Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/21

Rh houses to breakfast, which was a good one, being one of the old fashion—buckwheat cakes, sausages and rye coffee.

After breakfast I viewed the village and found it to be a lively little place situated on the right bank of the Allegheny river; below it is a splendid aqueduct across a small stream called Buffalo creek. I also noticed different salt works in full force, and the people, like all along the route, are remarkably clever.

At 8 o'clock we were again ordered on board and left Freeport and passed the towns of Warren and Sharpsburg. Sharpsburg seems to be a flourishing town, and from what I can see there seems to be a great deal of business done. The people look like hardworking, enterprising and thrifty people. The scenery from here to Pittsburgh is beautiful. About noon we arrived in the city of Pittsburgh, and some of our men who never had been in Pittsburgh before were perfectly disgusted at the idea of staying in such a smoky city. After we got on shore and formed into line we marched to the wharf where we quartered in one of the large warehouses. This has dissatisfied and discouraged many of the soldiers; having no stoves or any place to make a fire. The weather being very cold makes it still more unpleasant for the boys. In the evening some of our members left the quarters and went to the hotels and boarding houses to get something to eat and a comfortable night's lodging. Myself having never been raised with a silver spoon in my mouth, and for the last six years having been used to lying on hard bunks and rough living, don't mind this kind of rough usage, and all these growlers will have to get over their fancy idea of living and get used to the hardships of soldier-life and living. To-night I had a chat with the Yorkers and they are laughing their fist full about these city fellows finding fault about our quarters and rations; they will all get used to it before the war with Mexico is over. I bet they will.

The following are the names of the Little York delegation: Peter Ahl, Henry Alburtus Welsh, Jacob Banner, William