History of the Mexican War

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 edition. Excerpt: ... night of the 17th to Churubusco; General Bravo (in command of the line extending from Mexicalcingo, via Churubusco), to San Antonio, and General Rincon to follow Anaya. Santa Anna in person changed his headquarters to Churubusco, and the brigade of Perez. 3,000 strong, was ordered to Coyoacan. Mexican authorities admit that Santa Anna and his generals were greatly disappointed in not being attacked at the Pefion, where they were well prepared, and where the skill of the engineer, Robles, exerted in vain, was expected to accomplish great results. They were prompt, however, to change the position of their troops so as to confront those of Scott, now threatening the capital from the south. Mexicalcingo, under General Garcia, became the left of the new line; San Angel, under Valencia, the right; Coyoacan was held by Perez, and the Convent of San Pablo and tete-de-pont of Churubusco by Anaya. San Antonio, well fortified, was in front of the tete-de-pont and guarded the left of Coyoacan. The several points now held by Santa Anna lay contiguous, and were connected with good roads, by means of which his troops could act both promptly and advantageously. General Valencia's troops, he preceding them in a coach, arrived from Texcoco on the 17th at San Angel, where he mounted his horse and sallied out on a reconnoissance, following the road to Padierna, thence across the pedrigal towards San Augustin. He examined carefully and made inquiries as to the practicability of the pedrigal for artillery, determined to place batteries on the open ridge or hill called Pelon Cuauhtitlan, and ordered the engineers, Cadena and Segura, with Gen. Gonzalez de Mendoza and Don Jose Mario (a person of known skill) to make a detailed and thorough reconnoissance. His...