Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/283

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NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
277

Valley of Mexico. Their cry in the city of Mexico is, "Death to Gen. Santa Anna and the danado (damned) Yankees!" It also has a strong vindication of Gen. Valincie, who, it seems, commanded the El Penon Pass, which pass had to be abandoned by the Mexican forces, on account of Gen. Scott out-generalling Gen. Valincie, by countermarching around it. This plainly shows that there is ill feeling between Gens. Santa Anna and Valincie, and may cause trouble between them.

Friday September 10, 1847.—To-day is the Mexican thirty seventh anniversary of the revolution of Hidalgo, it having taken place on the 10th of September, 1810, and independence was declared September 16, 1810. I noticed to-day that there was a great deal of excitement among the citizens, whether it is on account of their anniversary or other unseen instigacion (excitement) I am not able to state, but from their cheers and crys its between the friends of Gens. Santa Anna and Valincie, the citizens mostly decide with Gen. Valincie, but the soldiers are with their old friend Gen. Santa Anna. There seems to be a good deal of entusiasmo among the poor and middle classes of people, and we can hear them gritar (cry) to rally to the republicana bandero (banner), and for Gen. Minion as their Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican army; and this shows the temper and feeling among the Mexican people, and it looks as if poor Santa Anna was losing ground and the good will of his people. There is one thing sure—Gen. Santa Anna will have to do something for his country soon, or his people will be after him with a hot stick.

In the afternoon, my friend, Jacob Banner, of our company, who some time ago went to the hospital, died in that institution to-day, after a protracted illness, which, like most of them, was caused by exposure to this tierres calientes. He hailed from Little York, Pa., and was one of the party that left that little town and joined our company at Harrisburg, Pa.; he, like his comrades, left with a stout heart and patriotism for the present war with Mexico; he was a good companion and a good soldier; his impulses were generous, and his actions the