The Battle of Churubusco [pp. 78-116]

84 Battle of Churubusco. [July,
6th infantry in advance, to strike the enemy beyond. But
their career was suddenly checked by a tremendous fire
from the t~te-de-pont, which was aggravated by a severe
discharge on their flank from the convent. They could
not sustain it-the division was a long way be~ind; yet
they would not retreat, and diverged to the right into a
corn field for shelter. A desultory fire was kept up for
awhile, but without hope of prompt support, the greater
portion withdrew to the approaching division. A few
men, however, under* Walker, Armistead, and others,
held their ground for a while longer.
llaving conducted the antagonist armies to the scene
of combat, it becomes necessary to describe, briefly, the
field of operations, and the enemy's defences, and to state
the numbers of the respective forces.
The hamlet of Churubusco consists principally of scattered mud houses, and lies on the southern side of the
river (?) of the same name. It is situated in an extensive
flat, which, divided into fields, and subject to inundation
by means of irrigating drains, was mainly covered in
August by a full growth of Indian corn. Its eastern quarter is traversed by the San Antonio causeway, whieb
flanked by deep ditches, and fringed with magney and'
other trees, runs due north, four miles, to the city. Along
its southern border passes the Coyacan road, abutting at
right angles against the causeway. At its western extremity, some three hundred and fifty yards from the
Causeway-two hundred yards or more north of the Coya
* The 6th infantry detachment numbered about 150 men, and was cornmanded by Capt. Wm. fJoffman. The Walker alluded to, now Brevet Lieut.
Col., is a native of Augusta, Georgia. At O-kee~cho~be, Florida, he was
struck by five bails -two of the wounds were highly dangerous, one il~rough
the neck, the other in the chest. He escaped at Churubusco, but we will notice him again at Molino del Rey. His daring and chivalrous spirit has impelled him to fearful hazards, and desperate wounds; and yet he is in harness
for another encounter, whenevoy the occasion may offer. V~e have known
him from early youth, and in charactcr, the boy was father to the man.
Augusta had another representative in Lieut. V. M. Gardner, 2d infantry.
lie placed his hands first on one of the guns captured at Contreras. At Churubusco he was amid the sweeping fire from the right flank, and received two
wounds. Reports of Riley and Capt. T. Morris, Doc. No. 1. App. pp. 90-96.
And yet a third distinguished officer of the 20th, although born in ScuthCarolina, was reared near Augusta-Lient. James Longstreet, 8th infantry.
lie was the adjutant of his regiment, and, with its colours floating over him,
he was the first to plunge into the ditch of the tete.de.roat, and the first in
the work. Worth's report.