Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-01-02

her, some old iron guns, "more dangerous to-
friend than foe,'' were procured from the sorer-
eigns of Texas. Such was the condition and
equipment of the then famous ''Army of Oc-
cupaion."
The weather mas been so cold and uncom-
Portable for the last two or three weeks, that
we almost ''wish ourselves at home again."
We are encamped on an open plain along
the bay, with out tree or other obstacle, to
break the force of the temple "Aorthers," which
prevail here for weeks in succession. The
changes Of temperature are as great as they
are sudden, the thermometer falling from 900
to 200 in thirty hours or whereabouts, and
leave you to guess its effect upon troops not in
aUinter quarters, but in the meanest kind Of
tents. Just imagine yourself. about daylight,
trying to find your way ont of your tent, Ito
attend reVeiile,) the sides and roof of which
are frozen stiff Uith sleet, the coolest ''sort' of
'norther" striking you in the face as soon
as you get your head outside, the thermometer
at 200, and no fire. say, just imagine such
a state Of things, and you will understand why
we would like to be farther north.
Ii we could only get into the ''piney woods"
of Florida, or the "good old North State," we
could soon make ourselves comfortable, by
constructing shuts" orshelters over our tents,
and erecting regular plantation chir"neys and
FIRE places, and gathering around the huge log
| fires, We should soon forget this miserable
woodIess strip of land "between two coun-
tries.''
How long our government intends to keep
US here, is not a matter for US 10 discuss, but
| trust the administration will push matters TO
speedy and final termination, before we have
another question of boundary on our hands.
believe the President 1oiN, and l think he has
acted with great deal of energy and 6rmness
IN this matter, and have but Ole objection to
offer to the plan of this campaign, and that is,
we should have been supplied with a complete
field train in October, and have advanced at once
and occupied the lift bunk IF the Rio Grande
in force.
Mexico will procrastinate so long as she APP
prehends no danger from our arms, but let us
once plant cur country'S flag upon the banks
of the Rio Bravo, and rally the strong arms
and stout hearts Of our countrymen around it,
and she will treat with US amicably. She does
not desire to see the ''Stars and Stripes' float,
ing in proud triumph upon the ''Halls of the
Monezumas." She will then listen to rea-
son. She will then talk of peace, instead of
clustering and foaming about marching 10
Washington
Perhaps the mtlHer course that we are pur-
suing, will prove the best. hope. will, for
am confident we are right, and am anxious
that we should act right-particularly as we
are engaged with nation, our inferior in al
most every element that makes people
great.
The army is supplied entirely from New
Orleans, by way Of St. Joseph's Island, thirty
miles distant from this place, and at which
place is the principle depot. Two small
steamers (the ''Neva'' and '.Col. Long,") ply
f between the two places constantly, bringing
5 US supplies, and the mails, as they arrive from
b.. New Orleans, in small sailing vessels, and OF
course, very irregularly. The distance from
New Orleans to Arkansas Bay. is about six
hundred miles, the bar at the latter place Cal
only be crossed by vessels drawing sir or sever
I feet of water. All large vessels have 10 anchor
! in the open sea, outside, and be unadened BY
f lighters in heavy sea, caused by the Eas
q wind, which blows there ''incessantly." You
can we'll imagine the difficulties of landine
- troops under such circumstances, particularly
= mounted troops, which was done, however
a without an accident, by two companies o
d mounted Artillery, and all the other troops
except Dragons.
\ 18th December.
# have just returned from the grave Of tn,
# late Lieut.. Allen, of the Dragons, who dice
+ yesterday, in the General Hospital at Thu
Is Camp, of a congestive brain fever.
d Lieut.. A. had but just left the Military A
!. cademy, where he had passed successfully AM
le honorably through the rigid ordeal of that In
J. stitution, and with buoyant hopes of brigh
and glorious career in the profession of hi
~ choice, came to Join this regiment for activ