San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-05-10

-oNat Va WiAeh Sois
Hays was placed in command. When
the Mexican war broke ont he com.
manded his corps Of Texan troops,
under Gen. Taylor, which consisted
partly OF several companies of caval-
ny. He distinguished himself espe-
cially an Monterey, where the Texans
led the van and bore the brunt of the
battle. When Gen. Santa Anna, the
Mexican commander surrendered to
Gen. Scott, he was made Col. Hays
Prisoner. The war was ended and
peace proclaimed in 1S48. ,-,
..i.H AN INCIDENT. wv
Once, while living in Texas he was
surprised alone by party of hostile
Indians. They seemed TO feel sure of
their prey, but they counted without
their host. There was fortunately
near at hand recess in a rock in
which Hays hastily placed himself.
He was accessible to the Indians only
in front, and as they attempted to APP
proach he used his rifle and pistols
with deadly effect on his foes. Four
bit the dust, and the rest, impressed
with the idea that their intended VIC
tim had a charmed life, fled.
The first efficient service he did af-
ter the breaking out of the Mexican
war was at the battle of Monterey.
Gen. Worth's division was advancing
upon the town, Col. Duncan's light
battery was masked by chaparral, and
Col. Hays, with his rangers, were de-
ployed as scouts. A body of 1000
Mexican cavalry was observed charg-
ing around the spur Of the hill, with
their lances set, intending to over
whelm the American forces with their
impetuosity. Col. Duncan had his
pieces charged with grape and can
mister, and motioning for Hays men
to lie down, which signal they obeyed,
he
LET GO HIS BATTERY,
Which had been unseen by the
Mexicans, and routed them with ter
rife slaughter. Col. Hays stood his
ground manfully and aided in check
ing the charge of the Mexican legions.
Thus the American army was that day
saved from destruction. He also did
efficient service at the storming of the
bishops palace at Monterey on the
morning of September 81, 1916. Col.
Hays and his men crawled on their
hands and knees through a cornfeld
before daylight, took the enemy's out
post by surprise, and captured them
before they could give an alarm. This
rendered the capture of the enemy's
main position by storm a compare,
lively easy matter.
IN VIGILANCE COMMITTEE TINES.
During his term of Office as sheriff
of San Francisco he went with 6
posse to the rooms of the vigilance
committee on Battery street and tool
from thence the two murderers, Whit.
taker and Mckenzie, whom the com
mittee had sentenced to be hung ant
who were awaiting their execution
This was a bold stroke,as the vigilance
committee was at that time really thu
sovereign power. On the next day
however, a body of 500 of the com
mitteemen suddenly made their ap
pearance, while the jail-keepers hae
their prisoners out in the corridor at
tending divine service, and recapture'
them. Col. Hays was not present a
the moment and before he could exer
his authority Whitaker and McKenzl
were dangling from the end of
beam. The vigilance committee CAV
them short shrift.
At the time of the Indian war II
I Washoe in 1860, when the inhabitant
of Virginia City were beleagured b
hostile Indians, volunteers went iron
Sacramento to succor them. Tn
The first expedition met with disaster
The Indians massacred GA of Ma,
Ormsby's party, and the rest got BAG
as best they could. Further aid wa
called for, and Col. Hays went owe
at the same time another detaehmer
of volunteers went, and the little arm
was reorganized with Col. Hays asst
leader. Col. Hays fogged the Indian
badly and forever put a stop to the
hostilities. 81
Only Printer.