Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-09-23
- wooDsrock VIRGINIA SEPTEMBER 2sstsa5 p 81

able he army TO reach San Angel, and
to- turn the strong batteries at San
Antonio, and perhaps othersfl,e ene-s
my nigh, haze upon the road between
that and the city of Mexico. The
Mexicans we're plainly seen il force q,
a commanding position near Co,ltre-
ras, and ii was. evident that they had q
number Of cannon Imposition; but at a
coulil held st hight, it was determined
upon 10 attack them the following day.
iii the meantime, while this recon
noisance was in progress, Gen. Worth
had established his headquarters at 4he
hacienda Of Curera, while from the
windows countless numbers of the ene-'
my could be seen at work upon the
batteriesaat San Antonio About noon
they ! opened upon the hacienda with
both round shot. and shell, nearly every
one Of. which took effect, but without
doing-o!her injury than to the building.
Late in the evening the batteries
again opened, but.with no other result
Transforming the position of he differ
entguns. For marvel the batteries
were silent during the might. Had
the fire been KEEP. up, the hacienda
nigh: have been torn in pieces and
the entire command compelled TO re.
tire.
Before. going further, it may be well
to state that the city Of Mexico lies a.
bout nine miles nearly north Of San
Augns,in, that San Antonio is about
three miles in the same direction,
while the point occupied BY Gen Va
lencia, na,r Coutreras for he had COM
mand at that place, is at least three
miles in straight fine and in direc-
aion nearly west. 1t was ten miles the
way many of our troops had to maschs
for you cannot imagine more rough,
uneven and jagged surface.
AT eight o'clock on the morning of
the 10Th, the batteries again opened on
Gen. Wo.th's position al the hacienda
near San Antonio, the balls crushing
through the walls and filing the rooms
with fragments of plaster and broken
furn ture. Shells also burst into 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 be-
hind the building, but still did not give
up the position. About 9 O'Clock the
divisions of Generals Pillow and
Twiggs were ordered to advance in
the direction Of Coutreras, and by in
the afternoon were in plain sight Of the
enemy's batteries, and within range
Of the heavier guns.
The brigade Of Gen. P. F. Smith
was ordered TO advance directly to-
wards the enemy's works, while that
of Col. Riley moved towards small
vilage.t, the right, with orders 10 gain
the main road, and thus be enabled 10
cut off any reinforcements which might
be sent to Valencia from the city. An
incessant firing Of cannon was opened
upon the advance Of Gen. Smith, and
soon the rifles were engaged in Skin
mishing with the picke.s Of the enemy
and driving them in.
The 12.pounder battery Of Capt.
Magruder was pressed forward with
all spee,i, as was the rocket and mouns
tain howitzer battery, now command
ed by Lieut.. Calender, of the Ord
nance Department. As soon as they
could gain. position they opened upon
the enemy, but were 50 much expos :
to FIRE from heavierguRs that they
were soonsssilenced. It, johnson, of
Of the sI.t artillery, but attached to
Mag-uder's battery, was marally
wounded, while Lieut.. Calender was
severely wounded in both legs.
al three o'clock the Brigade ofGen.
Cadwallader was dsdered Ant 10 sup
port Col. Riley, heavy fein!oreSAen's
being seen on their wayaht fTnpf.ah
city, while Gen. Pierce brigade was
sent 10 sustain Gen. Smith, The fir
ing from The battetlsB Of The enemy
ronlinued incessant, while from hill
4: !. .yln,,+s;,Io r. Tho r3fSyn nf fkesr oi,nS.