Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-26
AUSTRIA.
Important from Mexico.

We are in receipt, by our special overland
express, of the New Orleans Picayune of the 4lh
inst, as also of Picayune extra, issued at one
O'Clock on that day, containing late aud impor-
tont intelligence from the city of Mexico, and
the movements of our army in other sections Of
the country. amer.
The u. S. steamship Fashion, Captain Nor
gan, arrived at New Orleans on the Sd instant,
from Brazos Santiago, whence she sailed on The
50Ih ult., bringing US several days later intel
ligence from the Rio GRnde, and interesting
news from chihuahua. Among the passengers
on the Fashion was ]. L. Collins, Esq. bearer
of dispatches from Gen. Price and Gen. Wool
to headquarters at Washington. Our readers
are already familiar with the name Of Squire
Collins, honorable mention having been repeat
edly mlde Of him. He was taken prisoner
some months since near chihuahua, and confn-
ed until about the first Of February, when he
succeeded IN making his escape aud Joining the
American troops at E Passo. lie participated
in the battle of Santa Cruz de Rosaes, with Gen.
Prices command, aud has furnished the Plea
yune with a succinct statement Of the affair and
The events which were connected with it. As
we have had no accounts Of the arrangement
save from Mexican sources, an Americans
version of the affair will be read with interest.
Mr.. Collins informs us that about the first
week in February ne succeeded in breaking pri.
son at chihuahua, then in possession Of The
Mexican troops under command Of Gov. Tras,
and after an arduous journey of six days, sue
ceeded in reaching Ell Passo, 800 miles distant,
then under command of Lieut.. Col. Rails, Of
the Missouri mounted volunteers. Previously
to his arrival, intelligence had been received
from various sources that Urea, with q strong
force of Iancers, was upon the road TO attack
them, having made detour to the westward,
and these reports were confirmed by the capture
of small party Of MeXicans, under command
of a lieutenant, who were surprised and taken at
a small town called Carazal, half way between
Chihuahua and Ell Passo.
Letters announcing the intended march of
Urea were found in the possession of the com.
mandng officer. Intelligence was thereupon
despatched to Santa Fe to Gen. Price, who i'm
mediately started with two companies Of the
first regiment Of U. S. Dragons, commanded
by Major Bell, one campany Of same regiment;
acting as artillery, commanded by Lieut.. Love,
and the battalion of st. Louis Infantry, COM
manded by LIT. Col. Easton, and the Santa Fe
battalion, under Major Walker, and arrived Il.
bout the 20th Of February at Ell Passo, incroas.
ing the command TO about 1900 men.
1t was ascerlained that the report Of Urrea's
advance was entirely false, and Squire Collins
furnishing Gen. Price with all information of
Gov. Trias's position and means of resistance,
Gen. P. al once determined 10 march down and
attack him. Accordingly on the first of March,
he started with about 400 men and arrived at
Chihuahua on the evening of the 7th, perform
ing the entire distance in the extraordinary
short space ofseven days. A deputation Of the
civic authorities came out and held an interview
with Gen. Price, informing him Of the report
ed conclusion of a treaty of peace between Mex
leo and the United States, and enreRting him
not to enter the city. Gen. Price very proper
ly disregarded this request, doubted the inlor.
nation, and marched into the city. a
Asceraining that Trias was bat one days
march removed from him, he determined 10 fol-
low him the next morning, and accordingly
raised all the horses he could TO supply the
places of those broken down on the march from
Ell Passo, and the next morning, at o'clock,
his command were all on the march after Trias.
Notwithstanding the previous long marches, this
gallant command accomplished the distance of
sixty miles that day, and halted before the town
of Santa Cruz-a place of about 1000 nhabi-
,ants, where Trias's command were in possess
sion. About o'clock the next morning, Gen.
eral Price sent into town flag of truce and
demanded the unconditional surrender of Tras.
This Gov. Trias refused, but subsequently
consented 10 hold a personal interview with
Gen. Price, at which he informed him that he
had received information of the conclusion of a !
treaty ofpeace, and was in daily expectation of
the receipt Of intelligence announcing the es.
tablishment of an armistice. Various PROPOSE |
lions were made on both sides, both parties, un- |
der existing circumstances, being reluctant to
resort 10 a contest at arms. Gen. Price would
not consent 10 Gov. Tras marching away with
all his arms and munitions, but agreed 10 per-
nit him TO return with them or send them 10
chihuahua, and if they received official intelli
gence of the treaty, then 10 permit him TO re.