The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-01-17
CONVENT oP Ell CARMEL,
CITY OF MEXICO, Oct. "a, lS47.


have written to you five or six
times since l left Vera Cruz Probably you
have not received all, perhaps none OF my
letters. as the mails are frequently robbed on
the road. There is mail to start for Vera
Cruz in two or three days with a train OF
wagons from the Army, which will be very
likely to go through.
l am in the City of Mexico, the great and
splendid city of Palaces, Churches, Converts
and Robbers. Our regiment is quartered in
the convent of Ell Carmel, pile of buildings
large enough to hold 10000 men.
We have been in the city about two months,
but you may depend we had some hard fight
ing to do, to get where we are. | have been
in four of the hardest fought battles in Next
CO, and have escaped with no material injury
while others have been shot down all around
me- The army have lost in killed about
$500, since we commenced on the city of Mex
leo. Our company X. when weleft Newport,
had 70 men, all we'll and hearty, now we have
but "a for duty, the remainder are sick OR
dead
My health has been first rate since I left
home the climate agrees with me well. l
got rather thin in the flesh, on the march from
Vera Cruz to this place, but since I have been
here have gained very fast We were from
the 18th of July to the 18th of Aug, from
Vera Cruz, to within about o miles of Mexico,
through one Of the most beautiful countries
in the world. l cannot give you description
Of the country, or of the city of Mexico, but
will tell you all about it, when get home.
I should like to tell you about the battles, the
hardshps of the soldier life, of his sufferings,
his exposure to the weather. lying on the bare
ground, with nothing but the canopy of heav-
en- for covering, but forbear. The citizen
at his comfortable home knows nothing of the
poor soldiers suffering in time of war. l have
known them lie all night, with an arm or leg,
and sometimes both shot off, exposed to the
cold and rain, all alone with no one near them
to administer to their wants or sympathize
with them in their sufferings. It is horrid.-
l have seen enough of war. I was in the
battles of Contreras, San Antonio, Cherubusco,
and Chepultepec, and thank God, lived through
them all.
When we shall return is more than any one
can tell God grant it may be soon. l think
We shall have no more fighting here. 5fts
My chance is an easy one. Ihave room
by myself nothing to do but little writing
every morning and calling the roll The rest
of the time l can have to myself to walk
about the city or go where please, but the
poor soldier has harder time of it.
l sometimes get so lonesome l don't know
what to do. have not heard one word from
you, since left home the last time. l have
no doubt you have written, but there is
small chance of my getting letters here.
To. day is Sunday, but no one would know
it here all days are alike in Mexico. The
stores, theatres, and all other places are open
the same as other days. We have the same
duties to do as soldiers. The Mexicans
are all Catholics. l can go to their churches
but cannot understand what they say. Some
of our churches are large enough to hold ten
like the largest Meeting house in Gardiner,
with more images of the Virgin Mary, Popes,
Bishops, &c., than you could count in week.
Here l am in the convent of Ell Car"
mel, with about 80 monks around me with
their cowls and hoods on; and the image of
the Virgin Mary as large as life, with child
in her arms, which image cost as much as SlO,-
900. You don't know how much l
wish to hear from you and the children.
There will now be mail once month to
and from the States shall write every mail
and wish you to do the same
think we shall all go home in the spring.