The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-11

The following spirited and highly interesting report oil
Col DE Russy, describing his engagements with the enc
my while his mission to Hueutla for the purpose
OF procuring the release of the Ell Encamacion prisoners
the overwhelming force by which he was opposed
the havoc he created in its snkshis ultimate triumph
retreat-apd the galantry Of hs officers and men
will be read with avidity by citizens;
TAMpIco (Mexico9 July Is, 1917.
SIR In obedience to your special order, No, Al, dated
9TH july directing to call upon Gen Garay, oil me
Mexican army, stationed at liuejutla and Clam IRON
him certain prisoners OF who, In your Judgment ana
for which you authorized me to suggest should
be entitled TO liberation, and, N case OF his eompanee
bring back said prisoners TO Tampico, proceeded with
escort OF one hundred and twenty SIX men IN It's exc
cution. My force composed Of Wyses company 81
artillery g men, with one ldpiece Boyd's COMPANY
A men, commanded by Cap,s. Mace and Segume' ana
eleven Of the volunteer company OF Iampeo rangers
The officers assigned to these troops were Capis wyse'
volunteers; with Lieuts. Toneyh, cavalry Linden
berger Campbell, and Heimberger, Louisiana volun-
teers The first of these acting aduant for the com
mand, the two latter as company oifcers TO oapiihs
Mace and Seguine; and Lieutenant Wells, command
ing the rangers There also with the party Sergeant
Singleton OF "La" company, acting sergeant MAJOR, and
Mr. Pemberton, amateur volunteer left this place
with my command on the morning OF the 18th m
slant, and reached the town of Aselhuama on the
9th which learned was within the district COM
military officer TO whom ] might communicate me
purpose of my mission was informed by the alcaide,
or chief magistrate that none were there applied 70
This tunconry for and other necessaIles, winch
supplied cheerlully and informed HIM hatmy tour
although accompanied bya military escort was not in
hostility, but 10 claim Of the commandment general some
American prisoners his custody by the orders OF Col
Gates, commanding in Iampico, and which l trusted
would be turned to me, for reasons which should
explain Thence continued my Journey to the 4ex
called Taniayuca which reached on the lltb. Here
also, was furnished by the alcalde with corn beef &C.
again communicated the character and purpose OF my
m ,aGInp anh n IN
military officer with whom might communicate, ana
who might accompany me TO the generals headquarters
at Huejutla, now distant about twenty-five miles
While here, perceived indications OF uneasness, pro-
ducing apprehension, that notwithstanding my
assurances of the pacific nature OF my VISIT formal prepa-
rations OF defence were beng arranged before me- but
could suspect to meet these short of the town occu
pied by the commanding general, at the approach to
which relied upon the white flag, (or sooner, should
meet any to whom might show t0 to make all right
and safe. On next morning, early, we moved towards
Hueutla Capt Boyd and his company being now the
advance guard with orders not to be more than two hun
dred yards before Having reached point eight miles
from last camp at Tantayuca, and about one mile
from the river Calaboso, met Mexican lndlan whom
nerrogated in reference to the road, &c. From this
man had learned that the Mexcans had made an am
buscade at the river; that Cen Garay was there him
self with large force, and that it was intended to at
tack there Immediately despatched the adlutant and
sergeant major to order Capt Boyd fall back the main
body it was too lae they had no sooner started to
municate the ORDER than heavy discharge OF muskety
heard and many single shots after We FASTENED to
the riverCaptan BOYD with SIX or ms men nad laiell
the remainder of his company had dispersed fled back
to As reached the ground, perceived the enemy
had cleared away the ground OF all bushes for the space
of yards either side of the road leaving beyond
that dense hedge of chapparal in OF which had
been constructed fence to prevent charges OF cavalry
in 'front.' upon the opposite bank was their main body
also protected by thick chapparal. charge was IN
santly made upon the right by Captain Mace and his
men, another upon the left by Captain Segulne and ms
men, and the feldpece, protected by Captain Wyses
company ordered forward TO the ground upon
the opposite bank. These movements were nearly slmnl
aneous, and were gallanry performed AT the first dis
charge the enemy were driven from the le1t; lwe
charges on the right also dlslodged hun from then
right and compelled him to unite in one mass upon the
opposite bank,
n THIS Sad hS ss p ns ses H se a a n9
the whole Of the engagement, exposed to the most de-
stuctive fire from the enemy directly in his front, SC
well concealed and protected by the thick underground
but seldom to be sufficiently to be fired upon with
any perfect precision There wounded, during the
service of this piece, six OF its squad Finally, the
enemy sounded their trumpe-whether for retreat or
charge, do not knows there was at all events, cessa
ton of their fire. AT that moment Capt Wyse delivered
discharge OF canister, fortunately aimed for the
time entirely TO paalyze their further action took this
opportunity to examine condition. We had now ex.
hausted all eldplece cartridges but three The road
to fuejua lay along gorge between steep accviues
town. Our and TANKS attacked by multi
tudes OF the of the towns left behind us on our adj
vance, who had already come as to take from
us all mules, packed with everything had in pro-
visions, money, and clothing. There seemed but one
way to make our return possibe was to regain if pos
sble the position had occupied in Tantayuca. i'm
medatey ordered retrograde, turned and retraced
our steps; Immediately there fell upon our TANKS
and large bodies OF the enemy at such distance,
however, to make their efforts but slightly efficient
AT every opportunity to reach them, rear command
ed by Capt Mace delivered their discharges of muskey
generally most fatal TO our pusuers While ascending
hill in the road, about one mile from Tanayuca very
spirited resistance made by the enemy stationed on
the summit, but they driven forward and dis
persed by many of Capt. Wyse's men could be
spared from the piece, who in tho advance, acting
as light infantry. AT this critical moment the piece was
made again to play very important part in the safety OF
retreat for had scarcely reached the summit of this
hill before the enemy rushing rear, driving in
the guard pack mules and everything else In confu
sion around the gun; but Capt. Wyse promptly unlm-
bered sighted, and elevated his gun himself; and when
death and confusion into the column of the advancing
enemy and before they could recover from this shock he
gave them another well -aimed discharge of canister,
which eiectualy prevented further attack from the
In this advanced nine miles, back to Tantayu-
ca--the whole ground being continued fight. When
arrived at that town, found organized force there
TO oppose Capt Seguine then in advance, was or
dercd TO prepare his for charge; and Capt Wyse
advancing his piece TO favorable position, discharged
upon opposers of last charges of canister and
Immediately thereon the charge made. The enemy
fed and dispersed in all directions
We gained the town, and Immediately crossed it 10 a
favorite mound overlooking and entirely commanding it.
Thus, masters here, had leisure and restore
condition to better capabilities of defence. Men were
despatched to the stores in the town. to procure powder
and ball from which number of cartridges were pre-
pared using champagne bottles half filled with balls with
the remaining space packed with eartha substitute fol