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

until might threw her mantle DER the earth >,
'hen comparative quiet once more reigned. I
snail not here delail the proceedings OF the night
-'he laborious duties that had to be performed;
suilce to say, that the risieg sun never received
more hearty cordial greeting than gave it
next morning.
AT daylight We took the same position that
we had occupied the day previous. Whether
VIC were to remain there the whole day we were
az the time perfectly ignorant. 1t was, howev-
er, the general wish that we were not, for the
position--exposed as we were, to the scorching
rays OF tropical sun-was most disagreeable
one. We were were soon, however, informed
that we were not to remain long in our present
position---that the castle ,oas to be stornaed At
this announcement every eye was in a moment
directed towards that formidable, imposing
structure, and deep murmur throughout the
ranks betokened that the news was received with
the greatest satisfaction. We were now anx-
iously awaiting the order to move forward.
could not help remarkine, at this awful crisis
when SO many in our ranks were on the brink of
being dashed into eternity, solemnity and 81
lence among the men deeper than ever witnes-
sed before. With hearts beating, each was
waiting to hear the expected order i" Forward -
At last it came. Standing on the right of the
regiment, his face pale from excitement, and his
eyes sparkling like jets, Lieuts Colonel Bax-
ter 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
tremendous cheer at this moment pealed through
the welkin, and every gun that the castle could
level at us poured forth their deadly contents 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 in our ranks. But without
pause, our men dashed gallantly forward, and
turning into vast field directly in front of the
castle, with shout that fairly shook the heav-
ems, onward they rushed, headed by the gallant
Baxter Chcpultepec was cnveoped in a sheet
of flame, so incessant and rapid was the dis
charge of the enemy's artillery. Discharge af-
ter discharge of grape was hurled with awful
destruction through our ranks still our brave
boys were not daunted with the flag of the
Empire State proudly waving at the head of our
column, onward We pushed. Van O'Lindd fell
dead on the green sward, gallantly leading his
company; then Baxter ,mortally wounded then
Pearson, and fearful number of our gallant
men. Still, our regiment dashed boldly for
ward until the stone wall surrounding the base
of the hill on which the castle stood, was reach
ed. Then short delay was necessarily made
in order to enable the remaining regiments COM
posing the division to come up. Some sharp
| fighting took place at this point-the enemy
were shortly driven from their position, and aid
ed by ladders, we scaled the lower wall and dash.
ed up the precipitious hill. Now commenced
struggle that my pen is inadequate to describe.
The encmy's artillery becoming ineffective in
consequence of the steepness of the hill, mus
kerry was brought into rcquisition, the noise Of
which was deafening, completely drowning the
groans of the wounded and dying
The bullets few among US like hail, silencing
in death many a brave fellow who, with a loud
cheer, was dashing boldly and fearlessly up tho
steep ascent Now enthusiastic shouts and the
report Of musketry was heard on our right and
left, proceeding from the troops under Generals
Worth, Pillow, and others. The attack upon
the castle was made simultaneously at three diff
ferent points. Quitman's division advanced
directly in front Of the castle, while the diyis-
ions of Generals Worth and Pillow charged up
the right, left, and rear On they came, dash
ing up the rocky ascent with u determination
to conquer or die Terminated by their gallant
bearing, our brave boys dashed forward with re-
newcd yigor. Officers and men fell dead and
wounded under the deadly fire the Mexicans
poured in upon us gallant men who had pre-
ceeded US in the scaling parties were stretched
out lfeess on the hill with their ladders clutch
ed firmly in their hauds, in the last, convulsive
grasp Of deah-but still undaunted, and with
u determination to conquer, our troops valiantly
continued tho charge. Now the massive wall
surrounding the castle was reached, and with
cheer that must have struck terror to the enc
my, our men, led by their officers, aided by seal
ing ladders, promptly and boldly bounded over
them. Then there followed loud shouts of joy
from the y'ctors, the clashing Of bayonets
and the piercing shrieks of the Mexicans, as they
were forced, at the point of the bayonet, over
q lofty precipice. In five minutes after, the
castle was ours-the gaudy flag of Mexico, that
had for years Aoated undisturbed from its lofty
staff was torn down, and the colors of the
Now York regiment flung to the breeze over the
conquered castle. Nine deafening cheers
cheers such as only men flushed with victory
can give--greetsd it as its folds were opened out
by the wind.