Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-07-30
MT3s9aJl 1a1ayo
NNNNNNNNNNNNN NNNNNN,
FROM THE RIO GRANDE.

We give below, from the National Inteli-
gencer, the principal portions Of a letter re
ceived by a member of Congress from the
Seat Of War Il contains much that is inter-
esting in the present state of affairs.
PoINT ISABEL, June 90, 1876
Sin Being here among that (too many)
unfortunate class called Volunteers, and having
not much else TO do but to protect myselltrom
the effects Of hot sun and almost daily rains
for the last two weeks, have concluded 10
make a few notes for the information Of those
who keep an eve on the acts and management
of the persons charged with the prosecution of
the war with Mexico. My position enables
me TO see and hear much Of what is going on;
but do not like some others pretend TO know
every thing; therefore YOU must not dlscredit
what state because do not tell all you may
wish to know or all that occurs.
The President, in his message of the | It'll OF
Nav, SAYS american blood has been she'd on
American soil )" alludmg to the affair that took
place on the 2lth April between the dragons,
under the command Of Capts. THoRSToN and
HARDEE, in which some We're killed and the
others taken prisoners by the Mexicans.-
There is much 10 be said upon the question
whether il is righdully American soil where
this affair took place but certain it is that as
soon as Capt THORNTON was given up by the
Mexicans, on the 10Th or | lth of MAY he was
put under arrest by Gen. TAYLOR for disobey-
ing his orders whilst on that expedition, and
bringing on that fight contrary TO his wishes.
He is now here under aTrest--a circumstance
have not seen mentioned in public manner.
may at some future time send you state
ment Of some facts bearing on the assertions
Of the President and the circumstances relied
on to prove that the bank OF the RIO Grande
was American soil. 1t may be SO considered
now.
AS soon as the alarm Of war was rung thro'
the country, Volunteers fastened here from
various quarters, until there is now on this
frontier some eight or ten thousand, and many
more on the way. Many of these men have
left comfortable homes, and have come expec-
ting TO see active service. Instead Of that, they
are scattered over the country, in different en-
campments, exposed TO the heat of the sun in
latitude twenty-six, and the soaking rains OF
the Summer solstlce, inactive, and many in
dulgng in dissipation 10 kill time and chase
away ennul. will explain why this is So
The great object seems to have been TO hasten
men on here, without any particular object
If il be for purposes OF defence, Gen. TAYLOR
has proved he did not want many to assist
him--certainly no more than he called for
II the object be invasion, the men come poorly
provided. They come with arms in their
hands, and there arc provisions enough, easily
obtained, but there is not suiliclency ofrans-
portation for an army Of five thousand men,
If some attention had been paid TO the neces-
sary means of transporting supplies for an
army, it would have been much better than
sending masses of men TO suffer in this climate.
An army cannot move without provisions, and
if we penetrate far into the country il will re-
qure great number of wagons. There are
about three hundred wagons and teams here,
but not drivers enough for them; when say
here, understand with the army. We are
told the Government has three hundred wag
ons in or about Philadelphia when they will
be here no one can tell mules have TO be pur-
chased, and no chance of getting them, except
from the Mexicans they are perfectly wild,
and must be tanned and taught to work; this will
take a long time after the wagons arrive. The
Mexican officers are having the mules driven
off as fast as they can into the interior, and
forbid any sales to us; still a good many are
brought to Matamoras and are purchased. A
month ago an officer was sent TO New Orleans
to purchase several steamboats, suitable TO nav
igate the Rio Grande. None of them are here
vet, and, from what we have been informed,
when they do arrive, ii is not probable they
will answer the purpose. In the meantime
the mouth of the river has been closed by
bar the steamers Sea and Cincinnati, charter
ed at high rates, were caught inside, and are
of little OF no use, drawing too much water
The Col Harvey steamer, belonging TO the
Government, was during the last week, in open
daylight, run on the bar, off this harbor, and
has gone to pieces--a great pieceo negligence,
The utter neglect to supply the Army with
sufficient transportation for ammunition and
supplies now paralizes everything and pre-
vents the army moving on. If we had had
one month ago three hundred additional wag-
ons and two or three small steamers IN the
Rio Grande, we should be now far on our
way to Monterey, in high, healthy country,
the men contented and well, and no time CIV
en- the enemy TO recruit their forces or recover
from the consequences of their defeat. Instead
of this, do not believe the Army will leave
the banks OF the Rio Grande before the middle
of August or the commencement Of Septem.