The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-04-04
He who fights and runs away
May live to fight another day -

our OLD acquaintance, General AMPUDA is a
splendid illustration of the truth of the we'll known
couplet which assures us that
"He who fights and runs away
May live to fight another day"
In 1876, shortly after the annexation of Texas
to the UNITED STATES, it was his swell.
ing and bombastic proclamation which an
nounced to the world that the tbarbarians of the
North had invaded Mexican territory, and that
IL was his particular mission to chastise them for
their lmpertinence. Every school boy knows what
followed AMPUDIA crossed the Rio Grande in
force; was encountered by General TAYLOR or
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, was beaten in
the rst battle, was utterly routed in the second and
taxing not heart of grace" after the old chiyalric
iashion, but counsel of his fears, the val
liant Mexican General spurroS Go~.I.-~.a,
win The remnant OF his command scarcely
drawing rein until he found himself once more
safely ensconced behind the strong defences of
Monterey. There at least, AMPUDIA fancied him
self secure from the assault of any force that old
Trough and Ready could bring AGAINST him
Inc only additional troops which the latter had
received, after his passage of the Rio Grande. were
raw volunteers. His artillery consisted principally
OF those pieces of light calibre, that constituted
the flying batteries of RIYGGoLp and BRAcc
whilst not only every avenue leading to the civ
upon which he was advancing, was protected hv
batteries IN front, by forts in the rear. and by
strong citadel which commanded the whole but
every street leading to the great central Plaza was
barricaded, and every house turned into forti6-
cation. The personal valor of the American troops
all che
marching by circuitous route, pained
the rear of the city, carried by daring assault
the forts in that quarter, and commenced TO work
his way, with pick and crowbar, through the houses
which barred his progress to the Grand Plaza.
In 'front.' the Mexican batteries and breast-works did
terrible execution upon the troops that were march
ed against them. Some few, however, effected
Judgment in the city, but they could not pene-
trate the streets to any distance by reason of the
steady fire which was kept up from the barricades
and the house tops. 1t was at this iuncture, and
favored by WoRTu's diversion TO the rear, that
QUITMAN, at the head of his Mississippians,
marched straight forward across the plain, and
IN spite of an incessant fire from artillery and
small-arms, took the batteries by storm. By
bursting in the doors and breaking through
intervening walls, after the example set by
WORTH, the working parties succeeded in
penetrating, under cover, nearly TO the heart
of the city, when AMpUD1A, finding that
the Plaza TO which he had retreated would speed-
ny become TOO not to hold him, proposed terms
OIL capi'ulauon, which, after undergoing material
notifications, were assented to. When General
AMpUDIA was next heard from, he was reported to
be in disgrace with SANTA ANNA, who was at that
time rallyng the soldiery from all quarters. to his
standard, for the purpose of wipng out, by a
signal victory, the stain which a series of reverses
had inflicted upon the Mexican arms. In what
manner AMPUoA succeeded in making his peace
with the DICTATOR, we do not know; but at the
oa''ie Oh buena vista, he was again in command
OF DIVISION, and was again subjected to the
moruncauon OF defeat. 1t is scarcely worth
"hlie to note his occasional temperance sub
sequently, at different points along the line of
ScoTT's operations, between Vera Cruz and the
Mexican Capital, when the tide of war drilled to
the Southwark. 1t is sufficient to know that his
experiences were all of the same sombre cast, and
that every battle in which he was engaged was
but another bitter commentary upon his vaunted
determination to drive the Americans Northward
beyond the Nueces. After the ratification of the
treaty of peace, which speedily followed the cap
ture of the City of Mexico, we hear but little of
General AMPUDIA, until the breaking out of the
civil war that has just closed. Some years ire
viousy he returned TO Monterey and occupied bis
old residence there, spacious and imposing struc-
ture, surrounded by gardens of great extent and
beauty He does not, however, appear to have
oeen contented to lead life of luxurious ease
Two factions were before him from which 70
choose, ana, as in the Northern Department. the
A'ei"iS were III the ascendancy, he rendered bis
sei.i''' " 'oAhh1. He accomplished nothing
brilliant enough to bring his name into special
notice at the North; but when MrRAMon nlannoa
his rash expedition to Vera Cruz, AMpun,, wo.
summoned to that city to take command of
the army of reconnaissance, and did at length
achieve some trifliDg successes in the Skin
mishes that took place between the Liberal
forces and small detacbments of MIRAMoN's troops
which had been thrown forward in advance of the
main body encamped at the bridge of Medellin.
" heh' after the capture of bis steamers, and the
io'' VI 'he munitions of war with which they
were re'ghted, AIRAMoN raised the siege of Vera
oruz, anu, WIN such of his troops as remained
faithful to him, fastened back 70 tho con;to1
which was In Its turn, threatened bv the forces Of
the Liberals-it was AMPUD1A that can,;ona,,. e,1
lowed in pursuit, as far as the foot of the rance of
mountains which separates the lowlands of ".
Cruz from the Valley of Mexico. At that no;r,t
his name disappears from the columns of tho
American journals. What exploits he subse-
quently accomplished, or what reverses befel him;
whether he contented himself with the few laurels
he had at last succeeded in winning, and fearful