Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/617

Rh some missing soldiers who formerly lived in Lancaster, which, of course, was answered on our side the best we knew how.

At 10 o'clock,, we were compelled to shut the door and retire for the night.

Sunday, July 23, 1848.—This morning, after a good night's rest and sleep, we got up and washed ourselves; after which we were ordered to sit down, and eat one of the best breakfasts we have had since we left our homes. It was what you might call a real old fashioned Lancaster county breakfast, plenty of everything and the best of food; and, as soldiers are proverbially good at the mess table, and particularly when it is well supplied, they were not long making mischief among the supplies. After breakfast some of our men could be seen to make preparations to leave to-morrow morning; while others, by invitations of the citizens, went to churches and to private houses.

In the afternoon Lieut. Haines, of our company (C), with a party of other soldiers, left Lancaster for the city of Philadelphia.

About 4 o'clock,, Alburtus Welsh, John Newman and myself took a walk around the city, viewing the different points of interest, and I recognized great changes; vacant lots were built up with fine houses, streets were extended, and new improvements everywhere. Some places were perfectly familiar to me, having trodden over them frequently when a boy.

In the evening a passenger train came in from Philadelphia, bringing a large number of citizens from Philadelphia to escort the soldiers to that city. They informed us that the greatest preparation that ever was known is made in Philadelphia to welcome the soldiers home. The whole volunteer division, the firemen and other societies will be out. That there will be an extensive dinner prepared for the soldiers at the Chinese Museum, on Ninth street, and ample quarters secured for us until our final discharge.

On our strolling through town to-day, we were invited into several houses, where we had a pleasant chat on the topic of war with the citizens.