Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-09-09
10. NIexiro. July 10. lsa1.


! .HesTs E,iitors-As favorable opportunity
presents itself, to forward letter. embraced It
with view OF saying something 10 yon oimy
present Whereabouts, the city iise.l, tie lnhab-
iants, and some ot their many peculiaGtles.
as apeople, and ralioD.
/ Ssito, as ! have before stated is town.
numbering las aui inforned) 10000 inhabi.
tants--Stua,ed about midway. en- a hil side
between two mountains fihe names of which
| do not know, nor can lind them upon tue
map) The city is nearly square, running
( North and South; the houses are all Waite,
mostly one Story though these are as high as
twostory buildings IN the States The squares
are one solled building aud the tops being
flat, form good fort 10 time Of an engage
meni. The streets are oil paved, 10 the most
systematic style, with small round slone--
| The labor having been performed by the Men
Prisoners, few Of whom are now in the army.
and wishing an opportunity 10 avenge them
selves. The churches, five IN number, are
most magnificent buildings, the architectural
portion showing. even to the most minute OBJ
server, that master workmen were employed
upon them. On the East OF the city is The
n,uaery the only building have seen in Alex.
| leo, with glass windows which Uncle Sam.
1 has al this time, in his use as a barracks for
the Artillery On the West, is p1Jtie gar
den, containing about FIVE acres. This is a
beautiful place Filled with frnii and ornamen-
tai trees, IN the centre Of which is a circle,
with seats all around. aiiordng pleasant re-
ueat these warm aud tfesome evenings. The
city is well waiered, and on either sde at the
South end, has a natural fort, both of which
are well manned and guarded by Uncle Sam
The streets and market places are tiled wit,
ELAINE halt, and blind, ;" victims of Buena Wis
ia, with some thing or other for sale, all will,
ing 70 acknowledge, ".9taerieais, m,eia 6eRe
per FaRdmgO.' The weather here at tins
Tune lSqu,te pleasanl-the nights, being much
colder than the nights at this season OF the
year, in Virginia. aud | atn told we are z 900
feet above the level of the sea.
The mode Of burial here, is novel indeed -
Though there have been great many deaths
here among the children aud others, l have
witnessed but three of ,heir burials, to-wit
one tunbrq and two nIechacha's--( zone man and
two children) The coffin after being decora
ted with flowers, and crossed IN about one
bundled places, was preceded BY abouttw
~ Gle Of men, each with lighted candle, 10
the church. where his body remained for a
shor, ,iire during whirh lime all the bells OF
the different churches, (aboui fifty in number)
were eIsined; and then taken 10 the grave
yard aud intered.--No momrlers follow lle
corpse.
The other two--the mcclachais, were buried
as follows: these were carried upon bier,
which was splendidly decorated with flowers.
and SILK, with wreath extending about two
feet and a half above the head. the body lying
1aicg4Ried. upon The beir; as soon as the corpse.
was ready for removal from the house Of Its
parents, some of the subalterns ofthe churches,
whose duty il was, commenced sending up,
sky rockets, and preceded the corpse. about
80 feet 10 the church, all the time sending up
rockets. Immediately behind these two, were
two lads, about 10 years of age, dressed in red
4 flannel, and white aprons, bare-headed, one
with shield upon his arm, the other with
bludgeon 10 his hand. Behind these were six
musicians, two with claroneils, and four with
vioims, playing-then followed the corpse.
the priest, and now a man with the coffin up
on his shoulder. A few PAGES in the rear fol-
lowed crowd Of men and children, without
any respect to orier---al went 10 the church,
aud here the body, presume,- was pul into
the coffin, for could not enter to see. such a
crowd OF volunteers had assembled around the
door, then the priest upon his kuees, made
some kind Of a noise, which he Called singing,
no doubt, aud was responded 10 BY Que Of lie
! musicians, after which about twenty rockets
! were put oil at one,ine, aud the corpse should.
cred aud removed towards the burial ground;
what took place then, DO moi know, for
went nc farther.
The cause Of all this ceremony. J under
stand IS. that lbey believe that all infants ars
saints, and that It would be sacr.lege. If this
parade was not made Of them. The same
ceremony takes place, whenever, an IDIOT OF
insane person dies. from The same belief
/ The people here, are the most INDECENT crea-
lures ever saw, all the tabor being performed
by the females
! Though there are here, many. very many,
excellent houses, none have furniture. The
natives 10 the main cook on the gfoaad, eat.
and sll on the ground and sleep on the ground.
ne females, while sitting, assume the position
ola tailor. on the board.
I la this city. there are number OF wealthy
and Intelligent citizens. These are all friend
I y 10 our form Of government and institutions,
while on the other hand, the other class are
the most disalieeted people towards Us in the
whole OF Mexico. Scarcely night passes
here that some injury is not inflicted by the
Mexicans, Upon the American citizens In
( the last week TWO have been badly wounded
and two killed. We never think OF leaving
our rendezvous, aloue, aud when we 30 90
out, we are generally armed from bead 10 foot.
I How long we are 10 remain here with moth.
\ ing to do time viii determine. One day we
hear news that peace is near at hand. the next
lbata large army Is advancing and close upon
ius. 10 remain here, suffering under the mo-
no'ony Of the times, is misery The oppor-
unity 10 go home, or get IN IN engagement,
would either be cheerfaliy embraced.
/ For the last three days, we have been anti
cipating an attack and there is no doubt IRE.
sumo, but there IS a body Of armed Mexicsns,
between and 5000, within sixty miles ofus;
but really | don't know whether 10 saw. tAat
bet'erc that they will advance upon The ctr,
OF that they viii moi.
J have not seen Capt Erskine for several
days. when seen him last, however lie was
well, though he has been quite unfortunate
since he has been in Mexico-haying lost his
servant. fine horse and gold watch. Crist.
Cole and myself are enjoying unusual good
health. Respectfully yours.
D, A. SrOFER.
z -------~zxss srsar~--~
3 lie who swears, tells as bis hare word is not
70 be credited