To-day the general talk among the soldiers, and the Mexicans too, is about Gen. Lane's expedition to Atlixco in pursuit of the volador (flying) army of Gen. Santa Anna and Don Lorenzo Rea.
Everything in and about the city seems very quiet. Business is going on again as usual, and the city is again supplied with buenos (marketing), and those soldiers who have the ready cash can buy most anything in the eating line.
This afternoon Capt. Juan Mose, of a spy company, and well known to every member of the garrison—who was shot dead yesterday by a drunken follower of the army—was buried. He was followed to his final resting-place, near his quarters, by most all of the officers under Gov. Child's command. The crime was without provocation, and apparently without motive. The assassin is still at large.
In the evening Mr. John Byers, our beef quartermaster, who was taken prisoner by Gen. Rea's guerillas on September 19th, made his escape, and, like all the rest of his fellow-prisoners, was much rejoiced at his liberation. He also tells some hard tales about Gen. Rea and his guerilla forces—how he was treated and what they made him do—telling Mr. Byers that they would kill all the pagano Americans in Mexico before we get out. He says that many a night he did not sleep a wink for fear that some crazy drunken guerilla would kill him for fun.
In regard to killing us Yankees all off before we get out of Mexico, I think the way things look now, that it will be reversed, and particularly to those who come into the clutches of Capt. Sam. Walker's men; for they have jurado (sworn) that they will take no more prisoners from this time out. So, umbra, look out for the death pasa (knell) rings in the ears of every man in Capt. Saml. Walker's company, for they will avenge his death.
Wednesday, October 20, 1847.—This morning we are all anxiously looking for news from Gen. Lane as to how he made out with Gen. Santa Anna at the villa, or town of Atlixco.
