The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-06-30

few DAYS III the waters oil the Bravo.
The General decided upon crossing the
rest of US at the upper ferry of the city.
AS we approached the ferry we saw our
boys in possession of the Fort. and rapid
ly engaged in preparing to run up our
flag. Just as we reached the bank, Capt.
Kerr of the ID Dragons, ran il up; 1t
foated gracefully i'll the breeze, and
proudly waved over Mexico. The men
Of the advance sent up three hearty cheers
to welcome the flag of their country -
Perhaps, Mr.. Esprit" those cheers
were SOME There was a rope stretched
across The river, and three boats manned
by Mexicans, ready to transport u.s.
We had the felicity fbeing |erried across
by the enemy As we landed, the COM
panies formed and awaited the arrival Of
the others. When the whole of the 81
Regiment was formed, it moved off to
the tune Of yankee doodle I" Did you
hear il Mr.. '.Spirit!'' recken you never
did in foreign land, just conquered. by
good. honest hard blows! If you did,
you never heard such an honest cheer as
arose from the gallant fellows on the OPP
posiie bank, when the drum and fife
gave US this air which fills at all times,
an Americans breast with the purest
patriotism! All was excitement, and
every one boiling over with "amor
patria 1t was a proud day for the
American army. Citizens in any num-
Der came down to see us. Many of
them, who ten days ago would have cut
our throats, were now apparently our
warmest friends, shook our hands heartily
and cried Justify, .4nlso!"
We here saw some signs of the hurry
! in which Arista had left. As we landed
near the Fort, boxes of destroyed ammu-
milton presented themselves, and it was
rumored, and has since been confirmed,
that two pieces of cannon had been thrown
into the river. The army left during the
day and night Of the l7ih, most precipi-
lately, taking with them, as appears, ii
pieces OF artillery, and anything but a
large supply OF ammunition. Our victo-
ry Is more complete than We claimed
credit for. The citizens saw that Arista
had not over 5000 men with him. What
has become OF the remainder of the
1000! The bloody battle Of the Sih and
Oh, and the . whirlpoels Of the Bzavo''
can tell The tale.
Our Brigade encamped within half 4
mile Of the city. We had indulged the
hope of being quartered in it, but our
worthy General saw fit to direct other
wise. Women, they say, are all curiosi-
ty, but if they felt more than we had to
[ see in that city,I say God help them. We
had encanped bal short time, before a
party of US rode ap to'gsatify the consul
ming passion. Never have been more
lsappontetI-never did distance more
thoroughly '.lend enchantment to the
view Fhe Matanoras zas &seen from
Fort Brown is not the Matamoras we
/ hold. As it may be interesting to you,
will try to give you some idea of the
city.
frst rode up to the Plaza, which is
quite large square surrounded by china
trees. The houses surrounding the
square are of brick or stone, the lower
parts used as stores, or offices, and the
second story as dwellings. They have
the appearance of defensive works.
Streets diverge from the Plaza, and are
again crossed By others. The cathedral
occupies alarge space on one side of the
square, and is an unfinished mass of ma
sonary. Directly opposite to the cathe-
dral is the Prison. Properly situated.
:. the poison and the antedoie." There
arc a great many stores and quite large
market house, which | am told is well
supplied.
| went to visit the different hospitals.
They are filed with the wounded and
: dying. The stencil that arose from them
from the want of police, was disgusting.
You could tell at glance the wounded OF
Palo Alto or De Resaca de la Palma
The latter were mostly bullet wounds,
whereas the amputated limbs told of the
canAon's fearful execution in the former.
Beside one poor fellow beautiful GIRL OF
II was, seated keeping off the flies. She
was his wife. In another corner, a fami-
ly group, the mother and her children,
were seated by their wounded father. One
bright eyed lcssIe girl quite took nv fancy.
and my heart bled to think that thus eariy
! sic should be introduced TO so much
wretchedness. On one bed was corps;
on another was one dying, holding in his
hand the grape shot that had passed
through bis breast. He showed il to us
with sad countenance. | left the hos
piial shocked with the horrors of war.
The army have left their wounded COM
rades with very little attention to their
wants.
| then rode all round the city. As you
ieave the Plaza the houses become more
detached, with yards around them; some
with flowers and other pretty shrubs TO
ornament them. As whole, it is cer-