The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-13
THE u UNION.

THE [
MES, was on duty with my during the action and
made his way with great difficulty across the wide and
marshy fields and deep bitches Seeing field for the
action of his fine squadron unl me zee du pont was car
red had held him IN reserve then LEI him loose.
Furious his charge upon the retreatng foe dealing
death with the unerrng sabre until he reached the very
at the garta heavy and destructive fire. hy which the
gallant captain lost his left Lieut. j L. Graham OF
10th infantry, serving with Capt Kearney, was wounded
! in the left arm; and Capt McReynods Sd dragons
who noby sustained the daring movements of his squad
ron commander, was also wounded in the left arm
Both of these fine companies sustained losses in
their rank and file also
By deachments to prisoners taken in the first
gagements al Contreras and captured public property my
force reduced to about $500 men, My total less in
killed, wounded, and missing is 2l officers and pvaes.
The loss OF the enemy in this last action have
of ascerainng The whole field and road for miles
covered with the dead and dying In these engagements,
mates his loss in killed. wounded, and missing at about
1000. This includes prisoners taken by our forces,
Among the many gallant officers whose loss we have
to deplore, the brave Major Mills of the 18th infantry,
who, after having participated most actively in the fierce
struggle in which that regiment had its colonel wounded
and one third of its force cutdown Joined Capt Kearneys
squadron in pursuit OF the enemy and killed by the
fire of the enemys artillery the very garta of the city
Appended is list of killed and wounded of my dvi-
son
have the honor to be, very respectfully your obedient
servant, GID. j. PILLOW
| Maj. Gen. United States Army.
To Capt H. L. ScoTT
Act Asst Adj Gen.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION,
1acubaya, August %, 1917
SIR In obedience to the instructions of the General
chief have the honor TO report that the first division
took position the 18th instant on the causeway lead
inc to San Antonio, distant fifteen hundred wards from
its we'll fortified front, which, by of heavy guns
commanded the approach through the whole length and
at various angles of the direct route.
| a. IL
front without batterng in BREACH and the secondary
means of scaling ladders, fascnes, &c Reconnaissance
was Immediately commenced, and continued on the l9h
to determine route for turning the whole system OF de-
fence by the enemys right. This accomplished, with
satisfactory results, acting under the general instructions
and discretion granted by the General in-chie
ment delayed by the necessary temporary withdrawal of
one brigade to sustain the division occupied in the direc
ton Of Contreras, commenced at II o'clock, M,
as follows: The I'd BRIGADE composed OF the 9Th, 9th,
and Sth infantry, commanded by Colonel Clarke, 9th,
supported by the light battalion, composed of two
panes from the I'd artillery, and one from each of the
9Th and Sh regiments OF infantry under Brevet Lieut.
Col Smith-the whole under the guidance of Captain
Mason, corps of engineers assisted by Lieut. Hardcase
Typographical engneersmoved to the left and divergent
the high road from San Antonio, with the double object
OF envelopng the right OF the enemys position, and at
the same time OF cutting off his retreat towards the cap
ital Lieut. Col Duncan's artillery eight battery and
the 1st brigade composed of the I'd and Sd artillery and
18th infantry commanded by Brevet Col Garland, was
advanced to an angle in the causeway which partially
mess for rapid direct movement when the Cd brigade
should become engaged and have attracted attention to
that quarter Subsequently the 4h infantry placed
on the left of the causeway, and instructed to by
flank, under guidance of Assistant Adjutant General
Macka, between that route and the I'd brigade either
to sustain the latter or II opportunity offered rush upon
of the batteries Discovering these dispositions and
particularly the movement OF the "a Brigade and doubt
less somewhat influenced by the operations going on in
the direction OF Contreras the enemy troops TO
check the advance OF our left and commenced an
uation OF the works After having brushed away the
the high load occupied by the enems retreating COL
umn; and by rapid movement, particularly of two
panes Of the 9Th infantry under Captains Morrill, and
NcPhal, commanded by Lieut.. Col. Scott, guided by
Captain Mason, cut this column nearly in the centre
the advanced portion of it moving upon Churubusco,
(where we shortly afterwards discovered the encmys
two thousand in number, under General Bravo, with
four pieces OF artillery, retreaed upon Dolores The
instant Clarkes fire opened Garland instructed to
advance rapidly in column, and attempt direct assault
previously detachng company in advance; which, by
drawing the enemys fire, might discover the magnitude
of his batteries in that quarter; but appeared that the
/ hope of getting them away. Garands column
in, unresised and rapidly passed through the works,
yards beyond the works the division was reunited and
disregang the force retreatng upon Dolores the whole
moved rapidly and in good order to the higher object
Approaching Churubusco-that place being on the left,
and near the road was discovered TO be strongly
cuped with troops and protected by batteries and nan-
try deences Further in advance was discovered regu-
lar ed-work, garnished with heavy guns and crowded
with troops. Between the two continuous line of in
fantry; and the left and rear of the work ste de
pont,) dense line of infantry lar as the eye could
reach On getting within n-shot and so of musket-
ry the enemy opened with effect upon the head of the
leading battalion. Garland's brigade was now thrown
promptly to the right Of and in line of columns obIquely
to- the road; which order would, its advance and de-
ployment, strike the enemys line at like angle-the
light battalion its right The I'd brigade was ordered
to also to the right, Except the 9th infantry0
and by flank parallel TO the road while the 9th infantry
was directed to advance by the high road and storm the
tete de pont in front The field 10 the right was filled
with standing corn, which masked large bodies OF the
enemy andfrom whose fire, in consequence, every COM
mand suffered greatly in the first instance Running over
these, Garands brigade engaged with their
more regular lines and masses Clarke's soon as
could be got in the position above descrbedand came
at double-qulck- engaged in like manner The
9th regiment OF infantry moved with steadness worthy
OF its established reputation, to assault the work in 'front.'
directed but beng exposed to combined fire of grape
canister, and musketry, which raked the road it
of necessity momentarily checked. Meantime, the Sth
and 9Th of Clakes brigade favorably situated
effect results but under terrible fire. dashed past the
deep and wet ditch that entirely surrounded the work
carried ltby the bayone and, quick thought turn
ed the captured cannon upon that portion of the enemy
stationed In the town, and which combating our
troops approaching from the direction of Contreras
sionally reversing their fire upon left flank Previ-
to this PERIOD and when in the act of giving direction
TO the baallons was joined by Major General Pillow,
who came in from the left with three regiments of his
Observation-Disclosures brigade-having with great diff
Guilty made his way through the marshes thence the
close of the day. had the pleasure of his gallant associa
battery of light artillery, which had been directed
n no M fbab