Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-10-07
From Mexico.

er quarter. Indeed, lis narrative comes down
to the 18th, three days later than was received
in any of the accounts brought by the James
l.. Day at New Orleans, which have been
published
This letter, which moreover is Mexican au-
thorty, states that General Scott uas in aetu-
al possession Of TIE Capital We publish it as
we find it in the Sun.-It is said to have
come by way Of Orizaba, under cover to Mr..
Dimond at Vera Cruz
Cry OF MEXICO, 10Th Sept. lS47.
Respected Friends IL have an opportunity
to send by the Courier who leaves tonight,
this letter, in which l shall briefly attempt to
describe to you the horrors we have Just ex-
perienced. On the 7th inst our Commission
ers rejected the treaty propositions of the
American Government, and decided on re.
suIning the war, Gen. Herrera inviting and
urging the clergy to rouse the citizens to the
utmost resistance. On the same day Gen.
Scott, the American Chief, charged Santa An
ma with breaking the armistice by forbidding
his Commissioners to obtain food in the city,
and threatened, unless reparation was made,
to commence hostilties and lombard the city.
Santa Anna replied, severely charging Scott
with breaking the armistice by sacking our
villages, and expressed his perfect readiness
to renew the war. On the 18th inst, the
Americans made n demonstration on Chapul-
tepec and the mill of FL Rey, but our Gener-
ais were prepared for them. Anticipating a
breach of the armstce Santa Anna for sever
al days had caused TO be conveyed, in every
possible manner as not to excite suspicion,
arms, munitions and food to the fortress of
Chapultepec. Our citizens carried under their
mantles and on mules great quantity of
powder, balls and provisions without being
once discovered, so great was the feeling of
security and confidence among the Ameri-
cans. Gen. Scott was not little surprised
to find on attacking Chapultepec such obsti-
nate resistance. Chapultepec you know is
situated between Cacubya and the city, within
cannon shot of the former and some three
miles from the latter. It is bold hill over.
looking a vast range of country which enabl-
ed our soldiers to watch every man9uvrc of
the enemy. 1t also commands the road from
Tacubya to the city, which runs close to its
base, and it can only be ascended by a circui-
tous paved way, which after turning a certain
angle, is exposed to the full range of the for
tress guns. As the Americans ascended the
hill perfect storm Of musket balls and grape
shot drove them back with heavy loss They
recovered and advanced again, but were re-
pulsed. Our troops fought with desperate
valor worthy the character of Mexicans. The
like so many devils whom it was impossible to
defeat without annihilaton He made a third
and last charge with fresh force and heavy
guns, and our gallant troops having exhaust
ed their grape.shot were forced, very unwill-
ingly, to retreat and yield up the fortress, of
which the enemy took possession. Our SOL
diers retreated towards the city, but were un-
fortunately cut off by detachment of the en-.
emy's cavalry, and about a thousand were
ID l.N, al. au..I
enemy had no men to guard them. Tho en-
cmy then opened his batteries on the Mill FL
Rey (King's MilD close upon Chapultepec,
which after obstinate fighting and great loss
to the Americans, we were obliged to aban-
don.
The two actions continued over nine hours,
and were the severest, considering our small
number of soldiers and the enemy's large
force, that have been fought Our loss in
killed and wounded was not more than 300,
while the enemy lost over 400, or at least,
such was the report Of deserters from the
American camp who came to in the eve
ning Seeing that the city would inevitably
be attacked, General Santa Anna during the
actions, caused a number of trenches to be cut
across the road leading to the city, which
were flooded with water. On the morning of
the l4th, before day light the enemy with a
part Of his force commenced his march upon
the city. Our soldiers posted behind the arch
es of the acgueducts and several breast works
which had been hastily thrown up, annoyed
him so severely, together with the trenches
which he had to bridge over, that he did not
arrive at the gates until late in the afternoon.
Here he halted, and attempted to lombard the
city, which he did during the balance of the
day and the day following, doing immense
damage. In some cases whole blocks were
destroyed and great number of men, women
and children killed and wounded The pic
ture was awful One deafcning roar filled
our ears. one cloud of smoke met our eyes,
now and then mixed with flame, and amid it
all we could hear the various shricks of the
wounded and dying. But the city bravely
resisted the hundreds Of flying shells. 1t hurl-
ed back defiance to the blood thirsty Yankee,
and convinced him that his bombs could not
reduce the Mexican capital The enemy then
changed his plan, and determined to enter
the city, where we were prepared to meet
him. Having barrcadcd the streets with
sand bags, and provided on the house tops aud
ut the windows all who could bear arms or
missiles, stones, bricks, &c, to throw on the
heads Of the enemy. Before General Scott
had fairly passed the gates he found the diff
Guilty of his position A perfect torrent of
balls and stones raned upon his troops. Many
were killed and more wounded. Still he kept
advancing until he gained the entrance Of two
streets leading direct to the Plaza. Finding
that he could not oppose himself to our sol
diers, who were all posted out of sight, and
that be was losing his men rapidly, Gen.
Scott took possession of the convent of San
Isidor, which extends Back to the centre of n
block, and at once set his sappers and miners
to cutting way directly through the blocks
Of buildings. In some instances whole houses
were blown up to facilitate his progress but
after several hours he again emerged into the
street, and finally regained the Plaza with
great loss. On entering the Plaza heavy fire
was opened on him from the Palace and Cathe-
dral, firing over one hundred shots, which did
immense damage to the buildings aud caused
a severe loss of killed and wounded. Seeing
further resistance useless, our soldiers ceased
firing, and on the 10Th of September (sad
day y the enemy was in possession of the
Mexican capital. Though we inflicted havoc
and death upon the Yankees, we suffered
greatly ourselves. Many were killed by the
blowing up of the houses, many by the BON.
bardment, but more by the confusion which
prevailed in the city, and altogether we can.
not count our killed, wounded and missing
since the action commenced yesterday at less
than 1000, among whom are many women