Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-10-02
BATTLES OF COUTRERAS AND
CHURUBUSCO.
ExTRAcTs FROM Mr.. KENDALL's LETTERS
THE Arnisf;ce--H Hour IL ,p1s Efecfed

CHURUBUSCO.
EXTRACTS FROM Mr.. KENDALL's LETTERS.
The Administration it ,oas Effected.
Let me now give my specua,ions as to
the mode by which the armistice was
brought about. On the night of the Goth
inst, after the great Mexican army was
thoroughly beaten, broken to pieces and
routed, Mr.. Thornton, of the English Lee
CATION, accompanied by the British Consul,
Mr.. Mackintosh--a man who regards San
ia Anna, hates the Yankees, and never
moves unless his own ends are to be gained
--came out of the city post haste on
visit to Gen. Scott. The next morning
Gen. Mora, accompanied by Mr. Arrangoiz,
who was formerly Mexican Consul in New
Orleans, came out, also on visit TO Gen.
Scott. and on the same day the latter wrote
letter TO the Mexican authorities, limiting
at an armistice between the two armies
with view of opening negotiations for
peace. This proposition was eagerly
jumped a, by the Mexican Minister of
War, at the instigation of Santa Anna, of
course, and the result has been treaty of
armistice, in which, according to rumor,
nearly everything the Mexicans asked for
was conceded. ! know nothing of the
proceedings Of this commission except
from hearsay. There are many who believe
that Gen. Scott has been compelled 10
adopt this policy. at the threshold of the
Mexican Capital, by Mr. Trist and his in
acknowledge myself among the number,
who think that peace honorable and salts
factory TO the United States, is 10 grow out
of the matter.
The policy of Gen. Scott or of Mr.. Trist
Il do not know which is responsible for
the measure--in effecting any armistice
and consequently an opportunity TO nego-
tiate-ths policy, say, although not very
fattering to the pride of those who fought
the sanguinary battles of Con,reras and
Churubusco, may still have tendency to
soften that of the Mexicans, and lead TO
some kind of peace. So perfect was the
panic among the sons of Iturbide, on the
Goth, that one Of our weakest regiments
could have entered the grand plaza with but
little opposition--in fact, could have driven
every soldier either out of the city or to
some hiding place within its walls.
Merican Accounts.
TAcUBAYA, Aug. 81, 1S47.
The official report of Gen. Saas, who
was second in command at Con,reras, and
who is now prisoner, has been published
in Mexico. He admits that his defeat was
total. but as usual. lays the blame, on some
of his brother officers. He says that on
the afternoon of the l9,h--Uhis was while
no one was returning their fire)-the Mexi-
cans fought with uncommon valor and en-
thusasm, but that early on the morning OF
the Goth August they were suddenly sur
rounded and at once thrown into confusion
and in the end utterly routed. Salas says
that at the outset of the disorder he shout
ed "Victory for Mexico" ordered the trum.
pets to sound, and directed Gen. Torrejon
to charge with his lancers, but according to
+ the same accounts, that officer fled in the
most cowardly manner, the infantry got
mixed up with the cavalry, and also fled
and the rout of all was complete and most
disastrous.
+ Saas says that Gen. Valencia ran off a,
the commencement of the fight, that he
does not know what has become of him
and for this reason has felt himself called
upon to make report. Such is the account
given by his Excellency Gen. Sr. Don
Mariana de Salas of the defeat at Contre-
ras-one of the most brilliant victories
achieved by our arms since the commence.
E ment of the war--briliant and most impor
> tant for the great results produced with sc
little loss on our side, and for which Gen
Smith, as well as Col. Riley and the other
officers engaged in it, are receiving the un
qualified appreciation of the entire army.
Gen. Salas himself acknowledges that ir
e this battle Gen. Fontera was killed, and tina
n besides himself Gems. Mendoza, Blanc;
e and Garcia were wounded and taken pris
Il oners, in addition to list of over lO(
i other oficers-colonels, captains, &C.
y. who were either killed, wounded or are
~ now in our hands. And here let me men
; t'n one fact in relation to the after batl,
), of Churubusco, which will show how
t near Gen. Scott was to capturing the entire
e Mexican army. At the time Gen. Worth
was pressing upon the tete de pont Genera
,. Twiggs upon the church, and Gems. Shields
and Pierce upon the hacienda farther on
the Commander-in- ordered Major
: Sumner TO take command of the rifles, anC
D by circuitous march 10 reach the road be
o tween the enemy and the city. Nothing
IS but the daring impetuosty of our own mer
e in front prevented this plan from succeed
ing--had the Mexcans held out, or oul
=, own soldiers held off ten minutes longer
= the enemy would have been in a bag, as i
D. were, and killed or captured to a man.
e Santa Anna might perhaps have escaped
e as he has a peculiar way of his own; but hi
!. would not have taken even the remnant o
n an army with him.