The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-02-10
From The Marion American.
7 he Palmetto Regimen n (
By cNE OF THE rive HUNDRED.
y o. H.

NO. IL.
1t was the 18th day Of March, and
our l'ues We're complete around Vera
Cruz. a Gordon of soldiers grt the CITY
from shore to shore. But the heavy
work had just begun. Heavy artillery
and ammunition we've TO be landed and
dragged up the sandhills, trenches were
10 be dug. and batteries erected. The
carts aud draught horses bad not arrived.
and this heavy labor had to he perform
ed by hand. The solitary breach on
which we had landed became u mimic
city. Several thousand sailors worked
necessarily, landing provisions, army
stores, cannon and munitions OF war
HE work was hercuIean, and the pro
gress OF tho seige WAS slow A norlher
interrupted the work for two or three
days. The boats on the beach could not
return to their ships, and the sailors were
lett idle upon shore. They made foravs
upon all the country around, got drunk,
and gntted several villagers. 1t was im-
| possible 70 work at the trenches for the
! clouds OF drifting sands blinded the wor.
fers. All work was suspended and we
iad IDLY at our quarters. The batteries
from the city and castle kept up An occa
s'ohal fire. We were ali the time in
range ot their heavy guns, but they
could not discover our position, behind
the sanr!lnlis. They fired wherever thew
supposed us to be. But though their
Hho' and shells frequently fell near us, no
'nJnry was done. Ii Was mirac'e that
50 i,ttie damage was done by them. Eve.
ry spot III tour miles of the city was visi
ted with shower Of misseis. One bomb
ieII III the centre of our camp, a few yards
from Col. Buffers tent.
We soon became accustomed to the
sound OF these m'ssels, and grew in,litfer.
ent TO them. We were not ye, in con
dItion to return the fire, and the Mexi
cans had the game all TO themselves
The time wore tediously away. We went
out IN small parties securing the country
around, shooting 6eeves, catching don
Keys, plrating Tor provisions, aud visiting
tue country gir!s. got lost one day
about three miles from caup in a tangled
aud dense chaparal. -l-4hsd chased u
drove OF beeves until had lost my course.
and became lost in chsparal SO thick
that could not stand in it. was never
before so pe'plexed. | was hot and ex.
hausted 10y the chase, and almost faint
my. MAS obliged to have water i'm.
mediately. Put J was utterly lost in the
iniermlnabIe mazcs Of Mexican chapa
raj. | knew not which course TO take
for camp. II was all hazard. and if
took the wrong course | would fall into
the hands of the Mexicans and be butch.
cred. 10 make my way | was obliged
I" get down and crawl. My situation
was very perilous, ard it required great
effort to be calm, upon which my life de
pended. When almost in despair, |
reached little hill, and taking look
around me | saw The sandhlIs behind the
city. Then | knew my course and was
safe.
On the 18th, Gen. Scott received in.
formation Of TayIor's victory at Buena
Vista. The cheering news was announced
IN becoming terms to all the regiments,
at dress parade on the evening Of the
18th instant. Had they needed any
stmulant to inspire hope, or sustain them
under hardships. the glorious victory Of
Buena Vista would have furnished it.
II kln6led in us noble emulation 10
equal the vtlor Of our brothers in arms
with soldiers nothing is so powerful as
the force OF example, nothing so inspiring
as the pride OF emulation.
Tie norther having abated, the land
ing OF ordnance and ordnance stores WAS
continued. On the 18th, the POSITIONS
! for the batteries were selected, and the
work Of erection began. They we're erec.
ted on the saudhils on the south side Of
the city. The work was very laborious,
and WAS continued night and day. The
batteries were protected 10y sand bags
! piled IN tiers. For the protection of the
workers, trenches were dug. The work
ing parties relieved each other at stated
intervals, and the labonous ard danger.
Gus work went on without moments
cessation from morn ill dewy eve," and
from dewy eve till morn. 1t was work
requiring energy, endurance and passive
courage. The Mexicans kept up lively
! practice upon the workers,
The booming shot ana flaming she'll,
were their music by day, and their "pl-
lar OF fire" by night Not n shot could
he returned. Our day was not vet
Bnt patience and courage would yet have
,Ie'' reward. AEer four days Of patient,
/ quiet endurance, and herculean labor,
our batteries were completed. 1t was
now the 22d day Of March, and the 18th
day after our debarcalion. Now We could
return shot for shot. Now We were rea-
dy TO
"Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war"
But with The accustomed humanity Of
war the olive branch was irst offered, be.
fore the sword. Gen. Scott then sent to
the city the summons to surrender. |
will give the copy of the summons and
reply
HEAD QUARTERS OF the Army OF the U.
S. Of America, Camp Washington, be.
I fore Vera Cruz, March 20, l847.
The undersigned, Major General Scott,
Gebersl-in Chief Of the Armies OF the