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  Wiley Pope Hale letter, 1846 July

  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

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  Wiley Pope Hale letter, 1846 October

  Letter written by Wiley Pope Hale of the 2nd Tennessee Regiment, in camp near Camargo, Mexico, to Harriet A. Hale, dated October 3, 1846.

  The letter reads:

  [page 1]

  Camp near the city of Camargo Mexico

  Oct. 3rd 1846

  Dear Mother

  I wrote you a few days since informing you that we were still encamped at this place, and also that Genl. Taylor had taken Monterey without firing a gun. A few days since, however, an express arrived from Genl. Taylor which places an entire different face to the whole affair. One of the hardest fought battles which has ever fallen to the lot of American arms, has taken place at Monterey!! We have gained the city but have lost about 500 men! Genl Taylor arrived at Monterey with about 7500 troops including the 1^st Regt. of Tennessee Volunteers, on the 19^th Sept. Our Regt. had not been ordered up in time! On the 21^st Sept the attack upon the city commenced – it lasted three entire days and a part of the fourth. The 1^st Regt of Tennessee bore the brunt of the battle and suffered more than any other Regt of the army! It went into the fight with 350 men, and had 123 killed & wounded. Among this [page 2] number I regret to say, are some of my most intimate friends. Your friend Bob Foster who commanded a company of the 1^st Regt. has doubtless distinguished himself and escaped uninjured from the battle. An armistice has been signed by Genl. Taylor and Genl. Ampudia the Mexican General, by which hostilities are to stop for 60 days! Our Regt. (the 2^nd) is soon to move up to Monterey. We will have a chance yet! The hardest battle to be fought is yet to take place at Saltillo! We will certainly be there, then look out for a good report. Our boys are very bitter against Genl Taylor for not ordering us up to Monterey before the battle-

  There are now, at this city, about five thousand troops, and about seven thousand more at Monterey, making in all about 12000 to move against Saltillo.

  Since the battle of Monterey, Mexican marauders have become quite troublesome to our troops! Two of our men belonging to Capt. Cooks Company of Memphis went out a few days since hunting and were found in [page 3] the evening murdered in the most shocking manner, their throats being cut from ear to ear, and both shot through the heart! Col Haskell & myself went out the next day with about 60 men on horseback to find the murderers. We scoured the country for about 30 miles from this city, but could find no trace of the perpetrators of the deed who is supposed to belong the banditti of Genl. Canales lurking in the neighbourhood. We searched several Mexican houses on our route, frightening the inhabitants very much, but could find no trace of the robbers.

  I have made great progress in learning the Spanish language and can now speak tolerably well. I have a Mexican servant who I find very valuable in this country. He wants very much to go to the United States with me when I return.

  The health of the “Avengers” is rapidly improving. We have only lost 3 of that company by death: Stilwell, Goodrich & James.

  Jo. Freeman, Dick Hays, Hiram, Allix Henderson & Allex Greene are all well.

  Wm Dickenson also enjoys excellent health- in [page 4] short, we have not a sick man in the company. The East Tennessee companies still continue very unhealthy and die very fast. The weather still continues very warm but I think turning somewhat cooler.

  You can tell Mrs. Haskell that the Colonel enjoys excellent health. He is a most excellent officer and is very popular with the Regiment.

  I hope you will not go to New Orleans before I get back for reasons which I explained to you before. All my hopes are now centered in Jackson for the present. I shall do something when I return in the way of making a living.

  I am very economical and will be able to pay all my debts when I return. Tell Absalom to keep my horse fat. I want to keep him for a riding horse.

  All that I care for here is that we may yet into one hard battle before we return- & I think the chances are good for it! If we do I shall do something to be mentioned for in despatches or die- No more at present my love to all – farewell dear mother

  your son affectionately, Wiley

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  Wiley Pope Hale letter, 1846 September

  Incomplete and damaged letter written by Wiley Pope Hale of the 2nd Tennessee Regiment, at Camargo, Mexico, to Harriet Hale, on September 13, 1846. Hale assures his mother there is no truth to the rumors that he has been drinking and says the suggestion he has refused to give Hiram writing paper is only because the paper belongs to the government not him. Asks his mother not to follow through with her plan to move to New Orleans and wait for his return. Says he has had conversations with General Haskell and is planning to run for the Tennessee legislature when he gets back as well as studying law. Notes he is encamped in Camargo with 3,000 others, while General Taylor left for Monterey with 7,000 troops. Will probably remain to defend the city against attack from Mexican General Canales.

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  Wiley Pope Hale letter, 1846 September

  Letter written by Wiley Pope Hale of the 2nd Tennessee Regiment, Camp Tennessee opposite Burito, Mexico, to Harriet A. Hale, Jackson, Tennessee, dated September 1, 1846.

  The letter reads:

  [page1]

  Camp Tennessee Opposite Burito Mexico

  September 1st 1846

  Dear Mother,

  I wrote you a few days since, but as our “sick” men are just about being sent home, I seize this opportunity of writing. The curling smoke of the steamboat “Rough & Ready” is now seen ascending the “Rolling Rio Grande? For the purpose of conveying our Regiment to Camargo, as I am writing, so I will be compelled to write this note in haste. We send home about 125 men from this Regiment on account of sickness, 10 of whom belong to the “Avengers”. Jo Echols or some other of our boys can give you all the news from our Regiment and the Army generally.

  Last night a most horrible tradgedy was enacted in sight of our camp. There have been stationed just below us on the river several other Regiments of Volunteers, among whom is a Georgia Regiment which was ordered on board of a Steam Boat for Camargo. After two companies had got on the boat, a quarrel and finally a fight ensued among themselves. Another Regiment (from Indiana) was sent for to quell the riot. A regular engagement then took place [page 2] between the Georgia and Indiana Regiments which lasted about 15 minutes, during which Col. Baker commanding the Indiana Regiment was shot through the neck and some 8, or, 10 men killed dead or thrown overboard the boat. Among the dead, I hear with regret, is Lieut Ogilsby of Indiana who was one of the most promising young officers in the service. The Georgians are now under guard and will be sent to genl. Taylor’s head quarters for trial. The dead were buried this morning below our camp.

  I wrote to Sal a few days ago by mail which letter will probably reach you some weeks before this. In that letter I gave her an account of the death and burial of poor Stilwell. Since his death Maxcey Theus has been very sick and delirious all the time. Poor fellow! It was indeed distressing to hear him talk of his home and mother! We start him home this morning in care of careful attendants but I fear that he will never recover. All of the “Avengers” who remain now are in good health and are anxious to prosecute the Campaign against the Mexicans. I have never been unwell a minute since I left Jackson. Why dont you all write oftener? I have only received one letter from you since I arrived in this country [page 3] I fear that most of your letters never reach me on account of being missdirected. Hereafter direct your letters to me as follows:

  To Captain Wiley P. Hale

  Adjutant of the

  2^nd Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers

  Army of Invasion

  Mexico

  I enclose some wild flowers which I gathered on the “banks of the Rio Grande” which I want Sal to give to Miss Caroline Haskell. Tell her I know not the emblem, and as Flora does not mention them, she can give them emblems herself.

  I must now close, as the boat is coming and I must attend to getting my Regiment ready to embark. Give my love to Sister, Sal, Bob Lizzy, Ann Tone[?] and all the family.

  Farewell Dear Mother

  Your Affectionate Son

  Wiley