The New York Herald Newspaper, May 6, 1852, Page 6

THE PRESIDENCY. The Military Candidates now in the Field. GENERALS SCOTT AND PILLOW. THE FORMER AS A DIPLOMAT. Vegotiations for the Sale of Santa Anna and Purchase of Gen, Scott. SINGULAR HISTORY. ‘The Campaign. (From the National Intelligencer.) At the Meg | meeting held on Saturday, the 17th, at Delaware City (Del.), the Hon. John M. Clayton made a speech. As he discussed, in the course of it, subjects of national interest, (says the North American), we give below a brief report of his re- marks :— * * * * * * As regards the question of the nomination by the whigs of a candidate for the Presidency, Mr. Clay- ton said he was for Gen. Winfield Scott, and the would say why he wasfor him. It wasnot neces- sary, nor had he the time, to go into an elaborate review of Gen. Scott's rau life and services. These were well known already to the,people, and spoke Sieanently of the man. He was content to charts that he had known Gen. Scott long and well, and that there was not living a more honorable gentleman or truer patriot. The charge made by some persons, that he was not fit for the office, was ludicrously erroneous; and those wko made it were vither grossly ignorant of the matter or interested to misrepresent the truth. He said that Gen. Scott possessed a clear judgment and enlightened mind respecting the political affairs of the country; that he was a lawyer by education, having left his pro- fession in early life taserve the nation as a soldier; that he was well instructed in the constitu- tional Jaw and history ef the Union, and acquaint- ed with international jurisprudence ; that, while he was the uble general, he was also an ‘accom plished scholar and publicist; and that he was com- petent, in point of intellectual strength and acquire- ments, to fill, with credit to himself and advantage to the 1 istrate. In refei id he had tought more merican General, and ach vis towed freely, his life had been perilled over and over again for the people ; his military career, from tiret to last, was a contmuous exhibition of dev: tion to the welfare’ and glory of that count: whose fame he had made illustrious through the world. And yet he has been less rewarded than any other public servant. Nay, he has been cruelly wronged, aspersed, persecuted, by men who were jealous ot his high merits and his deserved popula- ty. Mr.C.here spoke of the sudden and unjust 1 of Gen. Scott trom the scene of his brilliant triumphs in Mexico, by President Polk, to be ar- raigned before a petty court martial, convened to try him on contemptible charges. Some persons pretended to accuse him of being a haughty, impe- rious and violent man. Did he exhibit such a temper, asked Mr. Clayton; under the injustice of the government 7 What other man, exposed to the same provocation, would have submitted with equal patience and loy: to Executive wrong and abuse? What other man, situated as he was ut the time, at the head of a victorious, devoted army, in the full flush of triumph and conquest, would have resisted so nobly, so firmly, the natural promptings of an outraged, incensed spirit, and laid down without hesitation the high command he held, and returned at once to obey the orders of the government? Did this show haughtiness or rebelliousn Nay, more than this, said Mr. C.—and he desired that all would mark well the statement, for he made it on reliable authority—at the very moment when Gen. Scott was so cruelly, unjustly summoned to Washington, at the close of that brilliant series of successes which he crowned with the capture of the city of Mexico, he was tendered the Presidency of the republic he had conquered, and offered the immediate possession of a million avd a yuarter of dollars, if he would accept the posttion. But no. Under the n pangs of the ingratitude with which the administration of his own country was visiting him, he refused the glitter- ing prize, clung with undiminished love and fidelity to the land he had served so long and so well, and proceeded to the na apital to meet, with all the loyalty of a patriotic citizen, even the rancor and injustic those who were envious of his laurels and eager to injure and degrade him. Would you trust such a man? asked Mr. Clayton. Is he entitled to your confidence, as a law abiding, order loving, loyal patriot This was a conspicuous instance of thé nobleness, the magnanimity, the patience, the honesty, the forbeariug meekness of his character ; and he who could obey so humbly, under circumstances so trying, the sovereign power | of the constitution, is certainly worthy of being im- plicitly entrusted with the highest office in the popular gift. * * ss? a F 5 8 A “ i] 3 3 a 3 ® = : The military service ¢ ; the summer of 1846. He arrived at Cama the troops of the Tennessee Brigade, to the of which he had been assigned, with an a sire of early participating in ac operations. the arrangements of Gene Monterey, only contemplate meh of all arms. The volunteers of the column wi selected by lot, and organized into a field divisi under Gen. Butler, with Quitman and Hamer for his brigadiers. In consequence of the non-employment of the remaining troop n. Pillow waa lett incom: mand of a brigade in depot at Camargo. His atten tion was turned to the instruction of his command in the duties of its new profession, and the establish- ment of an efficient discipline. Such duty is that most trying upon the patience and devotion of an itis that of routine, without the stimulus of and urgent necessity for exertion. In pops at Camargo, the honors and vice were being gathered and un- troops, though not all the dangers, ses of an unhealthy climate broke out, and made f not more victims than both sword and pestilence in the active portions of the army. Among those attacked was Gen. Pillow, who after lying dangerously ill for many weeks, be- came so far restored as to be able lo travel. Under the supposition that a period of inactivity would en- sne, he made preparations to leave the country for the benefit of his health, and had proceeded as tar as the mouth of the ran¢ There he learned of the movement of the army on Victoria, He returned at once, marched from Matamoras in command of a But or for moving on atorce of some 6,000 ere | fatigues of the dergone by other for the fatal di. brigade to Victoria, and when Gen. Scott dismem- bered Ta mmand, in order to lay siege to Vera Cru ‘ow marehed for Tampico, there em- barked, and was present at the landing of the Ame- rican army opposite Sacrificious, on the 9th of March, 1847. On the following day the extension of the lines of investment commence: (in the execution this duty, Pillow became first positively engaged with the enem Worth’s Division of regulars haying taken its ground on the right of the proposed line without se- rious opposition, Patterson was ordered to move his troops to their station on its left, and to the south and west of the city of Vera Craz. The ene had | however assembled in force, to dispute the further | secupation of the line, and the General of Division wrdered Pillow to dislodge him from an old build- ing (the Lacienda Malibran) and the chapparal in ts vicinity. His force was composed of two regi- ments of Tennessee, and two of Pennsylvania volun- teers, and the report of his division command seribes his conduct in the following | age:— — *“A few minutes after General Pillow, having penetrated t neountered the Mexican pfantry in y of the ruined building, me sharp firing, he drove them with loss, ona officer and three men having been left upon the field. He now opened bis way through the chap- | paral, and pushing on with the First Tennessee regi- ment, (Colonel Campbell's.) gained possession of the magaz (a strong stone huilding south of the hacienda Malibran.) in which were found a large number of segude rockets, and one hundred and twenty boxes of schrapnel shot. Leaving Colonel Campbell’s regiment to hold this point, he moved on with the Second Tennessee regiment, (Col. Has- kell’s.) and the First Pennsylvania regiment, (Col. Wynkoop’s,) against a body of cavalry and infantry, oveupying the railroad at its intersection with the Saheiins reat. Hers the enemy was again driven, and he was now pursued through a dense chapy and over a rugged country, to the erest of the hills southwest of the city. On these hills the enemy rallied and made a show of resistance; but he was compelled as before to retire, as our troops steadily vdvanced, until completely routed, he sought shelter inder the guns of the city. The two regiments last hough exposed to the fire from the guns f the city, bivouaced on these heights.” This, the most, considerable action which occurred in the extension ‘of the lines of investment, at the Vera Cruz, closed the operations of the 13th The two following days the extension | was completed to Vergara, and the business of the | siege commenc During its continuance, the | subject of this memoir was occupied in active re- connoissance and the In the course of them il duties of bis command. had a con $ share in the operations which re Il of that important place, and upon its offering to capitulate, Gen. Pillow was appointed one of the commissioners for the negotiation o! e he part of Gen. Scott, with Gen. Worth and Gol otten, Chief Engineer, and Capt. Aulick art of the naval commander. How he command iho delicate duty, appears from the official report of he General-in-Chiet, for in it he has i that “four nore able or judicious officers could not have been Jesired *” The speedy approach of the sic season {oroed General-in-Chief after his arrival at P| and it was intended that General Pillow should lead | porting force: | diers had elected him; and that, in the excitement | necess movements or intentions of the Wa vance commenced on the 9th of All, ‘wigg’s di- mada hy raed and on Lrgss. hing terson’s, under the temporary comman: iW, followed. On the 14th, Gen. Seott received private tehes informing him that the enemy was con- id Se Sees to sgpnse him at some point be- tween Puente Nacional and Jalapa. This informa- tion was forwarded by special express to the ad- vance, but both Twiggs and Pillow had received similar information, and were for 0) - tion. None was made on the road to Plan del Rio Gen. Sante Anna, who had taken post at Cerro Gordo, and was awaiting the arrival of the Ameri- canarmy. The different divisions, as they came w were halted at Plan del Rio, and during several days reconnoissances were pushed to close vicinity of the enemy's works. The general disposition for the attack had been early determined w noe the in del Rio, the columns against the enemy’s right. The pass of Cerro Gordo, properly so called, ex- tends for about a mile along the road, which in that | vicinity, forms an angle with the base of the hill of Cerro Gordo, its salient being given to the wost. Within this angle was erected the lines of Mexican entrenchments ; three ridges extended from tho sa- lient of the angle towards the east, and the extrem- ities of each were fortified by works completely com- manding the road, as well as any route which might be found between it and the rocky banks of the Rio del Plan, The right wing of the Mexican army garrisoned these entrenchments, while the left was about the western extremity of the pass, and on the hill of Cerro Gordo, which commanded a view of the whole country, and all entrenchments of the Mexi- can position. Strong Mexican reserves were to the rear of the pass and Cerro Gordo. | The order of battle issued by the General-in-Chief, on the 17th of April, contemplated the turning of | the whole position by the right with Twigg’s divi- sion and Shield’s Brigade, while Pillow's brigade should assault the strong lines of entrenchments on the Mexican right. Battery No. 1, at the extremity of the ridge nearest the precipitous banks of El Rio del Plan, was divided from No.2 by a ravin . 2was a stromg field work with two salients, having, be: two commanding works in the rear. T which intervened between No. 2 and 3 a greater width, but the latter work was so construe- ted as to deliver a flank fire upon any force assault- ing No. 2. The whole ground in front of the lines was of exceeding difficulty, being broken and rocky, and covered with a growth of tropical shrubbery ;a serious impediment to any advance, and utterly precluding # distant view of the works. General Pillow having been informed of the probable dispo- sition of his command, had labored tor several preceding days in endeavoring to complete a recon- noissance, and in the performance of this duty 1 times barely escaped from the pickets of the But the reconnoissances could not be pushed so close as to develope all the defences of the | Mexican position, or all the impediments to be overcome by an assaulting force. The troops which were to turn the Mexican loft, having advanced some distance on their route on the afternoon of the 17th, and batteries against the different Mexican positions having been located during the night, the dispositions were made early on the following morning, for the final assault. The troops of Twiggs’ command were disposed to assault and turn Cerro Gordo, while Pillow’s brigade and Worth’s division marched from Plan del Rio, the former to take position for the assault, and the lat- ter toremain in reserve. Near the mouth of the pass, Pillow diverged from the main road, and moved to the front of the Mexican batteries by a mountain path, which, though the only one leading to the position, was so broken and rocky as to ad- mit only of the passage of troops by the flank. The intention of the Brigadier General was, to assault what in the obscurity of the Mexican positions ap- | peared to be an angle connecting batteries Nos. 1 and2, at once upon each flank. The Second Ten- | nessee regiment, reinforced by a company of Ken- tucky, and one of Pennsylvania, and supported by | the Second Pennsylvanians, was to form the assault- ing column of the American right, while the First Pennsylvanians, supported by the First Tennes- , seans, was to attack from the left, nearer the banks of the Rio del Plan. For the execution of | these operations, the Second Tennessee regiment | was placed in the advance, and moved to its | position: the First Pennsylvanians followed it wi instructions to proceed on to its post opposite the Mexican right, and the supporting forces were to have been within distance before the assault commenced. But the nature of the ground, and the obscurity of the Mexican position, obliged the troops to come under fire while in process of formation. The second Tennessee regiment being in advance, | was the first to receive it, and although it stood to its ground with heroic bravery, yet the moment was critical and dangerous. Seventeen guns from front and flanks were opened by the enemy, in full and | esau play, and as the men were falling ra- pidly, and the fire having commenced at Cerro Gordo, Pillow ordered the immediate assault by the | troops already in position, while in person he has tened to the left of the attacking column. The cond Tennessee regiment dashed rapidly forward at ‘o.2, through the tangled chapparal, and line of abbaters, which obstructed | But the Mexican fire was heavy, and | proach of the nd the approach. natural difficulties prevented the app supporting force, as well as the gies assault of the | Pennsylanians on the right. Under the terrific storm of shot, shell, and cannister, Pillow, while iz s the ravine to the front of battery 1, fell wounded; and meanwhile, notwithstanc ing the noble gallantry of the Second Tennessee regiment, the advance from the left had been checked, and under the severe fire of the enemy, broken in its formation by its movement over so dift ficult ground, with its lieutenant colonel and ma- jor, six er commissioned officers, and a fe of subordinate ful number rm upon the field dead or wounde and under the orders of its Colonel Haskell to retreat, the regiment was falling back in some disorder. Colonel set the example with an alacrity unworthy of his gallant regiment. The movements thus de- layed, Col. Campbell, of the First Tennessee regi- ment, was ordered by Pillow to bring up the sup- and re-form them for another and decisive assault. But before the troops could be i 1 in the confusion resulting from Haskell’s vement, the fire which had raged on can right about the position of Cerro | sed, and the enemy finding his retreat cut off, and that Pillow was about to renew the at- | tack, threw out a white flag in token of surrender, which was soon after accepted, and under the escort | of Pillow’s troops the Mexican’ opposing forces were marched as prisoners of war to the village of Plan del Rio. In this assault, the principal loss fell upon the Second Tennessee regiment, and its two companies of reinforcements. The First Tennesseans, who fought so nobly at Monterey, although coming into action asa supporting force, yet suffered sever but their constancy and valor was in keeping with their previous conduct, and with that devotion with which the soldiers of their heroic State have ever upheld her own, and their country’s honor | » regiment | | The check which the Second Tenne: r¢ met with, was necessarily a mat but though it lost ground as a body, it can never be | said that it lost honor. For the list of killed and | plainly how constantly the men | and subordins tood to their ground, and had their colonel aeted with a li fallantry. he too would have deserved the warrior’s wreath of fume. But whether i of his own bad conduct or not, he chose e afterwards to lay the respon- sibility of bi nretreat at the door of his com- mander ; ', Who in his feeling of | pride in his State, and in charity for the man, had wished that nothing should ee an officer | in command of a regiment of Tennessceans, andhad | included him in the general commendatious so well earned by his gallant regiment. The attack upon General Pillow, in connection | with this matter, and the effect which it had, of | bringing to light the bad conduct of him who made it, is too recent to have passed from the remem- brance of his fellow-citizens. The vindication of the General, while it proved that in all times he had | acted with judgment, and in that manner which | under all known circumstances was the best caleu- lated to obtain success, showed that the person who chose to take so unjustifiable a method of attack- ing a inguished officer to whom he was political- ly opposed, as to appeal in a production totally un- called for, to the hte while the subject of the attack was engaged in service, from which the au- thor of the assault had just retired, was totally unfit for the position to which the partiality of Lis sol- deep regret, | of the action, he was not a competent witness, either in regard to’ the conduct of his General, or to any matter which had oceurred upon the field ‘ But the military reputation of Gen. Pillow does | not require a reference to his vindication against this unprovoked and unjustifiable assault; for the facts of his conduct speak for themselves in his fa- vor, and the official reports of his division command- er, and of the General-in-chief, alike bear testimony in his praise, while subsequent events have placed it bove dispute or contradiction, although party levolence, and party intrigue have caused most inous exertions to be put forth to cloud its bril- »probation of his sthe greatest re- str liancy, and to deprive biim of th countrymen—the first wish, ag it i ward, of a true patriotad soldier The progress of the Mexican war had shown the | y of employing a larger force of regular troops; forthe term of service of volunteers who had fought so well on every field in whose glories | they had participated, had ‘nearly expired had passed Congress authorizing the President to | raise ton ndditi¢ ments for the army, and to | ‘}point the necessary general ‘officers for their com | mend. Of his selections for the grade of Major | | the Mexican army was in position te oppose him, | only practicable route for making a road across the A bill | “* of his promot tification of it. interval of active he returned to the United rae to his Selly, rouasaed a for a time he was em: com- mand, which had already been raised, of which portions were then en route for the seat of war. He soon set out in person, and by the middle of June ar- rived at Vera Crus, where he found a considerable force encamped, and awaiting the organization of transportation to advance. mn. Cadwallader, one of his Brigadiers, had arrived from Brazos Santiago, and had marched from Vera Cruz a short time pre- vious. Inthe midst of the sickly seagon, and in tho necessity known to exist of sj reinforcement to the American army, General Pillow at once set about preparing for the advance, and by his ener- | getic endeavors in a few days he was enabled to pro- ceed. ‘The sultry climate of the tierra caliente of Mexi- co, made the marches extremely severe upon officers and men, and, notwithstanding every precaution, many suffered under the trial. But moving on as | rapidly as possible, with a due regard to safety, the column cleared the sickly tierra cahente, passed dJalapa, which had been abandoned by the order of General Scott, and rising upon the plateau of Mexi- co, effected a junction, on the Ist of July, with Cad- wallader, who, under Pillow’s order, was awaitin; its arrival at Perote. Thence the whole command, | numbering over 2, of all arms, marched to | Puebla, then the position of the main army, where it arrived on the 8th of July. Throughout the movement from Vera Crug, all the troops had been harrassed and annoyed by attacks fram guerrilla. The heaviest of these had been encountered by the advance under Cadwallader, but they had been con- tinued against the other portions, and were kept up a time to time, until the column arrived at Puebla. While the American army remained at Puebla, it is known that negotiations were carried on by Gen. Scott and Mr. Trist with the Moxican President, having in view the commencement of negotiations for peace, The position held by Gen. Pillow, caused him to be informed of them, and to be consulted, The full nature of these negotiations has never been | nude public by the principal participants, General | Scott and Mr. Trist. Nay, they have positively ro- fused to give information respecting them, and that which is known, has become apparent more by the development of facts in subsequent affairs, than by | any declarations, either official or private. These facts prove the part which General Pillow took therein, and the course which he considered as that most advantageous for his country, as the sequel | will fully show. He was in favor of pursuing any lawful method by which the evils of war could bo ended, so long ay the safety and honor of the American army was not placed in jeopardy by a re- liance upon the good faith of an enemy known to be treacherous inthe extreme. There is palpable evi- dence to show that before his march from Puebla on the city of Mexico, the (ieneral-in-chief had in lation the agreement to an armistice, which rds entered into, and Pillow’s opposition Lay tien, after 101 New ‘Orleans, where to this measure, which he feared would accumulate | the difficulties, if it did not eause disa to the | American army, was afterwards the cause of ( ne- | ral Scott's But the facts in relation to the ma seon inthe course of the narra- tive. Tl my marched from Puebla in the earl f st, against the Mexican capital. Tt 1 by division on successive days. Pillow’s, which was the rearmost, moved on the 10th, and on the 13th entered the valley of Mexico, easier the total strength of the gallant army of 10,5 soldiers, which was about to assault the capital of Mexico, acity of 200,000 inhabitants, defended as it was by stony fortifications, and an army of over thirty-five thousand men. The previous days had been employed in reconnoissance and the selection of a point of attack, and on the 14th a meeting of general officers was held at Ayotla, at which the General-in-Chief explained his views, and gave his orders foran attack upon Mexicalcingo, a strong point on the south-east of the city; but these orders were modified on account of information, the result of a reconnoisance conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan, by which a route was shown to be prac- ticable, turning the system of exterior defences on the east of Mexico, and effecting an approach on the southern point. The army moved around Salse Chalco, and on the 18th of August was in position at and near St. Augustine Flapam, on the Acapulco road. Reconnoissances were made on that day for selecting a route for the further advance. Worth’s division had been advanced to within ob- serving distance of the fortified hacienda of San Antonio, which obstructed the direct movement by the Acapulco road. The position was found so strong, that the American General-in-chief turned his attention towards a route which he hoped could be made practicable by labor, and on the duty of opening the road by the rancho of Padienna, across thane rigal, Gen. Pillow proceeded with his dit sion.on the morning of the 19th. After ad i a few miles, he learned that g strong div and hearing that the enemy was just then locating his heavy guns, he desired to push forward and com- mence the battle immediately, and before the ene- d completed his preparations. Gen Scott's however, positive that the road should is far as practicable before commencing nd while the work was progressing, Twigg®’ division was sent forward to the advance as the covering force. Upon rising the slope of the Lill of Zacatepee, the troops came under long range of the Mexican guns, and the necessity of a battle in order to secure a further advance was at once ap- parent. Pillow had been, during the morning, upon the summit of the hill of Zacatepec, observing the en- trenched camp which was in his path, and had de- cided upon the plan of operations. The camp lay upon ahill side in front of, and commanding the the action edrigal, an immense field of lava, which extended yom the mountains on the south of the valley of Mexico, to the position of San Antonio, and, being deemed impassible by the Mexican general, was iefended only at the position of the camp.’ The only direct communication which the Mexican general Valencia had with the capital, was by the road through San Angel, running north from the point where he had taken post. The American ap- proach was from the east, and it was intended that while an attack should take place in front, an en- deavor should be made to cross the pedrigal with | infantry, and seize the village of San Geronimo, which lay directly upon the Mexican line of com- ation, with a nd of attacking the position in rear. ig division had ‘4 by General Scott, in obedience to Pillow’s sugges- tion, Twiggs moved directly against the front with As ew to cutting off reinforce- | en placed in the advance | by a mo) hilst Worth operated in with bis division. Gen. Scott ordered him to move cautiously for- ward, and Pillow advanced in command of own and Twiggs’ division, and Shields’ brigade, to Cayacan, he was overtaken by General Scott, who assumed the command. The obj thus far, had beon to force the works of San Antonio, and open the road through them to the positions of Tacubaya and Chapultepec. But that object had been gained by the demonstration, and Worth’s ope- rations against San Antonio. Gen. Bravo had re- treated from the position, and Scott, anxious te cut | of the retreat, pushed ‘tw with one brigade, towards the San Antonio roa to take post between the retreating enemy and the@ity, and ordered Pil- lot with another to march in direction of the hacien- da, and fall on in flank. These movements were or- dered without knowledge of the ground, and in no expectation of falling in with the main body of the Mexican army, in strong fortified positions. But so it was. An advanced regiment of Worth’s division, moving on the San Antonio road, first came under fire; and next Twiggs’ troops ran full against a at rongly fortified convent, completely sweeping the path by which it had been hoped to cut off the re- treat of the enemy. The battle of Churubusco was at once commenced, and with such good will, on the part of the Mexican troops, as to demonstrate, in the fullest manner, that a severe struggle for tho victory was to be decided before the conquest of the capital ; or before the agreement of an armistice to allow time for negotiations with Gon. Scott, had previously determined upon, in compliance with the suggestion of the Mexican President. hen the battle eommenced, Pillow was in march towards San Antonio in execution of his orders, but the rear of the conflict about the convent told him that he was not moving npen the true point of battle, and on coming in sight of the San Antonio causeway, he at once inclined strongly to the left, and proceeded rapidly at the head of the brigade, across the ee field id irrigating ditches which intervened between him and the ro: As he reached it he effected a junction with Worth’s di- vision, the main body of which was then advancing up from San Antonio in pursuit. The sevority of the battle which was raging on the left, made it ne- cessary that decisive action should at once be taken, and the two Generals prepared to move their com- mands upon the Mexican positions directly in their front, which were in general the line of the rivulet of Cherubusco, the passage of which was defonded by a strong and beautifully constructed fete du pont, mounting several guns of different calibres. The main bone of the Mexisan army was opposed to them, but the nature of the ground, covered as it was with a dense growth of corn, prevented close reconnoissance, and here since the action had com- menced, and so severoly on the left, prudence took the form of bold and immediate assault, without which other portions of the army would have been compromised with the whole Mexican force. Though without orders from the General-in-chief, the dispo- sitions were made at once. Worth stretched his di- vision to the right, and advanced—Pillow sent two ments to advance on the left of the causeway, vid soon became closely and warmly engage Yo deseribe so long and so brilliant’ a military struggle as the battle of Churubuseo, would take more space than can be given to the present memoir. But after it once opened, the bravery and determi- nation of the assault was that in which military judgment would alone ensure success. The Mexi- cans resisted stoutly, and for nearly three hours the loud roar of musketry and the peals of artillery resounded over the field, while clouds of smoke hung over the whole Mexican position. The American fire in front of the fete du pont was in comparison small, for under the direction of their generals the American troops were feeling their way, and would not throw away their fire upon an_uncertain object. When the nature of the battle had become de- veloped, Gen. Scott Shields’ and Pierce’ brigades to turn the Mexican posi in rear of the fete du pont. This force fel with the strong bodies of Mexican resi , and although in position of imminent peril, made ood battle. Neither it nor the troops of wiggs’ command, however, made any decided impression upon the enemy for a long time. To advance was impracticable, although men and officers strove gallantly to breast the storm of shot whieh was showered uponthem. In front of the tete du pont, the struggle was no less terrific; but the Am- erican troops were gradually drawing nearer to that work. Worth’s troops had approached near the river Churubusco, and a party from different regiments crossed the rivulet, the Mexicans giving way be- fore their determined advance. iow finding it impossible to operate with effect against the enemy in their front, under the cross-fire of the con- vent, the fete du pont, and the line of the Mexican infantry, moved under this fire immediately in front of the fete du pont, crossed the road and took post upon the right. Soon after their arrival, the storm of the tefe du pont took place, and the troops of the united commands rushing through the wet ditches, over the parapets and into the work, carried the first and most important strong point of the Mexican Amongst the troops most conspicuoua in sful assault, was the Ith regiment of Pillow’s division, which, under the leading of Col. Trousdale, a gallant Tennesseean, fell in with and captured a portion of the battalion of San Patricio, with its standard. This battalion was composed of deserters from the Ameriean army, and as the trait- ors fought with the alternative shameful death, they were the most desperate of any troops in the ranks of the enemy. The effect of the fall of tete du pont was to secure the victory to American arms. Before the fiery as- sault of Worth’s and Pillow’s commands, the Mexi- can line gave way, and rolled in disorder upon the flank ofthe reserve which was engaged with Shields’, which also fled, and in a short time the main Mexi- can army was in full retreat to the city ; for, by a happy combination of circumstances, Shields’ and Pierce's troops pressed heavily upon their opponents, as Pillow and Worth drove the enemy from his line, and came down upon the flank. The convent o posed to Twiggs still held out, but it was isolated, and Col. Duncan Havin, placed his guns in position, to enfilade one face ofthe field work by which it was surrounded, Gen. Pillow ordered the regiment of voltigeurs to move to the assault. under cover of their fire. The Mexican General Rincon, however, finding himself perfectly unsupported, hung out a white flag in token of surrender, and iwigg's troops took possession of the place which they had for so long a time been contending against. ‘The movements in pursuit were commenced by General Pillow ordering Captain Kearney, with three troops of dragoons, to pursue the enemy; and Worth and Pillow, collecting their troops with alac- rity, moved on, and effecting a junction with Shields’ and Pierce's corps, which had moved forward to the Smith’s brigade, andin a few moments, Pillow in person ordered Riley to move on San Geronimo. ‘The battle had fairly commenced on the part of the Mex- icans, in an wnceasing cannonade, and Smith's brigade drove back a cloud of Mexican skirmishers, which occupied the pedrigal in front of the en- trenched camp. His advance was for a time rapid, while Riley's was very slow over the difficult ground, and at one time it w: red that the pas- age of the pedrigal was impracticable—but a short time showed that this opinion was neous, and asin that direction lay the decisive point of the field, Pillow at once ordered Cudwaladet to follow with his brigade, and to support Riley. Soon after Cadwalader had moved, Twiggs sent back fer sup- port for Smith’s brigade, and Pierce, of Pillow’s division, was ordered forward, but as it passed the hill of Zacatepee, on which the commander had taken position, heavy reinforcements of Mexican troops were observed in march from the at to- im- wards the position ef Valencia, and the vital ortance of the vill of San Geronimo, which had »een foreseen, was still more fully demonstrated. Gen. Pillow, therefore, lted one regiment of Pierce's brigade, which he held for some little time, until the intentions of the enemy became certain, and then it was sent to the support of Cadwalader and to warn him of his danger. The two remain- ing regiments passed on to the front, and all the American troops on the ficld, except a battery of borse-artillery and some squadrons of dragoons, which were unable to operate over the rugged ground, had been placed in position. Some few minutes afterwads, Gen. Scott arrived on the field, and although he did not positively assume the com. mand, yet, as he was there, and of course consulted upon them, the subsequent movements of the field are substantially his. He expressed his high com- mendation of what Gen. Pillow hadordered, however; and as all the troops were en route or disposed of, he awaited the course of events, When Shields’ brig- ade arrived from San Augustin, that General was ordered to follow and support the forces which had already passed the pedrigal. But the early move- ments of the action, which Pillow had ordered, had already secured the slg pa Valencia was cut off from support ; Riley had gained a pc tacking his rear; Cadwalader had taken a stron; position in San Geronimo, and offering battle wit! his small brigade to the Mexiean army, had arrested its march, and prevented a junction with Valencia. The ion of the camp, necessarily resulted in the achievment of the victory of the following morning. It was not until near night fall that Gen. Pillow | obtained Gen 1Us permission to leave the posi- | tion on the hill of Zacatepee, to eross the pedrigal, and give his i mmediate moves ment in th Geronimo ; and | then the broke e round | rendered & pa ection, no mar) presented which could serve to guide the way through the darkness. In consequence, Generals Pillow and Twiggs were pre- vented from crossing ; but San onimo having | heen oceupied, the proper course of action was t! | night to the General-in-chi causeway, were in full march for the city, in support | of the dragoons, when orders were received from the General-in-chiet to halt the army, and suspend ope- | rations. | On the following day, the American army took | position in the different towns in the vicinity, and | it was known that an armistice was to be agreed | upon. General Pillow was at Tacubaya on the 22d | August, and being at General Scott's quarters at | the same time with General Worth, the General-in- | chief informed them of his determination, and of | the terms which he proposed to demaud. By the testimony which was given before the subsequent | Court of Inquiry, it is proved that both these gene- | ral officers opposed the terms of that disastrous con- vention, although in a different manner. Pillow | opposed it in toto. Worth desired the surrender of the Castle of Chapultepec, asa sine gua non, for the security of the enemy’s good faith; and their views were presented to the General-in-chief, in an | interview which took place soon after the conversa- tion. Pillow did not let his demonstration of disap- probation of the measure stop here; but on the same | afternoon wrote a note to the General-in-chief, in | which, in the most friendly manner, a change of the | terms was most strongly urged. The note was borne | to Gen, Seott by Gen. Pierce, one of the commission- | ers. But it failed of effect. Nothing was required as | t guarantee of Mexican fidelity, though all history | told that it was unworthy oftrust. The armistice was | agreed to. Every military advantage, won at the | cost of the blood of a thousand men at Contreras and Churubusco, was given WD, hd thé énemy allowed | time to collect his routed troops, and to erect formi- | dable interior fortifications Te consequence was | such as Pillow had anticipated, and after two weeks | of negotiation, in which Mr. Trist, the American commissioner, had made many unauthorized con- cessions, in his attempt to conciliate Mexican pride, the American General-in-chieffound himself obliged to re-fight the battle, with numbers reduced, and in the face of fortifications which had been strength- ened and constructed by the enemy during the ar- mistice. ¥ The first effort made by Genera | Mexican general, after the resun was the attack on Molino de! R object the de: ott against the stion of hostilities, i » whieh had for its ‘ tt jon of a foundry supposed te ex- ist. With this view it was to be but « partial opera- tion—Worth’s division and Cadwalader'’s brigade only to be engaged, while Pillow, with Pierce’s and Riley’s brigades, wus to approach the city on its south, to make a show of demonstration; for demonstra- tion it could hardly be called,when the pointat which they were to ed was more than two miles from the city. During the evening of September 7th, General Pillow obtained information that the foun- dry had no existence. communicated it that But Seott had made lin doubt, and the attack took place. Worth, how instead of becoming engaged in © partial skirmish, such as had been an- ticipated, found himself opposed by a large part of the Mexican army, and the position of his gallant command was critical in the extrente. Nothing but hard fighting, and that such as few troops were ever angements, y fully apparent, and the hatile of Contreras, whigh engaged in, saved the battle of Mgling dgl Rey ded, which was not reeeived until the command was near the village of Tacubaya, on its route. Genera! Pillow was not seriously en; on this day, although his hold the field while Worth’s were retiring under General Scott’s orders; and when the dead and wounded had been removed, Pillow too was ordered to withdraw, and the battle field of Molino del Rey, so gallantly and so dearly won by the blood of of the flower of the army, was given up to the enemy, if he chose to oecupy it. The information given to eral Scott on the pre- vious ovening, had been verified, ‘Fhe foundry had no existence, and the result, in so far as related to advantages gained for the final assault on the Mex- ican capital, were Somporarite! nothing. On the morning of the 9th of September, a strong body of lancers having threatened Colonel Riley's position at Nalvaite, Gen. Pillow changed his head quarters to Piedad in advance of Nalvaite, which Village he occupied with Pierce’s and Riley’s brigades, bringing Cadwallader’s forward from Mixcoac to Riley's former position. His piquets were thrown forward to the Mase of the road of E1 Nino Perdido, to within close observing distance of tho onemy, who was found to be busily engaged in constructing fortifications along the southern front. It was at once perceived that the time for attack at that point, was the immediate moment, and information was sent to General Scott of the state of affairs, and the unfinished condition of the fortifications ; but the General-in-chief did not contemplate an immediate assault, and gave strict order that mo advanco should be made from Piedad, aithough General Pil- low was ordered to maintain his ground in case he was attacked, and in order to do so, was authorized to call up Twiggs’ and Quitman’s. corps from San Angel andCayucan. The Mexicans, however, made no attack, and throughout the 9th, 10th, and 11th of September, continued at work on their fortifica- tions, whieh on tife morning of the 11th wore nearly completed. On that day, the Geners|-in chief came to Piedad, and at a meeting of general officers de- cided upon his plan of action, which was to assault by the western front, the Castle of Chapultepec, being the first great point to be seized. Twiggs’ division being left to make a demonstration on the lines of the south front, on the night of the I1th, nerals Pillow and Quitman marched their divisions silently into Tacubaya, and took position, prepara- tory to seizing covering points of the batteries about to be erected against the castle. Quitman was to take post on the south of Chapultepec, and Pillow on the west, on the plains and in Molino del Rey. General Pillow moved out to the plains while yet dark, and at the first dawn of light sent a picked corps down to Molino del Rey, which the enemy bad no time to occupy. Having seized these points, his duty was that of covering the battories, and through- out the 12th his troops remainod in observation of Chapultepec, and a cloud of Moxican cavalry which had taken post on his left flank. The effect of the batteries not being sufficiently great to cause tho fall of the castle, it became evident that it must be stormed, and on the night ot the 12th the orders for the assault were issued. On the morning of the 13th of September, the American batteries re-opened heavily upon the castle —the Mexicans as promptly replied, and both parties were busily engaged in preparing for the struggle Quitman’s approach lay along the Trcubaya road, and over strong batteries at the base of the rock upon which the castle is situated, over an exterior wall, and up the declivity to the work. Pillow’s through Molino del Rey, acroas an open field, over a line of ditches and entrenchments, through the cypress grove to the base of the rock, over a redeau half way up the declivity, which being passed, the troops would be in close vicinity to the object of attack, the castle of Chapultepec. The uarrange- ments for this attack, which were made by General Pillow, were to attack the lines of entrenchments with one battalion of voltigeurs, while another pro- ceeded outside the walls of the enclosure, which surrounded the rock and fields of the position, against an adobe bastion covering a cut in the wall, which peg gained, the assaultin, troops were in rear of the line of entrenchments. If the line of entrenchments was first carried, then the bastion would be taken in reverse by the troops which had been successful in that quarter. The first of these battalions was to be supported by the Ninth and Fifteenth regiments; the second, by a storming party of veteran troops from Worth’s’ division, by which Pillow had been reinforced. After the troops had entered the woods, it was intended that they should beat through the base of the rock, the volti- geurs being in advance to that point. There they were to halt and re-form, while the stormers passed to the front, and, with the support of the three regi- ments, to ascend and storm the castle. To prevent the introduction of reinforcements by the road north ‘of Chapultepec, as well as to watch the strong corps of Mexican cavalry on the left, Colonel Trousdale was stationed with the Ilth and 14th regiments at the angle of the Molino del Rey. Soon after 8 o’clock, the American batteries ceased their fire,and the assault commenced. Having or- dered forward the party which was to advance out- side the wall, Pillow proceeded through Molino del Rey, and sent the ot > throng the gate into the field, and against the entrenchments. The enemy had got the range of the gate from Chapultepec, and kept up a heavy fire of shot and shell upon it; but while the voltigeurs were pushing across the open field, the General stood watching their progress until they reached the line of entrenchments, when he quickly ordered forward the Ninth and Fifteenth regiments. As, with a shout of enthusiasm, these corps rushed through the narrow way, Pillow mount- ed and, with his staff, passing rapidly to the front, took the advance. The Mexican troops fought well in the woods, and the guns of the castle sent show- ers of grape and cannister upon the assailants. Knowing the vital importance of success, and the necessity of the crisis, still in advance, the General of Division pressed on, his gallant troops fol- lowed, and beat back the enemy to the base of the hill. Just before reaching it, Pillow fell severely and peniy wounded. But seein, the necessity for immediate attack, althou, f the stormers, delayed by the difficulties of the ground, and not having been able in their close for- mation to keep pace with the light troops, had not yet taken the advance, he ordered the immediate assault. For the enemy were rallying in the redan, and commencing a heavy fir he troops in posi- tion promptly and quickly obeyed, and the redan was carried. The voltigeurs, Ninth and Fifeteenth, crowned the hill, and taking post in the rocks, commenced making a rapid discharge of rifles and muskets against the defenders of the castle. The fall of Chapultepec was se- cured in this manner, for when the stormers and the ladders were brought forward, the enemy’s fire had nearly ceased. Other troops had come for+ ward in support and taken post in rear of Pillow’s command, but when the ladders were planted the troops of his division entered the work in advance, and pushing to the eastern division, secured not only its possession, but the fall of the batteries on the Tacubaya road—for the Mexicans there held out until a party of voltigeurs, and of the Fifteenth regiment, pored a volley into their rear. Then they broke, and the American troops opposed to them entered the batteries, and the whole position was carried; for with the castle fell not only the bat- teries on the south, but the barricades on the north, against which Colonel Trousdale’s command had been bravely advancing. The effect of this important capture was to secure the fall of the capital of Mexico, and to raise the spirits of the American troops to the highest state of enthusiasm. All felt that final success was cer- tain, and as the commander, whose troops had been foremost in achieving the brilliant victory, was borne wounded into the work shortiy nfter its oeeupation, the loud acclaiming shouts of the soldiers bore testi- mony to their appreciation of his conduct. For some two months after this achievement, General Pillow was confined to his quarters from the fect of his wound, and meanwhile, various cirgum- stancés brongat about a rupture, as annoying to all concerned as it was Unfortunate for the American General-in-chief. The battles had been fought, the great military operations of the army were finished, and the fame which would attach to the achieve- ment, in the way of making political capital and promoting the claims of the General-in-chief to be the candidate of the whig party for the presidency, be- eame at once the object of h ious attention. The worst feature which is to be seen in the whole course of his operations, is the agreement to the convention of Tacubaya, by which every military advantage ificed to an uncertain political end. Gen- erals Worth and Pillow had opposed the convention as it was agreed to, and it is somewhat remarkable that the Generals-in.chief took the first Pi ak to quarrel with and arrest the two highest in ran in his army next to himself. es His exhibition of i] humour against Pillow wi first demonstrated in relation to two small guns, of which the latter knew absolutely nothing, but the remarks of the General-in.chiet, made in his ab- sence before a number of general and other officer: ated and offensive, that Pillow felt ¢ Y Ho cull for a Court of Inquiry. ‘The Court an error of fact in its finding, and its opivion based on this error was therefore’ in’ ome respects erroneous. Pillow called the attention of Seott to the erro and requested that the ease should be roferred back to the court for reconsidora- tion, but General Scott refused, and on. this.rofusal, Pillow appealed to his governthent, His appeal and (he matter contained therein, was the ostonsible ground of his wrest; but the nature of the charges the troops had often followed to eyo Tho issuo of this order by the manifestation of jealousy which was displayed, went far to show the fear, lost thess eer two officers should receive more ercdit than he in hi t pri i were entitled to it. If not, why did he i an © 80 injurious to di line, and endeavour to falsify facts which wero too well known to permit of undue credit being received yy, any. ‘The charges which were preferred againat Gen. Pillow were voluminous, pouien the to sma character. Not only was he chai with various jis military con- misdeméanors, but ‘in re; to duct, Gon. Scott pond to falsify his owa official approbations, which had beon given with a full knowledge of the facts, and whicl he made them, he strove to represent as having been elicited by the gallantry of his lioutenant, under hie rsonal observation. “Amongst other allegations, Pillow was charged with having been in favor of the aimistice before it was entered into, and the tenor of the document agai H mentative a nature, that, in the words of Mr. (in relation to ono of General Scott's letters) whose bitter malignity against Pillow since tho failure of his mad scheme of negotiation, proved how much ke had to do with fomenting the discord, it was more fitted “to adorn the columns ofsome recklosa partisan pres,” than to have place among the military ac- chives of the country. In a word, it bore ample internal evidence that it was never intended for trial, but in the hope that it would be thrust aside at Washington, General Scott intended that it should remain unanswered by his victim, who must sink under the weight of the charges, and of the character of the accuser ; a belief fully verified by tho attempt which the General in-chief mado to shrink from the position of prosecutor, until Piliow, conscious of his innocence, called upon the Court to compel him to prosecute and to susiain, if he could, the truth of his ealumuious allegations. . 'The proceedings of that famous Court are too fresh in the memory of the American people to roquire much comment. But every charge was mot and dis- proved, and when the Court closed its sittings, the fame ef General Pillow was clear of reproach. Even the vite slanders of party proses were silenced, aod the fucts of the case brought out by tho sworn tosti- mony of witnesses of all ranks, wore high in his favor. ‘The charges at once fell to the ground ; and as the war closed, General Pillow retired from the service to private life. Marine Affairs. Drvanicne or SteAMERS.:--Fivg firat class ocean steam ore left this port yesterday, namely: the British steamship Axia, for Liverpool; the Crescent City, for Aspinwall; the Northern Light, for San Juan; the Benjamin Franklin for New Orleans; and the new steamship James Adger, for Charleston. a new addition to Spefford & Tileston’s line of Charleston steamers, The Asia carties one hun- dred and ten passengers. The California vosacla were crowded-as usual with a large number of people bound to the Pacific; those in the Northern Light numbering nine hundred Uservt 10 Paeciric Navicarons.—We baye received « series of charts, accompanied by an explanatory pam- phlet, of the bays and harbors of the State of California, drawn up by Com. Cadwallader Ringgold, of the United States Navy. ‘The charts are very clearly and beautifully engraved... They embrace surveys of the Farallones, eu- trance to the bay of San Francisco, with a view of the bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and, apparently, every im- pertant poiut along the entire coast of California, and accompanied with plain sailing directions for approaching any part of that extensive line of coast. The pamphlet is also got up in a good style, and printed ina fine large type. These charts of Com. Ringzold willgio doubt prove voluable aids to navigators in those latitudes. Tre Skconp Mutmy ox Boarn tHe Suv CHaucnyar— ‘The rumor regarding the American clipper ship Chal- lenge Las proved correct. Consequent on the harsh con- duct of Captain Waterman and his mate (Douglas) during the passage round Cape Horn, the ship obtained uch an ill name in San Franoisco that great dificulty was experienced in obtaining hands to bring her across to China; and it was only by payment of advances of two hundred dollars apiece that forty men could be induced to sign an agreement to abide by the ship until she reached this port. or any place in Uhina, to which the acting muster (Lands) might wish to ‘go. Five days before the Challenge anchored outside they were about ene hundred and Any miles from Lukong, (between Ningpo and Shanghai) when the men came aft and d ptain Lands that fgo to any other place n Hongkong they would not; and insisted uj is compliance with their request. failing which they threatened to throw him overboard, and bring the ahip here themselves, Under such compulsion. and backed only by his officers and the purser, (eight of the forty men. by the way, did not sign the round robin handet in.) Capt, Lands very prudently steered for this place, althougit his destination was Shangiias : and when out- despatched a man from the piiot boat with a letter to his agents, Bush & Co.. (Anthon & Co ) who notified Commodore Aulick. by whom a file of marines was placed on board the Challenge before her anchor was weil on the round. The sight of the bayonet appears to have been cient to induce these cravens to get the ship under- on Saturday, and work her into a berth midway between the, Susquehanna and the Saratoga ou the op- posite shore: where she lies. a significant emblem of the great American nation, and clearest proof that the syatem dueation practised in the Amesican marine is wofully jefective. Captain Lands is the gentleman who, it will ‘remembered, told Captain Waterman that a San Fran- sco mob were about to search the ship for him, through which timely warning both Waterman and’ Douglas managed to escape for the time. Disappointed in the search they turned their fury on Captain Lands, and the rope to swing him to the yard arm was about his neck, when some, more tender hearted than the rest, became moved by the prayers und tears of his son. a youth, and his life was spared. Captain Lands is an oid navi tor in these seas, one of those mild, christian-like men, whose bearing, if anything could, would tume a savage. On’ the passage across, Captain Lands says that he bore more insult and annoyance than he hs ever been made to suffer before trom a crew ; he returned their ill language, however. simply with gen! tle reproof. On Sundays he read such portions of scrip- ture to them as he thought would affect their minds—ar- guing and endeavoring to iustil pride at the thought of being om bourd ene of the finest specimens of naval archi- tecture that ever crossed the ocean; but ail so no effect. Directly th e sails were tossed up on Saturday---(we will hey again came aft, and demand- a shore; this being refused, they gave way to more specimens of what they would do if jt One tall fellow we heard express a wish n Lands was in San Francisco again, in- stead of here. and the roy should be speedily round his neck, from which he would not then get clear so easily, The day before arrival, the cook was robbed of some hundred dollars, and cases of drills and shoes broken open and their contents distributed. Altogether, a more degraded set of scoun- drels never came into this port. and we trust the autho- rities will take proper care to prevent the shadow of sucla scum from darkening our highways—Friend of China, February 18, At the a of the United States Consul, Mr, Police Magistrate Hillier, with consent of His Exce liency, the overnor, undertook to examine the mutinvers of the uge ; and hus committed nine of the ringleadara, re told, who will be sent to America for final judg- ment.—Finend of Chine, February 2 Americas Crrrers ox tie Coxtinest of Rurore = We have received a copy of a report of a committee con- sisting of ship owners ind builders, nominated by the Hanoverinu government to investigate into the probable effect which the junction of Hanover with the Zollyerein is calew'ated to have upon the shipbuilding trade of that kingdom. In this report there are two paragraphs which refer more especially to the repeal of the navigation laws in th regard to free trade in German ships snd -* pping. which. coming from so competent a quarter, are important. At page 4 we find the following: — “VHh the repeal of the English navigation laws’ men of experience cannot deny that a new and decisive turn ing point has arrived for the shipbuilding interesta of Germany. especially in the North Sea, England has, With the differentia] duties of this act and the hitherto prevailing system of stip measurement, obviated the obstacles which notoriously impeded the growth of Its commercial navy, and the fruitful results of this step in advance in English shipbuilding js already unmistake- ably appararent. ‘The old, imperfect forms are graduail being dropped, and the mighty competition of the Nortiy American clippers, which are endeavoring to monopolize the freights of the world. and to drive England out of thy field even in her own colonies. has aroused the whole dormant energy of the English character. A competi. tion in navigation has ensued, such as the world never before witnessed, and ail nations that take any interest in the matter must exert themselves to the utmost to bear themselves pasty in so mighty a struggle, where every means are brought int \des,"-—=Londn Moriring Chronicle. © PN oo ey a ee TROUBLE AMONG THE Conc Loursvitie. Ky—Tt is said that the African Methodists of Louisville have, for some time past. been seriously, divided between the Church North and the Churelt, South, the slave members adhering to the latter, and the free colored persons to the former, ‘The dispute origi. hated upon the porsesion of @ new church which they had just built, and the whole matter, in the course of thrown into kD Mernopists 1 : shancery, By , ibie meeting: house was pul up, for nent ts t bidder. Both fuetions were in attendance, with their opposing counsel, in full force, and the bidding for @ time was spirited. The house was to be rented for ® month, and the bidding ran up from $800 to $700 per month, at which latter sum it was bid off to the Southorn faction, or slave members, The ront per year, at the sum bid, amounts to $8,400. Md Monn BLoomneism.—-Anothor National Womon’aye® Rights Convention is to mae be hold o¢ Westghester , Pon a one!