The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-02-09
LATER FROM THE ARMY.
8 t OF

OOls INCLAiS1 L 1922
the 18th, direct from Victoria, with des-
patches from General Taylor to General
Shields, TO suspend operations for the
present.
Gen. Taylor had entered Victoria with
| Gen. Quitman on the 9th. eo
Gen. Qultman had driven the Next
cans before him for thirty or forty miles
before entering Victoria. The Mexican
force was very reluctant to give up the
place, and only retired at one side, as
Gen. Quitman was entering on the other.
Having no cavalry with him, he could
not pursue the retreating enemy.
Col. Kenney parted with Gen. Taylor
at Monte Morales, and pushed on towards
Victoria with Gen. Quitman, thence pro-
cceding alone to Tampico. There was
no reason 10 suppose that Generals But
Ter and Worth had moved from Saltillo,
though it was so reported.
The Mexican Army is believed to be
not far off, though the Mexican soldiers
seen in the n~eighborhood of Saltillo are
now supposed to have been the advanced
party of some 1900 or 1900 men kept
in position on this side Of the desert be-
tween Saltillo and San Luis, TO destroy
the water tanks III case the American ar
my should move in force in the direction
Of San Luis.
This fact precludes the idea Of any Sc
rious attack upon Generals Worth or
Wool being mcditated, the object Of the
Mexicans being only to keep a watch
upon the American forces, and retreat be-
fore any advance to cut off the supplies
Of water.
Col. Kenncy brought a to Tam
pico. that $4,000 Mexicans were to at
tack SaltilIo on the 9th uIt., and verbal
news was brought TO New Orleans by
the Georgiana, TO the effect that Santa
Anna had pleced himself between Gen
erals Taylor and Worth with $4,000 men,
and that a general action was Immediately
expected. This probably was merely a
repetition of the rumors before received
by way Of Matamoras.
From the contents Of private letters re-
ceived, however, there is little doubt that
a large Mexican force, consisting mostly
of cavalry, were at lula at the last dates,
under General Valcntia. Generals Ur-
rea, Romero, and Fernandez, were also
reported to be in the vicinity on the lst of
January. Gen. Taylor had sent forward
Col. May to examine a mountain pass
between Monte and Morales and Labra-
dores, and on his return he took another
pass leading TO Lenares, where he was at
tackled by a large body of the enemy,
and his rear guard cut off by rolling stones
down into the pass.
1t was a dangerous spot, the pass being
scarcely wide enough for the horsemen TO
go through in single file. Col. May, how
ever, managed to get away with his main
body, and reached a spot where he was
enabled to dismount and return on foot TO
succour the rear guard, but he was 10 late,
as the enemy had retreated with their
prize.
At one time the Dragons were almost
at the mercy of the Mexicans, had the, lat
ter discharged their pieces with accuracy,
as they occupied a position directly over
the heads of our troops. Col. Mays loss
had not been ascertained, or whether any
of his men were killed.
There can be no doubt hat Generals
Taylor, Twiggs, Patterson and Pillow
were at Victoria with a large force. Gen.
Shields, with $50 men, were marched
from Tampico On the 10th, towards ALA
mira, it was supposed, with the object of
opening a communication with Gen. Tay-
Tor at Victoria.
From two or three thousand Mexican
troops were between Tampico and Victo-
ria, with which it is supposed General
Shields might have an engagement. The
force remaining at Tampico was ESQ.,
The market was amply supplied with
American merchandise.
Col. Kenney states that the Mexican
force at San Luis was 10000 strong, and
the whole Mexican force in the field was
5O,0G0. The Capture of Tampico, he
states, had created the greatest excite
ment throughout the country.
Generals Butler, Worth, and Wool,
had 5000 men at Saltillo, considered to
be the flower of the army. Col. Kenney
speaks confidently Of their success in case
of an engagement.
Generals Taylor and Patterson, with
5000 men, were at Victoria waiting Or
de-s from .Gen. Scott. 1t was not sup
posed that any movement would be made
against San Luis, but that the mountain
passes would be retained and Vera Cruz
subjected by land, which it was suppos-
ed would be attacked on Gen. Scott Ia
king the command.
EROM RRAZlI