Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/380

374 wounding many of the people who were standing in the plaza. One shell burst in the Bishop's house. This alarmed the bishop so much that he immediately sent messengers to all the churches to stop the ringing of hells, crying out in a loud voice, retener estas campana (stop the bells).

It is astonishing to see the large number of Catholic priests in every little town we pass, and I said to myself. No wonder the poor class are so, for it is the poor ignorant class of people of this country that has to keep up these great professed religious gods, and it is so in every country where the religious gods rule. The people are kept down and their liberties crushed&mdash;kept in ignorance and slavery all the days of their lives; yet these professed religious people call us Yankees heathens and worshippers of the devil. Oh, when will these ignorant people open their eyes and break loose from the iron rule? Look at South America's blood-stained record of the past and the massacre of St. Bartholomew! Thousands of innocent lives have been lost, and thousands will yet be added before the people will rise and banish their oppressors, and trample their iron yoke and bigoted government in the dust.

We are now under orders to march back to Vera Cruz to escort a train to that city, after which we will countermarch, and no doubt go on to the city of Mexico. So, you need not look for a letter from me until I arrive in that ancient capital. No more. Write soon. Your Friend,

J. J. O.

Three Locks above Lewistown Pa.

Monday, October 25, 1847.—This morning, about eight o'clock, the drums commenced to heat, which is the signal for us soldiers to form into line for marching. We formed in front of our old quarters, Quartel. There we stood and talked until 10 o'clock,, when orders were given by Lieut.-Col. Black to march. We then left and bade good-bye to Puebla. We are accompanied by Capt. Taylor, Third Light Artillery Battery and a company of Georgia Dragoons, under the command