The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-04-03
NOBLE TRAITS IN GENERAL LANES
CHARACTER.

The suboined extracts, which copy from a
work published in 1854, entitled General Lanes
Brigade in Central Mexico" by Albert g. Bracket,
NJ d.. late an officer in the T. S. Volunteer Service,
indicate that the "Marion of the Mexican War"
was noble and kind-hearted, as we'll brave and
daring:
A little after noon on the 1st of October, our
force left Jaapa in one OF the hardest rains ever
witnessed We were accompanied by Maj. Lays
command, with the exception of Captain Fairchild's
company of Louisiana cavalry, and the sick and
wounded which were left behind The rain fell
in torrents, and after crossing high ridge near
the city, and coming into valley, we found the
whole face of the country completely inundated.
1t seemed like entering great lake, and the water
on the road was foot or eighteen inches deep.
The men marched sulenly along, shielding their
muskets as we'll as they could with their jackets
and blankets The cavalry was pitiful sight,
and their blue overcoats were dripping wet.
Before night we came upon high ground, and
commenced the ascent of the steep and rocky
Cordiera mountains. which are connecting link
between the Andes Of South America and the
Rocky Mountains No sound broke the stiffness,
save the clinking Of our accoutrements and the
rough jolting of the baggage-wagons and the
artillery carriages, as they crushed under their
wheels the stones which lay in our road.
Darkness came upon suddenly, and without
tents or fires we halted to spend the night. Our
men had taken the precaution. before leaving
Jalapa, to put four days provisions in their
haversacks and now in the darkness they prepared
to eat their suppers. 1t most gloomy, and
perhaps body of men never underwent greater
exposure.
1t was at this spot an occurrence took place
which goes further to illustrate Gen. Lanes
character than a hundred long-winded speeches.
Lane had in common with most of the officers, no
I
a party ofsoldiers no were eating and asked them
for something to eat. They supposed he an
old soldier by his dress, which blue overcoat
and black hat, and unceremoniousy told him to
leave, that they would not give him any. One of
the soldiers, knowing Gen. Lanes voice, told his
comrades, in whisper, that 1t was General Lane
Immediately two or three of them stepped forward
and offered their bread and beef to him. He
would not accept any, saying at the same time to
thenI-"I do not wish your food, and will not
accept it. When you supposed | was a poor,
hungry soldier you would not give any; but
when you found that | a general, you were
perfectly willing to share with me- | am no better
than any other old soldier" This was severe
rebuke and the men felt it keenly They were
always afterwards ready to share their last crust
with any
While at La IIoya a party of our soldiers
assembled hi 9Th aud rocky emneuce to the left of
our bivouac, and found on the summit little plat
of ground which poor Mexican had cultivated in
order to raise enough to support himself, his
wife and children. The corn was Immediately
seized by our hali-famshed soldiers, and in spite
OF The pitifu appeals of the old Mexican, and the
tears ohis nisos carried it off to the fires speedi
ly devuured it. In the morning the Mexican came
down and laid his grievances before Gen. Lane,
who ordered the quarter master to pay him. Il
have paid him. said the quarter master, "the
L !
said the general; and turning to abide camp,
he ordered him to go to his trunk and get fifty
dollars of his own private money, which he paid
over to the poor old Mexican, who went away
breathing blessings upon the name Of the brave
and generous commander.