The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-09-17

direction OF ~bfohheras, and by l O'Clock
in the afternoon were in PLAIN sigh. of the
enemy's batteries, and within sight of the
heavy guns. The brigade of Col. p. +.
Smith was ordered to advance directly
towards the enemy's works while that
OF Col. Riley moved towards a small
village at tue right, and thus cut off rein.
torcements which might be SEM to Va,
lencia from the city. An incessant fire
was opened on Col. Smiths command
aud some ofthe rifles were engaged with
the pickets of the enemy driving them in.
The II FOUNDER batteries of Capt.
McGuires and the mountain Howitzer
batteries now commanded by Lieut.. Cal
lender ofthe Ordinance department were
pressed forward on the enemy, but
were so much exposedto "A fire from heavy
guns that they were soon silenced.
Lieuts. Johnson and Calender were
seriously wounded. At 3 O'Clock Gen.
Cadwallader was ordered out TO support
Col. Riley. Heavy reinforcements hav-
ing been seen on their way out from the
city, while Gen. Pierce was sent to sus.
tain Gen. smith. The firing from the
enemies batteries was incessant.
AT about 4 O'Clock Gen. Scott arrived,
and seeing the immense strength of the
Mexicans, at once ordered Gen. Shields
brigade to support Riley and Cadwalla-
der, and prevent if possible a junction of
the forces coming out of the city.
Coming out of the city with Valencia.
but few Of the movements of our troops
could be seen, but every motion of the
enemy was visible. The order of battle
of Valencia was most imposing. Infan-
try was seen drawn up to support the
batteries, while the long line of the enc.
my's cavalry was stationed in the rear,
as if awaiting the shock of battle. Two
seperate charges were seen to be repul-
sed by Col. Riley. Until night had fair
ly closed on them, firing on the enemy's
batteries had not slackened. 1t had
been a continuous roarfor neal six hours.
Gen Scott returned to San Augustin a.
bout s o'clock in the night, in the midst
OF the hard rain, and Gen. Twiggs and
Pillow came in about IL O'Clock, COM
pletely exhausted; and not anticipating
the great strength of the enemy's works,
it was thought that the batteries could be
taken and that the troops would be all
comfortably quartered at San Angel for
the night. Instead of this, a large por.
ton of them were compelled TO bivouack
without blankets in the midst of a pitil-
less storm.
Early on the goth, Worth was ordered
to move with a part of his Division and
Galand's Brigade, for aid. In the attack
on Valencia to reinforce his position was
deemed indispensable.
AT 7 o'clock the firing of the cannon
was heard and the rafting of musketry,
and some ofthem said that in the distance
the horses could be seen flying towards
the city. Yet few deemed that the bat.
ferries had been stormed and carried
Yet so it was.
Gen. Scott himself, accompanied by
Gen. Worth started for the scene of ac-
ton, when they were met by Capt. Ma
son with the joyful intelligence that Va,
lencia had been completely routed after
a terrible struggle.
The attack upon his works was plan
ed by Gen. Smith, and resulted in the
capture of Is pieces of artillery and some
1900 prisoners-among them Gen. Blan-
co Garcia, Gen. Doga, and the notorious
Sales. He also captured all the ammu-
milton and camp equipage; while the
roads over which those who escaped was
often strown with muskets.
Not less than 700 of the enemy, among
them many officers, were left dead on
the field, while the number wounded
was far greater.
The works of Contreras are completely
in the power of the American army.
Gen. Scott at once ordered Gen. Worth
to fall back on San Antonio, to turn aud
capture that work, and then push on to-
wards the Capitalby the main road, while
the main body of the army pushed on to-
wards San Angel and Choican.
Gen. Twiggs had scarcely moved half
a mile beyond the latter village, when a
rafting fire Of musketry announced that
he was actively engaged with the out
posts of the enemy; and the booming of
cannon now gave token that the devoted
Cd Division had fallen on another strong
work.
A few minutes more, and atremen-
dous firing from tie right made it ev-
ident that Gen, Worth was also actively
engaged. He had completely broken
the strong works of San Antonio; but
while doing So the,enemy had abandoned
the place with loss of their heavy guns
and had fallen back on the second and
stronger line of works.
1t was now l o'clock in the afternoon
and about the commencement of the bat
tie; and such a rafting of fire arms had
seldom or never Been heard on the con
tinent of America, accompanied will
such a booming of artillery; and this was
continued overtwo hours, when the enc,
my was completely routed from every
point, and until those who were not kill
ed or taken prisoners were in full flight
to the city.
The strength of the enemy at the bat
tie is known to have been at least Is, ant
many say 10000, all fresh troops, and il
a position of uncommon strength. OPP