Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-11-27
BATTLE OF HUAMANTLA.
Report Of Colonel CAiids.
HEADeUARrEns MILIrARr DErARr. or PuEnIA,

will avail myself Of this opportunity submit the Gene
ran-chief brief account of the operations the troops
this point from the period OF my assuming command the
termination OF the siege and the arrival of Brig Gen. Lane
with reinorcements
On entering upon duties as civil and military governor
found myself in command of Capt Fods company cavalry
46 strong Capts Hendricks and Mers companies Of art
lery, numbering lOO together with companies of the LIST
Pennsylvania volunteers, commanded by Lieut. Col Black
his total effective strength being 247and hospitals filed with
1880 sick.
With this command San Jose the grand depot in this CITY
Loreto and Guadalupe be gasoned and held against
the combined efforts of the military and populace.
The Isolated position selected for the hospitals compelled
to remove them within the protection of San Jose the first
demonstration OF hostility. This not long in exhibiting
ITSELF when put myself, with such had at my dis
posa in the best possible state for Defence combining my efforts
TO the squares Immediately around San Jose and from these
points the enemy during the entire siege able force
in (but Tor single moment) sentinel.
No open acts Of hostility other than the numbering Of strag
cling soldiers occurred until the night of the 18th Of Sepem
ber when hire was opened from of the streets On the
night OF the 18th recommended and from every street with
violence mat knew OF cessation for twenty days and
nights.
The enemy with their numerous cavalry succeeded in
ting OIL at once every kind Of supply and vany attempted to
change the current of the water that we might be-
more easy prey The night however before the cattle
and sheep Misrepresentation this yicny well directed parties
obtained thirty of the former and four hundred the
The various points to be defended for the preservation of
San Iose which the safety of the other posts depended de-
manded the unrng vigilance of every officer and man.
The enemy augmented in numbers daily, and daily the fir
ing was ncreased and finally, the 22d Of September,
GENERAL Santa Anna arrived with large renfocements from
Mexico, much to the delight of the besege on which
sion general ringing OF bells took place. and only stop
ped had been several lines BEFORE discharge shells
and round shot from Loreo into the heart Of the city
On the 25th OF September Gen. Santa Anna demanded my
surrender copy OF his demand, together with the reply,
herewith enclosed, marked 4.
here beg to pay passing tribute to my gallant troops.
So soon as had dispatched my answer supposed
paa, hal .ut
all points with his 200 troops lrode to the different posts
and announced the troops the demand force with which
it was backed, and my reply Then response convinced me
that all sae that hard and bloody battle must be fought
the great captain Of Mexico could overcome my little band
The point Of attack San Jose, commanded by Lieut.
Col Black, with Captain Fords company of cavalry and
Captain Mlers company Of 4th artillery and four compa-
MES OF his regiment, and hospital the guard of
which in command of Captain Rowe the 9th regiment
of infantry
The duty required of this command have before OBJ
served consequence of the points be defended
demanded untng effort the part of every officer and
soldier shower OF bullets constantly poured from the
Streets the balconies the houseops and churches upon their
devoted heads.
Never did troops endure fatigue by watching night
after night for than thirty successive nights nor exhibit
patience, spirit, and gallantry. Not post Of danger
could present ITSELF but the gallant fellows ready fill
it sentinel could be shot, but another was anxious
and ready to take his place Officers and soldiers We'd with
each other to be honored their couutrys cause
This the general character of the troops had honor to
command and was confident the Of victory would
perch upon their standard when the last great effort should be
made Their bold and determined front deprived them of
what they anxiously desired.
On the 30th ultmo Gen. Santa Anna had established his
battery bearing upon San Jose and opened with much spirit
Having anticipated this movement had thrown up traverse
the plaza and Withdrawn l2pounder from Loreto, by
which means was enabled to his shot. Towards
night his battery ceased and the next morning with
drawn, together with from 5000 to 1000 of the besegng
force to meet the renorcemens then daily expected Pna
On the I'd instant ayailed myself of reduction Of the
enemys numbers to make sorte against certain barcades
and buildings, whose fire had become very annoying One
of the expeditions confded Captain Small of the lst
Pennsylvania volunteers Passing through the walls Of an
entire square with fifty men, he gained position opposite the
barcade and drove the enemy with great loss they leaving
seventeen dead the ground The bacade consisting of
$50 bales of cotton, consumed In this affair Captain
Small and his command behaved with great gaanty, and for
twentyfour hours unceang in their abors in
pshing the object; when sent Lieut.. Ladey OF the ord
nance corps to blow up prominent building which done
by that excellent officer in good style when the entire party
was withdrawn, with few wounded
At the time Lieut.. Morgan of the 18th regiment,
with detachment of marines, and Lieut. Mei6ed, of the
18th regiment, with detachment Of rifles attempted to gain
possession Of certain buildings from which receiving
most Calling fire. Lieut. Menied entered the building
Lieut. Morgan not Fortunate The enemy being pre-
sent great force directed him fall back with the loss
Of killed. On the 9Th instant Capt Heron de-
tached with his to take possession Of building from
which the enemy had been enadng the plaza. This be did
in very handsome manner and 10 my entire satisfaction,
with only few men wounded.
Other minor acts of gallantTy and good conduct
hbed by officers and San Jose and from Guadalupe
successful soes made upon the enemy when
engaged in their daily attacks San Jose.
From Lieut. Col Black, the immediate commander Of San
Jose and his officers have received the most cordial support
Col Black than thirty days untirng in his efforts
and zeal for the safety of that point Officers and
their posts night and day without regarding the pelng
storm and say much in praise of the gallant
colonel, his officers and men, before and during the siege
Lieut. Laidey, of the ordnance commanded the H.
FOUNDER the mountain howzer and four rocket batteries al
the bacade, and there stationed himself night after night
and often these batteries opened, il with effect
Capt. Ford commanding the cavalry although opportuni
occurred the limited number of his troops
10 engage the enemy at all times ready Capt Miller,
Of the 4h artillery, particularly successful in managing
The l2pounder in Of the general attacks and showed him
self good officer and skilfu arlerist.
Major Gwynn commanding Loreto although not attacked,
vglant and his command of great assistance
Several detachmens from his post occupied exposed points,
aud received heavy fires from the enemyespecialy deach
under Lieuts Carroll and Moore, who for foryeight
hours stood their guard and of essential service to
cannot speak highly of Capt. Kendrck and his
agemen Of his batteries. His shells and shot fell beautifully
houses and churches where the enemy in great
numbers Wherever his shot took effect the firing
ed The limited number of these missiles compelled to
them with great caution am much, very much indebted
Capt kendck for his vigilance and exertions before and
during the siege. will take this occasion mention Ser
geant DWELL of company b, ID artillery, most sktn ar
tllers never shot thrown with accuracy than
frcm his gun.
take great pleasure in speaking of Capt Merehead COM
mandng Guadalupe The place and decnccs amost