Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/279

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
273

Gov. Childs was to proceed to Gaudaloupa Heights, the place selected to meet, and there wait until Gen. Rea made his appearance on the Amozoquco Road, and then to advance and make the final arrangements.

Gov. Childs with his escort of fifty of Capt. Ford's Third Cavalry and Co. A, of the Fourth Artillery, under Capt. Miller, were on the spot at the appointed time. Here they waited for over one hour after the time set, and, finding that the moral and gallant Gen. Lorenzo Rea did not make his appearance, our men returned sadly disappointed in not seeing Gen. Rea and to make the exchange.

It was also a disappointment to us who were left behind in not seeing our men exchanged, and particularly our young friend Morris Stemler, (familiarly called Johnny Bull,) who is a jolly young fellow; he used to tell us many stories about the young gals who used to come in his tailor store on North Second street, Philadelphia.

In the afternoon hand-bills were posted up on the street corners, calling on the citizens to rise up in arms and assist him. Gen. Rea, in driving these condenable (damnable) Yankees out of Puebla City.

In the evening another flag of truce came to Gov. Child's quarters, making an apologia (apology), stating the reason why Gen. Rea did not come to meet him yesterday. The reason given we did not hear, yet it must have been satisfactory to Gov. Childs, for he made arrangements again to meet Gen. Rea to-morrow at noon, at the Saint Augustine Church, there to exchange prisoners. We all hope it may be a success, for our men would be rejoiced at their liberation.

Saturday, September 4, 1847-—This morning there was not much of anything going on, except the general talk among our men of the prospect of exchanging prisoners.

At noon, Gov. Childs and his usual escort, (our company being one of the escort,) proceeded toward the Saint Augustine Church by the way of Tivola Garden, and sure enough, there