Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/111

Rh At noon Gen. Quitman's expedition arrived in camp from Alvarado. The expedition was what was expected—a full success.

The Mexican soldiers, having previously heard of the surrender of Vera Cruz and the castle, abandoned the town of Alvarado before our troops arrived. They bring with them some four or five hundred high-spirited horses—something much needed at this time for our dismounted dragoons. They say that the country from Vera Cruz to Alvarado is very fertile, with luxuriant tropical vegetation, such as grain, oranges, figs, dates, bananas and cocoanuts.

This evening Mr. Beasly was buried in the Catholic cemetery close by our present quarters. His corpse was followed and accompanied by Brig. Gen. Pillow and his staff. While the funeral ceremony was going on in the cemetery a cart brought out of Vera Cruz two dead bodies (Mexicans), dug out from the ruins in the city. They were in a deplorable condition, turned all black, as coal itself

This evening is unusually hot and close, making everything very unpleasant for the soldiers, and particularly the weary and sick. But, thank God! the arrangements for our start on the march for the interior of Mexico are nearly completed, when we will leave this miserable and sickly section of country for a healthier climate.

Wednesday, April 7 1847-—This morning another member of Co. D, First Pennsylvania Volunteers, died. His name is George Gun. He died with the same disease as Mr. Beasly did. He was only sick two days.

At noon I again visited the city, probably for the last time, that is, for some time to come. I was pleased to see it look so lively; it begins to show a different appearance. What a wonderful change! When we first entered this city we could get nothing to drink or eat, and found nobody to talk to. Now the streets are lined with eatables and drinkables; they are thronged with Mexicans and Americans alike. Streets that were then filled up with fragments of stone and mortar are