Complete history of the late Mexican war/Battle of Churubusco

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BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO.

General Scott remained inactive for awhile before entering the capital, hoping to be re-enforced, his headquarters being at Puebla, while the Mexicans, notwithstanding their repulses and severe losses, were busy in collecting another army and fortifying every entrance to the city.

(For representation of this Battle, see cover.)

Aug. 8th, our army, having received a few re-enforcements, marched towards the capital, and reached Ayotla on the 12th, where there was a strong fortification called St. Pinon. It was reconnoitred and found to be very strong by nature and art. It was thought, that it would be hazardous to attack it, as was anticipated by the Mexicans. Scott here again outwitted Santa Anna, for he found a road south of Lake Charles, opening into that from Vera Cruz, below Ayotla, which would enable our army to pass around the fort; but the march was a very difficult one, for heavy rains had filled the low places so that the soldiers were often obliged to wade. The steep and rugged heights were to be crossed: and the paths and gorges were filled with immense stones, which had been rolled in by the enemy. The men became weary during the day, and the nights were dark and wet, which added to their discouragements.

On the 17th, our advance arrived at San Augustin, a small town about twelve miles south of the capital; General Worth led on his men to take possession of a hacienda near the fortification of San Antonio, for the purpose of attacking that place. They captured the village; but Capt. Thornton was killed in taking a reconnoissance, from a heavy discharge of artillery by the enemy. One or two of our men were wounded. A squadron of artillery and a battalion of infantry were near the redoubt, hoping to make an attack in the afternoon, but a rain set in, and General Scott thought best to withdraw them. Had the batteries of the enemy opened with energy upon this detachment, it would probably have been obliged to retire or been cut to pieces; but fortunately the guns were silent all night. During the night, the divisions of Pillow and Twiggs marched towards the strong works of Contreras, to be prepared for an assault in the morning. This was a very fatiguing march. The darkness of the night, the torrents of rain pouring down upon them, the wild roaring of the winds, the ridges from rocks of lava to pass over, the denseness of the brushwood, the swollen streams to cross, presented difficulties rarely surpassed.

At eight the next morning, the batteries of the enemy opened upon the hacienda of San Antonio, where General Worth was posted. This cannonading was heavy. The air was shaken by the heavy explosions, while houses and even strong fortifications were shattered to pieces and fell in thundering ruins, beneath the showers of shot and shells. Almost all of the streets were swept by bullets and large bombs which burst in the air, and hurled slugs, shot and fragments among our ranks, making sad havoc. But the Yankees were not frightened yet. They placed themselves behind walls and buildings, and calmly, amid this scene of confusion, prepared for action. Soon the divisions of Pillow and Twiggs moved on towards Contreras, arriving about one P. M. General P. F. Smith was ordered to march up in front of the enemy's works, and Colonel Riley, to move with rapidity towards the right, gain the main road, and prevent any re-enforcements of the enemy. Smith dashed forward under a tremendous fire and secured a good position for his artillery. Every battery and gun on both sides roared away with horrible sublimity and actually shook the ground for miles around, and their reverberations rolled with grandeur along the lofty ridges of the mountains. The few guns of our advanced battery were soon silenced, and General Pierce proceeded to the relief of General Smith. At this time, large re-enforcements of the enemy approached Contreras, and General Cadwallader hastened to re-enforce Riley. The contest was now terrific. Neither army would yield an inch of ground.

At four o'clock, General Scott passed along the lines, and was welcomed by an enthusiastic shout. Perceiving the immense strength of the enemy, he ordered General Shields to re-enforce Riley and Cadwallader, and strengthen our army in front of the enemy. Now the battle raged nigher still, and hundreds fell to rise no more. This dreadful carnage was kept up for six hours, when the darkness of night closed the scene, and the cannons ceased their roar. Our men were disappointed, as they expected by that time to have been in the "Halls of the Montezumas." They were obliged to lie upon the cold, wet ground, without blankets, to rest for the night.

At eight o'clock in the evening. General Scott retired to San Augustin, and Twiggs and Pillow went at eleven.

Scott and Worth set out for Contreras early the next morning. Firing was heard, and soon a messenger came, saying that General Worth had carried the whole line of fortifications at Contreras. He planned and executed the undertaking in a skilful manner and with little loss. He took fifteen hundred of the enemy prisoners, including Generals Salas, Blanco, Garcia and Mendoza. He also captured an immense amount of ammunition and camp equipage, and fifteen pieces of artillery, among them the two taken from Capt. O'Brien at Buena Vista; seven hundred of the enemy were killed and many more wounded.

General Scott now sent General Worth to attack San Antonio, while he with a force would go in its rear. The soldiers passed over the battle-field of the previous day, and the scene which was presented was enough to make the hardy soldier shudder and feel sick in view of the horrors of war. Hundreds lay covered with blood, stiff and cold in death, while others were uttering piteous groans and begged for water. The streams actually run with human blood. What a shocking scene! How surprising that nations will thus imbue their hands in each other's blood!

When the force reached San Pablo, another action commenced, and at the same time Worth's cannon were heard roaring away at Churubusco. The flower of both armies were now engaged in terrible combat. The rattling of the musketry, the clash of arms, and the deafening roar of the cannon and the groans of the dying, made the scene truly awful!

Scott was in the midst of danger encouraging his men, while Worth and Twiggs were cheering their soldiers on. Thus, one of the severest conflicts ever witnessed on this continent, raged with increasing power for two hours. Finally our forces gained full possession of all the works, and the enemy fled in dismay to the city. Worth followed them almost to the gates.

The next morning, a detachment of our men entered Chapultepec without opposition.

Soon after this, Santa Anna sent flags, proposing a suspension of hostilities. Negotiations took place, and the following armistice was adopted, August 20th: