Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/120

114 tapped their heads with their right hand and saluted him. The General responded to the salute by raising-his old straw hat.

This evening Col. Wynkoop ordered a dress parade, and it was a dress parade. Some with straw hats, some with caps, and others with Mexican hats; some with one boot or shoe on, and others with no hats or boots or shoes; some had Mexican coats on, and some had hardly anything on except shirt and pants; in fact, it looked more like a fantastic parade than a military one. After this we went into the River of the Plains and took a good bath, and then laid down for the night.

Thursday, April 15, 1847.—This morning; the reveille aroused us from our good night's slumber, and about 10 o'clock Gen. Scott started out with his engineer corps to make a new reconnoisance, and found that an attack in front on the National Road batteries would cause the sacrifice of thousands of men, and in all probability defeat to our army. He disapproved of General Twiggs' plan of attack, and ordered a new road to be cut back of the hills of Cerro Gordo.

At noon we were detailed to accompany Gen. Pillow and his engineers to make a reconnoissance up to the left of Cerro Gordo hill or pass. We marched about three miles on the main road, when we took in through the chaparral, and marched about a mile more to the left. We went quietly and cautiously along, when we were ordered to halt and rest. We were then ordered to lie down, which we were very glad to do, being much fatigued and tired. During this time Gen. Pillow and his engineer corps were reconnoitering to find out the real position of the Mexican batteries. They went on until they were discovered by the Mexican pickets. The shrill trumpet sounded the alarm, and never was a set of men sooner on their feet than us. It put me in mind of the first night after we landed below Vera Cruz, when we were aroused by the firing of pickets. Gen. Pillow and his engineers soon returned, saying that he had found out all he wanted to know, and ordered us to march back to our camp. Much fatigued and parched with thirst, we arrived in camp about supper time, which was being prepared for us.