Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-09-10
A Front View of Churubusc0.
By oi,e of American Artillery-ir til. Home Jou,

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By 0f,e of American Artery-ir til. Home journal
The victory-sudien, unique, complete
had exhilerated us like champagne tn,
morning sun, as he ascended to his meridian
throne, warmed and dried us; the littl,
shops which We found upon the high-road
furnished bread and drink and the Par
thian-like shots from the rear guard of the
retreating army, seemed but al inpromptu
Jeu-aeJoie in honor of our success. An
occasional halt, to rest, as Mexican speed
winged by fear, increased the distance
between US, gave US opportunity to specu-
late upon what was in our front.
Il WONDER" says one, ''what we are
going to do now p
Did any one ever learn anything by
wondering? "Oh' said l, very wisely,
"we shall sleep in Mexico tomorrow
night" All young soldiers are oracular.
Il would to God," said my Captain,
"that it were over!' THE prcscntinen,
tcas upon him-and in two hours, the event
which had cast its shadow upon his spirit
had transpired: he was a rigid corpse,
"Why, B." ! exclaimed; "why
do you wish it were over so dolefully?-
IT is over: they are scared to death, and are
on such a trot-out now, that they will run
through Mexico without stopping to look
behind"
"Heigh-ho ~ and he heaved deep
sigh; it was lament for his own impend-
ing fate.
One word about presentiments. / have
tried not to believe in them; have seen
them falsifed time and again; have Joined
ethers in laughing them to scorn; l have
known those who, like the celebrated Mar
tin Scott, declared the bullet was not
moulded that could kill them; have seen,
| say, such men shot, bayoneted, torn to
pieces-and yet few marked incidents
work upon that superstition which lies deep
seated il some unfathomed compartment of
the human soul-and | believe, in spite
of reason, knowledge, education and desire;
and | thank God that | never had a pre-
sentiment. In sickness ard pcril-in pas
sive endurance and exciting turmoil-amid
the crowd, or in solitary mcditation-I
have always felt sure that shonld escape
Depression-the blues-every one has;
but if | had ever despaired, l should have
needed no bullet to kill me- believe |
should have died natural DEATH Nor
was this sentiment Incompatible with
sense Of imminent danger. In the heat of
action, among whzzing balls, l frequently
expected shot, and l schooled myself to
care as little for it as possible. All! there
was one place in which was squeamish
about being hit: l always carried my large
tin caEteen in front, over nay stomach.
Arms, head, lungs, legs, all legitimate and
honorable, as one might say-quite pro-
fessional-but the stomach! just think of
of it, reader; does mt it make one shudder
With this Quixotic stomach-piece, then, as
a collateral security, always reverted to
my hope, and it neyerofailed it shone like
a star amid all perils, with ever-increasing
lustre. t-- r...r
"Put your trust in heaven, and keep
your powder dry" Excellent advice; but
let me add another item-curb your fam
cy: if it must flow, turn it into the chan
mel of cheerfuless, or you will be depressed
into presentiment-and then, heaven help
you! "a. ... f.
Through San Angel, the pursuit poured,
being arrested in its course only to recruit
our troops, or to exchange shots with the
This little town is summer
retreat for the rich Mexicans; and as we
passed through, We caught glimpses of
bright eyes through latticed windows, and
tonsured Monks from the gothic aper-
tnres of its convent. Through Coyoacan,
from the steeple of which the engineers
we're reconnoitrcing, we passed rapidly on
ward, to encounter men and scenes totally
unknown.
"Hah" Hark-a quick and increasing !
ire in front nf n~- a;---.:-- r -
-...-.Avu "a marcn, was