Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-01-20

the fanks Of the artillery The action was
here kept up with intense warmth, the enemy
making many efforts to sweep us from the pla-
tean, with the evident intention Of gaining pos
session OF the only practicable passage for his
artillery across that flank -four line. Though
the plateau was held in spite Of the desperate
efforts of the enemy TO gain it, yet by closely
hugglng the mountain on our left, he succeed
cd in crossing large masses of cavalry and in
fantry over that part of our line, and thus Sc
riously threatened in rem our most important
positions. Here n crotchet in rear, with its
left resting on Buena Vista, having been has
tly formed for the purpose Of rcpusing these
rear attacks, was ordered, with a section of
my battery, round 10 lis support. A G-pound-
or under Lieut.. Reynolds was left for The i'm
mediate support of a brigade of infantry, com
posed of the Mississippi and ID Indiana Rcgi-
ments, forming the right of ihe crotchet, whilst
moved forward with l2-pouudcr howitzer
to dispense large body of infantry that had
sought shelter from our fire in gorge of the
mountain in my immediate front. This inian-
try having been dispersed and sent up the
mountains ! then took the howilzer round to
the immediate support Of the Mississippi and
Sd Indiana rcgmenis-lieut. Rcynold' piece
having been removed by Col May for the sup
port of his squadron ON the left of the crotchet
Here | would state that Lieut. French having
been severely wounded early in the action, his
detached piece fell into the hands of Lieutenant
Garnet, 1th artillery, who conducted il with
great ability until il joined Lieut.. Reynolds, on
his way to the support of l1uena Vista Al
though Lieut.. Reynolds did not reach that
place with his two pieces in time To assist in
repulsng the serious attack made upon ii, yet
he was enabled to bring up and serve his guns
so as to eiiectually dspersc "A large body of
lanccrs which had still held together, and
showed firm front on the left of the place -
The enemy having utterly failed in his attacks
upon Buena Vista, and upon the left of the
crotchet, he made another desperate effort to-
get possession. of the key of our position, by
charging with heavy column of lancers, the
right formed by the Mississippi and Sd lnd-
ana regiments, and my l2-pounder howitzer.
This column with "A body of infantry, opened
such calling fire as would almost stagger the
best of troops. The brigade of infantry very
judciously fell back short distance to obtain
an advantageous position to receive the charge
the movement being covered by my hOwiZer.
The proper position having been secured, al
deadly fire was opened upon the column by the
line of infantry, which at once hurled it into
the deep ravinc below. The unwavering
frmness and deadly fire of the Mississippi reg
the most veteran troops. Every effort of the
enemy having failed, he was compelled to re-
treat before the forward movement of the
troops forming the crotchet who gradually
wheeled to the right, closing upon his dlsor-
ganzcd masses, and driving Inn back before al
sharp fire of canister and shell from my bat
terry, supported by that of Capt. Bragg on the
left and some pieces under Lieut.. O'Bricn and
Thomas upon the plateau on our right. Du-
ing this movement the several parts of the
crotchet, before separated by deep ravincs and
gullcys, now closed up each other, permitting
the two pieces under Lieut.. Reynolds to now
Join me. After having completely dispersed
and driven the enemy into his old position,
was directed to take my battery back to the
plateau, where joined Lieut. Thomas, who
had been constantly engaged during the fore
noon in the preservation of that important posi-
ton, and whom found closely engaged with
the enemy, and that too in a very advanced po-
siton. Here the enemy, taking another stand
again made his greatest efforts TO sweep us
from the platcau-thc battle raging as hot as
ever. The whole OF my bo,,ory, s"rror,oJ Ly
Capt. Bragg's and by the Mississippi and 9TH
or regiments of infantry, was here engaged du-
ring the rest of the day. The position was
preserved, and my battery bvouackcd upon an
advanced position of the plateau during that
night. The enemy, having exhausted him
self in his efforts to carry our positions, retired
during the night with an immense loss.
cannot close without taking pride in men
tionng the warm and hearty cooperation Civ
en- me by nearly every member of the com
pany The services of Lieut. French, re-
grct to say, were lost early in the day, but
his severe wound attests the zeal with which
he entered upon the field. I.eutenants Thom-
ID L A Il. Al. Al.
action, and their coolness and frmncss contrib
uted not little to the success of the day.
Lieut.. Thomas more than sustained the rcpu-
tation he has long enjoyed in his regiment as an
accurate and scientific artllerist.
| also regard it my duty to bring to the no.
ticc of the commanding general Sergeant
Swayne and Artfccr Austin, whose services
stood conspicuous during the day as the result
of both distinguished skill and bravery.
| enclose herewith n report of the causalics
which occurred in the battery during the ac-
ton.
have the honor to be, your most obedient
servant,
II. w. SHERMAN,
Capt. Sd Artillery, CONG light comp'y f..
Major w. w. 5. BLISS, Asst Adj't Gen'l.
Arrird of Me Steamship Washington al
Mh)ac.-lhc brig Acadan arrived at Boston
Saturday morning, bringing intelligence that
the New York steamer Washington, which
sailed from Southampton on the 18th of De-
cember, put into Halifax last Monday, the 10th
instant to reit, having experienced very severe
weather all the passage, and got short of pro-
vision. She encountered series of heavy
gales, by which her machinery was dislocatcd,
her paddle boxes carried away, her wheel
houses stove in, &c. She has i5 passengers.
The Halifax Morning Courier of January lth,
says:
80 In making this port the Washington came
inside the Isle of Sable, and thus saved con-
siderable distance by sea and current, and has
the advantage of putting herself IN condition
700 miles this side of her port of destination,
which ii is possible, taking the dangers OF the
sea into account, she might never have reach
cd in her disabled condition"
As the Washington only left Southampton
the day after the Caledonia, she brings no
news. Her appearance of Halifax, bearing
American colors, created quite sensation III
g commercial circles" In trial with The
French steamship New York, before she left
Europe she sailed two miles To the FfCnch- |