Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-23
OFFICIAL. DISPATCHES.
MORE DISPATCHES,

Department, from Col. ChIts, descriptive Of his
admirable defence ol Puetla; and from General
Lane, of his entrance into tuebla, and the TWO
brilliant actions at Huamanlla and Atli1co -
They speak their own eulogy. They give new
glory to our arms. They show the machless ora'
very Of our countrymcn, and their 'nllhhe SUPP
rority TO their barbarc toe. Such oows con.l'
nued some tine longer, and struck win 'i'c e"a
ractersiic energy OF the Amer icen ella acler, mus
secure us an honorable peace through an homo
rable war
REPORT OF COL. CHlLDS.
IJr,nor.grERs MILITARY DErARMT OF PuEBLA
Puebla, Oct Is, lS47. J
Sir: have the honor 10 report thai, ai'ef lwen'
weight days close investment the enemy yes'ei-
day raised The siege, and left Tor Atiixco.
will avail myself OF this opportunity 10 sup
mi, to the General-in-chief brief account OF lhe
operations OF the troops al this pont RON 'ie pe.
Rod of my assuming command TO the 1ern'ha.ion
of the siege, and The arrival OF brig 0en' Lah'
with reintorcements.
On entering upon duties as civil and military
governor | found myself in command OF Capt
Ford's company of cavalry, 46 strong; Caps.
Hendricks and Miller's companies OF artillery,
numbering 100; together with six companies u
the LIST Pennsylvania volunteers, COMMANDED ny
Lieut.. Col. Black-hs total effective s'rens'h
being 47-and hospitals filled win !, GUY sie".
With this command, San Jose, The grand ae-
no, in the city, Loreto and Guadalupe were 40 DC
sarrisoned, and held against Inc comoineo eno''s
Of the military and populace.
The ;soIaled posiiion selected for the hospitals
compelled me TO remove them within the protec-
lion of San Jose, on The first demonstration Of
hostility. This was not long in exhibiting ltsell,
when pu, myself, with such means as mad al
nv disposal, in the best possible state Tor celence
confning my efforts 10 the squares Immediately
around San Jose and from these points The enc
my, during the entire siege, were not ape 10 lorce
in ibut for single moment) sentinel.
No omen acts Of hostility, other than the muir
derine of Struggling soldiers. occurred unii me
night of the 18th OF September, when hre was
onened from some of the streets. On the night OF
The l4,h i, recommended, and from every street,
with violence that knew OF no Cessation ioi
lwenty-eight days and nights.
The enemy, with their numerous cavalry, sue
ceeied in cutting of at once every Kind OF supply,
and vainly attempted to change the current Oh lne
stream of water, that we might become more
easy prev The night, however, before the ca'tie
and Sheen disappeared from this vicinity two
well.directed parties obtained 80 Of the former,
and 400 of the latter.
The various points TO be defended Tor the pre-
servation of San Jose, on which the safely OF the
other posts depended, The untirine vigil
lance of every officer and man.
The enemy augmented in numbers daily, and
daily the firing was increased; and finally, on The
22d OF September, General Santa Anna arrived
with large reintorcements from Mexico, much 10
the delight Of the besiegers, on which occasion a
general ringing OF bells took place, and was only
stopped-as il had been several times beiore-by
discharge of shells and round-shot from LoIeto
into the heart of The city.
On The 25th ofSeptember General Santa Anna
demanded my surrender. A copy OF his demand,
together with the reply are herewith enclosed
marked A.
here beg TO pay passing tribute 10 my GAL
LIANT troops. So soon as had despatched my an.
swer, supposed not moment would be lost by
the General who was 10 attack me al all points
with his 300 troops. rode to The different
posts. and announced 10 the troops the demand,
the force with which i, was backed, and my re-
ply. Their response convinced me that all was
safe: that hard and bloody battle must be fought
ere The great captain vi Mexico could overcome
my little band.
The point of attack was San Jose, command
ed BY Lieut. Col. Black, with Capt. Ford's COM
pany OF cavalry, and Capt. Milers company OF
4h artillery, and four companies oil his own re-
giment, and one hospital, The guard OF which was
in command OF Capt Rowe, OF the 9Th regiment
ofinfanuy.
The duty required OF this command, as have
before observed, in consequence Of The various
points TO be defended demanded an uniiring ci-
fort on the part Of every officer and soldier A
shower OF bullets was constantly poured from Inc
Streets the balconies, the horse-ops and churches,
upon their devoted heads.
Never did troops endure more fatigue by watch
ing nigh, after night, for more than Thirty sue
cessiye nights. nor exhibit more patience, spirit,
and gallantry. No, post OF danger could pre-
sent itself bu, the gallant fellows were ready 10
6ll il. Not sentinel could be shot, but another
as aG nfiaHHs aadt Wifi tat Rksrtore ndnoi-
ed martyrs in their country's cause. This is the
general character Of the troops had the honor 10
command, and was confident The crown OF vic
Tory would perch upon their standard when Inc
last great effort should be made. Their bold and
determined front deprived them OF what they anx-
iously desired.
On The Both ult Gen. Santa Anna had csab-
lished his battery bearing upon San Jose, and
opened with much spirit. Having anticipated
this movement. had thrown up traverse on the
plaza. and withdrawn i2-pounder from Loreio
by which means was enabled 10 answer his
shot. Towards night his battery ceased, and on
the next morning was Withdrawn, together with
from 5000 10 1000 OF the besiesing force, TO
meet The reinforcemenls then daily expected al
Pinal
On The "a instant | awaited myself Of some
reduction of the enemy's numbers TO make sor-
lie against certain barricades and buildings
whose fire had become very annoying. One ol
The expeditions was confided 10 Captain Small, Of
The LIST Pennsylvania volunteers. Passing through
the walls of an entire square with fifty men, he
gained a position opposite The barricade, and
drove the enemy with great loss, they leaving Sc
yen,eep dead on the ground. The barricade, con-
sistine of $50 bales Of cotton was consumed. In
this affair, Captain Small and his command be-
haved with great callantry, and for twenly-iour
hours were unceasing in their labors in accom-
plishing the objec.; when l sent Lieut.. Laidley,
Of the ordnance corps, 10 blow up a prominent
building, which was done by that excellent othcer
in good style; when the entire party was With
drawn, with few wounded.
Al the same time Lieut.. Morgan OF the l4lh
regiment, with a detachment OF marines, anu LII.
Mortified, OF the 18th regiment, with detach-
ment OF rifles attempted 10 gain possession OF GER
Tain buildings from which we were receiving a
most CALLING fire. Lieut. Merriteld entered the
building. Lieut.. Morgan was not SO fortunate.
The enemy being present in great force, direct
ed him 10 fall back, with The loss OF one man
killed. On the 5lh inst, Capt. Heron was de-
lached with his company 10 lake possession Of
building, from which The enemy had bcea emilia
ding The plaza. This he did in ve'y handsome
manner, aud 10 my entire Satisfaction, via only
a few men wounded.
Other minor acts Of gallantry and good con-
duct were exhibited by officers and men al San
Jose; and from Guadalupe one or Two successful
sor,ies were made upon the enemy, when enga.
ged in their daily attacks on San Jose.
From Lieut.. Col. Black the immediate com.
mander OF San Jose, and his officers, have re-
ceyed the most cordial support. Col. Black Tor
more than thirty days was untirng in his efforts
and zeal for the safety OF that point Officers and
men were al their posts night and day, without
regarding The pelting storm; and cannot say 100
much in praise Of the gallant colonel, his officers
and men, before and during the siege.
Lieut.. Laidly, Of The ordnance corps, comman-
ded the 10 FOUNDER, the mountain howi'zer, and
four rocket batteries at the barricade, aud there
stationed himself night after night; and as often
as these batteries were opened was with effect.
Capt, Ford, commanding The cavalry, although
no opportunity occurred, in consequence of the
limited number Of his lronns 10 engage the enemy,