The Man Who Won The West Mexican War 1846 – 1848
The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #
LETTER NUMBER 26
by LIEUT. JOHN HINTON on MARCH 6, 1847
Chihuahua, Mexico March 6, 1847
Figure No. 26 May 15, 1847 Independence, Missouri
To General O. Hinton Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio
My Dear Father
The army under Col. Doniphan’s command made a triumphal entry into this city on the evening of the 2nd of March after a hard and well fought battle on the 28th (Sunday) of Febry. We met the enemy in force at “Sacramento” a “Rancho” about 25 miles north of this city. They had fortified themselves and mounted 12 pieces of cannon upon their works their full strength according to their adjutant account was we found upon the field was four thousand on hundred ours was 1,300 but we had but about 900 men engaged in the fight.
Now for the particulars, we found them about 3:00 o’clock P. M. drawn up in a line in front of their batteries we made a detour to their right and came in more upon their left flank and center and left bastions our men were formed their artillery in the center and a battalion of mounted riflemen upon each flank and a little in rear of the battery. The Traders wagons formed a “Krall” in rear. This was about 1500 yards from the enemy. They immediately made a charge upon us with about fifteen hundred men but we opened at about one Thousand yards with round & special case shot. We halted them immediately broke their ranks and they fled in confusion but rallied in rear of their batteries which opened on us immediately we limbered our guns, and advanced to about 200 yards and then let them have it again.
Courtesy Walske Collection
We could see the poor devils fly at every discharge the cannonading continued for about one hour when we silenced their center battery. The order was then give to charge their lines. We limbered up our guns we had but six. I was ordered to charge on the right with my gun which I did and was issued with grape and canister shot at from forty to one hundred and forty yards. The enemy was trying to form but the grape shot would not let them. The right battery was silenced in about ten minutes and the enemy fled in confusion we gave them two or three farewell shots and then sent the mounted riflemen after them.
We then came onto the battery and fired upon the enemies left and strongest battery. it was situated upon a very high and rocky hill and it was impossible for us to charge it, but we took position on another hill about 1200 yards distant and let them have it we dismounted their guns and killed their gunners in about 15 minutes (and captured their officer it was dark by this time and we remained in possession of the field. the army fled in confusion to the mountains, it was a perfect rout we had but one man killed during the engagement and about twelve wounded dangerously one of the them has since died. The enemy lost about 250 killed and 300 wounded and 30 to forty prisoners, we took all their baggage and provisions, the paper that I write on was the governors private letter paper as you can see by the heading of it. I am eating the governors shugar (sugar) and bread drinking his chocolate and wines and smoking his cigars, We all live like lords.
But we are the hardest looking set of fellows you saw in your life the Mexicans are scared to death but I can’t blame them but said they would of whipped us – But we fought like “He devils” and that is their own word . We have whipped them twice since we left Santa Fe one at Brazito when six hundred of us whipped 1200 of them and we did not use any artillery.
I received ten letters from home a day or two before the battle and you may assures yourself that I read them with great deal of pleasure. Two of them were from Mary Ellen and one from Little Josy. You said in one of your letters that you had my letters publish in the papers. I am very sorry that you did so and I hope that you will not publish any part of that of this one but send it to Mary Ellen and Josy to read as I have not got time to do it today as I am on guard to day.
We will start for Home in about three weeks and then I can tell you all about this country. This is a beautiful city it beats every thing that I ever saw. I will now close my letter but I have not written one half as much as I want to but I can’t help it now I must do my duty on guard to day and if the mail does not leave to morrow I will write again. I said about the enemy had twelve pieces of artillery but I was mistaken they had eighteen large guns from 4 to 9 lbs six rampart guns carrying 1-1/2 pound balls we captured them all.
Yours H. Ed. J. Hinton, U. S. A.
Chihuahua
Sacramento Battlefield ~ February 28, 1847
LETTER NUMBER 27
by SEAMAN ALLAN PUTNAM on MARCH 23, 1847
St Francisco 23 March 1847
Figure 27 August 26, 1847 St. Louis, Missouri
To Col. Henry Stanton Quarter Master General at New York City
St. Louis red date stamp with straightline Steam 10 and manuscript “F” for free.
Carried by General Kearny overland to St. Louis. Travel time 66 days to St. Louis
Dear Sir
I am happy to inform you of the safe arr’l of the S. Drew to this Port in 53 days from Valparaiso.
I found the Perkins here. She did not stop anywhere after leaving Valparaiso. The Loo Choo has not arr’d; she sailed from Valparaiso a few hours before us.
I beg you will excuse these few lines, as I have not time to write any more at this time, the express being ready to start for Monterey. I will thank you to forward the enclosed & you will oblige.
Your Obt Servt,
Allen Putnam
LETTER NUMBER 28
by SEAMAN WILLIAM M. BROOM on MARCH 24, 1847
USS Ship Congress at Harbour of San Diego
Dear Mother
By the U. S. Ship Savannah whihc leaves this port to day I seize the Opportunity of sending you a few lines. Day after day passes by & as yet I have rec’d no word nor letter nor news. 6 Letters have I wrote to you since Ileft Home, and as yet have rec’d no answer to any of them. What has happened I know not. I sometimes think you have made up your mind to forget me for Ever.
Figure No. 28 October 30, 1847 St. Joseph, Missouri
To Mrs Mary Broom Care of Wm. L. Nason No. 46 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, U. States with 10 cent rate
One of two recorded letters carried by Commodore Stockton
Overland Mailed at St Joseph on October 30th
Several vessels have arrived on the Coast bringing bags & bags of letters. And you cannot imagine my feelings when I see the best of my Shipmates with their hands full of Letterrs and Newspapers & their countenances lighted up with Joy teo think that through thousand of miles from home there is still those behind who do not forget them & to make it world they turn to tell me of the good news they have rec’d.
But my I’ve a dejected countenance.
Soon tell them tehat I am not partner to their joys and with my heart full I turn from them and in solitude I give vent in tears to my feelings. Mr. Norris is expected here every day and if he does not bring me a letter of some description I shall certainly go mad. I suppose tehat Martha is by this time Married. If so I hope to the Partner of her Choice. For it is not for a day nor for year but for life. Her happines & the happiness of both depend upon themselves.
That their Life mayh be as fortunate as mine has been unfortunate is a Brothers Earnest Wish. Charley is becoming quite a man by this time. I suppose & I hope he has improved himself very much. I hope you will for my sake impress upon his mind that advantage of education for without it man is nothing.
The Man Who Won The West Mexican War By Page #