Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-07-18
CONTINUED from last week.

tCOntinue0 from ta9I Week.J
jackson was brevetted second Lieu
tenant OF Artillery on June End. 1886.
/ The war with Mexico had begun and
several battles had been fought, when
General Scott, in l847, took command
Of the naval and military expeditions
againBt Mexico, The regiment to
which he belonged was assigned tn
General Sc,ttss army, and was under
fire at the battle Of Vera Cruz. On ac=
count OF his bravery, he was promoted
to first Lieutenant of Artillery after
the battle OF Cerro Gordo, and assigned
to McGruder's Battery. 1t was at the
battle of Churubusco this gallant young
officer came prominently into notice,
Snd Captain McGrpder in speaking Of
Jackson in his official report said, In
q few moments Lieut.. Jackson. COM
handing the second section of the
| battery, who had opened fire upon the
enemy who were in position on the
right, hearing our FIRE still further in
front, advanced in handsome style. and
kept up the FIRE with equal bravery and
effect. His conduct was equally cons
spieuous during the whole day, and j
cannot too highly commend him to the
Major Generals favorable eonsidera-
ton. AL the battle Of Chapultepec,
McGruder was ordered 10 send y Sec
ton Of artillery to support an infantry
attack Jaee son was given charge Of
1 the sec ion, and had 70 advance oyer
i position full If difficulties. apd WAS
compeled to keep the rgai yin aeconn
of the marshs or uni an each sll.,
The Mex can ar iless in front and eau
i non on the heights Of Cnapultepec
sppned J, terrific fre, ~ was RnDos>i-
Bile for Infantry t, advance. When
4 Jackson arrived Oh the ground, his
horses we're sh t down. The enemy
had cut a di Oh across the road and in
order to reply to their fro. his men
lifted q gun oyer this obstruction by
hand. His capnoners behaved badly.
and left the young lieutenant standing
exposed to this terrible, fire. Orders
were sent to him to retire He sent
word back If they would send him fifty
men, he would charge the breastworka
| in front of him. jackson, with one on
two men stood his ground, and CON
tinued to FIRE upon the Mexicans, All
his gunners save one man, and an o.
cort sent him as a support fled to the
rear, still he remained and with the
aid of this one man, continued to load
and fire his gun. Capt. McGrudel
coming up and observing him alone,
Immediately had q second gun, lifted
over the ditch. and the infantry en-
couraged by the gallantry Of Jackson
and his cannoneers. rallied and charg-
| ing carried the breastworks. The in
fantry continued to advance, and Jack
sons gums kept their position on the
firing line This was an opportunity
for which he had longed and when il
came, he was ambitious to display his
soldieriy instinct and to become the
rallying point for the rest of the army.
| After the battle Of Contreras he was
promoted to theRfank of Captain. His
gallant behavior at Chapultepec was
mentioned in the dispatch of the Com
mander-in-chief, and he was publicly
comp imeated for his courage. Within
| l8 months from the time he was as;
signed to his regiment Of artillery, hs
was breyeted Major He had little op
portunity in the war with Mexico Il
. display his military genius. the spher,
, I IN which be operated being contractet
one, but he attracted great attention
; by hia unusual courage and energy.
i, He came out Of the war with repu
tation second to that Of no young Of
ficer, and the taste Of battle be haI
had there: doubtless spurred his am
hition to higher achievement. if oppOr
tunity should offer. The dull routin
OF campIife was distaateful to him, an
: IN 1861, after the termination Of hos
tilities. be spent several months ID Ii
City Of Mexico Il is said these wer
\ very pleasant months I'd him, and tha
be came near falling ii love with
! beautiful senorita. The young soldie
\ stern and relentless IN battle ofte
took part IN the festivities indulge
I ii By the young people 81 the c1pitl