New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-03-12
CAMP SAN JUAN DIX BrExA VISTA,
Five miles from ssl!ilIo. Mexico. ian. p,


Five miles from SRlulo. Mexico ian. 25 !
This evening Capt. Daniel DRAKE Hsnrie Texan,
formerly Mer prisoner who escaped from the heu-
cans and who Is also acting In Gen. WOODS column as
interpreter who was captured with the parties Of Gaines
and Borand reached the camp, having made bis escape
from the Mexican guard heard him nArrate all the
circumstances Of the surrender and OF his escape to
Gen Wool
ON the 18th inst Major Howard Of Texas who Is Az.
sisiant Commissary to GeR. Woods column and who
hsd been permitted 60 out TO make reconnaissance
with two Others returned TO camp and reported that at
the hacienda Encarns con sixty miles from Selo, on
the San Luis road, he discovered Mexican force and
was chased by their cavalry fifteen or twenty miles
Major Borand OF the Arkansas regiment OF cavalry
had been out on a the time IN different
direction Major Gaines who stationed at the Pal
omos Pass twelve miles East Of Sallo also had scouts
out who had made no discoveries. Great anxiety was
manifested by different officers 10 ascertain the num-
bers of the enemy, and very many doubted whether
there was any force at Encarnacon.
AT his own urgent request Major Borland was per-
mitfed by Gen. Wool TO make another reconnaissance
Al the same time Major Gaines and Captain Clay went
ont on a rocGnnoissance from Paomos On the 18th
Major Boris4 started with forty officers and men, who
were selected from the whole regiment On the 18th
he reached Encarnscon and found no armed force there
He sent an express back requesting Col. Gills reg
ment TO be sent join him. that he might advance
still farther and ind the Mexicsns Alter he sent OF MS
express and before he received an answer Major Gsnes
and Capt Clay Joined him with thirty officers and
men selected from Col. Marshalfs regiment Of Ken
lucky cavalry.
The officers Of the two parties determined to proceed
farther OF the San Luis road for tho purpose Of obtain
ing some definite information On the Dist they march
ed thirty miles toward San Luis, but found Mexican
trooos The next day the I'D they returned 10 Encsr.
paciop intending 10 continue their march into camp
In the meantime, information had been communicated
10 Gen MnOn who commanded 3 600 Mexican cavalry
stationed one hundred miles below on the San Luis
road, Of the arrival OF Majors Portland and Gaines at
Encarnacion. He 10 represented 70 be a bold enter
pri.inz officer aud be determined 70 make forced
march and cut them Of
Taxing all his cavalry he pursued them, and on the
night OF the ed he up with them at Encarnacon.
ne had minute information of their numbers and posi-
ZION from the Mexcans residing al that place. he gut
city stsoned his whole force around the rouse where
cur troops were epcamped and waited the dawn Of day
The night OF the I'D was most disagreeabe u rained
considersbly very unusual occurrence az this
OF ths year in this part OF Mexco-the wind blew ia
riousy making il difficult 10 hear any sound at dis
,ance-the ng ht dark and every way dissgreeabe
About II O'Clock Of the sennes IN the American
camp gave notice that be thought he heard the sound Of
arms nsinz. The party was reused and men sent out
10 examine They found nothing and concluded IL
was the noise Of the mules At work az the well IN the
machinery pumping Most Of the party lay down
70 sleep again but many kept awake. Capt Henry says
be did not 40 sleep AFTER that event. but continued up
during the remainder Of me night
When day dAvned 10 their surprise they found them
selves entirety surrounded BY large Mexican force the
very numbers Of which they could not estimate. Ine
Mexican troops stationed nearly hall mile on IN
every direction where Il wss possible to move with
horses.
Our htrle band Immediately took nnessures 10 put
themseves In posture OF defence determined 70 sell
their lives dearly possible white Tag was sent
from the Mexcsns 70 the Americans requiring them 70
surrender. They were wholly ayeTse 70 !: and wanted
10 IL out Some considerable conversation ensued
in which the Mexican officer stated that their force
1900 strong and resistance was useless
Doubts Of the truth OF this statement were expressed
The Mexican General said that Major Gaines could sat
sy himself Of the truth Of this statement and might 90
out and count the Mexican troops. Mexican officer Of
equal rank wa sent 10 a. hostage wnereupon MAJOR
Gaines did 20 and satisfy himself Of the overwhem
lns number Of the Mexican army.
General Mnop promised that If they surresdered they
should be treated and respected prisoners Of
There was Mexican guide with Major Gaines who had
been forced 10 guide the party Capt Henry WHO was
Misr prisoner also was known 70 many OF the Mext
cons al Of whom entertain the creates, hostility against
the Texans. and the Mier prisoners especially.
Gen Mthon was Informed OF these fzets and pledged
bis honor that Capt Henry should be treated a. a pri
so1er Of and should not be hurt and that the Mex
can guide should have fair TRIAL When requested to
put these guarantees in writing ne said that unne
cessary-thzt the word Of Mexican General was worth
= thousand signatures
Gen Nixon having repeatedly made these assurances
and seeming disposed to act literally with them and
our little bsnd Of eighty seeing themselves sur
founded and Outuumoerec more than thirty 70 one and
that there 10 chance Of escape espitulsed on sse
terms and surrendered IS prisoners Of war
The HosoREo DEAD.-The Bargesses took their
departure evening under 10 the cars Of the
which bore the bodies OF Csps Williams and Field and
marched to the painrve notes Of the Troy Band They
leff q and will reach Buffalo this evening II thsy meet
with accident II Il said that Of tho Rochester
companies win proceed 70 Buffalo with the Bursesses
Albany Eysripg Journal, 10th