The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-25
OFFICIAL.

FfOM Oe"'
CONTINUED from yesterdays "Union.O
CAMP TAYLOR, NEAR Aqua NuEvA, (Mexico,)
Eahr,.uru 1Si-

honor to report that my battery OF artillery look position
with the road leading TO San Luis Poosi, which was
maintained during the conflict Every demonstration OF
the enemy on this point was promptly iePuisea mo
O o'clock on the morning of the 3d. when the enemy
appeared in very large force, consisting OF lancers and
infantry covered by heavy battery OF artillery The
andity and precision of fire scattered and dispersed
this force in few minutes with considerable loss on
his side, and little our own. The other oc-
cured later in the dayafter three regiments OF eur vol
untees had been ovepowered by the enemy and strong
body of lancers close pursuit OF them was almost IN.
sany driven backIthereby saving several hundred OF
eraons four pieces OF my battery (Which was composed
of eight were detached different times under LIST Lieut.
OBren, 4h artillery, and Brevet I'd Lieut. Bryan, opo.
graphical engineers to distant part OF the field and en-
trely OF my sight For the part taken by these gal
liant officers and their brave men, am compelled to refer
you the report of Lieut. OBrien, which is herewith
transmitted, and which also explains the cause OF the
loss of three pieces of his artillery
Without entering into minor details of the engagement,
which lasted the greater part of two days, and during
large portion of which my battery the object OF
heavy fire from the enemys large guns have only to
bear willing testimony to the good conduct OF the officers
and men, without exception who served under my i'm
mediate command and within the scope of my eye.
Lieutenants Brent and Whiting, 4th artillery, command
ed sections. and brevet I'd Lieut.. Couch either in
command of piece in charge of the caissons,
required; and their conduct Tor prompttude and
galanty carrying out my orders could not be surpass
ed 1t is with great pleasure, therefore, that recon-
mend them your favorable notice, and through you, TO
the consideration OF government would also ask
for Licutenants OBren and Bryan the rewards due dis
tnguished merit.
Among my commissioned officers it might be con-
sdered nvdious to draw distinctions where all did
we'll The long experience. however OF my lst sergeant
eid and the greater skill TO which he had attained in
amidst The general accuracy of the other cannoneers.
have the honor TO BE- vfy WSSPsessHHSy ODE
Captain 4th artillery, commanding battery
Lieut. J. Mcdowell, Acting Assistant Adutant General,
Gen. Woods division, Mexico.
CAMP ON BATTLE GROUND OF BuENA VISTA. MExco,
February 25, lsi7
SIR: have the honor to report you the part taken
in the action of the ADD instant by that portion OF a
lery which detached from your battery and placed
under my command
On the morning of the 2ad instant was placed the
ground In command of three pieces of light artillery, VIZ;
2-pounder howiizer 6-pounder gum and one A.
FOUNDER Mexican gun No opportunity was offered Tor the
use of these pieces till the morning of the 23d instant
when pushed the howitzer close to the mountain and
fired few shells at body OF Mexcans that were ad-
vancng along its slope order to get possession OF the
head of the ravine, which our troops were then
posted Finding the elevation and distance so great as to
of my shot TO be wasted, discontinued the
fire and moved my battery 10 the position assigned II in
line During this time battery OF heavy Mexican ar
tillery was playing against me, at such distance that 1t
impossible for me to attempt to return ITS lre.
Soon after this, | directed by Brgadier General
Lane to my battery forward, in order to check the
advance Of lancers who reported to be coming
up the ravine the enemy's line. The I'D regiment
Of Indiana volunteers was ordered to support me-
On arriving at the point indicated found myself
within musket range Of about three thousand Mexican
infantry, while their battery three hundred yards my
left, pouring heavy discharges of grape and
lister opened the fire against the infantry and anccrs
with tremendous effect Every shot, whether canister
shell, seemed to tell The enemy wavered and fell back
advanced on him about fifty yards. He was strongly
reinforced until in fact. found his main body pressing
me. The pieces were admirably served, but failed
any longer to check his advance Every gap in the Mex
} fcan ranks closed az made On looking
round al this moment discovered that the tremendous
crosse Of the enemy had forced the regiment ordered
to my support TO fall back. Dcemns i useless to remain
alone, and sacrifice my pieces needlessy waited till the
lumber up and retire found that all the horses and all
the cannoneers of the Mexican i-pounder either
killed or disabled The other pieces were in but little
better condition. succeeded, however, Withdrawing
them, and retired to our line.
On arriving there, had not acannoneer to work the
guns All had been disabled or killed Finding i I'M
from any other source compelled to return your
battery, which guarding the pass at the foot OF the
heights
You then furnished me with two 6-pounders, with
which | again assembled to the battle-ground. | then
found myself opposed to strong line Of the Mexican in
faniry and cavalry and one Of their heavy batteries
was supported BY body OF infantry posted in two
vines on my right and left. The remainder of artl
ey and infantry were engaged with the enemy about
check while troops the lett drove the body OPP
posed TO them round the head of the ravne. where they
united with those against whom | was firing AT this
moment, received orders to push my section forward.
advanced, and again opened heavy fire. The enemy
was strongly reinforced by infantry and ancers Find
ing themselves superior numbers by their junction
with this reinforcement and with their troops driven from
our left they advanced. The position of things APP
peared very critical If the enemy succeeded in forcing
our position this point, the day theirs There
no other artillery opposed to them but my section and
other piece Ii all-imporan to maintain ground
until artillery round the ravlne from the plain
our left and join ! therefore determined to hold
my post till the enemy reached the muzzles OF my guns
The firing from the section became and more de-
strucve the enemy advanced 1t repealed body of
lancers which about charging the Illinois regi-
ment NV own loss | had bad two horses
shot under me; the one was then wounded and
limping. | had received wound in the leg. All my
DAYS before were killed or disabled In the midst OF this
heavy fire. with horses and dropping around them,
the few recruits who fit for duty lost their presence
of mind and found impossible, with all my efforts, TO
keep them to their guns remained with the pieces to
the last, until the enemy came within few yards OF
them when forced to retire for want of single
cannoneer to load or fire. | was, however delighted to
find that had maintained my ground sufficiently long TO
the victory TO be secured for at this moment the
rest of our artillery arrived and came into action
You are, sir well aware that it often the duty of
artillery officer to sacrifice his pieces for the safety OF
other troops. Such my position could have saved
the guns, had Withdrawn them earlier; but in such
case, the day might. perhaps, have been lost
The large number of killed and wounded (men and
horses) in the small command under me- will sufficiently
show the nature of the service in which en-
gagged. There but and two horses killed by
round shot, All the rest were struck by musketry
canister
II is with unaloyed qualification that have to speak
of the conduct OF Breve Second Lieutenant Bryan opo
graphical engineers, who commanded of the pieces