Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-08-03

I
Bissell's met should be faced about 10 fall
back, those flying then would be in full view
and the panic they were under tiibst natural.
ly influence somewhat those who stuod. Sis
thousand Mexican infantry were pouring
down upon this devoted regiment, In steady
advance by column, in front and flank, as.
sailing them within point blank distance with
a steady hail-stoim of iron and lead fout
thousand cavalry were coming upon behind
these Infantry, waiting for favorabls mo-
ment at the least sign Of watering on our
part, to charge and complete the work Of de-
struction; three pieces Of artillery were
laundering on them their death messengers
Of grape and canister, tearing through their
ranks like a hail-storm of vetgeance, and
they seerhed to stand alone, EXPOSED 10 all
this concentrated attack, determined on their
annhilation.
To the aid, Col. Bissell replied; W am not
ready 10 retreat yet" while his regiment
continued returning the fire Of the Mexicans.
In few moments the Colonel ordered 'cease
firing" 'shoulder arms !" 'dress!'' the
Mexican fire was abated, and then, for at
least two mnutes, did that noble body of
men stand under steady, CALLING and rakins
fire of artillery and musketry, with an over.
whelming force Of infantry and cavalry ad:
vancing upon them, t1nblenching and unwa-
vering, without firing gun.
Not man moved, while their Colonelis
eye ran along the line to see if any one quail
ed. "About face ~ "dress!i' "forward
march ~ they moved off in cciiimon time.
''Quick time-ma.ch !"-and the regiment
retired, under circumstances which have
never failed before In the history of war, in
causing panic. The Mexicans considered
themselves certain of victory, and with "vi.
vas't and hurras on came their splendid
cavalry, surging down In their green and scar.
let; their plumes waving, and their lances
cleaning In the sun, with their thousand gay
steamers catching the glis,ening beams as
every breath of air fhttered them like gilt.
tering leaves the fairy Forest upon that aps
.paren,ly devoted body Of men.
Two hundred yards quickly passed, Biss
SELLS men reached the spot designed for
them 10 hold. The lancers wete preparing
for the last charge; which was 10 hutl onr
brave fellows into the ravine before them,
'Halt!" "Dress'' Coolly and calmly, as
if on parade, did these Suckers obey the com.
mand; whilst the thunder Of squadron after
squadron ON the slope they had just left told
thai The enemy was upon them. They, could
not see them, but they could hear the horses
hoofsi the jingle Of sabres, and the clatter Of
lances; the inspivitlhg charge of the bugle,
and the 'svivas" of the men, as they flushed
on the seemingly easy victory; ahd hu doubt
many heart fut,eted; and many an eye
glanced involuntarily atound-for it ia fear.
full thing to know that an enemy is upon your
back but not muscle swerved.
"About face :" ''commence filing !" and
a volley Of musketry iolled upon those huz'
zaing cavaliers which sienced their cheering
and as solemn and rank went down before
that deadly and steady flre-as THEFT numbers
lessened, and their chargers swerved from
this serried line Of men who knew no defeat,
their column wavered, trembled as il were,
slackened in speed and broke in confusion'
Ralying back in tumulluous retreat upon the
enemy, the whole division was involved in
inextricable confusion; and in disorder left
the field. Thus was the tide of battle turn
ed on that evenlful day, and less than half q
full regiment in numbers defeated ten thou
sand of the flower of Santa Annals army; and
that, too, when the army was rushing in
flushed with victory, and encouraged by The
: flight OF one regiments saving the credit o
: our arms, and the lives of the thousands whit
: stood there with them,-Illinois argus.