The banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, 1846-05-27
Abbeville G. H., S. G. May ~, 1916.

bravery; tnOuSn poor, VINO had been Sc
cond Lieutcnants for twenty years and
upwards. was told by an American
officer, in their service, (Captain Garter
of Louisana,) who was. Aid uCamp, to
the commander in chief, during the
campaign, in Yucatan, where he high
ly distinguished himself and died
from the effect of his wounds, shortly af-
ter his return to the city Of Mexico
that the most difficult, and unpleasant
part of his military duty, was that Of
finding the higher Mexican officers du-
ring an engagement, being invaria-
bly, obliged to go from half mile, to q
mile, i'll the rear Of the army to find
them. The effect of this conduc, in the
officers, must be pcrnicious, and most
disheartcning upon the soldiers. Having
such miserable officers, is one great
cause Of the disgrace, that has so often
overwhelmed the Mexican army. But
what else could be expected no one
looks for virtuous actions, or noble scnti-
mcnts emana,ing from man whose
mind is dcrangcd; and us the mind is
TO the body; and the actions ola mortal,
so are the officers, the mind and govern
ing power Of the army; and it is as rea-
sonabIe, to hope tor wisdom in maniac.
as it is for valor in an army, commanded
by towards Another reason for their
lneilicicncy and want of spirit, is rcadi-
ly found in the way they arc enlisted,
aud their ranks kept full.
Getting into the army as they do, in
stead of its being astonishing, that they
fight so badly, it is source Of wonder,
that they fight at I'LL. Men are wanted
to fill up vacancies, or TO form new
regiment; recruiting parties are sent in
10 the country, and mountains, not with
music playing, to inspire ardor, and
martial spirit, into the breast of the in
dastrious and atiectionate Indians; nor
with money, potent deity; to excite Gu
pidity in the rustic hearts but. with
larlats, end short pieces of rope, they go
prepared to liant: against these orderly,
peaceful and hard working agricultu-
ralIsts. Wherever they sec an Indian.
there they spy soldier; no matter
where they find him. if he is in the
field tilling the ground, that from its bo-
som he may extract sustcnance for his ia
mily, spurs are clapped to their horses,a and
away they go, heller, skclter, until one
OF them is near enough to cast the uner-
ring lasso, over the poor creatures
head, and he is fast; if he is standing
By the couch of Il sick wife, or child, tits
no matter, the government wants him,
he must go; and without time being al
lowed him, even 10 bid adicu to his lami-
ly, he is bound to the arm Of some other
poor devil, and marched off with the
party, until the hunt is up. After ha-
wing in this way, collected as many
men rs arc wanted, and binding them
together by ropes, going round their
arms Just above the elbows, Gordon Of
soldiers, is formed around them, to pre-
vent all possibility Of escape, and they
are marched off to the rendezvous: upon
their arrival, flaming paragraphs ap-
pear IN the newspapers, announcing
recruit Of so many brave and gallant
rolunteers!! really md uiNing, to die, in
the defence Of the Republic, or for the
advancement of her glory. After being
thus forced into the service, it is but
reasonable to suppose, they are think
ing more about deserting, and the chan
ces Of getting back to their families,
than of advancing the glory Of the 60
verdment. l have been eye witness to
this manner of recruiting; have seen the
men Lassoed, bound, brought into town,
and had the privilege, next day, of see
ing in the Gazettes, these very patriotic
and bombastic paragraphs. We will
suppose however, the new reeruit en-
dowed with large share of that plia-
biiity, andpower of adopting itself to
present circumstances, so conspicuous
in the human constitution, and that he
has made up his mind, cheorfully to en-
dure the hardships of his situation; He
has no Inducement held out to him to
behave courageously. The govern
ment allows him twenty-five cents a
day, and his clothing. Very often Go.
vernment forgets, or is unable to forward
~ AZ Lo hoe EDI h;o cooJ