Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-04-08

of the courage or good qualities of
Lieutenant Grant. Here We must draw
the line and protest. He did not
know nearly as we'll forty years after
the battle of Niontorey what were the
| impulses that impelled Lieutenant
Grant to make that charge, as Lieu-
tenant Grant knew when 1t was madei
He came bounding into the charge
he shared in that battle-not because
of ''want of moral courage" but be-
cause he wanted TO share in the duties
aud dangers of battle with his COM
mand; because he could not stay be-
hind in place of safety, where he was
ordered to stay, while his comrades
were engaged in deadly combat.
And here is beautiful picture OF the
landing of Gen. Scott's army at Vera
Cruz:
On the 7th of March. 1S47, the feet
of transports, with such of the sloops
and armed vessels of the navy as could
find sufficient depth Of water, were in
line inside the littlc island of Sacrif.
clos. The morning was bright. and
the sea was calm. There was not suf-
ficient ripple to break the deep refiec-
tions of a hundred vessels with their
flags and pennants. ropes and spars,
reproduced in shadowy specter on the
CLASSY surface of the deep blue waters
of the gulf from end to end OF the ST.
lent feet. The faint murmur of the
awakening host floated out over the
calm waters as the first rays OF the
morning sun came streaming over the
restful surface.
An hour later that feet was the
scene of vital forces awakend TO inten-
sest activity.
The vessels had been anchored In as
perfect line as was possible.
There were more than Eve hundred
small boats and floats at the sides Of
the ships. Into these was rapidly
lowered ammunition for possible bat
tie; two of the lightest batteries. and
tools for rapid intrenchlng when the
landing should be effected. Then the
boats rapidly filled with officers and
men. Each man with cartridge box
full, and with two days rations In his
haversack. and his blanket, ready for
| the contingency of their communion
tions with the feet being cut of or sus-
pended for several days. By 8 o'clock
this array OF boats, bristltng with mus
kets and bayouets and FURNISHED sa-
bers, and the flags OF every regiment
and brigade floating listlessly over
them, were ready; the oarsmen we're
in their seats; and the long line waited
in silence the signal to "let go.
Grant having his Quartermaster ana
Commissary dstiee to perform, was yet
on the deck of his ship, buckling on
his sword. He sprang upon the bull
warks high above his small boat and
its waiting crew, and clung to hang
ing rope as he leaned over to look 10
right aud left along the line OF ships
mile long, and the hundreds OF small
boats with their loads of armed men
and material resting in perfect order.
AS he fingered moment to gaze, he
| was filled with sense OF the grandeur
of the scene. It was brilliant and Inn
pressive. The simmer OF early sun
beams on the water, on the flags, on
the brilliant uniforms, on muskets and
bayonets and sabers, produced daz-
zling spectacle. As he viewed 1t from
that high outlook he was awed with
thoughts of its portents. Here was
the largest army he had ever seen as
sembled in one body, sitting silently In
that long line of boats, waiting the Sig
nal gun to sweep swiftly landward and
spring from the sea upon the enemy's
territory.
These sights, and these sensations
were of short duration, for while
Grant thus clung to the rope, leaned
out, and looked. puff OF white smoke
shot out from the side OF the flagship,
aud keen report reverberated over
the calm sea. Grant went down ths
rope with the agility OF a young sailor.
and was 10 bis boat as the oars began
to dip, and in a moment that line was
moving in steady order toward land.
The movement supplied the absence Of
breeze snd th6~ aags now hoated out
and displayed their brilliant colors. A
few of the musicians were on board,
and presently the sound ofmusic float
ed over the waters, but, save this and
| the dipping OF oars, not sound dis
turbed the calm. until, as they neared
land. some of the heavy guns in the
| forts of the city three miles distant
| opened loud protests. but their shells
| fell short, and there was no response.
The boats ran until they touched bot
tom many rods from shore; the men
| sprang out and waded TO land, and
moved rapidly to position far enough
from the water TO protect the landing
In case OF attack. and threw up tempo
rary lines oil defense. These we're not
necessary for the invaders were NOT
molested by the Mexicans.
Grant was one OF the fret to reach
land, and the flag OF the Fourth Infant
L -. a l.. -