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ne drove the enemy from this main work. and


IN his retreat he secured possession of the vilaee
he could hold it long enough to allow his troops
10 get away, and in oil probability seriously EN-.
oarrass any iuTther movements Of our army until
he was safely fixed somewhere else. I, is said
that fortune iavors the brave-and in this instance
1t most truly did--for while Gen Smith was pre-
pairing for his attack, Gen. Shields reported his
near approach with his brigade of South Carolina
and New York Voluneers-and here was an ex.
hl5hlon OF magnanin1y on the part of high
minded soldier to brother officer. When Gen.
Shields arrived he was the ranking officer and
could have assumed the command, but he was not
the man to pluck the bright laurels about to be
gathered by brother soldier in carrying one of
The strong works of the cnemy-accoTdingly he
moved subject to the command of Gen Smith, and
his brigade was placed in the village of EnsaIdo 10
act as circumstances might require either to cut of
the retreat of the troops from Contreras TO take
the reserve of the enemy in flank, if it should
change its front and attempt to attack force to-
wards Contreras r ,


AT o'clock, on the morning Of the 2Glh, our
troops commenced their movement towards the
front of attack--the night was so dark that the
men could not 60 out of reach of one another for
fear of losing their way. This caused the move
mcnt TO be so slow that dav-break approached be-
fore the head of G,n. Cadwalader's brigade com.





soon as Col. Riley got out of the deep ravine and
OF point where it was thought the rear of the
work could be approached, the head of the column
halted and closed-at the same time drawing the
loads out of the guns supposed to be wet Col.
Riley then formed his brigade in column BY divis.
ions-and thus the column stood formed, Col. Ri
leys brigade on the advance, next Gen. Cad.
walader's and Gen. Smiths brigades, together
with the sappers and miners, under the command
i'll. Il
Gen. Shields at the village. Col. Riley continued
up the ravine bearing little 10 his left, and as he
raised over The bank he stood fronting the rear OF
the enemy's work, but he was protected from the
severity of its fire by The favorable position of the
ground. AS soon as Col. Riley ascendcd the hill
and came III full view of the enemy, they immedi-
ateIy opened warm fire upon him. Col Riley
threw out his two advanced divisions as skirmish-
ers, and said forward" Now, boys, give them
hell-close in with them, and let the bayonel do


s work k"-and his command rushed down the
slope with desperation and enthusiasm enough
to strike terror to the heart Of the boIdest-while
the rear Of his command moved steadily forward
IN solid block with the most mechanical precision.


The sappers and miners, and the rife regiment,
which had been thrown across ravine interven-
ing between the one they had passed up and under
the brow Of the slope which Col. Riley came
down, from that position poured in FIRE which



ing towards their leh, joined IN the attack on the
troops outside OF the left flank Of the fort Gen.
Cadwalader followed the route taken by Col. Ri
ley, and as soon as his troops were formed, moved
on to his support The first brigade, which was
bringing up the rear, had been ordered to follow
the same route, but while it its march by
the right flank up the ravne and neatly opposite
the fort, Gen. Smith ordered the brigade 10 face
to the left and advance in line to attack the enc
1u'S in A,nlY-
in less time than it takes me to write i,-they met
the enemy outside of the FORT just CO... Riley's
brigade rushed into 1.-THE enemy was completely
routed and commenced precipitate retrea:-their
cavalry and infantry had been formed to receive
the charge but both were compelled TO give way
To the bayonet-the route was most complete and
The victory most drcided--but while Riley's trlg
nde took possession o! the works and planted their
coiors upon il, the other force continued the pur
sui, down the road The retreaing force had to
pass near where Gen Shields brigade was placed
10 intercept them. They, however, were not
aware of it until they received the well directed
fire of the South Carolina Regiment, which now
ed them down like grass before the scythe.


The enemy had been completely deceived in
reference TO the position of Gen Shields's brigade
and the balance Of the force, by the sagacy Of the
General After Gen. Smith moved off to attack
the work, Gen Shields caused his men to build
fires over the ground occupied by the troops du-
ring the night. as if the men were preparing their
breakfast, which led the enemy to believe our
troops still in force in the village; this also led
him 10 believe that were going to cafrv into
execution the attack we were meditating the night
the night before he placed
his batteries along his liAe and 10 the morning
moved detachments forward to take in flank the
attack he supposed we would make ut daylight,
and how great his surprise must have been when
the first thing he saw in the morning was Col.
Riley moving down the slope, having already
turned his strong-hoid--but oil doubts were soon
dispelcd by the capture Of his works and the dis
persion OF his army-,bey were met at every
point by the skilful management and energy OF
Gen Shields, whose command compelled them to
fy in every diIection-some taking to the craggy
rocks-sotne to the ravines-whie others depend
ed upon their heels and made most excellent time
in a race across the fields. One of the most
saoacious movements made by Mexican officer
was made at this place. After large portion Of
the Mexican army had passed through narrow
pas. and our troops after them, he formed squad
ron of Iancers in the pass laid down their arms
and surrendered thus effecing the escape Of those
who had already passed through. those of our
troops who were nearest having to take possession
of the prisoners and guard them back, and before
another force could go ip pursuit they were Out
of reach. ~.


In this fort wore captured 22 pieces Of artillery,
mostly large size, great number Of pack-mules,
a large quantity Of ammunition and munitions Of
were several officers of hi gh rank. The enemy
left dend upon the field, which we have buried,
upwards of 7oO-but bis loss is certainly much
L hoM Mov1o str hu "