This evening orders came from Gen. Scott stating that we should not leave until further orders from him. He expected long before this that his ships containing the transport surfboats would have arrived.
To-night the soldiers were all wishing that the ship having those surf-boats on board would arrive.
Friday February 26, 1847.—This morning we were all ordered on deck to be inspected and mustered. Also orders were read stating that the red pennant flying from the main topmast of Gen. Scott's flag ship "Massachusetts," would be the signal for all ships to depart. Cheers for Mexico.
In the afternoon I heard considerable growling, and there seems to be much dissatisfaction among the boys, all being anxious to get away from this island. All eyes are watching for the red pennant on Gen. Scott's flag ship "Massachusetts," but all in vain,
Saturday, February 27, 1847.—This morning the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers and all the rest of the troops on Lobos Island were ordered to strike tents and to embark, and be ready to sail.
I heard to-day the reason of our delay here is on account of Gen. T. S. Jessup, United States Quartermaster at New Orleans, failing to provide transportation for the soldiers, ordnance stores, artillery and dragoons. According to Gen. Scott's plan of operation all the transports and soldiers should have been here long before this time. Gen. Scott seemed to be much embarrassed and troubled about the capturing of his plan of operations in Mexico, and the insufficiency of transports to transport his army.
This evening a number of ships loaded with troops, ammunition and ordnance, stores arrived. There must now be nearly one hundred vessels of all sizes anchored around this island, in fact it looks like a wilderness of spars and rigging.
Later this evening three companies of the Second Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers on board the ship "General Vesay" were ordered to land again on Lobos Island on account of
