The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-10-30
WAR MATTERS.
WAR MATTERS.
Authentic Account of the
Capture ofthe City OF
MericO by Gen. Scott.
Col. Ransom, of Vermont, Killed!

Col. Ransom, of Vermont, Killed!
We give below n full, connected, and high
" interesting account of the operations Of
General Scott aad the American Army, from
the time of the termination of the urmisLice
onrhe 9TH of September, to the capture and
occupation of the City ofMeXico on the llth.
This account is furnished by the intelligent
correspondent of the New Orleans Delta.
CITY OF Mexico, Sept. %, 1847.
On the Sth the General in Chief received
formation that mt Moline del Ray, where
Stood several buildings, the MeXicans were
n werll casting cannon, shells, shot, &c
Desiring 10 stop their military operations, he
lesired Gen. Worth, with his division, sup
ported by Gen. Cadwalader's Brigade, to at
Jack and destroy the place, on the morning
otSlh, and then retire. The buildings, which
the Mexicans call Casa .Hata, are situated on
the West side ofChapultepec, and within six
pound range ofthe guns ofthe fort. On the
West side of The buildings, and the breast
works around them, is n large open plain,
gradually descending TO the positions occu-
pied by the MeXicauS-a deep ravine incines
round this plain, or open space, until it ar
rives within about two hundred yards Of the
buiIding upon which rested the enemy's right
ilank-two "a Founders, belonging to Capt.
lluger's siege train, were placed in position
to bntter down the brenstworks and buildings
ifthey were found TO be occupied by heavy
iorce but they did not fire but very few
shots, before Gen, Worth advanced his III
thntry down the plain, and attacked the enc
my's works in the front and centre. The
McXicans opened upon them IL most murder
Gus fire from the point attacked and both
their TANKS, which moved down our troops
Me grass before the scythc.
Many of the best officers of the division
were cut down, and the heavy loss in the
ranks caused the advance to waver for mo-
ment, until the supporting force came up,
which also sustained n severe loss. A col
umn of lancers, numbering 1000 to 5000,
which were stationed on the enemy's right,
perceiving the effect ofthis deadly fire on our
infantry came charging down, in the hope
of being able to take advantage of circuni-
stances, and put our troops to ruut-but they
we're soon checked in their onward career.
Col, Duncan brought two pieces of his bat
terry to bear upon them, and Capt. Dunn
with the two recaptured Buena Vista pieces,
also opened his fire on them-wh!e ut the
same moment, Mnjo Sumner, with two
squadrons Outrageous, aud company of
mounted rifles, which, until then, had been
held in reserve, passed down under the fire
from the enemy's works, and charged the
head oftheir column, which they could not
stand for moment, and commenced coil
fused and preciptous retreat. After that
they rallied twice, and attempted to return
but at each time our little handful of dra-
goons made them leave without exchanging
cards; while the cavalry and the infantry, raj
lymg,succeeded in carrying the buildings and
brcastworks which the enemy held, and com
PCHed them to retrcat-captured seven piec-
Us of artillery; large quantity ofammunIon
small arms, &c. and 500 prisoners.
As soon as they were driven from the bull
dngs, Capt. Dunn and Col. Duncan advance
ed their light batteries, aud Lieut.. Stone
brought forward one ofthe "a Founders, the
whole ofwhich opened most destructive
fire upon them, as they reiroated across low
plain to the rear oflhe position they at first
occupied. Our loss was very heavy, and
regret to say, that some Oft very best Off
GERS of our army fell killed and wounded;
while the Mexican loss was very slight, until
they commenced their retreat. While the
cavalry were passing liz front of the enemy,
in order to charge the column of lancers,
they were not under the fire more than ten
seconds, and during that time they sustained
Moss of six officers wounded, 30 privates
Killed and wounded and loss of los horses.
1iRere were but two officers that did not have
'heir horses shot under hem-but there is
one thing very remarkable, that the horses
from which the riders had been shot, wheel
ed and moved with the same Regularity as
though they had been mounted, until thew
came to halt from the charge, wien they all
kept on in body in direcrion of the enemy
we were deceived in reference 10 the char
ncter OF the buildings, us there was no loun-
H!y, or even semblance of one-aud after
blowing up soue ofthe buildings, and BRING
ing Oft our killed and wounded, we eyacua-
ted the place, as the occupation of it would
give us no advantage. Our loss was 500
killed, wounded and missing.
The result of this engagement taught Us
one lesson, which was, that the MeXicans Use
their arms well, and fight well, when they
are in position; and although the superiority
OF our arms, and the valor of the troops will
eventually triumph, yet still we must call in
TO requisiton all our military science and
skill, or we purchase our victories at too dear
aprice.
ABOUT shutdown, on the 11th, Gen. Twiggs
win the balance ofhis division, arrived at P-
euao, and Gen. Pillow moved with his diyi-
SION to the south ofTacubaya, and took DO
s G on the west side of Chapultepec, and
zen. Ten' 0ultman with his division, occupied
,,Io ~ roau rom Tacubaya to the city of Mexi-
baya. - A"O'
IN the course of the night three heavy hat.
tgrles were planted in front of the cnstIe of
EEnaPuiiepec; No. commanded by Can't.
SS.Inn;No ? by Lieut.. Hagner; No. 3 by Lieut..
S.ohe--all under the general command and
H9nPer'ntendence of Capt. Huger, Chief of tho
SUTruhance. Also during the night General
f "'ggs.s division planted Capt. Steptoes in
loht OF the Notifications on the San Antonio
ROAD, It being intended that Gen. Twirrs
f should make a fort for the purpose of draw
4"E OUT the enemy in that direction.
Al daylight on the morning of the 18th, all |