The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-26

1900 men reIoined Santa Anna and parti-
cipaled IN the second hatIle. Most peo-
pie would have thought that pretty good
days work. Notso. We had only saw
ed ourselves, no, conquered Mexico, and
meH's work was before US yet.
4 Ats A. Nj. we formed again, and Gen.
(, Twiggs having taken command, we star
ted on the road to Mexico. We had
hardly marched mile before we were
sharply fired upon from both sides of the
road, and our right was deployed to drive
the enemy in. We soon found that we
had caught up with the retreating party,
from the very brisk firing in front, and
we drove them through the little town Of
San Angel, where they had been halting
in force. About half mile from this
town we entered the suburbs Of another
called San Katherine, when large party
in the church yard fred on the head of
the column, and the balls came right a.
mong us. Our men kept rushing on their
rear and cutting them down, until dis
charge Of grape shot from a large piece
In front drove them back TO the column.
In this short space of time five men were
killed, ten taken prisoners, and small CO.
lor captured, which was carried the rest
Of the day.
Meanwhile, Gen. Worth had made
demonstration on San Antonia, where the
enemy was fortified in strong hacienda;
but they retired on has approach to Chu-
-,,l,,s,.o ,ba-o fb ba-.vo-l- ,,,o-o doa,,,o.I
impregnable. They consisted of forti-
fed hacienda, which was surrounded by
high and thick wall on all sides. In
side the wall was stone building, the
roof OF which was flat and higher than
the walls. Above all this was stone
church, still higher than the rest and ha-
wing large steeple. The wall was pier
ced with loop holes, and so arranged that
there were two tiers Of men firing at the
same time. They thus had four different
ranges of men firing at once, and four
ranks were formed on each range and pla-
ced at such height that they could not
only overlook all the surrounding country,
but at the same time they had plunging
fire upon us. Outside the hacienda, and
completely commanding the avenues of
srpIJIUdcTr,4 cxsrIISsUu a.
round two sides of the work and protec-
ted by deep, wet ditch, and armed with
seven large pieces. This hacienda is at
the commencement of the causeway lead
ing to the western gate of the city. and
had to be passed before getting on the
road. About 800 yards in the rear of
this work, another field work had been
built where cross road meets the cause
way, at point where it crosses river,
thus forming bridge head, or fefe de
pom. This was also very strong and ar
med with three very large pieces Of can
non. The works were surrounded on
every side by large corn fields, which
were filed with the enemy's skirmishers,
so that 1t was difficult TO make recon-
noisance. Il was therefore decided to
make the attack immediately, as they
were full of men aad extended for nearly
mile on the road 10 the city, completely
covering the causeway. The attack COM
menced about | p. NJ. Gen. Twigg's
division attacked on the side towards
which they approached the fort. i. e. op-
posite the city. Gen. Worth's attacked
the bridge head which he took in about
an hour and half; while Generals Pill
low and Qaitman were on the extreme
! left, between the causeway and Twigg's
division. The Rifles were on the left
and in the rear Of the work, entrusted by
Gen. Scott with the task OF charging the
work in case Gen. Pierce gaze way
| The firing was most tremendous-in fact
one continued roll while the combat last
! ed. The enemy from their elevated 2o-
sition, could readily see our men, who
were unable to gel clear view from their
| position. Three of Il c pieces were man
ned by g The Descrfcrs.' body of about
100, who had deserted from the ranks OF
our army during the war. They were
/ enrolled In two companies, commanded
/ by a deserler, and were better uniformed
and disciplined than the rest Of the army.
These men fought most desperately, and
are said not only to have shot down seve-
raj Of onr officers whom they knew, but
to have pulled down the white flag of
surrender, no less than three times.
The battle ragged most furiousIy for a.
bout three hours, when both sides having
lost great many. the enemy began to
give way. As soon as they commenced
retreating. Kearney's squadron passed
through the tete dc pOnf, and charging
through the retreating column, pursued
them to the very gate of the city. As
they got within about 500 yards of the
gate, they were opened upon with grape
and canister, and several officers wound
ed. Amongst thenumber was Captain
KearIisy, lst Dragons, who lost his left
arm above the elbow. Lieut@ssFsham,
Of New York, received severe flesh
wound in his left arm. Capt. Mercy
nolds, ditto. Our loss in this second bat
tie was large. We lost in killed seven Of