Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-02-04
BY MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH
IMPORTANT FROM THE ARMY.
Correspondence oflhc Express.
WAsnIvoroN, January 3I-5 P. \

WAsHINGToN, January 3l-5 P. NJ
The brig Georgiana, from Tampico 18th inst,
arrived at New Orleans on the ODD inst.
Col. Kinney arrived at Tampico on the 18th,
direct from Victoria, with dispatches from Gen.
Taylor TO Gen. Shields, 10 suspend operations for
the present He entered Victoria with Gen Quit.
man on the 9th Gen. Quitman drove the Mexicsns
before him, the last thirty or forty miles before
entering Victoria. The Mcxicans were very re.
luctant TO give up the place, but went out one side
as Quitman entered on the other. Gen. Qutman
having no cavalry, could not pursue them.
Col. Kinney parted with Gen. Taylor at Monte.
morales, and pushed on with Gen Qutman to Vic
toria, and thence alone to Tampico
There was no reason to suppose that Gen. But
Ter and Gen. Worth had moved from Saltillo,
though it was so reported
The Mexican army, it was believed, was not FAR
of The Mexican soldiers seen in the neighbour
hood Of Salt 10 are supposed TO have been ad-
vanced parties Of some fifteen hundred or two
thousand men kept in possession this side Of the
desert, between SaltilIo and San Luis, 10 destroy
the water tanks in case the American army should
move in force in the direction Of San Luis, which
precudes the idea of any serious attack being con
templated upon General Worth or Gen. Wool, the
object Of the Mexicaus bring only 10 keep watch
upon the American forces, to retreat before any i'd.
vance-and cut of supplies Of water.
Col. Kinney brought rumor TO Tampico that
10000 Mexieans TO attack Saltillo on the 9th
ult., and verbal news brought by the Georgiana
TO New Orleans, to the effect that Santa Anna had
placed himself between Taylor and Worth, with
$4,000 men and general action was Immediately
expected. This is probably a mere repetition Of
rumors before received by the wzy Of Matamoros.
Private letters express very little doubt OF large
Mexican forces, mostly cavalry, being al Tuls, al
the latest dates, under Gen. Valenls, Gems Urea,
Romero and Fernandez were also reported in that
vicinity.
On the LIST January, Gen Taylor sent forward 10
Col. May TO examine the mountain passes between
Montemoraes and Labradores. On his return he
took another pass leading to Linares, and was at
tackled by large body Of the enemy, and his rear
guard cut of by rolling stones into the pass which
was scarcely wide enough for single horseman.--
Col. May managed to get through with the main
body Of his force, and reached spot where he was
enabled to dismount and return 10 succor the rear
guard. But il was too late, as the enemy had re-
treated with their prisoners. At one time Mays
dragons were almost at the mercy 10 the enemy,
had the latter discharged their pieces with accura-
cy for the position they occupied was directly over
the heads of our troops Col. Mays loss had not
been ascerained, nor whether he had any men Kill
led. There can he no doubt, however that some
Of our men have fallen
Generals Taylor, Twiggs, Patterson and Pillow
were at Victoria with large force.
Gen. Shields with $50 men marched from Tam
pico on the 10Th towards Atamira, with the sup.
posed intention Of opening communications with
General Taylor at Victoria.
From ? to 5000 Mexican troops were between
Tampico and Victoria, with which il was supposed
Gen Shields might have an engagement. The
force remaining at Tampico numbered $50 men,
The Tampico market was amply supplied with
American Merchandise. Col. Kinney states that
the Mexican force at San Luis amounts to thirty
thousand men, and he estimates their entire force
at fifty thousand men. The capture Of Tampico
he says, has created the greatest excitement
throughout the country
Genls. Butler, Worth, and Wool, had at Salto
eight thousand men, considered the flower Of the
army. Col. Kinney speaks confidently Of our sue
cess in case of an engagement at Saltillo. Genls.
Taylor and Patterson. with six thousand men, are
at Victoria, waiting orders from Gen. Scott.