Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1865-09-08
TLETrER FRoM TEXAS.
HID. QRs. 18th q. s. G. INFASTRY, 4
BROWNSVILLE, Texas,
IA uw,rst "A 4aaE

Hlf'ynt not De WnOiy unlnJereStlng 10 your
res ders, now that therebellion is over and the
armies disbanded, have therefore concluded
to give you something of the doings of the
largest army still in service--as well as a short
description of the country, the doings of our
cousins across the river and the etceteras
that may come up in my mind.
Landing at Brazos Santiago, the ''best har-
Dor South Of Galveston as / was informed,
and of which fact can testify, as / did not
see more than a dozen Of wrecks upon the
breakers when we landed, neither did we
lose more than half the corps in affecting a
landing Brazos Island is miserable sand
beach upon which is erected some three or
four sheds, two eondensers for the manufae-
ture of fresh water, some half dozen suffers
and the aforesaid wrecks.
Brownsville is distant from Brazos 40 miles
across the country, or 150 miles along the
coast and up tho Rio Grande. Small boats
ascend the river to this point, and Railroad
is in forward state of completion.
In our march across the country we had a
very severe trial, as the mud exceeded by far
anything ever saw in Virginia. The river
being on a "bender'' overAowed her banks
so thatwe had to march for miles in mud and
water to our hips. One noticeable feature
here is the stunted condition of the trees. In
fact there are few trees that are above 15or20
feet high, although perhaps from 10 to 20
inches in diameter. They grow in every con-
ceiyeable shape, except straight. was
amused at two of the "darks'' speculating
upon the reason of their being so low and
crooked, when Sam explained the matter sat
isfactorily by saying s'they grew in the dark
and couldn't see where in h they we're GO
ing to"
This is a very dry section of country which
accounts for its barrenness. Scarcely any
thing grows away from the river but "Prickly
Pears and coarse brambles known as ''Chap-
eral.' ssss.
'sWhat are we doing here?" is the all alb
sorbing question. l viii tell you, we are
planting gardens. Yes, sir, the 25th Army
Corps have turned the ''Sword into plough
shares and the bayonet into pruning hooks.
If things continue thus for a few months the
lower waters of the Rio Grande WILDE min.
iature Egypt, as measures are being taken to
iFrigate the soil, the climate being so mild
that crops, if properly irrigated, will grow all
the time. This is, however, sanitary meas
ure, as scuryey has for some time existed very
extensively in our corps. think it will have
a salutary effect in teaching the poor benight-
ed greasers how to garden--or give him an
idea of Yankee enterprise.
Brownsville is a town of from FIVE to seven
thousand inhabitants, mostly Mexicans, and
was, when we came here, very dirty, but as
details are daily made from the various regi-
ments in the neighborhood for police purpo-
ses it wears better appearance. 1t boasts
of but few good houses, mostly one story
buildings. The native Mexican is the LATEST
vIeator0 esrS4- e1----s--e --,s Lr--~a---
goes are their chief amusements. They may
be seen at all hours lettering around the sa
10 ons drinking and carousing. The Fandan-
goes might bear a passing notice as they are
now the peculiar institutions of this country.
When one is on the tapis all classes and con-
ditions are admitted upon equal footing, the
only expenses of the evening being for what
you eat and drink Thus you ask a senoretta
to dance, after which You adjourn to the sa-
loon and quaff a mint julip, brandy cocktail,
without wincing. Thus the evenings pass,
night after night, and week after week. 1t is
not unfrequently you see the gold laced gent
ry join in cotillion, Mexican break down,
quadrille, or schottische, with slouchy
wench Of greaser, who would be kicked out
of any northern kitchen on account of her
sloveliness. AS to costumes they are the
oddity of the season Tie men wear very
large hats (som6reros) three feet in diameter,
a swadling cloth, sandels and huge pair of
spurs, making altogether a brilliant appear
ance. The women wear a loose wrapper
thrown over their shoulders (very low with.
out gathering about the waist-taking the
habiliments of each, / think them a very cool
arrangement.
The weather has been warm, but owing
to the fact that there is constant breeze
from the east, question if we feel it any
more than you do in Pennsylvania.
There is much sickness here now, mostly
scurvey and bone fever.
Constant skirmishing is going on across
| the river between the Liberals and Imperials.
Gen. Mejia holds the city, while Cortina
prowls through the chaperell capturing all
! property in transit from Matamoras to Mon
terey. His headquarters seem to be in
Brownsville, as he or his lazy crew can be
seen prowling around the saloons at all hours
of day and night. They can be told from the
rest of. the greaser fraternity by wearing q
white handkerchief around their sombreros,
and two very suspicious looking revolvers
slung to their waists, and of that order who
are ready to cut the throat of friend or foe for
a picayune.
We are in favoring of enforcing the Monroe
doctrine, but unless the Government estab-
fishes protectorate or annexes them, their
condition will be worse. -
The Imperial rule in Matamoras is equal to
some OF our northern cities in guaranteeing
secnrity to life or property. Thus few days
since in company. with two other officers, /
was walking the streets of the "heroic city,
when some of the many exiled rebels seeing
our uniforms commenced following for "Jeff.
Davis" and making demonstrations of a
hostile nature. Ere things could become Sc
rious, the police, who are armed with sabers,
rushed to the scene and handled the chiyalry
4 y sF1y ~ 4 81