The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-08-28

vi lIlC SS"N'" - SS'N'S N>''N~'
lean prisoners in his custody, by the
orders Of Col. Gates, commanding in
Tampico, and which trusted would
be turned over to me, for reasons
WHICH should explain. Thence | con.
|tnued my journey to the next town
upon the route to General Garay's
headquarters. called Tantayuca. which
we reached on the til. Here, also, !
was furnished by the alcalde with corn,
beef. &c., again communicated the
character and purpose of my mission;
and again inquired, to no purpose, for
any military officer with whom ! might
communicate, and who might accom-
panv me to the generals headquarters
at Hueiutla, now distant about twenty
five miles. While here, perceived in
dicalons of uneasness, producing some
apprehension, that, notwithstanding my
assurances of the pacific nature of my
visit, formal preparations of defence
were being arranged before me; but
could not suspect to meet these short
of the town occupied by the command
ing general, at the approach to which
relied upon the white flag, for sooner,
should meet any one TO whom | might
show it) to make all right and safe.
On next morning, early, we moved TO-
wards HuejutIa, Captain Boyd and his
company being nowthe advance guard,
with orders not to be more than two
hundred yards before US. Having
reached point eight miles from our
last camp at Tantayuca, and about one
mile from the river Calaboso, we met
Mexican Indian, whom we inter:o-
gated in reference to the road, &c.
From this man we had learned that the
MeXicans had made an ambuscade at
the river; that Gen. Garay was there
himself with large force, and that it
was intended to attack US there. i'm.
medialeIy despatched The adjutant and
sergeant major to order Capt. Boyd to
fall back to the main body; it was too
late; they had no sooner started to
communicate the order, than heavy
discharge of musketry was heard, and
many single shots after. We hasten-
ed 10 the river--Captain Boyd with six
of his men had fallen, the remainder Of
his company had dispersed or fled back
to us. As reached the ground, per-
ceived the enemy had cleared away
the ground Of all bushes for the space
of so yards, on either side of the road,
leaving beyond that dense hedge OF
chapparal, in rear of which had been
constructed fence to prevent charges
Of cavalry; in front, upon the opposite
bank, was their main body, also pro-
tected by thick chapparal. A charge
was instantly made upon the right by
Captain Mace and his men, another
upon the left by Captain Seguine and
and his men, and the feld-piece, pro-
tected by Captain Wyse's company,
was ordered forward to scour the
ground upon the opposite bank. These
movements were nearly simultaneous,
and were gallantry performed. At the
first discharge the enemy were driven
from the left; two charges on the right
also dislodged him from their right. and
compelled him to unite in one mass up
on the opposite bank.
In tins position the battle continued
for full hour, Capt. Wyse gallantly
serving his piece, and being. during the
whole OF the engagement, exposed TO
the most destructive fire from the ene-
my, directly in his front, so well con-
cealod and protected by the thick un.
deigrowth as but seldom TO be suffi-
ciently seen 10 be fired upon with any
perfect precision. There were wound
ed, during the service Of this piece, six
men OF its squad. Finally, The enemy
sounded their trumpet-whe ther for
retreat or a charge, l do not know;
there was, at all events, a cessation Of
their fire. At that moment Captain
Wyse delivered a discharge Of canister,
SO fortunately aimed as for the time
entirely to paralyze their further action.