The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-08-03

buildings are two stories high, composed
of sunburnt brick. The first story
presents a solid wall to the street, and is
so constructed that each house joins, until
one-foarth Of the city may be said to be
one building. The second stories rise
from this vast solid structure, so as to
designate each house, leaving room 10
walk upon the roof of the first story be-
tween each building. The inhabitants of
Sumai enter the second story Of their
buildings by ladders, which they draw
up at night, as defence against any enc
my that might be prowling about. In this
city was seen some thirty Albino Indians
who have, no doubt, given rise 10 the sto-
ry that there is living the Rocky Noun
tains tribe of white aborigines. The
discovery Of this city of the Sumai will
afford the most curious speculatlons a.
mong those who have SO long searched
in vain fora city of indians, who pos
sessed the manners and habits of the At
zecs. No doubt we have here a race liv-
ing as did the people when Cortez en-
tered Mexico. 1t is remarkable siact,
that The Sumaians have, since the Span
iards left the country, refused to have any
intercourse with the modern Mexlcans,
looking upon them as an inferior people.
They have driven from among them the
priests and other dignitaries, who formerly
had power over them, and resumed habits
and manners of their own-their Great
Chief or Governor, being the civil and
religious head. The country round the
city of Sumai is cultivated with great deal
of care, and affords food not only for Tie
inhabitants. but for large flocks of cattle
and sheep.
Col. Doniphan arrived at the Del Norte
on the 18th Of December. On the 18th
he started MAJ. Gilpin in the direction of
FL Passo, with two hundred and fifty
men on the 10th, Lieut.. Col. Jackson,
with two hundred men ON the 10th, he
started in person with The remainder of
his regiment. The division was made
for the purpose of passing the tornado
del Muerto. which is desert ninety
miles wide without wood or water.
On the 22d Col. Doniphan overlook
Nal. Gilpin, at the little Mexican town OF
Dona Anna. On the morning of the Odd
the whole regiment commenced Its march
for Ell Passo.
On the 25th the regiment was divided.
having a very strong rear guard behind
the baggage train. The advance OF the
column, numbering about five hundred,
halted to camp about three O'Clock III the
afternoon, on the bank of the Rio del
Norte, at point called Brazito, or the
I.lule Arm. Just as the horses had been
turned loose, and the men were waiting
for the wagons TO come up with their
cooking utensils, two of the advance guard
came in and reported that there was
cloud of dust in the road in front. An
observation was made as soon as pracil-
cable, and large body of Mexicans was
seen approaching. Our troops were then
drawn out and formed as skirmlshers.-
The enemy approached within less than
half a mile before our men were formed.
A Lieutenant from the enemy's ranks
then approached our line, demanding that
the American commander should go to
their camp, and that unless he did SO, they
would charge his line. and that they
would neither give nor ask quarters. Our
interpreter, in reply, ordered the Mexican
to. charge and be-. The Mexican
then waved black flag he held in his
hand. and retired to his own column,
now formed in battle array.
The Mexicans, eleven hundred strong,
then charged with their cavalry supported
by their infantry, and one piece Of ordi-
nance-a brass howitzer. Col. DOM
phan ordered that no one should fire until
the enemy was within one hundred yards.
The Mexicans commenced firing at
the distance of three hundred yards ; their
firing was not returned until they had
given three rounds, while constantly adj
yancing. When within less than one
hundred yards, COL Doniphaf ordered
his troops TO fire, which was simulta-
neously done from right to left. At the
fire of The aodd numbers" the Mexican
line halted, and at the fire of the seven
numbers they began to fall back, except
the Vera Cruz dragoons-an old aud well
known Mexican corps. Il attempted to
pass cur line on the left, when Capt Reed
having succeeded inmounting about TWEEN
tv men, charged The Dragons, sixty strong
and aided by the firing from our lines,
forced il 10 retreat in few moments,
whichit did slowly, continuing to fight
for more than mile. The battle of
Brazito then terminated, having been
fought IN twenty seven minutes /! The
loss of the enemy was sixty three killed
and hundred wounded; of Ibis loss the
heaviest was with the Vera Cruz dragons
this brave company only being able TO
muster twenty-one at the subsequent de-
fence Of chihuahua injury TO the Amerl-
cans seven wounded. @
On the 9th Col. Doniphan took for