Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-21

IS very much, and occasionally kill or wound
RE OF the men stationed at the guns. These
men were undoubtedly sharp shooters, and
we're stretched along, for perhaps sixty yards,
in deep ditch. Taking advantage Of every
opportunity that presented itself Of ing their
services available, 10 our detriment, they would
partially raise up, discharge their weapons al
as, and then quickly resume their lying posi-
ton. These fellows had been harrassng us
80 long and SO fatally, that General Shields
(who commanded the brigade to which my re
giment was attached) deemed it advisable to
lislodge them. For that purpose detachment
IT thirty men, under the command of a lieu
tenant, was sent forward. The lieutenant gall
lantlyand rapidly advanced with his men, under
sharp fire proceeding from those occupying
the ditch. Before he had advanced forward
sixty yards, three of his men were shot dead
Still this did not intimidate him or his men,
inward he pushed-rapidly nearing the enemy
Now he was within thirty yards of them, and
'ail they maintained their position. Forward
he lieutenant pressed, and just as he was with
IN about ten yards of the ditch, masked bat
cry in its immediate vicinity opened its muir
ferrous fire upon the little party. When the
smoke cleared away, but three of that gallant
,and stood upon their feet--the remainder.
sith the lieutenant, were stretched upon the
Slood-damp ground, frightful, mangled corpses.
The three survivors stood bewildered for mo
nent, and then recovering themselves, speedily
ejoined us.
We, too, had our sharp-shooters stationed at
advantageous positions around the castle; and
he many Mexicans that we found the nexr
lay, stiff in death, with their foreheads pierced
With the balls, bore proof of the accuracy OF
heir aim. The mounted riaemen is the repi-
ment that ! allude to. This regiment was
composed Of the best body OF men-nearly all
Americans-that I ever saw. They were all
crack shots, each man being sure to "fetch
his man." At Chaputepec, they were scat.
tered In different directions, as near the castle
rs they possibly could get, and hundreds of the
enemy that day persisted by their unerring,
deadly aim. An incident that witnessed on
The 18th, suggests the mentioning Of the regi
ment, in order to introduce the incident itself.
From the base Of the hill on which the cas-
tie OF Chepultepec stands, running up to the
castle itself, is broad, paved road. Down
! his road, during the morning, horse, mounted
by an officer, was frequently seen to dash fu.
riously. The rider was doubtless an aide de-
camp, carrying orders from General Bravo,
stationed at the foot of the hill. He was a
very snowy chap, and therefore wondered he
escaped our rifles. His horse was richly and
SLOWLY caparisoned, and he himself was dressed
in gorgeous uniform-in short, he was as
gay as a peacock" as the eccentric but gal
liant Captain Fairchild remarked at the time.
had my eyes fixed ntently upon him the last
time saw him dashing down the road, ex-
pectlng every moment to see him fall from his
saddle. But he escaped. Then awaited his
return. Presently he came dashing up the
road, as he had repeatedly done. He had>pro-
ceeded about half way, when suddenly saw
his horse stumble and fall. He Immediately
disengaged himself from the stirrups as the
horse FELL stood erect over the fallen animal.
and waved his sword over his head as if in de-
6ance. The sharp crack of rife suddenly
greeted my ear, and at that moment the teme.
rarious officer fell dead beside his diving horse |!
Another incident is recalled to nv recollec-
ton, which serves to show the effectiveness of
our artillery, particularly the battery COM
manded BY Captain Drum. Late in the after.
noon, party of the enemy were engaged
bringing heavy piece of artillery from the
castle to the support Of their troops at the foot
of the hill. They had succeeded in getting it
about halfway down, losing, however, so far,
two or three of their men in ne attempt, by the
deadly aim Of our rihemen-when Captain
Drums attention was called to the proceeding.
"Ill see if / can't put stop to that" was
his cool remark; which was presently followed
by the deeptoned thunder of one of his heavy
pieces of artillery. The effect was astonishing
the shot from his gun striking the enemy's
cannon, and killing three or four of the men.
The rest Immediately retreated to the castle.
No similar attempt was made by them that
day.
Hundreds Of incidents occurred during the
day-too many to undertake to relate in this
article.
The firing on both sides continued, as said
before, all day-there was no cessation what
ever until might threw her mantle DER the
earth; then comparative quiet once more
reigned. shall not here detail the proceed
ings of the night-the laborious duties that
had to be performed; suffice it to say, that the
rising sun never received more hearty, cor
dial greeting than | gave it the next morning.
AT daylight we took the same position that
we had occupied the day previous. Whether
we were TO remain there during the whole day,
We were at the time perfectly ignorant. II was,
however, the general wish that we were not,
for the position-exposed as we were to the
scorcbing rays of tropical sun-was a most
disagreeable one. We were soon, however. in.
iOahcN thof We "tiC hOt W lOUG III OUT
present position-that the Castle aods 10 be
stormed! At this announcement every eve
was in a moment directed towards that formid.
able, imposing structure, and deep murmur
throughout the ranks betokened that the news
was received with the greatest satisfaction.
We were now anxionsly awaiting the order to
move forward. could not help remarking. at
this awful crisis. when so many in our ranks
we're on the brink Of being dashed into eternity,
solemniiy and silence among the men deeper
that ever witnessed before. With hearts beat
ing, each was waiting TO hear the expected or
der to Forward u At last it came. Stand
ing oaShe right Of the regiment, his face pale
from excitement, and his eyes sparkling like iets
Lieutenant Colonel Baxter exclaimed in loud
voice
Forward
Instantly the regiment moved forward TO the
right OF the division, and then led off towards
the Castle in double quick time. A tremend-
Gus cheer at this moment peeled through the
welkin, and every gun that the Castle could
level against us, poured forth their deadly con-
tents in reply. As we moved forward, canister.
grape, round shot, and shell, came pouring
among us, with regular hail-storm Of bullets,