The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-31


The following account of the brisk little affair between
the gallant rifles and the guerlas at San Juan de los
Llanos is the only full description which have yet
seen of that action:
In my asteter, stated to you that Cen Smith had gone
down the road ascertain the whereabouts of Gen Pierce
and him if and also stated if the
guerIas should fall in his road, they would be handled
will by the following short of his Operations
that was not mistaken ana although they did not have
lesson which will be remembered some time for
small affair." think it was one OF the most brilliant of the
Monday night, July 26, twas reported apparently
good authority, that force of several thousand men with
convoy OF 600 mules, loaded with ammunition was at
Piedras Negas destined to operate against Cen Pierce
The morning, Gen. Smith, with his brigade and a
squadron OF horse under Capt Ku Of the mounted rifle
New York vountegs under Col Burnei, marched to meet
and sustain Gen. Pierce, carrying with them "a supply OF
probable Pierce the alapa road, the command
marched oio de Aqua. Having intelligence by in
San Juan de los Lanos Is miles Oft, on the night
of the 10Th scouts sent in that direction, VINO
by troops in the town. Captain Run was Immediately
despatched with his squadron, composed of company
OF I'd dragons under Lieutenant Halves, and his own
company of mounted rhemen-in all, SO men--to at
tack the town lie found abogt 30 cavalry drawn up
Captain Run then divided his command into three parts,
and entered the 5on cauonsy, ndng the stone houses
with armed men. Lieut. Halves first fired upon.
and disnountng and form ing his men on foot and bring
joined by Lieutenant Walker mounted rdes thew re-,
the and the other party advancing at the same
time, they drove the enemy with great slaughter, from
house to house, to the plaza in the centre the fire the ri
femen astonishingly destructive. Here of the
principal houses, of them loop-holed. were de-
tended with obstinacy, but carried a party was
organized assault the church, from the towers oil
which smart fire was kept up but the stormng
party started, white dag hung from the church,
and the ceased Those OF the enemy who were not
killed. badly wounded, escaped through the thick ant
intricate hedges, the force of Capt Ruff was not su
surround the town, which contains 5000 nhabit-
ants Forty-three OF the enemy counted dead and
many wounded. Only of ours was hur,--a
private of the mounted raemen badly wounded in the
neck the The two houses from which the fire
most obstinate burnt. large quantity of
public clothing, and many arms, DESTROYED, after
the men had taken OF the former what they needed Du
the hottest the contest, the Kindness
displayed by our men towards the women and children
exposing themselves the enemys fire. to place these
helpless and frightened creatures in security. Some
time after Captain Rufus departure from Ojo de Aqua,
the mounted rifle regiment and piece of artillery,
in the direction TO support him, If ne
cessary but he them half way on his return.
Capt Ruff the highest appreciation for his spirit and
SKIN IN that aar and he speaks in great praise OF his o
cers-bieuts Walker andHawes-and gives a most special
commentator to Serg. Muphil orderly sergeant of the
company Of mounted Tifemen. The next day the squad