The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-04-24
LAMBERTvILLE, N J., WEDNESDAY, APRIL a. 1889

little past when we were first alarmed, the
ruddy tint impaired to tho dense mass OF
vapor now told us plainly that the sun was
rising.
Never can forget that weary watching,
but its prolonged anxiety was as nothing to
the dreadful feeling of suspense VIC expe-
rienced when the fog commenced lifting, and
we could see the feet of the horses and the
lower part Of the wheels of the artillery At
this moment word was whispered cautiously
through the ranks for each man to pick out
his mark and to fire from rest ut tho word
Of command Higher and higher the fog drew
up. 1t was evident that the decisive moment
was at hand. Officers passed in front of the
line of horses issuing orders.
Take tree,m whispered Bowio to me,
"take tree, the nearest ono to our breast
work that you CAM
A cool breeze fans our fevered checks, the
dense mass of vapor rolls up as n curtain;
there stand tho horses fully revealed, there
are the cannons there tho gunncrs whirling
their matches, there tho trumpeter with his
instrument already at his lips to sound tho
charge. All this we saw but only saw it, for
at this very instant the matches were ex-
tended towards the cannon, tho horsemen
drove their long rowels deep into the horses
Sides but ere tho iron atornas tsssst fortAas eru
the horses had made the first leap, or the
trumpeter blown his first note, a stentorian
voice from our ranks shouted "Firels
Down went horse and rider, down gunner
and trumpoter, and rifle ball and grape shot
met careering in midair. The confusion in
their ranks was indescribable Checked in
full career tho horses wheeled and ran; every
man at the guns was shot down, and for a
moment VIC thought that the contest was
over. But no; they knew our numerical
weakness too well, and having again formed,
hero they came dashing up in splendid style,
The strife was now to obtain tho mastery of
the artillery. We dared not take them and
determined that they should not.
"Givo it to them in the face and eyes,
boysin shouted Bowie; ',never mind their
backsn
Up they came, and just as tho leading
squadron reached the guns down went every
man of the front rank, and away went the
rest
Another charge, and the same result; then
came n bold attempt to withdraw tho cannon
without our limo of fire, and here moro cour-
age was exhibited than l have over seen in
Mexicans since. They surrounded tho guns,
dis!nounted some mon and absolutely gavo us
a harmless salute, but again every artillery
man bit tho dust,
Tho enemy, forced TO abandon their field
pieces, once more retreated, and their officers
evidently held long and warm consultation,
In full sight, but out of our line of fire Some
of our mon wished to make rush for the
cannon, but to have been caught upon the
prairie would have been their destruction,
and the proposition was decidedly overruled.
The enemy were in trouble; the men had
apparently had quito enough of It, and we
could see the officers whipping them into the
ranks with their swords.
On they came again, and as they drew
near Bowels voice is heard once more,
"Steady, boys, steady wait your timel"
We did; and firmly believe that three out
of four OF our shots told. The destruction
was awful; no Mexican could stand it. As
they broke in confusion, a man-the sergeant
major--dropped from his horse, hammer in
hand, and endeavored to spike ono of the
guns He fell, shot through the head. Our
men, no longer to be restrained, now dashed
out upon the prairie, seized the guns and the
fight was over.
HAD they done this before the enemy were
thoroughly aisheartened and cut up not ono
of us would have lived TO tell the tale, but all
- ssg1t was fairly taken out OF our foes.
E1'ho field was won with no greater loss
upon our sido than two men slightly wound
cd. Bowie approached me.
Colonel said he, ~ believe this is your
FIRST fight What tree did you takeF'
~ could not tell for the life OF me- said l.
"Well, come with me, and I'll show it to
you" he answered; and, taking me few
steps, pointed out a sapling about six inches
through. "a pretty shield for n full grown
man." said he, and thought SO, too.
We did not wait for another visit from our
Mexican friends but, having spiked the can
non, wo threw them into the river, carried
off the ammunition, and made the best of our
way back to Burlison's camp, Tho True Flag.