The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-04

building il in modern style aud taste conbin-
ing comfort with oriental splendor. We me-
with no water at all on this days march whicl
though short one, was accompanied with nr
unusual amount of fatigue and suffering thlrst
At p. m. our wearied column brought up n,
the Plan del Rio. n large water course span
ned by noble bridge. A number of filthy
sheds and abdobe novels were crowded will
the wounded and dying of our army. They
were well nursed and attended to, as exist
ing circumstances would admit Of yet they
were sadly in want Of many little extra COM
forts, which it WAS impossible to procure for
them If there is any human being on earth
who is really deserving Of more care and sym.
pathy than another it is a poor wounded SOL
der was agrecably surprised to find them
SO cheerful. In brief intervals Of pain, they
loved to talk of their homes, and the joys that
awaited their unexpected return. From them
CLEANED many interesting incidents touching
the recent battle, and which have largely
drawn on, IN the succeeding pages In one
corner lies poor fellow of the Ith illinois Reg.
iment) whose valor records sal.,cninr tale
Ilie fncc, arms and shoulders burnt to black
ness. having received the forcmos, in the as
sault the full discharge Of the cnemy's guns
Many were the stories which cnc, one had 10
relate how they had toiIcl up the rugged
mountains. side by side in bravirg the ,c,nrcst
OF shet and cannon balls hurled upon their dc
fensele.s bosome. Near the village church are
100 newly made graves Officers and Privates
regular and volunteer soldiers are laid side by
side, Us they had fallen upon the battle field
IN ha |, ult tl,n Ann III, =.
Twiggs in the advance. became concentrated
here, and after n brisk encounter drove in all
the encmy's out posts, which Immediately
followed by close reconnaissance of their pos.
iton. On the l7th. fcint made against
the enemy's left, which led to further and more
perfect obscrvnti"ns of their dcfcnces. In this
affair some ritlrmcn and light tr""s only We're
engaged native writer in nlludng to it says "it
ls remarkable that our arms are always more
successful when the Americans only trying
our strength" On the night Of the l7,h the
army lubored incessanty. the mountain silc
was leveled down; fathorniess raw ines were
crossed, nn'! deep g"rycs were filled up to al
low q passage for the trains. An emnencc
which comm andel the eneny's work on the
right was mounted with heavy ordinance.
On the morning of the 18Th, the battle COM
menced, and for three long hours, the longest
that time ever told, it was sustained on both
sides with equal courage. On the right of the
road was a steep mounta in called The Cerro
Gordo" or large hill its summit was crowned
with strong works constructed similar to n tow
er. This position was hanked by deep ravines
and inaccessible cliffs, and supported by re
rypqI ICn fan
mys camp. On the left was a series of precip-
itous heights. protected also by strong works
redoubts and an overwhelming furcc of infantry
Thrown across the road and collateral TO the
works was a field battery ; supported by in
fantry and 1000 cavalry held in reserve The
WOODS had been cleaned away and for two
miles in front Of these defcnccs presented a
broad level thoroughfare, along which our
troops were compelled to commence the at
tack. The enemy agreeably to their own ac-
count numbered l50D0 men. The American
army amounted to $4,000, the greater part of
whom were raw volunteers. The attack was
commenced on the right, designed against the
Cerro Gordo; and Gen. Shields led the charge
against the field battery. On the left Gen. |
Pillows division Of volunteers encountered n |
masked battery and were Literally cut to pieces. |
The assaultng columns headed by IIarney
Shields. Pillow and II host Of Others mingled |
with the fire. smoke, and carnage of battle. |
rushed furiously to the charge. Simultaneous |
ly the enernys works were assniled by these
daring men. who though in some instances thew
were borne back by the terrific stream of
death hurled against them, rallied again to the
charge and bearing their unpro lected bosoms
to the dire storm, once more nerved their arms |
for deadly struggle. The onset was irresis- |
Noie; the enemy were forced from their posi-
zion at the point Of the bayonet. and down the |
steep declivties their crowded masses were bur.
leo. Their own guns the mean time turned
against them, and awful was the destruction
that ensued. That noble Regiment ofmount.i
rihemen won in this days battle. never FADING
lAurels. An important position was ASSIGNED
chem, and never did Kentucky rifles tell with
better effect. Placed in ambush in a mountain
gorge supported bya single gun, they hur.
led destruction into the thickest ranks of the
enemy. body of chosen men, the national
troops Of Mexico endeayored to dislodge them
A6m their position. Three times did these vet
eran troops rally to the charge and each
time were driven back, shattered and torn to
fragments, while the ri6epen stood firm and
ninmoved like the mountain rocks that fanked
their position. The ravine was choked up with
thS dead and dying Of the national guards, the
flower Of the Mexican army. +
The victory was complete; Col Harney pur-
snsd them with the cayalry, almost ID the gates
ofyalsPa The enemy lost everstbieg +: 5000
prisoners laid down their arms, and upwards
OF 4QO ~ dead upon the field Of battls.' Among
the latter was Gen. Vasquoz and Lieut., Holt,
nnger. Santa Anna barely escaped with his
life.. having lsft all his Private baggage and
anilitasy chest filled with specia Our loss
amounted to 400 killed and wounded /; Brigs, +
der General Shields fell elJ,wounded.al- l.
Acstst The momsnt ofsgiotory., Lisuts. scott.
,fSYssdsn, JoAaseh sad Murphy ofsSe An Ili.
nois Regimsns ii I'm sespectissis ssiis = ss5s6ssd
Of their edhaatiis& kisgteTho RySn ofIsl