The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-06

NEW WORKERS AT VERA CRUZ
Extract Of letter from officer of the First Ree,
ment OF New York State Volunteers
CAMP ScorT, near Vera Cruz, April L. ls47
As this the first time that had been under fire
felt rather ticklish, but after while this feeling
Off however, can you ii is not very pleasant to
lay your belly high hill with the shining fun
upon YOU and the sometimes striking the top OF tho
hill and then again just grazing it, and passing within
three or four feet of your head and the shells falling all
around you bursting noise like the booming OF
the City Hall bell when it rings for the sixth district
but thank heaven none Of US were killed wounded.
Gen Scott had posted Twggs the left Patterson in
the centre and Worth the right with the reserve,
which brought regiment about three miles from the
city on the Orozavo road post of danger and
sequenty OF honor and which proud to all; and
can assure you we had busy time Of it, A Mexican
express rider caught with despatch for General
Morales who was in command Of the town stating that
were zoo iancers in our who intended to force
their way through our camp into the city and there
was no more rest for the poor New Workers. We lay
our arms every night without anything
there was an alarm half hour that enemy were
soing winch was generally raised by of Dutch
sshthes "a Few OF whom in the regiment who saw
MEXICAN In every freely ackass they met the report
that inc enemy were in our however true and
we sent out small parties OF who saw than
frequently and when the received in camn the
order generally was for from three companies to
80 OUT ana drive them back but the Mexcans never
fought long '''
Company c, to which am attached, has had several
skirmishes with them-on occasion news came into
camp that small party Of under Lieut. Potter
were surrounded by body of Mexican cavalry, when
companies A and were sent out under command ~
1t Col Baxter After marching about ten miles we met
Lieut. Potter with nine men, and he reported that he
had been attacked by cavalry but had succeeded
IN forcing his way through them. Col. Baxter imme-
datey formed the two companies and found we could
muster but seventy fit for service he left ii to
the officers and whether should advance and give
them night or return to camp but men feeling that
each OF them could whip six Mexcans with ease gave
cheer ana cried out to advance This suited Colonel
Baxter, who ordered to form and advance After
marching about two miles further came to the place
where Lieut. Potter had the enemy and halted our
Col Baxter with several officers ascended TO the
Top OF small hill and private named Cooper climbed
tree to Keep look out, and before five minutes had
elapsed the Mexicans opened u fire upon them from
the chaparral and wounded man slightly in
a shoulder Cooper reported that he about
800 cavalry and 800 infantry advancing, and we inn
medately formed to receive them The advance Of their
cavalry az soon as they in sight of U.S. fred cou-
pie OF voeys- which returned with interest empty-
dismounted picked up their fallen comrades and re-
treated After that they would ride up in pntoons IRE
at us, and then gallop off, hut their shot mostly fell
snort or went over our heads, doing harm Their
similar to our buses and they take no aim but
meBeay bring them to their hip, and fire; this kind OF
weapon being too heavy to be brought the shoulder
like musket. Finding they did not advance Colonel
ing we were in force Immediately retreated, and it
being late did not follow them but returned to our
camp This a small specimen Of our daily duty.
On the night of the 23d March, my company WAS or
dered into the trenches and commenced work about
two O'Clock on the morning of the Gath. on a battery
within 300 hundred yards of the city walls which WAS to
mount four 6s paixhan, and two long 81 Founders from
the heet and to be manned entirely by sailors This
battery did more execution than any other in the wav
OF dlshanting forts and kept up continual fire until
the morning OF the Goth when the Mexcans opened
EQUATIONS and on the morning Of the Goth they
out IN presence OF our whole army stacked their arms
and the Americans then took possession Of the city and
the castle.