The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-02
Letters from the Army Of Invasion.
No VII

MATAMoRAs, Mexico, July ID, 1870
Sunday in Matamoras-Iae Catholic Chaptains
from the Geogetocn College.
Shall attempt to describe a Sunday in Mata-
'tamorasl In a town occupied by foreign army,
,ntalning members of every religious belief, and
numbering too among its followers, snns rs Of
every shade of depravity, we could hardly ex-
pect great uniformity in the observance of this
holy day. In the morning religious ceremonies
receive from the Catholics degree of attention
mass is celebrated in the great church. Yester-
day that ceremony performed by the Rev.
Mr.. McElroy, one OF the chapalns recently sent
out to the army Itwas attended by many officers
and soldiers, and a large number OF the Mexicans
OF every class and condition, TO whom, though the
language was strange, the forms were familiar
to the sight; and the same prayers uttered
in the same venerable classic they had heard
from the lips OF their own priests, were here
offered up 10 the common Father by one
of a foreign race! The ceremonies We're
imposng-tne discourse that followed, solemn
and impressive. Astonlshment was visible
upon the countenance OF these people, who had
been taught TO believe US worshippers oil ialse
gods, and subverters of the true temples. Here
they beheld the barbarian observing the same
forms and bowling, at the same shrine with them
selves One of the great objects Of the govern
ment has been to avoid all interference with the
religion OF the Mexicans, and this has beel. pro-
mlnent III all the instructions to General Taylor.
These have been well obeyed, that notwith-
leaders, to arouse a religious zeal against US, no
serious alarm has been felt this account. The
presence OF our chapains, one OF whom, Mr..
Ray, is making rapid progress in the Spanish
language. will 90 far to confirm the feeling of Sc
curiy among the conquered, Which the judiclous
conduct OF our General has happily inspired.
But If such evidences oil devotion gwen in
the morning, walk In the ely at later hour
discloses scenes and practices quite novel and
Voting to a youth raised among the s'most
straitest sect" at the North, and taught rgid
observance OF the fourth commandment. After Tue
service at the church, was riding towards camp.
when the sound OF drums and " sonorous metal "
attracted my attention towards such u rabbe as
was never seen by any one who has not been IN
procession was headed by clown. painted and
dressed in fantastical manner, and moving from
side to side, and exhibiting the most ludtcrous
contortions of face and body. This leading figure
mounted on stills about IL feet in height, and
covered with neither garments OF the most approx
ed mode Immediately following this animate pair
Of tongs, was young Mexican " oman, not very
was moving with solemn majesty under Its lovely
burden. Thanking these were horsemen, vieing
with each other in ridiculous masks and trap
pings, and they were followed by band
of-by courtesy-musicians. The procession
closed by legions oil natives, young and
old, apparelled in every fashion, from the
closely fitting garb common TO the Juveniles,
with which nature adorned all her children, to
the filthy taters II the beggar, and up to the gar
ments loaded with silver bells and buttons, which
distinguish the Mexican beau. After this dduer-
tisenient marches through sufficient number of
streets, it returns with the patrons of the tight
rope to the place prepared, where the Mexican
Herr Clines begin their agile teats. Here, for
hours, the lower class OF both sexes are amused,
insisting to secure the moneys worth, upon The
longest duration of the sport, and the greatest
amount of noise on the instruments Aforesaid
Let us leave for while these happy beings and
proceed to the place of another tavorte Sunday
amusement. At nearly every house our ears arc
saiuted with the sound OF spoon and glass, as If
the process of some chemical mixture con-
stanlly going on. Other strange noises heard.
Heavy balls rolling across a long floor, and
appear strike objects at the further extre-
mity; i'll many rooms We see large tables, covered
with green cloth, raised at the sides; on these
four ivory spheres OF about two luches III dlams-
ter, which persons around the table, with Il ght
sucks their hands, are endeavorng to push INTO
the pockets or make linpinge against each other
Again we see a wheel, beautifully colored and
ornamented, revolving horizontally, and a small
bail OF ivory propelled in an opposite direction on
the periphery, which finally settles upon some
magic Inquire or color Now If / ascertain the
names and objects OF these apparently unmeaning
operations, tho readers OF the Herald shall be IN
formed. Supposlng them not exactly proper, ac-
cordng to our ideas Of Sunda 4, mention them
to show into what wicked city we have entered.
But here red flag announces Casa de GIL0 -
We enter and behold the cockpit, with all the
preparations ter this cruel national sport. Tho
bettors are active In settling their wagers and
the champions impatient Tor the encounter. Alter
called slashers, sharp AS needle and slightly curv-
ed bound firmly 10 the left ley OF the bird, the
natural spur having been removed. A lew passes
soon decide the contest. One the pares receives
the fatal thrust, and dies The cages lining the
enclosure continue to furnish other victims to the
excitement until 1t is satated for another week.
The passion is perfectly absorbing; aud to See the
eagerness with which the poorest Mexican watches
the fight, and the avdity with winch he pledges
his real upon the result, one cannot be surprised
that their Elk President begues his exile in s,akng
his hundreds OF doubloons per day in the greater
arena OF Havana. X. Y. z.
MOUTH OF THE Rio GRANpE,l
July IL. 1876
This is now one of the numerous military sta.
tons on the line OF this river. In fact, it is bor-
dered with troops as high as Cimargo. A regi-
ment two OF volunteers are encamped at tue
Brazos; one at this point; Bareta, few miles
above, is the encampment OF several regiments;
and at Lameto. the gallant Colonel Bailie Pey
ton is to be found with his command. A moro
crooked river than the Rio Grande, from Ma
tamoras to the mouth, could not be conceived.
1t Is more tortucus team even Mexican diplo-
macy. Its course, after curvng for several
miles, frequently returns to wllhn few rods
of the same point; and the distance by the
river between two places on its course, aver
ages three times that by land. Even with he
present height Of water, SO mucn caution Is re-
quisite, particularly in descending, that the boats
lie by at night. Already the Mexcans have dis.
covered covered tnat WOOD , IL necessary 70 proper ING
| yards in abundance have been established
| Their patriotism is not too strong to resist the
termination OF two or three dollars cord, and
scores of their rude vehicles are busted in hauling
the puny musquit from a considerable distance
to every landing. The difficulty of obtaining fuel
must be seriously felt here time, the LITTLE to
be procured will be well nigh exhausted by tho
extraordinary demands Of the war The d.ihcul-
~ may be partially overcome by establishing a
large coal depot in the vicinity of thus place.
Most of the country along the river Is now over
flown. However, there fine farms on both
sides, which elevated, and afford favorable
situations Tor Yankee towns Our boat hauled
| up last night near Mexican rancho or village.
The men came down ready to carry the wood
aboard, and the women to stare and make them
selves generally useful A iandango on the green
grass was III cont mpatoz, in which the mothers,
daughters and grnddaugh agreed TO participate