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

AMERICAN PRISONERS IN MEXICO
NARRATIVE OF MR.. F. COMBS,
ONE OF THE PRISONERS.
"The expedition, after about six weeks
march, through a country infested, by In.
dams, arrived at the Palo Daro, where be-
ing Strengthened for food, and having previ-
ously sent their guides in advance, it was
determined TO despatch about one third Of
the armed force, and two Of the commits
sioRers to procure provisions and prepare
the way for the entrance OF the expedition
into the province OF Santa Fe. The i'm
preston at the time was, that the expedition
had reached within 80 miles of Santa Fe,
in consequence Of which belief, the advan-
ced division took with them only three days
rations. COL Cook and Bronham were the
commissioners accompanying the advance,
and Capt. Sutton commanded the armed
escort. The remainder Of the forces were
left at the Palo Daro, under the command
Of Gen. Mcleod, surrounded by vast
number Of Indians, who were continually
harIassln them, and who had actually Kill
led five Of them the day before the division
set out upon its march.
The advance force soon learned that the
surprising the Palo Daro to be within 80
miles of Santa Fe. The distance was
nearly 500 miles, and as consequence, the
rations provided for the troops were ex-
hausted before they accomplished third Of
the road TO Santa Fe. The division then
resorted to every expedient to escape star
walton. They first subsisted upon such Of
the horses as had broken down, and wild
berries which were occasionally met with
in the praries. When these resources fail.
ed, they were compelled to live upon snakes
horned frogs, and other reptiles which a.
bounded in the prairies, and which con-
stituted their principal and for time, their
only food. After marching in this way
for two weeks or thereabouts. the division
arrived at Gallinas. From this place, Van
Ness, Lewis, Howard and Fitzgerald, &C.
companed by Mr.. Kendall, were sent on to
Santa Fe, to hold an interview with the
Governor, explain the pacific objects OF the
expedition, obtain stores for the troops,
and permit to bring'the merchandise, taken
out by the traders. within the province.
"Twe or three hours after these gentle
men left the camp at Ga!linas, note was
received from Capt. Lewis to the effect TINT
the country was in arms, but that they
would proceed on their journey to Santa
Fe. They were however, seized shortly
afterward, las Capt. Lewis stately bound
and taken out TO be shot, but that their lives
were spared through the ntercessIon of a
Mexican officer, who took them to meet
Governor Armjo. In the mean while the
Governor had despatched force Of sever
alhundred men to intercept the Texlans.-
The commanders of these troops held sew
eral interviews with the Commissioners
and endeavored to get the Texans to lay
down their arms by assuring them OF the
friendly disposition of the Governor and
the inhabitants. This the Texans would
not do. The Mexican officer undertook ia
take care of the few remaining horses OF the
Texans, aud supply the men with food in
order to allay all apprehension of any hos
tile purpose. His next step was to eros:
the Gallinas with his men, with the avoweo
object Of camping the two forces together
as further proof OF friendship. This he did
but as he drew near the Texan camp, the
disposition Of his lines left little doubt o
his beligefent intentions. The Texan:
were Immediately got under arms. Abou
this time also another party crossed the
river, and forming junction with the hrst
banIshed every lingering doubt OF the OBJ
jccts OF the Mexicans, and an engagement
was on the eve of ia king place when Capt
Lewis and the nephew and confidential Sec
rotary Of the Governor made their appear
ance.
"When Lewis and the Governors ne
paew came up, parley was had between
them and the Texans, the troops on bot
sides maintaining their battle array. Capt
Lewis represented the Governor as Willing
20 receive the Texans on condition the.
would lay down their arms in contormit
with a law of Mexico, which made it neces
sary for TN armed force entering the prov
ince TO give up their weapons before reaci
ing San Miguel. He represented himsel
and the nephew and Secretary OF the Coy
ernor as empowered to stipulate Tor tn
surrender OF the implements OF war, and
negotiate for the safe conduct OF the troop
to the frontier after they had complied wit
this stipulation. The Governor had en-
powered them to bind the authorities TO !
bel the property Of each individual, suppl
food for the march home, and to return
every maa his property. Those rcpre'e'