The State guard., 1847-09-14

or teree lancers killed ard wounded. our troops had quiet possession of San Augustin. Our only loss during the day was one man, a soldier of Smiths light battalion, who was wounded from corn field near Xechimilco.
 Al 7 o'clock on ihe morning oi the 18th, Gen Scott arrived al San Augusiin, and at 10 o'clock Gen Worth was in full march for the city of Mexico by the main road. Maj Smith and Fur 1bnll. Capt Mason and other engineer officers, who were sent in advance, supported by Capt. 9lake's squadron of dragons, 10 reconnere, as ii was known the enemy was in force at or near San Antonio.- The party, when within 1000 yards, was fired upon from a battery, which was masked by trees, and the first ball from l2.pounder instantly killed Capt Thornton of the 2d dragons, besides se' yerely wounding guide. Jonathan Fhz walters. Col. Garand's brigade was now ordered to occupy he hacienda of Carrera, within plain sight and range of the enemy's baileries at San Antonio, while Col. Clarke's brigade and ihe bat tery under Col. Duncan took a station in the rear close by. The engineer off cers were at once sent out 10 reconnoi> ire by Gen Worth, 10 ascertain the prac- ticabilny of turning the strong works of the enemy, and Tn the mean time Gen Scott had despatched Capt Lee wIh a supporting party, composed Of Capt Kearney's squadron and body of the lth Infantry under Col Graham. 10 as- certain the pracicabiliiy of finding a road by which the village of San Angel could be reached, and thus turn the strong hold of San Antonio. This lat Ter patty had a sharp encounter with the advance of the enemy, tho main body being found posted al strong point not far from ihe factory of Coutreros. In the skirmish some 6 or Mex cans were killed and as many more taken prisons els-on our side not a nan was touched. The result of the reconnaissance proved favorable. It was ascertained that a road could be made which W ould enable the army 10 reach San Angel, and thus turn the strong batteries al San Antonio, and perhaps others inc enemy might have upon lbe road between that and ihe city of Mexico. The Mexicans were plainly seen in force at comman ding position near Coutreras and il was evident that they had number of can- ron in position; but at d council held al night, ii was determined upon 10 attack them lhe following day.
 In the mean lime, while this reconnois- sance was in progress, Gen Worth had established his headquarters at the haci, enda of Curera while from the windows countless numbers Cf the enemy could be seen at work npon the batteries of San Antonio. About noon they opened upon the hacienda Wi'h both round sho, and shell, nearly every one of hich took effect, but wilhou. doing other injury than to tte building. Late in the even
 ing the batteries again opened, but with no other result than showing the posi- lion 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 into pieces and the entire command compelled to relre.-- Before going further. il may be well to state that ihe city of Mexico lies about 9 miles near north of San Augusiin, that San Antonio is about miles in the same direction, while the point occupied by Gen. Valencia, near Coutreras, for he had command ut that place, is at least 3 miles in a straight line and direction nearly west. It was 10 miles the way many of our troops had to march, for you cannot imagine more rough, une. ven and jagged surface.
 At 8 o'clock on the morning of the 18th, the batteries again opened on Gen. Wor,h's position, at the hacienda near San Antonio, the balls crushing through the walls and filling the rooms with frag ments of plaster and broken furniture. Shells also burst in the air over the bull. ding and the pieces dropped among the men stationed in lhe rear. So hoi was the fire that the troops were obliged to gam shelter behind the building, but still did not give up the position. About 9 o'clock the divisions of Gems. Twigss and Pillow were ordered 10 advance in he direction of Coureras, and by in the afternoon were in plain sight of the enemy's batteries, and within range oi his heavier guns. The brigade of Gen P. F. Smith was ordered 10 advance d- reclly towards the enemy's works, while that of Col Riley moved tow ards small village to the right, with orders 10 gain the main road and thus be enabled to cut off any endorsements which might ce sent 10 Valencia from the city. An incessant firing of cannon was opened upon the advance of Gen Smifh, and soon the R ars were engaged in skir- mshing with the pickeIs of the enemy and driving lbem in. The l2,pounder battery of Capt Magruder was pressed forward with all speed, as was also the rocket and mountain ho siizer battery, now commanded by Lieut.. Calender, of the Ordnance D pariment. As soon as they could gam position they opened upo the enemy, but was so much expos. ed to fife from heavier guns that they were soon slenced. It Johnson, of the | f.N A IL l. q