Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/189

Rh Thus they passed in misery, days, weeks and months with scarcely a ray of hope.

Capt. Walker also informed us that the only mitigation of their suffering being in the removal of their heavy chains at night, which they had effected in various ways, but principally by bribing the blacksmith to put in leaden rivets blackened with charcoal, so that the prisoners could remove them at their pleasure. Their food during their imprisonment was scant and poor, and this, together with hard work, loss of rest, exposure, anxiety of mind and improper treatment, carried some to the hospital, and some to the grave, without a coffin. But this is nothing, as all our soldiers, including officers, that have been killed or have died in the hospital, have been buried in the same manner.

During all this confinement and misery, they at last adopted some plan to make their escape from the Castle, by cutting a hole through the wall at night, and in this way they made good their escape to the mountains, from thence to the United States, where Capt. Walker again raised a company of rangers and joined the United States forces. He is now with us, stationed at the town of Perote, striking terror to the hearts of the guerillas; he would dearly love to have a dash at his bosom friend Gen-Santa Anna, and pay him his compliments. This is about all I can write about the Castle San Carlos, de Perote.

To-day our company was detailed to go on guard, but I got off by a diarrhœa blue volunteering to go on in my place, providing I write him a letter, and some other little business.

To-day two soldiers were buried from the hospital.

Thursday, June 10, 1847.—This morning there was target firing by a company belonging to the Third Artillery regiment, under the command of Capt. Taylor, who is stationed here for the purpose of taking charge of the cannons. It was the first regular artillery drill I ever saw, and I liked their movements and way of drilling first rate. While walking around the ramparts, I heard the clattering of horses' hoofs and the