Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1847-04-20
A Gallant Affair.

lowing, from the HDelta's" correspondents:
j
Information was received in camp this
morning, that body of Mexicans were |
hanging on our rear, Intending toforce the |
lines if possible, and make their way into
the city with number of cattle. Col. |
Harvey. with one hundred aud twenty
dragons, was ordered out in search of
them, and report his observations. He
discovered them, about two thousand in |
number, entrenched at bridge, and sup.
ported by two pieces of artillery, three
miles from Gen. Patterson's head quar-
tess. Col. Harvey started on his return,
intending to prepare properly and attack
them the next morning. But the gallant
old soldier, knowing that delays are dan
geroQs, could not bear the idea of leaving
the enemy after having come in sight Of
them, without having a brush. Accord
ingiy he returned to the place, took POI
sition where he could watch their move.
ments and keep his men secure from the
enemy's fire. The Mexicans commenced
firing at him, and threw perfect shower
oil balls al. around him, but without injury.
Col. Harvey then despatched nessen-
ger to camp for a small reinforcement. &
some artillery to break the breastwo.ks.
He was reinforced from Gen. Patterson's
division, by Lieut.. Judd, with two pieces
OF artillery, about go dragons, dismount-
ed, and six companies OF the 1st and ID
tennessee volunteers under the command
OF Col. Haskell, accompanied by Gen.
PATTERSON in person, although he did not
take the command from Col. Harvey, but
merely participated as any other individu-
al who was engaged. Col. Harvey then
formed the Tennesseans on the right, his
dragons on the left, and advanced slowly,
to draw the fire of the Mexicans, until
Lieut.. Judd got his artillery in such posi-
ton as be desired. The movement sue
ceeded admirably; Lieut.. Judd got his
ground within $50 yards of the Mexicans.
and commenced firing. They attempted
to return it, but as soon as slight breach
was made in the parapet, Col. Harvey
ordered charge, which was answered by
a yell from the dragons and 'Fennesseans.
Col. Haskell, Capt. Cheathcm, and Capt.
Foster were the first men TO leap over the
6reaStwork, and, as a naval officer re-
marked who witnessed the whole affair,
the balance went over SO much like "a
thousand Of brick that there was no tel
ling who was first or last.
AS might have been expected, the Mex
leans were unable to stand charge from
''the boys who stood the fire of the Black
Fort at Monterey" A few of the incunl-
brances were soonthrown out ofiheway,&
Col, Harvey, with his Dragons, leaped
the hreastwork and gave chase. He had
not proceeded more than mile before he
found the enemy formed in line TO receive
him. He Immediately dcployed. and from
the head of the line ordered Charge
When he approached within about TWEEN.
ty yards of the enemy's line, they gave
him fire from their side arms, but over
shot. Then came the test of strength and
skill-'he dragoon, with his sword in
hand, met the confding lancer, with poin.
ted lance, ready to receive him. The
contest was but for a short time. In
many instances laRces were twisted from
their clenched hold; the Mexicans were
unsaddled and driven heller skelter in
every direction, and pursued by the dra-
goons in detachments. Col. Harvey and
several of his officers met their men in
single combat, but none of them received
any injury, except Lieut.. Neil, Adiutant
OF the regiment, who was wounded Sc
vereiy in two places from his magnanin-
ity in attempting to capture a Mexican
instead of killing him. In full run he
overlook tho retreating Mexican, and
placing his sword in front of him com.
manded him to surrender, wheroupon the
Mexican drove his lance into his mag.
unanimous adversary. AS the Lieutenant
wheeled his horse to despatch him, anoth.
er Mexican charged up and struck him
with lance. However, severely wound
ed as he was, in two places, he cofquered
one OF his foes, and a corporal came I'D
in time to "settls accounts with the 9th.
er.
In this affair Col. Harvey badt4 wound
ed and one killed. Lieut.. Judd had one
killed. and the Tennesseans had Messrs.
! Fox, Long, Woody, and one other of
Capt. McCown's company, whose name
could not ascertain, wounded. Mr.Young.
Texan Ranger, who was acting as guide,
was also wounded slightly. Nineteen
Mexicans were found dead at the bridge
behind the breastwork. Col. Harvey
killed fifty and wounded about the same
number. The Mexican force near 900;
Col. Harney's about 500.
Col. Haskell, Capts. Cheathem. Foster,
Snead, Lieut.. Judd. aud all the officers d
men in the command, are spoken of in the
very highest terms by Col. Harvey for
their gallant conduct throughoutthe whole
affair.
GALENA AND CHICAGO RAIL RoAD.-