The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-07-27
AMERICAN PRISONERS IN MEXI-
CO-PROBABLE ADVANCFOF
GEN. SCOTT.

GEN. SCOTT.
FROM THE N. o. PIcAYUNE OF July IA.
We have at last direct accounts from
the American prisoners in Mexico; which
enable us TO clear up the contradictory ru-
mors we have had in relation to them.-
Letters were received here yesterday from
Major GAINES, dated in the city of Mexi-
co on the 26th of June, with the use of
which we have been favored. 1t appears
| from them that the rank and file of the
prisoners have bean released and sent to
Tampico. The officers had not been re-
leased on the 2sih OF June. We give the
greater part Of Major Gaines letters,
which, 1t will be seen, throw great light
on Gen. Seott's movements, as well as
upon the fate OF the American prisoners
Cry OF MEXICO, JUNE 90, lS47.
am very sorry that have it not in
my power TO advise you of our release
from bondage. This execrable Govern
ment, in violation of repeated promises
and solemn engagement entered into
with Gen. Taylor the day after the battle
Of Buena Vista still detains us as prison
ers of war.
On the Sd instant / received note
from the Government to present myself
at the Castle OF Santiago, our late prison,
and there receive the final determination
Of the authorities in our case. At the
castle we were informed that we were
exchanged, and that we should depart
the next day for Tampico-The officers
only, without the men-and we're direcred
to 90 to the palace, receive our instruc-
tions, expense money, &c. preparatory
to our departure. At the palace we were
told to call the next day, and on the next
day we were informed that they were
without means to send us, and that we
could not 60. Thus were our hopes
blasted, after having made all necessary !
preparation on our part for the trip. This
disappointment was the more CALLING be-
cause the reason assigned was known to
be mere subterfuge, and II turned out |
that four days afterwards our men, one |
hundred and seventy in number, were sent !
of to the same place without our knowl |
edge, which required much larger sum |
than it would have required to send the I
officers. Indeed it would have taken a
very small additional sum to have sent US
with them, and that we would cheerfully |
have paid ourselves. By sending off the |
men without our knowledge they were
subjected to great suffering and inconve-
nience on long road TO Tampico, with
out the preparation necessary in the way
of clothing, shoes, &C.. which were then
in fact being furnished them. The true
reason why the officers were not allowed
to accompany them remains to be seen.
Since that time (the 4th) have heard
nothing from this internal Government,
if Government it may be called, but to-
day | have received an assurance from
Gen. Scott that, Immediately upon his ar
rival in the vicinity of the city, which will
surely be within twelve days, he will
make peremptory demand for US. II
will be complied with, as / think. You
may therefore look for me early in Au-
gust.
Gen. Scott, we arc assured, has made
every possible effort TO procure our en-
largement, but to no purpose, His ap-
proach to this city viii certainly take
place in very lew days. His measures
to moving are all taken, and
nearly complete. He comes
with force sufficient TO accomplish his
object eaectually.
have now the most positive iniorma-
ton Of Gen. SCOTS readiness to move on
this capital within the next three or four
days. He will have an easy conquest.
We regard these remarks of Major
Gaines upon the movement of Gen Scott
as 10 the utmost interest. He is cool
and cautious gentleman, guarded in what
he says or writes, and must have strong
grounds for the judgment be expresses as
TO the Mexican means of defence. We
confess that our opinion as TO the degree
Of resistance Gen. Scott will encounter
from the Mexicans has been modified by
this letter but that Gen. Scott would
promptly and thoroughly fog the Mexi-