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

The storming of Chepultepec.
The National Monitor, new literary pa
per published in New York, contains a sketch
of portion OF the military operatonsin Mexi-
CO entitled "Life in the army, or Remin iscences
Of the Mexican War, 6y New York Yolua-
teer." The style of the writer is plain and
lucid, and he narrates with much livelness.
and directly to the point. Here is an account
o. the stormipg of Chepulsepec.
''It was sombre morning, the heavens be-
ing obscured with dense, black clouds; there
fore, not wall Of the castle was visible to
the eye not even the hill on which it stood
could be seen-aothing but the brilliant light
that illuminated it, attracted the eye--present-
ing grand, imposing spectacle-a concen-
trationof brilliant meteors, suspended from the
black clouds above, being the nearest simi-
itude to it. AS we neared the cattle, the pos
sble caution was obse rived. The men were
cautioned not to allow their tin can,eens to
strike against their muskets or cartridge boxes
a word was allowed spoken in the ranks-eve-
ry possible precauton was taken to keep the
enemy in ignorance of our approach. On
ward we marched, with noseless steps, silent
tongues, aud palpitatins hearts. Near and
near we approached the formidable CASTLE
brlstlng with heavy artillery, and containing
twelve thousand of Mexcos best troops, and
commanded by one of her bravest and best
generals. Suddenly we were brought to
halt-the division to which was attached be-
ing intended to support the battery under the
command of Capt. Drum, which had been erec-
ted during the night, directly under the cas-
tie. Just as we halted, the shrill notes of a
trumpet assailed our ears. Then the
rolling of drums were heard, and presently a
full brass band joined in, 1t was the enemy
playing the reuei lie. A deatA-like stiffness
prevailed in cur ranks at the time--not u
whisper or breathing could be heard-there-
fore so unsuspected was the music, that when
it struck the ear it caused n,omentary thrill
to shoot shrough my frame-I felt peculiar
ndescrbable sensation. have no doubt
others experienced the same.
The music was suddenly interrupted
Bang-r-r! went one Of the huge pieces of ar
tilery froEi Drums battery, and for mo-
ment the dreadful! whiz-z.z! of its iron DEATH
messenger was heard through the air, and
Instantly every light in the house was quench.
ed, and it was invisible-shreuded in dark
ness. Silence was no longer observed in our
ranks; the commanding voice of Baxter to
,"Ferward"was heard. We marched short
distance, filed to the right, and halted-ta-
king up position in supporting distance of
Capt. Drums battery.
Presently, the sombre clouds that obscur-
ed the heavens separated, streak of light
was visible in the eastern horizon-the day
was breaking Light and lighter it gradual
ly grew; objects that had been previously in
visible, now appeared to the sight. Anon,
the blazing sun peeped forth from the dark
hiding place, diffusing flood oflight upon
the earth. h.and revealing to our astonshed sight
the white massive walls of Chepultepec, the
huge .muzzles of hundred heavy pieces OF
artillery, that peered from their respective
embrasures, and the glittering bayonets of at
least eight thousand infantry. in the woods
surrounding the Castle, and at the base of the
! high hill upon VIII ch it Stood
This was our first sight of the Castle, and
| | gazed upon its imposing appearance with
: admiration-contsmplating at the same mo-
ment the mighty cenvulsion that was to fol
low an attack upon its impregnab!e walls
= the lives that must necessarially De sacrificed
? the wives made widows; the parents chidlsss
: brothers and sisters mourners, AMI helpless
! children, perhaps, iatherless! CASTING m.
e ewes over the gallant little band that stool
: before me--companions who had escape,
e through storms Of lead and iron--who hat
a fought by my side in all the preceding battles
i the sad and awful conviction forced itsel
;, upon my mind, that in brief time, many Of
: them, whose smiling faces and Cheerful
G hearts betokened Thought ofthe morrow,
n would lie in the cold, icy embrace OF Desth.
: The loud report OF gun from the castle
d ard the startling noise Of grape and caniste
d as it went crashing and tearing through th'
t tall, dense puldue plant; in my immediate
a vicinity, checked all further reflections ol
i my part. The enemy had discovered US, an
: was evidently determined to do us all the in
If jury that he possible could. Cannon alte
q cannon, and huge mOrtars Oh the walls of tn
e castle, vomited forth, unremitt!ngly, thei
}. ponderous round shot, grape, canister, an
,g shell doing us, however, but little injury, a
It we had taken the prscaution TO occupy Sc
Is cure position. The suns from our severt
4 batteries, at different commanding point
= promptly answered the enemy, sending fort
ID their deadly contents in reply. All day fro
e. daylight until the sable curtains of nigf
I'd shrouded the contending armies in darkne
IN the booming of cannon, the bursting