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{ ' tT'Or HMwtoffl# jUa nnr.v. " liberty and my native soil." VOL. 4. " ABBEVILLE C. II., S. C., MAY 12, 1847. NO. 11, Published every Wednesday, by CHARLES H. ALLEN, Editor and Proprietor. Terms. ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS if puid within throo months from the timo of subscribing, or TWO DOLLARS if paid within six months, and TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS if not paid until tho end of tho year. Nojjubscription received for less than six months; and no paper > discontinued until all arrearages are paid. Subscriptions will be continued unless notice bo given ^otherwise, previous to tho closo of volume. No paper will be sent out of tho State unless i? ?.i ? |/uj 10 iiiauu in uuvaiiuu* ADVERTISEMENTS, inserted ut 75 cts. per square of twclvo lines for tho first insortiou ; and, 37 1-2 cts. for each continuance. Those not having tho desired number of insertions marked upon them, will ho continued until ordered out and charged accordingly. ESTRAYS, Tolled TWO DOLLARS, to bo paid by the Magistrate. For announcing a Candidate TWO DOLLARS, ju advance. Tho Postage must bo paid upon all letters and communications to secure attention. * ma?mm????^ From the Constitutionalist Extra. Glorious Victory. 6000 Mexicans taken prisoners. r,on /I m< /.*>//-?// i WW -CJL//CO/ C UlA/fLO 'ItCrCC/wK/ U//CIV COl/CWiU t'U . General La Vega again Prisoner. 0^7" By this evening's mail \ve have the following " ^' 'OUS ?lo\vg \vhic'< WC hngton tr? - DO ~~ lay before our readers. It appears that the Palmetto Regiment was not in the battle, being detained at Vera Cruz. By the New Orleans boat this morning, we have uews of another battle, and of course another brilliant victory. We are indebted to our friends of the Picayune for the following brief account furnished at the mo jnent of the departure of the mail boat: We have only time to say belore the mail leaves that Gen. Scott encountered .Santa Anna on the 18th of April at Cerro .Gordo, and entirely defeated him. We have taken five Mcxican generals prisoners ,(and among others La Vega,) and six thousand soldiers. Santa Anna made litis escape on a mule. His army is completely routed, and would .aii have been taken or destroyed, if we had had a sufficient force of cavalry. The loss on both sides has been heavy. iGen. Shields was severely, and it is feared ?? 11 j._,l r?:ii i jiiui iau_y wuuiiuuu. vjcij, 1 I1J.UW WUS U.ISO wounded, but slightly. Col. Haskell's volunteers,the 1st Artillery the 6th Infantry, and Captain WMmms' company of Kentucky volunteers have suffered most. Mr. Kendall thinks that 500 will cover the entire loss, but he had not been able to obtain even a list of the officers,Uillcd when Jie sent off his expess. Santa Anna and Canalizo fled in the pnost shameful manner before the battle was lost. Gen. Scott advances at once upon the /city of Mexico. f ! 1 in> ATP 1 I) T*r I V r?T.T i x iu<ij iviU) r April 18?4 o'clock, P. M. $ The American arms have achieved another glorious and most brilliant victory. Outnumberiug General Scott's force materially, and occupying positions which looked impregnable as Gibralter, one after another of their works have been taken torday, S five Generals, Colonels enough to command ten such armies as ours, and other officers innumerable, have been taken prisoners, together with 6000 men, and the rest of the arm}* driven and routed with the loss of every thing, ammunition, cannon, baggage tr^-in, all. Nothing but the impossi bility of finding a road for the dragoons to | the rear of the enemy's works saved any part of Santa Anna's grand army, including his own illustrious person. Among the prisoners is our old friend La ; Vega, who fought with his acc'^toined gallantry* The other Generals are Jose Maria Jareno, Luis Pinson, Manuel Uoriaga, and v Jpge Obando. The names of the Colonels aiave not been able to gather. Nothing d Santa Anna but the want of dragoons ae other side of their lines. As it is, ravelling coach, together with all his - ^v?* 'oiuoures, tvuu even ms VOOOOCH leg, fallen into our hands, together with all V" the money of his army. No one anticipated, when they arose from their hard bivouack fhis rooming, such a complete victory. ' The loss on both sides has been heavy? how could it have been otherwise ? The i jrough rocky road, cut through rugged defiles &nd dense chapparal by our troops, is now . Hhed with our wounded. The Rifles, Col. :? Haskell's Tennessee volunteers, the 1st Artjllery. the '7th Infantry, and'Captain Wil i/uiiipimjr ui xveiuucKjr vuiunicers, t have perhaps suffered most. Gen. Shields Was severely, and I aiti fearful, mortally 'f ^ rtvpurtded, whilegallantly leading his brig, ^de to storm one of the enemy s farthest works. Gen. Pillow was also wounded,althoujgh-alightl^, while storming a fortification this side commanded hy La Vega. All the field officers of Col. Haskell's ftegi: " : >" ' - : -Wp-g y. ; - ' . v. ' ' ' ... w"- '% ' , ' "*?< "' "v.- V^;.; *V; t ,'~'7-'s? : V ' 1 mcnt were wounded at the same time, save himself. Of the Rifles, Capt. Mason has lost a leg, Lieutenant Ewall has been badly wounded, Lieut. McLane slightly. I have already mentioned the gallant Major Sumner and other officers wounded yestcrday. 1 have specified some regiments above | which signalized themselves; it happened to be their fortune in the dispositon of the bailie, to (all upon what all good soldiers may term pleasant places-the most difficult works to storm?and bravely and without faltering did they execute the perilous duly assigned them. At one o'clock this afternoon, Gen. Tu'iffOS IvllfKP lllficinn l.nn.. 1 _ .. .. v.. ? 1U1UII liuo IIUCII III lilt" 11UIUestof it, was pursuing the flying em'my to wards Jnlapa. Pierson, who commanded the forts nearest Plan del Rio, asked leave of Gen Worth time to consider before he capitulated. Desirous to come to terms, Gen. Worth gave him fifty minutes, and he surrendered unconditionally! Had he notdone so, the slaughter would have been terrible. I write in great haste, and have no time for particulars. The names of the killed and wounded I will ascertain as soon as possible. I think that five hundred will cover our entire loss. Had it not have been for the positive cowardice of Santa Anna and Canalizo, who ran, before the battle?at least in brave men's hands?was lost, it would have been r.,? ? "vt - mi jjiuuiui. i\?j unu, ui present, can estimate the loss of the ^Mexicans?they are scattered o# the hills, in the roads, everywhere. * What disposition Gen. Scott is to make of the prisoners is yet unknown. He may set them all at liberty on their paroles, from the difficulty of feeding them, and to accelerate his own advance movements. We shall hear by to-morrow. I wish he could send the officers at ieast to the United States, for there is a fine string of them. It is now impossible to name officers who have distinguished themselves. I cannot however omit lo mention Cols. Harney, Riley and Childs of the regulars; Cols, T?^ I n ? I_ 11 r . 1 uunei, jt uiiiiixii uuu nasKen, or me volunteers, as every one is talking of them. I write this in great haste>and with noise, confusion and every thing else around me. You cannot appreciate the victory. To describe the ground and fortifications cf the enemy, the difficulty of turning their outer works, and the toil and peril undergone by the troops were impossible. No time to say another word. I send this off by an express. It is Gen. Scott's intention, I know, to push on to-wards the city of Mexico with all haste. To-morrow I will write more fully, and send by Gen. Scott's express. Yours, G. W, K. The list of killed and wounded officers in Coionol Haskell's command yesterdny I have been ablo to obtain. It should there be stated that Captain William's company of Kentucky, and Capt. Chas. Naylor's company of Pensylvania volunteers were attached temporarily to this regiment.? Here is the list:? Killed.? 1st Lieut. Fred. B. Nelson, commanding company; 2J Limit. C. G. Gill company E. Both these officers were from Memphis Wounded.?Lirut. Col. D. H. Curnming, slightly; Mnjor Robert Farquharson, (of the 1st Texas volunteers, assigned to this regiment for the day) severely ; 1st Lieut. Wiley P. Hoile adjutants, severely; 1st Lieut. Wm. Yeardood, mortally ; 2d Lieut. James Forrest, slightly; Captain A. H. Murrely severely; 2d Lieut. George T. Southerland, Kentucky volunteers, severely. The regiment, which in action, numbered less than 500 men, and its loss was 79 killed and wounded. La Vega was in command of the Cerro Gordo on the first day of the fight, but a deserter from our dragoon?, a German, going into their camp at night, and informing them that the main attack was to be on the .u-;- i:..~ .v-? ? ? c 1 ui men line?uic wuii\o du uerc^jy attacked by Gen. Pillow, he changed, places with Gen. Vasque? The latter as I have already stated was killed?^La Vega defended his post until the lines of the enemy were completely turned. Several Mexican colonels have been killed, but their names I have been unable to learn. A brother of Gen. La Vega, is colonel of artillery was severely, and as is supposed, mortally wounded. Hundreds of cases of individual gallantry, in storming the different heights, are mentioned on the first day until he had only some forty or fifty men with him. It is ajso said thut Captain Magrqder followed up a | charge until he hud but nine soldiers left. I cannot now recollect one-ter)tb part of the instances of almost reckless daring displayed, but shall endeavor to pick them up. I shall also send you one full return of jhe killed and wounded if I oaq obtain it, bat at present it is almost impossible to get hold of anything. The. ^wounded are still along the roads for iqiles, although tfcey are bringing tbeiq iq as fast as possible. The army is to advance towards Mexico iiqmediaiefy. Gen. Worth's division marched this morning?Gfcn. Scott is to march - . V'.' S - ' * . * ?* :' at noon. Santa Anna's coach is to be harnessed up for purpose of carrying on Major Sumter?better use than it was ever put to before. The officers and men of. the Mexican army?I mean such as are prisoners?are to be turned loose on their parole not again to take up arms during the war. Perhaps it is the best disposition that could bo made of them, as any other course would delay Gen. Scott's forward movement. Fifteen of their officers have refused to sign, but . u?:_ 1_ -r i iuvc iin.-11 puiun; ui minor 10 report themselves without delay to Gen. Wilson at Vera Cruz, as prisoners of war. Among these are Gens. La Vega and Jarero, the latter Governor of Perote during the time the Texan prisoners were there, and I believe distinguished for his good treatment of them. These officers will either be kept in the Castle of San Juan de Ullua, or else proceed to the United States. Gen. Shields is still alive, but it is considered impossible for him to survive. The ball went through his lungs as he was leading his men to storm the farthest work of the enemy. # # # # # # I shall start on for Jalapa this afternoon and will write by the way every opportunity. I send some Mexican nanp.rs n?s wlsn Santa Anna's last proclamation. It is rich. G. W. Iv. P. S. I have just learned that there is some hopes for Gen. Shields. God grant he may live. Col. Baker, who charged on the last fort, los forty-five men in killed and wounded out of only a portion of his regiment. Lieut. Cowandin, killed, Lieut. Murphy supposed to be mortally wounded; Lieut. Johnson wounded in three places, and thigh amputated : Lieuts. Scott, Freman and Maliby, wounded. G. W. K. Montezuma's Treasure. The following thrilling legend by the late M. C. Field, we publish, hoping it may assist the reader in ' murdering time" and contribute to his or her amusement:? j-iiKe tne aDoae* or like the spirit itseir of some fabled genii enchanted among the rocky hills, appears that enormous black pile known as the mountain of Toas. A perpetual gloom hangs round it through day and night, and even when the sun is brightest it assumes no livelier appearance, but seems ever to be enveloped in shadows. When a storm gathers, the lofty peak of this mountain is soon hidden, and the heavyladen clouds roll down its summit. The voice of the storm seems to rumble within its breast, the inhabitants of the valley peep from their dwellings at the black mountain, with fear, curiosity and wonder. From the valley the snow upon this mountain is not only visible in the Winter time ; in the iyi i/l/l I a r\ r A ? ^ * MIIUIIII, ui nu^uci, wncii ciuoailiy <1 lew miles distant, amongst its most Northern cliffs and crags' we saw the snow, glittering like molten silver beneath the beams of the mid-day sun. The appeaiance of this? truly gigantic bl ?ck pile is eminently calculated to rivet attention and excite wonder, and therefore it is not surprising that the super stition concerning it should exist among the simple-minded people of the valley.? Many, very many years ago, it is said the loJty summit was accessible, but all who achieved the ascent became lunatics, and ci.uld never tell what they had seen. This fact spread great alarm among the people, and the opinion was soon prevalent that the black mountain was the place chosen by Montezuma, for his re-appearance. . After this no more attempts were made to scale the summit, which was now held to be a sacred spot, until a wealthy young Spaniard in the city of Mexico laugh' ed at the popular snperstition, and declared that he dared to rn;?ke the ascent of the sacred mountain. He was carousing when the boast was made, and one of his compa* nions proposed him a princely wager upon the adventure, which was accepted, and a few days after, in spite of the warnings of priest, the prayers of his relative, the entreaties of his friends, and the earnest per-I suasions of the young men with whom he had laid the wager, and who now offered to relinquish it, the resolute adventurer bade good-bye lo all and started for Santa Fe. He travelled to Chihuahua, crossed the prairies and sand-plains that lay "between it and Santa Fe, and arrived at the base of the black mountain in Toas. He told the in* habitants what he meant to do; and here, agaip he was entreated and warned, but in vain. After resting a few (Jays he comrrienced the ascent followed by a crowd of the most daring spirits of the valley, The extreme summit of the mountain wa* reach ed by cfiiqbing a splintered,crag, and pro peeked for some distance along the edge of fl dangerous cleft, which was always filled with snow, and known to be very deep, as a man once fell into it, and his body never was seen again ;??H(ere (lie people paused, and the youn? Spaniard laughingly proceeded tp climb the fearful and difficult ascent. With undaunted resolution and iron nerves he toiled op the splintered pin V V' '0$. nacle, reached the narrow ledge, and with his small axe, working holes in the ice to cling to, he disappeared, slowly, on his hands and knees, over the high summit of the mountain. He had been gone but n few minutes, when he returned to the sight of the people, and called to them to ascend, for he had discovered n wonder to the astonished world?a magnificent cavern through which ran inexhaustible veins of gold, and light as the blaze of day with the precious stones ; the whole interior of the mountain, he declared, was one immense cavern; down from the entrances ran winding galleries of easy decent, leading to various apartments. He entreated some one to follow him up, and confirm his story; for, when he returned, no one would believe his words. He had hardly finished his announcement, when a whirl-wind came shrieking around the mountain peak, an 1 the young man was seen to fall upon his face, and cling lo the edge of the rock, to preserve himself from being blown over the precipice. The terrified people called upon him to descend instantly: but the sky darkened, and a thunder-bolt suddenly struck the pinnacle by which he had ascpndfirl. which fir* II with n frirrl-iifnl , -roar into the deep cleft and His retreat was cut ofT forever ! Filled with consternation and terror, the people fled down the mountain-side, abandoning- the wretched victim to his fate, and shutting their ears against his screams for assistance. From rock to rock, and down the deep ravines?along brinks beneath which headlong torrer?ts roared?over chasms crossed by fallen tree6 ?struggling through thickets of brush and shrubbery,and sometimes treadingthe water courses of the mountain, awe-stricken the people hurried, until, when night had closed over peak and plain,they reached the valley. The reckless young Spaniard was never heard of more ; and this is the legend told and believed by the simple people of the valley of the black mountain of Taos, and , the lar-famed, mysterious and appalling cavern of Montezuma's treasure. Hindoo Fable.?There is a fable., among J the Hindoos, that a thief, having been detected and condemned to die, bought upon an expedient by which he might be rescued from death. He sent for the jailer, and toidhim he had a secret to disclose to the king' and when he had done so he would be ready to die. The king sent for him to know what thfi sprrpt was T-Tn tnlil him he knew the art of producing trees that should boar gold. The king,accompanied by his prime minister, courtiers, and priests, with the thief, came to a certain spot, where they began their incanta ions. The thief \ then produced a piece of gold, declaring J that if sown it would produce a tree, every branch of which should bear gold : "but," ^ added he, " this must be put into the ground by a person perfectly honest. I am not so, 1 and therefore pass it to your majesty."? I The king replied, ' when I was a boy, I '' remember takingsomething from my father, ' which, although a trifle, prevents my being 1 nrnnur nnrenn f n:iss it thf>.rr?fnrp In ' v.... _ 1 my prime minister." The latter said,li I I receive the taxes of the people, and, as I am exposed to many temptations, how is it possi- 5 hie for me to be perfectly honest ? There- 1 fore. I pass it to the priest." The priest .j pleaded the same as to his conduct in re- ] reiving the sacrifices. At length the thief 1 exclaimed u 1 know not why you should I not all four of you be hanged, since not one | of us is honest." The king was so pleased ' with the thief's ingenuity, that he pardoned 1 him. ! i "Lo! the Poor Indian!"?The Delta ? says:?A family of Choctaw Indians, whose ' ancestors have lived immemornbly in our ' vicinity, says a Baton Rogue paper, 3rd ult, 1 and who, from a more powerful body, have '' now dwindled down to some half-a-dozen degraded beings, engaged themselves last ' weelc in the solemn office of capital punish- 1 ment. It had been long known that one of the family,'in a drunken brawl, Killed 1 another, and that punishment must follow, but the murderer and the friends of the murdered, have for months visited and encamped together upon equal terms, appa- ' rently enjoying the most perfect"social intPrf?nitr?A D n Rnlnrrlnir Inct tho nnnr wretches, covered with rags, and scarcely provided with food to keep their souls ond bodies together, camped in a beautiful piece of woods near our town, and commenced the solemn ceremonials for a funeral, the victim taking part in them. Towards night-, fall the preparations were finished, and the poor Indian exposed his naked breast?a load of buck-shot fired by his nearest relative, pierced his heart, and be fell a corpse. Nearly three days were consumed in weep-:; ingover his grave, and then the reiributm^ of justice wended their way off tovto6/ i swamps. , i." i . '"is From Napoleon and his. Marshals* break the enemy's ranks, and rode again to the advanced posts to direct the movements of his army, ono of his escort was stiuck dead by liis side. Turning to Duroc, he said, " Duroc, fato is determined to have one of us this day." Soon after as he was ri*; ding with his suit in a rapid trot along the road, a cannon ball smote a tree beside him, and glancing,struck General Kirgenerdead, and tore out the entrals of Duroc. Napoleon was ahead at the time, and his suite, four . Veast, behind him. The cloud of dust rapid movement raised around them, t ted him from knowing at first who \v ick. But when it was told him that K, bciier was killed and Duroc woun tied, he dismounted, and gazed long and sternly on the battery flrom which the shot had been fired ; then turned towards the cottage into which the wounded Marshal had been carried. Duroc was Grand Marshal of the Palace, and a bosom friend of .the Emperor. Of a noble and generous character, of unshaken integrity and patriotism, and firm as steel in the hour of danger, he was beloved by all who knew him. There was a gentleness about him and a purity of feeling, the life of a camp could never destroy. Napoleon loved him?for through all the changes of his tumultuous life he had ever found his af fectlon and the same?and it was with anxious heart and sad countenance he entered the lowly cottage where he lay. His eyes were filled with tears, as he asked if there was hope. When told there was none, he advanced to the bedside without saying a word. The dying marshal seized him by the hand and said, " my whole life has been consecrated to your service, and now my only regret is, that I can no longer be useful to you." Duroc !" replied Napoleon, with a voice choked wiih grief, {< there is another life?there you will await vie, and we shall 7n el again." " Yes, sir," replied the fainting sufferer, "but thirty years shall first pass away, when you will have trimuphed over your enemies, and realized all tho hopes of our country. I have endeavored to be an honest man ; I have nothing with which to reproach myself." He then added, with faltering voice, " Jhave a daughter;?? your Majesty will be a father to her." Na. poleon grasped his right hand, and sitting down beside, and leaning his head on his left hand; remained with closed eyes, a quarter of an hour, in profound silence. Du roc hrst spoke. Seeing how deeply tfonaparte was moved, he exclaimed, " -Ah / sire, leave m? ; this sppctaclr. pains you /" The stricken Emperor rose, and leaning on the arms of his equerry and Marshal Soult, Ijft the apartment, saying in heart-breaking tones, as he went, 11 Farewell, then, my fririul!" The hot pursuit he had directed a moment before was forgotten?victory,trophies, prisoners and all, sunk into worthlessuess, md, as at the battle of Aspern, when Lan. nes was brought to him mortally wounded, 10 forgot even his army, and the great interest at stake. He ordered his tent to bo pucnca near u*o coitage in which his friend ivas dying, and, entering it< passed the night ill alone in inconsolable grief. The imperial Guard formed their protecting squares, is usual, around him, and the firce tumult of battle gave way to one of the most touching scenes in history. Twilight was deepening over the field, and the heavy tread of the ranks going on to their bivouacs, the low rumbling of artillery wagons in the dis* tance, and all the subdued, yet contused ' sounds of a mighty host about sinking to repose, rose on the evening air, imparting still greater solemnity to the hour. Napo? leon, with his grey great coat wrapped [ibout him, his elbows on his knees, and his forehead resting on his hands, sat apart from all, burned in tup proioundest melancholy, His most intimate friends dare not approach liim, and his favorite officers stood in groups at a distance, gazing anxiously and sadly on that silent tent. But immense consequences were hanging on the movements of tho next morning-?a powerful enemy was near, ' with their array yet unbroken~rrand they t*.t length ventured to approach and ask for on ders. But tho brokenhearted chieftain only shook his head? exclaiming, Every thing' timdp. sv!#r ?x 9&M