davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12
FROM VERA CRUZ TO MEXICO.


 The annexed description of the route at this luncture may not be uninteresting We iakei, from the Albany Knickcrbocker
 Ten hours march from Vera Cruz places our soldiers in an atmosphere as pure and healthiul as Saratoga; for almost the very first step they take IS an uphill one, which continues without mtermissIon until they reach the city of Mexico itself, some eight thousand feet above the level of the sea- The road to the capital is probably the best one south of the city Of Washington, bemg macadamzed the whole distance; while for scenery and decorations il is surpassed by no other panorama in the world >- The usual mode of conveyance between Vera Cruz and Mexico Is by four horse stage coaches The horses are Mexican, and, though small, are strong and spirited. The stage leaves Vera Cruz al eleven at night, afternoon at Jalapa, distance of about sew enty miles, and continual ascent through mountains The houses on the way side are few and wretched, constructed of canes ten feet long, fixed in the ground, and covered with palm-irre leaves. The village strongly resemble those of the American Indians: ho- vels ten or twelve feet square, with amall patch of ground for ChiIics and Indian corn; the only difference in those original styles of architecture being that the northern builds with logs, the southern with mud in the shape of bricks. 4 large portion of the country between those two belongs 10 Santa Anna In addition to which he owns some forty thousand head of cattle in 7is pastures, and is unques,ionably one Of the larges, ag- ricnl,urists in North-Ameriea if not the world The ascent of the mountain range and the varieties of the road naturally keep the tra- weller on the qn, rire. With the air sin- guiarly transparent, with the brightest of skies above, and the most varied of soulh- ern landscape to an unlimited extent below, the eye finds continual feast The city of Jslspa stands on the slope, ihroned on hell of the mountain four thousand feet above the sea, and with four thousand feet of the bold and sunny range above it The whole hor- izon except in the direction of Vera Cruz, is circle of mountains, and towering above them all at a distance of twenty-five miles (which, from the elearness of the air, seems scarcely the fourth part of the dis,anecl ri- ses the splended cone of Orizaba. On the the summit of the range stands Perose, a town connected with strong fortress. per haps the highest in position that the world exhibiis--eight thousand five hundred feet above the shore. Height makes the differ ence between heat and cold every where. In the middle of summer which burns the tho blood in the human frame at Vera Cruz, men in Peroie button their coats to the chin aud sleep in blankets. Thus winter is
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

To CoRAfsPoHDxxTs.--We ksve received two eommuAicatiOas from cur friend -Diek Flist ' Thsy are vel written, and for them as vel ethsr fa- vcrs we stand indebied--For ths prsseni~s masi decline publishing them: the reasons iOE which cosrse we viii giSs him privately a, OaE earliest leisure.
 Letters f.om the army of "Arkansas" and -M. C" have beenhanded to us by the gentleman to whose care they were directed. We do not differ widely with the writers in seeng os sentiment bat would t BOt be better before violent denuneiation to await the issue of events 1.-The responsibility of name. though freely aud openly furnished, for any who may be aggrisved, we do not think in the present crisis would justify as a the course desired But these are things which viii moi spoil in keep ing, and in the mean time let ns have patience ''we shall meet at Phillippi."
 Sketches Esc= Buena Vista by L. A. ". in our next.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12


 friend has furnished us with the following ex- tracts from letter received from volunteer of the Crawford county company dated -
 ENcANrA DA, Mexico, March Is, '47.
 "Nothing has happened since wrote but the battle of Buena Vista. Ofthat affair you have read many accounts, and at this time you would not care to hear the old tale over again Had been man of your size, would not now be writing you this letter. The bullets and cannon balls did every thing else bat hit me. could pick them up ai my feet. and hear them singing and whizzing over my head and by my side, but they got by me somehow Early in the morning. before the battle of the 23. Col. Yell sent me down to the wagons with de- tail ofthree or four men to bring up more ammuni. tion to the regiment. Before got back, the bat. tie had commenced, and the 2d indiana regiment was breaking and running away. Col, Yell had fallen back across hollow This did no, know til had nearly go, back to the place had leil when l went for ammunition. The smoke was thick, and almost got among the Mexicans before saw my mistake. looked around and saw the segimen, to my len started to it, and in going, thought that every scoundrel Santa Anna had, was shooting at me in particular. A cannon ball went under my horse and struck few yards of, and as it struck. cried out, .'heIi involuntaFiy but the next moment though, to myself, "I musnt swear to-day"
 Col Yell you have learned, fell in the first on- set in the charge at the ranch. He led the charge up to the very points of the lsnees. He received two wounds; either of which was mortal. One was in the mouth, the lance entered egosswiss, and was driven entirely through his head; the osAsr was in the breast He was the most ghastiy sight ever saw. Some thief robbed him before he was cold. and il is thought by some that - was the man. He was among the first at the ColoneI's bo- dy after be ieil. will try and sit the matter more thoroughly; - left immediately afser the 2sd and has not been heard of since. It ieoks salspi eioEs in its best light. There were great maay engaged in robbing that day. Three hundred cser coats were taken ifoIa wagons. and near tho1- sand blankets. am al this time withoat blsnke, of my own 10 sleep on. of an over coat to protect me from the cold, There has been set of army swia6iers and thieves along with us since ~s star ted. A good number have ieff since the battle and if cur Generais would do right they would hang all that remain. \ great many of desperate eharac- ters are wagOning fof the goyernment-iAey dothis cHiy s< cloak to their raseaiity.
 As to what will De done, cannot gness There is Tumor aAesf that Gsa. Ksara<y is :. Dursagc, . week or 70 marching distance from us. If this be true we viii make descent upon sal Luis rs- toai before long: fit be not rns oar regiment will
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

THs NoMsKATIox sS Ssx. TkILeR.--Ths Dos- ton cssri. .4hs leading journal h favor ef Daniel Webster. Aas te fcliowiag ia relatiea to fhs nOmi- safiOa a Gensrsi Taylor us the whig candidate for President: :--
 '.Bsfore all the whig posses become pledged to this premature measure, hope that some one viii eondsscend to show some reasons for 1t We have heard hone yet unless h be that he is said 10 be tbc most extensive shareholder h the eoaaEy-s ststs- ment that seems entitled to credit, since SO mahy editors are deeosatng their necks with his collar.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

MArpKx SEEp.-we are indebted to Col. A. IT. Davis Of Chicot county, for small quantity of the imported seed cf this plant 90 extensively used for dying, and calico printing. The amount expended annually in the United Staies for imports of this article, is said to be from three to i've millions Ol dollars IL s been thoroughly tested in this eoun- try and in our latitude it is supposed will be equally as productive. as in its native region. The seed were obtained chiefly that the expsrinen. might be tried in this State; and if successful new source of wealth opened to our farmers and planters We have been promised by an intelligent gentleman. well informed upon the subject, shor treatise upon the growth and cultivation of Nader, which We hope to receive in time for our next.
 In the mean while those of our farming friends, who may feel disposed to experiment upon it. will be furnished with portion of the seed. free oi charge upon application at the Banner Office.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12
LITTLE Roek Max loa ls47.

Mir. REARDos Sir, allow me 10 make the enquiry through your paper, the reason why we hear noth. ing from Majors BoiIand and Gaines, and their commands, who were captured some time in Jam uay a, Encarnation in Mexico li has been the gen. eral understanding that an exchange for them was negotiated between Generals Taylor and Santa An na on the 18th of February last. and now it is al- most the middle of May and yet we hear nothing from then- am desiroas of having this fact gen. ealy known so that in the hustle ot things of great CT importance it may not be entirely overlooked.
 Very respectfully
 your obedient servant.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12
PETER PIPER.

'The word ero1der, has nearly slided from our dictionaries in consequence of change in its sig ni6eaon. for which reason it is seldom used by wri- ters, and therefore has escaped the notice of Lex ieossphefs. Il IS, however, still retained in the spoken language, and since in its present applica- ioa is word of mach force, should not be neglec- ted. h the time of Sir PhliP Sidney it meant bal lad dsingeT. since he speaks ofa blind crowder sing ing the ballad of Chsvy Chase. According to Mir Walker, ? crowder is fiddler. But in neither of
 these senses is it understood by the present genera ton. When we now hear one spoken os as
 ercsodT. ~e have presented before us the ldea of a being extraordinary CT whimsical, and in its higher sense hos, within himself
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12
Chairman Of tse Jactssn Monamtni Comai,t,

UAst does General Taylor say,-on the srd of April. the North American, in speaking of those Federal papers which urge Gen. Taylor as a candi- date for the Presidency, said Il not sure .whe- ther their either polite or well advised Yesterday. the 18th of April. the same paper says
 ..GKx. TAYLOR DEcLrNEs." is now croaked out by the neutral locoiOcos and loco pFess-he will not accept a nomination, they say. We can tell them the wish is father to the thought! When did the country ever call Zachary Taylor that he refused to respond"
 Now wba, does Gen. Taylor say himself on this very subject Ii the old hero is remarkable for auy thing. il is for frmnsss and decision of character, and therefore will not easily back out of h,s opin- ions freely expressed In his letter. dated at Ca marsO, August I4, ls46. in reply to certain Demo- erais of this city, who favorable to hi. somi- nation for the Presidency, and who so addressed him. he said.
 My real feelings impsl me to say flat do hot desire Roataatioa caadidais for Eis Prssidsnes Your letter hnds me aspirant fsS that olfce and the agitation of saeh question. in my pfesen, re- spoassbie position, is yet more serious cause of regret, as TENDING TO EMBARRASS ME IN IRE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF THE EXISTING WAR"
 Who is to be believed. the North Amerie an and the Federal press generally, or Gen. TayiOs'
 IL viii be seen, farther, that the New Orleans Peayaae, n the fine article which that paper gises to it's readers this ,ub)eet declares ,ha, the gal lant General will have Aothing to do with ths pre. sent movement --P Peaassiraaiaa.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

remain hsrssbsuts til ihs expiratiOn ef cur time the z9th ef June
 Capt PIkes squadron toSk no part ia the action; il moved about with cei Msys Dragons. ss kind of reserve"
 When the battle esamehced in the morning. l was sure two or three hours would show the vic. tors. bat after hgAtihg hard all day. was not tain but we would have to staaa ,o the scratch ano- ther day. Whea the next day came, and it was known that Santa Anna was gone, truly felt glad. We had all been worn down with fatigue. There s nothing earth that tries one like exertion in battle. Mind and body are at work. Your own grOand you eanaot choose, and your time is not your own.
 We'll, its all over now. and I'm content with a small sPg of laurel gathered oa tha, field of glory Lssrei s eSiiisasd at great srPeass to Uacis Sdn, and gatkered q srcat risk zhea harrssi tis oomss oa.
 live go to San Luis POtosi. I'll stand chance for another sPrig-if there be another fight there, the whole energies of Mexico will be thrown into 1t. But cannot think another stand can he made against us. Had Santa Anna conquered on tho 2Sd. we would have lost all the country west of the Nueees, but bis defeat will result in giving us peace They had all the confidence that they could wish. and as many men; surely they must see now. General Taylor is in Monterey. Gen. Wool is still in command here. He makes no distinctions in dscipiine between volunteers and regulars, but as we are generally camPed soms miles apart, we are not annoyed too much by his orders Still they come tcerably often--and are forgotten as sooa as read
 Ike Alexander was in the battle on his own hook saw hin go by our lines with three prisoners. in the evening" he called them pets that he had cauga, in some of the hoIows towards the mountain. Ike speaks d going 10 Chihuahua with Josiah Gregg. Bat hardly think inc country is safe yet for them 10 travel
 Dave Thompson is we'll. John billiard also Frank REss has got well. Leonard the dutchman tha, let flag ge, eaten, did Bo, think proper to venture b ge, killed. When the bullets began to hiss abou. one chap who was then on the sick re- port and had been ever since he leit home ran the whole fys miles on foot
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

The splendid steamboat .4mbassador was recently burnt while lying aground in the Mississippi River below St. Louis. and on Friday the soth ult.. the Date cf 0rieaas was destroyed by fire with full cargo for New Orleans. The Duke. says the Mem Phis Eagle. was bought by Capt Holmes and his officers for 2o.eoo dollars. and bat 5000 was in- sared.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12
NOTICE.

NOTICE. The undersigned have sent tn earh Sheriff in the ssate. subscription to raise funds to erect rnon- umens to the memory ofthe officers and soldiers who fen st the battle of Baena Vista, and hope they will set promptly ia the matter.
 D. E. Greer,
 A. E. Thornton,
 Geo. c. Watkins.
 C.P. Bertrand,
 L. J. Reardon,
 C0mmittse
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

Federal Grvmbiing A short time since the Whig presses of Philadelphia declared tha, 1t was loo soon to agitate the question of the Presidency. We expressed our as- sent to their views, and carefully reiraiued from connecting the name of any one, either of our choice or that of others, with the of- flee of President brief period has elapsed, and our Philadelphia friends have changed their ground. They have selected their can didate for the Presidency, and appear to think il time aorc that others should do likewise.
 We are still of the opinion that it Is loo soon to agitate the question. Since our city friends proclaimed 1t to be so, nothing has occurred to render any change of policy necessary or expedient. And we trust that Wings every where will deliberately survey the whole ground before they commit ihem- selves too strongly in favor of any of the distinguished citizens whose names have been mentioned in connection with the ex- alted station of President. The National Convention to select a candidate for the Wing party will not assemble for a year hence, and events may occur in the mean time which may change entirely the present aspect of affairs. Questions of deep and abiding interest may arise, which may exer. else material influence in the selection of a candidate The policy and purpose of the present administration will then be more clear iy defined. We thInk, then, that 1t is soon aJ,l to agitate this question.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

TIE MEMORY OF Gov. YELL, or ARKAS- Sas-He has fallen-on the memorable field of Buena Vista-at the head of his columns, Colonel Yell has gloFiously fallen for his country.
 "Calm on the bosom of thy God.
 Fair spirits rest thee now."
 Col. Yell led, the foremost man, in q charge of his mounted volunteers against 8 large body of lancers, and was slain by a lance, while heroically leading his command against the Mexican cavalry.
 He met the myrmldons of power undis- mayed. and died as he had lived-for the glory of our free institutions.
 With his las. breath, Col. Yell aided in rolling back, what seemed to be ;he inevita- ble tide of success to the Mexican general and his army.
 The editor of the Argus cannot forget, when in the city of Washington, at the opening of the new Congress in December, lS45, about to leave Washington, taking Go- vernon Yell by the hand, who was then a member of Congress, we bade mutual fare we'll. s.That was the souls farewell"
 To this gallant man, and faithful friend, we took pleasure in acknowledging the obli- gations of gratitude and friendship when Iiving-we would be false 10 duty not 10 aver it no,c. Col. Yell was the colleague and friend 6f the present gifted ''chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations" in the United States Senate, Mr. Sevier; and we have reason to believe that this gallant sol dier enjoyed in an eminent degree, the con- fidence of President Polk and the members of his administration. He has been judge, governor af Arkansas. and has been her rep resentative in Congress, which high repre- sentative trust he filled with distinguished credit to himself, when he accepted from the government, eolonelship in the volunteer service of his country
 His heart was the home of all the high attributes and qualities that exait and adorn the human character. Trua, brave and gen. erous; justly the pride and hope of the peo- pie of his own growing State, and his friends everywhere. Now, wrapped in his maruaI cloak, covered with laurels that will bloom forever, Col. Yell Is at rest in hts gloIy, gory bed
 While ihe patriot is cheered with the splendor of our arms-the brave citizen sol diers who fell, yielding up their lives for their country, cannot fail to elicit the keen est sympathy from every American bosom. l. is, truly, the cypress inlerwoven with the laurel.
 The career of Gov Yell has been useful and brilliant His name will go down to coming time high on the scroll of national fame. He loved his country. and has sealed his devotion to her honor with his blood and his life.
 "Spirit thy labor IS o'er;
 Spint look not the strife;
 Spirit no letters can bind,
 Spirit how bright is the road
 For which thou art nov oh the wing
 To the protection of an everything Provi- dence, and the muniicence ol a grateful country, we commend the bereaved and stricken family of this heroic man.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12
F. BR,TTiN. Secretary.
SUCCESS.


 Success IS, after all, the great alehymls that turns every thing into gold, and make' gods of men, Without success even gold becomes brass, and the best canse only rebellion. What, for instance, would the Fcd eral leaders have done if TAYLOR had nd been successful They would have hsll aloof in cold indifference would have rtI doubled their opposition to the war and tti Executive; and would have treated hum \ they now treat ScoTr and CHAT The bnI liant success, however of Old Zack, has coIa| mended him to the warm approval and sud port of these disin,erested managers ], hal made the North American obllvious to itl fact that he Is siaye-holder, and IS, course, for the extension of slavery with th4 extension of our territory; and also thai \ is in favor of free trade. IL has made Vi Gasette forget that he IS engaged in aw1 which that journal has denounced as wlai ed and unnecessary, and which it's late p MT. CoRwIS, characterized as a war no' be prosecuted, but Impeded and arrested Such IS the magic oi success.
 All this recalls General WALBmDoE's eayI ilal story at lke late Democratic Town Mesi ing. Tie Fedenlisls, in their new ardor TAYLOR. are like the candidan in Texas V was making speech to public assembled and was pleasing every body and himsiI particularly by his happy answers to \ knouv questions of his auditors. Al lasl o of the crowd asked hln whether he was favor of the Mier expedition, This ws poser, but he init the answer al last "ln i vor of it ;n said he; 'scerlainly sm--e sueceeds D. Pennsgiranidn.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

LAWFUL REyENGE.-Many years since, a gentleman in Newington, parish of Weth- ers6eld. Connecticut, who was very rel- gious and conscientious man, married one of the most ili-naiured and troublesome wom- en he could find in the vicinity. This oc- casioned universal surprise wherever he was known, one of his neighbor ventured to ask him the reason which had governed his choice. He replied that having but llile trouble in the world he was fearful Of becom- ing too much attached to things of time and sense, and thought by experiencing some afliclions, he should become more weaned from the world, aud he married such wom- all as he thought would accomplish his ob- ject The best part of the story is, that the wife, beariug the reason why he married her, was much offended, and out of revenge became one of the mos, pleasant and duldul wives in the iowa, declaring that she was not going to bespack-horse to carry her hus- band to heavne.
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

We are indebted to the politeness of Mir A. Hays. for Delta of the sd inst, and Lou. Journal, of late date also to Mir s,rowbridge. of the $. b. Win Armstrong for a Memphis Eagle of the sth inst
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12

CoL. JEFFERSON DAyIs.--ffBs dsfs gaished soldier, whose services on the bie9d field of Buena Vista, remarkable as ~ were proclaimed to be in the lumors hoaI the camp, and now confirmed in the mPA tial despatches of Gen. TAYLOR, is one oI VI leading men of Mississippi; and al 'hs a0 of ;he wonderful gallantry alluded io, "a' command oi his regiment ol MIssIsslPp '' hes. General TAYLoR, though closely e9'l nected with Colonel DAvts, comments h''i for his distinguished courage on the heid' "'j the particular notice of The gofefnmeh' His evolution, by which his men s"f thrown into the form of a crochet, ~ o'I ceive an overwhelming force of lsneefs' a| tonished all who observed II. bai Prosea be most brilliant man9avre. The he'a cans halted when they saw II, and then Fo1 full of astonfshment, into the crotcbeI writer from Mexico, says that ''ihe cfo'c
 was filled in an instant and just as is'f wheeled lheir horses, with lanees se1 on o0 { prongs the intrepid Misstsssppl ColoSE standing inside the fork, called out 'b0sf fire, and Gt Them rith year kHiUes 2 oim'I ,aneously with the sharp crack of the f'ifI deafehing shou, went up, and bowie Aa''l and revo!sers flashed in the direction oi lancess. Strange as il may seem, many the dancers were actually dragged rom a' horses and stabbed to death. In this ue"' ual manner, this splendid body oi horse0' were beaten back"
 Colonel DAvIs was distinguished whhe Congress, which he left for the wars, leading and powerful deba,er, and as thorough Democrat. He was eeneaieO West Point, and served wilh distinction the regular army during the Black hs. war. He has won immortal honor bs a'1 bold and iudlcious conduct in the PTeses' wish Mexico. .-- PeHasylraaiaa'
The Arkansas banner., 1847-05-12
Tn. let. cei. Arsh,b.,a Yen, of Ara......

We transfer to our columns, from the Har- risburg Argus, with lively sense of its jus ilce, the following tribute to the memory ol the lamen.ed Col. Yell, of Arkansas, who fell gallansly leading his regiment at the bat tie of Buena Vista The career of Col. | eil was indeed useful and brilliant. At the age of ofseventeen he served as subaltern ensign ! m the Tennessee troops under the command of Gen. Jackson. Returning to Tennessee al the end of these indian wars, as soon as he vas eligible he was elected a. member of the legislature of that State, whefe he served with reputation. When Gen. Jackson be- came President, he selected Col. Yell as the circuit judge of the United States. for the new district of Arkansas, by which means he became eitizen of that State, and dis charged the duties of this difficult and re- sponsible office with entire satisfaction; and
 vas elevased by the people of that State to the highest offices within their gilt--in Con- gross, then governor, and subsequently, in Congress again as member of the last Con-