The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-26
Letters from the Army.
CAMP Polk, GOVERNORS ISLAND, }
Aupust IL 1910

august IL, 1916.
am commissioned and mustered into the SER
wee OF the United States, as Second Lieutenant of
company -, IN Col. Stevenson's California Re-
glment now encamped OH this beautiful island
Whatever may have been said, or may be said,
concerning the expediency of this expedition to
California, it may be we'll to have it known that
no persuasion or argument could, apparently, in
duce single member of the regiment to desert or
give up his commission
At present the utmost harmony and good feel
ing Is maintained among the volunteers, which
is to be attributed mainly to the excellent and eff.
hcient method of government introduced here by
the gallant and gentlemanly Colonel of the regi-
ment.
The officers generally and more particularly the
Colonel, appear TO understand the responsibility
they necessarily incur an expedition of this ma
tuIe, and to be amply competent to the discharge
of their appropriate duties.
few evenings since band of musicians at
tached to the regular army, assembled near the
camp ground OF the volunteers, and played Sc
res OF mosr beautiful airs in exquisite style. The
melody hoated OIL upon the blue water and echoed
and re-echoed in a thousand tones. 1t was very
beautiful. The volunteers left their tents, and al
the conclusion of each piece they made the very
heavens ring with their huzzas and cries for rope
tinon.
The probable future operations of the regiment
are, OF course, involved in doubt But the cardinal
and glorious fact that these men are mustered into
me service OF the United States, and that they will
soon embark Tor foreign service, vet exists and
will continue to exist, in spite of the immense Oh
staces winch have been thrown in the way of our
organization. The plan ofthe enemies ofihe SER
wee Tor our overthrow have been anticipated in
on all occasions they have been ultimately defeat
ed by his remarkable discrimination and constant
vigilance. success to the service and the reg-
ment, and honor to the Colonel
n-da @ a VA cpl Il t1. \
breeze Is truly animating and bracing. The men
are all under drlll, and they bid fair to compete
successfully with the discipline of the regulars.
even at this early day am writing on camp
veniences will constitute some sort of apology for
the miserable manner in which write Good
bye. You will hear from me again soon
SAN JUAN DR. BUENo VISTA, July IL, 1886.
This is a splendid country vegetation pros
pers here; two crops a year can be raised with
ease II is beautiful black loan; wells have
been dug several feet deep, and at the bottom it
was the same as at the top it would appear to
me that the soil will last a century without the
least trouble. 1t is magnificent sugar or cotton
SOU SO IT'S pity for such land to lay idle. The
Rio Grande, emptying into the sea, makes it the
more valuable to the planter. The river is navi.
gable some five or six hundred miles for steam
boats OF light draft, say five six feet Northern
men that are deslIous OF making rapid fortune,
should embrace the opportunity of purchasing
this land-it can be bought dirt cheap. There is
very little clearing to do I; the timber is light,
and men can be hired here for five dollars
month, that understand the management of plan
tatons, which is much cheaper than negroes
The towns or ranches, as they are called by the
Mexlcans, are very thinly settled This is owing
TO the slavish condition that they are subject to.
They hire themselves to Alcades, in English call.
ed Justices Of the Peace, for a specified sum that
is not sufficient to maintain them, and by this
means they get in debt to his highness, and he
holds them as slaves, The debt increases, and
they are held in bondage from father to son.
Some few run away from the hard usage they
receive from their masters, and settle along the
Rio Grande, and trade in horses and such Ike
he inhabitants that have come under my notice
are very 'ndolent.