Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

2178 How THE I MONKS DIDDLED US.
of our regiment, strolling on a pleasant morning in February,
under the walls of the Franciscan convent in Monterey, was
astonished at observing some gunpowder sprinkled upon one
of the window-sills next the river-bank. The guard was
immediately called and the building searched,-but too late.
A few scattered cartridges alone were found. But the number of empty boxes which remained, satisfied us that a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition had been recently
removed; perhaps to equip the guerrillas then assembling
in the vicinity. The heavy tread of the guard in the corri.n
dots of the monastery, startled from their cells, some drowsylooking individuals in flowing robes and skull-caps of silk;
whose thoughts however, just then very conlveniently, happened to be so intent upon the bliss or brimstone of another
world, as to prevent them from accounting for the mysterious
presence of the sublunary salctpeter.
In consequence of the limited number of the garrison, and
the large details often required for escorts, and daily for
guard, fatigue and patrol duty, the men were kept sufficiently busy. Yet would our position at Monterey have
been more pleasant, had it not been for the unnecessary labors
and petty annoyances imposed upon the troops by certain
individuals in authority, who did not know how to wear
very becomingly the greatness thrust upon them. Fortunately they were not in supreme command, and could do no
great harm to the cause of their country. But the soldiers
and subaltern-officers, whom they vexed and wearied by their
thoughtless and ill-timed orders, were often induced thereby,
to recall the more prudent conduct and bearing of the wise