Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1847-07-31
from the n. o. Delta, OF the 10th and 18th inst.
TIE PRISON OF BNCARNACIoN.

from the N. y. Delta, Of the ION ana ftn inst.
rIIE PRISON EHs OF ENCARNACIoN.
peepiy Interesting Narrative Of The Capture, I'd
u,au,es- St6,,ngs, etc. Of Majors Gaines
. and Sor!ands Party in Merico.
There arrived yesterday in our city, by the
schr. Home, from Tonpico, John Swiger,, John
Scott, w Holcman, OF Capt. Milam's Compa-
ny of Kentucky Cavalry, p. Tunk, of Capt
Penninc toms, and w p. Denowitz, Of Capt
flesdy's Company, all Of whom belonged to the
commuut of Major Gaines, which was captured
last February near Encsrnacion by large Mexi.
can force under Gen Minun.
These gallant fellows, who are very young
men, escaped from their guard at the town Of
lIupjula about forty leagues from Tampico
and. reaching the latter place in safety, after
most petilous and .ryipg march, embarked for
this port in the schooner Home.
The principal events OF the capture Of Majors
Gaines and Bor'and's parties are well known to
uur readers. These officers, with three compa.
MICS of Kentucky md Arkansas Cavalry, wcre
out op two days march beyond our main camp
"s scouting party. II was thought that there
were small bodies Of the enemy's cavalry Prov
ling about the country, but no one had the
slightest apprehension ths, large force could
be so near Gen. Woors camp.
An officer with on Interpreter and white flag
was sent to Maj Gaines 10 demand his uncon-
di,iona surrender "Ncver," replied the ga.
In tor xvill In nj.
vcn.' remarked the Mexican. every WELL"
exclaimed Capt Clay remember the Alamo;
before we surrender on such terms, more than
tive hundred Of your yellow belly scoundrels
shall be lett to bleach on yonder plains" This
remark the interpreter did not think he could
do tuti justice to in the Translation, and he lett
the officer to guess at It's meaning, which, how.
ever, was no difficult task, as the Captain ac-
cornpanicd his declaration with very emphatic
and expressive gesticulatiou.
1t was finnlly agreed that Major Gaines
should have ar interview with Gen. Minon -
From him the the Major received very cour,e.
ous treatment and was assured that in surren-
dering himself and his party they would be
war.
Mai. Gaines, on communicating the result ol
his interview with Gen. Minon to his officers
took vote whether they should figh, or surren.
der, and Cupts Clay and Dandy and Lieut.. Da
vison were for fighting, and Msjs. Gaines anc
Borand were for surrendering. Whilst they
we're parleying with the Mexicans, Maj. Gane.
observed that their men were approaching nea
TO the Ranch. He Immediately ordered hi,
men to fire upon the Mexicans ifthey approach
cd foot nearer, and told their officers he shOult
not continue the parley until their men fel
back TO their original position, which they did
"a very quick order when few rifles were e
yelled in their direction. They finally, Capt
Clay giving in to Ma is. Gaines and Borland, a
creed 10 surrender on the most honorable terms
as prisoners of war, the officers to retain thei
private property nnd side arms. They delayed
the surrender, however, as long as possible
with the expectation of being reinforced from
Gen W0ol's camp. II was an express condi
tron in the captulation that the Mexican guide
who had boon forced by Maj. Gaines to act il
that capacity, should have fair trial, and if h,
was acquitted, should be released. The Mexi
cans at first objected to this, but Capt Clay sal
he would die before he would surrender the IN
fortunate guide without assurances Of his safety
As soon Us lie was surrendered, the fathles
MAxicans Immediately murdered the poor fel
low. The prisoners were then marched, with
out any food or water, for thirty or forty mile
on the road To San Luis under an escort
eighty lsncrrs. Maj Gaines having been a
lowed to ride, selected, in preference to bis ow
charger, blooded mare, belonging TO Serg
Payne.
Capt. Henrie, whose name is familiar to a
who have read the stirring history of Texa
warfare and adventure, and who accompanie
h,mself extremely aeeiui the occasion
'.eir ca pturc by his coolness, ssgaci,y and know
i.,,lce of the Mexican language aud characle
opt iienr.s was v'Iy anxious for eight, al
-'iongly d,ssuadod Maj Games trom surreRde
az. He tId the mcn 10 count their bullet
rud II they had oge for every two Mexlcans,
vns fair game, aad Ire woal3 60 il. lie ali
c,ltioned theia 10 ha the Mexicans below the
tsafds, that they algtt trighten Oft the oihe
" their graans, and to give them as much nis
- as possible. One OF the Mexican officer
5rcognIzed han. cried out III Spanish. Il shs
have the pleasure OF your company To the CT