The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-02-14

we're In no hnmor for idle chat.
se aWho goes there n suddenly shouted
one Of the sentries. The answer We
did not hear, it was apparently satis-
factory, for there was no further chal-
ienge, and lew seconds afterwards an
orderly came up, and whispered sorne7
hing in the ear Of the Alcade. The
latter hurried away, and presently re-.
turned, spoke a1few words to the Cen
eral. and then to US officers. IN an in
slant we we're upon our feet. In less
than ten minutes, the bivouac was
brokenlup, and our little army on the
march. s'a a3f3i 2' 't.''s,tit'a
All our people were well mounted,
and darmed with rifles and bowie-knives.
We had six field pieces, but we took
only four; harnessed with twice the
usual number of horses. We marched
at a rapid trot the whole night, led by
a tall, gauht figure ofa man who acted
as our guide, and kept some distF nee in
front. Imore than once asked the Al
cade who this was. "You will know
by and BY" was his answer.
/ Before day-break we had ridden five
andtwenty miles, but had been compel
led,o abandon two more guns. As
vet no one knew the object Of this
forced march. The Ge neral command
ed "a halt, and ordered the men to re-
fresh and strengthen themselves with
food and drink. While they were do
ing this, he assembled the officers "a
round him, and the meaning Of our night
march was explained tous. The camp
in which the Mexican President and
General.in-chief had intrenched himself
was within mile of us; General Par
"a, with two thousand men was twenty
miles further>in the rear; Gen. Filasoia
with one thousand, eighteen miles low
er down on the Brazos; Viesca, with
fifteen hundred, twenty-five higher up.
One bold and decided blow, and Texas
might yet be free. There was not a
moment to lose, nor was one lost.
The General addressed the men: s3
"Friends! Brothers! Citizens! Cen
|eral Santa Aanasis within mile of us
with fifteen hundred men. The hour
that is to decide the question of Texan
liberty is now arrived. What say you?
bDo we attack" <"9
,.We dov' exclaimed the men with
one voice, cheerfully and decidedly.
In the most perfect stiffness we arriv-
ed within two hundred PAGES Of the
enemy's camp. The reveille Of the
sleeping Mexicans was the discharge
of our two field pieces loaded with can
lister. Rushing to within twenty-five
PAGES Of the entrenchment, we gave
them deadly volley from our rifles
and then throwing away the latter,
bounded up the breastworks, pistol
in each hand. The Mexicans, scared
and Supplied by this sudGen attack,
were running about in the widest con-
fusion, seeking their arms, and not
knowing which way to turn. After
firing our pistols, we threw them away
as we had our rifles, and drawing our
bowie-knives, fell, with a shont, upon
the masses Of the terrified foe. 1t was
more like the boarding Of a ship, than
any land fight | had ever seen or i'm
agined. gHf -
My station was on the right Of the
line, where the breastwork, ending in
a redoubt, was steep and high. made
two attempts to climb up, but both
times slipped back. On the third tria
| nearly gained the summit; but again
was slipping down wien hand caugh
me by the collar and pulled me on the
bank. In the darkness ant confusion
| did not distinguish the face of the
man who rendered me this assistance,
I only saw the glitter Of bayonet
which Mexican thrust into his shoul
der, at the very moment he was help
ing me up. He neither flinched MOI
let go his hold ofmy feet; then, turning
slowly round, he levelIed pistol at the
soldier, who at that moment was struck
down by the Alcade. 7 M
!, .Nothanks to ye, squirer' exclaIm
: ed the man in voice which made me
start, even at that moment of excite
rnent and bustle. | looked at the
speaker, but could only see bis back
/, for he had already plunged into the
!, thick Of the fight. and was engaged with
partv of Mexicans who defended
Z themselves desperately. He fought
f Hike a man more anxious to be killed
!. than to kill. striking right and left, bu'
never guarding blow, though the AL
cade who was by his side, warded of
several which were aimed for him.
4 By this time my men had scrambled
,lup after me. ! looked round to see
where our help was most wanted. and
Il t.f4 A