Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-04-25

chral hgDI over the sceDs, which 10 man
could contemplate without a thrill of horror.
| Over large expanse Of ground the bodies
of the dead and wounded men were thickly
! strewn. In some places hundred corpses
might becounted within the space of u few
square yards, while the sandy soil was wet
with human gore. Large pits were dug
and friend and foe found a soldiers grave
together. Death had abolished all distinc-
ton. American and Mexican who few
hours before were striking for each others
lives, now lay peacefully side by side their
animosity subdued Ambulances and war
ons rolled away to the temporary hospitals
filled with wounded men, whose gfoans of
anguish were awful TO hear.
Il was whilesthe work Of burial progress
ed that lieutenant, in charge OF a small
party, came 10 a ravine not far moved from
the main line of attack. Many wounded
men crowded to the banks of this stream to
slake that terrible thirst which r severe
wound always induces. AS the party were
collecting such injured soldiers as would
bear removing. the wall of annfant sudden.
y attracted the lieutenant's attention. He
listened again and the sound came family
upon his ear, so plain, however, that there
instantly made along the margin of the
| disclosed at which the most hardened bea,t
grew faint. Two dead bodies Law on the
sand few feet from the water'e adoe. One
a young Mexican artillery man, whose head
was badly crushed, apparently by large
shot: the other, "a young nnd very beautiful
Mexican girl, from whose neck rivulet of
dafk blood @as yet oezing, for nusket
ball had penetrated to the jugular vein.--
The young man lay upon his back, appa-
rently just as he fell, while the position of
the woman indicated that she received the
fatal ball while kneeling at his side.
| But this is not all Naked and dabbIed
over with the blood of its parents, an infant,
evidently about three months old, was ly.
ing upon the breast OF its mother wailing
and grasping with his little hands her long
black hair, which was damp with sold night
dew. Oh, it was picture which made the
heart swell with emotions of pity too deep
for utteranoe--that helpless, innocent in.
fant, stained with its mothers blood. Often
have we thought of the dreadful scene, for
it was scene never to be forgotten. That
gloomy battle field, strewn with dead and
dying; the brook murmuring gleefully
along, unmindfu of its bloody ripples; the
groups of soldiers standing with their spades
and picks around those dead parents and
the living babe, and over all the moon glea-
ming with ghostly glare, formed striking
scene for the dread panorama Of war.
| The man had probably met his death
while in search of water, as leather buck
ct, such as is generally attached to an artil-
lery carriage, was lying near by the woman
must have received h chance sho. while
bending over her husbands body, for the
Mexican women, with heroic devotion. often
follow their husbands or lovers into battle
The lieutenant, giving orders that the two
should be inferred in one grave, wrapped
the babe in Il blanket, and in company with
two of his men started in search OF an am
bulance, intending to send the little orphan
10 the Mexican camp. He had not proceed
ed far when couple OF Mexican friars were
discovered prowlng, as was their custom,
| among the dead bodies in search of plunder
Ordering them to desst, the officer related
The scene he had Just Witnessed, and in con.
clusion, offered one of the priests liberal
reward it lie would take the babe in safety
to the camp of his countrymea. The priest
assented with alacrity, and receiving his re-
ward, took the infant and turned away
with consciousness of having fulfilled the
dictates OF humanity, the lieutenant pre- pared
to join his party again. He had taken but
few steps, however. when an exclamation
of horror from one of his companions caused
him TO turn quickly. and as he did so, they
bounded from his side 10 pursuit Of The two
priests, who were running rapidly towards
the Mexican lines.
a sudden suspicion of horrible import
glanced through the officers mind in an in
slant, and calling on his men to fire on the
tugitives If they did not stop. be looked ear.
nestiy along their tracks, and soon discover.
ed the reason Of his companions conduct;
for thrown down amidst heap Of corpses,
was the dead infant, with bayonet driven
completely through its body The inhu.
man wretch 10 whom the officer consigned
his little charge, bad not proceeded "a dozen
yards, before committing the atrocious deed.
The pursuit was successful, and in few
moments both friars were brought back
trembling, and in broken English begging
for mercy. But justice was quick and sure
file of men were soon OH the ground -
FIVE minutes for prayers" said the lieu,
tenant, looking at his watch--five minutes,
you bloody scoundrels Sergeant, tic their
hands. Men, form fifteen PAGES 'front.'
These orders were quickly obeyed, the vic.
Tins meanwhile begging for their lives.