Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1842-04-05

Santa Anna IN person Nor are they likely to be
much less enthusiastic when led against BODY of
Mexican troops, no matter by whom they are com.
manded
Let us what are the resources of Texas
She can bring into the field at least 5000 active
able bodied men, well armed We do not think
she can count upon more than this number. She
has still all her old and brave generals to lead her
troops. She has Genaral Sam Houston General
Bureston. all of whom went through the former
war, and know the character of the men they have
to hight with. They had abundant experience in
the previous war, and know how to attack the
Mexican forces and use them up at terrible dis
advantage
Again, the Texans are all soldiers ready made
to order, hardy and active from their mode of life
and all of them good marksman They never
throw away powder and ball without killing some.
thing. Again, the whole of the United States is
familiar with Texas and its people now in 1886
1t was 10 many of them like a wilderness afar off
Now it is a pleasant journey ola few DAYS; the
facilities OF intercourse between the United States
and Texas are greatly improved and increased
The commercial, financial and social relations of
the two countries have increased tenfold within
the last five years; one where one armed volunteer
entered Texas from the United States in 1855. and
1886, twenty would enter the Texas service now.
Again, its navy is on much better footing; she
has twice as many ships of war as she had in
1888 ana there are a great number ofmen in her
navy now, who have been in the service of the u
nitcd States Navy Besides the whole is under the
command of former officer of the United States
Navy, Commodore Moore, who is more active
and prudent, though not drawer officer than
Charley Hawkins, the commander of the Texan
Navy in 1886
In addition, to all this, the Texas army has the
immense advantage of being under the chief COM
mand of General Johnson, one of the brayest men
most skilu soldiers, and best disciplinarians that
ever lived He graduated at West Point. was a
long time in the army off the United States, and
was at one time, adj utunt of the sixth regiment of
the United States Army Taking all these things
together, the affairs OF Texas are much more prom
Using than they were in the former struggle.
On the other hand the Mexican soldiers are no
better of in any respect, and have no more advan-
tages than they possessed in the war of 1885,
They have few more in numbers, but that is a
trlte They are the same class of men or rath-
err, we should say that large majority of them
are mere boys; and as it was in the war and inya.
sion of 1885, so it doubtless is now. viz. that
great number of these youths have been pressed
INTO the service at the different fairs and fees given
in order to draw them together at Durango, Salt
illo Moutery, &C. They are very inferior race
OF men, they are generally very diminutvo in
otoNuiSi VIII NCly uuIh SWuTl0Y SKINS anu num-
bers of them look like mixture of Indian and
Negro blood, while some of them appear to have
sprinkle of white blood in their veins They
are no soldiers-have small arms and very little
muscular strength, lazy and cowafdly by nature
hall the day they want to be lying down, taking
S'eStG on the dirty ground they are poor marks.
men; and although theycan load and fire musk
ct almost as fast as any set of men in the world,
they never take their aim, and generally turn a
way their head when they pull the trigger
So much for the main body ofthe Mexican army
Then as to the officers, it is no better off, The
former army was commanded by Sata Anna uhc
very best genera Mexico ever produced) General
Felisola, General Urea General Cos, General
Wall, livery brave Englishman, and Col Almon.
to- one ofthe most sbilfu and shrewd men that ev-
err lived. Now all but two ofthese men were verv
well acquainted with Texas Almonte and Cos
and Wall had been all over Texas-knew its roads
its rivers, and where to pass them-knew all the
principal mcn, and all the resources of the country
and this alone enabled them to advance as far
as Brazoria with the southern division, and San
Jacinto with the northern division
Now, the troops are under Gen Arista and Gen
Bravo neither of whom know any thing of Texas
its men, means resources rivers or roads and il
is not at all surprising that they should have
marched without interruption to Victoria on the
Guadalupe river, andto Bexar on the San Ano-
MIA river, without interruption There was moth
ing under heaven to impede their progress, except
a few scattered cottages, in the praries and a
small collection of people, about 800, badly arm.
ed, at Goliad. One thing, however is singular;
none Of the general officers who were in Texas
before have returned this time; this looks omin-
GUS of their opinion ofhe result ofthe struggle On
the other hand, Santa Anna, by remaining in
Mexico, can keep sending supplies to his army in
Texas, which will prolong the struggle
1t is our decided opinion the Mexicans will not
cross the Brazo river this time; there is to much
property concentrated that river too allow of it,
and we doubt very much whether if Gen Burlson
has 1000 men under him in the north he will never
allow the northern division of the Mexican army
to cross the Colorado. However, wherever he
decides to fight them, ifthey are not more than
to |, he will whip them The Southern division
of the Mexican army may reach Brazoria. but we
rather think that it will be cut all to pieces before
it crosses the San Bernado which lies between
the Colorado and the Brazons
The last war commenced on January "a, and
was all over on the 23d of Aprl-three months.