The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-10-01

The Great Battle.

We copy from the New Orleans Delta
the subjoined particulars Of the brilliant ac-
ton of.Gen. =. T.. Smith, of which, it is re-
collected. no particulars were given in the
letter of Mir. Kendall, which we published
last week.
Gen. Worths brigade arrived at San
Augustine on the 18th, and the next DAY
advanced towards san Antonio. On the
night Of the 18th. his forces occupied the
hacienda Of san JOAN de Dios. On the 10Th,
Gen. TwiCgs came up, with Smiths bri-
gadc on the right and Riley'S on the left.
The enemy opened on 1wigGs' column
from ContrarcS, and it sustained canonad-
ing from - pieces for more than an hour.
1t was finally compelled TO fall back with Il
heavy loss. The Delia'S correspondent
then says:
Gen. Pillow had ordered Gen. Picrcc.s
brigade TO the support Of Col. Riley. At
this stage Of the proceedings. while the
battle was raging, the enemy appeared on
the left of the fort of Contreres, and in rear
of the village Of Ensado, with force of
l2.ODO men, under the immediate command
Of Santa Anna.
The 10Th infantry. under Col. Morgan,
was then ordered by Gen. Pillow to the
support of Smiths and Riley's Brigades.
About this time Gen. Scott came upon the
ground, bringing with him Gen. Shields
brigade of volunteers, which was immedi-
ately ordered to the support Of the forces
under Gen. Cadwalader. Gen. TwigCs. as
the night approached, finding it impossible.
/ from the nature Of the ground, 10 reach MS
command, fell back 10 the position occupi-
ed by Gen. Scott, and passed the night ex-
posed to the inclemency of the weather.
/ McGrudc.'S and the howit2cr battery being
| disabled. and our left advancing On a road
previously prepared by the enemy, thereby
exposing our infantry to Obstructive fire
as they approached. McGruder'S and the
howitzcr batteries were orGered by Gen
Smith to open, to attract the attention Of the
enemy. while he made movement to the
right, to try one Of the cncmy's tanks.
After passing over the broken and irrcc,i-
lar surface Of the ground. and passing deer
rayines, he succeeded in reaching the vii
| lagc of EnSalao. Gen. Smith the ranking
o.liccr, Gen. Cadwaladcr reported to him
with four regiments Of Gen. Pillows divi-
sion. Col. Riley's brigade had crossed the
ravinc, and passed towards ContrcreS. ai-
Ter Il strong body Of the enemy, which he
drove off. The enemy was now drawn up
into line, above the village. on the rilht Of
the font. This was q strong position Of the
enemy.
Gen. Smith now ordered Gen. Caiwa.a-
der'S force to be drawn up on the outer edge
of the village. facing the enemy's leavy
force on the lief, of the fort. After making
the proper disposition of his forces, Gen
Smith now determined to attack the enc.
my's right. with Col. Riley on the left.
Gen. Cadwaladcr. on the RIGHT of the for.
mer, returned i'll cchelon, but before the
movement could he completed night APP
pruacAca-thc enemies line Gould not be
SeCn-thCrCinre the order was countcrman.
ded, Gen. Cadwalader rcsunling his posi-.
ton on tie outer side of the village. Col
kiley'S brigade was formed in long lane
inside and parallel TO the village, the rife,
on the left, and the third infantry on the
churchyard. "But now" says our CORES.
pOndcnt. "imagine the position of this nor.
ton of the army. numbering $500, at the
outside. without artillery or cavalry, whi.C
the enemy in front and on the left had 10.
600 troops, Chose in the fort said TO be III,
best in Mexico with - piece, Of artillery
and among his troops about 1000 cavalry
II was evident that some decisive acto,
had tu be taken: that some great effort hat
TO be made: and Gen. Smith and Col. Ri
ley, seconded as they were. were lust IN,
men competent TO the task, and ala attack
on the main work was determined upon
and the movement to take place at tire,
O'Clock of the following morning."
/ The force OF Gen. Smith was not strong
enough TO carry the enemy'S works, aud a
the same time to hold POSSESSION Of the vii
lagc; but fortune iayor> the brave: lui
while he was preparing for the attack, Gen
Shields reported his near approach will
the Souih Carolina and New York volun
tccrS. Ger. Shields. thouoh ultraukiuc
Gen. Smith. had too much magnanimity {,
assume the command. or to pluck the mich
laurelS about to be gathered by n trothc
soldier in carrying enc Of the enemy
StronchOdS, and accordingly he move,
subject TO the command Of Gen. Smith
Gen. Shields brigade was then placed /,
the village Of Ensaldo, to cut orthcrncmy'
retreat from ContrcrcS, or TO take the re
serve Of the enemy in flank, il he Shout,
change his front.
At 3 O'Clock on the morning Of the Goth
the movement commenced. which waS s,
slow that daybrcak appeared before tn
head Of Cadwaladcr's brigade commence,
ascending the ravine at the village. A
soon rs Col. Riley assembled the hill an,
came in fun view Of the enemy, they open
ed n severe fire on his forces.
Our co,Tespondentthen conluucs-."Co'
Riley threw out his two advance division
as Skirmishers and said, snow boys civ
them hcll-closc in with them, and let III
bayonet do its work. and his comman
rushed down the slope with ycll and en-
thusiasm enough TO strike terror 10 III
heart Of the boldcst, while the rear of hi
command moved steadily rorwnr, as ir the
IWcro all made of orc piece. lho SNrprl