The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-24

the night We could see guerilla parties on all the
hills. and signal fires kept up during the night
| august 1.-THE appearance OF the hills during the
night was unavorabe Hostile bands surrounded us on
all hands, and four of my companions resolved to aban
don their horses; They took to the ehapparal, and
| fear never will be heard OF again. Their were
Sergeant Knapp, OF New York, or Boston; Corporal
Hamilton, relative of Hon. John c. Hamilton, of New
York city and private Thompson, from OF the south
ern States and Wilson, bugler, OF one OF the Caro-
| linas
Sergeant Melton, of Mississippi, proceeded with me
on horseback. This morning employed Mexican
to show us the main road which had abandoned 10
avoid Jaapa. His pay was to be one dollar He had
hardly gone thirty yards before he pleaded hunger ana
received our permission to get food at neighpoiis
| ranch. We accompanied HIM. Soon his wlie came III
and told were in great danger-hye robbers were
| coming. We mounted, and had proceeded only snort
distance, when he halted again at another qdncn ior
drink My suspicious were now aroused by seeing ior
fifty robbers coming after at full speed ordered
him to proceed and on gaining the road accused nm o.
delaying and sg fell Us h kn esy 8sT svns
him time for short prayer, put revolver to his head,
and he fell corpse We gaoped off, the robbers fol-
lowing nho pursuit Only three Of them could keep in
for three and stacking our speed till they came near
enough we wheeled and at the first fire shot two OF
Them the third got OFT We dismounted and riled the
persons the better to pass for real Mexlcans
found twenty douboons, with some small coin and
silver buttons We were now above suspicion and en-
e, near Vera Cruz. Here we observed fresh tracks on
the sand, as well as many suspicious characters. We
passed round by the Orzaba road but only to encounter
new bands Of robbers who chased to within league
or two of Vera Cruz. We now got a breathing spell,
and stopped at ranch occupied by milkmen and butch
Three Of the latter, Mexican negro, and two
Spaniards killing white calf. While refreshing
ourselves, of the Spanish butchers went towards
Vera Cruz, and returned with party, who met the
road We suspected trouble at They asked if we
friends enemies, where going, and our
business told them we were on business for Santa
Anna and passed ahead. had hardly gone twenty
paces when they closed upon Sergeant Melton, who
a short distance behind me. | heard fellow ask the
leader of the gang what he should do and he replied
XII them both ' At that instant saw sabre run
through Melton, coming out some inches behind as he
fell, they lassoed hun and dragged him into the chap
paral. Meantime kept them at bay by dschaging my
revovers, and galoPed of, pointing them and firing
my shoulder. gaoped up to the walls of Vera Cruz,
turned my horse loose-one of the best seen in
Mexico, the property of Mexican robber, and well
worth five hune dolarsran to the office of Collector
Dmond, said few words to him. and jumped aboard the
Great Western she swung off for Havana. To Capt.
Ward, of the barque Rapid, tender my grateful ac-
acknowledgements for his kindness and attention on the
passage TO New York. He is of the best of men,
and the nobes OF sailors His mate and steward also
placed me under lasting obligations by their unremttng
attention.