Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-02
Rey, TO batter and loosen this position from Cha

on the ridge to the left of the batterlng guns, to
force the enemy's centre. The I'd (Clark's) brig |
ade, the command of which devolved on Col.
Mcintosh, (Col. Clark being sick ~ with Duncan's
battery, was to take post still farther up the ridge
opposite the encmy's right, to look to our left
flank to sustain the assauting column if neces-
sary, or to dlscomft the enemy, (the ground be-
ing favorable) as circumstances might require.
Cadwalader's brigade was held IN reserve, in a
position or the ridge, between the batering guns
and McIntosh's brigade, and in easy support Of
either. The cavalry under Major Sumner to en-
velope our extreme left, and be governed by cir.
cunstances--to repel or attack, as the comman-
dors judgment might suggest. The troops 10 be
put IN position under cover Of the night; and the
work to begin as the heavy metal could
be properly directed. Col. Duncan was charged
with the general disposition of the artillery. Ac-
cordingly, at o'clock in the morning Of the 9Th,
the several columns were put in motion, on as
many different routes (; and when the gray Of the
morning enabled them to be seer they were as
accurately in position as if posted in md day for
review.
The early dawn was the moment appointed
for the attack, which was announced 10 our
troops by the opening Of Huger's guns on Ell
Molino del Rey, upon which he continued to
play actively until this point of the enemys line
became sensibly shaken, when the nssaultng
party commanded by Wright, and guided by
that accomplished officer, Capt. Mason of the en-
gncers, assisted by Lieut.. Foster, dashed gal
anty forward to the assault. mistaken by the
calling fire Of musketrv and canister that was
showered upon them, on they rushed, driving in
!antry and artillery at the point of the bayonet.
The eneny's field battery was taken, and his own
guns were trailed upon his retreating masses;
before, however, they could be discharged, per-
ceiying that he had been dispossessed of this
strong position by comparatively hadful Of men,
he made desperate effort to regain it. Ac-
cordLgy his retreatlng forces rallied and form
cd with this object. Aided by the infantry,
which covered the housetops (wlthin reach of
which the battery had been moved during the
night the cncmys whole line opened upon the
assaultng party terrific fire Of musketry, which
struck down eleven out of fourteen officers that
composed the command, and non-comnssoned
officers and men in proportion; including, among
the officers, Bvt. Maj. Wright, the commander;
Capt. Mason and Lieut.. Foster, engineers; all
severely wounded.
This severe shock staggered for moment that
gallant band. The light battalion, held to COW
or Iluger's battery, under Capt. f. Kirby Smith,
I.iet. Col. Smith being sick,) and the right wing
of Cadwallader's brigade, were promptly ordered
forward to support, which order was executed in
the most gallant style; the enemy was again
routed, and this point of his line carried, and full
~ possessed by our troops. In the meantime
Gurand's list) brigade, ably sustained by Capt
Drums artillery, assaulted the enemy's left, and
after and obstinate and very severe contest,
drove hun from this apparently impregnable pc
sition, Immediately under the guns of the castle
of Chapultepec. Drums section, and the bat
terlng guns under Capt. Hugar, advanced to the
enemy's position, and the captured guns of the
enemy were opened on his reireating forces,
which they continued to fire az until beyond
their reach. While this work was in progress OF
accomplishment by our centre and right our
troops on the left were not idle. Duncan's bat
terry opened on the lett OF the enemy's line, up
to this tine engaged; and the I'd brigade, under
Col. Mcintosh was 7ow ordered TO ass lult the OK
rena right Of the enemy's line. The direction
of the brigade soon caused it to mask Duncan's
battery, the fire of which, for the moment was
discontinued; and the brigade moved steadily
on to the assault of Casa Mata, which, instead of
an ordinary field entrenchmen, as was supposed,
proved to be 4 strong stone citadel, surrounded
by bastioned enntrenchmens and impossible
dtches-an old Spanish work, recently repaired
and enlarged. When within easy musket range.
the enemy opened most deadly fire upon our
advancing troops which was kept up without in
remission, until our gallant men reached the
very slope of the parapect Of the work that sur
rounded the citadel. By this time large pro-
portion Of the command was either killed or
fccrs present-Brevet Col Mcintosh, Bv Lieut..
Col. Scott, of the 5lh infantry, and Maj. Waite,
9Th infantry, the second killed, and the first and
last desperately wounded. SILL the fire from
the citadel was undated In this crisis of the
attack the command was momentarily, thrown
into disorder, and fell back on the left of Dun.
cans battery, where they rallied. AS the %
brigade moved to the assault. very large cav
airy and infantry force was discovered approach
ing on our left flank to reinforce the enemy's
right.
AS soon as Duncans battery was masked, rs
before mentioned, supported By Andrews's Volt.
geurs, OF Cadwalader's brigade, it moved prompt
ly 10 the extreme left of our line, to check the
threatened assault on this point. The enenys
cavalry came rapidly, within canister range,
when the whole battery opened most effective
fire, which soon broke the squadrons, and drove
them back in disorder. During the fire upon
the enemy's cavalry, Major Summers command
moved to the front, and changed direction in ad
mirable order, under most appalling fire from
the Casa Mata. This movement enabled his com
mand to cross the ravinc Immediately on the left
of Duncan's battery, where it remained, doing
noble service, until the close of the action. At
the very moment the cavalry were driven beyond
reach, our own troops drew back from before
the Casa Mata, and enabled he guns Of Duncan'S
battery to reopen upon this position; which,
after a short and we'll directed fire, the enemy
abandoned. The guns OF the battery were now
turned upon his retreating columns, and contln
ued to play upon them until beyond reach.
! lie was nov driven from every point of the
field, and his strong lines, which had certainly
been defended well, were in our possession. In
fulilmcnt of the instructions of the General IN
chief, the Casa .uata was blown up, and such
of the captured ammunition as was useless to us,
as well as the cannon moulds found in FL Molln
del Rey, were destroyed. Afer which my com
mand under the reiterated orders Of the General
in chief, returned 10 quarters at Tacubaya, with
three of the enemy's four guns, 1.-THE fourth hay-
ing been spiked, was rendered unseryceable;
as also large quantity of small arms, with gun
and lnusket ammunition, and exceeding SUI prs-
oners, including 50 commissioned officers.
BY the concurrent testimony OF prisoners, me
eneny's force exceeded $4,000 men, commanded
by Gen. Santa Anna in person. lis total loss,
killed. Gncudng his second and third in CON.
mand, Generals Valderez and Leon,) wounded
and prisoners, amounts to 5000, exclusive OF
some 1000 who deserted after the rout.
MY command, reinforced as before stated, on
ly reached 300 men of all arms. The contest
continued two hours, and its severity is painfully
attesled by our heavy loss of officers, non-eom-
missioned officers, and privates, including in the
first two classes some Of the brightest ornaments
OF the service