Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-09-17

From the New Orleans Pcdyunr, Sept }, 1917.
OFFICIAL REPORT OF CAPT. WELLS.
CAHP BAGARA, Aug. 49,, l847.
Sir i have the honor to report for the Informal
zion of the Col. Commanding, that on the morning
of the 9Th inst in obedience to his orders, pro-
ceeded, with my command, composed of Captain
Haile's company l4th Infantry E COM any of the
i2th Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Wyche, and
Captain Fairchilds company of Louisiana Ran
gers, i'll all seven officers and two hundred and
one rank and file. The train was composed of
two ambuIanccs. each drawn by four good hor -es
fit for the service in which they were employed,
and nine wagons drawn bv half broken down but
still unbroken Mexican mules, with which it
would have been difficult for me TO have fulfilled
my orders even if there had been no enemy to
contend with. The commanding officer was not
mounted and was under the Notifying necessity
OF dismounting a dragoon and taking horse
when circumstances were such that he could not
possibly perform his duty on foot. Such was the
command with which my orders required to
traverse country and pass bridge and fortiica-
ton which no less than eight hundred men, sup
ported by artillery, had heretofore attempted. /
had not proceeded four miles from Campt when it
became necessary to throw out a part of my prOvi-
siOns; and it was then only with the aid of my
infantry, and the extraordinary exertions of the
active and efficient wagon master (Mr. B0Oley)
who accompanied The train that the wagons could
be forced up the hills. | reached Santa Fee and
encamped for the night. The next morning |
pursued the march, the enemy appearing on the
flank, but evidently with intention of attacking
us. few shots were exchanged between them
and Capt Falrchid's company, who left the road
to give chase. | arrived at Juento del Rio about
nine oclock at night and encamped. Here
Judged myself to be within six miles of Mai Laly
camp ne next morning directed Capt Fair
child to detach an officer, (Mieutenant Henderson,
ana lnlrteeh men with orders TO proceed to Ma ior
Lally's campt and report my advance, provided he
could prudently do so, and the distance did not
exceed six miles, but Ivy no means to 90 beyond
that distance, but to return and report the cond
ton of the road to me. This command was ac-
oc0mpanied by DR.. Cooper of the Army and two
OF the Georgia volunteers ! regret to inform
YOU that have not since heard fthis detachment,
and | am ignorant of its fate. pursued the march
until about ten o'clock with difficulty getting the
mules along. and at Pass La Beia, whilst the train
was on the bridge, and the troops were getting
wafer. the enemy appeared in force, in front on
the nh and commenced fire upon u.s. some
SHOT" were also fired from the rear. After the ne.
ceSSafy preparations were made, detached Capt
Iia'le WIN MS company through the chaparal to
gam Tue hanE' and IT possible their rear. This
service was promptly and calamity performed
whilst the command was ascending the hill He
gave them fire which put them to immediate
flight. ordered Lit. MorreIe, of Capt. FaircbiIds
company, with twenty men mounted to held the
horses near the bridge until the train had asaended
tne hill. The rear, however, was not attacked a,
.Il's place. We continued our march, dispensing
. His enemy before US, until dark; when. as the
na'n was passing bridge within three miles o.
~ ' mo NaconaI the enemy opened his fire from
MIL n'"s, within two hundred yards of the com
'''' Tue balls generally ranging too high the