Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/529

Rh was near one hundred. The escort accompanying the bearer of dispatches was now joined by a part of the 1st Pennsylvania, under Colonel Wynkoop, who proceeded as far as the Plan del Rio, and soon after returned with General Patterson.

But the plundering propensities, and hostile feelings of the guerilleros, were not manifested alone towards the Americans, and those connected with them. On the 8th of November, a train of thirty-six wagons, containing merchandise belonging to merchants in Puebla and Mexico, left the former place on their way to the capital. On reaching San Martin, Generals Rea and Torrejon made a descent upon the train, with a guerilla force. and captured it. Information of this transaction was speedily conveyed to General Lane, at Puebla, who forthwith started in pursuit of the marauders, with a party of cavalry and infantry. At Tlascala he overtook the enemy, who were proceeding towards Queretaro with their booty. Captain Roberts, of the mounted rifles, in command of the cavalry, fell upon a portion of the guerilleros, who were attempting to run off the train, and routed them, with ease, — killing seventeen of their number, and taking thirteen officers prisoners. The wagons, except a number which had been destroyed, together with their contents, were recaptured.

General Patterson arrived at Vera Cruz, with large reinforcements, shortly after General Lane left for the interior. In pursuance of special instructions from the War Department, he took effectual measures to clear the road of the guerilleros, and to open the communications of General Scott.

For the greater part of the distance between Vera Cruz and the mountainous country, the roads