Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/259

Rh This afternoon news came to Gov. Childs, by a Frenchman, who has been living in this city for some time, that the citizens in general expect an attack on our quarters (San Jose) tonight by a large force of lancers and guerillas.

In the evening the Mexicans had a torch-light procession and a band of music to arouse the citizens to arms, but the good citizens could not see it in that light, as they have been humbugged enough. From the movements of Gov. Childs I think he expects an attack shortly. Let them come. We are fully prepared for any emergency. We require no such wild excitement to arouse and to inspire our men on to fight. Let lurid glare of the cannon and the piercing musketry flash. We are always ready to meet the enemy, and can face ten to one.

To-night we are on the ramparts awaiting for the expected and looked-for attack, but looked and waited in vain. They did not come to get a taste or even a smell of our good American powder. Oh! I tell you we were all wishing for the Mexicans to make an attack on our Quarters, so that we might have a fair sweep at these fanfarronado, guerillas, and let them know that our quarters (San Jose) are not to be trifled with, besides it would have done us good to have an opportunity to lay some of these fanfarron companero (boasting fellows) low.

Sunday August 15, 1847.—This morning there is a rumor afloat that a train with two thousand troops had left Vera Cruz for this city a few days ago. Also a rumor of a fight between our dragoons and a party of lancers at Plan del Rio, or near the old battle-ground of Cerro Gordo, and that our dragoons got whipped, and were driven back. The rumor in regard to a train coming from Vera Cruz is a mere rumor from the enemy, as we have no tidings of any such train being on the way. So we don't place any truth in these rumors.

This afternoon Charles Anderson, of Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, died at the hospital. He was what