Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/526

468 when they caught sight of the glistening sabres, the ﬂashing bayonets, and the victorious banners of General Lane, as his columns wound through the now almost deserted streets; and when his trumpets sounded their shrill notes of defiance, every man breathed "freer and deeper," and felt prouder of his country, of her honor and fame.

On the evening of the 18th of October, General Lane learned that General Rea was then quartered at Atlixco, about ten leagues distant, with a considerable force, and immediately made preparations for a forced march on that place on the ensuing day. At eleven o'clock in the forenoon of the 19th, he left Puebla with the 4th Ohio, Colonel Brough; the 4th Indiana, Colonel Gorinan; a battalion of the 1st Pennsylvania, Colonel Wynkoop; the battalions of Major Lally and Captain Heintzleman; the batteries of Captain Taylor and Lieutenant Pratt; and a squadron of dragoons, under Captain Ford.

General Lane's column pressed forward all day, at a rapid rate, though exposed to the broiling sun, which beat ﬁercely on their heads; and at four o'clock in the afternoon they reached Santa Isabella, three leagues from Atlixco, where the Mexican advance guard was posted. The enemy's outposts were driven in by the dragoons, who pursued them for more than a mile. They then made a stand on a small hill, and contested the ground warmly, until the American infantry appeared, when they continued their retreat. A running ﬁght was kept up for four miles, and, within a mile and a half of Atlixco, the main body of the enemy were discovered posted on the side of a hill covered with thick Chaparral. The American dragoons dismounted, and fought on foot, cutting and hewing