The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-10-05


would render my force the most servicable.
my march upon the village near
Contreras, the troops had opass over
ground covered with rocks and crags, and
filed with chasms which rendered the
route almost impossible.
A deep ravine, along the bed of which
rolled rapid stream, was passed after
dark with great difficulty and exertion;
and to rest the wearied troops after crossing
l directed them to lie upon their arms I'M
til midnight, and while occupying this po-
sition, two strong pickets, thrown out by
nv orders, discovered and fired upon and
drove back a body of Mexican infantry,
moving through the field in the direction
from their position towards the city. l
have since learned that an attempt had, IN
like manner, been made by the enemy TO
pass the position on the main road, occu-
pied by the first regiment of artillery, and
with like want of success, thus being foil
ed i'll his effort to retire during the night.
About midnight. l again resumed the
march, g. joined Brigadier-General Smith,
in the village already alluded to-
Gen. Smith, previous to my arrival, had
made the most judicious arrangements for
turning and surprising the Mexican posi-
ton about day-break, and with which l
could not wish to interfere. This cast up
on my command the necessity of holding
the position evacuated by Gen. Smith,
which was threatened by the enemy's ar
tillery and infantry on the right, and large
force of his cavalry on the left.
About daybreak the enemy opened a
brisk FIRE of grape and round shot upon the
church and village in which nv brigade
was posted, and also on apart of our own
troops, displayed to divert him on his right
and front, evidently unaware of the move
ment in progress 10 turn his position by
the left and rear. This continued until
Col. Riley's brigade opened its fire from
the rear, which was delivered with such
terrible effect, that the whole Mexican
force was thrown into the utmost conster-
nation. At this juncture l ordered the
regiment of my command 10 throw them
selves on the main road, by which the en-
envy must retire, TO intercept and cut off
his retreat, and although officers and men
had suffered severely during the march of
the night, and from exposure, without shell
ter or cover, TO the incessant rain until
daybreak, this measure was executed in
good order and with rapidity.
The Palmetto regiment, crossing deep
ravine, dePloyed on both sides of the road,
and opened a destructive FIRE upon the
mingled masses of the infantry and caval-
ry, and the New York regiment broug hit
in lower down and on the roadside, de-
livered its fire with like effect. AT this
point many OF the enemy were killed and
wounded, and some 365 captured, ofwhich
% were officers, and among the latter was
Gen. Nicholas Mendoza.
In the mean time the enemy's cavalry,
about 5000 strong, which had been threat
ming our position during the morning,
moved down towards us as if to attack. i
Immediately recalled the infantry to place
in position to meet the threatening move
ment, but soon the cavalry changed its d.
rection, and retired towards the capital.
now received the order from General
Twiggs to advance by the main road to-
ward Mexico, and having posted Captain
Marshall's company, South Carolina vol
unteeis, and Capt Taylor's company, n.
York volunteers, in charge of the prison.
ers and wounded, moved off with the re-
mainder. of my force, and joined the posi-
tions Of The I'd and Sd divisions already en-
route on the main road. On this march
we were joined by tine general-in-chief,
who assumed the command of the whole,
and the march continued uninterrupted
until we arrived before Cheribousho.
Here the enemy was found strongly for
titled and posted with his main force, prob
ably near 25, OO0 The engagement was
commenced by the I'd division under
Twiggs, Joined by the first under Worth,
and was becoming general when was d.
rected by the commander-in-chief with
my two regiments, and Pierce's brigade,
the 9th, 18th and 18th, with the mounted
howitzer battery. to gain position, if pos
.ible, to attack the enemy's rear and inter-
cept his retreat.
Leaving Loonco, by left hand road,
and moving about mile upon ii, | moved
thence with my command towards he
right through heavy cornfeld, and gained
an open but swampy field, in which is sit
uated the hacienda de las portales: on the
edge Of this field, beyond the hacienda, l
the road by which the enemy
must retire from Cheribousho, and found
his reserve of about 1000 infantry occu-
pied it, Just in the rear of the town.
As my command arrived / established
the right upon a point recommended by
Capt. Lee, engineer officer, in whose skill
and management | had the utmost conf
dence, and commenced a movement to the
left. to flank the enemy on his right, and
throw INV troops between him and the
city. But finding his right supported by
a heavy body of cavalry of some 5000
strong, seeing that with his infantry he
answered to my movement by cores