ing fire of the battle; but so sure was the aim of the Texas riflemen, that wherever a Mexican showed his head he was shot. Blood flowed from the tile guttering, and their dead bodies lay in piles.

Captain Cameron and his gallant company occupied a yard outside the houses, surrounded by a stone wall, from which they kept up an effectual fire, but lost three men killed and seven wounded. On the night of the crossing, in the darkness, Mr. Joseph Berry was so badly injured by a fall, that a detail of seven men, including Dr. Sinnickson, was made to remain with him in a hut outside the town. They had watched the battle seventeen hours, when a troop of sixty Mexican cavalry dashed past the door. Their rifles were instantly brought to bear, killing the commander and ten men. In a short time a larger force of cavalry appeared with a cannon, when the Texians rushed from the house to make their way to the main body. Three, including Dr. Sinnickson, were taken prisoners. The remainder were killed.

After a desertion of their cannon for six hours the Mexicans, fearing to come in sight of the Texians, resorted to the lasso, dragging them off by main strength. Bugles sounding the charge could now be heard in various directions.

About two o'clock, P.m., of December 26th Dr. Sinnickson, prisoner, came to Colonel Fisher with, a white flag, and communicated to him, verbally, proposals from Ampudia for surrender of the Texians. This was followed by a private interview between the two officers, Ampudia and Fisher, who had formerly been on friendly terms. When Colonel Fisher returned he repeated Ampudia's proposals and pledges, and assured the Texians that from his own personal knowledge of that officer they need have no doubt that these pledges would be faithfully kept. All who would surrender and give up their arms should be "treated with the consideration which is in accordance with the magnanimous Mexican nation; that they should not be sent to Mexico, but retained on the frontier 208

until they could be exchanged; but if they did not surrender no quarter should be given." Many of the Texian officers and men regarded themselves as the conquerors, having fought for eighteen hours nine times their own number with the loss of but twelve killed, and having killed or wounded between six and seven hundred Mexicans.

Colonel Fisher urged the consideration of the already great disparity of numbers, which he had been informed would immediately be greatly increased, and of the impossibility of retreating with their twenty-three wounded men without great loss of life. He informed them that only five minutes were allowed in which to make their decision, but if they chose to continue the fight he would remain with them, and they would sell their lives as dearly as possible.

The surrender which followed was not by unanimous consent. A few, at first, worn out with hunger and fatigue, stepped forward and laid down their arms. Others, seeing their numbers diminished, did the same. A few who had been Santa Fe prisoners, and at last all, stacked their faithful rifles and surrendered "prisoners of war."

Questions.--What did the three hundred men who refused to obey Somervell do? Whom did they elect officers? What brave man would many have preferred as commander? How did they commence operations t How was Mier situated? What occurred on December 23d? How did the Americans next proceed? What did they learn from scouts 1 What occurred on the 25th? What advantage did the Texans gain? How did they take advantage of it 1 What occurred at daylight on the 26th? How many Mexicans were killed t How many Americans? How did Fisher meet one of the charges? What position did the Mexicans then kike? What of Cameron and his company? Describe what occurred outside the town. How did the remaining artillerymen rescue their cannon? What could now be heard? What occurred about two o'clock P.m.? What were the pledges? In what light did many of the Texians regard themselves? What motives did Fisher urge for surrendering1 What can you tell of the surrender?

CHAPTER LIII.

MIER PRISONERS DRAWING THE BEANS AT SALADO MASSACRE.

The pledges of Ampudia, reduced to writing after the surrender, were redeemed by putting the men in irons and marching them, tied in pairs, as prisoners to Matamoras. The wounded were left at Mier with Dr. Sinnickson; the forty-two who were left with the horses on the Texas side of the river returned home.

Sixty-six Mexican officers received "the grand cross of honor," and an advance of one grade for achieving this "brilliant victory."

The prisoners were marched through the principal streets of Matamoras, which was decorated for the occasion. Flags were floating, bands of music played most triumphant marches, bells rang, guns were fired, and the populace shouted and jeered; but some of the citizens, moved to pity, afterwards contributed clothing and money for their most pressing necessities. After starting a small company two days in advance, including Colonels Fisher and Green, the prisoners left Matamoras, January 14, 1843, under a guard of one hundred cavalry, four hundred infantry, and two pieces of artillery, under command of Colonel Savriego, for Monterey. Six men and two boys remained in Matamoras.

Averaging eighteen or twenty miles a day, corralled at night in the open air, they reached Monterey on the 29th of January. Here they were made more comfortable, and rested until the 2d of February. Arriving at Saltillo they were joined by five of the prisoners taken from San Antonio by General Woll in the previous September. Under command of Colonel Barragan they left Saltillo for San Luis Potosi, taking the hacienda of Salado in their way, which they reached February 10, 1843.

On the morning of the 11th of February, at a preconcerted Bignal, led by Captain Cameron, the prisoners rushed upon their guard, then eating breakfast, disarmed them and made their way into the courtyard, where they overcame one hundred and fifty infantry. Here they armed themselves and dashed for the gate, overcame the guard stationed there, and scattered the cavalry on the outside. They had four men killed, three of whom were to have been their guides through the mountains on their homeward march; secured about one hundred and seventy stand of arms and one hundred horses; and, at ten o'clock A.m., they left the hacienda. They travelled rapidly the first day, keeping the Saltillo road. On the night of the 13th of February, in the darkness, they became separated, and during the five succeeding days, suffering from hunger, thirst, and the cold air of the mountains, they wandered about, searching for water. Their tongues were swollen, and several became insane. They killed horses and ate their flesh.

About twelve o'clock on the 18th they discovered smoke, the signal which waa to be given if any of the stragglers found water. In eager expectation of quenching their thirst they went to the place and discovered the camp-fires of a body of Mexican cavalry under command of General Mexia. Most of them, through exhaustion, had thrown away their guns, and were in no condition for resistance. They again surrendered, and, during the day, other stragglers came to the camp or were found and brought in by the soldiers. On the 19th Captain Cameron came in with quite a number and surrendered. General Alexia treated them with great consideration, giving to them of food and water such quantities as they could take in safety. Notwithstanding these precautions several drank too freely and died.

On Lhe 2!}d of February they began their return march on foot, tied in pairs and closely guarded, picking up their comrades in a perishing condition on the way. Some of the sick