Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-06-10
ANECDoTE OF CERRO GORDo.

Mr.. Kendall, in one OF his last letters relates Sc
veral anecdotes, current IN the army, which illus
trate particular portions of the action at Cerro Cor
do, and give individuality to the parties engaged in
them. 1t Is not to be expected that despatch,
however elaborate, can embrace all, or indeed ma
ny OF the acts of heroisrn, which contribute to the
success of battle and it is only in the way of anec
dote and army gossip, which grow into traditions,
that many of the most daring acts of chivalry are
preserved. The following Ta,Se de gue,re gives us
to understand that Col Harvey is quite as fertile in
expedient, when need be, as bold in action
''With the rifles portion of the LIST artillery
and one ompany of the 9TH infantry, this dashing
officer had in the morning driven the Mexicans
from two hills which We're overlooked by their
strong work Cerro Gordo, but which were still
important. This had been effected with great loss
and SO many had been detailed to carry off the
wounded and take care of the dead, that in the af-
ternOon the Colonel found himself with but mere
handful Of meE to protect and sustain the position
he had won with so much difficulty. About two
O'Clock IN the afternoon the MeXicans made ire
mendous demonstration as if to retake the heights
Happening to be in valley directly between Col
Harney and Cerro Gordo, whittier 4 few OF us had
gone under cover of the trees and brushwood to OBJ
tain good view of the NIexicans on the latter hill,
we had n most excellent opportunity of seeing the
whole movement. A furious caDg of trumpets first
announced that the enemy was in motion. and soon
we could see long line Of infantry marching down
the steep hillside and making directly for the
height now occupied by Col. III. and his small but
gallant band. With such tremendous fury did the
trumpeterS blow their instruments, that one unused
TO them would have thought that they alone were
sufficient to drive every Yankee completely from
the heroic and sacred soil of Mexico. Onward still
they came, and onward londer came the blasts
from the trumpets, as doubtless gave themselves
courage rs they neared the spot where they knew
floxr a. At
sion was all-important to them, and host was on
the way to attack it. Soon they reached spot al
most within inusket range, and while they had
halted moment TO form, TO recover their wind and
collect and strengthen their nerves for the coming
struggle, Col. Harvey improved the occasion to
play of a regular trick upon them. His men were
partially concealed behind the brow of the hill, yet
he himself was in plain view of the hostile host;
and now he commenced haranoue which would
have served for an army OF 20 900 men, appointed
every way with cannon, with cavalry, mortars, and
with all the appliances of war. ''Don't shoot
yet" shouted he to his little band and his lungs
are none Of the weakest ''wait till they come
closer. and then give 'em h--ll! Don't draw
trigger, tell you--double charge those cannons,
there, with grape and canister, and wait till give
the word | don't want one of them ever TO get
back allvei" In this strain he went on interlard-
ing his battle speech with few more Of the
stronger kind of adjecves than care about re-
pcating. The effect glorious Not word Of
the harangue, which might have been heard mile,
was lost TO the Mexcans, not quarter Of that dis
lance off; and as SOME OF them understood English,
and at interpreted the speech, especially about
double loading the cannon with grape and canister,
TO the commanding officer, he very prudently
wheeled his men and marched back the way he
came, without firing gum II is needless TO saw
that Col. Harvey had nothing in the shape of a
cannon with him--it was the strongest kind OF a
"blufi game" that he was playing, and the sequel
shows that he won al it,