The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1851-08-15
J. A. II.
Theatrical SupernumerarIcs at the
Battle of Contreras.


The Buffalo Courier tells the following
capital yarn:
The most protracied, most equally match
cd and severely contested confl!c OF The whole
war. has never yet been recorded. and we
think it that "A battle which had not It's equal
in ancien, or modern warfare, should al least
have the simple Justice done ii OF mention III
history. We, therefore, shall detaIlI Just as
it occurred, stoully repudiatng any intention
Of making military capital Tor any named
Presidential candidate.
1t was during one of The fights in the val
| ley that sergeant in one OF our infantry
regiments. wanting 10 TO take drink from
his almost empty flask, separated from his
command and strayed off some distance from
the nucleus of the fights. He hadgalned as
he Supposed a suiii lent olling, and was about
applying his canieen TO his mouth. when he
was interrupted by hearing voice exc!ain:
Hold! dastard!'
Now this expression, however popular with
the minor dramaiist, is not one OF frequent
use in ordinary conversation, and when utter
cd 10 a ger. lom m aSeni TO rcgaie hlmscli IN
supposed solitude. with a moG2s, hraugh', Is
calculated TO startle. rot TO say alarm !iin.-
Accordingly, our hero dropped the flask ere
it reached his lips, and gazed about him with
bewidered air. But his look OF blank
amaZement changed to one OF joyful surprs'
as he he'll out his hand 10 another individual,
who advanced to meet him with the same
gesiur of friendship.
The new conner was habitcd in the garb
Of a Mexican soldier. but as he shook the
other heartily by the hand, he exclaimed, In
toierab!e English:
"Well. Bob, blow me tight il faint you"
s'No,hing shorter, Joe,' responded the
American.
"Where have you been since you left the
Bowery2" asked the Mexican.
"Playin' short engagement with General
Scott" replied the other.
Just like me; I'm engaged for the season
for general utility with Santa Anna," re
piled the Mexican.
At this moment the changing fortunes of
the fight brought the very hottest Of it close
to our non combatants. who iouud themselves
suddenly surrounded by conflicting squad
rons.
"Drorr, scoundrel.' exclaimed joe sui;ing
the action 10 the word, by producing his own
''toledo."
'ScOuncrel in Thy teeth replied Bob,
drawing his own weapon. and at il they went.
allow shall it be, 10; head blows or sixesF
asked Bob.
oh the old story: two up and two down
with Stamping and grinnng-very bJody!
! The Richard fight you knew"
So at it they went, their swords meeting AT
every blow, but 10 blood being shed. Both
armies stopped to gaze at the unwoned
sigat. Since Rome's best gladitorial days.
such determined courage, mingled with such
skill, had not been known. They fought,
and fought but not without results. Sparks
flew, rage was depicted in the faces OF The
Two men, the ground was trampled for an
hundred feet in diameter, but still neither
was killed or wounded. At length the sun
set, and both armies retired, faiigued, leaving
the two desperate fellows 10 fight it out,
which they did so eifec,ually that neither
was seen the next day. And thus 1t was Gas
! tradition goes) that two theatrical super
numeraries terminated The battle OF Contreas.
We never inquired OF Gen. Riley, but pre-
sumo il is true.