Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1848-05-18

morning, at s o'clock, his command
were all on the march after Trias.-
Notwithstanding the previous long
marches, this gallant command accom-
pllshed the distance Of sixty miles that
day, and halted before the town of
Santa Cruz-a place of about 1900
lnha5itants-where T:ias's command
were in possession. About 7 or 8
O'Clock the next morning, Gen Price
sent down flag of truce, and deman-
ded the unconditional surrender of Tn-
as. This Gov. L. refused, but subse-
quently consented to hold personal
interview with Gen. Price, at which he
informed him that he had received in
formation ofthe conclusion of treaty
OF peace, and was in daily expectation
OF the receipt of intelligence announ-
eng the establishment, of an armistice.
Various propositions were made on
both sides; both parties, under existing
circumstances, being reluctant to resort
to contest at arms. Gen. Price
would not consent to Gov. Tras marching
away with all his arms and munitions, but
agreed 10 permit him to return with them, or
send them to chihuahua; and if they received
official intelligence of The treaty, then 10 per-
nit him to remove them where he ehose.-
Gov. Iras rejected this, as well as the propo-
sltion to surrender, but begged Gen. Price to
wait four days, by which time he confidently
expected the return of an extraordinary couri-
er whom he had dispatched to Durango for in
formation with regard to the treaty and armis-
tice
To this Gen. Price consented, and not only
waited the four days, but four days longer; at
the expiration OF which time, portion of his
force having come up, increasing his strength
to about zoo, he determined to attack the town.
The MeXicans had not been idle all this time.
having strongly fortified the plaza and the
streets leading to it, loop-holed their houses,
and made every preparation for a firm resis-
lance. On the morning of the 10th, about 8
O'clock, after another demand for an uncondi-
tional surrender had been made and rejected,
the attack was commenced by brisk cannon
ade. The American forces were subsequently
divided into three parties, to attack the works
from three different positons-the first under
Col. Rails, the second under Lieut. Col. Lane,
and the third under Major Walker of the Santa
Fe battalion. The contest was maintained
with great vigor until about i o'clock, when
a repor. was brought in that a force of about
900 Mexican lancers had arrived near by, and
were about making an attack upon the rear
The troops Were then Withdrawn, and cessa-
ton of hostlities ensued-Lieut Col. Lane
being sent to reeonnoitre. The report of the
arrival Of lancors proved to be false, and about
5 O'Clock the action was resumed, and contin
ued until about dusk, when the Americans had
succeeded in working their way through the
houses into the plaza, and the NIexicans sur
rendered at discretion, after having fought with
unusual bravery all day. The loss on the side
of the MeXicans was about $50 killed and as
many wounded, while on our side there were
but five killed and twenty wounded, two of
whom subsequently died The Mexican force
was from 500 to 1900. The officers
some forty in number-were taken prisoners,
and the whole amount of arms and ammuni-
ton captured. There were fourteen pieces Of
artillery, some of heavy eali5re. and about
1000 stand of small arms. On the 18th Gen.
Price started back for Chihuahua, taking with
him Gov. Tras and portion of his prisoners,
and leaving Col. Rails in command, to follow
as soon as practicable. Mr.. Collins informs
us that our troops conducted themselves in the
coolest manner, and distinguished themselves
by their bravery, officers and men. The
Mexican prisoners were all liberated upon pa
role soon after they arrived at Chihuahua. -
Squire Collins left chihuahua on the 9th of
April, under an escort of one company of lst
dragons, commanded by Captain Greer, and
arrived at Gen. WOODS headquarters on the
2o'h He proceeds on to Washington this
morning.