Indiana State sentinel., 1846-09-03
Sketches i'm the Camp.
BY AN Ex-REPoRTER OF THE STATE sEN1INl
No


On the 9th Of July great number of the ID and
81 Regiments of the Indiana Volunteers succeeded In
getting off the ships and landing at Brazos Santiago.
II with pleasure that learned that most of the
companies had good luck and lost only few in cross
ing the Gulf; but it was with pain that we heard
that four of the Brown County soldiers died Of the
measles. They were Strong and robust men-men
whose bravery could not be questioned
Robinson G. Jones and Abram G.. Snyder of the
Fountain RlfemeD got their discharge, on account
of their bad health, the surgeon having certified that
they were unable to do military duty in this campaign.
They will return home in few DAYS. If their health
had not been so rapidly declining they would have
delighted to stand by US even in greatest pers.
1t is hoped that the ravages of disease may be staid
and that may again have the pleasure of taking
our two friends by the hand.
A soldier in the Hendricks County Volunteers was
buried on the Both. He had the consumption before
he left home.
On the 3lst, our Regiment (lsD rose early in the
morning. and put every thing In readiness to start for
the mouth Of the Rio Grande. We were only allowed
three wagons to company. This quite small
numher when take into nsderaion the fact that
besides hauling the tents, cooking utensils, &c, a
great number of the soldiers had not yet recovered
from the measles and if they did not ride the most
serious consequences might be the result. We sue
ceeded in loading the wagons and finding place for
nearly all of the sick to ride; but they much
crowded that they very uncomfortable. We had
not proceeded more than mile along the shore of the
Gulf when the rain poured down in torrents for about
half hour. Soon after ii ceased we Observed some
distance from us, the remnants of the cargo of a
wrecked ship. 1t so happened that one of the Ohio
Regiments had started two three hours before our
Regiment and had taken possession of the saleable
articles and were disposing of them as fast possible.
" What will you take for that bottle of port wine 90
said Hoosier to a Buckeye. Twenty cents, ="
was the reply. " "Cant you take less" said the Hoo
NJ III n =
money than that for AZ myself" This brought a
hearty laugh from the crowd, and the Hoosier bought
several bottles and passed on, though 1t is quite pro-
bable that he reduced the quantity considerably before
he arrived at the Rio Grande As we continued the
march we observed that the shore strewed with
barrels Of crackers, &C. as well broken boxes of
cards, medicines, ground Coffee cigars, boots, shoes,
&c. 1t appears, however, that the wine and other
liquors had found outlet, and that nothing remain
ed but empty bottles. We arrived at the place
where small strip of the Gulf extended to the right
and the men began to prepare themselves TO wade.
Off went their shoes, but | proper to keep mine
on, remembering, as did, that only few days since
had cut my foot with an oyster shell, while wadihg
out in the Gulf. We succeeded in crossing without
wetting guns, though we all looked very salty
when we reached the opposite shore. In a few min
utes the halted and advanced to the shore of
the Rio Grande, and looked over into Mexico for the
first time Our wagons unoaded, and we spread
our tents upon the banks of the Rio Grande. 1t was
very poor camping ground 1t a low plain,
grown up with berry weeds and wild grass very
damp, and apparently overfowed with water portion
of the yecr The soil appeared to be mixture of
sand and mud. The Rio Grande is deep muddy
stream, rather narrower than the Wabash at the
mouth The water taken from 1t is very good when
settled. Several steamboats, are constantly running
up and down the river, carrying provisions, &c.
We found that our provisions were left behind
for the want of room in the wagons. Our company
had drawn four days ratons at Brazos Santiago, and
only small quantity of some of the leading articles
had been distributed among the men, the balance hav-
ing been left behind. However, some arrangement
was made with the CommIssarY, so that got some
provisions. All these disadvantages we had to en-
counter were submitted to without murmurs, well
knowing that they could not be avoided-that the
government had used all the exertiOns Its power to
procure more teams, but had failed, and that they
were making the best use they could of the wagons
already employed This however, was not the case
when barrels of damaged sides opened, and
wormy pilot bread given us 10 eat. They did
complain at such treatment and said that there was
wrong somewhere, and that people that had eyes
ought to be better judges of provisions. feel proud
of the noble and manly spirit of the volunteers, and
particularly those from Indiana-they willing to
endure any hardship for the success of our and
the honor of flag; but hardships that unnec.
essary, they object to- Their countrys veal is theil
only aim.
On the I'd of August, we left the mouth of the Ric
Grande, marched up the river and encamped nearly
opposite Barita. Our encampment is in thcket Of
musquito bushes about mile from the river. Re-
giments from Ohio, Mississippi, Georgia and Other
States are encamped here and if we all remain here
long, wood viii be scarce. We carry all of the
water we use from the river, and in doing this we
have to pass the muddy bottom that overows part o
the year. 1t is hard work, but have stout hearts
and like true philosophers, thank oGr stars that Is
NOT worse Ne not the bOvS 10 COMPLAIN of the
works of nature.