Monday, May 24, 1847.—This morning our company was detailed to go on guard for the second time since we are quartered here. I was stationed in front of the main guard-house, a comfortable station in case of rain or storm.
At 10 o'clock, a.m., I was relieved from guard duty four hours, but had to remain in and about the guard-house all day and night.
About 11 o'clock, a.m., a courier came to the Castle of Perote, stating that Gen. Scott with a large train is coming. When he came in sight the cannons sent forth their peals of thunder, and when he arrived our regiment was out on parade, bearing the flag of our State. He uncovered and acknowledged the corn, remarking that he feels proud to see the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers in such a good state of health, and complimented Col. Wynkoop highly for our neat and cleanly appearance, after which he entered the Castle of Perote, took a walk around and all over the castle, examining the artillery and heavy cannons, remarking that this is truly a very strong fort, and it surprised him that the Mexicans should have surrendered it without a battle. After he had examined and seen all, he returned to the town of Perote, where he took up his quarters for the day and night.
Several of our soldiers who were left back at Jalapa hospital, having so far recovered that they were able to do duty, have joined their respective companies; and from them I learned the sad news of the death of John Sheldon and Simon Schaffer, both belonging to our company. Mr. Sheldon was wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo, and died of his wounds on May 6th, and my esteemed friend and messmate, Simon Schaffer, died May 13, 1847.
Mr. Schaffer hailed from Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, Pa., and joined our company on our way to Pittsburgh, Pa. Hailing from the same county in which I lived, and spent the majority of my boyhood days, on that account we became more familiar and more intimately attached to each other. We were chums, in camp we slept together, and on our march we
