Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-10-26
THE Late ssattIes in Mexico.
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fFrom Tie .Nep Orleans DelG.]
70 the following letter 0! our correspondent
"Mustane," VIC re'ef the reader for idller details
of The bal,les OF The 18th AND l4,h of September,
lS47.
Cry OF Mexico, September IS, 1877.
Having sen. YOU By two ouriers 4 detailed ac-
counl Of the operations oil our army SINCE 'he
conclusion of The armisiice, bur tearing mat my
frs, accounts have not reached you, | scna you a
.ho-, synopsis. together with a list of the killed
and wounded. also enclose TO you the PROPOSE
,ions OF MIR. Tfist TO the Mexican Government,
and the counter proposition presented by them, To-
ge,her with the correspondence connected there
with. ~
The Mexicans having repeatedly violated The
armistice agreed upon between our army and
themselves, General Scott, on The 6ih, notified The
Mexican authorities that unless lney made ex-
nlanarion. satisfaction and reparation for the in
lures we had sustained, they should consider the
armis,ice at an end ON the 7th, al II o'clock. They
no, complying with the demands Of General
Scott, we commenced preparations for The auack.
The Generai.in Chief received Information
that at Molino del Rey, where stood several
buildings, The Mexicans were at WORK cas.'hs
cannon, shells, shot, SC. Desiring 10 sop lhelr
military operation, he directed General worm,
with his division. supported BY General Cadwa-
laders BRIGADE. 10 attack and destroy The place,
IN The morning of The 9Th, and then retire. The
hr;ld;nos which The Mexicans call Casa Mata,
are situated on The West side OF Chapultepec, and
within six pound range otlhe guns OF the lott. On
the Yves, side OF The buildings, andtbe breaslwoIks
around them is a large open plain, gradually de-
scendiIg 10 the position occupied by The Mexicans;
a deep ravine inclines rouad this PLAIN or open
space. until il arrives within about 200 yards OF
the building upon which rested the enemy's right
hauk-,wo "a Founders, belonging 10 Capt. HUI
GERS siege train, were placed IN position 10 batter
Down The breasiworks and buildings, if they were
found To be occupied by a heavy iorce-bu, they
did mol fire but a few shots, before Gen. Worth
adva need his infantry down Inc plain, and attack
ed the enemy's works in The front ana centre
The Mexicans opened upon Them 4 most murder
Gus FIRE from the point attacked, and both their
tanks, which moved down our troops like grass
before the scythe. Many of the best Officers Of
the division were cut down.. and the heavy loss in
the ranks caused the advance 10 waver for a mo-
menI, until the supporting force came up, which
also sustained a severe loss A column of lam
GERS. numbering 1000 10 5000, which were sta
TONED on the enemy's right, perceiving The effect
Of this deadly fire on our infantry, came charging
down in The hope OF being able 10 take advantage
OF circumstances and put our troops 10 rouI-but
they were soon checked in their onward career.
Col. Duncan brought two pieces OF his battery 10
bear upon them, and Capt.. Drum, with the Two
fecaptured Buena Visa pieces, also opened his fire
on them; while at the same moment Maj. Sumner,
with two sQuadrons OF dragons and Capt. Ruff s
company OF mounted rifles, which, until then, had
been held in reserve, passed down under The fire
from the enemy's works, and charged The head
Of their column, which they could no, stand for a
moment, and commenced a confused and pre-
cipitous retreat. After that, they rallied twice,
and attempted 10 return, bul al each time our lit
lie handful oil dragons made them leave without
z-.L.nr;nr 30 r1,. uhiio the Cavalru q md tho in
fautry. rallying, succeeded in carrying the build
ipes aud breasIworks which the enemy held
and compelled them 10 retreat-capturins seven
pieces OF artillery, a large quantity OF ammuni
lion, small arms, &C., and about 600 prisoneIs.-
As soon as they were driven from the buildings,
Capt. Drum and Col. Duncan advanced their
light batteries, and Lieut.. Stone brought torwar I'd
one of The "a pounders, The whole of which open.
ed a mos. destructive fire upon them, as they re-
treated across a low plan 10 The rear OF The posi-
lion they at first occupied. Our loss was very
heavy, and l regrr. 10 say, that some OF The very
pest officers OF ouI army tell killed and wounded.
while The Mexican loss was very slight until they
commenced their retreat. While the cavalry
were passing in front OF The enemy, in order 10
charge the column Of ~lancers, they were not un-
Der the fire more than ten seconds, ami during
that time they sustained a loss OF six officers
wounded, thirty-two privales killed and wounded,
and a loss OF los horses. There were bat two
officers that did not have their horses shot under
xhem-but there is one thing very remarkable
that The horses from which the riders had been
shot wheeled and moved with the same regulari.
iy as though they had been mounted, until they
came 10 halt from the charge when they all kept
on in a body in direction oil the enemy.
We were deceived in reference 10 the charac-
ter of The buildings, as there was no foundry, or
even q semblance of one-and after blowing up
some Of The buildings, and bringing of our killed
and wounded, we evacuated the place, as the &C.
c~upation OF il would give US no advantage. Onr
loss was 800 killed, wounded and missing.
The result OF this engagement taught US one
lesson, which was, tina, the Mexicans use their
arms we'll, and fight well, when they are in posi-
lion; and although the superiority OF our arms
and the valor OF The troops will eventually tTi.
umph, yet still we must call into reqnisilion all
our military science and skill, or we purchase
our victories at too dear a price. A list OF the
killed and wounded, you will find in the general
. recapiiusaiion which | send you. Many n tear
will IT, shed on its perusa!, and many a heart will
bleed for The noble souls, AID the old and firm ve-
gefans VIVA iell in the assault.
Col. Riley was now advanced from San An.
gel, This former camp TO FL Piedad, in order 10
make a diversion, and hold The entrance TO the
Piedad and San Antonio road. Gen. Pillows
division moved up 10 within supporting distance,
and thus rested our army until The lilh, without
any thing Of moment occurring. The engineer
corps were busily employed night and day in
their reconnaissance. ascertainins aud examin-
ing The positions Of The enemy, au, The different
entrances 10 The CITY. The engineers, through.
out all our operations, have performed a mosl
dangerous and lahorionsdu,y. They have prov
ed themselves Ia be men OF sterling worth-ol
mastery ability, and bright rnamenl OF their
profession There was a little incident which
occurred IL captain Mason in one OF his recon
noisances, wairh is worthy OF record. 1t became
necessary, OF one occasion, for hln 10 go very
close 10 The enemy's breas,workiiS order 10 as.
certain its Irae position. As he approachsd, a
Mexican officer rode ont with Two Of his escort,
and came up within a very short distance, when
Captain Mason drew his revolver. The Meyi.
can then in Spanish salutcd "Good morning.
The Captain responded. The Mexican then
said, "You seem TO be very curious; suppose
YOU come a little closer" mo, ] thank you, sir
lean see very well from where | am" "Waia
inside, sir-we will endeavoE 10 treat you as
well as The accommodations oil The camp will
enable u.s." III am much obliged 10 you, sir,
for your kindness, but prefer parlaking of your
hospilalilies on some future occasion" and
holding his spy glass 10 his eye, he continued, 81
only wan. al the present to see how yon are stu
ated. | can see two guns in embrasu,,, one i'll
barbe', and | think you have one emhfasure = lit
lie further TO The LETT. That gun | see your ,neI
loading | do not think you will be aoie ~ bring
to bear ON me, as | will keep you between it ano
myself" and, moving round a LILLE 10 The right
he continued his observations. One OF the es
coa then spoke in English and said, You do
rascal, you know better than to come in here
II was 10 ge, hold Il of you, I'd cut your Dc
throat" Capt. Mason then said TO the officer
THAT fellow of yours speaks very good English
but he makes very bad use OF II, and his scurril
iy is in striking contrast with your own respect
ful language. Ii we had him in our camp, We
would leach him to be more respec full" The
Mexican officer then rode off 10 one side. Cap,
Mason who had been making his observation
during the whole time Of the con versalion, said t
the officer, 81 have no desire at present TO bt
brought within the range of your guns, and hay
ing learned all | want TO know about your posi-
tion, | will bid you good morning. sin" and Their