River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-09-05
DEATH OF YOUNG HENRY CLAY
BY GEORGE LiPPARD.

1t was near the setting of the sun, when
the men of Palo Alto, Resecs de la Palma
and Monterey saw the clouds come down
on the charge of Buena Vista, that a
splendid scene worthy of the days OF
Washington. closed tae day in glory.
Do you behold that dark rsvine, deep
sunken between those precipitous banksi
Here no sunlight comes, for the walls OF
rock wrap up the pass in eternal twilight
Wlthered trees grew between masses OF
granite, and stone make The bed Of the
ravine uncertain and difficult for the
| tread.
Harki That cry, that rushes like 8
mountain torrent bursting its barriers
and quick as the lightning flashes from
darkness, the dismal ravine is bathed in
battle light From its nothern extremity
confused band Of Meyicans, an array in
itself, came yelling along the pass, tread
ing one another down as they fly; their
banners, spears. horses and men tossed
/ together in inextTicable confusion.
BY thousands they rushed into the
/ shadow Of the pass. their dark faces red
/ dened with the heated blaze of musketry
/ The caverns of the rayine send back the
roar Of the panic, ana the gray r7cks are
| washed with their blood.
| Bnt the little band who pursues this
army who are thegl You may see in
their firm. heroic ranks the volunteer
costume of Illinois and Kentucky. Al
their head. urging his men with shouts
rides the gallant Mckee: by his side
/ yopno Henry Clay, that broad forehead
which reminds GU of his father, bathed
in the glare, as his sword quivers on nigh
ere it falls 10 kilt. There, too. wlld
/ figure. red with his own blood and The
/ blood of his Mexican foes. his uniform
rent in tatteTs, his shoulders striking ter
rible blows with his good sword-Hardln,
of Illinois gallantIy forward
The small bat iron band hurt lie Mex
leans rom the height in the ravine, and
follow up the chase far down into the
eternal twilight of that mountain ass.
Look As their musketry streams its
steady blaze, you would think th,t g
ceaseless sheet of lightning hathed these
rocks in flames,
Over TIE Mexicsns, men and horses
hurried back IN mad disorder, the Amer
leans dash on their way, never needing
the overwhelming numbers Of their foes,
never needing the palpitating forms be
meath their feet with bayohet and sword
they press steadily on, their well known
banner ever streaming overhead
The howl of the dying war-horse-
harxl Does it not chill your blood 10
hear il. The horrible cry Of the wound
ed man, with the horses hoof upon his
mouth, irafnping his face TO a hideous
wreck does not sicken your soul TO hear
it.
hundred yards or more into the pass
the Americans had penetrated, when sud
denly q Young Mexican, rushing back,
opens their ranks raises the fallen flag Of
Alahanac and d8shes to death.
To see him, Young and beardless, very
boy, rush with his country's flag with
barred breast upon that line Of sharp steel
lit was sigat 10 stir towards into man
hood. and it Shot into Mexican hearts like
an electric flame.
Even in their panic-stricken disorder
they rallied by hundreds, they grasped
arms and rolled into one long wave OF
lances and bayonets upon the foe. Woe
to the brave men of Illinois and kentucky
Locked in that deadly pass, wall Of IN
furiated MexicBns between them and that
wall Of rocks, above their heads, through
every aperture among the cliffs, the blaze
II muskefs pouring a shower of bullets
in their faoes-wheneve they turned the
long and deadly lance pointed at their
throats II ia moment TO think once
of home die.
Those who survived that fearful mo
ment tell with shudderng triumph the
deeds Of sEree heroes Mckee, Hardin
and Clay.
Mckee, you see yonder with lis SHAT
tered sword dripping with blood, he en-
deayars to ward of those deadly lances,
and fights on his kneps when be chr
srand no longer, ana then the bat
ants close over him, and you see him no
more
Hardin arose from heap Of slaughter
ed dead. his face streaming from its Lid
eous lance wounds, and waved Mexican
TAP il triumph, as his lile-blood rushes
ID D to4ent over has muscular form.
Then hingIDg ms captured hag to a
brother soldier, Give ii to Der as me-
morial Of Buena Vista Ny wife, II was
his last words. Upon his barred breast
the fury of ten lanees, and the horses
hoofs tramped him into the heap Of the
dead.
But most sad and yet most glorievs Of
al was 10 see the death of the second
Henry Clay.
You shonld have seen him, with his
back against yonder rock. his sword
grasped firmly as the. consciousness that
be bore name that must not die inglori-
ously, seemed 10 fill his every vein, and
dart deadly FIRE from ms eyes.
At that time lie looked like al old
man.
For his brow, high and retreating, with
the blgod-elotted hair. waving hack from
he outline, was swollen in every vein as
though his soul shone from ii ere ii fed
forever. Lips set, hrows knit, hands firm
Ia circle Of men fighting round him, he
dashed into tHe Mexicans until hia sword
was wet, aad his arms weary with bl Cd
At last, with his thigh spiintcred by
ball, he gathered his proud .urm to its
full height and fell Eis face ashy with /
intense agony, he babe nie comrades 20 |
leave hl1n there to die That ravine |
should be the bed Of his glory.
But gathered around him a guard 81 /
breasts Of steel, while two Of has com
rades bore him slaBg These men IF (
Kentacky fought round their fallen hero,
and, as refreadng step Ivy step they /
launched their swords and bayonets into
the faces of their enemies, and said with /
i blow, 'sHenry ClByi'
II was wonderful to zee now that name I
1erved their arms, and called smile I
o the face Of tbs dying hero. Howl