A campaign in MexicoScribner, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin)
History
A campaign in Mexico
Scribner, B. F. (Benjamin Franklin)
Mexican War, 1846-1848 -- Personal narratives
_September 2d._--Last night the whole encampment was thrown into the
most intense excitement, by a row which broke out between two companies
of Georgia troops, who were embarking on the steamer Corvette for
Camargo. The combatants were principally Irish, and fought with their
characteristic determination. Although we were some distance from the
river, we could hear distinctly the blows, and demoniacal yells of
the rioters, which were truly appalling. The conflict continued for
two hours, during which several were killed, and wounded, and quite a
number terribly bruised, and others were knocked overboard and perhaps
drowned. Colonel Baker, of the 4th Illinois regiment, marched on board
with twelve men, and demanded peace. He was himself attacked by four
men with bayonets, which he warded off with his scabbard, at the same
time defending himself with his sword, from the attack of the Irish
captain, and succeeded in disabling him, by thrusting his sword into
his mouth, and cutting open the whole side of his cheek. A savage
yell was immediately heard from the mob, and the report of a pistol,
which was aimed at the brave colonel’s head. He fell badly wounded,
the ball entering the back of his neck, and coming out of his mouth.
Then came the cry, “Help, your colonel is shot,--they have killed
Colonel Baker.” This was too much, and we made a simultaneous rush
for our arms. Colonel Bowles ordered out five companies, the Greys
among the number,--and in five minutes we had a line formed around the
boat, and the riot quelled, before the Illinois regiment had arrived.
The exposure of last night has quite laid me up to-day, although the
captain of the guard called me from the ranks, and sent me to my
quarters long before morning.
This has been a solemn day. We had two burials, and it is thought
Colonel Baker will not recover. The whole day has been occupied in the
court martial, which has resulted in sending the officers engaged in
the riot, under arrest, to General Taylor, who is now at Camargo.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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