Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/121

Rh While others were preparing their muskets and ammunition to be ready for action, to-night we went into the River of the Plains and washed the dust and dirt off us, after which we went quietly to sleep.

Friday, April 16, 1847.—This morning there is a gentle breeze which seems to waft across the hills from the blue Gulf of Mexico.

At 10 o'clock,, Gen. Scott ordered Glen. Twggs' division to take possession of a level hill opposite Cerro Gordo, and station his twenty four pounder and several howitzers on it.

To-day almost every soldier seems to be in good humor, and making great preparations for the approaching battle. Some are fixing their fire arms, others are writing letters, and probably their wills, others are thinking of nothing but walking through camp whistling, singing songs; and some can be seen playing a game of cards.

This afternoon Gen. William J. Worth and his division arrived in camp, and reported having a skirmish with some of the guerrillas who attacked his rear guard and also his beef party who went after some cattle off the road; none of our men were killed or wounded. This evening the provision and siege trains arrived from Vera Cruz, the teamsters report the road in a bad condition. It is rumored that the attack upon the heights of Cerro Gordo will soon be made. The ammunition, provisions and siege guns are all that kept us waiting here.

It seems the Mexicans have not discovered Gen. Twiggs' pioneers cutting the new road around the foot of the hill, at least we have heard no firing from that direction. To-night is a beautiful night; the stars are shining brightly over the heads of the United States Army encamped on the plain near Plan del Rio, Mexico.

Ten o'clock,, no news from Gen. Twiggs or his operations on the heights of Cerro Gordo, nor can we hear' anything, on account of all around here being thicket, with large forest trees.