The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-25
ron THE INDEPENDENT PRESS
INCIDENTS OF THE
MEXICAN CAMPAIGN,
sr MEMBER OF THE pALMErro REGIMENT
March to Puebla

Of pine pole cabins, In the midst ofseveral cost
ly Gothic churches, another contrast between
wealth and extreme poverty. which we find is
nothing uncommon in this country. Laat night
Tho army sustained a oevere loss by the demise
of Q number of fine horses and mules occasion.
cd by too severe exercise and an abundant use
efcold water. From this place we travelled
more upon level. and over an undulating
country. The soil is fertile and productive.
but sparsely cultivated, and covered anon with
stately pines. The pensive moaning of the
wind through their verdant canopies. fell like
grateful accents upon my ears, while the log
cabins Of the natives and vegetable gardens
surrounding them. reminded me of my far dis.
tant home. And hero we passed large canal.
!Gda of JACKIE and Jennies laden with produce
for the Jalapa market This method Of trans.
portation is almost the only one in use in Mex.
leo. All manner of goods. boxes, hardware and
groceries are transported from the seacoast to
the interior on the backs of animals. The con-
ductor and sometimes owner Of the caravan is
styled an aerrero. They are said to be the
only strictly honest persons IN Mexico. The
pack saddles have a wide girth fastened to
them. which passes around the hinder parts of
ahe animals to prevent their loads from pitch.
ing forward. They are sometimes handsomely
embroidered with needle work. and having up.
on them the name Of some town or village
the aerrero's place of residence and often some
rhyming proverb Of the masters wandering
life.
We descended but very little from this point,
and were presented with view of the table
lands of Mexico which were spread out he fore
us like colored map. AS fur as ne vision
eould scan the distance. the plains presented
thirsty level. with scarcely an object to re-
!ieve the eye, save now and then n solitary
steeple The extensive plantations were en-
elesed with hedges of the agaue americana. They
had atleast this advantage about them. thnt
they were frse from the morotnous look Of
our common snake fences. The soil though
fertile had q most barren aspect from the long
continued drought. We observed the laborers
ofthe approaching rains now close at hand
Still many miles in the distance, the faint out
lines of the castle of San Carlos arose to view
and near its site the little town Of Perote, both
Of which pointed out our quarters for the night
At this sight the men began to prick up their
ears. As did the teams which set up onstant
nsighing at the prospect of food and rest. The
whole column now pressed forward at a rapid
rate. I knew that they would not hold out for
Perote was fully eight miles distant. in this
singular climate. objects that are at great
distance appear quite near. Two miles further
on. overlook the Brigade completely exhaus-
ted and broken down from their over exertion,
and still Perote appeared no nearer.
Early in the afternoon we brought up at the
filthy town of Perote, where we occupied the
still more filthy barracks of the Mexican sol.
diers. The castle lisa fortress of gre It strength
surrounded with bastioned entrenchments. II
has quarters for 1000 troops, with maga zines
and store houses all out Of danger during a
bombardment. 1t is supplied with the best
water ever drank, which is conveyed from
the snow mountains by means of subterra.
mean aqueduct This fortress is noted as hav.
ing been the place where the Santa Fe prison
ere we're 80 long incarcerated, and more re-
Gently the dismal abode of the imprisoner him
ssiE-thst is Gen. Santa Anna. In ls45 Gen
Rincon then in supreme power shut him up
here, to allow him time for meditation. of which
he had abundant need. Capt. Sam Walker one
Of the Texian prisoners was stationed here sub.
sequentiy with four companies of mounted
riaemens ssshe sc Cured the whole country for
miles around. The Guerrillas became as shy o.
him, A. they would be of the D-l and learn
cd that he lost no opportunity Of revenginp
himself upon them in retaliation for the crne
ha h.d rlp xI.:,
hSnds.
On the 9th of May, Gen Worth took quiet
possession Of Perote, and his division were ir
quarters hero when we arrived. We was IN
e1psstsdly rejoined at this place by Richard
Watson. and W. z Bailey. 40 l have previ
ously stated. they were blown out to sea. in ar
open boat. before the conquest Of Vera Cruz
Fortunately they were driven on shore, 60 mile,
&oath OF the above place, when they were i'm
,Eqediateiy seized upon as pr isoners of war;
Bot baving by some means, made their escap,
fsm Rerote. where they bad been confined
they suecesded in getting with Gen. Worth
division. where W found them on our arrival
Bailey who was also Of Watson's party, wa
for .laogstins retained o prispper, while q,
itnsssoef their hospitsl J.hsrs no sts.es tba
be swss kindly treated and we'll nursed H.
Joined the Regiment after the battle Of churu
bSseo. being rslessfa sgrsesbly 70. an ar,icl
Of tho AsmistiSe. he never recovered, and sfte
'Asasy uuonths'of. intense suaering, he died., W
3. Raily after fighting gallant. 10 the battle
s.sfft6s. valley ef MEXICO, died ss the villag
sgaf Aagsa; from ths Affects of Z vjrnient fever
~; H1fOte 10 snythiu9 else than IN attraetiS,