The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1855-11-29
RRxISiscENcE OF THE WAR; MEXICO

Soldiers who have been engaged in "the dread.
ful revelry' of war are often asked how they
felt while performing their duty in the heat Of
battle. ] believe that--allowancc made for oil
varieties Of temperament is a far greater
similarity in the sensations felt on these occa-
sions than is commonly supposed and that
although habit blunts, 10 a certain extent. the
perception Of danger, it never takes off the
kccnneSs Of its edge. The impressions made
upon my mind AS fighting soldier in Mex
leo are still quite fresh.
The soldiers love Of novelty and excitement
is more than a counterpoise to all depressing in
fiuences and at no period Of his career does his
spirit show itself more buoyant than when he
has been ordered out on campaign. II is only
after he has endured some Of the stern realities
1T his situation that he begins TO cast nervous
glance or two upon the road before him One
OF the most common and natural Of the sources
Of apprehension that disturb the young soldier,
ard which his first engagement always finally
disposes Of. is far that his faculties may be
20 paralyzed by the spectacle OF carnage during
an engagement, that. being rendered faint and
incapable Of performing his duty the stain Of
cowadice may faint his character With his
first battle this apprehension vanishcs. and he
discovers that when he Is once fairly in action.
the excitement is intense and his whole energy
is concentrated on the work IN hand. Com
rades fall wounded around him and are scarcely
noticed; there is no time for pity, far or any
thing bat action.
am Sco,chman by birth. bu, enlisted into
the American service. II was not my fortune
TO come TO close quarters with the enemy until
had been nearly three months in Mexico ]
consequently experienced q portion of that un-
easy state Of feeling which have jus, men
toned before first meeting the enemy face 10
face hal become familiar with the sound
and Of the fury, too. of shot and shell. in the
trenches at Vera Cruz, and was on easy terms
with them Constant rumors Of attacks medi-
tated on our rear, bad helped also 20 keep the
idea Of close conflict familiar. In camp at
Vera Cruz, bad become acquainted with an
old soldier, Billy Wright, a hllow cnuntryman,
who had Aervcd in his youth under Wellington.
AMI had been 10 several engagements without
receiving any serious wound. lie bad also
fought in the Florida War, frequently
talked with this comrade on the subject a. ms
first engagement; and his advice to me iRya-
riably was. that. "A soon a. firing hal com.
menced, should fire and load as explicitly as
possibl taking good aim; in which cas-, he ~
surcd me. | should Sci all right after tbe first
few rounds. Poor sslIow | passsd him as bc
sat down. after the first few rounds at my first
batt'c, Cerro Gorio wounjel bu, he rec11 cred
from his wound, however. AMI was sent hom'
10 receive pension
We hai laiD inactive four Or Eve days a, Par
d~l Rio, few uiles from the eiemy's stroug po
sition al Cerro Gordo. when Genera. Scott. hav
ing arrived. ard examined as c.osely A. possiba
the cncmys strength and petition, at once dee.
dri m his plan of action In parsuAncc Of b.
design GeDeral Twigg.. with his division. rom
prising tbc rrgubcu' 10 which ! blougtsl. va
ordered TO advance l,y a newly d.scoytrea rouiI
through 'he bottom ~ a rav.Da and 20 gain
commanding Position on ,be 'op q bigh. ma
krilfed bin. II was whe moving tlown ih.
ravinr, which bad bcen partially CLEARED by "a
psoae-rs add While waiting Eniil pary u liz
'fa"s should have heat upa suspicious lookin.