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 Contreras, and that of Churubusco, and to-morrow or next day the Yankees will be in the capital. The Yankees have lost 4000 men out of the ten thousand they had, and with 6000 men they undertake to occupy the capital, which is almost incredible. We still have about 12,000 men, and entertain hopes of final success. Farewell—do not be anxious if we do not write. Remember me to the girls.

Aug. 21, 1847.

His Excellency M. O.

My Dear Friend:—I have before me your esteemed favor of the 16th inst., in answer to which I give you my sincere thanks for your offer of going to Pateoa, and with regard to what you say in reference to the business. I cannot accept your first offer, not even were the events less complicated; and with regard to the second, in order that it may not burden you, you will endeavor, notwithstanding the want of communication, to draw on me for one hundred dollars, and do not lose any opportunity of writing to me, in order that I may keep you in funds.

It is exceedingly painful to me to communicate the distressing news of the loss of our capital, and I will endeavor, so far as 1 have time, to give you a circumstantial account of all that has happened.

In order that we may understand ourselves, it is necessary to give you an idea of the general plan of defence adopted by our generals, or properly by Santa Anna alone. The principal line, running from North to South, was determined by the fortified points of Penon (old) Mexicalcingo, and the hacienda of San Antonio, and the extremes (flanks) were covered by Valencia's division, which was moveable from Texcuco on the left to San Angel on the right, at the same time being available for the defence of the line from San Antonio to Chapultepec, whilst Alvarez' division of cavalry was ordered upon the rear of the enemy, in order to complete their destruction in case of a rout. With regard to the fortifications, in order that you may form some idea of them, I will say this—that on the road of Tlapam (San Augustin) there were fortifications at San Antonio, a strong fort at Churubusco and at the bridge. There were some fortifications in the plain of Natividades, about a league from the city, and also at the garita (entrance) of the city, called San Antonio Abad.

Our assembled forces amounted, at the least, to twenty-six thousand men, of all arms, with about seventy pieces of