Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-03

aster would have ensured his dismissal from
the army. He had about 400 picked men OF
his command detailed, and after quietly in
forming them what he proposed TO do, he
found every man eager for the adventure.
Putting himself at the head of the little
column, he silently left the American lines,
and, favored by the darkness of the night,
approached close to the walls of the city
without discovery. The sentinels could be
plainly seen on the walls, and the cry,
"SeHtiHdle al,It, :" was heard as it passed
from mouth to mouth. Guided by the lad
the party scaled the wall at favorable place,
and seIzing two or three of the astounded
sentinels descended into the city, and quick
ly made their way unopposed through the
streets to the house to which the lad had
guided them. The boy ran in and informed
the ladies that deliverance had come; they
hastily collected a lew valuables and articles
of wearing apparel in bundle. and placing
the rescued party i'll the centre ofthe column
Shields started TO return. But meantime the
alarm had been given, and drums were beat
ing and lanterns clashing all around the
walls Arrived near the point OF entrance,
1t was found that the whole open place be-
tween the houses ana the wall was filled with
Mexican infantry and artillery. Shields ILL
stantly deployed and gave the command to
fire. A rattling vollcy followed by bayonet
charge, threw the MeNicans into disorder,
and the Americans rushed through anl over
them with their little party. made their way
out and returned to their own camp with but
few casualties, although they drew the fire
of both sides on their return, for the Ameri-
can camp was now aroused and the pickets
were firing rapidly. But the tumult soon
ceased on both sides, the adventurous SOL
diers returned to their quarters MS though
nothing had happened ont of the usual
course, and the ladies were safely bestowed
for the night in hut made as comfortable
as possible.
How he was called upon to account for
this nights work will be best told in General
Shields own language
"The next morning an officer of General
SCOTS staff came to my quarters with a
message from the general that he would like
TO know the cause of the previous nights
alarm, as it originated in that part of the
line which was under my command. | an
swered that would report in person, which
l at once did. On the way | thought the
matter over. and concluded that it would be
best to make a clean breast of it, and | did
so. The story threw General Scott into
tremendous rage. Ever since Cerro Gordo
"'n iOuSnl He Hdtl huuttSStu my US hN
Cerro Gordo friend, but he now dropped
that familiar name. General Shields, he
thundered, you are insubordinate and reck-
less in the highest degree. You have put in
peril the fruits of the whole campaign; you
have. perhaps, frustrated all my plans for the
capture of the City of Mexico Sir. I'll dis
grace you; I'll court-martial you, and have
you dismissed from the servicer At this my
temper rose, and answered him plainly
that he might court-martial me, and perhaps
get me dism ssed, but after all that had oc-
CURED on this campaign, neither he nor any
other man could disgrace me and being by
this time pretty well stirred up, l said that
under like circumstances | would do pre-
cisely the same thing over again. Instead of
being more angry, the general was rather soft
ened by this speech. i was wrong, General
Shields, he said, in saying that would dis
grace you; | ask your pardon for that. You
are brave man, and disgrace is not the word
TO use toward you. But you are greatly to
blame in this matter, sir. You have acted
without orders, and have imperiled the whole
campaign. General Scott | said, before
you say anything more about it, suppose you
come over to my quarters and see these
ladies'. After some further talk he promised |
to do so, and rode back to my tent pretty |
we'll satisfied that l should have no further |
trouble with the affair. In an hour over |
came General Scott. and | at once intro |
iuced him to the ladies. The daughter was |
, picture of beauty, with her golden curls |
md her blue eyes; and after the mother had |
honked the general for their preservation
With fearful eyes and trembling voice, the
,irl seized his hands. wept over them, called
aim her preseryer, and invoked the blessings |
'f heaven on his head. Scott looked from
ler to me with a very benevolent face, and
said: We'll, my Cerro Gordo friend, if You
get court-martialed for this, / shall have you
too | have only to add that long
fterward, when the war was over, and We
lad returned to the United States, received
rom England, the gift of these ladies,a cost
diamond pin as a token of their graft
ude."