The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-08-10
" oil. 5.--No. 50

to get off on the evening of the l6th.-
Our letters say nothing about the force
collected at the National Bridge to oppose
our advance. Gen. Pierce had been i'll,
but had recovered from his attack.
"The Governor of Vera Cruz had re-
ceived such information as led him TO
suppose an attack would be made upon
the city as soon as Gen. Pierce left, and
precautions had been taken to defend the
place. General orders were issued Tor
every citizen to enrol himself under Cap
tain Tibbitts, and hold himself in readi-
ness for any emergency"
In conclusion, we give the subjoined
account Of skirmish between a small
body OF our troops and the Mexicans, OH
or near the Panuco river, as furnished by
Capt. AULD, of the steamer New Orleans
which brought over the foregoing intelIi-
gence. He left Vera Cruz on the 18th
instant, and Tampico on the 18Th:
"Capt. Aud reports that Gen. Pierce
left Vera Cruz on the morning Of the 18th
instant with $500 men, and train Of
$50 baggage wagons. The New Orleans
arrived at Tampico on the morning of the
18th instant, and the Captain was inform
ed by Col. Gates that COL DeRussy,
with detachment of Louisiana volun-
teers, part of Capt. Wise's company of
artillery, and Capt. Boyd, with one COM
pany of infantry, amounting ia all to Il5
or l20 men and officers, left by the way
of the river on the 6th instant for the pur-
pose OF relieving the American prisoners,
and landed go miles up the river, from
the steamer Undine and Mary Summers,
without seeing an enemy, and the boats
returned to Tampico al o'clock p. NJ.
on the 18th instant.
"An express arrived at Tampico from
Col. DeRussy, stating that they had been
permitted to move on uninterruptedly un-
I'll they got into narrow pass near Hue
Julia, when they were surrounded by
| 200 or l, 400 men, under Gen. Garay.
Col. DeRussy's command had suffered
considerable loss, but, with the assistance
Of Capt. Wise's artillery, they had cut
their way to the river, and there waited
for reinforcements.
"Col. Gates dispatched the New Or
leans back to Vera Cruz with a requisi-
ton on Col. Wilson for four companies
Of infantry. He had also sent the steam
boats Undine and Mary Summers up the
river with $50 men 10 Col. DeRussy's
assistance.
"'Fhe New Orleans arrived at Vera
Cruz on the 10Th, at 2 o'clock p. NJ,
and found the city in a state Of excite
ment. Gen. Pierce had marched out, as
above stated, and encamped about ten
miles from the city, when the advance
guard came in and reported a heavy force
Of Mexicans at the National Bridge, who
were marching towards the city. Every
thing was got ready for action. The
shipping was removed from between the
castle and the city. Gen. Pierce rein
forced his command with 7eO men, ma
king in all 1920. In consequence OF this
difficulty the requisition from Col. Gates
on Col. Wilson could not be complied
with. The New Orleans took on board
twenty-five marines from the United
States sloop Saratoga, on the morning of
the I7th instant, and sailed for Tampico,
previous to which Gen. Pierce had
marched out 10 meet the enemy. The
New Orleans arrived at Tampico on the
morning of the 18th. A detachment
which had gone up the river had returned,
and Geported as follows, as near as we
can ascertain
1.-The troops under Col. DeRussy had
marehed within seven miles of HueiutIa
on the morning Of the 18th. when the
Mexicans commenced heavy fire on
them from all directions. Capt. Wise
got his piece of artillery to bear on them,
when, after receiving six or eight rounds
Of grape, which cut lane through their
line, they gave way and aed to The chapar.
rel. The Americans continued fighting
their way back along the road towards
the river at intervals until the morning of
the 10th, when they were relieved by
reinforcement of l50 men. They re-
turnedsto Tampico at late hour on the
10th, with a loss of twenty men killed,
ten wounded and two smissing. Among
the number was Capt. Boyd, who fell IN
the firsteharge, with three balls through
his body also his First Lieutenant, who
fell mort4Ily wounded, and was left dying
ON the field.
"Col. DcRussy had several balls
through his coat Capt Wise had his
horse shot from under him. The men
and officers fought braveIy. The Mexi-
can loss is reported by lieutenant to be
$50 killed and 100 wounded. The Ameri-
cans also lost IL OF l5 horses and so
pack mules.
Lieut.. Whipplc, acting adjutant Of the
9Th infantry, was lassoed by small party
of guerrilleros on the 10Th instant, when
retiring from the cemetery, within four
hundred yards of the walls of the city Of
Vera Cruz. They were pursued by the