The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-11-16

the trophies Of Bu.na Vista Col Plympton and Msjor
Banbrdgs with the 7h infantry Is that veteran res
ment deserves be led, aad Capt Norris In commsnd
of the ID infantry brought to share equally With
the others In the honors OF the assault Cspp
Alexandsrs good conduct brought his regiment up most
effectively Major Lorin detached to cover Col riley
left showed only perfect knowledge OF the value OF
his but Inc courage aud activity necessary 70 sss
it effective Lieut. q w Smith, Ia com and Oh tne
nyiueer company, and Lieut. Mcclellan ms suoa'te,h
distinguished themselves throughout the whoie OF tns
three actions Nothing seemed to them too bold TO De
undertaken or too difficult to executed and their
services ginaers valuable asthose they rem
dered in battle at the head Of their gallant Lieut.
Foster being from his company during the &C.
ton at Contreras did not fall under my notice. put IN
the actions the l9th, and at Churubusco, be was
equally conspicuous for his gasntry. In advertng 10
the conduct Of staff wish record particularly my
admiration Of the conduct Of Captain Lee Of the eng
His vsconnofssanees though pushed Tar peyond
the bounds OF prudence we're condurted wth 80 mucn
skill that their fruits OF the utmost value the
o, nus aRa and
the corps rendered the important services
in examining the ground and displayed throughout the
GREATEST galantry To the latter am Indebted
for the knowledge Of the route by which practc bile
the enemys works The accident which separated
the different psits OF the division on the evening OF tue
10TH left its acting assistant adjutan general Lieut. W.
Brooks, with Col Riey's brigade, and its joining
ms he offered his services on my staff / owe him my
thanks for the very efficient aid he rendered and for
his energy and readiness to encounter any
were brilliantly displayed in the course Of the day The
events OF Fort Brown Monterey, Vera Cruz and Cerro
Gordo had slresd afforded to my abide Lieut.
Earl Van Dorm. opportunities of calling forth the COM
mendations of his commanding officers He has not let
the one but though his gaantry was again
shown in personal conflict with the enemy II IS Tar
from being tbs highest quality Of soldier that he pos
ses.es rhe names Of officers who distinguished them
selves in the corps of Generals Cadwasder and Shields
will doubt be found in the reports Of those generals
the headquarters Of divisions to which they properly
belong IL would be for me to sn msrsss sns
entitled themselves to particular mention beg leave
to make the brigade and regimenta reports which
here the names Of those officers mentioned therein
peculiarly deserving praise Capt. Vessels and Capt
den, d. c., (mentioned in I'd brigade report3 Cap
tains sanderson Baokenstos Porter, and Crstenden;
Assistant Surgeon Suter OF the regiment of mounted
rihemsn; Capts. Winder and Nauman; Lieuts Bran
non, Seymour, aud Coppee, and Assistant Surgeon
H. H. Steiner of the ls artillery; Capt Drum and Lieu
tenant Howe and Assistant Surgeon Cuyler Oh the
4th artillery Captains Casey, j. Smith, and Kings
bury Lisatenants Gardner, Lyons, Jones, Jarvis,
rilden, and Davis, Of the I'd infantry; Captains Craig
Van Horne, aud Chandler; Lieutsnans Buel and Rich
ardson aud Assistant Surgeon Kseney OF the ID infant
ry; Captains Ross and Paul, and Lieutenants CAN'T
Tyler and Henry of the 7th infantry But as the bat
terry of Captain Taylor was at Churubusco acting IN
mediately under my own eye and dlspayng from us
gallant commander, down to the lowest commits
stoned officer csonsss and activity under oircpmsssn
ces of the moot extraordinary danger ask leaTe 10
record here besides the names OF its four officers
already mentioned, the names Of sergeents Thomas
Wilson, Patrick Martin, Joseph McGee, Charles kull-
meyer and Corporals Nj Bgeow, John Jones, VIM Bar
bour, and William Jameson In the action at Churu-
lery and Lieut. Hoffman, Ist artillery; and
wounded Captain Craig and Lieut. Buei, 81 infantry
10 the predregal were wounded on the sn' Cspstns
Lieut.. Van Buren,, mounted rihsmen; at Contreras,
Captains Vessels, I'd infantry and Ross, 7th infantry
fantry, were wounded But the victory there, I'M.
portant it is, dearly bought by the death OF
soldier never fell ON battle. aeid-kind in all his
afectionsjust in all his acts-pure in his life ana I'M
movable In his courage he met the prsssns Win tae
dence of Christian.
The force present sids at Contrerss including
General Shields about $3.50 men that Of the enemy
about the works. 600 under Valencia and In their
serve, 49, 900, under the Presdent: Santa Anua
ed but leaving out all those wounded at Contreras VINO
not disabled.
Our loss in killed aud wounded there did not exceed
co. have the honor to be-
Your obd't. servant.
PERSFOR SMITH.
Brevet Brig General.
Lieut. w. T. II. Brooks,
Act'g Assist Adjt Gen. I'd division Of regulars.
HEApquAaTEns VOLUNTEER DIvIsIoS.}
San Augastin Aug 20, ls47
Sir have the honor to enclose the report of Brig
General Shields Of the operations of that portion Of my
division which was actively engaged the recent bat
ties before the city of Mexico
Having been ordered by the General-in-chisf to
main at this point in reserve with remainder of my
division consisting of the I'd regiment un
rnes under Lieut. Colonel watson Captain steptos's
battery and Captain others troop Of dragons have
nothing to add to the enclosed report OF Brig General
ration of the distugushd conduct of that gallant OH
and my appreciation Of the good conduct and gal
antry of the portion of division which had the good
fortune to be actively engaged under his command
The troops which remained ut this place in reserve
their lot during and after the conflicts which
took place before thsci'y Colonel Roberts I'd Pennsy
vanis regiment Lieut. Colonel Watson OF the marines
and Captains Steptoe and Gather asedaousy sai ed
the lsbors and which devolvsd upon me. My
thanks due to LIST Lieut. Lov. acting assistant ad
utap. general and Lieut. Wilcox, my aid for their able
and active performance Of their duties also take this
opportunity of noticing the energy activity, and zeal
with which Captain Daniels the division qu
has performed his duties both the march and while
''' have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,
Your obdt servant,
J. QUITMAN,
Mai Gen. Comdg Vol Divis.
Capt II. l. Scott, A.AAG
HEADauAnrERs 1sr BRIGADE Vol. DrvIsIoN}
San Augustn Mexico, August Oath lS47 )
SIa-On the 18th inst about three O'Clock in the af
enoop pursuant to the orders general command
ing this DIVISION marched from this place with the
New York and South Carolina regiments Of volunteers
towards the battle field Of Contreras On reporting to
the Commander Chief who occupied on my arrival
position which overlooked the field he described to
ia few words, the position Of the contending forces
pointed out the route my command, and briefly in
structed to the dispositions which would render
my force the most serviceable
Directing my march upon the village Coptreras
the troops had to pass over covered with ROCKS
aud crags, and filled with chssms, which rendered the
road almost impossible. deep rugged ravine, along
the bed Of which rolled rapid stream, passed after
dark with great difficulty and exertion and to rest the
weared troops after crossing directed them to lie up
on their arms until midnight. While occupying this
position two strong pcaets, thrown out by my orders
discovered fred upon and drove back body of Mexican
infantry moving through the fields In direction from
their position towards the city have since learned
that an attempt had in like manner been made by the
enemy pass the position the main road occupied by
the LIST regiment of artillery, and with like want OF
success About midnight again resumed the march
and Joined Brgadier General Smith in the village al
ready referred to.
Gen. Smith previous to my arrival had made the most
judicous arrangements for turning and surprising the
Mexican position about daybreak, and with which
could not wish to interfere This cast upon my com
mand the necessity of holding the position to be
evacuated by General and which threatened by
the enemys artillery and infantry the right, and
large force Of his cavalry theleft About day break
the ny opened brisk fire Of grape and round shot
upon It's church and village in which my brigade
posted also upon part Of troopsdsplayed to
divert him on his right and 'front.' evidently 81
the movement In progress to turn his position by tn,
left and rear This continued until Colonel Rlsvl