John Jacob Oswandel

“ Others, who, probably, were less ambitious, have found in the pursuit of private life a congenial occupation, and content with the reputation of their past deeds, desire to be known as citizens of good report and as veterans of the Mexican War. ”

“ The soldiers who fought through fire and blood from Vera Cruz to the capital of Mexico—a distance of nearly three hundred miles, which had to be fought foot by foot until the towers of the halls of Montezumas were stormed and taken, without a single retreat or defeat—have a just cause to be proud of their participation in that eventful struggle ”

“ Daniel M. Dull, the proprietor of our boat, who informed us that Adjutant-General George W. Bowman had chartered the boat to take a company of soldiers to Hollidaysburg, Pa.; the company of soldiers who happened to come on our boat were the Monroe Guards, of Philadelphia, Capt. William F. Small, commanding.
Having always had the inclination of either going into the United States Navy, or joining the United States Army, and particularly since the war and struggle with Mexico, the desired opportunities were now before me. ”