MAJOR TWIGGS. 215 never return, whilst he studiously avoided alluding to them to his family. The death of his gallant son, George Decatur Twiggs, who fell a volunteer in Major Lally's command at the National Bridge, on the 12th of August, on the way to join his uncle the general, whose aid he was to become, had already excited a sincere and deep-felt sympathy for the bereaved mother. Having but just entered his twentieth year, a youth of the finest talents, and with the brightest prospects, already distinguished in the walks of literature, and pursuing his legal studies with the zeal inseparable from an ardent temperament, he also, true to his blood the commingled blood of heroes, which flowed in his veins-panted for martial fame. In one action, he had already gained the applause of his commander; in the next, whilst actively discharging the duty of a lieutenant in the place of one who had just fallen, the fatal missile of the enemy cut him off in the flower of his age! "As some fair tree which erst the forest graced, And charmed the eye by blooming vines embraced, Yields to the lightning's stroke, or tempest's blast!" Of the many brave men who have laid down their lives for their country's honour during the existing war, none fought more gallantly, nor died more nobly, than did these kindred spirits, the father and son. Neither has it pleased an all-wise Providence to call hence on any of those battle-fields, recently rendered immortal by the achievements of our heroic soldiers, a more worthy and well-tried citizen than the one, nor a youth of brighter promise than the other. Well appreciated by his friends, to whom he was endeared, as well by his own virtues as those of his estimable wife, the news of the fall of Major Twiggs, almost coincident as it was with that of his son, has created a deep sensation of universal sorrow and sym pathy. Generous, humane, social, affectionate, with a soul of chivalry, he was swayed by the gentlest emotions; considerate to those under his command, without any relaxation of discipline, he was the friend of the soldier, and was rewarded by the soldier's obedience and devotion. As an officer, long holding most responsible and arduous stations, his conduct always elicited the applause of his superiors; and in all the social relations, and more especially in those of domestic life, his deportment may be pronounced to have been faultless. Of scrupulous integrity, he was conscientious in the discharge K* even of his minutest duties: a tender and affectionate husband, a most kind and indulgent parent, leaving a wife and three daughters to lament his loss: alas! it is to those widowed and orphaned hearts that his many virtues are best known, and by them that they will be most fondly cherished; hearts crushed beneath a weight of affliction which few are called upon to bear; for scarcely had they begun to recover from the shock of the loss of a son and brother, before this last stunning blow fell upon them like a thunderbolt. Let them be considered henceforth as the widow and children of the nation; for to their case the annals of war, with its aggravated horrors, can scarcely produce a parallel! To their prior bereavements it would be out of place to refer here. But that gracious Being, who has seen fit to visit them with such grievous afflictions, will not fail to comfort and uphold them in this hour of their bitter trial! Nor heap fresh ashes on the mourner's brow, Teach them to bear thy chastening wrath, O God! To kiss, with quivering lips, still humbly kiss thy rod! Forgive, forgive, e'en should their full heart break, The broken heart thou wilt not, Lord, despise, Ah! thou art still too gracious to forsake, Though thy strong hand so heavily chastise." Among the testimonials of respect from superior officers, and different friends, was the following order, dated adjutant and inspector's office, Washington, November 20th, 1847, and addressed to Captain J. G. Williams, commanding marines at Philadelphia: "The commandant of the corps with profound and cordial sorrow, announces to the officers and soldiers the death of Major Levi Twiggs, while leading his command to victory and glory, on the 13th September, under the walls of the city of Mexico. In his loss the corps has to mourn for a gallant officer, who has passed all of his youth in its ranks, and his country for an estimable and patriotic citizen, and those who knew him most intimately, for a valued friend and a high-minded gentleman. "The usual badge of mourning will be worn for him by the officers of the corps for one month, and the flag at head-quarters will be half-masted to-morrow. "By order of the Brevet Brigadier-General Commandant." LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAY. THE reputation of Colonel May is based upon his conduct in the operations on the Rio Grande. During that period of gloom and foreboding, his activity, courage, and experience were to General Taylor invaluable. Little is known of his early history. He is a native of the city of Washington, and son of Dr. May. When the 2d regiment of dragoons was organized, during General Jackson's administration, he was commissioned as lieutenant, and ordered to Florida. Here his duties were of course arduous; but if we except the capture of the Indian chief Philip, nothing of interest is related of him. After he had joined General Taylor at Corpus Christi, we hear little of him until the march of that officer from Fort Brown to Point Isabel, in order to open the communication between them. As the cannonading of the river fort subsequent to Taylor's departure, had been heard at Point Isabel, great anxiety was experienced as to the result; and in order to ascertain the condition of the garrison, Captain May with one hundred dragoons was despatched to the Rio Grande. He set out about two o'clock in the afternoon, and after proceeding some distance, halted until the approach of night. They then hurried forward until about nine, when the Mexican fires became visible in the distance, and soon after their whole army was observed stretched in sleep, over the open plain. Maintaining the strictest silence, May passed round their front, and succeeded in gaining unobserved a chapparal hedge at some distance from the fort. He now sent Captain Walker, of the Texas rangers, to communicate with Major Brown. After waiting until near daylight without hearing any news of the captain, May concluded that he had been captured by the enemy and accordingly set out on his return. About sunrise he passed within half a mile of the Mexican main body without molestation. Soon after he encountered over one hundred lancers, drawn up in order of battle, about twelve miles from Point Isabel. These he charged, and drove them nearly three (217) 19 |