Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-03-26


Untimely as this palayer, TO use popular word,
undoubtedly was, could scarcely forbear smiling
at the simple aoire manner in which the old Yankee
spoke his mind.
'Calkilaie. capiings, he concluded, you'd better
let the poor devils run We shall get more profit
by it, than If we shot FIVE hundred Of 'em. Next
time the' run directly, TO show their gratitude for
our GENEROSITY
The man stepped back into the ranks, and his
comrades nodded approyingy, and calculated and
reckoned that Zebediah had spoken true word,
and meanwhile the enemy had crossed the river,
and was out OF our reach We were forced TO con-
tent ourselves with sending party across the
water to follow up the Mexicans. and 10 observe
the direction they took. We then returned to our
old position.
My first thought on arriving there was to search
for the body Of Bob Rock-for he it undoubtedly
was, who had mysteriously appeared amongst us.
repaired TO the spot where had seen him fall,
but could discover no signs Of him, either dead or
alive went over the whole Of the fight,
searching amongst the vines and along the bank Of
the river there were plenty Of dead Mexicans-
cavalry, infantry, aud artillery, but no Bob was to
be found, nor could any one inform what had
become Of him, although several had seen him
fall
was continuing my search when met Whar-
ton, who asked me what seeking, and on
learning, shook his head grayey. He had seen
the wild prairieman he said but whence he came,
or whittier he was gone was more than he could
tell II was long time since any thing had start
led and astonshed him much this mans APP
pearance aud proceedings He (Whauon) had
been stationed with his party amongst the vines, a.
bout fifty PAGES in rear of Fannings people, when
just as the Mexican infantry had crossed the ford
and were forming up, he a man approaching
at brisk rot from the north side Of the prairie
He halted about couple Of hundred yards from
Wharton, tied his mustang to bush. and with his
rife on his arm strobe along the edge Of the prairie
in the direction of the Mexicans. When he passed
near Wharton the latter called out to him halt,
and say who he was, whence he came, and whittier
going.
who am, is no business OF your, replied the
man, nor where | come from neither. You'll
soon where I'm gon.' I'm gon agin' the
enemy
"Then you must come and Join us. cried Whar-
ton.
This the stranger testify refused to do. He'd
fight OH his own hook, he said
Wharton told him he must not do that.
He should like 10 see who'd hinder him he said
and walked on The next moment he shot the first
nniileryman. Amer that they let him take hi.
own way
| Neither Wharton, nor any of his men, knew
what had become Of him. but at last | met with
4 bear-hunter who gave me the following iniorma-
| ton.
'Calcaaiin" said he. that the wild prairieman'
rifle was a capital good one, as good one rs ever
I killed bear he thot il pity that it should fall
into bad hands, so went to secure it himself, al
though the froniespiece Of its dead owner, warm
very lnyitin. But when he stopped to take the
gun, he got such shove as knocked him back
wards, aud on getting up, he the prairemar
openn his Jacket and examinin' wound on hi:
breast which was neither deep nor dangerous, al
though il had taken away the mans senses for
while The ball had struck the breast bone, ant
was quite near the skin, so that the wounded mar
pushed it out with his fingers; and then supporting
himself on his rife got up from the ground. anC
without either a thankye, a curse, walked tc
where his mustang was tied up, got on its back
aud rode away in noriherly direction
! This vas all the information / could obtain or
the subject, and shortly afterwards the main bod
Of our army came up and had other matters Il
occupy my attention. General Austin expressed
his gratitude and appreciation to our brave fellows
after truly republican and democratic fashion,
lie shook hands with all tho rough bear aud bui
falo hunters and drank with them Tanning ant
myself he promoted on the spot, to the rank of co
lionel.
We we're giving the general detailed accoun
Of the mornings events, when a Mexican prizes
appeared with a flag of truce and several Wagons
aud crayed permission TO take away the dead
This was of course granted, and we had some tall
with the padre who however, was too willy Gus
toner to allow himselfto be pumped What littl'
we did get out Of him, determined us to adyanc,
the same afternoon against San Antonio. w,
thought there was some chance, that in the presen
panic-struck state ofthe Mexicans we might Obtain
possession OF the place by bold and sudden as
sault.
Il In this however, we mistaken. We lount
the gates closed, and the enemy on his guard, bu
too dispirited to oppose our taking up a position
at about cannon-shot from the great redoubt-
We had invested all the outlets from ID,
city
San Antonio de Bexar lies in fertile and well
irrigated valley, stretching westward from the rive
Salado. In the centre OF the town rises the fort o
the Alamo which at that time was armed will
fory.eight pieces of artillery of various cabre.-
The garrison of the town and fortress was nearl,
three thousand strong.
Her artillery consisted of two batteries Of iou
: six, aud five eight-pounders, our army of clever
hundred men, with which we had not only to carr
on the siege, but also to make head against th
forces that would be sent against us from Cohahuia
on the frontier of which province General Cos wa
stationed, with strong body of troops.
$ We we're not discouraged and opened our FIR
upon the city During the FIRST week, not da
passed without smart skrmishes. General Cos
Dragons were swarming about US like so man
a Bedoins But although we.mounted, and capita
horsemen, those from the western states especially
: accustomed TO Indian warfare and cunning, lal
: traps and ambuscades for the Mexlcans, and wer
y constantly destroying their attachments. As io
$ the besieged, if one ofthem showed his head ie
: ten seconds above the city wall he was sure OF ge
E ting rife bullet through il. cannot say that OF