Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-06-04

Wao mfUWumlOu8u tlr wy VI tiko eIAltsaiis .S4.
the bed burst and blew the dead mans head OF
without injuring amy one else. On Wednes-
day, the 9Th May, and the Sd day Of the bonn
bardmeuf, Major BRown was struck on the
leg with bomb-shell, and bis leg had 70 be
anputaied--he died on the Oh. These are
the only t7vo we have lost during the whole Of
the bonbardment, which commenced on Sun
day. the Cd, and lasted. with little internission,
day and night until the next Saturday at dark.
During this time the enemy had thrown about
$500 shots--solid and shells--amongsr us. 1t
is incredible that the damage should have
been so slight. Finding we could not dismouns
their mortars--they being sunk in the ground,
with thick embankments in fTont-and having
only about 400 rounds Of ammunition To our
cannon, we went to work to throw up kind
Of temporary bomb proof shelter, by taking our
barrels OF pork, laying sticks of wood across
them, and throwing up six feet ofearth upon
that These we built at points in the fort
where they would be convenient for the men !;
and when we saw the smoke from their guns,
every one would fall from the parapet and
sshoie" When we would see shell coming
we would fall upon the ground, as the explo-
sion generally takes place upwards. The
Mexicaas thought they had killed nearly all
Of US, as they were under the impression that
all who fell were shot.
II was very disgusting to stand and be fred
at all round, and not be able to return il SIN
full force and virtue;'' but, knowing our am-
munitlon was scarce, we reserved ii I'LL the
death struggle should come on We were in
hopes that, after a reasonable time Of bombar-
ding, the enemy would attempt to storm us
Two or three feints were made, but they could
no, be brought to the scratch. Five mortars
We're playing on us at once, from every point
of their works. Gen. TAyLoR's orders TO us
were to maintain this post, and not pretend TO
make any sally, or risk IN the least his position
here but IN case we were surrounded alter he
left that signal guns should be fired at certain
intervals, which would notify him Of the fact
This notice was given TO the General, as they
heard all our guns at Point Isabel. On the
Sth, the General commenced his march with
the train Of provisions, and when about twelve
miles from here, he saw the enemy in posi-
ton. He Immediately 'walked into their af-
fections." We heard the firing Of cannon on
both sides, and distinctly the volleys of mus
kerry. We knew well that it was the General
poking it into their short ribs. We had then
stopped to s.licker," but at the first CUR we
sprung to our parapets, opened our batteries,
and for one hour we had the prettlest little can
non fight that ever man beheld. They gave
us gun for gun, while we slung at them "the
best the shop contained"
But wait, ! forgot one thing: On the first
Wednesday, after the bombardment had lasted
three days, the enemy sounded parley."-
Maj. SEAwELL and Lieut. Barron were Or
dered to go out and see what they wanted
They did so, and the Mexcans demanded the
surrender of the fort '..for h,maaaitys sake. p
They gave US one hour TO surrender, or they
would put us all 10 the sword. They brought
MS letter from Gen. ARIsTA to our command
ing officer, Capt. HAWKINS, (BRowN had been
shot Just before, had a council of war called,
and said he presumed we were unanimous on
such points, but that he would put the matter
to vote as to their feelings. The vote of the
Youngest member was taken first, and so on
throughout. This was the unanimous vote -
''Defend the place to the DEATH" Gen. ARIs-
IA was in thirty minutes replied to as follows:
That we had received his humane communica-
ton, but not understanding perfectly the Span
ISL language, we We're doubtful if we had I'M
derstood exactly his meaning but, from all we
could understand, he had proposed that we
give him possession of this place, or we would
all be put to the sword in one hour; If this was
the proper understanding, we would respect
fully decline the proposition, and ''took this
opportunity TO assure his Excelency OF our
distinguished consideration" After the recep-
ton Of this by his ''Exceliency," it just rained
balls The different mortars kept two pair of
''saddle-bags" in the air all the time, varied
only by their 6 and 4-pounders. But in the
midst Of all the storm the Star Spangled Ban
ner sill fioated on our breast works, at the
point where they directed their strongest Efforts
and we took out our Two regimenta colors and
,4oIf az
This fire was kept up all night, while their
musketry played on us from the rear, at the
distance of fire hundred yards. We ordered
our men not TO fire shot until they came
within eighty yards-but they didnot approach
Their object was TO exhaust us in ammunition
They knew from deserters that it was scarce,
and Gen. TAYLOR had gone for supply
They are fond of fighting at long distances,
but they can't stand cold steel.
Now for where left off on the night of the
9Th. Gen. TAYLOR and the Mexican army
were IL miles from here-between this and
Brazos. The Batteries at Matamoras and
around us, and in our fort, kept up a constant
firing until dark, when all ceased. We had
no communication from the General, but that
he had to lick 'em OF die! The sound ofarms
had not refrigerated, but advanced; besides,
there was no ringing of bells in the city, or
signs ofrejoicng, therefore we Judged they had
not the irst cause for joli6catlon. That night
was the first sound mapping that had been
done in the fort for six nights. The next NOR
ming at daylight the enemy's batteries opened
on us as usual, we laying low, as our cannon
ammunition was nearly exhausted, giving
them now and then ''crowder," to let them
know that the degenerate sons of Washing
ton" were not all dead yet. AT | O'Clock we
heard Gen. TAYLOR open again, and from that
till O'Clock the battle ragged with fury, and
coming closer almost every shot. The Gener-
al was driving them before him in the chappo-
raj at the point Of the bayonet. About half a
mile in our rear we saw their cavalry retreat
ing for the ferry, to recross the river at Mata-
moras and thew were in utter confusion; we
turned one of our eighteen FOUNDERS to bear
on the mass, and gave them "blizzard" to
help them along.
Then you should have heard the loud huz-
zas that went up from this little spot. sprang
upon the wall near our regimental flag and
requested silence. Every thing was as still as
DEATH Says |, ''three cheers, altogether, for
the star spangled banner" 1t was given in
full blast; Matamoras heard the shout; and
then, and not till then, every gun from the en-
envy ceased its fire.
L 4 4 a. Grbt