Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-09-17

obstrurt;ons in the road, OF which nave sPo-
Ian wero obviously of recent construction
av;denco that the enemy had but just got wind
of onr annroach, and that Gen. Scott had COM
nIetrlv stolen march upon Santa Anna.
O,her than the bitches and rocks which had
been rolled down from the precipltous hill side,
10 opposition was made to the advance of
Gen. Worth until he had reached point in
the road not far from Santa CruZ-but now
scattering fire was opened upon the head OF
his column by a force stationed al advanta-
geous positions above the road TO the LETT
The enemy was quickly dispersed, however,
by Col. P F. Smiths light battalion and the
I'd Artillery. under Maj Gait. AS the dIVi-
sion neared the hacienda of La Noqla the ad-
vance was again fired upon, but again the en-
emy's plckets were driven IN, without Joss
A turn OF the road beyond La Nova brought
the pleasant village OF San Augustine IN sight
and after two or three light skIrmlshes, IN
which the Mexicans bad two or three lancers
killed and wounded, our troops had quiet pos
session of San Augustine Our only loss du-
| ring the day was one man, soldier OF Smiths
| light battalion, who was wounded from a
corn field near XOchlmlco.
At Z o'clock on the morning of the 18th,
| Gen, Scott arrived at San Augustin, and at | 0
O'Clock Gen. Worth was in full! march for the
city of Mexico by the main road. Majors
Smith and TurnhuIl, Captain Mason and 9TH
er engineer officers were sent in advance, sup
ported by Capt. Blakes squadron OF dragons,
to reconnoitIe, as twas known the enemy were
in force at or near San Antonio. The par
~, when within a thousand yards, was fired
upon from a battery, which was masked by
trees, and the first ball from II FOUNDER in
SANITY killed Capt. Thornton, of the I'd ORA
goons, besides severely wounding a guide
Jonathan Fi,zwalters. Col. Garland's brigade
was now ordered to occupy the hacienda OF
Carrera, within plain sight and range of the
enemy's batteries at San Antonio, while Col
Clarke's brigade and the battery under Col
Duncan took station in the rear close by
The engineer officers were at once sent out tt
reConnotre by Gen. Worth, to ascertain the
practicability of turning the strong works Of
the enemy, and in the mean time Gen. Scot
had despatched Capt Lee with a supporting
party, composed OF Capt Kearny's squadron
and body of the nth Infantry under Col
Graham, to ascertain the practcabilty of find
ing road by which the village of San Ange
could be reached, and thus turn the strong
hold at San Antonio. This latter party had
sharp encounter with the advance of the enc
my, the main body being found posted at
strong point not far from the factory of Govt
reras. In the skirmish some SIX or eigh
|, Mexicans were killed and as many more takel
pri>oners-on our side not man was touch
ed The result of the reconnaissance prove,
favorable. 1t was ascertained that a roa
could be made which would enable the arm,
to reach San Angel, and thus turn the stron;
batteries at SIN Antonio, and perhaps other
the enemy might have upon the road between
b that and the city of Mexico. The Mexican
: were plainly seen in force at a commanding
position near CoutreraS, and it was evden
t that they had a number OF cannon in position
. but at a council held at mig hit, It was determln
ed upon to attack them the following day.
b In the mean time, while this reconnaissance
was in progress, Gen. Worth had estahlishe
his Headquarters at the hacienda of Curera
j.; while from the windows countless numbers O
/ the enemy could be seen at work upon III
batteries of San Antonio. About noon the
opened upon the batteries with both roun
t shot and shell, nearly every one of whcl
took effect, but without dong other iniur
! than to the building. Late in the evening tn
:; batteries again opened, but with no other Te
:; suit than showing the position of the differer
# guns For 4 marvel the batteries were sIer
:; during the night Had the fire been kept III
O the hacienda might have been torn in piece
It and the entire command compelled to retire
Before going further, it may be we'll to stat
t, that the city of Mexico lies about nine mile
: nearly north of San Augustin, that San Ante
h Mo is about three miles in the same direction
i while the point occupied by Gen. Valencia
. near Coureras, for he had command at thu
place, is at least three miles in a straight lin
|. and in direction nearly west. 1t was te
r; miles the way many of our troops had t
7, march, for you cannot mag inc more rougl
y uneven and Jagged surface.
AT O'Clock on the morning OF the 19t
:; the batteries again opened on Gen. Worth
position at the hacienda near San Antonio
el the balls crushing through the walls and fiji
l. ing the rooms with fragments of plaster ar
t. broken furniture. Shells also burst in the a
'; over the building and the pieces dropped ;
mong the men stationed in the rear. So h.
t. was the fire that the troops were obliged
} gain shelter behind the building, but still
E not give up the position. About o'cloc
the divisions of Gems. Pillow and Twig!
is were ordered to advance in the direction
il Coureras, and by in the afternoon were
E. plain sight of the enemys batteries, and witt
ID in range of his heavier guns. The brigade
re- Gen. 2. +. Smith was ordered to advance
Of rectly towards the enemy's works, while tn
e. Of Col Riley moved towards Il small villa;
re to the right, with orders to gain the main 70;
in and thus be enabled to cut off any. reinforc
10 ments which might be sent TO Valencia fro
the city. An incessant firing Of cannon Wi
opened upon the advance of Gen. Smith, al
l. soon the Rifles were engaged in skirmishir
with the plckets OF the enemy and drlvir
them in. The 12-pounder battery of Ca
tain Magruder was pressed forward Wi
D. all speed, as was also the rocket and mou
a tain howitzer battery, now commanded
le Lieutenant Calender. of the Ordnance depa
OF ment AS soon as they could gain positit
10 they opened upon the enemy. but we
60 so much exposed TO fire from heavier gu
10 that they were soon silenced. It. Johnsto
eu Of the LIST Artillery, but attached to Magr
I'll dcr's battery, was MORALLY wounded, VIII
Lieut.. Calender was severely wounded
~ both legs At 3 O'Clock the brigade of &c
IT, Cadwallader was ordered out to support Ct
90 Riley, heavy achievements being seen
u their way out from the city, while Gen. Pierc,
C- brigade was sent to sustain Gen Smith 7
n firing from. the batteries OF the enemy co
Ne tinued incessant, while from hill rust OF
Ill side the range of their guns, the spectac
O. was most grand and imposing. At about
O. O'Clock Gen. Scott arrived, and seeing the il
mense strength of the Mexicans, at once
ne dered Gen. Shields brigade. from San Augu
OF tina part of Gen. Quitman's command
on the right to support Riley and CadwalIad
I'D and prevent, if possible, juncture of the fo
- +hoeo s.