The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-06

casioncd me much pain, but my sur
geons assure me the arm is safe So
entire has been my recovery from the
effects ofthe former wound, that at'Pu.
ebla assumed command Of brigade,
consisting Of the New FORK and South
Carolina volunteers, and the marine
corps, under Lieut.. Col. Watson. We
marched from Puebla and entered The
valley Of Mexico with an army amount
ing in all TO 10000 men. Our march
was one Of extreme difficulty, over
roads broken up and filled with rocks.
We reached San Augustin on the 18th
August, from whence we could see the
enemy's troops and works at Contreras
On the 18th ! led two regiments the
New Yorkers aad Palmettoes across
a route that was deemed lmpassa bic by
Mexicans for everything but goats;
Joined the other force in thelnight; re-
mained most Of the night without shell
ter or covering, under incessant rain;
and joined in the attack in the morning
which carried the position, and cut Va
lencia's whole force to pieces. All this
| encountered without suffering any in.
jury from the effects of my former
wound. From Contreras | joined in
pursuit Of the enemy towards Mexico.
We came up with the main body OF his
army at Churllbusco. The enemy's
force was about thirty thousand. The
position was most formidable. The
forlifcations were not only exceeding
Iy strong, but their infantry was posted
under cover of embankmenIs, which
afforded them such protection as to en-
able them to fire on us with security.
The battle at this place was not only
a bloody but terrible one., The Mex
leans determined to make it their last
great struggle, and the Americans
fought with desperation; knowing that
nothing was left for them but success.
Here | lost over half my command in
killed and wounded. Some of the no.
blest officers and bravest men that ever
to battle fell on that bloody
field. Yet we routed the whole Mexi-
can army, and drove it, panic struck,
into the city; and had !, who happen
ed to be in the advance, only been per-
mitled TO continue the pursuit into the
city, | doubt not, from what we have
since heard of their fright, that they |
would have run through the city, and |
sought shelter in the mountains. Peace,
however, being the great object. it was
loped that the moment was favorable
or that purpose. Santa Anna, how
,ver, whose whole being is compost
ion of falsehood and treachery, en-
,loyed the time in preparation Tor de-
ence, and imposed upon US the further
necessity of carrying Chapultepec and
aking the city. This was all done,
90, in the most glorious manner. The
whole American force on the ground,
xclusive Of killed and wounded, when
dexico was taken, was less than 5000:
he whole force employed was little
more than 5000. SO, my dear friend.
vou may tell the world that an army Of
5000 and 1000 Americans
las taken the city Of Mexico, strongly
ortifed, with an army of between
wenty and thirty thousand men with
n its walls. True, we have suffered,
ind suffered severely. Many noble
pirit has breathed his last in the valley
,f Mexico; but the gloriousresul,s have
proved to the world the invincibility Of
he American arms. have been thus
lifusive, 10 show that my recovery has
,een tested by every species of trial
md endurance to which the human
iystem can be subjected. is hard
;ase, therefore, that the physicians who
contribute so much to this recovery
hould be accused Of ncapacity, and
hat my recovery, in itself so wonder
al, should be vouched as an instance
o prove this incapacity. trust those
oIrnals that gave place, inconsiderate.
V. 10 the article to which allude, will
o me the favor, in justice TO my phy-
ician and the medical department of
he army, to insert this letter. i9ae saa
have the honor to be, egWU |,
,1 your friend and ob't sefv't, oi Il
yt III. JAMES SHIELDS n |;