Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-03-19
NUMBER 30.

Ieeiilg OF d0AelJ anu sel-ItptOdCif NhSh We
reflected that we had brought our comrades, into
such hazardous predicameni. But on looking
around us, our apprehensions vanished Nothing
could exceed the perfect GOODNESS and confidence
with which the men were cleaning and preparing
their rifles for the approaching conflict no bravo
do-no Boosting, talking or laughing, but calm
decision Of manner, which at once told Us, that
if itwere possible to overcome such odds as were
brought against US, those were the men to do
it,
Our arrangements for the approaching struggle
were soon completed Tanning and Wharton
we're to make head against the infantry and cav
airy / was to capture the ied-piece-an eight
FOUNDER.
This gun was placed by the Mexcans upon their
extreme left, close to the river, the shores oil
which il commanded for considerable distance.
The bank on which we were posted was, as before
mentioned indented by caves and hollows, and
covered with thick tapestry Of vines and other
plants, which was now very useful in concealing
US from the artierymen The latter made pretty
good guess at our position however, and at the
FIRST discharge, the canister whlzzed past us at a
very short distance There was not a moment TO
lose for one well directed shot might exterminaie
half Of US. Followed by dozen men, worked
my way as well as | could through the labyrinth of
vines and bushes, and not more than fifty
yards from the gun, when II was again fred No
one was hurt, although the shot was evidently IN
tended for my party. The enemy could not see
us; but the motion Of the vines, as we passed
through them, had betrayed our whereabout, so
perceiving that we were discovered sprang up
the bank into the prairie, followed by my men, TO
whom | shouted, above all 10 aim at the artillery
men.
l had raised my own rifle to my shoulder, when
/ lei ii fall again in establishment at an apparion
that presented itself to my view. This was tall,
lean wild figure, with face overgrown by long
beard that hung down upon his breast, and dressed
in leather cap, jacket and moccasins. Where
this man had sprung from was perfect riddle. He
was unknown to any Of US, although had some
vague recollection OF having seen him before, but
where or when, could not call TO mind. He had
a long rifle in his hands, which he must have fired
once already, for one of the arteTymen lay dead
by the gun At the moment FIRST caught sight at
him lie shot down another and then began reload
ing with rapid deXterity, that proved HIM TO be
well used to the thing. My men were as much as
tonshed as was by this strange sppartion which
appeared TO have started out OF the earth and for
few seconds they forgot TO fire, and stood gazing at
the stranger. The latter did not seem to approve
Of their inaction.
'Ye starin' fools shouted he in a rough hoarse
voice, don't you see them artlery-men? Why
don't We knock 'em the headr
1t certainly was not the moment to remain Idle
We fired; but out establishment had thrown US off
our balance, and we nearly all missed. We sprang
down the bank again 10 load, Just as the men
serving the gun were Slowing it round, so 10
bring it to bear upon US. Before this accom-
plshed we were under cover, and the stranger had
the benefit of the discharge, Of which he took no
more notice than if he had borne charmed life.
Again we heard the crack of his rifle, and when,
having reloaded we once more ascended the bank,
he was taking aim at the last artllleryman, who
fell as his companions had done
Blame ye, for laggin' iellersP growled the stran-
ger. why don't ye take that big gunp
Our small numbers the bad direction of
first volley, but above all, the precipitation with
which we had jumped down the bank after firing
it, had encouraged the enemy, that company
of infantry drawn up some distance in rear Of the
fed-piece, fred yolley, and advanced at double
quick time, part Of them making small detoHr
with the intention Of cutting MS from our friend
AT this moment we saw Tanning and thirty men
coming along the river bank to our assistance; so
without minding the MeSicans who were getting
behind US, we rushed forward to within twenty
PAGES ofthose in our front, and taking steady aim,
brought down every man his bird. The sort of
desperate GOODNESS with which this was done, pro-
duced the greater effect opponents, as being
something quite out Of their way. They would.
perhaps, have stood firm against volley from five
times our number at a rather greater distance; but
they did not like having their musiaches snged by
our powder; aud after moments wayering and
hesitation, they shouted out 'Dabolosl Dabolos!'
and throwing away their muskets. broke into
precipitate flight
flaming aud Wharton came up with all the
men. Under cover OF the infantry's advance the
gun had been renamed, but luckily for us only by
inexperienced infantry soldiers for had there been
artillerymen TO seize the moment when we were all
standing exposed on the prairie, they might have d-
unfinished our number out little. The fuse was
already burning, and we had just time to get under
the bank when the gun went of Up we jumped
again, and looked about to see what was next to
be done
Although hitherto all the advantages had been
on our side our situation was still very perlous
one. The company We had put TO flight had re-
joined its battalion, which was now beginning to
advance by eehsloa of companies The second
battalion which was rather farther from US, was
moving forward in like manner, and in a parallel
direction. We should probably, therefore, have
TO resist the attack Of a dozen companies, one
after the other, and it was TO be feared that the
Mexicans would finish by getting over their panic
terror ofour rifles and exchange their distant and
Intellectual platoon.fring for charge with the bay
onet in which their superior number would tell.
We observed, also, that the cavalry, which had
been keeping itself at a safe distance, was now
put in motion, and formed up close to the island
of muskeet trees, to which the right flank Of
the infantry was also extending itself Thence
they had clear ground for charge down upon
us.
Meanwhile, what had become Of the twelve men
whom we had left in the islandl Were they still
there, or had they fallen back upon the mission IN
dsmay at the overwhelming force Of the MeAicansi
1.-THE latter, il was bad business for us, for they
n e.. tuglh