Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-19
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
BATTLE OF MOLlNO DEL REY.
REPORT OF MAJOR GENERAL SCOTT.
10. SO. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, !

No. 80. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Tacubaya, near Mexico, Sept. ii, l847
SIR: have heretofore reported that had, Au-
gust 81, concluded an armistice with President
Santa Anna, which was promptly followed by
meetings between Mr.. TTist and Mexican com.
missioners appointed to treat OF peace.
Negotiations were actively continued with, as
was understood, some prospect of successful
result, up TO The ID instant, when our commissioner
handed in his ukimatum ION boundaries and the
negotiators adjourned 10 meet again on the 9th.
Some intraclions of the truce in respect 10 our
supplies from The city, were earlier committed,
followed by apologies, on the par, of The enemy.
Those vexations was willing to put down TO The
imbeciity of the Government and waived point.
ed demands OF reparaton, while any hope re-
manned OF a satisfactory termination OF the war.
But on the 5'h, and more fully on the 9Th, learn
ed that as soon as the uRimatum had been con.
sidered in grand council vi ministers and others,
President Santa Anna, on the 4lh or 9Th, without
giving me the slightest notice. actively recon-
menced strengthening The military defence, of the
city, in gross violation ol The 81 article OF the
armislice.
On that information, which has since received
the fullest yeriication, Addressed him my note
OF The 9Th. His reply, dated The same day, re-
ceived The next morniog, was absolutely and no
toriousy false, both in recrmination and expla.
patton. lenclose copies Of both papers, and have
had no subsequent correspondence with The ene-
my.
Being delayed by The terms of the armislce
more than two weeks, we had now, late on the
7lh, TO begin 10 reconnoi,re the different ap.
proaches TO the city, within our reach, before |
could lay down any defniiye plan Of attack
The same afternoon large body OF the enemy
was discovered towering about the Molinos del
Req, within a mile and third OF this village,
where ! am quarered with the general staff and
WORMS division.
Il might have been supposed that an attack
upon US was intended; but knowing the great
value 10 The enemy Of those mills, (37olinos del
Rey0 containing a cannon foundry, with large
deposite OF powder in Casa Mota near them; and
having heard, two days before, that many church
bells had been sent out TO be cast into guns-lhe
enemy's movement was easily understood, and
resolved al once 10 drive him early The next
morning, 10 seize the powder, and 10 destroy The
foundry.
Another motive for this decision-leayng the
general plan Of attack upon the city for full re-
connoissances-was.ih that we knew our recent,
captures had lett the enemy no; fourth Of
the guns necessary to ann, all al the same lime,
the strong works al each of the eight city gates |;
and we could not cut the com municalion between
the foundry and The capital without frs taking
The formidable castle on the heighs of Chapul;e-
pee, which overlooked both and stood between.
For this difficult operation we were no! entire
ly ready and moreover we might altogether me-
elect the castle, il, as we then hoped our recon-
noi.sances should prove that the distant southern
approaches 10 The city were more eligible than
this southwestern approach.
Hence the decision promptly taken. The cXecu-
lion OF which was assisnedto Brevet Major Gen.
eral Worth, whose division was reinforced with
Cadwalader's brigade oil Pillows division, three
squadrons OF Dragons under Major Sumner, and
sume heavy guns of the siege train under Capt
Huser OF The ordnance, and Capt, Drum of The
4th artillery-two officers of the highest merit.
For The decisive and brilliant results, beg 10
refer 10 the report Of the immediate commander
Major General Worlh-in whose commenda-
lions OF The gallant officers and men-dead and
living-l heartily concur; having witnessed, bn,
with little interference, their noble devotion 10
lame and 10 country.
The enemy having several times reinforced
his line. and the action soon becoming much
more general than | had expected | called up,
from The distance OF three miles, first Maj. Gen.
Pillow, with his remaining brigade (Perce's,
and next Riey's brigade Of Twisgs' division
leaving his other brigade (Smilh's) in observa.
ton, at San Angel. Those corps approached
with zeal and rapidity; bat the battle was won
Just as Brigader General Pierce reached the
ground, and had in.erposed his corps between
Garland's brigade WORMS diysion) and The re-
ueatins enemy.
The accompanying report mentions, with just
commentator, two OF my volunteer aids-Maj
Kirby, paymas,er, and Major Gaines, OF the
Kentucky volunteers. | also had The valuable
services, on The same field, Of several other off,
GERS of my staff, general and personal Lieut..
Col. Hitchcock, acting inspector general; Capt.
K. E. Lee, engineer; Capt. Irwin, chief quarter
master; Capt. Grayson chief ccmmissary; Capt.
II. l.. Scott, acting assistant adjutant general ;
Lieut. Williams, aidde-camri and Lieut.. Lay.
military secretary.
have the honor 10 be. sir. with high respect,
your mos, obedien! servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
The Hon. WIN. L. MARCY,
Secretary Of War;