nearer the enemy, while doing so, I discovered an officer of lancers making his way slowly on foot "having lost his horse at the Rancho", for the Mexican troops but not being quite in point blank distance of them, I thought I would capture him if possible. It was amusing to see the fellow trying to run with his long saber on. It was no go. He soon found he would be overtaken and so stopped, at the same time holding up his bridle in his hand as token of surrender. Upon approaching him, he proved to be a fine looking German and first Lieut. of lancers. In going back with him out of shot of the enemy's lines, I met Maj. Coffee who took charge of him whilst I could resume my duty of examination. In a few minutes the Major rejoined me, seeing some straggling troops we thought it a good time to make a few prisoners, so made a dash at them, but received a handsome salute from the mountain side for our pains, it being lined with troops that we had not observed.

We fell back to a more respectful distance and waited the arrival of Col. May with the two Gens. while he was approaching it hailed and the Mexicans commenced retreating. I observed to Maj. Coffee, the victory is ours, he asked me if I really thought so beyond a doubt. I told him I did, then says he, "here is a bottle of champagne. We will drink to the success of the American armies." So saying, he took from his holsters I thought at the time, the best wine I had ever tasted. We drank it between the two Armies.

Soon Col. May arrived and the two guns opened a most destructive fire sweeping down scores of them at every discharge. It was now that Crittendon made his appearance bearing a white flag, passing us, he went directly into the enemy's ranks. Our guns had to cease firing. The Mexicans availed themselves of the chance to make their escape. By the time Crittendon returned, they had passed the ground completely commanded by our other Batteries,