Tri-weekly journal., 1847-10-19
were also captured, though large numbers were


Thus ended the glorious battle of Contreras,
in which 2000 men, under GeneralP. +. Smith,
completely routed and destroyed an army of
5000 men. under Gen. Valencia, with Santa
Anna and force of &c, 900 men within five
miles. Their army was so completely routed
that not $50 men rejoinedSanta Anna and par
, ticipated in the second battle. Most people
would have thought that a pretty good days
work. Not so. We had only saved ourselves.
not conquered Mexico, and mems work was be-
fore us yet.
At s A. NJ, we formed again, and General
Twiggs having taken command, we started on
the road to Mexico. We had hardly marched
a mile before we were sharply fired upon from
both sides of the road, and our right was de-
plored to keep the enemy in. We soon found
that we had caught up with the retreating par
ty, from the very brisk firing in front, and we
drove them through the little town of San An
gelo, where they had been halting in force
About half mile from this town we entered
the suburbs OF another called San Katherine,
when large party in the church yard fired on
the head of the column, and the balls came
right among us. Our men kept rushing on
their rear and cutting them down, until dis
charge of grape shot from large piece in front
drove them back to the column. IN this short
space of time five men were killed, ten taken
prisoners, and a small color captured, which
was carried the rest of the day.
Meanwhile Gen. Worth had made demon
stration on San Antonio, where the enemy was
fortified in strong hacienda; but they retired
on his approach to Churubusco, where the
works were deemed impregnabe. They con-
sisted of fortified hacienda, which was sur
rounded by a high and thick wall on all gides.
Inside the wall was a stone building, the roof
ofwhich was atand higher than the walls
h0ua all thtc cfO Church still bIOhQr
than the rest, and having large steple. The
wall was pierced with loop holes and so arran-
ged that there were two tiers of men firing at
the same time. They thus had four different
rangers Of men firing at once, and four ranks
were formed on each range and placed at such
height that they could not only overlook all
the surrounding country, but at the same time
they had plunging fire upon us. Outside the
hacienda, and completely commanding the av-
enues Of approach, was field work extending
around two sides of the work and protected by
deep, wet ditch, and armed with seven
large pieces This hacienda is at the commence
ment of the causeway leading to the western
gate Of the city, and had to be passed before
getting on the road. About 300 yards in the
rear of this work, another field work had been
built where cross meets the causeway, at a
point where it crosses a river, thus forming a
bridge head, or tcte de pOnt. This was also
very strong and armed with three very large
pieces Of cannon. The works were surround
ed on every side by large corn fields, which
were filled with the enemy's skirmishers, so
that it was difficult to make a reconnaissance
1t was therefore decided to make the attack inn
medately, as they were full of men and exten
ded for nearly mile on the road to the city
completely covering the causeway'
The attack commenced about p. M. Gen
eral Twiggs' division attacked on the side to
wards which they epproached the fort, j. c. oP
posite the city. Gen. Worths attacked the
bridge head, which he took in about an hou
and half; while General Pillow and Quitmal
were on the.extreme left, between the cause
way and Twiggs' division. The Rifles wer
on the left and in the rear of the work. entrus
ted by Gen. Scott with the task of chargin,
the work in case Gen. Pierce gave way. Tn,
firing was tremenduous-infac fact one continued
roll while the combat lasted. The enemy
from their elevated position, could readily Sc,
our men, who were unable to get clear view
from their position. Three of the pieces wer
manned by "the Deserters," body of abou
100, who had deserted from our army durin
the war. They were enrolled in two compa
MES, commanded by deserter, and were bette
uniformed and disciplined than the rest of tn
army. These men fought most desperately ant
are said not only to have shot down several o
our officers, whom they knew, but to have pul
led down the white flag of surrender no les
than three times.
The battle ragged most furiously for abou
three hours, when both sides having lost agrea
many, the enemy began TO give way. As 500
as they commenced retreating, Kearney'
squadron passed through the tete dc pont, an
charging through the retreating column, pursu
ed them to the very gate of the city. As the
got within about 500 yards of the gate, the
wee opened upon with grape and canister, an
several officers wounded. Amongst the nun;
Der was Capt. Keaney, lst dragons, who los
his left arm above the elbow LIT. Graham, c
New York, received severe flesh wound i
his Sbt Isft Hs gse. GaRt MtsRsyYa Mtap. Ydhnst. &C.
Consisting OF Mems Kip Boots, Calico, tine French
Calf Water Proof do, and u general assortment of
of coarse Boots.
Also, a good assortment Of fine Calf Monroes, and
a general assortment of Brogans. Boys and youths
Kip and Calf Boots, BrOgans and Monroes.
Also large and splendid assortment of Ladies'
OF s.sNs,sAaas si itZ 4XaLllIla Ssla-ts.s
wounded at ll50, besides officers. The Mex
can loss is 500 killed in the second battle, 10
wounded, and 100 prisoners, exclusive Of Of
hcers. Three more generals were taken, anon
them Gen. Rincon aud Anaya, the provisions
President; also Is pieces of cannon, and an im
mense amount of ammunition and stores. Sar
ia Anna in his report, states his loss in kille
wounded and missing. at II 900. He has onl
$4,000 left out Of 10000, which he gives as hi
force on the Goth in both actions.
rb,,e dad tho Ro4fIs ofC