The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-11-06

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Oct l, 1856.
GreGt oceriasd MarcA Of the Second Rsgssent Of
Uaitsd States OacaIry-- The Ride from Jsfsr-
son Barracks to San Antonio, Tsras-Scenes BY
as Way-Iadiass Prairie Dog Toscns, Rivers,
Forts, Cisies, and VilIagss.
In the hope that the aroma Of the Mocha and
Hwon from within, may diffase itself through my
letters, thereby mparting fragrance and investing
them with charm they might not otherwise pos
sess venture, seated on candlebox, by the light
II an unsnufed candle, and that taow one in the
neck of q broken bottle, TO give short but true
account OF an overland trip to Texas.
The I'd Regiment of Cavalry, the pride OF every
true American, and the regiment which, 1t has been
predicted, will day become the brightest gem OF
ne United States Army left Jefferson barracks to
begin long and toilsome march, on the 9th of
Nov, 1855. The day was beautifully bright-one of
those soul expanding days on which al nature
seems to rejoice-which our friends, at parting,
kindly hoped ould be the harbinger of our future
With spirits somewhat depressed we bade q long
farewell to place endeared to Us by many pleasing
associations, and commenced our pilgrimage. The
order Of the march was az follows First the Ser
goant Major, with q pioneer party, consisting Of
ten men, one from each company; then the car
yiages, Eve in number, containing the ladies Of the
regiment. Following the carriages came the regi-
ment in column Of twos, headed by the Colonel,
Senior Major and staF-the companies alternating
a follows The company in front one day, taking
ia place in rear the next; after the regiment
came the wagon train thirty in number, and in rear
Of all the guard. few moments before starting,
one Of the soldiers who was 70 have accompanied
ss was thrown from his horse, and killed upon the
spot He had prepared for this journey with all the
bright hopefulness of youth, little dreaming that he
would 50 soon be summoned to that bourne whence
no traveller returns" What different preparations
would he not have made could he have foretod this
melancholy fate Truly in the midst Of life we
are in DEATH" Our first camping ground was in q
ssubble field, ten miles from the barracks, which we
reached at o'clock T. NJ. Here was presented 0
scene which beggars all description. Never shall
forget the sensations of that evening From the
moment the order to dismount was given, all was
hurry and confusion. Men, horses, mules, dogs,
mess chests, tents, boxes trunks mattresses and
frying pans, were all mingled pell nell together, as
Mthey never again could be brought to their res
pectiye places. Presently, stable CALI was heard.
and order once more reigned supreme donbly appre-
eiated after the taste we had OF Bedlam. Sol
dlers are rapid architects, and before shutdown
eur tents were pitched. Then might be heard the
sounds OF innumerable "axes." Logs were chopped,
and large cheerful fires built in front of each tent,
crackling with sharp and lively sound, as If they
loved to burn. Supper was then prepared, and eaten
with relish none can imagine who have not expe-
riepced the appetite induced by marching. The ga
worry odsrs Of coffee, bacon and corn bread diff
fused throughout the camp, and we're far more ap-
preciatsd by ALL even by our most delicate and fas-
tidous ladies' than would have been all the Wanted
perfumes Of Araby. At halfpast taps" were
heard after which, all separated TO seek Tired ma
lures sweet restorer, balmy sleep" This is my
FIRST glimpse Of life in camp. have long jour-
ney in prospect-a journey which cannot be &C
complished in less than three months-perhaps no,
tLen. There has ever been TO me peculiar sadnes
in making any serious change IN life. II seems
though that knell hike word farewell harrows NJ
more painful emotions for than Tor mos. Others.
2sth-we were aroused this morning half an hou
before day break by "reveille." Then the quiet
nj eht yielded TO the hustle of day. Breakfast wa:
10 be prepared and eaten, beds TO be rolled uo
wagons packed, horses. saidled and tents struck
passing TO and fro each anxious abont his company
and uneasy till assured that all his men, horses and
mules were safe, and in readiness for early march
Soldiers bsnierins each other upon their luck in
pluDdering the neighbor1ng farGyards during the
night, mothers frettlng aud complaining oil the eX.
posure of their children and servants gumbllDg al
nothavlDg sufficient time 70 wash aad pack their
dishes.
Ny experience OF the night was anything bat
pleasurable. Sleeping on the ground Is far from
being agreeable under the most favorable circum-
stances ants, spiders and such varieties are 10
he expected Of course; but | had not anti ipated
many other disturbances. such as the coughing and
snoring OF horses with dstsfnper, the braying o.
mules the profanity OF the soldory, the jests and
fittering Of The camp women, which were, ASSURE
yon, far from sopori.ic. Our adjniant, 1t G., was
badly bitten daring the night 0, large Geld spider
or iarcrtra, which, In this latitude, Is extremely
poisonous. He suffered intensely, the wound in
Harmed very much, and he u now % AZ rom its et
fests os 70 be compelled 70 remain behind. At eight
o'clock the general sounded, the tents were
struck, and we resumed our march, the procession
moving in the same order as yesterday The day
was equally fine, ard being Sunday, we met crcwds
Of country people, apparently vending their way to
church They gozed after u with wondering aud
inquirlBg llznces-men. women and children evi-
IDENTIFY fascinated by lie etterng and beautiful Uni.
forms o. our spltnoid cayalcade-end well they
m ght he. iJr Il was in trttL spsrt stirring sight
Tho entire regiment, composed q "a unusually tne
looking body Cg men. oil well mounted aud IN new
ard complete uniform, with our oicnfbed and fuAg-
ual locking Colonel a. their head. Vas spectacle
calculated u inspire tie most Platanic. rnerc u
but little doubt fhet visions o. noGaing planes srd
waving banners vii mirgle with thor prisons TO-
day, and ruch fear the ClOqacnce vi tie humble
pa, cor will be l0st upon his hearers. A high hill
soon hid them froz our view and we lost sight o;
them i sc med as n We had severed vet another
link In tie chain which bound ~ g. our homes.
We marched fifteen miles. and sncamped at three
T.. NJ had our tents pitched, and supper prepared.
y il nov cfter Tattoo any one who has been
W der the dTr necessity OF using his ness chest
writing desk certify that K l. Tar from comfort
ablc, especially alter fliguing march. Fully
agreeing with him, viii close mine Ter the night.
October 3L--Up 70 this date vc have bad no
incidents worthy Of remark, making daily marches
of from fifteen 70 twenty miles. Tao westher has
been bright and beautiful bui there u nov every in
dicaton o. an approaching storm. The men are busy
digging trenches around their tents and skng every
necessary preparation for rain. This morning
bvgler 81 company, thrown from bis horse into
deep ditch. He cTawltd out VITA his clothes torn
and all bedabbied with mud, presenting a most Ia
dierous appearance As he Is b. means a fsyorite
among hls comrades his mishap occasoned consi-
derable mirth. good nat1red farmer, near whose
house the catastrophe occurred, % his roscoe
L.. So ktm .~.IU ILL., -