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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST.
JAMES GAR ONER. JR.
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[From the Washington Union 13</i. inst.]
OFFICIAL DESPATCHES
Battles of Contreras and Churubusco-
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL SCOTT.
(Duplicate.)
Ko. 31. Headquarters of the Army, }
San Augustin, Acupulco road, >
9 miles from Mexico, Aug’t, 19, 1847. p
Sir: —Leaving a competent garrison in Pue
bla, this army advanced upon the capital, as
follows :—Twiggs’ division, preceded by Har
ney’s brigade of cavalry, the 7th; Quitman’s
division of volunteers, with a small detach
ment of U. S.- marines, the Bth; Worth’s di
vision, the 9th, and Pillow’s division, the 10th
—all in. this month. On the Bth, I overtook,
Mid then continued with, the leading division.
The corps were, at no time, beyond live hours,
or supporting distance, apart; and on descend
ing into the basin of the capital (75 miles from
Puebla) they became more closely approxima
ted about the’ head of Lake Chaleo, with Lake
Tescuco a' little in front and to the right. On
the 12th and 13th, we pushed reconnoisances
Upon the Penon, an isolated mound (eight
miles from Mexico) of great height, strongly
fortified to the top (three tiers of works) and
flooded around the base by the season of rains
and sluices from the lakes. This mound, close
to the national road, commands the principal
approach to the city from the east. No doubt
it might have been carried* but at a great and
disproportionate loss, and I was anxious to
spare the lives of this gallant army for a gen
eral battle, which I knew we had to win be
fore capturing the city, or obtaining the great
object of the campaign—a just and honorable
peace.
Another reconnaissance was directed (the
I3th) upon Mexicalcingo, to the left of the
Penon, a village at a fortified bridge across the
outlet or canal, leading from Lake Jochimilco
to the capital —five miles from the latter. It
might have been easy (masking the Penon) to
force the passage; but on the other side of the
bridge, we should have found ourselves, four
miles from this road, on a narrow causeway,
Ranked to the right and left by water, or bog
gy grounds. Those difficulties, closely view
ed, threw me back upon the project, long en
tertained, of turning the strong eastern defen
ces of the city, by passing around south of
Lakes Chaleo and Jochimilco, at the foot of
the hills and mountains, so as to reach this
point, and hence to manoeuvre on hard ground,
though much broken, to the south and south
west of the capital, which has been more or
less under our view', since the 10th inst.
Accordingly, by a sudden inversion—
Worth’s division, with Harney’s cavalry bri
gade, leading—we marched on the loth inst.
Pillow’s and Quitman’s divisions followed
closely, and then Twiggs* division, ■which was
left till the next day, at Ayotla, in order to
threaten the Penon and Mexicalcingo, and to
deceive the enemy as long as practicable.
Twiggs, on the 16th, marching from Ayotla,
towards Chaleo, (six miles) met a corps of
more than double his numbers—cavalry and
infantry —under Gen. Valencia. T wiggs halt
ed, deployed into line, and by a few rounds
from Capt. Taylor’s field battery, dispersed the
enemy, killing or wounding many men and
horses. No other molestation has been expe
rienced except a few random shots from gue
rillas, on the heights ; and the march of twen
ty-seven miles, over a route deemed imprac
ticable by the enemy, is now accomplished by
all the corps—thanks to their indomitable zeal
and physical prowess.
Arriving here, the 18th, Worth’s division
and Harney’s cavalry were pushed forward a
league, to reconnoitre and to carry or to mask
San Antonio, on the direct road to the capi
tal. This village was found strongly defend
ed by field-works, heavy guns, and a numer
ous garrison. It could only be turned by in
fantry, to the left, over a field of volcanic
rocks and lava; for, to our right, the ground
Was too boggy. It was soon ascertained by
the daring engineers, Capt. Mason and Lients.
Stevens and Tower, that the point could only
be approached, by the front, over a narrow
causeway, flanked with wet ditches of great
depth. Worth was ordered not to attack, but
to threaten and to mask the place.
The first shot fired from San Antonio (the
18th) killed Capt. S. Thornton, 2d dragoons,
a gallant officer, who was covering the opera
tions with his company.
The same day, a reconnaissance was commen
ced to the left of San Augustin, first over dif
ficult mounds, and farther on, over the same
field'of volcanic rocks and lava which extends
to the mountains, some five miles, from San
Antonio towards Magdalena. This recotmois
sance was continued, to-day, by Capt. Lee,
assisted by Lients. Beauregard and Tower, all
of the engineers, who were joined, in the af
ternoon, by Major Smith of the same corps.
Other divisions coming up, Pillow’s was ad
vanced to make a practicable road for heavy
artillery, and Twiggs’ thrown farther in front,
to cover that operation; for, by the partial re
connaissance of yesterday, Capt. Lee discover
ed a large corps of observation in that direc
tion, with a detachment of which his supports
of cavalry and foot under Capt. Kearney and
Lieut. Col. Graham, respectively, had a suc
cessful skirmish.
By three o’clock, this afternoon, the advanc
ed divisions came to a point where the new
road could only be continued under the direct
fire of 22 pieces of the enemy’s artillery (most
of them of large calibre) placed in a strong en
trenched camp to oppose our operations, and
surrounded by every advantage of ground,
besides immense bodies of cavalry and infant
ry, hourly reinforced from the city, over an
excellent road beyond the volcanic field, and
consequently beyond the reach of our cavalry
and artillery.
Arriving on the ground an hour later, I
found that Pillow’s and Twiggs’ divisions had
advanced to dislodge the enemy, picking their
way (all officers on foot) along his front, and
extending themselves towards the road, from
the city and the enemy’s left. Capt. Magru
der’s field battery of 12 and 6 pounders, and
Lieut. Callender’s battery of mounted howit
zers and rockets, had also, with great difficul
ty, been-advanced within range of the en
tren eked Camp.. These batteries, most gallant
ly served, suffered much, in the course of the
afternoon, from the enemy’s superior metal.
The battle, though mostly stationary, con
tinued to rage,with great violence,until night
fill. Brevet Brig. Gem P. F. Smith’s and
Brevet Col. Riley’s brigades (Twiggs’ division)
supported by Brig. Generals Pierce’s and Cad-
valader’s brigades (Pillow’s division) were
nore than three hours under a heavy fire of
irtillery and musketry along the almost im
passable ravine in front and to the left of the
mtrenched camp. Besides the 22 pieces of
artillery, the camp and ravine were defended
closely by masses of infantry, and these agmn
supported by clouds of cavalry at hand and
hovering in view. Consequently no decided
impression could be made by day-light on the
enemy's most formidable position, because,
independent of the difficulty of the ravine, our
Infantry, unaccompanied by cavalry and ar
tillery, could not advance in column without
being ftro-tfed down by the grape and canister
of the batteries nor advance in line without
being ridden over by the enemy’s numerous
cavalry. All our corps, however, including
Magruder’s and Callender’s last batteries, not
only maintained the exposed position early
gained, but all attempted charges upon them,
respectively —particularly on Rileys’ twice
closely engaged with cavalry in greatly supe
rior numbers —were repulsed and punished.
From an eminence, soon after arriving near
the scene, I observed the church and hamlet
of Contreras (or Ansalda) on the road leaxling
up from the capital, through the entrenched
camp, to Magdalena, and seeing, at the same
time, the stream of reinforcements advancing
by that road, from the city, I ordered (through
Major Gen. Pillow) Col. Morgan, with his re
giment, the loth, till then held in reserve by
Pillow, to move forward, and to occupy Con
treras (or Ansalda) —being persuaded, if occu
pied, it would arrest the enemy’s reinforce
ments and ultimately decide the battle.
Riley was already ou the enemy’s left, in
advance of the hamlet. A few minutes later,
Brig. Gen. Shields, with his volunteer brig
ade (New Yoik and South Carolina regiments
—Quitman’s division) coming up under my
orders, from San Augustin, I directed Shields
to follow and to sustain Morgan. These corps,
over the extreme difficulties of ground —par-
tially covered with a low forest —before des
cribed; reached Contreras,and found Cadwala
der’s brigade in position, observing the formi
dable movement from the capital, and much
needing the timely reinforcement.
It was already dark, and the cold rain had
begun to fall in torrents upon our unsheltered
troops; for the hamlet, though a strong defen
sive position, can hold only the wounded men,
and, unfortunately, the new regiments have
little or nothing to eat in their haversacks. —
Wet, hungry, and without the possibility of
sleep, all our gallant corps, I learn, are full of
confidence, and only wait for the last hour of
darkness to gain the positions whence to storm
and carry the enemy’s works.
Os the seven officers despatched, since about
sundown, from my position, opposite to the
enemy’s centre, and on this side of the field of
rocks and lava —to communicate instructions
to the hamlet —not one has succeeded in get
ting through those difficulties, increased by
darkness. They have all returned. But the
gallant and indefatigable Captain Lee, of the
engineers, who has been constantly with the
operating forces, is just in from Shields, Smith,
Cadwalader &c., to report as above, and to ask
that a powerful di version be made against the
centre of the entrenched camp towards morn
ing.
Brigadier General^Twiggs, cut off, as above,
from the part of his division beyond the im
practicable ground, and Captain Lee, are gone,
under my orders, to collect the forces remain
ing on this side, with which to make that di
verson about 5 o’clock in the morning.
And here I end this report, commenced at
its date, and, in another, continue the narra
tive of the great events which then impended.
I have the honor to be, sir, with high res
pect, your most obedient servant,
WINGFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secratary of War.
(Duplicate-)
No. 32. Headquarters of the Army,
Tacubaya, at the Gates of Mexico,
August 28, 1817.
Sir: My report, No. 31, commenced in the
night of the 19th instant, closed the opera
tions of the army with that day.
The morning of the 20th opened with one
of a series of unsurpassed achievements, all
in view of the capital, and to which I shal:
give the general name — battle of Mexico.
In the night of the 19th, Brigadier Gene
rals Shields, P. F. Smith, and Cadwalader,
and Colonel Riley, with their brigades, and
the 15th regiment, under Col. Morgan, de
tached from Brigadier General Pierce —found
themselves in, and about, the important posi
■ tion —the village, hamlet or hacienda , called,
indifferently, ‘Contreras, Arasida, San Gero-
L nimo—half a mile nearer to the city than the
1 enemy’s entrenched camp, on the same road,
: towards the factory of Magdalena.
That camp had been, unexpectedly, our for
’ midable point of attack the afternoon before,
■ and we had now to take it, without the aid o:
■ cavalry or artillery, or to throw back our ad
-5 vanced corps upon the road from San Angus-
tin to the city, and thence force a passagt
r through San Antonio.
Accordingly, to meet contingencies, Majoi
7 General Worth was ordered to leave, early ii
T the morning of the 20th, one of his brigade;
to mask San Antonio, and to march, with tin
other, six miles, via San Augustin, upon Con
treras. A like destination was given to Ma
-3 jor General Quitman and his remaining bri
> gade in San Augustin—replacing, for the mo
■ ment, the garrison of that important depot
with Harney’s brigade of cavalry, as horse
could not pass over the intervening rocks, &c.
to reach the field of battle.
5 A diversion for an earlier hour (daylight'
5 had been arranged the night before, according
1 to the suggestion of Brigadier General Smith,
■ received through the engineer, Capt. Lee, who
> conveyed my orders to our troops remaining
on the ground opposite to the enemy’s centre
■ —the point for the diversion or a real attack
’ as circumstances might allow.
Guided by Captain Lee, it proved the latter,
under the command of Col. Ransom of the
• 9th, having with him that regiment and some
■ companies of three others—the 3d, 12th, and
• rifles.
Shields, the senior officer at the hamlet,
} having arrived in the night, after Smith had
arranged with Cadwalader and Riley the plan
• of attack for the morning, delicately waived
interference; but reserved to himself the dou
■ ble task of holding the hamlet with his two
regiments (South Carolina and New York
' volunteers) against ten times his numbers on
; the side of the city, including the slopes to
his left, and, in ease the camp in his rear
• should be carried, to face about and cut off the
' flying enemy.
At 3 o’clock, a. m., the great movement
• commenced on th« rear of the enemy’s camp,
Riley leading, followed successively by Cad
wallader’s and Smith’s brigades, the latter
temporarily under tire orders of Major Dimick
of the Ist artillery—the whole force being
commanded by Smith, the senior in the gene
ral attack, and whose arrangements, skill, and
gallantry always challenge the highest admi
ration.
The march was rendered tedious by the
darkness, rain, and mud; but about sunrise,
Riley, conducted by Lieut. Tower, engineer,
had reached an elevation behind the enemy,
whence he precipitated his columns; —stormed
the entrenchments, planted his several colors
: upon them, and carried the work —all in sev
enteen minutes^
Conducted by Lieut. Beauregard, engineer,
and Lieut. Brooks of Twiggs’ staff—both of
whom, like Lieut. Tower, had, in the night
• twice rcconnoifccred the ground—Cadwalader
brought up to the general assault two of his
regiments—the voltigeurs and the 11th; and
at'the appointed time, Calonel Ransom, with
his temporary brigade, conducted by Captain
Lee, engineer, not only made the movement
to divert and distract the enemy, but after
crossing the deep ravine in his front, advanced,
and poured into the works and upon the fu
gitives many volleys from his destructive mus
ketry.
In the meantime Smith’s own brigade, un
der the temporary command of Major Dimick,
following the movements of Riley and Cad
walader, discovered, opposite to, and outside
of the works, a long line of Mexican cavalry,
drawn up as a support. Dimick, having at
the head of the brigade the company of sap
pers and miners, under Lieut. Smith, engi
neer, who had conducted the march, was or
dered by Brigadier General Smith to form line
faced to the enemy, and in a charge, against a
Hank, routed the cavalry.
Shields, too, by the wise disposition of his
brigade and gallant activity, contributed much
to the general results. He held masses of
cavalry and infantry, supported by artillery,
in check below him, and captured hundreds,
with one general (Mendoza) of those who fled
from above.
I doubt whether a more brilliant of deci
sive victory —taking into view ground, artifi
cial defences, batteries, and the extreme des
parity of numbers —without cavalry or artille
ry on Our side —is to be found on record/ In
cluding all our coi-ps directed against the en
trenched camp, with Shields’ brigade at the
hamlet, we positively did not number over
4,500 rank and tile; and we know, by sight,
and since, more certainly, by many captured
documents and letters, thit the enemy had
actually engaged on the spot 7,000 men, with
at least 12,000 more hovering within sight,
and striking distance —both on the 19th and
20th. All, not killed or captured, now fled
with precipitation.
Thus was the great victory of Contreras
achieved; one road to the capital opened; 700
of the enemy killed; 813 prisoners, including,
among 88 officers, 4 generals, besides many
colors and standards; 22 pieces of brass ord
nance —half of large calibre; thousands of
small arms and accoutrements; an immense
quantity of shot, shells, powder, and cart
ridges; 700 pack mules, many horses, &c., &c.
—all in our hands.
It is highly gratifying to find that, by skil
ful arrangement, and rapidity of execution,
our loss, in killed and wounded, did not ex
ceed, on the spot, 60 —among the former the
brave Captain Charles Hanson, of the 7th in
fantry—not more distinguished for gallantry,
than for modesty, morals, and piety. Lieut. J.
P. Johnstone, Ist artillery, serving with Ma
gruder’s battery, a young officer of the highest
promise, was killed the evening before.
One of the most pleasing incidents of the
victory is the recapture, in the works, by Cap
tain Drum, 4th artillery, under Major Gard
ner, of the two brass six-pounders, taken from
another company of the same regiment, though
without the loss of honor, at the glorious bat
tle of Buena Vista—about which guns the
whole regiment had mourned for so many long
months! Coming up, a little later, I had the
happiness to join in the protracted cheers of
the gallant 4th on the joyous event; and, in
deed, the whole army sympathizes in its just
pride and exultation.
The battle being won before the advancing
brigades of Worth’s and Quitman’s divisions
were in sight, both were ordered back to their
late positions —Worth, to attack San Antonio,
in front, with his whole force, as soon as ap
proached in the rear by Pillow’s and Twiggs’
divisions —moving from Contreras, through
San Angel and Coyoacan. By carrying San
Antonio, we knew that we should open anoth
er—a shorter and better road to the capital,
for our seige and other trains.
Accordingly, the two advanced divisions
and Shields’ brigade marched from Contreras,
under the immediate orders of Major General
Pillow, who was now joined by the gallant
Brigadier General Pierce of his division, per
sonally thrown out of activity, late the eve
ning before, by a severe hurt received from
the fall of his horse.
After giving necessary orders on the field,
in the midst of prisoners and trophies, and
sending instructions to Harney’s brigade of
cavalry, left at San Augustin, to join me, I
personally followed Pillow’s movement.
. Arriving at Coyoacan, two miles by a cross
1 road, from the re.or of San Antonio, I first de
■ tached Captain Lee, engineer, with Captain
1 Kearney’s troop, Ist dragoons, supported by
the rifle regiment, under Major Loring, to re
. connoitre that strong point; and next despatch
ed Major General Pillow, with one of his
! brigades, (Cadwaladcr’s) to make the attack
» upon it, in concert with Major General Worth,
on the opposite side.
At the same time, by another road to the
. left, Lieut. Stevens, of the engineers, support
s ed by Lt. G. W. Smith’s company of sappers
■ and miners, of the same corps, was sent to re
■ connoitre the strongly fortified church or con
i vent of San Pablo, in the hamlet of Churubus
co—one mile off. Twiggs, with one of his
■ brigades (Smith’s —less the rifles) and Capt.
*■ Taylor’s field battery, were ordered to follow
5 and to attack the convent. Major Smith,
* senior engineer, was despatched to concert
■ with Twiggs the mode and means of attack,
■ and Twiggs’ other brigade (Riley’s) I soon
■ ordered up to support him.
Next (but all in ten minutes) I sent Pierce
t (just able to keep the saddle) with his brigade
5 (Pillow’s division) conducted by Capt. Lee,
, engineer, by a third road, a little farther to
our left, to attack the enemy’s right and rear,
) in order to favor the movement upon the con
; vent, and cut off the retreat towards the capi
i tal. And, finally. Shields, senior brigadier to
> Pierce, with the New York and South Caro
|; lina volunteers, (Quitman’s division,) was or-
J dered to follow Pierce, close!}', and to take the
, command of our left wing. All these move
ments were made with the utmost alacrity by
. our gallant troops and commanders.
5 Finding myself at Coyoacan, from which so
; many roads conveniently branched, without
i escort or reserve, I had to advance, for safety,
close upon Twiggs’ rear. The battle now
, raged from the right to the left of our whole
i line.
l Learning, on the return of Captain Lee, that
Shields, in the rear of Churubusco, was hard
pressed, and in danger of being outflanked, if
1 not overwhelmed, by greatly superior numbers,
I immediately sent, under Major Sumner, 2d
dragoons, the rifles (Twiggs’ reserve) and Cap
' tain Sibley’s troop, 2d dragoons, then at hand,
' to support our left, guided by the same en
* gineer.
About an hour earlier, Worth had, by skill
; ful and daring movements upon the front and
right, turned and forced San Amtonio—its gar
rison, no doubt, much shaken by our decisive
‘ victory at Contreras.
His second brigade (Col. Clarke’s) conduct-
I ed by Capt. Mason, engineer, assisted by Lieut.
Hardcastie, topographical engineer, turned the
■ right, and by a wide sweep came out upon the
high road to the capital. At this point the
heavy garrison (3,000 men) in retreat was, by
! Clarke, cut in the centre: one portion, the
rear, driven upon Dolores, off to the right;
i and the other upon Churubusco* in the direct
line of our operations. The first brigade,
(Colonel Garland’s) same division, consisting
of the 2d artillery, under Major Galt, the 3d
artillery, under Lieut. Col. Belton, and the
4th infantry,, commanded by Maj. F. Lee,
with Lieut. Col. Duncan’s field battery (tem
* porarily) followed in pursuit through the
town, taking one general prisoner, the aban
doned guns, (twig^pieces,) much ammunition,
and other public property.
The forcing of San Antonio was the second 1
brilliant event of the day. (
Worth's division being soon reunited in hot (
pursuit, he was joined by Major General Pil- 1
low, who, marching from Coyoacan, and dis- <
covering that San Antonio had been carried, <
immediately turned to the left, according to my (
instructions, and though much impeded by i
ditches and swamps, hastened to the attack of <
Churubusco. 1
The hamlet or scattered houses, bearing this j
name, presented, besides the fortified convent, 1
a strong fieldwork (tete de pout) with regular ]
bastions and curtains, at the head of a bridge i
over which the road passes from San Antonio :
to the capital, <
The whole remaining forces of Mexico— :
some 27,000 men —cavalry, artillery, and in
fantry, collected from every quarter —were now 1
in, on the flanks or within supporting distance •
of those works, and seemed resolved to make i
a last and desperate stand; for if beaten here, i
the feebler defences at the gates of the city—4 j i
miles off —could not, as was known to both i
parties, delay the victors an hour. The cap- J
ital of an ancient empire, now of a great re- 7
public; or an early peace, the assailants were 1
resolved to win. Not an American—and we ■
were less than a third of the enemy’s num- ]
bers —had a doubt as to the result. (
The fortified church or convent, hotly press- <
ed by Twiggs, had already held out about an
hour, when Worth and Pillow —the latter 1
having with him only Cadwalader’s brigade — ]
began to manoeuvre closely upon the tete de
pont , with the convent a half gun-shot to the (
left. Garland’s brigade, (Worth’s division,)
to which had been added the light battalion
under Lieut. Col. Smith, continued to advance
in front, and under the fire of a long Hire of
infantry, off on the left of the bridge; and
Clarke, of the same division, directed his bri
gade along the road or close by its Two
of Pillow’s and Cadwalader’s regiments, the
11th and 14th, supported and participated in
this direct movement: the other (the volti
guers) was left in reserve. Most of these
corps—particularly Clarke’s brigade -advanc
ing perpendicularly, were made to suffer much
by the fire of the "tete de pont , and they would
have suffered greatly more by flank attacks
from the convent, but for the pressure of
Twiggs on the other side of that work.
This well-combined and daring movement at
length reached the principal point of attack,
and the formidable tete de pont was, at
once, assaulted and carried by the bayo
net. Its deep, wet ditch was first gallant
ly crossed by the Bth and sth infantry,
commanded, respectively, by Major Waite
and Lieut. Col. Scott —followed closely by the
6th infantry (same brigade) which had been
so much exposed in the road —the 11th regi
ment, under Lieut. Col. Graham, and the 14th,
commanded by Col. Trousdale, both of Cad
walader’s brigade, Pillow’s division. About
the same time, the enemy, in front of Gar
land, after a hot conflict of an. hour and a half,
gave way, in a retreat tow-ards the capital.
The immediate results of this third signal
triumph of the day were: 3 field pieces, 192
prisoners, much ammunition and two colors,
taken in the tete depont.
Lieut. J. F. Irons, Ist artillery, aid-de-camp
to Brigadier General Cadwalader, a young of
ficer of great merit and conspicuous in battle
on several previous occasions, received in front
of the w-ork, a mortal wound. (Since dead.)
As the concurrent attack upon the convent
favored physically and morally, the assault up
on the tete de pont , so, reciprocally, no doubt,
the fall of the latter contributed to the cap
ture of the former. The two works were only
some 450 yards apart; and as soon as we w'ere
in possession of the tete de pont , a captured 4-
pounder was turned and fired —first by Capt.
Larkin Smith and next by Lieut. Snelling,
both of the Bth infantry —several times upon
on the convent. In the same brief interval,
Lieut. Col. Duncan (also of Worth’s division)
gallantly brought two of his guns to bear, at a
short range, from the San Antonio road, upon
the principal face of the work, and on the
tower of the church, which in the obstinate
contest, had been often refilled with some ot
the best sharp shooters ot the enemy.
Finally, twenty minutes after the tete de
pont had been carried by Worth and Pillow,
f and at the end of a desperate conflict ot two
hours and a half, the church or convent the
citadel of the strong line of defence along the
i rivulet of Churubusco —yielded to 1 wiggs di
vision, and threw out, on all sides signals ot
l surrender. The white flags, however, were
’ not exhibited until the moment when the 3d
infantry, under Capt. Alexander, had cleared
■ the way by tire and bayonet, and had entered
> the work. Capt. J. M. Smith and Lieut.
: O. L. Shepherd, both of that regiment, with
, their companies, had the glory ot leading the
assault. The former received the surrender,
i and Capt. Alexander instantly hung out, from
a balcony, the colors of the gallant 3d. Maj.
i Dimick, with a part of the Ist artillery, serving
• as infantry, entered nearly abrest with the
■ leading troops.
Capt. Taylor’s field battery, attached to
> Twiggs’ division, opened its effective fire, at
. an early moment, upon the out-works of the
7 convent and the tower of its church. Expos
, cd to the severest fire of the enemy, the cap
t tain, his officers and men, won universal admi
, ration; but at length much disabled, in men
i and horses, the battery was, by superior or
ders, withdrawn from the action thirty min
} utes before the surrender of the convent,
i Those corps, excepting Taylor’s battery, be
, longed to the brigade of Brigadier General
> Smith, who closely directed the whole attack
, in front, with his habitual coolness and ability;
• while Riley’s brigade—the 2d and 7th infan
• try, under Capt. T. Morris and Lieut. Col.
> Plympton respectively—vigorously engaged
• the right of the work and part of its rear.
• At the moment, the rifles, belonging to Smith’s
• were detached to support Brig. Gen. Shields’
■ on our extreme left; and the 4th artillery, act
r ing as infantry, under Major Gardner, belong
ing to Riley’s brigade, had been left in charge
1 of the camp, trophies, &c., at Contreras. —
; Twiggs’ division, at Churubusco, had thus
. been deprived of the services of two of its
most gallant and effective regiments.
! The Immediate results of this victory were:—
the capture of 7 field-pieces, some ammunition,
one color, three generals, and 1,261 prisoners,
I including other officers.
f Captains E. A. Capron and M. J. Burke, and
, Lieut. S. Hoffman, all of the Ist artillery, and
Captain J. W. Anderson and Lieut. Thomas
■ Easley, both of the 2d infantry—five officers of
, ! great merit —fell gallantry before this work.
The capture of the enemy’s citadel was the
fourth great achievement of our arms in the
■ same day.
i It has been stated that, some two hours and
a half before, Pierce’s followed closely by the
volunteer brigade —both under the command
of Brig. Gen. Shields —had been detached to
our left to turn the enemys -works; —to prevent
the escape of the garrison; and to oppose the
extension of the enemys numerous corps, from
the rear, upon and around our left.
Considering the inferior numbers of the two
brigades, the objects of the movement were dif
ficult to accomplish. Hence the reinforcement
(the rifles, &c,) sent forward a little later.
In a winding march of a mile around to
the right, this temporary division found itself
on the edge of an open wet meadow’, near
the road from San Antonio to the capital, and
in-the presence of some 4,000 of the enemys
infantry, a little in rear of Churubusco, on that
road. Establishing the right at a strong build
ing, Shields extended his left, parallel to the
road,to outflank the enemy towards the capital.
But the enemy extending his right, supported
1 by 3000 cavalry, more rapidly (being favored
by better ground in the same direction, Shields f
concentrated the division about a hamlet, and
determined to attack in front. The battle was
long, hot, and varied; but, ultimately, success
crowned the zeal and gallantry of our troops,
ably directed by their distinguished comman
der, Brig. General Shields. The 9th, 12th,
and loth regiments, under Colonel Ransom,
Captain Wool, and Colonel Morgan, respec
tively, of Pierce’s brigade, (Pillow’s division)
and the New York and South Carolina volun- j
teers, under Colonels Burnet and Butler, res
pectively, of Shields’ own brigade, (Quitman’s
division,) together with the mountain howit
zer battery, now’under Lieut Reno, of the or
dnance corps, all shared in the glory of this
action —our fifth victory in the same day.
Brigadier General Pierce, from the hurt of
the evening before —under pain and exhaustion
—fainted in the action. Several other changes
in command occurred on this field. Thus Colo
nel Morgan being severely wounded, the.com
mand of the 15th infantry devolved on Lieu
tenant Col. Howard. Col. Burnett, receiving a
like wound, the command of the New’ York
volunteers fell to Lieut. Col. Baxter; and, on
the fall of the lamented Colonel P. M. Butler
—earlier badly wounded,but continuing to lead
nobly in the hottest part of the battle —the
command of the South Carolina volunteers
devolved —first, on Lieut. Colonel Dickinson,
who being severely w’ounded, (as before in ;
the seige of Vera Cruz.) the regiment ultimate
ly fell under the orders of Major Gladden.
Lieut. David Adams and W. R. Williams
of the same corps; Capt. Augustus Quarles and |
lacut. J. B. Goodman of the 15th, and Lieut. !
E. Chandler, New York volunteers —all gal- j
lant officers, nobly fell in the same action.
Shields took 380 prisoners,including officers;
and it cannot be doubted that the rage of the
conflict betw’een him and the enemy, just in
the rear of tete de pont and the convent, had
some influence on the surrender of those for
midable defences.
As soon as the tete de pont was carried, the ,
greater part of Worth’s and Pillow r ’s forces ]
passed that bridge in rapid pursuit of the fl}’- I
ing. These distinguished generals, coming I
up with Brigadier General Shields, now' also j
victorious, the three continued to press upon '
the fugitives to wfithin a mile and a half of the j
capital. Here, Colonel Harney, with a small
part of his brigade of cavalry, rapidly passed
to the front, and charged the enemy up to the
nearest gate.
The cavalry charge was headed by Captain
Kearney, of the Ist dragoons,having in squad
ron, wdth his own troops, that of Capt. Mcßey
nolds of the 3d —making the usual escort to
general headquarters; but being early in the
day detached for general service, was now
under Colonel Harney’s orders. The gallant
captain not hearing the recall , that had been
sounded, dashed up to the San Antonio gate,
sabreing, in this way, all who resisted. Os the
seven officers of the squadron, Kearney lost
his left arm; Mcßeynolds and Lieutenant
Lorimer Graham were both severely w ounded,
and Lieutenant R. S. Ewell, who succeeded
to the cammand of the escort, had two horses
killed under him. Major F. D. Mills, of the
15th infantry, a volunteer in this charge, was
killed at the gate.
So terminated the series of events which
I have but feebly presented. M> thanks w-ere
freely poured out on the different fields —to
the abilities and science of generals and other
officers—to the gallantry and prowess of all—
the rank and file included. But a reward in
finitely higher—the applause of a grateful
country and government —will, I cannot doubt,
be accorded, in due time, to so much merit, of
every sort, displayed by this glourious army,
which has now’ overcome all difficulties—dis
tance, climate, ground, fortifications, numbers.
It has in a single day, in many battles, as
often defeated 32,000 men; made about 3,000
prisoners, including eight generals (two of
them ex-presidents) and 205 other officers;
killed or wounded 4,000 of all ranks—besides
entire corps dispersed and dissolved; —cap-
tured 37 pieces of ordnance —more than treb
ling our seige train and field batteries —with a
large number of small arms, a full supply of
ammunition of every kind, &c., See.
These great results have ovcrw’helmed the
enemy.
Our loss amounts to 1,033; — killed 139, in
cluding 16 officers; wounded, 806, with 60 of
ficers. The greater number of the dead and
disabled were of the highest worth. Those
under treatment, thanks to our very able
medical officers, are generally doing well.
I regret having been obHged, on the 20th,
to leave Maj. Gen. Quitman, an able comman
der, with a part of his division —the fine 2d
Pennsylvania volunteers and the veteran de
tachment of United States marines—at our
important depot, San Augustin. It was there
that I had placed our sick and w’ounded; the
seige, supply and baggage trains. If these
had been lost, the army would have been
driven almost to despair; and considering the
enemy’s very great excess of numbers, and
the many approaches to the depot, it might
well have become, emphatically, the post of
honor.
After so many victories, we might, with
but little additional loss, have occupied the
capital the same evening. But Mr. Trist, com
missioner, &c., as well as myself, had been ad
monished by the best friends of peace—intel
ligent neutrals and some American residents
—against precipitation; lest, by w’antonly
driving away the government and others —
dishonored—we might scatter the elements of
peace, excite a spirit of national desperation,
and thus indefinitely postpone the hope of ac
commodation. Deeply impressed with this
danger, and remembering our mission—to
conquer a peace—the army very cheerfully
sacrificed to patriotism —to the great wish and
want of our country —the eclat that w’ould
have followed an entrance —sword in hand—
into a great capital. Willing to leave some
thing to this republic—of no immediate value
to us —on which to rest her pride, and to re
cover temper —I halted our victorious corps at
the gates of the city, (at least for a time,) and
have them now cantoned in the neighboring
villages, where they are well sheltered and
supplied with all necessaries.
On the morning of the 21st, being about to
take up battering or assaulting positions, to
authorize me to summon the city to surrender,
or to sign an armistice with a pledge to enter
at once into negotiations for a peace—a mis
sion came out to propose a truce. Rejecting
its terras, I despatched my contemplated note
to President Santa Anna —omitting the sum
mons. The 22d, commissioners were appoint
ed by the commanders of the two armies; the
armistice was signed the 23d, and ratifications
exchanged the 21th.
All matters in dispute betw-ecn the two gov
ernments have been thus happily turned over
to their plenipotentiaries, who have now had
several conferences, and with, I think, some
hope of signing a treaty of peace.
There will be transmitted to the Adjutant
General reports from divisions, brigades, &c.,
on the foregoing operations, to which I must
refer, with my hearty concurrence in the just
applause bestowed on corps and individuals
by their respective commanders. I have been
able—this report being necessarily a summary
—to bring out, comparatively, but little of in
dividual merit not lying directly in the way of
the narrative. Thus I doubt whether I have,
in express terms, given my approbation and
applause to the commanders of divisions and
independent brigades; but left their fame upon
higher grounds —the simple record of their
great deeds and the brilliant results.
To the staff, both general and personal, at
tached to general headquarters, I was again
under high obligations for services in the
field, as always in the bureaux. I add their
names, &c.; Lieutenant Colonel Hitchcock,
acting inspector general; Major J. L. 1 Smith,
Captain R. E. Lee, (as distinguished for felici
tous execution as for science and daring,)
Captain Mason, Lieutenants Stevens, JEieaure
gard, and Tower-all of the engineers; Major
Turnbull. Captain McClellan, and Lieutenant
Hardcastle, topographical engineers; Captain
Huger and Lieut. Hagner, of the ordnance;
Captains Irwin and Wayne, of the quarter
master’s department; Captain Grayson of the
commissaries; Surgeon General Lawson, in hi*
particular department; Captain H. L„ Scott,
acting assistant adjutant general; Lieut. Wil
liams, aid-de-camp, and Lieut. Lay, military
secretary. Lieut. Schuyler Hamilton, anoth
er aid-do-carap, had, a week before, been
thrown out of activity by a severe wound re
ceived in a successful charge of cavalry against
cavalry, and four times his numbers; but, ort
the 20th, I had the valuable services, as volun
teer aids, of Majors Kirby and Van Buren, of
the pay department, always eager for activity
and distinction; and of a third, the gallant
Major J. P. Gaines, of the Kentucky volun
teers.
I have the honor to be, sir, with high re-*
spect, \ our most obedient servant, .
WINFIELD SCOTT.'
Hon. Wm. L. Makcy, Secretary of War.
-- - #
?l n3ns ta, (Georgia.
THURSDAY MORNING, NOVIB,
ZjT An error occurred in our editorial yes
terday, on charters to manufacturing compa
nies, by the transposition of the word * "thank-'
: ful.”
The sentence should read as follows:
“None (foreign capitalists) would come, if
fully expecting to encounter unfriendly legis
lation, instead of being welcomed by the fos
tering hand of the State, thankful for the
prosperity he would bring in his train.”
Theatre
A reference to the entertainments adver
tised for This Evening, would under any cir
cumstances offer a sufficient inducement to*
every play-goer but when to this is added the
fact that they are for the benefit of Miss Clara
Ellis, we have said all that should be ne-*
1 cessary to secure an overflowing house.. Those
who have witnessed the efforts of Miss E. will
agree with us, that in her profession she has
few superiors—those who have not we advise
not to lose this opportunity to enjoy a rich 1 in
tellectual banquet, whilst they contribute a
substantial reward to the arduous labors of a
lady whose public and’private character are
both worthy of their support and approbation.
The fair beneficiary of this evening we trust
will find that she has lilerally won, as she has
deserved, “ golden opinions from all sorts of
people;” and w T e cannot doubt that she will bo
welcomed by the sparkling eyes and ready
hands of such an assemblage as has not often
been assembled within the walls of the “ Old
Drury” of the city of Augusta.
Official Despatches-
We commence this morning the publication!
of the Official Despatches recently received
from Gen. Scott, and will continue them from
day to day,as we can find room, as we feel sat
isfied we can give our readers nothing they
will read with more pleasure. Besides, we
consider it but a just tribute to our merito
rious officers and soldiers, that their gallant
acts in Mexico should be put on record in
every paper in the country, to the end that
their brilliant deeds be held up to the rising
generation as examples worthy of imitation.
Thanksgiving Day-
Gov. Towns has issued his proclamation set
ting apart Thursday, the 2-sth inst. as a day of
Thanksgiving and Prayer, to be observed
throughout the State. In his proclamation he
! says—
“To learn and feel the obligations of man
to his Creator is the business of life. The
reward of a conscientious discharged of this
obligation exists in a rational hope of endless
blis beyond the grave. The man or communi
ty that lives in rebellion against laws whose
divinity is triumphantly asserted in all we
see and know, exists but to inherit the shame
and wretchedness of stricken and blasted hopes.
To be truly wdse, individual?, as communities,
should feel truly dependent, ever mindful,that
the affliction that chastens not less than the
prosperity that gladdens the heart, of what
soever character it may be, is the immediate
gift of that invisible but undeniabie Providence
that directs and controlls the de«tiny of men
and nations in Time and Eternity. The suc
cess that has attended our experiment in free
Government, that has smiled upon us as a
people, the general health we have enjoyed,
and the abundant supply of human subsis
tence every where to be found in our borders,
• should inspire every heart with unfeigned
gratitude to the Great Author of these bless
ings.
“Thoroughly impressed with the conviction
that the Legislature in directing me to appoint
a day of “prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty
God for the general health and prosperity of
our common country,” were engaged in no
idle ceremony, but in this solemn form in
tended to admonish the good citizens of the
State, that it is becoming a Christian and mo
ral people to give public demonstration in a
becoming manner, of their humility, reve
rence and gratitude to the Author of these
and of all other blessings which we enjov:
“I, GEORGE W. TOWNS, Governor of
Georgia, do issue this my PRO CLAM! ATI ON,
and appoint Thursday, the 25th instant, as a
day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, and I ve
qnest that all religious denominations in the
State, will on that day meet at their usual
places of worship and gratefully acknowledging
the mercies of the past, supplicate the Great
Ruler of the Universe that his blessings may
be continued upon our beloved country.”
Death of Dr- C. IVI Hitchcock* U- S- A-
The numerous friends of this courteous and
gallant officer, will read with unfeigned regret
the following announcement from the Balti
more Argus:
“The painful intelligence of the death of Dr.
Charles M. Hitchcock* of the U. S. A.., has just
been received by his friends in this city. He
died at Tampico on the 12th ult. of yellow
fever. Dr. Hitchcock was a native of Anne
Arundel county, in this State, am;! entered
the army as an Assistant Surgeon in 1834,
having just graduated at the University of
Maryland. He was with Gen. Taylor in all
his battles, and devoted himself to the care of
the wounded so as to be distinguished as a
surgeon in the battle-field and in the hospital;
and was appointed the surgeon in-c!iief of the
army. Generous and brave, and unaffectedly
amiable, he has become a victim to disease i**
noble efforts to arrest its ravages upon others,
1 and his manly form has found the grave front
which his skill and great physical cnddratiee
had wrested many a wounded and disced
brother. Heibavcs,a widow and one chua