The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-07-23
From the Marion american.
PALMETTO REGIMENT.
DY ONE OF TIE TWO HUNDRED.

give in minute detail the separate and in
disiLual history Of the Pams ttoes. But
this cannot to given apprcciably without
including many other facts, necessary TO
explain and accompany it. In a drama
there are subordinate as we'll as principal
characters; there are incidents as well as
eric unity. Aiming, therefore, at both
completeness and unity, it is necessary to
the completeness of the drar a, that much
else shall bc given besides the character o.
Hamlet.
As aprorcr introduction Of the Palmct-
toes on the. field of battle, il preliminary
view Of tho war, and the circumstances
preceding and attending their entrance,
are necessary part Of the history.
The PaImcttocs shall be introduced when
reach the act and scene proper for their
introducti n.y.
The sun sank scrcnely behind the blue
mountains of Mexico, on the 9th Of May,
1851, but hundreds who had greeted his
rising,, had fallen never to rise again. a
veteran army of G,ooo Mcxicans glttcring
in all "the pride, pomp, and circumstances
of glorious wars, who had three days be-
fore crossed tile Rio Bravo in confident an
ticipation Of victory, were now cumbcring
the field of battle, as tile gh astly victims of
war, groaning under tie agony of wounds
or seeking in wild and dsordered flight
refuge from our victorious army.
The lnaidens of Matamoras had prepared
q tall and feast for the victors, and flowers
and garlands to wreathe tho brows of Mexi-
cos defenders. But the tide of war flowed
not to their liking, or i'll fulfilment Of their
expectations. The maiden who awaited
the coming Of her gallcnt soldier-lover,
heard in the loud boom of cannon nearer
as it came, that he was fallen and bleeding
on the battle field, olaat best a disgraccful
fugitive ashamed to meet her.
1t is said that Ampudia, the Mexican
commander, was tho lirst to fly, and put
ting spurs to that white horse which bore
him SO swiftly from ohter fields of fight, he
plunged into the turbid waters Of tho Bravo,
encountering one danger ahead to escape
:froma greater danger behind. His panick-
cd troops followed in chaotic flight, having
but one flat to take them over the river they
rushed mally into it, the Dragons tramp
ling down the infantry, and the infantry
fighting among themselves, hundreds were
thrown into the river and drowned. But
Taylor's army was too fatigucd to pursue
= them, and they might have escaped by a
fiightlcss prccipitate..
But in justice to the Mcxicans it must
be allowed that they fought heroically. In
numbers they had three three to one, and
their positions admirably selected gave
them largely The advantage. The battles
were won by the sugseriofaerategy Of Tay-
.lor,.and the superior effiiasisa of his army.
It was to the "hyi,,gsalesyn always ,ih
tbeeright, place at The Ight.1sme, belcLing
- out is missilcsof destgae:ioiffthick and fast,
that thae army was mainly islebtea u for its
victory .
was one battery Of lying artillery uur
!. der 1t. O'Bricn that saved Taylor from an;
inhalation at Buena, Vista. That was an
awful moment and upon it hung vic
tory OF, ,sdefeat. Santa Anna had brought
!. :.seng his fresh reserves, land poured battalion
attslion in. serr'ed column upopsTaay-
. leIs centre. o'Brien poured his; ion hail
fatd their Ialks'of Ia,poo mon, agdopened
swids lanes thEs Ugh them, but closing up
ssshe gap they 'camc on ,.likc mountain ava.
lahche: Ieseamed t1at all was lost. Only
z four. OF fsoswounded ,sen, attempting tc
check 1900, Who vefs tnoa in Fly yards
'-sso Ihena sAhd YET sthey ysauailed mot il
iias. aisie, but loading sheir guns al
ssasFs ths mpssle with grapas they gave
rs I terrible Ell ct, and aban
yacssa thsfg guds t6;tho sheny., Bragg,
! M oMsrcached the groundsand .upor
lining Gs fate of the day. He sho
siie lesdSg columns Of. Tho enemy
pshptson tfey esme, aatil.enly fifty yards in
tsfssae I between them and his battery
BHes: IN despair, called to Taylor, wle
!. Haf asass for hsip, Bds Taylor had none te
Hiss reply wasss There is nobody
aisls 66t hiajjor, Bliss end myself. Stand tc
u SH nas. and gissn,em hip
$ Bfsgg obeyed the order, and "a little
4 4 ma grapays hsoke the head of the Mexi
pIumh' and it staggered, recled and
8 9t4a kck in fight. 1t is difficult to be
a;syg fact so incredible, except to sol
81 blexicars advanced five minute
% victory woatd have been theirs
Issd these devoted men faltered, the sam
I: aald have followed. have made
@ this digyedoh TO illustrate by example tn
elte.TblsS asstfucliyspess Of the flying artil
49, q ,.,;s ~ In,oseolIss. -