The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-01
The Attack ON the Diligence in Mexico.

The Attack on the Diligence in Mexico.
The Extraordinary publishes the particu-
lars of the attack on a diligence near Vera
Cruz, and wounding of Capt. Aldham. Capt.
Aldham's party consisted of Mr.. Brett, Mr..
Heslop, and hardy sailor named Harris, all
well armed. They were accompanied by Mr..
Glennie, English Consul of Mexico, his mi
ly, his sister law, Mrs. Kaufman, and
Mime Maison the companion in misfortune of
Capt. Aldham. The whole company had two
diiigences, which were escorted for 4 part of
the way, and they reached Orizava in safety.
Here it was supposed all danger ended and on
leaving Orizava all the travellers appear to
have been quietly snoozing away in their
seats, when a short dis stance beyond Cordova
they We're alarmed by the diligence stopping
and the cry of robbers. The Extraordinary
says
Capt. Aldham and his officers being in the
first diligence with Mrs. Kaufman and the
unfortunate French lady, they at once seized
their arms and prepared for defence. Capt.
Aldham fired his pistol upon one of the assas-
sins at tho side of the diligence, and then
made a dash to gain n position outside. As
he was alghting he was fired upon and fell ,
the ball having passed through his thigh
The same discharge wounded Madame Maison.
A ball passed through the diligence and hit
thai unfortunate lady in the knee, brea king
the bone in snch n manner that her leg it is
feared must be ampG tated.
In the meantime Harris, the sailor, on top
Of the stage, and Messrs. Brett and Heslop,
the latter having satisfy alighted on the GROUND
were sustaining warm contest with the as
sassins, who had retreated a short dis lance
The fight lasted until three full rounds had
been fired by the officers of the Valorous,
when the aSsailants availed themselves of the
still prevailing darkness, flor it was about 4
O'Clock A. NJ y to make off, taking with them
such of their companions Were killed and
wounded. The original number Of the assail-
ants is believed to have been nine.
Capt. Aldham and Madame Mason We're
taken to Cordova and quartered in the house
of Mr.. Lpgrand, where they received the at
tention of DR. Garlic, of Orizava, and the
good Offices of Messrs. Srandison and Glen
ME. A letter from Puebla, the 18th, also re-
cords the following:
The diligence that left this place for Perote,
on the llth, was attacked two posts this side
of tina place by twenty seven robbers. There
were seven passengers in all in the diligence
among them two Americans, named McDye
and HALEY, and 4 Frenchman, whose name
have not learned. The two Americans We're
well armed, each having rifle and pair OF
revolvers.
On the appearance of the robbers the stage
was at once stopped, and the two Americans
| got out and commenced Il sharp resistance
The battle waged for about an hour when the
| robbers-those whose northumberland, leay
| ing three dead in sight, two of whom were
killed by MI. McDye, and the other by the
frenchman. Two dead robbers were after
wards found in the woods and it is beIiev ed
| that several more of them must have been Sc
| verely. if not mortally, wounded.
| On the part of the passengers, the French
| man received the worst wound. He was shot
| through the body, and is considered u be in a
| dangerous situation. Mr.. McDye received a
| ball in his side, after it had passed through
| his left arm. Mr.. HALEY was not harmed -
| The eoaehman is said TO have received a bal
| in his hat. To the rest of the passengers
| nothing happened.
Another account says both of the Ameri
cans were wounded and when the TENNESSEE
| sailed were IA Vera Cruz. The files are filiet
| with accounts of similar attacks upon ira
| velers in all parts of the country. Som
| charge them upon the reac tionary party alone
| but others, with more justice, probably fin;
| sufficient cause for them in the distrac tex
state of the country ana utter decentralization
| of the people.