Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/214

208 in mind, when I was a little boy, of the ringing of the bells of the Trinity Lutheran Church, of Lancaster, Pa., except not so early, nor so numerous.

After breakfast the soldiers went to work, fixing up their quarters, washing and cleaning their clothing.

At noon Lieut-Col. Samuel W. Black issued orders for all of his regiment to whiten their belts and clean their muskets, and brush themselves a little, so as to look like soldiers, and not like guerillas. [Laughter.] Look like soldiers from the old Keystone State. He said that he knew that we were all badly off for clothing and shoes. We have our first suits yet, but if there is any to be had he would try to get them for us. [Cheers.]

In the afternoon Joseph C. Taylor, John Newman, Alburtus Welsh and myself went strolling around the city, and while looking around to see the curiosities we noticed a mob of agraziento gathering down the street. Not knowing what these blanket gentlemen gathered for, we foolishly presented them with a round of musketry over their heads, which caused them to vamose for other parts of the city. This report of musketry started our patrol after us, and I assure you if you ever saw anybody run it was us four. After we got to our quarters, and put our muskets away, nobody knew of any soldiers being out or just came in. The patrol left with a flea in their ear.

Sunday, July 11, 1847.—This morning Alburtus Welsh, Bob Eurick and myself, agreed to go to the Catholic Cathedral, which stands in the centre of the city. After we got into the church we looked around, and I was astonished to see the manœuvring of the so-called Christians, not being accustomed to the Catholic rights. The people were constantly going in and out of church, but not without first going through their religious performances.

We walked around and examined the paintings, etc., and found some of the most rare and richest paintings that can be seen in the world. Some are as old as Methuselah. After spending several hours we left and went to the plaza, or square,