21st.—Since Tuesday last I have been ill in the hospital, with high fever and headache—bed hard and uncomfortable, consequently little sleep or rest. The doctor, in his round, asked me why I was not out at the roll-call this morning, as my name was erased, by his direction, from the sick list. He said there was nothing the matter with me, and he would give me no more medicine. He charged me with being home-sick, &c. &c., with many other tender and endearing epithets. Weak and quite unwell, I left the hospital and found my way to Col. Doniphan’s quarters, I consulted Dr. Morton, who, with expressions of sympathy, gave me the necessary restoratives. I had symptoms of jaundice, with very sore eyes.
26th.—I was somewhat recovered from my illness, through the humane treatment of Dr. Morton, but I still suffered considerably from my eyes. I felt much regret that I was prevented from joining Capt. Hudson, who took our company on a scout, and will be gone several days. I begin to feel weary of our detention here, occasioned by the non-arrival of Capt. Weightman with the artillery from Santa Fe. Col. Doniphan is hourly expecting this reinforcement.
27th.—Last evening a fellow was caught by our outer picket guard, who could give no satisfactory account of himself, and told so many contradictory tales, that our Colonel sent him to the guard-house. At ten o’clock our company returned from the scouting expedition; they went down to the fort, 25 miles off, and found it was deserted. They think it very likely we shall have no fighting to do at Chihuahua.
29th.—While on guard to-day over the prisoners taken at the battle of Bracito, I thought I would write in my journal, I searched my belt for it in vain. It was gone!—taken out probably by some mischievous soldier in the tent. In this book I had faithfully kept an account of every thing interesting to myself at least, since the day I left Carroll County, Missouri. Having another blank book I commenced writing again, but felt provoked at my loss.
30th.—This morning, being relieved from the duty of sentinel, I went immediately to Capt. Hudson and stated the loss of my journal. He asked me a number of questions in relation to it, and appeared pleased at so unusual an undertaking in a private. He went forward and told the soldiers that Maryland’s book must be restored or every man in his command should be searched.
31st.—The impatience of our boys for the arrival of the artillery has induced several to go out to meet it. This evening some of them returned, and said it was not more than 30 miles off. To-day my book was found on the floor of the tent. The robber was no doubt alarmed by the Captain’s order, and dropped it in the most convenient place.
February 1st.—We paraded early, and about 12 o’clock several rounds from our artillery-men, just across the Rio Grande, announced the arrival of Capt. Weightman from Santa Fe, with four six pounders and two twelve pound howitzers. They marched in town in right order; our men firing the salute from our piece of captured cannon just as they reached the public square. This company is an important acquisition to our small force.
3d.—Early orders were received that Lieut. Col. Mitchell, at the head of the Chihuahua Rangers, would move down to the fort to-day. Every thing being in readiness we came on in double file, and arrived at sunset at a pretty little village. Our provision wagons being delayed on the road, every thing like food in this small place was had in requisition by the orders of the Colonel, and we made our supper on pies, cheese, bread, &c.
4th.—This morning we were told to saddle up and hasten forward to overtake the traders, who had disobeyed orders in preceding us; we were ordered to bring them back. In obedience to the order we started and travelled 13 miles. On the way we saw several Mexicans, who endeavored to elude our observation. Our first and second Lieutenants wishing to know who they were, and on what errand bent, gave chase. After a run of two miles at full speed, they were overtaken and searched. One was the alcalde from the town where we staid last night. We halted late in the evening on the road, where we met a Mexican fully armed, gun, sabre, &c. He was also stopped and minutely examined, but no papers being found on his person, he was suffered to pass.
5th.—Marched on several miles, overtook and encamped with the traders, who had formed their wagons in a pen or coral, tried to refresh ourselves on a supper of black bread, poor beef, and sassafras tea, cooked over a fire of thorn bushes. The traders sell the bark of the sassafras at $1 per pound. A small cup of the decoction cost 25 cents to-night.