The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-27

VI
Mofat, OF company c, received severe wound in the
leg, but remained duty till rapid advance left him
behind. Lieut. J. r. Clark, commanding company o.
attracting my attention by giving orders in his
usual quiet and temperate manner, when he received
what fear will prove amoral wound Capt }. ID. Bland
ing, of the staff being unmounted, and the command
small attached himself to the company to which ne orlg
nay belonged, and wounded while sharing his for
tune in the honor and danger OF the tight Adutant
James Cantey, in the latter part OF the action, was Sc
verely wounded in the face while extending the orders OF
the commander of the regiment Lieut. Shubrck, OF the
brigade staff, having lost his horse, attached himself 10
company +, where he did duty throughout the engage
Capt Hammond OF the brigade staff at my request, COM
muncaed the orders of the generals directly to the cap
ans OF companies whenever the noise OF the
prevented them from being heard beg leave to &C
knowledge my obligations TO him. and my admiration Tor
his very gallant bearing during the engagement
Very respectfully. yours, &c; n,rvrNSoN
Lieut. Col. Com'dg s., regiment
To Brig. Gen. SHIELDS, com'dg brig. vol div
BRIG. GEN sHIELDs's REPORT.
HEADQUARTERS LIST BRIGADE,
st. Augustin, Mexico, Aug "a, lS47
SIR On the 10th instant about o'clock in the after
noon pursuant to the orders of the general commanding
this division, marched from this place with the New
York and South Carolina regiments of volunteers towards
the battlefield of Contreros On reporting to the com
mander-n chief who occupied, my arrival position
which overlooked the field, he described to me in few
the route OF my command and briefly instructed me to
the dispositions which would render my force the most
serviceable. Directing my march upon the village near
with rocks and crags and filled with chasms which rem
dered the route almost impossible deep ravlne along
the bed of which rolled rapid stream passed after
dark with great difficulty and exerton and to rest the
weared troops after CROSSING directed them to be upon
their until midnight; and whilst occupying this po-
son two strong pckets thrown out by my orders DIS
can infantry, moving through the fields in direction
from their position towards the city have since learn
ed that an attempt had like been made by the
enemy pass the position the main road occupied BY
the lst regiment of artillery and with a like want OF
success thus being foed in his effort to retire during the
night About midnight again resumed the march, and
joined Brgader General Smith in the village already al
luded TO-
General Smith, previous to my arrival, had made the
most udcious arrangements for turning and surprising
the Mexican position about daybreak, and with which
could not wish to interfere This cast upon my com
mand the necessity of holding the position evacuated BY
Gen. s. which was threatened by the enemys artillery
and infantry on the right, and large force OF his cavalry
on the left
About daybreak the enemy opened brisk fire OF
grape and round shot upon the church and village, III
which my brigade posted and also upon a part OF
own troops displayed to divert him on his right and
'front.' evidently of the movement in progress to
turn his position by the left and rear This continued
until Col Rleys brigade opened its fire from the rear
which was delivered with such terrible effect that the
whole Mexican force thrown into the utmost con
stemation At this uncture, ordered the regiment of
my command to throw themselves on the main road by
which the enemy must retire. to intercept and cut OF his
verey during the march of the night and from exposure
without shelter cover the ncessant rain until day
break this movement was executed IN good order and
with rapdity. The Palmetto regiment, crossing deep
ravine deployed both sides the road, and opened
most destructive fire upon the mingled masses of the
fantry and cavalry and the New York regiment, brought
with like effect AT this point many of the enemy were
killed and wounded, and some 365 captured of which
25 were officers, and among the latter was Gen. Ncho
las Mendoza.
In the meantime the enemys cavalry, about 5000
strong, which had been threatening our position during
the morning, moved down towards in good order if
to attack Immediately recalled the infantry to place
in position to meet the threatening movement, but
the cavalry changed its direction and retired towards the
capital now received the order from General Twiggs
advance by the main road towards Mexico, and having
posted Capt. Marshalls company South Carolina volun
teers, and Capt Tayors company New York volunteers
in charge OF the prisoners and wounded moved Oft with
the remainder OF my force, and joined the positions of
the I'd and Sd divisions, already route the main
road On this march were joined by the general in
chief who assumed the command Of the whole and the
march continued uninterrupted until we arrived before
Churubusco Here the enemy found strongly fortified
and posted with his main force, probably $4,000
The engagement was commenced by the "a divisions
under Twiggs joined by the first under WORTH and
was becoming general, when was directed by the COM
mander-n- chief. with my two regiments and Pierce's
brigade the 9th, 18th, and 18TH with the mounted how
zer battery, and ordered to gain aposiiion, possible
to attack the enemys rear and intercept his retreat
Leaving Loonco by left hand road, and moving about
mile upon it. moved thence with my command towards
but swampy field which is situated the Hacienda de las
Poraes the edge OF this field, beyond the hacienda
discovered the road by which the enemy must retire
from Chuubusco, and found his reserve of about 1000
infantry occupied it, just in rear OF the town AS my
command arrived | established the right upon point
recommended by Capt Lee, engineer officer in whose
skill and management ! had the utmost confidence and
commenceda movement to the left to flank the enemy
his right and throw my troops between him and the city
But finding his right supported by heavy body Of cava
~ OF some 5000 strong, seeing that with his infantry
ne answered to my movement by corresponding one
towards his right flank, gaining ground faster than
could, owing to the heavy mud swamp through which
hacienda, determined TO attack him upon his front
selected the Palmetto regiment as the base of nv line
and this gallant regiment moved forward firmly and ram
idly under fire OF muskey as terrible, perhaps as any
which soldiers ever faced The New York l2h and 18th
depoyed CALAMITY the right and the 9th on the left
and the whole advance opening their fire they came
up and moving steadily forward the enemy began to wa
yer; and when my order to charge given the men
rushed upon and scattered his broken ranks As we
reached the road the advance Of Worths command APP
peaed driving the enemy from the stronghold of Chur
busco took command of the 'front.' and continued in
pursuit until passed by Harvey with his cavalry. who
followed the routed foe into the very gates of the city