Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-04-14

Wv have done all in their power to assist the army
in its movements.
About 2 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
doze on the sand banks sprang suddenly to their
arms Our picket guard had approached that OF
some Mexcon cavalry who were watching our
movements, and had received one or two shots
About half an hour afterwards detachment of our
men fell in with some thirty forty cavalry, and
several voleys were fired, the balls of'the enemy
falling into our columns but seriously inurlng no
one. At sunrise Gen. Worth led off his division IN
advance. following the beach for some distance to-
wards the city, and then turning inland, came IN
sight of several hundred Mexican cavalry, drawn up
about half mile from the shore A small howlt-
ger was Immediately drawn up to the top OF the
sand hill and fire was opened, which soon scat
tered the enemy The division continued to pene-
trate to the interior among the sand hills, the Mex
leans retreating before them.
The I'd and Sd divisions followed close and took
positions Gen. Patterson sent Gen. Pillow and
his brigade the Interior and took his position on
the left of Gen Worths division. Gen. IwIggs
looks his position to the rear OF Patterson An old
cathedral was taken possession OF by Gen Pillow
and soon afterwards magazine containing 1 so box
es Of ammunition. During all this time the enc
envy kept up fire of shell and round shotfrom the
town and castle few ofwhich reached our line,
and those doing no harm
At o'clock A. NJ. the little u. S. Steamer Spit
fire ran in close to the town and fired number OF
shells into the place. receiving fire from the cas-
tie in return.
This morning army moved still nearer the town
Worth division the right, and resting on the
sea shore. Gen. Patterson on the centre extending
back into the country, and General Twiggs divs
ion on the left, still farther to the interior. They
have approached considerably within range of the
guns in the town. and can be reached by those inthe
castle, from both OF which brisk canonadmg has
been kept up during the day. The line extends a
the rail road which goes from the town to
the magazine, and the aqueduct which supplies the
city with water, is likewise in our possession. In
short, the city is invested, and communication by
the main roads cut off. Entertainments have been
marked out (and will be worked on to night which
are near enough to the walls to render our guns
effective. These guns have not been taken on shore
Steptoe's light battery with the horses, have been
landed with several pieces of larger calibre. Mel
ther Duncans or Taylors battery has arrived, nor
has Col. Harvey reached here with the ID dragons.
number otvessels with troops and ordnance, which
were due a week ago have not been heard Of
There has been considerable skirmshIng to-day,
and some twenty of our wounded, among them
Lieut.. Col. Dickinson of South Carolina regiment,
but not dangerously. Fifteen twenty of the
Mexican cavalry have been taken prisoners, horses,
and men, and some fifty killed This evening,
80 FOUNDER ball from the city fell into the 2nd In
fantry taking off the head of Capt. VIM. Alburtis,
of that regiment, and severely il not morally woun-
ding two men.
1t is said that Gen. - has been cut off from
the city with about 5000 men, He was down OPP
poste the fleet at Anton Lizardo, probably thinking
that our troops would land there. 1t is said that
there only about $500 troops in Vera Cruz and
the castle
p. S.-March 13-Yesterday was boiserous
day A heavy norther sprang up IN the morning
and continued all day There was no firing on
shore, but suspect our people were busy preparing
the entertainments. The bark Tamaroo has just
been turned to position convenient for landing the
siege guns with which she is loaded. The I'd dra
goons have not arrived, nor have the batteries OF
Duncan and Taylor. The Alabama goes out to
Tampico tonight, and will send this by her, no.
ping it may reach you early.
CANT NEAR VERA CRUz, March IL.
wrote you hasty letter last evening, with
account of the movements of the day. After 1t
was closed the rifles under Col Smith hada brisk
action with the enemy, in which the latter, after
partial success at the outset finally driven back
with considerable loss. This morning the line of
investment-some five or six miles in extent-will
probably be complete.
do not think from all that l can see and learn
that Gen Scott will be able to plant his batteries
for several days to come; and until he can make
good show he will not open upon the town at all
When the bombardment does commence it will be
in earnest.
Captain Vinton of the artillery has been ordered
to take up position at limekiln close into the
walls of the city, and this he has effected without
loss. Anticipating attack upon this point last
,,,vl1+ dor
companies to support Capt V. but nothing occur
ed. There was some little skirmishing at the diff
erent pckets during the night but otherwise all was
quiet.
Col HaIney's Dragons have not as yet arrived
yet their services greatly needed 1t is said that
a large train Of pack mules which went out of the
city yesterday, took heavy amount of specie as
well as valuables. All this property might have
probably been captured had Gen Scott cavalry
force 1t was also reported lastevenmg that some
thing like 1000 Mexicans were seen coming in to-
wards sun down, by the main road from Mexico,
with large drove Of cattle for the beeaguered city;
but as the investment was not then complete, and
as we had no cavalry, they could not be taken
learn, however, that Gen Twiggs, who commands
on the north side of the city succeeded during the
day in capturing quite a number of cattle. A nor
Their is now blowing, which is hoped will bring IN
the 2nd Dragons.
At the magazine, which was captured the oay De-
fore yesterday, a considerable quantity OF ammunition
was taken. 1t was evidently of English or Amer
lean make, as il was labeled short range, long
range &c, in good vernacular The Mexicans
managed to get offsafely the larger amount of their
ammunition, and it is carefully slowed away
inside the city walls
1t would take page of our paper to give full ef
feet TO description OF the first landing of our troops
ON the afternoon of the 9th-a more string specta
Gle has probrbly never before been witnessed in A
merica In the first line there no less than