The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-04-08
TO THE EDITOR OF THE UNION.
UNITED STATES smp ALBANY, Corr vrnA


My DEAR SIR; avail myself OF the FIRST opportunity to
give you brief sketch OF of the most important
movements OF the army since Its arrival and debakaon
near the city of Vera Cruz.
On the afternoon of the 9th instant General Worth's
brigade of regular troops forming the first line landed
opposite the island OF Sacfcios about three miles south
east OF the city, three thousand in number Gen. Paer
sons division OF volunteers, forming the second line,
embracing General Pillows brigade, OF two thousand
men, and parts of the brgades OF Generals Qutman and
Shields, amounting TO two thousand MORE effected their
landing Immediately afterwards, completing il about
hour after sunset General Twiggss brigade, forming
the reserve, oil two thousand five hundred regulars de-
harked during the night So. the morning OF the 10th,
the appearance of an American army on the shores OF
Mexico gaddened the eyes and hearts of thousands who
gazed with intense eagemess and anxiety from the squad
ron, at anchor under the island of SACRIFICES.
The landing of the troops covered by OCCASION
al fire from gun-b boats, which had run in near the
shore for the purpose of aordng protection in the
OF any resistance by the enemy But their services
scarcely called requsition, opposition Of
ered.
The entire force bvouacked for the night on the sea-
shore, with the exception OF General Worths brigade
which had advanced two three hundred yards to
the sand hills
AT SUNRISE the morning of the 10TH the Investment
OF the city commenced General Worth took position,
with his right resting on the beach, his advance covered
by Captain c. +. Smiths skrmishers and Captain HUI
gers brigade OF mountain howitzers
General Pillows brigade forming portion Of General
Pattersons division of volunteers, continued the line OF
investment by taking position on the left of General
Worth; whereupon The enemy, who had occupied the
the valley beyond They were holly pursued by this br-
gade, the general leading, encouraging and cheering his
forces with the most commendabe gallanlry The pas
sage of this ravne hicky covered with chapparal,
narrow and winding, pretty sharply contested by
the enemy who occupied strong position in extern
sive ruin the other sde called Hacienda Malebran
and although some five hundred strong, he soon fled,
as before the wind, to large and spacious building on
the heights beyond used by the Mexcans magazine.
General Pillow was now In possession OF an important
point fOothod, where he could rally and refresh his
forces for further pursuit With the LIST Tennessee rcg
men he assembled the hill intervening between the ruin
and the magazine carrying the latter place with little or
no difficulty The magazine, at the time it was taken,
contained from to two hundred bomb shells and a
quantity OF signal rockets.
The enemy which had now been driven from hill TO
hill, and from stronghold to stronghold by General Pl
low, fled across the valley, along which the rail-
road the dense hicket beyond and reorganized TO
extent, under of the chapparal, to dispute
the passage of troops TO the heights beyond which
overlook and command the city; on which heights a
large force of Mexican cavalry and infantry had been
bic force of the enemy had also TAX position the
railroad where our forces would probably pass on their
way TO the heights.
Leaving the Isl Tennessee regiment under command
OF Colonel Campbell In possession OF the magazine,
General Pillow, AT the head OF the ID Tennessee regiment
under Colonel Haskell, and the LIST Pennsy vania reg
ment under Colonel Wyncoop, descended to the railroad
driving that portion Of the enemy who had taken posses
sion OF it towards the city, and then bearing off 10 the
left through the chapparal and towards the heights A
brisk fire was soon opened on both sides; but the i'm
peuosity OF the American troops perfectly lrreslst
ble and overwhelming officers andmen rank and file,
wing with each other for the advance All on foot,
fo no horse could hold footing there) they assembled
steep angle not less than foryive degrees with
the sand kneedeep at every step drawing themselves up
by the roots and brushwood and bars that covered the
grounda the while keeping up active fire upon the
retreating enemy. Gaining the summit of the heights,
the Mexican force there was found to be about 900
They attempted to make stand. General Pillows com
mand charged upon them, and put them again to flight
They off briskly, and briskly pursued, until
the frowning batteries of the city reminded their
mrs that Orip had ~ hepn In
further; so they returned TO the summit to survey the
surrounding country, and witness beautiful sunset be-
hind the lofty peak OF clad Orzava But they
not permitted to enjoy the with IMMUNITY for a
brisk fire of shot and shell opened upon them, and
kept up until dark Taking advantage, however of the
unequal surface OF the sand they covered themselves
as to sustain little or no injury.
On the following morning the line of investment was
continued by further extension OF the volunteers, under
command OF Gen Patterson along the heights.
Gen. Quitmans Brigade composed OF the South Caro-
lima and portion of the Alabama regiments, took posi-
ton on the left OF Gen. Pillow The enemy's batteries
opened on the ne and considerable party of Mexican
cavalry appeared with determination TO resist It's further
extension With their esoopets they opened fire on the
South Carolina regiment and they driven back
succeeded in doing little damage Lieut. Col Dckln
son, of that gallant regiment, received spent ball IN
his right breast. without however, nlictng dangerous
wound.
Generals Shields and Twiggs took position the left
Of Generals Quitnan and Pillow extending the line of in
vesment along the cress of the sand hills.
AS Gen Twiggs moved his brigade along the valley
road which had been cut to the heights, Capt Alburis
of the I'd u. s. infantry who breveted for his gal
liant conduct in Florida struck by cannon SHOT
the head, and killed instantly. The same shot wounded
a commissioned officer in the leg, and slightly
wounded Lieut.. Davidson Of the regiment. During
the day about hundred shots and shells thrown
from the castle and the town, but still the line of invest
ment continued to extend though the batteries
perfectly silent AT night all troops in line, not
less, in round numbers than ten thousand men,
Meantime the officers of the engineer and topographic
cal corps under Col Toen and Major Turnbull, wer-
actively employed in recommending the enemy's deences
and portion of Gen. Worh's command, under Captain
Vnton advanced upon Point IIonos within shot range
of the enemy's batteries On the nth and 18th there
little else done than to continue the line of invest
ments, to which the enemy offered little opposition.
On the 18th, Gen. Twiggs removed his brigade to
allow his left rest Immediately on the coast thus
peting the investment (by slight change in Gen Pat
roads; which, together with the Alvarado road, the
principal avenues to the city. +ssF
Shot and shell are being fired constantly from the
castle and the town Our intelligence that the citizens
short of Professionalism force 1900 regulars and
$500 militia. They evidently determined on Wig
orous defence.
Since writing the above, friend has shown copy
OF Gen. Pillow despatch OF his gallant movements OF
the 18th, which reflects the highest credit his officers
and men, making mention in the most complimentary
terms of Col Haskell of the western district, Capt Robt
X. Reynolds, of East Tennessee, &C. | will write you
again long, when opportunity shall offer to forward
letters. Adieu.
OFFICIAL,