Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-04-22

inr Mt struck him-but the last shot he fred dis.
mounted the piece that killed him; thus, in all
probability, both arillerists lost their lives in
shooting at one another almost simultaneously.
COL. HARNEY'S DRAGON FIGHT.
information was received in camp this morning
that a body Of Mexcans were hanging on our
rear, intending to force the lines if possible and
make their way into the city with a number of
cattle. Col. Harvey, with one hundred and
twenty Dragons, was ordered out in search of
them, and report his observations.
lie discovered them about two thousand in
number entrenched at a bridge, and supported
by two pieces Of artillery, three miles from Gen.
Patterson's head quarters. COL Harvey started
on his return, intending to prepare properly and
attack them the next morning.
The Mexcans commenced firing at him, and
threw a perfect shower of balls all around him.
but without injury. COL Harvey then despatch
ed messenger to camp for small reinforce
ment, and some artillery to break the breast
works. He was reinforced from Gen. Patterson's
Division, by Lieut. Judd, with two pieces of ar
tilery, about 60 Dragons dsmounted, and six
companies of the LIST and I'd Tennessee volun-
teers, under the command of Col. Haskell, ac-
accompanied by Gen. Patterson in person, altho'
he did not take command from Col Harvey, but
merely participated as any other individual who
was engaged
Col. Harvey then formed the Tennesseeans on
the right his dragons on the left, and advanced
slowly, to draw the fire Of the Mexicans, until
Lieut. Judd got his artillery in such position as
he desired. The movement succeeded admira-
bly Lieut.. Judd got his ground within $50 yds.
of the Mexicans, and commenced firing.
They attempted to return 1t, but as soon as n
slight breach was made in the parapet, Col. Har-
ney ordered charge, which was answered by
yell from the Dragons and Tenesseeans. Col.
Haskell, Capt Cheatham and Capt. Foster were
the first men 10 leap over the breastwork, and,
as naval officer remarked, who witnessed the
whole affair." the balance went over so much like
IL" a thousand of brick" that there was no telling
who was first or last.
AS might have been expected the Mexlcans
were unable to stand a charge from "the boys
who stood the fire of the Black Fort al Monte
lrey." A few of the membranes were soon
thrown out OF the way, and Col. Harvey, with his
Dragons, leaped the breastwork and gave chase.
He had not proceeded more than mile before
he found the enemy formed in line to receive
him.
lie Immediately deployed, and from the head
OF the line ordered charge. When he ap-
preached within about twenty yards of the enc
my's line they gave him fire from their side
arms, but overshot Then came the test of
strength and skill-the dragoon with sword in
hand met the confding lancer with his pointed
lance, ready to receive him. The contest was
but for short time.
In many instances lances were twisted from
their clenched hold the Mexicans were unsad-
died and driven heter-skelter in every direction,
and pursued by the Dragons in detachments.-
Col. Harvey and several of his officers met their
men in single combat, but none Of them receiv-
ed any injury except Lieut. Nel, Adjutant of
the regiment, who was wounded severely in two
places
In this affair Col. Harvey had four wounded
and one killed and the Tennesseeans had
Messrs. Fox, Long, Woody, and one other of
Capt. McKown's company, whose name could
not ascertain, wounded. Lieut.. Judd, also, had
one killed.
Mr.. Young, Texan Ranger, who was act
ing as guide was also wounded slightly. Nine
teen Mexicans were found dead at the bridge
behind the breastwork. Col. Harvey killed so
and wounded about the same number. The
Mexican force near 1000. Col. Harneys a.
about 500
To-day white flag was sent in, asking, on
behalf of the people, to allow them to leave the
city with their families and persons who were
making no resistance. | could not learn what
was the precise nature of the reply, but they did
not get what they desired-they had waited a
little too long. General Scott was not the per-
son to be caught by ruse of this kind.
MARCH 20, lS47-Last night Governor Nor
ales was strongly importuned by the inhabitants
who are said to be suffering severely, to sur
render the town; but he was obstinate and would
not listen to their appeals. lie declared he would
not surrender the garrsoned works until every
man was buried underneath the ruins, and not
one stone left on top of another. Thereupon a
meeting of the National Guard was held, and
Governor Morales was deposed, AMI General
Landero placed in command
| Our batteries worked last night, and up to 9
O'CLOCK this morning, with apparent increased
vgor, when flag of truce was received by Gen
Scott, with proffer on the part of the Mexicans
to treat for surrender, Accordingly, a COM
mission on our part was appointed, consisting OF
Generals Worth and Pillow, Colonel To,ten, and
Captain Aulick of the Navy, who met the Next
of our mortar battery, about one mile distant
and they continued in session during the day.
During the whole of the day, amidst the prev.
alence OF the Storm the commissioners were en-
deavoring to settle the terms of the treaty. They
adjourned at night, and gave the Mexicans until
six o'clock of the 9th, to accept or reject The
enemy was evidently in a bad position, and try
ing to get the best terms possible.
MARCH 81, 1547.-This morning the Mexcans
did not accede to the terms of the commissioners
and orders were given to fire again at o'clock
However about that hour the enemy solicited
another meeting of the commissioners
general impression pervades the camp to-
day, that the MeXicans are treating only for the
purpose of repairing breaches and fixing up their
destroyed Notifications; but our engineers and
ordnance officers have not been behind them in
this respect
During the day, we have been placing our
guns in better POSITIONS supplying the magazine
with ammunition, and providing the army with
scaling ladders and their appurtenances ready to
scale the walls, and pass the trenches, if neces-
sary to take the city by storm. The terms, how
ever, were agreed upon, and submitted for ratif-
cation.
MARCH %, 1877 Com. Perry was preparing
to land another battery of 10 guns from the Ohio,
but the necessity was obviated by the ratification
by both parties of the stpuatons agreed upon
by the Commissioners.
The Mexicans surrendered the city of Vera
Cruz and Castle Of San Juan de Uoa, and the
armament and munitions of war, together with
their small arms. The officers retained their
side arms, and the whole surrendered as prison.
ers of war, and are allowed 10 retire into the
country on their parole, Gen. Scott furnishing
four days rations
At 8 O'clock General Worth's and General
Pillows Brigade formed about 800 yards apart,
opposite each other, and the Mexicans marched
out, stacked their arms and marched off. Our
troops then moved in column into the city at two
o'clock, planted the star spangled banner on the
walls, where but short time previous had waved
I.