Daily American telegraph., 1852-02-14
THE SURPRISE.
AN INCIDENT OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
BY MATTAwANNAH.

BY MATTAwANNAH.
1t was on the Sd of June, IS47, that Col.
Mcintosh left Vera Cruz for the main army
then at Puebla, with u train carrying a large
amount of funds in gold and silver for the use
OF the pay, subsistence and quartermaster's
departments He had not penetrated into the
interior more than fifteen miles, when he met
win most determined resistance. He imme-
aiateiy apprlzed Gen Cadwallader, then at
vera Cruz, OF his position, and the necessity of
announcements On the 10th of June, that
General, win force Of 500 men, came to the
assistance OF Mcintosh at ''Puente de los ye
gas" where he assumed the command and at
noon on the 18th took up the line Of march for
"Puente Nacional" or the National Bridge, five
and half miles distant, where he designed en-
camping for the night. 1t was becoming dark
when the vanguard arrived at the east end Of
the bridge, and it was about Il o'clock, p NJ.
when the rear guard passed over. During
these three or four hours, our brave troops were
receiving the fire of their murderous assailants
without permission to return it, This was a
severe test for new troops The details of this
dreadful and bloody night have never yet been
placed before the public | shall not attempt
to record it's horrors | merely give an account
of the following singular incident.
little after midnight, when all was quiet
and the heavy breathing of the tol-worn sol
der, single shot was heard The report came
from the direction of the picket ON the bridge,
and appeared to proceed from a distance be-
yond it, and to the right of the fork overlook
ing the bridge and the circuitous road ap-
preaching it. All who have been in actual ser
vice in u campaign will at once imagine the
excitement of the alarm. A shot fired near a
camp, especially where the enemy is known to
be In the vicinity, is always a signal for the
troops to jump to their feet, and the companies
or regiments to form in line, and "stand at
ease waiting the report of the officar of the
guard whose duty it is to ascertain the cause
of the alarm. This was ordinarily the case du-
ring the campaign in Mexico; but the present
was extraordinary in the highest degree. We
were III a measure encompassed on all sides by
a ruthless foe. They had bitter revenge to seek,
aud thirst for gold was strongly tempted Here
were two strong and marked characteristics Of
the Mexican made keonly active, impeling our
enemy to put forth more THAI his usual per-
tuacity of purpose.
They had already spread havoc in our ranks
Some OF our brave comrades lay dead near us
and others we're suffering severely from mortal
and severe wounds. Oar trooos, too thirsted
for vengeance: put there was little prospect OF
that strong feeling being gratihed, the mac
cessble "chapperal" its thorny thickets and
rocky businesses, were at this time sufficient
barriers to protect them from the American
rifle. Scarcely had the sound reverberated
among the lofty mountain knobs and died away
N tie distance, ere our gallant fellows were in
the ranks, awaiting the summons to meet the
foe, or to return to their stone-payed couches,
An electric shock would not have brought them
to their feet sooner than the supposed discharge
OF Mexican "escopet." Being on duty,
proceeded to ascertain the cause of the alarm
first went to the picket on the bridge and
interrogated the corporal on duty there. but
failed in obtaining any explicit information from
him. After making all the inquiry possible.
with no better success, | returned and reported
the iruitless result, when the companies, were
again ordered to rest on their arms.
Again all were wrapt in slumber, save those
whose duty it was to watch. Nothing was
heard but the firm and measured tread Of the
officer whose duty it was to go the rounds and
see that all was we'll Matters were not long
in this condition, when the stiffness was bro
ken by the quick tread of persons approaching,
and making inquiry for the officer of the guard
who soon presented himself Immediately one
OF the guard stepped forward, sauted the Off
Ger, and reported that he had under his charge
two American soldiers who had voluntarily
surrendered themselves to the pckets near the
river and in the direction of the fort The of
fcer then made inquiry, and received the fol-
lowing explanation from the soldiers.
One was a cavalry and the other an infantry
soldier. They had both left their respective
quarters which were wide apart, alone, for the
purpose of going to the Rio Antigua, to slake
their thirst, which was extreme The infantry
man was cautiously armed with his musket
the dragoon imprudently ventured so near the
enemy unarmed. They met near the river
brink, each supposing the other to bca Mex-
can guerilla. Both challenged at the same
moment Neither answered. The infantry
man raised his musket and fired! His now
ferocous antagonist bounded forward, for
they were, when they first met, but few PAGES
apart, and clasped his victim with what he in
tended should be the grip of death. The strug-
Gle was long and desperate. No eye was upon
them save the -All.seeing Eye" The dark
ness was great, made extremely so by the prox-
unity OF the surrounding mountains and thick
cts. The night was calm, and the water, as it
dashed against the rocks rolling and foaming
along on it's rough course, was the only ee-
ment that appeared to disturb the perfect still
ness which surrounded the horrid and unnatu-
raj struggle. The stars twinkled in the blue
vault above but their glimmering, although
beautiful was faint: and instead OF dlspelling
the darkness, served to increase it. and add to
the sombreness and desoation OF the novel
scene
When the strength of both was well-nigh
spent. an exclamation, which cannot recall TO
NV mind. came from the one who was about to
be overcome which arrested the attention of
his antagonist, and caused him to desist Ex-
plantations were hurricdly made, and the re-
turn to camp and surrender to the guard, the
consequence @
The officer of the guard directed them to the
surgeon The infantry mans shot, which had