Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/260

254 I call a great gambler, and has mostly followed that profession ever since he has been in the army. I never saw him doing any duty, for, I suppose, he belonged to that class of soldiers that could do just as they pleased, but he has at last been beaten badly.

In the evening there was another torch-light procession marching through different streets. They had on their banners, "Gen. Scott whipped, and had half of his army killed in attempting to storm the EI Penon Pass." There seems to be a great deal of entrusiasmo (enthusiasm) in their ranks, and a great excitement throughout the city. If this news is true it is surely bad news from our army in front, but I do not believe a word of it. They may have been compelled to fall back, but never met with such disastrous repulse. Old Scott is too sharp a General to be caught in such a trap. That is not the way our Generals are brought up.

To-night I was put on picket-guard on a very dangerous corner. I could plainly hear the Mexicans cheering for Gen. Santa Anna, also loud talking about Gen. Scott's defeat at El Penon Pass.

Monday, August 16, 1847.—This morning after I was relieved from guard duty I viewed the dress-parade. Orders were read and issued to the commanding officers of each company to have all the soldiers (of their respective companies) hair cut short all over. This caused a great deal of dissatisfaction among the volunteers. They are cursing and juroros (swearing), saying that they will not suffer or allow their hair to be cut short, and look like a jail bird. It is true we are soldiers, and that it is expected of the soldiers to obey all laws and orders that may be issued, yet, at the same time, we don't care about being treated like slaves or prisoners. Joseph C. Taylor, of our mess, who usually wore his hair long, says he will not have his hair cut short.

This order has caused the high estimation that our boys had for Gov. Childs, who, by-the-by, thought the world of him, to fall a little below par; and instead of Gov. Childs'