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

tain h0WltZerS, we suddenly eSpieu a.
lencia fortified on hill about two hundred
yards off, and strongly reinforced by a
column which had just come out of the
city. We laid down close TO avoid draw
ing their fire, while the battery moved
past at full gallop. just then General
Smiths voice rung out "Forward the
ryfes-fo support the battery" On they
went till we got about eight hundred yards
from the work, when the enemy opened
upon them with his long guns, which
were afterwards found TO be sixteen and
eight inch howitzers. The ground was
the worst possible for artillery, covered
with rocks large and small, prickly pear
and cactus, intersected by bitches filed
with water and lined with maguey plant,
itself imperviable to cavalry, and with
patches of corn which concealed the en-
emv's skirmishers while il impeded our
own passage. The artillery advanced
but slowly under tremendous fire, which
greatly injured it before it got in range,
and the thickness of the underground
caused the skirmishers thrown forward TO
lose their relative position, as well as the
column. About 4 the battery got in po-
siiion under most murderous fire Of
grape, canister, and round shot. Here
the superiority of the enemy's pieces rem
dered our fire nugatory. We could get
but three pieces i'll battery, while they
had twenty-seven, all of them three times
the caliber of ours. For two hours our
troops stood the storm of iron and lead
they hailed upon them unmoved. AT
every discharge they laid fiat down 10 a.
void the storm and then sprung up to
serve the guns. At the end of that time
two of the guns were Iismounted and we
badly hurt. thirteen OF the horses were
killed and disabled, and fifteen ef the can
noniers killed and wounded. The regi-
ment was then recalled The lancers had
been repelled in three successive charges.
The Sd infantry and 1st artillery had also
engaged and successfully repelled the en-
emy's skirmishers without loss of either
officers or men. The greatest loss had
been at the batteries. Officers looked
gloomy for the first days fight. but the
brigade was formed, and Gen. Smith in
person took command All felt reyiv-l
and followed him with yell, as, creeping
low to avoid the grape, (which was COM
ing very FAST; we made circuit in rear
Of the batteries, and passing off 10 the
right we were soon lost 10 view In the
chaparral and cactus.
Passing over the path that we scram-
hled through, behold US at almost 6 O'Clock
in the evening, tired. hungry, and sorrow
ful, emerging from the chaparrel and eros
sing the road between it and Valencia
Here we found Cadwalsder and his bri-
gade already formed, and discovered Ri
ley's brigade skirmishing in rear of the
eneny's works Valencia was ignorant
of our approach, and we were as yet safe.
IN front of us was Valencia, strongly en-
trenched on hill side and surrounded by
a regular field work, concealed from us by
an orchard in eur rear. Mendoza, with
a column of 6.O00, was in the road, but
thinking us to be friends. On our right
was large range OF hills whose contin-
ued crest was parallel to the road, and in
which were formed in line of battle s.
600 of the best Mexican cavalry. On
our left we were separated from our own
forces bv an almost impossible wilderness
and it was now twilight. Even Smith
locke round for help. Suddenly a thou
sand uiUas came across the hill side like
the yells OF prairie wolves in the dead of
right, and the squadrons on our right
formed for charging. Smith is himself a.
gainl "Face TO the rear!'' AWAIT till you
see their red caps, and then give it TO
theinT Furiously they came on few
yards, then changed their minds, and,
disguised at our cool reception, retired to
their couches.
On the edge of the road, between US
and Valencia, Mexican hamlet spread
ont, with It's mud huts, large orchards,
deep cut roads, and strong church; and
through the centre of this hamlet ran a
path parallel to the main road, but con-
cealed from it; it is nearly mile long
In this road Smiths and Riley's brigade
spent the night. Shields, who came up
in the night, lay i'll the orchard, while
Cadwalader was nearest the enemy s
works. Aswe were within range OF the
batteries, which could enfilade the road in
which we lay. we built a stone breastwork
at either end to conceal ourselves from
their view and grape. There we were,
Completely surrounded by the enemy. cut
offirom our communications, ignorant Of
the GROUND, without artillery. weary, dis
pirited, and detected. We were dis
heartened set. With Santa Anna and
Salas's promise Of s'no quarter a force
oil four to one against US, and one half de-
feated already. no succor from Puebla,
and no news from Gen. Scott. all seemed
dark. Suddenly the words came whis-
pered along, sure Storm at midnig CHI -
Now we are ourselves again! But what
N horrihio ,,irhff sIsharo xua law foo tired