It was now that period of suspense and of false truce between the glorious 20th of August and the equally glorious 8th of September, 1847--between the two most brilliant actions of the war, the battle of Churubusco and the storming of Chapultepec.
The General-in-Chief of the United States forces in Mexico was at his headquarters in the Archiepiscopal palace of Tacubaya, on the suburbs, or in the full sight of the city of the Montezumas, awaiting the issue of the conference between the commissioners of the hostile governments, met to arrange the terms of a treaty of peace--that every day grew more hopeless.
General Scott, who had had misgivings as to the good faith of the Mexicans, had now his suspicions confirmed by several breaches on the part of the enemy of the terms of the armistice.
Early in September he despatched a letter to General Santa Anna, complaining of these infractions of the truce, and warning him that if some satisfactory explanations were not made within forty-eight hours he should consider the armistice at an end, and renew hostilities.
And not to lose time, he began on the same night a series of reconnaissances, the object of which was to ascertain their best approach to the city of Mexico, which, in the event of the renewal of the war, he purposed to carry by a.s.sault.
It is not my intention to pretend to describe the siege and capture of the capital, which has been so often and eloquently described by grave and wise historians, but rather to follow the fortunes of an humble private in the ranks, and relate the events of a certain court-martial, as I learned them from the after-dinner talk of a gallant officer who had officiated on the occasion.
It was during these early days in September, while the ill.u.s.trious General-in-Chief was meditating concluding the war by the a.s.sault of the city of Mexico, that Colonel Le Noir also resolved to bring his own private feud to an end, and ruin his enemy by a coup-de-diable.
He had an efficient tool for his purpose in the Captain of the company to which Traverse Rocke belonged. This man, Captain Zuten, was a vulgar upstart thrown into his command by the turbulence of war, as the sc.u.m is cast up to the surface by the boiling of the cauldron.
He hated Traverse Rocke, for no conceivable reason, unless it was that the young private was a perfect contrast to himself, in the possession of a handsome person, a well cultivated mind, and a gentlemanly deportment--cause sufficient for the antagonism of a mean and vulgar nature.
Colonel Le Noir was not slow to see and to take advantage of this hatred.
And Captain Zuten became the willing coadjutor and instrument of his vengeance. Between them they concocted a plot to bring the unfortunate young man to an ignominious death.
One morning, about the first of September, Major Greyson, in going his rounds, came upon Traverse, standing sentry near one of the outposts.
The aspect of the young private was so pale, haggard and despairing that his friend immediately stopped and exclaimed:
"Why Traverse, how ill you look! More fitted for the sick list than the sentry"s duties. What the deuce is the matter?"
The young soldier touched his hat to his superior and answered sadly, "I am ill, ill in body and mind, sir."
"Pooh!--leave off etiquette when we are alone, Traverse, and call me Herbert, as usual. Heaven knows, I shall be glad when all this is over and we fall back into our relative civil positions towards each other.
But what is the matter now, Traverse? Some of Le Noir"s villainy again, of course."
"Of course. But I did not mean to complain, Herbert; that were childish. I must endure this slavery, these insults and persecutions patiently, since I have brought them upon myself."
"Take comfort, Traverse. The war is drawing to a close. Either this armistice will end in a permanent peace, or when hostilities are renewed our General will carry the city of Mexico by storm, and dictate the terms of a treaty from the grand square of the capital. In either event the war will soon be over, the troops disbanded, and the volunteers free to go about their business, and Doctor Traverse Rocke at liberty to pursue his legitimate profession," said Herbert, cheerfully.
"It may be so, I do not know. Oh, Herbert, whether it be from want of sleep and excessive fatigue--for I have been on duty for three days and nights--or whether it be from incipient illness, or all these causes put together, I cannot tell, but my spirits are dreadfully depressed!
There seems to be hanging over me a cloud of fate I cannot dispel.
Every hour seems descending lower and blacker over my head, until it feels like some heavy weight about to suffocate or crush me," said Traverse, sadly.
"Pooh, pooh! hypochondria! cheer up! Remember that in a month we shall probably be disbanded, and in a year--think of it, Traverse Rocke--Clara Day will be twenty-one, and at liberty to give you her hand. Cheer up!"
"Ah, Herbert, all that seems now to be more unsubstantial than the fabric of a dream. I cannot think of Clara or of my mother without despair. For oh, Herbert, between me and them there seems to yawn a dishonored grave! Herbert, they talk, you know, of an attack upon the Molina-del-Rey, and I almost hope to fall in that charge!"
"Why?" inquired Major Greyson, in dismay.
"To escape being forced into a dishonored grave! Herbert, that man has sworn my ruin, and he will accomplish it!" said Traverse, solemnly.
"For Heaven"s sake, explain yourself!" said Herbert.
"I will. Listen! I will tell you the history of the last three days,"
said Traverse; but before he could add another word the sentry that was to relieve his guard approached and said:
"Captain Zuten orders you to come to his tent instantly."
With a glance of significance, Traverse bowed to Herbert and walked off, while the sentinel took his place.
Herbert saw no more of Traverse that day. At night he went to inquire for him, but learned that he had been sent with a reconnoitering party to the Molina-del-Rey.
The next day, on seeking Traverse, he understood that the young private had been despatched on a foraging expedition. That night, upon again inquiring for him, he was told that he had been sent in attendance upon the officers who had borne secret despatches to General Quitman, at his quarters on the Acapulco road.
"Traverse is right. They mean to ruin him. I see how it is, exactly.
When I saw Traverse on guard, two days ago, he looked like a man exhausted and crazed for want of sleep, and since that time he has been night and day engaged in hara.s.sing duty. That demon, Le Noir, with Zuten to help him, has determined to keep Traverse from sleep, until nature is thoroughly exhausted, and then set him upon guard, that he may be found sleeping on his post. That was what the boy meant when he talked of the cloud that was hanging over him, and of being forced into a dishonored grave, and when he hoped, poor fellow, to fall in the approaching a.s.sault upon the Molina-del-Rey! I see it all now. They have decided upon the destruction of Traverse. He can do nothing, A soldier"s whole duty is comprised in one word--obedience, even if, as in this instance, he is ordered to commit suicide. Let them hatch their diabolical plots. We will see if the Lord does not still reign, and the devil is not a fool. It shall go hard, but that they are "hoist with their own petard!"" said Herbert, indignantly.
Early the next morning he went to the tent of Captain Zuten and requested to see Private Traverse Rocke, in whom, he said, he felt a warm interest.
The answer of Colonel Le Noir"s tool confirmed Herbert"s worse suspicions.
Touching his cap with an air of exaggerated deference, he said:
"As you think so much of the young fellow, Major, I am very sorry to inform you, sir, that he is under arrest."
"Upon what charge?" inquired Herbert, calmly, concealing the suspicion and indignation of his bosom.
"Upon a rather bad one, Major--sleeping on his post," replied the officer, masking his exultation with a show of respect.
"Rather bad! The penalty is death," said Herbert, dryly.
"Yes, sir--martial law is rather severe."
"Who charges him?" asked Herbert, curtly.
"The Colonel of our regiment, sir," replied the man, scarcely able to conceal his triumph.
"An accusation from a high quarter. Is his charge supported by other testimony?"
"Beg pardon, Major, but is that necessary?"
"You have answered my question by asking another one, sir. I will trouble you for a direct reply," said Herbert with dignity.
"Then, Major, I must reply--yes."
"What testimony? I would know the circ.u.mstances?"
"Well, sir, I will tell you about it," said the officer, with ill-concealed triumph. "Private Traverse Rocke had the early morning watch----"
"After his return from the night ride to Acapulco?"
"Yes, sir. Well, Colonel Le Noir and myself in going our rounds this morning, just before sunrise, came full upon the young fellow, fast asleep on his post. In fact, sir, it required a hearty shake to awaken him."