TO CHIHUAHUA. 421 
There is a hacienda with other buildings here. A 
portion of the valley might be cultivated by irrigation ; 
but it is for the advantages it offers for grazing, that 
the land is valuable. 
October 22d. Chihuahua is called twenty miles 
from Sacramento, which is a large estimate. Resum- 
ing our journey this morning, we came in sight of the 
city on reaching the crest of an elevated plain ten 
miles distant, from which there is a gradual descent to 
the city. This plain is of a desert-like character, with- 
out grass, and covered with small mezquit bushes. As 
we approached, and when within four or five miles of 
the city, it presented a beautiful appearance, surrounded 
on three sides by picturesque mountains with bold 
rocky sides quite detached from each other. Chihua- 
hua les in a basin formed by these mountains, and is 
encompassed with fine large cotton-woods, from which 
maintained their positions with much gallantry until we advanced with- 
in twenty or thirty paces of their entrenchments; at this distance the 
fire of our men was unerring, and any Mexican who raised his head 
above the breastworks fell. They soon broke and fled in the utmost 
confusion, and in every direction, towards the surrounding mountains. 
I immediately ordered the men to remount and charge the battery on 
our right, which was done in gallant style. When we reached the top 
of the hill we found that the Mexicans had fled, leaving the whole of 
their cannon, ammunition, wagons, etc. I saw them retreating in every 
- divection on foot. As cavalry we could have followed and cut off great 
numbers; but the victory was complete, and I wished to spare the use- 
less effusion of blood. 
“The morning after the battle, I entered the city of Chihuahua at 
the head of two companies of mounted men and two field or mountain 
_ howitzers from Major Clarke’s battalion.”—Report of Ineut. Colonel 
Mitchell to Colonel Doniphan. Haxecutive Document No.1, 30th Con- 
gress, 1st Sessvon. 
