The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-11-04
Correspondence Of the Boston Courier
- ARMY OF CHIHUAHUA,
Gan nInnin ia Ra.ar Oct % I2Af


ARMY OF CmHu AHUA,
San Antonio de Bexar, Oct. 2, 1876.
avail'myself Of short respite from my arduous
duties, TO give yon some little information in regard
TO the movements and operations of this division Of
the invading army. | arrived here on the Goth
September, from La Vacca, after a somewhat ia.
tguing journey. On the 26th ultimo, the advance
Of this army left for the Preside, Rio Grand, con-
ssting Of the following troops, viz company b. 4Th
light artillery, under Captain Washington; two
companies I'd dragons, under Breyet Major Beall;
three companies 9th United States infantry and
company Kentucky volunteers, under Major Bon
neville, United States army six companies Ar
kansas cavalry under Colonel Yell four companies Of
Illinois volunteers, under Capts. Webb and Morgan;
corps of pioneers, artifcers, &c, under command OF
Captain Lee engineers United States army; train OF
llS wagons, loaded with subsistence, ammunition,
and quartermasIers' Stores bosts, and lumber for
making flying bridge across the Rio Grande-the
train under charge of Captain o. Cross, assistant
quartermaster United States army The entire force
under command of Colonel VIM. S. Harvey, ID
dragoons- TO ], 400 effective men.
On the morning OF the 18Th ultmo, Gen. Wool,
with a portion OF his staff, and escorted by two
companies Of the LIST Dragons ef here to overtakc
the advance.
Col Churchill, inspector general, is left in cola
mand Of the division, to follow with the remain
der Of the forces soon a sufficient number Of
wagons (now en- route for this place) shall arrive
from Lavaeca. Major Thomas, chief Of the quar-
termaster's department, also remains for the pur-
pose OF Fastening the forwarding Of supplies, &c,
and will leave here in ABOUT five days, with Colonel
Churchill and the remainder Of the forces TO Join
Gen. Wool, at the Presldio when the entire forces
under his command will march upon Chihuahua.
Eight companies ofthe LIST regiment volunteers Ul-
nois) took up their line Of march this morning for
the Preside, under command Of Col. J. J. Hardin,
with train Of twenty-four wagons and two pieces
of cannon.
The two regiments Of illinois troops, attached TO
Gen. Woods column, are, without exception, the
best volunteer troops now in seryice-in excel
lent state Of discipline, well drilled, and all Of them
young, hardy, and active men.
The wagons, with supplies and stores are rapid
ly arriving; one train Of fifteen wagons came in on
the Both ultimo, and one to-day Of twenty wag
ons-
Il is almost impossible to imagine the difficulties
encountered by the quartermaser's department, to-
wards fitting out and preparing the strains" for
Transporting supplies In the first place. the mules
have to be broken to work in harness. There is a
scarcity of teamsters, and inefficient wagon masters
are sent from New Orleans, where they picked
up and sent out, upon their representing that they
are first rate teamsters-the greater part of whom
scarcely know how TO harness a mule, not TO speak
| Of driving ive-mue team.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to Major
Thomas for his untring exertions and unceasing
vigilance IN organizing the department and protect
ing the interest of the service from the depredations
of those who constantly devising to cheat
the government. IL really amusing to see men
coming into La Vacca with old wagons and broken
down oxen, to sell to the government, for which the
most exorbtant prices asked 5000 has been
asked for a wagon and five yoke of oxen, for which
$500 would be great price. Individuals have an
idea that the government must purchase Of them at
any price, and that government officers are bound to
believe what they say, without examination. How
ever, they found in Mao Thomas an officer pos
sessing too much practical knowledge, to be taken
in by them; consequently he 10 abused in the news
papers in the most outrageous manner-and why
for the simple reason that they cannot deceive him,
| and rob the government. ','.
| San Antonio de Bexar, as you are well aware, is
somewhat celebrated in the history Of Texas, be-
ing the scene of many struggles between the
! Texans and Mexicans. The city is situated on the
banks of the Rio San Antonio, beautiful stream of
most delightful water. On the opposite side of the
river few hundred yards above the bridge, sit
uated the ruins of the "Alamo " the memorable spot
where David Crockett FELL and also Bowie, the cee-
brated Texan fighter, and from whom the knife of
that name derived its origin. The Alamo is now
used by the quartermaster's department for the
chanics, blacksmiths, &c, engaged in repairing
wagons, &c, for the army. The city bears evil
dence of its antiquity, in the style Of its buildings,
and is similar to all Spanish cities. Many of the
houses are uninhabtable from their dapidated state,
caused by age, and in many instances from the ef-
fects Of cannon shot during the period the Mexican
army had possession of aportion of the city.