The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-13
AboAinar7s ~zhe Queen Qf Tat1e Waters"
LETTER WRITTEN BY 4
 MEXICAN WAR SOLDIER

Selma, May R.-(Special) )-The follow ing letter, written sixty years ago by a Mexican var soldier, while eneamped be- fore the City of Mexico, furnishes inter esting reading. The letter was written by
 R. Nance, an uncle of Mrs. Willie sherrer Robertson of this city, to his mother and is as follows:
 In Barracks San Augustin, 10
 Miles From City of Mexico, September ?, 1S47
 You no doubt have often looked for let l ter from Samp or myself l assure you that we would have written long since, ! and much oftener than or we have but 1 we have been so crcumstanced that we could get no conveyance, there being no 1 communication between the interior and l the sea coast. But the general has de- 1 vised ways for communicating with home l folks We'll when 1 last wrote, I think i l told you that my health was not good. Such was the case, but I am happy to be able to state that the blessing has re- l turned to me, and l can now eat as much 1 beef and bread as anyone else, on which we mostly subsist, bacon being out of the l question: We arrived at this place on the evening of the 18th ultmo., were placed | in quarters and were preparing to take comfortable nights rest, but we were disappointed. About 1 O clock an express arrived, ordering ours and the New York regiments to march in quick time some seven miles to relieve by acting the re- serve for General Pillows division, which was engaged in a hot fight with a thir- teen-gun fort and about 13000 men, Here we went, all in height of spirits, loud huzzas for the South Carolina regiment greeting US on every side. We had an awfully rought night of it, it being cold and rainy and dark, but on we trudged over rock and hill and ravine, wading branches and ponds and climbing slip pery steps, but on we went, our spirits warmth unabated, until about 8 o'clock in the morning we drove up to some ranches where we huddled up like hogs 10 warm ourselves. After awhile morning came. Colonel Buffers voice called us to arms, every man obeyng, such all ways being their conduct toward him, for all liked him.
 In about an hour afterwards the battle at the fort begun again hotter by far than on the previous day. Now, thought we, our time comes to show of what kind of metal we are made. It continued for about a half hour, when out pickets saw a large body of lancers approaching the position we occupied. But we were dis appointed, they didn't come. We were ready to receive them with "extended arms" for soon we heard the shout of victory to the Americans, the MexicaEs leaving their fort and breastworl<s and ''vamusing' in the most confused flight. We intercepted them in their course, killing great number, besides taking nearly 200 prisoners. This ended the mornings sport. we by this time being tired and hungry, having nothing in our haversacks but a few hard biscuits. We thought we would rest awhile, but no! On to the city is the cry. One we moved a muddy set We looked like a parcel of dFaymen.
 After going six or eight miles we again heard the boom of cannon, fierce and subtle, as well as the shrill crack of musketry. We near the field of conflict we see the dark clouds of smoke. More fierce the battle grows. Now there's q pause, then again a renewal of the fire, more fierce if possible than before. Our spies are out. An express arrives that our brigade Is to attack the enemy in the rear We got hot for the conflict and eager for the charge.
 After going one and half or two miles