Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-09-18

that San Antonio is three miles in the direction
while the point occupied by Gen. Valencia, Coutreas
for he had command at that place. at least three miles in
straight line and in direction nearly west II miles
the way many OF our troops had march, for you cannot
imagine more rough, uneven, and jagged surface.
At eight O'Clock the morning of the 10Th the batteries
again opened Gen. Worhs position at the hacienda near
San Antonio the balls crushing through the walls and filling
the rooms with fragments of plaster and broken furniture
Shells also burst in the air the building and the pieces
dropped among the stationed in the So hot was
the fire that the troops obliged gain shelter behind the
building but still did give up the position About nine
o'clock the divisions of Generals Pillow and Twggs or
dered to advance in direction of Couera and by one in
the afternoon in plain sight Of the enemys batteries
and within range of the heavier guns.
The brigade of Gen. p F. Smith ordered to advance
directly towards the enemys works. while that of COL Riley
moved towards small village to the right with orders gain
the main road and thus be enabled off any reinforce
which might be sent to Valencia from the city. An
firing opened upon the advance of
Gen. Smith, and the rifles engaged in skirmshing
with the pickets of the enemy and driving them in.
The l2-pounder battery of Capt. Magruder pressed
forward with all speed also the rocket and mountain
howitzer battery commanded by Lieut. Calender Of
the Ordnance Department As soon they could gain
position they opened upon the enemy, but much ex
posed fire from heavier guns that they siIenced
Lieut. Johnson, of the st artillery, but attached to Magru-
ders battery, mortaly wounded while Lieut. Caen-
der severely wounded in both legs
At o'clock the brigade of Gen. Cadwalader ordered
support COL Rley-heavy reinforcements being seen
their way out from the citywhe Gen. Pierces brigade
sustain Gen. Smith The firing from the bate
res of the enemy continued ncessant while from hill just
outside of the range Of their guns the spectacle
grand and imposing
49, A
strength of the Mexcans ordered Gen. Sheds
brigade from San Augusin-a part of Gen. Quiman
mandto the right to support Riley and Cadvaader and
prevent if possible junction of the forces coming out from
the city with those of Valencia But few of the movements
of troops could be from the hill where we were
posted owing to the dense chapar sharp rocks and avne
but not motion of the enemy but plainly visible.
The order of battle of Valencia certainly impo
sing Infantry were seen drawn up to support the batteries
while long lines Of the enemys cavalry stationed the
if awaiting the shock of battle Two separate charges
of the latter distinctly repused by COL Riley,
who had moved his brigade at time position partially
in the of the enemys works COL Hamey exceed
ingy anxious to march his cavalry the of action but
1t deemed utterly mpractcab The of the ground
was such that the infantry had great difficulty in finding
the way the peega the Mexeans termt ground
covered with sharp jagged rocks.
Until night had fairly closed in the fire from the enemys
batteries did not sacken had been continuous roar for
nearly six hours Gen. Scott retired San Augusn about
eight O'Clock, and in the midst of hard rain which had Just
commenced falling. Generals Twggs and Pillow came in
about O'Clock, wet and completely exhausted 1t i'm
possible to horses the rough and exceedingly broken
ground which they had been operating for nearly twelve
hours.
Not anticipating the immense strength of the works of the
enemy the almost insurmountabe difficulties of reaching
them had been first thought that the batteries would be
taken at dash, and that the troops would be all comfortably
quarteed in San Angel for the night; instead of this large
portion Of them compelled bvouac without blankets
in the midst Of pess rain, and ground where they could
not stretch themselves Add this the prospects Of
the far from aeringwere enough 10 dsnay
but the stoutest heas-ha the enemy would doubtless
reinforce and strengthen his works during the night having
every superiority in knowledge Of the ground add again to
this that the men were weakened by long exerons of
food, and chilled by the continuous night ran and is not
saying too much TO that the byouac 18th of Au
gust was gloomy in the extreme
Early in the morning Of the Goth Cen Worth was order
ed to move with part Of his division Garands brgade
wards the of action Coutreras aid in the attack
upon Valencia for force this position was deemed nds-
pensabe. few discharges of heard about
o'clock, and heavy mng Of musketry and said
that in the distance they had large of Mexcans
in full flight towards the city yet few dreamed that the bat
tees at Coureras had been stomed and carried Yet
was Gen. Scott HIMSELF accompanied by Gen. WORTH
started for the Of action, when they met by Capt
Mason with the joyful intelligence that Valencia had been
completely routed after short but terrible struggle.
The attack upon his works planned by Gen. Smith,
and resulted in the capture Of fifteen pieces of artillery
fifteen hundred prsoners-among them Generals Banco,
Garcia, Mendoza and the notorious Salas-a the ammun
ton and camp equpage, while the road along which those
who escaped fled was sewed with muskets No less than
seven hundred OF the enemy, among them many officers
left dead on the ed-he number of wounded was undoub-
edy far greater. have time enlarge or comment
upon this welpanned and brilliant achievement but
ing full description for other tme must pass on
to other exciting events.
The works at Coutreras completely in the power Of the
American army, Gen Scott ordered Gen. Worth to
fall back upon San Antonio, and capture that work.
and then to push towards the capital by the road
while the main body Of the army under Gems Twggs Pill
low, Smith, Pierce and CadwaIader moved towards
Angel and Cohoycan Scarcely had the advance of General
Twiggs got half mile beyond the latter village before rat
Ting fire OF muskey announced that actively engaged
with the ouposts of the enemy, and the heavy booming of
gave token that the noted second division had
fallen upon another strong work.
But few minutes and tremendous firing from tho
ap1ina in Sap