rations as we are at the present time, and particularly when we are so regularly quartered, when in regular quarters we always had plenty to eat; if it was not one thing it was another. So some went to Lieut.-Col. Black and complained about our shortness in grub. The bread we got for the day was all eaten up in one meal, and we must go without anything to eat, except those that have a little cash. They will, of course, purchase bread.
To-day David Sullivan was shot at Tacubaya for desertion. He belonged to the regulars.
This evening Col. Wynkoop and his party returned without finding old Santa Anna or anything else.
Tuesday, January 11, 1848.—This morning there is still growling about the shortness of our rations. At noon news came to our quarters that several dragoon companies and Col. Manuel Dominguez's spy company, came into the city of Mexico, bringing a small mail, exclusively for Gen. Scott and other high officers. So, of course, privates and corporals need not apply. I heard that Col. Dominguez had several fights with the Mexican troops, between this city and Puebla. One fight was near Rio Trio, where he charged with seventy men on a Mexican force of over two hundred cavalry, and after a battle was victorious, putting the Mexicans to flight by routing them, and succeeded in capturing a number of officers, among them are Gen. Minion and Gen. Terrojoir and several colonels, numbering in all five offices and forty-two lancers and two American deserters, all of which Col. Dominguez took back to Puebla, and there handed them over to our old friend Gov. Childs, commanding officer of that city. Col. Dominguez said that this was one of the most successful fights he yet had. He was highly complimented by Gen. Scott for his success.
In the afternoon a party of us spent our time in writing letters among the polque bushes, and, for the first time, I witnessed the process of making polque. The Mexican makes an incision in the stalk and bores the heart out. The sap or fluid runs into the cup where the heart was cut out, and from here
