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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST. JAMES GAR ONER. JR. TERMS. Daily, per annum *.<*'.«•/..58 00 Tri-Weekly, per annum *..............6 00 If paid in advance <....5 00 Weekly, per annum 3 00 If paid in advance *2 50 To Clubs, remitting $lO in advance, FIVE COPIES are sent. This will put our Weekly pa per in the Aach of new subscribers at TWO DOLLARS A YEAR. who w T ill pay up arrearages, and send four new subscribers, with the money, can get the paper at $2 00. JO*All new subscriptions must be paid in ad vance. [Q**Postage must be paid on all communications and letters of business. [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