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Show THE WAR WITH MEXICO 241 where he waited the arrival of the wagons and artillery which had been compelled to seek a more southerly route. The main body of the army having arrived at Las Trampas, Colonel Price proceeded with his entire command for Taos. Crossing the mountains, through roads filled with THE BATTLE OF TAOS new-fallen snow, two feet in depth, the soldiers, marching in front of the artillery and wagons, with unwearied patience and constancy, in order to break the way, many of them frost-bitten, entered San Fernandez de Taos on the 3d of February. Here it was learned that about seven hundred of the enemy were posted at the pueblo of Taos. The place was strongly fortified. Here were the two pueblos, each capable of sheltering five or six hundred men. In addition there were a number of smaller buildings and in the northwestern angle stood the church, with a narrow passage between it and the outer wall. The buildings and the exterior walls were pierced for rifles. A reconnoissance was made, and Lieutenant Dyer took position with the artillery on the western side of the village. A warm fire was kept up till sunset, when, as the ammunition wagon had not arrived, and the troops were suffering from the inclemency of the weather, they returned attack was renewed. to San Fernandez. The following day the On approaching the town, Captain Burgwin was stationed within two hundred and sixty yards of the western flank of the church, with his company and two howitzers, in command of Lieutenant Hassendaubel of Major Clark’s artillery battalion. Lieutenant Dyer was ordered to take position with the sixpounder and the remaining two howitzers, about three hundred yards from the northern wall, so as to obtain a cross-fire upon the church, the most feasible point of attack. The mounted men, under Captains St. Vrain and Slack, moved around to the eastern side of the town, to intercept any fugitives who might attempt to escape in that direction, and the remainder of the troops were directed to sup- port Lieutenant Dyer. Promptly at nine o’clock the batteries opened, and in two hours no breach had been effected in the walls of the church. Orders were therefore given to storm the building. Captain Burgwin advanced on the western side with the dragoons and one company of the 2d Missouri, while Captain Angney approached the northern wall with his battalion and two companies of the 2d Missouri., |