Battle of Contreras The Battle of Contreras , also known as the Battle of Padierna , took place during August 19 – 20 , 1847 , in the final encounters of the Mexican - American War . In the Battle of Churubusco , fighting continued the following day . Background . During the march on Mexico City , the U . S . army under Major General Winfield Scott found its way north blocked by a strong Mexican force at the " El Peñon " ( near the current airport of Mexico City ) . Scott settled down at " Peña Pobre " on the southwest of Mexico City , and from Zacatepetl hill , sent a force west across the " Pedregal " , a lava field , to the town of San Jerónimo to flank the Valencia ' s Mexican position at " Rancho Padierna " , on Contreras . Mexican commander and President Antonio López de Santa Anna dispatched the Army of the North of about 5 , 000 soldiers under Gabriel Valencia to flank the Americans . The Battle of Contreras or Padierna began on August 19 of 1847 , and culminated at dawn on August 20 , on the outskirts of Mexico City , at Padierna , among the neighborhoods of San Ángel , Contreras and Tlalpan ( currently in the area between San Jerónimo , the neighborhood Heroes of Padierna , Anzaldo Dam in the periphery , and the area that today is ironically called " Placid Gardens " in Mexico City ) . Popular belief generally regarded this battle as a minor one , fought absurdly by the Mexican leadership . Even with the betrayals and quarrels dividing the leadership , there was no doubt as to the courage of the fighters in the field , and it was a battle that , if it had been well planned by the leadership of the Mexican side , could have changed significantly the last days of the war . Battle . The U . S . attacked and routed Valencia ' s Army of the North to Contreras . People participating in the attack was Brigadier General Franklin Pierce leading a brigade of regulars . During the fighting Pierce was seriously wounded when his horse fell on him . The Mexican battalions formed part of the remains of the Northern Division ( under the command of General Gabriel Valencia ) , the cavalry of Guanajuato , the forces of General Frontera ( died in battle ) , the guerrilla of Reina ( originally from the village of Contreras ) , and the reinforcement of General Perez from Santa Anna ' s army . Incomplete Mexican Order of Battle . Division of the North - Gen . div . G . Valencia Padierna rancho - Capt . Solis - pickets of infantry and cavalry 1st Line Infantry ( Col ? N . Mendoza ) left - San Luis Potosi Battalion right - Infantry Brigade - Lt . Col . Cabrera - Celaya , Guanjuato & Queretaro Aux . and Activos Artillery reserve - Gen . F . Mejia second line - 10th & 12th Line , Fijo of Mexico and Tampico Garda Costa Infantry Anzaldo - Reserves - Gen . Salas - Sappers , Mixto de Santa Ana & Aguascalientes Infantry bridge - Torrejon Cavalry Brigade the Fabriquita - Romero Brigade Aftermath . With the rout of Valencia , the main Mexican position at San Antonio fell back to Churubusco . After the U . S . forces took San Antonio , they began to merge with the forces from Contreras for a further attack on Churubusco . Commended by Scott at the end of the battle was Captain Robert E . Lee who had repeatedly ridden through treacherous territories allowing Scott to coordinate his forces who were separated by the harsh terrain . Lee received a brevet to the rank of lieutenant colonel