The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-04-18

:"
mating with Gen Marcns j. Wrlghts
life Of Gen. Scott. that. at the crisis Of
the fight at cherubusco. these two bat
talions met and fought each other
with great desperation" This is high
" dramatic. but not true. They were
both actively engaged in the opera
tions from Puebla to Cherubusco. but
not directly pitted against each other.
but surely the situation was SUFFICIENT.
" dramatic without that crowning
touch.
The first collision between the two
armies, after Seott's arrival IN the val.
ley Of Mexico and the beginning Of his
advance upon the city, was at the bat
tlc Of Contreras. or Padierna Here
Gen. Valencia made brave stand,
and in the FIRST days lighting held his
ground. It was In this fight that the
San patricio battalion. made up Of the
American soldiers who had deserted.
FIRST showed It's mettle. Having charge
OF the Mexican batteries. the Ameri.
cans hit and dIsmounted Gen. Ma
gruder's guns one after the other. as
fast as they could be brought up. till
all but one we're out OF action. The
rinemcn were In the van Of the attack
but were driven back with heavy loss.
chiefly by the fire Of the Mexican bat
teries In charge Of their desertlng
comrades II was truly bloody score
which was charged up TO these men
that day. and one for which they soon
after paid dearly. Gen. Valencia was
surprised. outfanked. and routed the
next morning. and the tide Of battle
then rolled up the highway toward
the City OF Mexico and paused at the
convent OF Chcrubusco.
The little town Of Cherubusc0 lies
on the west side Of the highway lead.
Ing south from the City Of Mexico. on
an elevated spot near stream OF the
same name. Here was situated the
stone convent Of San Pablo, especially
adapted 70 defensive fortincatlons. and
which had been prepared for resist
ance to the Americans It was held
by the Mexican Gen. Rlncon with
about 1.f00 men and seven guns. I'M
der him was Gen. Anaya, who had
been acting president Of Mexico. A
short distance northeast Of the con
vent, on the south bank oi the river.
was the tetede-pont, with 4 battery Of
flve guns. Santa Ana took up his po-
sItion across the highway, on the north
bank OF the river, behind the tete-de-
pont and under the shelter Of It's guns
nnd those OF the convent. BY this time
either necessity or experience led him
to repose full confidence In the Amer.
lean deaerters and In selecting men
Tor the post Uf honor his choice fell
upon them. Together with the Tlapa
battalion and the First Light infantry
they were stationed in the tete-de.
pont. the most exposed position on
the field.
These arrangements were scarcely
completed before the Americans came
UP and began the attack. It was Gen,
SCOTS policy to assault and take
every stronghold In his path-some
thing modern general would scarcely
do. He could easily have avoided the
engagement at Cherubusco, but he
would not have been the obstinate old
fighter he was had he done 80. Twiggs
division having been ordered to carry
the works at the convent. he sent
Riley's brigade to attack It on the left
and Smiths straight up the road to
ward the tetelda-pont. Arriving near
" opposite the convent they found
the brigade OF Cen Franklin Pierce
awaiting them, and were consolidated
with that organization under the com
mhnd Of Smith. and Pierce was sent
elsewhere.
A heavy fire was Immediately open
Cd On Smiths division frUm ths fort