Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/53

Rh Luis Potosi. The Mexicans caused some of our men mostly English and Germans, to desert, by giving them $60 each, citizens clothes, a horse, guide to the army, and 50 cents to drink the health of Santa Anna. Dec. 5th General Wool was ordered to Parras, east of Satillo. On the 2nd of Dec. Brigadier General Thomas L. Hamer, of Ohio, died of dysentery, and was burried on the 4th with military honors. He was very much esteemed.



During this time, the navy was engaged in blockading Mexican ports. The brig Truxton, commanded by Commander Carpenter, was run aground on the 15th of August on the bar off Tuspan, and deserted. Lieut. Hunter, with a boat's crew, reached a vessel of the squadron, and the other officers and men surrendered to the enemy. They were afterwards exchanged for General La Vega and other Mexican officers. It was impossible to save the vessel and she was burned. An attempt had been made to capture Alvarado, and failed as the vessels could not cross the bar. Oct. 15th, another attempt was made by the steamers Vixen and Mc'Lane, three gun-boats. Schooners Nonata and Forward, and steamer Mississippi, Commander, Perry. The whole commanded b Commodore Connor. There was a battery 