The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-09-28

GALLANT ISEsISrANCE OF LIZ. " bRIEN.-
simultaneously with all this, the other por-
lion Of the .nemy's immense force contID-
ued to advance dlagonally down the plateau,
toward the very point occupied by the com
nanding General. There was nothing to
impede their progress but The artillery under
Lieuls. O'Brien and Thomas. The former
of these officers, with his Two pieces was
about hundred yards to the right and in
advance Of the latter; and both, though I'M
supported, Tell back no faster that the recol
Of their guns would carry them. They knew
our troops were hurryug up from the rear
and that, if they could reiard the enemy,
course but few minutes longer, The tide
of batle, now setiag so heavy against us.
might once more turn in our favor. Ser
man and Bragg Were urging on their bate
res with whip, spur, aud even with drawn
sabres, the dragons were coming on with
them; while 10 the left, Davis aud Lane,
with their riHemen and infanry-ihe men
with tTailed arms-weTe Advancing, at a run.
over the ridges and ravines; The awful fire
of muskeiry on the plateau, and down around
hat dismal gorge, proclaiming with fearful
eloquence the necessity of their speed
Closer and closer pressed the Mexicans-
O'Brien saw, that il he limbered up in time
osage his guns, the enemy would carry the
plateau before our other light artillery could
get toll; but that. IL he stood his ground and
Ought them un'l they were lost, there was
'iill chance remaining TO retrieve the for,
tunes of the day. Ii was most critical mo.
meui, aud his d mos, perilous situation. On
his choice there rested infinite responsibility
Ills decision, under the circumstances, was
stamped with mole of heroism than any 9th
er one ACT of the war. liz ELECTED TO LOSE
HIS GUNS. ".A
Sill onward came the Mexlcans. O'Bri-
ems men were fast falling around him; he
was himse II wounded; already two horses
had been killed under him.; aud the third
was bleeding; besides those aitachedto his
pieces and caisons were nearly all down.
ind struggling in their harness. lie looked
back, aud saw that the troops in rear were
now nearly Up, aud encouraged his little
handful of men TO continue their exertions
The cool and intrepid Thomas on his left.
Kept busily a, his work, aud was likewise sui
;ering most terrible loss. SIilllhe Mexicans
came on, and were now almost up 10 The
guns, which were pouring INTO them canis
ers aud musket balls. No troops could have
behaved better than they did. There was
no ialiering. The wide gaps opened through
their ranks were immediately closed up, aud
he men still pressed on. Now nearly ever,
cannoneer was down. O'Brien looked back
once more, aud thank God. Bragg's Battery.
which was leading, was just al that moment
COMING into action; Sherman and the dra-
g,ons were following rapidly up, while Da-
Wis and Lane were just bringing their rife.
men and infantry out of The deep ravine up
The plateau. HIS pieces were nearI,
! AIDED again; il was slow work, the fou,
" five men about them being SO weak hom
l"ss Of blood. Bat he was determined q to
give The Mexicans one more found; and he
lid so; was, one might say. right in iheir
teeth; aud then he and the few crippled iel
lows who had survived the carnage, hobbled
away. t.rr ..t