Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/28

22 Monday, December 21, 1846.—This morning the soldiers were all up early, and busy in packing up their knapsacks. At 10 o'clock,, we were formed into line, and after listening to a little speech from our Captain, we were ordered to march to the wharf and embark on board of one of the finest steamboats that runs on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, known by the name of "Messenger." Capt. Jas. Nagle's Co. B, also of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, came on board with us. There are two companies of soldiers allowed on each steamboat. There being ten companies in our regiment, it will, therefore, take five steamboats to take our regiment to New Orleans. After all the soldiers got on board of their respective steamers, we pushed off the shore amid the deafening cheers of the citizens on shore, and in return some of our men got a little cannon, placed it on the bow of the boat, and sent forth peals that shook the boats. The steamboats that had steam up blew their whistles as we passed them. We are now passing down the river, and are losing sight of Pittsburgh, but its black, smoking clouds could be seen for a long distance. On our way we passed the towns of Economy, Freedom, Rochester and Beaver.

Tuesday December 22, 1846.—This morning after breakfast I went on the hurricane deck to take a view of the beautiful Ohio river. The river is full of wild ducks and other wild game. The weather is cold, it is now snowing, but this don't seem to drive the soldiers off the hurricane deck. All are too anxious to see the steamboats running up and down the river. To-day we passed Newport, Marietta, Ohio; Parksburg and Belleville, Va. All quiet to-night.

Wednesday December 23, 1846.—This morning while we were eating breakfast, one of our men came running into the cabin and reported to us that there were several deer on the opposite side of the river bank. We, of course, hurried on deck for the purpose of seeing them, and sure enough, they were just leaving, running through the thicket woods. The Ohio river is full of floating ice and wild ducks. The weather