The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-01-31
NEW SERIES VOL. 2, NO. 26.

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searches.
AT home again, when the Mexican war
broke out. he asked to be remnved from
the PhiIdeIphia Navy Yard to the field of
a more congenia service; but the govern
ment sent him to the coast sfAfrica. Harewe
visited the slave factories from Cape Mount
to the river BOnny, and though the infam-
Gus Da Souzl, got access to The b ,raconns
OF Dahomey, and contracted, besides, the
Coast Fever, from the affects oi which he
has never entirely recovered.
From Africa he returned before the close
of the Mexican war, and believing that his
constitution was broken, and his health rap
idly going, he called upon President Polk.
and demanded an opportunity for service that
he might crown the little remnant o. his
life with achievements in Keeping with his
ambition; President, just then embarr ssed
by a Temporary non intercourse with Gtner-
al Scott, charged the Doctor with dispatches
to the General. of great mpmhut and urgrn-
cy, which must be carried through region
occupied be the enemy. This pmb ssy was
remprked by an adventure 81 romrntic, and
80 illustrative of the character ui 'he mon,
that we are tempted to detail it.
On his way to the Gull, he secureda h fse
ia Kentucky, such as night errant would
have chosen for the cumpanion and sharcr
of his adventures. Lqnded at Vera Cruz.
he asked for an escort to convey him TO the
capital, but the officers in command hid no
troopers to spare--he must wait, or he must
accept, instead, u band OF ruff IN NJ M,xcans,
called the Spy Company, who had taken to
the business Of treason und trickery for a
livelihood. He accepted them, and went for
ward. Near Puebla his troops encountered
u body of Mexicans escorting number OF
distinguished officers to Orz,ba, among
whom were Major General Guona. Cover
nor of Puebia; his son, Mximilian, and
General Torejon, who commanded the bril-
liant charge of horse at Beuna VISTA The
surprise was mutu,l, but the, Spy Company
had the advantage OF the ground. At the
first instance Of the discoter,, ana before
the rascals foil comprrhendkd their involve
ment. the Doctor shouted in Spanish, Bravo!
The capital adventure. Colonel, from your
line for tho charge" And down they went
upon the enemy; Kane AID his gallant Ken
tueky charger ahead. Understanding thu
pEatciple tha, sends a tallow candle throuy b
aplunk, aud that the momentum of body
il its weight mu tiplitd by its velocity, be-
dashed through tbs opp sing force. aud turn
ing to engage after breaking their line, he
found himself fairlv surrounded, and two OF
the enemy girlng him their special attention.
One Of these was disposed oi in an instant
by rearing his horse, who with blow Of
his fore foot foored his man; and wheeling
suddenly, the Doctor gHve the other sword
wound, which opened the external lilac ar
terry, and putting him hors de combat. Th, |
subject of the Dactor's milit1ry surgery was
the young Maximlian. This brief melee
!
ave surrender" Two q: the off er> made
dash for an escape, the DR.. pursued theubui
but soon gave up the chase. When h return
ed he found his ruflians preparing to m lsacre
the prisoners. AS he galuped past the young
officer whom he had wounded, h heard him
cry, "Senor, save my father A group OF
guerrilla guards wer d'ishing upon the NJ x
leans, huddled together, with their laurts III
lest. He threw hi.nse before tn m--1ne
Of them transfxed his horse, anol,er gave
him severe wound IN the groin. He kill |
ed the first lieutenant, md blew II part
the coleuels beard uF With the last charge
Of his six shooter; then graphing with him.
and using his fist, he brought he party to
terms. The lives Of ihe prisoners were
saved, and the Doctor received their swords.
As soon as Gen. Gaona could rracl, his sou,
who lay at a little distance from the scene
OF the last struggle, the Doctor .ound him
sitting by him, receiving his last adicu,.--
Shifting the soldier and rcsnming the sur
geon, he secured the artery, and put the
wounded man In condition 10 travel The
ambulance got up for the occasion, contain.
ed at once the wounded N ximiian, the
wounded second liutenant, aud the man that
had repaired them for slow travelling, him
self on his litter. from the Ianre wound re-
ceived in defence Of his prisoners! When
they reached Puebla, the Doctors wound
proved the worst in the parry. He was tax.
en- to the government house, but the old
General, in gratitude for hl. generous servi-
ces, had him conveyed to his own house,
General Childs, American cpmmander of
Pueblaa hearing Of the generosity Of his pris.
oner discharged him without making any
terms, and the old g neral became the prin.
cipal nurse OF bis captor and benefactor, di-
vidiug his attention between him and his
son, who lay in an adjoining room. This
illness Of our hero was long and doubtful. =
and he was reported dead to his friends ut
home.
When he recovered and returned, he was
employed 10 the Coast Survey. While en-.
gagged in this service, the government BY it,
correspondence with Lady Frankln became
committed for an attempt at The rescue Of
Sir John and hls ill-s,aryed compan ons in
Arctic discovery. Nothing could be better
..aaI- y a /