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

General FNoW WAs 49, 80 - future active SER
Whom General Boot disckarecd the twelve
months volunteers some month and half before the
expiration of their term Of SERVICE from Jalapa.
Pillow was left without command. He had heard
of his promotion, but had not received official no
LITIGATION Of il. In the interval of active operations
he returned to the United States and after short
visit to his family, returned to New Orleans where
for a time he was employed in forwarding his COM
mand, which had already been raised and of which
portions were then en- route for the seat Of war He
soon set out in person. and by the middle of June ar
rived at Vera Cruz, where he found a considerable
force encamped, and awaiting the organization Of
of his Brigadiers had arrived from Braxos Santiago
and had marched from Vera Crux short time pre-
yious In the midst of the sickly season. and in tho
necessity known to exist Of speedy reinforcement to
the American army, General Pillow at once set
about preparing for the advance, and by his ener-
getc endeavors in few days he was enabled to pro-
coed.
The sultry climate of the terra caliente of Next
co, made the marches extremely severe upon officers
and men, and, Notwithstanding every precaution
many suffered under the trial. But moving on
rapidly as possible, with a due regard to safety,
the column cleared the sekly terra cdi,exe, passed
Jalapa. which had been abandoned by the order of
General Scott, and rising upon the plateau of Next
co. effected junction. the LIST of July, with Cad
wallader, who. under Pillows order, was awaiting
its arrival at Perote. Thence the whole command,
numbering over $500 of all arms marched to
ii arrived on the 9Th of July. Throughout the
movement from Vera Cruz, all the troops had been
harassed and annoyed by attacks from guerrilla
The heaviest of these had been encountered by the
advance under Cadwallader, but they had been con-
tinucd against the other portions, and were kept
up from time to time, until the column arrived at
Puebla.
While the American army remained at Puebla, it
Is known that negotiations were carried on by Cen.
Scott and Mr.. Trist with the Mexican President,
having in view the commencement OF negotiations
for peace The position held by Gen. Pillow, caused
him to be informed of them, and to be consulted.
The full nature OF these negotiations has been
made public by the principal participants, General
Scott and Mr. Trist. Nay, they have positively ro-
fused to give information respecting them and that
which is known, has become apparent more by the
development of facts in subsequent affairs, than by
any cclarations, either official private. These
facts prove the part which General Pillow took
therein, and the course which he considered that
most advantageous for his country, as the sequel
will fully show. He was in favor Of pursuing any
lawful method by which the evils of war could DO
ended 80 long as the safety and honor of the
American army was not placed in jeopardy by re-
lance upon the good faith Of an enemy known to be
trcacherous in the extreme There is palpabe evil
dence to show that before his march from Puebla
on the city of Mexico, the General n-chief had in
contemplation the agreement to an armistice, which
was afterwards entered into, and Pillows opposition
to this measure, which he feared would accumulate
the difficulties if it did not cause disaster to the
American army, was afterwards the cause of Gene
raj SCOTS djscaeure. But the facts in relation to
the ma tcr ]. he seen in the course Of the nara
tive.
TIL American amy marched from Puebla in the
early part of August, against the Mexican capital.
1t moved by division on successive days. Pillows,
which was the rearmost, moved on the 10th, and on
the 18th entered the valley Of Mexico, making up
the total strength Of the gallant army Of 10, 800
soldiers, which was about to assault the capital of
Mexico, city Of 200 900 inhabitants, defended it
was by stony Notifications, and an army of over
hicfy- fixot md mo ha 1nv had
been employed in reconnaissance and the selection
Of point of attack. and on the 18th meeting of
general officers was held at Ayotla, at which the
General in Chief explained his views and gave his
orders for an attack upon Mexicalcngo, strong
point the southeast of the city, but these orders
modified on account of information. the result
Of a reconnaissance conducted by LieutenantC Colonel
Duncan. by which route was shown to be prac-
ticablc. turning the system of exterior defences
on the east Of Mexico, and effecting an approach
on the southern point. The army moved around
Salse Chalco, and on the 18th Of August was in
position at and near st. Augustine Flapanl on the
Acapulco road Reconnaissance were made on that
day for selecting route for the further advance.
Worth's division had been advanced to within OBJ
serving distance of the fortified hacienda of San
Antonio, which Instructed the direct movement by
the Acapulco road. The position was found so
strong, that the American Generain-chief turned
his attention towards route which he hoped could
be made practicable by labor, and on the duty Of
opening the road by the rancho of Padenna across
sion on the morning Of the 10Th After advancing
few miles, he learned that strong division of
the Mexican army was in position to oppose him,
and hearing that the enemy was just then locating
his heavy guns, he desired to push forward and
mcnce the battle Immediately, and before the enc
my had completed his preparations. Gen SCOTS
orders were, however, positive that the road should
be finished as far as practicable before commencing
the action; and while the work was progressing,
Twiggs' division was sent forward to the advance as
the covering force. Upon rising the slope Of the
hill OF Iacatepec, the troops came under long range
of the Mexican guns, and the necessity Of battle in
order to secure further advance was at once ap-
parent.
Pillow had been, during the morning, upon the
summit Of the hill of Zacatepec, observing the en-
trenched camp which was in his path and had de-
cided upon the plan Of operations. The camp lay
upon hill side in front of, and commanding the
only practicable route for making road across the
pedrigal. an immense field of lava, which extended
from the mountains on the south of the valley Of
Mexico, to the position Of San Antonio. and, being
deemed impossible by the Mexican general, was
defended only at the position of the camp. The
only direct communication which the Mexican
general Valencia had with the capital, was by the
road through San Angel. running north from the
point where he had taken post. The American APP
proach from the east, and it was intended that
while an attack should take place in front, an en-
deayor should be made to the pedriga with
infantry, and seize the village Of San Geronimo,
which lay directly upon the Mexican line of COM
muncation, with view to cutting of reinforce
ments, ana OF attacking the position IN rear. AS
Twiggs' division had been placed in the advance
by General Scott in obedience to Pillows sugges-
ton, Twiggs moved directly against the front with
Smiths brigade, and in few moments. Pillow in
person ordered Riley to move on San Geronimo. The
battle had fairly commenced on the part OF the Mex
leans, in an unceasing cannonade, and Smiths
brigade drove back a cloud OF Mexican skrmshers,
which occupied the pedrgal in front of the en-
trenched camp. His advance was for time rapid,
while Riley's was very slow over the difficult
ground and at one time it feared that the pas
sage Of the pedriga was imprac ticable-but short
time showed that this opinion was erroneous, and
as in that direction lay the decisive point Of the
field, Pillow at once ordered Cadwalader to follow
with his brigade, and to support Riley Seen after
Cadwalader had moved, lwiggs sent back for sup
port for Smiths brigade and Pierce, Of Pillows
division, ordered forward, but rs it passed the
hill of Iacatepec. on which the commander had
taken position, heavy renforcemens Of Mexican
troops were observed in march from the city to-
wards the position Of Valencia, and the vital i'm
portance Of the village Of San Geronimo which had
been foreseen, still more fully demonstrated.
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