Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1888-05-24
SKETCHES OF TRAVEL OVER
THE SUNSET ROUTE.
Br MARY FRANK IVY.

rear tho door, anu, Win an ao
itracted air, mutely presents to
our notice, a small box held ID
Ter hand. On the top OF the
Dox, rudely penned in printed
characters, is a request for con.
to preserve the old
mission house. This demand,
The generous tourist with all his
better impulces in the ascend
pncy, cannot resist.
Then we turn to view the
apartment and it's sacred relics.
We feel that we have stepped
the sublime to the rldlcu-
lous, SO great is the contrast
between the effect when with
the mind filed with reverence
and admiration for the ruins. We
behold the exterior. and that,
when introduced to the puppet
show within.
In n transept is q carpeted
platform of implanted planks,
like a temporary stage lor a
country school exhibition. The
carpet falls abOnt four feet to
the floor, and screens the open
space beneath. Upon this plat
form is an ugly featured, oddly
dressed big doll, looking as if
intended to represent an ancient
dame. She is decorated in taw-
dry fnery, and evidently has
had u very inferior mantua-mak-
er. The entire show has the APP
pearance of a child's play house,
minus the attractive quality of
innocent intention in the de
signer. The doll personates the
I"HoIy Virgin" The mind re
volts at a contemplation of this
eiligy in connection with the
beautiful Bible character n.
Mary the mother of Jesus.
In the recess opposite the
door, is the chancel. II is en-
closed by a low balustrade, and
covered by a carpet, which from
age and usage is almost il
shreds. Two tall, painted, wood
en- candelsbra. bearing seven
candles each and two smaller
ones with a less number are up
on the altar. A picture of Christ
Of saint, and of THE Sacred
Heart" all cheap prints, are
suspended upon the walls.
THE TEXAN BUNKER HILL.
During the Texan Revolution
a short engagement occurred
here; the result of which has
given this place the a%ppellation
of "The Texian Bunker Hill"
The Mex;cans had one thous
and men ga~rrisoned in the Ala
mo. The Texans determined
upon capturing the fort, not
outstanding the fact that their
entire body of troops numbered
only five hundred.
On the 21th of Oct. 1885, Coils,
Fannin and Bowie with "A de
tachment of ninety men ventur
ed into this vicinity. That night,
they slept on their arms in this
old missiOn-hOuse, The next
morning, a dense fog having OBJ
scured the distant view, they
were nearly surrounded by
about five hundred Mexicans be.
fore they discovered that the
enemy was advancing. They,
Immediately dispatched a court
er for reinforcement. and fell
back u few yards distant to a
slight bluff on the river. Under
the cover of this natural breast.
work, they awaited the enemy's
approach. When the Mexicans
arrived within forty yards of the
bluff, they we're saluted with the
contents of the Texas rifles.
This warm reception created a
lively stampede, and caused
them to reverse their direction
In their hasty retreat, they left
their two pieces of ordnance.
They quickly rallied. and return.
ell for their cannon, which they
obtained amidst n shower of
lead. They attempted to make
another stand, but o raking fire
from behind the bluff compelled
them to return TO a place of
safety.
The Mexicans then devised
another plan of operations. They
sent D detachment to place the
cannon at a point about one hun.
derd yards up the river, where
they could have a clear sweep
at the Texas force. They aimed
to dIslOdge the Texans, and
drive them back upon a line of
infantry supported by cavalry.
drawn up in the opposite direc-
ton. Their purpose was thwar.
ted, by a few brave spirits of
the little baud, who, concealed
by the river brink. glided swift.
iy up to the exposed point, and.
before a cannon could be fired.
cut down or put to iiI bit all the
gunners, and spiked the guns.
One man was killed while spik.
ing the cannon; the only Texan
that tell n The ccaa;ct. Pa;1
forcemeut for the American,
arriving about this time. the
Mexlcans rapidly retreated 10
the fort, leaving cannon. ammu.
milton cats, muskets, and TWEEN.
ty seven dead men on the field.
This battle is known hv III