a
Ir t’
BY MOORE 8L THOMPSON.
mammsa
The " DEMOCRATIC BANNER" ,ll published
lukl . on Wednesday morninga, m 32 par unnum
~or {I 75 if paid In advance.
No Parr run he dismnlinued (unless n! the op
lwn o t e edimm until all nrreumges are paid.
”Advemmmenm. &c.. m the usual rams.
Scenes in Mammoms.
Promthe N: Y. spam onus ’l'i‘mcm—By or. omconn
the U. 8. Army. -
Mnnmnon. May 22. 1846.
Dear P.-—-In my last I predicted that
my next a!” be dated at Ma!amora:.-
So it is. a ough our camp is on me out
gkirts oi the my. 0n the 17m ‘he Gen
‘clnl had decided that we should move to
the point selected for crossing the river
and commence opgrntiona against the (11,-
\Vo alfuck our tents early that morning.
Our unusual stir and activity was men by
the enemy. and no doubt attributed to the
light cause. We were all anxiously wait
ing the order to move. when we were in
lonned u parly had-ounded, and that a
deputation lrom Gen. Ariata had crossed
to no Gen. Taylor. Geo. Ricardo wan
at the head ol it; Ariata proposed to enter
into an armistice. until they could hear.
lrom Mexico. not doubting tho.boundary
would now be sottled. Gen. 'l‘. said ‘ no,
that he had ofl‘eted them one. some time
aint'e; had evinced the most friendly teel
ing s that they would not agree to it when
hia army was tvealt, and now, that rein
torcements had arrived, he should dictate
hie own terms." Ricardo wished to know
it the General intended taking Matamor
as? He aaid ' yea.’ R. oflered to aur
render all the public property, ammuni
tion. &c. it he would not cross. The Gen
end aaid ‘ no. that he must have Matamo
ran it he had to hatter it down, and said
that now he wae.prepared to tlo it. He
told him to tell Gen. Ariata that these and
there only were his terms. That the city
meat capttulate. all public property, am
munition, provisions. &e. must be given
up, and that then the army might march
oat and retire.’ “’\L
The deputation then retired to get Gen.
Arista’s answer, which was to be commu
nicated at BP. M. in the meantime the
army marched and encamped three miles
ofl.at the point selected [or crowing.—
Gen. 'l‘. toltl Ricardo that Gen. Ampu
dia had written him.‘ that the war should
be conducted agreeably to the usage of
civilized nations. That in the hurt battle
the enemyhad stripped ottr dead and mu
tilated their bodies. R. replied " that the
women who followed the army and the
Rancheros did it.and that they could mil
control them." Our brave old General
replied. " I am coming over and I’ll con
trol them for you.” -
During the evening active preparations
Gore made tor crossing the troops. No
reply was given to the General’a proposi
tion. The country people commenced
creasing to us, and reported that the army
had deaetted the city and retired. 0n the
morning of the 18th confirmation was re
ceived at the reported flight oi Ariata and
his army. The scare was still working.
Early in the morning the drugoone, the
light companiea of the diti’erent battalions.
Ridgley’a (late the lamented Ringgold’s)
argllery. and the 6th intantry were cros
ae .
I regret to record that In crossing. Lieu
tenant Stevens ol the 2d drogoons was
drowned. He was a fine young officer.
much beloved by his regiment. and his
death threw a gloom over the camp. For
what singular destinies are we reserved,
and how certainly oml irresistibly one
has to advance and fulfil his fate! Ha wag
among those gallant fellows who stared
death in the lace. in the late brilliant
charge 01, Capt. May. at the battle 0! Rea
aea do is Palma. With bulls scatteringi
around him in every direction his life waa
spared. only to he delivered up in a few
days in the waters of the Bravo.
The General decided upon crossing the
rest of us at the upper l'erry of the city.
As'va approached the ferry we saw our
boys in possession ol the Fort. and rapid
? engaged in preparing to run up our flag.
eat as we reached the bank. Capt. Kerr
o! the 2d Dragoons, ran it up ; it lloated
gracefully in the breeze. and proudly wa
ved over Mexico. The men of the ad
vance. sent up three hearty che‘ers to wel
come the flag of their country! Perhaps.
Mr. " Spirit,” those cheers were some!—
Thsre wasa rope stretched across the riv
pr, and three boats manned by Mexicans,
wi‘fld, to transport us. We had the [eli
city at being lerried across by the enemy!
Aa‘we landed, the companies [armed and
united the arrival of the others. When
thewholeol’ the 3d Regt. was termed. it
moved all to the right to the tune of “Yan
kaa'Doodle!’ Did you ever hear it. Mr.
‘4. Spirit P”. I reckon you never did. in a
loreigng, land. just copq‘uered.‘ by good,i
honest, hard blowafimll‘ you did.you new-1
'- ee'he'ard such an honest cheer as arose;
from the gallant (chews (on the opposite
Mentalist) the drum and fifegave uathat
alr‘, which fills. at .att'times. an American’a
'h'rea’st with the primal patriotism ! All
one excitement. and every onevboilmg o
-1"! with “ amor patrize'.” It was a proud
day [or 3 the American Army. Citizens
‘ioaoynomher came down to see us. Ma
. nyflgllthejm. who. ten days sgo would have
entmnr throats. were now apparently ou'r
’ws‘ratest friends. shoolutu'r hands beartilr
and HRS? hastily. ‘ ': amigo!” '
Elémodatit fiafinfit
We here aaw some signs of the hurry
n which Arista had lell. As we landed
near the forl. [)oer of, destroyed ammu
nillon prelenled themselves and i: was
rumored. and has nine been confirmed,
that Iwo pieces of cannon were thrown in
to (he river. The army left during_t!|e
day and night of the 17th. molt precipit
atety, taking with them as it appears, 11
piece: of Artillery. and anything but a
large supply 0! ammunition. Our victosy
is more complete than we had claimed
credit for. The citizens any that Ariata
had not over 3,000 men with him. What
has become bf the remainder of the 7.000?
The bloody battles ollhe Bth and 9th,
and the “ Whirlpools of the Rio Bravo”
can tell the tale.
Our Brigade encamped wiihm hall a
mile olche cny. We had indulged the
hope of being quartered In it,but our wor
thv General saw fit to direct otherwise.—:-
Women. they say, are all curiosity, but il
they ever felt more lhan we had to no
that city. I say God help them. We had
encampell but a ahorfi time. before a party
of us _mde up, lo gratify the cnnsuming
panioh. Never had I been more dlanp
apoint’ed—neur'did dialnnce more lhnr
oughly “ lend enchantmenl tn the view.”
The Malamoros as seen from For! Brown
is no! the Malamoroo that we hold. A: it
may be inlerening to you. I will try to
give you some idea ol the city:
I first rode up lhe plaza. which is quite
a large oquare surrounded by chmn trees.
The houses surrounding the’ square are m
brick or stone. the lower parts used as
stores, or offices, and the second story as
dwellings. They have the appearance ol
delensive works. Streets diverge from the
plaza. and are again crossed by others.—
The Cathedral occupies alarge space of
one side ol the square, and is an unfinish
ed mass of masonry. Directly opposite
to the Cathedral is the Prison. Properly
situated. “ the poison and the antidote.”
There are a great many stores and (yuite
a large market house. which I am to d is
well supplied.
I went to visit the different hospitals.—
They are filled with the woundedand dy
ing. The stench that arose lrom them for
the want of police. was disgusting. ‘You
.could tell at a glance the wounded ol Pa
lo Alto or Le Reseca de la Palma. The
latter were mostly bullet woundsrwhere
as the amputated limbs told of the can
non’s learlol execution in the former.—
Beside one fellow. a beautiful girl of 17
was sealed keeping 08 the flies. She was
his wife. In another corner. a lamily
group. the mother and her children. Were
seated by their wounded lather. One
bright eyed little girl quite took my lancy.
and my heart bled to think that thus early
she should be introduced to so much
wre‘chedness. On one bed was a corpse;
on another was one dying. holding in his
hand the grape shot that had passed thro'
his breast. He showed it to us with a sad
countenance. I left the hospital shocked
with the horrors ol war. The army have
left their wounded comrades with very lit
tle attention to their wants.
I then rods all round the city. As you
lease the Plaza the houses become more,
detached. with yards around them; some
with flowers and other pretty shrubs to
ornament them. As a whole. it is certain
ly the meanest looking and lilthiest city I
have ever seen.
Col. Twiggs has had the especial charaei
of the city. as far as the discovers and the
collection of the public property is concer
ned. The General has declined interler-t
ing with the municipal authorities. The
worthy Colonel has a way of his own. in
throwing his mantle of protection andfind
eulaliveneas oser all. and Mr. l’relect has
often lelt the eflects of it. He has carried
on his examination with the greatest ener
gy and success. He has discovered sev
eral pieces of small ordnance. all kinds ol
munitions of war. in the greatest abund
ance. an immense number of muskets. the
greatest quantity of tobacco and cigars, a
large quantity of corn and lumber. A
great deal at the powder and different
kinds ol ammunition had been thrown in
to the wells. The Prelect testified no
great willingness to make discoveries or.
disclosures. but the Colonel was too much
for him. The quantity of munitions of
war collected here is immense; our seiz
ure cannot aroount in value to less than
3176.000. 1 put that down as the least.
The greatest quantity ol cigars. tobacco.
and cignrrattos were seized. The Gov
ernment enjoys the monopoly ol the sale
of tobacco; an immense revenue rs derived
from it. You may imagine how great it
is. when they sell the plain leaf at six
cenls per ounce. .
These munitions of war have been col
lecting here since Santa Anna’s invasion
of Texas. Large quantitiesot anchors
were discovered. intended to be used in
anchoring boats and bridges. upon which
to cross their armies. upon their advance
into Texas. They have brought them to
rather a bad market. This Northern ar
my must be completely broken up; I do
not think they can supply themselves
short of Vera Cruz or Mexico. There
will be no more fighting at fireeent. you
may rest assured. We have left such
marks upon them that they cannot soon
forget us. - .1.
[cannot but again repeat, that.wo all
[eel proud that. this has been the work of
CLEARFIELD, PA. J UN £126. [846.
the flrmy proper. We were all well a
ware o! the undeserved remarks that had
been made in reference to us by some por
tions of the press. and we only asked for
an opportunity, small as we were. to prove
to our country that she had a safe anchor
in our email'but gallant force. By far the
great majority of the officers were gradu
ates of the Military Academy ; all. did
; their duty and many distinguished them
aelvea by their skill and thorough knowl
edge of their proteesion—all arises from
their instruction received at that.beet of
military institutions. the West Point A
cademy. In the hour of our country’s
danger, she will always prove her useiut
near, and her graduates will show to their
country and the world, that. the money ox
pended in the education of so talented a
corps of olficers has not been thrown away.
Richly Will she be repaid for every cent
expended. Our Alma Mater may be
proud of her eonl; conSpicuouslyhave they
rhnwn themaelvee sommaa. upon l/te
field ofbattle. _Away hertaiter with oppo.
sition to an institution that reflect-s credit
Upon our country, and turns forth into the
world, yearly,-a class of young gentlemen
fitted [or anvetation in lite.
V l have paid a visit to the city, spite of
[a filth. In company with Lieul. _S. l
called upon Mr. B—e. an American
merchant; he was very polite. and oflered
to go with us and show us the (own. This
day being a church day. the Inunicipa‘
regulations make it a fine of $25 to open
your Itore; Mr. B—c told us lhat had
we not been in possession o! the town. his
doors would have been closed. We first
went to the City Prison. It is is building
of very thick walls, with :1 large interior
or: it, along which were the prison rooms.
The filth and stench about it was disgust
ing. There were very few prisoners.—
In the second story of one of the mega
zines ofarms, is the Hall of Justice. It
is a room occupying the whole depth of
the building. At the lower end is a rail
ing enclosing the seats for the Judges and
the jury; in the centre of the enclosure
was a largo table covered with red cloth,
with three arm-choirs for thejudges. and
one opposite for the clerk ; directly over
thejudges’ seat was, suspended in a frame.
the arms ofMexico ; on each side. along
the walls, were six seats, covered with rich
crimson velvet for the jury. We were
told that we wete in the "holy ol holies,”
and that if we httd entered in this“'munner,
thislegal sanctuary. two weeks ago death
would have been the least of our sufler-
tnge.
Some of our officers told us they had
seen a magnificent Spanillt saddle, valued
at $4OO. We took the liberty ol going to
see it and the gentlemnnly owner politely
asked us up into his parlor and gave us a
peep at it. The pummel and comic were
ol solid silver. It was richly worked
with silver in every part. The gentleman
had a very comfortable house. Three
large rooms running along in front ol the
house opened into each other. They were
neutly' furnished ; paintings and a piano
gave evidence of taste and refinement.—
Their areas and thick walls take my eye ;
they must make their houses deliciously
cool.
We then went to the unfinished Cathe
dral. a room of which has been fitted up
in which to perlorm their religious cere
monies. \Ve were fortunate in finding
the door-keeper, who kindly showed us
in. However. thereis no such thing as
relusing us anything—‘ might gives right.'
The futniture around the altar was very
neat. though not as costly as I had been
led to suppose. from reading the account
ol those at Mexico. No diamond and
pearl petticoats ol " Our Lady of Guada
luupe." The painting of the Virgin Ma
ry was very good; my admiration oi it
pleased our cicerone. as he said it was his
property.
I could tell you of many nieethings, but
my letter is spinning out monstrously long
[we wish it was twice as long] and if]
was not " Officer ol the Day," 1 think I
should have cut it short long since; but. as
l have to set up, here's {or a little more.
On the 19th Col, Garland was sent out
with the dragoons and the two companies
of Rangers. to follow up and observe the
course of the retreating army. He return
ed this evening. having been sixty miles
from here; about twenty-seven miles hence
he fell in with a party and attacked them
at 10 o’clock at night. Two of his men
(Rangers) were wounded. He killed two
of the enemy, wounded two. and took 20
men and two women prisoners, and cap
tured their baggage. He followed the en~
emy for sixty miles.- His force was small
and not intended for hostile operations.—
The enemy the first day appear to have
been in great confusion; but after that they
organized and conducted their march in
perfect order. They have 11 pieces of ar
tillery with them. How much it is to be
regretted that we were not strong enough to
have given immediate pnrsnit ; a thousand
cavalry would have been above price. Gen.
Arieta is still at their head, and they are on
their way to Monterey.
. This afternoon Gen. Taylor very prop
erly divided his captured cigars among his
command. and such a happy set of smok
ing dogs you never saw,‘ -and all at the ex
pense ofthe innemy! There was some
thing very comfortable and consoling (in
the thought. No men have better earned
s smoking indulgence, by smoking work.»
None of the volunteers have on yet join
ed the main army. Gen. Smith in zderly
expected with a large number of them from
Barite. of which place we hold possession.
Frorn all accounts " the ,cry in still they
come!" I fear, {or their gratification. the
fighting ie all over. If all teloe be true.
there will be enough here to overrun the
whole country. Ido not know the inten
ded movements of'tbo General : [ pro
eume he willl take all the towns upon the
i river, if he does not advance Into the interi.
or.
I new today something I have never seen
or heard of before ; it we: a horned spider!
l‘. was a regular spider. with ‘a kind of a'
shall, if! may no term it. upon its back—
broadeet farthest from the body, ofa bright
yellow color. with four home, two small
and near the body, and two larger at the
farthest extremtty. The home resembled
those upon the horned frog. Did you ev
er see a spider of that kind before? [" Not
as we know g" but we have seen a horn
ed frog.]
l‘lte army are all in excellent health and
spirits—ready to " no on me!”
Yours, truly. G“ de L".
P. S. ‘ Davy Brown.’ the gallént Ring
zold'u war-horse. has followed his mnsfer
Ho was shot to relieve him from his wine
ry.
GEN. SCOTT
We copy the following portion ofthe cone-pon
denco between the War Department and General
Scott. [I will be loan by 111 l mcnago that tho
Prewiont. of hi: own accord. without nolicitulion
from any one, conferred upon Gen. Scott the com
mand ofthe army on tho Rio Grande, and [born
inforcomont- of volunleorl about being roiled.—
Tho lottar of the General in really an gxlruordinnry
i production :
To the Senate of the United Slates
lcommunicate herewith a report from
the Secretary of War. transmitting the
correspondence called for by the resolu
tion of the Senate of the sth inst.. with
Gen. Edmund P. Gaines and Gen. \Vin
field Scott ol the army of the-U. States.
The report of the Secretary of War, and l
the accompanying correspondence with
General Gaines, contain all the interma
tion in my possession in relation to calls
for "volunteers or militia into the service
of the United States" “byan officer at
the army.” without legal “authority there
for,” and of the "measures which have
been adopted” "in relation to such officer
or troops so called into service."
In addition to the information contained
in the report ol the Secretary of War. and
the accompanying correspondence with
“Major General Scott of the United States
army, upon the subject at his taking the
command of the army of occupation on the
frontier of 'l‘exas”—l state. that on the
same day on which I approved and signed
the act of the 13th of May. 1846, entitled
"An not providing for the prosecution oi
the existing war between the United States
and the republic of Mexico." I communi
cated to Gen. Scott. through the Secrets
ry of War. and also in a personal inter
vtew With that officer. my drsire that he
should take command of the army on the
Rio Grande. and of the volunteer lorces.
which I informer! him, it was my intention
forthwith to call out to march to‘that fron~
tier, to be employed in the prosecution of
the war against Mexico. The tender at
the command to General Scott was volun
tary on my part, and was made without
any request or intimation on the subject
from him. It was made in consideration
of his rank as commander iii-chief of the
army. My communications with General
Scott assigning him the command Were
verbal. first through the Secretary of War.
and afterwards in person. No written‘
order was deemed to be necessary. Gen.
Scott assented to assume the command.
and on the following dayl had another
interview with him and the Secretary of
War. in relation to the number and appur
tionment among the several States. at the
volunteer forces to be called out for im
mediate serviCe; the forces which were to
be organized and held in readiness subject‘
toa luriher call should it be necessary.i
and other military preparations and move-‘
ments to be made with a view to the vig.
orous prosecution of the war. It was dis
tinctly settled and was well understood
by Gen. Scott that he wasto command the
army in the war against Mexico. and so
tcontinued to be settled and understood,
Without any other intention on my part.
Until the Secretary of War submitted'to
me the letter of Gen. Scott addressed to
him under date of the 21st of May. 1846.
a copy of which is herewrth communicated.
The character of that letter. made it Pm'
per in my judgment. to change my deter
mination in regard to the command 0! the
armytand the Secretar of War by "‘3'
direction. in his letter at the 96th of May.‘
1846. a copy of which is also herewrth
communicated. lor the reasons therein as
signed. informed General Scott that he
was relieved from the command of the_ar
my destined to prosecute the war against
Mexico. and that he would remain to the
discharge of his duties at Washington.—
‘ The command of the army on the frontier
' of Mexico has since been assigned to Gen.
‘ 'l‘uylo’r with his brevet rank of majorgm
t eral recently conferred upon him»,
’ ' JAMES K. EOLKL
Washington, June 8, 1846. '
NEW SERIES-~-VOL. 1. NO. 23---WIIOLE N 03021-
Head Quarters 6/ the Army}
WashingtonlMay 21. 1848.
Sm: l have rrceived no orders as yet
assigning me to the immediate command!
of lhe army abouuo be raised to couquet’
a peace with Mexico; but [have been told
to hold myselfiu medium; for lhat service.
From that moment I have occupied my
sell. incessantly. with tho vast proliminn-
ry arrangements Which can «mly‘be mule
advanlngmim‘y at Unis Ma: r. 'hruugh lhe
rrqwcliVC (Sh-Ir“ 0‘ lhe general atafl—lho
udjmunt general. quarter-muster general.
commissary general of subsistence. chief
of ordnance. and surgeon general. [have
been much occupied also in “redistribution
of the quotas of volunteers needed among
the several States; in apportioning the
hone tnthe foot; in tho study of the route
ol march and water conveyances for the
several bodies of troops to the he“ points
In the frontiers of Mexico ; in the study at
the northern interior, and the southern
routes of that republic; in looking to the
menm ol trnuspoflntion on the Rio Grnnfi‘e.
to and beyond that river; in determining
the depots of all sorts on this side. «Sac.
As these matters are respectively set
tled. orders and instructions have been. or
will be given to the chiels of the genml
stsfl at this place, and the routes of marclt'
and water conveyances. together with the
depns {or supplies 0! every description. are
finally to be communicated to the unknqwn
commanders of volunteers whose services
are to be accepted.
In the midst of these multitudinoun and
indispensable occupations [ have learned ‘
trom you that much impatience ts already
felt, perhaps in high quarters, that I have
not already put myself in route for the Rio
Grand; and now, with fourteen hours a
day at preliminary work remaining on my
hands for many days. I find myself com
pelled to stop that necessary work to guard
myself against. perhaps, utter condemna
tion in the quarters alluded to. lam too
old a soldier, and have hail too much ape
clal experience, not to lcei the infinite im
portance of securing myself against dan
ger (ill-will or pre-condemnation) in my
rear before ndyancing upon the public en-
cmy.
Not an advantageous step can be taken
in a torward march without the confidence
that all is well behind. If insecure in that
quarter. no general can put his whole
heart and mind into the work In be done
in front. lam, theretore. not a.|ittle alar
med. nay, crippled in my energies. by the
knowledge of the impatience in questlon.
and‘l beg to say I lear no other danger.
My intentions have been, alter making‘
all preliminary arrangements here. to pass
down the Ohio and Mississippi. to see. or
‘to assure mysell by firespondence. that
the volunteers, on who we are mostly to
rely in the prosecution ol the existing war.
are rapidly assembling lor the service; to
learn the probable time of their readinell
to advance upon Mexico; to ascertain it
their supplies of every kind are in place.
or are likely to be in place in sufiicient
time; to hasten one and the other; to har
monize the movements of volunteers. and
to modify their routes(ifnecessary) so that
all. or at least a sufficient number, shall
arrive at the indicated points in the Mex
ican trontier at the best periods. and as far
as practicable. about the same time. All
that l have but sketched l deem to be not
only uselul to success. but indispensable.
A; a soldier I make this assertion with
out'the fear of contradiction from any hon
est and candid soldier. '
Against the ad_caplandum condemna
tion of all other persons. whoever may be
designated for the high command in ques
tion. there can be no reliance (in his ab
sence) other than the active, candid, and
steady support of his government. "I
cannot have that sura basis to rest upon.
it will be infinitely better for the country
(not to speak of my personal security) that
some other commander of the new army
against Mexico should be selected. No
matter who he may be, he shall. at lea";
be judged and supported by me, in this of
fice and every where else, as I would de
sire. it personally in that command, to be
mysell judged amt supported. -
My explicit meaning is, that I do not
desire to place niyselfin the most perilous
of all positions—a lire upon my rear from
- Washington. fimd lhe/ire injronl/rom the
Mexicans. ’~
It was distinctly admitted. & laid down
as a basis. in the interviews I had the hon
or to hold wrth the President and‘yourselt
on the subject. that a special army of some
thirty thousand troops. regulars..&.twelve
months’ volunteers. would be necessary
tor the march against. and the. conquest of
a peace with Mexico. [adhere to that
opinion. “is loreseen. with tolerable cer
tainty. that, we shall not have in many
months. more than"seven thousand. (it
quite so many) regulars, applicable to that
servicé.. The remaining numbers are to
be made up in volunteer horse ’snd foot-
I suppose of these. taken together. about.
17.000 have been actually ycalled.tor.—
There is yet good time I think to malts the
addition suggested in one of the tables I
had the honor to submit .last night. '
' 'l‘he questiou lollowsz‘fiy what time can
an army of about 30.000. as above.‘-be
brought to act from the diflerent points a
greed upon in the interviews alluded to.
upon Mexicoi’: a: '- - ' .
More than half ofthe-7.000 regular-sire
main to'bs recruited. J 1' hope they may be
• .