The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-29
TIL E q MON.
From the N. o. Delta.
The Prisoners of Encarnacion.

From N. o. Delta.
The Prisoners Of Encarnacion.
Deeply Interesting narattre Of The capture, adventures,
and suferings Of Majors Games and Borlanes party
IN MeIco.
There arrived on the 9Th inst in our city, by the
schooner Home from TamPco John Swlgert John Scott
| cavalry; p. Tunk, of Capt Penningtons; and w. p
Denowiiz, OF Capt Heady's company; all of whom be-
captured last February near Encarnacion by large
Mexican force under Gen. MiIon.
These gallant fellows, who are very young men, es-
capped from their guard at the town OF Hueetla, about
forty leagues from Tampico, and reaching the latter place
in safety, after most perlous and trying march, embark
ed for this port in the schooner Home.
In very gratifying interview with MIR. Swigert, one
OF these young men, have learned many interesting
particulars OF the capture, suierngs, trials and adven
lures of Major Ganess party To relate all the interest
ing and romantic incidents, modestly and forcbly de-
tailed to by this brave young kentuckan, would swell
narrative quite beyond the compass OF paper We
trust that the task of snatchlng from oblivion and hand
ing down to posterity faithful record of the stirring
cidens connected with the capture and march of this
party, will be assumed and discharged by of the very
capable otcesor soldiers W no participated in these event
full scenes The genius of Cassius NJ Clay would no
doubt do full justice to the subject and we arlenty hope
he may soon be in situation to fulfil the wishes OF his
countrymen in that regard
The principal events of the capture OF Majors Games
and Borlands parties well known to readers:
These officers, with three companies OF Kentucky and
Arkansas cavalry were out on two days march beyond
there small bodies of the enenys cavalry prowng
about the country but had the slightest apprehen
sion that large force could be so near Gen Woods
camp
Major Gaines having Joined Major Borand at rancho
near Encarnacion the two commands went into quarters
Tor the night alter posting sentnels some distance IN ad
vance, and on the top of the house in which they
encamped That night the officers, who, tired by very
long march, had lain down to sleep, several times
aroused by the alarms OF the sentinel who declared that
he an armed Mexican approaching the ranch But
the sentnes the top OF the house they could
nothing, and the who gave the alarm treated as
rather and dreaming indivl The officers
hereupon retired again to their blankets but had
fallen asleep when they aroused by another alarm
from the sentinel who declared that he had again
an armed Mexican and had pulled trigger on him, but
his gun being wet the cap did not explode Other alarms
also given by other sentnels pckeed some distance
from the ranch The night was now waning fast 1t
very dark and misty. The officers besrred them
thinking that the enemy consisted OF force OF four
five hundred which Major Gaines had already been in
pursuit Of and which he considered force about equal
to his own.
Our men were all collected on the top of the ranch
with their guns ready for action, full of courage and zeal
and warmly DESTROYS of a handsome brush with the enc
my 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, I'M
mediatey in their 'front.' and the faint outline of strong
body OF armed horsemen was percepble in the distance
And the mist rolled and gathered up into huge clouds
and gently assembled towards the neghborng heights it
revealed, with most painful distnctness whole reg
mcnt of spenddly equipped Mexican ancers drawn up in
line OF battle, and occupying a commanding position
within three hundred yards of the ranch occupied by
Major Ganes's party.
Undauntedly surveying and counting this strong force
before them, our men prepared for action, crying out Oh
there only six hundred of themifs fair fight, and
we'll it out But, stop! Look the right the
msts leave that side OF the ranch there is another reg
ment, just as strong as that in front.
'sWell, cried stalwart kenuckan, who kept all the
while bright eye on his long rifle, " this is coming it
rather strong; the thing looks serious, most decidedly
but reckon we can lick thousand Greasers and throw
in two hundred for good measure" Cant we :" was
the unanimous cry oil the party;
But, oh cranky, cried the tall sergeant, here's
more OF the varmins" And there, enough, their
left was another regiment about six hundred strong,
whose bright helmets, flaming pcnnons, and snowy uni
forms, doomed out conspcuousy IN the dark horizon
And there too, Just few hundred yards IN their rear,
was still another regiment Thus was this small party
of hundred and twenty Americans entirely surround
ed by Mexican force of about three thousand cavalry
the finest in the country and commanded by one OF Their
best officers.
Undismayed, our men prepared for action, determined
to sell their lives dearly possible. Never did men
tan band with many careless Jest and with the most
imperturbabe sang rod, they reloaded and recapped
their rifles looked to their carouche boxes felt the edge
of their bowie Knives and glanced proud defiance al
their legion foe.
In the mean time the enemy preserved the most perfect
military order, and presented display oil martial magn-
ficence, such men had never before witnessed
Their officers, covered with gold and selenddy mounted
and caparsoned, rode in front; whilst their bug ers blew
the Mexican charge and made the hills around resound
with their loud and exutng blasts.
Mai 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 the
blast with three loud cheers The order cheerfuly
and heartily obeyed. The Mexicans, who were advan
cling upon the ranch, awed by the loud yes and
terrific huzzas of boys, that they halted and looked
at our little band in mute terror and asonshmen that so
small party could make such a tremendous noise
:" Give them three times three, cried out Capt Cassis
NJ Cay and the huzzas prolonged to the full com
pement until they made the we in ring for miles around
and so frighed the Mcxicans that their general to pre-
vent his from running away, had to order his ine
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 Mexicans marched around
the ranch to the tune OF the Cacovenne and seemed like
the cat with its little VICTIM be sporting with their
captive before they destroyed him.
An officer with interpreter and white flag was sent to
Mai Gaines to demand his unconditional surrender
Never" replied the gallant American Then quar-
ter will be given, remarked the Mexican. Very WE'LL
exclaimed Capt. Clay remember the Alamo before
we surrender such TERMS than five hundred OF
your yellow belly scoundels shall be left to bleach on
yonder plains" This remark, the Interpreter did not think
he could do full justice to in the translation, and he left
the officer to guess at its meaning; which, however,
no difficult task the captain accompanied his declara
ton with ver emphatic and expressive gesticulaion
1t was finally agreed that Major Gaines should have
an interview with General Minon. From him the major
received very courteous treatment and assured that
in sunendering himself and his party they would be
treated with all the consideration of prisoners Of
Major Gaines, on communicating the result of his in
terview with General Minon to his officers, took vote
whether they should fight surrender and Capts. Clay
and Dandy and Lieut.. Dawson, for fighting, and
Af...~ D.. r..