Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-12-19
"MJ trip to MeGicO."
A Visit to the City of PuebIa.
Continuedl

Near the new States Prison, is the ia
nous old church of "San Xavier" which
was used during the French invasion as
fort. [ Noticed in the front wall a
number of large holes Asking an In,
dian who stood close by, what caused
these dents, he answered me-"Es una
barbaridad de los Franceses," literally
cit is barbarityEof the French" mean
ing that the French had fired on it. ]
also visited the famous fortress of "San
Guadelupe' stationed on high mound
like hill to the east of the city. This
fortress was occupied by the French al
most two months, and from here they
bombarded the city, but after decisive
battle on the 9th of May, 1862, they
were routed by the Mexicans. The an
nlversary of the battle of "Clnco de May"
is here celebrated with great enthu-
siasm. The French soldiers were of two
classes, ALGERIAN Suaves and Turks, and
it seems did not very we'll understand
Mexican warfare AS [ was standing
on the ramparts of this famous old spot,
my guide an Indian, who had been a
cavalry trumpeter in General Negrete's
force, pointed out to me the place where
the most horrible butcheries were COM
mitted and the spot where he lost his
leg. He gave me quite a clear idea of
the charge. General Negrete, gathering
his force, rushed on to the French under
General Bazaine with cry of "Ad entro
muchachos, ad entro muchachos," (On
boys, on boys) After several fierce
charges the French gave way and evacu
ated the fort.
There is a great deal of romance about
Mexican cities. Along the streets move
strange men dressed in stranger costumes.
Here and there along the "camino" you
see "caballeros" on horseback in elegant
dress. In Mexican cities are stationed
soldiers and all places have large Gamer
las" This is on account of frequent
revolutions. Bands of ill-bred men will
make attacks on cities, not for national
cause, but for robbing. The hotel
stopped in at Puebla, is very old build
ing with a spacious 'Fpatio' and groin
arched corridor. In the corridor are
served meals of fried fruits, unknown to
Watertown people. At GA mesa" you
are surrounded by flowers of a topical
description. [ should be perfectly salts
fed if could make 'Ia Pueblo nv
home; a lovelier spot on this earth could
not be found, and the romantic life of
this paradise would content me. But to
morrow | will be obliged to start on my
journey to the south, stopping week or
SO at Orizaba. I must not forget the
historical pyramid of "ChoIula" about Is
miles west of the city. I rode out there
on horseback on November 18th. The
great pyramid or "teocalli'' is indeed a
wonderful remnant of an extinct civiliza-
ton. It's length is about 400 feet, its
perpendicular height 80 feet, apd its
base covers A acres; in shape it is trun-
Gated cone, the area of the truncated
summit being over an acre. When Cor
tez visited "Cholula'' the great city of
temples, he found it place of 10000
and in state of civilization-now it is
only one long struggling street with a
small plaza nicely laid out with flowers
of which the Indians areEvery fond.
After | leave Orizaba, [ expect to go
Tehuacan, and from there I will be
obliged to journey on horseback to Oaxa-
ca and Tuantepec, distance of nearly
SEQ miles. No doubt this will be very
interesting. | will continue with de-
acription Of "Trip to Orizaba."
Yours truly,
F. T. BERNHARD.