Page:A series of intercepted letters in Mexico.djvu/37

 defeat of Valencia, and the successful attack at Churubusco, and concludes as follows:

August 21st,

J. O.—In fact, we have lost the greatest part of the flower of the army, and almost all of our artillery. However, we have still from seven to eight thousand men, who are in charge of the garitas (city entrances,) which, if well protected, we could still gain a day of glory for our nation, routing the enemy, who have lost nearly half of their forces, and are now stationed within gun-shot of the garitas, at * * * * and San Angel. All I can say is, that the events of the day are inconceivable, considering the immense number of troops we have brought together, the instruction and discipline they have undergone, and the resources we have obtained with great labor. Our triumph appeared to be certain.

(2d Extract.)

Aug. 21.

My Dear Jesusita:—It never passed my imagination, nor could I have believed that I should to-day be obliged to give you news so opposite to our hopes, with regard to the resistance which the enemy would have to encounter. You will remember that on Wednesday last, the division of San Luis was under command of Valencia (referring to the regular troops from San Luis Potosi). He moved from Tacubaya, and encamped on the hills of the Magdalena, (near the village of Contreras), in order to impede the march of the enemy from San Augustin, through the Pedregal, (i. e., broken volcanic grounds, full of pointed stones, and great chasms nearly impassable from their own character), to take possession of Santa Fe and Tacubaya. In this manner it appeared that everything for defence was perfectly well arranged. But on Thursday afternoon (the 19th Aug.), we heard an unexpected sound like that of cannon. I instantly went to the top of the house, and distinctly saw a large volume of smoke towards the village of San Geronimo, near San Angel. From the direction of the smoke, as I looked through a glass, I supposed that Valencia was attacking the enemy with a heavy fire of artillery, not answered by the enemy, who retired at dusk, thereby leaving me to believe he had been repulsed. I therefore went to bed, indulging hopes; but the enemy was too astute to go to sleep. It is said that the enemy intended to pass by the way of Contreras, but I believed that their only object that afternoon (the 19th) was to make a reconnoissancereconnaissance [sic] of Valencia's camp, as proved to be the case. During the night there was a heavy fall of rain, which continued until