Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-11-13
LIVERPOOL. Oct. 10,
SERGEANT MILTON.

1hT1L1ng description OF Sergeant Matton'S
share IN Mays charge at Resaca de Ia Palma.
We listened with the deepest interest, on
Saturday last, to Sergeant Milton's description
of Capt. Mays charge upon the Mexican bat
terry, and his own share in that glorious strug-
gle Each man engaged in it was hero, and
perhaps none Of those who survived passed
through greater share of peril than4he brave
veteran in question. His modest, unassuming
manner, and plain relation of facts, stamp
them with the seal of truth, and the wounds
on his person bear ample testimony to every
| word he utters.
cat Palo Alto," says he, 81 took my rank
in the troop as Second Sergeant, and while
upon the field my horse was wounded in the
jaw by grape shot, which disabled him for
service. While he was plunging in agony
dismounted, and the quick eye OF Capt. May
observed me as alighted from my horse. He
| inquired If | was hurt | answered no, that
my horse was the sufferer. Il am glad it is
not YOURSELF replied he; there is another
(pointing at the same time to steed without
rider, which was standing with dilated eye
gazing at the strife,) mount him. Iapproach-
ed the horse, and he stood still until put my
hand upon the rein and patted his neck, when
he rubbed his head alongside of me as if pleas
ed that some human being was about to be-
come his companion in the ARRAY. He was a
noble bay, which had, with number of 9TH
ers, been purchased for the troop in St. Louis.
| | bestrode him, and we passed through the
! first day unframed.
On the second day, at Resaca de Ia Palma,
our troop stood anxiousl y waiting for the sig
nal to be given and never had looked upon
men upon whose countenances were more
clearly expressed fixed determination to win.
The lips of some were pale with excitement,
and their eyes wore that fixed expression
which hetokens mischief; others with shut
teeth would quietly laugh and catch n tighter
grip Of the rein, or seat themselves with care
and frmness in the saddle, while quiet words
of confidence and encouragement were passed
from each to his neighbor. All at once Capt.
May rode to the front of his troop-every rein
and sabre was tightly grasped. Raising him
self and pointing at the battery, he shouted,
{ Men, follore There was now q Gathering
of hoofs and rafting of sabre sheathes-the
fire of the enemy's guns was partly drawn by
Lieut. Ridgely, and the next moment we were
sweeping like the wind up the ravine. Twas
in squad of about nine men, who were sep
arated by shower of grape from the battery,
and we were in advance, May leading. He
turned his horse opposite the breastwork, in
front of the guns, and with another shout to
{ follow leaped over them. Several OF the
horses did follow, but mine being new and not
well trained, refused two others banked, and
their riders started down the ravine to turn
the breastwork where the rest of the troops
had entered I made another attempt to clear
the guns with my horse; turning him around
feeling all the time secure at think
ing the guns discharged. Iput his head to-
| +I,on, ood oro1,o him he b,,< u
gain banked; so, turning his head down the
ravine, too started to ride round the breast
work
"As came down a lancer dashed at me
with lance in rest With my sabre parted
his thrust, only receiving slight flesh wound
from its point in the arm, which felt at the
time like the prick of pin. The lancer tur-
ned and fled; at that moment a ball passed
through my horse on the left side and shatter-
ed my right thigh The shot killed the horse
instantly, and he fell upon my left leg fasten-
ing me by his weight to the earth. There |
Law, right in the midst of the action, where
carnage was riding riot, and every momen:
the shot, both from our own AMI the Mexican
guns, tearing up the earth around me. tried
to raise my horse SO as to extrlcate my leg,
but had already grown so weak with my
wound that I was unable, and from the mere
attempt fell back exhausted. To add to my
horror, horse who was careering about rider
less within few yards of me, received a
wound and he commenced struggling & rear
ing with pain. Two or three times he came
near falling on me, but at length, with scream
of agony and bound, he fell dead-his body
touching my own fallen steed What had
been in momentary dread of, from the hot fir
ing IN my nelghborhood, now occurred-my
wounded limb which was lying across the
horse, received another ball in the ankle.
sc / now felt disposed to give up, and ex.
hausted through pain and excitement, a film
gathered over my eyes which | thought was
the precursor of dissolution. From this hope,
less state was aroused by wounded Mexi
can calling out to me, Bne,ao Amerieano,' and
turning my eyes towards the spot, | saw tina
he was holding ce.thea 's ana ea,n 4yd