Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1847-11-04

the gate of San Cosme the fire was so ho
that they were compelled temporarily lc
abandon t--and did not make a perman.
ent Judgment until towards evening, when
portion of the siege train battery was
brought into action, as also piece Of
two of the mountain howitzers, which hur
ried the shot and shell about the ears o.
the enemy little better than they desir.
ed.
Gen. Quitman's column, with the Rifles
at their head, continued steadily and eau.
liousl y on, taking position and breastwork
as they came in contact with them, until
they arrived near the gate Of the city
Here the firing was so heavy, both from
small arms and artillery, that it was deem.
ed pruden, TO carefully reconnoitre it be.
fore attacking. Accordingly Lieuls.
Beauregard, Of the engineers, Lowell Of
QuIlman's staff, aud Van Duren, of Smiths
staff, went forward to ascertain the posi-
ton of affairs; they returned, and upon
their report the Rifles. supported by a
small force Of infantry, was advanced for
ward for the purpose of picking Off the
arlillerists, which they diG-being partial.
y covered by the aqueduct-with the
same success and accuracy as one of our
Southern or Western men would shoot
squirrels.
This rendered the situation Of the Mex
lean artillery so uncomfortable, that they
were unable TO stand to their guns long
enough to load them, and they commence
ed moving their guns, which was perceiv-
ed by Gen. Qui'man, and he ordered a
charge, which was carried into execution
as soon rs communicable Stewart,
Of the rifles, leading the way.
1t captured the main work, with two
pieces of artillery, which CAPT. Dunn
turned on the retreating enemy. Gen.
Qulman was among the first to mount the
breastwork and plant the standard thereon,
at o'clock; the enemy then formed and
three times attempted to charge us and
retake the position.
The nnerring and deadly fire Of the ri
files, together with voly of grape from
Capt, Dunn, so cut them TO pieces that
they would moi approach nearer than rifle
shot. The third time they tried 10 adj
vance under the cover of the arches OF the
aqueduct, but if ever Mexican popped
his head out for the purpose of slipping
from one arch to the other some riheman
would be sure to put ball through it.
During the whole Of the afternoon the
Citadel and fort on our light conlinu-
ed concentrated fire upon the gate, where
our troops were, in the hopes Of driving
them out, but in this they are mistaken al
though we have but little cover. Here it
was that the lamented Capt Drum fell NOR
tally wounded; the death Of no man in our
army has been more sincerely regretted
than his-,hroughout the bombardmen,
of Chapullepec he stood by his guns, and
when the works Of The enemy were storm
ed, he continued to advance his battery
under the heaviest fire, himself possessing
and infusing into his men, cool and de-
Ilberate bravery and self possession sur
passed by none. You will recolIect that
it was he who captured the Buena Vista
guns; still red with the blood Of those who
fell over them at the time they were los,
and afterwards used them with such dcci,
sive effect at the battle Of Moline del Rey
OH the 9th inst.