Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/274

268 Also, that the diarrhœa blues who had been released from the church this morning, were lodged in the guard-house for disobedience of Gov. Childs' orders.

Twelve o'clock to-night, and no prospect of an attack from the enemy, everything is very quiet. We are beginning to think that the enemy have again postponed the attack until some more suitable time. Some of our men would jokingly remark, "Oh, I wish they would come or else do one thing or the other, either make the often promised attack or leave the city and let us rest in peace."

It seems strange that these gallant lancers in their splendid uniforms, and with their fine equipments, and with their unfolded standards, making everything ready for an assault upon us poor Yankees, and when the approaching hour comes, even to the very last minute, they lack the courage and back out, their boasting and much pretended courage fails them and falls like a withered leaf in the fall of the year.

Monday, August 30, 1847.—This morning all seems quiet again, and the two companies who were sent to Fort Loretto last evening returned without having any combatis (battle).

It is now rumored (and it seems to come from pretty good authority) that Gen. Scott and Gen. Santa Anna have agreed upon an armistice to cease all hostilities of both armies now in Mexico for thirty days, for the purpose of giving the two powers a chance to negotiate for peace. This is probably the cause the enemy did not make the attack on Fort Loretto last night. The same reason for everything being so quiet; in fact it was the general remark among our men, saying how quiet everything is this morning.

At noon our company (C) received orders to go to Fort Loretto this evening; not knowing but what the enemy might play opossum on us.

So after supper we started for the fort, and I shall ever remember it. A storm came up and the rain fell in torrents all night; it was dark, and the stormy wind had a large scope in and around the fort, dashing the rain drops into our faces.