The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-21

Ihas been in the possession Of the French the Tex
ans, the Mexicans, and now, by strange freak of
fortune, IL is in our possession. having been taken
from the Mexicans at Matamoras. In addition to
these there are four hundred thrtytwo pound brass
or copper shells, which were fired into Fort Brown
by the Mexicans while our army was beseging Masa-
moras. A large number of muskets and other small
arms, which were taken during the same campaign,
were scld back to their former owners thus helping
to defray the expenses of the war. In this we ap.
pear to have initiated the English, who, while at
with Napoleon, actually sold him u part of the
ammunition which was used by his army.
There is slight difference, however. What
Napoleon purchased was made by his enc.
my - what the Mexicans purchased was made
by themselves But perhaps the most valuable curl
ostes in the whole collection three hundred
pound Paxhans. These are the first that were ever
made, and if there could be any controversy in rea
ton to the honor of having invented them, they can
be shown as proof that to an American only be
longs that honor. Colonel Bumford, who was en-
gagged in the war Of 1912, conceived the idea that q
bomb shell could be thrown horizontally, and, deter
mined on testing its practcabity, made the expert
ment from Governors Island. After few expert
ments he succeeded in forming q cannon with
chamber, meHhat similar to that Of the mortar,
with which he could throw the shells with the pre-
cision Of cannon ball. A Ere nch officer, however,
having obtained information of the invention before
it was thoroughly completed, went to France, and
there asked man named Paixhan to deveope
the metal required in the founding of the
piece, which he did, giving it his name which it has
retained ever SINCE Gel. Bumford called it the Co
lumbar, in honor of his country, which name the
three pieces referred to- and all the others in the yard
bearupon their breaches. The Columbian is far supe-
ror to the mortar, from the fact that it sends the
shell straight to the mark while the latter discharges
it at angular elevation into the air. from which it
drops upon the object. II fired at ship, the shell
from the Columbian perces the hull and explodes in
the interior Of the vessel causing terrible havoc and
probably setting fire to or bio wing her up Besides
the three we have mentioned, there thirteen ten
inch Columbians. each of which weighs over fifteen
thousand pounds; and one whose bore is twelve
inches, the weight of which is twenty-five thousand
| pounds. We were also shown pet cannon, which,
from its great prowess in the field is called "the
bruiser." Upon the breaoh Of the bruser are the
names Of fur or five battles in which it was engaged
There are several other pieces like it, bearing the
same evidence of active service, but the Bruser ap
pears to be considered superior to them all in the
great work Of human destruction. We must not con-
clude our notice of the ordnance department with.
out mentioning three or four brass pieces which
were used at the battles Of Palo Alto, Resaca de la
Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista. 1t was out of
these that Capt. Bragg gave the Mexicans a little
more grape" and poor Ringgold was killed while
serving at battery which was formed by them.
Not the least interesting spot the island is the
church and graveyard. The former is simple, un-
pretending wooden structure, built in Imitation of
the Gothic. The graveyard, if We may Judge from
its crowded appearance, has nearly as many tenants
as there are inhabitants on the island. Some Of
these are not even honored with tomb.
stone, the grsss-grown mounds being the only
nsrks by which we knew taat they were the mar
row houses" Of the dead. Many brave fellow,
after passing unscathed through battle has found his
last resting place here some have fought in the
groves of Florida, others on the plains of Mexico:
but here in this general rendezvous where all these
travellers meet" they will lie undisturbed till the
last trumpet shall sound the final call. beautiful
monument has been erected above the remains of
Lieut.. Sbackleford, who died in the city Of Mexico
shortly after 1t was taken. A broken column tells
that he who sleeps beneath was cut off in the pride
and strength Of manhood, while the pedestal on
which it is reared bears the testimony Of his friends
to his merits as man and his bravery as soldier.
The following inscription tells his history and cha.
| racter in few words -
Died.
In the city OF Mexico
October II, ls47,
LIEUT.. III. L. SHACKLEFORD,
OF wound received in the battle of
Molino del Rey,
Aged thirty -four years.
Erected BY his brother officers of the Regiment,
tribute OF respect to his qualities man and his
galantry as soldier.
On the broken part OF the column the artist has
ingeniousy carved sword cash and belt indi ,ative
Of the military character Of the deceased. In
corner of the graveyard we observed newly
made grave, in which we were informed the re-
mains OF favorite dog named Dash, which belonged
to Major Austin, was buried. This animal was with
its master throughout the whole of the Mexican war;
and was actually in several battles. He received
several wounds, and was shot through the body
The officers Of the regiment to which his master was
attached had splendid collar made for him from
the brass body Of Mexican drum which was among
the trophies of one Of the battles at which he was
present. Poor Dash, after escaping from the bullets
of the Mexicans, was killed at Governors Island by
fall from the battlements of Castle William. Near
the grave yard is the hospital under the charge of DR.
Sattelbe, senior surgeon, and his assistant, DIR
Whtz, both Of whom are going to California with the
regiment 1t is furnished with every thing necessary
for the proper treatment and of the sick, and
although 1t has at present very few PATIENTS it Is
capable of accomm dating two or three hundred
| Governors Island commands complete view OF
the finest harbor in the world and is said by those
| who have lived upon it to be remarkably healthy.
From the description have given Of it, its great
importance as military station must be evident to
| every one.
| The Coal Fields of America.
BY the following tables it will be seen that coal
lands OF Virginia are Of greater extent than those of
oil Europe; and that those in the State OF Illinois
are double those OF Virginia.
So. miles of coal.
| Tennessee "....................... 4300