The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-02-25
INCIDENTS OF THE
MEXICAN CAMPAIGN,
Incidents Of the March to Jalapa,
AND BATTLE OF TIE cERRo GoRDo.

'"'"T"' WIFI view OF concentrating oil the
available forces of the army in the vicinity
of the Cerro Gordo. Our tents were taken
down and placed in the transportation wag-
ons together with our camp kettles. provisions.
&c. and nar rs well add that this was the
last time we ever saw them. 1t was stated hy
some thnt the wagons broke down, and by 9TH
that our tents were thrown out to make
room for officers baggage, which Is all 1
know about the matter.
From the village Of Virgara, the road de-
bouched to the left, and passes several streams
! in succession spanned by bridges of solid ma
| sonry. Beyond the water courses. the country
gradually asccnds aud the roaL passes over i.-
mense hills Of loose sand, ccYcrel with dense
| foliage. At distance Of seven miles from the
Gulf and several hundred feet above Vera
Cruz, we entered upon prairie Of varied and
beautiful landscapes. At IL o'clock we brought
up at a stock farm entirely deserted Oh the
premises was well, sunk through the lime
stone rock Of fabulous depth. Now its nprara-
tus destroyed. and its shaft partially filled
in with timber we were suffering for water
at the time which the dust and nsupportuble
heat of the sun greatly served to nggravate. In
the afternoon we with joy deserted settle
ment looming in the distance, where probably
we could find a stream or well Of water. A
native stood by the door Of hut dealing 1t
out to all that came. These people keep sup
plies of water in their houses in large barrels
or jars, that it may become cool and purified.
The (NopaO or common ickly pear with us.
an Insignificant plant, in this climate attnins
the size and beauty Of n lnrge tree. l have
seen several VIII cis would measure three feet
around their trunks. Tie natives call the
fruits Tocoras they not only eat the fruit, but
also the tender leaves of the young trees.
These plants now in full bearing, and four
crops sent forth annually. The fruit s de.
licious and nothing could possibly compare
with it in flavor. The country now changes
its aspect, and on this side. and that nre
sunken spots the dry beds of la and
ponds. The woods present forests Of palm and
our own Palmetto &; the former now in the sea
son Of bearing. and hanging to their lower
limbs are bunches of nuts. which if taken "ff
would reach bushel each.
After n most fatiguing march of Is miles. we
halted at n place called Santa Fe on the bnnks
Of the St. Johns river 1t was late in the eve
ming when the column closed up, and many
wagons hal broken down which occasionel de-
lay. A little while before came up. the ad
vanccd guard of Tennessee mounted men had
brush with some Guerrllas. who were in nm
bush at the bridge. The Tennesseans had two
men slightly wounded The Lancers got the
worst of it as usnnl, and we're glad Of the op-
portun,ty of leaving soon possible. In
4 ba mann ipe yra fiscoyaru1 tun 6uu,l boliaa
of our men. belonging to some Of the advanced
divisions of the army, who had been way-laid,
shot end robbed. We buried them. TINT is we
dug up some dry dirt and covered them par.
italy.
April lsth.-We are ordered to remain in
camp for the day, for what purpose should
not. This entire country is said to belong to
the estate Of Gen. Santa Anna. which il known
as the Mango dc C4avo. from fragrant Stub
berry. growing spontaneously in the vicinity.
1 thought it was species of Verbena. Du
ring the day some of the mounted men paid
visit to the Generals residence. They de-
scribed the building as being a very elegant af
falr with floors Of polished marble. They
brought with them OH their return n wooden
leg Of the General, rs memorial of their vi
sit. We enjoyed some rare sport in fishing
for catfish we could see them in numbers in
| the deep clear water, as they were not shy.
Those who could not raise the proper kind Of q
hook. substituted pin in its stead and all were
abundantly rewarded for their enterprise. Du.
ring the day some very important discover les
were made with regard to certain insects,
whether they were bugs. worms or mscrocopic
animalculG, could not determine. The first
intimation we had of their presence was a Woe
full pain in the heels and toes of our feet. Up
on further examination we found the greater part
the flesh gone, aud in its stead were deposited
scores of minute ovaries. After pressing them
out few times the wounds in my case soon
healed up. But how long they would have
continued their ravages, but for his timely
were worse tfIan any cancer. and would eat up
live man in half the time. Having Dispatch
ed hearty meal of such luxuries as chance so
opportunely offered we spread our blankets once
more in the shade Of the tropics for short sesta
In the mean time another entertainment was in
store for US, not on our bill of fare. The arri-
val of an express brought the intelligence of
Gen. SCOTS great victory at the Cerro Gordo;
mountain pass 80 miles from Vera Cruz.
April l9th.-Ws resumed our march with
lighter spirits and renewed vigor. We oross-
ed the river over beautiful bridge of solid
masonry. In proximity to this water course.
| are magnificent forests. which cover this
country with perpetual foliage. Anon, We
pass fertile valleys carpeted with luxuriant
Grcn,ino, and sprinklel with horses and hog
ned cattle almost wild ; and now emerging from
scenery. ever wild and beautiful We approach
country barren and sterile. from the total alb
sence OF moisture and long continued droughts.
Most conspicuous among the tinted shrubbery,
arc trees laden with fruit not unlike our COM
mon plum. We ate them as grateful luxury.
and found relief from the pangs Of protracted
thirst. In the afternoon the country began to
assume more fertile appearance, conveying