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| Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. |
McGrawville Express, Thursday, November 4, 1847.
ANOTHER BATTLE.
Attack of Santa Anna on Puebla—His Repulse—Rumored Destruction of the Texan Rangers—Insubordination of a Part of the Massachusetts Regiment, &c., &c.
The steamer James L. Day has arrived at New Orleans, and brings accounts from Vera Cruz to the 10th. There is nothing later from the capital [Mexico City]. Some particulars of Santa Anna's attack on Puebla are given.
On arriving at Puebla, Santa Anna ordered Col. Childs to evacuate, saying he would allow him to form a junction with Scott or the American force at Pereto. Col. Childs declined, and on the 27th ultimo, Santa Anna commenced a heavy cannonading on the American works from three different points—[San Juan de Dios], Santa Rosa, and Santa Thonrica [sic].
Col. Childs returned the cannonade, firing into the centre of the city and doing much damage. Hostilities were suspended at night, and renewed next morning.
On the 29th, Santa Anna commenced forming breastworks of cotton bales. Americans in the mean time kept up a continual fire on the workmen which was for some time returned briskly by the Mexicans, but finally at the intervention of many citizens Santa Anna ceased firing. The artillery then marched to the convent of Santa Rosa, and commenced a fearful attack, but night produced a cessation of firing.
The nuns were removed from the Convent, and on the 30th, nothing was done except a few grenades thrown from the direction of San Juan del Rio, in rear of the Convent in whose Church Gen. Rhea had erected a battery to operate on San Jose.
On the 1st Santa Anna, with 2,000 cavalry and infantry, sallied out of Puebla to attack the American train, which was at Perote on the 14th; but before reaching Tepeyahualco all his soldiers, except 130 hussars, pronounced against him, declaring him a coward, unworthy to command, &c.
Santa Anna received an order from [Queretaro] to repair thither with the troops under his command but declined, and marched his hussars to [Oaxaca], to raise another army and to come back to give battle to the Yankees.
When Santa Anna left Puebla, the cannonading ceased and the Cotton warehouse of M. Belisco & Co., which had furnished bales for his breastworks with 2,000 bales in the convent of Santa Domingo were fired and burned.
Senior Pena is discharging the duties of President at Queretaro, and has refused to recognize the associates appointed by Santa Anna. He prefers Congress should appoint the President.
The report pervaded at Vera Cruz on the 18th, that a company of Texan Rangers was attacked by guerillas, 12 miles in the interior, and had been all but two cut off. An express had arrived stating that 1 man was killed and 15 missing.
CORRESPONDENCE
For the McGrawville Express.
Mr. Editor—Having business to call us out we left the pleasant little ville where we reside, and took an overland passage with coach and four, for the far famed village of Syracuse. Passing through the pleasant Villages of Cortland and Homer, we found ourselves wending our way up a beautiful valley with a full coach of intelligent companions, all in good spirits, being enlivened by the cool bracing air of an October morning.
Many subjects were discussed by the way, and among the rest, our present difficulties with Mexico. Being gentlemen of different political views, the discussion was warm and animating. Many things were brought up on the one side as good reasons for our disagreement with Mexico, and as adroitly put down, or waived on the other side. But as there were neither Judge nor Jury, with which to leave the case, it ended as all such discussions generally do; each one deeming himself right, or at least each being equally certain of the soundness of his opinion.
Although our company were very agreeable, yet we could not refrain from casting an eye on the lovely forest scenery that presented itself on either hand, and which at this season of the year presents such a variety of colours, from the enlivening ever-green to the dull and scared leaf which has just left the bough, and in a circuitous route is wending its way to find a resting place on the lap of mother earth. The golden harvest, too, seemed to be waiting for the husbandman to gather in the last blessings of the passing season, and to prepare for the approach of stern winter, a season looked upon by many as a dreary monotonous period. But stern as winter appears, it is not without its pleasures and profits too; if occupied as our wise Creator evidently designed it should be, a season to cultivate the mind and enhance our social enjoyments, which makes up the measure of our happiness here, elevates and prepares us for higher and more ennobling enjoyments in another and a better clime.
The valley from Cortland to Tully is calculated to make a favourable impression upon the mind of the traveler, as being a soil composed of materials well calculated, not only to repay, but richly reward the husbandman for all his toils. And then the clustering villages, and neat farm houses that are scattered through this valley, go to prove that he was not mistaken. Leaving Tully and proceeding northward, the landscape appears at once broken and uneven, and the long descent into the valley below, awakened somewhat our nervous sensibilities, and caused us to hope that our rigging was strong, and our driver a prudent manager of his team. A few minutes, however dispelled all our fears, and we found ourselves safely passing through the valley, long known as Christian Hollow. And, by the way, its namesake must not only have been Christian by name, but must at least have possessed some of the traits of the true Christian, viz. Perseverance, Courage and Patience.
This valley at first sight, does not strike the traveler as favourably as many other valleys, and he must pass through it when covered with the abundant harvest to fully appreciate the richness of its soil. As we approached the speck of land known as the Indian Reservation, we met now and then a native, mingling with our own race, yet appearing as a stranger in the midst of his own home. As we alighted at an Inn, we observed a native, over whose head probably seventy winters had shed its frosts, and although surrounded by a group, he appeared as one standing alone, one whose thoughts mingled not with the multitude; but were traveling far back when, with his companions in youth he started the timid deer, or the more courageous bear from their lurking places, pursuing them from hill to hill until from a sure aim the winged arrow flew that brought the prey at the feet of the pursuer.
As we passed through the remnant tribe, our reflections were any thing but agreeable. The once powerful tribe of the Onondagas numbering its thousands; where are they? Once, they ranged those hills and valleys, free and fleet, as the roebuck upon the mountain top; bidding defiance to the surrounding tribes, and causing the white man to quail before their native prowess—now where are they? The white man in the ascendency, his touch is death, every advance in improvement is like the searing frost upon the delicate rose.
Lo, the poor Indian! His native fire extinguished, his courage fled, his energies gone; he stands like the tempest stricken oak, but a wreck of his former greatness! Once possessing the country as far as the eye could range, now a little spot is all he can call his own; and even this, would have been filched from him by the avaricious whites had not the government interfered and plead the cause and sustained the rights of the defenseless Indian. It is not enough that they have, by the mysterious events of time, fallen from their native greatness, but the white man calling himself Christian; his superior in every respect; must in the first place benumb his senses by the accursed firewater and then filch from him penny by penny his hard earned pittance, and then to cap the climax, drive him Drunk from his door, and leave him to the pelting of the pitiless storm. Shame on the man professing superior intellect that will thus treat a fellow man! Shame on the man that calls himself Christian that will trample a fallen brother in the dust! Will the God of nations look down upon such treatment and hold the offender guiltless? We noticed in passing through the reservation the residence of the Chief ABRAM LAFORTE, also the residence of other distinguished individuals, together with the Council House. Those were pleasant situations and indicated some signs of thrift. Yet it struck us forcibly from the entire appearance of their fields and flocks, that they were never designed to cultivate the soil or thrive in the midst of the whites, but are doomed to dwindle away, until the last native shall perish from his fatherland, and his even made grave leave no trace to coming generations of the once powerful tribe of the Onondagas.
After passing through the Reservation, a short ride brought us to the busy mart of Syracuse, which by the way is a place of no small importance. Standing in the midst of a rich and fertile country, and on either side of our great western thoroughfare, commanding every facility for business and intelligence, it is destined to be one of the greatest inland towns in our flourishing State; a place of importance not only in itself, but to the surrounding country, affording a ready market for the various productions of the farmer, and while it enriches itself as a village, it affords facilities for enriching the surrounding country.
After rambling around the village somewhat, we spent the night at the Recess of friend Welch, which deserves a passing notice, and which we think is well calculated as a temporary home for the traveler. Standing as it does a few yards from Main street, the traveler is sufficiently retired from the everlasting din of loaded vehicles to slumber undisturbed; and yet, only across the street from the Depot, affords a delightful place for refreshment, as we noticed within, every thing was done with neatness, dispatch, and good order, and the study of all seemed to be, the comfort of those who made his house their home. Having completed our arrangements, we returned by the same route, and had a very pleasant journey, if it can be called pleasant to be hauled through the country by four strong horses, at the mercy of a driver. Though courteous at all other times, the moment he mounts the box seems to think of but one object, viz., the end of his route, and no one can blame him for wishing to leave the road behind (if road it may be called), a strip of land at any rate used for that purpose, and we think it would be fair for the credit of the country if some efficient measures were taken to secure the comfort and safety of the traveling public. Although we were toss'd, and pich'd, and thrown into almost every position, yet all appeared satisfied so long as we were above ground and kept right side up; and while No. 1 was safe we had but little trouble as to what would befall the next that we should pass. We noticed this bump No. 1 is very prominent upon all heads, and it is counted as Captain General of all the numerical, and of course, so long as this same No. 1 is safe all goes well.
So say we, safe at home, and think we shall not venture out again at present.
EDITOR'S TABLE.
Think of it.
With this No. ends the first quarter of the Express. Three months have so quickly hid themselves in the past. Those subscribers intending to pay for their paper in advance to secure the Express for One Dollar a year, will forward it on during the coming week, or we shall feel under no obligations to receive any thing less than the published terms of our paper, $1.75. It will bear thinking of.
MEXICO.
Another battle has been fought, and Santa Anna has again been repulsed. Victory after victory follows the many that have been so signally achieved by our army in Mexico. Fate seems to be against the Mexican Flag. Wherever it has been raised against the American force, it has been trampled, torn and trailed in blood! Thus it must ever be. So long as resistance is made by them, they must suffer the sad consequences of an engagement and defeat. It is a sad picture to look up. A nation, seemingly, walking boldly and fearlessly up to the cannon's mouth, and submitting themselves to be shot down by hundreds, rather than to yield one inch of territory, is indeed a sad and pitiful picture. They are fighting for their altars and firesides, and they are willing, rather, that their bones should lie bleaching upon their hill tops and valleys, than to permit an enemy to ride rampant over what they conceive to be their natural and God-given rights! To say the least, it is a humiliating spectacle for a professedly Christian nation, to roll on the bloody chariot of war!—to engage in scenes of slaughter and blood and fiendishly exult over their success. It is an absurdity, however, to suppose that a Christian nation would go to war, much less exult over its success!
There is little hope that the war will soon close. A war of extermination must be the result before peace can be established in Mexico.
MUSICAL CONCERT.
We had the pleasure of attending, last Thursday evening, a Musical Concert at the Baptist Church, given by Mr. S. D. REESE, and daughter. They were beautiful singers, and we do not know when we have been more pleasantly entertained.—Miss REESE is a decidedly popular singer, and should be placed upon a par with any one of the BAKER FAMILY. Her voice is unusually rich and melodious, and she has it under perfect command. We regret that Mr. R. had not given more general notice, which would have secured him an overflowing house. He will look out for this hereafter.
Life of the Hon. Silas Wright.
HALL & DICKSON, Booksellers, Syracuse, have in press and will soon publish the Third Volume of the Political History of the State of New York, edited by the Hon. Jabez D. Hammond, which will contain the History of the Political Parties in the State of New York from the year 1840 to the present time, and will also contain the Public Life of the Hon. SILAS WRIGHT.
The peculiar posture of political affairs for the past few years will give the Book particular interest, and those who have read the proceeding volumes of Judge Hammond, need no guarantee for his impartiality.
The friends and admirers of the late Hon. SILAS WRIGHT will also find contained in this volume a Record of the services of that eminent Statesman worthy of their especial attention. The book will contain about 500 pages octavo.
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