The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-08
Gen. Walkers Army-Its Discipline, Pay and
RatIons-RepOrt OF Returned Soldier.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
TO THE EDITOR

Having been in the service of Gen. Walker for some
five months, think it becomes to present to your
readers, through the medium OF your widely circulated
Journal narrative of my experience with advice
young who about to engage in the Walker
terprse, SO far my humble abilities will permit
left New York the 25h of February last under the
command Of Capt Creighton, brave and worthy officer
We arrived in Granada the 9th OF March, and the
day after received orders march, but where to we
(he solders) knew until arrived at San Juan del
Sur, where informed by the notorious and
ardly Col. schessnger in Short patriotic aud
raging speech, that in few hours would be In the
eoemys territory and that had hard task to per-
form. This afterwards found to be too true, for such
march never again wish to experience but after the i'll
ated battle Of Santa Rosa-the particulars OF which Is
necessary for to recspitulate your readers
have been already informed OF all the facts connected
with that memoi able eventthe retreat still
On our arrival at Virgin Bay were almost destitute
OF clothing and exhausted with fatigue and hunger. ln
this expedition think Gen. Walker displayed great
amount W talent. in fact Ishould presume he
what deranged his Intellectual faculties in sending
Just the United States without their being at all
drilled ana some them never having before handled
gum 10 meet an enemy far superior in numbers well
drilled well armed ana Accustomed to the climate in
stead of sending those that had been longer
try and having garrsoned the State with q eenhorns,
when we could have chance to learn which end OF the
musket to put to our shoulder in action.
To predict the fuiure Of Walker IS in my est.
nation, done ithout very fatterng prospects Judge
by past events and the manner 10 which he has treated
his men, He lost the battle OF santa Rosa, and de-
al Ryas and obliged retreat in the disor
ter leaving OF the wounded to the mercy Of those
baI barous and BLOOD thirsty Costa Ric ans.
He did not make OF such precautionary
absolutely necessary In time OF war; Tor any army
the world 10 lake. In order to prove victorious He mad
arrangement for supplies Of ammunition. provisions
OF any kind for bis 10 contnne the Tight therefore,
he may attribute his Ill faed losses 70 his misma
nogement How he can expect to succeed by the treat
ment he gives bis men Is mystery to me-marchng
them in the heat OF burning southern sum- with
y anything TO eat, half clothed and shod
wonder not at hts being discouraged and leaving
him. as no man uf common sense or unprejudced feelings
can blame them whatever. They who remain not
lifted for homes or families and those that there
the promise of twenty i've dollars month and 250
Of land wish better luck Others who came do wn
from California and joined him for six months, and
whose time EXPIRED on the 9th OF June lxt They
did not get their discharge they exempted from
duty I'LL few days before itft which the cath
Of July Then they got their discharge bu. told they
would have TO wait about month before they could ge
their pay and they would have 10 rd themselves In
provsions II they choee they could join the my
atsn. Beautiful trestmeut, after had sacrificed,
might say three years OF his existence to be humbugged
In tia manner
The raons of the army, before the arrival Of cargo
OF provisions from the states three months since
very poor 10 fact they TO halt ratons
We got coffee fresh beef and halt totla (cakes v
corn) for breakfast; rcs, som, times beans-with as
many worms .3-re were beans-ir6sh beef ani hif
tcra .or d5ner one man could cat four men ration
such a. have described, and defy any who has
served ely lei 9Th Of time In his service to deny any por
zion OF the above statement.
la conclusion, would say that do not consider my
self deserter Tor never signed any articles whatever
but lett without leave being perfectly satisfied that
money or lands thA, General Walker could give me
wouls compensate me for such treatment as had re
ceved and 10 ran tho rick Of fe health, character and
noedom as did, for the space OF time that subject
TO his command. | advise all young Uen who vsae
their ves or health, and respec their charactereven
4 they can only get two meals day-to stay at ,me
for those thar 90 principally rowdics and backguard
Of the lowest olasi OF society.
S.r, by giving the above statement space In your co
lums will please except the thanks OF your obeden
servant, JOHN /. GLlDD1N.
81 GRKEswicH STRICT, New York.