5th.—The weather has moderated somewhat, but the face of the country presents nothing inviting at this season of the year. Every thing has a desolate and wintry appearance. There being no food for our horses, we chopped down some limbs of the cotton wood tree for them to eat. We then went to a Mexican village to buy corn. Having no money, I took some tobacco and buttons to trade for the corn. While here, I sold my greasy blanket for a Navihoe one, with a meal for my horse in the bargain. The man with whom I traded was very kind; he set before me some corn, mush and sausages, but being seasoned with onions, I declined eating. He then brought in some corn stalk molasses, which I mixed with water and drank, thanking him for his hospitality. I returned to camp, when I found that Col. Mitchell, and the baggage wagons had arrived. I was officer of the guard to-night, and up till 12 o’clock.
Sunday, 6th.—Formed in line by our Colonel in the midst of a heavy shower of rain, and marched down the Rio Grande, a long distance. Our course is due south, keeping the river constantly on our right, and ranges of mountains on our left hand. We passed many villages, and at night encamped near one.
7th.—Rising early this morning to prepare breakfast, I found the snow four inches deep, and still snowing very fast. Marched in right order 15 miles, and after passing several towns situated on the banks of the river, we stopped at night at the large town of Albikirk. Here are garrisoned one hundred and fifty regulars; near whose quarters we encamped in a large room 100 feet by 40. In this place we found a number of soldiers, some engaged in tailoring, some playing cards, and others amusing themselves in various ways.
8th.—The country through which we passed to-day is thickly dotted over with towns and villages, whose names I cannot remember, but the road is dismal enough, being still among the mountains, where every object the eye rests upon is covered with snow. The cold is very intense. We pitched our tents to-night under the walls of a town. We had six small ears of corn for our horses, and no fodder. I went to the Quarter Master and was informed by him that the Mexicans had refused to sell us any thing. I cut some buttons from a uniform jacket, and with them tried to purchase food for my horse, but I was refused every where. I sat down and made out a requisition, and with several others went to their large stacks, ten feet high, which we ascended, and threw down a large turn for each. We succeeded in coming off with our booty, and in a few minutes, we were in bed. We were not disturbed in conscience in the least, being fully covered by the axiom, “necessity knows no law.”
9th.—We were called up this morning to lead our horses into ranks, when two guns and a sabre were missing. They had been taken from the tents by the Mexicans. After the line was formed, Col. Mitchell ordered the men who had lost their arms, to march out. He then told them they would be left behind to search the town, assisted by the alcalde, and if they should not find their arms they would have to return to Santa Fe. We then left; marched ten miles and encamped near a village. Our interpreter was sent to procure forage for the horses, but he returned with the news that none could be had. Our Captain told the Sergeant to go up with a file of soldiers and take what was wanting. He formed a line of twenty men, I among them, and marched off with our Orderly at the head, and second Sergeant, with the bags to put the corn in. At the door of the house, we were ordered to halt. The lock was broken, and we entered, filled our sacks and packed them down to the camp. In this adventure I made the acquaintance of a young man by the name of Hepbourn. He was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Md. After supper, we were all ordered up to draw fifteen rounds of cartridges. A strong guard was ordered out to-night.
10th.—Having orders to march very early, we rose by light and proceeded down the river 18 miles, the country presenting very much the appearance already described. We saw a few vineyards, surrounded by walls. I felt miserably disordered from the cold and loss of rest. I was just about to sit down to supper, which I thought might revive me, when our Orderly came by, requesting the men to form in line immediately, as the Captain wished to read the Articles of War. We stood just one hour and listened to the dry detail. When the reading was concluded, we returned to our tents. After supper, sixteen men were detailed on guard. I stood two hours the first watch, and three hours before day-light. It was extremely cold.
11th.—The roll was called at day-break, and after parade we continued our march 12 miles and encamped in a town among the mountains. Wood was very scarce, and the severity of the weather increasing.
12th.—We eat our breakfast at day-light. It consisted of mess pork and bread, half baked by a miserable fire. We went 12 miles to a place where there is a fine supply of wood. Our poor fellows had the satisfaction of having a good fire all night, and it was very necessary, for the weather was tempestuous with cold gusts of wind and snow.
Sunday, 13th.—At one o’clock this morning I awoke and found myself so cold that I arose and went to the guard-fire to thaw myself. I stood by the fire till day-light. The Captain in his round to visit the guard, stopped at the fire, and I had a pleasant chat with him. He is very clever and condescending. He remained an hour or two, and then woke up the Orderly to have all in readiness for a start. We came over the mountain four miles, where our road intersected the river again, passed a town, and further on encamped near the river. Our interpreter bought a beef from the natives, also a little wood to cook it. The wild geese are very numerous here.
14th.—The roll was called very early this morning—and as my horse had a sore back, I asked the Captain’s permission to walk behind the wagons. I walked all this day and led my horse. When I came up to the encampment I found that my mess had supper ready. It consisted of a kind of chicken pie, bread and coffee. I relished the supper very much, but by way of desert I received information that I had to stand sentinel. I walked my post two hours and then went to bed; being too cold to sleep, I got up at two o’clock, and went to the guard-fire. The guard said he was very sleepy and would lie down if I would consent to serve while he slept. To this I readily agreed—and he laid down, while I made a large fire, which soon attracted the attention of the other sentinels, and several of them collected around it. We enjoyed each others conversation till the morning dawned.