of God, we got our way made good; drew up in sight of the enemy, and retired, without being pursued, till we were in safety.  I had no more than twenty-five men, and some of them very ill wounded, of which number I was, for I received three wounds at the fort gate, but they were slight ones.  Several of the poor Highlanders, who were in the engagement, and fought like lions, lost their lives,—­some of them your acquaintance.

“I commanded, next Colonel Palmer, as captain of the horse, on the militia establishment.  My lieutenant was killed.  My cornet and quartermaster were made prisoners of war, with four more of the Highlanders.  Charles Mackay, nephew to Captain Hugh Mackay, who was ensign of militia, received five wounds in the action, and lost one of his fingers; and, thereafter, rather than fall into the hands of the Spaniards, ventured to swim an inlet of the sea, about a mile broad, and had the good fortune to get to the side he intended, and so to the General’s camp.

“As the Indians fled several different ways, no more account is yet heard of them, only that some of them were killed in the action, and others wounded and taken prisoners.  I believe there were sixty killed, and twenty taken prisoners of our whole party.  To some of our Creek Indians who were taken by the enemy, leave was given (to curry favor with their nation) to return home.  They told me that we killed a great number of the Spaniards at Moosa, and that they were dying by fives and sixes a day after getting into the town; so miserably were they cut by our broad swords; yet by their great numbers they got the day; but were sadly mauled, otherwise they would have pursued me.”

The fate of Colonel Palmer was the more affecting, from the consideration that he had raised one hundred and fifty good men, who had come with him as volunteers; that he was in a fort in which a breach had been made, and of course was no adequate protection; and that he was beyond the reach of any assistance.  It has, indeed, been said that he was not enough mindful of the directions that had been given him, and presumptuously exposed himself to danger.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Appendix, No.  XXIII.]

Mr. Stephens remarks that “the most bloody part of all fell to the unhappy share of our good people of Darien, who, almost to a man engaged, under the command of their leader, John Moore McIntosh; a worthy man, careful director among his people at home, and who now showed himself as valiant in the field of battle; where, calling on his countrymen and soldiers to follow his example, they made such havoc with their broadswords, as the Spaniards cannot easily forget."[1] This brave champion was taken prisoner, and suffered severe and cruel treatment.[2]

[Footnote 1:  Journal, II. 436.]

[Footnote 2:  He was sent to Old Spain, where he remained a prisoner, at Madrid, for several months; and was finally exchanged, and returned home to Darien.]