The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-08-29

After this engagement he proceeded ON TO the city
CHIHUAHUA Collins leading the way which place they
took without resistance. Here Donlphan at oss 10
know what further 10 do, the time of his service had
nearly expired. He 500 miles from Taylor's
division and how get orders govern his future oper-
atoms he knew not In this crisis Collins came forward
and volunteered to go through sato and commune
cate with the commanding officer He selected Is men
started They travelled four five days without meet
ing any serious impediment They rode up Alcades
house the 9th day, whom Collins had known and in
quired for food for horse and The Alcade came
forth but pretending not to know Collins answered the
inquiry very grufiy in the negative. Every question
that asked him he answered in the way Final
y Collins started off but had proceeded but short dis
lance when he called back and told lac could be &c
commodated The Alcade, who had some eight or ten
men with him. changed bis tactics and treated the party
with remarkable kindness He did everything to prolong
his stay But Collins kept hurryng up his men, suspect
ing that there trick in the sudden change OF
manner Collins finally ordered his to saddle their
mules The Alcade stepped up to him and told him
that he had orders stop him. and that could not 60
BY this time sixty armed Mexcans had surrounded
the house Collins stemy commanded his men to lead
their horses into the road and mount They did So the
Alcade all the time telling Collins not to eof he did
violence would follow Collins told him he was going
The Alcade asked him for his pass He laid his hand on
his gun and responded, g Here is my pass, sr," and
mounting his horse he and his rode slowly Of in the
face OF four times their number of the enemy.
He reached Wools division Buena Vista 500 miles
in l3 days encounterng various impediments similar to
the here related An express was despatched to Tay
lor to receive orders for Doniphan He was commanded
to come on down, and so out by way OF New Orleans
Collins and his started back and reached poniphans
command in Is days after leaving Buena VISTA undergo
ing many priyatons and hardsbps. His arrival was
greeted with shouts Of joy they expected he had been
cut Off
He continued with Doniphan in the capacity of scout
until the regiment reached Buena Vista Here he de-
ternined to return and Gen Price OF Missouri who
then pretty much the over which Don
iphan had passed Wool however could listen to IL
He told him he desired him TO remain with his command
and just to any he pleased for his services
Collins told him money not consideration with
him in service of that kind that if he could be use
full he would stay. Wool expected then, to go on to
San Louis Potosi, and Collins knowing well the whole
country Wool wanted the advantage of that knowledge
This was not made, and Collins, being anxious to
return and meet Gen Price, where he thought he could be
of more service, he selected nine and negro boy
and started his hazardous journey Before they had
gotten within 100 miles OF Chihuahua of his men de-
serted On nearing small town he rode rapidly ahead
CT his men, and seeking the Acade inquired he could
be furnished with food for his and animals He re-
mounted and in less than FIVE minutes be was sur
rounded by at least three hundred armed Mexlcans
OF course, he and his had chance of es-
cape, and they taken prisoners. Collins
taken to Chihuahua This in October He re-
manned in confinement here better than four months
during which time, with young Skinner, brother-in-law
Of Senator Polk of Missouri whom he found in prison there
he made several attempts to escape but defeated in
his purpose until finally about o'clock one night in
AZ. 1OEr j. IN.
sistance of picket-pn and butcher knife in cutting
hole through the adobe wall He was out but did not
know where TO CO. The friend with whom he had made
the arrangement to have his mule ready for him failed to
do So and he stroled about town until clock pass
ing the troops who looking for him frequently FL
naly the hostler down to the stable He approach
cd him, and told him he wanted his mule The man said
he could not give him up II he did he would be shot
Collins drew the picketpin from under bis blanket and
holding dollar piece in his left hand, said Now
sir If you will lot have my mule will give you ten
dollars; II you do not, win kill Won The fellow
thought the picketpin pistol and shaking like an
aspen leaf opened the stable sadded the mule and Col
Inns mounted put spurs to the animal and rushing past
the watch 45 miles from Chihuahua by daylight next
morning. Fifty troops started after him. but by
travelling by night and laying by in the day he escaped
their pursuit For Ave days and nights he subslsted on
small loaf of bread When he travelled he chose the
most difficult and dangerous parts of the mountains and
frequently had to lead his mule nearly all night in order
to leave bad trail possible He came down into
the road just in time to meet with scouting party from
Prices company, who I'll Taso and to escape the
Mexican troops, who Lad passed him that night But
when they the scouts not knowing how many there
were they broke back at their best speed
Collins remained with Gen. Prices command in the
relation that he bore to Col Doniphan The Next
had fortified Chihuahua after Doniphan left it. Price
retook it,
Col Collins was then sent as bearer of dispatches to
Washington city, where he had long interview with
President Polk detailing to him the particulars Of the
progress of the campaign.
He Is now y-seven years old and active and Wig
orous when thirty He is avery-intalugent, high
toned chvarous gentleman, who would cut off his right
arm beofe he would do dishonoabe act compromise
his integrity As superintendent Of Indian affairs he is
very scrupulous in all his dealings He understands the
Indian character well any in The Territory and
will make most excellent superintendent He is very
popular with all classes He the choice of the entire
American population, with the exception of persons,
in Santa Fe for governor well every army officer,
and the great Of the native population No man
cona stand higher in the esteem and affection Of the peo
pie of New Mexico than does James !. Collins.
Mr. Sherman. the collector at FL Paso, is here at this
time He viii leave with the August mail for Washing
ton city to prefer charges against several army officers
a.