received one letter from home. The dragoons report that Gen. Peirce is on his way with two thousand five hundred men, with a train consisting of nearly two hundred wagons loaded with provisions, ammunition and other ordnance stores.
In the evening one of the Fourth Infantry and one of the South Carolina were buried.
We are all anxiously looking with strained eyes for the paymaster to come around and pay us off before we march on to the city of Mexico. We are now in the service eight months, and all we received was two months' pay, $17.50. So our government, who are constantly firing in our rear, owes us now six months' pay. This long delay causes much grumbling, grievance and dissatisfaction among the soldiers. Oh! do, paymaster, come, for I have lately been robbed of all my cash, and am now one of the sufferers.
It is rumored to-night that we will march towards the city of Mexico as soon as Gen. Peirce arrives. So hurry up Peirce.
Wednesday, August 4, 1847.—This morning an extra was published from the American Star office, stating that Capt. Ruff, with a party of dragoons, had a fight with a large force of lancers and guerillas, at a small town called San Juan Los Lanos, not far from Ojo de Aqua. The Captain in his account says that he killed about thirty and wounded about fifty, and he had only one killed and one wounded in the fight. He says had he known where their quarters were not one would have escaped, but he came upon them unexpected. Also Gen. Peirce with his large train is at Tepegahaulco, and will be here in a few day.
So the news for this evening is prepare for marching orders.
Thursday, August 5, 1847.—This morning nearly the whole army marched out on the parade-ground and had a good drill in field movements, with much satisfaction to all our Generals, and they are fully convinced that we can drive the flower of the army of Gen. Santa Anna. Gen. Scott with his staff in full uniform were on the field to view the drilling.
