The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-07
. II FIG IA l..
Report of Brigadier General Lane.
CRY OF MExrco, February 10, 1913

CITY OF MEXICO, February 10, lS4s
SIR have the honor submit, for the consideration of
the major general commanding the following re-
port OF the operations OF the mounted troops specially
signed to my command on the 18Th of January last.
On the morning OF that day. left this city with four com.
panles of the mounted Texas rangers under Colonel Hays
noqnted rifles, under Major Pok-in all, about three hun
dred ana hy men-to scour the country, and drive the
On the afternoon othe 18th, five miles distant from
RIO Frio met the train of General Marshall and being
informed by him thai body of the enemy had threatened
his rear guard and was then actually passing through
and (with the exception OF two Texas ran
gers detached to guard the wngons) ia the direction nd-
Gated but alera search Of several hours, found
About noon, the 2Oth entered puebla and remained
the 2lst, in a chilling rain proceeded with INV COM
mand in the direction Of Vera Cruz arriving at the
village OF Analogue, turned OIL towards the left ia order
TO deceive the inhabitants
This route was continued for nearly, if not quite,
league when again turned abruptly the right through
ravne leading towards the mountains During the night
the command accomplished march of fouy-fve miles
over route almost impossible, frequently compelled to
move m single file, and sometimes obliged 10 dsmount and
III lone region OF the country and ordered the and
horses to be concealed. held the Mexcans, residents of
until dark the 22d which time again look up the
line OF march in the direction of the Of Tehuacan
About i've miles distant from the hacendas had left
narrow pass suddenly encountered coach with an
escort of ten or twelve armed men. The escort
stanuy dsarmed, and was about to hold the party
prisoners when person stepped from the COACH and
striking Light produced written safeguard with per-
mission TO arm escort from Brevet Brig Gen. Smith
had, them alternative but the arms and
init the coach and to proceed
The march was continued a miserable, rocky, and
narrow road for some forty miles, more, when the col
umn arrived in the vicinity of Tehuacan had previous
received authentic information, through faithful and
intelligent guide who has shown his devotion to
on many occasions that General Santa Anna was in Tehua
cam with force of hundred regular cavalry, and
Indefinite force OF guerillas As continued the march,
o y s" n D,in further information even % the posi-
o'clock, preceding day break arrived the confines OF
the town, when, Instantly lights flashed and fro in
rec Ia advancing
column.
In obedience to my previous orders Major Polk imme.
daiey surrounded the town with his command while Col
Hays, with his, followed charge directly TO the
ion by troops but the Whole force had departed The
mouse IN which General Santa Anna himself had quarter
Visions appeared to have been deserted abruptly All of
us military clothing was captured together with the CLOTH
valuable pieces which later caused TO be packed in
TRUNKS and delivered to the alcalde OF the town, taking his
written receipt for the same
After marches ialigung, was impossible to urge
our horses further several OF them fell exhausted in the
streets, and very few were in condition continue the
pursuit.
ascertaned from the alcade and the priests, that
courier had preceded me- arriving about o'clock in the
morning, with information for General Santa that
was approaching with my command. further ascertain
ed from the same source, that this courier of the
escort had met in the early part of the preceding
ns-nasmuch as he related the incidents of the escort
having been disarmed, the production of the safeguard
confessed that he had been by direct route to
Finding it impossible with our jsded horses to make
further pursuit. endeavored to procure hundred fresh
horses from the acade but unable without securing
The surrounding country, and suffering delay of twenty
four hours. General Santa Anna had retreaied with bis
orce mounted on fresh horses, the direction OF Oaaca
and was compelled TO abandon further pursuit
shortly after my return TO the town, the ayuntamiento
and principal citizens of Tehuacan waited upon and
rendered formal surrender of the place, and full sub
mission to my authority. My command being much ia.
gued by the severity of march, thought necessary
to remain one day and night at Tehuacan During stay
in the town, attempted to restrain every attempt dso
derry or improper conduct on the part of the troops and am
happy to believe that my efforts attended with very
great success the men eheeruly conforming my desires
with probably few trfng exceptions Meme Of the in
habants We're injured whilst there and well
pleased We're they with our conduct, that. when aRou,
kind treatment which had been extended to them.
On the morning OF the oath again took up the line Of
march towards O,zaba and arrived the evening
the village Of AiaenE9 situated a. the base Of the inter
from the ayunlamen,o of orzaba, informing me that
deputaton of the municipal authorities, priests, and ch
the capulaon OF the city replied that would person
ally inform the deputaton what would be granted
the city, by the depuation and informed the al
cade that private and church property should be respected
that violence would be allowed but that would inves
gae the robberies lately committed in neghborhood
by guerlas, upon merchant ains whereuPon the CITY
was surrendered
The evening Of my arrival learned that large force
principally robbes-had actually assembled the gate Of
the city oppose our entrance, but had been induced by
the citizens, by force or brides, to leave.
On the march from Tehuacan to Acalcingo. three Of the
train and being DESTROYS of making speedy aud severe
examp ordered them to be disarmed and placed under
garri and there be dshonoraby discharged
from the service; which was accordingly done upon my ar
rival at Pueba.
In justice Texas rangers take pleasure stating
that the three individuals specified were Texans BY
birth adoption but joined the regiment upon this line
operations of our army.
Immediately after entering Orzaba, appointed Coz
Hays commander Of the forces, and Major Polk civl
and military governor, with directions TO the latter
make inquiry forthwith into the matter OF the rog
berries which had been committed whether the guert
las had been countenanced by the municipal authorizes
or had beer allowed to harbor in the city whether m
lUoo 1S ukpnh had WI
been made of the proceeds, if sold and juscs
in the premises At the time, reiterated my assn
RANGES of protection to individual and church property
and caused be made known the of the genera
orders issued mt Tampico, in February last declaring mar
tal law
The efforts made the goods robbed from Inc
trains were unsuccessful my tme limited; anu
expecting Colonel Bankhead from Vera Cruz garrison
the place, concluded to fer the business him. L.
On the morning OF the Both, informed that elgm
bales OF manufactured tobacco and about hifiy p
house without authority; and hereupon directed the CIV
and military governor to seize the ard refer
matter to board of officers for decision. The prope,y
under the decision of the said board OF officers, was c
iscated and sold. The proceeds of the sale were uih
the acting assistant quaermaster Of the comna
| for the of the United States. H.
Subsequently, four hundred bales of tobacco were o
covered in the government warehouse but being ma
rally injured, and of inferior quality, sVpe couu
effected without delaying the command tor some or
which deemed unadvlsabe. The tobacco was tbeeoI
delivered the alcalde, with to sell ~ ag
was further expressly signed the acade that sho
the proceeds be diverted 10 any other purpose, e Kim
American commander arriving AT Onzaba would noun
individually rcsponsi BILE Tor the whole amount ,hs
On the 18th received letter Of submission from 81
cyuntamiento of Cordova, city distant from Orzapa