TO RINGGOLD BARRACKS. 505 
We visited the church on the plaza, which had been 
the hospital for our troops. It contains some bad pic- 
tures, and a large quantity of massive silver plate. Into 
this plaza the Mexican troops were driven before they 
capitulated. 
The city has an elevation of 1626 feet above the 
level of the sea. We had therefore descended, since 
leaving Encantada, in a distance of seventy-six miles, 
A478 feet.* With this sudden descent, we noticed a 
striking change in the temperature. As long as we 
were on the high table land, the mornings and evenings 
were invariably cool, so as to render an overcoat neces- 
sary. We were all glad to get around fires, whenever 
there was fuel enough to make one; and at night, three 
or four blankets were necessary. Now, on the contra- 
ry, we experienced the genial warmth of June, with 
roses in bloom in the open air; thin clothing felt com- 
fortable, and the mghts were mild. 
December 15th. Wkesuming our journey this morn- 
ing, we passed near the citadel, where our escort of 
ten dragoons, kindly sent by the Governor, joined 
us. Our route was now across a broad plain unob- 
structed by hill or mountain. Passed several ranchos, 
where the people were engaged in boiling sugar. This 
resion produces fine cane, though its cultivation is not 
so extensive as would be supposed. Passed, also, the 
small towns of San Domingo and San Prancisco ; and 
three miles beyond stopped at Aqua ria, astraggling 
town built upon two sides of a deen arroyo, 
* Encantada, according to Dr. Wislizenus, is 6104 feet above the 
sea. 
