The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-27

- "''NS'SN " 'He Euitor, postage pdId.
man of influence, and connexions, of
course is above SUSPICION: availing
himself of which power, he only distri-
butcs 10 the poor privates, SIX cents per
diem, barely enough TO keep soul and
body together, and appropriates to his
own benefit, the other nineteen cents.
This is a we'll known fact, but dishones-
ty in office, is. so general a thing,
amongst the higher classes, that it ex-
cites neither surprise or enquiry. In
regard to his clothing, the soldier is sew
cd very much after the same fashion;
unless he be fortunate enough to get in
to one of the few crack regiments; the
Commisary who has control of the
funds for the purchase of clothing, think.
ing with Fa!staa, that ragged and bare
footed soldiers, make as good food for
gunpowdcr, as we'll dressed ones, and
that it is much more comfortable to him,
to keep the money, than to spend it for
them. But if the soldier is fortunate
enough: to escape starvation in barracks,
look at his situation on the battle field;
he has no pleasant prospect to look for
ward to; if he is victorious, and escapes
unwounded, after performing prodigies
of valcr, he is no better off than before.
The officers who were out of danger,
during the action, now come forward, re-
cclve all the honors, and emoluments;
and he returns to his former hard lot of
starving and freezing. But if he Is unfor-
tunate enough to be wounded, how pitt
able then, is his situation his only
hope is death. The Mexican surgeons
being few, careless and inattentive, their
whole time is consumed in attending to
the sore fingers, and head aches, of the
lady oficers,-without tent, hospital ac-
commodations, or surgeon, the wounded
can die, in the field, or recover, as Pro-
vidence may ordain; if he RECEIVERS
without being disabled, he is compelled
to remain in the army; should he
be maimed he is driven off: without paw
or pension, to find his way back home,
or starve on the road side, and so ends
the career of the gallant rolunteer. The
arms now used by the Mexican army,
are very inferior; the muskets are near
ly all English ones, that have been con-
demned; the sabres are generally brit
tie; and the powder in use is very
weak, the grain course and large. This,
with the exception Of few Danish and
German officers of bravery, skill and
education, is the material Of which the
present Mexican army is composed. To
drive these back into the Mexican terri
tories, will give the United States but lit
tie trouble, and if our government is
content with so doing, and keeping them
there, the Mexican war will be soon en-
ded But should the war be carried in
to the enemy's country, then will be
discovered the true character of the
Mexican people, and also that they are
possessed of bravery, patriotism, love for
their homes and children, and are gifted
with the powers Of endurance and hardi-
hood, in no common degree. And here
it is that the Mexicans are so much un-
dcrated, by those who have judged of
the whole people, by the actions Of their
armies and officers, during the last few
years. Forgetting the spirit of patriot
ism that pcrvaded the whole land, the
deeds of heroism performed by these
same people, the general rising of
the whole population, old men, wo-
men and boys; whilst struggling to
free themselves from the power of
Spain, and which resulted in the
ejectment Of the spaniards in 1921.
Notwithstanding they had been in pos
session of the country three hundred
years, and had large garrisons of veteran
soldiers in every village, town and city,
throughout Mexico; and these same
Mexicans are descendants Of those 1ncas
and Indians, who, though conquered by
CoRrEz, displayed the most indomitable
courage.to the last. 1t is true, they are
ignorant and superstitious; but this, in
stead of weakening them, in cause
where their personal feelings are inte.
rested, only makes them the more dam
gerous foes: all being from their births
Catholics, they are taught, and firmly
believe, they will all go to Paradise