Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/267

Rh in courage and bravery. Come on, Gen. Patterson, we will all greet you with a hearty welcome!

In the evening news came to Gov. Childs that the guerillas were strengthening their forces by re-enforcements from the city of Mexico. They surely can't be Gen. Santa Anna's men; he wants them to defend the city of Mexico. These guerillas are raving mad since Gen. Santa Anna's defeat, and are cursing the Yankees all hollow. Poor fellows, they are dismayed and struck with horror at their defeat!

Thursday, August 26, 1847.—This morning we saw the Mexicans in different grupa (groups), talking and seeming to be in deep conversation—no doubt planning some scheme to make an attack upon our quarters. Some of our men could plainly hear them making considerable estrepito que fanfarron (noise and boasting) about how they would treat us when they make the attack on us; but all such boasting and bragging do not alarm us, for we are used to them long ago.

About 10 o'clock,, an express came from Guadaloupa Heights, which is guarded by Capt. Turner G. Morehead, of Co. G, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, stating that a party of guerillas had succeeded in breaking open the mule-yard, and were driving off the mules (in all about seven hundred head) towards Atlixco—-driving them fast.

The wagon-master who had charge of the mules, and was temporarily absent, with some five or six of his teamsters, mounted on horses and went in pursuit of them; but they had not gone far before our men overtook the guerillas and had a sharp skirmish, killing one guerilla and wounding several others. But our men were soon overpowered by a large force, before unseen, and had to fall back to their quarters for more re-enforcements. Capt. Small, on hearing of the result, went to Gov. Childs, and asked permission to mount his company and go in pursuit of the thieving guerillas and recapture the mules; but Gov. Childs refused the permission on account of our force being too limited. Finally a party was made up of wagon-masters, teamsters, army followers and some soldiers,