The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-05-12
A letter from the Army.


Camp near Maf0moras, .4prif II 1916.
Dear Sir-Anxious to keep you cor
recily informed Of passing events in this
quarter Of the world, avail myself Of
some Of the very few leisure moments |
am permitted 10 enjoy. wrote you last
from Point Isabella, aud viii take up nay
narrative from that Point.
The day after writing my letter we set
of for this place and the FIRST day encainp-
ed with the main body. We started ear
ly next morning in one column, the na-
ture Of the country being such as to pre-
vent any other order of march, When
arrived within four or five miles of the
river we found our advanced guard halted
with the information that they had lost
two men and three horses, captured by a
party of rMexicans. This looked belllg-
erent indeed, and preparations were made
accordingly, The trains were parked
and the traces cast loose from the wheel
mules, while the whole command moved
forward covered by light infantry skir-
mishers.
At last we came in sight of the Mexl-
can Gag, and few minutes more and the
town and its lorufcationS lay within 250
wards of us. We defiled directly along
the river bank, The river is about l80 or
900 yards wide and halting within
musket shot of their batteries, hastily e.
reclcd temporary flag staff and uniurleJ
the .stars and stripes. Our standards
and coors were uniurled by the DETERRENT
regiments as they passed it, and the bands
saluted it with the national airs. We en-
camped in some large corn-6elds, in
which the corn was Is inches or 2 feet
high and almost Immediately Gen.
Worth, with his staff officers, was sent
with white flag 10 demand parley.
In a short time, boat put out from
the other side. bringing two Mexican Off
GERS in splendid uniforms, who IN answer
to General Worth, stated that they were
forbidden To allow his crossing the river.
They consented to receive a letter from
Gen. Taylor, however, directed 10 Gen.
Mejia, stating our peaceable intentions,
g., and SO the matter ended for the day.
The next day in answer to demand from
Gen. T., they returned us the two men
and two of the horses they had captured,
stating that the-act had not been author
lsed by their military authorities, and that
their magnanimous nation did not war
upon individuals, &C., in their usual
srain. BY this time they had commen-
ced new batteries, and at daylight next
morning, we found that they had during
the night thrown up sand bag battery
of very formidable appearance. The
mcknight word was brought into camp,
that 600 Cavalry had crossed the river be-
low, destination supposed to be Point
Isabella. Our squadron was ordered
down there Immediately. We received
the order to saddle up at % minutes past
8 o'clock, and at half past two O'Clock,
we were at Pt. l., 2si miles Distant
The night was rainy, and so dark that
we lost the road twice. We remained
there two days without hearing or seeing
any thing.
Whilst there, the garrison Of the place
completed their field redoubt and mount
ed four six Founders in it. We brought
up with us six l8 Founders, and on our
return found Two field works thrown up
on our side, and another one is now near
ly finished. The latter is intended to
fight three brigades within its walls, if
necessary We made another night
march, four nights ago with fifteen men
and lieutenant, we started at dark and
kept the river bank for miles down, re-
turning about 4 O'Clock, A. NJ, without
seeing any thing. Day before yesterday
Col. Cross, the third officer in rank with
the army, and Assistant Quarter Master
General, rode out alone, as he had been
in the habit of doing, and has not been
heard OF since.
Our entire Dragon force has been
securing the country in all directions, but
without success. Supposing that he had
been made prisoner and carried to Mata-
moras, flag was sent to the Ferry this
morning, TO inquire. They have assured
us most positively, that he was not there
10 their knowledge, and certainly had
not been capturcdby their orders. There
is very little doubt but that he was mur-
dured for his horse watcn &c. This is
sad loss 10 us, for he has always ranked
as,one of the first, if not the first soldier
of the Army. Another great loss we
have sustained in the resignation of Gen.
Worth, who left here the same day that
Col &. was lost.
8 o'clock, pm.
About an hour since two Mexican Off
GERS crossed 10 his side with flag bear
ing despatch 10 Gen. Taylor. What do
ycu think ii was? Gen. Ampudia has