The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-05-20


! that the Colonel was not off his horse
more than two minutes, and during the
whole time was exposed to The hottest
, fire. While the men were crossing the
} race OF water referred to, over which
Gen. Butler and Col. Mitchell crossed,
and whilst the latter was cheering and
urging his men forward, those gallant
officers both fell severely wounded.--
At this early hour, almost at the onset
of the bloody conflict, the command of
the regiment devolved upon Col Wei.
er. And what was his department on
being called so unexpectedly and at
such a critical juncture to assume the
responsible station? His appearance
and bearing at that moment, when told
that Col. Mitchell had fallen, j have Of
ten heard described by his men,. Spur
ring his gallant charger to the front,
and with his sword waving high above
his head, he shouted at the top of his
voice---"ON WARD, MY BRAVE
BOYS; THE BLACK RASCALS
HAVE SHOT YOUR COLONEL
ONWARD AND GIVE THEM THE
GOLD STEEL" In moment, how
ever, orders were received from the la
mented HAmER, upon whom the. com.
mand Of the division devoIved after the
fall of Gen., Butler, for the regiment to
advance into town in another direction,
and the charge was continued through
several streets until the Colonel was
again ordered to return to the support
Of Capt. Bragg's battery. This battery
in attempting to cross the plain, under
raking fire from the black fort, had,
by the destruction Of horses, become
disabled, and lay apparently at the
mercy Of the enemy. Again the regi.
ment ran The guanllet over the plain,
exposed to fire from the enemy's for.
tifications in the reat, as well as from
the black fort in front, and reached the
brave Captains battery just in time to
save it from formidable force Of the
enemy's cavalry, then approaching
from the black fort. 12a!9
To repel the furious advances Of the
lancers, the regiment was quickly FORM
ed in good order, and received their
bold charge with wiley that sent
them scattering back 10 the fort, witt,a a
loss Of some forty or fifty Of their num-
ber. Under an incessant fire from the
black fort the regiment remained upon
the field the balance Of the day, and did
not return to camp until on the ap-
proach of night, when they were or
dered in. From o'clock in the MORN
ing till in the evening they had been
under continuous .fre--had three
times run the guantlet of The black fort
driven the enemy like chaff before
the wind--from formidable breast.
work upon the plain, and repulsed- a
desperate charge of cavalry of more
than three times their number. During
all these movements, every officer Of
the regiment, it is believed, did his du-
ty; and no one was more exposed. or
bore himself more calamity or fearless
ly, than Col. John B. Weller. Though
it was evident to all that lromthe over.
shooting of the enemy a horsemarl was
much more exposed than Eootman.-
Once, and only once did he disnount
from his horse, and then to administer
kindness to wounded officer; and he
was the only officer Of the command
who brought his horse from the field.
On return to camp Of the regiment at
night, weary, bloody, and almost naked
their numbers reduced some eighty
men, they could not withhold their adj
miraton Of the gallant bearing of their
Lieutenant Colonel, and gave him three
spontaneous cheers. During the re.
mainder of the Sc eige in which the regi-
ment was engaged in garrisoning he
forts captured, making demonstrations
upon the field, or in camp duty, Col.
Weller had full command of the reri-
ment, and continued in command of il
until Q severe and dangerous attack of
inflammation of the neck and throat
threw him into the hospital. ..5..1. .''..
| am fully aware, as the old demo.
crat and hero, Gen. Twiggs, has, pro-
phesled, that every effort will be made
by the friends Of Merico to injure the
Colonels reputation as military man;
yet it all will not do. The seven hun.
dred brave fellows who witnessed his
herosm in a twelve month campaign
will, to man--poor Millikin excepted
follow his banner through the coming
contest. Every patriotic young Buck
aye will rally around his standard 1.-The
standard Of our counlry--with as much
enthusiasm as did the boys Of The GAL
ant lst around the stars and stripes at ..
Monterey. The young men are all pa
riots. They will not blast their politi-
,al prospects forever by going againsf
heir, country an ,par. ssesa IS .I,s...
, Very respectfully, yours mosttruly,