Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-09-29
From the New Orleans Delta
Battles sf Contreros and Gurubusco |!
TIE BATTLE OF coNTREos.
TAcuBAYA, August %, ls47,

.TAcuBAYA, August %, l847.
Eos. DKLrAs: The late brilliant achieve
ment OF the arms Of the United STATES over
the superior numbers Of the enemy, and in
front of tho capital Of the, country, cannot
but excite the admiration and. pride OF our
peoi,le, from one end Of the land TO the
other: but those who were not here to wit
ness and participate in the desperation Of
the conRict-the great and apparently lnsur.
nlountable obstacles-the priyations and
hardships endured-neyer can properly
appreciate the brilliancy Of the victory, the
gallant and good conduct, and the scientific
attainments of our noble little army. Our
comparative loss, Of those engaged, exceeds
that Of any battle of which we have any
recollection; being about one ost Of sir -
To attempt to enumerate, in proper man
ner, the individual instances of heroism-of
determined and deliberate .courage-of the
perseverance and intrepidity with. which
great and powerful obstacles were surmount-
ed-would be but commencing an endless
task. trust, when, the details of these
brilliant affairs are given by the respective
commanders, that our country will testify
.sadmiration and respect by some substan
tia reward-n. reward that will live il
memory and history when. the actors in
tbese stirring scenes shall have moulderee
in The dust, Essss,.sss y ss.5..
About the 18th inst, It was determines
that We should not attack Ei Penon, wher'
the enemy had made every preparation t
receiye,us, and were, no doubt, We woul'
have been compelled to sacrifice man,
more 1ises than We have already done.-,
Accordingly, the engineers having discover
ed a road BY which we could turn it, W
! took up our march around lake Chalco.-
Al this. movement the enemy were serious
II nonpiussed, as. they were not awar
themselves Of any practicable route W
could lake that would so ,efectually .tur
their position; and in order to delay gu
movement, sent out Gen. Alvarez, the grea
champion Of the south., with his Pintos, {
tribe of Indians spotted by nature, togethe
with portion Of theregular army, amount
ing m all To- about lO, 900 men, to attac
the rear column, under the command G
General Twiggs; but i turned out to be
feeble attempt. Gen. sTwiggs had scarcel
formed bis. .lineof battle, and opened his arti
lerv, under the command Of Capt. Taylo
bafore they fed with. great precipitancy.-
A few well-direeted shots from this batter
made forcible impression upon their co
: upns, and they retreased leaving porto
Of thsir. dead and swepnded to take care
themselves. 81 The whole affair did not q
tain Gen Twigg, more than fS Rn hGds' .b;s t4 T.
the. enemy had discovered the route
which We were moving, and endeayored
obs,Fuct the road, butshe sappers and mine'
aided BY the head Of Gen. Wonh's colum
soon cleared the road as dlffsreat place
and by. the l7th. the head Of Gena Worth
column arrived at San! Aagustin-tt
epenY,s skirhishers 6ring from every hi
top and point which sfayoret them on; I
route, and their cavalry presenting the
selyes in force several times during the d'
bus, never daring 70 attack. sszzy.e a:g
On the. Isih. Gen. W.orth's ,eolal
mQvsd down the Fead in the direction
Can Antonio, from which place the enel