One morning when we were between Seralvo and Marin I received an order to remain and assist Lieut. D. B. Sacket in having the mule train loaded. I thought it strange that an artillery officer should be put on that duty, and felt indignant; but I was repaid in a measure by what took place, for I sometimes enjoy a little "fun." After the muleteers had packed the old trained mules and started them one after another on their way, there remained a number of wild mules to have their packs put on, I believe for the first time. One was lassoed and thrown and the pack saddle put on. Then, for his load, two barrels of crackers were securely put on. All being ready, the blind was removed from his eyes. He looked slowly around, showed the white of his eyes, took one step, humped himself, and kicked so high that the load overbalanced him and he fell on his back unable to rise, and brayed aloud. Soon a blind was removed from another; he surveyed the load from right to left with rolling eyes, squatted low, humped himself, sprang forward, stood on his forefeet and commenced high kicking, exploded the barrels of "hardtack" with his heels, threw the biscuit in the air with the force of a dynamite bomb, and ran away with the empty barrels dangling behind, as badly scared as a dog with tin buckets tied to his tail. A third, when his blind was removed, stepped lightly to the front, but casting his eyes on either side, made a loud bray, closed down his tail, and disappeared through the chaparral as quick as a jack rabbit, followed with loud Mexican denunciations that I cannot translate. In this manner four or five cargoes were lost, and the pack train moved on. I was sorry for the poor Mexicans, but I could not but laugh at the mules. My duty ended when the train started; so leaving it in the charge of Lieut. Sacket with his dragoons, I rode on alone and did not overtake my company until it had encamped.
We arrived at Monterey on the 19th. The dragoons and the two batteries of field artillery encamped with Gen. Taylor at his headquarters at Walnut Springs, three miles from the city.
Monterey--Population--Gen. Ampudia--Gen. Worth--Capture a Fort--Battery in a Hot Place--Bragg's Order Countermanded--Two Long-Haired Texans--Capture the Bishop's Palace--Our Battery Ordered to the East End of the City--Gens. Taylor and Quitman--Street Fighting--Gen. Ampudia Surrenders--Gen. Worth, Gov. Henderson, and Col. Jefferson Davis Commissioners--Enter the City--Dine with a Mexican Gentleman--Death of Ridgely--Hot Springs--Santa Anna President--Victoria Surrenders--Gen. Scott--Vera Cruz--Return to Monterey--Death of Lieut. Richey--Investigation of Richey's Death--Monterey--Saltillo--Agua Nueva--Gen. Wool--Santa Anna Advances--Majs. Borland and Gaines Captured--Taylor Falls Back to Buena Vista--Mexican Army--Am Wounded--The Hacienda--Cavalry Fight with Mexican Lancers--Flag of Truce--Victory--Carried to Saltillo.