Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

2 fortified front, which, by means of heavy guns, commanded the approach through the whole length and at various angles of the direct route. A glance discovered the impracticability of assault in front without battering in breach, and the secondary means of scaling ladders, fascines &c. Reconnoiasance was immediately com menced, and continued on the 19th, to'deter mine a route for turning the whole system of defence by the enemy's right. This accom plished, with satisfactory results, acting under the general instructions and discretion granted by the General-in-chief, a movement, delayed by the necessary temporary withdrawal of one brigade to sustain the division occupied in the direction of Contreras, was commenced at 11 o’clock, A. M., as follows: The 2d brigade, composed of the sth, 6th, and Sth infantry, commanded byColonel Clarke, 6th. supported by the light battalion, composed of two compa nies from the 2d artillery, and one from each of the sth and Sth regiments of infantry, under Brevet Lieut. Col Smith—the whole under the guidance of Captain Mason, corps of engi neers, assisted by Lieut. Hardcastle, topograph ical engineers—moved to the left and diver gent from the causeway, taking such a direc tion as to strike the high road from San Anto nio, with the double object of enveloping the right of the enemy’s position, and at the same time of cutting off his retreat to. wards the capital. Lieut. Col. Duncan s artillery (light battery) and the Ist brig ade, composed of the 2d and 3d artillery and 4th infantry, commanded by Brevet Colonel Garland, was advanced to an angle in the causeway which partially masked it from the enemy’s direct fire, and held in readiness for a rapid direct movement when the 2d brigade should become engaged, and have attracted attention to that quarter. Subsequently the 4th infantry was placed on the left of the cause way, and instructed to move by a flank, * ,n<J<sr guidance of Assistant Adjutant General Mack all, between that route and the 2d brigade, eith er to sustain the latter, or, if op portunity offer ed, rush upon one of the batteries. Discover ing these dispositions, and particularly the movement of the 2d brigade, and doubtless influenced by the operations going on in the direction of Contreras, the enemy sent troops to check the advance of our left, and commenced an evacuation of the works. After having brushed away the troops in front, Col. Clarke’s command approached a point on the high road occupied by the enemy’s retreat ing column: and by a rapid movement, partic ularly of two companies of the sth infantry, under Captains Morrill and McPhail, com manded by Lieut. Col. Scott, guided by Capt. Mason, cut this column nearly in the centre — the advanced portion of it moving upon Chu rubusco, (where we shortly afterwards discov ered the enemy’s main array of battle,)Jand the remainder, about two thousand in number, un der General Bravo, with four pieces of artillery, retreated upon Dolores. The instant Clarke’s fire opened. Garland was instructed to advance rapidly in column, and attempt a direct assault, previously detaching a company in advance ; which, by drawing the enemy’s fire might dis cover the magnitude of his batteries in that quarter; but it appeared that the guns at that point had been hastily withdrawn, in the hope of getting them away. Garland’s company was soon in, unresisted, and rapidly passed through the works, and on the high road to the capital. Some six hundred yards beyond the works the division was reunited, and, disregar diugthe force retreating upon Dolores, the whole moved rapidly and in good order to the higher object. Approaching Churubusco — that place being on the left, and near the road —it was discovered to be strongly occupied with tr ops, and protected by batteries and in fantry defences. Further in advance was dis covered a regular field-work, garnished with heavy guns, and crowded with troops. Be tween the two, a continuous line of infantry ; and on the left and rear of the work, (tete de pont,) a dense line of infantry as far as the eye could reach. On getting within cannon-shot, and so of musketry, the enemy opened with effect upon the head of the leading battalion. Garland’s brigade was now thrown promptly to the right of, and in the line of columns ob liquely to the road ; which order would, in its advance and deployment strike the enemy’s line at a like angle—the light battalion on its right. The 2d brigade was ordered to move also to the right, (except the 6th infantry,) and by a flank parallel to the road, while the 6th infantry was directed to advance by the high road and storm the tete de pont in front. The field to the right was filled with standing corn,which mask ed large bodies of the enemy, and from whose fire, in consequence, every command sutfered greatly in the first instance. Running over these, Garland's brigade was soon engaged with their more regular lines and masses. Clark’s, as soon as it could be got in the position above described—and it came at double quick time— became engaged in like manner. The Gih reg ment of infantry moved with a steadiness worthy ofits established reputation to assault the work in front as directed ; but being exposed to a com bined tire of grape, cannister, and musketry, which raked the road, it was of necessity mo mentarily checked. Meantime, the Bth and sth of Clark i ' brigade, more favorably situated to effect re s, but under a terrible fire, dashed past thed p and wet ditch that entirely sur rounded the work, carried it by the bayonet, and, as quick as thought, turned the captured cannon upon that portion of the enemy station ed in the town, and which was combating our troops approaching from the direction of Con treras, occasionally reversing their fire upon our left flank. Previous to this period, and when in the act of giving direction to the bat talions, 1 was joined by Major Gen. Pillow, who came in from the left with three regiments of his division—Cadwaladers’s brigade—having will) great difficulty made his way through the marshes ; thence, to the close of the day, I had the pleasure of his gallant association and as sistance. Lieut. Col. Dunean’s battery of light artillery, which had been directed to be masked, being unable to counter-batter the heavier me tai in front, and the intersected character of the ground rendering it impossible to move it from the high road, was now rapidly advanced by its gallant commander, and opened at a position some two hundred yards distant from the work around the church of San Pablo, situated in and constituting the key of that portion of the enemy’s defences ; seizing the prolongation of a principal face, in a space of five minutes, by afire of astonishing rapidity, the enemy was dri ven from his guns in that quarter, and the infan try from their entrenchments ; the main body taking refuge in the church and undercover of its yard walls The fire was then turned up on the church, and, after a few rounds, several white flags were thrown out by the enemy, the five ordered to cease, and anotlicer despatched to accept the surrender of the place. To this period there had been no perceptible abatement of the fire from the town in the di rection of our troops attacking the opposite face. Immediately thereafter, our troops in the vicinity pushed on to the point where por tions of Garland’ll and Clark's brigades were yet engaged in hand-to-hand conflicts with the mas ses of'infantry on the left and rear of the cap tured field-work first referred to ; but under the triple influence of our musketry, the cap ture of the tete de pont, and the silencing of the fire in the town, (directed upon other divisions of our army.) the main body of the enemy was soon discovered to be in full and confused retreat, Pressing along the highway in pur suit of the enemy, the division was soon inter sected by the brigade of Gen. Shields, approach ing from the left, with the remainder of his brave command, consisting of the South Caro lina and New York regiments, and also by the arrival oi Lieut. Col. Graham with the small remains of his battalion of the 11 th regiment ot infantry; these were a portion of the main army assaulting, in the opposite direction of the town, the right and reserve of the enemv, un der the immediate direction of the General-in chief The pursuit of the enemv by the Ist division, acting m concert and cordial co-oper ation with these forces, was continued to with in one mile and a half of the gate of Mexi co, (La Candelaria.) At this point. ignorant first of the magnitude of the defences at the garita, and secondly of the ulterior views of the Geueral-in-chief. I ordered a halt of the united forces, after consulting with Major Gen. Pillow and Brig. General Shields. Colonel Harney coming up at this instant with two squadrons of cavalry, was permitted to make a dash at the rear of the enemy’s retiring forces. In the eager pursuit, the head of the column pressing on too closely, and disregarding or not hearing their commander's recall, came un der fire of the battery, and sutfered severely. The ground on which the troops operated, otT the high road, is remarkably intersected: loose •oil. growing grain, and. at brief intervals, deep ditches for die purpose of drainage and irrigation. These ditches vary from six to eight feet in depth, about the same in width, with from three to four feet of water—the re verse banks lined with the enemy's light troops. W hen 1 recur to the nature of the ground, and the fact that the division (2.600 strong of all arms) was engaged from two to two and a half hours in a hand-to-hand conflict with from 7.000 to 9,000 of the enemy, having the ad vantage of position and occupying regular works—which our engineers will kiy were most skilfully constructed—the mind is filled with w onder and the heart with gratitude to the brave officers and soldiers whose steady and indomitable valor has, under such circum stances, aided in achieving results so honora ble u> our country ; results not accomplished, however, without the sacrifice of manv valua ble lives. The little professional skill the com mander may have possessed was intensely ex erted to spare the men ; and vet. with the ut most care. w t - haw to mourn the loss, in killed Md wounded. ot Uunevn officers and three humire. anu thirty rallit , tl4 di< . o tr, ».H lament the ate ami honor the ...e.norv of these bra.e men Ah« of ca., turcd or j. nance has already been handed ln . « also •oners, from generals down to private-* of, .oners we pauaedto make but few; although re* <*;v mg the surrender of many, to disarm and pass was deemed sufficient. Among them, however, an* secured twenty-seven deserters from our own army, arrayed in the most tawdry Mexican uniforms. These wretches served the guns, the use of which they had been taught incur own service, .and with ratal effect, upon the persons oi their former comrades And now, in enclosing this report, hastily and inconveniently prepared, comes the pleas ing and yet difficult task of bringing more par ticularly to the notice of the General-in-chief and Government the behaviour of the officers and men under my command. Every (’lfir®* of every grade, and every soldier, from chief oi brigade, through rank and file, to the hum blest. have bravelv and nobly done their duty; and the delicacy i's felt in full force for distin guishing, even by a separation oi one from the other: and yet those in whose P ath or " !ie threw her special favors are entitled o i. As least exceptionable, corps will be referred to in order of formation, and persons in con nection with their corps. Jst Brevet Lieut. Col. Duncan commanded and directed the light artillery with the zeal and «allantrv. judgment and ellect, wmcli have so often distinguished and presented him to the notice ofilis General-in chief and the Govern ment. 2d. Brevet Lieut. Col. Smith commanded and directed his light battalion with character istic gallantry and ability. 3d. Brevet Colonel (jarland (Lieut. Colonel 4th infantry) commanded the Ist brigade, con spicuous in many fields in the present war; in this last great combat, by skill, conduct and courage, he has greatly added to an already es tablished reputation for patriotism and soldier ship. Os his brigade. Major Galt commanded and gallantly led the 2d artillery, (acting as in fancy) ; Lietit. Col. Helton, the 3d artillery, (also acting as infantry) ; and Major Lee, the 4th infantry. The clue! of the brigade speaks in terms of commendation of each of these commanders. A list of officers engaged, as also of non commissioned officers and privates in each regiment, will be found in the regimental re ports, to which reference is respectfully made. 4th. Col. Clarke, commanding the 2d brig ade—a veteran of the war of 1812, and here tofore distinguished by zeal and intelligence in this war—was, while gallantly leading his brig ade into battle, struck from his saddle and dis abled for several hours : whereupon the com mand devolved upon Brevet Col. Mclntosh, (Lieut.-Col. sth infantry,) who led on with the prestige of many well-fought fields, and ac quitted himself, as always, with high courage and devotion. The command of the sth in fantry devolved, in turn, upon Brevet Lieut.- Col. Scott, and the mantle could not have fall en upon a better or braver soldier ; be most gallantly led the regiment to its assigned work, and, in so doing, came to the close support and joint action with the corps to whose let it fell to carry with the bayonet the main work. One wing of the 6th infantry, a portion of which was under the gallant lead of Captain Hoffman, did all that it was in the power of'men to do to car ry the tete de pont. by direct attack on the main road, while the other wing, under Maj. Bonne ville, was in close conflict with the enemy on the right ofthe road. The Bth infantry, although from its position coming up last, by the zeal and energy *>f its commander, Maj. Waite, and by the circumstances of the ground, which impe ded the advance of other and proximate corps, found itself in position to render most gallant and effective service. The companies of Cap tains James Bomford and Larkin Smith, under the direction of Brevet Maj. Wright, preceded hy Adjutant Longstreet, colors in hand, were led on most bravely to the assault ofthe tete de pont; crossing the ditch under a heavy fire of musketry, they mounted the rampart,and finish ed the work with the bayonet, closely support ed by the sth and detachments of other corps. The regimental reports of this brigade are also respectfully referred to. The medical corps, consisting of Surgeon Satterlee (senior) and Wright, Assistant Surgeons Simpson, DeLeon, Simons, Holden, Roberts, and Deyerle, pre sent claims to especial thanks and admiration —ever among the most fearless and indifferent to hazard during the conflict. It is after the battle, when others seek repose, that they are found skilfully and noiselessly fulfilling the du ties of their high vocation, in administering comfort to the crushed and sorrowful soldier. The following named officers and non-com missioned officers are conspicuously presented by commanders: Staff Is/ Brigade— Brevet Capt. Nichols, A. A. A. (Jen.; Lieut. Thorn, Aid-de-camp. 2d Brigade— Lieut. Burwell, Aid-de-camp; Lieut. Kirkham. A. A. A. Gen Light Battery— Limits. Hunt, Hays, Clark, and Sergeant Platt. Light Battalion— Limits. El zey, Peck, ami Simpson, 2d artillery; Ist Ser geant Henry Wilson, company A. and Sergeant Mickel. company lx. 2d artillery ; (’apt. E. K. Smith, Lieut. Family. Sergeants Updegraff, Archer, and Flynn, company 11, sth infantry; Capt. Reeve, Limits. Holloway and Pitcher, Bth infantry. 2d Artillery— Capts. McKensie ami Brooks; Lieuts. Shackelford and Daniels. 3d Artillery— Captain Burke. Brevet (.’..plain Avers, and Sergeant Heck. 4/4 Infantry— Lieut. Adj. Prince and Brevet Maj. Buchanan. 5/4 Infantry— Captains Merrill ami McPhail; Lieuts. Rossel I, Fowler, and \dj. Lugenbeel Sergeants Golding, Dudley, John son, Clntina : and O’Brien. 6/4 Infantry— Capts Hoffman and Walker; Lieuts Armstead, Buckner, and Adjutant Ernst; Sergeant. Major Thompson, Battalion Sergeant Major Owens, Color Ser grant McCain, Sergeants Staniker, Williams, Mclntyre, Creasy, and Downs. H/h Infantry— Brevet Major Wright. Captain- Bomford ami Smith. Adjutant Longstreet, and Lieut. Selden, (the latter present at many battles, honorably wounded at Resaca, and not behind the fore most in zeal and courage here.) color bearer Sergeant Maj. Pink, Sergeant Ford, ami Ser geant Edward Bertram. Injustice would be done to the whole division in failing to bring to the notice of the General-in chief the praise worthy— if he will pardon the expression—the courageous conduct ofthe Rev. .Mr. McCarty, chaplain to the 2d brigade. That excefent man and Christian was seen in the midst ofthe con flict administering comfort ami consolation to the stricken, and patriotically encouraging the soldier in his forward path of duty. The division commander cannot forego the opportunity presented to acknowledge his obli gations ami express his admiration of the gal lant hearing of Maj. Gen. Pillow and Brig. Gens. Shields. Cadwalader. and Pierce, with whom he had the gratification of concert and co-operation at various critical periods of the conflict. And it may now. in closing, be per mitted to speak ofthe staff of the division, ge neral and personal. The subordinate reports will be found to speak with one sentiment of Capt. Mason, of engineers ; but these are not to debar my testimony and w arm acknowledge mentsof the intelligent and gallant services of this accomplished officer ; in the estimation of all, he has won high reputation, and established unequivocal claims to higher rank. Lieut. Hardcastle, topographical engineers, has been distinguished by zeal, intelligence, and gallan try. in his particular department, as also in combat; to Surgeon Satterlee. senior medi cal officer, the highest praise is due. Capt. Myers, division quartern!aster, has highly dis tinguished himselfhy energy and devotion in his particular department, ami by gallantry in combat. Lieut. Armstrong, division commis sary, is also highly distinguished for energy and devotion in his particular department, anil by gallantry in combat. Os the gallant and efficient assistance of Captain Mackall, assis tant adjutant general (but in a different relation.) of Brev. Capt. Pemberton and Lieut. Wood, aids-de-camp it has been my pleasing duty heretofore to speak under similar circumstances. On this occasion each member ofthe staff has fulfilled every duty of his station to the entire s itisfacfion of their chief, and established new claims to professional distinction ami reward. To Lieut. Semines, of the navy, volunteer aid-de-camp, the most cor dial thanks of the General of division are ten dered for his uniform gallantry and assistance ; and the General-in-chief is respectfully request ed to present the conduct of this accomplished and gallant officer to the special notice of his distinguished branch ofthe public service—our glorious navy. I have the honor to present to the General a national standard, a trophy secured from the Ist division. Herewith are reports: Ist. Os commanders of brigades, regiments, and corps, lettered from A to \ 2d. Tabular reports of killed and wounded. ’.hi. Report of kdled and wounded bv name. 4th. Map exhibiting the operations of the Ist division, executed by Lieut. Hardcastle, from a survey jointly by Capt Mason and himself. \ erv respectfully, vourobedient servant. W. J WORTH. Brevet Major-Gen. I'. 8. A. Capt. IL L. Scott, A. A. A. G. [350 men w ere absent on baggage, tram, and other guards.] Report of Major* Ge neral Quitman. liEAl>qi IKTFRS Voi l XTFKK DIMSXOX. Angnstin. Aug. 26. 1*47. Sir : I have the honor to enclose the report of Brig lien. Shields of the operations of that portion of my division, which was actively en gaged in the recent battles before the city of Mexico. Having been ordered by the General-in-chief to remain at this point in reserve with the re mainder of my division, consisting of the 2d Pennsylvania regiment, under command of Col. Roberts, the battalion of marines, under Lieut. Col. Watson. Capt. Steptoe's batterv. and Capt. Gaither's troop of dragoons. I have nothing to add to the enclosed report of Brig. Gen. Shields, exce| t the express on itied admiration ofthe distinguished conduct of | that gallant officer, and iny approbation of the i good conduct and gallantry of that portion of : my division which had the good fortune to be actively engaged under his command. The troops which remained at this place in ; reserve, di..gentry performed the burthensome duties which fell to their lot during and after the severe conflicts which took place before the citv. Col. Roberts. 2d Pennsylvania regiment. Lieut. Cel. Watson, of the marines, and Capts. ■ Steptoe and Gaither as*»duonsiv shared the a- I bors and cares which devolved upon me. Mv I thanks are due to and Lieut. Lovell, acting as ' *tant adjutant general, and Lieut. Wilcox. m» aid. tor their able and active performance of r duties I also take this opportunity of no ng th.* energy activity, and zeal with which api Pan ou laricrm.ister. has performedl en the „ iareh la J wtme ni Uns pos:uo n . I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. A. Quitman, Maj. Gen. Coni.Vol.Div. Capt. II L. Scott, A. A. A. G. Report of Major General Pillow. Headquarters Third Division, Mircoac, August 24, 1847. Captain: In compliance with the order of the General-in-Chief, I moved with my divis ion, consisting of the 9th, 11 th, 12th, 14th, and 15th infantry, and the voltigeur regiment, and howitzer battery under Lieutenant Callender, early on the morning of the 19th instant, and opened the road over the mountain on the route indicated by captain Lee, of the engineer corps, assisted by Lieutenants Beauregard. Stephens, Tower, Smith, McClelland, and Foster. Brigadier General Twiggs, with his division, reported to me for duty, under in structions from the General-in-Chief, whilst my own division was moving over the moun tain. Perceiving that the enemy was in large force on the opposite side of the valley, with heavy batteries of artillery commanding the only road l through a vast plain of broken volcanic stone and lava, rent into deep chasims and fissures, effectually preventing any advance except under his direct fire, I resolved to give him battle. For this purpose I ordered General Twiggs, to advance with his finely disciplined division, and with one brigade to assault the enemy’s works in front, and witli the other to turn his left flank, and assail it in reverse. Capt. Magruder’s fine field batterv and Lieut. Callander's howitzer battery (both of which constitute part of my division) were placed at the disposal of Brigadier General Tw iggs. This officer, in executing my order of attack, dircted Brev. Brig. Gen. Smith to move with his brigade upon the enemy’s front, whilst Col. Riley, with his, was ordered to turn his left and assail him in rear. To sustain these move ments. Brig. Gen. Cadwalader was ordered tn advance with his brigade and support Col. Riley, and Brig. General Pierce, with his com mand, to support the column moving upon the enemy’s front, under Brig. Gen. Smith. This last command was soon closely engaged with the enemy, as were also the batteries of Capt. Magruder and Lieut. Callender. Col. Riley’s command, having now crossed the vast broken-up plain of lava, passing the village on the right, and whilst in the act of turning the enemy’s left, was confronted hy several thousand lancers, who advanced to the charge, when a well-directed fire from the brigade twice compelled them to fall hack in disorder, under cover of their artillery. About this time Brig. Gen. Cadwalader’s command had also crossed the plain, when some 5,000 or 6,000 troops of the enemy were observed moving rapidly from the direction of the capi tal to the field of action. Col. Morgan, with his large and fine regiment, which I had caused to be detached from the rear of Pierce’s brig ade, was now ordered to the support of Cad walader by direction of the General-in-Chief, who had now arrived upon the field. This General, having discovered this large force moving upon his right flank and to the rear, with decided military tact and prompti tude threw back his right wing and comfront ed the enemy, with the intention to give him battle, notwithstanding his overwhelming force. This portion of the enemy’s force moved steadily forward until a conflict seemed in evitable, when Col. Morgan’s regiment, having reached this part ofthe field, presented a front so formidable as to induce the enemy to change his purpose, and draw otfto the right and rear of his former position. During all this time the battle raged fiercely between the other portions ofthe two armies, with a constant and destructive fire of artillery. Magruder’s battery, from its prominent posi tion, was much disabled by the heavy shot of the enemy, as were also Callenders howitzers. A part ofthe enemy’s artillery had been turn ed upon Riley’s command, whilst actively en gaged with large bodies of lancers ; but even these combined attacks could only delay the purpose of the gallant old veteran and his no ble brigade. The General-in Chief having' arrived upon the field with Gen. Shield’s brigade of volun teers —consisting ofthe New York and South Carolina regiments—ordered them to move up to the support of the forces under Brig. Gen. Cadwalader; hut it had now grown so late in the evening that Gen. Shields did not get into position until after dark. Night having come on, (hut not until entirely dark,) this fierce conflict was suspended, to he renewed on the morrow. The battle all this day was conducted under my immediate orders, and within my view ; a short time before sunset, having previously engaged in the fight all the forces at my dispo sal, myself and staff started to cross the plain, to join in the terrible struggle on the immediate field of action. <)n my way thither I was joined by Brig. Gen. Twiggsand stall'; but the darkness ofthe night, rendered still more obscure by a heavy rain, caused us to miss our way through the broken-up lava, and to wander to the close neighborhood ofthe works of the enemy; and it was not until the shrill blasts of his bugles apprized us of our position, that we became satisfied we could not reach, during the night our destination. We then returned, and re ported to the General-in-Chief. During the night Brig. Gen. Smi:h disposed the forces present to renew the action at day light, and complete the original order of attack ; before dark, however, the enemy had placed two pieces of artillery on a height nearly west of Cadwalader’s position which had opened with several discharges upon his forces Brig. Gen. Smith, just before day light, moved a por tion ofthe forces up the ravine to the rear of the enemy’s position, so as to be within easy turning distance of his left flank, leaving Col. Ransom with the 9th and 12th infantry to make a strong diversion in front. The day being suf ficiently advanced. the order was given hy Brni- Gen. Smith for the general assault; when. Gen. Smith's command upon (tie left ami Col. Riley wiih his brigade upon the right, supported by Gen. Cadwalader with his com mand, moved up with the utmost gallantry, under the furious fire from liie enemy's bat teries, which were immediately carried; a large number of prisoners were taken, inclu ding four generals, with 23 out ofthe original 28 pieces of artillery, and a large amount of ammunition and public property. .The retreating enemy was compelled to pass through a severe fire, both from the assaulting forces and Cadwalader’s brigade as well as Shields’s command, who had remained at the position occupied by the former General the previous night with the purpose of covering toe movement upon the battery. The forces of the enemy engaged at this place including the reinforcements of the preceding evening, constituted a force of about 16.00(1 men, 5,000 of whom were cavalry ; the whole were un der the immediate command of General Santa \nna in person, assisted hy Generals Valen cia. Salas, Blanco, Mendoza, Garcia, and others; the last four mentioned were taken prisoners. Our forces, consisting of my division. Gene rals Twiggs’s and Shields’s commands, amount ed to about 4,500 men. The loss of the ene my. as nearly as I can ascertain, was between 1.500 and 2.000 killed and wounded, and 800 prisoners, including the four generals previous ly mentioned, four colonels, thirty captains, and many officers ofinferior grades. The reports of the different corps engaged in this part ofthe battle, which were tempora rily under mv command, being properly made to their respective chiefs, and not having come before me. I am unable to give our loss.— Though many brave and gallant souls have fal len. it is believed, however, when the strength of the enemy's position, ins enormously hea vy artillery. and his superior forces are consi dered. our loss is comparatively small. Il is a matter of just pride and exultation that among the guns captured in the batteries were the two pieces taken by the Mexican army at Bue na X ista, belonging to Capt. Washington’s battery, i.at that battle under the immediate command ofCapt. O’Brien ;) and it is no less remarkable than gratifying thalthe good fortune and honor us recapturing them belong to the Uh regiment of artillery, of which Captain Washing ion’s company forms a part. Threughom this engagement every corps ! engaged the enemy wherever he was met with I the most determined resolution, and behaved with a degree oi gallantry rarely equalled, cer tainly never surpassed m anv engagement known to the American arms. Brigadier Gen eral Twiggs, next in command to myself, and charged with the immediate execution ofmv order of battle, wasdistinguished by the judg ment, promptitude, and courage displayed bv him throughout the engagement. Brigadier General Smith, the senior officer nho remained across the plain, and disposed (he forces for the final assault, deserves and will doubtless receive the thanks of the armv and the honor due to the constancy of purpose | and the daring which distinguished his conduct .on this great occasion. Brigadier General i Cadwalader displayed great judgment anti high i military skill and heroic courage in the manner hi which he met the sudden and trying emer gency. when all parties were in great anxiety for the safety vfhi< comparat velv small com mand. when about to De assailed by the over whelming reinforcements of the enemy on the preceding evening, also in the inannerin which he brought up his command to the support of the gallant Riley. This veteran officer distin guished himself no less by the manner in which ne contended almost single handed with great ly superior numbers on the first day. than in his gallant and successful charge upon the works ofthe enemy on the second. Brigadier Generel Pierce, though badly in jured by the fa I of his horse wh le gallantly leading his brigade into the thickest ofthe bat tle on the 19th. did notquit the field, but con tinued in command of his brigade, two regi ments of which—the 9th and 12th infantrv. un der the immediate command of the gallan't Col. Ransom and Lieut. Col. Bonham on the 19th. and ( apt. Woods ou the 20th—assailed the en emy’s works in front at daylight, with great in- ' trepidity. and contributed much to the glorious consiuntnauon ofthe work so handsomely com- : mencel on the preceding day. s The commanders of regiments and inferior ’ officers all behaved with gallantry no lees dis- i Anguished, though in subordinate positions to those named above as commanding divisions and brigades ; hut the space proper for this re portwill not admit of further devils. In justice, however, to officers of this class, I beg to call the attention of the Commander-in* Chief to the detailed reports of the officers of the several corps engaged Jn this action. It is due to Capt. McGruder and Lieut. Callender, who have no other organization than as parts of my division, to testify to their gallantry and daring, the proof of which is found in their los ses, and in the fact that both of their batteries were much cut up by the terrible tire of the en emy’s heavy guns. During the cannonade, Lieut. T. I*. Johnston, whilst gallantly serving the advanced section of McGruder’s battery, fell mortally wounded, and Lieut. Callender, in command of the howitzers, nearly at the same time, received so severe a wound as to disable him from commanding his pieces, which consequently devolved upon Lieut. Reno, of the ordnance corps, who for the remainder of the battle, conducted the service of his batte ry with equal gallantry and judgment. I cannot in justice omit to notice the valuable services of Captain Lee, of the engineer corps, whose distinguished merit and gallantry deserve the highest praise, and who, in the execution of his duties, was ably assisted by his assistants previously mentioned. They were important aids in the combination ofelements brought to bear with success, no less triumphant than glo rious to our arms, upon the most powerful col lection ofartillery (supported by a force of four to one of our forces) ever successfully assailed in any battle upon this continent. Having myself crossed the plain and reached this bloody theatre as the last scene of the con flict was closing, as soon as suitable dispositions were made to secure the fruits of the victory I resolved upon pursuing the discomfitted enemy, in which I found that Brigadier Gens. Twiggs and Smith had already anticipated me by hav ing commenced the movement. At the same time I apprised the General-in chief of my ad vance. and requested his authority to proceed with all the forces still under my command, and sweep around the valley, and attack the strong works at San Antonio in the rear, and requested the co-oper<|jon of Gen. Worth’s division, on an assault of that work in front; which the General-in-chief readily granted and directed accordingly—having, as I learn, upon being advised of the victory, previously given the order. I had moved rapidly forward in ex ecution of this purpose until I reached the town of Coyoacan, w here the command was halted to await the arrival ofthe General-in-chief, who 1 was informed was close at hand. Upon his arrival the important fact was ascertained that the enemy’s forces at San Antonio, having per ceived that the great battery had been lost and the total defeat and rout of their forces at Con treras, by which their rear was opened to as sault, had abandoned the work at San Antonio, and fallen back upon their strong entrench ments in rear at Churubusco. Upon the receipt of this information the Gen eral-in-chief immediately ordered Brig. Gen. Twiggs’s division to move forward and attack the work on the enemy’s right, and directed me to move with Cadwalader’s brigade and assault the tetc du punt on its left. Moving rapidly in execution of this order. I had great difficulty in passing the con.maud over some marshy fields and wide and deep ditches, filled with mud and water. I was compelled to dismount in order to cross these obstacles, w hich were gallantly overcome by the troops, when the whole force gained the main causeway ; at which place 1 met Gen. Worth, with the advance of his divi sion, moving upon the same work. It was then proposed that our united divisions should move on to the assault of the strong fete du pont, which with its heavy artillery enfiladed the causeway. This being determined upon, the troops of the two divisions moved rapidly to at tack the work on its left flank, and, notwith standing the deadly lire of grape and round shot from the work, which swept the roadway with furious violence, tin and onward these gallant and noble troops moved with impetuous valor, ami terrible .and long was the bloody conflict. — But the result could not be doubted. At length the loud and enthusiastic cheer of the Anglo- Saxon soldier told that all was well, and the American colors waved in triumph over the bloody scene. The larger portion of Gen. Worth’s veteran division was engaged in this fierce conflict, to gether with the 11th and 14th regiments of in fantry. constituting a part of my division, under the commands respectively of Lieut. Col. Gra ham ami (’ol. Trousd de. To the 14th infantry belongs the honor of capturing a flag on this fort, ami taking of a large number of prisoners in the fort, among whom was the body of de serters. The voltigeur regiment, then under com mand of Lieut. Col. Johnston, had been led on by my adjutant-general. Capt. Hooker, to the assault of the strong fortification on the enemy’s right, w ith which Gon. Twiggs’s division was hotly engaged ; but finding the artillery of the enemy, as well as his small arms, bore directly on this advance, which was entirely uncovered, the regiment was placed in the rear ofa church, where it remained until it received an order from myself in person to move to the assault in conjunction with tin 1 lively play of Duncan’s battery. This fine regiment was rapidly exe cuting this order, now under Col. Andrews, ami led by Gen. Cadwalader, when that work surrendered, ami was taken possession of by Tw iggs’s division. Gen. Worth, (to whose great gallantry du ring the action it afforded me pleasure to bear w itness.) w ith his division, and myself with the 11 th and 14th regiments of my command, press ed rapidly on in pursuit of the flying enemy, until we had arrived w ith our commands near ly under the fire ofthe guns ofthe enemy, plant ed in the suburbs of the capital, w here we w ere overtaken bv an order from the General-in chief to call off our troops from further pursuit. During this movement I met with Cols. Ran som’s and Morgan’s regiments, 12th infantry under Capt. Wood, and the howitzer battery under Lieut. Reno, parts of my division, form ing General Pierce’s brigade, which had been moved by order of the General-in-chief, under command of Gen. Pierce, against a large body ofthe enemy to the right and rear ofthe main work, w here they had been, in conjunction with Shields’s brigade, engaged in a fierce open field fight with a large force. Brigadier Gen. Pierce, though still suffering severely from his injury ofthe preceding day. had nevertheless been on duty, and in com mand of his brigade during the day, and until a few moments before, when he had fainted from pain and exhaustion, and been carried from the field. In this last engagement the gallant Col. Morgan was wounded severely, when the command of the 15th regiment devolved on Lieut. Col. Howard. During this long-continued battle, which last ed nearly two days, every part ofthe army in the field participated in the engagement. The consequence was. that all share justly in the honor and glory ofthe brilliant victory. I can not distinguish between the conduct of the commanders of regiments in my division ; they all acted a distinguished part, as did their field and company officers, though the circum stances of battle caused Ransom's, Morgan’s. Graham’s, and Trousdale’s regiments, and the 12th infantry, under command of Lieut. Col. Bonham on the 19th, and of Capt. Wood on the 20th, to be most actively engaged. My di vision was composed entirely of recruits, whom the exigencies of the service had not allowed time to become well disciplined; but they emu lated in deeds of valor and constancy the vet erans ofthe old divisions; and I am proud to testify to the General-in-chief my high appreci ation of their good conduct. I cannot withhold the expression of my sense ofthe deep obligations I am under for the suc cess and honor due to my command, to rnytwo gallant Brigadier Generals, whose promptitude, skill, and daring were equal to every emergen cy, and who, in the absence of discipline in their commands, met and overcame every obstacle, and led on their brigades to honor and distinc tion. I will be pardoned, I trust, by the General-in- Chief for travelling beyond the legitimate I bounds of a report to notice becomingly’ the ; patriotic conduct of the pious chaplain of Col. Clarke s brigade. Whilst the battle raged fu riously . my column had great difficulty in cross ing a deep ditch without damaging their ammu nition. Ihe worthy chaplain, besides encour- ‘ agmg the passing soldiers to their work, active- . »y »etthe example ot filling the excavations, so ; as to enable the troops to press onward to the ; as&au.t. My medical staff (particularly Sur- I geon Jordon, though infirm and aged, and Sur geon Slade distinguished themselves by their great activity and energy in keeping with the i column throughout the action, and attending to | tne wounded and dying on the spot where they j leu. a< did also the entire medical staff of mv I division. J I During the arduous duties of my command i on tae I'th, my personal staff being all en- ! gaged on duty, t was compelled to make use of Hie services ot some ot my friends from civil 1 lue : among these. I am mjebted to Mr Ken- 1 dah tor his assistance in promptly bearing and ! delivering orders : also to Paymaster Burns I : express mv indebtedness turhis valuable ser- i Vices: to Captain O Hara, chief of the quar termaster s department of mv division, I am especially under obligations for h,s assistance, as well as to Lieutenant Davis, of the Uth re*- iment. acting ordnance officer My personal Staff-Captain Hooker, mv ad jutantgeneralandcluef of my staff; Lieuten ant Ram>. -Itn artil.ery. and Lieutenant Riplev. r .. and Passed Midship- man Robert < . Rodgers, v .lnnteermd-de-camp —distingursbed themselves by their tearless an u gadant conduct, as well as bv their judgment and skm in leading forward mv differ ent commamls and placing them in no.mon lor effective service throughout these long and i desperate conflicts. I trust the General-in- . C hies w m deem their conduct worths his spe- I ci al notice. * I ai*o notice the extraordinary activity and giuuni conduct 01 Lieutenant Iron*. Ist art.Jerv, aid-de-camp to Gun. Cadwalader. who received a wound, probublv mortal. whilst in the d.scharge ol his duties.’ Lieutenant t aldweo. of the marines, on du ty with my div .siouas senior officer of the com missary department, rendered invaluable ser vices in h;s department, as well on the long march to this place as during rhe long-con- tinned action. Lieut. Reno, in command of the howitzer battery on the 20th, rendered val uable services under the orders of Brigadier General Pierce in his engagement with the enemy. Generals Pierce and Cadwalader speak in the highest terms of the good conduct and gal lantry of the officers of their respective staffs; and, concurring fully in their expression of opinion, I beg to call them to the special notice of the General-in-chief. Capt. Mason, of the engineer corps, render ed me important services in indicating posi tions for portions of my command, during the action of the 20th at Churubusco. Lieutenant Rains, my aid-de-camp, was stunned by the fragments of stone thrown from a wall by a cannon-shot, at the same place. Capt. Kearney, of Ist dragoons, command ing a squadron composed ofhis own and Capt. Mcßeynolds’s companies, was on duty with my division during the* action, and made his way with great difficulty across the wide and marshy fields and deep ditches. Seeing no field for the action ofhis fine squadron until the tetc du pont was carried, I had held him in reserve. I then let him loose. ..Furious was his charge upon the retreating foe, dealing death with the un erring sabre until he reached the very suburbs ofthe city, and drew’ from the enemy’s batteries at the garita a heavy and destructive fire, by which the gallant captain lost his left arm.— Lieut. J. L. Graham, of 10th infantry, serving with Capt. Kearney, was wounded in the left arm; and Capt. Mcßeynolds, 3d dragoons, who nobly sustained the daring movements of his squadron commander, was also wounded in the left arm. Both ofthe.se fine companies sus tained severe losses in their rank and file also. By detachments to secure prisoners taken in the first engagements at Contreras, and cap tured public property, my force was reduced to about 1,800 men. My total loss in killed, wounded and missing, is 211 officers and pri vates. The loss of the enemy in this last action I have no means of ascertaining. The whole field and road for miles was covered with the dead and dying. In these engagements, consti tuting one continued battle, the enemy himself estimates his loss in killed, wounded, and mis sing, at about 7,000. This includes prisoners taken by our forces - Among th«*“Sany gallant officers whose loss we have to deplore is the brave Major Mills, of the 15th infantry, who. after having participated most actively in the fierce struggle in which that regiment had its colonel wounded and one third of its force cut down, joined Capt. Kear ney’s squadron in pursuit ofthe enemy, and was killed by the fire of the enemy’s artillery at the very garita of the city. Appended is a list of killed and wounded of my division. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Gm. J. Pillow. Major Gen. United States Army. To Capt. 11. L. Scott, Act. Asst. Adj. Gen. Report of Brigadier-General Shields* Headquarters Ist Brigade Vol. Division, ? San Augustin, Mexico, Aug. 24, 1847. $ Sir: On the 19th inst , about three o’clock in the afternoon, pursuant to the order of the general commanding this division, I marched from this place with the New York and South Carolina regiments of volunteers towards the battle-field of Contreras. On reporting to the commander-in-chief, who occupied on my arri val a position which overlooked the field, he described to me, in a few words, the position ofthe contending forces, pointed out the route of my command, and briefly instructed me as to the disposition which would render mv force the most serviceable. Directing my march upon the village near Contreras, the troops had to pass over ground covered with rocks and crags, and filled with chasms, which rendered the road almost impas sible. A deep, rugged ravine, along the bed of which rolled a rapid stream, was passed, after dark, with great difficulty and exertion; and to rest the wearied troops after crossing. I direct ed thorn to lie upon their arms until midnight. While occupying this position, two strong pickets, thrown out by my orders, discovered, fired upon, and drove back a body of Mexican infantry moving through the fields in a direc tion from their position towards the city. I have since learned that an attempt had in like manner been made by tin* enemy to pass the position on the main road occupied by the Ist regiment of artillery, and with a like want of success. About midnight I again resumed the m uch, and joined Brig.-Gen. Smith in the vil lage already referred to. General Smith, previous to my arrival, had made the most judicious arrangements fortuni ng and surprising the Mexican position about day break, and with which I could not wish to interfere. This cast upon my command the necessity of holding the position to be evacua ted by General S., and which was threatened by the enemy’s artillery and infantry on the right, and a large force of his cavalry on the left. About day break the enemy opened a brisk fire of grape and round shot upon the church ami village in which my brigade was posted, as also upon a part of our own troops displayed to divert him on his right and front —evidently unaware of the movement in pro gress toj.iArn iws paction b>tlic left and r*ar. This continued unttrfJol. Riley’s brigade open ed its tire from the rear, which was delivered with such terrible effect, that the whole Mexi can force was thrown into the utmost conster- nation. At this juncture. I ordered the two regiments r of my command to throw themselves on the r main road, by which the enemy must retire, to - intercept and cut off his retreat; and. although , officers and men had suffered severely during • the march of the night, and from exposure - without shelter or cover to the incessant rain until day-break, this movement was executed - in good order, and with rapidity. The Palftiet to Regiment, crossing a deep ravine, deployed - on both sides the road, and opened a most de* >' structive fire upon the mingled masses of in >’ fantry and cavalry; and the New York regi merit, brought into line lower down, and on die i road side, delivered its fire with a like effect, r At this point many of the enemy were killed ' and wounded: some 3(55 captured, of which 25 i were officers, and amongst the latter was Gen. i Nicolas Mendoza. 1 in the meanwhile the enemy’s cavalry, about 3.000 strong, which had been threatening our t position during the morning, moved down to . wards us in good order, ami as if to attack. 1 - immediately recalled the infantry, to place them i in position to meet the threatened movement; i but soon the cavalry changed its direction ami i retreated ’.owards the capital. I now received ! an order from Gen. Twiggs to advance by the main road towards Mexico; and having posted i Capt. Marshall’s company of South Carolina volunteers, and Capt. Taylor's New York vol- - unterrs in charge of the prisoners and wound i ed, I moved off with the remainder of my ■ force, and joined the positions of the 2d and 3d j divisions already en route on the main road. - On this march we were joined by the General in-Chief, who assumed command of the whole, and the march continued uninterrupted until I we arrived before Churubusco. Here the en- ■ emy was found strongly fortified, and posted with his main force—probably 25,000. The engagement was commenced by the 2d division under Twiggs, soon joined by the Ist, i under Worth, and was becoming general, when I was detached by the Cominander-in-Chief with my two regiments and Pierce’s brigade— the 9th. 12th, and 15th—with the mountain howitzer battery, and ordered to gain a posi tion, if possible, to attaek the enemy’s rear, and intercept his retreat. Leaving Coyoacan by a left hand road, and advancing about a mile upon it, I moved thence with my command towards the right, through a heavy corn-field, and gained an open but swampy field, in which is situated the hacienda de los Partales. On the edge of this field, be yond the hacienda. I discovered the road by which the enemy must retire from Churubusco, an-1 found his reserve of about 4.000 infantry already occupied it. just in rear of the town. As my command arrived. I established the right upon a point recommended by Capt. Lee, en gineer officer, in whose skill and judgment I had the utmost confidence, ami commenced a j movement to the left, to Hank the enemy on I his right, and throw my troops between him and the city: but finding his right supported by i a heavy body of cavalry of some 3.000 strong. ' and seeing, too, that with his infantry he an- i J swered to my movements by a corresponding • one towards his right Hank, gaining ground ’ faster than I could, ow ing to the heavy mud and < I swamp through which I had to operate. I with- ; - drew the men to the cover, of the hacienda. I and determined to attack him upon his front, i : 1 selected the Palmetto regiment as the base of ; ' my line, and this gallant regiment nioved for- ■ : ward firmly and rapidly under a fire of mns- I ketry as terrible, perhaps, as any which soldiers j ever faced; the New York. 12th. and 15th. de- ■ ployed gallantly on the right, and the 9th on the I left, and the whole advanced, opening their fire j as they came up. and moving steadily forward, j The enemy began to waver, and when my or- 1 der to charge was given, the men rushed upon | 1 and scattered his broken ranks. As we reached . the road, the advance of M orth s command ap- I peared. driving the enemy from bis stronghold iof Churubusco. I took command of the , i front, an 1 continued in pursuit until passed by , I Harney with his cavalry, who followed the ( ■ routed foe into the very gates of oie city. In this terrible battle, in which 4 strongly for- * titled enemy fought behind his works under the . walls of iiis capital, our loss is necessarily se- ‘ vere. This loss, I regret to say, has fallen . most severely upon my command. In the two ( reg uients of my own brigade, «'• • * r about in the fight, the loss is reported 24V ' in killed and wounded. In ’ins la-t engagement my command cap tured 3m» prisoners, including 6 officers. Os f this number 42 had deserted from the Ameri- -J con army during the war. and at their head was * found the notorious O’Reily. who had fought L against our troops at Monterey and elsewhere. * A particular and detailed report of the I >ss, as *■ also of the prisoners captured by the com- r mand. accompanies this report. r Pierce’s brigade, under my command in this f action, los: a considerable number in killed and wounded. Amongst the latter, the gallant h Col. Morgan of the 15th. This command hav- ti ing rejoined its division immediately after the a action. 1 have, as vet. received no otncial re- p port of its loss. ' In closing this report, I beg to offer my thanks to the many gallant officers of my com mand for their zealous and fearless support du ring the conflict. To Col. Burnett and Lieut. Col. Bextar, of the New York volunteers; to Lieut.-Colonel Dickinson and Maj. Gladden, South Carolina volunteers; ns also to many of their gallant subordinates, every praise is due. Col. Burnett was severely wounded at the head of his regiment; and Lieut.-Col. Dickinson al so severely wounded whilst in command ofhis regiment, and while bearing gallantly forward the colors of his corps. My thanks are due to the i.iedical stall’ of the command—Doctors HoLstern and M Kebbin. of the New York, and Doctors Clark and Bland, of the South Caroli na regimen vs; as also to Ductor Swift, U.S. A., for their devoted attention to the wounded. It affords me pleasure, and I but perform my duty, too, in acknowledging my great obliga tions to Capt. R. E. Lee, engineer corps; as also to my particular staff, Capt. F. N. Page, A. A. G.; Lieut. R. P Hammond, 3d artillery, aid-de-camp; and Lieut. G. T. M. Davis, of Illinois, acting as aid, for their gallant services and fearless exposure in encouraging the troops, and conveying my orders during the different engagements. Lieut. Reno, com manding howitzer battery, deserves great cre dit for the handsome manner in which he brought his guns into action, and continued to serve them. I beg respectfully, through the general of division, to ask for these gentlemen the favor able notice of the Commander-in-chief, and to commend them to the President. Lieutenant Shubrick, of the navy, who accompanied me. attached himself to the Palmetto regiment of his native Slate, and fought in its ranks, and is spoken of handsomely in the report of its com mander. Whilst thus enjoying the pleasure of bestow ing my commendation upon the living, I turn with the feelings of sorrow, though w ith pride, to recollect the gallant dead. Lieut*. Adams and Williams, of the South Carolina regi ment, and Lieut. Chandler, of the New York regiment, are of those who gallantly fell. Yield ing their lives to achieve this glorious victory, they have won a soldier’s fame with a soldier’s death. The noble and gallant colonel ofthe South Carolina Regiment, P. M. Butler, had risen from his sick bed to share the hardships of the field and the dangers of the combat with his de voted regiment. He survived the conflict of the morning to lead his command where victo ry again awaited it. Although wounded him self, and having lost his horse, shot under him, he still continued to press onwards near the colors of his regiment, until the fatal ball termi nated his life. A gallant soldier in his youth, he has won in his death upon the field ofbattle, fame for him self and his regiment, and added another name to the roll of Carolina’s departed heroes. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JAS. SHIELDS, Brig. Gen. comd’g. Ist brig. vols. To Lieut. M. Lovell, 4th art., A. A. A. G. Report of Brigadier General Twiggs. Headquarters, 2n Division Regulars, San Angel, near Mexico, August 23d, 1847. Sir : For the information of the General in-chief of the United States army, 1 have the honor to make the following report of the ope rations of my division, and of those of other troops which came under my command on the J9th and 20th instant. Agreeably to instructions from Gen. Scott, I left my train of wagons at San Augustin on the morning ofthe 19th, and proceeded with mv division to cross the mountain route previ ously reconnoitred by Capt. Lee, ofthe engi neers, and cover a working party under the orders of Maj. Gen. Pillow. Having proceed ed about two miles, the enemy was discovered in force at Contreras, where the trail intersects one ofthe main roads to the citv of Mexico, and some nine miles from it.) distant one mile, in a naturally strong position, made still more so by breastworks which commanded the ap proach in every direction, (’apt. McLellan, of the topographical engineers, and Lieutenant McClellan, ofthe engineers proper, were sent in advance to reconnoitre, with a view of plac ing our batteries. They were soon stopped by one ofthe enemy’s pickets, and were compelled to return, each having had his horse shot. The rifle regiment, commanded by Major Loring, was then ordered forward as skirmishers to clear the ground. This duty was performed handsomely and with despatch, having driven in the enemy’s pickets, to within 300 yards of his works. Captain Magruder’s battery and the mountain howitzer and rocket battery, com manded by Lieut. Callender, ofthe ordnance, were placed in position by Capt. Lee, of the engineers. These batteries were placed at my disposal by the kindness of Maj. Gen. Pillow, by whose magnanimity, (he being my senior present) I had the control of any reinforcements, and every facility from his division which I required. So soon as oitr batteries were established, the enemy opened a most destructive fire from se veral ofhis large guns. The cannonading was kept up oti both sides for several hours, un til compelled by thq loss of officers, men, «Mtd crippled pieces, our batteries were placed for the time under shelter. In inis affair the very gallant and much lamented Lieut. J. P. John stone. of Magruder’s battery, was mortally wounded; and Lieut. Callender, ofthe howit zer ami rocket battery, severely wounded. The coolness and determination evinced by the officers and men while under this hot lire, gave sure indications ofthe result ofthe coming conflict, when all my command would get in position. Gen. Smith’s brigade was ordered to proceed in the direction of our batteries, and Riley’s by inclining to the right, to get a posi tion, if possible, in the enemy’s rear. The route he was compelled to take was most diffi cult and tedious, passing over volcanic rocks atid crossing large fissures barely narrow enough to permit the men to get over by leap ing. Accompanied by Lieut. Tower, ofthe en gineers, this brigade finally reachedthe mainroad and got in position in rear of the enemy’s po sition. having driven before it a large body of lancers, who attempted to check its progress. Having become separated by seven or eight hundred yards from any reinforcement, a large bony of the enemy (ten or twelve thousand) vas discovered coming from the direction of the city, and closing on Riley's rear. At the same time, from the field-work at Contreras came out two or three thousand men on the road which the brigade had crossed, entirely cutting off Riley’s from Smith’s brigade. Not withstanding the very great disparity in num bers in favor of the enemy, this fine brigade kept its ground, occasionally driving from its vicinity, with loss, bodies ofthe enemy who had rashness enough to approach within musket range. During this state of affairs. Smith’s brigade was ordered to form a junction with Riley’s, while Gen. Pierce’s brigade occupied the left of the trail, ami remained as a support to the batteries. Much credit is due to Col. Ransom, by whose untiring exertions and zeal the 9th and 12th infantry were placed in position near the batteries late in the night ofthe 19th. Late in the evening the two brigades joined near the road —Riley having manoeuvred in the face of the enemy so as to rejoin Smith’s. Still later Shields’s and Cad waiader’s brigades funned a junction with my division, then under the im mediate command of Gen. Smith. I being un able. from a lame foot, to follow the route tak- I en by my troops, returned to the vicinity of Taylor’s battery where 1 passed the night. Gen. Smith made his arrangements to attack the en emy's work the next morning. For the particulars of this affair I would re spcctfully refer the General in-chief to the re ports of Gen. Smith and Col. Riley, to whom, and to the other officers engaged, is due all the credit that attaches. I was unable, for the rea son given above, to come up to my division til i the affair was over, and the road opened for my i horse. In all the recommendations from bri i gade and regimental commanders I fully con [ cur. and in addition, for gallant services on the 19th. would present the names of Captain Mc- Clellan. topog.aphical engineers. Lieutenants Beauregard, Tower. G. W. Smith. G. B. McClellan, Stevens and Foster of the en gineers. proper, (the last named officer was particularly acuve in the management of one of Capta'm Magruder’s pieces after the lamented Johnstone lost his leg, McGru der. lieut. Jackson, lieutenants Callender and Re.io serving with their respective batte ries. Lieut. G. B. McClellan, after Lieut. Cal lender was wounded look charge of and man aged the howitzer battery (Lieut. Reno being detached with th" rockets) with judgment and success, until it became so disabled as to re quire shelter. For Lieut McClellan’s efficien cy and gallantry in this affair, I present his name for the favorable consideration of the General-in-ciiief. The medical officers of the division, always rea dy tojadimni-ter to the comfort of the sick and wounded, were particularly active on this oc casion. With no co iveniences for themselves. I and but little shelter for the w ounded, this ad- I mirable corps of officers spent the entire ni<dit exposed to the pitiless storm, in dressing the wounded and alleviating their sufferings. 1 cannot do less than give their names a place in this report : Surgeons C. S. Tripier. B. Ran dall. and J. \\ . Cutler : A--i-tmt Surgeons A. I . ."liter. 11. 11. Sterner, C. C. Ke »iev. and Hammond, make up die number' Mv immediate staff—LieuL Brooks. A. A. A. G*, Lieut. McDonald, A. I). C.. Capt. Alien, quar termaster, anu Lieuts Grafton, ordnance offi cer, and Syke-*. A. C- S. to the division, were active and efficient in conveving orders, and. when necessary, in giving directions. Having secured the prisoners and captured property at Contreras, [entrenched camp.] die 4di artillery, with other troops, was left as a! guard, and to provide for the wounded and ■ bury the dead. Pursuing a small retreating j force through the villages of San Angel and ’ Santa Catarina, giving them occasionally a running fire until we arrived in front of Chu rubusco, where the enemy were in a strongly fortified position. with seven pieces of cannon and several thousand bayonets, a large body of lancers guarding the approach to the right of their w ork, which was incomplete. 1 came to a hah. by order of die general-in-chief, for the purpose of having a reconnoissance made. Lieut. Stevens’ of the engineers, was sent for- ward to look at the enemy’s position, support* ed by the company of sappers and miners. He reported a good position for Taylor’s bat tery towards the left of the work, from which it was practicable to drive from the roof and walls of the church such of the enemy as, from their elevated position, could annoy my foot troops destined to storm the work surrounding the church. The battery was accordingly ordered. It opened with great spirit, and remained under a most galling and destructive fire of grape, round-shot, shell, and musketry, for an hour and ahaif: by which time, having accomplished the desired object, it was withdrawn, much crip pled in officers, men, and horses. In the mean time, Smith’s brigade was ordered in the same direction the battery took, immediately in front of the work, and Riley’s farther to our left, with a view of turning and gaining entrance to the open portion of the entrenchments on the enemy’s right. After an uninterrupted and se vere fire on both sides for two hours, my troops entered the worn. All the regiments were close at hand, and shared equally in the dangers and honors of the day. Gen. Rincon, the com mander of the place, and two other general of ficers, together with several others of rank, in all numbering 104, and 1155 non-commission ed officers and privates, prisoners of war, se ven pieces of cannon, and a large number of small arms, and some ammunition, fell into our hands. This closed the operations of my divi sion, which had been under arms in the face of the enemy without intermission, for thirty hours, and achieved one of the most glorious triumphs of the American arms—placing in possession of the United States Government 29 pieces of artillery, a large number of small arms and a great amount of ammunition of all kinds, together with 2655 prisoners of war. To Capt. Lee, of the engineers, I have again the pleasure of tendering my thanks for the ex ceedingly valuable services rendered through out the whole of these operations; and to Lieut. G. \V. Smith, of the engineers, who command ed the company of sappers and miners, I am under many obligations for his services on this and on other occasions. Whenever his legiti mate duties with the pick and spade were per formed, he always solicited permission to join in the advance of the storming party with his muskets, in which position his gallantry, and that of his officers and men, was conspicuous ly displayed at Contreras as well as at Cerro Gordo. His name I also present to the Com manding-General for distinction. Finally, to Brevet Brigadier General Smith and Brevet Colonel Riley all the praise I can bestow is entitled, for their cordial and invalu able support to me on all occasions, and in every emergency. Their names, already con spicuous in the present campaign, have been rendered doubly so during the two recent battles. My effective force on the morning of the2olh was one hundred and eleven officers and twen five hundred and thirty non-commissioned officers and privates, and of that number were killed and wounded twenty-one officers, two hundred and forty-live men, killed wounded and missing. For more minute information, I will refer you to the accompanying reports of brigade and regimental commanders. A list of the kil led, wounded, and missing I have the honor to present with this report. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 1). E. Twiggs. Brig. Gen. U. S. A., Comd’g 2d Division Regulars. Captain 11. L. Scott, A. A. A. G., Headquarters of the army in the field. Report of Brig.-Gcn. Persifor F. Smith* Headquarters, Ist Brio. 2d Div. Regulars, San Angel, (near Mexico.) Aug. 23, 1847. $ Sir — On the 19lh instant my brigade, with the rest of the division, marched from San Augustin to cover the division of General Pillow, opening the road from San Augustin to that which runs through this place to 'he city, in order to turn the position of San Antonio. Advancing about one and a half mile, we were met by a fire of the Mexican batteries opposite to us on the San Angel road. Between us was about a half mile of lava rocks, almost impassable fora sin gle footman, then a slope downward toward a ravine, on the opposite bank of which were the road and the enemy’s works, on a height called Contreras. Die front laced us, and the left flank swept the road below it, a turn forward in the road bringing the work di rectly in the prolongation of the lower part of the road. The work had upward of twenty large guns, was full of infantry, and large masses of cavalry and infantry were behind it and on its flank. Magruder’s battery was ordered forward to a position in front of thee»enty, and partially covered by a ledge of rocks. My brigade was ordered to follow and support it, and cover the advance of the party making the road. We went forward under a very heavy tire, and took a po sition on the left of Magruder's battery. We found Lieutenant Callender’s howitzer battery at this point. When we took this direction Riley’s brigade was sent to the right. Magruder's battery and the how itzer battery were soon disabled, and, on examining the ground, it wasevident that we were advancing by the only path that crossed the broken bed of lava, and on which ‘he enemy were prepared to receive us, hav ing cleared away all the bushes that obstructed their view. The guns could go no farther ami the infantry would, on its march down the slope, be exposed to a terrible fire, without knowing whether the crossing of the ravine below was |>ossibfe. Being isolated from the division, I determined to try one of the enemy’s flanks; and that on our right being preferable, as it would cut off his retreat, I de termined to move in that direction, taking Lieut. G. W. Smith’s engineer company, the Ist artillery, un der Major Dimick, ami 3d infantry under Captain Alexander, and as many of the mounted riflemen as could be collected near; the regiment having been detached as skirmishers at the first by Gen. Twiggs, arid ordered by him to cover different parties of re connoitering officers. Captain Magruder was directed to open his fire as we passed his rear, to occupy the enemy, and mask our movement to the right. This he did most effectually, though suffering from a great l<i-’s, especially of officers. To replace this loss Lieut. ll.»-kiiis and twenty men were detached from Major Dimick’s regiment, ami three companies of the 3d infantry were left to sup|»orl him. With great diffi culty we succeeded in crossing the rock for near a mile, and descended toward the village of Encelda, whose church was visible among the trees. As we emerged I’r* m the rocks we saw an immense number of troops, cavalry and infantry, approaching from Mexi co ami forming on the slope on the opjiosite side of the village. We crossed two small streams at the bottom of deep and difficult gulleys, and found some of our troops in the village, they proving to bo four regiments, chiefly of General Pillow’s division, and under command of General Cadwalader, who immediately reported to me. I'tie village lay entirely on the other side of the main road, and a small stream ran between them at the bottom of a ravine. On the road, and between it and the stream, was a garden and house surrounded by a high and tolerably strong stone wall. The vil lage was intersected by narrow lanes lying between high dikes enclosing gardens full of trees and shrub bery—the lanes afiording ’.ovr, and the trees conceal ment for the men. In the centre stood an old stone church. I drew Gon. Cadwalader’s fi»rce up in the outer edge of the village, facing the enemy—placed the 3d infantry and rifles in column by company, left in front, on tin- right flank —occupied the church with Lieut. Smith’s engineer company and Capt. Irwin’s company of the 1 Itli regiment—placed Maj. Dimick’s regiment in the garden on the road, to secure that avenue and our rear. The enemy was now formed opposite to us in two lines—the infantry in front, and cavalry in the rear — about ten thousand strong. It was now after sunset when Col. Kiley’s brigade arrived. It had crossed and gone up towards Contreras, [entrenched camp,] and driven off strong parties of the enemy. I now ordered an attack on the enemy’s right, intending to attack in two columns—Col. Kiley’s on our left, and Gen. Cadwalader’s on the right of the former—re tired in cchellon; but before the troops could be dis engaged from the thickets, (the officers being without horses,) it was already so dark that the enemy’s line could not be seen, and the order for attack was coun termanded. Gen. Cadwalader took position again in the edge of the village ; Kiley’s brigade parallel to it in a long line inside; the rifles under Major Loring on his right, and the 3d infantry in the church yard. The troops were without shelter or fire, and it rained all night. At this time Lieut. Tower reported that he had been at the ravine towards the rear of the enemy’s work at Contreras, and thought it practicable for infantry though very difficult. We had now in front, andon our left flank, eighteen thousand Mexicans with be tween twenty-five and thirty guns —among the troops six or seven thousand cavalry. We were, at most, three thousand three hundred strong, and without ar tillery or cavalry; and it was evident wo could only maintain our position, which was of the utmost impor tance to the Commanding General, By the must prampt and energetic action. I therefore directed an attack on the work at Contreras, (the entrenched catnp.) by turning their rear befitre day; and Cupt. Leo, of the engineers, offered to return to General Scett (a most difficult task) and inform him of our po - n, and that I would march out by 3</clock, A. M_, s<> that any diversion that he could make in our favor from that side might be prepared accordingly. The officers commanding brigades were informed of the plan and order of attack and directed to have their commands formed, and the heads resting on the path by winch we were to march out by 2} A. M. I was at a loss how to secure our rear; for if the enemy took possession of the village, he would not only secure the retreat of his force nt Contreras. [bis entrenchments,]but wn-ild greatly embarrass us; and 1 was not sironj enough to detach largely for that purpose. At this juncture Gen. Shield’s aid arrived, and reported that the General was near, on the other side of rite ravine, with the South Carolina and New \ ork volunteers. These two regiments were direct ed t-. hold Encelda, [the village.] and cut off the re treat ol the troops from Contreras, [the camp.] or take his large reserve in flank, if it changed front to the right to attack us towards Contreras, [the camp, j At preci-cly 3 o’clock in the morning «»f the 20th, the tro-aps commenced their march. It had rained all nij and the men had lain in the mud, without fire, and s itTering from cold. It rained now, and was no dark than an object six f-et off could not be seen. The men were ordered to keep within touch of each other, so that the rear could not go astrav. Lieut. Tower, of the engineers, with Lieut. Brooks j acting assistant adjutant general of the 2nd division, [ now acting in my fetaif, had, during the night, again reconnoitered the pass, to the practicabiii v of the march. Lieut. r->w»-r accompanied the head of the column, to lead it. and Lieut. Brooks and Lieut. Beauregard, engineers, went with me at the head of Gen. Cadwaleder’s brigade. Col. Riley’s brigade led. General Cadwaldvr s was to follow’ and Major Dimick, with mv own brigade, at the head of which was Lieut. **. . Smith, engineer company, clased the r ar. lue path was narrow, full of rocks and mud, and so difficult was the march that it wasdav break before the head of Cad walader’s brigade got -cit of the village, where the path descends to die ravine ; and as the march was by a flank the com mand was stretched out thrice its length’. Having 1 Jlowed up the ravine to a point where it seemed possible to get at the rear of the work, the head was halted, and the rear closed up; many loads that were wet were drawn, and Riley formed two columns by divisions. He thus advanced farther up the ravine, turning to his i.-fr. and rising over the bank, s; fronting the rear of the work, but still sheltered from its fire by a shgn: Ja* livity before him. Having reformed hia ranks, be ascended the top of the hill, and was in full view of the enemy, who immediately opened a warm fire, not only from the work baton his right flank.— Throwing out his two first divisions as skirmishers, he rushed down the slope to the work. The engineer company and rifles had been’thrown across an inter vening ravine, under the brow of the slope, and from that position swept it in front of this column, and then inclining towards their left, joined in the attack on the troops outside of the left flank of the fort. In the meantime Gen. Cadwalader followed the route taken by Riley, and forming his columns as the troops came up, moved onto his (Riley’s) support. The Ist bri gade had been ordered to follow the same route • but while it was still marching in that direction by its right flank up the ravine, and nearly opposite the work, seeing a large body of the enemy on its left flank, I ordered Maj. Dimick to face the brigade to the left, and, advancing in line, attack this force in flank. This was done in the finest style, and the Ist artil lery and 3d infantry, mounting the bank of the ra vine, rushing down the next and up its opposite bank met the enemy outside of the work just as Riley’s bri gade poured into it, and the whole giving way. Ca valry, formed in line for the charge, yielding to the bayonets of our foot, the route was complete, while Riley’s brigade cleared the work and planted their cokrs on it. The two first pieces captured, which fell into the hands of the 4lh artillery, proved to be the pieces lost (but without loss of honor) by a compa ny of that very regiment at Buena Vista. Leaving a force to collect and guard the captured ordnance, the pursuit was continued down the road. This, it will be recollected, passed not more than half a mile off the garden and house occupied by a j>or tion of Shields’s brigade, placed there to intercept the retreat ofthe enemy. This skilful and gallant officer when we marched, had spread his men over the line we had occupied, and directed them to make fires towards daylight as though preparing their breakfast. The enemy in front had during the night, placed bat teries along their line, and in the morning moved de tachments forward to take in flank the attack he saw’ we were meditating the night before, which he was preparing to meet —supposing from the indications he found that we were still in force in the village. When, after daylight, he saw a column moving on Contreras, the entrenched camp] and already prepared to turn it, he must have supposed we had been strongly rein forced; for his movements to and fro indicated great perplexity. His doubts were soon resolved, however, by the loss of Contreras, [the camp] and he immedi ately commenced a hasty retreat along the top of the hill, inclining towards the San Angel road. Shields’s force (500 or 600 men) having under his skilful direction, thus disposed of one enemy he turn ed to the other, who, in their flight, found themselves intercepted at the garden, and under the sure fire of the South Carolina Regiment, broke away over the op|>osite fields, and taking shelter in the ditches and ravines, escaped, many of them, to the rocks. Two squadrons of cavalry, either by chance or a wise de sign, in a narrow part of the road between the wall and dike, laid down their arms, and so choked the way that the pursuit was interrupted for upwards of twenty minutes; which sufficed, we having no ca valry, for the safety of many of the fugitives. A large body escaped upwards towards the mountains. 1 did not pursue them being entirely out of our direc tion. Accounts from Mexican officers intercepted since the battle, inform us that there were 7000 in and about Contreras, [the entrenched camp,] commanded by Gen. Valencia, and upwards of 12,000 in front of En celda, or hamlet of Contreras, in reserve, commanded by Gen. Santa Anna. We killed seven hundred and took fifteen hundred prisoners, among them several generals. We captured 22 pieces of brass ordnance, viz: 4 Spanish 16-pounders, 4 8-inch howitzers. 25A inch howitzers, 6 6-pounders, and 6 smaller pieces, with a large amount of shells and ammunition. We also took 7000 pack mulesand many horses, and an immense number of small arms which we destroyed. After directing the prisoners anti property to be col lected, I directed the pursuit to be continued, and was forming the column, when Gen. Twiggs arrived. He immediately ordered the most vigorous pursuit, and we moved forwards. As we approached San Angel, the rifles were again thrown forward as skirmishers, and entered the town at the heels of the enemy's lancers, capturing an ammunition wagon. Here Gen. Pillow assumed command, and at Coyoa can the commander-in-chief came up. The Ist bri gade was sent forward with the rest of the division towards Churubusco; the rifles were detached to the right to cover a reconnoissance. Lieut. Stephens ofthe engineers, covered by Lieut. Smith’s engineer company, went forward to reconnoitre the church of Churubusco, and reported a one-gun battery acioss the road, which could be turned by its left. The Ist artillery was directed to be detached forthat purpose, and marched in that direction. A heavy fire opening there, I was ordered up with the 3d infantry, and shortly after Taylor’s battery was placed in position, fronting the buildings about the church, the 3d infan try supporting it. At this time the tremendous fire from the neighborhood of the church showed clearly, not only that there was a strong force stationed there, but there was also a more considerable work than was at first supposed; but being all surrounded by very high corn, its form could not be discovered. It afterwards proved that the place was regularly fortified. The church buildings formed a large square ; the low er front towards us was chiefly a wall scaffolded for infantry. Behind it rose a higher building, also cov ered with infantry; behind it the church, and the high steeple on its right flank, also filled with men. In front of the first was a curtain, connecting two salient angles which flanked it, and were continued back to the side walls of the church. It was garri soned by about 2000 men, and mounted 7 pieces. What was supposed to be the one-gun battery, was the right salient angle which enfiladed the road from Goyoacan; so that when the Ist artillery attempted to turn it, they found themselves in front of this cur tain, ami exposed to all the musketry ofthe walls be yond. They however stood their ground with great loss, getting such cover as the ground afforded, and firing at the embrazures when opportunity offered. It was now reported that the other brigade (Riley’s) was ordered round to tin? pghtof work, and Gtfflbd Pillow’s division to its left. I therefore ordered the 3d infantry to be ready, so soon as the fire of these corps began to tell, to advance under the cover of some huts near the right bastion, and after silencing the fire of its musketry, to assault it. In the meantime Taylor’s battery had continued its fire uninterrupted by the severest shower of grape, canister, musketry, round shot and shell, within short musket range, that was ever witnessed. The conduct of Captain I’aylor, Lieut. French, and the men who remained unhurt, was the admiration of all who wit nessed it. The pieces were served as though on drill, while two ofthe officers, Lieuts. Marlin and Boynton, and twenty men wounded, and 15 horses crippled, laid around, and test ified to the danger of their posi tion. Hearing now the fire from the other corps, and finding that ofthe work to be less steady, I directed Capt. Alexander (commanding 3d infantry) to ad vance to the position indicated and commence his work. After clearing the ramparts partially of their men, the 3d rushed over the bastion, led by Captain J. M. Smith and Lieut. Shepherd, and their compa nies, and a part of the Ist artillery, over the curtain, when the garrison held out a while flag, and surren dered to Captain Smith, who was fortunate enough to be the first in the work. Many had escaped to the back of the church; but 104 officers, among them se veral generals, and 1155 men were counted after the surrender. It is proper here to observe, in order to prevent er- rora hereafter, that after Capt. Alexander’s command had received the surrender of the garrison, and had gone up into the gallery of the front house, with Gen. Rincon, from which he was displaying the colors of bis regiment, a staff officer from another division who bad seen the white flag still flying, rode into the work to receive the surrender which had been made some time before to Capt. Alexander. Seven pieces of brass cannon, much ammunition and small arms, the pri soners before mentioned, and an important position were the fruits of this victory. I should have men tioned before that Captain Craig had in the morning rejoined the regiment with the three companies left with Capt. Magruder; and those companies of rifle men who had been left in the pedregal, (field of rocks and lava,) had also joined the regiment. The troops in the actions in the pedregal, on the as ternoon of the 19th, and at Contreras and Churubus co on the 20th, distinguished themselves far beyond my capacity to do them justice. The difficulties they overcame —supposed by the enemy to be insuperable— the hardships they endured, and the fatigue they suf fered, contrasted with the manner in which they did their work, raises their character as soldiers highly towards perfection. Brig.-Gen. Cadwalader [in the morning] brought his corps up from his intricate bivouac in good order, formed the head of his column to support Kiley’s, and led it forward in the most gallant style under the fire directed at the latter. The Ist brigade was conduct ed by' Major Dimick, who charged in line with it on the enemy’s left, driving before the force formed there outside of the works, and putting to rout a far supe rior force, displaying the skill of the commander as well as the bravery of the soldier. But the opportu nity' afforded by' his position to Col. Kiley was seized by that gallant veteran with all the skill and energy for which he is distinguished. The charge of his noble brigade down the slope, in full view of friend and foe, unchecked even fora moment, until he had planted all his colors upon their farthest works, was a spectacle that animated the army to the boldest deeds. Majors Gardner and Brown, 4th artillery, at the head of their regiment, setting an example by their own courage, carried the part of the work before them, and Capt. Drum, of that corps, had the good fortune to recover the trophies of Buena Vista. Col. Piympton and Major Bainbridge, with the 7th infantry, as that veteran regiment deserves to be led, and Capt. Mor ris, in command of the 2d infantry, brought it up to share equally with the others in the honors of the suc cessful assault. Capt. Alexander’s good conduct brought his regiment up most effectively. Major Lo ring, detached to cover Col. Riley’s left, showed not only a perfect knowledge of the value of his arm, but the courage and activity necessary to make it effec tive. Liet. G. W. Smith, in command of the engi neer company, and Lieut, McClellan, his subaltern, distinguished themselves throughout the whole of the three actions. Nothing seemed to them too bold to be undertaken, or ton difficult to be executed; and their services as engineers were as valuable as those they rendered in battle at the head of their gallant men. Lieut. Foster, being detached from his company dur ing the action at Contreras, did not fall under my no tice; but in the action on 19th, and at Churubusco, he was equally conspicuous for his gallantry. In ad verting to the conduct of the staff, I wish to record |iarticularly my admiration of the conduct of Capt. Lee, of the engineers. His reconnaissances, though pushed far beyond the bounds of prudence, were conducted with so much skill that the fruits were of the utmost value —the soundness of his judgment and personal daring being equally conspicuous. Lo uts. Beauregard and Tow er, of the same corps, rendered me the most important services :n examining the ground, and displayed throughout the greatest person al gallantry. To the latter I am indebted for the knowledge of the route by which it was practicable to turn the enemy’s works. The accident which separated the different parts of the division on the evening of the 19th, left its acting as si- rant adjutant general, Lieut. W. T. 11. Brooks, with Cui. Riley’s brigade, and <>n its joining me he of fered his services on my staff. I owe him my thanks for the very efficient aid he rendered me, and for his indefatigable energy and readiness to encounter any danger or difficulty; his personal courage and cool ness were brilliantly displayed in the course of the day. The events of Fort Brown, Monterey, Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo, had already afforded to my aid-de-camp, Lieut. Earl Van Dorn, opportunities of calling forth the commendations of his commanding of fice rs/ He has not let pass the present one ; but though his gallantry was again shown in a personal conflict with the enemy, it is far from being the highest quality of a soldier that he possesses. The names of officers who distinguished themselves in the corps of Generals Cad waladcr and Sh elds will no doubt be found in the re ports of those generals to the headquarters of divisions, to which they properly belong. It would be impossi ble for me to enumerate the acts of all those in the 2d division (Twiggs's) Who have entitled themselves to particular mention. I beg leave to make the brieadc and regimental reports, which I herewith transmit a part of my own—merely repeating here the names’of those officers mentioned therein as peculiarly deserv ing praue. Capt. Wessels and Capt. Canby A A G.; and Lieut. Benjamin and Lieut. Hayden’ A D C., (mentioned in 2d brigade report;) Capts. Sander son, Backenstos, Porter, and Crittenden; Lieuts. Van Buren, McLane, Gibbs, and Palmer; and Assistant Surgeon Suter of the regiment of mounted riflemen • Capts. Winder and Nauman ; Lieuts. Brannon Sey mour, and Coppee, and Assistant Surgeon H. h’ Stei ner, ofthe Ist Art.; Capt. Drum and Lieut. Howe and Assist. Surgeon Cuyler, of the 4th Art. ; Capts. Casey, J. R. Smith, and Kingsbury, Lieuts. Gardner Lyons, Jones, Jarvis, Tilden and Davis, of the 2d Inf.* Capts. Craig, Van Horn, and Chandler; Lieutenants Buel and Richardson, and Assistant Surgeon Keeney ofthe 3d Inf.; Capts. Ross and Paul, and Lieutenants Gantt, Tyler and Henry, ofthe 7»h Infantry. But as the battery of Capt. Taylor was at Churu busco, acting immediately under my own eye, and displaying, from its gallant commander down to the lowest non-commissioned officer, a coolness and activ ity under circumstances of the most extraordinary danger, I ask leave to record here, besides the names of its four officers, already mentioned, the names of Sergeants Thomas Wilson, Patrick Marlin, Joseph McGee, Charles Kullmeyer, and Corporal M. Bige low, John Jones, Wm. Barbour, and William Jame son. In the action at Churubusco, were killed Capts. Capron and Burke, Ist Art., and Lieut. Hoffman, Ist Art.; and were wounded, Capt. Craig and Lieutenant Buel, 3d Infantry. In the pedregal were wounded, on the 19th, Capts. Hathaway, Ist Art., and Chandler 3d Inf.; Lieut. Van Buren, mounted riflemen; at Con treras, Capts. Wessels, 2d Inf., and Ross, 7th Infan try, Lieut. Collins, 4th Artillery, and Tilden, 2d Inf. were wounded. But the victory there, important as it is, was dearly bought by the death of Capt. Charles Hanson, 7th Infantry. A more perfect soldier never fell on a battle field—kind in all his affections—just in all his acts —pure in his life ; and immovable in his courage, he met the present with the boldness of a man, and the future with the pious confidence of a Christian. The force present on our side of Contreras, inclu ding Genera) Shields, was about 3,650 men ; that of the enemy about the works, 7,000, under Valencia, and in their reserve, 12,000, under the President, San ta Anna. I transmit herewith a return ofthe killed and woun ded, but leaving out all those wounded at Contreras, who were not disabled. Our loss in killed and wounded there did not ex ceed sixty. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obe dient servant, Persifor F. Smith, Brevet Brigadier General. Lieut. W. T. H. Brooks, Act’g. Assist. Adj’t. Gen., 2d division of regulars. Report of Col. Harney. Headquarters Cavalry Brigade, Tacubaya, Mexico, Aug. 24, 1847. Sir — I have the honor to present the following re port of the operations of the cavalry brigade under mv command during the battle of Mexico. The cavalry force being necessarily weakened by detachments to the different divisions of the army, I found myself, on the morning of the 19th insL, in the immediate command of nine companies only, consist ing of six companies of the 2d dragoons, one company of mounted riflemen, and two companies of mounted volunteers. With this force I was ordered by the General-in-chief to report to Brigadier Gen. Twiggs, who was at this time covering Major General Pillow’s division in an effort to make a road through the ridge of lava which forms the pass of San Antonio. Owing to the nature of the ground, 1 was compelled to haft within range ofthe enemy’s shells, and to remain in this position for several hours—an idle spectator of the action which ensued. After night 1 returned with my command to San Augustin, and remained there until the enemy’s position at Contreras was carried on the morning of the 20th. As soon as the road was ascertained to be opened and practicable for cavalry, I was directed by the General in-chief to proceed with two squadrons and Capt. McKinstry’s company of volunteers to the field of battle, and to take charge of the prisoners which had been captured. While in the execution of this order, I received instructions from the General-in chief to leave one squadron in charge ofthe prisoners, and to report to him in person with the other three companies. Capt. Blake, with his squadron, was di rected to perform this duty ; while Maj. Sumner and myself, with Capt. Ker’s squadron and Capt. McKin stry’s company of volunteers joined the Commanding General near the field of Churubusco just after the en gagement at that place bad commenced. The reports of Major Sumner, commanding Ist bat talion, and Lieut. Col. Moore, commanding 2d battal ion which I have the honor to forward herewith, will show in what manner the other troops and squadrons of my command were employed. The three troops of horse brought by me on the field, being ordered away in different directions, Major Sumner and myself soon found ourselves without commands. 1 then employed myself with my staff in rallying fugitives anil encour aging our troops on the left of the main road. Major Sumner, towards the close of the engagement, was placed by the General-in-chief in charge of the last reserve, consisting ofthe rifle regiment and one compa ny of horse, and was ordered to support the left. This* force was moving rapidly to take its position in line of battle, when the enemy broke and fled to the city.— At this moment, perceiving that the enemy were re treating in disorder on one ofthe main causeways lead ing to the city of Mexico, I collected all the cavalry within my reach, consisting of parts of Captain Ker’s • company 2d dragoons. Capt. Kearney’s company Ist dragoons, and Captains Me Reynold’s and Duperu’s I companies ofthe 3d dragoons, and pursued them vigo rously until we were halted by the discharge of the batteries at their gate. Many ofthe enemy were overtaken in the pursuit, and cut down by our sabres. I cannot speak ia terms too comulypentary o£the manner in which this charge was Mainly difficulty was in restraining the impetuosity of my men and officers, who seemed to vie with each other who should be foremost in the pursuit. Capt. Kearney gallantly led his squadron in to the very entrenchments ofthe enemy, and had the misfortune to lose unarm from a grape-shot fired from a gun at one ofthe gates ofthe capital. Captain Mc- Reynolds an I Lieut. Graham were also wounded, and Lieut. Ewell had two horses shot under him. Great praise is due to Major Sumner, commanding Ist battalion, for his zeal, energy, and promptitude, and for the gallant manner in which he led up the last reserve of the Genend-in-chief. It is much to be re gretted that the 2d battalion, under the command of Lieut. Col. Moore, was so cut up by detachments as to materially weaken its efficiency, and to impair the usefulness of that officer, who was always at the post of danger, and anxious to participate in the conflict. — My wannest thanks are due to my brigade staff, con sisting of Captain Wood, A. Q. M., Lieut. Steele, A. A. Gen., and Lieut. May, my aid-de-camp, who were actively employed on the morning of the 20th in rally ing our men, and who exhibited the utmost coolness ami bravery under a heavy fire of the enemy. The two last named officers were foremost in the pursuit, and Lieut. Steele cut down three of the enemy with his sabre. In conclusion, I beg leave to state that the dragoons, front the commencement of the march from Puebla, have been engaged in ’he most active and laborious service. These duties i. ..e been the more arduous in consequence of the small force of cavalry, compared with the other arms of service. Small parties being constantly engaged in reconnoitering and on picket guards, the utmost vigilance and precaution have been required to prevent surprise ami disaster. The gallant Captain Thornton, while reconnoitering the enemy near San Antonio on the 18th inst., was shot through the body by a cannon shot and instantly killed. His death is much to be regretted. On the 20th, although I had but four companies of my brigade with me on the field, the remainder were actively employed in the performance of important and indispensable duties.— Captain Hardee, while watching the enemy with his company near San Augustin, was attacked by a band of guerrillas; but the enemy was promptly and hand somely repulsed, and a number of their horses, with arms and accoutrements captured. I am, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient ser vant, Wm. S. Harney, Col. corn’g. cavalry brigade. Capt. H. L. Scott, Acting Adj. Gen. U. S. Army. By Telegraph.—For thef Baltimore American. Further Important News from Santa Fc --Fights with the Indians. Cincinnati, Nov. 16—12 o’clock. j There has been another arrival at St. Louis from Santa Fe, by which the papers of that city are placed in possession of further itnpor- i tant and interesting nows from that quarter. Mr. Coons, of that city, Mr. Wethered, of Baltimore, and Mr. /Xiistin, of Dayton, arrived in St. Louis on the 12th. Mr. Wethered left Santa Fe on the Sth of October, and Mr. Coons on the 18th of the same month. The latier gentleman travelled alone until he reach ed the mouth of the Arkansas river, where he fell in with a train, and soon after overtook .Mr. Wethered’scrossing the Middle Arkansas. Mr. W.’s party had with them the Express Mail—the whole party being under the charge of Captain Turner and Lieut. Rogers. As nineteen men belonging to Mr. Wether ed’s party were about crossing the Arkansas river at night, they were suddenly attacked by a party of Pawnee Indians, who were evident ly bent on plunder. A pretty warm engage ment ensued, but the Indians soon broke, and fled before the well directed lire of the rifles from Mr. W.’s men, leaving one of their tribe dead on the ground. By the marks of blood on the ground it seemed certain that they had been most severely dealt with, as several more of them must have either been killed or badly wounded. The Indians did not succeed in dr’ving tiffany of the livestock. None ofMr. W.’s men were harmed by the attack. On the next night, about, twenty-five miles from the place where they had been attacked, Mr. W.’s party again encountered the Indians. They seemed determined to have revenge for their late defeats, and made a vigorous and in furiated attack on the parly, firing a shower of balls and arrows into their camp, by which one man was slightly wounded in the arm, and another struck by an arrow in the leg. Mr. W.’s party soon rallied, and poured a well directed fire into the Indians, which scat tered them in all directions, and they were not molested by them again that night. The Indians, on this occasion, did not show any disposition to drive off the stock, but seem ed to be actuated altogether, in making the at tack, out of’revenge for the loss of some of their tribe in the first attack. There were a number of reports in circula tion in regard to the assembling of hostile forces at Chihuahua and El Passo—but nothing in an official form had reached .Santa Fe, from those places, up to the time of Mr. Coons’ leaving. A number of commands at Santa Fe were preparing to repel any attacks that might be at tempted by the hostile Indians and Mexicans, numbers of whom are banded together for the purpose of plundering and murderingthe peace ably disposed inhabitants whenever the least chance offers for them to do. Mr. Conk’s valuable lot of goods sent down by Mr. Skinner, were captured by a large force of Mexicans. He and Mr. Pomeroy were taken prisoners by the Mexicans. The St. Barrien party from Missouri had ar rived out safety. The population of Newark. N. J., is estima ted at 30.000, being an increase of 12,000 since die census of)J840, or 76 per cent