Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-02
GEN. sHIELDs's BRIGADE REPORT.
HEApauAnTERs, lsr BR1eAnE,

Carona regiments OF volunteers towards the battle field OF
Conreros On reporting to the Commander-n-Chie who
occupied my arrival position which overlooked the field
he described TO me IN few words the position of the contend
ing forces pointing out the of command and briefly
instructed me as to the dispositions which would render
force the most seviceabe. Directing nv march upon the
village near Contrero the troops had to pass ground
covered WIN rocks and crags and filled with chasms which
rendered the route almost impossible. deep ravne along
the pea OF which rolled rapid stream passed after dark
with great difficulty and exerton and the weared
troops after CROSSING directed them lie upon their
until midnight Whilst occupying this position, two strong
picke thrown out by my ORDERS discovered and fred upon
and drove back body of Mexican Infantry moving through
the neids IN direction from their position towards the city
have since learned that attempt had like manner been
made by The enemy to pass the position the main road
cupifd ny the lst regiment of artillery and with like
Of success, thus being foed in his effort retire during the
night About midnight again resumed the march and join
cd Brig Gen. Smith in the village already alluded to.
Gen Smith previous to my arrival had made the most judi
cou arrangements for turning and surprising the Mexican
position about daybeak and with which could not wish
interfere This cast upon my command the necessity of hold
ing the position evacuated by Gen. s. which threatened
by the enemys artillery and infantry the right and large
force OF his cavalry on the left
About the enemy opened brisk fire Of grape and
round shot he church and village in which my brigade
was posted and aEo upon part of troops displayed
TO divert him on sught and 'front.' evidently Of the
movement In progress to turn his position by the left and
This continued until Col Rey's brigade opened fire from
the which delivered with such terrible effect that the
whole Mexican force WIS thrown into the
ton At this uncture ordered the regiment of my command
to throw themselves the main road by which the enemy
must retire. to intercept and off his retreat and although
officers and had suffered severely during the march the
night, and from exposure without shelter the in
cessan rain until daybreak this executed in
good order and with apdiy The Palmetto regiment
ing deep ravne depoyed both sides the road and opened
most destructive fire upon the ming of the nfan
try and cavalry and the New York regiment brought lower
down and the road side, delivered its fire with like effect
AT this point many Of the enemy killed and wounded
sytu- fyac nf tuhic
twenty-five officers and among the latter General
Nicholas Mendoza.
In the time the enemy's cavalry about 600 strong
which Rad been threatening position during the morning.
moved down towards in good ORDER If TO attack mme-
diatey recalled the infantry be placed in position the
threatening movement but the cavalry changed its direc
ton and retired towards the capital received the
der from Gen. Twggs advance by the road towards
Mckee, and, having posted Capt Mashas company South
Carolina volunteers and Capt Tayors company New York
volunteers in charge of the prisoners and wounded moved
OH with the remainder OF my force, and ned the positions
oil the second and third divisions already main
road On this march joined by the Generainchef
who assumed the command of the whole and the march
tnued uninterrupted until arrived before Churubusco
Here the found strongly fortified and posted with
his force, probably 900. The
commenced by the second division under wgg Joined
by the hrst under WORTH and becoming general, when
was directed by the Commander Chief with my reg
ments and Perces Brigade the 9h 2h and 5h, with the
mounted howtzer battery, TO gain positions possible, TO
attack the enemY's and intercept his retreat
Leaving Loonco by left hand road and moving about
mile upon il moved thence with my command towards the
swampy field in which is situated the Hacienda de las Por
tales On the edge of this field beyond the hacienda dis
covered the road by which the enemy retire from Churu
busco aid found that his 900 infantry
occupied II, just in Of the As my command
rived established the right upon point recommended by
Captain Lee engineer officer in whose skill and management
had the confidence, and commenced movement 10
the efl to flank the enemy his right and throw my troops
between him and the city. But finding his right supported
by heavy body Of cavalry Of 900 strong and seeing
that with his infantry he answered movement by
responding towards his right flank gaining ground faster
than could owing the heavy mud swamp through which
had operate, withdrew the the cover of the
hacienda, determined to attack him upon his front.
selected the Palmetto regiment the base Of my line,
and hi, gallant regiment moved forward firmly and rapidly
under fire of muskety terrible perhaps any which sol
ders aced The New York l2h and 18th deployed
CALAMITY the right and the 9th the left and the whole
advance opening their fire they up and moving
Oily forward, the enemy began 10 waver, aud when my
der 10 charge given the rushed upon and scattered
his broken ranks As reached the road the advance of
Worths command appeared driving the enemy from the
stronghold of Churubusco took command Of the aud
continued in pursuit until passed by Harvey with his cavalry
who followed the routed foe into the very gates of the CITY,
In this terrible battle, in which strongly fortified enemy
fought behind his works, under the walls Of his capital
loss is necessarily the loss, regret say, has fallen
most severely upon my command In the two regiments Of
my brigade, numbering about six hundred in the fight
the loss is reported $40 in killed and wounded Perces brig
ade, under my command this action, lost considerable
number in killed and wounded amongst the latter the
gallant Col Morgan of the 18TH His command having
joined its division Immediately after the action have
received official report of its loss particular and de-
tailed report Of the loss also of the prisoners captured BY
this command accompanies this report Ia this last engage
command captured $50 prisoners including 60 Of
cers Of this number AZ had deserted from the American
army during the war and their head found the
Gus Reilly who had fought against the troops Monterey
and elsewhere In closing this report beg offer my thanks
the many gallant officers Of my command for their gallant
and fearless support during the conflict To Col Burnett and
Lieut. Col Of the New York volunteers to Lieut. Col Dick
nson and Major GLADDEN., Of the South Carolina volunteers
also of their gallant subodinates praise is
due. Col Burnet severely wounded the head Of his
regiment and Lieut. Col Dickinson also severely wounded
whilst in the command Of his regiment, and bearing CALAMITY
forward the coors of his corps My thanks due the med
cal staff of the command Drs Halstead and McKebbn, Of
the New York regiment and Drs Clark and Bland, Of the
South Carolina regiment, also DIR. Swift, T. 5. A., for
their attention TO the wounded.
IL affords pleasure (and but perform my duties oo) in
acknowledging my great obligation Captain r. E. Lee,
also to my particular staff, Capt F. n. Page, AAG Lieut.
X L. Hammond, Sd artillery, Ado, and Lieut. L. Da-
Wis OF Illinois, acting and for their gallant services and fear
less exposure in encouraging the troops and conveying
ders during the different engagements. Lieut. Bone,
handing howzer battery deserves great credit for the hand
some in which he brought his guns into action. and
continued to them. beg respectfully through the
General Of DIVISION to ask for these gentlemen the favorable
notice Of the CommandernChief and recommend them to
the President Lieut. Shubrck Of the navy who accompa-
MED me, attached himself the Palmetto regiment Of his
tive State and fought in its ranks and is spoken Of hand
somey in the report of its commander. Whilst thus enjoy
ing the pleasure of bestowng commentator the living,
turn with feelings Of sorrow though with PRIDE rccoect