Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1852-08-26
Gbe Dailp blreinian.
SKETCH OF TIE
LIFE OF GEN. SCOTT.


General Scott determined to break up his camp
at Puebla, and advance at once on the city Of
Mexico, 80 miles distant. lie issued his orders
accordingly, and on tho 7th Of August t1c
columns Of General Twiggs, headed by Scott
IN person, were put in motion. The divisions
of Quitman, Worth, and Pillow. folow,d i at
intervals of day each. The whole army of
General Scott, thus moving upon the great
road TO the capital, numbered l0,700 men,
With this small force did he attempt, and oc.
complish, the conquest Of Mexico. Colonel
Chlds was left at Pueb!a, as governor, with
5000 men, almost two-thrds Of whom w,r
In tie hospitals. All military connection with
the coast now broken; all chance on re
tre t cut off, and Scott advanced on the Mexi
can capital, relying solely on his own skill and
the invincibh.y Of h troops. In reference 10
this daring and heroic movement, 9en. CAss
shortly aferward pronounced the following
eloquent eulogum In the Senate of the United
States: "The movement of our army from
Pueba was one of the most romantic and re-
markablc events which has ever occurred In
the military annals of our country. Ourtroops
voluntarily cut off ell commune tion with their
own country, advanced with stout hearts, but
feeble numbers, into the midst ofa hostile peo
pie. The eyes of twenty millions of our coun
trymen were fixed upon this devoted band.-
They were left TO us for fil,y days. But the
cloud that I'D them from our view at length
broke, and disclosed to Us our glorious flag
waving in the breezes that drilted over the vdl
ley of the city of Mexico"
SCOTT ARRIVES IN SIGHT o. THE CITY OF MExI-
Within week after leaving Puebla, our ar
my lay upon the crest of the hills that surround
and overlook the city Of Mexico which lies
within this circular barrier as in the bottom
ofa BASIN The picturesque appearance ofthe
city, the novelty and beauty OF tho circumja-
cent country, the extraordinary circumstances
and hazards of our position. created in every
hreast an indescribable Conflict Of emotions, as
the scene burst upon the view. The bracing
mont of the occasion and the spectacle. and
filled all with anexhiaration. .ofspirit that vas-.
ly enhanced the interest with which they look
ed down upon the city they had come to con
qucr.
POSITION OF scorT's ARMY DEfohE fnE cry
OF mExfCo.
On the 18th of August Scott had by diff
cult and skilful movement, abandoned tho road
by which he came from Puebla, and on which
Santa Anna had planted some Of his strong
est defences, and had thrown his army around
the shores Of the lake, upon the great western
road leading from the Pacific to the capital
Here, at San Augustine, nine miles from Mexi-
Co, General Scott established his head d.quarters
The city was surrounded by two exterior lines
of Notifications of great strength, and defended
by Santa Anna, at tho head of well appoint
ed army, 10000 strong.
Immediately in front of our army, lay the for.
tilted village of Antonio. To the left, was the
hill of Contreras, fortified by batteries Nearer
to the city on the road by which our troops
were approaching lay the village of Churubus-
co. These points were all strongly garrisoned
and defended by sixty one pieces of artillery
The 18th, 18th. and 10Th ofAugust had been
passed in laborious efforts TO acquIr full knowl
edge of the enemy's position, and lay the foun-
dation for an effective attack. The 10Th espe.
cially had been passed in severe exertions OF
the officers and men. Several skirmlshes had
taken place, and an action of 3hours with the
lolce on the bill Of Contreras had been termin-
a,ed without any marked result. The troops
had worked and suffered prodigiously. To
add TO the encouragement of the day, the rain
began to fall, and the night closed chill, wet,
and drcary. 1t was passed in suffering and
deep anxiety. The troops got no rest, but
stood crowded together, drenched and benumb
ed, waiting for daylight. The officers met at
the quarters ofGeneral Scott.
There dependency aud apprehension.
But" says an eyewitness, "the confidence OF
all wns restored by the great coolness and
stcadness Of the commander. As the
officers came in from the field. wet, fatigucd,
and weary, he made them all pattake of a
cheerful repast His bearing was most noble.
1t exalted the spirit Of all preseut."
BATTLE OF CoNTRERAs.
The attack on Contreras had been admira-
bly, planned by the commander-n-eheG and
on the morning of the goth, at three o'clock, 1t
was assailed in front and rear. The position
was defended by General Valencia, command
ing 1000 of the veteran troops OF Mexico
But so effectively had our troops been dispos-
ed, and so sudden and vehement the attack.
that the enemy was d driven headlong from his
intrenc chmen,s in an incredibly short space OF
time. In this engagement. $500 Of American
troops. drove 1000 Mexicans out of their