, 1859-05-27
PUGET SOUND HERALD.
STEILACOOn, ". 7, FRIDAY, MAY sz 1859.


March. the tempest of mcrciless civil war has
Waged with greater vehemence than ever before
In Mexico surprising in ferOcity the legendary
days Of Hidalgo, Victoria, Morales, and those
other patriotic spirits who first fired the abort
einal and mixed races Of Mexico TO feats Of arms.
Battle after battle has taken place in different
parts Of the country, without bringing the strife
nearer conclusion than il was twelve months
ago.
The Central clergy clique Of this city became
much alarmed at the proximity Of their enemies,
and sent urgent requests for their generals to lose
no time in coming to their aid. These requests
were promptly responded to, and endorsements
thronged hither every day. The Federalists were
also gaining strength by the same process, and
on ID April, feeling themselves It oag they made
an attack. They charged upon the strongest
position Of the Government, and being moved
down. they promptly rc-chargcd, and carried ihe
position; but at this point Of success they sa"
that they had been betrayed and therefore wisely
{, fell back. When the Fcderalists had taken the
gate, and the four cannon in II, they found force
Of over 5000 men drawn up inside to dispute
their fther progress, and as the Federalists only
numbered 6,000 II was madness to attempt so
desperate q march as to oppose a double force,
protected hy brcaStwOrks and heavy lines Of ar
tillery. They fell hack, carrying tho four pieces
with them. The Centralists charged upon them
and captured two Of the pieces but were repnlScd
afterwards with considerable loss. From this
time the battle was maintained by firing at long
distance. The battle which commenced at A.
H. was virtually over at 10 o'c'ork, but to Sc
cure their safe retreat, the Federalsts kept up
opposition until night, when tiey availcd them
selves OF the darkness, and fell back upon Tacn-
baya. The retreat to Tacuhaya was defeat
for tho Fcderalists; and from that time the Cen.
trallsts commenced making their plans to act on
the offensive. The loss Of the FedcraIists on the
Cd is given by their Official bulletin as 10 killed,
and AZ wounded.
Amongst the killed Of the Federalists in this
days engagement was young gentleman by the
name OF Hall, on his way from California to the
Atlantic States. From all can learn, Mr.. Hall
was a native Of Pennsylvania(SD The Govern
ment loss has not yet been officially announced,
but the government papers have said that the
loss could not he given as less than $50 killed
On the 10th, the Centaists marched out to give
battle. D fore leaving the city, the troors wer'
reviewed in the Grand Plaza. The church vol.
unteered its services tn give abso'utinn tn all Of
the troops, and ,vrrv man was furnished with n
medal Of the Holy Virgin. to save him from the
bullets Of the herctical Federalisis. Thus dou.
bly, armed with the fanatcism Of the church and
the best ar'rs Of the c,untrv, the CentrAlist
army. to the number Of 4.hO1 men, with 42 Uec &
ofartillery lcft this ci by IN gaze If San Co>mi
baya. At4 PM, the Central troops had formed
on an elevation above Tacuhays, and from two
10 two and-n.half miles distance. They threw
thCir artillery in q half moon and commenced a
scathng fire upOn the devoted village. Tho Fed
eralists IN rctlv 10 this fire, did nothing hut re.
epond with few pieces, giving not more than
ono shot for every ten they received. This mode
Of procedure was kent up until near dark, whrn
both parties ceased firing and apparently went
into ramp for the night.
The Central troops were reviewed and ordered
Tor Aetion. An awful silence cnsned, when, as
the clock struck seven, the Ccntralist battery Of
toEty pieces opened at once. and charge Of 1000
infantry moved for the Archbishop's palace in
Tacubaya. The column moved in good order
and the artillery kent q most inceSsant fire.
The Fctleralists only responded to all Of this by
TIE fire Of halfado7en or So ic e. Of artillery;
othcrwis" Il app 'arcd as if they had not yet st
out Of their beds. Jus as was ahnu. tn saw
"'Tis all over" deafening rattle Of rines came
from the Archbishop's palace. Whole ranks
tumbled down. Another rNttlc- -ano'her Gl'-
and all Of the remains Of the attacking column
were seen flying in every direction over the field.
A we'll directed charge Of cavalry and the day
would have been for the reicralists; but the Fed
eralists had no head, and the Centralists were
permitted to reform and como again to the attack,
but only to share the same fate
ANer this Second rcpuisr, the Commander-n-
Chief Of the Centralists ordered the artillery to
move, to make an attack on Molino del Rev.
Here they were repulscd at first, but finally
carried the position. Next q movement was
made towards the hacienda of Condcsa. and at
the same time toward Chapultepec. These at
0eks were stoutly resisted f0r long time; but
finally the extra force of the artillery Of the Gen.
tralisis forced the FederaliSts to Weld. These
points gained. Tacuhaya became no longer tcna.
bic by the small Federal force which had done
the fighting all the morning, and they therefore
light artillery. AT half past ten o'clock the day
was decided for the Centralists, and soon after
they possessed themselves Of the place,
The forces OF Centralists on the field on the
I1th could not have been less than $500 men.
With ~ to so pieces Of heavy artillery. The
forces Of the Federalists in Tacubaya on the
morning Of the 1lth were near 1000. OF those
over 1000 pinto Indians,) ran awpy without
firing shot Several other bodies Of badly disci.
plined troops also abandoned the fight soon after
i had commenced. In this way the Federal
torces were reduced TO about 800 rhemen, 800
cavalry and perhaps about 200 more Of the ar.
tillerv service, before halfpast o'clork in the
morning. But notwithstanding the great inc.
quality OF the strength Of the two sides, the
federalists made brilliant fight, and retreated
10 good order.
The loss during this battle has unoucstiona.
bly, been very heavy. The official report Of the
Clergy Central party shows their loss in killed
and wounded to have been over $50. But IL We
estimate this alleged loss by other statements
made IN the same report, we are forced to the
conclusion that the loss was four times as great.
Tbs Federal loss was not considerable.
Dogollado acted as the civil chief Of the Fed
eralists and Jose Justa Alvarez as military chief
Generals Puellita, Saragosa and Lascano were
The most reliable Of the Federal Generals, and
Colonels Lane and Queroia Of the subordinates.