Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-30

occupying position where they would be, in
some degree. protected by the high bluff bank
of the stream from the fire of the enemy, until
the wagon train could be brought up. The
artillery opened on the houses occupied by
the enemy, and on the more distant height, on
which alone the guns could be hrot to bear.
The enemy, discovering the wagons to be more
than mile in the rear, sent large party to
cut them off; and it became necessary to detach
Capt ST. Vrain's company for their protection.
| This service was rendered IN the most Salts
factory manner. So soon as the wagon train
had been brought up, ordered Capt. Angney
10 charge with his battalion OF infantry, and
dislodge the enemy from the house opposite
the right flank, and from which warm fire
was being poured on US. This was done in
the most gallant manner A charge was then
ordered to be made upon all the points occu-
pied by the enemy in any force. Capt. Ang-
nev, with his command, supported by Lieut..
Whites company, charged up one hill, while
Capt ST. Vrain,s company turned the same, in
order to cut off the enemy, when in retreat
The artillery, supported by Capts. McMillin,
Barber, and Slack, with their respective CON-
panies, at the same time took possession of
some houses enclosed by strong corral
densely wooded with fruit trees, from which
brisk fire was kept up by the enemy,) and
of the heights beyond them. Capt. Halley's
company was ordered to support Capt. Arg-
ney. In a few minutes my troops had dis
lodged the enemy at all points, and they were
flying in every direction. The nature of the
| ground rendered pursuit hopeless; and it being
near night, ordered the troops to take up
quarters in the town. The number of the en-
envy was about fifteen hundred Lieutenant
Irvine was wounded. In the charge my loss
was two killed and six wounded. Of tine
killed, one was teamster, who volunteered
in Capt. Angneys company. The loss of the
enemy was thirty-six killed wounded not as
certained. The next morning the enemy
showed themselves in some force q think not
less than four hundred) or the distant heights
Leaving a strong guard in the town, | march
ed in pursuit of them; but they were so shy,
and retreated SO rapidly, that, finding it impos-
sible to get near them, returned to town.
While at Canada, number of the horses
belonging to Capt. Slack's company were brot
in by Lieut. Holcomb.
On the 9th, l advanced up the Rio del
Norte as far as Luceros, where, early on the
2Sth, | was Joined by Captain Burgwin, COM
handing company G 1st dragons, and COM
pany A I'd regiment Missouri mounted volun-
teers, commanded by Lieut. Boon Captain
Burgwin's command was dismounted, and
great credit is due to him and his officers and
, men for the rapidity. with which march so
long and arduous was performed At the
same time Lieut. Wilson, 1st Dragons, who
had volunteered his services, came up with a
6-pounder, which had been sent for from Ca
NADIA.
My whole force now comprised 479 rank
and file. On the 29th marched to La Joya,
where | learned that party of sixty or eigh-
ty of the enemy had posted themselves on the
steep slopes of the mountains which rise on
| each side OF the canon, or gorge, which leads
to Embudo. Finding the road by Embudo
impracticable for artillery or wagons, I de-
tached Captain Burgwin in that direction, with
his own company of dragons and the COM
| panies commanded by Capt St. Vrain and 1t.
: White. This detachment comprised $50 rank
and file.
By my permission Adutant R. Walker, ID
regiment Missouri mounted volunteers, accom-
panied Captain Burgwin. Lieut. Wilson, 1st
Dragons, also volunteered his services as a
private in Capt St. Vrain's company.
Captain Burgwin, pushing forward, discov-
! cred the enemy. TO the number of between six
> and seven hundred, posted on the sides
7 of the mountains, just where the gorge
becomes so contracted as scarcely to admit of
the passage of three men marching abreast.
The rapid slopes of the mountains rendered
the enemy's position very strong, and its
e strength was increased by the dense masses Of
cedar and large fragments of rock which eve.
e rywhere offered them shelter. The action was
commenced by Capt. St. Vrain, who, dismoun.
s ting his men, assembled the mountain to the
left, doing much execution. Thanking parties
r were thrown out on either side, commanded
$ respectively by Lieutenant White, I'd regiment
Missouri mounted volunteers, and by Lieuts
McIvaine and Taylor, 1st dragons. These
S parties assembled the bills rapidly, and the en-
o my soon began to retire in the direction O
e Embudo, bounding along the steep and rugged
ed pursuit The firing at the pass of Embu
I, do had been heard at La Joya, and Captain
:. Slack, with twenty-five mounted men. hat
: been Immediate y despatched thither. He nov
e arrived and rendered excellent service by re-
j. Iieving Lieut.. White, whose men were much
fatigued Lieuts. McIlvaine and Taylor wer
/ also recalled; and Lieutenant Ingalls, was d
:, rected to lead f1anking party on the RICH
l. slope, while Capt. Slack performed the SAM
n duty on the left. The enemy having by thi
time retreated beyond our reach, Capt. Bur
= gwin marched through the defle, and debouch
d ing into the open valley in which Embudo i
II situated, recalled the thanking parties, and en-
tered that town without opposition, severa
e persons meeting him with white flag.
5, Our loss in this action was one man killed
o and one severely wounded, both belonging t
r Capt St. Vrain's company. The loss of tn
is enemy was about twenty killed and sixt
e wounded.
e Thus ended the battle Of the pass of En-
budo.
2 On the 3OtE, Capt. Burgwin marched +
r, Trampas, where he was directed 10 await tn
e. arrival of the main body, which on accoun
s. of the artillery and wagons, was forced +
Of pursue more southern route. On the 31st
p reached Trampas; and being joined by Cap
i Burgwin, marched on to Chamisal with tn
It. whole command. On the 1st of February W
j. reached the summit of the Taos mountain
~ which was covered with snow to the depth c
til two feet; and on the I'd, quartered at sma
to village called Rio Ghetto, in the entrance G
the valley OF Taos. The marches of the Ii
Mt and I'd were drought deep snow. Many c
T. the men were frost bitten, and all were yer
T. much faded with the exertions necessary t
travel over unbeaten roads, being marched
in front of the artillery and wagons in order t
ry break a road through the snow. The cor
H. stancy and patience with which the troop
IL bore these hardships, deserve all commend;
" ti0n and cannot he ovcellnd nv the most vet,