Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1847-12-02
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES.
Battles Of Coutreras and ,Churubuseo,
Report Of Maj. Gen. Scott.
saas74 (Duplicate.)
HrADa'Rs OF THE ARMY,


So s2asaa. (Duplicate.) r-l
No. 81. HrApa'as OF THE ARMY, sa
San AuGusTIN, ACAPULCO ROAD,
9 milss from Mexico, August 10, ls47.
Sra: Leaving competent garrison in Pus-
bla, this army advanced upon the capital, as
follows:-Twiggs' division, preceded by Har-
ney's brigade Of cavalry, the 7th; Quitman's
alvlsion OF volunteers, with small detachment
OF Y. 5. Marines, the 9th; Worsh's division,
the 9Th. and Pillows division, the lUth-all
In this month. On the 8tk, overlook, and
continued with. the leading DIVISION
Ihs corps were, at no time, beyond five hours,
OF supporting distance, apart; and on descend
Ing into the basin Of the capital Us miles from
Puebla) they became more closely approxima-
ted about the bead Of Lake Chalco, with Lake
lsscuco little in front and to the right. On
tho 18th and 18th sc pushed reconnoisances
o.. The Penon, an isolated mound (eight
tIssses from Mexico) of great height, strongly
fortified to the top three tiers Of worss) and
flooded around the base by the season of rains
and slaiees from the lakes. This mound ,
close TO the national road, commands the prin-
sipal approach to the city from the east. No
doubt it might have been carried, but At a
xieas to spare the lives of this gallant army
for general barrie which knew we had to
win before capturing the city, or obtaining the
great object Of the campaign-a just and hon.
0rable peace.
Another recofnoisance was directed (the
t3th) upon Mexicalcingo, to tho left Of the
Penon, village at a fortified bridge across
the outlet or canal, leading from Lake Jochi
milco to the capital-five miles from the latter
II might have been easy (Masking the Penon)
10 force the passage; but on tho other side OF
the bridge, we should nave found ourselves.
four miles from the road ,on narrow causeway,
Aanked II the right and left by wafer, or bog
gy grounds. Those Difficulties, closely view
ed, threw me back upon the project, long en-
tertained. Of turning the strong eastern deten-
css OF the city, by passing around south of
Lake Chalco and Jochimlgo, at the foot OF
the hills and mountains, SO as to reach this
point, and hence to n,anGuyre, on hard ground,
though much broken, to the south and south
west Of the capital, which has been more or
less under our view, since the 10Th instant.
Accordingly. BY sudden inversion
Worth's division. with Harney's cavalry brig
ade, leading-we marched on the 18th instant
Pillows and Quitnan's divisions followed
closely. and then Twiggs' division, which
was left till the next day at Ayotla. i'll order to
threaten the Penon and Mexicalcingo, and to
deceive the enemy as loKg as practicable.
Twiggs. on the 10th, marching from Ayot-
Ia, towards Chalco, (six miles met corps Of
nore than double his numbers-cavalry and in
fantrv-under Gen Vaencis. Twigg's hall
ted, deployed into line, and by few rounds
from Capt. Taylor's field battery, dispersed
the enemy. killing or wounding many men and
horses No other molestation has been expe-
rieneed except few random shots from que
rilleros, on the heights; and the march Of twen-
,y-seven miles over route deemed impracti-
cable by the enemy, is now accomplished by
all the corps-thanks 10 their indomitable zeal
and physical Prewess.
Arriving here, the 18th, Worth's division
and Harney's cavalry were pushed f'rward a
league, TO reeonnoi,re or to mask San Antonio.
on the direct road to the capital. This village
was found strongly defended by field works,
heavy guns, and numerous garrison. 1t
could only be turned by infantry, to the left,
over field Of volcanic rocks and lava; for, to
our right, the ground was too Doggy. 1t was
soon ascertained, by thu daring engineers,
Capt Mason and Lieuts. Stevens and Tower,
that the point could only be approached. by
the front over a narrow causeway, flanked
with wet bitches Of great depth. Worth was
ordered not to attack bat to threaten and to
mask the place.
The first shot fired from San Antonio. (the
lsth) killed Captain S. Thornton, Cd dragons.
gallant officer, who was covering the opera
lions with his company.
The same day 4 reconnoisance was COM
nenced to attack San Auguslin, first over diff
fcult mounds, and farther on, over the same
field Of volcanic rocks and lava which extends
to tho mountains, some five miles, from San
Antonio towards Magdalena. This reconfoi-
,ance was continued to-day, by Captain Lee,
assisted by Lieu.enants Bsauregard and Tow
or. all of the engineers; who were joined in the
afternoon, by Major Smith Of the same corps.
Other divisions coming up, Pillows was ad-
,.nced to make practicable road for heavy
artillery, and Twiggs thrown farther in from,
10 cove: that operation; for, by the partial
Reconnaissance of Yesterday, Capt. Lee discov.
.red large corps Of observation in that direc-
ton with detachment Of which his supports
Of cavalry and foot under Capt. kearney ard
26aCol. Graham, respectively, had a success
fuf skirmish.
By three o'clock, this afternoon, the advanc-
I'd divisions came to point where the new
road could only be continued under the direct
fro of q pieces Of the enemy's artillery (mosi
of them Of large calibre) placed in strong en-
trsnched camp to oppose our operations. and
surrounded by every advantage Of ground, be-
sides immense bodies Of cavalry aud infantry,
hourly reinforced from the city, over an excel
lent road beyond the volcanic field, and conse-
ouently entirely beyond the reach Of our cav
airy and artillery.
Arriving on the ground an hour later.
found that Pillows and Twgg's divisions had
advanced to dslodge the enemy, picking their
way (a!l officers on FOOT along in FROM, and
extending themselves towards the road, from
the city and the enemy's left. Captain Ma
oruder's field battery Of IL and Founders,
and Lieut.. Callender's battery of mounted how
tiers and rockets, had also, with great difficult
tv been advanced within range Of the entrench-
ed camp. These batteries, most gallant|y
served. suffered much, in the course Of the af-
ternoon, from the enemy's superior metal.
The battle, though mostly stationary, con-
..:sL~ IL Ill