The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-08
THE UNION.


The New Orleans Picayune, of the 3lst August, con-
ains the following account of the affair in which Cap
ains Wells Halle, and Fairchild were engaged. The
Pcayune says sit may be relied for accuracy, and is
clearly written" 1t was brought by the ship Agnes.
which left Vera Cruz little before the Mississippi, but
| was outsaed by the latter:
| From the N O Pcayune Aug 81
| The Last skirnnish mt the National Bridge.
Aceount Of the Expedition Of Captains Wells, Haie and
FarclHd.
The following statement OF facts relating to this haZ
ardous enterprise may be interesting TO the friends OF
those engaged In it, If not to the public IN general
Major Lally-who on his way to Gen Scott, with
some eighty wagons and a force amounting to about
900 Monsoon after leaving Vera Cruz, sent back af
ter some pieces of artillery which sent him. Soon
after sending back, he was attacked by considerable
force OF gIeras, about eight miles this SIDE q the Ma
ammunition and reinforcements. AT the moment the
only available troops near Vera Cruz were company OF
recruits as, under cag. Wells Of the 18th nian
ordered to prepare Immediately TO DEPART with anmunl-
lion, &C. to join Major Lally On the following day (he
18th of Anguish Capt Halle OF the l4th infantry reach
ed Vera Cruz on the Fanny after passage of twelve
days from New Orleans, with 73 men, These men had
been exposed to the bfong sun the deck of the
sell (horses having occupied the space forward0 and
were, many of them, sick and out The vessel had
not lost her Roadway in the harbor before this company
ordered to prepare for immediate departure with the
above named troops and landed in the city, where
were issued to the men, and preparations made for
march, The men were, in consequence OF some extra
ordinary omission OF the proper department. Obliged to
Joined the detachment intended for the relief of Major
Lay: The command deyoved upon Capt Wells, an
numbered about 70 men, Capt Hale's 90, and Captain
Farchild's about 7O-he latter well mounted. Under
the protection of this command was train of wagons,
By but lo 5 W nues
MAJOR Lally the Jaiapa road wttout delay Il was
believed ha! the reinforcement would come up with the
train four miles this side of the National Bridges indeed,
ii help the bridge that was particularly
sent but the order was imperative to JOIN MAJOR Laly on
the Jalapa road.
Thus prepared or rather unprepared with two hundred
raw recruits, and train of miserable, vicious, dimnu-
tive mules, the detachment set out on the 13h and en-
camped that night at Santa Fe, about seven miles from
mosyn waiting for the eamsters to whip, curse, and re-
harness the mules, which constantly rearing, kick
ing, and breaking from the path 49, 49,
started and when about midway across the prairie,
body OF Mexican cavalry discovered to be towering
about it. They numbered some fifty and were pursued
fired upon, and driven offby the mounted men.
No further interruption from the enemy occurred dur
ing the day The mules continued to embarrass the
movement OF the troops the command being Obliged to
halt every five ten minutes until O'Clock at night,
when they reached place called Puente del Rio There
no guide with the tran-no one who knew anything
of the road AS soon as the train stopped, fire dis
covered on high hill near byno doubt signal to APP
prize the enemy in advance OF the approach OF the COM
mand.
Henderson, of the Louisiana Rangers with ten men, who
were accompanied by three mounted Georgians and Dr.
Cooper, Of the army, to Maj Laly's camp directing
them proceed cautiously, and apprze the Major OF his
approach but not go further than six miles Thsde
achment has since been heard Of and was undoubt
eddy cut off,
the teamsters could break he mules required to be
"broken' every morning) their unruly teams, and the
the enemy until u o'clock, when the command reached
bridge called Paso la Baathe rear, however, being
constantly annoyed BY the appearance OF few lanceIs
who dogged them Whilst men and animals were re-
reshing themselves at this place, fire was opened on
them by party of guerllas, on hill that commands
the bridge large party Of the enemy had been dlscoy
cred before high hill beyond the bridge. Captain
Wells after seeing that all in readiness to move on,
ordered Capt Halo, with part Of his company. to move
around under ascend the first hl and clear oil
the enemy. This was promptly accompshed-the Mex
retiring before the party could reach the crest OF the
hill On reaching the superior height however, the par
ly under Capt H. surprised the advance of body Of
Mexicans, who preparing to fire down the steep
hill at the troops, and drove them from their position
Had not Capt taken the precauuon to have the
suffered severely and perhaps serious damage done to
the train.
About four or five miles beyond this height the COM
mand to valley, at the bottom OF which was
bridge, he last this side of Puene Naconal) and Just
the advance troops Fairchlds and Haes companes)
had advanced half way up the hill beyond and the wag
had begun to pass the BRIDGE heavy fire was opened
from the height the right of the road both on the cav
airy and infantry and upon the train This was about
ne winch came from tnlCk Cnappaal, was
promptly returned by troops, who then covered them
selves from the concealed enemy. and cooly disposed
themselves for nights rest, had been the previous
intention of the commanding officer The enemy, after
firing two hundred cartridges, ceased their ruess
operations After hour two of quiet Lieut. Wyche
commanding Captain Welss company, took some eight
mounted up through chapparal to height opposite
when the enemy opened their fire, and fired volley to
inform them that our people "were there No disturbance
during the night No hurt, but horse was shot
through the Jaws An hour before day the next morning
Lieut. Wyche take OF the hill that
contained the enemy the night before which he accom-
lished without opposition. little before sunrise the en-
envy appeared in numbers the road at the OF the
height, and commenced firing down into the camp, at the
same time shouting and using language not very compi
mentary to the "Amercanos." 1t was discovered now
that they had infantry with them. Capt Halle was or
dered with his company TO ascend the hill on the left
through the chappara and endeavor to oulank the
my He proceeded with great caution through the dense
discovered by the enemy, along the road about twenty
yards from It, and about six feet apart the left upper
flank reaching within twenty five yards of the hill top
where the head of the enemys column could be seen
standing. Lieut. Wyche had taken similar position
the other side Of the road lower down. Thus prepared
they awaited the advance of the enemy who threatened
to charge down upon the camp Capt Halle now crept
up alone to the top of the HILL and, finding that the main
body OF the enemy were preparing to move of, he re-
Hailes party about to fire, of the Mexcans in
advance shook his fist at the camp and cried out
carraio Aaericanor Hardly had the words died upon
his lips, before voey of musketry bazed forth from the
chapparal, and some fifty salwart fellows rushed out
and up the hill with "hurah" that sent into the
hearts OF the senores earro who had but moment be-
fore been beating DRUMS smoking puros and cursng the