The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-02-12

NV W "'N'N""", we iHianIN Hi'hio ""SH-
ed no less than SO miles since morning.
As the large stores Of corn at the hacienda
wee government property, the empty
wagons were pretty literally filled at the
enemy's expense. and the mustang caval
ry got good feed. The General, with
his detachment, went about ten miles far
ther. The men had been over-marched
haG sore feet, were very tired, and having
had hut hl,le sleep the night before, were
permitted to lie down as soon as they had
their suppers, with the assurance tina, they
would not he reused again before sun-up.
Thus they had composed themselves for
a luxurluus rest ,ior there is luxury
IN tired mans sleep, though ii be on bur
blanket, when what was their horror
for the word is not too sIrong.) when
lhcy we're walked up at a litlle after
twelve, and were told that they must
leave as soon as possible. without the
least noise, not even stopping To cook
their breakfasts, is The enemy was in lhe
immediate neighborhOod. After the,
we're up, however, and The men began 10
rake up ,herr fires, determined to warm
By IL II no more, permission was given
Ihcm To cook their break fds,s. 81 thai,
Notwithstanding all the ,Hys,ery and bur.
~, there was more nnis-, aud more time
taken IN getting Iii than on the previous
morning. Now the foundation for !hest
movements was the arrival of Capt
Hughes, If The Typographical corps, Il.
10 al night, who had left parras day or
two after US, who had in his possession
letter from spy sent out by Gen.
Wool, stating that the enemy would be
in tie region where we were about this
time and the arrival Of an express from
Gen. Wool, stating thal there were men
discovered by the picket guard proving
around his oncampment, in such numbers
as to indicate that The enemy must be in
the vicinity. So We rubbed up our guns
for fight and daried of in quick time to
ov,Iiake the General, whom We met al
daylight, without having made any fur,
lher discoveries, and with whom, after
Two hours halt, we resumed the march,
expecting TO make SalulIlo, rs miles of,
by evening, if we should meet no enemy
in tie meantime. As we approached the
narrow pass in the mountains, through
which the road took us, or 10 miles
from Salllllo, where we expected 10 meet
the enemy if he undertook to obstrtcl
our march o, all, We were met by one OF
Gen. Buffers aids from SaI,illo, inform.
ing US that the pass was occupied by our
own troops, whereupon Gen. Wool i'm
mediaiely ordered his column TO "ile
right" and we marched to the pass we
at present occupy. It's on the road from
San Luis Potosi TO SalIllo, and the only
route by which Santa Anna can reach
Saltillo, except by way Of Parras, : very
roundabout way, and then lie would still
have TO fight his way through the other
pass, there lie would have our troops in
his front aud rear.
Our last days march was between 25
and 30 miles, So Thai we have equalled
some Of Napoleon best marching, hav-
ing made about 1870 miles in four days !;
.nd il must be remarked that fewer men
by half were in the wagons Tie last than
the first dav. The health Of the men
continued good and was lettering al the
way, few gave out except with sore feet,
ard they lived ON little better than half
raiion., had bu, half sleep. and often sui
(rrcd seriously from tie cold morning air.
And the health Of ihe men continues good
50 that the sick reports no morning since
we are here, has reached 4 dozen in our
regiment. The troops at SaItillo are as
toui.hed al our marching, and have a rn-
NOR that we are all men of six foot in
stature, Injured 10 every hardship, and ca.
pable Of running down Indians.
As to the enemy, all we have head OF
him is, some Dragons sent out from Sal
tillo, whom we met near this pass as they
returned, informed US that they had the
dav before seen force Of from 5 to 5000
mounted men 25 miles from the Pass on
the San Luis road, and The belief is that
! he is still lowering in this vicinity; al.
though We have had rumors that he has
made his appearance al Parras, since our
/ forces have all lett there.
The two companies that were left al
Parras have been ordered hilher, and are
on their way. BY an express from them
we are informed that such Of HE sick as
could travel are with them, whIIe the
/ rest were turned over 10 the tender mcr-
cies of The alcalde Of Parras. Lucky for
the sick Of our regimen! that they had a
Colonel who could take care Of Them.
Gen. Butler is IN Saltilo with force
of 1000 men, so that, with this column
we are no, afraid of beiug much hurt by
all the 10000 men Santa Anna can sent
this way.
LATE FROil TtlE ARMY.
.MHtary Mouemenis- Colonel May!
.H..J.,I b., ko,J,, n { ~. y.