USA > Texas > A new history of Texas; being a narration of the adventures of the author in Texas, and a description of the soil, climate, productions, minerals, tons [!], bays, harbours, rivers, institutions, and manners and customs of the inhabitants of that country; together with the principal incidents of fifteen years revolution in Mexico; and embracing a condensed statement of interesting events in Texas, from the first European settlement in 1692, down to the present time: and a history of the Mexican war > Part 23
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THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
intending on arriving at its margin to swim it. In this he failed, finding it so boggy that he could not get to it. He then return- ed, taking the precaution to get out of distance if' musketry, dis- mounted and examined the arms of his mien, determining to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Before he had succeeded. how- ever, in the inspection of his arms, a Mexican officer rode up and asked him to surrender. Capt. Hardee replied that he would surrender on one condition, which was, that if the Mexican Gen- eral would receive them as prisoners of war, and treat them as the most civilized nations do, he would surrender, but on no other condition.
The Mexican officer bore this message to the General com- manding, and returned with the assurance that he would. Cap- tain Hardee then surrendered.
Whilst General Taylor was thus busily engaged in fortnying his camp opposite Matamoras, the danger of his situation was hourly increasing. All communication between Point Isabel and the American entrenchments, opposite Matamoras, had been cut off; and the Mexicans wert: in force upon either flank and in the rear of the army. Though the field works of General Taylor were so scientifically constructed that there was not any appre- hension that they could be carried by storm, yet the posture of affairs was very unsatisfactory.
The army was surrounded by numerous bodies of troops; the enemy was being reinforced by daily acquisitions ; several com- panies of Americans, sent out upon scouting service, had been cut to pieces of captured; in every encounter the United States had suffered; it was feared that Point Isabel had been carried by overwhelming numbers, and serious apprehensions were fast gaining upon the public mind for the safety of the entire army.
Had Point Isabel been carried, there would have been abun- dant grounds for all the alarm that was felt.
On Sunday morning, the 3d of May. about day-break, the Mexicans, taking advantage of General Taylor's absence, open- ed a heavy cannonading upon the American fort, throwing balls and shells with little intermission, until near midnight. In the mean time, the enemy's guns, all but one mortar, were silenced by our fort. Major Brown lost one sergeant, who was shot in the head by a three pound ball; he was taken to the hospital, and there a shell fell and blew off the remainder of his head. By the explosion of another shell, an artillery soldier was wound- ed. Early on the morning of the 4th, the Mexicans opened again, sending shot and shells. but without doing any material damage.
The engagement continued for seven days, during most of which time a number of inen under the direction of Capt. Mansfield, were engaged night and day in completing the works; the fire of the enemy not for a moment arresting the progress of their opera- tions, and notwithstanding a large number of shot and shells
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thrown by the enemy, the American loss was but two killed, Major Brown and Sergeant Weigart, and thirteen wounded.
Battle of Palo Alto.
Point Isabel having been relieved, the main bo.ly of the army of occupation marched out on the evening of the 7th of May, and bivouacked about seven miles from that place.
Our march, says the General in his official despatch, was re- sumed the following morning. About noon, when our advance of cavalry had reached the water-hole of " Palo Alto," the Mexi- can troops were reported in our front, and were soon discovered occupying the road in force. I ordered a halt upon reaching the water, with a view to rest and refresh the men, and to form delib- erately our line of battle. The Mexican line was now plainly visible across the prairie, and about three quarters of a mile dis- tant. Their left, which was composed of a heavy force of cavalry. occupied the road, resting upon a thicket of chaparral, while masses of infantry were discovered in succession on the right, greatly ou@imbering our own force.
Our line of battle was now formed in the following order, com- meneing on the extreme right :- 5th infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. McIntosh; Major Ringgoldl's artillery ; 3d infantry, commanded by Capt. L. N. Morris; two 18-pounders, commanded by Lieut. Churchill, 3d artillery ; 4th infantry, commanded by Major G. W. Allen; the 33 and 4th regiments composed the third brigade, under command of Lieut. Col. Garland; and all the above corps, together with two squadrons of dragoons under Cap- tains Ker and May. composed the right wing, under the orders of Col. Twigg3. The left was formed by the battalion of artil- lery commanded by Lieut. Col. Childs, Capt. Duncan's light ar- tillery, and the 8th infantry, under Capt. Montgomery-all form- ing the first brigade, under command of Lieut. Col. Belknap .- The train was packed near the water, under direction of Cap- tains Crossman and Myers, and protected by Captain Ker's squadron.
At two o'clock we took up the march by heads of columns, in the direction of the enemy-the 18-pounder battery following the road. While the columns were advancing, Lieut. Blake, topo- , graphical engineers, volunteered a reconnoisance of the enemy's line, which was handsomely performed, and resulted in the dis- covery of a't least two batteries of artillery in the intervals of their cavalry and infantry. These batteries were soon opened upon us, when I ordered the columns halted and deployed into line, and the fire to be returned by all our arullery. The Sth infan- try. on our extreme left, was thrown back to secure that flank .- The first fires of the enemy did little execution, while our 18 pounders and Major Ringgold's artillery soon dispersed the ca
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valry which formed his left. Captain Duncan's battery, thrown forward in advance of the line, was doing good execution at this time. Cant. May's squadron was now detached to support that battery, and the left of our position. The Mexican cavalry, with two pieces of artillery, were now reported to be moving through the chaparral to our right. to threaten that flank, or make a de- monstration against the train. The 5th infantry was immediately detached to check this movement. and supported by Lieut. Ridge- ley, with a section.of Major Ringgold's battery and Capt. Walk- er's company of volunteers, effectually repulsed the enemy-the 5th infantry repelling a charge of lancers, and the artillery doing great execution in their ranks. The 3d infantry was now de- tached to the right as a still further security to that flank yet threatened by the enemy. Major Ringgold, with the remaining section, kept up his fire from an advanced position, and was sup- ported by the 4th infantry.
The grass of the prairie had been accidentally fired by our ar- tillery, and the volumes of smoke now partially concealed the armies from each other. As the enemy's left had evidently been driven back and left the road free, as the cannonade had been suspended, I ordered forward the 18-pounders on the road nearly to the position first occupied by the Mexican cavalry, and cansed the first brigade to take up a new position still on the left of the IS-pounder battery. The 5th was advanced from its former po- sition and occupied a point on the extreme right of the new line. The enemy made a change of position corresponding to our own, and after a suspension of nearly an hour the action was re- sumed.
The fire of artillery was now most destructive-openings were constantly made through the enemy's ranks by our fire, and the constancy with which the Mexican infantry sustained this severe cannonade was a theme of' universal remark and admiration .- Capt. May's squadron was detached to make a demonstration on the left of the enemy's position, and suffered severely from the fire of artillery to which it was for some time exposed. The 4th in- fantry which had been ordered to support the 18-pounder battery, was exposed to a most galling fire of artillery. by which several men were killed and Captain Page dangerously wounded. The enemy's fire was directed against our 18-pounder battery, and the guns under Major Ringgold in its vicinity. The Major himself, while coolly directing the fire of his preces, was struck by a can- non ball and mortally wounded
. In the mean time the battalion of artillery under Lieut. Col. Childs had been brought up to support the artillery on our right. A strong demonstration of cavalry was now made by the enemy against this part of our line, and the column continued to advance under a severe fire from the IS-pounders. The battalion was instantly formed in square, and held ready to receive the charge
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of cavalry, but when the advancing squadrons were within close range a deadly fire of canister from the 18-pounders dispersed them. A brisk fire of small arms was now opened upon the square, by which one officer. Lieutenant Luther. 2d artillery, was slightly wounded, but a well directed volley from the front of the square silenced all further firing from the enemy in this quarter. It was now nearly dark, and the action was closed on the right of our line, the enemy having been completely driven back from his position, and foiled in every attempt against our line.
While the above was going forward on our right and under my own eye, the enemy had made a serions attempt against the left of our line. . Captain Duncan instantly perceived the movement, and by the bold and brilliant mandenvring of his battery, com- pletely repulsed several successive efforts of the enemy to ad- vance in force upon our left flank. Supported in succession by the Sth infantry and Capt. Ker's squadron of dragoons. he gal- lantly held the enemy at bay, and finally drove him, with im- mense loss, from the field. The action here and along the whole line continued until dark, when the enemy retired into the chapar- ral in rear of his position. Our army bivouacked on the ground it occupied. During the afternoon the train had been moved forward about half a mile, and was packed in rear of the new position.
The American force engaged in this battle, according to the field report. is shown to have been 22SS, of whom 177 were offi- cers. The force of the Mexicans, according to their own officers, taken prisoners on the following day, was at least 6000 regalars. and an unknown number of irregular troops, with ten pieces of artillery. Their loss was nearly four hundred killed and wound- ed. while only nine Americans were killed forty-four wounded, and two missing. The death of Major Ringgold was a source of great regret throughout the Union. as he was one of our bravest and most valuable officers, and one of the most distin- guished light artillery commanders in the world. The wound received by Capt. Page was horrible. His whole lower jaw was shot away, together with part of his tongue and palate, yet, strange to say, he survived until the 12th of July.
Ballle of Resaca de la Palma.
The following is Gen. Taylor's despatch, giving a detailed ac- count of the battle of Resaca de la Palma :
Sin-I have the honor to state tin early in the morning of the 9th inst., the enemy who had encamped near the field of battle of the day previous, was discovered moving by his left flank, evi- dently in retreat, and perhaps at the same time to gain a new position on the road to Matamoras, and there again resist our advance.
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I ordered the supply train to be strongly packed at its position. and left with it four pieces of artillery -- the two IS-pounders which had done such good service on the previous day-and two 12-pounders which had not been ia the action. The wounded officers and men were at the same time sent back to Point Isabel. I then moved forward with the columns to the edge of the chapar- ral or forest, which extends to the Rio Grande, a distance of seven miles. The light companies of the Ist brigade, under Captain C. F. Smith, 2d artillery, and a select detachment of light troops. the whole under the command of Captain McCall. 4th infantry. were thrown forward into the chaparral, to feel the enemy and ascertain his position. About three o'clock, I received a report from the advance, that the enemy was in position on the road with at least two pieces of artillery. The command was inune- diately put in motion, and at about four o'clock I came up with Captain MeCall. who reported the enemy in force in our front. occupying a ravine which intersects the road and is skirtei by thickets of' dense chaparral. Ridgely's battery and the advance under Captain McCall were at once thrown forward on the road. and into the chaparral on either side. while the 5th infantry and one wing of the 4th were thrown into the forest on the left, and the 3d and the other wing of the 4th. on the right of the road. These corps were employed as skirmishers to cover the battery and engage the Mexican infantry. Captain McCall's command became at once engaged with the enemy, while the light artillery. though in a very exposed position, dil great execution. The enemy had at least eight pieces of artillery, and maintained an incessant tire upon our advance.
The action now became general, and although the enemy's in- fantry gave way before the steady fire and resistless progress of our own, yet his artillery was still in position to check our ad- vance-several pieces occupying the pass across the ravine. which he had chosen for his position. Perceiving that no dec .- sive advantage could be gained until this artillery was sileured. I ordered Captain May to charge the batteries with his squadron of dragoons. This was gallandy and effectually executed. the enemy was driven from his guns, and General La Vega, who re- mained alone at one of the batteries, was taken prisoner. The squadron, which suffered much in this charge, not being imme- diately supporte | by infantry, could not retain possession of the ,artillery taken, but it was completely silenced. In the meantime, the Sth infantry had been ordered up, and had become warmly engaged on the right of the road. This regiment, and a part u. the 5th, were now ordered to charge the batteries, which was handsomely done, and the enemy entirely driven from his arti'- fery and his position on the left of the road.
'The light companies of the 1st brigade, and' the 3d and kh regiments of infantry, had been deployed on the right of the
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road, where, at various points, they became briskly engaged with the enemy. A small party under Captain Buchanan and Lieute- nants Wood and Hays, 4th infantry, composed chiefly of' men of that regiment, drove the enemy from a breastwork which he oe- cupied, and captured a piece of artillery. An attempt to recover this piece was repelled by Captain Barbour, 3d infantry. The enemy was at last completely driven from his position on the right of the road, and retreated precipitately, leaving baggage of every description. The 4th infantry took possession of a camp where the head-quarters of the Mexican general-in-chief were established. All his official correspondence was captured at this pace.
The artillery battalion (excepting the flank companies) had been ordered to guard the baggage train, which was packed some distance in rear. That battalion was now ordered up to pursue the enemy, and with the 3d infantry, Captain Ker's dra- goons, and Captain Duncan's battery, followed him rapidly to the river, making a number of prisoners. Great numbers of the enemy were drowned in attempting to cross the river near the town. The corps last mentioned encamped near the river, the remainder of the army on the field of battle.
The strength of our marching force on this day. as exhibited in the annexed field report, was 173 officers, and 2049 men-ag- gregate, 2222. The actual number engaged with the enemy did not exceed 1700. Our loss was three officers killed and twelve wounded; thirty-six men lalled and seventy-one wounded .- Among the officers killed. I have to regret the loss of Lieutenant Inge, 2d dragoons, who fell at the head of his platoon, while gal- Jantly charging the enemy's battery; of Lieutenant Cochrane, of the 5th, and Lieutenant. Chadbourne, of the Sth infantry, who likewise met their death in the thickest of the fight. The officers wounded were Lieutenant-Colonel Payne, inspector general ; Lieutenant Dobbins, 3d infantry, serving with the light infantry advance, slightly; Lieutenant-Colonel MeIntosh, 5th infantry, severely. (twice ,) Capt. Hooe. 5th infantry, severely, (right arın since amputated :) Lieutenant Fowler, 5th infantry, slightly ; Captain Montgom ry, Sth infantry, slightly; Lieutenants Gates and Jordan, Sth infantry, severely, (each twice ;) Lieutenants Sel- den, Maclay, Burbank, and Morris, Sth infantry, slightly. A statement of the killed and wounded is annexed herewith.
I- have no accurate data from which to estimate the enemy's force on this day. He is known to have been reinforced after the action of the Sth. both by cavalry and infantry, and no doubt to an extent at least equal to his loss on that day. It is probable that 6000 men were opposed to os, aud in a position chosen by themselves, and strongly defended with artillery. The enemy's loss was very great. Nearly 200 of his dead were buried by us on the day succeeding the battle. His loss in killed, wounded
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and missing, in the two affairs of the 8th and 9th, is, I think, moderately estimated at 1000 men.
Our victory has been decisive. A small force has overcome immense odds of the best troops that Mexico can furnish-vete- ran regiments perfectly equipped and appointed. Eight pieces of artillery, several colors and standards, a great number of pri- soners, including fourteen officers. and a large amount of baggage and public property, have fallen into our hands.
The causes of victory are doubtless to be found in the superior quality of our officers and men. I have already, in former reports, paid a general tribute to the admirable conduct of the troops on both days. It now becomes my duty-and I feel it to be one of great delicacy-to notice individuals. In so extensive a field as that of the 8th, and in the dense cover where most of the action of the 9th was fought, I could not possibly be witness to more than a small portion of the operations of the various corps; and I must, therefore, depend upon the reports of subordinate com- manders, which I respectfully enclose herewith.
Colonel Twiggs, the second in command, was particularly ac- tive on both days in executing my orders, and directing the ope- rations of the right wing. Lient. Colonel McIntosh, commanding the 5th infantry, Lieut. Colonel Garland. commanding the 3d brig- ade, Lieut. Colonel Belknap, commanding the 1st brigade, Lieut. Colonel Childs, commanding the artillery battalion, Major Allen, Captains L. N. Morris and Montgomery, commanding respect- ively the 4th, 3d, and Sth regiments of infantry, were zealous in the performance of their duties and gave examples to their com- mands of cool and fearless conduet. Lieut. Colonel McIntosh re- pulsed with his regiment a charge of lancers in the action of' Palo Alto, and shared with it in the honors and dangers of the follow- ing day, being twice severely wounded. Lieut. Colonel Belknap headed a charge of the 8th infantry. which resulted in driving the enemy from his guns, and leaving us in possession of that part of the field.
Captain Duncan and Lieutenant Ridgely deserve especial notice for the gallant and efficient manner in which they mandu- vred and served their batteries. The impression made by Capt. Duncan's battery upon the extreme right of the enemy's line, at the affair of Palo Alto, contributed largely to the result of the day ; while the terrible fire kept up by Lient. Ridgely, in the affair of . the 9th, inflicted heavy losses upon the enemy. The 18-pounder battery, which played a conspicuous part in the action of the Sth, was admirably served by Lieut. Churchill, 3d artillery, assisted by Lient. Wood. topographical engineers. The charge of cavalry on the enemy's batteries on the 9th, was gallantly led by Capt. May, and had complete success.
Captain MeCali, 4th infantry. rendered distinguished service with the advanced corps under his orders. Its loss, in kil ed and
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wounded, will show how closely it was engaged. I may take this occasion to say that, in two former instances, Capt. MeCall has rendered valuable service as a partisan officer. In this con- nection, I would mention the services of Captain Walker, of the Texas Rangers, who was in both affairs with his company, and who has performed meritorious service as a spy and partisan.
I must beg leave to refer to the reports of subordinate com- manders for the names of many officers. non-commissioned offi- cers and privates, who were distinguished by good conduct on both days. Instances of individual gallantry and personal con- flict with the enemy were not wanting in the affair of the 9th. but cannot find place in a general report. The officers serving on the staff's of the lifferent commanders are particularly mentioned by them.
I derived efficient aid on both days from all the officers of my staff. Captain Bliss, assistant adjutant general, Lient. Colonel Payne, inspector general, Lieut. Eaton. A. D. C .. Captain Wag- gaman, commissary of subsistence, Lient. Scarret. engineer, and Lieutenants Blake and Meade, topographical engineers. promptly conveyed my orders to every part of the field. Lieut. Colonel Payne was wounded in the affair of the 9th, and I have already had occasion to report the melancholy death of Lieut. Blake, by accident, in the interval between the two engagements. Major Craig and Lieut. Brereton, of the ordnance department, were ac- tively engaged in their appropriate duties, and Surgeon Craig, medical director, superintended in person the arduous service of' the field hospitals. I take this occasion to mention generally the devotion to duty of the medical staff of the army. who have been untiring in their exertions, both in the field and in the hospitals, to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded of both armies. Cap- tains Crossman and Myers of the quartermaster's department, who had charge of the heavy supply train at both engagements, conducted it in a most satisfactory manner. and finally brought it up without the smallest loss, to its destination.
I inclose an inventory of the Mexican property captured on the field. and also a sketch of the field of " Resaca de la Palma," and of the route from Point Isabel. made by my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Eaton. One regimental color. (battalion of Tampico, ) and many standards and guidons of cavadry, were taken at the affair of the 9th. I would be pleased to receive your instructions as to the disposition to be made of these trophies-whether they shall be sent to Washington, &c.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
Z. TAYLOR,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., Commanding.
The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C.
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
Account of the Battle and taking of Monterey.
The army left the camp near Marin, on the morning of Sep- tember 18, the first division starting at 6 o'clock, and the second division at 7 o'clock. The advance consisted of MeCulloch and Gillespie's companies of rangers, and a squadron of dragoons under Col. May. The pioneer corps was broken up. and re- turned to their respective regiments. The baggage of the first division, and one-half the ordnance train followed that command. and the second division was followed in like manner by its bag- gage and the other ordnance train. The volunteer division marched at S o'clock, followed by its baggage and the supply train. The rear guard was composed of two companies of reg- ulars, one from each division, and closed the march, following the supply train. In case Gen. Henderson should arrive with his Texas rangers, they were to form the advance, with the ex- . ception of four companies, which were to take the place of the two companies of infantry, which formed the rear-guard. Gen. Henderson overtook the army about four miles from San Fran- cisco, and his command was disposed of according to the above named arrangement.
The habitual order of battle was directed to be as follows :- " first division on the right, the second on the left. and the volun- teer division in the centre,", the chiefs of divisions to organize such reserves as they might judge proper. This order of battle not to be considered inviolable, but to be controlled by the nature of the ground. Four men from Gillespie's company were attached to each of the two (second and volunteer) divisions.
Everything connected with this day's march was intensely in - teresting to all, and novel to many. The troops marched m closed columns, and were always held in readiness to act promptly. The column, embracing the trains, reached nearly or quite three miles. It was a grand sight, and so much did the men feel interested in coming events, that every one went at it in a business manner, and although it was hot and dusty. not hall'a dozen out of nearly six thousand five hundred gave in on the march.
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