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

Tor good measure.
Cant we ~ was the unanimous cry
of the party.
But, oh cracky," cried the tall SER
geant, "here's more of the yarlnents. y
And there sure enough on their left was
another regiment about six hundred
strong, whose bright helmets, flaming pen
mons and showy uniforms, loomed out
conspicuously in the dark horizon. And
there, too, just few hundred yards in
their rear, was still another regiment
Thus was this small party Of one hun
dred and twenty Americans entirely sur
rounded by Mexican force of about
three thousand cavalry, the finest in the
country aud commanded by one of their
best officers.
Undismayed, our men prepared for ac-
iion, determined TO sell their lives as dear
| ly as possible. Never did men 90 more
calmly and coolly to work than this little
Spartan band, as with many careless
jest and the most imperturbable SANG
FRo1D, they reloaded and recapped their
rifles, looked to their cartouch boxes, felt
the edge of their bowie knives, and CLAN
ced defiance at their legion foe.
In the mean time the enemy preserved
the most perfect military order, and pre-
sented display Of martial magniicence,
such as our men had never before witness
sed. Their officers covered with gold
and splendidly mounted and caparisoned.
rode in front, while their buglers blew the
Mexican charge and made the hills around
resound with their loud and exulting
blasts.
Major Gaines ordered his bugler to res
pond TO their threatening flourish, by
blowing with all his might, the American
charge, and directed the men TO follow up
the blast with three loud cheers. The
order was cheerlully and heartily obeyed.
The Mexicans, who were advancing upon
! the rancho, so awed by the loud and ter
rife huzzas of our boys, that they halted,
and looked at our little band in mute ter
ror and astonishment that so small par
ty could make such tremendous noise.
I"Give them three times three," cried out
Capt. Cassius NJ. Clay, and the huzzas
were prolonged to the fail complement
until they made the welkin ring for miles
around, and so frightened the Mexicans
that their General, to prevent his men
from running away, had TO order his fine
brass band TO strike up the Polka, and TO
wheel his men into column and put them
on the march. In open order and with
military precision the Mexicans marched
! Il. IL. AZ
royience anl seemed, like the cat with It's
little victim, to be sporting with their cap
tive before they destroy him.
An officer with an interpreter and white
flag was sent TO Major Gaines TO demand
his unconditional surrender. Never
replied the gallant commander. "Then
no quarters will be given," remarked the
Mexican. "Very well,' exclaimed Capt.
Clay; remember the Alamo, before we
surrender on such terms, more than five
hundred of your yellow-belly scoundrels
shall be left 10 bleach on yonder plains
This remark the interpreter did not think
he could do full justice TO in the transla-
ton, and he left the officer to guess at its
meaning. which, however, was no diff
cult task, as the Captain accompanied his
declaration with very emphatic and ex-
pressive gesticulation.
1t was finally agreed that Maj. Gaines
should have an interview with Gen. Mi
non. From him the Major received very
courteous treatment, and was assured that
in surrendering himself and his party
they would be treated with all the consid-
Grafton as prisoners of war.
Mai. Gaines, on communicating the re-
suit OF his interview with Gen. Minon TO
his officers, took vote whether they
should fight or surrender, and Capt. Clay
and Dandy and Lieut.. Davidson were for
fighting, and Majs. Gaines and Borland
were for surrendering. While they were
parleyng with the Mexicans, Maj. Gaines
observed that their men were approach
ing near the rancho. He immediately y or
dered his men 10 fire upon the Mexicans
if they approached foot nearer, and told
their officers he should not continue the
parley until their men fell back TO their o.
riginal position, which they did in very
quick order when few rifles were lev
elled in their direction. They finally,
Capt. Clay giving in to Majs. Gaines and
Borland, agreed to surrender on the most
honorable terms as prisoners of war, the
officers to retain their private property
and side arms. They delayed the sur
render however as long as possible with
the expectation of being reinforced from
Gen. Wool's camp. 1t was an express
condition in the capitulation that the Mex
lean guide, who had been forced by Maj.
Gaines to act in that capacity, should have
fair trial, and if he was acquitted should
be released. The Mexicans at first OBJ
jected TO this, but Capt. Clay said he
would die before he would surrender the
unfortunate guide without assurances of