Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-05-14
circumstance Of the Capture Of the United
Stntea Troops Mt IndiRnOIn.

Circumstance Of the Capture Of the United
States Troops ut IndiRBOIa.
Gentlemen passing through the city, yes
terday, give some particulars, not heretofore
published, of the capture Of the United
States troops at Ihdianola, Texas, under the
command of Colonel Sihley.
Two companies Of the First and two of the
Eighth Infantry marched down from Fort
Lancaster, where they had been stationed,
four hundred and thirty miles to Indisnola,
where they joined Colonel Sibley, with three
companies of the Third Infantry. They
found there two small coasting steamers, the
Rashton aad United States, which had been
employed to carry the troops down Mata-
gorda Bay, 10 Pass Cavallo, where the Star
Of tho West was awaiting them.
While the troops, with their luggage
wives and children, were getting on board
the coastiDg steamers, the steamer Rusk, a
regular passenger vessel, came in from Gal
weston, and instead of making her usual stop,
touched a few moments at an outside pier,
and put off down the bay. During the fol-
lowing night a rumor reached the officers
INV IL W0o bhV bChNlO vi Tx LOAdllGg NY
the aid Of the Rusk, to capture the Star Of
the West and sfterward to make them pris-
oners. Some Of the officers were in favor of
tsking immediate measures TO save them.
selves and the troops from capture by
selling the Fashion and the United States out
ofthe hands Of the officers, and making their
way to Havana, Tampico, or some other
place from whence they could find means to
reach the North; but other counsels pre-
vailed. Colonel Sibley was unable to be
convinced that the Texans would violate the
promises they had made to permit the troops
to pass freely out Of the State; Major Smith
the second in command, was a Southerner in
birEh and feeling, as were half the whole
number of officers, all of whom gave their
voices and influence to discourage and pre-
vent the adoption of any measures to extri-
cate the command from the difficulties with
which il was environed. Pending this state
of indecision, the detachment found itself
surrounded by armed men, swarmiug in
upon them from all directions. Encountered
with women and children, without artillery
or in~trenchments, and in the presence of a
force several times as great as their own,
they surrendered.
The RGsk ran down to the pass in the
night, and, under the p~retense that she was
laden with the United States troops, was
permitted by the Captain of the Star Of the
Vest to come alongside. No sooner was
she made fast, than the Star was seized in
the name of the Confederacy.
After the surrender, strenuous exertions
were made to induce the soldiers to enlist
in the service of the Confederacy, and conf
dent expectations were entertained of sue.
cess. The troops were harengued by their
own renegade officers, and offers of back pay
and bounties were freely made to induce
them to abandon their allegiance, but with.
out effect. Not one could be bribed to leave
his standard. They preferred to take the
chances of prisoners of war rather than serve
against their couLtry. 1t is to be hoped
that their devotion to the right will meet
its appropriate reward.