Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/200

CHAPTER IV.

GEN. GEORGE CADWALADER ARRIVES AT PEROTE—LEFT PEROTE AND ARRIVES AT THE ANCIENT TOWN OF TEPEGAHUALCO (OR ZEMPOLLAN) —EL PINOL PASS—ARRIVED AT PUEBLA CITY— THE GREAT CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL— ATTENDED CHURCH—THE POWER OF THE CHURCH, AND ITS SUBJECTS—ANCIENT CITY OF CHOLULA—NUMBER OF CHURCHES—"THE LEG I LEFT BEHIND ME"—DRILLING AND PREPARING TO MARCH ON TO THE CAPITAL OF MEXICO.

Monday, June 21, 1847.—This morning we did not rise as early as usual on a march, on account of being tired out, besides wet and stiff with rheumatism and cold. Some of our men could hardly get up; in fact, we had to help one another up.

After breakfast we left camp, and after a short march we arrived at the Castle of Perote about 10 o'clock, a.m. Gen. Cadwalader's division encamped on the right and left of the Castle, while the train and artillery camped in the front, which made everything look lively.

I learned to-day by one of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers that Mr. Robert Brown, of our company, died in the Jalapa hospital, on June 12, of diarrhœa.

In the evening several soldiers who had died during the day were buried.

Tuesday, June 22, 1847.—This morning we were removed from our quarters in the Castle to the town of Perote, the same quarters we formerly occupied.

At noon we received orders from Gen. Cadwalader to hold ourselves in readiness to march to-morrow.

This afternoon is very pleasant, which had the effect of bringing out some of the prettiest senor dames and senoritas in the country, some riding out on stylish horses, richly mounted. The ladies are splendid riders.

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