5th.—Our Orderly Sergeant in reading over the names of those to be placed on mounted guard, cried out mine. Accordingly, I with three others marched down to the public square, where we paraded, and dinner, or rather supper, being over, we were placed as sentinels till three o’clock in the morning. I then went to the guard-fire, spread down my blanket and slept till day-light.
6th.—To-day we were allowed two-third rations of coarse Taos flour, some coffee without sugar, and poor mutton. We sometimes got a few peaches from the inhabitants in exchange for tobacco, buttons, &c.
7th.—Finding our flour nearly gone I went out and bought a baked pumpkin to mix with it; saw much fruit exhibited for sale, but had no money to buy any. Our scouting party which had been sent out a few days ago, returned this evening, bringing three prisoners, a priest among them. They were captured 12 miles down, on their way to Chihuahua, with papers containing information of our movements to the Mexican army in that quarter. They were placed under strict surveillance.
Sunday, 10th.—I went to church with a number of others, and witnessed all the ceremonies, and manœuvres of this singular people. The church is large, and the handsomest and best built house in the place. I saw the representation of Christ in the sepulchre, with various other images in and near the altar. On our return we found multitudes in the open street playing cards—sorry to say, some were American soldiers.
13th.—Our time begins to hang heavily. The ordinary duties of the day are soon accomplished, and no novelty to amuse or excite, the soldiers become restless and are ready for any excess. Our living consists of poor mutton, the miserable Taos flour and a little coffee. Some complain and others “hook” what they can to improve their fare.
14th.—I was taken last night with a violent headache and pain in the bowels. My diarrhœa having become much worse I got up and went to the Surgeon, who gave me 15 grs. calomel, 10 do. jalap, 5 do. rhubarb and 2 do. tartar, all mixed up together in a dose. I took this monstrous compound and sat by the guard-fire till morning, I then laid on my blanket and slept till 3 o’clock in the evening. Needing some refreshment, I tried my mess, but they had nothing I could relish; I went to Sergeant Edwards and he gave me a lump of sugar to sweeten my coffee. I tried in vain to borrow a picayune to purchase some molasses. At length I applied to a messmate who had come to me a few days after my horse had died, bringing a mule, and saying if I would consent to let him draw the rations of my horse I should have the use of this mule. Yesterday I understood he had sent his mule away to graze, and was selling my corn. When I presented my petition, he turned his back as a refusal, and went down among the gamblers and lost every cent.
15th.—Feeling disordered and ill, I applied early to our Surgeon, who gave me a small lump of sugar, charging me to take particular care of the article, as it was only intended for the sick. He felt my pulse and made me swallow a large dose of salts and tartar; I then went to my blanket.
16th.—I awoke this morning with a high fever and headache. The Surgeon gave me a large pill, and I was placed in the hospital, under the particular care of a doctor, whose name I could not learn, but who said he was from Philadelphia, and could out-practice any man in the regiment. Wishing some coffee, he very politely took a pinch of sugar between his thumb and finger to sweeten it for me, talking the while of “his superior skill,” &c.
17th.—Still in the hospital, but feeling better, I applied to the Quarter Master, who gave me four pints of American flour; I baked a small cake to eat with my coffee. At night I spread my blanket in the tent, and slept with my mess.
18th.—At the sound of the reveille I arose and strolled over the graveyard, where the remains of young Leland were interred yesterday. This young man died of the fever prevailing among the troops, and his grave is close to the wall, fronting an old church in ruins. Piles of bones lay around—in the centre of some of the hills were erected wooden crosses.