rendered peculiarly impressive, said, "By God, general, me and the whole of my company will go it!" To the lasting credit of Captains Reese and Pearson's companies, the whole of them, to a man, were opposed to surrender. Thus was the hour spent by myself, Captains Cameron, Ryan, Reese, Pearson, Buster, Dr. Brennem, Judge Gibson, and others, in explaining to the men the entire practicability of marching in close order to where we the night before crossed the Alcantra, which was within three hundred yards, thence down the right bank about two miles to the Rio Grande, and so up the same to our camp. I informed the men "that under no possible circumstances could we lose more than fifty, and that our [102] probable loss would not exceed twenty; for the precipitous right bank of the Alcantra would protect us from any cavalry charge, while we had nothing to fear from the infantry in a country so broken and so suited to our rifles; that I would head them in this attempt, and would pledge my life upon the result." The hour was about to close, when Colonel Fisher requested me to accompany him to General Ampudia's headquarters. Having from the first opposed the whole of their terms, my opposition had increased as I reflected upon the frequent times that we had been cheated by their cursed white flag, I refused so to do. He went alone, where he remained some fifty minutes. Good use was made of this time by those who were in favour of fighting it out; and when Colonel Fisher returned, I do not believe that there exceeded twenty who were willing to surrender.

Colonel Fisher formed the different companies in the street to communicate the result of his interview with the Mexican commander, which was a reiteration of his former promises, and he concluded by saying that "I have known General Ampudia for years - know him to be an honourable man, and will vouch for his carrying them out; that if you are willing to accept these terms, you will march into the public square and give up your arms, or prepare for battle in five minutes; that, in any view of the case, your situation is a gloomy one, for you cannot fight your way out of this place to the Rio [103] Grande short of a loss of two thirds, or perhaps the whole; but if you are determined to fight, I will be with you, and sell my life as dear as possible." This speech was a deathblow to all farther prospect of fighting, for it at once determined half of the men to surrender, who instantly separated from the remainder, and moved off in the direction of the square.15 Among these were many of our oldest and most respectable fellow-citizens, and several who had heretofore stood deservedly high.

Now a scene commenced which defies description. In the countenances of those whom Colonel Fisher's speech did not induce to surrender, were disappointment, sorrow, rage: many shed tears, some swore, while others maintained a sullen determination, which showed that they were prepared for the worst. Those who marched off with the intention of surrendering showed in their