The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-08


our Regiment suffered greatly. have ne
vcr been able to learn the particulars of the
several engagements. | have only heard
that our much beloved Colonel was killed.
nob!y sustaining the reputation for bravery
and patriotism which he has so long borne.
His death was Il glorious one In losing
him. our army has lost one of its most gal
liant commanders, and South Carolina one
OF her noblcst heroes. by his death, some
oi the best American blood has been split
on Mexican soil" While we regret the
loss OF such man and greatly sympathize
with his bcreaved family, should VIC not
feel proud that the honor Of the Palmetto
State has been SO brightly sustained, creM
at the great sacrifice OF Col Butler. and
many others who gloriously fell by his sile2
You have received the particulars Of the
battles, and perhaps know more about them
than do. You may be astonishcd when
you learn that am in PucbIa and our Re-
giment in Mexico. | will explain the whole
in Il few words: About three weeks be-
fore the Regiment left this place, | was Ia
ken ILL., Capt. Marshall had me taken to
his room rather than should be sent to the
general hospital, and employed French
Physician, Zone of the most eminent of his
profession in the city,) who afforded me
great relief shall ever feel grateful (and
know my friends will all heartily join me
in i) to Capt. Marshall for his kind atlcn-
,ion to me during my illness. We are glad
that the citizens Of his native District and
State may see in Ills that he exhibited one
of the nob!cst traits which characterizcs the
true soldicr-kindness to the sufferers from
his ranlss-I am certain would have died
if had been sent TO the general hospital.
During my sickness, our Regiment was or
dcrcd to march for the city. Twas so weak
at the time, that it was impossible for me to
accompany it, ant! consequently /, together
with fifteen others Of the Abbev,lle Com
rany, were left at the general hospital Of
this place. Two of them left the next day
for the Regiment and of the remaining
l3, have dicd-,hc rest are all we'll B.
S Pulliam, f. p. Wilson, McCord and
Mckee are all here with me. jackson
Cheatham died few nights since. l was
very anxious to 60 with the Regiment to
the city, as knew they would have some
hard fighting TO do, and was particularly
desirous to do my part oft. However, we
had some fighting to do while defending this
place. About three weeks after the army
left for the city, Santa Anna, with about
5000 men, came and demanded surrcn-
der of Pucbla. which Of course was not
granted All Immediately commenced
preparations for the charge, for we expected
the "Napolcon Of the South Gas he styles
himself) would charge uron the garrison
and hospital; but he did not see proper to
DO so. FIc built breast works across the
streets, and cut us off from all provisions
In this condition he kept us for thirty days,
during which time there was continual
fire kept up from both parties. The streets:
which few days before were crowded
with pack mules and pack women, were as
empty and silent as desert, and nothing
could be heard but the shrill cracks of the
rifles and musketry, mingled with the loud
roar of the cannon. Capt. Rae, who COM
manded guards Of the hospital, ordered ten
rifles to be brought for the use of those in
the hospital who were able. was one of
the selected ten took a rifle, placed my
self at one of the windows, and awaited my
chance. Soon tall Mexican rather dar-
ingly walked out in the street, and was de-
liberately aiming at one Of our sentinels,
but ere his musket fired, my rifle went off,
and down fell the villainous fellow. This
is the only one am certain that killed.
l shot many times and may have killed
others. During the whole siege, we lived
on Cruel made of flour and water. never
r.