The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-22
THE UNION.
ARMY PORTFOLIO. by Captain d. p Whiting, of the nh
infantry, IT, s. arDqu


While myrads of prints hastily gotten up and rou0hl
executed representing scenes connected with the army in
Mexico, flooding the country and meet the eve at
the windows OF every prntshop, is gratifying to per-
ceye work like the above, entitled to the name of pic
tures-oi great interest, in being authentic and accurate
representations OF The scenes they portray, being taken
upon the spot and, for the sake of their beauty, well
worthy OF place the most fashionable cenre-tabe
The present number contains, besides sketch of the
encampmen of the army at Corpus Christi in 1885, four
views IN the vicinity of Monterey The scenery rivals
that OF Switzerland Nothing be more beautiful than
the scene in the view of Monterey from the east side Of
the main plaza, public square On side you
the mountain range of the Sierra Madre-a belt which,
running nearly parallel with the gulf through the
whole extent OF Mexico, divides the high region of the
interior from the Terra Caente," or low land of the
seaboard AT the right is the picturesque Mitre
tain, magnificent and most remarkable peak of rock.
While looking at this picture imagine ourselves in
the city OF Monterey with its atrooed houses each
rounded with heavy parape of stone pierced with holes
intended originally to carry off the rain, but which could
easily be used loophoes for musketry; and realize
the statement that every house fortress; and our
surprise is longer at the terrible carnage among
men who penetrated the streets, but that they able
to penetrate them at all.
The view of the 'Heighs of Monterey and the points
successfully attacked by General Worh's division, also
shows how unavaing are all barriers to our arms,
remember in the accounts of the battle received the
tme it stated that the heights stomed the 2st
and 22d September Steep that the had to
their hands well their feet in the ascent, and that
the guns fairly lifted up No description could give
us distinct idea of the difficulties overcome, and in
deed, of the whole affair these views; they are en-
phatcay what they pretend to be-hiusratons of the
military operations of our army in Mexico That there
is no exaggeraon these pictures, assured, not
only by Captain Whiting himself. but by all the officers
who have been in Mexico who declare them to be most
truthful representations of nature.
The view from Independence or Palace hill is very
beautiful picture, inferior to of the set The most
prominent object the foreground is the Bishops Palace
fortress commenced grand scale, but never COM
pleed Immediately after the fall of Matamoras, every
exertion made to put this stronghold in state of
mpregnabe defence the walls were strengthened and
the windows filled in with masonry But the stars and
stripes waving from its battements while, be-
low grouped the officers and men who short time
before, were engaged in death struggle with their foe
now their stacked before the palace gates, they
quietly looking upon the city, and watching the conflict
of the troops upon the side Beyond the city,
the left, stretch out the verdant plains of the TERRA
Calente scattered with peaceful villages and
abruptly from these plains, rises the Sierra Slla, or
Saddle Mountan-so called from the resemblance of its
peak to Mexican saddle.
The view of the valley toward Satllo, with the rear
guard and baggage train moving to the city after the
ptuationthe stupendous heights of the Sierra Madre,
contrasting with the soft verdure of the banks of the
stream below-is one OF great beauty.
Captain Whiting left the valley of the Rio Grande
with General Worths DIVISION for Vera Cruz, before
the battle of Buena Vista but hope we shall receive
additional sketches from his pencil, for which many
points the progress of General Scott from Vera Cruz TO
the city of Mexico afford admirable material.