Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-03-09

man now spurred his '.jaded seed" and on went
quick enough, until within FIVE miles of our goal
where a halt of about half hour made, and
the plan Of attack and capture disclosed by the Gen.
eral his officers The party mounted orders
given observe the stricest silence during the
remainder of the march. The order was obeyed you
may depend for every had intense anxiety to
secure the prize ahead.
This silent march over such country as we passed
through was impressive indeed. On our right was
precipice rising Immediately from the road to the
height of two hundred and fifty to three hundred feet
on the left dense growth of underwood, be-
tween us and lofty range of mountains, through the
gorges of which seen occasionally the moon-lit
| snowy peak of Orzaba, brilliant but bleak and
! ahead of US road over limestone rock having
dazzling wheness from the moons rays being re-
fected upon it directly towards Amid the ro-
nance of scenery, the suggestion could not fail to
present ITSELF that only about three hundred
and fifty strong; that were from eighty to a hum
dred miles from reinforcements, without infantry
| artillery that treading part Of the coun-
try which never before knew the presence of Ameri
can arms and that the enemy might have had notice
of advance. and collected formidable force; but
there abiding confidence in the sagacity, Skill
| and bravery of the commander.
At dawn we were within half mile of Tehuacan.
The report of solitary gun from the town, and the
rapid passage of lights TO and fro in the buildings
u.s. gave hope that the bird about to be Gagged
and sustained the expectation of meeting an enemy.
As the command came to the entrance of the town,
the dragons and rifles dashed the right and left
and in few minutes every outlet was stopped, and
| the rangers galloped ahead towards the plaza with
their six-shooters cooked, CHANGING eye every
side, with the belief-and think may say the hope
| that the enemy was on the house-tops. The ran
gers in the plaza In moment squads were galloping
through every street but enemy was TO be found,
and in few minutes we had the modification to learn
al. Al -k,f1 III ALL
before we arrived and had taken the road to Oajaca,
with an of seventy-fve mounted men. The
national flags hung out from the residences of for
eigners and white flags suspended from the houses OF
the Mexcans every part of the town. told that
approach known In advance; and 1t was with
chagrin il was learned that the Mexican, whose coach
and escort stopped shortly after leaving the haci-
enda, sent by short route the mountains one
| of his servants to communicate TO Santa Anna that
American troops the road, and, as he believed,
with the intention of capturing him. Had it not been
for this treachery the part of travelling
der American safeguard the surprise would
have been complete. The guide-a Mexican, whose
fidelity had been proved-after meeting the carriage,
was uneasy during the remainder of the march, and
constantly urging the General to press the COM
mand forward with greater rapidity but this could
not be done without riskng the loss of the and
horses, who were most fatigued-a weighty consider
alton, In the position he then in. 1t was sug-
gested, arriving in town and finding Santa Anna
had fed to press fifty or hundred fresh horses, and
pursue him as long there prospect of finding
him. But the General wisely argued that the bird
was alarmed; and to pursue him through country
unknown to our troops, and perfectly known TO the
enemy and with the possibility, too, that the enemy
forces might accumulate on the road to number dam
gerous to small body could be mounted, would
be seeking danger, with scarcely possibility of
cess in the grand object.
The first feeling Of disappointment having in a
great measure passed off, the public buildings and
suspicious private dwellings were searched, and it
meagre satisfaction TO find in the quarters, so
recently occupied by Santa Anna, part of his best
military wardrobe two of his costly canes his field
glass and three trunks containing his ladys clothing
This served at all events to show the chase hot and
the departure hasty. His military property was Ia
ken legitimate spoil, and the trunks containing
his wife's clothing turned over the acalde. A
receipt was taken for them, and letter addressed TO
her illustrious husband by the lady, informed him of
the disposition made of the trunks and expressed
gret at his absence on the occasion of our appearing
in his quarters. 1t may trfng to descend to
estimate of the value of the articles TAKEN bu. it
will TO show the extravaganza and love Of dis
play of who affects to be republican. The
coat is almost covered with gold lace, and cannot be
worth less than seven or eight hundred dollars. This
fell TO the lot of COL Hays, who purposes presenting
it to the government of his State Both the canes
L .
and diamonds, and other precious stones. One of
these became the property of officer of the rangers,
and the other of Maj Polk who intends to present it
TO the President. Two magnificent chdpeaur de bras,
two pair of gold epaulets, a sash Of gold cord and
bullion tassels and an elegant writing desk-al dis
tributed among the oficers-compeie the list of val
uabes captured with the exception of the ied-gass
an excellent one, which the General appropriated to
himsef-his only trophy.
During the day heAyuntamiento called on the Gen.
era, and expressed desire that the American forces
should occupy the town until the termination of the
war; The General told them it was not probable our
troops would hold the place at present. but assured
them of occasional visit of protect the
welldisposed and punish those guilty of disobed-
ence of the orders of the commanderinch chief. With
this they went off apparently satisfied. Several of
the respectable citizens, presenting themselves
pressed similar desire, and went SO far as to
say they wished the permanent occupation of the
country. Among the latter class wasa highly educa-
ted and intelligent Mexican, the owner of mine in
the vicinity, whose name forbear mentioning, lest
Its disclosure may injure him. He was evidently a
man who sought the good of his country, and was
eloquent in his exposition of the evils of despotic.
a cruel. and unstable government 81 DESIRE" said
he, 'to the grand plans of the United Stotes
summaed; desire TO see its laws and institutions,
its religious freedom, Its sysemOf general education,
and its liberal commercial system, extended the
whole continent of North America. We have" he
continued, 'the name of n republic, but single in
stance will serve TO show you how far our govern
men has been deserving Of that appellaton. In this
town we have four thousand people; but in your coun-
try they would not be called people, because of that
four thousand no more than two hundred possess the
degree of Intelligence necessary for self-government.
In the struggle between military robbers and political
mlscreants for power and plumber, the country has
been lost; and, sir, addressing himself 10 the Gen.
-L-e.-