Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-08-19
zinc Encnrnacion PRISONER.

The editor If the Delta having had interview with
of the prisoners gives the following particulars
of their capture:
The principal events of the capture of Majors
Gaines and and Borland's parties well known to
readers. These officers, with three companies of
Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry, were out two
days march beyond our main camp as a scouting par
ty 1t was thought that there small bodies Of
the enemys cavalry prowling about the country. but
no one had the slightest apprehension that large
force could be so near Gen. Wool's camp.
Major Gaines having joined Major Borland at
Rancho near Encarnacion, the two commands
into quarters for the night. after posting sentnes
sOme distance in advance and the top of the house
in which they were encamped. That night the officers
who, tired by very long march, had lain down to
sleep were several times aroused by the alarms of the
sentinel, who declared that he saw an armed Mexican
approaching tile Ranch But the sentinels ON the
top OF the house declared they could nothing and
the man who gave the alarm treated n rather
nervous and dreaming individual The officers there's
upon again retired To their blankets, but had scarcely
fallen asleep when they were aroused by another
alarm from the sentinel, who declared that he had
again seen an armed Mexican and had pulled trigger
on him, but, his gun being wet the cap did not
plode Other alarms were also given BY other senil-
nes Pickeed some distance from the Ranch. The
night was now waning fast. 1t very dark and
misty. The officers beStirred themselves and arousng
|
enemy consisted of force of four or five hundred,
which Major Gaines had already been in pursuit of,
and which he considered force about equal TO his
own.
Our were al collected on the top of the Ranch
with their guns ready for action, full Of courage ard
zeal, and warmly DESTROYS of a handsome brush with
the enemy. The morn broke slowly. The mist hung
heavily around them, and although they could hear
very plainly the approach of horsemen, they could
see nothing AT last the light began to break through
the mist, Immediately in their 'front.' and the faint
| line of strong body Of armed borsemen per-
ceptIbe in the distance. And as the mist rolled and
gathered up into huge clouds, and gently ascended
towards the neighboring heights, it revealed, with
most painful dlslnctness, whole regiment of splen-
didy equipped Mexican lanccrs drawn up in line of
batlle. and occupying commanding position within
three hundred yards Of the Rancho occupied by Maj
Ganes's party.
UndauntedIy surveying and counting this strong
force before them, our prepared for action crying
out, oh there are are only SIX hundred of hem-itS
e fair fight and we'll see it out!' But stop! Look
the right the mist leaves that side of the Ranch
there Is another regiment, just strong that in
front.
SWELL" cried a stalwart Kentuckan, who kept all
the while bright eve his long rifle, "tbis is
ing II rather strong the thing looks serious most
decidedly; but | reckon can lick thousa nd
Greasers, and throw in two hundred for good meas
ure." Can't we 7" was the unanimous cry of the
party.
But oh cranky" cried the tall sergeant, there's
more of the varminis' And there sure enough on
the left was another regiment about SIX hundred strong
whose bright helmets, flaming pennons and snowy
uniforms, doomed out conspicaously in the dark hor
zon. And there too just few hundred yards in the
rear, was still another regiment. Thus was this
small party of one hundred and twenty Americans
entirely surrounded by Mexican force of about three
thousand cavalry, the finest in the country, and
manded by of their best officers.
i Undlsmayed, our men prepared for action deter
mined to sell their lives dearly possible Never
did men go more calmly and coolly to work than this
little Spartan band as with many careless st and
with the most mperturable sang frod. they oadcd
and recapped their rifles looked to their carouche
boxes felt the edge of their bowie knives, and glanced
proud defiance at their legion foe.
/ In the mean time the enemy preserved the most
perfect military order, and presented display of
martial magnlhcence, such as our men had never be-
fore witnessed. Their officers covered with gold and
spenddly mounted and caparisOned, rode in front,
whilst their buglers blew the Mexican charge, and
made the hills resound with their loud and exultlng
blasts.
Maj. Gaines ordered his bugler to respond to their
threatening flourish. by blowing with all his might
the American charge, and directed the men to follow
up that blast with three loud cheers. The order was
cheerfully and heartily obeyed The Mexicans who
were advancing upon the Ranchs awed By
the loud yels and terrific buzzas of our boys that
they halted, and looked at little band in mute
terror and astonishment that small party could
make such a tremendous noise. "Give them three
times three, cried out Capt. Cassus NJ. Clay, and
the huzzas were prolonged to the full complement
I'll they made the wekln ring for miles around, and
SO frightened the Mexicans that their general to pre-
vent his men from running away, had to order his
fine brass band to strike up the Polka, and to wheel
his men into column and put them on the march. In
open order and with military precision the Mexlcans
marched around the Ranch the of the Cracov-
enne and seemed. like the cat with its little victim,
to be sporting with their captive before they destroyed
, him.
An officer with Interpreter and white flag was
sent to Maj. Gaines to demand his unconditional
render. Never" replied the gallant American
Then quarter will be given" remarked the Mex
lean. "Very WE'LL" exclaimed Capt. Clay; 'remem-
Der the Alamo; before we surrender on such terms,
more than FIVE hundred of your yelow-belly scoun-
drels shall be left to bleach yonder plains" This
remark, the interpreter did think he could do full
justice to In the translation, aud he left the officer to
guess at Its meaning; which, however, diff
cult task, the Captain accompanied his declaration
with very emphatic and expressive gesticulaton.
1t was finally agreed that Maj Gaines should have
an interview with Gen Minon. From him the Major
received very courteous treatment, and assured
that in surrendering himself and his party they would
be treated with all the consideration of prisoners of
|, war;
} Maj. Gaines, on communicating the result of his
interview with Gen. Minon TO his officers took vote
whether they should fight surrender, ard Captains
Clay and Dandy and Lieut.. Davidson for fight
ing, and Majs. Gaines and Borland were for
dering. Whilst they were pareylng with the Next
cans, Maj. Gaines observed that their were APP
proaching near to the Ranch. He Immediately order