The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-06-05
EBEIsBURG, JUIE s. 1851.

Deen worn by the anlnalS, winch lrou tluie 10
time journeyed over it, and in these narrow
tracks we had to ride. In the distance, in the
south west, the direction towards which we
were going, we could family discern mountains
when the stars came out from under the clouds.
Sometimes we wound along the edge of deep
rayines, and then, again, up the sides of hills
so steep that our horses could hardly climb
them, and we found so many difficulties in our
way that it was almost impossible to go faster
than a walk. Pushing on as rapidly as We
could, we arrived in sight of the hacienda
before four O'Clock, when we slackened our
speed and approached more cautiously. The
house is situated on the summit of hill, and
overlooks the rocky country around for some
miles.-Being entirely ignorant of the nature
of its defenees, and the manner in which guards
were posted, it was not deemed safe to advance
until We had reconnoitered.-For that purpose
a trusty ranger was sent forward on foot, with
rifle in hand, with directions TO approach
near the house as he should deem safe, and
obtain all the information about its locality and
defence that would be of importance TO US
Minutes seemed heightened into hours while he
was gone, during which time we sat our
horses, in ravine which completely hid us from
view from the house. Our spy soon returned,
and reported that deep ditch ran in front of
the hacienda, which was crossed by narrow
bridge, but that he could not discover any sem
tinels on duty. We now rode forward with
great caution, until we came to the ditch men
toned by the spy, where another halt was or
dered, and arrangements made for the attack.
The force was now divided into two parties
one half, under Captain Bennett of the 1st Penn
sylvania Volunteers, was ordered to go round
by the left, and the other, under Lieutenant
Davis of the Massachusetts Volunteers were to
go round by the right These two officers were
completely to encircle the house with their COM
mands, so that no one could enter or leave
without being seen, and then to report 10 Col.
Wynkoop, in front of the main entrance. Every
thing being in readiness, the command was
given to charge, when we dashed up the hill
and over the bridge at full gallon, and surroun-
ded the house.-One unlucky fellow, in the
charge, missed the bridge; both horse and rider
went over into the ditch, and were placed horse
da-eom6at. They had been taken by surprise;
not soul was stirring, nor even faithful dog
on the watch, to give warning to his master Of
the danger that was lurking near.
When the men had been judiciously posted,
! and every avenue TO the building strictly guard
| ed, the officers, who were assembled in front,
approaching the main entrance and knocked at
the door for admittance. Under long porch
or shed, which extended the whole length of
( the building, the arrieros or mule drivers were
| lying fast asleep, which satisfied us that the
family were at home, and thus far we were un-
! discovered. In few minutes some one came
! TO the door, with light in his hand, and de-
manded who we were, and what we wanted.
Colonel Wynkoop replied, that we were Ameri-
cans, and in search of General Valencia, at the
same time ordering him to open the door. This
he refused 10 do, until we made demonstrations
10 break it down, when it was quickly unbarred,
and We rushed in. The room we entered was
| large with low ceiling, and from appearance,
| was used by the family as dining room, but
the furniture was quite ordinary looking. We
found there two gentlemen, one an elderly man,
the other quite young, with his left hand in a
sling; this latter informed us that he was
Colonel Sylvia, of the Mexican army whe #as
! wounded and captured at Contreras, and then
| on his parole of honor. We asked them for
general valencia, but they denied all knowledge
/ of him, and said he was not in the house, hav-
ing left some days before. Without parleying
with them longer, Colonel Wynkoop made ar
rangements to give the house a thorough search,
and, as preliminary, sentinels were stationed at
| the doors, with orders to shoot any one who
| should attempt to pass out. By this time some
| of the family and servants had arisen and came
into the room we had taken possession of, and
were placed under safe keeping. To judge from
| their behavior, they expected to be eaten alive,
| and 1T was no easy matter to convince them that
we were not a set of barbarians. To the writer
of this article was assigned the duty OF search
ing the house; and calling to my assistance two
old rangers, who were armed to the teeth, we
commenced operations. From the large room
already mentioned, We passed into a smaller
chamber, containing one bed, in which was ly-
ing woman, Ia night cap, and from appear
| ance as crazy as bedlamite. When we ap-
preached her, she exhibited the most frightful
| contortions of eountenance, and uttered such
horrid noises, that we were not disposed to ex-
| anime her very closely, but passed on to the
next chambers. From what we learned after
wards, there is not much doubt but that thil
bedlamitish woman was none other than Genera
Valencia in disguise. We passed through seve
raj rooms, some of which showed evidence of
| hasty retreat, while IN others the occupants ha'