Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-03-04

MARI a DE GUADALUPE.

hesar a de la Palma, 1t is we'll known thar Gem
err Taylor occupied Matamoras, where he
.aited some weeks for re-inforcements before
be moved towards Csmargo and Monterey
The regiment to which was attached was the
hrst that reached the scene Of action under
.'Old Zsck's s" requisition upon the Governor of
Louisiana for volunteers. We arrived about a
week too late to participate in the glorious
actions of the eighth and ninth of May, having
sased IN two detachments, on those very days
from New Orleans, our whole regiment being
recruited and equipped in a single week,
We were encamped opposite to Matamoras,
on the site Of the present city of Brownsville,
until short time before Gen. Taylor was ready
TO begin his movement towards Monterey,
when we advanced some ten or twelve miles
further up the river on the Mexican side. 1t
Is not my purpose, in the present sketch, to
follow any of the military movements of the
campaign; but to relate touching story, which
came to my knowledge about this time, and
with the sequel Of which I was, to a certain
degree, mixed up. 1t was while encamped at
this place that may say saw my first mill
tary duty, and, in consequence Of my knowl-
edge Of the Spanish language. was frequently
In command of small scouting parties. While
on one of these expeditions, accompanying a
small train Of wagons returning to Matamoras
frst passed through q little place called
Buena Vista de Gusdaloupe, where we halted
tor water. / was little surprised at the dis
courtesy of a venerable looking old Mexican to
whom first addressed myself, and who seemed
to regard US with aversion rather than positive
hatred; as if it was the profession of arms that
was distasteful to him, rather than invaders of
his country. Perhaps / should not have re-
pined so, in distinguishing his sentiment, but
for my subsequent acquaintance with him.
Determined to make the old fellow csmmu-
nieative, resorted to diplomacy-for il was
not the policy of General Taylor to use any
UNNECESSARILY mo fha ipho \
stants, and our orders on that point were ex-
olicit Seeing that he wore a rosary with q
large silver cross pendant, removing my cap
took this reverently and carried it to my lips
In an instant the old mans eye Frightened
and he demanded Of me:
&" Esta Usted CkTistiaRo, Senoy?"
Literally bis question was Are you a Chris
tian ~ but it implied 90 are you a Catholic ?"
i answered the question directly in the afirma-
tive, and bearing my arm exhibited a cross
which had been punctured there when was a
midshipInan, which informed him was done
at the holy city of Jerusalem-a fact, by the
way. This established me in favor at once,
and procured all We needed During the halt
4 conversed freely with the old Mexican, who
/ found to be very intelligent, and so much
averse to war in the abstract that he would
have made an excellent member of the Peace
Society. Poor fellow. he had strong reasons
While we were conversing-there were one
or TWO females and several children near-one
Of the former, who particularly attracted nv
attention, was girl, whose age might be about
twenty, with a sweet, interesting countenance,
marked, however, by sorroHful expression.
Observing that / noticed her Senior Valdez
(such he informed me was his name) called her:
Maria ,"
She came forward without hesitation, a very
ae." Bring wine for the Senior; he is a Christian,
and has been pilgrim to the holy city of Js-
rusalem."
She retired, and soon returned with drink
ing vessel made of a gourd. filled with a cool
and delicate sangaree, TO which / did ample
justice. She was then permitted to see, and
oven to kiss the cross on my arm, which was
done with such simple and pure faith, that one
unholy thought could not have had birth even
in worse heart than mine. Indeed, felt
some conscientious twinges at the quasi deceit
which had ELECTED the devotion and confidence
Of these people.
But the teamsters were ready, and could
not linger for romantic dreamings. / bid the
old man friendly ad0is, and received a warm
Invitation to ''make his rancho and everything
In it my own whenever passed" An extraya-
CANT form of Spanish ceremony, which, in this
Instance, implied a sincere welcome as af-
forwards found.
- On my return the next morning determined
to halt for q few hours during the heat of the
= ",
having given directions to provide ample re-
Treatments for my men, he invited me into his
own dwelling. Again Maria was nv cup
bearer, and could but notice the dropping Of
the head aud the soft sigh which indicated a
settled grief When she had bone out, the old
man said:
You observe the sadness of my grand
daughter, perceive, senior. She is all that
cruel war has left me out Of a family of FIVE
sons and their offspring. Poor girl, her own
story is sad enough"
intimated thatif it were not an intrusion
upon family matters, 1 should be pleased to
hear it.
ts You appear to have a feeling heart, and
, will comply with your request senior. 1t may
illustrate the true nature of the profession yo1
have chosen. 1t is true that my misfortune is
from the internecine strife which has so much
afnlcted my own unfortunate country through
/, the selfish ambition Of base men; bat who shall
. say bow soon your own proud and powerful na-
Z tion may feel the same curse2 We are all bro
theirs In the sight of the great God, and war is
! q deadly sin -
~ He paused moment, and thsn proceeded I:
2 - said, senior, that had five sons Three
! OF them fell IN our own revolution. The other
two married and settled near me- While I
grieyed for those lost, I rejoiced in the es-
zyould bring peace and happiness. But, alas
civil strife grew up among our ambitious mill
1hry chieftains, and the people who should
shase been united were set to cutting each
sfother's throats. Another of my sons, following
i. the fortunes Of what he deemed the Liberal
-Psrty, fell, leaving an orphan boy His re-
. naming brother, who was q peaceful, kind
6earted man, took him under his charge when
abAyas about ten years old, and reared him
. sesrsfnlly. He had but one child himself, Ma
= "a, rhOm you see. She was at the time six
year. old. Henrique, that is my grandson,
] wss then likely to be the only male descendant
Of our family, and through the kind Offices of q
!, GOOD bishop We obtained q dispensation from
the holy father, so that he might marry his
:. cousin, which seemed desirable to my son.
The children thus grew up with feelings of the
fondest affection. We were all coutented and
hsppy; for if remembered my losses, also
4, thanked Cod for the blessings still left me.
"Alss that those who pretend to seek sta
Sation for the welfare Of the people should scat
ter 50 much misery, in their struggle for it,
over our beautiful country, carrying rspine
iosnd murder to our very homes. My sorrows
osre not ended, senior, but are q sad illustra-
AIo6of the beartless cruelty Of civil war. One
!, %, Fhen Henrique, who was about twenty
: yam old, and who was TO be married the next
I vonxf to his cousin. was coming in from labor