Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/367

Rh Saturday, October 16, 1847.—This morning, after we had our breakfast, John Newman, Joseph C. Taylor and myself took a walk down the city, when we noticed another fine body of lancers coming into the main plaza. They went to Gov. Childs's quarters, bearing a white flag. We followed them, and took a good look at them, as well as examining their firearms and equipments, and, by their conversation, I learn that they are escorting the Hon. Mr. Bankhead, British Minister to Mexico, to Vera Cruz—he being sick. Not caring to leave his bones whitening on the sunny soil of Mexico, he goes home. Oh, I wish I was a minister, I would be sick too! They finally left, and we took a promenade around the city and viewed the damages Fort Loretto did during the siege. We also visited the great cathedral, and after spending several hours here, we left for the main plaza, and strolled around viewing the manners and modes of the market people, which are anything but like ours. From here we went to the palace, which was hit by several round shot during the siege.

Sunday, October 17, 1847.—This morning I was obliged to get up early on account of these infernal pulga, who let us have no rest in the morning. When I woke up I was surprised to see my shirt sleeves and shirt collar all spotted with blood as if I was fighting. It seems to me that these atrocious blood-suckers are getting bolder and more numerous every day: probably it is on account of the fresh arrival of Yankees; if so, I wish they would follow them and leave us poor skinned fellows alone.

At noon I took a walk around the Plaza de Toras, where we were quartered before the main army left for the city of Mexico, and to my sad disappointment, I saw it was burnt down to the ground—that is the wood-work. One of the Mexicans who lives close by informed me that the lancers quartered there most of the time of the siege, and burned it down when Gen. Lane's army entered the city; poor fun, burning their own properties. There is nothing left but the high stone wall around its ruins. I returned to quarters and