Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/251

Rh blame Gen. Scott for changing our orders, and I regret that the high esteem and admiration held by our men for Gen. Scott is now reversed, they making uncomplimentary remarks about our misfortune.

About 8 o'clock,, the advance of Gen. David E. Twiggs' Second Division began to move for the ancient capital of Montezuma.

This division is composed of the whole cavalry brigade of dragoons and mounted riflemen. The First Dragoons were under Capt. Phil. Kearney; Second Dragoons under Maj. E. V. Sumner; Third Rifle Dragoons under Capt. McReynolds; and the whole brigade under that gallant and heroic dragoon officer. Col. Wm. S. Harney; First Brigade under Gen. Persifer Frazer Smith; First Artillery; the Mounted Rifle Regiment; Third Infantry; Taylor's Battery; Second Brigade under Acting Gen. Bennett Reiley; Fourth Artillery, First and Second Infantry; in all about three thousand men and a train of some two hundred wagons.

When the old silver-haired veteran, Gen. Twiggs, passed our quarters, we gave him three cheers. The mounted band on their splendid white horses, struck up the "Star Spangled Banner," and "Yankee Doodle," etc. Oh! didn't I wish I was with that crowd.

This evening I hear a good deal of dissatisfaction and grumbling going on among our men. Some blame Col. Wynkoop, who, with the other four companies of our regiment, are now stationed at Perote Castle. They say had he been with us, our order for marching would not have been changed.

Later this evening I learn that Lieut.-Col. Samuel W. Black, of our regiment, tendered his resignation to Gen. Scott, but it was not accepted by that officer.

Maj. Twiggs was afterwards killed at the storming of the Castle of Chapultepec, September 13, 1847.

Thus, through ambition and inspiration for military fame he lost his life with glory to himself and family.