The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1848-08-09
From the Olive Branch.
AN INCIDENT OF BUENA VISTA.
BY J. II K BISSOS


The first grey of evening was falling like a
soft curtain upon tie earth. and lay like Thin
mist on the tops of tho mountains of Buena
Vista. hinging its dreamy influence far dawn the
valley that stretched along al ,heir prrcipiInu<
base. AMI now the mnon looked out upon The
scene and her first silver beam. kissed the Ane.
riran fag which 1"ated proudly over the gal
Ian, nrmy-glsnced down on nodding plumes.
and brislling steel, or fingered on The snow"
tents which dotted the valley. ..t. .........
1t was The 22d Of February, and the f,rces Of
General Taylor Ia, resting upon their arms.
awaiting the events "f tho morrow. Al q >holt
distanre from the quarters of ihc Grurra a
young officer, wrapped in military cloak, was
framing th"ughlfulIy against field piece Of
large calihrr.
In person he was commanding and digni6rd.
Upon his brow. which was uncovered. there was
n cast nf nnhlrnrss which coud d not pass unno
ticed. His gaz. was fixed sadly npnn the moon.
rri~N-rur- tu-.T
81 shall not gaze up on it again, sighed thr
Young nan-rny heart tells me that this is my
las, night on earth. No more for me will yon
ocntl,, orb traverse the skies, or shed her mild
light-no more shall her silvery beams kiss my
frvered brow Well! feel but little regret
the world to me has been MEDLEY OF all that
Is irksome and undesirable. 1t has brought
me much pain, and hut little pleasure-nany
hours Of suffering, few Of enjoyment. Still there
are ties which cannot br severed whnnta s'rlg
gle-bnnds which attach me SD strongly TO The
earth that | would even endure its Ills TO pre-.
serve them unbroken. But even these must he
sunde red sooner or later, and resign myself to
my fate"
The solloouizer was here interrupted ny the
approach of a person. who, by the familiar
manner in which be addressed him, appeared as
All old acquaintance.
"Lieu,. c.. you are thoughtful and moo
dy, Tonight"
81 arm Colonel, but shall think less. to.mor'
row night"
There was something in the tone OF the
Lieutenant, 80 sad. and vet so calm, tha, Tor
moment the Col. was silent.
Come, como my friend, cheer up. do not sui.
fer Yourself to brood over imaginary evils,
said the Col. caiIy.
"Colonrl," said the Lieutenant calmly. eve
meet the foe to o.nnrrow al f"arfi odds. There
will he hard fighting, and many of our brave
fcIlows will fall. shall he with them"
"Do YOU fear the conflict that the morrow will
bringl" replied the Col. somewhat coldly.
For moment there was red spot on the
cheek of tho Lieutenant, and his eye flashed
6rc-rhrn he was lin and collected as before.
n. turned ~ his friend and said, in firm
though sad voice. ~,
81 shall meet the events Of the morrow like
brave man and soldier
"Forgive my has,ness-l do not doubt you
God knows, but do not believe in PRESENT.
mcnts."
81 never have until to.night-bnt hear
poicc which sou cannot hear, and it whispers 10
INA the close of life-of a violent death: and
rho graves .lcep. Bu, think not that my heart
,hrinks or that fear the sanguine scenes OF TO-
! morrow. NV bosom is ready for the shock
, .nd NV hand shall WELD this bit of steel with
no fal,rring zpnl, or diminished strengh'h.
| ""ris nothing hut Fl, o: the blues my dear
5 fclJow-you will smile at your pre"en''men''
tomorrow. You must take light supPers in tu
,ure, and you will escape this incubus.
{ "'There will he all incubus upon me to
morrow ere this hour, from which there Will bt
, no awakening. Should you survive. Col, say
, ,o nv General that died like soldier and
: non Look for me where the tight has beer
: the h,,rst-where spears have waved-swnrd
y clashed and death has been most busy. fo'
will find n miniature beneath my vest. Unn
c il, and when an opportunity offers, return II
l NV wiG.-tcll her that | wore II to the laSt,an
u ,ha, the last pulses of tes memory, were her''
..If your prescntiments should prove true'
g will relirio,Isy observe your reqiestS; hut
!. .n,al, NV sentiments, have but little faith !
v ,L.u, a oood NIGHTS rest will most eH:ciuall
{ dsrrl thrm.'
~ The Col. and Lieut.. Col. parted-,he on
i. to dream O. future renown, the other to thin
e with sofened, saddened heart, "t VIE a''
q babes, and await with manliness his "a sur
rsc-his last hattie. Who knows what 'housh