New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-01-01

o
to the Batavia Spirit n The Tim@i
Dragon Camp near Monterey
MExfco, Nov. -, 1916
DEAR BROTHER. have Just returned from Sal
till0 where have been with the Dragons as cs
cort to Gen Taylor who accompanied the command un
der Gen. Worth, which marched from here tor mat
place on the 18Th inst This force IN all numbering
about 1000 men marched into the city aud took posses
sion OF the the 10th inst and Gen Worth, with
his division oil about zoo remains IN command
OF the same. We found no troops IN the city nor met
with any resistance Ia taking possession O H. Il IS stu
aed about 80 miles South from here, and contains
at present near 10000 inhabitants.
As city. it far inferior to Monterey the buildings
being built OF sun dried tiles in place OF stones thus
Offering rs you viii dirty appearance TO the Oh
server. In the nice parts Of the city, however and
around the mum Plaza the buildings covered with
hard, white cement which makes them look quite well
II has most magnificent Cathedral built Of stone and
surveyed the thousand and one statues images
dlcstcks crosses &c &c with which ts halls and domes
were ornamened, almost began to imagine that was
then gazing upon the vast riches vi the Halls OF the
cent Monte zumas. But I was the house OF worship
The entire route from Monterey 10 Sauo lies along
narOw valley ranging la breadth from quarter TO
three miles in the extent while either side cold and
precpitous mountains rise almost to the very clouds.
They entirely destitute OF timber vegetation OF
any kind and the at times particularly grand
and sublime. On occasion the sun was obscured
from our sight at 10 4 NJ. by these towering nights
But cannot dwell here The whole distance was gently
ascending, and the road rocky and broken. As our
route for the most pat lay along stream We generally
found plenty OF water In Of these narrow denies
the Mexcsns had thrown up some defences, which were
evacuated after the fall OF Monterey.
At Saltllo we found no wood Of any kind, and were
reduced to the necessity OF purchasing brush enough
from the Mexcans TO boil our coffee. This they brought
some 10 miles upon their backs or up pack
mules AS is customary IN this country. At Monterey
the orange lime lemon, citron &c prosper to perect
while at Salo, Farther south) these do not grow or
do well This s owing to the different attitudes OF the
two places, and hence the Northern grains and fruits
which grow In Mexico. Both wheat and apples do well
at Saltlo at Monterey they not raised. Corn grows
well ia both places and the is So long here that
two crops raised from the same piece oi ground
yearly. Potatoes do not grow here
About Saltillo the fields without fences aud are
watched from cattle sc. daily and nightly by sentnels
As we arrived at Salo, we captured 10 pack mules
each laden with 300 lbs OF public our destined for the
Mexican army at san Luis POtosi- While there Gen
Taylor detached Capt Graham and myself with our
companies and engineer officer, to reconnoltre the
country and passes lying south OF that place with view
of learning its means OF defence. We were out three
days, and examined the country around Tor about 50
miles. Found some strong passes, but not as iormda
bic those the Monterey road and none which could
not be turned by Infantry They had been represented
stronger.