Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-07-01

left and renr. Shields found the reserve ofthe en-.
cmy 1000 strong. posted on the road leading 10
the CITY in rear Of the town Of Churubusco. AZ
ter some manouvefing he attacked and routed
tlisbodyjust ~ the church and Tcte dr. Pcxihad
been carried Here Pierce had an opportunity
,odisplay his "6rmncss. Goodness and courage"
but he was not destined to be $50 fortunate ms when
the bullets Of the uerrillas penc, his hat.
not his head," for unfortunately he tainted at tho
commencement Of the action. and thus tdrmi-
mated those giorious decide of his, iy which he
won tho "I,igh ccmmen,la,ion Of the Cum.
mander-in Chief. the nomination at Baltimore.
and the applausl,ng shouts Of my riatls Of Dem.
ocrats, though the latter have delayed rather
long, considering The nature Of his deeds Of
arms, and The trans, cndem abilities displayed
hy, him. "l'ut "hc',er late than never
The above sketch ofthc several actions of
the 10th and goth Of Angus, lS47. is accurrte-
y compiled from the Off ial dispatches pub-
lisied with the Presidents ssagc at the sos.
sion Of Congress for lsi7-'S. twill bc found
10 give correctly the whole connection which
General Pierce had with these tons. Such
of the dispatches as refer to General Pierce
are hereto annexed in full. Here is Picrce's
own report
HEaD.auARIEns ls1 DRieAne. Ord DIvrsIo.. !
Aexso7nc. 'gust %. sH.
CirrnS: have tic honor to repuri, for the infor-
nation Of the nlior general commanding the division,
the operations of my brigade during the several engage
rnents Of The 18th snd 2Gth instant
Agrecaby Instructions the pfh and 18th regiments
nfnfanfry, commanded by C-onrI Ransom aud Lieu
tsnant Cooncl Bon,am, directed by support
that portion Of General Twig division ordered at
Ia x the front of the enemy'- work nj Coa'rero'.
These cginents moved with greut aacriry and cool
fr three-fpurhs Ola mile under heavy fir Of round
shot and shells n position Nile Tight md
advance OF the battery commanded by Captain Mugru
der, st artillery whose conduit had opportunity
obserTc ith nduirhtion; which position they maintain
cd from, o'rpck until o'clock, T.. At that hour.
hndns myself us believed. the senior officer in that
part of the field aud learning from CBptnn Msgrudcr
twhose battery had already suffered grc1rIy from the
omys vastly superior weight Of mctal) that he was
tosed by the orders vt the general commanding the d.
vision. IN OF nn inability make impression on
The opposite works. to Withdraw his directed
him well as the ,rce which sPro rcd his battery
asng Of the 9th md 18th Regiments III infantry, four
companies Of Bird infanrv aud rifles. rrtre tho base
Of the heights, nbon, mile and half in front Of the
eniys works. and there awnit further order At o.
clock the following, Che 20h.> Grnersl Twgg-,with
Captain Ice Of the engineer corps, whsc distinguished
snrrie both days will not be overlooked,
my byouack with orders from tl general in chief
10 assemble all the forces in my immediate neigbnrbood
ald occupy position in order create diversion in
ftvorof Brigadcr General Smith, vho to storm the
"nens works at dawn OF day. Being myself unable to
keep NY saddle, to- walk in consequence of severe
injury from the fall OF my horse the day before the
mand Of ih.q force devovcd upon Colonel Ransom. Of
9h infantry. The night was extremely dark, ard the
ran poured ia torrents. but this gallant and sfcicnt 9TH
ceded in organizing h4 frce, and in ginning the
position assigned him without difficulty. His presence
attracted the fire Of the until the s,ormng parties
under the direction of General Smith had wned the
hill immediately in of their works. and. ~brn this
brilliant achievement of torning the ehemys batteries
perfected. Ransop's can,nsnd p,sired dcvouring
FIRE into the ranks Of he fugves. After sle fta
enemy ut this point my comand in common with other
troops followed the retiring enemy into the town Of San
dggci.
The 18th infantry, which had been rc, ,psly d.iacl
81, and under the immediae orders of the general
mlndiag the division. joined the brigade il 'rc pursuit
For the operations OF this tlus far rfer you
I'iruieH1nt Colonel Howards rero, herewith incosed
At San Angel. dispositions iasins been made attack
- reverse the inreneiaents the San Augustin road,
my brigade, in with that Of General Shieds.wns
ordered to the open couiry between Santa Cater
and The above named road in order off the
emys retreat. Having arrived n a hacienda the
road the eaemys infantry found posted the latter
ne far the eye could reach either direction besides
cavalry AoTeing (in the corn feids) flank and
Ia this position troops received calling fire.
Y Inch for time threw them into confusion but
they rallied and made a desperate effort
the fortune of the day
The intrepid General Shields. supported BY Colonel
Ransom. succeeded in bringing portions Of the command
into order and with the buildings pivot, threw for
ward their left wing and dashed the ckest of the
large body of the Mexican infantry concealed in
ditch which shired it, and from which they had hitherto
hept Up destructive fire with comparative safety to
themselves Colonel Ransom moved obiquely
~rs the road ard directed his old village
eom the taps aud behind the houses of which the enemy
we're in great force. The OF the in this part
II the fe Immediately became complete. Thus in fiji.
teen or twenty minutes from the time when the fortune
nj the day this flank seemed doubtful victory pcrchcd
upon standard.
inc loss sustained by my brigade in the DAYS en-
engagements emounted in Killed, wounded, and missing
y" s'r'ut i6u men Of all grades.
hat of the 18th regiment from its exposed position
~ front OF the hacienda in the Inst dnys affair b,
fir the greatcst
It's gallant Colonel Moran Was vroun ded carly in H.,
artiivi.
regret state that Lieutens N, Colone Bonhan, COM
handing the 18th intantry severely wounded in ia.
hand BY the accidental discharge Of his pistol the
ns OF the sah in consequence of which was deprive
ed III one OF my most brave and efficient officers during
the ensuing engagements. 1t ms my misfortune ns
before stated. tnrrceivc injury from the fall
ct my horse on thu afternoon of the 18th This accident
rendered me unable struggle with the difficulties o the
GROUND over which VIC were obliged to pass the
rNi the last day. and in the effort do fell faint
f"' hauStion pan few yards from the severcsr
ar" " rhe enernys line; and. although in position to
''sorve the general gallant conduct Of NV brigade
annot sresk cfthe individual bearing my officers and
men SO much from personal observation. from the re-.
Forts Of staff and from those the commanders ofrcr.
lnfn's These show it 10 have been oil that could bc
de-lred' indeed for troops their department was
admirable.
have already spoken Of Colonels Ransom and Nor
frn and Lieutenant Colone Bonatn terms sufficient
Y Indicative Of my hray appreciation Of their conduct
Lieutenant Colonel ID Toward. who succeeded Colonel
Morgan IA The comiHan Of the 10th regiment and Cap
'pia Wood, who took the plare of Lieutenant Colonel
Einfrl. Ut the head Of the 18th are not less entitled To-
tnv catnDcndaon.
Among the brave officers Of my brigade who fell NOR.
tally wounded upon the field, lament mention Cap
tain Augustus Quares. Of company Fl Lieutenant Good
toe. company b; and Lieutenant Goodman, company =
a.. oi The 10Th regiment infantry.
Major T. ID. Mills, sitter behaving in the most r,l,on,
manner ihroshout tire action its close followed in
pursuit OF the ing foe since which he has not been
heard from and great fears ed for his snftv
Commanders of regiments speak in terms OF high com.
nendsron OF che following officers: Minor Sevmou;
Captains hodhsh Thompson, aud Kimball; Is, Lieu
tenants =. Spr"gue. (adjuiant) G. Bowers Jackson
ana Socnm' I'd i-ieutenans Newman, Palmer am,
fierce the fwoiormer severely wounded; and Scream,
Major NC Nabb acting I'd lieutenant of company fall
of the 9th infantry.
Captain Holden. Lieutenant Simpkius and I;eu,ep
in the engagement ef the Goth.
Captains james. JoR. Hosglantl md Chase: Licuten
ant stren oi the 18th infantry, the former wounded
in the cnsusen,cn; of the eoth.
Licnteuan, T. f. Brodhead adiu,ant 18Th infantry.
merits the highest commendafcn for his Goodness and
conduct
sbosld do violence nv sensc Of Justice were II,
omit TO notice the admirable bearing ieuterat Reno