The Placer herald., 1856-07-12
point of the bavonet to Tepic. Those who were

so unfortunate as to lag behind were urged along
by the brutal soldiers who threatened to run them
through if they did not proceed. At Topic we
remained three days-on the road from San Bias
to this place we suffered much for want of food.
which, though being more plentiful than on board
the vessels, was not more than half enough. We
had been so long without exercise that TIE first
days walking nearly ruined us all, many were
lame from sore feet, and naturally or from being
crippled, unable to walk but very litte-however
no mercy was shown to them, ALL young and Grip
pied were alike driven along numerically. At
Tepic we were somewhat better treated. A great
many were nearly naked and WITHOUT blankets,
having been ged to sell their clothing and
blankets for something to eat. At this place some
kind-hearted lady had the kindness to send us
something to eat, we would nearly have starry
ed. The same benifcent person furnished many
of the boys with clothing. We were all furnished
with shoes. On the 29th, | think, we started
for Guadalajara between two files of soldiers
On this route many suffered very much at light
from the loss of their blankets which had either
been sold for something to eat or stolen by the
soldiers, which gentry never let chance slip of
displaying their talent in this line, and must say
they were most too expert for good. The
distance from Topic to this place is near three
hundred miles. this we footed all the way, with
our packs on our backs. 1t was piiful to see
those whose feet were gaded and blstered, limp
ing along in the hot sun all day. Often we
marched or leagues before breakfast and when
we did get that long-looked for meal ii was but
taste. Isuppose the Government furnished money
enough to support us with, but the thievng Major
who had charge of us stole the money and nearly
starved us. We finally reached Guadalaiara, here
we received some blankets and clothing from
charitable contributions, made up in our behalf
by the foreigners at Tepic. The Governor al
lowed us 25 cents per day to live on, and we now
Jared much better than we did previously. We
remained here about five weeks, and were started
for Guanajua nearly all barefooted and if any
thing in worse condition than when we left
Topic. We had often to sleep out in the open
air (or rather freeze out) at night. However the
Captain who had charge of us would press ami
mails principally jacks,) for those who were sick
or had sore feet. Many Of the boys had become
MeXicaniZed enough to wear sQndles and were
glad even to be able to obtain pair of these
Mexican shoes. We reached Guanauato on Good
Friday, the 2lst Of March, here we were much
better treated than we had been before, and were
free to go about where we pleased (Some of the
boys left and came here to Mexico) Many of them
were here taken sick with the small pox but it
was not of a very virulent character. A small
boy, George W. Hopkins, aged about II years,
who along with his father died of it, at the
hospital. When we started from here we left lG
of our crowd sick at the hospital. Four were still
sick at Guadalajara. We left Guanauato for
Mexico about the 29th of April, on the road we
left ten Of the boys sick with the small pox We
were much better treated in point of liberty
than on any other point of the route, but the
ra>caly and thicvsh Governor of Guanajuato
only allowed us three days money to travel
five days journey-and to cap the climaX-the
generous beauty, who is Governor of the State of
Qucrctaro, robbed US of six and fourth cents per
day. by reducing our small allowance of twenty
five cents per day to eighteen cents. We reached
this place tlink on the 9th We are now al
lowed 80 cents per day 10 live on. We are not
permitted to go to the city but are allowed the
liberties of the town.
| don't know exactly when we will be tried.
We may be here three or four months longer.
probably not so long and probably longer. 1t is
said that we are to be tried by Il Court Marshall,
and that none of the foreign Ministers or Consuls
are to be present. Our Minister. Mr.. Grips who
is acting in place of Mr. Gadsdcn, who has gone
to the States, says that he will insist on our con
sui, Mr.. Black being present. / am certain they
can make nothing of us but passengers. There is
some rascality at the bottom of this whole affair.
| have no doubt but Admiral Germans commits
sion is legal though this Government does not
wish it to appear so, and will do all in its power
to make it appear otherwise. Admiral German,
who for two or three months back has been allow
ed to go and come when he pleased went to the
authorities two or three days ago and told them
either to treat him as an Admiral or give him
trial as flibuster, so he is now imprisoned. He
wants to bring the matter to an end.
You will please. as favor to all of us, give
publicity to this letter, for the correctness of
which vouch Nothing more at present.
Yours truly
JOHN NJ. TIPTON.
p. S-Judge Jordan and William Chamberlain
were left in the hospital at Guanajuato though
neither of them were very sick. John Jones was
left at Guadalajara, also in the hospital and at last
accounts was very low with the small poX. An
drew J. Young, Clone Starr is here with u.s.
Yours &C., J. NJ. 7.
Since writing the above have learned that Mr..
John McCardy. of San Francisco, has also been
imprisoned. He had heretofore been allowed al
most unlimited liberty.
The Fire at Placerville.
The fire which laid in ashes the entire
lower part of the town of Placervlle, Ell Do
RADIO County broke out II NJ, on Sunday last
in the Union Hotel, on Main street. The
wind being high at the time, the fire spread