AMERICAN ADVANCE AND VICTORY AT CONTRERAS. 395 



long distance against an entrenched camp was worse than useless 

 on such a ground, and although General Smith's and Colonel Riley's 

 brigades, supported by Generals Pierce's and Cadwallader's, had 

 been under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry for more than three 

 hours along the almost impassable ravine in front and to the left of 

 the Mexican camp, yet so little had been effected in destroying the 

 position that the main reliance for success was correctly judged to be 

 in an assault at close quarters. The plan had been arranged in the 

 night by Brigadier General Persifer F. Smith, and was sanctioned 

 by General Scott, to whom it was communicated through the inde- 

 fatigable diligence of Captain Lee, of the Engineers. 



At 3 o'clock A. M. of the 20th August, the movement com- 

 menced on the rear of the enemy's camp, led by Colonel Riley and 

 followed successively by Cadwallader's and Smith's brigades, the 

 whole force being commanded by General Smith. 



The march was rendered tedious by rain, mud and darkness ; 

 but, about sun rise, Riley reached an elevation behind the Mexicans, 

 whence he threw his men « upon the works, and, storming the en- 

 trenchments, planted his flag upon them in seventeen minutes. 

 Meanwhile Cadwallader brought on the general assault by crossing 

 the deep ravine in front and pouring into the work and upon the fugi- 

 tives, frequent volleys of destructive musketry. Smith's own brigade 

 under the temporary command of Major Dimick, discovered, oppo- 

 site and outside the work, a long line of Mexican cavalry drawn up 

 in support, and by a charge against the flank, routed the horse com- 

 pletely, while General Shields held masses of cavalry, supported by 

 artillery, in check below him, and captured multitudes who fled 

 from above. 



It was a rapid and brilliant feat of arms. Scott, — the skilful 

 and experienced General of the field, — doubts in his despatch 

 whether a more brilliant or decisive victory is to be found on record, 

 when the disparity of numbers, the nature of the ground, the artifi- 

 cial defences, and the fact that the Americans accomplished their 

 end without artillery or cavalry, are duly and honestly considered. 

 All our forces did not number more than 4,500 rank and file, while 

 the Mexicans maintained, at least, six thousand on the field, and 

 double that number in reserve under Santa Anna, who had advanced 

 to support but probably seeing that it was not a spot for his theory of 

 a general action, and that an American force intervened, declined 

 aiding his disobedient officer. The Mexicans lost about 700 killed, 

 813 prisoners, including 4 Generals among 88 officers. Twenty- 

 two pieces of brass ordnance, thousands of small arms and accoutre- 



