The State guard., 1847-09-21
From the N. O. Delta Enc Picayune, vs. George Will kings Kendall.

The Picayune, in the blind afdor of it's vllfication of meiito ious officer now engaged in fighting .he battles of his country, places either the present editor of that paper or it's Mexican cor~ respondent in a most ridiculous light be fore ihe public. Now, we have never said by whose wisdom, sagaciiy or gal- lantry the battle of Conireras was pro. Jected and achieved. As the execuliy e officer by whom the brilliant coup de- main was accomplished Gen. Smith was certainly what We have in another place called him, the Hero 0: Conre, ras." Ir publishing the letter of "Le, onldas." which was written by no means to oul taste, but written by a soldier and a gentleman, We did not intend 10 en> dorse any of his statements in relation 10 the question, to whom the merit of de- signing this affair beloaonged. And We do not intend 10 involve ourselves in any such dispute. No one Can admire Gen. Scott, Gen. Smith and Col. Riley, more than oui selves. One of these Generals Is our particular friend, and we had ra. ther see his fame extended than that of any man In the army.
 We do not lnten1, therefore, to en. dorse Leonidas' assertions in favor of Gen. Pillow, backed as they are by the ADMISSIONS OF GEORGE WILKINS KEN DALI, the Mexican correspondent of the Picay me.
 The Picayune, in it's long trade 0, yesterday, pra'es thus:
 "We have found no passages in any of them (lhe letters from correspondents in Mexico) which make him (Gen. Pil, low) the hero of the day, or give him the honor of designing and carrying out the operations which resulted in the fall of Contreras "a brilliant exploit, which should be instartly acknowledged hy the promotion of Brevet Brig. Gen. Per sifor F. Smith and Lieut. Col. Bonnet Riley"
 Now turn to M-. KendalI's letter in the Picayune of Wednesday, and We find the following, portions of which we italicise
 "About 9 o'clock, the decisions ol Gems PiHow and Taiggs were ordered to advance in the direction of Contreras, and by one m the afternoon were in plain sight of the enemy's batteries. and within range of his heavier guns. The 6ragsde of Gen. P. 2. Smlh aeas or Ie, cd to advance directly towards the enemy's works, while that of Col. Riley moved towards small village to the right, ,cith orders 10 gain the main road and thus be enabled to cut off any endorsements which might be sent to Valencia from the city. An incessanl firing of cannon was opened upon the advance of Gen. Smith, and 500 the Rhes were engag. ed in skirmishing with the picke,s of the enemy and driving them in. The l2 pounder battery of Capt. Magruder was pressed forward with all speed, as was also the Rocket and Mountain Hown. Ter 5at'ery, commanded by Lieut.. Cal, lende, of the Ordnance Department. As soon as they could gain position they opened upon the enemy, but were so much exposed to fire from heavier guns, that they were soon sienced.- Lieu. Johnson, of the Isl Artillery, bu, attached 10 Magrudel's Battery, was mortally wounded, while Lieut.. Callen der was. severely wounded in both legs. At 3 o'clock the brigade of Gen. Cad- Nalader was ords' cd out 10 support Col. Riley, heavy reinforcemenis having been seen to issue out from the civ wbile Gen. Pierce's brigade scas sent 10 sns'ain Gen. Smih. lhe firing from the batteries oi 1 enemy conlned in.