Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-06-07

both Anks evidently with the design OF surround
ing u.s. The enemy had formed seml,crc OIL ou'
right and left, and had no means OF moving Gu,
artillery but by stubborn and WORKOUT oxen wee as
surrounding us. Captains Hurst and Holland oil inc ar
tlery ordered 10 the rear, 10 keep up Ieeaung
fire. under cover of which the army advanced aoonlh
mile and half in the face Of the enemy II NOW pc
come necessary for to take position as we were en-
rey surrounded, cavalry cut OFT from Us, anu es
capped leaving two hundred and hity elective
men, consisting of the following companies:
New Orleans Grays, Captain PellIs.
lied Royers, Captain Jack Shacklc, from Alabama.
Mustangs, Captain Duval.
Mobile Grays, Captain Macmanaman.
Regulars Captain Westover.
1st company artillery, Captain Hurst
Cd d. do. Captain Holland .
I'd do d. Captain Schrusnecki, Polish
engineer. .oo -, - ,bs ,so of the road in o
valley of about six feet below the mean BASE Oh ABOUT
one fourth of mile. We unfortunately Obliged 10
lake that disadyanageous position in consequence oil our
hayiuu pursued orr advance 50 tar, IN ORDER 10 gain Tie
woods We drew wagons into cluster, or"ed OUT
selves into an obong circle around thc ana posted our
artillery in positions to defend It, Inc circle was aoout
An Ge nj shortest central diameter and about 90 feet OF
lonrcsl diameter II was now clock T. W., at "h!cn
time we were attacked all sides by the enemy WIN
brisk fire of musketry We were ordered not 10 nte
until the word Of command was gwen III order 70 ara"
the enemy within rife shot. We reserved our hire Tor
al;0u, ten minutes, and several were wounded III our
runks previous 10 firing At the request Of the ON
GERS, the artillery permitted to open hrr lie vino
was blowing slightly from the ~ f., anu the SMOKE OF
our cannon covered the enemy under which they made
desperate charge but epused with very severe
loss Our cannon was loaded with cansterS OF mnskrt
balls and the lIowizer with grist In THIS manner the
action kept up with great fury by the enemy charge
after charge being made by cavalry and infantry, anu
always repealed with heavy loss their part Our men
behaved nobly; and although surrounded by overwel-
ing numbers not change OF countenance could be seen
Thus was the battle kept upi and upon the rePulse
8 ~ am
seen to fall like bees before smoke Here, would be seen
horses flying in every direction without riders; and
there dismounted cavalry making their escape on TOOL,
while the field literally covered with dead bodies
1t sorry sight to see our small clrce-l had Oe
cone muddy with blood Col. Fannin had been 30 bad
" wounded at the first second fire as 10 disable hni
The wounded were shriekng for water, which we had
not to give them. The g INT continued until dusk, when
the enemy retTeated leaving US masters OF the heo,
with ten killed and wounded, willie the enemy lay
around heap upon heup. We possessed great adVan'
tare over The Mrxicuns, they having artillery, and we
having nine brass pieces, with which kept up an IN
cessant fire Of nIuskel balls.
Ii now became prudent to take as to our next
procedure Accordingly, the officers were all summon
ed 10 Col Fannn where lie lay wounded and the ques-
ton was whether we should maintain our present post
tion or retreat 1t Carried, that we should sustain
ourselves long as possible Consequently, we COM
mcnccd heaving up redoubt three feet above the
mean level Of the prairie, exclusive Of tile dixie.
The night very dark and cloudy, dtzzIng
with rain and misty fog; the enemy encompasSed Us: and
kept upa continual sound TO charge SO that we appear
ed TO be surrounded with buges We had with Us lOOO
spare muskets which loaded, and each man took an
equal share; ammunition being nearly exhaust
ed. Daylight broke upon US IN this situation, ana some
Of our men went about hundred yards and brought
into camp two Mexican prisoners, both badly wounded
From them we ascertaned that the number opposed TO
us was 1900 men, and that reinforcement OF two bril-
gades of artillery would be there that morning, 1t they
had not already arrived We had no sooner received
this intelligence than this very artillery opened their
cannon upon US; they had placed them behind small
hillock and entirely under cover we could mel
Their touch them with cannon, nor charge, Us they
had placed their cavalry, that the moment we should
quit our artillery they would cut us TO pieces We &C
cordinsy met in council devise and measures:
it accordingly decided that we should send flag Of
truce to the enemy and if possible obtain treaty, II
upon fair and honorable terms. Accordingly Capt. r;
j. Desanoue (he bearer of the express from General
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, and 1t was decI-
ded that the commanders should meet to decide the
marr. In pursuance of which, Col. FannIn was con-
viewed out and met Gen. Urea Governor Of Durango,
commander Of the Mexican forces, and the following
treaty was concluded uPon and soemnly ratified copy
GHs a S 81 us Fas retained by Ger" an" "'T
Seeing the Texan army entirely overpowered by i
far superior force, and avoid the euson of blood
surrendered ourselves prisoners Of war; under the fol-
lowing terms:
Art. lst That we should be received and treuted as
prisoners of war; according 10 the usages ocyized
tons.
Art. I'd. That the officers should he paroed mmcdi-
ntrly upon their arrival at La Bahia, and the other
prisoners should be sent 10 Copano within eight days,
there TO await shipping to convey them to the u States.
it practicable TO procure it more to
take up against Mexico until exchanged.
Art 3D. That all private property should be respected
and officers swords should be returned parole
lease.
Art. 9TH That our men should receive every comfort,
and be fed AZ well AZ their
(Sgned0 Cen UREA,
Col MORATEAS,
Col. iOBZlNGER,
On the part of the enemy; and on our part signed by
Col FANNIN, and
Maj. WALLACE.
The officers were then called upon to deliver their
side arms, which were boxed up, with their names
placed by ticket upon each; i label upon the box,
stating they should have the honor of returning
them, and it was their principle to meet US now as
friends, not as enemies
Col. Fannin and the that afternoon marched
back to La Bahia, the wounded together with the cap
tain OF each company and our surgeons left the
field 10 dress the wounded, which completed on the
2lst, when all conveyed back the fort, where
we found the mon in most miserable stale. They were
brually rcacd-they allowed but very little
10 drink, in consequence of its having TO be brought
from the river, and but small piece OF meat, without
SALT bread, vegetables. On The 3d. Major Miller and
90 brought into the fort prisoners they had
just landed at Copano from the U. States.
On the 25lh the Georgia battalion also brought in;
it had been surprised and captured between Victoria and
Dems Point, and marched back and confined with us.
Here we were nearly 500 strong guarded by 900
MeYicans, without being allowed the slightest liberty in
any respect.
The Mexcans had always said that Santa Anna would
be at La Bahia the 9th, to release Accordingly,
on that day. were ordered 10 form all the prisoners;
we were told that we going to bring wood and
Ter, and that Santa Anna would be there that day;
were ordered to march all the officers at the head of the
file, except Colonel Tanning, who lay ypuuded in the
hospital AS we marched outof the sally port we saw
hollow squares formed ready to receive us;
dered TO ilc left and marched into hollow square Of
double filed cavalry, FOOT armed with carbnes (com.
monty called scopctsO and broadswords.