Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-06-18


yer, reported off the coast with negroes, from
the coast of Africa. The barque Hollander,
Goldman, left for New York same day, and the
following American vessels were left in port
ship Courier, DeWolfe, for New York; barque
St. Lawrence, Waite, do; briggs Orbit and Paol
Pry, both for Baltimore, uncertain.
From the N. o. Pcayune
AMERICAN PRISONERS.
Minors Gaines and Borlond-Capt. Clay
lieut.. BarbouT's Commund-Ireatment Of
Pyisoners-La Vegu-Letter from Captain
Headley
We have had the pleasure of an interview
with Mr.. Trenwitt, merchant, who was ia
ken prisoner on the oath February, in compa-
nv with Lieut.. Barbour and some thirty men
composing the escort of the train that was at
tackled that day between Monterey and Ca
MARCO Mr. Trenwitt informs us that Urea
had with him at the time of the attack about
1000 men. The train was nearly two miles
in length. When the enemy approached. 1t.
Barbour formed his men in a chaparral i'm
practicable for cavalry. The lancers dashed
by, made an onslaught on the train, n.assacred
the wagoners, and afterwards completely sur
rounded the small escort. Lieut. Barbour then
surrendered upon terms, and was taken prison
er. The party was marched off to Mexico,
and on the route encountered hard usage, but
was much better treated than the Encarnacion
prisoners.
They arrived at Mexico on the 10th of April,
and found Major Gaines and his companions
vet closely confined in prison. Mr.. Trenwitt
was liberated through the interference of the
British Minister. He reports to US that short
ly after the arrival of Lieut.. Barbour's COM
mand, the American officers, nine in number,
were letout of Jail upon parole-the men were
yet closely Gagged on the 18th May-the day
he left the city.
Whilst Mr.. Trenwitt was at Jalapa, La We
ga was in that city. He (La Vega) gave a
similar excuse for his neglect of the American
prisoners his friends did here. Mr.. Trenwitt
informs US that there was no foundation in
truth in these excuses. He states that the
revolution lasted only three weeks, and that
Gen La Vega was in the city of Mexico du-
ring five weeks of the incarceration of the
Encarnacion prisoners in the penltentlary OF
Santiago During this time Captain Clay ad-
dressed him letter in regard to the crueltles
and privations they were suffering, contrary
to the usages of war and the rights of capitu-
lation, and that La Vega treated the letter with
silent contempt The prisoners did not even
know their enlargement was arranged for
They were subjected to needless humiliation
and cruelty on their march to Mexico, and
when there subjected to cruel privations.
P. S.-Since writing the above the follow
ing letter from Capt, Headley was received by
the New Orleans. Captain H, is a personal
friend of one of the editors of this paper, and
the Mexican apologists of La Vega this side
of uoIoc Whoo ha TO r. ho 40,
the impression, which was general at the time
that,La Vega would again come to the United
States
MEXICO, May -, 1847.
Dear Sir-I have learned, from late mum
Der of the American Eagle, the result of the
battle of Cerro Gordo, and that the five gen
erals and thirty-fve colonies captured in tina
fine achievement of our arms have been sen
to New Orleans to await their exchange. A
f mong the former is Gen. La Vega, who vii
receive, second time, the kindest treatmen
our people and Government can bestow upoI
stranger and prisoner. That you may un
derstand ho1D justly the general appreciates thu
. good treatment extended to him now and here
tofore by the Americans, the following facts
are communicated: All our horses were taker
S from US, the men walked and the officers rode
ponies hundred miles, often travelling fort,
. miles day, to this city. The men suffered
z intensely from sore feet, and when a man be
d came SO disabled that he could walk no Ion
: ger, the officer having charge of US wou
r impress donkey for him to ride. To Sal
. Luis, Lieut.. Churchill, seventeen men and my
n self were in charge of Maj. Romaroy Amelia
: of Vera Cruz, who treated us most respectfully
and kindly. Maj Gaines, Capt. Clay, Lieut.
o Davidson and thirty men, with Maj. Borand
e Capt Danley and thirty five men, were take
+ to San Luis by Lieut. Col Sambranino, aid t
t. Gen. Minon. When Capt. Henrie, who ha
n enjoyed a foretaste of what was coming
whilst Mier prisoner, broke the guard an
d run toward our camp, this redoubtable coIone
is gave the order to lance the remaining sevent
e unofending officers and men, and the lives {
e the whole party were saved by the timely OF
n der of Capt. Clay to drop on the ground, whic
IS was instantly obeyed. and satisfied the Office
y an escape was not contemplated. At San Ii
is they gave the officers thirty-seve and
lie half and the men eighteen and three quarter
Of cents each per day for subsistence. Frol
o thence to Queretaro, one hundred and fit
le miles, we were in charge of Col. Molena,
Campeachy, who treated us very courteousl
lie and well. From there we We're guarded b
y, one muy grd'ade captain, of no place particl
N larly. who daily disbursed the magnanimor
Mt 374 cents to each officer, and the life-savin
picayunes to each man, except when /
he said his treasury was exhausted, which We
lie 8 days before we got here, during which tim
lie of course, We supported our selves and me-
or When the men were unable to walk, he wou
so take the first mules or donkeys on the roa
Id and make us pay for them at night, and b
way of debenture or drawback of the three bit
r. he charged us four bits each day for the p,
n MES we rode, which speculation yielded hi
is clear profit of seven bits day, to say NJ
r. thing of the mule and donkey profits. "
lit learned, on approaching this city, that Gene
to al La Vega was in command of the Vera Crl
line, and had his quarters in Mexico, whe
to we were to be confined until exchanged, al
ce this intelligence elated our hearts with hie
tn hopes of good treatment from magnanimo1
soldier and gentleman, whose sense of graf
IT. tude would reflect upon us all the courte:
is and heart and soul of our own countrymen.-
lis Vain hopes! We were brought into the CT
It's at 2 o'clock, at night, in the midst of rev
he luton, and put into Santiago prison
chained cldprits and felons, aunpberi'
n three hundred; our pay increased to 10
ID. aIl-powcrful bits day, and nothing
of put on the rock to sleep on but our bla
e. kets; beds were called for, but could not
e- obtained. News of the battle of Buena Wis
I'd. reached here two days afterwards, and tn
ry put the officers up stairs--leaving the m
" where they now are, among robbers and mt
a. derers La Vega was in the city three or TO
weeks, without coming to see US or send
as lis anv word of comfort or sendinr us his 2