Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-08-20

r
sons in any part of the city. Such is the plan
of giving the first alarm, and of the after gov
eminent of the city. The idea OF showing 10
the world that her sons have not degeneratei
is purely Mexican, but what pity they should
not have thought of this before. II VIII laEe
a deal of hard fighting and bIoolshed to place
them where they stood previous 10 the battle
of Palo Alto.
In nre of nv last letters noticed the death
If Lieut. Upton, of the Rifes--a son of Sen
ator Upton of Indiana. since then son OF
Senator Surgeon, OF Pennsylvania, licuten-
ant in one of the regiments from that State
has died, and he, too, have been told, was
young man of much promise. cannot iearh
that any of our officers are now seriously IN
disposed, and the health of The army genera
IL Is improving To be sufe there are 1900 or
1000 men still on the sick lIst' Dut larger
portion of them are conyalescing. -,
last evening, on the strength OF a letter said
IN have bpen received from the Spanish Min
i.,er in Mexico, peace stock wcntup. 1t was
rumorrd that the contents OF his communica-
fion made peace inevitable--that the Congress
and Santa Anna were disposed to anything in
order 10 insure it now, while | am writing
intelligence has come in from which it would
appear that there is no earthly chance for an
amicable adjustment OF our difficulties From
all accounts, it would appear that Santa Anna
and Congress are at swotds points, and that
zlhe former has all the advantage over the con-
stituent wisdom Of the great and magnanmous
Mexican nation. 1t may be recoected that
some two months since Congress passed an
act declaring any one a traitor who would
even entertain the idea of peace with the
North Americans SO far so good. When
Santa Anna received MIR. Buchannan's last
proposition, few weeks since, he at once
submitted them TO Congress for that body to
act upon the matter in the premises; but what
did Congress do but send the paper back with
an answer that the initiatory steps belonged
exclusively to the Executive. AT this Santa
Anna became enraged-sad that he did not
send the papers before Congress TO ascertain
what his prerogatives were-he knew their
full extent weIl-but he had laid the matter
before that body in order that the members
might rescind their former decree declaring
any one a traitor, &c, if they saw fit. That
he thought they would do this, and thus give
him all and every power, is highly probable
but Congress took stubborn fit, and here the
whole affair rests for the present do not
even see who is to deign offer an answer to
Mr. Buchanan's propositions, which seem 10
have been transferred into a species of foot
ball to be kicked backwards and forwards by
Santa Anna and the Congress-neither party,
in the present distracted state of the country,
daring to lay hands upon the unfortunate doc
ument Bold and INSCRIPTIONS as even the
tyrant is in all matters OF state policy, he dare
not take responsibility so heavy upon his
shoulders as 10 come Outand advocate peace
The impression now is, that he has determln-
cd to hazard the defence of the capital, and
this impression gains strength when it j,
known that he has Congress to lay the blame
upon in case he suffers another defeat. Anoth
er battle, in my humble opinion, will be Of
immense advantage to the United States; fo
ifGen. Scott moves W on the capital the Mex
leans will certainly be defeated, and if he re-
mains here, and there is no more fighting, thu
enemy will contrive to come out OF the wa
conquerors. They will endeavor to make i
appear that the Yankees, fearful of risking
:. battle at their principal city. sued for peace
and in the eyes of the world they will be abb
to make toIerably clear case.
Santa Anna has recently levied a contribu
tion-a forced loan it may be called-upor
the inhabitants of the capital, in which h
calls for $280,S75 to carry on the war. Thu
churches and converts, as we'll as private in
dividuals, are assessed, and it is limited tina
the tyrant has left the names of some of hi
who have been called upon without stint, hav
made regular protests it is said against the un
oiust eXaction, but Santa Anna does not stan
upon trifes in his money transactions.
From every indication, it would appear tina
Gen Scott intends an immediate movemcn
upon the city of Mexico-at least within
week or ten days. Hard bread is being bake
for the march, the quaEtermasterS have bee
ordered to hold themselves in readiness, and i
every department all is hustle and activity.
being found impossible to receive clothin
from the United States, hundreds of Mexican
are hard at work putting our men in uniform
Some even think that the army will move be
fore Gen. Pierce comes up; but it is hardl
probable that Gen. Scott will march bcfor
that officer gets within or days marcel
At least 500 hundred of the sick will be le
behind, but ma orlty of them would be in
situation to take up arms in case the garriso
was attacked.
Speaking of sickness, the South Carolin
regiment has suffered more than any other
the service. This was not expected. 1t wa
thought that the Northern regiment would su
fer most hereaway in the tropics, but the Ne
Workers and South Carolinians have been,
it were side and side, and the former have h;
but few cases on the sick list comparativel
The South Carolinians, out of 900 stror
when first mustered, now turn out but abo
400. OF the other 500 some 40 have die
200 have been left sick in the rear, and Il
rest are now in hospital here. The health
the regiment is improving, however, al
many are cOnvalescing.
Yours, &c. C. W. X.
PUEBLA, Mexico, July %, 1S47
Rumors from the city Of Mexico are at
discount; but reports from the direction
Vera Cruz are more eagerly sought after.
Many think that the arrival of Gen. Pier
will be the signal for an immediate moveme
of the whole army, and hence the anxiety
learn his real whereabouts. A dav or t,
since intelligence was received that he had
ken the Orzaba road, and that he had be
heard of even this side OF that city; vesterd
news came in that he had reached Jaapa w
his command, and this story is more genera
credited. On the strength of reports that
large guerilla force was in front of Gen.
and that some 1000 men with four pieces of
tiery were on the way down from the neie
borhood of the capital to aid in capturing
train, Gen. P. F. Smiths brigade was orde
10 move in the direction of Perote. His re:
lar command consists of the 1st Artillery,
Infantry and Rifles. but in addition to t
force squadron of dragons and Dunca
battery accompanies him. Woe to any Nj
lean force that may fall in the way of t
nd