Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-10-07
official Account of the Battles Of
COntreras and ChurubuscO,
GEM SHIELDS REPORT.
nor.prrRs C. Regiment Volunteers,


(lck patches OF ,mnguey and ragged ravine, he
Pud not reach his position until several hundred
the enemy had passed, As the regiment e.
|erged from the ravine into field, extending to
10 roHd, which field was hanknd on our right by
stone wall, extending to the road and enclosing
! orchnrd, we discovered large masses of the en-
by IN the road before US; and although they per-
ved US at the same time, they were unable to
cape beyond our reach until every gun in our
ttalliun had been brought TO bear upon them;
ost, however, had broke into an open field oppo-
g, which not only the more exposed them to
r FIRE. Through this field, in full nuskel range
our position, mingled groups OF their cavalry
d infantry continued to pass
Shortly after, however, we perceived large mas
forming IN line Of battle, under cover Of the
Bne wall already newfoundland that large
| y was advancing from the orchard on our Tgh,
nix and rear, Col. Butler Immediately changed
n, to The right by flank movement, and bro'l
enemy, in both their positions, as they ad-
need from cover, under his fire; this they re-
ned for u short time and then retreated. Col
tier, perceivlng that others Of the enemy were
5ksng through the field, in our front, left few
Do TO guard our rear-formed again on the road.
maintained a steady fire upon the enemy who
[htinued 10 pass for about twenty mlnutes.-
rye bodies Of Mexicans then came forward and
rendered themselves 10 Col. Butler, who, see
"A other bodies still coming, remained upon the
Nd with three companies, while the rest of the
in pursuance Of an order from the Gen.
Is retired beyond revine to oppose o large
Of cavalry, appearing in our rear. OF The
Emy, one hundred and twenty-seven (l27)
re- killed and wounded, and two hundred and
= enteen (2l7) taken prisoners. Among the LAT.
s were the following officers of rank, to wit: one
eral officer, two staff officers, two colonies, four
j lmandants three captains,and four lieutenans.
own loss in the action, from the random fire
he enemy was one sergeant severely wounded,
one private slightly.
rapt. Marshall with his company (E) was left
guard over the prisoners, who we're placed in
,urch, and the regiment, soon after, took up
inc Of march on III, road TO Mexico. About
n the regiment was ordered TO make a detour
he left. and strike upon the same road short
ance beyond the enemys works at Cherapo.
10 cut of their retreat, as it was reported that
works had been carried by our troops. On ar
ng on the field after the subsequent action we
* hd that the New York regiment, in consequence
M umbers Of horsemen and small corps Of The
itzer battery having intruded themselves be-
US; were some three hundred yards i'll ad-
ce Of US, and the ninth infantry, attached, for
time being, to our brigade, nearly The same
lnce in our rear; at The proper point we pro-
ed to form the line Of battle, and rs soon as
two right flank companies were in line, we
ordered TO advance dispatch in reaching the
10 cut off retreat beng considered Of more
mlance than regular advance. Before how
one half Of the company were III line, we
4 the New York regiment retiring under COW
the hacienda 10 our right, and as soon M our
was unmasked by this xegment, we found
elves exposed to n heavy fire from the road.
th appeared TO be densely filed with Mexican
pa, as also the hacienda to the lef. Of the field
occupied, and Immediately on the road. As
bad attempted, for the reason stated very i'm
mt order in our line Of battle WAS obtained;
rs that appeared now Indispensable, we were
red 10 march by the ight flank, as we reach
he left flank If the New York regiment As
hacienda dld not possess sufficient breadth 10
ect the flank in forming line of battle in its
The battalion was ordered to form BY conf
es. and 10 march in column TO the line, in adj
e of the hacienda, and little TO ts left, upon
h the General in person had placed himself;
they were ordered TO deploy upon The color
pany. The companies of the left wing formed
gular order, but some companies Of the right
were thrown into confused masses by the oh,
on Of miscellaneous troops, belonging TO diff
arms Of the service; this was mostly rene
and the advance was ordered The line con.
d to advance, under heavy fire, some thirty
in rear of the General, about $50 Yards,
they were halted.
g General had cautioned the men not TO open
fire until no gave the orders; but directly
halted, and the General took his position in
pr battle and il, this time the squad Of mixed
; upon our extreme right, already mentioned
aeRced firing, aod The battalion, surprising the
gwen, opened it's fire. it was understood
e field officers to have been the General 8
t;oa 10 have made our battalion the base Of
ton of tho Others attached 10 his brigade land
30 soon as the whole we're in line, they were
10 adeauce within easy nusket range OF the
or to charge, as he should deem best. As
ring had already commenced, and did not ms
g with the formation Of the other battalion, 1t
,ermi,,ed to continue. As soon, however
e or two companies Of the New York regi-
appeared marching up to our right, the order
Civ en- to charge, and the battalion was
tlly led forward by Major GLADDEN., then in
,and Of the regiment.
Colonel had been killed directly after our
I'd been opened, and the Lieut.. Col. severely
ded a few minutes before the charge, Our
II battle numbered, at the commencement, 3
,fficers, 2 staff Otiicers,7 captains "a euten-
20 saiseans, 273 rank aud file; after the
the number who were unwounded, for du-
rs l field officer (Major,) 8 captains, Is lieu
Is. IL sargeanis' 1863 rank and file The to-
our loss in the engagement IN killed and
ded, was 1856 The Major informed me that
reaching the position Of The enemy, he found
hey had abandoned it,, and were in full re.
for the city; several companies were in pnr.
md the others formed in reserve in The road
whole were shortly ordered TO advance, by
eneral, but in consequence OF the large num-
killed and wounded reported 10 him, the
ion was soon ordered back to the hacienda
converted into n hospital. The three COM
sen, in pursuit were overtaken by a piece
tillery, which they supported nearly TO
pbuIbs Of the city, until they were recall.
BIT. Marshall, who re-joined The regiment
his command al this place, reports TO me, thai
fter The buttalior had left the church where
isoners were placed under his charge, find
msef destitute of provisions, he cut de
ent of his companylo forage for fruit and
corn; this detachment surprised party o
Fan soldiers engaged in the same pursuit. -
killed and captured 43, whom they bro
pnd delivered to their capaa. This make.
tai number taken at that place 26O, which
81 killed and wounded, makes a total Of
bould be unjust to The officers Of The regi
d bnd to my own feelings, were to close thi:
without acknowledging the gallant manner
ich all the grades Of officers performed ,hei
and sustained the honor Of their flag I'm,
engagement of the evening, our regiment
zen in no very dangerous position, and the
in tia, regard were raw and inexperienced