The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-08-24


parties kept two or three miles apart, and
fired their guns at random down the
streets. No persons were injured bat
those who happened 10 pass along the
streets. The little boys would watch the
cannon balls as they went booming along
up the streets, and when they were spent
and began TO roll slowly, would run and
pick them up and sell them to she oppo-
site party.
For fifteen days did this fierce revolu-
ton rage in the city. The parties would
rise early in the morning, and while it
was cool and pleasant, would fire away at
each other, very comfortably retiring for
til .ir coffee and lunch. In the heat of the
day they would suspend operations alto
gether, but at dark they would begin the
battle with great feFocity, and fight the
whole night long.
Proposals were made by both OF the
parties to our prisoners 10 release them if
they would fight on their side. The
Mexieans had heard of the skill of our
rlfemen, and they believed that it was
only necessary for the prisoners TO join
either party, 10 secure It's success i'll the
strife then going on in the CITY. But our
boys preferred looking on, like the old
woman in the fight between her husband
and the bear, not caring copper which
whipped.
In the midst of the revolution the first
news of the battle of Buena Vista reached
the city. There was a great ringing Of
bells, and much rejoicing on account Of
the joyful tidings. Bad news travels
fast, and the prisoners were soon inform
ed by Mexicans of the total rout and cap
ture Of Gen. Taylor's whole army, the
death Of Gen. Butler and several Of our
most distinguished officers. Although
but little disposed to rely in Mexican sto-
rles, there was such an air of probability
about this report that the prisoners. we're
forced to give il some credence, and were
overwhelmed with grief and modification
by the disastrous result. But soon other
stories were circulated, conflicting state
ments were given, all tending to throw
doubt upon the story of Santa Anna S
triumph. At last the hurried dispatch Of
the Mexican General was received, and
the notes of rejoicing in the city subsidized
most perceptibly. A copy of this dis
patch was thrown down, by means of a
twine string, from the room where the Of
fcers were confined to the main court
yard, where the men were, and was ea-
gerly and joyously perused by them. 1t
was evident that Gen. Santa Anna had
sustained decided repulse, and the pris-
oners could not restrain their exultation,
but gave it relief in three loud cheers,
which startled the inmates of the prison,
and brought the Governor down upon
them, in the greatest terror and perturba-
ton.
On the next day, however. the spirits
of the Mexicans were somewhat restored
by the arrival Of the trophies of the battle
of Angostura. The three little cannon of
Lieutenant O'Brien, one of which, blythe
by, had been captured from the Mexicans
by the Texans, and the colors of the In
diana regiments, together with few
markers, were brought into the city in a
triumphant car, and were received with
great parade by the people.
The whole story, however, of the
bloody fight of Buena Vista was soon as
familiar 10 the prisoners as a '.thrice told
tale" Their only regret was their un-
fortunate exclusion from the honors and
laurels of that glorious victory. The
party of Major Gaines and Borland had
been afterwards joined by that of Capt.
Heady, and also by the party of Lieut..
Barbour and Quarterrnastcr Smith, who
were taken by Urea, between Monterey
and Camargo, making the whole number
OF American prisoners in the Carcel l70.
Although the men suffered considerably
from the want of exercise and bad diet,
their health was generally good, and but
one man died of their whole number
since they were captured. After they
had been in prison three months, the
prisoners were told that they had been
exchanged and would be sent to Tampi-
co. Their officers, however, were not
allowed to see them, but they were told
they would join them in a lew days.
On the 5lh of June, the men were sup
piled with shoes and in the night they
were marched out Of their gloomy prison
aud through tue Gates of the City. They
were then put in charge Of Colonel and
20 lanccrs, and proceeded on their journey
towards Tampico. The country through
which they passed for four or FIVE days
was most beautiful and highly cultivated.
The dark foliage Of the eyergreens, the
luscious fruit, the tecming crops, the
springs of cold water gushing from the
mountains side, the myriads of richly
colored and variegated birds, the delight
ful variety OF mountains and valleys, rem
dered the journey Of the long imprisoned
Americans one of great interest and
pleasure.
They were well treated by the officer
Il - I'll L.