Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/61

Rh Riflemen, under Major Gorman and all commanded by Colonel Marshall. 'Some shells were thrown into this part of our line, by the enemy without effect. This skirmishing was continued until after dark, with slight loss on our side. Three pieces of Washington's battery under Capt. O'Brien, took position to the left. Here the troops rested during the night on their arms.

Genral Taylor proceeded to Saltillo with the Mississippi regiment and squadron of 2nd dragoons, and while there about fifteen hundred Mexicans under General Minon had advanced into the valley, by a pass through the mountains, and were seen in the rear of the city. They were designed to harass us and cut off our retreat. There were in the city, four companies of Illinois volunteers under Major Warren of the first regiment. There was a field-work commanding the approaches and was garrisoned by Capt. Webster's company with two twenty-four pound howitzers. Two companies of Mississippi riflemen, under Capt. Rodgers with one field-piece under Capt. Shower, defended the train. Jan. 22nd, during the night, the enemy stationed a large force of light troops upon the side of the mountain, to out flank our left.

On the morning of the 23rd, the action was renewed at this point. Col. Marshall with his riflemen, re-enforced by three companies of Illinois volunteers, under Major Trail, stood firm and did considerable execution with their sure rifles. At 8 o'clock a large column of the enemy moved up the road and threatened our centre, but Washington's energetic battery kept thern back. The enemy could do nothing on account of the nature of the ground, where they stood; but our left being on an extensive plain, Santa Anna thought that he could outflank us. Large bodies of the enemy passed up the ravines under cover of the idges, and concentrated near our left. The 2d Indiana