Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-07-15
Fsoa the srAusros SPECTATOR
A LETTER FROM CAPT. *. HARPER
BursA vrsr., CMexico,) june ., 1917.

that the Augusta Volunteers left China on the
2Sd. in advance of the Battalion stationed al
that place, to carry through dispatches to Gen.
TAYLOR. and that we arrived at Monterey on
the Doth. On the same day, received orders
TO proceed to this place with three other com
panies-Cap,. Fairfax's (Va., and two North
Carolina companies, Capt Henry's and Capt.
Blalock's. We took up the line Of march
about an hour before sunset, and arrived here
at | O'Clock Yesterday. As you may well
suppose, we are all pretty well faded, particu
larry the Augusta boys, who have had con-
tnuous march Of ten days The distance
from China TO this place is but about | Is miles,
though the marches each day are of necessity
very irregular, on account Of water. One day
we had TO 90 twenw-four miles, twenty Of
which is without water The suiieringS Of the
men were very great, but do not see that any
OF them have sustained material injury. Most
of the miserable ca,ch-penny tin canteens
which were ISSUED to US have given out--ma-
nv of them indeed leaked from the first. and
tried at Monterey TO get others, but none were
to be had, nor could ] even get kegs 10 haul
water.
The FIVE other companies of the 2nd Battal-
ion which we left at China, presume are by
this time on their way TO join us. The lst
Battalion, now garrisoning Monterey, win al
so be up in few days, being about 10 be re-
LEVIED by the Massachusetts, regiment. There
are not many troops here at present. and there
is considered TO be necessity for them.
The scenery about this place is quite pictu-
rescue, though do not exactly recognize its
claims on the name il bears. unless it be on
account of the more extended view which il
affords of the mountains. More sublime and
elevated peaks are met with at many points
along the road. The mountains in this part
of Mexico are of singular character. They
seem TO be OF solid rock. rising hundreds OF
feet in sharp cones, without particle Of veg
citation, unless il may be scraggy bush, or
patch of moss. There is nothing like timber
on any Of them that have seen, and at this
place. although there is a considerable stretch
Of plain intersecied with deep rayines, between
the mountains, we have TO send some fifteen
miles for fuel for cooking purposes. The wa
ter though is excellent, the bes, have met
with in Mexico, and the temperature mode
rate. There is generally fine breeze in the
day, and at night, it is cool enough sometimes
for overcoats and blankets The probability
is that we shall remain here for some time.
and the Mexicans have opened quite market
at our camp. We had green peas, salad,
onions, apricots, and other things this morn
ing. ate green corn the day was in Mon
terey.
have not yet gone over the battle field. 1t
lies just before our camp, and looking over il,
it seems pretty much like plain, though il is
cut up with deep hollows, and somewhat I'M
dulated by spurs Of the mountain running in
to it. Whether the Mexicans will try the for
tune Of war on the same theatre again, remains
to be seen. 1t is said that communications
have been made from SaltIlo TO them Of the
great reduction which has taken place in our
force, but hope by the time they are ready
we shall be so also.
The country which we traversed on the
march from China TO this place is pretty much
of the same character of that have heretofore
described---dry, sterile, and uninvitng, with
here and there bottom ola few thousand
acres that are rendered fertile by irrlgaton.--
Sereno's hacienda, Is miles east of Cadareta,
is splendid place. dined with that gentle
man, and found he had in store the best of
wines and liquors. The most inviting spot,
however, that have met with in Mexico, is
the town OF Cadarelta. Ii is truly beautiful
place, and every thing about il is indicative of
cleanliness and taste. The houses are neat
and comfortable, and the gardens filled with
the fruits OF the country lemons,
lines, figs, pomgranates, &c. could but
wonder, however, at the spirit of people
who could suffer single company 10 march
through their great plaza as enemies, IN all
the pomp and circumstance OF war. We en-
camped just outside the town, on the bank OF
the river, and made requislton on the Al
cade for wood, which he promptly complied
with. | afterwards called upon him, and
found him to be very afIable and gentlemanly
in his manners. enquired OF him the popu-
laton of the town, and he told me, that with
in the district over which he presided, there
were ten thousand inhabitants.
In the march from Monterey to this place
there were Few objects worthy Especial note.
Our first encampment was at the Mills, six
miles this side. | was moi in them, having
arrived in the night, and leaving at Gay ght.
saw enough externally, however, 10 impress
me very favorably with the works. The race
or acquaduct is a splendid piece OF masonry,
faced inside with clear hard cement, as hard
seemingly as the rock itself There is also a
beautiful basin or reservoir just beside the mill,
about 100 feet square and three or four feet
deep, constructed of stone, and plastered with
the some cement at the sides and bottom
What special use ii was intended to serve,
Qlu not learn. mere NdS no W detl III IL di lle
time.
The Rinconada Pass was our next encamp.
ment. Here, or rather just below the pass,
there are several houses, mostly unoccupied
and the remains of a splendid garden filled
with fruits, and flowers. There saw apples,
peaches, some of the largest fig trees ! had
met with loaded with fruit, and pomegranaies,
&c. Unfortunately none Of the fruits were
ripe, however The flowers Were the bunch
and velvet roses, white lilies, and several 9th
er kinds that was not acquainted with,
though, none Of them very handsome The
garden was irrigated throughout As | walk
ed along its broad avenues, could not but
think of the gay and happy scenes no doub,
often enjoyed by the youthful within its plea
SAINT. bowers, and perhaps even now anxiously
longed for. but to which war had put al least
a temporary stop. 1t is probably the summer
retreat of some wealthy family, grleved to
see here and there, the smooth trunk at some
beautiful fig tree made the mark Of some heed
less rtlemen.
The Rinconada Pass is one OF the strongest
and most easily defended against approach
from the East that could well be conceived,
and Gen. Taylor showed his wisdom IN secu-
curing il to himself in the cap,ulahon OF Mon
terey. Against approach from this side, it
would be OF little value, Buena Vista is much
better in that respect. This, IpreSume, is the
reason why Gen. Taylor made his stand here,
instead failing back upon the pass, as many,
4 A. Al. tet.s. 4