The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-08-24
Ar Interesting Sketch.
The Prisoners of Encarnacio

Deeply Interesting Narrative of
the Capture--Adventur and
SuFerings of Major Gaines and
ROrEaud's party i'm Mexico.
The principal events of The capture of
Majors Gaines and Borland's parties are
well known to our readers. These off,
GERS, with three companies of Kentucky
and Arkansas Cavalry, were out on a
scouting party. 1t was thought that there
were small bodies of the enemy's cayal-
ry prowling about the country, but no
one had the slightest apprehension that
large force could be SO near Gen. Wool's
camp.
Major Gaines having joined Major Bor-
land at Rancho near Encarnacion, the
two commands went into quarters for the
night, after posting sentlnels some dis
tance in advance and on the top of the
house in. which they were encamped.-
That night the officers, who, tired by
very long march, had lain down to sleep,
were several times aroused by the alarms
of the sentinel, who declared that he saw
an armed Mexican approaching the ram
eho. But the sentlnels on the top of the
house declared they could see nothing,
and the man who gave the alarm was trea-
ted as rather nervous and dreaming in
dividual. The officers thereupon retired
again to their blankets, but had scarcely
fallen asleep when they were aroused by
another alarm from the sentinel, who de-
clared that he had again seen an armed
Mexican and had pulled tigger on him,
but, his gun being wet, the cap did not
explode. Other alarms were also gwen
by other sentinels picketed some distance
from the rancho. The night was now
waning fast. 1t was dark and misty
The officers bestirred themselves, and a.
rousing the men, prepared TO meet the at
tack, thinking that the enemy consisted of
q force Of four or FIVE hundred, which
Major Gaines had already been in pursuit
Of, and whieh he considered about equal
to his own.
Our men were all collected on the top
Of that rancho, with their guns all ready
for action, full of courage and zeal, and
warmly desirous OF a handsome brush with
the enemy. The morn broke slowly
The mist hung heavily around them, and
although they could hear very plainly the
approach of horsemen. they could see. no. 4
thing AT last the light began to break
through the mist, Immediately in their
front and the feint outline of strong bo-
dy of armed horsemen was perceptible in
the distance. And as the mist rolled and
gathered up into huge clouds, and gently |
ascended toward the ncighboring heights, |
1t revealed. with most painful dlstinctness, !
whole regiment Of spIendidly equipped
Mexican Lancers drawn up in battle. and
occupying commanding position within
three hundred yards Of the rancho occu- f.
pied by Major Gaines party.
UndauntedIy surveying and counting
this strong force before them, onr men
prepared for action, crying out, 'Oh there
are only six hundred Of them-its a fair
fight and we'll see il out ~ Look on the
right as the mist leaves that side of the
rancho, there is another regiment just as
EIrong as that in front.
"Wel," cried stalwart Kentuckian,
who kept all the while bright eye on
has long rife. "this is coming it rather
e7'oae; tho thing looks serious. most de-
eilediy, bat ! reckon we can HEX thou