Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/523

Rh somewhat in disorder, Santa Anna fell upon them with his lancers. A fierce hand-to-hand conflict took place, in which the American cavalry sustained considerable loss. Captain Walker was killed fighting bravely; but his men held the ground manfully, though unable to fire the captured guns, from the want of priming tubes. Colonel Gorman, however, had now arrived with the Indiana volunteers, and opened a well-directed fire on the enemy. Their line soon wavered and broke. Before Colonel Wynkoop and the artillery came within range, they were completely dispersed, the city was in possession of the American troops, and the colors of the Indiana regiment planted on the arsenal. Two of the Mexican pieces were captured; together with a large quantity of ammunition, and a number of wagons, which General Lane ordered to be destroyed. The enemy lost one hundred and fifty, killed and wounded, in this affair; and the Americans thirteen killed and eleven wounded. A number of prisoners were also taken, among whom were Colonel La Vega. and Major Iturbide, — the latter a son of the former Emperor of Mexico.

Having rejoined his train, General Lane proceeded to Puebla, where he arrived on the 12th of October. As his troops approached the city. a rapid firing was heard, which assured him that Colonel Childs was not yet entirely vanquished. Feeling confident, therefore, that his force was strong enough to enter the town at once, he directed Colonel Brough, with the Ohio regiment and Captain Heintzleman's detachment, to proceed along the main road, and Colonel Gorman, with the Indiana volunteers, to feel his way cautiously into the city, further to the east and left.

The attack on the American posts in Puebla, was