The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-09-22

and it was warmly keptup. No exerliol
had been spared-t TO lessen our DANCE
from it. as The almost exhausted encrge
of orr men well aItesled. We well knew
at this time that the enemy had a masked
battery in the chaparral north Of east from
the fort and cross the river, from which
much was 10 be dreaded; and not knowing
how soon ii would open on us, prepara
ton had TO be made for Its reception
Ihls morning our ei5hteen-pounder threw
some shot SO directly into their embra.
sures, so as to let them know we had q
lite ammunition left; the compliment
was directly returned by them; one of the
six's striking the truRnion cap oil our eigh-
teen-pounder, but did it no harm: and,
being already loaded. it returned shot
directly into the embrasure from which il
had just received one. At ten o'clock to-
day we were deprived of the services OF
our gallant commander. His leg was
shattered above the knee by falling she'll.
| was near him when he fell .& nevershall
| forget his brave and manly bearing un-
der the circumstances, when, being borne
to the hospital, he turned TO some of his
men who had collected around him and
SAID. ''go to your work, men, am but one
among you.'' He lived until the ninth,
when he died of his wound. deeply la
mented by his regiment. He was brave
and gallant officer. and will long be re-
membered by his regiment as one of its
brightest ornaments.
Captain Hawkins was now in com
mand. and, fully impressed with the i'm
portance of his position. he was active
and energetic IN the exercise Of his com
mand, and was ably sustained by all his
officers. The cannonade and lombard
ment was now kept up irregularly, and
during the intervals Of cessation small
parties advanced, under cover of the ra-
vine and old houses and bushes in our
rear, firing esc0pettes, which annoved us
so much that IL was found necessary TO
order Johnson and Bragg to give them n
few rounds of grape and canister shot
from the six-poundcrs. The escopettes
were generally aimed at the sentinels and
gunners on the lookout Observing the
force Of the enemy now increasing around
us. occupying the temporary entrench-
Tpeats left by the army, il was thought
thh 3ll assault mlgat SrfuTrry NC cx I1rV,tutT,
and one Of the cighteen-pounders, under
the direction of Lieut.. Lansing. was trans
ferred from the southwest basiion (Capl.
Lowd's) to the northeastern bastion.
(Maj. Seawell's,l which here protected
the most probable points OF attack This
gun was hardly in position before it was
found necessary to fire one or two rounds
Of canister at the sharp-shooters OF the
enemy. who endeavoreG TO conceal them
selves in the chaparral bushes. near the
old dragoon eucsmpment; this firing at
the eighteen and six-pounders drove the
sharp-shooters of, Large parties Of
mounted men and infantry were now seen
at distance all around US. The cannon
ade and bombardmeni was continued, al
lowing US now and then respite Of
some | ) or % minutes. Bragg, Thomas,
Johnson, and lansing were ordered to fire
a charge of canister or grape at the enc
my. whenever an opportunity offered to
do execution. At 4 O'Clock white flag
was shown at the old buildings in rear.
and, well knowing lis purport, every man
took advantage of this opportunity to pnt
himself and his arms in order for warmer
work; the charges were drawn, fresh ones
put in. and all were delighted at the ap-
proaching crisis, which was then suppo-
sed to be near at hand. Two Mexican
officers advanced, and by direction OF
Captain Hawkins were met by Maj. Sea-
well and Lieut. Brilton. who brought him
a communication signed by General Aris-
Ia, demanding a surrender Of the forces
under his command. giving him one hour
to reply. A council OF war was held and
a very appropriate reply unanimously
agreed upon, and sent oil in the allotted
time. 1t was now understood by all Of
our men that the crisis was rapidly ap-
preaching, and every man took the favor
able opportunity Of the cessation OF firing
to put his arms IN first-rate order; at this
ali went to work cheerfuliv, and seemed
glad that they were at length 10 have IN
opportunity of meeting the enemy hand
to hand. The day had been excessively
hot, and, laboring continually, the men
were almost constantly exposed in the
burning sun. The night came and found
US prepared for any emergency; prepara-
tions had been made to hold one part Of
the fort il driven from the other. and even
to barricade bastion if so tightly press
ed; all the means of barricading {wagon
bodies, axles and wheels) were collected
at those points where it was thought ne
cessary, and every preparation was made
to hold out to the last extremity. The
night passed off very quietly, but we
were constantly on the alert, almost GER
tain OF an attack the next morning.
On the Z. instant, at 81 o'clock A. NJ,
the enemy's batteries opened on us, and
sbotr Sbalie xroro fb-ou-o .t,i4h orrao, 80,