Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-10-17

opened their goods, ana were retaining 10
the citizens and troops. Those who took
out stock for chihuahua, were still at Santa
Fe. Gen. Kearney would not permit them
to leave until certain intelligence had been
received from Gen. Wool, and the opera.
tons of the army in that quarter.
OFWe have been permitted TO make
the following extracts of letter from a
gentleman in the Southern Division of the
army ofinvasion, to friend in this county.
The letter from which they are taken is
dated, "San Antonio de Bexar, Texas, Sept.
18th, 1896" ..
"The Arkansas Regiment reached here on the
2Slh ult We found, already camped in this
vicinity, two regiments Of volunteer Infantry
from Illinois, and 4 companies of regulars--two
Of Infantry, and two Of dragons, to which have
since been added two or three more companies.
These make up, altogether, over 5000 men, en-
CROSSE, yet scarcely $500 efficient soldiers. In
addition TO these we have a fine company OF
flying artillery" from Pennsylvania, think,
with four six Founders and two twelves. With
this force, our General proposes marching in
the direction OF Chihuahua (via the Preside del
klo Grande) as soon as possible; even the 18th
inst. has been appointed for the Departure
though think we will hardly get fairly under
way before the 2oh or later. regret that the
General speaks Of not taking two regiments Of
cavalry, which are on the way here from Ken
lucky and Tennessee. Though hope the Ken.
tuckians will finally be taken, as they are already
near at hand; yet l understand that both regi
ments have been ordered 10 Port Lavaca, for the
present. With this Division there will go some
500 wagons, as transports for baggage and pro.
visions.
We have no war news here, except that which
grew out Of the wild freaks and adventures OF
Col. Harvey, Of which you will doubtless have
received some notice through the papers. Still,
will tell you something about it, as you may
like to hear different versions OF the story. The
Colonel (who is Of the u S. Dragons. you may
know was stationed here, for the purpose OF
transporting supplies from Port Lavaca, and to
guard them here. His first notable freak was, 10
issue an order. on hearing Of the commencement
Of hostties between Gen. Taylor and the Mexi
cans. that all Mexican citizens should leave the
State Of Texas within three days or be treated
es enemies TO the U. S.! (But this order was
a1erward countermanded by Gen. Wool.) Next,
being ordered to muster into the service OF the
U. S. Regiment Of Texas volunteers, he refused
TO receive their Colonel because, las was under.
stood, and it is said even avowed by him) he
would thus be out.ranked and lose The command;
Harvey being only Lieut.. Colonel.
With the Texas cavalry and three companies
Of dragoons he set out almost Immediately for
the Rio Grande. not only without orders, but In
direct contravention OF orders 10 remain here
and guard the government supplies, which, upon
his departure, remained wholly without protec.
ton. WE'LL on reaching the Rio Grande, oppo
site the Preside, he plunged into the river, with
his troops, and swan over in The face of the
enemy, who very happily for the Quixotic Colo.
mel, had "inglorousIy fed" upon his first ap
proach. Had even one hundred OF them boldly
stood their ground, they doubtless might, as
have heard several Of Harney's officers confess,
have completely defeated the entire regiment,
with very little risk 10 themselves, during the
confusion OF swimming. AS it was, Harvey had
one man drowned, and several others, it i.
thought, would have suffered the same fate, but
for the aid Of Mexican citizens themselves.
But soon after this chiralrous conquest an
order reached there for the arrest OF The Colonel;
and about the 25th ult. he returned here, escorted
by portion OF his own troops. However, he
still left three companies at the Rio Grande, to
guard the Suttler during the sale OF the remainder
Of his Merchandise, as would seem from cir
cumstances. These also being ordered back,
eight OF them, while engaged in crossing over
provisions for the trip, in dug out, were charged
upon by the same Mexican force, as was SUD
posed, that had abandoned the place on their
arrival. Being unarmed, they jumped into the
river, midst heavy fire, and FIVE OF the eight.
(lhough two Of them wounded) succeeded in
gaining the American camp, which was on the
other side OF the river; yet the other three re.
manned missing-supposed 10 be killed or
drowned. TIE enemy kept up hot fire across
the river, which is some 400 yards wide: and,
strange as it may appear, actually killed mule,
and wounded others, as is asserted, near 200
yards from the river bank! Though none OF the
troops suffered further injury, yet, being unable
to cross the river, TO return the attack, for want
OF any sort OF water craft, they left as soon as
nnse;I,1a al L.. Il.