Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/352

302. — The latter, on hearing of the approach of General Cadwalader, had left Perote, with the companies of his regiment and Captain Walker's men, to aid in driving the guerilleros from the road. Early in the morning of the 20th,Captain Walker, in the advance, encountered nearly five hundred of the enemy at Las Vegas, whom he bravely attacked with his small command of thirty men. Colonel Wynkoop coming up, the guerilleros were soon put to flight — The two parties under General Cadwalader and Colonel Wynkoop, joining in the pursuit of the flying banditti, they were driven from hill to hill, nearly three miles, leaving behind them fifty of their number either dead or wounded.

This was one of the severest blows received by the guerilleros during the war. The party which attacked General Cadwalader at La Hoya, was supposed to be about 700 strong, and was commanded by Father Jarauta, and two other priests, formerly Spanish Carlists, like himself. On reaching Las Vegas, General Cadwalader learned that it was the nursery and dépôt of the marauding parties infesting the road. Under his orders the town was laid in ashes, — the neat Catholic church in its centre alone being spared.

While making preparations at Perote for the march to Puebla, General Cadwalader received an order by express from General Pillow, then coming up from the coast with 1,800 men, to await his arrival. The latter reached Perote on the 1st of July, and the united command, now over 3,000 in number, moved on towards Puebla, where they arrived on the 8th instant, without further interruption.

General Pierce left Vera Cruz on the 16th of July, with 2,500 men, of all arms, including a battalion of marines, under Lieutenant Colonel Watson. His