Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-05-03

ANcfCl Cttu iQl SsOu oislp WCdi WoISjl1iiS,3
out its prolonged anxiety was as nothing to
the dreadful feeling of suspense we 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 at the 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.
eTake tree,m whispered Bowie to me,
stake a tree, the nearest one to our breast
work that you can"
A cool breeze fans our fevered cheeks, the
dense mass of vapor rolls up as a curtain;
there stand the horses fully revealed, there
are the cannons, there the gunners whirling
their matches, there the trumpeter with his
instrument already at his lips to sound the
charge All this we saw, but only saw it, for
at this very instant the matches were ex-
tended towards the cannon, the horsemen
drove their long rowels deep into the horses
sides, but ere the iron storm burst forth, ere
the horses had made the first leap, or the
trumpeter blown his first note, stentofian
voice from our ranks shouted "Fire!"
Down went horse and rider, down gunner
and trumpeter, and rifle ball and grape shot
met careering in nidair. The confusion in
their ranks was Undesirable. Checked in
full career the horses wheeled and ran; every
man at the guns was shot down, and for a
moment we thought that the contest was
over. But no; they knew our numerical
weakness too well, and having again formed,
here they came dashing up in splendid style.
The strife was now to obtain the mastery of
the artillery We dared not take them and
determined that they should not
''Give it to them in the face and eyes,
boys!" shouted Bowie; ''never mind their
backs"
Up they came, and just as the 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 bold attempt to withdraw the cannon
without our line of fire, and here more cour-
age was exhibited than l have ever seen in
Mexicans SINCE They surrounded the guns,
dismounted some men and absolutely gave us
a harmless salute, but again every artillery
man bit the dust.
The enemy, forced to abandon their field
pieces, once more ret1eated, and their officers
evidently held a long and warm consultation,
in full sight but out of our line Of fire. Some
of our men 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 quite 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
ID l.,
''Steady, boys, steady! wait your timer
We did; and l 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 MANTLE sergeant
major-dropped from his horse, hammer in
hand, and endeavored to spike one of tho
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 disheartened and cut up not one
of us would have lived to tell the tale, but all
the fight was fairly taken out of our foes.
The field was won with no greater loss
upon our side than two men slightly wound
ed. Bowie approached me.
Colonel" said he, II believe this Is your
first fight What tree did you takeg'
81 could not tell for the life Of me-" said I.
"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. ga pretty shield for 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, we threw them into the river, carried
off the ammunition, and made the best of our
way back to Burlison's camp.-The True Flag.