so to do, and after dark they withdrew. Why was this permission
refused? We had ample force already across the river to have
beaten them. After several hours' delay, the general came
across, but the writer has never heard any satisfactory reason
why this insolent banter of the enemy was not met. Early next
morning the rear-guard of the army crossed, and a good portion
of the day was employed by the general in guarding a fat hog,
which, he said, belonged to "these good friends," and which hog
our men cast wistful glances at. He, however, was not successful
in his kind protection; for his eyes had hardly turned a minute
before the animal was killed, quartered, and divided between
several messes.  Colonel M'Cullough11 had been sent to the city
to demand of the alcalde rations and other necessaries for the
army. The alcalde returned a cheerful answer that everything
should be forthcoming by the time the army arrived in town,
where good quarters were prepared. That evening the army was
marched in the direction of