American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-29

ger. | wrote a hasty note, which | directed
and sent to the commodore. In it asked per-
mission to go with the draft, and informed him
that before coming into the navy had be-
| oRged years to volunteer artillery compa-
ny, and | would be of more service on shore,
than here on ship board. Well the Sd Divi-
sion was called, the Commodore and Captain
were walking on the poop. No mention OF
my name was made when they had mustered
the men and given them the same orders as the
previous draft. | made a bolt for the poop,
touched my hat, and requested leave to go al
so. The Captain whom / addressed, asked me
if belonged to the Sd division; | informed him
| did not, but was in the It'll. He was about
to deny me when the Commodore said, "my
man did you write this,n at the same time dis
playing my note which had addressed to him.
| answered in the affirmative, hoping at the
same time that he would excuse the liberty |
had taken, and allow me to go. He smiled,
and said that lie was happy to see the men so
anxious to defend their country, but, said he,
if allow one volunteer to go, the whole ships
crew would want to GO. Here | must have
looked very blank, for the Commodore said, if
! you can find man in the division who does
not wish to go, you can take his place. "That
sir,'' replied, 's useless to look for, but there
is man who is confined by sickness and una
BILE to 60, and should be very happy to fill his
vacancy" The Commodore spoke apart to
the Captain, then turning to me, the blessed
words, "you can CO. SIR" fell on my ear. |
made two steps down an eight step ladder,
grabbed my hammock from the MEETINGS, un-
dashed it, got out blanket, left an old chum-
my to relash and take care of it, dove down
below, packed change of clothes, boots and
reefing jacket, and my blanket in a knapsack,
went into the armory, got my arms and ammu-
milton, and taking my pocket companions
which | carried always in Philadelphia, l
bounced upon deck, and stood ready to depart.
We soon left, Is in number, and five officers,
and got on board the steamer which is called
the Poinsette. In few minutes, the boats
from each of the other vessels boarded US with
the same complement ofmen, and off we start
ed for shore, the men remaining on board
giving us three cheers, which we returned,
and the different bands struck up "Hail Col
umbia."
We were soon landed, and marched to the fort.
The men belonging to Taylor's army prepared
to leave with provisions for the army They
soon started, and we saluted them with three
hearty cheers which were returned. After the
wagons were gone, we commenced putting
things in the order we wanted them, for we
knew that the loss by an attack of the stores
would cause the defeat of the army; we COM
menced therefore by drawing the charges of
ball from fifteen field pieces we have mounted
here, and in the place loaded with canisters
each one containing l60 musket balls. Our
muskets were loaded, Aints examined, guards
appointed and every thing put in order, and
we had an extra allowance of grog, and our
supper. An express arrived giving lnforma-
ton of another engagement, in which the Mex
leans were again repulsed, and much havoc
caused among them by Ringgolds Flying Ar
tillery This night was on a scout with fif-
teen others until IL O'Clock, three miles from
the camp. The ground here is as level as
glass as far as the eye can extend, it is called
the Mustang Desert The following day we
commenced intrenchng; our number amounts
to 500 blue jackets and marines. We finished
the intrenchment, and the roar of distant can
non was heard in quick repetltions. AT night
an express came in, which brought the news of
an attack OIL the provision party, who repused
the enemy, and got their provisions safe in
camp, at the same time Taylor was attacked
and completely routed the Mexicans, taking
their artillery, arms, ammunition, and Prov
sions, killing great number, land taking num-
her of valuable prisoners, among whom was
their general, who not long since i'll speech
10 Ills dII1ys Sldltu WOuiu dHu Couiu hioiOh
even to Washington, and make the boundary
of Mexican dominions extend to Canada. Poor
devil, he little knew that the Americans were
hard set to be beaten. He now expresses
himself that he thought to fight men not devils.
Many them were killed by the murderous dis
charges of Rnggod's Artillery-but Ringgold
himself, poor fellow, received his death wound
by discharge of grape shot. Captain Page
has the whole of his under Jaw torn off, and a
number are killed and missing, how many can
not say, not being yet correctly informed, but
not one-third as many as the Mexicans, who in
their fight left their wounded behind, whom
General TAYLOR has treated with the greatest
humanity and kindness. When they fed, they
, retreated 10 thcket, but fire was applied, and
, as they came forth, they were resolved by muir
derous discharges. They then took the river,
where likewise many were killed by bullets,
and not few were drowned.
This termination of affairs has completely
discouraged them, and elated the Americans.
. There is company of men consisting of about
, one hundred, and headed by an escaped fugi-
tive from Baton Rouge the Louisiana State
f prison. They came few days ago and joined
the army. Their arms consist of a pair oflarge
, horse pistols, and bowie knife. They 60 in
/ for close quarters, and are most desperate
, party. To them belong the capture OF Gen
3 Vega.
General Taylor, accompanied with about l6
!, men, came here to-day, when he was received
| with hearty welcome. He gave great praise
2 for the manner we had intrenched, and uPor
! looking around upon our hardy looking com
Y pany, he observed, "with thousand men like
!. those before him and my own men, | coule
n scour the whole of Mexico" The Commo
S dore came off, and had an interview with hin
n in one of the tents. In short time detach
d ment with the wounded and prisoners arrived
/, bringing also the dead body of Ringgold.--
. Page is still living, although he earnestly made
i motions to be shot by his own men when hi