I learn this evening that our whole fighting force consists of about one thousand men, including the hospital rangers, besides over five hundred soldiers very sick in the hospital, whom we have to protect as well as ourselves. Good night.
Thursday, August 12, 1847.—This morning it is reported that the lancers or guerillas were in the plaza, and had run our teamsters from their wagons, which were at the time at the butcher's shop loaded with slaughtered beef to be distributed among the different companies. They cut one of our teamsters with their sword and nearly killed him, he barely making his escape. One man was cut in the head and shoulder, and was left laying on the pavement for dead.
This outrage has caused a great deal of excitement among the respectable portion of Mexicans, as well as among ourselves. The Mexicans, on hearing of this cowardly act upon our unprotected men, closed their stores, and everybody seemed to be getting out of the streets as soon as possible. The cloud that now enshrouds us looks bad, I see it gathering thick and fast, but the darker cloud and threatening bloody storm is darker for the butchering of our innocent men. Their blood will and shall be avenged.
In the evening we were again placed on ramparts, looking and awaiting for these cowardly Mexicans to attack our quarters (San Jose), but these fanfarronado perro (bragging dogs) had not the courage to charge or show any fight, or show their yellow, beggaring faces. So, of course, we were left laying upon our arms all night to sleep and to watch.
The garrison of Puebla consist of the following companies: A, Capt. Denny; C, Capt. Small; D, Lieut. Moore; G, Capt. Morehead; I, Capt. Dana; K, Capt. Horron; all of the First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, Lieut.-Col. Samuel W. Black commanding, also two companies (A and K) of the Fourth United States Artillery, and one company of the cavalry, commanded by Capt. Ford; all under the command of Col. Childs.
