Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/276

270 It is rumored, and in fact confirmed by the Alcalda, that Gen. Paredas, a distinguished officer of the Mexican army and of the Republic of Mexico, was secretly and safely landed at Vera Cruz about the 15th inst., by the British mail steamer "Teviott." This has caused quite a stir among the officers and soldiers of our army, to think that our blockaders at Vera Cruz are not more watchful, and look out for these scamps. They must have either been drunk or asleep.

About 3 o'clock,, Mr. William H. Briggs, of our company, died of diarrhœa. He had the strongest and loudest voice, and could halloo louder than any other soldier in Gen. Scott's army. He could frighten a whole regiment of Mexican soldiers. He was a good, jolly fellow, a good companion, and, the best of all, a good and brave soldier. He hailed from Philadelphia, Pa.

To-day it has been hot and sultry.

Late in the evening Mr. Briggs was buried with the usual honors. Capt. Small spoke eloquently on the life and character of the deceased.

To-night I was put on picket-guard, and about midnight the report of an escopet was heard up in the neighborhood of the hospital. The Sergeant of the guard was promptly on the spot, but nothing could be seen on account of the darkness of the night. So the Sergeant went back to the guard-house quarters. He told me that one of our soldiers (a prisoner) escaped from the guard-house with a musket in hand.

Wednesday, September 1, 1847.—This morning at daylight I saw one of our men laying dead in the street, only a few squares from my picket post, shot through the forehead. He was one of our sick soldiers from the hospital. What he was doing out at that time of night in this neighborhood is unknown to his friends.

This should be another warning for those who venture out beyond the picket-guard; in fact it is a wonder that the sentinel stationed near the hospital did not shoot the diarrhœa blue himself.