The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-01-07

enemy,
intended to march on Tscubaya Gen. Valencia was
ordered to fail back Coyoscan and to supply Churu-
busco with six pieces Of artillery believing him to be at
San Angel where he ought to have bsen to wait for fur
Their orders. Ny plan Of concentration the second
line was becoming Indispensable and 1t also
sary prepare safe for the troops and trains
San Antonio The surprise and In gpation which
perenced at tha disobedence of orders by Gen Va
lencla osn be attssted by Gen Torne and the Minister
OF War handed Inc his answer ut eleven O'Clock at
night on the 18th of August. The generals
also reveal the presase which | then made 10 conse-
combinations My frat determination TO deprive
GsneIal Valencia of his command, and give the
ordsr to his second In command but the above named
general Gained me by juicious reflections springing
from the best intentions and after long
in order to avoid rupture in front of the enemy,
finally consented to inform him, that without approving
his arbitrary conduct he might act his
sbiity as he might think proper fsttering ourselves
it Is true that this would make him retrace
his steps Unfortunately 1t proved otherwise he con-
tnued stuhborny to pursue the path OF perdon which
he had marked out, and to-day the nation deplores
the result. On the nineteenth, at about two O'Clock
in the afternoon, a,d-de-camp of General Valencia
presented himself to me at San Antonio, Informing
the p'acs where he had Of his own accord stationed
the Division Of the North aud aided thst from he
dered the battle commenced This informs.ion
mo the continuation OF the great misfortune which
had foretod the night previously aud showed that In
spite of himself the disobedient general began to
his Notwithstanding his irregular conduct from
that moment ONLY strove to him, aud to the
worthy soldiers which Ia unlucky heur had placed
under his charge therefore despatched aid to Co.
yoacan with orders to march the brigade Of Gen Perez
20 Padierna and started immediately at gaop for
the point, accompanied by my staff by the Regi-
merits OF Hussars and the I'd Regiment Of Vera Cruz
together with five pieces Of artillery overlook said
to cannons ding which heard, made them
cesrate their until they chsd the height 'front.'
ing Pderna. from which could observe the fatal posi-
ton of Gen Valencia.
This happened at O'Clock in the evening; and al
.hough sndsavored to form junction, it was found
impossible being cut off by the and by the ground
which he had loft In his There only pass
able road left from San Angel to Psdieraa, which
and snded right aud left by positions
OF which bsttaous Of the enemy had already taken
possession ! sought passage by the TANKS, but
became convinced by those well acquainted with the
locality and also by my observ alton that IL
not easy to undertake any further operation durog that
evening, az on the right 1t rendered impraccable
by deep ravne which extended for more than
league wards some height situated southeast of San
Angel, and by broken ground and rocks on the left
had other than to euoamp and wait for the
day Shortly afterwards violent storm, accompanied
take shelter in the neishboring village San Angel
with orders to present themselves at the at the
break of day where left the cavalry an artillery who
passed cruel night as it did not cease raining till day
light.
Taking into consideration the suffsrings which the
army of the Northmust undergo during the rain with
out shelter, and that neither would be t
to give battle the next day. desirng ALSO to avoid the
defeat which foresaw ordered an Valencia to spike
his artillery that night, and to fall back upon
San Angel for which purpose he might employ the
guide who conducted my aid. Col. Don Jose Maria Ra
and disobeyed my order and remained in that po-
siton Uneasy from the apprehensons which the teme-
ct the fest rays of day the brigade which had taken
shelter in San Angel commence Its march. The
done with the brigade of Gen. Range, which had
drawn from the CITADEL determined to open road to
Paaierna at any cost | was marching at the head of
these brlgades when heard firing Of Inusketry my
vanguard the pace quickeusd and before ap-
peared squads OF our cavalry who were in retreat aud
from whom received the fatal tdiugs that apprehend-
ed As coon rs had no longer any doubts about tho
of lam cd ,aroh
with the deepest sorrow. This general, either badly
advised, OF guided BY blind ambition thinking VIC
tory easy, with the splendid division which he
manded rushed into crns with double view either if
fortune favored him. to appropriate to himself all the
and the consequent discredit This is proved by the
statsHent whioh he FASTENED to PUBLISH and which all
and the support which he would with from the
ctous who In search Of every preext for
shsr hostility toward: in the atrocous they
witnesses which will truth prevail and justify the
rectituds of my proceedings.
10 the village OF San AugA united all my forces and
part those dispersed at Padierns who declared that
all munition being wet, and IL being im
return the snsmys fire. the troops sought salvation
in fightn despatched two aids with orders to Gen
Bravo and Gaons 10 fall back without losing moment,
the Notifications Of the Candelsria while coutin-
ued retreat Churubusco Az the bridge of PAnza-
cola ordered the brigade Of Gen Rangel to return
the citadel, which he did. On passing by the convent
Of Churubusco notified Gen Rinoon of what had be.
fallen division oths North In order that he might
be his guard comman der Of that point and as ar
that moment my attention was directed to the
tened to protect them in their retreat stationed ut
the bridge of Churubusco the brigade Of Gen Perez At
this place Was informed thst Gen Gsona had already
comm sncsd hts march on Can1e!arIa and that Cen
Bravo about moving. A few msnts after wards
che companies of St. Patrick the battaiC eff Tlapa
and other pockets, arrived at the bridge all of which
troops ordered immediately to reinforce the
Ing convent Of Churususco, which was gsrrisoned by
the battalions Of Independspcia and Bravo To this
point also ordered the five pieces Of artillery which
brought from San Angel. was occupied ia Fastening
tonic the vanguard of which began arriving at the
bridge, when in its rear the firing commenced. About
the time also the firing commenced at the convent
of Churubusco The troops OF San Antonio were th.n
thrown into confusion, aud abandoned the mdterieI
which they brought with Them which created great
fusion, and increased by the approach of the
enemy, who arrived with intrepdity close to the
trenches An active fire was ope led upon him. Dotwith
standing and we succeeded IN Ghsckiag bis first
the firing ceased, | observed that battalion OF the
enemy proceeding by right flank to the estate
our retreat To fcustrats this object ordered the col
onel of the 4th battalion Of light infantry to take pos
session. by rapid march, Of that building and per-
csived hesitation went personally have it pro-
pely executed. the battalion of the enemy being
pulsed with great loss our retreat was secured
At Portsles received despatch Informing me that
the convent of Churubusco had surrendered and that
this Occurrences had di.heartened the troops who de-
Tended the bridge that part rctreating with
General Bravo by Mexcacipgo towards the Penon and
others falling back by the straight road This fur
ther misfortune occasioued the loss OF mafere
and convinced the necessity Of falling back with
out loss of time on our second line This did with ell
the forces could unite at Portales arriving at Candida
ria between i've and six O'Clock at night The troops
whom General Bravo took with him could not return
tho capital until the next morning.
The audacity Of some Of the enemy's dragons went
40 far as GROSS at full gsllop the column which Was
marching Portales Csnd sria and they reached
the psrapets OF this point where bling recognised they
we're fited upon, and all killed except officer who
was made prisoner This officer declared at that mo.
ment, with good deal of caudor that having under
stood from one OF our prisoners tina. In that troop was
Gen. Stnta Anna, he had formed the resolution With
the who willing to follow him. to reach him
aud his e asf they succeeded would acquire
glory and IL they failed they would die with honorn
As as informed of the declaration ord .red
that the prisoner should be treated with
and declared that far from being offsn led at his
holiness admired his vslor aud paid him the homage
due to him.
During the remainder the evening and the night