Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/373

Rh This is the second time that our cavahy has had a dash at the gallant guerillas and lancers, and if any set of men got cut up it was the Mexicans; for instance, to show you how deceitful the Mexicans are, during the conflict, a lancer rushed from the chaparral and fired his escopet at one of Capt. Walker's men, when the Mexican saw that he had missed his man, he threw up his hands and asked for mercy and spare his life, but none was shown him, in an instant, the Mexican had his head cut off close to his shoulders.

There were not many lancers killed, and their horses being fresh, they made their escape; but the poor infantry suffered hard, but few escaped the sabres of Capt. Walker's men. The loss of the Mexicans was about two hundred and fifty killed and wounded; our loss was one killed and two wounded, what a contrast.

Atlixco has been the principal headquarters of Gen. Rea during the siege of Puebla, and it was the general rendezvous of all the guerillas operating in this immediate neighborhood; but it is now broken up, and I think the citizens are glad of it, as the guerillas would just as soon rob a Mexican as they would a Yankee.

This evening Col. Dominguez' spy company left for Vera Cruz. They went down the back way or road, fearing some of the defeated guerillas might get on their track. They passed our quarters and looked remarkably well in appearance.

This evening, at the company's roll-call, I was notified by Capt. W. F. Small, in the presence of the company, that J. Jacob Oswandel was appointed Third Corporal of Co. C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers. This announcement has struck terror in some of the Philadelphia clique; but at the same time they could say nothing against me as a soldier, as I have, ever since I have been in this company, done all the duties, and more too, than was required of me to do.

Thursday, October 21, 1847.—This morning Col. Dominguez' espia compania (spy company) returned to this city. He had not gone far before he fell in with over three hundred guerillas,