The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1852-09-18


range of these more formidable de-
fences, which would have cost the lives
of too many of his brave and beloved
soldiers. he retraeed his steps from Ell
Penon (near TO which he advanced,l
repassed Ayotla. and from Buenavista
made his way. through many difficult
ties around Lakes Chalco and Xocho-
miIco. to San Augustin, on the more as
saiable but still very strong southern
side of the city. This unexpected
manenufe and mafchG began on the
18th and was accomplished by the 18th
of August 1t avoided the main pre-
parations of the enemy; struck at his
weakest point; brought our army with.
in nine instead Of fifteen miles of the
CITY. and gave ds 4 bet,sf Reld of ac-
ton. Here. stsones. Scott began, NTH
Il total force of less than l1.000 men. to
let loose, in a series of admirably cal.
culaied battles. aud maneuvres, the
whole art OF war, in assailing and beat.
ing, amidst all their advantages Of for.
titled positions, an enemy of abo1t
thrice his numbers. First Of all came
the strongly defended village of San
Antonio, approachable only by long
causeway 1t Scott turned on the 18th,
by cutting away through field oflava.
ia pedregaI): fell on the fortified camp
Of Valencia in its rear, and in the bat
tie of Couireras, on the 20th, cut to
pieces his 1000 men and made 1000
/ prisoners. ,in sight of Santa Anna's force
of 10000 Upon this, the position of
/ San Antonio fell atonce and was evac-
uated, making the second point carried
that morning. In the afternoon the
three several battles of Churubusco-
those of the TIete du Pont tbridge-head,)
of the Castle-Conveut of Sap Pablo,
and of the plain of Churubusee, against
Santa Anna in pefsen-were fought and
won. with destruction of near one
half of the entire Mexican army and
of all their outer range of defenees.-
Nothing was left them but the Castle
of .ChapuItepec, the Moino del, Rey,
and the fortified city gates, to protect
the capital Their loss in men was
thus far at least $4,000: ours, rather
more than 900. The city could proba-
bly,. in the terror and confusion OF such
dreadful defeats have been taken by
storm that night. SO Lhought Scott;
but the Government had placed with
him a commissioner, anu duty not-less
than humanity (the two ever his great
leading -star| commanded that he should
listen TO oYertpIes. These came. the
} next morning. aud he consented TO AN
, armisiic. for Mr.. Trist to try the vlrtue
of negotiation. It failed, however, on
the 6,h.- On the 7th, Scott pntsan end
TO the armistic, and prepared for fdF-
ther fight He was now al Tacubuya,
within two and half miles of the
gates of Mexico; his. advance on the
causeway 10 which was commanded
and raked by the batteries of the strong
I Castles of Chapultepec. These, there
: fore. were fist to have their mouths
! stopped and, as lying before and con-
nected with it, the Molino del Rey and
the Casa Maia (strong works, 10 which
T were now drawn up the remainder OF
I the Mexican army were to be taken.
They we're accordingly attae ked on the
: 9Th by Worth's division. and carried,
: after the bioodiest conflict Of the whole
5 war. and much loss on our side, but
! greatly heavier on the. enemy's. This
!, was followed on the 18Th, after much
: maneuvre and accommodating. by the
y cannonading and capture of Chapnlte-
q pee. which may be saittto have been
d the finishing blow of the war. On the
! morrow, the Mexican Government and
: President Santa Anna, with about 2, 900
;, men. the miserable wreck Of The army
S of near $4,000 with which he had be.
|, gun the defence of the great valley,
: took to flight by one gate while Scott
e entered by the other and the famous
/ Halls of Montezuman were won -
S An exploit of military genius IN the
f commander, and Of valor in his soldiers,
e such as history can. scarcely parallel.
g was accomplished. The rest is. easily
! told. We wish only ii could all be told
e without blush for those VINO then go
d verned our country. Mexico could re-
e sist no further: a peace was speedily
@ made. it may be said, on our own terms.
y While the commissioners were negotla-
/. ting this peace. he whose arms had
of connuered IL became for the time, OF
y necessity, not merely the military mas
/ Ter. but the civil ruerof allthathe had
ls subdued. In this capacity he presently
$; showed himself as fit TO govern
q country as 10 lead an army. His vlcto.
!, riious troops, by him disciplined all
q along not less 10 humanity than 10 yaIor,
IT were made. even in The midst Of a
a great and rich city, ,torespect the prop.
P erty aud the persons Of the Inhabitants.
u Their religions opinions, lthough not
d Gen. SCOTS. for he was piously bred up
IS as an Episcopaliaf and has been such
n through life,) were respected, as was
l. right, and no further They were
y treated like brothers. Their laws were,
T, of course, abrogated.; but Scott gave
q them. what they had never seen before,
} Justice, order, secnrity-beneflts so new
0 10 them. that, before he left them, they
i offered him the supreme authority II ne
IS wouId remain among them But he
e loved better 10 be. even an injured citi-
;, zen of his own country than 1be sove-
g reign of another, and laying down his
|, antboritr al the Command of his Co