The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-05-17
From tho Mobile Tribuna.l

portion oftte force that invested We.
ia Cruz, but it was detached to the
south during tile siege, aud before it
rejolncd the main column, the battle
OF Cerro Gordo had been fought. Tho
next actions of noto were the con-
tlcts at Contrcras, Churubusco, aud
Molino del Rcy. Ofthese, the most
important was the bloody drama of
Cherubusco, and here it was that Col.
Butler fell, and the Palmetto Regiment
won impcrishable renown. But let us
briefly describe the battle. The vii.
lagc of Portalcs was occupied by the
MeXicans, and the causcway in front
of the barn was blocked up with
dense masses of his troops, the cavalry
numbering 5000, the infantry 1000.
10 assal them, Gen. Shields ordered
800 men of his own brigade, 800 New
Workers and 500 Palmettos-iu ,lud-
ing Reno's howitzer battery of two
pieces, and 1000 men of Pierce's
brigade, to advance. He began
his march by making u detour Of
Il mile; the ground was difficult;
the 18th infantry, and four companies
of the 18th, led the advance, followed
by the New orkers, the Palmcttos
and the battery of the 9th infantry.
The advance on approaching the
barn, received q heavy fire from the
enemy, and were directed to shelter
themselves; the New Workers coming
up were formed in line and fronting
the cau,cway.
The Palmetto regiment was ordered
of take position on the left of the New
Workers, it being Shields design
to cut of the MeXicans by extending
his line to the left; but the enemy de-
ttatcd his object, and the Ncw-Y York re-
gimcnt became at once engaged in tho
sanguinary struggle. The cavalry ap-
preached the left ofthc line, and poured
into it their fatal cscopcttc fire; Col
oncl Burnett fell, and the New Y ork-
crs, dismaycd by the death of their
commander, now broke and fled, talk
ing shelter behind q wall. The Pal
mctto regiment completed their for
nation: and moved forward, firing in
order, W thout support-thrce hundred
men opposed to sercn Mousunay But
these gallant men moved forward to
their probable doom with the stcadi-
ness Of veterans, and with dctermi-
nation, fixed and unalterable, to con-
qucr or dic.-Shiclds sent to Scott for
rcintorccncnts. Without rally to
attack, the battle might be lost. His
own reckless daring in the field had
not melted al the regiments; the
9th infantry protected itself behind a
barn, rs the New \ orkcrs had done be-
hind y wall, leaving the Palmetto's s
to brave the battle and the storm.
The blood Of the young general was
reused. He harangucd the regiments
that had abandoned the field, appeal
ing to their American courage, and
their sense Of shame, but the effect did
not correspond with his hopes. There
was no response! Mortified and in
dignant, he turned to the Carolina rcgi.
-s:scmt, which hc had ordcredtto with
draw until reinforced, and "thc flag was
still there"
Colonel Butler took of his cap and
waving it amid the storm, exclaimed,
"thc Palmetto,s are ready! every
South Carolinian will follow YOU to
the dcath!' "Onward!" cried the gen
cral, 'lhis gallant regiment, ''he said
subsequently,, 'movcd forward firmly,
and rapidly, under fire of muslletry,
rs terrible, perhaps. as any which sol
dicrs ever faced" This movement
turned the tide Of fortune, and SECURED
the victory. At one hundred yards
the Palmetto regiment halted, to
thpcn fire on the Mcxicans, who were
concentrating their troops. Now
came the heat Of conllict; our ranks
were rapidly thncl, but their place
was supplied by the infantry of 9th
er regiments, that nor, animated by
The galantry Of the carolinians, came
the heir support; and amid the storm,
to stir, the bloody strife, Colonel But
Ter tcllLiightipg braAcly at the head
olhis heroes, being shot through the
hcrd from Il cavalry cscopettc. Gre
vcngc the death of your Colonel" cx-
claimed Gen. Shields; and ordered The
famous charge. Thc regiment obcycd
the ca!l-,hcv rushed forward, the oili-
GERS bearing the colors Of their com.
panics. The regiment staff bearer
was shot down, Licnt. Col. Dickinson,
seized the rcgilncntal flag, and whilst
waving it, he was shot down-Maior
GLADDEN. took the flag. and the place Of
Dickinson, and waved that glorious
banner throughout the terrible CON
tlict. Young Adams fell with the col
ors Of the Edgelield company, and
Morange, scizing the banner from the
hands of the dying hero, bore it proud
ly through the fight, t,-anl thus was the
battle Of Chcrubusco was fought and
won! II
From The Savannah Courier.
History Of tie Steamship ,SuUannah-
TUo k',...t r,onr NJo,,n,,. ~