Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-05-05
his life, and his wound was only a severe con.

MS lie, and his wound was only severe con-
''. Jsnnd aaa-M we were about so.mareh
heard of he battle at Moro town, in which Capt.
Henly, q the volunteers, was killed and the
previous murder Of Prewit, Waldo. Culver, &
several other sAmericans at that place-n all
seven. Marched TO Secure and encamped.-
Capt. Burgwin, with his company, having con-
tinued their march all night, Joined us with
the six-pounder. AT this point Capt. Burg
| Wins company of dragons, and st. Vrain's
company of volunteers, nnder Lieut.. White
were sent forward to Ell Emboda, on the near
route to Taos, to attack a small party of the en-
envy said to be about sixty, with orders to Join
the main body at Tampus the next night; the
Colonel having determined to accompany the
| wagons and cannon which were compelled to
take more clrcultous route on account of the
dimculties IN the mountain Capt. Buigwn
| had proceeded only about four miles when he
met the enemy in great force, instead of sixty,
as had been represented. A severe battle en-
sued. They killed twenty of the enemy, and
| drove them towards Taos. Capt. d. had one
| man killed, and one severely wounded.
February 3d.-Marched four miles to Fer
| nando. where Governor Bent and other Amer
| leans had been murdered, and thence to Pueblo
de Taos. distant two miles. On our approach
the Indians and Mexicans shouted so loud that
we heard them at a mile Distant and as we
came near the town, tyey used all manner of
abusive epithets towards US, thinking themselvs
safe in their strong place. The troops were
soon brought into line, and heavy ramona
ding was opened upon them, with discharges OF
sma arms. This was continued till the ammu
milton for the cannon was exhausted. the am
munition wagon having been left some miles in
4 h<r Nfr-h< o al
Colonel ordered the troops to return to Fernan-
do, to prepare for a renewal Of the attack next
morning.
february, 4M.-We were again before the
town soon after sunrise. The six-rounder in
charge Of Lieut.. Wilson, LIST dragons, and 2
howitzers, all under Lieut.. Dyer, ordnance,
with portion of the volunteers, were placed in
position on the side of the town. and the other
two howitzers, in charge. of Lieut.. Hassen-
deubel, with Capt. Burgwin's company Of drag
| cons, and one company of volunteers, took po-
sltion on another side, SO as to make q cross
fire., The action now commenced at three
hundred yards distance, and continued cam
nonaiing was kept up with shells and grape
shot from the howitzers, and solid shot from the
six-pounder. till half past eleven A. NJ, with
occasional fires from our sharp-shooters, as the
chance offered by which means the enemy
were driven from the streets and plaza, and had
ceased their yelling.
At this time the Col. ordered charge from
each side. This charge was promptly made
but unfortunately Capt. Burgwin's company of
dragons, with Capt. McMilens company of
mounted volunteers, reached the church door
before the other party came up the conse-
quence was, that the intended diversion was
not effected, and for time, Capt. Burgwln's
lxl1 FIJI. .L
fire for a time. Capt. Il. had FIVE dragons
killed, and nineteen severely wounded, several
of whom soon dieG--among them Capt. Burg
win. Capt. McMien had six severely woun-
ded. So destructive was the cross-fring on
these two companies, that they were compelled
to retire behind the adobe wall which surrounds
the town, and which ran few feet from the
church. The whole soon came ur, and, break
irg down the wall, placed themselves under the
walls of the church, and commenced cutting an
opening into it with an axe. Still they were
being shot from the top of the church, from its
interior, through lo,p-hoes, and from other
buildings which commanded i.
As we had only axes TO work with, our pro-
gress was slow. Rut whieit was progressing
temporary ladder was put up, and the top of
the church was soon cleared. Howitzer shells
were lighted and thrown into the opening that
the Ind ans had made. These exploded beau
tifully, and no doubt did good execution but
still they would shoot man if he presented him
self at the holes. Fire was communicated to
the roof, but, being fiat and covered with earth,
it burnt slowly. The wall bad been cut only
aboat one foot Deep and as it no appeared that
the town must be taken house by house, and
for that purpose it was all important to get
possession of the church that night, which was
81
(iie ought to be Captain) to bring up the six
pounder within few yards of the building. s. |
with solid shot to make break where the men
had been cutting with axes. This was haz-1
ardous duty, as he and his n en- were dead marks
for the enemy, but the order was promptly obey |
ed the breach was made, and after throwing in |
a charge of canister and lighted shell, the |
troops rushed in. The Indians who were not
klled fed the front door was broken open on
the inside, and we had possession of the church,
but it was SO full of smoke that it could not be |
occus led.
I he ,ol. had taken the precaution to place
Capt. st. Vrain's company. Santa Fc mount
ed men, and Capt. Stacks company of mounted
volunteers, in rear Of the town, and between it |
aid the mountain, supposing, when the charge
was made, that Danv would attempt to escape.
Such proved to he the case: the Mexicans all
Led, and left the Indians to fight it out. These
two companies killed ffty-f.e. We soon gain
ed p session of two or three houses near the
church, but beyond them, one hundred yards
distant, stood two immense buildings. seven sio-
ries high, each story receding, and the only
opening into the rooms WIS from the roof down.
Into these the Indians all lied, and the Col. be-
ing convinced that they could not be taken with
o It 'avier gun, sent an express to Santa Fe
for ore of the twenty -four pound howitzers, &
a supply of ammunition. We slept soundIy
that night. 4r s rev
Early in the morning february 5ti,) the
women "a me in crowds to the Colonel. ON their
knees, with white flags, crosses &C., begging
for mercy, and very coon the men followed them.
The Col, thinking that the slaughter had been
sufficiently great, listened to their supplication
an granted them peace on conditions that they
1 hx;rcr him Homas of their laaderS