Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-06-17

IN SIX miles OF the sacramento, at point
termed Laguna, where was met by flag
of truce from the general commanding the
Mexican forces, protesting against the ad-
advance of my troops upon chihuahua,
upon the ground that instructions had been
received from the Mexican government
suspending hostilities as a treaty of peace
had been concluded and signed by commits
soners on behalf of both governments
The evidence adduced on behalf of this
assertion | did not then deem sufficiently
satisfactory, and could not. therefore, com.
ply with The proposition. Convinced Of
the useessness of further conference, was
solicited TO send in advance of my COM
mand two of my officers, TO arrange the
preliminares of a cap,ulalion. To this
request | yielded, and Immediately dis.
patched Capt. McKissick, of the quarter.
masters department, and Lieut.. Prince, my
assis,an, adju.an, general, who were fully
made acquainted with my views. Fearful
that dissimulaiion was the object Of this in.
terview, | determined to move nv com.
mand upon Chihuahua that night, and &C.
cordingy proceeded with rapidly. when,
in about an hour after the departure of my
officers, was met by some American citi-
zens Of Chihuahua, who informed me of
the retreat, the morning previous, of the
Mexican army, with their munitions of
war. Anticipating events of this nature.
had. on the previous day, detached Beal's
dragoon's so that by forced march over
the mountains during the night, he would
be able TO inlersect the Durango road, and
possibly encounter the enemy in his rapid
and confused flight. For his operations,
respectfully refer to the report herewith
submitted. At 9 o'clock at night my
troops had possession of the city. On the
following morning, (the SHY with portions
of Rails. Beal's, and Walkers commands.
the majority mounted) and numbering
about $50 men, pursued the enemy to the
town of Santa Cruz de Rosales, where he
had already strongly fortified himself-a
distance Of 60 miles from Chihuahua
where arrived at sunrise the morning of
the 9th. After careful reconnaissance of
the place, determined to carry the town
by storm. notwilhsI anding the immense su-
perority of the enemy in numbers, imple-
ments and munitions Of war. Dismount-
ing Rails with the exception of McNair's
company and Walkers commands 10 ope.
rate as infantry, and posting Bealrs drag.
oons, now augmented by one company Of
Rails regiment, to act either as a reserve
or to intercept the flight of the enemy in
the event of success, determined the at.
tack on the west side of the town with
Rails command. and on the southern angle
of the same with Walkers command. These
arrangements perfected I despatched Lieut..
Prince. with flag of truce, demanding an
unconditional surrender of the town and
public property. An interview upon this
summons was requested by General Trias,
which readily granted for the reason ad-
duced-viz: an official notice from the Mex
lean government Of treaty of peace hav-
ing been signed by commissioners, on be-
half of both governments, had been recei-
we'd, and the solemn assurance by General
Trias that he himselfhad no doubt as TO the
existence of the treaty; moreover; that he
felt assured that confirmation of the same
from his government would reach him by
a courier (express) expected in three days.
This declaration was supported by the hon
or of the Mexican general, and, under the
circumstances. was regarded important !
therefore made the proposition contained
in the subsequent correspondence, which
| uuN6 tuc uOuOT w SubtIlIt ucTC"ltiIs uot
success must inevitably follow any course
I might decree. l had notthe sl ghtest doubt.
I was expecting reinforcements Of my ar
tillery and horse. and was willing, if human
life could be saved. to withdraw for few
days my forces. though. at the same time.
considered il my duty TO besege the town.
as | maintained the right to dictate such
terms as deemed consistent with Ameri-
can honor.
1t will thus be seen; that small Ameri-
can force not exceeding 800 men in the ag-
gregate, besieged with success strongly
fortified town, containing over 900 troops
of the enemy. Without tents, a scarcity
Of provisions. and suffering from the effects
Of forced marches beyond parallel. my
troops cheerfuly performed the onerous du.
ties of the siege. day and night and are en-.
titled to the highest consideration of their
government.
From the 9th instant to the morning Of
the 10Th, nothing of importance transpired
for the subject of my report. save the cor
respondence before alluded to. and the arri.
commands, together with two l2.pounder
howizers, of Maj Walkers battalion. un.
der the command Of Capt. Hassendenbel
whom lett at Chihuahua on the morning
Of the 9Th.
Expecting daily sally from the enemy
my troops were constantly in the saddle
ever vigilant and cautious. each appeared
to possess the individual interest, which
belongs more properly to the comander.-
| That tho n ner,,v a h h;ted eupipeneSS-thaI