Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/453

Rh discovered the enemy in force on the two roads upon their right. On the 9th, General Scott, accompanied by Captain Lee, made an examination of the enemy's defences at the garita of San Antonio, and, on the following day, a thorough reconnaissance, in that quarter, and of the Paséo de las Vigas, connected with the San Antonio causeway by a road practicable for artillery, was executed by Lieutenants Beauregard,Stevens, and Tower., On the morning of the 11th, Captain Lee and Lieutenant Tower made another, and final examination, of the works commanding the southern approaches to the capital; the result of which was reported to the General-in-chief, at a council of war, held on the same day, at the church of La Piedad.

No serious collision took place with the enemy's forces during the execution of these reconnaissances. An occasional shot was thrown from the Mexican batteries at the garita of San Antonio; Lieutenant Colonel Duncan and Major Sumner had a slight skirmish with a small body of lancers, near Morales, on the morning of the 11th, in which two or three of the enemy were killed; and, in the afternoon, Captain Magruder fired upon a party of cavalry, about 500 strong, who were moving round the American right, in order, as was supposed, to discover their position and force. A number of shot and shells were thrown from his battery, planted in the hermitage at the end of the Niño Perdido causeway, and perfectly screened by rows of maguey, which caused the enemy to countermarch in haste, and retire under cover of their heavy guns. General Scott now resolved to put in execution a project which had been some time in contemplation. Including the works at the eight garitas, or principal entrances, there were forty-seven batteries around the