Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/117

Rh poor unfortunate sick, delicate and much exhausted soldiers? Remember, these men are not your slaves on your plantation. Nay, they are your equals and your peers in all and every society in the whole United States of America. I at this moment hear determined threats and warnings from these unfortunate soldiers to Gen. Pillow to beware of his bad and tyrannic treatment towards them, and I even hear some of the Pennsylvania and Tennessee volunteers threatening to shoot Gen. Pillow the first opportunity offered.

We marched hard all this weary day, And camped at night by this little stream, Where all night long on our arms we lay, To watch and rest, to sleep and dream.

Monday, April 12, 1847.—This morning after breakfast, myself and a small party started ahead of our division for the purpose of taking our time, and marching along slowly until our regiment comes up; but we were soon overtaken by the advance-guard, headed by Brig.-Gen, Pillow, who rode up to us with his strong body-guard, and commanded us to go to the rear and join our regiment.

Lieut. Wm. H. Gray, of Co. F, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, who, at the time, happened to be with us, was asked by Gen. Pillow what regiment he belonged to. "To the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, sir," was the reply. "Go back immediately, join your regiment, and consider yourself under arrest." "Aye! Aye! sir," was the answer.

We went back a little piece, sat and lay on the soft grass under a big tree, cursing and swearing vengeance against Gen. Pillow. As soon as the regiment came up we fell into line, and marched on until we came to a few deserted huts, or ranches, as we call them. Here we halted and refreshed ourselves with a good fresh supply of water, which, I am glad to mention, is the best we had since we left the United States.

After a little rest we again started, and passed over a partly hilly and partly fine level country, with shade trees and mixed chaparrals on both sides of the National Road. After we had