The Cape weekly tribune. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1914, 1914-09-11
CAPE Mexican Mar Veteran Harks
Back to the Heights of Cerro Gordo
Pioneer Tells Of ErDerces IN NericoD Var ond Describes
FWght WIN Sdntd lima .lfter tie F0mo"~ Gencyui
Last Ills HoNden e0--Octogenarjan No~ LjycS F0r
FThNe and Bov- "But'd1o GHi' 0Nd "7He .Nocijh0.
brd' 8. II. BachnS Fd"oyjte Nu&c

Despite the fact that he has just
celebrated the 9th birthday anniver-
sary of his enlistment in the struggle
between the United States and MoNi-
co, S. J. Backus, 81 years of age.
straight as an Indian, with a clear,
penetrating eye, walked to the door
with an easy stride to extend cor
dial greeting to Tribune representa-
tive who had called to see him yestcr
day afternoon.
After assuring himself that his
guest was comfortably provided fpr
this venerable white haired veteran of
two wars proceeded to relate his cX-
periences in a manner calculated to
excite wonder and admiration.
Born in Warren, Ohio, in the month
of May, 1926, he remained in his ma
tive state until he had reached the
age of twenty years, when he moved
to Monmouth county, Illinois.
On the 7th day of August, 1S47, he
enlisted for service in the Mexican
war, in an independent company of
mounted cavalry, under Capt. Wyatt
B. Stapp, and was moved directly to
the midst Of the struggle. With head
quarters at Castle Parrottc, he with
his company served as guards OF the
U. 6. Mail, express and dispatches
from the City of Mexico to Vera Cruz,
He proudly boasts of the distinc-
| ton of being one of the three guards
who carried the dispatch of peace
from Pueblo, Mexico, to Castle of Par
rotte, a distance of so miles which
was covered in scant eight hours.
In speaking of his acquaintance
with General Santa Anna. the old SOL
dier related the following experience
"After the war was over General
Santa Anna drove into the Castle of
Parrottee with his wife and daughter
seeking protection.
"He asked for an escort to Jal""a
twelve miles from the heights of Ger
70 Gordo where he had previously lost
his wooden leg.
"I was one of the guards called o''t
to guard Santa Anna to Jalapa, anC
when we got as far as the suburb OF
Jalapa we found General Jack Hav'
with his Texas Rangers in camp wait
ing for the Mexican leader.
"Hays had an antipathy agains
Santa Anna for the reason that HI
had murdered all of his family excep
himself.
Hays regiment was camped inside
of long stretch of stone wall alonf
the north side of tho national road
and when they saw that it was Stapps
command in escort, they fell back anc
allowed us to pass, brt expressed sor
row that we were the ones who haC
been detailed as the protecting guard
"They knew the duty Of soldier
and in sympathy with us they per
mtted Santa Anna to pass, but after
wards they expressed stron" disar
rroval of us for accepting the posi-
tic0
"'' y had been any other regimen
10 Mexican general would have beer
killed.. but Stamps companv was con
rocted with Hays regiment at Nor;
Cruz and was with them in the hattie
of Saliua, and from that time on Hayi
thought as much of Stapps' compan!
as ho did Of his own mon
After pence was declared. Nv
Rackus said they marched hack t.
Illinois and were DISCHARGED at Alto'
in 1S4S.
He then went to Iowa, where he on
gagged in farming until the hrcakin!
out of the civil war.
On the 9th day of September, 1861