Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-03-11

eau CaiiloTnianS ngntlng SIDE Dy SIDE with
our sailors and Mariners, but fighting for
their homes, their families and property
against band of desperate robbers, who
have ravaged the country. They got
good lesson at San Jose.
There has been little skrmishng in the
vicinity of Mazatlan, on or about the Goth
ult. Lieut.. Halleck, Typographical engi-
neers, Lieut.. Governor of Mazatlan, went
out with one hundred men. and Lieut.. Bow
an, of the Cyane, with sixty, by boats, to
surprise party of the enemy at the Urias,
three miles distant. Both parties engaged
the enemy between 3, A. NJ. and daylight;
but as the Mexicans knew the country bet
ter than our forces, they got away through
the hills. They fought, however, with
some loss-number not known. The
American loss was one killed and thirteen
wounded; Mexican loss certainly much
greater, and a total rout of double the
force of our seamen. Lieuts. Seldom and
Wise were grazed by balls, but not injured
The Mexicans at first showed disposition
for fair stand up fight, but soon gave way
before Jacks furious charges.
The Commodore appears to be arran-
glng to day, Dec. LIST, to give large and
effective force to the peninsula, and crush
at blow the revolt in California. But we
cannot work miracles, nor make men. There
should be three regiments of land forces
on this coast at this moment, that the ma.
Wy might perform its proper duties. Our
sailors are ready and willing, and their Of
ficers first and foremost, day and night;
but they cannot take care of their ships
and garrison large towns at the same time,
nor should they be expected to do it for
any length of time. Be assured they are
doing all they can, and most cheerfully, too.
All right in Upper California TO the end
of October. Governor Mason at Monte.
rey: Col. Stevenson, 18th N. Y. volunteers,
commands the southern department at Los
Angeles.
The Erie has sailed for Calloa, via Pa
mama: (Puebla) gone to Panama for Com.
Jones; Southampton in the Gulf, giving
supplies to San Jose, and La Paz and Qua
ymas.
GUAyMAs, Nov. 81, ls47.
Lieut.. Smith and Passed Midshipman
Duncan, with their companies, consisting
of25 men each and II men under Lit. Tan
sill, landed at half past one o'clock, on the
18th instant, at Guaymas, with Capt Sell
fridge at their head for the purpose Of ex-
aiming the town and fort.
After hating short time at the fort, and
taking view of the deserted appearance
and dilapidated state Of the town, not sup
posing that living creature was to found
within its precincts, the captain ordered us
TO march in the Plaza, for the purpose of
examining the situation and topography of
the place. We have not proceeded far,
however, before we received volley of
musketry from a window not ten PAGES dis
tant, two balls of which passed through the
clothes of two men in Lit. Smiths company,
and third through Capt. Selfridge's right
foot, intlicting severe wound. Not seeing
any person to whom we could return thi:
unexpected compliment and being totally
t ignorant of the plan of the town. we return.
ed to the fort to devise plan of operations
By this time the captain was unable to stand
and was taken on board the ship for surgi
cal attendance, leaving 1t. Smith in com
mand with orders to engage the enemy.
u A six.pounder was then brought in the
launch from the ship, and placed in the fort
: in position that overlooked and comman
: ded part of the town. 1t. Tansill was or
dered to occupy the foot of street, two
squares to the left of the Plaza, for the pur
pose of ascertaining, if possible, the situa
ton and number of the enemy's forces,
while Passed Midshipman Duncan and Mid
shipman Adams were ordered to occupy a
street Immediately on his right, with SINH
lar instructions. These arrangements hay.
ing been made, Lieut. Smith was about pro.
ceeding, accompanied by Midshipman Hous
e Ia.
ny, TO force the doors of the house from
which the first fire was received. But be-
fore this could be executed the enemy com
menced brisk fire upon Passed Midship
man Duncans company, which he imme
diately returned with great effect. At ,hi!
moment, body of the enemy was discover
ed by 1t. Tansill in the principal street, d.
reciy in front, to which point he immedi
ately pushed with his mariners, where he
found about one hundred of the enemy pos
ted, sheltered by the houses from the fire Of
Lieut.. Smiths company at the fort, as wei
: as Mr.. Duncan's company on his right.
On gaining this position, the mariners
commenced severe fire upon them, which
so completely surprised them, and did sucl
: execution in their ranks, that they soon be
gan precipiate retreat. followed by grea
numbers from the adjoining houses, during
which time 1t. Smith and Mr.. Duncan's
. companies opened and continued sharl
+. fire on them. until they reached the adjacen
! sand hills to the right and rear Of the town
i. The ships guns were now brought TO bea
1 on them, and Lieut.. Yard, who was left il
+ command of the ship, commenced THROWN!
b Paixhan shells which were very destructive