The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-24

| GEN. LA VEGA AND AMERICAN PRISONERS
NEW ORLEANs May Ia I847.
GENrLEMEs,-Tn your paper of this morning YOU have
done very great injustice to brave man. and ask you
matter Of sheer Justice to publish the following
ment of facts Having been to Gen La Vega
prisoner in the castle Of s. Juan de Uis one Of the
last acts did for him write to the Governor Of
Pueba requesting the release Of Midshpman Rodgers
He had not the power to order the release young
gentleman, but his request was made in the strongest
The article in this mornings Pieayune prefacng the
letter from Major Gaines in which you comment
verely upon Gen. La Vegas conduct was, no doubt,
written under the belief that 1t the generals
power the American prisoners in the castle Of
Santiago You will on perusal Of the following be able
to judge Of Gen La Vegas powers and position
On the 9th Of Feb. Gen. La Vega third in COM
mand, not military commandment in the cityn The
palace the city ofMexco besieged by the revolu-
tionary party Of the church, and its adherents.
with him and know that not left the palace for many
days who not shot down by the populace. Three
days before the arrival Of Gen Santa Anna left Mex
leo in great haste to oppose the Americans tho Ma
tona Bridge and the revolution was still active that
could hold intercourse with the castle Santiago
where Major Gaines was confined, it being within the
On several occasions have been an eye witness to
Cen La Vegas generosity to American csptives, taken
from the American picquets during and after the siege
Of Vera Cruz. ] have frequently heard him express
grateful feelings for kindness received In this country
and desire to recprocate the when
Midshipman Rodgers found in an enemy's coun-
try with surveying instruments at night Take the OPP
posite side and would not tho Americans have detained
him.
with regard to the treatment Of American ohnesrs in
Mexico have to say know, as fact that American
officers have received from tho inhabitants kind trest
ment, and from the Government full pny. One Of Gen.
La Vegas aids carried the to some officers taken
at Matamoros Immediately on the capture Of the ON
GERS of the Truxton, they asked what their
rank and what their pay. The amount was paid TO
them once, and appeal to them to state what
| their treatment from he inhabitants
The letter Of credit given to Gen La Vega by General
Taylor was never used by him, except to show to bis
kindness and generosity
have the honor to remain, with due respect, your
AZ ohad iapfs
Aid-de-camp to Gen. La Vega.
uLINoIsANs AT BUENA VISTA
The I'D Illinois Regiment received, with the I'd Tnd
the first and heaviest fire Of the enemy tho
disorder and left the I'd Illinois with two pieces Of
light artiery-one commanded by Lieut.. French, now
in this city and who shot down at his gun, the
only force at this critical moment TO resist the advAnc
ing line of the enemy than ten times their
Der. At this time Capt. CoGy, who commanded
company in the Illinois Regiment, received a very Sc
we're wound in the arm frscturng the Lieutenant
colonel Of the regiment was standing near him. The
gallant captain up to him and said" Colonel am
wounded but must stick to my company" In q few
minutes he returned TO the officer and exclaimed
Colonel, they've shot me again" He had then
ceivcd n ball in his left shoulder ! am sorry for it.
stay with your company long possible the
reply to him Capt &. returned to his company and in
few minutes lspound shot struck the ground few
feet before him. rcochering over his head and covering
him with sand and gravel, and singing him severely
with the pebbles thrown into his face Faint With the
loss Of blood from his wounds under the impress
sion that the explosion Of shell had severely wounded
him, he returned third time to tho same person Ak
claiming" Colonel am now torn to pieces, and must
and yet he was neither Missssippan KeDtuckan,
but plain, straight forward and Illinois man, that re-
CURED to be shot twice, and torn to before
he gave up
| ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
| OrricE Communicating III MidiT",f
! spRiNormLp May 10, lsa7.
| s,pIn compliance with your late call for one CON-
pany Of cavalry and additional regiment OF
from this state, have the honor 70 INFORM you 'ns'