Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-06-23
From Vera Cruz.

= >
she left on the 30,h ult. We have, BY
this arrival, the American Eagle, Of the
Z 10th ult., from which we give below the
only items Of interest. We learn verbally
by passengers, that the roads were much
infested BY robbers and guerrilla bandp
which rendered the communications hiehly
dangerous, except with strong escorts,
) We give the details of another butchery
committed by these marauders, against
whom some strong measures will be alb
solutely necessary. q SIC EEAI{}4
Col. Sewers, who is one of the victims,
recently passed through this city, from
} Washington, as bearer Of dispatches to
Gen. Scott, which have, no doubt, fallen
into the hands Of the enemy. II appears
strange that he should under all the circum-
stances, have left Vera Cruz without a
suitable escort.
| A letter from an officer at Vera Cruz,
dated 10Th says it is reported aud believ
ed, that Herrera had been elected Presi.
dent.
Gen. Scott was to leave Perote on tho
18TH May, and it was expected would en-.
ter Puebea 4,h June to-day I. I'D "a ,rer
Santa Anna, with large force, wasat
Rio FRO fortifyine the pass, and where
the enemy intended TO make last despe
rate stand.
| The steamship New Orleans was to
sail the day after the Fashion, and NAV be
hourly expected. She has the regular
nail. r.-., = ~ -
| Horrid.-It is with pain, mingled with
desire for vengeance, that we undertake
to relate another massacre of our country
men, in the most cruel and brutal manner.
In our paper Of last Saturday (only one
week age we announced the fact that
Col. Sewers was in this city, as bearer of
dispatches to Gen. Scott, and to-day we
are called upon to inform the public Of his
horrid death-not with his enemy in front
to oppose him, but cowardly shot by those
who dared not show themselves.
| 1t appears that he left this city on Sat-
urday last, with an escort of five men and
Lieut.. Mcdonnell, Of Capt. Wheat's COM
pany, expecting to find the Captain at San.
ia Fe, or at most, very short distance
the other side. They arrived at Santa Fe,
and lodged there during the night, finding
that Capt. Wheat had left; in the morrine,
anxious to push forward (although it was
ascertaiued that Capt. W. was some 80
miles ahead,) with an addition Of two
more to the escort, Col. Sewers set out
for Jalapa. The next that we know of
this little party, is by the arrival of one Of
the men, who returned and reported its
surprise and destruction. In consequence
Of the falsity OF the greater number of
similar stories, Col. Wilson (our Cover
nor had the man arrested as deserter-
Thus matters stood until yesterday, when
developments were made by an arrival
from Jalapa (the first that has reached US
for week, } tending to confirm our worst
fears.
| We conversed yesterday with gentle
man who arrived in the morning, and he
informs US, that at point about two
miles on the other side Of Puente .Nacion0l
he saw the ruins of the diligence, under
n.ath which ~st.es.a human body stripped
;, with the exception Of a pair of drawers
and mutilated in the most beastly manner.
This is supposed to be the body OF Col,
Sewers; near him lay another, perfectly
naked, and likewise dreadfully maneled.
Our informant was assured that five other
bodies lay in some chapparal, short dis
lance from the road. Now the number
killed, with the man that escaped, exactly
corresponds with that of the party which
accompanied the unfortunate COL Sewers,
| and leaves no doubt in our mind Of IFS
distinctions
This is dreadful heart -rending! that
our countrymen are TO be butchered in
Geld blood, by people to whom we are
extending every kindness in the power Of
a civilized nation-ace must rouse our
selves, and get rid of feeling, the exhlOl.
ton of which is laughed at and desplsed
Let US not resort to cruelty; but let us
give no quarter to any who continue 10
bear arms, notwithstanding an order 10
the contrary.
We are informed that six Mexicans,
coming in from Santa Fe yesterday morn
ing, were attacked on the road by some Of
their own country men, and robbed ofaI
that could be spared from their persons
This state of things renders the most
prompt and energetic action necessary on
our part. We contend that nothing but
harbarous system, similar to that Practlssd
by the enemy, will have the effect OF re-
storing them to proper sense OF the I'LL
fairness of their conduct, from tie COM
mencement of the war.
The Diligence.-Ihe fate Of this vehlclS
is now rendered certain. 1t is the same
which left this city on Saturday night II, last,
No passengers accompanied ii. lhfss
trunks filled with very fine dry g0'es
were sent by it. Some two miles on ,Hs
other side of Puente Nacional at us
place where Col. Sewers party had Dee"
previously, or was afterwards murdeied'J
it was stopped, robbed and destroyed, D!
breaking and burning it. We learn 'l'i
the driver and postillion were release.
and made their way to Jalapa, and ,'l's
? the vehicle which ought to have reac"so
here on Monday morning last, came ~
far as the place where the other haa 0's"
destroyed, and then returned to JaiaPa'.
This will probably put a stopto TINS 81"
public convenience. -.
The ship Zenobia arrived at TINS pv'
from New York Yesterday, having w.