Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/241

Rh Thursday, July 29, 1847.—This morning we were again marched out on the parade-ground, and had a glorious old drill. We drilled until noon. When we returned to our quarters we were much fatigued after the performance.

The Mexicans have a report out to-day that Capt. Samuel H. Walker, of the Texan Rangers, was killed by the guerillas, near the Castle of Perote, while out scouting. If this report is true the American army will meet with a severe loss, but the Mexicans are such infernal liars that little confidence is placed in the report.

To-night the theatre and circus company were combined, and played "Timour, the Tartar," to a crowded house, with much success.

This is the first evening for a long time that we did not hear the Dead March played. So our army's health must be improving.

I learn this evening that the mail that started from here to Vera Cruz on the 16th inst. was captured by the guerillas. If this report is correct my letters that I wrote home are in the hands of these guerillas, but they cannot find anything by them of our movements.

Friday, July 30, 1847.—This morning we were again marched to the parade ground to have a brigade-drill, and it was a splendid sight to witness the different batteries of light artillery drilling and firing off blank cartridges. The cavalry mounting and charging in fine style. The infantry went through marching and firing order.

At noon we returned to our quarters well pleased with our drilling, and what we had seen on the field. On our way to our quarters we met five Mexican lancers coming in with a flag of truce. Their design I could not learn, but I suppose it is to exchange some prisoners, which were captured by some of the guerillas a few days ago.

In the evening another one of our company died, named William Dayton Huston, of Philadelphia, Pa. He has been lingering with the diarrhœa for some time. Also Lieut. John