The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-01
DREW FOR LIFE OR DEATH.
DIG FOOT WALLACE'S ACCOUNT OF
THE LOTTERY AT sALADO.


to Pot and Every Texan Who
Drew IA Black One Was shot by His
Mexican, Cnptors-Fate of the Men
in the Expedition.
From The New York Sun.
Austin, Tex.-WilIiam A. Wallace, com
monty known as Big Foot Wallace, and
noted throughout Texas and Mexico as an
Indian fighter and Texas ranger, is now
living on his little ranch in Medina county.
He is So years old, and for forty years he
made constant warfare upon the Mexicans
and Indians. He came to Texas when 20
years of age 70 avenge the murder of his
brother and cousin, who were killed in the
Fannin massacre by the Mexicans, and it
would be hard TO estimate with accuracy
the number Of Mexicans who fell victims
to Wallaces rifle in consequence. Shortly
after his arrival in Texas Wallace was
captured by Indians and condemned to
death. He was tied to a stake, and the
fagots piled high about his body were
about to be sci on fire, when an old squaw
rescued him.
Wallace was amember of the Mier ex-
petition into Mexico, and was fortunate
enough to draw a white bean at the time
Of the execution of many of his comrades
by the Mexicans. The expedition was or
ganized in San Antonio in 1912, by order of
the Texas authorities. When it entered
Mexico at a point ten miles above Guerrero
it numbered less than 500 men. small
force was sent out to reconnoiter in the
direction of Guerrero, and soon met
large force of Mexican cavalry, who drove
them back to their lines. The next day
Gen. Summervlle the commander, left
with a large number of men for San An
tonic. The men who remained were de-
termined to have a battle with the MeXi-
cans. They were only 224 all told, but
each and every one of them was as brave
and fearless as a lion Col. Fisher was
selected for their commander-in-chief.
They marched upon the town of Mier
and took possession of the place without
any opposition from the Mexican troops
The next day the Mexican army surround
ed the town and a desperate battle began.
The story of the fight is told by Big Foot
Wallace as follows:
THE fight began about O'Clock in the
afternoon, and as night came on an end
was temporarily put to the contest Among
us We're some of the best marksmen In the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. from Kentucky,
Tennessee, and Arkansas-and every greas-
er that ventured to peep at us from above
the parapets of the houses and around the
corners of the streets was sure TO get a
bullet through his head. Maj. Jones, former
postmaster general of Texas, was the only
man of our party who was killed the first
afternoon.
at daylight the next morning the Mex
leans began to blow their bugles and beat
their drums and to make "a great to-do
generally; but Tom Hancock, a messmate
Of mine who knew their character we'll
told us not to be alarmed, as they were
mo a Of b11H a
he had always noticed that the more
noise they made the less stomach they had
for fighting But it seems that the garri-
son had been greatly reinforced during
the night, and, confident in their numbers,
they charged the position we occupied with
more spirit than we had given them credit
for AS relnforcements came they grew
holder, and charged us again and again
with great courage, but We repulsed them
each time.
THE battle continued until about 2
o'clock In the afternoon, when a pause of
an hour or so took place with the tacit
consent of both parties, And then affairs
took a turn / have never been able to ac-
count for satisfactorily. Everything seemed
TO promise a complete victory, for we had
evidently been getting the best OF the fight
all day long, when the MeXicans hoisted
a white flag and sent 1t into our lines by
one of our men who had been previously
captured by them He was accompanied by
two Mexican oikcers. They bore a message
from Gen. Ampudia. informing us that he
had received large reiuforcements and had
US completely in his power.
"Our officers and the messengers Of Gen.
Ampudla had long discussion. Some of
our officers were in favor of fighting to
the last but the majority were in favor
Of surrendering, providing Gen. Ampudia
would grant us such terms as they
thought honorable and reasonable. The
terms We're finally decided upon. It was
at this stage OF the proceedings that Gen
Green stepped out of the ranks and called
for a hundred volunteers to 90 with him
and cut their way through the Mexicans
But the attempt seemed such a hopeless
one that no one responded to his call
and, mortified. the gallant soldier dashed
his rifle TO pieces on the ground ana re-
signed himself 10 his fate We then de-
livered up our arms TO the Mexicans and
were marched Off in double file TO our
quarters In some deserted stone buildings
There were thirty Texans and 800 Mex
leans killed IN this battle. The force OF
Mexican troops sent against the little band
Of Texans numbered 400. The Texans