Tri-weekly journal., 1847-09-18
From the Star Spangled Banner.
A TRAGIC INCIDENT OF THE lombard
MENT OF VERA CRUZ.
BY PETER RAMRoD, U. S. A.

my name called by one at my side, and look
ing up, saw Ga young midshipman,
whose activity and officer like conduct had
noticed at the time of our landing, when hehad
charge of a cutter which aided in putting us on
shore.
He seemed very much excited, his dark eyes
were flashing with emotion; his face was dead
ly pale, and yet there was something in his
look as he stood boldly upon the parapet of
my battery, that told me it was not fear that
paled his cheek Though shot and she'll came
bursting through the darkened air, he stood I'M
moved like sea-girt tower amid the storm,
gazing cityward.
'What do you want, CO" said /, when
| heard his voice and at the same time stepping
clear of the recoil of my gun, when the artil-
leryman advanced with his match to fire it.
''For Heavens sake, don't fire yeti" shouted
he as he sprang from the parapet's front and
glancing along the sight of the gun, then seiz-
ing a crow, and with the strength of Her
cules heaved 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 strange conduct,
sir?" said |, sternly not liking this interference
with my orders.
"Wait one instant, till have fired, and
will explain" said he, meanwhile sighting the
gun. The next momenthe snatched the match
from the man who stood near him and fired
Springing upon the parapet to watch the eff
feet of his shot, ] saw it dismount and render
useless gun on the enemy's wall, which had
annoyed us very much all the morning
He smiled when he saw my look of gratifi-
cation at this unexpectedly successful shot, and
then, more camly 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 with the flag flying at
which you were aiming?"
81 do" replied, not knowing which way
led the drift of his remarks.
"For the love of Heaven spare that houseq-
care not if every other in the town is blown
to atoms, but do not destroy that onel'
''What is your reason, sir?"
THAT is the palace of Don Ignato de Corul-
la, noble Castillian, not Mexican"
"There are Mexican colors flying on his
house-top."
"Oh, it is only because he is brave, and he
sides with the Mexicans because he resides
amongst them now-but you asked my reasons
for wishing to spare that house. Hear it.
My bethrothed, Anita de Corrulla is there, and
oh God! to what danger is she exposed Lieu
tenant, do not deny my request-spare that
house; think of the agony which must feel in
knowing that she, my love, my very life. is
there protected only by walls which crumble
at every shot"
al will, and aim elsewhere" exclaimed,
for indeed felt for the poor fellow.
''Thank you, dear Ramrod," said he. 81
have been to all the batteries but the mortar on
the extreme left, and at the risk of being laugh
ed at, have begged all 10 spare that house, and
all have promised me to do so, and if, when
we storm that place, l can be first over the
walls, and reach the door before the others,
may yet save her from the fearful peris which
now environ her."
81 hope you may" said l. shuddering. as
thought of the fearful excess which must inev-
itably occur if we stormed the town; the ex-
cesses which the madness of victory and the
desire torevenge fallen comrades ever leads ev-
en- well disciplined soldiers to commit.
Again he warmly thanked me, and turned to
go to the battery he had not yet visited l
passed along the line of guns, and directed my
men only TO aim at the enemy's guns, and es-
pecially to spare the house which Chad
pointed out; but what were my feelings, when
in the act of pointing it out to one of my gun
ners, saw in its place nothing but cloud of
smoke and dust. knew at once that bomb
had struck it, and from the look of things fear
ed the worse for my young naval friend, es-
pecially when as The dust and smoke settled
saw the flag gone, large part of the wall fall
len, and the palace perfect wreck. The bomb
had been fred by the morter battery, which he
had failed to reach in time to prevent it.
continued on in my duty, and hot time,
indeed we had of IT. II was almost ,oainfll1