The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-02-21
VOL 9. No. 81, Whole No. 44z


to geS under the bank when the gun went off
Up VIC jumped again, and looked about to sec
what was next to be done.
Although hitherto all the advantages Ind
been on our side, our situation was still very
perlous one. The company we had put 10
flight had rejoined its battalion, which was
now beginning TO advance by echeiOn ofcom-
panies. The second battalion, which was
rather farther from us, was moving forward
in like manner, and in parallel direction
We should probably, therefore, have to resist
the attack ofan dozen companies, one after
the otherand il was TO be feared that the Mex
leans would finish by getting over their panic
terror of our rifles, and exchange their dis
tant and Intellectual platoon-firing for n charge
with the bayonet in which their superior
numbers would tell. We Observed also, that
the cavalry, which had been keeping itself at
u safe distance, was now put in 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 ground for a charge down upon us.
Meanwhile, what had become ofthe twelve
men whom we had left in the island? Were
! they still there, or had they fallen back upon
the mission in dsmay at the overwhelming
force of the MeXicans? 1.-THE latter, il was a
| bad business for us, for they were all capital
shots, and well armed with rifles and pistols.
We heartily wished we had brought them
with us as well as the eight men at the mis-
sion. Cut off from us ms they were, what
could they do against the whole ofthe cGval
ny and two companies ofinfantry which were
now approaching the island? To add 10 our
difficulties, our ammunition was beginning
TO run short. Many ofus had only had c.
nough powder and ball for fifteen or sixteen
charges, which were now reduced to six or
seven. 1t was no use dcsponding, however;
and after Il hurried consultation, it was IL
greed that Tanning and Wharton should o.
pen a fire upon tie enemy's centre, while |
made a dash at the field-piece before any
more infantry had time TO come up for its pro-
lection.
The infantry who had remained the
gun were by this time shot down, and as
none had come to replace them, it was serv-
ed by an officer alone. Just ms ! gave the
order TO advance to the twenty men who were
TO follow me, this officer fell. Simultaneous
! ~ with his fall, heard a sort of yell behind
NE, and turning round, saw that itproceeded
| from the wild spectrc-looking stranger, whom
! | had lost sight during'the last few minutes
A ball had struck him. and he fell heavily to
the ground, his rife. which had Just been dis
charged, and was still smoking from muZZIe
and touchhole, clutched convulsively in both
hands; his features distorted, his eyes rolling
! frightiuly. There WIS son. ething in the cX-
preston ofhs face at that moment which
brought back 10 me, in vivid coloring, one of
the earliest and most striking incidents of
my residence in Texas. Had / not myself
seen him hung, | could have sworn that Bob
| Rock the murderer, now Law before ne.
\ second look ut the man gave additional
force 10 this idea.
Bob | exclaimed.
Bob repeated the wounded man. in a bro
ken voice. and with look of astonishmcnt,
almost of dsmay. who calls Bob"
| a wild CLEAN shot from his eyes, which the
next instant closed. He hadbCCCme msensi-
! bic.
1t was neither the time nor the place to in
dulGc in speculation on this singular resur-
rection ola man whose execution had N.Y.
self witnessed. With twelve hundred foes
around us, we lad plenty to occupy all our
thoughts and attention. My people were al
ready masters ofthc gun, and some of them
drew il forwards and pointed it against the
enemy, while the others spread out right and
| left to protect it with their rifles | was bus
v loading the piece when an exclamation of
surprise from one of the men made me look
up.
There seemed to be something extraordi-
nary happening among the MeXicans, to
| Judge from the degree of confusion which
suddenly showed itself in their ranks, aud
which, beginning with the cavalry and right
| flank of the infantry, soon became general
throughout their whole force. 1t was a sort
of waveriug and unsteadiness which, to us,
was quite unaccountabe, for Tanning and
| Wharton had not yet fired twenty shots, and
indeed, had only Just come within range of
the enemy. Not 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 minute they waved and
reeled to and fro as if uncertain which way to
go; ana 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 ofthe two battalions and three hun
dred cavalry were scattered over the prairie,
| in the widest and most disorderly flight. l
gave them parting salute from the eight
| FOUNDER, which would doubtless have accel-
Grated their movements, had II been possible
to run faster than they were already doing.
We stood staring after theflgitives in per-
feet bewiderment, totally unable to explain
their apparently causeless panic. AT last the
report of several rifles from the island of
trees gave us u clue to the mystery.
The infantry, whose lett Hulk eAtehueu W
the Salado, had pushed their right into the
prairie as far as the island ofmuskeet trees,in
order TO connect their line with the dragons
and then by making a general advance, to at
tack us on all sides at once, and get the f!iH
advantage oftheir superior numbers. The
plan was not a bad one. Infantry and caval-
nv approached the island, quite unsrlspicious
of its being occupied. The twelve riflemen
whom we had stationed there remained per-
fectly quiet, concealed behind the trees; al
lowed squadrons and companies to come