The herald., 1896-03-08

wound in each side, Captain Gibson
was also wounded. It was nearly night
before DR.. Griffin, with my assistance,
had finished this labor of sadness, and
here cannot refrain from paying that
tribute of high respect and honor
which is due DR.. J. s. Griffin, U. s. A.,
for his skill, patience and perseverance,.
During the convalescence of these men
his hand never faltered, his patience
never ended and his genial presence
always assisted 30 buoying up the
hopes and spirits of the sick and suf-
fering.
"That night, December 9Th, the dead
were buried and the next morning we
resumed our march for San Diego.
Most of the wounded rode on mules,
but six of them we're drawn on what
we called an ambulance. That after.
noon the enemy undertook to surround
us. We we're all on foot, except six
men on each side, who rode out as
guards or fankers. Seeing this we
we're ordered to take the nearest hill.
The Mexicans undertook to occupy it
first, but our guide being nearest,
secured the position. Kit Carson was
first on the hill, and had the honor of
being the last, as the mules drawing
the ambulances were very slow. Among
the wounded was young man Of ex-
tremely good education and refine
ment. who seemed to bear his suffering
with remarkable fortitude. He was one
of the engineers, who had started
ahead from Santa Fe. His name was
Winter, and as it was my duty to attend
to the helpless. was continually
thrown in this young mans society,
and became very much attached to
him. For four days, while we we're on
the mountains, we had nothing to eat
but mule meat, which was very hard on
recover strength as rapidly under those
circumstances as they would have done
with proper nourishment.
Commodore Stockton sent out 200
marines to relieve us and the boys
brought good supply of hard tack
as they called it, which they divided
with us, and after filling up on that all
felt better.
nearing the end of our journey, and
as the Penasquitas. The occupants
ming on the hills near by, with plenty
Of poultry. A fat sheep and half a
dozen chickens we're killed for the
wounded. aud the short step from
famine to feast soon made US forget
our former hardships.
1--WE were now within fifteen miles of
our destination, and every one had a
smiling face, while anticipating the
end of such long journey. The next
day we marched slo owly, all on foot ex.
cent the wounded and perhaDs a few
officers. The mules drawing the
wounded were nearly exhausted, our
clothes were badly worn, and a more
forlorn set of men could hardly be
imagined in civilized country.
"a little before sundown, as we came
near Old San Diego. our eyes
were greeted by the beautiful
American flag, waving in light
and graceful folds in the soft, life-giving
breeze of the great Pacific. just then
the band, which came out to meet us,
sent vibrating through the air the in
spring music of "Hail Columbia"
This was an appropriate introduction
to this favored cline, and memory
cherishes still the waving flag-emblem
of that welcome home.
"Nearly 50 years have passed since
that 18th day of December, and our
country has marched on to power and
prosperity; but the pioneers Of that day
have nearly ali gone to that destiny
which awaits every mortal, and before
another so years shall mark the track
of the ages not one of those who strove
to enrich and enlarge our domain will
be left to add page to its history"
After our heroes arrived at San Diego