Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/171

Rh town and to the church, and beheld the wonders, and looked at the old priest performing. After church is over, the market commences; to-day has been the largest market jet.

This afternoon Gov. Wynkoop and staff paid a visit to the town to see how things were going on. After which they returned to the castle. No news from either front or rear.

Monday, May 17, 1847.—This morning at 10 o'clock, we mounted guard for the first time since we were in the castle, and it seems curious to me; also the day seems long while on post, my post being at the flag-staff. While on guard, my old friend, Daniel M. Dull, of McVeytown, Pennsylvania, came to me with a letter from my friend, Samuel Horning, also of the same town; the letter he had just received from the post office; knowing that it belonged to me, he lifted it for me. This is actually the first letter I received since I've been in the United States army, and it was welcome you may depend; the news being also very good from home. All well. No further news to-day. No news from Gen. Worth.

Tuesday, May 18, 1847.—This morning after we were released from guard duty, a traveler arrived in the castle, stating that Gen. Scott was coming; so the artillerymen were ordered to stand by the cannons to fire a salute in honor of their old chief Col. Wynkoop and staff went out to meet him, but soon returned, saying it is a humbug.

This afternoon the Mexican prisoners who attempted to assassinate the artilleryman, swept the main plaza of the castle.

This has been the coldest day I have experienced since I have been in Mexico; the Orazaba and other surrounding hills are all covered with snow. The Mexicans are saying mucho frio hambre (very cold man.) No news from Gen. Worth.

Wednesday, May 19, 1847.—-This morning it commenced raining and snowing and continued all day. This evening it blew up very cold.

Thursday, May 20, 1847.—This morning at 10 o'clock the court-martial sat, and the trial of those Mexicans who attempted to assassinate the artilleryman, came up first, and