Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-07-22
CAMP OPPOSITE MArAMoRAs,l
June 10, 1916.

My dear brother Learel: There arc
many strange things happening in this
wide world of ours, and many Others will
likely occur before lis final end Nv
present position is strange one, and no
doubt but gu thought il very strange that
| left Baton Rouge; but it is all done now
and lime must determine whether right or
wrong. Being so far from home, nv mind
often travels back and brings before il
many love, and memory ever true 10 her
task, gathers from her full treasury, me-
mentoes both bitter and pleasant. have
my hymn book presented by you and as
often as open it, am made 10 think Of the
donor, and the circumstance under which
it was given. | expect it was the first
hymn book ever used BY a Protestant
preacher on the Rio Grande, and in the
city Of Matamoras. The first hymn sung
was page 235-"From all that dwell"
&c. My text was; go ye into all The
world and preach the gospel to every
creature" Mark l6: Is; and my friends
said it was the best sermon ever preached.
The congregation was large, and more
solemnily | never witnessed. This is a
beautiful country, the soil rich and abound.
ing with every variety of Southern pro-
ducion. Tomatoes, pepper, sage, and
great quantities oil fruit, can be gathered
from the wild uncuItvated prairies was
shown beehive to day which is a Gu.
riosily. II was formed by the bees. They
build like our hornets and their house
resembles them very much. They are
found in the chapparel, which is nothing
more than thicket Of small bushes or
trees. The bee is not more than half as
large as ours. There are no large trees.
We passed through The state of 'ramauli.
pas and in all my travels have not seen
tree more than six inches in diameter
The Mexlcans are a mean looking people,
but little if any superior 10 the Choclaw
Indians. Rome and The Devil have 50 fac
combined as To weave around them net,
which while il binds fast, shuts out light.
| brought supply of tracts and gospels,
small though, from New Orleans and have
been distributing them as occ sion offered.
trust they may be as bread cast upon the
waters.
Matamoras contains population rang.
ing from 10 10000; there are but few IN
the great mass who make any pretenslons
TO learning. The majority Of their houses
are smaIl-built of mud or matched cane.
There are, however, in the central part of
the city some fine houses-I mean large
two story BRICK buildings, covered with
slate. The cathedral is unfinished, andi its
order Of architecture differs from anything
| ever saw. Visited it on Corpus Christi
day, and Witnessed their ceremonies. You
must know that, although Gen. Taylor has
possession OF the town, he protects the
Mexicans in all their rights. and keeps
strong guard stationed al different points
as we'll to secure them as ourselves. The
market house is The best arranged OF any
OF their buildings, and find il well sup
piled with beef, mutton, pork, chickens,
and every variety of vegetable, | belng
the caterer for our mess, take care and get
all like.
2lSt. This is the holy Sabbath. have
just concluded my mornings service. !
preached rather poor sermon, but hoR
the Good Spirit will direct the truth ano
cause it to bring forth much fruit. There
were two deaths in our regiment last week:
one man advanced in life killed himself
with whiskey; he died Of mania potu.-
the other young man, died with lever
There were two deaths night before last 10
the regiment ad joining us, (Col. WaIlonSJ
and two more this morning-the disease
is darrhea, which has been neg elected and
terminates in fever The old man VINO
died first was a DR.. Norris While he was
thought to be dying the surgeon gave h9
a cup of brandy toddy, which is usual, !
believe, 10 try and restore animation, DIS
nurses drank il up Did you ever hear OF
1 case befnle where The love OF liquor
would cause men to take it from the NOUN
If a dying mani have these facts rum
he surgeon himself, who is talented anO
sober man. (Dr. Axon) Should Il 90,
20 held in remembrance9 Poor slnlu'
nan, how deeply hast thou faller! J. 'ne
J. w. @, Advocate received and publish
I'd my letter you no doubt read lt--auu
hen see that am making arrangements
or station, next year or the wear ai,ei'
way out here. You ask how is ~ WY
ir, propose sending missionaries to 'ns
'eople--to fill this immense valley WI"
he copeland OF course hold myseh y
eadiness TO be ono il The Amounting powst