Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-04-04

rapidly going he called upon President
Polk, and demanded an opportunity for
service that might crowd the little rem
nant of his life with achievements in keep.
ing with his ambition the President,
just then embarrassed by temporary non-
Intercourse with General Scott, charged
the Doctor with dispatches to the Gene
raj. of great moment and urgency. which
must be carried through region occu-
pied by the enemy. This embassy was
marked by anadventure so romantic, and
illustrative of the character of the man,
that we are tempted to detail it.
On his way to the Gulf he secured a
horse in Kentucky, such as knight er-
rant would have chosen for the compan-
ion and sharer of his adventures. Lam
ded at Vera Cruz, he asked for an escort
to convey him to the capital, but the Of
Gcer in command had no troopers To spare
he must wait, or he must accept. in
stead, band of rufian Mexicans, called
the Spy Company. who had taken to the
business Of treason and trickery for live
lihood, He accepted them, and went for
ward. Near Peubla his troop encouter>
ed body Of Mexicans. escorting nnm-
ber of distinguished officers to Orizba,
among whom were Major General Gaona.
Governor Of Peubla his son, Maximil-
ian. aud General Trejon. who command
ed the brilliant charge of horse at Buena
Vista. The surprise was mutual, but the
Spy Company had the advantage of the
ground. AT the first instant of the dis.
nd hal l,a Is f,,li
pretended their involvement, the Doctor
shouted in Spanish. I" Bravo! the capt
tai adventure, Colonel. form your line for
the charge II And down they went on
the enemy Kane and his gallant Ken
lucky charger ahead. Understanding the
principle that sends tallow candle
through plank, and that momentum
Of body is its weight multiplied by its
velocity. he dashed through the opposing
force, and turning to engage after breaks
ing their line, he found himself fairly sur
rounded, and two of the enemy giving
him their special attention. One of these
was disposed of in an instant by rearing
his horse, who. with blow of his fore foot,
foored his man and wheeling suddenly,
the Doctor gave the other a sword wound,
which opened the external lilac artery,
and put him Aors de combat. This subject
of the Doctors military surgery was the
young Maximilian. The brief melee ter
minated with cry from the Mexicans,
"We surrender II Two Of the officers
made dash for an escape, the Doctor
pursued them but soon gave up the chase.
When he returned, he found his ruffians
preparing to massacre the prisoners. AS
he passed the young officer whom he had
wounded, ne heard him cry, "Senor,
save my father" A group of the gueril-
la guards were dashing upon the Mexi-
cans, huddled together, with their lances
in rest. He threw himself before them
one Of them transfxed his horse anoth
er gave him severe wound in the groin
He killed the FIRST lieutenant, wounded
the second d-lieutenant, and blew a part oil
the colonel's beard off with the last charge
of his six Smoother: then graphing with
him, and using his fists. he brought the
party to terms The lives of the prison.
ers were saved. and the Doctor received
their swords. AS soon as General Gaona
could reach his son, who lay at q little
distance from the scene of the last strug
gle, the Doctor found him. receiving his
last adieus. Shifting the soldier and re-
suming the surgeon. he secured the arte.
ry, and put the wounded man in condi
ton to travel The ambulence got up
for the occasion, contained at once the
wounded second lieutenant, and tho man
that had prepared them for slow travel.
ing himself on his litter from the lance
wound received himself in defence o
the prisoners When they reached Peu
ba. the Doctors wound proved the wors
in the party. He was taken to the gov
ernment house. but the old General. in
gratitude for his generous services. had
him conveyed to his own house. Gene
raj Childs, American commander at Peu
bla. hearing Of the generosity of his pris.
oner, discharged him without making any
terms, and the old general became The
principal nurse Of his captor and benefac
tor, dividing his attentions between him
and his son, who lay wounded in an ad
joining room. The illness of our her,
was long and doubtful, and he was repor
ted dead TO his friends at home.
When he recovered and returned, he
was employed in the Coast Survey. Will,
engaged in the service, the governmen,
became committed Tor an attempt at the
rescue of Sir John and his iIl.starreC
companions in the Arctic discovery
Nothing could be better addressed to the
Doctors governing sentiments than thi.
adventure. The enterprise of Sir John ra,
exactly in the current of one of his own
enthusiasms the service of natural sci.
ence combined with heroic personal eff
fort; and. added to this. that sort.of pa,
triotism which charges itself with its owr
full share in the execution of national en-
gagements of honor (; aud besides thil
cordial assumption of his country s, debt,
and duties. there was no little force in tht
! ANIMAL of q nnhlr, hrnvo sn;r;toL -a..a.