Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/375

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY AT CAÑADA.
325

enemy detached a party to cut it off, but the manœuvre was quickly checked by Captain St. Vrain, with his company. When the train came up, Captain Angney dislodged the Mexicans from the house opposite the right flank with his battalion of infantry, and a general charge was then ordered. Captain Angney, supported by two companies of the 2nd Missouri, moved up one hill, and at the same time Captain St. Vrain was ordered to fetch a circuit with the horse, and turn it, in order to intercept the retreat of the enemy. The artillery, supported by the remaining three companies of the 2nd Missouri, took possession of some houses further to the left, inclosed by a strong câral densely wooded with fruit-trees, and of the heights beyond them. In a very few minutes the enemy were dislodged at all points, and flying over the hills.

The broken character of the ground rendered a pursuit impossible, and Colonel Price took up his quarters in the town. In the morning the enemy again showed themselves on the distant heights, and he marched out to attack them, but they retreated so hastily that they could not be overtaken. The American loss in the affair at Cañada was two killed and six wounded; that of the enemy, was thirty-six killed and forty-five wounded.

Although the attempted outbreak at Las Vegas, seventy-five miles north of Santa Fé, on the road to Independence, was prevented by the prompt interference of Captain Hendley, he thought it advisable to concentrate his force at that point, and the various parties of his grazing detachment were ordered to join him forthwith. On the 23rd of January he learned the particulars of the murderous transaction at Moro on the 20th instant, and in the morning of the following day