Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-09-30
From NE Washington linton IF Nondcy Night.
Very interesting letter fiom a distinguished Off
Ger 10 his correspondent in Washington.

From NE n'dshirg,on Union ef Noudoy AJgh
Very interesting letter fiom distinguished Off
Ger to his correspondent in Washington.
TAcuBAYA, Aug. 90, is47
We are now located in one
wing of the ArchLishops palacc. Chapultepcc,
with its magnificent grove, is before us, and VIC
overlook the great city, surrounded by its lakes,
and cmbosomed in its mountains ] never real
lied the beauty Of the valley Of Mexico until
reached this spot To see it now, lighted by the
soft, bright moon, with every village, spire, hut.
and mountain reflected in its silver lakes, You
would think it even surpassed the descriptions
we read of it. There arc also some stupendous
works Of art around us. But | can tell YOU no.
thing, for have not yet been in the city, though
/ have knocked at its gates In the absence,
then, OF fomothing more interesting, shall have
to tell you Of the operations of the army.
On the 9Th instant Gen. Twiggs's division lclt
Puebla. Ii was followed on the sth by General
Quitman's, on the 9th by Gen. Worth's. and on
the 10th by Gen. Pillows. Cen Scott left on
the sth, and overlook Gen. Twiggs that night at
San Martin. Our march over the mountains
was undsturbed, except by rumors of gucrrillas
and resistance. Both disappeared as we ap-
preached, and we left their abandoned works as
we found them. On the nth Gen. Twirgs en-
campcd at Ayotla, . miles from Mexico, on the
direct road. The other divisions. on each sue
eeeding day, came up in orler, and took position
IN the rear-General Worth occupying Chaleo.
The Reconnaissance Of tho 2ih and iati.. salts
fed ms Of the strength Of the enenny's defcnces
IN our front. Ihir principal defence was at III
Penon, commanding the tauseway between the
lakes Of Tczcuoo and Chalco. The hill of FL
Penon is about 500 feet high, having three pla-
teaus Of different elevations. II stands IN the
waters Of Lake Tezcuco. Its base is surround
ed by dry trench, and its sides arranged with
brcastworks from isbase 10 its crest. II was
armed with thirty pieces Of cannon, and defend
cd by 1000 men, under Santa Anna in person
The causeway passed directly by It's basc--ihe
waters Of the lake washing each side Of the
causeway for two miles in font, and the whole
distance seven miles to the city. There was
battery on the carseway about four hundred
yards in advance OF the Pcnon, another by its
side. third about mile in front of the entrance
10 the city, and n fourth at the entrance. About
two miles in front Of the Penon, road branc he'd
of TO the left, and crossed the outlet of Lake
llochimilco at the village Of Mexicalcingo, six
miles from the main road. This village, sur
rounded by marsh, was enveloped in batteries,
and only approached over paved causeway
mile in length. Beyond the causeway contin-
ued through the marsh for two miles farther, and
opened upon the terra firma at the village of
we shall see more of presently. The rcconnois-
ancc of the 18th satisfied us that the route south
Of Lake Chalco was practicable for our wagons,
or could be made so. That day Gen. Pillows
division closed upon the village of Chalco, and
the next morning G5th) Gen. Worth led off
south Of the lake. The divisions took up the
line Of march in succession, General Twiggs
bringing up the rear, and We turned our backs
upon the Notifications Of the Ponon and Next
calingo. Gen. Valencia, with 6000 men, made
an attempt to annoy our rear as it turned Lake
Chalco; but Gen. Twiggs having his train in
front, and his division well in band, wheeled in
70 line TO the left, and, with one discharge OF
Taylors battery, tumblcd over some men and
horses and sent the rest flying over the hills like
the wild ducks from the lakes. lie then broke
again into column, and resumed his march. The
rancheros and euerrillas lowering about our front
gave us little trouble; and the working parties
filed up the trenches, and rolled away the rocks
that had been placed there to reiard us, without
stopping our march.
On the 9Th Gen. Worth encampcd at San
Augustine, on the Acapulco road, and moved
down on the 18th two and half miles, in front
OF San Antonio, TO make room for the other d.
vision TO close upon him. The 18th was devo-
ted TO reconnoisances. San Antonio was situa-
ted similarly 10 Mcxicalcingo batteries com
handed the canseway in front, and swept over
the marshes to the left as far as the lake The
Pedregol, or volcanic rocks, rendered the right
impossible for everything but infantry, and diff.
hcut for them. Ono mile and q half in the
rear were situated the dcienccs Of Churubusco,
commanding the approach oler the pedreqdI, and
by the way Of Alcxicalcinco. A route was dis
covered west from San Augustine over the spurs
Of the mountain, to the San Angel road, by
which these positions could lie turned. General
Iwiggs's division Coming up on the roming Of
the 18Th, was thrown forward on this route, 10
cover the working parties formed from Pillows
division. by /, +. NJ, We had surmountcd the
hills, and approached the two divisions Of the mr.
my, with their field batteries, Sc, within cannon
range Of Valencia's entertainments, situated on
the San Angel road, and commanding the only
approach through the pedregai, or volcanic rock
The working parties were returned 10 their reg
iments, the tools rcpacked, and preparations
made TO dislodgc the enemy, before continuing
the road further. On approaching his front
within canister range, and driving in his advance
ed parties posted behind breaslwoiks across tLe
road, with Magruder's and howitzer batteries, il
was found that the ground ON his cft offered The
greatest advantages for the attack. He Law on.
irenched on rising ground, behind deep rayine,
about midway between us, to which the ground
gently descended from both directions. His
front was defended by four eiehtinch howiisers.
and three long. siSleen-ponndcrs, one eighteen
FOUNDER, and some Of smaller oalibrc. Ills right
was almost equally strong I; and after crossing
the rayiue, approached over smooth ground IL
the form Of natural glacis, ard taken IN re-
verse Wy body OF rancheros and lancers The