The daily union., 1846-09-23
Correspondence Of the savannah GeoTgianI
SERALyo, MEXICO, Aug, ~. 1876


DEAR B.: The tide Of conquest has at length
brought US to the foot OF the lofty ridges of the
"Madre" mountains, and our eagles are only wait
ing the signal TO Oyerop them. The soldiers of our
hitherto peaceful republic are now walking the
streets Of one Of the Oldest towns in Mexico, and
are looking forward to new victories and new con-
quests. This is the nth town of considerable i'm
porance that has already fallen into our hanss and
the conquest Of one more will give Us control Of the
best tract Of land lying between the frontiers Of
Texas and the Madre mountains OF Mexico. This
mountain range will form good boundary line be-
tween the two republIcs-no other will answer
These broad acres, together with a few bordering
on the Pacific, will be a fair equivalent for the ex-
penses Of this war, which was forced upon US by
our arrogant and presumptuous neighbour and as It
appears 10 be a rule amongst European nations that
the worsed party shall foot the bill, presume that
our government will follow the example, but to DO
this she must take land, as money cannot be had
What precise object our government has in view by
precpating its forces upon this part Of Mexico, un
less II be for the purpose Of severng the northern
provinces, it is difficult to determine To conquer
a peace" the city Of Mexico, which is Mexico
itself, must be struck, and to do this it mus, be
reached by the way Of Vera Cruz or Tampico. The
columns Of Taylor, Wool, and Kearney, can lop off
a few fine provinces from this part Of Mexico, but
they reach, by this route the city Of Mex.
leo ITSELF distance of 900 miles. The difficult
ties are obvious Rugged mountain passes must
be forced extensive tracts of country entirely des-
utue of water, must be passed, and then to add to
these, the supplies must be drawn from the United
States, at least for most Of the way Nothing is to
be had this side of the mountains, in the way Of
subsistence, except and fresh beef. The form
sr constitutes the only breadstuf of the country and
each family prepares it for its own use. Such a
thing as mill is unknown.
But enough Of the intentions of government or the
difficulties in the road between this place and Mex
leo. We are here at the orders Of our country,
ready to fight her battles and to- uphold her honor
al all hazards.
The first brigade Of the second division, under
the command Of General Worth, arrived here on
the 25th, and is now encamped just outside the
town, on the Monterey road. The brigade num-
bers about 900 men, and is. composed Of nine COM
panles of artillery, forming artillery battalion,
Duncan's battery Of light artillery, and six compa-
MES Of the 9Th infantry, and is under the immediate
command of Col Thomas Childs Of the Sd artille-
~, an officer who has seen much service, not only
In this war, but in the Florida war, and the late war
with Great Britain.
The troops left Camargo late on the evening
OF lhe l9 instant, with train Of about 900 pack
mules and forty wagons. The weather was ex-
cesslveiy hot, and the men suffered much, one or
Two dying On the way, but not murmur escaped
hem' The d@tribution Of mules for carrying bag
gage was one fos eight men; on this mule was
packed tent, knapserks, &c. The mules all be-
long 10 the Mexicans, are under their immediate
charge, and are hired by our onartermaster,s
department. This ia the first time that an army
ever took the field with its baggage hacked upon
me backs OF mules; and its practcabity is doubted
by many officers of rank and experience. The
ease with which an enemy can scatter train of
mules, renders US liable, at any moment, to be re-
auced to what we may have about our persons
Many an amusing scene occurred on our march;
and many poor fellow could not refrain from Join.
ing IN the laugh, while he saw his worldly goods
al arab ,ba a 4 :
tious animal, who dashed off, frightened at the un.
couth load that had been placed upon his back
The evening of our first march had set in and our
column was moving steadily on, when loud rat
Ting OF TIN pans, camp kettles, &c. in our rear.
showed that there was something unusual in the
wind. A moment afer mule dashed past us as if
on an express to Monterey. "There goes that
ID mule again." exclaimed Lieutenant A., MS he
thought he recognised his own animal, "witb all
my goods and chattels on his back; may he break
ms cursed neck in the first arroyer he comes across
"A pretty fix he has left me in; but one shirt to my
oach ana nothing to eat, and just started on cam
paign." "Never mind, Bob," replied CAPTAIN s..
u have two shirts, and will divide with YOU: and
you must come round and mess with me until Won
can replace your losses,n Shortly after staff officer
came riding up; "Well, Bob, did you see an ex
press mule pass you a short time sncein "Yes;
and may the devil catch him. for he has carried off
all my meat and rsiment.n "Not so fast; il was not
yours; he belongs TO Captain s." A general laugh
ran along the line at this announcement; and Lieu
tenant A. and Captain s. changed positions
We are now within about seventy miles Of Mon
terey, and waiting forsuppes to be thrown for
ward TO this place, which is to be the depot The
army will be concentrated here, and we shall prob
ably move forward in about twelve days. The one-
my is in our vicinity but he has not yet seen fit to
trouble us, although we some sixty miles in ad-
vance Of the main army.
are prepared for an ettack at all times, and
should not be surprised if something Of the kind
came of before long This is my last sheet Of pa
per, so will bid you farewell for a long time, as
shall not be able to lay in a fresh supply before
reaching Monterey,
Yours, &C., s.
nATENT sKTpTs --Ins, received two 49,.