Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-04-23
From the New Orleans Delta.
THE ADVANCE TO THE CAPITAL.

: The .ADfANCE ~ If1E. CAP1IAL.
The veteran Twiggs has already advanced
on the road that leads to the Capital of the AZ
tees He commands the vanguard of the ar
nv which is to realize the popular idea of
revealing in the halls of the Montezumas.-
Our own Smith leads the division, with his
gallant rifles, and nobler corps has never
marched under our banner; and strong body
of regulars, infantry and artillery, amounting,
In all to 5000 strong, bring up the main body.
Thirty miles from Vera Cruz the river Antigua
is scanned by a noble bridge, built of stone,
with lofty arches, and guarded by strong
fort, which commands the road for long dis
lance. This bridge is associated with some OF
the most gallant displays of Mexican cour-
age and patriotism. Here it was the brave
Victoria, with small band of peasants, kept
at bay the Spanish armies, and cut off the con-
voys of their treasures and provisions. The
post is strong one, and if defended with skill
and vigor, will give our army much trouble.
Tt is said that La Vega commands the force at
the Puerto Nacional, and is determined to JUS
tify by some brilliant deed the high expecta-
tons excited by his manly bearing at Resaca de
Ia Palma. But it will be vain. The impetus
which our military strength and confidence
have received from the previous success OF
our army, will bear it triumphantly over all
the obstacles of Mexican valor and fervor-
This bridge passed, the road lies open and un-
obstructed to the lovely city of Jalapa Here
our hardy veterans, accustomed to the low
marshy valley of the Rio Grande, and the arid
plains of Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, like the
republican army of Napoleon, after passing
the frigid and rugged heights of San Bernard
and pitching their tents in the smiling vale OF
the Arno, will suddenly find themselves trans
ported into a region of SURPRISING beauty, fer
tility and salubrity Here they may stretch
their war-worn frames On beds of roses and
violets, and feast their senses on all that is
rich and beautiful in nature. The cool, bra
cling air of the mountain, mlngles with the
soft, health-giving breeze from the Gulf, and
the combination produces an atmosphere Of
perpetual spring Here will flock the poor
peasants with the various produce of this rich
valley, with inexhaustible supplies of luscious
fruit and nutritious food.
But delightful as the scene and it's pleasures
are, our army should not rest here longer than
to refresh their tired bodies and repair the
damage of the hard service on the sandhills Of
Vera Cruz, and of the march from the sea-
shore. A summer encampment would be high
ly detrimental to the morals of our army. The
hardy natures and rough habits of our soldiers
would run riot in the luxurious abundance Of
Jalapa. Onward, onward, must be the cry
Continual activity is the true secret of militia.
ry discipline. Soldiers are always happier
and more obedient and docile, under the ex.
element of a march, than when in camp under
the dominion of idleness and ennui There is
no reason why our army should stop any
length of time at Jalapa The summer in this
high region is mild and temperate, the road i:
level and beautiful, and the country through
which it passes is fertile and productive. In
ten days our army could march from Jalapa tc
| the city of Mexico. Here, we think, the enc
my would offer no resistance, the city not ad
hitting of any effective defence against artil.
| lery. If the Mexicans were determined not tc
yield their Capital without blow, it would
be struck before our army arrived within sight
of the city. But with a force of 90 900 strong
we do not apprehend any difficulty in taking
the Capital. Once possessed of this famous
FL Dorado of our soldiers, this magnificent CT
ty of the noble race, who fell beneath the
bloody sword of Cortez, we shall then be pre-
pared to listen to overtures of the enemy fo
peace, Or if such overtures are not made with
all due humility, to take possession of tn,
whole Republic as the lawful spoils of war
and to govern it with the laws of our Republic