The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-27

ed and fred--frst by Capt. Larkin Smith, and mex
by Lieut.. Smelling, both Of the 9Th infAntry-sey
eral times upbn the convent In the same brie
interval, Lieut.. Col Duncan, (asa OF Worth's d.
vison,) gallantly brought twoof his guns upon The
principal face the work, and on the tower Of tht
church, which, in the obstinate contest, had beer
often re-6ed with some of the best sharp shooter.
of the enemy.
Finally, twenty minutes after the tete de pom
had been carried by Worth and Pillow, and at the
end of desperate conflict of two hours and a hall
the church, or convent--the citadel of the strong
line of defence along the Tivulet of Churubusco--
yielded to Twiggs' division, and threw out, on all
sides, signals OF surrender. The white flags, how.
ever, were not exhibited until the moment when
the Sd infantry, under Capt Alexander, had clear.
ed the way by fire and bayonet, and had entered
the work. Capt. J. M. Smith and Lieut. o. L.
Shepherd, both Of that regiment, with their COM
panies, had the glory Of leading the assault The
former received the surrender, and Capt. Alexan.
der instantly hung out, from the balcony, the colors
of the gallant Sd. Major Dimick, with a part Of
the lst artillery serving infantry, entered nearly
| abreast with the leading troops.
| Captain Taylor's field battery, attached to
Twiggs' division, opened its effective fire, at an
early moment, upon the out-works of the convent
| and the towers oil its churches. Exposed to the
seyerest fire of the enemy, the captain, his officers
and men, won universal admiration; but at length
much disabled, in men and horses, the battery was,
| by superior orders, withdrawn from the action
thirty minutes befare the surrender of the convent.
Those corps, excepting Taylor's battery, belong.
ing to the brigade of Brigadier General Smith who
closely directed the whole attack in front, with
his habtua GOODNESS and ability; while Rileys bri.
gade-the I'd and 7lh infantry, under Captain T..
| Morris and Lieut. Col. Plympton, respectively
vigorously engaged the right Of the work and part
of its rear. At the moment, the rifles, belonging
to Smiths, were detached in support Of Brgadier
General Shields on our extreme left; and the 4lh
artillery, acting as infantry, under Major Gardner,
belonging to Riley's brigade, had been left in
Twiggs' division, at Churubusco, had thus been
deprived of the services Of its most gallant and eff.
fective regiments.
The immediate results of this victory were
| the capture of Z feld-pieces. some ammunition,
one color, three generals, and 26l prisoners, in
cluding other officers.
Captains E. A. Capron and M. Burke, and
Lieutenant S. Hoffman, all Of the LIST artillery, and
Captain J. w. Anderson and Lieutenant Thomas
Easley, both OF the I'd infantry-hve officers Of
great merit-tell gaantly before this work.
The capture of the enemy's citadel was the
fourth great achievement of our arms in the same
day.
II has been stated that, some two hours and a
half before, Pierces, followed closely by the VOL
unteer brigade--both under the command OF Brig
Gen. Shields-had been detached to our left to turn
the enemy's works--tO prevent the escape Of the
garr ons, and to oppose the extension of the enc
my's numerous corps, from the rear, upon and
around our lett.
Considering the inferior numbers Of the two bri-
gades the objects OF the movements were difficult
| tha For ho
rifles, &C., sent forward little later.
In a winding march of mile around TO the
right, this temporary division found itself on the
edge of an open wet meadow, near the road from
San Antonio TO the CAPITOL and in the presence of
some 900 of the enemy's infantry, little in rear
of Churubusco, on that road. Establishing the
right at strong building, Shields extended his left,
parallel 10 the road to outlank the enemy towards
the capitol. But the enemy extending his right,
supported by 5000 cavalry, more rapidly (being
favored by better ground) in the same directian,
Shields concentrated the division about a hamlet,
and determined to attack in 'front.' The battle was
long, hot, and varied; but, ultimately, success
crowned the zeal and gallantry of our troops ably
directed by their distinguished commander, Brig,
Gen. Shields. The 9th, 18th and 18th regiments,
under Col. Ransom, Capt. Wood, and Col. Nor.
gan, respectively, OF Penrce's brigade, (Pillows
division, and the New York and South Carolina
volunteers under Colonels Burnett and Butler, re.
spectively, of Shields own brigade, (Qutman's
DIVISION together with the mountain howitzer
battery, now under Lieut. Reno, of the ordnance
corps, all shared in the glory Of this action--our
fifth victory in the same day.
Brgadier General Pierce, from the hurt of the
evening before-under pain and exhaustion-faint-
ed in the action. Several other changes in COM
mand occurred on this field. Thus Col. Morgan
being severely wounded, the command of the 10Th
infantry devoived on Lieut. Col. Howard; Col
Burnett receiving like wound, the command OF
the New York volunteers fell to Lieut.. Col Bax-
ter; ard, on the fall of the lamented Col. P. M.
Buter--earlier badly wounded, but continuing to
lead nobly in the huttest of the battle--the com.
mand of the South Carolina volunteers devolved--
first, ON Lieut. Col. Dickinson, who being severe
y wounded, (as before in the seize Of Vera Cruz,)
the regiment ultimately fell under the orders of
Major GLADDEN..
Iients. David Adams and w. R Williams of
the same corps, Capt. Augustus Quarles and Lieut.
J. B. Goodman of the 18th. and Lieut.. e. Chand-
ler, New York Volunteers-all gallant officers,
nobly tell in the same action.
Shields took $50 prisoners, including officers;
and it cannot be doubted that the rage of the con-
flict between him and the enemy, just IN the rear
of the tete de pont and the convent, had some in
fluence on the surrender of those formidable de-
fences.
As soon as the tete de pont was carried, the
greater part Of Worths and Pillows forces passed
the bridge in rapid pursuit of the flying enemy
These distinguished generals, coming up with
Brig. Gen. Shields, now also victorious, the three
continued to press upon the fugitives to within
mile and half ofthe capitol Here, Col Harney,
with small part of his brigade of cavalry, rapidly
passed to the front, and charged the enemy up to
the nearest gate.
The cavalry charge was headed by Capt. Kear.
ney, of the lst dragons, having in squadron, with
his own troop, that of Capt Reynolds of the Sd
making the usual escort Of general headquarters;
but being early in the day detached for general
service, was now under Col. Harnev's orders
The gallant captain not hearing the recall, that had
been sounded, dashed up to the San Antonio gate,
sabreing, in his way, all who resisted. OF the
seven officers OF the squadron, Kearney lost his
left arm; McReynods and Lieut. Lorimer Gra-
ham were both severely wounded, and Lieut.. R.
s. Ewell, who succeeded to the command of the
escort, had two horses killed under him. Maj F.
ID. Mills, of the 18th infantry, volunteer in this
oLo ad NJ sha