The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-09
The na,tIes OF ,he eIty or Me.ieo.

was addressed TO Spanish house In this city. We
see no reason 10 doubt either its authenticity or its
general accuracy Aud il Is ieariuly interesting not
only as vivid description of the combat, but as evil
dence of the desperate enacity with which the Mexi-
cans adhere TO the defence of their country-ust as
Americans would do and be urged TO do II their conn
try was invaded. If this letter tells the truth, the
question may well be asked, "What has become of
the "peace party in Mexico of which we have heard
so muchPt IN Y. Com. Advertiser
Cry OF MEXICO, 18th Sept. 1647
Respected Friends IL have an opportunity to send
by the courier who leaves tonight, this letter, In
which shall briefly attempt to describe oyou the
horrors we have Just experienced On the TIN inst.
our commissioners rejected the treaty propositions
OF the American Government, and decided ON resln-
ing the war, Gen. Herrera inviting and urging the
clergy To rouse the citizens TO the utmost resistance
On the same day General Scott, the American chief
charged Santa Anna with breaking the armstice by
forbidding his commissioners TO obtain food In the
city and threatened, unless reparation was made to
commence hostilities and lombard the city, Santa
Anna replied severely, charging Scott with breaking
the armstice by sacking villages, and expressed
his perfect readiness to renew the war On the 18th
inst. the Americans made demonstration on Cha
putcpec and the mill of FL Rey but our generals were
prepared for them Anticipating breach Of the arm
isce Santa Anna for several days had caused to be
conveyed in every possible manner so as not to excite
suspicion, arms munitions and food to the fortress at
Chapultepec.
ouI ClllLtHS CuTTlcu uHutI 'hCH hiiitics anu oH
mules great quantity of powder balls and provisions
without being once discovered so great was the feel
ing of security and confidence umong the Americans
General Scott not little surprised TO find on at
lacking Chapultepec such obstinate resistance. Cha
pultepcc, you know, is situated between Tacubaya
and the city, within cannon shot of the former and
some three miles from the latter. IL Is u bold hill
overlooking vast range OF country, which enabled
our soldiers to watch every nannuvre OF the enemy
1t also commands the road from Tacubaya to the city,
which close by its base, and 1t can only be
cended by circuitous paved way, which after turn
ing certain angle is exposed to the iull range OF the
guns. AS the Americans assembled the hill n perfect
storm of mllsket balls and grape shot drove them back
with heavy loss They recovered and advanced again.
but were repulsed Our troops fought with desperate
valor worthy of the character OF Mexlcans.
The enemy also fought bravely his men seemed
like SO many devils whom 1t was impossible TO defeat
without humiliation. He made third and last
charge with fresh force and heavy guns and our gal
liant troops having exhausted their grape shot Were
forced very unwillngy to retreat and yield up the
fortress, Of which the enemy took possession Our
soldiers retreated towards the city but were unfor-
tunately cut of by detachpent OF the cncmy's
cavalry, and about 1000 made prisoners, but were
soon released us the enemy had no men to guard
them The enemy then opened his batteries on the
mill ell Rey (Kings mD close upon Chapultepec
which, after obstinate fighting and great loss to the
Americans, we were obliged TO abandon, The two
actions continued over nine hours, and were the
scveres considering our small number of soldiers
and the enemy's large force, that have been fought
Our loss in killed and wounded was not more than
300, while the enemy lost over 400 or at least such
was the report of desertcrs from the American camp
who came To us in the evening.
Seeing that the city would inevitably be attacked
General Santa Anna, during the actions, caused
number of trenches to be cut across the road Lending
to the city, which were flooded with water. On the
morning OF the l4th before day light the enemy, with
part Of his force, commenced his march upon the
city Our soldiers, posted behind the arches Of the
aqnrducts and several breast works which had been
haSii
with the trenches which he had TO bridge over that
he did not arrive AT the gates until late in the after
noon. Here he halted and attempted 10 lombard
the city which he did during the rest of the day and
the day following, doing Immense damage. In some
cases whole blocks were destroyed and great num-
Der of men, women and children We're killed and
wounded, The picture was awful. One deaicning
roar filled our ears one cloud Of smoke met eyes
now and then mixed with flames, and amid it all we
could hear the shricks OF the wounded and DYING
But the city bravely resisted the hundreds Of flying
shells 1t hurled back defiance To the bood-t thirsty
yankee and convinced him that his bombs could not
reduce the Mexican capital.
The enemy then changed his plan and determined
to enter the city, where we were prepared 10 meet
him, having barrcaded the streets with sand bags
and provided ON the house tops and at the windows
alwho could bear arms or hurl missiles, stones, bricks
&C., on the heads Of the enemy. Before Gen. Scott
had fairly passed tho gates he found the difficulty of
his position. perfect torrent Of balls and stones
rained upon his troops. Many were killed and more
wounded. Still he kept advancing until he gained
the entrance Of Two streets leading direct to the plaza
Finding that he could not oppose himself TO sol
diers, who were all posted out Of sight, and that he
was losing his rapidly, Gen. Scott took posses
sion of the convent of San lsido which extends back
to the centre OF block and at set his sappcra
and miners 10 cutting away directly through the
blocks of buildings.
In some instances whole houses were blown up TO
facilitate his progress; but after several hours he again
emerged into the street, and finally reganed the Plaza
with great loss. On entering the Plaza a heavy fire
was opened on him from the Plaza and Cathedral
which Were filled and covered with our patriotic
troops. Finding himself thus assaulted, the enemy
drew out his force in the Plaza and opened canno-
made on the Palace and Cathedral, firing over one
hundred shots, which did immense damage to the
buildings and caused severe loss of Killed and
wounded Seeing farther resistance useless, sol
ders ceased firing and on the l6 of September (sad
dayO the enemy was III possession of the Mexican
capital Though we inflicted havoc and death upon
the Yankees, we suffered greatly ourselves Many
were killed by the blowngup Of the houses many by
the bombardment, but more by the confusion which
prevailed in the city, and altogether
our killed, wounded and missing since the actions
commenced yesterday, at less than 1000, among
whom are many women and children. .,-
The enemy conlesses loss of over l000-it is no
doubt much greater What calamity But Mexico
will yet have vengeance God will avengc us for our
suiierngs Alas that should write this letter with
in sight of proud enemy who has succeeded by his
crocity in trampng on our capital and our country
An enemy who only prides himself upon shooting
Wch WIN iiiic Dut tIllls IL lS--Wc
are Frustrated, not humbled. We may be forced to
silence, but the first moment that presents us u
chance will be devoted to terrible revenge. Santa
Ana has gone with his generals and all the troops he
could draw OIL TO Guadalupe. He is said to be woun
ded severely We have lost heroic officers and brave
men in these two days. cannot foresee what is to
come. Thousands are gathering upon the hills and
around the city, determined TO cut of all supplies
and starye the enemy who has audaciously enter
ed 1t, Gen. Scott may yet find that Mexico is not
vanquished He may find our lakes bursting their
barriers and filling this beautiful valley, TO mnhate
the Infamous Americans. We scarcely hope yet do
not quite despair. Our brave generals may recover
what is lost, and Mexico, with her ten millions of
people, arise to sweep the invader from the land he
has dcsecrated. BE sure that whatever we do in the
way Of submission is only for the moment. No
Mexican will respect, beyond the hour that forces
him to It, any bond dictated by the sword Of an enc
my. My heart is too full Of grief and indignation to
write more,
An AFFECTING ISciDEST.-Passing down Char
tres street, day or two since says the New Orleans
National we were attracted by the appearance Of a
lady dressed in deep mourning, followed by three