The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-21
FORT MANN, UPPER ARKANSAS,
January l2. lS18

Resignation Of one of the Captains of Infantry-
Election of a decentralization in the Ca,np
The Female Volunteer--Ardent Spirits and its
Dongs.
avail myself of an escort going from hence
to Independence, with our adjutant, who is
(much to our regreD compelled to return, from
his health being in very infrm state, to write
to you.
Matters and things are moving on here in
very commonplace manner. The troops have
been heretofore busiy employed in building
quarters, sc. The weather has been serenely
beautiful, until the 9Th, when we had most
boisterous snow storm, which to most of us was
unexampled in its violence; but, to our gratifca-
ton, it was but of short duration. What rem
dered this outbreak of the elements the more as
tonlshlng was. the very evening preceding
the storm the sky was clear amber, the stars
dlvlnely refulgent, and all nature seemed hushed
into calm repose, and no meteorological indi-
cations to give us warning OF the impending
storm.
In my last Igave you to understand our little
community was thrown into a considerable state
OF agitation from the resignation of one of the
captains Of the infantry companies--not from this
circumstance of ITSELF but from the agitation
consequent on the election of his successor. AL.
though the period for the contamination of the
election Is yet uncertain, and may never take
place, as many contingent circumstances may in
terfere prior to the reception of an answer re-
specting the resignation, from Washington; yet
we are perfectly annoyed; the discipline and
harmony Of the company very much affected by
the maneuverlng and petty intrigues resorted to
by some of the aspiring candidates. But what
Will, no doubt, astonish you, is that the subject
OF natlvlsm has been enlisted as an auxiliary;
made theme of dissension and discord, and has
caused hard feelings where none previously ex-
listed. The following is the true state of this
section of the Santa Fe battalion for the Plains,
at this post
Company G. lol in the sggsssats-al foreigners
Company ETA IS of whom arc foreigners.
Would you have judged that such subject as
natlvlsm, under such circumstances, should
ever have been mooted, in community where
cause is obvious, but assuredly most uniusti-
fable
Our lieutenant colonel and the two mounted
companies are still absent; although we have ne
yer heard from them, we have some reason to
infer they have proceeded on to Piquette Ware,
between Bent's Fort and Santa Fe.
Our female volunteer still roams about the fort,
position she holds in the battalion. The gentle.
men under whose protection she was induced to
leave the scenes OF civilized life and don the SOL
dier's ,garb, are still under restraint The one
considered the most culpable is in close con-
finement, under the immediate charge of a SEN
tlnel.
The suttler appointed for this battalion, among
his promlscuous commodities, has included
large quantity Of the damning and destructive
agent-ardent spirits; its demoralizing and dis
organizing effect upon the community was very
soon lamentably conspicuous. AS an antldote,
some time ago a temperance society was organ
ised, which am happy to state has already been
productive OF the most gratifying results
The stock has and is suffering very severely,
and there is but little hopes of any, at all events
of but very few, surviving the winter
We have every reason to imagine the three
companies left here will not be moved until late
spring or early summer. Then of course our
movements will be guided by existing circum-
stances
You would particularly oblige by sending me
an occasional paper, which assure you would
be equally gratifying as acceptable. Yours,