Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-01-07
From the Home Journal.
SERVICE WANDERINGS.
BY AN orrcrR OF ARTILLERY.
Cerro Gordo--After the Battle.

subordinate rank in American military an
malls. IL was a beautiful prelude to the sec
ond conquest Of Mexico. 10 which sever
4 thousand men shut off from their base oper
ations, in the hearr Of an enemy's county
took its ancient capital, defended by thirty
thousand soldiers, aud numbering one hun
Gred and fifty thousand NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
prelude as IL was, whether we regard IL m
the light Of strategy or tactics, it was alike
bold in its conception and glorious iu is ex-
ecution.
Its story is well known to every Jmaa and
woman who had a fieud Of kinsmsn aud
who had not!) 10 the human tide that was
bearing American conquest into Mexico
The Mexican entrenchments, dagonally
intersectng the Canine reoL-the triple
work on their right, which repulsed Pillow 5
atack-the powerful battery in the road
which covered the angle--the glorious as
sault upon the Telegraph Hill, the Key TO
The positioH.) by Harney's stormers--the
dsorderly retreat Of the Mexican force-San-
Ia Anna's carriage, with his leg, aud his fund
of $50, ,000--all these are as familiar TO the
reader as household words. Fifty years 10
come, when we young men OF the present
day shall have become gsnulous, new gen.
Grafton may pardon our garrulty 10 the time
increasing interest OF our subject, but ii wo'd
tax the popular intelligence To repeat nar-
ratve which has so lately oeen borne upon
the wings Of every wind, endued with all the
interest which patriotism and natural affec-
lion can confer.
propose then, 10 take up my rambling
narrative OF Cerro Gordo at the place where
historians and The dispatches leave il, and
TO CLEAN upon the field. after the action such
remains OF the picturesque and the inteies-
ting as il is abundantly capable OF affording.
The battle was won; the Tide of Mexicans
In toll retreat, was pouring its mighty flood
upon the high road and long the by-psths
which branch into the surrounding county.
Our wagons were among them, and the light
artillery alternately flying aud haIting. was
lending new inspiration TO their flight.
The moment OF victory is the mosl exult
ing moment of soldiers lie. Military g;o-
ry has magical influence, and each sharer
iE an action just consuInmated is tsell con-
stltuled, at least) hero. He has risen in
his owe estimation and 10 bis own confidence.
lie has witnessed such scene as fed the
'VsultIng smP,tIon' oI Napoleon and Feeder
lex, and the fraternity, al however humble
distance, win the mighty warriors whose ac
tons are history, aud whose fame seems To
invade the regions Of fable. The military
brotherhood is indeed large, and of many
degrees; but such inspiring thought as these
passed rapidly through my mind as, faint
and bteathless,' | Stood upon the summit OF
the apparently ir1pregnabe hill which We
had Jusrlaken at the point oi the bayonet.
l looked upon our reglmenlal colour, which |
was floating proudly and gaily to hostile
breeze on that bloody height received in
dvldually, among Others, the warm grasp |
and the kindly words of General Scott, as
the Curious old soldier, with the magnsDi- |
mIiy OF great mind, ascribed his victory TO |
w est Font, aud to yon, and you, and you
his eye overlooking with emotion
TO hls young friends among the company Of
hcers-l took 10, at one glsce, the hurt. the
dying and the dead, who lay around 10 the
most picturesque confusion-I cast my eve
upon the stupendous palisades Of the Rio
del Plan, whose foundations were in the
dark abyss, unfahomable to the eve and
|" hose erects the sun was gliding with rich,
clear masses Of light, brOken by the war
clouds rolling dun'-and felt a thrill, an
exultatIon, greatness, and a hope, such as
, fortunate soldier upon well. thought field
alone can experience. ] discsm egOtism;
speak for many 10 the expression of these
sentiments.
Hasiy orders were being borne about the
ieId by aids and sdjutanIs as to the disposi-
ion OF the several commSDds--and among
hese there was one for the company To
which j belonged. We were TO remain up
IN the hlIl,to procure food aud water for the
wounded, aud TO tury the dead. This was
! dream killer and brought me down from
he pinnacle Of glory upon which had pla-
Led myseli--tTOm hero | was To become
lurse aud a sexton. | sat down and tried 10
collect my soaring thoughis-and as The last
egiment was put in march, as the sound OF
music, the shouts Of victory aud the Glamour
,f the pursuits had died into a distant hum,
We sci to work in good earnest az the sad
.uies before US. The Qualification was
zone. and painful reality was breaking up
IN us al every step and at every glaDce.-
The exulliDg sounds were replaced by means
ind shueks Of pain; the breeze began to lull
Is the sun rose TO the zenith; the flag droop-
ID heavily, and the strong, unmltigated glare
vhich MONDAY sheds upon the equinoctiai
egIons, had dissipared the dews, the shad
,ws aud the cooluess Of the morning-and.
he glorious field was the abode OF sorrow
,ain and death.
The circular area Of the top of the CeIro
S about one hundred feet 10 diameter. This
platform was covered with cartridges of all
Iinds, and cslibres, some broker and the
powder, rroddeu into the earth-others in
punches, aud even large boxes Of ammuni.
ion 10 and near the magazine, opened for
immediate use.
NV first care was to order mo smoking
or when the soldier is off duty, his pipe is
constantly 10 his moulh)-s the men werc
yet TO work to gather up and place in safe
y the scattered ammunition; Que spark wo'd
lave rendered the day more memorable
There is 90 foreseeing the emergencies Of
ervice-serviee regimen is the only safe
ule Tor commander, but il has its excep-
ions; there are times when moral suation
Ind mild coercives are worth, all the rules
Ind inventions OF the msrtinet. Now, the
nen OF the company had been gloriiyiDg
themselves a liule in thought, like their off,
:ers; aud when they heard that they were to
q !