The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-08-09

GEN. eANTA ANNA'S DAUGHTER- y ~.
Gen. Santa AnEa was in command "
the Mexicans at Ccrro Gor(lo. He was
utterly defeated and compelled to retreat,
with heavy losses, in prisoners, material
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 iwas allowed to walk out he
! went to thank her, when he learned to his
surprise that she was daughter OF Santa
Anna. In the course Of the conversation
that followed, he remarked: h
ssBut did you know who 1t was that
ron we're ministering to all this time ~
:, I: Not at hrst," she replied. !" dis
covered after time that you were Gen.
Shields, who I had heard was killed"
!" Perhaps, had you known at the first
that was one who had large share in
defeating your father, you would not have
relieved me ?" .a.ss !,
She drew herself up with the air of an
old Castilian. 8 Sir,' she said, had you
With your own hand killed my father in
fair fieht-in fair fight-I would have
done for you in your extremity. just as
mach as I now have And she looked
it as wei as spoke it.
MAaRUDER AND rHE GUERR1LfiAs
Itwas during this campaign, and about
this time, that an incident occurred which
the lecturer very humorously described,
but which Is here greatly abbreviated.
Gen John B. Magruder, Of subsequent
Confederate fame, was then an officer in
our army, and plumed himself highly on
his horsemanship. On day he rode across
the square on superb black animal that
he had just bought for high price, and
came to the window by which Shields lay,
that the latter might see and admire his
purchase. The curveting of the steed and
the bearing of the rider drew a crowd into
the square, and presently there were a
thousand or more soldiers, citizens and
army followers of all kinds watching and
admiring ssJack Magruder' show off.
After time, when Magruder had stopped
moment, one of the Mexicans came up
to him, patted and praised the horse, and
told the officer that he rode almost as well
as an inhabitant of the country.
"Almostp' Magruder cried. 81 can
ride as well as any Mexican. Show me
one who can ride better.".
Nay" said the Mexican, "you claim
too much. You ride well, but it is moi
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 money was
put up in the hands of another Mexican.
For Judges, an American was chosen by
Magruder, a Mexican by his adversary,
and the two together chose for the third a
Frenchman. Then Magruder put his
horse through his PAGES, first walking
around the square, then ,trotting, then
galloping, and finally putting the animal
to top speed, with magnificent burst
that drew cheers and d-clappings from
the crowd. After a few moments the
Mexican came forward for trial. With
out touching his hands to the animal
he vaulted on his back and went
through with precisely the same per.
formance as had Magruder, and really
proved himself to be the more accom-
plished horseman Of the two. Magruder
himself Joined In the applause, and adj
mitted frankly that he was fairly beaten.
The Mexican smiled and bowed, and
said q Now, if the Senior will wait a
moment l will show him feat of horse
manship the like of which he has never
seem"
Magruder 4assented, and the Mexican
rode half way round the square, and then
putting spurs to the horse, disappeared IN
twinkling. ;..s- .ol .,,4s
"What the dickens does that mean -
said the owner of the horse. A
81 only know one man who can ride
like that said bystander, g and that is
Molino" II 5..s0.f--
"Molino, the guerrilla?" groaned Ma
gruder. fs,i s
seThe same, sir. don't think you'll
ever see your horse again.'' isoH
He never did and the Mexican whe
held the stakes. had also disappeared
probably one Of Molino's men. Magrudel
never heard the last Of this exploit among
I his BROTHER officers, and while hisavexa
ton lasted he declared that he was " ths
biggest fool in the American Army