The National tribune., 1891-09-17
A Fight with Guerrillas.

lttuiHfVl
On the plaza OF Jalapa the hostile feeling
against the Yankees had its first outbreak. A
great crowd gathered about the red-shirted
horsemen rs we rode into the plaza on Sunday,
aud a rush was made by the mob TO dismount
Us and drive ms from our saddles. But vigor-
ous charge promptly made against the mob with
thrcatoping reyOlvers drove them back aud
gave safe escape 10 the hard oppressed hoTsemen.
Through the villages of the country parts we
were received by the Sfnords aud sctgritdS with
kindness, but by the males with frowns aud
threats, and with the significant gesture OF a
finger drawn across tho throat. In no place
were we safe from attack except i'm groups
which commanded safety aud respect To them
in their Ignorance we were still Yankees and
S1ldgd1s One night, little way beyond Jalapa,
eur entrance into one Of their walled towns
caused great excitement; general alarm was
ruug on the cathedral bells messengers rode
out in haste 20 alarm the surrounding hacien-
das, and natives ilocked into the town, two or
three mounted on the back of each mule, armed
with csrgpettes. But we remained close inside
the strong gates Of our hacienda, and, the eX-
citement subsidnE, we were allowed to leave
without an attack early the next day. Q
ln camping for the night, sentries were sta
toned, and picllets were posted, and the ami
mails were secured with lariats inside the
pickct-line, but sometimes when guerrillas
abounded in the center Of the camp. Once
only did these iddrOnCS make an open demon
stration. We were in q section OF country
covered with low bushes in which jack-rabbits,
wild turkeys, and other game were present.
No towns were near, and, feeling secure, large
part Of the company scattered in pursuit
of the game, hoping TO secure enough 10 nh our
cgmp-kettes on our next halt for we had been
some days on short rations. The Mexican
women were always friendly, aud presently
some were met on the trail, calling out to Us
" LadrOHes! ladrOneSl" and pointing forward
on our path. At this our stragglers were
called in. The robbers were n large band
Of wcll-mountcd and well-armcd men, aud
had filed across our road in the bed OF an
0rroya, or dry stream. To fight as a troop
Of cavalry with camp equipage and cooking
utensils dangling from our saddles, or % wait
a charge from them, would have been sure de-
feat. So ! dismounted part Of my troop. and
i'm platoons at double quick charged toward
the guerrillas Evidently a fight with the
hated Yankees i'm red shirts was not what they
desired, for as We came within short range
their leader gave the word "Namos," aud
away they gallopcd down the ravine helter-
skelter, aud we saw them no more. We GER
tainly were not a handsome crowd at this
time.
At National Bridge wo saw tho wreckage
and the unburied bopes Of that battlefield,
and looked with wonder upon the fortified
hight that guarded the entrance Of the almost
perpendicular nights up which Col. Harney's
dism0uutcd dragons worked thoir way with
the help Of bushes and props, and 10 which
they clung in the face Of a sweeping fire from
the Mexican batteries on its summit, which
they captured with a rush. turning their own
guns upon the artillerists as they ran down
the opposite size OF the hill. We feared having
20 force our way over this bridge, but were not
mOltsted.
Upon tho nights OF Cerro Gordo we camped
for our MONDAY meal. Upon its central battle
Held, where Santa Ana made his most stub
born fght we kindlod our campires, aud dip
ping water from its sunken pools covered with
Shiny green vegetation, we drank our coffee
under the shade Of the same trees where tho
desperately wounded lay 10 die, glad Of the
luxury Of that stagnant pool 10 quench their
thirst IL was the best those nights afforded
amid that deathly struggle. All around Us lay
scattered unc0fned bones, aud ghastly skulls
looked down upon us whore in mOckery they
had been secured among tho branches Of tho
trees, and everywhere earth aud trees aud
broken armament gave silent witness OF the
awful struggles of our little army. All the way
up the nights for miles the pine trees from the
roadside yet obstrUcted the National road as
they had been felcd 10 hinder the onward
march Of our soldiers, while from point to
point the Mexican troops and batteries were
rallied for another stand. We left the historic
spot with a triumphant three times three aud
with uncovered heads in honor Of both our dead
our living heroes.