The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-04-17

of our columns, which was staggering under
a charge made by the MeXicans in over
whelming numbers, General Taylor despatch
ed Mr. Crttenden TO order Col. Mckee, of the
I'd Kentucky Regiment, 10 bring his men in
10 immediate action. Mr. Crittenden found
the regiment, men and officers, eager for the
fray, delivered the order and rode back to the
general, by whose side it was his duty to
keep. The Kentuckians moved forward in
gallant style, led by Mckee and Clay, both
Of whom, alas! fell in the subsequent part of
the day. 1t so happened before reaching the
position from which they could deliver an ef-
tective fire, the regiment had to cross valley
which was broken up ravines and masses of
stone. Whilst crossing the valley the heads
only of the men could be seen from the point
which General Taylor and Mr. Crittenden oc-
cupied- and these were bobbing up and
down and crosswise in such confusion rs TO
impress both with the idea that the regiment
had fallen into disorder. The MeXicans were
annoying them at the same moment by fire,
which helped to confirm the opinion of the
general that the keutuckians were thrown
into dismay.
1t was one of those decisive crises which
occur in every contested field, when the issue
ofthe day depended, for the time being, upon
the gallantry ola particular corps.
| NGHtIul luylOT, WHO, as DcIOle sulO, COHIt
only see the heads of the troops, and misled
10y their motions in getting across gulies and
going around rocks and other distractions,
into the beliefthat they were about TO falter,
turned TO MIR Critteuden. who is Il kentuck-
an, and with Il countenance indicating deep
modification, for the General is KentuCki-
an too, and an eye, fierce with emotion, eX-
claimed, MIR Crttenden this will not do--this
is not the way for Kentuckians to behave
themselves when called upon TO make good a
buttle-it will not answer sir;' and with this
he cenched his teeth, and knit his brow and
set his teeth hard together.
Mr. Crittenden who was mistaken by the
same indications that deceived the general
could scarcely make n reply from very cha
grin and shame. In few moments, howev-
er. the Kentuckians had crossed the uneven
places and were seen ascending the slope of
the valley, shoulder 10 shoulder, and with the
firm and regular step ofvcterans ola hundred
fields. On they moved until they reached
the crest ofthe hill, where they met the enc
my before the flush Of a temporary advantage
had subsidized. Here they delivered their fire
by companies with such regularity aud dead
iy aim that the dccimated phalanN of Mexico
gave way aud retrcated precipitousy. As The
Kcutuckinns emerged from the valley the
countennnce Of the old general, who was re
garding them with the intensest interest
gradually relaxed the bitterness its expires
sion. A glow of pride supplanted the deel
modification which fixed its musces,and en-
| thusiasm qualified the fierce glance of hi
eye. Forward they moved under his rivetet
gaze, whose feelings became more and NOR,
wrought up as they approached the scene OF
carnage. When they opened their fire the
old general could no longer restrain his nd
miralion, bur broke forth with loud huzza
'HuTah for old Kentuck,' he exclaimed ,talkin!
as itwcre to himself, and rising in his saddle
= -'ThatS the ,Cay to do Il; and the tears OF
exuItatiou rolled down his cheeks as he salt
, it,"