“Persifor Smith’s First Brigade of the Second Division formed our left o’ line; that new general, Pierce, marched into right of line with his Second Brigade of Pillow’s Third Division, being the Ninth, Twelfth and Fifteenth Infantry; the other new general, Cadwalader, moved in to support with his First Brigade, the Voltigeurs and the ’Leventh and Fourteenth regiments; old Bennet Riley with the Second and Seventh Regulars and the Fourth Artillery of the Twiggs’ Second Brigade was sent around by our right flank to take the Mexicans in reverse and occupy a village north’ard on their left rear.
“There was a ravine in front of the line, and all cleared of brush, with the Mexicans up the opposite slope entrenched, their lancers and infantry covering their flanks and a road leading north for the City of Mexico. ’Tis the road which connects by a crossroad with this road of ourn, at Cherrybusco. Our infantry stood no show of storming the hill from in front—not across that ravine; and for two hours the batteries had a fearful time with twenty guns pounding ’em. Left’nant Callender, of the howitzers, was bad wounded, Lef’nant J. P. Johnston, of Magruder’s, got his death, and we could work only three guns together, owing to the nature of the ground. The Rifles lay flat, supporting the batteries; and so did the gunners, and jumped up when they served the pieces. ’Twasn’t long before the whole two batteries were put out of action; hadn’t made any impression upon the breastworks with their twelve-pounders, and had to be withdrawn.”
“Where was Scott all that time?”
“Right there, up toward the front. Riley was getting through, ’midst the lava, ’round the enemy’s left, so as to take the village north’ards on the road, and put a wedge betwixt Valencia and Santy Annie. For I tell you Santy Annie himself was up the road about two miles with twelve thousand more Mexicans, ready to reinforce if necessary. He’d been feeding in troops right along. Now to nip that in the bud and to help Riley, Scott ordered Cadwalader forward by like route, sent for Shield’s brigade of Mohawks—the New Yorkers and South Caroliny Palmettos in waiting at San Augustine—and added Pierce’s Fifteenth Infantry. Pierce’s horse fell in the rocks and hurt the general’s knee, but Colonel Morgan took the Fifteenth to position. Old Davy (Twiggs, you know) on his own hook had detached Persifor Smith with the Rifles, First Artillery and Third Infantry, to the same point. And at dark there they all were, every regiment, under Smith: posted near the village at Valencia’s left and rear—thirty-three hundred of ’em, cut off from Twiggs on the south by the six thousand of Valencia, and threatened on the north by Santy Annie’s twelve thousand.”
“What’s to be done nixt, wud ye think?”
“Cap’n Lee, of the engineers, made his way back to general headquarters at San Augustine. He got in about eleven o’clock with dispatches—the only officer out of eight that tried to open communication between Smith and Scott. He came all the way from Smith, some four miles across the lava, and through the Mexican scouts—had to feel with hands and knees, for it’s black as the inside of your hat, out doors, and raining pitchforks. Smith intends to attack by the rear at daylight, before Santy Annie gets down from up the road; asks for a frontal attack at same time to help him out. So I guess we’ll all be in it, for Twiggs’ll need every man.”
A little silence fell on the group. Jerry’s heart beat rapidly. The situation seemed serious.
“I pity those poor fellows yonder acrost the lava,” Sergeant Mulligan uttered. “Hark to the rain, now! It’s a crool night. An’ they’ve been marchin’ an’ fightin’ all the long day, an’ likely the most of ’em are lyin’ out soakin’ wet an’ hungry besides. Did we lose many, have you heard?”
“Haven’t heard exactly, sergeant. The batteries lost fifteen officers and men and thirteen horses. The infantry got off better, for the batteries took the brunt of it. But to-morrow——. You see, at San Augustine there are only the Marines and Second Pennsylvania; and here we are. That’s the reserve, except the dragoons—and they’re no good on the lava. Twiggs has only the Ninth and Twelfth Regulars of Pierce’s brigade in Pillow’s Third Division in front of Valencia. To make a proper diversion there and support Smith and mebbe hold off Santy Annie he’ll need help. I’ll go you a month’s pay we’ll be called on before daylight.”
“Faith, if we’re in for a fight, I mane to sleep,” Sergeant Mulligan growled.