Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-01

sTORMING OF cHEpULTEpEC.

| N-S~ Dyo "t We army, VI neWfHSteHeS "
the Mericdn War, by New York Volunteer ~
The style of the writer is plain and lucid, and
he narrates with much liveiness, and directly to
the point. Here is an account of the storming
OF Chepultepec -
1t was sonbre morning, the heavens be-
ing ooscured with dense, black clouds; there
lore, not u wall of the castle was visible to the
eye-not even the hill on which it stood could
be seen-nothing but the brilliant lights that
illuminated it, attracted tho presenting
grand, imposing spectacle--a concentration of
brilliant meteors, suspended from the black
clouds above, being nearest similtude to it,
as we ncared the castle, the greatest possible
caution was observed. Tho men were caution
ed not to let their tin cantecns strike against
their muskets or cartridge-boxes-not word
was allowed spoken in the ranks--every pre-
caution was taken to keep the enemy ignorant
of our approach. Onward We marched, with
nolseless steps, silent tongues, and palpitating
hearts. Nearer and nearer we approached the
formidable castle, bristlipg with heavy artillery,
and containing twelve thousand Of Mexico
best troops, and commanded by one of the bray
est and best generals. Suddenly we were brought
to halt--the division to halt--thc division
to which I was attached being intended to sup
port battery under the command of Captain
Drum, which had been erected during the night
directly under the castle Just Us we halted,
the shrill notes of a trumpet reached our ears
Then the rolling of drums was heard, and pres
emily full brass band joined in. 1t was the
enemy playing the reuciNe. A death.like still
ness prevailed in our ranks at the time-not
whisper Or breathing could be hcsrd-therc-
fore, 50 unexpected was the mnsc, that when it
struck the ear it caused momentary thrill to
shoot through my frame-I felt II peculiar, in
describable sensation | have no doubt others
experienced the same
Tho music was suddenly interrupted Bang-r
went one of the huge pieces of artillery from
Drums battery, and for moment the dreadful
whiz-z-z of its iron death messenger was heard
through the air, and then its fatal crash as it
struck the Castle. Instantly every light in the
latter was quenched, and it was invisible
shrouded in darkness. Silence was no longer
observed in our ranks the commanding voice of
Baxter to " Forward !" was heard We march
ed a short distance, fled to the right, and halt
ed-takng up position in supporting distance,
of Capt. Drums battery
Presently the sombre clouds that obscured tho
heavens separated, Il streak of light was visible
in the eastern horizon-the day was breaking.
Lighter it gradually grew; objects that had
been previously invisible, now appeared to the
sight. Anon, the blazing sun pceped forth from
the dark hiding place, diffusing food of light
upon the earth, and revealing to our astonished
sight the white massive walls of Chapultepec,
the huge muzzles of hundred heavy pieces of
ARTILLERY, that appeared from their respective
embrasures, and the gittering bayonets of at
least eight thousand infantry, in the woods sur
rounding the Castle, and at the base Of the high
hill on which it stood.
This was our first sight of the Castle, and I
gazed on its imposing appearance with admira-
tion-contemplating at the same moment the
mighty convulsions that was to follow I'm attack
upon its impregnable walls--the lives that must
necessarily be sacrificed the wives made wild
ows; the parents childless brothers and sisters
mourners, and helpless children, pcrh, ps, fa-
therless Casting my eyes over the gallant lit
tie band that stood before me-companions who
had escaped through storms of lead and IRON
who had fought by my side through all the pre-
ceding battles-the sad and awful conviction
forced itself upon my mind, that in brief time
many of them. whose smiling faces and cheerful
hearts betokened no Thoughts of the morrow"
would lie in the cold, icy embrace Of Death
The loud report of II gun from the Castle, ,and
the startling noise of the grape and canister as
it went crashing and tearing through the tall
dense pulqus plants in my immediate vicinity,
checked all further reflections on my part The
enemy had discovered us and was evidently de-
termined to do US all the injury that he posi-
bly, could. Cannon after cannon, and huge
nortars on the walls of the castle vomited forth,
unremittingly, their pondcrous round shot grape,
canister, and shell, doing US, however, bat little
injury, as we had taken the precaution to o.
cupy secure position. The guns from oar ssv-
errl batteries, at different commanding points
promptly answered the enemy, sending forth
their deadly contents in reply. All day-from
daylight until the sable curtains of night shroud
ed the contending armies in darkness-thc
booming of the cannon, the bursting of the
shells, the crashing of grape and canister, and
and the sharp, cracking report of the muskctry
greeted the ear.
Various incidents that came under my obser-
walton during the day, now forced themselves
upon my memory.
Captain Drums battery, which kept up n
constant and destructive fire upon the castle the
day, was stationed about sixty yards from the
right of my regiment. Our whole division,
commanded by General Quitman, consisting of
he ID Pennsylvania and South Carolina voun-
teers and battalion of United States marines.
besides the New York volunteers, also occu pied
position in supporting distance of the battery
Attached to the South Carolina regiment wore
several negroes--slaves, who had ACCOMPANIED
their masters--some Of them privates too-on
the campaign, and on several occasions display
cd commendable gallatnry. One of these ne
groes, large black, muscular fellow, stood
about ten ten yards from one Of the guns, and
at every discharge, he would eagerly watch
what effect it had upon the castle. If favor
| abe one he would ;u~n nm ia tha a., H. L.: