The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1849-05-25
For The Free Trader.
Mai. Richards OIL,

4 PGGc from lie Journal Of one Of tie Eu'huJcR
During the desperate struggle for escape
from the overw he lining number OF Mexican
forces who had hemmed that small band al
brave volunteers in the ravine, at that un-
fortunate "last charge" IN which so many
noble spirits fell, and which terminate the
work Of death AT the bloody battle Of Blena
Vista every one, from Colonel to private,
was obliged 10 do his very utmost to force
his way through the dense column of Ian
GERS, W hich had formed across the mouth Of
the ravine or Chamber along the steep and
trnpsih poin. of the bluff, through periec,
hail storm ol'ead that showered down from
heavy body Of Mexican infantry, who
had moved down to the brow of the bluff
immediately over the month of the ravine
aud between IT and the redou6t on the hill
Conspicuous among those who forced
their way through this gantlet. were Col
Harden, who was afterwards killed by some
lancers that had collected in small ravine
still father towards Washington's battery
Captain, afterwards Major, Richardson
who was badly bruised by spent ball, in
the thick flesh just back of the hip joint
and Adj. Wallace, who also received an
important impulse to his speed by one Of
those keen messengers Of death slightly
knocking the bark Of his shins.
But, as the following anecdote refers cX.
rlu>ively to Major Richardson, we will have
to dismiss the other two, and take the Ma
jors own account Of his adventures while
passing through this place OF death, as he
used tell II around the campfire.
"As ! ran down the ravine," said he
one evening, while sitting in front ui the
CoIohelS tent, with copious morse OF the
"weed' snuely deposited in one side Of hi.
mouth, from each corner cl which. the deli.
cious juice could be traced down ill forming
a Semi.circe by conllux under his chin.
"amid the Wild confusion, and over aud
above the loud roar Of musketry that blazed
from all along the edge Gifts high banks, was
heard the sharp bowling, kissing sound Of
myrIsds Of bullets, cutting through the air.
and Stariingup the jus, all around me. Now,
at my left would tumble over and roll down
the steep hill. brave soldier with 4 ball
pierced IhroUg his body in front Of me.
one after another could be seen falling
some pitching forward with such force
as to send their muSkctS rod or two adead
OF them. Bat this was n mere foretaste of
what was sill To come. Up from the mouth
OF the iaviUe came dark column Of Mex.
ican cavalry, scattering their trail with the
dead 10 ioice my way through this body
at once saw, was impossible. The only
possible e. auce 81 escape lef was 10 cross
the steep and rocky point of the bluff,
under the deadly IRE of a heavy body of in
fantry. Here could see my companions
struck dow n all around me, and expected
every moment 70 meet similar fate. As
rose up the side Of the declivity the re-.
dcnht rose in view, aud hope again revived (:
but for moment orly. ! ielt severe
blow strike ne jus, back # the right hin
JOINT, sending sharp, Thrilling pain Ilthro'
my system. pitched forward upon my
hads and knees, whether from the blow
experienced or whether | stumbled. am
unable 10 say. H. this position remained
for moment mcti0u,rSS. Shot I'm n
dead manp Thought | and ! was about 10
abandon my eXrrtouS and trust To provi
deuce alone for my rescue. But still re-.
tanning ali my mental and physical viror,
began To suspect that ! was not quite dead
yet and placing my hand on the wound
iclt the bullet hole through the Skin, Of the
cnat-acain began TO dcSpare. Cautious
" ! pressed my finger through a similar
hole IA my oYerall> TO the skin, which, from
It's nnmneSS, was unable to say whether
1t had been penetrated or not. And. after
feeling ailaiuuud the bruised place, made
up my mind that, II my finger was bloody,
should Icy still, il not, would make ano-
ther desperate effort to reach the redouht
and a. slowly brought my hand round.
trembling at the awful revelation this mo.
ton was about To make, reluctantly Turn
ed nv eyes TO merti'. They met. My
wnoie hand was black powder, smoke.
and dust; but, gentlemen" continued he in
deep Whisper, "there was 40 blood there.
aud spranG to my feet and, with rcdcnhled
speed soon reached the rrdoubt, and throw
Ing myself h,adlnng over the wall, | once
more felt secure Those who witnessed
the Mcjor'S arrival q, the redouh,, say the
first words lee spoke, n he came rumb,iuc
over the wall were, "By - can beat
Burtraud !"