Hi, this is William Ramsey.

Welcome to William Ramsey Investigates on today's show.

We'll be part three.

Reading from the book, My Confession, Recollections of a Rogue by Samuel Chamberlain.

So this will be part three.

You can listen to part one and two at my podcast.

William Ramsey Investigates.

And we are on chapter seven.

So chapter seven. Experiences experiences on picket duty the city of monclova in the state of coheila was built in the year 1687 as a stronghold against the

french who threatened the Spanish possessions from Louisiana it was formerly the capital of the state and contains about 4,000 inhabitants who I judge

obtain a precarious living by murder and robbery.

The women appeared to be all of the most common character and the men regular assassins.

When not on duty, I went into town day and night, armed with a bowie knife, and the chamber of my hall's carbine, visited the fandangos in gambling rooms, danced, gambled, drank wine, and mescal, made love to the signoritas with many a gold onza in my pockets, staggered to camp at Raville, all safe, while many a poor fellow's body would be found horribly mutilated, stripped, and thrown into a ditch to be devoured by the coyotes and buzzards.

The disgraceful armistice granted by General Taylor proved a severe blow to Wool's division. With inadequate rations, we were to remain here over three weeks,

surrounded by a hostile population and the most demoralizing influences. The volunteers growled,

and finally the two Illinois regiments broke out an open mutiny and started on their way back

to the Rio Grande. The regulars by order of general rule prompted promptly suppressed this, and they confined

themselves to muttered threats. At this time, the guard duty at camp was done in a very negligent

and reprehensible manner. I often saw two sentinels meet at the ends of their post, stick their

muskets in the ground by the bayonets, set themselves and indulge in a game of old sledge or yuker.

Others with a dusky seniorita for a companion who leave their post and retire to some inviting shade,

and in love dallions contrived to pass their two hours quite pleasantly, and this in a country

...