Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/262

256 all under the command of Gen. Lorenzio Rea, who will make an attempt to drive us Yankees from the city of Puebla.

To-night (except the above little excitement) all is quiet.

Wednesday, August 18, 1847.—This morning, before daylight, we were ordered up on the parapet or ramparts, as we call it, expecting an attack every minute. Here we remained until 10 o'clock,, and no sign of any attack. All seemed quiet in town.

Mr. William Byrely, of Co. A, of Pittsburgh, and one of the best buglers in the army, came on the parapet and blew several national airs, letting the enemy know that we are still alive and kicking.

In the afternoon one of the Mexicans came to Gov. Childs and told him that he thought the guerillas would try to make an attack on our quartel (San Jose) to-night. He said he got this from one of the guerillas himself. Gov. Childs thought the Mexican spoke the truth. So on the strength of this report we were (in the evening) all ordered up on the parapet; here to remain until morning, unless otherwise disturbed by the assaulting parties. Also orders that if any soldier leaves the ramparts, without orders, he would be court-martialed.

To-night a guerilla came around the corner of Post No. 7. Our sentinel challenged him. At this instant the Mexican fired at our sentinel, and then ran as fast as his legs could carry him, no doubt rejoicing and thinking that he had accomplished his aim in killing the sentinel; but, fortunately, it being very dark missed the sentinel. The would-be murderer did not run far before he was met by one of the city mounted policemen, who ordered him to stop running. The orders were not obeyed, and he kept on running. The policeman then put spurs to his horse and followed him; when near again ordered him to stop and surrender himself, to this he gave an insulting reply, when the policeman up with his sword and cut the guerilla over the head; in fact his head was cut completely in two. He was afterwards searched, and on his person was found a sword, musket and dirk-knife, such as thieves and robbers generally carry.