Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-27
Report Of Major Gen. Qmtmna.
HEApauARrEns OF THE voLuSrEER DIvrsIo,


National Palace, Merico, Sept. %, Is47.
Sra have the honor transmit for the information of
the Generanche report of the and operations
that portion the army under my command from the after
of the lh instant to the l4h, when flag raised
on the National Palace of Mexico.
The Genean-chief having concluded carry the strong
fortress Of Chapuepec and through advance upon the city,
ordered the llth to division after dark from
its position Coyoacan Tacubaya. Stepoe's battery and
Gathers troop Of horse having been directed report to Gen.
Twiggs the remainder of the DIVISION consisting the bat
talon of marines, New York and South Carolina regiments
under Brig Gen. Shields and the ID Pennsylvania regiment
under command OF Lieut. Col Geary, moved during daylight
the village Of Pedad and night proceeded thence to their
position at Tacubaya where the troops lay upon their arms
until daylight.
Two batteries, Nos. and the map-the former put
up by Leus Tower and Smith, Of engineers under direction
of Captain Lee, of the corps, the road from Tacu
baya Chapuepec about eight hundred yards the for
ess the latter under direction Of Capt Huger Of ordnance
distance the LEFT of the iormerhad been erected
during the night My division being intended to support
these batteries and to advance to the attack by the direct road
from Tacubaya to the fortress placed in position bat
terry No. l. early the morning Of the 18th, detachmens
from its left extending TO the support of battery No At7
o'clock the guns 1.-TWO l6-pounders and snch howzcr)
placed in battery No. in position rake the road
sweep the adjoining grounds and have direct fire upon the
enemys batteries and the fortress of Chapultcpec.
Our fire then opened and maintained with good effect
throughout the day under the direction Of that excellent and
amentcd officer Captain Drum, OF the 4th artillery, jealous
y aided by Leuenans Benjamin and Porter, of his company
The fire brsky returned from the castle with round shot,
SHE'LL and grape. During the day succeeded under
Of our batteries, in making important reconnaissance of the
grounds and works Immediately the base of the CASTLE
rough sketch of which made by my aid, Lieut. Lowell
the ground This disclosed batteries Of the enemy,
the road in front of mounting four guns and the
other anking work Of gun, capable also OF sweeping
the low grounds the Left Of the road, and between and
the base of the hill
The supporting party this reconnaissance was command
cd by the late Major Twgg of the Marines and sustained
during the observation brisk fire from the batteries and small
OF the enemy, who when the party were retiring, came
OF the works large numbers and, although repeatedly
checked by the fire OF troops continued TO advance the
supporting party RETIRED until they dispersed, with
siderable loss by several discharges OF canister from the guns
Of Capt Drums battery, and wedreced fire from the right
Of the ID Pennsylvania regiment posted the flank Of the
battery for its support Our loss in this affair
wounded the information gained Of incslcuabe adj
vantage the operations Of the succeeding day In the
ing Captain Drums company WIS relieved by Lieutenant An
drews company Sd artillery, by whom a steady and we-d
rected fire kept up from the battery, until the fortress
could longer be the darkness. During the day. my
command reinforced by select battalion from General
Twiggss division, intended sorming party consisting of
thirteen officers aud two hundred and y and non
missoned officers and pvae chosen for this service out Of
the rifles LIST and 4h regiments of artillery and I'd, 81, and
Sas Casey, I'd infantry.
Having received instructions from the 70
prevent possible renforcemenis from being thrown into
Chapultepec during the night Captain Paul. OF the 9TH IN
fany, with detachment of fifty men, was directed to estab
fish advanced picket the road TO ChaPuepcc During
the night brisk skrmish occurred between this detachment