Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/625

Rh made inquiries about my mother (his sister), and also of the events and battles fought in Mexico. They both gave a listening ear to everything I had to say. I stayed and took dinner with them; and after several hours of pleasant chat I left, promising them that after I was discharged I would call and spend several days with them before I went out West.

Friday, July 28, 1848.—To-day I did not go out of the hotel. So myself and half dozen others devoted our time nearly all day by setting in and around the reading-room, reading the newspapers and talking to the citizens who came to see us, asking many questions about the war, the removal and cause of the removal, of Gen. Scott. We told them that we did not exactly know the cause, but we supposed that politics was at the head of all the trouble, which mostly is the cause of all evil.

No doubt Gen. Scott's brilliant achievement in conquering the Republic of Mexico in so short a time has made him one of the most popular men and leaders in this country, and it is reasonably supposed that his rivals and political enemies would connive and do most any dirty work to kill his popularity and fair name, and to prevent him (Gen. Scott) from receiving the nomination for Presidency, in which they did succeed, and nominated Gen. Zachariah Taylor instead. The removal was an outrage, and it will be a stigma of the deepest dye upon the administration of James K. Polk and his Secretary, William L. Marcy, as long as the nation lives. The soldiers love Gen. Scott, and every one that saw him will testify that he is every inch a soldier, and his men regard him with reverence and the greatest admiration. This evening it is rumored around the room, that we will be paid off, and receive our discharge to-morrow.

Saturday, July 29, 1848.—This morning word is passing from one company's quarters to the other that we will all receive our pay and honorable discharge to-day. Good. At this time several men came into our room talking, and offered to board four soldiers, who had no home in this city, for two