Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-03-27

|
milton and provision trains, consisting of
two hundred heavily laden wagons, had safe
~ passed them both, WITHOUT. any material
loss or accident.
+ The direction Of our march was then for
the city OF Santa Rosa, which is situated
immediately at the foot of the Sierra OF that
name. 1t contains between two and three
thousand inhabitants, is likewise bull, Of the
same material as the other towns we had
passed, and capable OF being as easily defen-
ded. Many years ago, it was a place Of
| much Importance from the rich veins of oil.
yer found in its vicinity; but the political
dlssentions Of this unhappy country, pros.
trating as they did every thing like enter
prise. the mines, from not being worked,
were allowed 10 become filled with water,
from which they have not yet been entirely
cleared. 1t has been lett for an American
citizen, named DR.. Long, a resident Of San
Ia Rosa, to undertake their drainage; and he
will soon, no doubt, reap an abundant re-
ward for his labors.
The general entered the city with his
whole force on the Gath day Of October, and
without meeting with the slightest opposi-
ton from the inhabitants. They in turn,
likewise furnished oil the supplies he requi-
red; and, in fact, regarded the approach of
his column with feelings Of less dread than
they would have done, had it been compos-
ed Of troops Of their own nation. Before
the centre division left San Antonio de Bex.
ar, Gen. Wool had made every effor, to pro.
cure accurate information respecting the
various routes TO Chihuahua.
Our course was here changed directly
south, through the valley living between the
Sierras, Santa Rosa and San Jose. For
nearly the whole distance we met with few
indications that the country was at all in
hablted, save the occasional flocks OF sheen
and goats tended by solitary pastors, and
numbering in come instances as high as
10000.
The mountain scenery surrounding US on
every hand we he'd never before seen equal
led; and many was the picture presented TO
us, when the sight of long ranges and groups
OF them, with their PERCEPTIONS sides, now
IN deep shadow, now standing sharply out
in bright sunlight, would have filled with
ecstacy such painter as Salvador Rosa.
AT length we arrived at the Passo de las
Hermanas, situated in which is an extensive
Hacienda, occupied by Senior Miguel Blan.
co, one OF the most influential citizens Of
Coahula. lie received US with much cour-
tesy, and extended towards the officers the
inequalities OF his mansion. Going thro'
TINS pass, we at once entered into the great
valley OF Monclovs, watered by river Of
the same name and the Rio Nadadores-
each an affiuent 10 the Solado. Our course
then lay IN sou,herly direction across this
valley, when we arrived at the city oil Mon
clova ITSELF and before which Gen, Wool
again encamped his column. ,sWhere no re-
sistance had been made on the part Of the
people, no surrender OF any city through
which he had passed had been demanded bv
the general; but as the authorities of this
place had made protest against his advance
upon it, he determined at once to take for
mai possession Of the town, and, according.
y, on the 81 November entered it with all
his forces, and had The national flag display.
ed from the top Of the governors palace,
situated upon The principal plaza. Here it
was determined at once to establish depot.
and 10 collect all the corn and -four from
the surrounding country j, would be posi-
| bic to obtain. This would obviate the ne
cessity of depending onstheir beng recev.
| ed by the long, and IN a wet season, totally
| lmprnctcate route from Port La Vacca, or
from Camargo, even; TO which poin, direct
wac opened. !
being, for land carriages, 403 miles nearer
to Monc!ova than the former place. The
general intended 10 cut loose from any hone
OF receiving supplies from the east, so long
as the least possibility existed of gathering
them up in the country, and every exertion
was accordingly made to carry such a pur.
pose into effect. 1t was ascertained that
large quantities Of wheat and corn had been
sent from Monclova and the neighborinc
town Cienegas, to supply the Mexican ar.
my al Monterey, and more recently, at Sal.
tilIo; and on the very day we entered the
city OO00 pounds of flour, which was 60.
ing in that direction, was seized and at once
turned into our depot.
General Taylor having sent orders for the
centre division not TO proceed beyond Mon
cIova until the end Of the srmistice, or the
receip, OF other instructions, it was Obliged
10 lay there tor the period of twentp screen
days. All this time was occupied in perlec.
ting the discipline Of the troops, the collec-
ton OF stores, as before stated, and in max
ing extensive reconnoIssances Of the sur
rounding country. During tina, time. In.
spector General Churchill came up with the
rear column. By his arrival our train was
also enlarged 100 more wagons, well filled
with supplies.
AT meeting in Magnolia, Illinois, on the