Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/87

Rh During the night, the divisions of Pillow and Twiggs marched towards the strong works of Contreras, to be prepared for an assault in the morning. This was a very fatiguing march. The darkness of the night, the torrents of rain pouring down upon them, the wild roaring of the winds, the ridges from rocks of lava to pass over, the denseness of the brushwood, the swollen streams to cross, presented difficulties rarely surpassed.

At eight the next morning, the batteries of the enemy opened upon the hacienda of San Antonio, where General Worth was posted. This cannonading was heavy. The air was shaken by the heavy explosions, while houses and even strong fortifications were shattered to pieces and fell in thundering ruins, beneath the showers of shot and shells. Almost all of the streets were swept by bullets and large bombs which burst in the air, and hurled slugs, shot and fragments among our ranks, making sad havoc. But the Yankees were not frightened yet. They placed themselves behind walls and buildings, and calmly, amid this scene of confusion, prepared for action. Soon the divisions of Pillow and Twiggs moved on towards Contreras, arriving about one P. M. General P. F. Smith was ordered to march up in front of the enemy's works, and Colonel Riley, to move with rapidity towards the right, gain the main road, and prevent any re-enforcements of the enemy. Smith dashed forward under a tremendous fire and secured a good position for his artillery. Every battery and gun on both sides roared away with horrible sublimity and actually shook the ground for miles around, and their reverberations rolled with grandeur along the lofty ridges of the mountains. The few guns of our advanced battery were soon silenced, and General Pierce proceeded to the relief of General Smith.