Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1846-05-30


command being surprised, in which Lieut. Geo.
Mason, with nine men, were killed, and two
! wounded The wounded were sent to Gen.
Taylor's camp; the army having no hospital in
the field. Capt. Thornton, Hardee, and Lieut..
Kane miracuously escaped, together with the
balance OF the non.com,nissioned officers and
men, but were captured, and arc now prisoners
Of war in Mexico.
The circumstances which led to the surprise
are these: After T's command had proceeded
up the Rio Grande about twenty.four miles, and
as was supposed. to with about three miles of
the Mexican camp the guide refused TO 90 any
further, and stated for his reason that the whole
country was infested with Mexcans. Capt. r.,
however, proceeded on with his command about
two miles, when he came TO a farm house,
which was enclosed entirely bya chapparrel
fence, with the exception of that portion of il
which bordered on the river, and this was so
boggy as to be impossible. Capt.T. entered
this enclosure through pair of bars, and mp.
preached the house for the purpose of making
some inquiry, his command following him. SO
soon as his command had all entered the enclo-
sure, the enemy having been concealed in the
chaparre about two thousand five hundred in
number, completely surrounded him and com.
menced firing upon his command. lie then
wheeled his command, thinking that he could
charge through the enemy, aud pass out where
he had entered, not however without consi-
derable loss. This he attempted, but did not
succeed, the enemy being too strong.
Al this instant Capt Ilardce approached
| him for the purpose Of advising him how to eX.
trcate themselves. TIE firing of the enemy
still continuing Capt. Thornon's horse, having
doubtless received shot, ran away with him
and leaped the chaparret fence and plunged in.
to precipice, where he fell, with Capt. II un.
der him, where the latter remained insensiblo
| for five or six hours. This casualty placed Capt
! llardee in command, who attempted with the
residue TO make his escape by the river, intend.
! ing on arriving at its margin to swim it, IN
this he failed finding it SO boggy that he could
not get to it. He then returned, taking the
precaution 10 get out of distance of the musketry.
| dismounted and examined the arms of his men,
determining TO sell their lives as dearly as possi-
BILE. Before he had succeeded however in the
! inspection of his arms, Mexican officer rode
up and asked him TO surrender Capt. H. re-
! piled that he would surrender on one condition,
,oI,.. al. .f,l.. NJ 4
receive them as prisoners of war, and treat
them as the most civilized nations do, he would
surrender, but on no other conditions The
Mexican officer bore this message to the Gencr.
al commanding. and returning with the assur-
ance that he would. Capt. II. then surrender.
ed. Captains Thornton and Ilardcc, with Lieut..
Kane and the residue of the non-commissioned
offices and prvates of Capt. Us. command, are
now prisoners of war in Mexico. The enemy
treat them remarkably well.
Lieut.. George Mason was fine young of
fcer, and his death is much regretted. Iii,
sabre belt was recognized among some articles
that were subsequently captured from the en-
emy
So lively is the curiosity TO learn every par
ticular of the actions OF the Sd and ith instant
that we annex hereto letter from an officer a
Point Isabel, written more for our private eye
.han for the public, but which cannot but inter
est all our readers:
Correspondence OF the Picayunc.
POINT ISABEL, Nav s. lSi6.
Gentleman-Whent the express came in ihl,
morning hurrie1ly penciled down the crafty
ing intelligence which it brought US expecting
the boat would leave in few minutes. 1t now
only waits for Gen. Taylor's official despatch
which is being prepared for Washington. Iav
ing heard the official report from MAJOR Brown
read, and having letter before me from there
will give you further particulars according
ly.
On the morning of the Sd, at reveile, the
'leXicans opened their batteris upon the work
throwing balls and shells without n,ermissior
until sunset finishing with half dozen exlr,
ones at tattoo fora lullaby.
At reveille, on the 4th, they opened again
, sending few shots and shells, which compli
ment was repeated at noon. Our artillery
silenced the fort opposite ours in half an hou
5 after the firing commenced on the 4th, ant
knocked three embrasures into one. This caus
+. ed them to stop firing there for considerable
] time, to repair damages Our artillery ais
Y dismounted several OF their guns, and from sp
. pearances must, have killed many men. Oh