Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/128

CHAPTER III.

BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO—VICTORY COMPLETE—ROUTING OF THE ENEMY IN ALL DIRECTIONS—CAPTURED FIVE THOUSAND PRISONERS—FORTY-THREE PIECES OF ARTILLERY—OVER FIVE THOUSAND STAND OF ARMS, WITH NO END OF AMMUNITION AND PROVISIONS—OVER SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS IN SPECIE—GEN. SANTA ANNA'S PRIVATE CARRIAGE, CORK LEGS AND SADDLE—FOLLOWING THE FLYING ENEMY—CAPTURED JALAPA CITY, PEROTE CASTLE AND PUEBLA CITY—ARRIVED AND CAMPED NEAR JALAPA—ARRIVAL OF GEN. SCOTT AT PEROTE CASTLE—PEROTE CASTLE A POLITICAL PRISON—BATTLE OF LAS VEGAS.

Sunday, April 18, 1847. — This morning all soldiers were up bright and early, and in fact it looked more like preparing to go on a Fourth of July spree than going into the field of battle.

Some were still writing letters, while others were eating and drinking, and some whistling, and some boasting and talking loud of what they intended to do.

About 6 o'clock, a. m., the drums began to beat their merry old tunes. Company after company marched into line to their respective places.

Our Adjutant, Alexander Brown, with a clear and distinct voice gave the words, "Attention! Shoulder arms!" After addressing the regiment, he saluted the Colonel, and informed him that the regiment was formed. Col. Francis M. Wynkoop then drew his sword and stepped to the front, looking with his keen eyes from one end of the regiment to the other, gave the command, "By the left flank, left face, forward! March!" (The left being in the front.) Then started for the field where bloody work is to be done. After marching about four miles up the National Road, we came to a halt at a cluster of deserted huts or ranches.

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