Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-11-12
Defamation of the Meir Prisoners

Defamation of the Meir Prisoners
On the evening Of the 25th of De.
; cember, 1912. small army, or more
properly company Of Texan troops
crossed the Rio Grande, and moved
to attack the Mexican town Of Meir;
bat viewed in every rational light
and even to the widest imagination
their hopes ofsuccess seemed utterly
forlorn. Their regular commander
General Summerville, with one-hall
the invading force, despairing Of the
enterprise, had abandoned it few
days before, and the remainder hose
a new leader, determined not to re-
treat ingloriously without striking
blow. The bold resolve was there
| fore desperation, for they had neither
ordnance nor baggage wagons, nor
proyisions-nothing but their rifles
and that unconquerable courage of
hearts which knew no fear.
At the distance OF a short league
stood the ancient town of Meir, so
strong in itself, with almost every
house fortress of stubborn stone,
and the citizens the bravest boast of
the frontier, while in front of the
suburbs lay the camp of General Ca
males. Ampudia and the chiyalrous
La Vega, with powerful artillery
and two thousand soldiers, the elite of
the Mexican Army.
The sun set in a huge bank OF
black and stormy clouds, and hoarse
peal of far off thunder muttered omin-
ously as the last Texan landed on
the b. stile shore. The great major
ity of the visages looked stern and
gloomy as the tempestuous face Of
the cold December sky, and every
hand clutched its trusty rifle with
nerves of iron and awful energy;
while low yet terrible murmur ran
along the column Vengeance on
the traitor Canales, whose falsehoods
have brought us here
In the angry, rushing ranks, how
ever, there was one youth of some
twenty summers, who betrayed a very
different feeling from chat which ac-
tuated the mass of the crowd. He
laughed, jested, and gave way to the
greatest emulation of mirth, as if
merely going for the amusement of a
frolic, until bis two elder brothers
rebuked his merry madness.
But Jack Phelps only answered in
his usual vein-"What would you
have me do? Are we not bound for
battle instead of funeral? And
| see no need of a long face unless
it be to frighten the enemy j.
Indeed, the young man looked the
personifcation and ideal of the high
est personal prowess, with his tall
and handsome form, springy and pow
erlul as that of tiger, and his beau
tifnl, fair, almost feminine features,
beaming with radiant smiles and bear
ing the impress Of reckless bravery,
while his keen blue eye twinkled with
gay humor. and oyerflowed with spark
ling irrepressible animation, and his
rich yellow locks waved round the
fine shoulders like the golden sun-god.
The two elder brothers, James and
William Phelps, both presented no.
BILE appearance; and the three, with
the famous ranger, Capt. Lewis,
marched at the head of the advancing
column.
Very ovUu TUG deepest darkness
descended to the earth, and every
thing became invisible save when the
fitful flashes of lightning lifted up 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 seri
ous voice.
FOR what purpose?' inquired the
other.
i want to cut open the fog, so that
we can see our way 7 answered the
wild Jester, with his merry musical
laugh
Hush 7 said the officer, we must
be nearthe enemy's line.'
Scarcely had he spoken, when
brilliant sheet Of crimson fame burst
few PAGES before them and the deaf.
ming roar of a whole platoon Of mus. |
ketrv reverberated on the still night !
air. The Texans uttered a yell wild
enough to wake the dead Head s.vsnge,l ',