CHAPTER IX

JALAPA.--PUEBLA

Prisoners released on parole--March for Jalapa--Encerro, Santa Anna's country seat--Reaches Jalapa, Eden of Mexico--Prepares memoir on conducting war against guerrillas--Letters to wife--Feeling address at burial of Sapper Carigan--March from Jalapa to Puebla--Beautiful country--Soldado--Pass of La Hora--Las Vegas--Perote, its plain and castle--Leaves Perote with Colonel Clarke's brigade--San Antonio--Tepe Ahualeo with General Worth and Garland's brigade--Hacienda of Virayes-- Byzantium--Ojo de Agua--Hacienda Santa Annaced--Nopalucan--El Pinal--Acajete--Amasoque--Column of lancers threaten attack-- Sheer off at fire of Duncan's battery in two bodies-- Lieutenants Stevens and McClellan pursue one for five miles--Puebla occupied--Health improved--Reports for duty-- Reconnoitres road to Tlascala--Examines position in city-- Generals Scott and Twiggs arrive--Santa Anna renounces power--His career and character--Attends church--Bull fight-- Army recruiting strength--Drilling--Awaiting reinforcements-- Engineers making maps--Collecting information--Wealthy Mexican offers to act as spy--Dominguez, robber chief, with some of his band, employed as spies and couriers--Submits memoir on system of espionage and employing robbers--Rumors-- Guerrillas invest El Pinal--Colonel Harney marches to disperse them--Arrival of volunteers--Review--Sorry appearance--Good material--Heavy defenses and eighteen thousand troops at City of Mexico--Character of Mexican governing class--Letters to wife--Description of Puebla--Climate--People--Confidence of the troops--Character of General Scott--Arrival of General Pierce 129