Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-30

false-hat they had not crossed there. but had
all crossed above, which was afterwards prov
ed by Capt. 3 command being surprised, in
which Lieut.. Geo. Mason with nine men were
killed and two wounded. The wounded were
sent to Gen. Tay or's camp; the army having
no hospital IN the field. Captains Thornton,
Hardee and Lieut.. Kane miraculously escaped,
together with the balance Of the non commits
stoned officers and men. but were captured and
are now prisoners of war in Mexico.
/ The circumstances which led to the surprise
are these: after Capt. Us command had pro.
ceeded up the Rio Grande about twenty -four
miles, and as was supposed, 10 within about
three niles OF the Mexican camp. The guide
| refused 10 60 any further, and stated for his
reasons that the whole country was infested
with Mexlcans. Capt. t., however, proceed
ed on with his command, about two miles,
when he came to farm house, which was
closed entirely by chaparal fence. with the
exception OF that portion CT il which bordered
Oh the river. and that was so Doggy as to be
impassible. Capt. Il. entered this enclosure
through pair OF bars. and approached the
house for the purpose of making some enquiry,
his command following him. So soon as his
command had all entered the enclosure, the
enemy. having been concealed in the oh aparal,
abou, Two thousand five hundred in number,
completely surrounded him, and commenced
firing upon bis command. He then wheeled
bis command, thinking that he could charge
through the enemy and pass out were he had
entered, not however without considerable loss.
r This he attempted but did not succeed, the
enemv being too strong.
At this instant Capt Hardee approached
him for The purpose Of advising him how to
exrica,e themselves. The firing OF the enemy
still, continuing, Captain Thornton's horse,
) having doubtless received a shot. ran away
, with him and leaped the chaparral fence and
plunged into precipice, where he fell. with
$ Capt. +. under him, where Inc latter remained
, nsensible for FIVE or SIX hours. This causnliiy
, placed Capt. Hardee in command. who at
tempted with the residue TO make bis escape
} by the river, intending on arriving at its margin
, 10 swim it. In this he failed, finding it so
Doggy that he could not get to it. He then
returned, taking the precauion TO get oat of
, distance of muskeiry, disniounted and exam
, ined The arms of his men, determining 10 sell
. their lives as dearly as possible. Before he
J had succeeded, however, 10 the Inspection Of
his arms. Mexican officer rode up and asked
him to surrender. Capt. Fl. replied that he
would surrender on one condition. which was,
thai if the Mexican General would receive them
as prisoners Of war; aud treat them as the most
civilized nations do, he would surrender, but
on no other conditions.
The Mexican officer bore this message to
: the General commanding. and returned with
, the assurance that he would. Capt. II. then
surrendered. Capt's. Thornton and Hardee,
, with Lieut.. Kane and the residue of the non
4 o@fG o. -
command. are now prisoners Of war in Mexico.
The enemy treat them remarkably we'll.
Il Lieut.. George Mason was a fine young Off
Ger and his death is much regretted. His sa-
bre belt was recognised among some articles
,ha, were subsequently, captured from The
enemy.
|. So lively is the curiosity TO learn every par
tcular of the actions of the Sd and 4ih inst,
that we annex hereto letter more for our pr.
vate eye than for the public, but which cannot
but interest all our readers:
PcINr ISABEL, May 5. 1876.
Gentlemen:--When this express came in
this morning, hurriedly penci!led down The
J gratifying intelligence which il brought Us.
expecting the boat would leave in few min.
ues. ], now only waits for Gen Tayfor's Of
. fetal despatch. Having heard The official re.
port from Major Brown read, and having let
ter before me from there. will give you for
Their particulars accordingly.
On the morning of the Cd. at reveille, the
Mexicans opened their batteries upon the
work. throwing balls and shells without inter-
mission until sunset, finishing with half
dozen extra ones tattoo for lullaby.
At reveille, on the 4th, they opened again,
sending few shots and shells, which com
pliment was repeated al noon. Our artillery
silenced tho for, opposite ours 10 half an hour
after the firing commenced on tho 4ih, and
J Knocked three embrasures into one. This
! caused them to stop firing for considerable
time, to repair damages. Our artillery also
. dismounted several of their guns. and. from
! appearances. must have killed many men,
! Ga our part but one sergeant of the 4th Infan-
J try was killed-being shot in the head,
We only kept up our FIRE for about two
hours-saving our ammunition whilst theirs
was being thrown away. From their having
! thrown from 1900 TO 1000 shots and shells.
and killing but one man and wounding another
} You may Judge they are none of The best arii-
lerists, and that we had good defences. Their
shot rendered good many of our tents unser-
viceabe. but all our men are in good spirits
and anxious 10 come 10 close quarters.
J Our piquet guard is now firing at party of
/ Mexican soldiers aboni mile below the fort.
The chapara between this and the fort is like
bee. hive. so full is it with Mexicans. Ii is
thought they will make an assault, on the rear
Of The fort. and Try to repel the march Of the
troops from this place returning Gen. Tay-
Tor leaves as soon as a reinforcement arrives
here. which win enable the work 10 be defend
- al Ia 1n