The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-06-11
THE PIONEER.
UPPER sANDUsKY,JUNE11, lsi7.
LETTER FROM CAPT. CALDWELL.

The following letter from Capt. Caldwell
to Col. McCutchen is very interesting. II
gives many particulars of Col. Morgan's sit
uation that probably were not known. Every
one interested in the success and conduct Of
our brave volunteers, will take great inter-
est in this letter. 1t presents many deeds Of
valor that will bear comparison with any thing
of ancient or mordern days. The history Of
Americas s sons will ever retain an eminent
place in the minds of all nations.
HEAD QUARTERS, Camp Beuna J'isia,
Juerico. April 23d, 1917. s
Cot. J. McCUTCnEN,
SlR.-I am in extraordinary good health;
have more business on hand than any one
man should do,-a Commissary, Quarter
master and Postmaster for the Regiment. 1t
keeps me very busy, have scarcely moment
to devote to correspond with my fricnds. Our
camp is six miles from Satillo Isouth) in a
beautiful valley between the mountains, on
the very ground Gen. Taylor gave the MeSi-
cans the awful dressing, on the 22d and ODD
February, of which you no doubt have seen
the official report ere this. This valley is
watered by the most beautiful springs have
ever seen, but is entirely destitute of timber
of any kind. We have to bring all our fuel
a distance of 20 miles. | have 9 five mule
teams for the use of our regiment, and it
keeps them very busy to keep us supplied
with wood.
We tried hard to be here at Taylor's fight,
on the 22d and 23d of February, but could
not. We got Gen. Tayor's orders at sun
set on the evening Of the 23d. We were
then at Seravc, about $50 miles from Taylor.
Col. Morgan instantantly issued his order for
us to leave the next morning at daylight, and
for me to burn all the Commissary and Quar-
master s stores that could not find transpor-
tatlon for Immediately set 10 work; press
ed into service about 10 Mexican OK carts,
and what wagons could raise, and loaIe
them all with provisions and ammunition, and
hen piled up the remainder of our provisions,
which consisted of about 60 barrels Pork, GO
IF -four, and every thing else in proportion,
md at Revilie set them on fire, and was ready
o take up the line Of march, at day break.
)n the morning of the 24th the first day we {
rot along pretty well, but during the first
light our or leans all gave out. We held {
council of war on the morning Of the 25th,
md it was ordered that all our provisions and
munitions should be destroyed, which was
done, and most of our clothing,
fter which we set forward without provisions
lothing, or ammunition, except what each man
lad in his box. The enemy on all sides of {
IS, but we kept good lookout, and pressed |
onward with all our power. We passed I
bout 3 clock, P. M. the place where about c
0 wagoners had been murdered by the Mex b
cans two days before. The poor fellews e
zero lying scattered in every direction, strip P
d naked; and we dare not stop to bury them il
,st we might share a similar fate. 1t was il
lie most heart sickening sight | ever beheld. |
bout dusk we reached Marino, Immediately g
laced our guard and commenced searching p
" something to eat-were fortunate enough ]
} find plenty of fat hogs, beef and chickens, Il
hich the boys soon had in eating ORDER "
We lay down at 0, with orders to march at /
on the march at quarter be- L
re the time. Just at day light this morning ii
e enemy showed themselves on our right fl
INK in large numbers, but did not make an il
tack. They kept lowering around US first
/ the right and then on the left, until about h
O'Clock, A. NJ, when they appeared on both ri
anks and in front. We halted and formed n
square--held council and determined to tc
nd an express forward to Col Irwin who s
as in our front about Is miles, with three n
'mpanies Of our regiment Lieut.. Stewart, W
company C.l Athens county, was selected to
rry the express. He was well mounted and
riped to his pants and shirt-left US on this
ngerous enterprise-puting his horse at al
Il speed, and passed through the very CEN pl
r of the enemy's lines unhurt, although fired Ii
/ three or four times. Soon after he left we oI
t forward, the enemy having retired short tu
stance IN the chaparell. We marched in vi
e hollow square or miles, when we found e'
rselves surrounded by large body of Mex
an Lancers. They made their appearance &C
the same moment in both front and rear, 1t
ID on each flank. We Immediately halted w
ID prepared for charge from the mounted h,
lncers. They made four or five different 70
tempts to make the charge, but our boys W
'ho stood as firm and as cool as they would st
I've done if they had been awaiting the
usic for dancc,) gave them such deadly
scharge from their unerring muskets, that
each attempt they were repulsed with great w
IS. About hours after Lieuteant Stewart. in
II express had left us, we observed in our br
INT cloud of dust, and in few moments III
uld see large body of men advancing, and de
pposed them to be reinforcement of the ne