The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-08


sured that whichever he should select he must OF
necessity pass through Santa Rosa and that from
there ne might have IT IN his power to make choice OF
s Of ne Sa ne o Ss Sv. ,Saa
Alamo; through Puerto dc Obayos, by the way OF Cuaro
Sienegas and Santa Caarina; or through Monclova and
Parrs The whole country between the Sierra de Santa
Rosa and chihuahua, far north Passo del Norte,
and south to Moncloya, represented consisting OF
mountains and extensive arid plains, with few inhahi-
tants and no supplies, and destitute agreat OF
water When he reached Santa Rosa he found these
representations confirmed, and that the two first named
roads were altogether mpraccabe, for precisely those
reasons. To great extent they nothing but mule
trails, over which, far as he could learn wagon had
ever passed, and where, too for distances exceed
ing ninety maeS, not one drop Of water was to be
country by such roads, would, therefore, have
been an act of perfect madness; and which
could not Tor moment be seriously entertained. He
cordingly adopted the only alternative left him, which
was to push 10 Monclova and from thence Parras
where he would strike the great road from Salto to
chihuahua upon which he could without much further
Our course was, therefore, changed directly south,
through the valley ing between the Sieas Santa Rosa
and San Jose. For nearly the whole distance we met
with few indications that the country at all inhab
ted save the occasional ocks OF sheep and goats tended
y solitary RGsorand numbering in some instances AZ
AS we proceeded the baroness and serily OF the val
ley increased; the soil being unable to support much else
save the countless varieties Of the cactus dwarf musqu
soto yucca, and the celebrated agave Americana: the
century plant of the north, and the maguey OF Mexico
From the agave the people of this country make their
national drink-,puique; the process of which has been
SO OFTEN described and this, when distilled, forms
nanseous and intoxicating liquor called mestal
Inc mountain scenery surrounding us on every hand
picture presented us when the sight of long ranges and
groups OF tbem with their precptous sides, in deep
shadow now standing sharply out in the bright sunlight,
would have filled with ecstasy such painter as Salvador
Rosa. Ma
AT length we arrived at the Passo de las Hermanas.
situated IN which is an extensive Hacienda occupied by
If fha al
OF Coahulla lie received us with much courtesy, and
extended towards the officers the Inequalities OF his
the great valley of Monclova watered BY river Of the
same name, and the Rio Nadadores-each an auent to
tne Soado Our course then lay in southery airec-
Monclova itself, and before which Gen Wool again en-
camped his column Where resistance had been made
Od pa Of s Of city through
but as the authorities OF this place had made protest
against his advance upon it. he determined at once 10
take formal possession Of the town. and accordingly
and had the national flag displayed from the top Of the
governors palace, situated upon the principal plaza
Here il was determined at once to establish depot and
to collect all the corn and -four from the surrounding
country it would be possible to obtain This would OBJ
yate the necessity of depending their being received
by the long, and IN wet season. totally mpractcable
route from Port La Vacca, or from Camargo, even to
TO which point direct communication Immediately
opened It being for land carriages, 4os miles to
cut loose from any hope of receiving supplies from
the east long as the least possibility existed of gather
ing them up N the country and every exertion
was ascertaned that large quantities of wheat and corn
had been sent from Moncova and the neighborng town
Clenegas, to supply the Mexican army at Monterey, and
more recently at Saltlllo; and the very day
tered the city 10000 pounds of -four which going in
that direction was seized and once turned into our
depot.
General Taylor having sent orders for the centre vis-
ION not to proceed beyond Monclova until the end of the
amstce or the receipt OF other instructions, it was obi
this time was occupied in perfecng the discipline Of the
troops, the collection Of stores before stated and in
making extensive reconnoissances OF the surrounding
came up with the rear column By his arrival our train
was also enlarged by 100 wagons, well filled with
On the oath of November-the armistice having ex
pred-the whole division with the exception of COM
mand OF = men which left to guard the depot at
distant the general course being nearly southwest II
you will lay before you Spanish or Mexican map YOU
%a De abe to trace our route through the following
through the Punta de Estanosa Puna de Reata-Jaral
San Antonio, Yeneja, Cienega Grande, Galera, and
olIelos on to Paras at which place arrived the 9Th
instant, and are now encamped before the town.
ParIas Is SAID to contain 5000 inhabitants 1t is built
n such manner as to render more difficult Of capture
than any town we have yet seen in the republic. The
streets are exceedingly narrow and crooked and nearly
every one OF them has on each side thick adobe WALL
some ten or twelve feet in height high range Of
ians rises up Immediately in the of the city, easily
to be maintained; while along its entire front and skirt
ing each OF ITS TANKS are immense vineyards surrounded
also. by walls of great height and thickness Its situa-
non IS at the loot OF the celebrated Boson de Malpam,
and Is about 100 miles from SaltllO 200 from Durango,
300 from San Luis Potosi $50 from Monterey, and $50
from Chihuahua 1t is represented as being near the GEN.
ire of the best gran-growing region in Mexico the
business OF the place, however the culture of the
grape, and large quantities of wine and brandy of SUI
perior quality annually transported on the backs of
mules to all the principal towns throughout the country
This city being the key to Chihuahua, General Wool
was anxious to reach il much earlier than he did--and
for the armstice has already been shown Once be-
ing here he would be at liberty to go with his whole
force to that place. send detachment to take possess
SION OF while the rest would be free to cooperate with
the army OF occupation, Or to move Durango Zaca-
ecas as the exgencies of the service should most
CURE AS it was however, previous his arrival here,
intelligence received that most of the troops which
upon the lower thereby rendering the necessity Of the
whole division marching in that direction out of the
question. And now the proximity of Santa Anna,
and the great efforts he is making to concentrate and
prepare for the field the most formidable army Mexico
has ever arrayed against u.s. mperiousy demands that
we remain at or near the position at present occupy.
that we may be ready at any moment to form junction
with General Taylor, and perform part in the most
fearful game that has been played for many year. and
one IN which we have Santa Anna for antagonst-but
who yet has been able to compute the stakes!
have already made this letter too long; but before
close it, permit me 10 say that for the maintenance of this
column, almost every article, whether OF ammunition
subsistence other stores had to be transported from
La Vacca here, distance of 500 miles The labor re-
CURED to procure the necessary wagons teams &c., and
to organize them into trains, though great in itself was
not to be considered in comparison with that of guarding
them through hostile and, measure unknown coin
try and bringing them without loss over desolae plains
ally, rn,o H. - 4