Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-02-20

when the gun went off. Up we Jumped
again, and looked about us lie see what was
next to be done.
Although hitherto all the advantages
had been on our side, our situation was
still very periIous one. The company
we had put to figh: had rejoined its battal-
ion, which was now beginning TO advance
by fehelon Of companies. The second
battalion, which was rather farther from
US, was moving forward in like manner
and in a parallel direction. We should
probably, therefore, have to resist The at
tack of "a dozen companies, one after the
other; and it was 10 be feared that the
Mexicans would finish by getting over
their panic terror of our rifles, and ex-
change their distant a.sd Intellectual platoon
firing for charge with the bayonei, ia
which their superior numbers would tell
We observed, also, that the cavalry, which
had been keeping itself at safe distance,
was now put liz motion, and formed up
close TO the island Of muskeet trees, to
which the right flank Of the infantry was
also extending ITSELF. Thence they had
clear extended ground for charge down
uPon US.
Meanwhile, what had become Of the
twelve men whom we had left in the islandl
Were they still there. or had they fallen
back upon the mission in dismay at the
overwhelming force Of the Mexicans! If
the latter, il was bad business for US, for
they were all capital shots, and we'll armed
with rifles and pisto's. We heartily wish
ed we had brought them with US, as we'll
as the eight men at the mission Cut off
from US as they were, what could they do
agains, the whole of the cavalry and two
companies of infantry which were now
approaching the island? To add TO our
difficulties, our ammunition was beginning
to run short. Many of us had only enough
powder and ball for fifteen or sixteen
charges, which were now reduced 10 six or
seven. 1t was no use desponding. however;
and, after q hurried consultation, it was
agreed that Tanning and Wharton should
open a ire upon the eremy's centre, while
| made a dash at the field-piece before any
more infantry had time TO come up for its
protection.
The infantry-men who had renamed
the gun were by this time shot down, and,
as none had come to replace them, il was
served by an officer alone. Just as gave
the order 10 advance to the twenty men
who were to follow ne, this officer fell
Simultaneously with his fall, heard a
sort Of yell behind me, and. tnrning round,
saw that it proceeded frosn the wild spectre
''eehi"5 ~.f@"5srs~aTa.. had loss sight
q, 81 tnct fax 4
struck him, and he fell heavily TO the
ground, his rifle, which had Just been dis
charged, and was still smoking from muzze
and touchhole, clutchcd cow ulSvely in
both hands; his features distorted, his
eyes rolling frightfully. There was some
thing in the expression Of his face at that
momen; which brought back to me, in
vivid coloring, one Of the earliest and
most striking incidents Of my residence in
Texas. Had mot myself seen him hung,
could have sworn that Bob Rock, the mur-
dcrer, now lay before me.
A second look at the man gave addition
al force TO this idea.
"Bob!" exclaimed.
"Bobw repeated the wounded man, in
broken veice, and with a look of astonish-
ment, almost Of dismay. "Who calls
BobP'
A wild CLEAN shot from his eyes, which
the next instant closed. lie had become
insensble.
1t WIS neither the time nor the place to in
dulge in spcculations on this singular resur-
rection of man whose execution myself
had witnessed. With twelve hundred foes
around us, we had plenty to occupy all our
thoughts and attention. My people were
already masters of the gun, and some of
them drew it forward and pointed it against
the enemy, while the others spread out right
and left, to protect it with their rifles. Twas
busy loading the piece when an exclamation
of surprise from one of the men made mo
look up.
There seemed to be something extraord;-
nary happening among the Mexcans, tojudge
from the degree of confusion which sudden
y showed itself in their ranks, and which,
beginning with the cavalry and right flank
ofthe infantry, soon became general through
out their whole force. 1t was a sort of a
wavering and unsteadness which TO us was
quite unaccountable, for Tanning and Whar-
ton had not yet fired twenty shots, and in
deed, had only just come within range of
the enemy MOI knowing what it could por-
tend, called in my men, and stationed them
round the gun, which | had double-shotted,
and stood ready to fire.
The confusion in the Mexican ranks in
creased. For about a minute they waved
and reeled to and fro, as if uncertain which
way to go; and at last, the cavalry and right
of the line fairly broke and ran for it, This
example was followed by the centre, and
presently the whole of the two battalions
and three hundred cavalry were scattered
over the prairie in the widest and most dis
orderly flight | gave them parting salute
from the eight FOUNDER which would doubt.
less have accelerated their movements had
it been possible to run faster than they were
already doing.
We stood staring after the fugitiyes in per-
feet bewlderment, totally unable to explain
their apparently causeless panic. At last
the report of several rifles from the island of
muskeet trees gave US clue TO the mystery.
The infantry, whose left flank extended to
the Salado, had extended their right into the
prairie as far as the island of muskeet trees.
in order to connect their line with the dra-