Clay County, Kentucky: Robert Osburn Submitted to the KyGenWeb by: Robert Osborne 18 October, 2001 robert_i3568@msn.com *************************************************************************** The foregoing is my transcription of an original letter written by Robert Osburn found in his pension file #10139 at the National Archives,although it was submitted by his widow Caroline Melissa, as part of her widow’s pension. The aforementioned was written to his father Robert Osburn of Beaver Dam. Wayne Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania. The author was in Captain T. Garrard’s Company E of the 16th U.s Infantry Regiment during the Mexican War. I believe this company was raised principally in Clay County, Kentucky. Robert, himself, was a school teacher in Manchester before he enlisted ************************************************************************** Camp opposite Camargo July 18th 1847 Dear Father I embrace this opportunity of letting you know something about my adventures since my last communication. I remained in Manchester until the first of April when I determined to enlist in the army and go to the war. Having procured letters of recommendation from some four or five of the most prominent men in the county I proceeded to Newport, Kentucky, to the Headquarters of Col. Tibbatts, who was then raising a regiment to march immediately to the seat of war. Here I enlisted in the service of the United States as a common soldier on the 6th of April. I remained there and at Lawrenceburg L.A. until the first day of May when about 200 of us embarked onboard the steamboat "Star Spangled Banner" for New Orleans, where we arrived early on the morning of the 8th. We were immediately shipped onboard the Ship Remittance bound for the Brasos. We lay at Orleans about three days. We were one day and two nights in going out of the Balize being towed by the Tow boat "Star of Orleans". We cast anchor of Brasos on the 15th, landeded on the 16th, having traveled about 2,100 miles in less than two weeks. We had lots of seasick and home sick men on the Gulf. I saw none of the wonders of the Old Ocean but one shark and some flying fish and almost thousands of porpoises. These porpoises ought to be called sea hogs; I think for they resemble a hog as much as a fish possibly could resemble an animal. So far there was no sickness of any amount except seasickness. Brasos Island is, I think, the most disagreeable place that human beings ever inhabited. the water is brackish and unfit to drink. The Island in fact is nothing more than a mere sandbar; the sand was about knee deep. We lay in sand all night and marched next morning for the mouth of the Rio Grande -distance 10 miles. We marched on the beach and our feet were occasionally bathed by the surf, the sun was intensely hot, and many of the men came near giving out by the way. We however reached the mouth and embarked the same day for camp Palo Alto on the Rio Grande. Here we found about 2,000 troops encamped with General Leadwaladen of Philadelphia; some destined for Vera Cruz, some for General Taylor's division of the army. This camp ground is one of the most beautiful that could be found, being a grassy plain formerly covered with chaperral. We remained here four days, then embarked for Camargo. We arrived at Reynosa on the 25th of May, lay there two days then took up the line of march for Camargo, the water in the river too low to proceed farther by steamboat. We found the 2nd Regiment of Kentucky and the Indiana troop swarming in like bees all the way from Taylors Camp. I was in first rate health until the morning we left Reynosa when I was taken with the dysentery. I marched the first two days; the third I was obliged to take a passage in baggage waggon. I was very sick for about five weeks; I was then appointed Ward master of the Hospital. I was only two days in the Hospital until I took the measles. I walked through them in double quick time. I was able to be about all the time. I am now in good health and think I will be able to stand it first rate for the remainder of the war. We are now encamped near Camargo on River San Juan. We have been here six weeks. The weather is very hot and this place is considered very unhealthy. There is considerable sickness in the regiment and deaths are very commonplace occurences. Our Regiment has all left for Mier except for four companies and some sick that are left behind. I expect to remain here until about the first of September when all the Reg. will move towards Monterey. We have no news here of importance from the war that can be relied on, but which will have reached you long before this letter. The last report came in last night. The amount of it is that General Scott had had a fight with the Mexicans at a place about nine miles from the city called Rio Frio, killed 5,000 and drove through the city of Mexico and took possession. How true this is I cannot tell but it is generally believed. Active preparations are going on the line of Rio Grande troops Ordnance and amun "Part of sheet" are arriving at Camargo every day and things "p missing." Maybe lively and warlike appearance a considerable n 4 or 5 words. of brass cannon have been landed here with days My sheet is about written over but I cheat the postmaster a little this time at any rate You think it was a foolish freak in me to enlist as a soldier I will therefore occupy an extra half sheet in giving you some reasons for doing so I will tell you that you mus write immediately when you receive this Your most affectionate Son R.J. Osburn You no doubt will be surprised when you learn that I have enlisted and gone into what is generally considered an unhealthy country and more so that I did not write to you My reasons are these I always had a strong desire to see foreign countries I wished to know something about war as it actually is and learn something about a country that is or at least a portion of it is destined to create considerable excitement in our own and as to the health part I did not fear that so much as people in general I thought that a great deal of the sickness was occasioned by an intemperate use of the fruits of the country and indulging in allmanner of excesses I am still of the same opinion although northern men are apt to have some sickness before they are accustomed to the climate The air on the Rio Grande is as pure as any in the world The common way of curing beef is to hang it up in the sun until it is thoroughly dried without a particle of salt One thing however is wanting to make it healthy good clear water We are encamped on the very bank of the San Juan River yet we have our water drawn from the Rio Grande about five miles it being the only water that is fit for using and it is a great deal more filthy than the Mississippi When settled however it goes very well But it is not like your old Spring I would give a dollar freely and willingly for one good drink from that The reason that I did not write to you when I enlisted I knew it would be unwelcome news to you and the the day of trouble was postponed the better for you But be not troubled on my account I hope before another fourth of July to see the hills of Erie County and drink once more from the crystal fountains that flow from their sides The war I think will soon be over and then I shall a gain be free I know that mother would be much opposed to my coming but she must not be wearied on my account even if I die or am killed I shall die in my countrie’s cause and I hope to fill an honored grave Should I return which hope to I will return a wiser man and let me say I will go for war only at the last argument available Those who know nothing but the fair side of the picture may cry for war on every petty occasion but let them turn to the reality let them serve one campaign on barren burning and desolate sands and among the chaparral of Mexico and they will have enough of war But I have been digressing Another reason for my joining the army was to get the land I thought probably I would not have to serve more than a year I would return home get my land and that would make you and the family a home if I could induce you to remove to it I had always failed to send you the money you wanted to procure an article for the place you live and I wanted you to have a home I shall be entitled to 160 acres of land anywhere that the united States have land and if I get it in Wisconsin or some healthy part of the country I hope you or mother either will have no objections to move onto it meanwhile I will finish my profession as best as I can I hope these reasons will be satisfactory They are the true reasons for my enlisting I have finished my half s as I have not written to you RIGHT FLAP MISSING when I shall have an other op NOT IN PENSION FILE I wrote two letters from M no answer from consequently it Since I have heard a syllable from any body in part I got through with my school last winter very well and nothing happened of any importance that place after I wrote to you You may think that I have done something that was the cause of my enlisting but this is not the case I expect to go back and find friends in every place that I ever was acquainted in Tell James I would be glad to see him tell him to keep a good supply of fish hooks and lines on hand for I am determined to have a fishing spree when I come home and I am coming one of these days notwithstanding I am 3,000 miles or more from home steam wind and water will soon take that short distance Tell Mary and Margaret they must be good girls and look well to themselves Louise must continue to go to school and learn all she can I intended filling that sheet but will not time I write this in the Hospital with about a dozen sick lying before my eyes to take care of since I commenced I suppose I have had a hundred calls for help and water I can add no more You must write immediately Give my respects to all my old friends I have no time to particularize tell Ed to write Direct your letter to “Robert J. Osburn Co. E 16th Regiment U.S. Infantry R.3. Osburn I will add before closing if time admits ************************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons.Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.