Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-07-02
uARNEY's CHARGE AT CERRO GoRDo.
Written expressly for the U. 8. "spir. of,he Tines
ny c*+ DE L++*, OF THE Bird INFANTRY.
Burlington, Vermont, May &c, 1877.

! NY G** DE LTTT, OF THE 3rd INFANTRY.
Burlington, Vermont, May 26, 1s47.
Dear Pit seems an age since my pen has
snoken to "the Spirit" We are all 30 perfectly
the creatures of habit, that any interference witt
itis sensbly felt, and with great pleasure when
the opportunity offers we take up the old jog
or late, however, there has been vacuum caused
by nv being no longer sharer in the exciting
marches and the brilliant actions of our gallant
Army. Since left the seat OF war, the action o
Cerro Gordo has added another brilliant to on,
already dazzling crown Of victories The point
upon which the success Of The day hung was
the taking of the rugged heights of Cerrc
Gordo. There was to be the fearful struggle
There our brave fellows were to come in contac
ramparts bristling with cannon. There were
they to face the leaden hail-storm and the sheet.
Of fire, as fearlessly, with bayonets fixed they
toed up the rugged ascent. The cry was "On
ward, boys!" They scarcely had foothold, the
PERCEPTIONS cliff seemed to defy the power of man;
the loose stones rolled from under their feet nd
to the impedments of nature the enemy had added
artificial ones in the shape of trees with theil
limbs trimmed, forming almost an impenetrable
barrier. The ascent is commemorative enemy
open their fire. With each reverberated echo
some gallant spirit falls badly wounded, or Yields
up life giving, as his last cheering farewell
Forward boys!' Onward they went without
one moments INSTRUMENTATION the least
faltering. Like a machine they moved. The
iron hail dealt death, but not confusion. The
frmness of purpose which conceived the assault
only increased amid the terrible slaughter -
Higher and higher those gallant souls climb the
mountain side-the fierce yell Of battle (and those
who have never heard or felt it can form no con.
ception Of IT'D almost browns the roar of Artil.
lery! Not gun is fred, but with musket ready
for the charge, they press forward to gain the
height that nsures victory. edward, boys y
the apex is almost gained already can they
look into the muzzle Of the cannon, those dread.
full engines of death Onward they press I! The
enemy still stands firm, confident in numbers
and position-clnging to the hope that when
their showers Of grape rained among their foes
they will falter and fall back Baseless delu-
sion The grape, like hail stones, thin our
ranks,--onward they rush--reach close mnsket
shot--deliver their fre--and with an impetnosi-
ty as irresistible as the Alpine avalanche, crown
the breast work, and put to death and flight its
brave defenders. Their own guns are imme-
diatey turned upon the flying enemy and the
shot they had collected to destroy the "Norhern
Barbarans" NOW down their own ranks like the
grass before the scythe.
Happy they who were participators in the
stormng of Cerro Gordo Well may they be
proud of the deed of noble daring that day dis
played! With swelling hearts may they here.
after look at their colors, which, with the names
Of other hard fought battles, the government
must permit to be inscribsd upon them. The
! Rifles lss A-tiicry, sd arh -.,' -''a"try--'ho
three latter veterans in the service-the former
veterans on their first campaign. Glory and
| ,,,;n L, l,.t and ia tn hr
hoped they may reap some little reward
Gen. Twiggs has acquired for himself an on
viable reputation. Heretofore, most unfortun
atcly for his Division, it has been its luck TO be
placed in a less conspicuous position than others
at least as regards newspaper effect. The I'd
Division can ever point to Cerro Gordo with
pride, as an affair in which they were particu'
larly distinguished. presume the only regret
they have is, that there was not enough work
for all, for nothing is SO pleasant as to have
honors divided" but when luck is so strong
you have sail FOUR" although in a certain game
we might envy the possessor, yet, in the game
of mar we must worship him who having them
plays them to such advantage as to give glory &c
| his country.
What would not have given to have seen the
gallant Harvey leading his Brigade to the charge
| Those who have never seen him, nor have had
The pleasure of enjoying his society, can hardly
appreciate the man and officer. Hast ever seen
| him, esprit 2" mo" Let me see if can
sketch him for you. BE not jealous, " Tall
Son of York." for he stands higher in his stock
| ing feet than thy worthy self. Sandy hair, very
! light complexion frank, generous expression
Of countenance, form perfect in symmetry, with
out one particle of superuous flesh, fit " to run
for mans life" in the prime of manhood, with
mild but determinate blue eye, and you have
him standing before you. Mount him on his
noble charger, excite that blue eye until it al.
most scintillates, and give animation to that
form until it appears to expand, and you have
one of the most gallant, dashing cavalry officers
in any service. lie is man of an iron will,
and it necessary of desperate courage. As a
partisan officer he is conspicuous. deem him
the best in the service. Like all men of such
temperament, he is a warm, devoted friend and
| bitter enemy. Think Of his towering form
carrying his Brigade to the storming of that ter
rble height What picture for an artist
Harvey with arm outstretched and sword drawn,
pointing to the height, with his gallant Brigade,
regardless of all obstacles, rushing into the en-.
emy's breast works! All acsounts represent
him as conspicuous, and that the clear shrill
tones of his voice, calm almost to frigidity
could be distinctly heard all the way up the
mountain side.
| Those are the charges That Try mems sous
and the success attending them is so brilliant
that we almost forget that every sweet has its
bitter"-that while the nation is full of pride
and exultation at the result, many tireside
many dear home, is clothed in mourning and
buried in grief! The sympathies of thousands
are with them-the tears Of their brethren in
arms water their graves, and it must be some
consolation to their parents to reflect how nobly
they fell and that their names will be ever
identified with the glory of their countrys arms.
Ewell and Davis Of the Rifles Gallant young
soldiers, hardly had you devoted one year to the
service of your country ere you " ileshed your
maiden swords in death. Your death and that
of other kindred spirits will be infectious, and
urge on your brother officers to feats of daring.
How fortunate il is that we have to mourn over
the loss of so few Heaven grant those gal
liant souls who were wounded may recover
Poor Shields! He is a gallant and high soued
gentleman. The brave and chivaric Sumner
Maury, McLane, Dana, Ward, Bee, and others
we cannot spare you The Old Third has
lost flowers enough, and cannot spare such
plants as Ward and Bee. Old fellows il am
not with you in body ] am in spirit, Mess
mates before the battle came off predicted
one of YOU would be wounded You must live
| N ,sno,v the DAYS of aud lang syne