The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1854-10-27

! Breeteu my ear, ana et that moment the
temerous officer fell dead beside the dying
horsel
Another incident is recalled to my recol-
lection. which serves to show the effective
ness oi our artillery, particularly the battery
commanded by Capt. Drum. Late in ths af-
ternoon, 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 get-
ting it about halfway down, losing, however,
so far, two or three Of their men in the at
tempt, by the deadly aim of our rfemen--
when Captain Drums attention was called to
the proceeding.
''l'll see if can't put stol to :hat,o was
cool remark: which was presently followed
by the deep-toned'thunde of one of bis heavy
| pieces Of artillery. The effect was astonish-
ing-the shot from his gun striking the ene-
my's canno n. and killing three or four Of the
men. The rest imme dately retreatedto 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.
i
said before, all day--there was no cessation
whatever until "night threw hei mantle Ger
the earth;" then comparative quiet ence more
reigned | shall not here detail the proceed
ings Of the night--the laborious duties
to be performed; suffice it to say, that the ris-
ing sun never received a more hearty, cordial
greeting than gave it the next morning.
At daylight we took :hc 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.
1t was however, the general wish that we
were not, for the position--exfosed as we
were TO the scorching rays of tropical SUM-
was most disagreeable one. We soon
however, informed that we were not to re-
main long in our present pesition--that The
castle ,DaS 10 be Stormed! At this announce
! ment every eye was IN moment directed
towards that formidable, imposing structure,
and deep murmur throughout the ranks be-
tokened that the news was received with the
greatest satisfaction We were now anx-
iously awaiting the order to move forward
could not help remarking, at this awful cri-
, sis, when SO many in our ranks were on the
brink of being dashed into eternity, solem-
f nifty and silence among the men deeper than
| ever Witnessed before. With hearts beat
ing, each was waiting to hear the expected
order to "Forward!'' AT last it came
Standing the righ. of the regiment, his
face pale from excitement, and his eyes
| sparkling like jets, Lieutenant Colonel Dax-
, ter exclaimed in loud voice
"FoRwARD"
Instantly the regiment moved forward tc
, the right of the division, and then led off to.
wards the Castle in double quick time! A
, tremendous cheer at this moment pealst
, through the welkin, and every gun that the
: Castle could le' 81 against US, poured forth
their deadly coutents in reply. AS we moved
, forward, canister, grape, round shot, and shell
came pouring among US, with regular hail.
storm of bullets, making awful slaughter Fin
our ranks. But without pause, our men
dashed galantly forward, and turning to the
t left into q vast field directly in front ef the
: Castle, with a shout that fairly shook the
heavens, onward they rus led, headed by the
. gallant Baxter. Chepultcpec was enveloped
in a sheet of flame, SO incessant and rapid
| was The discharge of the enemy's artillery
= Discharge after discharge Of grape was hurled
with awful destruction through our ranks
4 still our brave boys were not daunted; with
that the flag OF the Empire State proudly
5 waving at the head of our column, onward
/ they pushed. Van O'Lndd fell dead on the
s green sword, gallants leading his company
, then Baxter, mortally wounded; then Pearson
= and a fearful number of our gallant men,
=, Sill our regiment dashed boldly forward un-
= til the stone wall surrounding the base of the
. hill on which the Castle stood, was reashe,
Then short delay was necessarily made in
, order to enable the remaining regiments CON-
posing the division to come up. Some sharp
4 fighting took place at this point-the enemy
-. were shortly driven from their position, anc
aided by ladd RS, we sealed the lower and
d dashed up the precipitious bill. Now com
. menced struggle that my pen is inadequate
q to describe. The euemy's artillery becom'
+ ing ineffective in consequence of the steep
J.. ness of the hill, musketry was brought into
v requistion. The noise of the musketry wai
o dealening, drowning the groans OF the wound
v ed and dying.
n The bullets flew among US like hail, silen'
d cling in death many brave fellow who, will
y loud cheer, was dashing boldly and fear
It lessly up the steep ascent. Now enthusiastic
l. shouts and the report OF musketry were hear'
e on our right and left, proceeding from the
troops under Generals Worth, Pillow, ant
)! others. The attack upon the, castle was made
e simultaneously at three different points,
n Qutman's division directly in frent of TIT
l. CASTLE Will, the lewiston of Generals Worth
h and Pillow charged up the right, and rear
n On they csms, dashing up the rocky ascent
al with determination to conquer or die. he
e animated by their gallant bearing, our brave
l. boys pushed forward with renewed yigor.-
Is Officers and men fell dead and wounded un
l. der the murdetous fire of nusketry that tn
n Mexicans poured in upon us; gallant mel
e who had preceded us in the scaling parties
Id were stretched out hleless upon the hill, witt
ID their ladders clutched firmly in their hand
m in the last, strong, convulsive grasp OF dealt
D. but still undauntcd, and with determination
le to conquer , our troops valiantly continue
A IcI1r md