Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/20

14 strolled about town, finding it well laid out, and a fine bridge across the river named Conemaugh. The people are very clever and intelligent. The town was named after John Blair, one of the early pioneers of this section of the country.

The drums beat, we were ordered on board, and left Blairsville with three hearty cheers from the citizens on shore. On our way we passed Liverpool, Saltsburg, Lockport, and Leechburg. Saltsburg is an old village; it got its name from the salt works, which are plenty, and seemed to be in full operation. Leechburg is named after David Leech, one of the most enterprising citizens in Pennsylvania. He is the head man of the forwarding and commission line of David Leech & Sons. They have a line of canal boats and cars running between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. I had the pleasure of seeing the old gentleman, and he looks like a jolly, goodhearted man. During the day we mingled and conversed with the different members of the company, and we found them to be a social and jolly set of men, and expressed themselves well pleased with our coming into their company. We also called upon the Little York delegation, so called on account of their hailing from Little York, Pa. They are a fine set of young men, jocular and mirthful in manner, full of talk and wit. They wanted Bymaster and I to join their mess after we arrived at the camp-ground, New Orleans, but we made no promise. To-day being fine most of the company were walking on the tow-path, going into the beer and ginger-bread. Our journey to-day has been a weary one; nothing could be seen but rocks and hills surrounding us on every side. This evening the weather is growing colder, and I find our boat has a hard time in fighting its way through the ice. To-night our soldiers are wrapping themselves tightly up in their blankets and straw beds, and snoring.

Tuesday, December 15, 1846.—This morning after a cold night's journey we arrived at Freeport, here we got off the boat and formed into line on the tow-path, and then divided into squads, and were then taken to different private