The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-09-25
WAR NE WIS,
KENDALL'S ACCOUNT
of the Two Great Battles

complete list of the American officers killed
and woundcd
On the 18th August, reconnaissance molo
by Colonel Duncan having satisfied Genw,
Scott that road for artillery could be en-
from ChcIcoa 10 San Augusin, Gen. Worn,
division moved in that direction on the l5
followed by Generals Quitman, Pillow ana
Twiggs. by this movement n new line Of
operations was taken on the Southern and
North western sides Of the City of MeXco
and the strong works of FL Penon and Mu
icalcingo, on which Santa Anna had bcslou
cd such immense laborwere completely u
ed.
Onthe 10th General Worth marched q,
far MS the Pacionga ofSan Gregoria, wlcna
halt was ordered by General Scott, as Ger.
Twiggs had met large force Of the cncmy
near Chalcoa. Gen. Twiggs promptly order
ed the heaviest train, (gurs probably,)w
bered, aud after few discharges the enemy
were dispersed, with II loss of six killed.
On the I7th, Gen. Worth resumed his
march over terribly bad road, tut bys a.
clock in the morning he was in sigh, Of Mo
domes and spires Of the Capital, without On.
position, except that rocks had been roTd
on to the road, and bitches dug, evidently
showing that Gen, Scott had stolen ma,c,
on Santa Anna.
On reaching this point, however, scatter
lug fire was opened on the head Of his col.
umn by the enemy stationed IN an udvaum.
gcous position, which was soon sjcnccd h,
Col. Smiths light battalion oilhe ID Artillcr
under Majo Gulb. Another attack was
shortly after made, but again the enemy.
pckcts were driven in without loss.
At o'clock on the 18th, Gen Scott awir
ed at san Augustin. At 10 o'clock Gcn
Worth was in full march for the City Of Mex.
leo by the main road. Majors Smith al
Yrumbull, Capt. Mason & other cugiuccrM
ticers were sent in advance, supported m
Capt Blakc's squadron of Dragons, tore.
connoitcr, when masked battery opeuclu,.
on them, and killed Capt. Thornton Of ,..
2d Dragons, beside seriously woundug
guide.
Col. Garand's brigade was then ordered"
occupy position on the plain in sight Of de
cnemy's batteries at San Augustiu, G..
| Stark's brigade and Duncun's battery TOO,
! their station in the rear close by. A party
was then sent out to rcconuoiter, to asccr'a
1 the practicability ofiiuding a road BY which
the village of san Angel could be reached
and the Stronghold Of san Antonio turned.
This party bad a skirmish with the cuca,
/ killing five or six, and taking as many prise,
ners, without losing man.
The result ofthis reconnaissance was !.
vorabIe, aud it was ascertaincd that a ro
could be made. The MeXicans were plain,
seen in force near Brouteras, and at a con-.
Gil held that night it was determined TO attr
| them in the morning.
While this reconnaissance was going Or
Gen Worth had established himself at tIc,.
cicnda of Bunera, from the window oiw.M
u rFIN
seen at work upon the batteries of san AM.
uio. About noon they opened upon tie BE-
cicnda with both round shot and shell, N@,
! ly every shot took effect, but did no dana:
except to he buildings.
Late in the evening they were again oNc
| cd, but were silent during the night. H..
the fire been kept up, the hacienda na-;
| have been torn TO pieces, and the entire COLI
mand compelled to retire.
At eight o'clock on tho morning OF ht
! 10Th, the battalion again opened on Gel.
| Worths position. SO hot WAS tic fire t&
| the troops were compelled to gain shelter be
hind the buildings, but did not give mp their
position.
About nine o'clock the divisions Of Gencr.
ais Twiggs and Pillow were ordcrcd to morr.
IN the direction ofCrontCra, and, 10y one 90
the afternoon, when in plain sight OF the en-
cmy's batteries, and within range Of
heavier guns, the brigade Of Col l. w.
Smith was ordered to advance toward lie
cncmy's works, while that ofCo. RiIeymor
ed toward a small village to tic right, al
thus cut of rciniorccmcnts which might Il
sent to Valencia from the City.
An incessaut fire was opened on Co@0
Smiths command, and soon the Rifles MI'
engaged with the pickets ofthc enemy dr.
wing them in.
The twelve FOUNDER batteries OF ca
Magrudcr and the Mountain llowlt2cr
teries, now commanded by Lieut.. CaIIc.o.
of the Ordnance Department, were press
forward and opened on the enemy, but w
so much exposed to fire from heavier Ia
that they were soon silencCd. LicuIe|~
: Johnson and Calender were scrloa
wounded.
At 3 O'Clock Gen. Cadwalladcr was c-&
dered out to support Col Riley, rcUo%
ments being seen on their way out from U.
CITY, while Gen. Pierce was sent to Sis".
Gen. (Col.) Smith.
The firing from the enemy's batteries W"
ncessant. ,,,t
About 4 o'clock General Scott arrrcI;@ al.
seeing the immense strength OF the MyN
cans, at once ordered General Shields mr
AIDE to support Riley and CadwaHadeI, uys
prevent, if possible, a junction OF me WI Wi
coming out from the City with those u o ow
cncia; but few of the movements oil out oC,g
troops could he seen, but every mo0o" u ,"
enemy was visible. ...o, INNS
The order of battle ofNalencIa M"s ,.rrr
imposing-Thc infantry we're seen u ,;,os d
TO support the batteries, while !ons nun; IN Ne
the enemy's cavalry were statlohcH J"
rear, as if waiting the shock of battle, o,g
, .,l,O n
distinctly seen to be repulsed by Cor, IG%:
Until night had fairly closed in,the firing ~"
the enemy's batteries had not slacNe".I% sl
had been a continuous roar for nea'3
hours. -, olc; X
, Gen. Scott retired to San Augusiin Ut" ,l