Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-09-24

non IN position but at a council held ut nlght, II was
determined upon To attack them the following day.
In the mean tim,, while this reconnaissance was IN
progress, Gen. Worth had established his hcadqia, tbs
at the hacienda OF Carrera. while from tn" windows
countless numbers OF the enemy could be seen at woik
upon the batteries OF San Antonio. About noon tney
opened upon the hacienda with both round shot and
shell, nearly every one of which took effect, bn, with
ont doing other injury than to tue building. Lac IN
the evening the batteries again opened, but with no
other result than showing the position OF the different
guns. For q marvel, the batteries were silent during
the night. Had the fire been kept up, the hacienda
might have been torn in pieces, and the entire com.
mand compelled to retire. Before going further. 1t
lnny be well to state that Mexico lies about uille
miles nearly north OF San Augnstin, that san Antonio
/: about three miles i'll the same direction, while the
point occupied by Gen. Valencia, near Contieias, Tor
he had command oil that place, is at least three miles
III n straight line, and III II direction nearly W 81. II
was ten miles, the way many OF our troops hnd 10
march, for you cannot imagine II more rough, uneven
aud Jagged slriace.
Ats o'clock on the morning of the 10Th the batteries
again opened on Gen. Worths position at the hacIen-
ia liear san Antonio, the balls crushing through Tue
walls, and filling the rooms with fragments oil plaster
and broken furniture. Shells also burst in the air over
the building, and the pieces dropped among the men
stationed in the rear. SO hot was the IRE, ullt the
troops were obliged to gain shelter behind the building
but still did not give up the position. About y o'clock
the divisions OF Generals PilioS aud lwiggs were or
drred to advance in the direction OF C,ontteias, ana by
one IN The afternoon were IN pam sighi ol Tue eheiny ;
batteries, and within range ol his heavier guns. Inc
brigade OF Gen. Z. +. S.nlth WIS ordered 10 advance
directly towards the cncmy's works, whil that oi Col.
Riley moved towards a snail village to the flght, WIN
orders 10 gain the main road, ana tnus he enaoled 10
cut oil any reintOtccincnts which might be sent 10 Va
lcncla from the city. An incpss1nt ilrlng oil cannon
was opened upon the advance ct Gen. smith, and soon
the Rifles were engaged in skirinisling with the pick
ctso ii the enemy, ani driving them IN. The l2-poun.
der battery OF Captain Nagru Ter was pressed forward
with all speed, as was also the rocket and mountain
hOwitzrr battery, now commanded by l!ent. Canell-
der OF the Ordnance Department. As soon as they
| rprij rain "A nlGitIgo tItgV nu,tipI IuOl the enemy.
but were So much exposed 10 a ire from heavier guns,
that they were soon sIienccd. Licut. Johnson, OF tile
list Artillery, but attached t. NnGtudcr's battery, was
nlortaiy wounded, while Lieut. Calender was severe
~ wounded in both legs. AT 3 o'clock the brigade OF
Gen. Cadwailadcr was ordered out to support Colonel
Riley, heavy endorsements being seen on their way
out from the city, while Gen. PIerce's brigade was
sen, TO sustain Gen. Smith. The firing from the bat
,ercs OF the enemy continued inccssant, while from n
hill just outslic the range OF their guns, the spectacle
was most grand and imposing.
At about / O'Clock, Gen. scott arrived, and seeing
the immense strength Of lte MeAicnns, at once order
ed Gen. Shir.ds's brigade from san Aucu,tin-a part
OF Gen. Qgjtman's coinmand-to the right, to support
Riley and Cadwailaler, and prevent, II possible n
julciurc ct the forces coming out nom the city with
those Of Valencia. Bat lew oi the movements of oul
own troops. could be seen from the hill where we
were posted, owing 10 tie dense chnpdrial, sharp rocks
AMI ravlnes but net a motion OF the enemy but was
plainly visible The order OF battle Of Valencia wa;
certainly most imposing. Infantry were seen drawn
UP 10 support the bIIteries-whi.e long lines OF the
eaeny's cavalry were Stationed in the rear, as i
aYai,iur the shock Of battl.. Two sernrata CHARGE,
OF lie latter were distinctly spen reu'Iised bv Col
Riley, who had moved his briroLe nj ONE time To n
/ rosilion rartiqilv in Tie rear 6t iIe rnetny's work
( CuL. Harley was eycceIiurly nnyiops 70 march hi.
cavalry - liz. scene of action. hit /, vns oeemed Mt.
terry igprncticabie. The nature Of III. Ground wa.
such, tn, the infantry even had rreat difficulty IN
EnG,ie the wny ocros: tie no9,eoal. ms ii. llryicau.
term It--ground covered with sharp, lagged rocks.
Chtt night had fairly closed in, the t,e from the
encmy's batteries did not slackcn-it had been a con.
tlnuOIs roar Tor nearly six hours. Gen. Scott retired
TO san Aiglstm abOi. \ O'Clock, and in the midst OF n
hard rain, which iind Just commenced ialiilg, Gene.
rails Iwlgys and Pillow came in about II o'clock
wet nnd completely exhausted. 1t was impossible Il
use hoises on tHc rough and exceedingly broker
grouhd on which they had been operating Tor nearly
twelve h,us. Not ai,iiclpntiut thc immense st.cngt.
OF the worhs OF the enemy, or tc almost iuslrmol It.
able dliii utics OF r|eachinL them, it l,l been at lis
tIouIht that tir b%litries woul he tai'u alta dtsl
an tllt inc t.oops w,lti he all comfort ,ulv q|iaftele,
III : ~ AlIi iuc the nl.lt. il.tca OF tlUs,a large
porii N %. lian ware c1up.licI to hivuulc. willou'
b.ila 'ts, il the mi list oi a p.tiirsS ram. AID on lTuuu.
wl.Ir Ia y cont nJtcyrn stretch themselves out
a III to tus. the p.o.iicrts ct - morrow were la
irD!n differing were enough to DIS nay any but tn.
81 'ni'st 'iearts-;lat the en"sly wyu!I doubtless rem
ioict an sire gtlrn his works IuriIG TIE nilai, hiv
IN! every suJ'rIo'Ity il klo~,elIr oi the goon I'll
Aiingam II tas, tat II. inri were " ak ned iy
IJiL cAcrtions, want OF tool, ani chilled by iac con
u1u N niLtt ram, AM M MT sIynt too muc.i Il
hsft tn1i the bivnuac Oi the lJul oi August was
g'oo'n. II the extreme.