Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-09-30

ly changed 10 the right; and, each leaving Their
horses and batteries behind, slowly wendcd their
way, among the volcanic rocks, TO the rayine,
which they passed in front Of the snail village OF
San Raymond, out OF punshot Of Yalcncia's bat.
tcrics. They were now on the firm San Angel
rond between Valencia and relief; but Santa
Anna coming out to his support with seven thou
sand infantry and cavalry, drew up in battle ar
roy ON the hills Of Conlreras, to our right. Col.
Rlcy's brigade, that had been moved to the right
earlier in The DAY, 10 cooperate with front at
tack, and had passed leyond the San Angel
road, now falling back upon the village which we
had taken possession Of, Gen. Smith at once de-
tcrmincd 10 drive away the force threatening our
right By the time bis dispositions were made,
the sun had set; and night drawing on, Il was
feared we should not have light enough for our
work. The attack was therefore suspended I'LL
morning Tho troops biyouacked around the
village, without food, without shelter and with
out Gre. II was afterwards determined 10 re-
turn TO the original intention Of assaulting Va
lcncias entertainments, as the dispersion Of San
ia Annals force affected but little our principal
object
At 3, A. NJ, Col Rilcy's brigade was put in
motion, followed by Gen. Smiths and Gen. Cad
walladers; Gen. Shields holding the village
During the night the sth and 18th regiments,
with company Of rifles and some detaclrmonts
moved to the ravinc in front Of The enemy's po-
siton, and, after driving in their picqucts in the
gray of the morning, fled off 10 the right and
took sheltered position on their left, ready to
cooperate with the attacking force in rear
This force moving around the base of the hill
on which the battery was placed, covered from
their view and fire, began about sunrise to show
themselves over lis crest Col. Riley's brigade,
sweeping round their rear and right, moved
down with great impctuosiiy, while Gen. Smith
attacked their left from the rear In the mean
time Col. Ransom, pushing across the rayine the
force in front, opening his fire upon their front
and left. The enemy finding himself thus at
tackled, and apprehending the main attack from
the direction in which We approached the previ-
Gus day, opened his heavy battery on his front.
But Rilcy's brigade, carrying everything before
them, drove them out between the fires Of Smith
and Ransom upon that of Shields. They broke
at all points, abandoning the artillery, pack train,
ammunition, &c. We took 500 prisoners-four
Generals: Salas, Mendoza, Blanco, and Garcia
four Coloncls; two commanders Of brgadcs and
squadrons, and other officers in proportion
Among the twenty-five pieces Of artillery taken,
were the two belonging to Washingtons battery,
taken at Buena Vista. They were retaken BY
the 4th artillery, the regiment to which they
originally belonged. We buried COO Of their
dead found en- lie field Our loss did not OK.
coed so. Af,cr allowing the troops little time
for roifcslment, they were put in march down
the San Angel road, 10 take in reverse the posi-
tons Of San Antonio and Churubusco. The
enemy, finding himself turned, Immediately
commenced TO c,ucuate his lines at San Anio-
MO; lut We moved upon him 20 rapidly that he
bad to abandon lis guns. Gen. Worth's diyis-
ion that had marked him in front, followed 20
close upon his heels as 10 drive his rear into the
defence Of Churubusco. In the mean time Gen.
Twiggs had taken his position in the front of the
battery surrounding the convent, while General
Worth seized upon that defending the bridge,
and blockading the main road TO Mexico. The
battle orencd 6ercely on that side Generals
Shields and Picrce's bngades were sent to at
tack his rear Advancing towards the city Of
Mexico until they had passed stream in rear
of Churubusco, they crossed cornfeld on their
right, and made for the causeway leading from
Churubusco to the capital This causeway was
defended by large Iody of infantry and caval-
~, the latter extending apparently 10 tie gates
Of Mexico. The number Of infantry was said
to be 5000. and of cavalry 1000. Gen. Shields
forming his line obliquely TO that Of the enemy,
resting either flank upon some buildings on his
right and et, and gaining as much TO their night
flank possible, bronshs his men promptly into
action. Gen. Fierce, following quickly M tooL
position TO his LEFT, and the howitzer battery
opened on his right The Mexicans made
stout resistance, and the reserve under Major
Sumner, composed Of the rifle regiment and
squadron Of dragons, was brought TO their sup
port. BY the time they broke into the cornfeld,
The enemy began TO give way. Worth and
Twipes had forced their front, and they were
being driven upon the capital. As soon as the
way was clear for the dragons, they swept over
the causeway, charging up 70 the very gates
Many fine saddle was emptied by the discharge
from their last battery. Capt. Kearney, whose
troop wns leading lost his leit ann and the resi-
of his officers were wounded. Our men had
done their work wen and faithfully. Their ex-
haustion required rest. The recall was sounded
and we returned 10 the care of the killed and
wounded. OF these we have goodly number
fear they will reach nearly 1000 Many gal
liant officers are II rest. Col Butler of the
South Carolina regiment, bringing his regiment
into action had his horse shot under him; con-
tinuing the charge on foot, he was wounded in
the lee, and finally shot through the head. OF
the regulars, Capt. Thornton, Of the dragons,
Capt Burke, LIST artillery, Hanson, Lieut. Irons,
Easily, Hoffman, and johnson. About 40 are
wounded more or less severely. All the engi-
necrs are safe. We cannot be sufficiently thank
full, nor repay the interest or prayers Of our
friends in our behalf The greeting of General
Scott by the troops after the action, on seeing
INC futttee OF Aii pllusf Was lOuu anu NOtll-
erous. 1t must have shaken the "lialls Of the
Montezumus" Their enthusiasm seemed to
cheer the Mexican officers in their captivity
The army has implicit confidence in him, and
apprehcnd nothing where he commands lie
sees everything and calculates the cost of every
measure; and they know and feel that their
lives and labor will not be uselessly expended
During the day VIC took 1900 prisoners, 8 Gen
erals, 81 pieces Of artillery, aud ammunition
enough for whole campaign. Their defence
were completely turned, md their plans upset
We could have entered Mexico that evening or
the next morning, at our pleasure, so complete
was the disoreanzation OF their amy of $1,000
men. We learn that 1000 men were opposed
TO at all points on the goth, and they acknow-
edge in killed aud wounded 5000. On the 2ist
as the army was in motion towards the city, Gen.
Scott was met by proposition for cessation of
hostilitics for the purpose of taking care Of the
killed and wounded. This he refused; but in
the evening agreed to an armisiicc to enable
commissioners to meet Mr. Trist, and to treat for
peace. This aimistice has been officially rati-
fed II is difficult to foresee the result; though
i can very well see that il is for Santa Annals
advantage TO make peace. So far can trust
him.
Interesting Letter.