PAPERS OF MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LAMAR 139 no injury. We then fell back to the place which he had designated as, our encampment, and dismounted, where we were attacked by a body of Two or Three hundred Cavalry in which the Enemy were driven back with One man killed And One of my men being slightly wounded. Early on the morning of the 21st. I proceeded with my com- mand in advance acting in conjunction with Capt Smith of the Light Infantry. When we had proceeded about one mile we discovered the Enemy's advance, which we drove back to their main body. On dis- covering that the Enemy were in force I dismounted five companies viz, those commanded by Capts. Acklen, Green, Herbert, Ballowe and James Gillespie, throwing at the same time that commanded by Capt. McCulloch to the right. Advancing in this order the Enemy charged us, when a sharp conflict ensued in which we were efficiently supported by Capt. Smith's Light Infantry and which was speedily terminated by the arrival of Capt Duncans Battery. In this affair our loss was one man killed and seven wounded, while that of the Enemy was about, One hundred killed and wounded 33 of whom were found upon the ground and buried by our men amongst whom were One Lieut Colonel and One Captain. Shortly after this engagement I was reinforceq by the remaining companies of my Command. At about 11 o'clock of the same day, in pursuance of Genl. Worth's Orders I detached Capts Green McCown, R A Gillespie Chandler Ballowe and McCulloch, who were sent under Maj Chevalie to act in conjunction with Capt. Smith's Light Infantry in storming the Guns on the height called Federation Hill to the South of the Saltillio road, and overlooking the Bishops Palace and the city. After this party had been engaged for some time I proceeded myself under Genl Worth's orders with a reinforcement of One hun- dred men consisting of parts of the Companies commanded by captains Early James Gillespie and Acklen, but the height had been scaled and the Guns taken when this reinforcement reached the scene of action, and the party advancing had already attacked the redoubt situated where the road crosses tp.e ridge; the reinforcement hurried on and were present at the taking of the redoubt. The Enemy were driven from the hill with a loss of their Artillery consisting of Two Pieces. My loss was Two killed and nine wounded that of the Enemy consid- erable. On the Afternoon of the same day I proceeded with Col Dun- can and Capt Sanders under Genl Worth's orders to make a recon- noisance of the height called Independence Hill north of the Bishops Palace. On the morning of the 22d. at 3 O'clock I proceeded with a detachment of about 250 men consisting of portions of Companies Commanded by Capts R A Gillespie, McCulloch, Green, Acklen, James Gillespie, Herbert and Ballowe in conjunction with Col Childs of the 3d Artillery to storm the above named height. We reached the foot of the hill in quiet and good order undiscovered .when the command was divided Col Childs and myself taking the right, Col Walker and Maj. Vinton taking the left, in this order we ascended the hill and were unperceived by the Enemy untill we approached within about One hundred yards of the summit when they opened a brisk fire upon us, which we returned our men charging with great impetuosity and driving the Enemy from their works, from which they fled with great precipitation to the Castle.
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