The Arkansas banner., 1847-03-24
sooN BoRLAND.
SAS LeIs PoTosl, Mexico, : Fehguarv i0th. IS41.


 Dear Brosker:--T presume that you will have received information of my being in the custody of the Mexican army, before Ilis reaches you by letter from some of our regi- ment Ireques,ed Col Yell, Col Roane and Lieut. Gaines 10 write to you, by letter directed to Col. YeEl ths morning after was ca. tured; would then have written to yott, but had but little time and was compelled .o devote tfsat 10 writing to Col. Yell on business.
 Our army was at SaltiIio and had heard nothing from the army of Gen Santa Anna that could be depended on since the battle of Monterey Rumors were continually com ing in of the approach of the Mexican army Gen Wool and Gen. Butler were very anx- ious to get information as 10 their true posi- tiaa.-Our men knew nothing of the coun- try In this state of things Maj. Borland and myself proposed to go and not return until we brought information og the enemy. Gen Wool gave us an order to take fifty men and make recognizanee in the direction of In- earnation and Salado, which places are sitn- ate in this direction from SalliIlo. In pur- suance of Gen. WooI's order Maj. Boriand and myself left our camp on the 18th of Jan- uary with for,y-lour Al men; the mex, mor- hing we arrived al Incarnation. About two hours before day al that place, we heard that there had been few soIdiers7about our own number, the night before, but did not believe the report. We found here plenty of water and corn, and concluded that 1t would be good situation to station our regiment for the purpose of making observations, as Gen Butler had said he would send Colonel Yell out to that place if we could get sahsis- tence We informed Col. Yell of the facts, and concluded to await his arrival. We re- mained three days expecting either the arri- val of our regiment or orders to return, with out hearing from either; in the mean tune we heard that there were two hundred troops at Salado. And on the evening of the third day Mai Gaines. Capt. Clay. and Lieut.. Da- vidson. of the Kentucky regiment, joined us by accident, with thirly-two men, with this l force we concluded to go to Salado and si- ! tack the two hundred said to be stationed at that place. Ssme of the men had sick hor- ses, and we gave all permission to return who did not wish to go on to Salado. Ten men returned. fearing thiFty-four (34l men from our regiment. which added tu the thir- tv-two f32) from the Kentucky regiment, made sixEy-six f66l men We were also ac- companied by Capt Henry. who acted as iti- t terpreter, making total of 66 men and6 6 of hcers With this force we left Incarnation on the evening of the 22nd January or Sal- ado. Alter travelling few miles we arrived al a Mexican Rancho, where we were assur- cd that there was no enemy at Salado, and tha. it was much farther 10 that place than we first anticipated; SO far tha, It would be impossible for us to reach that place before day the next morning, and we would lose all the advantage of approaching the place by tight Add 10 this, the fact that il was very dark. tremendous storm was rising, we did m, know the road and had m guide A council was called. and we determined to retrace our steps to Inearnacion where we could find shelter for the night, and the next morusag return to camp, and report no enc my in that direction. You may imagine our surprise when on getting up lhe next morn ing we found ourselves surrounded by a force of ,hree thousand Mexican cavalry commanded by Gen. MIBon. They played the ''Dead March" on their band. accompa- Hied by a solemn song in their own ia-i. guage 10 intimidaie us: we answerehby blow ing charge with our hugie, and three req old fashioned cheers twice told. We though of nothing o5i oar. part. aad tbe men were ei determined 10 fight, took our positions, Iai, out our ammunition and made ready for the action. When all was set and we were wai, isg for an approach, sothat we could sssee tn. whites oi their eyes" Gen. Miaon sent US | white flag, and summoned us to surrender ts f save effusion of blood. They oat-numberet i. us at least 40 to l, and if we had killed man to every bullet we had, the enem, would still have out numbered us at least 3( to I. council was called of officers ts consider whether or not we should aceep [ terms. voted for giving them fight, ou was Jeff tn the minority, and t was deier mined that we would accept the terms offer ed by Gen. Minon. The terms where lha. W, should be treited in inc most kind manner and have the most liberal terms known it civilized people and recognized by the law, Of nations. That we should live as well a. he, Gea. Minon, did himself Wnh. thes, assurances we surreaded We are now a this place, Where we will go know moi, r hope spou 10 he exchanged 1 saw Gsnera Santa Anna. He gave us repeated assurances of kind treatment. He Is man of nobl, bearing and appearance, and bears marks O being a great man very legibly written or hIs face. 1 do noi know where io digee. yot Io wri,e to me. think ina, we will go to tn, the City of MexIco from this place, but it i. uncertain whether we will or no.
 have seven men from my company witi me, amongs, vt om are Paul Williams, J F. Brown and Oliver B,lhy--We all keep cool and considering il is the frs, time any of u, were ever confined, we stand il remarkabl, well, Our health is sll good with some ,rv, 1 iai exceptions. Since we arrived as thi. place we have beea joined by Capt Heady and Lieut.. Charchill. from Louisville, Ken, lucky, xith seventeen men, and all are well ] will write to you again the first oppor.