Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-20

lands column was soon in, unesisted and rapidly passed
through the works. the high road the capital Some
hundred yards the works the division reunited,
and dsegadg the force retreang upon Dolores the whole
moved rapidly and in good order TO the higher object APP
preaching Churubuscohat place being the left and
the road- discovered to be strongly occupied with
troops and protected by batteries and infantry offences Fur
Their in advance discovered regular fedwok ganished
with heavy guns and crowded with troops. Between the
two, continuous line Of infantry; and the left and
of the work. (fe de ponf) dense line of infantry far
the eye could reach On getting within cannon-sho and
of muske the enemy opened with effect upon the head of
the leading battalion. Garlands brigade thrown
promptly the right Of and in line Of columns obquey to,
the road which order would in its advance and depoyment
strike the enemys line at like ange-thc light battalion
its right The I'd brigade ordered also TO the
right Except the 9th infantry and by flank parallel the
road while the 9th infantry directed to advance by the
high road and storm the e pont front The field the
right filed with standing corn which masked large bodies
OF the enemy, and from whose fire, consequence every
command suffered greatly in the first instance Running over
these Garands brigade soon engaged with their more
regular lines and Clarkes, as soon as could
be got in the position above described-and il at
double-quck tme-became engaged in like manner. The
9th regiment Of infantry moved with seadness worthy Of
its established reputation to assault hs 9a e II II ss Hp
canister and muskey, which raked the road of
cessity momenary checked Meantime, the Sh and 9Th of
Cakes brigade, voraby situated TO effect results but
under terrible fire. dashed past the deep and wet ditch that
entirely surrounded the work. carried by the bayonet and
quick thoughts turned the captured cannon upon that
combating troops approaching from the direction of Con-
eras, occasionally reversing their fire upon left flank
Previous to this PERIOD and when in the act of giving drec-
ton 10 the battalions, | joined by Major Gen. Pillow
who in from the left with three regiments of his dv-
son-Cadwaladers brgadehaving with great difficulty made
his way through the marshes thence the of the day.
had the pleasure of his gallant association and assistance
Lieut.. Col. Duncan's battery of light artillery, which had
been directed To be Masked being unable batter the
heavier metal in 'front.' and the nterscted character Of the
ground rendering impossible to move from the high road
apiItu aIya h,y,
opened at position two hundred yards distant from the
work around the church of San Pablo situated in and
shutting the key of that portion of the enemys defer
seziDg the proongaon of principal face in space of five
minutes, by fire of astonishing rapdity the enemy d
from his guns that quarter and the infantry from their
entertainments the main body taking refuge in the church
and under Of its yard wallis The re was then turned
upon the church, and after few rounds several white flags
thrown out by the enemy the fire ordered and
officer dispatched to accept the surrender of the place. To
this period there had been pecpbe abatement Of the fire
from the town in the direction of troops attacking the
poste face. Immediately thereafter troops the vcni
y pushed on to the point where portions of Garands and
Cakes brgades were yet engaged in handtohand conflicts
with the of infantry the left and Of the cap
tured edwork first referred but, under the triple inu-
of muskety, the capture Of the fe de punt and
the sencng Of the fire in the town, directed upon other d.
visions of our army the main body of the soon
discovered to be in full and confused Pressing along
the highway pursuit of the enemy, the division
nerseced by the brigade of Gen Shields approaching from
the left with the remainder Of his brave command, consist
by the arrival of Lieut. Col Graham with the small remains
of his battalion of the It'll regiment of infantry these
portion OF the main army assaulng in the opposite drec
ton Of the town. the right ana reserve Of the enemy, under
the immediate direction of the Generain-chef The pur
suit Of the enemy by the st division, acting and
cordial cooperation with these iorces continued with
in mile and half Of the gate of Mexico a Candida
MAJ At this point ignorant first OF the magnitude Of the
deences at the ga.a, and secondly of the Interior views Of
the Generan chief ordered halt of the united forces,
after consulting with Major Gen. Pillow and Brig General
Shields Col Harvey coming up at this instant with two
squadrons of cavalry, permitted to make dash at the
Of the enemys retiring forces In the eager pursuit. the
head Of the column pressing too Closely and dsregardng
not hearing their commanders recall came under fire Of
the battery and suffered severely The ground which the
troops operated OIL the hghroad Is remarkably ntesected
loose SOIL growing gran and brief intervals deep bitches
for the purpose of drainage and irrigation These bitches
vary from six to eight feet in DEPTH about the in width
with from three four feet OF waterthe banks lined
with the enemy's light troops.
When the of the ground and the fact that
the division 600 strong of all arm engaged from two
to and half hours in hand-tohand conflict with from
1000 5000 Of the enemy having the advantage of posi-
ton and occupying regular works-whch engineers will
say most skfuy construced-he mind is filled with
wonder and the heart with gratitude to the brave officers and
soldiers whose steady and ndomtabe vaor has under such
circumstances aided in achieving results honorable to
country results accomplished however, without the
ce Of many valuable lives The little professional skill the
commander may have possessed intensely exered
the and yet with the utmost care, have to
the loss in killed and wounded, of thirteen officers and three
hundred and thry-sx rank and e Our country will lament
the fate and honor the memory of these list Of
captured ordnance has already been handed also Of pr
oners from generals down to privates OF prisoners
ed to make but few although receiving the surrender OF
to disarm and pass them deemed sufficient Among
them, however, secured twentseven deseers from
army, anayed in the tawdry Mexican uniforms.
These wreches served the guns the Of which they had
been taught in service, and with fatal effect upon
the persons of their former comrades!
And now, in closing this report hastily and nconvenieny
prepared the pleasing and yet difficult task of bringing
Particularly to the notice Of the Geneuinchef and
Government the behavior Of the officers and under
command Every officer of every grade and every soldier
from chief Of brigade through rank and file the humbest
have bavey and noby done their duty and the decacy is
felt in full force Of Distinguishing, by separation Of
from the Others and yet those in whose path fortune threw
her special avorsare entitled TO the benefit
AS least exceponabe, corps will BE- referred in order Of
formation, and persons in connexion with their corps
LIST. Brevet Lieut. Col Duncan commanded and directed
the light artillery with the zeal and gaany, Judgment and
effect which have often distinguished and presented him to
the notice Of his General and the Government
3D. Brevet Lieut. Col Smith commanded and directed his
light battalion with characteristic gaan,ry and ability.
3d. Breve Col Garland Lieutenant Colonel 4h infantry
commanded the LIST Brigade conspicuous in many fields in the
present in this last combat by Skill conduct and
courage, he has greatly added already established
taon for patriotism and sodershp. Of his brigade Major
Gait commanded and CALAMITY led the I'd artillery, acing
infantry y Lieut. Col Bclon the Sd artillery, also acting
infantry y and Major Lee the 4th infantry. The chief OF
the brigade speaks in commentator Of each of these