Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-03-04
" The following is letter from virginian now pr
soncr in Mexico, to his father in this vicinity
MEXICO, CASTLE OF PKKorK,
Jan'Y 9th. 1914


Ny Dear FdtAer-As so good an opporuni,v oTsrs of
writing to you, avail myself Of TO inform YOU where and
how am Mr. SOuhall passed here about week since
on MS way To Mexico, important business of his Gov
emmcnt-a speedy and prompt settlement of tho ,;cl
ties between the United States and the Republic Of Ncxi
CO., On his RETURN which will be in two or three Cavs To
is place, according to his PROMISE shall despatch INV
letter through him TO YOU Ere tins you have heard of nv
capture by tine Mexicans San Antonio on the Ih of
September 1872 which informed you Of at San Fernan
do, while on my way 10 this place. Some fifteen DAVIS
since, wrote 10 sister, giving her on account of INV
ture, our treatment, and other things which YOU will no
doubt receive before this reaches YOU am sl confined
"i me rest OF my companions, this place (Perut)
about halt way between the City Mexico and Vera
Mexican port, the Gulf OF Mexico: il il an old far
ues bui IN the reign of Ferdinand VII one of the kings
Oh SPAN II Is very strong fort, and used now by the
MeNcans TO conne and punish their criminals and Is one
o The coolest and most dsagreeabe places Mexico
may say IA the world, being cold windy and dusty near
y the whole year.
We reached here the 22d Of last December after
being nearly three months and a half on the road For
some OF days alter We arrived had the liberty of the
casue, except At night when and locked
up Very much To my surprise, we had been here
snort une we were chained and two some
few with single chaius and days after we were chain
ed we were put TO wOrk-made pack sandstone and do
other things; fare is miserable the extreme being
vey scany and that Of the kind those that have
money make quite WELL being enabled TO buy the ne
cessares u life, AT a reasonable rate.
For you should have received either of my for
meT letters, will give brief account Of my capture
San Antonio, the lth OF last Superintendent the day
that large Mexican force approaching the town. but
as there MAD been similar reports, the
entrance OF Gen Vasquez in the spring, and from equally
as good source fom which the last report had originated
most OF the citizens did believe IL; a meeting how.
ever was convened tue Court House. for the purpose
determining whether should remain and defend the
town, or abandon il, supposed, 90 be plagrd by
band OF robbers After dsc.ssion il was determin
ed TO Fenan at least long enough ascertain the character
% the force that was apprOacngas the reports had been
so many and various about the coming of the enemy. At
length II was agreed send spies and also commits
soers with the understanding, If it regular troops,
they would return and let know, and II they should not
return, we might calculate they robben-and an un
Outstanding with the spies leave until their return
but 10 be prepared and the aer-al of which occurred
IN the morning. In the evening" two Mexicans into
town and reported that they had hundred horses
or miles above the main road, the town. when was
told by the same men, from whom had received the
news not TO oave that the enemy regular troops
but robbers, they had the main road Some
100 Mexicans also assembled for the defence of the town
which evidence ihu the enemy robbers fol
wo knew we'll they would take up against their
country. Early the morning, were aroused from
our beds by the sound OF cannon when repaired
the place OF rendesvouz and awaited the approach Of the
enemy The morning was very ioggy, so much were
unable TO distinctly the enemy, they drew near
Crossing the square, fired upon them, as did also the
Mcxcans; but they did stop the music or their
prOsch; we hred upon them again; when they fed We
then shouted, they robbers, and continued firing; when
white flag came, borne by Mexican officer, telling
that il was Gen. VOL with 200 men, and that
render IN less than an hour would be cut to pieces
We capituntcd Sc Of that lives and property (nrn
e1ceped should be respected and that should be
| cd kindly. We remained In San Antonio days whcr
we left for San Fernando, frontier Mexican town.
we insured we should be beracd but that together
with almost every other PROMISE has been fasied. NJ,
health on the road has been generally good. The Texans
were defeated the Goth December last, on the Rio
/ Grandc losing ~ men killed. and SO wounded and Isl
taken prisoners among whom is Col. Willnm s. Fisher
Richmond who advanced with some 800 men, and wa
opposed by large force and after II hours fighting wal
compelled to surrender.
My dear father, II you do any thing for my release
fflUNH Fff fIU'N 10
this the most abominablo Of places Geul Santa Ami
would give me my freedom i( requested through such
source. The mo Of confinement here is very
ien, Texas will probably be again invaded. The lit
stock Of money brought with from San Antonio, Is
urely gone. II you can by any send some
without making too great sacrifice, do II you can
you do so by making arrangement with some hous
/ in Richmond having dealings in Orleans, from whence
can be S. VI, Diamond u. S. Consul Vera Cruz
and by him Mr.. SOuihal IL from Williamsburg an,
officer Of the Navy. Tell mother be oil unca
~ about me- Love to ALL Your son,
JAMES l.. TRUEHEART.
Forwarded by ?. \. Dispatches fror
Mc1iool