The Abbeville banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, April 07, 1847, Image 1
'
' ?tie MHt_ %$?t<mwe+
" liberty and my native soii?"
VOL. 4. ABBEVILLE C. II, S. C., APRIL 7, 1847. wn r
Published every Wednesday, by
CHARLES H. ALLEN,
Editor and Proprietor.
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ESTRAYS, Tolled TWO DALLARS, to be
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For announcing a Candidato TWO DOLLARS,
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Tho Postago must be paid upon all letters and
communications to securo attention.
From the N. O. Picayune, 25 inst.
Investment of Tern. Cruz!!!
Debarkation of the American troops near Vera Cruz.
Investment of the City.
Capture of Mexican Out-works.
Skirmishing with the Enemy.
Capt- Alburtis Killetl?Lieut, Col. Dickinson
of the Palviello Regiment
Wounded.
Position of the Army?Continued Cannonading,
(Sfc. fyc .iSf-c.
Wo arc indebted to Mr. James M.
Martin, of this District dircct from Augusta,
for an extra from the Office of the Chronicle
and Sentinel, giving the following
news from Vera Cruz. The schr Portia,
brought out the intelligence to New Orleans
and sailed from Vera Cruz on the 13th
inot
Memorandum furnished by Capt. Powers,
of the Schooner Portia,.
Schooner Portia, Capt. Powers, eight
days from Tampico anchorage, but was detained
to the south and east of Vera Cruz,
by a heavy north gale until the 17th inst.
The U. S. Squadron and all the transports
left Point JLizardo (or Sacrifices on the 9th
inst., 12,100 troops. On the morning of the
iOth a landing of all the troops and marines
was effected within 3 miles of Vera Cruz,
kiuiuui. utuwi ujjjjuaiiiuu irum me enemy,
as the landing was well covered by a constant
discharge of bomb-shells and round
shot from the U. S steamers and gun boats
anchored near the beach and in front of the
landing. Immediately after an organisation
of the American forces on the beach,
they took up a line of march over the sand
hills, to the attack of the enemy's outposts
and fortifications situated from one to three
miles from the castle and forts of the city.
They carried every one by storm, not, however,
without losing seventeen .nen#*
On the 11th and 12th the American
forces were employed in throwing up
breastworks and digging entrenchments.
Occasional skirmishes took place with the
enemy, who were throwing showers of
bomb shells and round shot from the castle
ana city, but without much effect. During
this time the seamen were landing provis?
ions and ammunition from the transports.
On the 12th a strong north gale set in,
which cut off all farther communication.?
We left during the norther, and as we were
unable to make progress to the north, believe
that it was impossible for our bombs
and shells to have been landed until the
18th inst., so that the bombardment of the
castle and Vera Cruz did not probably
commence until the 20th.
There were some feats of bravery displayed
on the 11th. in whirh rir?l
. ? 1
i son, of the Palmetto Regiment, S. Carolina,
was wounded in the breast by a musket
ball from the enemy, and Capt. Alburtis,
of the 2nd Infantry, had his head shot off
by a 32-pound ball. This same ball broke
a drummer's arm afld took off a private's
leg! .
But on the same day the American army
had gained complete possession of all the
fortifications oftheenemy which were raised
by them to stop our troops from approaching
the citV. All the water-ninna IpnfUnnr irk
l--r- ? .?...(J
the city were cut off, and all the communications
effectually stopped. Gon. Scott
landed in person on the llth instant.?A
French bark run the* blockade and
moored under the walls of the castle on the
morning of the 13th, and many of our transports
were ready to leavo for the U. States
as soon as the norlher was over. This
vessel brings despatches and letter-bags
from every vessel in the Gulf squadron
, then at Sacrifiaios.
{Special Correspondence of the P.icayune,
BBSfe SACRIFIOT08, NEAVVjSRA CSVZ. ?
March v
Gbntlkmen?I have already written,;
^.^ftltibning our arrival here. It is .now
foot up the news lor this, evening,
4 : ; which J wust ao by-only giving the outlines,
probability of the Alabama
I leaving in a short time for New Orleans,
and the field of operations is too extensive
to allow of my gathering particulars.
Day before yesterday the order was given
to move from Anton Lizardo to this place.
This occupied most of the day. About
4 o'clock P. M. the 1st Division (General
Worth's) had taken its place in the surf
boats. The gun boats ran in close to the
shore, about three miles below the citv. and
anchored. One of the small naval steamers
ran along the shore, and fired a gun at
the place of landing as a feeler, to ascertain
if there were concealed batteries or troops
to oppose the landing*- Nothing was revealed,
and the order was given to advance.
'"Jie surf boats, about fifty in number, each
ontainirvg from eighty to a hundred men,
moved off in a gallant style and in the most
perfect order. As the boats approached the
shore near enough to touch ground, the
men leaped out and formed lines by companies,
and marched ashore. No opposition
was offered. Gen. Patterson's Division,
(the 2nd) next debarked in the same manner,
and were followed bv the 3rd of Gen.
Twiggs's Division. It was past midnight
before, the troops ceased landing. The surf
boats were manned by the sailors from the
United States fleet, who labored with right
good will. The officers of the Navy have
done all in their power to assist the army in
its movements.
About 2 o'clock the next morning there
was an alarm in the line which extended
along the beach. The troops cheered, and
those who had fallen into a doze upon the
sand banks sprang suddenly to their feet.
Our picket guard had approached that of
some IVTf!*irfir? cncnlrir ?rhn nroro nrn?/.Uin<*
our movements, and had received one or
twoshots. About halfan hour afterwards a
detachment of our men fell in with some
thirty or forty cavalry, and several volleys
were fired, the balls of the enemy falling
into our column, but seriously injuring no
one. At sunrise, Gen. Worth led off his
division in advance, following the beach for
some distance towards the city, and then
turning inland, came in sight of several
hundred Mexican cavalry, drawn up about
half a mile from the shore. A small how*
itzer was immediately drawn up to the top
of a small sand hill, and a fire was opened,
which soon scattered the enemy. The di
ioiuii LuuLuiucu iu ucumiitie u? me interior
umong the sand hills, the Mexicans retreating
before them.
The 2d :ind 3d division followed close and
took positions. General Patterson sent
General Pillow's brigade to the interior,and
took his position on the left of Gen. Worth's
division. Gen. Twiggs took his position to
the rear of Patterson's. An old cathedral
was taken possession of by General Pillow,
and soon after a magazine conta.ing 150
boxes of ammunition. During all this time
the enemy kept up a fire of shell and round
shot from the town and castle, few of which
reached our line, and those doing no harm.
At 8 o'clock, A. M., the little U. S. steamer
Spitfire ran in close to the town and
fired a number of shells into the place, receiving
a fire from the castle in return.
This morning our army moved still nearer
the town?Worth's division on the right,
and resting on the sea shore, Gen. Patterson's
in the centre, extending back
into the country, and Gen. Twigg's division
on the left,still farther to the interior. They
approached considerably within the range
of the guns in the town, and can be reached
by those in the castle, from both of which a
brisk cannonading has been kept up during
the day. The line extends across the railroad
which goes from the town to the magazine,
and the aqueduct which supplies the
city with water, is likewise in our possession.
In short,the city is fairly invested,and
communication by the main roads cut off.
Entrenchments have been marked out, (and
will be worked on to-night,) which are near
enough to the walls to render heavy guns effective.
These guns have not been taken on
shore. St^ptoe s light battery, with the
horses, have been landed, with several pieces
of larger calibre. Neither Duncan's
Ar Tnvlnr'a Vtattonr Viaa amiviul *?/? lion
A BVTA U U??lrWI J IlCVO U>lft?? VUj lll/l I1**0 Wil
Harney reached here with the 2d dragoons.
A number of vessels with troops and ordnance,
which were due a week ago, have not
been hoard of.
j There has been considerable skirmishing
to-day, and some twenty of our men
wounded,among them Lieut. Col. Dickinson,
of the South Carolina regiment, but not dan.
gerously. Fifteen or twenty of the Mexican
cavalry have been taken prisoners, horses
and men, and some fifty killed. This
evening a 32 pounder ball from the city fell
into the 2d Infantry, taking off the head of
Capt. William Alburtis, ot that regiment,
and severely, if not mortally wounding two
men. G ^
I have written the foregoing in haste,and
have purposely avoided particulars, fearing
that In attempting to give them I might commit
too many errors. I was prevented, by
circumstances, from aroint? into the fleM tn_
day, but felt the more easy about it as both
Mr. Kendall and Mr. Lumsden were there.
To-morrow the tu^ of war commence* in
v.- '
. V./5W, illS
earnest, and I shall be there to see it.
Should the Alabama start to-night,or before
I return, you will receive this?if not, as
Pat would say, you are informed that this
letter will never reach you.
It is said that Gen. , has been cut off
from the city with about 2000 men. lie
was down opposite the fleet at Anton Lizardo,
probably thinking that our troops would
land there. It is said that there are only
about 4500 troops in Vera Cruz and the
castle. H.
P. S.?March 13. Yesterday was a
ooisierous day. a heavy norther sprang up
early in the morning and continued all day.
There was no firing on shore, but I suspect
our people were busy preparing the intrenchments.
The bark Tamaroo has just
been turned to a position convenient for
landing the seigc guns with which she is
loaded. The 2d Dragoons have not arrived,
nor have tlje light batteries of Duncan and
Taylor. The Alabama goes out to Tampico
to-night and I will send this by her, hoping
it may reach you early. " H.
Camp Vera Cnuz, Marcn 12, morning.
I wrote you a hasty letter last evening,
with a short account of the movements of
tlm A,x-.r : 1 T? 111
u<vj? iui&i It wvcia UIUSUU 1I1U IV1I1CS UI1der
Col. Smith had a brisk action with the
enemy, in which the latter, after a partial
success at the outset, were finally driven
back with considerable loss. This morning
the line of investment?some five or six
miles in extent?will probably be complete.
I do not think from all that I can see and
learn, that Gen. Scott will be able to plant
his batteries for several days to come ; and
until he can make a good show he will not
open on the town at all. When the bombardment
docs commence it will be in earnest.
Capt. Vinton of the artillery has been ordered
to take up a position at a limn kiln close
in 10 mc walls ot the city, and this has been
effected without loss. Anticipating an attack
upon this point last night, Gen. Worth
went out, after dark, with two companies to
support Capt. V.; hut nothing occurred.
There was some slight skirmishing at the
different pickets during the night, but otherwise
all was quiet.
Col. Harney's dragoons have not as yet
arrived, yet their services are greatly needed.
It is said that a large train of* pack
mules, which went out of the city yesterday,
took a heavy amount of specie as well as
valuables. All this property might probably
have been captured had Gen. Scott had
a cavalry force. It was also reported last
evening that something like 1000 Mexicans
were seen coming in towards sundown, by
the main road from Mexico, with a large
drove of cattle for the beleaguered city;
but as the investment was not then complete,
and as we had no cavalry, they could not be <
taken. I learn, however,that Gen. Twiggs, i
who commands on the northern side of the
city, succeeded during the day in capturing (
quite a number of cattle. A norther is now '
blowing, which it is hoped will bring in the
2d Dragoons.
At the magazine which was captured 1
day before yesterday, a considerable quan- I
tity of ammunition was taken. It was evi- ]
dently of English or American make, as it i
Watl Inhpllp^ "oVir\pf ronnra ? " I ~ "
1
&c. &c., in good vernacular. The Mexi- i
cans managed to get off safely the larger <
portion of their ammunition, and it is now
carefully stowed away inside the city walls.
Capt. Alburtis, who was killed yesterday
was sitting at the foot of a tree at the time
he was struck. The ball carried away almost
his entire head, took off the arm of a
drummer boy and wounded a corporal besides.
It had gone entirely over one of the
Pennsylvania regiments before it reached i
the spot where the brave but unfortunate
captain was sitting.
It would take a page of our paper to give
full effect to a discription of the first landing
of our troops on the afternoon of the 9th?
a more stiring spectacle has probably never
been witnessed in America. In the first
line there were no less than seventv heaw
J ?7'J
surf boats, containing nearly 4000 regulars
and all of them expected to meet an enemy
before they struck the shore. Notwithstanding
this, every man was anxious to be
first? they rushed into the water waist deep
as they reached the shore, the "stars and
stripes" were instantly floating, a rush was
made forthe sand hills,and amid loud shouts
they pressed onward. Three long and
loud cheers arose'from their comrades still
on board, awaiting to be embarked, and
meanwhile the tops and every portion of the
foreign vessels were crowded with spectators
of the scene. Not one who witnessed
it will ever forget the landing. Why
the Mexican* Hid nnt :? ? ??
? mv* v?j/uo jo a . grcai*
er mystery than ever, considering their
great advantages at the time and that they
have since opposed every sjep of our advance.
The troops, both regulars and volunteers,
have suffered incredibly since the landing?
marching over the heavy sand hills, without ,
water, under a broiling sun during the day/
and Sleeping out without tehta or bedding
' 1 ' . f/\
//
"u
* ' *
during the heavy dews which have fallen at
night?exposed,too, to a continual fire from
the batteries of the enemy; yet not a murmur
has been heard. Anything can be effected
with such troops.
Yours, &c? G.W. K.
U. S. Sr.oor of War, Albany, >
Sacrificios, March 13, morning, $
The Portia, so it is said, is to sail immediately,
and by her I send you a few lines
more. The norther has completely blown
itself out, so that by breakfast time the surf
boats will again be enabled to reach tin;
cuv/i r?
At half past S o'clock this morning, the
enemy opened with round shot and shell,
not only from the batteries around the town
but from the castle. Rockets were also
thrown, and the sky at times was completely
lit up by them, yet a large portion of
them fell far short. In the meantime our
own men arc compelled to remain quiet and
take this fire?the hardest duty a soldier has
to perform. All are anxious to strike back,
and they will be gratified in the course of a
few days. In haste, G. W% K.
From the N. (). Picayune, 2Gih ult.
rri.n r_ f ? i
luv uuitai Hum ui'iii'nu uiyior.
The schooner Southerner, Gapt. Goodspeed,
arrived yesterday morning- from the
Brazos, having left on the 19th inst. Maj.
Coffer, of the Paymaster's Department, and
Mr. Tlios. L. Crittenden, who acted as a
volunteer aid to General Taylor in the
late battles, came passenger on her. the
latter bearing despatches from General
Taylor to the Government.
We have glorious news from this arrival.
Santa Anna's infantry has already disbanded.
He is now supposed to be retreating
on San Luis Potosi.
General Taylor at last accounts not only
held Saltillo and Buena Vista, but was
himself quietly encamped at Agua Nueva
?just before occupied bv Santa Anna.?
The Mexicans hail been alarmed by a report
thai Gen. Patterson was moving from
Tampico upon San Luis. He needed
some pretext of the kind to cover his retreat.
A letter has been received in the city
from Gen. Taylor, dated the 1st inst.,
from Agua Nueva. He writes that his
men had been so harrassed with the fatigues
of the week previous and his horses
were so completely broken down, that he
had been unable to pursue the enemy,
whom he supposes to have retreated towards
Saltillo. We learn from Major Coffee that
Lieut. Sturgis?who ht\d been taken prisoner
by the Mexicans on the 20th ult.,
and was subsequent exchanged?reported
that Santa Anna had fallen hark to I near.
nacion, and even retreated further, under
the pretext of giving up the accommodations
of the place tolhis wounded. It was several
days after the battle when Lieut. S. was in
Incarnation. Gen. Taylor, when he heard
of Santa Anna being there, despatched
Col. Belknap with five hundred men thither,
but " the bird had flown."
We have been allowed to see letters
from an authentic source, dated the 2d inst.,
from Monterey. They give the same deplorable
picture of the destruction and
demoralizatian of Santa Anna's army
which have before reached us. Their situ
ation is such that they must fight, or starve,
or retreat. They cannot be brought again
to the first; numbers are disbanded to avoid
starvation: and Santa Anna and the army
which remains to him are actually retreating
! The only doubt is as to the route he
will pursue. Some have conjectured that
he will go to Mexico by the route of Zacatecas,
on account of the greater facility of
feeding his men. But the general opinion
on the spot is that he falls back to San Luis,
for which city he has actually struck his
tents.
Letters from Monterey of the 2d, further
say, that is believed at Saltillo that Urrea
? i? i i ' > -
uiiu vuuaics navu UUCH Ol'ClCrCU Dy SQlHQ
Anna to withdraw to the other side of the
sierra^ and if this be true, it indicates a real
alarm on the part of Santa Anna for the
safety of San Luis.
It is stated on the best authority, that
cabals and other symptoms of insubordination
were beginning to show themselves in
his army, and our officers predict' his speedy
downfall, to be followed shortly by peace
?they believing that no other man in
Mexico can rally around him the leaders
in the army, ana other aspirants for power.
One letter speaks of u Gen. Taylor's latest
and most astonishing victory," as being
a surprise to the Mexicans, which will inspire
them with a degree of awe towards
mis country, wmch will restrain them from
any further contest.
Before Santa Anna retreated from Agua
Nueva, he sent in a message to Gen, Toy-,
lor in substance as follows: that hd should
select a field better calculated to display
and: marshal his troops. To this General
'Taylor replied ! That he (Santa Anna)
was whipped-~-that. he (Santa Anna)
knew that he was beaten, and therefore, '
General T. advised him to send in proposals
for a. surrender, and they should be prompt
jLI V/ XJ m
ly and favorably, considered.
That the above messages were exchanged
substantially, \vc are assured by a letter
from Monterey of a late date, and from a
most respectable source.
Some of the Mexican prisoners mado by
us declared that they had not tasted food in
three days, and that the situation of the
army was such that it could not -hold together
four days longer unless releived.
We annex a very interesting letter from
Paymaster J. B. Butler, with a copy of
which we have been most politely favored.
Monterey, March 3, 1847.
Dear Sir?I have no doubt of the disso
lution oi Santa Anna's army, morally and
physically, and there will be no more fighting
in this region, if there be any anywhere.
Just twelve hours after I had sent my second
express with a Mexican, giving him.
my best horse and $60 to go to Camargo,
we received from above intelligence from
General Taylor's army.
Gen. Santa Anna is really to be pittied.
His men are a wretched set. He had twice,
during the battle, to interpose his lancers to
prevent desertion, and they shot down some
50 at each time before he could prevent the
flight of his infantry. The information
Junius iium prisoners who deserted as soon
as exchanged and came into Gen. Taylor's
camp. They report that Santa Anna is
destitute of all kinds of provisions and that
he cannot keep them together.
Santa Anna expected an easy victory.
E-Iis army was told that the Americans had
an abundance of provisions and lots of money,
and that they must enter Saltillo the
day of the batt[e, and take their supper at
our expense. This is from reports of persons
taken, officers as well as privates.
Santa Anna did send a message to Gen
Taylor asking him to surrrender, stating*
that he (Taylor) was weak, an that he
(Santa Anna) had 20,000 men and should
certainly take him. Gen. Taylor said
Saniia Anna mioflit cnmn u: ?
...aav wuiu uua lauu llllll*?"" *
The courier replied to Gen. Taylor that
he should have an hour to consider of the
generous offer of Santa Anna! Gen Taylor
told the messenger to thank Santa Anna
for his generosity but that he could not think
of taxing the courtesy of Gen. Santa Ann^
so far as to detain him an hour, so that ho
had bettor come on at once! This is given
to mo by a person who says that ho was
present and heard it.
I send you an extract from a letter of an
officer who distinguished himselfon that glorious
field, which is rendered thrice glorious
from the disparity of force, and the peculiar
circumstances under which tho battle ha?
been fought.
The letter above referred to is as follows:
" Saltillo, Mexico, March 1, 1847.
"Our scouts bring in word that Santa Anna
has gone for good, and that the whole infantry
have dispersed. There is no doubt
of it; we shall not see him again on this
line*
" To-day Col. Warrenf received a despatch
from the Governer| informing him
that American Commissioners were now
in the city of Mexico, and had written to
the Mexican Congress saying that there to
make an honorable peace.
" The Governor requested permission to
return to Saltillo, to assist in keeping order,
and promising .to comply with any requisition
made on him."
The request of this Mexican Governor
was granted, and he is now acting in concert
and conjunction with Col. Warren, to
keep order and prevent collisions and conflicts
among the belligerent forces.
Respectfully, &c.
J. B. BUTLER, P. M.rTJ. S. A.
We are informed that the "scout?n
followed Santa Anna 40 miles.
fCol. Warren is Govornor and Commander
of Saltillo.
JThe Governor alluded to is a Mexican
appointed by the Mexican Government to
t ' * '
aciminisier tne laws within the prescribed
territory, in which Saltillo is situated, and
several other minor towns. .
A word to Boys.?The "Learned
Blacksmith," says : Boys did you eter
think that this great world -with all its
wealth and wo, with all its mines atid
mountains, oceans, seas, and rivers, with all
its shipping, its steamboats,. railroads, snd
magnetic telegraphs t with [ill its million#
of darkly groping men, and all the science
and progress of ages, will soon be given
over to the hands of the Boys of the present
ages? boys like you assembled in school
rooms, or playing without them, on both
sides of the Atlantic ? . Believe it and look
abroad upon your inherintance and get:rea
VIJ IU UIUOI UUU11 W?
possession. inqiUrigs,
Presidents, Governors, Statesmen, Philosophers,
Ministers, Teachers, men of. the.pi.
tare
ches upon which they are learning
lor tho monysylUblo of tho.r re?p?#?
language*.