Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/311

Rh At noon the Mexicans succeeded in stopping off our water. I wonder what they will stop off next. One thing sure they cannot stop our mouths from hurrahing, which bothers them. Some of our officers have it that there is no train on the road from Vera Cruz, that the last courier from that place was a fraud and a cheat.

This bad news has almost put the boys out of good-heart. Expecting all the time to be relieved soon. Yet, at the same time, we are determined to fight as long as there is a mouthful of grub in our quarters.

This afternoon the firing was resumed vigorously. The gallant lancers are riding up, and aback, and across the streets with great bravery, discharging their escopets as they pass. This they think is very brave in trying to shoot a poor, harmless unarmed, probably a sickly, Yankee.

To-day is the Mexican's twenty-sixth anniversary of Gen. Augustine Iturbide entering the city of Mexico. It having taken place on September 27, 1821. And before the Junto was called different adherents were fighting among themselves who should be their president.

The church party (as stated before) were mostly in favor of Augustine Iturbide, and through their influence he was made president, when nearly the whole country, under the influence of the priests, sent in its allegiance to the new government.

Even the Creoles, the Indians, and the mixed races, had banded their interests, and had reached the first point in the problem of Mexican freedom. But the moment was pregnant with an intense and fresh mental activity, and another step must be taken perforce, and they immediately divided into three parties.

The republicans wanted a central or a federal republic. These opposed the military power, whom they accused of a desire to usurp all authority, which properly belonged to the whole people.

The Ferdinand Bourbons (or Bourbonists. as they called themselves,) adhered to the idea of inviting Ferdinand to the