The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-02-17

. "'S"t 'uc 1'dNc ana accomplished
Major Vinton WAS killed. A heavy shell
which penetrated the parapet struck him
dead. But, though it killed him ins,an,.
ly, there WAS no bruise on his person 20
show what part of his body was struck.
heard OF another case almost similar
a Palmetto was Knocked over, turning q,
somerset b. large ball, md it left no
mark or bruise upon him. Major Vuton
was an eminent scholar, and christian,
de had determined to quit the army, and
become preacher. lie had sen: ia his
es'gnation, believe u take effect after
tho siege Of Vera Cruz.
On the newt morning, (the 23rr,) H. @
hire was renewed. The little feet took a
sh'I nearer position - tie city and castle,
and maintained it under heavy fire until
at nine o'clock Gen. Scott ordered i, to
he recalled. But the officers ar men OF
the navy were determined to participate
IN the hight. They had heen long cha.
mig at the 'naction Of the navy, AM were
eager for part in the fray. At the ear.
nest request OF Commodore Perry, Gen.
Scott assigned part Of the batteries to
the navy to be commanded bv naval OF
hrers, and served by seamen. They also
erected naval battery Ie..tnd a ,hicke.
Q! chaparral which covered it from view,
Anotner lanl battery was hcpun near the
railroad, called the "Malbi an battery"
A quad Of about hundred men Of
the Palmetto regimen was SET. on - H. a
23rd TO guard ihe hiIs ives, OF the city,
| was one of tins &c I'd. We approach.
cd Within about 1900 yards Of the city.
aud took position behind tho sani h;,,,.
econld distinctly see ljec,s in the
Guy. The iitcs OF several nations noateI
over the houses of the consuis represent.
Ing them. Throughout the entire day
the hre was 'ncessaot. A norther spraup
up dnr'ng The day, which de..yed TIE
landing of AL nunition, md our ba,l,rie,
s'ackene.i thoir fire, for want OF amrruni
'on, bri this onlv revived the Mex,uans
/" renewed effort. They thought our
guns were sl.enced by Their fire.
Tho Palmetto guard grew tired of the
guinness OF the scene, and many of the
guard amused themselves by riaying cards
Who but soldier would believe il, ,ha,
men would sit down ~ 1900 wards OF An
enemy, dnring hot bombardment. wit
sho' living over them, and spend the day
IN card playing Z Insteal Of preparing
10 shuttle oil this mortal coil" they were
only intent on shutiiiny cards. Yet It is
irue AS gospel, that they did play rokor
during al! that day. /; IS strong ilI"s-
iration Of the cal'0usness al reci esn 80
r.oducel by a soldier life.
The night Of the 23l sIall nc ,er f,r-
get. IL Was believed that the Mexicans
would make sortie hat night upon the
very point which we were guarding. Just
q, dark line Of sen,inels WAS posted on
tie saud hills. think it VAS from ten
I'LL twelve that night tha, walked my
weary rounds as sentinel. A nor aer
WAS blowing, and clouds Of dritting sand
u ted il.e air. II blinded he when attein -
ted to face ii, and drawing my heavy coat
over my head, turned my back to ,hc
sand cloud and stood Ike statue. |
could neither see nor hear. A Mexican
might have crert on me and bayonet,e,
me, before had any intima,ion OF his
presence.
Meanwhile, the batteries Of besie ,ers
and ,ne be>leged kept up their work.
The "heroic" city had endured tue bonn
b'riment for thirty hours, and though
the havoc was dreadfui, i, gave no Yvi-
dence OF despair, or sinking courage.
Midnight ended my guar duty, and
another 'akiug my place, sough. re.uge
from the sand-cIoud aud sler; ill morn
ing. And with this progress, AMI these
lnc'lents, ended the second Jay Of he
h"mhardment, and the ga day Of
March.