Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-12-02

attack, and whose arrangements, skill, and
gallantry always challenge the highest admi-
ration. 80.
The march was rendered tedious by the
darkness, rain, and mud but about sunrise
Riley. conducted by Lieut.. Tower, engineer
had reached an eleva ton behind the enemy
whence he precipitated his columns;-s
ed the entertainments, planted his several col
ors upon them, and carried the work-all in
seventeen minutes.
Conducted by Lieut. Beauregard, engineer
and Lieut.. Brooks of Twiggs' staff-both Of
whom, like Lieut.. Tower, had, in the night,
twice reconnotered the ground-CadwaladeI
brought up to the general assault two Of his
regiments-the volti4eurs and the llth; and
at the appointed time, Colonel Ransom, with
his temporary brigade, conducted by Captain
to divert and TO distract the enemy, but, after
crossing the deep ravine IN his front, advanced,
and poured into the works and upon the fugi-
tives many volleys from his destructive mus
kerry.
der the. temporary command Of Major Dimick
following the movements Of Riley and Cad
walader, discovered, opposite to and outside If
the works, a long line Of Mexican cavalry,
drawn up as support. Dimick, having At
the head Of the brigade the company Of sappels
and miners, under Lieut.. Smith, engineer,
who had conducted the march, was ordered
by B,igader Ger. Smith to form line faced
to the enemy, and in a charge, against flank,
routed the enemy.
Thus was the great victory Of Co.,t,cras a.
chieved: one road TO the capital oIcned 700
Of the enemy killed; 8l3 prisoners, including,
among 50 officers, generals; besides many
colors and standards; 22 piece Of braA ord
nance-haf Of large calbre; thousands ofsmal
arms and acoutrenents; IN immense quantity
Of shot, shells powder, and cartridges, 700
pack mules, many horses, &c., &c-,-all in
our hands.
1t is highly gratifying TO find that, by skill
full arrangement, and rapdity Of execution, our
loss, in killed and wounded, did not exceed
on the spot, 6O-among the former tho brave
Captain Charles Hanson, of the 7,h infantry
not more distinguished for gal antry, than for
modesty, morals, and pie,y. Lieut.. J. P.
Johnson, LIST artillery, serving with Magru-
der's battery. young officer Of the highest
promise, was killed the evening before.
One Of the most pleasing incidents of the
victory is the r-capture, in the works, by Cap
tain Drum, 4th artillery, under Major Gard
ner, of the Two brass siX-pounders, though
without the loss Of honor, at the glorious battle
Of Buena Vista-About which guns the whole
regiment had moarned for so many long
months! Coming up. \ little later, had the
happiness to join in the protracted cheers OF
the gallant Attn on the joyous event; and, in
deed. the whole army sympathises in its just
pride and exultation.
The battle being won before the advancing
brigades Of Wor.h's and Quitman's divisions
were in sight, both were ordered back to their
late postions-Worth, to attack San Antonio,
in front, with his whole force. as soon as ap-
preached in the rear by Pillows and Twigg's
Understanding from Contreras, through
San Angel and Coyoaan. By carrying San
Antonio, we knew that We should open anoth-
era shorter and better road to the capital,
for our siege and other trains.
Accordingly, the two advanced divisions
and Shields brigade marched from Contreras,
under the immediate orders of Major General
Pillow, who was now joined by the gallant
Brigader General Pierce of his division, per
sonally thrown out of activity. late the evening
before, by severe hurt received from the fal
from his horse.
After giving necessary orders on the field
in the midst Of prisoners and trophies, anc
sending instructions to Harnsy's brigade O
cavalry, left At San Augns.in, to join me,
personally followed Pillows movement.
Arriving at Coyoacan, two miles by a cross
road, from the rear Of San Antonio, first de
tached Captain Lee, engineer. with Captain
Kearney's troop, LIST dragons, supported b,
the rifle regiment, under Major Loring, to re
connoitre that strong point; and next despatch
ed Major General Pillow, with one Of hi.
5rigades, (Cadwalader's) to make the attacl
upon it, in concert with Major General Worth
on the opposite side.
At the same time, BY another road to tn,
left, Lieut.. Stevens, of the engineers, support
ed BY Lieut. G. w. Smiths company Of sap
pers and miners, Of the same corps, was aen
to reconnoiire the strongly fortified church O
convent Of San Pablo, in the hamlet Of Chu
rubu.co-sne mile off. Twiggs, with one o
his brigadss( Smilh's-less the rifles)and Capt
Taylor's field battery, were ordered to follow
and to attack the convent. Major Smith, sen
Tor engineer, was despatched to concert with
Twiggs the mode and means of attack, ant
Twiggs' other brigade (Riley's) Isoon order
ed up to support him.
Next (but all in ten minutes) | sent Pierce
Gust able to keep the saddle with his b,igad'
pillows division conducted by Captain Lee
engineer; by third road, little farther to on
left TO attack the enemy's right and rear, il
order to favor the movement upon the convent
and cut off the retreat towards the capital
And, finally. Shields, senior brigadier Il
Pierce, with the New York and South Caro-
lima volunteers, (Quitman's division. was or
dered to follow Pierce, closely, and to take III,
command Of our left wing. All these move
ments were made with The utmost alacrity b,
cur gallant troops and commanders.
Finding myself at Coyoacan. from which
so many roads conveniently branched. withou
escort or reserve, had to advance, for safety
close upon Twiggs' rear. The battle nov
ragged from the right to the left Of our whole
line.
Learning, on the return Of Captain Lee
that Shields, in the rear Of Churubnsco, wa.
hard pressed, in danger of being outflanked, il
not overwhelmed, by greatly uperior numbers
Immediately sent, under Major Sumner, g
dragons. the rifles Crwigg's reserve) ane
Captain Sibley's troop. I'd dragons, then a
hand, teAnPPort our left. guided by the same