Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-06-12

zen. Scou Aus came galloplng over the PLAIN,
his horse covered with foam, and his sabre
dangling in its sheath, with:
Gentlemen, the general directs that this spot
shall be kept clear. The Mexican troops are to
march out here. andyou will be obliged to take
up another position"
Away he galloped back again to his post, and
our party separated, and each looked out for
himself One OF the army officers, who was not
on duty at the time, and myself, proceeded TO
hill covered with a thick growth Of chapparral,
which overlooked the whole field, and where the
intense heat was modified by cool, fresh breeze
that came sweeping over the great waters of the
Gulf Of Mexico, and passed with rustling
sound through the tangled boughs Of the almost
impervious chapparal, beneath whose shade we
reclined and gazed upon the magnificent panor.
anna beneath US. There spread the expansive
plain on which the Mexicans were to lay down
their arms; the city OF Vera Cruz, with its old
tme.worn walls, ramparts, domes, steeples and
(ortresses, battered down, broken into fragments
and deiaced by shot and shells; the old grim
castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, with the half masted
flag Of Mexico waving above it, as if in distress;
and beyond, the great, solemn, sleeping sea, on
which the immense fleet Of ships Of war and
transports were quietly riding, their masts, yards
and wilderness of rigging clearly defined against
the yellow, sunlit sky. My companion had an
excellent telescope, and it afforded us most
excellent view Of all the surrounding scenery,
and of everything that transpired.
About 10 o'clock, A, NJ, the American army
marched up in two distinct columns, the regular
troops on the right, and the volunteers on the
et and took up position in such manner as
to bring large portion Of the level plain before
mentioned, within hollow square, with slight
NJ fbo opJ tho oity for tho Nav
lean troops to enter. At the further end Of this
hollow square a white flag was planted and
there the American generals took their station,
to receive the swords Of the vanquished. 1t was
a grand sight. Some twenty thousand soldiers
drawn up, with their bright arms flashing in the
sunbeams, and with the gay colors OF the differ.
ent regiments floating on the breeze, while every
hilltop, and other spot where a view could be
obtained, was crowded with anxious spectators.
About II o'clock, loud wall Of trumpets told
that the Mexican army was approaching, and in
few moments they were seen to dehle from
the south gate Of the city and enter the plain
where they were to lay down their arms. The
soldiers and officers made an excellent appear.
ance, being well dressed and accoutred.
On they came to the walling sound Of the
most mournful music l ever heard, and the gen.
era officers at the head, and mu tiude Of citi.
zens following, loaded down with their goods and
chattels-their little all! Some had old trunks
upon their shoulders, others bags filled with pro.
visions, and from appearances, we judged tina,
the town had been abandoned to our troops
Women and children, the old. the young, the
sick, the poor, the lame, the blind-all had fled
from their city with their little treasures as if the
pestilence was about 10 enter there, and in sad
and mourn(ul procession, came thronging from
their homes. My heart ached for them, and |
sincerely sympathized with them in their deep
distress. The line OF Mexican troops and citi.
zens extended from the city gate to the white flag
where sat the American general officers, on horse
back, to receive the conquered.
| After remaining for some time on the hill, my
companion and myself descended, and went
along the whole line OF the Mexican army, salut-
ing the principal officers as we passed, which
was always returned with the greatest courtesy.
On we went toward the gate of the city, admiring
the pretty senoritas, who were reclining upon the
ground among the troops, with their feet and
exposed. with their dark flashing eyes, and long
raven hair hanging down almost TO the ground.
On we went, stopping to exchange few words
with one, and a smile with another, until. look
ing suddenly behind US, we found that we had
left our countrymen and all succor far away, and
that we were absolutely alone in the very midst
Of the Mexican army. If | had my msgivugs
as | saw the dark and threatening looks cast
upon my comrade and myself, by the armed and
swarthy hordes Of the enemy, | took good care
not to show them, but went quietly on, though
felt as if | was walking on the edge OF a
precpce from which one false step might pre-
ciptae me among the rocks below.
Had any evil disposed Mexican taken fancy
to have shot at us, who at such time, could
ever have ferreted out the assassin? We were
both entirely unarmed, and felt the dellcacy o.
our situation, though we took care not to let the
Mexican soldiers perceive it, and went quietly
+ on, until we found ourselves before the gate o
the city. In few moments our party was in
creased by Mr.. Cfosan, the sailing master Of the
"Albany," passed midshipman Dyer, and Mr.
, O'Brien, the clerk OF the commanding officer
all brave and heroic officers. who had done goot
service during the bombardment. After shor
deliberation, we decided 10 enter the city, ant
f passing beneath the arched gateway, soon lounC
t ourselves in the narrow and barricaded streets.
After penetrating for some distance, pausec
and looked around me, and my feelings were
] not of The most comfortable nature. Save ou
, little party, not an American was to be seen
we were literally alone in an enemy's city. We
were the first Of our countrymen who had entered
Vera Cruz | know not what came over me
whether it was the spirit OF adventure, or wilc
> > and inexcusabe recklessness, or both--I sud
denly left my party to stake care OF themselves,
f and turning corner, proceeded entirely atonl
j through the winding and half deserted streets
The secret dread which had experienced, OIL
first passing the gateway, was gone, and wen
, rambling over the whole town, solitary and un