The Abbeville banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, August 18, 1847, Image 2
'' THE BAM-Eii.
ABBEVILLE C. II., S. C !
Wodtioxday, Aai^nsi IN, 8SI7. !
Hooks for Sak', Ac.
We would ciill iho attention of our merchants,
and persons wishing to purchase
hooks, to the advertisement of Hogan tfc
? '* Thompson, found in our advertising columns.
Rains.
"\Vc slill have an abundance of rain from
<l:iv to day, and this extraordinary summer
will be remembered in consequence
of the rain that has fallen, as the summer of
H-l~> was for its dryness. We are very
fearful that shoul1 it continue much longer,
the damage to crops in this District will
be very soriouFrom our exchanges wc
lcavn that the damage to crops in the lo\yer
country has been very great; in many pla- j
res large rice crops have been entirely destroyed,
mnl the streams every where un.
usually lull.
i'i'oss#
In this week's paper, we have given all |
the important news from the seat of war, j
which will still bo found unsatisfactory. ;
( !en. S< ott instead of having marched upon I
the city of Mexico, was ai Puebla on the i
MOth of .July, witii no day even fixed for ta- I
king up the line oi march, is'o reliance j
whatever can be placed upon the rumors
that reach us hero, and we have conic to :
the conclusion that tlic Mexicans are ?jrea- I
tor liar.- than ever the Cretans were.
TJiii 22;?*3 S?o:j<1 ?!ice mor?.
Wo arc informed by a friend who has !
(teen for a few days past in the village of j
(?reenvill'.?, that a large proportion of the j
stoc.lv holders in the comiem plated rail road :
in thai District, are in favor of the route !
from Greenville to Aiken ; and that with
the present feeling upon the subject, a little j
persuasion would induce all the stock hold- j
ers to prefer that route. Wc have from
the beginning been in favor of this route, i
. ? i '
ana trusi mat it will yet be atloptod. VVc !
believe a proposition of thia sort will bo i
readily acceeded to by this District, and j
that a larger amount of stock can he raised I
1 ry fixing upon it. What are the induce- '
incuts to carry the road to Columbia? We j
can see none ourselves, and by adopting !
the Aiken route, nothing would be lost in \
the way of travel and freight that could be
secured by chosing the other; the saving,
in the distance o! some 25 miles, and in the
cost of construction, are strong arguments,
we think, in favor of the Aiken route.
We were quite pleased with the views
set iortii in :i couple ol articles in the Moun- i
taineer of the Glli inst, advocating the Aiken
route, one ot which, we have made an
extract from, which is as follows :?
" It may now be assumed that the Road
from Aiken to Edgefield will be completed.
By joining that Road two miles below !
~ JSdgefield Court l iou.se, our Road will be j
shoitened twenty-live miles, which, estima
ting the cost of construction at $10,000 the j
mile, will be a saving of #250,000. It is
not believed that the cost of constructing a
Bridge over Broad River and the embankments
between the very high hills on each
side of the River, can possibly be less than
? $200-000- It mair VlO lt.?J
J .w ?j wxy WUIVIJ ^Hi\,UiaVUVi (.licit j
Anderson. Abbeville and Edgefield will subscribe
$250,000, which sums will amount
lo $700,000. Deduct from the subscription
of Laurens District and Columbia, &100,000,
and you have $000,000 which will be
saved. The crossing of Saluda River at j
some point above Wilson's Bridge, will cost j
very little more than constructing the Road
on dry land. The river never rises to a
very great height, and the numerous shoals
furnish such facilities for the construction of !
a Bridge. Once on a ridge on the West j
side of Saluda River, and there is no route I
which offers more advantages for the con- j
Slrnrtinn nf n Ifnoil ' - -I _ I
wi ivvuu. V'HC illcty UU C11UUU
the whole extent without crossing running
water.
; w il It seems to be considered that Newberry
v : iseqj&ledto the Road or a branch. By
the Charter this is compulsory.?
From MajOTSfcjMlenSs, by which place the
m main trunk mitet pass, it is only twenty-six
y v miles to Newber%&Court House, allow
? *#300,000 for a braiWlfcjo Newberry, and
v"We have still $300,000 lefo^f the sum of
^QOOfiOOf which would be sa^&g. To this
.% safely added $100,000 iriljjre, which
- will subscribed by the w'ealtmUection6
-of Edgefield^Ktnd Newberry throu??;which
Pass i an(i ^ere-^iH; still
be a saVijtig, building the Rqj^d in the
>; direction of Aiken and the branchtflo NewJerfy,
of $40,0,000. Will th^jttfed, when
' completed,*^ less profitably^think not,
.. - "Kfp;
I ' aft" C
but much tnore so. What inducement has
any one to go to Columbia? None, that j
know of, but those offered by the College,
the Courts, and the Legislature. The travellers
on the Rail Road, on all these accounts,
will not amount to 1,000 in the year,
The Aiken route passes not only through a
> wealthier and more productive section of
country, but the most so in the upper coun- try.
The branch to Newberry will command
all the freight which would find its
" * *rt - * ' ? I ) J IT a mmii tctml.* n?iocjn/l
way l\J nil' ivua\l 11 iUU IIKIUI UIIU jnicovu
through Newberry and Laurens, whilst the
main trunk will command the freights of
I Abbeville and Edgefield, not a pound of
which will be transported on the Koad if it j
i goes directly to Columbia. If the Road j
passes Cokesbury and Greenwood, no one !
can doubt that it will be extended to Abbe-?
i ville Court House, a distance of only fifteen !
| miles. In that event, we shall not only
have all the freight and travel of that im- :
' mensely rich and productive District, but i
I much of the commerce of the adjacent
i Counties of Georgia, which I do not h< mj
tate to say will amount to all the freight fiiri
nished by all the contiguous Districts on the.
; other route, all of which will ut the same
time be retained, and thus the business of
' the Road be doubled." ? i
-?9
FROM MEXICO.
Prom the N. O. Picayune, 7th ins I. \
Lalcv from Goiicvul Scott's Ariuy.
Thirly liuvs Later from Pucblu mid Mexico.
* *
General St all at Puebla l/ic 30/// of Jul//?
j Probability of an Immediate Advance?
! Evacuation of Puebla?Valencia's Arri i
| val at Mexico with Pour Thousand
Troops?.-1 general engagement expected?
Santa Anna and Congress Quarrelling? !
General Pierce's arrival at Pcrote? 1
llcportcd Action with the Guerrillas? 1
Death of Lieutenants Tipton and. Slur '
geon ?$-c. , !
The U. 8. steamer Fashion, Onj>!air! Ivy
arrived late last evening from Vera Cruz, j
bringing us dates fiom that city to 2nd inst.
Her news is most Important. She brings
a large mail.
(ieneral Scott was still at Puebla on the ;
30th of July. The news of the National
extra was totally unfounded, as we believed
rui a contended Horn tnc nrst.
The courier of the British legation arrived
at Vera Cruz on the 31st ult., with j
correspondence from Mexico to the 29th of
July, and from Puebla to the 110th.
Our letters from Vera Cruz differ some- i
what from Mr. Kendall's in regard to the
probable movements of General Scott.? I
They represent the chances of pjace in a
more favorable light than Mr. K., and think !
the resistance to our advance will be almost i
nominal. Mr. Kendall thinks differently
and gives Ins reasons. We can only find :
room this morning for his latest letters, !
which will be found below.
In Mexico every thing is at sixes and j
sevens. Congress has referred Mr. Bucha- j
nan's letter back to the Executive, and ;
thrown upon him all the responsibilities of i
the war. About 2G,000 men are collecting j
for the defence of the city, but the peace j
party in the town is yet strong and increas- j
ing, and they haye no faith in their gener- i
als.
General Pierce, with his train and convoy,
had arrived safely at Perote. General
Scott, it will be seen, despatched General
Smith's brigade from Puebla to meet him.
It will be seen that Mr. Kendall believes
General Scott would advance the first week
in August upon Mexico, and that there
would be the severest battle of the war.? I
The Mexicans are fully prepared to receive ;
him.
The Sun of Anahuac gives the following
account of an encounter between General
Pierces tiain and the guerrillas. It must
he regarded as a rumor, says our correspondent,
and so too says the JSun :
A respectable person of the city has informed
us that a letter has been received
yesterday morning from a citizen of this
place, from a guerrilla chief, stating thai the
gucrrillerosy about GOO in number, attacked
the train command by Gen. Pierce, near
the National Bridge. The letter says the
Americans approached under the fire of the
Mexicans until they arrived within a hundred
vards rf them, whnn thr> Amorip-m
Infantry opened a deadly fire on thein, forcing
them to retreat. While the Mexicans
were retreating the American cavalry rushed
on them, sword in hand, and killed about
one hundred Mexicans. The position of
the Mexicans was one of the strongest that
can be found in the country. The Americans
passed the bridge, after this successful
engagement.
A gentleman who conversed with Santa
Anna since the middle of July?we are told
this on the best authority in Vera Cruz?
found him in favor of negotiating, but dreading
to assume the responsibility. General
Valencia had arrived at the capital with
a r\r\r\ c n * ? *-*.* " ' 11
t,uuu men iroitr oan j-iuis roiosi?all lull
of fight. This embarrassed JSajita Anna.
He felt himself too strong to give up without
a figlit.
Our letters mention the death of Lieut.
Tipton, of tKo Rifles, and Lieut. Sturgeon,
of one of the Pennsylvania regiments.?
The former was the son of ex-Senator Tipton,
of Indiana?the latter of Senator Sturgeon,
of Pennsylvania.
general {Shield's health is nearlv re-esta
blish, as bis many friends will be delighted
to hear.
Two letters from Lieut. Whipple are published
in the papers. Ho is treated kindly
as a prisoner of war and expects shortly
to be exchanged.- -He was on his way to
Cordova jnt last pccojiots. The letters ar?
too long for us lo clay. Governor Solo has
him in charge, to whom Governor Wilson
has written, thanking him for his civilities.
The following in relation to tho evacuation
of Tabasco is from the Sun of Anahuac
of tho 27th ult.
The U. S. steamer Mississippi, Com.
Perry, arrived yesterday at Lizardo, bringing
with him the steamers Scorpion, Spitfire
and Ari.\en.
The forces have been withdrawn from
the city of lauasco, m consequence ol the
severe sickness which prevailed among j
them, till the sickly season shall have passed.
Everything was taken on board, and the
evacuation was effected without molestation
from the enemy, who was in considcra- \
bio force outside. The defences were all i
destroyed when the place was first occupied :
six weeks since.
(Join. Van Brunt, with the bomb brig ;
Kmnia, the steamer Scourge and the gun- ,
boat Honitn, were left at. Frontcra, a few j
miles liom the mouth of tho river, (it being j
a healthy location) to take charge of the j
custom-house there, and guard the passages
leading to the capital.
The health of the city of Vera Cruz is
improving, says the papers. We will give j
the official statement in our next, but the !
average daily mortality is about nine.? j
The Tomito i.s decreasing.
We have letters from the Aineticau ofli- j
cers prisoners in Mexico which we cannot j
find room lor this morning. The latest j
date is the 15th of July. The health of the i
party is good, but they sec no prospects ol j
release. They long lor the arrival of the ,
army. General Scott has made another ,
effort in their behalf, but we do not yet
know the result. " !
Gen. Aimonte has been sent to Tulancin
go. The nature of the charges against him
we have not yet been able to ascertain.?
More of him in our next.
Gen. Alvarez was in the capital the middle
of Julv and had severitl lon<r interviews
? I
with Santa Anna.
Mr. Kendall perseveres in sending couri- ,
ers to Vera Cruz, though he has had three
captured. One has been killed. He fought;
bravely for his life and was faithful to the J
last. By singular good fortune the letters
by this courier we have recovered. They j
are not of a late date, but it is rather singu- j
lar that they should have reached their des- !
tination against the wishes of Ike Mexicans,
when once in their possession. We have
not yet had time even to read thein. Mr.
lv. will continue to despatch messengers
to the coast.
Editorial Correspondence, of the Picayune.
Puijbla, Mexico, July 25, 1847.
Since despatching my last courier, three
days ago, I have not written you, for the
simple reason that I had nothing to say.?
Even rumors have not been as abundant as
they were a week since, the jade who cir- J
. U K i:c_ ? I?...1 i
UU lillUU lllUIIl Willi SU JI1U1U1U il 11UI1U UUUUI
first arrival having either tired herself down
or worn herself out. " Not ten clays since,
and we had twenty different stories in relation
to Santa Anna in as many different
hours?his stock, if I may be allowed to
use the term, was purely of a fany description,
rising and falling with every puff of
wind from the capital. Now, we simply
hear occasionally that he continues to lead
Congress and the people by the nose?in
short, that he is having everything his own
way. uiciator ne was. at last accounts, to
all intents and purposes, and his measures,
whatever they may have been, he was carrying
out with a high and most unscrupulous
hand. The law of one day, if it stood
the least in his way, was abolished the next,
and he who raised a word of opposition or
dissent was placed where his voice could
not be heard, let him shout at his loudest.?
Such was the state of affairs at the capital
four days ago?they may have altered since
then.
I have seen an order, issued from the city
ofMexico on the 19th inst. by Gen. Lombardini,
in which, after stating that it is now
time for the great Mexican nation to show
the world that her sons have not dejrencra
ted, the commander-in-chief goes on to decree
as follows: That on the Americans'
first appearand in sight of the capital a gun
shall be fired in the plaza; that instantly
all the bands shall strike up the alarm ;?
that all the military shall at once hurry to
^cir appropriate stations; that all the stores,
save those where provisions and charcoal
are sold, shall be immediately closed ; that
no carriage shall be allowed in the streets,
and that there shall be no assemblage of
persons in any part of the city. Such is
ine plan ol giving the first alarm, and of
the after government of the city. The idea
of showing to the world that her sons have
not degenerated is purely Mexican, but
what afc pity they should not have thought
of this before. It will take a good deal of
hard fighting and bloodshed to place them
where, they stoood previous to the battle of
Palo Alto.
In one of my last letters I noticed tjfce
death of Lieut Tipton of the Rifles?a ton
of Senator Tij&on, of Indiana. Since theti
a son of Senator Sturgeon, of Pennsylvania,
a Lieut, in oiie of the regiments from that
SlnlA hfiB dim)/ ?nr1 Via fnn T
-?J ..~v v. ij "W| "'uy * uaiagdVCCU
told was a young man of much pj^ise.?
I cannot learn are
now seriously indispos^ffand the health of
the army generally is improving. To be
sure there are 1500 or 2000 men still on
the sick list, but a larger portion of them
are convalescing.
Last evening, on the strength of a letter
said to have been received' from the Spanish
IVf inidter in Mexico, peace stock went up.
It was rumored that the contents of his communication
made peace inevitable?that '
the Congress and Santa Anna were disposed
to agree to anything in order to insure
it; now, while I am writing, intelligence
has come in from which it would appear
that there is 110 earthly chance far an amicable
adjustment of our difficulties. From
all accounts, it would appear that Santa Anna
and Congress arc at sword's points, and
that the former has all the advalagc over
the constituent wisdom of the great an magnanimous
Mexican nation. It may be rennllnpfnrl
flint en?nn tn?n mnnfl?o o i rw? P/vn
wuv-vivu iiiut gvmu mu iiivuiug OUIV.V/ WUIIgress
passed an act declared any one a traitor
who would even entertain the idea of a
peace with the North Americans. So far
so good. When Santa Anna received Mr.
Buchannan'slast propositions, a few weeks
since, he at once submitted them to Congress
for that body to act upon the matter
in the premises; but what did Congress do
but send the papers back with an answer
that the initiatory steps belonged exclsively
to the executive. At this Santa Anna became
enraged?said he did not send the papers
before Congress to ascertain what his
perogatives were?he knew their full ex
font xirnll Ki?f ? !.?;,! tlin mn llnr 1 *r*frvvn
body in order that the members might rescind
their former decree declaring any one
a traitor, &c., if they saw fit. That he
thought they would do this, and thus give
him all and every power, is highly probable
; but Congress took a stubborn lit, and
here the whole affair rests for the present.
I do not even see who will deign oiler an
answer to Mr. Uuchannan's propositions,
which seems to have been transferred into
a species o( foot-ball to be kicked backwards
and forwards by Santa Anna and the Congress?neither
party in the present distracted
state of the country, daring to lay hands
upon the unfortunate document. Bold and
unscrupulous as cvcu 1110 lyrani is in an
matters of shite policy, ho dare not take a
responsibility so heavy upon his shoulders
as to come out alone and advocate a peace.
The impression now is. that he has determined
to hazard the defence of the capital, and
this impression gains strength when it is
known that he has Congress 10 lay iheblainc
upon in case he suffers another defeat. Another
battle, in my humble opinion, will be
of immense advantage to the United States ;
lor if Gen. Scott moves upon the capital the
Mexicans will certainly be defeated, and if
he remains here, and there is no more fighting,
the enemy will contrive to come
out of the war conquerors. They will en'eavorto
make it appear that the Yankee,
tearlul ot risking a baltle at their principal
city sued for a peace, and in the eyes of the
worldjthey will be able to make out a tolerably
clear case.
Santa Anna has recently levied a contribution?a
forced loan it may be called
?upon the inhabitants, in which he calls
for $280,875 to carry on the war. The
churches and convents, as well as private
individuals, are assessed, anu it is, hinted
that the tyrant has left the names of some of
ins iew inenas on 01 the tax list. The foreigners,
who have been called upon without
stint, have made regular protest it is
said against the unjust taxation, but Santa
Anna does not stand upon trifles in his money
transactions.
From every indication, it would appear
that Gen. Scott intends an immediate movement
upon the city of Mexico?at least
within a week or ten days. Hard bread is
being baked for the march, the quartermasters
have been ordered to hold themselves
in readiness, and in every department all is
bustle and activity. It being found impossible
to receive clothing from the U. States,
hundreds of Mexicans are hard at work
putting our men in unitorm. Some of the
men even think that the army will move
before Gen. Pierce comer, up, but it is hardly
probale that Gen. Scott will march before
that officer gels within' two or three
day's march. At least 1500 of the sick
will be left behind, but a majority of them
would be in a situation to take up arms in
case the garrison was attacked.
Speaking of sickness, the South Carolina
regiment has suffered more than any other
in the service. This was not expected. It
was thoncrbt tViA Mnrlhpm ronrin-ipnto
would suffer most hero away in the tropics,
but the N; Yorkers and South Carolinians
have been", as it were, side by side, and the
former have had but a few cases on the sick
list comparatively. The South Carolinians
out of 900 strong when first mustered, now
turnout but 400. Of the other 500 some
14<J have died, 200 have been left sick in
the rear, and the rest are now in hospital
here. The health of the regiment is improving
however, and many are convalescing.
Yours, &c. o. w. k. "
Puebla, Mexico. June 10, 1847.
Great numbers of Mexican families continue
to leave Puebla, frightened at the
thousand and bntT reports that the city is to
be attacketjjr ^ One old fellow, who started
outthismorning in his coach, is probably now
sorry ha did not remain, for he was robbed
of &10,000 by the guerrillas, near Amosoque.
A party of the Americans started out
this afternoon in pursuit of the robbers, but
were unable to nnd them on account of a
heavy rain which set in. . ,
1 have seen a man this afternoon, a Mexican
who Aninva ?Ko oln/...!-- -c
?? ?MW oiiiguiai iopuiauuji ui
being honest, who says that he left the capital
two days since. He states that the Mexicans
are fortifying at Rio Frio, where they
had cut down an immense number of tree?,
and that the works at ?1 Penon are also
still going on. At Vienta de Cordova the
Mexicans also intend making a stand?many
think that siithie place the main battle I
Will bp fought, Almonte was a close priso-1
ner at Santiago?the old convent where the
' Texans were so long con fined?and the
j above Mexican brings a rumor that he had
! been tried and sentenced to be shot.
Yours, &,c., ?. w. k.
Puebla, Mexico, June 23, 1847.
Arrests continue, and the way they are
going on now every carcel will soon be full.
Duran, a judge of one of the courts here,
wu? itnuoiuu yuaiuiu.iy iui CUlllUIIiaClOUS
conduct and neglect of* duty. He will bo
kept in prison until he has apologised for
what ho has already done, and promises to
behave better in future. A noted captain
of guerrillas, named Vilas, has also been
1 captured, and is now safe under guard.?
! He was caught acting the spy. On tho
' roads the guerrillas harm their own people
; infinitely more than they do" ours, and the
better policy may be to let the scoundrels
entirely alone. I have previously stated
that some of the Mexican papers are loud
in their complaints against the system.
A foreigner arrived here last night with
dates from the capital up to the 20th inst.
He reports verbally that there are fewtroops
1 on the road, and that although the fortifications
are still going on they have taken up
but one bridge on the main route. Santa
Anna was expecting from some point on the
Pacific no less than 20,000 muskets?a
most illinoi'iailt thirnr if hi? nl?t:iinc
r - D -- ..w
Puebla, Mexico, June 27, 1847.
| A court of inquiry, called by General
Worth, has been in session for a day or two.
It seems that General Scott has in some
way expressed himself dissatisfied with the
capitulation entered into with the Poblanos
I by Gen. W. but aLso with some of the acts
of the latter while in command of the city.
General Worth promptly called for an ini
relitigation and I trust that all may be sat'
isfactorily settled.
j I must give you a rumor. It is said that
. Canalizo himself was in Puebla last night,
j iu disguise of course and that he went out
this morning in the direction of Amosoque
j and JNapalubo. It is farther said that ho
| sent a force of some considerable amount
j by a road North of this place, which he is
to overtake, and then, after joining Alvarez
' at some given point, is to attack the upward
j train at the first favorable place that offers.
This story is told with a plausibility and
! sincerity that would give it credit in any
j other country, but here one knows not what
to believe.
P. S.?Mr. Thornton, the gentleman attached
to the British legation at Mexico,
and who was here on Sunday, started back
.U -<*. Ti l- . ?
| uu tut; SMiui; aiiuniuuii. i neueve nc caiieu
on Gen. Scott, as well us iMr. Trist, but the
i result of either interview is a most profound
mystery to the mass of inquisitive Yankees
j now quartered in Puebla. I would wager
j a good dinner?a thing, by the way, you
! cannot get here?that bis visits have soineI
thing to do with peace, and that Santa Anna
j is privy to the whole matter. That they
will amount to anything, is entirely a different
matter. All accounts agree that tho
greatest discord exists at the capital, that a
'pronunciamcnto is daily expccted, and that
there is no unanimity in the councils of the
nation. Any one who reflects can well
hazard the conjecture that Santa Anna,
while holding out war to the more bellige
?
rent, may still be so working his cards as to
induce some nns in OJnnrrresa. r>r AlsAivlioro
... o "? "..V.V,
to open the question of peace, and then go
over himself if there is the least chance of
success. This is mere speculation, but it
would be like the "Hero ofTampico,'1 at
all events. By all this you must not understand
that I think the war is over.
Puebla, Mexico,-July 14.
This morning I was enabled, through
the. exertions of.a Spanish priest, tq obtain a
look at a file of Mexican papers up to the
11th inst. I hastily give you a synopsis of
such items as may be of the least moment,
promising that the papers contain little matter
of interest.
Jose Ramon Pacheco has been appointed
Minister of Foreign Relations, in place
of Senor Ibarra resigned. He entered upon
the duties of his office on the 8th inst., and
up to the 11th continued in office.
Under the head of ' Persecutions" El Monitor
Republicano, of the 8th inst., says
that an order had been issued for Gen. Almonte
to march forTulancingo within twenty,
four hours, and that all aid and assistance
had been refused him.
Dates from Mazatlan up to the 24th June
have been received. At that time the British
men of war Constance and Caryslort
were lying in the harbor, but no American'
vessel in sight: The writer savs that they
had all gone off to avoid the stormy but
would come back after the rainy season
was over. They were expected in several
merchant vessels from Europe, and appeared
confident they would be ablo to run in
and discharge their cargoes.
We have a rumor.rcceived through Mexican
channels, to. the effect that Congress
was to meet yesterday or to-day, a quorum
having been formed. If this be true, the
first business before that body will probably
be Mr. Buchannan's last propositions of
peace, and a most stormy session may be
anticipated. There is no mistake that the
friends of peace, especially among therich
property holders of the capital, are more in
favor of coming to ttfrms now as the danger
aDDroaches. - ^
"'IP. S.^Just as I was closing the letter
Capt. Kearney returned. He was not permitted
to go farther, than Rio Frio. At the
bridge of Tesmeiucsn he encountered a ^
body of the*eneiny, 'fled at-his* approach although
he had a white flag flying, Kearny
pursued, witfi the hope of overtaking the -