[added: No [Number] 37]

As I have got behind hand in writing to you, I feel that I ought to write again without delay, especially as I am situated where it may be thought there is danger and since commencing this letter I have received two letters from you. Nos [Numbers] 28 and 29 — containing a little lock of "that boys" hair — your letters are received now with much more regularity than formerly and with much less delay than at first [added: Nos [Numbers] 26 and 27 recd [received] also since I arrived here.] But I have nothing new to write more than you will see in the papers in enformation [information] of the news in my last of the [added: unconditional] surrender of the City of Vera Cruz and Castle of San Juan [unclear: Deulloa ] . To-day [Today] we have had a pageant such as is seldom witnessed in modern days — The formal surrender of the city, castle, arms, public stores, and of the soldiers themselves as prisoners of war — (They were however released upon parol [parole]). [added: took place to-day [today]] [unclear: Worths & Sillow ]. Brigades were drawn up, on each side of an open plain in front of the city. The Mexicans marched out of the city into the plain. A white flag was placed in the centre [center] of the ground. At 10 O'clock the Mexicans marched out into the between our ranks [added: to the flag] at the head of the column came the women and children, and with them the Ranchero's bearing heavy bundles of household goods such as bedding &c [et cetera] — When I saw this — my greatest sympathy was excited for their unfortunate situation, and the deaths among them we had been forced to occasion — After the women came the column of Mexican Soldiers — They stacked their arms and lay down their flags and musical instruments and dispersed in every direction — They made a very poor show, compared with our army — with a few exceptions they are miserable looking creatures — and I believe are mostly gratified at the result termination of the battle, and probably of the war for my opinion is that this is the end of the war —

31st March I went into the city to-day [today] (as did a great many of our Regiment) and intended to mail this letter, but forgot to take it with me, and will therefore add something to it. [unclear: Jas. ] Gillespie and Bob Foster went with me, we visited the celebrated castle — and it is truly a very powerful fortification, and supplied with tremendous ordnance [ordinance] & ordnance [ordinance] stones — We also traversed the city — It does not equal my expectations in size or beauty or wealth — The churches are very grand and there are many of them — Two of which we entered and found them crowded with the sick & wounded of the Mexican army. It [added: (the city)] is inferior to Tampico and Monterey in my opinion. Bob Foster is not in good health, has had several chills — Sam Carter — [unclear: Jas. ] David , & Frank Gillespie are all well — Frank has amused me very much by an account of his voyage — he says the ship pitched so much in a storm the as [added: to] throw him out of his sleeping birth — he tied himself into it; by a slip knot in a greasy rope, and when the ship rolled again it was drawn close around his neck — coming very nigh hanging him — He tells me too, that after I left Tampico, he went into town there and got into a spree — and coming to a Mexican Soldier at a large door in the council house he drew his Mexican Sabre [Saber] (which by the bye he always carries with him when upon a frolic) and demanded admittance his noise attracted the notice of the Alcalde, who came out, and ordered the Soldier to admit him, he says he saw the Alcalde laugh — and when he entered he found himself in the Mexican prison with felous [fellows] of every character — He was badly plagued, but was not detained long.

I suppose you would be more entertained and interested with the war scenes of this place and of the present time. A great many letters are being written & you will see them in the paper. We have seen to-day [today] very much of the ruin produced by our bomb shells — [unclear: Jas ] Gillespie and myself looked thro' [through] the stores to find something for me to bring you home, but could not find any thing [anything] extra fine except a $20 fan, which price I thought would not suit our climate — Goods are enormously high priced

After the Mexicans retired we hoisted our flag upon the castle and forts of the town fired a National Salute and [unclear: Genl. [Generals] Worths ] Division marched into town — I marched in also with a few of my men being the only Tennesseeans [Tennesseans] who entered the town — very many of the houses are in ruins, and the dead bodies have not all been buried — But a thousand things may be said, affording much interest — which will come before the public in time — I say I think this is the end of the war — I do believe the Mexicans will never make another fight — Yet Gen [General] Scott , will move on towards the city of Mexico with very little delay to the interior — I think however that our Regimt [Regiment] will soon be discharged. I have no information which authorizes me to say so; but I think so, because we have been so cut up by leaving men at every stopping place in Texas , Matamoros , and Tampico . and are here with [added: out] [without] a single horse [added: at present] except my 26 — that we are (with the [unclear: dragoon annis ]) fitted for very little service — I am anxious now to get off — And will go for the discharge of the Regt. [Regiment] as far as I can consistently with my credit; tho [though] I will not apply in haste for leave to go home before those who have done more fighting — There is a very general wish to quit the service, among the men of our Regiment —

I will conclude my letter at this time short as it is, because I intend to write again in a few days if I am not discharged. Sam Carter is here — I met him a few evenings since as I [added: he] came off with a body of Sailors to take charge of the battery on our side of the town — and he promised to visit my camp, but the Naval officers are very strick [strict] and he could not get off —

My love to all,Your Affectionate husband.

Wm. [William] R Caswell

[added: I will go to see Sam Carter on board the Ohio to-morrow [tomorrow] if I can get a boat to take me off —}]

Russelville
Jefferson County
Tennessee
U.S. [United States] [added: It is understood this evening that we are to march to Jalapa , as soon as the horses of the Regimt. [Regiment] arrive — A Detachment of the Army under Gen. [General] Shields is to proceed in a day or two, (under Gen. Shields) to take possession, of that place — We cannot get our horses here and be ready to move sooner than 2 or 3 weeks. I ought not to calculate upon a discharge before the expiration of my term; but I still have some hopes. My love to Eliza & that boy. to you; Ma' [Mary] Ann & family Your affectionate
Husband][added: We went into a "Fonda" or Coffee house about dinner time and called for a cup of Coffee and a loaf of bread. The coffee was as strong as brandy — and being tired by our walk we enjoyed it very much. The room was elegantly furnished with several [added: white] marble tables and other corresponding furniture —We observed the paved floor torn up by a bomb shell which had entered the window — I asked the Mexican attendant if that shell had caused the death of any one [anyone] — With a sad countenance he held up two fingers —][added: I have worn out my clothes — bought others, and now having my [unclear: camp in the chaparral ], I have torn & almost ruined a pair of pants for which I gave $13.00 I will try & come home decent — but Sam Carter says I look like a barbarian.]