Litchfield enquirer., 1846-07-30
LATE FROM THE ARMY.

editorial correspondence Of the Pienyn"e.
MArAMoRos, June %, 1916.
The steamboat Neva--the same we met
nile on the way from Reynosa 10 misplace
Is to have started last evening on anolhel
pup with a detachment Of the 9TH U. 5
afantry; but couple of engineers having
onounced her boilers defective and unsafe
e has been laid mp for the present. The
elders were ordered up to reinforce the
60 nmand of Col. Wilson at Reynosa, pre-
vious to a move upon Camargo. The
FEATHER has been so bad, and the roads are
IN such horrible condition, that the infant
~ will hardly be able TO march for a week
r so.
Matamoros is certainly going ahead. 1
see that the Washington Ballroom is to
he opened this evening for the first time un-
Ter that title, with grand Mexican fandan-
,o-admittance so cents. And gambling
hops are opened in every street, bar-roomS
every turn, and eating-rooms stare the
angry in the face on all sides. An inunda-
On has been poured in upon Matamoros
nat she will not get rid of easily.
Gen. Taylor is now worse cramped and
ampered for want of transportation than
rer. and the Quarter-Master Generals De-
artment catches it" on all sides and from
II quarters. There are volunteers and reg
uars enough to march al any time and 10
any point; there are more volunteers already
lere than are wanted, idle and uneasy at the
inactivity, yet the Commander General can
not move for want OF transports.
With six small steamers, at the stage OF
water, healthy and commanding points could
easily be reached on the Rio Grande but
they are not here, and the arms of one of
he largest armies ever brought into the field
the United States are tried for want OF
'oper management at home. There is
netting wrong, too, still in the Post Ofhce
.partment, and loud are the complaints IN
cry quarter.
have not line of news to communi-
.te-we are all in the dark and in the mud.
apt. Mccullough is still here, although a
art of the remains at Reynosa. He will
'obaply move up his entire command as
BON as the weather will permit.
MArAMoRos, Mexico, June 30, 1916,
Gen. Taylor's camp on this side of the
0 Grande is yet above water in spots, al
ough the chances of being driven or
owned out still look about even. l sat
,on the bank of the river this morning
III my feet padding in the water; so you
learn how near we are to an inunda-
wish that some of those members OF
agress, who are pleased to designate the
,ers of our army as "epauleted loafers,"
wasp-waisted vampires hanging about
places" could get glimpse OF them
Vim fact, could share their privations
1 discomforts with them. They would
ever after hold their tongues.
The poor devils-although they laugh at
make light of the anroyances which
It them-appear in plight most pitilul,
ny of them really not having had dry
to their backs or dry blanket to sleep
or near fortnight. Hanging about
h placesw Why, they have been wa
about low places, half way up to their
,es in mud and water-Gen. Taylor and
!. Twiggs among the rest---and nothing
/. an absolute fear of being drowned out
a driven any from :heir position.
Che two regiments of Louisiana volun-
ers, Marks and Walton's, on the opposite
ank of the river, occupy higher ground
ct they are bad enough off in all con-
cignce. And are still enjoying better de-
cree of health than one could suppose they
vould, but am fearful, if they remain here
90 long, that some epidemic may make its
ppearance among them.
Volunteers are still arriving by regiments
nd still Gen. Taylor is without tranporta
lion or any means ofmoving them. Where
are the steamers ordered to be purchased
long since for the use of the army? Here
IS a stage of water high enough TO reach
Reynosa, and Camargo with ease and safe
y, yet there is not stage conveyance even
across the river.
cannot conceive situation more trying
10 the patience and more morlifying to the
feelings of the Commander-in.Ch Chief than
the one he is now placed in.-With men
enough to march to any quarter, he has no,
the means to move them an inch.
From the interior the news is various and
contradictory. 1t is said that portion o
the Mexican Infantry has left Lenares fol
some point near Tampico, aud very likely
such is the case. For some time the inhab
iiants of Matamoros believed tina: the troop.
would return and retake the place-conlc
not for one moment suppose that the Amer
leans would be allowed to hold quiet pos
session of the city. believe that they
nave now given up all hopes.
The number Of Mexican soldiers at Mon.
ierey is known to be small. Arista, whose
course has been sustained by the the Govern
rnenf Ia 1T his hacienda near thai c;,,, ~
few men only. The number Of Infantry
at Learnes is at present only 900, with q
small force of cavalry in the neighborhood
Gen. Paroles is said TO be en- route fol
Monterey with 5000 men--sone say as large
number as 5000. Scouting parties O
Texans will probably be sent out as soon a.
the roads are in travelling condition; and