I was
obliged to restrain their ardour by every argument I could muster,
principally by giving them, to understand that by a hasty attack we
should certainly lose the booty.
The moment came at last The prudence of the old commander having been
evidently overruled by his ignorant coadjutors, the infantry were put in
motion, flanked on one side by the cavalry and on the other by the
artillery. It was indeed a pitiful movement, for which they paid dearly.
I despatched the Arrapahoes to out-flank and charge the cavalry of the
enemy when a signal should be made; the Apaches slowly descended the
hill in face of the infantry, upon which we opened a destructive fire
with our four field-pieces.
The infantry behaved well; they never flinched, but stood their ground
as brave soldiers should do. The signal to charge was given to the
Arrapahoes, and at that moment, the Shoshones, who till then had
remained inactive with me on the hill, started at full galop to their
appointed duty. The charge of the Arrapahoes was rapid and terrific,
and, when the smoke and dust had cleared away, I perceived them in the
plain a mile off, driving before them the Mexican cavalry, reduced to
half its number. The Shoshones, by a rapid movement, had broken through
between the infantry and artillery, forcing the artillery-men to abandon
their pieces; then, closing their ranks and wheeling, they attacked
fiercely the right flank of the infantry.
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