The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-07-29


joyful dngs Bad news travels FAST and the prisoners
were soon Informed by Mexicans of the total rout and
capture of Gen Taylors whole army, the death OF Gen
Butler, and several other of distinguished oi
GERS. Although but little disposed to rely in Mexican
stories, there such air of probability about this
report that the prisoners forced to give il
dence and were overwhelmed with grief and mortica-
ton by the disastrous result But other stories
circulated conflicting statements were gwen all tending
TO throw doubt upon the story OF Santa Annals splendid
triumph. AT last the hurried despatch of the Mexican
general received, and the notes of rejoicing in the
city subsidized most percepby copy OF this despatch
was thrown down, by means of wlne string from the
room where the officers confined TO the main court
yard where the were, and eagerly and oyously
perused by them 1t evident that Gen Santa Anna
had sustained decided epuse and the prisoners could
restrain their eXultaon, but gave it relief In three
loud cheers, which startled the inmates of the prison,
and brought the governor down upon them, in the great
est terror and perturbation
On the next day, however, the spirits of the Meycans
somewhat restored by the arrival of the trophies OF
the battle of Angoslura. The three little cannon of
Lieut. OBren-one of which, by-the-by, had been cap
ured from the Meyicans by the Texansand the coors
of the Indiana regiments, together with few muskets,
were brought into the city in trumpha car, and
received with great parade by the people
The whole story, however, of the bloody fight OF
Buena Vista was soon familiar TO the prisoners
thrice told tale" Their only regret their unoru
nate exclusion from the honors and laures of that gor
Gus victory The party of Majors Gaines and Borand
had been afterwards joined by that of Captain Heady
and also by the party of Lieut. Barbour and QuaItemas
ter Smith, who were taken by Unea between Monterey
prisoners in the Carcel one hundred and seventy.
Although the suffered considerably from the want
of exercise and bad diet, their health was generally good
and but died of their whole number since
they captured. After they had been prison three
months the prisoners were told that they had been ex-
changed, and would be sent TO Tampco Their officers
however, not allowed TO see them, but they
told they would join them in a few days.
On the 9TH OF June the men supplied with shoes,
and IN the night they were marched out OF their gloomy
prison, and through the gates of the CITY, They then
put in charge of colonel and twenty ancers, and pro-
ceeded on their journey towards Tampco The country
through which they passed for four five days was most
beautiful and highly cultivated The dark foliage OF the
evergreens the luscious fruit, the eemiDg crops, the
springs OF cool water gushing from the mountain side,
The myriads of richly colored and varegated birds,
the delightful variety of mountains and valleys,
dered the journey of the long imprisoned Americans
of great interest and pleasure.
They well treated by the officer who conducted
tlem and generally by the people OF the towns through
which they passed There are, however, some excep-
tons 10 this remark At the large mining town of Rio
and would have murdered them, if the English resi-
dents had not interered and protected them For this
generous and humane conduct of the English the pris-
express their great gratitude and hankfulness AT
ter long journey OF hundred miles, the prisoners
rived at the town of Hueeta, where they received
very kindly by Gen. Garay and were allowed twenty five
cents day for their support This money raised by
forced contribution from the people. Gen. Garay, how
ever did not consider that he authorized to send them
TO Iampco without such guard he had not then
under his command He apprehensive that the peo
pie near Tampco enraged against the Americans,
that they would attack them unamed they were; and
being of honor he did not wish to be connected
with such disgraceul deed He therefore detained the
prisoners weeks but getting restless and inpatient
several of them escaped out of the town. and proceeded
on their way to Tampco. The five who arrived here IN
the Home got safely into Tampco. -Four Others who es
capped before them retaken and carried back to Hue
jea. One OF the same party, and two others OF another
party, also arrived at Tampco The five who are now
in city started from Hueea in the night, armed with
their jack and case knife among the five
They had TO travel chiefly at night, and avoided all the
towns and ranches. On occasion, however IN at
tempting TO go around town of size, they took up
ravne and suddenly found themselves in thetvery
tire of it. They assumed however, very easyhnd indf
ferent carriage, and passed by the guard-house where
there several soldiers loungng about The soldier
guard cried out Who goes there Z" in Spanish; but
the men careessy answering amigos AMIGOS, kept on
their and got safely out of the town.
Near Tampco they came suddenly upon ranch
where there were fifteen or twenty MeXcans all armed
with that formidable weapon the tarta Seeing that they
noticed, the Americans walked boldly up to the
Mexcans and commenced making signs to them of their
friendly intentions The Mexicans look ed very threaten
ngly and seemed to be adjusting their iGrGts for imme
date but the Americans showed their knives and
were permitted to proceed on their journey
After many trials and suherings the prisoners at last
arrived within sight of Tampico. The ecstac Joy which
filled their hearts, they the noble banner OF our
Union, with its broad stripes and bright stars waving
from the lofty ag-s,af of Tampco, can be better i'm
agined than described