The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-08-13

7
can, and had pulled trigger On him, but, his
gun being wet, the cap did not explode.
Other alarms were also given by other SEN
tinels picketed some distance from the
Ranch. The night was now waning fast.
Ii was very dark and misty. The officers
bestirred themselves, and, arousing the men,
| prepared to meet an attack, thinking the
enemy consisted Of a force of four or five
hundred, which Major Gaines had already
been in pursuit of, and which he considered
a force about equal to his own.
Our men were all collected on the top of
the Ranch, with their guns ready for action,
full of courage and zeal, and warmly desi-
rous 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
horsrmen, they could see nothing. At last
the light began TO break through the mist,
Immediately in their 'front.' and the faint out
| line of a strong body of armed horsemen was
perceptible in the distance. And as the mist
rolled and gathered up into huge clouds, and
gently assembled towards the neighborng
heights, il revealed, with most painful dis
hnctness, whole Regiment of splendidly
, equipped Mexican Lancers drawn up in line
OF battle, aud occupying a commanding po-
sition within three hundred yards of the
Rancho occupied by Major Gaines party.
Undatmtedly surveying and counting this
strong force before them, our men prepared
for action, crying out "Oh there are only
six hundred of them---its fair fight and
wen see it out!' But, stop! Look on the
right as the msts leave that side of the
Ranch, there is another regiment, Just as
strong as that in front.
SWELL" cried a stalwart Kentuckian. who
kept all the while bright eye Oh his long
rite, "thiS is coming it rather strong; the
thing looks serious, most decidedly; but ]
reckon we can lick thousand GreaSers.
and throw in two hundred for good meas
ure.' ''Cant we 2; was the unanimous cry
OF the party.
''But, oh cranky" cried the tall sergeant,
''herc's more of the varmintS." And there
sure enough on their left was another reci-
ment about six hundred strong. whose bright
helmets, flaming peunons and snowy uni
forms. doomed ont conspicuously IN the dark
horizon. And there too, just a few hundred
yards IN their rear. was still another rcgi-
men'. Thus was this small party of seven
ty-three Americans entirely surrounded BY
Mexican force of about three thousand
cavalry. the finest in the country and com
manded by one Ofthcir best officers.
lndiSmaycd, our men prepared for action,
determined to sell their lives as dearly as
possible. Never did men go more calmly
and coolly TO worl. than this little Spartan
band. as with many careless Jest and with
The most imperturbable sang froid, they re-
loaded and rccapped their rifles. looked to
their carouche boxes, felt the edge of their
bowie knives, and glanced proud defiance
al their legion foe. -'-~''->''
In the mean time the enemy preserved
the most perfect military order, and present
ed display of martial maguifccncc, such
as our men had never before witnessed.
Their officers covered with gold and splen-
didly mounted aud caparisoncd. rode in
front. whilst their buglers blew the Mexican
charge, and made the hills around resound
with their loud and eXulting blasts.
Maj. Gaines ordered his bugler to respond
to their threatening flourish, by blowing with
all ms might. the American charge. and d.
rccted the men to follow up the blast with
three loud cheers. The order was cheerful
ly and heartily obeyed. The Mexicans,
VINO were advancing upon the Ranch. were
SO awed by the loud yclis and terrific hnzzas
oil our boys, that they halted and looked at
our little band in mute terror and astonish-
ment that so small a party could make such
atremendous noise. 'Give them three times
three" cried out Capt. CaSSius NJ. Clay. and
the huzzaS were prolonged TO the full COM
plement until they made the welkin ring for
miles around, and so frghted the Mexicans
mat their general, TO prevent his men from
running away, had to order his fine brass
band to strike up the Polka. and to wheel
ms men into column and put them on the
march. In open order and with military
precision the MeXicans marched around the
ranch 10 the tune of the Cracovicuuc. and
seemed, like the cat with it, .i-,la victim. %
be sporting with their captive b,.-. they
destroyed him.
I'm officer with an Interpreter and ,yhitc
iiaS was sent to Mai. Game, 20 demand his
unconditional surrender. ..Neyer." replied
the gallant American. .Thcu no quarter
VIII be gwen remarked the Mexican.
Every wcll,' exclaimed Can't. CLAY: ere
member the Alamo; before we surrender
on such terms, more than five hundred of
your ycllow-belly scoundrelS shah be left to
bleach on yondor plains" This remark.
the interpreter did not think he could do full
justice TO in the translation. aud he left the
oiilccr to guess AZ its meaning, which how
ever was no difficult task. MS the Captain
accompanied his declaration with very cm-
phatic and expressive gcSticulotjon.
1t was finally agreed that Mai. Gaines
should have an interview with Gen. Minon.
From him the Major received very courtc-
Gus treatment, and was assured that in sur
rendering himself and his ralty they would
be treated with III the consideration ofpris-
onrrS Of war.
Maj. Gaines, on communicating the re-
suit Of his interview with Gen. Minon 10 his
Ulcers, took n vote whether they should
J, 'lTtor surrender, and CaptS. Clay and Dam
4. Mais Lieut.. Dawson were for fighting, and
| derinr.ancs and Borland were for Surrcn-
the AIeY Whilst they were parlcying with
their men0S, Maj, Gaines observed that
! Ranch. Here approaching near TO the
to fire upon Immediately ordered his men
ed a foot nearer 'cxican> if they approach
should not contin,iGG tola their officers he
men fell baol, to the parGy until , their
i rev r',ies Nere lcvellei lex ,h otaef when
inGy nnl1y Is Capt. Clay giV vF in ', n, oi
the most honoralc tcrns u 10 10 s'rrender on