The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-09-08
From the Columbia Guardian.
Battle of Churubusco, in Mexico.
From the Journal Of "Pdlmetto Boy'

ard stripes were streaming from the ram
parts OF that Fort, which two hours he
fore had been pronounced inpregnable
by the Mexicans, and which was studded
with cannon, bristled with bayonets. and
nanned with an army Of twenty thou
sand disciplined troops. Valencia's NIGH.
" host, the flower of the army, had been
routed with terrible slaughter, and were
fving from the field in all directions
! Scarce had the shouts of the victors Ceas
ed reverberatlng among thos rugged bills,
before the booming Of Worth's cannon
and rattle Of Twiggs' muskets fell upon
the ear, telling us in tones of thunder that
another battle was to be fought, another
! victory lost or won, before the already
war worn and wearied victers could rest
! from their tolls The wounded, as well
as the many prisoners taken ut Contreras,
having 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 first act Of which
was then being rehearsed upon the field
| OF Churuhusco.
Shields brigade, consisting OF the New
fo'k 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 arims,
uuger's battery came up in galIop aud
dashed past us, amid the cheers of our
( brigade Shortly after our gallant old
commander in chief, General Scott, was
seen approaching. Perceiving his ap
proach, Col. Butler, road up and met
him. They grasped hands, and tears
coursed their way down the checks Of
Gen. Scott. AS he returned his thanks to
Col. Butler, for the gallant conduct Of
/ the Palmetto Regiment upon the field Of
| Cnn.rcras. "South Carolina will do her
| duty, General" was the brief bat charac
teristic reply Of onr Butler. Thus they
! parted never TO meet again upon earth.
The battle at the Convent and bridge
was wagiug hotter and hotter. The mus.
kerry, and cRnuouading were terrific, and
our boys Ionged to march TO the fight,
I which was raging so tearIully. The or
]
was promptly obeyed.
| Our brigade was ordered to file past
! the troops which were engaged at the
/ tetd pont. and take position near the
( hascienda de las Porlaes, in order to cut
off the retreat Of the enemy. After
i winding march of more than mile, from
/ San Angel, we found ourselves near the
edge Of large field, which WAS damp
aud boggy. Here, to our surprise, as
well as to the surprise of our command
/ ing Generals, we found over four thou.
sand Mexican trOops-among them the
celebrated Polque Guards, composed of
dandies and rich mems sons residing in
: the city of MeXico-we.l entrenched, ana
protected by hedge OF Poque plant,
who at once opened n sharp fire upon us,
which mumeptarily increased. AS we
were marching by faux, it became ne
cessary TO execute "A movement before
/ we could meet our foes. The order "on the
right by file into line" was extended. and
never was this order 80 promptly filled"
under so CALLING fire. We then advan-
ced upon the Mexicans. Every step we
fall, for the FIRE Of the eLemy was very
deadly. The air seemed lhi,k with lead
en- messengers OF death, which told ter
rible effect upon our lines, but still the
Regiment dvamced. NolIey after volley
were poured through our ranks IN rapid
succession, causing us to wave TO and fro
like stalks Of wheat in wind storm, but
! all
after color bearer would fall, but ere they
touched the earth. their flags were seen
waving proudly Ger our heads. The
voice Of our Butler could be heard high
above the horEid norss a9d dia Of battle,
urging us on to victory or to death. Cen
eral Shields finding it impossible To out
flank the enemy, determined to pierce TO
their centre by the hayonet. Orders were
extended 20 file to the right, and take po.
sition in rear Of the hacienda for the pur.
| pose Of establishing a new line. The
left wing Of our regiment, not hearing the
order and seeing the right wing filing off,
supposing that the latter had come to the
conclusion that discretion WAS the better
part Of valor" had fed. The officers OF
/ Sho iot "HiR suOutlhB iOHblJ w 'neH
command to stand, 'or die in their tracks,
while Ihe subalterns swore like "oUt ar.
my in Flanders" :aat they would never
leave the field alive. The command was
extended however, and soon the left wing
fled off. Here, new line was formed,
the Palmettoes being the base, and again
we were ordered TO advance. BY this
time we were encircled on three sides by
blood thirsty foe who were pouring a
terribie-oh, how terrihle,-fre upon us,
which was committing havoc in our ranks
So terrible and so deadly was it. that the
other Regiment composing our Brigade
adopted FslIs,aff's plan 10 get out Of it
and either "played dead" or showed US
the color Of their pants under their coat
tails. General Shields then turned to us
and in a tone Of voice which betrayed
deep emotion, said "Palmettoes | have
ayerv cnn6datca in your yallantry I whf