Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-09-29

ny thing before them, drove them out between the
fires OF Smith and Ransom upon that of Shields
They broke at all points, abandoning their arlle-
ry, pack train, ammunition, &c. We took SOC
prlsoncrs-four generals, Salas, Mendoza, Blanco
and Garcia four colonels, two commanders of bri-
gades and squadrons, aud other officers in propor-
ton. Among the twenty-five pieces of artillery
taken were the two belonging to Washing'cns bat
terry, taken at Buena Vista. They were retaken
by the 9TH artillery, the regiment to which they
originally belonged. We buried GOO Of their dead
found On the field. Our loss did not exceed sixty
After allowing the troops little time for refresh
ment, they were put liz march down the San An
gel road, to take in the positions OF San An
tonic aud Churubusco. The enemy finding him
self turned, immediately commenced to evacuate
his lines at San Antonio but we moved upon him
SO rapidly that he had TO abandon his guns. Gen
Worh's division, that had masked him in front,
followed Sd close upon his heels as to drive his rear
into the defences of Churubusco. In the mean
time General Twiggs had taken his position in the
front on the battery surrounding the convent, while
Gen. Worth seized upon that defending the bridge
and blocking the main road to Mexico. The bat
tie opened fiercely on that side. Generals Shields
and Pierce's brigades sent to attack i'm rear
Advancing towards the city of Mexico until they
had passed the stream in rear of Churubusco. they
crossed cornfied ON their right and made for the
III.
This causeway was defended by large BODY of
infantry and cavalry, the latter extending apparent
ly TO the gates OF Mexico. The number OF infant
nv was said to be 5000, and of cavalry q OOO.-
Gen. Shields, forming his line obliquey TO that of
the enemy, resting either flank upon some build
ings on his right and left, and gaining as much to
their right flank as possible, brought his men
promptly into action. Gen. Pierce, following
quickly up, took position TO his left, and the how
i,,or l,tt nod r;,rht
made stout resistance, and the reserve under Ma
jor Sumner, composed of the rifle regiment and
squadron of Dragons, was brought to their sup
port. BY the time they broke into the corn6eld.
the enemy began TO give way. Worth and 'rwigps
had forced their front, and they were being driven
upon the capital. As soon as the way was clear
for the Dragons. they swept over the causeway.
charging up to the very gates. Many fine sad
die was emptied by the discharge from their last
battery. Capt. kearny, whose troop was leading,
lost his left arm and the rest OF his officers were
wounded. Our men had done their work well and
faithfully. Their exhaustion required rest The
recall was sounded, and returned to the care of
the killed and wounded. OF these we have a
goodly number. fear they will reach nearly 1000.
Many gallant officers are at rest. Col But
Ter, of the South Carolina regiment. bringing his
regiment into action, had his horse shot under him
continuing the charge on foot, he was wounded in
the leg, and finally shot through the head Of the
regulars, Capt. Thornton, of the drauoons. Cant
Burke, LIST artillery. Hanson, Lieut.. Irons, Easily
Hoffman, and johnson. About forty are wounded
more or less severely. All the engineers are safe
We cannot be sufficiently thankful, nor repay the
interest or prayers of our friends in our behalf
The greeting of General ScoTT by the troops
after the action, on seeing the success OF all his
plans, was loud and vociterous. 1t must have shak
en- the ''flalls of the Monlezumas." Their en-
thuslasm seemed 10 cheer the Mexican officers i'm
their captivity. The army has implicit confidence
In HIM, and apprehend nothing where he com
mands. lie sees every thing and calculates the
cost OF every measure; and they know and feel that
their lives and LABOR will not be uselessly expended
During the day we took 300 prisoners, gener-
ais, 81 pieces vi artillery, and ammunition enough
for whole campaign. Their defences were com
petely turned, and their plans upset We could
have entered Mexico that evening or The next
morning, at our pleasure, 50 complete was the dis
organization of their army of $4,000 men. We
learn that n ,OO0 men were opposed to us at all
points on the 2Oth, and they acknowledge in killed
and wounded 5000. On the 2lst, as the army
was In motion towards the city, General Scott was
met by proposition for cessation OF hostilities
Tor the purpose OF taking of the killed and
wounded. This he refused but in the evening
agreed TO an arnlstlce, To enable Commissioners to
meet MIR. Irlst, and to treat for peace This ar
suce mas Deen officially ratified Ii is difficult
to ioresee the result; though | can very well see
that 1t is for Santa Annals advantage to make
peace So far can trust him.
The Lieutenant Johnson killed was the nephew
OF Lieut. Col. johnson, of the voltgeurs | was
standing by him when his leg carried off above
the knee by cannon bali. He was a gallant lit
tie fellow, and as merry his work all the morn
Ing as boy at play. He fell by the side of the
gun he had been effectively serving, and died that
night, 18TH instant. The Col. did not hear of his
death until next morning. He was standing in Va
lencla's captured entertainments, flushed with the
recent victory his frame shrunk and shivered with
agony, and wept TO witness his grief 1t is the
living for whom we should mourn. and not the
dead. The engineers did good service on both
days; nor was the engineer company behind in
any undertaking.
FROM ANOTHER LETTER.
NJ H.