
          the Puente del Rey, & they fatiqued as they were
 would have engaged an Enemy of ten time their
 number had they found them.


 Tis impossible to conceive the reason why the 
 Mexicans have retreated from this place. None
 in Mexico could be more easily defended nor
 where an invading army would so surely be
 repulsed. Between cliffs as high as the
 Palasadoes on the Hudson runs a rapid mounta
 stream, spanned by a magnificent bridge of
 ten Arches over which passes the grand 
 national road, with several hills crowned 
 by forts & batteries the Coup d'oeil is one 
 of the most beautiful & facinating it has
 ever been my fortune to witness, notwithstanding
 my extreme fatique (for I’ve marched nearly the
 entire way, having unfortunately lost my horse the
 night after we started) I climbed the summit of
 one of the vast cliffs & gazed with wonder on
 the scene. The Castle Crowned [crossed out: Hight] hights 
 the deep ravine & the rear guard of the Army
 at the moment passing along, with its banners
 unfurled and drums beating, the distant range
 of Mountains with snow capped Orozana towering
  to the skies. Oh I would have given anything

        