they in conse- quence of their rashness taken piisoners "^fter losing six- teen in killed and wounded ? Or did the large party commence hostilities by attacTcing the dragoons ? To these very natural inquiries no response is found 'in the ^ General's despatch. The particulars of the case were, however, disclosed in letters from the army,'and published in the newspapers. It appears that Thornton the commander of the party, discovering a small body of Mexi- cans on the summit of a rising ground, " immediately charged upon them ;" but the main body who were on the other side of the hill, and therefore unseen, coming up, captured the assailants.* Another letter, published in the Philadelphia Inqidrer, says, " Captain Thornton, when about twenty-five miles above the army, discovered some Mexicans on a hill, 2ohen he immediately charged uj^on them.
When he got to the top of the hill, he found himself in a trap. The Mexicans were on the opposite side of the hill in a field."t General Taylor, after mentioning the affair in the words we have given, announces to the Cabinet the