The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-09-06
UI)c Rangers lsnsc.
Defamation Of the Mcir Prise nerS

DtClNiatt0H VI tEc WcIf IIlSO HtIS |
On the evening of the 18th Of December,
1872, Il small army, or more properly com |
ulmy Of Texan troops, crossed the RIO |
Gr,ndr and moved to attack the Mexican
town of Micr: but viewed in every rational |
light and even to the widest Imagination,
their hope of success seemed utterly fororn.
Their regular commAnlcr, General Summer
willie, with on.-hAlf Of the invading force,
urSpairimg Of the enterprise, had abandoned
it II few Years before, and the remainder
chose il new leader, determined not to re-
treat ingloriously without striking blow
The bold resolve was therefore desperation,
for they had neither ordnance nor baggage
wagons, nor Notwithstanding but their
rih IS and their uncomfortable courage OF
hearts which knew no fear.
At the distance of short league stood the
ancient town Of Mcir, so strong in itself, with
almost every house IL fortress Of stubborn
stone, and the citizens the bravcst boast OF
the frontiers while in front Of the suburbs lay
the camp of General Candles, impudia, and
the chivalrous La Vega, with Al powerful
artillery and two thousand soldiers, the elite
Of the Mexican army.
The sun set in Il huge bank of black and
stormy clouds, and hoarsc peal Of far oil
thunder muttcrcd ominousy as the last
Texan landed on the hostile shore. The
great majority Of the vislgcs looked stern
and gloomy us the tempcSluouS face of that
cold December sky and every hand clutched
its trlsty rifle with nerves OF iron and awful
energy: while Il low yet terrible mnrnur ran
along the acknowledgements on the traitor
Candles, whose 1aschoods have brought us
here ~
In the angry, rushing ranks, however,
there was one youth Of some twenty sum
mcrs. who betrayed very different feeling
al. 4 ;.,I, tl,n tb,.
crowd. He laughed, icstcd, and gave way
to the greatest emulation Of nirth, as if
merely going for the amusement Of Il frolic,
until mis- two elder brothers rcbuked his
merry madness.
But Jack Phelps only answered in his
usual vcin--.EW hat would you have me TO
do Are we not bound for II battle instead
OF ~ funeral! And see no need Of Il long
face unless it be to Brighten the cucmy!'
Indeed. the young man looked the per-
sollicatiou and ideal Of the highest personal
prowcSS. with his tall, and handsome form,
Spriugv and powerful Us that of tiger, and
his beautiful, fair, almost feminine features,
brnmng with radiant smiles and bearing the
impress Of reckless bravery, while his keen
blue eye twinklcd with gay lumor, and over
flowed with sparkling, irreprcSsibe ANIMATION
and lis rich yellow locks waved round his
fine shoulders like the golden sun-god. The
two elder brothers, James and William
Phelps, both presented Il noble appearance;
and the three, with the famous ranger, Capt.
Lewis. marched at the head of the advancing
column.
Very soon the deepest darkness descended
to the earth. anl everything became invisible
save when the titiul flashes of lightning lifted
,lp the pail OF sable clouds, but to drop it the
next instant, and thus render the gloom more
intense.
Captain Lewis, lend me your sword,
said Jack Phelps, in serious voice.
"For what purpose ~ inquired the other
81 want to cut open the fog, so that we
can see our way - answered the wild jester
with his merry musical laugh.
"IIush!'' said the officer" s'we must b
near the cncmy's line"
Scarcely had he spoken, when brillian
sheet Of crimson flame burst few pace
before them. and the dcafcning roar OF
whole platoon of muSketry rcvcrbcratcd Of
the still night air. The Texans uttered
yell wild enough to wake the dcad-''Ven
teance to the traitor, Canalcs 20 and ruslc,
to meet their foes.
After brief struggle they drove in thu
picket guards, and, without moment
pause, the three hundred heroes flew to d
battle against three thousand. At the instan
the storm broke forth in all its fury, and The
Mexican cannon and the dread artillery G
heaven opened together Mingled grapcshoi
bullets and haiStoncs ratified among til
chapparcl in fearful rivalry as if man an
nature had joined in mortal combat, Will
thc shrckS Of the wounded and means Of tn
dying, could be heard only at rare intervals
amidst the tcroCious shouts Of the warrior
and the more tremendous pcus Of appallin
thunder. Such was the scene OF horro
nearly, ifnot uncquallcd in the bloody ANIMAL
Of the world.
Am3udia hurled mass after mass of infar
try against the little band of dreadful advcl
turrrS, thinking to crush them by the mcr
weight OF numbers: hut, firm and unyicldin
as II solid rock in the ocean. they rcsiStc
and rolled back every billow in broke
waves.
Canales charged upon them with five hun
drcd horse; but the rife and revolver prove
too much for the Mexican lance as well
bayonct; and still slowly steadily, and eve
onward. the Texans forced their way int
thc suburbs Of Mcr, and about nlidnigl
effected their lodgment in several of Il
Strongest stone houses, when the contc
ceased.
The following dawn came bright and hca'
tifu from the dew droppn. chambers of Il
golden orient, and the sunny air tcemt
ever stained the blue eyes Of heaven, and !
blood had ever crinsoncd the green boso
Of he goriovs earth.
But with the first ilislI OF the burning su