Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-05-30

Now III DcSan IN earnest FIVE batteries, mount
ing IN all about twenty guns, and eight or ten nora's
opened their tremendous mouths vomiting forth death
and destruction The Pcquet was called in.
There was runber of spare fascions piled up on
the face of the battery, amongst which, for the want
of room i'll the bomb proof formed hus. In of
these lodged. They had been set fire by shell
that fell amongst them; and when entered the fort
the Spanish labourers busy throwing them into
the ran TO try 10 save my knapsack, with the
little treasure which had gained; but il was too
late-hu and all had been tossed over there was no
help for it. did not know how soon might be
throw over also. | called my gun and had
no more time 10 think the subject. They were
now plying fast with shell, that | saw six or
eight in the air over MS at once
death now began TO stalk about in the most horrd
forms. The large shot were almost certain messen-
gers where they struck. The first man killed was
sailor who belonged To the Tcmcrarie seventy four.
The whole of his face carried away II was
horrid looking wound He was at the same gun with
the. All. what will we do with HING said TO a sea-
man next to me- Let him lie there was the reply
'we have no time TO look after dead men now At
that time thought it hardened expression but this
was my first engagement. Not with the tar. lie
had been well used 10 them.
The French soon acquired a fatal precision with
their shot, sending them in through embrasures
killing and wounding men at every voiIev. was on
the leit OF the gun, at the front wheel. We
running her up after loading. had stopped to take
fresh purchase, cannon bali whis,led in through
The emhrasure carried The forage cap off my head,
and struck the man behind me on the breast, and
he fell 10 rise
''The commandant was now moving from place 70
place, giving orders and exposing himself 10 every
'dangcr. No could doubt that nc was brave -
Had IT been bravery, so!ered and blended with the
hner feelings of humanity he would have been true
hero; but --. Our artillery officer behaved like
gentleman, rs he had always done: and our sub
sl;crn in tOlerable medium: the ntlsipnan in the
style OF brave rongh and steady seaman But,
alas, how had the mighty faien-our brave adiuant
whose clustering voice, and bullying important manner
he'd bccn-aiways remarkable, was now as quiet as
lamb Seated IN an angle OF the battery sheltered
from the shot, pcniten the Guilty Stool ever exhi>
blied such ruefu cOuntcnance There he sat- amidst
TIC Jcering and scCiug of the men, until the com.
mandant ordered him down 10 the bomb proof TO s,l
pcr'ntcnd giving out tue ammunition-,nerely TO rct
hun cut OF the way.
"Thc carnage was now dreadful: the rannorts ba
came strc'rcd with the dead ana wounded; and blood
brains, and rnanged 5s lay scattered in every drec
tIen butou mems spirits and enthusiasm seemed 10
rise with the danger The artillery officer stood OF,
the platform, and when he reported anv Of orr sho,
taking effect, cheer followed, and 'at il again inv
heroes" was the exclamation from every mouth
When any %! our comrades fll il excited no visible.
feeling but revenge 'N!r Cor a ,etaat;n~ shot was
the wonl every strained to law TIE gun win
precision; and If it tool! effect it was considered that
iu!l Justice was done TO their memory.
I'VE had Il traversiLg gun in the angle Of the bal.
terry which had done great execution. The artillery
Sc Geant commanded her; and they were plyinp her
with great vigor In the of the day. however
IS tie man returning the sponge after shot and
The cartridge III the hand of another ready to reload
- pound shot from the French entered her n,izzle;
shc rchoundcd, and struck e sergeant with her breecl
on the breast, and knocked him eyer nscnsibc The
SHOT had entered so far tIat she was ropIa,ol oo
and Abandoned
The act:on was kept up tie whole of that doy
during which we had lost the best ana bravest OF our
men. Our guns had been well directed at first: I'm,
towards evening, the of the artillery who had com
manded them had been either killed or wounded: and
the direction OF them taken by men who knew III
lie about 1t. The consequence was, that much amrnu
milton vas used TO little purpose. The artillery solda,
at the gun next to killed and two men email,
ambitious for what they considered the post of hcnor
Guafro He'd about It, From high il came 10 bo,r
but The dispute was soon settled for shell falling be
tween them at That noment, burst and quoted them
forever.
81 could scarcely define my feelings during the action
but far from feeling fear first commenced and
The silent gloom OF the night broken by Tie rapid Fash,
AMI reve'bera;ng thunder Of the cannon felt sensation
something resembling delight; o" it of an awful Kind
enthusiasm, subIin'y and wonder mixed with sense
ofdans1s like what have felt a violent hun
der
The firing, both sides. had been without, iocrp,;i
ftdm' two clock in the morning. but as 1t now became
DARK 1t was partially suspended then, the first
time ventured To below the bomb proof The scene
there was dsmal-the wounded filled The whole pl,co
and the doctor had got through with the dressing Of
them
"When 'loylish; in morning tlln firing arau
commenced as Warmly the preceding iay and the nre-
cision the French had attained with their shot was
rc'natkabie We had flag staff Of the usual size ca
across with cannon ballit repaired, and aga re-
placed butt not five minutes up, when another SIM,
brought 1t do~n again This occurring four n fvt fines
successivcy offence the Sailors WHO ai,ri
ted all that we bad suffered TO fighting Spanish
nag, and sw'fe TINT If the union jack Up in lis place.
the French would bring it down so asly l',c-o,
that bloody Spanish flag down again said the tare
'D---n IT, Jaca, have got boats ensign hcfe-lel
me co. nd III soon fun up. He went and assisted in
repairing tie lag sHh; bat, instead of again bending t,
Spanish dag TO tic haaIds, he put The English in lace
of it.
"A general huzza greeted is appearance, Vow d--n
IT. we il ben: Tire French dogs said lie seanr; bu, the
cheering had attracted the notice OF the comnaudan and
he ordered it to lr hauled down again. Never was an or
der so reluctantly obeyed
In 4 few minutes, shot through the Gag stuff
. There it soes down 1gain-Oh d---n. was the sry,,,
reply, let it lie there aud there IL ay for ,o one
would ncdIie with II. Better dsht without lar at all
Than under such bloody rcucherou5 flag as thai said
old sailor: never could bear II. unless when saw il ~
Ing al the mast head of cucny
The fort is alter ordered to be blown M an, 6eser
ted. Our p"Cf soldier gets CT wh o1y slight wound
and much sisHeT clothing lie had lost nis dollars ,ls