The Arkansas banner., 1847-08-02
r.seser - rTn1sr. perIana.

f II Ctrf or MExIco, JUNE 2S, 1847. 4 When wssis last, had been at lbsrsy, within ths limiss oi the city, week or SO, and hoped sc beentrely, iong before this, either to re- join tis army CT return home. Rnt in this reason able hcps, haze been doomed to sad and sure disappoiniment-owin to the blind policy, or bad faith, or il may. the rather ke said, of both com
 biaed, on the part ef the Mexican authorities. AS you have. doubtless, read the official repoftss alike of Gen. Iayies and Santa Anna, 10 their respeetire Governments. of the battle Of Baena Vista, you will readily undsrstand the ground of my hope or being al liberty; for, a each of those reports, tt is expressly stated that the exchange of the Enearna eion prisoners (myself and eompanions1 had been agteed upon. Gen. TayIOr's part of the agresment 1 (taking care of the wounded Mexieans) was fully compiled with. as publicly acknowledged by Santa Anna; and yet more than four months have elapsed. aad we are still prisoners--and more, without the means of living being furnished us; for ay cents day, in city where we can't live decently for less than dollar aud kalE not including clothes. may property be called no means a all. Yet, this small pittance is the largest daily allowance ever made us during ourimprisonment; and, even, in the payment of this pitfnl sum, the "magnsnimous Mexican Hepublep is now several dollars in arrears with But for the generous confidence and kind feeling of a fsw of oar count5ymen, and other foreigners in this city we should be without clothes or any other comforts. or even deceHeies. Of fife But, through them, we have been enabled to obtain what clothes and money we have needed. The names of these individuals, who will ever be held in grateful re- membranee by me, will mention to you in the proper time
 Some three weeks ago, all the officers (prIsoners) received orders from the authorities here, to be ready to set off immediately for Tampico, where would be sci at liberty; but that our men would not be allowed to accompany us. Accordingly, we were ready, and n hourly expectation of being called for the escort, Gc.. when, to our astonishment, we learned. on the 6th inst that the day before, all men, except 20 sick in hospital. had been sent off to Tampico, and that the officers were to be kept here. The reason of such change of purpose. 1t is impossible to ascertain, or even for to eonec ture unless 1t be another verfcaticn of the ancient adage-" whom the gods would destroy they first make mad" For. if such treatment to prisoners of war; as we have to complain of. be not calculated to add seved fod-a,, tsa-fold heat 10 the al ready hot furnace of wrath, erected by this people in American hearts. then greatly err in judging other conntrymsn by myself.
 Intelligence reached here. day before yesterday, that although the officer in charge of our men, had orders to carry them to Tampico, yet. when he had arrived within some g leagues of that place, he was oyertaken, met, by a written order of Santa Anna's, to go no farther, but detain them there and yet neither the officer in charge of them. nor the governor of the place where they stopped, had the means of feeding them. This statement ap- pears in the newspapers of this city. Comment upon such conduct is unnecessary But of thing feel sure, if the not we'll treated there, they will so to Tampico upon their town hook"-and think it more than probable that they will go, matter what may be their treatment Of the men left sick here, when the ethers went of to Tampieo, only two are of our regiment--Paul Williams and Oliver Bilby. both of Capt. Danley's company. They are both well now, and will be released when we are, l trust, or perhaps sooner.
 When Gen. Scott will move from Puebla on this place, no one seems to know here, with certainty; it is rumofed, and generally believed. however, in the city. that his advance has already commenced the march. and he, with the main body, will set of
 on the 2d July. If this be so, which God grant he will, probably. be here in or s days when, judging from the preparations made for defence, there will be some 6ghting--but with result. in- eyitably, similar to those of all preceding engage ments. It is said that there are now 10000 men under arms in ahd about the city, and that they have some 50 pieces of cannon-some 25 poundefs; and am opinion this account is not exagerated.- Scott, the other band, it is said. will bring TO- 900 men. IL is enough. But taking this city will not, in ny opinion. end the war; and this is the opinion of many here, who know the people and the country well. There are 80 many reasons for thus believing, winch not known or even thought of, in our country. that could not hope to make myself intelgibie, 10 attempt to set them forth in the limits of letter. But they are such as satisfy me- that not only will the war be protracted much beyond the period expected by our people, when it beguL but that 1t will in its progress and particularly in it's result, be productive of conse- quences very different and cf almost infinitely more magnitude. than any of us thought possible. or even yentnred to desire. think these consequences ia- eritabie and that the ball, tin motion on the sh and sth of May lss6 will roll on in the execution of its great and glorious misson-to extend the aera of freedom, until 1t shall reach -! leave your imagination to hIi the blank
 So far, have dealt in generality. will conclude with matter of more immediate interest Captain Daney. the rest of my companions. and myself, are in good health; only being sore and restless, under confinement; still hoping that only few days mOrs and we will be flee again. Three days ago ended the twelve morths since we parted. Then allow ed doubt to enter my mind that the end of twelve months would restore me to you--and certainly hoped the time would be much shorter. But Pro. vidence has ordered it otherwise; and however much an imperfect nature may repine at such dispensa- ton, yet we, nevertheless. admit the propriety ol submission, and of bearing it blessing in dis guise. HoD this can be 60. confess 1t is aoW i'm. n,sslh he fnr and llifcrllf E.sl