When we got to a point where the artillery could be used with effect, a halt was called, and the battle opened on both sides.
The infantry under General Taylor was armed with flint-lock muskets, and paper cartridges charged with powder, buck-shot and ball.

At the distance of a few hundred yards a man might fire at you all day without your finding it out.

The artillery was generally six-pounder brass guns throwing only solid shot; but General Taylor had with him three or four twelve-pounder howitzers throwing shell, besides his eighteen-pounders before spoken of, that had a long range.

This made a powerful armament.
The Mexicans were armed about as we were so far as their infantry was concerned, but their artillery only fired solid shot.

We had greatly the advantage in this arm.
The artillery was advanced a rod or two in front of the line, and opened fire.