Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/514

458 occupied the Convent of Guadaloupe, with one company of his regiment; a number of sick, convalescent; and two mountain howitzers, under Lieutenant Edwards, of the 2nd artillery.

The fire of the enemy 0n the night of the 13th of September, was briskly returned by Lieutenant Colonel Black, who remained with his command, including the inmates of the hospital able to carry muskets, on the roofs of San José and the adjacent buildings, till the morning of the 14th. At night the firing recommenced with more spirit and warmth, and was continued day after day, and night after night, until the garrison were almost worn out with watching and exposure. The number of the assailants was augmented daily, and their fire grew more intense. On the 22nd instant, Santa Anna arrived with the troops who had followed him from Mexico; and the domes and towers of the cathedral, its dark gray walls of porphyry, and the spires and roofs of the humbler church edifices in the city, were vocal with the merry peals rung forth to welcome his approach. A prompt discharge of shells and round-shot from Fort Loretto, which had several times silenced unusual disturbances in the city, or checked the enemy’s fire when it became too hot, soon put an end to the ringing of the bells.

The enemy, with their numerous cavalry, had succeeded, at the commencement of the siege, in cutting off all kinds of supplies; but they vainly attempted to change the current of the stream of water on which the Americans depended. Fortunately, the latter had secured four hundred sheep and thirty head of cattle, the very night before the flocks and herds disappeared from the vicinity. Still, it seemed as if that feeble garrison must fall an easy prey to the numerous army that