26th.—We continued winding through the mountain passes and plains 16 miles. Our advance found a coral to-day, in which were 50 sheep and 15 cattle, driven in from the surrounding neighborhood. They were immediately butchered for the command, the soldiers being nearly exhausted for want of food. This was a dreadful day for our march. The wind was so high that we could scarcely see a hundred yards ahead.
27th.—The artillery and wagons were kept in front all day, the whole army being formed in two lines in the rear. We marched in right order 8 miles, and encamped on the margin of a lake. Here we shall halt till to-morrow. Scouts were sent out in every direction. I was busily engaged all the evening writing for our boys, who believe themselves to be on the eve of some engagement with the enemy. Saw several of our men come in, leading a horse—soon learned that spies being seen by our advance, Capt. Skillman of the traders’ company, and Capt. Parsons of the E company from Cole County, with others gave chase and overtook one. The fellow finding he was likely to become a prisoner, leaped off, and fled up the mountain leaving his horse and all his rigging behind. He was elegantly mounted. Col. Mitchell has just informed us that a battle will be fought to-morrow.
BATTLE OF SACRAMENTO.
Sunday, 28th.—At sunrise this morning, we took up our line of march, having learned from our spies that the enemy in great numbers, had fortified the pass of the river Sacramento, about 15 miles off. Our train consisting of 315 traders’ wagons, and our Commissary and company wagons, in all about 400, were formed into four columns, so as to shorten our lines. The whole command marched in right order between the columns, thus concealing our force from the enemy. When we arrived within three miles of their entrenchments, Col. Doniphan made a reconnoisance of their position, and examined the arrangement of their forces. This was easily done, as our road led through an open prairie valley between the high mountains. The pass of the Sacramento is formed by a point of the mountains on our right, their left extending into the valley, so as to narrow the valley about one and a half miles. On our left was a deep, dry channel of a creek, and between these points, the plain rises abruptly about 50 or 60 feet. The road passes down the centre of the valley, and in the distance we had a full view of the Mexican army. On the point of the mountain, they had a battery of four guns, so elevated as to sweep the plain. On the left, there was another battery commanding the road, with six pounders and rampart pieces, mounted on carriages. Their cavalry was drawn up in front of their redoubts, in the interval of four deep. When we had arrived near their entrenchments, our columns suddenly diverged to the right, so as to gain the elevation, which the enemy endeavored to prevent by moving forward with four pieces of cannon and 1000 cavalry. But our movements were so rapid, that we not only gained the eminence, but were formed in order for their reception. Our company (Capt. Hudson’s) now dismounted, and every eighth man was detailed, to hold horses and mules. It fell to my lot to hold eight mules. The action now commenced by a brisk fire from our cannons, doing considerable execution at the distance of twelve hundred yards, killing fifteen of the enemy, and disabling one of their guns. Our fire was briskly returned from 14 pieces of artillery, sending ragged balls, and heavy copper ore. But being badly aimed they struck the ground about forty or fifty yards before us, and rebounding passed over our heads without harm, except slightly wounding two men, and killing several horses and mules in the rear. Our guns were so well aimed as to compel the enemy to fall behind the breastworks. We resumed our march in our former order, diverging as much as possible to the right, to avoid a heavy battery, and their strongest redoubts, which were on our left, near the common road. After marching as far as we thought it prudent, without coming in range of their heavy battery, Capt. Weightman of the artillery, was ordered to charge it with two 12 lb. howitzers, to be supported by the cavalry, under Captains Reid, Parsons and Hudson. We then remounted and charged the battery from right to left, with a brisk and deadly fire from our rifles. We then advanced to the very brink of their redoubts, and drove them out with our sabres. The enemy now fell back on their centre battery, where they made a desperate rally, and gave us a shower of balls and copper ore, which whizzed over our heads without doing us any injury except wounding several men and killing a few mules and horses. Major Clarke was ordered to commence a heavy fire upon this battery, which being well directed, together with the rapid advance of our columns, put them to flight over the mountains in utter confusion, leaving all their cannons, and the ground strewed with their dead and wounded. Thus ended the battle of Sacramento, which commenced about three o’clock, and ended about sunset. The enemy numbered 4220 rank and file, and lost 300 killed 500 wounded, beside 40 prisoners. The American force consisted of 924 effective men, 1 killed, 11 wounded. Our success is to be attributed entirely to the superior skill of our commander. Had he not taken advantage of position, in keeping out of range of redoubts and batteries, we should all have shared a common fate, as the black piratical flag was captured, together with a wagon load of that formidable weapon, the lariat, which was intended to tie us all to our saddles in case of a defeat. The Mexicans lost ten pieces of artillery, varying from five to ten lbs. and seven one lb. culverines. One of the cannon is very valuable, being composed of silver and brass melted together. They also lost all their baggage, ammunition, &c., and provisions enough to last us three months were found in their wagons, together with $4000 in specie. It was gratifying to see the soldiers shaking hands with their officers after the engagement and tendering their congratulations to their commander for his skill and bravery displayed on this memorable occasion. The Surgeons are now busily engaged in administering relief to the wounded Mexicans, and it is a sight to see the pile of legs and arms that have been amputated. The cries and groans of the poor fellows, are distressing in the extreme. It is a fact, worthy of note, that the atmosphere here in this mountainous region is so perfectly pure and clear that a cannon shot can be seen coming, when it is a considerable distance off, by leaving a blue streak in the air. Many a soldier saved his life in the battle by dodging the balls as they came forward. When a flash would be seen from the enemy’s battery, you could hear the soldiers cry out—“watch the ball boys!—here comes a ball boys,” and they invariably avoided them, or the slaughter must have been very great. I saw a ball coming in the direction where I was, when immediately falling off my mule, it passed just over my saddle without injury. Our rapid movements seemed to astonish the enemy. Our four pieces of flying artillery, discharging five times in a minute, volleys of grape and canister, with chain shots, would rake the enemy’s redoubts and cut roads through their lines, while our 12 lb. howitzers throwing a constant shower of bombs into the middle of their entrenchments, and the unerring aim of our Mississippi rifles, acting in concert; cast terror and dismay among the cowardly and unprincipled foe. Our men acted nobly, and in the hand to hand fight in the redoubts they fought to desperation. Lieutenant Sprawl, our 2d Lieutenant, a man over six feet high with bared arms, and without his hat, his longhair and beard streaming in the wind, with sword in hand, was charging the enemy at every point, when a ball struck his splendid charger, and he fell. But seizing his carbine he kept up with us on foot. Another of our men, being unhorsed, and fighting near me, was attacked by a Mexican who was about to lance him, and the poor fellow’s gun being discharged, he picked up a rock, and throwing it, struck his enemy on the head, which felled him to the earth, when he knocked his brains out with the butt of his gun. These were but common occurrences in that hard contested fight, where we had to contend with nearly five to one.
March 1st.—After spending a comfortable night, feasting on the good things of our enemy, and making our prisoners bury the dead, we started with the remains of Major Owings, and after marching four miles encamped. My mule having received a wound in the loins yesterday, cannot be found this morning, so I borrowed one of the Commissary.
2d.—Placed on mounted guard to precede the army, whose entrance in the city will take place to-day. Came ten miles; saw the spire of the Cathedral towering in the distance, with peculiar feelings of delight. A merrier group could scarcely be pictured than our worthy Col. Mitchell and his escort. We entered the beautiful city of Chihuahua about 12 o’clock, and proceeded immediately to the plaza or public square. The inhabitants are polite, and manifest in various ways the utmost complaisance, and regard to our soldiery. Of course we see the fairest specimens of the Mexican character here, and afford us evidences of superior intelligence, comfort and industry. While the soldiers were scattered in various directions, seeking refreshments, I took a walk alone, and seated myself in a quiet nook, fronting the Cathedral. It is an imposing structure of white marble. It was about fifty years in building—the production of a gold mine, and cost three million dollars. I felt too much fatigued to write a long description of even a beautiful church, although, had it been otherwise, such employment would have been pleasant to me. The tones of the bell are grand. It strikes the hour, and can be heard at a great distance. At sundown Col. Doniphan arrived in town with the rest of the command, all in fine order. The band was playing Washington’s March—just as we reached the public square, the tune was changed to Yankee Doodle, when there was a general huzza. We then marched through the town and took up our quarters on the outskirts. I was placed on picket guard and had to be up all night—first to watch the prisoners, and then to walk my post three hours.
3d.—All is now tranquil. The funeral of Major Owings took place to-day. Every thing was conducted with the utmost decency and order.
4th.—This morning I sallied forth for a ramble. I went through the thickest parts of the city, which I should judge contained about 40,000 inhabitants. The streets cross at right angles, and the houses are mostly built of the usual sun-dried brick, in Mexican style, with flat roofs, and close barred windows, as if intended for defence against street assaults, or rival factions. I was, afterwards, introduced to some senoras, and drank some coffee with them—they using the ardiente, instead of cream in theirs.
5th.—Passing near the public square I encountered Col. Mitchell, with several officers on horseback, before a handsome building. The Colonel was earnestly engaged in conversation with a man, who, it appeared was an Englishman. I soon learned that our Colonel wished to search the building, but the English gentleman said he should not. I was called on, with several others who were standing near to form ranks, and go at once and arm ourselves. We ran to our quarters, and soon returned well equipped. I had not been in the line more than a minute, when I saw my entire company, the Chihuahua Rangers, come up. I, of course, left my position and with them paraded before the house. The Englishman being still very stubborn and refusing to give up the keys, the Colonel ordered two pieces of artillery to be brought down immediately and placed before the door. Turning to look for the man, I found he had escaped to the top of a house, not far off, where he stationed himself to watch our movements. He no sooner espied the cannon, than he ran down in great haste, begging for a few minutes to open the door, saying “somebody might be killed,” &c. We then entered peaceably. Magoffin, the trader, whom the authorities of the city had condemned to death as a traitor, cannot be found. On inquiry, we learned that he had been sent to Durango. But several are of opinion, that he has been killed.