Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-09-09
"sTsLL THEY GOMEZ"
A Real straightforward -HHuzza
for the Chippewa Drummer!
From the Valley Wing.
Wisconsin, Richland County,
White Oak Range, Aug, Ia, so.

From the Valley Wing.
Wisconsin, Richland County, J
White Oak Range, Aug, Ia, so. s
Mr.. EpIToR:-I have never taken an
active part in the political elections Of
our country, but have always quietly To-
ted the Democratic ticket. Lately | rs-
ceived Democratic Campaign newspa.
per, from an eastern friend--its columns
were loaded with cowardly abuse OF my
old Colonel, now Gen. Winfield Scott.
Among other things it said, the Demo.
cratic Club Rooms were being embelish.
ed with llkenesses of Gen. Scott carry.
Ing Catholic cross upon his back. pre-.
coded by Mexican Priest leading him
with choir TO the confessional, aud l!len
II appealed to the native born Americans,
to rally to the rescue of their counlry
from catholicism and Popery, and in an
other column the paper openly Charged
Gen. Scott with being coward Mr..
Editor. when read this last charge, my
blood lingled in my veins, could not
sleep that night, for my mind WIS occu-
pied in reviewing the scenes of Chippewa
and Lundy's Lane. never can forget
them. was drummer in those battles.
| DO not say it TO boast, but my drum was
the first TO beat the charge of Chippewa,
Joel Brown who resides somewhere in
the south Of Iowa, and who il be sees
this will confirm the truth of my state.
Efar AL L IL
at the battle of Chippewa. We were
boys and comrades, attached TO the staff
quarters, and gave the morning. aeon and
evening calls, from head quarters. We
were station'd to the left little In advance
of the point oil our columns at Chippewa.
Brown was playing 81 he girl lef, be-
hind me, and was following him with
my drum. The British were within
two hundred yards of us, / could dis
.incily see them. Their firing vas much
heavier than ours, owing 10 their num-
bers. bu. not so incessant and rapid.-
In few minutes Brown received mus.
ket ball in his left arm, which disabled
him from playing, and our music ceased.
Brown seated himself upon the trunk OF
fallen tree, and asked me if could see
the Coin, | looked over the field as far
as could see, and replied that he was
not in sight. Brown then observed, Il
am afraid the Coin. is killed--don't y on
see they are closing upon US. (meaning
the Bri.ish.) cannot describe|my feel.
ings as saw the British columns advance
few PAGES. Again looked out upon
the field for Scott, for knew that all de-
pended upon him, and in the next mo-
ment | saw his long white plume s,ear.
ing up the side OF our columns to the
front, he was riding mettlespme bay
mare. which he refined up lille in ad.
vance of his columns. and seemed to
stand erect in his stirups, apparently en-
deavoring TO look over the clouds oil
smoke down upon the British columns,
thought he could not live moment
where he sat upon his horse. Tor had
observed that the British sho. had cav.
airy range. Presently he rehed his
steed to the left, and observing Brown
and myself, he dashed up to us, and said:
"Boys are you hartl" | replied tina,
Brown was wounded and could not play,
then addressing himself to me he observ-
ed in hurried manner, "My boy can
you beat charged" made no reply
blu, slung my drum, advance with me, !"
he continued. ] ran along by the side OF
his horse about twenty yards. when he
exclaimed, "Halt. now beat" aad in the
next moment l heard the ringing voice Of
Scott giving the word, "Colunns adj
vance. charge bayonett." The very
earth trembled with the shout that arose
from our army as the order passed from
officer to officer down the line, md then
we fought the battle of Chippewa.
Mr.. Editor, l was drummer boy then,
| am now fifty four years old have not
beat the drum for many years. bu. on the
first of November next, when Scott shall
give the order, "columns advances" you
will find me ready with my drum TO beat
charge once more for Winfield Scott.
Mr.. Editor | hope you will publish
my letter, for if Brown is living az think
he Is in Your neighborhood, l know that
he will confirm what have said.
Yours Truly,
EDGAR G. HUDSON.