The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-10-01
The Advance upon Monterey
Correspondence of the Savannah Georgian

Correspondence of the Savannah Georgian
SERALvo, MEXICO, Aug. 81, 1916
The tide of conquest has at length brought
us to the foot of the lofty ridges ofthe "Madre"
mountains, and our eagles are only waiting
the signal to overtop them. The soldiers of
our hitherto peaceful Republic are now wal
king the streets of one ofthe oldest towns in
Mexico, and are looking forward to new victo-
ries and new conquests. This is the fifth tow
Of considerable Importance that has already
fallen into our hands, and the conquest of one
more will give us the control of the best tract
of land lying between the frontiers of Texas
a nd the Madre mountain Of Mexico.
This mountain range will form a good
boundary line between the two Republics
no other will answer.-These broad acres,
together with a few bordering on the Pacific,
will be a fair equivalent for the expense ofthe
war, which was forced upon us by our AFRO
appears to be a rule among European nations
that the worsted party shall foot the bill, l
presume that our Government will follow the
example, but to do this she must take land,
as money cannot be had. What precise OBJ
ject our Government has in view by precipi-
tating its forces upon this part Of Mexico,
unless it be for the purpose of severing the
Northern Provinces, it is difficult to determine.
To conquer peace" the City of Mexico
which is Mexico itself, must be struck. and to
do this it must be reached by way of Vera
Cruz or Tampico.
The columns of Taylor, Wool, and Kearn-
ey can lop off a few small provinces from this
part of Mexico, but they can never reach by
this route the City of Mexico itself, a distance
of 900 miles. The difficulties are obvious.
Rugged mountain-passes must be forced, eX-
tensive tracts of country entirely destitute Of
water must be passed, and then to add to
these the supplies must be drawn from the
United States, at least for most Of the way.
Nothing is to be had this side of the mountains
in the way of subsistence, except corn and
fresh beef. The former constitutes the only
bread stuff Of the country, an eachtamily pre-
pares it for its own use. Such a thing as a mill
is unknown.
But enough of the intentions of Govern
ment or the difficulties in the road between
this place and Mexico. We are here at the
orders of our country, ready to fight her
battles and uphold her honor at all hazards.
The First Brigade of the third Division,
under command of General Worth, arrived
here on the 25th, and is now encamped just
outside the town, ON the Monterey road. The
Brigade numbers about 900 men and is COM
posed ofnine, Companies of Artillery, forming
an Artillery Battalion, Duncans Battery Of
Light Artillery and six companies of the 8th
Infantry and is under the command of Col.
Thomas Childs, of the Sd Artillery, an officer
who has seen much service not only in this
war, but in the Florida War and the last war
with Great Britain.
The Troops left Camargo late on the eve
ming of 10Th inst. with a train of about
1000 pack mules and 40 wagons. The wealth
err was excessively hot, and the men suffered
much, one or two dying on the way, but not
a murmur escaped them. The distribution of
mules for carrying baggage was one for eight
men on this mule were packed a tent, KNAPP
sacks, sc. The mules all belong to the Mex
leans, are under their immediate charge,
and are hired by ourQuarternasters Depart
ment. This is the first time that an army ev-
er took the field with its baggage fupon the
backs ofmules, and its practibility is doubted
by many officers of rank and experience.
The ease with which an enemy can scatter a
train ofmules, renders us liable at any mo-
ment to be reduced to what we have about
our persons.
We are now within about 70 miles of Mon-
terey, and are waiting for supplies to be
thrown forward to this place, which is to be
the depot. The army will be concentrated
here, and we shall probably move forward
in about twelve days. The enemy is in our
vicinity, but he has not y~etseen fit to trouble
ns,although we are some sixty miles in advance
of the main army.
We are not prepared for an attack at all
times & should, not be surprised ifsomething
ofthe kind occurrel before long. This is my
last sheet ofpaper, so I'll bid you farewell for
a long time, as, / shall not be able to lay in a
fresh supply before reaching Monterey,