American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-09-24
From the Vicksburg Whig.l
THE BATTLE OF BURITA.n

1.-THE BATTLE OF BURITA."
1t was midnght bright Phebus threw her
elbow radiance over the deep green sward
at carpeted picturesque ridge overlooking
q dark and turbulent waters of the Rio
rande, midway between the villages Of Bur-
and Lometa, whereon were pitched the
hi,e tents of thousands Of louisiana 3 gallant
|ns, giving life to the scene, appearing line
FINISHED miniature houses of a new made
lily.
Silence reigned throughout the camp; no
bund could be heard, save the challenge of the
entry, as he slowly paced his lonely round; or
he chrping of the night-bird from the chaPpa-
/ ell, as if i'll at ease at the invasion of his do
|ninion Suddenly the report OF firearms was
heard. Alarm Immediately spread throughout
| he line. Staff Officers came hurrying through
! ne camp, giving orders TO the commanders OF
companies, in whispered tone, to put the men
n motion. The report that Canales at the
head of several thousand mounted rancheros
WAS on the eve Of attacking US, spread with
| ightning-like rapidity.
Our Regiment had just arrived. The day
previous we had marched a circutous route
from the Brazos, distance Of % miles, thro'
mud and water, wading lagoons to the depth
|of the chins of the tallest men. OverpoWered
with fatigue, our slumbers were deep, and with
difficulty our officers made US conscious of the
cause Of the disturbance. All was Commissions;
officers excited, the soldiers stupid, one search
ling for his cartridge-box, another for his shoes,
another for his hat, each one swearing at his
|messrnate, and blaming him for misplacing his
Announcements.
With much difficulty something like tram
guilty was restored; line as crooked as a
rams horn was formed, and the officers pro-
ceeded to distributing cartridges. Many OF the
soldiers had never before beheld one, and con-
sequentiy were ignorant Of the manner in
which they were to be used. They were or
dered to use despatch, and load their pieces
to suit themselves, which order they instantly
obeyed; some placing the cartridges in their
pieces with the ball downwards, others, it is
asserted, actually charging their guns twice.
In the rear of our encampment, at the base
of the ridge, was broad, marshy plain, where,
at the distance of halfa mile, was chapparel,
or thcket of low trees; this was scarcely dis
cernible in the moonlight. Broad gulleys,
washed by rains, were between US and the low
land: into these we were ordered to take our
post, where we could command the road lead
ing to Matamoras, and better defend ourselves
from the attack of cavalry. Forward we went
in double file, quick time, with Indian caution
until we reached the brow of the hill, where
the road led into a ravne; down which we be-
held sight that made the stoutest hearts &c
throb. An hundred soldiers there lay In am
bush; the brighter part of their accoutrements,
glittering in the moonlight, giving them Tor
midable appearance!
"The Mexicans! the Mexicans!" rang along
cur line-the hearts of the men rising in theli
threats as they spoke. One man, more exert
ed than his comrades, broke from the ranks
raised his rife to his shoulder, and was in The
act of pouring its deadly contents into the ranks
of those in the ravine, when a sergeant re
strained his hand, exclaiming at the same
time
"Dang it, man! are you going to shoot your
friends2"
Excitement was now at a high pitch; eager