Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-27
Report of Brigadier General Twiggs.
HEApauARrERs 2p DIV. OF REeulARs,


City Of Merico, September 81, ls47.
SIR For the information of the Geneal-in-chief, have
the honor to make the following report of the part taken by
my division in the reduction of the city of Mexico and its
tiguous works.
On the 9TH instant Rleys brigade composed of the 4th
artillery the I'd and 7th infantry, was by the Generals
ders thrown in advance Of Pillows division the San Angel
road watch and keep in check any force from the city in
that direction On the following day this brigade the
the battle of Moline del Rey after which assumed
its post the San Angel road and joined the after
of the lh by Smiths brigade, Composed of the mount
ed rifles the LIST artillery, and Sd infantry and Taylor and
Steptoes batteries Stepoes 2pounder battery placed
in position during the night Of the 18th, and by daylight in
the morning enabled to open the enemys batteries,
situated the gaa the San Antonio road and between
that and the San Angel road the firing kept up brsky
during day on both Sides with but little u.s. who
protected by good temporary breaswork. On the
morning OF the 18th the firing renewed with great SPIRIT
which compelled the enemy to withdraw his guns from the
garita, within the protection Of the city walls
Smiths brigade ordered proceed in the direction
of Chapuepec, and support of the columns Of attack
commanded by Major General Quman. With the sormers
from my division in front of the road the attacking column on
the le and Smiths brigade the right of II, the force adj
vanced in the face Of weldrected fire from battery at the
base of Chapuepec point where the aqueduct leaves
and also from musketry sheltered by the aqueduc and by
breastworks and each side Of the road When
within charging distance, the stormes with the assistance OF
the right Of Smiths BRIGADE which had been thrown forward
toward the aqueduc rushed the enemys guns drove of
killed the cannoniers and took possession OF this strong
mounted nemen considerably right protect the right
Of Qutmans DIVISION they found the first battery
when the somes about attacking and thus enabled
to enter with the advance The brigade pushed and cap
ured second battery in the Of the first when several
guns and many prisoners taken after brisk Skin
mshng the enemy finally driven from every point the
east of the HILL and pursued the San Cosme road
distance BY the orming party, under the command OF
Capt Paul. 9TH iniantry this party having been oveaken
by the DIVISION and their specific duties hav
ing been accomplished ordered return and reon their
respective regiments
Early in the action Captain Casey I'd infantry, who
manded the sorming party from my DIVISION severely
wounded, and obliged to retire. The command devolvng
upon Captain Paul. 18th Infantry, Lieut. CAN'T 18th infantry
with portion Of the party ordered to the ditch on
the left Of the road and proceed further the left of the base
of Chapulpetec and, by scaling the WALL gain admance to
the body Of the work This gallant officer shot dead al
the head Of his the command of this party devovng up
on Lieut. Steele, I'd infantry, who led his with ine
py and Too much cannot be said In praise OF the
officers and who composed this stomng force with Capt
Paul in command, ably and calamity supported by Captain
Roberts, Of the mounted rifles Capt Dobbins Sd infantry
Lieut. Richardson, Sd infantry Lieut. Wescott, I'd nian
try Lieut. Hill 4h artillery Lieut. Bce Sd infantry Lieut.
Steele, Sd infantry Lieut. Stuart mounted rifles and Lieut.
De Russy 9TH artillery the party advanced without alter
a check.
Smiths brgade-the riflemen leading, supported by
snch howze in charge the late and gallant Capt Drum,
9TH artiery-cared battery the Casa Colorado, half
way the garta the Chapultepec road The command
here recognized by the senior officer, Maj Gen. Quit
man, WIN tne mounted IN
ported by the South Carolina reginentthe remainder of
Smiths brigade being in escrveand charged the battery at
the garta the reserve pushing up arrived at the battery at
the moment with the advance, and entered the city at
twenty minutes past o'clock P. M. The brigade occupied
buildings within the city during the night and, the enemy hay
ing the abandoned the city, forces took pos
session of It the morning Of the 18th Our national colos
planted the enemys palace by non-commssioned
officer of the mounted rifles at o'clock A. NJ.
Until late in the afternoon Of the 18th, Reys brigade with
Sepoes and Tayos batteries kept in the Piedad road
watch the enemy in that quarter 1t formed junction
with the st division the San Cosmc road early the night
of the 18th.
For minute information to the operations them
selves and TO the officers and particularly distinguish
ed these several OCCASIONS will respectfully refer the Gene
rain chief the accompanying report of Brig Gen Smith,
who so ably commanded the brigade in action.
Lists Of killed. wounded and missing have already been
furnished
have the honor be- sir very respectfully, your obedient
servant ID. Z. TWIGGS,
Brig Gen. U. s. A., commanding ID division.
To Capt III. l.. Scorr, A. A. A. g.
Headquarters Of the Army, City Of Mexico.