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

THE DEFENCE OF GEN. SANTA ANNA-THE BATTLES
OF CoNTRERAS AND CHURUBUSCo.
DEPARTMENT OF WAR,

The despatch OF your Excelency, under date Of the
9th inst informs that In obedience to decree of
the General Congress- of which you send a copy,
ative to the documents which may exist relating the
events of the siege and the Of the capital his Excel
ency in charge the Supreme Executive Power directs
that shell present report Of those military operations
10 order to bring them to the knowledge of the Supreme
Complying with the wishes Of the gsvsrDmont and
with the duty imposed on me by the character Of ge
nera-in chief of the army with which invested at
that time shall proceed at once to give plain
tive Of that part of my operations which is still wanting
which the point of addressing to your Excel
lency when received your communication, and which
report which embraced which took place ante
or to my entrance into the capital at the end Of May
! have explained 10 my official documents that the
object Of my march from Orizsbs to Pusbla in
erase equip and organize the small force had ut my
command at that date and to make a vigorous Defence
in should be assisted by the powerful of
that State Unfortunately found that city dism tied
without troops without materials of war as the general
commanding had ordered them to other points by
the approach of the army of the enemy fol-
lowed my footsteps, aud left time for any under
takrg was forced to continue my march to the capt.
expected to find in the capital great preparations
for defsnce but discovered instead symptoms of
luton which fortunately dispellpd by my presence
also perceived with regret that its abandonment had
been Determined upon believing it destitute of means
OF defencs and that the administration Of Tobacco the
archives and other Objects had already commenced be-
ing sent to the interior fastened this account to
Gall meeting OF all the generals present which took
place the day after arrival In conformity with their
decision, resolved to take charge Of the government
indispensable step in order to prepare the defence
In accordance with Sny wishes
As there was so little to dispose of, ard army
f.rtifcations materials of war and above all money
were absolutely Indispensable, my difficulties
great as my efforts required to be-. On this point
lrefsr to vouchers which nust appear in ministerial
departments nd which beg may bs presented by the
ministers who had the painful tax of being associated
with me- in those days Of affection do not annex
them, as at this place am sprved of my private
chves; but the government easily procure them in
order that 1t may be made apparent that every til ing
was attended TO- aud noshng omitted Which could ,e-
cure good defence of the capital against victorious
army, provided with every appurt nancs required
carry on war with success. His Excelency Don Nico
las Bravo general of division, appointed general in
chief of the army Of the east. and Gsn. Don Manuel
Rncon his SECOND In command. His Excelency Gen
Don Gabriel Valencia also appointed to the army of
the north with Gen. Don Mariana saas his second In
command These two generals proceeded at once to
after their appointments In consequence of which,
Gen Don Manuel Maria Lombardini was nominated
trust to the "a isacon Of the governm snt until owing
t. the approach OF the enemy took chief
of the army in virtue of the powers which
the supreme congress had been pleased grant by its
decree of the 20th April for the better OF the
war against invaders Having designated the points
which were to be ransently fortified in the first
second lns not moment was lost in obtaining msteri
ais laborers Sc and in less than three months respsc
table Notifications were raised which directed
first by the general Of brigade, Don Casimro Lceaga
and afterwards by the chief or engineers Don gnaoo
Mora viami and these officers not only gave proofs
OF their skill but labored with perseverance, and
tvity which must always rebound their honor I'm.
mense sums invested in many works necessary
for extended radius but there was never any want
of the nscessares as ba verified by the nmis,ary
of the army.
AS the ranks of the regular army were exceedingly
dedcient 1t became necessary to have to
sves, and to the bodies Of the National Guard There
was clothing in the stores supplies accoutre-
necessary to procure them by making contracts Hav-
ing hardly any muskets, had to order purchases at
any price, and With those thus obtsned of which many
without baysnets and with such were repaired
In the armory, from those previously rejected
ceedsd In armipg my forces As the msterl of
tiliery, Brig Gen DON Manuel Carrera to manufacture
what necessary in the large workshops established
apo which, r.q.a or or
Many pieces OF artillery brought from san LUIS
and others from the south and those cast Of iron
which in bad condition, rendsred fit for ser
vice. Nothing neglected to place the capital il the
On my arrival in the capital, thers existed no other
sum in the treasury than hundred aud odd thou
sand dollars drafts the clergy part Of the million
and half granted to the Government during the DAYS
Of my absence, and obtained the which 90 many
and multi ferrous demands required in which most
efficiently assisted by the Minitter of Finance and his
good connections.
In the squares and in the suburb, the recruits were
daily drilled and the chiefs exetsd themselves
ergetcally for the advancement Of their corps that in
ew days they transformed into brilliant bri-
gadss, which inspired the most atering expectations
The Notifications advanced pro iigiously In ali direo-
tons seen workshops engaged In making equip
ments for the troops Ninety piecss OF got
in readiness AMI at length 10000 armed and
equipped including in this number 1000 veterans Of the
army of the north and tho twenty pieces of artillery
brought by his ExcelIency Gen. Vale from San Luis
Potos Therefore, the 18th August when the enemy
showed himself In ths neghbohood OF the Peoon sit
uation imposing and confidence and enthusiasm
visible in every couoenance. appeal to all the inha-
btants Of the city bear witness this fact His x
ollenoy, Gen Don Nicholas Bravo offered his services
and placed under his orders the line OF Mexcaciogo
Churubus and San Antonio His Excellensy, Gen
Don Juan Alvarez with this division cavalry which
order 70 gain ts sp of s aa
to place himself between him aud Puebla soon he
shoad have passed San Martin Tesmelucen The IN
srucous given to this general exist In the War
Department. they were That following the guard of
the enemy he should harrass whenever possible and
attack with dc cson whenever should see him enga-
CAD with any OF fortified points, to take advantage
of every and to act with due prudence His Ex
celency Don Gabriel Vslenca with his completes diy-
son ordered to take position at rexcoco and trans
mtted 70 him instructions which be must have in his
possession and which must also be found in the office OF
the Secretary of War; Ia the Department Of Operations
His princp pal object was to watch the enemy in order
that IL he should take the direction of Texcoco he
might fall back on Gusdsloupe HiJago where, taking
possession Of the fortified petitions he was to await or
ders and renforcements but if the enemy should de-
eide attacking the Penon then he to attack his
guard in which movement the division Of cavalry
under the command OF Gen. Alvarez to cooperate
having received timely instruction to act in concert with
said general proceeded to the Penon In order to be In
front Of the enemy and TO be able to direct the opera
tons with At this point his Exoeency gener
al Of division Don Manuel Rincon presented himself
aud entrusted 10 him the command OF the principal
Notifications Of that eminenoe At the time aud
with equal enthusiasm. his Exoellency Gen. Don Jose
Joaquin de Herrera presented himself to and APP
pointed him my second Ia command. His Excellenoy
Gen Don jose MariaTorncl was also employed as quar-
termsst.r general, manifesng the greatest an6etyt
serve the nation in this campaign.
As 1t 10 impossible to carry In the memory the
Der of troops, artillery ammunition SO which gsrri
soned all the points, and in order give exact
detail 1t would be necessary to have before my eyes the
general returns which impossible to obtain here,
the plans, which the drectori chief OF the engi
ueers ought to furnish, will limit myself speaking of
tho events in geGara and of my respective measures
reserving to myself to present them with the dus requ
historical
preparing in order that the nation may know how much
has doae In its service and who its faithful
wants. The invading army, under the orders of Gen
Scott disdained the battle which offered 10 him ut
the Penon doubt because positions appeared to
him very strong AID think his good fortune preserved
hin fr having failed against them, the Penon
perfectly fortified and bis projectles could have