The Copiah signal. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1882-1883, 1882-07-07
Ths Gapiah Signal,
Hazlehurst, July 18th, 1882.
Thrilling incident.

Ono Of the thrilling episodes Of the
Mexican war which are not to be
found in any Of its histories is that
Of an English family from tho city OF
Mexico leforo the capitulation By u
detachment Of American soldiers.
The city had been invested some
time, when refugee one night on
tered that part OF our lines which
Gen. Shields commanded. He was
an English boy, and, with his mother
and sister just arrived at womanhood,
occupied home in the capital at the
time Of the Investment. One Of the
lawless guerrilla chiefs, who held the
people OF the city as well as those OF
the country in terror, had conceived u
violent passion for the sister, who
repulsed his advances, and he had
declared in his rage that unless she
consented to his proposals on the
following morning. 10 would carry
her OF by force, and cause her moth
err and brother to DO executed. The
lad, in the extremity Of his terror.
had made his way out the city past
the sentinels and the lines, gained
The America camp, and now besought
the General to save his mother and
sister. The ardent soul Of Shields
(who was then but 81 was fired at
the thought Of tie miserable fate.
awaiting these helpless ladies, aud,
without communicating at all with
headquarters (wnere fiat refusal
would have been ccriain). he formed
plan for their rescue. To call il
rash, Qlixotic, or daredevil would
be the truth; the best defense Of his
proceedings Of that night is That it
was a bravo act, prompted by gon-
orous heart, and that lie succeeded
perfectly. where disaster would in.
sure Lis dismissal from the army.
lie had about 400 picked men OF
his command detailed, and after
briefly informing them what he pro-
posed TO do he found every man CO.
ser for the adventure. Putting him.
self at the head Of tho little column
he silen.ly left tie American lines,
and, favored by the darkness OF the
night. approached close,.to tho walls
of the city without discovery. The
scutiuels could be plainly seen on
tho wallis and the. cry, "Sentinela
nlerte!" was heard as it passed from
mouth 10 mouth. Guided by the
lad the party scaled the wall at 10
voiab!c place, and, seizing two OF
three Of the asst unded senlinels, de.
scended into the city, and quickly
made their way unopposod through
the streets to the house TO which the
lad guided them. Tho boy ran in
aud informed the ladies' that deliver
aacs had come; they hastily collect
ell q few valuable and articles OF
wearing apparel in buudlc. and.
placing the rescued party in the GEN.
tor OF the column. Shields started to
return. Bat meantime the alarm
had been given, and drums were
beating and lanterns flashing around
the walls. Arrived near the point OF
entrance, it was found that the
whole open place between the houses
aud walls was filed with Mexican ar.
ti,lery and infantry. Shields deploy-
ell and gave the command to fire. A
rafting volley. followed by bayo-
net charge, threw the Mexicans into
disorder. and the Americans rushed
through and over them with their
little party, made their way out, and
returned to their own camp with but
few casualties, although they drew
tho fire OF both sides on their return
for the American compwas now fully
aroused, aud the pickets were fire.
jig rapidly. Bat the tumult soon
ceased on both sides. the adventur-
ons soldiers returned to their quar-
ters as though nothing had happened
on. OF the usual course, and the Ia
dies were safely bestowed for the
night in q hut made as comfortable
as possible.
How he was called upon to ac-
count for this nights work will best
told in Gen. Shields own language;
Tho rext morning an officer OF
Gen. SCOTS staff camo to my quar-
tors with q message from the Gener.
al that he would like to know the
cause OF the previous nights alarm.
as it originated in that part OF the
line which was under my COM
mand. answered that / would re-
port in person, which ! at once did.
On tho way / thought the matter