The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-10-15

ing owe the path that we scrambled
through, behold us at almost six o'clock
evening tired, hungry and sorrow
full, emerging from the chapparal and
crossingihe road between il and Valen-
cia, Here we found Cadwallader and
his brigade already formed, aud discov-
cred Riley's brigade skirmishiag in rear
ofthe enemy's works: Valencia was ig-
norant ofour approach, and we were US
vet safe. In front of US was Valencia,
strongly entrenched IN a hill side and
surrounded by a regular field work con.
cealed from us by an orchard in our rear.
Mendoza with a column of 5000 was in
the rear. but thinking us to be friends.
On our right was a large range of hills
whose continued crest was parallel to the
road, aud in which were formed in line
of battle 5000 ofthe best Mexican caval-
ny. On our left we were separated from
our " forces by an almost impossible
wilderness and it was now twilight. E.
ven Smith lookedround for help.
Suddenly a thousand tieas came across
the hill side. like the yells Of prairie
wolves in the dead of night, and the
squadron on our right formed for charg-
ing, Smiths himself again! Pace to
the REAR" "WaittiIl you see their red
caps and then give tito them!' Furious
ly they came on a few yards, then chang
ed their minds aud disgusted at our cool
reception, retired to their couchcs. On
the edge ofthe road between US aud Va
%lencia. a Mexican hamlet spread out with
its mud buis, large orchards, deep cut
roads and a strong church, and through
the centre of this hamlet ran a path par
allel to the main road. but concealed from
ii: it is nearly a mile long. In this road
Smiths and Riley's brigade spent the
night.-Shields, who came up in the
night. lay in the orchard, while Cadwal-
lader was nearest the enemy's works.
AS we were within range of their bate
%tcries, which could en6lade the road in
which we lay, we built a stone breast
work at either end to conceal ourselves
from their view and grape. There we
were, completely surrounded by the enc
my, cut off from our communications, ig-
~norant oflhe ground, without artillery,
weary, dispirited and detected, we were
a disI,emltened set. With Santa Annals
and Sala's promise of mo quarter a force
Of four to one against us, and IL halfde-
featea already, no succor from Puebla,
and no news from Gen. Scott, all seemed
dark. Suddenly the words ZANE whis-
pered along, ''trc storm at midnight"
Now we were ourselves againl But
what a horrible night, There we lay
too tired to eat, too wet to sleep, in the
middle ofthat muddy road, officers and
men side by side, with heavy rain pour
ing down upon us, the officers without
blankets or overcoats (they had lost them
in coming across and the men worn ont
with fatigue, About midnight the rain
was so heavy that the streams in the road
flooded us and there we stood crowded to-
gether, drenched and benumbed. waiting
till daylight. Alhalf past three the well
come word .taH in" was passed down
and we commenced orr march.
The enemy were on a hillside be-
hind which rose other and slightly high
er hills separated by deep %ravines and
gullies and intersected by streams. The
whole face Of the country was Of stiffclay
which rendered it almost impossible 10
advance. We fMmed our line about a
quarter off mile from the enemy's works,
Riley's brigade on our right. AT about 4
we started, winding through u thick or.
chard which eaectually concealed us,
even had it not been dark, debouching
into a deep rayine which ran within n.
bout 500 yards Of the work and which
carried US directly in rear and ont OIL
sight of their batteries. At dawn ofday
we reached our place after incredible ex.
e%rtions, and got ready for our charge
The men threw of their wet blankets and
looked at their pieces, while the officers
got ready for u rush, and the first smile
that lit up our faces for twelve hours.
bodied but little good for the Mexicans,
Onthe Fighter opposite the right ofiheir
work was Riley's brigade of the I'd and
LIST Infantry aud 4th artillery, next The
Rifles; then the LIST artillery and Sd In.
fantry. In rear on our left was Cadwa!.
LADDERS brigade, as a support with Shields
brigade in rear as a reserve, the whole
division under command ofGen. Smith in
the absence of General Twiggs. They
had a smooth place to rush down on the
enemy's work, with the brow 0fthe hill
to keep under until the word was given.
At last just at daylight, Gen, Smith
slowly walking up,asked fall was ready.
A look answered him.--"Men 70, ward!"
Aud we did forward Springing up
at once Riley's brigade opened, when
tho crack Of a hundred rifles startled the
Mexicans from their astonishment and
they opened their fire. Useless fire,
for we were so close that they overshot
us, and before they could turn their pie.
ces 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. The carnage was
frighlful. and though they fired sharply
it was Of no use. Tho earthen parapet
was cleared in an instant, aud the blows
of the stocks could be plainly heard min.
gled with the yells and groans around.
Just befDre the charge was made, n large
body oflancers came winding up the
road, looking most s~plendidly in their
I'm ~ 49, . nh "