Post by Kevin Young on Sept 21, 2009 10:34:21 GMT -5
Cam across this accountn a Georgia History webpage:
We are indebted to the Editors of the Muscogee Democrat of
the 13th inst, for an extra containing the following letter
from a correspondent at Vera Cruz.
Vera Cruz, Friday, 5th Nov, 1847.
Dr. Andrews: Dear Sir:--I was awakened this morning about 7
o’clock, by a loud rap at my door, and who should be there
but Capt. Loyall, looking as well as I ever say him. I hope
the report of his death may not reach his family. His
friends all believed him dead. He sat down and gave Lieut.
McCurdy [McCardy?] and myself a long account of the fight at
Haamantla, which may be relied upon. Capt. Walker was in
command of only 175 cavalry. They charged the town when the
infantry was 5 or 6 miles off, and captured three pieces of
artillery. The Mexicans were commanded by Santa Anna. He
had near 2500 men. They fled in every direction but were
rallied and made fight. Capt. Walker was shot in the breast
with a small ball in less than ten feet of Capt. Loyall and
did not live more than 15 minutes. He told the command to
fight on the odds were against them, but that the infantry
would soon be there. Capt. Walker was shot from a house
which had raised a white flag. Capt. Loyall then took
command. Soon the infantry arrived and the Mexicans cut
out. Lieut. Anderson of Capt. L’s company, with live men,
pursued and captured four Mexicans. They proved to be Col.
La Vega, brother to the General and Maj. Iturbide?, an aid
of Santa Anna. The Major is here with Capt. L. and appears
to be well satisfied-and says he is sure Santa Anna would
like to change places with him. Lieut. Pitcher wears Col La
Vega’s pistol-it is a splendid [sic] one. I am sorry to
hear that Lieut. P_has [indistinct type] resigned, and will
leave for home, soon. Capt. Loyall’s company (what few are
left) arrived here last night. They number, all told, 46-
the balance have been killed, discharged, and in the
different hospitals. I see here today, Murshon, Spencer,
Luckie, Smith and Barnard, from Columbus [Georgia], members
of his company. This company has seen as much hard service
as any one in the army, and done as much fighting. At this
fight, 16 of Walker’s men were killed and wounded; one of
Loyall’s killed and three wounded. Capt. Loyall, escorted
by 100 Mexican Lancers, brought official dispatches from
Puebla-they were brought there by the Lancers. They will be
carried to Washington by Lieut. Seers. The contents of them
are not known here. In fact all the ‘news’ comes here by
New Orleans. ‘Tis said Gen. Scott has ordered no more to
advance beyond Puebla, but to garrison every point between
here and there. The Ga. Battalion of Infantry are left to
garrison a post called San Juan, 13 miles only from here.
They will remain there until the next train goes up, and I
fear that will be sometime first.
The James L. Day arrived yesterday, with Captain Hamilton’s
company. The Fashion put? Back to New Orleans, which was
the cause of the detention. As yet, only Goulding’s,
Nelson’s and Hamilton’s companies have arrived. We are
looking hourly for the others.
We are indebted to the Editors of the Muscogee Democrat of
the 13th inst, for an extra containing the following letter
from a correspondent at Vera Cruz.
Vera Cruz, Friday, 5th Nov, 1847.
Dr. Andrews: Dear Sir:--I was awakened this morning about 7
o’clock, by a loud rap at my door, and who should be there
but Capt. Loyall, looking as well as I ever say him. I hope
the report of his death may not reach his family. His
friends all believed him dead. He sat down and gave Lieut.
McCurdy [McCardy?] and myself a long account of the fight at
Haamantla, which may be relied upon. Capt. Walker was in
command of only 175 cavalry. They charged the town when the
infantry was 5 or 6 miles off, and captured three pieces of
artillery. The Mexicans were commanded by Santa Anna. He
had near 2500 men. They fled in every direction but were
rallied and made fight. Capt. Walker was shot in the breast
with a small ball in less than ten feet of Capt. Loyall and
did not live more than 15 minutes. He told the command to
fight on the odds were against them, but that the infantry
would soon be there. Capt. Walker was shot from a house
which had raised a white flag. Capt. Loyall then took
command. Soon the infantry arrived and the Mexicans cut
out. Lieut. Anderson of Capt. L’s company, with live men,
pursued and captured four Mexicans. They proved to be Col.
La Vega, brother to the General and Maj. Iturbide?, an aid
of Santa Anna. The Major is here with Capt. L. and appears
to be well satisfied-and says he is sure Santa Anna would
like to change places with him. Lieut. Pitcher wears Col La
Vega’s pistol-it is a splendid [sic] one. I am sorry to
hear that Lieut. P_has [indistinct type] resigned, and will
leave for home, soon. Capt. Loyall’s company (what few are
left) arrived here last night. They number, all told, 46-
the balance have been killed, discharged, and in the
different hospitals. I see here today, Murshon, Spencer,
Luckie, Smith and Barnard, from Columbus [Georgia], members
of his company. This company has seen as much hard service
as any one in the army, and done as much fighting. At this
fight, 16 of Walker’s men were killed and wounded; one of
Loyall’s killed and three wounded. Capt. Loyall, escorted
by 100 Mexican Lancers, brought official dispatches from
Puebla-they were brought there by the Lancers. They will be
carried to Washington by Lieut. Seers. The contents of them
are not known here. In fact all the ‘news’ comes here by
New Orleans. ‘Tis said Gen. Scott has ordered no more to
advance beyond Puebla, but to garrison every point between
here and there. The Ga. Battalion of Infantry are left to
garrison a post called San Juan, 13 miles only from here.
They will remain there until the next train goes up, and I
fear that will be sometime first.
The James L. Day arrived yesterday, with Captain Hamilton’s
company. The Fashion put? Back to New Orleans, which was
the cause of the detention. As yet, only Goulding’s,
Nelson’s and Hamilton’s companies have arrived. We are
looking hourly for the others.
