The Sierra citizen. [volume] (Downieville, Calif.) 1854-185?, 1854-12-30

tect their Infantry from our Cavalry, as
the chapparal is so thick that horsemen
cannot Operate; at this time it was
quarter past 8 o'clock, p. m.
The American army continued its order
ly march, advancing first its right, then
the centre, and then the left wing; thus
we advanced to within mile and q half
of the Mexican position. The LIST Squad
ron was drawn up on the left of the train
about half mile from the main body
The I'd Squadron on the right. It was
now twenty minutes to o'clock. We
continued to move forward. We had not
reached great distance before we were
saluted from the Mexican Artillery, belch-
ing forth its clouds of smoke and messen-
gers Of death.
The Americans continued to move on
under the fire of the enemy, until within
less than mile, when our line was halted
and our guns unlimbered. Our whole line
was dressed on the markers, with the same
GOODNESS and precision as if on parade
The Artillery "went into Battery and
loaded; the piece directed, the word "fire'
given, and from the right of the line Ring
gold dispatched the first messenger of
death, in answer to the braggadocio can
nonade of the Mexicans. For three quar-
tiers of an hour did our Artillery ply them
selves in this work of death, flying from
one end of the line to the other, scattering
the missels of destruction among the as
tonished Mexicans, now here, then there,
stopping to give couple of shots to this
Brigade; then limbering up, and under
full gallop speeding away to another point.
astonishing and confusing the Mexicans
by the rapidity Of their movements, and
scattering them from every point where
they were gathering for a Charge
Our wounded were carried to the Hos
pital wagons, from all directions. Artil-
lery, Dragon and officers horses, running
about the field without their riders, some
with broken legs, some staggering with
death wounds, some shot one way and some
another. 1t was truly fearful sight to
contemplate in moment of GOODNESS, but
at that moment it passed as unconcerned as
if it was of daily occurrence. One could
not keep from being amused at the odd
capers and antics wounded horse or mule
would cut
About this time an Aid galloped up to
Capt. Kerr, informing him that a large
body of the enemy's Lancers had been de-
tached from their lines, and were moving
ing in the chaparal, apparently with the
intention of gaining our flank or rear, and
taking possession of the train. Capt.
Kerr, with his squadron, gallopped off to
the extreme right Of the line, and formed
in order for charge; we waited, but in
vain. The gallant Ringold had done our
work. At the same time that we were
informed ofthe enemy's movement; so was
Ringgold, and in minute his battery was
flying over the field, and with two dis
charges Of grape and canister, he sent them
flying before him like whipped dogs, dis
persing them in all directions. At this
time the prairie grass took FIRE from the
wadding Of guns, mingling its smoke with
that Of the Artillery, forming scene that
has never beensurpassed for awful sublimi-
ty; thesmoke ascending and carried by the
wind 70 as to obstruct the view and move
ments Of either army. The Mexicans
suspended their firing, and many of us in
dulged the hope that they had retreated
and left us masters of the field, but many
more brave spirits must be waited to their
eternal habitation, ere that fond hope
can be realized, and the sStar Spangled
Banner" Of the North float triumphant
over that desperately contested field, and
1000 American soldiers exult ii the glory
Of victory over Mexican army Of 1000.
The Artillery ceased entirely for about
half an hour, while the funeral pail Of
smoke enveloped the prairie Is if loath to
float away, or lift the dark veil, exhibit
3War's desolation." But the wind fresh
ened and lifted the dense cloud and we dis
covered the enemy, not in retreat, but
mastering in force upon our left. Ina
moments squadron Of Dragons and Dun
cans Light Battery was in motion dash
ing along the line behind the smoke, and
took position within half.a mile Of the
right wing Of The enemy, hia byltAe smoke,
until bis tremendous FIRE told them = Who