Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/543

Rh the vicinity, and several encounters took place, with small loss on either side. The American garrison was continued on shore, and the collection of duties enforced till the close of the war.

The Portsmouth remained but a short time before Guayamas, which continued for several weeks to be nearly deserted by its inhabitants; and the sloop of war Dale, Commander Selfridge, was subsequently ordered thither. On the 17th of November, fifty sailors, under Lieutenant Smith and Passed Midshipman Duncan, and seventeen marines, under Lieutenant Tansill, — Commander Selfridge heading the party, — landed for the purpose of examining the town and fort. They had proceeded but a short distance from the shore, when they were suddenly attacked by about 400 Mexicans, secreted behind the garden walls and in the houses. A brisk fire was kept up by both parties, until Lieutenant Yard, who had been left in charge of the ship, commenced throwing Paixhan shells into the town. This had the desired effect, and the enemy again abandoned the place to the Americans. Shortly after this affair, an expedition of the officers and men of the Dale, was organized for a march into the interior. They surprised a body of Mexican troops, about three miles from Guayamas, under General Campunazo, and took most of his officers and men prisoners.

After the capture of Mazatlan, the Cyane was ordered to La Paz, and the Portsmouth to San José, both of which posts were threatened by guerilla bands, under their chiefs, Piñada and Mijares. The latter appeared before the works at San José, which merely consisted of two adobé houses, with 150 men and two pieces of cannon. At the commencement of the attack, the guerilla leader was killed, and his men