Page:Into Mexico with General Scott (1920).djvu/231

 *ing 'em. Left'nant Callender, of the howitzers, was bad wounded, Lef'nant J. P. Johnston, of Magruder's, got his death, and we could work only three guns together, owing to the nature of the ground. The Rifles lay flat, supporting the batteries; and so did the gunners, and jumped up when they served the pieces. 'Twasn't long before the whole two batteries were put out of action; hadn't made any impression upon the breastworks with their twelve-pounders, and had to be withdrawn."

"Where was Scott all that time?"

"Right there, up toward the front. Riley was getting through, 'midst the lava, 'round the enemy's left, so as to take the village north'ards on the road, and put a wedge betwixt Valencia and Santy Annie. For I tell you Santy Annie himself was up the road about two miles with twelve thousand more Mexicans, ready to reinforce if necessary. He'd been feeding in troops right along. Now to nip that in the bud and to help Riley, Scott ordered Cadwalader forward by like route, sent for Shield's brigade of Mohawks—the New Yorkers and South Caroliny Palmettos in waiting at San Augustine—and added Pierce's Fifteenth Infantry. Pierce's horse fell in the rocks and hurt the general's knee, but Colonel Morgan took the Fifteenth to position. Old Davy (Twiggs, you know) on his own hook had detached Persifor Smith with the Rifles, First Artillery and Third Infantry, to the same point. And at dark there they all were, every regiment, under Smith: posted near the village at Valencia's left and rear—thirty-three hundred of 'em, cut off from Twiggs on the south by the six thousand of Valencia,