The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-08
THE u MON.

dred Of our lnvincbe troops encountered fourteen thou
sand of the enemy having every advantage OF position
continued two hours and half with destructive severity,
and terminated IN glorious victory but victory not
cheaply won. All the enemys orlileailons were car
RED and his forces defeated and driven 10 the
rampars of the city for safety. His loss, in killed,
wounded, and prisoners about equaed entire force
engaged in the action Our loss, also severe seven
hundred and eighty nine in killed and wounded On the
list of these will be found some of the brightest orna
mens of the service" For interesting narrative Of
the heroic deeds of the battle of Ell Momo del Rey and
the gallant conduct of the officers and men by whom ii
won, respectfully refer to the reports of the gene
raj in chief command, and of the distinguished general
who more Immediately participated IN the action. Those
who fell and those Who survived the glory OF this day.
appropriately commended by the latter to the respectful
memory of Their countrymen and the rewards due to
valor and conduct so eminenty conspicuous
The battle OF FL Moline del Rey was the opening scene
to the stomng of the formidable fortress of Cbapuepec
and OF the trumphal entry OF our army into the city OF
Mexico.
In the plan for the capture of the CITY, the reduction of
Chapuepec embraced Indispensable to lis
cess. This was daring and dangerous enterprise II
place OF extraordinary natural strength and its
great importance defence to the city well under
stood by the enemy who had exhausted his skill and
lavished his means to make it impregnable
Our batteries, stationed at different and well-seeced
the 18th OF September, and kept up a well-drected
and destructive fire through that day, and in the morn
ing OF the next, until the forces were ready 10 move
on to the attack Preparations eyincing great mill
tary skill and judgment, were made Tor the assault
on the morning OF the 18th Not only the strong
citadel which crowned the hill to be carried but
numerous outworks obstruchng every approach toit
to be taken, and large bodies OF the enemy, who
manned and protected these works, were TO be encoun-
tered and dispersed before that fortress could be reached
All intervening obstacles were swept away and The cas-
Tie carried by storm. 10 convey something like an ade-
quae impression of this daring and heroic achievement,
avail myself of quotation from the despatch OF the
general in chief command, descriptive OF the closing
scene
no nj
strong redoubt, midway, be carried before reaching
the castle the heights The advance OF our brave men,
ing rocks, chasms, and mines and under the hottest
fire OF cannon and muskeuy The redoub yielded TO
the castle the fate that mpended. The enemy were eadi-
ly driven from shelter shelter The retreat allowed not
up friend and foe Those who at distance attempted TO
apply matches to the long trains shot down by our
At length the ditch and wall of the main work were
reached the scaling ladders brought up and planted
the assault, down-kiled wounded A iodg-
ment was soon made; streams OF heroes followed; all
colors flung from the upper walls amidst long contin
ued shouts and cheers which sent dismay into the capital
Though the capture of Chapuepec was most difficult
and perilous enterprise, was however, but in the
series of brilliant achievements which were to be per-
formed before the city of Mexico fell into possession
desperate struggle was continued throughout the whole
day. The numerous batteries, which opened destruc-
tive fire upon troops, after another, were cap
turcd the formidable obstacles, well contrved TO
rest our advance, were surmounied and the opposing
hosts OF the enemy were driven from their wel.chosen
positions. When night came and suspended the dreadful
conflict two OF our columns had entered the city Pepa
ratons were at once made for its entire subugation on
the approaching. morning.
Our astonishing successes the two preceding days
had filled the army and the government of Mexico with
despair; they precipatey fled during the night OF the
18th On the 18th troops took possession the mag
nihcent capital Of the Mexican republic and planted the
standard Of the United States her national palace.
The preceding sketch Of the operations OF our army,
AZ Moto Co do
barcaon at Vera Cruz until its riumphal entry into the
city OF Mexico, is, am well aware, exceedingly imper-
fect it is confined to the announcement of general re-
suits; details and subordinate events developing heroic
acts and individual merit necessarily excluded but
these presented with fulness in the admirable reports,
herewith transmitted of the highly distinguished officers
who participated, in an eminent degree in the memorable
scenes they well describe.
After the main body OF our army had moved on the
the city of Mexico, the small garrison at Pueba under
the command OF Colonel Childs, sustained close and
continued siege tor twenty EIGHT days. by vastly supe
rior force The number of assailans brought against
this small garrison was at one time eight thousand.
under the immediate command of General Santa Anna.
The siege sgnazed, through its whole course, by
successive attacks at various points, successfully repealed
The report OF the commander of the garrison herewith
presented to your consideration is another testimonial
of the gaanty and the patient endurance OF our officers
and men, under the trials which cannot fail to
exal the character of army at home and duse its
renown wherever heroic deeds are justly appreciated
After the Mexican army was SO signally defeated and
driven from the city of Mexico, General Santa Anna
determined TO try his fortune IN another held With
force of four thousand and six pieces Of artillery,
he prepared for attack the train and troops which
Brigader General Lane conducting to the head
quarters OF the army AppriZed OF this design, and learn
ing that the enemy at Huamanta, General Lane pro-
ceeded on the 9th of October, with considerable de-
tachment, 10 attack him and disperse his troops The
encounter between this detachment and the enemy was
brilliant the conduct OF our officers and men sustained
The high character which they have everywhere won
since the commencement OF the war. The enterprise
was carried out with complete success the force under
General Santa Anna was dispersed, two OF his cannon
were captured two OF his aides-decamp MADE PRISONERS
and the city of Huamantla taken.
Being informed that considerable force OF the enemy
Atixco, under General Rea's command. General
Lane resolved to strike al them The execution OF his
design required long and tedious march il was per-
formed in highly creditable manner the enemy was
encountered routed, and pursued to considerable dis
lance, with loss of two hundred and nineteen killed
and three hundred wounded and the city oil Atxco cap
tured For the details of these very successful opera
TONS and the instances of individual courage and dstn
respectfully refer you to the reports of General Lane,
herewith transmitted
There have been also many severe conflicts between
attachments of troops and the gueieros along the
lines of communications, almost invariably with re-
suits highly credabe to our arms. Those in which the
small command Of Major Lally engaged in its ardu
GUS march from Vera Cruz to Jaapa OF character
which merits special notice. The formidable dhcutles
met and overcame, points In the route,
attest the ability of the officers and the bravery OF the
troops composing this detachment The particular Incl
dents of this march, and the creabe conduct OF the Of
cers and men, presentedin the accompanying report
of the commanding officer
The sketches have presented OF the operations OF the
two main columns of our army do not embrace an
account of all the achievements in the enemys country
which have reflected lustre As early as
August 1916 General Kearny informed the department,
in letter from Santa Fe that he should have dsposabe