Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-06-02
lions OF its own people in state OF slavery, anu
absurdly arrogates 10 itself an absolute uG'd'o'-
NEWS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.

strong, clear and wel-wriiten dispatches, was
right, when he said that The Mexican army was
dsorganized, in consequence oil the disastrous
battles of The 9Th and 9th. The intelligence oy
Yesterdays Southern mail announces, that moi
s;nole MEXICAN soldier is TO be found on our SOIL
on this side the Rio Grandc-lhat detachment
of our troops have unresisted, taken possession
of the little town OF Barila, and have planted Inc
American standard on Mexican terrory-lhat
Gen. TAYLOR on The morning of the 18th May
was about 10 attack Matamoras, which would
doubtless yield without much opposition, as 2ooo
roops in distressed condition were seen retreat
inc from the town, and making their escape 10
the Businesses Of the Interior What strange
contrast 10 the late pompous threats and boasts OF
The Mexican Generals! In few short days,
the flower OF the Mexican army broken TO pieces,
an important frontier town abandoned 10 their
enemies, and her two celebrated Generals, Arista
and Ampudia, sans euiottes, swimming The River
and running for their lives! The moral can ca
silly be applied.
Ii is difficult TO say, what will be the next scene
enacted in this interesting drama. To Judge
from the past mbecility and weakness of Mexi-
co, we might presume that the terrible disasters
on the Rio Grande would induce her Govern
ment TO come forward and sue for peace on any
terms But, il is not 10 be denied that the SOL
diers and officers OF the late army Of Mexico
were vastly superior, in skill and courage, TO the
wrelched outcasts and convicts, which filled up
the ranks Of the army vanquished by Houston
and the Texans on the field OF San Jacnto.-
Ner can we Danish from our minds The impress
sion that foreign aid has forced itself indirectly
into the Mexican policy. Moreover, as will be
seen from the annexed New Orleans letter in the
New York News, General La Vega avows the
opinion that the Mexicans will yet give us a
hard fight. From the elements before US, il is,
therefore, impossible TO make any reasonable
calculations.
Certain it is, however, that unless Mexico
comes forward promptly with offers Of peace, The
American Army will proceed into the interior,
and by seizng her provinces force her to terms
In the meantime and until sufficient reinforce.
ment shall be collected Gen. r. will occupy COM
Portable quarters al Maamoras Every thing
goes 10 show, that he is the man for the occasion
and the country will warmly approve the course
ofthe President in clothing him with the honors
and responsibilities OF MAJOR General. He has
done his duty SO faithfully and triumphanty,
that he should enjoy The browning glory OF bring
ing The war 10 termination.
The following extracts OF a letter from New
Orleans TO the n. Y. Morning News are full Of
interest:
"Gen. La Vega was taken prisoner in the bat
lie of Resacu de la Palma, while defending The
pass SO gallanlly carried BY Capt. May and TWO
companies OF d dragons, backed by the 9Th in
lantry. Before the resistless charge of the dra-
goons, who few over the battery BY forms, most
of the Mexican artillery fled in confusion 10 the
Rio Giande, which they took whenever they
could lind it our; but Gen. La Vega, seiZing
match, was preparing 10 fire q cannon almost
alone, when he was attacked By the dragoons.-
He turned 10 defend himself, and between The
wheels OF two cannon fought like lion, refusing
10 surrender 10 any but an officer Captain May
in The meantime returning called off his men,
when Gen. La Vega surrendered 10 his gallant
conqueror. There being but liule prospect that
an officer Of equal dignity in the American army
will be taken prisoner, General Taylor being the
only Brigadier General in The army, and he ra-
Their hard 10 take,) Gen. La Vega was sent TO ~
| Orleans with three other Mexican officers, prison
ers. He has been treated here with the respec,
and honor due 10 his gallanry and high charac-
| Ter. and The humane and generous feelings which
he displayed 10 the Texans, whilst they were his
prisoners in the Mier expedition, and on other oc-
casions. Gen. La Vega is fine looking man,
with an intelligent, gallant and amiable ex
| preston, Spanish features, and a cool, self
possessed military air. He expressed himself
| in terms Of gratitude for The kind treatment re-
ceived from General Taylor and the American
| officers. The former who is wealthy planter,
| gave his distinguished prisoner a letter of credit
on his merchant in New Orleans, 10 deiray his
| expenses whilst here. General La Vega is the
officer with whom Gen. Worth had the interest
ing conference on the Rio Grande just before
Worth planted The stars and stripes on The banks
OF that now celebrated stream. He has been in
almost every battle with the Texans on the from
tier, and has always maintained the character OF
a chivalrous and ma nanimous soldier. He says
that the United States Artillery is not 10 be equal
led in the world-that the rapidly and accu-
racy of their fire was perfectly marvellous
that The cannon seemed 10 multiply themselves,
50 that instead Of eight, the Mexicans thought
there were fifty pieces firing on them at once
but he will not admit that The Mexicans arc con-
quered, though they have been badly beaten
| He says, il the soldiers are faithful 10 their
officers, the Mexicans will yet give Uncle
Sam hard fight The other prisoners with
General La Vega are young men, with fine
erect persons, large mustachos, and very Indian
features. In the late glorious battles, the Mexi-
cans have exhibited traits Of character very diff
terent from what we are in the habit of atlTibu-
ting TO them. They fought with the greatest
courage and frmness; their defeat was the
triumph OF superior skill, rather than of supe-
ror valor. Their cavalry rushed like whir-
wind upon the rear OF our army, and speared Sc
veral men, among Them Lieutenant CochranP,
who was pierced in seven places; but the Sd and
9Th infantry met them in squares, and gave them
a fire, which scattered the mastering forces
through the charporal. But will not enter on
the details OF the battles OF the 9Th and 9th May;
they are fully described in the New Orleans pa
pers General Taylor receives praises from
every one he has shown himself consummate
General, and considering his age, his wealth,
| long services, and the many sacrifices he has
made for his country in the Texas campaign, he
is entitled 10 the warmes thanks OF The nation.
trust the President will crafty the universal
voice OF the people, and make him Major &C.
neral At The head Of fifty thousand men, such
as will flock to his standard from The valley ofhe
Mississippi, he will soon be able 10 dictate terms
10 Mexico in the Principal de San Pedro"
The people of Baltimore are deeply affected by
the death OF their favoriie, Maj. Ringod. The
flags OF the shipping and public places were at
halfmast on Tuesday, as token of respect 10
the memory of The late Major Ringod and his
brave compariots in arms.
In The Baltimore County Court, Judge Legrand
made beautiful reply TO the feeling and elo-
quent remarks OF Attorney General Richardson,
announcing the death of Maj. Ringold, and said,
"He is gone, but the fame his late brilliant con-
duct won will henceionh constitute part Of The
pride and history of his country"
According 10 the Baltimore Republican, "Ma-
jor Samuel Ringold was born at Front Park, near
Hagerslown, Washington county, Maryland
He was The son of General Samuel Rim
gold who represented the State Of Mary
land in the Senate of the United States du-
ring the late war, if we remember rightly, with
Great Britain. Major Ringeld was educated for