Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-09-25


General Scott himself accompanied by General
Worth, started for the scene Of action, when
they we're met by Capt Mason with the JOYFUL
Intelligence that Valencia had been completely
routed after short but terrible struggle. The
attack npon his works was planed by General
Smith, and resulted in the capture Of ID pieces
of artillery, some 1900 prisoners--among
them Gen. Blanco, Garcia, Mendoza, aud the
notorious Saas all the ammunition and camp
equppage, While the road along which those
who escaped and fled was strewed with mus
kets No less than 700 Of the enemy, among
them many officers, were left dead on the held
the number Of wounded was undoubtedly lar
greater.
| have no time now to enlarge or comment
upon the we'll paned and brilliant achievement,
but reserving more full description for some
other time, must pass on to other exciting
events. The works at Courtreras completely
in the hands Of the American army, Gen. Scott
at once ordered Gen. Worth to fall back upon
San Antonio, to turn and capture that work,
and then to push on towards the capitol by tho
main road, while the main body OF the army
under Gems. Twiggs, Pillow, Smith, Pierce and
Cadwalader, moved on towards San Angel and
Cohoycan. scarcely had the advance OF Gen.
Twiggs got half mile beyond the latter VII
uge, before rafting fire of musketry announ'
ecu tndt IL was dChVciy ehSoeeo VIZ" Wv WV
posts OF the enemy, and the heavy booming OF
cannon now gave token that the noted ed di.
vision had fallen upon another strong work.
But few minutes more and tremendous fir.
ing from the right, and Immediately in the
main road from San Augustine 10 the capitol.
made 1t evident that Gen. Wor,h's division was
actively engaged He hao completely turned
the strong works Of San Antonio, but while do.
ing so the enemy had abandoned the place with
the loss Of their heavy guns, and had fallen
back uron his second and stronger line OF
works |, was now at the commencement Of
the battle, about one o'clock in the afternoon,
and sure such a rafting Of FIRE arms has sell
) dom or never been heard on the continenut OF
America, accompanied with such booming Of
artillery; and this was continued over hours
and until the enemy was fully routed from eve
ry point, and until those who we're not killed or
taken prisoners were in full flight for the city.
Let me endeavor in words to give the reader
an idea Of the position and works OF the enemy.
As you come along the road leading from San
Augustn 10 the capitol, and Immediately this
side Of the Puente del Rosana, the Mexicans
had thrown up a strong and exceedingly we'll
bull, battery, commanding the road completely.
On the right as you faced the city, stretching
for long distance, was continuous ditch, be.
hind the bank OF which an immense number OF
Mexican infantry were posted. On the lett OF
the tcte de pont, or work at The bridge and about
800 yards distant, was the church Of Churu-
t busco, or San Pablo, strongly fortified with
works for infantry, and also having we'll con-
I struc,ed battery containing number OF guns
J of heavy calibre. This work was little ad-
vanced from the teie de poni, and nearly in
line between it and the village Of Cohoycan.-
j. Further on on the other side Of the work at
S The bridge, and abou, 800 yards from the road,
I, was large building, well adapted for the pro-
e lection of infantry, and in which the enemy
d had also posted an immense body. The ground
in the vicinity Of all these points, was complete
s ly covered with corr, and other fields cut up
# in every direction by wide and deep bitches,
. presented Obstacles innumerable TO the advance
. Of our troops. No reconnaissance Of the posi-
lion of the enemy had been made, and eonse
:. quently its strength could only be ascertained
}. by hard blows and knocks.
:, The division Of Generals Twiggs and Worth
n were at once engaged, the former with the
9 church and strong hold OF Churubusco, and the
It latter with the batteries a, the bridge and in
s the mean time Gen. Shields brigade--the New
It York and South Carolina volun,sers-tog,her
e with the 9th 18th and 18th regiments Of infan-
e try under Gen. Pierce, were hurryug onward
s from Cohoycan to attack the hacienda. Soon
they TOO were engaged, and now the battle be-
e came general The enemy had over 90 pieces
e of cannon, all in admirable position, and served
with more than ordinary skill, while but few
IS of our guns could be brought to bear. The
}, battery Of Capt. Frank Taylor, it is true, open.
S ed we'll directed fire upon Churubusco, but so
It exposed was its situation that it suffered most
If horiobly, both in officers and men.
Y To declbe the fierce conflict, even now that
), two days have elapsed, or to give an account Of
!, the part taken by the differen, regiments, were
t. impossible. From the opening Of The strife up
}. to the time the Mexicans were entirely routed
d and in full flight for the city, was one continu>
:. GUS roar of cannon and musketry, accompanied
j by loud shouts Of the viciors as some new
is vantage ground was gained and high above
A the din rose dense column OF smoke, at times
d completely shrouding the combatan,s. The
/. strength Of the enemy al this battle is known
o to have been 5000 at least, many say 10000,
all fresh troops and 10 position OF uncommon
y strength. Opposed to them were about 5000
n Americans, jaded and broken down by marches
4 and coun,ermarches, and by incessant toll be-
fore the stronghold Of Coutre.as and San Anto.
ohio. Al Churubusco, the Mexicans themselves
, say, Santa Anna commanded in person, but that
. he left early. The noted battalions OF the Hid.
. algo and Victoria, and Of lndependieia-,he
!, Polkus or young men Of the capitol, from whom
n so much was expected-nearly all fled without.
. firing gun.
y In the different works (but mostly in the
!" church) taken by General Twiggs, near 1000
a troops were captured. Among them was Gen.
- Rincon, who commanded IN person, Gen. Anaya