The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-20

MAzArLAN, Mexico, March, 30, lsis


MA, between the detachment consisting Of compa-
MES and B, 7th regiment NJ Y. State volunteers.
and the Mexican forces under command OF Manuel
Pineda, and IN which the latter party came off so
decidedly second best Since that time u brilliant
ltle affair has occurred, which certainly deserves
recording the imperishable columns OF the
Herald, for the benefit OF the New York boys who
have well sustained the credit OF the State they
represent, away out here, so far from the 'wh'te
settlements"
In order 10 an understanding of the matter, il is
necessary 10 premise little.
A force OF about thirty men, under command of
Lieut.. Haywood, OF the navy, being stationed at
ST. jose, (Cape. 81. Lucas,) party, consisting OF
two officers and six men, were sent, on the 4th of
February, TO a landing place about ten miles from
the Quartet, for the purpose OF receiving some
stores They had scarcely reached the spot, when
they found themselves surrounded by two hundred
well armed and mounted Cafornlans, and were,
of course, obliged TO surrender. They were I'M
medlately convey ed to San Antonio, In the centre
of the country, the headquarters OF the enemy.
The officers names were Duncan and Marley,
both passed mldshpmen, belonging TO the Con-
gress Arrived at San Antonio, they were placed
On parole, tolerably well treated, and had pros
peel Of a long stay with their amiabe friends. lI
The main body Of the enemy having given up
the attempt at taking La Paz, were IN the vicinity
of ST Jose; and at times there was guard of but
ten men at San Antonio. The prisoners as often
as opportunities occurred, addressed several let
ters TO the commanding officer at La Paz request.
ing him to send force to rescue them. This, for
some reason he did not do; and it was tor some
time doubtful whether any thing would be done.
On the 18th of this month"; however, another
letter came in, and its contents soon became
known among the whole detachment. Now you
are probably aware that very large portion of
what is called military discipline and Sc regu-
larity" does not exist among volunteers IN gene
raj; and as the event will show particularly with
us. Two or three of the men having failed in the
attempt to prevail upon Col Burton to send out
party, took the matter into their own hands, raised
thirty men pledged to go to San Antonio aud res
cue the prisoners at all hazards This tact was COM
municated to the Col, and he was again requested
to put officer at the head of them, being fully
assured that if he did not they would go without
one. The Col, was finally prevailed on 10 lega-
lie the enterprise, and placed as IT.. commanding
officer Capt Seymour G. Steele, OF Company A..
D. Horses and saddles es 5asng sssn th
fcers and privales, and three officers Surgeon
Alexander Perry, Acting Lieutenant Scott, of
Company B, and Capt. Steele), left La Paz on the
night Of the 18th Of March, between 9 and 10
O'Clock. The road to San Antonio, distance of
about 60 miles, is through miserable, rocky coun-
try; but unaccustomed as our men were to riding,
they found themselves on the top of the mountain
overlooking San Antonio, at daylight on the fol-
lowing morning Here picket guard, consisting
of one man, was found, and he being snugly en-
sconced in the arms of Morpheus, was taken pri-
soner. Our party being entirely unobserved by
the enemy, they descended the hill and passed up
they neared The end, under cover of bank, the
force was arrayed, and, with a loud hurrah,
charged INTO the town at full speed II was per
iect surprise. Our prisoners, percelving their
trends had arrived at last immediate ly joined our
party, while two Mexican officers, who were pro-
ceedlng from their barracks across the square to
the Quartet occupied by the soldiers, were also
captured Pineda the commanding officer, made
good his escape. by jumping out the back window
in his drawers and night shirt. l' rsH
In the mean time the enemy's force to the number
OF between forty and fifty, had succeeded forming
front of their barracks, and brisk fire of musket-
ry was opened from them. Our men were ordered
to dlsmount, and rally under cover of the church.
Here they were again formed, and, with another
hurrah and "charge bayonet," rushed on the
enemy, who ran in all directions to the adjacent
hills, with the loss of three of their number killed,
and seven or eight wounded. In this charge we
lost one man, Lieut.. Thos. Hipwood, of b Co.,
who, with two Others charged upon building In
which We're fifteen soldiers; Hipwood receiving
three balls IN his breast, and dying Immediately.
The rout OF the enemy being complete, the arms
they had abandoned (some thirty in number), their
bulletmouds, trumpet, NC, were destroyed In the
Plaza their flag taken their public papers secured
and, there being no more work 10 do, the party
lett San Antonio to return 10 La Pez.
When about half the distance on the road, our
party was ambuscadcd In a narrow mountain pass,
which five good men conld have defended against
hundred. No oideI was needed for the men 10
dlsmount, but, springng Out of their saddles,
volley and charge, and the cowardly rascdls had
fled. The only person injured in the ambuscadc
was one of the captive officers, Capt. Manuel
Calderon, who was shot in the breast by Sergt.
Denpiston, of b Co., and Private McDonough,
OF \, one OF our own men. The party reached
La Paz about o'clock in the morning, having
performed the distance Of l20 miles IN 80 hours,
on the same horses and through the most miseIa-
BILE country that was probably ever manufactured.
Words cannot express the gratitude OF Messrs.
their rescue; and the whole movement is looked
upon as of the finest little affairs that has oc-
cured in California
The day alter the affair, the ship Isabella, Capt
Briggs, which left Philadelphia IN September
last, with some recruits for our regiment, arrived
IN La Paz, with hundred recruits and Co.,
Capt. Naglee and the whole force was to march
out, in a few days, to disperse the remainder of
the enemy, and PROBABLY ere this all is quiet. ]
left La Paz ten days since, and am now here,
awaiting a passage. to Upper California, bearing
papers TO Colonel Mason. We are rejoicing In the
prospect of a speedy peace, that we may return to
our homes. and retire upon the laures won by a
portion OF the, net entirely useless, much abused
18th Regiment of N. Y. State Volunteers.
The AFFRAY AT THE NAaARA.-A correspon-
dent OF the Boston Evening Transcript writes
from Niagara Falls concerning the late dicuity there
bridge Mr. Ellet has been reaping rich harvest in
tolls which have flowed into his pocket by hundreds
his receipts The origin Of the difficulty Is this MT
Ellet's contract was that the work should be COM
pleted by given day, which has not yet TRANSFERRED
Thewofk being completed he takes the bridge to him.
self establishes toll of 25 cents each way and pock-
cts the money The Canadians seeing the rich profits
he Is rcap refused to- day to allow any one to enter
Canada over it, and have erected bafricade on the
frent.r that is $50 feet over the Niagara river In
the middle Of the bridge. This soon led to an alarm
ing state OF excitement. The Canadians and Amsri-
cans were in open hostility. Parties were formed,
and fight took place to- day at the baicade in which
The Canadians bad the best Of it, aud in the melee,
one OF the American party badly beaten, taken
over the mad beneath by his hend and
heels and finally released, when he made his escape
the American side, and the CANADIAN ms remained at
the barr'cade for the remainder of the day. The
business Of the bridge will probably be suspe nded for
Has"n he matter in dispute will probably lead TO
SUIT at law How IL will be decided, il is impossible
TO conjecture. Through the influence of q friend
from Buffalo, who was well acquainted with the Cana
dian belligcrents our party allowed to pass
Ahapt hau n laNr alter lh Lsii. Alaesx