The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-12-04
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES
REPORT OF GENERAL LANE.

beseiged forty days, and that his posi-
Htion was becoming a very critical one,
principally for the want of proper sup
plies, For the particulars of this seige,
Respectfully refer you to The report Of
Col Childs himself. AS my command
neared the city, firing was distinctly
heard; and feeling confident that my
force was sufficient to enter the city at
once. | directed Col. Brough, with the
Ohio regiment, and Capt. Heintzelman's
battalion, 10 enter on the main road
Upon, our approach, found the enemy
upon the house-tops and in the streets,
firing occasional shots. The troops
moved up toward the main plaza, driv'
ing the scattered forces of the enemy
before them, aud completely clearing
the streets and city, and killing a few
OF the enemy. Immediately all wa
quiet, and order restored. should re.
mark, also, that | found ten or twelve
of Col. Child's men, who had been kill
ed by the enemy that morning, and but
a short time before IA entering the
city. Col. Child and command are en-
titled 10 the highest consideration from
his government for the gallant defence
they have made against the repeated
attacks Of the enemy during the long
and serious siege. My thanks are due
10 the whole Of my command, for the
gallant manner in which they obeyed
my orders, and attacked and drove the
enemy.
have the honor to be, sir, very re-
specially, your most obedient servant,
JOSEPH LANE,
- Brigadier General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT, PUEBLA,l
Puebla, (Mexico,) Oct. IS, lS47.
SIR:-i have the honor to make the
following report OF an engagement be-
tween a part of my forces and the enc
my, under the command OF Gen. Santa
Anna, at the city of Huamantla, on the
9th inst. After my departure from
Vera Cruz, and when near the San
Juan river, a party of guerillas was OBJ
served near the hacienda of Santa An
ma. Capt. Lewis company ofmounted
volunteers was detached in pursuit; a
portion of the command, under Lieut..
Lilley, came upon the eremy, and had a
smart skirmish with them. Lieut.. Lii
ley behaved in the most gallant man.
ner, rally ing and encouraging his men
under a severe fire. Upon leaving
Pasa de Ovejas, the rear guard was
fired upon by a small guerilla force, and
Iregret TO have to announce the death
of Lieut.. Cline, who was shot in the af-
fair. He is reported to have been a
most energetic and efficient young off.
Ger, belonging to Capt. Lewis compa-
nv of louisiana mounted volunteers.
At various points on the road ru-
mors reached me that a large force
was concentrating between Perote and
Puebla. These rumors were confirm
ed on my arrival at ihe former place,
and | also received the additional in
telligence that Santa Anna in person
commanded them, having about four
thousand men and six pieces of a%rtilIe-
ry No molestation occurred until my
arrival at the hacienda San Antonio
Tamaris, at which place, through the
medium Of my spies, | learned that the
enemy were at the city of Huamantla.
Leaving my train packed at the former
place, guarded by Col. Brough's regi.
ment Ohio volunteers, Capt. Simmons
battalion of three companies, and
Lieut.. Pratt's battery, my force con-
sisting of Col. Wynkoop's battalion
(from Perote,) Col. Germans regiment
of Indiana volunteers, Capt. Heintz'e-
mans battalion of six companies, Maj.
Lally's regiment Of four companies of
mounted men, under command of Sam
uel H. Walker, mounted riflemen, and
five pieces Of artillery, under command
of Capt. Geo. Taylor, Sd artillery, as
sisted by Lieut.. Field, artillery. On
arriving near the city at about l o'clock,
p. M, Capt. Walker, commanding the
advance guard, (of horsemen) was or.
dered to move forward ahead of the CO.
umn, (but Within supporting distance,)
to the entrance of the city, and if the
enemy were in force, to await the ARR.
val Of the infantry before entering.-
When within about three miles, parties
OF horsemen being seen making their
way through the fields towards he city.
Capt. Walker commanded a gallop.-
Owing to the thick maguay bushes lin.
ing the sides of the road, it was impos.
sibie to distinguish his further move.
ments. But a short time had elapsed
when firing was heard from the city.
The firing continuing, the column was
pressed forward as rapidly as possible
AT this time a body Of about 1000 Ian
GERS were seen hurrying over the hills