Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/86

80 Towards dusk returned to our camp; passed Col. Haskell's Second Tennessee Regiment, who have just returned from the fight at Medallin creek. They were, all in high glee and seemed much rejoiced over their grand victory. Even the Mexicans in the city must have heard the result, as they commenced firing upon us rapidly.

It was given out this evening that the city of Vera Cruz was thoroughly surrounded from beach to beach and all the roads leading into the city are double guarded. Gen. Twiggs' division is encamped on the northwest side of the city. Gen. Worth's division southeast end and Gen. Patterson's division in the centre of the line. To-night different details were made for to-morrow to land ammunition.

Wednesday, March 17, 1847.—This morning the whole beach presents a lively appearance. The different details were busy in getting the artillery, ammunition, provisions, horses, &c., on shore.

The Alabama and Georgia regiments have just arrived from Tampico. They are now landing.

At 10 o'clock,, our regiment was detailed to drag the cannon up to the sand hill to make a battery. We succeeded in getting up six pieces of heavy artillery two of them being sixty-four pounders and four twenty-four pounders; also built breastwork and stationed a battery. The breastwork was built with bags filled with sand. We were kept busy at this work until dark, when we were relieved, and I must confess that this was the hardest day's work I have ever experienced. Being exhausted from exposure to the hot sun and bad water several of our men were sun-struck and gave out before noon. Beside the artillery we planted to-day there were ten mortars and some howitzers landed to-day, and if old Neptune will keep quiet for several days more we will have all our artillery and ammunition landed.

Returned to our camp and after supper we laid down to rest and sleep, providing the Castle and other forts, the anteaters, lizards and other creeping things which are numerous