lulcresling Letter.
The following (rom u letter in the National
Intelligencer, gives an interesting account
of the conclusion of Kearney's long and
perilous march from Santa Fe.
We arrived at Warner's rancho, the first
setlement on the 2nd December, and here
our little command presented a pitiable condition.
The men, most of whom had to
walk the last five hundred miles, were near-:
Jy broken down with fatigue, and exhausted
from insufficiency of food. Our animals
had crossed the dreadful ' Homodo," a de- ;
aertof ninety miles, without water or grasss,
and the few who survived were scarcely
able to support their pack. We received !
here further intelligence of the slate affairs
in California, all confirming what was told
on the Colorado. We further learned
that Andros Pedro, an active leader iti the
revolution, had one hundred and twenty '
well-mounted men in the neighborhood,
stationed in the vicinity of the ioads leading
into San Diego j so that an encounter with
this force seeming inevitable, it was determined
by General Kearney to attack him.
Marching further on, we ascertained, on
the night of the 5th ol December, that this
party was encamped ten miles beyond us,
at the Indian village of San Pascual, which
was on our road to San Diego. On the
morning of the Gill, the enemy, having
heard of our approach, were drawn up at
this place, and as our party advanced and
charged on them, they fired and retreated
about half a mile ; then rallying suddenly,
they fought with their lances, surrounding
the foremost of our men who were pursuing
them, and did most deadly work. After a
desperate and hand-to-hand fight, they were
fairly driven from the field. Our loss in
tine *ir>f inn u?nc I'onr Ci?rPVP rl
UIIC U^UWIl ~.v-. w 1
Captains Johnson and Moore and Lieut.
Hammond, and sixteen men, were killed,
and fourteen wounded, including General
Kearney and seven officers. The loss on
their side is not known with any certainty,
though I have no doubt it was much less
than our own. Our men fought at a great
disadvantage, being poorly mounted on
broken-down mules, while the enemy, having
superb horses, and being the most
skilful horsemen in the world, made deadly
charges with the lance. It was with this
weapon that all on our side were wouneed,
with one exception ; Captain Johnson was
shot through the head. j
Gen. Kearney exposed himself very
much in this action. He was wounded severely
with a lance, aud would 110 doubt
have been killed but lor the timely aid of;
Lieut. Emory of the topographical party, :
wVin rnrln lintnthp jin/l hnrl tlir> in.
tisfaction of shooting with his pistol the
man who was about to make another deadly |
thrust at "him.
The mournful duty of burying the dead
and the attention required to the wounded
caused such delay that our march was not
resumed from the battle ground un'il the
next day. As we were then much encum- j
bered with the packs and the wounded men,
who were carried along with much difficulty,
our progress was very slow ; and as the ;
enemy was evidently watching our move-'
ments closely from the hills around us, I
where we would occasionally see a few of"!
them, and were no doubt waiting for a good :
opportunity to take advantage of our crippled
condition, we had to advance with
extreme caution.
While moving slowly along,after having
made but nine miles, the enemy suddenly j
appeared, charging to-ward us at a furious \
pace from the rear. We immediately drew
up to receive them, when they ns suddenly i
wheeled ofFand made for a rocky hill near
by, with the intention of firing down into us. j
Gen Kearney seeing this movement, determined
to take the hill; and, although some i
forty or fifty of the enemy had got up
among the rocks and commenced a fire up- ;
ou us, they fled before a dozen of our fore- j
most men. We took the field a second time, l
and, as it was getting late in the day, encamped
on the spot. This was an exciting
skirmish, in which none of our party were j
vunll ihnnnrh tho lwillolc fldnt nnrl 1
.fVUlIUVX) """ " C " ??IW*W 1 ' """ j
fast. The enemy had one or two wounded I
and lost several horses.
It was now evident that Pico intended to j
harrass us, by making an attack in every |
pass that afforded them an advantage?they '
being enabled by their superior horses to j
occupy them be/ore we could get up; and
as our wounded men were suffering severely
and required rest, and this position was a
strong one, Gen. Kearney determined to ,
hold it until he should receive a re-inforce- j
ment from Com. Stockton, to whom an.ex-1
press had been sent by a trusty Indian.? !
We remained here four days, and were so j
closely surrounded by they enemy, who had
received an addition to their forces, and now
numbered over two hundred men, that we
could procure no provision, and had to sub
sist entirely on mule flesh. Seventy-five
marines and one hundred seamen, under
command of Captain Zelin, of the marine
corps,-came from the ships Congress and
Portsmouth to our assistance; and with this
efficient force we marched into Santa Diego
without molestation. The distance
was thirty miles, which we made in two
days1 easy march.
From the American Eagle, April 15th.
:f . Vera Croz.
It is strange that the presence of tfin
Americans iiTthis place for ten or twelve
data only, should have wrought such a
change in the general aspect of
*f&r8, The c.Uv, the day we entered its
immi the $0* wpe-hegpne. looking
place that could be imagined. Tbwwa?
nothing to?ai; nothing to dntifo ahd noffcmfc
to.oUie^to. ^ow)theB,r^
;
I lined with eatables and drinkables; and
! every step upon the side walk is made with!
in a few 'eet of an American. Streets that
were then filled up with fragments of stone
and mortar arc now cleared of the rubbish,
and nothing is left to tell of the destiuction
the city sustained, but the broken doors and
windows, and a few of the houses in the vicinity
of the gate of mercy. The natives
themselves seem to have undergone a
change also, and no doubt have, from being
freed from the presence of their own army,
who daily levied contributions from them ; <
they have the protecting army of our own j
General, who suffers no wrong to be corn- j
mitted without awarding severe punishment
to the offender. This is enough to change ;
them, and our prayer is, that the difference ;
between the two governments may become J
so apparent to them?the preponderence j
always being on our side?that emulated !
by our course, they may shortly establish j
for themselves a government upon our own
liberal principles. Like those of Tainauli- !
pas and Nueva Leon, they are better off
whilst their territory is being occupied by
our troops than they ever were before.?
The harbor is crowded with A merican ships
?the quay is filled with American goods, i
the streets with Americans?and although ;
our nossrssinn of thn nhien mn v iiu-nnvn
nience a lew proprietors, who have lived off
the poor, to the many it is a blessing1, affording
incalculable; benefit to those of the upper
luo bills. With the ad vantages of Ameri- !
can commerce and industry, a very few
weeks will elapse before the city of Vera
Cruz will be a place, and iIs inhabitants,
who have suflered so much of late, will be
in the enjoyment of all the comforts of life.
For the information of distant friends, <
we publish a list of the officers and companies
of the 3rd regiment of U S. Artillery I
at the scige of Vera Cruz, and now temporarily
garrisoning the Castle ofS;?iJuan
de Ulloa. but whom we understand will i
?V11 ? u iiviu lU UU V . 1-JlL Ul. VUI. UUIlUIJj : .
commanding regiment; 1st Lieut. William <
Austine, Adjutant of the regiment; Captain 1
Robert Anderson, company G; Captain ; <
George Taylor, commanding company A; j
Lieut. P. S. Thomas ; Lieut J. F. Farry, I
commanding company B; Lieut. G. P. ji
Andrews. ! 1
The Palmetto Regiment, belonging to '
South Carolina, has removed its encamp- 1
inent neaily to the beach, where we pre- :
sume they will be happy to sec their Trends ; 1
while they are left in this neighborhood, j
which may not be long.
Tiie Palmetto Regiment.?We make
the following extract from some correapon
aence wnicn appears in tuc Columbia j
Palmetto Stale Banner. Although of an !
old date, it will still interest our readers, 1
who are anxious to be put in possession of I 1
every particular relating to the Carolina
Regiment. Connected with the letters will i 1
be lound a report of Col. Butler to General
Quitman, detailing the incidents of the
skirmish in which some of our volunteers
were engaged. j 1
; i
Island of Lobos, Mexico, )
March 1, 1847. \
My Dear . While setting upon j
the the shore, waiting the last surf boat that
is to convey me out to the transport, that is
to take the Regiment to thepointof landing, !
a a ?4 :_ t n in :t__ r
jaiiiuiiiu j 6uiuu} mjiiiu nines irom ,
Vera Cruz, 1 have opened my writing case,
and following both inclination and duly,
devote the time to you.
The order is to pull anchors to-morrow
at 9 o'clock, and sail for the main land, and !
attack Vera Cruz. Depending upon winds, I;
however, the order will be subject the will I (
of others, not our own. There arc many j
speculations, as to the time and place of j
fighting, or of the enemies meeting us.? j .
As Doctors will differ, we must wait results, j 1
General Scott, and all the talent of his I
Stall are preparing lor the issue.
# # # # #
General Worth arrived this morning.
Gen. Sott has sense, experience and skill.
A lew days will tell. For one, I am for j
peace?an and early?yet am will to loin
a peace, if the occasion offers. The Regi- j
ment from our State has full credit for what
I believe we deserve. We have greatly
improved in drill and decipline. Some j
hard licks have, they think, been inflicted, j
but has worked well. There is one excel- !
lence we have,the men are controlled by their ;
officers, not from fear, but from respect, 1 ;ve !
and pride, and we have, what is apparent,
a fine set of young officers. I tell you, Capt.
IBlanding is one of the best Captain I ever
saw. It is delightful to look on those young
fellows.
Our clothing not yet arrived?our men
in good spirits, always on hand?sea-sick
many of us and good for nothing?at sea.
I prefer a country jail to the sea at all times.
We have lost by death but few men, while
other regiments have the doleful sound of
the drum burying their dead, at all times.
We have buried two on this Island, Winningham,
of Capt. Walker's Company, and
Un r\f rv# oin Cnmtor'o rinmnniitf I
JL/ianUy ui vu|ni4iii uumiiyi if j j
Ramsay, of Capt. Brooks' Company, at sea.
Capt. Williams's Company joined two days
ago?were warmly received by their countrymen
and comrades.
Off Vera Cruz, (Mexico,) >
March 9, 1847. $
All the Regiment present are in good
health, and high expectations. We send
in to the General this mornincr 826 for duty
*^gome 10 or 12 sick, remains of mumps.
One fine young fellow, Hall) of Captain
Marshall's Company, died on the 2d of this
00k" A13S|^ ^
month, and one more, \vc feur, will die?
Sergeant Murphy,of Capt. Sumter's Company.
All others will be for duty in 3 or 4
UM j O.
JJ. S.?Sergeant Murphy is some little
better.
REPORT.
Back of VeraCruz, March 1-4, 1847.
General?The material facts connected
with the skirmish 011 the sand hill on the
1 lili, so far as the Palmeito Regiment was
a party, are:
Under your instructions to occupy the brow
of the lull, Hearing the enemy on the opposite.
hill, Company A, Captain Sumter, was
detached from the right of the Regiment,
was joined soon after by a company from
the Georgia Regiment, (Capt. Davis,) and
i . ? i 1 1 <1. ' I 1
uotti piaceu unuer me immediate commanu
of Lieutenant Colonel Dickinson, of the
South Carolina Volunteers.
Soon after, three other companies, viz:
Company C, Captain Maftat; Company E,
Captain Marshall; and Campany I, Capt.
Sec rest, moved still to the right, more
around the hill, under the command of
Major A. H. Gladden.
A brisk and united fire was kept up by i
18-pounders from the city, shell from the
castle, and musketry from the infantry and j
cavalry on the hill; by the latter but little j
effect or damage, from the distance from
which they fired.
During the skirmish, Lieut. Col Dickinson,
with his known ardor and gallantry,
while conducting his command, received a
musket bull in his right breast, which, I am
pleased to learn from the medical officer, is
not serious. Privates Coker and Ballard,
of Captain Sumter's company, received
wounds : the first in the thigh, the latter in
the arm, though shattering some of the
bones, yet not regarded dangerous. Private
Phillips, ofCapt. Kennedy's company, j
received a wound in the arm. One other, !
Private Hickey, of Captain DeSaussure's
company, was tumbled over by a cannon j
ball, mashing his canteen, without doing j
Dther injury. !
All were equally expose to the fire from
the city and Castle, but Lieut. Col. Dick- :
inson's command more so, from his beincr
further to the right. All behaved with a :
coolness not to be expected among volun- j
teers.
Your orders were executed by all with '
propriety and good order.
Respecfully submitted,
P. M. BUTLER. |
Comd'g S. G. V. :
Gen. J. A. Quitman, Comd'g. Brigade. j
Dear , The within is the sub- \
stance of the report?it was intended to be
modest?all did behave very well? the j
ftfTair tested our boys?the cannon and
bombs were most alarminjr, and fell very
thick and close to our companies?in two I
instances, in two arid four feet of Captains I
Marshall, iMoflatt, and Walker's companies, j
The muskets were still more numerous and ;
close to us all?but principally spent balls ; :
one struck the Colonel's nock, which, he j
says, was like a sharp cut from a whip.
One very pretty incident:?Capt. Sum- ;
ter's company had been on guard all night, \
and without a urop of water?the others had ;
their canteens filled?Capt, DeSaussure's !
company was order to go and relieve Capt.
Sumter's, and they to retire and get water.
This youthful Captain formed and moved
off his company amidst fires from three
points, in beautiful order, and with great
coolness and propriety. Truly.
The London Times, in the coursc of an ^
article on the Irish famine and its conse- i
quences, thus sets forth the worst of its re
suits :?
"The gloom of the winter has passed i
nway, a winter that will never be forgotten !
'jy this generation ! The season has come
when not only the herb of the field should
shoot forth and the tree should blossom,but the
hopes of men also bring forth their fruits.
But in Ireland, alas! the voice of nature
strikes upon listless ears and sluggish
hearts. In vain has spring returned to
men of idle hanbs and nerveless purpose.
In vain has the iron tongue of experience
spoken its warning to men who hug their
indolent misery as a treasure, far more precious
than the wages of unaided industry.
They have tasted of public money, and they
find it pleasanter to live on alms than on lal\nr
lonn r?r\ (/inlm/wn
x liU UlVVy 1 X1U11 V c 1 UIOUO 111/ 1UOIIIJ0C3 U1
shame or self abasement. Deep, indeed,
has the canker eaten. Not into the core of
a precarious and suspected root?but into
the very hearts of the people, corrupting
them with a fatal lethargy, and debasing
them by fatuous dependence ! Not the subsistence
of the year alone?but the hope of
many years is at stake?the honor, the industry,
and the independence of a million of
men !"
The Times of the 27th, comments upon
the projected attack on Vera Cruz and the
general aspect of the Mexican war. It
thinks the Castle will be taken: praises
Santa Anna for his judicious choice of a
position at San Luis: does not think Taylor
will be beaten :?ridicules Benton's military
aspiration, and thus expresses the opinion
that the capture of Vera Cruz will not
expedite a peace :?
" Mexico has no' more nucleus than a
comet. Some little superior density may,
perhaps, be visible about San Juan d'Ulloa,
but a colliding body may pass through the
point without communicating any percepti
ble disturbance to the nubulous mass."
The emperor of Russia lias issued an uqkase
declaring that Jews in tfye army shall
be allowed to rise to the rank qflieutenant!
ABBEVILLE C. II., S. C.
Wednesday, May 5, 1?47.
Cotton market.
Charleston April 29th from 10 3-4 to 12
7-8 Hamburg, Apr'i 29th, from 10 to 11 1-2
cts.
0^7~ The Rev. D. M. Tuiinek, will |
; preach in the Methodist Church in this !
j place on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) at \
12 o'clock.
HCr* Father Matiiicw, the great Tcnipe- '
i ranee ylpostlc, is to visit the United States ;
during tlie coming summer.
QO" The Massachusetts House of Representatives,
have rejected a Resolution of
thanks to General Taylor and his officers,
by a vote of 114 to 05.
Cotton Caterpillar.
The Columbus (Geo.) Enquirer of Tucs- j
day last says that the Cateipillers have made |
their appearance in various sections of Ala- j
batna, as well as Geogia, devouring young !
stalky wherever thoy appear.
May Day.
The first of May was celebrated at this
place by the young Ladies of the Female
Academy in a very elegant style. Miss
Rosa Wakdlaw, was crowned Queen upon
the occasion, autl performed her part with !
much grace and dignity; in fact all who j
took parts in the coronation acquitted them- j
selves handsomely. It was a most lovely !
sight to look upon these little creatures,dres- j
sed in white, with wreaths of flowers about j
their heads, and joy and gladness beaming !
in their faces, as they emerged in groups '
lVoin the grove and march to the stand erec- j
ted for the occasion, looking like silvan I
nymphs. Rarely have we an opportunity of
seeing such a galaxy of loveliness and beau
Unnrtli ,11~ A ?ll I
WJ Hl>c ivi ill Olclia cLliU Ull 5(1 I
young, so full of life and vivacity?may life J
over be to them one constant May day, and |
the sweet flowers of loveliness and virtue
bloom perpetually around them.
We regret that we have not time to notice
the proceedings of this joyous occasion
more at length, and hoped that some of our
young friends who were spectators would
i have prepared the proceedings for us.
From tltc Army.
j We have given on the lirst page of this j
, n
: wcl-k s paper, an me news? ot importance
received from Mexico. It was thought that
a battle had been fought on the 15th ult., at
a place called Cerro Gordo, a very strong I
pass about forty-four miles from Vera Cruz.
Santa Anna was reported to have taken a
stand there with some 15,000 troops resolved
to resist the progress of the American
army into the interior. Another rumor was
current at Vera Cruz, that Santa Anna
and his Cabinet were at Jalapa, with a considerable
army, prepared to decide the question
ot war or peace by a battle or negotiai:
t?I <
nun. a iiusb rumors wuni connrmauon,and
\vc presume may be set down as rumors
alone. General Taylor, was at the latest
dates at Monterey : his men wounded at the
battle of Buena Vista, were doing well.
-Some fears were entertained by many, that
he would be left in rather a perilous situation
whon the volunteers whose time of service
has nearly expired, were disbanded;
V*iif urn Ja.- *1 ^ '
uut pt/jvyt-nu cito iiuupa uiiuui till? XUU
Regiment Bill arc being raised rapidly, and
over four thousand are now 011 their way to
join his ranks.
The Palmetto Regiment.
We regret to learn by letters received in
this place, that a very large number of our
Regiment were on the sick list, at the latost
dates, with measels and diarrhoea, and that
the mortality had been considerable- The
Regiment with Gen. Quitman's Brigade, |
was to have taken up the line of march for
Jalapa, on the 16th ult. From the same
source, we learn also, that Lieut. Roberts,
Col. Tilman, Dr. Agnew, W E. Watson,
W MirlHlotnn nnrl T T Mirlin linn*
? * ???i?v? v v? n&Uri VIU) liavg UUOIl
discharged, and are on their way home, the
latter was appointed a Lieutenant in one of
the llew regiments to be raised, and is returning
to recruit; the former discharged in
consequence of bad health. Isaiah Sturkeyof
our company is de^d, Richard Watson
and a man by the. native of Riley, who went
from this place, W/bwh loft in a vessel wliicb
wa? blown off on th? night jpf 26th ult.
.
these are tho only losses we have heard of
as yet in tho company.
The Chances of Peace.
We saw a private letter say the N. O. M
Picayune, from a very intelligent officer at ^
Vera Cruz, dated the 10th ult. in whirh ho
says that several of the States of the Mexican
confederacy have denounced the war
with the United States, and threatened to
secede u n less peace should be made. Many
Mexicans predicted a peace within sixty
days, but our correspondent puts little faith
in auguries so favorable. He thinks the
great difficulty in the way of a peace is the
fact that Santa Anna is so nearly crushed
that he dare not make a treaty. Nor does
there appear to be any one else in Mexico
j strong enough to incur the great responsibility.
None of the old politicians will venture
upon the step. Our correspondent adds:
"Some man now unknown to fmno whK
- - - w> """
nothing to lose and every thing to gain, may
arise and advocate a peace policy successfully.
His want of ambition or the little
chance of his obtainining power may prevent
him from becoming obnoxious to the
jealousies of parties, and gain for him adherents
generally. He may succeed in making
a peace which every body will be glad
of; but how long before it will be used as
an element of political war-fare?"
The Legislature of the State of Vera
Cruz, sitting at Jalapa, was said to be deliberating
at last accounts upon the propriety
of making peace, independent of the
General Government.
The State of Zacetecas has declared itself
independent?so writes us an intelligent
correspondent!
At a meeting of the Fellowship Ladies'
Home Mission Society, the following resolution
was a loptud:
Resolved, That Rev. R. A. Child, be requested
to deliver the anniversary address
before the society on Saturday before tho
3d Lord's day in May at 11 o'clock A. M.,
and that Rev. Messrs. J. M. Chij.es,and W.
P. Hill, be requested to address tho audience
on that occasion.
By request of the Society.
Edgefield Advertiser, will please
copy.
Achilla Murvt.?The Tallahassee papers
announce the death" of Prince Charles
Louis Napoleon Achille Mnrat, son of Joachim
and Caroline Bonaparte Murat, King
and Queen of Naples, and aged 46 years,
two months and 25 days. His father was
the celebrated Marshal of Napoleon, and
his mother a sister of the late Emperor.
The Prince died on the 15th iust. at his
residence in Jetfjrson County Florida.
Of him the Florian remarks :?" After
the expulsion of his family from Italy, they
a....i...,.,. r?_.: ivr
u*3iuuu in *\."i 3ti ici?j >viiurc5 i nirju murux
lived until the year 1821, when he cams to
the United States. He has ever since, with
the exception of an occasional visit to Eu
rope, resided in this country. His life here
has been quiet and unautentatious.
"The deceased was a, nun of great eccentricity
of character, was gifted with a
high order of mind, which was enriched by
solid literary acquirements and was withal
a most interesting and agreeable comoan
ion. He was the author of somj works on
the subject of our institutions, which, we understand,
it is said possesses considerable
merit. Hereafter we hope to lay before the
public an extended Notice of his life and
character, which, we understand, will be
prepared by some friend familiar with both.
" He was burried in this city to-day. A
numerous procession of friends and citizens
attended his remains from the house of Col.
Robert Gamble to his grave. Minute guns
were fired durinsr the morninsr, and lie was
hurried in compliance with his own request,
with the imposing ceremony of the Masonic
Order. There was every demonstration of
high respect for his memory, and his friends
will be gratified to learn that there was man.
ifested a due appreciation of his worth and '
interesting career. Thus has gone one
born to the highest rank in European life,
aud fitted in mind and attainments for very
distinguished honors."
Sav. Georgian.
am tmfmrmt at rtipmj vi?t? dnrinff
the most gloomy hour of the fight, Sergeant'
Joseph Lang/ord, 1st Mississipppi RegH.
was shot through the thigh. Unable, to
stand, he sat upright, and shot dead, with jr
his pistol, a lancer as he approached him,
While engaged in reloading, another lancer
trotted past him and raised his lance to W&&
drive it into a wounded lieutenant, n fet* w*
feet from him. Before the weapon was
hurled, however, Langford threw his pistol
and struck the lancer a stunning blow on
~ _7f* __l
the nape ot the necK. i ms action savea
the lieutenant, but proved fatal to the magnanimous
Langford; forj, staggering the
Mexican turned and drove his lance into::
ihe foreuewu of iae wounded man, coming ' '
out back of his ear: Just at this moment,
four men, who were approaching with a horse
to carry off their comrade, shot the
Mexican at t?ie moment he had disengaged
his jance and he tumb^d, a^oss th* tyxfy