Wiley Pope Hale letter, 1846 July

Authors

Files

Description

Letter written by Wiley Pope Hale of the 2nd Tennessee Regiment, camped near Someta, Mexico, to Burwell C. Keatts, of Smith, Gorin and Co., New Orleans, Louisiana, dated July 27, 1846.

The letter reads:

[page 1] Camp near Someta Mexico

July 27^th 1846

Friend Keatts

After thanking you for your kindness in writing to me and enclosing a letter from Jackson, I will proceed to the fulfillment of my promise of writing to you frequently “from the seat of war.” Our Campagne so far has been so dull and uninteresting that I have deferred writing to you so long that I am now almost ashamed to do so at all. After leaving New Orleans we reached Brassos St. Iago after a disagreeable passage of three days across the Gulf. We remained at Brassos about 3 weeks and were finally marched to this place where we are at present encamped in company with the 1st Regt. of Tennesseans. We have a pleasant situation immediately upon the banks of the Rio Grande about half a mile below Someta which was once a Mexican village of some importance, but is now mainly a deserted “Ranche” having been attacked, plundered, and destroyed by the Comanche Indians about ten years since. [page 2] I was very much disappointed in the appearance of the Rio Grande. I find it a little swift muddy stream about twice the width of Hatchie River, but so crooked that you can scarcely tell which side you are upon in taking a walk of a half a mile! The soil upon the banks is extremely fertile and I think bids fair to rival the coast of Louisiana in the cultivation of Sugar and Cotton, whenever the current of American enterprise shall tend towards this direction. There are no trees upon the river with the exception of hammocks of low undergrowth called in this country “Musquite Chapparral” which is so thick as to be impenetrable to a man on horseback. The grass of the Praries and the undergrowth generally have the remarkable characteristic of all belonging to the thorny tribe of plants so that it is extremely uncomfortable to walk without high boots. Our camp is infested with inumerable insects and reptiles of every hue, size, and shape immaginable. I regret here to inform you that while at drill [page 3] yesterday evening Tom Spurrier was badly bitten by some very poisonous insect supposed to be either a spider or a tarantula. He was in a very critical situation during the whole of last night but appears to be much better this morning. Doct McKnight says that he now considers him out of danger. Stillwell has been very unwell for about 3 weeks but I am happy to state is now rapidly recovering. The rest of the “Avengers” are in fine health & spirits. Old Fleming is well and deserves great credit for his unremitting attention to the sick.

We know very little of the movements of the army or the Mexicans. It is reported that the Mexicans are now fortifying themselves at the city of Monterez towards which place we are to march in a few days. If there is to be any more fighting the “Avengers” will be “thar.”

The troops who volunteered only for six months have been disbanded and are to be sent home. The Louisianians are among this number. I visited [page 4] Balie Peyton at his encampment (about two miles below this) on yesterday. He has been very unwell and will return to your city in a few days. I must not conclude by requesting you to write often and forward me any newspapers which may be of the least interest. My respects to all friends and accept for yourself the best wishes of your friend truly

W. P. Hale

Hiram and all the boys send their respects

Identifier

sc.0024.001_009.001

Date

1846 July 27

Subjects

Hale, Wiley Pope, 1821-1847.

Recommended Citation

"Wiley Pope Hale letter, 1846 July" (2021). Letters. 9.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-mss-halewp1/9