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

o ascertain the pTacUcaOillty ol uuuln8 todu
~ which the village Of San Angel could be |
reached, and thus turn The strong hold at San
Antonio. This latter party had sharp encoun.
Ter with the advance OF the enemy, the main
body being found posted at strong point not
far from the factory OF Courreras. In the skirnl
sh, some six or eight Mexicane were killed and
as many more taken prisoners-on our side not
a man was touched. The result Of the recon.
noissance proved favorable. 1t was ascerained
that road could be made which would enable
strong batteries at San Antonio, and perhaps
others the enemy might have upon the road be.
tween that and the city OF Mexico. The Next
cans were plainly seen in force at commanding
position near Coutreras and it was evident that
they had number Of cannon in position; but at
a council held at night it was determined upon
to attack them the following day.
In the mean time, while this reconnaissance
was in progress, Gen. Worth had established his
head quarters at the hacienda OF Curera, while
from the windows countless numbers Of the
enemy could be seen at work upon the batteries
Of San Antonio. About noon they opened upon
the hacienda with both round shot and she'll,
nearly every one Of which took effect, but with.
out doing other in jury than to the building. Late
in the evening the batteries again opened, but
with no other result than showing the position OF
the different guns. For marvel the batteries
were silent during the night. Had the fire been
kept up, the hacienda might have been torn in
pieces and the entire command compelled to
retire. Before going further, it may be well to
state that the city of Mexico lies about nine
miles nearly north Of San Augustin, that San
Antonio is about three miles r the same direc
ton, while the point occupied by Gen. Valencia,
near Coutreras for he had command at that
place, is at least three miles in straight line
and in direction nearly west. 1t was ten miles
the way many of our troops had to march, for
you cannot imagine more rough, uneven and
jagged surface.
At eight O'Clock on the morning OF the 18th,
the batteries again opened on Gen. Worth's pc,
sition, at the hacienda, near San Antonio the
balls crushing through the walls, and filling the
rooms with fragments Of plaster and broken fur.
nture. Shell also burst in the air over the
building and the pieces dropped among the men
stationed in the rear So hot was the fire that
the troops were obliged 10 gain shelter behind the
building, but still did not give up the position.
About 9 o'clock the divisions of Gems. Pillow
and Twggs were ordered to advance in the drec.
ton Of Countreras, and by 1 in the afternoon
were in plain sight OF the enemy's batteries, and
within range Of his heavier guns. The brigade oil
Gen. P. F. Smith was ordered to advance direct.
ly towards the enemy's works, while that Of Col.
Riley moved towards small village TO the right,
with orders to gain the main road and thus be en-.
abled to cut off any reinforcements which light
be sent to Valencia from the city. An incessani
firing oil cannon was opened upon the advance oil
Gen. Smith, and soon the rifles were engaged in
diminishing with the Pickets Of the enemy and
driving them in.
| The twelve FOUNDER battery Of Capt. Magru
der was pressed forward with all speed, as was
also the rocket and mountain howitzer battery
now commanded by Lieut.. Calender, Of the
Ordnance Department. As soon as they coult
gain position they opened upon the enemy, bu
were so much exposed to fire from heavier guns
that they were soon silenced. Lieut.. Johnson, o
the LIST Artillery, but attached to Magruder' bat
terry, was MORALLY wounded, while Lieut.. Callen
der was severely wounded in both legs. At
o'clock the brigade OF Gen. Cadwallader was or
dered out to support COL Riley, heavy reinforce
ments being seen on their way out Of the city
while Gen. Pierces brigade was sent to sustain
Gen. Smith. The firing from the batteries Of thu
enemy continued incessant, while from hill jus
outside the range Of their guns, the spectacle wa
most imposing, At about o'clock Gen. Scot
arrived, and seeing the immense strength OF h
Mexicans, at once ordered Gen. Shields brigad,
from San Augustin--a part Of Gen. Quitmans
command-to the right, TO support Riley ant
Cadwalader, and prevent, if possible, juncturt
OF the forces coming out from the city with lhoss
OF Valencia
But few OF the movements OF our own troop
could be seen from the hill where we were pos
ted, owing TO the dense chapparal, sharp rock
and ravines, but not motion Of the enemy bu
what was plainly visible. The order OF battle o
Valencia was certainly most imposng-in(antr!
were seen drawn up 10 support the batteries
while long lines OF the enemy's cavalry were sta
toned in the rear, as if awaiting the shock OF bat
tie. Two separate charges of the latter were dis
tnctly seen repulsed by COL Riley, who hat
moved his brigade at one time 10 position par
TALLY in the rear Of the enemys work. Colone
Harvey was exceedingly anxious to march hi
cavalry 10 the scene of action. but it was deemed
utterly impractcable. The nature OF the grount
was such, that the infantry even had great Difficult
ty in finding their way across the pedegral, as tn
mexicans term t-ground covered with sharp
jagged rocks.
Until night had fairly closed in the FIRE from
the enemy's batteries did not slacken--it hat
been continuous roar nearly six hours. Gen
Scott retired to San Augusn about 8 o'clock
and in the midst of a hard rain which had jus
commenced falling Gems. Twiggs and Pillow
came in about IL o'clock, wet and completely
exhausted, 1t was impossible to use horses Oh
the rough and exceedingly broken ground OIL
which they had been operating for nearly twev
hours. Not anticipating the immense streng
Of the works Of the enemy. or the amos. nsur
mountable difficulties OF reaching them, it ha