Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/545

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NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
539

country of almost every element of wealth upon which he could lay hands; and this is what he is after now—the money bag.

To-day I have the headache, which is as painful and unpleasant a complaint as the toothache, which I am seldom rid of.

Sunday April 30, 1848.—This morning, at 10 o'clock, we were formed into line and marched to the old parade-ground, and there mustered into the United States service by Lieut.-Col. Abercrombie. Company after company were mustered, after which they returned to their quarters. The wounded and diarrhœa blues fell in on the left and answered to their names when called. Our regiment, as usual, was highly praised by the Inspector-General. This evening the report of Gens. Paredes, Bustamente and Almonta about the breaking up of Congress is contradicted and all false.

Monday, May 1, 1848.—This morning, at 9 o'clock, we were formed in front of our quarters, after which we marched to the parade-ground, where we met the New York, Massachusetts South Carolina and Pennsylvania Regiments, also the splendid light battery, under the command of Lieut. French, of the Third Artillery; after which we were all put in our proper positions. We were then reviewed by Gens. Patterson and Worth and our American Commissioners, Messrs. Sevier and Clifford, accompanied by Col.—now Gen.—Riley, Major Leonard and about twenty other officers. When the brigade was in proper position, Gens. Patterson and Worth and other officers advanced, when the band struck up the reveille. At this the Generals uncovered, and then proceeded to the right of the brigade, and passed along the line to review. As they passed, the music of each regiment struck up "Hail to the Chief," while the Light Battery was firing blank cartridges and manœuvring. After the review was over, we were then taken through the field movements, such as close and open column, eschelon and oblique movements. We formed squares, and when our regiment formed the square, the Messrs. Sevier and Clifford rode in the