The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-11-24

Montazuma's. If he could have seen the
stern countenanccs of those veterans as thew
retired in order from the field of carnage
if he could have seen the smile Of contempt
with which they regarded his vain show
ne would have learned that they were no,
the faces of men who had been driven back,
and perhaps, too, he might have been better
prepared for the result. In this battle the
loss on either side was very heavy Gen.
Worth's division lost over 600 men, killed
and wounded the encmy's loss is es,ima.
ted at three or four times that number, be.
sides some three or lour hundred prisoners.
The affair had now commenced in good
earnest, and we knew what we had 10 do
We were like men who fought with halters
around their necks. From what we have
seen of the mu,latcd bodies of those who
have fallen (wounded) into the hands of
our enemies, we know we have nothing to
hope from Mexican humanity. If their
ability could equal their will, not one of us
would ever return to tell the fate of his
comrades.
The 10th and llth was spent in recon
nol'erlng and taking position. We had the
choice of two roads leading into the city
one called the San Antonio road, leading
over the great Southern causway, the other
passing under the guns of Chcpultepec.
The garsto, or entrance into the city from
the first road, was SO strongly fortified that
1t was deemed prudent no, TO make the at
tack on that point. Hence the whole at
tention was directed TO Chapultepec. 1t
became a matter Of necessity that this seem
ingly impregnable fort should be carried.
It's built On steep, rugged mountain, ri
sing from the plain to some hundreds of
feet; the approach to it is guarded by deep
bitches filled with water, and a strong wall
The road leading to it was raked by field
battery. 1t was defended by some five or
six pieces of heavy ordnance, with 10000
men.
On the evening Of the llth, Capt. Step
toes battery opened on a fortifcstion near
the San Antonio garita. The intention
was to draw the enemy's attention to this
point until our siege train could be placed
in battery against the castle On the morn
ing OF the 18th cur guns opened in pretty
style; the Gre was warmly returned by the
enemy, and continued without cessation du-
ring the day and most of the night. The
intention was to silence the guns Of the
fort, which succeeded only in part, The
order was given to storm the place at i6
o'clock Oh the 18th. I know not what to
tell you of this gallant, dangerous and dar-
ing feat. Fearlessly our troops approached
the enemy's line-bravely they drove him
under the cover of his guns-amldst a
blaze of musketry and artillery our lines
moved steadily on, on, on, until they rose
the batllements. and with shout rushed on
the foe. Col. Johnson, of the Voltageurs,
planted his standard first; but hardly was
it unfurled to the breeze before the sturdy
Palmetto stood by its side. 1 never can
forget the scene which followed; the Mex
ican colors were torn from the flag staff,
and the stars and stripes raised in their
stead; the different parts of the storming
divisions had collected for a moment on the
battlements of the castle as if to survey at
glance the scene of strife-the fire had
ceased-the victory was won ;--,he pause,
however. was only for moment; the enc
my had taken another position, and the vic
torious column again poured out to d'slodge
HIM. AS they descended from the castle
they met with the General-in. Chief-his
fine face beaming with pleasure and his eye
dimmed with tear. AS he passed the
lines long and loud were the cheers they
gave him; with word of encouragement
for each, he waived them on to the second
field of victory. There was an expression
of pride as we'll as Of deep feeling in the
face of tho old Ganerol 90 bo 90 ~, Gle l.,