The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-04-28

nntter Col Price.
Mr.. EDlToR-A short time since ad-
dressed to you hasty communication ei-
wing n summary of our affairs here.
should not have sent it, had known tha,
another opportunity would 50 soon present
ITSELF l propose to give you brief ac-
count ofthe late attempt at revolution in this
country. About the middle Of January last,
Gov. Bent and other Americans were on q
visit 10 the valley of Taos, nor h of this
place, which contains a population of about
$4,000 souls, Indians and Mexicans. The
inhabitants suddenly rose and massacred
the Governor and other Americans, scalping
them: &c. One man mr. Leil) was scalped
alive, and driven through the streets in Il
state Of nudity until dearh relieved him.
Col. Price, who commands in this depart
ment, Immediately ordered in, TO head quar-
ters. all attachments in the neighborhood;
but without waiting for them to arrive,
pushed on with 800 men aud four pieces of
artillery (howitzers) TO pass called Canada,
25 miles from this place, where the enemy
showed themselves in force,-nu,nbering
about 1000 Mexicans and Indians. After
sharp engagement, the enemy retrea.ed
with the loss of their leader and 80 or 40
killed and wounded. ur loss was or 9
killed and wounded. The artillery under
Lieut.. Dyer, u S. A. suffered the most
The Colonel pushed on to L'Embuda, Is
or 20 miles beyond, where the enemy de-
termined to make another stand In the
meantime Capt Burgwin with his Compa-
ny OF dragons, on foot, had arrived ('l'he
other Company was ordered TO remain in
Santa Fe. which was threatened with an
attack from the Moro) Colonel p gave
Capt, Burswin, who was second IN COM
mand, l9O men, and ordered him 10 drive
the enemy from this pass, which in some
places WAS no, ten feet broad, and on either
side prrcipitous mountains, covered with
cedar and large rocks. Capt. B. performed
this service in the most gallant and cftclu-
al manner, diving the enemy before him
until they made a precipta'e retreat. The
enemy. who numbered about 600, lost 90
kllled-these were counted-wounded not
known. On the side ofthe Americans one
killed, one wounded This was on the
29th Of January. The Indians and Mexi-
cans after this retreated to their stronghold,
which they boasted had not been taken by
an enemy for 200 years. The name of the
town, (an Indian one) is Pue6los de Taous
The q. S forces appeared before it on the
3ri of FEBRUARY, and bombarded their houses
for some time but put o:r the assault until
next day. The town after reconnaissance,
was found TO be very strong, particularly
the church, which was surrounded bya wall
abou, breast-high, loop-holes were cut in the
walls and in the church, which was filled
by the enemy, 10 the number of about 800,
or rather part OF these at first lined the loon.
holes OF the outer wall and adjaceut build
ings, thus enabling them to pour destruc-
tive fire upon all who might approach.-
The artillery played upon the wall and
church with but little effect, the balls not
penetrating at 200 yards more than one
third of,he thickness, (three and halffeet)
Col Price now order general charge upon
tn. works, holding back small reservr.-
The dragons reached the wall first, and
Immediately jumped over, and rushed to the
church. Here it was that this company
was exposed to il most murderous fire from
all sides, from the church; the adjacen.
houses, and from the corners Here i was
that Captain Burgwin, of the u S. ORA
goons fell mortally wounded by rife ball
in his right breast, while anmating his men
and pointing out the best station for them.
His men were cut down on all Sides bullets
anu arrows were continually whstiing and
buzzing through the ranks After some
hours fghing our troops succeeded in firing
the roof Of the church from the outside, and
holes were cut in the walls, through which
shells were thrown by hand. The enemy
finding the place too hot for them made a
retreat through a side door, where they were
met by a party stationed there to cut them
off They were shct down without mercy
about so were killed in this way. During
this time, however, they continued dis
charge of guns and arrows The main
!. body retrrated to two pyramidaI edifces. 7
sto,'es high, the only ingress to which Is
through n small hole in the tops of the
honses-the walls Of immense thickness,
(vide, Gregg's !" Commerce of Prairies" for
idescrip.ion.) They now raised seveal white
flags, which were shot down as soon as
raised, by our marksmen. Col. Price final
.ly concluded a peace with them, after stip-
ulating that the ringleaders should be given
up. They delivered up the principal one