Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-11-25

regiment and companies Of three oherthe 80, l2th
and rifles.
Shields the senior officer at the hamlet having arrived in
the night, after Smith had arranged with Cadwalader and
Riley the plan of attack for the morning. deicaey waived
interference; but reserved 10 himself the double task OF
holding the hamlet with his two regiments (Souih Carolina
and New York voluneeTs against times his numbers
the side Of the city, including the slopes TO his left and ia
the camp in his should be carried face about
aud off the flying enemy
At O'Clock, A. NJ, the great movement commenced on
the rear OF the enemys camp Riley leading, followed
cessively by Cadwaadcs aud Smiths bIigades, the latter
temporarily under the Oders Of Major Dmck Of the t
tllery-the whole force being commanded by Smith, the
senior in the general attack and whose Arrangements skill
and CALAMITY always challenge the highest admiration
The march rendered tedious by the Darkness rain and
mud; but about unrise Riley conducted by Lieut. Tower
engineer had reached behind the enemy whence
be precipated his columns ;stomed the entertainments
planted his several coUrs upon hem and carried the work
all in seventeen minutes.
Conducted by Lieut. BeauegaTd engineer, and Lieutenant
Brooks of Twggss staf-bOth of whom, like Lieutenant
Tower had night, twice accommodated the ground
Cadwaader brought up to the general assault two of his
egments-lhe yogeurs and the llh and at the appointed
me Colonel Ransom with his temporary brigade conducted
by Captain Lee, engineer only made movement
divert and to distract the but after crossing the deep
ravne in his 'front.' advanced and poured into the works and
among the fugves many vOeys from his destructive
kerry.
In the meantime Smiths brigade, under the temporary
command OF Maj Dmick following the movements Of Riley
and Cadwaade discovered opposite and outside of the
works, long line Of Mexican cavalry, drawn up a sup
port Dimck having head Of the brigade the compa-
ny of sappers and miners under Lieut. Smith, engineer
had conducted the march, ordered by Brgader General
Smith to form line faced to the enemy, and in a charge
against flank, routed the cavalry
Shields by the wise disposition of his brigade and GAL
liant activity, contributed much to the general results. He
held masses Of cavalry and infantry, supported by artillery
in check below him. and captured hundreds with one Gene
raj, Mendoza OF those who fled from above.
doub whether more brilliant decisive vctory-ia-
king into view ground, artificial deOnces batteries and the
sde-s to be found record. Including all corps
directed against the enrenched camp with Shiedss brigade
at the hamlet positively did not number 800 rank
and file, and knew, by sight and SINCE
by many captured documents and letters, that the enemy
had actually engaged the spot 1000 men, with least
$4,000 more lowering within sight, and striking distance
both Oh the 18th and 2Oh All, not killed captured,
fled with precipitation.
Thus the great victory of Contreras achieved:
road TO the capital oPened zoo of the enemy killed; sl3
prisoners, including among IS officers generals besides
many cOors and standards % pieces Of brass ordnance
half Of large caibe thousands small
ments immense quantity of shot, Shells powder
tTldges TOO pack mules, many horses &C. &call in
hands.
1t highly gratifying find that by skillfu
and apdy of execution, loss in killed and wounded
did not exceed on the spot 60among the former the brave
Captain Charles Hanson of the 7th iDany-not
tngushed for gaanty, than for modesty morals and pey.
Lieut. JohnstOne st artillery serving with Magruders
battery, young officer Of the highest promise, killed
the evening before.
One of the pleasing incidents of the victory is the
recapture in works. by Capt Drum, Alb artillery under
Maj Gardner, of the two brass sixpounders taken from
another company Of the regiment though without
loss Of honor at the glorious battle Of Buena
which guns the whole regiment had mourned for MANY
long months Coming up little later had the happiness
TO join In the proraced cheers of the gallant 4h the
joyous event and, indeed the whole army ympathzes in
Its just pride and exuation.
The battle being won before the advancing brigades Of
Worth and Quman's divisions were in sight, both were
ordered back 10 their late positions-Worth attack San
Antonio IN front with his whole force approached
in the by Pillows and Twggss dyisions-movng from
Contreras through San Angel and Coyoacan By carrying
San AntOnlo knew that should open another
nd HAITI al.
trains
Accordingly the advanced divisions and shieldss b
glde marched from ConreIas under the immediate orders
MAJOR General Pillow, who was now joined by the gallant
Brglder General Pierce of his division, personally thrown
out OF activity, late the evening BEFORE by hur
received from the fall of his horse.
After giving necessary orders the field in the midst
prisoners and trophies, and sending instructions Haney
brigade OF cavalry, left at San Augusn, JOIN me- per-
sonally followed Pillows movement.
Arriving at Coyoaean two miles by a cross road from the
rear oil San Antonio, first detached Capt Lee, engineer
with Capt KeaTDey troop Dragons supported by
e regiment under Major Long TO reconnOe that strong
point; and next despatched Major Gen. Pillow with
his brgades Cadwallades make the attack upon it,
concert with Maj Gen. WORTH on the opposite side
AT the tme by another road the left 1t
OF the engineers, supported by Lieutenant g. W. Smiths
company OF sappes and miners, of the corps
10 reconnoTe the strongly fortified church Of
San Pablo, in hamlet of Churubusco one mile off
Twiggs, with Of his brgades (Smth's-lesS the rifles
and Capt TayOI's field battery, ordered follow anC
to attack the convent Major Smith, Senior engineer
10 concert with the mode and
attack, and Twiggss other brigade Rley ordered
up TO support him.
Next (but all in ten mnutes sent Pierce (iust able t.
keep the sadde) with his brigade pillows divsonl con
Quoted by Capt. Lee engineer by third road little fahe
TO our left TO attack the enemys right and rear order
favor the movement upon the convent and off the rere
towards the capital And finally Shields senior brgadier
Pierce, with the New York and South Carolina volunteers
(Quman'S division) ordered follow Pierce closely
and 10 take the command of our left wing All these
ments were made with the utmost aacriy by gallan
troops and commanders.
Finding myself at COyoacan, fron which many road
conveniently bIlnched, without escort reserve, had
advance for safety, close upon Twiggs's The BATH
now ragged from the right the left of whole line
Learning, the return Of Captain Lee that Shields, il
the rear OF Churubusco hard pressed and in danger
being outhanked IT not overwhelmed by greatly supefo
numbers Immediately sent under Major Sumner % da
goons, the rifles Twggs reserve) and Capt Sibes troop
I'd dagoons then at hand support left guided by tn
About hour earlier Worth had by skiful and darin
movements upon the front and right and forced
Antono-its gasOn no doubt much shaken by decisv
His second brigade (Col Clarke) conducted by Captain
Mason. engineer assisted by Lieut. Hadcaste phca
engineer, turned the right and by wide sweep
upon the high road to the capital At this point the heav
garrison 5000 mem in retreat was by Clarke in tn
centres portion, the rear, driven upon Dolores off to tn
right; and The other upon Chuubusco, in the direct line
our operations The FIRST Brigade Colonel Garands sam
division, consisting of the I'd artillery, under Major Gait
80 artillery under Lieutenant Colonel Belton and the At
infantry, commanded by Major F. Lee with Lieutenant Co
Duncan's field battery temporarily followed in pursu
through the town. taking General prisoner the
ed guns, tive peces much ammunition, and other publ
: property.
The forcing of San Antonio second brilliant ever
, of the day.
Worth's division being soon reunited in hot pursuit,
Il was joined by Maj Gen. Pillow who, marching from Co,
and discovering that San Antonio bad been carries
Immediately tunedto the left according TO my instru
Ions and though much impeded by bitches and swamp
n FASTENED to the attack of Cherubusco.
The hamlet scattered houses bearing this NAME DR.
tod fba cd &
(tee de pOn with regular basons and curtains at Il
head of bridge which the road passes from San