Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-05-13
DAILY PicAYuNE Extra,

|
BY the steamship M kim, Capt, Pillsbury,
which left Vera Cruz on the Goth inst, we
have glorious news from the scene of action
H On the afternoon of the 18th the advance
under Gen. Twiggs encountered the enemy,
when severe but Indecisive conflict ensued
As the general orders below show that it was
General SCOTS intention to give battle on the
18th, it may be that this engagement was
brought on by the Mexicans. The main bat
tie occurred on the 18th, and resulted in the
complete triumph of the American arms.
Santa Anna made his escape after his army
was routed. Gen. La Vega is again among
the prsoners. Booidas him thoro were five
generals taken, and long list of colonels and
subordinate officers. We give below list of
such Of the officers as are coming to this place
They were to leave Vera Cruz about the 25th
PLAIN DEL Rio, April I7---I1 A. M.
The division Of General Twiggs started two
hours since, and heavy cannonade has already
commenced upon his line from the farthest Of
the Mexican works.-At intervals, too, the
rattling of small arms can be heard distinctly
from the dragoon camp where ! am writing
this.
| | am going out with Coils. Duncan and
Bohlan and Capt. Pemberton, to the seat of
action, and will return here at night to report
the progress of the fight. II was not intend
ed, believe, that Gen. Twggs should open
the fight to-day, at least to bring on general
action, and it is therefore presumable that the
Mexicans have opened upon him. | write in
great haste. G.W.K
5 p, MI have just returned from the
scene of conflict, and a bloody one it has been
considering the number engaged. A hill this
side of the farthest Mexican work, on which
there was no seen last evening, was
found occupied by the enemy's light troops
IN fnrp Al n.d in l.
dispensable.
For this purpose the rifles under Major Sc;n.
ncr, besides detachments of artillery md in
iantry, were ordered to cha.ae up the ragged
ascent.
IDS they Jid In gallant style, driving the
Mexicans, after a resistance which may beI
put down as most obstinate. Great numbers
of the enemy were killed, while OH our side
the loss was also severe. Major Sumner was
shot in the head by musket ball--.severely
but not mortally wounded. Licuts. Maury
and Gibbs, of the rifles, were also wounded,
but not severely, as was also Lieut.. Jarvis of
the I'd infantry
! could not learn that any of our officers
were killed. The entire loss on our side, in
killed and wounded, is estimated at about one
hundred ; but from the nature of the ground
---broken, covered with brush and thick
chapparal, and extremely uneven--.it is inn
possible to tell with accuracy. Nor can |,
at this time, give even the names of the Off
GERS who were Immediately engaged.
About 3 o'clock the enemy made demon
straton from the fort on the neghboring height
to the one our men had captured, as if with
the intention of retaking it but it all ended
in marching down the hill, blowing most
terrific charge on their trumpets, firing few
shots and then retiring.
Their appearance as they came down the
slope was certainly most imposing. The can
non on the height meanwhile kept up con-
tinuous fire on Gen. Twiggss lines, yet doing
little execution other than cutting down the
trees and brush.
AS we returned to camp the fire still con-
tinued-the enemy had evidently ascertaned
the position of the road, which had Just been
cut, with accuracy, but their balls principally
went over.
Gen. Shields, at o'clock, was ordered
to support Gen. Twiggs, with three regiments
of volunteers--two from Illinois under Col.
Baker Il Barnett They will have warm work
tomorrow if the Mexicans stand up as they
did to-day.
There has been not little skrmishing to-
day between the forage and beef parties, sent
out in the rear, and the rancheros One H.
linois man was killed and one of the same reg.
iment and Tencssean wounded. could
not learn their names. G.. W.K
CAMPNEAR PLAIN DEL Rio,
April lo--4 o'clock, p. IN.