Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-20


forces Brig Cen Smith, just before daylight, moved por
ton OF the forces up the avine the of the posi-
on so as 70 De within easy turning distance OF his et Hank
leaving COL Ransom with the 9th and 18th infantry TO make
strong diversion in 'front.' The day being sufficiently adj
vanced the order given by Brig Gen Smith for the
raj assault when, Gen. Smiths command upon the left and
CoL Riley with his brigade upon the right supported by Gen
Cadwaader with his coman moved up with the utmost gal
any, under the furious fire from enemys batteries which
were Immediately carried large number OF prisoners
aken including four generals with 30 out OF the original %
pieces Of artillery, and large amount Of ammunition and pub
lie property.
The rereatng enemy compelled to pass through Sc
we're e both from the assaultng forces and Cadwaladers
brigade as well as Shiedss command who had remained 81
the position occupied by the former General the previous night
with the purpose OF covering the upon the battery
The forces of the enemy engaged this place. including the
einorcemens OF the preceding evening" constituted force Of
about 10000 men, 5000 of whom cavalry the whole
were under the immediate command OF General Santa Anna
in person. assisted by Generals Valencia Saas, Banco Mem
doza Garcia, and others the last four mentioned We're taken
prisoners
Our forces, consisting of nv DIVISION Generals Twiggs's
and Shedss commands to about 4,500 men, The
loss OF the enemy, as nearly ascertain, was between
$500 and 1000 killed and wounded and 500 prisoners,
GLIDING the four generals previously mentioned four coonel
thirty captains, and many officers of inferior grades
The reports of the different corps engaged in this part the
battle, which were temporarily under my command, being
properly made to their respective Chiefs and having be-
fore me- am unable to give loss Though many brave
and gallant souls have en believed however, when the
strength of the enemy position his enormously heavy ar
ley and his superior forces considered, loss COM
paravey small matter of just pride and exnltation
that among the guns captured in the batteries the two
pieces taken by the Mexican army at Buena VISTA belonging
to Capt Washngtons battery, Cat that battle under the i'm
mediate command of Capt OBien and it is no less remark
able than gratifying that the good fortune and honor of
turing them belong the 4h regiment of artillery, of which
Captain Washngons company forms part
Throughout this engagement every corps engaged the
envy wherever he met with the determined resolu
tion and behaved with degree of galany rarely equaled
certainly surpassed any engagement known to the
American Bigader General Twiggs, next in COM
mand to myself and charged with the immediate execution of
my order of battle distinguished by the Judgment pomp
tude, and courage displayed by him throughout the
gagement.
Brgadier General Smith, the senior officer who remained
the plain and disposed the forces for the final assault
deserves and will doubtless receive the thanks of the army
and the honor due to the consancy of purpose and daring
which distinguished his conduct this great occasion Brig
Gen. Cadwaade displayed great judgment and high military
skill and heroic in the in which he met the
sudden and trying emergency, when all parties great
anxiety for the safety of his comparatively small command
when about be assaed by the overwhelming renocemens
of the enemy the preceding evening and also the
which he brought his command to the support of the
gallant Riley. This officer distinguished himself
less by the in which he contended almost single
handed with greatly superior numbers the first day, than
his gallant and successful charge upon the works Of the
my the second.
Brigadie General Pierce, though badly injured by the fall
Of his horse while CALAMITY leading his brigade into the thick
est of the battle the 18th, did not quit the field, but
nued IN command oil his brigade, two regiments OF which
the 9th and 18th infantry under the immediate command Of
the gallant Col Ransom and Lieut. Col Bonham the 9th,
and Capt Woods the 20thasaed the enemys works in
front at daylight with great ntrePdy and contributed much
to the glorious consummaon of the work SO handsomely
commenced on the preceding day.
The commanders of regiments and inferior officers all be-
haved with galany less distinguished though in subord
nate positions those named Sbove commanding divisions
and brgades but the space proper for this report will not add
NIT of further details.
In justice, however, to officers of this class, beg to call
the attention of the Commander nChef to the detailed
ports of the officers of the corps engaged this action
It due to Capt Magruder and Lieut. Calender, who have
other organization than parts Of my division, to testify
to their great gaany and daring the proof Of which is found
In their losses and in the fact that both OF their batteries were
much cut up by the terrible fire of the enemys heavy
During the cannonade Lieut. T. p. Johnston whilst gal
lanty serving the advanced section Of Magudes battery fell
MORALLY wounded and Lieut. Calender in command of the
howitze nearly at the time received wound
to disable him from commanding his pieces which conse-
quenty devoved upon Lieut. Reno Of the ordnance corps
who, for the remainder Of the BATTLE conducted the service Of
his battery with equal gallantry and judgment
in justice omit notice the valuable services Of
Captain Lee of the engineer corps whose distinguished merit
and gaanty deserve the highest praise and who in the
cuton Of his dues ably assisted by his assistants pre-
vousy mentioned They important aids in the comb
nation of elements brought TO bear with less t
umphant than glorious to arms upon the most powerful
collection of artillery Supported by force Of four to Of
forces successfully asaed in any battle upon this
continent
theatre the last Of the conflict closing
suitable dispositions made to the fruits of the VIC
tory resolved upon pursuing discounted enemy in which
found that Brgader Generals Twggs and Smith had area
dy anticipated me by having commenced the movement At
the time apprsed the Genealn-chief Of my advance,
and requested his authority proceed with all the forces still
under command and sweep around the valley and attack
strong works Antonio in tho rear and requested
the cooperation Of Gen. Worhs DIVISION assault Of
that work in front which the Genean chief readily granted
and directed accordngy-hayng learn, upon being ad
vised of the victory previously given the order had moved
of Coyoacan where the command halted await
close hand. Upon his arrival the important
that the great battery bad been lost the total defeat
opened to assault had abandoned the work San Antonio,
aud fallen back upon their strong entertainments in at
Churubusco.
Immediately ordered Brig Gen. Twiggs's division to move
ed with Cadwaades brigade and assault the tete
du pont its left Moving rapidly in execution Of this order,
had great difficulty in passing the command
shy fields and wide and deep dches filled with mud and
ter compelled to dismoun in order TO these
obstacles which CALAMITY by the troops when
the whole force gained the main causeway which place
Gen. WORTH with the advance Of his division, moving
upon the work II was then proposed that united
divisions should The assault Of The strong fee du
pont, which with its heavy artillery cnfaded the causewoy.
This being determined upon the troops Of the two divisions
moved rapidly to attack the work its left flank and, not
tho