Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/39

Rh there, but strange the private soldiers don't get any of these things (all for officers).

To-day there are not many soldiers allowed to go to the city, for the reason that Col. Wynkoop received a note from the city authorities of the bad conduct of some of our men, but it turned out to be the Louisiana Volunteers. At noon the sun was unusually warm, and I thought to myself if this is winter in New Orleans I have no desire of spending the Fourth of July here.

This afternoon the steamship "Alabama" came in from Brazos, Santiago, bringing a large mail and about two hundred and fifty sick, wounded and discharged soldiers from Matamoras Hospital, but no news from Gen. Z. Taylor's army in Mexico.

To-night I heard a shot fired off, no doubt some ruffian soldier attempted to pass the guard to go and rob the citizens.

Monday January 4, 1847.—This morning after I was relieved from guard I was free from all duty, such as drilling, parading and camp duty.

To-day several of our men got permission from our Captain to go to New Orleans, but with strict orders not to get drunk nor be found in disorderly conduct towards the citizens. Some of the other companies' men went to the city without permission from their Captains, and when they returned to camp in the evening they were all put into the guard-house by orders from Col. Wynkoop.

This evening some of Co. D's men had what I call a little fight with a Spaniard, who keeps a grocery and liquor store on the levee, and came near killing him. They would no doubt have killed him had it not been for some of the officers who were just passing the place at the time of the fight. The officers brought the men to camp, but said nothing to Col. Wynkoop about the affair. Had it been any other company's men they would have been put in the guard-house, but being the "Killers" nothing was said or done.

To-night as usual tattoo, put out the lights.