Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-09-29

l.
cry point on the road, but the unerring fire ,
ofthe rifle made every place too hot for t
them, and they were compelled to ke.ref
uge in ,Churubusco. . !: -~.~ - 80. ss3s.s L
= At. San Angel General Pillow arrived
and took the command, when the whole
column moved down to.Culican, when Gen
eral Scott came up and Immediately took
the command of the whole. -. ~
BATTLE oFgHURBBBsgo sxsSf
'a AS soon as the enemy's force perceived |
that Contreros was carried, and that we
would be able to turn his position and at
tack him in reverse, he evacuated the for
tlfcation and fell back on Churubusco with |
his artillery and whole force This was |
also reinforced by the troops from Contre-
ros, and some from the city: they appa-
rently determined to make their final stand
at this point.
The work and position was exceedingly
strong and completely masked by high
growth Of corn, and an orchard, which
very much precluded our officers getting a
proper view of the position and the strength
of the work, which proved to be regular
fortifcation, and had been erected in the
incredible short time of 80 hours The
church buildings formed large square
the lower front, at the north end, was chief
ly wall, scaffolded for infantry-and in
rear Of this, the church itself was also COW
cred with infantry, and high steeple on
its right flank was filled with infantry; in
front of the first wall was curtain connect
ing two salient angels, which flanked it, and
were continued back to the side walls of
the church, garrisoned heavily with infan-
try, and mounting 7 pieces of artillery.
This was the point at which Gen. Smi his
brigade opened the action, and soon follow
cd, little further to the left, by Col. Ri
ley's brigade-these two composing the
Cerro Gordo division, General Twiggs,
Captain Taylor's battery Of light artillery
} also took position near this work, on the
} right of Gen. Smiths brigade; it soon
} drew upon it heavy fire from the fort
which he sustained for ON hour and half,
losing % Of his company, among whom
were Leutenants Martin, Boynton, anc
Sims, and sergeants: he also lost during
} this time Is horses. The conduct of Capt
Taylor and his company throughout was
such as to excite the admiration Of all who
witnessed it, as wellas his superior officers.
At the opposite efthe work, the breast.
: work extended across the road from the
church, presenting similar front, except
} ing the buildings Of the church. The work
} en- the road was strengthened by a bridge
? over q creek, behind which was a body OF
> infantry, and the work itself mounting J
/ or a guns. General Pillow, with part oil
, his division was sent round by Gen. Scott
, to assault this'part of the work, but, as he
, with his command emerged from the mue
t and mire of the corn fields (having waded
, some of them, waist deep) into the road, he
met Gen. Worth coming up from San An
: tonic with his division; they had a hearty
' welcome and one of them proposed thai
q their commands should 60 hand in hand il
s carrying the work, which was readily a
: greed to.
At the same time that the other com
e. mands were despatched, Gen. Scott order
# ed Gen. Shields to attack the enemy's ex
It treme left, where he was heavily entrench
# ed; at the same time reinforcing his com
: mand with the 9th, part of the 18th ane
g 18th infantry, under Gen. Pierce. Thi:
), movement was executed as soon rs the na
ture of the ground would admit-the whole
It command havingto pass through corn fields
/ of high growth, intercepted by bitches run
f ming through them in every direction.
n The action now became general, ant
d the severity ofthe conflict never was c
d qualled within tho recollection Of our oldes
J. soldiers-the enemy was more than thre
ir times our number, besides his advantage o
10 artillery and position; added to this, he wa
- stimulated by the fact that it was the la:
v effort at resistance he could make, befor
ID we could enter the capital; his troops kne,
b. of the republic, and they stood their groun
c. with as much firmness and resolution G
at any troops could stand, before the army "
of at present have here. The roar of til
p musketry was so great, than it was almo
m impossible for the soldiers to hear the o
le ders of their officers. There was no poil
We at which the action did not rage with S
ss verify for more than two hours, which
Ii proven by the fact that our loss at this poll
en- was nearly 1000 men.
a. After the contest had lasted about tv
en- hours, our troops had got into such pos
ad ton as to be able to close with them at II
tn point of the bayonet, which decided the q
,rt fair in our favor-General Pillow and Ge
IT. eral Worth carrying the work on the roa
bv an officer of Gen. Pillows division ta
he ing down one flag, and eof Gen. Worth
re tuking down the other, and tine 9th infant
,e- planting their colors instead. Gen. Twigg
", division carrying the work it attacked
ne the church, Cabtain J. M. Smith, of Il
he Sd infantry, received the surrender of Il
EN- work with seven pieces Of artillery, al
or, two stand of colors; Gen. Rincon togeth
ro- with lO5 officers and upwards of LII
All non.commissioned officers and privates, ST
le- rendered as prisoners of war. Gen. shiel
had his work more to himself, ano he full
III sustained that high reputation hitherto a
1u- quired on the field of battle. When t
led contest ragged highest, and his men falli
tho around him in every direction, he preses
rel, ed that even temperament of mind
red which he is so characteristic-his coun
the nance wearing that bland and afable ,
en- pearance throughout the whole engageme
ext His volunteers stood and moved under
ear fire with the regularity of veteran troo
Hoe South ia ro1ina haS sustained n heovv Ia