Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1838-04-19
From the Nc,o Orleans Bp,lttin.


ADVENTURES AND ESCAPE OF COLONEL
WHARTON FROM MATAMoRAs.-Wc have
obtained from the Honorable WIN. II.
wharton, late Minister rPlcnipoten,iary from
Texas in the United States, some pnrticu-
lars Of his distressing captivity and mirac-
!'ious escape from the dungeons of his Mex
! lean oppressors.
On the 17th Of April last, after a fight OF
more than seven hours, the independence
III winch he was passenger surrendered to
two Mexican l8 gun brigs. The combat
and capture took place almost in sight of
the Coloncrs residence from which he had
been absent for months OIL n mission to the
United States. lie was carried to Mata-
lnoras and confined for four months in a
low damp and dark prison, where he was
almost su!iocatcl with heat, continually
torIncntcd with ilcas, exceedingly incom-
moded ny the stencil of the Hospital, which
was next door TO him, ard deprived Of his
rest every night by the screams Of the SEN
tincl uttered every fifteen minutes within a
few feet of his head. For four months such
was his situation, dependant for sustcnance
entirely upon his own resources. Shut out
from the light Of heaven, except what the
narrow gates Of the dungeon admitted, and
denied even the privilege Of medical aid,
when lanSuIsliing under an illness, brought
on oy the rigorous privations of his captivi-
". Ills escape however was at last effected,
the details of which cannot now be made
pubic, ior Tear of compromising the safety
on the maSnaninous individuals, residents
OF Matamoras, TO whose aid he was irdebt-
ed for delivery.
On escaping from prison hc was COM
pclied ny the treachcry Of his guide to re-
main hid i'll low prickly pear thickct for
eleven days, within hearing of the drums
anu senlinels of Nlatamoras and vcry often
approached within few yards by the SOL
licrs and Indians in constant search for
MN, tempted by the magnificen, price of
Soooo Set upon his head, dead or alive
LII TINS thickct of thorns he could not stand
erect. being taller than most of the bushes
lor lear OF being discovered, nor for tho
same reason could he build shelter against
inc burning rays Of an August sun, almost
withln the topics. During three days and
niShts ne tasted neither food or water
Ills suiferlnss under these privations, were
incxprcssable, and such rs none can realize
unless taught by experience. After suffer
ing ii days i'll this situation, a guide furn-
ishcd him with horse, and he started on
his Journey home. Doubling the fidelity
Hj lhs ,sGels hs ais@issea 4i,n and Sc! ea!
provisions, d pilOt or knOWlcuSc oil his route
when after 10 days he arrived.
On asking Colonel Wharton how he sus-
tanned himself under these heavy trials ol
heart, body aud mind, his reply was, that
he existed undcS the hope &. confidence that
day of rctribution and vengeance would
arrive,
When prone TO the dust his opprcssor should be
hurled,
Their nanc-tlieir nature Withdrawn from the
| world "
| Hc was a firm believer in the truth of a
sentimcn, uttered by him in his first speech
tor his country, delivered in this city in De.
ccmber, lo3j-it was this: "That the bal
OF revolution now started in Texas, would
! never cease to roll, till the cannon dis.
charged from the heights Of Bunkcr's Hill
should be answered by kindred peals, re.
cchoins from Cape Horn. and proclaimin2
the glad tidings of the emancipation of true
Americans from the shackles of civil ant
religious oppression" 1t was an artlcn
conviction of these truths that animated hin
III the struggle, and sustained fantins na
| ture under the pressure Of unnitigatcd suf
lcrings.