The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-09-03
::sgH gAYIs q ERIlGMI1ER

my, he had fought gallantly in Florida, and
i lie had been Governor ofthe State. HI
4 brought with him age, experience and char
acter, aud he devoted all to the service o
the Regiment with the enthusiasm of youth
-lWesbelieve that when he was called to the
command Of that Regiment, he resolved in
his heart to return with il in glory or per
ish. No. one could mistake his manner
when he received The flag which he loves
SO we'll from the hands Of the Mayor o
Charleston. There was tone in that ella
! rion voice, and fire in that eye, which
plainly promised -
| With it, when the battles done;
Or, on ii, from the field.
| There was one sentiment which inspired
him throughout the campaign, and which,
upon every occasion of peril, spoke forth in
eloquent harangues to his Regiment. He
would say that South Carolina had al,says
claimed a character for spirit, and had
sometimes been tainted as '.the, chiyalry,'' .
that The Regiment bore srensign and ber
houor. and thai lhey must pesisl=-perisll
TO a nau--ratlet than have her bright es.
cotcheon tarnished by any act Of theirs. He
succeeded eminently in breathing his own
spirit ofintense State pride aud patriotism
into his. Regiment, and the results known.
| From the commencement Of the cam
paign Col. Butler was ia bad health. His
frame was shattered by complication Of
diseases, which were aggravated by the ex-
posure of camp life; but lie was ever at his
post. He, shrank from no service, and &c
tually coarted danger with the enthusiasm
Z A. IL Il.
he had himself carried on an ambulance,
which might always be seen moving near
the head Of the Palinettoes. On he nine
teenih Of Angus, he WAS quite indsposed.
but when Shields Brigade was ordered to
join the forces on Yalencia's left, he mount.
ed his horse, and led the Regiment through
the epedrigal on that terrible night, The
ram fell In cold torrents, yet he toled on
through Egyptian darkness, over volcanic
rocks and rugged chasms, the greater part
OF the night. and before dawn of the gori
Gus twentieth was at his post to assist in
the bloody rout Of Conirerds. He had man
aged to get his horse-old Roan-over the
pedrigal. and on him be kept with his
Regiment in the hot pursuit towards Mex.
co. II was now half-past two o'clock in the
aiiernoon; the day was very sul,ry after the
storm of the night before; no one had eaten
anything for nearly twenty four hours, ex-
cept few apples which had been plucked
by the way-side. Col. Butler was resting
ior few moments. and perhaps endeavor
nag 10 get something TO eat in the hamlet
OF San Angel, when the firing commenced
III advance at Churubusco. Quiekened by
tho sound Of cannon. Shields Brigade was
soon up, and WAS retained fer a ;sx mo
menis IN reserve at Cayaeap, where. the
-Generai in Chief had taken his stand. Gen.
Scptt, with some Of his staff. assembled the
sieeple of church in the village, and sur
veyed the ieid. From his position he could
see clear away to the southern gates of the
GUY, aud over the whole intermediate
ground. 1t was a new field TO him, and he
found himself going intoa general battle,
without even a Reconnaissance He observ.
ed the thirty two thousand Mexicans, who
were engaged in that battle, drawn up in
two coiumns-one directly across his path.
aud already engaged, was ining viii u
blaze of musketry the dykes of the river
ChurHbusco far up and down. In this line.
about theceutFe, where the road crossed the
river. was the tete d,t pont, and a little To
the right and front stood the convent Sof
San Pablo, both Of which we're thuudering
upon his centre. The other column was
drawn up along the San Antonia causeway,
M right angles with the river front now en-
gaged---supporting it at the tete da pont.
and extending far back towards the gates
OF the c~p pital. This second column was
The reserve fresh from The city. In il stood
Santa Anna with brilliant staff. In il
iougirt tho Polkas-the national guard OF
Mexico; and from it, during the whole bat.
tie, poured strains Of martial music. mingled
with cheering shouts and bugIe blasts. As
soon as these dispositions were observed by
the General. he ordered. the Brigades of
Pierce and Shields to turn the enemy's
right cross the river above and attack the
column OF reserve. This was "a periIous ser.
vice. 1t could only be performed by going
lar to tue front, beyond the reach of speedy
support, The distance was considerable
AMI The ground, low and marshy. was inter
sected by numerous bitches and irri9atinp
canals. But, perious as il WAS, the service
was perrormel-nobly and gloriou>ly err
iormed-although at bloody cost to S 1uth
Carolina. The two brigades, now under the
command of Shields. approached the re-
serves near the hacienda of PortaLes. Some
what disarranged by the march, they sud
denly deboucbed before an enemy in front.
at least five times their plumber, who occu
pied higher and frmer ground on the cause.
way, and WAS sheltered by tile growth of
trees and maguey that lined the ditch along
the road. They were almost surrounded.
The Mexican river line, which they had
now turned, was on their right, the lancers
on their left, and the reserve column the
object OF their attack in front. In imayi.
nation the whole scene rises TO the view.
The Palmetto Regiment halts momont 10
adjust It's line of battle, and lhen-inade
The basis of the whole movement-com
mences the terrible charge. Col. Butler
leads bis regiment-his horse is shot, and
he fights on foot. He is shot in the leg.