The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-10-26

/ glmenl and three companies OF cavalry, IN
all about 400 men, we saw that EL Pin
n0tlay directly betweenus and our camp,
distant full Is miles. Every eye was
fixed on the hill with expectation of an
approaching column which should drive
US back into a Mexican prison. while we
stepped off with the speed and endurance
of 400 Capt. Barclays! At about mid
night we arrived safely at camp. and
Gen. Scott did US the honor of calling it
''the boldest' reconnaissance of the war;"
/ Gen. Worth was encamped about five
miles of-thatis, in straight line-acloss
the Lake Chaico, at a place OF the same
name, but about ten miles by the road
The Mexicans had foundry in the
mountains, at which we were getting some
shells made, and on returning from which
Lieut.. Schuyler Hamilton was badly
wounded.
By means of his scouts, Gen. Worth
had found path round the left of Lake
Chalco, which led us to the western gate
Of the city, and which, up to that time,
had not been fortified. On the 18th, the
] QiflSkOto ECOi1lllCtlCCQ lllClE IldIGIi,
while we brought up the train and the rear.
Inthe morning, the train was sent in ad-
vance, while Smiths brigade acted as rear
guard. 1t was composed OF the rifles,
Ist artillery, and the Sd infantry, with
/ Taylor's battery As the rear guard,
marching slowly along, came up with the
train, word came to Gen. Twiggs that a
! force of about five thousand men were
4 trying to cross the road between them
and the train in order TO cut it of. We
were then passing through small village
which, by curious coincidence, was
called Buena Tisfa. On our left were
large fields of hal(-grown barley, through
which was seen advancing in splendid or
der the enemy's column. 1t was the
most splendid sight had ever seen. The
yellow cloaks, red caps and jackets of the
lancers, and the bright blue and white u
informs of the infantry, were most beauti-
fully contrasted with the green OF the bar
ley field. Our line of battle was soon
| formed, and we deployed through the
grain to turn their left and cut them of
| from the mountains. A few shots, how
ever, from the battery soon showed them
that they we're observed, and counter
marching in haste they left their dead on
the field. Thus ended our fight Of Bue-
ma Vista. That night we staid at Chalco.
The next day we made long and toll
some march over horrible road, through
which, with the utmost difficulty, we
| Il lr,c-cro1 i,x- fho ,Sta Of
both men and mules. The next was
nearly the same, except that the road
was, if possible, worse than before, as the
Mexicans had blocked it up with large
stones, rolled down from the neighboring
hills. This night we encamped at most
beautiful olive grove, of immense size and
accommodating at once both divisions
In the town, as well as in Chalco, there
are still standing the churches of the In
dians where the fre-worshippers as
sembled before Cortez had introduced
new religion. They are large and sombre
edifices, and, being near the city, are said
10 have been formerly resorted TO by the
ancient kings.
The next day we arrived in sight Of the
rest of the army, and heard the guns with
which Worth was preaching the walls Of
San Antonla. That night the news of
the death OF Capt. Thornton, oflhe second
dragons, reached us. He was brave
officer and thorough gentleman, but was
always unfortunate in his military career.
On the morning Of the 18th we left the
| i,fsla ,,tltooa ,,-bara ,x,o h,I bo,-J th-c cod
news, and took the road to San Juan, a.
bout seven miles to the west, and only a.
bout ten miles from the city. When we
arrived here we heard the sound of Gen.
Worlh's guns, who Was said 10 have al
tackled San .9ugusfine, a village three
miles nearer the capital, where Santa An
ma was said to be with 10000 men,
When we arrived at San Juan the men
were told 10 sling their blankets across
their shoulders, put their knapsacks into
their wagons, and to put two days bread
and beef in their haversacks. When this
order came all knew that the time had
come. The officers arranged their effects,
put on their old coats, and filled their hav-
ersacks and TASKS. Soon we were ready
for any thing but a tbrashing. We here
heard the position Of the enemy. which
was nearly as follows; Santa Anna with
10000 men, was at San .9ugusfiae; Va
| lencia, with 10000, was at hin called
COnfreros, which commanded another
road parallel 10 the San Augustine road,
but which led into it between the city and
Santa Anna. Now, by cutting a road a.
cross, if we could whip Valencia. we
would follow the road up, and thus get in
between Santa Anna and Mexico, and
whip him TOO. Gen. Worth Supported
by Gen. Quitman) was TO keep Santa An
ma in check, while Twiggs ( backed by
Pillow was 10 try and astonIsh Valencia,
which you will see he did very ef1ectual-
i w. Pillow. with some offhe ten reei-