Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-09-18
FROM VERA CRUZ.
General Scott at Ayotla-Major La

General Scott at Ayotld-Major L0lty's
Train--Repulse of americans.
The arrival of the steamer Mississippi
at New Orleans, brings Vera Cruz dates TO
the 2lst only.
Information had been received at Vera
Cruz that Gen. Scott was at Ayotla, twenty
one miles distant from Mexico, on the 18th,
and beyond the Rio Frio pass and all
natural obstacles at all formidable. The
march was said to have been achieved
without resistance. This information is
thought by the Picayune to be trustworthy.
The train under Major Lally had got
through safely, though not without sharp
encounters with guerrlleros. 1t was last
heard from beyond Jalapa.
The reinforcement, which went out in aid
of this train on the 18th, consisted of Capt.
Wells company of 18th infantry; Capt.
Hale's Of the 18th, and Capt. Fairchild's
Louisiana Rangers. This detachment was
first met by the enemy little beyond
Santa Fe, and at the National Bridge,
where it expected to find Major Lally, was
driven back.
Up 10 this point, in five successive con.
flicts, the Mexicans had been worsted. At
the Bridge the detachment found all the
heights occupied by the guerrillas, who
opened heavy fire upon them, killing
nearly all the mules and forcing the whole
party to retire. They left the whole of
their wagons save one only, in the posses
sion of the enemy. All the baggage of the
officers, and KNAPP sacks Of the men, which
were in the wagons, fell into the hands of
the Mexicans, and little else besides the
mail was saved. The loss of men in the
affair has been five or six killed, and two
or three wounded, and several men have
subsequently, died from fatigue and ex.
posure on the march.
DR.. Cooper, Surgeon to the smaller train,
with fourteen men, went ahead of Capt.
Wells command, to endeavor to open a
communication with Major Laly. They
never returned, and it is supposed that they
were all either killed or made prisoners
A statement in the Picayune goes to
show that the expedition went out in a
very unprepared condition-2OO raw re-
cruits, some of them just landed and suf-
fering severely from the pass, and, by some
gross neglect, made TO fast twenty -four
hours before they got up with the main
body. The train was drawn by "wild,
vicious, diminutive, broken-down, but un-
broken mules" The mules constantly en-
barrassed the march; continually rearing.
kicking, &c. There was no guide along,
who knew anything of the road.
On the 18th, they chased off body of
Mexican cavalry across prairie. On the
18th, they were fired upon from height
that commands the bridge at Paso Ia Bajia,
and Immediately assembled the hill and
routed the enemy. Five miles this side of
the National Bridge there was a brisk fire
upon them from the chapparal. The next
morning, the enemy appeared in the road
on the crown of the hill and fired down
upon them. This force was Immediately
outflanked on both sides of the road--Capi.
Halle taking the left hand side of the road
and Lieut.. Wyche the right. Thus pre-
pared, they moved forward to the entire
surprise of los Mericanos and put them to
flight.
At the National Bridge however the lit.
tie band, being only about 1865, found tho
enemy in such force and so posted with ar.
tillery, that further advance--even il, now
that Major Lally had gone forward, further
advance were necessary-was out of the
question. The enemy were posted and
"o' oPoh tiC CIoWu VI GV6Iy u6lgnt,
and opened destructive fire from all fire.
arms, including artillery and Congreye
Rockets. The detachment of course fell
back, but made good their retreat without
the loss of man by the way. The loss at
the bridge is stated above. The officers
and men lost their best apparel. On reach.
ing Vera Cruz, they were worn down.
were without coats, blankets or tents
and for t,oentyjour hours after their arri.
val, though drenched by a pitiless rain.
were unProvided for, although their con.
dition had been made known to the com.
mandant of Vera Cruz.
The whole loss of men was no less than
forty-t,Do % out of 200. An unfortunate
and probably ILL., planned expedition! tits
at any rate the worst defeat of the war.
The Jalapa Boletin (Mexican) is displeas.
ed with the return Parades, and thinks he
does not mean to assist in the defence of
the country.
UTIn the affair at the Bridge, CAPTAIN
Halle lost two men-Beguar of St. Louis.
and Sojourner of Shreveport.
FATAL AFFRAY.-An ARRAY took place
IN Hickman county, KY, on Saturday last.
brothers by the name of Evere,t