Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/31

Rh and Lawrenceburg, Madison, Jeffersonville, Ind. Whenever our boat arrived at any town the little cannon would be fired off, which caused the people to rush to the river line, and when they saw that the boat was loaded down with Uncle Sam's soldiers, would give cheers.

In the afternoon we arrived at Louisville, Ky., and owing to the break in the dam the boat could not run over it or through the slot with its living freight on board. On account of the river being too low both companies were obliged to land and march through some of the principal streets of Louisville, After which we came to a halt in the main square and there dismissed for one-half hour. This pleased the boys, and you should seen them rush towards the taverns and cake shops, the men were mostly hungry, being tired of eating government rations.

I noticed the people here are not so sociable, liberal and open-hearted as those we met in other towns, they have not much to say, and give nothing until it is first paid for.

After the expiration of our time we again formed into line and marched (without receiving a cheer from the citizens) for about three miles around to another boat-landing place where we got on board of the old "Messenger" and left for New Orleans. Two of the members of Co. C were left behind, their names are John Perfect and Morris Stemler. This evening we passed a thriving little town called New Albany, Ind., we stopped few minutes, and when we left the citizens gave us three hearty cheers, which was more than we received in that fancy and aristocratic town called Louisville, Ky. The weather is getting considerably warmer, and as the saying is, the further down South we go the warmer the climate will be, and I find it so.

Sunday, December 27, 1846.—This morning we had a hard chase with the steamboat called the "Allegheny," who caught up to us during the night and was trying hard to pass the "Messenger." Some of our men who were interested in the race volunteered and assisted the fireman in keeping up steam,