Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-07-30


surrounded by 1900 or 140o men, under Gen.
Garay. COL De Russy's command had suffer-
ed considerable loss, but with the assistance
of Capt Wise's artillery, they had cut their
way to the river. and there waited Tor rem
forcements.
Col. Gates despatched the New Orleans back
to Vera Cruz with requisltlon on Col. Will
son for four companies of infantry. He had
also sent the steamboats, Undlne and Mary
Somers up the river with $50 men, to Col. De
Russy's assistance.
The New Orleans arrived at Vera Cruz on
the 10th, at 2 o'clock, P. NJ, and found the
CITY in state of excitement. Gen. Pierce had
marched out as above stated, and encamped
about ten miles from the city, when the ad
vance guard came in and reported heavy
force of Mexicans at the National Bridge, who
were marching towards the city. Everything
was got ready for action. The shipping was
removed from between the castle and the city.
Gen. Pierce reinforced his command with 700
men, making in all $780, In consequence of
this difficulty, the requisition from Col. Gates
on Col. Wilson could not be complied with
The New Orleans had on board 25 mariners,
from the U. S. sloop Saratoga. on the morning
of the 18th inst and sailed for Tampico, pre-
vious to which Gen. Pierce had marched out
to meet the enemy. he New Orleans arrived
at Tampico on the morning of the 18th. A
detachment which had gone up the river had
returned, and reported as follows, as near as
we could ascertain:
The troops under Col. DeRussy had marched
within seven miles of Huejutla, on the morning
of the 18th, when the Me1caEs commenced a
heavy fire on, them from all directions. Capt.
Wise got his piece of artillery to bear on them,
when after receiving six eight rounds of grape,
which cut lane through their line, they gave way
and fed to the chaparral. The Americans con-
tinued fighting their way back along the road to-
wards the river at intervals until the morning OF
the 10th, when they were relieved by a reinforce
ment of SO men. They returned to Tampico at
late hour on the 18th, with loss of 20 killed
10 wounded and 2 missing. Among the number
was Capt. Boyd, who fell in the first charge, with
three balls through his body; also, his First Lieu
tenant, who fell MORALLY wounded and was left
dying on the field.
Col. DeRussy had several balls through his coat
Capt. Wise had his horse shot from under him
The men and officers fought bravely. The names
of the officers from Louisiana who accompanied
COL DeRussy are not recollected. The Mexican
loss reported by Lieutenant to be $50 killed
i. and l26 wounded. The Americans, also, lost IL
or i horses and 50 pack mules.
Lieut.. ]. l.. Parker, of the navy, died on the
18th inst on board the steam-frigate Mississippi
LETTER FROM MIDsRIpMAN RoGERs.-The
, Philadelphia Pennsylvania gives the follow,
ing letter from the young naval officer who
has so long been a prisoner in the hands O.
} the Mexcans -
MEXICO, MAY %, 1847.
wrote to you on the 18th of February, thu
eve of my departure for Perote, since which
time have had no opportunity of saying ont
word to you. | know you have been very
anxious about me, more especially as the pc
sition and circumstances of my capture deter
. mined this government to regard me as spy
: | think [ can assure you that you may banisl
! all such fears; their inquisitions must have
proved nv condemnation would be opposed t
> all rules of civilized warfare.
. On the evening of the 10th February, ar
rived at Perote, under the surveillance of
strong escort. | was Immediately locked u
in a forlorn apartment, paved with brick.
> passed that night upon the floor, without tn
covering of a cloak even, as well as the tw'
following. My baggage was sent to me from
Vera Cruz, but the coach was robbed, and
: lost it all, with more than $3.50 in money.
purchased other clothes here and proceed
ed toward Mexico. On my route | was rob
. bed of every thing, and arrived in the capita
I without cent and without apparel. Throug
u the interference of some few foreigners, wa
. put upon my parole, and am allowed the lib
= erty of the city. will here add, that hav
y not received any support from this govern
e ment.
- Such is a mere outline of my hardships-
4 when the apprehension OF being shot as sp
y is superinduced to them, you can at once Sc
- what has been my position and the nature {
y my feelings. Such has been my treatmer
~ that, learned yesterday from an America
% paper published in Vera Cruz, the Presider
- has sent special instructions to Gen Scott j
, reference to retalatory course.
~ Your letter of Jan. 1st, my dear, have re
! ceivei, and determined to refuse your generou
:. offer, which affected me sensibly; but as al
without any other means-as l lost ever
>. thing in the Somers, and have twice sine
- been robbed of all except the clothes on m
=, back, am compelled to draw on you, alth'
20 most unwilling feel certain that do NJ
n impose upon your kindness in doing SO, fe
It, you would prefer such step rather than
of should so suffer-
" How long may be here is a subject of SUI
is mise l have at times been three days with
p out anything to eat-ragged and cold.