The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-05-17
From the Mobile Tribune.
CoIol,elPierce M. BlatlcI


the force that invested Vera Cruz, but it was
detached to the south during, the siege, and be-
fore it rejoned the main column, the battle of
Cerro Gurdo had been fought The next
actions of note were'the conflicts Of Contreras,
Cherubusco, and Molino del Rey. OF these,
the most important was the bloody drama of
Cherubusco, and re it was that Col Butler,
fell, and the Palmetto Regiment won imperish-
able renown. But let us briefly describe the
battle. The village of Portales was occupied
by the Mexicans, and the causeway in front of
the barn was blocked up with dense masses of
his troops, the cavalry numbering 5000, the in.
fantry 4,0O0 To assail them, General Shields
ordered 800 men ofhis own brigade, 300 New.
Yorkers and 300 Misunderstanding Reno's
howitzer battery of two pieces, and 1000 men
of Perce's brigade, to advance. He began his
march by making detour ofa mile; the ground
was difficult; the 18th infantry, and four CON-
panies of the 10Th, led the advance, followed
by the New Workers, the Palmettoes and the
battery of the 9th infantry. The advance on
approaching the barn, received heavy fire
from the enemy, and were directed to shelter
themselves; the New Workers coming up were
formed in line and fronting the causeway.
The Palmetto reg iment was ordered to take
position on the left of the New orkers, it
being Shields design to cut of the Mexicans
by extending his line to the left; but the enemy
defeated his object, and the New.Yor regi.
ment became at once egaged in the sanguina-
ry struggle. The cavalry approached the left
Of the line, and poured into their fatal escopet.
te fire Colonel Burnett fell, and the New. Y Or
,kers, dismayed by the death of their comman
der, now broke and, taking shelter behind
wall. The Palmetto regiment completed their
formation, and moved forward, firing in order,
without support--three hundred men opposed to
seven thousa,dt But these gallant men moved
forward to their probable doom with deter
mination fired and unalterable to conquer or die.
Shields sent to Scott for reinforcements. With
out rally to attack, the battle might be lost
His own reckless daring in the field had not in
cited all the regiments the 9th infantry pro-
tected itself behind u barn, as the New Workers
had done behind wall, leaving the Palmettoe's
to brave the battle and the storm. The blood
of the young general was reused. He haragn-
ued the regiments that had abandoned the field
appealing to their American courage, and their
sense Of shame, but the effect did not CORES.
pond with his hopes. There was no response
Mortified and indignant, he turned to the Caro-
lima regiment, which he had ordered to with
draw until roinfArcnd and s:-thn a-5---s.o -orfii
there"
Colonel Butler took off his cap and waving
it amid the storm, exclaimed, ct the Palmetto's
are ready! every South Carolinian here will
follow you to the deatbw Coward r' cried
the general, this gallant regiment" lie said
subsequently, "moved forward firmly, and
rapidly, under fire Of musketry, as terrible,
perhaps, as any which soldiers ever faced"
This movement turned the tide of fortune, and
secured the victory. At one hundred yards,
the Palmetto regiment halted to open fire on
the Mexicans, who were concentrating their
troops Now came the heat of the conflict
our ranks were rapidly thinned, but their place
was supplied by the infantry of other reg-
ments, that nov, animated by the gallantry Of
the Carolinians, came to their support; and
amid the storm, the stir and the bloody strife,
Colonel Butler fell fighting bravely at the head
of his heroes, being shot through the head by
q cavalry cscopettc. Revenge the death Of
your Colouel!' exclaimed Gen. Shields; and
ordered the famous charge. The regiment
obeyed the call they rushed forward, the of:
ficers bearing the colors of their companies
The regimental staff bearer was shot down,
Lieut.. Col. Dickinson seized the regimenta
flag, and while waving it, he was shot down.
Major GLADDEN. took the flag and place of D.,
and waved that glorious banner throughout the
terrible conflict. Young Adams fell with the
colors ofthe Edgefeld company, and Moragne,
seizing the banner from the dying hero, bore
it proudly through the fght,-and thus was
the battle of Cherubusco fought and won.*
*see the description Of the battle of Cherubusco by
General James Hammond.