Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-11-26
LETTER FROM THE ARMY.

IA""eAeV VIC give eAuactS from 4 Ietter lately
ceived from our gallant friend janis b DoaMAS,
which, we are will prove interesting to our
Ga-.
Camp near Monterey, Sept. 90, 1876
Upon leaving Camargo, this day two weeks
ago, we marched steadily towards China for day
and half, when AN express from Gen Uender
son hurried our pace and brought us up with him
and the LIST Texan regiment on Monday the l4th of
this month. From thence by forced marches we
reached the town of Marine on the morning OF the
10Th. and at dusk OF the same day encan1ed in the
advance OF Gen. Iaylor's army. On Saturday the
l9ih, Zen. Taylor and Staff, with Mays dragons
anuos the cr m ns on the hill
fort and batteries Immediately opened upon u.s. and
and the head of the line saluted by discharge
OF musketry. Some of our men had narrow cscaps
from the round shot, and among the rcst-one OF
them would have struck myself and horse to the
ground, had not received timely notice of its COM
ing. 1t was evident that the town was STRONGLY
fortified, and strongly defended. After short time
spent IN accommodating. we retired about mile up
on the road to fine spring and stream of water.
pleasantly shaded by towering live oaks, and there
encamped-the remainder of our army came up du-
ring the day.
Sunday was spent in rest and preparation and
on Monday the ball opened. Gen. Twiggs' divi-
sion attacked the lower end of the town-whilst
the upper was assailed by Gen. Worth The Ten
ncssee and Mississippi Volunteers fought most gal
Iantly, and suffered severely The result was
four batteries stormed, two each side, and sever
al pieces of artillery taken, but at the expense of
great loss Of life. Our regiment was stationed du
ring the greater part of this day with the Dragons
IN the valley above the city, watching out for the
Mexican lancers, until evening, when we were dis
mounted and marched on foot, under heavy fire of
round and grape shot, to the batteries stormed by
iwlggs' command in the early part of the day.
we were kept there a few minutes and then
marched back again under the same fire, without
striking blow. The manner of our march, in
open order and at quickest time preserved us almost
miraculousy without injury to single man. The
aay closed rather glOOm we Were ANNOYED by
heavy raiu-and although successful at such an ex
pense OF human life, that victory seemed about to
work our ruin
On tuesday our regiment was employed in scout
ing below the town, but still without meeting the
OBJECT OF our search. Gen. Worth was the hero OF
tins day He finished forcing the dcfences above
inc town, by first taking height where piece Of
cannon had been planted and then storming a
strongly fortified building called the ''Bishop's Pal
ace,'' whose position was such as TO command the
town thought at first, and think now, that he is
by tar the most able General in the field
On "Wednesday the attack was recommended by
Iwiggs' division. The Mexicans soon abandoned
ahelr last battery and took refuge in the houses and
,ort. About midday our regiment moved npon
horseback to the last battery TAKEN and there dis
mounting rushed, under heavy fire of m,,sketrv
into the town. We fought our way from house to
mouse IN ..od Ie1as Style" piercing the walls,
anu hrlilg from me roofs In this way we penetra-
led nearly to the Church, when, at a very unex-
pected moment, the order was received to retire
In this engagement our loss was only one man kill
ed and tive wounded. During the night the west
ern regiment fought in the same way upon their
SIDE OF the town, and in the morning Thursday
Ampudla made an offer OF surrender The terms
We're arranged during the day-of these shall not
speak-to say the least, they We're very coolly re-
ceived OH our part, for the enemy was in our pow
or. An armlstice for eight weeks was concluded.
and In conseqnece the services of our regiment will
no longer be required We shall be paid off in a
day or two and take up the line of march about
the 4tn OF October for San Antonio de Bexar, then
10 DC discharged, and thence dispersed to our differ
ent homes
All OF our Virgnans here are unhurt, and have
done gallant service-Walace, Hartman. Jordan
and Flrebaugh Of the western regiment. and Fisk
ridge of the Baltimore battalion
lie Texans have gained great credit with the
other troops, and indeed, deservedly-I doubt not
that they are the most efficient troops in the field
the terror OF their name does more of ITSELF SC.
AN EscAPE.--During the storm and violent
gale on the night of the 18th, the LONG railroad
bridge across the Connecticut, between Hartford
ana Springfield, was lifted, ca massc, by the wind,
and preclptated into the river below The river s
here two hundred yards wide and the current. AL
ways strong, was now swelled to a fearful heipbt
by the unusual fall of rain. The track crosses the
bridge, after making an abrupt turn, at the height
of about fifty feet.
The cars left Springfield at the usual time The
storm ragged violently without, but the passengers
within congratulated themselves on their comf5rta
oie situation, thinking Of the pleasant homes and
iiresdes which they soon expected to reach They
niue knew what a narrow escape they were des-
uhed TO experience before the end OF another hour.
on came the traln-the engine blowing off its head
OF steam-breasting its way nobly against the gale,
winch almost threatened to check It's PROGRESS and
Inc hot iron Kissing furiously in the falling rain
mo one ON board knew even suspected that the
bridge was gone. For two years, by day and NIGHT.
the trains had passed and repassed until safety had
oDiiterated thought Of the possibility of dan
ger But no bridge was there to receive them. and
the long train, with its precious freight, rushed
swiftly on to this preci pice Of destruction But
ne VINO rules the floods and holds the strong winds
In his hand had ordained that they should escape
this peril ~
Oniy short time ago depot had been es-
taolshed not far above the bridge for the accommo
dalton OF that neighborhood. Ii was not customary
10 stop here, except TO check the speed for the land
ing OF passengers; but the people here had learned
the loss of the bridge, and kept look out for the
II, a. 'S 49, ~ Coiheo Tic WORD is given,
and they are safe. Safe now but what an escape
a moment ago all was fancied security-now thew
are really safe; but every heart leaped from ifs
place, and the head swan gddy with fear, as the
thought came of that fearful leap in the dark
Long VIII the passengers of that night remember
that dreadful ride, and the friendly yet fearful cry
''lhe bridge is gone !"-Erchange paper.
WESTERN PORK MARKET.
In Cincinnati, as yet, there is nothing doing in
hogs.