Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-06-13


capped, leaving US now two hundred and fifty ef
tecive men, consisting OF the following companies:
New Orleans Grays, Captain Pellis.
Red Rovers, Captain Jack Shacklcford, from
Alabama
Mustangs, Captain Duval.
Mobile Grays, Captain Macmanaman.
Regulars, Captain Westoycr.
Isl company artillery, Captain Hurst.
Cd do do Captain Holland.
Sd do do Captain Schrusncki, il
Polish engineer.
We were about 800 yards, to The left of the road,
in valley of about six feet below the mean base,
of about onefourlh Of mile. We were unfortu-
natev obliged TO take that disadvantageous posi-
ton in consequence OF our having pursued our adj
vance SO far, in order 10 gain the woods. We
drew our wagons into ii cluster, formed ourselves
into mn Oblong circle around them, and posted our
artillery in position TO defend it. The circle was
about 40 feet of shortest central diameter, and "a
bout GO feet Of longest diameter. 1t was now one
o'clock, Z. NJ. at which time we were attacked on
all sides by the enemy, with brisk fire of nskct-
ry. We were ordered not to fire until the word
of command was wen, in order TO draw the enc
my within rifle shot. We reserved our fire for a
bout 10 minutes, and several were wounded in our
ranks previous to our firing. At the request of
the officers, the artillery permitted to open fire.
the smoke OF our cannon covered the enemy un-
der which they made desperate charge, but were
repulsed with "A very severe loss. Our cannon
was loaded with cansters OF muSket balls, and the
howitzer with grist. In this manner the action
was kept up with great fury by the enemy charge
after charge being made by cavalry and infantry,
and always repealed with heavy loss on their part
Orr men behaved nohly and although surround
ed by overwhelming numbers, not change of .oul,-
tenance could be seen.
Thus was the battle kept up and upon the re-
pulse oil each charge, column upon column OF the
enemy were seen to fall like bees before smoke
Here would be seen horses flying in every direc-
ton without riders and there, dsmouncd cavalry
making their escape ON foot, while the field was
literally covered with dead bodies. 1t was sor-
ry sight to our small circle-it had become
muddy with blood. Col. Fannin had been so bad
" wounded at the first or second fire as to disable
him. The wounded were shricking for water,
winch we had not to give them. The fight con-
tnucd until dusk, when the enemy rctrcalcd leav-
ing us masters of the field, with ten men killed
and wounded, while the enemy lay around heap
upon heap. We possessed great advantage over
the MexIcans, they having no artillery, and we
having nine brass pieces, with which we kept up an
nccsSant fire of muskct balls.
1t now became prudent to take measures as to
our next procedure. Accordingly, the officers
were all summoned to Col Fannin, where he
lay wounded, and the question was, whether we
should maintain our present position, or retreat
Ii was carried that should sustain ourselves as
+ long As possible. Consequently, we commenced
heavlng up redoubt some three feet above the
mean level OF the prairie exclusive of the dixie.
Tho night was now very dark and cloudy driz-
zling with rain and misty fog the enemy encom-
passed us, and kept "A continual sound to charge,
5" that we appeared 10 be surrounded with bugles.
! We had with us 1000 spare muskets which we
loaded, and each man took equal share, our
cannon and ammunition being nearly exhausted.
Daylight broke upon us in this situation, and some
of our men went out about hundred yards and
brought into camp two Mexican prisoners, both
badly wounded. From them we ascertaincd that
the number opposed to was 1900 men, and that
IA reinforcement of two brigadrs Of artillery would
be ere that morning, if they had not already ar
rived We had no sooner received this intelligence
than this very artillery opened their cannon upon
u.s. they had placed them behind small hillock.
and were entirely under cover; we could neither
touch them with our cannon, nor charge, as they
had SO placed their cavalry that the moment we
should quit our artillery they would cut us to pie
COS. We accordingly met in council, to devise
means and measures It was accordingly decided
that we should send flag of truce to the enemy,
/
honorable terms. Accordingly Capt. F. j. De-
sanquc, (he bearer of the express from Gen.
Houston, Capt. b. H. Holland Of the artillery, and
an Ensign, were despatched with flag of truce /;
the flags met midway between the two armies, & it
was decided that the two commanders should
meet TO decide the matter. In pursuance Of which
CoI. Fann'n was conveyed out, and met Gen.
Urea, Governor Of Durango, commander of the
Mexican forces, and the following treaty was con-
Guided upon and soemnly ratified; a copy Of il,
IN Spanish was retained by General Urea, and one
in English by Col. Fannin
Seeing the Texian army entirely overpowcred
by far superior forces, and to avoid the ef,sion of
blood, we surrendered ourselves prisoners of war,
under the following terms +:
Art. LIST. That we should be received and treat
cd as prisoners ofwar, according TO the usages of
civilized nations.
Art. "a. That tho officers should be paralcd M
me'ate'v upon their arrival at La Bahia, aud the