Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-08-21
From the Star Spaneisd Banner.
A Tragic Incident I'm the Rom.
bardment Of Vera Cruz
By PETER RAMRoD, U. 9. A.

By PETER RAMRoD, U. 8. A.
| Just az was sighting one of the gum
Of my battery on the first day Of attack,
heard my name called by one at my side
and looking up saw Ga young mid
shipman, whose activity and officer lik.
conduct had noticed at the time of oul
landing, when he had charge of cutter
which aided in putting US on shore.
He seemed very much excited; his DARK
eyes were flashing with emotion; his face
was deadly pale, and yet there was some.
thing in his look as he stood boldly upon
the parapet of my battery, that told me
that it was not fear that paled his cheek
Though shot and shell came bursting
through the darkened air, he stood unmo.
we'd like sea.girt tower amid the storm
gazing city.ward.
What do you want, c., said I,
when l heard his voice, and at the same
time stepping clear of the recoil of my
gun, while the artillery man advanced with
bis match to fire il.
For Heavens sake don't fire yeti
shouted he as he sprang from the parapet's
front and glanced along the right of the
gun, then selling the crow, and with the
strength of Hercules heaved the breach
Of the gun to one side, so that the shot I
had 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 con.
duct, sir, said ] sternly, not liking this in.
terferenc with my orders.
wait one instant till have fred, and l
will EXPLAIN said he, meanwhile sighting
the gun. The next moment he snatched
the match from the man who stood near
him, and fred. Springing upon the para
pet to watch the effect Of his shot, I 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 graf
ifcation at this Unexpectedly successful
shot, and then more calmly than he had
spoken before remarked:
Lieutenant, forgive me for interfering
with your duty, but your gun was aimed
at a spot which l had come hither to de.
sire you to spare. You see that palace
with the flag flying Al which you was
aimingr
lido I replied not knowing which way
led the drift Of his remarks.
For the love of heaven spare that house!
I care not if every other in the town is
blown to atoms, but do not destroy that
onep
What is your reason, sir7
That is the palace of Don 1gnato de
Corrulla, q noble Castilian, not Mexican
There are Mexican colors flying on his
house-top.'
oh, it 10 only because ihe 10 brave, and
he sides with the Mexicans because he re-
sides among them now-hut you asked my
reason for wishing to spare that house,
Hear il. My betrothed, Anita de Corrul-
Ia is there, and oh my Lord to what dan.
ger is she exposed! Lieutenant, do not de.
ny my request-spare that house, think of
agony must feel in knowing that she, my
love, my very life, is there, protected only
by walls which crumble at every shotp
4 will try and aim elsewhere exclaim.
ed, for indeed felt for the poor fellow.
Thank you, dear Ramrodp said he, i
have been to all the batteries but the NOR
Tar on the extreme left, and at the risk of
being laughed at have begged all TO spare
hat house; all have promised me so to do.
and if, when we storm that place, can be
first over the walls, and reach the doors
before the others, yet may save her from
The fearful periIs which now environ herr
i hope you May said l, shuddering as ]
thought Of the fearful excuses which must
occur, If we stormed the town;
he excuses which the madness of victory
and the desire to revenge fallen comrades
aver leads even we'll disciplined soldiery TO
commit.
Again he warmly thanked me and
urned to 60 to the mortar battery he had
not yet visited. Ipassed along the line of
guns, ahd directed my men only to aim at
he enemy's guns, and especially to spare
he house which c. had pointed OUT
,ut what were my feelings, when in the
lct of pointing it out to one Of my gunners,
saw in it,. place nothing but cloud of
'moke and dust. knew at once that q
,omb had struck it, and from the look of
hings feared the worst for my young naval
friend, especially when as the dust and
'moke settled I saw the flag gone, q large
part of the walls fallen, and the palace q
perfect wreck. The bomb had been fred
by the mortar battery, which he had failed
70 reach in time to prevent il.
continued on my duty, and hot time
indeed, we had Of it. 1t was painful to see
he smoked and sweaty faces OF our worn
,us men a. they toiled on in the work of
it was sickening TO see here
and there q ghastly mass Of flesh and
bones, which by some huge shot had been
|hus transformed from life and beauty; but
folders must sicken at nothing in war.