Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-12-02

again supported by clOOdS OF cavalry at hand
and lowering in view. Consequently no de-
cided impression could be made by daylight on
the enemy's most formidable position, because,
independent of the difficulty Of the ravine, our
infantry, unaccompanied by cavalry and arti-
lery could not advance in column without being
moved down by the canister Of the batteries,
nor advance in line without being ridden over
BY the enemy's numerous cavalry. All onr
corps, however, including Magruder's and Cal
lenders last batteries, not only maintained the
exposed positions early gained, but all attempt
ed charges upon them, espectyely-particu-
larly on Riley, twice closely engaged with cav
airy in greatly superior numbers-were repuls-
ed and punished.
From an eminence, soon after arriving near
the scene, observed the church and hamlet
Of Contreras Cor Ansalda) on the road leading
up from the capital, through the entrenched
camp. to Magdalena, and seeing at the same
time, the stream of reinforcements advancing
by the road, from the city, ordered Through
Major General Pillow Col. Morgan with his
regiment. the 18Th. till then held in reserve by
Pillow, 20 move forward. and to occupy Cou-
.reras OF Ansada- being pursuaded, if oecu-
pied, it would arrest the enemy's reinforce
men,s and ultimately decide the battle.
Riley was ALREADY on the enemy's left, in
advance of the hamlet "A few minutes later,
Brig Gen. Shields. with The volunteer brigade
New York and South Carolina regiments
Quitman's division coming up under my Or
ders from San Augustin, ! directed Shields to
follow and sustain Morgan. These corps, over
the extreme difficulties Of gronnd-partially
covered with low forest-before described.
reached Coutreras, and found Cadwalader's
brigade in position, observing the formidable
r.ovement from the capital, and much needing
the timely reinforcement.
1t was already dark, and the cold rain had
begun to fall in torrents upon our unsheltered
Troops; for the hamlet, though strong defen~
sive position. can hold only the wounded men,
and, unfortunately, the new regiments have
little or nothing to eat in their haversacks.-
Wet, hungry, and without the least possibility
of sleep, all our gallant corps, learn, are fall
of confidence, and only wait for the last hour
Of darkndss to gain the position whence to
storm and to carry the enemy's works.
Of the seven officers despatched, since about
shutdown, from my position. opposite the enc
my's centre, and on this side Of the field Of
rocks and !ava-to communicate instructions
10 the hamlet-nOt one has succeeded in get
ting through those difficulties, Increased by
darkness. They have all returned. Bat the
gallant and indefatgabe Captain Lee. Of the
engineers, who has been constantly with the
operating forces, is just in from Shields, Cad
walader &c.. to report as above, and to ask
that a powerful diversion be made against the
centre Of the entrenched camp towards NOM
ing.
Brigadier General Twigg., cut off, as above
from the part of his division beyond the i'm
practicable ground land Captain Lee, are gone,
under my orders, to collect the fosces remain
ing on this side, with which to make that d.
version about five o'clock IN the morning.
And here will end this report. commenced
at it's date, and. in another, continue the mar
rative Of the great events which then impen-
ded.
have the honor to be, sir. with high res
pect, your most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. VIM L. MARCY, Sec'ry Of War.
(Duplicate.)
No. 80. H'Da'Rs OF THE ARMY,
Tacubaya, at the Gates of Mexico,
August %. l847.
Sir: My report. No. 81, commenced in the
night of the 10Th inst, closed the operations Of
tue army Will lHdt Jay.
The morning of the Goth opened with one OF
a series Of unsurpassed achievements, all In
view of the capital, and to which | shall
give the general name-battle Of MEXICO.
In the night Of the 18th, Brgadier General
Shields. P F. Smith, and Cadwalader, and
Colonel Riley, with their brgades, and the
18th regiment, under Colonel Morgan. de-
tached from Brigadier General Pierce-f"und
themselves in, and about, the important posi-
tion-.he village, hamlet or hacienda. called
ndifferently, Contreras, Ansalda, San Geroni'
mo-half a mile nearer to the city than
the enemy's entrenched camp, on the same
road. towards the factory Of Magdalena.
That camp had been, unexpectedly, our for
midable point of attack the afternoon before
aud we had now to take it, without the aid o
cavalry or artillery, or to throw back our ad
vanced corps upon the road from San Augustn
to the city, and thence force passage through
San Antonio.
Accordingly, to meet contingencies, Maj o.
General Worth was ordered to leave, early ii
the morning of the Goth, one of his brigades t
mask San Antonio, and to march, with thu
other. six miles, ria San Augustin-replacine
for the moment, the garrison of That important
depot with Harney's brigade of cavalry, az
horse could not pass over the intervening
rocks, &C., to reach the field Of battle.
A diversion for an earlier hour Daylight,
had been arranged the night before, according
to the suggestion of Brigad:er Ger sfal Smith
received through the engineer, Captain Lee
who conveyed my orders to our troops remain
ing on the ground opposite to the enemy's cen
tre-the point for the diversion or real at
tack, as circumstances might allow.
Guided by Captain Lee. it proved the lat
ter, under the command Of Col. Ransom OF the
9th, having with him that regiment and some
companies Of three others-the Sd, 18th, and
rifles.
Shields, the senior officer at the hamlet
having arrived in the night, after Smith had
arranged with Cadwalader and Riley the plan
of attack for the morning, delicately waived
interference; but reserved to himself the double
task of holding the hamlet with his two regl
ments (South Carolina and New York volun-
teers) against ten times his numbers on the
side Of the city, including the slopes TO ms
left, and, in case the camp in his rear should
be carried, to face about and cut off the flying
enemy.