Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-02-04
Written for the Iron County Register.
The Volunteers in Mexico.
BY AN OLD MEXICAN VETERAN.

BY AN OLD MEXICAN VETERAN.
1t was thus Monterey FELL, with all
the Mexican army, military stores and
vast quantity of arms. On the 26th
the Mexican army marched out. Gen.
Taylor, for what reason do not know,
allowed them to take battery of light
artillery. The realer will have MOTTO
ed that have said nothing about the
Mexican loss, simply because I knew
nothing about it. saw but few dead
Mexicans, however; in fact, in the
south part OF the city am inclined to
think their loss was very light, owing
doubtless to the fact that they fought
altogether behind stone walls. On the
north side, and especially the Satillo
r'ad. Worth reported the Mexican loss
very heavy. Late in the evening of
the 9th we marched out of the city
and back to our camp at Walnut
ISprings, we'll satisfied that the fight
was over.
have said that Gen. Ampudas con-
centrated his forces iE ana around the
"Black Fort" Oh the nigh: OF the 23d
to make . final stand. Now, I will
state how we got our information.
When Gen. Taylor took Camargo he
found man by the name of Baker
who was a doctor by profession; ne
said that he was born and raised in
Nashville, Tenn, but had lived in
Mexico for several years, and could
now speak the Mexican language as
fluently as his owr. Taylor employed
him as an interpreter, and he remain
ed with him as long as we were with
the army. He claimed to be neutral,
carried no arms, went among the Mex
leans when he pleased, and doubtless
his sympathles were with them. It is
altogether likely he gave them valua-
| BILE information in regard to the move
ments OF our army. But he was also q
useful man to US, as he knew all the
| roads, and could tell all about the
towns Oh our route, and inform us in
regard to the watering places, explain
the Mexican talk to the General, etc.
He was great talker, himself, and
when not engaged at headquarters, he
spent most of his time with the Ten
nessce Regiment, as he claimed to be
native Tennessean. Well, he it was
that told us that Gen. Amrudas still
wanted to defend Monterey, and if the
Governor had not iuterfered he would |
have done so, and that Gen. Taylor
would have lost half of his army in
storming the "Black Fort" that AM
pudas was brave man and great
general, but the Governor-he called
his name, but have forgotten twas
a coward. In fact, he boasted SO much |
about Ampudas and the Mexican sol.
diers, that some of the boys gave | in
to understand that he had better find
something else to talk about. His story
about the Mexican army being ready
to give US battle on the Oath was gem
orally "blowed," and some fellow who |
had a knack Of rhyning, composed a
few verses on the subject and sent them
home where they were published in
paper called the Cough and Ready,
copies of which were sent to some of
the officers. They were something
like the following:
Ampudas in astonishment
To his officers he said,
"Those fellows act like devils
For nothing do they dread
They raise their flag before our eyes,
And give such daring cheers
never saw such men as these
They call the Volunteers.
"Thcy came bare headed, bare. footed,
Ragged, and every way
Inever saw such soldiers, sir,
AS we have fought to-day!
ssTbey cannot be Americans,
But some Northern race
They rush into the cannon's mouth,
And laugh death in the face"
But he waved his sword above his head
And shouted, "Victory?'
To encourage his poor soldiers
To fight another day.
Gen. Taylor agreed that he would
not move his army for the space of
eight weeks, or in other words, there
was an armistice agreed upon, that
hostilities should cease for that length
OF time, unless either of the govern
ments should order otherwise. But as
eoop a. or1r uovarnmant af WaahinU.i