The Arkansas banner., 1848-05-16

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 March 3ist, lsIs { GEN. s. II. HEMrsTEAp,
 Li,iIe Rock, yfrkansas
 Dear Si
 Having been ordered to repair 10 this military district (which includes Peroe and Jalapa) to the relief of Major Piollet, who was appointed since have been in Mexico, but who Jeff before came here left Puebls on the llih instant in the train from Meneo going to Vera Cruz, under the command of Lieut.. Col Black Of the lst Pennsyl. vania regiment The day before staried, official y notified Lieut. Col. Black of the order had re- ceived, and that the specie under my charge, would be contained ih three wagons, and requested him to furnish me sufficient guard day and night for those three wagons till should arrive at my place of destination. The wagons and teams, in which this money vas carried were very indifferent, tue uuIes were small, wild, and badly broken. For two of the wagons, 1 had Mexican teamsters. aud the other was white man, by the name of Price, not as good as Mexican. After we had gotten about six miles from Pueba, of the wheel mules drove by one of the Mexicans, appeared to give ont and actually fell down and lay prostra.e on the side of the hill. All the wagons passed us. There was, with one of my wagons stopped in the load in the vicinity of the very haans of he guerriIlas and this wagon loaded with sixteen thousand dol lars in silver and thirteen thousand dollars in gold The gold was received from Maj Kirby Paymaster, the day before, making together $29, ,0OO,-and no one 10 help me, except MT. Monte, man who spoke the Spanish language, and voluntarily offered to as- sist me with my Mexican teamsters. Not being able to get up the mule, rode after the train as fast as could for assistance Alter proceeding several hundred yards, saw small squsdsca of dragons ahead and quickehing my pace, overlook them asked them who commanded tbemt They pointed me to their Sergeant. immediately unfolded to him my situation, and the great jeopardy in which a large sum of the public money under my charge, was placed, with no protection, except the Mexican teamster and MT. MoEte, who were left behind with it. With an alacrity, characteristic ofa good cit- soldier, and deserving of all praise, he told me he would 20 back with all of his men, about sixteen in number, told him 10 give me half of his men, and requested him to go ahead anc. protec: the other two specie teams which l pointed out 10 him. He said he would do as requested and, having given the order, l went back with the escot fur nished by him, and after considerable difficulty, we succeeded in getting the mule its feet, and finally got the wagon up 10 the other two. On getting up, sick and exhausted as was, felt much re- lieved, from the great danger of loosrg this large sum of money that took off my hat in the hot sun and dust, aud publicly told Sergeant and his men to accept my sincere acknowledgements. and the thanks of the government for the prompliiude and patriotism they had manifested in preserving, pro- ,ectng, and helping me to get along with the pub lie money. That, without their assis' 'ance, firmly believed this large sum of money would have been lost;( and believe yet;) and for this act alone, the Sergeant deserved promotion a, the hands of the President, and that if ever lived to see the Pres dent, should take particular pains to let him know all about it.
 To this speech of rllnc, Sergeant Debois (whom
 never saw before flat day, and who is said 10 be a son of General Debois of Louisiana) nodes'ly re- plIed, that he and his men had done 10 nore than their duty. Sergeant Debois belongs 10 the fine company commanded by the gallant and gentleman ly Dupereaii of the 3rd Dragons. The day the body of one of the wagons broke, and the weight was great, that the bottom of the box which held the specie bags bufsted loose; yet after great trouble and difficulty, succeed in having the box renacd, the money replaced, ana the whole put in another wagon The dust aud sand that filed the air, caused by the passage of large train, great and hurt ful 10 the eyes nt all times, but. the l3t the day before arriving at Perote, the clouds of dust and sand, were awful. They were not caused so much by the numerous wagons, and teams, and horscmen. as by the wind. Il put me in mind of the accounts given of the great desart of Zahara. The clouds of sand and dust were at times great, you could not discover a horsemen a few steps from you. My eyes havs not yet gotten well Ny negro mans face. which you know is black, made IS white all day as dust could make it. We got 10 Perote on the l4th, and there sf the train, and hope never to travel with another. Ipad the troops there in a few days. quartered in the Castle, an immense building. said 10 have been in process of erection for If years at final cost of S ,000 0OO-by 2,oo0 laborefs. It has generally been used by the Mexi. can government as prison house. It has places for about eighty pieces Of artillery. here publicly render my acknowledgements to the gentlemaDiy officers of that post, under the command of that wor- thy gallant and efficient officer ColSeymour, for the kindness and hospitality which they extended 10 me during my brief sojourn at that place The altitude of Perote. Is represented much greater than any other living point in all Mexico. You descend all tis way from that place to the gulf.
 After paying the troops thsrs had to wait the re- turn from Puebla of Capt. Sisf?'s eOmpany Of d'a- goons to escort the public mORey under my charge to this place. On Saturday the 26th, the Captain returned but as he had ridden that day, many miles, it became necessary to rest his horses day, so had to wait till Monday forgot to mentiot' that near half of the Georgia battalion, as fine looking set of men, I learn, as ever came 10 Mexico, have died of al Perote, which ha. been perfect chafnei house for uar soldiers. oa dfiil, noticed one com. pany commanded by Capt. Goaidsn, with only one Sergeant and private This company, understood, tuaa liv ad dof hundred and two