The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-04-09
OTTAWA, ILLINOIS, FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1S47.


if there were concealed batteries
or troops to oppose the landing
Nothing was vealed, and the order
was given to advance. The surf
boats, about fifty in number, each
containing from eighty to a hundred
men, moved off in gallant style and
in the most perfect order. AS the
boats approached the shore near
enough to touch ground, the men
leaped out and formed lines by COM
panies, and marched ashore. No
opposition was offered. Gen. Pat
terson's division the I'd } next de-
barked in the same manner, and
were followed by the 3D. or General
Twiggs' Division. 1t was midnight
before the troops ceased landing
The surf boats were manned by the
sailors from the U. S. fleet, who la
bored with right good will. The Of
iicers of the navy have done all in
their power TO assist the army in its
movements.
At two O'clock the next morning
there was an alarm in the line which
extended along the beach. The
troops cheered and those who had
fallen into the doze upon the banks
lsprang suddenly TO their arms. Our
picket guard had approached that Of
some Mexican cavalry who were
watching our movements, and had
received one or two shots. About
half an hour afterwards a detach-
ment of our men fell in with some
thirty or forty cavalry, and several
volleys were fired, the balls of the
enemy falling into our columns but
seriously injuring no one. At sun
rise, General Worth led off his divi-
sion in advance, following the beach
for some distance towards the city.
and then turning inland, came in
sight of several hundred Mexican
cavalry, drawn up about half mile
from the shore. A small howitzel
was Immediately drawn up to the
top of a sand hill and a fire was o.
pened, which soon scattered the en-
envy. The division continued to PEN
citrate to the interior among the sand
hills, tie Mexicans retreating before
them.
The 81 and Sd divisions followed
close and took positions. Gen. Pat,
terson sent Gen. Pillows brigade tc
the interior, and took his position or
the left Of Gen. Worth's DIVISION
Gen. Twiggs took lis position to thu
rear Of Patterson's. An old cattle.
dral was taken possession of by Gen
Pillow, and soon afterwards a mag.
azine containing $50 boxes of am,
munition. During all this time tn,
enemy kept up fire of shell anC
round shot from the town and cas-.
tie, few of which reached our line
and those doing no harm.
AT S o'cl ock, A. NJ, the little U. S
steamer Spitiire ran in close to the
town and fired 4 number of shell.
into the place, receiving fire fron
the Castle in return.
This morning our army moved
still nearer the town-Worth's Di.
vision on the right, and resting OF
the sea shore, Gen. Patterson in the
centre, extending back into tn,
country, and Gen. Twiggs' Division
on the left, still farther to the int.
rior. They have approached con
siderably within range Of the gun.
in the town, and can be reached b,
those in the castle, from both 0
which a brisk cannonading has beer
kept up during the day. The lin,
extends across the railroad which
goes from the town to the magazine
and the aqueduct which supplies tn,
city with water, is likewise in on
possession. In short, the city is in.
vested, and communication by III,
main roads cut off. Entrenchment,
, have been marked out, (and will b,
worked on tonight, which are nea,
enough to the walls to render on
. heavy guns effective. These gun
have not been taken on shore
Steptoe's light battery, with til,
: horses, have been landed, with sew
eral pieces Of larger calibrc. Nei
: Their Duncan,s OF Taylor's batter,
: has arrived, nor has Col. Harnc,
) reached here with the I'd Dragons
| a number Of vessels with troops ant
} ordnance, which were due weel
f ago, have not been heard of.
There has been considerable Skin
mishing to-day, and some twenty o
our men wounded, among then
Lieut.. Col. Dickson, of the Soutl
Carolina regiment, but not danger
, ously. Fifteen or twenty of III,
, Mexican cavalry have been takel
, prisoners, horses and men, and som,
fifty killed. This evening, 80
FOUNDER ball from the city fell int,
.. the I'd Infantry, taking off the hea'
of Capt. William Alburtis, of tina
REGIMENT and coycrply IL NOT MO-.