Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-11-19


attached wagon would be fiat upon the ground
then wagon would ride up and open volley
Of oshs upon drivers mules, wagons and ALL with lit
tie embarrassment that byssDder would ssppose that
they had graduated swearing school in this
some other world Then Capt. Arnold would make his
appearance, and you that although he Of
the brave that fought CALAMITY Pao Alto and
Rrsacs de Ia Palma he has Tot go. the patience Of Job,
neither is he temperate in oil things. he TO he
much better fitted fn the battle field than any other place
But am DEPRESSING. The Captain would do up bis share
Of cursing in great haste, and ride another mule
driver; he would be than mile ahead of
the whole train tying pick out good road. We got
aOng but slowly and nigh. encamped Duria. This
is little Mexican rancho. containing less than 20 houses.
and all Of them made Of mud. sticks end The
count Of the ousanians and Alabamans taking looked
well upon paper. but after passing through the place.
csne the conclusion that the place hardly worth
taking and suppose old Zick did consider il much
better than q haul and hardy worth retaining
troops stationed at the place. and is almost
trey deserted by the Mexcans But there enough OF
them 10 carry smuggling and aid the rascay Americans
that enemies their country AT night Capt Lewis
and Of the soldiers TOOK from Mexican several
thousand rounds Of cartridges that manufactured in
the u States. The Mexican them up willingly, and
was glad TO get of with his life He said that Ameri-
cnn officer left them with him. Ii probable that they
would have been of the Mexican army. they
use the old English muskeIs that carry much larger bail
than The Mexican probably intended to sell them
and divide the profits with the man that stole them
We not little surprised 10 find in this town
white lady that appeared TO he neither Spanish Next
can Upon inquiry learned that she was from Ken
lucky. She had married that sought home in
this strange land they had resided for number Of
yrars Her husband died. and left her here far from her
native place ard hume She had large number Of
well other stock but" said she "al of my
haze been shot Ivy the volunteers but one and that
one have yet" Though she had been wronged by The
volunteers she appeared have strong attachment Cor
her native and her plainly told
that she wished Ken'uFky was again her home. After
I
most of her killed by the Lousanians. who
encamped this before the Indianians crossed the
Gulf Some after this took occasion 10 speak &c
this widow and express my sympathy for her case when
told by volunteer that she had business in Mex
CO l replied him that he should not be so quick To
condemn-ihst he should have put the charitable
construction upon her motives. What wife, ask that
loves her husband. would lot go with him unto the
ends Of the earth! Then why should this woman be
censured when she willing live in Mexico for
her husbands sake But told that if she had
many cattle she could have sold them and moved back
Kentucky. | replied that there market here for
houses lands stock aud evidence of this it
only necessary show that mules had been sold here for
five dollars good mustangs for dollars and did not
know the price of cattle but told that il very low
before the war, and that the demand had increased the
price il true she could sell and go home
her cattle had been killed. but she could have done
before the console myself with the idea that all
will be well at some future day-that some wdower land
there many smong the voluneers) will marry her and
return with her to old Kentuck.
On the 9Th, we proceeded on our route TO Maiamoras
We found much better road than travelled the day
before We passed several Mexican huts that dcser-
ted The land elevated than that at the mouth.
After passing ranches larger than Buria,
long, hoTny thicket, Thick, Texan would say,
that you could stick Bowie knife into it," Several
we'll looking cotton fields road. Sugar
cane appeared to thrive, though it half attended
The soil very rich, but the cultivation of it
almost entirely neglected. No signs of industry were
We arrived at MatamOras just the going
down. have been in dusty before. but never
in town where the dust sufocang people
as Matsmorasit nothing but cloud of dust from
one end of the the other. We camped near For;
Paroles, occupied Ivy the L. 5. regular troops. Al
nigh, it almost impossible Sleep The dogs kept
up constant barking until about three O'clock when the
noise increased by the brayng of and the
ing OF cocks very early, and after breakfast visited
several in the town. II business place. and
mistake but the business done here is of peculiar kind
being no less than gambling. Though this proba-
bly, contains than 1000 inhabitants work shops
but few-mercaBte establishments by
neTous-nsesd of hearing the sound of the hammer and
the Jack plane, and the bling of the whee Of drays
the ratng Of Dice the shutting of cards. and the cink
ing of dimes constantly annoy all who may chance pass
the principal streets. S"me writer called Puebla the
LO1seH Of Merieo but shall have little regsrJ
Tor my country 10 compare Matamoras TO part OF
even the most oh cure and rrsaken spot inhabited by
either humans, quadrupess, reptiles. Matsmoras, il
Short l. well laid town, built of sun-bunt brick a
roofs principally and mud and scks-narrow streets
sidewalks, and but W churches and public buildings
has well cultivated gardens beautiful walks thu
Plaza, public square, and that only has two o
China trees extending all the way round ii, which makes
very fine shade. On the side is the great unfinished
Cathedral. the top of which shot off by artillery
r On the west side is Col CIaks quarters company
artillery, the Mexcana C4aboosa and several buildings
The north and nth side Of the Plaza is built up will
very good brick buildings. aud mostly occupied by mer
camille establishments. The brick houses situated
the principal in tho central parts of the town
but you go into the outskirts Of the town. you will
small rudely constructed huts made of sticks mud an,
covered with rushes Their fences made of brush
prckly Iears thorn hedges with few bulls heads bones
: and horns thrown in by way of variety.
Capt. Robert Mitchell, A. Q. NJ died at Matamorss OF
the 9Th of October. Capt NJ well kROwn esti
mable citizen OF Lawrence county, Indiana. All the vol
, ubieers Who know him. deeply lament his death.
When we left camp with the wagon train hoped
that Col CLARK would allow Us to accompany the train
far Camago aud then continue with them Serial
the Pon; where the stopped and The provisions
were sent on by pack mules. But we were a little disap
pointed when informed that he remaining com
panies from Colonies Baker and Foreman's regiment
10 accompany the train. On the 9lh the train lief
undrr the escort of the Iiinoisans
As have spoken of Capt Arnold must neglect t.
notice other distinguished Individuals DuffsId the grea
Wing Singer. of the wagon masters. This excl
ted my curiosity, and hoped to hear good sngn,
before returned 10 regiment bat disappointed
IL probable he saving hts lungs for the Of 4S
Capt Arnold had his brother John with him. Although
John had not quite got his growth he of great
10 the captain IN giving orders and IOokeron would
conclude that he only second in command. II
always called his brother Captain One day one of tn
wagoners callrd the young John" in familiar tone
Mr. Arnold Indignantly replied, don't you to cal
Q me John. The wagner replied, thought your nam
was John" You must call Mister arnold" sl
, the young man, with warmth. Though this youn
mans manners different from the Republican sim