Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-01-29
LATER FROM THE ARMY

was Sdiu udu ocSpdtCHeu an express 10 lIen dy-
lor, announcing his intention of departing in a
few days TO Join him either al Tampico or Vico-
ria.
A report had been brough. TO Mier, by Mex
lean, as we learn from the Matamoras Flag in
correspondence from Camargo TO that paper,
dated Sd ins., that Gen. Quilman, with 1900 vo-
unteers, had given battle the preceding day 10
1900 Mexicans under Gen. Urea Two leagues
North Of Victoria. The report was not credited
by the officers OF The army at CamaIgo. The
letter also states, that Gen. Taylor is abou, six
days march in the rear of Gen. c., with 5000
regulars. Gen. Worth was still at Saillo and
had been reinforced by three regiments OF Ohio,
kentucky and Indiana volunteers. Gen. Wool
was in camp fifteen miles from Saillo, on the
San Luis road with 1900 Mexican lancers hover.
ing around in his immediate vicinity.
Our own correspondence, which will be found
below, furnishes the latest intelligence from Sallll.
10.
Gen. Patterson and his division had arrived at
San Fernando on his way 10 Victoria The Flags
correspondent writes that Ayuna mienio came
out from The town 10 meet and welcome him.
The Isl Indiana regiment, Col. Drake, had ar
rived al MalamoraS from Camargo 10 relieve The
Sd Ohio regiment, Col. Curtis, who were awaiting
orders from Gen. Scott
The U. S. steamer Giraffe was wrecked about
forty miles south OF The mouth Of the Rio Grande,
on The eth inst. and four lives lost.
Correspondence Of The N. .. Picayunel
SALrlLLo, MEXICO, Dec. 20, 1916.
Since wrote 10 you last the aspect al things
has taken different course, and now there is but
little doubt in The mind OF every one connected
with The army, that before another mon;h has
passed, another terrible battle will be fought in
the neighborhood OF This place.
An express was sent last Tuesday 10 Monterey,
and another 10 Gen. Wool, for achievements
Three companies of Col. Marshall's Kentucky
mounted rfemen arrived here By forced march
from Monterey on Thursday night last, and yes
to-day evening The Kentucky and Ohio regiments
came in and encamped below Town. An express
which came in from Parras yesterday evening
reports that Gen. Wool, with his command, may
be expected in this neighboIhood Tomorrow eve.
ming.
OF the orders which have been issued since The
exciIemfn, commenced, one is, that three DAYS
cooked provisions shall be kept On hand. A
drummer is 10 be attached 10 the different guards,
ready 10 beat the long roll and give the alarm;
that the Announcements and arms of the sick shall
all be taken 10 The hospital, and that every man
shall hold himself in readiness 10 be called out al
! a moments warning
| Gen. Butler came up with the Ohio and Ken
lucky troops.
A mail from this place, containing important
documents OF The future movements OF The Mexi-
can army and plans for the recapture of this
place, was captured on It's way to San Luis, by
scouting party Of Dragons lew days since
| A large body OF lancers are known 10 be scour-
| ing the country between here and San Luis and
| not far from US al thai. and they are almost
| known 10 BE- the advance guard OF the main army
| Of the enemy OF the various accounts Of the
troops at the disposal Of Santa Anna al San
Luis, none fall sholt Of 81, 900 men.
Our officers and men are in fine spirits, and
eager 10 meet the self-siyled Napoleon, 10 admin
lister TO him the kind Of dose they have given
his predecessors. A portion of our forces, pro.
baby Gen. Woods command, is 10 take imme-
diate possession OF the Linares pass, which is
about lhirly-fve miles from here. The three
companies Of Kentucky mounted men here are
10 leave early tomorrow morning on scouting
expedition. pity any Mexican force that crosses
their path, for they appear 10 be second edlion OF
the Texas Rangers, and any On OF them is good
for three Mexicans. They have not smelt gun.
powder yet, but This only renders them more aoT-
ious for chance 10 show what the Kentucky
boys are made OF.
General Worth who has been sick for The last
TWO weeks, is out again TO day. The weather is
a little too cold here 10 be pleasant, and the night
before las, we had ice half an inch thick. for.
col to- mention that Webs,et's battery, Two
twenty.four pound howi.z.rs) is here.
Yours, &C., ALTO.
SALTlLLo, Mexico, Dec. &C. 1876.
am told that all sorts of rumors have been
circulated al Monterey about The command al This
place-tha, il had been cut 10 pieces by 10000
Mexicans-and other stories equally absurd have
been pcked up by the newS-mongers below, and
sent on in The shape oil news TO New Orleans A
private letter al mine, written by The last mail, il
received in due time, informed you of The situ-
alton OF things as they were al that time, and
even if our friends below and al home have fears
for our safely al this remote place. lei them feel
assured thai we feel ourselves adequate 10 any
emergency, and that there is little danger OF our
getting cut up if they do come down upon US
| will now give you little sketch OF Christ
mas in Sallio, the most interesting and exciting
one ever enjoyed. Ii you could have peeped
into the kitchens of any of The barracks before
daylight, You would have bcheld The busiest sci Of
soldiers in chrislendom. While some were en-
gagged beating up egs-nog Others were picking
chickens and lurkes scalding pigs, and making
| all SORTS of preparations for real old Yankee
Christmas dinner; while out OF doors The streets
| were lhronged with thousands OF The natives, as
| we'll as soldiers, going 10 mass The cathedral was
beautifully lighted, and the silver alIars in each
apartment were splendi lily decorated with flowers;
bu will pass over egg-nog and other nice iix-
| IUSS, Ny Saying lDdl dli SnJu1Cu iHrHiSCFVS uu-
| ring the morning 10 their hears content. About
| ID o'clock an express arrived IRON General
| Wool, informing General Butler that he was in
momenlary expectation Of being attacked by The
enemy Orders were Immediately issued Tor
every man TO pack mp his duds" put on his ac-
coulrements and fall in which was performed in
double quick time All was excitement and joy
In The mean lime, old Madame Rumor was hard
at work, and never saw The old lady more in
dustrious. One story was 10 the effect that Wool
was within twelve miles Of us, relreaing on The
| place, and fighting twenty thousand Mcxicans
| as he came along. Another was that portion
| Of his column had been cnI to pieces, and hun
bred other stories ofthe same kind were circulated
| Although m1ny did not believe these reports, they
thought there was something like fight ahead,
| particularly as Tie orders from head quarters had
been so explicit. The streets before the quarters
presented an interesting spectacle. The guns
were all stacked before The doors, and every man
wore his Announcements, ready and anxious 10 be
| of; but the most amusing part Of the scene was
The Christmas doinss. There was scarcely man
but what had The limb OF an old gobler, the rib OF
| pig, or something else OF The kind, enjoying il
probably from The novelty Of the scene, better than
| they ever did a Christmas dinner beforehand
then all candidly believed that we should wind
| up the day with another battle About 2 o'clock,
| P. M Websler's battery, aud The Ohio and Ken
lucky volunteers, who were encamped six miles
below town, came in. and such cheers as The re.
gulars gave them, and such as they returned, pul
me in mind Of the Shouts which accompanied
the different victories in Monterey. Webster's
battery took up position on the top of the hill.
while The pioneers were bu>ily engaged making
loop holes through every house near the road
The horses belonging 10 The light batteries were
all kept harnessed, and the cassons filled with
ammunition. never saw men so enthusiastic
as they were now There was one thing only
that prayed for, and that was, that portion Of
The battle il We did have one, might take place in
town, for The Mexicans who did not bamos 10 The
rancho when the news first came, or a large por-
ton of them, promenaded The streets, and appear
ed 10 be delighted al The prospect, and those that
did no. tell you mueso tandango poco tempo, would
give you look as much as 10 say "now you will
catch it." 4
The inhabitants all agree that there are BE-.
tween seven and eight hundred ladronss and lpe-
ros in town whom they fear, in case OF an attack