Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-29
VOL. IT.
FOURTH JULY AT MATAnORAS.
Correspondence of the n o. Delta.
CAMP, OPPOSITE MATAMoRAs,
A. j. Reg't-Morn. 4h July.

are busy as bees, getting ready for the
celebration of the " Glorious Fourth p
Great preparations are making, each COM
pany endeavoring to exceed in giving life
and effect to the occasion. The dawn of
our national birthday is calculated to
arouse the patriotism Of the sons Of the
heroes of rs in every part Of the country;
but here, in sight Of the glittering sword
and bayonet, borne by some hero of the
late battles near this place, and in hearing
ofthe thunder-tones of the long lSs which
have lately dealt destruction and death to
an enemy's forces, and taught the invaders
of our soil lesson which they will long
remember, and we too being here for the
purpose OF maintaining, at all hazards, the
rights and honor of the nation, there seems
TO have been awakened degree of enthu-
sasm which could not have been eXpe-
renced any where else, and every one is
determined to do his duty either in shout.
ing, cooking or making his gun crack the
Ioudest Ample Justice will be done du-
rIng the day to tat beet, canvassed hams,
wild game, sold ball face" etc. wine will
sparkle, wit will flow, sentiment will meet
sentiment-rank will be waived, and we
can once more exclaim, that a "man's a
man for a that"
The greatest difficulty that has yet occur
red in the preparations, was in procuring
a copy of the Declaration Of Independence;
but after ransacking and upurning hume
rous books, documents and papers, our
worthy Chaplain Of the brigade, succeeded
in finding one in an old almanac which
chance had thrown out here among some
papers.
-Four Daylight
There is the first appearance OF daylight
the oar-plercing fife and spirit-strrlng
drum are sounding the first notes Of the
rcrcUe in the camp Of the volunteers on
the east bank of the river. The men arise
from their blankets, and the first thing that
saIutes our ears is huzza-a-a! which i'm
mcdiately resounds from one end OF the
camp to the other. The same music and
noise is now heard IN the camp OF the 18th
Infantry below us-ta- ta-ta-ra-ra ra-ta-ta-r
goes the shrilI noise of the trumpet among
the Dragoons-bum-bum bum is beloved
out by Old Trough and Ready" at the fort,
which is answered by the little is in each
regiment, followed with three times three,
and three for la gniaPpe, from 10000
mouths, which rcverberates and echoes
along the banks of the Rio Grande.
Now the various camps are all in mo-
ton, cannon are firing, men are shouting,
flies playing and drums beating. But,
bark! we now hear the soft, the melodiOus
strains Of full brass band, playing Hail
Coumbia,' at Gen. TayIor's head quar-
tiers, in the Republic of Mexico, under the
folds Of the broad banner Of the Stars and
Stripes!
Nine o'clock, A. ".
The smoke Of the morning guns has
passed away, and the huzzaing has ceased
"a fine breeze has sprung up, which gent
~ unloIds the various flags and banners
our noslriIs are RECALLED with the scent from
the pits where the barbacnlng is progress
ing-boules and canteens, tubs and bar
rcls, pots, kettles and pans, are passing to
and fro, in every direction. The troops
are on parade in honor of the day, and
marched 10 Gen. Smiths headquarters,
where the Rev Mr.. Crenshaw opened the
ceremonies with patriotic prayer. Mr..
WeImon Nichols then read the Decara-
ton Of Independence, and Mr. Ogden, of
Rapldes, delivered an aPpro pirate Grafton,
when he made some sensible remarks in
reference to our present situation and posi-
ton, and referred TO the success of our
arms and the progress Of our republican
Institutions, in an eloquent and mastery
manner. He was listened to with pro.
found attention, bur the eloquent style of
his address, and its application to the pre-
sent circumstances, called forth repeated
involuntary responses from the crowd
The volunteers were then reviewed by old
''Rough and Ready" Gen. Taylor took
occasion to remark to the officers OF the two
regiments, that he was well pleased with
the discipline and drill that they had been
able to obtain in their commands; that if
the weather remained fair for two or three
days more, he would have boats and means
OF transportation here and would throw
his supplies in advance; that the volunteers
should then be sent 10 Camargo; if they
dld not meet the enemy there, thence to
Monterey; It they were not 10 be found
there, 1t would not be the fault of our army.
Further, that he would be with them in
person, and participate in the priyations
and hardships of the campaign. and moth.
ing would be wanting on his part to bring
the war to a speedy and honorable close,
Everything around the camp wears the
appearance of great national holiday.
The arrangements made by the different
companies for the purpose of spreading
the dinner, presents a somewhat novel, bu
very beautiful appearance. In the absence