The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-08-21
Ew BLOOMFIELD, Pa TUESDAY, AUGUST a. 1877


them down again.
" But those two pieces did excellent
service against the astonished Mexicans
that day, and they were got down again
afterward."
AN INCIDENT.
Gen. Santa Anna was In command of
the Mexicans at Cerro Gordo. He was
utterly defeated and compelled to re-
treat, with heavy losses in prisoners, ma
terial, and killed and wounded. Shields
was dangerously wounded in the fight,
and of course left behind at Jalapa.-
When he became convalescent he was
informed that lady living opposite the
house where he lay had been very kind
and attentive, and had been of much
help to his attendants. AS soon as he
was allowed to walk out he went out to
thank her, when he learned to his sur
prise that she was daughter of Santa
Anna. In the course of conversation
that followed, he remarked:
" But did you know who it was that
you were ministering to all this time ?"
" Not at first" she replied. "I dis
covered after time that you were Gen.
Shields, who heard was killed.
C Perhaps, had you known at the first
that l was one who had large share in
defeating you father, you would not
have relieved me-"
She drew herself up with the air of an
old Castillian. "Sir,' she said, chad
you with your own hand killed my
father in fair fight = in fair fight 4
would have done for you in your ex-
tremity just as much as L now have.n
And she looked it as well as spoke it.
MAGRUDER AND THE GUERRILLA.
1t was during this campaign, and
about this time, that an incident occur
red which the lecturer very humorously
described, but which is here greatly alb
bleviated. Gen. John b. Magruder, of
| subsequent Confederate fame, was then
an officer in our Army, and plumed
himself highly on his horsemanship.
One day he rode across the square on
| superb black animal that he had lust
bought for high price, and came to the
|
latter mightsee and admire his purchase.
| The curvetting of the steed and the
bearing of the rider drew crowd into
the square, and presently there were a
thousand or more soldiers, citizens, and
army followers of all kinds, watch
ing and admiring "Jack Magruder''
show off. After time, when Magruder
had stopped moment, one of the Mex
leans came up to him, patted and prais-
ed the horse, and told the officer that he
| rode almost as well as an inhabitant of
the country.
Almost!" Maeruder cried. &C can
ride as well as any Mexican. Show me
one who can ride better:n
Nay" said the Mexican, "you claim
too much. You ride well, but it is not
possible that you can know our horses
quite as well as we do"
Magruder insisted, and, growing warm
offered to bet dozen doubloons that he
could ride his horse better than the other
could. The Mexican objected; said he
did not like to bet and did not like to
show off his horsemanship in public, but
at last, as Magruder grew more urgent,
he reluctantly consented, and the mon
ey was put up in the hands of another
Mexican. For judges, an American was
chosen by Magruder, Mexican by his
adversary, and the two together chose
for the third Frenchman. Then Ma
gruder put his horse through his PAGES,
first walking round the square, then
trotting, then galloping, and, finally,
putting the animal to top speed, with
magnificent burst that drew cheers and
hand-clapping from the crowd. After
a few moments the Mexican came for
ward for his trial Without touching
his hands to the animal he vaulted on
his back and went through with precise
ly the same performance as had Magru-
der, and really approved himself the
accomplished horseman of the two. Ma
gruder himself Joined in the applause,
and acknowledged frankly that he was
fairly beaten. The Mexican smiled and
bowed, and said, "Now, if the Senior
will wait moment, will show him
feat of horsemanship the like of which
he has never seen."
Magruder consented, and the Mexican
rode half way round the square; and
then putting spurs to the horse disap-
peared in a twinkling.
What the d does that mean 20
said the owner of the horse.