Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/178

172 this castle and the city of Jalapa. So guerillas, robadors, (robbers,) take warning from this out, for the renowned Capt. Samuel H. Walker, takes no prisoners.

This evening we had pollito (chicken) for supper.

Wednesday, May 26, 1847.—This morning, Gen. Winfield Scott and staff, left with Gen. David E. Twiggs' division for the city of Puebla. They take with them the whole wagon train; the pack mules are left here for the present; the heavy siege train accompanies this division. A party of us soldiers went out on the main road to see them off, and cheered Gen. Scott as he passed; and told him not to leave us here long to garrison, as we were all anxious to be with the main army, and in the grand picture of the battles to be fought in the Valley of Mexico. His answer was, "to be of good cheer, there will be enough of fighting for us all before the war is over." (Cheers.)

In the afternoon, Capt. Samuel H. Walker, the celebrated Texan Ranger, with his two companies of mounted riflemen, and Col. William S. Harney's dragoons, left the Castle Perote for the town of Perote, placed there as a garrison to keep an eye on the guerillas, robbers and blanket greasers—a class of people who watch in the day-time who they can kill, and what they can steal at night.

In the evening we were paid off, two and a-half month's pay. Each soldier received $17.50. Oh! what a big pile to fight these bloody Mexicans. However, having spent all our money before we left New Orleans, we all felt ourselves rich, and it was not long afterward some went on a regular spree, and finally lodged in the guard-house for disorderly conduct.

In the evening our mess had a cherry pudding for supper, which has been the first since we left the States.

Thursday, May 27, 1847.—This morning a train left Perote for Jalapa, and was escorted by Capt. Walker and his company. Mr. Kerns "our sutler" having sold out his stock to Daniel M. Dull, goes down with this train on his way home, having seen enough of Mexico.