Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1851-11-25
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER Is, 1851
lies we're again d drdered to rest on

MES were again q rdered to rest on
their arms.
Again all we're wrapt in slumber,
save those whose duty it was to watch
Nothing was heard but the firm and
measured tread of the weary sentinel.
and the steady s step of the officer
whose duty it was to go the rounds
and see that all was well. Matters
were in this desirable condition, when
the stiffness was broken by the quick
tread of persons approaching, and
makingrinquiry for the officer of the
guard, who soon presented himself
Immediately one of the guard step
ped forward, saluted the officer and
reported that he hh hd under his charge
two American soldiers who had vol
unfairly surrende red themselves tc
the picket near the fort. The Off
Ger then made enquiry, and received
the following explanation from the
soldiers.
One was capdlr and the other
an infantry soldier. They had both
left their respective quarters, which
were wide apart, alone for the pur-
pose Of going to the river Rio Anti
qua, to slack their thirst, which was
extreme, The infantry man was
cautiously armed with his musket
the dragoon imp Fudently lventured
SO near the enemy unarmed. They
met near the river brink, each sup.
posing the other to be a Mexicar
guerrilla. Both challenged at tht
same moment. Neither answered
The infantry man raised his muske
and fired! His now ferocious an
tagonist bounded forward, for they
were, when they first met, buta few
PAGES apart, and elapsed his victim
with what he intended should be tn,
| grip of death. The struggle was
long and desperate. No eye was
upon them save tHe "All-seeing Eye
The darkness wa great, made ex
tremely so by the proximity Of th'
surrounding mountains and thickets
| The night was calm, and the water
as it dashes against the,rocks, rolling
and foaming along on its rougl
course, was the only element that ap
peared to disturb the perfect still
ness which surr rounded the horrit
and unnatural struggle. The star
| twinkled in the blue vault above, bu
their glinmeriHg though beautiful
was faint; and in stead Of dispellinG
the darkness, ser Fed to increase 1t
and add to the sd dmbreness and desc
lation Of the seen ne.
/ When the strength OF both wa!
well nigh spent, ali exclamation which
| 1 cannot recall TO my mind, cams
from the one who was about to b,
| overcome, which arrested the atten
| ton, of his antagonist, and caused
him to desist. Explanations wer'
hurrfedly made, land the return t,
camp, and sure hder to the guard
the consequence
! The officer of the guard directed
them to the SUR geon. The infantry
mans shot, which had been the cause
of the alarm, had taken effect in th'
aeshy pa art of his supposed enemy
arm, and it was bleeding profusely
They went away rejoicing at thei
happy escape. | never saw then
againh Whethe I they lived to NEE
the foe, and pass through the fer,
and brilliant co hnicts which shortl,
ensued, and to return to their swee
native land to gladden. the hearts Q
their friends and to enjoy the de
lights Of home, Or were permitted By
ain inscrutable Providence to pas
through this dah ahger to find a gray
upon a bloody field, and in an IN
hospitable CHM E, is Of course un
known to the writer, who has brief,
pennedx the facts Of which he wa
cognizant. {