The Northern Galaxy

AMERICAN PRISONERS IN MEXICO.

From the Picayune of July 29.

We have been allowed to make use of a letter from Lieut. Barbour, of the first Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, who is now a prisoner in the City of Mexico. It will be recollected that he was taken prisoner when in command of the escort of a train cut to pieces by the Mexicans. After the publication of the paragraph in this paper which elicited the letter, intelligence was received of Lieut. Barbour's fate, and published, yet the letter is interesting for some of his details, and we give it, omitting paragraphs of a private nature.

The letter will awaken new alarm for the fate of the handful of brave men now prisoners in the City of Mexico. The perfidy of Santa Anna in the case of these prisoners is sufficient to justify every stigma which has ever been cast upon him. It is eminently cruel and contemptible, and far more shameless than most of his unworthy acts, for often the man endeavors to propitiate universal regards by traits of apparent magnanimity.

City of Mexico, June 29, 1847.

Dear Sir: I was surprised on receiving a number of the N. O. Picayune of the 5th inst. to find that nothing was known of me and my command since our capture on the 24th of February last. A correspondent of the Picayune supposes that we were murdered, and the Editor concurs with him in opinion. I had written repeatedly, and had confidently hoped that some of my letters had reached their destination; indeed, I was very certain that my friends in Monterey had received intelligence of us. I regret this the more, as it has doubtless caused my family and friends much unnecessary uneasiness.

On the 4th of this month 190 of our prisoners (among whom were Charles and John Swigert) left the Castle of Santiago in this city for Tampico, where we were told they were to be released, but it is with regret that we learn through the city papers here, that they were stopped at an Indian village 150 miles from this, by order of General Santa Anna, and that they were starving. Gen. Garay, who has them in charge writes to the Government here that he cannot obtain provisions, &c. I refer you to the paper El Republicano, which I send you.

We have suffered great hardships, particularly the men. They have been in a state of nakedness, famine and disease for the last five months, and many of them would have died had it not been for the foreigners here, through whom aid was given them. We have been on our parole since the 20th of April last, and this city is assigned to us as our cartel. The Government has paid us during part of this time four rials (50 cents) per diem, and they charged us the same to obtain it; so in fact we get nothing. But we have not been in want, for mercantile houses here are willing to supply us with whatever funds we want.

It is known officially to us that Majors Gaines and Borland, Capts. Clay, Heady and Danley, Lieuts. Churchill and Davidson, were agreed to be exchanged at the battle of Angostura, Capt. Smith, Quartermaster, Midshipman Rogers, of the Navy, and myself, were not provided for. But this Government, or rather Santa Anna, has no idea of releasing any of us. It is his wish to send us to Acapulco, on the Pacific. The most rigid and compulsory measures on the part of our Government will [alone] do us good. [There is evidently a word wanting in this sentence in the original, and we have ventured to supply it. It is but a conjecture]

As I send this by the British courier, thence by the packet via Havana to New Orleans, I cannot mention any news of local or military character, as it would compromise his neutrality

Respectfully your friend and serv't

WM. T. BARBOUR.