DeLancey Floyd-Jones writes to his sister as the Army leaves Mexico for the United States. He describes the ratification of the treaty to end the war and the movement of the Army out of Mexico. He also writes about his future plans with the Army. The letter closes with personal and family matters.
[Page 1]
Camp two miles from Jalapa
July 6th 1848
Dear Sis
! I think this letter will astonish you.
It can hardly be, that you expected to find me so
near home, and with such a fair prospect of again
visiting the land of my birth, in so short a time
after the ratification of the treaty, the notice of which
must have reached you before this. I must
admit that I had no hopes, when I last wrote
of being so soon on my way to the United States.
At that time the treaty was under discussion
in the Mexican Senate, and with every probability of its success with that body, but it was
not expected that their action would be so
speedy as it was, and that it would be pushed
through with all possible despatch,--on
the contrary it was rather expected that its passage
would be delayed as much as possible in
order to keep us in the country and by
our presence give to the present government
as much stability as possible. Such however was
not the case. All haste was made and before
the last of May the treaty was signed by both
parties, and on the twelfth of June not an
American soldier remained in the Capital.
This is doing up business very quick and the
managers of affairs certainly deserve some credit.
Although our Commander in Chief was a volunteer,
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and a man from whom too much could
not have been expected, a person not remarkable
for great energy nor quickness at anything, particularly those of a military nature--still the army
has been withdrawn from Mexico with great rapidity
already fourteen thousand troops have been embarked
the greater portion of which must have reached
New Orleans, and by the fifteenth of this month
it is expected that not a single individual of
all that mass (which has been accumulating since
the taking of the City of Mexico) will be left in
the country.
We of the old Army although the first in the
field, are to be the last out, the Democratic
citizens who have done all the fighting are the first
to leave the scenes of their victories--and will
be the first to greet you. Their accounts of
the war will all be told long before we get back
, no doubt but there will be some marvelous ones
and resembling in their accuracy and truthfulness
that of some of their leaders, as for instance
Mr. Gideon J. Pillow's account of the Battle of
Churubusco, which you must have read or at
least heard of.
The Army in Mexico, commenced moving towards
the coast, about the middle of May and in
the following order, first the volunteers under
their respective commanders, then the new
lines, and lastly the "old line" or veterans.
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The movement was with the left, in front, consequently
our division was the last to leave the Aztec Capital
and has brought up the rear of the Army as far
as this place. We marched out of Mexico on
the 12th inst. The performances previous to leaving were
really fine. The troops were paraded in the Plaza
in front of the National Palace and as our
flag was lowered it was saluted by both nations
and our bands played, as theirs was hoisted. A
similar compliment was paid to it. The troops
then marched off without the sleightest interruption
on the part of the people who turned out "en
masse" to see us off, although early in the morning
every one seemed to be up to take a last look.
The ladies crowded the balconies and their solemn
countenances rather indicated regret than pleasure
at our leaving. There is no doubt that as a body
the Mexicans are delighted to get rid of us--but
there are some whom I know regreted[sic] it as
much as parting with their dearest friends. Could
you have seen me taking leave of some of my
Mexican friends, you would have been inclined
to think that they thought more of me than
some do in la Republica Americana. What do
you think of a whole family embracing and crying
as if I were parting from my own home. Strange
as it may seem, there was more than one scene
of this kind in which I participated and it required
all my nerve to keep from joining in, and
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giving vent to my feelings, in a similar manner.
I was not aware until we left, how much they
did think of us. I cant recollect how many times
they made me promise that I would write them
and I dont know how soon I shall break
those promises as I have quite as much to attend to
among my North American friends as I wish.
Our last accounts from the City of Mexico were that
Parades was marching towards it with an army
of five thousand and would doubtless be joined
by others before he reached the Capital, so that
our next accounts may be of his entering the
city and establishing himself in power.
!Poor, unfortunate country! It wants a guardian
and there is none that can protect her
better than the ones who are about leaving
its shores. We the Barbarians of the North, are
destined to become their protectors, and that too
before five years has rolled over their heads, as
soon as the fifteen millions are consumed, which
will not be long, then will follow revolution after
revolution, until they ask to be brought under the
protection of the Stars and Stripes. We have already
shown them our kind and gentle treatment that
we are their friends and our love of order has
taught them to admire our institutions. Nothing
remains but time for them to ask our protection.
The fourth has passed. How did you enjoy it?
Was it spent at Fire Island and in sailing about
that fine bay? or not, I thought of you all frequently
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and would have given almost any thing to have been
down on the South Side; with myself it was dull
enough, remaining in camp all day as "Official du Poire"
I did nothing more than occasionally visit the Jond[?]
and then run back in my memory to the pleasant
time I spent on the fourth of July two years since.
There was very little excitement with any of the
Army here. I scarcely saw a single individual
that even looked merry, I believe that one or
two of my company (B) got a little patriotic as
I found them with the guard the next morning
further than this I saw no jolification at all.
As for myself I did not taste even a glass
of wine! What do you think of that: is Mother's
advice necessary at all. I think not. You
perhaps dont know how abstentious I am, and what
a poor one [?] ! looks like I dont think Mr Curtis
would stand half a chance if I should make
my appearance among his congregation.
Say to this young ladies that if they are hunting
for a steady fine young man, they can be
easily accommodated by making their appearance
at Pass Christian this summer where the fourth
Infy. will be stationed.
I shall be near New Orleans but three or
four hours run from that city. It is at this
place (Pass Christian) that a large portion of the
Army is to be collected previous to being sent
to the different posts on the frontier and
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elsewhere. It is on Lake Pontchartrain and perfectly
healthy. The citizens of New Orleans go down there to
get rid of the yellow fever and consequently
make it quite a fashionable place. General Worth
says that we shall be there by the 20th of this month.
I regret that Uncle Watts will have left before
our arrival as I should have been glad to
see him as well as my cousins, who are going next
with him. You speak of seeing me before I reach
the grade of Captain. I hope you may or I fear
that you will not recognize me when you do. Although I have been quite fortunate in my promotion[?]
having beaten the whole of my class. Still I expect
it to be a number of years before I get the
title of Capt. It is not my intention of applying
for a leave of absence at present. I have no particular object in doing so, to be [word illegible] I should
be delighted to see the family and spend some
time with them, still at present I [word illegible]
will do so; leaves of absence are not so easily
obtained and if I get one now that is
ever so short, it will be creadited[sic] to me,
and I consequently would have to wait a
long time before I could obtain an other.
Under such circumstances I intend to wait
until I can get a leave of six months and
then possibly you might turn that party
you are saving up for me into a wedding.
How would you like that arrangement? You can
have every thing cut and dried before hand and
when I arrive the announcement will be made.
You say I shall marry an American lady. I will leave
it all to you, and then if I dont get a good wife
I can have some one to blame. You know my recommendations
as well as myself. You can consequently advertise a husband
and take sealed proposals, but I must see the proposals.
Has Miss Anna discovered her anonymous correspondent? It
certainly was very shabby in him to give me the credit of it.
She must keep a very accurate account of my movements or
she [words illegible] my direction better. Say to John Laurence
(if he is the author) that I am not able to fight his battles
and my country's too. He must not make as if my shoulders
to bear this burden; but as I am now in the matter I wish he
would be a little more confiding and give me a translation
of that little epistle.
My last letters from home were yours of the 8th of May and
Vels of the 30th, just after her return from the city. I received
them on my way down here. They met us I think at Perote.
Our next mail which is daily expected must bring me
something more. Cousin Sarah is now my deacon[?] and I thank
Miss A...a also; just remind them if you please
You doubtless have all your friends around you, and are
making Fort Leck[?] & Lindale[?] lively. Give my love to them
all. And with much love to the family, I remain your attached
brother DLJones
