The Arkansas banner., 1847-12-06
OUR coRREsPoNDEhcE.
INTERESTING LETTER FROasMEIIr0.
CirY oF MExIco, Oct. ls4

CirY oP MExIco, Oct, ls47.
 SIR: The interrupted state of communication has prevented my writing sooner.
 was so fortunate 10 reach New Orleans just in time to escape delay In sailing for Vera Cruz ar irving there ia II days absence from home found Capt. W Wooi, and command. encamped on the Gulf shore just below the city Tine division of the forces and order of march had been issued, under which the Captain was assigned 10 the command of one of the dctachments; when, the eve Of departure for the interior he was superseded by arrival of rank ing officer. However, the Captain, in command of two companies left the beach one day in advance of the rest of the detachment, returning to his pany when it cans mp with him. As the position assigned Capt. w ood has ever been arduous one, do moi think it more than simple justice demands to give you slight outline of the services he has performed and feel confident il will afford yon pleasure 10 hear of him.
 Before leaving Vera Cruz it was pretty well as- certaincd that engagement would occur at Pu- ente Nacional. As we approached that place, the morning of July 2lst, Capt w ood, in com mand of four companies, was thrown out on the flank; and, as we nearcd the BrIge, took possession of the heights separated by and rapid stream frnm those occupied by the enemy. This duty to protect onr flank and rear In ihe meantime the unattached companies of the com mand were moved down on the Briige under a pid fire from the Mexicans, who shielded by hrcast-work erected upon the summit of the steep hill immediately commanding tho Bridge. \ bar r;catie of chapparral and heavy timber constructed near the further extremity of tho Bridge easily passed. and in n nom"nt our men had scaled the al most perpendicular hills from which the foe retrea- ted without waiting to receive fire. The aciion was much siighter than we expected for some HOO Iancers aud footmcn had assembled with the avow- ed intention of giving us battle. Finding force superior to their own. the larger portion of them, panic-stricken, fled without gi, ing shot lrayiug goo or i00 of their bravrr comrades iO make what little opposition they could. Although the Captain Gebtrred from taking active part in the mere frihg his was the mos, aboriuus task and had all tho Mexicans stood their ground, united to proper disposition of their forces his position would have given him hot work. EncamPing at Paente Ma cional for the night marched upon Plan dri Rio next morning. the Captain being in the rear guard, which considerably annoyed by desultOry firing from The few Mexieahs who returned to the heights departed.
 At Plan dei Rio our advance had slight skrnish with some Lanccrs, who. taey retlred, blew up two arches of inc splendid BIiige that spans the stream This, of course, impcded our march for the night, and we encamped We best could, in the road and on the rugged hiilsdes. It believed, from accredited rumors, that their object in destroy ing the Bridge was to retard our progress long enough to give them time to concentrate at Cerro Gordo. IL was, therefore, of importance to hasten rapidly possible and frustrair their inten- tions. To nil in eiccling this purpose, Capt Wood entrusted with large detail~of men, and, in a few hours, under his superinte ndance and directon the road completed. and the whole train passed safely
 The Puebll lMexico) Star. paper published in that city, during its occupation by Gen. Scott. spoke in high terms of the quick aud successful compe- lion of this road, ascrihing the praise to Captain from Maine '-'' an ex-lumber merchant" who also, says the Star. Puente Naciona after prop min Rp,I au.itl. of ports had been remOyedl perched himself aloft one of the arches, and directing his gaze towards the 'greascrs,' placed his thumb against his nasal protHhersnce giving his fingers significant twirl It is far from my desire to dePr we the gallant sex lumber merchant' cf any merit due the latter feat; but considerable honor having been attached to the cutting through of he road, and having been in company with Capt. Wood much of the time he engaged. feel it my duty to correct ;he mis- statement that the credit may bc attributed where ii Iightfully belongs
 In fur heranee of bafling the project of the cne. Ey q midnight attscA on Ccrro Gordo was mmc- diatey planned, 10 consist O four companies, under command of Capt W oed. Soon after these arrange men's had been made, superior officer claimed his right to command and the Captain forced to relin- quish it yet went with his company The evening was so beautiful it seemed an suspicious omen. TAe heavens had donned its gayest attire, bathing in dreamy volnptuons light inc green and narrow val lev that. far away, melted into distaBce--the bat- bling stream rescmbed a silver cord thrown in fam tastic negligence athwart 1.-the ong ridges of mountains in silent grandeur, the heavy masses of shadow forming sornbrc contrast to the si.very light that played aren their every protection. The mea nsarshallcd in silence-their arms inspec- ted, and they departed sound was heard be- yond their regular footfall. As they wound Up tae ntain side, and ere they reached it's summit the beauty of the heavens overwhelmed: 2 heavy mist Pnveloped the mountain, and shortly the viVid ,fo{u nd raVe fn, ,dc inrn ( approaching storm Quickly il eame--i perfect dclugc--drencling us all in moment;-siiil We plodded on, buHcting the elements. IL was the in- tenon to take the RattalioR round by tue road cut by Cen. Twiggs; indecisiou arising IS whether We had pursued the right path, we were ordered into little ravne where ~e with great difficulty, groped our way, the mud and water being nearly leg deep The pro!eund gloom grcsv, t possible more intense iOnr cofnrtde could not bc distinguished save by the momeniary giarc of lightning, al a distance of two Pacss Sitting or iyiag down was ou, of the question. No one dar q h meye, for he knew not where ee ni..h! be precl ilated. We stood iu tbls nneeinfor able 0osltion unit welcome daylight re- ieve3 a. We were thna msrctc iufa thc TO d 10 await ihe coming gp ot Inc traiu have natbing to say t"ue ing this fl iurc rAceat, believe, had the lf. .i2 a'en ailows -ft-,iu the unand of Ae rKpfa;ao h w7~ 4.a.i 'hs sleineRts,
 .t 1 n there
 T,s D. asr
 0,as
 -veal --z rr
 8t f5s at ns +,-, a pr 1Fssy eH-HE -* .-A. --,- ara'e1 a---s s- --s,. .-..- waLsR ha -aaeac54.s 'ls aai.iat a aA4 a4 s'ea.s si n.sa si' eess te z.s s.ra Fea9ssaa niu. fara- xlto
 a' Rpepie ar tst,a i1a -..4.aea $. .ds. Gen. sst.s os'7a esF 5res@te ias lst. Gen. f3Sree Sa .4ncttE