The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-09-28
OFFICIAL ACCOUNTS
or THE
Battles Of COntreraS and ChurubuScO.
THE BRILLIANT OPERATIONS
OF THE
NEW YORK RE0IM EMIT,

GEN. SHIELDS REPORT.
HGApouAnreps lsr RatcAp

\
SIn-On the 10th inst. about O'Clock in the alter
pursuant to the orders the general
this division | marched from this place with tho New
York and South Carolina regiments Of volunteers to-
wards the battle field Of Contrras On reporting the
In chief who occupied arrival position
which overlooked the field, he described to
words the position Of the contendng forces pointed
the route OF my command and briefly Instructed
to the dispositions whcn would render my force the
most serviceable Directing my march upon the village
Coutreras the troops had pass ground
rendered the route almost impsssabe A deep rsvine
slong the bed which rolled rapid strsam was passed
the wesrisd troops crossing directed them to
be their until midnight, and whilst occupying
ders discovered and fired upon and drove back body
OF Mexican infantry moving through the fields In d.
since learned that an attempt had in like manner been
made by the enemy to pass the position the main
road occupied by the LIST regiment of artillery with
like want OF success thus being foled In his efforts
retire during the night About midnight | again re-
sumod the march ard joined Brig Gen Smith in the vii
lags already alluded to.
Gen Smith previous to my arrival had made IL most
judcious arrangements for turning and surprising the
could not wish to interfere This cast upon my COM
msnd the necessity Of holding the position evacuated by
Gen s. which was threatened by the enemys artillery
ry on the lett.
About day break the enemy opened brisk fire of grape
and round shot upon the church and village in which
my brigade posted, and also upon part own
troops displayed to divert him on his right 'front.'
evidently unaware OF the movement in to turn
his position by the left and This contiousd until
Col brigade opened ts FIRE from the which
delivered with such terrible effect that the whole Nex
can force thrown into the conformation At
this Juncture, ordered the regiment my command
throw themselves the main road by which the enemy
must retire to intercept and cut of mis- retreat and al
tnough oincers and men had suffered severely during
the march night and from exposure without shell
Ter or cover to the incessant rain until daybreak this
movement was executed in good order and with rapid
ty The Palmetto regiment crossed deep rsvne, de-
ployed on both sides the road and opened most de-
sruotve Gre upon the mingled masses of the infantry
and cavalry, and the New York regiment brought in
Anu rI=sln
like effect At this point many Of the enemy were killed
and wounded and some a65 captured which Is we're
| Mendoza
In the mean time the ensmy's cavalry, about 5000
rong which had been threatening our position during
Inc morning, moved down towards in good order
TITO attack. immediately recalled the infantry to
place IN position to meet the threatening movement but
SION the cavalry changed its direction retired
wards the capital now received the order from Gen
Twiggs to advance by the main road towards Mexico
and having posted Capt Marshail's company, South
Carolina volunteers and Capt Taylors company, New
York volunteers in charge Of the prisoners wound
Cd moved on with the remainder of my force and Join
ed the positions of the I'd and Sd divisions already
route on the main road On this march wre Joined
by the Genera-n Chief who assumed the command of
the whole and thu march continue uninterrupted un-
I'll we arrived before Churubusco Here the enemy
found strongly fortified and posted with his main force
probably near 10000 The engagement WAS commenced
by the I'd division under Twiggs joined by the first
under Worth and WAS becoming general when was d.
mens, and Pierccs Brigade the 9th l2th and i5h with
the mounted howzer battery and ordered to gain po-
|
| cept his retreat.
Leaving Loorco by left hand road and moving about
| mile upon It, moved thence with my command to.
wards the right through heavy oornheld and gained
an open but swsmpy field In which is situated the ha-
the hacienda discovered the road by which the enemv
must retire from Churubusco and found reserve OF
As my command arrived established the right unon
point recommended by Captain Lee engineer officer
In whose skill and management bad the utmost oona.
uenoe, and commenced movement to the LETT, flank
city finding his right supp Ss By
heavy body OF cavalry OF some 900 strong seeing that
with his infantry, he answered to my movement by
corresponding one towards his right flank, gaining
swamp through which had to operate Withdrew thu
men 70 the cover OF the Hacienda, determined attack
| selected tbs Palmetto regiment IS the base of nv
line and this gallant regiment moved forward firmly
rapidly under fire Of musketry as terrible perhaps,
any which soldiers faced The New York lltn and
10th depoyed calamity the right and the 9th
lef and the whole advance opening their fire they
came up ana moving steadily for the enemy began
to waver, and when my order to hsrge given the
men rushed upon and scattered his broken ranks
A. we reached the Rad, the advance Of Worths
mand appeared driving the enemy the strong hold
OF Churubusco took command Of the front aud con-
tnued IN puraa until passed ny Harvey with his cava
city .' 'A' '0''sa loo into the very gates OF the
In this terrible hattie in which strongly fortified
enemy fought behind his works under the walls OF his
capital our loss necessarily severe loss regret to
say has fallen most severely upon my In the
two regiments Of my own brigade numbering about six
hundred In the Y ht the reported 24O killed and
wounded Pirrce's brigade, under my oommsud in this
action lost considerable number in killed aud wound
ed, amongst the latter the gallant Col Morgan Of
the 10th. His command having rejoned its division i'm
medately after the action have yet received OFF,
report OF Its loss particular and detailed report
OF the loss also Of the prisoners captured by
mand accompanies this report In this engagement
of this 40 had deserted from the American
army during the war and ut their head found the
notorious Reilly who had fought against the troops
Monterey and elsewhere. In closing this report bog TO
Offer my thanks to the many gallant officers under my
command for their gallant and fearless support during
The conflict To Col Burnett aud Lieut. Colonel of the
New York Volunteers-to Lieut. Colonel Dickinson and
MAJOR GLADDEN. OF the South Carolina Volunteers; 8
ALSO 10 many OF their gallant subordnae every praise
Is due Col Burnett severely wounded the head
OF MS regiment, and Lieut. Col Dickinson severely
wounded whilst In the command Of his regiment, and
bearing calamity forward the colors OF his corps My
thanks are due the Medical of the commando Drs
alstead and Nckebbin Of the New York Regiment nd
Drs Clark and Bland Of the south Carolina Regiment
as also 70 DR. swift u s. A. for their attention TO the
1t affords me pleasure land but perform my duties
TOO iI acknowledging my great obligation Captain
Page, A. A. O. Lieutenant r. r. Hammond al ar,i,,s ~
A C., and Lieut.. L. Davis of Illinois acting "a aid
for their gallant services and fearless exposure
couraging the troops and conveying my orders during
the different engagements. Lieut. Bone commanding
howitzr battery deserves credit for the
manner In which he brought his guns into action and
continued to serve them beg respecl fully through
the General Of division to ask for these gentlemen the
favorable notice OF the Commandern hief and to
commend them to the President. Lieut.. Shubrick OF
the navy who accompanied me, attached himself to the
fametto regiment Of ms native state and fought In Its
ranks and 10 spoken Of Handsomely in the report
commander. Whilst thus enjoying the pleasure Of be-
slowing my comnendation upon the living turn with
feelings OF sorrow though with pride TO rcoect the gal
liant dead Lleuis. Adams aud Williams, OF the South
Carolina regiment and Lieut.. Chandler, of the New
York regiment Of these gallant dead by yielding
their lives TO achieve this glorious victory they
won the soldier lame with q soldiers death.
The noble and gallant Colonel OF the South Carolina
meDt had risen from his sick bid share the hard
ships Of the field and the dangers Of The combat with
his devoted regiments he survived the conflict Of the
morning to lead his commando victory again awaited It,
although wounded himself aud having his horse shot
under MIN, he s continued to press the
coors Of his regiment until the fatal ball terminated his
life. ...t .l,a.nr ,ri..
The gallant soldier In his youth has 10 his death
upon the field OF battle fame for himself aad his rsgi
ment, and added another to the sol OF Caronss
departed heroee,
(Sigued) J. A. SHIELDS,
Brigader General, Commanding list