Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-02-11
Correspondence Of the New Orleans Bee.l
UEAn-QrAkIER. u. s. Any OF IsN,.1nH

CUIDAD, VICTORIA, Jan. 18th. 1877.
Gentlemen ;-To-mouow morning the First Division
Gen Iwiggs command, will take up the line of march
for Tampcn which, considering the season. looks more 10
ne like carrying the Africa than any move that has
been made lately Many feared that from the aleness of
the season. we would again the direction of Mon
terey but believe the order communicating the inte-
gence Of advance in the direction the coast has given
universal satisfaction, and for then once left the prumber
without aught 10 complain OF.
On the llth, general Court Martial convened and
the charges and specifications preferred against B Second
Lieut. Sturgcs, OF the Dragons mentioned IN my last as
having los his rear guard IN the mountain by Lieut. Col
May was laid before IT, As the iscta forth by witness
diier some from tho then you, will now endoavor
TO narratc, possible what Col May give in a-
evidence the occasion.
lie said he had been ordered by the Commander-nChef
10 take squadron OF Dragons and protect Capt Menard
typographical engineer a reconnois sance. Tie eit
Monte Morales on the 18th Of Dcc, and reached Labado
the evening, where he remained durug that night
THe morning the command halted 70. some time TO
shoe horses but the MeXcans threw many obstacles IN
their thatu impossible accomplish their object
This and other indications induced han TO believe that he
should meet the enemy before getting out Of the mountain
passes After leaving Labador, and proceeding miles IN
the direction Of san Pedro large number Of fresh hor-
tracks discovered the road, and few mnutts
after, Mexican was seen the mountain side watching
their movements. Him they took for spy and long
after they observed another. At they arrived and
remained during the night at San Pedro. On the 29th
they left san Pedro, aud short time entered the pass
OF Santa Rosa leaving sergeant and 10 men 10 follow 9OO
yards after them, and 10 protect the pack mules After
march OF ora miles the pa found to be a success
iacked he ordered Lieut. Siurge- through the Aduan TO
stop and take command Of the guard when came
up After giving this order, the command marched ~
miles the trail become rugged that IL Impossible
TO ride along and the dmpunlcd aud led their nor.
As they pa sing the difficult de is vet en-
counered, and the greater Of the command
cseded IN getting through H. the enemy made an attack
upon them lie was IN the advance and the first heard
Of It, was explosion like that Of mine" The bug e
was then sounded from the squadron, and answered by
81 the rear guard, whilst his buger sounded the s-mby
tie supposed he 40 yaTds from the mouth Of the de-
tie, aud immediately hurried ick IL and urged the men
through a. Daring this time the enemy ken III the ntt,ck
by hurting hugo stones from the precipce into the de6
lie had returned Is the dehe only few minutes wh n
Lieut. Sugfs followed by the bugler and serge OF tho
guard, came out OF IT, lie called to Lieut. Surgos ere
y your guard, and received for answer "noe, SIR"
lie Then ordered Lieut. aud get out Of the
dtic az quick os possible. lilo then rode UP where
was and not scci1g m guard asked him where the packs
were, IA there" pointing TO the dche. tho answer
sis possible cir that you have abandoned your pacsl
said May, and finding that the body of the guard was
not with Lieut. ) lac SAID, TOin your guard, immct nto
y ar, recover the pack, protect and defend Them until
you with assistance and II possible urge them
through the dec" On returning the squadron
ho met Lieut. > asecOnd time coming from tho dc6e, aud
he saId "Col have been further Than where left my
guard and cannot find them, shall take some men ron,
the squadron and rctufnI'' When they ariiyed onro
at the dec. ihcy found II Jssbie to pass with
out Rrcotoss o. tic co"mind the enemy constant
" throwing rocks from the right, aud occ1sOnaly firing
small arms ium the lett IL necessary thon TO cndca
vor To turn TIE dcc, which ;hey ultimately did by scaling
the rocks. Aicr remaining tho dtho for ton or if
teen mnuca, and returning the fire Of the enemy he
an order 90 Lieut. Campbell 10 bring - the dc6o
oD aud to bold until they returned. they proceeded
mile and ha 10 the rear, hopes OF recovering the
packs and guard but could find icm nnd return
ed 10 the commard aud resumed their march, deemnR
! t piopc' o. remain longer in tho pass.
Sergeant Beach, who commanded the guard n hs
,NiIenco, thus ailudcs ,e attack tho rear guard
The attack commenced BY throwing rocks from the hch
cliffs, tho fret oi which fell between him md the man M
his IL very large, md the sergeant seeing IL de-
sccndng In Tho direction n hs horse urged him forward
and ecapod. These rocks breaking mp hcv M and tho
pieces flying amonrt the ho5ea frightened aud scattered
tscm. tbs horse, becoming frightened, cfkod him down
and when he recovered himself aud up he cav the
rear guard tcircaiHg, aud the enemy the s d cng
| the stones AZ them,
hinh IL ycy cuf,u' piece NJ business this court mar
fh1IIlg the Lieutenant i1r losing command which he
proved uu trial he after being detailed or ORDER
ed 20 IT, is certain, however that although the proceed
'ngs Of hc court have not been made public set that lac
will come oG IN Tying coors. is defence was very good
end he has raised tho estimation Of the officers rstbst
thsn fallen. lie rather Farcastc but considering The
citcum'ianoes, suppose you must excuse him for IT,
The CORPORAL.
-
The Lieutenant says that Col May did not undostnnd
aim corcotyihat he said no hsd been further han whero
ne attack pas"-ond think he correct M M evidence
proves hin ever 10 have tho guard after no
ca TOT ~ o. the attack commenced before he had time 10
roach TO- Sergeant Beach. who commanded the guard ne
Vtf saw Lieut. Surges after starting IN tho morning.