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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST. (
~ ~ ■■■' 1
JAMES GARDNER, JR.
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OFFICIAL DESPATCHES.
The Union of Monday comes laden with
further despatches from Gen. Scott, and
his brave officers. Although highly interest
ing, we are sorry that we will be compelled to
curtail some of them. Could we spare the
room nothing would afford us more pleasure
than to publish them in full, for they are all
well written and give a graphic view of seve
ral of the most brilliant battles ever fought,
and all in one day.
Report of Brev- XKKaj- Gca- Worth-
Headquarters First Division, )
Tacubaya, Aug. 23, 1847. )
»**’ * * *
As least exceptionable, corps will be refer
red to in order of formation, and persons in
connexion with their corps.
Ist. Brevet. Lieut. Col. Duncan command
ed and directed the light artillery, with the
steal and gallantry, judgment and effect, which
have so often distinguished and presented him
to the notice of his General-in-chief and the
government.
2d. Brevet Lieut. Col. Smith commanded
and directed his light battalion with charac
teristic gallantry and ability.
3d. Brevet Col. Garland (lieutenant colonel
4th infantry) commanded the first brigade,
conspicuous in many fields in the present war;
’ in his last great combat, by skill, conduct, and
courage, he has greatly added to an already
established reputation lor patriotism and sol
diership. Os his brigade. Major Galt com
manded and gallantly led the 2d artillery, (act
ing as infantry ;) Lieut. Col. Belton, the 3d
artillery, (also acting as infantry ;) and Major
Lee the 4th infantry. The chief of the bri
gade speaks in terms of commendation of
each of these commanders.
A list of officers engaged, as also of non
commissioned officers and prvates in each re
' giment, will be found in the regimental re
ports, to which reference is respectfully made.
4th. Col. Clarke commanded the 2d brigade
—a veteran of the war of 1812, and heretofore
distinguished by zeal and intelligence in this
war —was, while gallantly leading his brigade
into battle, struck from his saddle, and disa
bled for several hours; whereupon the com
mand devolved upon Brevet Col. Mclntosh,
(lieutenant colonel sth infantry,) who led on
with the prestige of many well-fought fields,
and acquitted himself, as always, with, high
courage and devotion. The command of the
6th infanty devolved in turn upon Brevet Lt.
Col. Scott, and the mantle could not have fal
len upon a better or braver soldier ; he most
gallantly led the regiment to its assigned
work, and, in so doing, came to the close sup
port and joint action with the corps to whose
lot it fell to carry with the bayonet the main
work. One wing of the Gth infantry, a por
tion of which was under the gallant lead of
Capt. Hoffman, did all that it was in the pow
er of men to do to carry the tete de pout by di
rect attack on the main road, while the other
wing, under Major Bonneville, was in close
conflict with the enemy on the right of the
road. The Bth infantry, although from its po
sition coming up last, by the zeal and energy
of its commander. Major Waite, and by the
circumstances of the ground, which impeded
the advance of other and proximate corps,
found itself in position to render most gallant
and effective service. The companies of Cap
tains Bomford and Larkin Smith, under the
direction of Brevet Major Wright, preceded
by xkdjutant Longstreet, colors in hand, were
led on most bravely to the assault of the tete
de pont; crossing the ditch under a heavy fire
of musketry, they mounted the rampart, and
finished the work with the bayonet, closely
supported by the sth and detachments of other
corps. The regimental reports of this brigade
a e also respectfully referred to. The medical
carp?, consisting of Surgeons Satterlee (senior)
a id Wright, Assistant Surgeons Simpson, De-
Leon, Simons, Holden, Roberts, and Deyerlc,
presents claims to especial thanks and admi
ration—ever among the most fearless, and in
different to hazard during the conflict. It is
after the battle, when others seek repose, that
they are found skilfully and noiselessly fulfil
ling the duties of their high vocation, in ad
ministering comfort to the crushed and sor
rowful soldier.
The following named officers and non-com
missioned officers are conspicuously presented
by commanders: Staff Ist Brigade— Brevet
Capt. Nichols, A. A. A. Gen.; Lieut. Thorn,
Aid-de-camp; 2 d Brigade— Lieuts. Burwell;
Aid-de-camp, Lieut. Kirkham, A. A. A,
Gen. : Light Battery —Lieuts. Hunt, Hays.
Clark, and Sergeant Platt: Light Battalion —
Lieuts. Elsey, Peck, and Simpson, 2d artille
ry: Ist Sergeant Henry Wilson, company A,
and Sergeant Mickel, company K, 2d artillery;
Capt. E. K. Smith ; Lieut. Fanely; Sergeants
Updegraff, Archer, and Flynn, company 11,
6th infantry—Capt. Reeve, Lieuts. Holloway
and Pitcher, Bth infantry : 2d Artillery —Capts.
McKenzie and Brooks; Lieuts. Shackelford
and Daniels : 3 d ArliVery —Capt. Burke, Bre
vet Capt. Ayers, and Sergeant Heck : 4th In
f mtry —Lieut. Adj. Prince, and Brevet Major
B ichanan ; sth Infantry —Capts. Merrill and
MiPhail; Lieuts. Rossell, Fowler, and Adju
tant Lugenbeel; Sergeants Golding, Dudley,
Johnson, Chit nan and O Brien : 6 tk Infantry
—Capts. Hoffman and Walker ; Lieuts. Arm
stead, Buckner, and Adjutant Ernst, Sergeant
Major Thompson, Battalion Sergeant Major
Owens, Color Sergeant McCain, Sergeants
Staniker, Williams, Mclntyre, Cressy and
Downs : Bth Infantry —Brevet Major Wright,
Capts. Bomford and Smith, Adjutant Long
street, and LieUt. Selden, (the latter present
at many battles, honorably wounded at Resa
ca, and not behind the foremost in zeal and
courage here,) color bearer, Sergeant
Pink, Sergeant Ford, and Sergeant Edward
Bertram. Injustice would be done to the
whole division in failing to bring to the no
tice of the General-in-chief the praise worth v
—if he will pardon the expression—the cou
rageous conduct of the Rev. Mr- McCarty,
chaplain to the 2d brigade. That excellent
man and Christian was seen in the midst of the
conflict administering comfort and 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 ob
ligations and express his admiration of the gal
lant bearing of Major Gen. Pillow, and Brig.
U*ns. Shields, C:idwallader, and Pierce, with
v koui he had flee gratification of concert and
. i
co-operation at various critical periods of the 1 f
conflict. And it may now, in closing, be per- j '
nutted to speak of the staff of the division,
general and personal. The subordinate re- \
ports will be found to speak with one senti- i
ment of Capt. Mason, of engineers ; but these j
are not to debar my testimony and warm ac- |
knowlettgmcnts of the intelligent and gallant j
services of this accomplished officer—in the
estimation of all, he has won high reputation, |
and established unequivocal claims to higher i
rank. Lieut. Hardcastle, topographical engi- ;
neer, has been distinguished by zeal, intelli- ■
goncc and gallantry, in his particular depart
ment, as also in combat. 'I o Surgaon Satter- :
lee, senior medical officer, the highest praise |
is due. Capt. Myers, division quartermaster, i
has highly distingushed himself by energy and i
devotion in his particular department, and by I
gallantry in combat. Lieut. Armstrong, cli- j
vision commissary, is also highly distinguished !
for energy and devotion in his particular de- j
partrnent, and by gallantry in combat. Os the
gallant and efficient assistance of Capt. Mack
all, assistant a Ijutant general, (but in a dif
ferent relation,) of Brev. Capt. Pemberton and
Lieut. Wood, aides-de-camp, it lias been my
pleasing duty heretofore to speak under simi
lar circumstances. On this occasion, each j
member of the staff’has fulfilled every duty of i
his station to the entire satisfaction of their i
chief, and established new claims to proses- j
sional distinction and reward. To Lieut. *
Semmes, of the navy, volunteer aid-de-camp, j
the most cordial thanks of the general of the 1
division are tendered for his uniform gallantry !
and assistance; and the General-in-chief is re- j
spectfully requested to present the conduct of j
this accomplished and gallant officer to the |
special notice of his distinguished branch of
the public service—our glorious navy.
1 have the honor to present to the General
a national standard, a trophy secured from the
enemy by the Ist division.
Headquarters, 2d Div. of Rf.gct.at;?,
San Angel, near Mexico, AngustSSd, 1847.
Sir: For the information of the General
in-chief of the United States army, I have the
honor to make the following report of the op
erations of my division, and of those of other
troops which came under my command on the
19th and 20th instant.
Agreeably to instructions from Gen. Scott,
I left my train of wagons at San Augustin on
the morning of the 19th, and proceeded with
my division to cross the mountain route pre
viously reconnoitered by Capt. Lee, of the en
gineers, and cover a working party under the
orders of Major Gen. Pillow. Having pro
ceeded about two miles, the enemy was dis
covered in force at Contreras, where the trail
intersects one of the main roads to the city of
Mexico, (and some nine miles from it,) distant
one mile, in a naturally strong position, made
still more so by breastworks which command
ed the approach in every direction. Captain
McClellan, of the topographical engineers, and
Lieutenant McClellan, of the engineers pro
per, were sent in advance to reconnoitre, with
a view of placing our batteries. They were
soon stopped by one of the enemy’s pickets,
and were compelled to return, each having had
his horse shot. The rifle regiment, command
ed by Major Loring, was then ordered foward
as skirmishers to clear the ground. This duty
was performed handsomely and with despatch.
Having driven in the enemy’s pickets to with
in 300 yards of his works, Captain Magru
der’s battery and the mountain howitzer and
racket battery, commanded by Lieut. Callen
der, of the ordnance, were placed in position
by Capt. Lee, of the engineers.
These batteries were placed at my disposal
by the kindness of Major General Pillow', by
whose magnanimity (he being my senior pre
sent) I had the control of any reinforcements,
and of every facility from his division which
I required. So soon as our batteries were es
tablished, the enemy opened a most destruc
tive fire from several of his large guns. The
cannonading was kept up on both sides for
several hours, until, compelled by the loss of
officers, men and crippled pieces, our batteries
were placed for the time under shelter. In
this affair the very gallant and much lamented
Lieut. J. P. Johnstone, of Magruder's battery,
was mortally wounded; and Lieut. Callender,
of the howitzer and rocket battery, severely
wounded. The coolness and determination
evinced by the officers and men whilst under
this hot fire, gave some indications of the re
sult of the coming conflict w'hen all my com
mand would get in position. General Smith’s
brigade was ordered to proceed in the direc
tion of our batteries, and Riley’s by inclining
to the right, to get a position, if possible, in
the enemy’s rear. The route he was com
pelled to take w'as most difficult and tedious,
passing over volcanic rocks and crossing large
fissures barely narrow enough to permit the
men to get over by leaping. Accompanied by
Lieutenant Tower, of the engineers, this bri
gade finally reached the main road, and got in
position in rear of the enemy’s position, hav
ing driven before it a large body of lancers,
who attempted to check its progress. Hav
ing become separated by seven or eight hun
dred yards from any reinforcement, a large
body of the enemy (ten or twelve thousand)
; was discovered coming from the direction of
the city, and closing on Riley’s rear. At the
same time, from the field-works at Contreras
came out two or three thousand men on the
road, which the brigade had crossed, cntirely
cutting off Riley’s from Smith’s brigade.—
Notwithstanding the very great desparity in
numbers in favor of the enemy, this fine bri
gade kept its ground, occasionally driving
from its vicinity, with loss, bodies of the ene
my who had rashness enough to approach
within musket range.
During this state of affairs, Smith’s brigade
w'as ordered to form a junction Avith Riley’s,
whilst General Pierce’s brigade occupied the
left of the trail, and remained as a support to
the batteries. Much credit is due to Colonel
Ransom, by whose untiring exertions and zeal
the 9th and 12th infantry were placed in posi
tion near the batteries late in the night of the
19th. Late in the evening, the two brigades
joined near the road—Riley having maiKcu
vred in the face of the enemy' so as to rejoin
Smith’s. Still later, Shields’ and Cadwala
dcr’s brigades formed a junction with my di
vision, then under the immediate command of
Gen. Smith. I being unable, from a lame
foot, so follow the route taken by my troops,
returned to the vicinity of Taylor’s battery,
where I passed the night, General Smith made
his arrangements to attack the enemy’s work
the next morning.
For the particulars of this affair I would re
spectfully refer the General-in-chief to the
reports of Gen. Smith and Col. Riley, to
whom, and to the other officers engaged, is due
all the credit that attaches. Iw as unable, for
the reason given above, to come up to my di
vision till the affair was over, and the road
opened for my horse. In all the recommen
dations from brigade and regimental comman
ders I fully concur; and In addition, for gal
lant services on the 19th, w'ould present the
names of Captain Me Lei I an, topographical en
gineers, Lieutenants Beauregard, Tower, G.
W. Smith, G, B. McClellan, Stevens, and Fos
ter, of the engineers proper, (the last-named
officer w'as particularly active in the manage
ment of one of Captain Magruder’s pieces
after the lamented Johnstone lost his leg,)
Capt. Magruder, Lieut. Jackson, Lieutenants
Callender and Reno, serving with their re
spective batteries. Lieut. G. B. McClellan,
after Lieut. Callender was wounded, took
charge of and managed the howitzer battery
(Lieut. Reno being detached with the rockets)
| with judgment and success, until it became
so disabled ns to require shelter. For Lieut. 1 c
McClellan’s efficiency and gallantry in this as- I
fair, I present his name for the favorable con- g
sideration of the General-in-chief. The med- i t
ierd officers of the division, always ready to I t
administer to the comfort of the sick and j
wounded, were particularly active on this oc- 1
casion. With no conveniences for themselves, ]
and but little shelter for the wounded, this ad- 1
mirable corps of officers spent the entire night ■,
exposed to the pitiless storm, in dressing the 1
wounded and in alleviating their sufferings.— (
I cannot do less than give their names a place ’
in this report: Surgeons C. S. Tripler, B. i
liandall, and J. W. Cuvier; Assistant Sur
geons A. F. Sutcr, H. 11. Steiner, C. C. Kee
ney, and Hammond, make up the num
ber. My immediate stats—Lieut. Brooks, A.
A. A. G., Lieut. McDonald, A. D. C., Capt.
I Alien, quartermaster, and Lieutenants Graf
ton, ordnance officer, and Sykes, A. O. S. to
| the division, were active and efficient in con
: veyins orders, and, when necessary, in giving
! directions.
Having secured the prisoners and captured
; property at Contreras, [entrenched camp,]
i the 4th artillery, with other troops, was left
| as a guard, and to provide for the wounded
and bury the dead. Pursuing a small rctreat
| mg force through the village of San Angel
I and Santa Catarina, giving them occasionally
j a running fire until we arrived in front of
i Churubusco, where the enemy were in a
| strongly fortitied position, with seven pieces
i of cannon and several thousand bayonets, a
1 large body of lancers guarding the approach
I to the right of their work, which was incom-
I plete, I came to a halt, by order of the Gcnc
; ral-in-chief, for the purpose of having a re
connoisance made. Lieut. Stevens, of the en
gineers, was sent for to look at the enemy’s
position, supporred by the company of sappers
and marines. He reported a good position
for Taylor’s battery 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 bat
tery was accordingly ordered. It opened with
great spirit, and remained under a most gall
ing and destructive fire of grape, round-shot,
shell, and musketry, for an hour and a half;
by which time, having accomplished the de
sired object, it was withdrawn, much crippled
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 further to our
left, with a view of turning and gaining en
trance to the open portion of the entrench
ments on the enemy’s right. After an unin
terrupted and severe fire on both sides for two
hours, my troops entered the work. All the
regiments were close at hand and shared
equally in the dangers and honors of the day.
General Rincon, the commander of the place,
and two other general officers, together with
several others of rank, in all numbering 104,
and 1,155 non-commissioned officers and pri
vates, prisoners of war, seven pieces of cannon,
and a large number of small arms, and some
ammunition, fell into-our hands. This closed
the operations of my division, which had been
under arms in the face of the enemy without
intermission for thirty hours, and achieved
one of the most glorious triumphs to the
American arms —placing in possession of the
United States government 29 pieces of artille
ry, a largo number of small arms, and a great
amount of ammunition of all kinds, together
with 2,655 prisoners of war.
To Capt. Lee, of the engineers, I have again
the pleasure of tendering ray thanks for the ex
ceedingly valuable services rendered through
out the whole of these operations; and to
Lieut. G. W. Smith, of the engineers, who
commanded the company of sappers and mi
ners, I am under many obligations for his
services on this and on other occasions.—
Whenever his legitimate dut e« with the pick
and spade were performed, he always solicited
• permission to join in the advance of the storm
ing party with his muskets, in which position
i his gallantry, and that of his officers and men,
j was conspicuously displayed at Contreras as
; well as at Cero Gordo. His name I also pre
sent to the Commanding Generals for his dis
tinction.
Finally, to Brevet Brigadier General Smith
and Brevet Colonel Riley, all the praise I can
bestow is entitled, for their cordial and inval
uable support to me on all occasions and in
. every emergency. Their names, already con
spiculous in the present campaign, have been
rendered doubly so during the two recent bat
tles.
My effective force on the morning of the 20th
was one hundred and eleven officers and twen
ty-five hundred and thirty non-commissioned
officers and privates; and of that were number
killed and wounded twenty-officers, and two
hundred and forty-five 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
killed, wounded, and missing, I have the hon
or to present with this report.
1 have the honor to be, very respectfully,
' your obedient servant,
D. E. TWIGGS,
Brig. Gen. U. S. A. Com’g 2d Div. Regulars.
Headquarters of the army in the field.
Report of Brcv- Brig- Gca- P- F- Smith.
Headquarters Ist Brig. 2d Div. of Regulars, J
San Angel (near Mexico) Aug. 23, 1847. |
********
The troops in the actions in the pedregal,on
the afternoon of the 19th, and at Contreras
and Churubusco on the 20th, distinguished
themselves far beyond my capacity to do them
justice. The difficulties they overcame—sup
posed by the enemy to be insuperable—the
hardships they endured, and the fatigue they
suffered, contrasted with the manner in which
they did their work, raises their character as
solders 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 Riley’s, and led it forward in the
most gallant style under the fire directed at j
the latter. The Ist brigade was conducted ;
' by Major Dimick, who charged in line with it |
on the enemy’s left, driving before him the
force formed there outside of the works, and
putting to rout a far superior force, displaying
the skill of the commander as well as
the bravery of the soldiers. But the opportu
nity afforded by his position to Col. Riley was
seized by that gallant veteran with all the
skill and energy for which lie is distinguished.
The charge of his noble brigade down the
slope, in full view of friend and foe, unchecked
even for a moment, until he had planted all
his colors upon their farthest works, was a spec
tacle that animated the army to the boldest
deeds.
Majors Gardner and Brown, 4th. artillery,
at the head of their regiment, setting an ex
ample 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. Plympton
and Major Bainbridgc, with the 7th infantry,
as that veteran regiment deserves to bo led,and
Capt. Morris, in command of the 2d infantry,
brought it up to share equally with the others
in the honors of the successful assault. Capt.
Alexander’s good conduct brought his regi
ment up most effectively. Major Loring de
tached 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 effective. Lieut, u. \V. Smith, in I
11
command of the engineer company, and Lieut, f 1
McClellan, his subaltern, distinguished them- 1
selves throughout the whole of the three ac- £
tions. Nothing seemed to them to bold to be
undertaken, or too difficult too be executed; (
and their services as engineers were as valua- 1
ble as those they rendered in battle at the i (
head of their gallant men. Lieutenant Foster, i
being detached from his company during the 1
action at Contreras, did not fall under my no- :
tice, but in the actions on the 19th, and at j
Churubusco, he was equally conspicuous for i ]
his gallantry. In adverting to the co?id uct of !
the staff, I wish to record particularly my 1 i
admiration of the conduct of Captain Lee, of
the engineers. His recorinoissance, though , :
punished far beyond the bounds of prudence,
were conducted with so much skill, that their
fruits were of the utmost value —the sound- i
ness of his judgment and personal daring be-j
ing equally conspicuous. Lieuts. Beauregard
and Tower, of the same corps, rendered me
the most important services in examining the j
ground, and displayed throughout the great
est personal gallantry. To the latter, lam in- I
debted for the knowledge of the route by j
which if was practicable to turn the enemy’s j
works. ’1 he accident which separated the !
different parts of the division on the evening
of the 19th, left its acting assistant adjutant
general, Lieut. W. T. 11. Brooks, with Col.
Riley’s brigade, and on 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 readi
ness to encounter any danger or difficulty, his
personal courage and coolness were brilliantly
displayed in the course of the day. The events j
of Fort Brown,Monterey,Vera Cruz, and Ccrro I
Gordo had already afforded to my aid-de
camp, Lieut. Earl Van Dorn, opportunities of |
calling forth commendations of his command- i
ing officers. He has not let pass the present |
one; but though his gallantry was again shown I
in a personal conflict with the enemy, it is far
from being the highest quality of a soldier that j
he possesses. The names of officers who dis- ;
tinguished themselves in the corps of Generals !
Cadwalader and Shields will no doubt be
found in the reports of those generals to the
headquarters of divisions to which they pro- j
perly belong. It would be impossible for me j
to enumerate the acts of all those in the 2d
division (Twiggs’s) who have entitled them
selves to particular mention. I beg leave to j
make the brigade and regimental reports, which !
I herewith transmit, a part of my own —mere- j
ly repeating here the names of those officers
mentioned therein as peculiarly deserving
praise. Captain Wessels and Captain Canby,
A. A. G., and Lieut. Benjamin and Lieut.
Hayden, A. D. C., (mentioned in the 2d brig
ade report;) Captains Sanderson, Backenstos, :
Porter, and Crittenden; Lieuts. Van Burcn,
McLanc, Gibbs, and Palmer; and Assistant j
Surgeon Suter of the regiment of mounted ,
riflemen; Capts. "Winder and Naumau; Lieuts.
Brannon, Seymour, and Coppee, and Assistant
Surgeon H. H. Steiner of the Ist artillery;
Capt. Drum and Lieut. Howe, and Assist.
Surgeon Cuyler of the 4th artillery; Capts.
Casey, J. R. Smith, and Kingsbury, Lieut
enants Gardner, Lyons, Jones, Jarvis, Tilden,
and Davis, of the 2d infantry; Captains Craig, i
Van Horne, and Chandler; Lieutenants Buel
and Richardson, and Assistant Surgeon Kee
ney, of the 3d infantry; Captains Rose and
Paul, and lieutenants Gantt, Tyler, and
Henry, of the 7th infantry. But as the bat
tery of Capt Taylor was at Churubusco, acting
immediately under my own eye,and displayed
from its gallant commander down to the low- j
cst non-commissioned officer, a coolness and
activity under circumstances of the most ex
traordinary danger, I ask leave to record here,
besides the names of its four officers, already
mentioned, the names of Sergeants Thomas
Wihon, Patrick Martin, Joseph McGee,Charles
Kullmeyer, and Corporals M. Bigelow, John
Jones, Wm. Barbour, and William Jameson.
In the action at Churubusco were killed Cap
tains Capron and Burk, Ist artillery, and
L’eut. Hoffman, Ist artillery; and were wound
ed, Captain Craig and Lieut. Buel, 3d Infan
try. In the pedrepal were wounded, on the
19th, Captains Hathaway, Ist artillery, and
Chandler, 3d Infantry; Lieut. Van Buren,
mounted riflemen; at Contreras, Captains
Wessels, 2d infantry, and Ross, 7th infantry,
Lieutenant Collins, 4th artillery, and Tilden,
2d Infantry, were wounded. But the victory
there, important as it is, was dearly bought by
the death of Captain Charles Hanson, 7th in
fantry. A more perfect soldier never fell on a
battle-field—kind in all his affections—
j ust in all his acts —pure in his life, and im
moveable 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 at Contreras,
including General Shields’ was about 3,500
men; that of the enemy about the works,7,ooo, ;
under Valencia, and in their reserve, 12,000
under the President, Sana Anna.
I transmit herewith a return of the killed
and wounded, but leaving out all those wound- ;
ed at Contreras who were not disabled.
Our loss in killed and wounded there did
not exceed 60.
Report of Brig-- Gen Shields-
HEADQUARTERS IST BuiG. VOL. DIVISION, ) 1
San Augustin, Mexico, Aug. 21th, 1847. } 1
*****
In this terrible battle, in which a strongly
fortified enemy fought behind his works under
the walls of his capital, our loss is necessarily
severe. This loss, I regret to say, has fallen
most severely upon my command. In the two
regiments of my own brigade, numbering about !
600 in the fight, the loss is reported 249 in
killed and wounded.
In this last engagement, my command cap
tured 380 prisoners, including 6 officers. Os
this number 42 had deserted from the Amcri- j
can army during the war, and at their head
was found the notorious O’Reily, who had
fought against our troops at Monterey and
elsewhere. A particular and detailed report
of the loss, as also of the prisoners captured by i
the command, accompanies this report.
Pierce’s brigade, under my command in this
action, lost a considerable number in killed and
j wounded. Amongst the latter, the gallant
| Col. Morgan of the 15th. This command hav
| ing rejoined its division immediately after the j
action, I have,as yet, received no official report
of its loss.
In closing this report, I beg to offer my
thanks to the many gallant officers of my com- |
mandfor their zealous and fearless support
during the conflict. To Col. Burnett and
Lieut. Col. Baxter, of the New York volun
teers, to Lieut. Col. Dickinson and Major
Gladden, South Carolina volunteers; as 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. Dickerson also severely wounded
whilst in command of his regiment, and while
bearing gallantry forward the colors of his
corps. My thanks are due to the medical staff
of the command—Doctors Halstead and Mc-
Kebbin, of the New York, and Doctors Clark
and Bland, of the South Carolina regiments;
as also to Doctor Swift, U. S. A., for their de
voted attention to the wounded.
It affords me pleasure, and I hut perform
my duty, too, in acknowledging my great ob
ligations to Captain. 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 encourging the troops,
I and conveying my orders durin g the different
i engagements, Lieut. Reno, commanding
I *
howitzer battery, deserves great credit for the f
handsome manner in which he brought his
guns into action, and continued to serve them.
I beg respectfully, through the general of
divisions, to ask for these gentlemen the favora
ble notice of the Commander-in-chief, and to
commend them to the President. Lieut. Shub
rick, of the navy, who accompanied me, at
tached himself to the Palmetto regiment of his
native State, 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
withfeelings of sorrow, though with pride, to
recollect the gallant dead. Lients. Adams
and Williams, of the South Carolina regiment,
and Lieut. Chandler, of the New York regi
ment, 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 of the South
Carolina regiment, P. W. Butler, had risen |
from his sick bed to share the hardships of the j
field and the dangers of the combat with his j
devoted regiment, lie survived the conflict of
the morning to lead his command where vic
tory again awaited it. Although woumied
himself, and having lost his horse, shot under
him, he siill continued to press onwards near
the colors of his regiment, until the fatal ball
terminated his life.
A gallant soldier in his youth, he has won in
his death, upon the fiekl of battle, fame for j
himself and his regiment, and added another i
name to the roll of Carolina’s departed heroes. \
Report of Col Harney-
Headquarters Cavalry Brigade. }
Tacubaya, Mexico, Aug. 24, 1847. 5
*'* » * *
The reports of Major Sumner, commanding
Ist battalion,and Lieut. Col. Moore,command
ing 2d battalion, which I have the* honor to
forward herewith, will show in what manner
the other troops and squadron of my comman
were employed. The three troop of horse
brought by me on the held being ordered away
in different directions, Major Sumner and my
self soon found ourselves without commands.
I then employed myself with my staff in ral
lying fugitives and encouraging our troops on
the left of the main road. Maj. Sumner, to
! wards the close of the engagement, was placed
| by the Genoral-in-chief in charge of the last
| reserve, consisting of the rifle regiment and
j one company horse, and was ordered to sup-
I port 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 of the main cause-
I ways leading to the city of Mexico, I collected
all the cavalry within my reach, consisting of
■ parts of Capt. Ker’s company 2d dragoons,
Capt. Kearney’s company Ist dragoons, and
Captains Mcßeynold’sand Duperu’s companies
of the3d dragoons and pursued them vigorously
until we were halted by the discharge of the bat
teries at their gate. Many of the enemy were
overtaken in the pursuit, and cut down by our
; sabres. I cannot speak in terms too compli
i mentary of the manner in which this charge
was executed. My only difficulty was in res
i training the impetuosity of my men and of
ficers, who seemed to vie with each other who
I should be foremost in the pursuit. Capt.
Kearney gallantly led his squadron into the
very entrenchments of the enemy, and had the
misfortune to lose an arm from a grope-shot
j fired from a gun at one of the main gates of the
capital. Capt. Mcßeynolds and Lieut Graham
j were also wounded, and Lieut. Ewell had two
horses shot under him.
Great praise is due to Major Sumner, com
manding Ist battalion, for his zeal, energy and
promptitude, and for the gallant manner, in
which he led up the last reserve of the Gene
ral- in-Chief. It is much to be regretted that
the 2d battalion, under Lieut. Col. Moore, w r as
so cut up by detachments, as to materially
w r caken its efficiency, and to impair the use
fulness of that officer, who was always at the
post of danger and anxious to participate in
the conflict. My w armest thanks are due to
nay brigade staff, consisting of Capt. Wood, A.
Q. M., Lieut. Steele, A. A. Gen., and Lieut.
May, my aid-de-camp, who w'eie actively em
ployed on the morning of the 20th in rallying
our men, and who exhibited the utmost cool
ness and bravery under a heavy fire of the
enemy. The tw r o h>st 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 from the commencement of the march
from Puebla, have been engaged on the most
active and laborious service. These duties
have been the more arduous in consequence of
1 the small force of cavalry, compared with the
, other arms of service. Small parties being
constantly engaged in reconnoitring and on
picket guards, the utmost vigilance and pre
caution,have been required to prevent surprise
and disaster. The gallant Captain Thornton,
while reconnoitering the enemy near San An
tonio on the 18th inst. Avas shot through the
. body by a cannon shot and instantly killed.—
' His death is much to bo regretted. On the
! 20th, although I had but four companies of
my brigade with me on the field, the remain
der were actively employed in the performance
of important and indispensable duties. Capt.
Hardee, while w atching the enemy with his
company near 3an Augustin, Avas attacked by
a band of guerrillas; but the enemy was
promptly and handsomely repulsed, and a
number of their horses, with arms and accoutre
ments, captured.
[From the New Orleans Delta, IP/i inst.]
Vera Cruz Correspondence-
Our regular Vera Cruz correspondent has
j been confined by sickness for some time, but
we are happy to preceive by the following let
tor that he is himself again.
Vera Cruz, Nov. 5, 1847.
Ech. Delta. —One of the most stirring events
of the time, and one which created quite a
sensation here, took place this morning—
namely: The arrival of Company No. 1, of
Scott’s Guerrillas ! ! You need not start —I
; saw them myself, and spoke to one that un
derstood English. The left the city of Mexico
i on the 25th ult. and form one of the four com
panies which have been fighting under the
| banners of our own victorious general for
several months past. A great variety of opin
ions exist here as to the propriety of employ
ing these men in the capacity in which they
i came down here —that is, as an escort for the
I bearer of despatohes for Washington. Be the
matter right or wrong, however, they have
discharged their duty faithfully. The James
L. Day arrived here at an early hour yester
day morning, bringing dates from New Orleans
to the 28th ult. Her arrival has caused some
considerable satisfaction to many persons here,
it having been reported by a previous arrival
that the Fashion was lost, and the James L.
Day brought the pleasing information that
such Avas not the case. The 11. S. steamer
Anna Chase still remains stranded at or a lit
little east of Fort Santiago; strenuous and ac- !
tive exertions are being made to get her out of
her present position. You aaTII remember that
she was driven from her moorings and went
ashore during the late norther, AA'hich w*as ,
the longest and severest experienced here this
season.
I should also mention to you that a portion
of the Georgia Mounted Men, under command
of Capt. Loyall, reported to have been killed
in the engagement in which the lamented
Capt, Walker fell, and accompanied by Lieut, i
Henderson, arm’edhere with the company of
Guerrillas. A portion of the latter are lan -
C€ c°n I ° r T ! ancers ’ and are undei the command
of Col. Dimgngues. The Colonel reports that
there was not a single guerrilla seen on the
road between here and Puebla, and evervtW
beAond that point w’as remarkably quiet
It was reported that Gen. Patterson had ar
rived at the National Bridge, md so far, had
.not met Avith any adventure worthy of men
tion. By the steamer, wrhich takes 'this com
munication, I send you tAvo numbers of the
Puebla Flag of Freedom, tAvo do. of El Arco
Iris, and the extra containing an account of
the battle of Huamantla, received here this
morning by the escort or train, or whatever
you wish to call ft. lam indebted, however,
to the politeness of a private soldier, who
came doxvn furnished Avith them. It is noAv
Avell ascertained here that Ave shall have a
train here on the loth, from the City of Mex
ico, and probably one aaull arrive some days
previous from Puebla.
[From thk Baltimore *Svn.J
LATER FROM SANT A FE.
Indians and Mexicans Threatening Taor
INHABITANTS ASKING PROTECTION, icq.
The Philadelphia papers of yesterday have
telegraphic despatches fromCincmnati thelsth„
stating that byway of St. Louis, the Santa
Fe Republican, of the 17th September, had
been received. Captain Newby had arrived
at Santa Fe and taken charge of that depart
j ment.
i At Santa Fe, on the 11th, the troops Avere
j all in excellent health. Col. Eaton enforced
1 rigid discipline, and was very popular with
the troops. The inhabitants expressed them
selves much pleased wdth his government, and
seemed satisfied that they were used better
than they e\ r er had been before.
Letters from Judge Burdino, residing at
Taos, had been received at Santa Fe, stating
that the lawless portion of the Indians and
Mexicans at that place had threatened to com
mit depredations on the propert y of the citi
zens, and that they anticipated much trouble
from these w'orse than savages. The com
mandant at Santa Fe, seeing the peril therre
habitants were in—their lives and property
being in jeopardy—at once took prompt mea
sures for their relief, by despatching several
companies of troops to their assistance.
The Apacnas Indians Avere murdering indivi
duals and surprising small parties of emigrants,
and plundering them Avhenever the opportuni
ty occurred.
An expedition was being sited out, and a
number of troops ordered south, but for what
purpose was not stated.
Santa Fe is represented to be in a most thriv
ing condition; merchants were doing a pros
perous business —houses were be Jig built up
in all directions, and commissary trains were
arriving almost daily.
The whole army of the west is laid to be in a
high state of discipline, and in fine condition,
Capt. Mclntyre leads the advanced guard
of the column in New Mexico, and is well pro
visioned and prepared for effective service.—
The eastern battalion is also w’e 11 disciplined.
Verbal reports represent that there Avere no
troops either at Chihuahua or El Passo, but
this AA*as not entirely credited.
At a fandango, on the 13th, so me difficulty
having arisen between a Mr. Bolt and a private
in Capt. Graner's company, the atter drew a
pistol and shot the former dea<i. It’caused
some excitement among the people, but the
culprit Avas immediately placed under arrest
by the officers of the company.
2 ugnsta, (Georgia.
SATURDAY M DRNING NOV. 20.
The Election of Judges, Solicitors and
State House Officers by the People-
The proposition is undoubtedly correct that
all public officers .are servants of the people—
that their offices are or should be in the gift of
the people,and that they should never be enjoy
ed by any aspirant except in conformity to the
popular will to which he is amenable. This
is the true principle of democratic government.
Far distant bo the day >vhcn office shall be
held by a different tenure. But care should
be taken that the practical operation of the
principle be not carried to extremes. There
may be ultvaism in the application of a theory
perfectly correct in itself. It may be applied
in such a Avay as Avill involve inconveniences
and evils incalculable.
The frequent recurrence of popular elections
is attended Avith many and very serious evils,
Avhich are obvious to CA'cry intelligent mind.
There are also some offices which cannot he
brought directly in connection with the popu
lar suffrage, Avithout detriment to the body
politic. Among those offices are those speci
fied in the caption of this article. We are in
duced to comment on this subject by the fact
that the proposition is now before the Legisla
l ture to submit these elections directly to the
people. It is too important a proposition, and
supported by talents and influence too respect
able to be allowed to pass unnoticed by the
public press. It deserves grave consideration
before being acted upon. It cannot be denied
that the reasoning is at least plausible, if not
sound, in favor ot the proposition, and it has
the advantage of the example of other States
Avhere it is said the system has worked well
for the short period in which the experiment
has been tried.
No one contends that because there are evils
incident to all popular elections, th erefore they
should never take place. They are necessary
in order to ascertain the popular will. There
can be no go\ r ernment by the people without
such a process. There should be no one in
vested Avith power to make laws that are to
govern the people, but those who are elected
for that purpose by the people, and therefore
acting directly as the agents of the people to
carry out their Avill, The election of such
agents is attended by no injury to the people
or themselves worthy of comment, in com
parison with the paramount necessity of hav
ing such agents. They are, ex vi termini , es
sential to a government of the people—or a
democracy.
But Avith regard to judicial officers, men
clothed with the authority to construe laws—
to expound them, and to administer justice
among the people—to hold the scales even
handed betAveen the State and the citizen, and
between man and man, the case is different.
He is not a governor —a ruler—a law maker.
He forms no part of the governing power.
That function is already exercised by the au
thority AAffiich has made the laws furnished to
him for exposition and enforcement. His elec
tion directly by the people therefore is n ot
essential to the principle of self go vernment,
j There being no necessity for it, then, accord
ing to any sound democratic view, the sdvun-