Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/49

Rh Saturday, January 16, 1847.—This morning, after breakfast, we received orders to strike our tents, pack up, and hold ourselves ready to embark, which took place at about 10 o'clock, Our division is composed of Co.'s C and D. We embarked on the bully sailing ship "Statesman," under the command of Major Francis L. Bowman. After we were all on board we gave three hearty cheers for the old battleground, and cheers for Mexico. Previously, before we left camp, Capt. Hill and Lieut. George Moore, both belonging to Co. D, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, resigned their commissions, and left Lieut. J. C. Kretschman or Kretschmar to take command of the company. Lieut. Kretschmar is the only commissioned officer left in Co. D, Lieut. Alexander Brown being appointed Adjutant of our regiment. There was about a dozen of the "Killer" Co. D, deserted; our company missed one more deserter, named Oliver Amy, of Philadelphia. All the country soldiers belonging to our company stood by their company and their flag.

Just before we embarked, some of the Louisiana men told me that they also received orders to embark to-morrow in the sailing-ships "Orchelans," "Ondrika" and " Sharon," and that they are making preparations to leave.

This evening we weighed anchor and slowly passed down the river, but did not go far on account of a heavy fog setting in early, so the ship dropped anchor.

Sunday, January 17, 1847.—This morning, at 8 o'clock, we again weighed anchor and left the tow-steamer, named "Phoenix," and passed down on the bosom of the great Mississippi river, and on our way down we saw some of the largest sugar plantations and rice fields in the State of Louisiana. They were full of slaves or plantation negroes, male and female, old and young. They cheered us and sang their plantation songs and hymns.

This section of country is full of that dreaded enemy, the yellow-legged mosquito. This unruly bird is so terrible on account of its size and voracity, and it seems they prefer northern hide to rich, blue blood.