I am almost tired out, have been on my feet in the
hot sun on the rough pavements for eight hours, get-
ting my command embarked, but cannot go to bed
until I close my sheet to you. On our arrival at two
o'clock today we found an order for the battalion to
proceed immediately to Corpus Christi, under my
command. We shall probably reach Texas in about
twelve days. Our companies are strengthened by
fifty recruits from the rendezvous here. I shall have
a very pretty command for a captain, and if there is
anything to be done, I think I shall have a chance.
New Orleans,
September 9, 1845.
We left Cincinnati on the twenty-ninth ultimo,
having been strengthened by fifty recruits from the
depot at Newport. We were exceedingly fortunate



TO MEXICO WITH SCOTT 15

in getting down the river (Ohio) without accident,
.the water being very low; reached Cairo Monday
afternoon the first, and were there employed until
three o'clock Tuesday morning in unloading and re-
loading a large down-river boat " Metamora " with
our baggage. Finally, after a most dreadful night of
heat, stench, and confusion, we were prepared to com-
mence our voyage. We parted with General Brooke
at this point. Poor old man ! he was sad enough.
We gave him three hearty cheers as his boat parted
from ours. He waved his cap in farewell, but seemed
unable to speak, and turned immediately into his state-
room.
- The Lower Mississippi retains very much the char-
acter of the Upper; the water is, however, muddy,
and the banks below Natchez leveed and thickly
sprinkled with plantations. As you approach New
Orleans they are continuous. We could see the tops
of the sugar cane waving in the breeze for many miles.
