The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-26
Battles of COntrer0s and Chur-
nhuScO.

scrIptlon OF the march ana acnleVem6ntS
Of the American Army, under Gen. Scott,
from the day Of its leaving Puebla until 1t
became master of the city of Mexico, will
be read with universal interest.
SAN ANGELO, MEXICO, AUG. 81, 1s47.
We left Puebla on the morning of the
7th, and entered upon beautiful rolling
country Of great fertility, supplying with
is gardens the inhabitants of Puebla with
food, and surrounded by lofty mountains,
some of which were covered with snow.
Our road was gradually ascending, and so
good that on looking back from the head
OF the column our train could be seen for
miles in rear, dotting with its snow-white
tops the maguey-covered plain. On our
left was Popocatapell and Iscatafell, the
snow on their not distant tops rendering
the air quite chilly. Gen. Scott did not
leave with US, but came on the next day
with Capt. Kearney's dragons:
The second days march was like the
first, gradually ascending, passing through
defiIes. narrow passes, and over deep
chasms, where a more determined enemy
might have seriously annoyed US by mere
iy making use of the obstacles Nature
every where presented. Thick woods
of the finest forest trees were abundant,
and the rugged nature Of the country
would readily carry one back TO the
northern parts Of New England or the
passes Of the '.Notch." Here and there
beautiful little lakes were interspersed in
the deep valleys, and the clearness and
coldness of their waters were almost IN
credible.
The third day we were 10 encounter
the mach-vaunied pass of ''Rio Frio,"
and also the passage of the mountain
which was to lead US to the Ell Dorado of
our hopes, the great plain of Mexico. Our
march was to be long and difficult, and
three o'clock saw US under way, with
heart and hopes full of the prospect before
us. The much dreaded pass is reached
and passed The mountains which skirt
the road on the left here close upon II for
about mile, overhanging and enhlading
IT completely, and affording with their
crests most excellent coverings for an en-
emv's marksmen. The newly cut trees
and long range-of breastworks thrown up
on the crest, showed US that preparations
had been made, while numerous parapets
with embrasures in the logs taught US
what might have been done. But no men
were there; the muskets and cannon were
gone. Valencia, with 5000 Mexicans,
was full days march ahead, making tor
Mexico with speed which betrayed
home sickness. Rio Frio was found to
be little stream pouring down from the
Snow mountain, of icy coldness and crys-
tai purity. After slight pause for re-
freshment, we commenced our assent OF
the ridge which separates the plains OF
Puebla and Mexico, the former of which
il had hitherto skirted. For several long
miles we teiled up the Hill, only recon-
Densed for our labor by what we hoped TO
attain at last. When all were pretty
nearly worn out, sudden turn in the
road brought to our view a sight which
hone can ever forget. The whole vast
plain of Mexico was before US. The
coldness OF the air. which was most SEN
siBly felt at this great height, our fatigue
and danger were forgotten, and our eyes
were the only sense that thought of enjoy
ment. Mexico, with its lofty sieeples and
It's chequered dolnes, its bright reality,
and its former fame, lis modern splendof
and lis ancient magniiicence, was before
us; while around on every side lis thou
sand lakes seemed like silver stars on
velvet mantle.
We encamped that night at the base oi
the mountain, with the enemy's scouts
Oh every side of US. The next day we
reached .4yotia, only fifteen miles from
Mexico by the National Road, which we
had hitherto been following. Here we
halted until Generals Quitman, Pillow,
and Worth, with their divisions, should
come up. We were separated from the
city bv the marshes which surround
LgEe Tezcuco, and by the lake iiselt.-
The road is causeway running through
the marsh. and is commanded by steep
and lofty hill called III Pinnot. This
hill completely enflades and commands
the National Road, and had been fortified
and repaired with the greatest care by
Santa Anna. One side was inaccessible
by nature; the rest had been made so by
art. Batteries, in ALI mounting fifty guns
Of different calibers, had been placed on
lis sides; and deep ditch, 24feet wide
and 10 deep, filled with water, had been
cnt, connecting the two parts already sur
rounded by marshes. On this side Santa
Anna had %, eco men against our force
of little overs, COO, all told.
.ssO On the 22d I'VE made a reconnaissance
OF fthe work which was pronounced inn
practicable, as the lives Of 5000 men
would be Tossed before the ditch could be
crossed. We continued our search, and
found another road, which went round on
The left, bat when within FIVE miles OF the
4 III