LETTERS FROM MEXICO



Published in The Planter, Rockport, Indiana
May 27,1848 From Mexico, Extract of a letter received by Mr. Edwin Morgan, of this town, from 2nd Lieut. John F. Britton, of Company E, 4th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, dated, San Marcos, Mexico, April 21, 1848.
"I will now proceed to inform you of something going on here. It has been about twenty days since our Regiment left Puebla and took up the line of march for this place, which is 35 miles from Pueblo, on a road leading from Puebla to Vera Cruz. Our company and four others are quartered at this Hacienda, named San Marcius, and the rest of our regiment, also two companies of Georgia Dragoons are quartered at Napoluran, a small village about two miles from the road, the whole commanded by Colonel Gorman.
We have heretofore had a rich time during our stay in Puebla, always some excitement. Sometimes we would be ordered out, for a scout for several days, and at others we would visit the ballroom where we would enjoy ourselves with the Old Castilian girls, and in short I never spent a winter more happily in my life.
There is talk here of a speedy cession of hostilities, and almost everybody thinks that we will have peace soon, and we get home this summer. I should be delighted if it should turn out so; but I think it is very uncertain; if you recollect the accounts in the history of Mexico, you will find that they are the hardest, and most difficult people to treat with on earth; however we should always hope for the best.
I am truly in hopes that by the time this reaches you, we may be on our way home, but for fear that is not the case. I shall expect you to answer it immediately.
Last night about midnight, a Mexican guide arrived here from a town eight leagues from here, he told Colonel Gorman that the Alcalda had sent him to inform the Colonel that there was a large body of robbers at the town and they were all asleep and could be surprised if he would come that night. Col. Gorman ordered out all the Dragoons and two hundred Infantry, and started immediately for the town under the guidance of the Mexican. As bad luck would have it, the rain was pouring down in torrents and the night as dark as pitch, so we all got lost and could not find the town until daylight, when the robbers had all gone before our arrival.
I have nothing more important to write to you; I shall expect you to write.
I remain, yours truly, John F. Britton
P.S. The following is a copy of the Muster Roll of Company E, all of whom are here, and in good health.
C. C. Graham, Captain; W. F. Allen, 1st Lieutenant; J. A. Graham, 2d Lieutenant; J. F. Britton, 2d Lieutenant; Sergeants: J. B. _ryant, 1st; M. B. Mason, 2d; C. W. Medcalf, 3d; R. B. Hall, 4th; Corporals: W. H. Bayles, 1 st; J. B. Hutchinson, 2d; J. Hayden, 3d; S. W. Postlewaite, 4th; Musicians: O. M. Calkin, Fifer; T. Wreck, Drummer; Privates J. Bence, R. Burns, T. Brady, V. Bolin, G. Beely, S. Beardsly, B. Bayliss, J. Bray, L. Cox, E. Cameron, S. Crawford, J. Cochran, A. Deamsy, M. Denson, T.Eulow, A. Fisher, J. F _k_n, W. Gear, J. _ay, A. Heady, J. Hoover, W. Heart, Z. Harrison, D. Jones, W. Jones, G. Jones, L. Jones, C. Jackson, S. Kelan, R.Long, D. M_h_nd, H. Maine, J. Merringer, J, M'Hew, 1. Miller, E. M'Harty, A. Medcalf, J. Nanny, W. Postlewaite, S. Pollock, 0. H. Runner, B. W. Roberts, T. Sumner, J. Sumner, L. B. Shively,F. S_aver, Ro Sharroid, W.Sidwell, R. Stilwell, J. Thorn, E. To_iaman, J.H. Vincel, H. Wade, A. Wood, G. Young.
Those whose names are not on the Muster Roll, have died or been discharged, except a few who deserted.
J. F. B.
The Planter, May 27,1848, Vol. I, No.9 (Ed. No attempt to correct spellings of above names.)

Note: Also refer to Col. Gorman's letter published June 17, 1848 Vol. 1, # 12 "From the Indiana Tribune" Puebla Mex, Feb 22, 1848 Re: Indiana 4th Reg.

Flag of the 4th Indiana Volunteers First on the walls of Huamantla
Editors Sentinel. I clip the following statement of Maj. McCoy and remarks of the editor from the "American Star," of the 5th of Feb., inst, published in the city of Mexico, it closed the controversy, favorable to the 4th Indianians having first placed their banner on the walls of Huamantha, where Santa Anna fought his last battle. That hero of worldwide fame will long remember Indiana, her artillery was the first that greeted his best at Buena Vista, and the last at Huamantha, his first and last battle in the late war, Indiana fired for him a defiant salutary and a triumphant valued victory.
Your obedient servant, D. Reynolds
The Planter, September 16, 1848 Volume I, No. 25

The Indiana and Pennsylvania Boys We copied a paragraph from the Star of yesterday, giving the First Pennsylvania the credit of getting a little ahead of the Fourth Indiana, in planting their flag upon the walls of Huamantha: It was cut from another paper, and should not have appeared as leaded. We paid no particular attention to the tenor of the paragraph, any farther than to admire the common double spirit of rivalry which it presented between the soldiers of two gallant regiments. Had we known it involved a mooted question, we should have withheld it. With these few remarks, we give in answer with pleasure to the following note of Maj. McCoy.

To the Editors of the American Star: I perceived in your paper of the 4th instant, a paragraph stating that at the battle of Huamantha, "an exciting and increasing struggle between the Indiana volunteers and the detachment of first Pennsylvania, from Perote, as to who should first reach the town and plant the American flag upon the walls, took place." It is further stated the "the Indiana boys were coming up in fine style, with a shout and a bound, and were near winning the honor, when Lieut. Denny, of Co. H. succeeded in first planting the flag of the lst Pennsylvania regiment on the walls." I was not on that day of the battle, attached to that portion of the Indiana regiment which went directly to the plaza; but there is simple evidence, aside from members of the Regiment, proving the Indiana flag was the first planted on the walls of Huamantha.
About to leave this city for Puebla, I deem it simply just to the Indiana to make this statement, without the slightest wish, however, to detract from the well earned reputation of Pennsylvania's gallant volunteers, who on other fields have had, and improved with all desired opportunity.
W. W. McCoy, Maj. 4th Ind. Vol. Mexico, Feb. 4th, 1848
The Planter, Sept. 16, 1848, Vol. 1, No. 25

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