Arkansas intelligencer., 1847-09-25

strong holds IN towns, villages churches, rocky
cliffs against immense odds. The American Ea-
giles swept over the whole ground driving the dis
persed foe, in the utmost confusion, back to the
city.
Gen. Pierces brigade was engaged, and with it
the 18th regiment of Infantry, composed in part,
Of the Arkansas troops, under Capt. Wood. That
these gallant men behaved well. we have no doubt,
in fact we have assurances that every man done
his duty. We are anxious to see the list of kill
ed and wounded, as VIC have many friends who
were engaged in that glorious conflict for the pos
session of the d" Halls of the Montezurnns.'
Without further introduction we give our news,
which have clipped from the columns of the Lit
| tie Rock Democrat:
From the N. o. Delta, Sept 6th
The steamship Mary Kingsand arrived at an
early hour this morning, from Vera Cruz, bring
ing the particulars of the glorious victory Of Ge-
moral Scott before the capital of Mexico-a con-
densed statement of which will be found below.
On the 18th the head of Gen. Worth's column
arrived at San Augustine, the enemy showing
| himself in great numbers, but during the attack
on the 18th the column moved in the direction of
San Antonio. Capt. Thornton, of the Dragons,
in protecting the Engineers in their reconnaissance
Of the fortiications of San Antonio, was killed
on the 18th, About o'clock heavy rain came
on which completely drenched the troops and
stayed for the day the action Of both armies
During the night of the 18th Gen. Worth's divi-
sions. with part of the Ist Brigade, occupied
the hacienda of San Juan de Dios.
On the 18th, Gen. Twiggs came up with the
advance, Gen. Smiths light brigade advancing on
the left, and Col. Riley's to the right supported
by Capt. McGruder's battery and Lieut.. Cad
wallader's howitzers, which belonged 10 the divi
sion Of Gen. Pillow. The enemy opened his
heavy batteries from Conireres, and the advanc-
ing troops of Gen. Smiths brigade engaged the
enemy's infantry. These two brigudes for moro
than one hour sustained the fire Of D pieces Of
artillery, mostly of heavy oalbre. They were
finally compelled 10 retire after sustaining Il Sc
we're loss in killed and wounded. Gen. Pillow had
ordered Gen. Pierce's brigade 10 the support of
Col. Riley. AT this stage of the proceedings,
while the battle raging, the enemy appeared
on the left of the fort of Contreres, and in rear
Of the village of Ensado, with force of I2,-
600 men, under the immediate command of San
ia Anna.
The 18th Infantry, under Col. Morgan, was
then ordered by Gen. Pillow 10 the support Smith
and Riey's Brigades About this time General |
Scott came upon the ground, bringing with him
Gen. Shields brigade of volunteers, which was |
Immediately ordered to the support of the forces
under Gen. Cadwallador. Gen. Twiggs, as night |
approached, finding it impossible, from the nature
of the ground, to reach his command, fell back |
TO the position occupied by Gen. Scott, and passed
the night exposed to the nclemency of the wea-
ther. McGruder's and the howitzer battery be-
ing disabled, and our left advancing on q road
previously prepared by the enemy, thereby ex-
posing our infantry TO destructive fire as they
approached. McGruder's and the howitzer bat
terries were ordered by Gen. Smith to open, to
attract the attention Of the enemy, while he made
movement TO the right, to try one of the cne-
my's fianks After passing over the broken and
irregular surface of ground, and crossing the deep
ravlnes, he succeeded in reaching the village of
Ensaldo Gen. Smith being the ranking officer.
Gen. Cadwaaier reported TO him with four regi-
ments of Gen. Pillows division. Col. RiIey's
brigade had crossed the ravine, and passed Con-
treres, after strong body of the enemy, which
he drove off. The enemy was now drawn up in
TO line, above the village, on the right of the fort
This was strong position of the enemy.
Gen. Smith now ordered Gen. CadwaIader's
force to DO drawn up on the outer edge of the
village facing the enemy's main force on the left
OF the tort.a After making the proper disposition
of his forces, Gen. Smith now determined TO nj
tack the encmy's right, with Col. Riley on the
lett. Gen. Cadwalader, on the right of the for
mer' returned IN echeon, but before the move.
mont could be completed, night approacbod-the
eneLAy's line could not be seen-therefore tho or.
der was countermanded, Gen. Cadwalader resu
ming his position on tha outer side of tho viaoe
Col. Riley's Brigade was formed in long lane
inside and parallel TO the village, the Rifles on his
left, and the Sd Infantry on the churchyard.-
"But now," says our urcorrespondent, "imagipe the
position OF this portion of the army, numbering
33Oo, at the outside, without artillery or cavalry.
while the enemy in front and on the left had 10.
900 troops, Chose nfie fort said to be the best in
Mexico,) with 32 pieces of artillery, and among
his troops about 1000 cavalry. 1t was evident
that some decisive action had TO be taken: that
some great effort had TO be made and General
Smith and Col. Riley, seconded as they were.
were just the mon competent 10 the task, and an
attack on the main work was determined unon
and the movement &c take place at 2 O'Clock Of
the following morning."
The force of General Smith was not strong
enough to- carry the cnemy's works, and at the
same time to hold possession of the village: but
fortune iaVors the brave; for while he was pre-
Parlng for the attack, Gen. Shields reported his
near approach with the South Carolina and New
York Volunteers. Gen. Shields, though outrank.
ing Gen. Smith, had too much magnanimity 10
assume the command, or to pluck the bright Ian.