The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-21


but who volunteered for duty with Loves battery was
ordered to reinforce Hassendenbe with a "a FOUNDER
howitzer and u 6-pounder gun This movement ha-
wing been perceived by the enemy, his battery
inforced, and incessant fire OF canister grape and
round shot was opened upon ou battery, but without
doing material injury Lieut. Dyer was soon in posi-
ton, where he continued direct fire upon this bate
~ placed In embrazre in of the principal streets
leading to the main plaza, well the church and
large building. upon both of which stationed a
strong force For upwards of hour this battery
served with great effect, clearing the houses and
of the enemy's batteries, which throughout, main
tanned a most rapid firing talr. l
now ordered Lieut. Love, with 24-pounder howit-
ger and 5pounder gum the remainder of his battery
having been disabled in tring) to advance upon the
position occupied by Lieut. Dyer, determined, if posi-
ble to silence the enemy's 9pounder which conribu
ted by the efficient manner In which it was served,
greatly to our annoyance Immediately thereafter re-
ceved information that my rear was threatened by u
large cavalry force OF the enemy supposed to be about
900 strong and intended reinforcement for the
envy within the town. Immediately Withdrew my
tery to commanding position about three-q quarters
of mile from tho town. and in the direction of the
Chihuahua road ordering, at the same time, the
mander of my command to the point for the pur
pose of attacking this supposed reinforcement Thit
movement was evidently regarded by the enemy u
prelude to our signal defeat Loud cheers from
the town, the houses were again covered by the sol
diery, flag was Immediately run up from angle Of
the church, and the fire Of the enemys heavy guns be-
came unusually brisk soon discovered the report
large reinforcement of the enemy in my to be in
correct and that only small body of cavalry had
mland under Lieut.. Col Lane ~
| now determined to storm the town agreeably to
the dispositions made at the of the at
tack and therefore gave orders for Rails Lane and
Walker to resume their former positions dismount
their men, and charge the town at the points assigned
them, so soon as my batteries should reopen
Lieut.. Love was ordered to take up his former posi-
| ton. About az PM, the action was resumed. and
the hre OF our battery returned with unusual brisk
ness Lieut. Loves battery at this time consisted Of
one 2.pounder howitzer one 6-pounder and ono
5-pounder For more detailed report of this battery
and the efficient aid contributed by the officers who
kindly assisted at it, respectfully refer to Lieut.
Loves report, which take pleasure in endorsing,
from my personal observations upon that day.
For the particulars of the several stormng parties
must also refer to the reports of their respective chiefs
which desire to be identified portion Of my
The charge OF Rails was commenced under my own
| eye, and in manner which fsreboded success SO
soon as tme would permit witnessed the persevering
cHof.s OF MAJOR Wan'ers command, and felt confident
would also refer tosIaor Beas report for the duty
nsssne Of taS Of under the
battery the 10th, in te judgment and activity dis
played to intercept any attempt by fight the enemy
and in the discharge OF the highly important duties
the siege discovered talent and ability.
feel confident that cannot add to the know rcpu
snt r OF TINS command for the second time has it
first was with the sacrifice of its gallant and accom-
plished leader, (the amented Burgwin) yet cannot
refraln from according that tribute of praise which
due the distinguished services they have performed
since forming portion of my command.
shortly after shutdown, the enemy surrendered. Gen
Irias and forty-twc 42 of his principal officers were
made prisoners of war; and eleven pieces of artillery,
nine wa-plcces. besides 517 arms
hands Our loss in this action lieutenant two
corporals, and private killed; and nineteen pr-
Yates wounded The loss of the enemy-from the
evidence of commanding officers herewith submitted
was two officers, and 80 commissioned officers and
prvatcs; the number wounded cannot be correctly
! In submitting to the consideration of the govern.
ment the operations which have been performed by my
troops ieei anxious to exhibit that high degree Of
praise theip conduct upon this occasion SO justly
rts The exceeding onerous duties of forced marches
over sterile and desert country of nearly 2O miles
N tip,,
few days rations of subsistence have been willingly in
deed cheerfully endured by my gallant column j feel
OF regulars and volunteers believing that feeling
will be recprocated by the War Department, aud
| cherished by the American people.
The distinguished conduct of Lieut.. Iove--in the
highly efficient manner in which his batteries
| served In the rapidty of movement which charac-
terzed his conduct when ordered t. reinforce me- ira
yelling night and day, going into battery four hours
after his arrival and his unceasing efforts during the
entire day in working his batterydeserves especial
notice ; and | cannot refrain from expressing the
strongest for that honorable gratitude
from his country which the brave soldier acquires by
To Colonel Rails, to Lieut. Colonel Lane to Major
Walker and their brave officers and men, must accord
the hghest honors; unfinching in the performance
they each and all We'd where duty called them the
browning result Of success Rails the west charged
with animation and enthusiasm Walker, on the
southeast stormsd with daring and bold determine
ton Lane on the north west, with small comma nd
forced the cnemys barriers gained the main plaza
Dat. overwhelmed by numbers prudently withdrew in
good order. his small. command In this charge the
brave but lamented Lieutenant G. o. Hepburn Mis-
souri, mounted horse. fell leading his men coriously
cheering and anmating them to the last His country
has lost valuable officer his relatives and friends
look to his deeds worthy Of record upon the page
OF history to console them for their loss
From the officers Of my personal staff have received
the ,most important services and encouraging aid
rson. assistant commissary OF subsstence Major Spal-
ding pay department and Lieut. Prince, A. d C. and
a. A A. General, served during the contest near my
person. conveying orders with promptness wherever
necessity demanded
Captain McXi.sick, suffering severely from sickness
resumed his position in the field rendering valuable
services throughout the action
TO the medical staff conducted by Assistant Surgeon
H. T. simpson, United States army, have to express
my Acknowledgements The attention and ability dis
played by Assistant Surgeon Simpson to wounded
upon the field well to those of the enemy after
the action, has won for him admiration and esteem
| from both armies.
also mention with pleasure the services of Captain
Haley Missouri horse acting brigade inspector Of my
! command, who voluntarily led his company Mt the
storming Of the town, under the immediate command
| of Colonel Rails
also take great pleasure in recording the services of
| Nlessrs James l.. Collins, +. w Pomery. and W. C.
Skinner American citizens, residents of Chihuahua
who volunteered their services aids camp upon
| that day.
OF these gentlemen, must make particular mention
The valuable information received from the former p
on my arrival at FL Paso, respects the condition of
the enemy, a knowledge Of the country and its Ian
guage together with his unremittng efforts to second
my views In all that pertains to these noes and
the personal excrtions Of the two latter in assisting me
10 remount my command at this place with their
vices on the 10Th, cntite them to my thanks
respectfully transmit herewith u special field return
oil the forces engaged in the action of the lGth:a re-
port OF the killed and wounded list of officers pa
rolled; list of stores captured; mu.ter.ro of the
cnemys forces. as furnished by Gen. Tras; and two
typographical sketches of the town showing tho posi-
ton OF my several comm nds prepared respectfully by
Captain Hassendenbcl. of Major Walkers battalion
and assistant Surgeon Horace r. Wrtz United States
| army
think 1t proper to state here, that every exertion
was made by Lieut. Col Easton commanding battalion
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