The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1856-05-31
Page from tie journal or one Co, ;!- Bl'Aalcn.
Mai. .Richardson---In that ia>t Charge.

I'ilI4 4llz tllt iCH psi utE SLEA--tc lDG escape
from the overwhelming number Of Mexican
forces who had heInIned that small band of
brave volunteers in the rayine, at that un-
fortunate last charge in which 50 many
noble spirits fell, and which terminate the
work Of death at the bloody battle OF Buena
vista; every one, frora Colonel to private.
was obliged to do ms very utmost to force
his way through the dense column Of lane
els, which had formed across the mouth OF
the ravlae; or Chamber along The steep and
ruggid point of the bluff, through a perfect
-asai ssaIIn-ai lead taat- -saoWered down from
heavy body Of Mexican infantry, who
had moved down to the brow Of the bluff,
Immediately over the mouth OF the raviue.
ana between il and the rcdoUbt on the hill.
Conspicuous among those who forced
their way through this gaHtlct, were Col
Harden, who was afterwards killed hy some
lanccrS that had collected in a small ravirc
still further towards Na>hiugton'S battery
Captain. afterwards Major, Richardson, who
was badly bruised 10y a spent ball, in the
thick flesh just back Of the hip joint and
Adj. Wallace, who also received an import
ant impulse to his speed by one of those
keen messengers of death slightly knocking
the bark of his Sims.
But, as the following anccdote refers ex.
c,u>iycly to Major Richardson. we will have
to dismiss the other two, and take the Ma
Jors own account Of his adventures while
passing through this place of death, as he
used to tell IL around the campfire.
"As | ran down the ravine," said he
one evening, while sitting in front of the
Coionei,s tent, with copious morsel of the
weed snugly deposited in one side of his
"a Fr.N,r, D., -.
cious juice could be traced down till forming
a sNni-circlc by a conhux under his chin,
d" amid the wild confusion, and over and
above the loud roar of mushetry that blazed
from all along the edge Of its high banks, was
heard the sharp bowling, kissing sound Of
myriads OF bullets, cutting through the air,
and starting up the dust all around Inc. Now,
at my left would tumble over and roll down
the steep hill, brave soldier with a ball
pierced through his body; in front of me,
one after another could be seen failing
some pitching forward with such force as
To send their muskets a rod or two ahead
of them. But this was a mere foretaste of
what was still to come. Up from the mouth
of the ravine came dark column of McXi-
can cavalry, scattering their trail with the
dead. To force my way through this body
possible chance of escape left was TO cross
the steep and rocky point of the bluff,
under the deadly fire of a heavy body of in
fantry. Here / could see nay companions
struck down all around me, and expected
every moment to meet a similar fate. As
rose up the side of the dcclvity the re-
doubt rose in view, and hope again revived;
but for a moment only. | felt severe
ow strike me just back Of the right hip
joint. sending sharp, thrilling pain all thro'
my system. | pitched forward upon my
hands and knees, whether from the blow
experienced or whether | stumbled, | am
unable to say. In this position remained
for moment motionless. 'Sh)t-I'm a
dead mani thought I; and was about to
abandon my eXertions and trust to provi
dence alone for my rescue. But still re-
tanning all my mental and physical vigor,
began to suspect that | was not quite dead
yet; and placing my hand on the wound, l
felt the bullet hole through the skirt of the
coat-again began TO despair. Cautious
ly | pressed my finger through a similar
hole in my overalls to the skin, which, from
its numness, | was unable to say whether
it had been penetrated or not And, after
feeling all around the bruised place, | made
up my mind that, if my finger was bloody,
should lay still, if not, would make an
other desperate effort to reach the redoubt;
and as [ slowly brought my hand round,
trembling at the awful revelation this mo-
ton was about to make, | reluctantly turn
ed my eyes to meet it. They met. My
whole hand was black with powder, smoke,
and dust; but, gentlemen continued he in
a deep whisper, "there was no blood there,
and sprang to my feet and, with redoubled
speed soon reached the redoubt, and throw
ing myself headlong over the wall, L once
more felt secure" Those who witnessed
the Majors arrival at the rcdoubt, say the
first words he spoke, as he came tumbllng
over the wall were, "By -! l can beat
Burtrand!"