Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/368

362 commenced writing letters, so as to have them ready by the next mail that goes down to Vera Cruz.

Monday, October 18, 1847.—This morning Gen. Lane issued his proclamation, and the stores were soon all reopened, and business is going on in fine style, and everything begins to look old fashion; that is, as it did before the main army left for the city of Mexico.

At 10 o'clock,, another flag of truce came to Gov. Childs' quarters, wanting to know on what terms he would exchange or release Cols. La Vega and Iturbide; but the governor gave them poor satisfaction, and told them the only way to exchange was man for man, grade for grade. Being as the Mexicans have no prisoners of ours higher than a sergeant, there is little chance of these distinguished officers being released.

At noon, Col. Manuel Dominguez, with his spy company (all Mexicans, came into this city from the city of Mexico. They bring important despatches from Gen. Scott to our Gov. Childs, and for our Government at Washington, D. C. Col. Dominguez reports that the roads are full of vagarosora (wandering vagrants) and guerillas between here and the city of Mexico, and it was with great difficulty that they got through. Several times the guerillas had driven the spy company, and they were sometimes obliged to take to the mountains for safety.

In the evening Juan Mose was shot—by whom or how it is not known. His death is deeply lamented by all who knew him. During the siege of Puebla he had command of the fortification on Col. Black's quarters and acted nobly. He was captain of a spy company, and made several blunderbusses on tops of houses. He formerly belonged to a circus company, and was left sick at Jalapa City; and on coming up to this city, Gen. Santa Anna took him a prisoner, taking all he had from him, and then let him go like a vagaroso (a wandering vagrant). He was determined to have revenge on Gen. Santa Anna, and was to go with Gen. Line in pursuit of him tomorrow morning to Atlixco. He was a man of nerve and undoubted courage.