The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-08-31
A TRAGIC INCIDENT OF THE BON.
BARDMENT OF VERA CRUZ.

just as was sighting one of the guns Of my
battery on the first day of attack / heard my name
called by one at my side, and looking up, l saw
Ga young midshipmen, whose activity and
officer-hke conduct / had noticed at the time
of our landing, when he had charge Of cutter
which aided in putting us on shore.
He seemed very much excited; his dark ewes
were flashing with emotion; his face was deadly
pale, and yet there was something in his look as
he stood boldly upon the parapel of my battery,
that told me that it was not fear that paled his
cheek. Though shot and shell came bursting
through the darkened air, he stood unmoved like
sea-girt tower amid the storm. gazing city-ward.
What do YOU want, c." said l. when
heard his voice, and at the same time stepping
clear Of the recoil of my gun, while the artillery
man advanced with his match to fire it.
"For Heavens sake, don't fire vel" shouted he
as he sprang from the parapet's front, and glanc
cd along the sight of the gun, then Selling crow,
and with the strength of a Hercules hcaved the
breach of the gun to one side so that the shot that
aimed with care at one of the largest and finest
looking buildings in the city over which waved
the national flag Of Mexico, would fly wide Of its
mark.
"what mean you by this strang conduct, sir ?"
said l. sternly not liking this interference with my
orders.
"Wait one instant, till have fred, and / will
explain !" said he, Meanwhile sighting the gun.
The next moment he snatched the match from
the man who stood near him, and fired
Springing upon the parapet to watch the effect
of his shot saw il dismount and render useless q
gun on the enemy's wall, which had annoyed us
very much all the morning.
He smiled when he my look Disqualification
at this Unexpectedly successful shot, and then
more calmly than he had spoken before, remarked
Lieutenant, forgive me for interfering with your
duty, but your gun was aimed at spot which
had come hither to desire you to spare. You see
that palace at which You were aiming!"
Il do" / replied, not knowing which way led
the drift of his remarks.
"For the love OF Heaven spare that housep ]
care not if every other in the town is blown to at
oms, but do not destroy that oneT'
"What is your reason sir 2"
"That is the palace of Don Ignato de Corrulla
a noble Castillian, not Mexican"
There are Mexican colors flying on his house
top"
"Oh, its only because he is brave, and he sides
with the Mexicans because he resides amongst
them now-but you ask my reason for wishing to
spare that house. Hear it. My betrothed, Anita
de Corrulla is there; and oh God TO what dam
ger is she exposed Lieutenant do not deny my
rcquest-spare that house; think of the agony
which must feel in knowing that she, my love,
nv very life, Is there, protected only by walls
which crumble at every shot"
II will, and aim elsewhere" exclaimed, for
indeed feelt for the poor fellow
THANK you, dear Ramrod," said he. 81 have
been to all the batteries but the mortar the
IRENE left, and at the risk Of being laughed at,
have begged all to spare that house, all have
promised me to do so, and il, when we storm that
place, can be first on the walls. and reach the
doors before the others, l may yet save her from
the fearful perils which now environ her"
81 hope you may" said !, shuddering, as
thought of the fearful excess which must ineyita-
bly, occur if we stormed the town; the excess
which the madness ofvictory and the desire TO re-
venge fallen comrades ever leads even well dlsci-
plined soldiers TO commit.
Again he warmly thanked me, and turned TO go
to the battery he had not yet visited. passed a.
long the line of guns, ard directed my men only
TO aim at the euemys guns and especially TO spare
the house which c. had pointed out; but
what were my feelings, when in the act OF point
ing it out to of my gunners saw IN Its place
nothing but a cloud Of smoke and dust. knew
at once that bomb had struck il, and from the
look of things feared the worst for my young ma
val friend especially when as the dust and smoke
settled saw the flag gone, large part OF the wall
fallen. and the palace perfect wreck. The bomb
had been fired by the mortar battery, which he
had failed TO reach in season to prevent IT.
/ continued on in nv duty, and hot time in
decd we had of it. Ii was almost painful to sec
the smoked and sweaty faces Of our-worn out men,
as thew toiIed on in the work of distinctions II
il was sickenine to see here and there CHASTITY
mass of flesh and crushed bones, which, some by
huge shot. had been thus transformed from life and
beauty: but soldiers must sicken at nothing IN
times like these.
Isaw no more of nv Young friend C.;
vet durinq this time had thought Of him, and his
deep anxiety. and inwardly prayed that for his
sake as well as for the of humanity, she was
SHARED. Oh it was narrowing thought, as we
fired thos showers of shell and shot amongst them,
that the innocent feeble and helpless were even IN
more danger than the garrison soldiers who stood
behind their embrasures, and often iancied my
very hearts blood curdled with the fancy, that
could hear the shrieks Of wounded and dying
women-that the pittiful cries of poor children
were horne down upon the breeze. i could almost
see them crushed, mangled, dying, dead! oh
(;odI save me from ever Witnessing the lombard
ment of anv inhabited city, at least, so, let there
be none but men within its walls.
When the city had capitulated, entered with
the rest who were sent to take formal possession,
and found the street which led towards the quay
facing the castle, where we were directed to marcI
led directly past the palace which G. had
pointed out as that of Don Ignatio Corrulla- As
I looked upon the blackened walls, ieelt strong
anxiety TO enter it, and try and find out the tate oil
G-s betrothed, and obtained leave tor lew
minutes from my captain. hastily entered
through the ruined archway, which opened into
the court yard, which always centres a Spanish
built palace, and saw in a glance that G - had
been before me in his visit. The basin OF large
fountain was in the midst hut Gen. Scott mad CUT
off the acqueducts which had supplied the CITY
fountain. and this was dry. By its verge however,
on broad slab of marble, sat c. and s, she
in his asms. / paused an instant, as | saw him
and the beautiful form which he held for thought
il indehcate to advance at that moment but
could not retreat, and there seemed something so
strange in his actions, that l could not well
tear myself away He held her still and notion