Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/378

328 3rd of February. At this place they ascertained that about seven hundred of the enemy were posted in Puebla de Taos, a short distance in the advance. This was a strongly fortified Indian village, surrounded by adobé walls and pickets, flanked by projecting buildings. Within the inclosure, and near the northern and southern walls, there were two large structures of an irregular pyramidal form, and seven or eight stories in height, each capable of sheltering five or six hundred men. In addition to these, there were a number of smaller buildings, and in the north-western angle there was a large church, with a narrow passage between it and the outer wall. The inclosed buildings and the exterior walls were pierced for rifles.

A reconnaissance was made, and Lieutenant Dyer took position with the artillery on the western side of the village. A warm fire was kept up till sunset, when, as the ammunition-wagon had not arrived, and the troops were suffering from the inclemency of the weather, they returned to San Fernando. With the first glimmering of light on the morning of the 4th, they were again in motion. On approaching the town, Captain Burgwin was stationed within two hundred and sixty yards of the western flank of the church, with his company, and two howitzers, in command of Lieutenant Hassendaubel, of Major Clark's artillery battalion. Lieutenant Dyer was ordered to take post with the six-pounder and the remaining two howitzers, about three hundred yards from the northern wall, so as to obtain a cross fire upon the church, the most feasible point of