The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-26
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1897.

us, and there we stood crowded tOgether,
drenched and benumbed, waiting TIL day
light. 49,
Athalf past three the welcome word
afaH III" was passed down and we COM
menced our march. The enemy's works
were on hill side, belind which rose
other and slightly higher hills, separated
by deep rayines and gullies, and inter-
sected by streams. The whole face OF
the country was of stiff clay, which rem
dered it almost impossible to advance
We formed our line about quarter Of
mile from the enemy's works, Riley's
brigade on our right. At about four we
started, winding through thick orchard
which effectually concealed us, even had
it not been dark, debauching into deep
ravine which ran within about FIVE hun
dred yards of the work, and which carried
us directly in rear and out of sight of their
batteries. At dawn Of day we reached
our place after incredible exertions, and
got ready for our, charge. The men
threw off their wet blankets and looked
10 their pieces, while the officers got ready
for rush, and the first smile that lit up
our faces for twelve hours BODIED bnt lit
tie good for the Wexicans. On the right
and opposite The right Of their works, was
Riley's brigade fthe Cd and lst infantry.
In rear of our left was CaGwalader's bri-
gade, as support, with Shields brigade
in rear as a reserve-the whole division
Ior n 4 n, Al oh
sence Of Gen. Twiggs. They had a
smooth place to rush down on the ene-
my's work, with the brow of the bill TO
keep under until the word was given.
At sast, just a. daylight, Gen. Smith
sloyly walked up and asked if all was
ready. look answered him. "NiEN
FORWARD" And we DID ''forward. -
Springing up at once, RILEy's brigade O.
pened, when the crack of hundred RI
fes started the Mexicans from their aston
ishment, and they opened their fire
Useless fire, for we were SO close that
they overshot US, and before they could
turn their pieces on US, we were on them.
Then such cheers arose as YOU never
heard. The men rushed forward like
demons, yelling and firing the while
Itrc csriIdgt aS Trrl,trsrs'i, srIougrr
they fired sharply, it was Of no use
The earthern parapet was cleared in an
instant. and the blows of the stocks could
be plainly heard mingled with the yells
and groans around. Just before the charge
was made, a large body of lancers came
winding up the road, looking most sPlen-
didly in their brilliant uniforms. They
never got to work, but turned and fed
In an instant all was one mass of confu-
sion, each trying to be foremost in the
flight. The road was literally blocked
up, and while many perished by their
own guns, it was almost impossible to
fire on the mass, from the danger of kill
ling our own men. Some fled up the ra-
vine on the left, or on the right, and ma
ny of these were slain by turning their
own guns on them. Toward the city
the Rifles and ID Infantry led of the pur-
suit. Seeing that large crowd of the
fugitives were jammed up in pass in the
road, some of our men ran through the
cornield, and by thus heading them of
and firing down upon ihcm, about 80 men
took over 500 prisoners, nearly hun
Jred of them officers.
After disarning the prisoners, as the
pursuit had ceased, we went back TO the
fort, where we found our troops in full
possession, and the rout complete.
We found that the encmy's position
was much stronger than we had supposed,
and their artillery much larger and more
abundant. Our own loss was small,
which may be accounted for by their per-
feet surprise at our charge, as TO them we
appeared as if rising out Of the earth, SO
unperceived was our approach. Our loss
was one officer killed Capt. Hanson Of
the 9TH Infantry, and Lieut.. Van Buren,
of the Rifles shot through the leg-and
about go men killed and wounded. Their
force consisted of 5000 men under Valen-
Ella, with reserve, which had not vet ar
rived, under Santa Anna. Their loss as
since ascertained was as folows:-killed
and buried since the fight, 750-wounded
1000, and 1900 prisoners, exclusive of Of
ficers, including 4 Generals. .SaIas, Men
doza, Garcia and Gaudaloupe, in addition
to dozens Of Colonels, Majors, Captains,
&c. We captured in all on the bill %
pieces of cannon, including five s inch
howitzers, two long Is, three long l6,
and several of IL and s inches, and also
the two identical Founders captured by
the Mexicans at Buena Vista, taken from
Capt. Washington's battery OF the 4th ar
tillery. The first officer who saw them
happened to be the officer of the 4th Sc
lected by General Scott to command the
new battery of that regiment, Capt Drum.
In addition were taken immense quanti-
lies Of ammunition and muskets, in fact
the way was strewed with muskets, es-
copets, lances and flags for miles. Large
quantities of horses and mules were also
captured, though large numbers were Kill