San Angel This former camp) to Ell Pie
dad, in order TO make diversion, and
hold the entrance to the Piedad and San
Antonio road. Gen Pillows division
moved up TO within supporting distance,
and thus rested our army until the llth,
without any thing of moment occurring
The Engineer corps were busIy employed
night and day in their reconnaissance, as
cerlaining and examining the positions oil
the enemy, and different entrances to the
city. The engineers, throughout all our
operations, have performed most DANCE
rous and laborious duty. They have prov
ed themselves to be men of sterling worth
of mastery ability, and bright orna'
ments of their profession.
There was little incident which oc.
CURED to Capt Mason in one of his recon
noicances, which is worthy Of record. 1t
became necessary on one occasion Tor him
to 60 very close to the enemy's breastworIi
in order to ascertain its true position. AS
he approached, Mexican officer rode out
with two Of his escort and came up within
a very short distance, when Capt. Mason
drew his revolver. The Mexican then
said. "fou seem 10 be very curious: sup.
pose you come little closer" "No, |
thank you sir: can see very well from
where | am" "Walk inside, sir: We
will endeavor to treat you as well as the
accommodations of the camp will enable
u.s." 81 am much obliged to you sir, for
your kindness, but prefer parlaking Of
your Inequalities OH some future occa.
SION" And, holding his spyglass 10 his
eye, he continued, i only want to see how
you are situated can see two guns in
embrasure, one in barbet, and think you
have one IN embrasure little farther to
the left. That gun see your men
loading | do not think YOU will be able
to bring to bear on me, as will keep
you between it and myself" and moving
round little TO the right, he continued
his observations. Capt. Mason who
had been making his observations dn-
ring the whole time of the conversation,
said TO the officer, I'll have no desire at
present to be brought within the range Of
your guns. and having learned all want
to know about your position, will bid you
good morning, SIR" and then return
ed to where he had left his escort. . .
On the ltb. column of cavalry sal
lied out from the fort on the San Antonio
road, either for the purpose of threaten
ing our position or taking Capt. Magru.
der's battery,which was stationed with the
picket within about 800 yards of their fort
though in great measure covered from
the range Of their guns. As soon as they
got their column moved out into a place
free from all distractions, Capt. Magru,
der opened two pieces upon them with