Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/488

482 Tuesday, February 8, 1848.—This morning all the talk is changed from peace to and about the removal of Gen. Scott. In fact, I should not be surprised to hear the Mexicans cry more war than peace, for they generally were much afraid of Gen. Scott, for they know full well that when he comes the Mexicans must give way. If there should be any more war, I wouldn't be surprised that the American army will be defeated, for the soldiers have not the same enthusiasm, trusty and confident feelings as they had under Gen. Scott. In the evening some of the volunteers are holding meetings to express their feeling and sympathy, and are raising contributions to present James K. Polk with a leather medal.

Wednesday, February 9, 1848.—This morning I partly spent my time in writing letters, so as to have them ready for the next train. The city papers are full about the removal of Gen. Scott from his high command, and dragging him from his gallant little army, as a prisoner, which he so well commanded. At noon a party of us got permission to go to San Antonio, San Augustine and Contreras. The roads which pass through these villages are generally kind of marshy and rough, covered with pedrigal or lava stone broken roughly, but San Antonio lays on a little hill, and has all the command for defences. During the fight, the Mexicans had seven batteries, mounted with twenty-one cannons and strong breastwork for their infantry. The battle was fought and victoriously won August 19 and 20, 1847. Next we visited San Augustine, another village well situated to oppose an army. From here we went to Contreras. Here a battle was fought on the 20th of August, the same day or evening that San Augustine was fought. The total strength of our army engaged in this battle was four thousand five hundred soldiers, against the Mexican force of seven thousand, under the command of Gen. Valencia, and backed by Gen. Santa Anna in person with twelve thousand troops, making nineteen thousand troops of the enemy in the field against four thousand five hundred Americans; and, as a fellow says, the battle was fought and triumphantly won,