Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/420

414 To-night it is cold and the wind blows very hard, and as we have no tents to sleep under we passed a sleepless night, you may depend.

Thursday, December 16th, 1847.—This morning we did not start as soon as was expected, owing to the detention of Capt. Lovell's battery, which is on its way to Vera Cruz. Capt. Lovell, of the Fourth Artillery, was chief of staff of Gen. John A. Quitman's division, and was wounded at the battle or storming of the castle of Chapultepec. About 8 o'clock,, we left camp and passed over a beautiful prairie country and encamped at a large hacienda named San Domingo.

Friday, December 17th, 1847.—This morning we left camp at daylight and passed over the same kind of tierra templado as before; also passed several beautiful haciendas. The road is gradually going up hill, but is straight and good, and by looking back you can see the bright bayonets shining in the sunbeams, and the white covered tops of Uncle Sam's wagons. It looks as if we are passing close by the two volcanic mountains of Popocatapetl and Iscotafelt; also passed through several narrow passes and through the thickest of woods, containing some of the finest and largest trees I have ever seen. We also passed a bridge which looked like it was once fortified. We went into camp about 2 o'clock,, on a large field in front of a hacienda called Molino. Here we found the water very cold and plenty of icicles.

To-night the report is that five of our soldiers, who straggled too far back from the main army, were killed by the guerillas.

Saturday, December 18th, 1847.—This morning, at 6 o'clock, we left camp and marched up hill for about ten miles. We could plainly see the white snow covered mountains of Popocatapetl and Iscotafelt on our left; also saw along the National road newly cut down trees, which have been lying across the road to stop or delay Gen. Scott's advancing army.

The country we passed through to-day was pretty rough and wild, with large pine forests. In fact it put me in mind of