Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-10-27


Of Gen. Wor,h's command had reached the gate of
San Cosne the fire SO hot that they were com
PEELED temporarily to abandon it-and did not make
permanent lodgment until towards evening, when
portion OF the seige train battery was brought into
action, as also piece or two OF the mountain how
itzers, which hurried the Shot and shell about the
ears of the enemy little hotter than they desired
Gen. Quitman's column, with the Rifles at their
head continued steadily and cautiously on, taking
position and breastwork they came in contact
with them until they arrived near the gate 0f the
city. Here the firing was SO heavy, both from
small arms and artillery, that it was deemed pru-
dent to carefully reconnoiter it before Attacking
Accordingly, Lieuts Beauregard of the Engineers
Lowell, of Gen. Quitnan's staff, and Lieut. Van
Doren, Of Gen. Smiths staff, went forward to as
certain the true position of affairs they returned
aud upon their report the Rifles, supported BY a
small force of infantry, was advanced forward for
the purpose of picking off the ariilerists, which
they did-bcng partially covered by the aqueduct
with the same success and accuracy as one of
our southern or western men would shoot squirrels
This rendered the situation of the Mexican arti-
lerists uncomfortable that they were unable to
stand to their guns long enough To load them and
they commenced moving their guns. which was
perceived by Gen. Qutman, and he ordered
charge. which was carried into execution as soon us
commanded-Licui Stuart, of the Rifles, leading
the way 1t captured the main work, with two
pieces OF artillery, which Capt Dunn turned on the
[ ie'iea'ihS eueuiy pen NSultman was himself u
uiong the frSt 10 mount the breaStwurk and plant
the standard thereon, at O'Clock the enemy then
formed and three times attempted to charge us and
reiake the position but the unerrno and deadly fire
of the Rifles, together with vollcy of grape from
capt Dunn, so cut them 10 pieces that they would
not approach nearer than rifle shot
The third time they tried to advance upder In.
cover OF the arches o. the aqucduct but If ever
Mexican poked his head out for the purpose of slim
ping from one arch to the other some riheman
would be sure to put ball through it, During the
whole OF the afternoon the Citadel and fort ON
our right continued concentrated fire unon tho
gate where our troops were, in the hopes of drvinU
them out. but in this they were much mistaken. nj
though we had but lite cover. Here it was that
the lamented Capt. Dunn fell mor,allv wounded
the death of no man in our army has been more sin
cereiy regretted than his; throughout the lombard
mcht OF Chapulepec he stood by his guns. and
when the works of the enemy were stormed bc
continued to advance his battery under the heayies,
IRE, himself possessing and nlusing into his men
cool and deliberate bravery and sef-possesson sur
passed by none.
You Will rocollect it was him who rccaptured the
Duena vista guns, still covered with the blood of
those who fell over them at the time they were
lost, and afterwards used them with such decisive
effect at the battle of Molino del Rev on the Sth
inst. Under cover of the night Gen Quitman's
coiuihh erected breaStwork, and put into position
battery OF two io's, 6S-pound howi,zer and
one "a pound howltzer, intending to warm up the
citadel in the morning. General Worth's column
got his guns in position 10 rake every rhinu in
his vicinity, and after night Lieutenant HaGner
threw few shot and shell into the city. which no
douDl ihtinidaled The enemy very much. rs they
had taste Of this at Vera Cruz.
After the results and successes of the day. Gen
era! Scott intended, on the morning of the 18th to
make a lodgmont on the ''New Paseo," (enernr
by the San Cosmo gale) and lombard the CITY and
Tor this purpose the balance of Gen. Twiggs' divs-
ION was ordered from Ell Pielad to the support of
Gen Worth.
On the night of the 18th Santa Anna evacuated
all his positions, and retTeated from the city, having
had more than one half Of his army killed and
wounded or taken prisoners-among the latter Gen.
Bravo, with his staff, at Chapultepec Santa An
ma found that if he fought us on the 4th he woud
hardly have body guard lePt to cover his retreat
Early IN the morning the two columns took ND
lheir march. Gems Qutman and Smith. at the
head of their commands, entered the Grand Nation
al Plaza AT O'Clock. The column was formed in
the Plaza, and, by order of Gen. Quiiman, the Ma.
tlonal Standard of the Cerro Gordo Division. while
the command came to a present, was flung to the
breeze over the National Palace, and it now tri-
umphantly waves over the HALLS OF THE MONTE
ZUMAs, and, with one of our national poets we NAV
say
Our flag rs there, our flag is there
Behold lis glorious stripes and stars
Our flag is there, flag is there
Gen. Worth's command halted four or five squares
from the Plaza, where Col. Garland was wounded.
About O'Clock Gen. Scott and Staff i'm full Iea-
ther, escorted by the Cavalry, entered the city, a
midst the huzlas of the soldlery on all sides As
he entered, the band of the I'd Dragons, mounted,
interested the staring crowds with Hail Columbia
AS the escort entered the Grand Plaza the band
moved the patriotism of the whole of us to little
higher pitch, by the good, old fashioned air Of Yam
kee Doodle!
One OF the first acts of Gen. Scott was to appoin,
Gen. t2uitman Civil and Military Governor of Mex
leo, and Col f. 5. Bolton, Lieut. Governor Gen.
Quiman's department embraces the following off
GERS Capt. f. N. Page, Asst Adj't General, and
Lieuls. NJ. Lowell, Nj. Wilcox and r. p. Ham
mond, ABIDE Camps Capt. G.. Il. NJ Davis, Sec
rotary, and Mr. Levi, Interpreter
Throughout the 18th, and on the morning OF the
loih, the MeXIcans continued to fire from the cor
ners and tops of the houses, killing some and
wOunding many.
The Artillery was at first tried on them. lut o,y
ing To their concealed position it was not effective
+ The ftliie regiment, and some of the Infantry.
were Then sent In pursuit. which forces soon slenc
ed them wherever they went. The Mexicaus were
very much mistaken when they came to enraue the
hi1es on me houSe-tops during their revolutions
they would fight in this way for several DAYS viii
out doing each other much injury but the deadly
FIRE OF the Rifles picked them out from their hiding
places where they least expected it, and made
them very willing to cease 50 unequal combat
The officers of our army have suffered severely
they were foremost in the fight, and of course the
first TO fall
Since our army arrived in the valley, we have lost
about 3OOJ men, in killed and wounded We have
destroyed the Mexican army, of over $4,000 men
upwards Of 5000 Of which have been taken pris
oners We have captured 10 pieces of artillery
~ at the battle of Contreras, 10 in the fort at Chu
rubUSco, aud 50 on the 18th, 9Th and 18th.
~