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' ' ?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. Terms. ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS if paid within threo months from tho tiinn of tmbacribiirg, or TWO DOLLARS if paid within six months, and TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS if not paid until tho end of tho year. No subscription received for less than six mouths; and 110 paper discontinued until all urre&rages aro paid. SubHcriptions will bo continued unless notico bo givon otherwise, previous to the closo of volume. No paper will be sent out of tho Stato unless payment is made in advance. ADVERTISMEENTS, inserted at 75 cts. per square of twolvo lines for tho first insertion ; and, 37 1-2 cts. for each continuance. Those not having tho desired number of insertions marked upon tliem. will be continued until ordered out and chargcd ac,' cordingly. ESTRAYS, Tolled TWO DALLARS, to be paid by tho Magistrate. For announcing a Candidato TWO DOLLARS, ill advance. 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*.