Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-08-25


rectly to Boston, where the work Of AIT has
been duly appreciated. Admiring thousands
have visited it, and the eDterprising artist IL de-
servedly reaping golden harvest.
Captivity Of Lit. Whfpplc.
The Sun Of .anahnae publishes she follow
ing letter from Lieut.. WhippIe, giving an sc-
count of his capture and treatment as p,ison-
er: 49,
QuArErrc, July il, ls4i.
Dear Sir:-I have been prisoner Ut this
place two days, and have the honor to- repox.
myself as live man. am credibly informed
that my friend, private Barnes, escaped with
life. The particulars of the capture were as
follows:
Induced by the lively description Of Mr..
Barnes, ] visited Catholic burying ground out
side the city walls of Vera Cruz. 1t proved
farther than anticipated, but as many poop;
were on every SIDE of me, | never thought OF
danger, though Barnes was wholly unarnet,
not having even stick, and myself was with
out pistols, either in my holsters or about my
person, and armed with my sword only, which,
under any tolerable advantages, would be all a
soldier might ask. We dismounted and hitch
ed our horses near the gate and entered ;tha
yard, which is surrounded by very high bsiek
wall. Here | eisurely observed the novelties
of the first Catholic burial place | had ever
seen; and as we came through small gate We
were. surprised by three men on holas bach,
within twenty feet, riding toward us with car
bines presented and demanding me to surrtn-
der. RI,
At frs. could not believe these men to be in
earnest, a subject on which soon saw they EN-
terrain no doubt, for seeing lie plant NY back
against the wall and draw my sword, they DIS.
mounted, made flourish with their carbines,
repeating their demand of surrender. advan.
iced toward them one or two PAGES to get strib
ing distance, when they all drew their swords
and made toward me-one of them MexicaR
captain have since learned, Jose Mar a Pretc,
made a strong blow at my head; just they
drew and advanced my friend Barnes, not bav-
ing single weapon, turned the gate and saw
no more Of him. fortunately broke the force
of the blow by parry, not, however, in season
to prevent the captains blade making such a
striking impression my skull as neurfy.fy
stun me, but not sufficient owing, as j think,
to the dulness of his blade and my cloth cap, TO
ilfiict cash. fY4
OF course reciprocated his atteptinss be&
strong cut at his neck, when be and the d.
two spld ers who had been kept back Ivy the
| swing of my blade sprung back about 1--WE paces
from me, threw their swords upon the ground
and drew up their carbines, which they had rer
tanned in their left hands, aimed deliberately At
my head, all cooked, and again demanded sur
render. then stood with my back to the wall
| and the three men on the other three sides ali
beyond my reach, and SO far from each othkr
as TO give me no chance to strikes at thcuEaf
their weapons. / then asked them. whaf4l9
wanted, in order 10 gain time. affecting ngf TO
know whether they wanted my money oriny-
self. They soon seemed eware of my intent
and although from the beginning it was obyious
they wished to avoid dscharging their pieces
so near the city, saw unmistakable signs that
the time of parley was closed. Unable toreach
my horse or attack them, surrendered to- the
captain and the three bringing my arms behind
me and taking the end of the rope with which
they had tied my hands, one of them mounted
my horse and putting Inc on mustang rode off
at full speed. Farther particulars of my journey
shall write hereafter. ri...-..-.
i. arrived within ten miles. of this place late
at night-slept short time in as good lodging
as any boay-on the premises of few scatter
ing rancheros: rose and got here about saven
in the morning. From,the time of nv capture
was honorably treated by the captain as a
prisoner of war. After crossing deep river
he loosed my arms and we went OK. Strange
to say, with that perversity of character which
never fails me, I:rode on through the deep for
ests. the sequestered paths Astounding in new
and beautiful flowers and vines, and all that my
heart ever conceived of loneliness in Nature.
lost in admiration of the indispensable glsries-
Of the way as to feel almost forgetful that was
bound, and wholly careless about the result Of
my noval situation. Some faint description OF
this truly lovely route YOU shall have hereaf-
ter.
Now a few words of my.treatment. In me,
all that has been said of Mexican cruelty has
been wholly falsfed. was placed in the fouse
OF the Signora Augustine Fernando. She has
treated me with more than hospitality. have
received at her hands the kindness and tender.
ness of mother. Tonight l cannot devote
time to particulars, but / earnestly desire all
may know her kindness to an American prison.
CIR. But this is only beginning. You will be-
astonshed to hear that all the inhabitants Of
this village have extended toward me more than,
the efeg ant civilites; of refined lfe-they have
received me cordially at their houses-theyl
have given me assistance with delicacy and,
propriety which no American community can
excel; for instance, the signora caused me to-
be furnished with clean linen shirt, and had
all my dirty clothes thanks to life in camp)
washed.
The Catholic padre, Manual de Silvir, fu-
nished me every comfort, and crowned all his
attention to me by communicating in LATIN
that my friend Barnes had been heard from and,
was alive. He walked with me arm and arm,
about the village, visiting the alcalde, most
BENEVOLENT and kind hearted man, and the pria-s
cipal places in the town, and his church among.
o'heis, and gave me money and clothes 10 dress.
as citizen, AMI save me the mortiic tion of
going to Cordova in American uniform: at hn,
own suggestion. He has done me the kindness
to propose to carry. cause this letter to be sent
10 Vera Cruz, and in everything has been truly
to q friend and Christian-God grant his ex-
ample may be irIlits tea bv al c,ergymep. BY
me ans 81 the Latin. eou.d learn and colrn,f,-s
j picatc hat I .od ka Al