Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-09-17


round the city ia sufficient to discover the plan
which | had proposed to myself The forces
which had advanced on one of the TANKS, sup
ported by others stationed at convenient distance,
had point to fall back upon, well known to them
and of which gave notice at the proper moment
To one general who had command of strong d.
vision of 5000 men, with twenty-four pieces of
artillery, and whose headquarters at the VIII
lage Of San Angel, sent orders at | o'clock on
the morning of the 18th 10 fall back upon the
town of Coyoacan, in order to form concentra-
ton of forces following the movements of the ee-
my, which were already evident. and particularly
to unfold my plan Corporations. But this general
forgetting that no two men can comm nd in a
ie of battle. and that for the execution of plan
no observation which may annul or retarG IT can
be admitted. took upon hin self 10 object to the or
ders which he had received; and DIS we had ban
ished from among US obedience and discipline, SO
indispensable in military matters had to be to!e-
rant IN order to avoid greater evils. and let him,
to my great regret, act throwing upon him the res.
possibility of whatever might happen The result
was as fatal as had foreseen. He advanced, of
his own accord, more than league, and selected
a position to meet the enemy without giving me
notice of his movement or of his intentions. The
refusal which he gave to my advice was the first
news had of his temerity and soon after the roar
of cannon showed me his position, and gave me
notice that an action had commenced. Although
over" helmed with presentment of what was to
happen put selfimmedately at the head of a
brilliant division of 1000 men and five pieces of
artillery. | arrived at the moment when the enc.
my had cut of by the rear. the position of the ILL
lated general with a respectable force, anil was
hardly able TO check his operations. as the night
was already setting in.
But | perceived with sorrow that the position
was isolated; deep ravine and wood occupied
by the enemy, being interposea between u.s. it was
impossible for the troops under my immediate
command to advance by the only road there was.
without exposing themselves were already the
others. and only one battery, which arrived late,
could do any injury. The firing having ceased.
our brigade took up its quarters in the neighbor-
ing village of San Angel because, as it rained in
torrents, it would have been equal to defeat TO
have kept the troops in the open field.
Previous to this, however, | ordered my aide
de-camp Col Romiro, to pass the terrible ravinc
which was in our front. and guided by Don Jose
Maria del Rio, we'll acquainted with the country,
to reach the camp of the general, and to advise
him 10 withdraw that very night to San Angel
with his Infantry and Cavalry, by the only road
which was left to him, spiking. previously the ar
tillery which it VAS not possible to My aide
de-camp succeeded, and communicated my orders
between ten and eleven o'clock that night, but in
stead Of being obeyed with punctualiry. the above
| named general hardly allowed my aid to speak,
interrupting him by stating that he wanted 6tO0
men and ammunitOn and sent him off with two
dispatches, already signed and sealed in one Of
which he gives report of the action of the eve
ming. stating that he had beaten and put the enc
my to shameful flight, and that in consequence,
| he had conferred promotions on the generals,
chiefs and officers.
| Early the next incoming I presented myself a.
| gain in the same camp. reinforced by a brigade
| which had drawn from the capital. and with the
intention of forcing the pass at any cost ; but
when was about to commence the enemy made
his attack, which lasted ten minutes and wit.
messed, overwhelmed with despair the defeat of
those soldiers worthy of better fate, because the
general who unfortunately commanded them had
Gu. himself off. The consequence Of this success
appeared terrible to my sight. The enemy could
arrive by rapid move at the capital before it
| would be in my power to render assistance; the
enemy could by flank movement cut off my de-
tached forces the enemy had obtained as fruit
of his victory the power of his bringing the whole
| of his forces against part only of mine and, fl
nally, the enemy, owing to the insurlordnaton
and wan: Of skill of one general, could turn to
his profit the advantages of my position.
The advanced fort of San Antonio could not
be maintained, because our line had been cut
and gave orders for its garrison to Withdraw
whilst protected the fort and tete de pont Of Chu-
ruhusco The enemy advanced aud cut off part
of the troops that were retteating, and appeared
in front of our nearest defcnces. There again
placed myself at the head of our troops. and my
efforts cost the enemy good deal of blood. The
/ Id - H.
proceeded from the retreat, which was hasy, un-
expected and confused, owing to the trains that
had to pass through narrow lane, f1anked in all
its whole extent The defence was made frors
line to line until we came to the third. where
personally restrained the enemy and saved the
capital, which had been Unexpectedly placed in
danger. When | was occupied on the 22d in re-
organizing the forces and manning the batteries
having placed myself again at the head OF a CO.
lumn which should offer resistance to the las
extremity, received communication from the
generaI-ln-chlef Of the enemy, proposing an arms
tice that might give time to listen to the PROPOSE
tons which may be made by the commissioner o
the Government of the United States, to put ar
end to the contest bstween the two nations.
accepted the armistce, and after having had {
IN. citing Of the ministers, I resolved to listen t
the above propositions.
ne suspension OF nOStliltleS Is always UoA
because war is always an evil, particularly afte
the failure of grand combinations. To free thu
capital of its horrors or at least to retard them
was an emergency which l could not resist ant
the more when it presented the means of arrly
ing at an honorable peace.
When two nation are in state Of war they en-
Joy the right of reciprocally making proPo
stions, which presupposes the obligation to listen
A perpetual war is an absurdity, because it is s
calamity, and the instinct of Sc fpreserv alton
which is stronger in nations than in private indi
viduaIs. counsel US not to refuse any means which
may lead to advantageous settlement. IL
adopt this step the constitution confers ample
power on me.
Devoted to interests so noble and exalted.
must at all hazards maintain the prestige ant
respect of the supreme authority; particularly a
present. when if the factions should modest tn
Government they would deprive it of the liberty
collaborating, and it would fall into utter Insight
ficance 10 the presence Of our enemies. will h
ton will be punished in an exemplary manner.
/ have still respectable force of troops and thu
nation will assist me to maintain its dignity ant
vindicate its glory. / consider myself as free a
i'll had Just obtained a distinguished victory, ant
there is danger that the negotiators of the enc
my will impose upon me, whrn their troops ant
cannon did not inspire me with fear. We vii
settle our difficulties amicaby. if above all thing
our honor is saved aud will again appeal t
the sword if force should be .interposed to with
hold from justice and the acknowledgment q