p APERS OF )IIRABEAU BuoXAPARTE LA::IIAR
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Bernardo Guiterez; and desired to see the American Commander- Ross came, and Gutierez on hearing his name asked ross if he was related to a certain Ross who had figured in the Wars of 1812 & 13 in Texas- The Col. answered that he was the nephew of the same; whereupon Gutierez observed that he was familiar with the American character, and did not doubt but that he would be treated with humanity- Ross trtated him kindly; but when Canalis came up, the old man was insulted by the Mexicans & Indians, who cut off his buttons & taunted him greatly-he was finally released. In the evening of the same day the forces, took up the line of march for JUier- The next day they reached l\Iier; and found that Pavon had evacuated the place a few hours previous, taking the Monterey road-he was pur- sued, the Americans in advance, who had been Ordered by CanQ.lis to push out ap.d get in advance of Pavon, & stop him until he, (Canalis) should come up; -thus do we [see] the cowardice of_this man in all his movmts, always sending the Americans to battle, & keeping out of danger himself- Ross, executed the order, got ahead of Pavon, fell into a small ravine 400 yds from a hill upon which Pavon formed; the Americans leaving their horses in their rear out of cannon shot.- This was about 12 oclk- The fight now commenced-the enemy opened upon the Americans with their -artillery-the revine was very shallow, and inadequate for protection- After one or two hours hard fighting, Canalis made his appearance nearly a mile off in the rear of the Americans, where he halted and became a silent & inactive looker on upon (he battle which still raged between the Americans & the Enemy. The Americans, suff [erJing greatly from the artillery & being also very thirsty for want of water, sent for Canalis to come up & join in the contest- Canalis sent word back that he wQuld come in short time, he however made no move; other messages were sent to him to come on; he still promised, but still held back. Pavon made several attempts to charge the Americans, but were uniformly repelled. The Americans now consulted, and resolved to charge the enemy; and again sent to Canalis, apprizing of their determination and urging him to come up and unite in the Charge- Canalis sounded his horns; and galloped about in the chaperals about ½ mile from the enemy, but refuse to come to the aid of the Americans, or to join them in the charge- Zapata, disgusted with his cowardice, left him, and galloped up to the Americans to cooperate with them; and taking a prominent [ ?] and exposition attempted to direct the americans in their charge; but not under standing his language, they did not profit by his counsel- The Americans, in making the charge, left the ravine very irregu- larly, and the charge was made in much confusion; but so far suc- cessful, however, as to drive the enemy from their position & caused them to fall back..:_ The dust, s[m]oke and dense chaperel prevented the Amer-icans from perceiving the advantage which they had acquired, now fell back to their original position where they remained till morn- ing; the enemy PaYon doing the same. This day about 18 or 20 were killed-no :Mexicans being injured, none having joined in the fight
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