The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-10-27
Interesting War Intelligence.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM THE ARMY.
HEApQuARTERs Isr BKIoApE 80 DIVISION.

Interesting War Intelligence.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM THE ARMY.
HEADQUARTERS lsr BRIGADE So DIVISION,
MExsoaCE, August ~, l547 !
CArrAIS- have the honor report for the Informs
ton ofthr major general commanding the division the
operations OF brigade during the
OF the 10Th and goth ult.
Agreeably Instructions the 9th and 10Th regiments
OF infantry, commanded by Col Ransom and Lieut. Col
BonhAm directed by to support that portion Of
Gen Twiggss division ordered attack the first of the
enemy's works at Contreras.
These regiments moved with great alacrity and cool
ness for three fourtbs of mile under heavy fire OF
round shot shells to position little to the right,
and in advance of the battery Commanded by Captain
Magruder LIST artillery. whose conduct had oppor.
maintained from two O'Clock until 9 o'clock, T. NJ At
thathour, finding myself as believed the senior oicer
In that part Of the field, and learning from Captain
Magruder whose battery had already suffered greatly
from the enemys vastly superior weight OF metal that
he was authorised by the orders of the general
impression on the opposite works to withdraw his guns
directed him. aswel the force which supported his
fantry four companies of the Sd infantry and rifles to
retire to the base Of the heights about mile and half
orders At O'Clock the following morning (hs 20th)
Gen Twtegs. with Capt Lee, Of the engineer corps
sure he ovsrooked-came to my bivouac with ordprs
from the general in chief assemble all the forces my
to create diversion in favor Of Brig Cen Smith, who
was TO storm the enemys works 1t dawn OF day Being
myself unable to Keep ny saddle or to walk in CON
day before the command OF this force devoved upon
Colonel Ransom, OF the 9th infantry
The night extremely dark and the rain poured In
torrents but this gallant and efficient ocer succeeded
10 organizing his force and In gaining the position as
the fire Of the enemy until the stormng parties under
the direction of Gen. Smith, had crowned the hill i'm
mediately In rear of their works And when this bril-
liant achievement of stormiug the enemys batteries
was perfected, Ransoms command poured a devouripg
fire into the ranks OF the iusitives After the rout Of
the enemy at this point, my command, In common with
other troops followed the retiring enemy into the
Of San Angel The 10th infantry, which had been pre-.
at and htoto
general commanding the division, joined the brigade In
the pursuit For the operations OF this regiment thus
closed.
At San Angel dispositions having been made to at
tack In reverse the entertainments the San Augustn
road my brigade In concert with that Of Gen Shields
was to cross the open country between Santa
the enemys retreat. Having arrived at hacienda
the road the enemys Infantry found posted the
latter as far as the could reach in either direction
besides cavalry lowering in the cornnelds flank
and rear.
In this position troops received most CALLING IRE
which for a time threw them into some confusion but
they soon rallied and made desperate effort to restore
the fortune of the day The intrepid Gen Shields sup
ported by Col Ransom In bringing portions Of
pivot threw forwSrd their left wings dashed on the
thckes of the enemy, Gen Shields moving directly
the road where large body Of Mexican infantry
concealed In ditch which skirted it, and from whence
they had hitherto kept up destructive FIRE, with
parative safety to themselves Col Ransom moved
obquey toward the road and directed his
old village the tops and behind the houses Of which
a. he rout of the enemy In this part Of the field imme
dstey became complete. Thus in fifteen twenty
seemed doubtful victory perohed upon our standard
The loss sustained by my brigade In the two days
ssu so o" All o tSs ana b 70
from It's exposed position in front Of the hacienda in
the last Gays sAi was by far the greatest Its gallant
colonel, Morgan, wounded early in the action.
greet to state that Lieut. Col Bonham commanding the
lath infantry was severely wounded in the hand by the
aocid discharge of his pistol the morning the
20th, la qusncs Of which deprived Of
most brave and efficient officers during the ensuing
Il my misfortune, before stated to receive
serious injury from the fall Of horse the afternoon
of the 10th This accident rendered me unable to
struggle with the difficulties Of the ground over which
had to pass the evening of the last day aud In
tho effort to do 80 fell, faint from exhaustion and pain
few yards from the sevsrest fire OF the enemys line
and, although in position to observe the general
ssao of ny Srssa. cannot speak Of the
observation from the reports Of my and those Of
the commau ders OF regiments
These show IL to have everything that could be
desi-ed indeed for new troops their department
admirable have already spoken of Colonel Ransom
y indicative Of hearty approx Of their conduct
Lieut. Col Howard, who sue eeded Col Morgan in the
command Of the 18th regiment, and Capt Wood who
took the place Of Lieut. Col Bonham the head of the
l3th, are not less entitled to my commentator.
tall. n1asd nron h orgaoe VINO is NOR
Augustus Quarles, Of company + Lieut.. Coodloe. OF
company b, and Lieut. Goodman, Of company T., all Of
Major d. Mills, of the 18th infantry after having
behaved in the most gallant throughout the
ton its close followed In pursuit OF foe since
which time he been heard from and great fears
entertained for his safety.
Commanders Of regiments speak in terms of high
commentator Of the following officers Major Sey-
mour; Captains Bodash, Thompson, and Kimbsll lst
Lisu s j. 81 sPrasus (Adiutan Bowers Jackson
the two former severely wounded and Sergeant Major
MacNabb, acting I'd Lieut. of company f. all of the 9th
infantry Capt Holden, Lieut. Simpkins, and Lieut.
Steen Of the l2h infantry the two former wounded
the engagement of the aotn; Captains Jones' Toll Hoag
land, ana Chase, Lieut.. Bowie commanding company
A. and Lieuts Beach Beckett and Wiley all of the 10Th
infantry Lieut. # f. Brodhead adjutsnt Of the 5thiu
fantry merits the highest COMMUNICATION for his cool
and conduct
should do violence to my Of justice were to
omit to notice the admirable bearing Of Lieut. Reno of
the Ordnance who, although not under my orders
frequently associated with my command in charge OF
the mountain howtzer battery with which he rendered
signal service especially afternoon of the 10th
have great satisfaction In referring the intrepid
conduct and valuable services Of my Adjutant General
Capt Winshp,of the I'd Dragons and Lieut. Fitzgerald
of the 9th infantry my Aid de. Camp, upon each OF
whom devolved the sevsrest services From the
of the 10th to the night of the 2Oth they both
In the most exposed positions engaged In intelligent
| and gallant discharge of their respective duties
fear that, in consequence of engagements not
nected with my immediat command since my arrival at
this place and the urgent call for this report since my
return from Tacubaya, may have occasion to regret
| the officers and men of my brigade.
Accompanying this report is return Of the killed,
| wounded and missing
| have the hon to be,
(Signed) FRANK PIERCE,
Brigadier Gen. u. =. Army
| To Capt j. HooKER, Asst Adj't GenI
MORE or THE HEROES OF THE WAR
From the Baltimore sun October rs
Capt b. II MoPhan, of the 9th u $. infantry whose
found among the wounded in the recent battles
preceding the capture of the city of Mexico
Is native Of Baltimore we'll known most Of our citi
Kens and has mother with sisters brothers, In our
midst His earliest military history is connected with
the First Baltimore Light Infantry then under the
command OF John II Latrobe Esq the Oldest infantry
company the State and at the time Of Capt McPhas
connection with It, considered Of the best diso
pnea corps in the Union The last commission signed
by General Jackson few days PRIOR to the expiration
of his term that of Lieutenant the 5th regiment
Of infantry young McPhai and after receiving his
COMMISSION he was ordered to Fort Smelling, on our
North frontier where he became dstin guished
for his galantry a soldier and skill strict disciple
marian. About twoy since find him In Baltimore
"A a recruiting officer for the 5th regiment, and after
raising q large company f the sons of Maryland he
Joined General Taylor after the battles OF Palo Alto and