Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-02-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
From, Prescoi's Conquest # Aer;c0'
The battle OF Columbia.

AS the army was climbing the mountain
sleeps which shut IN the Valley OF Otom-
par, the videttes game in contact with
the intelligence that powerful body
was encamphed onsthe other side appar-
emily awaiting their approach. Ihe in
tellisence was soon Confirmed by thelF
own eyes, as they turned the crest OF
the sierra. and saw spread out. below
mighty host, filing UP the Whole depth
Of the valley. and giving to II the appear
ance, FROM the white cotton mail OF the
warriors. of being covered VITA snow
It consisted of leyies from the surround
ing country, aad especially the populons
territory OF Tezcuco, drawn together at
the instance Of Cuitahua. Montezuma's
successor. ard now concentrated on this
point to dispute the passage OF the Span
iards. Every chief Gf any note had TAX
en- the field with his wnole array gather
ed under his STANDARD, proudly display
ing all the pomp and rude sp!endor OF
his military equipment. AS iar as the
eve cot;id reach, were TO be seen shields
and waving banners. fantastic helmets,
forests Of Shining spears, the bright iea-
iheretl-uail Of the chief, aad the coarse
COTTON canopy Of his follower, all mingled
together IN Wild confusion, and tossing
to aid fro ike tie pillows of the troubled
ocean. Il vas aSishi tosfi,t the stoutest
heart among he Christians VITA disnay,
heightened BY the previous expectation
Of sooa reachng the friendly land which
was to terminate tber weausome pllgri-
mage Even Cortes, as he contraSlett
The tremendous array before hlm with
his own diminished squadron, wasted by
disease and enfeebled by hunger and Ia
tigue. could not escape the conviction
that his last hour hal arrived
Ruthis was not the heart TO despond
and he gathered strength from the very
extremity of his situation. He had no
room far hesitation: for there was no O.
Their alternative left to him., 10 escape
wis lmpossible. lie could not retreat
nDon the capital, from which he had been
expelled. He must aSvance-bnt thro'
the enemy. or perish. He hastily made
his dispositions for the fight. lie gave
his force as broad ii front as possible
nrotectina il on each flank by his little
BODY Of knrse. now reduced to t"enty.
Fortunately, he had not allowed the IN
valids. for the last two days to mount
behind the riders, from desire to spare
the horses, so that these were now IN toll
cradle condition: and. indeed, the whole
army had been refreshed by hating as
we have seen. two nights and day IN
the same place. a delay, however, which
had allowed the enerny time to assemble
in such force to dispute its progress.
Cortes instructed his cavaliers not to
mart with their lances and to direct them
a: the face. The infantry were to thrust,
not strike, with their swords; passing
them at once through the bodies OF their
enemies. They were above all direct
- aim at the leaders, as the general wei
knew how much depends on the life Of
the commander in the wars Of barbarians
whose want OF subortiination makes them
= impatient Of any c0atrol but that tr
which they are accustomed.
He then addressed to his troops few
words of encouragement, as customary
9Th him on the eve Of an engagement
lie reminded them Of the victories they
had won WITH Ohuo i'Sdi do utslout a.
ing as the present thus establishing the
superiority of science and discipline over
numbers. Numbers, indeed, were OF 20
.csount. where the Almighty was on
s.sair side. And he babe them have full
confidence, that He, who carried them
sofe,y through so many perils, would not
row abandon them and his own good
as,se. to perish BY The hands Of The inf
Jals His address was brief, for he had
read in their looks that settled resolve
which rendered words unnecessary
,rba circumstances Of their position
-aal,e more forcibIv to the heart of every
sP ,i;er HAN any eloquence could have
s ss,se. filing it with that feeling Of des-