Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-04-22
IRONTON. MO. THURSDAY APRIL 22 1897.

to General Worth. Some of the most
troublesome Mexican guns having been
driven off and withdrawn. he could
now reach headquarters without max
ing the circuitous route he had to first
travel with his gun. He was filled
with Indignation at having to leave.
when he knew the work was so effec-
tive and his presence was so important,
and he was in doubt whether he was
not to be considered under arrest when
he reached Worth's headquarters. He
walked briskly to the General and sa-
luted him. He was still wet, and so
besmeared with the dirt of the lagoons
and bitches, and his face SO begrimed
with powder-smoke from working the
howitzer in the belfry, that Worth did
not recognize him! Grant was in haste,
and did not waste words in telling who
he was and asking for the Generals
orders. Time is precious at the
church" he added, in tone that indi-
Gated impatience at his absench.
All Worth wanted was to thank
Grant for his achievement, tell him
the splendid effect the howitzer fire
had on the Mexican position, and di-
rect him to take another gun and re-
turn to his post in the belfry. Grant
did not take time to explain that there
was no room for Il second gun in the
church steeple, but took with him the
howitzer, some gunners and a new sup
ply of ammunition, and fastened back
to his work.
He reflected as he went, How
much more sensible to have sent me
that message by a staff-officer, instead
of taking me away from my post at o
vital time!"
After Grant fastened away from Gen
eral Worth, the latter remarked:
Grant is in dead earnest. He is fight
ing mad; he has it in for those Mex
leans at San Cosme! Better order Gar
land to send a company over to the
church to support him."
The Mexicans sent a few shot over
toward the church with view of dis
lodging Grant, and two of them struck
the heavy stone wall in uncomfortable
proximity to the opening of the belfry,
leaving their imprint, but doing no
other injury.
The fire from the howitzer was kept
up with vigor until nightfall, the Mex
lean fire having practically ceased.
The fatalities among officers in the
assault on the Belan Gate were fright
full. It was sad even to those accus-
toned to slaughter and carnage.
1t was here that the brave and in
trepid Lieutenant Benjamin-Grant's
bosom friend-was mortally wounded.
AS the shades of evening were hover
ing over the scene of strife he was car
ried to a place sheltered from the
storm of missiles. a surgeon was
summoned. Loosening the saturated
clothing, hasty look at the wounds
told him that Lieutenant Benjamin had
but brief time to live. He spoke no
word, but looked into the fading eyes
of the dying soldier and gave an omi-
nous shake of his head. Hastily ad-
ministering potion to relieve his suf-
fering, the surgeon gently pressed Ben
jamin's hand and hastened away to
minister to those whose wounds gave
hope that life could be saved.
The stricken officer understood the
surgeon fully. He had scarcely
strength to articulate, but he was able
to utter the one word, Grant" One
of the attendant soldiers heard the
name and, knowing of the David and
Jonathan" friendship existing between
the two young officers. he and a com
rade hastened away amid the confusion
of the closing battle. to find the friend
whom the dying man longed to see.
It was no easy task the searchers had
before them. They soon learned that
the Fourth Infantry had been engaged
at San Cosme Gate Approaching that
point by wading canals and lagoons,
and defying sentinels, they were told
that Grant was probably here, and pos
sibly there, none knew just where.
They found Gen. Garland, and he told
them the last he heard about Grant,
before dark, she was up in that church
steeple with his howitzers giving the
enemy hell, and he may be there yet
, if he hasn't been knocked out by a
cannon BALL; With this information
they soon found Lieutenant Grant with
f his men, still grimy with powder and
the dirt of the Iagoous, and darkness
around them.
The report that his friend Benjamin
was dying was more stunning to Grant
than all the horrors of battle. In a
, short time the guides brought him in
to the presence of the one man in the
, army whom he loved above and beyond
all others.
Benjamin lay on a cot, with an ar
. nv blanket folded under his head. He