Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
ment,
I
I
its
proper order,
that,
tenant Sears, 2d artillery, started from Puebla as bearer of dispatches from Gen. Lane to the United
States'
Government.
He had
under command of Col. Dominguez, and was attacked, a short distance from the city, by a large Mexican force under General Torrijon. Having beaten them off, he again proceeded on his way to
Yera Cruz, and was again attacked by another Mexican force under Colonel Yamos, and was
obliged to return toward Puebla, having lost fifteen
killed
and wounded
to Perote,
in the
two
fights.
He met
its
it
Col.
Wynkoop
down
way
Yera
and was
safely escorted
by
as far
Cruz in
safety.
and after his departure Lieutenant Henderson Ridgely of the 4:th infantry, was appointtant-general,
ed acting-assistant adjutant-general in his place. The contra-guerrillas under Dominguez were a rascally set of fellows, and I never could look upon
of sympathy.
Traitors
to
own country
own
country-
men, and covered themselves with lasting infamy. There is an old saying ''we love the treason but despise the traitor," which did not hold good with us.
Central Mexico.
187
in the
company was a
"jail bird,"
collected together.
En
Cerro
escopettes
every
few
minutes,
and behaving in the most unsoldier-like manner. They had a few women along with them who seemed to be as thoroughly steeped in vice as the men. Each man carried a lance and wore a wide red band around his hat. Mexican treachery is proverbial, and these contra-guerrillas were a complete embodiment of it. On first seeing them, I thought very much, as one of our Irish soldiers did, "may the devil fly away wid'em for a set of ragamuffins." It was originally the intention of Government to arm our company with rifles, but from some cause or other, we never received them. Our men were mostly young and sprightly fellows, ranging from eighteen to twenty-four years of age, though there were some middle-aged men with us. In the Ohio
regiment there were a great
made
upon
fine
soldiers,
their
military bearing.
that regiment,
named John
age,
by his fine and his previous military history. He was a Bavarian by birth, and when he entered our army was sixty-four years of age. The old man had served as a non-commiBsioned
attracted attention
company K, always
his
appearance,
Central Mexico.
223
army, and fought on nearly every bloody field durlie was provided with everything ing the war. necessary to render liim comfortable, and after a time was released from captivity, upon giving his word of honor that he would not again fight against
larly exchanged.
Americans during the war, unless he was reguHe retired to San Martins, where had his home, and rigorously kept his word. he General Gaona was a tall, straight old fellow, and looked considerably like General Butler. He
the
commanded a
bla.
man
on being questioned as
to the cause
"1 respect the Americans, they are a brave and magnanimous nation. I could have been taken prisoner by them without a murmur, but I have been captured by that man, (pointing to Dominguez,)
who is a thief and a robber had publicly whipped in that plaza for robljery. My honor is gone I am an old man and shall soon die, and I weep to think that my last days will be imbittered by the reflection that I have been captured in this war by that infamous scoundrel and traitor, Dominguez." I pitied him, as he seemed to be filled wnth the
and
whom
most poignant grief. He was subsequently released by Col. Childs, and the circumstances which led to
it will
by
was
at that
262
with a musket
fallen.
had another
fight
as reported to the
commander
of our forces,
who was
having taken command of the American forces by the express desire of Major-General Scott, on the
19th of February, 1848,
" Mexico,
March
2d, 1848.
"Sir I have the honor to submit for the information and consideration of the commander-in-chief,
the following report of the late expedition of the
my command
against the
and northeast
" In obedience to my instructions, I left this city on the 17th of February, with 250 Texan rangers under command of Col. Hays; 130 men of the 3d dragoons and rifles, commanded by Maj. Polk; and
the
company
of contra-guerrillas of Col.
Dominguez,
for the
Yera Cruz,
and returning from thence several miles, I deflected Tnlancingo in which place, from reliable information, I had reason to believe I should find General Faredes, as also Almonte, and the famous guemlla chief Padre Jarauta, with a considerable force. I arrived at Tulancingo on the morning of the 22d, and attempted,
to the right in the direction of