Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1852-08-26
NUMBER Is.


ton. But the chief briancy of the achieve.
ment consisted in The superior skill and STRAIT
egy displayed by Gefieral Scott in planning
and executing it. The loss of the Americans
was but sixty killed and wounded.
FALL or SAN ANTONIO.
The storming fContreres enabled our troops
to turn the enemy's rear at San Antonio, and
opened the way to the village OF Churnbusco,
five miles distant. The garrison of San Anto-
MO, instead Of awaiting an attack, immediate.
y evacuated their position, ai.er witnessing
the capture of Contreras, and hastened to fall
back upon Churubusco.
GREAT BATTLE OF cntRuBUsco.
The scattered forces of the enemy, driven
from Contrcra and San Antonio, had concen-
trated themselves upon Churubusco, in aid OF
that strong and important position. Other
troops had hocked 10 it, and Santa Anna's en-
re disposable force was entrenched in and
nearthat village. At least twenty FIVE thou;
sand Mexicans. strongly posted, here awaited
the onset -four army. AS the American troops
moved TO the attack a most terrific fire was
opened upon them both by infantry and artil-
lery, along tho whole extended line Of the en-
emy. Several of the advanced Companies Of
artillery, being precipitated Up u principal
point ofthe defence (San Pablo,) were almost
entirely swept away by the tremendous can.
hohade they had to encounter. Torrents Of
flame rolled down from tho enemy's fortfca-
tions, ravaging our ranks with dcluge Of
slaughter. For more than three hours wns the
great tide of battle successfully resisted by tho
enemy. Their murderous fire was, however,
returned by our troops with unfagging ener-
gy and desperate re resolution. The attack was
at length pressed with such impetuosity that
n. If.
colonel Scott, leading two regiments Of infan-
try, here made furious assault upon the
strong of the enemy's works (the tete-du-
pont,) end carried it ft the point of the bayo-
net nficr most obst nate conflict. The main
body of the Mexican inlantry soon otter gave
way before tho aslailants
Still one portion of tho field was contested
with fierce determination. But all resistance
finally succumbed before the irresisti BILE valor
Of orr troops. As the last stronghold of tho
enemy vie ded, General Scott, who had been
wounded in the cion by u grape shot, made
disappearance in that quarter, and was greet
ed with afening c. ers by his brave troops.
now triumphant ut ell points. The memora-
BILE battle began soon after noon, and did not
end ill sunset. The loss of the Americana in
killed, wounded. and missing, was 4,056.-
That Of the Mcxicans Was 4,000in killed and
wounded, and 2.G37 prisoners. 1t is conceded
by tho best military authorities, that this decis-
i've victory was chiefly owing to the prompt
and III steriy arrangements of the commander
in chief, both before and during the engage
ments, ard that to him, therefore, belongs the
principal credit of this most glorious achieve
ment Of the American arms. But besides the
military skill exhibited on the whole ofthis
bloody day, ending with this terrible battle,
General Scott displayed all the fire and heroic
temper Of his youth. The brilliant genius and
courage that impelled his great efforts at Chip
pewa and Lundy's Lane, here blazed out q.
fresh, with renewed lustre. The contagion
Of his example of lofty Courage and impetuous
enthusiasm, spread through and fired the
whole army. Never did General Scott's no.
bic appearance and conducs produce greater
influence upon his men than on this memorable
day. Mounted on fiery charger, in the
| midst of his couauerng troops, directing IN
person all the brilliant revolutions of tho va
rious divisions Of the army, dashing from col.
unn to column amid the pitiless peltings OF the
iron hail, and the ringing shouts OF the victors.
and dispatching his oroers in all directions
with unparalleled celebrity; the illustrious COM
mander.in. chief, covered with smoke and dust
of battle, and wounded in the desperate strife,
was regarded by all as the guardian genius Of
the hour, the protecting @gis of the army, tho
unconquerable hero who was never vanquish.
ed, whose banner never trailed in defeat. but
the sword of whose mighty arm always led the
way TO triumphant victory.