The Abbeville banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, November 17, 1847, Image 2
dUEVlLTKT. iT. yTT":
I
Wcd:5('^:i:iy, STov. 37, JR|?.
?32 Wi-'SStM-U.
AVe ar:? ??; ;?tificil to Irani, that this; gallmt
young officer who has the. ^onor of
planting the Palmetto Bannoi upon the
Walls of Mexico, *hn first ftag that waved
from the battlement, is rucovoiing from the
won ml he received in executing that net
X' o roiiksa c ivs.
13y the arrival of the Steamer Weshing'ion
we have still later news from Europe
which is gloo:;,jy in the extreme, the prcs
sure in the money market remained unabated,
and failures were talcing place daily.?
A deputation from the merchants and hankers
waited upon Lord J no. Russell with
a memorial asking Government ro adopt
some speedy measures for the relief of the
mercantile community, but no encouragement
was given them to hope lor assistance
from that source.
Cotton has experienced another deciinc
of 3-S to 1 2d since the sailing of the Caledonia.
AHv.iouiiuc \ji UlIU pi"I?>Mil9 t*KIl"
ployed in the manufactories have been discharged
and are in a slate of rreat destitution.
Ia Irclau] a:Tiirs are more gloomy than
ever, and her cup of sufl*?ring not yot full;
famine his again commenced its work of
desolation, an I by mid winter what scenes
of woe and distress will be witnessed in that
doomed land? Riots, us?:issination3 and
robberies, are common throughout the country.
'JT!?c I*rc?dcwcj%
There is but little doubt we think from
the movemenls of the Whigs that M. Clay
will be their candidate for the Presidency.
We should not be surprise 1 at least, at his
nomination in the Nation il Whig Convenvention
from the present movements of that
party. Gen Taylor from his indepcndece
has somewhat lost his popularity with the
party ; his opinions are not sufficiently orthodox,
hence the demonstration in favor of
M r. Clay. It is not a little surprising that
Mr. Clay should allow his name to be used
in connection with the Presidency again,
after the signal defeats he has met with in a
succession of campaigns ; nothing but an
undying deaire to fill the Presidential chair
could induco a man to allow his name and
character to pass so often through the firey
ordeal of party strife.
An IxcmnxT of Tim Wa;i.? " A Ictto
from Mexico in the St. Louis Republican,
relate, at least one incident connected with
the capture of that city which has not before
come to our knowledge. It appears that,
on the 13th of September, after the fortifications
at Chapiiliepec had been carried,
and Generals Worth and Quitman had
fought their way into the city, and when
our Spartan band anticipated a fiercer struggle
during the ensuring day than that which
they had just encountered. Commissinn^re
were despatched from the city of Mexico,
on the part of the municipal authorities, to
Tacubnya, to agree upon terms of capitulation
with the General-in-chicf. They arrived
about midnight, and continued their
interview until near daylight, without accomplishing
any thing. General Scott informed
them that he would sign any paper
in the city that he would out of it*, and
that, as they caused him all the loss and
trouble they could, he intended his army
should now march into the city in triumph,
1inrPctiMi'fn/l ! ??? '
uj uny terms ui capitulation
whatever."
General Taylor.?The Washington
Union of Saturday night says:?"It is understood
that General Taylor, who has been
absent from his family and private business
for more than two years and a half, and during
the whole of that time has been engnged
in the most important and arduous
duties?has asked for leave of absence to
return to the United State for six months.
His letter to that effect was received by
the Adjutant-General yesterday evening;
in the course of which, General Taylor
states that he thinks, in consequence of the
present character of the war, his services
may not be wanted at this time. He proposes
to remove to Matamoras early this
month, where he awaits the answer of the
Government, and expresses a desire to be in
Now Orleans by the lsl of December.
We understand the leave of absence has
been granted to him; and we have no
doubt that if even!s .should arise to call for
hio services on that frontier, he will fly to
pla'co himself at.the head of his i/ullant
army.
jTram our llolunlccrs.
|: * Through thu kindness of a friend we j
("have been furnished with the following lei- j
lers and extracts from one of our brave Pal- j
melto boys who has passed unscathed thro' j
ail the late bleodv buttles around the walls j
" . ? '
: of .Mexico. VIthough not intended for pub |
| lication, the interest, and anxiety is so I
j great over the district to learn the particu- !
, lars of o\ir friends we have been allowed to |
lay ilietn before our readers. Wo have
: u'.iothcr very interesting Idler Iroin the same
source which we will give in our next, not
being'able to do ?.'0 in the present number for
I want of space.
PL'EBLA, JULY 10, 1347.
Capt, Mar-hall, be it saiil to his credit, is
j noted frr his kindness and attention to his
| sick soldiers. lie is popular with his
company, and deservedly so; kindness to
the sick is so rare in the army that it is ap|
preeiated when seen. Those men left in
| the hospitals at Vera Cruz, JalapaanJ I'ci
rote, have dragged out a miserable exis
tence?unatteud ?d, uncared for. All those
who have survived, speak of Dr. McLaren
in the wannest terms of gratitude. Some
say, unhesitatingly, that they owe their life
! to his care. He furnished them, when dei
stitute, with clothing ; and from all I can
i learn, has been unusually attentive and
i kind. The report which the sick men give
' of some of (lie other Surgeons, shows that
! i*
! they are destitute alike of sympathy or the
j feelings of men.
PIJKBLA, JULY 13, 1847.
j You will he shocked to learn the extent
of our losses by disease since wo landed in
Mexico. Tbe bones of 500 of our soldiers
lie around the wall at the Ca.-tle ofPerote.
Hundreds more have found tlioir last rrsiing
place here amTat Vera Cruz ; ami there is
hardly a camp between this and Jalapa that
| is not marked by a soldier's grave. Oar
; own Regiment has been sadly afflicted*
j Tjiere have been deaths every day since
j our arrival here. Some companies have
I Incf o1?v*ncf 1? ? I C r* I ? ? "-I / !??
| xuji uiuivwb liun i/i luuu uiuii) auu uuc
i Lancaster company) is entirely broken up.
From the Chester company 25 men have
died We have lost 18, and the Edgefield
company nearly that number. Enclosed I
send you a li.-jt of those who have died in
our company. It is melancholy to see so
many ol our comrades thus dying around
! us. We can do nothing for them but pay
j to their remains the honors due to the de;
parted soldier, and when we fire the funeral
I volley over their graves, we know not how
j soon the same solemn salute may be fired
j over our own.
! Died, from Company E.?Hall, Staikey,
j Gilbeit, Prince, L. Watson, Huffman, S.
j Alexander, Gillespie, John Hill, Drinkard,
| Harris, Sterling, Graham, Barlcsdale.Lack;
ey, Wm. Botts, Thomas,
i Discharged.?Lieut. Roberta, Martin,
i Middleton, Norrel, Agnew, Win. Watson,
Grifiiri.
Jjc]t behind Sick.?At Vera Cruz ; J. S.
Anderson, Norrel. At Perote; A. G.
Morrow, J N. Norwood.
Prisoner in Mexico.?D. Rile}-.
A r. / A ~ "IO/L T. J..
I .tLlll-C I OC/l U lit y,
! Davij?, Houston, Lamb.
j Discharged.?Sergeant IT M Wilson,
j (health much improved.) Simmons, (entirej
ly blind from measles.)
i _____
5 Mil.ES FROM THE ClTY* )
August 24, 1817. $
Again we arc victorious?The American
Army (" the degenerate sons of Washington")
have again taught this People that
thev are inferior to the Anglo Saxon Race?
? O
but I go ahead of my story?On the 19th
r* i rn r\ t ^
vjruncrai x wiggs ui vision arrived at St.
Augustine and immediately took position
before the enemy's fortifications near a Convent
called Coutreras. General Valencia
held the position with about 7,000 men
aitd more than 20 pieces of heavy artillery,
the position had been selected with great
judgement an 1 was as strong as one could
well imagine. Our Engineers after a
thorough reconnoissance gave it as their
opinion that the place must be carried by
storm, and without the assistance of our
artillery as the roughness of the country
nrp.v/>ntp^ tVitrnnoniM'tiiiinn "f 1....? ?
, J.. ? . ~V?? ...? >iuii>)|juiiu'.iuii ui 1(11^ ^U113>
i About 12 o'clock General Pillow was iu
advance of General Twigg's came within
range of the enemy's guns, nn<l a steady fire
was kept up all evening. About 3 o'clock
in the evening the New York and South
Carolina Regiments were ordered into the
field under the command of the gallant
Brigadier-General Shields. They were all
anxious and as soon as ordered were on
the march. I could not btand by and see
my companions in arms?my comrades, my
friends, file by mc en route for the battle
fielJ. I shouldered my double barrel gun
(I did not have a mu diet) and joined the
ranks. We inarched till 12 or 1 o'clock at
night through mud, and ruin, and then halted
within :i lew hundred yards of th ; enemy's
line to await the approach of day.?
About 7 in the morninjjr Colonel Itilev's
" " i
Brigade charged the breast works, and I
question if thy world has ever seen a more
gallant charge, For a few moments the
discharge of musketry intermingled with
the roar of the deep mouthed cannon was
terrible. In a short time however the route
was complete, for who could withstand the
impetuous advance of our veterans. Gen'l.
Shields'* Brigade commanded the road
leading from the fortifications 'o the city
and was ordered to cut of the retre at. True
to the comma ml we rushed on the retreating
foe. The New York Regiment was on
one side of a ravine and we on the other,
our Urgimcnt bt:ing nearest the battle field.
The enemy not wishing to pass our galling
| fire, rallied behind a wall and gave us fight.
: isiii ttie well directed lire of our men soon
i convinced them that it was not safe to stand
j a fire in front and rear both at the same tunc
: so tlioy threw down their arms and surrenj
dered as prisoners. Our Regiment alone
i (it is reported) killed in this engagement
j 13G and took over 200 prisoners. This was
, the lii?l regular engagement 1 ever was in.
o n n
j We were shot at whilst round the wall at
i Vera Cruz, but we could not return the fire.
| There we had a foe* within musket range
I drawn up against us?you would have boen
| pleased to sec how gallantly our Abbeville
hoys concluded themselves. More than
once during the engagement I saw a horse
j at full speed shot from under his rider hy
j one man and the escaping foe hilled by
j another. A party of 3,000 lancers were on
the heights near us looking on. Doubtless
the dastards congratulated themselves that :
they were out of so hot a place, sure I am i
that they made no effort to get into it. We j
had in this engagement only one man !
| wounded Serg't. Wallers of Captain MofTuts
j company, not dangerously. It is strange j
j that out of so many rounds so little damage
j was done ; but the Mexicans ahvay at close
; quarters shoot too high. In the engage!
mentofthe morning Colonel Kiley hardly
: lost a man. Near 1,000 Mexicans were
i killed and wounded. The Rifles did, per
naps the greatest execution?their fire is j
j deadly beyond conception.
j Well, this wan our morning's work, and
| we were well satisfied with what we had
| done. After resting a while, we commen!
ced the march on one of the main roads
leading to the city. For several miles a
scattering fire was kept up without any damage
to our side. On reaching a little village
(St. Angel, where we now are) we
noticed a very large body of Infantry marching
out from the city, as we thought with
the intention of attacking us. True to our
purpose, we advanced to meet them half
way. but we soon found that we were mis
taken in their intentions. St. Antonio is a
strong position, commanding one of the
main roads to the city. Gen. Worth with
his command was sent against this- position.
After it was ascertained, however, that
Gen. Valencia had lost the day at Coutreras,
and that a large force (Twiggs's and
Pillow's Divisions and Shields'^ Brigade)
were marching to their rear, the enemy
abandoned his position at San Antonio and
commenced, as we thought, a retreat to the
city. Gen. Twiggs's Division advanced to
intercept the retreat, but before he had
gone far, he came in contact with one of the
strongest positions of the enemy. There
were two fortifications, one around an old
church called Churubusco, and the other
,
commanding tne road irom San Antonio to
tho city, both as strong as they could be,
and well defended by many pieces of the
best artillery. The troops we saw marching
out of the city were to reinforce these
positions. Both of these positions? were
carried by storm after a hard struggle, one
by Gen. Twiggs, the other by Gen. Worth.
After the action had lasted for one hour or
more, a body of troops, and with them Gen,
Shields's Brigade, were ordered to the rear
of the fortifications to cut off a retreat on
the one hand and to prevent a reinforcement
from the cityxrn the oth^r. By the
time we arrived within 200 yards of the
road, the enemy opened a heavy fire of
musketry upon us. Tho number against
us was overwhelming ; I cannot say *how
many?perhaps five to one. The enemy
had not only the advantage in number, but
position. We were exposed all the time to
a fire on either flank, a fire in front and a
fire in the rear. For moro than one hour
the contest was terrible. It is not becoming
in me to praise my own Regiment, but
how can I help it when I saw with what j
bravery and gallantry they acted. If in
this engagement South Carolina could have
seen her sons, she would have pointed to
them as her jewels. A charge put the enemy
to a complete route, and we had the
(ieid as victors. This was before the fortification
at Churubusco was carried. The
saddest scene of all was yet to be passed.
We returned from the pursuit, Hushed with
our conquest and proud ol what \vc had
done; but alas! of the number which had
gone into the combat, only half were in
ranks! The other half were scattered
over the field either wounded or dead; but
of our number 11 were killed, and 12G
wounded. Amongst the slain was our gallant
Colonel. His horse was shot from
from under him in the first of the fight; he
was then wounded in the leg. and afterwards
shot through the head and died instantaneously.
I knew Col. Butler was
popular in his Regiment, but I did not know
to what great extent until after his death.
On the battle-field 1 saw those whom he had
led in the fight collected around his remains
?and eyes which hut a moment before
had flashed defiance, were dimmed with
tears?and breasts which had braved the
dangers of the battle without an emotion,
were agitated with deep feeling. It was a
strange?it was a touching sight. He had
been identified so long with his command
that they looked to him as a lamily of children
to a father. He fell at the head of his
command.
Oar company unfortunately was not in
the last fight. It was left at Contreras in
charge of the prisoners. I however followed
the Regiment and was in both fights. I
did not get a scratch. Ilow I escaped is a
mystery to me. I suppose I must attribute
| it to good dodging.
On the same evening of the fioht a while
j o
; flag was sent from the city. and negotiations
are now going on.
WATERLOO, S. C., Nov. 13.
Mr. Editor,?Sir, I deem it my duty to
inform you that the Banners designed for
Jjodi and Cambridge should reach their
place of destination much sooner than they
do. You mail them on Wednesday eve!
niiigs, they reach this office on the next
I morning, and remain here until the next
j Tuesday evening 6 o'clock, P. M., and do
| not reach Lodi until the next day, making
| seven days. Why cannot the Banners for
! the above named offices stop at Dead Fall
| and pass to their place of destination via
Woodville. According to the present schedule,
which I have in iny possession, the
mail from Cokesbury to Edgefield leaves
Cokesbury on Tuesday morning at 1 A.M.
and passes Dead Fall about 2 A. M.; the
mail from Abbeville to Laurens passes
Dead Fall about 12 M., and it would seem
that if the Banners were left at the latter
place, that tliev miffht be taken from there
j t ? J o
nt 2 and sent to Woodville by 6 A. M.,
at which time the Newb *ry mail leaves
Woodville /or Lodi.
If none of the schedules above alluded to
have not been altered, I see no reason why
your papers should not pass by Woodville
instead of passing here. In haste.
Respectfully,
GEO. ANDERSON, r. m.
Nazarene Women.?Miss Plumley, in
her journals of travels in Palestine, gives
the following description of the women of
the city of Nazareth. There had been a
wedding on the afternoon of her arrival;
and in the evening the bride, with a bundle
of clothes on her head, was escorted by a
troop of girls, with music, round the town
to the house of her husband, where they remain
clapping their hands, and with the
aid of a few drums, mnkinjcr it rrpiw nme^
, 0 ? 0'"'
until a late hour.
"The Syrian Greek women are, beyond
comparison, the loveliest in the world ; we
saw many of those of Nazareth, who came
down with their pitchers to the fountain of
Nahor, for water, in whom were united
all that painters may in vain endeavor to
picture?all that poets dream. Their features
combine the perfect proportion of the
Greek model, with the character and ex.
pression of the daughters of Israel; their
fiigures, the united delicacy and voluptuousness
offormwhich the finest Grecian statues
possess. The costume of those we saw this
evening was well suited to its wearers.?
Their long hair, which was plaited, fell over
their shoulders, and was in many instances
ornamented with great numbers of gold sequins,
and some pearls; in others flowers
of brilliant hues replaced the "pearls and
gold,5' but all wore the full loose trowsers,
drawn light at the ancle, (which not unfrequently,
wasencirclod with silver bracelets,)
the petticoat reaching only to the knees,
and the upper vest open at the breast. It
is neither bodice, tunic, or jacket, but something
between each.
#.
" I am a broken man," excjaitaed a poet.
"So I should think,was the answer, j
il for I have seen your pieces" I
LATEST FROM MEXICO.
From the N. O. Delia 5, in St.
I'y the New Orleans, which has juslar
rived. wo have received the latest dates froi
1 Mexico. We have paper?* and leltersfvom
i our correspondents in Vera Cruz as Aateas
the first November. General Patterson
was to leave Vera Cruz on the 1st inst ?
| The whole number of the train and escort
; is 5000 strong, and 220 wagons, ijft1!11i
Biscoo's Hangers accompany the tram.?
i The brave Capt. S. H. Walker, of Texas,
| was killed in an actioa will) the Mexicans
; at Iluaniantla.
I The Knglish courier arrived at Vera Cruz
j on the disi u:i., bringing news irmi the city
, of Mexico to the 29th ult. Nothing very
important has transpired in the capital since
! the previous advices, (tee correspondence.)
1 We extract the items from the Vera Cruz
! Genius of Liberty, of the ltt inst.
j Atlixco has been taken possession of by
! 2000 of our forces. This large city has
i yielded without the least resistencc. Ori!
zaba is, doubtless, by this time, also in possession
of the American forces.
The Mexican Government has superceded
Santa Anna in the command of the army.
(Jen. Riucou has been appointed to lhat_offiee.
Santa Anna loudly protests" against
the violation of his rights as the First Ma
gistrate of the Nation, as he styles himself,
and refusing obedience to the government,
retires to Tehtiacnn.
j Gen Scott and stall'have lately visited the
; city of Ciuadalupe.
Gun. Almonte lenchcd duerataro on tho
! 7th u!t.
| El Mexican, an independent paper, has
j appeared in the city of Mexico. The edi|
tors of the American Star have commenced
issuing its numbers daily.
A large American train was to have left
the city of Mexico yesterday, (the 31st ult.,)
on its way down to Vera Cruz. The es
j cori ibr its protection is composed of four or
live companies of intliniry, a battery and
i some cavalry, under command of (Jul. Mari
ney. It may be expected here by the 14th.
j A number of sick and wounJed officers will
accompany it down. YVe look forward to
the period of its arrival with great pleasure
inasmuch as we regard it as the herald of
free comuuication between the coast and the
capital.
The capital is already teeming with hotels,
taverns, billiard rooms, cafes and theatres?all
advertised in the 'American style.'
Shades of the Montezuma and Guatiinozin \
your prophecies are being fulfilled?the
avengers ol your wrongs are coming from
the rising sun. Some very severe shocks
of eariliq-?ke were experienced in the capital.
From the Vera Cruz Genius of Liberty
we gather the following interesting Mexican
items.
Gen. Persifer F. Smith succeeds General
Quitman as governor of the city. Captain
Naylor (of Penn. Vols.) is governor of the
palace and keeper of the archieves.
The weather in the city is so cold that
(ires are quite acccptible, and cloaks in demand.
Old Popocatepetl has his while hat
on.
Gen. Shields and Quitman will rnmr>
clown with the train, on their way the U. S.
Capt. Davis and Lt. Kygen will accompany
them as aids.
The city of Mexico was filled with rumors
of peace. It was said that a quorum
had met at Glueretaro, and that the majority
decided in favor of an amicable adjustment
of difficulties.
The following further particulars of the
death of Capt Walker, are fuifrished by a
friend:
The engagement took place at Huamantj
la, a short distance South of Pucbla. The
j force of the Mexicans was reported at 9000
j ?ihe number of Americans engaged is not
known. Capt. W. received a lance wound
in the back, coming out at the upper part
of the stomach, and one leg shot off; he,
however, killed his antagonist, a celebrated
guerilla chief, putting two balls in him from
his revolver.
Affairs in the city of Mexico were in a
quiet state. The following from the Genus
of Liberty, of the 25th uit., contains the
most important items we can gather from
the Vera Cruz papers :
From four French gentlemen who left
the city of Mexico on the 13th, and Puebla
on the 17th of the present month, we have
received intelligence of n very important
nature, concerning the state of aifuiss in
those quarters.
Gen. Lai'.e having arrived at Perote, was
there joined by Capt. Walder and his command,
both advanced together on the Puebla
road, till they reached the town of Vrcyes.
At this place Capt. Walker, by order
of the commanding General, took up his
line of march to Huamantla, by way of tho
townsofSan Francisco and Guepastla. On
his arrival at Huamantla, a sanguinary engagemnt
ensued in the streets, between the
force of Capt. WalUer, consisting of two
hundred and fifty men, and that of the Mexicans
numbering sixteen hundred. The
results of which was the total expulsion of
the enemy from the town, and its army of
occpation by our valiant little army, which
lost in the battle only six men. But the
gallant Walker after performing progidies
_ r i_ i r . / . i- i
vi vuiur, anu icais 01 uic mosi uanng cnarncter,
fell in single combat, pierced by a
father, who goaded to actual frenzy, by the
death of his son, whose fall beneath the arm
ofCapt Walker he had just witnessed, rushed
forward, heedless af his danger, to revenge
his death, and attacking the Captain
with almost irresistible violence, plunged
his spear into his body, and slew him almost
instantly. ' ' >