Zenas Matthews' 1846 U.S.-Mexico War Diary and Service Papers

Sunday September 27th 1846 This morning went to Grand Mass at the cathedral and found about several hundred Volunteers as spectators of the clergery there was but few communicants they were partly of our Regulars and voluteer troops The most fashionable Mexican Belle and servant girl the aristoc ratic getleman and the peone all kneel ing together at the threshold of the church All distinctions of society put aside but during service all are on an equality. There is nothing very extraordinary in this church. The paintin are very ordinary so far as I was capable of judgeing. the images were bronzed or painted the alter and fixtures were of wood and painted with some taste