Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-12-01
The War in Mexico.

nilian's foreign troops anu u Iorce
of Liberals. 1t seems that a party
of eight Americans and their attcn-
dants, while on an excursion to the
famous Cave of Cacahuamipa, were
nersuaded to join a detachment com
posed of Austrians, Belgians and ma
ttiycs in the Imperial service in all
about eighty men. In consequence
they were made witnesses of q fear
full contest with a party of Mexican
Liberals, in q narrow pass, of which
the following account is given:
awe had left Cuernava behind
about ten miles, when we came to a.
narrow pass, or canon. which was en-
tered with great precaution by the
leader, an Austrian noblemal. The
Mexican officer in command OF the
Mexicans protested against enter
ing at all, proposing going oTcr the
heights, but was overruled by his
superior. The pass was terrific;
not a sign of life was visible and the
silence was oppressive. We were
nearly through, when We suddenly
came upon a party Of ten men just
mounting their horses, evidently
Liberals from their red blouses and
tri-colored ribbons flying from their
hats. Pursuit was Immediately
sounded; the Imperialists rushed
forward in some confusion, and seem
ed to be gaining on tho pursued
Firing now commenced, and we, as
neutrals. held back some distance,
when we were suddenly surrounded
by a party of about forty armed men,
magnifcently mounted. Oac look
showed US they were Liberals. At
the cry OF 'Quien vive' (who lives
We answered, Americans W C
were ordered to dismount and de-
liver our arms, and We obeycd III a
hurry. A preliminary examination
tooSplace behind a huge boulder
which, having proved satisfactory
our horses were returned to US
Whilst this took place the priyates
Of the party had been Telling trees
and rolling stones, and by the time
we issued ont a complete barricadc
blocked up tho road. All this timC
the firing hadincreased, and occasion
ally loud boom like the report o
a mortar sounded dangerously near
Two armies seemed to have met b]
the noise. Our captors soon arrans
ed themselves, some behind h
breast.works, some climbed like
goats mp the rocks and covered them
selves; the firing came nearer ant
soon VIC saw the Imperialists in full
retreat, reduced TO two-thlrd5 thell
r1nnbnc. hnt fnhiinu calamity. A.
soon as they came in range our par
ty of Liberals fired a volly whicl
killed some of their advcrsaries.-
The Austrian captain now ordered
his men to dismomt. The Libcr
ais behind him swarmed inthc rock.
and in the road dense body of Ian
ces formed mass ofstccl that look
cd impossible. The Austrian order
cd a charge on our breast-works,-
His men came up bravoly, but wer
literally hurled back, not only 10y tn,
heavy fire, but By huge rocks whicl
were previously bored and primed
These were blasted just as the.
came up, literally covering the a.
lacking party with the fragments
Twice this was repeated, when, a
our earnest suggestion parley wa
sounded, and terms were offered t
the Imperialists which they were gla
to accept. The scene was frightinl
only fifteen men of the Impcrialist
were unwounded, and over thirt
were killed. The Liberals, thong
they suffered severely, fought mos
orthe time under cover and only ha
two killed, and over forty wounded
most of them slightly. The leadc
of the Liberals soon rode up. ii
was mounted on a beautiful dark bay
cheap at a $1,000. 1t was MARITIME
the terror of the Valley of Mexico
whose headquarters are in the c2
tinct volcano of Ajusco. about fiftee
leagues from the capital. His me
amounted to about 800, all we
mounted and tolcrably armed. Th
plumber was soon gathered; so hor'
es were distributed, GO good GeI
man rifles and four mules loade
with ammunitioH, which was of grea
value to thu Liberals, as they tol
me they had great trouble procu
ing powder and percussion caps,
Col. Martinez ordered the uncol
ditional release of all the American
but as their arms were greatly CO
eted by the Mexicans they were r.
tanned and paid for at the rate
s32 in gold for Colts revolvcrs an
$50 for Sharpo's carbines.