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Number of prisoners, killed and wounded.

Mills, of the 15th infantry, a volunteer in this charge, was killed at the gate.

So terminated the series of events which I have but feebly presented. My thanks were freely poured out on the different fields-to the abilities and science of generals and other officers to the gallantry and prowess of all-the rank and file included. But a reward infinitely higher—the applause of a grateful country and government, will, I cannot doubt, be accorded, in due time, to so much merit, of every sort, displayed by this glorious army, which has now overcome all difficulties-distance, climate, ground, fortifications, numbers.

It has in a single day, in many battles, as often defeated thirty-two thousand men; made about three thousand prisoners, including eight generals, (two of them ex-presidents,) and two hundred and sixty-five other officers; killed or wounded four thousand of all ranks-besides entire corps dispersed and dissolved;-captured thirtyseven pieces of ordnance-more than trebling our siege train and field batteries-with a large number of small arms, a full supply of ammunition of every kind, &c., &c. These great results have overwhelmed the enemy.

Our loss amounts to one thousand and fifty-three ;killed, one hundred and thirty-nine, including sixteen officers; wounded, eight hundred and seventy-six, with sixty officers.

After so many victories, we might, with but little additional loss, have occupied the capital the same evening. But Mr. Trist, commissioner, &c., as well as myself, had been admonished by the best friends of peace-intelligent neutrals and some American residents against precipitation-lest, by wantonly driving

Armistice.

away the government and others-dishonoured-we might scatter the elements of peace, excite a spirit of national desperation, and thus indefinitely postpone the hope of accommodation. Deeply impressed with this danger, and remembering our mission to conquer a peace-the army very cheerfully sacrificed to patriotism -to the great wish and want of our country-the eclat that would have followed an entrance-sword in handinto a great capital. Willing to leave something to this republic of no immediate value to us-on which to rest her pride, and to recover temper-I halted our victorious corps at the gates of the city, (at least for a time,) and have them now cantoned in the neighbouring villages, where they are well sheltered and supplied with all necessaries.

On the morning of the 21st, being about to take up battering or assaulting positions, to authorize me to summon the city to surrender, or to sign an armistice. with a pledge to enter at once into negotiations for a peace-a mission came out to propose a truce. Rejecting its forms, I despatched my contemplated note to President Santa Anna-omitting the summons. The 22d, commissioners were appointed by the commanders of the two armies; the armistice was signed the 23d, and ratifications exchanged the 24th.

Negotiations were actively continued with, as was understood, some prospect of a successful result up to the 2d inst., when our commissioner handed in his ultimatum, (on boundaries,) and the negotiators adjourned to meet on the 6th.

Some infractions of the truce, in respect to our supplies from the city, were earlier committed, followed by

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war.

Violation of the armistice by Santa Anna.

apologies on the part of the enemy. Those vexations I was willing to put down to the imbecility of the government, and waived pointed demands of reparation while any hope remained of a satisfactory termination of the But on the 5th, and more fully on the 6th, I learned that as soon as the ultimatum had been considered in a grand council of ministers and others, President Santa Anna, on the 4th or 5th, without giving me the slightest notice, actively recommenced strengthening the military defenses of the city, in gross violation of the third article of the armistice.

On that information which has since received the fullest verification, I addressed to him a note on the 6th. His reply dated the same day, received the next morning, was absolutely and notoriously false, both in recrimination and explanation.

Being delayed by the terms of the armistice more than two weeks, we had now, late on the 7th, to begin to reconnoiter the different approaches to the city, within our reach, before I could lay down any definitive plan of attack.

The same afternoon a large body of the enemy was discovered hovering about the Molinos del Rey within a mile and a third of this village, where I am quartered with the general staff and Worth's division.

It might have been supposed that an attack upon us was intended; but knowing the great value to the enemy of those mills (Molinos del Rey) containing a cannon foundry, with a large deposit of powder in Casa Mata near them; and having heard, two days before, that many church bells had been sent out to be cast into guns the enemy's movement was easily understood,

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