Cant. Woods Letter.

Cry OF mexico, Oct. "a, Is
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CITY OF MEXICO, Oct. "a, 1o4f'


Mn Dear Sir 81 trust you will not ascribe
my long silence to neglect or disnclinaiion to
write to YOU. The mail facilities meagre,
and have been exposed to such constant interrupt
ton, that those possessed of no greater advanta-
ges than myself find it exceedingly difficult to
communicate with their friends. As mail is
now on the eve of departure | embrace the occa- |
sion to send you q short account of some events |
that have transpircd in tho valley Of Mexico, as
also some particulars referring to my company.


We left Vera Cruz, tho 18th Of last July,


Join the army of invasion, under Scott, at that
time occupying PuebIa. During the entire route
no action of any magnitude took pIace-a skir
msh at Puente Nacional and another at Plan del
Rio, constituting all the opposition offered. Al
though no sangulnary conflict occurred to test the
valor of my men, tbey, in connection with the
Missouri companies of our reg ment, as
scouts, exposed to every danger, real and magina-
ry, that did or was supposed 10 exist; the usual
seventies of this kind Of service being augment
ed by the daily drenching falls of raia that occur
at this season. Being from the West it is proba-
| bic their reputation as good woodsmen and expert
shots kept them almost continually on the flank
alike, the most laborious and responsible position
on the march. Entering Pueba on the 9th of
August we were attached to, and still remain in


Maj. Gen. Pillows division; and on the 10th of
| that month took up the lire of march for this
city. Many rumors were then afoat, and but
little was known, while much was conjectured. -
! w he many OF the supposltions, then half be-
| ieved, are proven to have been the creation of
the crudest visionary none, not even those who
INDUCED in the brightest ancipations of success
dreamed of the briiliant achevments that have
since added, and will continue 10 add, new lustre
10 our arms


Descending the last chain Of mountains we en-
tered this beautiful valley. Coming with. com.
paraively, mere handful of men to conouer the
capital of the country with its 100000 inhab-
tants-its concentrated army Of 10000 men,
commanded by their ablest GeneraIs, and better
supplied with every with every military essential
than any il had before brought into the field, and
not only these but numerous natural and artificial
| detences TO overcome It was the policy of Scott
TO husband every man. Therefore avoiding the
main road, commanding which were several
oi their heaviest batteries; he pursued cir
! cuitous route along road supposed by the enemy
to he imPassable, and on the 18th of August the
troops attacking the battery erected at Contreras


commenced the series Of engagements that result
| ed In making US the masters of the 50 Venice of
the Azecs," and the complete dispersion, at least
for the present, of the entire Mexican army with
the capture of all its stores.


Al the attack at Contreras, the Ist brigade of
Sd division, in which is regiment, was instruct:
ed TO move up and take position under the bank of
stream, nearly IN front, and within musket shot
OF the fort. The ground over which we were
obliged to pass was OF the difficult kind be-
| ing OF volcanic origin and thrown into confused


irregular masses. For nearly quita two miles
we were exposed 10 most tremendous fire from


nearly the whole Of their artillery. The iron


missiles fell about like hail, and how we escap.
ed with so slight loss did, seems to me lit
| tie less than miracle. We took the position as


signed us, and having no further orders kept up a


vi2lani watch, and held ourselves In readiness for
Whatever might come. The-single brigade ,ha,
was on the eft Of :he fort was edging round and
| OraQuallv its he,


his appearance with large reinforcements COMPEL.
ing the gallant band TO fall back. Ii, Callender's
| ho"itZer battery had been roughly handled. and n
party of 30 or 35 men. who had become seDara,ed
| from their respective commands IN the advance
two of whom belonged to my company. GOT he


hind an old house off to our left nd from it kept
up random firing the fort all the afternoon.
| The compliment was returned by their artillery
| "nockinS the craggy walls about their heads lust
at dark body OF about 300 Infantry sailed out
from the fort, attacked, and drove them off. In
pretty much this situation of affairs night closed


IN. Direcily after dark two Mexican spies were
captured inside our lines one Of them endeavor.
ing TO escape, was compelled 10 run. .through.-
As 1t grew darker cold, drizzng rain set in that
| lasted, without intermssion, until dav light NV
men were without provisions, and TO divest them
selves or all that might retard their progress


threw aside their knapsacks containing their extra
! clothing and blankets. Abut 10 O'Clock we w re
L
ground) and by | o'clock in the morning had ac.
compllshed our two miles travel, carving our


wounded with us. On reaching the spot where
my men had thrown aside their opaacks we
found they had been pundered, as indeed Nhd
those OF other companies of our regiment. Scarce
~ had we completed The march when we were or.
dered to retrace the way 10 the fort.


i Our commanding officer being accidentally


wounded the command of the regiment now de-


voved upon me. accordingly led its way back


and occupied nearly the same position we had


been IN during the afternoon. We were to keen
the attention of the enemy directed, as much as


possible. towards our position. while the s,ormiau


party that under cover of night, had gained tlei


rear, came down upon them. Ashley neared the


tort we ali hastened as rapidly the ground would
permit; forded the stream, and poured INTO their


dIsmayed ranks a most destructive fire. We soon
after pressed forward, arriving at San Angel, |


allowed my men u short rest. While here the


hring at Churubusco commenced the action hay.
,ng been brought on precipi,ateIy, unexpectedly.


MY command was put in immediate motion and


was SO fortunate as to arrive there in advance of


our brigade. | was directed 10 so to the rear Of


the enemy, but finding my force inadequate to on.
pose their overwhelming numbers, and tha,
l