The New York Herald Newspaper, April 5, 1847, Page 1

Vol, XIII. No. 94-—Whole No. 4601. Fa en 1 di miner op of such a message, and replied, that INTERESTING DETAILS 7 oak caver Gen. Taylor to surrender in en hour, or | the would destroy all his forces. Licut. Crittenden’s 're- FROM THE ply, which wo have already given—' Gon. Taylor never SEAT OF WAR. NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.) Incidents of the War. AFFAIRS IN MEXICO. &e., &e., &e. INTERESTING NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF BURNA bie ie ee From the New Orleans De! larch 26. We i the pleasure of an interview yesterday with Major Coffee, of the army, who brought over General Taylor's despatches. This gallant officer—a son of the distinguished General who fought so bravely on the plains of Chalmette, and in various other battles, by the side of the illustrious Jackson—acted as aid of General Taylor in the ‘uae fight of Buena Vista. We are greatly indebted to him for many particulars of this hard fought battle. General Taylor had fallen in love, at first sight, with the position at which he finally made his stand—at Buena Vista. His movement tow: Ay Nueva was merely “ruse to decoy the enemy into the field which he had selected for his battleground. As soon as M‘Culloch’s men, who were ne je a8 bgt ag pei be BY janta Anna’s ap; to Agua Nueva, Gene: ‘aylor quietly broke up his camp, and fell back to his first-love ~-Buena Vista. This position was admirably chosen. It was at the foot of a mountain, or rather of two moun- tains, between which ran the road through a narrow val- ley. Onhbis right was a deep ravine, which protected that flank more uta ge than half a dozen regiments could have done. The left of General Taylor's line rested on the base of a mountain, The road in the centre was entrenched and defended by a strong battery. In front the ground was uneven—broken into hills and deep ravines—well adapted to the mode of fighting suited to our volunteers, and by its peculiarities supplying the disadvantage of a great Tnferiority of numbers, On the 2ist the enemy were doscried, approaching over the distant hills, At their appearance the volun- teers raised a great shout, and cheers, The engineers and officers were seen flying over the field, and dragging their cannon about to get them into position; but the nature of the ground did not favor the undertaking,as it was late in the day before the big guns began to open. The enemy had with them thirty-two cannon, mostly of large calibre. Their fire, cia kept up very briskly, and apparently well manned, did so little execution in our ranks that it was not considered necessary to return their fire, Our cannon were therefore silent’ the whole ave three tremendous | to Saltillo, in eur own wagons; the former were burie.t by surrenders |—terminated the interview, and the battle recommenced, and was continued until night. Santa Anna took three small pieces of our artillery, | which, under Lieut. O'Brien, been posted too far fe | advance to be be covered by our infantry. All tho | gunners were shot down, and when the guns were | captured there was not a soldier left to man them. One of these pieces was an old Texan 6-pounder, which, | during the Texan Revolution, had done execution | among the Mexican ranks. Aw to the flags he boasts of having taken, they are very probably mere company | markers, which were dropped on the field and picked % by the valiant Mexicans. His Excellency of the ‘ar Department, to whom Santa Anna has sent these trophies, will no doubt be sorely disappointed in the | size, texture, and beauty of these standards. Mexican pride is easily satisfied when such feeble mementocs of their prowess and valor as these console them for #0 | inglorious a defeat. i All the officers on our side, in this hard-fought battle, distinguished themsclves. The details of the battle were confided to Gen. Wool, who nobly justified the | confidence of his commander and brother-veteran, b the most active, zealous, efficient and gallant conduct. Fhe ere the whole action he was constantly engaged in the disposition of our forces, and in rallying them to | the onset. It was a miracle that he escaped the thick- flying balls which thinned the rauks he was marshalling. There was but one complaint made against him, and that was, that he exposed himself too much. Brig. General Lane, also showed himselfto be a brave and capable officer. Aitonsh wounded early in the action, he ee his horse until it closed, and never for a moment left his post. The old gpneral-in-chief remained at his original and much exposed ition, superintending the battle and narrowly watching its events. An escopette ball passed throngh his over coat—that same old brown, #0 familiar to all the officers and men who have ever been under his command, and which has seen several cam- paigns in Florida, in Texas, and in Mexico, n the night of the 22d, both armies drew off from the field of battle, Our men were engaged all night in bring- ing in the wounded and taking care of them—the Mexi- cans as well as their own men. There were, howev but few of our men found on’ the field wounded. They were, to use Santa Anna’s significant words, in his des- patch, “all dead,” the cowardly miscreants having killed sey man whom they overtook, wounded and helpless on the field. With like turpitude and treachery, they left their own dead unburied and theix wounded uncared for, on the field where they fell. The latter were carried the alcalde, under the orders of Gen. Taylor. A number of officers were taken prisoners, aud an ex- change was effected, by which all our men who are now in their hands were released. Cassius M. Clay's party are understood now to be in the city of Mexico. Among the killed and wounded of the Mexicans, are three general officers and twenty colonels and comman- ders of battalions. Gen. Minon, it appears. has not as ist realized the brilliant career of which he considered is capture of Major Borland an earnest. He was or- of the 21st. Eight or ten killed and wounded were the | dered by Santa Anna to attack and carry Saltillo during extent of the casualties sustained by our army on the 2ist. During the day an officer approached our lines with a flag of truce, and requested to be shown to Gen. Taylor, Mexican officer was presented. In a very courteous and graceful manner the officer stated that “he had been | few details of the brilliant deeds of American valor per- sent by his Excellency Gen. Santa Anna, to his Excel- jency Gen. Taylor, to inquire. in the most respectful manner, what he (Gen. Taylor) was waiting for.’ From | faction to find that the anticipations we have go confi- the silence of Gen. Taylor’s batteries, and the quict man- ner in which he received Santa Anna’s terrific cannon- ading, the Mexican supposed he was asking a very perti- nent question, to which, however, old Rough and Read: gave the very pertinent reply that “he was only wait- | ¢ver hushed into silence by the unparalleled galantry ing for Gen. Santa Anna to surrender.”’ The Mexican returned hastily to hislines. This message proved to be a ruse to ascertain where Gen. Taylor’s position was, for ufter the return of the Mexican officer to his own ranks the whole Mexican battery seemed to open upon Gen. ‘Taylors position, and the balls flew over and about him like hail. Utterly indifferent to the perils of his situn- tion, there sat the old chief, on his conspicuous white horse, peering through his spy glass at the long Mexican troops that could be seen at a great distance on the march, The persuasion of his aids could not induce him to abandon his favorite point for observation, nor to give up his old white horse. To the suggestion of his staff that old whitey was rather too conspicuous a char- ger for the commander, he replied “that the old fellow had missed the fun at Monterey, on account of a sore foot, and he was determined he should have his share this time,”’ At sunrise on the 22d of February, the battle began in earnest. ‘The Mexicans were drawn out in immense numbers. The dark columns of infantry extended as far as the eye could reach, and the cavalry, seemed to cover the whole view with their interminable lines. At intervals between the infantry and cavalry, their big guns, strongly protected by a large artillery force, kept up an incessant ouanonbile agaimst our lines, Their forees were soon in motion. Our artillery was thrown torward to meet them, protected by the’ yolunteers.— Gen. Wool led the main body in perron, and was seen every where, rallying and enco ing the voluntesrs. ‘Tho two armies were soon ered in hot conflict. The broken nature of the{ground divided the forces.so that in- stead of one general engagement, the regiments were com- pelled in a great measure to fight on their own hook. Our officers were always in the advance, leading their troops ~hence the great mortality among them. In this gene- ral melée, one of our small regiments of four huadred men, would be attacked by a whole Mexican brigade of veveral thousand. Thus the Keatucky infantry was at- tacked at the foot of a hill, in a deep ravine, an im- mense fores of the enemy. A large number of the ofmi- cers were killed here—among them was Col. McKee, who foll badly wounded, and was immediately despatch- ed by the ert who pierced him with their bayonets ne he lay on the ground, Lieut. Col. Clay was shot through the thing.and being unable to walk,was taken up and carried some distance by some of his men, but owing to the steepness of the hill, the men finding it very diffi- enlt to carry him, and the enemy in great numbers pressing upon them. the gallant Lieut. Colonel begged them to leave hie and take care of themselyes. Forced to leave bim on the field, the last that was seen of this noble young officer he was lying on his baek, fighting with his sword the enemy who were stabbing him with their bayonets. The veteran Captain Wim. 8. Willis, of the same regiment, at the head of his company, with three stalwart sons who fought at his side, was bad- ly wounded, but still continued the fight, until he wax overcome with the loss of blood. In the meantime, the Indiana brigade, who were drawn out and ordered to charge the enemy, were ized with a panic, and displaying some hesitation, As- sistant Adj’t. Gen. Lincoln rushed to their front, whilst upbraiding them for their cowardice, was shot, several bails passing through his body. In justice to this brigade it should be stated, that they subsequently rallied, and fully redeemed their reputation by the most gullant and effective fighting. Col. Hardin led the Minoisians in very handsome , and the sturdy ‘suckers’ fought like lions. Their spid Colonel fell wounded, and experienced the fate of Cols. MeKee and Clay, and was killed by the enemy— not however before he had killed one of the cowardly miscreants with a pistol, which he fired whilst lying on the ground. Col. Yell led, the foremost man, a charge of his mount- ed volunteers against » large body of lancers, and was killed by a lance, which entered his mouth and tore off one side of his face. The Mississippians, the heroes of Monterey, after doing hard duty as skirmishers, were ordered into line to receive n charge of cavalry, which they did with their rifles, delivering at the same time a most destructive tire among the crowded columns of cavalry. The ene- my were completely repulsed. The distinguished com- mander of this gallant regiment, Col, Jefferson Davis. was badly wounded, an escspette ball haying entered his toot and passed out of his leg. He was, however, doing well when last heard from. The chivalrous Lieut. Col. McClung was prevented from doing hia share of the brave deeds of this brilliant fight, by the grievous wound reecived at the battle of Monterey, which still confines him to his bed, and from which it is much feared by his best friends he will never recover. Col, Humphrey Marshall's splendid regiment of Ken- tucky cavalry were impatient for an opportunity of showing their mettleyand avenging the capture of their brethren, then in the hands of the enemy, They were soon favored with the desired opportunity, by the ap- proach of a force of more than 2000 lancers and hussars. who gallantly charged them. The Kentuckians stood their ground with immovable steadiness, and receiving the ¢ ny with a fire from their carbines, charged in sallant style through the column on the right. ig, fell on their left, dispersing and killing a tmany ofthem, A like charge was made by Col. , at the head of a squadron of dragoons, and one of Arkansas cavalry, against a large body of the enemy's oavalry, with like results During the engagement on the right, Santa Anna, reeing that General Taylor's foree was not well protected on the left flank, sent a large force of cavalry around that point, and outflanking ‘Taylor. sueceeded in throw ing 2000 men into his rear, But General Taylor imm din ent Capt, Bragg, with his artillery, against this for who succeeded in cutting them off ‘from the main body. Lieut. Crittenden was despatched, with a flag of truce, to demand the immediate surrender of this force Che Mexican officer, pretending not to understand the character of his mission, insisted that he should be blindfolded, according to the rules of war, and thus had the Lieutenant carried into the camp of Santu Anna himself. This was a ruse to get time to extricate the Mexican cavalry from their dangerous position, and, pending this truce, they were all drawn oft by a different road from that by which they had gained this position. Lieut. Crittenden was conducted blind-folded to the tent of the Mexican Generai-in-chief. which he found a jong distance from the seene of action, and which he thought che safest place he had been in during the whole day. As he approached Santa Anna’s tent he was grect- cd with @ mowt tremendous flourish of trumpets, which night have been heard a mile off, but, produced no very ereat torror in the mind of the Kentuckian. His blind was taken off, and he found himself in the presence of the famous Mexiean Chief, surrounded by « brilliant staff of bedizenened, gilded, and moustached officers. — Santa Anna apologized to the Lieutenant for the act of his officers. in having him blindfolded, saying, that so far from having any desire to conceal his situation. he was desirous of exhibiting to Gen, Taylor the utter folly of resisting so powerful an army as he had under hia com- mand. “To which the Lieutonat replied, that his simple incesuge was to demand his [Santa Auna’s)/immediate surrender to Gen. ‘Taylor, When this oxtraordinar demand was translated to the Mexican, he raised bi the engagement at Buena Vista. With this object, he made a demonstration against the town with 2000 cayal- ty. Lieut. Shover, with sixty men and two mall pieces he brave old man was sitting quietly on his of artillery, went out to meet the valiant general, and at old white charger, with his log over the pommel of the | °n¢ discharge of his cannon, sent him and his edarge saddle, watching the movements of the enemy, when the | force to the right about in double-quick time. In concluding our necessarily imperfect sketch of the formedat Buena Vista, details gathered from a hasty conversation, we must be allowed to express our satis- dently and so frequently expressed of the bravery and efficiency of our volunteers, haye been more thar alized. Let those who have heretofore made our citizen soldiers the theme of their ribaldry and ridicule, be for- and glor. which have consecrated in American history the bloody field of Buena Vista. INCIDENT AT THE BATTLE OF BUENO VISTA. NEW YORK, MONDAY | eloquent poetical effusions. (From the New Orleans Picayune, March 26.) _, At a very critical point of the battle on the 23d, when it became necessary to sustain one of our columns, which was staggering under a charge made by the Mexi- cans in overwhelming numbers, General ‘Taylor des- lines of | patched Mr. Crittenden to order Colonel McKee, of the 2d Kentucky Eepmant, to bring his men into immediate action. Mr. Crittenden found the regiment, men and officers, eager for the fray, delivered the order.’nd rode back to the pore, by whose side it was his duty to eye The Kentuckians moved forward in gallant stylo, led by McKee and Clay, both of whom, alas! fell in a subsequent part of the day. It so happened that before reaching a position from ‘which they could deliver an effective fire, the regiment had to cross a valley which was broken up by ravines and masses of stone. Whilst crossing this valley, the heads only of the men could he seen from the point which General Taylor and Mr. Crit- tenden occupicd—and these were bobbing up and down and crosswise in such confusion as to impress both with the idea that the regiment had fallen into disorder, — The Mexicans were annoying them at the same moment by a fire, which helped to vonfirm the opinion of the general that the Kentuckians were thrown into dismay. It was one of those decisive crises which occur os every contested field, when the issue of the day depend- ed, for the time being, upon the gallantry of a particular corps. Gen. Taylor, who, as before said, could only see the heads of the troops, and misled by their motions in get- ting across gullies and going around rocks and other ob- structions,into the belief that they were about to falter. turned to Mr. Crittenden, who is a Kentuckian, and with a countenance indicating deep mortification, for the gen- eral is a Kentuckian too.and an eye fierce with emotion, exclaimed, “By G—d, Mr. Crittenden, this will not do— this is not the way for Kentuckians to behave them- selves when called upon to make good # battle—it will not answer, sir; and with this he clenched his teeth and knit his crow and set his teeth hard together. Mr. Crittenden, who was mistaken ly the same indications that deceived the general, cowd scarcely make a reply from very chagrin and shame.— In a few moments, however, the Kentuckians had crovs- ed the uneven places and were seen ascending the slope of the valley, shoulder to shoulder, and with the firm and regular step of veterans of a hundred fields. On they moved until they reached the crest of the hill, where they met the enemy before the flush of a tempo- rary advantage had subsided. Here they delivered their fire by companies, with such regularity and deadly aim. that the decimated phalanx of Mexico gave way and re- treated precipitously. As the Kentuckians emerged from the valley the countenance of the old general, who was regarding them with the intensest interest, gradu- be relaxed the bitterness of its expression. A glow of pride supplanted the deep mortification which fixed its muscles, and enthusiasm qualified the fierce glances of his eye. Forward they moved under his rivited gaze, and | whose feclings became more and more wrought up as they approached the scene of earnage. When they opened their fire the old general could no longer restrain his admiration, but broke forth with aloud huzza.-— “Hurrah for old Kentuck,” he exclaimed, talking as it were to himself, and rising in his saddle—“That’s the way to do it; give them h—ll, d—n them,” and the tears of exultation rolled down his cheeks as he said it. Having got rid of this ebullition of State pride, he went about looking after other parts of the field. Some of our readers may regard this incident, which we derive from one of the parties concerned, as savoring more of profanity than generalship; but it must be borne in mind that under the excitement of such terri- ble ecenes of havoe and bloodshed.those engaged in them use the name of the God of Battles with some degree of familiarity, (From the Washington Union, April 2.) As every incident connected with this memorable con- flict, as remarkable for its result as for the disparity be- tween the opposing forces, must be interesting to our readers, we have endeavored to group together some of them, as caught from a hasty conversation with the in- teresting and galiant volunteer aid of General Taylor, who was a witness of the whole scene The pass of Buena Vista is about one and three-quarters of a mile wide, the road being in the middle, Gen. Tay- lor’s right rested upon the road, and wax so protected by the broken nature of the ground as to be secure against any attempt to flank him on that side. From the road to the mountains on the left is 700 to 800 yards, the first half of the distance being a al deal cut BP by short ravines, running to the road. Beyond the heads of these ravines the plain extends to the mountain, which ia steep and almost inaccessible. On this plain the battle was mainly fonght. Most of Washington’s battery was planted on the right, to defend the road. Bragg’s and ‘Thomas's batteries, and others, were on the plain, and were used with tremendous effect upon the enemy, whore dense columns had at one time approached so near ae to threaten, by their mere weight, the complete overthrow of our army, when a destructive fire from Bragg’s batte- ry appeared to open whole streets through the solid asses in front, and to bid defiance to any nearer ap- proach In the meantime, the superior numbers of the enemy had passed our left flank, while their artillery endeavor- ed to maintain a raking position upon us from the foot of the mountain, Some 1500 of their cavalry, besides in- fantry, had got around in that direction, aid muintain- ed a severe conflict fora time. General Taylor directed Lieutenant Colonel May, with four companies, to charge this large body of cavalry; but when he got within about one Ifundred yards, the enemy fled, and the infantry in that quarter was soon after seen in full retreat. ‘i his was about 2 o'clock, and General Taylor despatched Mr. Crittenden with a fag of truce. to uy to the commander of these retreating forces. if they would surrender, he would not fire on them. Mr. C., on horseback, with his interpreter, soon overtook the rear of the retreating par- ty, and after passing many of the stragglery, was required to stop, which order was enforced by the presentation of a gun, until the interpreter explained. They were then blindfolded, and carried forward, Mr, ©. oceasionally inquiring for the officer in command of that corps, ‘They as often said, “a little further on;’* and at one time, when he refused to peccen an offleer told him he could not be answerable for the conse quences from his own men if;he did not go on to Santa Anna. When he reachedythe latter, in a sort of ravine, below the fire, ton the plain, Mr. ©. soon informed him that his crrand was to,the?officer in command of the re- treating body,and{not to himeelf.4 {After a ,while, a tre- | mendous flourish of trumpets and ‘instruments was th signal‘for the bandages to be,withdrawn from their eyes, ken Santa Anna ;demanded\ the,surrender of General Taylor's army.~ With a smile, Mr. ©. replied, “ General Taylor never{ surrenders,” Anjofiicer bre” who'un- derstood English, ,explained to 'Santa;Anna the nature of the anawer, when he said, * then,tboth\ «armies are in the like condition,” or words to that effect.» Mr. ©, then asked for a conductor that he might re- hands and eyebrows in utter it at the temer- turn. Whon he reached the plain again, the two armies seemed engaged in # tremendous , and after taking leave of hia conductor, he made his way back as best he could, in greater peril from the fire of our own guna than from those of the Mexicans. It is not true, as heretofore d, that Lieut. Col. May, in his reconnoissances. lost Lieut. Wood and ten men, They became separated, but all got back s: ly tocamp. Licut. Sturges was taken prisoner, but was released under the subsequent arrangement for an ex- change of prisoners. Mr. C. thinks the Mexican infantry behaved much better than their cavalry—the latter would not wait for a charge from even one-fifth of their number. He does not know exactly how the three pieces of ar- tillery were taken. He heard Col, Davis say he could have spiked them, but supposed they would be retaken The rumor that General Taylor's despatches had be cut off was unfounded. Some of them had been de layed at Monterey for want of an escort. These Mr. C. obtained when he came through, and all have been safe- ly delivered to the Adjutant General in this city. We ure glad to learn from Mr, C. that Lieut. Col. May. who is reported having received “a severe contu- sion,’’ was out and considered well again, before Mr. C. left the army. An exchange (Gen, W. O, paper states that this gallant officer, utler,) was noted, in former days, for his “His poetical productions appeared in the years 1806-7, under the signature of the * Ohio Bard.’ and were copied from one end of the Union to the other. Most of them were satirical, and levelled at the mania for specwation and banka that at that time pervaded the west. He married Miss Tibbatts, of Lexington, Ky., eldest sister of Mr. John Tibbatts, of the Inte United States House of Representatives, and now colonel of one of the new regiments.” THE DISEMBARKATION AT VERA CRUZ. [From the New Orleans Bulletin, March 27.] The landing of the American army at Vera Crus has been accomplished in a manner that reflects the highest credit on all concerned, and the regularity, preeision and promptness with which it was effected, hax probably assed, if it has been equalled, in modern ‘The removal of a large body of troops from numerons transports into boats, in an open sea—their subsequent disembarkation on the sea beach, on an enemy's Coa: through a surf with all their arms and accoutrement without a ne error or accident, requires grout exer- tion, skill and sound judgment. The French expedition against Algiers, in 1830, was said to be the most complete armament in opel respect that over left Europe ; it had been prepared with labor, attention and experience, and nothing had been omitted to insure success, and particularly in the means and fu- cilities for landing the troops. This disembarkation took place ina wide bay, which was more favorable than an open beach directly on the ocean, and (as in the pre- sent instance) without any resistance on the part of the enemy—yet, only 9000 men were landed the first day, and 30 to 40 lives were lost by accidents, or upsetting of boats; whereas, on the present occasion, 12,000 men were landed in one day without, so far as we have heard, the slightest accident or the loss of a single life. The great credit of this, of course, belongs to the navy, under whose orders and arrangements, and by whose exertions it was effect- ed, and re! sthe highest credit on Commodore Conner, and the gallant officers and seamen belonging to his squadron—eredit is also justly due to the Department, under whose directions the needful arrangements wero made, and means provided for carrying it into effect. (Correspondence of Tropic.) Orr Vera Cavz, March 13, 1847, Nothing has been more remarkable in this campaign than the quietness with which the troops were permitted to land. 1 have the assurance of offi- cers, whose experience qualifies them to judge, that three pieces of cannon, judiciously planted, and masked by the small eminence which’ overhangs the point of landing, would have produced terrible havoc amongst our troops. I believe that three pieces, so planted and masked, and served with grape and canister shot, would have placed atleast five thousand of our men hors du combat, before tliey could have reached the position which they were permitted to take unmolested. hey could have spiked their guns upon our advance, and retired in perfect safety. To what are we to attri- bute this supineness? I cannot guess. Gen, Scott may have deceived them somewhat by his reconnoissances of the 6th instant, in which he examined the coast to the northward, as well as to the southward of the city; but this will not account for the matter, as half a dozen guns upon each side of the city could form a vonsidert- tion of trifling importance to them in the way of de- fence. But so it was. a4 *e * There is a norther in the air—The latter part of our yesterday’s gale, which bas not yet blown it- self out. If it follow, as it threatens, and lasts the usu- al period, three days, the attack must be deferred a pro- portionate length of time. It will require every hour of three days, to land the howitzers and get them in poxi- tion, and asa heavy surf will follow a norther for at least two days, 1am induced to believe that the attack cannot be commenced during the whole of the next week—not until the 20th or 21st instant. + * * Themavy can have but little to say in the matter; her position seers to be inisanderstood. It may be Well to say that no attack will be made directly upon 8. Juan de Ulta until the city is in our hands. Our lines will then be brought near the walls, and such ships as may be manned with Paixhan guns, and supplied with shells; such bomb-ketches as may hereafter sent down from the United States, and'such batteries of his big guns as Colonel Bomford may have prepared and shipped, will at once be opened upon the castle—not to beat it down, nor to make an effective breach in its walls, but to render the climate too warm for Mexican e@ourage to flourish in Before even this step is taken, the place will be coin- pletely invested, and hunger may indeed render re- course to the method spoken of unnecessary. No fears need be entertained, | fancy, that the castle will open upon the city, when the latter enters into our possession. I think Mextean brutality falls far short of such an atrocity, Be this as it may, | am assured that General Scott, will not quarter his troops in the city, but along his lines outside,until the castle may be reduc- ed. His army, will then, of course, retire to the moun- tains, leaving at Vera Cruz only a force sufficient to act as a garrison, MEXICAN AFFAIRS. (From the New Orleans Picayune, March 26.) We find little in the Mexican papers which has not been embraced in our correspondence. We note, how- ever, « few words in regard to New Mexico and Chihua- hua. The papers speak freely of a late abortive con- spiracy in New Mexico, They counted upon rising upon our troops with six thousand men and anuihilating them. They attribute the discovery of the conspiracy and the arrest of the principals engaged in it to Vigil Alarid, towards whom they show no merey. They com- plain loudly of the successes of “the Yankees,”’ as they call us, and hepe to succeed better in their next con- spiracy. If one could trust Mexican accounts, they woula make the situation of New Mexico critical. A messenger who had been despatched from El Paso to Santa Fe for artillery and reinforcements, betrayed bis trust and carried his despatch to Chihuahua and gave them to the government. They know that their capital is threatened, and their sole hope of safety is the arrival of aid from the South. On the 30th of January the re- inforcements on their march from the South for the de- fence of Chihuahua bad not reached that city. There were there seven hundred regwiar troops, three hundred armed countrymen, and four hundred more were expect- ed from the vicinity. They had, too;thirteen pieces of ry—four pounders and sixes. Yet this foree was considered totally inadequate to the defence of the town, Durango is still ravaged by the Indians. The details are without interest, but show a lamentable state of affairs, By the way, the Indians of New Mexico are said to be a# disgusted with “the Yankees” as the Mexicans themselves, We annex another letter from our correspondent in the squadro U J Squapron, Axton Lizanno, March 3. Gen. Ampudia, on the 29th of January, addresses to his companions in arms, from San Luis Potosi, a short vindication of his conduct at Montere: He avows his intention of publishing, as soon as cireumstances will permit, an elaborate manifesto, supported by official documents, after the court of enquiry has terminated. This court, he says, has been postponed against his wishes, in consequence of the absence of certain generals at their respective posts, He says that although he was in the disgraceful action of Palo Alto, he can declare that he did not for 2 moment abandon the thickest of the combat ; he challenges any one to deny the truth of this ax#ertion, or that he exactly obeyed his orders, even to making a retreat against his judgment. He contrasts his own conduct somewhat invidiously with that of Arista : “In Palo Alto our force was somewhat superior to the enemy—demoralization reigned in their ranks,and en- thusiasm in ours; whilst at Monterey, the personel of the oppoving army was double our own, since it is auffi- ciently notorious that 11,000 men en dus, and in the convention of generals and chiefs of brigades it was brought to light that we could on our part count only 4,000 men capable of fighting in the open plain, ‘To thix it must be added that all the advantage stood in favor of the invaders, the victory depending in a great measure on the morale of the combatants. Comparing, then, the result of one action with the other, it will be apparent that in Monterey our arms came off with honor, after having freely avenged the blood spilt on the 8th and 9th of May. it being kept in mind that we lost only 450 men altogether, and that our enemics suffered »® loss of 2204 dead and wounded ; and as an incontrovertible proof of | vtions, let it be remembered that the American | these a» Govern) .ent disapproved of the conduct of Gen. Taylor, pte Gen. Scott, of the eame rank, to supersede him in the command, “ | would haye completely routed the invaders if the 4th brigade, amounting to 2200, bad arrived at the thea- tre of operations at the time the Supreme Government had promised, as | held it clear it would form our reserve at Saltillo; and also, if my orders had been obeyed, to take from the enemy, as was possible, 1600 mules, trans- porting provisions and munitions of war.” After going on to say he has no other patrimony than his honor and the pay of his rank, and that he has no- | thing to leave his sons but the good name which from | tender years he has held unsustained, he appeals to his follow-citizens to do him justice and shut their ears to the calumnies of his enemies, with the understanding that at an rr riate time he will prove by unquestiona- ble documents that he did his duty at Monterey.* La Epoca of ¥ebruary 1th discusses the subject of removing the seat o' vernment from the city of Mexico. This appears tolhave been a favorite plan with the federalits for many years, It is thought that the power | centralized in M exico jeopardizes the freedom of the departments, and the proposition to remove the govern- ment to some smaller,place meets with much favor from those now in power._"Gen. ,Venturasde Mora and the malcontents at Mazatlan have returned to alle- nce to the present, government, and, having given up the scheme of dictatorship, have received a full pardon The Minister of War has asked of the government of MORNING the State of Mexico 3,000 men, to serve as a reserve to | the vanguard of the last. He hopes they will be sent at once, as it is known by official communications that | 6,000 men are assembled. | Senor Suarez Iriarte has retired from the Ministry of Finance. His resignation appears to have been expect- ed. El Federalista saya that on the 20th February there was no Minister of Finance, of Foreign Relations nor of War, and, properly speaking, no government at | all, On the 20th February Congress decreed the title o! Beneminto de la Patria to C. Miguel Ramos Arispe and that his name should be inscribed in letters of gold in the hall of the Chamber of Deputies. On the 26th February a despatch and express arrived at Vora Cruz bringing despatches for Gen. Atocha, and also a draft on the maritime custom-house for $5.000 to be remitted to Perote. The Vera Crus peters complain bitterly that funds should be drawn mm that place, where they have barely enough to maintain the garrison. The bearing of the reply to Gen. Atocha fs not yet disclosed, but ix supposed to be unfavorable to any pro- position that the United States may have made. ‘Some persons appear to have inferred that if the reply of the government had been hostile, that some intimation would have been given to the Governor of Vera Cruz so as to enable him to take the necessary steps for the de- fence of the place, but the Indicador says that all such ideas are fallacious, for in fact that there is no govern- Pgh at all, and that the place has been abandoned to te fate. Avery important express is said to have arrived on the 26th inst, to the Governor of the State of Vera Cruz, which has caused a great deal of commbtion, as it is con- —————— OO , APRIL 5, 1847. The Isthmus of Tehuantepec—The Commercial Movemen it. From the Washington Union, April 1.) We ons glad to see the Gor of military c tions proposed to be leviod by the President in approved in advance by the National Intellig this morning. It always gives us pleasure w! able editors of that paper urray themselves on tl rican side of any question, and we would rejo more if we should never again have occasion te trom their views, as regards the existing war wit ico, They are mistaken, however, in supposing | | xystem of collecting duties in the ports of Mex military contribution.originated with their distin whig correspondent, Gen, Waddy Thompson, lat ter to Mexico. Long prior to that publication ference to the files of the Union of the 22d D last, and among the papers laid before Congres President, at the very commencement of the sion, will be found an able despatch of Judge Seeretary of the Navy, directing the collec duties on imports at a rate not exceeding ¢ sent tariff, in such of the ports of Califo might be in our possession by conquest, Indee diately after the commencement of the war, the tion of duties in the ports of Mexico was well co: by the President and his cabinet, and approved, co should determine to protract the contest. to collect these duties in California, were actual mitted, as we have shown, as early as the 5th of ber last, which orders have probably reached the nation before this date. In Tampico and Ma however, so much nearer to the capital of Mex jectured that the Americans have disembarked at Tus- | where the measure would be calculated to prodt pan with the intention of marching on Jalapa by way of | feeling, it was delayed, in hope that the contest 1 Antigua, It is reported that 500 mules have been taken from us, part of them laden with provisions. They were driven to Victoria for safety. It is said our troops are ignorant of Santa Anna’s movement towards them, as it is supposed he is on his way to Mexico. he Mexican account of the loss of the transport at Lobos, is similar to that which has appeared in your paper. The accounts from the army are full of bitter com- plaints, because the Government has remitted no mo- ney for the last two months, while they are marching ay acountry which produces nothing to support them. On the 16th February thirty-eight deputies in Con- gress, after a long preamble reciting the constitutional history of Mexico, presented two propositions: — Ist. Congress declares that the federal compact enter- ed into by the United States of Mexico in 1824, is the only legitimate political constitution of the country, the perfect observance of which is obligatory on all the States, and every Mexican, whilst there is no addition or change in the terms of departure from the path which the same constitution prescribes, and which the present si Ban shall agree to, 2d. The law which shall regulate elections throughout terminated by peaceful negotiation. This, how: been again and again tried by the President.but success, and even since the adjourument of Con; have received what must be regarded, at least present, the obstinate refusal of Mexico to nego peace, Upon the receipt of this intelligence, t dent, with the unanimous sanction of his cal solved to put into immediate operation the + duties now proposed, ax the best means of levy tary contributions in Mexico. The right thus oxercised in California, having been laid before | at the commencement of the last session, and encountered no opposition there, or through country, may well be regarded as unanimously a Pence has its laws, as well as war; but the s iron rules of the latter are ordained, not b legislative enactments, but are to be found in written code of the law of nations. It is this la ing to our army and navy, which regulates our rights as well as those of all other belligere among these is the unquestioned and unque: right of levying military contributions upon th This right is now exercised by Mexico against as to public and even private property, and | possess this right in « ‘conflict even with the enemy, cr it does not belong to us, if summoned | against the greatest allied powers of the world. the Republic for the constitutional Congress shall be passed without delay, designating the place in which Congress shall convene to hold its sessions. From this we may infer the strength of the democra- tie party, as well as their intention to change the seat of government, In consequence of the threatened attack of Vera Cruz, the government, in virtue of the extraotdinaty aehhed conferred upon it, has ordered a forced enlistment in the National Guards of all eligible persons except the clergy and those physically unfit for the service. AFFAIRS IN CALIFORNIA, [From the Boston Traveller,} Sr. Fiiancisco, Nov. 15, 1846. You have doubtless heard all about the coeupalion of California by the Bear party first, and then by the Unit- ed States forces, Com. Stockton had (as He thought) quiet possession of the countr ; he marched the Con- eas’s men to Pueblo de los Angelos, Castro promised die before he would see the American flag hoisted there, aud perhaps will keep his word, as he ran away to Sonora as soon ax he heard the sailors were marching up, without firing a gun. Com. Stockton remained at the Pueblo a month, treat- ing the people with the utmost kindness and lenity, and finally an officer with thirty men was left there ; he re- turned to winter at this port, (St. Francisco) ; he also left ten men of Fremont’s party at Santa Barbara, thinking this sufficient to assist the civil authorities there, and not dreaming of rebellion among the Califor- nians. He had hardly arrived at San Francisco, when he eived information that all the cotintty below Mon- terey was in arms eqainat him, and the Mexican flag again hoisted, My limits will not perinit details. Briet- ly, then, 300 men hemmed in the fuw troops at the Pueblo, and compelled them to capitulate. These eim- barked on board the United States sloop of war Van- dalia, at San Pedro, with all the foreigners from the Pueblo, A few days after the Savannah arrived, the Commo- dore sent her down to relieve the Pueblo, Her crew landed, with those from the Vandalia, to march up again, 320 men. They had neither horses nor cannon. At Do- mingos’ Rancho, they were met by 150 Californians, well mounted and with a field piece; the Americans were compelled to retreat to the ship, with five men killed and six wounded, Com. Stockton, with the Congress, was on his way down, and also Major (now Colonel) Fremont, with 150 riflemen, in the ship Sterling, of Boston, (the 8. was bound to San Diego.) On the passage, the Sterling spoke tho Vatidalia, and on jearning the news, Fremont ordered the Sterling to Monterey. On the Commodore's arrival at St. Pedro, he took up his march for the Pue- blo, up 6 ship's guns by hand, as the Califor- nians had driven off every animal. At the rancho of Sepulvida, they met a large force of the enemy—sending 100 men in advance with orders to receive the fire of the Californians, and fall back on the main body without re- turning their fire, he succeeded in decoying the enemy (who, thinking the Ameritans were about to retreat, and that they were also without cannon) close up to the main body, which was formed in a triangle, with the guus hid by the men and loaded with grape and cannis- ter, when the wings were extended, and a most deadly fire opened upon them. The only report we have of it yet, is the report of the Californians themselves. They state that they lost in killed 100 men, and more than that number wounded, besides about 100 prisoners. The poor horses suffered severely. Many of these people in arms had signed an obligation not to tako up arms dur- ing the war, and were on parole; they will no doubt be hung. Stockton is much enraged, and threatened when he went from here, to execute severe vengeance on them if they had shed American blood. At Santa Barbara, one hundred and fifty mounted and well armed Californians attacked Lieut. Talbot, one | | | of Fremont’s young officers, who was left in charge there with ten men; they were quartered in Robbins’ house The house was surrounded, and they ordered to surren- der unconditionally. Talbot refused to surrender on any conditions. Coolly packing up their provisions, &c., they marched out of the house to sell their lives at a dear rate, but though surrounded with this immense odds | they were not attacked. Talbot drew his men off to the | hills, just back of the mission, followed all the way hy | the cowardly miscreants who were threatening to devour him if he did not lay dgwn his arms, but none of them was willing to take tht’ first taste. Halting on a hill, whore the Americans had rather the advantage, the brave Barbaranians set fire to the grass ina circle round the little party, perhaps preferring to devour them after being cooked. but they would not stay to be cooked, and the brave little Talbot marched his men through the fire, and crossing the mountains into the Tulares, led them safely to Monterey on foot, where Mr. Larkin writes, they arrived safe « few days since. How this is all going to terminate, remains to be seen, but I think the Californians will not raise their beads again; it was easy enough to take the country, but there must be land forces to hold it ; the wonder is that some be from the U. States have not already arrived. 1 hope to be able to send you further particulars in a few days—therefore leave a space for that a Why do we not get a mail over the mountains’ The latest dates from the U. States are May 25. Nov. 17.—The brig sails to-morrow, There are no farther particulars from the seat of war, except a con- firmation of the above, with the addition of a large num- ber of killed and wounded 1 wilt endeavor to send you some newspapers by the Sterling ; there is a weekly published at Monterey, and one also at Yerba Buena, (St, Franc.) Owing to the war operations there has been no ma- tanzas (slaughtering of cattle) this year, as all the horses were taken by one party or the other. The season was food, Yeraa Buena, California, November 18th, 1846. My last was dated 25th August, when I informed you that the country was entirely in possession of the Ameri- cans, Since then the natives have revolted. More than two months now the leeward country has been under the Mexican flag. The Commodore left but small forces there and came to the north with most of his men; the Californians immediately commenced an insurrection, and had but little trouble in driving the few Americans from the country, or taking them prisoners. From St. Luis Obispo to St, Juan Capustan, the country is in pos- session of theCalifornians; 150 Americans under Gillespic, have possession of St. Diego, Col, Fremont, with 500 men and 4 pieces of artillery, left Monterey on the 16th inst., for the South, where the U. 8, ship Congress awaits his movements. Two months must elapse before peace is restored. The windward coast has remained comparatively quiet. Over 500 men have emigrated here | this season, inany of whom are now peas with Col Fremont, and the others are forming a busy settlement about St. Francisco, This is the central point and we have already something of a town; next year 200 houses will be built, being double the number now existing. As Americans can now hold property here, they have taken advantage of the times to secure building lots; specula- | tion is active; large tracts of land are daily changing hands, and we see the bustle of American industry in all the north of California. Another letter, dated 2ist Nov., sa: The U, 8. hip Savannah has just arrived here. Mr. Larkin, U. 8. Consil, was taken prisoner by the Califor- | nians at San Juan, on his wa to Monterey, and it was thought would be carried by them to Sonora MILITARY. [From the Newark Advertiser, April 3.| Captain Yard has.received orders to march for Mexi- co, and he will take his departure from New York on Tuesday, with his company of volunteers. Colonel Caleb Cushing reached New Orleans on the 26th ult, NAVAL. {From the Norfolk Beacon, April 2 Commander Johnston, who is ordered to the Gosport navy yard in place of Commander Farrogut, arrived herdlyeaterdaygin the steamer Herald, from Baltimore. The U. 8. steamer Union, Commander Rudd, from Washington, arrived, at this port yesterday morning, and proceeded up,tofthe nav rd. > The United States steamir’ Bovlrge; L thirteen days from New York. render this right, would strip us of one of the vit butes of sovereign power, would place ua upon equal footing with every belligerent, would im] welfare and interest of the country, might sacr lives of our heroic defenders, might turn our - into defeats, and even endanger the safety of th lie, Without this right, also, we might never bi conquer # peace, and its exercise is most approy this time, when Mexico, unable to meet our forces in the field, now mainly relies on a w our treasury and finances, through a lingering pensive contest. It is the Department of the 1 which Mexico expects to break down, and 1 seo whether our finances are not as impregnabk armies, It is recognized by the law of nations admitte distinguished commentators on that law,and aff the hest judicial euthorities of this countr the World, that, during a war, one belligeren session by Conquest of any of the ports or ter another, has a right to establish a temporary government there, through the order of its exe the commander-in-chief of the army and navy, also the right, through the same authority, t such ports or places, military contributions u enemy. This right is exercised to aid in defra expenses of the war, to augment our own resou ing the contest, as alxo to diminish and exhaust the enemy, so as to compel him to agree more 9] an honorable peace. This right presupposes nation making the conquest and levying the « tions, relies upon the justice of her cause, respo' her acts to the God of battles, and to the en) judgment of the civilized nations of the wo nearly the fourth of a century Mexico has inf on our country a series of wrongs, outrages, an unparalleled in history. She has. during a peric found peace, repeatedly insulted our flag, se confiscated the property of our unoffendin; arrested and maimed some of them, an others of life and liberty. When she had acknowledged some of these injuries, and | by solemn treaty stipulations to make at for them, not as a debt, but as a satisfaction for ; wrongs and insults, justifying of themselves an | the last resort of nations, she has violated thes compacts, and thereby reduced many American and their families to serious embarrasements, anc cases to want and ruin, ‘The name of an Amet stead of affording. as it should have done, the 1 ple protection, to all our citizens in Mexico, wi invitation to outrages and insults the most ag and intolerable, Before the annexation of Texa: as the tables of our imports and exports show, ally driven our merchants and commerce from and cities of Mexico. Krom the frequent outra the persons and property of our citizens trad Mexico, rendering our whole commerce there our exports to Mexico fell off from more than si: of dollars, in 1835, to $368,000, in 1845, and ou! from Mexico (almost exclusively specie) fell fron in 1835, to $1,702,000, in 1845; and when ' nation as sovereign as Mexico, recognised dependent government by the great powe' earth, and with as clear a right to decide destiny for herself—resolved, with our assent, t a State of this Union, Mexico, in defiance of e of right, and of every principle of justice, so after, announced war as existing with this cour proceeded in a short time, as well by atrociow cres, as by public military movements, to shed cious blood of American citizens upon the sacr one of the States of the American Union. A; again, in a spirit of generous and magnanimous ance, which Mexico seems wholly unable o: appreciate, we offered to negotiate for pe to her to agree to terminate this contest friendly offers and appeals are met by insulting and she seems resolved to continue this cont hazards, This is deeply regretted by the adr tion. One of the great trusts confided to it by t rican people, was to unfetter our commerce as means of maintaining peace, and advancing | best interests in common with those of all of the of the world. Peace was the policy and ardent the administration; but it has been frustrate: perverse obstinacy of Mexico, in the war wi has so unjustly commenced, and still more insists upon prosecuting against our countr war oceurred at the very period when the tration was engaged in endeavoring to fulf its sacred trusts, by reducing the duties, ar tering the commerce of American people. greatly embarrassed and endangered th this benign policy, although it did not eff throw, The question now is, must the Americ submit to new and heavy loans and grevious or shall we subject the enemy by every lawful tion during the war to those burdens which sists upon imposing on us by refusing to tern contest? We have endeavored by every offer 0 negotiation to prevent the occurrence ‘of war itself has been prosecuted on our part in a spirit and forbearance almost, unexampled; offer have been again made by us to Mexico, and ag the rising of Congress, contumaciously refu forbearance and lenity have not been’ appre Mexico; they have been mistaken by her for and timidity on our part, and it would seem nothing short of the most rigorous war, and th practicable contributions, will compel her to re peaceful relations. Money being the sinews of war, the revenue belligerent are as necessary to their success as | navies; and these revenues, being public prope he seized and confiscated, and diverted to our during the contest. Mexico herself now seizes lie property and revenues, wherever she can fi She is endeavoring also to enlist the whole w general spoliation of our commerce.and revenu seizure of American merchant veesels and every sea, 40 a4 to weaken our resources and her own, Under these circumstances, she can just cause of complaint, if we divert her rev ved from duties from her treasury, where the against us, and collect those revenues oursel best means of bringing the contest to a speedy orable conclusion, It will be seen that the Secretary of the " whose estimates as to revenue heretofore have ceeded the results."caleulates on a large additic resources from these duties. He estimates also revenue will be largely augmented by the occu the ports on cach side of the Mexican isthmus is about one hundred and thirty miles from se and securing the free transit across that isthme commerce, and that of all the world. At 1 mus the navigable waters of the two oc proach within about sixty miles, the intermed tance being practicable for a canal or a railroad ever such a work, at some period, may be com) would bring New Orleans within four days of th and within two weeks of California and Ore distance from New York would only be about greater, and our whole commerce would be within nearly thirty a4 of Asia, Ths impor ject is thus alluded to {mn the extract which | from Mr. Walker's last treasury report, of the cember last, in which, speaking of the warehow says: “ Our chief commercial cities are alread than thore of Europe to the centre of the territ merce, and population of the world, and are de: | no distant day, to be brought still nearer, + | waters of the Atlantic and Pucific shall be unite | Mexican isthmus, which, combined with our pr on the Pacific, would revolutionize in our favor | merce of the world, and more rapidly advanee ¢ ness, wealth and power than any event that has since the adoption of the constitution,’ ¥ | Walker wrote this sentence, he could scarcely | | posed that the great measure should be so neg complishment, as to be ranked among the great | ments to be accomplished by the administratio sident Polk Se & The city authorities of Portland, Me., have di jeut. Hunter | to name the avenues and paths of the Western ( commanding, arrived at Havana on the 17th inst. in| The avenues are to bear the names of trees, thove of bushes or vines.