Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-20
BATTLE OF MoLINo DEL REY.
Report of Major General Scott.
.. SO. HEADauARrERs OF THE Army,

No. 49, HEADauARrERs OF THE ARMY,
Tacubaya, Merico, September IL, ls47.
SIR have heretofore reported that had August oath,
concluded amistce with President Santa Anna which
promptly followed by meetings between Mr.. Tst and
Mexican Commissioners appointed to treat of peace.
Negotiations actively continued, WITH under
STOOD prospect of successful result, up the I'd in
slant, when Commissioner handed in his uHimatu, ION
boundaries and the negoaors adjourned again
the 9th.
Some inactions of the truce, respect supple
from the city, earlier committed followed by apologies
the part of the enemy Those vexations was willing to
put down the imbecily of the Government and waived
pointed demands of reparaon while any hope remained of
satisfactory termination Of the But the 5th and
fully the 9th, learned that as the uina-
tum had been considered in grand council of Ministers and
Others President Santa Anna, the 4h 5h, without
giving me the slightest notice. actively recommended strength
ening the military defences the city, gross violation of
the Sd article Of the amistice.
On that information. which has received the fullest
verfcaton addressed to him my of the 9th. His re-
ply dated the day, received the morning,
soutely and VIGOROUSLY FALSE both in recminaon and
PLANTATION. enclose copies of both papers, and had no
subsequent correspondence with the enemy.
Being delayed by the Of the armscc than two
weeks, had now, late the 7h to begin reconnore
the different approaches to the city, within reach before
could lay down any de6nitive plan Of attack.
Tie afternoon large body Of the enemy disco
vered lowering about the onos del Reg, within mile and
third of this village where quartered with the general
staff and Worth's division.
II might have been supposed that attack upon us was
intended but knowing the great value the enemy those
mills (onos del Rey) containing foundry, with
large deposte of powder in Casa Mata near them and
having heard days before, that many church bells had
been sent out to be cast into guns the enemys
easily understood and resolved once to drive him
early the next mornings to seize the POWDER and destroy
the foundry.
Another motive for this decson-eaving general plan
Of attack upon the city for full that
we knew recent captures had LEFT the enemy not fourth
of the guns necessary arm the time the strong
works at each of the eight city gates and could not cut
the communication between the capital and the foundry with
out first taking the formidable castle the heights OF Cha
pultepecs which overlooked both and stood between.
For this difficult operation not entirely ready
and, moreover might altogether neglect the castle, if
then hoped reconnaissance should prove that the dis
tant southern approaches to the city were more eligible than
this southwestern approach.
Hence tho decision promptly taken, the execution of which
assigned Breyet Major General orh, whose division
reinforced with Cadwnades brigade Of Pillows division,
three squadons Of dgoops under Major Summer, and
heavy guns Of the segean under Captain Huger Of the
ordnance Captain Drum Of the 4th artlerytwo officers
of the highes, merit
For the decisive and brian, results beg to refer to the
report Of the immede commander, Major General Worth
whose Communications Of the gallant officers and men,
dead and living, heartily concuri having Witnessed but
with ulc interference, their noble devotion to fame and
country.
The enemy having several times reinforced his line and
the action soon becoming much general than had
pected called up, from the distance Of three miles, first Ma
Tor General Pillow with his remaining brigade (pierces)
and next Rcys brigade Of Twggss divisionleating his
other brigade (snths in observation San Angel Those
corps approached with zeal and rapdity but the battle
won Just Bgade General Pierce reached the ground and
had eposed his corps between Garlands brigade (Worhs
diysion) aud the ctreating enemy.
The accompanying report mentions, with just commenda-
ton my volunteer ads-Msjor KIRBY, paymasier, and
Major Gaines, Of the Kentucky volunteers also had the
yauabe services the field of several Other officers
Of my stall, general and PERSONAL---VERY. Col Hitchcock,
acting inspector general Captain f. Lee engineer Cap
tain IRWIN chief quaTtcnaser Captain Grayson, chief COM
mssayy Captain ii. H. Scott, acting assistant aduisnt gem
Lieutenant Williams ad-dc-camp; and LleuienantLay
military secretary.
have The honor to be- sir with high respect your most
oAcIieut servant, WINFIELD SCOTT.
The Hon, WV. L. NANCY, Secretary Of War.
Report Of Brcrct HGjor General Uorth.