davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15

and many others in the company and Rcgi-
m;nt wounded. After the hill, fort and for
tress OF Chapuitcpcc were taken, our CO.
lumn pursued the cnamy down the Aqua
duct to the gate of Bcl,n.
Here we had another terrific struggle, we
succeeded Il, last in getting possession oflhe
G,lrita /: but it was like hot pot:,oc very
hard to hold. The gate is IL ca,,scway not
more than thirty feet wide, and this narrow
space WAS swept by three batteries and the
Citcdal, Il long low building within three
hnnarcI yards of the gate, here wc stood
for hours sheltered It's well as we could
by some old mud houses and the
water works, without which not one of u !;
coul have survived. We rcpulscd three
charges, who were led each time by some gal
]ant officer. waving red flag in our faces.
think during that time, three hours, the
AlcXl:ans threw at least three Wagon
loads Of grape canister and round shot
through that space OF so feet; it may seem
Incredible, bu, in ny conscience believe
it. mean it literally when l say it rainc,l
balls Of lead, iron and copper Of all sizes fer
for three successive hours.
Here ii was that poor Moragnc was kill
led by grape saot-hc acted like man
and fell like Il soliicr-hc stcrpcd for q
moment from under the arches of the Aqua
duct too see what was going on, and recciv-
cd tho fatal ball, he never spoke cxccrt to
| say IL am shot through" 1t Stein Of Fair
field was killed, anI 1t. ssclcc!i wounded
in the lc.y, he is now however walking a.
bout. Maj. GLADDEN. was shot in the lcg--
who is hobh!ng about on crucllcs doing
| well. Davlin Of the Abbcvile company
was killed, who you remember never ioinc,
us till VIC got 10 PuchIa, and many others
OF the Regiment, tie list killed and would
ded will show you. received a confusion
in my right ankle, by a piece Of the mason
ry of the water works which was scaled of
! by Il "a pound shot, that struck the Aqua.
within three feet Of me. thought my Ice
was of, and WAS not satisfied to the CONTRA
ry until looked 1t lamed me for several
days, but am now entirely we'll anil ex-
ccptihis came unscalhcd through the frey
ordeal Of the glorious thirteenth Of Scrtcm.
bcr
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15
From Columbia.

We have still nothing ofmuch importance
from the Legislature to give our readers
The proceeding up to a late date will be
found in another column. On tho OH inst
resolution was passed in the Senate ap-
prop'aling one years salary for the bene fiji
OF Chancellor iiarpcr's family by vote OF
yeas 2i Nays 10.
The electoral bill was still under discus.
Sion at the latest dates.
The bill providing for subscriptions on
the part OF the State TO the several Rail
Roads has been rejected in the Sen
;,tc.
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15
THE BANNER.
\ B D l. WILLIE c.. IT,, $. G..
"Wednesday, Dec. Is, Hsa7.
Ri spYf1.f..

Mr.. LEONARD WIDEMAN of this Dis!ri:.,
was killed on the night Of the 10th instant,
it is supposed by some Of his servants.
The particular us VIC have learned them
are us follows. Mr.. WlDEMAN had started
to one Of his plantations jus, at dark, some
mil" Or two from his residence; when about
half Il mile from home, he was, set upon,
chok"d ana beat to death. His body WIS
fouud :, considerable distance from where
he was murdered. The perpetrators en-
deavorcd to make it appear, that he had
been thrown from his horse and killed, as
he was dragged TO the place where he was
found, and placed IN position to induce
such Il belief
Suspicion rests upon four of his negroes
who have been arrested and brought to iail.
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15
Arrival Of GEN. Taylor.

The distinguished hero of Bucna Vista
arrived at New Orleans on the Sd instant.
and received most hearty welcome from
the Citizens. Great preparations were made
Tor his reception. He was escorted from
the barracks to the city, by feet of steam
boats with colors flying, and each vessel
rugged out in the gayest manner, whilst
their decks were crowded with those an,-
lous to honor the brave old hero. This
part OF the pageant is said TO have been
very splendid. AS the vessels passed up
the stream, salutes were fired from the ar.
tlilery, tho church bells rang forth heir
pcals, and the numerous spectators upon
the levec sent up their loud hurrahs.
The following is description of the tri.
umphal arch built for the occasion -
"The building for the arch has been erect.
ed within the last few days, and is about
nifty feet square, with one main arch and
two smaller ones. The outside of the build
Ing and the inside of the arches were cov-
cred with evergreen boughs, which were
so thlckly placed as to form almost a solid
mass OF ve-dure. The word "Welcome,"
in large gilt letters, was placed upon the
arch sprung from the roof of the building.
while around tho sides the memorable
names of Bucna Vista, Monterey, Palo Alto
and Resaca de la Palma, were embIazoned.
The whole was surmounted by an immense
gilt eagle. A flagstaff was erected upon
the roof. from which foated the stars and
stripes, while smaller flags were hung
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15
P:ALMETrO.n
MIR. PERRY'S REPORT

Mr. Perry, from the Committee on FeIc-
raj Rclatons, made the following Report
in the Senate, on Monday last:
The Committee on Federal Relations, to
whom was referred so much of the Govern
ors Message as relates to the Mexican War,
and the resolution offered on the same sub
ject by the Honorable Senator from Union,
have given this deeply Interesting and i'm.
por:ant question that consideration which j.
so Justly merits, and would most respectful
ly report
That in order to present the Justice and
propricty OF this war, on the part Of the u.
States, in its true light, in becomes ncccssa.
duced Mexico, in her folly and arrogance,
10 commence hostillilies.
1t is we'll known that great inducements
were Offered American citizens 10 settle in
Texas. They received most liberal grants
Of lands, were permitted TO form free re-
preventative government, and became a so.
vcrcign State in the republican confedcracy
of Mexico. Under such a form of govern
mcnt, they had secured 10 them all those
civil and political rights which they had
enjoyed in the land of their birth. They
were rapidly increasing in numbers, grow
ing in wealth, prosperous and happy. But,
by one of those sudden revolutions which
have so characterized the Mexican people.
the federal government was destroyed, and
central despotsm established in its place,
which deprived the Texans of all political
privileges, and annihiatcd their State 90
vernment This could not be borne by
men who had been educated as freemcn,
and who had in their veins Anglo Saxon
blood. They Immediately declared their
independence and stood justified in the
eyes of the world. Their independence
was acknowledged by the principal powers
of Europe, and maintained for eight years
by their valor and wisdom. They assumed
as their western boundary the Rio Grande,
which had been formerly the recognized
limits of Texas. Mexico offered to recog-
Mise their independence, provided they
would not attach themselves to the u. States.
In regard to the right Of Texas to be-
come q portion Of the United States.
there can be no rational doubt. Being
Independent, she was at liberty to dispose
OF herselfas she saw proper The United
States had the undoubted right to receive
her into their Union. In doing so they did
no injustice to Mexico. But the Mexican
Government declared beforehand, that they
would regard the annexation of Texas to
the United States, as an act of war on the
part Of the federal government. They i'm.
mediately recalled their Minister at Wa
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15
Extract of ii letter to the editor, dated
CITY OF MEx!co. Oct. l;.


The third division commanded by Gen
Pillow was to storm Chapultcrcc, from the
hills of Molino del Rcy, OH the left of racu-
baya. Gen. Worth was to move down the
Tacubaya road, and make loIgcmcn, in
the city through the Garita (gatc) of Saint
Cosmr, as soon as the operations upon Cha
pullepec was fairly under way.
The whole army except the Brigade at
P.edrl, and guard at Miscoac with the
trains, prisoners, hospitals, Sc, were in the
village Of Tacubaya anxiously waiting the
signal to attack, which was a temporary
cessation OF all the batteries Precisely at
. o'clock the exccted signal was given
The batteries ceased and perfect silence
reign:d, accept an occasional boom from
Chapultcpec and presently even that ceased,
as II conscious that the hour had came. 1t
was the portentous silence which usually
proceeds the tornado Gen Quitman, with
his staff, lin which acted for the day) dis.
mounted and stood on foot at the head of his
Column, cool, firm and collected. In ten
minutes the bugle, in clear shrill notes, SCUM
ded the charge, and all the columns moved
IN their respective directions. 1t would
have done your soul good to have seen that
sight; "not drum was heard" net a word
was said, and not sound broke the dread
stiffness of the moment, except the steady
tread OF the Blue Jackets as they filed out
fthat village, Qnitman took the right anI
Pillow the left, as sooa as the movement
was perceived, Chapultepec opened all her
thundcrs and our own batteries commenced
with renewed efforts. the columns CT our
Infantry poured themselves like a torrent
upon the woods at the base of ChapuItcpec.
the edge Of which was sheet Of fame a 5
they approached, receiving into their ranks
the lsaden storm of thousands Of muskc,s-
sill they pressed onward-onward through
the shades OF that dark forest, which though
hundreds Ct years old never witnessed such
day betore-onward and upward still they
pressed over mines, ditches. walls and forti-
ilcaI.ons until they reached the very sum-
NIT, and then placed upon the rampar,s of
the fortress our own "star spangled banner"
Honor and glory to the soldiers of our army |!
to them the honor is due ! | History cannot
furnish parallel with the storming of Cha
pultepec not even the passage Of the bridge
OF Lodi or the marshes Of Arcola. II
l have since frequently thought ofthat
terrific morning of the continued torrent of
grape and canister, round shot and muske.
try that hailed about that little mountain.
and my thoughts never recur to it without
increased admiration and awe. Chapulte.
pee is a plume in the c,p Of the Volunteers
and new levics, for by them the work was
chiefly done. The colours ofthe Volliguers
going up first aud then in quick succession
those of New FORK, South Carolina and
the 18th Infantry. 1t was in this storm
that 1t. Cantey of tbs Kershaw company
was killed, 1t. Clark Of the Columbia CON
wounded, Mattison and Patrick of the Alb.
beSille company Killed, and r. Watson,
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15

that the matches had given out, and as we
had crossed the brcast-woris for the pur-
pose ofprotccting the cannon, the General
ordered us to retire within the Notifications.
1t was at this time the enemy gave Us a
tremendous fire of grape and canister,
killing some Of the bravcst men in the
arm, among whom were Captain Drum
and his brave Orderly Sergeant to whom it
is said the honor is due of having been the
first 10 noun, the walls Of the Black Fort"
at Monterey. Five the !;Igclicld compa-
ny fell together at this time, among whom
was lst Sergeant Blocker, who was then
in command Of the company \
est OF tho fight us If he was proof against
shot and shell. He seemed to look upon
the cncml's fire with the most utter con-
tempt, yet he had the most tender regard
Cor the lives Of his slIicrs EIe was always
at the head of his co.nmand.'
TIE PALMETTO REGIMENT.
The po.i,rnc>s Of Il friend enables Us t,
print the following article, from the Amcri
can Star, of October the a2nd, published in
the city of Mexico. The paper was re-
crivcd by him, with the kind rcmcmbranccs
of Lieut.. Henry 3. Judd, of,he 3u Artillery.
! As our article Of yesterday has created
considerable remark: in every way crcdi.a-
bic 10 the South Carolina Regiment of
Volunteers, we arc induced TO add word
or two upon the subject. The Palmetto
Regiment: Notwithstanding its heavy LOSSES.
together with Smiths Rifles, belonging To-
! General Qutman's division of volunteers
were the first who were inside of the C;ari,;,
alter the ia!i Of Chapul,rprc, AMI ;hc first
to enter the city. A, the fight at the Garita.
: company ID OF the Palmetto Regiment. was
at one time left entirely without officers
! Captain Brooks was absent on iurIvv. th..
l>t llrutcnant was very i'll, one of the 2ud
+ Licutcnant> had been killed at ChuruLusc,.
a,'! ;hc other Lieutenant was 20 severely {.
wounded in the same battle that he was un;,
! bic to take command of his company. The
, command was assumed by the Orderly Ser
yrant, VIM. Blocker, who, with five others.
I were shot down by IA single cannon ball,
and instantly killed. Company G.. met
with Il somcw,t similar fate. The Cap.
/ tain hal gone home, and two Liru,cnants
: had died; one OF his Wounds and the other
Of disease. The 3rd Lieutenant was
wounded in the same fight, at the Gari,a.
! and private, Mr.. Davis, Il man OF in,c!li
gencc ana bravery, WAS promoted to u lieu
! tcnancy-hc was the choice OF the company.
and his election was confirmed blythe com
mandlng officer of tho reg mcnt We learn
turthcr that our statement that there are ut
prrsant 2J0 men in the South Carolina Rrri-
mcnt fit for service is too Iargc-hcre beiny
hardly 200 of the original number who en-
listcd-l,O 900 strong-who are all at this
momcnt. fit to do duty. The history of the
, regiment has certainly been somewhat sin
| gular and cventlnI.
Very respectfully, PALMETTO"
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15
NATIONAL PALACE. MEXICO, }
October 2i. lSA7

oltOoIi Ky lCf
The day before the storrning Of Chapule-
pee, General Qutman took a party 10 cx-
anime the fort between the castle and CITY.
After making the necessary discovery, and
the Mexcans saw him returning, they, i'm
agining he had attempted to take the for,
and was rcpulscd, raised tremendous
shout. The Americans, in making charge,
invariably shout AS loud as they can.
Although our Regiment charged upon the
castle OF Chapul!cpcc in plain view of the
enemy. through a meadow, and had several
bitches to cross, which some leapcd. the
majority being compelled through fatigue,
TO jump IN and get out the best way they
could, few comparatively were ki led
My friend and mcss-matc, Sergeant Mattison
was killed i'll the charge upon the castle :;
he was shot through the neck by Crane
shot, which killed him instantly. A bravcr
man never fell in battle. He and the son of
DIR. Trezcvant, of Columbia, were buried.
IreZcvant was shot through tho heart.
The officers OF our Company exhibited
great GOODNESS and bravery in the several
battles in which they were engaged. Gen.
Shields called for two companies TO volun.
tcer to cross the road and 80 down ditch
(meaning alongside the dtch,) to pick the
men from their cannon. Captain Marshall,
Immediately volunteered his company, and
ano'her was detailed. Captain Marshall
was in command. 1t was some time be-
fore the two companies could cross the ditch.
and the attention of the Mcxicans being
directed to that point, musket balls became
very numerous, one of which took fancy
70 our Captain it being spent ball it only
made him sick, which soon passed away.
We advanced as near the enemy as we
could, a body Of water preventing US from
reaching them. On General Shields being
informed OF this, we were ordered to join the
Regiment.
Lieutenant Moragne was killed within
the gates the city. | was standing within
lew feet ofhlm when he was shot. He
threw his hands to his breast, and cried out
~ Lord Pm shot" L sprang to his side to
assist him, but his eyes were set in death,
and he Immediately ceased to Breathe
His head was shot Off after he was killed
Lieutenant SelIeck acted very bravely, and
Is, l am told, favorably mentioned in Gener-
al Qui:Inan's report. He was wounded at
the Garita de Belen and carried off the field.
-Four of our company were killed, and Sc.
veral wounded.
After our division had passed over the
breast works at the gate of the city, and af-
ter holding the position for considerable
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15
From The Col~mbi@ Herald, Of 7th inst.
Extract of Letter from 1IcYirO

We have been favored with the following
extracts from letter received in this place,
written by a member of the Abbcyillc
Company:
The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-12-15

Alter our division had passed over the
breast works at the gate of the city, and af.
ter holding the position for considerable
time, Captain Drum of the artillery (having
one piecc) reported to General Quitman
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-11-09

| "Ff'he yaloT and superiority Of our own
arms have been established beyond ques-
tion or doubt-Mexico has been humbIed
and degraded in the eyes Of the world,
while our own brilliant achievements stand
up prominently as a precedent in the an
nails of the world. to be admired and
boasied of when the actors themselves
shall lie mouldering in the dust. Ma
tional and personal ambition has been
satisfied. The nation will be proud Of
the trophies and those who won Ihem.-
But with our successes tre haze aTFirek
al The end Of our rope; the capital has
fallen, and there is nothing to offer US any
further resistance. The President. Gen.
Santa Anna, has abdicated the Presiden-
cy, and the commander Of the army left,
with a small body guard, for parts un-
known, and is now IN tact flying fugi-
tise-the army of 80, 700, which they had
when we arrived before the city, does not
now number over 3,00O,- without means
of support, and deserving every day. Can
our army do any thing more-could il be
CApCCtCu W nave uOI6 any tiltlig IliUIct
Now there is no new enterprise which
offers itself, and there is no Government
with which we can arrange our difficult
ties. Therefore, would ask, il we had
not better pack up or tcogons as soon
as He sick are able 10 be nioUed, and fail
back upon ne base Of our operations,
and G,eon the action of our Govern
menf? Then our wounded and sick could
be better provided for, and our army bet
ter and cheaper supplied and placed in
good quafters-the volunteers sent home
the, regulars drilled, and the regiments
filled up and prepared TO occupy the
we. may determine. This course
of policy, in my opinion. considering the
existing circumstances, is preferable on
more accounts than one. 1t leaves the
Government at home in a position to car
ry outfits views with facility and without
delay. Il would leave the army IN po-
sition as convenient in point OF transporta-
ton. TO the occupation Of our boundary,
as though it were bafrack in the Uni
ted States.n 80
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-11-09

INTERESTING NEWS.

We copy from tie New Orleans Cou-
rier the subjoined extract of private let
ter, which the Courier states to be ''from
high source OF military information, 2
and says that .every word of it may be
implicitly relied upon" Besides reca-
pituIoting the victories obtained by Gen.
Scott on his way from Puebla to the city
Of Mexico, it gives the amount Of force
with which he commenced his march, and
the number of lives lost on both sides du-
ring the InsurrectIon which followed the
entrance of our army into the capital:
Cry OF MEXICO, SEPTEMBER 10, IS47.
MY DEAR FRIEND: At last we are in
possession Of the capital Of Mexico, and
snugly quarlered in the far-famed Halls
of Montezuma"
Believing that it will interest you to
understand the principal movements OF
our army since il left Pucbla, as am con-
versant with them all, | will relate them,
and you will find them among the most
interesting operations of war that have
occurred during. the nineteenth century.
When Gen. Scott had completed his
arrangements and concentrated his forces
at Puebla in the early part OF August, and
when he saw the sudden disappearance Of
the speck Of peace which had been held
out TO him and Mr.. Trist, he at once de-
termined to move his whole available
force upon The capital. by which demon
stration he hoped to compel the Mexicans
to accept our offer of peace.
Accordingly, our advance division
(Twiggs's $500 regulars took up the
line Of march in the morning of the 7sh
OF August; the divisions OF Quitman,
Worth, and Pillow, (2,3OO regulars. S.
200 voIunteersJ following in the above
order, and at intervals Of twenly-four
hours.
We expected little or no resistance un-
til we reached the valley of Mexico, nor
did we meet any. We encountered strong
natural iortifcations at and in the vicinity
Of Rio Frio. But the enemy seemed to
hold himseIfin reserve Tor the determined
resistance our army met with after pas
sing that region, midway between Puebla
and this city, and after we had entered
the valley Of Mexico.
The reconnaissance Of our engineers
and Information derived from other sour
ces induced Gen. Scott to make his first
demonstration upon the Pinon, so called
height very strong by nature and doubly
so by the science Of the Mexicans, who
left nothing undone to make the position
impregnabIe. A further reconnaissance
satisfied Gen. Scott and induced him 10
believe that the Pinon could be turned by
the flank; which was accordingly done,
and werctiredfrom Ayotla, passed through
ChaIco. and. after innumerable difficulties,
REACHED San Augustine, tell miles from
1.-THE capital, on the 18th August.
Worth 5 division was thrown forwsrt
IA league to San Antonio on nur right, ant
Gen. Pillow. with Csdwsladcr's ant
slaieids's bfig4dts, and Twisgss divisior
ION our lelt.
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-11-09

haven't time to give you my views about
it in this despatch, but will try TO soon.
Give my love to Mr.. Richie. 1 meant
to write him too, but | shall have to wait
till next time. 1ai
Your faithful friend and private embas-
sador.
MAJOR JACK DOWNING.
The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-11-09

The New Orleans National wants the
President to follow the example of the
Emperor Of Russia--to go 10 the wars,
and take command in person OF our army
ip Mexico.