The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-06-28
SPLENDID ACTION
NATIONAL BRIDGE,
BETWEEN THE
AMERICANS AND MExlCANS.
The Defeat of the Latter, with
Loss of over One Hundred.
FIFTY AMERICANS KILLED AND
WOUNDED.
AFFAIRS IN THE CITY Of MEXICO.
&c. &c &c.

The following important and interesting intel
ligence, was communicated to the Ne,c Orleans
Delta of the Goth instant, by Lieutenants Floyd
and McWilliams of the second Pennsylvania |
volunteers, who came over the steamship |
Galveston. II was brought to Philadelphia by a
special overland express for the Ne,c York Herald
and thence telegraphed TO this city II ,oas re-
ceived by us thirty-sir hours In Advance Of the
regular mail.
On the 9Th instant small accommodating party,
together with some citizens and disbanded SOL
diers, in number about $50, with IS armed men
and 30 mounted, left Puebla for Vera Cruz.
This party was under the command of Capt Balm
bridge, of the Sd artillery. On leaving Jalapa and
getting near Cerro Gordo, this party in
formed that it would not be prudent to 60 through
the pass, as there were 1900 Mexicans in the
chapparal along the pass. Previous to this the
officers, who had gone to the rear OF the train,
were fired at from the chapparal at the mouth of
the pass.
The party was organized and marched through
without meeting an enemy, and arrived at the
bridge that evening Whilst they were bvouack-
ing on the other side Of the bridge, being so ia
tgued that they were unable to furnish guard,
they were informed that some persons were bar
Reading the bridge. guard was then sta
toned below the bridge and the encampment to
prevent the party being surprised
AT this time, signal lights the ridges and
cliffs were distinctly seen. Before daylight the
scouting party was sent out, and also a party to
clear the bridge, which was done without any
opposition.
The main body of the party then passed over
the bridge. Every thing then appeared to be
safe; and all danger being past, Lieut. McWil-
liams and Mr.. Frazer were sent back to bring on
the train on the other side of the bridge. As
they were entering the bridge, party of about
twenty-five Mexicans appeared on the bridge,
and fired several volleys on them. The wagon
master and four others, who were passing the
bridge were fired on, and the whole five were
killed, and the wagon captured. 1t was of no
great value.
After the fire had ceased, party of lancers ap-
peared on the bridge, and seemed to be prepar-
ing to charge, but seeing that Capt Bainbrdge's
party were preparing TO receive them, wheeled
their horses and galloped of. Capt. B. pur-
sued his march in good order, followed by 400
or 500 foot lancers, who hung upon his rear and
TANKS for four or five miles, but at respectable
distance. Thus hemmed in, this little party
pursued its way until it arrived where Colonel
Mcintosh had encamped with his train.
The Mexicans who had attacked Capt. Balm
BRIDGES party were the same who had COM
PEELED Col. Mcintosh 10 halt and wait reinforce
ruents The party remained that night in Col.
MS camp, and during the whole time the
Mexicans kept up continual fire on the camp,
approaching with the greatest boldness very near
10 our sentinels
On the next day Capt Bainbridges party re-
sumed its march to Vera Cruz, being joined by
Capt Duperu's U. S. dragons, who were sent
back to get their horses. This company, with
its gallant captain, behaved very handsomely at
the attack on Col. McIntesh's camp; indeed il
was generally admitted that Col Ms command
was saved by the gallantry of Capt Duperus party
Capt. Bainbridge's party continued their march
to Vera Cruz, where they arrived in safety.
In the meantime, Capt Dupeu's command
having a long return train to guard, and being
threatened by large body of lancers, halted at
Santa Fe, where they were charged by greatly
superior force, which they CALAMITY repulsed,
killing many of the enemy, and suffering very
little loss themselves. 1t was said, however,
THAT some Of our wagons were cut off, and
the drivers taken prisoners Capt. Duperu ar
rived safely in Vera Cruz, having lost in all three
killed, and three wounded.
On the day Capt. Bainbrdge's party left Col.
McIntosh's camp, Gen. Cadwaader arrived, |
with force of 800 men and two howitzers,
and pushed on towards the National Bridge |
On approaching the bridge, General c. oc-
cupied the heights commanding the Bridge, |
from which the enemy had fired on Capt. Balm
BRIDGES party, where he was attacked by large
force of the Mexlcans posted on the ridges and
in the chapparal, and some hard fighting was
carried on for several hours-the Mexicans
losing more than 100 men, and Gen. Cadwalla-
der losing some Is killed and some 30 or 40
wounded the Mexlcans were repulsed.
The bridge was successfully passed by Gen.
Cadwaiiader, who was on his way to Jalapa
The estimated loss Of Col. McIntosh's marty
was about $4,000. The road for miles was
strewn with empty boxes and bacon sides. |
which had been captured by the enemy.
There was great deal of dissati sfaction in
the army respecting the command which had
charge of the train. There will be a cour, of
inquiry in the matter.
Since the above was written, we have learned
that in the affair between General Cadwallader
and the Mexicans at the National Bridge, the
company of Lieut.. Blakey, of the newly raised
volunteers, with two howitzers, charged the
barricades, and swept them with few discharges
from the howitzers. In passing through, how