Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-02-06
LATE FROM rAmPIco.


e7 mors-Mexicsn Force believed to be near
7 sal'illo-Col. Mays Dragons Er,rapped in
a Mexican Pass by a largo Mexican Force
il's Rear Guard Cut off-Escape with the
Main Body-March Of Gen. Shields from
'ramp'co Engagement Anticipated with
Mexican Troops-Mexican Force Estimated
at Fifty Thousand--T Thirty Thousand at San
Luis.
The brig Georgiana. from Tampico, has arriv.
Ell at New Orleans, bringing dates to the ldth
ultimo Col. Kenney arrived at Tampico or
the 18th, direct from Victoria, with dispatches
from Gen Taylor to Gen. Shields 10 suspend
operations for the present. Gen. Taylor had
entered Victoria with Gen. Quitman on the 9th
Gen. Quitman had driven the Mevicans before
ham for thirty or forty miles before entering
taut TO give mp the place. and only retired at one
s'he Gen Quitman was entering on the other
Uaviug no cavalry, he could not pursue the re.
treating enemy.
Col Kenney parted with Gen. Taylor at Mon.
to Morales and pushed on towards Victoria with
Gen Quitman, thence proceeding alone to Tam
pco. There was no reason to suppose that Ge.
ncral. Butler and Worth had moved from Saltilo
though it was so reported. The Mexican army
is believed to be not far of, though the Mexican
soldiers seen in the neighborhood Of Satillo are
now supposed to have been the advanced party
on this side of the dseert, between Saltillo
and san Luis, TO destroy the water tanks in case
the American army should move in force in the
direction of San Luis
From the contents Of private letters received,
however, there is little doubt that la:ge Mexi.
can force, insisting mostly of cavalry, were at
the Tula, at the latest dates, under Gen. Valen.
tia. Gems. Urea, Romero and Fernandez, were
also reported to be in the vicinity on the ist Of
January Cen Taylor had sent forward Col. May
10 examine mountain pass between Monte Mo-
rales and Lahradores, and in his return he took
another pass, leading 10 Linsres, where he was at.
tackcd by large body of the enemy, and his
guard cut off by rolling stones down into the
l'ass. II was dangerous spot, the pass being
scarcely wide enough for the horsemen to 90
through ia the single file. Col. May, however,
managed to get away with his main body, and
rrachcd spot where he was enabled 10 dis.
mount and return on foot 10 succour the rear
guard. but he was too late, as the enemy had re.
treated with their prize.
At one time the dragons were almost at the
mercy Of the Mexicans, had the latter discharg.
ed their pieces with accuracy, as they occupied
position directly over the heads Of our troops
Col. Mays loss had not been ascertained, OF
whether any of his men were killed. There car
be no doubt that Generals Taylor, Twiggs
Patterson and Pillow were at Victoria with q
large force Gen Shields, with 650 men, march.
ed from Tampico on 10th. towards Altamira, i,
was supposed for the purpose of opening com
munication with Gen. Tay lor at Victoria. From
two to three thousand Mexican troops were be
tween Tampico and Victoria, with which it ii
supposed Gen Shields might have an engagement
The force remaining at Tampco was $50. Thi.
market wa. amply supplied with American n,er
chandze. '
This fact prscludes the idea Of any serious at
tack upon Generals Worth or Wool being medi
tated, the object of the Mexicans being only Il
keep watch upon the American forces and re
treat before any advance to cut of the supple
of water.
Col Kennsy brought rumor TO Tampico tina
IS coo Mex leans were TO attack Saltil!o on tn
9th ult., aud verbal news was brought TO New
Orleans by the Georgiana 10 the effect that SAINT
Anna had placed himself between Generals Tay
lor and Worth with IS 900 men, and that gene
raj action was Immediately expected This pro
baby was merely repetition of the rumors be
fore received by way of Mstamoras.
Col Kenney states that the Mexican force a
San Luis was 80, 600 strong and the whole fore
in the field was estimated at SO, 900. The cap
ture of Tampieo. he stated had created the great
est excitement throughout the country Gsner
ais Butler, Worth and Wool had 5000 men a
Saltillo, considered to be the flower of the army
Col Kenney speaks confidently Of the success
in case of an engagement Generals Taylor an
Patterson with COCO men were at Victoria. wait
ing orders from Gen. Scott 1t was not suppos
ed that any movement would be made agains
San Luis, but that the Mountain passes would
retained and Vera Cruz subjected by land, whie
it was supposed weuld be attacked on Gen. SEQ,
taking the command.
Late from the Army.