Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-12-04
.,......, From the Washington Union,
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES,
~ e w. - q 81
pATrLEs OF coNrRERas AND cHuRupvsco.
Report Of Mej. Gen. Scott.
(Duplicate.) No. 81.

SIR: Leaving competent garrison IN
Puebn, this army advanced upon the CAPT
tol, as follows: Twiggs' division, proceed
ed by Harney's brigade. OF cavalry, the 9TH;
Qutman's division Of volunteers, with
snail detachment of u. S. Marines, The 9Th;
Worth's division, the 9th, and Pillows di
vision, the 1O,h-all in this month. On
the 9Th, overlook, and then continued
with, the leading division. The corps were
at no time, beyond five hours, or supporting
defiance, apart and on descending into the
basin Of the capitol, Us miles from Pueba.)
they became more closely Appropriated
about the head OF Lake Chalco, with Lake
Tescuco a little in front and TO the right
On the 18th and 18Th, we pushed reconnoiS
sdnceS upon the Penon, an isolated mound &c
miles from Mexico) Of great height, strongly
fortified to the top, Is tiers OF works.) and
flooded around the base by the season o.
lains and suicos from the lakes. This
mound, close to the national road, commands
the principal approach to The city from the
east. No doub, it might have been carried
but al a great and disproportiona,e loss.
and was anxious 10 spare the lives OF this
gallant army Tor general battle, which
knew we had to win before capturing the
city, or obtaining the great object OF the
campaign-a just and honorable peace.
Another reconnaissance was directed (he
i3,h) upon MexIcalcingo, to the left OF the
Penon. village at fortified bridge across
the outlet or canal, leading from Lake Joch
imllco to the capltol-fve miles from the
latter. II might have been easy (masking
the Penon) TO force the passage; but on the
other side of the bridge, we should have
found ourselves four miles from the road, on
a narrow causeway, thanked 10 the 'igh,
and left by water, or boggy grounds. Those
difficulties, closey viewed, threw me back
upon the PROJECT, long entertained, OF turn
ing the strong eastern deIences OF the city.
by passing around south OF Lakes Chalco
and Jochimilco, at the foot Of the hills and
mountains, so as TO reach this point, and
hence omnneuvre, on hard ground, though
much broken, TO the south and southwest
OF The capitol, which has been more or less
under our view since the 10Th inst.
Accordingly, by a sudden inversion
Worth's division, with Harney's cavalry
brigade. leading-we marched on the 18th
inst. Pillows and Qni,man's divisions fol-
lowed closely, and then Twiggs' division,
which was LET, till the mex. day at Ayo,la.
in order to threaten the Penon und Mexica!
cingo, and to deceive the enemy as long as
practicable.
Twiggs, Oh the 10th, marching from Ago
TIA towards Chulco, &c miIes) met n corps
Of more than double his Enthusiastically
and infantry-under General Valencia
Twiggs halted, deployed into line, and by
a few rounds from Capt. Taylor's field bat
terry dispersed the enemy, killing or woun
ding many men and horses. No other mo-
!estalon has been experienced, except a
few random shots from guerrlllas, on the
heights; and the march OF 81 miles, over
route deemed impracticable by the enemy,
is now accomplished by all The corps
thanks 10 !heir indomitaie zeal and physical
powers.
Arriving here, the 10Th, WortlI's division
and Harney's cavalry were pushed forward
league, to reconnoitre, and TO carry or to
mask San Antonio on the direct road 10 the
capitol. This village was found strongly de
Tended by iield.wo,ks, heavy guns and MI
m arous garrison. Ii could only be turned
by infantry, to the left, over field OF vol.
canic rocks and lava; for TO our right, the
ground vas to DOGGY. Ii was soou ascer-
aimed, by the dar,pg engineers, Cop,s. Ma.
s"n and Lieu,s. Stevens and Tower, that
the point could only be approached by the
front, over narrow cauaeway, flanked
with wet bitches OF great depth. Worth
was orde el not to attack, but TO threaten
and mask the place.
The first sho, fired from San Antonio (the
l8'h) killed Capt. S. Tn, rnion, Cd Dragons,
"A gallant officer, who was covering The OPP
erations with his company.
The same day a reconnaissance was COM
menced to the left OF San Austin, first over
difficult mounds, and farther on, over the
same field Of volcanic rocks and lava which
extends 10 the mountains, some five miles,
rom San Antonio towards the NJ, gdalena.
THIS reconnaissance was continued, to-day
hy Capt. Lee, assisted by Lieu.s. Beaure
garI ard Tower, all Of the engineers; who
aerr joined, in the afternoon, by Major
Smith, of the same corps. Other divisions.
coming up, Pillows was advanced TO make
IL practicable road for heavy artillery, and
Twiggs' thrown farther in front, to cover
that operation; for, by the partial rec0nnOis
sancs of yesterday, Capt. Lee discovered
large corps of observation IN that direction.
with detachment o! which his supporters
oil cavalry and foot under Capt. Kearney
and Lieut.. Col. Graham, respectively, had
4 successful skrmsh
BY 3 o'clock This afternoon, the advanced
div s ons came to point where the new
read coud only he continued under the dl
rect fire of twenty-five pieces OF the enc
my's artillery, (most OF them of large cali
Dre) placed in n strong entrencbed camp 10