Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/30

24 night. So in honor of our Saviour's birthday broke up the frolic, all highly delighted and pleased with the first Christmas eve ball spent on the Ohio river.

Friday, December 25, 1846.—This morning is Christmas, and the first one that I ever spent so far from home; it seems odd to me to be so far from home on Christmas day, although there is plenty of amusements and frolicing going on around me to entice me from my weary thoughts, but for all this I cannot help to think of the many Christmases I spent at home. Our cooks who were detailed yesterday to cook our Christmas dinner are busy in preparing the turkeys, chickens and many other good things. About 1 o'clock,, the much looked for good things began to make their appearance on the table, extending the full length of the cabin. About an half hour later the door-way was crowded, all anxious to get in and be first to the table. The gong rung, then you should seen the rush and tumble for the best seats, and I am sorry to say the soldiers did not eat like men should have done, but like so many starved hogs. They of course all went and reached for the turkeys, chickens, &c., dug right into the good things, and the roughest and best men got the most, while such quiet and moral men like me had to pick the bones. I thought to myself this has been the first penny purse I ever joined and I think it will be the last one.

In the afternoon we arrived and stopped at Newport, Ky., opposite Cincinnati, here we remained all afternoon and evening with strict orders to let no soldier go on shore, but as a matter of course all our officers were allowed to go on shore and promenade through the streets of Newport.

To-night our steamboat was moved over to Cincinnati, and orders again given to the guard to let none of the soldiers on shore. More growling. So ended Christmas Day on the Ohio river.

Saturday, December 26, 1846.—This morning we left Cincinnati with cheers from the crowd on shore. We passed to-day a number of small towns, such as Covington, Claysville, Ky.;