Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/40

34 Tuesday January 5, 1847.—This morning there seems to be a great deal of dissatisfaction among the soldiers of our regiment on account of the conduct of our officers toward the men. Nearly all our officers generally go to New Orleans, stop at the St. Charles Hotel, and there drink and eat and be merry, thus neglecting to do their duty toward the soldiers who are lying here without half enough to eat. At noon, in spite of the strictest orders from our officers to the guards, most of the soldiers passed between the guards and went to New Orleans to get something to eat. So this afternoon when the dress parade came off, Col. Wynkoop noticed that there was one-half of the regiment absent. After dress parade he immediately ordered five men from each company as guards to go to New Orleans and bring back all soldiers that could be found in the city.

At about 6 o'clock,, the guards returned from the city having but nine men belonging to our regiment in charge. Of course, they were instantly put into the guard-house for safe keeping for a day or so. This evening, as usual, tattoo, put our lights out and make no noise, so that our faithful officers, who have just returned from the city, can sleep.

Wednesday, January 6, 1847.—This morning, as usual, the soldiers are cursing the officers and Quartermaster for not furnishing us with something to eat. It is, in fact, a perfect shame how the soldiers are treated in regard to provisions, and if it was not for the little money that the soldiers mostly have, God only knows how we would stand it. This afternoon a guard of fifty men were detailed from our regiment (I was one of the detail), and were sent to the city under command of Capt. Hill. We proceeded to New Orleans, and the first place we entered was a ball room, where there was a masquerade ball going on. At first Capt. Hill was stopped at the door, but with force we proceeded on our way in the ball room, and immediately arrested all the soldiers that were in the room. There were any quantity of city police in the ball room, and they insisted in favor of the soldiers staying in the