Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-05-20
Interesting frosn Chihuahua!
BATTLE OF SAN CRUZ DE RosALEs.
From the N. O. Picavune of the 9th.

she sailed on the Both ult., bringing us several
days later intelligence from the Rio Grande, and
interesting news from chihuahua. Among the
passengers on the Fashion, was J. 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
repeatedly made Of him, He was taken prisoner
some months since near chihuahua and confined
ill about the fist February, when he succeeded
in making his escape, and joining the American
troops at Ell Pdso. He participated in the battle
OF Santa Cruz de Rosales, with Gen. Prices com.
mand, and has kindly furnished US with sufi,
Gent statement Of the affar, and the events which
were connected with it. As we have had no ac-
counts of the engagement, save from Mexican
sources, an American version Of the affair will be
read with interest.
Mr.. Collins informs US that about the first
week in February he succeeded in breaking prison
at Chihuahua, then in possession Of the Mexican
troops under command OF Gov. Tras, and after
an arduous journey OF days, succeeded in reach.
ing Ell. Paso 800 miles distant, then under com,
mand OF Lit. Col. Rails, OF the Missouri Noun.
ted Volunteers. Previous TO his arrival inteli.
gence had been received from various sources,
that Urea with strong force OF lancers was
upon the road to attack them, having made de.
tour to the westward, and the reports were con-
frmed by the capture OF small party OF Mexicans
under The command Of lieutenant, who were
surprised and taken OF small town called Cara.
zal, halfway between chihuahua and Ell Paso.
Letters announcing the intended march OF
Urea, were found in the possession OF the com.
handing officer. Intelligence was thereupon des.
patched to Santa Fe, to Gen. Price, who m>
media,ely started with two companies of the list
regiment U. S. dragons, commanded by Major
Bell, one company Of same regiment, acting as
artillery, commanded by Lieut. Love, and the bat.
talon OF 81. Louis infantry, commanded by 1t.
COL Eas,on, and the Santa Fe battalion under
Major Walker, and arrived about the 20lh Of
February at Ell Paso, increasing tie command 10
about 1900 men.
Ii was ascerlained that the report OF Urrea's
advance was entirely false, and Squire Collins
furnishing Gen. Price with all information of
Gov Tras' position and means Of resistance.
Gen. P. at once determined TO march down and
attack him. Accordingly, on the 1st Of March,
I he started with about 400 men, and arrived at
chihuahua on the evenngof the i7th, performing
the entire distance in the extraordinary short space
! of seven days. A depuaion OF the civic authori.
ties came out and held an interview with Gen.
= Price, informing him Of the reported conclusion
Z, of treaty Of peace between Mexico and the U.
|
Gen. Price very properly disregarded this re.
quest, doubted the information; and marched into
o the city. Ascertaining that Tras was but ono
= days march removed from him, he determined 10
follow him the next morning. and accordingly
o raised all the horses he could 10 supply the place
of those broken down on the march from FL Paso
and the next morning, at o'clock, his command
+ were all on the march after Trias. Notwithstan>
ding the previous long marches, this gallant com.
. mand accomplished the distance OF 60 miles that
day, and halted before the town OF Santa Cruz
a. place Of abou. 1000 inhabitants, where Trias'
command were in possession.
e About 7 or 8 o'clock the next morning, Gen.
9 Price sent into town flag OF truce and deman
e ded the unconditional surrender of Trias. This
e Gov. L. refused, but subsequently, consented to
= hold personal interview with Gen. Price, at
which he informed him that he had received inlor.
e nation oil The conclusion OF treaty Of peace, and
was in daily expectation OF the receipt OF ntel>
gence announcing the establishment of an arms.
e tice. Various propositions were made on both
SIDES, both parties, under existing circumstances.
I being reluctant to resort 10 contest al arms
J. zen. Price would not consent to Gov. Trias
i marching away with all his arms and munitions.
. but agreed to permit him to return with them or
It send them 10 chihuahua, and if thew recsived
official intelligence Of the treaty, then to permi,
BIN to remove them where he chose Gov. Trias
rejected this, as we'll as the proposition 10 surren.
. der but begged Gen. Price 10 wait four or FIVE
l. days. by which time he confidently expected the
: return OF an extraordinary courier whom he des,
. patched to Durango for information with regard
y to the treaty and armisce.
J. 10 this Gen. Price consented, and not onIv
waited the four days. but four days longer. At the
!. expiration oil which time portion of his forco
Q having come up, increasing his strength to about
i 'oo he determined 10 attack the town. The Mer
b. leans had not been idle all this time. HAVING
strongly fortified the plaza and the streets leadinS
to it, loop-holed their houses, and made evars,
e preparation Tor firm resistance. On the morn.
; ing OIL the loh' about o'clock, after another De,
e mand lor an unconditional surrender had been
S made and rejected, the attack was commenced h.,
brisk cannonade. The American forces ws,s
e subsequently divided into three parties to attach
the works from three different posilions-,be 6r.,
= under Col. Rails, the second under LII. Col I,na
and a. the third under Maj. Walker Of The Santa
, Fe Battalion. ''' ''"'a
The contest was maintained with great vim,
nntll about II o'clock, when report was brought
IN mat lorce OF about 500 Mexican lancers had
arrived near by, and were abou. making an a.
lack upon the rear. The troops were then with
drawn, and cessation OF hostes ensued T.,
Coi. Lane being sent to reconnotre. The repo,t
OF the arrival oil lancers proved to be false. and
ABOUT clock the action was resumed. and con-
t'nued until about dusk, when the Americans baJ
succeeded in working their way through The bon,s
into the plaza, and the Mexicans spTrenJ...I