Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/520

464 volunteer cavalry, under Captains Walker, Besançon, Loyall, and Lewis; and five pieces of artillery, under Captain Taylor. The Americans arrived near the. city about one o'clock in the afternoon, and General Lane then ordered Captain Walker to move ahead of the column with the cavalry companies, but to keep within supporting distance, and, if the enemy were in force, to wait for the infantry to close up.

When within three miles of the city, parties of horsemen were seen making their way towards it, through the fields, and Captain Walker advanced at a gallop: — owing to the dense thickets of maguey lining the road, it was impossible to distinguish his further movements, from the main column; but, in a few moments, a sharp, quick firing was heard in the direction of the town. At the same time a body of lancers, supposed to be over 2,000 strong, commanded by Santa Anna in person, were observed moving rapidly over the hills, in a line parallel with the march of the American troops, as if striving to reach the city before them. General Lane immediately hurried forward, with the remainder of his troops, at a run. Colonel Gorman was directed to enter the west side of the city with his regiment; while Colonel Wynkoop's battalion and the artillery, having Captain Heintzleman's detachment on their right, moved towards the east side. The command of Major Lally was held in reserve.

On gaining the entrance of the city, Captain Walker discovered about five hundred of the enemy, with three pieces of artillery, in the Plaza, and ordered a charge. His men rushed forward gallantly, routed the Mexicans in an instant, and drove them from their guns. While the command were scattered in the pursuit, and