Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-10-07
From tie LOuisriiie Journal.
War scenes.
THE; IsIS Ou AC.
BY a TIe- Closer IF Me III NIin0lS,

The day preceding the battle Of Ger
70 Gordo was one OF exceeding beauty
more so than even. many OF those seen
beneath tropical sun. The gentle
breeze, winch was waited across the
Iierre CaIfeMe rom the " Blue Gull"
unioldcd upon the summit OF the Cerro
Gordo the gay ens'gnoi the naughty Mex
icau, aud al the same time tloated the
star-spangle led banner IN ITS balmy en-
brace over a handful oi Americans, who
came 10 battle IN their country's cause.
Stretched along the heights behind strong
ioutcalons, defended by lrownIug can
non and brIstlIng bayOnets, aitIred in
all The gray paraphernalla OF splendid
army lay the Mexican hosts, gathered
to defend their country from the "north-
crn baibarians," who laid quietly en-
canped in the small valley ol the Plan
Del RIO, patiently awaiting the order for
battle, when they should rush forth upon
that proud army and drive them IN con-
fusion from their stronghods.
Among the latter party was myself
an humble soldier IN the cause-seated
10 my tent. thought OF the home | had
left behind me, and The friends | had for
-aken, to struggle amid strangers in a
foreign land-the many chances against
me In the game OF life and deaf that Is
forever going on III The midst ol an army
| thought my self dreaming but could
not lay that "iitterng JUNCTION TO my
soul" 1t was too true-the reality was
too plain. | was a soldier, and upon the
eve of a battle, with many chances Of be
ing riciimi=ed by a Mexican bullet
Well, well, though |, if | am killed, il
shall be gloriously IN defence Of my
cnunlry's honor ; my name, among 9th
els, will be handed down 20 poslerty
printed on the page OF history, and Cen
rolled upon the scroll Of fame" an ex-
ample TO future belIgerent young gen
llemen that the "pride and pomp Of glo-
t,ous war;" no matter how imposing
does not counterbalance its "circum-
stance" IN the scale Of life.
looked out upon the camp: my fellow
soldiers were engaged in various occu-
pations. Some, thluking ol,he approach.
ing contest, were preparing their arms
anu w w WbIh
others, thinking Of their latter end, were
writing thoiI wills and farewell letters ,c
their friends Others, like Sergean Dal-
getty, thinking OF their prouant, were
cooking others, thinking that they were
brave, were talking in loud tones Of The
various deeds they intended to perform
on the morrow others, thinking that
bhtes were dangerous things, were mu-
sing on the chances OF going through
safely and others still, thinking OF
nothing at all, were ~histlng, singing
and playing cards. was thinking oI
all these things, when ! was suddenly
startled by the sulIen booming Of a can.
non in the direction Of Cerro Gordo
then another aud another then the ra-
pid roll of musketry aud successive crack.
Of rifles. 1t was all too plain that tn,
battle had commenced.
General Twiggs had been ordered r
the morning to take the position assign
ed his division, and protect the detal
engaged in making a road for our artll
lery, aud the enemy had attempted to
drive him back The fight ragged with
violence tor some moments. nose an
Gent hills shook with the thunder OF ar
tillery-,ho valleys re-echoed the sount
of small arms. though, Of the man,
souls that took their departure from earti
with each discharge-of the mangleC
limbs and painful looks and cries OF the
wounded. had been under fire before
bat somehow this seemed like getting in
to closer quarters than formerly. sale
not word, but, like Paddy's owl,
krr up "devil Of thinking"
Up to this time it had been the i'm
preston tha, our brigad would be belc
~ reserve hence the non chaiance man
Tested by most Of the corps, but ihi
1lpasant hallucination was bsnished b,
tho long roll, " beaten by Ok