Letter from Mexico

Jalapa, Mexico, December 3, 1847

My Dear Wife and Children:  Again I am placed in my tent, very tired but cheerful and happy as ever I was in my life, and I suppose that I need not say that I hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same state of health, as I do think you will be ready to acknowledge and believe that my very soul has always been wrapped up in the love of my family.

We have traveled six hard days' march towards the City of Mexico, and will have some ten or twelve more before we get there, as it is very laborious moving a large army.  The whole country through which we have passed is hilly, mountainous and rocky, but looks romantic, and in some places very pretty, as the trees are now covered with blossoms, but there is but little fruit.  There is little danger any place in the government.  There are a few guerrillas along the road, but dare not appear or show fight.  I saw one who had just been killed, and some of the boys say that they saw six or eight more.  I was out hunting and saw a few black fellows, but they run like devils, and I got no shot.  There was but two of us, A. Pauley and myself, but it appears as though one can chase a dozen.  There is still no immediate prospect of peace.

Joseph Chapman