Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-05-15
THE MEXICAN PRISONERS OF CERRo GoRDo

coRREsPoSnEscE OF THE "vERA CRUZ EAGLE"
JALAPA, ApRIL 30, ls47.
Yesterday left the encampment Cerro Gordo
simultaneously with the thousands of Mexican prisoners who
had been released PAROLE and who vending their way
10 their different homes, place from whence they
may again be forced to take up against believe
their line, extended along the road was full five
miles in length The Guarda Macdonald was the only corps
that maintained any order in their marchthe residue trudg
ing along best they could and in admirable disorder
We rode the road which they marched with great
difficulty turning horses heads twenty different, WAYS in
the space OF half an hour to avoid riding them down. They
were less sad than men under similar would
generally be and cracked many joke at their expense
This the early part Of the march, But towards sunset
when they had measured eighteen twenty miles their
nost of them in their bare feet they quite silent
and sad and the effects Of the fatigue of the day. combined with
previous prlvaton told sensiby upon them. felt much in
erested in the numerous camp womenhose devoted
lures who follow them through good and evand greved
me to see them worn down with fatigue, moving at sna
pace their heavy burdens almost weighing them the EARTH
The woman of sixty years-the mother with her
infant wrapped her rebossahe wie-the youthful
rita skng along with her lovers sombrero on her head
even The Prattng girl who had followed padre and madre
the wars--coud all be view moving along and
bearing the hardships Of the tramp unconscious If the avn,
ence OF misery in this world.
These women like the Indians the slaves of the men,
slavery they submit to under the alpowerul influence of
affection In addition to their bedding and wearing apparel
they pack upon their backs the food and the utensils to cook
in, AID worn out they by the tolls of the day. whilst
their husband lover sleeps they prepare his repast
noticed Ga genera who left Gen Scots quar-
ters about the time did, He elderly man. and
soon perceived from his hobbng that he had but one L
His progress on the march object Of curiosity me-
and surprised 10 him keep well with the more
youthful and periectmbed halted for some time at the
hacienda of Santa Anna my horse and my eyes ran
eagerly the column of prisoners If he had kept up
The fourth or fifth to the writer himself He had
refused dozen offers to ride both from and his
About Ii o'clock at night all Of them passed my save
those who had sunk down from the effects of the march, which
was about three miles from this place An hour afterwards
polite voice at the tent asked permission light cigar from
the fire. looked out it he He said he had not been
able to keep with the advance but would reach Japa in
one hours time. The cigar lighted he hobbed off again. and
this morning met him in the streets apparently not al all
affected with the aunt.
When the Mexcans first surrendered il was about their
dinner hour In Of their forts the camp kettles taken
from the hre and the raons being proportional
when the order for surrender from the second
mand they had TO march out without their dinners That
evening" although large quantities Of food bad been served
TO them by commssares they picking up old bones
stale pieces Of Bread and every thing that could be eaten
Yesterday the march they would up beef killed the
day before by advance and cut off every piece that could
be obtained eagerly though they half famished
From the loot OF Cerro Gordo to Santa Annals hacienda
the roadside lined with dead Mexicans and horses At
the rancho where Gen Twggs overlook the reeating
enemy they lay thick around and horrd would
be difficult picture Mexcans lay dead in every direction
resting against trees, others and arms
tended and occasionally lancer lying with his arm upon
the charger that received his death from the same vol
ley that ended the Of his rider Some the prisoners
passing through would occasionally halt the features
the deceased and then mendng their regain their place
Ivy the side Of those who fortunate in the fight.
At the place above cited be all the property
other than munitions Of war; taken from the enemy In
place arranged in good order all the pacsadde then
he pen containing mules the provisions next comprising rice
beams bread pepper p07cns garlic, &c. piles Of Shoes
and all the psraphernaa of Mexican camp
Capt Robert Allen, Assistant Quartermaster stopped for
and gave orders 10 the removal Of these things
The muskes taken from the enemy being broken on
tones as passed the spot where they They of
earthly to and hence the summary mode Of dspos-
ng of them.