The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-04-24

to return by the beach. About two-and-a-half miles
men who displayed white flag and invited him to APP
proach. Surprising they would surrender on discover
ing his force, he met them the bridge, but found
they had the expectation from him; and disco
vered that they several hundred strong the
ridge which commanded the bridge the opposite
side Uncertain what his strength they permitted
him to withdraw under the height on this side
while they still displayed the white flag from which
position he sent information to camp Of what had
occurred by the generals direction marched TO his
support with about 200 On approaching place.
we advanced to reconnoitre, when the enemy opened
IRE OF musketry from large body, stationed either
side OF the road the hill rising from the
Of the Puente del Medic handsome stone structure
thrown across small stream Of fresh water running
to the river Antigua. The bridge barrcaded with
abattis, and entertainments thrown up the heights
directed Lieut. Roberts to display in the chaparral
to right and crossing below their left while
Capt Pope with two companies crossed above turn
ing their left advancing the remainder by the road and
bridge.
Lieut.. Roberts having before been over the ground
reached their left first and drove them with great spirit
from their position.
We pursued them about mile, when sunset induced
me to halt and recalling the skirmshers returned
to camp about o'clock. We had men severe
~ wounded-lh hope not dangerously-two sergeans and
two privates.
the contest having been in the bushes others may
escaped notice. An officer wounded was supposed
the place could not be found
have great satisfaction in speaking of the prompt
tuae anu spirit eVinced by the whole command but the
activity and ganntry evnced by Lieut. Roberts
two subalterns serving with him occnson-Brcvet
I'd lieutenants Maury and Hatch-descrve particular
notice.
We took four muskcts and many cartridges
The enemy were estimated to be two hundred and
nifty men, and supposed to be advanced party of n
force Of some sire myth, collecting between us and the
Puentc Nacionel. Your obedient servant
PERSIFER +. SMITH. Colonel
Lieut. w. T. ii. BROOKE, A. A. A. Gen. I'd Brig
CAMP WAsHrScTos, BEFORE VrnA Cnuz,
March % 1871
SIR Before leaving camp with the dispatches in which
you inform the President of the United the
brill;
this city and the castle of San Juan Ua, seize q
ment to solicit your attention to the merits services
OF the officers Of engineers who have been in that
attack.
If there be anything the position FORM and arrange
men OF the trenches and batteries in the
their execution worthy OF commentator. it In due
the ability DEVOTION and unrcmttng zeal of these
GERS BY extraordinary and unsparng efforts they
enabled, few they to accomplish the work Of
many and far the your operations before
this city depended abors peculiar to their corps
words Of mine can overratc their services.
The officers thus engaged Major John l.. Smith.
Captains r. +. Lee and John Sanders; First Lieuts j.
Lieuts. II. b. Tower and G. w smith; Brevet Second
Lieuts. @. d. Mcclellan and J. q. Foster.
The obligation lies upon me also to speak of the highly
mertorous department and valuable services of the
sappers and miners attached to the expedition Srenu-
GUS their exerons their number proved to be
too few, in comparison with need Of such aid Had
their number been fourfold greater there Is doubt
tho labors Of the army would have been materially les
sened, and the result expedited.
have the honor to be- respectfully your obedient
servant JOS. g. TOTTEN,
colonel ana Chlef Engineer
Major Gen Scott commanding the army of the Uni
ted States Mexico.
GrsE.AL onprR',} HrApqvARrrn. OF THE ARMY,
No 81. Vera Cruz, April l, ls47
Notwithstanding the strong provisions printed &C.
neral Orders No 20, proclaimins martial law, many
neghborhood, by few worthless soldiers-both regu-
lars and vounteers-whch, though stamping dishonor
upon tho whole army, remain unpublished because the
criminals had not been seized reported by eve wit
nsssss Of the atrocities.
IL must be evident to all who honor their country or
respect Themselves that law and order be
tanned in tho army unless every good soldier shall give
his personal aid to authority This invited and
pected under that printed order but cruel have
the dsappontments of the and all the
good officers and soldiers Of this army
One more appeal Is made to the niney honorn
bic men, against perhaps the three mscreans every
hundred. Certainly the great ought to allow
themselves to be dshonored by handful of scounrels
who scout oil religion morals law and deccncy There
fore let every bad man be denounced in his act OF guilt
seized and reported for trial. and this army will
in triumph and be everywhere kindly received sup
piled with necessares and comforts by the peaccabl,
| and unoifending inhabitants Of the country
AS one preventive to outrages-and all officers will
seek to apply others-no will be allowed to stray
from his camp post in future, without written per
soldier not known to be sober and orderly in his
duct This restriction upon the good is the first evi
brought upon them by undetected criminals
All killing OF cattle even for food and all Selling upo
poultry vegetables and other private property
der the pretcnce OF supplying the sick, must nstant
cease except by express order Of officer Of hgi
| rank. Arrangements have been made to supply tn
army and its hospitals by purchase, and individual Off
and honestly as at home, all comforts not supplied b,
government.
by command OF Major General scorr:
H. l.. SCOTT A. A. A. General.