Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-01-14

flzarro, where The old Peruvian Is dragged
before the Spanish conqueror, and his hero
ism, in resisting even to death the cntreaties
and threats, intended to compel him TO dis
close ms country's secrets, Like him, [
made up my mind, and the Mexican chief
soon discovered that threats and promises
OF fortune were alike unavaing TO effect
the purpose OF getting atour secrets, and we
were remanded TO a strongly guarded pris-
on. had heard much of reveilinr in the
Halls Of the Montezumas," but confess,
my experience on this occasion, was BY
no means favorable to the agreeablensss of
this occupation. | would cheerfuly have
given all the halls that all the Montezumas
ever possessed for green patch of the
Stale OF my adoption, or free look at the
sky which bends above her. But regrets
were unavallIng. Better luck next time.
Three long weeks were passed in prison.
The guns. of Churubusco aud Contreras
came family booming to our ears-telline
OF the deadly strife without. ., how our
hearts beat on this occasion. The defeat
OF our gallant little army, would entail upon
us long neutrality-suspicious. long years of i'm
prlsonment; whilst success ensured us
speedy relief. No gallant officer or daring
soldier, that barred his breast To that DAVIS
storm ofleaden hail, could feel deeper in
terest Ill the strife than we; and even after
the battle Closed, and its sounds no longer
came TO our ears, we were left in profound
ignorance rs to the result of the conflict
We had vivid fears of the worst. Had our
army been successful, we thought ere this
thnX- ,uoulI h,,,o -, tk -, h,t -
that we heard no indications. The Mexi-
can soldier was still at his post of sentry
about the prison and in the streets. But
the hearts Of steel that compose our little
force, we felt assured could not he driven
back. Defeat was impossible. But where
were they! Thus were we left in doubt
and fear until the third day, when our prison
doors were thrown open, and we were
marched forth with the glad intelligence that
our army had been triumphant, and that i've
had been exchanged for Mexican prisoners.
SO delighted was |, at a sight of the earth
and green fields, that could have fallen
upon and embraced even the dust of Next
can streets, as Columbus did tho new found
soil of America:
Twas soon again mounted and attached
20 my regiment. The armstlce which YOU
know was entered into between the two
forces, in the hope that peace might be the
result, was broken, and once more the bugle
called to arms. The fortress of Chpulte-
dec, built on perceptions hill, commanded
the city, and this, it became necessary for
us take. Ofcoursc, scaling preciplces. and
mounting walls, was rather unfit service
for dragUo ms, and we were inactive during
that struggle. But it all passed in sight Of
me, and many long years must pass before
it can be effaced from my memory. A
blazing sheet of fame seemed to envelope
the parapets of Chapultepec as the musket
ry gave forth their leaden rain, and one
after another of Our gallant fellows, fell
dead, as they struggled up the heights in
the face of the foe. The enemy had us at
great advantage; they being safely ensconced
behind their walls and batteries, and we in
full view, unprotected, struggling over OBJ
stacles Of nature sufficient in themselves tO
daunt ordinary hearts. But our brave fell
lows struggled on, and as their forward
ranks were thinned out by the dcath-dealing
shower from above them, those behind
closed up the gap, and pressed nnftinch-
ingly forward. The height is gained-on
they struggle, clambering one upon the Shout
icrs Of the other-the wall is scaled, and
they fall upon the foe like a bolt from the
Almighty. They scatter them like chaff.
and as our troops come like rushing stream
upon them from the front, they attempt to-
make good their retreat in the rear.-ARd
here the services Of our regiment were put
in requistion. With Il shout we put spurs
TO our impatient animals, who started with
a bound after the retrcating foe. PelI-mell
hurry -scurry-we reached the clty's
walls, aitd here the struggle was again re-
newed Hand to hand with heated brows
and cleaning eyes, we fight Swords were
flashing like the lightnings of stormy sky,
and many a one that went up cleaning like
a tongue Of flame, fell, dripping with human
gore Of course you will not expect me to
enter into details on an occasion like this.
How MANY hair breadth escapes might
have run--how many lancers. if any, bit
the dust through my instrumentalny, know
not. | only know we fought aud conque-
red, and the city Of Mexico was ours. OF
subsequent events you are acquainted, and
III YOU WclC liOtY IldNC liOA NliiI ~" W w W.
them.
| write al the hour Of midnight. GLOW
sweet the moonlight sleeps on yonder bank.
The tall splre of the cathedral stands out az
if carved in relief against the spotless sky1
the soft and silyery light Of the moon plays
upon the folds of the star spangled banner
quietly dropping from the staff on thetoP OF
the palace. So quiet and beautiful is the
scene, that were it not for the implements
Of strife and death see around me, and the
challenge of the watchful sentinel as he pa
ces bis lonely round, should think this
was the chosen spot of peace. Man goes
forth to war with his brother man, and all
the hell Of angry human passions Is loosed,
but nature changes not in her peaceful beau
ty. The grass grows green over the grave
Of the warrior; the sun, the moon, and stars
look down unchanged. Do they teach Us
no lesson read in them how immeasura-
bly, higheris our true duty and true destiny.
The quiet and peace and harmony OF mani
mate nature tells me that man was not crea1
ted to be a discordant link in the cham.
But we are told "thcre is a destiny which
shapes our ends, rough hew them AS we
will and | don't know but such is the case.
Yours, ii.