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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
proceeded immediately up the river to the town of Soto la 1\Iarina, which was taken possession of without opposition-the commanding officer of that district, Col. Don Felipi de la Garza having retired at the approach of the new comers. Mina was informed, very soon after his arrival here, that Don La :Mora, one of the wealthiest citizens of the place was making his escape to the enemy, taking with him a large amount of specie and much valuable property. La Mora in his first interview with Mina, had made many professions of friendship, and had promised to furnish him with necessary supplies; but at the very time of doing this, he was secretly arranging for his flight, and had already despatched a messenger to La Garza to come to his relief and aid him in the removal of his effects. Perry was despatched immedi- ately in pursuit of the hypocritical fugative. La 1\Iora escaped; but the specea and property were captured. This, however, was no sooner done, than La Garza, who was coming to the protection of La Mora made his appearance at the head of three hundred and fifty cavalry- a force more than three times greater than Perry's, which was com- posed of infantry alone. A parley was held. La Garza demanded the restoration of the property; and promised the Royal clemency to all who should lay down their arms. This attempt to seduce the alle- giance of his troops, fired the indignation of Perry, who at once defied the foe, and prepared for battle. La Garza, in the confidence of superior numbers, regarded victory on his side as certain and easy, & had no hesitancy in entering ·into the conflict. He charged the Amer- icans with unusual activity and vigor. But without avail. Perry re- ceived him with firmness, and by a timely and well-directed volley, checked his impetuosity and forced him to fall back. The attempt was renued again and again by Garza, but in every instance with the same ill-success. At length he dismounted his men and came into open battle. A few rounds were exchanged between the beligerants, when Perry concluded that it was his turn to make a charge; and sallying accordingly from the favorable position he occupied, he ad- vanced upon the foe with such unwavering firmness, that the latter took fright; mounted his men and fled in utter confusion. The loss of the enemy were nine men. In the ranks of Perry, not one had been killed or wounded. The treasure in dispute, however, was recaptured by the royalists; for while this skirmishing was going on between the main forces, a party bad fallen in the rear of Perry, and bore away the prize, after killing one and capturing two of the guard who had been detailed to protect it.- The specie only was recaptured; the other effects were too bulky for removal; and Perry had to abandon them to the enemy and return to Soto la Marina. Mina himself expected to have participated in this fight; but was prevented by accident from so doing; and this failure on his part to cooperate, though altogether unavoidable, was supposed to be one of the g-rounds of that discontent which Perry began to manifest very shortly after this affair. The real cause, however, of his dissatisfaction was never known; but it was evident to all that his heart was no longer enlisted in the cause; and it was not many days before his determina- tion to withdraw from the Expedition and return to the United States, was openly avowed.- No explanations or concessions had any effect upon him; he was resolved to go; and :Major Gordon and several val-
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