Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-11-04
rRon TEE srArsTor SPECTATOR.
EDITORS CORRESPONDENTS.


4
CAMP BuEsA VISTA, Sept. Is. l647.
DEAR -: We are still without any ad
diional news from the City Of Mexico in re
gard to the peace negotiations, but we cannot
I be allowed TO remain much longer in our pres
ent uncertainty. II they have failed, do
( hope that reinforcemenis will at once be SEM
upon this line that will enable US TO go for
ward. The very States which are now most
unfavorable TO peace are those among whom
we would have been operating the past sum
mer had Gen. Taylor been supplied with the
troops he desired. The war has not yet been
brought home 10 their own doors, and If we
were only among them, no doubt change
might be made to ''come over the spirit Of
their dreams.o
The weather has become quite settled since
the late storm Of wind and ram, and the Mex
leans say ''the rainy season" is now over. Ii
usually closes, IL seems, IN something Ike one
of our equinoctial storms. The temperature
of the nights and mornings, however. is rath-
er cooler than fancy. Our location is very
elevated one-probably not less than five thou
sand feet above the level OF the sea.
An incident occurred in our camp, few
days ago, which is well calculated to illustrate
the supersttious character of the Mexicans.
One oil our soldiers, who, by the way, is a
very smart fellow, but a very great wag, see
ing. no doubt, the great gains which the Priest
hood OF the country are making by their "ho-
ly boxes" and other contrivances, thought he
would try his hand in the same way.-Ac-
cordingly he set to work and manufactured
an image of 'sThe Lady of Guadaloupe"-a
creature of fancy, believe, who was called
into being by the old Spanish Priesthood, in
the early settlement Of the country, to aid in
the work OF outstanding the Indians, but
who, at this day, is regarded with universal
reverence as the Great Patroness Of all Ma
tive Mexicans. Not house, perhaps, in the
whole country, is to be found without a pic
ture or representation of her. Of some sort.
This image our soldier dressed up in the rich
es: style possible, and looking steadily TO the
main chance, he fixed it neatly upon box
with hole in the till, into which the devout
might unostentatiously slip their offerings.
Thus prepared he sailed forth among the
market people. AT first they did not seem ex-
actly TO comprehend it, and were disposed to
distrust But "our PRIEST explained. Then
they began to exhibit signs of awakened Gu
riosiiy--next, of wonder-then OF awe--when
soon the shining tributes began to flow in,
which no true "Native Mexican" could re-
fuse to "The Lady of Guadaloupe." OF
course, our soldier was satisfied with his ex-
periment--the success of which was only
limited by the circumscribed theatre which
was allowed him for his operations.
The Mexicans are very fond of pictures and
images, and the walls Of their houses are usu-
ally stuck over with them-mostly of a reli-
gous character, or pertaining to some of their
supersttlons ''The Lady Of Guadalupe" is
usually represented in large flowing mantle,
drawn over the head, but open in front, and
extending down to the feet. Images of 1.-The
Cruclfixlon," too, shockipgly executed, are
common household ornaments; but the most
revolving thing have met with is picture
attempting to- represent "The Trinity" by
grouping together, in fancliul way, three
male heads or busts. These pictures and i'm
ages are generally very rude specimens of
art, and | have often beer surprized TO find
them in houses which | have understood TO
belong to those who are considered TO be a.
mong the more refined and wealthy of the
population.
The health of our company has improved
very much within few days past. We re-
port this morning but five privates and three
non-commlssioned officers, sick-of whom
three of the former and one of the latter are
almos, well enough for light duty. Indeed
the only serious case is that of Corporal limbo
den, which. fear, is critical, although the
Surgeon saws otherwise.
The general health of the regiment is now
quite gooe-never better, perhaps, since we
have been in the country.
Although in Mexico, we from the good old
County, have lost none of our interest in home
affairs, and you would be amused TO see, when
a newspaper reaches US, with what perfect
gusto every item of local intelligence is de-
voured by us. The noble Institutions which
the munifcence of the State has reared in
your midst-ther continued success and pros
perlty your flourishing schools, which re-
fleet so much honor on your town, and prom
Use TO be the copious fountains of so much fu-
ture blessedness your Railroad scheme 8
your project for making the Shenandoah nav
gable for steamboats, Gan idea. by the way,
quite plausible to those of us who have as
cended the Rio Grande in such vessels for
hundreds Of miles ;)--your Scot,sville road,
and your Howardsville road ;-your massive
Jail which IS to be a terror TO all evil doers--
and your magnificent Hotel, with every other
individual enterprise for the improvement and
establishment Of the town--all, all claim our
attention, and are talked over and discussed
by us with an animation and interest, which
make us forget, for the moment, the distance
and contingencies which intervene between
us and personal realization Of these happy
thoughts OF "Home." Yours, sc.