Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-06-28

Captain Jones at the prospect of our soon
locking horns with the yellow-skins,' 81
as he facetiOusly expressed it. He was
seen every where among his men, exhort-
ing them to hasten their readiness, and
congratulating them upon the glorious
opportunity which would soon be afford
ed them for distinguishing themselves,
and, by their deeds of heroism, acquiring
for their company an enviable position in
the regiment to which they belonged.
During the march no officer was more
cheerful and sanguine of The results of
the fierce struggle in which we were ex-
pected to be engaged, before the walls of
the strongly defended city, than the hand
some and ardent Captain; nor were the
oft quoted remarks about "reveling in
the Halls of the Montezumas" oftener
heard than from his lips. In short, no
one could come in contact with him with
out Immediately experiencing the con-
fagious effects of his own manly and gal
liant bearing.
But alas for poor Capt Jones, his cour-
age did not long remain at the sticking
point, after we arrived within sight of the
enemy. Our good General was so favora-
bly, impressed with his soldierlike appear
ance during the march, and the perfect
discipline of his men, that he selected him
with portion of his company, to form
reconnoitering party, which latter proceed
ing through the fields in the direction of
the enemy's outposts, was to examine the
position of certain covered batteries, and
to draw their fire, that we might know
how to direct our own. But, unfortu-
nately, just as the party had entered a
narrow gully in front of the works, he
was suddenly attacked with a violent
spasm of the stomach, which rendered it
impossible for him to proceed another
step.
This disease he declared he had had
several twin2es of before, and attributed
it to the peculiar character of the water of
the country. together with the fatigue of
his previous march. After directing his
lieutenant to conduct the reconnaissance,
as ordered by the General, Captain Jones
threw himself upon the ground, under
cover of the banks, and patiently awaited
the return of his men.
When they had accomplished their OBJ
ects, and returned to the gully, they
found the Captain now recovered, in per-
feet health and spirits; and returning at
their head, he reported the results of his
with so much minuteness
and apparent knowledge of the ground as
TO receive the special thanks of his COM
This duty was performed, as the gallant
Did General supposed, with SO much fear
essness and promptitude on the part of
Captain Jones, that he determined the
next morning, wfen the action COM
nenced in earnest, to give him, with his
regiment, a peculiarly honorable position
n the storming of the lower part of the
,ity.
With cool and manly bearing did this
-eally fine looking officer place himself at
he head of his brave men and move on
with his regiment. But scarcely had he
entered the outskirts of the suburbs, un-
Ter cover of congratulations and corn
fields, and attracted the fire of the enemy,
han he suddenly disappeared. There
vas no time to search for him, and his
lieutenant supposing that some casual
hot had struck him down, assumed the
command of the company and moved on
% the attack.
Most fearful was the havoc among our
noble fellows at this point; for the regi-
nents engaged in the focus of the cross
ire, which belched forth from those
masked batteries, suffered as no other
;roops did during that severely contested
,attle, and we surgeons found our hands
more than full in our attendance upon the
and dying.
About two hours after the advance of
he Blank regiment, soldier, whose duty
t was to attend the stretcher-bearers and
,ther assistants of the surgeons engaged
IN the field, came to me with request
hat would 60 Immediately with him
% a young officer who, dangerously
was lying in a house close at
land.
"Why did you not bring him to usY' 1
lsked.
''Oh, SIR" replied the soldier, she says
he is too badly hurt to be moved till he
las first seen you."
'Gs he bleeding much ?' inquired.
''Not much, that I could see, sir he
iays his hurt is internal"
So leaving our poor fellows, who were
leeding all our care and skill, and calling
% brother surgeon to take my place for
! few moments, went in search of the
officer. On entering the house
he man directed me to, found Captain
Zones lying apparently insensible on
blanket. A few stains of blood were
upon his face, and his white
inen trousers were considerably smeared
With dust and blood commingled as If he
iad drawn himself painfully over the un-
wen ground to his present shelter.
"My dear Captain" said 1, STOPPING
lpon one knee by his side, and raising his
head upon my hand, care you badly
lurt? Speak if you can," for I at once
perceived that he was breathing quite
''Tell me-" l continued,
where are you wounded?"
He could not speak, but placed his hand
lpon his breast.
'Let me examine" said /, as / tore
,pen his coat and, unbuttoning his shirt
BOSOM, passed my hand carefully over his
hest, exploring for gun-shot or confusion.
But my search was useless; l found
neither one nor the other.
NV examination seemed to have aroused
he Captain fromhis stupor, and, opening
lis eyes, he appeared for the first time to
ecognize me.
"Ah, my dear Doctor, is that you? How
lind you are! Tell me how long have
,een lying here q? But don't stay any
onger. Iknow my brave fellows, many
# them need your services. Hurry
If to them, pray, and let me die,
or I feel that / am past your help, Yes,