Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/383

Rh liar and struck at the Captain, at this Capt. Small drew his sword and cut Funston in the head, so Mr. Funston rode in the wagon afterwards as a wounded soldier.

Thursday, October 28, 1847.—This morning we left camp and passed over a level plain, and chased up a rabbit about the size of a young fawn. We arrived at the Villa Tepegahaulco, and rested for one hour, after which we started and passed around Mount Pizzarros and went into camp at San Martin's barracks. Before we arrived in camp we encountered a drove of puerco (hogs), and all hands made a regular charge on them and captured several. So we were not in want of any fresco vivera (fresh pork).

After the whole division arrived in camp. Col. Wynkoop, accompanied by Col. Dominguez's spy company, left for Perote Castle, which is about nine miles from San Martin. After we arrived in camp, I missed my knapsack, which, with the rest of our company's baggage, was placed in a wagon this morning, and saved us from carrying it. It was either stolen or taken in a mistake, as there was one left with nothing in except an old Mexican blanket. I assure you I was quite put out in not getting my knapsack, for I would not have lost it for any money. Its contents were a splendid Mexican woolen blanket, bullets, balls and other curiosities too numerous to mention, relics—mostly all captured at Vera Cruz, battle of Cerro Gordo and siege of Puebla. This is what I call a great loss to me. Besides, I lost my very cover and pillow. I had intended, when arriving at Vera Cruz, to send these valuable articles home, but the salteador (thief) had cheated me out of it.

The San Martin barracks are capable of holding from twenty five hundred to three thousand soldiers, and are a regular military station for troops in time of peace. There is plenty of good water drained from the mountains.

To-night it rained, but we were all under cover.

Friday, October 29, 1847.—This morning we left the barracks in the rain. It llovera (rained) powerfully all the time on our