Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-10-23
lA~Jor Ln,,y'sco,n ~ a~d.- Thrilling Account
oS hts march TO JsInpe.

graphic account OF the hardshps toll and dan gers
encountered by Major Lally's command. in their
march from Vera Cruz TO Jalapa 1t is dated the
18th of Sept at Ja'apa, and 10 as follows:
I'VE bivouacked two days and startcd-the
heat intrnse--the sand deep. The men had to
carry weight If IS or 90 lbs. 40 rounds bail
cartridge, knarsacks filled with clothing. No
wonder many fell behind. had myself to car
~ one stout fellows musket for him two or
three hours. A fine athletic man from Texas,
dropped ON the road side, and was few hours
afterwards shot by the GderrIlercs We rea.
rhed Santa Fe--the country becomes more firm
and rolling-broad meadows covered with tall
grass, aud the atmos phere refreshing and invigo.
rating-white stone cottages diversity the pros.
prct, and droves OF large fat cattle roam at viii!
through these verdant pastures.
awe halted at the village of ST. Juan for the
night The second day after our arrival, the Ma.
ior permitted Of our officers and so men to vi.
sit one OF Santa Annals houses--we got there in
about 3 hours, emitting our way frequently
through the thick chapparel with knives. 1t
was furnished with sumpuous elegance The
views lovely and imposing
"At reveile next morning we were again in
motion gong upwards, still upwards. as the land
seemed 10 ascend at every step. All at once
volley of nusketry broke the monotony. We
discovered the enemy posted on hill, on our
left, in some force. The command halted. The
osder TO charge was given. scrambled up the
hill. iirked myself over the rocks with the men,
but on getting to the top, the enemy had gone -
We continued our journey, and arrived at the
Passo D'Ovai.s. This remarkable pass is formed
by n turn in the road, and it was no; until the ad
vance was about to emerge, that we actually un.
herstood dangerous position. At this mo-
ment single shot was fred, and Immediately
after a volley Of escopetts, that extended along
the whole advance and portion of the wagons.
Captain Jones Company G, North Carolina, 10th
R-gi. was in the mouth of the pass, the last of
the advance. We formed in platoons. Some
confounded mules having been wounded came
rushing down the HILL trains and all into u.s. but
the officers soon set all to rights again
We formed on the edge Of the bushes, and fired
low and by company. We delivered two 6res
This produced very eloquent silence. IN the
the enemy's cavalry charged the bead OF the co.
hmm. Ii. Sears, of the artillery, routed them
aith couple Of his grape and canister applioa-
tons and portion of the Infantry and volt;guers
nnder Capts Alvord Cummings and Caldwell II
charged in pursuit The two latter were both
severely wonndcd. The Mexicans left many
killed our loss was five killed and wounded.
"Frcm this time we were constantly exchan.
glng shots, some times receiving whole rolies,
which killed and wounded few men, but har.
rssscd The command exc eedingly
On the 18th Of August. we reached the Ma
tional Bridge, met the enemy, and at first sut-
tered some oss-snd upon tie top of this bluff,
perched some fifty feet above the bridge, stands
the castle, which commands the bridge and lis
approaches. Our little army, properly dispo,
sej, arrived at the head of the det,le; We pas.
sed along these windings and eaiusd the bridge.
Every thing was silent; we passed half way
across, where we saw an embankment, which
would seem to render further progress doubtful
We approached, and when within poin, blank
distance, valley of escopetts burst from behind,
at the same moment the castle on the LETT. am!
heights on the right, gave Us a severe and gal,
ling fire. In vain the cavalry charged-the
cmbsnkment was impossible. The attilery
belched forth its iron messengers Of death, but
the dread weapon could not touch the foe. The
men were falling fast, the cannon was left for
short time dismantled on the brigde. An ofi.
ser volunteered To repass up the bridge and
bring mp one, and with the aid OF nine men Of
company &. it WIS accomplished 10 one hour
Thcy remained on the bridge. unshetered, in
The midst of the fire, where the gallant Lieuten-
ant Twiggs joined the party, but did not share
their success. having been shot Immediately al.
ter, dying with the drag rope in his hand and a
smile upon biz lips. His friend Sears, another
noble hearted gentleman, and myself, went
down after his body aud brought It up, spite OF
the curses and fire of the enemy.
From this piece, FIRE was opened upon the
castle they retired. the fort was entered by our
iorce, and upon an officer OF the 18th waving
the stars aud stripes from the point OF his blade
lhe shout that rose la heaven made fellow fee
rather glorious. We we're victorious. l dc
rot know how to do justice to the coolness ane
courage Of the troops. and the gallantry OF the
officers, who for half an hour. stood under {
pretty hot fire. Here were wounded Captain
Clark, Lieu,s Creanor, Wender, and Adams
and Captain Twiggs killed.
ave remaine,ltw wo nights on the bridge dres
sing The wounded. repairing losses, &r. and pu