Page:A series of intercepted letters in Mexico.djvu/44

 (—The American loss was, altogether, a little over one thousand.)

August 21st.—This is a day of the most complete confusion; friends are looked for—some are found, some are not: of course affliction and tears are universal. It is said there is an armistice for forty-eight hours, for the purpose of burying the dead and collecting the wounded, and there is some talk about propositions of peace. Some battalions have retired from the gates to their quarters, and although I understand nothing, I understand this less.

The fault is generally laid upon Santa Anna; all are incensed, mad against him, even his most admitted friends. I believe the devils will take every thing, and now I have not a doubt the Yankees will enter the city, although it is said they have only six thousand men.

On Thursday, Gen. Valencia, to impede the progress of the enemy, took a position with his division on the hills of the hacienda Alsado [alias Magdalena—Contreras, &c.,] where he fought until dusk. Valencia had twenty or twenty-five pieces of artillery, and the Americans four mountain pieces. Gen. Santa Anna went to the aid of Valencia between four and half-past four in the afternoon, with four or five thousand men, but he advised Valencia to avoid a fight; but he, thinking his position advantageous, and wishing to encounter the Americans, disregarded the advice. During the combat, which commenced at about two o'clock in the afternoon, the forces under the command of Valencia were separated from those brought down by Santa Anna for his relief, but they had means of communication still open, and Valencia asked assistance of Santa Anna, in order to resist a new attack from the enemy. Gen. Santa Anna retired with his division to San Angel, [four or five miles,] quite satisfied, as he expressed himself, that he had saved the republic, for which he was cheered by the troops, who remained at San Angel; but he, not finding a convenient bed at San Angel, continued on, and slept at Churubusco. On Friday morning a new attack was made on Valencia, whose camp was carried by the bayonet, and he lost his artillery, and his division was either killed, taken prisoners or dispersed—but Valencia, of course, saved himself Santa Anna left San Angel so late in the morning, to return to Valencia, that he heard of Valencia's defeat on his way there to him. Every one agrees that Valencia committed a great fault in not obeying the orders of the