one.  Luckily, this uncertainty did not last long, those of the enemy’s bullets that struck the ground near us solving the problem.  Some slight confusion was caused by a premature and hurried deployment of the remaining companies, which interfered somewhat with the brigade commander’s intention of forming two additional lines, one to support the fighting line and the other to act as a reserve, or as the changing conditions of the combat might render expedient.  But under his supervision this defective formation was soon rectified, three companies being placed on the right and four companies on the left of the road, the former, under Lieutenant-Colonel Burke, moving forward in support of Major Gilbraith, and the latter being held back for a time.  Major Gilbraith and Colonel Burke’s troops, being unable to cross the creek, passed over the bridge that spans it by the left flank, the former’s companies having previously occupied a sheltered place in a ditch parallel to and to the right of the main road.  About this time the advance-guard, one of the companies of which (Penrose’s) had previously held for a short time a knoll on the left of the road, moved forward and crossed the iron bridge, the advance sections of the companies being led by Lieutenants Alexander and Wells, respectively.  After ... a time the entire advance-guard, including the two Gatling guns, was concentrated on the right of the railroad.  It dislodged the enemy, and with the cavalry troop to the right,—­the troop had arrived about this time, after doing effective service in threatening the enemy’s flank,—­and with the companies of Major Gilbraith pushed forward in the centre, took up a position on the northern line of hills.  Here they were rejoined by the infantry and by two pieces of artillery under First Lieutenant Archibald Campbell, which the brigade commander had ordered forward, and which by their fire added to the discomfiture of the enemy.  The two Gatling guns under Lieutenant Maginnis, with the advance, did good work, at first in a place near the creek where the gunners had a good view of the enemy, and later on at the various positions of the advance-guard.  The two guns from the main body were also operated from the crest of the hill during the latter stage of the combat.

[Illustration:  The Town of Sabana Grande.]

The affair ended about six o’clock; and the troops, including all the artillery, bivouacked on or near the position occupied by the enemy.  The wagon train afterward went into park between the railroad and the Rio Grande, near enough to enable the men to get what was necessary for their comfort during the night.  Before darkness set in, Captain Macomb with his troop was directed to make an effort to capture a railway train in plain sight from the hill occupied by the command; but the train got under way before he could reach it.  It also escaped some shots that were fired at it by the artillery.  Although it had now become quite dark, the captain picked up a few prisoners, including a wounded lieutenant.