Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-10-16

:, "A heavy lire from the first battery was imme-
u'iteiy opened upon the advance, but the troops
soon turned It, entering and engaging with the
enemy IN the streets from the city, having pas
scd through ar incessant cross fire from the cit
adcl and the first and second batteries, and from
the infantry who lined the parapcts, streets and
house tops of the city
The rear ofthe first battery was soon turned.
ana the reverse fire OF the troops through the
gorge OF the works, killed or dislodged the ar
ullery and infantry. and the building occupied by
the infantry Immediately in its rear
The first division was followed and supported
by the Mississippi, Tennessee and Ohio rcgi-
ments.
The two former regiments being the first to
scale and occupy the fort, the Operations of the
day stopped.
The Mississippi, Tennessee and Ohio rcgi-
ments, though warmly engaged in the streets of
the city for sometime after the capture of the first
battery, and its adjoining delcnces, were unable
from exhaustion, and the loss they had sustain
ed, to gain more advantage
a heavy shower Of rain also came up to cause
a suspension of the hostiltcs before the close of
the day. The Sd, 18th and lst infantry and the
Baltimore battalion, remained as the garrison of
the captured position under Col. Garland, assist
ed by the Ridglcy batteries.
Two II FOUNDERS one FOUNDER and one how
zcr were captured in this fort, three officers, and
some twenty or thirty men taken prisoners One
OF the IL FOUNDERS was served against the second
fort, and defended with captured ammunition
during the remainder of the day by Capt. Ridg-
ley.
The storning parties of Gen. Worth's division
also captured two Founders. which were also
Immediately turned against their former owners.
On the morning of the 22d, Gen. Worth con-
tinued Lis operations. and portions of his division
stormed and carried ssfully the heights
above the Bishops palace. Both were carried
by command under Capt. Ninton, Sd Artillc-
ry.
In these operations the company of Louisiana
troops under Capt. Blanchard, performed cfec-
i've and gallant service, and part of Capt. Vim
tons command
-Four pieces ofartlcry with a good supply of
ammnntion-wer captured in the Bishops pal
ace TINS day, some of which We're Immediately
turned upon the enemy's defcnces in the city,
On the evening of the 22d, Col. Garland and
his command was relieved as the garrison of the
capt ured forts. by Gen. Qutman, with the Mis-
slssippl and Tennessee regiments and five COM
panes OF the Kentucky regiment
Fairly ON the morning of the 23d. Gen. Quit
man from his position discovered that the ID and
81 forts and deenccs East of the city had been
entirely abandoned by the enemy who, apprc-
had retired from all his deiences to the main Pal
ace and its immediate vicinity.
A command of two companies of Mississippi
and two of Tennessee troops were then thrown
into the streets to reconnoitrc. and soon became
holly engaged with the enemy.
These were soon supported by Col. Woods
regiment of Texas Rangers dsmountcd BY
Bragg's light battery and Sd Infantry. who kept
upon the cncmy'S fort n constant and uninter-
rupted fire from the streets. house-tops, barricades
&c. &c in the vicinity of the Placea. The pie
ces OF Bragg's battery We're also used with much
effect far into the heart of the city.
This engagement lasted the best part of the
day. Our troops having driven the scattered par
t e. OF the enemy and penetrated quite to the de-
fences of the main placea, the advantage thus
gained twas rot considered necessary to hold.
as the enemy INDEPENDENTLY abandoned he city
and its dciclGsss. except the main placea, its inn
mediate vicinity, and the cathedral fort or cta-
del
Early in the afternoon of the same day, Gen.
Worth assaulted from the Bishop, Palace. west
eide of the city, and souN, oded ia diving tht
enemy and maintaining his position within a
short distance oftlc main placed on that side OF
the city, toward evening.
The mortar had also been planted in the cem-
etery enclosure, and during the night did grea,
my in the Pia:ea. Thus ended the operations OF
the 23d.
Early on the morning Of the 9th, a commit
nication was sent to Gen. Taylor from &c Am
pudia, under a flag, making an offer of capitula-
ton, TO which the former refused to acccde. as it
asked more than the American commander would
under any consideration, grant.
At the same time a demand to surrender was
in epy,made upon Gen. Ampuda and y oclocl
az noon was the hour at which the acceptance o.
nOu-acceptance was to be communica ted to tn,
American General.
At a. NJ. the Mexican General sent, re
questinga personal conference with Gen. Taylor
which was granted, the principal officers of ranl
on either side accompanying their Generals.
After several offers in relation to the capitula.
ton of the city were made on either side and re-
fused. at hal-past 4, p NJ. Gen. Taylor arose
and saying he would give Gen. Ampudia one
hour to consider, to accept or refuse, left the con
ference with his officers
At the expiration of the hour, the discharge Of
the mortars was to be the signal for the recon-
menccment of hostllites.
Before the expiration otthe hour, however, al
officer was sent on the part of Gen Ampuda t
inform the American General that to avoid thu
farther etiiison of blood, the national honor bein!
satisfied by the cXerton of the Mexican troops
he had, after consultation with his General OF
fcers, decided to capitulate, accepting the ofe
the American General.
The terms of capitulation were in effect a
follows That the Mexican officers should b
; allowed to march out with their side arms ; tina
> the cavalry and infantry be allowed to march on
with their arms and accoutremcnts that the ar
tillerv should be allowed to march out with on
battery of pieces, and II rounds ofammuntior
that all other munitions OF war and supple
should be turned over to board of American OF
licers appointed to receive them; that the MeXi
can Army should be allowed 7 days to evacuat
the city and that the American troops shoul
y not occupy it until evacuated that the cathedra
fort, or citadel, should be evacuated at 10, A. NJ
: next day, 25th the MeXcans then marchin
out, the American garrison marching in; tina
= the MeXicans should be allowed to salute thei
= flag, when hauled down; that there should be Il
armstice of eight weeks during which time netl
. er army should pass line running from the Ran
conada through linares and San Fernando
/, This lenent offer of the American General wa
and by motives of good policy This considers
!, ton was due to the good defence of their city
- the Mexican army.
!; The above is from the New Orleans Pcayun
Extra, dated Sunday morning, Oct. i, the int
ligence having been received there by the steam
n er James l.. Day, from Point Isabel.
: PorE Pus.--The continental journals teen vii
H.. II.