homes; and again, the men who were really sick and not able to do any kind of duty, were refused their discharges. So there must be some red tape about; there were three of our company got their discharges, they were really sick and have been since we last left Jalapa City, they looked pleased on account of getting their discharges, as well as an early prospect of getting home.
In the evening I returned to the town of Perote, and at six o'clock, we received orders to march in the morning.
Sunday, October 31, 1847.—This morning we left the town of Perote, and on our march we passed a small town named Cruze Blanco. The town was entirely deserted, not a single soul could be seen. Went into camp at Las Vegas, this was also deserted, and one half of it was burned down during the guerilla fight which took place on the 20th of June. We supposed that the Mexicans retreated down to the La Hoya Pass, there to try and stop our advance, so of course we all prepared for a fight, to-day's march our advance-guard took two lancers prisoners.
To-night one of our picket-guards shot a Mexican while in the act of crawling through the fence, not more than twenty five yards from our guard, trying to kill our picket, but our fellow was too soon for him, and put him (the Mexican) out of the way first.
Monday, November 1, 1847.—This morning we found the Mexican who attempted to shoot our sentinel, a dead cock in the pit; we let him lie where he ingloriously fell in attempting to kill a Yankee.
About 7 o'clock, we left Las Vegas and soon entered the Pass of La Hoya, here we all expected a fandango. The fog was so heavy that we could not see fifty feet in advance. We went through the Pass without a shot being fired either from us or from the enemy. We marched on until we came to a small town at the foot of the Pass, here we halted and refreshed ourselves and then left, we arrived at the city of Jalapa about 3 o'clock, p.m.
