Chapter VI: Charge of Works: New Bedford, Portsmouth, Portland, Bucksport

Wedding journey to West Point--Returns to Newport--Charge of
works at New Bedford--Moves to Fairhaven--Halleck asks aid
for engineer corps--Journal--Thanksgiving in Andover--Hazard
born, June 9--Fugitive slave harbored in Andover--Elizabeth
marries L.M. Campbell in Tennessee--Moves his family to
Portsmouth, N.H.--Charge of works there and Portland,
Me.--Pleasant society--Examines old forts at Castine--Fort
Knox, on Penobscot, buys land for--Youthful appearance--
Backwoods uncle, warm welcome--Overwork--Severe illness--
Julia Virginia born, June 27, 1844--Visits Andover--Elizabeth
and Mr. Campbell--Moves to Bucksport tavern--Goes to
housekeeping--New friends--Assistants, Richard Kidder Randolph,
Isaac Osgood, A.W. Tinkham--Penobscot River--Barge--Pushes on
works--Fine ox-teams--Judge of men--Severe sickness in
winter--Visits Washington--Obtains large appropriations--
Confidential inquiry if he desires promotion--Characteristic
reply--Delighted in dispensing hospitality--Daughter Julia
Virginia died, December 7, 1845--Beautiful tribute by Mr.
Brooks--Organizes course of lectures--Salmon weir--Advocates
engineer company--Enlists first soldier--Views on raising
standard of rank and file--Ordered to Mexican war--Speeds to
Boston by sleigh 78

CHAPTER VII

VOYAGE TO MEXICO

Placed in charge of pontoon and engineer train--Delays in
embarking--Visits from relatives--Death of Elizabeth--Letters
to wife--Sails on barque Prompt, January 19, 1847--Diary of
voyage--Seasickness--Warm weather--Passes Bahamas, Great
Abaco, Hole in the Wall, Berry Island, Black Chief--Steward
commits suicide--The weather in the Gulf--Arrives at the
Brazos--Meets officers--Great confusion--Sails to Tampico,
beautiful, picturesque region--Landing at Vera Cruz, March 9
and 10 96

CHAPTER VIII

VERA CRUZ.--CERRO GORDO

Vera Cruz--Defenses--American army invests city--Lieutenant
Stevens's zeal in reconnoitring--Hands torn and poisoned--
Horse bolts to enemy's lines--Throws himself from saddle--
Looks out route for covered way--Put in charge with large
working parties--Volunteers--Independent ways--Diary of
siege--Capture of city--Damage by artillery fire--"Moonlight
magnificence and sunlight squalidity"--Secures fine horse--
Appointed adjutant of engineer corps--Diary of march to
Cerro Gordo--National Bridge--Rancheros--Reconnoissances
of Cerro Gordo--Disabled by rupture--Compelled to remain in
camp--Description of battle--Letter to wife 110