Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-08-04
A SCRAP OF HISTORY.
Entering An Eneniy's Town and Rcscuing
Prisoners Confined There.


Prisoners Confined There.
TGcn, Jas. Shields, Reportedin New York Times
One of the thrilling episodes of the Mex
lean wal which is not found in any of It's
histories is that of the rescue of an English
family from the city of Mexico before the
~capltulation, 10y a detachment OF American
soldiers. The city had been invested some
time, when a refugee one night entered
that part of our lines which Gen. Shields
commanded. He was au English boy, and
with his mother, and a sister Just arrived
at womanhood, occupied q home in the cap.
ital at the time of the investment. One of
the lawless guerrilla chiefs who held the
people in terror had conceived a violent
passion Tor the sister, who repulsed his adj
vances, and he had declared in his rage that
unless she consented to his proposals on
the following morning, he would carry her
Oil by force, and cause her mother and
brother to be executed. The lad, in the
extremity Of his terror had made his way
out of The city, past the sentlnels and the
lines, gained the American camp, and now
besought the general to save his sister and
mother. The ardent soul of Shields (who
was then but 30 was fired ct the thought
OF The miserable fate awaiting these hap
less ladies, and, without communicating at
an Will HCdQNtdl tClS NNuSIG Hat refusal
would have been c~ertain), he formed a plan
for their rescue. To call it rash, quixotic
or dare devil, would be but the truth: the
best defense of his proceeding of that night
is that it was a brave act, prompted by a
generous heart, and that he succeeded per.
tectiy, where disaster would have insured
his dismissal from the army.
He had about 400 picked men of his com
mand detailed, and, after quickly informing
them what he proposed to do, he found every
man eager for the adventure. Putin him
selfat the head of the little column, hesilently
left the American lines and, favored by the
darkness of the night, approached close to
the walls of the city without discovery. The
sentinels could be plainly seen on the walls,
and the cry "Sentinela %elertal' was heard as
it passed from mouth to mouth. Guided by
the lad, the party scaled the wall at a favor.
able place, and, Selling two OF three Of the
astonished sentinels, descended into the CITY,
and quickly made their way unopposed
through the streets to the house to which the
lad guided them. The boy ran in and inform
ed the ladies that deliverance had come they
hastily collected a few yaluables and articles
of wearing apparel in a bundle, and placing
the rescued party in the centre of the column
Shields started to return. But meanwhile
the alarm had been given, and drums were
beating and lanterns flashing all around the
walls. Arriving near the point of entrance,
1t was found that the whole open place be-
tween the houses and the wall was filed with
Mexican infantry and artillery. Shields in.
: stantly deployed and gave the command tc
= fire. A rafting yolley followed by a bayo
net charge, threw the Mexicans into disorder
and the Americans rushed through and owe
than ypIth thntr l,ttJa ,No.t- ,.ol- H.. -.
out, and returned to their own camp with bu
a few casualties although they drew the fir
of both sides of their return, for the Ameri
can camp was now aroused and the picket
were firing rapidly. But tie tumult sool
ceased on both sides, the adventurous soldier
returned to their quarters as though nothin
had happened out of the usual course, ant
the ladies were safely bestowed for the nigh
in a hut made as. comfortable as possible.
. How he was called upon to account 70
this nights work will be best told in Gen
Shields own language: "The next mornin,
an officer OF Gen. SCOTS staff came to M,
quarters with a message from the genera
that he would like to know the cause of tn
previous nights alarm, as it originated il
that part of the line which was under m,
S command. ! answered that | would repor
in person, which | at once did. On the wa,
| thought the matter over, and conclude,
that it would be best to make a clean breas
of it, and | did SO. The story threw Gen
Scott into a tremendous rage, Ever sine
Cerro Gordo was fought he had addressed m
as my Cerro Gordo friend but now h
dropped that familiar name. Gen. Shields
he Numbered, you are insubordinate an
reckless in the highest degree. You hav
. put in peril thefruits of the whole campaign
you have, perhaps frustrated all my plan
for the capture of the city of Mexico. 81
I'll disgrace you I'll court martial vol
and have you dismissed the service A
this my temper rose, and | answered hiI
plainly, that he might court martial m,
and perhaps get me dismissed, but after a
that had occurred in this campaign, ne
me and, being by this time pretty we'll Ell
red up, | said that under the Circumstance
| would do precisely the same thing ovt
again. Instead of being more angry, IL
general was rather soitened by this speed
Il was wrong, Gen. Shields he said, in ga,
ing that would disgrace you | ask yoI
pardon for that. You are a brave man, an
disgrace is not a word to use toward you. Bl
!. you are greatly to blame in this matter, 81
N You have acted without orders and imperi
ed the whole campaign Gen. Scott
said. before yon say anything more abol
it, suppose you come over to my quarters ar
see these ladies' After some further tai
he promised TO do so, and ! rode back to N
tent pretty well satisfied that | should ha,
no further trouble with the affair. In 8
hour over came Gen. Scott, and / at on,
introduced him to the ladies. The daught
was a picture Of beauty, with her goldt
hair and blue eyes and after the moth
had thanked the general for their preser
alton with fearful eyes and trembling yoic
the girl seized his hands, wept over ther
called MIN her preserver, and invoked Il
blessings of heaven upon his head. Sec
lookedfrom her to me with a very benevole
face, and said, Well, my Cerro Gordo frien
if get you court martialed for this, | sh;
have you promoted, too l have only
add that long afterward, when the war W
on over, and he had returned to the Unit
a. -. -. r.. III IL " n