Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-09-25

down the San Angel road, to take In reverse the positions Of
San Antonio and Churubusco. The enemy, finding himself
turned, Immediately commenced to eyacuate his lines at San
Antonio but we moved upon him so rapidly that he had to
abandon his guns. General Worth's division, that had mask
ed him IN front, followed SO close upon his heels as to drive
his rear into the defences of Churubusco. In the mean time
General Twiggs had taken his position in the front on the bat
terry surrounding the convent, while Gen. Worth seized upon
that defending the bridge and blocking the main road to
Mexico. The battle opened fercely on that side. Generals
Shieldss and Pierce's brigades were sent to attack in rear.
Advancing towards the city Of Mexico until they had passed
the stream in rear Of Churubusco, they crossed a confeld on
their right, and made for the causeway leading from Churub-
usco to the capital. This causeway was defended by a large
body of infantry and cavalry, the latter extending apparently
to the gates of Mexico. The number of infantry was said to
be S, 900, and of cavalry 900. Gen. Shields. forming his
line obliquely to that Of the enemy, resting either flank upon
some buildings on his right and left, and gaining as much to their
right flank as possible, brought his men promptly into action.
General Pierce, following quickly up, took position to his
left, and the howiizer battery opened on his right. The
Mexicans made a stout resistance, and the reserve under Ma
jor Sumner, composed Of the rifle regiment and a squadron Of
dragons, was brought to their support. BY the time they
broke into the c%ornfeld, the enemy began to give way. Worth
and Twiggs had forced their front, and they were being driven
upon the capital. AS soon as the way was clear for the dra-
goons, they swept over the causeway, charging up to the very
gates. Many a fine saddle was emptied by the discharge from
their last battery; Captain Keary, whose troop was lead
ing, lost his left arm, and the rest Of his officers were wound
ed. Our men had done their work well and faithfully. Their
exhaustion required rest. The recall was sounded, and We
returned to the care of the killed and wounded. OF these we
have a goodly number. l fear they will reach nearly one
thousand. Many gallant officers are at rest. Col. Butler, of
the South Carolina regiment, bringing his regimenti into action,
had his horse shot under him continuing the charge on foot,
he was wounded in the leg, and finally shot through the head.
OF the regulars, Capt. Thornton, of the Dragons, Captain
Burke, LIST artillery, Hanson, Lieut.. Irons, Easily, Hoffman,,
and Johnston. About forty are wounded more or less Sc
verely. AL the engineers are safe. We cannot be suffi-
GENTLY thankful, nor repay the interest or prayers OF our
friends in our behalf.
The greeting Of General ScorT by the troops after the ac-
ton, on seeing the success of all his plans, was loud and vo-
ciferous. 1t must have shaken the :" Halls of the Montezu-
mas" Their enthusiasm seemed to cheer the Mexican
officers in their captivity. The army has implicit confidence
in him, and a~pprehend nothing where he commands. He
sees every thing, and calculates the cost OF every measure ;
and they know and feel that their lives and labor will not be
uselessly expended. During the day we took ZOO prison.
ers, 8 generals, 81 pieces of artillery, and ammunition enough
for a whole campaign. Their defences were completely turn
ed, and their plans upset. We could have entered Mexico
ttat evening or the next morning, at our pleasure, so COM
piete was the Reorganization of their army of 49, 900 men.
Welearn that 81, 900 men were opposed to us at all points
on the goth, and they acknowledge in killed and wounded
5000. On the 2lst, as the army was in motion towards the
city, General Scott was met by a p, opposition for a cessation OF
hostiliies, for the purpose of taking care of the killed and
wounded. This he refused but in the evening agreed TO an
armistice, to enable Commissioners to meet Mr.. Trist, and to
treat for peace. This armistice has been officially ratified.
is difficult to foresee the result though | can very well see
that it is for Santa Annals advantage to make peace. So far
l can trust him.
The Lieutenant Johnston killed was the nephew of Lieut..
Col. Johnston, Of the ~voligeurs. l was standing by him
when his leg was carried off above the knee by a cannon ball.
He was a gallant little fellew, and as merry over his work all
the morning as a boy at play. He fell by the side Of the gun
he had been effectively serving, and died that night, 18th in
slant. The Colonel did not hear of his death until next
morning. He was standing in Valencia's captured entrench-
ments, flushed with the recent victory his frame shrunk and
shivered with agony, and ! weptto witness his grief II is
the living for whom we should mourn, and not the dead. The
engineers did good service on both days; nor was the engi-
neer company behind in any undertaking.
From another Letter.
We have been favored with another letter from
- - AM. COL ,,L,ob onyar nro,.I