Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-04-25
For the Mineral Point Tribune.
A MEXICAN SKETCH.
b 7 II A NJ II L Z n.


AFTER wandering in the wake of the
Massachusetts, Regiment from Brazos to
Monterey, and from Monterey to the Bra
zos, my peragrinations at last brought me
to hard sandy beach on the Gulf shore
that was dignltied by the name of u Camp
Negarra." but which was evidently a mis-.
nomer, as all there encamped could testi-
fy, for you could at any time, by stamping
the sand with your foot obtain a good
supply of brackish water upon its surface.
for which reason / would suggest that it
hereaftcs be called Camp Submarine.
The camp was, as | have stated, on the
Gulf shore. and though at the distance of
three miles, commanded fine view of the
Castle San Juan D'Ulloa and the CITY of
Vera Cruz
Immediately in the rear of the encamp-
ment your progress is arrested by rapidly
ascending sand hills. covered with iuxuri
ant vines, bearing, though dissimilar in
all other respects, a large trumpet mouth
ed blossom, like the convolvulus in our
own land
After ascending one of these hills or
Sand Bluffs. the scene that before was
comparatively tame Eow opens in all it's
beauty and sublimity
Stretched at your feet. for mile in ex-
tent, lies the American Camp, the snowy
whiteness of its tents contrasting finely
with the dark blue waters of the Gulf, and
rivaled only by the surfcap'd breakers as
they dash upon the beach. Then resting
in its quiet and sabbath like security, with
the broad aud ample folds of the Ameri-
can Flag waving in graceful undulations,
it would seem as if the restless spirit of
our race had there found its goal, and been
lulled into partial if not perfect repose.
But hark to the Bugle as it throws its
rich and thrilling notes upon the car, sus-
tanned in the distance by the deep roll of
the drum, increasing as it approaches, IN
tH the voices of a hundred drums uniting
in the chorus, awakens to life the scene
before you, causing the pulse to beat with
new and redoubled energy.
All is now animation, hustle. and ex-
element Men are to be seen burrying
to and fro, their white belts and FURNISHED
muskets relieved by their uniforms of blue
or gray Officers with glittering epauletts
and richly mounted swords parade their
companies, while horses. gaily caparison-
ed, are champino the bit and paving the
ground with impatient haste.
Again, the Bugle sounds, and squad
rons of horse charge rapidly to the left
and right, and swiftly fly over the sur.
rounding country. Columns of infantry,
before stationary, now move forward with
regular and measured tread, to the strains
of martial music that fiji the air, while a
park of flying artillery awakens the mer-
maids of the Gulf, and thunders forth its
deep-toned defiance to the enemies of our
country
Thus within bird's-eye view, the warm
sun lighting up the scene, you have
"The pomp and circum stance
OF glorious war"
Perhaps no country in the world can
boast, from one point of view, a greater
variety of scenery.
On the north, the broad waters of the
Gulf arrest the vision at that point only
"Where sky and ocean meet"
bearing upon its blue and heaving bosom
those birds of war and traffic, that, spread
ing their white wings TO the gale, carry
with them to distant climes prosperity
and peace. or belching forth with tongues
of fame the bolts of DEATH" spread wide
the seeds of ruin and desolation
On the south. far as the eye can reach
a gently rolling chapparel, clad in the
verdure of perpetual summer, its rich and
beautiful foliage, gemmed with countless
flowers fragrant as the breath of the morn,
ing and varied and beautiful as the chang
ing hues of the rainbow, lies bathed in
light
But we mourn as we gaze on its Eden
| like beauty. when we remember that IL
the midst of so much lovelinesss Death
is permitted to stalk abroad unchecked
and people its sunny glades with victims
and that instead of it's being the asylum
of purity and peace, with its tranquility
and repose unbroken. it has become tbs
/ lurking place of the Guerrilla and Assas
sin.
On the east. the dark and heavy dome.
of the City of the True Gross lift them
selves against the sky. while little tC
the left. unmiudful of the shock of tht
tempest. and deaf to the ceaseless roar o
angry breakers, that dash themselves
against its rocky sides-the old gray
walls and frowning battlements of the
Castle San Juan DUlloa rise abrupt,
from the waters of the Gulf
| On the west, lofty range of mount
aims stretching far into the distance
bounds the view; while, to COMPLETE th
picture, old Orazabia. crowning the loft
est summit of them all. and lifting hi
snow wreathed head far above the cloud
that robe his base. stands like a sentine
on the ramparts of the world, or like som
hoary Monarch of the Earth, wrapped i
the majesty of his solitude, contemplatin
the greatness of his dominion
BENEFITS OF ADvERsITY.-A smooth Sc
never made skillful mariner, neither doe
uninterrupted prosperity and success qua
ify for usefulness and happiness Th
storms of adversely, like the storms of th
: ocean, arouse the faculties. excite the ii
vention, prudence, skill, and fortitude
, the voyager. The martyrs of ancier
times, in bracing their minds to outwar
calamity. acquired loftiness of purpos
. moral heroism, worth life of softne
and security