The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-03-17

i I'm and smooth, was delighted with the
fe on board ship, and 1 often thought I
lould live out my life there without being
tnce tired. But when the scene changed
-when the vessel was rolling and tossing
rom side to side-when wave after wave
kent sweeping over the deck-and when
be sea sickness came-it was then long
"A for the scenes of "my childhood's home" :"
- There is monotony too in water which
becomes very tiresome. Morning, noon
and evening presents the same appearance !;
nothing but a wide waste of waters. To
US, bird or fish was matter of general
interest, and if a sail was discovered, it was
regarded as quite an event.
Last Sunday evening, after voyage of
twelve days, we came safe into this port,
and on Monday morning placed my foot
upon Mexican soil-the land of eternal sum
shine and flowers.
b. The Isle Of. Lobos, the place where we
are now quarteeed, is situated on the Mex.
lean coast between Tampico and Vera
Cruz: about sixty miles from the former.
and one hundred and thirty from the latter.
1t is. only one mile in diameter; and pre-
vious to the arrival Of the soldiers, it had on
It no inhabitant 1t is one of the most ro-
mantle spots l have ever SEEN A large
portion of it is still wilderness covered
with the most beautiful evergreens. The
lime tree, the sweet orange, the banyan and
palmetto, all grow in grea, luxuriance.
Some fine lemons were found on the trees
when; the Pennsylvania Regiment first
landed here. | have seen on the same
tree young lemons and blossoms. The
banyan tree is quite curiosity; its foliage
resembles very much the magnolia of our
own State. The tree does not grow tall,
but very large. Its branches shoot down
ward, and form each separate trunk
Over these trees an evergreen vine is spread.
forming complete arbor. You can ina
gine how perfectly beautiful it must look.
Near four thousand troops are encamped
here now, and eleven thousand more are
expected soon. The tents are arranged in
streets running from the beach across the
island. The under growth only is cut out,
the large trees are all left standing. The
white tent cloths showing through the green
foliage, taken in connection with the sur.
rounding scenery, gives to the whole place
the appearance Of enchantment In the
harbor and about one mile from the island,
seven large ships are lying at anchor, and
in their midst the United States sloop ST.
Mary's swings proudly from her anchor,
commanding by her guns the entire port;
the star spangied banner floats from her
fore mast, and the signal is answered from
every ship and from half dozen different
quarters Of the Island OFF in the distance
is the appearance of land, and far away in
the back ground the heights of ST. Juan are
seen. Morning and evening the signal
gun is heard from small fortified town on
the shore some eight miles distant. AT
night we can see the fires which our ene-
mics have made to decoy our vessels on
their shore. We have wi,hall the mourn
full roar of the sea TO remind US that we are
within the dominions of old ocean. cut off
from the kindness and attention of our
friends.
10. To-day went all over our island in
search OF novelties. Amongst other things
/ found an old we'll, dug BY Com. Moore,
OF the Texas Navy, in the year 1887; and
close by 1 found the grave of young off,
Ger in the same service A'few rude letters
carved upon the bark Of tree mark his
lonely resting place.
have thus endea yored 10 give you some
idea pf this little fairy spot Of creation.
feel chat I have done il but poor justice for
tits lovely beyond any thing that could
imagine. L have spoken only of its beau
ties;nwhen speak Of its faults, you will
conclude in a moment that the detects over.
balance the beautiful. You will be some.
what surprised when tell you that since
lhaye been here would have given all
that have and all the honors thaS Ierpect
to s0in IN this country for a single glass OF
toaterfrom the well at home. Hithertothe
water on the island has been so salt that
we have not been able to use it. All the
drinkfhg water that we have, has been
brought from the ssiissiippi z;yer. aud for
the last two days we have not had that.
The water is kept on board our ship, and
enengh for q. single day is brought ashore
syeryh morning: For the last forty-eight
hours Ahersea has been so rough that boats
cannon pass from the vessels to the shore,
ind iflconsequence we have suffered no
little This evening, l understand, we'll
f