The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-20

From the Army.
Very interesting letter from distinguished officer 10 his
correspondent IN Washington.
TAcUBAYA, Aug % Is4J

Very interesting letter from distinguished officer 10 his
] correspondent IN Washington
TAcuBAYA, Aug %. 1s47.
! We are now located in wing of the Archbishop's
palace Chapultepec, with its magnificent grove, is BE-
fore and overlook the great city, surrounded by
its lakes, and embosomed in its mountains | never re-
allied the beauty OF the valley of Mexico until reached
this spot 10 see i now, lighted by the soft, bright
moon, with every village, sTdre, hut and mountain re-
lecled IN ITS silver lakes you would think
some supendous works OF around us But can tell
you nothing for have not yet been in the city, though
nave Knocked its gates In the absence them of
thing more interesting, shall have to tell YOU of the op
eratlons OF the army.
On the 9TH instant Gen Twiggss division left Puebla
L was followed on the sth BY Gen Quitman's, on the
y!h oy Gen Worths, and on the 10th by Gen Pillows
Ten Scott lett on the sth, and overlook Gen Twiggs
mat night at San Martin. Our march over the noun
tans was undIstubed except by of gueras and
resistance Both disappeared approached and we
left their abandoned works as we found them On the
18th Gen Twiggs encamped at Ayota, Is miles from
Mexico, on the direct road. The other divisions, on
each succeeding day. up in order, and took positions
in the rear-Generul Worth occupying Chalco The re-
connolssances of the 10Th and 9th satisfied us of the
strength OF the enemys defences in our front Their prn
cpal defence was at Ell Penon, commanding the cause
way between the lakes of Tezcuco and Chalco. The
hill of Ell Penon is about 300 feet high having three
pateaus OF different elevations 1t stands in the waters
OF Lake leZcuco Its base surrounded by dry TRENCH
and its sides arranged with breasworks from its base to
its crest It was armed with thirty pieces Of cannon,
The causeway passed directly by its basethe waters of
the lake washing each side of the causeway for two
miles IN front, and the whole distance miles to the
CITY, There was battery on the causeway about four
hundred yards in advance of the Penon another by its
side third about mile in front of the entrance the
city, and fourth at the entrance About two miles in
front OF the Penon road branched off the left and
ed the outlet OF Lake Hochmil co, at the village of
Mexicalcingo, six miles from the main road. This
village, surrounded by a marsh, was enveloped in
a mile in length. Beyond, the causeway continued
through the marsh for two miles farther and opened up
on terra rma at the village of Churubusco which was
also fortified and which shall see more of presently
The reconnaissance OF the 14h satisfied that the route
south OF Lake Chalco was practicable Tor wagons
closed upon the village of Chalco, and the next morning
q5th) Gen. Worth led off south of the lake. The divs-
ions took up the line of march in succession General
lwggs bringing up the rear, and we turned backs
upon the ortlcatons of the Penon and Mexicalcingo
General Valencia, with 5000 men, made attempt to
annoy our rear as turned Lake Chalco but General
Iwggs having his train in front, and his division
well IN hand wheeled into line to the left, and,
with one discharge of Tayors battery, tumbled
the hills like the wild ducks/from the lakes. He
then broke again into column, and resumed his march
The rancheros and guerieros lowering about front
the trenches, and rolled away the rocks that had been
placed there TO retard us, without stopping march.
On the 18th Gen. Worth encamped at San Augustn,
and half miles, in front Of San Antonio to make
for the other division to close upon him. The 18th
devoted to reeonnossances San Antonio sua
ed the causeway in front, and swept the marsh
es to the left as far the lake. The pedyegal,
Everything but infantry, and difficult for them One
and half mile in the rear were situated the de-
fences OF Churubusco commanding the approach the
discovered west from San Augustn the spurs OF the
mountain to the San Angel road. by which these posi-
tons could be turned General Twigsss division coming
up on the morning Of the 10TH thrown forward
this route to cover the working parties formed from Pill
low division BY L p M, we had sarmounted the
their field batteries &C., within cannon range of Vaencias
entrenchments, situated the San Angel road and
handing the only approach through the pedegat vol
regiments The tools repacked, and preparations made
dislodge the enemy before continuing the road further
On approaching his front within canister range, and
driving In his advanced parties, posted behind breast
works across the road, with Magruders and the how
itzer batteries, found that the ground his left
offered the greatest advantages for the attack He lay
entrenched on rising ground behind deep ravne about
midway between us, to which the ground gently de-
scended from both directions His front defended
one lspounder and some OF smaller calibeJ His right
was almost equally strong; and, after crossing the
vine, approached over smooth ground in the form Of
natural glacis, and taken in reverse by body Of
cheros and ancers The heads of the different divisions
were accordingly changed the right and. each leaving
way, among the volcanic rocks, to the ravine, which
they passed in front of the small village OF San Raymond
out OF gunshot of Vaencia's batteries They now
Oh ue min d Ahsc odu, DetWeeH Sdiencia ana relicI;
but Santa Anna coming out to his support with seven
thousand infantry and cavalry drew up battle array on
the hills OF Contreros to right Col Rleys brigade,
that had been moved to the right earlier in the day. to CO.
operate with front attack, and had passed beyond the
San Angel road, falling back upon the village which
had taken possession of General Smith once deter
mined to drive away the force threatening our right
By the time his dispositions made the sun had
set and night drawing on, it was feared we should
therefore suspended till morning. The troops bvouacked
around the village, without food, without shelter, and
without fire. 1t afterwards determined to return to
the original intention of ASSEMBLING Vaencias entrench-
ments the dispersion of Santa Annals force affected
but little our principal object
At m, Col, Rley's brigade was put in motion, fol-
lowed by Gen. Smiths and Gen Cadwallaier's Gen
Shields holding the village During the night the 9th
and 18th regiments, with company of rifles aud
deachments that had been thrown out the previous day.
were moved to the ravne in front of the enemys position
and after driving in their picquets in the gray of the
ing, filed Oft to the right and took sheltered position
force in This force moving around the base of the
hill on which the battery placed, covered from their
view and fire, began about sunrise to show themselves
over its crest Col. Rley's brigade, sweeping around
their and right, moved down with great impeuosity
while Gen. Smith attacked their left from the In
the meantime Col Ransom, pushing the ravne the
force in 'front.' opened his fire upon their front and left
The enemy finding himself thus attacked and apprehend-
ing the main attack from the direction in which APP
preached the previous day. opened his heavy battery
his front But Rieys brigade, carrying everything be-
fore them drove them out between the fires of Smith and
Ransom upon that of Shields They broke at all points,
abandoning their artillery, pack train, ammunition
&C. We took 500 prsoners--4 generals Salas, Men
doza, Blapco, and Garciai colonels commanders of
IL