Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-07-02

the letters DO not mention that any steps nave
been taken to fortify the city against the ap-
proach of our troops, we presume that Gen'l,
Scott will find the Halls of the Montezumas
an easy conquest.
We commend that portion of our correspon-
dents letter relating to the opening of new
road through Orazaba and Cordova, to the at
tention of our readers
Correspondence Of the Commercial Times.
VERA CRUZ, June 18th, 1847.
Gentlemcn-Col. Banks Yesterday came in
with small party from the train, which had
halted, and was hourly expecting a renewal
of the attack from the Mexicans, who We're
gathered in the road and chapparals ahead in
large force
The attack was made suddenly, and by a
small party, upon an advanced party of dra-
goons, who, with Col. M'Intosh, the comman-
der of the escort, were half mile ahead Of
the wagons. This party, qreU mounted.and
1ceU armed, retreated-or fell back-upon the
main body, before an inferior force of Mexi-
cans, an occurrence, the first of its kind du-
ring this war, and | sincerely hope it may be
the last
The guerillas, thus inspired with confidence,
took advantage of the confusion produced, and
avoiding the troops as much as possible, fell
upon the wagons and mules, which were
stretched along distance of some four miles,
and were guarded along their whole line by a
number of troops not exceeding four hundred
many of these, of course, rushed forward
for their share in the fight leaving large sec
tons OF the train entirely unprotected. The
consequence was, that twenty eight wagons,
and between one hundred and two hundred
pack mules, became the property of the que
rillas
The train left Santa Fe with one hundred
and thirty-two wagons, and from five to six
hundred packed mules-so you will observe
the loss forms very large per centage.
am glad to learn by letter which have seen
from Major Bennett, the paymaster who had
charge of the money which went up in the
train, that not one of the wagons containing
the government funds was taken, although a
considerable sum belonging to officers was ia
ken in the different baggage wagons. The
most important of our losses were the ord
nance stores, with which some of the captured
were loaded About six or eight of our men
had been killed, and some fifteen or twenty
wounded, during the engagement, and the
Mexican loss was supposed to be much great
err What has happened since Col. Banks
| left, and before Gen. Cadwallader reached the
ground, is matter of deep interess-not to
say apprehension. The confidence naturally
springing from the discovery that the Ameri-
cans are not invincible, has doubtless induced
an early renewal of the attack, in which case
am not without hope that the reputation OF
the American arms will be fully maintained
A great fault has been committed with re-
ference to this train. 1t left the city with ar
insufficient escort, while two hundred cavalry
were living here, ready, OF nearly ready, tc
move on the same road. If not exactly ready
their preparations could have been hastenet
at least twenty-four hours, and the train coulc
have been detained at least an equal length O
time That this was not done, will, fancy
become a matter of future accountability.
Unpleasant stories, too, are current, touching
the habits and condition, at particular juno
ture, of an important parsonage attached t,
the escort This, with other matters, will,
presume, form a subject for the investigate!
of court martial, and more direct reference
to it in my letter would be improper. Tn
attack was made at Ell Passo de las Ovejas
this side of the National Bridge, not beyond i,
tits said that the road is now to be forti
, fed, and occupied in all it's more difficult pas
, Fses, by the Mexican troops. Don Thoma
Marin, an intrepid officer of the old Mexica
stamp, we'll known for his gallant defence Q
Alvarado. is reported to have eight hundre
men under him, with whom he intends to oc
/ cupy Cerro Gordo again, assisted, as he ex
poets to be, by guerillas, who can be gather
/ ed around him at few hours notice, in case
4 of emergency. But even if these report
S prove true, that road cannot be closed b
f Mexican troops. Gen. Scott can detach
vision at any hour, which would again swee
all such obstacles away for the moment; an
t if he had the troops which figure so conspicr
l., ously in the Adjutant Generals report, h
: could guard the road effectively, by occup,
t ing with his own men the passes referred t
This, ii is true, would require good man
s soldiers, but it is matter of very great impo
lance, and the service suffers from inability
n do it.
Y am inclined to believe that the General il
tends to open the road to Puebla, leadr
e through Orazaba and Cordova, as it seems
e offer some advantages over that via Jalap
Il By taking possession of these two cities, /
would strike at the root of the guerilla eyi
S by controlling, to great extent, the mounta
q hordes. from which this class of soldiers
} principally taken
!, 1t is believed that the best results wou
II follow the opening and occupation of tn