The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-30
Downeyie Sierra County California Saturday, December 80 1854

was between them and the much coveted
train of provisions. In few minutes the
third Brigade came up, and although our
squadron had orders not to leave the train
on any account, as soon as the terrible
fire from Duncan's Battery, and also Ring
COLDS, who had by this time come up
from the right wing, had thrown the enc
my somewhat into confusion, the order
was given to prepare to charge" Every
man was on the qui vive, waiting only for
the magic word charge" and they would
have rushed on them like an avalanche;
but alas, the general hearing our intention
sent an Aid with peremptory orders not
to leave the train. He was fearful of a
masked battery in the bushes, and a
charge would have drawn the fire, and
perhaps annihilated the whole squadron.
SO we had nothing to do but sit upon our
horses and watch the fire of the batteries;
the slaughter was terrible: round, how
itzer, shells, grape and canister, making
dreadful havoc at each discharge. The
Mexicans began to waver. They retired
600 yards, for our artillery had such per-
feet range that every shot or shell would
sweep down whole platoons.
Ringgold's and Duncan's Batteries
moved up as the Mexicans retired, and
being reinforced by two 18 Founders,
opened again on the Mexican lines with
tremendous cheering from the Americans.
The batteries kept in play about fifteen
minutes, when the Mexicans began to
waver again, seemingly rocking to and fro
like crowd of frightened women. Our
men sent another cheer across the plain,
which seemed too much for their already
tottering line; the second shout, accompa-
MED by goodly shower of shot, shell and
small shot, decided them as to the course to
be adopted; they broke and ran at the top
of their speed, leaving the field on our left,
to our exclusive possession. At this mo-
ment we heard sharp firing of musketry
on the extreme right. We were ordered
to support the Sd Brigade, which was at
tackled by the enemy's Lancers. We broke
off to the right about two miles, but by
the time we got there the lancers had
been repulsed and charged in turn by the
Sd Brigade, who killed 16 of them, and
drove the balance at the point of the bayo-
net, the last Of the enemy upon the field.
The Mexicans of 1000 men, in good
state of discipline, 1.-THE best in the Next
can Republic,) and in a well selected posi-
ton with heavy train of artillery, rout-
ed and defeated by an American force Of
but 1000. This victory and splendid
achievement is almost incomprehensible
and incredible. The Americans lost 8 kill
ed and IL wounded, while the Mexican loss
was nearly 500 killed and wounded. 81
The gallant little army slept that night
upon the battle field, the scene of their
gallant exploits that have embelished the
pages of their country's history. The
9Th of May, and the battle of Palo Alto,
may be referred to with just feeling of
pride, by every American who loves his
country and his country's glory.
The Result.
The New York Express Messenger is
DESTROYS of knowing the result of Joshuway
and Ida's Irritation in the columns of our
paper. We grieve to say that Joshuway's
cake is dough, Joshuway was only . re-
mote circumstance, Johsuway could MT
shine; moreover Joshuway would stake
whisky in his tay," and Ida, like sensi-