The New York Herald Newspaper, April 18, 1847, Page 1

Vol. XIII. No. 107-—~Whole No. 4704, HIGHLY INTERESTING INTELLIGENCE FROM THE SEAT OF WAR. ANOTHER BATTLE IN NEW MEXICO, ADVANCE OF OUR TROOPS TOWARDS TUR CITy OF MEXICO. THE PREPARATION OF GENERAL TAYLOR TO ADVANCE TO SAN LUIS POTOSI. The Inauguration of Santa Anna as PRESIDENT OF MEXICO. A LOAN OF $5,000,000 FROM THE CHURCH. The Official ‘Despatches of Santa Anna OF THE DETAILS OF THE BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. AFFAIRS IN THE CITY OF MEXICO, Movements of Gen, Scott and onr Troops, at VERA CRUZ. Se. die. Se. AFFAIRS IN VERA CRUZ. {From the Now Orleans Picayune, April 9.] At an early hour this morning the ship Arkansas, Capt. Hilliard, arrived from Vera Crus in five days. of Capt. Hilllard, we have letters 1@ 20 Ii We cannot make room is letters, but subjoin the following oopy of General Scott's orders upon the capture of tho olty, and also the tariff of duties instituted by Gen. Worth. We shail havo more to say to-morrow about this tariff. Mr. Kendall writes us that the last reports from tho capital indicate that tho dissensions are not yot termina- ted, Santa Anna is aid to have allied himself to the party of Farias, and to be determined to support the war at the expense of the church. ‘A Guadalajara paper publishes the terms offered by our Government for peace through Atocha. ‘Tho prin- cipal one was in brief, fifteen iiilions to be paid Mexico for the line of 26 deg. from the Gulf to the Pacific, and the United States to demand no expenses of the w: ‘Those expenses are estimated at thirteen millions, mak- ing a total of twenty-eight millions for the territory north of 25 degrees. 'e will give thy whole to-morrow. ‘The Mexiean papers received by this arcival are crowded with news, which we will give In our next. Heapquantens oF THe Arar, Vera Cxvz,? Mareh 30, 1847. 5 GENERAL oRDERS—No, 80. Tho capture of this well fortified city, the émporiam of Mexican commeree, with the castle of San Juan do Uhia, the enemy's principal fortross, with 6000 prison- era nnd as many stand of arms, 400 plecos of orduance and a large quantity of ordnance stores, have added to the glory of American arms acquired elsewhero in this war, and cannot fail to contribute powerfully to an early peace—go much desired by the United States. ‘These {mportant achievements havo ostablished a new base, and opened a shorter and better line of operations {upon the enemy's capital and centre of re- sources. Tho general-in-chief congratulates the army he has the honor personally to command upon this brilliant opening of 2 new campaign, and tenders, on the part of the United States, immodiste thanks to’ all the corpa— regular and volunteer, including a detachment of mna- rines, under Capt. Edson—which formed the line of in- vestmont, and prosecuted thojsiege to its happy conclu- sion. The troops have borne the heaviest labors, in camp and in trenches, without failureor murmur,amidst sand storms of distressing frequency and violence; skir- mishes by day and night, and under the incessant fire of the enemy's heavy battories of the city and castle. The steadiness and cheerfulness of officers and men, under the circumstances, are worthy of all prai The general in chiof sincerely regrets that he eannot give the names of the hundreds, or rather thousands, to whom particular thanks are due on this occasion.— He can only enuinerate the fow who were isolated by rank or position, as well as hy noble services. Of thi class he is happy to name Brevet Brigadier Gen. Worth (uow brevet major general) aud Brigadier Gon. Twiggs, commanding the regular brigades; Major Gen. Patterson (second in command) and his three brigadier generals —Pillow, Quitman aud Shields, of the volunteer division; Colonel Harney, commander of the regulax cavalry; Col, Totten, chief of ongineers; Colonel Bankhead, chief of artillery, and commander of tho battcries, ably assisted, in suecession, by other fiold officers of artillery; Captain Huger, acting chiof of ordnance, much at the batterios, aud assisted ably in supplying them by Captains Cross tod Irwin. both of. the, Quartermaster’s Department ; Lleut, Colonel iitehcgck, acting inspector general; Maj. Turnbull, acting chiof of topographical engineers; Major MaoRee, acting chief of tho Quartormaster’s Depart- ment; Captain Grayson, acting chief of the commissa- riat; Surgeon General Lawson and the personal staff of the general in chief—Liouts. H. L. Seott, Williams, Scammon and Lay—with the occasional aid of Captains Lee and Johnson, of the engineers and topographical en- gineors, and Captain Monroe, acting assistant inspector eral, oro the commissioners, Brevet Major General Worth, Brigadier Goncral Pillow and Colonel Totten, includin; Captain Aulick, of the navy, who so sbly negotiated an arranged the terms ef capitulation with the onemy's commissieners, great credit is also severally due in that distinct capacity. Thanks higher than those of the goneral-in-chiof have been also earned by the entire Home Squadron, under the successive orders of Commodores Conner and Perry, for prompt, cheerful and able assistance from the arrival of the army off this coast. Bosides landing troo) and supplies, and the strict blockade of this port, smalls Commodore ie , under the ined for a easels detached by ing sunk by the fire of the castle ; tery No. 6 (called the Naval) which followed Nos. 1, 2, 3 ‘and 4, (served by the army) at the ond of two days was exclusively (after bets mage by the engineers and troops of the army) armed, manned and commanded out of the squadron. ‘I'his battery, in the successive tours of the gallant Capts, Aulick and a proved itself highly effective. By command of Maj. Gen. Scott. H. L. SCOTT, Acting Ass't Adj. Gen. The following tariff of duties is decreed and announced for the information ofall concerned 1. All articles introduced by r ly appointed sut- lers (who will be required to exhibit to the assistant ad- futant general tho evidence of their appointment) called ‘and known as soldiers’ necessaries, as also-supplies of all kinds for officers, are duty free ; but to svoid misappre- hension, or fraud, all articles imported oy that class of persons will be entered at the custom-house, and ar- rangement made with the collector fur payment of dutics ‘on the whole cargo, subject to restitution (or freedom from duty) of such ‘articles or the vaine thereof, as may ‘be sold to officers or soldiers. Said articles or value to be certified and sworn to in a mannor satisfactory to the collector and im conformity with such fo gm grad ashe may adopt,ander eanction of the commander or governor of Vera Cruz and dependenctes. 2. On provistons, 6 per cent ad valorem. On wines, older, ale and porter, 16 per cent. ad valorem. On all other Iquors, 75 per cent. ad valorem, On raw cottom, 4 cents per pound. All other articles of merchandise 10 per cent ad va- lorem. ; 9. Several foreign vessels having arrived and been under detention, before the occupation, are admitted under the foregoing reguiations ; but honceforth all foroign vessels arri will be heid subject to such du- tien ee sata yesusls would b6 Te quired vo pay in any port of the United States, or to exhinit before admission evi- dence of entry and payment of dution in the United States; but elways sabjeet to the additional duty hereby imposed. It in hereby made known to the consigaces of any and all goods entered at the castom-house at this port, after thimdate, that one-third part of the duties on raid im- portations will be demanded in cash on the isading of said goods, and sufficient security given for the remain- der, payable in one, two, and three months at Vera Crus. Bonds will be required, and good security must be given, for the faithful payment of two-thirds of the duties on all importations, and payable to the collector of the port of Vera Cruz, appointed by Major Gen. Worth, now Governor of said city. ‘The collector of this port will draw up and submit for approval port regulations, which, when approved, will be duly enforced. It 1s further decreed that foreign goods in deporite in the United states arriving at this port, will be admitted by paying dutios as per tariff of the United States, the same arriving at this port in American bottoms. joing regulations jto be in force until other- wise directed by the Governor for the time being or the orders of the Government of the United States, W. J. WORTH, Governor, Brevet Maj. Gen. Com’g. WM. J. MeCLUNEY, Commander U. 8, Navy. ‘The ship Alhambra, Capt, Wilson, and the steamship Alabaina, Capt, Wright, arrived yesterday from Vera Crus, The former sailed on the ist inst. direct, while the Alabama loft on the 91st ult and touched at Tampi- ct and the Brazor, i MEMORANDA elition left Vera Cruz for Alvara- of Gen. Quitman's bri- “ Water Witch, the brig Porpoise, one bomb-ketch and five gun boats. Another Srentoa, ence Gen. Twiggs, started samo morning for Bridge, a strongly fortifiod e,about two days’ march from Vera Cruz, on the Ja- pa Gon. Worth was engaged establishing the government of Vera Cruz and eastic, The steamer Alabama left, with Gen. Jesup on board, at 3 P.M. and arrived at ‘Tampico next day at 4 P. M., conveying the first news of the surrender of Vera Cruz. The intelligence was re- ecived with choors and a salute of artillery. ‘The Pal- metto arrived a few hours ufter the Alabama, and on the following morning the New Orleans also ‘arrived from Vera Cruz, both beatw to return with horses, mules, Ke., ke. The Alabama loft Tampico April $d, at noon, she reached the anchorage at Brazos at 2 P M. on the 4th April, also conveying the first intelligence to that place of the surrender of Vera’ Cruz. Gun. Jesup went ashore and remained only a few minutes, The steamer Tele- graph arrived from New Orloans a fuw moments after the Alabama, mong the Alabama’s passengers are Gen. Jesup, Mr. R. M. Potter, und Major Sandurs, of tho ongineers, who, with Livutenant Mead, of the topographical engineers, hes been with the armiy since 184, and ta ordered (with Lieutenant Moad) to Washington, boaring the most flut- toring testimonials of gallantry and usefulness from Gen. Scott and the gonerals with whom they had before served; Captain Swartwout, of the 3d artillery, after several months’ servico in the field ; Dr. Witherspoon, of the 4th Infantry, ditto: also, Lieutenant S. Van Vii ofthe 3d artillery, who has boon on service in Florida, (where he distinguished himself on several occasions) and throughout the Mexican war, (where ho has, at Monterey and Vera Crus, performed most gallant ser- vicos) for six years. He was in the intronchments at Vera Cruz seventy-two hours without leaving them, and commanded the niortar battery at which Captain Vinton was killed soon after it was opened. The Lieutenant who will, I trust, soon be in a higher grade, has been ordered home for the recovery of his shattered health, bearing with him the highest commendations of the su- perlor oficers with whom he bas fought ro often and so ely. Lieutenant Whitall, who has been through the Mexican war, likewise returns on a sick leave, aftor having ‘gallantly participated in all the battles. (the glorious Buena Vista affair excepted) his health having n feeble for several months. Lieutenants MeLaugh- lin, Hooe and Drayton, of the navy, are also. passengers, as well a8 Major Allen, of the 24 infantry, the latter re- turning on a sick leave, after along terin of scrvice in the field. Thore aro a number of other officers and men on thelr return to the States, most of them sick. ‘Tho following vesacls of war were left at Vera Cruz on the morning of the 31st ult : Ship of the line Ohio ; frigates Raritan and Potomac ; steam Frigate Mississippi; sloops of war St. Mary's, John #Adams and Albany; brig Porpoiso; steamers Spitfire, Vixen, Petrita, Scourge, Heeln and’ Vesuvius ; two brig bomb'ketches and five gun boata. Mancit 29.—This hag been a proud day for the Amo- rican army. The garrisons of Vera Cruz, and the much talked of and dreaded castle of San Juan de Uhia, havo vacated their quarters and retired into the interior, and the stars and stripes flont gracefully where this morning was to be acon tho green, white and red of the onem: ‘The spot selectod for the ceremony of laying down artis was plain extending back from tho oity walls, in the direction of Malibran. Our army was drawn up in two lines, facing inward, and occupying a mile in ex- tent. Gon. Worth appeared on the field, in full uniform, to direct the arrangements, and reocive the conquered troops. The morning was very cloar and pidasant, and our army wasin admirable condition, A detachment of sailors and marinos added much to tho effect. At 10 o'clock precisely the well known sound (heard under similar circmstances at Monterey,) of bugle, fife and drum, played as Mexicans only can play thom, and as nobody elye ought to do it, was heard in the direction of the great gate, and the Mexican army soon began to appear, the column passing between our lines. Wo- men and childron accompanied the troops, bearing heavy burdens. Their army halted botwoen our lines, stacked their arms, laid down their colors and equipments, and thon marched off, our troops (those detailed for the pur- pose from Worth’s division) marched into the city at the same time, with eolors fiying and the bands playing national airs.’ Capt. Anderson's company, 3d artillery, and Capt. Kendrick’s of tho 2d, ontered the castle, aud Lieut. Van Vliet’s company, of the 3d artillery, took’ pos- session of Fort Santiago, ran up the American flag and fired a national salute, ‘Tho effect of our shells upon the city was now seen, and proved to have been deplorable. Hardly a house had escaped, and a large portion of them were ruined. The shells had fallen through the roofs and exploded insido, tearing every thing into pleces— bursting through the partitions, and blowing out the windows. The killed and wounied among the soldiery waa very slight, but the citizens suffered severely. It is raid that between six and seven hundred men, women and childred, wore killed and wounded, more than three hundred being killed. March 30.—There were 106 pieces of artillery in posi- tion around the city, and as many more disinounted, many of the latter useless. ‘The enemy laid down about 4000 stand of arms, and 1000 more were found in the city, aaying nothing of the swords, lances, and very large store of shell, yolld shot and powder. ‘The great. castle is garrisoned by the following companies: Capt, Andor- son's, Capt. Taylor's and Lieut Van Viiet’s, of the 3d artillery, under the command of Col. Belton. It has 160 guns mounted, several of them 63-pounders. It is a regu- lar bastioned ‘work, with a demi-lune and covered way on the sea sido, A’ vast quantity of ammunition was found in the work. The Mexicans left their national pets behind in the castle, and our troops suffered much an- noyance from them lass night; I allude, of course, to floas and other vermin. Santiago Fort, that spiteful little place which played ao warmly upon our intrenchments, iss beautiful work, with nine guns in barbetto, most of them fino English pieces. -In fact, most of their best ordnance is of Eng- lish manufaeture, though they have some fino picces made in the United States. Gen, Scott ordered 10,000 rations to be issued to the suffering poor of Vera Cruz, and it wasan affecting scone to witnoes the crowd of Half famished creatures, as they gathered timidly around to receive their respective shares. These rations will, as Mexicaus usually eat, Inst 5,000 people at least four days, but it s probable that not more than 1,000 will partake of the provisions. ‘The city and castle’ were exhausted of provisions, It is a characteristic of Mexicans that they never lay in stores, but live from hand to mouth. Wo subjoin such of Mr. Kendall's letters as have not been antioipated altogether. March 30, 1847, Vera Cr It_is impossible to get at the loss of tho Mexicans by the bombardment, yet it is certain that women, children and non-combatunts have suffered the most. Some say that 160 have been killed, some more and some leas: as regards the destruction of property, that shows for itself. Hardly a building south of the Plaza Grande but is cither burnt, torn fn pieces, or much injured, and the streets a with rubbish and fragments. ‘The National Palace, which is on the Plaza and near the outer range of our mortars, had five shells burst within it, one of which killed # woman and two children lying asleep in the kitohen. ‘Tho Cathedral, on an opposite side of the Plaza, was also somewhat injured, but the churches south of it, and nearer our mortars suffered the most. I write this letter in a house which must havo been hot enough during the bombardment, for the signs of shells aro all around me, The residence of our former consul, Mr. Hargous, was struck twice. Ono of the shells came through the roof, lodged at the foot of a Gentleman had just left, and completely demolished everything in the room, and the furniture was of the most contly description. | One of the inmaton describes the explosion as tremendous—the house shook in all its parts as with an earthquake, and his first improssion was that @ rything init had been rent into fragments. Months, probably years, will elapse before Vera Crus is In the situation where the siego found it, Many of the foreigners hore aro raving, perfectly out- Tegeous. at the method taken by Gen. Scott to reduce the placo—they would have had him attack it by storm, and thus destroy life instead of property. They blame him, too, for uot allowing some of the foreign famill after they cameto their seuses and found !that tl cityzwas really to be destroyod, to leave the place and take refuge on board y. whieh were out of harm's way. A pretty timo, truly, after all tho solemn warn- ings they received, to accuso Gen. Scott of want of hu- manity. They were told, plainly, and positively, that the town would be taken, either by rogular loge oF by storm, and yet it would seom that they did not believe it; and when the truth did finally break in upon them, and they discovered their error, they must noods er Gen. Beott with requests for a cessation of hostilities, until they could move out, and thus deprive him of all the advantages an incessant bombardment gave him. Our commanding goneral properly referred them to Gei Morales as the appropriate person to call upon in their great emergency. He had probably sdvised them to re- main, and now he must aid them in their extremity of peril. Find feult with the bombardment, forsooth, Vena Cnvz, March 31, 1847. Gen. Quitman’s set out on the mareh for Alya- rado last evening. The place is distant some thirty or forty miles south, and they will probably reach it by to- morrow night. I presume that some of the smaller yes- sels of the navy, under Com. Perry, will go down to take part in case the Mexicans soe fit to defend it. The im+ oni however is, that they will leave it without « struggle. From tho direction of the city of Mexioo we can gain no intelligence. Thore ap to be no donbt, howev that Senta Anne arrived there on the 20th or ist inst., and at once sides with the cle: inst Gomes Fa- riss. Nothing farther has been pee in relation to the report that there was @ large force of Mexic: der LaVega, at or near Jalapa, The army will proceed in that direction in the course of afew days, and then we shall know all about it. I was witness to a singular scene yesterday. A large concourse of Mexicans—old mon, women and you girls—were gathored around the door of one of our com- missarios, and each struggling, as you have frequedtly seen people at the ticket office of a theatre on a crowded night, to be first in. On enquiring, found that rations were being distributed to the hungry and half-starved nd their greedy looke plal iy showed to what y of hunger they had been driven. J cannot learn that there was much suffering for want of food in Vera Cruz during the he se aeteree 5 i) there is fives a large julation in every Mexican city—from and- to-meuth® plople—who know not to-day where they will obtain their dinners on the morrow. ‘ Since writing the above I learn that a Frenchman has just arrived from the city of Mexico, who reports that there are not one thousand armed men, all told, on the road from this to the capital, He says there were nine guns in position at Puente Nacional, but only sixty men to serve them. It would seem perfect madness for the xienng to continue the war, yet I suppose they will old on & while longer. © amount of spoils of war taken by the capture of Vera Crus, is immense. Over 4,000 muskets were laid ee re NEW YORK, SUNDAY MORNING, APR IL 18, 1847. down on the ground, and it is known that «great num- ber wore left avereted in the eity by men who went out in citizeny’ clothes instead of their uniform. ‘The num- ber of cannon and mortars in the town and castle, is not as yet known, but it is already ascertained that there are over 300, To this should be added an immense amount of powder, balls, shells, Paixan shot, &c.. enough to eonquer the country all the way to Acapulco, Quite & speculation for Uncle Sam. Two flays are flying from S. Juun de Uhia, one belonging to the army, and the other to the navy. ‘ThoFrenchman who brought the report from the city of Mexico, saya that he met the unarmed Mexicans, who lnid down their arms on the 29th inst, scattered along the road between this and Mango de Cluvo. Some of them had hardly advanced throe leagues, and were already suffering for want of food. 4 Gen, Quitman takes down to Alvarado the South Ca- rolina, Georgia, aud Alabama regiments. He also hag an artillery force with him, Captain Steptoe’s battery 1am informed. One object of tho expedition is to open @ road whence mules, horses, and supplies for the army may be procured. "The country down that way is sald to abound with them. OCCUPATION OF VERA CRUZ. [From the New Orleans Delta. April 9.) At about half-past 10, A. M., the American flag went frat to the brovze over the spiteful fort St. Jago: ‘Tho same guns that 40 incessantly annoyed our batteries gave voice to the fact that Uncle Sam had got a deed and took possession of his bargain, ‘Thousands of arts and yolocs from the Yankee army x choed the glorious news, while every gun in the whole navy turned sea sick with emotion, and vomited forth thefr sanction. ‘The city was occupied by Gen, Worth (siuee made Governor) and a part of his brigade ; anothor part, consisting of the 3d Artillery and part of the 2d. took possession of the right arm ‘of Mexico—S, Juande UNia. At 12 o°elock precisely, not the flag, but two flags of the Union showed that the victory was com- plete, An incident occurred at tho staff that caused the iwo to be hoisted: Both army and navy claimed the right to hoist our colors over the castle ; Lieut, Col. Belton, of the gallant 3d Artillery, and Capt. Simmes, of the navy, each with color in hand, met at the ete ut a suggestion, both were attached to the halyard, a those two officera together hoisted them, A salute was fired by Capt. Anderson, Co. G, 3d Artillery. The guns of tho battery used wore previously loaded and shotted, and bore diréetly on our shipping—the first ball richo- chetted immediately through, ‘The 3d Artillery, Lieut. Col, Belton in command, now garrisons tho castle, and it is thought will hold {t for the summer. Their camp eyuipage and baggage have boon sent to the castle, A small quantity of four was found in the oastle, and @ large amount of ammunition and a quantity of small arms—thoso no doubt used the ar- tiliery in garrison. Every preparation had been made for a bombardment—sand-bag traverses thrown across all the papers of tho castle left—castle left very filthy— soldiers’ quarters had to be policed before they’ were oc- cupied—one hundred and sixty-two guns mounted and roady for service, mostly fine Spanish bronze, some of them 200 years old—many new American and English made guns—guns of every calibre, from 128’s to. 12- pounders. City much dilapidated—mont extensive pre- parations of defence against assault—every street pick- eted, trenched, and sand-bag breastworks—in many places rows of pickets inside tho walls—house-tops for- tifled with sand-bag breastworks. Passengers in the Steamship Alabama at New Orleans. Goneral Jesup, Major Allen, Major Sanders, Captain Swartwout, Capt. Bowie, Lieuts. Hawkins, Whitall, Drayton, U.S.N., Meade, Van Vliet, Dobbins, Petogre, McLaughlin, U. 8. N., Dr. Witherspoon, Messrs. Perry, Eades, Winston, Whitfield, Mclutyre, Austin, Manus, Hunter, Drum, Owon, Ryan, Murdock, Mather. Wright, Evans, Farley, Brown, MoClelland, Shutten, Robinson, Potter, Yeatinan, Arnest, T. B. Ives, R. W. Ives, Nixon, Dunlap, Howard, Burach, Robinson. We are indebted to the ‘Tampico Sentinel of the 3d instant for the following item Deathe in the Hospitale.—The following is a correct lst of the doaths in the General Hospital in this place, during the last woek : Christian Simon, company G. La. Vol. March 97; John MeLoughlin, company C, La, Vol, March 29; Frederick Koler, company F., Ist Art.March jacob Reese, company B, La. Vol., March 31. AFFAIRS ON THE RIO GRANDE, [From tho New Orleans Picayune, April 9.) The Alabama touched at the Brazos but remained thero but an hour. No mail was put on board, but wo roceived @ private letter from a friend by private hands. By this wo learn that Gen. Taylor has returned to Sal- tillo after in vain pursuing Urrea, He could not reach him, though he was once close upon him near Marin. Gon’ Taylor's force consisted of about 1000 men, of whom only 160 were cavalry. The improssion at the mouth of the Rio Grande was that Gen. Taylor would push on to San Luis, ‘This is inferred from his ordering so much transportation to be sent forward. Col. Hamtramck was at Camargo at last accounts. Every thing was quiet there, and on the river and at the Brazos. AFFAIRS IN MEXICO, ‘The editors of La Patria received Iast night, via Tam- pico, a file of El Republicano, from the city of Mexico, to the 27th March, ‘The numbers from the 18th to the 24th having failed to reach them, we are not able to learn the particulars about the manner in which Santa Anna was received at the capital; he entered the city on tho 22d, according to what we are able to make out from several documents published in the Republicano of the 26th. Gomez Farias was immodintely deposed.and Santa Anna taking charge of the presidency, the revolution was soon atanond. Gen. Pena Barragan seems to remain at the head ofm ilitary affairs at the capital. The report that he and Gon, Salas were shot, it seems was got up by some of the Farins party. ‘The latest dates received at the capital from Vera Cruz were to the evening of the 24th, at which time the Vera Cruzanos seemedsto claimja victory over the Yankees, and were in hopes of being succesful throughout the whole affair. Gen Santa Anna had ordered sevoral detachments of troops to march immediately to Vera Cruz, in order to assist the besieged. The latest accounta from Chihuahua wore to the 6th March. ‘The loss of the battle of the 28th February by the Mexicans, is attributed to the cowardico of the Mex- ican cavalry. The forces of the Americans are stated to havo beon 1100, and 7pieces of artillory; whilst those of the Mexicans were 2000 men, aud 10 pieces of artillery The Americansitook possesion of Chibuahua on the dd Mareh, and nearly all the Mexican families were aban- doning the city. A lelter from Codral dated the 17th of March, states that Gen, Urrea had met a force of Americans inthe vi- cinity of Montercy and had killed and wounded a great number, capturing 170 wagons and about 700 mules. He doxtroyed the wagons, not being able to take them with him, by setting them on fire. No name as to the spot or the commander of the American forces, isgiven. (From tho New Orleans Picayune, April 9.] We have received papers from the city of Mexice up to the 24th of March, inclusive. Tho movements of Santa Anna first ar ar atten- tion. He took leave of the army at So ost on the iMth March in the following bri i happy ad- dress: © Companions in rms—Devoted ent the ser- vice of the country, | march to assume tho reins of go- vernment, in doing which I make the most tly _sacri- fice, acting contrary to my cherished desires and fixed intentions, But this course will put an end to the clvil war which {s destroying our beautiful capital ; it will give unity to our defence and impulse to the righteous struggle in which we aro engaged with tho perfidious in- vaders, and In which you have fought with such bravery and decision in the field of La Angostura, * My Friends willnever forget your glorious actions on that field of battle “your ings iu the desert, to which you submitted with heroic patience, and, above all, tha [had the honor of commanding you. The na- tion owes you 8 recompense, and you sliall shortly ro- colve it through my exertions, although this is not, the consideration which stimulates you to bear yourselves as worthy sons of Mexico [le gran Mezico]. “ Soldiere—You are the hope of your country—her best defenders, Your duty, then, is to guard all parte ; and on this account I have disposed that two brigades of infantry and one of cavalry, with thelr correspond- ing batteries, sball march to the defence of the State of * Everywhere you will conduct yoursel done hitherto, and you will ever’ deserve the illustrious you havo acqtiired, I am going to procure what- ever {a necesenry to consummate the groat work which is committed to you. and be assured that in the hour of danger you will again find im the mldst of you your General, * ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.” “ Hoad-quarters, San Luis Potosi, March iM, 1847. Wé6 do not precisely understand, but infer that the three brigades above mentioned are distinct from tho four thovaand picked vetorans whom he had previously Totached from his army, with orders to proceed to the capital under Gen, Vasques. ‘rom San Luis to the city of Mexico, Sante Anna's rogress was triumphal. He continually met delegations m Congress sent out to propitiate him. Addresses from the different atates were presented te him on his route, 1!» arrived in the immediate vicinity of the capi- talon the ‘th, On the 28d he took the oath of office as President »/ the republie at the city of Guadalupe de Hi- dalgo, “The afternoon of the following day he entered the city of Mexico with great pomp and solemnity, A Te Dewm wos sung in the metropolitan church, where he received the felivitations of the wuthorities and corpora- tions, give his inaugural address below—we not room to-day fot Senor Otero’s reply. The cabinet of Banta Anna js coiposed as follows: D. Mariano Otero, Minister of Foreign Affairs; D. Juan Rondero, of the Treasury ; D. Francisco Suarvey Triarte, of Justice ; and D. Jone Ignacio Gutierrez, of War. From anything we find in the papers, it does not aj pear that Santa Anna’s assumption of the reins of go" ernment is a revolution. He, of course, dispossesses Gomes Farias as chief executive officer, but without driving the latter from his station of VicePresident. El Republicana, a very pertinacious opponent of the ad- ministration of Farias, claims the change as equivalent toa revolution ; all the measures of Farias are to be abndoned, it anys ; but it will be proper to wait a little till Santa Anna has time to look about him. Our latest popers Just bring kim into the full enjoyment of power. fore Santa Anna reached the capital, he sent an order thither for the release of Gomes Peeraza, whom Farias had kept for a week or two a close prisoner. Santa Auna has avowed his intention of asking froin Congress an amnosty for all political offences committed since 1821, SANTA ANNA’S INAUGURAL ADDRESS. Senores Deputice—1 havo just taken the oath which the law preseribes, and in doing so, ought to accom- pany it with a manifestation of my sentiments, and the motives of my conduct, to th’s respectable committee of = known, and are of such @ character as to bind me to give them a speedy and pacific termination. Surround- ed by diMculties ‘of all kinds, interested in what is the most finportant and essential for the whole nation, as is the sustaining of a strong and decided stuggle with « foreign power, in which nothing less is involved than the existence of the nution, it would be the best of evils to enter into a contest with those who ought to unite in repelling the common enemy. ‘These discords ought to disappear at the imperious voice of patriotism, which cals upon the sons of the cduntry to have but one will and aim, The moments have been urgent—I have seen the forward steps of the onemy—I have rushed to the field to repel him, and oven at the moment of doing #0, I have been forced to leave a brave and victorious army, and to come hither to assume a power which I have re- peatedly said was repugnant to my feelings, and whieh 1 dvelded never to undertake hat which has been, and ought to be, an object of aspiration and desi for me an enormous sacrifice. But I am all for my country, and shall ever serve it, witheut thinking whit it may cost me to do that which the nation desires I should do. I have entered upon the supreme magistracy becauso | have seen that it was the sole legil menus of terminating the disturbances of this capital, and because I believe I shall thus be able to facilitate the prosecution of the war. and to save the independence and honor of Mexico, which I wish to pre- sent unsullied and brilliaut to the world which is bebold- ing ws. I have before me the committee of the sove- reign Congress, of that august body whose decisions 1 have respected and shall constantly continue to respect. Its decisions will be my invariable guide, and I firmly resolved to preserve a pure union with the legis- lative body, which union will give us a final victory and the re-establishment of internal and exteraal peace—on which. the happiness of our eountry dopends, and to Which we atl arpire. The nation haa proclaimed the po. | litical principles which ought, to be the basis of the ad- ministration which I wish to establish. Thus | understand that its strength will be socured for defending itee!f. and its rights for which its sons have those guarantees which belong to all men, and which civilization claims, and whien bas beou my aim singe my revarn to tho country. ‘This will not be de- nied, and the nation shall still see mo obedient to its without my having any other rule of conduct than its decisions. Asa Mexican and a soldier, I shall always take the same road as the nation, and [aspire to no other title than that of a good citizen, and in speak- Ing of me that it should be said that I always loved my country—that I served It with zoal, and that I sacrificed myself for its good. NARRATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA BY SANTA ANNA. y tue Rervnuic, : Campaign Secretary + Otter. ¢ Most Excellent Sir—In my dospateh from the battle- field of Angostura, dated the 23d, I promised to give you details of the aetion of the 22d, and the battle of ‘the 23d, n0 soon as { should effect the movement which our ontire luck of water and of all supplies mado indispen- sable. In thoso engagements the army and the nation have restored the lustro of tholr arms by overcoming ob- staclea inconceivable te all save those who witnessed thom. ‘These arose, not only from the difficultios of this contest, and of our own situation, but also from the ri- gor of the season, and the exhaustion of the country along an almost dorert route of over fifty leagues, that was destitnto of good water, and of all save tho mest li- following, after having overcome the enemy at Agua Nueva, three leagues beyond the aforesaid pass. 1, with my staff and the regiment of engineers, occupied the front, @ little behind the light troops. On arriving at the plain, De la Guerra, | continued the march in ord to pass the defile of Pinones, which was accomplishes and I ordered the light brigade to take a position in the Pass of Carnero, where it had a skirmish with an advance co ne enemy. Under these dispositions we passed tho night. At dawn on the 22d, the army continued its march, with the idea of carrying by force of arms the pass of ‘Agua Nueva which f supposed would be defended by the enemy ; but I found to my surprise that it was aban- doned. ° { then concluded that the American forces had retired to their fortifications in the hacienda, to concen- trate their defence under cover of the entrenchments, which Thad beard they had there thrown up. Under this idea I continued the march, in order to turn by the right to the rancho of Encantada, which, as I have be- fore mentioned, ia on the Sultillo road, being between that city and Agua Nueva, and four or five leagues from each. Till that time no one had appeared to give me in- formation, nor did any one after, except a servant from Agua Nueva. who told me that the onemy had been evacuating his position since the day previous, and fall- ing back towards Saltillo ; and that on that same morn- ing the hacienda had been wholly abandoned, by the retreat ofa small detachment which escorted a large quantity of munitions. By this movement my first plans and dispositions, founded on an expected resistance, were rendered abortive ; but I still did not despair of a successful result, for I had in anticipation directed Gi Minon, with his cavalry brigade, 1200 strong, to occupy, on the morning of the 22d, the hacienda of Buena Vista, distant three short leagues from Saltillo. This force might arrest the cnemy’s march, or, at least, make a di- version that would give timo for the army to come up. [ therefore continued my march, without losing more time than would allow the soldiers to drink water on the road guard. and [ordered them to charge in coi with the hussar regiment. enemy were making a precipitate retreat, us they ments, extra wheels, and other thin; while marching Ireceived, I ordered the cavalry myself at the head of those troops. ‘On arriving at a place calle: main body of the enemy awaiting me in position. road from the pass of Pinones to Saltillo runs between of Carnero and Agua Nueva. Tho ridges open beyond that hacienda and approach each other again at Angos- tura, whero the road turns to the right. At this placo there isa suecession of ridges, which run out toward the line of our route, and at right angles with it, and bo- tween them are ravines which form the drains of the mountains on the right. They are more or lesa passa- ble, but all yery difficult. The enemy's position was in front and in réar of the road, his right and front being covered by ravines that were impassable, oven for in- funtry, and a battery of four pieces being planted on the highest point. Hin battulions were formed on the heights with two other batteries, one of which was ina pieces; alx pi es, and upwards of 8,000 combatants. amited supplics. ‘The Supreme Government was informed by commu- nications made before my leaving San Luis, that the army under my command would not commence its opo- ratéons till the ond of winter, es 1 know by experience the severe climate of the region, which was also scant of habitations, provisions, shelter, and even of fuel. 1, therefore, resolved to go on organizing, drilling, arming, and clothing the army; and, in # word, to put into a mi- litary whape the forces which had just been assembled. My. intentions, however, could not be maturely realized. The want of pecuniary resources embarrassed all my positions. ‘I'he soldiers, though well disposed to com- bat with the enemy, had been badly supplied for « month, and would soon have been in want even of food, but that the exertions of the commanders of corps pro- vented that dostitution from driving them from their ranks. While those meritorious men were suffering all kinds of privation, certain writers, from ignorance, want of reflection, party «pirit, or, perhaps, from mistaken pa+ triotism, wore zealously engaged in thwarting the plans which might otherwise have proved successful. ‘This they did by unjust charges against the army and parti- cular individuals, whom they abused for not marehing to the conflict, yet them of want of decision, and asserting that the position of the army at San Luis was more threatening to our liberties than to the enemy. In the clubs of that éapital they labored with assiduity to make tho army the instrume: a revolt; but | frustra- ted their intrigu: timely ste There was one wri- ter who had the audacity to intimate that | was in col- lusion with the enemy. —Yos, I, to whom they may attri- bute errors, but whose whole previous course has shown the most elevated patriotism! ‘Traitors are they who seek not only to traduce mo, but by their detraction of the army to unnerve ite vigor for the service of the country: It seems asif a fatality directs the destinics of this nation, and interdicts a unanimity of the public will for its defonce; and from this fatal blindness, the moment when every heart and every aspiration should be directed to one object, is the very juncture when di- vision and distrust are disseminated. Bebold mo, then, compelled by every circumstance to change my plans. Desertion had already commenced to a shameful extent: and I was fully persuadod that if the soarcity should continue, the army would be dishonorably fritterod away. I therefore resolved that, if annihilated, it should be with glory. Having no supplies, I, to obtain them, compromitted my private fortune and the credit of my: self and friends, All this procured me the sum of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars, with which | was able to furnish the needful to the army for twelve days. I knew well the country we bad to cross, and the neces- sity there would be for earrying provisions; and I aym- pathized in anticipation with the soldier for what he would endure from the rigor of the season; but to render good sorviee to the country, and save its honor, | had to overlook all this. ‘The army moved from San Luia by brigades, render available the scanty resources afforddd by the country we were to cross. ‘The foree consisted of 13,432 infantry, divided into 28 battalions ; 4338 cavalry, in 39 squadrons ; and a train of artillery, of three 24-pounders, three 16-pounders, five 12-poundors, five 8-pounders, anda7-inch howitzer, all served by 413 artillorymen— the total being 18,133 men Of thisiforee there remained behind, the garrison of the works at San Luis, and others thich | allotted to towns on the route ; as also two squad- rons to oscort our small and only reserve of ammunition; a brigado of infantry, of two battalions, under Gen. Don Ciriaco Vasquez, which remained as & corps of resorve in Matehuala, aud of observation upon Tula; as also a brigade of cavalry, under Gen. Don José Urea. The latter was intended to pass Tula, aud move through Ta- maulipas to the neighborhood of Monterey, so aa to call the enemy's attention to that quarter. The point of concentration for the brigndes ought necessarily to be near this place, o that in the region through which they had to move, many troops might not be at once thrown together. I therefore fixed on tho hacienda of Encarna- cion for that point, it being, as calculated, the last st but ono of my march. % there held a review of the army, which had already lost thousand men by sick- ness and desertion, The former was caused by the rcantiness and bad quality of food, aud still more of water, which was brackish as well as searco, as also by mow-storms and the exposure of the troops, who had always to bo in bivouac and without fuel. ‘These snow- storms obliged mo to suspend the march two days, till the weather became more settled; for the cold had al- ready caused the death of several men and horses, and so as to tho logislative body. ‘The events which have taken place in the capital are Ifelt bound by every means to diminish tho losses wo were incurring. These hardships will account for the number of desortions which occurred up to our arrival at Encarnacion, and which afterwards even increased. It must also be remembered, that almost the whole army had been recently formed, and, as is well known, of men taken by violence from their homes. Wo had advices that the enemy wore fortified in the hacionda of Agua Nueva, with 6,000 men and 30 pieces, resolved to defend the defilos known by tho names of the passes of Carnero and A, Nueva. Tho Americans did not know the precise point on which our march was di- rected ; for, though they exchanged some shots with our advanesin Encarnacion, and had frequent small skirm- ishes with us in the above passes, they supposed our troops to be scouting parties of tho first brignde of cavalry, un- dor Don José V. Minon, whom I bad edvanced as far as the hacienda of Potosl. Those were the impressions when I made my dispositions. It was my intention to place my forces between the enemy and Saltillo, 80 a8 to oblige him to fight under the disadvantage of having his communication cut off, or, if he would not leave hie works, to enable me to berlege him in Agua Nuova, ‘This plan might be carried out in three different One was by marching 20 leagues the direct road, another by moving to the right by la Hedionda, #0 a to occupy Buena Vista ; and the third, by moving to the left by Ia Punta de Santa Elena, so as to oceupy the hacienda of In Banqueria, and thercafter the road to Saltillo. The two last movements were at this time impracticable, for they would either of them require three or four days march, while we were without provisions, forage or water. 1 therefore resolved to ope- rate by the direct road, force the positions, and, after pasting the last defile, make # diversion by the loft, and oecupy the rancho of Eucantada, with the view of obtain- ing water, none of which was to be had fer more than 18 leagues, All this was favored by the enemy's ignorance of our march ; but misfortune still followed us, A de- serter from the regiment of Coraeeros, a native of Saltil- lo, named Francisco Valdes, passed over from Encarna- cion to the enemy, and gave him information of the movement. “Che exeorable treason of this infamous wretch frustrated the best combinations. On the 2ist, at noon, I ordered the march to com- mence, the four light battalions, under (en. Dori Pedro prom oy forming, the vanguard. { had not hesitated to allow that General, and other officers who had been court-martialed for the affair of Monterey, to partici- pate in these operations, not only becaure I did not con- sider them oalpeane, bh also on account of the zeal they manifested, This brigade was followed by one of artille- ry, of sixteen pounders, with the regiments of engineers and their train, and those by the park of the regiment of hussars, Then camo the firet division, commanded b; Gen. Don Manuel Lombardini, with four twelve pound- ers and the park. The second division, under Gen. Don Francisco Pacheco, followed next, with four eight pound- ers and their park; after those the whole of the cavalry, under Don Jalan Juvera; and then the rem ner vo the general park and e, the rear being covered by a brigade of cavalry wade deks Don Manuel Andrade. In this order of march the troops were ordered to make the first fourteen leagues, between Encenada and a plain called De Ia Guerra, which is in front of the first dovile, called the Pase of the Pino and to pass the night on that plain in the same ordor of column. The troops having eaten their rations, order was given for carrying water, as none could be met with till the day cio de Mora y Villamil, to do the same. ing the force of the invader, it was oom most advisable, At this in the enemy had neglected to occupy a heig flank; and, without losing a moment there being another eminence between our two position! mand of General Pacheco. y Villamil, in conjunction with the baker pie ral of Artillery, Don Antonio Corona, should fin regiment of engineers. 8-pounders, were located by me. our rear, and on our loft flank. The regin sare was also to oecupy. by the brig park and the lines of battle I took my own pos jon. tions after a march of more than twenty leagues, onitsarms. Tho cnemy, however, #0 soon as he pe us, which led to a warm ¢ afternoon and till after with a loss of four hundro port of the prisoners, the advantage of the ground. agement, th had not changed his previous disporitions, ready to recolyo us. rear the difficult ground which gave strength to that p: sition, being tho web of impassable ravines before ferred to, nition of hia ‘forces, and resolved to move mine by right. Gen, Lombardini and Gen. Pacheco in that direction, batter staff, of which he was chief, and await my orders. directed that Gen. Ampudia, with the light bri and that Gen. Mora d, attack composed of t) Blanco. At the same time, commanding the artillery, to uunders in @ more cominan directed Gon. Joné Maria Ortega. vigor. Our men rece! time before I could mount anotl charge, which was done with vigor. amon, the officers and troops acted wit impossible to overcome tho diffleuities of the ground obliged to fall back to their positions. ternations the same occurred with the infantry. accumulating. Many officers and soldiers had alread, ul fardint, Lieut, Colonels Brito, Galloso, and others. ever lament. also be cited to show how hotly contested was the action ‘Things were in this sit the final effort. With this view I ordered that a batter: column of attack then had no object of operat right, and there be joined 4 nae remains of the 11th Regiment, the Battalion of under the command of Brevet Gon, Don Francise: rez, Gen. Moral final dispositions. I had already directed and Pacheco, each with his command, to be py an extreme struggle, and had ordered the bi eight pounders to advance and take the enemy flank, resisted with animated vigor, with a fire so heavy and rapid aa to cause adiiration, but the Americans could not rustain themselves—they were driven beck and over- come, with the loss of three pieces of cannon and as many stands of colors. | sent two of the latter to the government with my last despatch ; the other, which I then omitted to notice, will be presented to the Honor- able Congress of the State of San Luis Potosl, aaa ter timonial of the army's gratitude for the patriotic ser- vices they had rendered, and thegencroun sacrifices they liad made for its benefit. We, moreover, captured a travelling forge, and rome emailer articles, ‘which [ will not enumerate. Our cavalry, which #0 bravely execu- ted the order to charge, reached the enemy's rearmost positions ; but, owing tothe nature of the ground and the fatigue of the men and horses, | did notthink St pru- ne in closed at six in the evening, our bac Ae then formed on the ground which the Americana wcupied. Our last effort would have been decisive if Gen. M: n had he omitted to do it, and | am underthe painful necessity of subjecting his conduct to a court martial that he may explain it. An action thus contested necessarily in- volved considerable loss, Ours in killed and wounded the enemy was much greater, for we had time to take a view of the great number of their dead. ‘The plans of these two actions, and of the route from Agua Nueva to Saltillo, and the ‘reports of the Generals of Division and Brigade, which I sond with this to your Excellency, will give the supreme government an iden of such detailx ax! have not dwelt on without making this report more diffuse; but this will still serve to attest the bravery of our troops, and the glory acquired by the nation during these days of action. In the order of the day, | expressed, ag in duty bound, my satisfaction with the conduct of the officers, com: manders of corp, and generals, and gave them thanks for it in the name of the republic, | could wish to an- nounee in this report, the names of numerous command- ing oMeers. that their memory may be engray vatitude of the nation, not only for their revolute ar norable deportment in both aetions, but for the staney with which suffer The light brigade came within sight of tho onemy's rear junction Thad reason to belleve the eft several articles on the road, such as carts, forge iinple- . which we gathered In eonsequenco of the different reports to advance ; | thought we would be able to reach their rear-guard, and placed ‘Angostura, | found the The two chains of mountains, which form that pass and those low part of the road, between two hills; and, to my view, their forces appeared to be about 8,000 men, with twenty but the prisoners taken from them report twenty 1 reconnoitred the position and situation of the enemy, and ordered the Director of Engineers, Gen. Don Igna- After ascertain- conary either to await the infantry, totake position, or to fight, as might val, Lobserved that t on his left 1 ordered General Aimpudia’s light brigade to take possession of, and hold it at every cost. Ax the brigades came up, I formed them in two lines on a rising ground that fronted the enemy, the first division of infantry was under the command of General Lombardini, and the second under the com- I directed that Gen. Mora Gene- a posi- tion for a battery of 16-pounders, to be sustained by the Two othor batteries, of 12 and The cavalry, oom- | ri manded by General Juvera, were placed on the right of nt of hus- osted in the rear, and on the flank afore- suid was a height which | ordered the battalion of Leon ‘The general park was in the rear, covered ade of General Andrade, and between this The making of these dispositions, as may be supposed, occupied some time, for the troops arrived at their posi- It was therefore not an hour for combat, and the army lay ceived that we had occupied the height that flanked his left and our right, dispatched two battalions to dislodge t lasted all the rk, when he was repulsed men, according to the re- Our’a was}much less, as we bad At dawn on the 23d I mounted my horse ; the enemy and was observed but ono’ difference, which was that on his right, and at some distance from his position, he had formed two bodies of infantry, with a battery of four piecos, aa if with the intent of threat- | t ening our left flank ; but I at once believed this to be mere demonstration, for he would never have left in his 1, therefore, gave no attention to this diego- the With this intention, T advanced the divisions of ordered Gen. Don Manuel Micheltorena to plant the of eight pounders on our right flank, #0 as to rake obliquely the enemy's line, and to remain with the should charge by our left flank on the enemy’s right. Villamil should form a column of ¢ regiment of engineers, the 12th battalion, the fijo de Mezico, and the companies of Pu- ebla and Tampico, commanded by Col. Don Santiago Corona, ¢ the battery of twelve 1g position, while the 3d vision remaided in roservo, under Brovet Gen. Don $o soon as the enemy perceived our movements he commenced the action at all points, attacked our troops with intrepidity, and maintained the conflict with groat d them with proper energy, dri- ving back and following up tho assailants, At this time my horse was disabled by a grape shot, and it was pmo er. Aathe enomy had yielded ground, I ordered the cavalry to advance and Suitable orders had been sent to the Generals of Division and Brigade, the rest to Gen, Don. Angel Guzman ; but theugh great resolution, it was and, after a struggle which did them honor, they were e After various al- The battle, which commenced at seven in the morning was prolonged for many hours, our loss every moment been killod, and a number of commanders and distin- ished officers wounded, among whom were Gen, Lom- Among the slain were Lieut. Colonels Asonos, Berra, and other meritorious officers, whose loss the country will ‘The enemy maintained his ground with the utmost obstinacy, insomuch that some of our troops faltered in their attacks, and many of the raw recruits dispersed, This, however, ought to exalt the merit of those whose intrepidity was never paralyzed, and may ion when I concluded to make of twonty-four pounders should be mounted ; that the ted on our left flank, where it jon, should be transferred to our eon and the reserves, all L executed thin in person, and afterwards sent for Villamil, and made him aequaintedwith my Pores red for ry of The charge was made with daring valor and was dent to attempt to dislodge them from those, The battie done his part by attacking the enemy in the rear ; but amounted to more than fifteen hundred men, and that of on the haveovercomeso many prirations and fatigues, and given therein an example, both of civic and military'worth. Anxious to do this jua- tice, I adopt, asny own, the authorship of those eulogies which the generals of brigade and ‘alvision have bestow- bordinates, 1 would, moreover, place im nt the merit manifested by the Di- rector General of Enginoera, Don Ignacio Mora y Villa- mil, who fulfilled. to my entire satisfaction, all the duties, J assigned to him, for which I consider him worthy of the highest praise, and of such remuneration as the supreme government may be pleased to award to his distinguish ed services. Gen, Ampudia, to whom, from the favora- ble opinion which I had of him, | entrusted the com- mi of the four light battalions, acquitted himself with gullantry. Gen. Lombardini, who commanded the first division of infantry, conducted himself with valor, and was wounded. Gen. Pacheco, commanding the second division of infantry, came up to my orders and his dutios and fought to my satisfaction, Gen. Juvera comport- ed himself honorably, and had his horse killed under him, Brevet Gen. Torrejon received @ contusion, and Gen, Guzman displayed the gallantry for which he was iow distinguished, and was wounded. Brevet Gen. to. Micheltorena, as head of the staff, duly performed all | that belonged to hia station ; and J also confided to his special charge the batt of 8-pounders, which was that most in advance, Gen, Peres acted Pyne py oe | ed from his accustomed gallantry, and for I entrust- | ed to his command the troops [ have before A with which ho contributed to disorder the line of the en- emy at 6in the evening. | would ulso commend Gen. Ortega, who commanded the third division of foot, and performed his duties to my satisfaction, ag also Brevet Gen. Uraga, and Gens, Parrodi, Portilla, Vasques, Jaure- ai, Terres and Sanchez, It is entirely due to the Com- nding General of artillery, Don Antonio Corona, that Tshould commend him for carrying out my dispositions, as might be expected from him, and for laboring assidu- ously at San Luis, in the heaviest duties of his branch of service ; and it is « pleasing duty for me to laud the me- rit acquired by Col. Baneneli, and Col, Brito, who was wounded ; Col. Aldrede, of the hussars, who, to my satis- faction, evinced his usual bravery ; Col. 8. Blanco, whe commanded a column of attack on the left, and acted well, and Col. M. Blanco—both of the Inst being of the engineers—aa also Col. Obando, of the flying artillery, and Col. Garay. Here follows a long list of colonels, lieutentant colo- nels, captains and subordinates, who are all commended, and the particular service ef some mentioned One in named Antonio Lopes de Santana, late a custom-house officer at Tampico, who acted as a volunteer aid to his namesake, the General in Chief. The report of the killed and wounded, whieh I also send, will show what has been our loss. I should be lacking in justice, and not express my own feelings, were I not most earnestly to request that attention be paid, as is by law provided, to the cases of the widows, or- phans, ‘and such of the wounded as may be permsnently disabled. The formidable position which the enemy oeeupied, was all that saved him; the-victory would othorwise have been decisive, notwithstanding his obstinate re- sistance, Still this triumph will have fuvorable resulte to the national causo, as it will show to every one what can be accomplished when all hearte are united, and with one aim. ‘The army has done morc than could be expected an- der the laws of nature, It had just been formed, end as yot had not acquired discipline or military habite ; yet in marching to the combat, it overcame yulties which might have subdued the stoutest heart. a march of twenty leagues, sixteon of them without water, and without other food t single ration, whieh was dealt out at Encarnacion, it endur bat for two days, and finally triumphed. ith all t its physical powers were exhausted. My knowledge this, and the duty I felt of attending to such of wounded, constrained me, atter romaining « fe on the fleld of battle, to fall back upon Agua Nueva, for the relief and refreshment of the troops. From the impression we had made on the enemy, he did not appear before us for three days. The bearer a flag of truce, however, arrived with a proposition from Gen. Taylor for an exchange of prisoners, and for our sending for the wounded who had remained on the field. Ile also gxpreased to me the desire which the Amerieans felt for the re-establishment of poace. jed, in or- der that he might say the same to his general, that we sustained the most sered of causes—the defence of eur territory, and th rvation of our nationality and hts; that we were not the aggressors, and that our government had uever offended that of the United States. Tobserved that we could say nothing of peace while the Americans were on thie side of the Brave, or gccupied any part of the Mexican territory, or blockaded owr ports; and ‘that we were resolved to perish or vindicate our rights ; that fortune might not be always favorable to the enemy, and their expericnce of the 93d and 234 should convince them that it could change. I add the Americans waged against us a war ef van whose excesses outraged those sentiments of humanity which one civilized nation ought to evince towards ano- ther; and that if he would go outaide of the apartment, he would still sce smoking, which was the fact, the dwel- lings of Agua Nueva, recently @ flourishing, though a small settlement: that the same vestiges of d marked the route of his retreat; and that if be would go alittle further on, to Catana, he would hear the moans of the widows and orphans of innocent victims who had been sacrificed without necessity. With respect to the wounded, whom I was invited to send for, 1 replied that there could be none save those who had been too mach hurt to arise from the fleld, or those most in the ed- vance, who had remained in the ravines; and that as [ had not means for their conveyanes, the enemy might them to Saltillo, under the protection of the laws of nations. As for the prisoners which he offered to ex- change, I told him I did not know who they could be, - | unless it were some of our dispersed troops, or some - | who, from the fatigue of the two previous days, had re- mained asleep when we moved. In answer to the eour- teay the enemy's General had shown with respect to our wounded, | consented, in the name of the nation, to re- 1 | lease all the prisoners we had—those taken beth in the battle and at Encarnacion. At the same timo | allowed the bearer of the flag, who was a superior officer, of pre- onsessing appearance and manners, to take tho ban Rom his eyes, and informed him that, it was for him per- ronally, that the honor of this concession waa meant. | did It ‘also that he mightsce our eamp and our troops. As Ihave said in the preceding paragraph, we remain- ed in the hacienda three days; but the only supply we could obtain was ninety beevos, and these were contum- ed on the 26th. The herres were nlso without fornge, and, notwithstanding all the efforts or provisions that | ould make, many of the wounded had been bat once Attended to, and some not at all. From the rigor of the climate, the badness and scantiness of the sustenance, the entire want of bread, and the bad quality of the wa- ter used in our former bivouacs, a bowel complaint had broken out in the army, and red ineffective at least one half of it. 1 knew that a retrogade movement to our former positions had become inevitable; but though every thing around me proclaimed this necessity, my foclings revolted agaiust it, solely because I foresaw that from ignorance, malico or presumption, the eounter- march would be condemned, and that those who did not witness our situation would imagine the possibility of the army's continuing its operations, Six days before, whon the troops had not suffered so much, nor fought for two muccessive days, nor been erbarraased with sick and wounded, but were still sound in morale and in health, I had not deemed it prudent to augment the labors and diffeulties of the army by moving to the right or to the left; how then would it have been possible to rating after all that subsequently occurred detractors sny what they will, the army, as well as my- self, will always answer by an appeal to our conduet, our wishes, and the notorious impossibility of carrying them out. Notwithstanding my conviction, | wished to hear the opinion of the Generals and some of the command- ers of corps, and to ascertain ifthey could point out any resource which had not occurred to me; without diselo- sing my own ideas on the subject iflistened to their's, and they all unanimously, and each one, by his opinion, separately expressed, showed and demonstrated in veri- ous that however good their will to remain, the sountermarch of the army had become indispensable, but that this necessity was not forced upon us by the enemy, It was not till I had heard their opinions that [ announced my own accordant resolution, and the pro- ceedings of the council being drawn up, | had the honor of remitting them to your Excellency on the 20th. On the 26th, after I had ordered Gen. Minon to follow the movement, the army commenced ita retreat with the view of occupying the first peopled localities, where re- sources might be obtained, such as Vanegas, Catorec, Kl Cadral, and Matahuala, as also Tula; but I doubt if im those places proper attention can given to the slek and wounded—or the losses we have sustained tn thoee laborious movements be remedied ‘The nation, for whieh » triumpn baa been gained at the cost of ro many sufferings, will learn that, if wo were able to conquer in the midst of so many embarasementa, there will be po doubt as to our final mccess inthertrug- gle wo sustain, if every spirit but rallies to the one mered object of common defenes. A. mere determined namber of men will not, as many imagine, #uffice for the prose- cution of war: It is tndleponsable that they he ¥ equipped, Wieciplined, and habituated. and that a aptte. matized support for such au organiaed force be ided. We must bear in mind that we have to combat in a re gion deficient of all resources, and that everything for Subsistence has to be carried along with the roldiery : the good will of @ few will not suffice, but the oo-opern- tion of all is needed ; and if we do not — aside selfiah Interests, and petty passions, we can expect nothing but disaster, ‘I'he army and myself who have led it, have tho satisfaction of knowing that we have demonstrated this truth Your Excellency will be pleased to to his Ex- cellency, the Vice President of the Republic, and to pre- rent to hin my aseurance of respect, God and Liberty! Rancho de $n Salvador, Febraary 27th, 1847. ANTONIO LOPEZ DE 8AN'TA ANNA signed) ‘To His Exeellency, the Minister of War and Marine. WAR . {From the Washington Union, April 16 ) The condition of Mexico would be sufficient to bring « reasonable nation to their sepaes. The recent and re- markable blows which they have received, ought to eo- vince Santa Anna and all his countrymen that they are unable to withstand the discipline, the skill, and the chivalry of our troops, ‘The fortune of war has gone de- cidedly against thei within the'last thrye weeks. Their overnment is unable to supply the means. ‘Their troops ave not the generals or the dircipliae to enable them to Profit by the teanty resources which thoy possere. The vietory of Buena Vista Airnishes an awful lesson to them. An army of 20,0 men, com the best disciplined, veteran regulars of Mexico, have been de- foated by an American army of from 3,000 to 4,000 effect- iver; and the disastrous blow has overwhelmed them in battle, and nearly ron thy flight, Santa A.ana has attempted to soften the | of his lowes 04 well ax he contd, by the Gctitious bulieting which he ‘uns published. But let us see what verount the bes’, authentic private advices give of bie calamities ‘The Collowing is a letter recelved by the Paymaster-Gen- e