The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-25
FOR THE INDEPENDENT rREss.1
INCIDENTS OF THE
MEXICAN CAMPAIGN,
Jalapa.

Inc IolloWlng numoer OF the Mexican
sketches was accidentally mslaid and should
have appeared in our last issue, preceding the
| sketch Of the March to Pu ebln ny
Two subjects OF abso rbng interest arrest the
attention Of the stranger in Jalapa; the one
completely fascinates him and the other COM
mands his highest admiration. while it imparts
life and animation to both pictures. The un-
surpassed beauty of it's scenery. and its never
failing spriug, and soft exhilara,ing atmosphere
are most fully realized in the bewtchng beau
ties, who luxuriate beneath its oriental SIX les
The women of Jnlnpn have the concentrated
charms Of all that is lovely in the female form.
The artistic genius of man never conceived nor
wrought forms of such classic elegance, which to
be fully understood must be seen here, amid
the soft beauty of their eternal spring. Some
quite fair aud others brunettes but the rich
olive cast of complexion overshadowed with
raven tresses mostly prevails. The dark eyed
senoritas of this lovely climate attired in the
light and grace full costume of the country, are
invested with peculiar interest from the ma
tive ense and spontaneous pol,teness which
mark their micn. I conceive it utterly impos-
sible for beings who are endowed with SO much
loVclness and simplicity not to possess pro-
portionate share of virtue, and repuliate the
charge against the ladies of Jalapa, Of whom it
has been said that they were noted for their
galantry. They make affectionnte wives and
excellent companions, for which their domes-
tic qualifications eminently fit them. Some of
our men talked of marrying here as the oppor
t"nity seemed good, and Doubt ess was, but
they neglected to avail themselves Of it which
many have sorely regretted ever since, and the
more so, because they have not been treated
by our own fair with the consideration due
| their merits.
The houses of Jalapa entirely Of brick
and rooted and floored with the same materials
They are generally one story high, with pro-
jecting balconies. The walls enclose IN open
court or patio with surrounding corridors In
the centre of the court is a fountain of water,
ever dispensing life and variety to the plants
and flowers blooming around it. In this ever
pleasant climate the spacious gnte ways are
generally thrown open, and q pedestrian pass
ing along the side walks, is presented with a
view of their internal arrangements. The
buildings aside from their novel structure are
not attractive. Scattered about the mountains
and intervening vallIes, they present a rural
aspect. One can have very good view of Ja
lapa from the Grand Plaza :; and looking over.
the terraced roofs on the north. he traces the
mcanderings of a mountain streamet through
verdant green. among gardens and vilas to
where it empties its crystal waters in the great
reservoir. From thence it is distributed to the
numerous fountains all over the city, while its
| surplus after running in streams, and rivulets
over the tops of the houses is at length lost
amongst the southern environs. Some Of the res
ervoirs are of elaborate workmanship, either of
marble or finely hewn stone enriched With carv-
ing and more costly statuary. Anon one may be
seen surmounted with a nymph who is re-
pien'shing the fountain from AN apparently in
exhaustible vase. In the city is public wash.
ing stand, where all the laundresses Of the
place repair on certain days of the week to ply
their profession. They are distributed on
| either side Of sim iar rows Of troughs all Of
brick, and covered with terraccd roof rest
| ing upon colonadcs In the absence of variega.
| ted silk shawls. redoSas, satin slippers, and en-
broIdered stockings, one sees the exquisitely
| turned ancle, the finely shaped foot and superb
y moulded arms and shoulders of these busy
occupants Of the washing tubs Full of life
SA'e'S
ing in the crystal fountain, with their finely
moulded forms thrown into thousand fanciful
attitudes; presenting a concentrated galaxy
ofnatve charms and pictures Of life and en-
ergy, that needs no coloring.
Jalapa has none but local trade, con sistipp
principally of produce from the surrounding
country. A small branch of its trade in the
way of fruits aud poultry has been extended
to our camp. 1t is sometimes amusing to see
our volunteers among the market women the
most of whom are making known their wants
more by their frowns and gestures than by
their bad Spanish. The legal currency here is
copper coin called a ofaceo. 81 of which con-
stitute Spanish dollar four Medic or thrip
and SO on. Some thought the sickness and
mortality while at this place has brought on
by eating fruit but it was not so. Our mex
perience ana ignorance of the climate was the
main cause. We had no tents and nothing to
eat but fresh beef and rations of raw flower,
which we had to cook in frying pan over a
slow fire. Besides the nights here are cold
and almost every day we were visited with
light shadows, and often unacconpanied with
the least appearance Of cloud. This continu.
| ed moisture ls occasIoned by deposits OF kthe
hot vapors from the ocean becoming condensed
in a colder atmosphere.
The measles broke out in our Regiment at
this place which believe proved fatal in eve
ry case. 1t was next to impossible for me to
ascertain how many died here. But as near
ss can guess / think about 40. Some were
afflicted with symptoms of scrofuls and not a
few died from the effects Of cold and exposure.
DR.. James B. Davis our Surgeon returned home
from this place. and his post was He'd by DR..
Clark of the Alabama volunteers. DR.. D., died
shortly after his return home to Columbia 8. G..
He was almost amiable gentleman and as hu-
name as be was good. Capt P. 8. Brooks with
several Others of OUT Regimental officers retur-
ned home on furlough. When the Regiment was
mustered in the U. g. service, the 9. C. Legs-
laturs with eommendsbls merit. appropriated
the sum Of $4,000 for the purchase of suitable