The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-08-17
Correspondence Of The Com. Times.
VERA Cruz, july 20, lS47.


In my hurried note of the 18th in
formed you of the destruction of our hopes
with regard to peace, and of the report
that General Scott had fixed upon the
18th instant for his march upon the capi-
tai. 1t is to be expected that our next
express will bring us intelligence of his
being on the road. | have seen one letter
to-day from an officer of the staff at Pue-
bla, which states that from the best inlor-
nation he can obtain he forms the opn-
ION that Santa Anna has force of twen-
ty-two thousand men, most Of which will
probably meet General SCOTS army on
its way, and afford another Cerro Gordo
laurel 10 each of our brave fellows.
| believe it is true, however, that AL
yarez has gone south without having re-
deemed single promise made to Santa
Anna, or having accomplished one of his
dread intentions declared against the
"Y ankles" All his Indians, of course,
went with him. Alvarez is sovereign
in his own district and as absolute as
Nicholas, or Mahmoud, and it is no won
der that his pride revolted at the idea Of
serving under creature SO contemplate
as Canalizo.
A quarrel on the subject of rank has al
SO arisen in our army, but presume the
consequences will not be very serious
The Commander-iu-Chie has made
very sensible decision on the subject. and
the matter lies in a proper shape, pending
an appeal.
Vera Cruz is quiet enough just now,
and | see no great reason to apprehend
an early disturbance, but there are idle
and foolish spirits at work which may
produce damage to themselves, harmless
as the issue may he to US.
Two French gentlemen arrived here
yesterday from Jalapa, and inform us that
Gen. Pierce will meet with serious oppo-
silion from the guerrilas and others at al
most every step on his march. To inn |
pede his advance as much as possible, two !
bridges on the road have been DESTROYED |
-one at San Juan, twenty miles from !
here. and the other at Ell Plan, near Cerro )
Gordo. The latter was a fine structure. /
There is timber, however, In the neigh !
borliood, with which suppose another
bridge can be built, 10 answer temporary I
purpose, but much delay must necessarily
be suffered. The bridge at San Juan is
OF less consequence, but as the rainy
season has set in, the river has swollen to
an extent that must render It's passage a
must difficult matter. OF course Gen.
Pierce has no ponton train, and / do not
know that even Gen. Scott has one.
treat my information as correct, as
have no shadow of reason to doubt the
authority from which | received it, and
must add that the Mcxicans are greater
dolts than have ever considered them, if
it be not correct. And who is to blame
for this and the other difficulties which |
line the road 10 Jalapa Is it General I
Scott, or higher authority, or both One
thousand men, stationed between Jalapa
and Santa Fe, distance less than seventy :
miles, would have saved not only these (
bridges, but many valuable lives and much I
property. Such guard would have al
fordej ample protection 10 travellers, and,
by preventing depredations, would SO
have discouraged the guerrillas that half |
their bands would ere this have been bro
ken and scattered over the country, TO
prey upon Mexican instead of American
property.
The foreign residents and the we'll
disposed Mexicans complain seriously Of
the recent orders, Nos. 24 and %, issued
By Governor Wilson, in which he says
the castle will FIRE upon the town in case
Of an attack. cam hardly suppose that