Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/54

48 Tuesday, January 26, 1847.—This morning the soldiers were gathered in different groups and were talking and wondering how soon the long-looked-for land would be seen. Some even went to the captain of the ship and asked him how long or how many days it would be before they could get to land again. The captain answered them that we will have a storm before night, and that we will likely be driven further from land than what we now are.

Sure enough this evening the sky clouded up and the sea ran mountain high, and the captain for fear of being driven on shore concluded to run out to sea again, which he did to the great disappointment of all the soldiers.

To-night the sailors lashed everything fast. The sea is raging wild, and the sailors tell us that we will have a heavy sea to-night.

Wednesday January 27, 1847.—Early this morning the wind ceased, and soon afterwards a heavy fog set in which kept the ship from getting nearer to the land.

At 4 o'clock,, the fog cleared away, which gave the ship an opportunity to sail on a little further, but the fog soon set in again and the captain was obliged to anchor, for fear of running into some sailing craft or get on a reef.

To-night the storm came up again and blew a perfect hurricane, the sailors had to give the ship forty fathoms of cable to make her stand, and sometimes she would drag the anchor. The sea is high and rough, everything fastened, the hatchway shut down. It lasted until midnight, when it slackened off. This storm had the effect of again making some of our men sea-sick.

Thursday, January 28, 1847.—This morning the fog cleared off, and we could plainly see the much talked of and looked for Brazos, Santiago, and a miserable looking place it is; two or three shanties and a few tents along the beach, and the harbor full of vessels of all descriptions anchored around the beach. Some loaded with troops, stores and ordnances to carry on the war with Mexico.