manner. It was first used in the present war during the May
Battles. After the memorable battles of Resaca de la Palma
and Palo Alto, the old general directed the men to be brought
up before him in review, which was of course done. While
reviewing them to see, no doubt, how they looked after their
scrimmage with the yellow bellies; an old soldier, who served
uder him in the Florida war, proposed, at the top of his
voice, " Three cheers for Old Rough and Ready ! " which
were given with all the honors. As soon as they had subsi
ded, the old general, every feature of his open countenance
YANKEE DOODLE. 19
speaking volumes, gracefully took off his chapeau, and re
turned thanks, and added, " Gentleman, I would be happy
to treat you all, but I hare got nothing except some Rio
Grande water with which to do it ! "
"Yankee Doodle."
The Teatro de Santa Anna, assumed the name of " Na
tional Theatre" after the entrance of the American army ;
and, of course, was liberally patronized by the Americans.
One evening, as usual the orchestra, after having played
several airs, finished with a Mexican National Air. The
audience, being chiefly American, called for " Yankee
Doodle"; but the orchestra paid no attention. They stamped
and rapped as if they would bring the house down over their
heads, but still the orchestra heeded not. At length the bell
rang, and up went the curtain. The audience seemed for
an instant as if they were willing to give it up; but at this
moment, a tall, slab-sided-looking genius, who bore the ap^
pearance of being a real thorough-bred volunteer, of the first
water, raised himself about " half straight," and said "I
often heard that Yankee Doodle was the American fiightin'
tune, but as the darned eternal greasers keep us so busy
while we are fightin', that we could n't have time even to
whistle a little, I think we might have a Iktle touch of Oncle
Sam's favorite, if it's only to make a feller think of the
white settlements." This acted like an electric shock upon
the audience, and they recommenced their calls for Yankee
Doodle. The actors appeared upon the stage, but still they
continued to stamp and haloo. Sen-ora Canette bowed
gracefully, and smiled bewitchingly ; but it was no use';
they had determined upon hearing our national air, and
nothing could persuade them from it. The actors withdrew,
the curtain fell, the orchestra complied with their demand?,
f
20 ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS.
and the balance of the evening's entertainment passed off in
excellent order. "Ah," said a Mexican gentlemen to an
American officer, " It is no longer a source of surprise to
me that we have been so easily conquered. Soldiers, who
place love of country before the smiles of the fair sex, would
conquer the world ! "
Lieut. Morris.
In the late conflict near Mexico, soon after Major Twiggs,
of the Marines, was killed, Lieut. Morris, of the Rifles, was
ordered to make a charge, in order to attain a certain point.
Deeming his men too few for the undertaking, and seeing the
Marines without an officer, he ordered them to help him.
They replied, that he was no officer of theirs, aud refused
he remonstrated, and they still refused. Finding authority
and remonstrance of no avail, he shouted to them "Marines,
I am the son of Com. Morris if you have any veneration
for his memory, follow me." The appeal was irresistible
their sailor hearts were touched, and with a cry of joy, they
bounded forward, and shared his dangers and his perils, until
success was obtained.
> if :m?". Ifjmw) ? : ^5 *- fa*.! f'Jt!>3
Charley Bugher.
There are but Few persons in Boston who do not remem
ber Charley Bugher. He was noted for his remarkable suc
cess in every enterprise he undertook. Charley was the
first to present the citizens f Boston with the late Foreign
papers. By boarding the steamer at an early hour, he was
enabled to have his budget sold long before the City press
had issued their extras, reaping at the same time a very
handsome profit
But what yankee ever staid at home all his life? Charley
went to the wars for the fun of the thing, though not as a
21
soldier, but as a " volunteer on his own hook ;" who 'chose
to fight where the game was most promising. He was
noted for his coolness and self-possession. Before the works
of Valencia, near the capital, he was calmly loading his gun,
in a position separated from the main body of the army, and
picking off at least one Mexican at every shot. His peculiar
sang froid attracted the attention of Gen. Worth , who was,
doubtless, much surprised to see a man fighting in that out
landish fashion. The general rode up " What regiment
do you belong to, Sir?" "None, Sir! I'm one of the
Printer's craft, from Bosting!" The next day Charley was
invited to Gen. Worth's headquarters, and there received
a handsome present, accompanied by the general's thanks
for his gallantry.
" Wooling" General Wool.
In honor of the marriage of the daughter of the alclade of
Saltillo, a dancing party was got up, to which three of the
Mississippi volunteers were invited, Saunders, Bertha, and
Pat O'Rourke. Application was accordingly made to Gen.
Wool for permission to go, but the General not having found
any thing about dancing in his books on tactics and discipline,
and not deeming it a very necessary accomplishment of a
soldier, promptly refused the request. Now here was a di
lemma. Our messmates were equally as determined to see
some of the fun, and enjoy some of the dancing with the girls
at the party, as General Wool was that they should stay in
the camp that night. But how to effect their object wag a
matter of profound though somewhat vexatious study/ In
the midst however of their plans and schemes, none of which
promised to secure the objects so dear to them, Pat was ta
ken suddenly ill, and swore by all the saints in the calendar
that he must be carried to the hospital, or he would die en
tirely ; and immediately poor Saunders and Bertha, with
22 ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS*
sad hearts, rolled Pat up, all dressed as he was in his best
apparel, in a blanket, and taking a corner in each hand, with
the watchword of " a sick man for the hospital," they soon
passed the sentry. When out of hailing distance, Pat ex
claimed, " boys, let me down aisy, we've pulled wool over
ould Wool's eyes, and now let's be after the dance," and
away they scampered to the wedding, where the adventure
was soon told, which rendered the boys, and Pat in particu
lar, the lions of the evening. They returned to camp next
morning, reporting their sick comrade well, and the whole of
them ready for duty. It is said, however, that General Wool,
having some inkling of the trick that was played off on him,
determined that, for the future, when there is any fun going
on in town, there are to be no sick men, particularly from
the Mississippi regiment, taken to the hospital.
Napoleon's Veteran.
The first discharges of the Mexican batteries upon the
opening of the first engagement of Palo Alto killed a French
veteran of Napoleon. He was serving as a private in the
fifth regular infantry, and while bravely doing his duty as an
American soldier received a cannon shot that carried off both
his legs. He had witnessed the different phases of Napoleon's
fortunes. He had passed unhurt through the bloody con
flicts of Austerlitz and Jena, and had borne a manly share
of the horrors and privations of the disastrous Russian cam
paign. He had seen the proud nodding of the plumes of
the imperial guard, as they advanced to the charge led by
the gallant and lamented Ney, and, when repulsed by the
British square, he viewed their broken ranks hurrying to pro
tect the Emperor, their gallant charge covering with glory
the fall of the Empire at Waterloo. He had survived all
these and lived to fall by a shot from a Mexican battery upon
ADVENTURE WITH A NUN. 23
the field of Palo Alto ! His comrades gathered around him,
and as they saw his lamentable wounds would fain offer him
consolation ; but the brave fellow, as his eyes were waning
in death, waved his hand, and pointed to the enemy, ex
claiming with his last breath, " Go on, comrades! I have
only got what a soldier enlists for !"
An Adventure with a Nun.
Two American officers, having remained in the cathedral
of Puebla after the services, were accosted by a Mexican
Nun, who had lingered behind the sisterhood, with "You
are an American ? " addressed particularly to one of them ;
the officer bowed. His companion stepped a few paces
ahead, and left him to enjoy the singular and unexpected
adventure.
"Are you a man of honor'? " began the nun.
" Such is the natural trait of an American soldier," replied
the officer, again bowing.
" I wish you to render me an important service. Can I
expect you to assist me ? "
"Anything in accordance with my principles as a gentleman
of honor, and my duty as an American soldier, I will willingly
render in your service."
" I believe I may trust you." And, as a pledge to his
sincerity, she offered him her hand, to which the officer
respectfully bent his lips.
" When the bell of the convent tolls the hour of midnight,
be at the western gate more anon adieu ! "
At the appointed hour, the officer was ready at the con
vent walls, together with a few friends ; who, at his desire,
had accompanied him, to witness the upshot of what they
supposed to be an innocent love adventure. As the hour of
twelve was tolled, a small wickel opened, and a figure in a
dark mantle, entirely concealing the form, appeared.
ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS.
The officer approached, when the figure saluted him in a
whisper. "Accept my gratitude!'* He immediately re
cognized the voice of the nun of the morning service, and
did aot hesitate to obey her injunction, " Be silent ! Follow
me!"
At a quick pace, she threaded through the darkened paths
the officer following close behind ; and presently opened a
small door under a low archway, with a key she carried sus
pended from a ribbon around her neck ; and, catching the
officer by the hand, passed quickly through a dark passage,
to a small door to which she applied another key, when the
officer found himself in a lady's chamber, the absence of
every thing but a bed and chair giving sufficient evidence of
its occupant. The nun turned the lock on the door, placing
the key in her pocket, then turning to the officer exclaimed,
" There is yet another and severer trial of your courage and
honor, sir ! Uncover that bed !" The officer obeyed, when,
to his utter horror and amazement, he discerned the dead
body of a monk, besmeared with gore. She noticed the
sickened disgust of his countenance, and, in voice of rage
addressed him, " What ! are you startled at the sight of a
dead body ! you, who have slain hundreds of my country
men ! The favor you are to do me is to take that body up
on your shoulders to the outer walls of the convent!"
" Madam ! I promised nothing that was dishonorable. I
cannot obey you."
" Ha ! she exclaimed, in a smothered voice of rage, draw
ing at the same lime a pistol from her person, and levelling it
at the officer's head, ** Refuse, and I have two dead bodies
in my room ! Nay, three, for this dagger, snatching one from
a table, shall be bathed in ray own blood, as it has already
pierced the breast of that miserable monk !"
The officer was irresolute. But the pistol near his head
quickly decided his questions of honor. He essayed to place
the body on his shoulders, when the nun stopped him "One
DEATH OF HENRY CLAY, JR. 26
parting pledge !" filling at the same time two glasses of wine
from a flask that was upon the table ; the officer with a forced
bow quaffed the wine, though he noticed that the nun put
down her glass untasted. She now assisted him with his
burden ; and directed him to follow her through the same
dark passage. She opened the outer wicket, and thrust the
officer quickly through, closing it behind her, locking it upon
the inside.
The officer narrated his adventure to his comrades, when
it was thought advisable to make immediate report to the
commanding general. They had proceeded but a few paces
however, when the officer fell a lifeless corpse upon the
flagged pavement. The nun's glass of wine had done* its
work.
A few days after a long procession of priests and common
people followed the body of a nun to her grave. She had
died suddenly in her bed. So said the priests. But suspi
cion whispered that the double murderess had added suicide
to her other crimes.
The Repulse at Buena Vista, and fall of H. Clay.
The Kentucky, Illinois and Mississippi regiments were
placed by order of the General in chief in front, while
O'Brien's artillery was placed on the right, to meet the charge
of the Mexican lancers, who rode gallantly forward upon the
American ranks, with every appearance of a desperate effort
to gain the day. O'Brien's battery was the only one upon
the field. Sherman's and Bragg's not having yet come up
from the left were they had contributed to the repulse of the
enemy. O'Brien fought until nearly all his men were killed,
then retiring abandoned his guns to the enemy. At this mo
ment the batteries of Sherman and Bragg and Washington
appeared on the field, and a destructive fire was opened from
all sides upon the body of lancers. This action was to de-
3
26 ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS.
cide the fate of the day, and the efforts of both parties wer
consequently redoubled.
At length the Mexicans began to waver, when the Kentuck-
ians and Illinoisians charged forward, driving the immense
masses of infantry and cavalry before them. The Illinosians
passed around the head of a ravine in front, while the Ken-
tuckians crossed ils deep bed. As they rose on the opposite
bank they formed and delivered several fires, when finding
themselves beyond supporting distance, and being raked in
their right flank by a battery, they were unable to support
the Mexican columns which had rallied and returned, charg
ing on them with fury. The Kentuckians and Illinoisians
also, retired down the banks of the ravine, where they were
overwhelmed with a shower of balls. Here fell Colonel
John J. Hardin of the first Illinois volunteers, Col. R. W.
M'Kee of the Kentucky regiment, and also the gallant Lieut.
Col. Henry Clay, jr. the son of the distinguished statesman of
Ashland. He had graduated at West Point as the second
in his class ; and, having resigned his commission, was prac
ticing law at Lexington, when the call for volunteers was
made. With a patriotic devotion, not unworthy of his sire,
and which has ever been the distinguishing trait of his native
state, he enrolled himself under his country's banners, and
joined Gen. Taylor, having been made Lieut. Colonel of the
Kentucky Regiment. He was shot through the legs, during
the last charge made by the regiment to which he belonged,
He fell though not mortally wounded, in the bed of a ravine,
and three of his men were bearing him from the field up the
slope of the hill, when, being pressed by the enemy, the gen
erous Clay begged them to leave him and save themselves,
and at the same time handing to one of them his pistols, said,
" Take these and return them to my father. Tell him I have
no further use for them." The men seeing that all must be
lost unless they quickened their pace, dropped their charge
and fled. Col. Clay was last seen lying on his back, fighting
"GEN. TAYLOR NEVER SURRENDERS." 27
with his sword a squad of Mexicans, and was found pierced
with ten bayonet wounds.
"General Taylor never surrenders! "
Upon the field of Buena Vista, the successful fire of the
Mississippi Rifles and Third Indiana, together with the
brisk cannonade of Capt. Bragg, joined by the cavalry of
Capt. May, enclosed, almost in walls of fire, a large party
of Mexican cavalry, that had attempted to force the brigade
of Gen. Lane. Santa Anna immediately sent an officer to
know what Gen. Taylor wanted. Gen. Wool attempted to
carry an answer, hut was prevented by the fire of the enemy.
The general-in-chief despatched Lieut. Crittenden to de
mand the surrender of the body of cavalry detached from
the main body of the Mexican army. The officer, pretend
ing not to understand the message, conveyed the lieutenant
blindfolded to the headquarters of Santa Anna ; who inquired
of him what Gen. Taylor wanted The lieutenant replied,
" He has sent me to demand your immediate surrender."
When this extraordinary demand was translated to the Mex
ican, he raised his hands and eyebrows in utter astonishment
at the temerity and presumption of such a message, and
replied, that he would expect Gen. Taylor to surrender in
an hour, or he would destroy all his forces. Lieut. Critten-
den's reply was, "General Taylor never surrenders /*'
Santa Anna effected his object by this ruse de guerre, for
the suspension of firing enabled the body of cavalry to re
turn to the Mexican army.
Death of a Soldier.
A soldier, by the name of Victor Galbraith, a bugler in<
Captain Mier's company of volunteer cavalry, was shot at
fSaltillo, for threatning his captain's life. The poor fellow
28 ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS.
had, in a moment of passion, or when gloating over some
real or imaginary wrong, given utterance to an expression
that brought him before a court martial; and, according to
the regulations of the service, was condemned to be shot.
- The troops were all mustered to witness the dreadful scene.
The unhappy prisoner was brought forward under the charge
of the provost marshal and guard. Sixteen men were
detailed, and formed in single file. The prisoner calmly sat
down on his coffin at a few paces distance, and looked the
executioners firmly in the face. His sentence was then read
to him ; he threw his head back, and said to the men,
" Take good aim : I am ready to die ! " They fired ; he
fell immediately, having received three balls in his body ;
but in a few moments he again arose, resting on his elbow,
and asked for water, and drank. He then said, " Kill me
at once, and relieve me of my misery ; " when four of the
men, who had reserved their fire, advanced ; and, placing
the muzzles of their guns to within a few inches of his body,
fired, almost cutting him asunder. Though he had, doubt
less, merited his fate, yet the resolution and firmness with
which he faced death, excited tears of sympathy, from all
who witnessed the sorrowful scene, that one, endowed with
such manly resolution, had not met a nobler death than that
of a condemned criminal.
The Man that spoke Mexican.
Gen Wool, the brave and heroic soldier of Buena Vista,
is a strict disciplinarian as well as a gallant and accomplished
officer. The following "good 'un," which Capt. Tobin tells
us happened in camp, must have excited the fiery little gen
eral to a high degree. While sitting in his marquee, a Mex
ican was ushered into his presence whose demeanor denoted
the importance of .some important communication which he
wished to deliver.
SCENES AT THE QUARTERMASTER'S. 29
The General could not speak Spanish, and his interpreter
was sought in vain. A long specimen of a sucker, who from
the outre style of his dress, the General took, perhaps, for a
ranger, happened at that moment to straggle past.
"Come here my man," called out the General. With an
air of perfect nonchalance, the sucker doffed his battered
castor and entered the tent.
"Do you speak Mexican ?" inquired the General.
"Why, General, I rather guess not."
"Well, can you tell me of some one who does?"
"Yes-sir-ee I jist can," answered the man.
"Quick, then, and let me know where he is," demanded
the irrascible commander,
"Why, here," drawled the imperturbable sucker, laying
his hand on the Mexican with whom it was desired to com
municate, he can't speak any thing else"
Scenes at the Quartermaster's.
Those who wish to see the effects of the war, should visit
the Quartermaster's department at New Orleans. Early in
the day numbers of returned soldiers throng around the en
trance, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the officers connected
with the department. When the doors are opened, they all
rush up to have their accounts adjudicated. Here you will
see a colonel, who has just returned from Mexico. His epau
lets are faded and his countenance is bronzed with exposure.
He has mounted the heights of Monterey served at Churub-
usco, Chapultepec, and like a lion, sprung through the gates
of the city of Mexico. With his martial cloak thrown care
lessly around him, he does not seem to think he has done
any thing, but only comes to get the accounts of his regiment
settled. He thinks of his home, where his loved ones are.
It may be, that for months he has not received a single letter
3*
30 ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS.
from his friends, and he longs to meet them. After having
sought the " bubble reputation e'en in the cannon's mouth,"
he returns to his homestead and who can tell the greeting
that he will receive ! His friends will cling around him, and
look upon him as the oak that has been scarred, though not
blasted by the lightnings of war. Who would not envy his
feelings when he finds himself in the bosom of his family !
Again, here enters a stalwarlh captain, with an air that shews
that he is bravery itself. He, too, has been to the wars, and
bears the marks of honorable wounds. His company, to him
have been a family, and he is as careful of their wants as
though they were his own children. When he gets their ac
counts settled, and furnishes them with transportation to their
homes, scenes will take place that none but those who can
dive into the depths of human nature can imagine. " Cap
tain," one soldier will say, " I bid you good bye ! I'm going
to the west, for I've got enough of the war. When I deserved
it, sir, you treated me purty hard, as I thought then, but I
do not think so now, sir. God bless you, sir." Another
soldier came up may be with too much brandy in his brain,
Captain, said he, " how are you old boss ! Well, we got
through it all didn't we? You would' nt let me have my
licker down 'here at Vera Cruz; but now I'm discharged,
and I'm going on a regular bender !" Then again, a staid,
sober young man, with an almost healed wound on his cheek,
and his arm in a sling approaches his captain. His officer
turning round and seeing his face, grasps his hand " Wil
liam, my dear fellow, you saved my life at Molino del Rev,
I shall never forget when a swarthy Mexican brought his es-
copeta to bear upon my breast, you rushed in between us and
received the ball in your arm. And then, William, when I
was wounded by a lance, and you were sabred, you crept up
to me, whilst the blood was gushing from your cheek, and
endeavored to take me off the field. William, we are both
going to our homes perhaps never to meet again what can
THE MILITARY TAILOR. 31
I do for you ?" " Captain," answers the young soldier, as
he wipes his eye with his unwounded hand, *' as you say, I
did all I could for you. When I enlisted I swore in my
heart that I would never desert you. When the balls were
coming on in showers, I did'nt care for myself, but I thought
of you. Death was nothing, then, sir ; but I thought of one
who was far away. I promised her when I left my home in
Dayton, Ohio, that I never would desert the banner of the
stars and stripes. Captain, give me a line to my dear old
mother, and in it please say that I have done my duty."
The Military Tailor.
The following rather ludicrous scene took place on board
one of our men of war, while the army was encamped around
Vera Cruz : Captain , and a very valient captain he
has proved himself, in many a hard fight but the captain's
bravery is no part of our story. Well, then, Captain
was on board one of our men of war, on a visit, while the
army was encamped around Vera Cruz, and having compli
mented the commander of the craft on the appearance of his
vessel, he added "Captaine, you doesh'nt sheem to remem-
berish me." The commander replied that he certainly did
not remember ever having had the pleasure of seeing him
before. "Vy, I knowsh you in ven I vash tailorsh,
and I tinksh you owesh me for a coat ; but never mind dat
now ; for we are all gallant tailors and zoldiers togeder."
The commander assured him that he was mistaken in the
person, and begged to be excused, as duty required his pres
ence elswhere. The commander then left the captain to the
care of his first lieutenant, who, (seeing the same, and know
ing that there was a party in the ward-room, than whom none
liked fun better,) invited Captain below. As soon as