Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-11-25

conducted by Capt. Mason, engineer assisted by |
Liut. Hardcastle, typographical engineer, turned
the right, and by wide sweep came out upon
the high road TO the capital. At this point the
heavy garrison 5000 men) in retreat, was, by
Clarke, cut in the centre one position the rear,
driven upon Dolores, off to the right; and the
other upon Churubusco, in the direct line OF our
operations. The first brigade, (Col. Garand's
same Division consisting of the second artillery,
under Maj. Gait, the Sd artillery under Lieut.
Col, Betton, and the 4th infantry commanded by
Maj. F. Lee, with Lieut.. Col. Duncan's field bat
terry Temporarily followed in in pursuit through
the town, taking one General prisoner the aban-
doned guns, 1--we peces) much ammunition, and
other public property.
The forcing of San Antonio was the second
brilliant event Of the day.
Worth's division being soon reunited in hot
pursuit, he was joined by Major General Pillow,
who, marching from Coyoacan, and discovering
that San Antonio had been carried, Immediately
turned to the left, according TO my instructions.
and, though much impeded by bitches and
swamps, FASTENED to The attack of Churubusco.
The hamlet OF scattered houses bearing that
name, presented, besides the fortified convent
strong field work (tete de point with regular bas-
tons and curtains, at the head of bridge over
which the road passes from San Antonio TO the
capital. The whole remaining forces of Mexi.
co,-some $4,000 men--cavalry, artillery and
infantry, collected from every quarter- now
In on the TANKS, or within supporting distance
OF those works. and seemed resolved to make
last and desperate stand for if beaten here the
teeber deiences at the gates of the city q miles
of could not, as was we'll known to both parties
delay the victor an hour. The capital of an an.
cient empire, now OF a great republic, or an ear
ly peace, the assalants were resolved to win.
Not an American-and we were less than
third Of the enemy's numbers--had doubt as to
the result.
The fortified church or convent, holly pressed
by Twiggs, had already held out about an hour,
when Worth and Plllow-,he latter having with
him only Cadwalladers brigade began to man.
ouvre closely upon the tete de pont, with the con-
vent at half gunshot TO their left Garland's
brigade (Worth's divison,) to which had been
added the light battery under Lieut. Col. Smith,
continued to advance in front, and under the fire
of long line of infantry, off on the left of
the bridge; and Clarke oil the same DIVISION
directed his division along the road or close by
its side. Two Of Pillows and Cadwaader's reg
iments, the lth and 18th, supported and partici-
paled in this direct movement: the others THE
voltiguers) was left in reserve. Most of those
corps particularly Clarke's brigade advanced
perpendicuary, were made to suffer much by
the fire of the tete de pont, and they would have
suffered greatly more by flank attacks from the
convent, but for the pressure of Twiggs on the
other side of that work.
This well combined and daring movement at
length reached the principal point of attack, and
the formidable tete de pont at once assaulted
and carried by the bayonet. Its deep wet ditch
was hrst gallantly crossed by the 9Th and 9Th in
fantry, commanded respectively by MAJOR Waite
and Lieut.. Col. Scott-followed closely BY the 9th
infantry (same brigade) which had been SO much
exposed in the road the | lth infantry under
Lieut.. Col. Graham, and the l4th commanded by
Col' lrousdale, both of Cadwaader's brigade,
Pillows division About the same time, the en-
envy in front of Garland, after hot conflict of
an hour and half, gave way, in retreat towards
the capital. The immediate results of this third
signal triumph of the day were 3 field pieces,
1872 prisoners, much ammunition and two coors,
taken in the tete de pont.
| AS the concurrent attack upon the convent ia
| vored physically and morally, the assault upon
the tee de pont, so reciprocay doubt, the fall
OF the latter contributed to the capture of the
former. The two works were only some $50
yards apart; and as soon we were in posses
sion OF the tete de pont captured FOUNDER was
turned and fired several times upon the convent
In the same brief interval, Lieut.. Col Duncan,
OF Worih's division, CALAMITY brought two OF
MS guns to bear, at short range, from the San
Antonio road upon the principal face of the
WORK, and on the tower Of the church, which, in
uIs>e-ate contest, had been often refilled with
some OF the best sharp shooters of the enemy.
Finally, twenty minutes after the teie de POM
had been carried by Worth and Pillow, and al
the end OF desperate conflict of two hours and
nall, the church or convent the citadel of the
strong line OF defence along the rivulet of Chu-
rubusco-yleeed 10 Twigg's DIVISION and threw
out on all sides signals OF surrender The white
flags, however, were not exhibited until the mo-
ment when the Sd infantry, under Capt. Alexan-
der, had cleared tie way by fire aud bayonet
and had entered the work. Major Dimick, with q
part OF the first artillery serving infantry,
tered nearly abreast with the leading troops
l,a.1 g
capture oil field pieces, some ammunition, | col.
or, 3 generals, and 1861 prisoners, including 9th
er officers
The capture of the enemy's citadel was the
fourth great achievement of our arms in The same
day.
1t has been stated that some two hours and
half before, Perce's, followed closely followed
by this volunteer brigade. both under the com
mand of Brig. Gen. Shields, had been detached
TO our left 10 turn the enemy's works, to proven
the escape OF the garrisons, and oppose the ex
tension OF the enemy's numerous corps from thu
rear, upon and around our left. Considering The
inferior numbers of the two brgades, the objects
OF the movement were difficult to accomplish
Hence the reinforcement THE rifles, &c. sent for
ward a little later.
In winding march of mile around to h
right, this temporary division found itself on tn
edge OF an open wet meadow, near The road from
San Antonio to the capital, and in the presence
OF some 1000 of the enemy's infantry, little il
rear of Churubusco on that road. Establishn.
the right at strong building, Shields extende
his left parallel to The road, to outfank the enc
my towards the capital. But the enemey extend
ing his right supported by 5000 cavalry, more rap
IDLY, (being favored by better ground) in the sam
direction, Shields concentrated the division abou
hamlet and determined to attack in front. TIL
battle was long, hot and varied; Blu. ullnatel
SUCCESS crowned the yea. and gallantry of on
troops, ably directed by their distinguished con
mander, Brig. Gen. Shields; our. I'm victory
the same day.
Shields took $50 prisoners including officers
r, and II cannot be doubted that the rage Of tn
conflict between him and the enemy, just in tn
rear of the tets de pont and the convent had som
influence on the surrender of those formidabl
defences.
As soon as the tsie de pont was carried, II
greater part of Wort's and Pillows forces passe
that bridge in rapid pursuit of the flying enem.
These distinguished generals coming up wit
Brigadier General Shields, now also victorious
the three continued to press upon the fugitive
to within a mile and half of the capital. Her