Wiley Pope Hale letter, 1846 July

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Letter written by Wiley Pope Hale of the 2nd Tennessee Regiment, in camp near Someta, Mexico, to Harriet A. Hale, dated July 26, 1846.

The letter reads:

[page 1]

Camp

Near Someta Mexico

On the Rio Grande

July 26^th 1846

Dear Mother

I again avail myself of an oppertunity of performing the delightful duty of writing to you. I have now written six letters home and have as yet received one from Sal and one from Alleck Campbell. You can not immagine the pleasure afforded me at the reception of these silent though expressive messengers from home. We marched from Brassos St. Iago four days since and are now encamped upon the banks of the Rio Grande about half a mile below Someta which was formerly a Mexican Village of some importance, but it is now only a deserted "Ranche” having been attacked, plundered, and destroyed about ten years since by the Comanche Indians. I was very much disappointed at the general appearance of the Rio Grande. It is a very muddy stream about twice the width of the Hatchie River and is very swift. There are no trees upon its banks with the exception of hammocks of low undergrowth called in this country “Musquite Chapparral” which is so thick as scarcely to be penetrable by a man on horseback. [page 2] The land upon the banks of the river is extremely rich and I think will rival the coast of Louisiana in the cultivation of Sugar and Cotton whenever the direction of American enterprise shall tend to this country. The grass of the Prairies and the undergrowth generally have the singular characteristic of belonging to the thorny tribe of plants, so that it is extremely uncomfortable to walk without high boots. Innumerable insects & reptiles of every hue, size and appearance infest our camp. Rattlesnakes are more abundant here than any other place upon the globe. They seldom bite, however, without first being disturbed and not even then without giving warning to the offender with the rattles with which Providence has so kindly provided them. I regret here to say that while at drill last evening, Tom Spurrier was bitten by some very poisonous insect (supposed to be a spider or tarantula) and was during the whole of last night in a very critical situation. He appears to be much better this morning and Doct McKnight says he is entirely out of danger. We set up with him all night. Stillwell has been very ill for about three weeks but is now rapidly recovering. I have not been in the least unwell since I have been upon the Campagne. [page 3] I consider this country one of the healthiest in the world. Had we been encamped at any place near Jackson and had undergone this same amount of privation or hardships, we would undoubtedly have had much more sickness in our Camp.

Jo Freeman, Hiram, Max Theus, Dick Hays, Genl. Haskell, Alex Henderson, Pic, Aleck Greene and all others of the Avengers are in excellent health [missing words] spirits - We were invited last night [missing word] a "Fandango” at a Mexican “Ranc[he” (missing)] six miles from our camp. The la[dies (missing)] who attended were not as beautiful [as (missing)] our own, but dress with great taste. Re[d (missing] is their favorite color. We have to [(missing) conv]erse with them by means of an interpreter as they can not speak a word of our language.

I suppose that you have heard that all the troops who volunteered for six months only are to be disbanded and sent home but as the Tennesseans are for twelve months we will be retained untill the end of the war which I think will be about Christmas. The Mexicans are reported to be fortifying themselves at the city of Monterey towards which we will take [page 4] up our line of march in 3 or 4 days. I visited Balie Peyton a few days since at his encampment about two miles below us. He has been unwell and will leave for New Orleans in a few days. Tell Sal that “Legrand Jones is in fine health & spirits. Josh Richardson, Capt Murray, & Lieut Hawkins are all sick. No more at present - Farewell Dear Mother

Your affectionate son

Wiley

Ned Johnson is here with a stock of goods. he has been appointed Sutler (store keeper) for our Regiment. Ned, Pic, Dick Hays, & myself live in the same tent. Tell Sal to "tell me some more” as Lizzy says.  My love to all  your affectionate son Wiley

Identifier

sc.0024.001_002.001

Date

1846 July 26

Subjects

Hale, Wiley Pope, 1821-1847.

Recommended Citation

"Wiley Pope Hale letter, 1846 July" (2021). Letters. 2.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-mss-halewp1/2