Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/387

Rh on the 18th of April last. We found several pieces of artillery, sword and two spiked cannons, also plenty of cannonballs and broken muskets, all belonging to the Mexican army, before the battle of Cerro Gordo was fought. When we came to the breastworks across the National road, we halted and viewed the battle-ground where many a noble and gallant soldier (on both sides) fell on the 18th of April, 1847.

At 4 o'clock,, we arrived at our old camp-ground, Plan del Rio, here in this camp, on the 17th of April, I, like all my fellow comrades laid myself cautiously down with my weary head upon my knapsack and my musket by my side, before the battle of Cerro Gordo was fought, and the excitement of that evening is yet fresh in my memory. I noticed that the Mexicans have blown up the venustola (beautiful) cemented bridge crossing the Plan del Rio. This was done by the guerillas to stop Gen. George Cadwalader's division (when on his way to the capital), but all to no good. Gen. Cadwalader planted a piece of artillery on top of a hill, and soon drove them away, and then cut a road around the slope of the river.

In the evening Cols. Wynkoop and Dominguez's spy company went on to the Puenta Nacional (National bridge) after some provisions for our regiment as our men were tired, hungry and low spirited on account of having had only half enough to eat.

Thursday, November 4, 1847.—This morning at 3 o'clock the sick and discharged soldiers left for Vera Cruz, and there to ship for their sweet homes, there are about two hundred of them.

There seems to be a good deal of dissatisfaction among our men, and some are making a big fuss about Col. Wynkoop going off and leaving no provisions for us.

In the evening some of our soldiers held a council of war, to determine what was to be done, whether to go on to the National bridge or go back to Jalapa, they decided unanimously in favor of the National bridge; after which, they