The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-06-02
The Mexfcaus Twice R0uiec Ans'
Twelve Hundred kIIled!


Our express reached Washington in
advance of every thug, and was by our
energetic correspondent communicated, to
us by Morse's Magnetic Telegraph. We
hasten TO i issue it in an Extra Sun.
By the Daily Picayune and an Extra
from the Mobile Advertiser, of the 18TH
we have news, the substance OF which is
contained in the following:
There a betn two engagements be.
tween Gen. Taylor and Mexican troops
the first occurring on the 9TH inst, wher
Gen. Taylor was returning from Point
Isabel TO his camp opposite Matamoras.
In this the McXicans, numbering from
5000 TO 1000, were repulsed. Our Ar
my was sleeping on the field Of battle, on
which next day 200 Mexicans were found
dead, and several pieces Of artillery,
stores, &C., were captured by the Ameri-
can army. Major Ringgold died from a
wound received in this action. OF the
two days battle, we can only give the fol-
lowing particulars from the Picayune.
The u. S. steamer, Gel. Harney, arri-
we'd this morning just as our paper was
going TO press, from Brazos Santiago
She left on the 22d inst, The news is
glorious 10 our arms. She brings ofli-
cial accounts of second battle between
the Mexican and American forces, which
took place on the 9th of May, commen-
cling at half past P. NJ. within 3 miles
of Camp Taylor. The action was on
the edge of ravine, and one mile from
The chapparral, which was near IL miles
in width. The Mexicans commenced
the action with their artillery, which was
posted so as to sweep narrow passage
through which Geueral Taylor was adj
vancIng, there being swamp OH the 9TH
er side.
Gen. Taylor Immediately ordered a
charge in the teeth Of the enemys des-
tructive FIRE, and the troops promptly res
ponding, carried the enemies guns at the
point of the bayonet. So sudden and
impenous was the attack, that General
Arista had no time TO save his papers,
which with all his correspondence, fell
into the hands of Gen. Taylor.
The action lasted one hour and half,
IN which time six hundred Mexicans
were killed and wounded, and the Amer
leans took three hundred prisoners, and
eight pieces Of Artillery.
The Americans lost in the action about
sixty-two killed and wounded. Among
the killed were Col. Mcintosh, Lieut.
Cochran, by the bursting of a shell; Lieut..
Inge, and one or two others, whose names
are not given.
Col. Kane, Lieuts. Gates, Verkank,
Hooe, Luther and others, were among
the wounded.
We regret to say that Major Ringgold,
who was wounded on the 9TH inst, died
on the 10, and was buried with military
honors.
The total loss Of the Mexicans in both
actions was at least twelve hundred.
The Mexican forces amounted to at
least 5000 men, while that of the Ameri-
cans did not exceed 1000.
An exchange of prisoners took place
subsequent to the battle, by which Cap
tain Thornton and Lieutenants Hardee
and Kane were released. Lieut.. Deas was
not demanded.
Among the prisoners taken by General
Taylor was Gen. Veja. For him two
American officers were offered in ex-
change, but it was declined to give him
up, save in exchange for an officer of e.
quail rank, whenever one should be ta-
ken.
Gen. Vela was allowed to be accompa-
MED by one of the Aids, Lieut.. Colo
mel, as friend.
The Mexican Army was so confident
OF victory that every prepartion was made
TO celebrate il, but all their preparations
fell into the hands of the Americans.
In their fight many of the Mexicans
took to the river, and were drowned in
their attempt to swim it.
Gen. Taylor reached his camp the af-
ternoon after the action, leaving there his
whole force, He started the next morn
ing for Point Isabel, and arrived there on
the evening Of the 10th, without moles-
iation.
On the morning of the llth he started
oack 10 MS camp opposite Matamoras.-
We need not say that be and his army
are all in fine spirits.
Further information has been received
that the American Consul and all the A.
merican residents at Matamoras had been
arrested and sent to Saltillo, small
town about 80 miles from Matamoras.
The friends Of Captain Thornton will
be gradfied to learn that he is still living;
letters have been received from him at
the camp, announcing that he been cap
tured by the enemy and was held pris-
oner at Matamoras. He will be back to
the camp in few days.
KILLED AND WOUNDED.
BY the. official report of the action, it