Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/372

366 At noon the officers of our detachment gave a complimentary dinner to Gov. Childs, for his heroic and gallant conduct during the long siege of Puebla. There was a jolly time among them; toasts were drank, songs sung, and stories and incidents of the siege were related and speeches was the order of the day.

The last toast drank was by Gov. Childs, and it was the best of them all, as follows: "To Capt. William F. Small, the accomplished and successful burglar, who, in a single night, broke through forty stone houses, and took the Mexican batteries."

This speech caused great cheering and clapping of hands, and Capt. Small replied to it in an appropriate manner, We, the privates, were of course not admitted to the room, but we did wish ourselves in when the bottle was going around.

This afternoon about two o'clock, an express came into our headquarters, stating that Gen. Joe. Lane had fallen in with Gen. Rea's forces, at or near Atlixco. On account of the roads being so much broken up and with gullies everywhere, it was impossible for him to make any kind of headway with the artillery, and he did not arrive at Atlixco until last evening.

He then commenced planting his artillery on a high hill overlooking the villa of Atlixco, firing shell and round-shot into the most thickly populated portions of the town.

It being moonlight, they had a fine view of the town. The Mexicans kept up firing until this morning, when they ceased.

Gen. Lane then marched into town, and followed the retreating army of Gen. Rea and completely routed them. Gen. Rea left last night for the small villa of Matamoras, leaving his men to fight it out themselves.

Gen. Santa Anna, it is reported, had left the night before, but for where, nobody knows nor cares.

The gallant Capt. Walker's men again distinguished themselves in this fight; they carried out their motto, and did not give a single Mexican any quarters.