The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-09-21

ed 10 attack them in the morning. While the
reconnaissance was going on, Zen: worm
had established himselfat the Haciendo oil
Burero, IRON the windows OF which. count
less numbers of the enemy could De seen al
work on the batteries Of San ANTONIO; ABOUT
noon they opened upon the Haclehda WIN
both round Shot and shell; nearly every shot
took effect, but did no damage, except 10 me
buildings. Late in the evening they were
again opened. but were silent during the
night. Had the FIRE have been kept up The
Hacienda might have been torn 10 pieces,
and the entire command have been compeI-
ed 10 retire.
At O'Clock on. The morning oil the ISM
the batteries again opened on Gen. worm
position so hot was the fire that Inc troops
were compelled to gam shelter behind Inc
buildings, but did not give up their posiuop
About 9 O'Clock The division oil Twiggs anu
Pillow were ordered TO march in The direc-
lion Of Frontera, and by one in the afternoon
were in plain sight eff the enemy's batteries
and within range of the heavier guns. Inc
brigade of P. w. Smith was ordered 10
small village towards the right, and mus cut
| off reniorcements which might be sent by
Valencia from the city.
An Inccssani fire was opened on Colonel
Smiths command, ard soon Inc hines
were engaged with the pickets oil tie enemy
driving them in. The twelve FOUNDER bat
teries, Of Capt. Magruder, and mountain
howitZer batteries, now commanded by
Lieutenan; Calender Of the ordnance DE.
parlment, were pressed forward and opened
on the enemy but were SO much exposed
10 fire from heavier guns that they were soon
sienced.
Lieuts, Johnson and Calender were Sc
riousy wounded. AT three o'clock. Gen.
Cadwallader was ordered out TO support
[ Col. Riley, reinforcements being seen OIL
their way out from the city; whilst Gen.
Pierce was SET 10 sustain Col, Smith.
The firing from the enemy's batteries was
incessant. About O'Clock Gen. Scott ar
rived, and seeing the immense strength oil
the Mexicans, at once ordered Gen. Shields's
brigade 10 support Riley and Cadwallader,
and prevent. if possible. a junction of the
forces coming out OF the city.
With those of Valencia but few of the
movements Of our own troops could be seen.
but every motion Of the enemy was visible.
The order Of battle Of Valencia was most
imposing. The infantry was seen drawn
up 10 support the batteries whilst long lines
of the pnemy's cavalry were stationed in the
rear as waiting The shock of the balle. Two
seperate charges oflhe latter were distinctly
seen to be repulsed by Col. Riley. Until
night had fairly closed in, the fling from
the eDemy's batteries had not Stacked, il
had been Il continuous roar for nearly six
hours.
Gen. Scott retired to San Augustine about
O'Clock in the midst of hard rain, and General
Twiggs and Pillow came in about ii O'Clock,
completely exhausted, not anticipating the great
strength of the works Of the enemy. 1t was
thought that the batteries could be taken at dash
and that the troops would all be comfortably quar-
tered at San Angel for the night. Instead of this
a large portion of them were compelled TO biv
ouac without blankets, in the midst Of pitiless
storm.
On the Goth Worth was ordered to move with
part ofhis division, Garlands brigade, to aid in
the attack on Valencia for to force this position
was deemed indispensable. At o'clock few
discharges of cannon were heard, rafting of
musketry, and some even said that in the distance
horses of the enemy could be seen flying towards
the city, yet few deemed that the batteries had
been stormed and carried yet
| 1t was so; Gen. Scott himself accompanied
Gen. Worth, and started for the scene of action,
when they were met by Capt. Mason with the joy
full intelligence that Valencia had been completely
routed after q terrible struggle. The attack upon
his works was planned by Gen. Smith, and result
ed in the capture of fifteen pieces of artillery and
some fifteen hundred prisoners, among them Gen
erals Blanco, Garcia Mendoza, the notorious Sa-
las. He also captured all the ammunition and
camp equipage, while the road over which they
who escaped fed, was strewed with muskets. No
less than seven hundred of the enemy-among
| them many officers-were left dead on the field,
whilst the number of wounded was far greater,
and the works of Conteras completely in the pow
er of the American army. Gen. Scott at once or
/ dered Gen. Worth TO fall back TO San Antonio, TO
turn and capture that work, and then push on to-
wards the Capital by the main road, whilst the
main body of the army moved on towards San
Angel and Cohoycam.
Gen. Twiggs had scarcely moved half mile
beyond the latter village, when a rafting fire of
musketry announced that it was actively engaged
with the outpost of the enemy, and the heavy
booming of cannon now gave token that the noted
second division had fallen on another strong work.
A few minutes more and tremendous firing from
the right made it evident that Gen. Worths divis-
ion was actively engaged. He had completely
turned the strong works of San Antonio, but
while doing so the enemy had abandoned the
place with loss of three heavy guns, and had
fallen back on q second stronger line of works
1t was now one O'Clock in the afternoon, and a.
bout the commencement of the battle; and such a
rafting of fire has seldom or never been heard
on the Continent of America, accompanied with
such booming of artillery, and this was continued
over TWO hOurs, When the enemy were completely
routed from every point, and those who were not
Killed or taken prisoners were in full flight for the
city.
The strength Of the enemy at this place was
known to have been at least fifteen and many say
twenty thousand, all fresh troops and in position
OF uncommon strength. Opposed to them were
about SIX thousand Americans, jaded and broken
down by marches and countermarches, and inces-
SAINT toll AT Churubusco the Mexcans say San
I Anna ad in L
ed early
! The young men Of the capital, from whom SO
much was expected, nearly all fled, without firing
a gun.
The loss on our side has fallen most heavily up
on the South Carolina and New York volunteers,
the 9th infantry and Smiths battalion, and the
batteries OF Capt. Magruder and Taylor. The
South Carolina was nearly cut to pieces. Thir
teen Mexican Generals were killed and wounded
More ammunition was captured than Scott has
used since he has been in the country.
! Inc following are the terms of the armistice a
4 rrlfl Nf