Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/277

Rh After I was released from guard-duty I was told that the prisoner who made his escape from the guard-house was one of our picket-guards. So much the worse for him if he is ever caught.

At noon an express arrived from Gen. Scott stating that the hostility between the two armies before the city of Mexico had ceased for thirty days, and that the Commissioners were about to meet to negotiate for peace.

Thus the rumor of the other day is fully confirmed by Gen. Scott's orders.

In the afternoon two companies were detailed to go to Fort Loretto, also ten men from each company, to lay on the ramparts.

It is rumored this evening that the Alcalda is going to resign his commission in a few days, on account of the Bishop refusing to uphold the agreement and laws of Puebla.

This would be a sad affair to us, for he is a good Mayor. He trys to enforce the laws to keep peace and order.

To-night it rained intensely, and those who were detailed to go on the ramparts got soaked through, otherwise everything was quiet.

Thursday, September 2, 1847.—This morning early the rain ceased. The men who were on the ramparts all last night came down and dried their blankets; complaining that they were cold, wet and hungry.

About 8 o'clock,, the guerillas brought some of their prisoners to the Alcalda's office for safe keeping, but the Alcalda gave them such poor satisfaction that they thought it was best to take them back again to their own rendezvous.

At 10 o'clock,, the guerillas made a bold dash into the plaza, and succeeded in driving off one of our wagon-masters and captured a wagon loaded with fresh bread. So we were compelled to go without fresh bread.

In the afternoon a flag of truce came into our quarters, escorted by five lancers. Its result was, that the Mexicans wanted to meet a delegation of one hundred soldiers from our