Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-02

tations we're confirmed by the nephew and
Secretary Of Governor Armijo, as well as
by the Mexican officers, a number OF whom
had joined in the parley.
"The commissioners hesitating 10 con-
hde in these representations, Capt. Lewis
informed him that the Governor with a well
appointed troop of 5000 men, was within
| 9 hours march, and if the Texans, gained
the battle, they would soon be engaged
with more formidable foe. The Commis.
sioners yet not satisfied, Capt. Lewis
pledged his honor to the truth Of all these
statements, swearing upon his Masonic
faith; (both being Masons) to every word Of
it.
"Such being the circumstance OF the d.
vision, without food, faded and worn out by
fatgueing marches, IN front Of force Of
some six hundred men, and expecting the
arrival Of 5000 more, and being especially
ordered by the Texan government TO avoid
hostilities if the people were opposed to
them, and not apprised Of the capture OF
the gentleman dis patched to Santa Fe, and
not suspecting, Lewis to be traitor, the
Texans laid down their arms upon the
terms Of surrender proposed. Food was
then furnished the troops and they were
treated with some leniency until the next
day when the Governor arrived with about
5000 men, force sufficient to make him
secure in his barbarity; we were seized and
bound, six and eight together, with hair
ropes and thongs Of raw hide, and put IN
filthy sheep fold, surrounded by large
| armed guard. The Mexican officers then
excited the Poems to the highest degree OF
phrenzy, by the accounts they gave OF the
Texans, and we were prevented from being
slaughtered by being hudded together in a
small yard enclosed by a mud wall, and de-
Tended by the regular troops. In this place
we were kept all night, lying in heaps, one
upon another, and suffering the most intense
agony from the closeness Of the contine-
ment and the pressure Of the ropes with
which we were bound, and in full hearing
Of the disputes in the council called by the
Governor 10 deliberate upon our destiny,
which decided about day.break, by single
vote, that we should not be shot but march
ed for Mexico.
CAT sunrise we had to take up our march
for the city of Mexico, about 5000 miles
distant-the soldiers telling US that we
were gong to the mines. Bound six and
eight together, we were forced to travel,
the three first days about thirty miles each,
without food, and even denied the privilege
Of drinking when we were wading the
small streams, through which we were
marched. We were stripped Of hat, shoes,
blankets and coats. The Governor HIM
self took from me my blanket and buffalo
robe, cursing and striking the prisoners and
raving like mailman because (as we heard)
his wish to have us shot had been overru.ed
in council. was obliged to give my shirt,
in the extremity Of my distress, for loaf
of bread, and snapped tolerable good
pair Of pantaoons for ragged pair upon
receiving a mouthful or two to eat in the
} exchange. When we arrived at the RIO
) del Norte, had parted with every thing but
my tattered trousers, vest and suspenders,
!, every thing else having been disposed OF
! for bread, or robbed from me by the sol,
diers. Nor were the other prisoners IN
better condition. The weather was then
cold and we were nigh perishing in our ma
| kedness.
After few days march, it was found inn
practicable for US TO get on with any speed
bound together in such numbers. We were
then tied two together, and TO each pair
or arms, and fastened to the pommel OF the
saddle Of the horses on which the guard
was mounted. The soldiers would occa
: sionally put their horses in galloP to tor
: ture those fastened to them, and whenever
any of US fell down or Jagged behind, we
) were dragged upon the ground and beaten
with thongs, sticks, or whatever else was
, at hand.
, The principal, indeed almost all, the loot
we received, during the route, was furnish
ed us by the women, who would follow VI
in large numbers, for miles, weeping at tn
cruelties TO which we were subjected. The.
would not be allowed, sometimes, the dis
! charge OF their offices of charity-the sol
diers beating them off and reviling Their
! with obscene and abusive language. w
were marched, at times, all night and al
E day, blinded by sand and parched with Thurs
; till our tongues were so swollen as almos
7, to be incapable of speaking.
In this manner, we were hurried on TO tn
City of Mexico, which we reached &c
. wards the close OF December. But mus
;, here pause, to do justice to one OF the car
y tains of the Mexican army, who had charg
y of US for about five days OF the journey
who treated US with kindness, and iurnlshe
: us with money out OF his own pocket. II
respected us as prisoners Of war, and Il
> ment that cannot recall his name. II
n was the only officer who seemed TO regar
h us as human beings, during the whole
/. our long march. The foreigners, also,
& Chihuahua and Zacatecas, raised contr
y button for US, which gave us temPorar
y relief.