The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1848-02-09

The men are generally in good spirits;
but all Of them are anxious to see home
Capt McGowen has been assigned to duty
with Gen. Smiths brigade, and is in the
city. am sure those of the regiment who
have returned home will give good ac-
count of HIM, as they all had an opportuni-
ty of witnessing his GOODNESS under the most
calling fire, and the dispatch with which he
executed all the orders entrusted to him
He was in the hottest of the Chapultepec
and GaIita fights. During the entire day,
he was as much exposed as any one OH the
field, and was so furtunate as TO come off
without serious injury He was lamed for
few days by bruise received from
piece of stone knocked from the acqueduct
by cannon shot. The Captain is worthy
OF place more conspicuous than his pre-
sent position. He is very popular In the
army. There are many here who would
be delighted to see him commanding re.
giment. .
am at loss what to say 10 you as TO
our future movements. We have been
anxiously looking TO each echo from the
States to determine what we are to do.
The Presidents Message has been receiv.
ed. The war position Of course is the most
interesting here. think 1t has produced
general satisfaction-parlculary that par,
in relation to the conduct Of the war, and
territory only as an indemnify We are
obliged to take some territory but as it
will increase our domestic difficulties, we
should take no more than will bearly pay
our dues, arising out Of acknowledged in.
debtedness, and the expenses of the war.
l hope South Carolina will sustain the
message.
With view Of carrying out the wishes
Of the Government, there will be a general
move of troops from this capi,nl in order to
"spread'' themselves over and occupy the
country, and especially the mining districts
as they afford more of ",he s.news of war"
than other parts.
Col. Withers, with detachment, has
already gone to the mines of Real del Monte.
It is expected that he will meet with nc CD
position yet, that the expedition will be
rery brill,ant-im dimes and pasocs. COL
umns are expected to move very soon to
Zacatecas and San Luis dc Potosi, and
there may yet be some fighting in that
quarter, as the Mexicans are raising ano-
ther army at Queretaro. AS to this, how
ever, can but give you their own answer,
"Quier Sabe." They all denounce Santa
Anna in unmeasured terms, and yet he is
the only man among them capable of rails
ing an army
1t is expected that the Palmettoes will
accompany one of the columns. They have
"done the state some service" but that is
the very reason why they are expected to
do more. They are mere remnant-the
few survivors Of many hard fought field,
whose companions in arms lie buried as
thick as mile stones from Vera Cruz to the
capital. They have fought their last battle
and now sleep in foreign land.
Of oil the Palmettoes who have fallen
victims to the climate, disease and battle,
there was not one more generous, kind and
brave than Matthew Hervey Wilson, who
died in the city of Mexico on the morning
of the 18th Of December last. He was a.
lawyer at home, and became volunteer,
not for profession, but from patriotism !;
he was a good soldier, not from fear, but
from principle F; a gentleman by birth and
education and an honest man, a noble
fellow, by the gift Of his God. Let him,
rest in peace. u. M. r. 81
WoMEn IN THE ARMY--Of Official doc,ls
ments state that there are at least two thous
and three hundred women attached 10 the
American army, sharing tolls, priyations,
dangers nd piories aud yvash; r n, -, ~ 3