Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/76

70 Cruz. The whole of Worth's first division was now safely landed without the firing of a single gun, and without any opposition from the enemy. This was without expectation from us soldiers as well as a great disappointment to the spectators and foreigners who came many miles to see the attack upon our troops.

Gen. Robert Patterson, who commands the second division, was ordered to land next. This division is called the Volunteer Division, it being composed of all volunteers, and our regiment is in this division. Surf-boats came alongside of our ship and we embarked in these surf-boats loaded down with as brave and gallant men as there is in the United States Army. The sailors rowed us to shore, when the boats struck the beach we leaped on shore, everyone wanted to be first. Some had to jump in the water and hurried on, and, like Gen. Worth's Division, landed without any opposition. Cheered our flag now waving triumphantly in the land of the Montezumas.

Gen. David E. Twiggs, who commands the third division, landed after our division, they of course all landed safely. Thus it will be seen that the orders and plans of Gen. Winfield Scott in landing the United States troops was well carried out, and by 9 o'clock,, the whole army, numbering about 12,000 men, were all safely landed without the least accident and without the loss of a single man. After the whole army were formed into position we were ordered to stack our muskets and unsling our knapsacks, after which we took our supper from the following bill of fare: A piece of fat pork and biscuit and washed it down with some of the ship "Statesman's" dirty water, after which we received orders to lay down on the wet beach close by our muskets with our feet towards the gulf and our heads towards the sand hills to rest and sleep, if we could, for we are all much fatigued.

About midnight our whole camp was aroused by the firing of several volleys of musketry from the enemy who were stationed on top or back of the sand hills (which are numerous