Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/452

CHAPTER IX.

BULL FIGHTS IN MEXICO—VISIT TO THE CASTLE CHAPULTEPEC—ALAMEDA PARK THE CYPRESS TREES—THE CATHOLIC CATHEDRAL, ITS DIMENSION, ITS IDOLS AND WEALTH THE SONG OF DERRY DOWN TLASCALLA CITY AND ITS ANCIENT HISTORY THE REMOVAL OF GEN. SCOTT FROM HIS VICTORIOUS ARMY GEN. WM. O. BUTLER APPOINTED IN HIS PLACE EXCITEMENT AMONG THE SOLDIERS—THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION, FREEING THEMSELVES FROM THE SPANISH RULE—GEN. WINFIELD SCOTT'S LETTER OF GRIEVANCE TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR, HON. WILLIAM. L. MARCY, ETC., ETC.

Saturday, January 8, 1848.—This morning Peter McKeever, of Co. D, was buried by his company, back of the guard-house. They marked his grave on a head-board. This being the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, most of our officers went to the city frolicing, and no doubt some good speeches were made. Many of them went over to the polque tub to drink polque, and also making fancy and patriotic speeches.

To-night we witnessed a magnificent sight. It was that of an eruption of one of the adjoining mountains. Owing to the darkness of the night we could not tell whether it was from the volcanic Popocatepetl or Iscotafelt. The throwing up of immense amount of red hot lava, then running down the west side with blue and green lights, making a rumbling noise like so many running horses on a plank road. The whole was a beautiful sight and it was closely watched by all the soldiers. The scene will long be remembered. During the eruption the air smelt strong of sulphur.

At dusk a party of Mexicans opposite our quarters had a dance, fandango, after which the hat went around for clacos. They danced what is called the regular Spanish National dance.

Sunday, January 9, 1848.—This morning a party of us got permission from Lieut. Haines to go to the city for the purpose

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