Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-20

BATTLES OF CoNTRERAs AND cHURUBUsco.

HEADauARrERs OF the AnMr,

ceded BY Harneys brigade of cavalry, the 7th Quman $
division Of volunteers, with small detachment OF United
States Marines the 9Th Worth's DIVISION 9th and Pill
lows DIVISION the l0th-all in this month On the sth
overlook and then continued with the leading division The
corps were time beyond five hours supporting dis
lance apart and descending into the basin OF the capital
seventy five miles from Pueba they became more closely
appoxmaed about the head of Lake Chaco, with Lake es
cuco little in front and to the right On The 9th and 18th
we pushed upon the Penon Isolated mound
(egh miles from Mexco) of great height, strongly fortified to
the top three tiers of works. and flooded around the base by
the season of rains and suices from the lakes This mound,
close the national road commands the principal approach to
the city from the No doubt might have been carried,
but great and dspoportionate loss and was anxious TO
spare the lives of this gallant for general battle which
knew had to win before capturing the city or obtaining
the great object Of the campagna just and honorable peace
Another reconnaissance directed he 3th) upon Mexi
cacngo the left Of the Penon, village at fortified
bridge the outlet canal leading from Lake Jochmco
the capitalve miles from the latter 1t might Eave been
easy asking the Penon) the passages but the
other side Of the bridge should have found ourselves four
miles from this road, causeway, ianked to The
right and left by Doggy grounds Those difficulties
closely viewed, threw back upon the project long enter
taned turning strong defences Of the city by
passing around south of Lakes Chaco and Jochmco at the
foot of the hills and mountains to reach this point and
hence manGuve hard ground though much broken 10
the south and southwest of the capital which has been
more or less under our view since the 10th instant
Accordingly by sudden inseIsion-Wor division,
with Harneys cavalry brigade, leadng-we marched on the
18th instant Pillows and Quimans divisions followed
closely, and Twggss division, which was left till the
next day at AyotIa in order threaten the Penon and
Mexcalcingo and the enemy long practicable
Twgss on the 10th, marching from Ayoa towards
Re- mile metz CORDS of IAN
numbers-cayalry and nfantry-under General Valencia
Twiggs halted depoyed into line, and by few rounds from
Captain Tayors field battery, dispersed the enemy, killing
or wounding many and horses No other molestaon
has been experienced except few random shots from guee
los the heights and the march of twenty miles,
deemed impractcabe by the enemy, is accom-
pshed by all the corps-hanks their ndomitabe zeal and
physical prowess.
Arriving here, the 18th, Worh's division AMI Harney's
cavalry pushed forward league, reconnoe and TO
carry mask San Antonio the direct road to the capital
This village found strongly defended by field works. heavy
guns, and garrison. Ii could only be turned by
infantry the left field of volcanic rocks and lava
Tor, to right, the ground boggy. 1t
ascertaned by the daring engineers Capt Mason and Leu
Stevens and Tower that the point could only be approached
by the front, causeway, fanked with wet
bitches of great depth Worth ordered attack but
TO threaten and 10 mask the place.
The first shot fired from San Antonio (the Isth killed
Captain s. Thorton, I'd Dragons gallant officer who
covering the operations with his company.
The same day reconnaissance commenced TO the left
of San Augustn, first difficult mounds and farther
the field of volcanic rocks and lava which extends
to the mountains five miles, from San Antonio towards
Magdaena This continued day by
Captain Lee assisted by Leutenans Beauregad and Tower
all of the engineers; who joined in the afternoon by
Major Smith Of the corps Other divisions coming up
Pillows advanced to make practicable road for heavy
artillery, and Twiggss thrown farther front, tina,
operation for, by the partial Of yesterday
Capt Lee discovered large corps of observation that d.
recton, with detachment of which his supports Of cavalry
aud foot, under Captain Keaney and Lieut. COL Graham,
respectively, had a successful skrmish.
BY three o'clock this afternoon the advanced divisions
to point where the road could only be continued unde
the direct fire Of % pieces of the enemy artillery, (most
them of large caber placed in enenched camp
oppose operations and surrounded 10y every advantage
OF ground besides immense bodies of cavalry and infantry
hourly reinforced from the city excellent road beyond
the volcanic field and consequently entirely beyond the reach
of our cavalry and artillery.
Arriving the ground hour later found that Pillows
and Twiggss divisions bad advanced to dlodge the enemy
picking their way Gall officers oot along his front, and
extending themselves toward the road from the city and the
enemys left. Captain Magruders field battery Of IL and s.
FOUNDERS and Lieut. Calenders battery Of mounted how
and rockets bad Also with great difficulty, been advanc
ed within Of the entrenched camp These batteries
most calamity served suffered much the Of the after
noon from the enemy's superior metal
The battle, though mostly stationary, continued rage
with great violence until nghtfall Brevet Brig Gen p F.
Smiths and Beve Col Rleys brgades, Twggss DIVISION
supported by Brig Generals Peces and CadwaIaders bri-
gades, (lows DIVISION than three hours under
heavy fire OF artillery and muske,ry, along the almost i'm
passabe in front and the en,renched Camp
Besides the % pieces Of artillery, the camp and rayne were
defended closely by Of infantry, these again
ported by clouds Of cavalry, hand towering in view
Consequently decided impression could be made by day
light the enemys most formidable position because indie
pendent Of the difficulty Of the ravine infantry unaccan
panied by cavalry and artillery could advance in column
without being moved down by the grape and canister OF h
batteries advance line without being ridden over By th
enemys cavalry All corps, however includ
ing Magruders and Caenders last batteries not only main
tanned the exposed positions early gained but all aempte,
charges upon them respectively, particularly Rley (wc
closely engaged with cavalry in greatly superior numbers
were repulsed and punished.
From an emlnence, after arriving near the scene
observed the church and hamlet of Contrera Cor Ansaa
on the road leading up from the capital through the cntrench
ed camp TO Magdalena. and seeing the same time tn
stream OF endorsements advancing BY the city
ordered Through Maj. Gen. Pillow Col Morgan, with BIZ
regiment, the 18TH til then held in reserve Ey Pillow Il
move forward and occupy Cunireas Tor Ansaida)-beinl
persuaded If occupied il would TIE enemys reinforce
menis and ultimately decide the battle
hJey already the enemy's left, in advance Of tl
hamlet few minutes later Brig Gen Shields with hi
volunteer brigade, New York and South Carolina regiments
utmans diSslon,) coming up under my orders from Sar
Augusiin directed Shields follow and sustain Morgan
These corps, over the extreme difficulties Of ground, pl,
covered with low forest before described reached Conre
ras and found Cadwaades brigade position observing th
formidable movement from the capital aud much needing th
timely reinforcement
already dark, and the cold rain had begun to fall il
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