The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-06

was gaIlaatiy and successfully fought on the fel-
lowing morning, was the Consequence. General
ment Of the victory, and pursued the enemy to San
Angel. From that point he suggested the idea Of
threatening the tanks of San Antonio by a move
meLt in force. whilst Worth operated in front with
! his division.
Gen. Scott ordered him to move cautiously for
ward, and Pillow advanced in command of his own
and Twiggs' division, and Shields brigade, to
Csyaean, where nc was overtaken BY General Scott
had been to force the works of San Antonio and
open the road through them to the positions of
Tacubaya and Chapultepec. But that object had
been gained by the demonstration, and Worth ope-
rations against San Antonio. Gen. Bravo had re-
treated from the position, and Scott anxious to cut
of the retreat, pushed Twiggs, with one brigade,
tse san Antonio road to take post between
low with another to march in direction of the hacien
da, and fall on in flank. These movements were or
dered without knowledge Of the ground. and in no
expectation of falling in with tho main body Of the
Mexican army, in strong fortified positions. But SO
it was. An advanced regiment Of Worths division,
moving on the San Antonio road, first came under
fire; and next Twiggs' troops ran full against
strongly fortified convent, completely sweeping the
path by which it had been hoped to cut off the re-
treat of the enemy. The battle of Churubusco was
at once commenced, and with such good will, on the
part of the Mexican troops, as to demonstrate in
the fullest manner, that severe struggle for the
victory to be decided before the conquest of the
capital or before the agreement of an armstice to
allow time for negotiations with Gen. Scott, had
previously determined upon, in compliance with the
suggestion of the Mexican President.
When the battle commenced, Pillow was in march
towards San Antonio in execution of his orders,
but the rear of the conflict about the convent told
him that he was not moving upon the true point of
battle, and on coming in sight OF the San Antonio
causeway, he at once inclined strongly to the left,
and proceeded rapidly at the head Of the brigade,
across the marshy fields and rrigating bitches
which interviewed between him and the road. AS he
reached it he effected junction with Worth's di-
vision, the main body of which was then advancing
up from San Antonio in pursuit. The severity Of
the battle which was raging on the left, made it me-
cessary that decisive action should at once be taken,
and the two Generals prepared to move their COM
mands upon the Mexican positions directly in their
front which were in general the line Of the rivuet
of Cherubusco, the passage OF which was defended
by strong and beautifully constructed tce dn pot,
mounting several guns of different calibres. The
main body of the Mexican army was opposed to
them, but the nature of the ground, covered it
was with dense growth of corn, prevented close
reconnaissance, and here since the action had COM
menced, and severely on the left, prudence took
the form Of bold and immediate assault, without
which other portions OF the army would have been
compromised with the whole Mexican force. Though
without orders from the General-in-chief, the dspo
sitions made at once. Worth stretched his di-
vision to the right and advanced--PillOw sent two
regiments to advance on the left OF the oauseway,
and soon became closely and warmly engaged.
To describe SO long and brilliant military
struggle as the battle OF Churubuseo, would take
But after it opened, the bravery and determi-
nation Of the assault was that in which military
judgment would alone ensure success. The Next
cans resisted stouty and for nearly three hours the
loud roar of musketry and the peals of artillery
resounded over the field, while clouds of smoke
hung over the whole Mexican position. The
American fire in front of the tete an 1onf was in
comparison small, for under the direction of their
generals the American troops were feeling their
way, and would not throw away their fire upon
an uncertain object.
| When the nature of the battle had become de-
veloped, Gen. Scott sent Shields and Perces
brigades to turn the Mexican position and assault
in Of the tete 0n po't. This force fell in
with the strong bodies Of Mexican reserve, and
although in position of imminent peril, made
good battle Neither it the troops of
Twiggs' command, however, made any decided
impression upon the enemy for long time 10
advance was impracticable, although men and
officers sroye calamity to breast the storm of shot
which was showered upon them. in front of the tee
d. po9u the struggle no less terrific; but the Am
eIcan troops were gradually drawing nearer to that
work. Worths troops had approached near the river
Churubusco, and party from different regiments
crossed the rivulet, the Mexicans giving way be-
fore their determined advance. Pillow finding
it impossible to operate with effect against the
enemy in their 'front.' under the cross-fre of the
vent, the tfe d. pont and the line of the Mexican
infantry, moved under this fire Immediately in front
Of the tee du pon. crossed the road and took post
upon the right Soon after their arrival the storm
Of the tee du poqt took place. and the troops of the
| united commands rushing through the wet bitches,
| over the parapets and into the work. carried the
first and most important strong point Of the Mexican
position. Amongst the troops most conspicuous in
this successful assault. was the l4th regiment of
Pillows division, which, under the leading Of Col
Trousdae. gallant Tennesseean fell in with and
captured portion of the battalion of San Patrcio
with its standard. This battalion composed Of
deserters from the American army, and the trait
ors fought with the alternative Of shameful death,
they were the most desperate OF any troops in the
The effect of the fall of fete dp ont was to secure
the victory to American arms. Before the fiery
sault OF Worth's and Pillows commands the Next
can line gave way, and rolled in disorder upon the
flank ofthe reserve which was engaged with Shields,
/ which also fed, and in q short time the main Mexi-
can army in full retreat to the city for by a
| happy combination of circumstances, Shields and
Pierces troops pressed heavily upon their opponents,
as Pillow and Worth drove the enemy from his line,
and came down upon the flank. The convent OPP
posed to Twggs still held out but it was isolated,
and Col. Duncan having placed his guns in position,
to enfade one face of the field work by which it
surrounded, Gen. Pillow ordered the regiment Of
voltgeurs to move to the assault under cover Of
their fire. The Mexican General Rincon, however,
finding himself perfectly unsupported, hung out
white Gag in token of surrender, and Twggs troops
took possession Of the place which they had for SO
long time been contending against
The movements in pursuit were commences by
General Pillow ordering Captain kearney, with
three troops of dragons, to pursue the enemy and
Worth and Pillow. collecting their troops with alac-
rity. moved on and efecting junction with Shields
ana Flerce corps. Wnlcn nau moved forward TO the
causeway were in full march for the city, in support
Of the Dragons, when orders received from the
Gcneral-in-chef to halt the army, and suspend ope
rations.
On the following day, the American army took
position in the different towns in the vicinity, and
II was known that armistice was to be agreed
upon. General Pillow was at Tacubaya on the I'D
August, and being at General SCOTS quarters at
the same time with General Worth, the General-in-
chief informed them Of his determination, and of
the terms which he proposed to demaud. BY the
testimony which was given before the subsequent
Court of Inquiry, it is proved that both these gene
raj officers opposed the terms Of that disastrous
yention, although in different manner Pillow
opposed it in toto. Worth desired the surrender of
the Castle of Chapultepec, as sine qpo non, for
the security Of the enemys good faith; and their
views presented to the General-in-chef. in an
interview which took place soon after the converse
ton Pillow did not let his demonstration Of disap
probation of the measure stop here; but on the same