Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1848-06-14

turning 10 his company, doubly endsafed
him to his fellow soldiers; greatly increas-
ed their respect Cor him and caused him
10 be cheerfully obeyed in all his relations
with the company. To discharge with
fai,hfuIness all the duties of FIRST Sergeant
Of a company, in The volunteer service IS
exceedingly dangerous 10 personal Popu'
larity: Few. indeed, can fulfil them pro
perly, and retain the goodwill OF their
brothers in arms. But Sergeant Blocker
was one of those few. During his whole
term orservice, he was prompt and stric
in the duties required of the men, yel MS
popularity never for moment diminished.
During The fierce conflicts in the valley
ofMexico, the peculiarities Of young Block
er were strikiDgly illustrated. In all these
brilliant achievements. except Molino del
Rey, 10 which the Palmetto Regimen
was not engaged, he took an active part,
aud acquired crest distinction. At Cos
treras and Churubusco he acted as Fra
Sergean, of his company. AT Chapultepec
and the Garita de Beleu. from the neces
sary absence ofthe commissioned officers
he assumed the command. II is not toe
much 10 say. he filled we'll the latter parl.
and proved himself as able to command
the company, as he had been to exercise
the Office of First Sergeant.
In all;tbe battles in which be was en-
gagged. we are at loss which 10 admire
mostly, his great coolness Of action. or the
bold daring of his movements. There was
no danger he feared to meet-no dashins
enterprise he was not ready TO undertake.
A little incident on the battle field of
Churubusco ill serve to illustrate his
great GOODNESS in the moment Of danger.
In the heat Of The action charge upon The
enemy was ordered by The General in
command. Blocker had that moment dis
charged his fire lock. and YVES in the act Of
reloading. The commander Of his cons
pany, few PAGES ahead, turned 10 him
aud sad-"come on, Blocker. my brave
boy-you have been at my side all day."
With The grealesr cooluess he replied
",uait till load my gunr But in mo
ment he added" WeU; I'll load as 60
II shall be among The foremost" Suiting
the action 10 his ord he advanced rapid
ly, loading as he went, and was among
the very first who crossed The ditch by the
public road in pursuit of the enemy.
A, Chapultepec and at the Gates Of the
City, Blocker, at The head of the company.
behaved with uncommon SalIantry. All
the officers Of his regimen, present, and
all the men under his command hear their
united testimony to his noble daring aud
heroic valor. He was ever in the hotties,
Of the fight. and among the foremost Of his
regiment. His men were all close al his
side. No, man as we know of; faltered.
Wherever be led, the meu were willing 10
follow. Successfully did he lead them on
through the stormy thunders of Chapnlle.
pee. Boldly did they meet the fierce dis
charge Of artillery at the Garisa. He led
them within the walls Of the far-famed ci-
ty. He pointed them to the lofty lurrets
Of its cahedraIs. All were about to reals
ize the goal Of their ambition. The enemy
had almost been sieuced 10 his strong
works, and the shouts Of victory were
about to arise from the batte-worn sol
disry. In this anxious moment, when
hope filed !he heart and JOY revived the
spirits, a dashing six pounder. cut through
the ranks, auu SHloie "o"u uVo oi S'h dS
gallant, souls as ever shoudered muskets
for their courlry. In blaze Of glory
they expired! Among that number, was
the brave, the generous. the high souled
Blocker.s Could he and his comrades
have departed in brighter blaze of glory!
lie survived only shor, Iime-bu' long
enough to call TO recollection all the warm
endearmen,s IF friends aud home. In his
las, moments he remembered his father
and his mother. He took from his breast
a Bible. which had been The companion Of
his private moments throughout The cam
paign. and requested it should be given to
his mother. He then yielded up his spirit
10 the God who gave it /!
MARLBOROUGH.
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