The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-17
THE BATTLE OF CoNTRERos.

EDS DELTA: The late brilliant achievement OF tn
of the United States the superior numbers o
the enemy, and front OF the capital OF the country
but excite the admiration and PRIDE of people
from end OF the land to the other but those whit
were not here to witness and participate in the despera
ton OF the conc-he great and apparently insurmouni
able obstacles-the prvatons and hardshps endured
never can properly appreciate the brancy of the veto
r the gallant and good conduct and the scientific attain
nens OF noble little army. Our comparative loss,
those engaged exceeds that OF any battle Of which we
have any recollection; being about out Of sir. IL
attempt 10 enumerate in proper manner, the mdvidua
instances oil herosm-oi determined and deliberate cour
agecf the perseverance and nirepldy with which grea
and powerful obstacles were acknowledgements be bu
commencing an endless task trust when The details
these brilliant affairs given by the respective com
manders, that country will testify It's admiration
respect by some substantial rewarda reward that vii
live memory and history when the actors in these stir
ring scenes shall have mouldered in the dust
About the 18th inst it determined that SHOULD
attack Ell Penon, where the enemy had made ever,
preparation receive u.s. and where no doubt we would
have been compelled to sacrifice many more lives than
have already done. Accordingly, the engineers having
discovered road by which could turn it, took VI
our march around Lake ChalcO. AT this movement the
enemy were seriously nonplussed, as they were moi
aware themselves OF practicable route we could take
that would eecuay turn their positions and In order
TO delay our movement, sent out Gen Alvarez the great
champion of the south, with his Pinos "a tribe of In
dams spotted by naure together with portion OF the
regular army, amounting in all to about 10000 men, to
attack the rear column, under the command OF Gen
Twggs but il turned out to be feeble attempt Gen
Twggs had scarcely formed his line OF battle and opened
his artillery, under the command OF Capt Taylor before
they fed with great precptancy. lew well-drected
shotsfrom this battery made foclbe impression upon
their columns, and they retreated leaving portion OF
their dead and wounded take Of themselves The
whole affair did not detain Gen Twiggs than
hour and he again his march, By this time the
enemy had discovered the route by which we weremovng
and endeavored to obstruc the road but the sappes
and miners, aided by the head OF Gen. Worths column,
cleared the road at different places and by the lh
the head of Gen. Worhs column arrived at San Agus-
tnthe enemys skrmlshers firing from every hilltop
and point which favored them the route, and their
cavalry presenting themselves in force several times du.
ring the day, but never daring 10 attack.
On the lsth General Worih's column moved down the
road in the direction of San Antonio from which place
the enemy fired upon squadron of dragons (kilng
Capt Ihornon and wounding the guide, Jonathan Fiz-
water advanced to protect the engineers in reconnos
Of the fortihcaons OF San Antonio. Capt Thorn
ton had been very unwe for time, and went out
in command of his squadron against the advice OF his
physician and his senior officers but his energy and
gallantry would not allow him to remain inactive, when
there the least possibility of meeting the foe. AS
soon the Dragons were Withdrawn, Colonel Duncan's
battery and the sappers and miners moved down the
road, and took position that would enable them to
operate any direction, in of emergency. Colonel
Smiths light battalion was thrown out on the left 'front.'
to watch the movements OF the enemy, and to hold him
in check in OF his advancing his flank Immediately
after, Colonel Garlands brigade made diversion to the
right and took position in line, resting his right at the
hacienda of San Juan de Dios about 400 yards the
right of the road. AS soon this movement com
peied the ed brigade under Colonel Clarke, moved down
the road until the head Of his column rested the Left
wing of Colonel Garland One sectisn of the mountain
howzers was brought forward, and thus they remained
until shutdown, when the brigade of cavalry withdrew
leaving the infantry and artillery the ground. About
two o'clock heavy rain came on, which completely
drenched the troops and they were also exposed during
the night TO slow drizzlg rain, without tents or ban-
kes General WORTH with part of the LIST brigade occu-
pied the hacienda of San Juan de Dos during the night
and the enemy amused themselves by firing few
dom shot at ii about shutdown from San Antonio but
without any other effect than to riddle the house com
petely with balls and to besprinke the officers with
the mortar and dust Of the old hacienda During the day
Mao nhaunx NIT
SCOTS headquarters) towards Conreros to protect the
engineers in reconnaissance OF the route in that dec
ton where during the forenoon he engaged force Of
the enemys cavalry and infantry which he drove back
with loss of killed. wounded, and prisoners; Ma
jor Grahan's command sustaining no loss
On the 10th the enemy fired from the works at San
Antonio the hacienda of San Juan de Dos supposng
part of our forces still there. About 10 O'Clock
the sappers and miners, under Lieutenant Smith, and the
der, returned TO- San Agustin and joined General Pill
lows division, which was then taking up its march in the
direction of Contreros. General Pillow continued his
march, opening the road as he went until he reached
high point from whence had the enemy and his fort
fcations in full view. Between and o'clock the div
sion Of General Iwisgs came up with the advance, and
moved foI warl-Genera Smiths brigade advancing the
left, and Colonel Riley's TO the right. General Pillow
placed al the disposal OF General Twiggs Captain Mctru
des battery and Lieutenant Caienders howitzersboib
Of which belonged to the proper division of General Pill
low,
With great difficulty the two batteries moved forward,
having to travel half mile over broken and confused
The enemy opened his heavy batteries from Contreros.
and the advancing troops OF General Smiths brigade hoy
Engaged TIE enemys infantry, which he had thrown
across deep avine and creek in front of his orca-
tons. lie appeared determined to maintain his position
front ef his Notifications, using his artillery for time
against The brigades OF army they came up
but he able stand the severity of the conflict
and compelled TO retire with heavy loss He then
concentrated his fire upon the howitzers and Captain
McGruders battery These two batteries sustained, for
than hour the fire of twenty-five pieces of
ery mostly of large calbre, when they ordered
by General Smith to retire from unequal conflict
Their loss very severe and among Others have
to lament the death of Lieut. Johnson Lieut. Calender
also severely wounded.
Gen Pillow had ordered Gen. Pierces brigade to the
support of General Smith, and Gen Cadwaader's to the
support of Col Riley. At this state of the battle while
If raging with extreme severity the enemy appeared
on the left Of the fort at Conreros, and rear of the
village of Ensaldo, where Col Riley had arrived, with
force of IL 900 men, (Which afterwards learned was
under the command of Santa Anna hmsef) apparently
threatening the safety of Col Riley and Gen. Cadwala-
der General Pillow ordered the 18th infantry, under
Col. Morgan, to the support OF Gen Cadwalader Gen.
Scott came upon the ground about this time, bringing
with him Gen. Shiedss brigade ofvoluneers (Souh Car
of the forces under General Cadwaader.
General Twiggs, finding his command separated,
and that it was utterly impossible from the nature of the
ground for him reach The point he intended TO occupy
night approached fell back with portion of his staff
to the place where General Scott passing the night
exposed to several rain, without shelter or anything
more than his usual uniform, to protect him from the
inclemency of the weather
McIruders and the howitzer battery being disabled
prepared for by the enemy-he having cleared
all the brush and other that