Our Brigade encamped within half
a mile of the city. We had indulged!
the hope of being quartered in it, but
our worthy General saw fit to direct
otherwise. Women, they say, arc all
curiosity, but if they ever felt more
than we had to see that city, I say God
help them. We had encamped but a
short time, before a party of us rode
up, to gratify the coming passion.—
■Never have 1 been more disappointed
—never did distance more thoroughly
“lend enchantment to the view.” The
Matamoros as seen from Fort Brown is
I not the Matamoros that we hold. As
it may be interesting to you, I will try
to give you some idea of the city.
I first rode up to the Plaza, which is
quite a large square surrounded by
china trees. The houses surrounding
the square arc of brick or stone, the
lower parts used as stores, offices, and
ithe second story as dwellings. They’
{have the appearance of defensive
works. Streets diverge from the
Plaza, and arc again crossed by others.
The Cathedral occupies a large space
lof one side of the square, and is an un
finished mass of masonry. Directly
opposite to the Cathedral is the Prison.
Properly situated, “the poison and the
antidote.” There are a great many
stores and quite a large market house,
which I am told is well supplied.
I went to vist the different hospitals.
