Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-12-02
Later from DIexicO---EscaPe Of Santa
Anna--Battle of HuamantIa.

I
utes before the James L. Day got under way informs
us that news had just reached Vera Cruz, from Tam
plco, announcing the astounding fact of the embarka
tion of Santa Anna at the latter port on board the
British steamer FORTH and that he had thus escaped
out Of Mexico
1t appears that Col. Gates, the Governor of Tamp-
CO, had previously received intelligence that Santa
Anna was III the nelghborhOod, and he Immediately
ordered out scouts to collect all possible information
thereon issuing, at the same time the strctest in
functions to the officers in command of the United
States schooner lying there to prevent any vessels of
whatever description they might be- from crossing the
| bar, without first undergoing rigid search. We
learn, however, that before the command of the Gov
ernOr reached the United States schooner, small
craft Ga schooner,) which waits on the British steam
ers, to convey the mails bullion, quicksilver, &c., OH
board, had gone out, and communicated with the Bril-
tish steamer. 1t is ascertained find ii
stated that the eX-Presdent with his usual luck and
foresight where his personal safety is concerned, got
off on this little vessel that all the of Col.
Gates to capture him, otherwise Illustrate his plans
for quitting the country, were useless.
We feel bourd, however, in giving this intelligence,
to state that it is generally believed Vera Cruz
whilst, however, high functionares at Tampico did
not seem to doubt it.
The yellow fever still prevailed at Vera Cruz. and
orders had been issued for all troops arriving to pro-
coed Immediately to camp ground, Beregard, in the
country.
The Picayune says
Among the passengers the Day Major
lurbide prisoner of war, and Lieut. Sears, I'd artil
| lery, bearer of dispatches to Washington.
| Gen. SCOTS dispatches left Mexico between the
18th and 18th of October, escorted by spy company
of Mexican lancers, 100 strong, under command of
Col. Domnguez. The company left Pueba the eve-
ming OF the 18th, and were attacked the same night
by strong force under Gen. Torreon. Shortly after
they were attacked by Col. Vamos. In the two en-
gagemens they lost fifteen of their number, but sup
pose they killed least times that number. They
returned to Pueba and Gen. Lane placed the despatch
es in the hands of his Adj. Gen. Sears, who came
down with his Mexican escort to Vera Cruz, but ac-
companied far as Plan del Rio by the lst Pennsy-
vanla regiment, under Col. Wynkoop, Capt. Loyal's
Georgia mounted men, and three companies of art-
lery, The American portion of the escort halted at
Plan del Rio, and to return with Gen. Patterson
Lieut. Sears reached Vera Cruz In the night of the
4th inst, accompanied by Captain George Taylor, I'd
artillery, Lieut. Lear, 4th infantry, and Lieut.. Hills,
LIST Pennsyl vania regiment, on their way horne on
furlough. Lieut.. Henderson, Louisiana volunteers,
came down TO join his company. About eighty dis
charged soldiers came down.
The Mexican spy company is described a rough
looking set of men. They fight with ropes round
their necks, the saying is and therefore fight gal
lanty. Col. Dominguez is thought to know the road
intimately, from long experience upon the line in
different capacity. We understand that have
altogether about $50 of this description of force in
our pay. OF the detachment which came down with
Lieut.. Sears, one of the officers lost by the
way, and two others were severely wounded. An
American discharged soldier, who came down with
them, told our correspondent that they fought most
CALAMITY.
Gen. Lane remains at Puebla, retaining all the
command he took up with him. circular order
from Gen. Scott directs garrison of $50 men to be
stationed at the National Bridge 1000 at Jalapa, and
1000 at Puebla-the last two points under command
of general officers. Gen. Gushing has been assigned
by Gen. Patterson to the command at Jalapa. Gen.
Patterson had reached the National Bridge on the
morning of the 4th inst, with all his force having
been entirely unmoested upon the route
Gen. Lanes command is quariered in the heart OF
Puebla, the General occupying the palace.
From the Puebla Flag of Freedom, Oct. %.
BATTLE OF HUAMANTLA.
The American forces under Gen. Lane composed
of Germans regiment of Indiana volunteers Major
Lally's battalion of infantry, battalion under
Capt Simmons, one battalion under Capt. Heinklzmon,
and four pieces of artillery under Leuts. Pratt and
Fields, left Jalapa the LIST of October, their
march to Pueba. When they arrived at Perote, Gen.
Lane added battalion of four companies of LIST Pa.
volunteers, company of convaescent of various
corps and park of artillery, g guns, Capt Taylor,
Sd art.) the whole under command of Col. Wynkoop.
The army, now numbering some 5000 men, advanced
9Th, arrived at the hacienda San Antonio Tamaris,
distant 30 miles from that city. Information had
been daily received that Santa Anna was stationed
the Pass of Pna with 1000 and several pieces of
artillery, 10 oppose progress. This pass is II
miles in advance of the hacienda. On the morning
of the 9th the whole army prepared to march and
tack the pass. At this moment, information was
received that Santa Anna was in the town of Hua-
manila, distant 10 miles from the hacienda, from
the main road and from the pass or miles nearer
the pass than encampment.
Gen. Lane, leaving considerable portion of his
forces at the hacienda with the baggage wagons and
part OF the artillery, determined to advance upon
Huamantla, taking with him the Indiana and Ohio
regiments and Col. Wynkoops, Maj Lally's and Capt
Simmons's battalions, and sending in advance the
mounted men, about 200, under command Of Captain
Walker with instructions to act as circumstances
might require. Captain Walker advanced rapidly
towards the town. and when within a short distance
ascertaned that the enemy there in considerable
force with several pieces Of artillery, and fearing es
any delay in waiting for the advance Of the infantry
might enable the enemy to escape with their cannon
CALAMITY ordered charge with his handful of men
and after brisk fight, succeeded capturing foul
pieces of artillery and driving off the enemy.
Now, the state OF the case, as subsequently ascer
taned appeared to be this: Santa Anna having re-
manned during the night of the 9Th in the town o
Huamantla, some four or five miles nearer the pas:
than the encampment of Gen. Lane, had confidently
left early In the morning. with 1000 men, for the pass
leaving behind 300 men and arterists to follow witt
the cannon. The unexpected advance Of Walker
was soon perceived by the advanced forces of Santa
Anna, who, being cavalry, and in large numbers, i'm
medately started back to the town at rapid pace,
save their artillery, without which, they
could of course make no stand at the pass of Pinal
Being well mounted, they enabled to reach
the town sooner than the infantry under Gen. Lane
xvho CIR =