The Abbeville Banner

Correspondence of the Picayune.
JALAPA, May 4th, 1847.

Orders and counter orders. This morning General Quitman's brigade of volunteers was to take up the line of march towards Puebla, and to-morrow Col. Campbell was to move; but as the time for which many of the volunteers enlisted has nearly transpired, and as General Scott has ascertained positively that but few of them will re-enlist, he has determined upon disbanding them here, and will send them all home. This will of course not only delay, but alter his whole plan of operations, and the impression with many is that he will go no further than Puebla with his present force. You in the United States may think that he has an overwhelming power with him, and that he is fully able to run at will over the country; but the truth is, that in the first place he did not have half men enough to advance upon the capital of Mexico, nor half transportation enough even for what he had.

The Volunteers going home are the Georgia, Alabama, and 1st and 2d Tennessee Regiments. No one can blame them for this movement. Not only is their time out, but they are out of clothing and out of the comforts which make even a camp life bearable. They have seen service, too, enough to satisfy any body of men not intending to make military life a business, and now are retiring to their homes to see their wives, children, families and friends, and tell long tales of what they have seen and what they have suffered.

Had General Scott a force sufficient to leave garrisons and keep up a regular communication with his rear, and then march directly upon Mexico with a fighting force even of 6 or 8,000 men, the war would be ended in one month's time, at least so far as this country would be able to make farther resistance of any moment; but such a force he has not at his command just now. He may still go on to the capital, even with what he has, for there are not Mexicans enough in arms to arrest him; yet whether such a course would be prudent, or whether such are his intentions or not, is more than any one can say who is not thoroughly into his secrets. Had our government laid out a few extra dollars and called but a few more men in the outset, this war would have been over by this time; but greatly to our cost the "penny wise and pound foolish" system of economy must prevail, and millions are added to the national debt as a consequence.

There is a rumor that Santa Anna with a large force intends attacking the next upward train, which will have a heavy amount in specie. It will be a costly experiment NO. 13. to him, for the wagons will be guarded sufficient to keep off every firelock in Mexico.
This letter goes by the diligencia, and I must tell you that it is considered any thing but a safe conveyance.

Yours, &c.
G. W. K.

General Patterson's brigade, which is to march in a day or two, has been reduced to two brigades instead of three, the 1st under Colonel Campbell of Tennessee, and the 2d under General Quitman. Col. Haskell's regiment of Tennesseans is to remain here as part of the garrison. The 2d and 4th Illinois Regiments under Cols. Forman and Baker, have been joined to General Quitman's brigade.

A surgeon dentist, named Kingsberry, was found this morning, most horribly cut to pieces, on the road to Cerro Gordo. His groans first attracted the attention of some volunteers who were passing, and they found him with little life and completely fly blown, although it is thought he may recover with proper attention. This is the commencement of the guerilla system. He had been attacked by three Mexicans, and robbed of $500. The appearance of the volunteers who brought him in did not indicate any great indulgence to such Mexicans as might fall in their power.

Col. Bolden will leave for the United States to-morrow and by him I will send a large package of letters.

Yours in haste,
G. W. K.