The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-08-31
From the Columbia Guardian.
RATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO, IN
MEXICO. g

The Battle of Contreras had been fought and the
victory won. The stars and stripes were streaming
from the ramparts of that Fort, which two hours
before had been pronounced impregnable by the
Mexieans. and which was studded with cannon, !
bristled with bayonets, and manned with an army
of twenty thousand disciplined troops. alencla
mighty host the flower of the army, hao been
routed with terrible slaughter, and were nylng
from the field in all directions Scarce had the
shouts of the vctors ceased reverberatlng among
those rugged hills, before the booming OF W orth
cannon and rattle of Twiggs muskets fell upon
the ear, telling us in tones OF thunder that aho'ner
battle was to be fought, another victory lost or
won. before the already war-worn and weared VIC
tors could rest from their tolls The wounded, as
we'll as the many prisoners taken at Contreras, hav
inp been properly provided for, the troops were
ordered off in quick time to take their place and
perform their part in that bloody drama the hrst
act of which was then being rehearsed upon the
field of Churubusco. .....--.,
Shields brigade, consisting of the New York
and Palmetto Regiments having had taste OF
the blood of the Mexicans, thirsted for more, and
with beating hearts, flushed with victory, hurried
on quickly to the scene of strife. Arriving at San
| ANGEL. we halted, to await further orders While
we were resting upon our arms, Huger's battery
came up in galop and dashed past us amld the
cheers of our brigade. Shortly after our gallant
old commander in chief, General Scott was seen
approaching Percciving his approach, Col; But
| ler, rod up and met him They grasped hands,
| and tears coursed their way down the cheeks OF
Gen Scott. as he returned his thanks to Col. But
ier for the gallant conduct of the Palmetto Regl-
mcnt upon the field of Contreras "South Caro-
lima will do her duty, General, was the brief but
characteristic reply of Butler Thus they
parted never to meet again upon earth. ...... .
The battle at the Convent and bridge was wag-
ino hotter and hotter The musketry, and cannon
| &c ood hOvS lOnOeN TO march
to the fight, which was raging so feartully. The
order to move forward came at last and was
promptly obeyed. a:-- ..- ......- -.. .~...
Our brigade was ordered to file past the troops
which were engaged at the tcto pant, and take po-
siton near the hascenda de las Portales, in order
to cut off the retreat of the enemy. After WIND
ing march of more than mile from San Angel,
we found ourselves the edge of a large held,
which was damp and boggy. Here, to our surprise,
as we'll as to the surprise Of our commanding Gene
rails we found over four thousand Mexican troops
among them the celehra ed Polque Guards, com
noscd of dandies and rich mems sons residing In
the CITY Of Mexco-weil cntrerched, and protected
by hedge of the Polque plant, who at once opened
a sharp fire upon US, which momentarlly increased
As we were marching by flank, it became neces,
sary to execute movement before we could meet
our foes. The order "on right by file into line
was extended, and never was this order so prompt
;; " E.flled" under so CALLING fire. We then adj
yanced upon the Mexicans Every step we took
some of our BOYS would reel and fall for the fire o.
the enemy was very deadly. The air seemed thick
with leaden messengers Of death, which told tern
BILE effect upon our lines, but still the Regimen
: advanced. Volley after voey were poured through
our ranks in rapid succession, causing US to wave
To and fro like stalks Of wheat in wind storm, bu
\ still we marched onward Color bearer after colo
= bearer would fall, but they touched the earth
their flags were seen waving proudly Ger ou
p heads. The voice of our Butler could be hear'
high above the horrid noise and din of battle, urg
S inc us on to victory or to death General Shleld
finding it impossible to out flank the enemy de
termned to pierce to their centre by the bayonet
l. Orders were extended to file to the right and tax
g position in rear of the hacienda for the purpose
= establishing a new line. The left wing OF ou
n regiment not hearing the order, and seeing tn
n right wing filing off supposing that the latter ha
e come to the conclusion that discretion was th
/, better part of valor had fed. The officers OF tn
d left wing shouting loudly to their command
n stand, "or die in their tracks, while the snbaiter
,. swore like "our army in Flanders, that they w0ul
y never leave the field alive. The command was e1
2, tended however and soon the left wing filed off,
IN Here. a new line was formed, the Palmettos beln
m the base, and again we were ordered to advance
~ By this time we eneircled on three sides by
d. blood thirsty foe who were pouring terr1ble-oi
is how terrible,-fre upon us, which was comm
III ting havoc IN our ranks DO teTIipe anu 81 "ca'
ly " was it, that the other Regiment composing o,
Brigade, adopted Falstaffs plan to get out OF
and either "playcd dead, or showed us the col
of their pants under their coat tails. Gener
cs Shields then turned to us and in tone OF yol'
"a which betrayed deep emotion, said: ''Palnettos
have every confidence in your galantry who VI
lis follow me ?" Our beloved Colonel stepped up al
At after raising his cap, proudly replied, ''Gener;
n every South Carolnan here will follow you TO Il
ed DEATH" "Aye,. TO the death, responded Sergea
th Brooks" and then followed shout OF dehan
ng which made the very earth shake. Onward '
ng marched, determined to do or die. Suddenly
W were seen to fer and reel to and fro like drunk
,er men, Then came cry, Butler IS killed! Butt
, is killed! God help as nor, said my right M
he to me, to which solemnly and from my heart
ed Piled, "Amen." Oh, this was trying mome1
his Standing in the centre of six thousand cruel
blood thirsty foes, ourselves numbering scarce :
hundred we suddenly lost our head, our father, a
= for the moment felt that we were orphans indce
ess Our arms became nervecss, our hearts blood CHI
of ed while tears, aye scalding tears, conrsed tn
Ids way down our powder biackened cheeks.
ne Dickinson had been previously wounded, and "
for consequently disabled. b,
ms The eagle eye of Gen. Shields-what pity Il
re- he is now fighting against us-soon saw the eff
per produced by the fall of Butler. Dashing up
to line ne exclaimed, "Palmettos you have lost y
ate Colonel l-avenge his death =" = p =
l.. III Z ,-ol1 foIIopccd ard WITH firm haI