Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-09-16
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II IL refreshing to read. now aud then, a sensible letter
from the Army. Such an one was published a day or two
since In the National ln,ellgeneer; and the following.
though doubtless from a different source. is OF the same
character. IL was addressed to a friend in this city.
CAM MAR cAsARso. Mexico.
August 18th, 1886.
An opportunity presenting itself OF sending a letter di-
rect % N. Orleans, | have awaited myself OF ii to write
you n letter, tho last In all probability | will have for some
time, as we are under orsers to march in a few day, for
Monterey or Ssltiio. aud she'll consequently be engaged
IN making preparations for a leng and arduoas march. All
the regular troops with exception Of the I'd Dragons aud
several regiments OF volunteers, have arrived here. Tho
former wal amount to about $500 men. and tho volunteers
to abou, 2SOO men. making our whole force 6000. The
remainder Of the volunteer force will be left At BArts, Ma
tamorss, kignasa and other places on the Rio Gunde, for
the protection OF those places. Notwithstanding the ardor
and PATRIOTISM VI the majesty Of The volunteers who came
out. IL cooled IN 4 remarkable degree when they came to
experience the privatons and sufeiings incidental
TO n soldiers life, and exposed TO SUI snd rain, mud
aud water, and a thousand other dissgrements of a
military campaign. Visions Of conquest aud glory. pay
and piunder, faded away before the actual realities Of toll
some marches. drsnehing rains or a s~corehing sun. Home,
WIN all ITS comforts and ease. rose up to their imsgina-
hons, and their longings To see itagsin were rs ardent as
the lsrsehtes Tor the flesh pots OF Egypt. As a proof OF
II, none OF those volunteers enlisted for , OF 6 months,
could be induced TO serve the period OF IL months, the
shortest period allowed to serve by Congress, bu, claimed
their discharges, which they received, and were immedi-
atey sent home. A regiment OF Texas infantry who came
as tar as tbis place, and were promised The post OF honor
In case Of battle by Gen. Taylor, yesterday changed their
minds and wishes for glory, and concluded To GO home,
very much to the surprise and disgust OF their officers.
Our eneampment Is along the bank Of the Sau Joan river,
halt a mile below the town of Csmargo. This is n most
w%reiched, ~dilsPidated place, having been nearly destroyed
by the late inundalon OF the riyeT, aud presents the most
Tuinous appearance imaginable. Hardly a dozen buildings
IN the place remained uHiulurrd. The majority OF the
houses were constructed OF adolu, or sun.dried bricks,
with matched roofs, the foundations OF which were spec.
Oily washed away. leaving a heap Of ruins. To give you
some idea vi the extent, the river rosc 50 feet, i~nundaIing
tho town to the depth OF about } or 4 leeI. and destroying
snme 2OO OF 300 houses and hutS. We can get no Oh.
rect OF reliable informouon OF what the Mexicap. are
doing. Al American from Montcloya reports that Gen.
Mejia is in the ne'ghborhood OF Monterey with about 1000
men. the remains Vt the army OF the Rio Grlnde; that the
Mexican Government have called out Ill the militia Of the
provsees OF ST. Leon end chihuahua. between the ages OF
Is aud so, To resist US; and iaat the feelings OF the people,
particularly OF ST Leon, are decidedly hostile tuws ards US.
We must therefore expect L. meet opposition, aud probably
hard fighting. This man moreover reports that the people
are contributing large supplies Of cUrn, &c, Tor their ar
my. and hat they can easily smbody 81, UUU men; but how
they will hight, remains Ia he seen. / sinceIe y hope they
will do 50, anc give US an opportunity Ut ending at one blow
This annoying war, aud thereby Afford Us a chance OF leav-
ing the Country; ct both OF which | am heartily tired. |
in0gnS oar suhenngs have Just commenced. All the
transportation also~td Us IN tn approaching march is ON
patk nuts, one OI ~hlcn Is Only allowed 10 OF I officers
cons quenuy Jew of Us will be able TO take either tent or
bedding. A blanket and flying pan will constitute sur
most important comforts.
/ agree. as d. most Of the Ulcers Of the army, with YOU.
in disgust at that wTetcbed eaeotAs5 serIbendi manifested
by the legion Of correspondents TO the numerous papers 10
4 hrrent paris OF the UnIed States, in accounts OF the bat
ties, scenes, incidents and anecdotes. Illustrative OF them
and those engaged. II Is unnecessary to say that many OF
taem are exaggerated OF highly cu!Ored, it not nltug ther
fabulous, and toe writer's anu scenes fictitious and imayina-
~. Hall the stories told Of Walker and May, aLd a dozen
OIhers are purely imagination. 1 was Just reading one OF
hem. where May IL represented seiE ng an Indian IN Flor
ida " hO was IN the act VI leveling mis- nhe al him., which
he tOrew up, the bail passing through his nat.l by the scalp
lock, throwing him across his hone, carrying him into
camp, and then throwing him down on the ground, saying
at the same tine, Lay down there. ynu id rascal -
TINS word Is sadly given to humbug and lying :! But
wntt can you expect when there is any number OF penny.a
liners, belonging to dIiIeIent papers, out here, Is quest Of
mater and newsl
TIE heat is ~dread!ully oppressive here. Yesterday the
iheImOmet,T lU4 in the shsde.