Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-23
nEADoUARrERs DEPARTMENT PERoTE,

PeToe, October % 1917.
Sir: On the evening 81 The 18Th inst learning
that Gen. Rca was in command OF consider
able force Of the enemy al Allixco abont ten
leagues from this place, | ordered movement
for The next morning at II o'clock. My force
consisted Of the 4th Ohio and 4lh Indiana res-
ments, Major Lally's and Capt. Heinlzleman's
ba,lalions, COL Wynkoop's battalion OF four COM
panies, LIST Pennsylvania volunteers, Captain
Taylor's aud Lieut.. Prau's batteries OF light ar
tillery, and squadron Of dragons, comma nded
by Capt Ford, Sd dragons. About O'Clock, p.
m, when near Santa Isabella, seven leagues from
this place, The advance guard of The enemy was
discovered. A halt was ordered until the cayal-
~ (Which had previously been detached TO eS-
anime hacienda) should arrive. The enemy,
with his accustomed bravado, came 10 the foot OF
The hill in small parties, firing their escopetas and
waving lhgg lap Sss Pr Re sFfHiHdaa 6y the CO.
lumn. A large deep ravne appearing on The LEFT
OF The road, Lieut. Col. Moore, with his Ohio re-
giment, was ordered to flank it, Major Lally with
his battalion leading the advance. Our column
had scarcely commenced its movement, when
signs of confusion were visible among The enc
my. In consequence OF which, the cavalry was
ordered TO charge, follow them up. and engage
them until the infantry could arrive. Lieut..
Pratt with his battery was ordered 10 follow in
rear oil the dragons al gallon. Had this move
men, been performed, the whole force would have
been ours. Bul by an order from Major Laly,
Lieut. Pratt was taken from The place assigned
him by me, and in consequence detained until
greater portion OF the column had passed; then,
owing 10 The nature OF the ground, il was impos-
sbe for his battery to proceed with rapidly
The cavalry pursued the retreatng enemy for
about mile and a halt, skirmshing with them.
On arriving al small hill, they made stand
nj rouoht seuerelv mill onr fnfa ntrv aDDea red
when they took flight. Our artillery fired few
shots as soon as it came up, but without effect, as
by their rapid retreat they had placed themselves
al long range. The dragons were again ordered
10 follow and keep them engaged. Alter run
ming fight of about four miles, and when within
mile and half Of Allxco, the whole body OF
the enemy was discovered on side hill. covered
with chapparal, forming hedges, behind which
they had posted themselves. Our cavalry dashed
among .hem, cutting them down in great num-
bers. So thick was The charparal, that The dra-
soons were ordered to dismoun and fight them on
loot. A most bloody conflict ensued, fatal 10 the
enemy. Our infantry Tor the last six miles had
been slrainins themselves 10 The utmost 10 over.
take the enemy, pressing forward most arduously,
Notwithstanding the forced march Of sixteen miles
since II o'clock. Owing 10 The nature oil The
road, almost entirely destroyed by gulles. the arlil
lery conld only advance al walk. As soon as
the infantry again appeared in sight, the enemy
again retreated. So worn ont were our horses (the
sun having been broilng hot all day. that they
could pursue The enemy no further. The column
was pressed forward as rapidly as possible towards
The ,own, but night had already shut in, giving
u.s. however, The advantage Of fine moonlight.
As we approached, sevcra shots were nred at u.s.
and deemiDg il unsafe 10 risk street fight in an
unknown town al night, ordered The artillery 10
be posted on hill near 10 the town, and over
looking il, and open its fire. Now ensued one OF
the most beautiful sights conceivable. Every
gun was served with The utmost rapidly; and The
crash OF The walls and the roofs OF the houses,
when struck by our shot and she'll, was mingled
with the roar OF our artillery. The bright Ugh,
of The moon enabled US 10 direct our shots 10 the
most lhickly populated paris OF the town.
After firing three.quarters of an hour, and the
firing from The town having ceased, ordered
Major Lay and Col. Brongh to advance eau
tiousy with their commands into The town. On
entering, was waited upon by The ayunamieno,
desiring that their town might be spared. After
searching the next morning Tor arms and am
mutton, and disposing Of what was found, com.
menced my return.
Gen. Rea had Two pieces OF artillery; but as
soon as he was aware OF our approach, he order
cd them with haste 10 Matamoras, small town
eleven leagues beyond. The enemy stale their
own loss in this action TO be 2I9 killed and 300
wounded. On our part, we had one man killed
and one wounded. Scarcely ever has more ra-
pid forced march been made than this, and pro-
duclive of better results. Atyco has been The
headquarters ofguenillas in this section OF coun.
Try, and Of late the seat oil government Of This
Stale. From hence all expeditions have been
fitted out against our troops. So much terror has
been Impressed upon them, al thus having war
brought 10 their own homes, that am inclined 10
believe They will give us no more trouble
The cavalry under Capt Ford deserves my
very warmesi thanks. The service performed
by them was OF most arduous and dangerous
character, and nobly did they sustain themselves.
To Capt. Lewis, LIS. Waters and Lilly, il is but
justice TO recommend them particularly to the no.
lice of the department for their gaanry. Also, Ii.
Martin, 81 dragons, commanding for the time
Capt. Ford's company, behaved in a handsome
manner. To The commanders Of regiments and
ballalons, TO Capt Taylor, Sd artillery, and L.
Pratt, I'd artillery, commanding batteries Of lieh,
artillery, am under great Indebtedness. To Ii.
Sears, ID artillery, acting A. A. General, for his
promplness and efficiency throughout The day in
carrying my orders, also my highes, thanks are
due. Ii. Douglas, Ohio regiment (my aid) Ii.
Henderson, Louisiana regiment. Lieut.. Grooms,
Ohio regiment, and Lieut.. Mcdonald, assistant
quartermasier, deserve my thanks for efficient
service during the DAY. To my secretary, Mr..
A. Phelps, my thanks are due. To Docts. Rey-
holds, Newton and Lamar, must tender my
thanks
On my return, when at Cholula, learning that
TWO pieces Of artillery had just been finished al
Guexocinge, determined 10 proceed lhither and