Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-01-22
From the Cincinnati Nonpariel
FATE OF THE HFORETGN LEGION"
BY Fl. G.. CHAPMAN.

BY Fl. CHIPM!aN.
The morning OF the l4th of September, broke
clear and calm the dark and lrowning battle
rnents of the castle of Chaputepec. The flag Of
the Mexcans strained proudly out from the ram
parts and waved in all its gorgeousness in The gen
lie breeze which swept along the plain. Shining
bayonets and gstening sabres reflected back the
| suns bright rays and deep-mouthed cannon boom
ed out upon the surrounding country, threatening
death and destruction to the advancing foe. On
they came, filing out, column after column, from
! the suburbs Of the little village of Tacubaya and
sweeping like destructive tornado upon the de-
voted ramparts. Suddenly. from the batteries oil
the castle, stream of flame and smoke shot forth,
and all along that heightened line, the missiles of
terror and death went hand in hand, cutting down
the noble and brav: the good and generous, and
strewing all in one mingled heap of gore and blood.
War, with all its blasting and desolating effects,
was carrying grief and misery into many hereto
fore happy family, and striking down the father and
husband, the and brother, in terrible and bloody
havoc, and consigning them to common and
sorrowing grave. While the faces of the wife and
sister at home were, perhaps, wreathed IN smiles;
that Of the husband and brother wIithing in the
agony of death upon foreign soil, and breathing
out lfes last Sigh amid the roar Of cannon and the
rattle of muskets. The scenes Of that fearful and
fatal morning will never be forgotten
| But while this was trdnsacting around Chapulte.
pee, another, and still terrible pass
ing in the little town of Mscoux, some half mile
distant from Tacubaya. AT the battle OF Churu.
husco, the deserters under Riley had been captured,
and after an impartial trial, sentenced to be hung
They were known by the title OF the sFoHeign LIE.
gion," and were made up of men who had deserted
| from the ranks OF the Americans and joined the
force of he enemy. The day set for their execu-
ton was the i4h oil Superintendent it also hap
pened that the attack upon ChapuItepec took place
the same day.
The sun had just risen, and tinged the east with
his purple ray, as they were led forth TO die. Tiir
ty in number, and surrounded by strong body of
men, they advanced with slow steps toward the
gaows, the muffied drum sending forth its solemn
death notes, and giving to the whole the appear
ance of military funeral rather than public exc
cntion. They were arranged under the gallows,
which was one erected for the purpose -.being no.
thing more than two large posts set firmly in the
ground, across the top Of which was placed pole
Of sufio lent length to admit the bodies OF thirty
men, Beneath it the prisoners arranged, with
the moose around their necks-the other end Of the
rope being thrown over the pole, was grasped by
three or four stout men, ready at moments warn
ing to launch them into eternity. gloomy silence
pervaded the spot, and they gazed upon the group
collected there they found no sympathising glance
in the scowling faces and glazing eyes which were
fixed upon them. They had destroyed the last feel
ing Of respect felt for them, when they took up
against their countrymen. The usually dark brow
of Col H-y, who superintendent the execution,
was contracted by deep frown, and his deep grey
eyes twinkled savagely In their sockets as he gal
Hoped up to the spot, and refined in his smoking
charger beside them.
SIS all ready. Lieutenant - he asked of an Off
Ger who commanded the guard
"Everything," replied the officer.
''Then let them swing" was the savage reply.
The Lieutenant turned and advanced toward the
prisoners, when suddenly the eye of the Colonel
fell upon the Castle, and the deadly roar OF the ar
tilierv reached his ear.
"Lieutenant,' he suddenly exclaimed, with start
ling energy in his voice.
'"Aye, sir replied the officer, returning
"Have everything ready but don't draw them up
until the American flag waves out from the flag
staff Of Chapultepec Castle
AYE, sir, it shall be done,', and the Lieutenant
returned to the gallows.
'Il we amt hung until the Castle is taken by the
Americans, we shall live good long life YETI
suddenly exclaimed one of the prisoners, under the
beam.
''Then live you shall, for till the Star spangled
Banner waves in victory yon castle, you shall
not de-" replied Col. lily, sternly.
"Hurrah boys; well live long life yet. Old
Bravo's the 10 stick to the Castle as long as
there's shot in the locker, or man to stand by
him, replied the fellow, with shout
All eyes were fixed with deep intensity
upon the height-and calling the agony of sus-
pense which they endured between the moments
which elapsed during the terrible contest which
| flag Of the Mexlcans went down amid the strife,
and the Colonel shouted
"There goes the enemy's banner; the Castle is
won
And there goes the flag back again; go it, old
Bravo" shouted another of the Legion, as the
/ Mexican flag rose to the staff, and waved to the
breeze.
| muttered ejaculation escaped the lips of the
Colonel, and each one again fixed his eyes upon
the scene. The contes ragged on with undated
vigor, and in few moments the brow of the hill
was hidden from sight by the dark cloud of smoke
which hung thick around it. A halt hour passed,
and as a strong wind swept down the plain and
lifted the smoke from off the height the enemy's
( flag again disappeared from the staff A moment
of deep anxiety followed and then the American
banner ran up the staff, and foated proudly over
the battiemens.
Cup with them,'' Numbered the deep voice of
the Colonel, and the next moment thirty human be-
ngs swinging in the last agonies OF death from
the gaows; and as they Guivered in the rising sun
beams which glanced along the plain, no look OF
sympathy fell upon theI detested features, tor all
considered that they richly deserved their tate.
Such reader, was the fate of the Foreign Legion
men who scorned all the attributes of nobeness
and love of country which generally exists in on
American bosom, left the standard of freedom, and
q handful of comrades, in the heart OF an enemy
country, surrounded by an overwhelming force, &c
lend helping hand in destroying the brave little
army which was tollng onward 10 death OF victory
Dishonored they liyed--hooted and despised, they
met the traitors doom.
ORIGIN OF THE WORD DUN.-At The
preseu, time, when there are few indiyidu
ais who are SO fortunate as to escape dun
ming or being dunned, the etymology o
this word 'dun" may be interesting. Som!
hava derivod II from, tho Eronch .ro,d 1on