The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-09-17
MAJOR BROWN AND LIEUT.. PAGE.

MhJOh BROWN AND LIEUT. fhoh'
The following account of the manner in which
Major Brown was wounded in the fort on the Rio
Grande, and the hrmness with which he bore him
self until his death, is extracted from letter in the
"New Orleans Pieayune," from its correspondent
in the camp at Camargo. Major b. behaved
with as much GOODNESS Lawrence himself, when
he expired with the words upon his hps; "Dont
give up the ship" Lieutenant Page, who was the
gallant witness upon the OCCASION is the son Of the
late Mann Page, esq, ofGloueester county, Virginia,
and whose ancestors, including the late Governor
John Psge, proved themselves worthy Of their eoun-
try in the times which tried mems souls:
"CAMARGO, Mexico, Aug. 10, 1886.
al do not recolsct having seen any detailed ac-
count of the Woundlng OF Major Brown, at the
bombardment of the fort which now bears his
was very much interested the other evening, while
listening TO description Of the sad scene, given by
a gentleman who was an eyewitness, and whose
statement can be relied on as perfectly correct
"On the morning Of the 5th Of May, the fourth
day Of the bombardment, about day-break, the gal.
liant commander of the fort took advantage of a short
cessation Of the enemys FIRE 70 get little rest haV-
ing been constantly the watch the night before.
He remained in his tent about hour, when he left
il and visited the bastion commanded by Captain
eeted, who were converting, and jocularly remark
ing on The novelty Of their position, having never
before heard an enemy's cannon. The major joined
IN the conversation, but In short time left them,
saying, as he turned away: Young gentlemen,
hope you may live to fight many battles; and as
knoi0 you all, hope you may have an opportunity
to do yourselves Justice He left this bastion TO
visit Captain Lowd, and gave that officer orders 10
IRE certain number Of guns al certain intervals,
and produce as great an effect as possible, This
was for purpose then only known to himself.
"A few hours afterwards, as the major was again
gong around the fort, accompanied by his dutant,
Lieut.. Page, gallant and very efficient young Off.
Ger, now adjutAnt Of the 7th infantry, he informed
HIM that the guns which he had ordered Capt. Lovd
TO hre were the signal agreed upon between General
Taylor and himself to inform the general that he was
closely besieged. He had scarcely finished the SEN
tence when they heard the report Of mortar. At
this instant they were passing between the traverse
which runs across the fort and the magazine. They
knew not from what direction the shell was coming,
but both Of them fell down TO avoid il. Maj Brown
reclined against the traverse, and Adjutsnt Page
against the magazine. They were within about
eight feet Of each other. As the major was in the
act Of lying down, his leg for an instant brought
IN the same position IL he had been sitting IN
chair-or bent nearly 10 a right angle, the foot rest
ing on the ground. Page looking at him at that
instant, and the shell strike him at its descent
IL hit him on the knee and crushed the whole leg
The blow threw him partly over, and resting on his
hands and one foot, and turning pale from the nten
sty Of the pain, he exclaimed My Godn which,
as far as have heard, was the only exclamation OF
that nature which the brave man made from his fall
until his death. The instant that young Page saw
that his commanding officer was wounded, he sprang
to his feet and looked for men to assist in taking him
TO the hospital. Quariermaster Sergeant Henry WIS
close by, and was at the adjutants side IN an in
slant, and almost every man in sight, some ten or
twelve in number, rushed up Immediately. The sur
geon was Immediately sent for, and the major was
Instantly conveyed to the hospital tent As soon
as raised from the ground, he grasped his leg just
above the knee with both hands, and held it firmly
compressed until the touTniquettes were put on.
BY this time he was very faint. Numbers of
his men were gathered around to learn the fate
Of their beloved commander, and seeing them, he
said, Go TO your work, men, am but one among
YOU
"The officers and men under Major Brown were
warmly attached to him, and they never allude to
his without expression Of deep regret at his
fall In the conversation with Adj Page, last
evening" referred TO the death of his commander
He corroborated the foregoing statement and in
conclusion made the following impressive remark
Il remained with him as long my duty would
permit, and left his side with deep and heartfelt sor
row, that the service and my country had lost, in
its defence, a spirit so noble-a man who, in his
most intense agony, thought only Of the proud trust
conhded to him by his commanding general
"When asked, after being informed that his life
could not be saved, if he had any requests to make
Of his friends, any arrangements to make before his
death, he very quietly answered. NO, my friends,
hare made my arrangements
81 should have stated, that when Lieut.. Page and
the men sprang to the side of Maj. Brown the shell
which had hit him was lying in their midst. They
never stopped to whether it would burst or not
Had it exploded, it would have killed nearly all Of
them. Fortunately, the fuse, after burning awhile,
failed to ignite the contents ofthe SHE'LL and the no.
BILE fellows were saved. "