The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-03-18

and the discharge of all the old volunteers
scarcely numbered 1000 effective men, With
this mere handful of troops we commenced
our march to Puebla, distant 10 miles. Ig-
horant Of the country. and its language and sur
rounded with hostile enemies upon whom We
chiefly relied, for daily subsistence this was
In itself no small undertaking. Our route Iav
over vast plains parched with drought, and ,ra-
"e5seo oy endless chains of mountains, filled
With deep gorges and guarded by q vigilant
ios.- The army was divided into two columns,
ana zen. Quitnlnns Brigade constituted the
rear division. On the afternoon Of the Sth OF
May We commenced this unparalleled march.
For seven miles the road has gradual ascent,
presenting on either side those rural hedges, en-.
closing In the back ground extensive pa-turages
stndded anon with spots of live oak and flower
ing shrubbery. The eye is relieved Mt inter
Van with comfortably matched cottages, and
tnen the more airy villas of the wealthy, ap-
pear along the route where we invariably meet
with pools of water and rum ing streams, which
ater filling the reservoirs meander down the
valley slopes. The climate here certainly favors
longevity, and the largo number of aged per-
sons to be met with is conclusive evidence of
u 70 the base of the lofty mountains skirting
the northern boundaries of The Terra Templa.
dA; and here We encountered travelling par
~ OF native cabJelieros. They were seated in
the most antique vehicle in the world the
body of which rcsembed an enormous pump-
kin. 1t was suspended from four stakes hald
together by a-trio of lengthy axletrcs The
whole was drawn by five lean mules, harness.
ed like to Kamscatcan team. 1900 fee,
above Jalapa we noted a bnckw state OF
vegetation in keeping with the change ofal-
titude. AT JalaPa the corn was fully ripe, and
here it is scarcely four blades above the ground.
At p. M, we halted to water at the village OF
La Hoya which appeared as though it would
esrtai ainly turn q summerset down the noun
tsins.. !,
On the 2lst ultimo, great battle was fought
at this plaee between Capt. Sam Walker # the
Rangers And a thousand of the enemy who
wore most ingloriously defeated. On our re-
turn the following spring We saw only the
ruins OF La Hoya. At an elevation of many
hundred feet above the village which now ap-
psared at our feet, we were presented with
one of those rich mountain scenes defying all
eompetition. Our view extended over q vast
sxtent Of territory, embracing every variety of
scenery, from the hoary submits of the snow
capped mountains to the quiet villages sum-
bsring at their feet. In the distance is seen the
gorgeous palaces OF the rich, and the succeed
walls and spires Of the village churches peer
ing through groves Of verdaut green. The in
tense light and Transparency of the atmosphere
pointed out all these objects very distinctly.
scenery is worthy of the climate, and the eli
mate Is worthy Of both ; towards night we ap-
preached mountain defle called The Dark
Fass "a position remarkably strong by ma.
turo which had been fortified by the Mexican
General. but subsequently abandoned for Ger
q. Gordo. 1t was fanked by impervious heights
covered with volcanic scoria, from the erup-
tion OF El cofre De Perote a volcano now ex.
t.pct Passing this place we approached many
veil cultivated fields ; the country appeared to
bs more. thickly inhabited. The houees are
built of pine poles and rooted with split boards
similar to our own log cabins, Mt home which
the, men hailed as favorable omens 1t was
quite dark when the column closed up Mt the
village LAS Vigas or (place of Logs,) situated
In the mountain side contiguous to cold
stream pt water. As soon.as We had cooled
ouEtblood with draughts oficy water the at
nasphere seemed suddenly transformed into
northcrn winter. This state Of things sugges-
ted the prapfisty of good fre, VIII ich was soon
fafhfsfied f'thei con,bustibe materials Of
the villsgs dorpieils. While We were making
0ufSkHes comfosfsble around itscheerful blaze
and having in ous> minds-eye pot of hot cof
fec, AeR 2ltmap came down $ sword in hand
10 putAs stop. to our depredatons he finally
demanded to know where Col. Butler was and
Why he allowed such wanton destruction Of
private property. Now all this was
DOPE chiefly, f"I,eqsct,; we knew that Gen.
Asuanaan cared no more about the boards than
~e did eursslvss. >. After. Gen. Quitman left,
Qol. Butler presented himself and With folded
Arms and a brow fraught with meaning he
AssllHa surseyed'the scene for several moments.
h did not speak, but silently and thoughtful
MNf4arKteIh his tspt Tinereap peyer eff.
asssfFpms sopr mePorie les this passing incident so
IxeAutiallye illustrstivs Sf the ch erished mem
ney Of one now no more. The men Justly, in.
tsrpfsted the silence Of Col. Butler into a sym,
-psthatic aquisscepee in their conduct, and the
means theyahsf p s99spse Of T. YARN their fro
Fan li9hh li9hhssgy .he ai'ssPpse q r miles VIC had
Us Cd sSHs dsvS tSs sEa'phs re- had sSit been s
.gsttipg colder which rendered our limbs stil
.a6Aai iipiet 4Jghsprs Sas ols ef opr patty pho
4aaAalper0 boys sbst.shis wa the spirit and
eS8shsoE S1nah, u srdent with patriotism and
,sbqezsa ZIP Eitb tbsPbrillisnt frs Of hope, !. Hs
Ma shhaod I. hone 4 ths, altfaarrsil99sn,s altfaarrs ,oi
sSWeelkh sua tie embraoe Of sffsctions e. par ents