Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-11-16
EIor Tie Enquirer
For the Enquirer.
Ell MoLlNo DEL REy-WM T. BURWELL.
November Isl, lS4T.

Ell MoLINo DEL REy-WM. T. BURWELL.
November Isl, lSa7.
Living, Mcssrs. Editors, some distance from
your city, The Enquirer Of the 22i October did
not reach me I'LL today. Speaking Of the late
battles in Mexico, you say "The country will
mourn the loss OF many Of its noblesI souls and
best blood. Virginia sees her venerable name
once more honored by The deeds Of her sons We
rejoice that We recognise none OF them among Inc
killed" am sorry 10 say that in This you are
mistaken. William L. 3urwel, the youngest OF
six sons OF the lae Colonel Armistead Bu:well,
of Mecklenburg, fell On the S.h Of September al
Ell Moline del Rey. Mr.. Kendall, in his letter,
thus speaks ut his fate
"TAcuBAYA, Sept S, ls41.
"Forenoon, 10 o'clock. have just returned
from another battle held-one on which The Viclo-
nv Of the American arms was complete, and on
which our troops commended against an enemy
immensely superior in number and strongly post
ed. Gen. Worth commenced the attack al early
daylight, and in less than two hours every point
was carried, all the cannon oil The enemy were IN
our possession, an immense quantity of ammu.
milton captured, and nearly 1000 men, among
them SO officers, taken prisoners.
"For more than an hour The battle ragged with
a violence not surpassed since the Mexican war
commenced, and so great the odds opposed, that
for some lime The result was doubtful. The force
of the enemy has been estimated at from 10000
10 $4,000 strongly posted behind breastworks,
and 10 attack them our small force OF scarcely
5000 was obliged IL approach on an open plain,
and without the least cover; bu, their daunlless
courage carried them over every obstacle, and,
notwithstanding the Mexicans Tough, with va
Tor rare for them, they were finally routed from
one point or another until all were driven and dis.
persed. The defeat was total.
"But 10 gain this victory our own loss has been
uncommonIy severe-it has been purchased
with the blood Of some Of The most gallant spirits
OF the army The 5,h Infantry has suffered The
most. This regiment, along with The 9Th and
9Th, was engaged in the auack upon strong
work on the enemys right, and vas opposed 10
such superior numbers that i, was compelled 10
retire along with the others. The celebrated
Col. Martin Scoll was killed in This attack, along
with Lieuis Burwell and Strong, while Col. Nc.
lnlosh and many other officers were badly wound
ed. The worse than savage miscreanls in the |
tori, after our men retired, set up yell and came
out and massacred such Of our wounded as were
unable 10 gel of. In This way poor Burwell lost |
his life. Fully were they avenged, however; for
within half an hour Duncan's battery, aided BY |
The fall OF another of their works, drove the das-
hardly wre;ches in full flight across the fields
No one knew or even surmised the strength OF
the place. it was an old fort, constructed long
since, and was one Of the main defences OF The
line OF works"
Thus fell as noble youth as ever belted on
sword Having liberal classical education and
much experience in The practical business Of life
'eins trained Tor some years in The mercantile
of Darcy Paul, Esq. OF Peters
,urg- and endowed with fine faculties, he enter
d the Academy al West Puin, in the summer OF
$40. In the fall OF lS44 he graduated with great
redt and received commission in the army
Before joining his regiment, he spent few weeks
With his friends in Virginia. saw him on the
ay OF his departure. So gentle, SO amiable, so
oble ard manly, he could not fail 10 win the
ove oil all who knew him, and 10 be The pride Of
lis friends. Fall Of hope and ardor for his mill
airy profession, he lell the bosom Of a devoted
amily, never 10 meet them more. He was sla-
Toned al Fort Tuwson Tor few months, then al
'a.on Rouge. in command OF some recruits al
hat place. Thence he joined his regiment, the
5ih, in Mexico. He was al The storm
ng OF Vera Cruz, Ceuo Gordo and he numer-
US battles around the walls oil Mexico where he
nally tell among the foremost, in the boodies
atlle OF This or any other war; Ii was my sad loI
|
+ her youngest and darling son. My own grief
,as i.repressible. had been mainly instrument
ii in procuring him a situation in the army,
nd loved him and watched over him with the
,nderness OF brother.
told hi, mother he wa, Dead and that he had
alien in battle. Not tear fell from her eyes
OF a Sigh escaped her rs he dead7 Did he
. his duty2 Thank God he leil no widow"
,cre the only words she uttered, while all around
er. children and grand children, were frantic
'ilh grel. The hcroism Of a Spartan mother
ould no! sulpass that, and with such mothers il
not surprising thai our whole army should be
n army Of heroes.
William 7. Burwell was not an officer OF high
rade; he had scarcely attained The age oil man
ood; but none have fallen, OF whatever grade,
nth higher prospects OF eminence in his protes
op or more lamented by wide circle Of friends
nd relations. u.