The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-08-22
An Incident in the Battle of
Resaca de la Palma.

Ah 1hSAoCht III thS DoItAS Va
Resaca de la Palma.
The Newark Advertiser publishes
the following extract Of letter of a
dragon from Burlington county, N. j.,
who was one Of the gallant band un-
der Capt. May in the taking OF Gen.
Vega and the Mexican battery-decl-
dedly one OF TIE most extraordinary
exploits in !. modern J warfare: u !. w.
to scour large Tract Of chapparel (as
they call thick bushy scrub kind of a
wood that grows in Texas TO see what
had become Of the enemy; we found
them (as they supposed) in a position
to swallow US up, there being but one
way on the road that our artillery or
dragons could get on to do execution,
as they had their cannon planted so as
to sweep the road; our flying artillery
charged on them, but did little, as the
road was crooked, and they could not
see them. The general then gave our
gallant captain orders to charge on
them and take their cannon. and that
was pretty severe, TO run to the mouths
of nine pieces Of cannon. But we
had to do it, let the consequence be
what it would, and off we went with
our horses under a full run. lmade up
my mind that was no more. but then
thought might be lucky and get mis-
scd. The further particulars Of the fight
YOU no doubt will see full statement
Of in the papers.
will now speak more Of myself. In
making the charge, | rode with the
company without being injured, while
there was one on my left "a young man
from PainGeld, New Jersey, unluckily
received musket ball in the forehead, i,
which sealed his fate Immediately. On
ward we went, and after passing thro'
the enemy's ranks, and wheeling to the
left, rode exactly down their line-bs-
ing deprived of our Captain, as he put
his eye on a Mexican General, and I'M
mediately demanded him 10 surrender
or die. The General asked him If he
was an officer, 10 which he replied
"yes''--he then handed him his sword,
and told him 10 receive General La
Vega prisoner of war! Ithappened at
that moment that our right particular
guide, or leaders horse was shot from
under him, and the Captain gave Gen.
La Vega in his charge, to escort him to
Cen. Taylor as prize. We were then
without Captain or guide, Gas the
Captain pursued another courseD and
in the excitement Of the moment, the
person front in rank, and directl y in
front Of me, led us directly into bog.
gy place, precisely in range of the en-
emy's fire, and within pistol shot Of
them; the consequence was, his horse
was shot under him, and eighteen OF
US in front served in like manner; four
out Of that number received their death
blow, two in front and two directly in
my rear.
After being dismounted, | crawled
out of the mud and water, as it was
about four feet deep, and gently laid
myself down in the grass, at the wa
ter;s edge, with the enemy all around
me, ,bawIing and crying Cavalero, Amer
icano, Bamlo, and all the other o's you
could think Of. Well, laid in this po.
sition with the balls flying over my
head in every direction, thinking what
it is best to do,-dIspossessed OF all my
arms, laid there until a Mexican came
within ten feet Of me, with one Of oul
swords in hand, cutting and gouglng
one OF our men after having been xii,
led by a musket ball, when sprang to
my feet and ran into the bushes, think
ing that if they shot me they would
have to do it running, and forward
wen. about two hundred yards, when
! came IN contact with Mexican dis.
armed as myself-he showing fight,
picked up club and he bounded away.
a little faster than | could run.
| then took another course, thinking
he might bring some Of his comrades
and capture me. lay there until the
battle was over; and while was lying
there ] cast my eyes down to my teel
and perceived that ] had been shot ir
both legs, by the holes in my panta.
looms, when and where could no tell
for did not feel it until discovered
the holes IN my pantaloons. II am sho
through the calf ofmy rightleg, anc