The North-Carolina standard., 1849-07-04
SCENE AT CERRo GoRDo.

recognizes the whole party-CaPtain, Sergeant, and
North Carolinans !
= young officer on board a Transport ship bound
the Pacific, in letters his friends, gives the fol-
lowing thrilling sketch under the head of so M :
= CHRISTMAS NIGHT ON THE QUARTER DECK.
The party consisted of six young officers and two
gentlemen of the commissarate, none of whom could
date life farther back than the Mexican war, and yet
all but the youngest had seen as much hard service
as often falls to the lot of man in long life time.
The song was ended. The plaudits had ceased.
A reflective mood seemed prevalent and was undls-
turbed for few minutes, when the singer reused
us by call on our young Captain for campaign
yarn. Immediately compliance is always expected,
call must be duly honored. The Cap
tain prefaced his tale by saying it unnecessary to
have any romance interviewer with an army scene in
Mexico, and he would give his adventures at Cerro
Gordo. .-. t,s. ..-...... -. b. -.s...... :
'.As the drum beat quarters the morning of the
battle of Cerro Gordo. found myself, by compll-
cation of accidents, left not only IN command, but the
only officer of my company the gallant of our reg-
ment. Here was opportunity to crafty the high
est ambition. The junior subaltern of the regiment
in command of the finest company, on day We all
knew must be bloody, brilliant and glorious. No
young bridegroom felt happier going to meet his
bride. than did when, at the mead OF this brave COM
pany, always distinguished, and always depended
on, fell into the line. We knew We were in the
general orders designated as supporting party, for
some fortunate division; and we had the hard
work and hottest places at Vera Cruz that work and
those places were this day assigned to those who
were not SO fortunate. But did battle ever occur,
and any part of our gay and gallant Regiment in
sight, and not distinguished = t.s,.- - s.
We soon entered the winding defles of the lofty
hills. The of artillery, the rattlng peas of the
full toned muskes, and the sharp twang of the rifles,
were heard fast and thick At this point of time an
took place which increased my happiness,
which thought perfect before. Sergt. -, old
comrade, tried in many hot place, and found
pure gold, stepped to my side, and with prompt
military salute, asked leave TO serve for the day with
his old company. He had been on detached service
for time, but always got leave if any thing nice
was going on, to join u.s. Thus after being on duty
all day, among the broilng sands about Vera Cruz,
he would for amusement, and as he said to unbend
himself come down and pass the night in trenches,
working heavy batteries. Nothing could be
more acceptable. Even the men stepped forth with
freer gait when they saw their favorite Sergeant
again among them.
We were some two or three hours climbing the
steep ACTIVITY, the firing all sides becoming stron-
ger, hotter and louder. Suddenly we were halted in
good musket range of the main defence of the Mex-
cans, and ordered to stand supporting party to
the rifles, who climbing from bush to bush, and
rock to rock, and shooting whenever Mexican head
appeared above the parapet. Here we stood, bullets
and grape, canister and round shot, whstng through
our ranks, and over and about US like hail, while we
were not allowed to fire gun. Our brave fellows
began to fret and fume like horses tied to bush
a yellow Jackets nest. 'Let us be at them-who
wants to stand here and be shot at all day" The
old Colonel, cool as cucumber, had his orders, and
we knew he ,0oud and must obey. But of all
the hard fights they have ever been in the boys all
swear the hardest fighting seen to stand and
be shot at, without being allowed to the fire.
At last. we saw the Rifemen climbing the
walls of the batteries and heard the loud clear voice
of the Col. order, /" Forward charged" With a
shout that drowned the tremendous noise about US,
away went up those steps, considered by the
Mexcans inaccessible; and active in eager
speed were we, that many entered the fortihcation
before the last of the storming party were up But
we were too late The last of the naouing Mexicans
saw, as leaped the Parapet, pushing of over the
other side, and pouring down the hill heller skeer
heels over head. Our boys sent several voleys af-
ter them, but those who kept their feet soon dsap-
peared in the deep valley only to run into and sur
render to the balance of division, who had made
detour and in their This was the strong
post of the day. and had orders to rest where we
were, and my older SUBJ having joined, was reliev
ed from my proud position, with hope of brcvet
for that days service. l5.... hl -.slf ara.fl
Around us Law the poor Mexicans as they fell at
the wall and round the guns they had worked faith
fully. Few were wounded but of about 200, al
most every one had the mark of the rifle bullet
through his head. There were seven guns mounted,
and several others dismounted and disabled by
Twiggs' battery, neighborng height. ioG iEi.t
We had exhausted our little stock of water, and
the soldiers were sucking their dry canteens.i The
Colonel told me to detach party to GO down the ra-
vine, on our left, in search of water. My good
diness and disappointed and detected, led my men
on this very unroInantic expedition down the rocks
and crags much slotUer than we came up. Our
track, mere sheep path, led round precipitate
side, where it was barely possible for
man to keep his footing for the steepness, and no
where possible for two to go ABREAST In most parts
the mountain ran above and sunk below as almost
false step would precipitate
to an abyss, which seemed bottomless, many hun
1red feet below while the path itself was grade,
making an angle with the horizon gof 90 to SO de-
grees. u laafs -'.- |r.>t''- assb 7-t i4'.f'f
Silently and rather sullenly was picking my way
Down this steep. Suddenly, was reused from my
reverie turned sharp angle of the mountain path,
,y shout like the fear inspiring war-whoop of the
Indian, and before me, almost under me- came rush
ng up two stalwart Mexican iancers. 2D49o1o Hi
The long bright lance, with its gay pennon, seemed
weapon to meet with any where; but to parry with
ny sabre (my only weapon) the lance of man stand
ng at the caves of house, while was half way up,
md the ground barely the width Of my shoulders, was
10 part Of the fence taught at West Point
Harry Wayne was my teacher, and he taught me
30 we'll 1 did not fear even him; but, with all his
ingenuity, he never imagined this position. / said,
he brave fellows were coming up with a rush
moment, and fight in position never Imagined be-
ore was inevitable. An American sabre to the Mex
can lance, inches of steep rock to operate and
perpendicular cliff below, the very thought of which
makes giddy STILL. In such situations, it is said,
nen think fast. Il.
can aver to the truth of the adsge butt the utmost
apidity of thought, led only to very confused idea
# any plan of defence. The lance and the sabre
we're in the act of crossing: stopped to parry his
hrlst-an explosion of musket laid by the side Of
ny head ended the combat ere it began. Twas my
-ood friend, the Sergeant, who reaching over my
houder sent his load through the chest of the first
nd struck the second of my assaiants in the face.