Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-01-14

tlIf OF MEXICO, Yet. "a, lS47.
DEAR b.
Well, here am, in the famous city OF
the Cortes, with its cathedrals, its fountains
Its plazas and images-its ordinary look
ing men, and pretty women, around me-
OFF to the sonth frowns the percipitous
sleeps of Chapultepec, the taking of which
cost so many lives and on other sides
indeed may say on all sides, rise the tow
erlng and rugged mountains, which compose
The principal feature of Mexican scenery.
How can sufficiently describe to YOU, the
beauty Of Nature, as here manifested -
How soft, how pure and balmy is the air
of the day, and how transcendanuv beauti-
ful and glorious the heavens at night. How
little is the population in unison with the
scene. In nature, all is peaceful and beau
tlful-awakenlng the soltest and most hui
manlzng emotions-yet aroundme are men
armed against their brothers in deadly
strife-and vice, misery, and suffering, pre-
vail in all the strata of existence. But
Wellington, believe it was, said the man
who thinks, will not do for soldier. Such
is now my profession, and | must pertorcc
cease TO think, or make the poorer soldier.
truce then to reasoning, and now for
ererlfS.
AS you are aware, we left Detroit about
the Goth of April, and arrived at Vera Cruz
about the 2lst of June. Vera Cruz is sit
uated on the sea beach, being low and UNI
healthy. Around it stretches desert of
sand. Off to the west, see the frowning
summit of Orizaba, capped with snow; but
divided by black looking, yawning gulf
which, am told is the mouth Of the volca-
mic fires, which sumber in her bosom. In
that direction lay the line Of march, which
we were soon called upon to assume to
reach the head. quarters of the army, which
were then at Puebia, where zee arrived on
the 18th of July-not, however, without
incidents to enliven the march. We had
proceeded but short distance on our march
into the rugged defiles of the hills, when
the occasional report of musket, fell with
a fearful sound upon our ears, and died
echoing away in the distance, while the
dark face, glaring eyes, and broad trimmed
sombrero of the guerrilla would be seen
gliding like serpent, among the rocks, the
brush, and trees, to arccess Of greater safety.
Occasionally an imprecation or a groan
would tell the effect of the shots, and one
poor fellow fell pierced through and through
to rise no more. We passed the heights of
Cerro Gordo, where the scenes of the late
conflict were distinctly visible, and arrived
al Perote. Marching, and sleeping in the
open air, not unlrequently drenched TO the
skin by the falling rain, proved too much
for my strength, and | was stretched for
two months on bed of sickness. But
health again visited me, and on the 18th Of
August we left with about 1000 men for
the Halls of the Montezumas. The regiment
of Dragons in which served, together with
Capt. Kearney's, was appointed for SCOTS
body guard, and being mounted on fine
grey horses, as you may suppose, we made
a fine appearance. O, the excitement Of a
soldiers life, when the rolling drum, the
piercing fife, the thrilling bugle, raises the
devil above the better feelings of our nature,
and we long to rush, with blood and car
mage through the opposing ranks of our
fellow men. But must be careful of this
thinking.
We arrived within 80 miles of the IA.
nous city, and encamped in a small village
or rancho, where myself and ten more prl-
Yates were sent out on foraging expedl-
ton under command of a corporal. About
two miles from camp we were charged up
on by body of about 200 Mexican lam
GERS. On they came, their lances directed
towards us-ther dark countenances and
dark streaming hair giving them peculiar
" savage appearance. We stood our
ground and fired a few shots-but they were
too many for us, and we were compelled TO
break and run. But running was no easy
matter, through the tangled under brush,
and abrupt ravines, which intercepted our
wav. Unfortunately for myself, | was
mounted on light poney, which was near
" tired out. He soon stumbled aud fell
with me, and before | was able to olsen
gage myself, the yelling devils were upon
me. must confess, that my feelings at
this time were not of the most agreeable
character. expected nothing less than to
be spittcd on i Mexican lance, without
benefit of clergy. and was preparing for
desperate and final struggle; but before |
succeeded in doing anything rash, | was
SUTTOuHuCu anu tIodlIilChs anu cOIliC " iihb w
nv surprise, although roughly handled,
was not thrust through by Mexican lance.
An officer coming up, | was mounted on a
Mexican poney, and taken some miles dis
tant to a Mexican castle, where | was
closely confined until the next morning,
when our commander was brought in a
prisoner. From him | learned that one
man from Detroit was killed, and one in
Kearney's company, and all lost their hOr-
ses. We were soon put en- route for the
city of Mexico. | expected to first see II
under different circumstances. Instead OF
the waving banners, the Prancing steeds,
and sounding bugles, that | expected would
signalze our triumphant entry into this city
of our hopes, found myself mounted on a
sorry Mexican pony-the on y banners fly.
ing, those of the enemy-and the only bu-
giles were those swelling other triumphs
than ours. So mole it be;-such being the
fate of war. Arrived at the city, the mag.
nifcence which met my eye on all sides as
| rode through is broad avenues, freed my
mind for time from the unpleasantness OF
nv situation, but was soon again reminded
ofit,'by the imperativeness of my captors in
directing my steps. We were so on conduc-
ted to the presence of Santa Anna, the IA
mous Mexican chief.-the Napoleon Of