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THE 
 
 TWELVE MONTHS VOLUNTEEU; 
 
 OR, 
 
 JOURNAL OF A PRIVATE, 
 
 TENNESSEE REGIMENT OF CAVALRY, 
 
 IN THE CAMPAIGN, IN MEXICO, 
 
 1846-7; 
 
 COMPRISING FOUR GENERAL SUBJECTS " 
 
 L A SOLDIER'S LIFE IN CAMP; AMUSEMENTS; DUTIES; HARDSHIPS 
 n. A DESCRIPTION OF TEXAS AND MEXICO, AS SEEN ON THE MARCH 
 
 III. MANNERS; CUSTOMS; RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES OF THE MEXICANS 
 
 IV. THE OPERATIONS OF ALL THE TWELVE MONTHS VOLUNTEERS 
 
 INCLUDING A COMPLETE 
 
 HISTORY OF THE WAE WITH MEXICO. 
 
 EMBELLISHED WITH 
 
 CORRECT ENGRAVINGS, PROM DRAWINGS BY THE AUTHOR. 
 
 BY GEORGE C. FURBER, 
 
 OP COMPANT G. 
 
 CINCINNATI: 
 J. A. & U. P. JAMES, WALNUT ST. 
 
 - 1848. 
 
Entebed, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by 
 
 GEORGE C. FURBER, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Ohio. 
 
 ( JAMES & CO., 
 
 > J. A. t c. p. 
 
 Stereotypers, CiacJauti. 
 JAMES' Steam Prea. 
 
TO THE 
 
 OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS 
 
 TWELVE MONTHS VOLUNTEERS, 
 
 THIS WORK 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 To Major General Patterson and Colonel Abercrombie, his aid, theauthor 
 gratefully acknowledges his obligations, for the information given him of 
 the army movements from time to time, and more especially for the revisal 
 of his journals during the stay of the army at Jalapa, — thus enabling him, 
 with confidence, to present therp to the public. To Colonel Thomas, Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Allison, Major Waterhouse, and Captain Sneed, of the Ten- 
 nessee cavalry, he takes pleasure in declaring his indebtedness, for the con- 
 tinued opportunities and indulgence granted, in allowing him time and leave 
 of absence from the regular duties of camp, while near the Mexican cities and 
 towns, in order to procure the information herein contained. To the gen- 
 tlemanly adjutants of the 1st and 2d Tennessee, and 3d Ohio regiments, he 
 is indebted for much information, more particularly in their power to give. 
 To most of the officers in his own regiment, and many of those in the lat 
 and 2d Tennessee, he returns his thanks, for the relation of many items 
 and facts which came under their more immediate observation ; and for their 
 strong interest manifested, while yet on the scene of operations, for the char- 
 acter and success of this work. 
 
 To Dr. Woodworth, now of Cincinnati, but resident in the interior of 
 Mexico for the past eight years, the author is much indebted, for the complete 
 revisal and approval of his proof-sheets, as they came from the press, in 
 all things relating to Mexican manners, customs, laws, and religious cere- 
 monies, — thus, in these respects, enabling him to present them to the pub- 
 lic, fully confident that nothing therein will convey the slightest impression 
 of anytliing save facts, as they exist. — In giving these accounts, he ac- 
 knowledges the assistance of no work whatever on Mexico or Mexicans; 
 being entirely original, and he not willing to endorse the errors or care- 
 lessness of others. 
 
 To his numerous fellow-soldiers, who, at Victoria, Mex., Tampico, Vera 
 Cruz, Plan del Rio and Jalapa, subscribed to the work, upon hearing the 
 details of the manuscripts and examining the drawings of places, — on the 
 jiromise, too, on his part, that it should be issued from the press by the 1st 
 ■of November, 1847, — the author owes an apology, for his failure to produce 
 
yJ preface. 
 
 itin that specified time ; and he trusts that they ■will receive his excuse, as- 
 he found it wholly impossible to finish the book and engravings within that 
 period, and as they will see that he has furnished a larger and more com- 
 plete work than that contracted for, but with no increase of price. 
 
 A description of the country ; the transactions in camp and on the march ; 
 the battles fought by the immediate division to which the Tennessee cavalry 
 was attached ; the manners and customs of the Mexicans, &c., was prom- 
 ised; but he has taken a wider range, and worked in with those an account 
 of all the actions of the twelve months' volunteers, and a complete history 
 of the war. — Five hundred and fifty pages was the proposed extent ; he 
 has given six hundred and twenty-four ; — six engravings were to be in the 
 work ; he has placed in twenty-three, and added a map of the whole scene 
 of operations. He trusts, on these accounts, that his failure in time in 
 issuing the book, will be passed over. 
 
 To the general reader, the author would remark, that in this work there has 
 not been the slightest opportunity, even had he been so disposed, for the flight 
 of imagination, or any departure from truth : for thousands witnessed the 
 scenes here described. The errors would have been instantly detected by 
 them ; and especially condemned by those whose aid and support has been 
 freely given to the work only on account of its faithful details, whether of 
 important operations, or of lighter scenes in camp. 
 
 The author has aimed at no excellence of style; he has endeavored 
 to use the more familiar words and every day expressions of life, conscious 
 that the relation of facts would be the main object with the reader, rather 
 than the language in which they might be dressed. 
 
 In the list of killed and wounded there may be errors in the letters of 
 the names; — probably there are such: as it is next to impossible for so 
 many proper names to be all correctly spelled ; — there may also be some 
 omissions. In either case, the author would be happy to receive communi- 
 cations from the friends of the fallen, or from the wounded themselves, ad- 
 dressed to him, care of the publishers, post-paid, and such errors shall be 
 corrected in the next edition; — or if he has inadvertently neglected, in any 
 particular, to do full and even justice to any regiment, command, or officer, 
 he would be thankful for communications, in like manner, upon the subject: 
 for this, too, may be the case, especially in the operations of other divisions 
 of the army than that to which he was attached, notwithstanding his un- 
 wearied endeavors, to procure all published information and personal 
 accounts from individuals who bore distinguished parts in those scenes, and 
 the full confidence which, consequently, he feels in their correctness. 
 
 Cincinnati, January, 1848. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Causes and Commencement of the War— Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
 Palma— Bombardment of Fort Brown— War Bill— Call for Volunteers— List 
 of the Regiment of Twelve Months Volunteers from page 13 to 44 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Twelve Months' Volunteer— Tennessee Regiment of Cavalry— March to 
 Little Rock— Drumming out of Camp— Little Rock— Encampment at Sabine 
 
 River Magnet Cove— Camp at Caddo River — Soldiers Cooking — Squatter 
 
 Girl— Camp at Little Missouri— Washington, Ark.— Fulton— Line of Texas 
 
 Sulphur Fork — Alligators — Sickness in Camp — The Philosopher — Upshur 
 
 county fromp.i^io 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Branton's — " The Rainy Day "-Crockett — Old Bell— Petrified Timber — Rob- 
 bins' Ferry, Trinity River — Beautiful Prairie— Grimes County — Landscapes 
 
 Washington, Texas — Soldier's Burial — Riding a Rail — Independence — 
 
 Brave Boy — Picturesque Basin — Alligators fromp.67to 
 
 66 
 
 94 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Operations of Gen. Taylor — March of the Army — Situation of the City of Mon- 
 terey — Attack on Monterey — Storming of Fort Tannerio — Charge of Lancers 
 upon 1st Ohio Regiment — Worth's Movements on ^st September — Bragg's 
 Artillery — Worth's Attack on 22d — Quitman's Operations on 23d September 
 
 Worth's Operations on do. — Ampudia's Proposal— Cessation of Hostilities 
 
 — Capitulation of Monterey — List of Killed and Wounded of 1st Tennessee, 
 1st Mississippi, 1st Ohio, and 1st Kentucky Regiments, Baltimore Battalion, 
 Texas Rangers, and Louisianians from p. 95 to 119 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Return to the Tennessee Regiment Cavalry, on the March at La Grange, Texas 
 — Fine Natural Scenery — Singular Water Holes — Report of Sickness ahead 
 — Mexican Gourds — Chase on the Prairie — Lands on the Guadaloupe — David 
 Crockett's Rifle " Betsy " — Rough Houses — Hog-wallow Prairie— Comanche 
 
 ( vii ) 
 
VIU TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Depredations — Victoria, Texas — Camp Placedor — Port Lavacca — Emigrants 
 — Feigning Sickness — Tarantulas — Centipedes — Scorpions — Express from 
 Gen. Taylor — Col. Fannin's Entrenchments — San Antonio River — Ruins of 
 Goliad — Massacre of Fannin's Command — Santa Anna's Duplicity — Hunter's 
 Escape — Soldier on Guard — Effect of Liquor — Prickly Pear — Neuces River — 
 Corpus Christi — Gen. Taylor's old camp — Musquit Trees — Chapparal — Alarm 
 of Enemy ahead — "Battle of the Mustangs" — Signs of Indians — Scattering 
 Comanches — Mexican Traders — Wild Horses: Capture of one — Wolves — 
 Human Skeletons — Lost Hunters — Salt Marshes — Want of Water — Briny 
 Lake — Charge on Whisky Barrels — Sal Colorado — Arrival on the Rio 
 Grande frump. 120 /o 187 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Buildings of Matamoras — Gardens — Dress of Mexicans — Appearance on Horse- 
 back — Fort Brown — Women of Matamoras — Horsemanship — Copper Balls 
 — Skeletons on Battle-Fields — Camp Ringgold — Agua Dulce Lake — Mexican 
 Servants in Camp — Ranchos — Cultivated Fields — Canales' Men — Ranchos 
 and Haciendas — System of Peonage or Servitude from p. 188 to 212 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Parade on Plaza — Scene at Pay-table — Scene at Alcalde's Court — Mexican 
 Plows and Carts— Mexican Priest — Funeral Processions — City Prison — 
 Stores in the City — Breaking a Wild Horse — Skill with the Lasso — Dress 
 Parade — Arrival of Gen. Patterson — Gambling Scenes in Camp — Reports of 
 Contemplated Attacks — Vigilance of the Regiments — Picket Guards — Mexi- 
 can Fandango — Officers caught without the Countersign — The Sentinel on 
 Picket — False Alarm — Review of Gen. Patterson's Division .from p. 213 to 241 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Central Army, under Gen. Wool — List of his Corps — Movements of his Army 
 — Northern Army, under Gen. Kearney — Capture of Santa Fe — Departure 
 for California — March of 1st Missouri Cavalry, Col. Doniphan — Expedition 
 against the Navajos — Scenes at Council with the Navajos — Dress of the 
 Chiefs and Warriors — Dress of the Navajo Women — Conclusion of the 
 Council — Col. Doniphan's March — Scenes on Christmas-Da}' — Battle of Bra- 
 zito — Capture of El Paso — Recapitulation of Army Movements — Cporalions 
 of the Navy — Gulf Squadron, Commodore Conner — Pacific Squadron, Com- 
 modore Sloat — Expedition against San Diego — Gen. Kearney's Arrival in t'ali- 
 fornia — Change in Mexican Government — Santa Anna's Return to Mexico — 
 Positions of American and Mexican Armies, at the close of iS^Q. from p. 242 iu 274 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 March of Gen. Patterson's Division — Excitement in Matamoras — Want of Water 
 — Christmas-Day and Dinner — The " Long Day's March'' — Contentioti for 
 Water, at Night — Valley of San Fernando — Cemetery, or Campo Santo — 
 Hypocrisy of Alcaldes — Meeting of Alcaldes — Method of Justice before them 
 — Mexican Officers of Justice — Manner of Riding Double — Rough Scenery 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. IX 
 
 Page. 
 
 Cactus Gigantea — Other Cacti — Removing Obstacles on the March — 
 
 Changes of Scenery — Beautiful Valley — Appetite of the Soldiers for Coffee — 
 Extensive Plains — Ancient Dam — Old Palace at Santander — The New Year 
 
 Excellent Well at Rancho — Mexican Bridges, Aqueducts, and Wells — 
 
 Crossing the San Antonio River — Padilla River — Town of Padilla — Sketch 
 of the Life of the Emperor Iturhide — Spirituous Liquor, Muscal — Barren 
 Hills — Rio Corona — Capilla, Church at Hacienda — Priests at a Capilla — Cere- 
 mony of "Nuestra Senor Esta Patcnte" — Arrival at Victoria — Scenes in City 
 of Victoria — Houses of Peones — Mountains — Personal Appearance of Gen. 
 Taylor — Swapping Horses with Generals — Gen. Twiggs' Personal Appearance 
 — Sudden Norther — Mass at Parochia — Burial of " Angels'' — Rifa de Almas 
 — Reoppiion of Letters — March of Capt. Haynes's Detachment — Dispatches 
 from Gen. Scott — Consequent Movements — " El Nacimienlo," from p. 275 to 341 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 March of Generals Patterson, Twiggs, Pillow, and Quitman — Camp at Rio de 
 Floris — Mishap to Gen. Patterson — Search for a Bottle of Brandy — Parties of 
 Lancers — Mesas or Table-Lands — Sports of the Infantry — Crosses over the 
 Murdered — RioFoIlon — La PalmaBendita^ — Different Plants and Trees — Gua- 
 nos — Hacienda of Alomiler — Extent of Hacienda — Slight Attack by Lancers 
 — Hacienda of Chocoi — Don Ramon Prieto — Old Spanish Carriage — Moun- 
 tain of Bernal — Lechugas — Atajcs, Arrieros, and Cuslom-House Officers in 
 Mexico — Lake Carpentero — Dignity of Officers — Impudence of a Private — 
 Rancho — The Mustang Cavalry — Town of Altamira — Agave Americana, or 
 Maguey — La Encarnacion — Company G sent on Scout — Beauty of Country 
 South of the Panuco — Banana Plants — Ancient Mexican Idol — March into 
 Tampico — Extensive Prospects — Encampment at Tampico — Monopoly of To- 
 bacco by Mexican Government from p. 342 io 393 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 City of Tampico — Fort Andonega — Piaza de Comercia — Signs over the Stores 
 — Puros and Cigarros — Mexican Liquors, and Method of Distillation — Polite- 
 ness of Mexicans — Markets of Tampico — Lanchas — Sea Turtles — Style of 
 Building — Streets — Senoritas — Aguadores — Plaza de Armas — Hospital — Pan- 
 daderia — Rosea de los Muertos, or Loaves for the Dead — Parades and Drills 
 — Camp Scenes — Liquor, in Camp — Scenes in the Tents — Absence of Care 
 with Soldiers — The Wrecked Louisianians — Sickness — The Philosopher and 
 his Horse, Rosinante — Beef for Gen. Cos — Criminal Court of Tampico — 
 Search of the new Sheriff for " Locks " — " Locks " and " Cogle " — Mexican 
 Taxes — Tomales Calientes — Regular Soldiers — Arrival of Gen. Scott — Troops 
 Embark for Vera Cruz — Mexican Ceremonies of Marriage . . from p. 394 to 436 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Operations elsewhere during the Winter — Gen. Kearney's Battles — Insurrection 
 in California — Insurrection in New Mexico — Battle of Canada — Battle of 
 El Emboda— Battle of Puebla de Taos — Killed and Wounded — Col, Doni- 
 phan's Movements — Intercepted Letters — Doniphan's March for Chihuahua— 
 
X TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Passage of Jornada — Battle of Sacraincnto^Loss of the Enemy — Cliihuahua 
 taken — Treaty of Chihuahua — G«n. Taylor's 0|wrations — Surprise and Cap- 
 ture of Detachment of Kentucky and Arkansas Cavalry at Encarnacion — 
 Battle of Buena Vista — Disposition of Troops on first day o( Battle — Sum- 
 mons of Santa Anna — Taylor's IJeply — Battle of Feb. '«2J — Hopulse of Am- 
 pudia's Column — Attack by Gen. Pachocii — Kotreat of 'Zd Indiana I\cy;imont 
 — Plain Statement of Causes, and Defence ol' the same — Resistance of (>en. 
 Pacheco's Attack — Conduct of 2d Illinois Kegiment — Action of the Missis- 
 sippi Regiment — Attack on the Hacienda — Conduct of Kentucky and Ark- 
 ansas Cavalry — Repulse of Gen. Pacheco-^RepuIse of Gen. Minon's Lan- 
 cers — Pinal and Concentrated Attack of the whole Mexican Army, under Gen. 
 Perez. — The gallant Repulse — Conduct of »d Kentucky Regiment — 0( :id In- 
 diana Regiment — Of 1st Illinois Regiment — Result of the Battle — Killed and 
 Wounded of Mississippi, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Texas Troops, and 
 Rcgulars-^Retrcat of Santa Anna — Capture of Train by Urrca and Canalos 
 .— Urrea's Attack on 2d Ohio Regiment, Lieut. Col. Irvin — His Attack on the 
 same Regitiient, Col. Morgan — Attack on Major Giddings' Command — .\p- 
 proach of 3d Oliio, Col. Curtis — Retreat of Gen. Urrca . . . from p. i27 to i90 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Return to Gen. Scott's Army — Embarkation of Tennessee Cavalry — Scenes on 
 board the Shiji — Sea Sickness — Getting " Under Weigh " — Amusements at 
 Sea — Flying Fish — Sharks, Porpoises, &c. — Gale — Sight of Land — Renewal 
 of Stonn — Sight of Vera Cruz — Anchorage at Sacrifkios Island — Heavy Can- 
 nonading from Castle — Visit from Harbor master — Wrecks during Norther- 
 Grand Scenes — Landing of the Regiment — Apj>earancc of the Beach — Sum- 
 mons from Gen. Scott to Gen. Morales to Surrender the City — Reply of (Jen. 
 Morales — (\uinon — Mortars — Shells — Sand Hills — Opening of Bombard- 
 ment — Scenes by Night — " Musquito Fleet" — Camp at Malibran — Slackening 
 Fire of Batteries — City on Fire after Night — Naval Battery — Mexican Forts — 
 Force of Shells — Their Elleet — Ruins of Malibran — Dcid from Batteries — 
 Grand Scene at Night — Petition of Foreign Consuls--Answerof Gen. Scott — 
 Increased Vigor of the Bombardment — Battle of "Madeline Bridge" — Ofler 
 of Surrender — Meeting of Commissioners — Cemetery — Scenes within — Scenes 
 in Batteries — Scene of Surrender of the City of \"era Cruz — Killed and 
 Wounded — Desolated Appearance of the city — Expedition against Alvarado — 
 City of Vera Cruz — Castle of San .luan de UUoa from p. 'l^J\ to 570 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Energetic Movements of Santa Anna — His vast Estate — His Haciendas — Na- 
 tional Bridge — His position at Cerro Gordo — March of tho American Army 
 from Vera Cruz — Battle-ground of Cerro Gordo — Gen. Twiggs' Movements 
 — His action on 1 7th April — Movement of Gen. Shields' Brigade — Disposi- 
 tion of Mexican Troops and Artillery — (Jen. Scott's Orders for Battle — Col. 
 Harney's Attack — Col. Riley s do. — Gen. Shields' do. — Gen. Pillow's do. — 
 Charge of 2d Tennessee Regiment — Killed and Wounded of 1st and 2d Ten- 
 nessee, 1st and 2d Pennsylvania, 3d and 4lh Illinois, and New York Rcgi- 
 
TAHLE OF CONTKNTR. Xl 
 
 miMits, Kentucky (/omimny and RoRuIars — Fruits of Victory — Surrender of 
 Jalnpii, I*("rotc, and Puclila — IJcinarkK on Iho Mattle — A|>|icarance of (Jround 
 nflcr the IJattltr — Hlowing up Magazines, hurninf^ Arms, spiking Cannon, 
 &,c. — March towards .lalapa — Hacienda of Knccrro — Ueauty of (,'ountry — 
 Mountain ofOri/.alia — Scenes in Julapa — Marki!t place — Variety of (ylitnate — 
 Ahundance of Fruits — Beauty of I<adios — Procession of the Host — Mexican 
 Schools — Festival of Corpus Christ), or "Holy Week" — Property of the 
 Government — T'uMio Wnshinp-places — Fountains — Order for discharge of 
 Twelve Months Volunteers — Commencement of Heturii March — Arrival at 
 New Orleans — Ucginicnts dishandcul from p.-^l\ to 014 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 General Scott's Official Account of the Hattles of ('ontrcras, Churubuseo, and 
 ('hapullci)cc, and of the subsequent actions, which resulted in the Capture of 
 the ('ity of Mexico from p. GlU to G24 
 
 LIST OF ENGRAVINGS AND LITHOGRAPHS. 
 
 1. Canal in Castle of St. Juan do Ulloa h\onthplrct. 
 
 2. Hills of (?erro (lordo and 'J'elegrafo " 
 
 .'}. Camp Ivinggold ; 'J'etmeSHce Kegimciit of Cavalry Opposiu page. \\ 
 
 A. Plan of Monterey «' " 100 
 
 5. View of the Uuins of (joliad ; Scene of Fannin's Massacre . . " " l^O 
 
 C. Plan of Matamoras «« " 192 
 
 7. Victoria, Cam[) of (Jencral Patterson's Division " " 318 
 
 8. Cactus Gigantea, La Palma Bendita, Sword Palmetto, &c. . . " " 356 
 
 9. Mount ]}ernal, Mexican Atajo, &c " " 3G8 
 
 10. Mustang ('avalry '« " .376 
 
 11. Maguey Plant, Kancho, Dress of Mexican, &c " " 378 
 
 12. Ancient Mexican Idol «« " 389 
 
 13. City of Taiupico, from Fort Andonega " " 393 
 
 14. Mouth of Panuco River, from Do " « 393 
 
 1.^). IJatllo Ground of Uuena Vista - «' " 4G0 
 
 10. Ruiiifi of Malihran, near Vera Cruz " " 628 
 
 17. Vera Cruz, and Castle of St. Juan de Ulloa, during the Bombard. «« " .'J36 
 
 18. 7'wigof Musquit « '• 553 
 
 19. Gate of Mercy, at Vera Cruz «< " 566 
 
 20. National Bridge, or Puento Nacional " « 574 
 
 21. View of Battery No. 2, at Orro Gordo " " 580 
 
 TZ. Plan of tlui Battle (Jround of CIcrro Gordo •« " 586 
 
 23. Mountain of Orizaba " " 614 
 
 Also; A Fink Map of MkxicO and Calivounia, expressly 
 corrected for this work. 
 
CAU S E S 
 
 COMMENCEMENT OF THE WAR. 
 
 For more than thirty years had the United States been in 
 a situation of continual peace with all foreign nations. 
 Peace being the true policy of the government, the tendency 
 of the acts of each successive administration has been 
 towards preserving that state with all mankind. Small con- 
 tests, more of a domestic nature, have from time to time been 
 carried on with the different tribes of Indians within her 
 limits ; the longest continued of which was the " Florida 
 war," with the tribe of Seminoles. This, though long pro- 
 tracted, and arduous, from the nature of the country in which 
 it was carried on, was, in a national point of view, but of 
 minor importance ; the same is true of the other Indian wars. 
 In 1835, a difficulty appeared about to be brought on with 
 France ; but the war cloud, which manifested itself on the 
 political horizon, was dispersed, and vanished, as all cause 
 of misapprehension and dispute between the two nations 
 was removed. The population of the United States, during 
 this long interval of peace, increased in a manner unknown 
 before in the annals of the world. This country offered a 
 secure and happy asylum for the crowded population of 
 Europe, where, often the most untiring industry, and the 
 strictest frugality were unavailing, to secure to the poor 
 mechanic, or the small farmer, even the necessaries of life. 
 
 (13) 
 
14 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 These crowded in thousands to our shores, where, in the 
 busy city, continual labor was to be found by them, and 
 where their industry would be amply rewarded ; or, where 
 throughout our ample domain, on the vast, rich prairies, the 
 wooded hills, or in the fertile valleys, still uncultivated, invit- 
 ing the hand of man to till and beautify them, lands and 
 homes were to be procured almost for nothing ; and, settling 
 upon them, soon becoming assimilated with our customs and. 
 laws, were changed from the servile subjects of monarchs, to 
 free American citizens. 
 
 The vast wave of population was continually rolling to 
 the westward, diverging towards the north and the south, 
 until the whole Mississippi valley, then a wilderness, was 
 rendered the abode of a free and happy population. 
 
 With the increase of the population of the United States, 
 the increase of her agriculture, of her commerce, and of her 
 manufactures also kept pace. Her agriculture has so in- 
 creased, and such is the vast abundance of the products of 
 the soil, that she has the present year, 1847, presented to the 
 world the anomaly of a nation carrying on an expensive 
 war of invasion ; supporting her armies in a foreign country; 
 abundantly supplying her numerous population at home, 
 and, at the same time, sending bread stuffs, in immense 
 quantities, to feed the starving population of the Old World. 
 Her commerce, although the nation is, as it were, only of 
 yesterday, is with the whole world, and every sea is whitened 
 by her sails. Her great lakes, her majestic rivers, are 
 crowded with sail and steam vessels ; her domestic commerce, 
 like her foreign, has been, and is increasing in a ratio un- 
 known before ; and, by the conveniences and rapidity of her 
 numerous modes of transportation, distance, over her vast 
 territory, may, in one sense, be said to be completely anni- 
 hilated. 
 
 So, too, have her manufactures increased in proportion to 
 her agriculture and commerce ; and she is able, even now, 
 to compete with the mother country in foreign markets, and, 
 in many articles of common manufacture to each, to under- 
 sell her. 
 
OF THE WAR. 15 
 
 While thus prosperous in the three great sources of wealth, 
 her people have not been oppressed with heavy burdens, to 
 sustain that fabric of government which extends to them 
 freedom and security. That government Avhich has proved 
 the best, has also proved the cheapest. While the older 
 nations are ground down, by enormous taxation, to maintain 
 huge, unwieldy systems of greater or less despotism, the 
 taxes upon her people have been so light as hardly to be 
 known or felt ; and so vast are her resources, that even by 
 this light revenue, other nations have, with astonishment, 
 seen her paying off the heavy debts that hung over her at 
 first ; prosecuting all the operations of government ; support- 
 ing her army and navy, the means of her defence, and at the 
 same time having millions of surplus revenue on hand, for 
 which special legislation had to be resorted to, in order 
 to determine what should be done with it. 
 
 A republican government, which, in its most unfavorable 
 form, is, to the great European monarchies, an object of appre- 
 hension and dislike, so prosperous as this, and advancing with 
 such giant strides towards the position of the first nation on 
 the earth, could not fail to excite in those powers the most 
 lively apprehension of evil to themselves, from her growing 
 power, and of her prosperity exciting in the minds of their 
 subjects a disaffection toward their own governments. And 
 so it has been with regard, particularly, to the governments 
 of France and Great Britain. Every effort that could be 
 made, save open war, has been made continually, by these 
 powers, to restrain and confine as much as possible the 
 increasing influence of this country. Texas, once a province 
 of the neighboring Republic of Mexico, having revolted from 
 that government and declared her independence, and having, 
 by the decisive battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21st, 
 1836, firmly established that independence, continued a sepa- 
 rate republic for ten years, when it was annexed to the 
 United States, by mutual agreement of the two governments 
 and the people of both republics. Texas ceased to exist as 
 a separate republic, and entered the Union as a State on the 
 19th of February, 1846, previous to which her independence 
 
16 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 had been acknowledged, not only by the United States, but 
 also by Great Britain and France. This act of annexing 
 Texas to the Union, had been freely discussed in both coun- 
 tries, for some time previous to its completion. It was op- 
 posed secretly by the powers of France and Great Britain, and 
 openly by the Republic of Mexico ; and when, on the 1st of 
 March, 1845, the resolutions providing for it passed the 
 Senate of the United States, they were followed, in five days 
 after, by a formal protest against the action of Congress in 
 the matter, by the Mexican minister plenipotentiary, Don 
 Juan N' Almonte, at Washington ; and to this protest he 
 added the demand of his credentials, and immediately re- 
 turned to Mexico. 
 
 The government of that country also, soon after, informed 
 our minister, Mr. Shannon, that all intercourse between the 
 two nations must cease on the 28th of the same month, and, 
 at the same time, the president of Mexico, Herrera, issued his 
 proclamation to the governors of the separate departments 
 of Mexico, calling upon them to assist him "in repelling the 
 encroachments of the United States," as he termed it ; and, 
 from that moment, the government of Mexico was bent upon 
 war. On the 5th day of May following, the president of 
 Texas issued a proclamation, calling on the people of that 
 republic to elect sixty-one deputies, to meet at Austin, on the 
 ensuing 4th of July, to decide upon the resolutions as they 
 had passed the United States' Congress ; but on the 4th day 
 of June following, he issued another proclamation, announc- 
 ing to the people of Texas that the Republic of Mexico had 
 acceded to the propositions that had before been made by 
 Texas, the substance of which was, that Mexico would ac- 
 knowledge her independence, provided that she, Texas, 
 should not annex herself to any other power. This conces- 
 sion of Mexico had been brought about through the ministers 
 of France and Great Britain, in the hope of preventing the 
 annexation ; those powers preferring to see Texas a sepa- 
 rate, smaller republic, than, by her annexation to the United 
 States, to increase the strength of that, already to them, too 
 formidable a power. But it was now too late. The Texan 
 
OF THE WAR. 17 
 
 Congress, with but few dissenting voices, on the 18th of June, 
 1845, accepted the offer held out by the United States, in 
 which they were seconded by the convention that met on the 
 4th of July following. When it was seen by the government 
 of Mexico that the people of 'Texas would not accept her 
 terms, that government declared its determination to invade 
 and reconquer the country; and immediately commenced 
 forming an army on the Rio Grande. Both the Congress 
 and the convention of Texas, upon their knowledge of this 
 movement, requested of the President of the United States, 
 to which then by their acceptance of the resolutions the coun- 
 try was virtually annexed, to send a military force to the 
 western frontier, to defend her from the threatened danger. 
 Accordingly a portion of the army of the United States, a 
 force of 1500 men, under General Taylor, in August 1845, 
 embarked at New Orleans and proceeded to Texas, with 
 orders to take a position between the Nueces and the Rio 
 Grande, and repel any invasion of the Texan territory that 
 might be attempted by the Mexican forces. This force pro- 
 ceeded to St. Joseph's Island, from thence to the little town 
 of Corpus Christi, situated on the main land, west of the 
 Nueces river, and not far from its mouth, and there encamped, 
 remaining at that place, without molestation, until the 11th 
 of March, 1846. The Mexican government, in the meantime, 
 continued to increase and strengthen its army at the city of 
 Matamoras, on the Rio Grande, one hundred and eighty miles 
 to the east of south of Corpus Christi ; but no operations 
 were attempted on either side. At the same time that Gene- 
 ral Taylor was ordered to the frontier of Texas, the Home 
 squadron of the navy, under Commodore Conner, was ordered 
 to the Gulf of Mexico, to be ready to co-operate with him in 
 preventing or repelling the threatened invasion. 
 
 While matters stood thus, Mexico having terminated all 
 intercourse between herself and the United States, and at 
 the same time employing all her energies in collecting 
 armies on her northern frontier, with the avowed purpose 
 and determination to invade and resubjugate Texas, and on 
 the other hand our small but gallant army and portion of the 
 2 
 
18 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 navy near, patiently awaiting her action, the government of 
 the United States, hoping yet to avert from both countries 
 the evils of that war which seemed almost inevitable, again 
 offered the olive branch of peace to Mexico. On the 15th 
 of September 1845, the Consul of the United States residing 
 in the city of Mexico was directed by our government to in- 
 quire " whether the Mexican government would receive an 
 envoy intrusted with full powers to adjust all the questions 
 in dispute between the two governments?" This question 
 was in a month afterward answered in the affirmative by the 
 Mexican government, accompanied by the request of that 
 government that our naval force should be withdrawn from 
 their coast while negociations should be pending. Upon this 
 answer being received, the naval force of the United States 
 was immediately withdrawn, and on the tenth of November 
 Mr. John Slidell was appointed minister plenipotentiary to 
 the Republic of Mexico, vested with full powers, to settle all 
 questions of dispute between the two nations, and once more 
 the cloud of war seemed about to blow over, and the rela- 
 tions of peace and amity between the two nations to con- 
 tinue undisturbed. 
 
 But the Texas question was not the only cause of conten- 
 tion and dispute between the two countries. Long before 
 this arose, a continual cause of complaint, on the part of 
 the United States against Mexico, had existed, and been 
 continued for many years. Shortly after Mexico had es- 
 tablished her independence from the power of Spain, an 
 event which took place in the year 1821, she commenced 
 a series of spoliations and aggressions upon the commerce 
 of the United States, and insults to its flag. Depredation 
 by her, followed depredation. Remonstrance by the 
 United States, followed remonstrance ; but still the spolia- 
 tions continued. In the language of the message of the 
 President of the United States of December 8th, 1846 : 
 " Our citizens engaged in lawful commerce were imprisoned, 
 their vessels seized and our flag insulted in her ports. If mo- 
 ney was wanted, the lawless seizure and confiscation of our 
 merchant vessels and their cargoes, was a ready resource, 
 
OF THE WAR. "19 
 
 and if to accomplish her purposes it became necessary to im- 
 prison the owners, captains, and crews, it was done. Rulers 
 superseded rulers in Mexico in rapid succession, but still 
 there was no change in this system of depredation. The 
 government of the United States made repeated reclamations 
 on behalf of its citizens, but these were answered by the 
 perpetration of new outrages." This course of action, so 
 long continued, had it been directed towards any of the Eu- 
 ropean powers, would have brought down upon her with little 
 ceremony, the thunder of their cannon. But the United States 
 forbore ; Mexico was a sister republic of the same conti- 
 nent, and professed to make her free institutions a model 
 for herself. Instead of retaliation and force, a treaty of 
 amity, commerce and navigation, w^as on the 5th of April, 
 1831, concluded between the two republics, in which treaty 
 the rights and privileges of each power and the citizens 
 thereof were so clearly laid down, that there could be no 
 misunderstanding with regard to, and no excuse for the 
 slightest violation of them. The hope and the belief was then 
 entertained by the government of the United States, that all 
 these depredations were ended. But this hope was vain. 
 Mexico disregarding the solemn faith of treaties, the com- 
 mittal of these injuries and insults ended for so short a 
 period as to leave it hardly to be known whether for any 
 time they had ceased or not. Instead of decreasing even, 
 they increased, and to such an extent that President Jackson, 
 in his message to Congress in February, 1837, presented 
 them to the consideration of that body ; and declared that 
 " the length of time since some of the injuries had been com- 
 mitted, the repeated and unavailing applications for redress, 
 the wanton character of some of the outrages upon the pro- 
 perty and persons of our citizens, upon the affairs and flag of 
 the United States, independent of recent insults to this go- 
 vernment and people by the late extraordinary Mexican 
 minister, would justify in the eyes of all nations immediate 
 war." In this view of the wrongs suffered from Mexico, the 
 President was fully sustained by the committees of both 
 houses of Congress, to whom the message was referred. But 
 
20 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 the government of the United States still forbore, and took 
 not redress in their own hands, but dispatched a special 
 messenger to Mexico, who on the 20th of July, 1837, made a 
 final demand for redress. On the 29th of the same month 
 an answer from the Mexican government was returned, bear- 
 ing on its face all the indications of fairness and candor. It 
 declared that it was the anxious wish of that government, 
 " not to delay the moment of that final and equitable adjust- 
 ment which is to terminate the existing difficulties between 
 the two governments ; that nothing should be left undone 
 which may contribute to the most speedy and equitable 
 determination of the subjects, which have so seriously en- 
 gaged the attention of the American government ; and that, 
 the Mexican government would adopt as the only guides for 
 its conduct, the plainest principles of public right, the sacred 
 obligation imposed by international law, and the religious 
 faith of treaties, and that whatever reason and justice may 
 dictate respecting each case will be done " and, " moreover, 
 that the decision of the Mexican government upon each 
 cause of complaint, for which redress has been demanded, 
 shall be communicated to the government of the United 
 States by the Mexican minister at Washington." 
 
 These promises were fair, but the object in making them 
 was only to obtain further delay, for they were entirely dis- 
 regarded by the Mexican government. Five months after- 
 ward the Mexican minister informed the government at 
 Washington, that but four cases had been examined by the 
 Mexican government, and but one of those had been favor- 
 ably considered ! This manner of action under the circum- 
 stances, and after the solemn promises of the Mexican go- 
 vernment before mentioned, was but a fresh insult and an- 
 other injury to the government and people of the United 
 States, added to the long list of those that had been given 
 before. 
 
 President Van Buren immediately communicated the in- 
 formation of the Mexican minister to Congress, and, after 
 remarking, in his message, that " the larger number of our 
 demands for redress, many of them aggravated cases of per- 
 
OF THE WAR. 21 
 
 sonal wrong, and some of the causes of national complaint 
 of the most offensive character, had been for years before 
 the Mexican government ;" and that, also, " they admitted of 
 immediate, simple, and satisfactory replies ;" and he, being 
 fully convinced that the promises of Mexico were never 
 intended to be fulfilled by her, went on, in the same message, 
 to say : " On a careful and deliberate examination of the 
 contents {i. e., of the correspondence of the Mexican govern- 
 ment), and considering the spirit manifested by the Mexican 
 government, it has become my painful duty to return the 
 subject, as it now stands, to Congress, to whom it belongs, 
 to decide upon the time, the mode, and measure of redress." 
 But instead of taking redress into their own hands, the go- 
 vernment of the United States still forbore, and entered into 
 a new negotiation with Mexico. 
 
 This negotiation resulted in the appointment of a conven- 
 tion, Avhich met on the 11th of April, 1839, and appointed 
 joint commissioners, to decide upon the claims for indemni- 
 fication presented by American citizens. This appeared fair 
 enough; but the object of Mexico afterwards proved to be, 
 what before it had always been, to gain time, and as much 
 as possible to delay and postpone any redress for her wrongs 
 committed. The commissioners met a little more than a 
 year afterwards, in August, 1840 ; Mexico had succeeded in 
 the convention, by fair promises, in limiting the time of action 
 of these commissioners upon the claims, to eighteen months ; 
 a time sufficiently long, provided the parties attended to the 
 business before them with assiduity. 
 
 But there was not the slightest reason why any determi- 
 nate time should have been appointed for their deliberations. 
 They should have sat from day to day, until every claim had 
 been examined. But it was the intention of Mexico, while 
 professing to act with the utmost candor, to prevent all the 
 claims that she possibly could, from being acted upon by the 
 commissioners ; thus leaving all such in the same state that 
 they had been for many years, and with still less prospect 
 of settlement than ever before. In this manoeuvre she suc- 
 ceeded well ; for, when the commissioners met, and were 
 
22 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 ready to proceed in their examinations and awards, many 
 frivolous and dilatory points were raised by the Mexican 
 portion of the commission, in the discussion of which, four 
 months of the eighteen, were passed away before the Ameri- 
 can commissioners could have the first case brought up ; and 
 during the remaining fourteen months, every delay possible 
 was made, as at first. The claims then brought forward for 
 indemnification for her spoliations, and robbery in many 
 cases outright, amounted to six millions and nearly three 
 hundred thousand dollars. Of this vast amount, less than 
 one-third, that is, two millions and twenty-six thousand 
 dollars, were fully acted on and awarded, on account of the 
 expiration of the time set ; leaving one million, that had been 
 awarded by the American commissioners, but not decided 
 by the umpire ; and upwards of three millions three hun- 
 dred thousand more, that had not been taken up at all, in 
 the same situation as before the commission ; and in a much 
 more unfavorable condition for ever being acted upon. So 
 much, then, had Mexico gained by the same course of du- 
 plicity and deceit that she had ever pursued. 
 
 That such was the motive of the Mexican government, is 
 proved by her subsequent conduct. She declared to the 
 United States, that it would be inconvenient to her to pay 
 then, even the amount that had been awarded against her ; 
 and asked for more time in which to make the payment. 
 This was readily assented to, by the government of the 
 United States, ever ready, notwithstanding the continued 
 cause of injury that had been received at the hand of Mexico, 
 to extend amity and accommodation to her. A new conven- 
 tion was accordingly entered into between the governments, 
 which bore upon its face, that "this new arrangement was 
 entered into for the accommodation of Mexico." This con- 
 vention altered the terms of payment, making them easy for 
 Mexico ; and in order to settle those claims left undisposed 
 of before, it was expressly agi*eed and determined that an- 
 other convention should be entered into for that purpose. 
 
 This third convention was entered into, and signed by the 
 ministers of the two nations, on November 20th, 1843, and 
 
OF THE WAR. 23 
 
 was ratified by the Senate of the United States, who added 
 two amendments to it, of the most reasonable character, the 
 more effectually to bring about the ostensible desired end of 
 both parties, — the final decision and settlement of all the 
 claims. Seizing hold of these amendments as a pretext, the 
 government of Mexico evaded its ratification, from time to 
 time, until the present. 
 
 But even this was not all. By the terms of the second 
 convention, which, as said before, was made expressly upon 
 the request of Mexico to give her more time, and which was 
 done freely by the government of the United States, she was 
 to pay the interest that had accrued, up to that time, and the 
 principal she was to pay in twenty installments, during five 
 years. She paid the interest; but in two years and four 
 months, to the period that the war commenced, she had paid 
 but the three first installments, out of all that had fallen due; 
 entirely failing and refusing to pay the others. 
 
 This, then, was the condition of affairs during the summer 
 of 1845, when war seemed inevitable ; but the prospect of 
 peace brightened, as the government of Mexico agreed to 
 receive from the United States a minister, " with full power 
 to adjust all the questions between the two governments." 
 As mentioned before, a minister, Mr. John Slidell, was ap- 
 pointed on the 10th of November, with such powers. He 
 proceeded to Mexico, arriving at Vera Cruz on the 30th of 
 the same month, and went on to the city of Mexico and pre- 
 sented his credentials ; but was refused reception, even after 
 the previous agreement. 
 
 Shortly after this refusal, the existing government in 
 Mexico was subverted, and General Paredes took the place 
 of Herrera, as president. This government was even more 
 bitter against the United States than the former ; and actively 
 employed itself in making preparations for war. Body after 
 body, of troops, and large supplies of munitions of war, were 
 sent to the northern frontier. 
 
 Two months after his first application, did Mr. SHdell, by 
 order of the government of the United States, on the 1st of 
 March, 1846, again ofl^er his credentials and ask to be re- 
 
24 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 ceived in his official capacity. The reply from the Mexican 
 government Avas received on the 12th. It contained a 
 peremptory refusal to receive him, except in an inferior capa- 
 city. This reply was written in a manner most insulting to 
 the government and people of the United States, and it con- 
 tained the declaration that war was the only resource of the 
 Mexican Government. Mr. Slidell immediately demanded 
 his passports, and shortly after returned to the United States. 
 
 The conduct of Mexico, now left no doubt but that she 
 was determined upon M^ar; and that war she soon after 
 commenced. In three weeks from the time of the rejection 
 of the United States' Minister, bearing the last proposal of 
 peace, the Mexican Government issued orders, dated April 4, 
 to General Arista, commanding the Mexican army on the Rio 
 Grange, to attack our forces under General Taylor, " by 
 every means which war permits." A few days afterwards, 
 the president of Mexico addressed a letter to the same gene- 
 ral, in which he says : "At the present date, I suppose you 
 at the head of that valiant army, either fighting already, or 
 preparing for the operations of a campaign ;" and, " suppos- 
 ing you already on the theatre of operations, and with all the 
 forces assembled, it is indispensable that hostilities be com- 
 menced; yourself taking the initiative against the enemy."* 
 
 The plan of the Mexican government was, that General 
 Arista should attack, and overcome the small army under 
 General Taylor, and should proceed on the invasion of Texas; 
 while General Paredes followed with a larger army, to take 
 possession of the country. But the Mexican army was not 
 destined to make so long a march, for on the 9th, 10th and 
 llthof March, 1846, General Taylor broke up his camp at 
 Corpus Christi, and marched south for the Rio Grande, in 
 obedience to the orders of the War Department. He was 
 directed "to abstain from all aggressive acts towards Mexico 
 or Mexican citizens, and to regard the relations of the two 
 countries as peaceful, unless Mexico should declare war, or 
 commit acts of hostility indicative of a state of war."t 
 
 ♦Arista's correspondence, captured at the battle of Resaca de la Palma, May 
 9th, 1846. 
 
 j-President's Message, December 8th, 1846. 
 
OF THE WAR. 25 
 
 The attitude of the two nations, now excited the greatest 
 interest among the citizens of each, and also with the na- 
 tions of the old world. With the people of the United States, 
 a spirit of indignation prevailed, and thousands upon thou- 
 sands began to prepare for the approaching conflict, deter- 
 mined, if war took place, to rush forward as citizen soldiers to 
 sustain our army, against the attacks of Mexico. The 
 excitement gi*ew more intense with regard to the position of 
 afi^airs, and most eagerly was every word of information, 
 from the army, and from Mexico, sought after and quickly 
 disseminated among the vast population. Public meetings 
 were held throughout the country, companies of soldiers 
 raised, and their services in many instances, oftered to the 
 Government of the United States, in advance of any opera- 
 tions of actual warfare ; for all saw that if Mexico persisted, 
 it must come. 
 
 General Taylor continued his march toward the Rio Grande, 
 his whole force amounting to upwards of 3,000 men. On 
 the 18th of March he was met by a party of fifty or sixty 
 Mexicans, detached by the Mexican general at Matamoras, 
 who informed him that he must proceed no farther in that 
 direction. This was unnoticed. The next day the advance 
 guard arrived on the banks of the Sal Colorado, a small 
 river running east through this section. Here was posted 
 a body of Mexican cavalry, the ofiicer commanding which 
 stated that he had positive orders to fire upon the army 
 should they attempt to cross this stream, and that he should 
 do so. The ariny encamped that night on the northern 
 bank, and on the next morning forded the stream ; the Mexi- 
 cans, without firing, retreated. The army continued its 
 march from day to day towards the city of Matamoras, until 
 the 23d, when it left the Matamoras road and struck off to 
 the east towards Point Isabel on the coast. General Taylor 
 was while on the march to this place met by a civil deputa- 
 tion from the city of Matamoras, now but a few miles distant. 
 This deputation of about forty men bore to him from Gene- 
 ral Mejia, a protest against the occupation of the country 
 adjoining the left bank of the Rio Grande, by the United 
 
26 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 States' forces, accompanied with threats, if General Taylor 
 persisted in so doing. This, like the other messages, was 
 unnoticed, and the army advanced to Point Isabel, where the 
 fleet of transports from Corpus Christi, conve^'ing stores, &c. 
 was arriving at the same time. The Mexicans there fired 
 their buildings and retreated. The army remained there a 
 few days, and establishing a depot, threw up strong and effi- 
 cient defences around it. Leaving a small force under the 
 command of Major Munroe, to garrison and defend this 
 point, the army proceeded to the Rio Grande, upon the bank 
 of which, opposite Matamoras, it arrived on Saturday the 
 28th of March. The Mexican army was immediately drawn 
 out on the other side of the river, in long and imposing col- 
 umns, but nothing was done by them save a great display of 
 martial music, drums, fifes, trumpets, bugles, &c. — which 
 mode of salutation, whatever it meant, was answered in the 
 same way, by all the trumpets and drums in the American 
 lines ; so that the first meeting of the armies, ended in noise. 
 The American army proceeded quietly to encamp, and the 
 Mexican returned into the city. On the following morning^ 
 Sunday 29th, the army moved round a long elbow or bend in 
 the river, three or four miles down along the bank, but not 
 more than a mile and a half in a direct line, and encamped 
 in a large open plain, nearly around which, by another bend 
 the river ran. This spot was nearer to, and commanded a 
 better view of the principal part of the city, than the first. 
 The Fort, afterwards called " Fort Brown" was, upon this 
 plain, and on the bank of the river, immediately laid ofi'and 
 commenced with vigor. Seeing this, the Mexican forces 
 were also set to work throwing up counteracting entrench- 
 ments upon the other bank ; one opposite ; another a short 
 distance below, and a third in the bend of the river above ; 
 all within point blank range, the river being but about two 
 hundred yards wide ; and they bore upon three sides of the 
 American fortification ; two of them being much higher than 
 that, from the nature of the ground. To these they also 
 afterward added another, on the American side and above. 
 No communications passed for several days, during which 
 
OF THE WAR. 27 
 
 time, by the arduous and unremitting labor of the American 
 army, their fort was brought to a state of strength, suffi- 
 cient, it was calculated, to withstand any effort that might be 
 made by the Mexican army to reduce it. {Sec Plan of Mata- 
 moras^ page 192.) 
 
 One communication had, indeed, been endeavored to be 
 made by General Taylor, by directing General Worth to 
 cross the river with his staff, bearing dispatches for the 
 Mexican General Mejia, and others for the consul of the 
 United States there. A boat w^as after some delay sent 
 from the city over for them, and General La Vega was ap- 
 pointed by the Mexican commander to confer with General 
 Worth. This conference however resulted in no effect, and 
 General Worth returned. 
 
 (The account of the scenes that follow, of the battles of 
 Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, the bombardment of Fort 
 Brown, and the taking of the city of Matamoras, the author 
 quotes from " Young's History of Mexico," a late work writ- 
 ten with ability and correctness.) 
 
 " On the 12th of April, General Pedro de Ampudia form- 
 ally announced to General Taylor that if he did not break up 
 his camp, and retire beyond the Nueces, within twenty-four 
 hours, that arms and arms alone must decide the contest. 
 The reply to this demand was a peremptory refusal, and a 
 declaration to the effect that the American flag would con- 
 tinue to float on the shores of the Rio Grande until 'eternity.' 
 The General in command qualified his refusal by offering to 
 sign an armistice, w^hich should be maintained until the 
 parties should receive instructions from their respective go- 
 vernments. Ampudia refused to accede to this reasonable 
 proposition, and proclaiming his intention of resorting to 
 force, prepared to make good his threats. Shortly after- 
 wards General Mariano Arista, the commander-in-chief of the 
 northern division of the Mexican army arrived at Matamoras, 
 and on the 24th inst., addressed a communication to General 
 Taylor, informing him that ' he considered hostilities com- 
 menced and should prosecute them.' 
 
28 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 " On the same day Captain Thornton, with a party of dra- 
 goons, sixty-three in number, rank and file, were sent up 
 the left bank of the river to reconnoitre and ascertain whether 
 the enemy had crossed, or were preparing to cross the stream. 
 While performing this duty the detachment, on the morning , 
 of the 25th, encountered a division of Mexicans, two thou- 
 sand in number, under the command of General Torrejon. 
 Forming his squadron, Thornton, though surprised in a dis- 
 advantageous position, charged upon the enemy, whose great 
 superioritj' enabled them to resist the onset with such suc- 
 cess that the party were compelled to surrender as prisoners 
 of war, after having sustained a loss of sixteen killed and 
 wounded in the gallant effort to extricate themselves. 
 
 " On the 26th of April, General Taylor made a requisition 
 upon the States of Texas and Louisiana for eight regiments 
 of volunteers, each State being called upon to furnish four 
 regiments. The demand was responded to with enthusiasm; 
 the Governors and legislative bodies emulating each other 
 in their eagerness to muster and equip the desired levies 
 within the shortest possible time. Major General Gaines, 
 commanding the western division of the U. S. army, ac- 
 tively co-operated with the civil authorities in raising, 
 organizing, and transporting the Louisiana troops to the 
 seat of war. The whole force under General Taylor at this 
 crisis, cavalry, infantry, and artillery, did not exceed three 
 thousand men. As it was evident that the enemy would soon 
 make good their threats by invading the American side of 
 the river, it became necessary for the commander to act with 
 great circumspection. The defences which had been erected 
 after an approved fashion, under his own eye, were, in his- 
 opinion, strong enough to bid defiance to the assaults of the 
 hostiles should they attempt to carry the place ; an enter- 
 prise scarcely to be expected from even the veterans under' 
 Arista. In order, however, to put the fort in a condition to 
 sustain a siege, it was necessary to obtain a supply of pro- 
 visions, the commissariat having already been drawn upon, 
 to its fullest extent. 
 
 " On the 1st of May, Gen. Taylor left his position oppo- 
 
OF THE WAR. 29 
 
 site Matamoras, and with the main body of his forces 
 marched toward Point Isabel, near the mouth of the Del 
 Norte, where, as has been stated, he had estabhshed a depot 
 of arms and subsistence. Contrary to his expectations, 
 he reached his destination on the following day, without 
 meeting a single adversary. The works were garrisoned by 
 the 7th infantry and two companies of artillery, under the 
 command of Major Brown. The Mexicans had fortified the 
 bank of the river by erecting batteries, in a line with the fort, 
 which frowned upon the adverse shore. 
 
 "About day-break on the morning of the 3d, the garrison 
 *vas aroused by the deafening peal of the hostile ordnance ; 
 which echoed along the windings of the stream, proclaiming 
 that the Aztec eagle was about to encounter the bird of the 
 north, in whose capacious maw lay buried the fair province 
 protected by its outspread wdngs. The fire was promptly 
 returned by the Americans, whose superior skill in the use 
 of their guns enabled them to do infinite damage to the 
 enemy. The bombardment continued several days, both 
 parties toiling incessantly at the engines of death. Gene- 
 ral Arista, in the meantime having completed his prepara- 
 tions, crossed the Rio Grande at the head of five thousand 
 regular troops, and one thousand auxiliaries, supported by a 
 train of more than twelve pieces of cannon.* Arista en- 
 camped at the Tonquas del Ramireno, in rear of the fort, 
 and on the 6th summoned it to surrender, threatening to 
 storm it, and exterminate its defenders, unless his demand 
 was complied with, allowing them one hour for delibera- 
 tion. As a matter of form, a council of war was called, 
 which decided unanimously in the negative upon the propo- 
 sals of the Mexican leader. The latter, as if determined 
 to carry his threats into execution, turned his arms against 
 the works, thus placing the garrison between two fires. 
 Encouraging their men by their cheerful and intrepid bear- 
 ing, the officers of the division plied the guns day and night, 
 and with the energy of men in desperate circumstances la- 
 bored to fi nish the defences. They even cut up their tents 
 
 * Arista's Dispatch to the Minister of War and Marine. 
 
30 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 and fashioned them into sand-bags, which were placed so as 
 to receive the enemy's fire. The siege had continued several 
 days, the Americans had as yet lost but one man, who, 
 strange to say, had first been wounded badly, and placed for 
 safety in a casemate, when a shot striking him upon the 
 head instantly killed him ! 
 
 " On the morning of the 8th of May, 1846, the Mexican 
 scouts reported the advance of the forces under Taylor, accom- 
 panied by a heavy train of wagons, loaded with supplies. 
 Upon the reception of this intelligence Arista marched to- 
 ward the coast, leaving his second in command, Don Pedro 
 Ampudia, in charge of the detachment which had been of- 
 dered to keep the garrison from attempting a junction with 
 the main body. At one o'clock, P. M., Arista arrived near 
 the water-hole of Palo Alto, and formed his line of battle 
 in an extensive plain, with his right wing resting upon a 
 woody elevation ; his left was supported by a quagmire, 
 very difficult of penetration. The cava,lry, which composed 
 one-third of his army, was placed upon the flanksof the line 
 thus strongly posted. Twelve pieces of ordnance occupied 
 the intervals between the cavalry and infantry. General 
 Taylor's first impulse, when he heard the cannonading at the 
 fort, was to retrace his steps without delay ; but as the guns 
 of the besieged continued to be heard in answer to those of 
 the assailants, he relied with confidence upon the gallantry 
 of the former, and resolved to complete his preparations. In 
 order, however, to obtain some definite information of the 
 actual condition of the party in charge of the works, he dis- 
 patched Captain Walker of the Texan Rangers up the river 
 for that purpose. Walker returned on the 5th, and reported 
 that there was scarcely a probability of the Mexicans being 
 able to reduce the fort ; stating at the same time that the 
 country between the two places was alive with the enemy's 
 cavalry, through which he and his men had with difficulty 
 made their way unobserved. The gallant conduct of this 
 officer contributed in no slight degree to relieve the feelings 
 of the different divisions, as it destroyed that sickening un- 
 
OF THE WAR. ' 31 
 
 certainty which is common to those engaged in operations 
 at a distance from one another. 
 
 "On the evening of the 7th, the American commander took 
 up the line of march for his former camp, at the head of two 
 thousand three hundred men, cavahy, infantry, and artillery; 
 the army was encumbered with a heavy train of wagons, 
 which somewhat retarded its progress. That night Taylor 
 bivouacked seven miles from Point Isabel, and on the follow- 
 ing morning resumed his march. About the hour of noon, 
 on the memorable 8th, the advance squadrons of horse which 
 had been thrown forward reached the Palo Alto, and discov- 
 ered the enemy drawn up in battle array upon the prairie, 
 three quarters of a mile distant. In a short time the main 
 body came up, and the General ordered a halt, that the men 
 might refresh themselves at the pool. After resting an 
 hour or so, the American commander proceeded deliberately 
 to form his line of battle as follows, commencing on the right 
 wing : " Fifth infantry, Colonel Mcintosh ; Ringgold's artil- 
 lery; third infantry. Captain Morris ; two eighteen pounders, 
 Lieutenant Churchill ; fourth infantry, Major Allen ; two 
 squadrons of dragoons under Captains Ker and May. The 
 left wing was formed of a battalion of artillery. Colonel 
 Childs ; Captain Duncan's light artillery ; and the eighth in- 
 fantry. Captain Montgomery. Colonel Twiggs commanded 
 the right, and Lieutenant Colonel Belknap the left of the 
 line."* The train was packed in the rear, protected by a 
 sufficient guard. 
 
 " At two o'clock the order was given to move forward, the 
 several corps advancing steadily by heads of colamns, the 
 eighteen pounders keeping the road. Lieutenant Blake, of 
 the topographical engineers, having performed a skillful re- 
 connoissance of the hostile line, now reported the position 
 of the enemy's batteries. As the columns came up the 
 Mexican cannon opened upon them a deafening but harmless 
 fire.t 
 
 * General Taylor's Dispatches, May 15th, 1846. 
 
 j General Ampudia arrived upon the scene at this moment, and behaved well du- 
 ring the day. 
 
32 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 "Halting his divisions, Taylor ordered them to deploy into 
 line, an evolution which they performed with as much cool- 
 ness as if they had been upon parade ; throwing back the 
 8th infantry to secure his left flank, the General placed the 
 light battery in advance ; the word was then given to return 
 the adversaries' fire ; it was promptly obeyed ; the eighteen 
 pounders, and Ringgold's admirable corps of flying artillery, 
 poured forth a deadly stream of shot^ which soon forced the 
 cavalry on Arista's left to fall back. 
 
 " At this moment Duncan's battery, supported by May's 
 dragoons, was doing equal damage on the right flank. In 
 order to prevent the destruction of his army, Arista deter- 
 mined to make an effort to silence the fatal engines which 
 were so rapidly vomiting death into his ranks. The greater 
 part of the Mexican cavalry had been posted upon their left; 
 they were mostly lancers, and were commanded by General 
 Anastasio Torrejon, the officer who had captured Thornton's 
 party during the preceding month. "While the American 
 ordance was sweeping down his files, Arista ordered Torre- 
 jon to charge upon Taylor's right, while he in person pro- 
 posed to advance with the rest of his lancers and the main 
 body of his infantry, upon his left flank. Torrejon, supported 
 by two field-pieces, attempted to obey the order, but was 
 met and repulsed by the 5th infantry. Walker's volunteers, 
 and a section of flying artillery under Lieutenant Ridgely, 
 which raked the lancers as they retired, after this bold, but 
 unsuccessful movement. — The General, anticipating a re- 
 newal of the attack, now strengthened that part of his line 
 with the 3d infantry. The long grass of the prairie was at 
 this crisis accidentally set on fire, which being as dry as 
 powder, blazed up fiercely, and for the space of an hour the 
 combatants were partially hidden from each other by the 
 dense volumes of smoke, which hung like a curtain between 
 them, for the time at least preventing the work of death. 
 
 " Advancing under cover of the smoke, the American 
 forces now occupied the position lately held by the lancers 
 near the quagmire. When the enemy's line again became 
 visible, the contest was yesumed with increased ardor, the 
 
OF THE WAR. 33 
 
 eighteen pounders, flying artillery, and light battery, making 
 fearful havoc through the ranks of the Mexicans, whose in- 
 trepid bearing was the 'theme of universal admiration' 
 among those who witnessed their gallant behavior. The 
 blood of both armies had now become heated; volley followed 
 volley in rapid succession ; the air was filled with musket 
 balls, round shot, grape, and canister. May's squadron being 
 ordered to make a demonstration upon the enemy's flank, 
 was driven back with loss upon the main body. Maddened 
 with pain and excitement, the Mexican soldiery called out 
 to their General either to advance or retreat, so that the bat- 
 tle might be lost or won, and not prolonged until the artillery 
 had entirely destroyed them.* Arista, in the hope of quiet- 
 ing the impatience of his men, who were leaving their ranks, 
 sent forward a division of lancers, under Colonel Cayetano 
 Montero, to attack the right wing, from whence issued the 
 most destructive fire. The cavalry were met by a battalion 
 of artillery, which, forming in square, received them with 
 the bayonet ; at the same moment the eighteen pounders 
 opened a deadly discharge of canister, which forced the 
 former to retire in disorder beyond the reach of the cannon. 
 Their retreat was covered by a sharp fire of musketry from 
 the Mexican lines ; a few rounds from the ordnance soon si- 
 lenced even this feeble eflx)rt upon the part of Arista to 
 maintain his position. The Mexicans were driven back 
 in the same manner upon their right by the 8th infantry, 
 Ker's dragoons, and Duncan's artillery. The shadows of 
 night were now gathering upon the field, the roar of the bat- 
 tle, the fierce shouts, and the clash of arms gradually ceased; 
 and as the stars came forth, and mingled their radiance with 
 the light of the waning moon, the groans of the wounded 
 and dying were borne upon the wind, and filled the^ air with 
 mournful sounds. 
 
 " The enemy driven from his position, had retired a short 
 distance to the rear, and occupied the chapparal with his 
 shattered battalions, having lost in killed, wounded, and 
 missing, five hundred men. The American force actually 
 
 • Arista's Dispatch to Tornel, May the 8th, 11 P. M., 1846. 
 
34 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 engaged during the day, was two thousand two hundred and 
 eighty-eight men, who lost nine killed, fifty-four wounded, 
 and two missing. Among those mortally wounded was 
 Major Ringgold, one of the bravest and most meritorious of- 
 ficers in the service. The number of shot thrown during the 
 day, according to Arista's account, from the American can- 
 non, was over three thousand, while the Mexicans fired but 
 six hundred and fifty rounds from their twelve pieces used in 
 the action. 
 
 " The weary soldiers, exhausted with their bloody work, 
 bivouacked upon the field, and throwing themselves on the 
 ground, reposed upon their arms until morning, lulled to 
 sleep by the melancholy howl of troops of wolves, which 
 scenting the carnage afar ofl', approached the fatal spot. 
 
 " From camp to camp, through the foul womb of night 
 The hum of either army stilly sounds, 
 That the fixed sentinels almost receive 
 The secret whispers of each other's watch ; 
 Fire answers fire; and through their paly flames 
 Each battle sees the other's umber'd face ; 
 Steed threatens steed in high and boastful neigh, 
 Piercing the night's dull ear." 
 
 "At the dawn of day on the following morning, the Mexi- 
 can army was descried retreating through the wood toward 
 the Del Norte, following the road to Matamoras. Sending 
 his wounded back to Point Isabel, and leaving a detachment, 
 with four pieces of artillery, to guard the supply train at 
 Palo Alto, the commander-in-chief ordered his columns to 
 advance in pursuit of the enemy; at the same time throwing 
 forward a strong party, with instructions to explore the 
 chapparal and ascertain the position of the Mexican force. 
 At three in the afternoon, Taylor received information that 
 Arista was posted directly in front, on the road, which was 
 intersected at that point by a ravine, which M^as skirted by 
 dense thickets of undergrowth. The flying artillery, under 
 Lieutenant Ridgely , advanced up the road, covered by several 
 regiments of infantry, which were extended into the woods 
 upon the right and left flanks ; the cavalry was held in re- 
 
OF THE WAR. 35 
 
 serve, together with the 8th infantry, in the rear. Pushing 
 onward through the chapparal, the divisions soon came 
 within range of the hostile cannon. About four o'clock the 
 action commenced, the enemy opening a vigorous fire from 
 eight pieces of artillery, which commanded the pass. The 
 fire was returned with equal energy, and in a few moments 
 the engagement became general ; the infantry, upon the 
 wings, and the battery in the centre, pouring in volley after 
 volley, in rapid succession, which told fearfully among the 
 sen-ied ranks in front, who, unable to bear the shock, were 
 forced to retire behind their guns. 
 
 " The Mexican cannon, under the charge of generals La 
 Vega and Requena, was M-ell served, and kept up an inces- 
 sant discharge upon the advancing columns, which had 
 already suffered considerably. It became necessary, there- 
 fore, to silence them, at all hazards, and Captain May was 
 ordered to charge the battery with his squadron of cavalry ; 
 a perilous, and difficult feat, which was, nevertheless, success- 
 fully performed, the Mexicans retiring before the impetuous 
 onset of the horsemen ; the guns were silenced, and General 
 La Vega, who had remained at his post, was taken prisoner. 
 Not being supported by the infantry. May did not retain 
 possession of the guns, but fell back upon the main body. 
 The 8th infantry, which had been held as a corps de reserve^ 
 had been ordered up, and was now hotly engaged with the 
 prolongation of the Mexican left, on the right of the road ; 
 being reinforced by a part of the 5th, the division was now 
 ordered to charge the batteries Avitli the bayonet, which was 
 executed with admirable coolness and courage, the Mexicans 
 retreating, leaving their artillery behind, in their haste to 
 escape from the forest of steel which threatened to pierce 
 their ranks. While rushing on to the hostile line, several 
 wounded Mexicans were seen lying in their path, who called 
 out to them, in the extremity of despair, for water ; in an. 
 instant the poor wretches were deluged with the grateful 
 element, every soldier within hearing placing the contents 
 of his canteen and haversack at their disposal. In the mean- 
 time, the 4th infantry, in conjunction with the light com- 
 
36 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 panics of the first brigade, and the 3d regiment, which had 
 deployed into the wood on the right, were busily engaged 
 with Arista's veterans, who resisted the efforts made to dis- 
 lodge them, for a considerable time, with success. In several 
 parts of the field the adversaries fought hand to hand, each 
 determined, if possible, to maintain their ground. A party 
 of the 4th regiment having captured a battery of one piece 
 posted upon the right of the road. Arista sent a strong divi- 
 sion to recover it; they were met by a company under Cap- 
 tain Barbour, who, after a brief struggle, repelled them with 
 loss.* This was the last effort made by the Mexican leader 
 to regain his lost ground. Driven from his position upon 
 both wings, and in the centre, his broken columns, unable to 
 bear the fire, which, with untiring energy was poured into 
 their lines, lost all hope, and retreated precipitately from the 
 field, leaving even the meagre repast, then preparing in their 
 camp, to be eaten by the Americans. The rear-guard, which 
 had been left in charge of the baggage train, was imme- 
 diately ordered up in pursuit of the flying foe, who had 
 taken the road to Matamoras, followed by a squadron of 
 dragoons and the other corps ; they fled rapidly, many of their 
 number yielding themselves prisoners of war. In passing 
 
 * " The following interesting account of the capture of this piece of ordnance is 
 extracted from a detailed description of the actions of the 8 th and 9th of May, which 
 was written by the late gallant and unfortunate Lieutenant John A. Eichey, of the 4th 
 regiment United States' Infantry : ' A short time after the battle began, several of us 
 became separated from our command in the brush, and started forward with the few 
 men we could collect at the moment to take a battery of the Mexicans that was blazing 
 away at us. We dashed forward into the ravine, across the stream which ran through 
 it, and, clambering up the opposite bank, rushed across the openings of the chapparal 
 toward the battery. While passing through the woods I got separated, for about ten 
 minutes, from lieutenants Woods and Hays ; when I rejoined them they had cap- 
 tured the cannon ; they had dashed onward upon the enemy attended by only one 
 man ! The cannoneers immediately turned and fled ; before doing so they had set 
 fire to the priming tube, the gun being loaded ; the match was burning slowly, and 
 was about to ignite the powder, when Lieutenant Woods knocked the priming off 
 with his sword. In the meantime some Mexicans ran to the mules, attached to the 
 piece by a long pole, and endeavored to drag it off; Hays perceiving their intention, 
 sprang forward, and snapped his pistol at them; at the same moment Woods caught 
 hold of the driving reins, and turned the mules round toward the gun. By this time 
 our party was reinforced, and moved forward along the road, firing all the time, and 
 
OF THE WAR. 37 
 
 the walls of the fort, which, three days before, he had so 
 arrogantly summoned to surrender, Arista was saluted by a 
 discharge from the guns of the garrison, which caused his 
 panic-stricken troops to rush heedlessly forward. In their 
 eagerness to escape, hundreds of the poor fellows found a 
 last resting-place beneath the turbid waters of the Rio Bravo. 
 " The American army encamped for the night on the hard- 
 won field of battle ; a favor purchased with the lives of many 
 brave and gallant men. The marching force under General 
 Taylor, on the 9th, was not more than two thousand two 
 hundred and twenty-two, rank and file. The number of 
 troops actually engaged was about seventeen hundred.* 
 The American loss was three officers killed and twelve 
 wounded; thirty-six privates killed and seventy-one wounded. 
 The Mexican army was estimated at six thousand men. 
 Arista having called in the parties of cavalry and infantry 
 which had been posted between the Palo Alto and the fort 
 opposite Matamoras, a few hours before his last desperate 
 stand at Resaca de la Palma. The Mexican loss in killed 
 was certainly two hundred, as that number was left upon 
 the field ; his wounded was double that number ; making an 
 aggregate loss in both battles, if we include the missing and 
 
 driving the enemy before us. We proceeded on in this way with about twenty men. 
 Woods now separated from us, and we were joined by lieutenants Augur and Coch- 
 rane, both of the 4th. Our little party was composed of men belonging to every regi- 
 ment in the army. We advanced a great distance in front of the main body, and 
 were surrounded on all sides by the Mexicans, who were firing in every direction at 
 other bodies of troops. At this instant a large party of lancers came charging down 
 upon us ; some of our guns were loaded, some were not ; our bayonets were unfixed. 
 We ordered our men to retreat. As we were falling back we saw a small detach- 
 ment, under the command of Captain Barbour, coming up ; we shouted to him to 
 come quickly, and hurried down to meet him. We reached him, and turned off into 
 a little opening, and faced the road. As the lancers charged past us, we fired, and 
 killed several of them; the rest ran away, and were again fired upon by us. A great 
 many gallant deeds were performed on this day by the officers and men. Lieutenant 
 Cochrane was killed in the charge of the lancers upon our party ; he received three 
 severe woUnds.' Lieutenant Richey was himself much exposed during the day, and 
 behaved in such a manner as to merit the approbation of his superiors in rank, and 
 the esteem of his numerous friends in the army. He has been described by a brother 
 officer as a ' mild, modest, unassuming young man, but a lion in battle.' " 
 * General Taylor's Dispatch, May 17th, 1846. 
 
 ' y 
 
38 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 prisoners, of more than twelve hundred men. In the Mexi- 
 can camp were found a large quantity of baggage and mili- 
 tary stores, several hundred pack mules, and General Arista's 
 private effects ; among which was discovered his official cor- 
 respondence with his government, a number of plans, maps, 
 and other documents of importance, — the enemy, in their 
 eagerness to save themselves, had, in fact, left every thing 
 behind them.* The number of prisoners captured was one 
 hunch-ed and seventy, including fourteen officers. 
 
 " The courage with which the Mexicans fought in both ac- 
 tions was worthy of the days of chivalry, and redeemed the 
 reputation of the whole nation. One division particularly 
 distinguished itself; this was the battalion of Tampico, a 
 corps which resisted the advance of the adverse line in the 
 face of a galling fire, nor yielded a foot of ground until 
 nearly every man was cut down, or swept away by the mur- 
 derous discharge of the artillery .f On the morning of the 
 10th of May, the victors gathered up the enemy's dead and 
 <deposited them, with the remains of their own comrades, be- 
 neath the sod their united valor had consecrated. The 
 wounded of both armies were treated with equal care ; they 
 both received the same attention from the medical staff. 
 The humanity displayed by the officers and men toward the 
 vanquished adds much to their renown, and sheds a bright 
 ray of glory upon the victories of Palo Alto and Resaca de 
 la Palma. 
 
 " The army, on the same day, moved forward and encamped 
 near the fort, which, in honor of its gallant commander, who 
 had been wounded early in the siege, and had died on the 
 
 * " A magnificent pavilion and several pieces of massive plate were among the arti- 
 cles. Arista's wardrobe and personal effects were returned to him." 
 
 -}■ " The bravest men in the Mexican army were those who belonged to the Tampico 
 battalion ; they stood the destructive fire of the artillery with remarkable firmness, and 
 when the order was given to retreat, but fifty of them remained alive. A member of 
 this gallant corps, anxious to preserve the honor of his battalion, tore the colors under 
 which they fought from its staff, and concealed it about his person. As he was re- 
 treating, he was attacked by an American, who, after a desperate combat, killed the 
 heroic Mexican and secured the trophy, now moistened with the blood of the bravest 
 of its defenders. It is a fortunate circumstance that there are not many such spirits in 
 the Mexican army." 
 
OF THE WAR. 39 
 
 9th, was called Fort Brown. The loss sustained by the gar- 
 rison during the bombardment, was two killed and ten slightly 
 wounded ; such was the admirable arrangement of the de- 
 fences, that although the enemy were constantly throwing 
 round shot and shell into the works, they scarcely made an 
 impression upon them. The enemy had five mortars posted 
 on the opposite bank of the river, and it was estimated by 
 the besieged that they threw, during the seven days occu- 
 pied in attempting to reduce the fort, more than three thou- 
 sand heavy missiles of various kinds. 
 
 "On the 17th, General Taylor having procured the ordnance 
 (two mortars) necessary to reduce the town of Matamoras, 
 issued an order for crossing the river a short distance above. 
 He had previously sent Lieutenant Colonel Wilson with a 
 battalion of regulars and two hundred volunteers to the op- 
 posite side to make a diversion by the way of Barrita, a small 
 town between the coast and the cit}\ As the army were 
 preparing to pass the stream under cover of the fort. Gene- 
 ral Requena arrived in the camp and requested a conference, 
 and proposed in the name of Arista, to sign an armistice un- 
 til the respective governments should decide upon the ques- 
 tions at issue. The American commander peremptorily re- 
 fused to treat upon the subject, inasmuch as he had proposed 
 a suspension of hostilities a month before to General Am- 
 pudia, but that circumstances had changed since that time ; 
 that he had received strong reinforcements, and that, as he 
 had not begun or provoked the war, he would not now sus- 
 pend his operations, but that Matamoras must be taken. At 
 the same time, he informed Requena that General Arista 
 was at perfect liberty to evacuate the town with his troops, 
 provided he left the public property in the place. 
 
 " Requena thereupon withdrew, promising to return an an- 
 swer during the afternoon. The expected reply never came, 
 and that night Arista, who had still a force of between three 
 and four thousand troops of the line, besides a strong body 
 of ranchero cavalry, fled from the town and took the road to 
 Monterey. On the 18th, the army of occupation crossed the 
 stream, and in a few minutes the stars and stripes were 
 
40 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 floating on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. As its folds 
 were flung to the breeze, a deafening shout broke from the 
 different corps, who now felt that the long-delayed hour of 
 triumph had arrived. Lieutenant Colonel Garland was dis- 
 patched at the head of a division of cavalry in pursuit of 
 the fugitive Mexicans ; this officer followed them about sixty 
 miles, and returned on the 22d, after having captured a small 
 party of the enemy." — Young's Hist., pp. 343 — 359. 
 
 When the tidings of these events reached the United 
 States, a burst of feeling and enthusiasm ran like wild-fire 
 throughout the Union. Congress was in session, and upon the 
 official notification of the state of affairs, by the message of 
 the President of May 11th, immediately passed the "War 
 bill" the provisions of which were as follow : 
 "An Act providing for the prosecution of the existing war between the 
 
 United States and the RepubUc of Mexico. 
 " Whereas, by the act of the RepubUc of Mexico, a state of war exists 
 between that government and the United States : 
 
 " Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
 the United States of America in Congress jlssembled, That for the 
 purpose of enabling the Government of the United States to prosecute 
 said war to a speedy and successful termination, the President be and 
 he is hereby authorized to employ the miUtia, naval, and miUtary 
 forces of the United States, and to call for, and accept the services of 
 any number of volunteers, not exceeding fifty thousand, who may offer 
 their services, as cavalry, artillery, infantry, or riflemen, to serve 
 twelve months after they shall have arrived at the place of rendezvous, 
 or to the end of the war, unless sooner discharged, according to the 
 time for which they shall have been mustered into service ; and that 
 the sum often milUons of dollars out of any money in the Treasury, 
 or to come into the Treasury, not otherwise appropriated be, and the 
 same is hereby appropriated, for the purpose of carrying the provisions 
 of this act into effect. 
 
 " Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, Tliat the militia, when called 
 into the service of the United States, by virtue of this act, or any other 
 act, may, if in the opinion of the President of the United States the 
 public interest requires it, be compelled to serve a term not exceeding 
 six months after their arrival at the place of rendezvous, in any one 
 year, unless sooner discharged. 
 
OF THE WAR. 41 
 
 " Sec. 3. Jln(} be it further ejiacted, That the said volunteers shall 
 furnish their own clothes, and, if cavalry, their own horses ; and, 
 when mustered into service, shall be armed at the expense of the 
 Uwted States. 
 
 " Sec. 4. ^nd be it further enacted, That the said volunteers, when 
 called into actual service, and while remaining therein, be subject to 
 the rules and articles of war, and shall be, in all respects, except as to 
 clothing and pay, placed on the same footing with similar corps of the 
 United States' army ; and, in lieu of clothing, every non-commissioned 
 officer and private in any company who may thus offer himself, sliall 
 be entided, when called into actual service, to receive in money a sum 
 equal to the cost of clothing of a non-commissioned officer or private 
 (as the case may be) in the regular troops of the United States. 
 
 " Sec. 5. Jind be it further enacted. That the said volunteers so of- 
 fering their services shall be accepted by the President in companies, 
 battalions, squadrons, and regiments, whose officers shall be appointed 
 in the manner prescribed by law in the several States and Territories 
 to which such companies, battalions, squadrons and regiments shall re- 
 spectively belong. 
 
 " Sec. 6. Jl7id be it further enacted, That the President of the 
 United States be and he is hereby authorized, to organize companies 
 so tendering their services into battalions or squadrons; battalions and 
 squadrons into regiments ; regiments into brigades, and brigades into 
 divisions, as soon as the number of volunteers shall render such or- 
 ganization, in his judgment, expedient ; and the President shall, if ne- 
 cessary apportion the staff, field and general officers among the re- 
 spective States and Territories from which the volunteers shall tender 
 their services, as he may deem proper. 
 
 " Sec. 7. And be it further enacted. That the volunteers who may 
 be received into the service of the United States by virtue of the pro- 
 visions of this act, and who shall be wounded or otherwise disabled in 
 service, shall be entitled to all the benefit which may be conferred on 
 persons wounded in the service of the United States. 
 
 "Sec. 8, And be it further enacted, That the President of the 
 United States be and he is hereby authorized forthwith to complete all the 
 public armed vessels now authorized by law, and to purchase or charter, 
 arm, equip, and man such merchant vessels and steamboats as upon ex- 
 amination maybe found fit or easily converted into armed vessels, fit 
 for the public service, and in such numbers as he may deem necessary 
 for the protection of the seaboard, lake coast, and the general defence of 
 the country. 
 
42 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT 
 
 *' Sec. 9. And he it further enacted, That, whenever the militia or 
 vohmteers are called and received into the service of the United States 
 under the provisions of tliis act, they shall have the organization of 
 the army of the United States, and shall have the same pay and allow- 
 ances ; and all mounted privates, non-commissioned officers, musicians 
 and artificers, shall be allowed 40 cents per day for the use and risk of 
 their horses actually killed in action ; and if any mounted non-com- 
 missioned officer, musician or private shall not keep himself provided 
 with a serviceable horse, said volunteers shall serve on foot." 
 
 This bill was followed on the 13th of May, by the Procla- 
 mation of War, by the President of the United States, as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 By t^e President of the United States of Aineiica. 
 
 A PROCLAMATION. 
 
 Whereas the Congress of the United States, by virtue of the Con- 
 stitutional authority vested in them, have declared by their act, bearing 
 date this day, that, " by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of 
 war exists between that Government and the United States :" 
 
 Now, therefore,!, James K. Polk, President of the United States of 
 America, do hereby proclaim the same to all whom it may concern ; 
 and I do specially enjoin on all persons holding offices, civil or mili- 
 tary, under the authority of the United States, that they be vigilant 
 and zealous in discharging the duties respectively incident thereto : and 
 I do moreover exhort all the good people of the United States, as they 
 love their country, as they feel the wrongs which have forced on them 
 the last resort of injured nations, and as they consult the best means, 
 under the blessing of Divine Providence, of abridging its calamities, 
 that they exert themselves in preserving order, in promoting concord, 
 in maintaining the authority and efficacy of the laws, and in supporting 
 and invigorating all the measures which may be adopted by the consti- 
 tuted authorities for obtaining a speedy, a just, and an honorable peace. 
 In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the 
 seal of the United Slates to be affixed to these presents. Done 
 []l.s.] at the city of Washington, the thirteenth day of May, one 
 thousand eight hundred and forty-six, and of the independence 
 of the United States the seventieth. 
 
 JAMES K. POLK. 
 By the President : 
 
 James Buchanan, Secretary of State. 
 
OF THE WAR. 43 
 
 Following this proclamation of war came, on the 19th in- 
 stant, the requisition of the secretary of war upon the States 
 of Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Mississippi, 
 Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, and Missouri, for troops to be 
 mustered into the service of the United States immediately, 
 " to serve twelve months, unless sooner discharged." To 
 -these, too, were added a battalion from Baltimore and the 
 District of Columbia ; also, a requisition was made at the 
 eame time on all the other states of the Union, for troops to 
 be raised and held in readiness to be called subsequently 
 into service, at the discretion of the president. These, when 
 afterwards called out from time to time, were mustered in 
 for the war. 
 
 The States of Texas and Louisiana had already, upon the 
 requisition of General Taylor, sent a large quota of troops 
 to the Rio Grande ; these men were mustered in for six 
 months, and after the arrival of the twelve months troops, 
 were discharged. Many of them, however, re-entered the 
 service for twelve months. Upon the reception of the requi- 
 sition, the governors of those States called upon to furnish 
 the troops for immediate service, or the " twelve months' 
 volunteers," issued their proclamations, in energetic terms, 
 requesting their citizens to rally to the call of their country, 
 and appointing places of rendezvous for the different regi- 
 ments about to be formed. The call was responded to enthu- 
 siastically ; thousands rapidly came forward, eager to be led 
 against the enemy. The merchant left his counter ; the 
 farmer his plow ; the mechanic his shop, and the profes- 
 sional man his office, and all as one offered their services as 
 citizen soldiers. The question was not, " Who will go?" 
 but rather " Who shall remain ? " for the services of more 
 than two hundred thousand were offered, and not a fourth of 
 these could be accepted. Each company accepted regarded 
 itself as fortunate, while those too late, rejected, returned 
 disappointed to their homes. 
 
 The infantry proceeded by sea, (save those in Kearney's 
 division, whose movement was to be against Santa Fe, in 
 New Mexico), and were soon on the scene of operations ; but 
 
44 
 
 CAUSES AND COMMENCEMENT, ETC. 
 
 the cavalry had to march thither by land. The route for 
 the Arkansas cavalry was from Little Rock to San Antonio, 
 Texas, to join the division of General Wool against Chihua- 
 hua ; for the Kentucky and Tennessee regiments, from Mem- 
 phis, Tennessee, to the Rio Grande, via Little Rock, Wash- 
 ington, Ark., Robbins' Ferry, on the Trinity river, Washing- 
 ton, Tex., and San Antonio (but this latter route by San 
 Antonio was afterwards changed for the coast road) ; and the 
 Missouri regiments in the division of General Kearney, to 
 Santa Fe, in New Mexico. 
 
 LIST OF REGIMENTS OF THE TWELVE MONTHs' VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Tennessee 
 
 COLONELS. TIME OF MUSTER INTO SERVICB. 
 
 {Tennessee Cavalry TnoMAS--6th to 15ih Jnne, 1846. 
 1st Infantry Campbell- • 28th May to 2d June,- ■• " 
 2d '• HASKELL--4th to 18ih June, " 
 
 ( Kentucky Cavalry Marshall ") 
 
 Kentucky U^^ ^'^;'^y;;;::::::::;:::;::;:;«5^5?^^ [ 17th May to 15th June, « 
 
 [ 1 Independent Comp. • • - Capt. AVilliams J 
 
 Indiana- • 
 
 Isl Infantry • 
 2d Do. • 
 3d Do. - 
 
 a 
 
 ■ -Drake ) 
 
 • Bowles [ 18th to 26th June, " 
 
 - • -Lane) 
 
 ( 1st Infantry Mitchell) 
 
 Ohio {2d Do. Morgan J 23d to 29th June, « 
 
 (3d Do. Curtis) 
 
 Ilstlnfantry Hardin),-,, . on.i. t ,i 
 
 li Do. B,,,,,mh to 30th June, « 
 ^;l g°: ::::-.-.v.-:::;:;;;:;^?KR^AJ-«to2djuiy,.... - 
 
 •1st Regiment Cavalry Doniphan- .Sth to 25th June, " 
 
 Battalion Artillery, 16 ps. - --Maj. Clark- -ICth to I7th " " 
 
 Battalion Infantry Major Angney- 6th to 25th " " 
 
 Laclede Rangers Captain Hudson- •16th " " 
 
 Missouri- • 2d Regiment Cavalry Col. Price- -1st to 16th August, « 
 
 Battal. Do., 4 Comps.- -Lt. Col. Willock- • " " " 
 
 , Miscellaneous Artillery, 14 ps.-Ll. Dyer- • " " " 
 
 Mississippi-. 1st. Riflemen Davis- -Sd to 15th June, « 
 
 Arkansas- •• " Cavalry 
 
 Georgia • ■ . • " Infantry 
 
 Alabama ••• " Infantry 
 
 Louisiana ■ -Independent Comp.' 
 Texas '• " . 
 
 Yell- -30th June to 3d July, - • - " 
 
 Jackson- • 10th to 19th June, " 
 
 Coffee- -8th to 29th June, " 
 
 • Capt. Blanchard- -SOth July, " 
 
 Capt. Shivers- • • 
 
 Maryland 
 and Distr. 
 of Colurab. 
 
 I Baltimore Battalion — Lt. Col. Watson- -SOth May to 8th June, • 
 
THE TWELVE MONTHS VOLUNTEEE. 
 
 The proclamation of the governor of Tennessee, calling 
 for the quota of troops from that State, two regiments of in- 
 fantry and one of cavalry, was made on the 24th of May, 
 1846. The first regiment rendezvoused at Naslnille, and 
 under Colonel Campbell, were soon off; the second, under 
 Colonel Haskell, immediately followed from Memphis. The 
 ten cavalry companies, under command of Captains Lenow, 
 €aswel, Porter, Newman, Haynes, Cooper, Gillaspie, Evans, 
 Marshall, and Goodnow, forming the other regiment, soon 
 collected at the latter place, encamping at the "Big Spring," 
 two miles east of the city. 
 
 The author, then engaged in the practice of law in Ger- 
 mantown, determined to throw aside Blackstone and Chitty, 
 and take up the sword and carbine, exchanging the office 
 for the camp; and accordingly he entered his name upon the 
 list of the " Eagle Guards," or company G.,of this regiment, 
 and immediately commenced the duties of a soldier. Upon 
 the organization of the regiment, Jonas E. Thomas was 
 elected colonel, Robert Allison lieutenant colonel, and Rich- 
 ard Waterhouse major. 
 
 The regiment remained at camp Carrol, at the spring, until 
 the 17th of July. In the meantime, the Kentucky regiment 
 of cavalry came down from Louisville, and after remaining 
 encamped on the bank of the Mississippi, opposite Memphis, 
 for a few days, commenced their march for Mexico. Ten 
 days after, on the 27th of July, the Tennessee regiment,* num- 
 bering about nine hundred and forty men, took up the same 
 
 * As the minor details of the march of the Tennessee cavalry, through Arkansas and 
 
 Texas, may be found only interesting to those who were attached to that regiment, or to 
 
 those who wish an idea of the appearance of the country as passed over from day to day, 
 
 the Author would suggest to the general reader, lo omit the peruaal of them, and continue 
 
 liis course from Chapter III., page iS. , .^ ^ 
 
 (45) 
 
46 MARCH TO LITTLE ROCK. 
 
 line of march — as fine a body of men as could be collected, 
 mounted on the best horses that the country could afford. 
 The rrginient arrived at Little Rock, the capital of the State 
 of Arkansas, on the 7th of August, at which place it en- 
 camped for three days, and here the account of its daily 
 marches, &c., commences. 
 
 By the time of its arrival here, it had become organized 
 and regular as a body; ofllcers and men were learning and 
 practicing their common duties, and every part began to 
 work harmoniously Vvith the whole. Before this time, how^ 
 ever, there had been confusion, often, and irregularity, by 
 reason of inexperience in all, or nearly so, in military life. 
 The distance of one hundred and sixty miles, over which — 
 from jVIemphis to Little Rock — the regiment had traveled, 
 had been through a section of country of which little could 
 be said. The first forty miles were in the wide swamp 
 of the Mississippi bottom, muddy and almost entirely unset- 
 tled, save for a few miles from the river. The next forty 
 was over small hills at first, and then through a long, dreary 
 waste, covered with water and low timber; then, piney, 
 sand}' land; the succeeding forty through the better lands 
 bordering on White river, and on to the grand prairie, which 
 is thirty-three miles wide; the last forty through the prai- 
 rie and sandy lands along the Arkansas, to Little Rock. 
 
 The encampment was below the town, on the southern 
 bank of the river, in a very fine situation ; regularly laid off, 
 and presenting to the spectator a fine military appearance. 
 It had there been placed, on account of a grove of small 
 timber on the bank, and also clear springs of water, much 
 better than that of the river. The regiment had now for 
 several weeks been in service, but as yet no court martial 
 IkuI been found necessary up to this time, when the first one 
 was convened for the purpose of trying the case of a pri- 
 vate, Frederick Richards, of company G.; and with the ac- 
 count of this court martial, and the ceremony of punishment . 
 of criminal soldiers, by "drumming them out of camp," 
 the naiTative commences. 
 
 The crime of which he was accused was, simply, stealing 
 
COURT-MARTIAL. 47 
 
 a horse. Richards plead " not guilty" to the charge and 
 specifications. The testimony, however, was conclusive, 
 that he did, a few days before, steal and ride away a certain 
 horse, with intent to deprive the true owner thereof of the 
 same; which intention, however, was entirely frustrated, by 
 his being pursued by the said owner, who, upon coming up 
 with him, most unceremoniously took the horse and returned, 
 leaving Richards to " foot it," as he had done before — his 
 own horse having, a few days previous, much against his 
 wish, laid down and died. 
 
 Richards was accordingly convicted, and sentenced by the 
 court-martial to be drummed out of camp on the same even- 
 ing at sunset. But here was a difficulty ; not a drum was 
 in the regiment, for cavalry have but little use for such 
 noisy articles as those. This difficulty, however, was obvi- 
 ated by the wisdom of the court, who decided that the word 
 " drumming," in its military and most extensive sense, sig- 
 nified " any sort of a noise, made upon any instrument what- 
 ever, for instance, the musical beating of a brick-bat upon 
 the bottom of an iron pan, came fully within the definition." 
 This effectually cleared up the matter, much to the satisfac- 
 tion of that large"^ number of amateurs of music, who wished 
 to " take a hand " in the ceremony ; for any number of iron 
 mess-pans and deep sounding camp-kettles could be paraded, 
 and as a large slaughter house had been carried on for sev- 
 eral years at the edge of the camp, any quantity of shin 
 bones of cattle, calves and sheep lay scattered around, offer- 
 ing, in size, &c., a great variety of substitutes for drum- 
 sticks. At sunset, the regiment was ordered to parade 
 without arms, save G company, to which the delinquent be 
 longed : this was brought into line by itself, while at a little 
 distance the regiment was formed in two long parallel lines 
 facing inwards, about ten paces apart, each with any noisy 
 instrument he could get. G company, with arms shoul- 
 dered, was formed in sections of four. In front of it, the 
 prisoner, with his baggage lashed on his back, a^ttended on 
 either side by a guard with loaded carbines. Behind him 
 were two buglers ; in the rear of these, three sections of 
 
48 DRUMMING OUT OF CAMP. 
 
 men without carbines, each one with an iron mess-pan and 
 shin-bone or brick-bat ; in the rear of these, the remaining 
 sections, with their carbines at a shoulder. 
 
 The bugles struck up in discordant notes ; the three ranks 
 ■of iron pans accompanied, with a most outrageous racket. 
 The company marched to the head of the lines on the out- 
 side, they being silent ; and, wheeling, entered the interval, 
 coming down between, and as it done so, both lines joined 
 in the concert on all their pans, old coffee-pots, and kettles, 
 accompanied by groans, hisses, squeals and yells the loudest 
 and most discordant. It was deafening, and seemed as 
 though all the fiends of the lower regions had " broken loose." 
 
 The column having passed through, the regiment was 
 dismissed ; but the company, continuing their discordant 
 sounds, marched with the culprit through the streets of the 
 town — opening the ears of the good people with regard to 
 melody — to the ferry boat, and placing him on board, sent 
 him across the river, firing an irregular volley after him ; 
 then, faced about, the bugles striking up harmoniously the 
 *' star spangled banner," returned to the camp, and were dis- 
 missed. Thus ended the ceremony of " drumming out of 
 camp." 
 
 The city of Little Rock, formerly called Arkopolis, is a 
 pleasant place, occupying a situation on the southern bank of 
 the Arkansas, some thirty feet above the common level of the 
 river, which is navigable most of the year for small steam- 
 boats, to this place ; and in high water for several hundred 
 miles above. It is a river of great length, for one of its 
 magnitude, rising in New Mexico, in the Green mountain, 
 one of the range of Rocky mountains, and the same moun- 
 tain that gives rise to the Rio Grande — the sources of the 
 two rivers being but a few miles apart. The navigation of 
 the Arkansas is much impeded by its numerous shifting 
 sand-bars, but still much business is done upon it in the fall, 
 winter and spring. At the time that we were there, how- 
 ever, there was but one steamboat at the city, and she was 
 laid up for the want of sufficient depth of water to carry her 
 out. 
 
LITTLE ROCK. . 49 
 
 Little Rock has the appearance of a place of considerable 
 business. Its numerous stores are large and well filled; its 
 hotels will compare favorably with those of any of the 
 southern or western cities, and with regard to its private 
 dwellings, there is an air of neatness and ornament, in good 
 taste, about their appearance, that strikes the eye of the 
 stranger favorably ; and, taking the whole together, the tra- 
 veler can spend a few days in Little Rock very agreeably, 
 and he certainly will be pleased with the inhabitants. 
 
 On Monday, August 10th, we resumed our march, leaving 
 fifty-two men sick at Little Rock, and discharging one young 
 man belonging to company G, who became deranged, and 
 kept the regiment in an uproar. Guards were placed over 
 him, but he contrived often to elude their vigilance, and creep- 
 ing off, would mount the first horse he came to, and dash 
 about at full speed through the camp, regardless of the tents 
 or men, outside, or within sleeping ; a matter of surprise that 
 he did not kill or cripple some of them ; still it was exciting 
 as well as amusing to see him rushing like a fiend, his horse 
 without saddle or bridle, unexpectedly into a crowd of men, 
 and to see with what agility and quickness they gave him a 
 full pass way. His actions became so outrageous that the 
 Colonel was obliged to send him back to Memphis. The 
 whole town ^vas out to see our departure, as in a long ex- 
 tended unbroken column four deep we moved through the 
 city, and took the road for Washington, in Hempstead county. 
 Three days' march brought us to the Washita river. The 
 evening of the second day we encamped on the bank of the 
 Sabine river, and the evening of the third at Rockport, a 
 little village on the bank of the Washita. The march of the 
 first day from Little Rock was over a succession of small hills, 
 very stony and barren ; the valleys were of pretty fair land, 
 streams of pure water crossing the road every few miles. 
 The second day's march was over a more sandy section but 
 little better in soil, improving however near the Sabine. We 
 passed through the little town of Benton, and four miles fur- 
 ther encamped on the western side of the Sabine, where we 
 found an abundant supply of corn and oats in large piles on 
 4 
 
50 ENCAMPMENT AT SABINE. 
 
 the ground, provided for us by the forage master Mr. Davis, 
 who kept his position two days in advance of the regiment, 
 selecting the camping places and making his contracts with 
 the neighboring farmers for the supply of forage delivered at 
 the ground, by the evening that the regiment was to arrive. 
 The payment for the same was made by the quartermaster, 
 Major Vaughan, attending the regiment. The supplies of 
 provisions, &c., attended in their laying in and issuing to the 
 troops, by the commissary, Lieutenant Woodson, consisting 
 of mess pork, hard bread, sugar, coffee, salt, vinegar, and 
 occasionally pickles, were hauled in the train and replen- 
 ished, as they gave out, from the various depots, already pro- 
 vided for us by the government. These depots were situated 
 at Memphis, AVhite River, Little Rock, Washington, Ark., 
 or rather Fulton on Red river ; Robbins' Ferry on the 
 Trinity river, Tex. ; Washington, on the Brazos, San Anto- 
 nio, on the river of the same name. Western Tex., or Port 
 Lavacca on Lavacca Bay ; Corpus Christi, Point Isabel, and 
 Matamoras, Mexico, the whole route being about fourteen 
 hundred miles. So far we have not had the slightest reason 
 to complain of quantity or quality of the provisions issued to 
 us ; to those already mentioned, is added fresh beef, when- 
 ever it can be procured. 
 
 But to return to the encampment at the Sabine. It was a 
 pleasant situation under lofty trees. The day had been very 
 hot, and the men and horses now filled the stream, bathing 
 and washing off. The water was clear, the bed round peb- 
 bles, two pebbly islands were at the ford, dividing the river 
 into three swift channels ; above these it spread out wide, 
 smooth, clear and deep; below, the same; a better place we 
 could not wish. 
 
 The third days' march from Little Rock was over a rough, 
 rocky, hilly, and generally, save in the bottoms, barren coun- 
 try — considerable pine on the hills. The camping ground on 
 the Washita river at Rockport was reached at an early hour ; 
 plenty of corn and fodder, more than our horses wanted, 
 was already there. The Washita is a pretty stream, longer 
 than the Sabine, rising about sixty miles to the north-west 
 
MAGNET COVE. 51 
 
 of this point, and running south-eastwardly, flowing into 
 Red River, in Louisiana. Its water is clear, but at this point 
 and above, the river is obstructed by large rocks in its bed ; 
 the face of the country bordering on it is quite hilly, and to 
 the north becomes mountainous. 
 
 Seven miles north of our encampment was the " Magnet 
 Cove," which the author visited. It is an extensive, nearly 
 circular basin, as it were, surrounded by high, steep hills. 
 A bed of magnetic iron-ore is in it, and gives it its name ; the 
 ground is filled with detached, irregular-shaped pieces, from 
 the size of a half bushel measure, down to that of a hazel nut; 
 each piece has its two poles, and is strongly magnetic, though 
 varying much in intensity of power. The lady of Governor 
 Conway, who has a plantation in the cove, informed him that 
 pieces of a pound weight, or a little upwards, had been often 
 found there, that would by attraction sustain a string of from 
 six to eight tenpenny nails, by the point of one ; the attraction 
 extending down through the whole, holding each to its place, 
 as though tied there ; but he was not able to find any piece, 
 of that size, that would sustain in that way more than three, 
 though they held securely as many as could be attached, each 
 one by its own point. The magnetic compass of the sur- 
 veyor is of no use, for many miles around this cove, pointing 
 to the cove, instead of the " north." 
 
 Fifteen miles further to the north are the famous " Hot 
 Springs." He did not visit them, though several of the oflicers 
 and men did, leaving the road for that purpose a little this 
 side of Little Rock. They describe the place as amply re- 
 paying them for their trouble ; the number of separate springs 
 to be large — above seventy; if he was informed correctly, the 
 temperature of the different ones varying a little, but all near 
 the boiling point. These springs are much resorted to by 
 invalids suffering from the effect of difl^erent diseases ; for all 
 such, the waters are said to be beneficial, save to those 
 afflicted with diseases of the lungs, which, it is said, are 
 aggravated by their use. His information, with respect to 
 the springs, is all second hand ; though he presumes it to be 
 correct. The accommodations for visitors, at the springs,, 
 
52 CAMP AT CADDO. 
 
 are described as being good, fare excellent, fine opportuni- 
 ties for fishing, and better for hunting — bears, deer, and tur- 
 kies, being found in the neighboring mountains. 
 
 We left the Washita on the following morning, August 
 13th, but marched only nine miles, and encamped on a little 
 rocky brook, in the most contracted situation that we have 
 so far occupied ; the encampment not being laid off in order. 
 A rain coming up, made it more unpleasant, and we were 
 rejoiced to leave it the next morning; for all the men were 
 somewhat surly, not having room enough to be comfortable. 
 But after getting off", and marching four or five miles, the 
 clouds broke away, the sun came out bright and pleasant, 
 the trees looked fresh and green, the road was beaten hard 
 with the rain, rendering the traveling good, and universal 
 cheerfulness and good humor were immediately restored. 
 The march, this day, brought us to the Caddo river, on the 
 bank of which we encamped, on the lands and near the house 
 of a wealthy old settler here. Judge Barkman. The camp 
 was in a fine situation, level ground, thinly scattered trees, 
 and plenty of room. The miserably-formed camp of the last 
 night had, in its inconvenience, awakened the field-officers 
 to attend to the laying off" of the ground as it should be ; each 
 company's tents in one straight line, and the ten lines 
 perfectly parallel with each other, with plenty of space be- 
 tween ; for a cavalry camp occupies double the area of one of 
 infantry, of the same number of men ; for a thousand horses 
 take up much room. Lieutenant-colonel Allison attended to 
 this in person, this evening, laying off' and appointing to each 
 captain the position of his company. The commissary pro- 
 cured plenty of fine fresh beef, this day, — issued, also, a sup- 
 ply of salt, flour, sugar and coffee to the troops. The best 
 spring that we had seen since we left Memphis, was in the 
 limits of the camp, on the bank of the Caddo, and pure water 
 was abundant. 
 
 A universal determination seemed to have been prevalent 
 through the whole regiment, as we had arrived in camp so 
 early in the afternoon, to have good suppers ; and such 
 joasting, broiling, baking, stewing, and boiling, had not been 
 
SOLDIERS COOKING. 53 
 
 done before ; there were about one hundred and seventy 
 messes in the regiment, and of course, as many fires and 
 cooks : the smoke, rising in volumes from these fibres, so 
 near together, settled in a light-blue haze or cloud over the 
 scene, enveloping the tops of the trees ; for the air was per- 
 fectly still, and the sun was sinking down. Each mess got 
 its supper ready; some had soup; some beefsteaks; some 
 roast beef; some stewed, and some had, in trying to prepare 
 their own, in some one or another of the styles mentioned, 
 made queer dishes, of odd appearance, and of still more odd 
 a taste ; — here, in one mess,w^as a row of white, good-looking 
 biscuit, daintily set out on a line of chips, and the soldier 
 who had made them, looked at them with pleasure ; while 
 his comrade of the next mess, at the neighboring fire, who 
 had made as strenuous efforts to have his own nice, too, with 
 a disappointed expression was placing out a lot of dark, 
 mongrel-looking balls of baked and burnt dough, each solid 
 enough to knock a steer down. Here was a chap, for the 
 first time in his life, probably, roasting some coffee ; his iron 
 fryingpan full, on a hot fire smoking, while he stirred it, 
 sweating with the heat. The coffee was roasted, but he, not 
 knowing when to stop, determined to do it well; and con- 
 tinued with it, hotter still, until it had nearly ceased to 
 smoke, and turned in color of an ebony black ; he had got it 
 almost to pure charcoal. He found it very easy to pound 
 (for all the coffee was pounded in tin cups, with a stone, 
 muzzle of a pistol or carbine), but not so easy to settle, after 
 boiling. In fact, it would not settle ; he turned in cold 
 water, several times, but it was still thick, and, one of 
 his messmates, as he sat down to it, declared, with a sour 
 look, that he never could have told, from its taste, that that 
 mixture was intended for coffee. 
 
 The supper was ended over the camp by sunset, the horses 
 all fed, and they, like ourselves, had an abundance, and 
 nearly the whole regiment went out on the banks of the 
 Caddo, about one half to enjoy the scene and the bracing air 
 of the evening, and the other half to have the fun and frolic 
 of a good bath and swimming-spell. Many took their horses 
 
S4 SQUATTER GIRL. 
 
 in the water with them, to practice them in swimming; and 
 quite a scene took place of playing, diving, ducking and 
 splashing, with bursts of merriment and laughter. After 
 •dark this ended, and all lay down and slept well. 
 
 The next morning, August 15th, the breakfasts were got 
 and disposed of early, the tents were all down, the wagons 
 loaded, horses saddled, the ground cleared, and the lines 
 formed by seven o'clock ; and, at the sound of the bugles, we 
 again moved ahead. 
 
 The march, to-day, was over a better farming country than 
 before, though not first-rate. Obtaining permission to leave 
 the lines, the author stopped with the assistant-surgeon of 
 the regiment, at one of the houses on the roadside, to get 
 some fruit ; but we found little, and that was worthless. A 
 queer family lived here. The log house was rotten and tot- 
 tering ; the broken dirt chimneys nearly down ; the fences 
 around were also down, and the field, or the larger part of 
 it, growing up with tall weeds and sassafras bushes ; a good 
 piece of corn, however, was on the other part. 
 
 A woman, tall, stooping and dirty, with torn dress and 
 tangled hair, was within the house, with four or five 
 stout, half-savage looking boys and girls, bare-foot, bare- 
 headed, sun-burnt, and half dressed. Three large, surly bear 
 dogs forbade our entrance, until driven off" by the oldest girl, 
 who wielded a club among them in a manner that showed 
 she was used to it ; and then coming forward, with consider- 
 able kindness of expression in voice and look, which even 
 the wildness of her general appearance could not destroy, 
 she invited us to alight; informing us at the same time, " that 
 her father was not at home ; that he was ' bar huntin'," 
 presuming that we had<come to see him. She was perfectly 
 at her ease, not in the slightest degree abashed ; and as she 
 stood erect, her bare feet firmly planted on the ground ; her 
 short sleeved, coarse dress leaving bare her arms, w^ell 
 formed, but browned and sun-burnt; and her face open, frank, 
 with fine blue eyes, and a full high forehead ; and as she 
 rested on the large stick in her hand, with which she had 
 just walloped the dogs, who were yet barking fiercely at us 
 
CAMP AT LITTLE MISSOURL 55 
 
 round the corners of the house, she showed that, although 
 her father was not, she felt herself perfectly at home. 
 
 We went in. We soon soon saw that the woman was too 
 fond of liquor, the fumes of which were apparent to the 
 senses. Visiting the orchard, and finding no good fruit, we 
 remounted and overtook the column of troops. 
 
 At five o'clock we encamped in the thick woods, up and 
 down a half stagnant stream of water, where abundance of 
 forage had been piled up. On the following day, Sunday, 
 August 16th, the regiment was again formed, and with the 
 wagon train started at an early hour, and at two, P. M., we ar- 
 rived at our next encampment, on the western bank of the 
 Little Missouri, one of the tributaries of the Washita ; a 
 clear, rapid stream, with pebbly bottom. We encamped in 
 the cane; the lines of tents were soon up, the fires built, and 
 every one felt himself perfectly at ease. The loads of corn 
 soon came in and were distributed, and our horses abun- 
 dantly fed. 
 
 A general disposition in our company was manifested for 
 singing, and the captain had all the good singers in front of 
 his " marquee " at it, and all seemed to enjoy the afternoon 
 much. Many groups of men were off" to themselves in the 
 cane, lying down in the shade of the trees, conversing with 
 each other of home and the Sabbath meetings there ; and now 
 they found that every little circumstance that memory 
 brought up, that at the time of its occurrence passed almost 
 unnoticed, was of interest, and gave pleasure in the recital. 
 The country through which, this day and yesterday, the regi- 
 ment passed, continued poor. We left the camp on the Little 
 Missouri at seven o'clock on the following morning, and 
 marching eighteen miles, came to a Baptist camp-meeting 
 ground, near to the town of Washington ; here we pitched 
 our lines of tents, using the water of the Baptistry (a stone 
 basin fed by a spring) for ourselves and horses. It held 
 about thirty hogsheads ; but it was not a " priming," and 
 several of the companies were obliged to saddle up and pro- 
 ceed on to town, in and .about which, at the various springs, 
 they found water. The spring, or rather springs, at which 
 
56 WASHINGTON. 
 
 our company encamped, were fine : clear, cold and copious, 
 offering abundant supply for men and horses. They were 
 situated at the head of a deep ravine, shady and pleasant, 
 at the edge of town. We arrived here after dark, and not 
 being able to find any wood, of course could build no fires, 
 and lay down to sleep without putting up our tents or get- 
 ting any supper. The sand made a good bed, and we slept 
 well. 
 
 The next morning we were ordered up to roll call, after 
 which the tents were put up, as the colonel had directed that 
 the regiment should remain here for a day or two, to have 
 the horses shod, and to take a new supply of rations. We 
 got our breakfast quickly, for we had had nothing to eat since 
 breakfast the morning before ; afterwards we were dis- 
 missed, and went into the town. Though not so large as we 
 had anticipated, we found it a brisk little place, with a few 
 stores, and a printing office of a weekly paper. The ladies 
 of the place had made a beautiful American flag, forty feet 
 by twenty, which remained in the breeze on its lofty staff" 
 during our stay, and added much to the appearance of the 
 village. 
 
 The men of the regiment had expected to be paid off" here, 
 two months' wages, forty dollars each ; it being the custom 
 in the army, to pay the troops every two months ; but they 
 were disappointed ; the pay-master who had been stationed 
 here, leaving the day before we arrived. The citizens in- 
 formed us that the Kentucky cavalry, which had left a few 
 days before, (mentioned as taking the route from Memphis, 
 ahead of us), were disappointed in the same way, and diffi- 
 culty and insubordination, for a while, seemed about to en- 
 sue. It was, indeed, a great disappointment to hundreds of 
 our men, who were now entirely out of money, and, in fact, 
 had been borrowing, expecting to pay here. Not a cent had 
 they now, even to get any clothing washed, and no prospect 
 of getting any beyond this, on the whole route to Mexico. 
 (And so it happened afterwards : not a cent did they get until 
 after our arrival at Matamoras. Money became, through 
 Texas, of the highest value — was freely borrowed, at any 
 
SOLDIERS WASHING. 57 
 
 premium — and the smallest amount could not, often, be got 
 at all.) 
 
 The men soon returned to camp, sour and angry, but 
 after a while recovered their good humor ; and as the day 
 vvas fine, and there was plenty of water, — and soap had 
 'seen issued in abundance, — they proposed to wash for 
 themselves ; this was agreed to by many, and they went at 
 it. (In the regular army, four women are allowed to attend 
 each company. They draw their rations as the men. They 
 are called " laundresses," and their duty is to wash for the 
 soldiers ; their price for washing being fixed by the officers, 
 and their pay received on pay day, deducted from the wages 
 of the soldier. But there were none of these, as far as our 
 observation extended, among the volunteer regiments.) 
 
 From the springs the water was conveyed by troughs to a 
 bath house, a little way down the ravine ; previous to enter- 
 ing which, however, it was collected in a plank reservoir, 
 twelve feet by six, and two deep ; here was an excellent 
 place, and they collected around it, and along the troughs, 
 and washed and scrubbed amid jokes and laughter. One de- 
 clared that he never knew what women were made for be- 
 fore. Another took him up on this ungallant expression, de- 
 claring that since he had found out that washing was such 
 hard work, he thought that women should not be allowed to 
 do it, but that men should be compelled to perform it. To 
 this, the rest all agreed, but hoped that they might be out of 
 the way when such a measure was adopted. After several 
 hours they got through, and put their clothes in the hot sun 
 to dry : there was a little difference in their looks, but not 
 much. 
 
 We remained at this town until the 23d ; nothing oc- 
 curred of any importance, save one or two court martials on 
 men for different offences. One man stabbed another in a 
 quarrel. We found the time very dull ; after the first day 
 passing heavily. The sun was very hot, and in those ra- 
 vines, the cooling breeze could not come ; many of the men 
 became sick, and we were rejoiced to hear on Sunday morn- 
 ing, August 23d, the order to " strike tents, and saddle up." 
 
58 FULTON. 
 
 This was quickly performed, and we soon were again on the 
 march toward Fulton, on Red river, distance fifteen miles. 
 Some of the companies went on thither, and commenced 
 crossing, while the remainder of us encamped three miles 
 from the town, and on the following morning went on. The 
 crossing was extremely slow ; two small flats being the only 
 conveyance; these were poled over by negroes, and had to 
 perform eighty trips each to take the regiment and the wagon 
 train over, a slow business, and our own company did not 
 cross until late in this day, for ten horses and men were all 
 that could be taken at each load. 
 
 The town of Fulton has nothing attractive in its appear- 
 ance, being small, dilapidated, and extremely dull and 
 lonesome. Unhealthy, and totally wanting good water ; 
 the river water is brackish, and unfit for use; wells sunk here 
 affording only the same kind, cistern water is all that is fit to 
 drinlc. Fulton was originally laid off" for a large town. It is 
 surrounded by the most splendid lands (Red River bottom), 
 and when the Raft, a collection of floating timber, that had 
 entirely blocked the river below, was opened at great ex- 
 pense by the government, Fulton promised to be an impor- 
 tant place, but the Raft in despite of all endeavors to keep 
 it open, closed again and remains closed ; with this the pros- 
 pects of Fulton died ; the rich lands of the surrounding 
 country fell in price one half. Four small steamboats ply on 
 the river above the Raft, and the produce they bring down 
 is hauled across the bend in which that is situated ; then re- 
 shipped. 
 
 When all the regiment had crossed the river, we pur- 
 sued our literal winding way through the rich bottom, 
 and marched twenty-two miles. The wagons stuck in the 
 mud of the bottom, and did not get up to camp until late at 
 night ; so of course, there were no tents or supper. Cross, 
 tired, and sleepy, each stretched his blanket under the oaks, 
 after feeding his horse with a half ration of forage, all that 
 covild be got, wrapped himself up and slept till morning, 
 though chilled with the heavy dew. 
 
 The bugles sounded at daylight. The wagons had got up ; 
 
LINE OF TEXAS. 59 
 
 ^we soon got something to eat, and again were on the march, 
 Company G was second in line, to-day, Captain Lenow's 
 being ahead ; the order of changing companies, on the march 
 was, that the advance company to-day, goes round to the rear 
 to-morrow ; the next company in succession being the ad- 
 vance, and going to the rear the next day; each company 
 being in advance one day in every ten. The column and train 
 being about two miles in length, when marching in two's, the 
 common way, there was a great advantage in being the ad- 
 vance, in avoiding the dense clouds of dust raised by so many, 
 and getting clear water from the streams and ponds, which 
 soon for the middle and rear became very muddy; also in 
 getting to camp in better season at night ; and getting there 
 first, the advance had the opportunity of selecting the 
 better ground, though that depended much on the judgment of 
 the captain or officer in command of each company. In these 
 was a difference. When, however, the oamp was laid off reg- 
 ularly, of course we were all alike. 
 
 Having left the fine lands of the bottom, we marched over 
 small "black jack" ridges, lonely, poor, and uninteresting. 
 At nine o'clock, A. M., we crossed the line and entered 
 the State of Texas. The line, formerly of the two repub- 
 lics, now in one, runs north and south ; is cleared of tim- 
 ber, about forty feet wide, and reminds one of a rail-road 
 commenced. The march, to-day, was twenty-two miles ; no 
 water along the road save a boggy creek near camp, in which 
 the author was quickly thrown, by the miring down of his 
 horse ; wetting and miring himself, clothing, and saddle, 
 finely. We arrived in camp at More's, a small store, at three 
 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 After unsaddling and securing our horses to the pines 
 around, according to usual custom, we collected in little 
 groups ; seated on the ground, engaged in conversation, or 
 stretched out to sleep ; but we were soon interrupted by the 
 information that our company wagon had broken down be- 
 hind, — no prospect for supper again, — and besides that, it 
 was one of those places where the forage procured, had to 
 .be hauled by our wagons to the camp ; which often hap- 
 
60 SULPHUR FORK. 
 
 pened, on account of the person from whom it had been pur- 
 chased, not being able to convey it thither. 
 
 We saddled up again, and each man went for his own that 
 evening; distance two miles or more. The wagons, how- 
 ever, got up by the time we came back, and all was again, 
 right. Though too late to pitch the tents, we got our mess- 
 bags, containing our cooking utensils and provisions, and, 
 with plenty of dry wood and first rate water, we were per- 
 fectly at home ; and after supper, in quite a strain of fun- 
 and frolic, singing, laughing, &c. 
 
 The next morning was pleasant and cool. We were a. 
 little later than usual in starting, the wagon-train delaying 
 us. The method of the march of the train was this. Each of 
 the ten companies was attended by its own wagon ; twenty- 
 eight wagons more, called, in distinction, the train, followed, 
 together. These contained ammunition and other articles sel- 
 dom disturbed. The remaining wagons, some thirty-five or 
 forty, followed at more leisure. This arrangement, however^ 
 was altered afterwards, by all the baggage train going to- 
 gether, with the rear guard following, which is the proper 
 way. 
 
 The march on Monday was sixteen miles, over a poor,piney, 
 uninteresting section. The camping ground was on each 
 side of the Sulphur Fork, a tributary of Red river, a muddy,, 
 deep stream about eighty yards wide. Four companies 
 crossed in the ferry boat ; six remained and crossed the next 
 morning. We were supplied with fine beef, and had good- 
 suppers ; but the forage for our horses was scant. There 
 was some grass under the tall trees that helped them out,, 
 however. 
 
 After the early supper, many of the men proposed to go 
 bathing in the deep river ; but they abandoned the idea^, 
 when ready to plunge in, on seeing the rusty head of a large 
 alligator emerging from the turbid water, as if to see what 
 was the occasion of the unusual noise on the banks of the 
 river; in a moment or two slowly sinking again. There be- 
 ing no such *' varmints " in Tennessee, most of the men had 
 never seen one before, and the view of his ugly phiz was- 
 
ALLIGATORS. 61 
 
 enough for them. They put on their coats and left. An- 
 other man came down. " Have you been in already," said 
 he. " No. We won't go in ; there are too many alligators," 
 they replied. "Alligators! d — m them; who cares for them;" 
 and declaring he did not, stripped off and dove in ; rising, 
 popped up his head, " come on boys ; d — m alligators ; 
 whoop ! " and he, yelling several times, true Indian fashion, 
 dashed out into the middle of the river ; but suddenly turn- 
 ing, in silence, and with every nerve strained, struck for the 
 shore again, which he reached quickly, and hauling himself 
 from the river, looked back with earnestness. "What is the 
 matter, Bill ? " asked a dozen, seeing him so alarmed. "A 
 d-d-a m-d alligator," said he, catching his breath, " rubbed 
 his scaly back along under me." The group of men were 
 enjoying their laughter, for every one thought that only a 
 floating branch had touched him in the muddy stream ; but 
 he insisted it was an alligator. He dressed and put out, and 
 the bathing was ended. 
 
 The next morning the company was with difficulty started 
 on the march in season to secure its place in column ; for the 
 captain, the first, second, and second assistant lieutenants 
 were all off during the night, nobody knew where ; and the 
 orderly sergeant, having such an example as this set him by 
 the commissioned officers, thought he might as well go too, 
 and he did so ; and this morning, when all the other compa- 
 nies were saddling up, we had no officer on the ground of 
 higher rank than second sergeant, and so the company re- 
 mained still. Presently all the officers were on the gi-ound 
 together, and the whole, with one voice, commanded, " Sad- 
 dle up ! men ; saddle up ; " but it was the slowest saddling 
 that had been done so far. They fretted, threatened, and 
 fumed, but not a whit faster did the men move. If they had 
 been in their place, the men would have been in season, but 
 their neglect of duty was too plain. 
 
 The march, to-day, was through dense, still forests ; not a 
 sound could be heard, neither the hum of bee nor the chirp 
 of bird ; not a living thing could be seen ; stillness profound, 
 solitude complete ; there being nothing to arrest the atten- 
 
63 SICKNESS IN CAMP. 
 
 tion, the march of fifteen miles seemed, in length, to be thirty; 
 but so it was. For the next two days the march was about 
 the same, the lands, however, becoming much better. We 
 passed out of the county of Bowie, and entered that of Titus. 
 To the south-east of us, at the distance of twenty-five or 
 thirty miles, lay Caddo lake, a body of water which commu- 
 nicates with Red river, below the Raft. The lands on the 
 northern and western part of this lake are said, by all the 
 settlers here, to be high, and very fine; good water, and good 
 health; with steamboat navigation throughout most of the 
 year; the land cheap. If such is true, and all here agree 
 in it, it is a desirable place for emigrants. Whatever the 
 health may be there, however, thirty milesofT, we would judge 
 this section to be sickly. 
 
 The men of the regiment are falling sick fast ; those, too 
 sick to go on are left at the houses along, with attendants, to 
 come up as they recover. This is very unpleasant to them, 
 though their expenses are paid by the quartermaster ; many,, 
 sick enough to stop, by their urgent request are hauled along 
 in the hospital-wagons ; others who are unwell, yet who can 
 keep on horseback, are allowed, at daylight, to ride ahead, 
 and resting the middle of the day, to come up to camp in 
 the evening; there are many of these. In the meantime, 
 every day there are some left, and others, who had been left, 
 coming up, recovered ; in many of the houses we find mem- 
 bers of the Kentucky cavalry, left by that regiment, sick. 
 It is a bad place to be sick in a regiment on the march. The 
 attention which one gets at home, cannot be found here ; no 
 conveniences can be procured. Exposure must be endured 
 by the sick and M'^ell ; the ground is the only bed, and a drink 
 even of clear vvater cannot be had at all times. 
 
 Sunday, August 30, at five P. M., we encamped on Cypress 
 creek, a dirty, slow stream ; a quarter of a mile from old 
 Fort Sherman. Many men taken sick this day and last 
 night. Four of our company were left, this morning. This 
 day was hot, and the march tedious ; the section of country 
 passed over was of prett}^ fair land, thinly covered by a 
 gi'owth of large oak and hickory, but it was not well watered. 
 
THE PHILOSOPHER. 63 
 
 We came to but one brook of running water during the day; 
 this was of steep, high clay banks ; and down these, some 
 eight feet, the horse of one of the company fell ; and so 
 managed his fall, that he turned completely over, and came 
 down into the mud and water on his back ; nor could he 
 turn over then, for the sloping sides of the ditch held him 
 in that position, while the muddy water rapidly ran over 
 his body and head ; and he would have drowned, in a mo- 
 ment or two, had not his rider, who fortunately jumped off 
 as he fell, sprung into the ditch and held his nose above the 
 water, calling loudly for assistance, which was rendered in a 
 moment, by twenty or more. The rider, a man of twenty- 
 eight or twenty-nine years, tall, slim, thin-visaged, sandy 
 hair, and by name Ingram, had obtained, in the camp, the 
 appellation of "the philosopher," from his sedateness and 
 fondness for argument. Cool at all times, he was so now; 
 while others laughed at the singular attitude of himself and 
 his horse, he continued to hold his steed's head above the 
 water, until they had finished their " guffaw," and laughed 
 out, and were ready to assist him; they soon got him out; 
 but in an awkward plight. The philosopher raked the mud 
 from the seat of the saddle, shook it from his camp blanket, 
 examined his saddle-bags, and finding his clothing well satu- 
 rated, and muchmudon the top of it, appeared (from his steady 
 countenance) to be very well satisfied ; said not a word, but 
 with his boots full of mud and water, rose into his saddle 
 again, and rode on, the same philosopher ; not opening his 
 mouth about it during the rest of the march of the day. 
 
 The regiment started early, the next morning, from Cy- 
 press creek. The author did not accompany it, being detailed 
 on the " wagon-guard," of the company, for the day ; and as 
 the wagon needed repairs, the forge was stopped with it, and 
 the carpenters and blacksmiths set to work upon it to make 
 a new axletree. The wagon-guard must always reniam 
 with the wagon; is composed commonly of five men, who 
 serve for the day, load the wagon in the morning with the 
 tents and mess bags, &c., go wdth it during the day, and un- 
 load it at its arrival at the encampment for the night, and, if 
 
64 DETENTION OF WAGON GUARD. 
 
 it breaks down, to stay with it until it can be brought up. 
 Such was our case. 
 
 The axle-tree was not finished until two o'clock, P. M. ; 
 when we started on ; the distance to the next camp was 
 said to be twenty-eight miles ; we had little hope of arriving 
 there on that afternoon ; and, as we had heard that there 
 was no house for the whole way, we had provided a large 
 bag of corn, picked up in the camp, to serve our horses on 
 that night, should we not. 
 
 We crossed Cypress creek, and were then in the county 
 of Upshur. The road was lonely to us, having been accus- 
 tomed so long to be with the whole regiment. The lands, 
 although uncultivated, were pretty good, mostly covered with 
 oak and hickory ; there appeared to be wild turkies in abun- 
 dance, and wolves, from the tracks in the road. We killed 
 a turkey, which helped us out at night. We traveled on in 
 hopes of getting to camp, until ten o'clock, P. M. The moon 
 was bright, and the road was good, but the wagon was heavily 
 loaded ; and the mules being tired, we stopped at a lovely 
 little creek, of good water, with thick trees over it, under 
 which, on the bank, we determined to sleep ; for although 
 we had fourteen tents in the wagon, all that belonged to the 
 company, we did not set up one. We built fine fires, and 
 having fed our horses with the corn we had brought, we 
 proceeded to cook our turkey, which we did in good style, 
 having all the cooking materials and provisions of the whole 
 company with us ; which they were obliged to go without, 
 that night and the following morning. 
 
 We carefully examined every mess bag ; we found plenty 
 of pork and bread in the first ; a good camp kettle and cof- 
 fee pot, but no roasted coffee ; so we looked further ; in an- 
 other we found plenty of coffee roasted, which suited us ex- 
 actly, and a paper of salt, which had been a scarce article 
 for several days ; continuing our investigations from bag to 
 bag, we found sugar plenty, and a little bag of rice, a part 
 of which we immediately appropriated to the benefit of our 
 turkey-stew, during this time simmering over the fire ; but 
 on opening the captain's mess-chest we found a prize, a pa- 
 
SUPPER. 65 
 
 per of ground pepper, and a bag of flour. We rendered our 
 thanks for the captain's provident care, but he was too far 
 off to hear us ; nor would he have been much obliged to us 
 if he had known it. 
 
 Our stew was progressing finely ; Carr, a short thick set 
 man,with a keen eye and quick look, one of the guard, acted 
 as cook ; he carried on with his cooking an interesting account 
 of his learning how to do it, when he was a Sac Indian ; he 
 said, he was adopted into the tribe of Sacs and Foxes ; had a 
 young squaw given him for a wife ; lived with them nearly 
 two years ; went on a trapping expedition, with a party of 
 those indians, in the country of the Winnebagoes ; was 
 surprised by these, who killed and scalped three of the Sacs, 
 and the rest seeing themselves far outnumbered, ran away, 
 up along the wooded bank of the small lake at which they 
 had been trapping ; but, unluckily for him, he had cut his 
 foot, the night before, with a hatchet, while making a paddle 
 for a canoe, and could not run very fast ; he endeavored to 
 escape by taking up a ravine, running from the lake, but he 
 was pursued by a Winnebago, whom he had seen kill one 
 of the Sacs. He turned and fired at his antagonist, but 
 missed him; he then sprang behind a small tree, to load; he 
 saw the Indian raise his rifle, and take a steady aim, and he 
 endeavored to compress himself behind the tree, but it was 
 
 too small; his right shoulder projected, here Carr, talking 
 
 a spoonful of the turkey stew, tasted it, and pronounced it 
 done, and first rate, and taking it off", we went at it in a 
 hurry. After which, for it was late at night, and we were 
 tired, we spread out our blankets and were soon asleep. 
 
 As for the tale, it never was finished. In the morning, af- 
 ter another pull at the mess bags, for breakfast, we rolled on, 
 and at ten o'clock we came to the last night's encampment 
 of the regiment. The fires had mouldered down in beds of 
 coals; we stopped a little while, and again pushed on. We 
 called at the next house, got some milk, but could get no 
 bread ; the Avoman told us that they had to send thirty miles 
 to mill — a horse mill, at that ; fifty miles, in another direc- 
 tion, to a blacksmith's shop ; forty miles to the nearest post- 
 5 
 
€6 UPSHUR COUNTY. 
 
 office, and seventy-five miles to a store, for sugar, cofiee, cal- 
 ico; and not even a paper of pins, or a spool of thread, could 
 be got under that distance. Yet her house is fixed upon as 
 the county-seat of Upshur county ; and on the following 
 Monday, the first court was to be held there ; — great court- 
 house, — one log-room, about sixteen feet square, and eight feet 
 pitch, was all, and that had a bed in it. Leaving this, we 
 rode on, overtook the wagon, and, by steady traveling, got 
 into camp at sunset.* 
 
 * Very happy was our company to see us come with the desired wagon. Their appe- 
 tites were sharp, from long fasting, and they immediately commenced preparations for 
 supper. The camp we found in an excellent situation, on the side of a large hill, at the 
 foot of which was a fine spring, and near that the rude residence of as savage and un- 
 couth a family of whites, as could be found on the continent of America. The scowling 
 countenance of the rough-garbed men, showed them fit for robbers or murderers. The 
 women, and there were several, had torn and dirty dresses, dishevelled hair, wild appear- 
 ance, rude and insolent manners. They had long been resident in this section, and, as the 
 author learned the following morning, held no intercourse with their neighbors — made long 
 excursions, off no one knew where — lived in plenty, in their rude style, with money enough, 
 and no one knew how they obtained it; — were open advocates of Mexican government, 
 and avowed friends to Santa Anna. On the next morning, Tuesday, September 1st, the 
 author was again obliged to fall behind the regiment ; being ordered to take charge of three 
 sick men, unable to ride. The regiment formed, aud left. He endeavored to obtain admit- 
 tance, for his sick, into the liouses mentioned, representing to the half-savage men and women, 
 the state of the soldiers ; but he might as well have endeavored to excite feelings of com- 
 passion and benevolence in a den of wolves. Though the men were quite ill, two burning 
 with high fevers, they were obliged to mount their horses, and go on, about four miles, to 
 the next settler's house. We found him a Tennesseean ; a man of feeling, who accommo- 
 dated the sick ones, for several days, to the best of his ability. He informed us of the cha- 
 racter of his rough neighbors. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 We did not again reach the regiment until the follow- 
 ing Tuesday, the 8th of September ; during which time it 
 had marched out of the county of Upshur, and through 
 those of Rush, Smith and Cherokee; crossing the Sabine river 
 the day upon which we were left. Two of the sick ones got 
 better the day following, and went on ; the other was quite 
 sick several days, but then became able to ride. We crossed 
 the Sabine on the 5th, and rode some thirty miles, stopping 
 at night at a rough shanty, where we found four men of 
 the Kentucky cavalry, who had been sick. They appeared 
 to be in no hurry to get up with their regiment, which 
 must have been then two hundred miles ahead. We left 
 there early on the morning of the 6th, and rode near forty 
 miles, stopping at night in Cherokee county, at the house 
 of an old settler, whose name was Branton. Here we were 
 joined by six more of the regiment, who had remained be- 
 hind sick. We fared well that night. Branton M-as appa- 
 rently wealthy, and lived in comfort. The section of coun- 
 try in which he resided, was, by far, of the best lands that we 
 have seen since we have been on the march : much of it is 
 of the fertile red soil, called, in distinction, the red lands. 
 There are a few small prairies of two or three hundred acres 
 each ; the soil of these is black and very fertile. The water 
 is good and abundant ; timber plentiful. 
 
 We had been informed that in the more southern and 
 western parts of Texas, timber was scarce ; but a better 
 farming country than this, one would hardly ask. The near- 
 est navigation to Cherokee county on the west, is the Trin- 
 
 (67) 
 
68 BRANTON'S. 
 
 ity river, seventy miles distant ; on the east, Red rivei at 
 Slirevesport, one hundred and twenty-five miles. 
 
 Our horses being well fed, the next morning were in line 
 condition to travel. It had rained a little during the night, 
 and there was no dust to annoy us. As this day proved af- 
 terwards " a day of days," not to be forgotten by any member 
 of the Tennessee cavalry, any one of whom will now, if the 
 "rainy day" is mentioned to him, shrug his shoulders at 
 the thought of it, the description is given, as written that 
 evening. 
 
 After a good breakfast, hot coffee, milk, chickens, fine ham, 
 eggs and potatoes, and most excellent biscuit, we called for 
 our bill, and were surprised to find ourselves charged only 
 seventy-five cents each for man and horse. Our horses were 
 brought out in perfect trim, and we shook our old friend 
 Branton by the hand, and set out for the regiment, which 
 had camped that night twenty miles ahead, and was to go 
 this day twenty miles further ; as a traveler who had come 
 by it informed us. We wishedtogo on the whole forty miles, 
 and be in camp at night, for it became unpleasant to be so 
 far in the rear. The man who had been sick thought he 
 would be able to ride it, and we struck out at a brisk pace. 
 
 The morning was cool and cloudy, pleasant for riding. 
 As we went on, full of life and sport, our attention was con- 
 tinually attracted by the beauty of the country and the fer- 
 tility of the soil, and our surprise excited that it should be 
 so thinly settled. Small prairies and timbered swells of 
 land succeeded each other in infinite variety. Branton had 
 informed us that, though the lands were fine, timber 
 plenty, and water abundant, it was very thinly settled, so 
 much so, that Ave should pass but one house (four miles from 
 ' his) for thirty-three miles ; one more, he said, was near the 
 camp of the regiment for that night, some twenty miles 
 ahead, but that we should not see it from the road. 
 
 When we came, to the house at four miles, we stopped a 
 few moments, and then rode on. After going a half mile 
 further, the sky very rapidly darkened, and seemed to hang 
 low above us. It was a subject of remark, and we expected 
 
THE "RAINY DAY." 69 
 
 another shower. Soon it began to rain a little, and there 
 was a strange stillness in the dark, murky air. We drew on 
 our blanket coats and blankets, looking for it to hold up 
 shortly, in the meantime adding to our speed a little. The 
 rain steadily increased, until it appeared to pour down in in- 
 numerable streams, perpendicularly and constantly, like the 
 streams of water in a shower bath; the darkness was still 
 deeper. In a half hour more the wind rose, without lessen- 
 ing the torrents of water ; and it became more uncomforta- 
 ble from the rain being driven with such force. We hoped 
 that such a deluge would soon exhaust itself, but we were 
 mistaken ; it continually increased. This was the first 
 scene. 
 
 The wind still rose in power, and blew directly in our 
 faces with great strength ; the streams of Avater borne by 
 it came upon us in an oblique direction. It now became 
 very difficult for our horses to make much progress against 
 it ; they reduced their speed to a walk, and we would not 
 urge them faster. We expected, however, that it would 
 shortly be done, and that the black heavens would clear 
 away. But it was not so : the wind increased in violence still, 
 and swept across the prairies with irresistible force, leveling 
 the long grass to the earth, and beating it down beneath the 
 weight of the torrents ; it rushed into the mighty oaks on the 
 points of the timber, as they ended on the prairies, broke 
 and tore off the stoutest limbs and branches, throwing them 
 into the air with such power as the Mdiirlwind only uses. 
 The smaller branches, stripped and tore like feathers from the 
 trunks, fell around, over, and upon us; filled the road and co- 
 vered the ground. The rain, instead of diminishing at all, 
 increased in quantity, and beat against us with such force 
 that it required the exercise of much strength to keep our 
 saddles, and our horses with great exertion progressed 
 against it. 
 
 Yet on, then, we must go. Trees were blocking the road, 
 falling before and behind us, so near by, and such was the 
 terror of our horses, that, trembling in every limb, they some- 
 times, for a moment, refused to proceed. Still, slowly and 
 
70 THE "RAINY DAY." 
 
 silently we went on, each man with his head bent down, his 
 blanket drawn closely around him, urging his horse onward, 
 both horse and rider leaning to the powerful blasts as they 
 swept by. 
 
 Not a moment did the storm abate its strength ; not a 
 moment did the torrents of rain lessen in quantity. The ac- 
 cumulated water rushed down the sides of the hills, not in 
 rivulets only, but apparently in broken sheets. The prairies 
 between them were unable to take it off, and held it dammed 
 up by the grass, and they were turned, for the time, into shal- 
 low lakes. The protections that we had drawn on Avere fu- 
 tile and useless, for, driven by the force of the hurricane, the 
 water oozed in streams through every thread. 
 
 Still, wading through the water in the prairies, and with 
 difficulty crossing the furious torrents in the face of such a 
 blast, we slowly proceeded. The storm raged in all its 
 fury. — Hour after hour, we continued to hope that it would 
 soon spend its force ; but hour after hour it still remained 
 unabated. 
 
 After a long and tedious ride, cold, wet, hungry, and 
 exhausted, we arrived at the camping ground that had been 
 occupied the last night by the regiment. Not a soul was 
 there. — We could not see more than a dozen yards or so, 
 around, on account of the streams descending being blown 
 into mist in our faces, by the powerful, irregular surges of 
 wind. We should not have known the encampment, but 
 for the corn, shucks, and fodder, borne by the rushing water 
 down by our horses' feet, catching and drifting against 
 the fallen trees, that were now across the road in every 
 direction. No shelter could we find ; we did not know 
 where to look for the house that was in the neighbor- 
 hood of this encampment. It was folly to stay a moment 
 in the timber, where the large branches were cracking, 
 broken off, and falling around, and we moved on. Our 
 horses now w'cre much fatigued — Not a word had been 
 spoken for hours, by any one of the party — The storm, 
 for a fe"W moments, lulled its strength, and the rain seemed 
 to abate, so that we could hear the rushing torrents around 
 
THE "RAINY DAY." 71 
 
 US on the hills, and for a few moments could see farther than 
 before. Every one raised his head to look, but the sight was 
 not pleasant : the sky was darker than ever ; the outline of 
 no cloud could be seen : but the whole seemed drawn down 
 closely over and around us, in mist and blackness, so near 
 that the tall, stout pines, in which we now entered on the 
 hills, seemed to touch the murky darkness above. 
 
 The hurricane was but rousing its energies ; and, with the 
 darkness suddenly increasing, it burst upon us with intensity 
 doubled ; with force and appearance that cannot be de- 
 scribed. The tall, heavy pines bent above us far over, return- 
 ed, bent again before the blast ; many of them, unable to 
 stand against it, fell, one after another, before it ; so heavy 
 their trunks, we could hear the crash of the fall above the 
 storm. Our horses, as it were, leaned against the wind and 
 rain; stopped, pushed, and stopped again. If, now, they 
 stepped one foot out of the beaten track, they sunk to their 
 shoulders in the earth, so soft had the soil become, to the depth 
 of three feet or more, from the deluge of water that for eight 
 hours had been pouring upon its peculiar strata. 
 
 The tornado continued unabated, but was blowing now 
 from nearly south, having changed to an opposite course 
 from that at which it commenced. Another long, long 
 hour it was the same, and we arriv.ed at a creek, but now 
 an overwhelming torrent, carrying before it with resist- 
 less fury the largest trees, tore up by the roots, whirling them 
 by with a rush and sound that was frightful to look upon . But 
 what was to be done. With great exertions we made our- 
 selves heard by one another, and our situation was such that 
 all were for swimming. We plunged in : the first gained 
 the other bank ; the second M^as swept, horse and rider, 
 down the torrent ; the third was going down also, but threw 
 himself off his horse and let him go, and grasping a log that 
 was caught, got over. The author's horse, by desperate 
 exertions, held his way, was struck by a floating log, and 
 turned quite round; but, recovering, he came over. The 
 others, by watching their time, and seeing the safer place by 
 our passage, crossed better. The horse of the second, that had 
 
•72 "THE RAINY DAY." 
 
 been swept down the torrent, was caught against a partly- 
 fallen tree ; the rider got out, and, by the assistance of the 
 rest, he extricated the horse, who swam ashore ; fortunately, 
 the horse of the third saved himself. Not a word, all this 
 time, since the passage commenced, had been spoken. 
 
 The storm began to abate then quite perceptibly. To our 
 joy, we saw the house that we had been told of. We got to 
 it, and, exhausted, stripped our horses, and sheltered our- 
 selves under its roof; and never did men feel more relieved. 
 "We found, here, many men that had returned from the ranks 
 of the passing regiment, and housed themselves from the 
 force of the furious tempest. 
 
 Mr. Abel, the proprietor, informed us that the regiment 
 had got through the tall timber and crossed the creek, and 
 liad passed his house early in the morning, before the hurri- 
 cane came on ; and stated that this had been the most ter- 
 rific day that had been experienced during his residence here, 
 which had been some eighteen years. 
 
 It continued to rain at intervals, quite hard, not ceasing 
 until late at night. Abel thought that the regiment must be 
 in a very disagreeable situation, for he said that the ground 
 of this section, during a heavy rain, became so miry that it 
 would be impossible for the wagons to get up to the encamp- 
 ment, which was about nine miles distant, on the Angeline 
 river. He accommodated us as well as he could during the 
 night. We lay on the floor, in our wet clothes, and, being 
 so very tired, slept well ; and in the morning, after an early 
 breakfast, we set off for the regiment. 
 
 This morning was clear and pleasant ; the road was set- 
 tled and firm. We soon came within five miles of the river, 
 where we found a wagon mired down ; a little farther, an- 
 other, and another ; and finally almost every one, some just 
 getting out, some going along to camp. From the teamsters 
 •we learned that only a few of the wagons succeeded in get- 
 ting to camp last night ; consequently, the regiment were 
 forced, in the heavy rain, to be without tents or food. After 
 being in such a storm all day, it was hard to be obliged to 
 sleep in it at night, and fasting besides ; but so it was, and, 
 
THE "RAINY DAY." 78 
 
 as we afterwards learned, having no fires, on account of the 
 rain.* 
 
 We came near the camp, which, though we could not see 
 on account of the thick bushes, we could hear plainly. A 
 strange, confused murmur came from it, very unlike the com- 
 mon busy but still encampment. We rode in, and a curious 
 scene was before us. A noisy, confused, dirty, muddy mul- 
 titude of men, horses and wagons was on the hill, from the 
 creek up, — crowded and so mingled that there was not the 
 slightest order or discipline, nor the least indication of it. — 
 The ground was worked up into deep, stiff mud, precisely fit 
 for making the whole encampment into a vast brick-yard, 
 and all the men looked as though they had been at work in 
 such a place. — Mud was on their faces ; — their clothes were 
 caked with it ; — officers' uniforms were covered with it ; — 
 — horses all dirty and yellow with the same; — wagons 
 bedaubed and spattered over, and harness and all things 
 else in the same predicament. 
 
 Disorder reigned supreme. — At the foot of the hill, the An- 
 geline river, raised to an overwhelming rapid torrent, bore 
 every thing before it on its muddy waters, and effectually 
 prohibited any further passage until it should subside. 
 
 On the higher part of the hill, among the crowd, and over- 
 looking all. If stopped my horse, and gazed with astonish- 
 ment arojind and below me. To dismount would have been 
 to stand to my knees in mud, neither was there a dry place, 
 that I could see. In front of me were the carbines, pistols, 
 swords, saddles, bridles, and baggage, perhaps of thirty men, 
 — all in the mud, — some covered with it ; — horses were 
 crowded around, stamping more in the same. — Close to the 
 Jiorses' heels was a fire, lately built, at w^hich twenty or more 
 
 ' * This had been a terrible day; no one in the regiment could call to mind the experience 
 • of any such one before it. Many readers will remember its occurrence from the loss of 
 the steam ship New York ; which was totally broken to pieces, by the violence of the gale 
 and sea, and sunk at her anchors, far out from land: eighteen lives lost. The regiment was 
 near the centre of the range of the hurricane, as it passed over Texas. 
 
 t The reader will excuse the frequent occurrence of the egotistical pronoun, •'!," in this 
 scene, and also the same on page 171, as those accounts cannot easily be given, without 
 its use 
 
74 THE "RAINY DAY." 
 
 men were croAvded round, trying to cook something to eat,, 
 for the company wagons were just coming up, and I found 
 that three-fourths of the regiment had had nothing to eat since 
 the morning before ; — had traveled yesterday in the storm all 
 the day, and slept in the rain and mud all the night; — all 
 hungry. — Others were endeavoring to dry themselves and 
 their wet and muddy clothing, taken from their saddle-bags, 
 by hanging the articles around the fire. 
 
 — Of the men, there was not a half dozen of any one com- 
 pany at one fire ; — they were of all the companies mingled. 
 All were noisy; all muddy; all hungry; some intoxicated; 
 every one looked as though he had been so. — Fires were 
 lighted around, every where, where. space could be found, 
 to the right, front, rear, and left, surrounded by the same dis- 
 orderly, noisy groups, the same piles of arms and baggage, 
 stamped in the mire : here a carbine, there a sword ; here a 
 saddle, there a blanket. 
 
 I saw Lieutenant-colonel Allison sitting on his horse near 
 me, with a troubled countenance, surveying the scene. 
 From the whole ground came up, and intermingled a great 
 variety of sounds ; — of many quarreling and threatening, — 
 scores cursing bitterly and loudly, — of many more laughing in 
 drunken mirth, — of hundreds more, stamping to and fro in the 
 mud, hunting for other persons, and for articles lost, and call- 
 ing loudly out for them ; — of wagoners yelling and cursing 
 at their teams, in their endeavors to get them through the 
 crowd, and the mud. Such a variety, so intermingled, made 
 a perfect Babel of noise, and confusion. Near me were five 
 men in the mud, asleep; one of them I saw belonged to our 
 own company. I called loudly to him, again, and again. Un- 
 der the combined influence of fatigue, hunger, and liquor, he 
 was soundly asleep, and an earthquake would hardly have 
 awakened him. I kept my position ; to move round in the 
 confusion was of no avail, and for some time I gazed on the 
 scene. I suddenly saw Sergeant Hovey of my company in the 
 busy crowd, and succeeded in making him hear me, after 
 many efforts, and he came towards me, glad to see me again; 
 --■directed me to follow him to a place, where I could get down 
 
THE "RAINY DAY." 75 
 
 clear of mud ; my horse with difficulty was able to get along 
 through the crowded confusion, and every step went deep 
 in the mire, till about the distance of two hundred yards, 
 Hovey led me to a log, where I got off. — " Did you ever see 
 the like ?" said he. "I never did," replied I, " what does it all 
 mean?" — "I will tell you the whole presently, for I 
 see that it will be some time before we can get away from 
 here ; but tie your horse to the root of that log, where he nov,^ 
 stands ; the mud is deep, but it is deeper all around, and I will 
 get him a bundle of the fodder, that I put into this thick bush 
 last night, to keep the rain off my face." — This he did, and 
 sitting down at the end of the log, where he had a fire in the 
 morning, he commenced. — " That terrible storm yesterday 
 was the cause of all this. We left camp in the morning very 
 early, and came into that tall pine timber, you saw this side, 
 before it rained at all, and then it rained gently for some- 
 time. We came through that and crossed a deep dry branch 
 near to Abel's house, back here a few miles, before the storm 
 come down on us ; but when it did come, it came a whirling ; 
 blew, — Oh ! Crockett ! it took both hands to hold your hair 
 on ! — and rain, — well, now, it did some of the tallest kind of 
 raining ! — it appeared as though it was never going to 
 stop. — The bungs must have been out of the hogsheads up 
 above, for it did not come in drops, but just poured down in 
 the biggest sort of streams. The men were all soaked 
 through, but laughed at that. — It became very muddy ; — the 
 wagons began to stick. If one stopped, and another tried to 
 pass it, it mired right down. — If your horse stepped off the 
 road a foot, he would mire down ; many of the men were 
 mired down at the same time. The wagons at last all 
 stuck, but one or two, and when we got up here, we found 
 the corn and fodder hauled here the day before, and that was 
 all. The men hitched their horses, and fed them ; but could 
 not make any fires, for the rain put them out, and we had to 
 take it, as it come. We would not have cared for supper, if 
 we could have got the tents. We doubled ourselves up, and 
 sat on the ground, with our blankets over our heads, and 
 took the rain. Some of the men suffered a great deal. It 
 
76 THE "RAINY DAY." 
 
 was soon found out, that there were two barrels of liquor 
 over the creek, at that little shanty you see yonder ; and 
 every man that could raise a dime, got a half pint, and some 
 a quart, and those who had no money had plenty of liquor 
 given them by others ; every one drank ; but all were so 
 cold and wet, and exhausted, that the liquor did not ope- 
 rate quickly ; and they drank again and again ; as the rain 
 poured down, on the outside, they turned the liquor down on 
 the inside ; it was, to them, rest, supper, and shelter ; and 
 all hands, before long, were drunk ; — every body was drunk, 
 last night ; — as I heard the Colonel say this morning that 
 out of the thousand men, teamsters and all, in the regiment, 
 there were eleven hundred intoxicated. 
 
 — " The ground became so soft, that the horses mired down 
 where we had hitched them ; and the halters had to be cut ; 
 and most of the horses were loose all night ; hundreds were 
 plunging and floundering about among us in the rain, and 
 darkness ; — the men were whooping and yelling, like Indians, 
 all night ; and have got mixed up, and are not sober yet ; so 
 that nothing can be done. Those that slept at all, did so 
 in the mud and rain, overpowered by liquor ; but, till day- 
 light, there was not much sleep ; everybody was moving, till 
 
 you see how worked up the ground is " " Well, Hovey, 
 
 were the field officers 'tight,' too?" " Why, I don't know ; I 
 did not see them; — never heard they were; — but I did not see 
 anybody that was sober, at twelve o'clock last night ; neither 
 have I heard of anybody that was ; — should like to see the 
 man that was so. For my part, I did not drink any, at first; 
 but I got so very cold, and chilly, that I commenced, too ; I 
 was the most sober man I saw, and I could hardly navigate ; — 
 I tell you, there was nobody that I saw, sober, in the rain 
 and mire. — As for the colonel, lieutenant-colonel, and major, 
 they fared as badly as any of us — shouldn't wonder, if they 
 were as ' tight ;' — don't know, though ; — can't see how they 
 
 could avoid it " " Well, Hovey, where is our company ?" 
 
 "Where ail of the companies are — everywhere — over the 
 whole ground — mixed up wherever a man could get — no two 
 of tliem together." " "Where are the officers ?" " Don't know 
 
THE "RAINY DAY." 77 
 
 that, either ; — I tried to sleep, right here, and put this fodder 
 over my face, and didn't look out for anything else ; — feel 
 very bad, this morning, — must see if there is anything left 
 in the canteen." — He looked, and found quite a supply; and 
 taking a hearty draught, he handed the canteen to another 
 who came in a like situation. 
 
 The torrent, in a few hours, fell considerably, and the 
 wagons were enabled to cross ; the men became sober ; 
 picked up all their arms and baggage, and all crossed ; went 
 three miles, and camped in order ; every man found his com- 
 pany; all, that evening, was again regularity and discipline. 
 So ends the imperfect story of the "rainy day." A descrip- 
 tion cannot do it justice ; but, to every officer and soldier of 
 the regiment, the recollection of it will always be distinct. 
 The encampment, that night, was on the ground formerly 
 occupied by Bowles, the Cherokee chief; who, with a portion 
 of his tribe, claimed and occupied this fine section of coun- 
 try, in area about three hundred leagues ; but they were dis- 
 possessed of it by the Texan government. Colonel Thomas 
 purchased the corn, growing on Bowles' old field ; now cul- 
 tivated by a rough-looking chap, who has been here since 
 the departure of the Indians. Each man was put to gather- 
 ing his own corn. 
 
 Wednesday, September 9th. All, last night, slept soundly; 
 and this morning, the bugles sounded early ; every one turned 
 out ; the lines were formed, the rolls called, and all answered 
 to their names ; the breakfasts were soon over, tents struck, 
 wagons loaded, and the columns formed, and went on. The 
 morning was clear and pleasant ; the face of the country 
 over which we marched, was beautiful, being woodland and 
 prairies, alternately. Many herds of cattle, fat and sleek, 
 were grazing upon these. We were now traveling on the 
 old established Spanish, or Mexican road, from Nacogdoches 
 to San Antonio. The land had been continually improving, 
 from the Sabine river, and here was first-rate. This morn- 
 ing, we passed as fine lands as could be wished. 
 
 We entered the bottom lands, bordering on the Neclies 
 river, at nine o'clock, A. M. We found the river very high, 
 
78 CROCKETT. 
 
 and the bottom overflowed ; we were occupied all that day 
 and night, and most of the next day, in getting across ; there 
 being but one flat, and that capable of carrying but eight 
 horses, with their riders, at a time ; and not making more 
 than from three to four trips an hour. Each company, as it 
 crossed, went on by itself, eighteen miles, to the next en- 
 campment, near the town of Crockett, and awaited the 
 coming of the whole regiment ; the last of which did not 
 come up until the evening of the 10th instant. 
 
 Friday, September llih. The regiment marched on, fifteen 
 miles, to the next encampment ; where it was to remain for 
 two or three days, while the v/agon-train went on to Rob- 
 bins' Ferr)^ on the Trinity river distant thirty-three miles 
 from Crockett, to take in a supply of provisions from 
 the depot there. Our own company were compelled to re- 
 main at this place, for another day or two, on account of our 
 wagon having again been broken down ; for we had the for- 
 tune to have a driver who could strike every tree, on either 
 side of the road, with the wheels, and never miss one. The 
 wagon, however, suflJered some heavy thumps from these, 
 and occasionally, that is, once a week, on an average, broke 
 down, and detained either the whole company, or part; 
 though, on such a march as this, it is much the best, for a 
 company to halt with its broken wagon ; for it contains the 
 tents and provisions ; and if it should not be repaired, until 
 night, the company has shelter and food ; which would not 
 be the case, if they had left it. 
 
 Crockett is situated nearly in the centre of the county of 
 Houston, about midway between the Neches river on the 
 east, and the Trinity on the west. The lands in this county 
 are good ; better on the eastern side, near the Neches, than 
 in the centre or western parts, where the soil is rather too 
 sandy for fertility. The western part has the advantage, 
 however, of the navigable river, Trinity^ in its neighbor- 
 hood. The town of Crockett, itself, has nothing in or around 
 it, of interest, save its name ; given in honor of David 
 Crockett, of Tennessee, who fell bravely fighting in the 
 cause of Texas, at the " Alamo." Li the portico of the only 
 
OLD BELL. 79 
 
 tavern in the place, was one relic of olden times ; this was a 
 bell, corroded and broken, that had lately been found in a 
 lake, in a most desolate spot, a few miles from the town. It 
 was of Spanish manufacture, made in 1690, and weighed, 
 probably, about two hundred pounds, when new ; not so 
 much now, however, for some parts of its composition had 
 yielded to the corroding action of the water of the lake, and 
 it was eaten by rust, almost to the appearance of a honey- 
 comb. It had upon it the Catholic cross ; and probably had 
 been used by the first adventurers or settlers, in these lands, 
 to aid in the work of converting the savages; but no trace, we 
 understood, has been found in this part of the country, of any 
 former permanent settlement. How, therefore, it had been 
 used, or when or how it found its resting-place in the lake, 
 is unknown. It is a curious old object, and its history, could 
 it be known, would undoubtedly be one of interest. Quite a 
 change had taken place, in this country, from the time of its 
 submersion in the still waters of that lake, to the period of 
 its again being brought to light. The thoughtful mind could 
 find subject-matter, in the contemplation of this old bell, 
 for many hours of interest. 
 
 September 12th. We had been detained two days, on ac- 
 count of our wagon ; and this morning, all being ready, we 
 set out to overtake the regiment; still encamped fifteen 
 miles this side of the Trinity river ; which we easily accom- 
 plished by noon, and again our tents were up with the 
 others. Two large springs supplied the whole regiment 
 with abundance of water ; and we had any quantity of for- 
 age, provided from the depot at Robbins' Ferry, and full ra- 
 tions of provisions. We spent two days, yet, after our com- 
 pany arrived at this encampment, making four days for the 
 regiment, in all; during this time the wagon-train were on 
 at the ferry, taking in their loads of bread, pork, flour, 
 &c., &c. 
 
 The immediate section of country, about thid encampment, 
 is poor ; all, or nearly so, timbered. There was a great 
 quantity of petrified wood lying around ; large branches, and 
 -svhole trunks of trees were thus petrified ; the largest of 
 
80 PETRIFIED TIMBER. 
 
 which, that we saw, was a hickory, about two feet and a 
 half in diameter. These specimens of petrifaction were as 
 perfect as we had ever seen ; we thought more so ; for the bark 
 and wood not only retained their peculiar texture, but even 
 their color ; so perfect Avas the bark, when taken off, in color, 
 (black and rough without, white and smooth within), that, 
 at the distance of two or three feet from the eye, it could 
 not be told from a piece of true bark; nothing but the weight, 
 when taken into the hand, made known the illusion ; on ex- 
 amination, it was found as hard as flint. The petrifaction 
 of the wood was equally perfect. We secured several fine 
 specimens of it; but, reflecting that we were going out from 
 home for many months, and that we could not preserve them, 
 we reluctantly threw them away. Immense quantities of 
 this petrified wood, lay through this section, on high lands, 
 of a sandy nature. The inhabitants here, who visited our 
 encampment, in relation to these petrifactions, told us, that 
 two miles from camp there was a petrified trunk of a hickory 
 still standing ! and like these, of perfect stone. We thought 
 this rather improbable ; but they asserted it, and offered to 
 guide us to it ; but it was too late then, being in the evening, 
 and we were to be off" in the morning. Several of them 
 asserted the same, in answer to our inquiries, unknown to 
 each other. But this must have been a "quiz." 
 
 Monday, September 14th. This morning, our company were 
 early roused; being the advance of the regiment. To-day, 
 we were minus one lieutenant. Wheat, the second assistant, 
 who has been sent to Houston, sixty miles to the south, for 
 medicine, the hospital stores giving out. 
 
 Six companies of the regiment marched to Robbins' 
 Ferry ; the other four to Clark's Ferry, four miles lower down 
 the river; and, by so doing, the crossing of the river was 
 much facilitated. We passed to the north again, to the old 
 San Antonio road, which we had left a day or two before, 
 and marched fifteen miles to Robbins'. The morning was 
 pleasant, and the country beautiful, but not very fertile. 
 Quantities of petrified wood, in blocks, large trunks, and 
 small pieces, were on and near the road. Six miles east of 
 
ROBBINS' FERRY. 81 
 
 the ferry we found a block-house, probably built in the In- 
 dian or Mexican wars, strongly constructed of logs, closely 
 fitted, the upper story projecting about two feet, on either 
 side and end, over the lower. It had one strong door; loop- 
 holes were around, above, and below, for the use of the rifle. 
 It is but a short time since these defences Avere necessary, 
 throughout this country ; but now, no enemy makes his ap- 
 pearance, so far in the settlements. Another mile from the 
 block-house, brought us through the timber, to the opening 
 of an extensive, level prairie, of rich, black soil, covered 
 with a most luxuriant growth of tall, rank gamma grass ; — 
 coarse leaves, presenting to the eye the appearance of an 
 immense field of millet. 
 
 This prairie must contain from six to eight thousand 
 acres ; is overflown by the rises of the Trinity, and it would 
 make splendid rice plantations. Not a flower was upon it ; 
 it was one unbroken, waving sea of green. A nan-ow skirt 
 of timber, along the Trinity river, separated it from the prai- 
 rie ; through this strip we passed, and immediately com- 
 menced the crossing of the river in flats ; twelve horses and 
 men at a time ; and as we crossed, encamped a little below 
 the ferry, on the opposite side. In a few hours, all were 
 over, and the other column, from Clark's Ferry, had come 
 up also. 
 
 The encampment was in a pretty, extensive grove of tim- 
 ber, shady and cool. Robbins' Ferry, on the Trinity river, 
 to which we had so long been looking forward, and wishing 
 to arrive at, w^e found to be not much of a place, when we 
 had got to it. One house, one store, and two warehouses, 
 were all the buildings there. The family residing here, 
 looked like walking skeletons, so w^an, so thin ; their eyes 
 were sunken, their cheeks drawn in ; a miserable, sickly set. 
 There is no water here fit to use ; the river water is the best, 
 but that is bad to the taste, and not wholesome. At the store, 
 there was plenty of whisky; and although most of the men 
 did not M^sh any, having had enough on the " rainy day" to 
 last them for some time yet, still many took hold of it freely; 
 and the natural result soon followed — quarreling and con- 
 C 
 
82 TRINITY RIVER. 
 
 fusion. A row was quickly " kicked up," in which one man 
 stabbed another dangerously. This put an end to it. 
 
 Though the Arkansas and Kentucky regiments of cavalry 
 had, each, taken large supplies from the depot of government 
 stores here, and our train ol' wagons had been filled up com- 
 pletely, yet a vast quantity of provisions was left. This was the 
 case also at Fulton. No one of the three regiments, which 
 had been ordered to march, by this route, to the seat of war, 
 could complain of want of provident care in the government, 
 in furnishing supplies ; for these were abundant ; more than 
 we needed, and of excellent quality. 
 
 The Trinity river is here only about sixty yards wide ; but 
 from twelve to fourteen feet deep. Its banks are high, broken, 
 and steep ; of clay entirely. It has a sluggish current ; is of 
 a dark, muddy color, and, although now low, sometimes rises 
 over the high banks, and like a sea, overflows the adjoining 
 prairies. It carries not, however, through its course, the 
 depth of water mentioned, being, some miles below the ferry, 
 quite shallow. 
 
 Tuesday, September 15th. We were on the march at an 
 early hour ; the morning was fine, and we were soon out in 
 a beautiful, rolling prairie ; extensive views of gentle hills, 
 covered with long grass, dotted in the distance with small 
 groves, met our vision before and on either side of us. When 
 we rose out of the bottom land of the river, upon the first 
 swell we came to, was an old mansion, formerly of a Mexi- 
 can " hacienda," or large farm, overlooking in its prospect 
 the fine range of country below — of hill and dale, extensive 
 and green. The long lines of the regiment and train were 
 all in view at a glance; and they made an imposing appear- 
 ance. A fine breeze blew all the day, and the march was 
 easy and pleasant. Good humor and gayety prevaileo 
 throughout the ranks. The fresh breeze of the prairie was 
 invigorating to men and horses ; which latter bounded and 
 pranced along gayly. We marched rapidly, over a fine 
 natural road, and the wagon-train, finding no difficulty or 
 delay, were all in camp, under a lofty grove of live oaks, by 
 
DESERTED PLANTATION. 8^ 
 
 noon ; and every one had the afternoon for his own amuse- 
 ment. This was sought in various ways. 
 
 The encampment was a very pleasant one, being a natural 
 square, of five or six acres, surrounded by live oaks of great 
 size, and entirely covered with long Spanish moss, hanging 
 from the limbs and twigs, in drooping festoons, making a 
 close shade below ; beneath these trees was a deep lagoon 
 of water, fresh, cool, and pleasant to the taste. Under the 
 trees around the square were the lines of tents, and back of 
 these the fires of each ; the grass was tall and green, and 
 grouped around upon it were the soldiers, resting from the 
 march. At sunset, all were, as usual, called up by the bugles, 
 to form lines for evening roll call ; after which the suppers 
 were disposed of, horses all attended to, and singing seemed 
 to be the order of the evening, till, one by one, the lights 
 were extinguished, and all were asleep ; the most preferring 
 to take the thick shade outside of the tents, in the long 
 grass, for their sleeping places. We left Houston county at 
 the Trinity, and were, this night, in Walker. 
 
 Wednesday, September IQth. We left the encampment at 
 seven o'clock, and continued the march ; after going about 
 four miles, we came to a large plantation, now in ruins. The 
 rank weeds were growing up in the yard of the deserted 
 house, ten feet high, showing most excellent soil. The plan- 
 tation lay well ; and it bore such marks of former care and 
 taste, and was now so dreary, that the universal opinion was 
 expressed in the ranks, as we filed round the corner of the 
 yard, that the family had been murdered. This opinion we 
 found to be correct : the former owner, a man of wealth, and 
 an early settler here, his wife, two daughters, and three sons^ 
 small boys, had all been murdered, and the house robbed, by 
 a party of Mexicans and Indians. This was five years 
 since, and no one had appeared as the nearest relative, to 
 claim the land or property. The very look of the place 
 seemed to proclaim murder and desolation. 
 
 In three miles more, we left Walker, and entered Grimes 
 county ; the soil, losing all semblance of fertility, was thin, 
 sandy, and wretchedly poor — no settlers to be found. We 
 
84 BEAUTIFUL PRAIRIE. 
 
 marched about fifteen miles in this sort of country, and en 
 camped on a creek, where there was but little water. There 
 was some game about here, and our boys, after encamping, 
 went out, and returned at dark, with two or three deer and 
 «ome rabbits of great size. The person who had furnished 
 us our corn, and who lives a mile or two from this place, 
 told us that some few wild horses yet remained in the wide 
 strip of poor, bushy lands, over which we had traveled the 
 most of the day. Our men were very eager to get a view of 
 some of these ; but their curiosity was not to be gratified in 
 that respect for some time yet. 
 
 Thursday, September 11th. We were not in very buoyant 
 spirits, this morning ; the land around us was so miserably 
 poor, and vegetation so stunted, that there was no enliven- 
 ing prospect ; many of the men declared, that we had passed 
 through all the fine lands, and that all the rest of this country 
 would be but the " fag ends." They were mistaken, how- 
 ver, as it afterwards proved, for we were just coming to them. 
 The morning was pleasant, and we marched on pretty well, 
 considering the deep sand through which we passed ; after 
 marching eight miles, we suddenly came out of the stunted 
 growth of the poor land, into the most beautiful rolling 
 prairies, with fine groves here and there, and tall grass, ap- 
 parently undisturbed by animals, covering the rounded hills 
 of such gentle height and slope, as only to be pleasing; the 
 soil suddenly changed to deep loose black earth, of great 
 fertility. 
 
 The breeze, of which we had felt none in the barren un- 
 dergrowth, came cooling, and refreshing, over the prairie, 
 loaded with the fragrance of thousands of wild flowers, of 
 brilliant colors ; as column after column emerged from the 
 thicket, they were all struck with the strong contrast ; and 
 the general exclamation along the ranks, was, " how beauti- 
 ful !" " How far you can see !" said one ; " How green 
 and fresh these rolling hills," said a second. "Look at the 
 distant ones," said another, pointing to their dim blue 
 outline against the horizon. " What lovely vales and 
 groves," exclaimed yet another; — all looked, all admired the 
 
GRIMES COUNTY. 85 
 
 scene. The swells of the prairie became higher and more 
 picturesque as we advanced; we lost sight of one beautiful 
 view, only to gain one more extensive and striking. The 
 soil became still darker and more fertile, mixed with marl 
 and shells in great quantity ; and beneath the whole was a 
 bed of limestone : it must be of inexhaustible fertility. 
 
 When we first entered Grimes county, the very name ap- 
 peared poor and desolate ; but now, that name appeared to 
 have a signification the ver}"" reverse. Here and there we 
 came to plantations with fine growing crops of corn, cotton^ 
 and some sugar cane, all flourishing. 
 
 We turned off from the road to the right in a pictm'csque 
 valley, and encamped by a clear brook, near several fine 
 springs. We unsaddled our horses, fed them, collected our 
 wood, and set about our evening meal. A large tan -yard was 
 near by, on the opposite side of the creek, and many of the 
 men went to bathe in the vats, that were filled from the 
 springs. On this creek were some of the largest cedars we 
 have ever seen ; cedar was abundant all around here. We 
 saw that the rails for the fences were made of it. These 
 will last a lifetime. 
 
 Friday, Scpteinher 18fh. Last evening, seeing that the hill 
 over which the regiment would pass this morning, was high, 
 two of us obtained leave from the captain, to leave the camp 
 and ascend it by daylight, and wait for the regiment to come 
 on ; our motive for so doing was to obtain a view of the sur- 
 rounding country in the clearness of the morning, by sunrise. 
 Accordingly,by that time we were on the top, with a spy-glass, 
 which we had brought with us from home, for such special oc- 
 casions. The view was, as we anticipated, vast and beautiful ; 
 the morning was very clear. Looking towards the east, 
 was seen, immediately below, the deep valley with its long 
 sloping ascents on either side ; its clear stream winding 
 through, fringed with dark green groves of cedar ; through 
 and about which, the long and regular lines of white tents 
 were peeping ; in one part concealed, in another, row after 
 row in full view; busy with life ; the numbers of little lines 
 of blue curling smoke rising from it, and above uniting.. 
 
86 LANDSCAPE. 
 
 floated gently off down the vale ; while the clear tones of 
 the bugles, soft and mellow from distance, came up distinctly" 
 to the ear. — Beyond the camp, the opposite green slope was 
 dotted here and there by herds of cattle grazing, while the 
 summit of the slope, with its line of oaks, through which the 
 horizontal rays of the sun beamed in brightness, at the dis- 
 tance of two miles, closed the view. To the south the pros- 
 pect of wooded hills, gentle and long in rise, were seen one 
 beyond another, with here and there a patch of prairie between 
 for eight or ten miles. To the west and south-west, lay 
 spread out in full view the lovely valley of the Brazos river, 
 alternately prairie and woodland — prairie and woodland 
 again, until a broad belt of prairie, twenty miles distant, 
 unbroken in extent, bounded the vision. 
 
 In the foreground of this view, at the distance of two 
 miles, and contrasting finely with the more distant finishing 
 of the picture, was the pretty, thriving village of Fanthrop. 
 
 To the north-west, the landscape was like a map ; here, 
 dark in waving lines, with timber; there, light in long strips, 
 of prairie ; all intermingled in a beautiful combination, 
 until the horizon was indistinct and hazy from very dis- 
 tance. Hearing the bugles more plainly, we turned and 
 looked again down in the valley ; the rows of tents had dis- 
 appeared ; the long lines of horsemen were filing out to the 
 road ; the wagons starting in the rear, and the camp was 
 empty. 
 
 Employing our time until they had ascended the hill, in 
 taking another view of all around, we then left the scene with 
 regret, and took our places in the ranks. 
 
 Saturday, September Idth. This day, we marched on over 
 the same splendid scenery; crossing a little valley filled with 
 cedar groves, we rose the hill into the village of Fanthrop. 
 We found this a brisk, lively little place ; every one seemed 
 to be at work : the blacksmiths' hammer could be heard, an- 
 swered by the sound of tools from other mechanics ; the 
 stores were open, and doing, apparently, a brisk business. A 
 large academy, for the education of youth of both sexes, had 
 been just erected, and gone into successful operation. The 
 
WASHINGTON. 87 
 
 regiment did not halt, but the advance were far through 
 the town before the rear had come near it. 
 
 At eleven, A. M., we entered the Brazos bottom lands, 
 heavily timbered, red soil, and very fertile ; and we struck 
 the left bank of the Neversot river, which the road followed 
 to its junction with the Brazos, opposite to the town of 
 "Washington. We commenced crossing the Brazos as soon 
 as we arrived on its banks ; two companies besides our own 
 passing that evening, and, proceeding directly through the 
 town, encamped on the edge of the prairie beyond ; a fine 
 encampment; but half a mile from the springs in the prairie, 
 which were to furnish us water. The other seven compa- 
 nies encamped on the eastern bank, not crossing the river 
 until the following day. The evening of this day had been 
 very sultry, and a thunder storm appearing about to come 
 over us, we made all haste to get up our tents, which labor 
 was soon accomplished. The storm, though it touched us 
 not, was near enough to cool the air, and the evening w^as 
 very pleasant ; and at night we slept well, only disturbed by 
 the numerous packs of wolves that, attracted by the smell 
 of meat, came near to us and among our horses, and, by 
 their dismal howling, frightened many of these so that they 
 broke loose. 
 
 Sunday, September 20th. Early this morning. Col. Thomas 
 sent an order to our company for tM^enty men, in uniform, 
 with carbines and cartridge-boxes, to march into town and 
 take part in the funeral of a Kentucky soldier, of the cavalry 
 regiment, left sick at this place, in company with several oth- 
 ers, two weeks since. The others had become better; he died 
 the day before. We marched into town, halted in front of 
 the house where the body lay; — then formed in the rear of the 
 coffin in double file; the colonel and field officers of our regi- 
 ment followed next; captains and lieutenants next; then 
 privates of our own regiment; then citizens. When all was 
 ready, the bugles sounded the melancholy strain of the 
 " Dead March," and slowly, and with our arms reversed, we 
 moved for the graveyard, distant from the town about half 
 a mile. As we went through the streets, the windows and 
 
88 SOLDIERS BURIAL. 
 
 doors were crowded by the inmates ; all, by their counten- 
 ances, expressing sorrow for the loss of the soldier. He died 
 far from his home, among strangers, by whom, however, in 
 his last hours, he was carefully attended ; and then was in- 
 terred with the soldier's burial. — On arriving at the grave- 
 yard, the procession moved around the grave and halted. — 
 Slowly the coffin was lowered into it. — We advanced, and 
 fired three volleys over it ; — filled the grave; and then Avheel- 
 ing, left the ground ; and marching after quick and lively 
 music, returned to camp. 
 
 The regiment were ordered out in the afternoon to divine 
 service, on the edge of the prairie. The preacher, Mr. Ral- 
 ston, who officiated as chaplain, took his position on the 
 only log that was to be found. The colonel and field offi- 
 cers, with most of the company officers, in full uniform, were 
 reclining in the long grass, directly in front of him ; while 
 the soldiers were seated in the same around, in a large semi- 
 circle ; seats were not needed, for, by long habit, now we find 
 the ground to answer every purpose. The sermon was good, 
 and the listeners attentive; all joined in the singing with feel- 
 ing, and every emotion seemed to be calmed by the occa- 
 sion. 
 
 The evening of the day was very pleasant. We strolled 
 out on an eminence, a portion of the prairie, and surveyed 
 with the glass the extensive valley of the Brazos below, and 
 now in our rear — still grand and beautiful, as from the other 
 side, it appeared. 
 
 Monday, September '2\st. The colonel having ordered the 
 regiment to remain here another day, we took the opportu- 
 nity to examine and inquire about the town, country, &c. 
 Washington is a small place of about four or five hundred 
 inhabitants ; has been the seat of government, the congress 
 of the republic formerly meeting here. The appearance of 
 the town shows, from its many dilapidated houses, that it 
 has seen better days than at present. 
 
 It is situated on the west bank of the Brazos river, in the 
 midst of as beautiful and fertile a country as can be found 
 in the Union. The Brazos can be navigated by large boats 
 
RIDING A RAIL. . 89 
 
 some three or four months in the year; and it is said, b}' re- 
 moving the snags and logs from its bed, that small steam- 
 boats could run upon it, as far up as this place, the whole 
 year; though, as yet, there is not sufficient settlement of the 
 country to induce boats to come up ; and all the trade of this 
 place is carried on, by land, with Houston, on Buffalo Bayou, 
 seventy-five miles south-east of it. But the day cannot be 
 far distant, when this delightful country will be settled, and 
 its resources developed. — The river, of steep and high clay 
 banks, is not so muddy as the Trinity, but is brackish in 
 taste and unfit for use, even for washing. — The Neversot, a 
 small river that comes in opposite, is of better water. We 
 noticed that this river sometimes rose thirty-five or forty feet, 
 perpendicular height, the mark of the mud being on all the 
 trees ; and brush, cane, and di-ift-wood lodged in their tall 
 branches. 
 
 At four, P. M., the regiment was ordered under arms, on 
 foot, and marched out on the prairie, near the springs, and 
 there formed in a hollow square to witness the punishment 
 of two teamsters, who had stolen some carbines and other 
 property, and had endeavored to make their escape ; had 
 been pursued by a file of men, overtaken and brought back ; 
 had been tried this forenoon by a court-martial, and sen- 
 tenced to receive thirty-nine lashes each on the bare back : 
 which sentence, however, was commuted, by the colonel, to 
 that of riding a rail through the ranks. 
 
 This ceremony was performed as follows : four stout men, 
 two at each end of a long, rough pole, came into the square ; 
 the culprits were led in, and one of them, the younger, who 
 had been coaxed into the stealing by the other, was gently 
 set on the pole, and as gently carried around ; all pitied him, 
 for he appeared to feel the disgrace of the punishment se- 
 verely, and not much noise was made as he passed on this 
 high horse. He was set down, and the other was rudely 
 thrown on, amidst hoots, groans and hisses ; the bearers 
 jerked and shook the pole on their shoulders, and he lost his 
 balance and came to the ground on his side, with a concus- 
 sion that took his breath from him for a moment. He had 
 
90 INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 fallen into hard hands ; they threw him up again, breath or 
 no breath, and finished his unpleasant ride ; after which the 
 regiment was dismissed, and the two men taken over the 
 Brazos and set free, being forbidden to come again near the 
 camp. 
 
 Tuesday, Septeyyiher 22d. A fine morning. The bugles 
 sounded the saddle call, after breakfast, and the captains and 
 lieutenants of each company repeated the order to their men, 
 to strike tents and load the wagons : all went at it, and line 
 after line of tents disappeared, — save those of our company, 
 which still stood, for no officer could be found. One of the 
 field officers rode vip : " Is your captain here?" he inquired. 
 " No, sir." " Your first lieutenant ?" " No, sir." " Tell your 
 second lieutenant to have your tents struck, and fall into 
 line." •' He is not here, sir." " Not here ! — What, all gone ? — 
 Where is the orderly sergeant ?" " Gone too, sir !" " Well, 
 tell your second sergeant to come here." " He is gone, also." 
 *' Gone ! — Is there any sergeant here ?" " Yes, sir, the third 
 sergeant, Hovey, is here." " Tell Sergeant Hovey to take 
 command of your company, have your tents struck quickly, 
 and fall into line !" " Yes, sir." 
 
 Upon the order of the sergeant, we struck our tents in 
 quick time, loaded our wagon, sent it on, saddled our horses, 
 put on our equipage, formed the line, and, with the sergeant 
 at our head, were off; and he had command of us for the 
 whole day. It was universally remarked, that it was as 
 pleasant a day's march as we had made ; — all being per- 
 fectly contented with Captain Hovey, as they called him. 
 
 We passed on over the same beautiful country, with view 
 succeeding view — countless changes of the lovely landscape 
 — which now was seen only five or six miles, over pretty 
 vales, and gentle slopes of green, — then extended far as the 
 utmost limit of vision would permit. At eight miles' dis- 
 tance from the morning's camp, we came to the village of 
 Independence, on the top of a lofty swell of land, command- 
 ing an extensive view in every direction. This village was 
 universally admired by all the men of the regiment, and is 
 truly one of the prettiest places that can be pictured out. 
 
BRAVE BOY. 91 
 
 A large American flag had been hoisted on the top of the hill, 
 and added to the scene. The water here, too, was excellent, 
 and the health fine. Many of the men declared they M^ould 
 return here. 
 
 We halted here a little while, and, at the sound of the 
 bugles, again marched on, leaving the pretty place with 
 regret. There was no difference in the soil or scenery, from 
 before, during the remainder of the day. We encamped, 
 towards evening, in a beautiful valley, four miles south of 
 the Yagua river, a branch of the Brazos ; being still within the 
 limits of Washington county. March of the day twenty miles. 
 
 Here we met an old acquaintance, to many of our com- 
 pany, and spent the evening and morning most agreeably; 
 the change, for a meal or two, of camp fare, of salt pork and 
 hard bread, for fried chickens, roast pig, fine vegetables, and 
 excellent milk and butter, found at his hospitable table, was 
 most agreeable. — We were now just learning the value of 
 good fare, by the continued experience of the reverse. 
 
 We found that it had been but a little while since this 
 section was freed from the periodical irruptions of bands of 
 Comanche Indians ; whose movements have always been 
 made with such celerity, that their murders and robberies 
 were committed, and they were off", before pursuit could be 
 successfully made. Our friend, while speaking of this, 
 directed our attention to a small boy, of about thirteen years 
 of age, who was riding by in a little wagon, in company 
 with his father. We observed the lad, as having a fine open 
 countenance, an intelligent look, and a manly bearing : he 
 passed on ; and we were told, that young as he was, he had 
 been, nearly tw^o years before, in the last hard-fought skirmish 
 with the Comanches. His father, with three other men, and 
 himself, were together, a few miles from this spot, when 
 they were attacked by a large number of these mounted war- 
 riors of the western prairies. As each of the five was 
 well armed, their defence was desperate, and long-continued. 
 The boy, then only eleven years of age, fought and cried at 
 the same time ; loading his rifle and firing, repeatedly. His 
 companions had no objection to his tears, for they were not 
 
92 PICTURESQUE BASIN. 
 
 of the kind to dim his sight at all ; for, as he raised his rifle,, 
 he took his aim with steady nerve, and, at each shot, killed 
 or wounded a Comanche. Finding such a determined resist- 
 ance, after several of them had been killed, and many 
 wounded, the Indians retreated ; two of the men were 
 wounded; the boy was not hurt. The alarm being given in 
 the settlement, the war party withdrew entirely, and have 
 not been in so far since. 
 
 Wednesday, September 2Sd. We left the encampment at an 
 early hour, and marched, to-day, twenty miles. Soil same 
 as before ; as rich as it well can be ; scenery the same, save 
 not so much timber. Many of the men had permission to 
 leave the lines, to hunt, as we now were coming to a coun- 
 try of game. They killed and brought in a few deer. Some 
 of it had large bones, and looked and tasted like veal ; but 
 they declared it was venison. 
 
 We encamped in a beautiful grove, about three o'clock P. 
 M. after a march of twenty-two miles ; the road had been so 
 good that the wagon-train had kept up in speed with the main 
 body ; our tents were soon up, and our suppers cooked early. 
 After supper, about a dozen of us mounted our horses and 
 rode three miles over the prairie, to a basin of water, dis- 
 covered by the hunters of the day, where they had killed 
 an alligator, about six feet long. — The ride was very pleas- 
 ant, and the basin itself, very picturesque. A stream of 
 water, pure as crystal, fell over several succeeding shelves 
 of limestone, covered with green moss, into the basin, itself 
 scooped out of the same durable material ; this basin was 
 about one hundred and fifty feet long, sixty wide, and tenor 
 twelve deep, and so clear that every little thing could be 
 seen at its bottom; several large live oaks spread their branches 
 over it, and the long Spanish moss trailed down, making a 
 canopy of shade above. This young alligator had possessed 
 this basin to himself, " monarch of all he surveyed ;" but its 
 clearness and beauty proved his ruin. — A singular piece of 
 temerity with regard to an alligator is related in camp. At 
 Sabine river, (now a long distance back), one of the men of 
 
ALLIGATORS. 93 
 
 Caswel's company, called in camp " Skin-horse," went along 
 the bank for game ; did not see any ; but then a young alli- 
 gator popped up his head ; '' Skin-horse" fired at it, and the 
 water was stained with blood, but the alligator had 
 disappeared. The report of the gun brought some of his 
 comrades to the spot, and they were told by him, what he 
 had killed. They thought he was " fooling" them ; which made 
 him very angry, and swearing that he always told the truth, 
 he stripped off his clothes, and waded in the water to his 
 neck, feeling about with his foot, and stepped on the chap 
 at the bottom ; he being only wounded, instantly rose and 
 poked his long nose out of the water, behind "Skin-horse," who 
 turned, and with one hand seized him by the fore foot, and 
 threw the other arm around his neck, and himself on his 
 scaly back; — now came the tug of war. The alligator 
 whirled round and round, making the water foam with 
 his tail, snapping his jaws together, in his endeavors to get 
 at his antagonist ; while the latter having got a hold on shal- 
 low bottom pushed and dragged him towards the shore, 
 while his companions, at first petrified with astonishment, 
 ran to his relief; and they soon got the alligator ashore and 
 dispatched him. He measured in length seven feet. — Hug- 
 ging a live alligator in the water, is a ticklish sort of busi- 
 ness.^ — "Skin-horse" is a good humored, dare-devil chap, cross- 
 eyed, medium height, bony and strong, in for a scrape at any 
 time, and is a great favorite with the whole regiment. 
 
 Thursday, Septcmhci' 24th. This morning we left the en- 
 campment very early, and leaving Washington county, en- 
 tered that of Fayette. There being a thick fog all the morn- 
 ing, we could not look out on the prairie, but was told by a 
 settler, that it was of the same kind of country as that from 
 Washington, passed over the last three days. We only 
 marched thirteen miles, and encamped in a grove of timber, 
 in a narrow strip of sandy land, inferior to the prairie. 
 
 Now, reader, we were marching on to the seat of war, but 
 were yet a long distance from it. The infantry who had gone 
 by sea, and the Texas cavalry, from this section, where we now 
 
94 MONTEREY. 
 
 were, had arrived there long before, and not only so, but had 
 gone to work ; for on this day, Thursday, the capitulation of 
 the city of Monterey, to the army of General Taylor, was 
 concluded. The battle commenced on Monday, was carried 
 on until this morning. In the following chapter will be 
 found an account of all the proceedings with relation 
 to it. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 Previous to this time, the army of General Taylor had 
 been increased to iipwards of fifteen thousand men, by the 
 arrival of the volunteer forces. The government having sent 
 several steamboats to the Rio Grande, that general was ena- 
 bled, M'ith but little difficulty, to take possession of the towns of 
 Mier, Reynosa, and Camargo, on and near the river. Colonel 
 Hays' regiment of Texan cavalry, in the meantime, had 
 made a circuit from Matamoras towards the interior, through 
 the towns of San Fernando, China, and other small places, 
 coming out to the Rio Grande again at Camargo, at which 
 place the principal part of the army was stationed, and 
 where a depot of supplies had been established. 
 
 Monterey, the capital of the state of Nueva Leon, is situ- 
 ated in the mountainous regions of the Sierra Madre, the 
 lofty peaks of which surround and overlook it. Its popula- 
 tion is about ten thousand, and being a place of great 
 strength by nature, it had been fortified with much care by 
 the old Spanish government, which fortifications have been 
 increased since the Mexican revolution. Its distance from 
 Camargo, on the Rio Grande, is about one hundred and 
 eighty miles. 
 
 To this place, after the evacuation of Matamoras, the Mex- 
 ican army under General Arista retreated, and remained ; 
 that general, however, was deprived of his command, by the 
 Mexican government, and General Ampudia appointed to 
 the command in his place ; and the forces, in the meantime, 
 were strengthened; immense quantities of munitions of war 
 were thrown into the place, and it became evident that the 
 
 (95) 
 
96 MONTEREY. 
 
 enemy intended to risk the next battle in its defence, con- 
 fident of success, from the largely recruited forces, the 
 great natural and artificial strength of the place, and the 
 abundance of supplies with which to stand a siege. As 
 the intention of the American general to attack the place 
 was known to General Ampudia, for many weeks previous 
 to the commencement of actual operations against it, that 
 officer made every exertion, to have the works in a perfect 
 state of defence to resist such attempt ; and as early as the 
 30th of August, before the American army had commenced 
 its march from Camargo, he had issued his proclamation to 
 ensure more decisive action in the defence; declaring the city 
 already in a state of siege ; and encouraging his troops, by 
 informing them " that of the American army, there was but 
 twenty-five hundred regular troops ; that the remainder (vol- 
 unteers) were only a band of adventurers, without valor or dis- 
 cipline;" — (an opinion, that during the siege afterv^^ards, it is 
 said, he took occasion to alter, as he saw with his glass the 
 attack on the first fort, and the Tennessee and Mississippi 
 regiments pouring over its walls in the face of five pieces 
 of artillery, throwing a shower of grape and canister into 
 their ranks ; with several more on their flank, raking them. 
 He then compared their fighting to that of devils); — remark- 
 ing, in his own words, that " we {i.e. the Mexicans) can beat 
 them again and again." The Mexican army were in high 
 spirits, in anticipation of victory; and every arrangement of 
 defence having been completed, with a force of upwards of 
 ten thousand, exclusive of the inhabitants, who were required 
 to assist in the defence, they waited for the approach of the 
 Americans. Their works were arranged in the following 
 manner : 
 
 The city lies nearly in the form of a parallelogram, its 
 longest extension being east and west ; along its southern 
 side runs the small river San Juan, an easterly course. High 
 eminences are on the other bank of this stream ; (see Plan* 
 
 * For this plan, showing the city and fortifications, and the position of the attacking 
 forces on the morning of September 31st, the author is indebted to Lieutenant A. J. 
 Ifeiman, adjutant of 1st regiment Tennessee infantry. 
 
MONTEREY. 97 
 
 of Monterey, page 100); upon two of these eminences were 
 strong fortifications, marked on the plan by letters M and N. 
 The western or upper part of the city was defended imme- 
 diately at the suburbs by the large stone cemetery, (marked 
 D), converted into a fort ; its walls being pierced with em- 
 brasures for cannon; — this cemetery was near the entrance of 
 the Saltillo road. Further out on that road, at the distance 
 of nearly a mile, were two eminences, on one of which was 
 the Bishop's Palace (marked F), a strong building, well forti- 
 fied ; on the other also was a strong work, (marked L) ; — ex- 
 tending round the whole northern side of the city, that on 
 which the American army must approach, and also part of 
 the western, was a wide plain, partly cultivated, at some dis- 
 tance from the city. This whole plain, for a long range, 
 was completely commanded by the Cathedral fort, (marked 
 G), or "Black Fort," as afterwards called by our forces ; a 
 very strong fortification, and one that was not attacked af- 
 terwards by them. — This fort was near the entrance of the 
 Ceralvo road. 
 
 On the east of the city, the San Juan flowed round from 
 the southern side. There were three forts on this eastern 
 side : the first, fort Tannerio, (marked H), on the north- 
 eastern corner ; the second, fort Diablo, (marked I), to the 
 south of the first ; the third, (marked J), near the Cadarita 
 road, which it commanded. From this last fort, a strong 
 stone wall ran around part of the southern side. 
 
 Every principal street was barricaded with strong w^orks 
 of masonry ; cannon on the most of them ; the whole num- 
 ber of pieces of artillery was about fifty. Besides these for- 
 tifications, another great item of strength consisted in the 
 manner in which, the houses of the city were built : of close 
 construction to each other ; one high story ; flat stone roof, 
 with parapet walls of the same material around them, and 
 with interior courts and gardens, presenting a naked view 
 in the street, of continuous bare walls, of few doors, and 
 still more few windows ; which, where so placed, were guar- 
 ded by perpendicular iron bars. — The streets were straight 
 and long, and crossed each other at right angles. — A large 
 7 
 
98 MARCH OF THE ARMY. 
 
 spring, and several smaller ones, were in the centre of the 
 city, affording an abundant supply of fine water. 
 
 As said before, thus prepared for attack or siege, the Mex- 
 ican forces awaited the approach of the American army; nor 
 were they destined to wait very long, for the first division 
 of that army, under General Worth, of one thousand seven 
 hundred men, (regular troops, save one hundred Texan ran- 
 gers), took up the march from Camargo to Monterey on the 
 20th of August, followed in a few days, and overtaken at 
 Ceralvo, seventy-five miles on the route, by the division of 
 General Butler, of two thousand seven hundred men, (volun- 
 teers), and that of General Twiggs, of two thousand two 
 hundred, (regulars, save five hundred Texan rangers,) : ma- 
 king, in the whole number, six thousand six hundred men ; 
 General Taylor leaving a force of ten regiments at the dif- 
 ferent positions on the Rio Grande, from Brazos Santiago, at 
 the mouth, to Camargo, These were the 1st, 2d and 3d regi- 
 ments of Indiana infantry, the 3d and 4th regiments of Illi- 
 nois do., the 2d and 3d Ohio do., the 2d Tennessee do., the 
 2d Kentucky do., the Alabama do., and Georgia do. 
 
 The volunteers that marched upon Monterey were two 
 regiments of mounted Texan troops, under Colonel Hays 
 and Colonel Woods ; the 1st Tennessee regiment of infantry, 
 under Colonel Campbell; the 1st Kentucky do., under Colo- 
 nel Ormsby ; the 1st Ohio do., under Colonel Mitchell; the 
 Mississippi regiment of riflemen, under Colonel Davis ; the 
 Baltimore battalion, under Colonel Watson ; one company 
 of Louisiana infantry, under Captain Blanchard, and one 
 company of Texas infantry, under Captain Shivers. 
 
 From Ceralvo, the army moved onward, reaching the town 
 of Marin, a place of about three thousand inhabitants, on 
 the 15th of September; leaving Marin on the 18th, they ar- 
 rived on Saturday, the 19th, within view of Monterey, and 
 encamped at Walnut Springs, a beautiful pecan grove, where 
 fine bold springs gushed out with water clear and cool. 
 
 General Taylor, on his arrival, at the head of the Texas 
 cavalry, proceeded to reconnoitre the city, and advanced for 
 that purpose over the plain, directly in front of the Cathe- 
 
GENERAL WORTH'S DIVISION. 99 
 
 dral fort, and at a distance of about sixteen hundred j'ards. 
 A heavy fog lay over the city at first ; but, rising as he ad- 
 vanced, revealed the city and works. The fort commenced 
 a fire upon the detachment, and, after taking a cool view of 
 the place, he left the ground ; immediately after, Major 
 Mansfield, Captain Sanders, and Lieutenant Scarrit, of the en- 
 gineer corps, supported by a squadron of dragoons under 
 Captain Graham, and a company of Texas rangers under 
 Captain Gillaspie, were ordered to reconnoitre, at which, the 
 remainder of the day, they were occupied, being repeatedly 
 fired upon by the batteries. 
 
 JMot having obtained all the desired information. Lieuten- 
 ant Scarrit was again, on Sunday morning, September 20th, 
 sent out to the right, or western part of the city, called from 
 its position, the upper part, and Lieutenant Pope to the left, 
 or lower part. They finished their observations, and, though 
 fired on many times, returned in safety. General Worth, 
 with his division, and Colonel Hays' regiment of Texas Ran- 
 gers, was ordered to proceed to the extreme right, (by a long 
 circuitous bend, to avoid the fire of the Black Fort), and to 
 take a position on the Saltillo road, on the extreme right, to 
 intercept any supplies for the enemy, by that road, and to pre- 
 vent the passage of any re-inforcements into the city, that 
 being the only road by which such could come; and also to 
 take the fortified heights, if practicable ; by so doing, to cut 
 off the retreat of the Mexican army. On account of having 
 to construct bridges, and open a road through the fields of 
 corn, sugar-cane, &c., this division did not reach the Saltillo 
 road until the next morning ; that night they lay on their 
 arms ; it was cold and rainy. As General Worth left 
 for his post, this afternoon, the other two divisions were 
 marched in front of the town, and remained in view until 
 night, to take off the attention of the enemy from his move- 
 ments. After night, all the troops of these divisions re- 
 turned to camp, save the 4th regiment of regular infantry,, 
 which, under Major Allen, remained to cover and protect a. 
 ten inch mortar and two twenty-four pound howitzers, which 
 were placed in 'a dry ravine, on the north of the city, and 
 
100 GARLAND'S ATTACK. 
 
 directly in front, fourteen hundred yards from the Black 
 Fort. The next morning, Monday, September 21st, the 
 troops of the two divisions of generals Butler and Twiggs, 
 were marched from camp at an early hour, and were drawn 
 up as represented in plate. — (See Plan.) 
 
 General Worth moved on from the position, there indica- 
 ted, with the Texan rangers, in advance, who soon encoun- 
 tered a body of about one thousand lancers,* (indicated on 
 the plan). Here the action of the day commenced. The 
 Rangers received the attack of the lancers, — killed, in a few 
 moments, forty of them, and wounded sixty more, — Col- 
 onel Hays killing their lieutenant-colonel, — only two of 
 the Rangers wounded. The lancers, finding such a hot recep- 
 tion, retreated. About the time that this firing was heard, 
 General Taylor, then on the left or lower part of the town, 
 ordered the battery, established the night previous, to open 
 its fire upon the city and Black Fort ; which fire was in- 
 stantly returned, and kept up with spirit. — In order to favor 
 the operations of General Worth, now most important, by 
 drawing the attention of the enemy's forces from him, Twiggs* 
 division, under the command of Colonel Garland, was or- 
 dered to make a demonstration against the lower part of the 
 town. To this command was attached the Baltimore bat- 
 talion of volunteers. This force moved up, under a heavy 
 cross-fire, from the Black Fort on the right ; (the proper name 
 of this is "Fort Independence," called likewise " the Citadel," 
 and also " Cathedral Fort ;" but the common name, given it 
 by the American soldiers, was the " Black Fort," and so, in 
 this description it will be called), and another from the left, 
 from fort No. 1 ; advancing through these cross-fires with 
 some loss, the command reached the edge of the town, about 
 two hundred yards to the right of fort No. 1. 
 
 In obedience to his orders, the commander of this divi- 
 
 * These are Mexican cavalry ; each one is armed with a steel-headed lance, about 
 eight feet in length, bearing a small swallow-tailed flag of green and red ; beside 
 tl lis, the lancer has an escopeta, or short gun with large bore, carrying a heavy ball, 
 doing execution at a long distance ; and a straight sword, commonly sharp on both, 
 edges. A body of lancers makes a fine appearance. 
 
STORMING OF FORT NO. 1. 103 
 
 sion, engaged the enemy by a spirited attack. The col- 
 umn charged up the street, with the intention of turning to 
 the left and attacking fort No. 1, in the rear; but immedi- 
 ately they were placed in a most perilous situation; — before 
 them was the heavy battery, at the Bridge of "Purisima,"the 
 cannon of which swept the street with grape. The head of 
 the column was also exposed to a fire from fort No. 2, 
 (marked I), the rear,from fort No. 1 ; and to round shot from the 
 Black fort ; and, added to this, the fire of a thousand muskets 
 from the house-tops, where the enemy could not be reached. 
 
 — Seeing this column in so perilous a situation. General 
 Taylor ordered the Mississippi and Tennessee regiments, under 
 colonels Davis and Campbell, headed by part of the 4th regi- 
 ment of regular infantry, to advance to their relief; these 
 proceeded under the heavy fire of the fort No. 1, and the 
 Black Fort, which swept through their ranks. The fire in 
 front was too severe for the regulars, who fell back from be- 
 fore it ; but the two volunteer regiments, nothing daunted, 
 though suffering most severely, together, in the face of the 
 cannon, threw themselves upon and scaled the walls of the 
 fort, pouring in with such rapidit}^ as to take several oflicers 
 and thirty men prisoners, in an instant, and to turn one of 
 the guns, loaded that moment with canister, upon the garri- 
 son, who were running toward the next fort, stopping the 
 flight of many of them. This was a most gallant charge 
 and was of the greatest service, but cost the lives of many. 
 To give an idea of the destructive fire through which these 
 two regiments made this charge, the loss of the Tennessee 
 regiment, alone, one hundred killed and wounded, in a few 
 moments, out of the whole number, three hundred and 
 seventy-nine, that went into action, will suffice ; but they 
 hesitated not an instant. Five cannon were taken in this 
 fort, and a large quantity of ammunition ; these cannon were 
 immediately turned by Captain Ridgely, of the artillery, 
 against the 2d fort (marked I) and the city, and they became 
 a most important auxiliary to the operations. 
 
 — While this charge was making, Captain Bragg's battery 
 of light artillery came down at full gallop, exposed for half 
 
104 CHARGE OF LANCERS UPON FIRST OHIO. 
 
 a mile to the full fire of the Black Fort, entered the street, 
 and proceeded up to Garland's assistance ; Maj. Gen. Butler, 
 with the Ohio regiment, under Col. Mitchell, leaving their 
 first position, moved to reinforce that command. General 
 Butler ordered another charge ; but, like the first, it was in- 
 effectual ; he was wounded ; several officers and many men 
 were killed and wounded, and the whole, then under General 
 Hamer, withdrew from the town, and took up a position to 
 the left of the fort No. 1, now taken. Upon the Ohio regi- 
 ment, now under Lieut. Col. Weller, a body of lancers, under 
 cover of the Black Fort, charged furiously, but were received 
 with a fire which left many of their number stretched upon 
 the field. They retreated ; — were reinforced to near a thou- 
 sand, and again came down, but were repulsed again by 
 Bragg's battery, which, taking rapidly a position under cover 
 of a cornfield, unperceived by the lancers, opened a heavy 
 fire, so unexpected and destructive, as to drive them back 
 again with confusion into the city, in the rear of the Black 
 Fort ; the battery, with that of Captain Ridgely, then took 
 a position near the captured fort No. 1, where it remained 
 until ordered back to camp at four, P. M. 
 
 This fort No. 1 was now under a heavy fire from the other 
 forts. The Tennessee and Mississippi regiments, and the 3d 
 and 4th infantry, kept up a sharp engagement in this corner 
 of the town ; the 1st Kentucky regiment, under Col. Ormsby, 
 had been ordered to remain with the battery first mentioned, 
 before the Black Fort, and had been the only protecting force 
 of that during the day, all of which time it had continued its 
 fire upon the fort and city. In the evening, the captured 
 fort No. 1, and vicinity, having been more strongly entrench- 
 ed in the rear by Lieut. Scarritt, was occupied by Garland's 
 command, of the 1st, 2d and 4th regiments regular infantry, 
 and Ridgely's battery of artillery, and also one battalion of 
 the 1st Kentucky ; — the other troops were withdrawn and 
 ordered back to camp. Thus ended, on this part of the city, 
 the bloody and hard fought battle of the 21st. 
 
 The dead and wounded covered the plain under the 
 range of the Black fort, and lay thick before fort No. 1, 
 
WORTH'S OPERATIONS ON TWENTY-FIRST. 105 
 
 mowed downin that heroic charge ; they were scattered over 
 the cornfields at the edge of town ; the streets in w^hich 
 Garland's command had been, were covered with slain and 
 wounded ; these last, when Americans, and falling into the 
 hands of the enemy, were slaughtered and barbarously man- 
 gled and stripped of all their clothing. One officer, how- 
 ever, that fell wounded into their hands. Captain Williams, 
 was w^ell treated during the short time he lived, and dying 
 the next day, he was buried by them with the honors of 
 war. 
 
 On the western side, the division of General Worth had 
 acted most gallantly, and with brilliant success. After the 
 fight with the lancers in the morning, the division came in 
 range of the high work marked L, which opened upon them 
 with shot and shell; killed Captain McKavett, of the Sth in- 
 fantry, and one man, and wounded others ; and at noon, 
 that marked M was stormed and taken by four hundred men, 
 under Captain Smith. The fort was garrisoned by five or 
 six hundred Mexican soldiers, with two nine pound cannon ; 
 these retreated to the height marked N. The force here was 
 about sixteen hundred, with a piece of artillery ; the fort 
 was stormed and carried by the same detachment, in con- 
 junction with a larger one under Brig. Gen, Smith; the 
 Mexicans retreated across the valley, towards the other for- 
 tification. 
 
 After this height was taken, the Bishop's Palace opposite, 
 (marked on the plan F), opened with shell and shot upon the 
 assailants in fort N. This cannonading continued until 
 night; and thus, with this division, ended the operations of 
 the 21st instant. 
 
 During the night, the forces of General Worth remained 
 in possession of the two forts, on the heights, they had taken, 
 and slept on their arms. On the lower part of the city. Col- 
 onel Garland's command and Ridgely's battery occupied the 
 captured fort No. I, and kept up a cannonade at intervals 
 upon the city, which was answered by the Mexican batteries 
 of the Black Fort, and fort No. 2 (I), and also from the smaller 
 works. In the darkness, bodies of stragglers from the city 
 
106 BRAGG'S ARTILLERY. 
 
 emerged on the plain, to rob the dying and dead ; the woun- 
 ded survivors vrere dispatched by their knives, and all indis- 
 criminately stripped. 
 
 The dawn of day was the signal for the deadly combat 
 to be renewed. — On this morning, Tuesday, the 22d, the 
 troops of Taylor's force moved early from camp to the scene 
 of action. General Quitman, with the Tennessee and Mis- 
 sissippi regiments, marched into fort No. 1, and relieved 
 Garland's command; the remainder of the force was drawn 
 up to the left of the fort, manoeuvreing ; the object of this 
 day's operations, in this quarter, being to divert the enemy's 
 attention from those of General Worth. On this part of the 
 city there was, on this account, a continual cannonading, 
 by the captured fort, upon the city, assisted by the light bat- 
 teries, and answered the heavy response of the Black Fort 
 and other batteries of the enemy. 
 
 Bragg's light artillery, which had suffered much the daj'' 
 previous, in loss of men and horses, was stationed this day to 
 keep open the communication v^^ith the camp. — This Avhole 
 end of the city was, during the day, wreathed in clouds of 
 smoke, from the numerous batteries ; — the enemy were kept 
 in continual expectation of another assault, and thus were 
 prevented from throwing more force to repel the attacks of 
 General Worth. 
 
 That officer began his operations by daylight, storming, at 
 that time, the height marked L, which was the first that had, 
 on the preceding daj^, fired upon his division. This fort was 
 taken without much difficulty ; — the enemy, foreseeing the 
 attack, had removed the cannon, during the night, down the 
 eminence, to the strong fortification of the Bishop's Palace ; 
 to prevent those guns from being taken and directed down 
 upon that strong hold ; and to this palace they also retreated 
 upon the attack of the storming party. The capture of the 
 latter, F, was now likely to be a serious undertaking ; it 
 could not be stormed, being too high ; and having now a 
 force of two thousand men in it, with several pieces of can- 
 non. The main body of the assailants was concealed from 
 the view of the Mexicans, by the crest of the ridge above, 
 
WORTH'S OPERATIONS ON THE TWENTY-SECOND. 107 
 
 while four companies were detached and sent rapidly forward 
 to attack the palace ; these deployed separately around, 
 within a short distance of the work ; every one sheltering 
 himself the best he was able, behind the rocks, commenced 
 firing at the garrison, picking them off as fast as possible. 
 Their fire was answered by musketry and heavy cannonading, 
 with canister; but no two men being together, this firing was 
 thrown away. In the mean time, a twelve pound howitzer 
 had been dragged up the height, L (eight hundred feet ele- 
 vation), with great labor, and placed in position, opening a 
 plunging fire into the palace below, with such effect from its 
 shells, that the Mexicans sallied out, in a heavy body of cav- 
 alry and infantry, and charged the height, to retake it. — 
 Their attack was received with such a deadly fire, that the 
 advance of lancers turned and fled ; the routed infantry did 
 the same, in great confusion, closely followed by their as- 
 sailants, who quickly entered the palace ; the artillery of 
 which was turned upon the fugitives, who, running through, 
 were chased and slaughtered all the way down the hill, into 
 the very edge of the town. 
 
 The palace remained in the hands of the division ; its four 
 pieces of artillery were immediately turned down upon the 
 work, in that end of the city ; viz., the fortified cemetery, (on 
 the Plan, marked D). A great quantity of ammunition being 
 captured in this palace, the firing from it, and the height 
 opposite, marked N. was kept up during the rest of the 
 day, and throughout the night, with such effect, from the 
 well-directed balls and shells, that the Mexican troops were 
 obliged to evacuate the cemetery and western part of the 
 town, and retire in towards the Plaza, (marked A, on the 
 Plan) ; taking the cannon from the cemetery and planting 
 them at the stone barricades in the streets, to rake them for 
 their whole extent. — Thus had General "Worth succeeded in 
 turning all the defences on the heights at this part of the 
 city, into so many points of attack. The scene now pre- 
 sented from the north, or road to camp, of the city, was grand; 
 — the volumes of smoke rising from the forts on the east, from 
 the heavy Black Fort in front, and from the mortar battery in 
 
108 QUITMAN'S OPERATIONS ON TWENTY-THIRD. 
 
 the foreground ; from the lofty heights on the west, the same 
 volumes opening out and rolling away. These were accom- 
 panied by the continual thunder of the artillery, and loud, 
 wiry noise of the shells, before their explosions. 
 
 Night was now approaching, and on the eastern part 
 General Quitman, with the Tennessee and Mississippi regi- 
 ments, remained in the captured fort, as the garrison for the 
 night, ready for the operations of the next day, and the 
 remainder of the troops of this division returned to camp ; 
 where, tired and exhausted, they threw themselves down in 
 their tents to sleep. Thus ended, on both parts of the city^ 
 the battle of the 22d. 
 
 Both parties being willing to rest from the work of de- 
 struction for a space, only an irregular cannonading at inter- 
 vals, was carried on during the night. In the morning, 
 Wednesday the 23d, the battle commenced again in all its 
 fury; — during the night, the enemy fearing an assault, had 
 withdrawn the forces from the forts on the east (marked I' 
 and J), taking the cannon from them, and retired a square 
 or two towards the Plaza (A,) where mounting the artillery 
 behind the stone barricades, (some of these twelve feet 
 thick), and lining the tops of the flat roofed buildings with 
 infantry, where, protected themselves, by the parapet stone 
 walls, they could fire with effect into the street below, they 
 determined to make a desperate resistance. — The Black Fort 
 opened all its artillery upon the columns of troops advancing 
 from the camp to the attack. While these were advancing 
 under General Taylor, General Quitman seeing that forts I 
 and J, mentioned before, were abandoned by the enemy, sent 
 into the city a part of the Tennessee and of the Mississippi 
 regiments, who in a few moments became hotly engaged 
 with the enemy. The remainder of these two regiments were 
 then ordered to reinforce them ; Colonel Woods' regiment of 
 Texan rangers, dismounted, under General Henderson, and 
 the third regiment of infantry followed, and a general en- 
 gagement took place, which lasted without intermission un- 
 til near night. Captain Ridgely from Fort No. 1. (H,) opened 
 a heavy and continued fire of shot and shell, upon the city 
 
WORTH'S OPERATIONS ON TWENTY-THIRD. 109 
 
 and cathedral (B) , near the Plaza; while Captain Bragg's 
 artillery was employed against the barricades in the streets 
 and the enemy on the house-tops, and the battle raged with 
 fury. The Texans, Tennesseeans and Mississippians, entered 
 the houses, climbed to the roofs, drove continually, the en- 
 emy from house-top to house-top, while others picked and 
 stove their w'ay, through the strong partition brick and stone 
 walls below, from house to house, and room to room, avoid- 
 ing the streets raked from the barricades, until thus, by a 
 hard fought track through the houses, of blood and death, 
 round the barricades on either side, they opened upon the as- 
 tonished Mexican cannoniers and soldiery afire from the house 
 tops above them, and the doors and windows ; and closing 
 around on the rear, captured the guns, compelling the enemy 
 to retire. So from house-top to house-top, and through wall 
 after wall, they advanced, driving the enemy before them. 
 
 While this severe fighting was going on in and around 
 the squares of the eastern part of the city. General Worth 
 from the Bishop's Palace, attacked the western part. His 
 division moved in two columns, and quickly reached the cem- 
 etery (marked D,) where he planted a mortar, and immedi- 
 ately commenced throwing shells into the Plaza (A.) the 
 main body of the enemy being there. These shells did much 
 execution in that crowd of soldiers, killing them by scores. 
 The division was separated into many small detachments of 
 fifty or sixty each, and ordered to take different streets and 
 squares in driving in the enemy. They suffered very little 
 from his cannon in the street, working, like those in the other 
 end, through the buildings ; and on the house-tops, firing from 
 parapet wall to parapet wall; their sure aim took any Mexi- 
 can whose head was in view. The Texas rangers here, were 
 of the greatest service. Foot by foot, and house by house, the 
 enemy were driven in towards the Plaza, and when night 
 ended the conflict of both divisions, the enemy were reduced 
 in possession of the city, to a few squares around the Plaza, 
 showed by the dotted line (marked K, K). These house-tops 
 joining each other for sometimes the whole length of a 
 square, the advance of a square was rapidly made. The 
 
110 GENERAL AMPUDIA'S PROPOSAL. 
 
 destruction and carnage now was terrible. — On the approach 
 of night, the troops on the eastern side were withdrawn to 
 the captured forts, and Gen. Quitman's brigade of 1st Ten- 
 nessee and Mississippi regiments, having been on duty since 
 the morning of the day before, continually fighting, without 
 food by day, or shelter or blankets during the rainy night, 
 were now relieved, by Gen. Hamer's brigade, of 1st Ohio and 
 1st Kentucky regiments, and Capt. Webster's artillery. 
 
 Darkness, as before, stopped, for the time, the sanguinary 
 scene ; though shells were, all the night, thrown from Worth's 
 mortar into the Plaza, which were very destructive. This 
 night, Gen. Worth had three cannon hoisted on the top of 
 a building, and also two nine pounders placed in battery 
 on the height, in the rear of the city, (marked 0,in the plan,) 
 and all things were in readiness for the renewal of the com- 
 bat in the morning ; and thus ended the battle of the 23d. 
 
 On Thursday the 24th, the battle was renewed, but such 
 had been the terrible effect of the assault, the day before, 
 that a flag of truce was sent out from General Ampudia, 
 commander-in-chief of the Mexican forces, to General Taylor, 
 by Colonel Moreno, adjutant general of the Mexican army, 
 bearing the following communication : 
 
 " HEADaUARTERS, AT MoNTEREY, 
 
 Sept. 23, 1846, 9 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Senor Major General — Having made the defence ofwhich, I believe 
 this city susceptible, I have fulfilled my duty, and have satisfied that 
 military honor which, in a certain manner, is common to all armies of 
 the civilized world. 
 
 To prosecute the defence, therefoi-e, would only result in distress to 
 the population, who have already suffered enough from the misfortunes 
 consequent on war ; and taking it for granted that the American Go- 
 vernment has manifested a disposition to negociate, I propose to evacu- 
 ate the city and its fort, taking with me the personelle and materielle 
 which have remained, and under the assurance that no harm shall ensue 
 to the inhabitants who have taken a part in the defence. 
 
 Be pleased to accept the assurance of my most distinguished consid- 
 eration. PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 
 
 To Seuor Don Z. TAYLOR, 
 
 General-in-chief of the American Army." 
 
CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES. HI 
 
 All hostilities ceased for the time, and General Taylor sent 
 back the following reply : 
 
 " HEADaUARTERS ArMY OF OCCUPATION, 
 
 Camp before Monterey, Sept. 24, 1846. 
 
 Sir, — Your communication, bearing date at nine o'clock P. M. on 
 the 23d inst., has just been received by the hands of Col. Moreno. 
 
 In answer to your proposition to evacuate the city and fort with all 
 the personal and material of war, I have to state that my duty compels 
 me to decline acceding to it. A complete surrender of the town and 
 garrison, the latter as prisoners of war, is now demanded. But such 
 surrender will be upon terms, and the gallant defence of the place, cre- 
 ditable alike to the Mexican troops and nation, will prompt me to make 
 these terms as liberal as possible. The garrison will be allowed, at 
 your option, after laying down its arms, to retire to the interior on 
 condition of not serving again during the war, or until regularly ex- 
 changed. I need hardly say that the rights of non-combatants will be 
 respected. 
 
 An answer to this communication is required by 12 o'clock. If 
 you assent to an accommodation, an officer will be dispatched at once, 
 under instructions to arrange the conditions. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. TAYLOR, 
 Maj. Gen. U. S. Army commanding. 
 Senor D. PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. 
 
 General-in-chief, Monterey." 
 
 At 11 o'clock, General Ampudia requested a personal con- 
 ference with General Taylor, which was granted, and after 
 some delay, it resulted in the appointment of commissioners 
 for the capitulation of the city. These were, by General 
 Taylor, Brigadier-general Worth, General Henderson, Go- 
 vernor of Texas, and Colonel Davis, of the Mississippi regi- 
 ment. Those appointed by General Ampudia, were General 
 Tomas Requena, of the artillery, General Ortega, and Don 
 Manuel M. Llano. 
 
 The terms of capitulation agreed on were as follows, viz: 
 
112 TERMS OF CAPITULATION OF 
 
 " Terms of capitulation of the city of Monterey, the capital of Nuevo 
 Leon, agreed upon by the undersigned commissioners, to wit: Gen- 
 eral Worth, of the United States' army ; General Henderson, of the 
 Texan volunteers, and Colonel Davis, of the Mississippi riflemen, 
 on the part of Major General Taylor, commanding-in-chief the 
 United States' forces ; and General Requena and General Ortega, 
 of the army of Mexico, and Senor Manuel Llano, governor of 
 Nuevo Leon, on the part of Senor General Don Pedro Ampudia, 
 
 .- commanding-in-chief the army in the north of Mexico. 
 
 Art. 1. As the legitimate result of the operations before this place, 
 and the present position of the contending armies, it is agreed that 
 the city, the fortifications, cannon, the munitions of war, and all other 
 public property, with the undermentioned exceptions, be surrendered 
 to the commanding general of the United States' forces, now at Mon- 
 terey. 
 
 Art. 2. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain the follow- 
 ing arms, to wit : the commissioned officers their side arms, the in- 
 fantry their arms and accoutrements, the cavalry, their arms and accou- 
 trements, the artillery one field battery, not to exceed six pieces, with 
 twenty-one rounds of ammunition. 
 
 Art. 3. That the Mexican armed forces retire within seven days 
 from this date, beyond the line formed by the pass of the Rinconada, 
 the city of Linares, and San Fernando de Presas. 
 
 Art. 4. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the Mexi- 
 can, and occupied by the American forces, to-morrow morning, at 10 
 o'clock. 
 
 Art. 5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, the 
 troops of the United States will not occupy the city until the Mexican 
 forces have withdrawn, except for hospital and storage purposes. 
 
 Art. 6. That the force-s of the United States will not advance be- 
 yond the line specified in the 2d (3d) article before the expiration of 
 eight weeks, or until the orders or instructions of the respective go- 
 vernments can be received. 
 
 Art. 7. That the public property to be delivered shall be turned 
 over and received by officers appointed by the commanding generals 
 of the two armies. 
 
 Art. 8. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the preceding 
 articles shall be solved by an equitable construction, and on principles 
 of liberality to the retiring army. 
 
THE CITY OF MONTEREY. 113 
 
 Art. 9. The Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, may be sa- 
 luted by its own battery. 
 
 Done at Monterey, September 24th, 1846. 
 
 W. J. WORTH, Brig. Gen. U. S. Jlrmy. 
 
 J. P. HENDERSON, My". Gm. com'g Texan Vol. 
 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS, Colonel Miss. Rijlemen. 
 
 MANUEL M. LLANO. 
 
 T, REQUENA. 
 
 ORTEGA. 
 
 Approved : 
 
 PEDRO AMPUDIA. 
 
 Z. TAYLOR, Brig. Gen.U. S. armij command' g.'' 
 
 The Black Fort or citadel, mentioned in article fourth, 
 was evacuated the following morning, Friday, the 25th, and 
 taken possession of by our troops ; and the city also, accord- 
 ing to the terms of the capitulation. When our forces en- 
 tered and examined the city, they were astonished at the 
 magnitude and strength of the defences, and only wondered 
 that it had been taken at all. 
 
 So fell the city of Monterey, the capital of the State of 
 New Leon, the strongest city in the north of Mexico, with a 
 full supply of munitions of war, and with a garrison of over 
 ten thousand men, protected by the most formidable entrench- 
 ments and fortifications ; after three days' hard fighting be- 
 fore the bravery and determined perseverance of six thou- 
 sand Americans, more than half of whom never had been in 
 a battle before. The American loss, in these three days, 
 was five hundred and fifty killed and wounded ; Mexican, 
 never ascertained exactly, but between twelve and fifteen 
 hundred. The hospitals were filled with their wounded, left 
 to the care of the invaders. 
 
 The volunteer regiments, through these battles, excited, by 
 
 their gallantry and unflinching firmness, the admiration of 
 
 all the regular officers and troops ; acting more like veteran 
 
 soldiers, than like men but a few weeks from the pursuits of 
 
 8 
 
114 
 
 KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 peaceful life. The killed and wounded of these volunteer 
 
 regiments were as follows 
 
 FIRST TENNESSEE REGIMENT COLONEL CAMPBELL. 
 
 No. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 RANK. 
 
 COMP. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 
 KILLED. 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 W.B.Allen .... 
 
 Captain 
 
 
 Killed on 
 
 the 21st. 
 
 
 2 
 
 >S. M. Putman . . . 
 
 2d Lieuten. 
 
 
 " 
 
 " 
 
 
 1 
 
 John B. Porter . . . 
 
 Private 
 
 c 
 
 i( 
 
 i< 
 
 
 2 
 
 William H. Robinson 
 
 « 
 
 « 
 
 a 
 
 11 
 
 
 3 
 
 John A. Hill .... 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 D 
 
 u •* 
 
 11 
 
 
 4 
 
 B. F. Coffee .... 
 
 Private 
 
 " 
 
 <( 
 
 K 
 
 
 5 
 
 E. W. Thomas . . . 
 
 " 
 
 E 
 
 « 
 
 4« 
 
 
 6 
 
 Booker H. Dolton . . 
 
 « 
 
 F 
 
 <( 
 
 « 
 
 
 7 
 
 Isaac Gurman Elliot . 
 
 n 
 
 G 
 
 « 
 
 (1 
 
 
 8 
 
 Peter H. Martin . . 
 
 n 
 
 " 
 
 <( 
 
 K 
 
 
 9 
 
 Edward Pryor . . . 
 
 (I 
 
 (( 
 
 <( 
 
 (1 
 
 
 10 
 
 Benjamin Soaper . . 
 
 c< 
 
 i( 
 
 (( 
 
 11 
 
 
 11 
 
 Henry CoUins . . . 
 
 <( 
 
 H 
 
 (( 
 
 t( 
 
 
 12 
 
 James H. Allison . . 
 
 " 
 
 I 
 
 i( 
 
 « 
 
 
 13 
 
 James H. Johnston . 
 
 <t 
 
 li 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 
 14 
 
 James B. Turner . . 
 
 M 
 
 i( 
 
 (( 
 
 11 
 
 
 15 
 
 R. D. Willis .... 
 
 (( 
 
 u 
 
 « 
 
 11 
 
 
 16 
 
 Joseph B. Burkitt . . 
 
 « 
 
 K 
 
 i( 
 
 (1 
 
 
 17 
 
 Jas. M. L. Campbell . 
 
 <( 
 
 " 
 
 11 
 
 (1 
 
 
 18 
 
 A. J. Eaton .... 
 
 (( 
 
 (1 
 
 <( 
 
 U 
 
 
 19 
 
 A. J. Gibson .... 
 
 « 
 
 ti 
 
 « 
 
 (( 
 
 
 20 
 
 Finlay Glover . . , 
 
 « 
 
 It 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 
 21 
 
 A. J. Pratt .... 
 
 « 
 
 (1 
 
 <( 
 
 (1 
 
 
 22 
 
 William Rhodes . , 
 
 <( 
 
 <( 
 
 " 
 
 11 
 
 
 23 
 
 John W. Sanders . . 
 
 It 
 
 i( 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 
 24 
 
 G. W. Wilson . . . 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 ti 
 
 " 
 
 t( 
 
 u 
 
 
 1 
 
 R. B. Alexander . . 
 
 Major 
 
 
 Wounded on the 21st 
 
 , severely. 
 
 2 
 
 J. L. Scudder , , . 
 
 1st Lieut. 
 
 
 li 
 
 » 
 
 
 3 
 
 G. H. Nixon . . . 
 
 « 
 
 
 a 
 
 1. 
 
 slightly. 
 
 4 
 
 J. C. Allen .... 
 
 2d Lieut. 
 
 
 (I 
 
 11 
 
 severely. 
 
 1 
 
 F. F. Winston . . . 
 
 Corporal 
 
 B 
 
 «( 
 
 <1 
 
 slightly. 
 
 2 
 
 J. L. Bryant .... 
 
 Private 
 
 i( 
 
 u 
 
 11 
 
 severely. 
 
 3 
 
 Alexander Bigam . . 
 
 « 
 
 ti 
 
 u 
 
 11 
 
 " 
 
 4 
 
 D. G. Fleming , . . 
 
 (( 
 
 « 
 
 « 
 
 (1 
 
 ti 
 
 6 
 
 Mackey Roney , . . 
 
 <( 
 
 (( 
 
 (C 
 
 t( 
 
 Cl 
 
 6 
 
 Samuel Davis . . . 
 
 <( 
 
 " 
 
 (( 
 
 tc 
 
 cc 
 
 7 
 
 James Thompson . . 
 
 u 
 
 i( 
 
 (C 
 
 It 
 
 ic 
 
 8 
 
 David Collins . . . 
 
 " 
 
 K 
 
 cc 
 
 1< 
 
 severely. 
 
 9 
 
 A. S. Duval .... 
 
 l< 
 
 " 
 
 (( 
 
 11 
 
 slightly. 
 
 10 
 
 T. B. Powell . . . 
 
 l< 
 
 11 
 
 (( 
 
 <c 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 Wm. B. Davis . . . 
 
 <( 
 
 c 
 
 (( 
 
 I< 
 
 11 
 
 12 
 
 Joseph Law .... 
 
 (( 
 
 " 
 
 << 
 
 " 
 
 it 
 
 13 
 
 James York .... 
 
 « 
 
 " 
 
 « 
 
 CI 
 
 mortally. 
 
 U 
 
 William Young . . 
 
 <f 
 
 t( 
 
 <( 
 
 cc 
 
 11 
 
 15 
 
 Richard Gifford . . . 
 
 <( 
 
 {1 
 
 (C 
 
 C( 
 
 slightly. 
 
 16 
 
 A. V. Stanfield . . . 
 
 (( 
 
 « 
 
 « 
 
 (( 
 
 11 
 
 17 
 
 Asa Lamb .... 
 
 « 
 
 CI 
 
 IC 
 
 11 
 
 11 
 
 18 
 
 J. J. Argo 
 
 Corporal 
 
 D 
 
 (C 
 
 « 
 
 11 
 
 19 
 
 James Todd .... 
 
 Private 
 
 " 
 
 (( 
 
 « 
 
 severely. 
 
 20 
 
 Thomas Vickens . . 
 
 i( 
 
 4( 
 
 (( 
 
 (( 
 
 11 
 
 21 
 
 W. D. Cabler . . . 
 
 « 
 
 E 
 
 «( 
 
 " since dead. 
 
KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 115 
 
 TENNESSEE REGIMENT— CONTINUED. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 James M. Vance . 
 George W. Gilbert 
 Chas. M. Talley 
 Michael Crantze 
 R. G. Locke . . 
 J. F. Raphile . . 
 Thomas Kelly . 
 Albert 'I'omlinson 
 Julius G. Elliott 
 K. A. Cole . 
 James H. Jenkins 
 A. G. Stewart . 
 Gulinger Holt . 
 James Patterson 
 Charles Arnold 
 J. J. Blackwell . 
 Joseph Crutchfield 
 J. Freeman , . 
 J. D. Gilmer . . 
 P. O. Hale . . 
 Daniel C. King 
 C. B. Maguire . 
 S. S. Reaves . . 
 A. W. Reaves . 
 Augustin Stevens 
 Thomas N. Smith 
 C. B. Ward . . 
 Charles Davis . 
 Robert W. Green 
 Eli Browii . . 
 W. F. Bowen . 
 Peter Eugles . . 
 Robert Flannigan 
 William Lowery 
 S. N. Massy . . 
 
 E. G. Zachary . 
 W. M. Alferd . 
 John H. Kay . 
 
 A. S. Alexander 
 M. C. Abinathy 
 Jesse Brashars . 
 J. M. Bailey . . 
 Campbell G. Boyd 
 
 B. L. Commons 
 J. W. Curtis 
 H. H. Dodson 
 John Gavin . 
 Aaron Parks 
 
 F. Richardson 
 A. O. Richardson 
 Thomas C. Ramsay 
 John Vining . . 
 M. D. Watson . 
 Thomas Thompson 
 
 MISSING. 
 
 Felix Wordzincki . 
 R. R. Morehead . 
 
 RANK. 
 
 1st Serg. 
 Sergeant 
 Private 
 
 Corporal 
 Private 
 
 Sergeant 
 Corporal 
 Private 
 
 1st Serg. 
 Corporal 
 Private 
 
 Corporal 
 Private 
 
 COMP. 
 
 H 
 
 K 
 
 Private 
 
 Wounded on the 21st, severely. 
 
 " «' slightly. 
 
 <i «< " 
 
 " " severely. 
 
 (C (( « 
 
 " " since dead. 
 
 " " severely. 
 
 slightly, 
 severely. 
 
 slightly. 
 
 severely 
 (( 
 
 slightly, 
 severely. 
 
 slightly. 
 
 severely. 
 
 slightly, 
 severely. 
 
 slightly, 
 severely. 
 
 slightly, 
 severely 
 
 slightly. 
 
 severely. 
 
 " 23d 
 
 Missing on 21st,return'd unhurt. 
 Certainly killed in action of 21st. 
 
116 
 
 KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT COLONEL DAVIS. 
 
 No. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 RANK. 
 
 COM?. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 
 KILLED. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 L. M. Troeur . . . 
 
 Private 
 
 C 
 
 Killed on the 21sL 
 
 
 2 
 
 Silas Mitcham . , . 
 
 << 
 
 E 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 Samuel Potts . . . 
 
 « 
 
 G 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 Joseph H. Tenelle . 
 
 (( 
 
 H 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 William H. Grisam . 
 
 Corporal 
 
 I 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 6 
 
 Joseph Heaton . . . 
 
 Private 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 Joseph Dawning . , 
 
 (( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 Daniel D. Dubois . . 
 
 « 
 
 H 
 
 cc 
 
 22d 
 
 
 9 
 
 John M. Tyree . . . 
 
 WOUNDED, 
 
 cc 
 
 K 
 
 cc 
 
 23d 
 
 # 
 
 1 
 
 Alex. K. M'Glung . 
 
 Lieut-col. 
 
 
 Wounded on 21st, 
 
 dangerously. 
 
 2 
 
 R. N. Downing . . 
 
 Captain 
 
 
 cc 
 
 " 
 
 severely. 
 
 3 
 
 Henry T. Cook . 
 
 
 1st Lieut. 
 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 slightly. 
 
 4 
 
 Rufus K. Arthur . 
 
 . 
 
 2d Lieut. 
 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 5 
 
 L.T.Howard . . 
 
 , 
 
 (C 
 
 
 cc 
 
 22d & 23d 
 
 severely. 
 
 1 
 
 Henry H. Miller . 
 
 
 Private 
 
 B 
 
 cc 
 
 21st, 
 
 dangerously. 
 
 2 
 
 J. H. Jackson , . 
 
 ^ 
 
 (( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 " 
 
 3 
 
 A. Lainhart . . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 severely. 
 
 4 
 
 J. L. Anderson . 
 
 
 <( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 slightly. 
 
 5 
 
 G. H. Jones . . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 (t 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 6 
 
 John D. Markham , 
 
 Corporal 
 
 c 
 
 c« 
 
 cc 
 
 severely. 
 
 7 
 
 H. B. Thompson . . 
 
 Private 
 
 (S 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 slightly. 
 
 8 
 
 E. W. Hollingsworth 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 D 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 " 
 
 9 
 
 Dr. G. W. Ramsay . 
 
 Private 
 
 " 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 mortally. 
 
 10 
 
 Alphius Cobb . . . 
 
 <c 
 
 cc 
 
 " 
 
 cc 
 
 dangerously 
 
 11 
 
 George Wills . 
 
 
 (< 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 severely. 
 
 12 
 
 W. Huffman . 
 
 
 <c 
 
 cC 
 
 cc 
 
 C( 
 
 " 
 
 13 
 
 O. W. Jones . . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 14 
 
 William Orr . . 
 
 
 (( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 slightly. 
 
 15 
 
 D. Love . . . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 Cc 
 
 <t 
 
 cc 
 
 16 
 
 Joseph H. Langfor 
 
 d! 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 E 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 17 
 
 A. P. Barnham 
 
 
 Private 
 
 " 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 mortally. 
 
 18 
 
 H. W. Pierce . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 dangerously. 
 
 19 
 
 William Shadt . 
 
 
 <( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 20 
 
 W. H. Fleming 
 
 
 (( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 severely. 
 
 21 
 
 Jacob Frederick 
 
 
 (( 
 
 CI 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 slightly. 
 
 22 
 
 John Coleman . 
 
 
 (t 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 23 
 
 Wm. P. Spencer 
 
 
 « 
 
 cc 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 24 
 
 M. M. Smith . 
 
 
 C( 
 
 cc 
 
 a 
 
 cc 
 
 te 
 
 25 
 
 James Kilvey . 
 
 
 (( 
 
 cc 
 
 C( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 26 
 
 J. Williamson . 
 
 
 <( 
 
 G 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 dangerously. 
 
 27 
 
 A. W. Taig . . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 28 
 
 Warren White . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 severely. 
 
 29 
 
 Robert Bowen . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 (t 
 
 cc 
 
 30 
 
 Frederick Mathew 
 
 3 . 
 
 « 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 (• 
 
 mortally. 
 
 31 
 
 Benj. F. Roberts 
 
 
 (( 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 <c 
 
 slightly. 
 
 32 
 
 Avery Noland . 
 
 
 « 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 33 
 
 Francis A. Wolf 
 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 I 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 dangerously. 
 
 34 
 
 G. F. Cotton . 
 
 
 Private 
 
 cc 
 
 te 
 
 (C 
 
 severely. 
 
 35 
 
 Geo. Williams . 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 36 
 
 Nat Massie . . 
 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 (C 
 
 (C 
 
 slightly. 
 
 37 
 
 WilUam H. Bell 
 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 K 
 
 <c 
 
 <c 
 
 dangerously. 
 
 38 
 
 E. B. Lewis . . 
 
 
 Private 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 <c 
 
 cc 
 
 39 
 
 D. B. Lewis . . 
 
 
 « 
 
 cc 
 
 (t 
 
 fl 
 
 cc 
 
 40 
 
 Charles Martin . 
 
 <( 
 
 cc 
 
 ee 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 41 
 
 James L. Thompson . 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 t( 
 
 <c 
 
 slightly. 
 
 42 
 
 John Stewart . 
 
 
 cc 
 
 (( 
 
 t< 
 
 u 
 
 cc 
 
KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 117 
 
 MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT CONTINUED. 
 
 No. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 RANK. 
 
 COMP. 
 K 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 43 
 
 John McNorris . . . 
 
 Private 
 
 Wounded on 21st, slightly. 
 
 44 
 
 R. W. Chance . . . 
 
 II 
 
 B 
 
 " 22d & 23d, mortally. 
 
 45 
 
 P. W. Johnson . . . 
 
 i< 
 
 C 
 
 " " severely. 
 
 46 
 
 Robert Grigg .... 
 
 t( 
 
 H 
 
 " « slightly. 
 
 47 
 
 Piatt Snedicor . . . 
 
 (( 
 
 K 
 
 " " mortally. 
 
 
 FIRST OHIO REGIMENT 
 
 COLONEL MITCHELL. 
 
 
 No. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 RANK 
 
 COMP. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 
 KILLED. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Mathew Hett , . . 
 
 1st Lieut. 
 
 
 Killed on 
 
 the 2 1 St. 
 
 
 1 
 
 W. G. Davis . . . 
 
 1st Serg. 
 
 B 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 
 2 
 
 D. F. Smith .... 
 
 Private 
 
 >( 
 
 cc 
 
 CI 
 
 
 3 
 
 0. B. Coxe .... 
 
 It 
 
 <( 
 
 C( 
 
 II 
 
 
 4 
 
 Elijah Reese .... 
 
 It 
 
 It 
 
 cc 
 
 II 
 
 
 5 
 
 Thomas McMurray . 
 
 It 
 
 (( 
 
 cc 
 
 l( 
 
 
 6 
 
 W. H. Harris . . . 
 
 Corporal 
 
 1st Rifle 
 
 IC 
 
 CC 
 
 
 7 
 
 Richard Welch . . . 
 
 Private 
 
 A 
 
 CI 
 
 CI 
 
 
 8 
 
 James McCockey . . 
 
 (( 
 
 C 
 
 cc 
 
 II 
 
 
 9 
 
 George Phale . . . 
 
 It 
 
 <( 
 
 CI 
 
 cc 
 
 
 10 
 
 William Weber . . 
 
 t( 
 
 <( 
 
 IC 
 
 CI 
 
 
 11 
 
 John Havolett , . . 
 
 « 
 
 D 
 
 cc 
 
 •1 
 
 
 12 
 
 T. D. Egan .... 
 
 << 
 
 E 
 
 II 
 
 II 
 
 
 13 
 
 Stephen Freeman . . 
 
 <( 
 
 2d Rifle 
 
 It 
 
 II 
 
 
 14 
 
 Oscar Behnee . . . 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 (( 
 
 i( 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 
 
 W. 0. Butler . . . 
 
 Maj. Gen. 
 
 
 Wounde( 
 
 on 21st, 
 
 severely. 
 
 1 
 
 A. M. Mitchell . . . 
 
 Colonel 
 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 severely. 
 
 2 
 
 A. W. Armstrong 
 
 Lt. & Adj. 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 3 
 
 Lewis Morter . . . 
 
 1st Lieut. 
 
 
 CI 
 
 <c 
 
 slightly. 
 
 4 
 
 N. H. Niles .... 
 
 « 
 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 severely 
 
 5 
 
 H. Mc(Jarty .... 
 
 2d Lieut. 
 
 
 II 
 
 II 
 
 slightly. 
 
 6 
 
 James George . . . 
 
 Captain 
 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 1 
 
 Samuel Myers . . . 
 
 Private 
 
 1st Rifle 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 II 
 
 2 
 
 Josiah A. Kellam . . 
 
 <( 
 
 (( 
 
 IC 
 
 II 
 
 Cc 
 
 3 
 
 Edward Wade . . . 
 
 It 
 
 (< 
 
 IC 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 4 
 
 William Maloney . . 
 
 1st Serg. 
 
 A 
 
 CI 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 5 
 
 John Farrell .... 
 
 Private 
 
 " 
 
 II 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 6 
 
 John Clarken . . . 
 
 (( 
 
 « 
 
 II 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 7 
 
 William Work . . . 
 
 «• 
 
 « 
 
 IC 
 
 II 
 
 cc 
 
 8 
 
 Thos. Vande Venter , 
 
 (( 
 
 <c 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 9 
 
 John Flannigan . . 
 
 It 
 
 IC 
 
 IC 
 
 CI 
 
 cc 
 
 10 
 
 Jeremiah Ryan . . . 
 
 <( 
 
 l< 
 
 cc 
 
 CI 
 
 cc 
 
 11 
 
 Michael Gilligan . . 
 
 (( 
 
 « 
 
 It 
 
 IC 
 
 CI 
 
 12 
 
 'I'obias Went . . . 
 
 « 
 
 C 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 It 
 
 13 
 
 Charles Segar . . . 
 
 (( 
 
 IC 
 
 IC 
 
 CI 
 
 It 
 
 14 
 
 Griffin l^owerd . . . 
 
 <c 
 
 D 
 
 <c 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 15 
 
 Alfred Doneghue . . 
 
 (( 
 
 II 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 16 
 
 Joseph Lonibeck . . 
 
 »« 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 17 
 
 Silas Burrill .... 
 
 (C 
 
 CI 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 II 
 
 18 
 
 Willirim Miller . . . 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 E 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 19 
 
 G. W. Fitzhugh . . 
 
 Corporal 
 
 IC 
 
 n 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 20 
 
 Robert Doney . . . 
 
 Private 
 
 II 
 
 IC 
 
 cc 
 
 It 
 
 21 
 
 Adam F. Shane . . 
 
 IC 
 
 G 
 
 <c 
 
 cc 
 
 cc 
 
 22 
 
 John Fletcher . . . 
 
 « 
 
 IC 
 
 K 
 
 cc 
 
 (C 
 
 23 
 
 A. B. McKee . . . 
 
 l< 
 
 IC 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 IC 
 
 24 
 
 George Myer . , . 
 
 Corporal 
 
 H 
 
 u 
 
 H 
 
 M 
 
118 
 
 KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 FIRST OHIO REGIMENT CONTINUED. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 RANK. 
 
 E. J. Spoole • . . . 
 Henry Weber , , . 
 
 Private 
 
 Henry Myer .... 
 George Webster . . 
 George Longfellow . 
 John F. Longley . . 
 John Pearson . . . 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 <c 
 
 Corporal 
 Private 
 
 R. H. Alcott .... 
 
 <( 
 
 Henry Humphries . 
 
 « 
 
 COM P. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 H 
 
 Wounded on 21st, 
 
 slightly. 
 
 11 
 
 
 « 
 
 (t 
 
 
 (C 
 
 2d Rifle 
 
 
 <( 
 
 (( 
 
 
 « 
 
 (( 
 
 
 « 
 
 (C 
 
 
 died since. 
 
 (C 
 
 
 « 
 
 <c 
 
 u a 
 
 u 
 
 FIRST KENTUCKY REGIMENT COLONEL ORMSBY. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 Valentine Deutche 
 Lewis Young . . 
 Joseph Bartlett . . 
 Philip Smith . . . 
 Thomas Alender . 
 
 RANK. COMP 
 
 Private 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 Wounded on the 21st. 
 <( « 
 
 « on the 22d. 
 
 COLONEL HAYS REGIMENT— TEXAS RANGERS. 
 
 No. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 RANK. 
 
 COMP. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 
 KILLED. 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 R. A. Gillaspie . . . 
 
 Captain 
 
 I 
 
 Killed on the 21st 
 
 2 
 
 John M. Fullerton 
 
 
 Corporal 
 
 K 
 
 (( <c 
 
 3 
 
 J. W. D. Austin . 
 
 
 Private 
 
 E 
 
 <C (( 
 
 4 
 
 Daniel McCarty . 
 
 
 <( 
 
 D 
 
 (C « 
 
 5 
 
 Herman S. Thomas 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 
 (C 
 
 A 
 
 (>' « 
 
 1 
 
 .Armstrong . 
 
 
 tc 
 
 <e 
 
 Wounded on 21st, severelj. 
 
 2 
 
 Fielding Alston 
 
 
 
 (C 
 
 (( 
 
 <t (C 
 
 3 
 
 John P. Waters 
 
 
 
 (C 
 
 (C 
 
 « (C 
 
 4 
 
 C. E. De Witt . 
 
 
 
 (C 
 
 it 
 
 (C (C 
 
 5 
 
 Oliver Jenkins 
 
 
 
 
 (C 
 
 « 
 
 " " slightly. 
 
 6 
 
 J. F. Minter . 
 
 
 
 
 (C 
 
 <i 
 
 (( CI (C 
 
 7 
 
 Thomas Law 
 
 
 
 
 « 
 
 <( 
 
 (« a 
 
 8 
 
 John Robb 
 
 
 
 
 « 
 
 C 
 
 <( 'C 
 
 9 
 
 Wm. E. Reese 
 
 
 
 
 Lieut. 
 
 D 
 
 ft ft 
 
 10 
 
 Jes.se Perkins 
 
 
 
 
 Private 
 
 E 
 
 " " 
 
 11 
 
 N. P. Browning 
 
 
 
 (C 
 
 F 
 
 ft ft 
 
 12 
 
 Roundtree 
 
 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 G 
 
 (C ft 
 
 13 
 
 J.B.Walker. . 
 
 
 
 Corporal 
 
 H 
 
 ft ft 
 
 14 
 
 Wm. Corley . . 
 
 
 
 Private 
 
 <( 
 
 " " severely. 
 
 15 
 
 Gilbert Brush . 
 
 
 
 (C 
 
 « 
 
 " " slightly. 
 
 16 
 
 J. B. Barry . . 
 
 
 
 Sergeant 
 
 K 
 
 « « «t 
 
 17 
 
 B. F. Keys . . 
 
 MISSING. 
 
 
 
 Private 
 
 (C 
 
 « « <( 
 
 1 
 
 J. Buchanan . . 
 
 
 
 K 
 
 H 
 
 Missing on the 21st. 
 
 2 
 
 H.P.Lyon . . 
 
 
 
 K 
 
 « 
 
 (C (( 
 
 3 
 
 U. W. Tufts . 
 
 
 
 
 <C 
 
 " 
 
 « K 
 
KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 119 
 
 BALTIMORE BATTALION. 
 
 No. 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 RANK. 
 
 COMP. 
 
 REMARKS. 
 
 
 KILLED. 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 Wm. H. Watson . . 
 
 Lieut-col. 
 
 
 Killed on 
 
 the 21st. 
 
 
 2 
 
 John Trescort . 
 
 
 
 1st Serg. 
 
 B 
 
 
 (( 
 
 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 
 G. A. Herring . 
 Alex. Ramsey . 
 Joseph Warry . 
 Patrick O'Brien 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 
 
 Sergeant 
 Private 
 
 a 
 (I 
 
 F 
 E 
 
 B 
 
 « 
 
 a 
 u 
 u 
 a 
 
 
 1 
 2 
 
 W. P. Poulson 
 Robert Caples . 
 
 
 
 1st Serg. 
 Private 
 
 A 
 
 Wounded on the 21st, slightly. 
 " " severely. 
 
 3 
 
 James Piles . . 
 
 
 
 
 " 
 
 <( 
 
 
 (( 
 
 4 
 
 Albert Hart . . 
 
 
 
 
 « 
 
 (C 
 
 
 <( 
 
 5 
 
 William Lee . . 
 
 
 
 
 (C 
 
 cc 
 
 
 " 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 Jacob Hemming 
 Geo. Aunuld . . 
 
 
 
 
 B 
 
 (( 
 
 
 slightly, 
 severely. 
 
 8 
 
 Chas. Peck . . 
 
 
 
 
 D 
 
 ei 
 
 
 slightly. 
 
 9 
 
 Andrew J. Norris 
 
 
 
 
 « 
 
 ft 
 
 
 a 
 
 10 
 
 Geo.AUen . . . 
 
 
 
 
 E 
 
 a 
 
 
 a 
 
 11 
 12 
 13 
 
 14 
 15 
 
 Jas. Henry . . 
 Harry Elting . 
 Wm. Kelly . . 
 H. GifFord . . . 
 Melvin J. Stone 
 
 
 
 
 F 
 
 (< 
 
 (( 
 ti 
 
 a 
 it 
 
 
 <( 
 ti 
 
 severely, 
 slightly. 
 
 16 
 17 
 
 E. W. Stephenson 
 Wm. P. Alexande 
 
 r 
 
 
 
 A 
 
 
 
 cc 
 
 severely 
 
 COLONEL WOODS REGIMENT TEXAS RANGERS. 
 
 Killed, George Short, Thomas Gregory. 
 
 Wounded, Baker Barton, Chas. G. Davenport, 
 
 " Ira Griggsby, Calvin Reese. 
 
 PH(ENIX COMPANY, LOUISIANA, CAPTAIN BLANCHARD. 
 
 Killed, S. G. Alleng, John Francis. 
 
 Wounded, Louis Kirk, J. W. Miller, 
 
 " W. Burton, M. Morton. 
 
 CAPTAIN shivers' COMPANY TEXAS INFANTRY. 
 
 Kiiixo, James C. Pennington. 
 
CHAPTERIV. 
 
 We will now return to the march of the regiment that was 
 left, at the close of chapter III, in the midst of the beautiful 
 section of country between the Brazos and Colorado rivers, in 
 Texas, on September 24th — so far on the march to the seat 
 of war. 
 
 On the evening of the 24th, the regiment encamped in a 
 valley, and on the side of a long hill, covered with large 
 timber. On the top of this hill was an extensive farm, from 
 which the necessary forage for the night was procured. Wa- 
 ter, furnished by springs, was rather scanty ; but in other 
 respects the encampment was pleasant. Arriving at it early 
 in the afternoon, every soldier had his horse well attended 
 to, and his supper before sunset ; the evening passed away 
 pleasantly. The shade being very thick over us, and the air 
 remarkably clear and calm, many messes chose to spread their 
 blankets in the open air, rather than put up their tents ; the 
 author was of this number; and spreading down his blanket, 
 in company with a young soldier, one of his messmates, 
 promised himself a sweet sleep. His comrade reclined upon 
 the grass, near by, with his clarionette, his constant com- 
 panion on the march, and being quite in the spirit for music, 
 he played and sung for an hour or two ; and when all the 
 lights were out in the valley below, and on the hill, and all 
 had retired, the notes of the clarionette floated gently through 
 the quiet air. He played " The Girl I left behind me," and 
 following with " Sweet Home," at last wound up his concert 
 with " Oh ! no, I '11 never mention him," and then, with a mel- 
 ancholy sigh, he put up his clarionette, and laid down beside 
 
 (120) 
 
A "NORTHER." 121 
 
 him; related a long tale of unrequited love, which, without 
 doubt, was very affecting ; but before he got well into it, his 
 hearer was asleep. 
 
 In an hour or two, we were suddenly awakened by a quick, 
 strong wind, rushing through the trees above us. We sprang 
 up ; instead of the clear starlight, the night was now dark ; 
 the black clouds above were rapidly flying over us, and the 
 strong wind, as it were, in an instant, drove every particle 
 of warm air away, and it became cold and chilly so quick, 
 that the change of feeling occasioned, could only be com- 
 pared to a sudden immersion in cold water. A Texas 
 " Norther" was down upon us ; which we had often heard of, 
 but never before had experienced. It grew colder, and heavy 
 rain descended, and every one out was wet in a moment. It 
 was too late to get the tent then. So immediately we threw 
 our saddlebags against the trunk of the tree ; our saddles 
 on top, and sat down on them together, with our backs 
 against the tree, and our two blankets doubled over our 
 heads, and around us ; but we could not keep warm; we 
 shivered and shook in the cold wind and rain, which beat, in 
 the darkness, on us ; and so we passed the time till daylight, 
 about four hours, which appeared, to us, to be twenty. We 
 were obliged to sit all the time in one position ; and we 
 made many resolutions, to the effect that we, in future, each 
 night, would put up our tents, rain or shine. This " norther " 
 did not last long, being over by sunrise, and the air soon 
 grew warm again. 
 
 September 2bth. Our tin-cups full of coffee, hot as we could 
 drink, with a fine piece of fat pork and a hard piece of 
 pilot bread, as usual, was our breakfast; and much it re- 
 vived us, after our uncomfortable night; and we soon felt 
 as well as though we had slept soundly. Our company be- 
 ing last in line of march this day, we were not hurried in 
 starting; but packed our tents and saddled up at our leisure, 
 while company after company passed along by us ; and 
 when the ninth had filed by, we took the road in rear ; then 
 as advantageous as any part, for the march was short, no 
 dust, and plenty of water. — The same rolling prairie, with 
 
122 MANNER OF " STAMPEDE." 
 
 the same black soil, continued. The swells of land were 
 not so high as before, and consequently the changing views 
 not quite so extensive, though full enough so for beauty and 
 variety. 
 
 At noon, we arrived at the next encampment, on a pretty 
 stream of clear water, one mile east of the town of La 
 Grange, on the Colorado. The encampment was on both 
 sides of the stream, occupying much space, and was conve- 
 nient. Many of the citizens of the town came out to visit 
 us. — We were much interested in the conversation of one, in 
 particular, giving to a dozen of us, laid round in the grass, 
 a history of his frontier life in this country, for the last four- 
 teen years ; — of his part in the battles with the Mexicans at 
 San Antonio, San Jacinto and Lost Prairie ; — his escape from 
 the bloody butchery of Fannin's command, to which he I'^ad 
 belonged ; — his pursuits of, and fights with the Comanche^'^n- 
 dians ; — his description of them, their appearance, hf'''se- 
 manship, customs, and of the character of their country, but 
 a few daj^s' travel to the north and north-west from he '. ; — 
 of their sudden inroads upon the settlements, &c., (Stc.*^' The 
 old soldier and hunter, for he was both, kept groups inter- 
 ested in his relations until near night. He informed us of the 
 manner in which the Indians make a " stampede " to steal 
 horses, and cautioned us to look out at night, now, as we 
 were soon to pass the frontier. 
 
 He stated that the Indians would hang on the distant 
 verge of the horizon, unperceived by the eyes of an unpracticed 
 person, watching the movements of the body. — That late at 
 night, when all was still, they approach the camp, well moun- 
 ted, and with two or three trained horses loose. To these, they 
 attach several dry hides, which rattle ; and bells, and jing- 
 ling pieces of metal, and suddenly start them off at full speed 
 with loud yells, directly into the camp : the coming horses, 
 thus accoutred, their noise and the yells of the Indians, so 
 frighten any other horses, unaccustomed to it, that no com- 
 mon rope can hold them ; but breaking and tearing every 
 thing loose, they rush over men and tents, and following the 
 trained horses, fly in a body out in the prairie, on the oppo- 
 
LA GRANGE. 123 
 
 site direction from that, from whence the alarm originated. 
 On this side, too, are mounted Indians, who receive and in- 
 stantly drive off the herd. Pm*suJt is useless. — He recom- 
 mended to us to be watchful in the prairie wilderness ; to 
 have our guns loaded at night, and our horses near us, and 
 upon any such alarm, quickly to kill the coming horse, before 
 he got into the camp, &c. These Comanches were, a few 
 years back, very troublesome, but now have retreated further 
 from the settlements. A small band of Lipans and Tonka- 
 ways still hunt in this section of country, and have encamped 
 near La Grange during several winters. These, as well as 
 the Comanches, are mostly armed with strong bows and ar- 
 rows ; having, however, some rifles, shot guns and lances. 
 
 Saturday, September 2Qth. The regiment were on the line 
 of march early in the morning, and proceeded on to the town 
 of 1 a Grange. The advance did not stop in town, but pro- 
 ceea ^1 on to the ferry, on the Colorado, three- fourths of a 
 mile down the stream, and immediately commenced crossing. 
 The 'lole day was occupied in the passage of the regiment 
 and V agon train. Four of us, of company G, being detailed, 
 that day, as a guard, we did not go to the ferry till even- 
 ing, but spent the day in town. This is the county-seat 
 of Fayette county, which lies on both sides of the Colorado. 
 The town is well laid out ; its building.s are neat, and a 
 general air of prosperity pervades the place. Population 
 five hundred. A steamboat has been built upon the river, 
 which plies up and down, though the navigation is obstruct- 
 ed completely near its mouth, by a raft of drift timber, some 
 miles in length; though it is said, that the raft can easily be 
 removed. At present the trade of La Grange is done at Hous- 
 ton, one hundred miles to the south-east. At the ferry, the 
 river appeared to be deep, and had a strong current. After 
 the regiment had crossed, we followed on, and, on the other 
 side, rising a long hill, we found the encampment in 
 a grove of timber — a good situation, but too extended, the 
 camp occupying, perhaps, two hundred acres. It was nearly 
 dark when we came up, and the whole were occupied with 
 getting their suppers. Many bright fires, gleamed in rows 
 
124 FINE NATURAL SCENERY. 
 
 on the hills, and cast an indistinct, wavering light far around. 
 Fine grass, tall as wheat, and thick and green, was over the 
 whole ground ; it served our horses well, with the corn they 
 had got. We took care to pitch our tents, and slept undis- 
 turbed. The wind blew a gentle breeze from the north, 
 during the night, and it was quite cool. 
 
 Sunday, September 21th. The regiment, upon leaving the 
 woodland, this morning came out again on the rolling prairie ; 
 and a succession of beautiful views, such as have been before 
 mentioned, followed each other for the whole distance of the 
 march. The wide extent of tall thick grass, spread over the 
 hills and valleys, apparently untrodden by any living being, 
 to leave a step behind. It waved in the wind, and presented 
 a continual appearance of progressing undulations, as the 
 breeze passed over, and gently swept up the hills. — These 
 hills were of larger base than before, but not so high as those 
 between the Brazos and Colorado rivers ; the valleys, too, 
 were more extensive, with continual, long, gentle slopes ; 
 some of them contained from one to two thousand acres, 
 every foot of which was open to the view from the same 
 spot. The soil was the same ; black and fertile, mixed with 
 shells. When in the valley, if you looked around, you saw 
 the long green slopes, on either hand, with romantic groves 
 of live oak trees, without an}^ smaller growth, here and there 
 for miles along the valley. — If you observed the scene from the 
 tops of the swells, the eye was fatigued with the rich succes- 
 sion of vale and hill, of every gently rounded form ; — of groves 
 and open sunny slopes. The moving column of the regiment 
 with the head rising over the hill, the middle winding through 
 the vale, and the rear on the hill again, with the wagons, 
 one by one, closely following in a long line behind, gave an 
 appearance of life and animation to the scene. — These last, 
 showed a pleasing contrast of white covers, in the distance 
 against the green of the prairie. — Not a house or plantation 
 broke the succession of wild luxuriant vegetation. 
 
 This whole lovely country, so fertile, pleasant and salubri- 
 ous, is almost entirely uninhabited. — The advance started 
 up from the road a large herd of deer, which had been 
 
SINGULAR WATER HOLES. 125 
 
 ■quietly grazing there ; permission was given, for a few mo- 
 ments, for any one who wished to chase them, to do so ; and 
 whole companies broke out of the lines at once ; — the remain- 
 der halted. — It was exciting, to see so many, scattered from 
 each other, going at full speed, in all directions, after the 
 dispersed herd ; — over the hills and through the valleys, wind- 
 ing and turning, and yet all in full view, nothing intervening 
 to obstruct the vision. The deer at last, ran far away to the 
 north, and the little dots of pursuing horsemen, growing less 
 and less in the distance, could be seen, until finally, they were 
 lost to the view. — Those nearest came back to the lines, at 
 full speed, and the word was given to move forward. The 
 others came up from time to time along in the day, each one 
 with a deer, or part of one. In chasing that herd, they had 
 started up several more, and all found sport enough. 
 
 In the valleys, we now came to many singular water holes ; 
 some of them fifty yards long, and perhaps thirty wide ; the 
 water was near the surface, and the long grass, and wild 
 flowers bent over to it. From a little distance it looked shal- 
 low ; but none of these holes were less than ten feet deep, 
 and the most about twenty ; the sides were perfectly perpen- 
 dicular for the whole depth ; the water was clear as crystal, 
 so that every fish in them, of which there were thousands, and 
 every pebble on their bottoms, could be seen. Some of these 
 holes were small, not more than eight or ten yards by four or 
 five, but all equally clear and deep. — One of the men dismoun- 
 ted, at one of these, where the train halted to water, and his 
 horse poked his nose through the bending rushes, to drink ; the 
 edge of earth broke away, and he went head foremost to the 
 bottom, about fifteen feet, with all his accoutrements ; much to 
 the annoyance of his rider, and the sport of the rest. — Wc 
 passed a solitary grave, carefully paled in, under the spreading 
 foliage of an ancient live oak, on the prairie, about one-quarter 
 of a mile from the road; some of us rode out to it, but 
 there was no name upon it. We supposed that it was the 
 grave of a man who fell in a skirmish with the Comanches, 
 which had been fought near this place. At 1 P. M. we saw 
 the first house, for the day, and soon encamped near it, on a 
 
126 REPORT OF SICKNESS AHEAD. 
 
 rise of timbered land, overlooking a beautiful meadow, in' 
 which were several of the deep holes of water described. 
 Beyond the meadow the prairie again was spread out. 
 
 Monday, September 28lh. This morning was very cool. — 
 We marched eighteen miles, over the same fine section of 
 country, and encamped at the next house on the road, at, 
 also, another of these water holes. We saw plenty of deer, 
 and some were killed. 
 
 Tuesday, September 29th. We continued our course toward 
 Lavacca bay, the next depot of provisions. On this route, 
 our course was from La Grange about S. S. W., and we were 
 rapidly nearing the sea-coast, and the land, as we proceeded,, 
 became graduall}^ more level ; the soil continued excellent. 
 At noon we crossed the Lavacca river, in the county of the 
 same name. It was now nearly dry, save deep basins along 
 its bed ; this wide, sandy bed of the river shows that it is 
 sometimes quite a large stream. One habitation was here ; 
 the only one we had seen this day. We marched sixteen 
 miles and encamped on a clear deep stream. 
 
 Areport having reached camp that Lavacca was very sickly,, 
 and that there were but one hundred and seventy-five of the 
 Kentucky regiment of cavalry there fit for duty, all the rest be- 
 ing sick, Colonel Thom^as called a council of officers, who 
 solemnly deliberated on the propriety of encamping fifty-five- 
 miles this side, and hauling the supplies from Lavacca, by 
 the train. The whole of this council, and the cause that 
 led to it, Avas a ridiculous farce. One of the members of the 
 regiment, traveling ahead with the forage-master, heard this 
 loose report, and immediately wrote to the colonel ; and he 
 as soon gave his testimony towards its belief, by calling this 
 council to adopt measures concerning it. If the colonel had 
 acted with but half of his usual judgment and good sense,^ 
 he would have put the letter in his pocket and continued the 
 march : and then, when arriving near, if there had been an 
 epidemic or sickness raging, he could have known and acted 
 upon it definitely ; — but as it was, on this most improbable 
 tale, wholly, as it afterward appeared, without foundation,, 
 the regiment, and especially those companies from the moun- 
 
MEXICAN GOURDS. 127 
 
 tains, having a dread of the sea-coast, were thrown into 
 considerable anxiety. The council, having nothing definite 
 upon which to act, dispersed, and the colonel determined to 
 go ahead by himself. He did so, and found the whole a 
 false report. 
 
 Wednesday, September 30th. This was a fine cool morning. 
 We were on the march at an early hour. Captain Porter, 
 being sick, rode in one of the wagons. None of our lieu- 
 tenants being present, and the orderly sergeant sick, the 
 company marched to-day under the command of the second 
 sergeant. The country passed over was fertile, as before, 
 but continually becoming more level, and consequently hav- 
 ing but little variety in scenery. — The sim became hot, and 
 water being scarce on the route, our Mexican gourds came 
 in good use. These gourds were much preferable to can- 
 teens, for carrying water on the march ; for water, in these, 
 would remain cool through the day of the hottest sun ; while 
 in the tin canteen, it became warm and unpleasant to the 
 taste. This coolness of the gourd, is owing to the continual 
 evaporation going on through the shell. They are conveni- 
 ent in shape and size, being mostly in the shape of the fig- 
 ure 8, and holding from one to two quarts. Round the small 
 part of the gourd the strap is fastened, for suspending it to 
 the side or the pommel of the saddle. Every traveler in this 
 portion of Texas, that we met, had one. Most of our men 
 had thrown away their canteens, and obtained one of these 
 gourds. (Some of the regiments in the service w^ere fur- 
 nished with India rubber bags, or canteens, to carry water; 
 but they are liable to the same objections as the tin ones, the 
 water in them becoming warm.) 
 
 At two, P. M., we arrived at the encampment, on a pretty 
 brook of clear water ; the lofty trees on its banks were cov- 
 ered with grape-vines, and the rays of the sun could not 
 penetrate beneath, — neither, at night, could the dew fall be- 
 low. — We let our tents remain in the wagon, and took our 
 resting-places beneath this natural arbor ; and as the night 
 became cool, we built large fires, around which we slept. 
 We had no sentinel, having been relieved from that service 
 
128 CHASE ON THE PRAIRIE. 
 
 since we left Washington, in Arkansas — there being no ne- 
 cessity, as yet, for them; and Colonel Thomas, with a praise- 
 worthy attention to the comfort and health of his men, wish- 
 ing to lighten, as much as possible, their duties and service. 
 
 Thursday, October 1st. Leaving camp early, we passed on 
 over a country fertile, but of a more sandy nature than be- 
 fore ; soil still black, and covered with tall grass ; — no fields 
 or houses along — all uncultivated. Extended spaces of prai- 
 rie, were covered with a species of dwarf sunflower, about 
 four feet high, giving them a bright yellow color. Deer were 
 more numerous than before, and another general chase, like 
 that described a few days previous, took place in the fore- 
 noon. It was a wild scene ; so many horsemen at full speed, 
 in all directions, after the frightened deer ; many near, and 
 many far away. It required but a small stretch of thought 
 to imagine them a tribe of wild Indians in full chase on the 
 prairie. They were very successful in running down and 
 killing the deer. The horses seemed to enjoy the sport, in 
 the cool morning air, as much as the men ; snorting and 
 champing their bits, when held up, eager to be off with the 
 others. Some of the men, carried away with the sport, got 
 so far from the regiment, that they did not come up until 
 long after we had encamped for the night. 
 
 At one, P. M., the advance crossed the road leading from 
 Matagorda, on the south-east, to San Antonio, on the north- 
 west ; and at two, reached the encampment, on a pretty little 
 brook, near to a plantation called North's, in the county of 
 De Witt, one mile east of the Gaudaloupe river ; where was 
 fine grass, and plenty of corn and fodder for our horses, and 
 good beef for ourselves. The cattle, in this section of coun- 
 try, for size and beauty, cannot be excelled in the United 
 States ; and, in fact, from here on, during the campaign, we 
 saw no more of the small, scrubby stock found in the south- 
 ern states, in Arkansas, and the north-eastern part of Texas, 
 
 In the evening, we were agreeably surprised by the sud- 
 den appearance of a member of our company, whom we 
 had left at Memphis. We had given up the idea of ever 
 seeing him again in the campaign. He had come by water, 
 
LANDS ON THE GUADALOUPE. 129 
 
 via New Orleans and Lavacca, and had left that place the 
 day before, on hearing of our approach. — He informed us 
 that the reports we had heard, of the extraordinary sickness 
 of the Kentucky cavalry there, were all false. — He also 
 informed us that another member of our company was 
 there, with letters for the most of us, directly from home. 
 This was in reality good news, for every one was most anx- 
 ious to hear from Tennessee. We became impatient to go 
 on, but two days elapsed before the order so to do came 
 back from Colonel Thomas, then at Victoria, thirty-five miles 
 ahead. 
 
 This intervening time we employed about camp, in obtain- 
 ing information with regard to the country around. — The 
 lands here were almost level ; plenty of timber on the 
 branches and in the bottom of Guadaloupe (pron. War-loop) 
 river. There is no water power, however, save that given 
 by the rapid current of that river, which is said to be of 
 force fully sufficient to drive floating mills, for sawing and 
 grinding. Flat boats have descended this river from Gon- 
 zales, sixty miles above this place, or ninety-five above Vic- 
 toria. 
 
 We fell in with an intelligent old man, who came down to 
 the camp to visit us, who had resided about here for eighteen 
 years, and was originally from St. Louis, in Missouri. He 
 informed us that the lands on the eastern side of the river 
 continued level and fertile to the coast, about sixty miles ; 
 but the timber in that direction, (south), became very scarce; 
 neither was there a sufficient supply of water in that sec- 
 tion ; to the north, along the Guadaloupe, the lands became 
 rolling and high, with excellent soil ; similar in all respects 
 to the rolling prairies through which we had passed, having 
 also upon them a sufficient quantity of good timber. — The 
 climate, he stated, from his own experience and that of other 
 settlers, to be healthy, quite so ; he having had, in a large 
 family, for that long space of eighteen years, only one case 
 of sickness ; — said the soil was first rate for cotton, and as 
 good for corn — sugar-cane growing luxuriantly ; sweet pota- 
 9 
 
130 DAVID CROCKETT'S RIFLE, "BETSY." 
 
 toes also growing to a very large size ; (but that is the case 
 in all sections of Texas). 
 
 For stock farms, he said, the country could not be excel- 
 led ; cattle, horses, sheep and hogs were fat the whole year, 
 with little or no feeding, save the grass of the prairie. — 
 Those of the settlers who raise cotton, ship it to New Or- 
 leans, from Lavacca; and they get their "returns" in three 
 or four weeks. The principal inconvenience is the distance 
 of hauling, being from fifty to seventy miles ; but as the 
 roads are level and hard, with no stone, this is but little 
 trouble, save in the middle of winter ; when, for the last 
 twenty miles, the large prairies towards the coast are almost 
 impassable ; indeed quite so for a loaded team, on account 
 of the deep mud and softness of the soil, when long wxt. — 
 He related many anecdotes of the passage of the Mexican 
 army through this section, and among other things, said that 
 David Crockett's identical old rifle, " Betsy," was at a house 
 in the neighborhood ; — that a few days previous to the storm- 
 ing of the Alamo, and Crockett's death, he had lent it to the 
 " Bee Hunter," who volunteered to carry an express from 
 Colonel Travis, the commander, to the commanders of the 
 other Texan forces ; and thus it was preserved when its 
 owner fell. 
 
 Saturday, October 3d. This morning we were ordered to 
 saddle up and move towards Victoria. This order Ave exe- 
 cuted quickly. A dense fog lay over the surface of the prai- 
 rie, which so remained until about nine o'clock, when it lifted 
 and cleared up. Shortly after the sea breeze arose, and the 
 march of the day was very pleasant. This sea breeze, we 
 were informed, blows here every day, and sometimes it ex- 
 tends much farther to the north ; but this was the first time 
 we had felt it ; — it was invigorating to all. 
 
 At eleven o'clock, at the request of Captain Porter, a 
 couple of us turned off with him, to a house on the bank 
 of the river, to the right as we passed down. The captain 
 was unwell, and wished the comfort of a bed, which there 
 he quickly procured, and falling asleep, did not awake until 
 late in the afternoon. This day passed very agreeably. 
 
ROUGH HOUSE. 131 
 
 This house at which we had stopped, was on the high 
 bank of the Giiadaloupe, some sixty feet or more above its 
 waters. These flowed on below deep, clear, with a remark- 
 able color of sky blue, which is noticed by every one, the 
 first time that this river is seen. The bank was firm and 
 rolling, covered with grass to the water's edge. On the opposite 
 bank was a large growth of timber. In front of the houses, 
 outside the strip of lofty live oaks, under which they were 
 built, the prairie covered with long waving grass spread out 
 level as the sea ; with here and there, at greater or less dis- 
 tance, small clumps of oaks, of an acre or less, each widely 
 separated from the others. They appeared like islands in 
 the calm ocean. — It indeed was a beautiful spot for a residence. 
 The house, however, was very rough; large forks, planted in 
 the ground, were its corner posts. These supported other 
 round timbers, that served as plates ; the roof rested on these ; 
 the sides were of pickets, planted in the ground, and nailed 
 above to the plate ; — the large cracks had loose boards nailed 
 over them, — there were no windows, but the whole of the in- 
 side was lighted by the doors. — The chimneys, at each end, 
 were of the roughest sort of sticks daubed up with clay. 
 There were no floors in the house, save the earth, which had 
 been raised a little above that on the outside, and beaten 
 with continued footsteps smooth. The doors, swung on 
 wooden hinges, were of rude boards nailed together. — But in 
 this habitation were a gentleman and lady, whose manners 
 and polished appearance, fitted them to move in any society. 
 — Neatly and fashionably dressed, — polite and easy in their 
 bearing, they appeared the very reverse from those we ex- 
 pected to see when we rode up. Their children were 
 like them. — Their large, rude shell of a house, was filled 
 with the finest furniture, tastefully arranged, but showing 
 with it the most singular contrast. Rich curtains were 
 so disposed as to hide the rough walls on the back, — while 
 large pier-glasses reflected the objects before them. — A full 
 and select family library was ranged in order, in one of the 
 rooms, on shelves above. — The beds were hung with curtains 
 white and neat ; — every thing of the household was connected 
 
132 PRICE'S CREEK. 
 
 order and regularity. The negro servants were cleanly, and 
 respectful in their demeanor. The houses of these were 
 built in the same rude way as the mansion of their master; 
 and all the other buildings around were in the same style. 
 
 The owner of this place was a planter from Mississippi — 
 had been here a year. We asked him no questions, with re- 
 gard to his rough house, but supposed that on account of the 
 difficulty, as yet, of obtaining here suitable lumber to build 
 good ones, he chose to make the old shanty answer for a 
 time ; for with all its rudeness, it had two good qualities, or 
 rather three ; it was roomy, it was strong, and it was tight 
 and secure against the rain. 
 
 — When the sun was low, we mounted our horses and pro- 
 ceeded on to camp, eight miles, on Price's creek. The march 
 to-day, had been twenty miles. At night several of those 
 who had been left at Little Rock, Washington, and other 
 places, sick, now came up, recovered; many others, how- 
 ever, are yet behind. 
 
 Sunday, October 4th. We left camp at the usual hour. It 
 again comingtothe author's turn to serve on wagon guard, he 
 rode with that for the day. We were so delayed in getting 
 the tents, mess-bags, &c., stowed into the wagon, that all 
 the companies had filed out on the road and proceeded on ; 
 and the bugles were almost out of hearing, before we could 
 start. Every wagon in the train was off, and it seemed as 
 though nothing would work right with us ; and when, at last, 
 we did get off, we were forced to halt again to adjust and fix 
 up the harness of the mules. We passed on through a skirt 
 of timber, and came to the edge of the prairie, now extend- 
 ing to the southward and eastward, a perfect level, without 
 a tree in that direction to relieve the eye. Stretched out on 
 it, in a long serpentine line ahead, were the different compa- 
 nies of the regiment, small in the distance, with the train in 
 the rear. As our company's wagon had six mules to it, while 
 the most had but four, we were enabled to push ahead fas- 
 ter ; and in an hour or two we came up with the rear wagon. 
 We now skirted along, near the bank of the Guadaloupe, on 
 Jthe right. 
 
"HOG-WALLOW" PRAIRIE. 133 
 
 Over that river rose a range of hills, wooded to the tops. 
 These must be pleasant situations for residences ; but, as 
 yet, they are unsettled. The view from them is unimpeded 
 to the east and south, for fifteen or twenty miles. We saw- 
 one " settler," however, along here, — a large black bear ; — 
 he lifted up his head, and for a moment looked at the troops. 
 Several gave chase, and bruin " put out " into the river bot- 
 tom and escaped them. 
 
 The prairie over which we passed, to-da}^ is of the kind 
 called " hog-wallow." It has a wavy surface, like a lake 
 after a strong wind. These waves or ridges are rounding, 
 about a foot in height, and ten or twelve broad, with a sink 
 as wide between them ; — each wave is parallel to the next, 
 or nearly so, though all are curving and somewhat serpentine 
 in their course, and occasionally broken entirely. The un- 
 dulations succeed to each other for hundreds and thousands, 
 and even, in some places, for tens of thousands of acres 
 together. We had never heard this form of surface satis- 
 factorily accounted for. The old Mexican inhabitants of this 
 country have a tradition handed down, which they say is 
 true ; that is, that about one hundred and fifty years since 
 there was a long drought, of several years' continuance, and 
 that the prairies of this black soil parched, cracked or 
 opened in gullies, a foot or two wide, and ten or twelve 
 deep ; — that on the coming of rain again, they gradually filled 
 up, but not entirely — showing the trace of the old chasms, 
 which now are the intervals between the ridges. In corrob- 
 oration of this, they say, that now, even in a common dry 
 spell, that this kind of ground will crack to some depth. — 
 Their account is given for as much as it is worth. One 
 thing is certain : the " hog-wallow " prairies are all of this 
 loose, black soil, and whenever that course of soil is inter- 
 rupted, the " hog-wallow " ceases ; — but, on the other hand, 
 we have passed over large tracts of the same soil, which 
 was not broken by " hog-wallows," though, all of that was 
 on the high, rolling lands. 
 
 — After a pleasant march of fifteen miles, over this prai- 
 rie, we came to our encampment. This march was ren- 
 
134 COMANCHE DEPREDATIONS. 
 
 dered pleasant by the sea breeze now becoming stronger, as 
 we approach the gulf of Mexico. The place of encamp- 
 ment was on a clear brook, with a skirt of timber along its 
 bank ; — being four miles north of the town of Victoria. — 
 A little settlement, of five families, was made on this creek 
 in 1837 ; but the Comanche Indians came down here sud- 
 denly, and found them unprepared for attack; and every soul 
 Avas killed. 
 
 The Indians encamped on this ground, and the next 
 morning proceeded to the little flourishing town of Linn- 
 ville, ten miles to the south-east ; and, making a sudden 
 and fm-ious attack, captured the place — killed the men, 
 and carried many of the women and children away as pris- 
 oners ; others, they killed on the spot. They robbed the 
 stores and burnt the place ; — they threatened Victoria, but 
 made no attack. On their return, they were met by a force 
 of Texans, and a severe battle took place, in which the In- 
 dians were worsted, but made good their retreat to their na- 
 tive mountains. This tribe is powerful and warlike, nmnber- 
 ing, it is said, near thirty thousand warriors. 
 
 Moiiday, October 5th. This day's march was pleasant, 
 though we endured some inconvenience for want of water ; 
 the scenery was extensive, but presented the same view con- 
 tinually, of level prairie, as far as the vision could reach, 
 with no object to break the distant line of horizon around. 
 Company G was on the march at an early hour, being, by 
 order, the first company in line, to-day ; but early as we 
 were, Captain Gillaspie's company had given us the slip, by 
 silently, before day, taking up the march, in order to obtain 
 the best encampment : for the regiment was to remain en- 
 camped near Port Lavacca for several days ; and we had al- 
 ready understood that there was but little shade there. 
 
 We passed through the town of Victoria by sunrise. — The 
 sound of our bugles waked up the inhabitants, who came to 
 the doors and windows, to look at us, in numbers. — The place 
 had not a very flourishing appearance. There were several 
 stores, two or three taverns, court-house, jail, and mechan- 
 ics' shops of various kinds. It seemed as though a little bu- 
 
VICTORIA. 135 
 
 siness was here carried on. The town is situated near the 
 Guadaloupe river, which the inhabitants hope will prove 
 navigable for steamboats, as far up as that place. There is 
 a printing office here, and a M'eekly paper issued. All the 
 communication of the town with the sea coast, is done 
 through Port Lavacca, which is situated thirty miles to the 
 south-east, on Lavacca bay ; this distance is all over a level 
 prairie. In the spring, summer and fall, it is an excellent 
 road — one of the best that can be imagined ; — in the winter 
 it is the very worst ; the mud renders it almost impassable. 
 It is all of the " hog-wallow " prairie, and very little timber 
 on its whole extent. — We did not halt in the tovi^n, but 
 changing our course to the south-east, moved towards La- 
 vacca. 
 
 About nine o'clock, it became exceedingly hot on the prai- 
 rie, but at ten the sea breeze rose, and gradually in- 
 creased till towards evening ; rendering the traveling pleas- 
 ant, though the continual passing over the ridges of the " hog- 
 wallow " — up and down, up and down — was not, in itself, 
 agreeable. 
 
 The want of water being severely felt by many, a sergeant, 
 with one or two men, M'as dispatched towards a skirt of tim- 
 ber that appeared to our left, to find some, if possible ; they 
 returned and reported that water had been there, but that 
 there was none now. Shortly afterward, we met a long 
 train of new wagons, all alike, and each drawn by three 
 yoke of oxen, proceeding to San Antonio with government 
 stores, for the use of the troops there. These were in view 
 for several miles, before we met them, and on coming up, 
 many of the men procured from the teamsters a drink of 
 water from their large Mexican gourds ; we were told that 
 four miles further, there was plenty of it. 
 
 These four miles we passed over quickly, and came to 
 Placedor's creek, a pretty brook, that wound along in a ra- 
 vine in the prairie ; its bank covered with tall live oaks, hung 
 with Spanish moss ; — several large springs, too, were near 
 the creek. There was a splendid situation for a camp, along 
 under the oaks on the bank, in its winding course, while be- 
 
136 CAMP PLACEDOR. 
 
 fore, in the rear, and on each side, the wide prairies spread 
 out, — an extent of waving green, across which, unobstructed, 
 the gulf breeze came, cooling and refreshing. 
 
 The different companies came in one after another, and 
 took their places up and down, for two miles. The colonel's 
 marquee was pitched on the top of the long rise, extending 
 from the creek below, up to the level of the prairie. — 
 Corn and oats had been hauled out from Lavacca, twelve 
 miles to this camp ; and our horses having been well fed, 
 we hastened to meet our comrades, who had come round by 
 ^vater. The meeting was pleasant, and rendered more so 
 by the delivery of the number of letters they had brought, 
 by which so many were enabled to hear from home and 
 friends. 
 
 A large circle of men were seated about, in the grass, al- 
 most hid by it, reading attentively. — After strolling round 
 over the prairie, we returned, each one to his line of tents ; 
 and busy preparations were made in clearing away places 
 for these tents and the horses, for the anticipated stay of a 
 week or two. — The camp was called Camp Irwin, but went 
 more generally by the name of Camp Placedor, from the 
 creek ; — named after an old Indian chief, of the Tonkavvay 
 tribe, still living, and well known in this part of Texas. 
 
 Towards evening, we were surprised to see a body of 
 troops in the distance, coming over the prairie to the east, 
 toward us. When they came up, we found that they were 
 three companies of the Kentucky cavalry, who were just re- 
 newing the march for the Rio Grande ; they encamped with 
 us for the night. — The remainder would follow in a day or 
 two. — The regiment had been divided on account of the 
 scarcity of water ahead. — Their camp, from which these 
 came, was about ten miles below this. That regiment first 
 encamped here, and then moved there to be nearer Port 
 Lavacca. 
 
 — We remained at this encampment until the 16th instant, 
 repairing wagons, shoeing horses, and taking in stores, at 
 Lavacca, for the next march through the prairie wilderness, 
 and salt marshy desert ; — a distance of about three hundred 
 
PORT LAVACCA. 137 
 
 miles to the Rio Grande. During this time the regiment 
 were in a continual course, each day, of drilling and parad- 
 ing — improving in the discipline of soldiers, which, as yet, 
 we had had but little opportunity of doing, while on the 
 march. — We made frequent visits, however, to the bay, and 
 to the town of Lavacca, to enjoy the sea air and salt water 
 bathing. 
 
 — Port Lavacca occupies a position on the western side of 
 Lavacca bay, thirty-five miles from the pass which connects 
 the bay with the gulf of Mexico. The land upon which the 
 town is placed is level, being the termination of the prairie, 
 which extends uninterruptedly far into the interior. No 
 stream of water runs nearer to port Lavacca than Placedor's 
 creek, ten miles ; save a little dirty brook, which runs within 
 four miles, called Chocolate bayou. This is unfortunate for 
 the place, for no fresh water can be procured by digging. 
 Cistern water is used, save that brought from Chocolate ba- 
 you. It is probable, however, that at the distance of a mile 
 or two from town fresh water might be got, by digging. 
 
 The bay here, is wide, but shallow. No vessel drawing 
 more than seven feet, can come up to the place ; and then 
 is obliged to lie about a third of a mile from the shore ; 
 part of this distance is passed over b}^ long wooden piers. 
 The town, or village rather, is about fifteen or twenty feet 
 above the level of the water, and contains thirty or forty 
 houses, some half dozen stores, and several large warehouses. 
 For the size of the place, there is much business done here. 
 Notwithstanding its shallow harbor, its want of water, 
 and the total absence of timber in the neighborhood, it must 
 do the external trading of the counties of Victoria, De "Witt, 
 Lavacca, Bexar, Gonzales, and parts of others, for the rea- 
 son that, poor as is the situation for a town, there is, on this 
 part of the coast, no better one, nor any as good. The fine 
 lands of the interior of western Texas will be settled, and 
 their trade must concentrate here. 
 
 There is still another disadvantage of this place, w'hich 
 has before been alluded to ; — that is, the muddy nature of 
 the wide prairie around it, in the winter ; of which thirty 
 
138 PORT LAVACCA. 
 
 miles must be crossed to get to the place in any direction ; 
 but all these difficulties will be obviated, in some way or 
 other, for Lavacca must be a place of trade. The health of 
 the town itself is said, by those who have lived there, to be 
 good ; and, judging from appearances, one would think that 
 the strong sea breeze, that blows every day fresh from the 
 gulf, would prevent the accumulation of any miasma ; but 
 there are no local causes for that, for on one side is the gulf, 
 and on the other the vast prairie. Decaying timber is out 
 of the question, for wood, even for fuel, cannot be procured ; 
 and every stick of building timber must be brought from 
 New Orleans, Mobile, or other ports. 
 
 The Dutch emigrants, who had been arriving here in im- 
 mense numbers, and departing to their colony on the head 
 waters of the Guadaloupe, had, many of them, died ; but that 
 ^vas owing to their sudden change of habits — from those of a 
 long sea voyage, — living upon salt provisions — to the expo- 
 sure to the hot sun of the prairies, and a change to fresh 
 beef, of which, we were told, they ate on their first arrival, with 
 great gluttony. — This will account for the extensive sickness 
 among them. 
 
 When we were at Port Lavacca, it was a busy place, for 
 beside the arrival and departure of emigrants, the 1st and 
 2d regiments of Illinois infantry, under colonels Hardin and 
 Bissel, had landed there, together with a battalion of regular 
 infantry, another of dragoons, and a battery of artillery. — 
 These had all marched from this place to San Antonio, where, 
 joined by the Arkansas cavalry. Col. Yell, the whole, num- 
 bering about 3,000 men, made up the army of Gen. Wool. 
 
 All the stores of provision, ammunition, and other things 
 necessary for the support of such an army, in the long march 
 over a perfect wilderness of hundreds of miles, which they 
 were to perform, had to be landed and stored here, and trans- 
 ported by land from this to San Antonio; and hundreds of 
 teams were, for between two and three months, all busy in 
 making trips back and forth between the two places. 
 Beside this, the Kentucky cavalry and our own regiment, had 
 been ordered here, and large amounts of stores had been sent 
 
PORT LAVACCA. 139 
 
 for our use. The freight of the vast amount of stores re- 
 quired, gave employment to many sail vessels and steam- 
 boats — the storage and buildings necessary for these at La- 
 vacca, gave employment to hundreds of laborers, — and the 
 hauling of these stores and ammunition, &c., to San Anto- 
 nio, one hundred and sixty miles, to hundreds of teams. — 
 Teams came here to haul from middle and eastern Texas. 
 
 All this going on, rendered the little town of Lavacca as 
 busy a place as could be anywhere found. — Steamboats 
 were puffing in the bay, arriving and departing ; — vessels 
 were discharging, into smaller boats, their various cargoes ; 
 — on the bluff, before the village, were large piles of wagon- 
 bodies, — of wheels, of bow^s, of axletrees, &c.; — many me- 
 chanics were engaged in placing them together, and these 
 of every kind found plenty of work, and good pay. — Govern- 
 ment warehouses were crowded with vast quantities of corn, 
 oats, flour, bread, &c., — ship loads upon ship loads of them. — 
 Every house, every square foot of sheltered room in the place 
 was occupied by some one engaged at something. The 
 large number of men in the quartermaster's department, 
 were not able to obtain lodging in the town, but lived very 
 snugly in a long row of marquees, with plank floors, situated 
 on the very edge of the bluff, where their inmates could in- 
 hale the fresh sea breeze just as it left the salt water, which 
 was dashing against the shore beneath, with a continual 
 noise. Many gamblers always are to be found about an 
 army, and they were M'ell represented in number, as well 
 as in black-leg skill, at this place. 
 
 Taking into account the whole, officers, merchants, sol- 
 diers, teamsters, mechanics, draymen, laborers, sailors, oys- 
 termen, citizens, emigrants, aud gamblers, in all their opera- 
 tions, in such numbers, and in such a small compass, Port 
 Lavacca, at that time, was the most busy, crowded place we 
 had seen. It was interesting to take a seat in the portico of 
 one of the houses on the street, (for there is but one street in 
 the place), facing the water, and observe the activity with 
 which everything on the shore, and the vessels, went on ; — 
 to see the boats going and returning from these vessels with 
 
140 EMIGRANTS. 
 
 sacks of corn, or barrels of bread, and landing them, in large- 
 piles, on the pier, from whence they were taken, by scores of 
 laborers, and placed in larger piles on the bank ; — so large 
 were these already, that a dozen of ship loads would not 
 make one ; — while other vessels were throwing overboard 
 horses and mules, who were swimming to the shore, and were 
 conducted to the horse-yard, to join the multitude already 
 there ; and all things else going on with an equal degree of 
 briskness ; for the description of which there is no more op- 
 portunity, more space having been given to this little town 
 than was intended; — suffice it to say, that of all classes of peo- 
 ple here collected, the emigrants made out the worst. Many 
 of them, becoming sick by gorging themselves with fresh beef, 
 oysters, &c., were left by their companions to get along the 
 best way they could ; and that was badly enough, since not 
 a few perished, like dogs, without attention. One was 
 dying, when we first went in, in the street, in a wagon-body, 
 where, on a little straw, he had lain for several days, exposed 
 to myriads of green flies, which covered him ; and the living 
 worms, their offspring, in countless numbers were eating and 
 working into his flesh, even while the life was in him, and 
 the power of speech had not left him. In feeling, compas- 
 sion, or assistance to one another, the citizens informed us 
 that the emigrants that had arrived, were about alike ; — that 
 this man, perishing amid the crowd of his companions, uncared 
 for, unassisted, was but one case among many, that were 
 happening continually. 
 
 During the ten days that the regiment remained at camp, 
 most of the men who had been left sick at various places 
 along, back on the route, came up ; but one died where left, 
 Marsh, of Lenow's company ; — some were yet behind, who 
 were very sick, and who did not come up for sometime after 
 this. 
 
 In a regiment as large as ours, of course, we had men of 
 all grades of character and disposition ; and although nineteen-- 
 twentieths, we had almost said, ninety-nine hundredths of the 
 number, were men of determination and patriotism, who had 
 volunteered to serve their country, and who never felt like' 
 
FEIGNING SICKNESS. 141 
 
 ■flinching from duty, yet there were some few, who were tired 
 of the hardships of the life we led, from day to day, and 
 who most earnestly wished to return home, and cursed them- 
 selves for ever leaving their firesides. There was no 
 chance for them, now, to help themselves. 
 
 A number of the men, who, by sickness long continued, 
 had become utterly unfit to perform their duties as soldiers, 
 were, at this camp, discharged, and sent to New Orleans, on 
 their way home. Some of these got well, on their return ; 
 some died during the passage, or shortly after they arrived 
 at their native places. Now, when these sick ones were 
 discharged, it was amusing to see those others, first spoken 
 of, endeavoring to appear sick ; — talking low, with short 
 coughs, and groans, and dismal complaints of chronic affea- 
 tions of the liver, head, &c.; refusing to eat but little ; and say- 
 ing continually, to each one they met, "that they felt so 
 badly." This was sport to the surgeons, who examined them, 
 when they applied, and told them that they were sick truly, 
 but that they could cure them better in the camp than by 
 sending them home ; and directed them to take a cup of 
 cold water, three times a day, or other such prescriptions ; — 
 which commonly cured them, for nothing was heard of their 
 sickness afterward. 
 
 One of the men of another company than our own, in 
 speaking of this, read, fz-om a letter that he had received, of 
 
 Mr. , who came to Memphis with that company, and was 
 
 there discharged on a plea of bad health, but whose real mo- 
 tive was to return and marry a beautiful girl, who had en- 
 gaged herself to him before his departure ; and who, while 
 much grieved at the separation, yet was proud to see him 
 xjome out at the call of his country ; — she had, with a fall 
 heart, bade him" God speed," and hoped for his soon and hon 
 orable return. — She was astonished to see him back so soon, 
 and upon hearing his motive, indignantly refused to have 
 anything farther to do with him. — Served him right. 
 
 For two weeks before this time, we had had much more 
 sickness in camp than before, and in the ten days we lay 
 .-here, we buried four men, three soldiers, J. R. Haynes, 
 
142 BATTALIONS. 
 
 McCorkle, Waddel,one teamster, and Page. The 
 
 dead were buried in a lovely spot, on the rise of the green 
 prairie, under the boughs of a large live-oak, whose heavy 
 branches were covered with the long moss, that drooped in 
 mournful festoons over their graves. 
 
 Thursdoy, October IJjth. This morning we were ordered to 
 strike tents and saddle up ; an order quickly performed. 
 We were soon in line, and with the whole regiment drawn 
 out on the plain. The five companies commanded by cap- 
 tains Caswell, Lenow, Porter, Haynes, and Newman, being 
 all armed with carbines, swords and holster pistols, were 
 constituted the first battalion, under the immediate com- 
 mand of Lieutenant-colonel Allison ; — the other five, under 
 ^ captains Gillaspie, Cooper, Evans, Marshall, and Goodnow, 
 armed with rifles, were formed into the second battalion, un- 
 der Major Waterhouse ; and as we were approaching the 
 enemy's country, an order was made for the regulation of the 
 future marches ; directing that they should be continually by 
 battalions, and no longer, as before, by single companies ; 
 the two battalions taking turns in advance, day by day, and 
 preserving, in the march, the distance of a mile between 
 them. 
 
 In this order we took the road back for Victoria, through 
 which we had come, having there turned off from the gen- 
 eral course. The rear of the Kentucky cavalry left the 
 town just before our advance arrived. We passed through 
 the place to the Guadaloupe river, one-fourth of a mile be- 
 yond ; and the first battalion immediately commenced cross- 
 ing in the ferry-boat, twelve at a time, and encamping on the 
 western bank, getting over by dark ; the second battalion 
 halted and encamped on the eastern side of the river, to 
 cross in the morning. 
 
 The evening being pleasant and calm, but little attention 
 Avas paid to pinning the tents firmly down ; — all laid down 
 to pleasantasleep, — but were quickly aroused in the night, 
 by the rude visit of another " norther," that came sweeping 
 down, as some of the boys said, "but-end foremost," giving 
 no warning. The lines of tents fell before it in an in- 
 
TARANTULA. 143 
 
 stant, and their inmates, shivering in the cold blast, were 
 out, thick as bees, getting them np again, and pinning them 
 securely. After this was done, every one, as quickly as pos- 
 sible, put on all the clothing they could carry, and, wrapping 
 themselves up in their blankets, endeavored to sleep again ; 
 but it was of not much use, — the cold wind was so strong, 
 and the change had been so sudden, that no one could be 
 comfortable, and there was not much sleep the remainder of 
 the night. 
 
 Friday, October IGth. This morning, the first battalion re- 
 mained in camp, while the second commenced coming over 
 the river, and after them the wagon train. This passage 
 consumed the entire day. Some few more sick were sent 
 back to Lavacca, to go around to the Rio Grande by water, 
 not being judged, by the surgeon, to be able to stand the 
 march through the wilderness. Many were so sent from 
 Camp Placedor ; the commander of our company. Captain 
 Porter, was of this number, and the company marched to the 
 Rio Grande under the command of the first lieutenant. This 
 day was cold, the norther still blowing, but more gently. 
 
 One of the company caught a tarantula, and much atten- 
 tion was given to his examination, by the men, although we 
 had seen them, occasionally, during the march of two or 
 three hundred miles back ; though none so large as this one. 
 
 Imagine, reader, a large spider, with a body as large as 
 half a hen's egg, and not much unlike that, in shape ; this 
 connected, at the larger part, with the head, by a more slen- 
 der middle, which, however, is very short, so much so, that 
 the head, which is nearly as large as the body, apparently, 
 at first view, joins it all around, — this head blunt and square, 
 as it were, down in front ; — in the middle of this face is the 
 mouth, running up and down from the bottom to the top, — 
 large eyes, and body and head covered with a sort of bris- 
 tles ; — and then, in all his ugliness, you have before you the 
 tarantula, the king of the spider tribe. The bite of these is 
 highly poisonous, often producing death. 
 
 Another sort of "varmint" we came across occasionally, 
 almost as hideous looking as the tarantula, but very differ- 
 
144 CENTIPEDES— SCORPIONS. 
 
 ent in form, is the " centipede," or " sante fe," as the men 
 called them. These reptiles are about six or eight inches long, 
 composed of joints of a half inch in length; they are from 
 one-half to three-fom-ths of an inch wide, and flat, or nearly 
 so, on the back and belly ; the joints are hard, and have 
 short, pointed legs at each corner of them, about twenty-five 
 or thirty on each side ; — they are mingled in color, one joint 
 being reddish, the next yellowish; — their jaws, or hooks, 
 with which they bite, are, in appearance, like those of a bee- 
 tle or " bess-bug," but large, strong, and sharp, taking large 
 splinters out of any stick held towards them. 
 
 Besides these, another beauty often forces himself into our 
 company, though when we see him, he is sure to meet with 
 a " warm reception ; " it is the scorpion ; (a species of lizard 
 is, in the southern States, called by this name, but this rep- 
 tile is entirely of another stripe) ; — it does not bite, but car- 
 ries its sting in the end of its tail, which, composed of joints, 
 is rolled up on its back. It has two claws in front, which 
 are large, and give its body the appearance of a craw-fish, 
 and it is about the size of one. When it stings, it faces its 
 object, and brings its tail in a half circle over its back and head. 
 — The sting is very poisonous, always making an adult very 
 sick, and sometimes producing death ; — for a child, it is said, 
 the sting is extremely dangerous. 
 
 At sunset all the battalion was over the river, and most of 
 the train, only a few wagons to cross in the morning. We 
 were surprised to see coming into camp, from the west- 
 ward, a sergeant and five regular dragoons ; — they bore a 
 dispatch from General Taylor to Colonel Thomas. What 
 could be the import of it ? was, in a few moments, the only 
 question asked. Great was the curiositj'^ manifested among 
 officers and men, to know General Taylor's intentions with re- 
 gard to us. Many groups commenced giving their opinions 
 upon, and discussing the subject. Some were loudly declar- 
 ing that there was no need of our service, — that the war was 
 about closed, and that the order was for us to be disbanded ; 
 and this opinion they wished to back by bets. Others equally 
 wise, contradicted the first, declaring as loudly that the war 
 
DISPATCH FROM GENERAL TAYLOR. 145 
 
 was not closed, and that the order was for us to make a 
 forced march, immediately, to join General Taylor, — and of- 
 fered to take up the bets of the first. — Some of the officers 
 were taking different sides, with regard to the matter, while 
 the more sensible were willing to wait and find out the truth, 
 before advancing an opinion ; — the wiser way ; for then they 
 would not have to v/ithdraw an opinion expressed. 
 
 After about three hours' suspense, the dispatch not requir- 
 ing secrecy, the colonel made its contents known, much to 
 the relief of the wondering. They were these : — in the first 
 place, an order to turn from the road to Camargo, and take 
 the one for Matamoras, as the plan of the campaign had been 
 altered, and proceed tov^'^ards that place with reasonable 
 speed ; and secondly, to take all care with the horses of the 
 regiment; keeping them in order, as much as possible, du- 
 ring the march through the wilderness prairie before us ; as 
 shortly after our arrival at the latter place, we might calcu- 
 late on being ordered upon active service. — This was the 
 sum and substance of the dispatch. 
 
 The escort that brought it, also brought one, partly of the 
 same tenor, to Colonel Marshall, of the Kentucky cavalry, 
 now ahead ; differing in this, that they were ordered to pur- 
 sue the road to Camargo. Thus, the two regiments were 
 separated, and never were together again during the cam- 
 paign; (the ultimate effect, with regard to us, was, that we 
 passed to the south of Mexico, under General Scott — to 
 them, that they were retained in the valley of the Rio 
 Grande, under General Taylor.) 
 
 Saturday, October 17th. We left the camp at Guadaloupe, at 
 an early hour. We marched over a pleasant country, but 
 rather scarce of timber, and at noon encamped on a clear, 
 rapid stream, called the Colette. The air had been blowing 
 from the north for the whole day, and it had been quite cool; 
 — large numbers of swallows, driven to more southern climes 
 by the cold now coming on at the north, come flitting by us, 
 on their long journey; the air was filled with them, and they 
 appeared to us like old acquaintances, reminding us of home. 
 Many large flocks of geese were flying over : and above them^ 
 10 
 
146 COLONEL FANNIN'S INTRENCHMENTS. 
 
 the larger ones of cranes, each one of which, in the two con- 
 verging lines of every flock, seemed trying to outdo his fel- 
 lows in squalling and squalling ; — and with the whole, they 
 kept up a continual noise, that brought upon them, from the 
 camp, the discharge of many rifles and carbines, and was the 
 original cause of the transfer of many of their fat bodies, 
 from the height of air, in which they had been exercising 
 their vocal powers, to a more contracted situation in our 
 camp-kettles, over the fires; — a change however, very grati- 
 fying to us. — The wind from the north continued to blow 
 quite cold, during the night, but having become more accus- 
 tomed to it, it affected us but little, and we slept soundly. — 
 Here we remained the next day, the 18th. 
 
 Monday, October 19ih. This morning was quite cold. We 
 were a little later than usual, in commencing the march of 
 the day, — which delay was caused by our not being accustomed 
 to march by battalion. We were on the road by seven 
 o'clock. — Our march this day, was over a pretty undulating 
 prairie, interspersed with large tracts perfectly level. After 
 marching eight miles, we came to the level prairie, called in 
 distinction the " Lost prairie." Another two miles brought 
 us to the intrenchments, made by Colonel Fannin's com- 
 mand of about 240 men, which they had thrown up to de- 
 fend themselves against the attack of the Mexican General 
 Urrea, with a large force of cavalry and infantry, and in 
 which intrenchments he surrendered his command as prison- 
 ers of war to the Mexican force, on Sunday morning, March 
 20, 1836. This intrenchment, we afterward learned, was cut 
 in the prairie on Saturday night, after fighting nearly the 
 whole day previous. They, being surrounded, cut this with 
 their bowie-knives, and scooped out the ditch around an area 
 of perhaps a half acre ; which ditch was large enough to 
 shield them from the balls of the Mexican force ; — but they 
 had no water, and could get to none. Liberal terms being 
 offered them, in writing, by General Urrea, they accepted 
 them, and were marched back to Goliad, (from which place 
 they were endeavoring to make a retreat). 
 
 After looking at the last intrenchment of the unfortunate 
 
SAIif ANTONIO RIVER. 147 
 
 Fannin, and his brave associates, we continued our march 
 towards Goliad ; which was at the distance of six or 
 seven miles. We soon passed over the prairie, the scene of 
 the battle between Urrea and Fannin, and came to the roll- 
 ing lands again ; which were covered with a low growth of 
 nopal or prickly pear. We came in view of the ruins of the 
 old mission of Bahia, on our left ; and shortly after passing 
 one small grocery, and one farm house, the last habitations 
 for some distance now, we came to the San Antonio river, a 
 pretty stream, like the Guadaloupe, of blueish water, and en- 
 camped on its bank, at two P. M., opposite to the ruins of 
 the old town of Goliad ; — the encampment was pleasant, — 
 fine grass, and corn abundant ; which we were glad to see, for 
 it was to be our last supply. — His horse being sick, the author 
 went to the plantation, about half a mile, to endeavor to ob- 
 tain some articles recommended, in such cases, to relieve 
 him ; for now he was his only chance, and he appeared 
 about to die. At this place, however, he was fortunate to 
 meet Mr. Owens, at that time the farrier of the company ; 
 and he, taking the sick horse, in half an hour, to his great 
 satisfaction, relieved him completely. 
 
 Entering, then, into a conversation with the old gentleman 
 of the house, we obtained much information with regard to 
 this section of country. He described the soil as being, 
 what it appeared, very fertile ; — the health of the country 
 good, and its communications with the coast easy. The 
 greatest objection to it was the want of rain. He described 
 it as settled at wide intervals, along the eastern side of this 
 river, the San Antonio ; but no settlements on the other, — 
 the boundless prairie stretching out without an inhabitant. 
 — Here, too, we fell in company with Judge Hunter, who was 
 one of Fannin's command, and who escaped the massacre by 
 almost a miracle. 
 
 After spending two hours agreeably here, and the horse 
 being entirely recovered, we walked back to the encamp- 
 ment ; now with its tents all pitched, horses picketed, and 
 fires burning. As it was yet early in the afternoon, many 
 of us left the camp, and, crossing the river, ascended the 
 
148 RUINS OF GOLIAD. 
 
 long slope, and proceeded to the ruins of Goliad : we passed 
 away two hours, in walking through the ruined streets and 
 squares, examining the old fortifications, &c., before we 
 thought of returning. — The setting sun reminded us of the 
 lapse of time, and we reluctantly started back ; determining 
 if possible, to pay the ruins another visit in the morning. 
 We fed our horses well, knowing that the corn now given 
 them would be the last they would get for many days. 
 After sitting up late, — for the day's march had been so light 
 that no one was fatigued — we retired to rest. On this even- 
 ing, the first regular regimental guard of sentinels, throughout 
 the night, was set; for we were now on the very edge, if it 
 could be so expressed, of the frontier ; and this river might 
 properly be said to be the south-western boundary of the 
 settlements of the republic of the United States. A long 
 distance, truly, from this to the opposite one on the north- 
 east. 
 
 Tuesday, October 20th. This morning, the Colonel issued 
 an order that no man should cross the river, until the wagon 
 train was all over ; the ford being difficult, and the banks 
 high, steep, and slippery ; so that there was a disappoint- 
 ment, with regard to those of us who had laid off a visit to 
 the ruins of Goliad ; — but shortly after, a wagon upset, in 
 going up the opposite bank ; and Lieutenant-colonel Allison 
 sent over for a detail of two men, from each company, to come 
 over to get it up, — and, as good fortune would have it, the 
 author was ordered to cross, which he did, taking all his 
 arms and accoutrements with him so as not to be compelled 
 to return. 
 
 When we had got over, it took but a few moments to get 
 the wagon up, and reload it ; and then, being free for several 
 hours, we went on to the ruins ; which, judging from the 
 continued howling that came from their dreary recesses, last 
 night, now was the den of numberless wolves. — We had 
 been annoyed, by these, every night, for some time back, but 
 on the last night especially ; a little before day, the ruins, and 
 the prairie all around us, seemed alive with them, making a 
 most doleful noise. — Arriving on the spot, we examined the 
 
RUINS OF GOLIAD. 149 
 
 whole at our leisure, knowing that it would take the whole 
 day for the train and troops to cross the river. — From an ele- 
 vated point in front, on the western part of the ruins,the au- 
 thor sketched the old church of the place, in which Fannin's 
 men were confined, — and of the fortification around it ; in- 
 cluding a glimpse of the San Antonio river, at the bottom 
 of the hill, and of the ruins of the old mission of Bahia, on 
 the northern side of the river, and a catch of the distant land- 
 scape ; which will be seen opposite page 150. 
 
 The ruins of Goliad occupy much room, covering the top 
 of the hill ; which, on one side, the north-east, looks down 
 on the beautiful valley of the San Antonio, and on the other, 
 the south-west, on the boundless prairie, stretching out, level 
 as the' sea. The town having been built of stone, entirely, 
 its ruins will last for a long time ; — the church will stand for 
 ages. To walk through the ruined streets, with the old 
 crumbling houses on either side, once densely populated, now 
 with trees and tall weeds growing around them, — the hiding 
 places of scorpions and other reptiles, and the concealed dens 
 of wolves ; — to see the broken arches, once erected with care, 
 — the fine work, amid universal decay, gives, to the mind of 
 the thoughtful, a train of melancholy reflections. 
 
 Amid the ruins, the old church, on the brow of the hill over- 
 looking the valley, stands out, the strongest and most unin- 
 jured. — Its situation was well chosen for extensive scenery. 
 No valley can be more picturesque than that of the San An- 
 tonio, which is stretched out below it. — Its walls, and lofty 
 arched stone roof, are blackened by the smoke from the fires 
 of those who, from time to time, have made it a stopping- 
 place for a night. — Such it has been, for years, for every war 
 or hunting party of Indians, who have come down over the 
 prairie. The church, within, is eighty-one feet by thirty, and 
 thirty high, to the arched roof; on the southern side, it has a 
 vestibule, of thirty by thirty feet, and twenty in height ; — on 
 the northern side, on either corner, is a projection, twenty by 
 twenty feet, and each of the height of the main building; and 
 the one on the north-west corner, cannot, by a view from 
 that direction, be distinguished from the front. The lower 
 
150 RUINS OF GOLIAD. 
 
 room, in this projection, resembles a dungeon, more than 
 anything else. The roof of the whole, as said before, is of 
 stone, and the flat top is made of that durable cement, of 
 which the older Spaniards were so good manufacturers, and 
 which we afterward had occasion to admire, in the massive 
 works of southern Mexico. 
 
 Adjoining the church was a fortified enclosure, (seen in 
 the view), containing an area of about two and a half acres, 
 and strong even in its ruins ; with round bastions at each 
 corner, for the mounting of artillery, and loopholes along the 
 walls. The front wall was composed of a block of stone 
 buildings, about twenty-five feet high, one opening on the 
 outside. On the thick walls of these ruined buildings, as 
 well as on those of the body of the church, was much' finely 
 sculptured stone work ; the remainder of the wall around, 
 had been about fifteen feet high, and from three to four in 
 thickness ; this, like the buildings, was broken. The old 
 Mission, seen over the river, on the left of the picture, was 
 in the same state of ruin ; but its roof was also gone; one 
 gable end still stood up. — The stone of which this town and 
 church was built, is somewhat of the nature of "rotten lime- 
 stone," — is quite light in color, — quarries out regularly and 
 easily, — is soft, when first quarried, but becomes hard 
 on exposure to the air. (The same kind of stone, we saw 
 afterward, was used for building throughout the northern 
 part of Mexico, and in fact, more or less through all of our 
 route ; many towns being built entirely of it. It is the most 
 convenient building material they can use, — for the ease 
 with which it is quarried is surprising, as also the perfect 
 regularity with which the blocks split out. It is abundant, 
 in almost every hill, from Goliad, on the north, to Tampico, 
 on the south.) — The quarries, whence this stone was obtain- 
 «ed, were outside the ruins of the town. 
 
 This town of Goliad, was founded by La Salle, the great 
 explorer, in 1682. It flourished for several generations, and 
 once contained ten thousand inhabitants ; — now was entirely 
 deserted. 
 
 In the old church and fortification, were Fannin's men 
 
MASSACRE OF FANNIN'S COMMAND. 153 
 
 confined, for a week previous to their massacre. — The whole 
 of this business was an ill-judged, and unfortunate affair, 
 on the part of the Texan commander ; and of the utmost 
 brutality and treachery, on the part of the Mexican officers. 
 —The whole of the responsibility of this bloody assassina- 
 tion, of unarmed prisoners, rests with Santa Anna ; of 
 which we will take notice. 
 
 The history of the afiair, in a few words, is this : — Fannin, 
 who had occupied this post for some time, determined to hold 
 it, after he was apprised of the approach of a large Mexican 
 army, and after, too, that army had, a month previous, ap- 
 peared before the town of San Antonio, the next post, and 
 shortly after, stormed the fortress of the Alamo, putting its 
 garrison to the sword; when, besides, he had no provisions, or 
 means of standing a siege. The road lay open for him to 
 retreat, but he thought he could hold the place until he might 
 be reinforced. He continued in his determination to hold 
 the fort, until a strong body of cavalry and infantry under 
 General Urrea, were on the march for the place, and close 
 to it. And then, to cap the climax, in the face of this army, 
 he altered his determination ; and, abandoning his strong- 
 hold, attempted to retreat ; but too late ! — The little force 
 had marched but four miles, when they were overtaken, and 
 attacked ; and, in six miles, were compelled to halt and in- 
 trench, without water, in the open plain ; and, of course, to 
 surrender ; w^hich surrender was made on the morning of 
 Sunday, March 20th, 1836, on condition that they should be 
 well treated, and sent to the United States. — With two other 
 detachments, under majors Ward and Miller, captured sepa- 
 rately, in all about 420 men, they were confined in the church 
 for one week ; when, on Sunday, March 27th, on the infor- 
 mation that they were to be marched to the coast, to go to 
 New Orleans, they were conducted, in three columns, out 
 between lines of Mexican soldiers ; one column going east — 
 one south, — and one west ; and, at given signals were sud- 
 denly shot down, without warning; — from the butchery, some 
 few endeavored to escape by running ; some of these were 
 overtaken and killed; others finally escaped. — Colonel Fan- 
 
154 MASSACRE OF FANNIN'S COMMAND. 
 
 niu was shot, in the yard, by himself; and the spots where 
 the numerous balls struck the stone wall behind him, after 
 passing through him, are still pointed out. 
 
 When Fannin capitulated to Urrea, that General immedi- 
 ately sent a dispatch to Santa Anna, then at San Antonio, 
 informing him of the capture of the detachments and asking 
 what he should do with the prisoners. — Instead of replying 
 to him, to observe the terms of capitulation, that he, as com- 
 mander of that division, had entered into with the prisoners 
 according to the established rules of warfare, in civilized 
 nations, Santa Anna, wishing them destroyed, but yet too 
 cunning to have such an act laid at his door, wrote back no 
 answer at all ; but sent to General Urrea a copy of an 
 act of congress of Mexico to the effect that no prisoners 
 should be taken, and that all persons, found in arms against 
 the government, should be put to death. — Urrea took this 
 as his answer. — Santa Anna, after his fortune had changed, 
 upon being interrogated, with regard to this butchery, 
 by President Jackson, at Washington, endeavored to deny 
 that it was by his order or connivance that it had been 
 done. 
 
 He, who obeyed the laws of congress only when it suited 
 his own convenience, and who was, in effect, a Dictator of 
 all the laws, and who hesitated not, when his purposes re- 
 quired it, to prevent that congress, by the point of the bayo- 
 net from meeting, seemed suddenly to find himself under 
 such strong obligation to an old law, that never had, in all 
 their numberless revolutions been practiced, as to force him 
 to command the barbarous, cold blooded murder of four hun- 
 dred men; to whom the honor of the Mexican nation, about 
 which he speaks so much, had been pledged in a fair and 
 open capitulation, for the performance of that agreement, 
 upon which they laid down their arms. 
 
 He must violate all this, now that the prisoners were in 
 his power, to satisfy that old law, to which he himself, sev- 
 eral times, as a revolutionist, had been amenable, if it had 
 ever been put in force. 
 
 If it is said that he acted on the clause that had been passed 
 
SANTA ANNA'S IMPUDENCE. 155 
 
 at the commencement of this Texan war, viz : " that no pris- 
 oners should be taken ; " then, upon that, there was, even if 
 he had been ever so scrupulous with regard to adherence to 
 the law, no reason to justify the massacre of the prisoners ; 
 for these had already been taken, under a solemn promise of 
 the Mexican nation, so far as a commander of a separate di- 
 vision of its army is the representative of that nation, of 
 fair and honorable treatment. — No ! he wished them shot; — 
 he cared not for capitulations. — He had killed ever}'- one of 
 those found in the Alamo, after they, by ten days' hard and 
 gallant fighting, had slain hundreds of his soldiers. — He 
 wished these shot also ; but, as said before, wanted not the 
 odium of the act ; and he therefore adopted a measure for 
 that end, fully as effective as though he had sent a posi- 
 tive order to General Urrea ; and then because he did not 
 send such positive order, he has the impudence to endeavor, 
 after his defeat, to exculpate himself from the responsibility 
 of the deed. And what is more strange, is, to see an Ameri- 
 can statesman and writer endeavoring to palliate the act, 
 and excuse him in this occurrence, as well as others, endeav- 
 oring, (to be sure not in direct terms), to make it out that it 
 was unavoidable, on the part of Santa Anna.* 
 
 Any American, who can excuse or palliate, on such a tri- 
 fling pretext, this wholesale murder of his countrymen, this 
 open violation of the most sacred capitulation, must have 
 really a singular personal preference for the author of the 
 outrage. — But we are digressing; and, merely mentioning the 
 almost miraculous escape of Judge Hunter, from the massa- 
 cre, we will return to our encampment for the day. — He was 
 in one of the columns, when they heard the vollej^, from one 
 of the others, that was sending his comrades to eternity. 
 Quick as this was heard, the prisoners in that one suspected 
 the truth, and one man, with a desperate resolve, broke from 
 the line and ran. Several shots M^ere fired after him, but 
 unavaiUng ; he escaped. At the same instant, the large 
 column of the soldiery were ordered to fire upon the prison- 
 ers ; which they did immediately ; and the line of unarmed 
 
 * Waddy Thompson's Recollections of Mexico. 
 
15G HUNTER'S ESCAPE FROM MASSACRE. 
 
 men fell before the fire. Hunter threw himself on the 
 ground, in time to avoid it ; two of his comrades, in their 
 death agonies, fell upon him, and covered him with their 
 blood ; he remained still ; but moving a little, afterward, 
 was discovered, stabbed, his throat cut, and his skull broken 
 with the butts of their muskets ; and being stripped of his 
 clothing, as the others, was left for dead ; but, despite his se- 
 vere wounds, fate had not yet decreed his death. In the 
 night, he came to his senses, and crawled off down to the 
 river ; which he managed to cross, and after incredible suf- 
 fering, got to the house of a Mexican woman, who dressed 
 his wounds, and sent him off, under the charge of her son, 
 on horseback, to a place of more safety, another Mexican 
 family, on the Guadaloupe. Here they secreted him; and by 
 good nursing, and strict attention, he recovered. 
 
 The regiment having all passed over the San Antonio, 
 together with the wagon train, — but too late to perform 
 any march, — encamped on the western bank of the river. 
 Corn enough was left, last night, to allow our horses five 
 ears each ; which, though a small feed, was of great service 
 to them. A strong guard was set, this night, around the en- 
 campment ; and as this was always done in the same man- 
 ner, the form will be here described. 
 
 — The encampment was made as compact as possible. — 
 The guard consisted of sixty men ; — these were divided into 
 three equal numbers of twenty each, called first, second and 
 third reliefs. The first relief was posted around, at equal 
 distances, at eight, P. M.; each one with a short distance to 
 walk back and forward, with instructions to let no one pass 
 without the countersign, neither in, nor out. The countersign 
 was a word selected by the colonel, or highest officer, and by 
 him given to the officer of the day, (the one that, for the day, 
 had control of the guard, and who saw to the general police 
 of the camp), and was known only to him, the immediate offi- 
 cer of the guard, and the sentinels. While the guard were 
 thus posted, the first and second reliefs were sleeping at the 
 guard fire, a short distance from the encampment, and on the 
 line of surrounding sentinels. At eleven o'clock, the second 
 
RELIEVING GUARD.: 157 
 
 relief was awakened by the sergeant ; they fell into line ; 
 the list was called as made out the night before, and all 
 were counted off; then the following commands and move- 
 ments took place : 
 
 Sergeant. Attention! second relief! — every one threw 
 himself in the attitude of the soldier, erect, leaning a little 
 forward. Carry — arms ! equivalent to " shoulder arms" with 
 infantry. Right — face ! Forward (at this, every one rested 
 on his right foot) — march ! every one stepped off with his 
 left foot ; the relief moved on, with the sergeant at the head; 
 in a few moments, the outline of the first sentinel could be 
 seen in the darkness, and as soon as within a dozen paces or 
 so, the sentinel challenged : "Who comes there?" The ser- 
 geant replied, "Sergeant of the guard, with second relief!" 
 Sentinel. " Second relief — halt ! — Advance, sergeant, and 
 give the countersign." The relief halted, the sergeant ad- 
 vanced near to the sentinel, and, in a low voice, gave the 
 countersign ; which, this night, was " Fannin." This being 
 right, the sergeant turned to the relief; — "Advance relief!" — - 
 they advanced up to the sentinel ; — " Halt !" No. 1, the first 
 in line, then receiving from the sentinel all his instructions, 
 and, in a low voice, the countersign, took his place, and the 
 sentinel relieved fell in the rear, and followed on. Coming 
 in view of No. 2, the same thing occurred, — and so on, through 
 the whole, and back to the camp fire, where all the relieved 
 guard lay down to sleep. At two o'clock in the morning, the 
 third relief was awakened, and in the same manner relieved 
 the other ; they standing until daylight. 
 
 The author, on the regimental guard, at this time, was, with 
 the others from company G, on the second relief, and stood 
 his turn from eleven to two o'clock. The night was very 
 dark. — There were many small gullies on the prairie, and 
 these were hidden by the tall grass, so that he could not see 
 them ; and, in walking his distance, about sixty yards, back 
 and forth,he fell into them two or three times ; but his vexa- 
 tion, at this, was turned into suppressed laughter, at heanng 
 his next comrade floundering out of one, only to fall into an- 
 other ; there being more of them on his ground. He picked 
 
158 SOLDIER ON GUARD. 
 
 himself up, two or three times, without saying anything ; — 
 then began to swear, " not loud, but deep." His muttered 
 oaths were hardly out, before he went in again. " This is a 
 pretty place to put a fellow, this time of night," soliloquized 
 he, as he felt his way along ; "shall break my neck, sure, be- 
 fore we're relieved. — Ah ! here is another ; — did'nt catch me 
 that time ; — if I had a candle, I could come it. — No need of 
 a guard along here, any how. — If any of the Comanches, 
 Lipans, Mexicans, or any other of the c-s-d red skins should 
 come here, they could not get into camp ; for they would 
 break every one of their d — d necks, in these gullies !" — 
 Down he went again, as he finished his sentence, his gun 
 striking heavily on the ground ; — as he got out, — "D — m the 
 gullies," he said ; — " what's the use of walking back and 
 forward, any way ; — I won't do it ; — I'll stay right here ; " — 
 and there, in one spot, he did stay. 
 
 Wednesday, October ^Ist. This morning, we of the guard 
 were roused about daylight ; the third relief was taken off, 
 and all forming into line, were, after a delay of a few mo- 
 ments, dismissed, for half an hour, to get our breakfasts ; we 
 then met again ; one-half, under a lieutenant, took up the 
 line of march, as the advance guard ; — the regiment then fol- 
 lowed, in its separate battalions ; — then the wagon train 
 wound its slow course along; — following that, the remaining 
 thirty of us, under Lieutenant Kirk, came as rear guard. 
 
 We had been passing, for some time, through a section of 
 country very thinly settled ; sometimes ten, sometimes 
 twenty miles from house to house ; but now there was no 
 residence for eighty miles, to San Patricio, on the Nueces 
 river. Our general course, from Memphis to Goliad had 
 been south-west, save the short diversion south-east, to La- 
 vacca, and the return therefrom, to the main route ; now we 
 turned more to the southward, pursuing, from this place to 
 San Patricio, a course nearly due south. 
 
 We were directed by Lieutenant Kirk, to ride up and down 
 the banks of the river, to see that no loose horses were left, 
 and that all persons were off. We did so, but finding no 
 one, we formed in two's and followed the regiment, now 
 
EFFECT OF LIQUOR. 169 
 
 about two miles ahead. We passed directly through the 
 ruins, and descending the hill on the south-east side of the 
 romantic valley of the San Antonio, entered the dead level 
 of the prairie, v^^hich lay spread out apparently boundless; 
 and from the east, by the south, to the west, not relieved, in 
 its distinct outline on the horizon, by a single tree or any ob- 
 ject of elevation. After marching some four miles, we came 
 to one of the men, sick, near the road side ; but although he 
 had a severe chill, we were obliged to take him on, for it 
 would not do to leave him to come up, as by the report of 
 the Kentucky cavalry, sent back, we had reason to believe 
 that a large war-party of Comanches were hovering on the 
 prairie. 
 
 In another mile, we came up with the rear of the wagon 
 train ; and as we were compelled to keep behind them, the 
 Lieutenant ordered a halt ; and we stretched ourselves out 
 in the grass, for an hour, while the wagons gained distance 
 ahead. — We then remounted. — We had several prisoners in 
 custody, the reason of which was, that there had been whisky 
 to sell near the camp, at the river, at the single grocery spoken 
 of, and several quarrels had taken place. One of these, still 
 under the strong effect of liquor, became so unmanageable, that 
 it was hard work to get along with him. — On this day's 
 march, no good water was found ; — a few warm pond-holes 
 were passed. — The soil was alternately rich and black, and 
 then sandy and poor ; no timber at all, until at the close of 
 the day, we arrived at a long skirt of scrubby post-oaks ; and 
 beyond them was a pretty creek of pure water, where the 
 regiment encamped. — Here, too, was fine grass. — Each one 
 tied his horse out by a long rope, called, in this country, and 
 by the Mexicans, a " lariat ;" for the grass was all we had 
 for them. — March, this day, about thirty miles. 
 
 Our time, as guard, being out this evening, a new one was 
 detailed for the next twenty-four hours. We of the old 
 guard, under our officers, were drawn up in line about sunset ; 
 then came files of men, from each company, who were to 
 supply our places ; each file being under the command of 
 an orderly sergeant; these fell into another line, at a little 
 
160 PRICKLY PEAR. 
 
 distance from us, each sergeant delivering to the adjutant 
 the list of the names of the men from his company. — These 
 were embodied; — the new oflicer of the day appointed, — and 
 the arms of the new guard inspected, and loaded ; — then 
 formed into ranks ; and wheeling, came down by our line of 
 the old guard and, being saluted by us with presented arms, 
 they passed to the guard tents ; — took possession of them, 
 and the charge of the prisoners ; while we were marched 
 off to the edge of the encampment, and brought to a front- 
 face ; and by the regular commands, " ready ! — aim ! — fire," 
 the guns were all discharged, and we were dismissed. 
 
 The details, for the guard, were made in each company in 
 alphabetical order ; so were those for wagon guard ; and at 
 this time, in our company, those who came on regimental 
 guard one day, were sure to be on wagon guard the next day 
 or the day after. 
 
 Friday, October 23d. Yesterday, Thursday, we marched 
 twenty miles over the level prairie ; and this morning we 
 were again early on the route. The way was long and 
 weary ; the sun was quite hot, and there was no breeze ; the 
 columns raised heavy clouds of dust, which were extremely 
 uncomfortable. — We marched thirty miles, over a perfectly 
 level prairie ; no timber; fine grass, and abundance of prickly 
 pear ; the fruit of this is shaped like a pear, smaller, how- 
 ever, of a red color, and agreeable taste ; — it is hard to get, 
 though, for the thick leaves are covered with barbed thorns, 
 long and keen as needles ; and when they enter the skin, 
 they are diflicult to pull out. We had passed innumer- 
 able deer, to-day, and many of them were killed ; we saw 
 also several wild horses. A beautiful large claybank, with 
 snowy white mane and tail, came up near us, holding his 
 head high, to examine us ; this he continued a few mo- 
 ments, when, as if satisfied, he bounded away, leaving a 
 long trail of rising dust behind him. 
 
 At four P. M. we arrived at the little village of San Patri- 
 cio, — if three stick houses, daubed with mud, can be called a 
 village ; — though they looked well, to us, not having seen a. 
 house in three days' traveling. The families here were Irish ;, 
 
NUECES RIVER. 161 
 
 how they had ever got into this wilderness, was more than 
 we could account for. — The word San Patricio, is the Mexi- 
 can method of expressing the name of the well known Irish 
 saint, St. Patrick. — The village is about half a mile north 
 of the Nueces river ; — on this was a ferry boat ; the last on 
 the route. The advance guard, and the 2d, or Rifle battalion 
 commenced the crossing immediately, while the first was 
 ordered to encamp on the northern side, which aflbrded but 
 poor grass, and a bad chance to get water from the river on 
 account of the steepness of the banks. 
 
 Venison was plenty in camp, at night ; deer enough hav- 
 ing been killed, during the day, to supply the whole regiment 
 with sufficient fresh meat for the supper and following 
 breakfast; — to this, many added fish, from the river; 
 where they caught large numbers, with but very little trouble. 
 — The Nueces is a deep stream, with a rapid current, and in 
 most places, with high banks. — It is said, that it can be nav- 
 igated up as far as this place, if not much farther. 
 
 Saturday, October 24th. The 2d battalion having all got 
 over the river yesterday, the 1st commenced crossing early 
 this morning ; — the miserable shackly ferry boat, was used 
 to take the wagons, the arms and accoutrements, and men 
 over ; the horses all swam across. The passage was so 
 slow, that it was near sunset when the last got over. — A de- 
 cided change Avas seen in the appearance of the lands on the 
 other side of the Nueces ; instead of the dull, perfectly level 
 prairie, the land rose in lofty swells, with beautiful valleys 
 in every shape, — extensive views, — little lakes of water, — 
 ^reen grass, and beauty in every object. — Here were groves 
 of timber; the first we had seen for several days ; and the 
 quality of the grass was such, that our half starved horses 
 did not apparently know when to cease eating. 
 
 The encampment was in a beautiful situation, on some 
 little hills, ten miles below the ferry. The water of the river 
 was pleasant to the taste, and for bathing, and many went 
 into it. The change of scenery produced a correspond- 
 ing change in our feelings ; for the last three evenings 
 all had been dull; there was no life, no spirit, no enjoyment; 
 11 
 
162 CORPUS CHRISTI. 
 
 but this night all were in better humor. They got their sup- 
 pers, on getting to camp, but did not lay down to sleep until 
 late. Thousands of wild geese flew over the camp ; and the 
 way that Uncle Sam's rifle and carbine cartridges were used 
 up, for about an hour, was by no means slow; the colonel, 
 however, stopped the sport of firing, after that time. 
 
 Sandaj/, October 25th. Our colonel having determined 
 to leave the direct road to Matamoras, and go by Coi-pus 
 Christi, to take Gen(iral Taylor's route, we turned to the east, 
 directly down the river, and marched along its meandering 
 course, over pretty fertile plains and wooded hills ; here 
 and there coming to the river, which, at last wound its way 
 in a serpentine course, eastwardly, into the heart of a vast 
 body of marshes, that spread out before us, and looking from 
 the hills, like a silver thread, in their distant bosom of green, 
 so fresh and so extensive ; beyond these a narrow line of 
 blue, dark and even, showed the salt waters of the bay ; — 
 the breeze from this, over the marshes, came cooling and in- 
 vigorating. 
 
 At two P. M. after marching twenty-five miles, we came 
 out on a high bluff", overlooking a splendid prospect of sea 
 and land; — the wide bay, with its blue waters curled by the 
 strong sea breeze in breaker caps of foam, stretched out to 
 the right and front, and came round, with a long sweep, to 
 the left ; enclosing, on that side, a pretty little peninsula of 
 flat, white shell beach ; between the left and front, on this 
 peninsula, directly below us, was the former encampment of 
 the army of occupation, under General Taylor ; — there they 
 remained many months, awaiting the action of Mexico for 
 peace or war. On the edge of the bluff before us, as it com- 
 menced its fall down to the beach below, was part of the 
 town of Corpus Christi, — or in English " Christ's body." 
 
 The column moved on, and we came to the commence- 
 ment of the descent, and could see all the plain below. — 
 There was the principal part of the town, which before had 
 been concealed from our view. It was now below us, on 
 the same white shell beach as that, which, on the left, at the 
 distance of a mile, formed the peninsula, of the camp. The 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR'S OLD CAMP. 163 
 
 waves broke in ceaseless roar and foam upon it, rushing up 
 to the road below. One small schooner rode at anchor in 
 front of the town. The halt here commanded, for a few 
 moments, Avas rendered pleasant, by this fine view and by 
 the coolness of the sea breeze. 
 
 The town itself was small. Overlooking the whole, we 
 could count every house; there were not more than thirty or 
 forty there ; one or two quite pretty places. One, the re- 
 sidence of Colonel Kinney, who afterward accompanied us 
 through Mexico, was a very neat and tastefully fitted up 
 house, though small. — The wagon train coming up, we de- 
 scended the long slope, to the left of the town, down to the 
 shell beach ; turning to the left, we went on the peninsula. — 
 The beach was hard, and on its smooth surface, where the 
 waves were beating, the tread of the horses made no impres- 
 sion. 
 
 We arrived at Taylor's old camp ; — found it enclosed by 
 walls of this shell earth, thrown up to keep off the continued 
 force of the sea breeze. The space included within the out- 
 side parallel walls was separated into many long and nar- 
 row divisions ; one for each company ; — these were directly 
 into our hand, as the saying is ; but Ave found that each had 
 been intended for a company of infantry, and Avere not large 
 enough for us ; and Ave Avere uncomfortable, for want of space 
 within ; beside, the wind coming in fitful gusts oa- er the walls, 
 which were thickly set with brush, on the top, blew the 
 smoke from our fires so densely in our faces, that we pre- 
 ferred much to be out in the strong AAdnd. 
 
 After encamping, Colonel Thomas had all the corn and 
 oats purchased, that could be procured in town ; but that 
 was only fifty sacks ; which gave each horse five pints. He 
 then sent the little schooner over to St. Joseph's Island, thirty- 
 five miles, to obtain forage at the goA'ernment's stores there. 
 She returned, late in the night, Avith fifty more sacks, all she 
 could bring, and Avent again. The men of the regiment who 
 had been so fond of bathing, noAV had a fine opportunity to 
 plunge and dive in the pure waters of old ocean himself; 
 and hundreds were in the Avater, up and down the beach, at 
 
164 CORPUS CIIRISTI. 
 
 once ; almost every one had his horse in, too ; and that even- 
 ing, the horses were cleaner than they had been for months. 
 
 To most of the men, the salt w^ater was new, and when 
 they went in, they took soap with them, and applied it to 
 their bodies, heads, whiskers, &c., liberally ; and, of course, 
 these were presently covered with pure grease ; (for in put- 
 ting soap into salt water, the alkali, or potash, of the soap, 
 leaves its combination with the grease and unites with the 
 salt acids of the water, and the grease remains upon every 
 article touched with the soap). The heads of some of 
 these men were soon stuck in a mass, with the grease ; 
 while others had their fine whiskers, upon which they 
 prided themselves, stuck together. — Several were along the 
 shore, with articles of clothing, at the same time, endeavor- 
 ing to wash them with it ; but all soon found that salt water 
 and soap did not work well together. ' 
 
 Many of the men went up into the town, and soon procur- 
 ing plenty of whisky, some got deeply under its influence ; 
 and returning, made much noise in camp at night. 
 
 This little town of Corpus Christi had several stores in it, 
 with assortments of goods ; at which, at first sight, one was 
 surprised, and knew not where, in such a place, a market 
 could be found for them ; — but this had been for several years, 
 and was now, the principal mart of commerce for those Mexi- 
 can traders, who had for some time driven an extensive and 
 profitable business by smuggling goods into their country ; 
 these goods being rendered so high, by the Mexican tariff* of 
 duties, that the profits of these traders were often from five 
 hundred to a thousand per cent. — For these were the supplies 
 of dry goods, chinaware, hardware and almost everything 
 that can be purchased elsewhere. But, it is said, that this 
 trade will, hereafter, be diverted from here to Point Isabel ; 
 — the harbor, there, is so much better, and it is also nearer 
 to the Rio Grande. 
 
 No vessel, drawing more than three and a half feet of 
 water, can come over the mud flats of Corpus Christi bay. 
 The country back of Corpus Christi, so beautiful and fertile, 
 Along the Nueces, must, hereafter, be thickly settled ; though 
 
MUSQUIT TREES. 165 
 
 timber will be somewhat scarce; but those extensive prai- 
 ries, of eighty miles width, from the Nueces, back to San 
 Antonio, never can, or will be settled; for there is a great 
 scarcity of water ; — in one place over which we came, four 
 or five days since, there was a tract of thirty miles, without 
 a drop ; — more than that, there is a total want of timber ; 
 nothing of that description growing, save thickets here and 
 there, of musquit bushes ; — this section is the northern limit, 
 of that growth, and is too far south for the common timber 
 trees of the north. 
 
 The citizens, here, had hopes that the town would yet be 
 of some note ; but not much reason for such an expectation 
 could yet be seen. We found, in this place, a part of a 
 company of Texan Rangers ; the remainder of which were 
 at San Patricio. They were under the command of Captain 
 Wright. They scoured this section of country, guarding it 
 against the hostile attacks of Mexican robbers, on one hand, 
 and bands of the roving Comanches on the other. They 
 were well mounted, — in the employ of the government, and 
 were armed with rifles, pistols, and bowie knives ; — were ef- 
 ficient and valuable troops, on this vast frontier. Their per- 
 formances in another sphere, at Monterey, have already been 
 noticed. 
 
 Monday, October 2Gth. This day, at noon, we resumed our 
 march, after receiving two and a half quarts of corn each, of 
 that brought by the boat, last night, for our horses. As she 
 could not bring it in half the quantity, or even the one-fourth 
 part needed, the colonel ordered the regiment away into the 
 prairie, on the route, where the horses could, at any rate, 
 get some grass. We marched twelve miles due south, (for 
 Matamoras lies in that direction from Corpus Christi), and 
 encamped at some water holes, of tolerable water. — We 
 passed through thickets of musquit brush- wood ;— this is a tree 
 of thick and irregular branches, somewhat resembling the wild 
 plum tree of our own country ; — the wood is hard, and, in 
 color, resembles cedar ; — the twigs are all very strong, and 
 each one covered with keen and long thorns ; — so many are 
 there of these, that, if detached from the twig, and each 
 
166 CHAPPARAL. 
 
 weighed, the twig itself would be found the lighter; — thou- 
 sands upon thousands of them are firm on every bush ; — the 
 leaf is like that of the locust, in shape, but very small. We 
 found a great quantity of this musquit ; from this place 
 through the remainder of the route, in Mexico, wherever any 
 timber could be seen, musquit was to be found ; — thereafter, 
 it was, for the most part, our only fuel. 
 
 As the word " chapparal " will no\V be often used, the rea- 
 der will understand that it signifies a close growth of this 
 musquit ; which, from its innumerable small branches inter- 
 locking, all covered with these thorns, joined with the great 
 firmness and rigidity of the twig, makes a passage through it 
 very difficult ; and sometimes, especially when large bodies of 
 prickly pear are growing beneath, absolutely impracticable. 
 In such a case, a person cannot see into it twenty feet. 
 
 Tuesday, October 27th. We remained at the encampment 
 all this day, waiting for the v»'agon train ; which had stopped 
 at Corpus Christi, for the arrival of another load of corn, by 
 the little schooner mentioned. It rained this day, for the 
 first time in eight weeks, upon us. We had been very for- 
 tunate in having so little rain, while, for so long a distance, 
 we have marched through the low, flat section adjoining the 
 coast ; which we can see is extremely muddy, at times. — 
 We feared that the rains were now about to set in, and that 
 we should see sights with mud, with horses fed only on 
 grass. — The prairie, from this day's rain, became very muddy. 
 
 The men went hunting ; — were gone but a little while, 
 before they brought in deer in numbers, more than we had 
 any use for. Probably a hundred or more were in camp that 
 evening. The hunters reported the prairie, a mile or tw^o to 
 the right and left, as alive with herds of deer ; — some of 
 them asserted that a thousand must have been in view at 
 one sight. 
 
 — One of our mess-mates M^ent out ; — quite a spruce, hand- 
 some young man ; very attentive to his personal appearance 
 at all times ; — he returned, having met a customer in the 
 shape of a pole-cat ; which, after a battle, routed him. He 
 returned to camp, bearing with him a strong odor, not quite 
 
ALARM OF ENEMY AHEAD. 167 
 
 SO agreeable as the fragrance of the " spicy breezes " that 
 " blow soft o'er Ceylon s isle ; " but, in fact, so very repugnant 
 to the senses, that, as he entered the tent, we got out as fast 
 as possible ; while the odor, disseminating itself rapidly, 
 brought from all the tents near by, the general exclamation 
 of pole-cat ! pole-cat ! whew ! faugh ! and other such ex- 
 pressions of gratification, very much to the young man's an- 
 noyance ; — he soon disrobed himself of his dress, and, by 
 every means, endeavored to free himself from the fragrance, 
 that drew such universal attention. — Buffalo ranged here, 
 sometimes, though we had not seen any. — A large skull of 
 one found on the ground served us here for a seat in the 
 tent. 
 
 Wednesday, October 28th. This morning, we were all on 
 the march at an early hour, the first battalion in advance ; — 
 the advance guard about a mile and a half or two miles 
 ahead, on the prairie. We were marching on in lively spir- 
 its, when suddenly back, at full speed, came an express from 
 the advance, saying that a large body of horsemen were in 
 front, drawn up in line of battle. As soon as this message 
 was delivered to the officers, quite a scene took place. — The 
 regiment was immediately formed in column, by sections of 
 eight; — the wagon train halted; — it was amusing now to hear 
 the questions and exclamations. — Carbines were examined and 
 loaded ; — the flints of rifles picked ; — but some had none, and 
 were inquiring eagerly of all around them for a spare flint — 
 others for cartridges. The great object of inquir}^, in the car- 
 bine battalion, was for percussion caps. " Confound those 
 deer," one said, " I have used up all my caps ; will you give 
 me some caps, Sam ? " " Haven't got but few." "Jim, give 
 me a cap." " I can't do it." " Who has got spare caps?" 
 " I have got some ; but I shot all my cartridges away at those 
 d — d geese." " I'll swap with you." "Well, good." "Who 
 can give a cartridge," says another. — "Cartridges ! cartridges ! 
 who has got spare cartridges !" said many in a breath; while 
 many more were for caps ! caps ! flints ! These w^ere imme- 
 diately handed around from the ammunition wagon, and 
 every man quickly supplied ; — and in less time than it would 
 
168 BATTLE OF THE MUSTANGS. 
 
 take for the writing', every gun and pistol was loaded, car- 
 bines unslung, and the order was given, — "Attention — bat- 
 talion ! Forward — move ! " and on we went. 
 
 The colonel rode along the ranks ; — " Keep cool, boys ! — 
 There is a body of Mexican cavalry there ! — Take good aim, 
 and be sure and fire low ! — Don't throw away your shots ; " — 
 (at this, bang ! went a gun close by us ; — whiz-z-z went the 
 ball. — We looked, and preacher Smith, of our company, had 
 let his go in advance, carelessly. This brought a loud and se- 
 vere reprimand from the lieutenant-colonel) ;— in the mean- 
 time, in solid body, we were approaching nearer the advance 
 guard, which had remained halted. 
 
 Presently, a heavy cloud of dust announced the rapid ap- 
 proach of the enemy. — They came up near, and with a 
 quick and well executed movement, Avheeled into line, and 
 halted ; — the dust blew off, and they were plainly to be seen, 
 on the right ; — whe'i, lo ! they were a large herd of wild horses, 
 or mustangs, which, with their numbers and regular move- 
 ments in the distance, had induced the advance to consider 
 them enemies; — having been prepared for this by the repre- 
 sentations of the Rangers, back at Corpus Christi, whose 
 captain had informed Colonel Thomas, that the approach of 
 the two regiments, our own and the Kentucky, through 
 the wilderness, was known to the JMexicans, as well as the 
 Americans ; and that he need not be surprised if Canales, 
 one of the Mexican generals, and a robber, should cross the 
 Rio Grande and attack the regiment, hoping to find it unpre- 
 pared. — All this, we afterward found, was perfect idle talk ; 
 but then we had no information by which to judge of its cor- 
 rectness. Hence, the alarm quickly taken, on the appear- 
 ance of these wild horses. — These stopped but a moment, 
 and were off out of sight. Amid jokes and laughter, we re- 
 sumed our double files, took the caps from the carbines, and 
 moved on. 
 
 To the transaction, the name of " the battle of the mus- 
 tangs" was immediately given, and continues in the mind 
 of every member of the regiment by that name. We arrived 
 soon after, at a creek running through a deep ravine. (This 
 
ORDER OF ROLL CALL. 160 
 
 is named on Mitchell's map as Olmos creek ; but the Mexi- 
 cans called it by a different name — which, however, slipped 
 the author before recorded.) — Here we encamped for the 
 night. Ther.e was but little grass here, and that was dead ; 
 and our horses made out poorly. 
 
 This evening, a Mexican rode into camp, bearing a letter 
 to Colonel Thomas, from Matanloras; and he stated, also, that 
 there were Comanches on the prairie ahead. — The country 
 had now lost that rolling appearance, mentioned as being 
 met with when we crossed the Nueces ; it became more 
 level, during this day's march. 
 
 Thursday^ October 2^t]t. This morning we were soundly 
 asleep, when the loud notes of the bugles rang clear ; — 
 every soldier, as usual, in the morning, started, rubbed his e}' es 
 and yawned, waiting to hear the orderly sergeant's voice, which 
 commonly followed the last note of the bugle ; after an interval 
 of about one minute, we heard it; "Eagle Guards ! turn out to 
 roll call ;" and the soldiers, half awake, came out of the tents 
 and took their places in line. The orderly had his eyes but 
 half open, but with the routine so perfect, he could go through 
 it asleep. He called out, "Fall in on the left! Look to the 
 right and dress ! " When the line was formed and dressed, (or 
 straightened) and the officers were in their places before it, the 
 orderly opened his book and commenced the roll; calling the 
 name of the captain, then the three lieutenants, then the 
 sergeants, then corporals, then farrier and blacksmith, then 
 privates, alphabetically. Those who were present, an- 
 swered ; if one had not got in line, he was crossed, and the 
 next day put on wagon guard for it. After the roll was 
 called, the sergeant read the list of those whose turn it was 
 to serve on regimental guard, coming alphabetically, and 
 then the names of those whose turn in the same way it was 
 to serve on wagon guard. He then commanded, " Regi- 
 mental guard, report under Sergeant at the guard 
 
 tents," at seven o'clock, or sunrise, or whatever hour might 
 have been designated. " Wagon guard, be at your posts at 
 the wagon at ' saddle call.' " The orderly having got through, 
 gave- up the command to the senior company officer present, 
 
170 ORDER OF ROLL CALL. 
 
 who, if be had anything to say, said it ; and then came the 
 command, " Company — Right face ! Dismissed ! " The line 
 broke in every direction, — and all scattered; one out of each 
 mess, whose day it was to cook, went to getting breakfast 
 for his mess, the others to feeding and rubbing their horses, 
 &c., &;c. The regimental guard repaired to the guard tent. 
 The ceremony of guard mounting was gone through with and 
 then all were dismissed to breakfast. This done, the bugles 
 then sounded, " saddle up," and the new regimental guard 
 from each company, again assembled at the same place, were 
 formed in line and divided into the advance and rearguards. 
 The wagon guards of each company repaired to the company 
 wagons ; — some of each mess of every company were employ- 
 ed in striking and rolling up the tents, while others were pack- 
 ing the cooking utensils in the mess bags ; all then were car- 
 ried and laid down by the wagon, and the guard loaded them 
 in. Every man, then turned to his horse, saddled him, and 
 buckling on his sword, and slinging his carbine on his shoul- 
 der, mounted and fell in to the forming line of his company, 
 which when full moved off and took its place in the battal- 
 ion ; both battalions were in a few moments formed, and the 
 wagons loaded. At the sound of the bugle again, the advance 
 guard led out on the road, followed by the battalions, and 
 those by the train, the rear guard bringing up the whole. 
 
 This was the way every morning, from month to month, 
 when on the march; every one learned, and every one knew 
 it precisely, for there was no alteration save in the time of 
 guard mounting. — Thisday the author was on the regimental 
 guard, and on the division that fell into the rear. We did 
 not leave the. encampment, until all were off the ground, and 
 nothing was left there, save the smoking beds of coals, and 
 the remnants of provision, left around, for which the wolves 
 were waiting, and which would be seized by them, in less 
 than fifteen minutes after we had left. 
 
 The rear guard had been strengthened this day, by order 
 of the colonel, to forty men. — We slowly proceeded after the 
 ^vagons. The day was pleasant, but the scenery was dull; 
 the vast prairie had recently been run over by lire, and the 
 
SIGN OF INDIANS. 171 
 
 young grass had not well sprung up. As there were thou- 
 sands of deer about us, the hunters from the line, as usual, 
 chased and killed many. In one instance, a couple of them 
 bounded directl}" through the line. 
 
 I rode in company with Carr to-day ; — he was mentioned 
 before as an old Indian hunter. He seemed to be in his cl- 
 ement in these wild, uninhabited scenes ; and, as I manifes- 
 ted much curiosity with regard to the habits of observations 
 of the Indians, enabling them to track persons or animals, 
 he offered to show me something about tracking ; and ob- 
 taining leave from the officer in command, to leave the line 
 to hunt, we pursued our way together, striking off into a 
 parallel course with the guard, about a mile distant, but on 
 the level prairie in full view. 
 
 Many deer were around us ; but we did not wish to kill 
 any, being yet too far from camp ; — there were many signs 
 of wild horses. After an hour, we came to a trail running 
 to the south-east, across our route ; — stopping over it, we 
 could see that many horses had traveled it that morning ; 
 farther along, we came to another running the same course. 
 I was passing over it ; but he, looking down, said " Indians! " 
 and shewed me, as we dismounted, the faint outline of a 
 foot, seen only, by the horses' tracks, on the hard earth, being 
 a little dimmed, and still so little that it was some time be- 
 fore I could perceive it. He traced it out with his knife ; 
 but still, I was doubtful ; — he then rode along the trail, and 
 called me again; but I could see nothing distinctly enough to 
 judge from : — he rode along further, and there was a little 
 pond hole of water ; and in the margin, in the mud, were 
 the fresh tracks of moccasined feet, in abundance , — enough 
 of them where they had dismounted ; and the water was still 
 muddy where their horses had been in. — In the mud around 
 this pond, too, he showed me the tracks of deer, of buffalo, 
 of large rabbits, of wild horses, of wolves, and to -udnd up 
 the whole, the round tracks of a panther. 
 
 I had got off my horse to examine them, but he called my 
 attention, saying that he did not much like the appearance 
 of a large clump of musquit bushes fi-rther to our left, for 
 
172 SCATTERING COMANCHES. 
 
 he would not be surprised if those d — d Indians were about 
 there ; and, as the regiment were nearly out of sight in the 
 distance, that we had better join them. I mounted, and we 
 rode on towards it. We stopped, however, in a little dis- 
 tance, to shoot the largest rattlesnake we had ever seen, and 
 then pushed ahead. We crossed two more trails, parallel 
 with each other, and but a short distance apart. These, 
 Carr said, were of buffalo, which always made them in that 
 way ; and that it was often difficult to distinguish them from 
 those of Indians, when, from rain, or any other cause, the 
 slight track could not be seen. 
 
 We saw one of the men coming in pretty rapidly from the 
 left, farther out than we had been ; — he was one of the hun- 
 ters from the second battalion ; — he rode up to us, and said, 
 that he believed there were Indians out there. — Carr laugh- 
 ed, and asked him why he thought so. He said that he was 
 riding out farther than the rest, and had got entirely out of 
 view of the regiment, wanting to see some wild horses ; and 
 over the prairie he saw two horsemen, far off, that he thought 
 were some of our boys ; but they went very fast, and did 
 not appear to be chasing deer or game, for they rode up to a 
 bunch of musquit bushes, and came out again, and there 
 were three of them then ; — and he saw another beyond them, 
 and the idea struck him they were Indians, watching the 
 movements of the regiment, and he put out at full speed, and 
 seeing us as he came in, he rode up. They acted strange, he 
 thought, if they were any of our boys ; but they were off so 
 far he could not see plainly. Carr asked him if he was 
 ■ afraid of them. "No," he said, "but if they were Indians, 
 there was no telling how many there were of them." We 
 told him of the tracks we had seen, and he was confirmed 
 in his opinion. 
 
 Although there were plenty of tracks of wild horses, we 
 saw none of these; they having probably taken the alarm 
 at the sight of the body of the regiment, and put out. The 
 rear guard was now in full view, and our companion left us 
 to join his battalion. We continued along parallel with the 
 guard, for some time, and shortly after joined it again. The- 
 
MEXICAN TRADERS. 173 
 
 day was very hot, and the road was dusty ; — we felt the 
 want of water. At noon, we came to a creek of clear wa- 
 ter, and rode to it, to obtain some ; but we were disappointed, 
 for it was salt ; so much so, that even our horses would not 
 drink it. We rode on, some ten miles further, and we saw 
 the regiment on a small hill before us, drawn up in columns. 
 We found, that being about to encamp there, that word had 
 been received from the advance, that they were in view of a 
 Mexican encampment, whose number was unknown. — All 
 were ordered to their saddles again, and the column in a trot 
 moved ahead. We wished to go too, but could not, having to 
 protect and bring up the rear of the train. — We proceeded on 
 slowly, and about two more miles brought us in view of the 
 regiment again, appearing very peaceable, and raising the 
 lines of tents. We pushed ahead and entered the en- 
 campment. 
 
 On the right of this were a drove of sixty or eighty mules> 
 and horses, all packed with hides, blankets, and other arti- 
 cles ; these were guarded by about twenty-five armed Mexi- 
 xjans. Every one of these had a frightened, anxious look. 
 The captain of the band was before the field ofiicers, for ex- 
 lamination. — One of our men, who could speak Spanish flu- 
 ently, was the interpreter. — The Mexican stated, that his 
 part}'^ was from the Rio Grande ; that he was going to 
 Corpus Christi to trade ; that his men were armed to de- 
 fend themselves and their goods from the Comanches, whose 
 war parties he had learned were on the route. — That all this 
 was true, was apparent from circumstances ; and he was im- 
 mediately released, and left the ofiicers, touching his hat and 
 saying, adios ! scnors, (farewell, gentlemen). He directed 
 his men to go on to the next water, the last that we had 
 passed, (where the regiment had been about to encamp). Our 
 men, however, would not let them go so easily ; they wanted 
 to trade, and the Mexicans were very willing. — One bought 
 a horse, that had been caught from the prairie, a few days 
 before; another purchased a Mexican blanket, with its vavie- 
 gated colors ; others bought lariats; and others were much 
 taken wjsth the enormous spurs used by the traders, the row- 
 
174 WILD HORSES. 
 
 els being two inches or more in diameter, and they gave 
 their own in place, which were freely taken. 
 
 The regiment, in coming on, had obtained a much better 
 encampment for grass and water, than the one at which they 
 were about to stop. 
 
 After the Mexicans had gone, the men of the advance 
 were telling, round their suppers, of their day's march, and 
 according to their account, they had a lively time all day. 
 When they had marched out from camp this morning about 
 five miles, being two miles ahead of the regiment, they 
 came suddenly upon between two and three thousand wild 
 horses ; (the number being said by all to be more than three 
 times those in the regiment.) These upon their appearance, 
 wheeled, and moved round in solid bodies, and finally, and 
 with great celerity formed a line ; one flank of which was 
 near the road in front, and the other was extended so far on 
 the horizon to the right, that it could not be distinctly seen. 
 
 They remained in this position for some moments, holding 
 their heads high to examine the guard ; they then, by wheel- 
 ing in large bodies, broke and left for the vast open range to the 
 north-west, going ofi' with a cloud of dust in their rear, which 
 hid them from the view. As they wheeled, the extreme right 
 was brought near to the guard, who were unable to control 
 themselves, but dashed out of the ranks, and charged upon 
 them; broke the regular order of one of the bodies, confused, 
 and scattered it. They shot two of them, and caught a 
 third, as he endeavored to break through the line ; — they 
 tried to lead him, but he was unmanageable, and they re- 
 leased him. These horses were of all colors and sizes, from 
 the patriarchal old steed, that led the van, down to the small- 
 est colt. 
 
 In an hour or two more, the guard came upon a pack of 
 large wolves, and immediately gave chase to them ; these 
 scattered; soon after, all the guard returned, save the chief 
 bugler of the reg't; he was seen in the distance, rapidly in 
 chase, until he disappeared from view. He returned in 
 a couple of hours, having, in his excitement and eager- 
 ness to catch the wolf he was after, lost his cloak- from the 
 
WOLVES. ITS' 
 
 seat of his saddle, and his hat from his head ; and bareheaded 
 in the hot sun, he came back at a more steady pace ; and when 
 he again got up, he was venting many exclamations against 
 all wolves in general, and the one he had chased in particu- 
 lar. After this excitement of the chases had died away, the 
 guard came in view of the Mexicans before mentioned, and 
 not knowing their numbers, or intentions, were very cautious 
 in approaching them. The Mexicans were disposed to be 
 friendly, and struck their breasts, and said, Amigos ! Amigos a 
 los Americanos ! (Friends! Friends to Americans.) The lieu- 
 tenant sent back an express to the colonel, but then ventured 
 nearer, and finding them friendly, all the guard sat down to 
 eat with them ; — while the regiment behind, advancing rap- 
 idly up, believing the guard about to be cut to pieces, — 
 found them at their supper. 
 
 — The Mexicans departed ; the guard was assembled at the 
 guard tent, the first relief was posted, and the rest of us, as- 
 well as the body of the regiment, lay down to sleep. — I wa* 
 placed on the second relief, and stood from eleven o'clock till 
 two. My station was along the edge of a high bluff" looking, 
 down on the creek below ; on the next post to me was Carr^ 
 and we violated the strict discipline, so far, as to get together 
 at the junction of our stations, and have a long talk. He- 
 told me the conclusion of the tale, he was relating with re- 
 gard to himself; (which the reader will remember on page- 
 65). — The Indian there mentioned, fired, but hit the tree ; sev- 
 eral more came to his assistance, and Carr was taken pris- 
 oner, and kept tied several weeks ; but after a while was al- 
 lowed some liberty, when he made his escape from them, and 
 traveled one hundred and ninety miles in six nights, conceal- 
 ing himself in the day time, and got into the settlements on 
 the Upper Mississippi ; — he never returned to his Indian 
 friends, but set out for the Mexican war. 
 
 After finishing our conversation, he walked his round, 
 and I mine. The night was still and quiet; nothing could 
 be heard, save the neighing of the wild horses out on the 
 prairie, which seemed to have come up pretty near usj. and 
 occasionally the concert of a pack of wolves. About one 
 
176 EXCURSIONS OF COMANCHES. 
 
 o'clock, we heard a gun in the distance, from the Mexican 
 traders' camp, then another, and shortly after, two more. — 
 Probably they had seen the Comanches round them; they 
 would not jSre without. It was a singular fact that here, in 
 a space of a few miles, in a perfect wilderness, without a 
 habitation to the north, nearer than seventy-five miles ; to 
 the south, of over a hundred; to the east, towards the coast, 
 none ; to the north-west, none for several hundred ; there 
 should be three distinct bodies of men, of three different ra- 
 ces, of three different languages, manners, and customs ; and 
 each of the three, in a state of warfare with both of the 
 others, — Americans, Mexicans, and Comanches. 
 
 These bands, and in some instances, large forces of the 
 warlike, savage tribe of Comanches, had infested and over- 
 run this whole section, between the Nueces and the Rio 
 Grande, for all the season ; had, while our troops were at 
 Camargo, crossed the Rio Grande, between that and Mata- 
 moras, in large numbers, and made extensive depredations 
 in the vicinity of Mier ; in one case, appearing near the town 
 directly after our troops had left it. They had not molested 
 these, but in one instance ; when a skirmish took place be- 
 tween two companies of Texas rangers, under captains Gil- 
 laspie and McCullough, and a large party of the Indians, in 
 which several of them were killed. 
 
 A treaty had been made, in the month of June previous, by 
 General Butler of South Carolina, and Colonel Lewis of Ten- 
 nessee, commissioners for that purpose, with this tribe, and 
 all the tribes on this frontier, in general council, assembled 
 on the upper waters of the Colorado, in Texas. But this 
 treaty the Comanches had not well kept. 
 
 Three days after we had passed along here, a party of 
 traders endeavored to go back to Corpus Christi, on our trail : 
 they were attacked by this same body of them, then hanging 
 round us, and only saved by a precipitous retreat, and the 
 speed of their horses. 
 
 Friday, October 20th. Wishing to be on the advance guard 
 this day, the author in place of another, reported again, and 
 succeeded. He had managed to keep a few oats until this 
 
CAPTURE OF A WILD HORSE. 17'7 
 
 time, and they were of much benefit to his horse, for it was 
 hard upon the horses now ; long marches from water to 
 water ; — having been always accustomed to grain, they could 
 not do without it, and keep up their strength and vigor ; 
 besides the grass was much of it dead, and of but little help to 
 them. There is a short, fine, silky grass, through this prairie 
 wilderness in places, called musquit ; — this, even when 
 dead, from the great amount of seed it bears, is fine for 
 horses ; but there w"as none of this at some of the places of 
 encampment, and many of the horses of the regiment were 
 already showing the eflect of their want of proper food. 
 
 The advance, this day, consisted of twenty-four men, a ser- 
 geant, corporal and bugler, commanded by a lieutenant; and 
 we were accompanied by Major Waterhouse. We were on 
 the march at an early hour. — A fog rested over the surface 
 of the prairie ; but it soon passed away, and the day's march 
 was pleasant ; but fresh water was scarce, though salt was 
 abundant. Thousands of deer, as before ; — many herds of 
 wild spotted goats, that we had not seen previously, and many 
 wild horses, that, drawing themselves up, surveyed us for a 
 few moments, and then went away with the fleetness of the 
 wind. — One, a gray, being visible in the distance. Christian, 
 one of the men, obtained permission to give him a chase ; — 
 this he did in good style : — he got round him unperceived, 
 so that when the horse saw him. in running directly from him, 
 he came towards us. Our boys seeing him a long ways off, 
 coming, spurred their horses out, and forming a wide semi- 
 circle, surrounded, confused and turned him about, and 
 crowded upon him. — He fought well, biting with teeth, and 
 giving kicks with his hind, and blows with his fore feet; 
 — he could do but little, though, against such a set of dare 
 devils ; who, after a desperate struggle on his part, in spite 
 of his snorts and blows, his rapid kicking and biting, jump- 
 ed at him like so many blood-hounds, and soon got a slip- 
 noose over his neck, and a turn around his head ; — and then> 
 tying him to two strong horses, they whipped him and forced 
 him into line. — He never, for a moment, discontinued hia 
 efforts to regain his liberty. — He was a very good looking, 
 12 
 
178 HUMAN SKELETONS. 
 
 middle sized stud, but had one of his eyes injured, probably 
 by fighting. 
 
 While engaged in the frolic with him, the boys saw sev- 
 eral human skeletons lying on the green sward around ; — • 
 fragments of clothing were near. One of the men dis- 
 mounted, picked up a skull, with a joke, tossed it up to an- 
 other, and picked up a second ; and, each with one, came 
 on the lines of the guard again. One of the skulls had 
 been cut through above the left ear, with a narrow and thick 
 tomahawk, that had raised the bone, making the incision 
 broad ; — the other was shot directly through the head. Who 
 these were, and when they were killed, aflbrded much con- 
 versation to some of the men, who reasoned and argued 
 upon their different views of the matter, with as much so- 
 briety and earnestness as though they had data from which to 
 form an opinion. These finally concluded that the larger 
 one was the head of Morgan, the anti-mason. — The horse 
 was forced along several miles, and then turned loose, and 
 he bounded away to enjoy his freedom again. 
 
 We passed, occasionally, pretty, clear lakes, but at each 
 one failed in getting drinking water ; — all were salt. — After 
 marching about twenty-five miles, the advance halted, upon 
 a narrow ridge of higher land, lying between two extensive 
 lakes, also salt ; — but on the ridge was a pond hole, over- 
 grown with rushes and moss. In this was fresh water; 
 which, on being strained, was drinkable, but unpleasant to 
 the taste. — We were rejoiced, however, to find it. 
 
 The regiment shortly came up ; the train and rear guard 
 followed ; the camp was laid off, and soon horses unsaddled 
 and " lariatted " out to grass, tents up, fires burning, &c. 
 
 At sunset, we saw several horsemen coming in, far over the 
 prairie, on our trail ; — we examined them closely, but were 
 agreeably surprised, on their nearer approach, to find them 
 a number of our men, who had been left behind from place 
 to place, sick ; — some as far back as Little Rock, on the Ar- 
 kansas. Accompanying them, was the assistant surgeon, 
 Dr. Stout, who had attended to them all along, having had 
 a laborious time. We were rejoiced to meet the doctor and 
 
LOST HUNTERS. 179 
 
 Lis patients recovered. — (There were now but one or two 
 yet behind, and these afterwards joined us at different 
 places.) 
 
 One man of our company, McPherson, and one of Cap- 
 tain Gillaspie's, had been missing for two days, since they 
 had left the lines to hunt on the prairie. Much concern was 
 felt about them ; which, this evening, was relieved by their 
 coming up together. — McPherson gave a singular account of 
 his being lost. He had chased off a herd of wild goats, en- 
 deavoring to kill one, when he suddenly came upon a herd 
 of wild horses grazing. — These galloped around, formed their 
 line in a moment, and, as usual, held up their heads to ex- 
 amine him. He, wishing to get nearer, spurred his horse di- 
 rectly for the centre of the line ; — when near the horses 
 there, they turned and ran, the two flanks following ; but as 
 the centre ran ahead, in the cloud of dust, the flanks closed 
 in behind and around him ; and he being ' forced to keep up, 
 was not able to get out for some time ; — and when he did 
 succeed in clearing himself from them, his horse was reeking 
 with sweat and covered with dust, and he himself was en- 
 tirely ignorant of the course he had come ; for the sun was 
 not out, the sky being cloudy ; the prairie appearing in all 
 directions the same vast level scene, save the dust from 
 the herd of horses in the distance. — He went back on the 
 trail, got confused, and wandered around. Shortly after, see- 
 ing a distant horseman, he rode towards him, and found him 
 to be one of Gillaspie's men ; who, hunting, was also lost. 
 These two slept during the night in the grass, without fire ; 
 for, having seen numerous tracks of Indians, they were fear- 
 ful of building one, which, in these prairies, would show for 
 many miles around. They wandered all the next day, pay- 
 ing no attention to the horses, deer, &c., surrounding them, 
 only anxious to find the road. They slept, that night, 
 as before ; and in the morning about ten o'clock, to their 
 great joy, struck the road about twenty-five miles back, or a 
 little beyond our last night's encampment; — they then rode 
 on and came up, — hungry and exhausted. 
 
 One man by the name of Smith died this day, while on the- 
 
180 SALT MARSHES. 
 
 march, in the hospital wagon. He had been sick for several 
 days. During the night another one died, Rogers, of Captain 
 Haynes' company. — They were both buried this morning; — 
 (No material could be procured for coffins ; so their graves 
 were dug deep, and they were laid out in them, wrapped in 
 their blankets, and barrel staves were placed closely above 
 them.) 
 
 Saturday, October Slst. This day's march of about twenty- 
 eight miles, was through a continued succession of salt lakes 
 and marshes of immense extent, with here and there a rise 
 of land between. These marshes, we observed, on the east, 
 at a distance of ten or twelve miles, were bounded, in one 
 part, by a range of lofty hills ; these, however, did not con- 
 tinue far ; they appeared to rise out of the marsh itself. — On 
 the lakes, and overflowed extent of marsh, were innumera- 
 ble flocks of pelicans, swans, geese, cranes and ducks ; — on 
 the ranges of higher land, were many herds of wild horses, 
 deer and goats. The gi-ass on these ridges was taller than 
 we had ever seen, rising — in many places thick — higher than 
 we could reach, while on our horses. 
 
 These marshes were difficult for us to cross ; — still more 
 difficult for the wagon train. We were obliged to make long 
 circuits to find crossing places over them, and yet longer 
 ones to get round the lakes. The water on the marshes 
 was from one to two feet deep for miles in succession, cov- 
 ered with long rushes ; in the centre a deeper lagoon wound 
 its way. In some of these lagoons was a considerable cur- 
 rent running to the east; — water extremely salt, and, in most 
 places, from four to five feet deep. Through these marshes 
 we wound our way. It was splash — splash — splash — splash, 
 before and in the rear. We, as well as our horses, suffered 
 much inconvenience from the want of fresh.'water. — That, 
 last night, was so unpleasant, that neither men nor horses 
 drank much. — This day not a drop could be found until late, 
 when we halted on a little hill, in a hollow of which, eleva- 
 ted above the level of the marshes, was found a pond hole 
 of brackish water, small, and overgrown with rushes and 
 grass. This was enough to give us and our horses a drink, 
 
WANT OF FRESH WATER. 181 
 
 but not sufficient for the night. — Scouts were sent out, in all 
 directions, to find more ; and, after two hours' delay, they 
 reported there was wood and good grass at a point of timber 
 about six miles off, just discernible on the horizon, and a 
 pond hole of " salty " water about two miles from it, and 
 that this was the best chance for us to encamp for the 
 night. 
 
 We immediately commenced the march for the timber, 
 where we arrived about an hour by sun, and encamped. 
 The grass was tall, though of an inferior quality ; — plenty 
 of oak wood, (the last we saw). — The water brought from 
 the hole, two miles off, was unfit for use ; it made us more 
 thirsty, to drink it. Many of the men dug holes in the lower 
 parts of the prairie around the camp, but the water that 
 rose in them was worse than that of the pond — more salt. 
 — The general conversation that evening was about water : 
 one was relating the account of a spring of cool clear water 
 in his father's yard ; another was speaking of an old well at 
 his home, that never gave out ; while another had much to 
 say about a spring branch that run through his yard in Ten- 
 nessee; while others spoke of the " Big Spring" at Memphis, 
 &c., &c. Some of the men made coffee of the salt water, 
 but that was worse ; — they could not sM^allow a drop of it. 
 — In the wagon train, it was now found, there were two bar- 
 rels of liquor. — Nobody knew who the owner was ; but it 
 was for sale, and many bought, and mixed it in the water. 
 This made it more palatable ; in fact, so much more, that 
 many of the men drank so freely of it, that they were much 
 elevated under its influence. 
 
 Sunday, November \st. The horses all looked badly this 
 morning. For the want of forage they were getting weak, 
 and moved in a dull, sleepy way. Some gave out yesterday 
 on the march, and died ; three or four died last night ; and 
 this morning, immediately after roll call, one came stagger- 
 ing through the tents of our company, and fell over on one 
 of them, kicked and died. A man was sleeping in the tent, 
 having laid down after the roll call ; and the dying horse, in 
 his fall, knocked it down and rolled over on it ; and how it 
 
182 BRINY LAKE. 
 
 happened that he did not fall on the sleeping man, we could 
 not see. — As the dying animal came over on the tent, the 
 man got from under the canvass on the other side, with 
 remarkable quickness, and with a look of perfect wildness, 
 at being so aroused; which was not diminished as he saw 
 the horse that had occasioned it. 
 
 We were on the march this morning very early. The route 
 of the day was like that of the day before, though we passed 
 through not so much marsh, but went by more lakes. One 
 of these was very large and clear, and we hoped to find it 
 of fresh water; — for the thirst of ourselves, as well as of 
 our horses, now was getting great. We rode to it ; — the 
 shore was of sand, but the water, evaporating, had left a 
 <;rust of dirty salt, from two to three inches in thickness, all 
 around. This was also the case in the water: every step 
 the horses took, broke up the incrusted salt on the bottom. 
 The water itself was a solution of it ; — ^held as much as it was 
 possible that it could do ; — consequently was, literally, " as salt 
 as brine." (This article, salt, we had often needed before this, 
 and did often need it afterwards ; but, in this section of coun- 
 try, there was " too much of a good thing.") We soon turn- 
 ed away from this lake ; which, though large and clear, was 
 not visited by any water fowl, being entirely too salt for their 
 taste. Neither is it probable that there was a fish, muscle, 
 crab, or any living thing in it ; — we saw no trace of such. 
 
 We went on six miles farther, and came to two lakes, that 
 had many flocks of ducks and geese upon their surface, which 
 gave us reason to hope that they were fresh. We tried the 
 first, — salt ; too much so swallow well ; — rode to the other, 
 about a mile : this could be drank by those as thirsty as 
 ourselves. Our horses drank it freely. — The encampment 
 was immediately pitched near the first one, where plenty of 
 dry musquit wood was on a little rise, and pretty good 
 grass ; and the way our tired and hungry horses ate this 
 " was a sin." 
 
 — The prairie now became more rolling, but, as yet, little 
 timber ; oak timber having become smaller and more scrub- 
 
FRESH WATER. 183 
 
 by for a long way back, had now entirely disappeared, and 
 musquit taken its place. 
 
 Monday^ November 2d. We commenced the march of the 
 day early. The officers calculated that the river called the 
 Sal Colorado [pron. Sal Colorou) was about four or five miles 
 ahead, when we started ; but we marched some twenty-six 
 or twenty-eight miles, and saw nothing of it. After travel- 
 ing some four or five miles, we came to a lake of good wa- 
 ter ; — this was truly refreshing. The succeeding lakes were 
 alternately salt and fresh, yet all looking alike, and in the 
 same kind of soil : — there were many of them. About noon 
 we struck the chapparal, and after that saw no more of the 
 extensive views of prairie and marsh. — This chapparal was 
 close and thick of musquit; but under it was a closer growth 
 of prickly pear, growing up some eight and ten feet high, 
 {see prickly pear, plate, page 356;) every separate plant twelve 
 or fourteen feet across ; — each large leaf covered with thou- 
 sands of needles, that penetrated us and our horses, and re- 
 maining always in the wound, being by no means easy to 
 draw out. — A new kind of grass began to be plenty. This 
 bore burs, each one with five points, strong and sharp. 
 
 The regiment was halted at two P. M., w-hile scouts were 
 sent out to examine the country. We remained about two 
 hours, in the intervals between the large tracts of this im- 
 penetrable chapparal. — The appearance of the country had 
 changed entirely. — For many weeks, and even upon this 
 morning, had we been in wide, open grounds ; and although 
 for several days in the salt marshes, yet these were open, 
 and we had plenty of room ; but this afternoon we were 
 crowded up in narrow intervals, with thorns on every side ; 
 the close musquit being loaded with them, and the vast 
 quantity of prickly pear covered with the same ; — if we found 
 a place of grass large enough to lay down, we bounced up 
 again quicker than we threw ourselves down : for the grass 
 was full of these burs, that were keener than needles. — 
 One good thing, though, we found : fresh water in abun- 
 dance, in the lakes spoken of. 
 
 After being ordered to resume our march, we passed on 
 
184 CHARGE ON WHISKY BARRELS. 
 
 about six miles, and came out of the " d-v-l-sh chapparal,'* 
 as the men ah-eady called it, into a pretty prairie of a thou- 
 sand or two acres, covered with a close growth of the short, 
 fine, silky musquit grass, mentioned before, not more than 
 four inches long, and dead at that, — completely brown. One 
 who had never seen this sort of grass, would have thought 
 this place a poor chance for horses ; but it was, even dead, 
 much better than the long, green, coarse grass mentioned : 
 for this dead musquit was heavy with seed. If we could have 
 got plenty of this, our horses would have done pretty well, 
 but it was only occasionally that we got it. — Several more 
 horses died to-day from weakness. 
 
 We had seen but very little game all day, — not a single 
 wild horse, and very few deer; but to-night, to our great 
 gratification, we saw several cattle, wild to be sure, but we 
 knew that these were herded. We put out after them, and 
 killed four or five ; for our stock of provisions was running 
 out, and for four days back had we been on half rations. 
 The minor articles, such as coffee, sugar, rice, candles, &c., 
 had given out entirely. There were, this night, two days' 
 rations of meat and bread in the train. 
 
 In the evening quite a row took place. Many of the regi- 
 ment had been talking over the legality and expediency 
 of hauling in the train two barrels of whisky, to the exclu- 
 sion of two barrels of pork. This had been, however, silently 
 spoken of; but this evening, after dark, a large crowd took 
 their canteens and proceeded to the wagon, and took posses- 
 sion of the barrels ; — knocked in the heads, and supplied 
 every one that wanted with whisky, until it w^as all gone. 
 
 Tuesday, November Sd. The regiment was on the march 
 at an early hour. The face of country, this day, w^as alter- 
 nately of prairie and chapparal, — prairie mostly, until near 
 the Sal Colorado, which we struck at one, P. M. (This was 
 the stream where General Taylor was met by the Mexican 
 adjutant general, w^ho forbade his progress. — This stream 
 was seventy yards wide, and of salt water. We commenced 
 the crossing immediately ; — rafts were constructed by each 
 company, and towed over by swimmers, for the river was 
 
SAL COLORADO. 185- 
 
 too high to allow of fording, as had been done by the army 
 of General Taylor. — On these rafts were placed the baggage 
 and arms ; — the horses were swum across ; the wagons were 
 pulled over from the other bank by a long rope, kept on pur- 
 pose for such occasions ; — the water being about eight feet 
 deep, took them about half way up the cover bows, and 
 everything in them, or nearly so, was wet, save the ammuni- 
 tion, which was kept dry. — This crossing was a busy scene, 
 and not ended until midnight. 
 
 Wednesday, November 4th. All the train being across the 
 Sal Colorado, we left at an early hour. The march, this 
 day, was by an old trail or path, wide enough for our 
 wagons, through the dense chapparal, now more thick than 
 before. Our course was slow, for our horses were quite 
 weak; — many gave out this day, and were left by the 
 roadside to die ; a dozen from the train alone were left yes- 
 terday and to-day. Occasionally, through the day, we passed 
 over small prairies ; — in these were growing great quantities 
 of wild red pepper, which was very strong. — We observed 
 the retreats of an animal new.to us : — a rat, in everything but 
 ears, which resembled those of a rabbit ; — like the squirrel, 
 in its habits of climbing, &c. Their large retreats were 
 built in great numbers under the bunches of prickly pear. — 
 We also saw, rearing its head in the dense thicket, many 
 trunks of the sword palmetto, or Spanish bayonet, from fif- 
 teen to twenty-five feet high ; {see sword palmetto, page 356) ; — 
 this, like the prickly pear and the musquit tree, was to be in 
 our constant view for many months hereafter. 
 
 We encamped near a lake of good water, at three, P. M. 
 — The grass was poor, but our half famished horses ate it 
 greedily. — This night, the remainder of the provisions were 
 issued, and the wagons, save those for ammunition, were 
 empty ; — but we hoped to be able to get within reach of the 
 Rio Grande on the next day. — We had left the range of all 
 the wild animals, having seen none during this day, and our 
 accustomed venison at night was failing. — Several horses died 
 during the night, unable to endure the fatigue and want of 
 forage. 
 
186 ARRIVAL AT RIO GRANDE. 
 
 TJiursday, Novcmbc?^ 5th. We were on the march at an 
 early hour. After going about ten miles we came to a beat- 
 en road, the only one we had seen for many days. — Our 
 horses seemed to travel better at once. — We took this road, 
 leading down towards the coast, and nine miles farther 
 brought us to the water ponds near the battle field of " Palo 
 Alto." — Here all were rejoiced to see many wagons, that 
 had been sent out from Matamoras to meet us ; notice of our 
 coming having been sent by the colonel, from the Sal Color- 
 ado. Most welcome supplies of corn, oats, meat, bread, 
 flour, sugar, coffee, rice, beans, pickles, candles, soap, &c. 
 The tents were pitched, and immediately all these were 
 served out. — (But the author was not in this feast of good 
 things ; for he, with part of the wagon train, pretty well in 
 the rear, instead of going to the left to Palo Alto, took, by 
 mistake, a right hand path, and was led by it into the main 
 road at the ravine of Resaca de la Palma, the second battle 
 ground. — Passing over this, a distance of four miles, brought 
 them suddenly in view of the Rio Grande, the city of Mata- 
 moras, and the long lines of tents of the troops there; — also 
 of Fort Brown, and the American flag flying high above it. 
 The transition was most sudden from the thick chapparal 
 to the view of the city. Those that had come in by them- 
 selves crossed the river, leaving their horses with the wag- 
 ons, amply furnished with forage ; — went up to the busy city, 
 and, amid the crowded streets, soon found many of the men 
 who had came round sick ; — most were now well ; Captain 
 Porter, of company G, however, being worse.) 
 
 Saturday, November Hth. On Friday the 6th, the regiment 
 remained at Palo Alto to rest the horses, having plenty of 
 supplies ; and this morning they marched in, arriving on the 
 bank of the Rio Grande at two o'clock in the afternoon. They 
 passed down by Fort Brown, and encamped, in regular order, 
 in the bend of the river below that fortification. 
 
 Thus ended the long march of near fourteen hundred miles, 
 by the route we had come ; — commencing on the 27th of July, 
 and ending on this date. 
 
 The Kentucky cavalry had arrived at Camargo two or three 
 
ENCAMPMENT. 187 
 
 days previous to this time. They had also suffered severely, 
 from the want of water and forage, in crossing the desert 
 prairie. 
 
 Our hardships now were over, for a few weeks at least ; 
 and there being any quantity of forage here, we hoped to 
 have our horses soon in good order again. 
 
 On the 9th we crossed the river to the city, and marched 
 through, and encamped on the San Fernando road ; but the 
 water not being good, we shifted our camp, the following 
 day, to a position on a lake called " Agua dulce,''^ (pron. ar- 
 ■wah doolsy,) or sweet water, — a pretty crescent-shaped lake, 
 four miles north-west from the city {see map of Malamo- 
 ras) ; — this encampment was called " Camp Ringgold." — 
 Here we remained until December 21st, when again we 
 were on the move. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 Sunday, November 29lh. We had now been at Matamoras 
 between three and four weeks, and had taken every oppor- 
 tunity for acquiring information respecting the city and its 
 inhabitants. Our curiosity in this respect was quite active; 
 for, after a long march across the desert wilderness, we had 
 suddenly, as it were, come into the midst of a busy popula- 
 tion, in a city crowded with its inhabitants and our soldiers ; 
 a city where those stirring events had happened, the result 
 of which had been to draw us from our peaceful occupations 
 at home, and to place us in the position of soldiers ; — and, 
 upon our arrival, the inhabitants of which we found so very 
 different in appearance, dress, manners and customs of liv- 
 ing, language, religion, and almost every other particular, from 
 those of our own country, or any that the most of us had 
 ever seen before ; therefore, the time that had elapsed since 
 our arrival, had been, as much as possible, devoted to obtain- 
 ing information with regard to them, their city, and their 
 country. 
 
 Matamoras contains between nine and ten thousand in- 
 habitants ; is situated on the southern bank of the Rio Grande 
 or Rio Del Norte, on a rise of land partly surrounded by 
 three lakes, {see plan). It is twenty-five miles from the 
 mouth of the river by land, but about seventy-five by 
 the course of the river. The city is laid out on a regular 
 plan ; the streets crossing each other at right angles. There 
 are four public squares ; (though, on the plan, but two of them 
 are laid down ; the other two being of inconsiderable impor- 
 tance). The buildings, around the principal square or Plaza, 
 
 (188) 
 
BUILDINGS OF MATAMORAS. 189 
 
 are of two stories ; of brick, well and handsomely built, with 
 a fair proportion of windows to each ; with long balconies 
 above the lower story. — Occupying the larger part of the 
 eastern side of this Plaza, is the large unfinished cathedral — 
 the walls of which are erected, as well as the towers ; but 
 the roof never has been placed over them — probably on ac- 
 count of want of means. Part of the enclosed space has 
 been so fitted, however, as to answer temporarily for 
 public worship ; and the adjoining residences of the priests 
 are finished. — The capilla, on the western square, an- 
 swered, for the present, the purpose of saying mass. 
 
 On the western side of the Plaza are the public buildings, 
 now occupied by Colonel Curtis, the governor of the place; — ■ 
 some for storehouses for the supplies of the quartermaster's, 
 and other departments; — one house being used as the guard- 
 room for the stationed guard of the city, and another as the 
 common prison. — The other two sides are occupied as stores 
 below, and dwellings above. 
 
 Each side of the Plaza is a solid block of buildings. On 
 the streets leading in each direction from this, for some dis- 
 tance throughout the heart of the city, the buildings continue 
 mostly of two stories, of brick ; the sidewalks of the same. 
 This part includes all the public buildings of the city, and 
 the principal houses of business, market-house, &c. This 
 last, though some distance north-west of the main Plaza, is 
 surrounded by business houses as extensive, or more so, than 
 those around that; — on coming nearer to the exterior, the 
 buildings are of one story, still brick, but no longer flat roofs 
 of that material, but thatched with straw ; there being no 
 timber here of which shingles can be made. When nearer 
 still to the outskirts of the town, the brick buildings give way 
 to cottages; — or, rather, huts; — made of cane, lashed, by strips 
 of raw hide, to musquit poles ; with roof of straw, support- 
 ed by the same : not a nail about them ; — strips of hide for 
 all, even to support the braces and crooked poles upon which 
 rests the roof. Here, too, the sidewalks all disappear. — These 
 cane huts occupy the larger portion of the area of the city. 
 
 —There are many fine gardens, surrounded by brick walla, 
 
190 GARDENS. 
 
 in the heart of the city ; — these are cultivated with taste and 
 care, — have many flowers and shrubs, that grow not in the 
 colder climate of our own country ; — have many trees of 
 orange, lemon, and lime, though china trees seem to be a fa- 
 vorite shade here. — (These gardens, however, did not com- 
 pare in beauty with those afterward seen in the more south- 
 ern cities of Mexico.) — But on the suburbs, the gardens are 
 like the houses, rough ; and enclosed by fences of the same 
 light cane, fastened in the same way. None of the streets 
 of Matamoras are paved, there being no rock in the vicinity. 
 A rampart and ditch runs three-fourths of the distance 
 around the place {see plan), commencing at fort Paredes, 
 on the bank of the river, and continuing along the western 
 side, to the edge of the Laguna, running round a part of this 
 and the southern side of the town, comes up on the eastern 
 to the lake ; — the remainder of the circuit is protected by that 
 lake and another, together with the Rio Grande. A small 
 part of the city lies on the eastern side of these lakes ; but it 
 is mostly of cane huts. 
 
 (This city, as we afterwards learned, is not a fair sample 
 of the Mexican style of building, being so far from the older 
 part of Mexico, and in itself a new town; scarcely having an 
 existence previous to the year 1820.) — There were no old 
 buildings here ; nothing reminded one of former years ; like 
 many of the towns of the western parts of the United States, 
 every thing looked unfinished. — We noticed some few houses 
 built in the American style. — The author was informed by 
 an American who came to the place in 1823, and M^ho since 
 has resided here, that the town owed its prosperity to the 
 contraband trade that had been here carried on.* Under 
 the old Spanish government, Tampico, three hundred miles 
 
 • This gentleman was a person of education and intelligence, a native of New 
 London, in Connecticut ; — had made in this place a handsome fortune, and settled 
 himself here. He was one of those who, with Mr. Schaltzell, the United States' con- 
 sul here, previous to the commencement of hostilities, were, on the 12th of April, by 
 General Arista, ordered to leave the city and go to Tampico; which they did, leav- 
 ing their families behind them. On their arrival at Tampico, on the 23d of May,, 
 they heard of the capture of the city by General Taylor, and immediately took pas- 
 sage on a vessel and returned. 
 
SETTLEMENT OF MATAMORAS. 191 
 
 to the south, was the most northern port of entry. The 
 people of the northern provinces, of Nueva Leon, Tamauli- 
 pas, [pron. Tau-jnau-lee-pas), and Cohahuila, {pron. Ko-ak 
 wee-laJi), had money enough ; but, on account of the distance, 
 it was with great difficulty that articles of convenience or 
 luxury could be procured by them, and even then at great 
 prices, on account of the high duties imposed. 
 
 Seeing this, many Americans became engaged in bringing 
 goods to this river, and selling to the people of the country ; 
 — this trade was for a long time very profitable. They estab- 
 lished depots at this place, and were afterward joined by 
 many French, Italians, and a few Englishmen ; — the con- 
 traband trade so commenced was carried on with impunity, 
 on account of the many facilities offered. 
 
 The town of Matamoras soon sprung up, and traffic was 
 opened with all the northern provinces ; and for many years it 
 has been the principal point of export and import for these. 
 After it had risen to such a degree of importance as to at- 
 tract the attention of the general government, it was made 
 a port of entry, and a custom house established, to prevent 
 the illicit introduction of foreign goods ; — but the custom 
 house officers receiving, from the merchants engaged in this, 
 more profit than they could otherwise realize, winked at the 
 smuggling carried on before their eyes ; and the interior was 
 still furnished with goods at a cheaper rate than they could 
 be purchased for in Tampico. — Where the trade was, there 
 of course collected the population. At the commencement of 
 this war, Matamoras rivaled, in trade and population, many 
 cities of Mexico which had been founded for hundreds of years. 
 
 It will be seen, by reference to the map of Matamoras, that 
 the Rio Grande is remarkably crooked near the city ; — it is 
 much more so below, between the city and coast. The land 
 around the city being level, the tall chimneys of an approach- 
 ing steamboat may be seen for two or three hours before she 
 arrives ; and as she follows the winding course of the river, 
 the chimney tops seem going far to the south and then re- 
 turning to the north, only, apparently, to take another course 
 to the south ; and thus she appears to go for a long time. 
 
192 MIXED POPULATION. 
 
 back and forth upon the same line, until she turns the last 
 bend, and comes to view at the lower ferry. — One short and 
 one longer bend brings her to the landing on the north of 
 the city, near fort Paredes. 
 
 This river, although so crooked, runs with a current of 
 four miles an hour; — it waters are turbid and thick with 
 mud, and resemble, in color, those of the Mississippi. The 
 river has the same appearance, of under current rising from 
 the bottom and boiling up, as it were, and spreading out on 
 the surface. The water is good, and, when settled, equal in 
 clearness and purity to that of any stream ; — although, in this 
 section, it runs through a country impregnated with salt, 
 yet it possesses none of that quality; being used by the in- 
 habitants of the city for all washing and cooking purposes ; — 
 the wells here furnish but brackish water. The river banks 
 are of clay, bluff, and apt to wash away and fall in. — The 
 lakes marked on the plate, in very high water, communi- 
 cate with the river. La Laguna is several miles in circum- 
 ference, and has an outlet to the river twelve miles above 
 the city. 
 
 The land around Matamoras, on both sides of the river, is 
 perfectly level, covered in many places by large tracts of 
 impenetrable chapparal ; the soil, wherever cultivated, is fer- 
 tile, — though of that shortly. — The inhabitants of this city 
 are all of dark complexion, that is, the Mexican portion ; 
 but, as said before, they are mixed up with French, Italians, 
 some English and old settled Americans, and some Dutch. 
 
 Of the Mexican population, this American gentleman spo- 
 ken of, said, that there was but one family resident in 
 the city, of the Spanish or Castilian race ; that all the rest 
 were of the mingled breeds between that race and the Indi- 
 ans ; — this class are the most numerous throughout the whole 
 of Mexico, but here the population is altogether of it. They 
 are of various shades, but all dark. — He stated that the 
 nearest families of pure blood were at San Fernando, a 
 town of about three thousand inhabitants, ninety miles in 
 the interior ; but in proceeding to the southward, in that di- 
 rection, into the more thickly and older settled parts of Mex- 
 
PLAN OF MATAMORAS, AND VICINITY, FROM SURVEY BY 
 
 CAPTAIN M. A. HAYNES, OF THE TENNESSEE REGIMENT 
 
 OF CAVALRY, NOVEMBER 30, 184 7. 
 
 13 
 
DRESS OF MEXICANS. 195 
 
 ico, they became more numerous ; (which we found to be the 
 fact, in our subsequent marches). 
 
 The dress of the men in this city varied much. Some of 
 the more influential and wealthy, with such an example as 
 now they had before them, of well dressed officers and Amer- 
 ican citizens, copied it as set ; and dressed in neatly made 
 and fitting coats, pantaloons and vests, cravats, shoes and 
 boots, with American hats, &c. But those dressed "^ la 
 Mexicana,^'' wore short waisted pantaloons, (called cahones,) 
 without suspenders ; open on the outside seam of each leg 
 nearly to the waistband, with a row of large gilt or silvered 
 bell buttons down this outside seam, to close it as far as the 
 taste of the wearer required. — These pantaloons were of 
 cotton, or more generally of dressed buck-skin, with a pro- 
 fusion of ornamental needle work in bows, flowers, &c., &c., 
 conspicuous on the sides and front ; beneath this pair, an- 
 other of white or blue was worn, showing all along on 
 the outside of the leg, where the outer ones were open ; — 
 this inner pair were called calzoTwillas . A cotton or linen 
 shirt, always clean and nice, with a wide brimmed sugar 
 loafed hat of palm, (called a sombrero), with a cord-like or- 
 namental band around it, (called toquilla), with two silver 
 screws with large flat heads to them, showing on the out- 
 sides, passing through the body of the hat ; — these are used 
 to fasten, by each end, a strong ribbon, which passes under 
 the chin, to keep the hat on when riding in the wind ; — slip- 
 pers made of thin, half tanned leather, of goatskin, useless 
 when wet, or sometimes sandals, — no socks, gloves, or cra- 
 vat ; — in shirt, hat, pantaloons, and slippers, they considered 
 themselves dressed. {See plate, page 378.) 
 
 — If more was necessary, on account of cold, an horongo, 
 or ornamental blanket, worked in figures, diamonds, circles, 
 squares, &c., in red, white, blue, and green colors, was added. 
 — This had a slit in the centre, through which the Mex- 
 ican put his head when on horseback, and the whole blan- 
 ket hung around him in its gaudy colors. At other times, 
 laying it on his neck, he threw the right hand side across his 
 breast and over his left shoulder. — In this array, imagine the 
 
196 WOMEN OF MATAMORAS. 
 
 Mexican on foot before you, — with sombrero, blanket, double 
 pantaloons, and slippers, and commonly an enormous pair 
 of spurs on his heels, and a little paper cigar in his mouth. 
 — Instead of the horongo, however, the better class wore a 
 finer article of the blanket kind, called a " serapc.^^ 
 
 The women wore white chemises, with only shoulder 
 straps ; the bosom and back were cut much lower than in our 
 country would be thought correct; bare arms, a short petti- 
 coat, and slippers without stockings ; almost every one wore 
 a pair of gold ear-rings, and their hair was neatly braided, — 
 To this dress, they added a " rebosoj'^ or shawl, often orna- 
 mented, which came down upon the person, leaving the face 
 exposed. The part that hung on the right side was thrown 
 over the left shoulder : and with such tact did they wear 
 itj that that corner never slipped off. — Their dress was not 
 only neat, but pretty. 
 
 As an ornament, or for religious devotion, almost every 
 woman wore a little gold crucifix, with a string of beads 
 or plain cord. Most of them had the little cigar between 
 their lips ; and, when in the streets, had an " open and shut ** 
 fan. These women of Matamoras cannot be said to be pretty. 
 They are all dark in complexion ; but they have fine forms, 
 black, glossy hair, large black eyes, and beautiful teeth ; and, 
 (however, many exceptions) are neat and trim. 
 
 This is the appearance of the Mexican male and female 
 on foot ; but nearly all the men were continually on horse- 
 back, and presented quite a different appearance to the 
 eye, than horsemen of our country. — A Mexican is not 
 " at home " until he is on horseback. The horses are 
 smaller than those of our country, but active and hardy. 
 — The bridle is commonly covered, on the sides and front 
 band, with small diamond pieces of silver ; the bit is pow- 
 erful, — for a curb is an iron ring going round the horse's 
 lower jaw ; the lower part of the bit projects below the 
 horse's lip — has a cross-bar here, covered with small jingling 
 pieces of steel. — There are no martingales. The saddle has 
 a smaller seat than those we use ; instead of skirts, it has 
 to the stirrup leathers a wide piece going back to protect the 
 
HORSEMEN. 197 
 
 leg from the sweat of the horse ; has wooden stirrups, with 
 a large piece of leather covering them, and coming down in 
 two long points a foot below. The housing of the saddle is 
 made of horse hair, manufactured after the fashion of a wig ; 
 — the girth is of a dozen cords of horse hair, made fast at 
 each end to a large iron ring with a long tongue, by strap- 
 ping up which the saddle is fastened. A long lasso, of raw 
 hide, or hair rope, with a running noose on the end, hangs 
 on the horn of the saddle, to which the other end is fastened ; 
 — to this horn also hangs a water gourd, ca.\\edguah-he,{which. 
 has been described on page 127). The saddle is ornamented 
 with many pieces of silver ; and in some instances bits of 
 looking-glass are set in, &c., &c. Now, reader, imagine one 
 of these inhabitants, dressed as described, with his sombrero, 
 gaudy blanket, and open outside pantaloons, with spurs, 
 the rowels two inches in diameter, with jingling tags to them, 
 mounted in this style, and you have the Mexican on horse- 
 back; — the Mexican in Matamoras, and the Mexican in all 
 other parts ; for in this respect there was no difference in 
 them, save when mounted as lancers : then they wore green 
 uniforms, faced with red and trimmed with yeliow. They 
 do not ride like us : the stirrups being more back, throw their 
 bodies more forward, and their knees are not bent ; in fact, 
 they stand in their stirrups. {See plate, page 368.) 
 
 This population of men, mounted and on foot, women, 
 boys and girls, dressed after the same fashion, filled the 
 streets of Matamoras, together with laborers. United States' 
 soldiers and officers, both regulars and volunteers ; many of 
 the wagons of the army were employed in transporting 
 stores, &c., and so much work was required for the army, 
 that everything was busy, and the city, with its mixed pop- 
 ulation, presented an active scene. 
 
 In walking through the crowded streets of the city at this 
 time, the stranger was surprised at the number of Ameri- 
 cans ; who, following the course of the army, settled down, 
 keeping shops and stores of various sorts, eating houses, and 
 taverns ; and not a few kept gambhng rooms, where rolette 
 
198 POLICE— FORT BROWN. 
 
 tables, chuck-a-luck, faro and ^'■monte'''' banks, (this last a 
 Mexican game), were constantly going. 
 
 The city, in its internal police, was under the government 
 of its four alcaldes, or magistrates, and its Ayuntimenio, or 
 common council. — These alcaldes have their courts open 
 every day for the punishment of criminals ; all of whom, af- 
 ter conviction, were passed over to the city jail, on the Plaza, 
 "which was continually guarded by Mexican soldiers ; — though 
 the whole was, in fact, under the control of Colonel Curtis, 
 of the third Ohio regiment, the military commander of the 
 city. 
 
 (The garrison, at this time, consisted of that regiment, en- 
 camped on the north of the city, and the third Indiana regi- 
 ment, Colonel Lane, on the east {see plate). Fort Paredes, 
 on the bank of the river, at the north-west corner of the city, 
 was occupied by part of the Ohio regiment, while part of 
 the Indiana, in conjunction with a force of regulars, occu- 
 pied Fort Brown.) 
 
 Guards Avere stationed here and there, at the corners and 
 public places, throughout the city, and the first object that 
 struck the eye, on entering the Plaza, were two cannon in 
 front of the guard house, and a line of soldiers on duty ; all 
 under the shade of the china trees. 
 
 On the top of the flag staff, over these soldiers, floated in 
 the strong breeze, the flag of the United States, always 
 glanced up to by the Americans with feelings of pride and 
 satisfaction, and frowned upon and scowled at by the Mexi- 
 cans ; — answering to this flag, above the captured city, is the 
 one on the flag staff of Fort Brown, on the opposite side of 
 the river. 
 
 This fort, strong in the days of its bombardment, last May, 
 is more so now. — Its defences are finished, and more cannon 
 mounted ; — supplies of every kind were abundant in it. — The 
 city of Matamoras could not be held by a hostile force, while 
 this fort is garrisoned ; (for position of Fort Brown, see 
 plate, showing, also, the batteries that were erected against 
 it by the Mexicans). — In this fort, in addition to its own 
 heavy armament, are several of the lighter cannon taken 
 
COPPER BALLS. 199 
 
 from the Mexicans at the battle of Resaca de la Palma. — 
 these pieces are of brass, all of old Spanish manufacture, 
 having their dates upon them, as well as the places of cast- 
 ing; — on one was " Barcelona, 1774;" another "1769;" another 
 "Cadiz, 1767," &c., &c. Each one has its name cut upon it 
 near the mouth, — "El Tigre, El Furor," &c. &c.; and some 
 were carved with the arms and cross of Spain. 
 
 To serve these guns, in case of any attempt of the enemy 
 to regain possession of the city, or attack the fort, are large 
 quantities of copper shot, round, grape, and canister, provi- 
 ded by their former masters, and captured in large quantities 
 in the city of Matamoras, where more ammunition and shot 
 were taken than the United States had sent for the use of 
 the army of occupation. (At Monterey, more than three 
 times the amount here, was taken.) — Several mortars cap- 
 tured from the city, of different sizes, were now placed in the 
 fort, and a great number of brass, or composition bombs, 
 that had been prepared for them, were piled up. 
 
 Much has been said and written about these copper balls 
 and shells, — of their being used by the Mexicans because 
 they are more deadly, &c., &c. This is not the reason that 
 they are used ; it is simply because, where they are manu- 
 factured, in the silver mining districts, there are many mines 
 of this metal, and it is cheaper than iron ; — and, besides the 
 mines, much copper is worked out with the silver, and this 
 is of but little value, while iron is difficult to be procured, and 
 is of high price ; copper being worth one rial and a quartilla 
 (or fifteen cents) per pound, and iron two rials and a medio 
 (or thirty-one and one-fourth cents.) This refuse metal, then, 
 is worked up into balls, and cast into shells. Throughout 
 the whole of Mexico, wherever these are brought from the 
 interior, they are found to be of copper entirely; but when 
 procured on the coast, of iron. (The immense amount of 
 balls and shells thrown by the Mexicans afterwards, from 
 the forts of Vera Cruz, and from the castle of San Juan de 
 Ulloa, were all of iron ; while the vast number brought to 
 Cerro Gordo, from the interior, were all of copper.) 
 
 Neither is there so much difference in the effects of wounds 
 
200 POISONOUS BALLS. 
 
 produced by copper balls and those of iron and lead, as the 
 letter writers, endeavoring to make capital out of every cir- 
 cumstance, have induced the public to believe. If a copper 
 ball is oxydized or rusted with green, that oxyde, of course, 
 is poisonous ; that is, if any is left on the wound made by 
 it ; but on a common cannon ball, after the process of load- 
 ing and firing, but little, if any, is left ; — if the ball strikes a 
 person any where about the body or head, death is the re- 
 sult of nineteen cases out of twenty, from its very weight 
 and force. A limb struck by it, of course is taken off, 
 and the shattered extremity is amputated ; — the quantity of 
 oxyde there, if any at all, never, in its effect, could be per- 
 ceived. 
 
 Again, if poisonous balls were the object of the Mexicans, 
 they would take pains to expose these copper balls to the 
 weather, or throw acid upon them, to rust them ; but so far 
 is this from the case, that when they were first captured, 
 they were always in good order and bright. — As for this non- 
 sensical charge of poisoned balls, if these writers (if belong- 
 ing to the army) had examined their own musket, rifle, or 
 carbine cartridges, from the United States, they would have 
 found all of the balls, upon taking off* the paper covering 
 from them, covered with a thick coat of white oxyde of lead ; 
 — and oxyde of lead is as poisonous as that of copper ; — so 
 that the charge of using poisoned balls, on those grounds, 
 can be made equally well against the United States as 
 against Mexico ; and in both cases, the charge would be 
 equally groundless. It is no more the object of one than it 
 is of the other ; — both, make their balls of the cheapest ma- 
 terial. 
 
 — The heavy guns of the fort bear directly upon the city ; — 
 two of these guns were hit in the bombardment, but not in- 
 jured. — At the foot of the flag staff", within the fort, is the 
 grave of Major Brown, who was killed at that time ; — in one 
 of the angles of the fort were about twenty ]\Iexican pris- 
 oners, who, when we visited it, were seated around, smoking 
 and chatting, appearing well satisfied with their condition. 
 These were captured with an ammunition wagon in the rear 
 
SKELETONS ON BATTLE FIELDS. 201 
 
 of Arista's army, when in retreat towards the interior from 
 Matamoras, by Colonel Garland, with a detachment of 
 dragoons ; who, by General Taylor, had been sent in pursuit, 
 and who went sixty-six miles. — These prisoners had here 
 much space allowed them, and had built slight houses of 
 cane for shelter ; — they were all clothed in their common 
 dress, already described, and were cleanly in appearance. 
 
 From this fort, the battle ground of Resaca de la Palma 
 is distant about four miles, and that of Palo Alto about 
 twelve miles, both a north-east course. It being now nearly 
 six months since these battles had been fought, nothing 
 was to be seen on the ground, save the graves, many of 
 which had been disturbed by the wolves, and the scattered 
 .skeletons of very many who found not a burial ; these lay 
 as they fell : here in rows, from the sweeping effects of ar- 
 tillery ; there singly, from musketry or bayonet ; — here was a 
 skeleton with the back of the head torn off, lying as it fell, 
 on the face, with the dried, sun cracked boots still on the 
 fleshless feet ; there lay another, round the frame of which, 
 still hanging together, was the belt and cartridge box ; — a 
 torn uniform was on another; while the cap, as it fell from the 
 head of another, still lay by the side of the skull ; — loose 
 skulls, leg and arm bones, lay round in any quantity, as they 
 had been dragged from their shallow resting places by the 
 ravenous wolves ; — many, that had been slightly buried, were 
 partly out of the ground. — The whole extended area pre- 
 sented but a picture .of past destruction and death. 
 
 — These four weeks, our regiment had been encamped on 
 the ground enclosed by the "Agua Dulce^'' lake. — This contain- 
 ed an area of about a thousand acres, of which about two hun- 
 dred were cleared ; the remainder was covered with a heavy 
 growth of cane and grass, which, together with the full 
 amounts of grain received from the quartermaster's depart- 
 ment in the city, improved the horses of the regiment finely. 
 These horses had been so jaded and starved by the long 
 march through the wilderness, that for the first two weeks 
 they did not seem to improve any ; but after that time of 
 rest, they began rapidly to regain their flesh and activity, 
 
202 CAMP RINGGOLD, AT AGUA DULCE LAKE. 
 
 and at this time were becoming in good condition, improving 
 every day. 
 
 A finer situation for a cavalry camp, in an enemy's coun- 
 try, could not be procured ; for the deep lake coming round 
 like a crescent, both its points were near the river ; — here, 
 at these openings, the guards were stationed. — The horses, 
 therefore, had plenty of room in which to range ; plenty of 
 grass and cane there ; — they could not get out ; neither could 
 they be stolen ; — and even on the north side, if they did go 
 out, as, after a few days, hundreds were allowed to do, they 
 were on a large peninsula of the river, and could not stray- 
 off. — The water of this lake was excellent for our use, and 
 very convenient to our tents. 
 
 We had been under a strict discipline, and a continual sys- 
 tem of parades and drills, mostly by companies and battal- 
 ions, together with the regimental dress parade, each even- 
 ing, had been kept up. The first battalion was drilled by 
 Lieutenant-colonel Allison ; the second by Major Water- 
 house ; — sometimes on foot for hours at the sword, and then 
 again on carbine or rifle drill ; marching, wheeling, and per- 
 forming all kinds of evolutions, until they became easy and 
 natural to all the men. — The camp was laid off in a paral- 
 lelogram, on the inner bank of the lake, being about a quar- 
 ter of a mile long, and two hundred feet deep ; in front was 
 a splendid open parade ground, free from bushes or trees, 
 upon which to exercise in drill and parade. 
 
 There had been very little sickness in camp, compared 
 to the number of men ; and the most of those that were 
 sick, were, at first, taken into town, to the hospital, where 
 there was every convenience for them, and more attention 
 than they could have in camp. — Some of the men were dis- 
 charged for sickness, though of these there were but few. — 
 Captain Porter, of company G, resigned on account of his 
 long continued bad health ; — he died on his return to New 
 Orleans. — The vacancy was filled by the election of John 
 L. T. Sneed, sergeant major of the regiment. 
 
 There being regular hours for drill, and plenty of time for 
 amusement besides, the men of the regiment found enough 
 
MEXICAN SERVANTS IN CAMP. 203 
 
 of that, in various ways ; though the favorite method seem- 
 ed to be to play ball on the parade ground. — Nearly all of the 
 regiment were in the camp each day ; a regulation having 
 been made, that but four men of each company, should go 
 into the city in a day ; and these could only pass the guard 
 at the point of the lake, by a written permit from the officer 
 of the company, countersigned by the officer of the day. — 
 This arrangement was ordered, on account of some who were 
 in every day, absent from drill ; and not only so, but they 
 came to camp at night " high up " and noisy ; — for, although 
 but few of them had any money, yet, as it was known that 
 the regiment would soon be paid, there were many in town 
 who would trust them for liquor, clothing, or anything else 
 they wanted, and lend them money also. 
 
 Many Mexicans, with bread, cakes, fruit, loaves of brown 
 sugar, called pclo}icillas, and other things, to sell, were in and 
 out of camp continually ; it being an established rule, in the 
 army regulations, not to obstruct the passage of any person 
 into camp, with provisions to sell. — Several of the officers 
 employed some of these young Mexicans as servants. — In 
 company G, the ffi'st lieutenant got one ; the second lieuten- 
 ant already had one in his service, who had left the body of 
 Mexican traders met in the prairie, to go with him ; (his name 
 was Jose, and all thought him an honest fellow) ; — the second 
 assistant lieutenant also employed a dandy looking chap, 
 named Ccsario, and the mess in which was the author, had 
 another, by name Bartolo, to cook for us. — So, in the com- 
 pany, we had four spruce looking Mexicans, all recommen- 
 ded to be honest and faithful ; — and four greater rascals 
 never went unhung. 
 
 They went on for some days first rate, until confidence 
 was reposed in them, and opportunities given them to secure 
 plunder ; when one night three of them put out. — Having 
 got regular permits to go through the guard and go into 
 town on Saturday night, to attend mass, as they said ; — they 
 waited until nearly dark, and then cleared out, and never 
 returned. — Jose, who had been entrusted, by Lieutenant An- 
 derson, with the care of all his clothing, had helped himself 
 
204 RANCHOS. 
 
 with a liberal hand, to many articles, taking them off with 
 him. — Bartolo took, from our mess, a frock coat, a fine Macki- 
 naw blanket, a splendid dueling pistol, and a handsome 
 double barreled pistol, beside other little things. — We found, 
 upon inquiry of the Americans residing here, that there was 
 no confidence to be placed in any of this class, and, in fact, 
 but very little in any class of the Mexicans ; being all deceit- 
 ful and treacherous. — Honor might, indeed, be found among 
 some, but these were few and far between. Our mess tried 
 no more of them as servants ; taking, as before, each man, 
 his regular days in succession, in cooking. 
 
 Now, having spoken of the city, and the camp, after we 
 had become somewhat accustomed to the new situation in 
 which we were placed, the author will resume the original form 
 of the diary ; giving in detail, for the remainder of the time 
 the regiment was encamped at Matamoras, the description 
 of the scenes that continued to meet his eye in camp and 
 city, from day to day, as they occurred, and relating all in- 
 formation connected with the manners, customs, &c., of these 
 people, in the same order that they came to his observation ; 
 being convinced that, in this way, they will be more interest- 
 ing to the reader. 
 
 November 2dth. Around the lake at which we were en- 
 camped, were three Ranc/ios, {see plan of Matamoras), which 
 term is here used to denote a farm, whether for the purpose 
 of raising stock or cultivating the ground. — Each of these 
 three Ranches was populous, having many houses, construc- 
 ted of cane, and daubed with clay, for the habitation of the 
 laborers in the employ of the owner of the same ; — these la- 
 borers are known by the name of ^'- jpconesP or " ranchcros ;'''' 
 and as their appearance had excited attention, as they 
 moved about at their labor, and as their situation, as a class 
 of people, had become known, the author, with one of his 
 comrades, obtaining leave of absence for the day, determined 
 to spend it among them. The morning roll call and 
 drill were over ; when, saddling our horses, and taking 
 our carbines, as security against the Mexican scouts and 
 spies that we knew were in numbers around, we rode out 
 
CULTIVATED FIELDS, 20^ 
 
 bj'' the northern extremity of the lake, to the rancho on 
 the west of it; which many of the boys had already fre- 
 quently visited, for the purpose of getting clothing washed. 
 
 — The fields that we passed were in a state of cultivation ; 
 were enclosed by ditches and embankments, on the top of 
 which was a slight fence, made of crooked posts of mus- 
 quit, set at short intervals in the ground, worked in between 
 with the small branches of the same tree ; which, being cov- 
 ered with innumerable thorns, prevented the passage of men 
 or animals ; — these brush fences last many years, by reason 
 of the durability of the musquit timber, even in the small 
 twigs. (But it should be remembered that these fences, 
 are by no means universal in Mexico ; for large tracts 
 of land are, in many places, cultivated without any fence ; 
 the herds of horses and cattle being prevented from trespass- 
 ing upon them by the herdsmen, or vaqueros, as they call 
 them.) 
 
 In these fields, which were very large, and perfectly level, 
 were growing corn, cotton, and sugar cane ; — all looked well, 
 but more especially the cotton attracted our attention, being 
 large, thrifty, and boiled to the top. The staple of this was 
 very long and fine, and in every respect equal to the " Sea 
 Island " of our country, as said by those acquainted with the 
 latter. — This cotton, although producing well, would yield 
 double or treble the quantity that it does, if it were cultivated 
 in the manner of that of the United States. — The same is true 
 of the corn ; which, though rather too far south to flourish 
 luxuriantly, yet, even with the little labor bestowed here upon 
 it, produces well ; — sugar cane, throughout all this part of 
 Mexico, grows finely, and is filled with the richest juice ; 
 excelling, far, the cane of Louisiana. — The fields that we 
 passed were crowded with rank weeds among the cotton, 
 corn, and cane. 
 
 A half hour's slow ride brought us to the first musquit 
 fence, surrounding the rancho, or collection of houses ; we 
 passed through the bars, and were then in a large area, 
 nearly square, of eight or ten acres, used for the herding of 
 cattle ; — from this, we passed through another set of bars. 
 
206 VISIT TO A RANCHO. 
 
 into an enclosure of about the same size, with cane houses 
 in rows, up and down the length of it. These houses were 
 all thatched with straw, had dirt floors and no chimneys. — 
 Around these was a group of rancheros, or country Mexi- 
 cans ; the men with their blankets drawn closely around 
 their shoulders, and their arms folded beneath them, holding 
 one part of them up over their chins and necks, — for the 
 morning was cool ; — they looked at us, from under their 
 broad brimmed sombreros, with a surly, scowling appearance 
 on their dark countenances, which certainly indicated no great 
 love to us, and which love, by the same kind of looks, we in- 
 stantly returned. — Not so the women, however; for they had 
 been visited by our boys before, who, as before said, had got 
 them to do washing for them ; and when done, had paid 
 them promptly ; — and these women were very anxious to 
 get more to do, to get more " ^05 n'oZ^^" (twenty-five cents). 
 These came out to us, several together, before we dismoun- 
 ted : — " Buenos dias, seTwirs,^^ (good day, gentlemen), said all, 
 with a smile, that made the men look more black at us. — 
 Five of these kept near us, looking at our horses, and pass- 
 ing to and fro, — we thought exchanging significant looks be- 
 tween themselves ; — and, as instances of robbery and murder 
 were happening every day, around, our suspicions were in- 
 stantly aroused. — We asked the women who these men 
 were, and they shook their heads, as though they knew not, 
 and made signs, unperceived by them, that they lived a long 
 ways off", pointing to their horses tied outside the next fence, 
 which we had not noticed. 
 
 This was enough ; — putting, instantly, caps on our guns, 
 we stepped out of the house, and my companion confronted 
 the one who appeared the most surly and most forward, and 
 addressed him : — " You G-d d-m-d yellow looking, surly 
 son of a b-t-h ! what are you doing here ? — take yourselves 
 off', or I'll send daylight through your d-m-d liver, and that 
 quick." " No entiende Ingles,^'' (don't understand English), 
 said the Mexican, shaking his fore finger before his face in 
 their significant manner, accompanied with two or three 
 wags of the head, keeping time with the syllables of rw-en-ti- 
 
CANALES' MEN. 207 
 
 en-de ; but still a little confased at the bold front of my 
 companion, as towards him, he immediately advanced ; — 
 " G-d-d-m you ; vamos aqui,'" (begone from here), shouted he. 
 They took him at his word, and, with surly looks, cleared 
 out, mounted their horses, and were off. — No sooner were 
 they gone, than an old man who belonged to the rancho 
 seemed relieved, and said to us, " Muchas gracias scnorcs, csos 
 liojnbi'es son de Canalcs^'' (thank you gentlemen, those are Ca- 
 nales' men). *'D-m it," said my companion, " we ought to 
 have killed two or three of them ; what a pity we did not 
 know it before." 
 
 Canales is a robber captain and a general ; the pest of 
 this part of the country ; a foe to Americans, and about as 
 much so to the Mexicans, plundering them, where there is 
 ■no other opportunity. — His men are scattered and concealed, 
 and all efforts by our army to take him, or destroy his force, 
 have, so far, been unavailing; — his scouts and spies, of which 
 these five were part, arc continually watching around every 
 post and garrison of the American army, and at this time 
 were numerous around us, at camp and in the city. Many of 
 our troops found singly, were lassoed or shot, and several had, 
 within a few days, escaped narrowly from their hands ; the 
 scamps seizing their opportunities, when two or three could 
 pounce upon one. 
 
 We remained at this rancho for an hour or two, talking 
 the little Spanish we had picked up, and learning more, from 
 the Scnoritas, or girls — {Scilor, in Spanish, is Mr.; Scnora, 
 Mrs.; Scnorita, Miss.) — We easily learned the names of ob- 
 jects, having well the phrase, " Comase llama cste'^ — " What 
 do you call this ?" The answers, when given, were always 
 accompanied with the same question, to know the English 
 name of the article mentioned. — It was amusing to hear 
 their endeavors to pronounce our words ; and their failures 
 to do so were accompanied by bursts of laughter, and mer- 
 riment from themselves, though, probably, our pronunciation 
 of their words was equally amusing to them ; yet they never 
 laughed at us. They seemed in good humor and happy, 
 though their state, as will be mentioned, was no better than 
 
208 RANCHOS AND HACIENDAS. 
 
 slavery. — We left this rancho, and proceeded to the next one, 
 on the southern part of the lake ; keeping, in the meantime, 
 a good look-out to find some more of Canales' men, — but 
 they were gone. — At this rancho we remained a short time, 
 and then proceeded on round to the south-east corner of the 
 lake, opposite to the one by which we had left. At this cor- 
 ner, on the road into the camp, was another rancho, the mas- 
 ter of which owned the land enclosed by the lake, on which 
 was the camp; — all the passage to and from which, was 
 through his enclosures. — This man had much land in cotton 
 and corn, and many ''■ peones^'' or rancheros, in his service. — 
 We had become pretty well acquainted with the old fellow, 
 who was on good terms with us — the occupation of his land 
 and pasturage being paid for. We found him very commu- 
 nicative in answer to our questions, and in showing us all his 
 tools and insti'uments of husbandry. We remained with 
 him for two or three hours, then rode to all the other ranchos 
 in the neighborhood — spending the day in our observations^ 
 and returning to camp after sundown ; finding them all about 
 alike. (We afterward found the system of servitude, or " pe- 
 onage," and the customs and manner of living of these peo- 
 nes, to be the same throughout all the parts of Mexico that 
 we visited ; and were informed that it was the same in every 
 State of the republic. Their agriculture, too, was about 
 alike throughout the whole country.) 
 
 A large plantation is called a hacienda. — These are often, as 
 the reader will learn in the course of this work, of such size 
 as to include in their limits extensive tracts of country, cov- 
 ering from five hundred to three or four thousand square 
 miles ; and the collections of laborers on these form large 
 towns. A small farm is called a rancJio, whether it is for ag- 
 riculture, or the raising of stock, of horses, mules, and cat- 
 tle, &c. — The owners of these ranchos sometimes own the 
 land they occupy ; at others, it is a leased portion of a vast 
 hacienda. — Sometimes the owner of the hacienda leases no 
 particular part, but grants the right to the proprietor of the ran- 
 cho to graze a large number of horses, — or cahallada, as a drove 
 is called, — or herds of cattle, over the whole extent of the 
 
SYSTEM OF PEONAGE OR SERVITUDE. 209 
 
 hacienda at pleasure ; receiving for this a compensation of, 
 commonly, from thirty to forty dollars a year, for each hun- 
 dred head so grazed. The laborers on these haciendas and 
 ranchos are the peones, and, although nominally free, as 
 said before, are in a worse condition than the negro slaves of 
 our southern States. — The manner of the bondage is this : — An 
 individual, on his arriving at age, must work for himself, and 
 his only chance, ^vithout he has a trade, to which very few 
 are brought up, is to obtain employment at a hacienda or ran- 
 clio ; he applies, and is received into employ. The wages 
 are fixed by a general rule, and in these there is no differ- 
 ence : the amount is three riales (thirty-seven and a half 
 cents) per day, and an alnmil (a quart less than a peck) of 
 corn per week, if he is single ; but, if married, two almudes. 
 — He is only paid for the days he works. — Ke is furnished 
 Avith a house or cabin, and a patch of ground to cultivate for 
 himself, in which to raise a little corn, cabbage, " c/if/f," or red 
 pepper — a necessary article with the Mexican. — The law 
 gives him the right to demand and receive one rial (twelve 
 and a half cents) per day, in money, as part of his wages ; 
 the other two-thirds are to be taken in goods for himself or 
 family ; — this twelve and a half cents per day to be paid 
 him, however, allowing that he owes his master nothing; but 
 if he does, that is retained to pay the debt. During the rainy 
 season, there is but little work, neither is there upon any of the 
 numerous festivals of the church, — for all attend most strictly 
 to their religious duties ; and so a common average of labor 
 is four days out of seven, or two hundred and eight days in 
 the year; — allowing one to be free from sickness, he earns 
 seventy-eight dollars for the support of himself and family. 
 His meat he buys of his master ; his clothing for himself 
 and family comes from the same. He pays for these things 
 double what they cost the master (that is the usual percent- 
 age) ; but these are not all his expenses. — When his birth- 
 day comes around, or the birth-day of his wife, an offering 
 worth some two or three dollars is, by custom, made to their 
 patron saints ; — this, in whatever shape it is, must also be 
 procured from his master. If any little enterprise is pro- 
 14 
 
210 SYSTEM OF PEONAGE OR SERVITUDE. 
 
 jected, his saint is prayed to and promised gifts of wax can- 
 dles, &c., for his protection and assistance; and these must be 
 paid, at any rate, if he has to rob to procure the means. If 
 a child is born, the christening, without which no one would 
 be satisfied, costs him several dollars. A marriage in his 
 family costs him twenty at least, and a burial fifteen. If 
 none of these happen, his seventy-eight dollars will hardlj^ 
 feed and clothe himself and family for a year ; or at the very 
 outside, will not more than do it, at the high prices he must 
 pay ; and he is compelled to get these articles of his master 
 alone. If one of them does occur, he falls more or less in 
 debt to his master, who is always perfectly willing to allow 
 him to go into this twenty-five or thirty dollars, which is soon 
 done ; and then he is no more or less than a slave for life ; 
 — for the law gives to the master the right to his services, 
 on the same terms, until he shall pay the debt he owes ; that 
 is, until the one-third of his wages, the twelve and a half 
 cents per day, will amount to that sum, — for the remaining 
 two-thirds he is obliged to take in goods, as before, at the 
 same high prices ; — the whole of his wages will barely 
 clothe and feed him, allowing him meat once a week ; and 
 how is he to get out? He never will ; he never expects to ; 
 he does not endeavor to do it ; for even suppose, by the most 
 extraordinary care and frugality for a long time, he should 
 get out of debt ; what then ? No course is left for him but 
 the same way and the same end. 
 
 As a general rule, whenever a peon marries he goes into 
 servitude ; for the curate's or priest's fees, and cost of license, 
 and publishing, is seventeen dollars. By the custom of mar- 
 riage, too, no young man can obtain a wife without making 
 her a bridal present of clothing, &c., or don, as it is called ; 
 which costs him at the least thirty dollars. This is to him 
 an important item, and is, as well as the priest's fees, ob- 
 tained from the master; — he must also pay at least ten dol- 
 lars for a feast and fandango or dance on the occasion ; and 
 these expenses render him a slave, as said before. Instances 
 are common of young mechanics, who, wishing to marry, 
 and not being able to raise the means, have obtained them 
 
SYSTEM OF PEONAGE OR SERVITUDE. 21| 
 
 by binding themselves for a year or more, to work for the 
 person who furnished them. 
 
 While thus in debt, even of but one dollar, he is as much 
 a slave as the negro of the south, and is in a far worse con- 
 dition. — His master can throw him into prison, and keep 
 him three days there, without assigning any reason what- 
 ever !— and, on the slightest reason assigned to the alcalde, 
 can keep him in for an indefinite period. Neither is there 
 but one way in which he can ever leave his master, and that 
 is this : if he is displeased, he can go to another hacienda or 
 rancho, and ask the owner thereof to buy him ; that is, to 
 pay the debt he owes the first, and to take him into his ser- 
 vice ; if he is willing to do so, the latter sends a note to the 
 former, binding himself to pay the peon's debt; and then the 
 peon is passed over to him, for he has bought him to all in- 
 tents and purposes-, as fairly as though he had been, like the 
 southern slave, put up on the block, and struck off" to the 
 highest bidder ;— the same wages are allowed him as before. 
 But even this is rare, for it is not to the interest of the master 
 to allow their peones to change, and therefore the applica- 
 tions for such change, by mutual agreement of the masters, 
 are usually refused. 
 
 When the ownerof an hacienda or rancho sells the same, 
 he transfers the debts and services of the peones upon it to 
 the purchaser, and to him, then, their labors belong, as to 
 the first. As before said, the state of a peon, though nomi- 
 nally free, is worse than that of a slave in the United States; 
 this is true for several reasons : 
 
 1st. They are in every respect equal in duration of servi- 
 tude, both being for Hfe. 
 
 2d. Many slaves can earn as much money for themselves 
 severally, in the course of a year, as the wages of a peoa 
 amount to ; some more, some less. 
 
 3d. Every slave has a far better habitation than a peon, 
 and has a full supply of bread and meat, which last the 
 peon cannot often get ; and has besides as good an opportu- 
 nity to raise vegetables for himself as the other. 
 
 4th. The slave is well clothed, together with his family,. 
 
212 SYSTEM OF PEONACxE OR SERVITUDE. 
 
 with no expense to himself; and the money that he earns 
 can go entirely to procure articles of gratification and com- 
 fort ; while the peon has to provide these things himself, and 
 all his scanty allowance is consumed in it. 
 
 5th. The slave can trade where he pleases, and buy at the 
 cheapest rate, thus making his money purchase the more ; 
 while the peon is compelled to buy of his master at an exor- 
 bitant price. 
 
 6th. The slave, or any of his family, when sick, has the 
 attendance of the same physician employed by his master ; 
 and every care is taken for his recovery : for if he should 
 die, the master loses irrecoverably his value ; while if the 
 peon is sick, his wife or children, they get no medical atten- 
 dance, for they cannot pay for it ; neither is his recovery an 
 object of much interest to his master, who, if he dies, only 
 loses a small amount, very seldom over thirty dollars, and 
 that in goods that cost him not over fifteen. — If his wife or 
 children die, the master loses nothing. 
 
 7th. The slave, when old, is taken care of, fed and clothed 
 by his master ; who, by law, in the slave states, is forced to 
 it ; and the old slave suffers not, neither does the young one 
 look forward with apprehension of suffering to the time 
 when he shall get old ; while the master of the peon is not 
 under the slightest obligation to retain him in his service a 
 single day ; — by giving that peon his debt, he discharges him ; 
 neither can he be compelled even to contribute to his support. 
 — So much for the free service of the peones or rancheros of 
 Mexico. 
 
 One thing more : that is, the women get no wages, and in 
 fact earn nothing, and are not called into the account of la- 
 bor. The father may sell the services of his son or daugh- 
 ter until they are free ; and such sale is legal and binding 
 upon the minor, and is often transacted. — As said before, 
 throughout Mexico, this system is the same. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 November 30th. — Pay day for our regiment had come at 
 last. Two companies were paid off each day, receiving five 
 month's pay, or $100 per man : taking near $100,000 for the 
 regiment, or $10,000 to each company, including the monthly 
 pay of officers ; — money now became as plenty in the camp 
 as before it liad been scarce. — It being the turn of company 
 G and H, this day to be paid, early in the morning we were 
 ordered to saddle up and go into town. Every one was in 
 line; though for several days back, many, when their names 
 were called for drill or fatigue duty, had reported themselves 
 as sick ; too much so to turn out ; but this morning, every 
 man was enjoying excellent health. 
 
 The morning was pleasant, but the gulf breeze v^^as very 
 strong, and blew the dust, as we went into town, directly in 
 cur faces ; — with such force were the little particles of earth 
 and sand driven against our faces and eyes, that a continual 
 stinging sensation was experienced ; — no one could keep his 
 eyes open a moment together. (And here, reader, allow us 
 to state, that this city, Matamoras, has the strongest and 
 the steadiest wind, and the most of it, of any place from 
 Maine to Yucatan ; and moreover, that common dust is re- 
 garded as nothing here, though it should be so thick that 
 one could not see his companion ten feet through it, provi- 
 ded that the wind is gentle ; but when the blustering ten 
 knot breeze, as sailors would term it, rushes along in irregu- 
 lar gusts, and lifts the sand, dust, and chips, and drives 
 them all round together, then every one turns his back to 
 it, to save his face and eyes : all are obliged to keep out of 
 
 (213^ 
 
214 PARADE IN PLAZA. 
 
 it as much as possible. Neither imagine, reader, that this is 
 occasionally so ; as, once in a long interval, a cold spring 
 wind at our own homes, comes rushing and whistling down 
 the roads, and through the yards, whirling dust and sand, lit- 
 tle chips and leaves about, and throws them into the Avin- 
 dows and doors of the cleanly swept apartments, to the an- 
 noyance of the tidy housekeepers, — for these gusts play their 
 pranks, and are done ; — but here, in this blessed city of Mata- 
 moras, it is so all the time. In any moment, from ten o'clock 
 each day, until sunset, the wind stops not ; the dust flies 
 along the streets in clouds, obscuring everything, and that 
 from one end of the day to the other ; and every day in the 
 dry season it is the same everlasting dust. The people have 
 a wonderful facility in turning quickly round, to save their 
 eyes.) — We were soon in town ; and, to the blast of the bu- 
 gles, trotted through the streets, to the plaza, making the 
 crowds of Mexicans clear out of the way. Here, forming a 
 line across the plaza, we paid our respects to the military 
 commander, by saluting with our swords ; — galloped round, in 
 files and sections, and columns — turning, forming, scattering, 
 re-forming, &c., &c., very much to his gratification, as he 
 stood on a high balcony above, and as much to the annoyance 
 of the guard of infantry, who stood with arms presented below, 
 and to the crowds of Mexicans and Americans on the side- 
 walks, who, on account of the clouds of sand and dust kicked 
 up by our horses, wished us at the d-v-1, as we heard some ex- 
 press themselves. — After this show was over, a rapid move- 
 ment took us away from the plaza, and round the corners of 
 several squares, to the paymaster's office ; in front of which we 
 wheeled into line and halted. — " Attention ! squadron !'' shout- 
 ed the commander. — " Pi-cpare to dismount .'" Each man, dis- 
 engaging his right foot from the stirrup, leaned to the left. — 
 ^^ Dismount!'''' Every one was on his feet, amid the rattle of 
 swords and carbines, and advanced to his horse's head, and 
 stood still. — " Tell off in Jives, commencing at the right — tell off!'''' 
 " One, two, three, four, five ; one, two, three, four. Jive ;'''' and so 
 on the sound went tlu'ough the line. — ^'^ Number Jive, hold 
 horses!^^ — The bridles of the four were handed to him of that 
 
SCENE AT PAY TABLE. 215 
 
 number. ^^ Other numbers, forward — march! — Halt!'''' '■^ Right — 
 dress!'' " Right— face .'" " Forward— march .'" " Left— turn .'" 
 The head of the column entered, by the turn, the lofty brick 
 archway of the building ; and tramp ! tramp ! tramp ! echo- 
 ed the sound from the arches above, to the measured tread 
 on the brick floor. The command of '■'• Jicdt !''' sounded loud 
 within: — the column was steady and still. '■^ Front!'" — In 
 an instant each turned. " Right — dress! — Every man be here 
 when his name is called! — Dismissed !'''' 
 
 Immediately, the names of four sergeants were called, and 
 they proceeded up stairs, and soon came down with their 
 pockets crammed full of silver. Corporals followed, and 
 came back in the same way ; — then three men went ; — three 
 more, &c., &c. Upon each one's name being called by the 
 sergeant, he entered the room and advanced to the table, be- 
 hind which sat the paymaster, attended by his clerks ; before 
 him was the " pay roll " of the company, or the list of names, 
 and amounts due to each, made out in regular form, on large 
 blanks furnished for each company. On the table was a 
 large quantity of silver, gold, and treasury notes, piled up. 
 — The name being called, the paymaster glanced at the pay 
 roll, saw the amount, and handed out on the table. The sol- 
 dier quickly transferred it to his pocket and retired ; and the 
 next name was called. 
 
 The scene below was amusing. As each descended, he in- 
 quired for all to whom he was indebted ; and each one was 
 paying and receiving, and squaring accounts, with an abso- 
 lute pleasure. So long had they been without money, save 
 the little they had borrowed in Matamoras, that now the pos- 
 session of it was highly gratifying. Every debt was paid 
 on the spot ; no one tried to avoid them. 
 
 When all were paid, the horse holders were changed, and 
 those who had served called in, and received their pay. Af- 
 ter this, liberty of absence for an hour was given to all, to 
 go through town and settle the debts that they had contract- 
 ed during their stay. All went, and although most of them 
 took hold of a little " John Barleycorn," as might be expect- 
 ed, on their payment, yet very few became intoxicated; some 
 
216 SCENE AT ALCALDE'S COURT. 
 
 did, however, as will be mentioned at the close of the day. 
 — While out, one of our messmates came across " Bartolo," 
 the Mexican servant spoken of before, and immediately ap- 
 prehended and brought him to the pay office. — As there was 
 no doubt of his guilt, we determined to hand him over to the 
 alcalde ; to have him punished, as well as to see the course of 
 Mexican justice. As the alcalde's court did not open until 
 three P. M., we obtained permission to remain in town for 
 the remainder of the day. — The squadron, after having re- 
 assembled, remounted and moved toward the camp. — When 
 the time of opening the court arrived, we proceeded thither, 
 taking with us the culprit, Bartolo, who was most excessive- 
 ly alarmed at the idea of going before the Mexican magis- 
 trate, and an old French merchant accompanying us, who 
 spoke English and Spanish, to interpret our charge. — We 
 entered the room of the alcalde, and being courteously invi- 
 ted by him, seated ourselves on the settees ranged around. 
 • — This room was about forty by twenty feet, with two large 
 perpendicularly iron barred windows ; and two doors, — one 
 opening on the street, the other, opposite, into an interior 
 court or garden, thickly set with orange trees and flower beds. 
 At one end of this room was a large table, covered with red 
 baize; behind which, in an arm-chair, sat the alcalde. He 
 was a dark complexioned Mexican of about fifty years of age ; 
 neatly dressed in American style ; and with an appearance 
 of courteous dignity about him, which made a favorable im- 
 pression upon us. — At his left hand sat his escribiente, or sec- 
 retary ; at his right stood the alguacil, (answering to our con- 
 stable). — On the table before him were several volumes of 
 Spanish law, and by them lay his staff of office ; that is, a 
 gold-headed cane, with a tassel hanging to it. This is called 
 " Baston de Justicia,''^ and without it an alcalde is never seen. 
 — The alguacil, too, had a cane, but it was without the tassel 
 He also had a " machete^'' or sw^ord, as an insignia of his of 
 fice. 
 
 Bartolo was placed before the table, and we were called 
 upon for our accusation ; which we made, of course, in Eng- 
 lish. This was interpreted to the alcalde by the old French- 
 
SCENE AT ALCALDE'S COURT. 217 
 
 man. After this, Bartolo was called upon for his defence, 
 which he made in rapid Spanish. This was interpreted to 
 us. — He denied the theft, and stated that he was going out 
 to camp to resume his duty, when he was apprehended by 
 us. — Our answer, that he was in a bye place, near the mar- 
 ket, with some trinkets to sell, and that he had endeavored 
 to avoid us ; and, moreover, that he had kept away, after his 
 robbery, for two weeks; was interpreted to the alcalde, in 
 his hearing, and he had then no more to say. — The magis- 
 trate, when the accusation and defence were through, after 
 a short pause, sentenced him to be confined in the prison for 
 one week, and to labor on the public streets for a month ; 
 and he was immediately led olf by the alguacil. 
 
 It appeared singular, in one view, to see a Mexican brought 
 up for taking fire arms, &c., from the open invaders and 
 enemies of his country, — who now held his native city by 
 force, and who were still taking other towns, and killing in 
 battle the citizens of the country, — to see him brought be- 
 fore a Mexican magistrate, upon the accusation of those en- 
 emies, and punished by that magistrate, acting under Mexi- 
 can laws, for the same ; — but "might is right." Undoubted- 
 ly, had Bartolo never been found by us, — if, in after time, he 
 had related the account of his stealing these arms to this 
 same alcalde, that magistrate would have praised him for it, 
 and told him that it was right and patriotic to deprive the 
 common enemy of all such things possible ; — but as it was, 
 he punished him. 
 
 Through the interpreter, the alcalde entered into conver- 
 sation with us, until new business took his attention. We 
 left him as he made a low bow, saying, " adios, senores,^'' which 
 we returned. Mounting our horses, w^e took ihb road for 
 camp . 
 
 As said before, some of the men, after getting their mo- 
 ney, drank too freely. When we were passing out of the 
 city by fort Paredes, we learned that, a few moments before, 
 one of our men had been drowned. — The strong wind had 
 blown the hat off his head, and carried it over the bank of 
 the river into the stream. He, being under the influence of 
 
218 ABSENTEES FROM ROLL CALL. 
 
 liquor, went down the bank, and plunged in to get it, having 
 his heavy sword on, and his pockets full of silver. He swam 
 a few strokes and sank ; — his body had not then been found. 
 Captain Caswell, to whose company he belonged, and part 
 of the company, were making every endeavor to recover it, 
 but were unsuccessful. 
 
 December 2d. The bugles called us up in the morning 
 early, as usual, though there was some delay in forming the 
 lines for morning roll call ; for, the last night, we had re- 
 ceived the visit of another " norther," and the air was cold 
 and chilly ; so much so, that some of the men preferred to 
 have their names crossed as absentees, than to come out of 
 their tents ; by this they would be compelled to serve on wa- 
 gon guard for a day, attending the wagons into town, and 
 assisting to load them with forage and provisions, and upon 
 their return, to unload them ; but these men, in thus pretend- 
 ing to be so chilled with the cold, were " possuming," as the 
 word is, in camp, for deception. — They grumbled in the hear- 
 ing of the sergeants and lieutenants, about being placed on 
 wagon guard ; but it was what tht^y secretly wished ; — for 
 the duty was light, and done in a few moments, and by it, 
 they were enabled to get into the city and spend two or 
 three hours agreeably there ; and avoid, on the other hand, 
 the long battalion drill after breakfast. Only four men, as 
 said before, from each company, beside this guard, are al- 
 lowed to go in one day. 
 
 There were but two passways out of the area enclosed by 
 the lake, and at these were the picket guards ; — the sergeants 
 of which were very particular in examining each man's writ- 
 ten permit ; but the wagons, each with its guard, went in and 
 out without being stopped. 
 
 After breakfast the bugles sounded the saddle call, as 
 usual, and our horses were saddled, our arms buckled on, and 
 we soon were in ranks. The lieutenant-colonel was never 
 tired of drilling the battalion. — He wanted it, if possible, to 
 excel, in precision of movement, the regular dragoons ; and 
 before we left this camp, the dragoons could not equal us as 
 a body, in evolutions ; though sometimes it would happen 
 
MEXICAN PLOWS AND CARTS. 219 
 
 that the men from some cause or other, would get careless ; 
 and finally, when in this way, some difficult manoeuvre 
 would tie them all up in a snarl ; and it would be several 
 moments before some of them could find their places again ; 
 having forgotten their number in platoon and in section. — 
 This was the case to-day ; the rear of the column got into 
 confusion. — The lieutenant-colonel drew up his tall, com- 
 manding person upon his horse ; (he was, in size, a small 
 Goliah) ; and, with his sword above his head, he swore, by 
 all that was holy, to the effect that, if the battalion did not 
 drill better, he would continue to exercise it constantly, until 
 the fires in the " lower regions " should burn down and be 
 re-kindled ! The men concluded, from what they had heard 
 of those regions, that this, probably, would take a long time ; 
 and that the cheaper way would be to pay more attention 
 to his immediate instructions ; and this they did for the rest 
 of the drill, and acquitted themselves admirably. 
 
 After the drill was over, one of my mess-mates and my- 
 self having the day to go to town, let our horses remain sad- 
 dled. — Our permits from the captain, and the signature of 
 the officer of the day, at the guard tents, were quickly ob- 
 tained ; — we then passed the guard, and being in no hurry, 
 stopped at the first rancho. The old man, the owner of this, 
 was fixing a plow ; aud as all these, together with other 
 farming tools, were alike in rudeness throughout Mexico, and 
 already had much attracted our attention, they are worth a 
 description, to show how far behind the present age of im- 
 provement these people are in agriculture. 
 
 The plows are similar to those represented of the ancients, 
 having a long beam, one end of w^hich is fastened to the 
 yoke on the foreheads of the oxen, by thongs of raw hide ; 
 across the other end is placed a transverse piece, the upper 
 part of which is made small and bent for a handle ; the 
 lower part is flattened and pointed, to dig into the ground. — 
 That is the whole of the implement, a Mexican plow ; — the 
 furrow that it makes is but a scratch in the ground. — They 
 use but few carts ; these are extremely rude : — One long 
 piece of round timber is the tongue and part of the frame ; 
 
220 MEXICAN PRIEST. 
 
 two other pieces, the length of the body are parallel to it, 
 and these are strongly pinned in their places, by cross pieces 
 large and rude : — crooked musquit branches make the sides ; 
 these are lashed firmly together by strips of raw hide ; — all 
 this forms the body. — The axletree is large, and the wheels 
 are more rude still ; — a piece of live oak, or other large tim- 
 ber, (which is difficult to procure), is hewed out, four feet 
 long, two feet wide, and a foot and a half thick ; this piece, 
 so shaped, is cut down on either end to the thickness of four 
 inches ; leaving, however, a protuberance in the centre, on 
 both sides, resembling, in shape, the common wagon hub ; — 
 through this is the hole made for the axletree ; — two felloes, 
 made very large, placed upon either side of this middle, 
 wide piece, completes the circumference of the wheel ; — 
 these felloes are confined to their places by two cross pieces, 
 tenoned through the wide middle piece, and into the felloes 
 themselves, and secured by wooden pins ; — linchpins of wood 
 are put in, and the cumbrous concern is finished. But little 
 use is made of these, for almost everything is transported on 
 the backs of mules and jacks, as we will notice in the fu- 
 ture pages of this work. — The oxen pull these carts, as the 
 plows, by a yoke, or a straight piece of timber, lashed by 
 strings of raw hide to their horns, and in front of these. — 
 Their hoes are rough pieces of iron, one part turned back, 
 shaped like a spike, and driven into the end of a stick for 
 a handle ; every other implement is of the same style. 
 
 At this rancho we fell in company with a Sacerdote, priest, 
 who had come out from town, and with whom we rode in 
 company back. He was dressed in a long black robe, and 
 wore a singular shaped three-cornered cap. He had learn- 
 ed a little English, during the time our forces had been in 
 possession of the city ; and with our little Spanish, we man- 
 aged to keep up a conversation. He was a man, apparent- 
 ly, of education, and of liberal principles ; or so he assumed, 
 to us. Every ranchero that we met, saluted him with the ut- 
 most deference and respect. On arriving at the city, at his 
 invitation we went with him to the cathedral, a lai'ge unfin- 
 ished church on the plaza, mentioned before, where we be- 
 
FUNERAL PROCESSIONS. 221 
 
 came acquainted with two more of his companions. They 
 took apparent pleasure in showing us the silver censers, and 
 other paraphernalia of their worship, inlaid with gold. They 
 said that these were manufactured in New York. While 
 we were there, two soldiers of the regulars — Irishmen, and 
 Catholics — came to confess to them. This ceremony was at- 
 tended to apparently in the same manner as though the sol- 
 diers had been Mexicans. After this, one of the priests got 
 up, and pointing upwards, said, "oiie God;"' and at the same 
 time throwing one arm around the Catholic soldier's neck, 
 and the other on my companion's, he said, " Catolico, Protcs- 
 tantc, el www2o"-( Catholic and Protestant are all alike). Whe- 
 ther he believed this or not, however, is uncertain. — These 
 priests are not allowed to marry, by the tenets of their faith ; 
 but we were informed that many of them were surrounded 
 by groups of boys and gilds, bearing often a strong resem- 
 blance to them, who called them tio (uncle). — We rose, and 
 left them with the usual parting salutation, ''adios, scnores.'''' 
 
 On coming out to the plaza, we saw two funeral proces- 
 sions entering it, by chance at the same moment, from the 
 opposite sides ; and they made with each other a strong con- 
 trast. — One was of a deceased Indiana soldier. — The coffin 
 was in one of the government carts, slowly proceeding to 
 the grave-yard ; behind this, were a drummer and two fifers ; 
 they were playing the melancholy notes of the " Dead March," 
 while with slow and measured step came the escort, of the 
 company to which the deceased had belonged. Every passer- 
 by stopped, as the procession in order moved on. 
 
 The other was of a Mexican soldier who had been wound- 
 ed at Resaca de la Palma, and who had lingered until this 
 time. — This procession was headed by three Mexicans, with 
 clarionettes, who played quick and lively music; while 
 the whole moved on helter-skelter, having no order, as 
 fast as the bearers could hurry on the bier. These set it 
 down when tired, and others took their place. Near the bier 
 followed a Mexican, in a white shirt and pantaloons, with a 
 red sash around his waist. He had a large bunch of rockets 
 under his ann — called by them cuetas, — a brand of fire in one 
 
222 MATAMORAS CITY PRISON. 
 
 hand, and a cigar in his mouth. Every moment or two he 
 touched a rocket to the brand, and threw it from him ; — these 
 exploded loudly, and seemed to us an odd accompaniment to 
 a funeral. Their rapid, irregular movements, soon brought 
 them to the entrance of the church, where they halted a mo- 
 ment, and the rocket bearer discharged two or three more of 
 the noisy articles in the same way, and then all entered. — 
 We followed. — The bier was set down, and the priest went 
 through a service in a rapid way, as fast as he could speak, 
 ending it by shaking from a chalice a quantity of holy water 
 on the coffin ; which was then again taken up; and with the 
 same irregularity, and explosion of crackers, hurried oft" to 
 the grave-yard. Shortly afterward, the funeral of a child 
 came in the same way, save that the coffin was covered with 
 artificial flowers, and borne on the shoulders of one of the 
 attendants. — As many crackers were fired, the same service 
 Avas chattered through, and in the same manner they hurried 
 off to the place of interment. 
 
 We left the church and visited the prison, opposite, over 
 the plaza. A Mexican soldier, with his musket, stood at the 
 entrance, as sentinel. Stepping aside, he allowed us to pass 
 through the dark entrance to a heavy door, where stood an- 
 other. This one opened the door, and we passed into the 
 prison yard. — The prisoners were not confined in separate 
 rooms, neither were they engaged at any labor, but were 
 turned into this yard, (with a few rooms opening into it,) like 
 wolves in a den ; and a precious looking set of scoundrels 
 they were. Of all the malignant passions of the human 
 heart ever showed in countenances, here were representa- 
 tions. — Most of these scamps were engaged in TplsLjing monte 
 with an old pack of Mexican cards, on the brick floor. — In 
 one room was a heavy pair of stocks, in which the culprits 
 were confined, by their hands, feet, or heads — though none 
 were thus confined at this time. — We soon saw enough 
 of these, and rapping at the heavy door, the sentinel 
 from within the passage opened it, and we passed out. As 
 we did so, the chain-gang of those criminals, who had been 
 at work on the streets, went in. Proceeding by the other 
 
STORES IN THE CITY. 223 
 
 sentinel, we were in the open air again ; which, if it was 
 windy and dusty, was far preferable to the stiller atmos- 
 phere of that "den of thieves." 
 
 We passed to the stores, of which there were more, having 
 larger assortments of English, French, and American goods, 
 than we had been aware of. The prices of goods, at this 
 time, were not more than ten or fifteen per cent, over those 
 of New Orleans. Every article of comfort, and most of lux- 
 my, could here be found. — We purchased a few things of 
 the Mexican clerks, and remounting, leisurely passed out to- 
 wards camp, with the wind and clouds of dust at our 
 backs. 
 
 (Taking the climate, health, and situation, Matamoras 
 would be a pleasant place in which to reside, but for this 
 ceaseless wind, and ever driving clouds of sand and dust 
 by day; and at night one's slumbers being disturbed by 
 the barking, howling, and fighting of numberless dogs, of 
 all sizes and tones of yelling, without, and the attacks of 
 myriads of fleas within.) 
 
 Upon returning to camp, this evening, we saw, as we en- 
 tered the pass by the picket guard, a large crowd of men 
 gathered in front of the camp, on the parade ground ; and 
 the bursts of laughter that arose from them, showed that 
 they were highly amused. On coming near, we saw two 
 Mexican horsemen, who were going at a rapid rate over the 
 area. — Riding up, we recognized our old friend, the Mexi- 
 can of the rancho, and one of his peones, in an exciting 
 race. The young Mexican was on a wild horse, that had 
 been bought by one of our men : while the old man was on 
 a trained horse of his own, and his lasso was on the other's 
 neck, restraining him ; — but the peon not being able to man- 
 age the steed, the old man took his place, giving to him the 
 lasso. 
 
 After mounting the horse, which was a difficult feat, the 
 old chap plunged his spurs, with their long rowels, deep into 
 his side. He sprung like a deer into the air, then reared on 
 his hind feet : — the old man, not in the least disconcerted, 
 laid the butt of his heavy whip on the animal's head, with 
 
224 BREAKING A WILD HORSE. 
 
 blows so rapid and vigorous, that he was soon down ; but 
 as his head came down, his heels went up, with quick re- 
 peated kicks, and endeavors to throw his rider off; but these 
 were with no success ; for the whip was turned to the rear 
 with such vigor and effect, that these efforts were stopped ; 
 and at the same time, the long spurs were pressed repeatedly 
 into his side, till the blood flowed in streams. — The furious 
 horse struck his fore feet upon the ground, and foamed at 
 the mouth ; with rapid motions he bit at the old man's legs 
 on either side of him, quick as thought ; but the rider was 
 wide awake ; for, equally quick, came the loaded whip 
 against his jaws on that side, accompanied with another 
 plunge of the spur ; and as quick on the other side, as, in 
 an instant he snapped around in that direction ; — this was re- 
 peated until the animal was frantic with rage. He bled 
 freely at the mouth, from the checks of the severe bit, and 
 the bloody foam w^as throwm all around ; — the sweat ran in 
 streams. — He stopped; his eyes flashed; the spurs were 
 again drove in; — he leaped high, and burst away for a few 
 yards, but was thrown on his haunches by the bit ; — recov- 
 ering, he made three long plunges, and throwing himself 
 on the ground, rolled over so quickly, that it was a won- 
 der that the old man escaped being caught ; but he ^vas on 
 his feet, and kicking the horse in the face, by the time he 
 was over. The animal, while down, bit again at him, as he 
 endeavored to get the lasso in his mouth, and succeeded in 
 biting a piece from his thumb. 
 
 It w^as now the old man's turn to be furious ; he jumped 
 at the horse and stamped his head, and ground his eyes with 
 his heels ; kicked and whipped him, regardless of the en- 
 deavors of the exasperated animal to bite, and to kick him 
 also ; — beating him so severely that he was soon on his feet 
 again ; and then he began to tremble in every limb ; and 
 shortly eyed his antagonist wdth an expression of great fear : 
 — he was conquered. The young Mexican then mounted 
 him, and in company with the old man on the other, rode 
 rapidly over the whole ground ; finally taking him away to 
 the rancho, to give him the second lesson when he was rest- 
 
SKILL IN USING THE LASSO. 225 
 
 ed. — Their price for breaking this horse was but two dollars. 
 (The lasso here mentioned is an indispensable accompani- 
 ment to the mounted Mexican ; — it is a long hair or hide 
 rope, with a slip noose at one extremity ; — the other made 
 fast to the saddle ; — is often from sixty to eighty feet in 
 length ; and the noose they can throw over the horn of an 
 ox, or head of a man or horse, either when stationary, or 
 when running or dodging, with never failing skill ; and not 
 only so, but we often saw them throw it upon the feet of 
 horses, when they were in rapid motion. How this was 
 done, w^e could not understand ; but still, we saw it done 
 again and again. To satisfy our curiosity, these ranch eros 
 would catch a running horse by a fore foot or a hind one, as 
 we wished, and never missed, although the animal might be 
 going at full speed.) 
 
 As the Mexicans left the camp, the buglers took their usual 
 station on the parade ground, and their notes struck up clearly 
 for the daily "dress parade." — This parade never was neglect- 
 ed, while we remained at this encampment, for a single day ; 
 and is, by the army regulations, enforced in observance, upon 
 all regiments in camp or garrison; and it came so frequently, 
 a description of it may not be amiss. 
 
 The bugles sounded, and every one quickly left the ground 
 and running to the lines of their companies, seized the car- 
 bines and rifles. — The voices of the orderly sergeants could 
 be heard over the camp, calling their men to fall into line. 
 The officers belted on their swords, but proceeded at more 
 leisure; while the sergeants called the rolls of each company; 
 — then, counting them off in twos, formed them into double 
 file by the command, " Foj^m ranks — march! " at which every 
 No. 2 stepped behind his No. 1. — They were then faced to 
 the right, and marched to the parade ground by the ser- 
 geants, where the bugles were still playing. — Here they fell 
 into line, in order of battle, with ordered arms ; the officers 
 placed themselves four paces in front ; the lieutenant-colo- 
 nel and major took their places six paces in front, all with 
 their swords drawn ; the adjutant on the right, and the 
 colonel in front of all about twenty-five or thirty paces. — 
 The whole being so placed, the buglers from the right passed 
 15 
 
aSiO DRESS PARADE. 
 
 down in front, plajing, and came round in the rear to their 
 places again and ceased ; the line was still. — The adjutant 
 then, from the right, stepped two paces to the front, turned 
 and commanded, "■Attention! Shoulder — arms! Prepare to 
 open ranks! To the rear — Open order! March! (At this 
 the rear rank stepped back six paces.) Right dress ! " Every 
 one cast his eyes quickly along the line to the right, to place 
 himself precisely in it, which he did in an instant ; and then, 
 at the next command of the adjutant, " Front ! " turned his 
 eyes in that direction, not moving a limb, perfectly erect. — 
 The officers in front stood like statues, in the meanwhile, 
 with their backs to the line. — When in this position, the adju- 
 tant left the right, and advanced along the front to the centre ; 
 suddenly turned and advanced directly out towards the 
 colonel, and stopped about six or eight paces in front of him; 
 faced about to the line again, and commanded, " Present — 
 arms ! " The guns were brought to a present, and held in 
 that position while the officers saluted with their swords. 
 — The adjutant turned to the right about, saluted the colonel, 
 and reported, "The parade is formed;" — then advanced, 
 passed round him, and halted on his left, and in rear. — 
 The colonel drew his sword ; touched his cap to the line, 
 and ordered, " Shouldei — avms ! " and other commands, for a 
 few moments, ending by ^^ Order — arms ! " and sheathed his 
 sword. 
 
 The adjutant then coming round the colonel, in front of him, 
 half way between him and the line of officers, commanded, 
 ^^First sergeants to the front and centre^'' (at this, each orderl}"" 
 sergeant stepped out from the ranks two paces, and faced to 
 the centre)— "warc/i.' " They moved inward, where in a 
 short space, the two inner ones met, facing each other, and 
 halted in that position; the others came up behind them 
 from each flank, and halted in the same manner : — "Front 
 —face ! Report ! " Each one, beginning on the right, re- 
 ported number present of each company, and number absent, 
 cause, &c. The command was then given, "First sergeants — 
 Outward face ! To your posts — march ! " They returned and 
 quickly took their places in line. 
 
 The adjutant, facing about, advanced towards the colo- 
 
DRESS PARADE. 227 
 
 nel, halted, saluted, and made his report of numbers of each 
 company, as reported by sergeants. — If any orders were to 
 be read, he again faced the line, and commanded, ^^Atten- 
 tion to orders ! " then read them ; and after finishing, an- 
 nounced, " The parade is dismissed ; " but the line did not 
 move. — The adjutant stepped forward and placed himself in 
 the line of officers ; they returned their swords, faced in- 
 wards, and closed upon him; he commanded, ^'^ Front — face! 
 Forward — march ! " (all of them moved towards the colonel, 
 to within six paces) ; ^'■Halt ! " All halted, and saluted the 
 colonel by touching the cap ; the line, in the meantime, per- 
 fectly steady in the two ranks, six paces apart. — As soon as 
 the caps were touched, each orderly sergeant stepped in 
 front of his company, and commanded, ^^ Attention — comjxiny! 
 Carry — arms ! Close order — march ! " (the rear line, by six 
 steps, closed upon the front, and halted) ; '■'■Right— face! Fo?-- 
 ward — march ! Right — turn ! " and each moved off for its 
 own line of tents, under the sergeants, leaving the officers to 
 their conversation with the colonel. Arriving there, the ser- 
 geants commanded, '■'Halt! Front — -face! Right — dress! 
 Dismissed ! " and every man broke for his tent, put up his gun, 
 and looked out for his supper. — And thus, word for word, 
 and movement for movement, every day, at the same hour, 
 was the dress parade ; — when well done, it presented a fine 
 appearance. 
 
 December lOth. An interval of a week, in the course of 
 the journal, here takes place. — That week, like those which 
 had gone before it, while here at camp Ringgold, had been 
 entirely occupied by the field officers in drilling the men, 
 and exercising the horses, to cavalry manoeuvres ; and in 
 accustoming them to the noise of the charge. 
 
 The health of the regiment had continued, in general, 
 good ; but some few had been discharged and sent home on 
 account of continued sickness ; while some others had been 
 mustered in service in each company ; — some of these were 
 old soldiers, who had, from time to time, been discharged 
 from the regular army, by reason of the expiration of their 
 term of service ; others had came with us as teamsters, &c., 
 or had been living in Matamoras. One young man, by the 
 
228 ARRIVAL OF GENERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 name of Hill, gave no account of himself. He joined Good- 
 novv^'s company, and of him, hereafter, there will be occasion 
 to speak. 
 
 One man of the regiment, a Dutchman named Wiley, had 
 deserted, and gone over to the enemy ; seduced, no doubt, 
 by some of his countrymen who had been settled here for a 
 long time. We thought for several days that he had been 
 murdered by those small parties of the enemy, who were 
 hanging round us ; but circumstances convinced us that he 
 had deserted. Many murders and assassinations, in and 
 around the city, had, in the meantime, been committed ; but 
 none of our regiment fell by the knife of the assassin, though 
 several had been attacked, and some wounded. 
 
 Nothing had taken place in town of note, in this interval, 
 save the arrival of Major General Patterson, from Camargo, 
 and the parade and salutes of cannon consequent on such 
 an event. The men of the regiment were much elated at 
 his arrival, knowing it to be in preparation for a march, 
 which all were anxious to make ; having become tired of 
 camp. 
 
 The days passed off well enough, for there was so much 
 drilling and parade, that there remained no opportunity 
 for idleness, to cause time to hang heavy. The evenings, 
 however, went not so rapidly ; and to occupy them, the 
 men soon fell, almost universally, to gambling, having now 
 plenty of the means. After night, it was, throughout the 
 camp, one large gambling establishment ; where every game 
 of chance or skill that was known by any, was carried on. — 
 The genius of gambling infected very many who had never 
 done any of it before. It was surprising to see the num- 
 ber of chuck-a-luck games. — Here, behind the rows of tents, 
 w^ere three chuck-a-luck tables, near together ; — each one 
 was the gate of a wagon body, supported by a flour barrel. 
 The figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 were chalked out on this, or six 
 cards were laid down of those numbers of spots. The 
 dealer stood by it, a candle in his left hand and the dice 
 box in his right, shaking and turning; while the crowd 
 before him were pressing up : — " I'll bet half a dollar on the 
 5," said one, aa he put down the half on the figure ; — rattle — 
 
GAMBLING SCENE IN CAMP. 229 
 
 rattle — down came the box ; — was lifted ; — of the three dice, 
 two of them lay with their "5" side up. — "Good," he ex- 
 claimed, " Give me a dollar now, old hoss ! — I'm the boy to 
 bet ; — three dollars on the six," as he threw down that sum 
 on the figure ; — rattle — rattle — down, with a pounce, the box 
 came again ; all were silent and looked with interest. As 
 it was lifted, one six was up : — " Didn't I tell you so," he 
 shouted; "shell me out three dollars, old partner; I only 
 came to break your bank ; whoop ! " " Break away," said 
 the dealer ; " what figure will you bet on now ? " "I 
 don't know; shake the box." The dealer shook it, and 
 striking it down, remained with his hand upon it, looking 
 earnestly at the better in whose favor luck now ran ; while 
 he, in the meantime, was leaning over the board, looking 
 from the ace to the six, and back again, shaking the dollars 
 in his hand, as he remained uncertain upon which to bet. — 
 " I'll go — what's your limit ? " " ten dollars," said the dea- 
 ler; — "six — dollars — on — the — ace," and carefully put the 
 twelve half dollars on the " 1," and drew his breath slow 
 and still ; while every one around leaned over, pressing one 
 another, to see the dice, as the box was lifted. — " Two aces," 
 shouted the whole with one voice, that brought many more 
 around ; (for all were fond of excitement, and took part in 
 their feelings with the better.) " Two aces," shouted he, as he 
 jumped up in the air, and came down with a yell ; " I knew 
 it. Now, old hoss, you will particularly oblige me by shell- 
 ing out those twelve dollars." " Here they are," said the 
 dealer, as, with a sober look, he counted out twenty-four 
 halves, and passed them over to him. " Yes-sir-ee," said 
 he, with a bend over, and a circular motion of the right fist 
 toward them ; " now, old partner, shake that box again ; — 
 there ; — shake it up lively ; — now down." The box was 
 standing, the dice under; the crowd eagerly leaning over, 
 many predicting that he would win again, and many that he 
 would lose. — He was uncertain, and moved his hand with 
 ten dollars in it over the board, over which he stooped with an 
 anxious expression. — Slowly he put his hand on the " 5," and 
 let the money fall on it in a pile ; and placing his arms akimbo, 
 raised himself slowly up, with his eyes still on it. " You 
 
230 GAMBLING SCENE IN CAMP. 
 
 bet there ? " said the dealer. " Yes." Every lip was drawn 
 close, and every eye strained with excitement, as the dea- 
 ler slowly lifted the box ; and '• three fives," with a simulta- 
 neous yell, shouted every one. — " Three fives, by G~d," said 
 the dealer ; " d-m-n the luck ! " — "' Three fives ! yaw ! yaw ! 
 yaw ! " yelled the better ; " I'm the boy for betting." — "Three 
 fives ! " shouted the crowd. — ^" Three fives," muttered the 
 dealer; while the winner swore again that he was the 
 boy. — " Now, old boss, I'll thank you to hand me over 
 sixty of them shining half dollars there ; — they look so all- 
 fernal pretty, that I'm a itching to get hold on 'em." — " Six- 
 ty," said the dealer, " that's not right." — " Yes it is," said 
 every one, in one voice ; — " three fives ; — ten dollars bet : — 
 give him thirty." " Well now, I reckon I'll just quit," said 
 he, as he raked up the half dollars, and, with a curious 
 look at the dealer, shoveled them into his pocket and de- 
 parted. 
 
 But while some gained, others lost ; and the " banks " 
 continued, in the long run, to win. There were many of 
 these. At the left of camp were about a dozen; — on the 
 parade ground could be seen twenty lights, each with its 
 group around it; and towards the hospital tents were as 
 many more ; while the rattling of boxes and confused 
 sounds could be heard from each. — In the tents were 
 groups seated crosslegged, at faro, " vingt-et-un,^'' {pron. 
 vantoon), seven up, whist, poker, euchre, &c. — Every game 
 was played here. By listening, you might hear a whir- 
 ring sound, at intervals, from a tent with a green cloth at 
 the mouth ; — on raising this, you saw a collection of ofii- 
 cers and soldiers round a rolette table, betting freely. — 
 Here, in the edge of a tent, sat a lieutenant, dealing vingt- 
 et-un, on a blanket, to a number around him ; — money, in 
 piles, was changing hands rapidly . — Some lost, this night, all 
 that they had remaining of their wages. 
 
 — Reports of contemplated attacks upon the city by Santa 
 Anna and the other Mexican generals, were now rife in city 
 and camp. The few traders who came in from the interior, 
 reported large forces assembled at Tula, under General Val- 
 encia ; at San Luis under General Santa Anna ; and a force, 
 
REPORTS OF CONTEMPLATED ATTACKS. 231 
 
 as some of them said, of from eight to ten thousand men under 
 Gen. Urrea, at Victoria, the capital of the state of Tamaulipas, 
 two hundred and sixty miles south-west from Matamoras, 
 to make a descent upon this place. These reports, so often 
 repeated, gained general belief, and so much were the better 
 part of the Mexican population impressed with a belief of 
 their truth, that all who could, left for the interior, taking their 
 effects, to avoid the scene of conflict ; having seen enough of 
 the effects of that, in the May preceding, at the commence- 
 ment of the war. — The effect upon the troops here was, to 
 keep them continually prepared for any emergency that might 
 happen. The guards in town had been increased ; — the ar- 
 tillery was ready, at a moment's warning to act ; — the gar- 
 risons of forts Brown and Paredes were kept on the alert ;— 
 the third Ohio infantry, the commander of which, Colonel 
 Curtis, as said before, was the military governor of the place, 
 which were encamped on the north, and the third Indiana 
 infantry, under Colonel Lane, who were on the east, were 
 under arms, and in a state of continual readiness ; though at 
 any moment, with or without alarm, it was hard to find these 
 regiments in any other w^ay. 
 
 (They were well drilled, and were fine in appearance. — 
 One of them only afterward had the opportunity of meet- 
 ing the enemy in the open field; — that was the third Indi- 
 ana ; which, by subsequent changes on the Rio Grande, was 
 sent up to Monterey, and then to Buena Vista ; where, 
 in that long contested action, they held their ground against 
 fearful odds, doing all that veteran soldiers could do. — 
 The third Ohio infantry longed for the opportunity to distin- 
 guish themselves, as the first regiment from the same state had 
 at Monterey ; but by the arrangements, with the exception of 
 a spirited but unsuccessful chase after General Urrea and his 
 force, their lot always fell to the garrisoning of important 
 places. All could not march out, for a sufficient force must 
 be left to guard the places held. This duty of a regiment as 
 garrisons for captured cities, is always more irksome and fa- 
 tigueing than field service, though the exposure and hard- 
 ship is not as great. There was not a regiment of volun- 
 teers in the field, but that most heartily preferred the latter 
 
232 VIGILANCE OF THE REGIMENTS 
 
 to the former, and heard their orders to remain at a town, 
 while the other regiment marched on, with reluctance and 
 regret. — The lot of the first Indiana regiment, under Colonel 
 Drake, and the second Ohio, under Colonel Morgan, was the 
 same, as well as those of other regiments.) 
 
 At this date, these two regiments at Matamoras were all 
 the time on the move. Our regiment of cavalry being the 
 farthest out from the town, was, by the orders of Colonel 
 Curtis to Colonel Thomas, ready for a movement at a mo- 
 ment's warning, in case the town should be attacked ; — had 
 its guards, especially the pickets strengthened, and kept 
 vigilant; and sent out scouting parties continually. These 
 now became heavy service upon ourselves and our horses. — 
 The colonel, impressed with the importance of a vigilant 
 picket, addressed in person, one day, the guard drawn up 
 before him ; told them of the responsibility of their station ; 
 of the importance that they should perform their duty strict- 
 ly : — that during the day, no one, save an officer that they 
 knew to belong to the encampment, should they allow to 
 pass in or out without the countersign; but after night they 
 were to know no one, not even himself, as an officer; not 
 even, he remarked, if by moonlight they could see their 
 faces, or if, by the sound, they knew their voices. — Without 
 the countersign, they must not go in or out. 
 
 The picket guard of any force is separate and indepen- 
 dent of the camp guard, which surrounds the camp with its 
 chain of sentinels ; — is composed of different numbers, ac- 
 cording to the service required ; — is commonly stationed on 
 roads or passways, from a half mile to one, two, three, or more 
 miles from camp ; — is composed, often, both of cavalry and 
 infantry ; — moves to the place appointed under its officers, 
 and remains there for the day, or night, or both ; the men tak- 
 ing turns during the night, in sleeping. They must not leave 
 their posts, unless driven in by an advance of the enemy ; 
 and in such a case, the firing from them immediately is heard 
 by the camp guard of sentinels, who also fire, and rush into 
 camp. This distant firing gives the sleeping infantry forces 
 time to rise, seize their arms and fall into line ; to receive 
 the enemy before they can reach the camp ; and to the cav- 
 
PICKET GUARDS. 233 
 
 airy to saddle and mount their horses, to repel the charge. — 
 The picket guard of our regiment, now, was stationed at the 
 pass between the south-easterncorner of the lake and the river, 
 at the rancho about half a mile from camp ; {see plate of Mat- 
 anwras, page 194). — A part of the camp guard was stationed 
 at the other pass, opposite. — The picket was strict ; but after 
 a while, the officers, going in and out continually, to town 
 and back, were always permitted to go through at the pass, 
 without the countersign, day or night; though, as said before, 
 this had been forbidden. Last night, however, three of them 
 got caught upon this ; — it happened in this way : 
 
 On yesterday. Colonel Thomas being very much en- 
 gaged. Lieutenant-colonel Allison gave the countersign to 
 the officer of the day, at guard mounting. — This was, for the 
 day, the word " Tennessee." — The colonel went into town 
 about eleven o'clock in the forenoon. — After the drills of 
 the day, and the dress parade at evening, Lieutenant E. S. 
 Smith, acting adjutant of the regiment, in company with an- 
 other of the lieutenants, went also, to attend a Mexican 
 ^'fandango,^' or dance. — Clearing out in a hurry, they never 
 thought, or cared about the countersign ; but full of the idea 
 of anticipated pleasure, they dashed away, and being known 
 by the guards, who stood on one side, with presented arms, they 
 did not even check their horses, but continued on at a mod- 
 erate canter, which, in a little while, brought them to town. 
 Putting up their horses by the market house, at Wheeler's, 
 (an American who kept a public house, and who will be re- 
 membered by every soldier who has been at Matamoras), 
 with instructions to have them ready about midnight, the 
 two went to the house of the fandango ; and paying two dol- 
 lars each for their admission tickets, were ushered into a 
 large room, brilliantly lighted, and crowded with company ; 
 mostly volunteer and regular officers, some Mexican gentle- 
 men, and many senoritas ; whose conversation, in broken En- 
 glish, was very interesting to our officers, to M'hom they ap- 
 peared most charming. 
 
 The music was good; the dancing rather slow and life- 
 less ; — but their buoyancy of spirit made it all right ; and, 
 in a flow of hilarity and mirth, the evening passed away, 
 
234 MEXICAN FANDANGO. 
 
 and midnight approached. — Belting on their swords again, 
 with many polite bows and flourishes, and expressions of 
 farewell, of " adios, senorita^' to one, and " adios, senorita," to 
 another, and so on to all, who lisped out in their finest tones, 
 " adios, seizor capitan,''^ to each, (for, with them, every officer is 
 a captain), they left the house, much pleased with the even- 
 ing's entertainments, and with themselves. 
 
 When they stepped into the street, all was still. A bright 
 moonlight was shed down upon the city. Nothing could be 
 heard, save the dogs, of every tone of howl? bark and yell, 
 which were keeping up their nightly concert. They passed 
 on through the market place, and by the numerous sentinels 
 at the corners, without interruption, to Wheeler's ; — and be- 
 ing joined by Colonel Thomas, mounted their horses, and set 
 out for the camp. They interested the colonel with their re- 
 lation of the fandango, and all being in high spirits, many 
 jokes were passed as they rode along. 
 
 On the picket guard, at the pass, that night, was, among 
 others, one of company G, whose name was Betts. Now, 
 Betts was a small man, with an intelligent countenance, 
 keen eye, and pleasant appearance ; fond of a joke, and 
 prided himself, at all times, in performing strictly the duties 
 of a soldier, in every particular. — He had heard the colonel's 
 commands to the guard, mentioned before ; and, as this party 
 was approaching, he was walking the narrow pass, to and 
 fro, with his loaded carbine at a support. — His comrades 
 were at a little distance, soundly asleep around the guard 
 fire ; for the night was cold. The officer of the guard had, 
 against the line of his duty, left the picket, and gone into 
 the tents of the camp guard, as said before, about half a 
 mile. The white rows of tents shone in the moon-light be- 
 yond ; but there were no lights there, for all were asleep. — 
 Betts heard the sound of the horses' hoofs of the coming 
 party, before he saw them. He stood erect. They came 
 nearer, the two lieutenants in front. "Who comes there?" 
 he challenged, in a quick, loud, and distinct voice, that brought 
 them to a halt in an instant. " Friends," was the reply. 
 *' Halt ! Advance, friends, and give the countersign !" " We 
 have not got it. You know us : I am Lieutenant Smith, act- 
 
OFFICERS CAUGHT WITHOUT THE COUNTERSIGN. 235 
 
 ing adjutant, and ." " Halt, and remain where you are," 
 
 quickly replied the sentinel, with a very significant motion 
 towards the lock of his carbine. The two were astonished ; 
 while the colonel, behind, hearing this, was much amused, 
 and drew his horse up, to see it out. — The adjutant com- 
 menced to speak again, but the sentinel would hear nothing 
 but the countersign ; and what that was, they knew not. — 
 Colonel Thomas knew Betts by his voice, and, beside, 
 could, in the moonlight, see him plainly ; and was really 
 pleased to see his faithful performance of orders. — After a 
 pause of some moments, in which he thought the lieutenants 
 had been sufficiently troubled for not having the countersign, 
 he advanced up to their side. " Mr. Betts," said he, " I am 
 pleased to see you so prompt and decided in your discharge 
 of duty ; and, I trust, the lesson will not be lost on these of- 
 ficers ; for officers should set an example of military disci- 
 pline to the soldiers. Let these gentlemen in; and depend 
 upon it, we think much more of you for your firmness." — 
 " Have you the countersign ?" said the sentinel to him, in re- 
 ply to this. "The countersign — no ! — it is not necessary for 
 me to have it. You know me ; I'm your colonel." " You 
 can't go in," said the sentinel, as he drew himself up erect 
 before them. — " Look at me," said the colonel, as he advan- 
 ced out of the shade of some musquit bushes, on the side of 
 the road, into the bright moonlight, that played and glisten- 
 ed on his large epaulettes, his broad gold lace, and the gilt 
 head and scabbard of his swoi'd. " Don't you know me 
 now, Mr. Betts ?" — The sentinel coolly surveyed him and his 
 horse. " J might know you in the day time, but now I do 
 not know you: you cannot go in : remain where you are." 
 " But we must go in," said all, as they advanced their horses 
 
 up — " there will be no harm ." Quickly the sentinel 
 
 threw up his carbine, with his thumb upon the lock, and his 
 finger on the trigger, and called out — " Stop ! you are near 
 enough !" — and stop they did ; — there was danger in proceed- 
 ing. "Here is a pretty end to a frolic," said the adjutant, 
 while the colonel looked stern with vexation. — They turned 
 their horses' heads together, and held a consultation. " Where 
 is the officer of the guard ?" said the colonel to the sentinel. 
 
236 THE SENTINEL ON PICKET. 
 
 who now had turned to walking back and forth, across tne 
 pass before them, and who showed no disposition for conver- 
 sation. " Gone into the camp," was the reply. " Well, send 
 after him, then." — " Should like to accommodate you, gentle- 
 men, but can't leave my post." 
 
 Here, then, was a predicament. — They dismounted and sat 
 on the ground holding their horses, waiting for the officer of 
 the guard. — The night was cool ; the wind was, and had 
 been the whole day, from the north. — They tried to laugh, 
 but they were too cold. — They plead earnestly with the sen- 
 tinel, but it was of no avail ; for he, pacing his interval, 
 would talk no more. — In about two hours, (which seemed ten 
 to them,) the officer of the guard, who had been down at the 
 camp guard fire, enjoying himself finely, thinking that it was 
 time to relieve Betts, came up ; and was astonished to find 
 the colonel, adjutant, and a lieutenant, sitting on the ground, 
 in the cold, without even a blanket, shivering as though they 
 had the ague. — He let them in at once; and they were glad 
 to get to their tents, and cover themselves with blankets. — 
 In the morning, when meeting Betts in camp, they compli- 
 mented him highly ; and he brought to the colonel's recollec- 
 tion his previous order, that " no one, not even himself, should 
 pass at night without the countersign." 
 
 These reports of attack were still kept up, and several 
 armed scouts and spies from the enemy were seen, and some 
 of them captured. — Murders were common, Americans usu- 
 ally the victims, when caught exposed. — False alarms sev- 
 eral times were given ; and as these were always attended 
 with much excitement, one will be mentioned, as a sample 
 — for all others were pretty much the same. 
 
 A few nights since, after an unusually pleasant evening, 
 in which the soldiers of the whole camp had remained up in 
 the tents, or around the camp fires, much later than usual, 
 they retired to rest ; and it being very warm, almost all di- 
 vested themselves of their outside clothing. — In the tents 
 they lay thickly, one so close to another that there was no 
 room to step between them — their heads on their saddles, as 
 usual, for pillows. — The lights had been all extinguished, and 
 the fires burned down to dull beds of coals, save the fire at 
 
FALSE ALARM. 237 
 
 the guard tents, and the one in the distance, at the picket. 
 The wind, coming round to the north, blew cool, but not 
 enough so to be felt, save by the sentinels that walked their 
 rounds near the camp ; the picket beyond, and the mounted 
 patrol, which was between the picket and the town. It was 
 quite cool for these ; but the men so thickly stowed in their 
 tents, were sleeping sweetly. Suddenly, from over the lake, 
 behind the tall cane, was fired a full volley of musketry, fol- 
 lowed by a few irregular guns. The report was distinct and 
 clear, on the cool night air. — Hundreds, roused by it, lifted 
 their heads from their saddle pillows, and held their breath 
 and listened. — In a moment the bugles at the guard house 
 sounded loudly the alarm ! — Now came a stirring scene : the 
 mounted guard came dashing in ; — the picket formed itself 
 into double line across the pass ; — the sentinels were ordered 
 to their companies ; — half-dressed officers ran up and down 
 the lines of tents, calling loudly to their men to turn out, for 
 the enemy was at hand. Scores of half-clothed men rushed 
 out of the tents to the coals of the fires, and lighted their 
 candles, and in less than two minutes there were hundreds 
 of lights gleaming throughout the camp, while men were 
 hurrying on their clothes and arms. The second battalion 
 was forming on foot ; while the first were throwing the sad- 
 dles on their horses. Cartridges were rapidly distributed, 
 and the voices of the officers were loudly heard, even above 
 the strains of the bugles ; with the confused noise of many 
 hunting for various articles of arms and horse equipage, that 
 in the busy moment could not quickly be seen. — While so 
 busy, every one for himself, expecting the enemy every in- 
 stant to charge into the camp, no one seemed at a loss ; and 
 in a few moments all noise was over, and the camp was still 
 as before. — The long lines of horsemen, fully armed and 
 ready, were drawn up on the parade ground ; the riflemen, 
 at the left, rested on their rifles, and all listened for the ap- 
 proach of the enemy. 
 
 It was surprising to see with what quickness the whole 
 had been done. — A few moments before, all had been sound- 
 ly asleep in the silent camp ; then came the volley ; then im- 
 jnediately the alarm ; then the sudden, noisy commotion of 
 
238 FALSE ALARM. 
 
 the camp, which was lit almost instantaneously ; then the 
 rattling of arms, shouting of officers, calling of hundreds of 
 voices, and running of men in every direction, with lights 
 back and forth, and hurrying on of arms and saddles, mount- 
 ing, forming lines, &c., &c. To one unpractised, it would 
 have appeared like complete confusion ; but here, in less 
 than five minutes, the whole of the regiment were out in the 
 darkness, in front of the camp, in order of battle — in lines 
 of foot and horse, in perfect readiness and regularity, — not 
 leaving in the tents even a "corporal's guard," — and here in 
 these ranks all were silent as before the alarm; but how differ- 
 ent their state ! — Then, their silence was that of sweet sleep; 
 now, every man drew his breath stilly, and listened with com- 
 pressed lips for the approach of the enemy, who had been so 
 bold as to announce his coming by a volley, which had induced 
 the belief, in the forming ranks, that the attacking force was 
 large. — In a few moments, the silence was broken by an or- 
 der for forty men, from the right, to proceed around the lake, 
 as a reconnoitering party. — These galloped off", and were 
 gone about an hour, when they returned — having been in 
 the quarter whence the reports of firing came, and seen no 
 enemy. 
 
 During this time, we had all remained in the lines. — After 
 they returned, we were dismissed; and, stripping our horses, 
 divested ourselves of our arms, and again lay down to sleep ; 
 while the guards were stationed at their posts. 
 
 The volley that caused the alarm, we knew must have 
 been fired by some of the scouting parties of the enemy, who, 
 having found our position, came up behind the lake and did 
 this to give us the trouble of forming to receive them, and 
 then cleared rapidly away. — If such was their plan, they 
 certainly succeeded in giving us considerable annoyance. 
 
 Dcccnibcr I3th. The force in the city of Matamoras, and 
 vicinity, had been increased by the arrival, from Camargo, 
 of the third regiment Illinois infantry, under the command 
 of Colonel Foreman, and the fourth regiment, of the same 
 State, Colonel Baker; (though he, at the time, was not pres- 
 ent, being in Washington city. The regiment was under 
 the command of its lieutenant-colonel.) The whole force of 
 
REVIEW OF GENERAL PATTERSON'S DIVISION. 239 
 
 the troops here, were drawn out on the 11th, on the plain 
 west of the city, and reviewed by General Patterson. The 
 inhabitants crowded outside the ramparts, to gaze upon the 
 martial scene, and to hear the music from the bands. — The 
 day was fine, the review good, and the subsequent manoBu- 
 vres, — save that the first battalion of our regiment, on the 
 extreme right of the column, which was about a mile in 
 length, overdone the matter, in endeavoring to show out be- 
 fore the general; and tied itself up, on a rise of land, in such 
 a confused knot or mass, as that, no doubt, the general was 
 fully convinced that the ofiicers thereof possessed great mili- 
 tary skill, in being able to get them right again. At any rate 
 he was, from the distance, perfectly satisfied with the dis- 
 play, and sent his aid to command the battalion to its posi- 
 tion in line again; — accompanying the order, it is said, by 
 many complimentary expressions, such as " D-mn 'em, what 
 in h-U are they trying to do !" &c. ; while the regiments of 
 infantry, then formed over the plain in hollow squares, were 
 exceedingly improved by their view of our extraordinary 
 movements. — We felt very much relieved when we got back 
 into line again, though all the original numbers were chang- 
 ed and lost. — The lieutenant-colonel was exceedingly morti- 
 fied, for he had much military pride, and beside that, knew 
 that his battalion could, and did, every day, perform its evo- 
 lutions and manoeuvres with an accuracy and precision of 
 movement, that could not be excelled by any cavalry in the 
 service ; and now, on this, its first appearance before the 
 general, to show to such a disadvantage, by a confusion for 
 which he was unable to account, was too much for his phi- 
 losophy. — The second battalion did well throughout the whole 
 review and parade. This ended about three P. M*, when 
 each of the regiments marched off to their separate encamp- 
 ments. 
 
 On this day, the 13th, General Patterson issued orders to 
 the colonels of the third and fourth regiments of Illinois 
 infantry, and of our regiment of cavalry, to prepare for the 
 march; directing the third Ohio regiment to remain as the 
 garrison of Matamoras ; the third Indiana, Colonel Lane, 
 were ordered to Camargo. — Our three regiments, of the divi- 
 
"240 CONTEMPLATED MOVEMENTS. 
 
 sion to march, amounted in number to nearly two thousand 
 men, of which our own regiment composed nearly one-half. 
 The march upon which we were ordered now, was against 
 Victoria, which was, as has been said before, two hundred 
 and sixty miles towards the south-west. — It was part of a 
 grand movement which had been planned by General Taylor, 
 before our arrival ; and which was referred to in the dispatch 
 received by Colonel Thomas from him, back at Victoria, in 
 Texas, and mentioned in the diary of October 15th, as order- 
 ing the Kentucky cavalry to Camargo, and ourselves to Mat- 
 amoras. — The true object of this expedition was to extend 
 the army in a strong line of occupation, from Parras, on the 
 north-west, through Saltillo, Monterey and Victoria, to Tam- 
 pico, on the southeast, — having General Wool, with his divi- 
 sion of volunteer forces, on the extreme right, or north-west, 
 at Parras ; General Worth, with twelve hundred regulars^ 
 and eight pieces of artillery, at Saltillo ; General Butler at 
 Monterey, with two companies of artillery and a battalion 
 of regular infantry, — having also the forces in the valley of 
 the Rio Grande under his command. These to be left, were 
 nine regiments : the first, second, and third Indiana ; the first, 
 second, and third Ohio ; the first and second Kentucky, and 
 the first Kentucky cavalry. — General Patterson, with his di- 
 vision of first and second Tennessee, third and fourth Illinois, 
 the Mississippi, the Alabama and Georgia regiments, were 
 to occupy the country from Victoria to Tampico ; while the 
 head-quarters of the army were to be removed to the latter 
 place.* 
 
 After leaving the nine regiments mentioned, under General 
 Butler, in the valley of the Rio Grande, at Matamoras, Ca- 
 margo end Monterey, the three divisions were to move to the 
 southward, taking possession of the country as they passed. 
 One, commanded in person by General Taylor, departing from 
 Monterey, joining the other, under General Quitman, from 
 Camargo, at Monte Morelos ; and the third, our own, under 
 General Patterson, from Matamoras. — These divisions were 
 to meet and concentrate at Victoria. — The course for Tay- 
 
 • See General Taylor's dispatch, December Sth, 1846. 
 
CONTEMPLATED MOVEMENTS. 241 
 
 lor's division was to the south-east ; for Quitman's, nearly 
 due south, as far as Monte Morales, then south-east; and 
 for ours, as said before, nearly south-west. 
 
 Now, reader, let us leave these three divisions preparing 
 for this march upon Victoria, and take a retrospective view 
 of the operations of the war elsewhere carried on, from the 
 time of the occupation of Matamoras, after the battles of 
 Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, up to this time — near the 
 close of the year 1846, — which time had been productive of 
 so many stirring events ; leaving out, however, the mention 
 of the battles and capture of the city of Monterey, which 
 have already been fully described. 
 
 The next chapter, VII, will contain the accounts of these 
 operations elsewhere transacted. At the commencement of 
 Chapter VIII, we will resume the narrative, at the point here 
 left, and take up the march of the division under General 
 Patterson for Victoria, — giving its details from day to day, 
 as heretofore we have done, for the regiment alone, in its 
 march from Tennessee to this city of Matamoras ; at which 
 place now, for the time, we leave it. 
 
 10 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 It was now near the close of the j^ear 1846. — The war 
 between the United States and Mexico had been carried on 
 nearly seven months. Let us review the actions of that 
 short space of time. — In June previous, as said before, three 
 separate armies or divisions had, by the government of 
 the United States, been ordered to operate against Mex- 
 ico. The southern, under General Taylor, against the 
 states situated to the south of the Rio Grande ; the cen- 
 tral division, under General Wool, to move from San An- 
 tonio, in western Texas, west, against the states of Chihu- 
 ahua and Durango ; and the northern division, under Gen- 
 eral Kearny, from the western part of Missouri, against the 
 states of New Mexico, and then against California, on the 
 Pacific. 
 
 Beside these, a strong force of ships of war, under Com- 
 modore Conner, blockaded all the ports of Mexico and the 
 gulf, and from time to time, attacked her seaports on her 
 eastern coast ; — while on the Pacific, another strong fleet, 
 under Commodore Sloat, blockaded her western ports, along 
 her extensive coast, and took possession of the towns in 
 Upper California. 
 
 The army of General Taylor had not performed any action 
 of moment since the capture of Monterey, on the 25th of 
 September. The armistice of eight weeks there agreed upon 
 by the generals, Taylor and Ampudia, having been abroga- 
 ted by the government of the United States, General Taylor 
 had, on the 5th of November, dispatched a flag of truce to 
 Santa Anna, then commanding the Mexican army, inform- 
 ing him of the renewal of hostilities ; and on the 121a of 
 
 ( 242) 
 
CENTRAL ARMY UNDER GENERAL WOOL. 24S 
 
 the same month, General Worth's division, followed by 
 General Taylor, marched for Saltillo, the capital of the state 
 of Coahuila. — This is a beautiful city, situated west from 
 Monterey, and sixty-five miles distant ; — contains about 
 twelve thousand inhabitants. — The rear guard of the Mexi- 
 can army under Ampudia had just retired from the place, as 
 the American forces were marching upon it. No resistance 
 was offered ; — the governor retired, after protesting against 
 the occupation of the country, and the city was taken posses- 
 sion of by the division. 
 
 Being now in possession of the capitals of Nueva Leon 
 and Coahuila, as w^ell as of the whole valley of the Rio 
 Grande, General Taylor's next movement w^as to be against 
 Victoria, as before mentioned ; — beyond that, farther to 
 the southward, was the strong and important city of 
 San Luis Potosi, at which place was collected the largest 
 army that Mexico had, so far in the contest, brought into the 
 field. 
 
 Let us turn to the central division under General Wool. — ■ 
 This army was composed of the following troops : 
 
 1st regiment Arkansas cavalry, Colonel Yell. 
 
 1st "^ Illinois infantry, "••••Hardin. 
 
 2d '* " " ''••••BisseU. 
 
 Battalion infantry ; three companies of 
 U. S. 6th regiment, and one of Ky. 
 volunteers. Captain Williams, Major Bonneville. 
 
 One company, (B), 4th artillery, with a 
 
 battery of eight brass pieces, Capt. Washington. 
 
 One company pioneers, " Lee. 
 
 One company Texas volunteers, " Leefield. 
 
 Battalion, four companies of 1st and 2d 
 
 regular dragoons, Colonel Harney. 
 
 — in all numbering about 3,000 men. 
 
 The stores for this number, preparatory to a long march, 
 had all been landed at Port Lavacca, (mentioned on page 
 138), and transported by teams to San Antonio, one hundred 
 and fifty miles. The long delay thus caused, pi evented the 
 commencement of the march until September 26th, when 
 the advance moved on. This advance under Colonel 
 
•244 movp:ments of general wool's army. 
 
 Harney consisted of one thousand two hundred and forty 
 men, viz : 
 
 Six companies Arkansas cavah-y, 421 men. 
 
 Two '• 1st Illinois infantry, 156 " 
 
 Two " 2d " " 135 " 
 
 Three companies U. S. infantry, and one, Capt. 
 
 Williams', Kentucky, 266 " 
 
 One company pioneers, 30 " 
 
 Two " U. S. dragoons, 124 « 
 
 One " Artillery, Captain Washington, 
 
 with eight pieces, 99 " 
 
 Three days after, on September 29th, General Wool left 
 the same place with the second detachment ; — this was under 
 the command of Colonel Hardin, of 1st Illinois, and num- 
 bered five hundred and eighty men, viz : eight companies 1st 
 Illinois, and two companies U. S. dragoons. — The third de- 
 tachment proceeded, under Colonel Bissell, of 2d Illinois, in 
 a few days after the second ; — it consisted of seven compa- 
 nies of the 2d Illinois regiment, infantry ; two companies 
 Arkansas regiment, cavalry, and one company Texas volun- 
 teers, infantry : whole force seven hundred and twenty men. 
 In a short time after, the fourth detachment, \yith. a heavy 
 train of wagons, brought up the rear. This was under the 
 command of Major Solon Borland, and consisted of about 
 two hundred and fifty men, viz : two companies Arkansas 
 cavalry ; one company 2d Illinois infantry, beside many men 
 who had been sick, belonging to other detachments. 
 
 The distance to Presidio, on the Rio Grande, was one 
 hundred and fifty-seven miles. Here, all the army crossed 
 the river in sectional boats ; (these had been constructed at 
 San Antonio, and hauled on wagons, each in three sections 
 or pieces, that fitted to one another, making a large boat). — 
 This whole central division under General Wool was com- 
 posed of as fine troops as any in the army ; were well equip- 
 ped, and provided with full supplies of provision and ammu- 
 nition for the long route before them. 
 
 As was the case with all the divisions of the army, no 
 sooner had they commenced their march, than rumors, in 
 numbers, came back to them of the enemy in large force be- 
 
•MOVEMENTS OF GENERAL WOOL'S ARMY. 245- 
 
 fore them. — The most important of these rumors, and appa- 
 rently the best founded, was that a Mexican force of seven, 
 thousand men were stationed for the defence of the city of 
 Monclavo. This was universally believed, and was a mat- 
 ter of congratulation to the army, that they should so soon 
 have a chance at the enemy ; and in buoyant spirits, they 
 moved on from the Rio Grande towards that city, the pas- 
 sage through which was necessary ; for on the left, the di- 
 rect course to Chihuahua, the rugged mountains of Sierra 
 Gordo rose, forbidding a passage across them,* and the army 
 kept along its base, pursuing a course still more to the 
 southward than before, until after a march of one month, 
 they arrived at the city of Monclova on the 29th of October. 
 Here, to the disappointment of the army, they met no oppos- 
 ing force. The prefect, or military commander of the city, 
 contented himself with issuing a formal protest against the 
 occupation of the country by the United States' forces. 
 
 At this city, the army of General Wool remained about a 
 month ; in which time he sent a dispatch to General Taylor, 
 informing him of the impracticability of the route on which 
 he had been ordered toward Chihuahua, and asking new- 
 orders from him. General Taylor responded by ordering the 
 column to the south-west, about one hundred and fifty miles, 
 to the city of Parras, situated one hundred miles west of 
 Saltillo, and near two hundred from Monterey; thus plac- 
 ing the army of General Wool on the extreme right of 
 the extended line of occupation, across the country, from 
 the coast to the interior, which he was about to take up. 
 — This order of General Taylor was afterwards in the 
 highest degree serviceable to him, in repelling the attacks 
 of Santa Anna's powerful army; and also was afterwards 
 hailed by the troops of the central army, as the means of 
 diverting them from a campaign over the barren mountains 
 of Chihuahua, and leading them to the glorious field of 
 Buena Vista. 
 
 In obedience to these orders, General Wool marched his 
 army to the city of Parras, and encamped near it, the pre- 
 
 * See the report of Captain Hughes, Topographical Engineers, Feb. 14, 1847. 
 
246 MOVEMENTS OF GENERAL WOOL'S ARMY. 
 
 feet of the city meeting him at the hacienda of Don Manuel 
 Ibarra, five miles from the city, and surrendering it to him. — 
 Here the general and his staff were entertained by the hos- 
 pitable owner of the hacienda, (who spoke English fluently, 
 having been educated at Bardstown, Kentucky), and several 
 of his friends, and among these, Dr. Woodworth, an Ameri- 
 can, who had resided at the city of Parras a number of 
 years.* 
 
 The army remained encamped near Parras about a fort- 
 night, when other orders were received by General Wool 
 from General Taylor, apprising him of the reported advance 
 of General Santa Anna, with a powerful army, and direct- 
 ing him to march to Saltillo as soon as possible, and form a 
 junction with the forces then there under General Worth. — 
 Upon the receipt of this order. General Wool immediately 
 broke up his camp at Parras, and proceeded directly to Sal- 
 tillo, where he arrived about the 20th of December. Here 
 he remained ; and his gallant little army, in two months af- 
 terward, had the opportunity of meeting the enemy, without 
 further marching, at the battle of Buena Vista, of which we 
 will speak in its order of time. 
 
 Leaving him and his command encamped at the city of 
 Saltillo, at this period, — the close of the year 1846, — we will 
 turn our attention to the northern division of the army, un- 
 der General Kearney ; which was to proceed against New 
 Mexico, from Fort Leavenworth, in Missouri, at the same 
 time that General Taylor was collecting his force on the Rio 
 Grande, and General Wool mustering his battalions, at San 
 Antonio ; — each army having its separate movement before 
 
 * This last named gentleman, now resident in Cincinnati, was obliged, by the 
 Mexican authorities, to leave Parras, at twenty-four hours' notice, after the departure 
 of General Wool, on account of his friendly feelings and personal services to that 
 officer. — The author here takes the opportunity to acknowledge himself much in- 
 debted to Dr. Woodworth, for many items of explanation with regard to Mexican 
 manners and customs, religious ceremonies, character, &c.; — he thus being able to 
 present the reader an account of these and all other subjects relating to the Mexicans, 
 which are introduced into this work, as seen by himself in the year's campaign, and 
 corroborated by the revisal of a gentleman of ability and education, to whom every 
 detail of Mexican character, customs and language is perfectly familiar, from a con- 
 tinual residence of several years among them ; entirely separated, for that time, from 
 other people, customs or speech. 
 
MARCH OF GENERAL KEARNEY. 247 
 
 it. — This northern army commenced the movement of its ad- 
 vance with but little delay — being, but between five and six 
 weeks from the time that hostilities had been commenced, by 
 the bombardment of Fort Brown and the battles of the Sth and 
 9th of May, on the Rio Grande ; a memorable instance, this, of 
 the facility and quickness with which armies may be raised 
 and equipped, and be placed upon the march, in our country 
 — the United States. The division of the army under Colo- 
 nel (afterwards General) Kearney, comprised in all its force, 
 three thousand three hundred men — consisting of the first 
 regiment Missouri cavalry, under Colonel Doniphan ; second 
 regiment do.. Col. Price, a battalion of artillery, Major Clark, 
 and a battalion of Mormon infantry, under Lieutenant- 
 colonel Cook ; two companies Missouri infantry, and four 
 companies of regular dragoons, — accompanied by a large 
 train of supply wagons, and a still larger body of w^agons of 
 traders, going out under the protection of the division. 
 
 The forces proceeded in separate detachments over the vast 
 prairie, on account of the great number of animals to be suppli- 
 ed with grass, from Fort Leavenworth, the place of rendezvous, 
 in the western part of the State of Missouri, towards Santa 
 Fe, the capital of the State of New Mexico, situate near the 
 head of the Rio Grande, and which had been, for many years, 
 the centre point of an extensive trade to Independence and 
 St. Louis, in the United States ; to Pueblo de los Angelos, and 
 all the other towns on the Pacific coast to the west; to all 
 the large Indian tribes, situated in every direction from it ; 
 and also with the States of Sonora, Chihuahua, (pron. Che- 
 waw-u-aiv,) and Durango, to the south and south-west. 
 
 The course from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe is about 
 west-south-west, the distance near a thousand miles, nearly 
 the whole of which is over boundless prairies, upon which are 
 numerous herds of deer, antelope, and buffalo.' — The road 
 between the two points was an old wagon way, and much 
 traveled on, and good; — the watering places definitely 
 known. — Two roads, leading to the same point, were travel- 
 ed for the sake of grass; — one the old caravan route, the oth- 
 er, more to the north, by Bent's fort, on the Arkansas. — Gen- 
 eral Kearney having sent forward several trains with provi 
 
248 CAPTURE OF SANTA FE. 
 
 sions, to be overtaken, set forward with a force of one thou- 
 sand six hundred and forty-seven men, including Colonel 
 Doniphan's regiment, a battalion of artillery, with sixteen 
 pieces of cannon, and a party of dragoons, on the 22d of 
 June, taking the northern road, across the prairies, which led 
 by Bent's fort ; leaving the other detachments to follow on 
 as soon as practicable. — The march to Santa Fe was per- 
 formed in fifty days, with no circumstance of note occurring 
 on the route. The detachment not coming up with the wa- 
 gon train of provisions, which had been sent ahead, until the 
 latter part of the march, the troops were reduced for many 
 days to half-rations of provisions ; on overtakir , that, they 
 had plenty again. 
 
 The force neared San Miguel on Sunday, August 16th, 
 and took possession of the place in the name of the Uni- 
 ted States, obliging the alcalde to take an oath of alle- 
 giance and fidelity to his new government. — The army 
 then moved onward the following day, and encamped at Pe- 
 cos, twenty-nine miles from the capital. Near here, in a 
 mountain gorge, through which the road passes, an engage- 
 ment was expected with the Mexican army of four thousand 
 strong, under the command of Don Manuel Armijo, the gov- 
 ernor of the province ; but on entering the pass the next 
 morning, Tuesday, August 18th, they found it deserted, but 
 with the marks of recent encampment at the head of it. — 
 The tracks of the artillery wheels being plainly seen, were 
 followed ; and one piece, that the retreating enemy had not 
 been able to carry off, was found near the place spiked. — It 
 was one of the pieces belonging to the unfortunate Texas 
 Santa Fe expedition. — From this " canon''' or gorge, the road 
 to the city was over steep and rocky hills, the passage of 
 which delayed the artillery ; while the general, with the dra- 
 goons and cavalry, moved on until near the city, and halted 
 two hours, on a hill overlooking it, until the artillery came up 
 and took post upon it. — Finding that the governor and forces 
 had retreated from the city, and that no resistance would be 
 offered, the general, with the cavalry and dragoons, entered 
 the city, with drawn sabres, and drew up in the plaza, while 
 the American flag was immediately hoisted on the palace of 
 
GENERAL KEARNEY'S SPEECH. 249 
 
 the governor, and a salute was fired by the artillery on the 
 hill. — The general and escort were received by the civil 
 authorities, and conducted into the palace. — The cavalry 
 and dragoons paraded through many of the streets and 
 squares. — Their appearance in each was greeted by the 
 surly looks of the men, who, in their wide breeches and large 
 sombreros, turned out to view them ; and by the shrieks and 
 screams of the frightened women. 
 
 Their fears, however, were allayed on the following day, 
 when General Kearney, turning orator, made them a speech — 
 many assembling to hear him. — In this speech they were dis- 
 tinctly infrined, that the country of New Mexico was held as 
 part of the United States. — He promised to all peaceable citi- 
 zens protection against their enemies, — especially against the 
 tribes of Indians, who had often visited their settlements, situ- 
 ated up and down the Rio Grande, and stolen horses and cattle, 
 and killed the inhabitants. — (The greatest injuries had been 
 committed by the " Navajos," whose district of country lay di- 
 rectly west from the province.) — He promised the people that 
 their depredations would be stopped, &c. He informed them 
 that they were free from the command of their late governor^ 
 Don Manuel Armijo; and that, hereafter, they would only 
 bear allegiance to the United States, &c. — To all this the 
 people responded enthusiastically. — He appointed a governor, 
 Juan Baptiste Vigil, and administered to him the oath of al- 
 legiance to the United States, then the same oath to the 
 alcaldes, and to each member of the ayuntamicnto. He then 
 finished his speech, and proceedings in the matter, by calling 
 on all who had friends or relatives who had left the city, on 
 the approach of the American forces, to avoid the reception 
 of insults and injuries, to induce all such to come back ; as- 
 suring them, as from him, of protection and kindness. — This 
 had a good effect, and the most returned. — The Mexican 
 army continued its retreat down the Rio Grande, towards 
 Chihuahua, Armijo being with it. 
 
 After these events, General Kearney's first endeavor was 
 to perform his promise M^th regard to the Indians. Accord- 
 ingly, runners were sent out to the powerful and warlike 
 tribe of Navajos, inviting the chiefs of that tribe, and those 
 
250 GEN. KEARNEY'S DEPARTURE FOR CALIFORNIA. 
 
 of the smaller tribe of Pueblos, near, to hold a grand coun- 
 cil, and conclude a treaty of peace. — The place of meeting 
 was set by these chiefs at the Bear Spring, near Red lake, in 
 the mountainous country of the Indians, two hundred and 
 fifty miles south-west of Santa Fe. 
 
 Upon the arrival of Colonel Price's regiment, the second 
 Missouri, and the battalion of Mormon infantry, under Lieu- 
 tenant Smith, at Santa Fe, General Kearney, having ap- 
 pointed Mr. Charles Bent governor of the province, and 
 everything being quiet, set out, with one hundred dragoons 
 and two mountain howitzers, together with some men of the 
 topographical engineers, for California, by the route across 
 the mountains, down the Gila river to the Gulf of California; 
 thence across the peninsula, to the waters of the Pacific 
 ocean ; thence up the coast to Monterey, the capital : (then, as 
 well as the other principal towns on the coast, in the hands of 
 the Americans, having been captured by thePacific fleet, under 
 Com. Sloat, directly after the reception of the news of the 
 battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma). — Before Gen- 
 eral Kearney set out on this long route of twelve hundred 
 miles, he made every arrangement for the tranquillity of the 
 province of New Mexico, and for the protection of the people 
 from the attacks of the Indians, — He directed the Mormon 
 battalion, under Colonel Cook, to follow him to California. — 
 He left the second Missouri regiment, under Colonel Price, 
 with two hundred regular dragoons, under Captain Burg win, 
 and Fischer's and Weightman's companies of St. Louis light 
 artillery, as the garrison for New Mexico. (Weightman's 
 company was afterward detached and sent to the aid of Co- 
 lonel Doniphan, of the first regiment; and Lieutenant-colonel 
 Mitchell, of the second, with near a hundred men, accompanied 
 it, reducing the force under Colonel Price considerably ; but 
 they nobly held their ground, and fought two battles, which will 
 be noticed in their proper order.) — He ordered Col. Doniphan, 
 with his regiment, to attend to the council and treaty to take 
 place with the Navajos ; and after arranging that, to march 
 the regiment to the southward, and report himself to General 
 Wool, at the city of Chihuahua. — (General Wool, as has been 
 related, at this time was collecting, at San Antonio, in west- 
 
MARCH OF COLONEL DONIPHAN'S REGIMENT. 251 
 
 ern Texas, an army of over three thousand men, to proceed 
 against the States of Coahuila, Chihuahua, and Durango ; 
 and, it was calculated by General Kearney, that he would be 
 in possession of those States, by the time that Colonel Doni- 
 phan, after the arduous service allotted him, would be able 
 to reach there.) 
 
 In the intervening time between the capture of the city 
 and his departure, the general, aided by Colonel Doniphan 
 and Willard P. Hall, a private, (since, member of Congress 
 from Missouri,) had framed and put into force a code of laws, 
 more according to the spirit of the system of government 
 under which the territory was in future to remain. — Having 
 thus settled the aflairs of the government, he set out on his 
 route. — Leaving him on this long march, let us follow the first 
 regiment, under Doniphan, on their eventful and arduous 
 service.* 
 
 Soon after the general's departure. Colonel Doniphan set 
 about the fulfillment of his order. — He dispatched the second 
 battalion of his regiment, under Major Gilpin, of little over 
 two hundred men, with some Pueblo Indians and friendly 
 Mexicans, to the Indian country, on the first of October. 
 
 A powerful tribe of Indians, the Utahs, live to the north 
 and north-west of the country occupied by the Navajos — 
 These roam over a vast tract of country extending from the 
 thirty-sixth to the forty-second degree of north latitude, and 
 from the one hundred and eighth to the one hundred and 
 thirteenth degree of west longitude; — an immense section, 
 bounded on the east by the mountains of New Mexico ; on 
 the south and east by the Colorado, and the country of the 
 Navajos ; on the west by the Wawsatch mountains, and the 
 Great Salt Lake, (an immense inland sea), and its laige 
 fresh water tributary, the Utah lake. These Utah Indians 
 are, in general, well mounted, and well armed with rifles, in 
 the use of which they are expert ; are powerful, and feared 
 by the adjoining tribes ; — many parts of their extensive do- 
 main being highly fertile, and watered by the Colorado, 
 Grand, Green, Utah, and Sevier rivers, and their numerous 
 
 * For the particulars of the march, throughout, of Doniphan's .egiment, the author 
 is indebted to Mr. James M. Johnson, of company F, of that regiment. 
 
252 EXPEDITION INTO THE NAVAJO COUNTRY. 
 
 branches, with many lakes, they have no difficulty in rais- 
 ing immense droves of horses, mules, sheep, and cattle — in 
 which their wealth consists. Although never having much 
 molested the American traders, who have from time to time 
 visited them, they have made extensive depredations on the 
 Mexican population of New Mexico, and a regular busi- 
 ness, yearly, of intercepting the great caravan Mdiich passes 
 from the coast of California to Santa Fe, exacting a heavy 
 tribute from them.* 
 
 As it was deemed advisable to conclude a treaty with these 
 Utahs, Major Gilpin was ordered there. He induced the 
 head men, of the first tribe met, to return to Santa Fe ; here 
 they made a treaty with Doniphan. To obtain the agree- 
 ment of the other Utahs to this, Gilpin was ordered into their 
 country — west, then to march south-east, to Bear Spring, to 
 the council of the Navajos. 
 
 The battalion, after having taken a supply of the coarse 
 flour of the country, on pack mules, together with other indis- 
 pensable articles, leaving behind them all tents and camp 
 equipage, commenced their march by the old Spanish trail, or 
 caravan road, to California. Some time after these had start- 
 ed. Lieutenant-colonel Jackson, with another detachment of 
 one hundred and twenty men, commenced the march, by an- 
 other route, to the same place ; Captain Ried, with another 
 of thirty men ; and, finally, as the time of council drew 
 near. Colonel Doniphan, with an escort of ten men, took a 
 direct course, across the mountains, for the same place. — All 
 these, in their routes, suffered much from want of water, and 
 by exposure, from the length of their march ; the second 
 battalion enduring the more. — These pursued their march 
 along the old Spanish trail about five days, on a course to 
 the north of west, until they arrived at the St. Juan river, 
 which runs nearly a west course ; — along the bank of this 
 they passed, until they arrived at its junction with the Col- 
 orado, about three hundred miles from Santa Fe. — The course 
 of the latter river was about south-west. 
 
 They were now fairly into the country of the Utahs, and. 
 
 * See Fremont's narrative of exploration. 
 
EXPEDITION INTO THE NAVAJO COUNTRY. 253 
 
 made great endeavors to procure a council with them, but 
 tmavailingly ; only few being seen at a time, and these were 
 reserved and suspicious ; though they would trade horses, 
 mules, cattle, sheep, dressed skins for clothing, &c., vrith the 
 men, in return for beads, ribbons, tobacco, sheet iron arrow 
 heads, (of which many of the men, having long been among 
 the Indians as traders, had brought numbers), blankets, 
 butcher knives, &c. The clothing of the men having now 
 nearly worn out, and there being no opportunity of obtain- 
 ing more, they bought many of these skins, and dressed 
 themselves with them, true Indian fashion. 
 
 The battalion proceeded down the Colorado about one 
 hundred miles, finding, along, good pasture, fine buffalo grass, 
 every night. (That grass appears to be the same that, in 
 Texas, is called the musquit, and which has been described 
 in the course of this work). 
 
 Despairing of being able to come upon any understanding 
 with the Utahs, the battalion left the Colorado, and proceeded 
 in a south-eastvvardly direction, across the mountains, for 
 five days ; traveling about one hundred and fifty miles, when 
 they reached the Gila river. — This march was extremely la- 
 borious, being up and down the descents of the mountains, 
 through narrow defiles, and along dangerous precipices, 
 often over large tracts of loose and broken rock, without a 
 road or trail ; and, in several places, having long routes from 
 water to water, besides, often, no grass for the animals. — It 
 was accomplished, however, without murmuring. 
 
 Arrived at the Gila, the battalion found good water and 
 fine grass. — The next ten days' march was up this river, 
 a course, at first, about east, then nearly north-east. — This 
 country was fine, well watered ; mountainous, but with beau- 
 tiful valleys, and with abundance of game. — This ten days 
 brought them to the Bear spring, about seven miles from 
 Red lake, in a fine section of country, furnishing abundance 
 of water. 
 
 Here they found many of the Navajos assembling. — The 
 battalion was soon joined by the detachments of Lieutenant- 
 colonel Jackson, Colonel Doniphan, and Captain Ried. — The 
 Indians arrived in separate bands, each one accompanied 
 
254 SCENES AT THE COUNCIL WITH THE NAVAJOS. 
 
 by a large herd of horses, mules, cattle and sheep, which 
 
 w^ere driven along by the squaws, to the encampment. 
 
 These were partly for their own subsistence during the time 
 of the council, and partly to sell to the regiment. — All of the 
 bands being perfectly frank with the new comers, a free in- 
 tercourse was at once commenced. — The lodges of the Indi- 
 ans were pitched around, in no regular order, and the women 
 immediately began their labors, in cooking, &c., while 
 the men sauntered around, or endeavored to trade with the 
 troop.-? of the regiment their cattle or horses, for trinkets, 
 arrow heads, ribbons, &c., of which the men yet had a pretty 
 good supply. 
 
 Money was of no use among them ; — many trades were 
 made, — a horse or two, or three cows, or else a half a dozen 
 fine sheep, could be procured for a common blanket ; a dozen 
 or two arrow heads brought the same. — Deer skins, dressed 
 for clothing, they exchanged in numbers, for a little ribbon, 
 of red, or green, or yellow ; while anything they had, they 
 would trade for tobacco. Knives, too, were in great demand 
 by the men, and beads by the women. — A few of these arti- 
 cles soon procured from the Indians plenty of horses to sup- 
 ply the places of those that had given out, and any number 
 of cattle or sheep for provision ; and, as they still had plenty 
 of the coarse flour which, on pack mules, had been brought 
 the long route from Santa Fe, they immediately began to 
 live well again. — The Indians had brought much more stock 
 than was wanted. 
 
 Stock is the great item of their wealth. — Unlike many 
 other tribes, who live upon the precarious supply of game, 
 sometimes in abundance, and then again in suffering, these 
 take much pains to have their flocks and herds continually 
 around them. The fine spacious valleys of their country 
 afford most excellent pasturage, and in these they roam. — 
 The horses are good; better than those farther south; — 
 their cattle are large, fat and sleek ; and their sheep are 
 extremely large, and bear very heavy fleeces. — From these 
 the Navajo women make their blankets; which are supe- 
 rior, for a covering against the rain, to all others, — being 
 very thick and heavy; closely knit b}'^ hand. — These w^omen, 
 
DRESS OF NAVAJO CHIEFS AND WARRIORS. 255- 
 
 are all industrious ; — neither are the men so indolent as 
 those of many other tribes ; and both are, in general, quite 
 neat in their persons, dress, and lodges. 
 
 Their common dress is composed of articles of wool wo- 
 ven by the women, or skins prepared by them. — The chiefs 
 and warriors wear a dressed deer skin hunting shirt, with 
 fringes along the seams of the arm ; — this shirt had one or 
 more capes of the same material, which were handsomely 
 worked in figures of various colors, in beads and porcupine 
 quills, by the women of their households. — They also wear- 
 breeches of the same material, fitting tight below the knees, 
 so as not to impede their motion. The outside seams of 
 these, like those of the arms, were ornamented with a 
 fringe, worked with beads ; — this fringe was from four to six 
 inches in length, while that on the arm was but about three. 
 — Their heads were shaved, save the long scalp locks on the 
 crown, which were braided, and fell down on the shoulders. — 
 Moccasins, worked like the capes, in beads and quills, com- 
 pleted the dress. 
 
 They were generally armed with stout bows, wrapped 
 with sinews of animals ; and each one, on his right side,, 
 bore a quiver of skin, with the fur on, filled with iron point- 
 ed, barbed and feathered arrows. — These bows were from 
 four to six feet in length ; the arrows about two feet and a 
 half. — These were powerful weapons, and used by them 
 with great skill and dexterity ; — they shot them entirely 
 through the body of oxen. — Some few had rifles, with the 
 use of which they were well acquainted. 
 
 In addition to the dress mentioned, all wore bracelets of 
 brass upon their wrists, to protect this part from the string, 
 of the bow, when shooting an arrow. — The chiefs were dis- 
 tinguished by a crown or wreath of feathers, of various 
 bright colors, on their heads ; and they also wore large cres- 
 cent shaped silver ear-rings. — The breeches of these, to- 
 gether with those of many of the warriors, were further or- 
 namented, by many little bows of red ribbon, tied thickly up 
 and down the fringe of the outside seam. — The whole dresa 
 and arms, at a little distance, appeared well to the eye. 
 
 The women were of fine forms, good looking, and, indeed. 
 
256 DRESS OF NAVAJO WOMEN. 
 
 many of them might be called pretty; — all neat, and cleanly 
 in their appearance. — Their long black hair was braided in 
 two parts, and trimmed with red ribbons ; the two braids 
 tied with the same, in a bow on the back. They shaved the 
 upper part of their foreheads, but all the remainder was al- 
 lowed to remain of fall length. — They wore upon their per- 
 sons a low-breasted, fine white chemise of wool, of their own 
 manufacture ; — from the waist, a petticoat or half-dress, also 
 of wool, but stouter than the first: this Was always wove in 
 stripes of white and blue — these stripes running around the 
 person. — This dress was short, and but few wore anything 
 else, save bracelets and ear-rings of silver. — Some, however, 
 of the families of the chiefs, wore moccasins, with high leg- 
 gins, somewhat like a boot, but fitting close, and tied on the 
 outside of the leg and ankles with red ribbons, or those of 
 other bright colors. — These moccasins, when so worn by them, 
 were ornamented on the foot, and leg, with needlework of 
 beads and quills. — Their arms were bare, and their shoulders, 
 vsave the strap of the chemise ; and, in this respect, precisely 
 like the ranchero class of Mexican women. 
 
 Their lodges, or tents, were made of skins, or dry hides, 
 laid upon poles, which were supported by forks ; the interior 
 •was floored with the same. The skins were carried from 
 place to place, on pack mules. The whole labor of put- 
 ting up and taking these lodges down, fell on the women. — 
 Their cooking utensils were like those of the ranchero class 
 of the Mexicans : earthen pots for boiling, of their own manu- 
 facture ; the same kind of stones for grinding corn, &c. — 
 Many of their dishes are cooked in the same way ; for the 
 Mexican population have adopted the style of these abori- 
 gines. 
 
 When all of the negotiating chiefs, with their bands, had 
 arrived, the council was, in the open air, entered into in due 
 form. — In a large circle around, were seated the Indian chiefs, 
 in their gaudy dress and plumes, on one side; and Colonel 
 Doniphan, his field officers, captains and lieutenants, on the 
 other ; while the pipe of peace, being lighted, was in silence 
 passed around, from one to another — each taking a few whiffs 
 at it. — This pipe was of great size, of stone; and the bowl 
 
ACCOUNT OF THE COUNCIL. 257 
 
 would hold, of liquid, near a quart. — When this preliminary 
 was through. Colonel Doniphan addressed them, in English, 
 which was, by the interpreter, rendered to them in Spanish, 
 which most of them understood. — He informed them, defi- 
 nitely, of the war between the United States and Mexico 
 of the conquest of the province of New Mexico, and of the 
 determination of the United States to hold that province 
 hereafter, as part of her own ; — that the government of the 
 United States was powerful, and that they wished peace with 
 their Indian neighbors ; — that now, as they had taken the 
 country from the Mexicans, they wished this tribe, as well 
 as all others, to be at terms of friendship with them there ; 
 to visit them to trade, but not to plunder, or to make war 
 upon the province, as they had done, when it was in the 
 hands of their enemies, the Mexicans, &c., &c.— This speech 
 was received in silence, and with attention, by the chiefs ; 
 and, after a short pause, the head sachem arose, and express- 
 ed his satisfaction that the Americans had conquered New 
 JVIexico ; — that he knew they were great warriors ; — that 
 their traders had been often among them ; — that his tribe 
 were glad that they were now near them; and that they 
 would preserve a sacred peace with them, &c., &c. — The 
 ■other chiefs also made speeches, and, finally, a treaty \vas 
 concluded ; and the whole, in ratification, was closed by ex- 
 changes of presents. 
 
 Colonel Doniphan opened before them a stock of blankets, 
 beads, knives, ribbons, cloth, trinkets, — all valued by them ; 
 and more than all, tobacco. — In return, they presented him 
 with many horses, mules, sheep and cattle ; also, blankets, of 
 their own manufacture, dressed skins, ornamented moccasins, 
 &c., &c. ; and after assurances of eternal amity and peace 
 the council dispersed. — The detachment resumed its march 
 to the north-east, and the bands of Indians separated to their 
 various sections, in the valleys among the mountains, with 
 good feeling and harmony between the parties. 
 
 Four days' march, or about one hundred and twenty miles, 
 
 through a very mountainous and barren country, — along, for 
 
 part of the way, the upper waters of the Gila, and then down 
 
 into the valley of the Rio Grande, — brought the troops to 
 
 17 
 
258 COLONEL DONIPHAN RESUMES HIS MARCH. 
 
 that river, at the town of Soccorro, a pretty, flourishing place. 
 Another day's march down the river, brought them to the 
 town of Valverdc, one hundred and ninety miles south of 
 Santa Fe. Here they found a large collection of the traders' 
 wagons, and four companies of the regiment who had come 
 down here to protect these wagons, as well as to await the 
 coming of the detachment, preparatory to the whole march- 
 ing to the southward, to join General Wool at Chihuahua; 
 and, on the arrival of a small train of wagons, containing 
 provisions, &c., which were much needed, the regiment pro- 
 ceeded on to the southward, down the Rio Grande, on its 
 eastern bank, by easy marches ; leaving Valverde on the 
 17th of December. 
 
 At the little town of Fra Christoval, they were overtaken 
 and joined by Lieutenant-colonel Mitchell, of the second Mis- 
 souri regiment, with ninety-three men. A little to the south- 
 ward of Fra Christoval, the river becomes hemmed in between 
 high and precipitous ledges of mountains, which render a 
 passage along its bank impossible. The road leaves the 
 bank, and makes a bend to the eastward, passing through a 
 long Jo?^7iada, {pron. Honiatha ; — commonly, by the soldiers, 
 called Hornalla). The name means, literally, " a day's jour- 
 ney," and is especially applied to those long tracts without 
 water, which must be passed over at one time. This one is 
 called the "Jornada del Mucrto,''^ or day's journey of death.* 
 
 After passing this Jornada, the detachment halted at a 
 little village, when within thirty miles of El Paso, to wait 
 for the artillery and some men of the regiment, still be- 
 hind, on the road from Santa Fe, now about three hundred 
 
 * This Jornada derives its name from this circumstance : — About halfway through 
 its extent of seventy n)iles, \s a small spring, seven miles from the road, to the west ; 
 so small that but few animals can drink at a time. — It is solitarj', among the moun- 
 tains ; and, as the Mexicans and traders have almost invariably been obliged, for the 
 want of water, to come to it ; (for their pack mules are not able to go more than 
 twenty miles a day, while subsisting on this grass ; consequently it takes several days to 
 pass through it), the plundering bands of the Apache Indians have made it a place of 
 lying in wait for unsuspecting travelers, like the Arabs at an oasis on the desert. — 
 Many fights havetaken place over this little spring ; and the human bones of those who 
 have here fallen from time to time, are scattered thickly around it. — Hence the name 
 of the route, of which this dangerous place is the only one affording water. 
 
SCENE ON CHRISTMAS DAY. 251> 
 
 and twenty miles to the north. — Here five Mexicans endea- 
 vored, in the night, to go to El Paso, to give information to 
 the Mexican forces there of the strength of the command.— 
 Two of these were shot by the picket guard, Captain Ried's 
 company, three miles in advance; the others made good their 
 escape. 
 
 The artillery not arriving on the morning of December 
 25th, Christmas day, the march was resumed ; but only ten 
 miles was made, and the troops encamped on the river, to 
 the right of the road, as it came down ; it here turned off 
 from the river bank, to avoid a succession of little sandy rises 
 of land, one end of which came near the river lower down, 
 and the other coming round nearly in a semi-circle, ended 
 above, on the lower land. — These little hills were but of gen- 
 tle elevation ; but the road turned off, as said before, to the 
 left, passed around the upper extremity of them, and then 
 wound round in the rear, coming to the river again ; then 
 continuing its way along the bank to El Paso, about twenty 
 miles distant. — ^Between these semi-circular hills and the 
 bend of the river was a large area of level land. Into this 
 area the head of the column, leaving the road as it wound 
 to the left, round the hills, turned, and all passed on towards 
 its centre, some hundred or two yards from the river, and halt- 
 ing, encamped. — This was soon done ; for they had no tents, 
 having left them when they went into the Indian country. 
 The horses were soon unsaddled, and the piles of arms, sad- 
 dles, &c., placed down in regular roM^s of companies, where 
 the tents would have been placed, had they possessed them. 
 The horses were then all turned out in the area to graze, for 
 other forage than grass they seldom saw. 
 
 The day being very pleasant, many of the men stretched 
 themselves out to sleep, according to usual custom, when ar- 
 riving in camp ; while some from each mess scattered about 
 in every direction, for some distance from the camp, to get 
 wood to make their fires. There being little else but brush 
 wood, they went off some distance. — The little hills com- 
 pletely hid the road towards El Paso from the view of those 
 in camp. In the meantime, the wagons, which had beea 
 behind, were rolling along leisurely to the camp. 
 
260 BATTLE OF BRAZITO. 
 
 Ill this position were affairs, when some who had been up 
 the hills after wood, and who could see down the road from 
 there, came running into camp with the intelligence that a 
 large force of the enemy were advancing up the road at full 
 speed, and were then within half a mile. Every man jump- 
 ed to his feet; and above the hill, at a short distance, the 
 thick volumes of dust, rolling in the air, announced the en- 
 emy's rapid approach. — The bugles sounded clearly ;-r-every 
 one seized his arms. — The order was given to " saddle up ; " 
 but in a moment the uniforms of the Mexican cavalry were 
 seen, in a cloud of dust, to come whirling round the upper 
 part of the hill, only a few hundred yards distant. — The 
 order was countermanded in an instant, and the troops 
 directed to fall into line on foot. — Those that were out on 
 the other sides dropped their wood, that they had collected 
 with so much trouble, and ran into camp. — Here was a 
 busy scene : — scampering in every direction after their 
 guns, which, from habit, they had laid so as to get hold of 
 quickly ; — belting on swords and cartridge boxes, and 
 running into line, all puffing and nearly out of breath. — 
 The wagon master, with his teamsters and guard, was 
 throwing his wagons into a close circle, to defend them. — 
 Colonel Doniphan, Lieutenant-colonel Mitchell, and one or 
 two other officers, succeeded in getting their horses, which 
 had been tied up. 
 
 The Mexican cavalry halted a few moments, while the in- 
 fantry came into line. — That halt was fatal to them ; for, in 
 those few moments, the line of the Missourians was formed 
 shoulder to shoulder, while the few remaining absentees ran 
 up and got into it. Colonel Doniphan and Lieut. Col. Mitch- 
 ell rode up and down the line, to see it correct, and every one 
 gathered full confidence, from the very quickness with which 
 they had extricated themselves from their perilous unpre- 
 pared situation ; and that confidence was refiected from 
 commander to soldiers, and from the line of soldiers back to 
 their commander. In five minutes, never were there a set 
 of men more prepared, in resolution and confidence, to go 
 into a desperate encounter. 
 
 By this time, the Mexican infantry, which had rode on horses 
 
BATTLE OF BRAZITO. 261 
 
 and mules to the scene of action, (by which they had been 
 enabled to come up so quickly), had thrown themselves from, 
 their animals, tied them to the bushes back of the hills, and 
 appeared in order and force at the extremity nearest the 
 river, and on the body of the hills, and formed in such large 
 numbers, with the cavalry on the centre of the hills, and 
 on the other extremity, deploying into such an extended col- 
 umn, that there seemed no chance for the small collection of 
 men, drawn up in one single line on the plain below, to op- 
 pose them. — Added to this, a field piece was also, by the 
 Mexicans, drawn up in the valley, near the river. 
 
 A Mexican ofiicer now rode out from that line for a parley. 
 — The interpreter, Mr. Caldwell, a man who had lived as a 
 trader in New Mexico, and who knew their language and 
 customs as well as they did themselves, advanced to meet 
 him ; and in front of both lines they came near, and the 
 Mexican demanded the surrender of the force ; — this, he Avas 
 told, was impossible. 
 
 After a few more words, the Mexican, waving a black flag 
 that he held in his hand, told him " to prepare for the charge ; 
 that they asked no quarter, and would give none !" — In ano- 
 ther moment the interpreter returned, and the word of " no 
 quarter," asked by the enemy, or given by them, was passed 
 along the lines ; and it served but to stimulate the men to 
 more iron energy in their defence. — The odds looked fearful : 
 on one side, a gallant army of fourteen hundred men, seven 
 hundred of them cavalry, well armed, and ready for the charge 
 upon a single line of footmen, who were without bayonets to 
 repel them ; while seven hundred infantry were forming on 
 the other flank, to advance upon them, and a cannon in front 
 was within canister distance, to pour its murderous fire upon 
 them: and three more cannon, coming in the rear; and 
 already the assurance was given by the black flag, and 
 repeated by word of the enemy, that death alone would 
 be awarded to all. — But the little band of less than five 
 hundred* were cool and collected, as upon an evening 
 
 * Lieut. Col. .Tackson, with a large detachment, being behind, at another encamp 
 ment, engaged in retaking a great number of their horses and mules, which had es- 
 caped from them and returned a day's march. 
 
262 BATTLE OF BRAZITO. 
 
 dril}. The colonel rode along the lines, ordering the men to 
 squat, and drop down, one after another, when the Mexican 
 fire commenced, in order that they might bring the enemy up 
 <jlose ; and then to rise at the command, when given, and 
 pour their volley into the enemy's ranks, with coolness and 
 accuracy of aim. — Thinking them a little too far from the 
 river, he ordered them to retire a little by the backward step; 
 which they did with their places in line, and their fronts to 
 the imposing numbers of the enemy. — While stepping back, 
 the bugles of the Mexicans sounded the charge, and the heavy 
 columns of infantry fired volley after volley, while the field 
 piece sent a shower of metal over the heads of the Americans. 
 The cavalry fired, drew their sabres, and putting their columns 
 in motion, advanced at a rapid rate. The American line was 
 apparently sinking under their fire ; and the shouts of " buc- 
 710," " bucno,^'' (good ! good !) could be heard from their ranks, 
 as they spurred their horses on to ride down the survivors. 
 — When within a few yards, at the command, those that they 
 had apparently mistaken for dead or wounded, rose to their 
 feet, and pouring a deadly fire into them, swept the front 
 ranks of all their riders : so steady their aim, that few shots 
 were lost by being too high, and few went so low as to touch 
 a horse ; but the riders fell in numbers. General Ponce, the 
 commander, was mortally wounded. — Astounded, they broke, 
 in confusion ; while the infantry, on the right, being receiv- 
 ed in the same %vay, fell back, and only weve anxious to re- 
 gain their mules and horses, while the cavalry rallied, and 
 made another attack on the wagon train, on the extreme 
 left — secure, they thought, in getting that. But the team- 
 sters, each armed, and the guard, or assistant teamsters at- 
 tending, from w^ithin their circle of wagons, poured out such 
 a stream of fire and death, that they could not bear it, but 
 retreated over the hill; and while the line remained expect- 
 ing another attack, they, under cover of the hill, retreated. 
 — In the meantime, some of the men, from companies G and 
 F, had left the lines, and dashing on their cannon, took it. — • 
 In an hour from the time that they approached at such a ra- 
 pid rate, eager almost to devour the Americans, and confident 
 of victory, they were retreating at as rapid a rate, leaving 
 
TOWN OF EL PASO. 263 
 
 on and near the ground seventy-one dead, and carrying away 
 one hundred and fifty-six of the wounded — leaving eight 
 to fall into the hands of the Americans ; by whom, how- 
 ever, they were kindly treated. Six of these died during the 
 following night. — The loss to the Missourians was only eight 
 wounded. — As there were none mounted, and some time was 
 lost in waiting at their posts, expecting the next attack, the 
 Americans did not succeed in overtaking the fugitives. — And 
 thus ended the battle of Brazito, not longer in time than an 
 ordinary dinner, but hard-fought, and with a vast difi'erence 
 in numbers and situation ; and in which the Missouri troops, 
 although taken by surprise, and unprepared, behaved with a 
 coolness and bravery which excited the admiration of the 
 other divisions of the army, and of the whole body of people 
 at home, when the accounts of the battle reached there. 
 
 The troops remained encamped on the ground until eleven 
 o'clock the next day, when they marched to within five miles 
 of El Paso. The next morning (the 27tli) they marched to- 
 wards the town. — They were met, two miles from it, by 
 the deputation, consisting of the alcalde and three of the 
 principal citizens, who surrendered the place at discretion. 
 — The division marched into the public square ; and the first 
 fruits of victory were soon realized, in having comfortable 
 quarters, and plenty of provisions for themselves, and of for- 
 age for their horses. — The Mexican army retreated to Carri- 
 zal, one hundred and twenty miles from the scene of action. 
 — After the troops had occupied El Paso about seven days, 
 they were joined by the artillery, Captain Weightman, from 
 Santa Fe — one hundred and seventeen men, — and, also, the 
 remaining detachment of the regiment — about one hundred 
 men. Thus the force of Colonel Doniphan was increased to 
 upwards of nine hundred men, with six pieces of artillery. 
 
 El Paso is quite a beautiful town, on the bank of the 
 Rio Grande, which here is fordable and of clear water. The 
 town is like other Mexican places in manner of building : — 
 streets at right angles ; houses of one story, flat stone roofs, 
 parapet walls, &c., &c. — The plaza of the town was the 
 barracks of the troops. Requisitions were made on the au- 
 thorities, for the necessary amount of meal, &c. 
 
264 RECAPITULATION OF ARMY MOVEMENTS. 
 
 The people of the place were well treated by the troops ; 
 but they could not forget the awful thrashing they had re- 
 ceived from them, for a part of the Mexican forces at the 
 battle were from the town ; consequently, though they pro- 
 fessed friendship, yet they had the deepest enmity to them. 
 
 Now, leaving Colonel Doniphan and his regiment in the 
 possession of El Paso del Norte, at this period, the close of 
 the year 1846, we will again notice that regiment, as its fu- 
 ture operations come before us, commencing the account of 
 them on page 
 
 We will now make a hasty recapitulation of all that had 
 been done by the three divisions of the army, up to this 
 time, and the positions they were then in. 
 
 1st. Army of occupation. General Taylor. — This had fought 
 the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, defence of fort 
 Brown, and those of Monterey ; — had taken possession of 
 the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila and New Leon ; the 
 cities of Matamoras, Camargo, Monterey, Saltillo, and a 
 great number of other towns, and were now stationed 
 from the mouth of the Rio Grande, on the east, to Saltillo, 
 on the west, with divisions, as said before, under generals 
 Taylor, Patterson, and Quitman, preparing to move to the 
 southward, from Monterey, Matamoras and Camargo, against 
 Victoria. 
 
 2d. The central army, under General Wool, had marched 
 through the prairies of Texas from San Antonio to the Rio 
 Grande, and across the state of Coahuila ; taking the towns 
 of Preside, Santa Rosa, Monclova, and Parras, beside many 
 smaller ones ; and they were now at Saltillo. 
 
 3d. The northern army, under General Kearney, had 
 marched across the plains, and had conquered the whole of 
 New Mexico ; taking possession of all the towns in that 
 state situated in the valley of the Rio Grande ; had made a 
 campaign against the Navajo Indians, and fought the battle 
 of Brazito, and were now separated, — General Kearney in 
 California with part of his forces ; — part left at Santa Fe 
 to hold the possession of that country, and Colonel Doni- 
 phan's regiment in possession of the town of El Paso del 
 Norte. 
 
OPERATIONS OF THE GULF SQUADRON. 265 
 
 Now, reader, having given a sketch of the movements of 
 each division of the army, up to the close of the year 184G, 
 let us leave them, in possession of their various situa- 
 tions at this time, and take a glance at the operations 
 of the navy, from the commencement of the war up to the 
 same time. 
 
 On the 18th of May, eleven days after the battle of Resaca 
 de la Palma, the Gulf squadron of the U. S. navy, con- 
 sisting of the ships of war Falmouth, John Adams, Raritan, 
 Somers, St. Marys, and steamer Mississippi, commenced the 
 blockade of Vera Cruz, Tampico, and the whole of the east- 
 ern coast of Mexico, save the province of Yucatan ; whicli 
 was in a state of revolt against the government of that coun- 
 try. — This exception in their behalf, it was soon found, they 
 abused by importing into their towns large quantities of mu- 
 nitions of war, and transporting them by land into Mexico ; 
 to whom, their parent state, they were at heart in friendship, 
 though nominally at variance. This traffic was carried on 
 for some time, until their ports were at last laid under the 
 same blockade, and that trade stopped. 
 
 The fleet on this station had a hard task to perform in 
 blockading so large an extent of coast, though several more 
 vessels of war were soon sent to join the squadron ; — these 
 were the Cumberland and Potomac frigates, the steamers 
 Princeton, Vixen and Petrita, the brig Truxton, and others, 
 all of which were under the command of Commodore Con- 
 ner. There were no prizes to be taken, save a few coasting 
 vessels (and some larger ones, taken when endeavoring to 
 run the blockade). 
 
 The boats of the St. Marys exchanged a few shot with the 
 forts at the mouth of the Panuco river, near Tampico, with, 
 however, but little effect. — Afterward, part of the squadron 
 made two attempts to take the town of Alvarado, situated 
 twenty-eight miles to the south-east of Vera Cruz ; but tliese 
 failed, on account of there not being a sufficient depth of 
 water on the bar at the mouth of the river to take the vessels 
 over. In spite of all endeavors to prevent it, several vessels 
 run the blockade into Vera Cruz during the " northers;" for, 
 in these strong winds, the only anchorages at which the ves- 
 
266 OPERATIONS OF GULF SQUADRON. 
 
 sels could lie were at Sacrificos and Anton Lizardo, one three 
 and a half, and the other nine miles from the city, to the 
 south-east, or to the leeward. 
 
 On the 15th of August, the United States' brig Truxton, 
 of ten guns, was lost, by the carelessness of the pilot, in ta- 
 king her into an anchorage near Tuspan. The conunander, 
 Captain Carpenter, and all the officers and crew, were taken 
 prisoners of war, with the exception of two lieutenants, 
 Berryman and Hunter, with nineteen men, who left the ves- 
 sel ; — the first in a boat, to go to the squadron at Vera Cruz, 
 to obtain assistance ; the second, in another boat, captured a 
 Mexican sail that hove in sight, and took her to the squad- 
 ron also. 
 
 On the 14th of November, Commodore Perry took posses- 
 sion of the important city of Tampico, at the mouth of the 
 Panuco river. This was the second commercial city of Mexico. 
 — It had been abandoned by the Mexican force, a little while 
 before. Their object, in this movement, is hard to perceive. 
 
 On the 26th of November, Commodore Perry, wdth six 
 vessels, attacked the city of Tobasco, and nearly destroyed 
 it, by a severe cannonading ; answered, on the part of the 
 enemy, by the forts ; with a loss to the Americans of a few 
 men killed and wounded ; — among them was Lieutenant 
 Morris, who received a mortal wound. When the squadron 
 retired from the place, it took with it, as prizes, one Mexi- 
 can brig, two steamers, four schooners, one sloop, and seven 
 smaller vessels ; — one of the schooners at first taken, having 
 run aground, was burned. 
 
 About the first of December, a gallant and successful at- 
 tempt to burn a vessel, under the guns of the castle of San 
 Juan de Ulloa, was planned, and executed in the night, by a 
 party from the United States' brig Somers, of ten guns. — 
 Shorly after, midshipman Rogers and surgeon Wright, of the 
 same vessel, with a boat's crew, landed in the night, near to 
 the town of Vera Cruz, to examine the position of the mag- 
 azine, to blow it up, if possible. — These, however, were dis- 
 covered, and Rogers and one seaman taken prisoners. 
 
 A few days afterwards, on the evening of December 7th, 
 the Somers was capsized in a squall, not far from the anchor- 
 
OPERATIONS OF PACIFIC SQUADRON. 267 
 
 age, and sunk in less than fifteen minutes ; and more than 
 thirty of her crew were drowned. 
 
 The services of the whole Gulf squadron were, during the 
 summer and fall, extremely arduous. — The scurvy broke out 
 among the crews ; and that of the frigate Raritan was nearly 
 disabled, from its effects. 
 
 Leaving this fleet, now, at the close of the year, blocka- 
 ding still the ports on the eastern coast of Mexico, let us 
 turn to the operations of the Pacific squadron, on the west- 
 ern coast, under Commodore Sloat ; from which, on account 
 of distance, nothing was heard for some time after the war 
 broke out ; and against the commander of which, many char- 
 ges of " inactivity^" &c., &c., were, in the meantime, made 
 by many portions of the public press of the United States. 
 — With what justice these charges were made, we will take 
 notice. 
 
 Before the actual commencement of hostilities, the United 
 States had a large fleet in the Pacific ocean ; most of which 
 were on, or near, the western coast of Mexico. This fleet 
 consisted of the 
 
 Frigate Savannah 54 guns. Commodore Sloat; 
 
 do. Congress 56 do. Captain Stockton ; 
 
 do. Constitution, 60 do. 
 
 Corvette Portsmouth- 22 do. 
 
 do. Warren 22 do. 
 
 do. Cyane 24 do. 
 
 do. Levant 20 do. 
 
 Schooner Shark 12 do. 
 
 Transp't Erie 5 do. 
 
 Commodore Sloat, in the Savannah, was at the port of Ma- 
 zatlan, on the western part of Mexico, to the southward of 
 the Californias, when, on the 7th of June, he heard rumors 
 of actual hostilities between the two nations, and a vague 
 report of the actions of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. 
 — Nothing definite could he learn : all the information was 
 through some extracts of letters from the interior of Mexico, 
 sent to Mexicans in Mazatlan. — The gallant commodore was 
 completely at a loss, for a few hours, to determine his course 
 
268 OPERATIONS OF PACIFIC FLEET, 
 
 — If this information was correct, it was of the first impor- 
 tance that the sea coast of the province of Upper Cahfornia 
 should be taken at once, by the naval force ; and he had suf- 
 ficient force to do this, and could immediately strike an im- 
 portant blow in that quarter. — But, on the other hand, these 
 reports might not be true, and the United States and Mexico 
 might still be at peace. If this should be the case, any pos- 
 session that he might take of towns on the coast of Califor- 
 nia, would but widen the breach between the two countries ; 
 and, on the part of the United States, give cause to Mexico 
 for a war ; and, moreover, in such a case, he would himself 
 be liable to public reprehension, and be certain of procuring 
 for himself the honor of an investigation into his conduct by 
 a naval court martial ; — which prospect was not agreeable : 
 for the commodore had a case directly in point, before him ; 
 which was that of Commodore Jones, who, in command of 
 the squadron on this coast, in 1842, was deceived by precise- 
 ly a similar rumor to this, and, acting upon it, sailed for 
 Monterey, the capital of Upper California, and to the utter 
 astonishment of the people, landed a force and took posses- 
 sion of the place; — disregarding their assurances of peace 
 between the nations, &c., until, after a few days' possession, 
 he found that he Avas wrong; and then immediately, in the 
 most quiet manner he could, he surrendered it into the hands 
 of the authorities again. 
 
 The eftect of the whole transaction was, 1st, to make Com- 
 modore Jones and his officers feel extremely mortified ; 2d, 
 to bring down on them the censure of the public voice, in 
 both countries ; 3d, to subject the noble old commodore to a 
 severe investigation of his conduct and motives, by a court 
 martial, — always unpleasant, and grating to the feelings of 
 any officer, but much more so to one in high command, and 
 in whose judgment the government of the United States had 
 shown their confidence, by confiding to him, in a distant sea, 
 the interests of the nation. And, beside all this, it gave a 
 cause of complaint to Mexico, and, in a considerable degree? 
 assisted her, as a plausible pretext for covering her conduct 
 towards the United States, by raising loud complaints against 
 this occupation, and saddling the government of the United 
 
UNDER COMMODORE SLOAT. 260 
 
 States with the order to Commodore Jones to do this ; while, 
 at the same time, holding out to her — Mexico — pacific and 
 friendly offers. — All over that republic a furious hue and cry 
 was raised, on account of the transaction. 
 
 Now, on this evening of the 7th of June, after hearing 
 these vague reports, all this rose before the mind of Commo- 
 dore Sloat. — If he took the responsibility of capturing the 
 coast of California without orders, without official notice of 
 hostilities between the two nations, and especially \vith the 
 example of the proceedings of Commodore Jones before him, 
 and these reports should be incorrect, then, the consequen- 
 ces to him would be severe; and to both nations of much 
 injury. But on the other hand, if they were true, his quick 
 operations would be of most decided advantage to his coun- 
 try. — Far off, in that ocean, the actual position of the two 
 governments was unknown to him ; — his data, upon which 
 to form his calculations upon actions so important, were un- 
 satisfactory ; — the moment was critical ; there was but little 
 time for reflection. — He considered the whole ; determined 
 to take the responsibility, run all risk, and perform it. — 
 Once determined, there was no delay. 
 
 The sun, when rising the following morning, revealed to 
 the inhabitants, the busy squadron, raising their anchors and 
 loosing their sails ; and, at eight o'clock, under a crowd of 
 canvass spread to the breeze, they left the port, and were 
 soon lost to view over the distant v^^aters. 
 
 He arrived at Monterey, the capital of Upper California, 
 before the news of hostilities reached there, and took undis- 
 puted possession of the town, and hoisted the flag of the 
 United States over it on the 7th of July ; and on the 9th, in 
 the same manner, took possession of the town of San 
 Francisco, (situated at the mouth, and commanding the bay, 
 of San Francisco ; one of the best harbors on the Pacific 
 coast) ; also of the towns of Sonoma and Bodega. 
 
 On the 12th, the Amei'ican flag was floating over the town 
 Pueblo de San Jose ; and also. Captain Sutter, the enterpris- 
 ing master of the settlement of Nueva Helvetia, on the wa- 
 ters of the Sacramento, raised the flag over his fort. — 
 r Colonel Fremont describes this fort as being able to 
 
270 EXPEDITION AGAINST SAN DIEGO. 
 
 admit a garrison of one thousand men, and as mounting 
 twelve pieces of artillery ; in that country, a formidable 
 stronghold). 
 
 On the 16th, a fortified position, the mission of San Juan, 
 forty miles from Monterey, was taken, and a garrison put 
 into it. 
 
 On the 26th, the corvette Cyane, of twenty-four guns, sailed 
 down the coast with Colonel Fremont's* riflemen, (who for- 
 tunately, v»-ere in the neighborhood on the arrival of the 
 squadron), to attack San Diego. 
 
 All the ports on the coast of Upper California were taken 
 by the forces of Commodore Sloat. (Still, as said before, 
 without orders, or even official information that war had 
 taken place ; but, as he had commenced at the capital, he 
 took the whole). He issued a proclamation to the people of 
 California, in which he invited all of the prefects, alcaldes, 
 and other civil officers, under the Mexican rule, to remain in 
 the exercise of the powers of their various offices ; assuring 
 
 * Captain, (aftenvard colonel), Fremont arrived in California with his party of ex- 
 ploration from the United States, before the commencement of the war ; that is, about 
 the 1st of January, 1846 ; and as he had been in the country before, he felt no hesi- 
 tation in leaving his camp, and proceeding into the town of Monterey, alone ; where, 
 meeting the Mexican authorities, he explained to them the scientific object of his explo- 
 ration, &c., with which they were satisfied ; but in a day or two after, choosing to re- 
 gard him as an invader, the governor, General Castro, sent to Captain Fremont an 
 
 imperative and insulting order, to quit the province of California immediately This 
 
 Fremont refused to be compelled to do ; and, being encamped in a strong position, 
 ■with his little party of about sixty all told, sent word to General Castro that he should 
 not do it, hut, on the contrary, if attacked, should defend himself to the last. — Castro 
 immediately collected about one hundred and fifty men to expel the invaders, as he 
 termed them; but not daring to make an attack, for several days, Fremont's party re- 
 mained in their camp, and then left, for the renewal of their explorations in the pro- 
 vince. In their camp was left some old baggage, worn out camp kettles, &c. ; — these 
 the valorous General Castro immediately seized upon, and made out a flowing dispatch 
 to the government of Mexico, stating that ihe American army of invasion had been 
 repulsed by him, and had retreated with such precipitancy, that they had left all their 
 camp equipage, which had fallen into his hands ! Fremont pursued his observations. 
 Castro, with a larger force, determined to exterminate the Americans ; and pressed 
 him so closely, that, although ignorant of the war, Capt. Fremont was obliged to 
 turn upon his adversary ; which he did, promptly. Then capturing a detachment of 
 Mexican troops; on the 15th taking Sonoma, by surprise ; on the 25th cutting to 
 pieces the advance guard of Castro's army; and finally, on the 4th of July, three 
 days before Commodore Sloafs arrival, declaring the independence of California. 
 
GENERAL KEARNEY'S ARRIVAL IN CALIFORNIA, 271 
 
 all quiet citizens of protection, and informing them that every 
 thing demanded, for the use of the United States' ships and 
 troops, should be paid for at fair prices, &c. 
 
 After taking possession of the whole coast, the gallant 
 commodore left again for Mazatlan, which he reached about 
 the middle of August ; and found, just arrived for him, offi- 
 cial communications from the Secretary of the Navy, at 
 Washington, of the existing war with Mexico, accompanied 
 with orders to do all that he had just accomplished ! — The 
 conduct of this officer, during the whole of these operations, 
 in the peculiar circumstances in which he was placed, cer- 
 tainly deserves the highest commendation. — Though little 
 has been said about it; — for, from the distance, it took such 
 a length of time for the reports of the capture of the pro- 
 vince to reach the United States, and so many stirring events 
 were happening in the army, nearer at home, — these opera- 
 tions passed without their merited degree of praise. — Com- 
 modore Sloat, afterwards, yielding the command of the Pa- 
 cific fleet — which then was engaged in guarding the coast of 
 California, and blockading that of southern Mexico, — to Com- 
 modore Stockton, returned to the United States; leaving Cali- 
 fornia in a state of quiet, under its new government. — An 
 insurrection afterward broke out against this, but was quell- 
 ed by General Kearney, then arrived from Santa Fe, Colonel 
 Fremont, and Commodore Stockton. 
 
 The United States, in the meantime, had sent into Califor- 
 nia, under General Kearney, a battalion of Mormon infantry^ 
 five hundred strong, under the immediate command of Colo- 
 nel Cooke, through from Missouri by Santa Fe ; and also sent 
 a regiment of nearly one thousand strong, under Colonel Ste- 
 phenson, from the city of New York, round by sea, to the 
 same province. This regiment was mustered in for the war, 
 and was composed of men whose desire it was, to remain in 
 that country afterward, as citizens. — In addition to this, was 
 a force of California residents, mustered into service by Co- 
 lonel Fremont. — All these, together with part of the fleet, 
 held California perfectly secure. The remainder of the fleet 
 were engaged in the strict blockade of the Mexican Pacific- 
 coast below California. 
 
.272 CHANGE IN MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. 
 
 Now, reader, we have given you a correct account of all 
 the operations of the war up to the close of the year 1846, 
 and are about to enter upon those of 1847. — But let us, in 
 the meantime, devote a little space to the change that had 
 been made in the administration of the government of Mex- 
 ico, and her action with regard to the proposals of peace that 
 had been made by the United States. 
 
 As said in the commencement of this work, revolution af- 
 ter revolution had followed in Mexico, for several years ; but 
 of late, all the heads of that government, though differing 
 widely on other subjects, had been hostile to the United States, 
 and all were more or less in favor of open hostilities with that 
 power; — though the government of Herrera, which continued 
 from June until December, 1845, was less so than the others. 
 On this very account was that government deposed, and Gen- 
 eral Paredes, bitterly hostile to the United States, was ele- 
 vated to the presidency ; and active operations were imme- 
 diately commenced, for the prosecution of the war. — x'Vfter 
 the battles of the 8th and 9th of May, every nerve was strain- 
 ed, in effecting its object. — The government of Paredes only 
 existed until the 4th of August, when General Salas, and his 
 associates, rose, seized the reins of power, and imprisoning 
 Paredes, invited Santa Anna to return from Havana, where 
 he had been in banishment from his country for little more 
 than a year, and to take the direction of affairs. — Santa Anna 
 being the enemy of the administration which had been in 
 power, and which had directly brought on the war with the 
 United States, the government of the latter offered no ob- 
 stacle to his return ; thinking that his policy would be to 
 heal the breach between the two countries. — Commodore Con- 
 nor Avas instructed to let him pass the fleet undisturbed, 
 which he did, arriving at Vera Cruz on the 16th of August; 
 and immediately afterward assumed the reins of government, 
 amid the universal rejoicing of the fickle populace, whose 
 confidence, now, was great in their strength ; and it was 
 universally predicted, throughout Mexico, that General Santa 
 Anna would soon drive all the Americans from the borders 
 •of the republic. 
 
 His reception at Vera Cruz and Jalapa at first, and after- 
 
SANTA ANNA'S RETURN TO MEXICO. 273 
 
 ward at Puebla and other towns on his course to the city of 
 Mexico, was most enthusiastic, aud the populace and leaders 
 seemed to A'ie with each other in rendering him homage. — 
 By delay at his hacienda of Encerro, he did nut arrive at the 
 city until the 15th of September, and he then assumed the 
 supreme executive power. 
 
 At the very time that the republic received her great 
 general on the south, she lost the large and valuable pro- 
 vince of New Mexico on the north, Santa Fe being taken by 
 General Kearney. 
 
 Information had, a short time before, been received at the 
 capital, of the loss of California ; and the first news that 
 greeted the people, after their idolized general had taken 
 his place in power, was of the fall of the strong city of Mon- 
 terey, with its garrison of ten thousand men, before the quiet 
 old man, Zachary Taylor, and his six thousand hated "Amer- 
 icanos." — The news of the loss of New Mexico followed ; — 
 but all these reverses were nothing to them; — General Santa 
 Anna would soon bring every thing right. 
 
 The government of the United States were most grievously 
 deceived in him ; for no sooner was he ashore in Mexico, 
 and away from the guns of the fleet, than he immediately 
 treated the propositions which the United States then offered 
 for peace with contempt, and set himself seriously to rais- 
 ing an army. — At this time, (the close of the year), he was 
 at San Louis Potosi, with an army of about twenty-two or 
 twenty-three thousand men, cavalry, infantry, and artillery, 
 which, with great labor, he had drilled, and in about a month 
 after this time, set out with his force, to accomplish his pur- 
 pose of "driving every American beyond the Sabine river." 
 — With what success he met in his undertaking, we will re- 
 late hereafter. 
 
 In the present month, December, the congress of Mexico met, 
 and so fully convinced were they of the glorious conquest 
 that should be achieved by this " Napoleon of the west," as 
 Santa Anna called himself to General Houston years before, 
 that they refused to hear of any terms of peace, until the 
 forces of the United States should be recalled, and their ves- 
 sels of war withdrawn from their coasts. — Of course the war 
 18 
 
274 POSITIONS OF AMERICAN AND MEXICAN TROOPS. 
 
 proceeded; the infatuated Mexican nation seemed determined 
 to draw down upon itself a continuation of its evils. 
 
 Now we will end this chapter, with the recapitulation of 
 the account of the disposition of the American, and, also, the 
 Mexican troops, at this time. — As said before, General Tay- 
 lor\s army was on the Rio Grande, and through the slates of 
 Nueva Leon and Coahuila, at Brazos, Matamoras, Reynoso, 
 Camargo, Marin, Ceralvo, Monterey, and Raltillo ; in posses- 
 sion of all that section of country. — General Kearney with 
 part of his in California ; part near Santa Fe, in New Mex- 
 ico, and Colonel Doniphan's regiment at El Paso. — Tampico 
 was in the possession of a force of our troops, consistizig of 
 the Alabama regiment, under Colonel Coffee, and eight com- 
 panies of artillery, all under Brig. Gen. Shields. — The fleets 
 of vessels of war on both coasts were enforcing a vigilant 
 blockade. 
 
 On the part of the Mexicans, Santa Anna was at San Luis 
 Potosi, with his large army ; General Urrea at Victoria, with 
 a considerable force ; General Valencia at Tula, farther to 
 the south-west, with a formidable force ; General Heredia at 
 Chihuahua, with five thousand men; General Cos at Tuzpan, 
 with two thousand ; General Morales at Vera Cruz, with six 
 thousand ; and smaller garrisons and detachments, of from 
 five hundred to a thousand men,w^ere in all the towns along 
 the coasts, or in those near the lines of the American army. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 We will now enter upon the minute details of the march 
 of our regiment and division, under General Patterson. — 
 On December 21st, our regiment left camp Ringgold, hav- 
 ing our horses all recruited in appearance and action, and 
 moved into town, preparatory to the march. — The deserted 
 camp looked desolate, as we formed in line on our old pa- 
 rade ground ; and almost every one cast back a look at the 
 place as the column left. 
 
 Many rancheros were secreted about, on the outside of the 
 lake, watching our departure; and no sooner had we gone, 
 save the rear guard, than they rushed in numbers on the 
 ground, which was covered with broken saddles, old bridles, 
 clothing of every description, much of it good, bars of 
 soap, little bags of beans, rice, flour, and any quantity 
 of bread and pork ; (all these things left in parcels, by 
 each mess, they being unable to carry them away, for now 
 one wagon was to carry everything for two companies, 
 instead of one, as before) ; bent and broken camp kettles, 
 still good for stationary use, torn canvass of tents, straps, 
 any number of old stirrups, &c., &c.; such a variety as was 
 seldom left in camp, and which had been caused by the al- 
 most entirely new fit out that every man had provided for 
 himself. 
 
 Into this variety the rancheros rushed, and the " grab 
 game " was played to admiration by them ; much to the 
 amusement of the guard, who remained on their horses to ob- 
 serve the scene. — The only difficulty that the rancheros had, 
 was, that there was more than each could carry off; and while 
 some ran off as fast as possible with a load, to be back 
 
 (275) 
 
276 MARCH OF GENERAL PATTERSON'S DIVISION. 
 
 quickly, others were running about making heaps of the 
 plunder, and a great time they had of it. 
 
 The regiment marched through the city, and encamped on 
 the river bank. — Captain Caswell's company had, the day 
 before, left the camp, to go on, as the advance, with the third 
 and fourth regiments of Illinois infantry, under Brigadier- 
 general Pillow. These had already left the city, and, to- 
 gether with the artillery, had moved out on the San Fernan- 
 do road, eighteen miles, to a place called Moquite, and en- 
 camped until all were ready, and the supplies forwarded. 
 
 December 22d. Five companies more of our regiment left 
 this forenoon, a little in advance of Major-general Patterson, 
 for Moquite ; — the troops of the division being now all 
 ^one, save four companies of us, who remained until the suc- 
 ceeding day. — In the meantime, the last wagon train was 
 sent out, with the cavalry, 
 
 December 23d. The four companies of us who had remain- 
 ed until the last, this morning struck our tents on the Rio 
 Grande, and marched into town ; were halted on the plaza, 
 and dismissed for an hour, while the few remaining wagons 
 took the road. — We had orders to re-assemble quickly, at the 
 sound of the bugles. — All of the American population of the 
 city were, this morning, in a state of ferment. A steamboat 
 had arrived from up the river, and her advices brought, were 
 of a most exciting character. — They were, the news of the 
 departure of generals Taylor, Twiggs, and Quitman, with a 
 heavy body of troops from Monterey and Camargo, towards 
 the southward, for Victoria ; and, also, dispatches from Gen. 
 Butler, left in command of the troops stationed at Monterey 
 and Camargo; and others, from Gen. Taylor to Gen. Patterson. 
 — (These were forwarded to Moquite post haste.) — She farther 
 brought reports of the advance of Santa Anna, with an army 
 of twenty-two thousand men, upon Saltillo, Monterey, and the 
 valley of the Rio Grande ; and also others, that the Mexican 
 scattered forces, in the upper section, emboldened by the de- 
 parture of so many troops, were collecting in force of some two 
 thousand, under Canales,for the attack of Matamoras ; and, 
 finally, that a general and vigorous effort was immediately 
 about to be made, by all the Mexican forces, for the recap- 
 
EXCITEMENT AT MATAMORAS. 277 
 
 ture of their conquered territory on the Rio Grande. — (Part 
 of all this we afterward found to be true, and part only ru- 
 mor.)— This news received, together with the departure of so 
 many troops, had created a great stir in Matamoras. — One re- 
 giment only, the 3d Ohio, had been left there, (though others, 
 of the new levy, were expected from the United States) ; for 
 the third Indiana, Colonel Lane, had, a few days before, gone 
 up to Camargo. — This boat, also, brought news that this latter 
 regiment, and five hundred regular infantry, from Camargo, 
 had been ordered to march, in haste, to Monterey and Sal- 
 tillo ; leaving only the second Ohio regiment. Colonel Mor- 
 gan, and a part of the Kentucky regiment of cavalry, at Ca- 
 margo. — These movements up the river, confirmed all the re- 
 ports, in the minds of the inhabitants of Matamoras ; and, 
 on this day, loud complaints came from every quarter, about 
 so many troops leaving the city ; exposed, as they said, to 
 the mercy of the enemy. 
 
 Colonel Curtis had, a few days before, called on all Ameri- 
 can citizens, who had come to Matamoras, to enrol themselves 
 for duty, in case the town should be attacked ; and they had 
 done so : while more artillery, arms and ammunition, were 
 brought up from the Brazos ; — (at this latter place, on the 
 next day, the 24th, General Jesup, quartermaster general, 
 who had, a few days before this, arrived from the United 
 States, enrolled every resident, sutler, merchant, clerk, team- 
 ster, &:c., &c. — leaving Matamoras on this day, on the re- 
 ception of this news, post haste, to do it). 
 
 In the midst of all this excitement and bustle, the sound 
 of the bugles rung through the plaza, and we rapidly fell 
 into lines, and, followed by the anxious gaze of the citizens, 
 — who disliked to see us leave, — marched out of the south- 
 ern entrance of the city, on the road towards Victoria ; our 
 force completing the division of General Patterson, of near 
 two thousand men. 
 
 The road lay over an uninteresting section, partly prairie 
 and partly close chapparal. — It being late when we left Ma- 
 tamoras, we did not arrive at the camp, at Moquite, until 
 after dark. — We found that General Patterson, with one re- 
 giment of infantry, and the six companies of our cavalry 
 
278 WANT OF GOOD WATER. 
 
 which were ahead, and the artillery, with part of the wagon 
 train, had commenced his march that morning ; leaving the 
 other regiment of infantry, our four companies of cavalry, 
 and the remainder of the wagon train, to follow, under Gen- 
 eral Pillow, the next morning ; separating the division on 
 account of the scarcity of water ahead, for the next three or 
 four days' march : after vv^hich, they were to be re-united. — 
 There was nothing interesting in the appearance of this 
 camp, revealed to us by the light of the next morning. — It 
 was on the border of a wide, shallow lake, that spread out, 
 overgrown with rushes. 
 
 December 24th. This morning we were roused by the fifes 
 and drums, in addition to our long accustomed bugles ; — or- 
 dered to get our breakfasts early, and prepare for the march. 
 — Our rations, and amounts of forage for horses, were redu- 
 ced one-half; our cooking utensils in the same proportion. 
 — The reason of this was, the length of the march ahead, 
 through a country incapable of furnishing supplies ; and those 
 transported, had to go as far as possible. 
 
 We were on the march by seven o'clock, three of our com- 
 panies proceeding as an advance, followed by the train, and 
 that by the infantry ; then came the rear-guard. — The road 
 lay over a dry, parched prairie, lone and desolate ; making 
 the march uninteresting and tiresome. — At two, P. M., after 
 proceeding about twenty miles, we encamped on the bank 
 of a dirty lake. The water was of a greenish black ; thick 
 with slime and mud. — Our horses, although having had none 
 all day, refused to touch it. — We strained it through cloth^ 
 and boiled it, to make coffee; but it was bad, any way. — 
 The infantry were soon in, and somewhat fatigued with the 
 inarch ; but a rest of an hour or two, brought them all right 
 again. — Our horses' scanty feed we endeavored to partially 
 remedy, by going round the lake and gathering, from under 
 the thorny musquit bushes, the tall dry grass that grew up 
 into them, which the herds of cattle and horses had not been 
 able, on account of the thorns, to get out. — Many of the 
 horses were found, this evening, with swelled and sore backs, 
 fi-om the extra weight of their four days' corn, which every 
 jnan was obliged to take, in addition to his own four days' 
 
CHRISTMAS DAY. 279 
 
 rations. — The evening was bright moonlight, and spent by- 
 all in conversation, around in groups. 
 
 Friday, Beccimbcr 2Uh — Chrislmas Day. Well, reader, we 
 hope that you spent your Christmas more pleasantly than we 
 did ; for oars was rough. — ^We left camp at an early hour, 
 and continued to march over a wide, sun-burnt, bare prairie 
 — uninteresting and fatiguing. — After marching about ten 
 miles, we of the advance came to a dirty, black lake, upon 
 the banks of which we halted for the infantry and wagon 
 train, now far in the rear, to come up.— We had drank but 
 little of the nauseous water of that lake where we had en- 
 camped the night before, hoping to arrive at some better du- 
 ring the day. — At this one we were disappointed ; not even 
 would our horses drink it. 
 
 We remained in line, drawn up, while General Pillow dis- 
 mounted, seated himself near the bank, in front of us, and 
 regaled himself with some viands that his servant brought 
 to him. We knew not what they were, but he appeared to 
 relish them exceedingly, being some time before us, parta- 
 king of them ; and, therefore, we presumed that they were 
 very fine : one thing was certain — it was the general's Christ- 
 mas dinner. — After he had finished these, he raised a bottle 
 to his lips. — (At this, many of our disrespectful men, not hav- 
 ing the dignity of a general before their eyes, winked at 
 one another along the lines, and insinuated, in whispers, 
 that it contained good old brandy.) — The sight of the din- 
 ner and the bottle, on Christmas day, had a strong efl:ect 
 on many in the column, who, in default of anything better, 
 pulled from their dingy haversacks their hard crackers, now 
 soiled and black from being carried on their sides two days, 
 through the dust; and some, who were lucky enough to have a 
 dirty piece of fat pork left, added that, and ate the whole, their 
 Christmas dinner, with a hearty, good relish; — finishing by a 
 pull at their canteens, of the aforesaid dirty water, that 
 they had brought along, to drink, in case they should get no 
 better. This draught was taken with many wry faces, and 
 heaving of the stomach ; but, by strong eflbrts, they kept it 
 down. — It was the best dinner they could raise. 
 
 After finishing hia meal and draught, the general arose, in- 
 
280 OUR CHRISTMAS DAY AND DINNER. 
 
 serted a cigar between his lips, and, the infantrj' being near 
 mounted his splendid horse, and ordered the column forward * 
 and forward we went. — We looked onward to the next 
 Christmas, for our good dinner. — The day became excessive- 
 ly hot, but fortunately there was a strong breeze from the 
 south-east, that blew directly across our route, taking oft' the 
 dense clouds of dust from the dry prairie, that appeared as 
 if no rain had moistened its parched surface in years. — It 
 resembled, in barrenness, the desert ; although the soil, in it- 
 self, seemed to be good ; and, undoubtedly, the whole vast 
 extent in sight would have been clothed in green, like the 
 prairies that we passed in Texas, if it had been rained upon 
 like those ; but here are two seasons : a short rainy one, and 
 a long dry one ; and this time was in the latter. — We con- 
 tinued the march, finding no water until about three P. M., 
 when we arrived at a miserable collection of ranchos, on 
 small, dry, barren knolls. This collection was called San- 
 ta Teresa, a pretty name, but a poor place as possible to be 
 found. — Here were tough times for men and horses. 
 
 The ranchos were on the knolls ; — in the little valley were 
 three large holes, each about twenty-five feet across and six 
 or eight feet deep, dug out to contain water ; and such wa- 
 ter as it was ! — It had a thick, green, slimy scum over it, and 
 in it thousands of green frogs ; for it had been in the holes 
 since the last rainy season ; it was very warm ; — but that was 
 not all : the water itself was green with slime, and would not 
 settle, nor could the slime be separated from it by straining ; 
 the smell of it was nauseous, the taste ten times worse. — • 
 Many, although suffering, could not bear it near them ; oth- 
 ers, of stronger stomachs, got some down; — with the author, 
 and many others, it acted as an instantaneous emetic. — 
 The horses drank a little of it, and refused more. 
 
 The ranchos had raised corn during the rainy season, and 
 now had it to sell, at two rials a media almud, about a gal- 
 lon. — Every one of us, of the cavalry, were glad to get the 
 opportunity to buy it for our horses,* who were on very small 
 
 * A question might here arise with the reader, why was not this com taken for the 
 use of the army, or bought by the quarter master and furnished to the cavalry, in- 
 stead of obliging the men to pay their own hard earned wages for it ? — This, the au- 
 
WANT OF WATER. 281 
 
 allowance, and with no grass, not a particle of which could 
 be seen on the parched hills. — Our fare in eatables, at night, 
 was equally scant. — Such, reader, was our Christmas. 
 
 We have spoken of the cavalry ; — the time of the infantry 
 was still harder, in having to march twenty-six miles with- 
 out water. — They were very tired when they arrived, and 
 they threw themselves on the ground to sleep. — The wagon 
 train came in ; the guards were set, and in the bright moon- 
 light we all lay down. 
 
 December 2Gth. — The drums beat, and the shrill fifes and 
 clear bugles roused us before day, to prepare for the march. 
 We got some of the green water, boiled it, and made it 
 strong with coffee, and thus were enabled to swallow a little. 
 — The upper hole was not quite so bad as the others^ 
 and our horses would drink some more of that, as well as 
 ourselves. (Wells are not dug here because all the under 
 strata in this prairie land are salt). 
 
 — The lines were formed, and we struck out on the road, 
 just as the sun was rising over the level desert behind us ; 
 before and around was the same level scene. The train 
 came after us ; then came the regiment of lilinoisans, and 
 then the rear guard composed of one of our companies. 
 
 The morning air was pleasant, and the sky cloudless. — 
 Not an animal, wild or tame, was on the vast circumference ; 
 not the appearance of a bird enlivened it ; — sunburnt and 
 parched it lay. — Once in the distance of several miles, might 
 be seen a sword palmetto raising its head ; but these were 
 few, far apart. After marching seventeen miles, we came 
 to a small lake of black, muddy w^ater, similar to that at 
 
 thor cannot answer, without it arose from the policy adopted by the government, in 
 the whole course of this war, under the profession of " protection to the inhabitants;" 
 a protection that was not thanked for by them, and the only effect of which was, to 
 give to the people of any section great advantages by the army passing through thoir 
 country ; advantages which they repaid to the troops by murder and robbery of 
 our men, wherever opportunity offered. — To the men, who had left their homes to 
 serve their country, the effect was, to deprive them of many comforts they might have 
 had, and in many cases to make them suffer much, to beneht those rascally Mexicans 
 but a little. — All the march to Victoria, this was the case ; after this day, there was 
 plenty of corn along, and the author has seen men, often, spending their last picayuntr 
 to buy it for their half-fed horses. 
 
282 WANT OF WATER. 
 
 which we stopped two nights before ; — the water of this not 
 drinkable, save by straining it, which might have been done, 
 for it was not of the green slimy kind of that of St. Teresa, 
 but was of a thicker, blacker, earthy slime and mud, much 
 of which might have been taken from it. — Here General Pat- 
 terson encamped the night before ; and we should have done 
 BO too, but when the infantry and train came up, the general 
 ordered us on. 
 
 This order we gladly obt^yed, thinking that he had heard 
 of better water ; but, as we afterward found, if he had, he 
 could not find it ; — there was no more on the road for eigh- 
 teen miles further. When we left this lake, our suffering in- 
 creased, with the heat of the sun, mile after mile ; again 
 and again did we look for water, and still we were dis- 
 appointed. The general was evidently wrongly informed, 
 and appeared to be uneasy ; — after proceeding about ten 
 miles from the last lake, or twenty-seven from the morning 
 Btart, and still finding no water, he sent back Corporal 
 Rhodes, of our company, with three men, bearing a message 
 to the ofiicer commanding the infantry, for them to continue 
 their march until all came up to water, (which was about 
 eight miles from the advance, according to the report of some 
 Mexican traders that we met, with their drove of pack mules, 
 going towards Matamoras) ; and also to have those who 
 could not keep up, under the excessive fatigue, put into the 
 wagons and hauled along. The corporal and men left, and 
 the general remark was, along our lines, " How can the Illi- 
 noisans, on foot, stand it on such a day?" We found, 
 the next day, that they surely had a tough time. — Each man 
 was loaded with his knapsack, containing his blanket and 
 clothing ; beside this, his musket and cartridge-box, with 
 forty rounds of ammunition, and then his haversack, with his 
 provisions for that night, (for this was the third day since 
 the four days' rations had been issued), and his canteen; — 
 and, faint and exhausted, thus loaded in the hot sun and 
 dust, had to make the march of thirty-five miles. 
 
 They stood it manfully, however, hardly able, for the last 
 few miles, to set one foot before the other ; every one, with- 
 out exception, oflicers and men, having their feet severely 
 
THE "LONG DAY'S MARCH." 283 
 
 blistered and raw; — (but in these last miles, many, entirely 
 overcome by their load, fatigue, and thirst, threw themselves 
 down on the ground, being unable to come up with the wa- 
 gons, and begged of the rear guard of our cavalry, under one 
 of our lieutenants, to allow them to remain ; some saying 
 that they had rather die than go on ; that they would come 
 up in the cool of the evening ; that if they only had a swal- 
 low of water, they could go on ; that they were faint, &c. — 
 The lieutenant and his men were compelled, by order, to 
 bring them on; coaxed them, encouraged them, got off their 
 horses and put them on, walking themselves ; and by great 
 exertion, and words of encouragement and kindness, they got 
 the exhausted men along, and up to camp, after dark ; — here 
 was suffering). 
 
 We continued to ride over the parched prairie, though 
 slowly, for our horses suffered from the want of water. — We 
 now saw, in the west, the high, blue outline of the distant 
 mountains. — Those mountains of Mexico, which, filled with 
 the precious metals, had enriched the world. — They were 
 now before us, and we gazed on their distant faint blue tops, 
 but thought not of the riches there ; — but they appeared to 
 look down upon us, and offer us pure streams of water, 
 which, at that time, seemed of more importance and value, 
 than their riches. — Every eye in our ranks was fixed upon 
 them; — for a long distance had we marched since seeing 
 mountains. — A little before sunset we struck the hills, and 
 ascended the long slope of the first. 
 
 It had on its surface many pebbles and round stones ; — 
 the first that we had seen for six hundred miles. — On rising 
 the long, high hill, we looked back, on the desert prairie be- 
 hind, which, there in the vast distance spread out, brown and 
 parched, reminded us of the description of the Sahara; — a 
 narrow and long serpentine column of dust, from near the 
 horizon to the base of the hill, showed the weary troops and 
 tired wagon train, slowly coming. 
 
 Here, on the hills, we struck again the chapparal ; — 
 on the second ridge we found a rancho. — The change was 
 remarkable. — In a valley near, was growing a large field of 
 corn ; the trees were green, and every thing looked, up there 
 
284 CONTENTION FOR WATER AT NIGHT. 
 
 in the hills, like life. — Here, too, was a well ; — but as its sup- 
 ply of water was scant, the general forbade a drop of it being 
 used by the cavalry, and ordered us on to another well, 
 which the rancheros informed him, was seven miles dis- 
 tant. — This was right ; for the thirsting infantry needed this 
 water more than we did. 
 
 (When these came up, a guard was set over the well, and 
 every man received from the hands of the officer attending, 
 one pint of water, measured out to him. — The well did not 
 hold out at that, and the last companies received but a 
 little over half a pint each, after their excessive fatigue; — 
 as for supper, they needed none ; for they threw themselves 
 down on the ground, anywhere, and overpowered, were soon 
 asleep.) 
 
 We, of the cavalry, arrived at the next well at dusk; — 
 having made our march of forty-two miles. — We immediate- 
 ly rushed there for water. — From dark until late at night, 
 there was a continual crowd and quarrel for water, by the 
 men; — and the horses bit and kicked one another, in their 
 efforts to get their heads into the narrow trough. — The well 
 was about fifteen feet deep, plenty of water in it, though 
 there was but one small bucket to raise it. The men push- 
 ed away one another in their eagerness to get their tin cups 
 into it. 
 
 The water was pretty good, but there was no danger of any 
 one hurting himself in drinking too much; for in the rush, it 
 required an hour, or more, before one could get enough. — The 
 wagons of the companies came up late at night, unexpect- 
 edly ; and thus we were enabled to get our suppers, and 
 procure a little corn for our horses. The grass in these hills, 
 although green, compared to the desert prairie, had been eaten 
 ofl" short, so that there was none for them. — We found that 
 ^ve were ^vithin about three miles of General Patterson's 
 camp, at San Fernando, and that we had made two day's 
 march in one. — The town had been surrendered to him, 
 during the day, by a deputation, consisting of the alcaldes 
 and principal citizens, who met him near this place, where 
 we were now encamped. — We found, also, that the last 
 night, the Mexican leader, Canales, with three hundred 
 
THE VALLEY OF SAN FERNANDO. 285 
 
 and odd horsemen, had encamped at this same place, and 
 were now in the neighborhood. — On this news, every man 
 of us was ordered to look to his arms, and sleep with them 
 near him, which was done. — Being much fatigued, we did 
 not pitch our tents, but lay down anywhere around, and 
 were soon fast asleep. 
 
 December 27th. This was a fine morning : the rising sun 
 shone over the hills and valleys, and illuminated the moun- 
 tains in the west. — The view was so different from that of 
 level scenery, which had so long surrounded us, that all were 
 pleased, in gazing upon it. — We started late. — The infantiy 
 made their appearance, coming ove.r the hill-tops ; — they 
 walked stiff and crippled : the feet of all were very sore. — 
 Soon the white tops of the wagon train appeared in the same 
 direction ; and, to the cheering sound of the bugles, we then 
 moved onward, over rocky hills and deep valleys. — We pass- 
 ed a large quarry of the white stone, described at Goliad ; and 
 shortly came to the brow of the hill overlooking the deeper 
 valley in which was the town of San Fernando; and near it 
 was the camp of General Patterson. — The river, of the same 
 name as the town, ran along the opposite side of the valley, 
 which, there, was shut in by high, precipitous hills. — Obtain- 
 ing permission from the captain, the author here left the 
 lines, and remained awhile on the brow of the hill, to observe 
 the magnificence of the wild and rugged scenery, on either 
 side, and in front ; and the picturesque beauty of the embo- 
 somed valley below. — The distant glimpses of the river, on 
 the left of the front view, were caught only as it emerged 
 from between high bluft' banks, to enter others again. — 
 The vision, in following it, rested upon the lines of tents of 
 General Patterson's camp, and the volumes of thin smoke ri- 
 sing from that. — Immediately in front, at the base of the high 
 hill, down which the column of troops were winding, was 
 the compact town, built entirely of this white stone, with 
 many deep green trees of orange, and other kinds, showing 
 a pleasing contrast against the massive walls of the stone 
 buildings. — The church towers were elevated above the rest. 
 — The style of building — its closeness, neatness, and simi- 
 larity, throughout its extent — gave to it an appearance, from 
 
286 SAN FERNANDO CEMETERY. 
 
 above, different from that of a city of our manner of con- 
 struction ; and it was more beautiful. 
 
 At the foot of the hill, below, between that and the town,' 
 was the cemeter}^ walled in with stone. — This was the next 
 object. — We found it a fine structure, square, and with a 
 lofty arched gateway. — Many stone crosses, on heavy pedes- 
 tals, were on the walls, at regular intervals. On the inte- 
 rior, under each of these crosses, was a niche, or space in 
 the wall ; — all of these were filled with human skulls, piled 
 one on the other, the eye-sockets outwards. Wherever you 
 looked around, these met your eye, and presented not a plea- 
 sant appearance. — In the two extreme corners, were large 
 piles of leg, arm, and rib bones. — The space inside the walls 
 was filled with graves and sculptured tombs ; some of these 
 surmounted by light, lofty stone arches, and adorned with 
 chiseled flowers and figures of saints, &c. The whole struc- 
 ture was neat, ornamental, and costly. 
 
 We proceeded on to camp, where the whole of General 
 Pillow's command were already encamping, along by the 
 side of General Patterson's. The area covered by the 
 troops, and heavy train of five hundred wagons, Avas 
 large ; and a person became tired of walking over it. — 
 Many of us immediately repaired to the river beyond the 
 encampment, to get water for ourselves and horses, and to 
 bathe. The stream was about forty yards wide, in a deep 
 ravine, with banks, in most places, rising from one hundred 
 to a hundred and fifty feet, perpendicular height. — The town 
 is built on the highest part of the bluff, adjoining the plain 
 or valley. — The river, at this place, where accessible, was 
 filled with men and horses. — The current was remarkably 
 swift, and rushed over the rocks with a ceaseless noise. — 
 We afterward proceeded from the river,up along the bank, into 
 the town, thinking to observe a crowded population ; but 
 a more lonesome looking place was not to be found. — The 
 streets were entirely deserted, and the houses shut up — every 
 door and window closed ; not a store open ; nor a man, wo- 
 man, or child, in the streets. — One would have thought them 
 all dead, but for the confused sound of voices, that came over 
 the high stone walls of the court-yards. — Throughout the city 
 
HYPOCRISY OF ALCALDE. 287 
 
 it was the same, for the whole day. — The inhabitants were 
 filled with the utmost terror of the " Americanos ^^ and kept 
 themselves within doors. — In a long walk through many 
 streets, and crossing the squares, we saw not an open door, 
 save one, on the corner of the plaza ; and into that, imme- 
 diately, a half dozen of us entered, and found ourselves in 
 the court room of the second alcalde of the town. — He was 
 within : was a man of light complexion, and quite genteel 
 appearance ; was seated at his large table, with his escribi- 
 ente, alguacil, and other attendants, around ; — all of whom 
 were excessively delighted to see us — the hypocritical scoun- 
 drels ! 
 
 One of us, Hill, who had lived in Mexico for some years, 
 and understood their language well, interpreted his conversa- 
 tion to the rest of us. The alcalde said that the Americans 
 were a free people ; that they were noble and powerful, and 
 that he loved every American like a brother ; and he finished 
 by throwing his arms around our necks, and embracing us ; in 
 which worthy demonstrations of friendship he was seconded 
 by the escribiente, who, throwing down his pen, came for- 
 ward, saying, ^'■Americanos, rnucho hueno^'' (Americans, very 
 good) ; and he, too, fell to embracing us, and squeezing our 
 hands ; while the worthy alguacil, or constable, followed, as 
 well as another Mexican citizen who was in there, the ex- 
 ample of his superiors, with much jabbered Spanish about 
 Americanos. One would have been reminded of the greeting 
 of new converts at the altar of a camp-meeting, by their 
 expressions of joy, &c. — But this was all assumed; — these 
 very men would have cut our throats gladly, had they pos- 
 sessed the power. — However, the author, from them, through 
 the interpreter, in answer to his inquiries, obtained much in- 
 formation with regard to the town, the country, health, man- 
 ners, customs, &c., and regretted not the hours he spent 
 there. 
 
 Towards sunset we left the town, only stopping to admire 
 the splendid brick mansion of Don Garcia Flores, with its 
 extensive court yards, fine interior, spacious, beautiful rooms, 
 and large collections of the finest flowers and scented shrubs, 
 
288 CROSSING OF THE SAN FERNANDO. 
 
 &c.; after admiring which, we passed on to camp, and hav- 
 ing nothing else to do, lay down and slept well. 
 
 December 28ih. This morning our regiment was divided ; 
 seven companies were sent across the river, and ordered to 
 proceed to the next river, twent3"-five miles, and work upon 
 the banks of that, so that it could be passed by the train. 
 — One other company, the "Giles Troopers," under Cap- 
 tain Haynes, was sent, by General Patterson, back to Mat- 
 amoras, with orders to bring on another train of wagons 
 to Victoria ; a severe service, which they immediately set 
 about. — They had some difficulty with the principal alcalde 
 of the town, about furnishing a number of pack mules for 
 the detachment, and had to force him to do it by confin- 
 ing him; when he soon had them brought up. — After these 
 were procured, the company started back. (We saw no 
 more of them until they came up to Victoria, twelve days 
 after our arrival there ; and the incidents of their march, in 
 the meantime, will hereafter be related). The other two 
 companies of us remained encamped. 
 
 One regiment of the lUinoisans crossed the river, the wa- 
 ter taking each man about the middle ; — they encamped on 
 the high plain opposite. The long wagon train then fol- 
 lowed ; — the passage of this occupied the time until three, P. 
 M.; — then followed the artillery, of which there were but 
 two pieces ; then the other regiment of infantry ; and just 
 at night our two companies saddled up, struck our tents, and 
 brought up the rear. — As we did not have to move until so 
 late, we had the day to ourselves, and three of us went into 
 town ; where the frightened inhabitants were beginning to 
 creep out, finding they were not molested. 
 
 We again called on our acquaintance, the alcalde. We 
 found that he had with him part of the authorities of the 
 town. — We were not going to disturb them ; but they in- 
 sisted, with many smiles and bows, that we should come in, 
 and after a little conversation in broken Spanish, helped out 
 by many signs, we stopped and looked on. Hill, with an- 
 other, came passing by, and seeing us, entered, and was 
 received by the Mexicans, who were seated at the large 
 table, with the same tokens of pleasure, (all hypocriticalj. — 
 
MEETING OF ALCALDES. 289 
 
 They insisted on his taking a seat, and with many gestures 
 informed him what they were about. 
 
 In the meantime, five more Mexicans came in, all finely 
 dressed in their own style, with splendid serapes. These 
 were most attentive to us, and carried on a long conversa- 
 tion with Hill, and told him the objects of their meeting, (no 
 doubt thinking we had been sent up to watch them). There 
 were the four alcaldes, or magistrates of the town ; — these 
 all sat together behind the table; — in front of this, around, 
 were the members of the ayuntamiento, or common council, 
 the president of which was the best looking Mexican we had 
 seen. 
 
 There were not all of the members of the ayuntamiento 
 present, four, as they told Hill, having left the town, with 
 many of the other citizens, on the approach of the army. — 
 They said that this was an informal meeting, to consider to- 
 gether upon some business arising from General Patterson's 
 requisition upon them that morning, for pack mules, &c., (for 
 the use of Haynes' detachment). We asked them, through 
 Hill, to go on with their business, which they did in an or- 
 derly way ; though sometimes they appeared to be excited, 
 especially the first alcalde, who had, in the morning, been 
 placed in " durance vile." The four alcaldes all had their gold 
 headed canes, and each of them had a dignified appearance. 
 — (As these officers of justice, found in every town in Mex- 
 ico, will hereafter be mentioned in this work, we will give 
 a short description of their office, powers, &c.) 
 
 There are in every town of any size, four of them ; in 
 every village one at least. — They are elected by the people, 
 and serve for one year. — Their office resembles much that of 
 our justice of the peace, but they have more power. — They 
 have jurisdiction of all cases of misdemeanor, smaller crimes 
 of every description, and all debts under one hundred dollars 
 — in these their decision is final, and from it there is no ap- 
 peal. — They are attended, each by an alguacil, an officer like 
 a constable. — He arrests every one ordered by the alcalde, 
 and brings him before him. — He carries a written process, 
 commanding the person to appear before the alcalde, im- 
 mediately, or at such an hour. — If the person refuses to 
 19 
 
290 METHOD OF JUSTICE BEFORE ALCALDES. 
 
 obey the alguacil, the alcalde senda his tasselcd cane, or 
 baston de justicia, by the alguacil; then the person must come, 
 or be imprisoned, or fined, for contempt of his authority. — 
 The alcaldes can keep a man for an indefinite time in prison, 
 save upon command of the prefect, another officer, Avho is 
 above them.— The alcalde, in common cases, commits nothing 
 to writing, and justice is summarily dispensed (in most cases 
 in his favor, who pays him a sum of money, or sends him a 
 polite note, offering to lend him a sum). 
 
 Larger cases of debt than one hundred dollars, or cases of 
 murder, robbery, &c., when committed by the rich, are very 
 seldom troubled much ; for the proceedings before the alcalde 
 are costly, and besides that, never end. — But the Avay in which 
 they are carried on, we will cite by an instance. Don A. 
 owes Don B. on a certain transaction five hundred dollars, 
 — will not pay it. — Don B. applies to the alcalde, who cites 
 both parties, with their hpnibre bucnos (just men), or arbitrators, 
 to appear before him on such a day. — All appear. Don B. 
 states his case ; this is all written down in a blank-book ; his 
 witnesses are examined, and their testimony is all written 
 down with the statement. — Don A. is then, with his wit- 
 nesses, called upon : their adverse statement is all written 
 down, word for word, as it is given. — The alcalde and hombrc 
 huenos then decide the case against Don A. ; but he raises an 
 objection to it, and is entitled to a hearing before a higher au- 
 thority. — The whole is then sealed up, and sent to the Asesor 
 General., an officer somewhat like a chief justice, at the seat 
 of government of the state, and the plaintiff" has to pay the 
 cost. — The asesor general gets it, and after a while (some- 
 times a month, sometimes twelve, and sometimes never), 
 writes back to the alcalde to give judgment for Don B. (that 
 is, if he took care to send to that personage a larger fee than 
 did the other, but if he did not, then for Don A.) — However, 
 the alcalde may receive, in the course of twelve months, an* 
 order from the asesor general to decide the case in favor of 
 one or the other. — That is, if there occur no revolution, 
 or change in government; — but if there do, the asesor gene- 
 ral is displaced, and another put in, and the complainant 
 may rest assured that he will never touch the papers of 
 
METHOD OF JUSTICE BEFORE ALCALDES. 291 
 
 his predecessor, without another fee. — When this order is 
 received, the alcalde cites the parties before him, and informs 
 them of the decision. — The unsuccessful one immedi-ately 
 raises an objection, under color of law, v/hcther having 
 the slightest reason or not; — the objection is written down, 
 and the whole is sent off by post again ; the complainant 
 again paying up, to the ascsor general, who reconsiders it, 
 and pocketing the fees from both parties, sends back another 
 direction, either confirming the first or annulling it, accord- 
 ing to the strong reasoning before mentioned; — each one of 
 these documents now adds to the papers ; these must all be 
 sent back and forth each time, and they increase the postage 
 (for by law, they must be' sent by the post). — The same case 
 if other objections are raised by the losing party; are writ- 
 ten down, and again sent back ; — and a case will not be 
 decided, sometimes for twenty years ; in fact, if the parties 
 continued to fee the ascsor general, new ev; and he who stops 
 those fees first, loses his suit. 
 
 Under one hundred dollars, the case depends with the al- 
 calde alone ; and debts are rarely contracted above that 
 amount. — The common way, with these small ones, is that 
 each party selects his hombrehiLcno, and the alcalde acts as the 
 third, and the case is thus decided ; and payment, then, must 
 be on the spot, or the losing party must go to prison. — This 
 last is the fairest way of trial among them. 
 
 Now, having given this sketch of the alcaldes, let us see 
 about their minor officers. The ^^escribicntcs,^'' or secretaries, 
 are hired, and paid out of the fines accruing to the office ; 
 and if these are a little behindhand, the alcalde does not 
 hesitate to have men brought up, and fine them for an al- 
 leged offence ; thinking, no doubt, that the payment of the 
 escribiente is for the public good. — The alguacil, or constable, 
 is one of the inhabitants ; who all have to serve in this of- 
 fice one week each, in turn. They get nothing at all for it^ 
 " and find themselves." — If there are any Mexican soldiers 
 in a town, they guard the prison ; if not, the inhabitants have 
 to take turns at this, too. 
 
 These four alcaldes, spoken of, who sat here, all pos- 
 sessed these powers, and, moreover, a general power of 
 
292 MEXICAN OFFICERS OF JUSTICE. 
 
 police, over their actions ; acting as coroners, &c. — The rest 
 of the assembly were of the ayuntamiento. A few words 
 about this. There are, commonly, twelve of this body; they 
 are elected by the people, at the same time of the election 
 of the alcaldes — commonly in December — and serve one 
 year- They attend to the town property, the aqueducts, the 
 squares, and streets ; the revenues, taxes, appropriations, &c. ; 
 and have exclusive supervision over the prison. They ai-e 
 compelled, on requisition oi\heprefedo, to raise soldiers for the 
 government (done by forcible impressment, from the poorer 
 class). — It is considered quite an honor, in these towns, 
 to belong to this body. — One more officer is commonl}- pla- 
 ced in each town or district, but, at this time, there was none 
 in San Fernando. This is the prcfcdo. — A principal one re- 
 sides in the capital of the state ; other sub-prefects in every 
 town and district. — It is this officer's duty to command the 
 troops in that district or town ; to make requisitions on the 
 ayuntamiento for more, when he is required so to do by the 
 governor; to receive prisoners passing through the country; 
 to obtain for foreigners their '^cartas de scguiridad,'''' or let- 
 ters of protection, and also furnish them passports for trav- 
 eling ; and, finally, to overlook the alcaldes in their adminis- 
 tration of justice. — The principal prefect, at the seat of gov- 
 ernment, has the same to do, on a larger scale. — Beside these, 
 we might as well mention the governor of the state ; for he 
 is the only remaining officer of note : they are the military 
 commanders of the state ; responsible to no one but the pre- 
 sident of the republic. — They are all appointed by the differ- 
 ent presidents, that rise and fall, and rise again, in this coun- 
 try; — their duration of office is, therefore, just as uncertain, 
 but always short. 
 
 We intended to have run no farther in this description, 
 than to include these of the kind that were assembled here 
 at San Fernando, this evening ; but as the others, like these, 
 are universally the same throughout Mexico, the time of the 
 reader will not be lost, in learning something else about them, 
 save theii names. 
 
 Now let us return to the group that we left. — They finish- 
 •ed their consultations in an hour or two, — in which, no doubt, 
 
MANNER OF RIDING "DOUBLE." 293 
 
 they considered it best to obey any requisition of the genera] 
 upon them, — when they scattered ; and we returned to camp, 
 and saddUng up, crossed the river, encamped with the rest 
 of the army, collected a lot of musquit brush, and went to 
 cooking our suppers ; after taking which, we stretched our- 
 selves out under the musquit bushes, and enjoyed the scene 
 of the busy camp— the crowds pouring along the road, back 
 and forth, &c. 
 
 We heard a loud laugh from scores up the road, and look- 
 ing for the cause, saw several Mexicans coming through on 
 horseback. On one mule was a light-complexion ed, pretty, 
 round faced Mexican girl, of perhaps sixteen years old, with 
 an enormous sombrero on, like a man, sitting on her steed 
 straddle, one foot in each stirrup, while her hands hung un- 
 employed, and displayed several pretty rings.— Her dress did 
 not seem to suit her manner of riding much; certainly did 
 not come as low as pantaloons would have done.— Riding 
 behind her, was a lank-jawed young man, of about twenty 
 years old, holding himself on with one arm round her waist, 
 with the bridle-reins in that hand, while the other was em- 
 ployed with the whip.— Making it appear more singular to 
 our boys, he was seated behind the saddle, with both his feet 
 on the left side, just as our ladies ride behind their husbands 
 or brothers.— Here, from our manner, both the parties were 
 
 reversed in position, as well as in manner of sitting.* This 
 
 was enough for the men, who broke out in peals of laughter, 
 as they came along, much to the confusion of the girl and 
 her partner, who did not know what to make of it ; this way 
 of riding being common enough with them. 
 
 The evening passed away agreeably, and all lay down to 
 sleep, after paying good attention to our horses, which here 
 got some grass. 
 
 Dcccndjcr 2dth. We were roused by the reveille ; the racket 
 of the drums and fifes of both regiments of infantry, and our 
 bugles helping out the concert, so that it was impossible to 
 think of a moment's sleep after they had commenced. Fires 
 
 * In Mexico, the general way of riding double, is, that the female rides in the sad- 
 dle, but on one side ; and the man behind her, with one foot on either side.— Often, 
 however, the woman rides as we saw this one. 
 
294 ROUGH HILLS. 
 
 in numbers, M'ere soon seen over all the encampment, and 
 shortly afterwards, the tents were down, wagons loaded, and 
 before sunrise we were on the march, our company being the 
 advance guard. — Passing over a small plain, we commenced 
 the ascent of long, high, rocky hills, covered with a growth 
 of thinly-scattered musquit bushes, and some grass between 
 the rocks ; the scenery was of the boldest character, steep 
 hills, very deep, rocky valleys, black, mountainous eleva- 
 tions on the horizon all around, highest in front. — Here 
 and there, far down in the valleys, were fertile tracts of 
 land, with ranchos on them, surrounded with many orange 
 trees of deep green ; and vegetation down there, from its 
 lively color, contrasted strongly with the huge, rocky, bar- 
 ren hills, that were thrown, as it were, promiscuously 
 around, having nothing on their broad sides, save the scat- 
 tered musquit, with here and there tall sword palmettos, 
 rearing their round heads, visible far. — On the opposite 
 spur, or mountain, in the early part of the day, were a 
 body of Mexican horsemen, partially concealed by the mus- 
 quit. — They were a long distance off, and could not be 
 caught ; for they could see us, if we started after them, and 
 before we could have reached the edge of the valley plain, 
 far below us, they would have been gone, leaving, on the 
 rocks and through the defiles, no trace behind. — They were 
 gratified with a splendid view of our long, extended lines, 
 and wagon train, slowly winding up the hill. — When we 
 halted, to repair the road for the train behind, we could 
 see, in the rear, over all the hills that we had passed. — 
 They were below us now, and the desert section in the 
 rear, again came in view beyond them. — The descent of 
 all these hills had been extremely difficult. — The day's march 
 throughout, was up and down these "young mountains," 
 as some of the men called them, but was not near so 
 fatiguing to us, nor did it appear so to the infantry, as 
 the dead level of the parched prairie. — Those of that regi- 
 ment that with us, two days before, had such a hard time, 
 seemed entirely recovered from their lameness and fatigue, 
 and jogged along, with their muskets and heavy knap- 
 sacks, joking and laughing. — We noticed that many of 
 
CACTUS GIGANTEA. 295 
 
 them, yesterday spent much time in bathing their feet 
 in the San Fernando river, and now they appeared all 
 right again. — There was no water on the route to-day, but 
 every man had brought his canteen full from the river, and 
 no inconvenience was experienced on that account. — At five 
 P. M., we arrived at a rapid creek, or small river, with 
 high, steep banks. — Here we found our other seven compa- 
 nies, and now we were all together again, save Captain 
 Haynes' company, which, as said before, had gone back to 
 Matamoras. — We crossed the river, and encamped on the 
 high bank opposite, upon the ascent of which the compa- 
 nies mentioned had done much work. — The wagon train 
 drew up in the rocky, dry islands of the river below, while 
 some of the infantry encamped on either side of the stream ; 
 — the bank on which we were, was a hundred and fifty feet, 
 perhaps more, above the bed of the river. 
 
 Some of us spent an hour or two, seated on the bluff, look- 
 ing down into the busy train, where the commissaries were 
 engaged in giving out the rations to the crowds in attend- 
 ance, and the forage masters, also, in handing out the sacks 
 of corn to the cavalry companies. — Growing on this bank 
 was much of the cactus gigantea, {sec plate, page 357), and 
 much of the wild maguey plant ; {see plate,* page 878). This 
 species of cactus grows in fluted columns, straight, with the 
 ridges covered with bunches of thorns, which are large, strong 
 and sharp. The columns are of a similar consistence and 
 color to the prickly pear, but the old ones have a woody core. 
 — They grow from twelve to eighteen feet high, each one from 
 five to seven inches thick. — The men cut down many with 
 their sabres, which, from their peculiar consistence, could be 
 done with a single blow. One man, however, was severely 
 hurt by a large and heavy one, that, as he cut it, fell over 
 upon him, driving fifty or more of the strong thorns through 
 his clothing into his shoulder and arm, where each remained 
 fixed firmly, and were difficult to pull out. 
 
 We came now to several more species of this cactus, all 
 with needle-like thorns ; — one kind was three-cornered, and 
 
 * That plate represents the cultivated maguey This that grows wild upon the 
 
 mountain side is of the same appearance, but only about half as large. 
 
296 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF CACTUS. 
 
 grew tall ; another grew like large turnips out of the ground, 
 and these were dangerous even for a horse to step on ; an- 
 other, smaller, grew like a potato, and was covered on the 
 outside by a net work, if we may so express it, of slender, 
 delicate thorns , and there were numbers of other varieties. 
 But the kind most troublesome to us, was a species that 
 grew like a bush, about three feet high ; so little, at first 
 sight, did it resemble anything of the cactus kind, that many 
 of us got into it to our sorrow ; — its small stems were nu- 
 merous and crooked ; these covered with millions of little 
 thorns, each one about a quarter of an inch in length, 
 and finer than a hair; — sharp, barbed, strong ; — easily enter- 
 ing, and hard to get out. — These little thorns covered the 
 stems, and, on the slightest touch with the person, remained 
 in the flesh. Beside the little fellows, the same plant bore 
 at intervals on its stalk, hundreds of larger ones, each about 
 an inch in length, and growing in slight sheaths, to pro- 
 tect them. 
 
 We would not have believed that any thorns could grow 
 quite so sharp as these did ; for no point of the finest needle 
 entered the flesh so easily, or continued to penetrate with 
 so slight a touch. — It seemed as though they would insinu- 
 ate themselves deeper and deeper, with no force to push 
 them in ; — but on endeavoring to draw one out, the strongest 
 resistance was experienced ; the flesh rose and hung around 
 to them. Several of them, well in, made a serious job to ex- 
 tricate. 
 
 In connexion with the thorny musquit, and a species of 
 flag covered with cat-claw briers, and the grass with keen 
 burs, we had these diflerent varieties of the cactus, of all 
 sizes and shapes, from this time, through our whole future 
 march in Mexico ; sometimes only thinly scattered about, 
 then again so close that it was found difficult to get a place 
 clear enough on which to encamp. — So the reader will please 
 bear in mind, as a constant accompaniment to the future 
 marches, a full supply of crowded prickly pears, of tall, 
 short, round, every shape, of needle-covered cactus; of trees 
 and bushes, all thorny; of weeds and grass covered with the 
 same ; so that whenever any one left the road, into these 
 
SKILL IN REMOVING OBSTACLES ON ROAD. 297 
 
 thickets, whether for scouting, hunting, or failure of the plain 
 track, he had enough to do, each moment, to save his flesh. 
 We now saw why these rancheros dressed in buckskin; — 
 nothing else will stand these thorns.* The feeding and sad- 
 dling of our horses, in the morning before day, was to us 
 the time for getting thousands of them into us. — The wil- 
 derness of rocky hills, or small mountains, over which our 
 road had led for the day, had been covered thickly with this 
 growth. — Distance marched, twenty-five miles. 
 
 December 30th. The reveille roused us before day, and by 
 light we were again on the road. After proceeding over the 
 hills and rocky valleys about five miles, the whole division 
 was obliged to halt for an hour, at a deep ravine, impassable 
 for the train. The sappers and miners — a splendid company 
 of regulars — were ordered up ; and, wdth a detachment ol 
 infantry and dismounted cavalry, with pickaxes, crowbars, 
 shovels, &c., the ravine was cut down and made passable in 
 a little while, and we all went down into it.f — It was a rough, 
 dark looking, narrow chasm, with the jutting rocks, in some 
 places, coming near each other above. It appeared as if, 
 sometimes, the whole chasm was filled with rushing water, 
 from the cleanliness of the dark rocks, on sides and bottom, 
 swept by its force. — No water was in there now, however, 
 save a beautiful spring that bubbled up, clear and copious, 
 from under the projecting front of a massive rock. — This 
 spring, to which we hastened, was, to our disappointment, of 
 
 * It is customary, in the country, for Mexicans, when riding, to have a kind of false 
 pantaloons, which buckle round the waist and go over each leg : these are made of 
 goat skin, and have the hair on ; they are sufficiently stout to withstand the penetra- 
 tion of the thorns ; — they are called armor de pelo, (covering of hair), and when not 
 used, hang to the saddle, in front of the leg, (see plate, page 368.) 
 
 •j- It was interesting, on this rough march, to see the ease and quickness with which 
 the most formidable obstacles were removed, and the road made practicable for the ar- 
 tillery and wagons, by the united efforts of science, skill and labor. — The company of 
 sappers and miners followed the advance of cavalry ; — these last could wind their way 
 along. The bugler of the sappers had a set of signals, which could be heard a mile, 
 and by which, in those difficult roads, the movements of the army were directed. — The 
 officer of the sappers came to an obstacle : a huge rock in the road, an impassable ra- 
 vine, or other impediment. — At a signal from him, the bugler sounded the halt, by a 
 peculiar set of half a dozen notes The cavalry ahead drew up their horses; the ar- 
 tillery behind stopped ; the wagon train closed up, and did the same ; the infantry 
 
298 CHANGES OF MOUNTAIN SCENERY. 
 
 SO strong a mineral taste as not to be drinkable, and we left 
 still thirsty ; while hundreds of the infantry came rushing 
 down the ravine, to get to it, — but they as soon left. 
 
 We continued our course, all the day, over these rugged 
 mountains, with the road, in many places, extremely bad. — 
 The views and changes of scene were innumerable, but all 
 of nature's wildest work. To our right, rose another higher 
 range of mountains, which were at just such distance as to 
 render their whole outlines, in their thousand forms, distinct 
 to the eye. These, with the appearance of their precipices, 
 high, heads, and extended direction, were most imposing. — 
 The range ran to the south-west — the course that we were 
 traveling. 
 
 The sun to-day, although the 30th of December, was very 
 hot. — All gladly sought the shade of the musquit bushes, 
 every time the bugles of the sappers sounded a halt. — At 
 four, P. M., to our great joy, we crossed the last summit of 
 this collection, and saw, down before us, as pretty a valley, 
 — or, rather, circular plain, — embosomed by the rugged moun- 
 tains, as one could imagine ; — it was green, in appearance ; 
 and a winding branch, that looked like a silver thread, pass- 
 ed through it. — We went down into it : the soil was good, 
 and the road level. A half mile brought us to the brook, 
 in which we found plenty of good water. It was soon 
 filled, far up and down, by our cavalry, together with the in- 
 fantry ; the horses drinking, the men dipping in their tin 
 Gups, and filling their emptied canteens ; while the artil- 
 
 sat down on the road, just where they heard the sound ; — and the body of men, un- 
 der the direction of the sappers, removed the rock, filled up the ravine, or placed a 
 bridge across it, (where material could be procured,) under the supervision of the ofii- 
 cers. These knew their business so well, and gave their directions so plainly, and 
 they were followed with such quickness and union of effort, that the obstacle was re- 
 moved ; the hill dug down, the ravine filled up, or the bridge strongly made, in less 
 time than would, at home, be consumed in the preliminary consultation as to the man- 
 ner of commencing the work — It looked like magic ; and it was the magical effect of 
 knowledge, combined with connecled labor. — The obstacles removed, the buglers of the 
 sappers sounded the advance : tlie cavalry proceeded on ; the artillery commenced the 
 crossing ; the infantry jumped to their feet, and places ; the long train started, and 
 the whole body were in motion, until again they were stopped by other obstacles. — 
 These were many, as the road was only a mule track over the rugged mountains. 
 
BEAUTIFUL VALLEY. 299 
 
 ■ lerymen and teamsters were carrying buckets of it to their 
 horses. — It v^as a beautiful spot : for all along its banks was 
 tall green grass, with purple and yellow wild flowers. — We 
 remained halted an hour, until all had watered.— The sun 
 was then sinking behind the range of mountains on the 
 west, throwing their distinct outlines in relief against 
 the evening sky. — The air became pleasant, and all being 
 .rested and refreshed, the army moved on over the plain : on 
 the surface of this, here and there, were springs that came 
 •up from the earth, and w^andered off in rivulets ; one of 
 which was, for a mile or two, along the side of the road. — 
 At sunset, the cavalry advance had crossed the plain, and 
 were ordered to encamp on the slope of a gentle hill, where 
 was a rancho of fifteen or twenty houses. — The infantry 
 encamped on the plain below. — The artillery came up near 
 the cavalry, while the extended wagon train closed its long 
 line into four or five parallel ones, near to the regiments of 
 infantry. — All these were convenient to water ; for, from a 
 large spring or basin, of twenty feet in diameter, it gushed 
 out of the hill, near to the cavalry, and flowed down in a 
 pretty brook by them. — The houses of the rancho were dis- 
 posed around, leaving a large square, of several acres ; — in 
 the centre of this, was the basin. — This the people had par- 
 tially walled up with flagstones. — Only one inconvenience 
 arose to the cavalry — which was from the quantity, height, 
 and size of the prickly pear, about their camp. 
 
 December ^\st. The last day of the year, and it was hot 
 enough for August. — As before, we \vere roused by the re- 
 veille, long before light; and we stumbled about in the dark- 
 ness, among the prickly pear, to feed our horses, with the 
 corn which each man had bought for himself, at the rancho 
 last night. — Every step from the tent brought us in contact 
 with the prickly pear, that rose above our heads, or with some 
 other cactus ; — and many bitter oaths in that thicket, ^veve 
 loudly given, that morning. — The fires were soon kindled, 
 and, as we had fresh beef served out to us the night before, 
 we had first-rate steaks, broiled on the coals, for our hasty 
 breakfast ; which, however, would have been much better, 
 had we possessed a little salt to sprinkle over them. — From 
 
300 appetitp: for coffee. 
 
 the want of water during the day, every one had now got 
 into the habit, which they continued after, of taking in the 
 morning, large draughts of coftee. 
 
 That same deUcate young man, who, with his hair nicely 
 brushed, his face smoothly shaven, his broadcloth black coat^ 
 glossy, without a particle of lint upon it, and his boots highly 
 polished, had often, at home, made his appearance at the 
 breakfast-table, as late as eight o'clock ; and who, during a 
 slight meal, when asked by the landlady, "Will you take 
 another cup of coftee, sir?" had replied, "No, madam, I 
 never take but one cup ; I think a free use of coffee inju- 
 rious to health," — now might be seen, by the glaring light of 
 the camp-fire before the tent, before day, to come out, and 
 straighten himself and rub his eyes ; — dressed precisely as he 
 had been the day before, for not an article of clothing, not 
 even his boots, had been taken off — nothing, save his spurs, 
 and they would not have been, if his next comrade had not 
 cursed about his having them on when he lay down ; and 
 that dress bad enough, any way ; with a bushy beard, that 
 had not seen a razor in three months. — He yawns, and the 
 first thing that strikes his attention is the coftee-pot, which 
 his messmate, whose turn it is to cook for the day, is put- 
 ting on the hot fire. " Bill, how much coftee have you got 
 in there ? d — n m}'^ soul, if I got half enough, when Jim 
 cooked, yesterday ! " A voice comes from the inside of the 
 tent — it is Jim's : " You got your tin cup twice full, John, 
 
 and it was strong as d— n n, at that." — " Well, my cup 
 
 is small," replied the first. — " Small ! it holds over a pint," 
 says Jim. — " Never mind," says Bill, over the fire, " I shall 
 have enough for you, presently ; for the pot is full of water, 
 and I put my cup nearly full of pounded coffee into it." 
 
 Breakfast was over, the camp all deserted, and the army 
 was on its march, still towards the everlasting south-west. 
 Many of the men of our regiment, after a half-serious con- 
 sultation on this course, a few days before, concluded, from 
 their continuous march in this direction, that the world was 
 much longer on this course than any other way ! — The morn- 
 ing was very fine, and the road good. — Leaving the moun- 
 tains on our right and left, we came out on a high plain, over 
 
EXTENSIVE PLAINS. 301 
 
 the surface of which were scattered sword pahnettos, cactus 
 of various kinds, and wild maguey ; which latter, continually 
 struck our attention, the leaves being so large, thick, and 
 strong. — The chain of mountains on the right, continued as 
 before ; offering to the view, illumined by the morning sun, 
 any number of slowly changing aspects. — Ten miles distance 
 brought us to the brow of a high, precipitous descent, falling 
 ofi^ on a wider plain below, over which the vision extended for 
 many miles to the north-west, west, south-west, and south ; 
 the M"hole, seeming, in the distance, to be locked in by high 
 mountains of every form of swell. In the front, six miles 
 distant, was the town of Santander, shoMdng plainly, its 
 white surfaces of beautiful buildings and towers. — Although 
 so far off, still, from the magnitude, height, and distance of 
 the mountains behind, it appeared almost in the fore-ground 
 of the view. The whole plain appeared like a vast map 
 spread out below. 
 
 A halt being here commanded, for the infantry and wagon 
 train to come up — the advance having, on the good road, got 
 much ahead of them — all of us had full leisure to survey the 
 scene. After a while they came up, and the descent was 
 commenced. The troops found no trouble in getting down 
 to the lower plain, but the train descended with great diffi- 
 culty ; it was near night when all were down. The road 
 then was excellent on to the town, which, leaving a little to 
 the left, the troops in advance (not waiting for the train 
 and rear), passed on to the Santander river, crossed it, and 
 encamped upon the opposite bank, on a level area, in a 
 good situation. — ^Near the camp was an old dam, of stone, 
 thrown across the river, of great size and excellent workman- 
 ship ; as perfect now, after the water had been beating upon 
 and rushing over it, for over one hundred years (as the citi- 
 zens of the town informed us), as Mdien it was first built. 
 
 A pretty cascade of water was continually pouring over 
 it, and dashing on the stone foundation, about twelve feet 
 below ; — it rushed off this broad platform of rock, into a 
 deep, clear, and pretty basin, with pebbly bottom and grassy 
 banks. — Into this basin, on account of the heat of the day 
 -and dust of the march, scores of the men immediately went 
 
302 * ANCIENT DAM. 
 
 to bathe, for which purpose no place could be prettier.— 
 It was the bathing place of all the senoritas of the town, who, 
 every evening, had resorted there ; (for the Mexican women 
 have about the same partiality for water as is shown by a 
 brood of young ducks when first they waddle towards a 
 pond*), and not caring mach for the presence of the " sterner 
 sex ; " thinking no harm, for custom makes all things right. 
 Above the dam, the water lay in a still sheet, stretching back 
 for a long distance. Its color, where deep, was of a light 
 sky blue ; and this, together with the orange and other trees 
 of bright green, many of which trailed their branches in the 
 water ; and the running vines, with many yellow flowers 
 above, climbing upon them and overhanging the basin, made 
 the whole a pretty scene, and appearing better still when 
 visited upon the conclusion of as hot a day as this had been. 
 Many of us walked up to the town ; — like all others, Mexi- 
 can, it had its stone, close buildings, with interior courts. — 
 Many gardens, however, ornamented the place, and in their 
 flourishing state, added a freshness to it. There was no dust, 
 and all was quiet and pleasant in the streets. (It was neg- 
 lected to be mentioned that we had left the strong winds and 
 dust of the coast, upon leaving the prairie on the " long day's 
 march," the day previous to our arrival at San Fernando.) 
 
 Many of the inhabitants, like those of San Fernando, were 
 distrustful of us, and kept themselves within doors. — Those 
 of the better class were free in their intercourse, and treated 
 all of us who went in there with attention and respect, but 
 only through fear. A deputation, consisting of the alcaldes, 
 president of the ayuntamiento, and several of the members 
 of that body, had met General Patterson at the head of the 
 army, a short distance from the descent of the hill mentioned, 
 
 * The higher classes of the Mexican women liave private bathing places ; but all 
 the others bathe in the rivers. Although so fond of bathing, all have singular repug- 
 nance to washing their faces in the manner that we do ; — in fact, never doing it ; — 
 they think it unhealthy. If the face is to be cleansed, they do it with a cloth slightly- 
 dampened. — W^hen bathing, even, many will not immerse their faces in the water, or 
 wet their faces or hair with the cool liquid, although some then do, but at no other 
 time. — This bathing is followed the whole year. The men, although fond of it, yet 
 bathe not so often as the women ; — yet, in spite of all this bathing, the lower classer 
 are a dirty set in their clothing, persons and houses. 
 
OLD PALACE AT SANTANDER. 303 
 
 and with much ceremony, had surrendered their town to him, 
 and asked protection for themselves. Their address was in- 
 terpreted to the generals, who, in return, promised this, and 
 made other remarks, to the eflect that the armies of the Uni- 
 ted States came not to fight private citizens, but against 
 their unjust rulers, &c., &c. 
 
 This was interpreted to the deputation, and the first al- 
 calde replied, disavowing the acts of Paredes and Santa 
 Anna, and professing friendship to the " United States of the 
 north," as they termed our country, (all hypocritical) ; and 
 then returned to their town, in advance of the army, to quiet 
 the apprehensions of their citizens. 
 
 There were many things in this town to attract our atten- 
 tion. — The church was on the public plaza ; was a fine build- 
 ing of stone, with its due proportion of heavy bells, &c. — 
 Around the plaza, too, were several fine buildings of the same 
 material ; of which, in fact, the whole town was built, like 
 San Fernando. The stone is the same ; — called in Mexico, 
 hmastate. 
 
 But the object of most interest in this town of Santander, 
 was the old palace of the Condc de Saragordc, the former go- 
 vernor of this whole northern section of Mexico, in times long 
 ago. The count, the alcalde of the town informed us, built this 
 palace in the years 1734-35 ; and about the same time con- 
 structed the dam spoken of, to divert the water from the river, 
 along a narrow canal, to the town and lands in the vicinit3^ 
 He also built the church ; and not only founded this town, but 
 also that of San Fernando, through which we had previously 
 passed. 
 
 The palace, now old, and the interior somewhat dilapida- 
 ted, is a noble edifice, about two hundred and fil'ty feet square, 
 with a court in the centre. It is of two stories ; — ascending 
 from the court yard within are three spacious flights of stone 
 steps, leading to the lofty upper piazza, with its numerous 
 massive doric pillars of stone ; the floors above are of 
 polished stone ; the roof of the same durable material ; — 
 the quantity of sculpture is splendidly' executed. At the 
 head of the principal stairway, the coat of arms of the 
 count, based upon the arms of Spain, stand out in bold 
 
304 THE NEW YEAR. 
 
 relief, undefaced and uninjured. — Bass reliefs of stone abound 
 in all the numerous apartments. — No one now resides at the 
 palace ; — it stands almost imperishable, a memento of for- 
 mer times. — After finishing our observation of the town of 
 Santander, we returned to camp. 
 
 This evening our regiment was reviewed by the colonel, 
 in order to make out the pay-roll for the last two months. — 
 In this review, the condition of our horses was minutely in- 
 quired into, and report made of the same. — Nearly all had 
 American horses ; but those who had lost theirs, had been 
 obliged to furnish themselves with Mexican animals : — these 
 stood not so high, in the opinion of our generals, as the 
 others . 
 
 After the review, a Mexican arrived in camp from Victoria, 
 ahead. — He bore a dispatch from General Quitman to Gen. 
 Patterson, containing the information that the former had ta- 
 ken Victoria, the ]\Iexican army falling back at his approach, 
 in the mountains towards Tula. This news put an end to 
 the anticipations by our men, of a brush with the enemy 
 there, much to their disappointment. — March of the day, six- 
 teen miles. 
 
 January 1st, 1847. The new year ushered itself in last 
 night, in a manner not agreeable to us poor mortals, who 
 had just witnessed the close of its predecessor, which had left 
 us in so different a situation from that in which it found us at 
 its commencement. We had been musing and conversing 
 on this during the pleasant moonlight evening, and had set 
 up late, so engaged. As usual in such pleasant weather, 
 most preferred to sleep in the open air, rather than in the 
 tents. 
 
 At midnight the new year came in, accompanied with a 
 most violent and sudden norther ; which blew the tents 
 down, ripping and tearing them ; whistling, rushing, and 
 withal, " kicking up such a dust," that we knew not what 
 to make of the sudden visit. — It became so cold that we 
 were chilled through under its influence. The rest of the 
 night was cold, windy, and uncomfortable. — We were not 
 on the march until after sunrise, on account of some of the 
 last wagons of the train not having been able to cross the 
 
EXCELLENT WELL AT RANCHO. 305 
 
 river last night, so long a time being occupied in descending 
 the steep hill six miles back. 
 
 The march of this day was over a barren country, exceed- 
 ingly rocky in many places ; large ledges of the tunastate, 
 or white soft building stone, cropped out on the surface, 
 ready split by nature, by parallel fissures, into blocks of con- 
 venient size for building. We passed no fertile valleys, or 
 any habitation, during the day ; the road was over rocky, 
 broken hills, and through ravines, covered with a thin growth 
 of musquit, some cactus of various kinds, with here and there 
 a stunted tree of lignum vitse. — This last has small, round 
 leaves, of a deep green color ; — the quality of its wood, every 
 one knows. 
 
 At three, P. M., after a march of eighteen miles, the ad- 
 vance arrived at a rancho, and near it, came to one of the best 
 wells we ever saw, fixed in the best manner for watering a 
 large number of horses, or other animals, at once. It was 
 about ten feet square, and eighteen feet deep ; \vas walled 
 up wdth stone and cement ; had a large square platform 
 about twenty feet on each side, of the same material, raised 
 four feet in height ; — on this was a wheel and shaft, for rais- 
 ing the water. On one side of this platform was, also, a 
 large stone cemented reservoir, or bathing basin, smooth, and 
 well finished, twelve feet square, and four feet deep. From 
 the side of the platform on which this basin was, a high ce- 
 mented stone W' all ran off about a hundred and twenty feet ; 
 on either side of this wall was a long trough of the same, for 
 the whole length, and the ground adjoining, for fifteen feet 
 on either side, w^as paved with large flag stones, to prevent 
 the formation of mud. The water ran from the bathing 
 basin, into which it was raised by the wheel, along stone 
 spouts, into the troughs. The whole, here in this wilderness, 
 surpassed anything of the kind that can be found in the 
 United States. 
 
 We learned that this is a stopping place for all the Mexi- 
 can troops marching through this section, and for all bodies 
 of traders, or " arricros,^'' with their droves of pack mules. — 
 The well afforded an abundant supply of water for the men 
 and horses of the whole division ; and one can readil}' sup- 
 20 
 
306 CONVENIENCES FOR WATERING. 
 
 pose that to furnish two thousand men, and more horses, 
 after the day's march, would require much. 
 
 Wood for fires was scarce, and one of the wagoners pulled 
 up two or three of the little crooked stakes of the musquit, 
 driven down by the low trough to keep the mules from paw- 
 ing it, which, however, were almost all gone long ago ; — of 
 the few that remained, this man pulled up four, each about 
 two feet long, and half rotten. General Patterson saw him, 
 and had him tied to his wagon wheel, close to the well, for 
 the view of the whole army, as they, in continued numbers, 
 came for water. — He remained thus tied with a strong rope, 
 until night; — how much longer, "deponent saith not," not 
 knowing. — To such length do they carry " protection to the 
 Mexicans." 
 
 This well, we were informed, was thus built up in 1828; it 
 had remained uninjured eighteen years; and, from the solidity 
 of its construction, will remain hundreds more, unless forcibly 
 destroyed. — These Mexicans are singular people in many of 
 their ways and actions. — If they do anything with regard to 
 water, it is done not only for the present generation, but for 
 many succeeding ones. — If they build a dam, to divert water, 
 like that at Santander, which is as good now, as it was one 
 hundred and eighteen years ago, they build it to endure for 
 ages. — If they fix a well, like this, in strong stone and stronger 
 cement, it bids defiance to the destroying hand of time, for gen- 
 eration after generation. — If they undertake a bridge, its lofty 
 stone arches are not made in the light manner of those few 
 seen in our country, but are so large, so strong, and have foun- 
 dations so firm, that centuries hence, they will be as perfect as 
 at present; a bridge that they finish, needs no repair for ages, 
 for there is nothing destructible, or that can change in them. 
 (As will be mentioned hereafter, of the bridges on the road 
 from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico.) If they attempt an 
 aqueduct (like that in the city of Vera Cruz, which conducts 
 the water now as copiously and as pure as it did in 1725, 
 when it was finished), it needs no repairs, no alterations, no 
 meddling with it in any way for centuries ; it works as freely 
 for the old man eighty years of age, as it did for his father ; 
 and the same old man can see no difference in the appear- 
 
MEXICAN BRIDGES, AQUEDUCTS, AND WELLS, 307 
 
 ance of the bridge over which he totters in his age, from its 
 state when he ran and frolicked over it in his youth ; and 
 which, in the mean time, has had upon it not a repairing 
 hand. — If these people cannot do these things in that man- 
 ner, they will not do them at all. — But to return to our en- 
 campment. As said before, there was a rancho here, but it 
 contained only three rough houses ; like the rest of the 
 ranchos that we have met since we left Matamoras, they 
 were made of crooked musquit poles, set to one another in 
 the ground, covered with straw, without floor, chimney, or 
 windows {see plate ^ page 378). — The beef contractors procured 
 from the owner of them, several fine beeves, for the use of 
 the army. 
 
 January 2d. This morning, our company, being the ad- 
 vance for the day, were early roused; we got our breakfasts, 
 saddled up, and were on the road before day ; we were fol- 
 lowed closely, by the sappers and miners, by whose bugles, 
 as before described, our movements were governed. — The 
 road, to-day, was very difficult, being but a mule track, over 
 the "young mountains," extremely stony, and with much 
 more ascent and descent than had been made on the day pre- 
 vious. — So many flat rocks lay piled over the vast hills, that 
 musquit, cactus, or hardly a tuft of grass could find a footing. 
 — At noon we reached the hacienda of San Antonio, and 
 the finest house was being built here, that so far, we had 
 seen in Mexico. — A considerable number of the rude houses 
 of the peones were around it. — The valley in which this was, 
 was free from stone, and apparently fertile. 
 
 After a short halt at the house, we proceeded down to the 
 bank of a small river, wdth very high and steep banks, 
 "upon which were some large cypresses, as large as any in 
 our ov/n country. These attracted our attention, being the 
 first large trees that we had seen for eight or nine hundred 
 miles. — We crossed the stream, and ascended the other bank, 
 which was very difficult, and, as much trouble and delay was 
 expected, in crossing the train, we of the advance, were 
 ordered to proceed on the road half a mile, and place out 
 scouts for observation ; this was done by our taking position, 
 in the musquit timber ; and our horses, for the first day in 
 
308 k CROSSING OF THE SAN ANTONIO- 
 
 many, found plenty of grass. — It took the rest of the day to 
 cross the army and company wagons ; but few of the train 
 wagons coming over ; the rest, and the rear guard encamped 
 •on the other side. — On account of this delay, the march of 
 the day was but about nine miles. 
 
 JaniLary Sd. Last night our company had a busy time. — 
 Hardly had its wagon arrived, and the men began to get their 
 suppers, than an order came for the whole company to stand 
 guard for the night, and to go on post immediately. — Most 
 of the men were forced to go without any supper, or to get 
 it during the night, when off post, as they could. — We were 
 withdrawn from guard, and ordered to saddle up, this morn- 
 ing before day, but did not start for an hour or more. 
 
 Last night the troops were all busy until late — many in as- 
 sisting the wagon train across the San Antonio, and up the 
 steep bank on this side, which, at the least calculation, was 
 one hundred feet high ; and the elevation, on one part of it, 
 was near forty-five degrees. — It was severe pulling, even 
 with double teams, and the assistance of many on foot. 
 
 This morning, leaving the remainder of the train to come 
 over the river, protected by the rear-guard, and assisted by 
 -a proper force, the part of the army that was already over, 
 were on the march at an early hour, proceeding towards the 
 town of Padilla, {Pah-dhe-yah,) only three miles from the 
 San xintonio. The road was excellent — the land good. — We 
 were then in the narrow fork between the San Antonio river 
 on the north, and the Padilla river, a larger stream, on the 
 south. While crossing this level tract, we suddenly met the 
 prefect, alcaldes, and the other civil authorities of the town 
 of Padilla, coming out, in a dashing cavalcade, vto surrender 
 their town to the general. We turned a little from the 
 road, by order of the officer, to allow them to pass down 
 towards the general. This little act of courtesy seemed to 
 surprise the Mexicans, who acknowledged it by low bows to 
 the officer and column ; — they went on, and met the gen- 
 eral. — The army was halted, and the surrender made ; and, 
 in company with them, the general and his staff came up, 
 while we opened to the right and left, to let them pass. 
 — The countenances of the Mexicans then, had a different 
 
CROSSING OF THE PADILLA RIVER. 309 
 
 appearance than that they wore when, a few moments be- 
 fore, they had passed along. As we of the advance were now 
 near the river and the town, the general and his staff went 
 with the Mexicans directly over, thus having an opportunity 
 to enjoy their hospitality, before we came up. It was not, 
 however, a wise movement for the general to leave his army, 
 even for a mile, to go into a town ahead, with only his staff 
 accompanying him. 
 
 We now came to the river, on the southern bank of which 
 was the town. It was as pretty a stream as one could 
 wish to see : broad, of water clear, of current very swift, 
 and pebbly bottom, and each bank fringed with tall cypress 
 trees. — The water was about waist deep, and cold. — We 
 crossed well enough ; but when the infantry came, with them 
 a scene of fun and boisterous mirth took place, as was al- 
 ways the case when a river was to be forded. Some stop- 
 ped and took off their pantaloons, and held them above their 
 heads, when wading ; but the most, captains and lieutenants 
 as well as men, started not a thing ; but the latter, holding 
 their cartridge-boxes, knapsacks, haversacks and muskets, 
 above their heads, took the water, with the same step as be- 
 fore, and with no delay ; — wading to their waists, stemming 
 the strong current ; while the whole multitude were laugh- 
 ing and yelling, splashing, and floundering along. — Arrived 
 on the pebbly shore of the other side, they dropped their 
 knapsacks, cartridge-boxes, and haversacks, to their places, 
 and after halting a few moments, and fiUing their canteens, 
 fell into column again, and marched on, as contented as 
 though they had been dry. — The wagons which had crossed 
 the San Antonio, found no delay in passing over this second 
 river. — Leaving the bank of this last, just as the sun was 
 rising, we proceeded into the town, where the inhabitants 
 did not seem to possess the feelings of apprehension of in- 
 jury, that we had noticed at San Fernando and Santander; 
 being out in crowds to look at us. — The first thing that took 
 our attention, was the number of large orange groves on 
 either side of us ; — most beautiful trees they were : of large 
 size, deep green leaves, and regular, close appearance ; cov- 
 ered with fruit — some ripe, and some green. — So many large 
 
310 TOWN OF PADILLA. 
 
 ■oranges were ripe, on some of them, that they gave to the 
 trees a golden appearance, as the rays of the rising sun shone 
 upon them. — The blossoms filled the air with their delightful 
 fragrance. (These blossoms are small and white ; — they do 
 not strike the eye with much beauty, but are of great fra- 
 grance.) — We purchased quantities of this fine fruit for a 
 trifle ; and it was universally remarked, that it was of better 
 quality than any we had ever tasted before — being large, 
 sweet, and juicy. 
 
 The morning was quite cool, and the crowds of peones 
 and others that gazed at us, had their horongos muffled up 
 ^bout their necks and chins. — We proceeded on to the plaza; 
 this was large, but the buildings around it showed rather 
 what they once were, than anything attractive in their pres- 
 ent appearance. Many of them were falling in ruins ; — all 
 looked old and blackened w^ith time. 
 
 It was in this plaza that the emperor, Iturbide, the fii-st 
 and last that Mexico, since the conquest by Cortez, has had, 
 was shot, after he had landed on the coast near here, to en- 
 deavor to regain his throne. He fell here on the evening 
 of July 19th, 1824, receiving at the fatal volley, two balls in 
 his head, and two in his heart. The spot where he knelt 
 and died is pointed out by the inhabitants ; who, together 
 with the whole of the Mexican nation, now almost worship 
 his memory; and certain it is, that if he had. regained his 
 throne, the nation would have been in a far better condition 
 than it is at present.* 
 
 * As both the hfe and death of Iturbide are so intimately connected in their effects 
 upon Mexico, as she has been since that time, a short account of that hfe, and the 
 revolution in Mexico, in which he acted so conspicuous a po; *, cannot fail of being 
 interesting to the reader. Many persons, when reading of the Mexican revolution, 
 and her subsequent independence, suppose it similar, in grounds and in action, as well 
 as in effect, to that by which our own country became free from British tyranny. 
 — But these persons are entirely mistaken. — The revolution in Mexico was not com- 
 menced on such grounds as those which animated our forefathers to rebel against the 
 continued oppression of the English government; — neither was it carried on with that 
 ardor of spirit and determination, in its actors and leaders, to accomplish good for 
 their country, and establish a free and independent government, that stimulated the 
 patriots of our own land. — Nor has the revolution in Mexico been productive of anything 
 jesembling the glorious effects of that of the United States, in raising, as it were, in a 
 
SPIRITUOUS LIQUOR— MUSCAL. 311 
 
 Leaving the town of Padilla, we marched out over barren, 
 musquit covered, rocky hills, a mile or two, and halted for 
 about three hours, until joined by the remainder of the train, 
 and the rear-guard had come up to the Padilla river. — The 
 bugles then sounded, the general came up, and we moved 
 ahead. — During the long halt there, many of the men got 
 freely under the influence of a spirituous liquor which was 
 new to us : the Mexicans called it muscal. It was colorless, 
 and nearly strong as alcohol. — They sold it freely in Padilla, 
 at a dollar a quart ; and that quantity was enough to intox- 
 icate twenty men. — It is distilled from the wild maguey 
 plant, and has a singular, fiery, smoky taste, and a flavor, as 
 
 day, a nation of freedom and happiness among the powers of the earth, respected 
 by all. 
 
 The revolution in Mexico was began rather on account of the change of kings in 
 Spain, than for any grievances that the Mexicans had to complain of. It was carried 
 on as a system of plunder of the government property, and a kind of legal robbery, by 
 the insurgent chiefs ; who, acting without concert with one another, and responsible 
 to no one, were no more nor less than captains of large bands of robbers ; neither did 
 they scruple openly, to act the robber in their attacks upon the inhabitants of the coun- 
 try, as well as on the king's troops. — More for plunder and personal advancement of 
 the leaders, (with only one or two honorable exceptions), than for the independence 
 of the country, was the war protracted from 1810 till 1821. It was finally accom- 
 plished by the treachery of a government officer, Iturbide, who had been intrusted 
 with the command of its army ; this he did for his own advancement ; and 
 finally lost his life in consequence. — After Mexican independence had by this means 
 been accomplished, what, since, has been the result? — A host of adventurers, with 
 Santa Anna at their head, have been striving on the arena for personal power, and 
 for the greatest proportion of the spoils ; while the nation has, under the alternate 
 domination of these, gone backward at a rapid rate. — Her commerce, once a little, 
 now is none ; her agriculture, always rude, yet, under the Spanish government, was 
 such that the sum of her exports amounted to a considerable revenue to her, yearly. — 
 Now her exports of all productions are scarcely one-third as large as they were forty 
 years ago. — Then her nxmy- filled the world with wealth ; now the most valuable of 
 them are useless, their shaj^ filled with water, their miners dispersed, their machinery 
 destroyed. — She is a reproach to the name of Republic. — Her government and system 
 changes continually, and the only thing which remains untouched, are her old Span- 
 ish civil laws, under which, as before, the people are placed ; — never having had time, 
 in their civil wars, to form a code of republican laws ; or having time, have had no wish 
 to do it. The nation is far worse ofl'than before the revolution ; still tending downward 
 every year. — The people now are in a station for which they are entirely unfit. — Wri- 
 ters may expatiate on the probabilities of the republic of Mexico rising to a station of 
 power and respectability among other nations ; but that is impossible ; to do it, she 
 must have other customs, other manners, other laws, other institutions, and in fact, an- 
 other people. Her people are not capable of governing themselves, and never will 
 
312 BARREN HILLS. 
 
 some remarked at the time, more like green tobacco than 
 anything else. — (We got plenty of this muscal after this ; 
 and a description of its manufactm-e will hereafter be given, 
 with that of the other spirituous liquors that the Mexicans 
 HQQ — see page 402). — Our march now, for about ten miles 
 farther, lay over the same small, stony hills, all barren and 
 desblate. — About one o'clock we left these, and came down 
 upon rolling, fertile lands, with but little grov/th of musquit. 
 — Two or three miles over this land, brought us to the Rio 
 Corona, or Crown river ; running, like the San Antonio and 
 Padilla rivers, an eastwardly direction, and all discharging 
 their waters below, into the Santander ; which, near the coast, 
 
 be. — A monarchy is the only form of government under which the nation can exist 
 
 with any prosperity We are apt to judge them by ourselves ; no judgment can be 
 
 more fallacious. 
 
 When a monarch is upon the throne of Mexico, and enforces obedience to whole- 
 some laws, then, and then only, will the country be ftee from the ravages of continued 
 civil war by partisan leaders, and an ignorant, discontented populace ; leaders who 
 only wish their own aggrandizement, and a populace who join in every new revolu- 
 tion — they know not why. 
 
 If Iturbide had not turned against the Spanish government, and accomplished this 
 revolution, for a people incapable of accomplishing it for themselves ; or, if he had 
 succeeded in keeping his position on the throne of Mexico, to which he was elevated ; 
 or if he had been able to have regained that power, and ruled the people again as 
 emperor, then the condition of Mexico would have been far different from what it is 
 at present. 
 
 The death of Iturbide was a most unfortunate event for the nation of Mexico. — 
 But, reader, we will not weary your patience, but give at once a brief notice of the life 
 of Iturbide, whose name is now held by all the nation of Mexico in the highest regard. 
 — Iturbide was a native Mexican, born in the city of Valadolid. He entered the army 
 early in life, and was a Ueutenant in the Spanish service in 1810, when the revolu- 
 tion was commenced by Hidalgo ; — he fought bravely against him and the other in- 
 surgent leaders, (robbers would be a more appropriate term), and with great success. 
 He retired from command in 1816, and lived a private life for four years, during 
 which time the revolutionary movement had been nearly put down, and the only 
 honest leader in it. General Victoria, had left it in disgust, and retired to the moun- 
 tains as a hermit. Guerrero was the only insurgent chief left in force, and he had 
 estaiblished himself near Zacatula, on the Pacific coast. 
 
 Iturbide was placed in command of a strong force, by the Spanish viceroy, and or- 
 dered to proceed, by a little town called Iguala, and take possession of half a million 
 dollars, government funds, there; and then to subdue Guerrero, and thus restore com- 
 plete quiet to the country, so long torn by these intestine commotions. 
 
 Iturbide marched in February, 1821, and in a few days reached the village, and 
 took possession of the money ; and then, seeing the opportunity for himself, immedi- 
 ately declared the independence of Mexico. His " plan " is called from that village, 
 
CROSSING THE RIO CORONA. 313: 
 
 becomes quite a stream. — The water of the Rio Corona is of 
 the most remarkable clearness ; — no distilled water could be 
 purer. — At the depth, in the holes, of six or eight feet, a peb- 
 ble or little fish, on the bottom, could be seen with equal dis- 
 tinctness ; — they appeared as though they were in the air. 
 The clothes of the infantry, wet in fording the Padilla this 
 morning, now, as they came to this, were dry, but imme- 
 diately to be wet again. — This river, like the other, took 
 them above their waists. — They jumped into this one with 
 no reluctance, for the day had been very hot, and the water 
 Was refreshing. — (This continual wetting of clothing, and 
 
 " the plan of Iguala." It was, in substance, that Mexico should be an independent 
 empire ; and that the crown of it should be offered to the king of Spain, on condi- 
 tion that he should reside in Mexico; and if he refused, then to the princes of his- 
 family, in succession, on the same conditions ; and that the Roman Catholic religion 
 should be supported ; and that all citizens, whether born in Spain or Mexico, should 
 be equal. 
 
 This project, like all new ones in Mexico, was received with joy by the people ; — 
 the revolutionists declared, that was all they were fighting for ; and Guerrero and 
 his army came in and joined Iturbide; and General Victoria, the purest of all the 
 revolutionists, gave his heart and hand to it ; thus showing that it was not for a re- 
 pubUc that the war had been carried on, but for a change of princes. 
 
 The whole of the country was soon in the possession of Iturbide's forces. The 
 king and princes of Spain refused the crown upon those conditions, saying that the 
 country already belonged to them, and Iturbide managed to have himself elected em- 
 peror, and thus ascended the throne of Mexico. — The people were delighted, and the 
 new empire of Mexico was known to the nations of the earth. — He reigned ten 
 months, and a revolution was set on foot by a young officer, Antonio Lopez de Santa 
 Anna, who raised a revolt against the emperor, and commenced this revolution in fa- 
 vor of a republican form of government. 
 
 The emperor sent General Echaviarri against Santa Anna, who gained some advan- 
 tages over the latter, but then joined with him in the revolt. Other officers followed 
 the example, and Iturbide abdicated the throne and went to Italy. — The government 
 was changed to a republic, to give all the office hunters an opportunity for spoil. 
 
 In the meantime, disorders began to grow more numerous, and the better part of 
 the population seriously wished for Iturbide's return ; and arrangements were made 
 by his friends, for that purpose. To defeat this, the new government passed a 
 decree sentencing Iturbide to death, should he ever again land in the repua- 
 lic. Vv^ithout knowing of this decree, he, on July 8th, 1824, landed at Soto la Ma- 
 rina, some fifty miles south-east of this place, Padilla ; was apprehended and taken be- 
 fore the legislature of Tamaulipas, then in session here, and, in accordance with the 
 decree passed the previous April, by the general congress, was ordered to be shot> 
 which sentence was carried into execution on the 19th of July, 1824. The repub- 
 lic, in its formation, went on, and has continued since, a series of revolutions ; and, as 
 said before, the course of the country has been since continually downward. 
 
314 CAMP AT RIO CORONA. 
 
 wearing it wet, produced no bad effect upon them ; neither, 
 at the end of the day's march, now that they had become 
 accustomed to it, did they seem any more fatigued than the 
 cavalry ; and they had more time to rest than these, having 
 no horses to take care of at night.) — This crossing was ef- 
 fected with the same fun and noise attending the other. — 
 General Patterson stood on the opposite high bank, under 
 the shade of lofty trees, and, looking down upon them, seem- 
 ed to enjoy their hilarity and sport. — (These Illinoisans, or 
 " suckers," as they arc often called, were great chaps for sol- 
 diers ; full of fun and life, enduring any fatigue, and making 
 sport of it; splendid in discipline and military precision of 
 evolution ; and afterwards, when occasion required, they 
 fought most bravely). 
 
 After crossing the river, we encamped; the wagons came 
 up, and we got our little corn for our horses, which was 
 not enough for a single half feed. — A rancho was near, 
 and the owner, an intelligent Mexican, had plenty of it, 
 and each man of the cavalry bought for his own horse; 
 those that had no money, borrowed for the purpose. — Our 
 horses here, too, were enabled to get some grass. — The en- 
 campment was in a pretty situation : a long, straight, natu- 
 ral avenue, ran out from the river, towards the rancho and 
 hill beyond. This avenue was about half a mile long, and 
 a hundred yards wide, and on either side of it were the troops 
 encamped ; — the train was drawn up in it. — The general's 
 marquee, and those of his aids and staff, were pitched on the 
 hill, under the tall rosewood and other trees, overlooking the 
 river. — Having much time this evening, hundreds of the boys 
 devoted it to washing their clothes in the stream. — Length 
 of march this day, nineteen miles. 
 
 January 4th. We were awakened by the reveille earlier 
 this morning than usual. — The moon was still shining bright- 
 ly, and by its aid we were enabled to feed our horses, lariat- 
 ed round in the chapparal, without so much risk of getting 
 our persons covered with the needles of the bush-like cactus, 
 which grew in large quantities around the encampment. — 
 Breakfast was soon disposed of. — The tents of our company 
 had not been pitched, for all had spread their blankets round 
 
CAPILLA OR CHURCH OF HACIENDA. 315 
 
 in the moonlight, and had had a fine night's sleep. — We were 
 on the march before daylight. — General Patterson was a great 
 hand for taking an early start, and had us moving early ev- 
 ery morning. This was worse for our horses, however ; for 
 we had noticed the truth of the old farmers' saying, that 
 we had before heard, that the principal time for a horse to 
 sleep, is just before day. 
 
 We rode to the river, to water our horses before starting. 
 — The clearness of this again attracted our attention ; when 
 our horses were in it, looking directly down upon it, one 
 could hardly distinguish the surface, by the bright moon- 
 light, save where, at a little distance, the rays were reflected 
 from it upwards. We had before seen pure water, but never 
 a stream like this. — The road lay, for a mile or more, up the 
 river. — Overhanging both sides, was a most luxuriant growth 
 of timber, of kinds new to us, among which was the rosewood, 
 a large tree, beautiful in form, with thick foliage, and with 
 leaves in shape resembling those of the rose-bush, larger, 
 however, and of fresher, deeper green. The lignum-vitse, 
 too, was plenty ; ebony was abundant ; while the musquit, 
 here, in this moistened soil, grew large ; oaks, the first that 
 we had seen, were here, but they were of a species unknown 
 to us. They were large, and resembled the " Spanish oak." 
 — Cypress trees, like those on the Mississippi river, grew 
 large along the stream. 
 
 The road left the river, and took its former course south- 
 west, and, about sunrise, we came to an hacienda (pron. 
 ah-sc-en-dha), with a large extent of the plain, in which 
 w^e had now entered, enclosed with brush fences, and 
 cultivated, with corn and cotton ; many fine cattle were 
 around. — This hacienda was not very large, not having 
 houses for more than one hundred and fifty or two hun 
 dred laborers; but had, as all large ones have, its church, 
 (Capilla, or chapel as this class is called). — In these ofiiciate 
 the capillanes, or independent priests, who are employed by 
 the owner of the hacienda, to reside there, to attend to the 
 spiritual necessities of the peones, who thus are prevented 
 from losing time from their labors, to go off a long distance 
 to mass, confession, christening, &c. — The owner of the haci- 
 
316 OFFICES OF THE CAPILLAN AT A HACIENDA. 
 
 enda gives to the copillan a certain sum per year for his ser- 
 vices, and he has no other perquisites, save gifts. He can 
 officiate in all the ordinances of the church save burials and 
 marriages ; these the curates, or next order of priests above 
 him, must attend to ; and a couple, to be married, must go to 
 the nearest parochia, or church in which there is a curate offi- 
 ciating, to have the ceremony performed; or, in case of death, 
 the body of the deceased must be carried to the same paro- 
 chia, to have the funeral service pronounced, and the body 
 buried in the consecrated ground, — no matter how far the dis- 
 tance, there it must go. — Many perquisites from these things 
 arise to the curates, but the capUlan receives none of them. — He 
 has his regular service to perform at the hacienda where he 
 is employed, and where he often stays for years, perhaps for 
 life ; having his regular salary, and his board in la casa grande, 
 or owner's, or overseer's mansion. — None of the feast days 
 or ^'' functions''^ of the church, as many of the festivals are 
 called, are celebrated at the capillas — all these are done at 
 the parochias. — Nothing ever disturbs the tranquility and 
 regular course of the weekly worship at the capilla, save the 
 annual coming round of the day of the saint, to whom the 
 hacienda is consecrated, for protection and assistance ; and 
 every hacienda must have such a patron saint. — When his 
 day comes, all work is stopped, and a great festival takes 
 place in his honor, at the capiUa. — As all other haciendas, so 
 was this one ; it had its saint, but we did not stop to inquire 
 his name. 
 
 When the advance of cavalry neared the hacienda, the 
 bell-ringer, or sdcristan, mounted the bells on the capilla, and 
 upon one, began a peculiar tolling, at slow and regular inter- 
 vals, which was continued while the army was passing; and 
 while we, of the advance, had got far out on the plain be- 
 yond, the measured tone of the bell came after us. — Many of 
 the men in the ranks, seeing that there were no persons about 
 the church, or capilla, concluded that the bell was rung in ho- 
 nor of, and as a compliment to, our general and army ; and 
 taking it so, were pleased at the politeness of the inhabi- 
 tants, &c. ; but the latter meant it far otherwise. — It was the 
 slow stroke of the ceremony, called Nucstra Scnor estapatcntc; 
 
CEREMONY OF NUESTRA SENOR ESTA PATENTE. 317 
 
 •or, in free English, *' Our Lord is open to view," meaning 
 that the " host," or consecrated bread of the sacrament — 
 which, by Roman Catholics, is believed to be turned into the 
 actual body of Christ, and a supply of which is always kept 
 in all the churches, of every grade, cathedral, paroclda, or 
 ■capilla — is placed out on the altar, and any one who chooses, 
 can go in view of it, and thus, seeing the actual body of 
 Christ, can pray directly to him, to save them from some 
 dreadful calamity, that seems impending over the com- 
 munity. When a severe storm seems about to burst over 
 them, the host is put out on the altar, or, the body of Christ 
 is exposed to view, and immediately the bell is struck with 
 this peculiar, solemn note, and all join in prayer for deliver- 
 ance. — But they are not obliged to go to the church, to look 
 on the body of Christ, to do this ; though they are taught that 
 their prayers are more effectual by doing so ; but wherever 
 they are, in the house, or in the field, when this repeated note 
 of Nuesira Scnor csla patcnte falls upon their ears, they must 
 cross themselves and pray, either to the Virgin Mary, by an 
 " Ave-Maria " (a short, often repeated prayer), or else every 
 one to their own particular saints, upon whose days they 
 were born or baptised. — All must continue to pray, while the 
 regular notes of the bell are sounded. 
 
 When we, therefore, had come in view of this hacienda, 
 the bell struck, and continued at this, by order of the partic- 
 ular capillan, or the priest of the hacienda : who thought, un- 
 doubtedly, that our appearance in the district foretold as 
 heavy a calamity as could fall on his flock. — The army pass- 
 ed directly through, not stopping or interfering with them in 
 any way ; and this result, undoubtedly, was attributed by them 
 to the fervency and efficiency of their prayers to the body of 
 Christ, the Virgin Mary, and to the numbers of saints ad- 
 dressed. 
 
 Leaving them striliing their bell, and praying to these 
 saints, &c., the army continued its course towards Victoria. 
 ■ — The land over which we marched was very fertile ; — the 
 road was excellent. — The tall mountains in front, that had 
 been in view for two days, seemed apparently to heave up 
 ■their massive bodies against the clouds, more huge and more 
 
318 ARRIVAL AT VICTORIA. 
 
 high. — At three, P. M., after steady marching for the day, we 
 were nearing Victoria, and were met by several of the officers 
 of the second Tennessee infantry, of the division which, un- 
 der General Quitman, had taken the place five days before. 
 — They informed us that the division of General Taylor had 
 arrrived from Monterey that morning, and that his rear- 
 guard had, an hour or two before, passed through town, to- 
 wards their camp. Another mile after these officers met us, 
 brought the advance in view of the plain bounded by the 
 mountains which overhung the city of Victoria ; which, from 
 its white buildings of stone, appeared well in the distance. 
 — We marched on ; came near ; passed into the first streets, 
 while the house-tops were crowded by our troops, of the 
 other divisions. — Marching through several streets, we drew 
 up in regular order in the plaza, where we were shortly join- 
 ed by the infantry; — the large plaza being completely filled 
 up. — Here we halted for an hour or two, while the report of 
 our arrival was sent out to General Taylor, whose camp was 
 some distance to the east of the~ town, and whose order we 
 awaited for the position of our encampment. We occupied 
 part of the time of our halt in buying oranges and other 
 fruits, which were brought in by the peones, in great quanti- 
 ties, to sell ; the remainder, in observing the place. — The 
 inhabitants seemed to be surprised at the appearance of our 
 column ; having seen that of General Taylor come in from 
 the north-west, and so soon followed by ours from the north- 
 east. 
 
 We left the town, and proceeding to the eastward, a little 
 over a mile, encamped on a creek of clear water ; one of the 
 tributaries of the Santander. — We were now here at Vic- 
 toria, and the whole disposable strength of the army was 
 collected here ; but the enemy had fallen back, on the ap- 
 proach of Quitman, towards Tula, still farther to the south- 
 west. — We found that General Taylor had been delayed in 
 his advance, by reason of his receiving a dispatch from Gen- 
 eral Worth, at Saltillo, informing him that the enemy were 
 advancing upon him, on the other side of the mountains from 
 Victoria. — General Taylor, with his regulars, of Twiggs' di- 
 vision, immediately retraced his steps to Monterey, to go 
 
SCENE OF VICTORIA AND THE CAMP. .321 
 
 to Worth's assistance ; but, at that place, he received an- 
 other dispatch from the same general, informing him that 
 General Wool's army had reinforced him, coming in from 
 Parras to Saltillo ; and that, moreover, the enemy was not 
 advancing, having recalled his parties of observation. — Gen- 
 eral Taylor immediately took the route for Victoria again, 
 and arrived there at this date, as said before. — Distance 
 marched by us this day, twenty-seven miles. 
 
 January 1th. For three days now, we had remained in the 
 camp that we first pitched on our arrival at this place. It 
 was close by the running, rocky brook, up and down which 
 the other divisions were encamped. — A high ledge of rock 
 rose on the opposite side of this branch, overlooking the 
 camp, the whole plain, and the city ; the view being bound- 
 ed by the mountains. — From this eminence the author took 
 a sketch of the view below and before him, which may be 
 seen on the opposite page ; and as, reader, you wish to un- 
 derstand the position of Victoria, and the camps, in relation 
 to each other, imagine ^''ourself seated on this bluff, and ob- 
 serve the scenes before you. 
 
 Allow the author, in the first place, to introduce to your no- 
 tice this sentinel, who is placed on this commanding position, 
 for the double purpose of acting as ordinary guard to the camp, 
 and of preventing any of the men from leaving it with their 
 guns, which has been expressly forbidden by General Patter- 
 son ; because that, yesterday, many men, of the infantry and 
 cavalry, went out over these hills to the neighboring ranches, 
 and killed some beeves, which here are of but little value 
 though fine for eating. — For this purpose is the sentinel pla- 
 ced here so high. — He is an Illinoisan, and a very clever fel- 
 low. — He has just been considering whether the large hol- 
 ster pistol, — which the author has taken with him, when as- 
 cending the height to sketch, (not having heard the order), 
 and which shoots as hard as a musket, and carries nearly as 
 large a ball, — is a gun, within the scope of his orders, or 
 not ; — but he, as well as the sergeant of the guard, who has 
 stationed him here, and who, with his file of men, has just 
 passed down the side of the hill, have concluded that al- 
 though it is a " shooting iron," that they think would be as 
 21 
 
322 SCENE OF CAMP AT VICTORIA. 
 
 deadly in its effect upon either Mexican man or Mexican ox, 
 that stood before it, as a carbine or musket, yet that it is not 
 a gunj-^and they were only ordered to arrest those who went 
 out with guns ; and so they have let the author remain undis- 
 turbed in his drawing. — This Mexican, that you see speaking 
 to the sentinel, having in his hand a lariat, (which it is not 
 usual for them to carry around in their hands), and a large 
 pair of spurs on his heels, saj^s that he came up here to look 
 over the plain for a loose caballo (pro . ka-vi-pah) — horse. — He 
 is very polite ; but the sentinel thinks that he is only here, to 
 see if there is a chance below to steal one ; and he is telling 
 him to vamos (be off). — Two feet beyond these men, reader, 
 is the edge of the precipice, which falls off perpendicularly 
 perhaps a hundred and fifty feet. You see the creek, or little 
 river, running along over its rocky bed; — beyond this, on the 
 right, you observe the camps of the two Illinois regiments 
 of infantry : you see the men drawn out on parade.— The 
 camp on the left, with the chapparal between it and the 
 river, is that of our regiment ; but the men are drawn 
 up in solid' square beyond. — rTlie wagon train that accom- 
 panied our division from Matamoras, you perceive in its reg- 
 ular lines : they look like a considerable number ; but could 
 you see them strung out on the march, you would suppose 
 that number to be greater than it really is. — Between the 
 train and the tents of our regiment, you can observe the 
 crowds around the commissaries, who are issuing the rations. 
 — In front of the regiment of cavalry, as the}' are drawn out 
 there, you see the marquee of General Patterson, and those 
 of his aids. General Pillow's is within the chapparal, and 
 is hid from view. — You see a wagon, by the general's 
 tent : that is but one ; but these generals, when on the march, 
 have more : — General Patterson has three for himself and 
 staff — about half a dozen persons ; and General Pillow two; 
 a colonel one ; — while one has to serve two companies of sol- 
 diers — from one hundred to one hundred and fifty men. — It 
 is a great thing to be an ofiicer here. 
 
 You can't understand how a general and his staff could 
 fill three large four-horse wagons with movables, when 
 on the march ; but if you could be present at the general's 
 
SCENE AT VICTORIA. 323 
 
 quarters, on encamping at night, you would be surprised at 
 the amount of kitchen furniture, (enough for a good-sized 
 hotel), bags, vegetables, champaign baskets, and cases of 
 bottles ; carpet bags, mattresses, bedding, trunks, &c., taken 
 out. — You would think of prairie wagons loaded for Oregon. 
 
 Over the wagon train, to the right, you perceive two wa- 
 gons going towards town. — They are part of a large number 
 that go in every day, to bring corn for our horses ; which 
 General Taylor has obliged the alcaldes of the toM'n to have 
 brought in from the country around. — He has also required 
 them send to us, daily, as much fodder as our horses can eat. 
 — General Taylor is the one, after all. If we had been un- 
 der him, on the route from Matamoras to this place, we should 
 not have been compelled to buy our own corn, when there was 
 plenty at the ranchos. — We have enough now, and to spare ; 
 and our horses are getting on finely. — Over the body of cav- 
 alry, towards the town, you see first the stone wall of the 
 cemetery or consecrated burial-ground ; campo santo (sacred 
 ground) the Mexicans call it. There are many fine tombs and 
 much ornamented stone-work over the dead there ; but these 
 are all too small to be seen at this distance. Every one that 
 dies in the town, or anywhere around in the country, is bu- 
 ried there ; for they could not rest in peace elsewhere. — 
 The curate, or priest of the church, makes the friends or fam- 
 ily of the deceased pay for the privilege pretty highly, how- 
 ever : the price being four dollars, for a place near the gate ; 
 and higher, then, as the distance back increases. The most 
 favored and highest priced situations for graves, are near the 
 back wall; as these run back, from ten up even as high as 
 one hundred dollars, are paid for them. 
 
 Beyond this cemetery, on the next hill, you see one end of 
 the town of Victoria, with its white buildings of tunastatc rock. 
 — The town is much larger than j^ou would think, from the 
 view in this direction ; for it runs up along the creek, back to- 
 wards the mountains, for more than a mile ; all this is rather 
 down a slope, and is concealed from your view ; you look on 
 the narrow end. — It contains about eight thousand inhabitants. 
 The streets cross each other at right angles. — The houses are 
 built of one story, principally, though many are of two. — 
 
324 THE CITY OF VICTORIA. 
 
 The plaza is large and level, as the whole town appears 
 to be, when you are in it ; the streets are wide and 
 clean; the sidewalks broad, and paved with flag-stones. — 
 The buildings are all in the Mexican, or old Spanish style ; 
 the roofs flat, of stone, and parapet walls* of the same 
 material around. — The church, ov parochia, is a very pretty 
 and neatly ornamented building, on the plaza. — There are 
 many stores in the town, but everything of foreign manufac- 
 ture is of high price, especially glass and china-ware ; for 
 instance, the cheapest sort of plain glass tumblers, cost a'/icj 
 reales (sixty-two and a half cents), each. — This is on account 
 of the risk of breakage, in transporting the articles on the 
 backs of mules so far, coupled with the high duties on glass, 
 which are computed by the pound ; and, on account of the 
 high price, but few articles of this material are used by the 
 common classes. 
 
 If you wish to take a nearer peep at the town, imagine 
 yourself over there, beyond the cemetery seen in the 
 view, and at the edge of the place. — When there, you arrive 
 at an old, ruined monument, originally put up in honor of 
 General Victoria, after whom the town is named — for it is 
 not a place of old date. — From this monument you can see 
 directly down one of the principal streets of the town more 
 than a mile, perhaps a mile and a half, towards the moun- 
 tain ; which here appears to rise in a most threatening man- 
 ner, high over the town. — On looking down this street, you 
 observe many houses, mostly built of adobes, or large un- 
 burnt bricks, or else of musquit poles, each with its little 
 yard in the foreground. These yards are crowded with na- 
 ranjas, or orange, and lemon trees, flUed with blooms, green 
 and ripe fruits, at the same time ; many other trees and rich 
 flowers are here, too ; and in many of the yards you see 
 enormous plants of the maguey (see plate, page 381). — Let 
 us pass along the street, peep into the yards and rough 
 
 * These parapet walls, often mentioned, the reader will understand to be stone 
 walls, which rise around the top of the house, commonly about four feet ; are oftea 
 pierced with long, narrow loop-holes, through which to fire musketry into the street 
 below ; — this was the case at Monterey. — Every Mexican house of the better order is 
 built with them. 
 
HOUSES OF THE PEONES. 325 
 
 houses on either hand. — You see women, in abundance, 
 there, dressed as has been before described, and employed 
 in washing, grinding, or rather mashing soaked corn, on 
 flat stones, called rnctates. — Those at this employment are 
 all on their knees ; and with a long, four-sided stone, or 
 pestle, held in both hands, they mash and rub the soaked 
 corn into a paste, to make their tortillas, or flat cakes ; some- 
 what resembling, in shape and appearance, our common 
 buckwheat cakes, though not so thick. — These houses and 
 yards, in the outskirts of the town, are not very cleanly, or 
 attractive to the eye. — Crowded in them, are any quantity 
 of children ; some half-dressed, others not dressed at all ; 
 with many dogs, of every size ; some of them dark colored, 
 with no hair. 
 
 Do you wish a closer view of the inside of one of these 
 rough houses? — if so, step into one. — Pass through the rough 
 gate in the crooked stick fence. — The naked, dirty children on 
 the ground, look at you with alarm ; the surly dogs growl at 
 your appearance ; but they are driven away by the woman, 
 who, rising from her kneeling position, at the metate, comes 
 forward with great politeness, and offers you a chair, as you 
 step within the door ; that is, if she has one, which is by no 
 means universal. If one is offered, you find it is rude, with a 
 bottom of raw hide. — The women are all dirty, but exceed- 
 ingly polite, as well as the men, who are squatted round, with 
 their blankets over their shoulders. — You observe in the house 
 a rough bed, consisting of a wool mattress, one or two stools, 
 and some coarse pictures of saints, around on the walls. — On 
 the hard dirt floor, is a collection of various kinds of rubbish ; 
 and perhaps some corn in the corner. You will not wish to 
 stay long, nor is it advisable, in this class of habitation, for 
 you might perhaps, carry away with you some disagreeable 
 customers. — Now, see these people next Sunday, in the 
 street, and you would think them scrupulously neat. 
 
 Proceeding on, we see many Mexicans in the street ; some 
 are driving in a jackass or two, loaded with little bags of char- 
 coal; others have baskets of pcloncillas, or small loaves of 
 sugar, others large baskets of naranjas, or oranges ; while 
 others are driving horses or mules, with quarters of bloody 
 
326 SCENES IN VICTORIA. 
 
 beef on them, with so much weight on a mule, that he can 
 hardly stand under it; these are going to the market-house. 
 — Fui-ther on we will come to one of these. — You will ob- 
 serve, that the meat is cut up into thin steaks and long strips ; 
 that which is not sold, will be hung up in the sun, and dried, 
 without salt ; for the air is pure, and dries it hard ; — in this 
 state it is sure to find purchasers — being used by travelers, 
 muleteers, peones, &c. — Around the market, you may see 
 many of these latter, wrapped in their horongos, locking lazy 
 and dirty, while the women, covered with their rcbosos, arc 
 stepping rapidly about. 
 
 As we approach the plaza, the rude buildings and musquit 
 fences give way to solid stone edifi.ces, with interior courts ; 
 some having court and garden enclosed by high, cemented 
 stone walls, above the top of which the orange trees rise. — 
 The buildings have but few windows, and these are per- 
 pendicularly barred with iron. — Here may be seen some 
 women, of the higher class, — neither reading, writing, or 
 sewing — doing nothing, but looking on the street. — There are 
 not many, however, for most of these houses have been left 
 by the inhabitants, as our forces approached. 
 
 On the side-walks, you may meet many Mexican gentle- 
 men, some dressed like ourselves ; others in their own man- 
 ner, with cahoncs, calzoncillas , sombreros, and serapcs. They 
 converse at the corners of the streets, and occasionally smile, 
 but never laugh aloud : it would be a curiosity to hear such a 
 thing among them. 
 
 Stand at the corner of the plaza, and observe the crowd 
 of all those described pass you continually ; — step into one 
 of the stores, and look at the women, who come to get can- 
 dles, soap, and various other things, for which they pay their 
 picayunes, and carry off the articles bought, under their re- 
 bosos ;* and after having gazed long enough at the motley 
 throng that pass and repass continually, let us return to our 
 fkst place, on the ledge mentioned before, over Gen. Patter- 
 son's camp, in the foreground of the picture. 
 
 *As the men of the peon class use their horongos for a coveruig by day and a bed 
 by night, so the women of the same class use their rebosos for various purposes : to 
 cover tlieir heads during the day ; for part of tlaeir bed clothing at night ; for a towel 
 occasionally, and even for a basket in which to carry small articles. 
 
MOUNTAINS AT VICTORIA. 327 
 
 On the left of this view you will see, in the distance, 
 two large fields, of a lighter color than the adjoining chap- 
 paral. These are of sugar-cane, which is luxuriant, and 
 rich in juice. — Beyond these, over the hill, is Gen. Quit- 
 man's camp, which cannot be seen from here ; — most of his 
 force is over there, part being in the town as the garrison. 
 He has there, in camp, the first and second Tennessee, the 
 Mississippi and Georgia regiments, and the Baltimore batta- 
 lion. — General Taylor's camp, of Twiggs' command of regu- 
 lar infantry, artillery, and dragoons, is to the right of the 
 whole view, a mile farther down this creek ; — the road to it 
 from town, runs down on the other side of the little hill of 
 chapparal jo\i see on the right of the picture. (On to this 
 hill, in a day or two after this, was the camp of our division 
 moved ; and a farther change took place, in one of the Illinois 
 regiments going up to Gen. Quitman, and the two Tennessee 
 coming down to us ; so that Gen. Pillow's brigade of the 
 three Tennessee regiments, were together, for the first time 
 during the campaign, and we continued together after this 
 for a month or two, then separated at Tampico, and were re- 
 united at Vera Cruz ; separated again there ; reunited again 
 at Jalapa). 
 
 Now, reader, having observed the camp, the town, and 
 other objects, look beyond, at the range of mountains ; see 
 how ragged their sides, how deep their chasms, how terrible 
 their precipices. No road, in that direction, lies over them ; 
 one winds to the left from the town, and after following their 
 base many miles, enters the Tula pass, and runs on toward 
 San Luis Potosi; — it is but a small track, and cannot be 
 passed by wagons or artillery. You observe the largest 
 mountain in front. — It appears as though it was easy to as- 
 cend; but it is extremely difficult. — Some of our boys start- 
 ed yesterday morning, before daylight, to ascend it ; — they 
 toiled on, and, at twelve o'clock, kindled a fire, to show 
 us how high they had gone; — they were not halfway up. 
 They persevered, reached the top in the afternoon, and got 
 back to camp in the course of the night; and to-day are all 
 asleep, worn out — and their curiosity is satisfied. 
 
 On the peaks that you see on the left, have, each night, 
 
328 MOUNTAINS AT VICTORIA. 
 
 been signal fires lit up by the Mexicans, to give notice of our 
 movements. These would blaze a vidiile, then be extin- 
 guished ; then re-kindled ; and by such movements, precon- 
 certed, they were enabled rapidly, from mountain peak to 
 mountain peak, along, to convey all intelligence gained each 
 night, to Santa Anna. Our men do not like these fires ; but 
 in the night stand at their tents and gaze at them, as they 
 gleam far up the mountain, and wish to get at them ; but 
 that would be a difficult task, and not worth the trouble. 
 Some of the infantry, yesterday, on a scout in the ravines at 
 the base of the mountains, surprised a small party of Mexi- 
 can soldiers, killed two or three, and took a few mules, load- 
 ed with ammunition. 
 
 Those little hills which appear at the foot of the moun- 
 tains, and seem so small, are of much magnitude ; and 
 would so appear but for the towering mountains far above 
 them. These now look grand and imposing ; but, reader, 
 to see them in the morning, as the rising sun brings into 
 bright relief their ridges and precipices, and throws into 
 shadows those chasms and recesses, tinting all exposed to its 
 rays with a golden, rosy hue, while the white, fleecy clouds 
 roll up their vast sides, then, indeed, the scene is beautiful and 
 striking. — One could stand for hours and gaze upon their 
 majestic appearance, and lose himself in thought and con- 
 templation of their grandeur and vastness. 
 
 January Wth. We had now been at Victoria a week ; had 
 visited again and again all parts of the town; attended their 
 churches, fandangos, and all public places ; got acquainted 
 with many of the principal inhabitants ; visited continually 
 the different regiments in Gen. Quitman's camp, above, and 
 also in Gen. Taylor's, below; made many excursions to the 
 ranches in the neighborhood, and run around much ; — ^had 
 drilled, stood guard, and, as usual, many had employed them- 
 selves in gambling, both in town and camp. The Mexicans 
 joined in this as freely as our men ; in the town all crowded 
 together, the Mexican in his horongo and the American in 
 his uniform, around the roulette, rondo, or billiard tables ; (for 
 in every town we took were fine billiard rooms), or else 
 
APPEARANCE OF GEN. TAYLOR. 329 
 
 around the banks of faro or chuck-a-luck, of which last there 
 were many in the streets ; all bet freely. 
 
 If a Mexican won, he did not exult ; if he lost his last 
 qvartilla^ (a silver coin worth half a picayune), he showed no 
 emotion of regret, or change of countenance. Some, who 
 came in from the country, with loads of oranges or sugar 
 loaves, lost all they had received for them, but said not a 
 word. — As a people, they are far less excitable than our race. 
 
 Our time, in such a collected army, among so many, and, 
 for the first time, seeing those, of whom, in the events of the 
 war before, we had heard so much, passed agreeably and 
 quickly. 
 
 As might be expected, every one was anxious to see Gen, 
 Taylor, not having had the opportunity of meeting him before ; 
 but many met him now several times before they knew 
 him, for he looked so plain and unassuming. — He is a full 
 shaped man, not over large, but thick set, inclining to corpu- 
 lency ; — has a full, double chin, a very pleasant countenance, 
 full of good humor, and has none of the pomp and show of 
 power and dignity about him, of which many of his inferior 
 officers possess so much.* The author never saw him with 
 his uniform on, for he was commonly dressed in citizens' 
 clothing of bi'own color. He rode about at Victoria, some- 
 times on a small Mexican horse, and sometimes on a very 
 pretty mule, of a yellowish color, and with an easy gait. — 
 An anecdote is related in camp of him ; it is this : 
 
 He was riding this horse, one day in that week, along the 
 
 * As a general rule, this feeling, and continued exhibition of it, among the officers, 
 was in an inverse proportion to their rank ; that is, General Taylor, at the head of 
 the army, had the least ; then it increased as the rank fell in grade, until it came down 
 to captains, and from them to lieutenants ; by many of whom it was continually shown, 
 in a manner as simple in itself, as it was unpleasant and disgusting to those whom 
 fortune had placed under their command for the time being: — and the dignity of some 
 of the quartermasters and commissaries was beyond all comprehension ! But, reader 
 do not suppose that this applies to all the officers of the grade spoken of, or to one- 
 half, or even one-third of them ; but it applies to enough. — The author bears willing 
 testimony to the upright, the ollicer-lilve and courteous bearing, of the great majority 
 of them during the varied scenes of the campaign; — a course that not only secured 
 to them the respect, esteem, and obedience of the men under them then, but also for 
 their future lives, the kindly feelings, and good wishes of all for their welfare. 
 
330 SWAPPING HORSES WITH GENERALS, 
 
 road that passed through our second encampment, on the 
 hill of chapparal, (seen on the right of the picture), when 
 one of the men, liking the looks of the animal, and not 
 knowing the general, neither dreaming of his rank, called to 
 him as he passed along : "Hallo, stranger, how will you swap 
 that pony for this horse ;" at the same time slapping his own 
 horse on the back. — The general stopped, and with a smile 
 replied, " that he did not care about swapping ; that the pony 
 was a favorite of his." At this time the general's orderly, 
 or attendant, in uniform, rode up and stopped behind. 
 
 Seeing him, the suspicions of the man who had addressed 
 the general were in an instant aroused, as to whom he was 
 speaking ; — his face flushed, and he became confused ; and 
 another telling him, at the same moment, that it was General 
 Taylor, he asked his pardon. — The general smiled, and told 
 him that it was no harm ; — asked him a half a dozen ques- 
 tions about our long march from Tennessee; — told him that 
 he had come from a state of brave men and good soldiers, &c., 
 &.C., and then rode on, followed by his orderly. — In those few 
 moments, he had obtained the perpetual good will of that 
 soldier, which he will carry with him through life, and the 
 same of all those who saw it. 
 
 Another anecdote of horse-swapping with generals, that 
 is repeated in camp : — It is said, that a man of one of our 
 companies, a few days since, while on the march, fell in love 
 with the appearance of General Patterson's black horse — a 
 fine animal. He, having himself a noble horse, rode near 
 the general, and the following words were passed : " Good 
 morning, general." — That officer looked round at him, Avith 
 an air of disturbed dignity ; but the man, not perceiving that, 
 continued : "A fine horse, that black that j^ou ride, general." 
 No reply, as yet. — " General, how would you swap him for 
 this one ?" — The general turned his head round the other 
 way, and, in a gruff" voice, ordered his guard to " take that 
 man under arrest ;" which was immediately done, to his 
 utter consternation. — As he saw his predicament, and not 
 knowing how long he might be kept arrested, amid the sup- 
 pressed laughter of all near, he called out: "Well, general, 
 if you won't swap horses, you will let me have something to 
 
GEN. TWIGGS' APPEARANCE. 331 
 
 eat, by and by, — won't you?" — And continued to his attend- 
 ants, wdio were taking him off, still in the general's hearing : 
 — " Why, the general is a fool ; he did not know but that 1 
 would have given him fifty dollars to boot." — But the gen- 
 eral had been taken by surprise ; and, after a few moments' 
 further ride, his countenance assumed a smile, and he sent 
 ^n order back for the man's release, to his infinite gratifica- 
 tion ; but he ti-ied no more to get possession of the black 
 horse. 
 
 As we are on these anecdotes, in which our generals are 
 concerned, we v\^ill give a little one with regard to General 
 Twiggs' appearance. — Twiggs is a man somewhat advanced 
 in years ; of a large body ; full, round, red face ; heavy whis- 
 kers and moustachios : but these are all white, or nearly 
 so. — Of course he had, when first seen, a singular appear- 
 ance. — Yesterday, he was coming along the road, through 
 our encampment, going down to General Taylor's. — Two of 
 the men of our compan)'', by name Dyer and Dresser, who 
 had never seen the general, started towards their horses, tied 
 a hundred yards or more down the road. — Dyer had a large 
 bag of corn on his shoulder, to feed them; while Dresser had 
 two heavy bundles of fodder. — They saw General Twiggs 
 coming up towards them: they caught a view of his red 
 face, and white whiskers and moustachios, long and bushy. 
 — As if frightened, they suddenly stopped ; looked quickly 
 at one another, and at him again ; — he was coming nearer. 
 — With a look of the greatest alarm, Dyer dropped his bag 
 of corn in the road, and ran with all his speed back; while 
 Dresser hesitated a moment, looked again, then dropped his 
 -fodder, and cleared after him. — Both ran up the road, look- 
 ing back over their shoulders, with the same appearance of 
 alarm. — General Twiggs, seeing this, was much annoyed ; 
 and his countenance was of higher color. — He came in 
 view of them again, as they had stopped at the lower tent 
 in the company line. — As soon as he appeared, they ran 
 up to the head of the line ; and all eyes were upon them 
 and the general. — As he still came nearer, with the ap- 
 pearance of the utmost fear, they dashed head foremost into 
 the thorny chapparal, and hid themselves in its thickets, — 
 
332 SUDDEN NORTHER. 
 
 The general's face, as he saw all this, was more red than 
 ever ; while he passed by, with a bow to those who were 
 standing spectators of the curious scene. 
 
 During the week past, we had been unable to conjecture 
 anything correctly, with regard to our future movements ; 
 for General Taylor kept his designs to himself. Much desire 
 was shown, among the men, to go forward to the " Tula 
 pass," — a strong point about forty miles to the south-west, — 
 and attack the large Mexican force there stationed ; and it 
 was thought that preparations were making for such a move- 
 ment ; but nothing definite could be ascertained. 
 
 Yesterday morning, a norther came down upon us. These 
 were always cold on the low lands of the coast, but up here 
 in the mountains much colder ; and the temperature, at once, 
 changed from what it had been, of uncomfortable heat, to 
 freezing cold. The last night, water froze nearly a quarter 
 of an inch thick ; and the change, so sudden, chilled us 
 through. — Yesterday, all were wrapped in their blankets, " a 
 la Mexicana ;" and many, and the author with them, went 
 into town in that way, to attend the religious services in the 
 parochia, or church. — The ceremonies were imposing and 
 solemn ; and every one — both Catholic and Protestant — Mex- 
 ican and American — friend and foe — apparently in unity of 
 spirit, joined in the worship. 
 
 An American sentinel, with his musket and bayonet, stood 
 at the door to preserve the utmost order, and to cause those 
 who did not participate in the ceremonies, to stand in the 
 large space to the left; while those that did, knelt in the cen- 
 tre or body of the church. A stone basin, on a high projec- 
 tion, stood near the door, containing holy water ; — into this 
 the people, as they came in, dipped their fingers, and made 
 the sign of the cross on their foreheads. 
 
 There were no pews or seats within the walls of the 
 church : the pillars that supported the high arched roof, the 
 roof itself, the floor, the area of the altar, were all of stone ; 
 smooth, cemented, and of excellent workmanship. The 
 church was spacious ; — on the left side, behind the heavy 
 pillars, were two confessional boxes ; and farther on was 
 a full length figure of the Virgin Mary, with steps be- 
 
"MASS" AT PAUOCHIA. 333 
 
 fore it, for kneeling : — in the back of the church, in a large 
 recess, was the altar ; — the whole floor of this was eleva- 
 ted about two feet above that of the body of the church, 
 was separated from that by a railing, and was richly car- 
 peted. — The back of the altar was a mass of elaborately 
 carved pillars, scollops, figures of apostles, saints, and an- 
 gels ; surmounted near the lofty ceiling, by another image of 
 the Virgin Mary. — This was all of wood, well carved, and 
 gilded, and made a great show. — On the lower part of this, 
 in front, were the stands for the books of the priests; one on 
 either hand, and several tall candles of wax were burning 
 around, on massive gilded candlesticks. — All these were or- 
 namented most richly. Conspicuously placed in a niche, 
 w^as a vase, which contained the consecrated bread, or actual 
 body of Christ, (according to their belief) ; which bread, whe- 
 ther taken or not at the time, is always a direct object of 
 worship by them. This was the third mass of the day, and 
 the priest was getting apparently fatigued, for he could not 
 ■eat anything until all were said. 
 
 On the right of the church, in front of the altar, was a 
 deep recess, in the further part of which was a full length 
 figure of Christ, upon the cross ; and to this, directly, many 
 paid their adoration.— On this side of the church, also, was 
 a small pulpit, in which, in the afternoon, the priest gave a 
 sermon ; but the people did not care about hearing that ; — 
 they were satisfied with performing the ceremonial part of 
 the worship ; every one being required to hear mass once, at 
 least, a week. When this is over, they go about their busi- 
 ness or pleasure. 
 
 Mass is said in the United States, in all Catholic churches, 
 in the same way, precisely, that it is there, and is therefore 
 unnecessary to be described. It is only in those things in 
 which, by peculiar custom, they differ from Catholics of other 
 countries, (which, in many ceremonies, they do), or in those 
 that show their national character and customs to the best 
 advantage, that the author will touch upon in this work. 
 
 One of these, peculiar to them, and memorable as being 
 so very different from our customs, is their manner of burial 
 of children. When one of these die, that is a small one, it 
 
334 BURIAL OF "ANGELS," 
 
 is not to them like another death, a source of deep grief to 
 its parents and connections. On the other hand, it is a som-ce 
 of the highest and most extravagant joy. — It is not a soul 
 polluted with guilt and sin, which, after leaving the body, 
 must go to purgatory, and continue to suffer much torment 
 uutil the day of judgment ; (its sufferings, however, very 
 much alleviated, by having the priest to say a number, about 
 sixteen, masses for it, he receiving the sum of one dollar a 
 mass), when it will be called out and judged for the deeds 
 done in the body, and consigned eternally to heaven or to 
 hell ; — but it is a guiltless soul, that goes not to purgatory 
 at all, but ascends directly to Paradise ; for they say that Je- 
 sus Christ said of these, " Suffer little children to come unto 
 me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Hea- 
 ven ; " and therefore they go directly to him, and are little 
 angels {See St. Matt. 18 ch, 10 vo-.) in presence of Jesus, and 
 of the holy Virgin Mary, and of all the saints, apostles, and 
 angels, in supreme delight and happiness ; and not only so, 
 but the holy Virgin admits them to her presence continuall}', 
 and hears all their intercessions in behalf of their parents, 
 and those to whom they were once dear upon earth ; and 
 about whom, now, they flit in the stilly nights, and whisper 
 to them many things of peace, joy, and holy tranquility, and 
 watch over them, and preserve them from harm. 
 
 Believing this, as they sincerely do, it is no wonder that 
 the death of a child is no source of sorrow, but rather of the 
 highest joy, to the parents and family ; — and always after, 
 when praying to the Virgin Mary, they call, too, upon these 
 little cherubs, to assist them in their petitions. — Women here 
 tell you not, with mournful countenance, that they have lost 
 so many children ; but, with eyes beaming with joy, that 
 they Jum despachados tantos angclcs, (have dispatched so many 
 angels). 
 
 These " angels," too, are buried with no cost : the priest 
 has nothing for his services ; the sacristan nothing for his ; 
 nor the gravedigger, or band of music ; which items, for other 
 burials, cost high. — Neither is there any need for masses 
 to be said, for the repose of the soul. The ceremony is 
 this : — A child is dying ; the priest attends, the holy oil is 
 
BURIAL OF "ANGELS." 335 
 
 applied, &c., &c. — After death, it is arranged in its best 
 clothing, and laid on a bier, ornamented with artificial 
 flowers ; which bier belongs to the church, and is kept for the 
 purpose. — On this, the delighted mother scatters flowers of 
 every kind of fragrant perfume. — Her neighbors are called 
 in, and rejoice with her, upon the departure of the angel. — 
 Four women, in their best attire, preceded by a band of 
 music, playing lively tunes, and the bearer of the codes, or 
 rockets, proceed to the church. — This rocket-bearer contin- 
 ually discharges these. — From the church, where the body as 
 well as the attendants have been most liberally sprinkled 
 with the agita bcndila, or holy water, by the priest, the angel 
 is taken to the campo sanio, and buried, without a coflin (for 
 coflins in the interior, are seldom used). — At night, if the 
 family can afford it, they have a fandango, on the occasion, 
 on account of their joy. — A difficulty often occurs between 
 the parents of a deceased child and the priest, as to its being 
 an angel or not, on account of its age. — The priest wants his 
 burial fees, and maintains that it is too old ; is not an angel ; 
 that it is a sinner ; and that, consequently, the fees of the 
 burial service, the gravedigger, the sacristan, and those of 
 the band of music, must all be paid; (and a number of masses 
 must be said for its soul, to place it, in purgatory, as they 
 have it, " in a comparatively easy situation ") ; and there 
 would be no joy, no dance, but most profound grief instead. 
 
 But the fond mother maintains, most strenuously, that it 
 is an angel, and that consequently it goes, not to purgatory, 
 but to the climes of the blessed. — The priest maintains his 
 point ; but if the age of the child is anywhere between six 
 and eight years, he is commonly obliged to give in to the mo- 
 ther; and so, by the peculiar service, the child is sent off* to 
 the Virgin Mary, as a cherub, and the rejoicings take place. 
 
 One other of their customs with regard to the souls of the 
 dead, and we will leave them on that point. — As said before, 
 if a person dies, his soul goes immediately to purgatory, to 
 remain until judgment, and suffer continually, unless the 
 masses are said for his relief; but these cost sixteen dollars,, 
 and not many of the peones can raise this sum to pay the 
 priest. — They are already in debt to their masters, beyond 
 
336 RIFA DE ALMAS. 
 
 their ability to discharge ; so the souls of their fathers, mo 
 thers, brothers, sisters, or children, must remain in purgatory, 
 and " sweat it out," very much to their continual grief. — 
 Now, to aid these, once a year, in the spring, at every paro- 
 chia and capilla, is the Rifa dc Abnas, or " raffle of souls," a 
 lottery, to see which of these souls in purgatory shall be 
 released. — Sixty-four tickets are made out and numbered ; 
 these are sold, by the priests, to the pconcs and ?nosos, or 
 house servants, at a quarter of a dollar a ticket; each one 
 buying one, two, three, or more tickets, as they have the 
 means. — Now, comes begging, and pleading with their mas- 
 ters, to get the quarter of a dollar, to procure a ticket ; — for 
 every one has a parent, brother, or sister, or dear friend, in 
 purgatory, who, in the dark night, have often appeared to 
 them, and in hollow voices, told them to have masses said, to 
 release their souls from torments. — Now, every one wants a 
 chance to do this. — The tickets are quickly sold, and the 
 drawing takes place at the church. — Two sombreros are held 
 up ; one has in it the tickets, from one to sixty-four, the 
 other has sixty-three blanks, and one prize. — They are 
 drawn by a person inserting his hands into each, taking out 
 a number with one, and either a blank or prize with the 
 other. The one fortunate enough to secure the prize, is 
 looked upon as having accomplished a great thing. — He in- 
 stantly names the unfortunate individual, who has been suf- 
 fering in purgatory so long, unrelieved. — His name is taken 
 down by the priest, and the masses are said for him, and that 
 soul is then in a condition of comparative ease. — We will 
 speak of other of their ceremonies and religious customs at 
 another time. 
 
 Jamiary I4th. The cool weather had now passed ofl', and 
 it was again so warm that we sought the shade upon every 
 opportunity. The health of the regiment, and of the army, 
 had been, while we remained here, good, and the men were 
 in excellent spirits ; — our horses were in fine order, and 
 every one wished to move still farther on, to meet the ene- 
 my. Of this place, although so pleasant, we were tired, 
 having seen all that was interesting. 
 
 This morning we were gratified to see General Twiggs' 
 
RECEPTION OF LETTERS FROM HOME. 337 
 
 division of regulars, with Captain Bragg's artillery, moving 
 by us, and taking the road towards the south-ward ; and 
 shortly afterward, our division received orders to prepare to 
 follow them on the march the next day. This was good 
 news, and all our little arrangements were made with alac- 
 rity. Many of the men began to wash up all their little 
 wardrobes, and stow them safely away in their saddlebags ; 
 arms were put in first rate order, and a general fixing up 
 took place. Some were at work sewing their rent clothing ; 
 others mending their saddles, bridles, girths, and other horse 
 equipage, and many Avere engaged in brightening their 
 swords, and fixing up their carbines and pistols. In these 
 arrangements, the day passed away. Near sunset. Captain 
 Haynes' company came into town, with a wagon train, 
 from Matamoras. 
 
 We were rejoiced to meet them again, and the}^ as much 
 so to see us. — They all looked tired and worn, both men and 
 horses. — They had had a hard time of it since they left us 
 at San Fernando, to return ; — they had been on the march 
 continually since, and now arrived just as we, thoroughly 
 recruited, men and horses, were about again to leave. — They 
 brought up for our regiment about two hundred letters, that 
 had arrived at Matamoras after we left. — These were most 
 eagerly sought after and perused by the fortunate ones to 
 whom they were sent ; while others who were disappointed 
 in their expectations of receiving some, were cross and surly, 
 and swore that they would never write home again. Those 
 v^ho received them seemed never tired of reading them ; they 
 looked them over again and again, and still endeavored to 
 find some word in them before unseen. 
 
 There were many scenes of home brought before the 
 minds of the men that evening, by those letters ; and after 
 the perusal of them was over, groups, in every company, sat 
 up late, around the camp fires, talking of their contents, 
 and of the scenes of their homes. — They spoke of this one, 
 of that one, of another ; turned to the letters, to read again, 
 to a mess-mate, what was said of a particular person or 
 thing with which both were acquainted at home ; so that 
 one letter gave pleasure to half a dozen or more persons, of 
 22 
 
338 EFFECT OF LETTERS RECEIVED. 
 
 whom the writer, at the moment, had never thought. — It w^as 
 interesting to see the effect upon the groups around. — All 
 gambling was stopped ; — no dice or cards, with which every 
 evening before had been spent, were to be seen ; but all 
 minds were reverting to their scenes of home. — Some had 
 received news of loss of friends, by death, &c.; but these 
 were few; — most were of a cheering nature. — Some of the 
 men of our company, who had been sick at Matamoras, came 
 up with Captain Haynes.* 
 
 * The following incidents of the march of this detachment, politeij furnished to the 
 author by one of the officers, will be found interesting to the reader : 
 
 " The return march, to Matamoras, of this detachment, was made in two days, — a 
 train of sixty wagons loaded, — and all were on the march to Victoria on the fourth 
 day after the detachment left San Fernando. — At San Fernando, some delay being 
 necessary in crossing the troops over the river, some of the officers of the detachment 
 were invited to the house of Don Ramon de Garcia, one of the wealthiest men of 
 northern Mexico, — one of whose brothers had recently been governor of Tamaulipas, 
 another minister to France and Spain, and the third a gallant colonel in the Mexican 
 army. His dwelling was a very strong, castellated building, with wings, and a back 
 court, surrounded by a strong high wall. The interior was furnished in American 
 style — sofas, chairs, mirrors, curtains, carpets, pianos, and guitars. — After showing his 
 fine furniture, Don Ramon remarked with an air of satisfaction, pointing to each arti- 
 cle, ' este es Americano — eso es Americano — estos sonAmericanos — todos so?i Amer^ 
 icanos,' {this American, that American, those Americans, all Americans.) 
 
 " The party found a splendid table spread and ready for them on their arrival. The 
 manners of Don Ramon were those of a finished gentleman. Not being able to speak 
 English, he sent for a little Italian, who had found his way, after some residence in 
 Louisiana, to San Fernando, and was there dealing in wines and agua ardiente. 
 
 " At his table he spoke much of the war, of his native country, and of the United 
 States. He knew, he said, that the United States had more men, and better men ; 
 more money, and more ships, than his own. In the contest going on, he said, he 
 knew Mexico must suffer ; but he thought both would suffer. They were neighbors 
 — both republics — both seeking to establish and sustain the great democratic principle 
 of self-government. He proposed several toasts, equally complimentary to the United 
 States, and wishing for peace. 
 
 "In return, one of the party proposed, ' The Mexican government; — May she soon 
 fall into better hands than the tyrant and despot who now rules her.' At this the Mexi- 
 can patriot seemed embarrassed, — took up his glass, and then set it down without tast- 
 ^ ing it. — ' Gentlemen,' said he, * excuse me ; — Santa Anna is my friend ; — he has 
 been the friend of my family ; — we love him; — we are his friends. — He is the friend 
 of his country, — the friend of liberty. — He desires to uphold the democratic principles 
 of self-government. — I believe there is no hope for Mexican nationality, except through 
 Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna ! Gentlemen, I propose the health of all good repub- 
 licans in both countries.' 
 
 This instance of devotion to Santa Anna is mentioned, to show that he has warm 
 friends, in his country, who do not look upon him as a tyrant, — this, more especially, 
 
IMPORT OF DISPATCHES. 339 
 
 We soon found that Captain Haj'nes had brought papers 
 more important in their effect upon us and all the army, than 
 these private letters, that so engrossed our attention. — In the 
 first place, we learned, to our great surprise, that General 
 Winfield Scott had arrived in Mexico, and taken command 
 of the whole army ; and that our favorite, General Taylor, 
 was now but second. — In the next place, we found that Gen- 
 eral Scott had sent, by that officer, orders to General Tay- 
 lor to fall back upon Monterey, with a small portion of 
 
 in the wealthier classes. [There is no patriotism, however, in any of them ; — they only 
 prefer that president who advances their own families or interests the most. — Autho):'] 
 When the dinner party broke up, the Mexican presented his card, neatly printed with 
 his name and that of his wife. 
 
 " After leaving San Fernando, the detachment reached the town of Santander, without 
 any adventures. Here a great number of robber-looking Mexicans came into the camp 
 early in the morning, and stood around the fires, very much to the annoyance of the 
 men. Although they were unarmed, the early hour, and their number, led to the 
 suspicions of some harm, especially as several armed parties were known to be 
 within a few miles. 
 
 " Several men were quietly posted so as to prevent the escape of the Mexicans, and 
 they were all taken prisoners ; although several broke through the guard, but were run 
 down and brought back to camp. This brought out many men from the town, who 
 were also added to the number of prisoners. Upon a close examination, we found 
 that the Mexicans, (who were closely wrapt up in their horongos, on account of the 
 norther), had stolen, in a few minutes, two carbines, one sword, one pistol, and a blan- 
 ket, — axes and hatchets not a few, — and contrived to secure them under their blan- 
 kets. Upon inspection, one young Mexican was found with a carbine under his 
 blanket, stuck down the leg of his trowsers ; — other articles were found similarly lo- 
 cated. 
 
 " Among those who came down from the town was an old man, who had done the 
 honors of the previous evening, as the alcalde. When the blanket was pulled off, 
 exposing the carbine on the person of the thief, this old man flew into a pre- 
 tended rage, — called the young man to him — ordered him to kneel down — seized a 
 cor?istalk, lying near, and struck him over the shoulders, as if he actually expected 
 to kill him with it, and exclaiming at every blow, ' Malo, malisimo ! — imicho 
 malo ! — ve it ! ' as if to say, bad, very bad — begone ; or get thee gone ! The lu- 
 dicrous manner in which the head rascal pounced upon the little rascal, when he was 
 caught in the act, excited loud laughter among all, even among the Mexican pris- 
 oners. 
 
 " All the prisoners (about forty in number) were told, that inasmuch as it was evident 
 that they were all engaged together, they would be taken on to Victoria, about one 
 hundred and fifty miles, and kept until the stolen arms were returned. — The alcalde 
 and another old man were released upon parole, upon their promise to hunt the stolen 
 articles in the town ; — the others were formed in two lines, and marched off towards 
 Victoria, behind the train. 
 
 " We had proceeded perhaps a mile, when we were overtaken by a large crowd of 
 
340 DISPATCHES FROM GEN. SCOTT. 
 
 his troops ; and to send the main body of those at Victoria, 
 regulars and volunteers, under generals Patterson, Twiggs, 
 Pillow, and Quitman, forward to Tampico, about two hun- 
 dred and ten miles to the south-east. 
 
 We learned that an attack was to be made on Vera Cruz, 
 by General Scott, and that all the available forces of the 
 army would be required for that attack, on account of its 
 strong fortifications. This news was received with the 
 greatest interest by all the army, especially by those who 
 were now about to be separated from General Taylor. 
 
 The news of the dispatch run and circulated, that evening, 
 from camp to camp, regiment to regiment, from one line of 
 tents to another, and into every tent, awakening the sleepers, 
 who rose on their elbows, inquired, and talked of the matter; 
 and, before morning, it was known to all, even to General 
 Twiggs' division, which, as before stated, had that morning 
 taken up their march. — Gen. Taylor, that night, sent an ex- 
 women, boys, girls, and dogs, — some crj'ing, others trying to laugh, and the dogs 
 barking. Still we kept on, the crowd behind us increasing, and pressing upon us, as 
 if determined upon a rescue, vl et armis. Fearful of the result, in case of an action, 
 we had recourse to the Mexican art of negociation ; — wo halted for a parley. One 
 woman, more bold than the rest, came forward, pointed to her husband, and proposed 
 to give ' dos pesos,' (two dollars), if we would let him off; — another offered *■ quatro 
 reales' (four bits), for hers ; while a third very gravely displayed in her hand ' un 
 real,' (one bit), which she proposed to exchange for her better half. 
 
 " Having explained to them that we did not want their money, but our property, tlaey 
 then begged : — one wept ; another scolded ; while a beautiful girl, whose interest was 
 more intense, looked daggers out of two pretty black eyes. — This was too much 
 for common nerves ; so we agreed with the alcalde, (who now came up to report), 
 that if he would pay for the stolen articles, we would let the rascals go. This was 
 gladly done, although the Mexicans could not refrain from begging off from part of 
 the amount, saying they were very poor. 
 
 " They were then told that ' it was a pity that so many honest men should suffer on 
 account of two or three rascals ; — that in every village, a few rascals, by their crimes, 
 might ruin many honest meii.' (Here several robber looking men, with long musta- 
 chios, gravely smote their breasts, saying, ' Si, Senor, Si, Senor ! ') The alcalde re- 
 plied with great coolness. — He said : ' It is true, Senor ; — the people of Santander are 
 all honest men ; they don't know how to steal ! ' The corn-stalk flagellation here 
 rose to view ; but repressing our laughter, we marched off, leaving the women and 
 dogs to escort the hmest ladrones of Santander back to their homes. 
 
 " Without any attack from the Mexicans, we arrived safely, with sixty thousand ra- 
 lions for the army, at Victoria, after the first brigade of General Taylor had already 
 started for Tampico." 
 
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MARCH. 341 
 
 press to Gen. Twiggs, directing Captain Bragg to return, 
 with his artillery ; for he had determined to keep him. Colo- 
 nel May's dragoons, and Colonel Davis' regiment of Missis- 
 sippi riflemen. — All the rest were to go to Tampico. — The 
 arrangements were made this night, by the generals, and on 
 the next morning Gen. Patterson's division were on the 
 move. Gen. Quitman's force brought up the rear the day after. 
 
 EL NACIMIENTO, (tHE NATIVITx). 
 
 There was one religious ceremony which, about this time, was observed throughout the re- 
 public of Mexico ; though, at Victoria, the beginning of it, and the public celebration, had 
 passed before we arrived, yet the private ceremonies were liept up for several days. — This 
 was the celebration of " El Nacimiento,''^ or the nativity of our Savior. It commences on 
 Christmas eve, the night of the 21th of December ; is kept up with great splendor on the next 
 (Christmas) day, and then, by many families, is prolonged even to the 14th of February. It 
 is a great time among them for devotion, ostentation, and religious excitement. 
 
 The church take care, on this day, to blend great amusement with the religious ceremOTiies. 
 The whole is conducted thus : — On the 24th, the principal church at every town, and the capilla 
 at every hacienda, is decorated and brilliantly lighted. The Virgin Mary, the infant Jesus, 
 Joseph, the manger, &c., &e., are placed in these churches, the first represented by images, 
 and the last built up ; — sometimes wooden oxen are placed around, and looking-glasses, flow- 
 ers and ornaments of every kind, are arranged, so as to produce the most brilliant eflect.. 
 
 A large number of the inhabitants, senores and senoras, are selected to personify the Shep- 
 herds, to whom the angel appears ; {see St. Luke, Id chapt., 9th verse) ; — they start off to hunt 
 the infant Jesus, through the town. Other men personify the "wise men of the east," (S^ 
 Mattheiv, 2d chapt., 2d verse), and they are searching around, having seen the "star."' These 
 all find the infant in the church, and, much rejoiced, adore him ; and the wise men make 
 speeches to him, got up for the occasion, and then ofTer their gifts, as set forth by the Evan- 
 gelists. After this, amid the delighted throng, the image is taken up and baptised as Jesus 
 Christ, one of the principal inhabitants standing as god-father to it, and then numerous gil'ts 
 are left for the benefit of the child, (these, of course, go to the priests), and this ceremony ends 
 jn the church. — All this is done on the night of the 24lh. 
 
 The next day, (Christmas), great rejoicing takes place, on account of the birth of the Sa- 
 vior, and at night a smaller " Nacimiento" is opened in almost every house ; — every one has 
 a right to erect thus a sacred altar, or rather form of El Nacimiento, within liis domicil. The 
 richer ones do this with great splendor. — A large table is spread out in one of the principal 
 rooms, with many lighted candles upon it. — On this table is the image of the infant Jesus, 
 made of wax, plaster, or such material, in a cradle, with those of the Virgin, Joseph, and oth- 
 ers, around it, and as many other saints, &c., as they can procure. Pictures, ornaments, 
 jn and gold foil, glasses, and everything that will make a display in the bright light, are ar- 
 ■^nged around. 
 
 A young man, and the prettiest senorita in the family or connections, both richly dressed, 
 stand by the table as the god-father and god-mother of the infant.— Upon this table are also 
 piles of candy, fruits. Sec, which are all to be eaten at the conclusion of the ceremony. These 
 " Nacimientos,^' so gorgeously arranged, are open to the inspection of any one in the streets, 
 who has a perfect right to enter, look on the exhibition, and say his prayers to the little wax in- 
 fant; and in order to add to the appearance, rockets are fired for the whole evening from 
 the doorways. The expenses of the whole arrangement are paid by the fortunate young 
 man, the god-father." 
 
 After an exhibition of two or three hours, the scene closes for the night, but is opened in 
 the same way on the next, and so on for eight nights, when, all over the city, and in fact 
 through the nation, the '^ Nacimientos^' are raised, as they call it;— that is. the whole ends in a 
 grand frolic, amid the discharge of many rock-ts.— The fruits, candies, cakes, &c., are dis- 
 tributed to the company, and the little images put away to be ready for the same farce on the 
 next year. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Fnday, January I5ih, 1847. A busy morning. — The bugles 
 and numerous drums and fifes, on the clear, morning air, 
 roused up the army early. — After a quick breakfast, Gen. 
 Patterson's division, now consisting of four regiments : our 
 own, of cav^alr}', Col. Thomas', the first and second Tennes- 
 see infantry, under colonels Campbell and Haskell, all of 
 Gen. Pillow's brigade, and the third Illinois, under Col. Fore- 
 man, which last was with us before, and a company of artil- 
 lery — struck their tents, and the wagons, being loaded, with 
 the heavy train, commenced the march ; passing by the town, 
 there turned to the left, took the road over the spur of the 
 mountain, towards Tampico ; Gen. Twiggs' division of regu- 
 lars, as before said, being one day in advance, and Gen. Quit- 
 man to follow the next day, with his force, consisting of the 
 fourth Illinois and Georgia regiments, the Baltimore batta- 
 lion, and Captain Haynes' company of cavalry, the second 
 time detached from the regiment; we saw no more of him, 
 or of our comrades of his company, until our arrival near 
 Tampico. 
 
 Gen. Patterson took a detail from our regiment of twenty 
 men and a sergeant, to ride with him, as his guard; and Gen. 
 Pillow required a like detail of twelve men to attend him. — 
 On Gen. Patterson's guard, the author was placed, on the 
 march now commenced. — Attended by his guard, the general 
 before following the column of troops, that, under Gen. Pil- 
 low, were already on the road, went down to Gen. Taj'lor's 
 camp, to bid him farewell. — The old general's quarters look- 
 ed lonely ; of the thousands that were round him, yesterday, 
 the lines of tents of May's dragoons were all that were left. 
 
 (312) 
 
MARCH OF GEN. PATTERSON'S DIVISION. 343 
 
 After the parting between the generals, we came up through 
 the space, so lately crowded, now so deserted ; the camp fires 
 were still smoking. — Many Mexicans, wrapped in their horon- 
 gos, were stepping over the ground, collecting clothing, &c., 
 but apparently fearful of taking it away, while any of us were 
 yet near. — A little farther on, we came to a detail of our regi- 
 ment, engaged in the melancholy duty of burying a comrade 
 (James Brown, who died last night). — The general stopped 
 at the grave, asked a few questions, and directed the men to 
 put a few stones on its surface, to prevent it from being dis- 
 turbed, and then we rode on towards the town. — Passing 
 near, and leaving it to the right, we crossed the rocky stream, 
 and took the road for Tampico. Now, this was, for miles, 
 stretched out with troops, and the long train, of which, while 
 the head was already over the first spur of the mountain, the 
 rear had not yet left camp, where, also, the rear guard of 
 cavalry, under Capt. Sneed, were drawn up, waiting, in pa- 
 tience, for it to start. 
 
 When ascending the first spur of the mountain, the view 
 caught of the plain behind, was indeed most beautiful. — ■ 
 It extended far down upon the town, and adjoining country? 
 dotted with ranches, with bright groves of orange trees, and 
 large fields of sugar cane, and interspersed by the hills of 
 chapparal, which, from above, appeared level. — The scope of 
 vision included a wide area of many miles along the foot 
 of the rugged mountains, with their wild peaks above. — The 
 town was immediately below, and one could see its whole 
 length and breadth ; while the rocky brook meandered along, 
 visible in its every turn, for miles. — Gen. Quitman's camp was 
 in view, on the left; its many lines of tents looked small and 
 white; far on the right, just visible, could be seen the few, 
 of Gen. Taylor; while the long lines of our division and train 
 winding up the ascent, and coming over the plain, were 
 stretched back to the camp, and their movements gave anima- 
 tion to the scene. — It was, altogether, one of the most beau- 
 tiful and extensive mountain landscapes that any of us had 
 ever gazed upon ; and it attracted universal attention. 
 
 We passed up the spur, and on the top found it hilly for 
 some miles. — The column of troops raised a heavy dust, to 
 
344 CAMP AT RIO DE FLORIS. 
 
 avoid which, the general put his horse into a brisk canter, we 
 following him closely. — We soon met Capt. Bragg, with his 
 artillery, going back to Gen. Taylor.* 
 
 Now, we will again enter upon the smaller incidents of 
 the march. — We skirted the foot of the mountain during 
 the day, through beautiful scenery, and at three P. M., the 
 advance reached a pretty mountain stream, called Rio de 
 Floris, (or river of flowers). — A rancho was near it on an emi- 
 nence. — The water of the stream was clear, and ran with a 
 
 * We saw our old general no more during the campaign ; he had hot work to do 
 in less than six weeks after this, at Buena Vista ; for this movement and division of 
 forces, became immediately known to Santa Anna, by the death of liieut. Ritchie, (wjio 
 was lassoed at the town of Villa Grande, a few days before this), and the capture 
 of his dispatches, which he was bringing ftom Monterey to Victoria. These were 
 duplicates of those brought by Capt. Haynes, and were, by the Mexicans, imme- 
 diately sent to Santa Anna, and he thus saw, at once, the position of the American 
 forces, and that Gen. Taylor was left with a small army. — Here, then, was the oppor- 
 tunity, by a sudden march, to rout that little army, and retake the whole valley of the 
 Rio Grande. — Santa Anna had with him over twenty thousand men, and a large nunv 
 ber of pieces of artilleiy, with abundance of material of war. His troops had the ut- 
 most confidence in him, for he, as yet, had not been in the field during this war, and his 
 former reputation was great with them. He had excited them, by his endeavors and 
 speeches, to a pitch of enthusiasm, so that all were eager to march against the America- 
 nos ; and many were the threats among his legions, that they would not leave an 
 American alive. 
 
 At San Iiouis Potosi, he received these dispatches, in less than a week after this 
 time ; and, in two more weeks he had his powerful army in motion, marching to the 
 north, towards Saltillo, to annihilate Gen. Taylor's little force. 
 
 On the next day to that of our departure from Victoria, Gen. Taylor, with less tlian 
 a thousand men, commenced his return march for Monterey. Of his departure, a 
 friend, who was with Quitman's brigade, thus writes : 
 
 " There was a general rush to see the old hero leave ; all his old soldiers, except the 
 Mississippians, who went back with him, had departed for Tampico. — Every one seem- 
 ed to be melancholy at the separation. — It was thought that all the fighting, all the honors, 
 and all the laurels would be down on the coast, at Vera Cruz, and towards the Capi- 
 tal. It looked, then, as if Old Zach. had been sent back to the rear, where he would have 
 only to guard the country of the Rio Grande. — Little thought those who saw the old 
 hero, as he quietly rode through the plaza and streets of Victoria, in a plain citizen's 
 dress, with sonu late papers in his hand, carelessly sitting on his Alexican pony, and 
 politely bidding adieu to all those who remained behind him, slowly followed by May's 
 dragoons, Bragg's battery, and Davis' Mississippians, that ere another six weeks should 
 roll around, he would stand on the bloody field of Buena Vista, at the head of a 
 gallant little army, to triumph over Mexican veterans. Even that recall, that counter- 
 mand, which then seemed almost like disgrace, soon aflbrded him an opportunity of 
 covering himself with greater glory, than, in all his life before, he had won." 
 
CAMP AT RIO DE FLORIS. 345 
 
 continual murmur over the rocks ; along its banks Vs-ere 
 trees of rose-wood, lignum-vitse, and musquit of large size, 
 and to our surprise, we saw also, several of our old acquain- 
 tances, the sycamore ; the growth of which, we had left a 
 thousand miles or more, to the north-east. — Difference of ele- 
 vation, however, has the same effect on climate and growth 
 of timber, as difference of latitude ; a thousand feet eleva- 
 tion, in these regions, having as much effect, in producing 
 coolness of air, as five hundred miles or more distance on 
 the low plains towards the north would have. — Those men, 
 who climbed these mountains at Victoria, say that the little 
 rough appearance they present against the sky, is made by 
 oak trees, both post and red, of considerable size ; but none 
 of these grow down here, and we had not seen one for hun- 
 dreds of miles back. 
 
 The column of infantry soon began to come into camp, 
 followed by the wagon train. The men were covered with 
 dust, and it was caked on their sweaty faces, giving them 
 an odd appearance. — Multitudes of them soon lined the 
 banks of the creek, up and down, standing on the rocks, in 
 the water, and washing their hands and faces in the clear 
 stream,that rapidly coursed along. — Oneortwo had the luxury 
 of a towel, that they had got from the Mexicans ; a very few 
 had handkerchiefs, some a piece of an old tent, with which 
 to wipe their faces after washing ; but the most had nothing 
 of the kind, for their wardrobe was becoming scanty. These 
 allowed the sun and fresh air to dry their faces and heads. 
 — As their company wagons came in, their lines of tents 
 went up, and before sunset all were in, and the little hills 
 and hollows all around, were covered with busy life; and, 
 after night, shone bright with many hundred fires. 
 
 We, of the guard, twenty men, under Sergeant McKamy, 
 soon found that we were placed in a different situation than 
 before, and in a much better one, for we had no roll-calls, no 
 guard to stand, nor any of the ordinary camp duties to per- 
 form ; we drew our provisions by ourselves, as a separate 
 company, and our forage in the same way. — We were in three 
 messes, and our tents and mess bags were carried in one of 
 the general's large wagons, all of which had good teams, and 
 
346 MISHAP TO GEN. PATTERSON. 
 
 moved at the head of the train, behind the artillery, and con- 
 sequently were always in camp the first at night ; our tents, 
 therefore, were up quickly, and we had time to rest at even- 
 ing. — We had not, either, to march in the dusty column bj'" 
 day, for the general kept clear of that; often we would ride 
 ahead, and rest in the shade, until the column came up. — 
 Moreover, we always had the best possible position in camp 
 at night, for water ; for the general, when coming on the 
 ground, always selected his position on the upper part of the 
 creek or river, when at one ; and beside this, we were not 
 crowded for room ; for the body of the army was always pla- 
 ced a short distance from his quarters, and our horses got a 
 fine chance at the little grass that was to be fovmd along. — 
 Not only so, but he allowed us to have our forage carried in 
 one of his wagons ; thus taking much weight off our horses 
 (and by a private bargain with one of his wagoners, who 
 had a fine large wagon, six excellent mules, and a light load, 
 we got our saddle-bags of clothing, &c., carried ; and not 
 only so, but our blankets we wrapped up each morning, and 
 stowed avi^ay in there also ; thus reducing the Aveight on our 
 horses to ourselves and arms). — The effect of this was im- 
 mediately perceptible in their movements and appearance. — 
 Our duty was light, simply to keep our arms in first-rate order, 
 and to assist at camping, in putting up the three marquees, 
 &c., and in taking them down in the morning. — Our sergeant 
 was an accommodating man, and we were as jovial as larks. 
 Saturday, Jammry \Qth. The reveille was beat at an 
 early hour, and the camp was lit up before day. — Hear- 
 ing quite a confusion at the general's quarter, we went 
 up there, being near. — There were many curious, natural 
 holes in the rock about here, which we had noticed the 
 last night ; they were round, like wells, and about ten or 
 twelve feet deep. — Gen. Patterson, while walking around 
 in the dark, preparator}^ to starting, fell into one of these, 
 and went down, against the bottom, with such a concussion 
 as deprived him of the power of making any exertion to 
 get out. He lay there, a few moments, before he could 
 call for help ; when his poA\'er of speech returned to him, 
 however, he exercised it lustily, by calling for his Irish ser- 
 
LOSS OF A BOTTLE OF BRANDY. 347 
 
 vant, Lawless. — Lawless heard the general's voice, rapidly 
 calling him, but, from the nature of the sound, coming up out 
 of the ground, he was for the moment, in the darkness, com- 
 pletely unable to tell from which direction it came. He kept 
 answering, however, and run around completely confused ; 
 seizing a light, he at last struck the direction, and groped his 
 way through a large bunch of cactus, that pierced him in an 
 hundred places ; he cursed this, and answered the general's 
 call in the same breath ; pushing through it, he saw the 
 hole, and, extending the light over it, the general in the bot- 
 tom. — Surprised, as he bent over, he called out, " And is it 
 under the ground that ye are, gineral ? and what in the divil 
 brought you here?" — " What brought me here? I fell here ; 
 get me out," replied the general, in a passionate voice. — 
 With the help of the aids, he was out before we got 
 up there. He was much bruised, and his ancle severely 
 sprained ; but after a little rest, was enabled to mount his 
 horse, when the marquees were taken down, and the march 
 was commenced. 
 
 About this time, Lieut. Williams, one of the general's aids, 
 w^as hunting in every direction for a bottle of brandy, which 
 Avas taken out of the general's stores the night before, for his 
 benefit and that of the aids ; but on account of the lateness 
 of the hoar, had been laid by, still corked, for the morn- 
 ing. — " Have you seen anything of a bottle of brandy about 
 here ? " said he to the sergeant of the guard. — " Men, have 
 you seen anything of a bottle of brandy about here?" 
 shouted the sergeant, without answering directly the ques- 
 tion of the aid. — The nearest man, still without answering, 
 repeated the question to the others quickly, " I say, men, 
 don't you hear the sergeant ; have you seen anything of a 
 bottle of brandy about here ? " — " Bottle of what ? " inquired 
 one or two. — Lieut. Williams replied aloud, and unea- 
 sily, for there was a strong probability that he would lose 
 his morning dram, "A bottle of brandy that the general 
 brought from Philadelphia with him." — " Have you seen any- 
 thing of the general's bottle of brandy?" called out several; 
 and in an instant after another man, a little farther ofi', was 
 heard at the same, but with a cough at first, and a hem ! — 
 
348 SEARCH FOR THE BRANDY. 
 
 " Have you" — another hem! — " seen anything of the gene- 
 ral's brandy, — hem ! — Charley ? " "I don't keep the general's 
 brandy," replied he ; " I wish I did." The sergeant called 
 out, " Look after it, men ; " and all went to looking, but 
 could not find it in the darkness ; so they returned to sad- 
 dling their horses, at which they were at first engaged. 
 
 But all the time that this calling had been made, another con- 
 versation had been carried on in whispers in the darkness : — 
 " Drink quick, Jim ; don't you hear the lieutenant inquiring 
 after it ?" "I will ; but it's so d-m-d strong," said Jim, as 
 he bent behind his horse and drank, and then called out 
 aloud, " Have you seen," &c. " Hand the bottle over here,' 
 said Charley, in an earnest whisper ; — " Ha ! the best brandy 
 I ever drank in my life. — Stop ! let me have another swal- 
 low." — " Don't 3'^ou hear McKamy calling to us to look after 
 it?" said another — " put it there by that rock ; we'll find it 
 when we come back." 
 
 The aid stormed and swore about the infantry sentinels, 
 that had stood there in the night ; said he knew the company 
 that they were detailed from, and he threatened all sorts of 
 vengeance against them. " D-m it," said he to Col. Aber- 
 crombie, the other aid, " there is nothing left but whisky, 
 now, and I hate that." — The guard returned, and the bottle 
 was passed around among a few whom they knew would 
 not "blow;" and it might have been observed that morn- 
 ing, that these were in excellent spirits. 
 
 We struck out on the road, and marched several miles be- 
 fore the sun became warm ; but when it did so, it was exces- 
 sively hot. The road was very dusty. It lay for the whole 
 march up and down the high mountainous spurs, and over 
 bodies of good valley land, but with no habitations. — The 
 general, being used up from the effects of his fall, and in 
 much pain, was compelled to halt, and wait for the buggy 
 of the surgeon of his staff", Dr. Wright. This was the only 
 buggy in the army, and was very convenient for the doctor. 
 While halted, we of the guard got round under the musquit 
 bushes, for shade. There was no other growth in this dry 
 valley, save the many varieties of the cactus, some of which 
 have already been described. — The country here was covered 
 with them. 
 
WATCHED BY PARTIES OF LANCERS. 349 
 
 Some of the scenery passed over to-day, of hill and val- 
 ley, was indeed striking. — From the top of the hills we were 
 watched all day, closely, by parties of the enemy ; and some 
 talk was among the boys of the prospect of a fight before 
 long ; for there were so many of these parties, and some so 
 numerous, that it was thought that the enemy might be 
 crossing from Tula, on the west, to give us a trial ; but they 
 molested us none. Captain Caswell made a chase after one 
 party, on a high hill, but they saw him so far, coming through 
 the valley, that they were off beyond the reach of pursuit, and 
 that evening we saw no more of them. The spj'-glass showed 
 more of these than we had an idea of without it, all lancers. 
 It was provoking to the men, to see them far up on the 
 heights, and know that it was useless to try to catch them. 
 
 At four, P. M., after marching near twenty-five miles, we 
 encamped near a pretty brook of bluish water, which afford- 
 ed an abundant supply for the whole army. As it had been 
 so very dusty to-day, another washing scene took place, after 
 which all betook themselves to their supper and rest. — This 
 encampment was on some hills covered with a scattered 
 growth of large musquit trees ; with but little cactus. We 
 of the guard found much grass for our horses. How the re- 
 giment made out we knew not, for we went not to it, not 
 knowing on what part of the ground it w^as.* 
 
 Sunday , January I7ih. There is no Sabbath in camp ; one 
 day is precisely like another, and it is with the greatest dif- 
 ficulty that one can tell what day it is ; — in fact but few 
 know ; — not one man in twenty can tell whether it is Sun- 
 day or Thursday, Monday or Saturday ; they know not, nei- 
 ther do they care. 
 
 We were on the march early, the general riding in a little 
 
 * When there are several regiments together, after encamping, there is not much 
 running about. — One might ahnost as easily find a particular person in a city in which 
 he was not acquainted, as to find him in a camp; he will have as many inquiries to 
 make to do it ; — and, besides, men do not become so much acquainted as is, by many, 
 supposed. A person will get acquainted with all his own company in two or three 
 weeks, but not with all his regiment in as many months ; — if he does in six, he has 
 a good faculty for making acquaintances ; — but with other regiments, he knows only a 
 few. Soldiers get into the habit of staying in their own companies ; — not only so, 
 bat they have a peculiar attachment to their own tents. 
 
350 MESAS OR TABLE LANDS. 
 
 hospital wagon, in which he lay upon his back, being unable 
 to sit up. The road lay over high hills, beautiful plains, 
 and extensive valleys. The elevated range of mountains 
 we were leaving to the right, where their massive peaks rose 
 up against the western sky ; now, from distance, they ap- 
 peared of a hazy blue. 
 
 These hills, over which we passed this day and the day 
 before, are indeed singular, — long and straight, ending ab- 
 ruptly at either end ; the tops level as a line for the whole 
 extent. They are called by the Mexicans mesas, or tables,, 
 {see plate, pc/ge 356). When on them, some of them are found 
 not to be of more than a few yards in width ; — to look 
 up to them from the valley below, you would suppose a 
 large plain on the top ; but when the steep ascent has 
 taken you up perhaps eight hundred or a thousand feet, 
 immediately you see far down into the opposite valley, 
 directly before you. — Neither do these long hills run in 
 any particular way ; they are thrown, as it were, in all di- 
 rections, making all angles with each other, and enclosing 
 fertile plains and valleys of every possible diversity of shape 
 and appearance. The lover of beautiful landscape could 
 here find enough, to give him full scope for admiration of 
 changing scenes, for weeks. — These scenes are not so rugged 
 and imposing as those of the main chain of mountains, 
 but they are beautiful, and there is an endless variety of 
 them. 
 
 We had seen but few Mexican soldiers to-day, for the hills 
 are more accessible, and if they had showed themselves, we 
 would have had a better chance of catching them. — Some 
 were on a high hill passed to the right, this morning. — In 
 some of the valleys, we passed over large bodies of lava, 
 though no mountain is now volcanic in this immediate vi- 
 cinity. 
 
 At nine o'clock, we came to a little brook, deep, and of 
 good water. Here the general, after ascertaining from the 
 Mexican guide, Valencia, that it was twenty-one miles to the 
 next water, determined to encamp, and halted the advance. 
 Col. Abercrombie directed us of the guard to encamp in 
 the same beautiful grove that the general was to occupy, on 
 
SPORT OF THE INFANTRY. 351 
 
 the bank of the creek. — The army soon came up and en- 
 camped. 
 
 We had now nearly the whole day before us, in which to 
 do as we pleased. — The general's tents, and our own, were 
 soon up, and some of the guard went hunting, as did many 
 of the infantry. — They covered, in crowds, the high hills 
 around, and wandered about nearly all the day ; many of 
 them endeavoring to shoot Mexicans, not content with deer 
 and turkeys ; — but they were unsuccessful ; for, although they 
 came in view of those in the distance, they could not come 
 up with them. — We had passed no habitations during the 
 day, and the country was entirely wild, and there were some 
 deer and many turkeys ; — monkeys and apes, the Mexicans 
 told us, were in numbers in the hills. — In a few hours, the 
 boys returned ; — they had killed a few turkeys and deer. 
 
 There was much fun and sport going on among the troops 
 during the day. — The infantry have become so accustomed 
 to marching, that they do not mind it at all. The second 
 Tennessee regiment appears to be the liveliest, although all 
 are enough so ; but their pranks are innumerable. If there 
 are any cattle within miles of the camp, they are sure of 
 having them ; and not only so, but Mexicans stand a poor 
 chance with them , for, having some of their men murdered 
 and shockingly mutilated, near Camargo, w^hen they first 
 came to the country, they have since had a hatred against 
 the class that perpetrated these murders, and have paid 
 them in their own coin, sending many of them to their "long 
 home." — The first Tennessee is much smaller in number 
 than the second, having been much cut up at Monterey ; but 
 they are still an efficient body. 
 
 Sometimes, when, before day, the reveille beats, after it 
 is done, a great number commence to crow for the dawn, 
 and then, all over the camp, such an universal crowing 
 takes place, that one would think that all the chicken cocks 
 in the country were collected, and endeavoring to outdo each 
 other. — There was a single little dog, that belonged to one 
 of the infantry, and which accompanied the march. When- 
 ever, in the morning, on the march, he made his appearance, 
 he was received with a yell that frightened the poor little 
 
352 SCENERY IN THE MESAS. 
 
 fellow almost out of his life; — tucking his tail between his 
 legs, he fled as fast as his feet could carry him, but always 
 took the road ; and as he passed company after company, 
 moving on, the yell was kept up, until he had cleared the in- 
 fantry, and taken refuge with the horses of the cavalry. — 
 Every morning he is thus greeted. 
 
 We came to a new species of palm tree, called, by the 
 Mexicans, pal /fictto del sol, or sun palm, [see plate, page 356). — 
 It is a singular tree, — large at the bottom of the trunk, of a 
 spongy texture of wood, rough bark, and but few branches ; 
 each one of them surmounted by a bunch of large, grass-like 
 blades, which hang down. — These are preferred by the Me - 
 leans to all other, for the purpose of making hats, or som- 
 breros. 
 
 On the ground that we occupied this night. Gen. Twiggs 
 encamped the night before, and Gen. Quitman oh the next 
 following. Both the camps of these divisions could plainly 
 be seen with the glass this evening, from the top of the high 
 rocky hill overlooking ours. 
 
 January I8th. As usual now, we were upon the march be- 
 fore day. — When the sun arose, it revealed to us a succession 
 of beautiful scenery. Far on the right appeared the lofty 
 chain of mountains, which, by our course, south-east, we 
 were gradually leaving ; this range here running about 
 south. On the left, too, far in the distance, another range 
 of lofty irregular peaks, rose up. Between these, the exten- 
 sive valley was filled by the high, flat-topped hills, or mesas, 
 mentioned before, thrown promiscuously around, in its vast 
 extent. Fleecy clouds, of dazzling whiteness in the sun, 
 rolled around the mountains and enveloped the tops of these 
 hills, clinging to them, as it were, by one part, and the other 
 floating buoyantly olT from them in the still air ; but after the 
 sun became hot, the clouds vanished, and the whole scene, in 
 vast extent, in the embrace of the mountains, was below. — 
 The road, as before, lay up and down these hills, and over 
 beautiful plains. — We now came to many palm trees, which, 
 singly and in groves, were seen for the remainder of the 
 route. — This, with the cactys gigantea, the sun palm, the 
 sword palmetto, the prickly pear, rose-wood, ebony, lignum- 
 
CAMP ON RIO FOLLON- 353 
 
 vita3, musquit, and an infinite variety of other cactus, were 
 the growth now met with, for several days in succession. 
 For the appearance of the first five, see plate, page 356. 
 
 In the middle of the day it became so dusty, that one could 
 hardly see across the road, which appeared, in many places^ 
 like a long bed of dry ashes. — At noon we came to a rancho, 
 the houses of which were built of stone, and white-washed, 
 and were much neater than others that we had seen. Here the 
 contractors stopped to procure beef for the night; and many 
 of the men obtained from the peones peloncillas of about a 
 pound and a half weight of good sugar, for a medio, or pica- 
 yune each, — Beyond this rancho, we descended a rocky hill, 
 and came to the Rio de Lemon. (So called on Arista's map, 
 but by the inhabitants called Rio FoUon. It flows to the 
 southward, and runs into the river Panuco). This beauti- 
 ful, rapid stream, we immediately forded, followed by the 
 infantry, artillery, and train ; all of which got a good wash- 
 ing off; the water talcing the infantry nearly to their arm- 
 pits. 
 
 After crossing, the general determined to continue on far- 
 ther, and we followed the river down about seven miles, and 
 encamped along the road. The musquit trees, on either hand, 
 were so thick, that the division was much cramped for want 
 of room. — The tents were soon up, and it being close to the 
 river, every one who could raise a line and hook, went a fish- 
 ing in the deep stream ; which here was quiet, of gentle cur- 
 rent, and deep ; though falling above in large cascades, over 
 massive rocks. It was stocked with catfish, and the finest 
 perch ; and many of the men caught large strings of them. 
 
 Mexican lancers have been during the day, hanging round, 
 us, but have kept off far; or else, when near, were so con- 
 cealed, in the thickets, that we did not perceive them. — We 
 passed to-day, three large crosses by the side of the road, each, 
 with a pile of small stones around it ; two of them were old 
 and decaying ; the other was firm, and had been erected at a. 
 later date ; it had, upon the cross-bar these words, in red 
 paint : " Un Ave-Maria, un Padre nuestro por la alma de Juaw 
 Gonzales, que estaba matado el 25 de Abril, de 1842." (One: 
 prayer to the Virgin Mary, one Lord's prayer, for the soul of 
 23 
 
354 CROSSES OVER THE MURDERED. 
 
 Juan Gonzales, who was murdered on the 25th of April 
 1842.) We had often seen these crosses and piles of stones 
 before, and we met them often, by the highways, afterwards ; 
 but few of the men, however, made any inquiry into the 
 reason of their erection ; many passed along, thinking them 
 to be sign-posts ! — Whenever a Mexican is murdered, one of 
 these is put up, by the people of the neighborhood, on the 
 ground where the blood is spilled, and the soul departs ; and 
 the reason is this : as such a person died without confession 
 to the priest, or absolution given of his sins, or partaking of 
 the sacrament ; and without the extreme unction, or anoint- 
 ing with the holy oil ; — all of which are administered to a 
 dying man, — he consequently goes directly into purgatory, 
 with his sins upon his head, unabsolved, unanointed, unsanc- 
 tified ; and, consequently, in a most terrible situation ; and, 
 therefore, these crosses are erected, calling on all passers-by 
 to say these prayers for that soul, in order that the intense 
 suffering, consequent upon entering purgatory in such a con- 
 dition, may be alleviated ; for they quote from the Bible, that 
 the " prayers of the righteous availeth much," and a large 
 number of these prayers, they believe, will induce the Vir- 
 gin Mary to use her intercession with our Saviour, to have 
 such a soul placed in a better situation. 
 
 Each pious " cristiano, " as they call themselves, that 
 passes, turns to the cross, says over the prayers, and in to- 
 ken thereof, places a small stone on the heap there accumu- 
 lating. These heaps are never disturbed ; not even a boy 
 can be found that will take off from the pile one of the little 
 stones that has been blessed with a prayer ; but rather, he, 
 also, in turn, stops, says his prayer, and adds another stone. 
 — The women never neglect it, and the author was informed, 
 by a gentleman who had long resided in Mexico, that the 
 largest pile he had ever seen there, was placed almost en- 
 tirely by women ; and this appeared the more singular, as the 
 object of their solicitude was killed by an injured husband 
 in public ! — Distance marched this day, about twenty-five 
 miles. 
 
 January 19th. At an early hour we were on the route, and 
 marched five miles by the time it was well light. That dis- 
 
CROSSING OF THE RIO FOLLON. 355 
 
 tance brought us to the Lemon or FoUon river again, which 
 we immediately forded, and the infantry got another wetting, 
 which was not very agreeable to them, for it was too 
 early in the day. It was amusing to look back from the 
 bank opposite, and see them crossing, and hear their noise 
 and yells. We thought the Illinoisans made noise and fun 
 enough about such fordings, but the Tennesseeans made 
 the more. The water run off from all when they got over; 
 but they did not mind the wetting, save some who did not 
 succeed in keeping their crackers dry. — There was a rancho 
 on the top of the hill, with many houses. 
 
 While on this bank, one of the beef contractors, named 
 Bigelow, found occasion to go back, to the rancho mentioned 
 yesterday, twelve miles, to see about the supply of beef to 
 be furnished to Quitman's Brigade, for the night. He was 
 warned not to do it ; but mounting his splendid horse, he de- 
 termined to try it, and away he went.* 
 
 After crossing the Follon, the hills became lower, and 
 the mountains were but just discernible on the distant ho- 
 rizon in the rear. We now passed over a beautiful country 
 of hills and rolling plains, with more grass than we had 
 before seen in several weeks ; groves of the palm tree were 
 here and there, scattered over the face of the country. 
 
 About three, P. M., after a pleasant march of twenty- two 
 miles, we encamped on the banks of a pretty brook, and the 
 general selecting his quarters under the foliage of a large 
 rose-wood tree, surrounded by others of thick shade, Col. 
 Abercrombie appointed to us our place about fifty yards from 
 him, under a shade equally pleasant, and so thick that we 
 
 * He passed the wagon train, not yet all crossed, then the rear guard. — Before he 
 got to the encampment just left, a party of Mexican cavalry filed into the road before 
 him. — He was about to turn back, when he saw a large number behind him ; — then 
 putting spurs to his noble horse, he broke through the front line, and, amid the volley 
 fired at him, received but one ball, which shattered his right leg below the knee ; but 
 he kept his seat, while they pursued him back over the Follon, and by the rancho 
 spoken of, until he came in view of part of Capt. Haynes' company, under Lieut. 
 Chamblis, the advance guard of Quitman's division. He was immediately placed in 
 the hospital wagon, and made the rest of the march in that way, being unable to walk 
 for many weeks afterward. 
 
356 LA PALMA BENDITA. 
 
 concluded not to put up our tents, but to fix our sleeping- 
 places in this, a sort of natural arbor. 
 
 The general's marquees were soon up, and we sat down 
 to conversation, having nothing else to do, save to watch 
 the long lines of cavalry and infantry, followed by the wa- 
 gon train, that were coming down over the beautiful hills, 
 towards the camp, as they continually arrived. — Col. Aber- 
 crombie came down to us, and asked if any one would cut 
 down a large palm tree that stood near, a most majestic ob- 
 ject; to oblige him, as he wished to examine the " cabbage," 
 or tender wrapping of the buts of the leaves, at the top of 
 the trunk, which cabbage the Mexicans here eat, and pro- 
 nounce it fine. A dozen men instantly offered to serve the 
 colonel, (who, having the power to command, chose, rather, 
 in such a case, to request), and procuring axes, the noble 
 tree was soon stretched on the ground. Its leaves were ta- 
 ken ofi" from the body, and the top of this cut off*. After strip- 
 ping the tough outside covering off", the inside was found 
 white and tender, and somewhat like a cabbage ; this, however, 
 was small, not weighing more than seven or eight pounds. 
 (We afterwards found these " cabbages " to sell in the mar- 
 kets of Tampico, and other places). — For the appearance of 
 this tree, and those of others which have been mentioned as 
 growing about here, see the plate opposite,* where it is 
 numbered 2. 
 
 The others, 1, 3, 4, 5, have been mentioned before, in this 
 work. This palm is connected with one of the religious 
 ceremonies of this people, which we will mention. The 
 tree is called, by the Mexicans, in distinction from all others 
 of the palm kind, la palma bcndita, or the blessed palm. — 
 (Valencia, our Mexican guide, said that this was the tree 
 
 * This plate, showing most accurately the appearance of the plants and trees, was 
 drawn upon the ground by the author. A single cavalry soldier was placed in the 
 foreground, to show, by comparison, the height of the trees ; and the engraver was 
 directed to copy these in every hue, and moreover, to place a small scouting party in 
 the back ground. To the author's surprise, when the picture was completed, he found 
 that the engraver had put in the scouting party, but had set them all to cooking ; and the 
 volumes of smoke inserted, would convey the idea that the scouts were more anxious 
 for their dinner, than to catch the enemy, that, at this place, were hanging so thickly 
 around us. This is wrong ; and the reader will therefore, in imagination, put out the 
 
PALM SUNDAY. 359 
 
 whose branches were broken off and strewed in the way of 
 our Saviour, in his entry into Jerusalem, mentioned by the 
 evangelists, and that, on this account, it was since prized by 
 Christians. This may be the opinion {St. John, chap. 12, 
 verse 13,) taught them by the priests, and probably is. — It 
 was the only reason that the author received, for the custom 
 of blessing the leaves, on Palm Sunday). — Palm Sunday is a 
 festival kept by all the population of Mexico. It comes on, 
 or near the 27th of March, of each year.— On that day, the 
 people, in their holiday dresses, take bunches of the large 
 leaves of this tree, and carry them to the priests, who, in 
 a formal and solemn manner, bless them, thus making them 
 sacred. They are then taken home, torn up into strips, 
 and plaited in numberless beautiful forms ; every one has a 
 cross worked in it, trimmed with ornaments of ribbon, &c., and 
 sent as presents. They are from friend to friend, from young 
 to old, and the contrary, and especially passed between the 
 young of both sexes, as sacred tokens of love. Crosses are 
 plaited, of the same material, Etnd put up over the windows 
 and doors of each house, and these so guarded, cannot be 
 entered by Satan, or any of his evil spirits. — On this day is 
 general rejoicing, and all are made holy. The priests, in 
 the morning, consecrate, in every church, a large quantity 
 of holy water, called agua bendita, which is sent for by all 
 persons, drank, and used for sickness — with great success, 
 they say. No wonder, then, that the Mexicans regard la 
 pdma bendita with attachment, and call it "blessed." 
 
 The whole of this tree is not shown in the picture, but 
 enough is visible to show its form and beauty. A diamond 
 shaped net-work, composed of the buts of the older leaves, 
 which have fallen off, sometimes descends half way down 
 
 engraver's fire, and place the party in a position of vigilance. — The soldier in front, 
 also, though dressed correctly, and having all right about him, has, by the engraver's 
 command, taken off his sword and cartridge box, and set them up against that sun 
 palm, together with his gun, which, too, the engraver has cut, not a carbine, but rather 
 a fowling piece. This is incorrect : for no scout was caught in this fix. — His holsters 
 are right, but his sword should be upon his side, and his carbine slung to his shoulder, 
 or in his hand, ready to act in an instant. — Owing to these mistakes, the author 
 would not have inserted this picture, but for the remarkable correctness of the trees 
 and plants which it represents, and the excellent workmanship of the whole cut. 
 
3G0 USE OF PLANTS SEEN IN PLATE. 
 
 the trunk ; in this one, however, but little of it can be seen, 
 directly under the leaves, at the top of the visible part of the 
 trunk. 
 
 The column-like cactus, growing up under the tree, marked 
 (No. 1) beneath, is called by the Mexicans, la cactus gigantea, 
 or more commonly, brazos de Alexandra (arms of Alexander); 
 it bears a fruit, something in shape, like a pear. 
 
 The trunk of the sword palmetto, (No. 3) is only used for 
 posts for fences; gardens and yards being enclosed with 
 them, when split, and set to one another, like pickets. The 
 root of this is called amole; is soft and juicy, and rubbed upon 
 clothing, is used for soap ; and is effectual in removing dirt 
 and stains ; in many sections, this tree is known by the 
 name of the soap-plant; and was so called by some of our 
 soldiers. 
 
 The palmetto del sol, or palm of the sun (No. 4,) is used 
 only as said before, for making sombreros (hats) and little 
 baskets. 
 
 The prickly pear is part of their national emblem, and can 
 be seen on every Mexican dollar, under the eagle. — The use 
 made of it in this section, is to feed their mules and cattle 
 on, when there is no grass. To do this, they cut it down, and 
 making a fire of brush, throw the thick leaves into it, which 
 half roasts them, and burns the needles off; — in this state it 
 is eaten greedily by their animals. It is also used when 
 thus roasted, to cure wounds and bruises upon their mules 
 and horses, and for that purpose, is very effectual. Farther 
 south, it feeds the cochineal insect, which is so valuable for 
 dyeing. — Two flat-topped hills, such as we had been passing 
 over for some days before this, are in the back ground. 
 
 In the camp, this evening, we had quite a scene, occasioned 
 by the dry grass taking fire ; and this spread with great ra- 
 pidity, scorching and snapping, among the prickly pear ; it 
 gave quick employment to hundreds, to extinguish it ; which, 
 in the camp, was done without much labor, but, outside of 
 that, it ran for miles, and could be seen by its light, after 
 dark. — On the trees round the camp, and in the thickets, were 
 numbers of the guano, a new species of animal to us. They 
 are of the lizard family; — one kind were jet black in color; 
 
DIFFERENT SPECIES OF GUANOS. 361 
 
 the body of one of these was about a foot long, and the tail 
 as much longer ; legs like a lizard, but large in proportion to 
 the body ; sharp teeth, bright eyes, and very long, keen claws ; 
 from the head a row of black bristles ran along the back ; 
 the remainder of the surface was naked, and of a shining 
 black; the stout tail was covered with knotty projections; 
 taking them altogether, this kind were ugly looking "var- 
 mints." — Another kind was more pleasing to the eye, but still 
 as singular in shape; their color was green; the body of one 
 about four inches long; had a high, flat crest on the head; 
 with the tail slender, and nearly two feet in length : giving 
 the animal the appearance of a green snake, with a large 
 head, and four legs near to it. They were all extremely 
 agile, and run over the ground and up the trees, with sur- 
 prising quickness. Col. Campbell, of the first Tennessee, 
 had caught one near his tent, of this latter kind ; and we ex- 
 amined it closely. — Our Mexican guide, Valencia, informed 
 us, that there were many kinds of them in this part of the 
 country ; that all were harmless, save the large black ones, 
 which bite severely. 
 
 Gen. Patterson sent on a detachment of our regiment of 
 cavalry, to an hacienda ahead, to procure corn ; for the sup- 
 ply in the train was about giving out. These were to re- 
 main at the hacienda until we came up. — We had gained, 
 this day, five miles on Gen. Twiggs ; he encamping last night 
 that distance in our rear, and passing over this ground to- 
 day. 
 
 Jammry 20th. The reveille was beat, fires lit up, break- 
 fasts finished, wagons loaded, and all were on the march by 
 daylight. The infantry, as we passed them, were, from one 
 end of the line to the other, enjoying their usual amount of 
 fun and sport, as they marched on. — The road lay over ex- 
 tensive, open valleys ; grassy, and with, here and there among 
 them, thick groves of timber ; and then, again, nothing for 
 miles, save dry grass, and, occasionally, a musquit bush. — 
 There were many rocky hills on the first part of the day's 
 march. — Nine miles distance brought us to the hacienda of 
 Alomita, (or little cottonwood). Some few small trees of Cot- 
 tonwood grew on the bank of the stream, that flowed along 
 
362 HACIENDA OF ALOMITA. 
 
 the base of the hill upon which the hacienda is situated. — We 
 crossed the stream, toiled up the hill, and entered the town ; 
 (for the collection of houses of the peones of the estate, made 
 quite a town). Here w^e found the company of cavalry that 
 had been sent on by the general last night. They and their 
 horses had fared sumptuously, by command of the owner of 
 the hacienda, Don Juan Cardonas — the fairest complexioned 
 Mexican we had seen ; affable, polite ; a gentleman in ap- 
 pearance, and a prince in estate. When he heard that Gen. 
 Patterson had come in, — which was earlier in the morning 
 than he expected — for the general, taking only the guard 
 with him, had left the advance of the army three miles 
 back, — he came out in a hurry to meet him ; was very anx- 
 ious to have him alight, and take a cup of coffee, &c. ; but 
 Patterson could not do it. He only wanted corn ; and the 
 demand was made for it, and a reasonable price offered. — 
 (Gen. Patterson had improved in this respect, of attending to 
 the wants of horses as of men, since he had been with old 
 Zach. again ; and, on this march to Tampico, we had no rea- 
 son to complain, for want of forage.) — We remained halted, 
 at the edge of the square or plaza of the hacienda, while 
 the general and the "don" made their arrangements, by 
 means of an interpreter, Selby, an American who accom- 
 panied us. Don Juan was a man who had traveled much, 
 and knew a little English. 
 
 We were struck with the population of his hacienda, which 
 could not have been less than twelve or fifteen hundred. — 
 The large buildings for himself, his administrador, or overseer, 
 officers, &c., called la casa grande ; were built of stone, and 
 occupied two sides of the large square : — part of one side 
 was occupied by the church, which was not a capilla, like 
 the other haciendas, but a parochia, in which a curate offi- 
 ciated, having ecclesiastical jurisdiction over all the capillas 
 in the surrounding country, comprehended in the limits of 
 his curacy. The parochia was finely built of stone, and a 
 great profusion of carved work, of large proportions, covered 
 its front towards the squai'e. Three heavy bells were in its 
 tower, and in religious convenience, the people of this haci- 
 enda seemed to be as well accommodated as though they 
 
SUPPLY OF CORN FROM HACIENDA. 363 
 
 were in a city. The curate, with his long black robe, and 
 three-cornered cap, walked out to the corner, and politely- 
 touched his hat to the guard, with the expression " Buenos 
 dias Sehorcs.'''' He had a good-humored, intelligent counte- 
 nance, pleasant appearance, and seemed in no ways alarmed 
 or disconcerted at our presence ; but on the contrary, all 
 the time he was there, he seemed to be interested in us ; and 
 especially his attention was taken by the size of the horses. 
 One of his tenientes, or under priests, was with him, and for 
 a few moments they carried on a brisk conversation, and 
 passed back toward la casa grande. 
 
 Their conduct was quite a contrast to that of the capillan, 
 mentioned on January 4th, who, as we appeared in sight, 
 opened the ceremony of " nucstro Scfio?^ esta patented'' and by 
 the dismal tolling of the bell, set the whole populace of the 
 hacienda, wherever they w^ere scattered vi^ithin the sound, to 
 crossing themselves, and praying earnestly to the saints for 
 deliverance. 
 
 This valley adjoining the town, (for so we might call the 
 hacienda), spread out, below the crossing of the road, into a 
 spacious area, which was watered by ditches that diverted 
 the water from the brook ; — this valley was very fertile and 
 productive,* and cultivated with care. Don Juan promised 
 the general immediately to send a large number of his pe- 
 ones into this valley and gather one piece of corn, (which 
 contained about fifty acres), and have it shelled out in season 
 for the wagons to take this evening. He was to receive one 
 dollar and twenty-five cents per fanega, nearly two bushels. 
 (This seemed a heavy job, but with the force he had, he ea- 
 sily accomplished it). 
 
 Although this town was so large, yet it was but part of 
 
 * Immense tracts of land, fertile in quality of soil, are left entirely uncultivated in 
 Mexico, in every part, for the want of water upon them. As a general rule, no land 
 is fit to cultivate, save that which can be watered by ditches ; for the long dry season 
 parches every other. Many tracts of these uncultivated regions, however, afford, du- 
 ring the rainy season, and for some time afterward, excellent grass for pasturage; — 
 other immense bodies, about in the mountains, are perfectly bare ; and where so, no 
 animal lives. Where water is plenty, as was the case from Victoria to Tampico, at 
 every few miles distance, some deer and other wild animals are found. The hacien- 
 das and ranchos are only on or near the streams. 
 
364 EXTENT OF HACIENDA. 
 
 the domain of Don Juan. — On a high hill, far to the north, 
 was another town to be seen ; — this, too, was part of the 
 same hacienda.* 
 
 The head of the cavalry had come up to the town daring 
 the time in which this arrangement was going on, and the 
 general, followed by us, moved ahead. 
 
 He gave permission for one out of each of the three 
 messes in the guard to leave the lines to hunt ; with the cau- 
 tion, however, to look out for the lancers, a body of whom, 
 we had learned, were in the vicinity, and had remained at 
 this hacienda two nights before. — Three men went ; but two 
 of them soon returned ; — the other one we saw no more of 
 until night. — We found the hills now spreading out in an 
 undulating surface, beautiful to the eye, with, here and there, 
 groves of la palma bendita, musquit, sword palmetto, &c. 
 At other places, there was nothing on them but grass. 
 
 The range of mountains were now at a great distance in 
 the rear ; the mesas, or flat-topped hills had disappeared ; — 
 but we were nearing the lofty isolated peak of Mont Ber- 
 nal, which was to our front and right, to the southward of 
 our route, as we passed down toward the coast. — Eighteen 
 miles march from Alomita brought us to a pretty creek, 
 with high banks, at which Gen. Twiggs had encamped the 
 night before : the general crossed the creek, and selected the 
 place for his marquees ; and our situation was appointed 
 near. The regiment of cavalry followed, and encamped 
 
 • These haciendas are on tracts of land granted, in former times, to particular indi- 
 viduals, by the king of Spain. — No actual surveys were made, but the boundaries were 
 designated by the points in view, and the principal intention being, fully to cover the 
 water courses. They are described in the grant, somewhat in this way : — " Beginning at 
 the crest of such a mountain named, at the commencement of its descent ; running about 
 such a course, towards another mountain named, so many hours' or days' ride ; — 
 thence towards another mountain, about such a course, to the mountain, or so many- 
 hours' ride ; " and so on through the whole. Notwithstanding the vagueness of the 
 boundaries, few disputes arise, because they are almost always bounded by dry tracts, 
 of no value. 
 
 These haciendas are often very large, some of them taking in a thousand or more of 
 square miles. When one is sold, the original grant from the king of Spain is assigned 
 over to the purchaser, accompanied by another instrument containing the indebtedness 
 of each peon on it, and these are also passed over, and the peones labor for the new 
 master as they did for the old. 
 
SLIGHT ATTACK BY LANCERS. ' 365 
 
 on the opposite side of the creek ; while the three regi- 
 ments of infantry crossed it. The wagon train was on both 
 sides. 
 
 In the evening our mess-mate, R. S. Courteney, came 
 in, his horse dripping with sweat. — He had been chased 
 over hill and valley, for some distance, by several lancers, 
 who only desisted when coming on a hill in view of 
 the army. The speed of his horse saved him. — Courteney 
 thought he had made a narrow escape, and at night he pat- 
 ted his horse, rubbed him, and talked to him, as though he 
 thought that the animal could understand his words. — (The 
 lancers this day attacked the rear of Gen. Quitman's brigade. 
 They only killed one man, however, and took another pris- 
 oner, when they were dispersed by some of Captain Haynes' 
 company, of our regiment, now with that brigade). 
 
 Much anxiety was felt in company G, of the cavalry, for 
 the safety of two men, corporal Rhoton and private N. W. 
 Ragland, who left the lines to scout and hunt, and had not 
 come up at night.* — Distance marched this day, twenty- 
 seven miles. 
 
 TJmrsday, January 2\st. We resumed the march at an 
 early hour. — We had now come down into an extensive 
 rolling prairie, covered with grass, but mostly dead ; — the 
 mountains still faintly visible in the distance, in the rear ; 
 but on the right, over a great distance of rolling prairie, the 
 mountain of Bernal raised its lofty peak above the clouds, 
 and stood out alone, a massive, noble object, overlooking the 
 whole country. It rose gradually, for a long distance, and 
 then, as it were, suddenly shot its vast bulk upwards, nearly 
 perpendicularly ; appearing, from its very loneliness, the 
 more imposing. — Its summit was rent and seamed, and it 
 presented every appearance of an extinct volcano {See plate 
 
 ' * The next day, Capt. Sneed, of company G, sent back four men, to look for the lost 
 two ; hut the day passed away, the march was made, and none had come up at the 
 succeeding morning. The company was halted, and half remained at camp, while the 
 other half went back for the six, and were fortunate enough to find them ; — the four 
 had found the lost two, and were bringing them up. The Mexicans had not seen 
 them, being deterred from coming near the road by Quitman's brigade advancing.— 
 The company was reunited, and all joined the regiment the succeeding day. 
 
366 HACIENDA OF CHOCOI. 
 
 jpage 368). — We passed over the rolling lands of fine soil, but 
 dry, with much grass upon them, on which large droves of 
 horses, mules, and cattle were feeding ; and at ten A. M., 
 after a march of twenty-one miles, we arrived at the hacienda 
 of Chocoi ; after passing on the route, several ranchos, and 
 much cultivated land, enclosed with brush fences. 
 
 We halted a little while in front of la casa grande (the own- 
 er's house), on a sort of square, and then proceeded on near 
 the tanque, or artificial pond of water, for the use of the ha- 
 cienda ; here, turning to the right, we passed down a gentle 
 slope along a fence of musquit sticks and brush, and the gen- 
 eral selected his quarters under the shade of some lignum- 
 vitse and rose-wood trees, in the little valley, while our posi- 
 tion, by the aid, was appointed to us, up a little higher, near 
 the musquit fence. 
 
 The cavalry soon came in, in long columns, and filed to 
 the left of the hacienda, encamping in and about the ex- 
 tended lots. — The infantry regiments folloM'-ed ; and their 
 position was assigned in the middle space, on the bare 
 knolls, and around the tanque ; while most of the wagon 
 train drew up in long lines between the general and the 
 infantry. — As usual, two hours, or more, elapsed, before the 
 rear guard made its appearance ; and shortly after that, the 
 tents were all up, in every direction, and all were busy in the 
 camp, which immediately appeared as though it had been 
 occupied a month or more. 
 
 Wood was scarce ; plenty of green lignum-vitge, on the 
 little hills on the right — this, in its outside appearance of 
 bark, resembles hickory ; but did not burn like it, — for one 
 might as well attempt to burn a brick, as a piece of it green. 
 — The men of the guard being obliged to have fuel, pulled 
 up some of the stakes, and burned a little of the brush of the 
 old fence. It was amusing to see them watch the general's 
 quarters, while they collected enough of this for fires ; which 
 they knew would expose them to severe punishment, if found 
 out; but hunger, and the want of fuel to get their meals, 
 made them run all risks. — (It has not been mentioned, that 
 dry musquit makes as good a fire as our best hickory, and 
 that it burns freely, and with intense heat, and yet lasts well, 
 
DON KAMON PRIETO. 367 
 
 being close grained and heavy ; so much so, that when a dry 
 and sound piece is lifted, and struck with a quick blow, it 
 has a peculiar, short, ringing sound, somewhat like that of 
 metal). 
 
 This hacienda of Chocoi was not as large as that of Alo- 
 mita ; not having, according to appearances, more than 
 a hundred or two peones ; though the number of these is not 
 easily estimated, they being stowed so thickly in the rude 
 buildings, and many living about in la casa grande. — The 
 owner, Don Ramon Prieto, v/as a man of the old Spanish 
 blood, light in complexion, and gentlemanly in appearance ; 
 he had traveled much in the United States, and in England, 
 and spoke the English language pretty well, as also did his 
 son, who had spent some time at school in Philadelphia. — 
 "Whenever we came across these higher order of Mexicans, 
 who have resided or visited in the United States, we found 
 them quite friendly, and apparently attached to our country, 
 and also to our customs ; though not so much so, as to make 
 them alter their own very materially. — As an instance of this 
 the don of this hacienda still had his old fashioned Spanish 
 carriage, in preference to one of our style. 
 
 This old carriage, of the kind used altogether in the inte- 
 rior, is worth a description, from its singular shape and ap- 
 pearance, and as it excited much curiosity in those who walk- 
 ed up to the casa grande, where it stood under the large piazza. 
 The hind wheels were large and strong, about five and a half 
 feet in diameter; the fore ones stout, but low, not being more 
 than two and a half feet ; the axles were both very heavy, as 
 also was the high bolster on the fore one ; two large pieces, 
 looking like small timbers for a house, ran from the hind 
 axle-trees to the bolster, and connected the two ; two 
 heavy uprights stood from the hind axle, and corresponding 
 two from the bolster ; these had cross pieces equally large, 
 and carved ; all this made the frame ; stouter and heavier 
 than that of any six horse wagon, larger also ; for the width 
 between the wheels or track, was about eight feet and a half, 
 and from the fore axle to the hind one, between eleven and 
 twelve feet. — The reader can judge what a cumbrous frame 
 this was ; but the body supported by it, was not larger than 
 
368 THE DON'S OLD SPANISH CARRIAGE. 
 
 that of one of our common carriages, seating only six per- 
 sons on the two seats ; this body was hung on huge leather 
 braces, that passed, from the cross piece on the fore axle, to 
 that over the hind one ; of course the fore wheels were before 
 the carriage, and the hind ones as much behind it. The har- 
 ness was cumbrous, heavy, loaded with brass, and had heavy 
 coverings or bags for the tails of the mules. Seven were 
 harnessed to the heavy carriage : two at the wheels, then 
 three abreast, then two more, with three riders along, there 
 being no driver. 
 
 January 22d. We, of the guard, were roused about mid- 
 night, by one of our men, who dreamed that it was day,, 
 made up a large fire, and waking us, soon set us all to 
 cooking, when we found that it was not near daylight ; and,, 
 on coming out of the bushes, we saw that each of the regi- 
 ments around, were all asleep but the sentinels. — However, 
 we finished our breakfast, fed our horses, wrapped ourselves 
 in our blankets, and again lay down to sleep, with some mut- 
 tered exclamations against the wakefulness of our old mess- 
 mate. — We slept but little, however. — We were again awa- 
 kened by the reveille. — In a few moments all were in motion ; 
 the roll calls of every company were called ; the fires were 
 kindled, breakfast dispatched, tents down, and in the wagons ; 
 and all were on the march by daylight, save company G, of 
 the cavalry, which halted, as before mentioned, (in note), tO' 
 hunt up its missing members. 
 
 Gen. Patterson had now determined to go to Tampico in 
 two days, though it was three days' march for the troops ; 
 and, this morning, he detached two companies of the cav- 
 alry, — Capt. Caswell's and Lieut. Lacy's,* — to go with him ; 
 and, taking the guard, with these he set out, leaving the di- 
 vision under the command of Gen. Pillow. — Gen. Patterson 
 was still unable to ride on horseback, and continued in the 
 wagon, which could not be driven very rapidly. — The de- 
 
 * This is the company mentioned before as Capt. Lenow's. That officer returned 
 from Matamoras home, on furlough, and while there, declining to return to the war, 
 sent back his resignation. The command then fell on the first lieutenant for the re- 
 mainder of the campaign, and he discharged its duties with honor to himself and sat-- 
 isfaotion to his company. 
 
24 
 
MOUNTAIN OF BERNAL. 371 
 
 tachment, therefore, did not gain much on the division com- 
 ing behind, for some hours. — The mountain of Bernal was 
 still upon our right ; a view of which, as well as of an at- 
 ajo,* (drove of pack mules), with their accompanying arrie- 
 ros, or drivers, that we met near this place, may be seen on 
 the opposite page. 
 
 After proceeding about fourteen miles, over a beautiful, 
 undulating country, of rich soil, but with no inhabitants, with 
 
 ATAJOS, AHRIBROS, MERCHAKTS, AND CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICEHS Ili MEXICO. 
 
 • As we met these continually on the marches, and as little has been said about 
 them, and as the whole internal commerce of Mexico is carried on by means of these 
 arrieros, or muleteers, supplying the place of rail roads, canals, and wagons in our 
 country, and as, throughout the country, as well as in old Spain, the same system is 
 pursued, an account of this class of people will be found interesting. One who pur- 
 sues the business of an arriero has his atajos of mules, which are his own property, 
 and, together with their halters, pack-saddles, or aparejos, are his whole stock in trade. 
 A full atajo consists of sixty mules, though a smaller number is called the same 
 name. A good mule, with its aparejo, is worth about thirty dollars. 
 
 He also has a trained, docile horse for himself, and five or six others for his attend- 
 ants ; — beside these, he has a gentle horse, commonly a white, gray, or claybank, with a 
 bell ©n his neck. This horse always goes before, and the mules will follow after him, 
 though they will not follow one of their own kind, even if belled. A horse of a light 
 color is selected on account of the ease by which the mules can recognize him at a 
 little distance. — The sight of him, and the sound of the bell, starts them all towards 
 him. (The author's horse, a handsome claybank, with long and full white mane and 
 tail, at camp Ringgold, near Matamoras, was always, when turned loose, followed by 
 two or three Mexican mules, belonging to the train, and it was with great difficulty that 
 they could be driven away from him. For this, then, the author was at a loss to ac- 
 count, but did so easily afterwards ; for, as pack mules in the service of an arriero, 
 they had followed a horse of the same color). 
 
 The arriero has in his service six peones for every atajo he owns ; — these are bound 
 by debt to him, in the same manner that the general class are bound to the owners of 
 the haciendas or ranchos. These are each provided with a lasso for catching the re- 
 fractory mules, and each has a long straight sword and sometimes a gun, for their de- 
 fence against the ladrones, or robbers, which infest all the highways. The arriero is 
 ready with his atajo and attendants, for a journey to any part of the republic. A 
 merchant in Saltillo, for instance, proceeds to the coast to buy his goods, or perhaps 
 he may go to New Orleans, or have them shipped from England. — They arrive at Mat- 
 amoras ; they are passed through the custom house, where they are strictly examined, 
 to see that they contain nothing but what is allowed to come into the country, for there 
 are many articles that are not admitted. — I'his examination, however, is slight, or en- 
 tirely omitted, if the merchant gives to the collector, or administrador, a bribe. — 
 When the goods are landed, the merchant must pay upon them a port duty, of from 
 fifty to four hundred per cent 
 ■ His goods are now at the custom house ; —his next inquiry is for an arriero to take 
 
372 LECHUGAS, OR THORNY FLAG PLANT. 
 
 high hills in the distance, on either hand, and splendid views 
 continually opening anew, we came to a swamp of large 
 timber, thick ; and under it was a close growth of lechugas, 
 or the thorny flag mentioned, [see plate, page 368). — The soil 
 of this swamp, now hard as a rock, and having the impress, 
 plainly, of tracks made months since, is very boggy when 
 wet. — Four miles through this, brought us out to the bank 
 of the upper bay of the large lake of Carpentero, at which 
 
 ATAJOS, ARBIEROS, MERCHANTS, AND CCSTOM HOUSE OFFICERS IN MEXICO. 
 
 them to the interior. He finds one, and a bargain is concluded at so much a cargo, — 
 that is, a mule load, — (three hundred pounds in our weight). The mules are driven 
 up to the custom house and packed with the goods. — Another duty is now laid upon 
 these, called an extraction duty ; — this is eighteen per cent. The merchant, before 
 the goods are taken, must give security that he will pay this amount within one, two, 
 three, four, or five months, or longer, according to the distance they are to be taken. 
 On this account, the merchant commonly states his destination to be much farther 
 than he really means to carry them. He therefore states his destination to be Mon- 
 terey, Saltillo,and Durango. On a stamped paper is made out a list of the goods, the 
 boxes, marks and contents, and the certificate of the collector, that the merchant has 
 paid the port duties on the goods, and given security for the extraction duty, and he is 
 therefore allowed to take the goods to Monterey, Saltillo, and Durango, or elsewhere, 
 according as he has stated his destination. — This paper is called a guia. 
 
 The arriero and his men load on the mules, over their pack-saddles, which are sim- 
 ply immense pairs of leather saddlebags, stuffed with straw. — He gives the merchant 
 a receipt for the number of boxes, and then, commonly accompanied by the latter, the 
 atajo sets off on its journey. The mules travel about twenty miles a day ; — at night 
 are unloaded and turned out to graze ; and poor picking they have, too. However, 
 they are so hardy, that dry grass and weeds go very well with them ; and, if not too 
 hardly driven, they are commonly in good order. In the morning they are driven up 
 to the piles of merchandise and row of pack-saddles ; and so well do they know their 
 own, that one will go to no other. They stand in a row, and the muleteers load 
 them again, and all, as before, start off" after the bell horse. 
 
 During the day, the time of the arriero and his men is continually employed in 
 seeing that the loads are right. If a box slips, two of them ride up to the mule bear- 
 ing it, and put a leathern blind-fold over his eyes ; — the string of this is dropped over 
 his long ears, and the blind coming down, prevents him from seeing ; — he instantly 
 stops, and nothing can induce him to move while this is on. They then fix his load 
 and lash it firmly, take off the blind, which they carry on their arm, (see plate) ; the 
 mule resumes his march ; — and thus, day by day, do the patient animals plod along. 
 
 They come near a town. — Here, too, is a custom house ; for Mexico is not like our 
 country, in having custom houses only on the ports and borders, and goods once in 
 pay no more ; but here, they are in every town ; and duties are to be paid in the in- 
 terior, as well as on the coast. Mounted guards are on the hills and approaches to 
 the town. — These see the atajo coming ; — they take command, and accompany it to 
 the custom house. The long line of mules is stopped ; the questions asked, and the 
 
LAKE OF CARPENTERO 373 
 
 was a rancho ot several buildings. — While watering the 
 horses of the detachment here, the advance of the division 
 came in sight, and filed out to encamp. — (Here the author 
 left the guard of Gen. Patterson, on account of his horse be- 
 ing taken violently sick, and unable to proceed ; but, by the 
 kindness of Dr. Wright, the surgeon of Gen. Patterson's staff^ 
 the author was furnished with powerful medicines, which 
 saved his horse). — Gen. Patterson ordered him to remain 
 
 XTAJOS, AnRIEROS, MERCHANTS, AND CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICERS IN MEXICO. 
 
 guia examined. If the merchant does not wish to sell there, the custom house has 
 nothing to do with him, and the drove passes on, until after a few days' patient labor, 
 the next town is reached ; — the same thing takes place ; at the next the same ; the 
 next also ; and the same at every town passed. 
 
 After many days, the atajo approaches its destination. The guards, in the same 
 way as before, come forward and take it to the custom house ; — the guia is exhibited ; 
 the goods are examined, — slightly, if a bribe is given, — and unloaded there. — The 
 merchant pays the arriero ; who now seeks for a load to carry to some other place. — If 
 successful, he starts off loaded ; if not, he goes empty to another town, on his way 
 back to the coast. The custom house officers do not interrupt or hinder him, when 
 he has no burdens. 
 
 These arrieros are, as said before, the common carriers of Mexico. — They have 
 more to do with foreigners, (i. e. Americans, English, French, and Italians ; for the 
 majority of the merchants of the interior are of these nations), than any other class, 
 and, from them, they learn honor and fidelity to their employers. They are the more 
 honest and trusty class in Mexico, from the Don of the extensive hacienda, down to 
 the Indian peon. They can be trusted alone, with goods to carry from one end of the 
 republic to the other, against all incidents but robbery ; but they will not, although 
 armed, defend with vigor their cargas against the ladrones, or robbers, that swarm 
 upon the public roads, without the owner is with them. If he is along, especially if 
 he is an American, Englishman, or Frenchman, whom they know will expose his life 
 to save his property, they will then second his defence with vigor and bravery ; — con- 
 sequently, when such owner is along, the atajos are seldom attacked. Such are the 
 arrieros, a good-humored, honest set ; the same to-day as a class, that they were fifty 
 years since, and will be as long as the present population remains. 
 
 But as we were obliged to bring in the merchant, as well as the custom house, in 
 order to give a correct account of the arriero, let us follow them through ; for, although 
 two duties have been exacted from him, on the goods brought, still the custom house 
 has not done with him yet. He has paid the port duty, and given bond for the exac- 
 tion duty of eighteen per cent. ; and has paid the arriero for the transportation, and 
 the goods now lie in the custom house stores in the place of his final destination. 
 
 He wishes to take them to his store to sell. — Before he can do this, he must pay 
 the third duty of eighteen per cent., called the internal duty ; and not only so, but 
 ' a fourth one, municipal duty, to the corporation of the town, for the privilege of sell- 
 ing them there. — After this, he is allowed to open them for sale. 
 
 But suppose that he finds that he has too much for the market, or that, while he 
 
374 DIGNITY OF OFFICERS. 
 
 with the division, to come up with it; and, when arrived at 
 Tampico, to report himself to Col. Abercrombie, his aid. — 
 (The comparative dignity of generals, and some of the infe- 
 rior officers, has been mentioned. This was exemplified at 
 this moment. The sick horse, on the ground near the gen- 
 eral's wagon, required immediate bleeding, but not a fleam, 
 nor even a penknife, could be procured, with which to do 
 it. A lieutenant, who had been speaking to the general, 
 was standing near the wagon. The author, being pretty 
 well acquainted with him, asked him to lend his penknife, to 
 bleed the horse. — It was amusing to see the haughty air with 
 which he drew himself up, and, without making any reply, 
 (struck speechless, with the arrant impudence of such a 
 request, made by a long bearded private, to his smoothly 
 shaven, nicely dressed lordship, and that, too, in the imme- 
 diate presence of the major general), looked our author in 
 the face, to rebuke his insolence, with as much severity as 
 it was possible for a man to put on. — He, however, was 
 
 ATAJOS, ABRIEROS, MERCHANTS, AICD CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICERS IW MEXICO. 
 
 was engaged in this long transportation, another had brought a supply, and he wishes 
 to send his to the next large town. In that case, the custom house again gets hold of 
 him, if that town is out of his state ; for, before he can start with them, he must take 
 out a guia, as before ; and upon that must pay another internal duty of eighteen per 
 cent., and another municipal duty at the town to which he is sending them. The 
 four original duties on the same goods are yet not all the exactions ; for still another 
 comes, in an indirect manner. — He has given bond and security to pay the extraction 
 duty of eighteen per cent, in the first port ; this he must take in specie ; but, as it en- 
 ters the town, it is taken to the custom house, and although it came to pay to them* 
 yet it is regarded as coming to be exported, and another duty of ten per cent, is taken 
 from it. — The whole system is calculated to exact every quartilla possible, from the 
 merchants and people. 
 
 No wonder that the merchant should endeavor to avoid this enormous taxation* 
 which, however, at last, comes not out of him, but from the people ; as, for every 
 tax he pays, he increases the price of his goods so much ; and thus the government 
 grind down the people, not only into poverty, but even into slavery, or the system of 
 peonage, the same ; — and, although we are digressing, yet let us follow the subject far 
 enough to see its effects upon the bondage of the peon. 
 
 The law obliges him to take two-thirds of his scanty wages, of his master, in goods 
 for himself and his family. Now the merchant who brings these, adds to their ori- 
 ginal cost, the amount of the five taxes, then his profit, and at the gross amount sells 
 them to the owner of the hacienda. He, too, has his profit on the whole, which, by 
 universal custom, is one hundred per cent, on the merchant's prices ; and at this, tho 
 articles are sold to the peon. Can he ever be out of debt to his master? 
 
 But to the merchant again. — He sometimes succeeds in getting more goods in, thaa 
 
IMPUDENCE OF A PRIVATE. 375 
 
 thinking of little else save the sickness of his favorite horse, 
 and was not struck with much terror at the lieutenant's 
 frowning countenance. — Gen. Patterson saw it all, — for it 
 was within a few feet of him ; and, waiting a moment, see- 
 ing that the officer did not intend to comply with the request, 
 immediately, with a smile, he handed his own splendid knife 
 to the author, telling him to use every exertion to save so 
 good a horse, &c. — The lieutenant immediately looked aston- 
 ished, then deeply mortified ; mortified, though, not at his ac- 
 tion, but at being so quietly rebuked for it, by the general). — 
 The detachment shortly afterward moved on. The author 
 now found himself in an unpleasant situation ; his mess gone, 
 and forage all missing ; — his company were behind. — Shortly 
 however, he was kindly invited by Col. Thomas, to come to 
 his tent and table, until the division again came up with the 
 general ; of which kind invitation he availed himself so far 
 as to procure his meals, and shared the tent of the assistant 
 surgeon, Dr. Stout. — The colonel also divided with him the 
 forage of his own horses. 
 
 ATAJOS, ARKIEUOS, MERCHANTS, AND CUSTOM HOUSE OFFICERS IN MEXICO. 
 
 are marked in his guia ; or else, he brings in a contraband article that pays him a high 
 profit. — He does this by continual bribery of the custom house officers. — When the 
 atajo is approaching the town of its final destination, all the goods that are contraband, 
 or that are not marked in the guia, which he has brought along by bribery of the officers, 
 the arriero places on separate mules, and some of his men drive these to a by-place in 
 the mountains near, or to some place of concealment. The remainder of the goods, 
 that are regularly marked, and have paid the duties so far, are driven in towards the 
 guards boliily, and taken by them to the custom house — The merchant finds the 
 guard who stands at such a point ; — a few dollars given him, and the mules secreted 
 can be driven in by him at night, and he will never see them, even should they brush 
 him with their burdens ; or he suddenly finds that an atajo is trying to slip in on an- 
 other side of town, and he leaves his post to go there, &c. The mules are silently 
 driven to an appointed place, and the gates of the high court yard receive them within. 
 They are unloaded, and the goods stowed away. — A little extra present to the arriero, 
 
 for his part of the game, and all is right If, by accident, the custom house officers 
 
 suspect the matter, a bribe to them makes them forget to search. 
 
 And now the author asks pardon of the reader, for the insertion of so long a 
 note ; but, as it describes the whole manner of transportation in Mexico, by the ar- 
 rieros shown in the picture, and also the system of her internal and external duties ; 
 the corruption of her public officers, and the bearing of the whole system upon the peo- 
 ple, he hopes that it will repay the perusal. — The reader, of course, will understand, that 
 in the ports taken by the United States' forces, all these duties are, for the time held by 
 them, abolished. 
 
376 RANCHO AT LAICE CARPENTERO. 
 
 This place, at which we were now encamped, was on a 
 wide plain, bare of vegetation ; for some distance back it 
 was of alluvial soil, deposited by the lake, which, at times, 
 overflowed the most of it. — On the bank of the lake was, as 
 said before, a rancho of fifteen or twenty houses. This was 
 here situated, for the raising of stock. — The lake, winding 
 around, was spread out in the distance, in a smooth sheet ; 
 far across it, rose a range of high hills. — Distance marched 
 this day eighteen miles. 
 
 Saturday, January 23d. The whole division was on the 
 march, before sunrise. — The author's horse, not being yet 
 entirely recovered, but sufiiciently so to go leisurely, he got 
 on, according to the general's directions, as easily as he 
 could. Sometimes he was near the cavalry ; then the artil- 
 lery and the infantry would pass him ; and, as he stopped to 
 rest his horse, half, or more, of the train would go by ; but 
 when rested, he could again pass these, the infantry, and artil- 
 lery, and come up to the cavalry again : and thus he spent 
 the day very agreeably ; for he had an opportunity to notice 
 the passage of the whole division, from the advance to the 
 rear, and to observe the continual sport and hilarity of the 
 infantry. The most of this, however, was found in the 
 " mustang cavalry" — a description of force unknown to the 
 army regulations, but which accompanied us from Victoria. 
 — It was composed of numbers, from the three regiments 
 of infantry. — Any one that could raise the means to buy a 
 long-eared buri^o (jackass), or a mule, or old Mexican horse, 
 or any such conveyance, immediately entered the mustang 
 cavalry. — Such animals could be bought for from three to 
 five dollars, — Some of the riders had procured Mexican sad- 
 dles, with their horse-hair housings, and bridles also; while 
 some had bridles, but no saddles; — others had saddles, with- 
 out bridles ; while others, again, had neither. — Here was a 
 soldier large as life, with his musket in his hand, on a little 
 jackass, without saddle or bridle, and so small, that the rider 
 had to lift his feet from the ground ; — the little burro jogged 
 along with him, occasionally stopping to gather a bite of 
 grass. — Here was another, on an old Mexican horse, whose 
 bones showed plainly against his tight hide, having sunken 
 
THE "MUSTANG CAVALRY." 
 
 377 
 
 eyes, and not able to go out of a walk. — Here was another 
 little jack that refused to proceed, while a stout man had his 
 shoulder to his rump, heaving him on; he had half a dozen 
 muskets and cartridge-boxes for his load. There was a sol- 
 dier endeavoring to pull a mule along, by the lariat, while 
 another was beating him. — Another was boasting how finely 
 his little burro carried him without saddle or bridle, when the 
 animal purposely turned under a long, thorny musquit limb, 
 and brushed him off quickly, tearing him with the thorns. 
 — Here went one loaded with mess-bags, camp-kettles, &c., 
 followed by a larger burro, with two riders and no saddle. — 
 This mustang cavalry, too, had an officer ; as much of a 
 jackass as any with the long ears. He was a small man, 
 and rode a miserable, poor, little horse, with an old, torn 
 saddle, but no bridle, but with a rope round the horse's nose; 
 he paid no attention to the fun going on about him, but, filled 
 with dignity, rode on, the most ridiculous object to be seen. 
 — His appearance of importance was so amusing, that the 
 author made some inquiries of the men, as to who he was, 
 and found him to be a commissary, or else a quarter-master 
 of one of the regiments. 
 
 We passed, on the march, another atajo, or drove of mules, 
 bound from Tampico, into the interior ; these were heavily 
 laden, but moved along with steadiness. — On the way along, 
 we noticed, that the musquit was generally in bloom, having 
 upon it thousands of small balls, each the size of a marble, 
 of white and yellow colors, and pleasant fragrance. — After 
 twenty-one miles march, over a beautiful, undulating country, 
 of rich soil, mostly free from timber, having passed several 
 
 Mustang Cavalry. 
 
378 TOWN OF ALTAMIRA. 
 
 ranchos on the way, we arrived at the old town of Altamira, 
 on the same lake — Carpentero. Here we encamped, on the 
 border of this lake, near the town, into which many went 
 up, and soon came back, telling all that there was chewing 
 tobacco to sell there. — Many of the men had, for a long 
 time, been without this article, which, in the interior, was not 
 to be procured ; and now, every one who could raise " dos 
 reales" (twenty-five cents), went up to buy ; — it was not very 
 good, but still appeared, to those who had been so long with- 
 out, a great luxury. {See note, page 393.) 
 
 We found the town of Altamira to be a dilapidated place, 
 having nothing of interest in its streets and squares, save 
 a massive old church, that had been standing for two or 
 three centuries; and it appeared as though it might stand 
 as much longer. It was a curious structure, high, exten- 
 sive, and heavy. On taking a side view of it, one would 
 hardly know, whether to pronounce it an old feudal castle, 
 a heavy fort, or a gloomy prison, similar to the Bastile ; 
 certainly a church would be the last thing he would think 
 of. It had heavy stone abutments, running up against the 
 walls, appearing like the piers of our bridges, when built 
 out, as defences against ice. There was a heavy, eight- 
 sided dome on the top, which was a little different from the 
 common style of their churches. We were informed that 
 much wealth belonged to this old church ; and that its inte- 
 rior had been most superbly finished in former times, and still 
 so continued ; — we had no opportunity to examine it. — The 
 name Altamira signifies a high view, and was probably ap- 
 plied to this place on account of the lovely prospect out on 
 the lake, which is studded with green islands ; in no other 
 direction is the view extensive. — Lake Carpentero commu- 
 nicates with thePanuco river; and the inhabitants informed 
 us, that vessels, drawing less than five feet of water, might 
 come up the river by Tampico, into the lake, and wind their 
 way along in the channels between the numerous islands, 
 and come up to the town. They might do so, but there is 
 nothing at Altamira for them to come for. — With the lovely 
 country around it well settled and cultivated, it would be the 
 garden spot of the nation. 
 
AGAVE AAIEUICANA, OR MAGUEY. 381 
 
 The men found here plenty of brandy, muscal, and other 
 liquors to sell, of which many of them partook rather too 
 freely. — One liquor that is much in use in every part of 
 Mexico, but more especially towards the centre and south- 
 ern, was also for sale here, as well as in every town that we 
 have passed. This is pulque, the fermented juice of the agave 
 Americana, or maguey ; plenty of which we had already seen 
 growing. The wild maguey, of which the strong liquor mus- 
 cal, is made, has already been mentioned. A description 
 of this enormous plant, which lives and thrives to the age 
 of from fifty to eighty years, will not give to the reader as 
 correct an idea of its appearance, as a representation in 
 a view. The author, therefore, sketched the appearance of 
 two of these plants, which were growing near a rancho, two 
 days before reaching Altamira. This view, on the oppo- 
 site page, shows the two plants, of not more than twenty or 
 twenty-five years old, and not fit yet to tap, to obtain the 
 juice, or pulque. The size of the leaves can be seen by 
 comparison with the height of the Mexican, smoking his 
 cigarro, near. — Of the manner of obtaining the pulque, we 
 will speak, when giving the account of all Mexican liquors, 
 and methods of distillation, &c. {see page 403). The leaves 
 of this plant are covered, on either edge, with thorns, and 
 are pointed with the same.* — In this view, also, is shown a 
 small rancho, on the little brook, in the back ground; a field 
 enclosed by a stick fence, near the rancho ; a corner of 
 another fence, on the right of the foreground, and an irriga- 
 ting ditch, by which the water was diverted from the brook 
 above, and carried to a field below. (This ditch in front, the 
 engraver has hid too much, by the grass on its bank). 
 
 January 24th. Another, and the fourth change of appear- 
 
 * This maguey is very useful to the Mexicans. It not only furnishes them with 
 pulque and muscal, but of the strong fibres in its leaves they manufacture roi)e, and 
 sacking of all kinds (called guaiigoche) ; beside, shoe thread (peiajloxa), and strong 
 sewing thread (called pcta torcidd). — The upright shoot of the wild plants, when 
 roasted, is sold in small pieces, by the name of quiote. This is prized for chewing, 
 —on account of its sweetness, — as they would chew sugar-cane ; and men, women 
 and children, when not smoking, frequently have this quiote in mastication. — The an- 
 cient Mexicans made as much use of this plant as those of the present race ; and 
 beside, formed from its leaves a coarse kind of paper. 
 
382 CHANGE IN APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY. 
 
 ance of country since we had left Victoria, here met our 
 view. — Near Victoria, we had traveled over mountainous 
 scenery.; with a few rapid streams ; — then we struck the me- 
 sas, or table-topped hills, with extensive valleys between; — 
 next, we left those, and came out into a vast undulating 
 prairie, with some water, rich soil, and but little timber ; — 
 now, we passed over low, sandy lands, with heavy timber, 
 thickly growing ; — the whole appearing entirely different 
 from the former sections. — In the first section, it had been 
 dry, lonely, but grand ; — in the second, still bare and lonely, 
 but pleasing, from its endless change of views and land- 
 scapes ; — in the third, still more pleasing, being enlivened 
 by extensive views of rounded swells, succeeding each other, 
 until lost on the horizon — high, distant mountains, overlook- 
 ing the whole : the view of the landscape improved by the 
 grass, the palms, and scattered groves ; the large herds of 
 horses, mules, and cattle. — The fourth, upon which we had 
 now entered, was refreshing and delightful to gaze upon, on 
 account of its lofty oaks, of unknown species to us, its beau- 
 tiful palms, its lofty, graceful cocoas, of different kinds ; its 
 sabre trees, with large trunks and limbs, appearing, in color 
 and smoothness, as if bronzed; its spreading banyans, each 
 with several trunks ; its trees of orange, lemon, and lime; its 
 tall bananas, and sugar-cane ; its pine-apples, and other 
 fruits ; its flocks of noisy parrots, of brilliant plumage ; and 
 of many kinds of birds which, before, we had never seen. — 
 Our old acquaintance, the musquit, left us entirely ; but 
 very little cactus could we find ; the trees, now seen, were 
 without thorns : nothing was thorny, save the lechugas, or 
 thorny flag, and the maguey. 
 
 After commencing the march in the morning, the road 
 wound along the lovely shores of the lake, which, in hun- 
 dreds of pretty indentations, formed little bays and inlets,, 
 upon the green shore. Never before had we seen a lake so 
 crowded and studded with the most verdant and beautiful 
 small islands. — Over the road the tall trees bent their limbs, 
 covered with foliage of as lively green as though the season 
 had been May. 
 
 We now, for the first time in Mexico, saw little patches' 
 
LA ENCARNACION. 383 
 
 of land, — enclosures upon which was the residence of one 
 family only, — cultivated by one man, who appeared to be the 
 owner. These little fields now began to succeed each other 
 rapidly ; and in each one we saw a smoking coal-pit, put up 
 in our manner. — About each house were three or four patient 
 hurros, who were waiting for their loads of coal, to take into 
 the city ; while others were going in, and others yet return- 
 ing. — We noticed that many of these little enclosures had 
 beds of vegetables: cabbages, beans, onions, garlic, tomatos, 
 red pepper, &c., growing for market. The air was different 
 from before. Again we felt the sea breeze, that in an in- 
 stant can be told, as it falls upon the cheek, by its peculiar 
 freshness and invigorating power, — The whole scene was so 
 new, that the morning's march seemed but a few moments' 
 pleasant ride — and was short ; for eight miles brought us to 
 the little rancho of La Encarnacion, where, being plenty of 
 water, and only ten miles from Tampico, the division en- 
 camped, around and under the thick, shady trees. 
 
 The author continued on to Tampico, — for he yet belonged 
 to the general's guard, which had gone in, — arrived there, 
 and reported himself to Col. Abercrombie, as directed by 
 the general. He was released from any farther duty of the 
 guard, which had now been discharged from that duty ; and 
 had been ordered, with the two companies — Caswell's and 
 Lacy's — who had come in with the general, to return to the 
 duty of camp. These two companies, with the guard, start- 
 ed out, towards camp ; but the author remained in town un- 
 til the following morning, when he returned to the camp at 
 La Encarnacion, where all the regiment (save company G) 
 and the division then were. — That company, on the night of 
 their arrival, were ordered to Tampico, and immediately sent 
 over the river Panuco, into the state of Vera Cruz, as a 
 guard to the topographical engineers ; who were directed, 
 by Gen. Patterson, to reconnoitre the country. They were 
 gone upon this service three days. 
 
 Tuesday, Janvuary 2Qth. We have been two days in this 
 camp, and they had been devoted entirely, by all the regi- 
 ments, to rest and sleep. Plenty of corn and hay had been 
 sent out from Tampico for our use, and our wearied horses 
 
384 CAMP AT LA ENCARNACION. 
 
 at once began to fare well. — As for ourselves, we spent tlie 
 most part of the day, after the sun got up, in sleep or in con- 
 versation under the thick shade of the trees around ; and ev- 
 ery one seemed determined to make up for all that he had 
 lost, on the march from Victoria. — No drill or parade was 
 required of us here, and a glorious time of " napping it," we 
 had. — Gen. Quitman's brigade, which had come one day in 
 the rear of us, passed through our camp, and continued on 
 to a position within about three miles of the city. Capt. 
 Haynes' company of our regiment, had marched with this 
 brigade from Victoria. That officer, at the request of the 
 author, furnished to him some incidents of his march, which 
 will be found in the note.* — We wished much to go in near 
 town, also ; but we had no orders so to do. We were satis- 
 
 CAPT. haynes' company WITH GEN. aUITMAs's BRIKADE. 
 
 * " At Victoria, my company having been detached from the regiment, to march with 
 Gen. Quitman's brigade, and being ordered by Gen. Quitman to remain behind the 
 troops, till all the wagons, &c., had left the city, we took our post near the plaza. — 
 Here we saw the Mississippi regiment of volunteers, Capt. Bragg's and Lieut. Thomas' 
 companies of light artillery, and Col. May's squadron of dragoons, headed by Old 
 Rough and Ready, pass from their encampment, through the city, on their counter- 
 march towards Monterey. The general was dressed very plainly, and accompanied 
 by his staff. His appearance is that of a plain, blunt, and honest farmer, rather than 
 that of an old regular officer ; who are generally great sticklers for military dress. Not 
 so with Gen. Taylor. In plain citizen's dress, with forage cap, mounted upon a small 
 Mexican horse, which was, perhaps, captured in some of the battles, he did not look 
 like the great general, and the great military chieftain. At least, so said those who 
 had not seen him before. 
 
 " ' Why,' said one, to whom he was pointed out, ' is that General Taylor ? I never 
 should have taken that man for General Taylor ! ' 
 
 " < He is not as tall as I supposed he was,' said one. 
 
 " ' He is a younger man than he is represented to be,' said another. 
 
 " Bowing politely to all, and occasionally stopping to bid adieu to some old soldier 
 or volunteer, who had lingered on the streets to catch a parting glimpse of their 
 beloved general, Old Rough and Ready passed out of Victoria, followed by the kind 
 wishes of the whole army. His little army, that went back with him, numbered only 
 between seven hundred and fifty, and eight hundred. 
 
 " About noon, we left the city of Victoria. The Mexican population flowed out to 
 see the army march off, apparently much disconcerted, to see columns march off 
 towards the south, and the north ; and many were their inquiries, as to which route 
 Gen. Taylor would march. 
 
 " Being obliged to remain until all the troops of both armies had left, my company 
 patrolled the city, in different directions. Availing myself of the promising appear- 
 ance of the interior of a Mexican fonda (eating-house), kept by a senora, who had 
 
RETURN OF COMPANY FROM SCOUTING. 385 
 
 fied to remain where we were, for we had a fine, shady camp, 
 plenty of forage, plenty of provisions, and nothing in the 
 world to do ; and beside that, were, at that time, most 
 remarkably fond of repose. 
 
 January ^Ith. Company G returned from its scout in the 
 state of Vera Cruz, where they had been in the neighbor- 
 hood of a large Mexican force, under Gen. Cos, which has 
 been there collected for some time ; with that general's head 
 quarters at Tuspan, about seventy-five or eighty miles to the 
 southward. 
 
 The engineers sent out, under protection of the company, 
 finished their observation satisfactorily. — They reported that 
 section of country as being fertile, producing in abundance 
 pine apples, cocoa nuts, and every kind of the richest fruits, 
 
 CAPT. HATNES' COMPANY WITH GEK. aTJITMAs's BRIGADE. 
 
 made herself very obliging to those who liked Mexican dishes, with a friend or two, 
 I entered her house, called for ' cafe, pan, galUnas, huevos^ which means coffee, 
 bread, chickens, and eggs. Everything was soon ready, and our hostess assured us, 
 that it was all done up in American style. 
 
 " Having seen a commotion amongst the soldiery, she inquired if we were all going 
 away. We told her yes. She wished to know if Gen. Taylor was gone. We told 
 her, all, but us ; and we would be off immediately. Assuming a thoughtful air, she 
 exclaimed, " Yo soy triste ! Mid triste / " (I am sad — I am grieved) ; and then, as if 
 soliloquising, she continued : ' entonccs, no puedo vender mas cafe, ni pan, ni hue- 
 vos ; ni mas gallinas .'' (Then, I shall sell no more coffee, nor bread, nor eggs ; no 
 more chickens*.) ' Americanos, mui amigos .' Mexicanos, mal .'^ (Americans, good 
 friends ; Mexicans, bad.) 
 
 " Much amused at the sadness of this money-loving dame, we mounted our horses, 
 and marching round the plaza, we left the city at one side, as a Mexican body of cav- 
 alry (as we afterwards learned), entered it at the other. 
 
 " Everything went on quietly, till the evening of the second day ; when a small party 
 of my company, who had gone out to drive in beeves, saw a party of Mexican cav- 
 alry, about six miles ahead of our camp. Next morning, a beef-contractor, named 
 Bigelow, who started from the centre brigade, in the morning, to come back to ours, 
 was fired upon, and pursued for some distance, by a party of Mexican cavalry, 
 who shot him through the leg. The fleetness of his horse enabled him to reach an 
 advanced party of my company. That evening, Lieut. Chambliss, with twenty of the 
 Giles' troopers, went forward some miles, to ascertain the position of the Mexicans, but 
 they had disappeared in the chapparal. 
 
 " Two days afterwards, a party of Mexican cavalry, armed with lances and rifles, 
 attacked a few men of the Georgia Regt. and Balt'e Batt'n., who had dropped behind 
 the rear guard, and killed one, took another prisoner, and were in pursuit of others, 
 who were relieved by the gallantry of Henry Pitts, David Myres and P. C. Morton, 
 privates of my company. Being in the rear of the column near two miles, and hear< 
 25 
 
386 BEAUTY OF THE COUNTRY SOUTH OF THE PANUCO. 
 
 and most fragrant and beautiful flowers ; — of tall trees, of 
 growth and luxuriance previously unknown to them ; — of 
 most lovely lakes spread out, winding in a thousand shapes ; 
 — of fields of maguey, larger even than any before seen ; — 
 of lofty hills ; — of most luxuriant valleys of green ; — of the 
 air refreshed by the sea breeze, which is loaded with the 
 fragrance of the orange blossoms ; — of the valleys having 
 fields of sugar-cane, of great size ; and, in one word, as a 
 perfect earthly paradise. It was amusing to observe the 
 enthusiasm with which all of the company spoke of it, offi- 
 cers and men. 
 
 We heard before their return, from the Mexicans, that the 
 country south of the Panuco, and up along its bank, was ex- 
 tremely beautiful and fertile, and therefore we did not dis- 
 credit the accounts of the men, though, as said before, it was 
 amusing to hear how flowing were their descriptions of its 
 attractions. 
 
 CAPT. HATNES' COMPANY WITH GKN. «IUITMAn's BRIGADE. 
 
 ing the guns in their rear, they charged back in a gallop. The lancers, seeing them 
 approaching, supposed a body of cavalry was near, and fled to the thick chapparal. — 
 One man with difficulty saved himself from their lances, by climbing a small thorn- 
 tree, the leaves of which hid him from their view. 
 
 " Before day the next morning, my company marched back, by order of Gen. Quit- 
 man, and lay in ambush, on the roadside, hoping that the lancers would follow on, — 
 but they had taken the alarm. There was a body of Mexican cavalry, who had 
 been, until then, following in our rear. 
 
 "The only remaining incident is to be told. — At Altamira, which is a town of 
 between one and two thousand inhabitants, a horse was stolen from my company, as 
 we left the encampment. In the evening I returned from our next camp with ten 
 men, and calling on the alcalde of Altamira, inquired of him whether any Mexican had 
 brought an American horse into the town. He said, at first, that he did not know ; 
 then that he would inquire, and soon after said ' yes ; there was a horse, which he 
 had sent into the country.' His evasive answers led to a suspicion of his honesty, 
 and I immediately took him prisoner, and placed a man on each side of him, with a 
 loaded carbine. This produced quite an excitement in the town. The crowd gath- 
 ered round us quite boldly, and the second alcalde came forward, to remonstrate 
 against the arrest of his brother. His remonstrance soon exhibited the fact, that he 
 had secreted another horse, which had been stolen from the Tennessee cavalry ; 
 so he was ordered to take his seat between the sentinels as a prisoner. They were 
 then told, that unless the horses were forthcoming in half an hour, they would be car- 
 ried off. They immediately ordered out some men on horseback, to bring in the 
 stolen animals. In ten minutes, one was brought in ; in half an hour another, and 
 shortly after, a third, with the two men who had received the horse from the thief; but 
 the thief was allowed to escape. ' " , : 
 
BANANA PLANTS. 387 
 
 This little place of La Encarnacion had only a few houses, 
 one of which was of stone, with a store. Here, too, was 
 the largest garden of bananas that we had seen. — The 
 growth of this tall plant, with its fruit, is well known in the 
 southern part of the United States. — Here it was about ten 
 feet high, with its long waving leaves of green, and hanging 
 bunches of cucumber-shaped fruit, making a fine appear- 
 ance, especially as it was planted so thickly. It seemed to 
 be the main ** staff of life" with the inhabitants of this sec- 
 tion of Mexico. 
 
 — We found here a stone idol, of the ancient Mexican, or 
 Aztec race, which idol, we were informed by the intelligent 
 owner of the house, was dug up not far from this place, with 
 many other things, instruments and utensils, which he said 
 were now all lost. This idol is about three feet high, and 
 with its pointed pedestal, is one piece ; of a rude style of 
 sculpture, but cut with great care. A sketch of it was taken 
 
 CAPT. HAYHES' COMPAKT WITH GES. aUITMAs's BRIGADE. 
 
 « Taking possession of the recovered horses, the alcaldes were ordered to mount, and 
 we started with them to the camp, with the assurance that we would keep them pris* 
 oners, until the thief should be brought to us ; but the junior alcalde offered, if we 
 would allow him to remain, to have the thief captured. We left him, therefore, with 
 a promise, that if he did not send us the thief the next day, we would return and take 
 him to camp also. 
 
 " About this time, some Mexicans, six or seven in number, armed with swords and 
 pistols, rode up near us ; these we quickly disarmed and made prisoners, also. — Our 
 party was ten in all. Our prisoners, one alcalde, three horse-thieves, six pack mules, 
 bearing forty or fifty gallons of muscal, six or seven disarmed men, and another, who- 
 could speak a little English, and begged us to take him a prisoner also, as he was 
 determined to die with his particular friend, the Senor Alcalde. His request was 
 promptly granted, and he was ordered into line. — With this cavalcade of prisoners, 
 mules, and recaptured horses, we entered our camp, sometime after midnight. — Early 
 in the morning the thief was captured, and placed at our command, and we re- 
 leased the alcalde, whose rejoicings, at his deliverance, were only equalled by the 
 fright during his captivity. This was the last horse stolen by the citizens of Alta- 
 mira." 
 
 Some complaint was soon after made by the Mexicans, to Gen. Quitman, of this 
 capture, who reported the affair to Gen. Patterson, who very wisely passed the matter 
 over. It was said, at the time, that these gentlAnen attached some blame to Capt.- 
 Haynes, for having thus summarily dealt with the rascals, who aided and abetted in. 
 the stealing of his horses. Rather than of censure, for capturing them, that officer 
 was deserving of praise. If officers higher in command than him, had acted in the 
 same prompt way that he did, when in command of his separate detachment, it wouldi 
 have been better than the milder, temporizing course that was pursued. 
 
388 
 
 ANCIENT MEXICAN IDOL. 
 
 by the author, both side and front view, which will be seen 
 below. 
 
 It is one of the numerous idols that were worshipped by 
 the ancient Mexicans, before the conquest of Mexico by Cor- 
 tes, in the year 1521. — It has much resemblance to the old 
 Egyptian style of sculpture ; and from this, as well as the 
 similar customs, in some respects, the present pyramids in 
 both countries, the similar ancient calendars, &c., some rea- 
 sons might be obtained to establish the similarity, or iden- 
 tity, of the two races. — The carved apron in front of this 
 image was curiously wrought, and the two figures in the cen- 
 tre, now worn by time, appear to be the disfigured remains 
 of two large hieroglyphics. — The ears of the image are large, 
 and nearly square, and stand directly out from the head ; — 
 the pointed pedestal appears as if made to fit into a socket. 
 Of its general appearance, the reader can get a good idea 
 from the sketch, which is a correct likeness. 
 
 There was considerable sickness in the regiment now, and 
 one man, James Allen, of Captain Gillaspie's company, died 
 to-day. His comrades made a coffin from a gun box, which 
 they were so fortunate as to procure. — Most of those who 
 have died have been buried without coffins, for no material 
 of which to make them could be procured. 
 
 Jammry 28th. Our regiment of cavalry, the first and sec- 
 ond Tennessee infantry, comprising, in all, the Tennessee 
 
MARCH TO TAMPICO. 389 
 
 brigade, under General Pillow, were this morning ordered by 
 him to strike their tents, and march to an encampment se- 
 lected near Tampico. 
 
 The morning was very pleasant, and the work of striking 
 tents, loading wagons, saddling up, &c., was quickly per- 
 formed, and we were soon in lines and on the march. The 
 second battalion of our regiment, under Major Waterhouse, 
 were in advance ; then we of the first battalion, under Lt.- 
 col. Allison, followed ; then came the first Tennessee regi- 
 ment of infantry, under Col. Campbell ; then the second regi- 
 ment. Col. Haskell ; then a small train of company wagons ; 
 then the rear guard. 
 
 Our battalion being a little behind hand, had some 
 trouble to pass the infantry, to get into our position. — The 
 sun was hot, but we were shaded from it by the lofty oaks, 
 the extended branches of which, in some places, nearly met 
 over the wide road. — Five miles took us through this sandy 
 level forest, to the cultivated hills. Here we halted for 
 a little while, to allow the infantry to come up ; for on the 
 good road we had got nearly a mile in advance of them. — 
 In this halt we had leisure to observe the surpassing beauty 
 of the scenery around us. 
 
 On our right, far down at the base of the hills, was the 
 wide lake, spread out more beautiful still than we had before 
 seen it, on account of our height above it, which enabled us 
 to look down on its extent, and over the numberless beauti- 
 ful green islands, with which its calm surface was relieved. 
 Here and there, among the islands, could be seen the long 
 slender lines of the boats of the inhabitants, moving al- 
 most imperceptibl}'' on the brilliant surface of the water, 
 which was unruffled even by a ripple. — The natural beauty of 
 this lake, as seen from these hills, with the tall blue emi- 
 nences far beyond it, rising in the horizon, is seldom excel- 
 led. — But, on the other hand, the prospect, to the left, was 
 delightful : — The hills were clothed in perpetual green, of a 
 heavy growth of tropical trees, of the richest appearance ; — 
 here in forests, there singly or in groves ; while ranches 
 ■were thickly scattered around far down in the vales, or 
 perched, as it were, high up on the hill-sides. — The bloom 
 
390 BEAUTIFUL SCENERY. 
 
 of nature, the fresh green of all vegetation, was delightful. 
 — Orange trees, lemon, and many other kinds, and vines, with 
 soft leaves and luxuriant foliage, were thickly growing. — 
 We saw no musquit, so thorny ; no prickly pear, as much so ; 
 no sword palmetto to pierce, and but little cactus, of any 
 species. This seemed to be a garden spot, from which most 
 of the thorns had been expelled. 
 
 After a little time spent in gazing on this scene, in itself 
 so beautiful as to be worth a journey of a hundred miles to 
 see, the infantry came near, and we were ordered on over 
 the hills, up and down their long, cultivated sides. — Among 
 these, three miles from town, in a beautiful place, was Quit- 
 man's brigade encamped. Passing this, we were again halt- 
 ed at the last hill, before reaching town, for the infantry. 
 
 Here was another view as beautiful as before, but some- 
 what different. — On the right was still the level lake, here 
 merging into the river ; — its pretty islands, which we had 
 passed behind, were succeeded by others equally picturesque. 
 More boats w^ere seen, far below, upon its surface. — On the 
 left, as we stood, were still the fertile hills and valleys, with 
 extensive fields of sugar-cane, banana, corn, pine apples, 
 and other products. — But, to the front, was the main pic- 
 ture : — The city of Tampico lay before and below us, with 
 its white buildings and large extent. The American flag, 
 from a lofty staff, was seen flying out above it; — the forests 
 of masts of vessels, with their colors, were in the river be- 
 yond, giving animation to the scene. 
 
 This river flowed around in front, and passed far off to the 
 left, where a little patch of the blue sea, at its mouth, could 
 be perceived, with the tall black dots, as it were, of the heavy 
 ships that there lay at anchor. — Over the river, in front, and 
 bounding the view, were a long range of hills, not bare in a 
 single spot, but covered with a forest of the freshest green. 
 In the foreground, on looking down the road, were the line of 
 cavalry, seen halted all the way down the hill ; — beyond them, 
 the road was thickly studded with men, and small droves of 
 jacks and mules, going to, and returning from market ; and 
 wagons with their white covers, bringing out provisions, (Stc, 
 to the camp of Gen. Twiggs, which was near this place, and 
 
EXTENSIVE PROSPECTS. 391 
 
 Gen. Quitman's, still farther back. — Beyond these objects, as 
 the road again rose the hill to enter the town, was in view, 
 first, the stone cemetery, on the right ; the new fortification 
 in front; and down still farther than these, to the left, near the 
 margin of another lake, was a new fort, yet unfinished, and 
 upon which scores of men were then at work. — That lake 
 spread out on that side of the city, between the hill upon 
 which the fort was built, and a long, wide, level plain, that 
 again, beyond, stretched away to the river. 
 
 Upon the river, in the distance, towing up vessels, were 
 several steamers, throwing long lines of black smoke be- 
 hind them. The other view, first mentioned, was lovely, 
 but this extensive scene exceeded it in beauty ; for it 
 united sea and land, lakes, river, islands, forests, city, ves- 
 sels, army, camp, roads, fields, and crowds of men at differ- 
 ent labors. — Where could a scene more comprehensive, more 
 beautiful, be found ? 
 
 After the infantry again came up, we were ordered to 
 proceed. We passed down the long hill, and rose upon the 
 other, of more gentle slope. Proceeding by the cemetery, we 
 struck the town at the fortification, near a large two story 
 stone building — the military hospital ; and, winding through 
 the long streets, descended to the main plaza. From there, 
 we passed on through the business portion of the city, though 
 continually descending, until we reached the river's edge ; — 
 here we turned to the left, and, following the road that led 
 out of the city towards the mouth of the river, a short dis- 
 tance brought us to a stone bridge, thrown over the canal, 
 which connects the smaller lake spoken of, to the left, with 
 the river. When this was crossed, we came out upon a spa- 
 cious plain, level as a floor, bounded by the river on the 
 right, the lake on the left, and high hills in front. As we 
 proceeded down, on one of these an old fort was to be seen. 
 — This plain contained eight or nine hundred acres ; was un- 
 interrupted, in its whole extent, by any enclosure or houses, 
 (save two small ones on the river bank) ; and was covered 
 with a low growth of green weeds : the cool breeze blew 
 gently over it; and there was much beauty in the place. — 
 Looking back, over the canal and lake, we saw the city of 
 
392 ENCAMPMENT NEAR TAMPICO. 
 
 Tampico, now above us — the buildings rising on the side of 
 the hill like terraces, one over another. 
 
 As we marched out on the plain, away from the city, and 
 towards the old fort on the hill, at the extremity of the plain 
 the advance were halted : the infantry came up behind us. 
 The three regiments were then marched square off to the 
 right, which soon brought all down to the edge of the river 
 again, upon the bank of which they halted and encamped ; 
 our regiment being the farthest from the city, Col. Haskell's 
 next, and Col. Campbell's nearest, not being far from the ca- 
 nal and bridge. Here we had a splendid place for a camp : 
 — The lovely river was on one side, with vessels and steam- 
 boats coming by and returning ; the city was in full view ; 
 the plain was large enough for several thousands to drill 
 and parade upon ; the hills were near ; and old ocean him- 
 self was but five miles off, and in view. 
 
 Onl}' two inconveniences we found :— One was, that all 
 the vi^ater in the river was somewhat salt, and our drinking 
 water had to be brought from a large circular wooden cistern, 
 above ground, on the canal, near the bridge, about half a 
 mile from our regiment. — This cistern was kept full by many 
 Mexicans, who were continually employed, with large boats 
 filled with hogsheads, in going up the river, to the fresh wa- 
 ter, filling these, bringing them back, and discharging their 
 contents into the cistern ; — to do this, bringing their boats 
 into the canal, close to it. — From this, it was drawn off into 
 our buckets, as we wished it. 
 
 The other was the want of wood. — Upon first encamping, 
 we collected all the loose drift wood that the winds and 
 waves had thrown upon the shore, close to us. This, al- 
 though soaked with salt water, and covered with barnacles, 
 (a small sea shell that adheres in numbers to all wood and 
 other objects exposed in salt water), yet burned well after 
 the sun and wind had dried it. After this was gone, we had 
 to go with the wagons to the hills, towards the mouth of the 
 river, to obtain any kind that we could get, with more labor 
 than ever before ; — yet, during our stay at this encampment, 
 we always found enough. 
 
 There was not a particle of shade here, but at this season 
 
ABUNDANT SUPPLIES. 393 
 
 of the year, though sometimes very hot, the sea breeze kept 
 the air at a pleasant temperature. 
 
 Here, now, we were comfortably placed at the city of 
 Tampico, the second commercial town in the republic of 
 Mexico, three hundred and twelve miles from the capital, 
 near the mouth of the river Panuco, in the midst of as lovely 
 a country as is to be found on the globe ; and here we were 
 furnished with every comfort, every convenience, that soldiers 
 in a foreign land could expect or ask for. — Provisions of ev- 
 ery kind, used in the army, were abundantly issued to us ; — 
 oats, corn, and hay, for our horses, as much as they could 
 eat ; — and our duty, during our stay here of forty days, was 
 light, being principally drills and parades ; which, though 
 keeping us continually employed, and often tiresome, yet 
 were by no means hard. 
 
 The course of the journal, from day to day, along, will 
 be interrupted, and only written at intervals, during this 
 stay of forty days ; for the course of one day was often 
 so much that of the day preceding, that the repetition of 
 the same scenes would be tiresome to the reader. — The next 
 chapter, X, will be devoted to a description of the scenes 
 that met our observation at Tampico; chapter XI, bringing 
 up the operations of the other divisions of the army, hap- 
 pening in the meantime ; and we will commence chapter 
 XII with our departure from Tampico for Vera Cruz, still far- 
 ther to the southward, and at this time in the possession of 
 the enemy. 
 
 NOTE UEFERRING TO PAGE 378. 
 
 The Mexicans do not use chewing-tobacco, but are continually smoking. Their govern- 
 ment turns this habit of the people to a means of revenue. The cigars used in the country, are 
 all made in the government establishments ; and sold at the same price everywhere. If any 
 tobacco is found upon the premises of any person, save of those who sell it for the govern- 
 ment, called Estanques, the delinquent is punished with a fine of five hundred dollars, and one 
 year's imprisonment. — The government contracts every year, with a merchant, for the quan- 
 tity they want. He contracts with certain haciendas to raise this amount, which is done, and 
 no other person in the nation is allowed to raise a single plant. — The Estanque of every town 
 is appointed by the government; and is under bond and security, for the faithful payment of 
 the proceeds of the puros (large cigars), and cigarros (small ones), that the governor forwards 
 to him, from time to time. The E.stanque furnishes other shops with cigars, and allows them 
 to sell, on his own responsibility ; these are called Esianquillns. The Estanque makes returns 
 monthly to the governor, reserving six per cent., for his pay. — Besides, no note, deed, or bond, 
 is valid in Mexico, without it is written upon paper stamped with the seal of the government 
 {papelsellado). The price of this is placed at from a quarter of a dollar to two dollars and a half 
 per sheet, according to the instrument to be written; and no one can sell it but the Estanque. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 February 4th. We had been now at Tampico a week, 
 had become well acquainted with its position, appearance, 
 &c., and we will endeavor to give the reader a correct idea 
 of it. We have mentioned the old fort on the hill, at the 
 farther extremity of the plain from the camp, and the course 
 toward the mouth of the river. From this fort is a fine pros- 
 pect. — The author sketched two views from it, which are 
 presented. (See plates.) 
 
 This, called Fort Andonega, stands on a high eminence, 
 looking down on the plain, river and lake, and com- 
 mands the city. In the first view, reader, imagine your- 
 self standing on this old fort, looking towards the south- 
 west. — As you see in the picture, the wall is in front of you; 
 this wall is of stone and cement, and is about eight feet 
 thick, sloped off on the top. Over the wall, you look down 
 on a tangled mass of small timber and vines ; a little brook 
 runs round in there, and then flows under the base of the hill 
 on which you are, and continues on to the river below ; — be- 
 yond the thicket of brush-wood, you see the smaller lake, 
 which has been mentioned ; a long canoe, with a sail, is upon 
 it, having come through the canal. 
 
 Over the lake, on the hill, you see the city. — You observe 
 that it falls off from the centre, down to the river, on the 
 left. At the right extremity of the city you observe a tall 
 building, with a flag over it. It has been turned into a fort, 
 and has artillery mounted on its flat. roof, though the pieces 
 are not to be perceived at this distance. — To the right of 
 that, you see a large building; that is the military hospital; 
 built and used as such, by the Mexicans, and appropriated 
 
 (394) 
 
THE CITY OF TAMPICO. 399 
 
 by our forces to the same purpose. The road from the inte- 
 rior, by which we entered the city, comes in there. To the 
 right of that, is the campo santo, or cemetery, with its stone 
 walls and lofty gate. There is another to its left, but it is 
 concealed from view by the hospital. Nearly between you 
 and the cemetery, and not far from the edge of the lake, you 
 see a new fort, with a flag above it; it is yet unfinished, and 
 has been before mentioned. To the right of these, and far- 
 ther up, you see the tents of part of Gen. Shields' brigade. 
 
 Now, reader, could you be on the top of the building with 
 the flag upon it, or at the cemetery, or on the top of the hill, 
 anywhere there, you would see below you, on the other side, 
 the river, the mouth of the lake, both widely spread out with 
 the beautiful islands spoken of, and lovely channels between. 
 
 You would see far over these, still onward, a blue range 
 of hills, in the distance ; and could you be across the waters, 
 and upon those hills, then you could look down on the vast 
 expanse of lake Tamiaqua, an inland sea, in extent, that 
 runs far to the southward, and is separated from the Gulf of 
 Mexico, by a high, long, range of hills. Its wide inlet com- 
 municates with the Gulf, far to the southward, beyond this 
 range, near the mouth of the Tuspan river ; but over all its 
 shores, as well as up to the Panuco river. Gen. Cos, with his 
 Mexican army, holds possession. 
 
 On the left of the picture, from Fort Andonega, you see, 
 first, part of the extensive plain, which has been described, 
 and on the farther extremity of which the Tennessee brigade, 
 under Gen. Pillow, is encamped; the tents of the first regi- 
 ment of which can be seen. Those of the second, are still 
 farther to the left, and nearer, in the bend of the river, and 
 our regiment in the same bend, still nearer. You perceive 
 that the long skirt of low timber extends up to the left from 
 the main body, and is between the lake and the plain; its 
 extremity conceals the canal, which there runs from the river 
 to the lake. It also hides from view the bridge over this 
 canal. There is a new fort there, made by our forces, which 
 is also concealed ; beside, an old circular one of the Mexicans, 
 now nearly torn to pieces. — Beyond the camp you see the 
 river, that flows round from the other side of the city ; over 
 
400 VIEWS FROM FORT ANDONEGA. 
 
 the lower part of which can be seen the numerous masts of 
 the vessels there at anchor. A large flag can be seen over 
 this part of the city. It is on the flag-staff in the plaza de 
 Comerdo, or the lower plaza, adjoining the river. Beyond 
 the vessels, and over the river, concealed by numerous 
 islands, is Pueblo Viejo, or old Tampico, the former city, a 
 very old place. This new city of Tampico has sprung up 
 in late years ; the population settling here on account of the 
 better harbor. 
 
 Now, reader, from the picture and the description of it, you 
 have a correct idea of the situation of Tampico ; and, hav- 
 ing sufficiently observed the position of the city, and all the 
 prominent objects about the exterior of it, turn slowly round 
 to your left, and in imagination see the plain below you, the 
 remainder of the camp of the Tennessee brigade, and the 
 river, which comes nearer to you than before, while the high, 
 forest-covered banks opposite, are pleasant to view, from the 
 peculiar freshness of their green. — Turn completely round, 
 "with your back to the city, and then the other picture is 
 before you. First you look upon the area of the small fort 
 in which you stand. Three Mexicans are there, smoking 
 their cigarros, and talking of the steamboat which is towung 
 up the brig in the river. In the fort, on the right, and front, 
 you observe the stone platforms, on which formerly stood the 
 heavy pieces of artillery, which bore down upon the river. 
 On the left, is a building, now decaying, with the tiles nearly 
 gone from its roof; it was used for the barracks of the gar- 
 rison, and when our naval forces first took the city, in 
 November last, it was occupied by marines from the ships of 
 v^^ar ; then, the former name of the fort, Andonega, was abol- 
 ished, and it was now called Fort Conner, in honor of the 
 commodore. — The marines held it until the arrival of the land 
 forces; when, with much ceremony, the possession of the 
 city and all the forts, was handed over, by the naval offi- 
 cers, to those of the army. — By the last, this has not been 
 occupied, for no attack is feared from sea. — On the left of 
 the picture, can be seen three stone steps ; they ascend to 
 a fine, smooth platform, the former walk of the officers 
 of the garrison ; the magazine, also, was in this elevation. 
 
VIEW OF THE MOUTH OF PANUCO RIVER. 401 
 
 Over the broken wall in front, you observe a hill covered 
 with bushes : — that hill is the final resting-place of many 
 soldiers of our own, and of the other regiments of our brig- 
 ade. The graves are on that part of it seen beyond the cor- 
 ner of the house. — From the front of the picture round to the 
 right, you perceive the smooth plain spread out, not so wide 
 as above ; — on it, in the distance, is the wagon train of the 
 brigade ; — beyond this, is the river — a schooner is going out, 
 and a steamer is towdng up a brig. Down the river, you see 
 another small schooner, going out ; — beyond her, you per- 
 ceive the mouth, the old forts, and the pilot houses ; — these 
 are about four miles distant. You observe two large ships 
 lying off; several more are out there, but not in view: — 
 they draw too much water to come over the bar. — Still be- 
 yond them, are the waters of the Gulf. — On the right, are 
 the hills of green before mentioned, though, in many places, 
 plains strike off from them ; but these cannot be perceived 
 in the view. 
 
 Having observed this scenery towards the mouth of 
 the river, turn again to the view of the city on the other 
 hand. You perceive the large flag in the lower part of it, 
 before spoken of as being over the plaza de Comercio ; and as 
 that is the most busy part of Tampico, we will commence 
 the description of the city there : imagining yourself at the 
 foot of that tall flag-stalf. 
 
 You are in the centre of the large square. — The flag- 
 staft' is placed in a circular pedestal, quite large, being near 
 twenty feet in diameter at the top, and of six steps, (be- 
 tween four and five feet), in height ; all of stone, and 
 beautifully finished. It is said here, that this was intend- 
 ed for the base of a statue of Santa Anna ; but our forces 
 have applied it to the use of furnishing a firm founda 
 tion for the large staff" supporting the flag of the United 
 States. The steps, which run all the way round, are excel- 
 lent seats ; — ascend two or three, and let us seat ourselves, 
 and look upon the lively scene before and around us : — The 
 square is finely paved with small fiat stones, wdth radii or 
 diverging lines (made by these set on edge) running from 
 this circular elevation to every part of it. It is separa- 
 26 
 
402 SIGNS OVER THE STORES. 
 
 ted from the width of the streets that join it, by a row of 
 handsome, tall, cemented, square stone pillars. — On the back 
 and two sides, you see the crowd continually passing to and 
 fro, with many ^vagons, many bunvs, and more pack mules. 
 The buildings around the square, you see, are of two lofty 
 stories, with handsome fronts ; — stores are in all the lower 
 stories. 
 
 The stores around, you will notice, have odd signs over their 
 doors. — One has a large sun over it, with the inscription "Ti- 
 ENDA DEL SoL," (the store of the sun) ; another, with a crescent, 
 and " La Luna," (the moon) ; another has a comet painted out, 
 with " El Cometa; " another a white horse, with " El Cabal- 
 Lo Blanco; " another a palm tree, with the same inscription, 
 " La Palma ; " and so on, according to the taste of the owner. 
 — Almost every one has such a representation. — These signs 
 are so placed for the convenience of peones, criados, (house 
 servants), and others who cannot read. — If you step over into 
 one, you will notice a great variety of articles, and in very 
 many of them a bar with wines to sell ; for, by the general's 
 orders, they can sell nothing stronger ; — but ask for some 
 "strong wine;" the Mexican will understand you, and with 
 much politeness hand you out a glass of the strongest sort of 
 brandy ; but ask him if he has any brandy, he shakes his 
 head and his fore finger before his face: — '■'■ No hai, Scnor ; 
 ' hramly ' no se vendc,^'' (has got no brandy to sell) ; though he 
 has just handed you a glass, and will hand you another if 
 you ask for " strong wine."* 
 
 MEXICAX LiaUORS. 
 
 * In Tampico were plenty of French and Spanish wines, brandies, and cordials for 
 sale, beside their own Mexican liquors, of which there were one or two distilleries, fit- 
 ted like our own, in the city. The principal Mexican liquor, as has been said before, 
 that is used over the whole republic, is pulque. When a maguey plant, (seen on 
 plate page -378), is coming to maturity, — i. e. preparing to blossom, — which it does 
 but once, and which takes place at from sixty to even a hundred years of age, accord- 
 ing to the soil and elevation, — a large excavation is made in the side of the stem, to 
 the hollow within, the bottom of wliich is like an acorn cup. — The juice of the plant, 
 that would have fed the tall blossoms, distills from the wounded leaves into this cup, 
 and is dipped out twice a day ; — a good plant yielding, daily, from three to four gal- 
 lons. It is of a sweet taste when taken out ; requires no preparation, but is set aside. 
 — The second day it is partly fermented, and is somewhat like metheglin in taste ; — 
 the third day, the fermentation is complete, and it then is about as strong as hard cider; 
 
PUROS AND CIGARROS. 403 
 
 In these stores, they have a much better idea of exposing 
 their goods to the best advantage for appearance, than our 
 merchants have, with equal stocks on hand. One Irttle thing 
 you w^ill notice : no store is without its brascro, or pan for 
 coals, on the counter, at which to light the cigars, which 
 these Mexicans are ever smoking. — There are little ones of 
 cut tobacco, wrapped in paper, and sold in bunches of forty- 
 eight each. These cigars are not larger than a tenpenny 
 nail, and smoke but a few moments ; — they are called cigai^- 
 ros. A larger kind are all of tobacco, somewhat like ours ; 
 — they are called puros, and are sold in bunches of eight or 
 
 MEXICAN I.IQ.rORS. 
 
 has a peculiar smell, something like tainted meat, and is drank in great quantities by 
 the Mexicans, and sold in the market places and shops of the towns ; — often colored, 
 to make it attractive to the eye. — (At Vera Cruz, the pulque sellers colored it of many 
 tints). The soldiers, generally, did not like it ; though they would have drank it, had 
 it been stronger; but it was not sufficiently so for them to overcome their repugnance 
 to the odor of it. 
 
 From this pulque a strong liquor is distilled, called, in this section, aguardiente, 
 though this term signifies all strong liquors, meaning, literally, " strong water," equiv- 
 alent to the Indian's " fire water.'' — Muscal, a very strong, peculiar liquor, which has 
 been several times mentioned, is made of the wild maguey, which is not so large as the 
 other. — The plant is crushed, and, when fermented, the whole is distilled. The method 
 of distillation in the interior of Mexico is rude. — A row of copper kettles is set, usually 
 within the adobe walls of the house ; beneath the kettle, and opening on the outside 
 of the wall, are the arches for the fires. — Each kettle has a double or hollow head, for 
 the steam to ascend into it, through a hole in the bottom, the edges of which are raised. 
 There is no still worm for condensation, but a stream of water is brought along in a 
 trough above, and a spout of it, dashing down on the copper head of each kettle, cools 
 and condenses the steam within, and the liquor so obtained, being prevented from run- 
 ning back into the kettle by the raised edge of the hole within, issues from a little stop- 
 cock in the side, into the receiving vessel. — So much for a Mexican distillerj' in the 
 interior. 
 
 In some parts of the republic, especially about the city of Parras,in the interior, west 
 from Monterey, (see map), the grape is extensively cultivated, and large quantities of 
 good wine and brandy are made, and much used by the Mexicans, as are the foreign 
 liquors spoken of; but still, the principal drinks come firom the maguey, pulque, and 
 mtiscal. 
 
 After being tapped, that plant continues to yield the quantity mentioned, each 
 day for about four months, although there may not be a drop of rain during that 
 time ; — it then dies in the centre ; but as it decays toward the outside, many little ones 
 spring out at the roots of the enormous leaves. — These are set out, and grow freely. 
 They are sometimes arranged as a fence, and neither horse nor ox dare attempt to pass 
 them. — He who sets out maguey plants, does it for the next generation, for the chances 
 that ever he will see it yield, are a hundred to one against him. 
 
404 POLITENESS OF MEXICANS. 
 
 sixteen. — The tobacco of the country is of a superior quality 
 for smoking, and the puros are often equal to our highest 
 priced Havana cigars. 
 
 Observe these two Mexicans, meeting on the square ; they 
 are strangers to each other ; one is smoking ; is stopped by 
 the other, who, in the most polite manner, touching his som- 
 brero, asks for a light; this is answered by the first, with a 
 grace that would do honor to a Frenchman, by handing him 
 his cigarro, at which he lights his, then returns it with a 
 bow, while the former receives it, stepping back with another 
 bow, and touching his sombrero also, as if expressing his 
 sense of obligation, that his cigar should be returned to him; 
 and the expression of muchas gracias, Senor, is given, as they 
 separate. — That is a fair sample of their politeness and easy 
 ceremony, even among the lowest class, upon all occasions. 
 (If the parties are of unequal rank, the inferior takes off his 
 hat, and holds it in his hand, while the other is lighting). — 
 They are faithless and treacherous, — will rob, steal, and even 
 murder, upon every favorable occasion ; but still, in all their 
 intercourse with you, and with one another, they are exceed- 
 ingly polite and accommodating. — Enter one of their houses, 
 and everything they have, seems to be at your disposal ; and 
 they often disoblige themselves, to accommodate you. They 
 will give you freely, any information in their power ; and seem 
 to take a pleasure in so doing. — Singular traits of character 
 to be united in the same persons ; but so they are. 
 
 Those Mexicans have gone across the square ; let us con- 
 tinue our observations. In front, towards the river, and 
 obstructing part of the view of that, from the flag-staff, 
 you see a long, one story building, with a piazza roof, 
 standing out, under which are some pieces of cannon and 
 several men crowded around the windows. — Upon looking 
 closely, you observe they are bringing tortillas from the mar- 
 ket-place near, bread from the bakeries, and other provi- 
 sions, and handing them in through the gates, to those inside. 
 This building is the guard-house. The men there, have 
 been placed in for various reasons : some have been fight- 
 ing, getting intoxicated, «Sz;c. ; some have refused to do extra 
 duty, imposed upon them for being absent from roll-calls or 
 
VEGETABLE MARKETS. 405 
 
 drills, and have been marched np here ; some have thought 
 themselves ill-used, by their company officers, and have told 
 them so, and being cursed in reply, have returned oath for 
 oath, with good interest, and have been confined here for 
 insolence, and insubordination. Some have thoughtlessly 
 strolled off from camp between the intervals of duty, with- 
 out a permit in writing, and have been placed in here, by 
 some sergeant of the guard, who has met them in the town, 
 &c., &c. 
 
 Let us now leave the observation of the guard house, and 
 the men there confined, and from the flag-staff walk a few 
 steps to the upper portion of the square, on the river, to the 
 right. — Here is a jabbering, busy scene ; all over the pave- 
 ment, far and near, crowded upon each other, are numbers 
 of Mexicans ; men, women, boys, and girls ; each one with 
 a small square mat of palm-leaf, or rushes, spread out, on 
 which they are seated, cross-legged ; before each one, is some- 
 thing to sell, mostly eatables. — One has before her a number 
 of little piles of sweet potatoes, cooked ; each pile to sell for 
 un real ; another has a pile of mies [pron. mice), corn, on his 
 mat, and is on his knees, with his little square measure of 
 media cdimid, to sell it full, for dos reales (twenty-five cents) ; 
 another has upon his mat a large pile of red peppers {chili), 
 without which, these Mexicans could not live. Another has 
 a pile of onions [ccboUas) and garlic {ajo) ; while another has 
 several baskets of the finest oranges [naranjas), five for a 
 medio (six and a quarter cents) ; another has many pine-ap- 
 ples, from un real, un medio, to dos reales each. Another, has 
 nothing on her mat but a large heap of frijoles (beans), but 
 she gets many customers ; another has several cabbages (re- 
 pollos), and she is busy in calling the attention of all to them. 
 — Another has a large heap of bananas, at a medio for a 
 bunch of about a dozen, each the size of a common cucum- 
 ber. 
 
 Here was a row of a dozen little girls, all with their re- 
 bosos drawn over their heads, seated on their mats, with, be- 
 fore them, large piles of pan a dulce, or sweet bread, in fancy 
 forms, looking nice and clean; while opposite them, are 
 several old women, ugly as sin, each with a large earthen 
 
406 SCENE AT VEGETABLE MARKET. 
 
 pot, over a charcoal fire ; the steam comes from the vessels, 
 in which are stowed, layer upon layer, little parcels of a 
 composition made of chopped pork, mashed corn, and red 
 peppers, called iomalcs. Each one is wrapped in a piece of 
 plantain leaf, and is not, in size, two mouthfuls ; many stop 
 to buy, and eat these little morsels, hot with steam and 
 pepper.* 
 
 Near these are several rough-looking rancheros, with large 
 rabbits, peccaries, a species of hog, of an iron-gray color, 
 with stiff, sharp, bristles, and very lean, called by them cochhio 
 del 7nonte, or hog of the woods. They have, too, many rac- 
 coons, rather different from ours, partridges, squirrels, and 
 any number of ducks. — Another is beyond, whose whole 
 stock consists of a few dozen huevos, or eggs. — Some have 
 little chocolate cakes and balls, of a superior quality ; while 
 others have chocolate and coffee ready to drink. — Here is a 
 ranchero who has made up a number of sombreros, from 
 palm-leaf, now offering them for sale ; while another has 
 some lariats, or hair ropes, for horses. — The whole pavement, 
 from the square down to the water's edge, is covered with 
 these mats, with various articles ; while, through the whole, 
 a crowd of Mexicans are stepping round, and many Ameri- 
 can soldiers, attracted by the continual bustle and jabber over 
 the whole ground ; such a noise is there, that one could 
 hardly hear himself speak, , 
 
 From the square, you see down the paved slope to the wa- 
 ter's edge, where are many large boats at the shore, with their 
 bows on, and crowded against one another. Near them, di- 
 rectly in front, is the short wharf, at which lies a steamer 
 and another vessel ; while out in the stream lay many brigs, 
 schooners and steamers, while boats are continually going 
 and returning from these to the wharf, bringing their cargoes 
 of grain, provisions, ammunition, wagons, &c. Many enor- 
 mous piles of all these, save the ammunition, (which is im- 
 mediately taken away), are on the pavement at the head of 
 the wharf, the cartmen and wagoners taking these away, and 
 
 * In other cities these tomales are wrapped in corn-shucks. They are much prized 
 by the population, and are eaten when quite hot. All who have heard the venders, 
 will remember their continual cry of tomuks calientes ! (hot tomales). 
 
LANCHAS, OR LONG CANOES. 407 
 
 the sailors and laborers landing them, make much noise ; but 
 it is but little to that made by the Mexican boatmen in their 
 long canoes, to the right of the wharf, for some distance up 
 and down the river. 
 
 Let us pass down to them, carefully stepping about amid 
 the mats of vegetables, &c., in our way, and finding some 
 difficulty in getting through the busy crowd among them. — 
 As we come near the boats, a dozen of the boatmen, think- 
 ing that we wisli one, to take a sail for pleasure, are 
 around us, each one jabbering as fast as he can speak about 
 the beauty and speed of his boat, while pointing to it ; 
 another jabbers as fast, and says that the boat of the first is 
 mid malo, (very poor), and his is muclio hueno, (very good) ; — 
 they get hold of you, and each one, by every means, endeav- 
 ors to induce you to employ him. — But, refusing them, let 
 us look at their boats : — These are quite long, — some thirty 
 feet or more ; are dug out of a solid trunk of a tree ; — 
 some are mahogany, but the most are of a species of cedar, 
 that grows abundantly in the borders of the large lakes which 
 join this river ; and for such an extent of country around 
 does this canoe navigation extend, that there are great num- 
 bers of them made. — Almost every one has a short mast and 
 low sail, that, in a light breeze, skims them swiftly over the 
 water. 
 
 Some of these here collected are passenger boats, and are 
 waiting for hire ; but the most have come from up the Pan- 
 uco river, or from far up the Carpentero lake, beyond Alta- 
 mira, or from the large lake called Zapote, on the other side 
 of the river, with vegetables and fruits of all descriptions, 
 which grow in the torrid zones, to sell. — Some of them are 
 entirely loaded with oranges; — lemons are of too little value 
 to bring in. — You may go out here in the country a few 
 miles, and off from the road, pick up any quantity of them 
 under the trees. Before this, we had got plenty of them. 
 
 Other canoes are loaded with bundles of green twigs, and 
 leaves from the ohaUta, or fodder tree, which are sold here in 
 great quantities, to feed horses with. — It appears singular 
 that horses should be fed on such fodder as the green leaves of 
 a large tree, but they cat it with avidity ; though m'c have 
 
409 HUGE SEA TURTLES. 
 
 never seen this fodder used any where else in Mexico, save 
 here. — There are several of these boats thus loaded, and 
 many are buying their bundles of fodder. 
 
 Let us walk up further. — Here are four boats that have 
 just come up from the mouth of the river with tortugas, tur- 
 tles, and 2)cscado, fish. Look at these turtles : — There is one 
 that will not weigh less than seven or eight hundred pounds, 
 and several others that will weigh from four to six hundred. 
 They are of enormous size, and there are plenty of them on 
 this coast. — See that little Frenchman looking at one of the 
 smaller ones, and hear how the Mexican fisherman praises 
 it, and how many gestures are used on both sides during the 
 trade. The Frenchman keeps an eating house a little back 
 of the square, and wants to furnish his customers. — The 
 whole scene of these noisy boatmen, joined with that men- 
 tioned by the others, is interesting, and time runs rapidly 
 on while walking round among them. 
 
 Let us return to our position at the flag-staff. — By refer- 
 ring to the picture, as taken from fort Andonega, you per- 
 ceive that the city rises back from this flag- staff", to the outer 
 skirt on the interior, at the military hospital there seen. — 
 Let us go back in this direction. — In the first place, by a con- 
 siderable ascent, we go up a pretty street, in a parallel di- 
 rection with the river, and one square back from it. This 
 street, like all the rest, is well paved, and has sidewalks 
 of flag stones. — No stores are in it ; but on either hand 
 are dwelling houses, with their stone walls joining each 
 other along; — where apart, they are connected by a high 
 garden wall. These buildings are well made and lofty, 
 but have a bare, somewhat gloomy appearance, from their 
 fortress-like manner of construction, with a heavy door 
 opening inward to the interior court, and but few windows ; 
 these are projecting and iron barred, so as to give the la- 
 dies (for there are many females in Tampico deserving that 
 appellation) a chance to look out up and down the street. — 
 You will observe that the gutter is in the middle of the 
 street, and that both sides slope down to it, instead of our 
 custom of having one on either side. 
 
 As you pass these buildings, you will hear the sound of 
 
STYLE OF BUILDING IN BEST HOUSES. 409 
 
 several pianos in the houses, and see at the windows many 
 quite pretty women, though a little dark in complexion ; but 
 that, with their black hair and eyes, only heightens their 
 beauty. 
 
 Proceeding up this street two squares, you come on the 
 left, or towards the river, to the house occupied by Gen. Pat- 
 terson, as the military he ad- quarters. — A large flag is sus- 
 pended over the door above, by a cord, which crosses the 
 street to the large building opposite. — These two buildings 
 are the corners of the next cross street, that runs directly 
 from the river bank, here high and bluff, back down to the 
 principal plaza, and then on directly through the city, com- 
 ing out near the lake seen in the view. 
 
 As this house, occupied by Gen. Patterson, was one of the 
 best style here built, we will enter it, and observe its con- 
 struction. — You perceive that there are windows on either 
 side of the arched doorway ; — these are of large panes of 
 glass, but have the usual iron bars without ; — the doors are 
 stout and ornamented. Above the door and each window, 
 the large space of the arch is filled with panes of glass, each 
 in segments of the half circle, of which these form a part. 
 These panes are of colored glass ; — one is red, another green, 
 another orange, another blue, another yellow, and so on 
 round the half circle ; — the mellow light from these gives a 
 beautiful tinge to the objects within. 
 
 We enter into the first large room ; — the floor is of square 
 marble slabs, each about eighteen inches wide ; — one is 
 black, the succeeding one white, like the squares on a che- 
 quer board ; — in the centre is a large black marble star. — 
 Heavy ornamental pillars support the ceiling above, which 
 is lofty, and adorned with rich stucco work ;— the walls have, 
 round the tops, the same. — They are not papered, but white 
 and smooth. — The smaller room, on the right, is finished in 
 the same manner. 
 
 The larger room, in the rear, is also finished in the costly 
 style of the first, with as large a door, opening out into the 
 spacious court, at the further side of which, are the stone sta- 
 bles, which these people in the cities always have near their 
 houses, and sometimes, (as at Vera Cruz), in the lower story, 
 
410 APPEARANCE OF STREETS. 
 
 where they reside above. — The whole building, costly and 
 splendid in appearance, has a cool, but to us, accustomed to 
 our kind of houses, a cheerless, bare, appearance. — This 
 house is owned by the former collector of the customs at 
 this place, who now has lost his situation and his profits, 
 since our forces have taken possession of the city, and a new 
 and much lower rate of duties is levied upon goods. 
 
 Leaving this house, and turning to the right, we will fol- 
 low down the cross street before mentioned, towai-ds the 
 principal plaza. The first object that you will perceive, is 
 a number of Mexicans at work repairing the pavements, un- 
 der the direction of an overseer, or alcaide:*^ As they seem 
 to labor in a constrained manner, you will see, as we come 
 nearer, that some of them are confined by a chain. — They 
 are the criminals condemned by the alcaldes to labor on the 
 streets, for petty crimes. You will perceive that the alcaide 
 has a sword, and several rods with it. 
 
 Here, as in other cities, that we have taken, the course of 
 justice with the population continues undisturbed- The guard 
 of our soldiery overlooks the whole, and keeps order among 
 the Americans. Our government, of course, is only military, 
 though, as will be mentioned, shortly after this time, our 
 commanding officers took part of the civil authority, and 
 endeavored to show these people something of the manner 
 of trial by jury ; a thing wholly unknown in their laws. 
 
 Along this street, we see the same continuous course of 
 mingled population on the side-walks. Here knots of Mex- 
 ican peones, in their uncouth dress; there, gentlemen, in that 
 more dashy ; beyond, American soldiers, continually passing, 
 or stopping to converse; officers, in couples, or threes. In 
 the body of the street, is a long atajo of mules, just come in 
 from the country ; observe each patient animal, heavily 
 packed, as he follows steadily along, after his predecessor. 
 — Let us pass along, glancing in at the numerous stores ; 
 not so large on this street, as on the Plaza de Comercio ; still 
 you see the lofty shelves, covered with goods, earthen-ware, 
 crockery, and every article that elsewhere you can purchase. 
 
 * The alcaide is an inferior ofllcer of police, who has charge of the prison in every 
 town, particularly responsible to the ayuntainiento of the town. 
 
SENORITA OF THE HIGHER CLASS. 411 
 
 You see many women buying. Observe that one drawing 
 her reboso more closely over her head, as she steps out ; 
 notice her walk, she seems to step so lightly, still with such 
 ease and dignity, or, as some call it, " with a queenly tread ;" 
 — they all walk so. But here, up the side-walk, comes one 
 in whom you can better observe it. She is returning from 
 "mass;" is of the higher class; she looks as "neat as a 
 pin ;" her reboso is fine, and richly ornamented, and fits to 
 her head and shoulders, as closely as a cut garment. As she 
 comes near, look at her fan ; it is of the " open and shut" 
 kind ; she carries it in her hand, although the day is not 
 warm ; hear with what a peculiar rattle, she throws it open 
 and closes it. They have a variety of motions with the fan, 
 for their sweethearts and friends : one to attract and permit, 
 another to repulse and deny, &c. Look at her foot, so small 
 and \vell turned ; her form fine ; her features regular ; com- 
 plexion olive ; pretty mouth and white teeth. But notice 
 the glances of her eyes, are they not attractive ? They seem 
 to show her whole soul. There is no coldness in her look. 
 Turn, and look at her walk, as she has passed by ; is it not 
 " queenly." sure enough ? But do not look at her too long, 
 for you might have no relish for the next objects to which the 
 author would draw your attention. 
 
 This is no other than four patient biwros (jackasses), 
 that while you have been gazing at the beautiful seno- 
 rita, have been shaking their long ears close to your el- 
 bow ; one is elevating his head and tuning his throat for 
 a sonorous bray ; while another is stretching out his nose, 
 endeavoring to reach a piece of orange peel, which is near 
 your feet. They have each an open box on either side of 
 them, which are connected above their backs. In each box 
 are two kegs of ten gallon size, so that each burro has four 
 of them on his back. They are filled with water; and the 
 industrious owner (aguador, or water-carrier), has been four 
 or five miles up the river this morning, with them, filled each 
 keg, and now is round supplying his customers with that ar- 
 ticle so necessary ; and this is the only way in which the city 
 is furnished ; the water of the wells not being good, and there 
 
412 AGUADORES, OR WATER-CARRIERS. 
 
 being no aqueduct. The furnishing of water gives employ- 
 ment to many agiiadores ; and in every street we will meet 
 them, with their burros. Every carrier has a little bell, 
 with which, at the gate of a mansion, he makes his arri- 
 val known.* Nor is this all that these burros are used 
 for; they will carry anything; and more tractable and 
 patient animals cannot be found ; and their character cer- 
 tainly has been very much abused among us, by making their 
 name the very personification of stupidity and stubbornness. 
 But here come some more of them; you see they salute these 
 water-carriers w^ith a loud bray, M^hich polite attention is 
 immediately answered, and then all are still, and take no 
 more notice of each other, than though they had not met. 
 
 These, just coming, you observe are loaded with little bags 
 of charcoal; which is here used entirely, or almost so, for 
 cooking. Little grates, not more than four inches square, 
 being their means of raising a heat for cooking; that is, in 
 these fine houses; in the others, they cook on the ground. 
 
 Hear how lustily that sooty fellow calls out car-bon, (char- 
 coal), through the streets. — We have mentioned before 
 the coal-pits from whence he comes. — But look again ; 
 there is an odd sight. Do you see that ranchero coming up 
 behind the coal drivers, leading a fodder stack ? It follows 
 him closely ; it is tall, bulky, and sweeps the ground, yet 
 falls not, and passes along without exciting any surprise in 
 the patient donkeys around ; but the horse of that cavalry 
 soldier seems about to break his neck with fright at the 
 stack, which slowly pursues its way. Walk round it : — you 
 observe that it is tied together with a small rope ; and is 
 well shaped. Lift the leaves that brush the ground, and 
 stooping, peep under : — the mystery is solved ; you see the 
 hoofs of a patient burro under there. Again walk round, and 
 you cannot see a trace of him, head, body, tail, feet, or ears, 
 w^hich always are the most prominent objects in this animal. f 
 
 * In Matamoras, the water was taken up from the river, in barrels with iron hoops. 
 Each barrel, when full, was bunged up, and a pin being in the centre of either head,, 
 with a hide rope attached to them ; the barrel was thus drawn, rolling over and over,, 
 by a peon ; no burros being used for that purpose ; but here they do all the work. 
 
 j- There are, near every Mexican city, many persons who make a living by the aid o£" 
 
PLAZA DE ARMAS. 413 
 
 Here comes three more donkeys, loaded with the green 
 leaves of the olmlila, or fodder tree. You observe the street 
 is continually busy and crowded with the mixed multitude. 
 Let us go on towards the Plaza de Armas, or the principal 
 square. 
 
 Upon arriving at the corner, you see the square before 
 you, surrounded by good buildings, mostly two stories ; — the 
 principal church stands on the opposite side, and the tower, 
 (which, in the picture, can be observed), is furnished with a 
 large clock, after our own style ; but it strikes the hours on 
 a heavy bell, and the quarters on a lighter one. — The inte- 
 rior of that church is not so rich as those before described. — 
 You observe the whole area of the unpaved square before 
 you is taken up by large piles of wagon bodies, axles, wheels, 
 bows, and tongues, and many men are engaged in placing 
 them together. Nothing here engrosses your attention much, 
 save the same mixed throng passing back and forth. 
 
 Let us step over the plaza towards the church : — On the 
 ■corner we see a building where already, in full operation, are 
 a company of American actors, engaged in carrying on the 
 "American Theatre ;" and pretty well they do also, and ob- 
 tain each night crowded houses, and make much money. — 
 Back of this is a large building, formerly occupied for public 
 instruction, as the sign over the principal door declares ; but 
 now it is used as a hospital. 
 
 Let us pass the sentinel on duty, at the gate at the end 
 of the building, and, entering the yard, go round among the 
 small interior buildings occupied by Dr. Wright, and several 
 assistant surgeons, nurses, guards, and other attendants. — 
 Upon entering the main building, you perceive rows of neat 
 bedsteads, each with a covering of raw hide, stretched up 
 and down either side of the long room, on every one of 
 which is a sick soldier. Some are improving, and in a day 
 or two will be able to take the fresh air in the pleasant 
 yard, where, as we came in, we might have observed seve- 
 ral pale looking men seated around. — Others are growing 
 
 three or four burros. These bring loads of wood on their backs, or coal, or sand, or any- 
 thing that may be needetl, the burros picking up their own scanty living. The men 
 are ^lled burret'us, literally, jackass men, referring to their manner of business. 
 
414 SCENE IN THE HOSPITAL. 
 
 worse ; one out there has just died ; — see with what a look 
 his next comrade turns his weak eyes towards the corpse, 
 not knowing but he may go next. — Another there is being 
 bathed in warm water, and the surgeon is applying mustard 
 plasters to him, endeavoring to keep up his circulation ; but 
 it appears as though it was in vain, for the life is nearly out 
 of him now. 
 
 Observe how still it is in here, although there are so many 
 sick and so many attendants. — See this other surgeon, who 
 goes from cot to cot, examining, and giving to the nurses di- 
 rections for each. — At the upper part, the attendants are 
 coming down from one to another, with tin cups of soup and 
 slices of fresh bread, to give to those who can eat. Here, 
 sitting upon the side of a bed, you see a weather beaten 
 soldier, who, with the tears standing in his eyes, is w^atching 
 the convulsive movements of the death-like countenance of 
 his sick comrade and mess-mate, over whom, perhaps, when 
 both left their native state to serve their country in the field, 
 he promised the parents, brothers or sisters of that comrade, 
 to watch and to assist. Now he is fulfilling his promise ; 
 but the hand of death is on the youth. 
 
 Let us turn away from this mournful stillness, and out of 
 this place of sickness and death, and again emerging into 
 the street, find ourselves in the bustle of life. — We hear the 
 music of a full band at the head of a detachment of soldiers, 
 swelling fully out the inspiring strains of Hail Columbia ; 
 and the music, so enlivening, drives away all melancholy 
 thoughts. — Let us stop at the corner of the plaza, and ad- 
 mire the precision of military movement with which they 
 pass along. — They are part of the Alabama regiment. 
 
 They have gone, and we will continue our course along up 
 the hill, towards the outskirts of the town, and the military 
 hospital, already noticed in the picture. In this part of the 
 city we will observe that the buildings become smaller, being 
 mostly of but one story. The gardens are man}^, with 
 ornamental trees growing in them. We observe but few 
 stores, or shops of any kind; for this part is occupied princi- 
 pally for dwellings. Here and there is a ])anadcria, or bakery, 
 which bakes fine bread, and is, in every respect, like our 
 
PANADERIA, OR BAKERY. 415 
 
 establishments of the baking order, save that these not only 
 bake for the living, but also, occasionally, for the dead. — 
 They, however, do not have much appetite, and are only fed 
 once a year.* 
 
 Upon arriving at the military hospital, we find great exer- 
 tions making, to place this part in a situation to resist an 
 attack from the interior ; wide, deep ditches are dug, and 
 heavy embankments thrown up. The small fort near the 
 margin of the lake is nearly finished ; at all of these we no- 
 tice many men at work. 
 
 Having taken this walk through the busy city of Tampico, 
 we will return along its streets, turning corner after corner, 
 until we arrive again at the Plaza de Comercio, at the start- 
 ing point, the flag-staff; thence we come along the river, 
 seeing only the same bustle, but meeting with many more 
 wagons, employed in transportation of stores, for difler- 
 ent brigades, encamped around the city. Passing the out- 
 skirts of the small houses, we leave the city. A few steps 
 bring us to the canal, bridge, and new fort; crossing the 
 bridge, on which we find many soldiers, we come out on the 
 plain ; on our right, and far extended to the front, lies the 
 camp of our brigade, along the river ; and at this, having 
 spent the day in the observation of the town, we bid you, 
 reader, good night. 
 
 * This refers to a singular custom, or remnant of an old Indian superstition, which 
 in nearly all of Mexico, has been like other similar ones, incorporated into their 
 present religious belief; and, by the lower classes, is scrupulously observed. — On All 
 Saints' Day (first November), the bakeries not only issue their daily amounts of 
 bread for the hving, but bake up a number of white, hard loaves, of a i^eculiar shape, 
 being circular, like large rings, with a raised top, which is pinched up into hundreds 
 of little prominences ; these loaves are called rosea de los miierios, or rusks or loaves 
 for the dead. Singular as it may seem, the lower classes buy these, and put them up 
 in their houses, for the sustenance of the souls of their deceased friends and relations ; 
 and they will tell you, in a serious tone, that such souls had ate such a part of it in one 
 night! The loaf remains in the same spot, until the souls have eaten it; i. c., the 
 mice, crickets, and roaches have consumed it. — The souls are not fed again until next 
 year, on All Saints' day, when, if not forgotten, they get more loaves ! — In what part 
 of the world can a more singular exhibition of the darkest superstition be found ? — 
 And what is more singular, is, that such an idea is not removed by the priests ; but, 
 like many other rites and ceremonies of the ancient Mexicans, this too, has remained, 
 and presents a curious instance of a most ridiculous heathen ceremony incorporated 
 by the descendants of those heathens, into the Christian religion they profess. 
 
416 PARADES AND DRILLS. 
 
 Satu7-da7/, February Gth. Gen. Pillow's brigade, as well as all 
 the others, were now subjected to severe and continual drill- 
 ing. Every day, the plain in front was enlivened by large 
 bodies of troops, in their various exercises. The regiments 
 of infantry now moved in solid phalanx over the plain ; then 
 rapidly deployed in long lines, re-formed in columns, charged, 
 threw themselves in hollow squares, &c., &c. The artil- 
 lery swept by them, at a rapid rate, whirled round, the 
 horses were detached, cannon aimed, and in one minute 
 after the first check of speed, the light cloud of smoke arose 
 from the gun, and the ball went crashing through a large 
 target, about a third of a mile distant from them, at the foot 
 of the hill on which is the old fort. Again, in another mo- 
 ment, the horses were attached, the riders up, and away went 
 the piece to another position, at full speed, and as suddenly 
 whirled, unlimbered, aimed, and fired. The howitzers, in the 
 same rapid manner, threw shells into the old fort Andonega, 
 which loudly exploded there. It was only occasionally, that 
 either the artillery, cavalry or infantry fired, in these drills. 
 — The evolutions, and practice of loading, &c., were gone 
 through with, continually ; but the firing, almost always, was 
 imaginary ; for we had no ammunition to throw away. 
 
 The large bodies of the two battalions of our cavalry, can 
 be seen, sometimes, coming on, at a rapid trot, in solid mass- 
 es ; then, suddenly wheeling, they open to the right and left, 
 in detachments, and long imposing columns ; sometimes they 
 move slowly, then again, the volumes of dust, suddenly ri- 
 sing, as it were, with the whirlwind, shows the charge ; the 
 dust obscures them ; far ahead, they emerge from it, rein up, 
 and by companies, turn, and double upon, and among, each 
 other, in a thousand ways ; yet there is no confusion, no mis- 
 takes, by any. The roll of drums, the shrill sound of the fifes, 
 and the clear notes of the cavalry bugles, and the deeper 
 music of the regular bands, fill the air with martial strains. 
 Sometimes these are silent, then, all in concert together. 
 The varying scene goes on continually ; — the sunny plain 
 every day presents the same striking martial appearance, 
 ever varying, but still the same : — parade upon parade, drill 
 upon drill, at intervals, from sunrise to sunset. 
 
M-ARTIAL APPEARANCE OF THE PLAIN. 417 
 
 Sometimes many small squads, each under its officer, are 
 practicing the manual of arms, &c.; then the plain is cover- 
 ed with companies, each acting singly ; then again larger 
 bodies, battalions, are moving independent of one another ; 
 then, in the afternoons, each regiment is carrying on, un- 
 der the command of its colonel, its regimental manoeuvres ; 
 then again the whole brigade is acting in concert, under the 
 general ; — the whole appearance is such as can only be wit- 
 nessed in the performances of an army in the field. The 
 beauty, variety, and precision of movements, never can be 
 seen in parades and reviews at home ; — they can only be 
 executed by bodies of soldiers who for months have made 
 it their business. — And now, while, from time to time, we 
 speak of the camp and scenes around it, the reader will bear 
 in mind this principal martial view, accompanied by the 
 music, continually going on over the area of the plain be- 
 fore the camp, save for a few intervals, of a Sunday or 
 two, and during the severe blowing of the northers. — ■ 
 At daylight, at seven, A. M., at eleven, A. M., at three, P. 
 M.J and at five, P. M., the principal drills and parades take 
 place, and, save at meal times, the plain never is bare. — 
 The weeds, which grew upon it on our arrival, are all tram- 
 pled down, and it is level as a floor. 
 
 February t7th. This was a most lovely day; and the 
 
 sun shone pleasantly on the beautiful river, on the green hills 
 
 opposite, on the city in the distance, on the camp and the 
 
 plain. — It was warm, pleasant, bright and still. Before the 
 
 sea breeze rose, not a breath of air was stirring ; — and every 
 
 sound was distinct. The flags over the city, and those on the 
 
 lofty masts of the shipping near it, drooped motionless from 
 
 their staffs ; — the screams and chattering of the numbers of 
 
 parrots, of brilliant plumage, in the forests opposite the 
 
 camp, came with distinctness across the calm surface of the 
 
 water. Upon the river, here and there, were long canoes, the 
 
 paddles of which, now and then dipped in the surface, glided 
 
 them quietly on ; while the little undulations from their 
 
 movements caused the rays of the morning sun to dance, as 
 
 it were, on its bosom. 
 
 Below was a vessel, which, for the want of the slightest 
 27 
 
418 CAMP SCENES. 
 
 wind, had let go her anchor, to retain her in the same po- 
 sition, while her white sails were still stretched above, court- 
 ing the renewal of the breeze. The crew were leaning over 
 her sides, gazing out on the camp that was spread before 
 them. 
 
 The city and the camp were still. — In the former, the bells 
 calling the people to " mass " had ceased their tones, and in 
 the latter, the drums, the fifes, the bugles, and the instru- 
 ments of the bands were all silent : for, a wonder, Sunday 
 had been recognized, and there was no drill, no parade, no 
 movements. — The long line of succeeding infantry sentinels, 
 that extended in front of the entire brigade, at regular inter- 
 vals, from the bridge on the left, towards the town, down to 
 the bend of the river, on the right, seemed as if struck with 
 the stillness and beauty of the scene before and around them, 
 and were motionless also. — They leaned on their muskets^ 
 at their posts along, from space to space. 
 
 Now, reader, while all is thus reposing, let us turn our at- 
 tention to the tents, and see at what the boys are engaging 
 themselves ; for, at all times when they are at leisure, their 
 occupation and movements are about the same, and a glance 
 at this leisure day, shows for all. 
 
 Let us walk round in the cavalry regiment. — The horses 
 are still ; tied with their long lariats ; — they seem dozing in 
 the pleasant sun. — At the line of tents nearest to us, you 
 observe the captain's marquee, with a crowd around it, sit- 
 ting on the bales of hay and bags of corn, that have been 
 sent for the use of the company. — They are engaged in con- 
 versation with respect to our next probable movements. 
 
 At the first tent in the line we will stop and look in. — We 
 see a couple of the men sitting down in the little space, 
 amid carbines, swords, pistols, blankets, &c., engaged in wri- 
 ting letters on pieces of barrel heads, which are placed across 
 their knees. — They have obtained their sheets of paper from 
 the officers, (to whom, every quarter, a quantity is allowed 
 by the government), and are busy ; being prompted by see- 
 ing so many vessels arriving and departing from the United 
 States, and also by receiving letters from home. Two of 
 
APPEARANCE WITHIN THE TENTS. 419 
 
 their mess-mates are on the sides of the tent, on their blan- 
 kets, asleep, and appear very comfortable. 
 
 Leaving them, another step or two brings us to the second 
 tent. — The flap is closed, and the tent is, as it w^ere, shut 
 up. Let us open it, and enter : — There is but one man with- 
 in, and he is mending his bridle ; — the whole bottom of the 
 tent is filled with baggage and arms. — In comes a comrade, 
 who, in a low voice, asks him " if he has got anything." 
 He nods. " Hand it out, then." He drops his bridle, and 
 reaching over, pulls out, from under the blankets, a bottle 
 of brandy, and sells the other a dram, for a bit ; but it is 
 done in a very quiet manner, for it is contrary to the regu- 
 lations of the camp.* 
 
 At the third tent, we find some of the boys asleep, and 
 a couple cooking behind it ; — they have been up in town 
 and bought some beef and vegetables, and having- bor- 
 rowed a camp-kettle from another mess, are trying their hand 
 at making soup, for a rarity. They have got some light 
 bread from the bakery, some pepper, and several little arti- 
 cles, and they seem as much engaged in making their soup 
 as though it was to be of immense advantage to them. — 
 
 * Liquor the soldiers would have ; and they worked many schemes to be able to 
 
 obtain it At Victoria, where no spirituous liquors, save muscal, could be procured, 
 
 many of the soldiers made a profitable business by buying it from the Mexicans, (who 
 are fearful, on account of the prohibitory commands of our general, to sell it to us by 
 the small quantity), and with a canteen on their sides, and a little cup in their pockets, 
 were ready, when one raised his finger, to step round a corner, or into some court- 
 yard, and pour them out a drink for a real, or bit. — These " traveling groceries," as the 
 soldiers called them, could be met in any street. The officers would pass by them, as 
 they strolled about, never suspecting anything of the kind. So, in spite of all restric- 
 tions put upon them, the soldiers would manage to get their drams. 
 
 And so it is here, in Tampico. — By order of Gen. Patterson, severe punishment has 
 been inflicted on the bar keepers, both Americans and Mexicans, in the town, for selling^ 
 spirituous liquors. — But our soldiers buy it from the Mexicans in quantities, and< 
 bring it into camp, and silently sell it to their comrades in their tents. — Every morn- 
 ing you may see men walking silently and carelessly up the lines, and then suddenly 
 diving into a tent ; — all is still there, but lift the flap, or the door, and you can see the- 
 vender pouring, from an old black bottle, a dram into a mug; — the soldier lays his bit 
 on the blanket, drinks the liquor, wipes his mouth, lifts the flap and goes out, as if no- 
 thing had happened. — The bottle is put away again in the corner of the tent, under 
 the pile of arms and loose blankets, and the vender walks out too, until another silent 
 customer gives him the wink. — Brandy, muscal, aguardiente, or some other spiritu- 
 ous liquors, they will have. 
 
420 SCENES IN THE TENTS. 
 
 You will smile to see what value they set upon it ; but if 
 you had been through the hard times that they have, and 
 were in their position now, a dish of hot soup would appear 
 to you to be indeed a luxury. — There are two more of the 
 men there who do not belong to that mess, and with each 
 one of these they have struck a trade : — One is to get them 
 an arm-full of wood, for which he will have to go at least a 
 mile, and bring it on his shoulder ; — the other is to go to the 
 cistern at the canal, a half a mile, and bring back a bucket 
 of water for them : for these services, they are to get a cup 
 of soup a-piece ; and both think they have made good trades, 
 and start immediately to perform them. 
 
 At the next tent, crowded at its door with bags of oats, 
 are, within, several seated on a blanket, playing "old sledge," 
 while another has got a novel, which has been read about 
 the camp until it is hardly readable, and is passing away the 
 time in deciphering it. 
 
 At another tent, the fire is kindled, and a chap is pound- 
 ing coffee with the muzzle of his carbine, and is quarreling 
 all the time with his mess-mates about the cooking, declar- 
 ing that it is not his day in turn, &c., and swearing that 
 hereafter he will cook for himself alone, &c., &c. In this 
 tent are the mess-mates, some of them asleep, others endeav- 
 oring to mend up their uniforms and other clothing, and 
 keeping up the dispute with the one who is cooking. 
 
 In the next, you see a water bucket, with a full supply of 
 water, and a pan of fried pork, and hard bread, to which the 
 boys of the mess are about to apply themselves for a dinner. 
 
 In the succeeding tent, a general cleaning of arms is going 
 on ; for one of the mess has been lucky enough to get hold 
 of a little sweet oil, and all of them are availing themselves 
 of the opportunity ; and with much conversation, and many 
 tales to one another, they appear to pass the time very pleas- 
 antly. 
 
 In the next one are many collected, to hear a man who is 
 telling amusing tales, and many a loud laugh comes from 
 there. — After he is done, another sings a song in high glee. 
 Let us peep in : — They have got several bottles of brandy 
 -cherries, and they insist upon our taking some of them* — 
 
SCENES IN THE TENTS. 421 
 
 (These are procured from the sutler, who, as he is not al- 
 lowed to sell spirits, thus evades the restriction, and his 
 brandy cherries go off like hot cakes). 
 
 We will go on. — At the next, we see more writing letters^ 
 sewing, &c., and several at a game of euchre. — At the next, 
 we find all engaged in a general dressing and cleaning up, 
 having had their clothing returned from the Mexican wash- 
 erwomen, who have made it look new. — They are evidently 
 much pleased with their change in appearance. — In front 
 of this tent, as well as of several others that we have 
 passed, down the line, you observe many of the men spend- 
 ing much time and pains in rubbing and currying their 
 horses ; and in the meanwhile they are talking to them, and 
 patting them, and so accustomed have the horses become 
 each to his rider, during the long march, that he knows him 
 as far as he can see him, and will express it by neighing, and 
 if loose, will come up to him. A horse could not be driven 
 from near the camp, and it takes them but one feed to learn 
 them their particular place ; and, if turned loose, they will 
 each come to it at night. — These men are devoting their 
 leisure time to the attention required by their horses, and 
 they could spend it in no better way. 
 
 Let us look for a moment upon this group in the next and 
 last tent, busily employed at a game of poker. The tent is 
 not much larger in area than that which is covered by a 
 double bedstead, about eight feet by ten. In this little 
 place, covered with blankets on the bottom, are now nine 
 persons. — At the back is a pile of carbines, cartridge-boxes, 
 swords, holster pistols, &c.; — on the side are two of the 
 mess-mates, stretched out and wrapped in their blankets, 
 trying to sleep ; but they can scarcely do it : for, crowded 
 upon them, set the chaps at poker. — A green blanket serves 
 them for a table. — There are five at play, and everyone busy. 
 — Grains of coffee, called checks, ranking as picayunes each, 
 are on the blanket before them. — Nearest is a small man, 
 with a quick, restless eye, who shuffles and deals off the 
 cards with the sobriety of a senator. — Hear him quickly say, 
 as he throws down a couple of grains, "I bet two checks; 
 what will you do, Sam ? " — see with what eagerness they all 
 
422 SCENES IN THE TENTS. 
 
 look on, as they compare their hands, and the highest rakes 
 down the heap ; — and so they go on for hours ; — the same 
 scene and words, — " I pass," — " I bet a check," — " I see your 
 check, and go three better," — " I go four blind," — " I call 
 you," with little dispute, occasionally, about putting up their 
 " anties ;" with sometimes a loud laugh from the winner, and 
 then a muttered exclamation from a loser, who, thinking he 
 had held the best hand, had bet freely upon it, and then 
 found, to his disappointment, that another held a better one. 
 
 We have now passed down one line of tents, or one com- 
 pany ; each company in the regiment, and each one of the 
 regiments of the brigade, will be found engaged in nearly the 
 same ways. It is so all over the camp. Let us now look along 
 the shore of the river, near to which our walk down the line 
 of tents has brought us. — Here, we find seated on the low 
 bank, many groups of men, who are looking on the beauti- 
 ful scene before them, of the peaceful river, with the vessels 
 passing up and down ; for the sea breeze now gently blows, 
 though the surface of the water is yet unruffled. They are 
 watching the porpoises, who throw their large backs out of 
 tlie water, blow, and then disappear. An enormous turtle 
 occasionally appears. — Passing along, we see other men, 
 catching crabs, in the shallow water ; these are very nume- 
 rous, and with a short pole, a line with a piece of meat on 
 it, and little dip net, one man catches from twenty to thirty 
 in an hour.* Others we see, walking the shore, apparently 
 in thought; though there are not many of these, most having 
 laid aside the task of thinking, as a continual job, to be ta- 
 ken up on their return home. — Now, reader, we have given 
 you a sample of the crowded camp, when in a state of rest 
 and quiet. Of course, we have not mentioned all particu- 
 lars, but enough to furnish you a definite and correct idea 
 of the way in which we employ our time when off" duty ; and 
 knowing it upon one day, you know it upon all. , , 
 
 Monday, February 8th. As mentioned, in the note ap- 
 
 * Besides these sea crabs, which were fine eating, the whole plain was covered with 
 the holes of the land crab ; — these were not fit to eat, but were a curiosity to our men. 
 They were of a blue color, the body somewhat larger than a hen's egg, long claws, 
 and the way they could " scud it," sideways, over the ground, to their holes, when 
 pursued, "wasn't slow." 
 
PREPARING FOR A MARCH. 423 
 
 pended, our company, G, after spending half the night in 
 cooking provisions, and preparing forage for a three day's 
 cruise, against Gen. Cos, to assist the wrecked Louisianians,* 
 had marched to town, and upon the reception of the news 
 of their safety, had returned to camp. One of the principal 
 attractions in a soldier's life, is the total uncertainty of the 
 
 THE WRECKED LOUISIANIANS. 
 
 * On this day, in Tampico, much anxiety was felt for the safety of four companies 
 of the Louisiana regiment, under Col. De Russey, who had been wrecked a few days 
 before this, in the ship Ondiaka, some thirty-five or forty miles south of the mouth 
 of this river. Gen. Patterson, as soon as the news of the wreck came to hand 
 dispatched to their relief, a steamboat by sea ; and by land, forty dragoons, a full 
 atajo, or sixty pack mules, with five day's rations for the four companies ; and, for the 
 officers, sent fifteen saddle-horses. A report reaching us the next day, that the detach- 
 ment were about to be attacked on the beach, by Gen. Cos, who had a considerable 
 force to the southward, at Tuspan, but farther from the wreck than we were, Gen. 
 Patterson ordered one company from our regiment, and one company of infantry, from 
 Col. Campbell's, to march on the following morning. — Our company, G, was ordered 
 by Col. Thomas, this evening, to be off by daylight. Every one jumped at the 
 chance. We were ready, mounted, and marched into town, with the company of 
 infentry ; but as we were about to enter the steamboat, to be set across the river, the 
 other boat, which had been sent out the day before, came puffing in, and landed 
 some officers, who reported the detachment safe, and on its march for this place. 
 All anxiety was at once relieved in the city and camp ; and we were ordered back, 
 by the general. The same day the command arrived safely, and in good condition. 
 No one had been lost in the wreck, for the ship did not go to pieces ; and after the gale 
 abated, they had but little difticulty in getting ashore. They were warmly greeted by 
 all ; they appeared as brothers, from the interest felt in their safety, for the few days 
 back — But a shade was thrown over the general relief, by the announcement that the 
 march had been made with such precipitancy, that all the sick unable to keep up, were 
 left along, from time to time, to fall into the hands of the enemy ; who treat all such 
 willi no mercy. — The condemnations of their colonel, by his officers and men, for this 
 precipitate march, and abandonment of the sick, were neither few nor low ; and the 
 same feeling, from them, was imparted to all others through the different camps ; which 
 feeling, on the fourth day afterwards, was increased, by the appearance of the sick men ; 
 who had slowly dragged themselves on, up the sea-beach, until they arrived at the 
 mouth of the river, and fallowing that up, had come opposite our camp, and waved their 
 hats on poles; which being perceived, was made known to Gen. Pillow, who immedi- 
 ately sent boats for them. — They were much exhausted, still sick, having had notliing 
 to eat for the whole time, save some sea-fowls, which they had shot. One was suffer- 
 ing from a large blister, which had been placed upon him before he was abandoned. — 
 The alarm of being pursued, they pronounced untrue, for they had not seen a hostile 
 Mexican after being left. When asked about their ammunition (of which, in excuse, 
 it had been said, that the detachment were out), they showed their cartridge-boxes 
 with a good supply. Many men, with indignant expression of countenance, crowded 
 around the poor fellows, as they came ashore. While the boat landed the first, the 
 others made their appearance ; and, to our great joy, we found that all were safe. 
 
424 ABSENCE OF CARE WITH SOLDIERS. 
 
 future, even for an hour; no calculation is made; no thought 
 is taken ; we wait for orders, and are ready to execute them, 
 of whatever kind they may be. One soon gets tired of 
 making any plans for the future, save for the time when 
 again he shall arrive at home ; and all feel, wdth regai'd to 
 themselves, that this is so uncertain, that those plana 
 are few. When a definite order is delivered, we know 
 immediately what to do ; but that order may be counter- 
 maiided, and we return to our former state ; so that we 
 think but of the moment, and let the future take care of 
 itself. This absence of all care, is certainly, what at home, 
 in busy life, is never experienced ; and in whatever light 
 those at home, who never tried it, may view it, it proves to 
 us very pleasant. One is peculiarly fitted to enjoy the pre- 
 sent, and the days pass lightly away. It was on this ac- 
 count, that all were continually so full of sport ; even the 
 foreheads of many that had, when first they joined the army, 
 a contracted appearance of thought, now seemed relieved, 
 appeared smoother, and their countenances were brighter. 
 If difficulties and hardships came, they endured them while 
 remaining ; but they had not suffered them in anticipation ; 
 and of the troubles of life generally, those of anticipated 
 evils make up no small proportion. On this day was a differ- 
 ence of scene, from that expected ; for the author, as well as 
 all his company, had received orders to go on a hard march, 
 and attack the enemy ; but that march had only been a plea- 
 sant little ride into town and back ; and the rest of the day 
 he spent in company with Capt. Sneed, and two or three 
 others, in a delightful little excursion, in a sail-boat, down 
 the beautiful river (as seen in the second picture), and over 
 the bar,* out into the wild waves of old ocean; passing the 
 day very agreeably, and returning as the sun was declining 
 in the west. 
 
 Tuesday, February 9lh. We have lost three men, by death, 
 while here encamped : M. Brady, of Capt. Gillespie's com- 
 
 * From this point, which is the left hand one seen in the view, at the mouth of the 
 river, Tampico bar stretches across the mouth from N. W. to S. E.; the depth of 
 water on it, is about ten feet. The position of this bar, is, according to the nautical 
 charts, 22° 17' north latitude, and 98° 24' west longitude. 
 
SICKNESS IN CAMP. 425 
 
 pany, who died two or three days since ; C. S. Rungan of 
 Capt. Evans', died day before yesterday ; and Sergeant J. A. 
 Smith, of Capt. Marshall's company, died yesterday. They 
 were buried under the hill, seen in the picture, near the old 
 fort. There were many dying in town, at the hospital. The 
 climate and air, although very pleasant to the senses, do not 
 appear to agree with many of our men ; and sickness, when 
 taken, is unusually fatal; few seem to recover, when severely 
 attacked. Probably the change of air, experienced in our 
 coming down from the mountains so elevated, to the lower 
 coast, has a deleterious effect upon their constituitions. A 
 man is here not sick long ; he dies or recovers in a short time. 
 
 The weather now, is extremely hot ; and the direct heat 
 of the sun, before the sea-breeze rises in the morning, is 
 compared, by many, to that experienced in standing a few 
 feet off from a log fire. The heat of the direct rays cer- 
 tainly is intense, "^hile men perspire freely, they do not 
 appear to be affected by it ; but if one gets a little cold, and 
 his perspiration is checked, he is thrown into a high fever 
 immediately; and then, as the numerous deaths show, the 
 chances are against him. 
 
 Wednesday, February 10th. Last night, we lay down in 
 our crowded little tents, without covering, suffering much on 
 account of the extreme heat ; but before morning, a norther 
 burst down upon us, and the air became immediately very 
 cold, and the wind came up the bend of the river, career- 
 ing with power. When we turned out to roll call, it re- 
 quired an extra blanket upon our shoulders, to keep us com- 
 fortable. The parade following, was extremely unpleasant 
 on the plain, from the strong wind and clouds of dust ; our 
 horses, being chilled, were almost unmanageable ; we gal- 
 loped round, formed lines, columns, files, platoons, &c., and 
 w^ere heartily rejoiced to be released at last, and get into our 
 tents for shelter. — The river was lashed into breaking waves, 
 that dashed upon the shore near us, with a continual tumult. 
 In the afternoon, the wind blowing still stronger, Capt. 
 Sneed, and many of the men rode down to the mouth of the 
 river at the beach, to old ocean in its majesty, when his bil- 
 lows, chased and driven by the strong, keen blasts bursts in 
 
426 THE PHILOSOPHER AND HIS HORSE, ROSINANTE. 
 
 thunder on the shore. The rolHng mountain waves, as they 
 dashed in, excited the astonishment of all. 
 
 Ingram, the philosopher mentioned before, went with them 
 to observe the scene. Ingram, thin-visaged and lean in his 
 person, rides a tall frame of a horse, equally lean, with sunken 
 eyes, hip-bones and ribs standing out in relief against his 
 tight hide, his hair standing every way. — It is a wonder to 
 all that he has lived so long, or survived the labors of the 
 campaign. This tall, raw-boned frame, Ingram calls Rosi- 
 nante; and surely, from Cervantes' description of Don Quix- 
 otte's steed, there are many points of resemblance between 
 the two. Rosinante has been unable, for some time, to carry 
 his master, being afflicted with general weakness, tightness 
 of hide, contraction of the stomach, and skinned upon the 
 prominent ridges of the backbone ; but in the two vi^eeks he 
 has remained here, having had twelve quarts of oats a day, 
 has somewhat recruited, though the ph^osopher declares he 
 could eat thirty-six, and says that he would fatten if he had 
 that quantity, — and probably he might upon that : — but he is 
 so old that his teeth are all out, and he swallows both corn 
 and oats without mastication, and nothing but a large amount 
 of forage could at all fatten him. He has been assisted in 
 his general state of health, by large doses of nux vomica, 
 administered to him by his master. 
 
 The philosopher rode him on parade to-day, for the first 
 time since our arrival here ; and, after parade, went down 
 with the party to the sea beach. The waves, as before said, 
 were rolling far up, and the party would follow a retiring 
 wave, and then, suddenly turning their horses, retreat at full 
 speed from the next one, w^hich came in at a rapid, threaten- 
 ing rate, towards them ; and, escaping its fury, follow that 
 out when returning, and again retreat from the next angry 
 billow that advanced. 
 
 The third wave that followed was of larger size, and all 
 save the philosopher escaped it ; he thought, that by making 
 Rosinante rear up as the wave came, he would plunge over 
 it ; — and he reined him up, stuck the spurs to him, and 
 charged the curling billow, that threw up its foaming crest 
 far above the rearing Rosinante, and far above the philoso- 
 
BEEF FOR GENERAL COS. 427 
 
 plier's head, as well as above his previous calculations, and 
 broke down upon them all with power ; knocked off the rider, 
 and covered him up in the foam, sending him far away from 
 Rosinante, who, with saddle and bridle, was rolling over and 
 over in the billows. 
 
 The wave retreated ; — both horse and rider, now far sep- 
 arated, endeavored to rise. — The next billow broke down 
 and rolled them over and over again ; — the next served them 
 in the same way ; but both, at last, nearly exhausted, ob- 
 tained foothold, and got out, with the salt water running in 
 streams off of them. — Rosinante held down his head, and 
 mustered strength to shake his bones ; — the philosopher, 
 dripping and exhausted, got upon him, and they took a " bee 
 .line" for the camp. 
 
 Friday, February I2th. A little excitement helped us out 
 "this day. — It was caused by some Mexicans, who were en- 
 deavoring to swim a large drove of several hundred cattle, 
 across the river, about two miles below our camp, to drive 
 them down to the Mexican general, Cos. — On account of the 
 lakes above, they were forced to cross here. It was a bold 
 move ; but in the night they had succeeded in crossing about 
 half of them, before it was known to our generals. Several 
 companies of our regiment were ordered to saddle up, and 
 while part went down on one side, the steamer conveyed the 
 others across the river, and they passed down on that side ; — 
 the whole drove was captured. — The drovers and peones, 
 some twenty-five in number, were taken prisoners, and 
 they, together with about forty pack mules, brought up to 
 town. 
 
 Saturday, February ISih. During the time we had been 
 here, but few crimes were committed ; — scarcely any mur- 
 ders, or stabbing, so common near Matamoras and in the 
 valley of the Rio Grande. — These people were a better sort 
 than those of the frontier. Our generals wished, as before 
 said, to learn them something more than they already knew 
 about our customs ; and wished to introduce among them 
 the form of trial by jury, a thing they never heard of. 
 
 An opportunity about this time offered. — An American cit- 
 izen was killed by a Mexican. — The murderer was appre- 
 
428 SEARCH OF SHERIFF FOR "LOCKS." 
 
 hended ; a judge, sheriff, and clerk, were appointed by the 
 general ; and the criminal court of Tampico opened its ses- 
 sions, to the utter astonishment of the old administrators of 
 justice, the alcaldes. The panel of jurors was summoned, 
 and a trial took place in due form. The Mexican was con- 
 victed, and sentenced to be hung ; but evaded that part of 
 the business, by escaping from confinement. 
 
 The whole proceedings of this new court caused much 
 merriment among the men ; more especially when the sheriff 
 was most busily enquiring for Mr. Locks, of the Tennessee 
 cavalry, whom he had summoned, the previous evening, as a 
 juror. — Each one could direct him to the whereabouts of Mr. 
 Locks : — he was in such a store, near by, or around such a 
 corner ; — every one had just seen him ; and the poor sheriff 
 was run nearly down, in looking for him. He must have 
 supposed that Mr. Locks was hard to find ; — and so he was, 
 for he was often hunted, but never found, as far as we ever 
 heard. As his name became so known to the regiment, we 
 will speak of him in the note.* 
 
 "locks" and " cogle." 
 * Locks was a queer fellow, and cut up more rustles, shines, and capers, than all 
 others in the company and regiment ; and we will introduce to the reader this chap 
 " Locks," and his relative, " Cogle," of the Kentucky regiment of cavalry, and relate a 
 few of their numerous peccadillos. Both are fictitious characters; and Locks was first 
 heard of in our regiment, and Cogle in the Kentucky, as long ago as when both were 
 encamped near Memphis, in Tennessee. — Col. Marshall, of that regiment of Kentuck- 
 ians, was strict and positive in his orders, and all firing of guns in the camp, among 
 other things, was forbidden ; and the oflRcer of the day was instructed to take all of- 
 fenders against this order into immediate custody. — Some of the men, full of fun, con- 
 trived and carried out the following scheme, to annoy the officer. Several went into ■ 
 the woods, at the lower part of the camp, and one discharged a gun, and immediately 
 disappeared among the hushes; the others remained on the spot, strolling around; — 
 presently, the officer came down in a hurry, and wished to know who fired that gun. 
 They told him that a chap named Cogle had done it, and then cleared himself He 
 asked to what company he belonged ; they directed him to one, where they had left a 
 man, to tell him that Cogle belonged to another ; where, also, he was to be sent to the 
 third, and so on. He hurried on, from company to company ; sometimes Cogle was 
 here, and sometimes there ; one had just seen him in a certain tent ; there they told 
 him he had gone to the next, until, after a weary search, the officer reported that Cogle 
 fired the gun, but was not to be found. 
 
 When the regiment arrived at Little Rock, one of the soldiers committed a crime, 
 for which he was placed in prison ; a number of his companions, disguising them- 
 selves, forced the jail in the night, and released him. This transaction greatly iiacensed 
 
EFFECT OF SLIGHT COLD ON MEXICANS. 429 
 
 Saturday, February 13th. A pleasant day, but cool ; for 
 the wind was still from the north. The drills were short, 
 and many devoted the day to strolling around, in city and 
 camp. — Many went up into the city, to seek at the post-office, 
 here established, letters from home. The author w^ent for 
 the same reason, as well as to pick up any items of news, 
 that might have been received, as to our future movements ; 
 
 but no letters had arrived for many days ; and as to 
 
 news, there was none. Nothing could be known until Gen. 
 Scott arrived, and no one knew where he was, save that he 
 was on the coast somewhere. — The cool weather had in- 
 duced all the Mexicans, walking in the streets, or crowded 
 in the markets, to closely wrap themselves in their horongos 
 and scrapes ; and they appeared as cold as our people at 
 home would do in a snow-storm. There were just as many 
 of them, however, on the edge of the square, seated around, 
 with their wares and provisions to sell, as before, and they 
 made as much noise. — One thing was not mentioned about 
 these little traders, that in such numbers are found in every 
 
 " LOCKS " AND " COGLE." 
 
 the colonel, who offered a reward for the ringleader of the party, and his associates. 
 The jailor, too, was indefatigable in his endeavors to recognise them in the regiment ; 
 but, among the multitude of strange faces, was unable so to do — A party of the sol- 
 diers, who had been into town, on a frolic, and who had run dry of the means to get 
 anything more to drink, met the jailor in the street, and told him, that if he would 
 treat them, they would inform him who was the leader of the crowd that forced the 
 jail ; — that they regretted much the whole transaction, and that, moreover, he must 
 keep the source from whence he obtained the information entirely secret. This he 
 promised gladly ; and he treated the party to punches and juleps, as much as they could 
 carry, with what they had taken before. They then infonned him, that Cogle was the 
 man who got up the plan of attacking the jail, and that he had headed the crowd ; but 
 
 that they did not know to which company he belonged The jailor hastened to Col. 
 
 Marshall, who had fretted and fumed about the matter, threatening vengeance against 
 the offender. "When the jailor gave him the ir.formation he had received, the colonel 
 immediately made out an order for Cogle's arrest ; and the provost-marshal commenced 
 the search for him. He was directed from company to company ; from tent to tent ; 
 into town, at certain groceries, and out of town to other places ; till the poor provost 
 was heartily tired out, and had to give up the chase. Cogle was not yet caught. 
 
 When the regiment arrived at Washington, Arkansas, they remained there seven 
 days ; and Cogle was still at his tricks. — The colonel had a bill presented to him by 
 one of the citizens of the town, for butter, eggs, hams, and market vegetables, bought 
 for him by his servant " Cogle," the day previous. The colonel declared that Cogle 
 was not his servant, that he had heard of the man, but had not yet been able to 
 recognise him. 
 
430 TAXES IN MEXICAN TOWNS. 
 
 Mexican town, which is, the taxes that they have to pay. — 
 Not a load of wood on a jackass, not a little trifle of char- 
 coal, not a dozen bunches of fodder, a basket of oranges, a 
 pig, quarter of beef, a few pine-apples, or a bag of red pep- 
 per, or anything else enters a Mexican town without a cor- 
 responding little duty being exacted on it, and must be paid 
 at the entrance. — These people are taxed in every possible 
 shape and manner. 
 
 "locks" and "coule." 
 
 When the regiment arrived at Port Lavacca, two of the soldiers walked out iVotn the 
 camp, and one shot a goat, belonging to a Frenchman, who resided near by ; and his 
 comrade went to the Frenchman and told him of the fact, and condemned Cogle for it, , 
 in the most unmeasured terms. The Frenchman was very " wrathy," but expressed 
 himself under " de mos great obligations " to the informer, treated hirn plentifully to 
 good old brandy, and immediately laid his complaint before Col. Marshall, demanding 
 redress. Strangely, but from the amount of business on his hands, the colonel had 
 forgotten Cogle ; and in a few moments, the provost-marshal had in hands an order for 
 his arrest, and was looking for him ; but, of course, the search was vain ; and he, as well 
 as the colonel and the complaining Frenchman, found that " Cogle" was the personifi- 
 cation of " nobody." The Frenchman got no satisfaction for the loss of his goat, and 
 left the camp amid the shouts of " Cogle ! " " Cogle ! " to his extreme annoyance. 
 
 About this time, there arrived at Lavacca thirty of our regiment, who had been sick 
 at Memphis, and left there ; and who now came round by water. They were under 
 the command of Lieut. Seaman, and were encamped near the Kentuckians. Some of 
 the men of the regiment, too, had been sent ahead, and arrived there seven days be- 
 fore us. Lieut. Anderson, of our own company, went with them ; and they all ro- 
 mained in Seaman's little camp. The Kentuckians, in the mean time, shifted their 
 camp, five miles lower down. 
 
 Seaman's men became tired of their salt pork ; and some went hunting, but had no 
 success; returning, they came near this same Frenchman's place, and seeing, in tlie 
 prairie beyond, a fat yearling, they shot it, and brought the meat to camp ; and it was 
 soon distributed among the messes, and was in the kettles, boiling for dinner. — The 
 Frenchman soon "smelt the rat," and came down to their encampment, and examin- 
 ing the kettles, saw the meat ; and looking at the unskinned legs and hoofs of the year- 
 ling, discovered that it was the missing one. — He went up to the Ueutenant's tent ; 
 Lieut. Seaman was absent, but Lieut. Anderson was there, reading. — The sides of the 
 tent were looped up, to allow the fresh sea-breeze to pass through ; and Hamilton, an 
 old negro, who cooked for Seaman, was busy about his dinner without, and to hiin 
 the Frenchman began talking, in a rapid and vociferous manner, about his " pull 
 — ^his leetle plack pull ! — and who killed his pull ? — and he vould have satisfiiction 
 for his plack pull," &c. He attracted Anderson's attention, who asked him what ho 
 wanted. — " I vants satisfaction for my pull, my leetle plack pull ; for I have anoder 
 plack pull, and next year I vill have a yoke of pulls!" — Anderson, knowing that 
 the bull had been killed, told him to name his price, and he should be paid. — " No, 
 no,'' said the Frenchman, "I sail have no pay ! I vants no pay for my leetle plack 
 pull ; I vants satisfaction ; I vant him who kill my plack pull to be punish ; for I 
 
"TOMALES CALIENTES." 431 
 
 This morning, a full supply of all articles sold here was 
 brought in; the ugly old hags, with the hot tomdes steaming in 
 their pots, were squalling out their lomales calientes! more: often 
 than before; and they had many customers, to whom the hot 
 bits went well in the cold air. — Every Mexican that we 
 met, as we passed him, had the same expression, with his 
 arms under his blanket, holding that up to his neck, and 
 muffling it around his mouth and chin, with his eyes and no.-^e 
 
 "locks" and " cogle." 
 have anoder leetle plack pull, and next year I vill have a yoke of plack pulls; I vants 
 satisfaction — who kill my pull ? " — Anderson told him it was Cogle, of the Kentucky 
 regiment, not dreaming that he had ever heard of Cogle. The name struck the 
 Frenchman all aback ; throwing up his hands, and turning short on his heel, he 
 shook his head, saying bitterly, " G — d d — n Cogles ! I knows him before ; he kill 
 my goat ! " off he went, and came back no more. 
 
 What Cogle is in the Kentucky regiment, " Locks" is in ours. All missing articles, 
 ■when inquired for, are found to be taken by Locks — If mischief is done, and looked 
 into, Locks is found at the bottom of it ; and many have been the searches after him, 
 and many a threat has been made against him, by those who have been trying to hunt 
 him up, being directed back and forth continually. 
 
 " Who took my bridle, last night ? " shouted the sergeant, early one morning, when 
 preparing to saddle up for the day's march.— Far down in the line came up, repeated 
 several times, "Locks got it.'' — " G-d d-m-n Locks," was the reply. — A soldier broke 
 by the guard ; information was given by the sentinel, and the offender's name was 
 found to be Locks ; and much search was made to fuid him out, but he had disap- 
 peared. 
 
 A man lost his blanket coat, when intoxicated, as far back as the Trinity river, 
 in Texas : — one of our company found it, and wore it. About a month afterwards, 
 when we were encamped near Victoria, Texas, the owner, having seen it upon him at 
 a distance, about supper time, came into camp to inquire after it. Lieut. Anderson 
 told him that Locks had it, and that he was cooking his supper at the sixth fire down 
 the line. Daniels, an old soldier of the Florida war, who belonged to that mess, was 
 cooking ; was, as usual, crabbed and cross as a snapping-turtle, especially when cooking 
 over the hot fire ; with his butcher-knife in his hand, and, with his sour looking phiz, 
 he appeared like a malicious spirit, brooding on revenge. He was in his worst mood ; 
 th^ sweat rolled off his face, and, as he stood looking at the frying meat, he appeared 
 as though he would swallow meat, frying-pans, and a few of the burning coals, for a 
 trifle. The owner of the coat approached, through the bushes, pretty near him, but did 
 not much hke his appearance, and stopped. Some of us followed in the thicket, to 
 hear the noise, which we knew was coming ; (for, in our company, to call a man 
 Locks was a quick insult ; for it was to accuse him of numberless petty thefts, and little 
 rascalities). Looking on for a moment or two, the man, in quite a subdued tone, said, 
 " Mr. Locks, will you step this way, if you please 1 " — We were silent, biting our lips. 
 Daniels heard him, but, as the man was nearly behind, did not notice it, not knowing 
 that he was addressed ; but continued graspuig his long knife, and looking savagely 
 in the fire. — He called again, a Uttle louder — " Mr. Locks." — Daniels, casting his eyea 
 
432 REGULAR BAND OF MUSIC. 
 
 just seen between the large fold and his wide-brimmed som- 
 jjpero, — ^^buennsdias, Scnorcs; liace 7nucho frio ! (it is very cold) ; 
 and, with a shiver, he passed on. 
 
 The band of regular musicians were making the plaza, 
 this morning, resound to the swells of their notes, and they 
 appeared to sound more clearly than usual ; though, at all 
 times, they play in a most excellent manner, and their music 
 is so attractive to the population, that every calm, pleasant 
 
 "•locks'' and " cogle." 
 up, saw the man, standing at a respectful distance ; and, to his surprise, too, saw that 
 he was looking at him, with his hand raised, beckoning for him to come there. — " Mr. 
 Locks," as he caught his eye, "step this" — " G-d d-m-n your half-made soul," 
 shouted Daniels, jumping towards him with his knife, " do you call me Locks'?" — 
 The man, retreating, held up his hand, — " Mr. Locks, you have got my coat." Tliis 
 made Daniels ten times more furious than ever. " You say I have stolen your coat, 
 you d-m puppy." 
 
 The man endeavored to apologise, but to no effect ; for, in his alarm at the storm he 
 had raised, he kept repeating " Mr. Locks," and " his coat," and Daniels was furious ; 
 and we had quickly to interfere, to stop the storm. — " You had better be getting away 
 from here," shouted Daniels to him, as we held him from pursuit. — The man took 
 him at his word, and cleared. — He came next day and got his coat, from another — the 
 one who had found it. 
 
 The adjutant of the regiment, one hot day, upon the march, in the heat and dust, 
 was suffering for the want of eatables and water. At the head of the column, he 
 was directed to Locks, a little down the lines, who, he was told, had a plentiful sup- 
 ply of cold beef, bread, &c., with a large gourd of water. Riding down the lines, he 
 inquired industriously for Mr. Locks, and was directed by everyone down farther, un- 
 til he was in a fair way to arrive at the rear of the column ; — and would have done so 
 but for a young Irishman, who burst into a loud haw-haw, when inquired of, and in- 
 formed the adjutant that he was after a fictitious character. 
 
 Corporal Rhoton, of our company, a young man of fine disposition, but sometimes, 
 irritable when joked too hard, a few days since in town, got rather high, from the ef- 
 fects of a bottle of brandy cherries, and came to camp in that way. After carrying 
 on sport for some time, to the amusement of all, he stretched out his blanket, and lay 
 down to rest. One of the regular soldiers, in the meantime, came into our camp to 
 find clothes to wash (following that in all his leisure time, at the cistern, by the 
 canal). Our men told him that although they had no articles of clothing to wash at 
 that time, that Lieut. Locks had many, and directed him up the lines, to seek him. 
 — Some others showed him Rhoton, on his blanket, as the man he was looking for. 
 Looking at him, as he lay with his eyes shut, the soldier exclaimed, that *' Lieut. 
 Locks was like some of his officers, pretty essentially drunk." Rhoton, hearing 
 this, opened his eyes, and seeing that he was the one referred to as Locks, sprang up 
 and made at the regular, who then called on his legs to do their duty ; — and they 
 done it well, for he was gone quickly ; neither did he ever return to get Ijieut. Locks' 
 clothing. — A day never passed, but that Locks was called upon. — He was accused of 
 all mischief, and often condemned and cursed most bitterly by those in search of him. 
 
SOLDIERS IN THE REGULAR ARMY. 433 
 
 evening, when they take their station on the circular stone 
 elevation around the flag staff, the square is crowded for an 
 hour by the Mexicans, both male and female, to hear the in- 
 spiring strains. From such continual practice, they become 
 very expert, and the people seem to forget, even, that they 
 are part of a hostile force that have taken possession of their 
 beautiful city. 
 
 Whatever position these regulars fill in the service, they do 
 it in a first rate manner, devoting all their time to that one 
 thing. — They march well, drill well, and fight well ; — though, 
 in the fighting part, the volunteers who were in the field 
 had shown themselves to be, what was not expected, fully 
 equal to them ; and, in some of the regiments, equal in drill 
 and parade ; — though a volunteer, here, in every little matter 
 of ceremony, will not be bound down, as a regular is obliged 
 to be.* 
 
 It was cold comfort in town this day, for there were no 
 fires ; they never using them, save for cooking ; and we 
 returned to camp, and wrapped in our blankets, lay down in 
 our tents to read, or sleep ; which last as usual came very 
 quickly to us, whenever stretched out. We were not dis- 
 turbed until the drums, fifes, and bugles called us to the three 
 o'clock parade, which (thanks to the norther), was but a 
 
 * A regular soldier, who follows it for a livelihood, in peace and war, in garrison 
 and in camp, has need for only so much brains as will enable him to stand erect, 
 keep his clothing and tent clean and neat, and his arms bright ; to enable him to go 
 through the common evolutions, and to understand the common words of command, 
 without explanation ; to handle the musket, sword and pistol quickly ; and just language 
 enough to ask for his allowance of eatables and whatever else he may need to satisfy 
 his appetite, and to be able, when out of hearing of his ofiicers, to swear freely. — If 
 he has any more brains or language than is sufficient to answer these purposes, they 
 are of no value to him ; for he never will be permitted to use them. 
 
 What induces men of intelligence to enlist in this life for five years, and then enlist 
 again for as many more, we cannot tell, without it is that they get plenty to eat and 
 drink, and comfortable clothes to wear, without tiiought or care to themselves ; — the 
 labor of thinking, they are never obliged to do. Money they cannot make, their wages 
 being so small, — a private of infantry, seven dollars per month ; dragoons, eight ; — no 
 hope of promotion above the rank of a sergeant can they have, for graduates of West 
 Point, cadets, step in above as lieutenants, and fill all higher grades. No matter what 
 bravery, what qualities of a soldier may be exhibited in a private, still he is to be kept 
 under, in subjection to the youngest cadet, to iifhom he dare not speak, without he haa 
 business, and he never can cope with him in rank. 
 28 
 
434 ARRIVAL OF GENERAL SCOTT. 
 
 name to-day ; for hardly were the regiments paraded on the 
 plain, when all were dismissed again ; and soon our horses 
 were unsaddled and fed, and we again in the tents, out of 
 the blasts, which drove the angry waves, of the heretofore 
 peaceful river, in a continual dashing roar, on the shore near 
 us, and at one time threatened to make us vamos for a more 
 elevated situation. 
 
 Thuisday, Fchrvxiry 18th. Times had gone on for the last 
 week as before ; all were getting impatient to move, — to go 
 ahead. It had been for several days, the only inquiry in the 
 camp, when will Gen. Scott arrive ? where shall we next 
 go ? Every one seemed anxious to be off. (Some, the most 
 impatient, the author remembers, seemed hurried on by their 
 destiny, as the movement for which they were so anxious, 
 Avas the last ; — they found their graves at Vera Cruz and 
 Cerro Gordo). Last night the whole army was elated, by 
 the intelligence that Gen. Scott was at the mouth of the 
 river ; and this morning they were gratified by seeing him 
 come up on the steamer. The camp of our brigade, being 
 the first at which he would arrive, each of the regiments 
 were drawn out on the river's bank, and, as the steamer 
 passed, fired a salute ; as he arrived at the town, the artil- 
 lery thundered out a louder welcome. 
 
 As there was no secret in our future movements, we soon 
 learned all that was doing. We found that Gen. Worth had 
 been detached from Gen. Taylor, and, with his division of 
 regulars, was embarking, at the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
 for Vera Cruz ; and we learned that the nine new regiments 
 from home, which we had heard were ordered out by the 
 president, had arrived on the coast ; but the ships on which 
 they came were lying at Lobos Island, some forty or fifty 
 miles down the coast, waiting for the whole army to be 
 collected, for a grand descent upon Vera Cruz and the castle 
 of San Juan de Ulloa. Every arrangement made by Gen. 
 Scott towards this great end, was now drawing near to 
 completion. 
 
 Saturday, February 20th. There being many vessels here, 
 not in the employ of the^government, yesterday, all such 
 were chartered to assist in the transportation of the array. 
 
VOTE OF MOUNTED REGIMENT. 435 
 
 And this done, Gen. Scott issued orders to all the other gen- 
 erals and colonels, to prepare their troops for an immediate 
 embarkation. Gen. Twiggs' division of regulars, first; sec- 
 ond, Gen. Pillow^'s Tennessee brigade ; third, Gen. Quitman's 
 brigade; fourth, Gen. Shields' brigade; then the artillery. — 
 Ever}' movement now, in camp, was made with the greatest 
 activity. — A large fleet of ships appeared off the bar, to take 
 the troops. No sooner was the order issued, than Gen. 
 Twiggs' division struck their tents, and marched through 
 town, across the plain in front of us, and passed to the mouth 
 of the river, where they encamped for the night, ready to go 
 on board the four large ships, that lay there to receive them, 
 on the next day. 
 
 Sunday, February 28th. Gen. Twiggs' division having all 
 been embarked, and put to sea for Anton Lizardo (an anchor- 
 age near Vera Cruz), going by the way of Lobos Island, — 
 and Gen. Scott also, having gone, — Gen. Pillow's brigade, to 
 which we belonged, was in turn next ; but a violent norther 
 came on, and the ships were obliged to put to sea, for safety ; 
 and thus, the embarkation was interrupted. Some of them 
 having arrived this day, the other two Tennessee regiments 
 struck their tents, and were, by the steamboats, taken down 
 to the ships. Our regiment were compelled to remain, 
 none of the horse transport vessels having arrived. We dis- 
 liked this very much ; but it had been foreseen ; and a day 
 or two previous to this. Gen. Pillow had addressed our regi- 
 ment, and told us, that there was a scarcity of vessels, and , 
 gave us our choice, if vessels to convey our horses did not 
 arrive, whether we would remain wdth them at Tampico, 
 until such vessels should come, or whether we would leave 
 our horses, to be brought on as soon as possible, and go on 
 ourselves, and serve in the siege of Vera Cruz, on foot. He 
 told us, that every man might vote for himself; that if a 
 man did not like to leave his horse, he might remain ; and 
 that those w^ho were willing to serve on foot, should go ; that 
 those who wished to go upon those conditions, would march 
 to the left, and those to stay, to the right. — At the word 
 march, the whole regiment, in a body, turned their horses to 
 the left — thus voting to go, and serve on foot — save one 
 
436 ANTICIPATED DEPARTURE. 
 
 man. — Gen. Quitman's brigade came in to embark next ; Gen. 
 Shields' to follow. — Reader, while waiting for our own turn, 
 let us attend, in the next chapter, to the operations of the other 
 divisions of the army, during January and February, 1847. 
 
 3Iarnage Ceremonies i>i Mexico. — There is no country where marriage ceremonies are more 
 imposing and obhgalory, and yet where those obligations are generally so little binding, as ia 
 Mexico.^We will speak ol' the marriage of the higher class, which covers all llie less ex- 
 pensive and showy mode of the lower. — The law requires the man to be twenty-one years of 
 age, the lady eighteen, — and both members of the Catholic church. — AVhen a young man sees 
 a senorita with whom he '• lulls in love,'' it is unnecessary for him to say anything to lier about 
 it ; for the parents of the lady have the whole matter to dispose of, and do not much consult her 
 feelings. — The young man goes to their house, and, without any preliminary, solicits their 
 daughter in marriage. The matter is immediately considered; his wealth, standing, &c., 
 ■weighed ; and if he have these qualifications in sufficient degree, the bargain is at once con- 
 cluded. The lover — now called el noi-io — proceeds to the priest, the curate of the parochia, 
 and makes known his intentions. — The curate goes to the house of the maiden, and informs 
 her that she is applied for, and by whom. — She may or may not have previously heard of it. — 
 He requires her certificate of baptism. This has been committed to her years before by her 
 parents, and has been carefully kept; for without' it, she has learned w^hen a child, that site 
 never could marry. — She immediately produces this, and the curate, by perusal, learns Iter 
 jiame and age. — She is now called la novia. — The curate returns to the parochia — sends for 
 the young man, the novio — shows him the baptismal certificate of the novia; then demands 
 his own, which is produced. — All, so far, is right. — But if he has been born elsewhere, the 
 curate demands of him the certificate of the priest of that place, that he is a saltero — (a single 
 man). I'his may be hard to gel, on account of distance, &e. ; and then the diificulty is obviated 
 by obtaining a dispetisa from the bishop, which costs as high as that functionary thinks the novia 
 is able to pay. — That certificate obtained, or thus avoided, the novio and novia are inlorraed 
 that all is right, and that the ceremony of marriage will be performed in the parochia, after 
 publishing the same there for three consecutive Sundays ; (this publication may be avoided 
 by the novio buying of the bishop another dispensa for the purpose). — Two other young per- 
 sons are now-needed, (the same as are familiarly called, in our western country, the waiters) ; 
 — these are the young man — compadre — attendant on the bridegroom; and young lady — cema- 
 dre, — the bridesmaid. — All is ready. — The party, attended by t'riends and relatives, go to the 
 parochia. The novio and novia confess their sins to the priest, receive absolution, and partake 
 of the holy sacrament; and then must immediately be married, before they sin again. The 
 novio and novia, the attending eompadre and comadre, advance to the altar, and kneel upon the 
 step. The priest comes out, preceded by four church boys in their robes. One bears a lofty 
 cross, called eruz alto; another swings the censer of holy burning incense, the smoke of 
 \vhich diffuses itself around; the other two each bear a rich double candlestick, with two 
 lighted candles. — The parties rise to their feet. The ceremony is precisely like that of the 
 Episcopal church; the ring is always used. This ceremony through, they leave for their 
 home ; but, at three o'clock the next morning, re-appear at; the church — the married lady 
 dressed in black. Her husband kneels by her, and over them both is thrown a black mantlet 
 called a manquerno (yoke) ; the attending compadre and comadre also kneel, and both hold up 
 lighted candles, while mass is said. — This )io\y funcion not only binds the marriage ceremony 
 upon the rjorio and noi-ia, but. together with that, throws the waiters — the compadre and co^na- 
 dre — into a state of relationship with one another, not so near as brother and sister, but nearer 
 llian cousins ; so that they can never after marry each other, without an especial dispensa. — 
 This relationship is always at'^erward claimed. — The parties, after mass, rise ; the compadre 
 hands to the bride twelve pieces of silver or gold : these she gives to the priest as a don (gift); 
 each one represents an apostle. Beside this, the regular fees are sixteen dollars and a half; 
 and in addition to this is a compensation for the cruz alto (high cross), of from twenty to one 
 hundred dollars, or more, according to the wealth of the parties ; and still, added to the ex- 
 pense, is a quantity of small coins, to be thrown by the compadre among the crowd of peones, 
 .&c., at the door-way. — For the poor people, the cruz bajo or low cross is used ; many of the 
 higher ceremonies dispensed with ; and the priest receives but the regular fees — S16f . — All 
 ^married couples must attend mass, and be covered with the manquerno three several times 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 In this month of February there had been much fighting- 
 in Mexico, with the other divisions of the army : there had 
 been but little in January. Some fighting had taken place 
 in the conquered province of California, during the month 
 of January, as well as in the preceding month — December ; 
 for, when Gen. Kearney arrived there, from Santa Fe, with 
 his hundred dragoons and two pieces of artillery, instead 
 of finding it tranquil, as he expected, to his surprise he found 
 that the enemy, under Gen. Flores, had risen and retaken 
 the country, save two or three seaport towns ; and the first 
 reception that the gallant general, with his little band, met, 
 was an attack from a much superior Mexican force, on 
 December 6th, near San Pascual. In the severe contest that 
 ensued, he came off victorious, with a loss of twenty killed, 
 and fifteen wounded; and, on the 12th December, he entered 
 the town of San Diego, then in the possession of the naval 
 forces. Com. Stockton adding five hundred marines to his 
 force, he, in a short time after this, marched against Pueblo 
 de los Angeles, where was the main force of the Mexican 
 insurgents. These he defeated in two engagements — one on 
 the 8th, and the other on the 9th of January ; and thus re- 
 gained the whole country. — He assumed the chief command 
 of the conquered province on March 1st, and its tranquillity 
 was no more disturbed.*^ 
 
 Beside this insurrection in California, one had broken out 
 in another quarter, New Mexico. After Gen. Kearney had 
 left for California, and Col. Cooke's battalion and Col. Doni- 
 phan had gone to the southward. Col. Price was the military 
 
 * Gen. Kearney was succeeded in command of California, on the 1st of June, 1847, 
 by Col. Mason, first dragoons, United States' army. 
 
 C'f37) 
 
438 BATTLE OF CANADA. 
 
 commander of the province. He had under his command 
 near two thousand men, consisting of his own regiment of 
 cavah-y, also one battahon of four companies of mounted 
 men, under Lieut. -col. Willock, and two companies of infan- 
 try, under Lieut. -col. Angney, one company (Fischer's) artil- 
 lery, (all of which troops were from Missouri), and three com- 
 panies, regular dragoons, under Capt. Burgwin. — This force, 
 mostly mounted, was scattered in diflerent situations, through- 
 out those parts of the province where grazing for their horses 
 could be found. 
 
 An insurrection was planned by Senores Ortiz, Charvez, 
 and Gen. Archulette, against the Americans. — This plan, 
 which was to make a general rise at midnight, on December 
 19th, — afterwards postponed to Christmas eve, the 24th, — 
 was discovered on the 21st, and prompt measures adopted 
 for its prevention. — The leaders, however, escaped, and plan- 
 ned another, which was executed on the night of January 
 19th ; but, on account of the watchfulness of the difierent 
 detachments, although the rising, save in the city, was uni- 
 versal, was but partly successful. — Gov. Bent and several of 
 his officers, being in the valley of Taos, at the town of San 
 Fernando, to the north of Santa Fe, fell victims to it, being 
 brutally massacred. — Twenty others, also, in the different 
 detachments, were killed in the separate attacks. The Mex- 
 ican population immediately flew to arms, for, as yet, they 
 had not tried their strength with "los Americanos," having, 
 at first, quietly surrendered. 
 
 On the 23d, Col. Price, at the head of four hundred men, 
 and four pieces of artillery, marched against the body of the 
 insurgents, who, with a force of fifteen hundred, had posted 
 themselves on the strong heights, at the village of Canada. 
 On the 24th, a spirited action, of an hour and a half, began 
 by cannonade, and ended by a charge, which sent the routed 
 foe in every direction over the hills, with the loss of thirty- 
 six killed, and some two or three hundred wounded.* 
 
 BEPORT OF KILLED ASFB WOUNDED AT CANADA, JAMAHT 24tH, 1847. 
 
 * Infantry battalion, commanded by Capt. W. Z. Angney. — Killed — Private 
 Graham; wagoner G. M. Smith, (volunteered to fight). Woitnd£d — Private John 
 Pace, shghtly ; 1st lieutenant Irwin, severely, through the leg. 
 
BATTLE OF EL EMBODA. 439 
 
 The insurgents fell back farther to the north, up the river, 
 to the pass of Emboda, and took a very strong position. — 
 Captain Burgwin now had joined Col. Price, with two com- 
 panies of dragoons and another field piece, and the augmen- 
 ted force marched against the enemy, and a detachment un- 
 der Capt. Burgwin charged upon them, in a narrow gorge, 
 and completely routed them, with the loss of twenty killed 
 and sixty wounded.* 
 
 The insurgents fell back still farther to the north, and pre- 
 pared to make a desperate stand at San Fernando de Taos, 
 where Governor Bent and others had fallen victims to the 
 massacre. The enemy were not allowed much interval in 
 fighting, for, although the snow lay deep on the mountains 
 to be crossed, the victorious force toiled over them on the 
 1st and 2d of February, on the 3d entered San Fernando, 
 and immediately marched against the neighboring Indian 
 town, El Pueblo, where the insurgents were posted in a strong 
 church, and two other buildings like p^^ramids, the walls of 
 which were almost impenetrable to cannon shot. — The battle 
 commenced that afternoon, ceased at night, and was renewed 
 on the 4th ; and the enemy, after a severe engagement, were 
 wholly defeated and subdued, with a loss, on this day, of 
 one hundred and fifty-two killed, and between three and four 
 hundred wounded ; — American loss, fifty-four killed and 
 wounded, among the latter, mortally, was the gallant Capt. 
 Burgwin .f — One of the under leaders of the rebellion, Mor- 
 tayo, was taken here, and, in a day or two, hung at San 
 Fernando. 
 
 Lieut. Dyer's battalion, artillery. — Wounded — Sergeant Gaspers, slightly ; pri- 
 vates Aulman, severely, in the ankle ; Murphy, severely, in the knee ; Meagre, se- 
 verely, in the arm. 
 
 * KILLED AND WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF EL EMDODA, UNDER CAPTAIN BUR- 
 GWIN, JANUARY 29th, 1847. 
 
 Killed — Private Papin, of St. Vrain's company of Santa Fe volunteers.— 
 
 "Wounded — Dick, Gov. Bent's servant, severely, 
 
 ■{•KILLED AND WOUNDED AT PUEULO DE TAOS ON THE 4tH FEBRUARY, 1847, 2d 
 REGIMENT MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS, AND U. S. DRAGOONS. 
 
 Company D, Capt. S. H. McMilkn. — Woundtd — Capt. McMillan, slightly, in 
 the head ; privates R. C. Bower, severely ; Henry Fender and George W. Thomp- 
 son, dangerously ; Robert Hevyett, George W. Howser, and Wm. Ducoing, slightly. 
 
 Company K, Lieut. White. — Wounded — Capt. James W. Jones, severely; ser- 
 
440 BATTLES OF PUEBLO DE TAOS AND BAGAS. 
 
 At the same time that these events were going on, to the 
 north of Santa Fe, Capt. Hendley was to the east, at Ba- 
 gas, with two hundred and fifty men. With eighty-five, he 
 attacked the village of Mora, where three hundred of the 
 insurgents had posted themselves. He defeated and dis- 
 persed these, killing twenty-five, wounding fifty, and taking 
 seventeen prisoners ; but lost his own life, falling on the field. 
 — Thus, in a short space of time, by these energetic and de- 
 cisive movements, did Col. Price and his officers quell the se- 
 rious rebellion ; and the province of New Mexico was again 
 quiet, in the hands of the American forces. 
 
 While these battles had been fought with the insurgents 
 in New Mexico and California, others, between larger forces 
 took place, farther south. One of these had been fought by 
 Col. Doniphan, with the first Missouri regiment, and its aux- 
 iliaries of the second, at Sacramento, near Chihuahua ; and 
 we will now follow up the movements of this gallant body 
 of men, from the time at which we left them, at the close of 
 the year 184G. Then, they had, after the battle of Brazito, 
 taken possession of the town of El Paso, on the Rio del 
 Norte. Col. Doniphan was now placed in a very difficult 
 situation. Pie had been ordered to report to Gen. Wool, at 
 Chihuahua ; but that officer had, on account of the difficul- 
 
 geant Alfred L. Caldwell, mortally, (since dead) ; private James Austin, mortally, 
 (since dead). 
 
 Company L, Caj)t. Wm. Y. Slack. — Wounded — Second Lieut. John Mansfield, 
 slightly ; privates Jacob Moon, severely ; Wm. Gillem, slightly. 
 
 Battalion of artillery, Lieut. Dyer, U. S. ordnance. — Wounded — Privates Berlfed 
 and Jod, severely ; Kohne, slightly, and some others slightly, not reported. 
 
 Battalion of infantry, commanded by Capt. W. Z. Angncy. — Killed — Sergeant 
 Hart. IVownrfef?— Lieut. Vanvolkenburgh, (since dead) ; Sergeants Ferguson and 
 Aull, severely. 
 
 Company G, U. S. dragoons, commanded by Capt. Burgwin. — Killed — Sergeant 
 G. B. Ross ; privates Brooks, Beebe, Levrey and Hansucker. Severely wounded — 
 Captain Burgwin, (since dead) ; sergeant J. Vanroe, twice ; corporals Engleman and 
 J. Linneman ; privates S. Blodget, S. W. Crain, R. Deits, G. F. Sickcnburgh, J. 
 Truax, (dead), Hagenbaugh and Anderson. Slightly ivounded — Beach, Hutton, 
 Hillerman, Walker 1st, Schneider, (dead), Shay, and Near, 
 
 Company I, Ist dragoons. — Wounded — Bremen, slightly. 
 
 Company M, Capt. W. C. Holley. — Wounded — Samuel Lewis, slightly. 
 
 Company N, Captain Thomas Barbee. — Wounded — First Lieut. T. G. West,, 
 slightly ; privates J. H. Calaway, Jolin Nash, and John G. Lights, all slightly. 
 
INTERCEPTED LETTERS. 441 
 
 ties of the route, abandoned that purpose, moved to the 
 south, and joined his forces to those of Gen. Taylor. This 
 was, for some time after their arrival here, unknown to the 
 Missourians ; who now, at this little town on the Rio Grande, 
 were shut out from all knowledge of home, or of any opera- 
 tions of the war, save those that they themselves had car- 
 ried on. They were now placed in the heart of an enemy's 
 country, with the general, to whom they were ordered to 
 report, far in the south — near a thousand miles, by the wind- 
 ing mountain roads ; and between them were large tracts of 
 desert country ; then again, large sections thickly populated, 
 all hostile, and unsubdued ; and not only many small towns 
 on the way, but the city of Chihuahua had to be taken— a 
 strongly fortified place of twenty thousand inhabitants; and 
 all this would, if the march was undertaken, have to be done 
 by a small force, little over one regiment, cut off entirely from 
 all succor. 
 
 For many days, with the gallant commander and his brave 
 men, all Vv^as uncertainty and doubt. Contradictory rumors 
 from the enemy followed the previous report. — The utmost 
 vigilance could not prevent the departure from town of per- 
 sons for Chihuahua, who carried to the enemy there a full 
 account of the state and strength of this regiment. — Capt. 
 Reid's company having been out on a little scout, a few 
 miles down the river, on returning, met three Mexicans, well 
 armed, who had succeeded in leaving town ; he apprehended 
 and searched them, and found upon them, letters from one 
 of the principal priests of El Paso, giving information of the 
 condition of their force, their probable intention to march to 
 the south ; and also making the most extravagant and false 
 assertions, of their cruelty and barbarism towards the inhab- 
 itants of El Paso. The men were immediately taken back 
 to the town, and the priest arrested; together with another, 
 whose letters were found of the same kind, and both were 
 placed in confinement. — In the mean time the Mexicans at 
 Chihuahua having ascertained the strength of Doniphan's 
 command, and knowing also that there were no reinforce- 
 ments for him behind, and also knowing that Gen. Wool 
 had abandoned the idea of marching from the southward 
 
442 COL. DONIPHAN'S REGIMENT. 
 
 against them ; and having, at the city, a force of four thous- 
 and five hundred n:ien, and thirteen pieces of artillery, wished 
 much to draw Doniphan into the march against them, confi- 
 dent of annihilating his force ; and to this end, published in 
 the Chihualiua papers, that Gen. Wool was on the route, 
 Avith a heavy force, and within a few days' march of the city, 
 and contrived that this report should be circulated at El Paso, 
 followed by another, in a few days, that the city was taken 
 by him. These reports came to El Paso, but shortly they 
 were contradicted, by an American, who had escaped from 
 Chihuahua; who informed Col. Doniphan, that Gen. Wool 
 was not there, and that, moreover, from all they could learn, 
 that he was not coming ; that the most current report in Chi- 
 huahua, was, that Gen, Santa Anna was marching against 
 him and Gen. Taylor, with twenty thousand men. This 
 information gave to all a desire to go onward. A council 
 of officers was held, and although it was universally pro- 
 nounced hazardous in the extreme, yet all were in favor of 
 going. — More than the loose report, before mentioned, they 
 knew not ; had not heard where the generals were, but only 
 knew that they were to the southward ; had just learned 
 through Mexicans, of the battle of Monterey ; but knew not of 
 the capture of Saltillo, and the country on the Rio Grande, 
 although these events had taken place months before ; in 
 fact, only knew that the war continued to exist, by the con- 
 tinued belligerent attitude of the Mexicans around. 
 
 This regiment having made a campaign against the In- 
 dians, having already passed through the greatest hardships, 
 and traveled two thousand miles, nearly all of which was un- 
 known to the public at home ; and being still far out, alone, 
 surrounded by vast mountains, and tracts of wilderness, cloth- 
 ed in skins, like savages ; without any of the scant conveni- 
 ences even of soldiers, were still willing and eager to ad- 
 vance through unknown districts, a distance they knew not 
 how far, except that it could not be less than a thousand 
 miles, in which they were sure of meeting a formidable ene- 
 my, four times as strong as their own force, that they knew 
 had been mustered for the purpose of meeting that of Gen. 
 Wool ; and beside that, they knew that the strength of 
 
MARCH FOR CHIHUAHUA. 443 
 
 the city of Chihuahua was ready to oppose their progress, 
 beside many other inferior towns. In the face of all this 
 formidable array, they were willing and anxious to go. 
 
 But the officers of this command, though, as said, willing 
 and anxious to go, yet decided not on it; determining to 
 leave it to the men, who must endure the toil and pain to- 
 gether with themselves, of this arduous undertaking, if de- 
 termined upon. 
 
 It might be thought that the movement was the only one 
 the regiment in their advanced situation could make, to ex- 
 tricate themselves. Bat this was not so. — Col. Doniphan 
 had received orders to report himself to Gen. Wool at Chihua- 
 hua ; but he had now found that that general was not there, 
 nor had he been within six hundred miles of that place. — 
 His orders, therefore, were at an end ; and as a commander 
 of a separate division of the army, and more especially, as 
 placed beyond the reach of orders, his control of his force, 
 and powers of using his discretion, were equal to those of a 
 general. The road back to Santa Fe was open ; — he could 
 fall back with honor to himself and command. 
 
 The regiment, with its auxiliaries, having now, in addition 
 to Lieut.-col. Mitchell's escort of ninety-three men, been 
 joined by Capt. Weightman's company of artillery, of six 
 pieces, and one hundred and seventeen officers and men, un- 
 «der the command of Major Clark, from Santa Fe, where they 
 had been sent for, after the battle of El Paso ; — numbered 
 now, in all, nine hundred and twenty-four men. They were 
 drawn up, under arms, in the plaza of El Paso, and the de- 
 liberation of the council of officers was made known to them. 
 They were reminded of their already arduous campaign ; of 
 the contemplated route, and its length, and the renewed pri- 
 vations and hardships to which they would be exposed ; — of 
 their battle already fought ; of the certainty of one with a 
 much larger force, if the advance was made ; of the strongly 
 fortified city of Chihuahua ; and, on the other hand, that the 
 route to return was open ; and then told that the decision was, 
 by the officers, left to them. 
 
 A few moment's pause was made, and the order given for 
 every one who was willing to go, to step to the front. In an 
 
444 THREE DAYS WITHOUT WATER. 
 
 instant, with a quick, free step, the whole moved out ; — to go 
 was the unanimous, unhesitating resokition. — The conduct 
 of this detachment, under these circumstances, needs no com- 
 ment. 
 
 After the march was thus decided on, nothing remained to 
 do, save to get ready for it, which was done in a day or two; 
 and, on the 8th day of February, after having remained in 
 El Paso forty days, the troops and artillery, accompanied 
 by their trains, (and three hundred and fifteen wagons of 
 traders, who had thus far come with them from Santa Fe, 
 arriving at El Paso from time to time, during the stay of the 
 regiment there, and who now proceeded on towards Chihua- 
 hua. — Many of these wagons had been under the protection 
 of the troops from Missouri, halting in Santa Fe while the 
 troops were on the Indian expedition, and afterwards coming 
 down the Rio Grande), — crossed the river, and pursued the 
 march to the southward, traveling along the river forty miles, , 
 over a sandy road, when they entered a Jornada, as the Mex- 
 ican term is for a long extent of country destitute of water. 
 — This was mostly through a winding valley among the 
 mountains ; — there was plenty of grass, but no Avater for its 
 whole extent, over seventy miles. This was accomplished 
 in three days and nights ; — the suffering the last day was in- 
 tense among men and animals ; many of the latter died. — 
 The road through this was good. 
 
 At the evening of the third day, they arrived at ponds of 
 water ; next day encamped at noon, at a good spring on the 
 road , — a warm, clear spring was on a hill near, and still 
 another very large one was about two miles from camp, — 
 plenty of fine grass around. That night they marched thir- 
 ty-seven miles, through the next Jornada, and encamped in 
 the morning on a lake of good water. 
 
 A large number of Apache Indians, foes to the Mexicans, 
 inhabit the mountains around here. — The scouts, continu- 
 ally kept out, met with some of these ; but the Indians were 
 friendly, and gave them some important information with 
 regard to the Mexican force ahead. — 'IhS.B Jornada now being 
 passed, the troops and train got on better. 
 
 The distance from El Paso to Chihuahua is above three 
 
ANTICIPATED BATTLE. 445 
 
 'hundred miles. Continuing the march until the evening of 
 February 25th, at about fifty miles distance from Chihuahua, 
 the force halted at a fine spring ; and the interpreter, Kirker, 
 a man well acquainted in the country, with his party of 
 twelve men, who had been employed all the route from El 
 Paso as scouts, and had been ahead to reconnoitre, returned, 
 and reported that a force of about fifteen hundred men were 
 drawn up at Encinillas, the country seat of Don Angel Trias, 
 at that time governor of the state of Chihuahua. This seat 
 was about twenty-five miles ahead. These troops appeared to 
 the scouts, as though prepared to make a defence ; for, as 
 said before, they were perfectly aware of the strength and 
 condition of the American force, and had received, from time 
 to time, accurate information of its advance; not liking to try 
 the prowess of" los Americanos," by themselves, the Mexicans 
 retreated the next morning ; and on the evening of the 26th 
 the troops came up to the houses, but there was no enemy. 
 — The next day, the 27th, the force came within thirty miles 
 of the city, to Sanz. The scouts coming in, had reported the 
 enemy in great numbers, strongly intrenched on a hill in the 
 valley ahead. — Now every one prepared himself for the bat- 
 tle on the morrow ; for, from this encampment, that of the 
 enemy had to be reached next, as there was no water be- 
 tween. — On the morning of the next day, February 28th, 
 the command were early roused, and their breakfasts dis- 
 posed of, lines formed, and all on the move by sunrise. The 
 long train of three hundred and fifteen traders' wagons, 
 beside some sixty, belonging to the detachment, were brought 
 up in four parallel columns, so as to be more easily de- 
 fended ; they could well travel that way, for the road lay 
 down a pretty valley, unbroken, and they could occupy a 
 wide space ; high and naked mountains were on either side. 
 — As the force to be met was so far superior in number, the 
 dispositions of the march were made with the utmost care. 
 Two hundred of the men rode in front of these columns of 
 wagons ; the remainder, with the artillery, were stationed 
 between these columns, which hid them from the view of the 
 enemy. In this broad, compact, and regular body of wagons 
 on the outside, horsemen in the front and rear, horsemen and 
 
446 FORT SACRAMENTO. 
 
 artillery within the spaces of the columns, the whole a sort 
 of moving fortification, fully sufficient to protect the small 
 body of men from the charge of the enemy's cavalry, the 
 whole moved down the valley ; w4iich spread out, open, 
 liearly level, with no trees or brush to obstruct the view. — A 
 party, commanded by Major Clark, of the artillery, was sent 
 forward to reconnoitre ; when within three miles, the ene- 
 my's camp was plainly in view. As the solid, extended 
 body of the Americans, of the four parallel columns of 
 wagons, and force between, and ahead, and in the rear, 
 slowly and steadily advanced, the enemy prepared to receive 
 them. 
 
 Across the valley, which so far had been level, rose in front, 
 a crescent-shaped hill; with the hollow side to the north, and 
 flat on the top, with the eastern part, or to the left, as the 
 force came from the north, higher than any other. This hill 
 was about sixty feet in elevation above the surrounding 
 plain : and one point of it was close to the mountains, on 
 the left, and the other point came round by the mountains on 
 the right, about a mile further up the valley than the left ex- 
 tremity, but as said before, it was not so high. — The road 
 upon which the Americans were passing, proceeded directly 
 down the valley to the foot of the hill in front, crossing there 
 a little stream that runs around the hill to the east ; it here 
 divided, one fork of it rising the hill, passing directly over 
 its centre, and down on the other side to another stream, 
 which it crossed, and then passed directly on towards Chi- 
 huahua. At this last stream was a fort, called Sacramento. 
 The other fork of the road wound to the left, round the base 
 of the hill, following down the bed of the little stream, and 
 joining the first on the other side of the eminence; but this 
 road had been rendered impassable, by strong barricades 
 across the bed of the creek, and by the guns of the forts 
 above it, on either hand. This was so completely arranged 
 for defence, in order to force the Americans, as they advanc- 
 ed, to take the direct road over the hill ; upon the top of 
 which, on a wide area, they had constructed their main forti- 
 fications, bearing upon and commanding the road; though to 
 these were added a succession of others, above all; for over 
 
MEXICAN FORTIFICATIONS. 447 
 
 this creek, as said before, was a mountain; on an eminence 
 of this, called Cerio Frijoles, was a strong fort, the fire of 
 which bore down on the road in front, and completely com- 
 manded and rendered impracticable, the passage along the 
 bed of the creek. This fort was the enemy's right, and was 
 protected by the inaccessible mountain in its rear. On the 
 west, or opposite from this, the long part of the crescent 
 hill came farther up the valley ; between this and the moun- 
 tain on that side, called Cerro Sacramento, was the second, 
 or larger stream mentioned. This was called the Rio Sacra- 
 mento, and flowed along down between the mountain and 
 the western horn of the hill, and then turned round the base 
 of that hill, and crossed the valley, running to the eastward. 
 On this mountain of Sacramento, over the river, a large fort, 
 formed the enemy's left ; this fort was elevated, sweeping 
 the whole hill below, and, like the other, it could not be ta- 
 ken in rear. 
 
 As the road over the hill was the only one now that the 
 Americans could pass, the enemy had built two forts, one on 
 each brow of this, and twenty-seven redoubts, at little dis- 
 tance from each other, in a parallel line to the road as it 
 crossed the hill, where their whole force could be under cover. 
 — Their cavalry was drawn up before the redoubts, and faced 
 the road. 
 
 Here, then, on this strong position, on the hill and entirely 
 across the valley^from mountain to mountain, with strong 
 forts on either extremity, forts and redoubts all along these, 
 the enemy was drawn up, consisting of twelve hundred 
 cavalry, from Durango, Chihuahua, and Vera Cruz ; twelve 
 hundred infantry, from Chihuahua, and three hundred artil- 
 lery, with ten pieces of brass cannon and three carriages, 
 each mounting three culverins, (a small long gun). This 
 force of twenty-seven hundred men was well armed, the 
 cavalry with lances, escopetas, and sabres, the infantry with 
 muskets and bayonets, and the artillery with the same and 
 swords. — Besides this array, there were fourteen hundred and 
 twenty irregular troops, armed with indifferent guns, lassos, 
 lances, and long cane knives. — These were protected by the 
 regulars and redoubts : — in all, a force of four thousand one 
 
448 BATTLE OF CERRO SACRAMENTO. 
 
 hundred and twenty men. These were under the command 
 of Gen. Jose A. Heredia, assisted by Gen. Garcia Conde, 
 who had planned the intrenchments, and who commanded 
 the cavah-y ; Gov. Trias, and colonels and other officers in 
 proportion to the force. 
 
 Against this formidable array on the heights, were in the 
 plain below a little force of nine hundred and twenty-four 
 men, with six pieces of artillery, and encumbered with a 
 heavy wagon train. But every man of this force was a 
 host in himself; — cut ofi' from all resource or retreat, with a 
 cruel and notoriously perfidious enemy before them, the al- 
 ternative was literally victory or death. 
 
 This force advanced in full view of the enemy, until within 
 fifteen hundred yards of them, when, pushing the two com- 
 panies of the advance ahead, the column of wagons and 
 troops turned from the road to the right, and soon making a 
 passage over the first stream, called the Arroyo Seco, the 
 battle commenced about three, P. M. 
 
 The following graphic account in relation to it is extract- 
 ed from the report of Major Clark, commanding battalion of 
 artillery, to Col. Doniphan : 
 
 " Further I have the honor to report that the battalion of 
 artillery under my command, composed of one hundred and 
 ten men and seven officers, with a battery of six pieces of 
 artillery, were, on the morning of the battle, directed to form 
 under the direction of Capt. Weightmall, between the two 
 columns of merchant and provision wagons, being thus 
 masked from the view of the enemy. In this column my 
 troops continued the march to within about fifteen hundred 
 yards of the enemy's most advanced position ; our direction 
 was then changed to the right, and the column having cross- 
 ed the Arroyo Seco, within reach of the enemy's fire, rapidly 
 advanced towards the table land between the Seco and Sac- 
 ramento. At this time the enemy was perceived advancing 
 from his intrenchments, to prevent our seizing upon those 
 heights ; but, by a rapid movement of the battery, it was 
 quickly draw'n from its mask, and seizing upon a favorable 
 position, protected in the rear, b)^ a marsh, from the attack 
 of a large body of the enemy's cavalry ascertained to be 
 
•MAJOR CLARK'S ARTILLERY. 449 
 
 hanging on our rear, it was formed, and at once opened fire 
 upon the enemy's cavalry, rapidly advancing upon us. At 
 this moment, his charging column was about nine hundred 
 yards distant, and the effect of our strap-shot and shells was 
 such as to break his ranks and throw his cavalry into confu- 
 sion. The enemy now rapidly deployed into line, bringing 
 up his artillery from the intrenchments. During this time 
 the line was preparing for a charge, my artillery advancing 
 by hand and firing. The enemy now opened a heavy fire of 
 cannon upon our line, mainly directed upon the battery, but 
 with little effect. 
 
 " Lieut. Dorn had his horse shot from under him by a nine- 
 pound ball at this stage of the action, and several mules and 
 oxen, in the merchant wagons in our rear, were wounded 
 and killed, which, however, was the only damage done. The 
 fire of our cannon at this time had such good effect as to dis- 
 mount one of the enemy's pieces, and completely to disperse 
 his cavalry and drive him from his position, forcing him 
 again to retire behind his intrenchments. For a short time, 
 the firing on either side now ceased, and the enemy appeared 
 to be moving his cannon and wounded, whilst our line pre- 
 pared to change our position more towards the right, for the 
 purpose of occupying a more advantageous ground. Our 
 object being soon gained, the order to advance was given, 
 and immediately after I was directed to send the section of 
 howitzers to support a charge upon the enemy's left. I im- 
 mediately ordered Capt. R. F. Weightman to detach the sec- 
 tion composed of two twelve-pound mountain howitzers, 
 mounted on carriages constructed especially for field prairie 
 service, and drawn by two horses each — these were com- 
 manded by Lieut. E. F. Chouteau and F. D. Evans, and 
 manned by some twenty men, whose conduct in this action 
 cannot be too much commended. 
 
 "Capt. Weightman charged at full gallop upon the ene- 
 my's left, preceded by Capt. Reid and his company of horse, 
 and after crossing a ravine some hundred and fifty yards 
 from the enemy, he unlimbered the guns within fifty yards 
 of the intrenchments, and opened a destructive fire of 
 cannister into his ranks, which was warmly returned, but 
 29 
 
450 DEFEAT OF THE MEXICANS. 
 
 without effect. Capt. Weightman again advanced upon tho 
 entrenchment, passing through it in the face of the enemy, 
 and within a few feet of the ditches ; and in the midst of a 
 cross-fire from three directions, again opened his fire to the 
 right and left, with such effect that, with the formidable 
 charge of the cavalry and dismounted men of your own regi- 
 ment, and Lieut.-col. Mitchell's escort, the enemy were dri- 
 ven from the breast-works on our right in great confusion. 
 
 "At this time, under the heavy cross-fire from the battery 
 upon Cerro Sacramento, I was advancing with our battery of 
 four six-pounders, under lieutenants Dorn, Kribben and La- 
 beaume, upon the enemy's right, supported by Maj. Gilpin on 
 the left, and the wagon train, escorted by two companies of 
 infantry, under Captain E. J. Glasgow and Skillman, in the 
 rear, when Maj. Gilpin charged upon the enemy's centre, 
 and forced him from his entrenchments, under a heavy fire 
 of artillery and small arms ; at the same time, the fiire of 
 our battery was opened upon the enemy's extreme right, 
 from which a continued fire had been kept up upon our line 
 and the wagon train. Two of the enemy's guns were now 
 soon dismounted on their right, that battery silenced, and 
 the enemy dislodged from the redoubt on Cerro Frijoles. 
 
 " Perceiving a body of lancers forming, for the purpose of 
 out-flanking our left and attacking the merchants' wagon 
 train under Capt. Glasgow, I again opened upon them a very 
 destructive fire of grape and spherical case shot, which soon 
 cleared the left of our line ; the enemy vacating his en- 
 trenchments and deserting his guns, was hotly pursued to- 
 wards the mountains beyond Cerro Frijoles, and down the 
 Arroyo Seco to Sacramento, by both wings of the army, un- 
 der Lieut.-col. Mitchell, Lieut.-col. Jackson, and Maj. Gilpin, 
 and by Capt. Weightman, with the sections of howitzers. — 
 During this pursuit, my officers repeatedly opened their fires 
 upon the retreating enemy, with great effect. To cover this 
 flight of the enemy's forces from the entrenched camp, 
 the heaviest of his cannon had been taken from the en- 
 trenchments to Cerro Sacramento, and a heavy fire opened 
 upon our pursuing forces and the wagons following in the 
 rear. To silence this battery, I had the honor to anticipate 
 
SKILL OF AMERICAN ARTILLERYMEN. 451 
 
 your order to that effect, by at once occupying the nearest 
 of the enemy's entrenchments, twelve hundred and twenty- 
 five yards distant; and notwithstanding the elevated posi- 
 tion of the Mexican battery, giving him a ploughing fire into 
 my entrenchments, which was not defilated, and the greater 
 range of his long nine-pounders, the fij-st fire of our guns 
 dismounted one of his larger pieces, and the fire was kept 
 up with such briskness and precision of aim, that this bat- 
 tery was soon silenced, and the enemy seen precipitately re- 
 treating. The fire was then continued upon the rancho 
 Sacramento, and the enemy's ammunition and baggage 
 train, retreating upon the road to Chihuahua. — By this fire, 
 the house and several wagons were rendered untenable and 
 useless. 
 
 " By this time, Lieut.-col. Mitchell had scaled the hill, fol- 
 lowed by the section of howitzers under Capt. Weightman, 
 and the last position of the Mexican forces taken possession 
 of by our troops, thus leaving the American forces master 
 of the field. Having silenced the fire from Cerro Sacra- 
 mento, our battery was removed into the plain at the ran- 
 cho, where we gained the road, and were in pursuit of the 
 enemy when I received your order to return and encamp 
 within the enemy's entrenchments for the night. 
 
 " From the time of first opening my fire upon the Mexican 
 cavalry, to the cessation of the firing upon the rancho and 
 battery of Sacramento, was about three hours ; and, during 
 the whole time of the action, I take the utmost pleasure in 
 stating that every officer and man of my command did his 
 duty with cheerfulness, coolness, and precision, which is suf- 
 ficiently shown by the admirable effect produced by their 
 fire, the great accuracy of their aim, their expedition and 
 ingenuity in supplying deficiencies in the field during the ac- 
 tion, and the prompt management of the pieces, rendered 
 still more remarkable from the fact that I had, during the- 
 fight, less than two-thirds the number of cannoneers gener^ 
 ally required for the service of light artillery, and but four 
 of the twelve artillery carriages belonging to my battery har- 
 nessed with horses, the remaining four carriages being hair- 
 nessed to mules of the country." 
 
452 KILLED AND WOUNDED MEXICANS. 
 
 So ended the battle of Sacramento. — The field was strewed 
 with the dead and dying. The enemy lost over three hun- 
 dred killed, four hundred and odd wounded, seventy prisoners, 
 all their artillery, ammunition, baggage wagons and provis- 
 ions, some six thousand dollars, and an immense number of 
 horses, mules, cattle and sheep in the plain below. It was 
 a complete victory and dispersion ; nothing was saved by 
 the survivors of the enemy, save the trifle of eight rounds of 
 artillery ammunition that was secreted by a servant in the 
 mountains.* Of the American force, strange as it may ap- 
 pear, exposed so long to a fire of artillery and small arms, 
 only one was killed, three mortally wounded, and seven 
 others more slightly. 
 
 The victorious army encamped on the battle-ground that 
 night ; and, having fought hard, slept well. — Another battle 
 was expected at the city, on the following day. On that 
 morning, a detachment, under Lieut. -col. Mitchell, commen- 
 ced their march; but, as they approached the city, they were 
 met by some American citizens, who had been residing there, 
 and who, having been for some time in prison, were released 
 this morning. They informed Col. Doniphan, that no resist- 
 ance would be made in the city ; that all there was conster- 
 nation and despair ; — that the most exaggerated accounts of 
 the prowess of the Americans had been circulated by the 
 routed army, in their flight through, the night previous. — - 
 The detachment having marched in without opposition, Col. 
 Doniphan, on the next day, followed ; took possession of the 
 city in the name of the American government, and occupied 
 the buildings around the plaza as the barracks for the troops, 
 while he took his residence in the palace of Gov. Trias ; from 
 the flag-staff" of which, the American flag waved out over the 
 large city of Chihuahua. — Here were found abundance of 
 supplies. The sheep and cattle they had taken, furnished 
 meat in abundance. Many of these were exchanged with 
 the citizens, for fine, large, and fat hogs. Vegetables were 
 plentiful. A good flour mill supplied them with that article ; 
 and, in everything, the army lived well. A full supply of fine 
 
 * See dispatch of Gen. Heredia, March 2J, 1847. 
 
COL. DONIPHAN IN CHIHUAHUA. 453 
 
 water was brought by the aqueduct into the city, and flowed 
 from the fountains in the squares. 
 
 Having now estabHshed himself in Chihuahua, and having 
 heard that generals Taylor and Scott were surrounded by the 
 powerful army of Santa Anna, and being anxious, in such a 
 case, to assist them, by marching to their relief!,\Col. Doni- 
 phan soon sent Collins, one of the interpreters and scouts, 
 with an escort of thirteen men, through to Gen. Wool, at 
 Saltillo, to report his progress, and obtain orders. This small 
 party proceeded through the long route of about seven hun- 
 dred miles, without molestation, save at the town of San Se- 
 bastian, one hundred and twenty leagues from Chihuahua, 
 where they stopped at evening. When about to go, the alcalde 
 of the place asked Collins to step into the house again, which 
 he did ; and he then demanded of him, in a threatening man- 
 ner, if he had a passport to travel through the state. Collins 
 — who had been an old trader among these people, spoke 
 their language fluently, and understood their customs — told 
 him that he had a passport, and led him out to see it. At 
 the door, he pointed to his thirteen men, dressed in skins, 
 with long beards, that the razor had not touched for months, 
 and remarked to the Mexican that those were his passports, 
 and told him how many shots they had each ; every one of 
 this party having, in addition to his gun, holster pistols, sword, 
 and revolving pistols ; — and then, telling the alcalde that it 
 would be dangerous work for any Mexicans to interrupt them, 
 mounted his horse, and all proceeded. — The next night they 
 encamped ; and, while getting their supper, were overtaken 
 and surrounded by between one and two hundred Mexi- 
 cans, who had collected at San Sebastian, and pursued after 
 them. The Mexicans remained at a distance, and not a shot 
 was fired. — The party finished their suppers ; and, every 
 man leading his horse, walked on, until they gained the base 
 of a mountain. — The Mexicans, remembering the field of Sa- 
 cramento, fell back from before them ; and the party then 
 mounted, and rode all night. — They understood, on their re- 
 turn, that this force was waiting for the arrival of a larger 
 one coming, before they would attack ; but, when that ar- 
 rived, the party was gone.-^-The Mexicans prepared to attack 
 
454 TREATY OF CHIHUAHUA. 
 
 them on their return, but this was frustrated by their addi- 
 tional strength. 
 
 In less than fifteen days they reached Saltillo, and report- 
 ed themselves to Gen. Wool. That general was astonished 
 beyond measure, when he heard, for the first time, of the bat- 
 tles of Brazito and of Sacramento : of fourteen hundred men, 
 with a piece of artillery, discomfited by a little over five hun- 
 dred, taken unawares ; and of more than four thousand, 
 strongly entrenched, with a train of artillery of ten pieces, 
 defeated and totally routed, with great loss of men and camp 
 equipage, by this same body, then a little more than nine 
 hundred strong ; — of the great length of the march they had 
 made, through a wilderness of mountain and prairie, without 
 supplies of any kind ; and, more than all, to find that this 
 force — of which these fourteen hardy, rough looking men, were 
 a sample — were in quiet possession of the large and fine city 
 of Chihuahua,' for the capture of which, originally, his whole 
 command, of nearly three thousand five hundred men, with 
 abundance of supplies, had been fitted out ; and the force, 
 now at six hundred miles distance, understanding that Tay- 
 lor and himself were surrounded, now sent to him, offering 
 him assistance ; — the whole appeared more like a fable of 
 olden time, than like the reality of modern warfare.— After 
 reading the dispatches, he again looked at the men, in their 
 rough appearance, and dress of skins, and asked, still half- 
 seriously, who they were ? where they came from ? and un- 
 der the flag of what nation were they fighting? &c., &c.*7^ 
 "We will leave this force in possession of the city of Chihua- 
 hua, engaged, about this time, in making a treaty with the 
 state authorities ; the result of which was, an agreement on 
 the part of those authorities to abstain, hereafter, from all 
 participation in the future actions of the war; and to allow 
 the entrance of American traders into their state, on pay- 
 ment of the customary duties, and to protect them in dispos- 
 
 • To those readers who woulJ wish a more extended notice of all the operations 
 of this gallant regiment, as well as of those of Gen. Kearney, in California, and Col. 
 Price, in Santa Fe, the author would recommend " Col. Doniphan's Expedition," a 
 new and interesting work by J. T. Heches, of the first Missouri regiment, published 
 by J. A. & U. P. James, Cincinnati. 
 
GENERAL SCOTT'S ORDERS. 455 
 
 ing of their goods ; — and, on his part, Col. Doniphan, in con- 
 sideration of those agreements, promised to withdraw his 
 troops from the city. (It is but justice to the authorities of 
 Chihuahua to state, that they have faithfully fulfilled this 
 treaty). — We will now turn our attention to the army of Gen. 
 Taylor, and its operations during this eventful month of Feb- 
 Tuary. 
 
 When Gen. Scott arrived at the Rio Grande, on the first 
 of January, as has been before mentioned, he instantly sent 
 his dispatches to Gen. Taylor (then on his way to Victoria), 
 directing him to return to Monterey, with a small portion of 
 the troops he had, and ordered the main body, under Major 
 Gen. Patterson, brigadier-generals Twiggs, Pillow, and Quit- 
 man, to go on to Tampico. The march of these has been 
 described. 
 
 He also sent dispatches to Gen. Worth, at Saltillo, who 
 there had just been reinforced by the army of Gen. Wool, to 
 leave that post in the command of the latter general, and, 
 with his whole division of regulars, to march to the Rio 
 Grande, and thence transport his troops to Matamoras, pre- 
 paratory to embarking them for Vera Cruz, in conjunction 
 with the large force that should embark for the same point, 
 from Tampico, and those of the new levy of nine regiments, 
 that were arriving from the United States, and collecting at 
 Lobos Island, south of Tampico. Dispatches were also sent 
 to Gen. Butler, commanding the reserve through the valley 
 of the Rio Grande, and whose head-quarters were at Mon- 
 terey, informing him of the arrangements. 
 
 These dispatches to each, altered all the arrangements 
 previously made. Gen. Patterson marched to Tampico ; — • 
 Gen. Taylor returned to Monterey; — Gen. Worth, M-^ith his 
 division, left Gen. Wool in command of Saltillo, and march- 
 ed with celerity towards the sea-coast. 
 
 There had been indications, for some time before this, of 
 an attack, by Santa Anna, upon the advanced position of 
 Saltillo, preparatory to a grand movement, which that gen- 
 eral was contemplating, the object of which was, with his 
 powerful army, to overrun and reconquer the whole valley 
 of the Rio Grande, and annihilate our small force there. — 
 
456 AMERICANS SURPRISED AT ENCARNACION. 
 
 One alarm had already been given, of his approach, and 
 Gen. Taylor had begun his march, to assist Worth, when it 
 was rendered unnecessary, by Gen. Wool's army coming in 
 from Parras. — Now, Gen. Worth left, in obedience to the 
 command of Gen. Scott. — Gen. Wool's force not being 
 strong enough, in case of an attack. Gen. Butler, from Mon- 
 terey, dispatched, to reinforce him, the Kentucky regiment 
 of cavahy, Col. Marshall, the second Kentucky infantry. Col. 
 McKee, the second Indiana regiment. Col. Bowles, the third 
 Indiana regiment. Col. Lane, and Webster's artillery, all 
 under Brig. Gen. Lane. 
 
 In the mean time, reports of the advance of the enemy 
 continually increased ; and were at last made certain. — 
 Scouts had been, by Gen. Wool, sent out in every direction ; 
 but all had been uncertain, until on the night of the 22d of 
 January, a combined rcconnoitering party, of forty men and 
 officers, of the Arkansas cavalry, under Major Borland, and 
 thirty-seven of the Kentucky cavalry, under Major Gaines, 
 were surrounded, and subsequently captured by three thou- 
 sand Mexican cavalry, under Gen. Minon, at the hacienda of 
 Encarnacion, sixty miles south of Saltillo, on the road to San 
 Louis Potosi {see map). — This general had made a forced 
 inarch of nearly one hundred miles, to surprise them; which 
 he did, aided by the darkness and storm of the nighl. — The 
 whole command had just returned from a position thirty 
 miles nearer Gen. Minon's position, and ninety from Sal- 
 tillo, and had not been able to find a trace of the enemy; 
 and were now on their return march to camp, and in the 
 evening, had halted for the night at the hacienda. Although 
 not the slightest probability of an attack was apprehended, 
 yet the customary vigilance was pursued, and their sentinels 
 were regularly placed. — Gen. Minon, who was an able offi- 
 cer, had been in their rear on their return march, all day, 
 unknown to them ; and at a late hour coming up, he 
 placed his army around the hacienda, at the distance of 
 about half a mile, in each direction, and wholly without the 
 hearing of the sentinels, in the furious wind and cloudy dark- 
 ness; and in this position quietly awaited the morning, 
 which, by its first dawn, should reveal to the Americans 
 
SURRENDER OF MAJOR GAINES. 457 
 
 their situation. — These were, as may well be imagined, as- 
 tonished at their position ; surrounded by such an enemy, 
 which had appeared so suddenly ; but they were by no 
 means intimidated. — The swelling, exulting music of the 
 Mexican forces, who, with their glistening arms, belted them 
 in as it were, rose clearly, on every side of them ; and was 
 answered immediately, by the unwavering notes of defiance 
 from the single bugle of the undaunted American cavalry. 
 Though small in force, and outnumbered, forty to one, these 
 Kentuckian and Arkansas horsemen were eager for the 
 strife; and with the utmost alacrity all belted on their arms, 
 turned to their noble steeds, and were ready for the con- 
 flict. Their gallant commander read in the face of every 
 man, the determination of victory or death. — But Gen. Minon 
 was too able an officer to expose his men to the sure aim 
 and strong arms of these cool-hearted and determined men, 
 whose spirit of resistance was borne to his ears by the 
 tones of their bugle, while already he had them in his power; 
 and so, while his heavy body of lancers, in solid and glit- 
 tering array, slowly approached the hacienda on one side, 
 a bearer of a white flag came bounding from his lines 
 on the other, stating to the Americans the number of 
 their force, the uselessness of resistance, and then offering 
 honorable terms of surrender. — The number of the Mexicans 
 looked large, but the American officers did not believe the 
 Mexican report, and all the soldiers wished to fight it out. — 
 Gen. Minon sent in a Mexican officer of the same rank, as 
 a hostage, while Major Gaines went out into the Mexican 
 army, and satisfied himself of their force ; then returned, 
 and as it was but throwing away every life to resist, they 
 surrendered, upon condition of being treated as prisoners of 
 war; and they were marched immediately to the southward. 
 About the same time, another scouting party of the Ken- 
 tucky cavalry, of seventeen men, under Capt. Heady, were 
 surrounded and taken. 
 
 Thus were nearly a hundred men lost; but though they 
 were captured, their object was gained, and the result was, 
 to the American army, of the highest importance and advan- 
 tage ; for by the escape of Capt. Henrie, one of the prison- 
 
458 PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE. 
 
 ers, and his return, the force of the enemy, and the cer- 
 tainty of his advance, became at once known to Gen. 
 Wool; who instantly sent a dispatch to Gen. Taylor, which 
 reached him just after he had arrived at Monterey from Vic- 
 toria. He immediately, with his column that had returned 
 from Victoria with him (Col. Davis' Mississippians, Capt. 
 Bragg's artillery, and Col. May's dragoons), marched on to 
 Saltillo, and proceeding by the hacienda of Buena Vista, en- 
 camped the whole army, save a garrison for Saltillo, at the 
 base of the Agua Nueva mountain, twenty miles from the 
 latter place, and on the road that Santa Anna's army would 
 be obliged to come. Here he waited to give that general 
 battle, for his approach was now sure. — The time, to the 
 21st of February, was devoted to preparing for the approach- 
 ing combat ; the passes in the neighboring mountains were 
 all examined, to secure the advantages for a battle-ground. 
 The position at Buena Vista, twelve miles back towards Sal- 
 tillo, which had been selected by Gen. Wool, was examined 
 by the engineers, and found to be the best calculated to with- 
 stand the attacks of a powerful force ; and to this, on the 
 21st of February, as the scouts gave notice that the enemy 
 was at hand, the army fell back; arrived there in the even- 
 ing, and immediately commenced the preparations for the 
 battle. 
 
 Let us turn our attention to the previous movements of 
 the enemy ; for, as soon as Santa Anna knew (by the recep- 
 tion of the dispatch from Gen. Scott to Gen. Taylor, taken at 
 Villa Grande, by the death of Lieut. Ritchie,) of the dispo- 
 sition of the American forces, and saw that the valley of 
 the Rio Grande was defended but by a small number, he 
 put his army in motion for the north, towards Saltillo, after 
 sending a strong brigade of cavalry, under Gen. Urrea, 
 across the mountains from San Luis, by Tula, to proceed 
 through Victoria, Villa Grande and Linares, to the vicinity 
 of Monterey, and thus be in Gen. Taylor's rear, to cut to 
 pieces any body of American force that might escape the de- 
 feat which he was confident, from his superior forces, of in- 
 flicting on " old Zack." Gen. Urrea pursued his march on 
 the eastern side of the mountains, and arrived near Monterey 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 459 
 
 «,t the same time that Santa Anna came on the west of the 
 mountains, near Saltillo. 
 
 On the 20th of February, Santa Anna arrived at the haci- 
 enda of Encarnacion, thirty miles from Agua Nueva. There 
 he sent Gen. Minon, with twelve hundred cavalry, (so stated 
 by Santa Anna ; by Gen. Taylor computed to be two thou- 
 sand), round the mountains to the right, with instructions to 
 get on the rear of Gen. Taylor, and take possession of the 
 hacienda of Buena Vista ; and as he (Santa Anna) drove the 
 Americans through the pass, to fall upon them. — Gen. Miiion 
 set out on this expedition, and on the next day Santa Anna's 
 force moved on, and encamped on a plain called De la Guer- 
 ra, nine miles from Agua Nueva. 
 
 At daylight on the 22d of February, his army was again 
 in motion, and moved on to force the pass of Agua Nueva ; 
 but, to his astonishment, no one was found there : for the 
 American army had fallen back to the hacienda of Buena 
 Vista the preceding day, save the Arkansas cavalry. Col. 
 Yell, which remained at the old camp to observe the move- 
 ments of the enemy ; and a few miles farther, the second 
 Kentucky, Col. McKee, with a section of artillery, halted at 
 the rancho of Encantada, to support Col. Yell, should he be 
 attacked ; and still farther back, on the battle ground of the 
 next day, the first Illinoisans, Col. Hardin, to support them 
 both, if driven in. 
 
 On that day, too, the greatest activity had been used in 
 removing all the stores, provisions, &c., from Agua Nueva ; 
 in the night, all having been done. Col. Yell's regiment, (his 
 pickets having been driven in by the Mexican army), and 
 Col. McKee's came in, accompanied by the Kentucky cavalry, 
 Col. Marshall, and the first dragoons, who had been sent out to 
 support them. — Gen. Taylor, in the meantime, accompanied 
 by the Mississippi regiment. Col. Davis, Bragg's and Sher- 
 man's batteries of artillery, and Col. May's dragoons, pro- 
 ceeded back to Saltillo, to make preparations for the defence 
 of the city against an attack of Gen. Mifion, and with the 
 same force was returning, the next morning, to Buena Vista, 
 when the enemy appeared in front at ten, A. M. — A view of 
 the battle ground may be seen opposite next page. 
 
460 EXPLANATION OF PICTURE OF BUENA VISTA. 
 
 The view* is there taken from the north-east part of the 
 ground, and of course fronts to the south-west. Although, 
 in a view, the position of the various columns cannot be so 
 particularly laid down as on a plan, yet, reader, you can ob- 
 tain a clearer idea of their movements. You are, as it were, 
 looking on the ground before you ; — you see the pass, the 
 hacienda, the mountains, and the elevated plain, or plateau, 
 upon which so many brave men fell. In front, you see the 
 camp of Gen. Wool, as it was in a few days after the battle. 
 On the left, rises the high, rugged mountain, on which the 
 battle commenced on the evening of the 22d, and re-com- 
 menced on the morning of the 23d. The position of our 
 light troops there engaged is designated by H H H. — The 
 attacking column of the Mexicans is shown by c c c c. 
 
 Across the plain, not seen in the picture, are several deep 
 ravines, running from the mountain near H G, out towards 
 the hacienda. From i<^ to C is seen the elevated top of the 
 plateau, so often mentioned in the battle. Beyond this, about 
 twelve miles in the distance, is the tall mountain of Agua 
 Nueva; — it is double. — Nearer on the right of the picture, 
 you observe the range of mountainous hills that bound the 
 plain on that side. 
 
 The position of the troops, during the battle of the 23d, is 
 indicated by the letters ; but they are only to express the 
 general position of each regiment, for during the engagement 
 they were advancing or falling back, and changing position 
 continually, though generally operating over the same ground. 
 
 A shows the position of Washington battery at the pass ; 
 it was stationed there; — B, a breast- work to the right of the 
 battery, where were two companies first Illinoisans. — X 
 shows the position of Bragg's battery and the second Ken- 
 tucky, during the night before the battle; — C, a hill occu- 
 pied on that morning by the first Illinoisans : — D, position 
 of the second Kentucky, when first coming into action ; — 
 
 * For this view of the battle ground of Buena Vista, the author is indebted to the 
 poUteness of Lieut. Gray, adjutant third regiment, Ohio, by whom it was drawn upon 
 the ground, a few weeks after the battle. — The camp of Gen. Wool, in the fore- 
 ground, is not precisely correct in its lines, having been placed on from recollection ; 
 but as it represents the camp after the battle, the difference is immaterial. 
 
POSITION OF TROOPS ON THE SECOND DAY. 463 
 
 E, place of second Illinoisans at the same time ; — F, posi- 
 tion of second Indianians, where the heavy Mexican column 
 a a first made its attack; — G, Kentucky cavalry; — H H H, 
 riflemen, Kentucky, Arkansas, Indiana, and Illinois ; — /, Col. 
 May's dragoons and Capt. Pike's squadron Arkansas cavalry ; 
 — /, Arkansas cavalry ; — L, third Indiana, position while 
 operating against column a a, a a ; — M, Mississippi regiment, 
 as attacking the column a a, a a ; — N, the hacienda of Buena 
 Vista. 
 
 Coming round the base of the mountain, and on the plain 
 a a, a a, a a, a a, is the position of Gen. Pacheco's column, 
 three thousand infantry, a large body of cavalry, and four 
 pieces artillery. After turning the American left at F, they 
 came round to the rear, were checked by the Mississippi 
 regiment, and fully repulsed by the Mississippi, third Indi- 
 ana, part of second Indiana, Arkansas and Kentucky cav- 
 alry. May's dragoons, and Bragg's and Sherman's batteries 
 artillery. 
 
 The letter b, to the left of F, shows the position of a Mex- 
 ican battery there established after the column a a, a a, had 
 gained its position ; — c c, c c, shows the position of Gen. Am- 
 pudia's body of Mexican troops on the 22d, and the larger 
 body of those of Gen. Lombardini on the 23d. The posi- 
 tion of the letter d, points out the situation of a heavy Mex- 
 ican battery beyond the plateau and pass. — The letter e 
 shows the position of the heavy column under Gen. Ampu- 
 dia attacking the American right ',—ff, f f, shows the final 
 and heaviest attack of the Mexican army, directed over the 
 plateau, in the direction o£ F E D C. This was under the 
 command of Gen. Perez, and was composed of the division 
 of Gen. Pacheco, a a, a a, now retreated, Gen. Ampudia, e, 
 and all the reserved forces of the Mexican army. — It was 
 checked near Z), by Capt. O'Brien's artillery, with the loss of 
 his guns ; repulsed by the second Kentucky, first and second 
 Illinois, Bragg's and Sherman's artillery, assisted by the Mis- 
 sissippi and 3d Indiana regiments, and Washington's battery. 
 
 The battle commenced shortly after the arrival of the en- 
 emy ; and as " old Zach." who fought the battle, has written 
 the plainest account of it, we will give it in his words : 
 
464 BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 
 
 HEADaUARTERS, ArMY OF OCCUPATION. 
 
 Agua Nueva, March 6, 1847. 
 
 " Sir : — I have the honor to submit a detailed report of the 
 operations of the forces under my command, which resulted 
 in the engagement of Buena Vista, the repulse of the Mexi- 
 can array, and the re-occupation of this position. 
 
 " The information which reached me of the advance and 
 concentration of a heavy Mexican force in my front, had 
 assumed such a probable form, as to induce a special exam- 
 ination far beyond the reach of our pickets, to ascertain its 
 correctness. A small party of Texan spies, under Major 
 McCulloch, dispatched to the hacienda of Encarnacion, thirty 
 miles from this, on the route to San Luis Potosi, had reported 
 a cavalry force of unknown strength at that place. On the 
 20th of February, a strong reconnoissance, under Lieut. -col. 
 May, was dispatched to the hacienda of Heclionda, while 
 Major McCulloch made another examination of Encarnacion. 
 The results of these expeditions left no doubt that the enemy 
 was in large force at Encarnacion, under the orders of Gen. 
 Santa Anna, and that he meditated a forward movement and 
 attack upon our position. 
 
 " As the camp of Agua Nueva could be turned on either 
 flank, and as the enemy's force was greatly superior to our 
 own, particularly in the arm of cavalry, I determined, after 
 much consideration, to take up a position about eleven miles 
 in rear, and there await the attack. The army broke up its 
 camp and marched at noon on the 21st, encamping at the 
 new position a little in front of the hacienda of Buena Vista. 
 With a small force, I proceeded to Saltillo, to make some 
 necessary arrangements for the defence of the town, leaving 
 Brig. Gen. Wool in the immediate command of the troops. 
 
 " Before these arrangements were completed on the morn- 
 ing of the 22d, I was advised that the enemy was in sight, 
 advancing. Upon reaching the ground, it was found that 
 his cavalry was in our front, having marched from Encarna- 
 cion, as we have since learned, at eleven o'clock on the day 
 previous, and driving in a mounted force left at Agua Nueva 
 to cover the removal of public stores. Our troops were in 
 position occupying a line of remarkable strength. The road 
 
DISPOSITION OF TROOPS ON FIRST DAY. 465 
 
 at this point becomes a narrow defile, the valley on its right 
 being rendered quite impracticable for artillery by a system 
 of deep and impassable gullies, while on the left a succes- 
 sion of rugged ridges and precipitous ravines extends far 
 back towards the mountain which bounds the valley. The 
 features of the ground were such as nearly to paralyze the 
 artillery and cavalry of the enemy, while his infantry could 
 not derive all the advantages of its numerical superiority. — 
 In this position we prepared to receive him. 
 
 " Capt. Washington's battery* (4th artillery) was posted to 
 command the road, while the first and 2d Illinois regiments, 
 under Cols. Hardin and Bissell, each eight companies, (to 
 the latter of which was attached Capt. Conner's company 
 of Texan volunteers), and the 2d Kentucky, under Col. Mc- 
 Kee, occupied the crests of the ridges on the left and in rear. 
 The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments of cavahy, comman- 
 ded by Cols. Yell and H. Marshall, occupied the extreme 
 left, near the base of the mountain, while the Indiana brig- 
 ade, under Brig. Gen. Lane, (composed of the 2d and 3d regi- 
 ments, under Cols. Bowles and Lane), the Mississippi rifle- 
 men, under Col. Davis, the squadrons of the 1st and 2d dra- 
 goons, under Capt. Steen and Lieut. -col. May, and the light 
 batteries of Capts. Sherman and Bragg, 3d artillery, were 
 held in reserve. 
 
 "At eleven o'clock, I received from Gen. Santa Anna a 
 summons to surrender at discretion, which, with a copy of 
 my reply, I have already transmitted. f The enemy still for- 
 
 * Marked A in picture, 
 t [translation.] 
 
 SUMMONS OF SANTA A.NKA TO GENERAL TATLOU. 
 
 You are surrounded by twenty thousand men, and cannot, in any human probabil- 
 ity, avoid suffering a rout, and being cut to pieces, with your troops ; but as you de- 
 serve consideration and particular esteem, I wish to save you from a catastrophe, and 
 for that purpose give you this notice, in order that you may surrender at discretion, 
 under the assurance that you will be treated with the consideration belonging to the 
 Mexican character ; to which end you will be granted an hour's time to make up your 
 mind, to commence from the moment when my flag of truce arrives in your camp. — 
 With this view, I assure you of my particular consideration. 
 
 God and Liberty. ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA 
 
 Camp at Encantada, February 22d, 1847. 
 To Gen. Z. Taylor, conimariding the forces of the United States, 
 30 
 
r 
 466 ACTION OF THE TWENTY-SECOND. 
 
 bore his attack, evidently awaiting for the arrival of his reer 
 columns, which could be distinctly seen by our look-outs as 
 they approached the field. A demonstration made on his 
 left, caused me to detach the 2d Kentucky regiment and a 
 section of artillery to our right, in which position they bi- 
 vouaciced for the night.* 
 
 " In the meantime, the Mexican light troopsf had engaged 
 ours on the extreme left, (composed of parts of the Ken- 
 tucky and Arkansas cavalry, dismounted, and a rifle bat- 
 talion from the Indiana brigade, under Major Gorman, the 
 whole commanded by Colonel Marshall), and kept up a 
 sharp fire, climbing the mountain side, and apparently en- 
 deavoring to gain our flank. Three pieces of Capt. Wash- 
 ington's battery had been detached to the left, and were sup- 
 ported by the 2d Indiana regiment. An occasional shell 
 was thrown by the enemy into this part of our line, but with- 
 out effect. The skirmishing of the light troops was kept up, 
 with trifling loss on our part, until dark, when I became con- 
 vinced that no serious attack would be made before the morn- 
 ing, and returned with the Mississippi regiment and 2d dra- 
 goons to Saltillo. The troops bivouacked without fires, and 
 laid upon their arms. 
 
 "A body of cavalr}^, some fifteen hundred strong, had been 
 visible all day in rear of the town, having entered the valley 
 through a narrow pass east of the city. This cavalry, com- 
 
 HEAuauAUTEns, AnMT OF Occupation, 
 Near Buena Vista, February 22, 1847. 
 SiH : — In reply to your note of this date, summoning me to surrender my force at 
 discretion, I beg leave to say that I decline acceding to your request. 
 With high respect, I am, sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. TAYLOR, MaJ. Gm. U. S. army com'g. 
 SExon GE?f. D. Antonto Lopez be Santa Anna, 
 Commandtr-in-chicf, La Encantada. 
 • Marked X in view. 
 
 j- 'i'hesc, about fifteen hundred in number, were under the command of Gen. Am- 
 pudia and Col. Baneneli, and their position is shown by the small letters c c c. This 
 day they only were near the base of the mountain, not so high as the upper c c c 
 which position they took during the night, and from which, (being reinforced to the 
 number of two thousand five hundred, under Gen. Lombardini), they commenced the 
 battle on the 23d. 
 
REPULSE OF AMPUDIA'S COLUMN. 467 
 
 manded by Gen. Minon, had evidently been thrown in our 
 rear to break up and harrass our retreat, and perhaps make 
 some attempt against the town, if practicable. The city was 
 occupied by four excellent companies of Illinois volunteers, 
 under Major Warren, of the first regiment. A field work, 
 which commanded most of the approaches, was garrisoned 
 by Capt. Webster's company, 1st artillery, and armed with 
 two twenty-four pound howitzers, while the train and head- 
 quarter camp was guarded by two companies Mississippi rifle- 
 men, under Capt. Rogers, and a field-piece commanded by 
 Capt. Shover, 3d artillery. Having made these dispositions 
 for the protection of the rear, I proceeded, on the morning 
 of the 23d, to Buena Vista, ordering forward all the other 
 available troops. The action had commenced before my ar- 
 rival on the field. 
 
 " During the evening and night of the 22d, the enemy had 
 thrown a body of light troops on the mountain side, with 
 the purpose of outflanking our left; and it was here that the 
 action of the 23d commenced, at an early hour. Our rifle- 
 men, under Col. Marshall, who had been reinforced by three 
 companies under Major Trail, second Illinois volunteers, 
 maintained their ground handsomely against a greatly supe- 
 rior force, holding themselves under cover, and using their 
 weapons with deadly effect.* About six o'clock, a strong 
 demonstration was made against the centre of our position, 
 a heavy column moving along the road.f This force was 
 soon dispersed by a few rapid and well-directed shots from 
 Capt. Washington's battery. In the meantime the enemy 
 was concentrating a large force of infantry and cavalry un- 
 der cover of the ridges, with the obvious intention of forcing 
 our left, which was posted on an extensive plateau.:]: The 
 
 • These troops, under Col. Marshall, are marked in position by the letters H H H. 
 
 ■j- The position of these troops, though concealed by the " pass," is shown by the 
 letter e on the view. They were under Gen. Ampudia. 
 
 it This column of troops, which attacked the 2d Indiana, (the position of which 
 is marked F), and the 2d Illinois, (position E), was commanded by Gen. Pacheco; 
 consisted of three thousand infantry, accompanied by nearly two thousand cavalry and 
 four pieces of artillery, which were placed in battery, (at 6). The brunt of opposing 
 this heavy force, from their position, fell on the 2d Indiana regiment, and Capt» 
 O'Brien's artillery. 
 
468 ATTACK OF GEN. PACHECO. 
 
 second Indiana and second Illinois regiments formed this 
 part of our line, the former covering three pieces of light 
 artillery, under the orders of Capt. O'Brien; — Brig. Gen. Lane 
 being in immediate command. In order to bring his men 
 within effective range. Gen. Lane ordered the artillery and 
 second Indiana regiment forward. The artillery advanced 
 within musket range of a heavy body of Mexican infantry, 
 and was served against it with great effect, but without be- 
 ing able to check its advance. The infantry ordered to its 
 support had fallen back in disorder, being exposed, as well 
 as the battery, not only to a severe fire of small arms in 
 front, but also to a murderous cross-fire of grape and can- 
 nister, from a Mexican battery on the left.* Capt. O'Brien 
 found it impossible to retain his position without support, 
 but was only able to withdraw two of his pieces, all the 
 
 * Never have troops been more abused by public opinion, (controlled and directed 
 by letter-writers from the army), than have these 2d Indianians ; and although a court 
 of inquiry aftervs'ards investigated fully the matter, and came to a far different opinion 
 than that thus sent back to the United States, still many arc under a misapprehension 
 with regard to them. — From their position, they were forced to withstand the princi- 
 pal weight of Gen. Pacheco's heavy columns of infantry and cavalry, and were further 
 exposed to the cross-fire of grape and cannister from the Mexican battery of artillery, 
 placed at b, in picture. Pacheco's troops were fresh, — for it was the first assault, — 
 and confident of victory from very numerical force. — The 2d Illinois, under the 
 gallant Bissell, were some distance to the right of the Indianians. — Col. Mar- 
 shall's force of dismounted cavalry, and infantry riflemen, were to the left, and 
 on the mountain, closely engaged with the far greater force of Gen. Lombar- 
 dini. — Thus placed, the second Indiana stood its ground, although suffering so se- 
 ■verely from the enemy in front, and their battery on their left. — Retreat was never 
 thought of by them while with coolness they loaded and fired ; not once or twice, but 
 delivered, in that position, twenty-one volleys round, in the meantime losing thirty-two 
 killed and thirty-six wounded — Col. Bowles, seeing his men falling in such numbera 
 before the shower of musket balls, grape, and cannister, sweeping through them, he, 
 himself, unadvisedly and unfortunately ordered the regiment to " cease firing and 
 retreat," — But still they stood, unwilling to go. He repeated the order, before it wa« 
 obeyed ; and then the left, in obedience, began to retreat, followed by the right, who 
 were still firing. But the colonel, having thus most unfortunately broken up the 
 line, and sent them on retreat, with no place designated to re-form, and with the 
 tremendous fire of the enemy behind them, had got them into a situation from which 
 he could not extricate them. — Confidence was gone. — The order to retreat, earnestly 
 given from him, conveyed to the minds of every one that he despaired of main- 
 taining his ground ; and it was, in fact, equivalent to an order for every man to save 
 himself. — They believed the battle lost, not from fear, but on account of the order 
 -SO given and repeated. — There was no time now for explanation ; the mischief had 
 
RETREAT OF SECOND INDIANA REGIMENT. 469 
 
 horses and cannoneers of the third piece being killed or dis- 
 abled. The second Indiana regiment, which had fallen back 
 as stated, could not be rallied, and took no further part in 
 the action, except a handful of men,* who, under its gallant 
 colonel, Bowles, joined the Mississippi regiment, and did good 
 service, and those fugitives who, at a later period of the da}', 
 assisted in defending the train and depot at Buena Vista. 
 This portion of our line having given way, and the enemy 
 appearing in overwhelming force against our left flank, the 
 light troops which had rendered such good service on the 
 mountain, were compelled to withdraw, which they did, for 
 the most part, in good order. Many, however, "were not ral- 
 lied until they reached the depot at Buena Vista, to the de- 
 fence of which they afterwards contributed. 
 
 " Col. Bissell's regiment,! (2d Illinois), which had been join- 
 been done ; the impression forced on the men ; and the fire of the enemy was in the 
 rear. — The court of inquiry, after patient investigation, pronounced this movement of 
 Col. Bowles to proceed not from cowardice, (for he fought most gallantly all the day 
 afterward, in the ranks of the Mississippi regiment), but from an ill-judged motive of 
 expediency, to save the lives of his men. — Such was the retreat of the 2d Indianians. 
 
 Reader, judge of them impartially ; place any other regiment, even of the oldest 
 regulars, in their situation — put them before a well-armed and fresh force, of ten times 
 their number, in front, and on their flank an active battery sending grape and cannister 
 in showers through them, — and then, after standing in the face of such a force, in the 
 heat of the battle let them hear their own colonel, to whom they look for all commands, 
 loudly calling to them to retreat, and repeating it, and the idea will flash on every 
 soldier's mind, that the day is lost, and that every one is to retreat for himself. 
 
 This was a battle of volunteers, and no regiment engaged in it had before been in 
 one, save the Mississippi, which had done such good service at Monterey. — The re- 
 giments stood their ground and fought with such bravery for ten hours, against the 
 legions opposed to them — with such heroic firmness resisting the concentrated attacks 
 from morn till night, that praise of them is idle ; — to look at their conduct excites not 
 only admiration, but astonishment. 
 
 * " From one hundred and fifty to two hundred." See proceedings of court of in- 
 quiry, published at Saltillo, May 3d, 1847. 
 
 f This 2d Illinois regiment acted, during the entire day, in the most gallant manner. 
 — As the 2d Indiana retreated, and the heavy column of the enemy advanced upon 
 the ground which had been occupied by it, this regiment fell back from its position, E, 
 on picture, two or three hundred yards, towards D. This movement was performed in 
 the face of the enemy, as it would have been on parade : being faced about, marched 
 the distance, and again faced to the front. They received several volleys here, then 
 advanced nearer, and engaged the main body of the enemy for thirty minutes, suffer- 
 ing severely. Their gallant colonel drew them oflf to the right, and attacked, with the 
 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky, the left of the enemy ; afterward was in the last charge 
 
470 RESISTANCE OF PACHECO'S ATTACK. 
 
 ed by a section of Capt. Sherman's battery, had become com- 
 pletely oiitllanked, and was compelled to fall back, being 
 entirely unsupported. The enemy was now pouring masses 
 of infantry and cavalry along the base of the mountain on 
 our left, and was gaining our rear in great force. At this 
 moment I arrived upon the field. The Mississippi regiment* 
 had been directed to the left before reaching the position, 
 and immediately came into action against the Mexican cav- 
 alry which had turned our flank. The 2d Kentucky regi- 
 ment and a section of artillery under Capt. Bragg had previ- 
 ously been ordered from the right to reinforce our left, and 
 arrived at a most opportune moment. That regiment, and 
 a portion of the 1st Illinois under Col. Hardin, gallantly 
 drove the enemy, and recovered a portion of the ground we 
 had lost. The batteries of captains Sherman and Bragg 
 were in position on the plateau, and did much execution — 
 not only in front, but particularly upon the masses which 
 had gained our rear. Discovering that the enemy was hea- 
 vily pressing upon the Mississippi regiment, the 3d Indiana 
 regiment, under Col. Lane, was dispatched to strengthen that 
 part of our line which formed a crotchet perpendicular to 
 the first line of battle. At the same time, Lieut. Kilburn, 
 with a piece of Capt. Bragg's battery, was commanded to 
 support the infantry there engaged. The action was for a 
 long time warmly sustained at that point — the enemy ma- 
 
 of the day against the column f f f ; and took the colors of the Guanajuata regi- 
 ment, after hard fighting. The loss of this regiment was more severe than that of anj 
 other. It had one captain, nine lieutenants, thirty-seven non-commissioned officers 
 and privates killed, and three captains, four lieutenants, and sixty-seven non-commis- 
 sioned officers and privates wounded. Two companies of this regiment, under Major 
 Trail, — captains Leman's and Woodward's, — fought on the mountains, H H, and on 
 the left, at and near the hacienda ; and two more were detached for the defence of 
 Saltillo. 
 
 * This regiment, under Col. Davis, leaving two of its companies at Saltillo, accom- 
 panied Gen. Taylor on that morning to the battle-field. On the way they heard the 
 artillery, which assured them that the battle had commenced ; and they hastened on, 
 arrived, and immediately, unsupported, advanced against the heavy victorious column 
 of the enemy, which, more than four thousand strong of cavalry and infantry, had 
 turned the American left. The regiment took a position near M, and opened a 
 volley when near the enemy ; and continued, although suffering severely, to advance 
 with such deadly fire upon the column, that it fell back, and a column of cavalry were 
 sent round to attack the fearless Mississippians in the rear ; but, in crossing around to 
 
REPULSE OF PACHECO'S COLUMN. 471 
 
 king several attempts, both with infantry and cavah-y, against 
 our line, and being repulsed always with heavy loss. I had 
 placed all the regular cavalry and Capt. Pike's squadron of 
 Arkansas horse under the orders of brevet Lieut. Col. May, 
 with directions to hold in check the enemy's column, still 
 advancing in the rear along the base of the mountain, which 
 was done in connection with the Kentucky and Arkansas 
 cavalry, under colonels Marshall and Yell. In the meantime 
 our left, which was still strongly threatened by a superior 
 force, was further strengthened by the detachment of Capt. 
 Bragg's and a portion of Capt. Sherman's batteries to that 
 quarter. The concentration of artillery fire upon the mass 
 of the enemy along the base of the mountain, and the de- 
 termined resistance offered by the two regiments opposed to 
 them, had created confusion in their ranks, and some of the 
 corps attempted to effect a retreat upon their main line of 
 battle. The squadron of the 1st dragoons, under Lieut. 
 Rucker, was now ordered up the deep ravine which these 
 retreating corps were endeavoring to cross, in order to charge 
 and disperse them. The squadron proceeded to the point 
 indicated, but could not accomplish the object, being exposed 
 to a heavy fire from a battery established to cover the retreat 
 of those corps. While the squadron was detached upon this 
 service, a large body of the enemy wa^ observed to concen- 
 trate on our extreme left, apparently with the view of ma- 
 do this, they were received with such a destructive fire from the rifles, as wholly to dis- 
 perse them with much loss. — The regiment re-formed, and, joined by the 3d Indiana 
 (at L) and a piece of artillery of Bragg's battery, under Lieut. Kilbuni, again attacked 
 the heavy column, and forced it to retire toward the mountain ; but, coming in the 
 range of a battery of the enemy, they fell back, and were charged upon by the whole 
 body of Mexican cavalry. Forming its line as these came up, with the third Indiana, 
 they received the lancers with such fatal volleys as immediately to force them to fall 
 back ; and, shortly after, v^'ith the aid of other troops, the whole column, a a, a a, was 
 forced to retreat. — In the severe and bloody final charge of the whole Mexican force 
 under Gen. Perez, on the high plain, FED, toivards C, the Mississippians were of the 
 greatest service — reaching the ground opposite E, and pouring a destructive fire into 
 the enemy's flank, as he endeavored to force the position ; and when the head of the 
 column had come near to Bragg's battery, then stationed near D, the fire was so severe 
 that the enemy's right was immediately broken. Most nobly did the regiment and its 
 gallant commander, who was wounded at the first fire, sustain, through the day, thn 
 reputation of their State. Many brave men fell m its ranks ; loss, forty-two killed 
 and fifty-one wounded. Number of men in action, three hundred and forly-one. 
 
472 PACHFXO'S ATTACK ON THE HACIENDA. 
 
 king a descent upon the hacienda of Buena Vista, where our 
 train and baggage were deposited. Lieut. Col. May was or- 
 dered to the support of that point, with two pieces of Capt. 
 Sherman's battery under Lieut. Reynolds. In the meantime 
 the scattered forces near the hacienda, composed in part of 
 majors Trail's and Gorman's commands, had been to some 
 extent organized under the advice of Major Monroe, chief 
 of artillery, with the assistance of Major Morrison, volunteer 
 stair, and were posted to defend the position. Before our 
 cavalry had reached the hacienda, that of the enemy had 
 made its attack, having been handsomely met by the Ken- 
 tucky and Arkansas cavalry, under colonels Marshall and 
 Yell.* The Mexican column immediately divided — one por- 
 tion sweeping by the depot, where it received a destructive 
 fire from the force which had collected there, and then gain- 
 ing the mountain opposite, under a fire from Lieut. Reynolds' 
 section, the remaining portion regaining the base of the 
 mountain on our left. In the charge at Buena Vista, Col. 
 Yell fell gallantly at the head of his regiment ; we also lost 
 Adj. Vaughan, of the Kentucky cavalry — a young officer of 
 much promise. Lieut. Col. May, who had been rejoined by 
 the squadron of the 1st dragoons, and by portions of the 
 Arkansas and Indiana troops, under Lieut. Col. Roane and 
 Major Gorman, now approached the base of the mountain, 
 holding in check the right flank of the enemy, upon whose 
 
 * These two regiments, Kentucky cavalry, Col. Marshall, and Arkansas, Col. Yell 
 together with the few regular dragoons under Col. May, during the battle on the 23d, 
 had most severe and laborious services to perform — They had had no rest on the pre- 
 vious day, the 21st, or even on the 20th ; nor until after the battle was finished on the 
 23d, was there any cessation of their exertion. — The rifle battalion of each, dismount- 
 ed, in conjunction with that of the 2d Indiana, fought on the mountain side, in the 
 position H H, during the afternoon of the 22d, and, reinforced by the rifle battalion 
 of the 2d Illinois, commenced here the glorious action of the 23d. — When Gen. Pa- 
 checo's heavy column a a, a a, had succeeded in turning the American left, these 
 detachments retired to the plain, and there kept up their exertions. — The mounted 
 companies had continually their utmost endeavors to make, in repelling, with the other 
 regiments, the onward march of this column ; and in these heroic and successful 
 efforts, they lost many of their number, and among them Col. Yell, the brave and tal- 
 ented commander of the Arkansas troops. He fought at their head, and was killed 
 in the charge, not far from the trees seen in picture. 
 
 Loss of Kentucky cavalry, killed and wounded, 61. — Loss of Arkansas, killed, 
 wounded and missing, 53. 
 
REPULSE OF GEN. MINON"S CAVALRY. 473 
 
 masses, crowded in the narrow gorges and the ravines, our 
 artillery was doing fearful execution. 
 
 " The position of that portion of the Mexican army which 
 had gained our rear was now very critical, and it seemed 
 doubtful whether it could regain the main body. At this 
 moment I received from Gen. Santa Anna a message by a 
 stafl' officer, desiring to know what I wanted? I immedi- 
 ately dispatched Brig. Gen. Wool to the Mexican general- 
 in-chief, and sent orders to cease firing. Upon reaching the 
 Mexican lines, Gen. Wool could not cause the enemy to cease 
 their fire, and accordingly returned without having an inter- 
 view. The extreme right of the enemy continued its retreat 
 along the base of the mountain, and, finally, in spite of all 
 our efforts, effected a junction with the remainder of the 
 army. 
 
 " During the remainder of the day, Gen. Mifion* had as- 
 cended the elevated plain above Saltillo, and occupied the 
 road from the city to the field of battle, where they inter- 
 cepted several of our men. Approaching the town, they were 
 fired upon by Capt. Webster, from the redoubt occupied by 
 his company, and then moved on towards the eastern side 
 of the valley, and obliquely towards Buena Vista. At this 
 time, Capt. Shover moved rapidly forward with his piece, 
 supported by a miscellaneous command of mounted volun- 
 teers, and fired several shots at the cavalry, with great ef- 
 fect. They were driven into the ravines which lead to the 
 lower valley, closely pursued by Capt. Shover, who was fur- 
 ther supported by a piece of Capt. Webster's battery, under 
 Lieut. Donaldson, which had advanced from the redoubt, 
 supported by Capt. Wheeler's company Illinois volunteers. 
 
 * Santa Anna, in his account of this battle, lays all the blame of his want of suc- 
 cess at the door of Gen. Minon ; for that general, he says, was ordered to charge upon 
 the American force on the left, instead of doing which, he contented himself wiili re- 
 maining all day in position between Buena Vista and Saltillo, and in making an un- 
 successful demonstration on the latter place. — Gen. Minon, on the other hand, main- 
 tains to the effect that his instructions from Gen. Santa Anna were for him to take 
 position where he did, and fall on the " Yankees," after Santa Anna had driven them 
 through the pass ; and he maintains that he exactly performed his orders, save as to 
 cutting down and annihilating said " Yankees;" which failure resulted only from the 
 fact that Gen. Santa Anna was not able, with all his force, to drive them through the 
 pass towards him. 
 
474 FINAL ATTACK OF THE MEXICAN ARMY. 
 
 The enemy made one or two efforts to charge the artillery, 
 but was finally driven back in a confused mass, and did not 
 again appear upon the plain. 
 
 " In the meantime, the firing had partially ceased upon the 
 principal field.* The enemy seemed to confine his elibrts to 
 the protection of his artillery, and I had left the plateau for 
 a moment, when I was recalled thither b}' a heavy musketry 
 fire. On regaining that position, I discovered that our in- 
 fantry (Illinois and 2d Kentucky) had engaged a greatly su- 
 perior force of the enemy — evidently his reserve — and that 
 they had been overwhelmed by numbers. The moment was 
 most critical. Capt. O'Brien, with two pieces, had sustain- 
 ed this heavy charge to the last, and was finally obliged to 
 leave his guns on the field — his infantry support being en- 
 tirely routed. Capt. Bragg, who had just arrived from the 
 left, Avas ordered at once into battery. Without any infantry 
 to support him, and at the imminent risk of losing his guns 
 this ofiicer came rapidly into action, the Mexican line being 
 but a few 3^ards from the muzzle of his pieces. The first 
 discharge of cannister caused the enemy to hesitate ; the se- 
 cond and third drove him back in disorder, and saved the 
 day. The 2d Kentucky regiment, which had advanced be- 
 yond supporting distance in this affair, was driven back, and 
 
 * The last great struggle of the day was now about to be brought on. The attack- 
 ing column of Gen. Ampudia, on the right, had been repulsed by the rapid and de- 
 structive discharge of Capt. Washington's battery. The column of Gen. Pacheco, 
 on the left, after partial success, had. been driven back by the Mississippi, third 
 Indiana infantry, Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry, Col. May's dragoons, Bragg's, 
 Sherman's, and Kilburn's artillery, and the miscellaneous force at the hacienda. — 
 The centre column, under Gen. Villamil, had been repul.sed by the 1st and 2d Illinois, 
 and the second Kentucky, aided by Capt. O'Brien's and others' artillery. 'I'hus, the 
 three separate charges upon difll-rent portions of the American position, although 
 desperate and bloody on both sides, had failed, and the dead and dying covered the 
 hard fought field. — In this last charge, the whole power of the Mexican army was to 
 be brought to bear upon the American centre. 
 
 While this lull in the storm of battle was taking place, during which the artillery, 
 only, on both sides, belched forth their opposing thunders, Santa Anna was, with the 
 greatest activity, throwing his columns together for this grand charge. — Gen. Ampu- 
 dia's column was united to those of Gen. Pacheco and Gen. Villamil, and to this 
 force were added all the fresh troops of the reserve ; the whole was placed under the 
 command of Gen. Perez ; and the vast body came down like an avalanche, on the 
 elevated plain, in the direction yy, f f. 
 
REPULSE OF GEN. PEREZ. 475 
 
 closely pressed by the enemy's cavalry. Taking a ravine 
 ■which led in the direction of Capt. Washington's battery, 
 their pursuers became exposed to his fire, which soon check- 
 ed and drove them back with loss. 
 
 " In the meantime, the rest of our artillery had taken po- 
 sition on the plateau, covered by the Mississippi and 3d In- 
 diana regiments, the former of which had reached the ground 
 in time to pour a fire into the right flank of the enemy, and 
 thus contribute to his repulse. In this last conflict, we had 
 the misfortune to sustain a very heavy loss. Col. Hardin, 
 1st Illinois, and Col. McKee and Lieut. Col. Clay, 2d Ken- 
 tucky regiment,* fell at this time, while gallantly heading 
 their commands. 
 
 " No farther attempt was made by the enemy to force our 
 position, and the approach of night gave an opportunity to 
 pay proper attention to the wounded, and also to refresh the 
 soldiers, who had been exhausted by incessant watchfulness 
 and combat. Though the night was extremely cold, the 
 troops were compelled for the most part to bivoua' k without 
 fires, expecting that morning would renew the conflict. Du- 
 ring the night, the wounded were removed to Saltillo, and 
 every preparation made to receive the enemy, should he 
 again attack our position. Seven fresh companies were 
 drawn from the town, and Brig. Gen. Marshall, who had 
 made a forced march from the Rinconada, with a reinforce- 
 ment of Kentucky cavahy and four heavy guns, under Capt. 
 Prentiss, 1st artillery, was near at hand, when it was discov- 
 ered that the enemy had abandoned his position during the 
 night. Our scouts soon ascertained that he had fallen back 
 upon Agua Nueva. The great disparity of numbers, and the 
 
 * This gallant 2d Kentucky regiment, whose loss in killed and wounded was most 
 severe, was engaged through the day, in conjunction with the two Illinois regiments, 
 upon the elevated plateau, D E F. On the evening of the day before, it had been 
 ordered from its first position, in rear of Washington's battery. A, to accompany and 
 support Bragg's battery, to the position A', to the extreme right. — Here they remained 
 on their arms during the night, and at the commencement of the action of the 2.3d. at 
 daylight, they crossed to the centre, and took position in the battle on the plateau at D 
 A most enthusiastic ardor in the regiment was manifested throughout the long-con- 
 •tested conflict. 
 
 Loss of the regiment during the day, 44 killed, 57 wounded, 1 missing. — Total, 102. 
 
476 RETREAT OF MEXICAN ARMY. 
 
 exhaustion of our troops rendered it inexpedient and hazard- 
 ous to attempt a pursuit. A staff officer was sent to Gen. 
 Santa Anna to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, which 
 was satisfactorily completed on the following day. Our own 
 dead were collected and buried, and the Mexican wounded, 
 of which a large number had been left upon the field, were 
 removed to Saltillo, and rendered as comfortable as circum- 
 stances would permit. 
 
 '* On the evening of the 26th, a close reconnoissance was 
 made of the enemy's position, which was found to be occu- 
 pied only by a small body of cavalry, the infantry and ar- 
 tillery having retreated in the direction of San Luis Potosi. 
 On the 27th, our troops resumed their former camp at Agua 
 Nueva, the enemy's rear guard evacuating the place as we 
 approached, leaving a considerable number of wounded. It 
 was my purpose to beat up his quarters at Incarnacion early 
 the next morning, but upon examination, the weak condition 
 of the cavalry horses rendered it unadvisable to attempt so 
 long a march without water. A command was finally dis- 
 patched to Incarnacion, on the 1st of March, under Col. Bel- 
 knap. Some two hundred wounded, and about sixty Mexi- 
 can soldiers were found there, the army having passed on in 
 the direction of Matahuala, with greatly reduced numbers, 
 and suffering much from hunger. The dead and dying were 
 strewed upon 'the road, and crowded the buildings of the 
 hacienda. 
 
 " The American force engaged in the action of Buena Vista 
 is shown, by the accompanying field report, to have been 
 three hundred and thirty-four officers, and four thousand four 
 hundred and twenty-five men, exclusive of the small com- 
 mand left near and in Saltillo. Of this number, two squad- 
 rons of cavalry, and three batteries of light artillery, making 
 not more than four hundred and fifty-three men, composed, 
 the only force of regular troops.* The strength of the Mexi- 
 can army is stated by Gen. Santa Anna, in his summons, to- 
 be twenty thousand ; and that estimate is confirmed by all" 
 
 * Volunteers: officers and men in battle of Buena Vista, 4,420 ; loss in killed, 263 j 
 wounded, 371; missing, 21. Regulars: number of officers and men, 493 ; loss in- 
 killed, 7 ; wounded, 5.5 ; missing, 3. 
 
LOSS OF EITHER ARMY. 477 
 
 the information since obtained. Our loss is two hundred 
 and sixty-seven killed, four hundred and fifty-six wounded, 
 and twenty-three missing. Of the numerous \vounded, many 
 did not require removal to the hospital, and it is hoped that 
 a comparatively small number will be permanently disabled. 
 The Mexican loss in killed and wounded may be fairly esti- 
 mated at one thousand five hundred, and will probably reach 
 two thousand. At least five hundred of their killed were 
 left upon the field of battle. We have no means of ascer- 
 taining the number of deserters and dispersed men from their 
 ranks, but it is known to be very great. 
 
 " Our loss has been especially severe in officers, twenty- 
 eight having been killed upon the field. We have to lament 
 the death of Capt. George Lincoln, assistant adjutant-gen- 
 eral, serving on the staff" of Gen. Wool — a young officer of 
 high bearing and approved gallantry, who fell early in the 
 action. No loss falls more heavily upon the army in the 
 field than that of colonels Hardin and McKee, and Lieut. Col. 
 Clay. Possessing in a remarkable degree the confidence of 
 their commands, and the last two having enjoyed the advan- 
 tage of a military education, I had looked particularly to 
 them for support in case we met the enemy. I need not say 
 that their zeal in engaging the enemy, and the cool and stead- 
 fast courage with which they maintained their positions du- 
 ring the day, fully realized my hopes, and caused me to feel 
 yet more sensibly their untimely loss. 
 
 " I perform a grateful duty in bringing to the notice of the 
 government the general good conduct of the troops. Ex- 
 posed for successive nights, without fires, to the severity of 
 the weather, they were ever prompt and cheerful in the dis- 
 charge of every duty, and finally displayed conspicuous stea- 
 diness and gallantry in repulsing, at great odds, a disciplined 
 foe. While the brilliant success achieved by their arms re- 
 leases me from the painful necessity of specifying many cases 
 of bad conduct before the enemy, I feel an increased obliga- 
 tion to mention particular corps and officers, whose skill, 
 coolness and gallantry, in trying situations and under a con- 
 tinued and heavy fire, seem to merit particular notice. 
 
 " To Brig. Gen. Wool my obligations are especially due. 
 
478 CONDUCT OF OFFICERS AND TROOPS. 
 
 The high state of discipline and instruction of several of the 
 volunteer regiments was attained under his command ; and 
 to his vigilance and arduous services before the action, and 
 his gallantry and activity on the field, a large share of our 
 success may justly be attributed. — During most of the en- 
 gagement, he was in immediate command of the troops 
 thrown back on our left flank. 1 beg leave to recommend 
 him to the favorable notice of the government. Brig. Gen. 
 Lane (slightly wounded) was active and zealous throughout 
 the day, and displayed great coolness and gallantry before 
 the enemy. 
 
 "The services of the light artillery, always conspicuous, 
 were more than usually distinguished. Moving rapidly over 
 the roughest ground, it was always in action at the right 
 place, and the right time ; and its well-directed fire dealt 
 destruction in the masses of the enemy. While I recom- 
 mend to particular favor, the gallant conduct and valuable 
 services of Major Munroe, chief of artillery, and Captains 
 Washington, 4th artillery, and Sherman and Bragg, 3d artil- 
 lery, commanding batteries, I deem it no more than just, to 
 mention all the subordinate oflicers. They were nearly all 
 detached at different times, and in every situation exhibited 
 conspicuous skill and gallantry. Capt. O'Brien,* Lieuts. 
 Brent, Whiting, and Couch, 4th artillery, and Bryan, Topo- 
 graphical Engineers (slightly wounded), were attached to 
 Capt. Washington's battery. Lieuts. Thomas, Reynolds, 
 and French, 3d artillery (severely wounded), to that of Capt. 
 
 * This gallant officer lost three cannon during the day ; and the possession of these 
 enabled Santa Anna, in his flowing dispatch, to conceal his terrible defeat, by claim- 
 ing a victory. The first one was lost in the attack on the plateau by Gen. Pachcco, 
 from the fact that the horses and cannoneers were all killed or disabled, so that it 
 could not be brought otT. — 'J'he other two were lost in the main and last attack on the 
 centre, by the whole disposable Mexican force under Gen. Perez. Capt. O'Brien sac- 
 rificed these guns by intention ; keeping the enemy in check by them, until the other 
 artillery and infantry arrived, and the regiments of infantry concentrated, pouring a 
 deadly fire on the massive column. The situation of the artillery is not placed in the 
 picture, for, save the battery at A, they were continually back and forth, over the 
 whole ground, during the day. The battery of Capt. Bragg discharged about two 
 hundred and fifty rounds of round shot, grape and cannister ; the other biitteries 
 nearly the same. The infantry regiments discharged from seventy to ninety rounds 
 of cartridges per man, during the same time. 
 
CONDUCT OF OFFICERS AND TROOPS. 479 
 
 Sherman ; and Capt. Shover, and Lieut. Kilburn, 3d artil- 
 lery, to that of Capt. Bragg. — Capt. Shover, in conjunction 
 with Lieut. Donaldson, rendered gallant and important ser- 
 vice in repulsing the cavalry of Gen. Miiion. The regular 
 cavalry, under Lieut. Col. May, with which was associated 
 Capt. Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse, rendered useful ser- 
 vice in holding the enemy in check, and in covering the bat- 
 teries, at several points. Capt. Steen, 1st dragoons, was 
 severely wounded early in the day, while gallantly endeav- 
 oring, with my authority, to rally the troops which were 
 falling in the rear. 
 
 " The Mississippi riflemen, under Col. Davis, were highly 
 conspicuous for their gallantry and steadiness, and sustain- 
 ed, throughout the engagement, the reputation of veteran 
 troops. Brought into action against an immensely superior 
 force, they maintained themselves for a long time, unsup- 
 ported, and with heavy loss, and held an important part of 
 the field until reinforced. Col. Davis, though severely woun- 
 ded, remained in his saddle until the close of the action. — 
 His distinguished coolness and gallantry at the head of his 
 regiment on this day entitle him to the particular notice of 
 the government. The 3d Indiana regiment,* under Col. 
 Lane, and a fragment of the 2d, under Col. Bowles, were as- 
 sociated with the Mississippi regiment during a greater por- 
 tion of the day, and acquitted themselves creditably in re- 
 pulsing the attempts of the enemy to take that portion of 
 our line. The Kentucky cavalry, under Col. Marshall, ren- 
 dered good service dismounted, acting as light troops on our 
 
 *This 3d Indiana was, on the morning of the 23d, stationed not far in rear of Wash- 
 ington's battery, A, save two companies of rifles, who, in command of Major Gorman^ 
 fought on the mountain under Col. Marshall. — Major Gorman also had two rifle com- 
 panies, of the 2d Indiana. This 3d regiment, under Col. Lane, fought, during the 
 day, principally on the left, with the other regiments here engaged, against Pacheco's 
 etrong column, and at the last heavy charge, together with the Mississippians and the 
 rallied part of the 2d Indiana, moved rapidly to the plateau, D E F, and by their de- 
 structive fire hastened the enemy's retreat. The conduct of this regiment was of the 
 most spirited character. The repulse of the heavy column of lancers in the morning, 
 by these and the Mississippians, was among the most brilliant exploits of this day 
 of continued astonishing achievements of valor and constancy. Although much ex- 
 posed for the whole day, the loss of the regiment was not very severe ; being nine killed, 
 and iilty-six wounded. 
 
480 CONDUCT OF OFFICERS AND TROOPS. 
 
 left, and afterward?, with a portion of the Arkansas regiment 
 in meeting and dispersing the column of cavalry at Buena 
 V^ista. The 1st and 2d lUinois and the 2d Kentucky regi- 
 ments served immediately under my eye, and I bear a wil- 
 ling testimony to their excellent conduct throughout the day. 
 The spirit and gallantry with which the 1st IlUnois* and 2d 
 Kentucky engaged the enemy in the morning restored confi- 
 dence to that part of the field, while the list of casualties 
 will show how much these three regiments suffered in sus- 
 taining the heavy charge of the enemy in the afternoon. — 
 Capt. Conner's company of Texas volunteers, attached to 
 the 2d Illinois regiment, fought bravely, its captain being 
 wounded and two subalterns killed. t Col. Bissell, the only 
 surviving colonel of these regiments, merits notice for his 
 coolness and bravery on this occasion. After the fall of the 
 field officers of the 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky regiments, 
 the command of the former devolved on Lieut. Col. Weather- 
 ford, and tliat of the latter on Major Fry. 
 
 " Regimental commanders, and others who have rendered 
 reports, speak in general terms of the good conduct of their 
 officers and men, and have specified many names ; but the 
 limits of this report forbid a recapitulation of them here. I 
 may, however, mention Lieuts. Rucker and Campbell of the 
 dragoons, and Capt. Pike, of the Arkansas cavalry, upon 
 
 * The coolness and intrepiility of this 1st Illinois, under their heroic colonel, could 
 not be excelled. During the night of the 22d, six companies of it, under Col. Har- 
 din, occupied the hill, C, and two companies, under Lieut. Col. Weatherford, were sta- 
 tioned to the right of A, to protect Washington's battery there. Two other companies 
 had been detached, under Major Warren, to hold, with other troops, the possession of 
 the city of Saltillo. When Col. Hardin led his command from C, upon the plateau 
 D E F, to take a part in the tremendous action there going on, he commenced his 
 gallant operations by a spirited charge of bayonets upon a heavy body of the enemy, 
 in which — killing and wounding great numbers of them — he drove them in confusion 
 back over a deep ravine they had crossed. Though this regiment, like the 2d Illinois 
 and 2d Kentucky, with which it fought during the day, was exposed continually to a 
 most terrible fire, and many of its men were wounded, yet none were killed until the 
 last concentrated effort of the enemy ; but in this, as in the subsequent pursuit, they 
 suffered much. They captured the colors of the Mexican corps from the city of San 
 Luis Potosi, — Loss of the regiment during the day, 30 killed and 25 wounded. 
 
 ■j- The loss of this gallant company of Texans was very severe, in proportion to 
 their numbers, being 14 killed, 2 wounded, and 7 missing. Well did the little body 
 maintain the reputation of their state throughout the day. 
 
CONDUCT OF OFFICERS AND TROOPS. 481 
 
 whom the command devolved after the fall of Col. Yell ; Ma- 
 jor Bradford, Capt. Sharpe, (severely vi^omided), and Adj. 
 Griffith, Mississippi regiment ; Lieut. Robinson, aid-de-camp 
 to Gen. Lane ; Lieut. Col Weatherford, 1st Illinois regiment; 
 Lieut. Col. Morrison, Major Trail, and Adj. Whiteside (se- 
 verely wounded) 2d Illinois regiment, and Major Fry, of the 
 2d Kentucky regiment, as being favorably noticed for gal- 
 lantry and good conduct. Major McCulloch, quartermaster 
 in the volunteer service, rendered important services before 
 the engagement, in the command of a spy company, and, 
 during the affair, was associated with the regular cavalry. — 
 To Major Warren, 1st Illinois volunteers, I feel much indebt- 
 ed, for his firm and judicious course while exercising com- 
 mand in the city of Saltillo. 
 
 " The medical staff, under the able direction of Assistant- 
 surgeon Hitchcock, were assiduous in attention to the woun- 
 ded upon the field, and in their careful removal to the rear. 
 Both in these respects, and in the subsequent oi'ganization 
 and service of the hospitals, the administration of this de- 
 partment was everything that could be desired. 
 
 " Brig. Gen. Wool speaks in high terms of the officers of his 
 staff, and I take pleasure in mentioning them here, having 
 witnessed their activity and zeal upon the field. Lieut, and 
 Aid-de-camp McDowell, Col. Churchill, inspector general, 
 Capt. Chapman, assistant quartermaster, Lieut. Sitgreave.s, 
 Topographical Engineers, and Capts. Howard and Davis, 
 volunteer service, are conspicuously noticed for their gal- 
 lantry and good conduct. Messrs. March, Addicks, Potts, 
 Harrison, Burgess and Dusenberg, attached in various ca- 
 pacities to Gen. Wool's headquarters, are likewise mentioned 
 for their intelligent alacrity in conveying orders to all parts 
 of the field. 
 
 " In conclusion, I beg leave to speak of my own staff, to 
 whose exertions in rallying troops and communicating orders 
 I feel greatly indebted. Major Bliss, assistant adjutant-gen- 
 eral, Capt. J. H. Eaton and Lieut. Garnett, aids-de-camp, 
 served near my person, and were prompt and zealous in the 
 discharge of every duty. Major Munroe, besides rendering 
 valuable service as chief of artillery, was active and instru- 
 31 
 
482 CONDUCT OF OFFICERS AND TROOPS. 
 
 mental, as were also colonels Churchill and Belknap, inspec- 
 tors general, in rallying troops and disposing them for the 
 defence of the train and baggage. Col. Whiting, quarter- 
 master-general, and Capt. Eaton, chief of the subsistence de- 
 partment, were engaged with the duties of their departments, 
 and also served in my immediate staff on the field. Capt. 
 Sibley, as assistant quartermaster, was necessarily left with 
 the headquarter camp near town, where his services were 
 highly useful. Major Mansfield and Lieut. Benham, engi- 
 neers, and Capt. Linnard and lieutenants Pope and Franklin, 
 topographical engineers, were employed before and during 
 the engagement in making reconnoissances, and on the field 
 were ver}' active in bringing information and in conveying 
 my orders to distant points. Lieut. Kingsbury, in addition 
 to his proper duties as ordnance officer, Capt. Chilton, assist- 
 ant quartermaster, and majors Dix and Coffee, served also 
 as extra aids-de-camp, and were actively employed in the 
 transmission of orders. Mr. Thomas L. Crittenden, of Ken- 
 tucky, though not in service, volunteered as my aid-de-camp 
 on this occasion, and served with credit in that capacity. 
 Major Craig, chief of ordnance, and Surgeon Craig, medical 
 director, had been detached on duty from headquarters, and 
 did not reach the ground until the morning of the 24th — too 
 late to participate in the action, but in time to render useful 
 services in their respective departments of the staff. 
 
 " 1 respcctfally enclose returns of the troops engaged, and 
 of casualties incident to the battle. 
 
 " I am, sir, very respectfully, your ob't serv't 
 
 " Z. TAYLOR, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. Com'g. 
 
 " To THE Adjutant General of the Army, 
 " Washington, D. C." 
 
 And so ended the battle of Buena Vista, in which the vol- 
 unteer troops had shown themselves equal to veterans ; — 
 and they established the truth, that it is not discipline alone 
 that makes the soldier, but that the heroism of the heart, the 
 pride of character, the self-reliance, and the love of country 
 which the volunteers pre-eminently possessed, are most val- 
 uable qualifications on the battle-field. — The loss of these 
 
MEXICAN COUNCIL OF WAR. 483 
 
 volunteer regiments is given in notes below,* from the offi- 
 cial reports. 
 
 Santa Anna, satisfied that he could not conquer Gen. 
 Taylor, called a council of war at Agua Nueva, to which he 
 had retired after the battle, and it was by that unanimously 
 determined to abandon the plan of operations which had 
 
 * MISSISSIPPI IlEGIMENT KILLED AND "WOUNDED. 
 
 Col. Jefltrson Davis was wounded through ihe foot, just below the ankle, while on liorse- 
 back, charging upon the enemy. 
 
 WILKIN!-ON COUNTY VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Killtd — B. G. Pwiberville, Thomas H. Pitley, Wm, H. Wilkinson, Sealiorne Jones. 
 Wounded — Lieut. C. Posey, very slightly ; Solomon Nowman, James M. Miller, G. H. 
 Jones, W. Spurlock, W. A. Lawrence, J. W. Donnelly, slightly. 
 
 YAZOO VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Killed — Sergeant W. Ingram, C. C. Sullivan. 
 
 Wounded— Capx. Sharp, Henry Clark, W. H. Stubblefield, severely ; Sergeant D. Hollings- 
 •worth, Steph. Stubblefield, R. G. Shooks, slightly ; George Brooks, mortally. 
 
 RAYMOND FENCIBLES. 
 
 A'i7;«d— Lieut. F. McNulty. J. S. Bond, J. N. Graves, W. Seay, R. E. Parr, J. M. Alexander, 
 R. Feltz, G. A. Cooper. 
 
 Wounded — R. S. Edwards, severely ; J. Hammond, P. Rurrett, P. Sinclair, W. G. Harrison, 
 H. A. Neely, slightly. 
 
 STATK FENCIBLES. 
 
 Killed — Sergeants Wm. Philips and James Langford, corporals Frank Robinson and Joseph 
 Revell, Robert Jayce, William Sellers. 
 
 Wounded — Ricliard Clauds, A. Puckett, severely ; John Kennedy, Isham C. Lord, Robert 
 Fox, James Waugh, slightly. 
 
 MARSHALL GUARDS. 
 
 Killed — Sergeant G. Anderson, Henry Trotter, John S. Branch, A. Collingsworth, John 
 Peace. 
 
 Wounded — Sergeant P. Martin, John Hedthpeth, severely ; T. O. McClanahaii, T. D. Ran- 
 dolph, John Bass, slightly. 
 
 VICKSBURG SOUTHERNERS. 
 
 Killed — Wm. Couch, Richard Eggleston, James Johnson, John Preston. 
 Wounded — Sergeant Howard Morris, James W. Conn, severely ; Sergeant Wm. A. Scott, 
 Corporal J. McLaughlin, Samuel C. Suit. J. N. Collier, John Barnes, L. H. Stevens. 
 
 VICKSBURS VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Killed — Lieut. R. G. Mooned, Fletcher Harpison, P. Raridon, Jacob Block. 
 Wounded — Thomas White, dangerously ; Wm. AVinans, S. Edwards, Henry Lowell, se- 
 verely; Dr. S. D. Carson, A. Henman, slightly. 
 
 LAFAYETTE COMPANY. 
 
 Killed — Sergeant B. Hagan, Corporals James Blakeley and M. Butler, Stephen Jones, Enos 
 Garrett, P. Doniphan. 
 
 Woii7ided — James Bigley, arm lost; J. G. Simpson, Wm. Courtney, James W. Morriss, se- 
 verely; liiout. J. P. Stepford, J. F. Malone, slightly. 
 
 The Tombigbee and Carroll Companies were left in charge of the camp. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. Killed. Wounded. 
 Wilkinson county volunteers 5 7 
 
 Yazoo county volunteers 2 7 
 
 Raymond Fenciblos 8 6 
 
 Slate Fenoibles 6 6 
 
 Mar.'^hall Guards 6 5 
 
 Vicksburg Southerners 4 8 
 
 Vieksburg Volunteers 5 6 
 
 Lafayette Company C 6 
 
 Total, 42 5L 
 
484 RETREAT OF GEN. SANTA ANNA. 
 
 been commenced, and retreat to the south and towards San 
 Luis Potosi ; which was immediately done, not, however, 
 until an exchange of prisoners had been effected. 
 
 Leaving that general, with his shattered and disorganized 
 army, marching back, let us for a moment turn to the opera- 
 tions of Gen. Urrea, who, as before stated, had been sent up 
 
 KENTUCKIANS KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 KENTUCKY CAVALRY. — KILLED. 
 
 Adjutant— E. M. Vaughan. 
 
 LillanVs company — Sergeant D. J.Lillard ; privates Lewis Sander and A. J. Martin. 
 
 Price's compcuiij — Privates J. D. Miller, B. Warren. 
 
 Milani's company — Privates J. Leston, John Sander, John Ellingwood. 
 
 Shawhan's co7npany — Corporal J. A. Jones; privates D. P. Rogers, W. McClintock, J. 
 Pomeroy. 
 
 BearcVs company— FTiyaies A. G. Morgan, C. Jones, Wm. Twaits, N. Ranney, U. Carty, 
 and W. AV. Bates, corporal. 
 
 Pennington's company — Privates H. Danforth, J. G. Martin, E. Rouston, J. M. Rowlin, John 
 Ross, E. F. Lilley. 
 
 Clayh company — Private Thomas AVeyest. 
 
 Heady''s company — Private C. B. Thompson. 
 
 MarshaWs compatiy — Private C. B. Demit 
 
 Commissioned officer, 1 ; non-commissioned officers, 3 ; privates, 25 — total 29. 
 
 WOUNDED. 
 
 Captain — John Shawhan. 
 
 Shau'han^s company — Privates Wm. Snodgrass, J. S. Byram, W. C. Parker, J. M. Van- 
 hook, George H. Wilson, James AVarlbrd, C. H. Fowler. 
 
 Heady^s compatiy — 2d Lieut. J. H. Merrifield, Sergeant S. Marratin. 
 
 Clay's company — 2d Lieut. J. M. Brown, Corporal. James Scooley. 
 
 Price^s company — 2d Lieut. Thomas Conn, privates John H. Cleverlan, Samuel Evan, Joseph 
 Murphy and Will Herndon. 
 
 i?7/ard's company — Privates John AValker, B. Spencer, E. W. Ruson, and Thos. Scandclt 
 
 Milam^s company — John Reddish, B. F. Price, J. K. Goodloe. 
 
 Pennington^s company — Privates J. S. Jackson, Thomas Brown, L. Help. 
 
 Marshairs company — Private H. E. Brady. 
 
 Beard^s company — Privates Charles Sheppard. J. Sheppard, M. B. Callahan, Lerasay. 
 
 Commissioned officers, 4 ; noncommissioned officers, 2 . privates 26. — Total, 32. 
 
 SECOND KENTUCKY INFANTRY. — KILLED. 
 
 Col. Wm. R. McKee, Lieut. Col Henry Clay, Jr. 
 
 Company A, MssseV— Privates Whitfield Smith, A B. Crondowens. 
 
 Company B, Chambers^s — 4th Sergeant Henry Wolf; Privates Maj. Updike, Wm. Black 
 well, L. B. Bartlett. 
 
 Company C, Thompson''s— 1st Sergeant S.M.Williams. Privates Robert M. Baker, W 
 Booth, Wm. Burks, John Moffit. 
 
 Company D, Fry''s — 4th Corporal Peter Trough. Privates Joseph AValden, Harvey Jones, 
 Wm. llarman. 
 
 Company E, Cutter's — 1st Corporal J. Q. Carlan ; Drummer, Martin Raudebaugh. Privates 
 Hiram Frazer, John H. Harkins, Richard McCurdy, Hercules Snow. 
 
 Company F, Wiltis's—CapX. W. T. Willis. Private Harry Trotter. 
 
 Company G, Dai<§^Aer(i/'5— Privates John A.Gregory, Joseph R. Ballard, Willis Vest, Jesse 
 J. Waller. 
 
 Company H, Joyner's—2il Sergeant Joseph King, 3d Sergeant John M. Dunlop. Privates 
 AVm. Rhann, John Williams. 
 
 Company I, Turpin's—lsl Sergeant Henry Edwards. Privates John J. Torron, Abram 
 Goodpaster. 
 
 Company K, McBrey's — Privates Jas. Layton, AVm. Brand, James Johnson, David Davis, 
 Arthur Thacker, John W. Watson, Wm. P. Reynolds 
 
OPERATIONS OF GEN. URREA. 485 
 
 on the east side of the mountains, to attack the American 
 forces near the valley of the Rio Grande, and to act in the 
 anticipated pursuit of the routed Americans of Gen. Taylor's 
 army. 
 
 Gen. Urrea reached the main road from Monterey to Ca- 
 margo, near Marin, about the 22d instant, and joining forces 
 
 ILUJfOISANS KILLED ANB WOUNDED. 
 
 SECOND KENTUCKY INFANTRY. — WOUNDED. 
 
 Company A — 2d Lieut. E. L. Barber, slightly; Sergeant John Minton, do. Privates Elza 
 Morris, Samuel Wallace, Robert Winloek and James Barnett, all slightly. 
 
 Company B — 1st Corporal Sandford Mayhall, mortally; private Benjamin O. Branham, se- 
 verely; James Williams, W. S. Barllett and Ameal Brea. slightly. 
 
 Company C — Adj. 2d Lieut. Wm. T. Withers, severely; 3d Corporal C. C. Sneadlay, slight- 
 ly; 3d Sergeant John Wheatley, do.; privates Edward Benton, James Cahill, John Crawford 
 and Marion Davidson, slightly ; Woodson Ilendron, mortally ; W. D. Purcell, slightly. 
 
 Company D — 2d Corporal J. Craig, slightly; privates H. Burditt, mortally; P. Hambleton, 
 Allen S. Montgomery and Henry Vanfleet, severely. 
 
 Company E — 4lh Corporal John Jennison, privates Thomas Welch and John S. Vandiver, 
 severely ; privates Jasper Honk, Wm. Park, David Walker and Isaac Yelton, slightly. 
 
 Company F — Privates John Hunter, severely ; Thomas J. Bruner, slightly. 
 
 Ccjnpany G — Ass't Adj. 2d Lieut. Thomas W. Napier and privates Wm. Stinger and Thos. 
 Hughes, severely; M. A. Devanport, slightly. 
 
 Company H — Sergeant J. Ward, mortally ; Corporal II. Craig, slightly ; privates F. Oak, 
 mortally; F. Fox, Wm. Dalley, R. Holden, J. Willington and G. Simmons, slightly. 
 
 Company /—Privates J. Redmon, E. McCuUoh and W. Blowett, slightly ; E. S. Cahill, 
 mortally. 
 
 Company K — Sergeant W. Lilliard, severely ; privates B. Perry, do.; W. Waford, mortally; 
 G. Leavy, W. Howard and J. Montgomery, slightly. 
 
 Missing. — Private Jackson Catlett. 
 
 Recapitulation. — Staff, 2; killed, 42; wounded, 57; missing, 1. — Total, 102. 
 
 GRAND TOTAL. 
 
 Killed and wounded in cavalry regiment 61 
 
 " " 2dinfanlry '= 102 
 
 Kentuckians killed and wounded at Buena Vista 163 
 
 first regiment of ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Killed — Colonel: John J. Hardin. Captain: Jacob W. Zabriskie. First Lieutenant : Bryan 
 R.Houghton. Principal Musician : Austin W. Fay. Privates: company B, Francis Carter; 
 company C, Merrit Hudson ; company D, Augustus Canaught, John Emerson ; company 
 E, Silas Bedell, Henry H. Clark, William Goodwin, James J. Kinman, Randolph R. Mar- 
 tin, Greenbury S. Richardson, Samuel W. Thompson, Charles Walker; company H. Elias C. 
 Mays, Matthew Dandy, William Smith, Thomas J. Gilbert, John White; company K,John B. 
 Bacliman, Ingharat Claibsottle, Conrad Burrh, John Gable, Aaron Kicrsted, Joseph Shutt, 
 William Vankleharker, George Pitson. 
 
 Wounded — Privates: company D, Michael Fenton, badly ; Jas. T. Edson. slightly , Francis 
 Quinn, slightly ; Potter Clemens, slightly. Company C, Corporal : Patrick Mehan, badly. Pri- 
 vate: Jas. Robins, slightly. Company D, Sergeant: John C. Barr, badly. Private: Albert 
 Kershaw, badly; company E, Watson R. Richardson, badly; AVilliam Stevenson, badly; 
 company F, Job Brown, slightly. Second Lieutenant : Hezekiah Evans, slightly. Company 
 H, privates: Jackson Evans, slightly; AViUiam Roe, slightly; Daniel Penser, badly; com- 
 pany K. Geo. Slack, slightly ; Frederick Rekow, badly. First Lieutenant : John L. McCon- 
 nell. slightly. Privates: Robins, slightly, serving with company B, 4lh artillery, Washing- 
 Ion's battery; Brown, slightly, do., Richardson, do.; Ralco, do.; Duff, do.; McLean, do. 
 rhillip.s, do. 
 
480 CAPTURE OF WAGON TRAIN BY CANALES AND URREA. 
 
 with the notorious Canales, attacked a wagon train of one 
 hundred and ten wagons, loaded with provisions, &c., for the 
 arm}^ ; and some three hundred pack mules, belonging to 
 merchants. The detachment, of about thirty Kentuckians, 
 under Lieut. Barbour, who guarded this train, were surround- 
 ed by numbers and taken prisoners; the train was captured, 
 
 INDIANIANS KILLED ANK WOUNDED. 
 
 SECOND REGIMENT ILLINOIS VOLUNTEEKS. 
 
 Killed — Captain : Woodward. LieulenaiUs : A. B. Rounlree, Fletcher, Ferguson, Robbins, 
 ■Steel, T. Kelley, Barlleson, Atherton, Price. Privates: company A, William Kenyon ; Wil- 
 liam L. Smith. Corporal: company C, Hibl)s. Privates: Woodling, Patton, Tlierman, Mc- 
 Michel ; company E, Gable ; D. O'Conner ; company H, Lortz ; Couze, Cruesman, Schoolcraft ; 
 company I, Lear, Davis, Cook, Bradley, McCrury, G. Clark, Hogan, Squires ; company K, Ab- 
 ernathy, W. M. Jones, Bonner, Kinsey, S. C. Marlow, Robert Marlow, Wilkes, Ragland, W. 
 S.Jones; company G, Jenkins, Hill. Company B, First Sergeant: Faysoui. Private*: Em- 
 merson, Kizer, Durock, Crippen. 
 
 Wounded — Captains : Coffee, Baker. Lieutenants : company B, John A. Pickett, Engle- 
 man, West. Adjutant: Whiteside. Sergeant: company A, J. W. Farmer. Privates: Aul- 
 dridge, Bnrnet, Bird, Cooper, Cheek, Dempsey, Hutchings, J. T. Lee, Mansker, Pate, G. W. 
 Rainy, Robins, White. Sergeant : company C. Brown. Privates : Burke, Bryant, Clarage, 
 Early, Feake, Foills, Fletcher, J. N. Nolland, Montgomery, RicWetts, Maiwell, II. C. Smith, 
 Van Camp, Dwyer, Tidd, Fisher; company E, Hill, Riley, Robinson, AVriglit ; company II, 
 Bordaux, Irndges, Felameir, Funk, Gerhard, Ledergerber, Ranneberg, Talbot, Traenkle, Upp- 
 man. First Sergeant : company I, Reid. Privates: Henkler, White, Murmert, Fisher, Kell, 
 Strong, MeMurty, Warcheim, Hiltonan; company K, G. T. Montage, Hamilton, Hoge, Kel- 
 ley, R. Marlow, John Ragland, N. Ramsey ; company G, Wiley, McLain ; company B, Scott, 
 Goodale. Quartermaster Sergeant : Buckmaster. Sergeant Major : Ketter. 
 
 Missing — Privates: company H, Mellen, Sinsel ; company G, Messinger. 
 
 COMPANY TEXAS VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Killed — First Lieutenant: Campbell. Second Lieutenant : Leonard. Corporals: Voort and 
 King. Privates : Clark, Donovan, Donohoe, Forche, Hazes, Godrin, Finney, McLean, Klinge 
 and Lagston. 
 
 Woutided — Captain : Conner. Private : Freaekind. 
 
 Missing — Sergeant : Donop. Corporal : Brand. Privates : Gillerman, Bruno, Miller, Smith 
 and Larlg. 
 
 INDIANA VOLUNTEERS — BRIGADE STAFF. 
 
 Wounded — Brig. Gen. Joseph Lane, slightly. 
 
 SECOND REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEEKS. 
 
 Killed— Capta. T. B. Kinder and Wm. Walker; 2d Lieut. Thomas C. Parr; Sergean. 
 Mc Henry Dozier, company E; Privates Francis Bailey, Chas. H. Goff, AV'arren Robinson, and 
 A. Stephens, company A ; John Shoultz, J. Lafferty, A. Massey, D. McDonald, and J. T. 
 Hardin, company B; M. Lee, W. Richardson, and J. II. Sladen, company D; W. Akin, and 
 J. B. D. Dillon, company E; II. Matthews and J. H. Wilson, company F; H. Draper, R Jen- 
 liins, and T. Price, company H ; R. Havrilt, and H. M. Campbell, company I ; J. C. Hig- 
 ginbotham, A. Jenkins, G. Chapman, O. Lansburg, E. Wyatt, T. Smith, and J. Teasley, 
 company K. 
 
 Wounded — Capts. W.Ii. Sanderson and John Osborn, both slightly ; 1st Lieuts. S. W. Cayce, 
 and J. Davis, both slightly ; 2d Lieuts. H. Pennington, D. S. Lewis, J. Moore, and J. A. Epper- 
 son, all slightly ; Sergeants A. II. Potts, company D, J. Carathers and V. Vestal, company F, 
 and P. D. Kelse, company G, all slightly ; Corporals E. Macdonald, company B, and D. C. 
 Thomas, company D, both badly; Corporals A. B. Carlton, N. B. Stevens, and J. Bishop, com- 
 pany F, all slightly ; Corporals T. Rawlins, company G, sliglitly, niul II. Wilson, company H, 
 severely; Musician A. M.Woods, company D, slightly ; Sergeant E. Blalock, company G, 
 ■badly ; Private T. Goen, company F, slightly ; H. Mulvany, M. Queen, and J. McMilton, com- 
 pany G, all slightly; W. Adams, W. Benefiel, R. Colbert, and V. Swain, company H, all 
 severely; J. Ingle, A. Smith, and W. D. Wier, company H, slightly ; N. Rumley, company 
 i, badly ; G. McKuight and G. Wilhart, company K, slightly ; A. C. Farris, company K, badly. 
 
CRREA^S ATTACK ON SECOND OHIO REGIMENT. 487 
 
 fifty of the teamsters massacred, and the wagons burnt; the 
 remainder of the wagoners escaping to the mountains. 
 
 On the 23d, Urrea attacked Lieut. Col. Irvin's command, 
 of 2d Ohioans, at Marin, but retired from before the town on 
 the morning of the 25th on the approach of jMaj. vShepherd, 
 from Monterey, with three companies of the tirst Kentucky 
 
 ARKANSAS TllOOPS KILLED ANIJ WOUNIJEl). 
 Missing — Privates J. Brown and J. H. Uarrison, company B; AV. Spaklinj, company D- 
 B. Hubbard, company I. 
 
 THIRD REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Jj:i7/frf— Capl. J. Tnggart ; rrivatcs, company A, J. M. Buskirk, AV. B. I Tolland, D. J. Stout ; 
 company C. J. Armstrong ; company D, W. Hueslon ; company F, D. Owens and W. C. 
 Good; company Ci, J. Graliam. 
 
 Wounded — Major W. A. Gorman, slightly; Capts. J. M. Sleep and V. Conover, slightly ; 
 Corporal R. K. Nelson, company A, slightly ; Privates, company A. J. S. Levo, severely, W. 
 G. Applegate, J. Y. Davis, J. W. Pullini, and J. Knight, slightly; Corporal J. Gringrich, com- 
 pany B. slightly; privates, J. Faulkner, dangerously II. Hind, jr., H. C. Hoyt, D. Conroy, and 
 T. H Bowen, slightly ; company C, J. Voight, dangerously, P. Lain, M. Cole, F. Aubke, A. 
 Armstrong, J. Orchard, and G. Miller, slightly ; Corporal R. Torrance, company D, slightly; 
 privates T. Gustin, severely, J. Hinkle, J. Rochat, E. Bright, and A. Merrill, slightly; Cor- 
 poral E. Weddel, company E, severely; privates, J. Brown, and M. Mathis, severely, S. Fred, 
 J. G. Arter, and S. Stuart, slightly; company F, J. C. Burton, seriously, O. Dyer, J Inskeep, 
 D. Hunter, D. Coughonowcr, H. C. Riker, and Corporal J. S. Wilson, slightly; company G, 
 J. Meek, seriously, E. Mace, J. Patterson, and J. Cain, slightly ; company H, R. Benson, and 
 J. Kelley, severely ; Sergt. W. Coombes, company I, mortally ; private M. Cojiaway, slightly ; 
 Sergts. R. McGarvey, company K, severely, S. P. Turney, slightly ; privates J. Hervey, seri- 
 ously, M. Gray and V. Foster, slightly, S. Bradley and S. LefoUet, severely. 
 
 ARKANSAS CAVALRY. 
 
 Killed— Co\. Archibald Yell ; Capt. Andrew R. Porter; Corporals R. M. Sanders, W. Gom- 
 berlin, and D. Stewart ; privates Wm. Phipps, H. Penter, J. H. Higgins, G. W. Martin.J B. 
 Pelham, J. Ray, W. Robinson, D. Hogan, P. Williams, A. Teague, H. Wynn, and T. C. 
 Rowland. 
 
 Wounded — 1st Lieut. Thos. A. Reader ; Sergeant-major B. F. Ross; Sergeants J. D. Adams, 
 slightly, G. Y. Latham, Z. D. Cogard, and H. L. Hamilton; Corporal M. L. Poplin ; privates 
 M Kelley, B. F. Nicholson, W. B. Searcy, Jo.seph Penter, C. Taylor, L. McGruder, J. F. 
 Allen, M. Graham, D. Logan, A. C. Harris, J. Wilmouth, Franklin W. Brown, O. Jones, 
 slightly, E. McCool, J. Williams, L. B. Beckwith, J. Ray, L. A. Twrouski, AV. Turner; J 
 Biggcrstaff, W. Gibson, R. Arnold, and J. Lowallen, slightly ; J. Johnson, and C. Sullivan. 
 
 Missing — Privates L. Settle, Jos. Green, George Norwood, and M. Parker. 
 
 REGULARS — GENERAL STAFF. 
 
 Killed — Capt. Geo. Lincoln, Assistant Adjutant General. 
 
 Wuitnded — Fir.st Lieut. Henry W. Benham, Engineers, and Bvt 2d Lieut. Francis T. Bryan, 
 Topograi)hical Engineers, slightly. 
 
 FIRST REGIMENT DRAGOONS. 
 
 Wounded — Capt. Enoch Steen, severely ; privates, company E, Holloway and Anderson, 
 severely, and Sherrod, slightly ; company A, Lanning and Sweet, sevorelyj and Waggoner, 
 slightly. 
 
 SECOND REGIMENT DRAGOONS. 
 
 Wounded— iiyt. Lieut. Col. C. A. May, severe contusion ; private W. F. Erbe, company E, 
 severely. 
 
 THIRD REGIMENT ARTILLERY. 
 
 Killed — Private Christian F. W.ilhingcr, company C. 
 
 iroundfd— Sec. Lieut. Samuel G.French, severely; company C, Corporal Robert Gams, 
 severely, privates Wm. Uud.son, severely, Jacob Weyer. slightly ; recruit Jesse Gormer, 3d 
 infantry; company E, Ord. Sergt. Bowning slightly. Corporals Wolt' and Boyle, severely, 
 Tischer, musician, supposed mortally, Livingood, artificer, severely, privates Bell, danger 
 
488 GEN. URREA'S ATTACK ON COL. MORGAN'S COMMAND. 
 
 regiment, under captains Triplctt, Ballon, and Kearn, two 
 companies of the first Ohio regiment, under captains Bradley 
 and Vandever, and a detachment of Kentucky cavalry, under 
 Lieut. Patterson, with two pieces of artillery, who came to 
 the relief of Col. Irvin, and the reinforced detachment re- 
 turned towards Monterey. 
 
 On the 26th, Urrea, attacked Col. Morgan, of the second 
 Ohio regiment, who, with two hundred men, was also going 
 on to Monterey, where, all the troops that could be spared 
 from the various garrisons in the valley of the Rio Grande 
 were ordered to concentrate. — This attack was made with 
 vigor, and kept up with spirit. Lieut. Stewart gallantly 
 dashed forward, through the enemy, and overtook Lieut. Col. 
 Irvin, who immediately turned back with two companies, — 
 Capt. Bradley, first Ohio, and Capt. Kearn, first Kentucky, — 
 and the action terminated in the repulse of Urrea, with a 
 loss of about sixty. American loss, four killed, and a few 
 wounded. Among the killed was Capt. B. F. Graham. 
 
 After this, on Sunday, March 7th, Gen. Urrea with one 
 
 KECiULAIlS KILLED AND ■WOUNDED. 
 
 ously, Fisk, Kemp, McCray, Levier, Kollislier, and Gillam, slightly, Smith and Kelsey, 
 severely, Shane, mortally, McDonnell, dangerously. 
 Missing — Privates Marcus A. Hitchcock, company 0, Youngs and Morgan, company E. 
 
 FOtlRTH KEGIMENT ARTILLERY. 
 
 Killed — Company B; privates HoUey, Weekly, Kinks, and Doughty ; Green, recruit, 3d 
 infantry. 
 
 . Wounded — First Lieut. J. P. J. O'Brien, slightly; company B, Sergt. Queen, and Lance 
 Sergt. Pratt, slightly ; privates Puffer, mortally, Hannams, Beagle, Berrier, Floyd, Baker^ 
 Tharman, Brown, Birch, Butler, and Clark. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Killed. IVmmdfd. Missing. Total. 
 
 Volunteers — 1st Mississippi Rifles 21 51 93 
 
 1st Illinois 30 25 55 
 
 2d Illinois 47 74 3 12-1 
 
 Company Texas 14 2 ■■• 7 23 
 
 Indiana — General Staff 1 1 
 
 2d Indiana 32 3G • • 4 72 
 
 3d Indiana 9 56 65 
 
 2d Kentucky Foot 44 57 1 102 
 
 Ken icky Cavalry 29 32 61 
 
 Arka as Cavalry 17 32 4 53 
 
 Regulars— General Staffs 1 2 3 
 
 1st Dragoons 7 7 
 
 2d Dragoons 2 2 
 
 3d Artillery 1 21 3 25 
 
 4th Artillery 5 15 20 
 
 Total Volunteers, killed, wounded, and missing 649 
 
 Total Regulars, killed, wounded, and missing 57 
 
 Grand Total of killed, wounded, and missing 70G 
 
URREA'S ACTION WITH MAJOR GIDDINGS' COMMAND. 489 
 
 thousand six hundred men attacked, near Ceralvo, the detach- 
 ment of Major Giddings, first Ohio, who, with a force con- 
 sisting of three companies first Ohio, under captains Bradley, 
 Armstrong and Kenneally, two companies of first Kentucky 
 regiment, under captains Howe and Fuller, and a body of 
 Arkansas cavalry, under Lieut. Thompson, with two pieces 
 artillery, under Lieut. McCarter, — in all two hundred and 
 sixty men, — was escorting a train of one hundred and fifty 
 wagons, and also the bearers of Gen. Taylor's dispatches, 
 from Monterey to Camargo. — The attack was made with 
 vigor by a much superior force," and was continued for two 
 or three hours before Urrea was repulsed. — From the great 
 length of the train, the enemy were enabled to entirely sur- 
 round the rear-guard, and summon them to surrender ; but 
 this summons was disregarded.-^Urrea was repulsed, with a 
 loss of forty-five killed and wounded. Loss of the detach- 
 ment, seventeen killed, and forty wagons taken. — (The mules 
 becoming alarmed at the firing, were unmanageable, and 
 rushed in among the Mexican forces on either hand ; hence 
 their loss). — Major Giddings, the morning after this gallant ac- 
 tion, entered Ceralvo, — and, for the want of ammunition, his 
 ammunition w^agon having been one of those that the fright- 
 ened mules carried among the Mexicans, and which had been 
 set on fire by them, was compelled to wait until the 12th, 
 when Col. Curtis, at the head of near twelve hundred men, 
 the 3d Ohio regiment, and a part of the new Virginia regi- 
 ment, came up from Camargo, by whom he was supplied, 
 and resumed his march. 
 
 Col. Curtis continued on towards Monterey ; came in sight 
 of the enemy ; halted, and prepared for battle. But at this 
 time Old Zach. himself was coming down the road from 
 Monterey, with the dragoons, Kentucky cavalry and Bragg's 
 battery. Urrea found himself in an unpl(i7)-sant situation, 
 and immediately retreated to the southward by the route he 
 had come. 
 
 If Col. Curtis had not halted, he w^ould have forced Urrea 
 to have fought either with him or with Gen. Taylor ; but of 
 that he was not aware at the time, and knowing Urrea's 
 force to be some three thousand men, he wished to be fully 
 
490 RETREAT OF GEN. URREA. 
 
 prepared. With Urrea's retreat, the valley of the Rio Grande 
 was again free from the enemy. 
 
 Santa Anna continued his retreat to San Luis, thence to 
 the city of Mexico, having induced the population to believe 
 that he had gained a great victory over Gen. Taylor. He 
 found the principal parties in Mexico engaged in another 
 revolution. — He stopped this ; united all ; roused their enthu- 
 siasm, and that of his army, and great rejoicings took place 
 throughout all Mexico on account of his victory. 
 
 Having now given an account of all the fighting that had 
 taken place in the winter, we will close the chapter and 
 again return to Tampico, where, at the end of chapter X, we 
 left the troops of Gen. Scott embarking for Vera Cruz ; and 
 with the embarkation of our regiment, we will commence 
 chapter XII, ending this only with the remark, that proposi- 
 tions of peace, in the meantime, had again been made by the 
 United States' government, through Senor Atocha, and re- 
 jected by the Mexican. Senor Atocha had been conveyed to 
 Vera Cruz, in the revenue cutter Forward ; had landed under 
 cover of a flag of truce, on February 9th ; he proceeded directly 
 to the city of Mexico with his dispatches ; arrived there on 
 the 13th, and laid them before the Mexican government. — 
 He was, on the next day, ordered to leave the city, and, near 
 Jalapa, to await a reply ; which, in a few days, was sent to 
 him, being a decided negative. — He left Vera Cruz on the 
 26th, and embarking again on the Forward, hastened back 
 to Washington. 
 
 I^isl of the troops of Santa Anna's array, as they left Sun Ltiis Potosi, to attack Gen. Tay^ 
 lor. as given in the Mexican journals of the day : — 
 
 January 26, 1S^7 — the Sappers and Artillerists, with 19 guns of heavy calibre- 650 
 January 29 — 1st, 3il, 4lh, 5lh, 10th and 11th regiments of the line, and 1st and 2d 
 
 light troops 6,240 
 
 January 31 — 4lh liglit Iroops, mixed, of Santa Anna, 1st Active of Celaya, do. of 
 
 Guadalajara, do. of I<agos, do. of Queretaro, do. of Mexico 3.200 
 
 Total, departed from San I-uis 10,090 
 
 Troops which Gen. Parrodi conducted from Tula, with three pieces of heavy 
 
 calibre, with their munitions 1,000 
 
 Cavalry on the march 0,000 
 
 Artillery" " " 250 
 
 Division under Gen. Mejia 4,000 
 
 Grand total of troops sent against Gen. Taylor 21,340 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 March 8th, Nothing of interest had occurred during the 
 few days that we have dropped the regular accounts of the 
 journal. Some of the regulars, induced by the promises of 
 the Mexicans, had deserted, and also one of our men had 
 done the same. This scamp's name was Hill.— He joined the 
 regiment at Matamoras, and was a member of Capt. Good- 
 now's company. He has been mentioned before, in this 
 work, as an interpreter. He was thought by many to be the 
 same Hill who is so highly spoken of by Waddy Thompson 
 as favored by Santa Anna.* Capt. Newman's company, of 
 our regiment, had made a scout into the interior, beyond Al- 
 tamira, after these deserters, and overtaken four of them, be- 
 longing to the artillery, bringing them back to town, where 
 they were confined for trial. 
 
 The force designated to remain as the garrison of Tam- 
 pico, was composed of part of the Louisiana regiment, sta- 
 tioned at the fortifications at the upper part of town, near the 
 military hospital, and the Baltimore battalion, which was at 
 the lower part, at the canal bridge, and three companies of 
 regular artillery, near the Plaza. The troops of the differ- 
 
 * There was something mysterious about this young man from llie first. He was 
 
 • always anxious to obtain information with respect to the troops, and at every town he 
 made an immediate acquaintance with the alcaldes, which his intimate Ivnowlcdge of 
 the Spanish language enabled him to do. — In his unguarded moments he had com- 
 municated, from time to time, the facts that he had for many years resided in Mexico ; 
 
 • that a wealthy Don had adopted him for a son ; that he had resided at the cities of 
 Mexico, Puebla, and San Luis Potosi ; and his general conduct left no doubt, after he 
 had deserted, that he had been with us only as a spy. — He wore off an officer's coat, 
 thus making it appear to his former friends, the Mexicans, that he had held an office 
 with us ; and we afterwards heard that Santa Anna, on his return, gave him a cap- 
 taincy. 
 
 (491) 
 
492 EMBARKATION OF THE REGIMEi\T. 
 
 ent brigades had been leaving as fast as vessels arrived, and 
 now it was our turn, though as the horse transports had not 
 come, we were to go as foot soldiers. 
 
 March 9ih. This was a busy day with our regiment. In 
 the morning, early, the bugles called each company into 
 line ; the rolls were run over, and eight men were selected 
 from each company to remain with, take care of, and accom- 
 pany the horses when they should be embarked ; — the re- 
 mainder were ordered to put up their saddles, bridles, horse- 
 blankets, sabres and holster pistols securely, and mark them, 
 to be placed in boxes and sent with the horses. — Each man 
 of the regiment took with him his rifle, or carbine, and car- 
 tridge-box, only. 
 
 Breakfast was soon over, and now came much prepara- 
 tion ; much inquiry for the men detailed to remain ; each re- 
 questing and imploring these to take good care of their horses 
 left behind ; their long-tried steeds, who, for thousands of 
 miles, had safely borne them thus far in the campaign. 
 
 At ten, A. M., the companies were formed, the tents were 
 struck, and with our little baggage, we took our march into 
 town. Arriving there, we remained in the square by the 
 market a few moments only, and then marched down to the 
 wharf and entered the surf boats prepared for embarking and 
 disembarking the troops; — each boat would carry sixty men.* 
 These were then rowed off to the steamboats, that lay ready 
 to receive us. The first battalion was soon on board, crowd- 
 ed and jammed together. The one that company G was on 
 was a propeller, and moved along slowly, though with much 
 puffing and noise. — Both boats got up steam, and started 
 down the river together. 
 
 We soon came opposite to our camp ; the crowd of horses 
 was there, though but few tents were left — only those for the 
 men remaining. These collected together in groups on the 
 shore, and raised a shout as we passed, which we returned ; 
 — every man looked for his own horse on the bank, and 
 gazed at him, as on we passed for the bar. — The other boat 
 
 * These were sent from the United States, especially to embark and disembark the 
 tioops ; — were of peculiar construction, and very large. — For view of one, see frontis- 
 piece, " canal in castle." 
 
SCENE ON BOARD THE SHIP. 493 
 
 passed us on the river, and got out much before us; and 
 while she was making her way to the distant ships, that 
 lay far out, almost on the very horizon, Vve only had come 
 near the bar, and began to feel the waves a little as they 
 rocked us. In a short time Vv'e were over it, and our little 
 steamer, puffing and blowing, rolled and pitched in the break- 
 ers, and many of the men, Mdio were crowded so thickly upon 
 her decks, became dizzy with the motion, and their faces 
 were pale with sea-sickness, while they held on to the rig- 
 ging. — Our vessel made more noise than ever, but went so 
 slow, that how she had ever reached the coast of Mexico, 
 became a wonder to us. 
 
 The other steamer had all the men she carried, with their 
 baggage, on the ship before we came near her, and had 
 commenced the return ; but in half an hour we came up 
 also, near to her as she lay at anchor. She was the Essex, 
 of Boston, a noble vessel, of eight hundred tons burden. She 
 was high above the water ; — her lofty masts and lengthy 
 spars were in perfect trim and order ; her numerous ropes 
 were drawn in straight lines. She had been freshly painted 
 without, and her color was bright. She rolled gently at her 
 heavy anchors, in the swell that came in from the Gulf. Our 
 little steamer came along side of her, and made fast, and 
 the men commenced climbing up her sides. — The baggage 
 and arms were passed up, and in half an hour everything 
 was on board, and the crowd of men were looking strangely 
 at every object around them, not knowing which way to 
 move. 
 
 The sailors of the ship were engaged in getting the bag- 
 gage and arms down on the lower deck, and in showing our 
 men their berths, all arranged for them; but many were so 
 confused with the strange scene around them, the long roll- 
 ing of the ship, and the busy movements of the seamen, 
 that they found all their baggage removed and piled up 
 below, before they were aware of it. The ammunition was 
 placed in the magazine, the deck cleared up, and everything 
 put in order. There were four companies of us now on this 
 ship, with their officers, the remaining company of the first 
 battalion, Caswell's, having gone before. The second bat 
 
494 SEA-SICKNESS OF THE SOLDIERS. 
 
 talion went on board the ship Desdemona, lying about a mile 
 from the Essex. Four other ships lay at anchor within a 
 mile around, having on board tke 4th and most of the 3d 
 Illinois regiments. 
 
 March 9th. Last night, the ship rolled heavily on the 
 waves ; and it was difficult for our men, crowded together, 
 to pass one another, up and down the hatchway ladders, or 
 to walk the unsteady foundation, either on the upper or 
 lower deck. They turned pale and sick, especially below, 
 where their heads were rendered giddy, by seeing every- 
 thing, apparently, move around them. Blankets were thickly 
 spread on the upper deck, each with an occupant, vomiting, 
 and thinking he was about to die. — "When offered break- 
 fast, they refused it, with a shake of the head, indicating ex- 
 treme disgust. They wished themselves on land ; and would, 
 when up, lean on the bulwarks, and gaze most wishfully on 
 the low coast they had left, and which was visible in the 
 distance. — The other ships, in the offing, were rolling and 
 pitching in the same way ; and on looking at them with 
 a spy-glass, we saw many on their crowded decks, leaning 
 over the bulwarks, and " casting up their accounts." — Sea- 
 sickness is most unpleasant, and many think they will surely 
 die from it. — One man on board was declaring, last night, 
 that he could not possibly live till morning ; but still he is 
 alive, and a little better. It never killed any one yet ; but, 
 on the contrary, is said to be highly beneficial. 
 
 The steamboats have been bringing off, this forenoon, the 
 second battalion of our regiment, to the ship Desdemona, 
 mentioned yesterday. Col. Thomas and Major Waterhouse 
 are with them ; while Lieut. Col. Allison is in command of 
 us ; though, at the present time he cannot command him- 
 self, being laid up in his state-room with sea-sickness. 
 
 The day was calm until noon, when a little breeze from 
 the south-east sprang up ; and to our gratification, the cap- 
 tain of the ship gave the order to heave up the anchor. — 
 "Man the windlass!" shouted the first officer of the ship, a 
 burly, weather-beaten, humorous-looking, old sea-fowl, with 
 a voice like a speaking-trumpet. "Man the windlass!" 
 shouted the second officer, a younger tar, as he heard the 
 
GETTING "UNDER WEIGH." 495 
 
 order. — "Aye, aye, sir," "aye, aye, sir," answered the sea- 
 men, as they seized their handspikes, and jumped to it ; and 
 it was soon slowly revolving, bringing in the heavy chain 
 cable, the clanking of which on the deck was pleasant to us 
 all, for it told us that we were about to proceed to sea. 
 
 Soon the ponderous anchor was broken from its hold on 
 the bottom ; then came the orders, "Hoist the jib !" "loose 
 the top-sails !" and while some of the seamen did the first, 
 others ran nimbly up the shrouds, and soon sail after sail, 
 above and below, were hoisted, sheeted out, and exposed 
 their wide surface to the breeze, which filled them ; and the 
 large ship, under her press of canvass, leaned over to the 
 wind, and gathered way through the billows, which broke 
 and parted at her bows. The anchor was now brought up 
 to its place, and we stood out to sea. — The decks were cleared 
 up ; the loose ropes, that had been used in " getting her un- 
 der weigh" (as the sailor's term is, for raising the anchor, 
 spreading the sails, and putting the ship in motion to the 
 breeze), were coiled up. The seamen took their stations, 
 and all was at once reduced to the sea regulations, of order, 
 form, and discipline. 
 
 Two of the other ships got under weigh, at the same time. 
 The ship Sharon was a little later than ourselves, in getting 
 her anchor up ; and as we passed her, the troops, with which 
 she was crowded, gave us three cheers, to which we heartily 
 responded. 
 
 In an hour we had lost sight of the land, and the scene was 
 but the blue of the sky above, and the darker blue of the 
 water below and around. — The waves now were larger, and 
 the ship rolled more ; and many that had hitherto been well, 
 became sea-sick, and came up on deck, unable, from their 
 giddiness, to remain below. Those who were sick at the 
 anchorage, now became worse; and those who were well, 
 sought their berths, and laid down to sleep. 
 
 March 10th. Early this morning, all crowded upon deck, 
 each one Mashing to see the sun rise from his bed of distant 
 waves, and to breathe the fine air of the sea, after having 
 been crowded in the confined atmosphere below, only relieved 
 
496 AMUSEMENTS AT SEA. 
 
 by the draft of freshness brought by the wind-sails, so ar- 
 ranged as to send a current down. 
 
 Many of those sick yesterday are getting better, and are 
 eagerly inquiring for coffee, bread, meat, &c. ; while some 
 look worse than ever. They appear to feel most melancholy, 
 as they lie upon their blankets upon the deck. — With those 
 who are well, the greatest good humor and sport prevails ; 
 they have many odd remarks to make at the new scenes pre- 
 sented to them. — When the seamen are engaged in their du- 
 ties and passing to and fro amid the lofty rigging, our men 
 look up at them and often call out to them, with some queer 
 expression, which is highly amusing to the old tars. The 
 captain of the ship is indulgent towards their capers, and 
 laughs heartily at the droll remarks. Capt. Welch was solici- 
 tous for the comfort and convenience of all; and seeing many 
 with nothing to engage their attention, he brought to them 
 all the lighter reading of his library, and distributed histo- 
 ries, novels, and romances, with a liberal hand. 
 
 March Wth. This day we have had light winds from the 
 south-east, ahead, and we have stood out into the gulf, and 
 back towards the coast ; and this evening, are about twenty 
 miles from the Island of Lobos, where our colonel has orders, 
 discretionary, however, to report to the officer in command. — 
 The wind is very light, almost calm ; and the lofty ship rolls, 
 and the sails flap against the masts and rigging, with a short, 
 irregular motion, most disagreeable to those who are sick ; 
 w^ho wish, from their hearts, that she would keep still a 
 single moment. — The day has passed away pleasantly with 
 all others. Many are enjoying the light breeze, who were 
 yesterday laid up in their berths. The bulwarks, or sides of 
 the ship, and the topgallant forecastle, or small, high deck 
 at the bow, have been crowded with men, leaning over the 
 side, observing the blue water passing behind, or extended 
 in its vast expanse, bounded only by the distant horizon, with 
 here and there the figure of a ship, so far off that they look- 
 ed only like pillars of white ; or else watching the flying- 
 fish, which sprung from the water, with their wings out- 
 spread, and dashing along the undulating surface, disap- 
 peared as suddenly as they rose ; or they crowded up the 
 
FLYING-FISH, SHARKS, AND PORPOISES. 497 
 
 lower rigging, to catch a view of a huge shark, that rolled 
 his body at intervals, above the waves, displaying the large 
 fin on his back, as he slowly moved along, as if conscious 
 of his power; now coming near us, and then receding; while 
 his attending pilot-fish approached, and examined every- 
 thing thrown from the ship. Some were much interested at 
 the frolics of a large number of porpoises, that gamboled 
 around the ship, leaving us with extraordinary speed, and 
 returning as swiftly, crossing and recrossing each other 
 amid the foam at the bows, then again dashing a\\'ay, full 
 of life ; in each successive appearance they were greeted by 
 a shout from the crowd. Little birds, blown off from the 
 land, that had kept upon their fluttering wings until nearly 
 exhausted, came to us to rest, and save themselves, alight- 
 ing on a rope, or on any person's head. 
 
 The men caught a small shark, and he, for a time, took 
 their attention. — His broad, shovel-shaped nose ; his eyes, 
 standing so far on the sides of his head ; his skin, rougher 
 than sand-paper ; his singular tail, and his mouth far under 
 his head, with his sharp teeth, rendered him an object of 
 curiosity. One after another turned him over and over, 
 and at last some of them, with "Bull Killer" and "Skin 
 Horse " at the head, determined to eat him ; which they did, 
 amid the jeers of the others, declaring, however, that he was 
 first rate. 
 
 Many listlessly threw themselves on the decks, and laugh- 
 ed and chatted quietly for hours. — Towards evening, all was 
 a burst of fun and frolic. One of the men turned orator, 
 and mounting on the elevated hatches amidships, gave a long 
 harangue to the listening crowd. — Went into a description 
 of his past life ; — then branched off" into an account of the 
 difliculties and inconveniences to which all ardent lovers of 
 liberty, equality, and social drams, were subjected to in the 
 campaign, &:c. — Then changing his ground, he discussed the 
 questions of the tariff', the distribution of the public lands, 
 the annexation of Texas, and the present war; then assured 
 his audience that hs came to the war for the same reason as 
 did many of the officers, not from any particular love for fight- 
 ing, but to be able, hereafter, to gain popularity ; said that in 
 32 
 
498 AMUSEMENTS ON THE SHIP. 
 
 this he should succeed ; that he was sure of being sent to the 
 legislature of Tennessee when he returned, and from there was 
 equally certain of going to congress ; — that then he should 
 do much for his native state. — But his main effort should be 
 the extermination of the abuses existing in the present sys- 
 tem of distilling liquors ; a martyr in the cause of which, he 
 said, he believed he should yet yield up his life. lie exhort- 
 ed all the men to fight bravely when they arrived at " Peter 
 Cruz," as he called it, and not, by cowardice, to disgrace 
 their mothers ; — he said that for his part, he should fight 
 W'ell, and then he was sure of being cordially received by his 
 patriotic old mamma when he returned ; and that after the first 
 congratulations had passed, the old lady would say to his 
 younger brother, " Here, John, take the jug and run quickly 
 down to the store, and get a gallon of the best whisky for 
 Zed : for he used to love it mighty well before he went to 
 the wars, and I reckon he loves it yet." — This speech lasted 
 for an hour and a half; and such a flow of words, and often 
 eloquence of style, had the speaker, (a man of great natural 
 talent and rare ability), that the deck was crowded with lis- 
 teners, both officers and men, who, with loud laughter, cheer- 
 ed him continually during its delivery. 
 
 At sunset, the barometer in the cabin fell rapidly, and fear- 
 ing the approaching change of weather that it indicated, 
 Capt. Welch ordered the topsails closely reefed, the jib 
 hauled down, the top-gallant sails furled, and the main-sail 
 clewed up, bringing the ship under short sail; but, as yet, 
 there was no indication in the sky of any change. 
 
 Fi'iday, March 12th. Last night, at one o'clock, a norther 
 came down upon us, verifying the prediction of the truth- 
 telling barometer. The sails were filled, bellying to the 
 blast, and the ship drove on through the waves, which soon 
 rose high, curling and breaking in foam. With the wind on 
 her quarter, under short sail, she ran till morning, at ten 
 miles an hour. Her motion of rolling and pitching now be- 
 came more violent, and, urged by the wind, driving the foam 
 from her bows, she rose upon a wave and dashed forward^ 
 and downward, as it passed by and broke ahead. She rolled, 
 and rose up on the next, as it came on, again to plunge for- 
 
THE SOLDIERS DURING A GALE. 499 
 
 ward and settle down for a moment in the trough of the sea ; 
 while the wind blew with a rustling, whistling, moaning 
 noise — now increasing in shrillness and intensity, as the ship 
 rose high on the crests, and then lessening for a moment, as 
 she settled in the troughs. The men, as they came up from 
 below, could not walk forward or aft, save by catching at 
 the ropes, the cooking-places, water casks, &c. ; and they 
 looked around, dizzy and bewildered. — The centre of the 
 ship, between the fore and mainmasts, was occupied by 
 the long-boat first ; and in front of that was the galley, or 
 house of the cook, containing a large cooking-stove, cop- 
 per kettles, &c. On each side of the long-boat, were two 
 wooden frames, or large fire-places, lined with brick, with 
 a grate of iron across ; — these were for the soldiers to 
 cook, divided into their different messes. — Now the men, 
 crowded round these, caused much merriment to the seamen, 
 as they endeavored to make coffee, and cook their pork. — 
 Every surge of the ship sent them back and forth in a 
 body, against one another ; — from the fire-places and casks, 
 on one side, in a moment they were heavily thrown against 
 the bulwarks on the other. — Some were grumbling, some 
 laughing, and some swearing — especially those who slipped 
 on the deck, as the ship pitched, and came down, with heels 
 up, and elbows in the water that ran about in the scuppers ; 
 their coffee-pots were upset, and their bread and meat were 
 sliding round on the deck. It was a job for them to go 
 even to the water casks ; they caught hold of one another, 
 and of the rigging, and seized their chances, between the rolls 
 and pitches, to jump along three or four feet, to catch again ; 
 many were at the sides, holding on, and looking wistfully and 
 sourly at the cooking places : — these wanted their coffee, but 
 they thought it more than it was worth, to try to make it at 
 such a time as this ; though the seamen glided along, at their 
 various occupations, without difficulty : for it was their own 
 life, and habit enabled them to step as securely on the un- 
 steady deck, or on the ropes of the lofty yards, and masts 
 above, as our men would on their native hills and mountains. 
 After those who had succeeded in getting their breakfast 
 had finished it, and those who had not, had satisfied them- 
 
500 SIGHT OF LAND. 
 
 selves with dry crackers, raw fat pork, and cold water, they 
 retreated to their berths, to forget, in sleep, the unpleasant- 
 ness of their present situation. 
 
 The wind blew strong from the same quarter all the day, 
 the same scene continuing until about four o'clock, when 
 the gale began to lull, and the billows somewhat to subside; 
 and the motion of the ship became more easy, though at 
 times violent — occasionally throwing a half dozen men from 
 one side to the other ; or some unlucky wight, who had step- 
 ped on the upper part of the ladder to descend to the lower 
 deck, from his foothold, sending him down the steps, bump- 
 ing on each, to the deck below, on which he was invariably 
 sprawled out, greeted in his coming by shouts of laughter, 
 with all kinds of exclamations, from the numbers around — • 
 themselves safely stowed away in their berths, there secure, 
 and not being willing to venture out of them. — The wind 
 continued to lull, till, at sunset, the ship became steady 
 enough for all to come above, where they amused them- 
 selves much until after dark, when they turned in again ; — 
 and now, having got well of sea-sickness, they had a time 
 of sport, singing, laughter, jokes and mimickry, in the dark- 
 ness below. 
 
 Saturday, March \2ih. We continued to run, having last 
 evening tacked ship to the south-westward, under easy sail. 
 In the distance were two ships, and a brig, standing on the 
 same course with ourselves. This morning the wind was 
 from the north, but was light. At eight o'clock, we saw the 
 land on the starboard bow ; — at eleven, having stood in 
 nearer, we found that we were directly opposite Alvarado, 
 thirty-three miles south-east from Vera Cruz. We came in 
 near enough to see the fort with the spy-glass, and the flag- 
 staff on it, and the road which led over the hills into the 
 town, and a large dark, waving mass of Mexican troops, 
 apparently cavalry, upon it. The town itself was concealed 
 from our view. 
 
 This place has been twice attacked by our squadron, 
 but not taken ; the vessels not being able to get over 
 the bar. — The view of the coast was clear and distinct, 
 for a long distance, to the south-east and north-west. To 
 
RENEWAL OF THE NORTHER. 501 
 
 the south-east was visible the summit of the mountain Tuxla^ 
 said to be an active volcano. — In the distance, to the north- 
 west, was the point Anton Lizardo. 
 
 As soon as our position was ascertained, the ship was 
 braced sharp up to the wind, and stood to the north-east ; 
 the other vessels followed our example. After standing out 
 some hours, she was put upon the other tack; and, coming 
 in sight of the coast again, at six, P. M., w^e found that we 
 were directly north of Alvarado, ten miles ; but now, to our 
 astonishment, the norther, which we had thought breathing 
 its last, sprung up again in power, and blew so hard that this 
 was no place for us, for the land lay directly to leeward; 
 and the captain put the ship directly out to sea, on a north- 
 eastern course. The wind blew stronger in the course of the 
 evening, and whistled shrilly through the rigging; — the ship 
 pitched and rolled in the sea that was raised. — All of our 
 men went below early to their berths. The gale increased as 
 the night drew on ; blew more furiously after dark; — a heavy 
 sea arose, and the driving ship labored hard ; — the caps of 
 the waves broke over her. — Towards morning, the close- 
 reefed maintop-sail, with a loud report, burst from its bolt- 
 ropes ; another, however, was quickly sent up, which stood 
 out the gale. 
 
 Mmxh 20lh. Another week had our noble ship been driv- 
 ing about, tost by the tempestuous winds, and unable to reach 
 her desired port. We had fallen in with the ship Desde- 
 mona, on which was our second battalion, and with several 
 other vessels, all endeavoring to make the port of Vera 
 Cruz. The norther had driven us all far southward, and the 
 wind, though it had lulled away, still blew from the former 
 quarter ; our efforts to beat against it were almost unavail- 
 ing. — Our men lined the sides and deck of the ship, in list- 
 less impatience to arrive at the scene of conflict. 
 
 At one o'clock, A. M., to our great joy, the north wind had 
 entirely ceased, and a light breeze sprung up from the south- 
 east, which was favorable to us. The ship was immediately 
 put on the course for the coast, and sheet after sheet of sail 
 was spread on her lofty masts. The other ships, which were 
 scattered for miles around, on the distant horizon, did the 
 
502 COMING IN SIGHT OF VERA CRUZ. 
 
 same, spreading all their canvas to the favorable wind. Af- 
 ter sunrise, the bows and lower rigging of the ship were 
 crowded with our men, straining their eyes over the vast 
 expanse of water ahead, to catch a glimpse of land ; but 
 hours passed without a word being heard from them.— At eight 
 o'clock, an old salt, belonging to the ship, who had followed 
 the sea for forty years, came up on the fore-castle deck, 
 looked a moment, and then discharging a huge quid of to- 
 bacco, hitching up his duck trousers, and half rolling him- 
 self round, so as to face the quarter-deck, called out, in a 
 loud voice, " Land O!" The sound brought every man to his 
 feet. — "Where away?" shouted the chief mate, who was 
 near the cabin. — "Two points on the starboard bow," 
 growled out the old seaman. — But still we could not see 
 the least trace of it, during half an hour's nearer approach. 
 The low, blue coast then became visible, but it was envel- 
 oped in mist, and only partially discernible. — The ship still 
 continued to approach directly in towards it ; and, after a 
 while, flashes could be perceived, to light up the mist, at 
 regular intervals. Now, with great interest, all strained their 
 vision to bring something more in view. — In another half 
 hour, the heavy booming of cannon could be heard. 
 
 At ten o'clock, we had approached so near as to hear 
 distinctly the reports, and shortly after, the fog dispersed, and 
 revealed the scene, in the clear sunlight, most beautiful and 
 intensely interesting. — Before us, and to our right, in 
 the distance, w^as the heavy castle of San Juan de Ulloa ; 
 it was wrapped in clouds of white smoke, that rolled away 
 from above its large extent ; the bright flashes darted out 
 from its bastions, and the Mexican flag waved gracefully 
 above it. — Between the castle and ourselves, the expanse of 
 water, within the reefs which were close to us, was calm and 
 tranquil ; to the left of the castle, and beyond it, was the city 
 of Vera Cruz, with its numerous domes and spires, in full and 
 distinct view ; in its extent, surmounted by so many of these 
 it appeared to be a beautiful place ; and wholly unlike any 
 city we had ever seen. The left side of this was also ob- 
 scured by the volumes of white smoke, which gracefully 
 rose over and among the spires and domes. — To the left 
 
DISTINCT APPEARANCE OF THE CITY. 503 
 
 of the city and castle, the coast was a succession of low 
 Band-hills, which appeared bright in the morning sun ; they 
 run far off to the southward, losing themselves on the dis- 
 tant horizon. Near these, to our left a little, but yet in 
 front, was a large fleet of our vessels of war and transport- 
 ships ; their forest of tall masts, so closely standing together, 
 were surmounted by gay flags and streamers. — They were 
 lying just out of effective reach of the guns of the castle. — 
 Still farther to the left, and almost opposite to us, was the 
 more distant anchorage of Anton Lizardo, where many ships 
 were lying. 
 
 On the north of the city and castle, the low range of sand 
 hills extended in the distance, until lost to the view. — Two 
 small islands, and several reefs, or shallow places of coral 
 rock, on which the waves were breaking sullenly, lay between 
 us and the anchorage, which now we were steadily nearing. 
 Of our army nothing could be seen ; being all hidden by the 
 sand-hills, at the left of the city. But as we came nearer, 
 we could observe its position, from the clouds of smoke 
 and dust, raised there by the exploding bomb-shells, that 
 were thrown from both castle and city. We heard their re- 
 ports, nearly equal to those of the artillery that sent them ; 
 but no answering cannon could be heard from our forces. 
 
 In coming into the harbor, the whole view presented to the 
 eye was most interesting, and rendered exciting by the con- 
 tinued cannonade. It was of one of those scenes which, 
 at first view, strike the mind of the beholder with such 
 a vivid and distinct impression, as Mali ever afterwards 
 impress it upon his recollection. — While all, crowded on 
 the ship's bows, bulwarks, and in the rigging, were gazing 
 at this extensive view, their eyes wandering from object to 
 object, we were steadily drawing near ; sail after sail was 
 furled, and shortly after, the ship moved in among the crow- 
 ded fleet at Sacrificios Island ; the anchors were let go, and 
 she swung round to her heavy chains ; the sails were all 
 furled, and the voyage was ended. — Every man was ordered 
 to collect his arms and baggage, and be ready to leave the 
 ship at a moment's notice. 
 
 Shortly we were approached by a small four- oared boat, 
 
504 VISIT OF HARBOR MASTER. 
 
 in which was the harbor-master, who, as he came alongside, 
 informed the captain, that on account of the use of the surf- 
 boats, we could not be landed until the morrow ; and observ- 
 ing the impatience of the men at this, told us, that there 
 had not yet been anything done, in the way of answering 
 the fire of the city and castle ; that eleven days before, on 
 Tuesday, the 9th instant, all the troops then here, about 
 seven thousand, had landed at once, in magnificent style ; 
 but that the continued norther, which had kept us at sea, 
 had prevented the landing of the cannon and mortars neces- 
 sary ; and that it would yet be two days before these could 
 be planted, to begin operations. — Informed us, that Gen. 
 Worth's division had taken position nearest to the harbor ; 
 that Gen. Patterson's was next, back of the city, and that 
 Gen. Twiggs' was at the water's edge, on the other side ; 
 and that the city was thus completely invested, and the 
 trenches were made within eight hundred yards of the 
 walls. — Told us that the remainder of our brigade, 1st and 
 2d Tennessee, together with the 1st and 2d Pennsylvania, 
 and Gen. Quitman's, the South Carolina, Alabama, and 
 Georgia, and the Rifle regiment, had so far, done the skirm- 
 ishing and fighting, driving the Mexicans within their strong- 
 hold ; and that the 2d Tennessee, under Gen. Pillow, after 
 charging up a steep hill, on a large body of Mexicans, in the 
 rear of the city, as they drove them off*, found themselves on 
 the top in full view, and within a short range, of the city 
 walls and batteries; they planted their flag, and in answer 
 to their three loud cheers, they received the first fire of the 
 Mexican batteries of the city, which had since been kept up. 
 — That a continuous storm of balls and shells, from the city 
 and castle, swept like hail, over our lines ; but, from the troops 
 being hidden in the trenches, the loss of life on our part as 
 yet was small. 
 
 Pie spoke in the highest terms of the generalship of Scott, 
 of his masterly plans, the exactness with which he worked 
 them out, and their effect in saving the lives of his men. — 
 Said the city and castle were doomed : with such a general 
 as Scott, and such men as he had, — that fall they must ; — 
 that now, with ourselves and the other troops in the harbor 
 
ANCHORAGE AT SACRIFICI0S5 ISLAND. 505 
 
 there were about thirteen thousand five hundred men under 
 his command. — He then took his leave, warning the captain 
 to look out for the renewal of the norther, for the extraordi- 
 nary clearness of the atmosphere indicated that the furious 
 wind was not yet done. The barometer, in the cabin, told 
 the same tale; so the ship was moved into a better position, 
 under shelter of the small island of Sacrificios, and both an- 
 chors dropped, and a great length of the heavy chains given 
 out. 
 
 We now had leisure to observe the scene around us; and 
 the bulwarks were crowded with men, looking round at the 
 large fleet of vessels; among which were several British, 
 French, and Spanish men-of-war, and several steamers ; our 
 own fleet of vessels of war, — numbers of large ships, from 
 which many boats were passing back and forth, with troops, 
 cannon, mortars, ammunition, shells, shot, provision, &c., 
 landing them on the beach, to the left, about a third of a mile 
 distant. This beach, for a mile up its extent, or until it came 
 within reach of the guns of the castle, which was about 
 two and a half miles in front, was lined, under the sand 
 hills, with tents, occupied by the quarter-master's men, 
 and temporary store-houses, for the protection of the articles 
 landed. The whole length was covered with piles of these 
 stores, and was crowded with men. When brought near to 
 the vision by a spy-glass — which revealed upon it a most 
 busy scene — it appeared like the levee of a vast commer- 
 cial city. 
 
 The continued cannonade from the castle drew our at- 
 tention to that fortification, and we observed a large vessel 
 lying under the protection of its guns ; on inquiry, we found 
 that she was a French barque, which had run the blockade, de- 
 livering to the castle a full cargo of excellent powder and 
 shells ; and was now awaiting her chance to get out with- 
 out capture. Many a curse had been bestowed upon her by 
 our naval officers and men; but she was now in a situation 
 m which they dared not interrupt or approach her. 
 
 The island of Sacrificios, near us, too, was an interesting 
 object : for upon it the Spaniards, under Cortez, first landed, 
 more than three hundred years since, when about conquer- 
 
50(1 RENEWAL OF THE NORTHER. 
 
 ing the empire of Mexico. — Here they found that human 
 victims were yearly offered in sacrifice to the heathen gods 
 of the Mexicans ; — hence they gave the present name, vSac- 
 rificios, to the island. A heathen temple was on it then, 
 and, of late years, several subterranean apartments have 
 been found in its little extent, and many curious sculptured 
 specimens of earthen, and stone ware, manufactured with 
 great skill by the ancient Mexicans, and used in those sacri- 
 fices of men, have been brought to light. 
 
 After night had set in, w^e remained upon deck to witness 
 the light, flashing continuaUy from the guns of the city and 
 castle, and the brilliant red glare of the congreve rockets that 
 rose, passed over, and exploded ; but at length, wearied, we 
 retired below to sleep. 
 
 Sunday, March 21st. We had gone below last night at a 
 late hour, and having the information we had received to 
 converse upon, we did not immediately retire to our berths. 
 Many of the men sat in groups on the lower deck, with 
 their candles giving a flickering light upon the ti rs of 
 rough berths in the middle of the ship, and on either 
 side, in which, in rows above each other, many had gone to 
 rest ; — the ship being quiet and still on the water, for the 
 first time since we had come on board. Before we dispers- 
 ed to our berths, the norther again rushed down in power 
 from the open sea upon the coast, city and fleet. — The ships 
 swung around to its force, and the furious wind soon raised 
 a heavy sea, which, notwithstanding the protection of the 
 island and reefs to seaward, ran so high as to give all the 
 heavy vessels much motion. 
 
 The wind increased through the night, and on com-, 
 ing on deck in the morning, a wild scene was before and 
 around us, far different from that of the day before. The 
 wind was coming in from the open sea, and the mountain 
 waves, rapidly following each other, were dashing in a ter- 
 rific manner on the reefs, which protected us from their vio- 
 lence. The water about these appeared white with foam. 
 
 On the reef to the seaward was the wreck of the French 
 barque, that, last evening, had been so quietly lying under 
 the guns of the castle. She had endeavored to get out, but 
 
WRECK OF FRENCH BARQUE. 507 
 
 Ibeing chased by the steamer Hunter, ran aground; — the steam- 
 <«r also shared the same fate, as well as a schooner that had 
 endeavored to come in. The crew of the barque were in a 
 most perilous situation, for she was a total wreck ; — every 
 mountain billow dashed over her broken frame ; — her deck 
 was ripped off; her foremast and mainmast were gone; — 
 from her mizenmast was flying a signal of distress, their flag 
 at half mast. The French man-of-war immediately, in the 
 violent gale, sent boats to rescue the crew, who, in the inter- 
 vals between the waves, could be seen with the spy-glass 
 hanging to the timbers. 
 
 " Served her right," said the captain of our ship, as he 
 took his spy-glass from his eye ; " but,' continued he, " they 
 can well afford to lose the ship, after making as much as 
 they have by running the blockade." — "But, captain," said 
 one of our officers, as he took the glass and directed it to- 
 wards the wreck in the distance, " her money was probably 
 on board of her." — " Oh no !" replied he ; " they were not 
 so foolish as to risk the loss of that ; probably they have sent 
 it off by the British mail steamer, which our government, 
 perhaps too fearful of offending John Bull, have allowed to 
 run back and forth continually during the blockade." — And 
 so we found it afterwards : — the vessel was lost, but the mo- 
 ney was safe. 
 
 In the fleet of vessels around us, every exertion had been 
 made by each to hold on during the stormy night ; most of 
 them, like our own, had done so ; but three had parted their 
 chains, and had gone ashore, where they now lay, with every 
 wave dashing over them. On one, which had filled with wa- 
 ter, were the seamen in the rigging, and a crowd of men on 
 the beach, endeavoring to rescue them, — which was finally 
 accomplished, with the loss of two lives, as we afterwards 
 learned. A beautiful white-bottomed brig had gone on bows 
 foremost, and was hard up on the sand. 
 
 In the distance, in front, the firing from the castle contin- 
 ued unabated, but the wind was so furious, and so moaned 
 and whistled in the rigging, and the dashing surf on the reef 
 was accompanied with so loud a roar, that both combined 
 prevented us from hearing a single report of the heavy artil- 
 
508 GRAND SCENE FROM THE ANCHORAGE. 
 
 lery. The smoke from each discharge blew away in an in- 
 stant, instead of lingering in graceful volumes above it, as 
 on yesterday. 
 
 No more artillery or stores could be landed, for the boats 
 were not able to come to the fleet; — many of them were thrown 
 up by the gale on the beach : — so, seeing no prospect of 
 being landed this day, and knowing, that in such a wind, 
 nothing was doing on shore, we contented ourselves with 
 watching the furious war of the elements, and the deadly 
 strife of men visible above it. Listlessness no one could 
 feel, with such a grand scene, upon so magnificent a scale, 
 as that now presented to them. — The lofty mountain of Ori- 
 zaba, near an hundred miles distant in the interior, could be 
 seen overlooking all, by its white top of snow. 
 
 During the whole forenoon the scene continued of furious 
 winds, with a clear sky ; of rapidly chasing waves within the 
 reefs ; of rolling vessels riding out the gale ; of the beach, 
 lashed with foam ; of the heavy surf of the sea thundering 
 upon the reefs to windward and upon the shipwrecked ves- 
 sels, and of the cannonade from the castle and city. — In the 
 course of the afternoon the wind began to abate, and the 
 boats to run, although it was still dangerous for them ; but 
 the necessity for cannon, mortars, shells and shot, was press- 
 ing on shore. — The flag was hoisted at our foremast head, in 
 token that we were ready to go, but it was so late that no 
 boats came for us ; and so, disappointed, we again went be- 
 low, and endeavored to pass away the time as easily as pos- 
 sible. With our ships of war was much ceremony and firing 
 salutes during the day, on account of change of commanders 
 — Com. Perry taking the place of Com. Conner. Night came 
 on, and with it the brilliant scene of rockets and bomb-shells 
 from the enemy. 
 
 Monday, March 22d. This morning the wind was from the 
 south-east, and the boats had been passing to and fro from 
 daylight, and the greatest activity was seen among them and 
 on the beach, which was, for its long extent, almost black 
 with the crowds of soldiers, seamen and laborers, at their va- 
 rious duties Early in the morning, to our great joy, we saw 
 four of the heavy surf boats, each manned by twelve sea- 
 
LANDING OF THE REGIMENT. 509 
 
 men, coming towards us and the Desdemona, near, on which 
 was our second battalion. They came alongside, and sixty 
 of us went at a time, in each, towards the beach, where, when 
 we struck the sands, we leaped into the water, holding up 
 our guns, and soon stood upon the shore amid the crowd, close 
 by the stranded vessels. — The boats made other trips, and in 
 an hour or two the whole regiment had left the two noble 
 ships that had so safely brought them, and were again on the 
 land, in the midst of a noisy, apparently confused, extensive 
 scene, up and down the beach, which can be imagined, but 
 not easily described. 
 
 During the time occupied by the boats, as they returned to 
 the ships for the remainder of the regiment, we that had 
 landed threw ourselves on the sands, and, interested in the 
 busy scene around us, passed the time pleasantly, await- 
 ing their return. — The waves threw up many articles 
 from the wrecked barque on the reef; pieces of her tim- 
 bers and furniture were scattered along the shore. Seeing a 
 large object floating about in the billows, some of the men 
 stripped off and swam to it, and found it to be a hogshead 
 of wine. — With a whoop they announced their prize, and 
 many jumped into the water, and it was soon rolled ashore, 
 the head knocked in, and a merry, noisy crowd of us gather- 
 ed around it. — Every canteen near was filled ; and every one 
 had a draught of the fine liquor that the waves had thrown 
 up, as if to "treat" us on our landing at Vera Cruz. — A 
 cask of porter soon followed, but that was taken possession 
 of by the officer of regulars stationed near. — Then came 
 another object, and they dashed in for that. On getting 
 it out, it was found to be a box of shoes. These were 
 sold by the rescuers at twenty-five cents per pair. They 
 were gone quickly. — Something else was seen, and the swim- 
 mers buffeted the rolling surf, and brought to shore a couple 
 •of boxes of ground pepper, in papers. The pepper was 
 found to be but little injured. This was distributed gratis 
 among the messes. — Broken kegs and rolls of butter, mixed 
 with sand, came up ; but, on account of the sand, not much 
 attention was paid to it. Some " cute " chaps, however, si- 
 lently collected it. and at night, placing it in camp-kettles, 
 
510 APPEARANCE OF THE BEACH. 
 
 melted it ; the sand — which was clean — sunk to the bottom^ 
 and they had plenty of first rate butter : a great rarity. — 
 These were pronounced " smart," by their comrades. — Many 
 other things came ; and, after the regiment had gone, some 
 of the regulars dashed in, and, in place of a box of goods, 
 brought out a dead man — one of the shipwrecked seamen. 
 
 The regiment had landed upon the beach. It was formed 
 and marched up to the encampment of Gen. Pillow's brig- 
 ade, in the investing lines, to the rear of the city ; leaving a 
 small guard, to protect the tents and baggage remaining. 
 On this guard the author was detailed ; and, there being no- 
 thing to do, he easily obtained the opportunity to stroll 
 around. — And now, reader, will you, in imagination, accom- 
 pany him ? 
 
 In the first place, you stand on the flat, sandy beach, 
 which, from the breaking waves on the right, (as you look 
 up toward the city), is about one hundred yards in width, to 
 the base of the fantastic shaped sand hills on the left. — • 
 These, by the wind, are thrown up like snow-drifts, in every 
 shape and form, from fifty to two hundred feet high. They 
 run parallel with the beach, all the way up towards the city ; 
 and the whole extent of this, thus bounded, is crowded with 
 busy life. 
 
 Near us are the vessels which have been driven ashore. — 
 They are endeavoring to get off, having all sail backed to the 
 wind ; and heaving at their anchors, placed out in the deep 
 water. — You observe, to the right, the harbor spread out ; 
 the large fleet at anchor ; the busy boats, going and return- 
 ing ; the horse transports, throwing horses and mules over- 
 board : — these are swimming ashore, and are caught by men 
 stationed along, up and down the beach. — On the distant 
 horizon you perceive many vessels, which are coming here, 
 and departing hence. — On the left, you see nothing but the 
 bare sand hills, and the camp of a company of infantry — the 
 picket guard in this direction. 
 
 In front you witness such a crowd and bustle, for a mile or 
 more, that you can make nothing of it : so in that direction 
 we will walk ; but first notice that the beach, after stretch- 
 ing up that distance in a straight line, takes a sweep off to 
 
SUMMONS OF GEN. SCOTT TO GEN. MORALES. 511 
 
 the right, and then all of it is bare ; for in this course it 
 comes directly under the range of the guns of the castle, 
 which you see still further up. There are no tents or men 
 upon it there, save, in the distance, three horsemen, which 
 you observe going up with a white flag. — Do you notice, 
 fthat on the heavy battlements of the castle, the firing has 
 ceased? — the smoke rolls away from it, and a corresponding 
 white flag is run up on the staff, near to the national en- 
 sign. You observe, too, that the firing ceases from the city, 
 and all is still. — The bearer of the flag is Capt. Johnson, of 
 the engineers ; he is accompanied by a bugler, to sound a 
 parley, and an interpreter. He is bearing from Gen. Scott 
 a summons to Gen. Morales,* the Mexican commander, to 
 surrender the city, — the castle he asks not for ; but proposes, 
 
 * SUMMOKS OF GEX. SCOTT TO GEN. MOHALES. 
 
 Headquarters of the Army of the UmxED States of America, ) 
 Camp Washinglon, before Vera Cruz, March'^2, 1847. ) 
 
 The undersigned, Major General Scott, General-in-Chief of the Armies of the 
 United States of America, in addition to the close blockade of the coast and port of 
 Vera Cruz, previously established by the squadron under Commodore Conner, of the 
 IVavy of the said States — having now fully invested the said City, with an overwhelm- 
 ing army, so as to render it impossible that its garrison should receive succor or rein- 
 forcement of any kind ; and having caused to be established, batteries competent to 
 the speedy reduction of the said City — he, the undersigned, deems it due to the cour- 
 tesies of war, in like cases, as well as to the rights of humanity, to summon his 
 Excellency, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the City of Vera Cruz, to 
 surrender the same to the arms of the United States of America, present before Iho 
 place. 
 
 The undersigned, anxious to spare the beautiful city of Vera Cruz from the immi- 
 nent hazard of demolition, its gallant defenders from a useless effusion of blood, and 
 its peaceful inhabitants, women and children, inclusive, from the inevitable horrors 
 of a triumphant assault, addresses this summons to the intelligence, the gallantry and 
 patriotism, no less than to the humanity of his Excellency, the Governor and Com- 
 mander-in-Chief of Vera (Jruz. 
 
 The undersigned is not accurately informed, whether both the city of Vera Cruz 
 and the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, be under the command of his Excellency, or 
 whether each place has its own independent commander, but the undersigned, moved 
 by the considerations adverted to above, may be willing to stipulate, that if the city 
 should, by capitulation, be garrisoned by a part of his troops, no missile shall be fired 
 from within the city, or from its bastions or walls, upon the Castle, unless the Castle 
 should previously fire upon the city. 
 
 The undersigned has the honor to tender to his distinguished opponent, his Excel- 
 lency the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Vera Cruz, the assurance of the 
 high respect and consideration of the undersigned, 
 
 [Signed] WINFIELD SCOTT.' 
 
512 CANNON— MORTARS— SHELLS. 
 
 if the town is surrendered, not to fire on the castle, provided 
 that it does not fire upon the city. It is not known what 
 effect this summons will have ; as Gen. Morales is said 
 to be a brave and accomplished officer ; but we will soon 
 find out. — As it is now about two o'clock, P. M., and the offi- 
 cer carrying the flag has instructions to return within two, 
 hours, and will not be back in less than that, let us pursue 
 our walk. 
 
 After passing the stranded vessels, and the landing horses, 
 we see the stores of all kinds, large piles of corn, oats, 
 bread, pork, &c., are being taken off by the wagons, to the 
 commissary's and quartermaster's stations. We notice a 
 hundred or two drowned horses that are washed up by the 
 waves ; these were from a wrecked transport, off the harbor. 
 We observe landing, great numbers of ten inch shells, which 
 the seamen and laborers are rolling up on planks, laid along 
 down to the water ; — look at these shells ; they are round 
 and hollow ; have one circular hole in them ; by looking into 
 that, 3^ou perceive the solid iron is nearly two inches thick ; 
 — lift the shell, — can't do it well — too heavy. Observe what 
 a pile of them are here ; — beyond, what quantities of cannon 
 ehot. You see about fifty men carrying from the large boats 
 square copper boxes of powder, up to the magazine, which 
 is rudely built of rough plank at the base of the sand hills. 
 
 Here are several mortars landing ; you observe that they 
 are short and very heavy ; set on a stout timber bed ; their 
 mouths are slanting up, and you can almost stand in one; 
 look into it, — it is very thick and strong ; it has a chamber 
 below for the powder. They are hoisting one of these cum- 
 brous, destructive pieces, upon a heavy wagon frame, and 
 in the night it is going up to the trenches, to be placed in 
 position. — Lying beyond, are four Paixhan guns ; each one 
 weighs two or three tons ; — see how heavy, how large ; the 
 balls they carry weigh sixty-eight pounds each, and a crash- 
 ing they make, when they strike ; — here is a large pile of 
 these shot. These cannon are to go up to the batteries also. 
 — Here are large piles of wagon-bodies, axles, tongues, and 
 bows, and hundreds of men are fitting them together, for 
 they are all wanted now. 
 
BUSY SCENE ON THE BEACH. 513 
 
 Farther up, we witness crowds of seamen, naval officers, 
 quartermaster's men, and soldiers, all at work, as quickly as 
 they can spring to it, in the landing and taking care of so 
 many heavy articles, all needed immediately. — There are a 
 number of men fitting upon the mules the new harness, which, 
 in boxes, is near in large quantities. — Here stand a row of 
 wagons, loaded with the heavy shells, to start after dark for 
 the trenches; there, powder-wagons, the same; here a row 
 of mules, packed with barrels of bread, tents, and mess-bags, 
 are quietly going on towards the camp, around the cit3^ — 
 There come a drove of wet mules, just landed, dashing along, 
 and driven towards the yard, which is farther up. 
 
 Along the beach are many small boats from the men-of- 
 war and the transport-ships ; many landing sutler's goods, 
 &c., and men are taking them up to the store tents, that arc 
 thickly stowed one to another, under the sand hills, each with 
 a crowd of men around, buying. High and dry, here and 
 there, you see the huge form of one of the surf-boats, which 
 the storm drove up. There are thirt}*, or more, of these so 
 placed ; and as they are all wanted, and nearly all injured, 
 you observe gangs of ship-carpenters knocking and banging 
 away at each. — Up a little farther, brass cannon and how- 
 itzers are landing, and the soldiers are attending to them as 
 they come. — Officers, both army and naval, wagon-masters, 
 quartermasters and commissaries, mounted, and on foot, are 
 in the scene, giving orders, &c. — Let us look into one of the 
 sutlers' large tents, and see the style in which he has to stow 
 his goods ; — all in confusion, boxes upon boxes, around, and 
 above his head, leaving a little area in which he stands to 
 sell. — You have to keep a look-out every moment, or you will 
 be run over, in the busy scene ; the noise of so manj^ opera- 
 tions going on, confounds you. — What a jabbering, cursing, 
 commanding, shouting, and noise mingles from the long ex- 
 tent of the beach, and is drowned in the heavier roar of the 
 waves. 
 
 You may travel much, reader, but it will be a long time 
 
 before you see such a noisy, active, various, crowded scene 
 
 as that on the beach below Vera Cruz now. Look around 
 
 upon it up and down : you see land and water ; you observe 
 
 33 
 
514 HIGH hills of sand. 
 
 ships, brigs, schooners, steamers, launches, surf boats, long 
 boats and small boats ; you perceive artillery, munitions of 
 war of every kind, stores of all sorts, wagons, mules, and 
 horses ; you witness officers, soldiers, seamen, sutlers, wag- 
 oners, ship carpenters, wheel-wrights, laborers, and loafers, 
 crowding, Mdnding and turning among one another, and be- 
 tween and about the high piles of stores, shells, cannon balls, 
 goods, &c., &c., from the brink of the dashing waves to the 
 sand hills. — Look again, for it is worth seeing. 
 
 Passing on, after a long walk, we come up to the head of 
 the busy scene, and to the point where the beach takes a 
 long turn off to the right, going towards the castle and city. 
 It will not do to go further upon it, for we might get our heads 
 blown off, if the firing re-commences : so we will turn to the 
 left, along the road which has been made among the sand 
 hills, towards the camp. — The sand now is deeper, and hard 
 to travel through. The marquees of the quartermaster and 
 commissary departments are standing thickly on each side 
 of the road, and the bare hills are thrown up like huge snow 
 drifts above them. Around, in the little valleys between 
 these, some of which are covered with short grass, are the 
 camps of that portion of the troops that are near Gen. Scott's 
 quarters ; which are over the next sand hill, to our left. — 
 The road is crowded with soldiers, laborers, seamen, horses, 
 mules and wagons, going to and returning from camp ; and 
 there are many loose burros, whose owners have fled from our 
 neighborhood, and these are left to pick up their living ; — 
 they are caught and rode by the sailors, who cut a queer set 
 of capers upon them. 
 
 Let us leave the road, and turning to the right, climb up 
 the huge sand hill and look around. As we go up, you ob- 
 serve our tracks far behind us, appearing precisely as though 
 they were made in snow ; and you see the surface of the hill 
 is blown into thousands of little ridges and waves, like those 
 that the wintry storm at home piles up on the snow-drifts. 
 
 Arrived at the top of the hill, a beautiful and extensive 
 view presents itself. Before us is the city; on the right of 
 it, the castle ; between us and the city, is the succession of 
 sand hills, which, however, there, are mostly overgrown with 
 
VIEW FROM A SAND HILL. 515 
 
 miisquit bushes. On our right, we see the beach we have 
 left, the fleet at anchor, the islands of Sacrificios and Verde, 
 and beyond them, sweeping around the castle in front, the 
 broad blue gulf. The castle is quiet, and the white flag of 
 truce is still flying from above it. The city is silent also ; 
 — no smoke is seen ; no report heard. — Our trenches, that 
 run along between the city and ourselves, cannot be discern- 
 ed, being concealed by the musquit chapparal on the hills 
 intervening ; — not a living person can be seen in that direc- 
 tion, though the trenches are full of soldiers, artillery and in- 
 fantry, of Gen, Worth's division. 
 
 None of our camps can be seen from this height ; they are 
 all in the valleys and among the hills behind us, and stretch- 
 ing round to our left, until Gen. Twiggs', the farthest advan- 
 ced, is upon the edge of the water, to the north-west, and the 
 city is thus completely invested ; — no one can go in or come 
 out, save foreigners, who have been allowed, until to-day, to 
 leave the city and go on board the men-of-war of their re- 
 spective nations. But to-day. Gen. Scott has stopped that 
 privilege, of which few have availed themselves ; the greater 
 number, with the consuls of England, France, Prussia and 
 Spain, at their head, believing that the city is so strong and 
 well armed that w^e cannot take it, and that the heavy stone 
 buildings are impervious to bomb-shells ; and if we should 
 attempt to carry it by storm, that we would be cut to pieces : 
 — and in this last they were not far wrong. 
 
 In the city before us, and around the walls in the heavy 
 forts, are nearly five thousand men, besides the inhabitants, 
 well armed, with near two hundred cannon and mortars ; 
 and in the castle to the right are more than a thousand men. 
 Math more than two hundred heavy cannon and mortars, with 
 plenty of water and provisions, they say. 
 
 But see : — down comes the white flag which has been fly- 
 ing on the castle, and we see the horsemen, with the flag of 
 truce, coming back along the beach. — What can be the an- 
 swer to the summons ? — Look at that white smoke that darts 
 out from the city wall, followed by the thundering report : 
 sec the ball throwing up that cloud of dust near the trenches. 
 — That gives us the import of the answer. — See another from 
 
516 RE-COMMENCEMENT OF MEXICAN FIRING. 
 
 the same fort, and shortly another ; but none are directed to- 
 wards the horsemen, who, with the white flag, come rapidly 
 down towards us ; — they dash along the beach, by the base 
 of the hill, and, taking the road by which we left, a few mo- 
 ments' gallop brings them to the quarters of Gen. Scott. 
 
 Let us look back over the hill, towards those. — Hardly a 
 moment has elapsed, before another horseman leaves thereat 
 full speed ; does not, like the others, go up the beach. — He 
 has no flag. — He comes to the foot of the hill, and passing 
 around it and among the others, is lost to our view, as he 
 moves directly towards the trenches. Let us look ; he un- 
 doubtedly carries the order to re-commence firing, for several 
 mortars are there ready. — Every moment seems an age of 
 suspense. That single battery of the city is still in opera- 
 tion, and its balls plow up the earth. 
 
 But see : — from the tangled distant growth of chapparal 
 between us and the city, a large volume of smoke shoots up 
 and rolls out ; another, and still others follow. Hear their 
 stunning reports, together with the noise of the shells, as 
 they pass over into the city. The first few burst in the air ; 
 — their sharp peals are like sudden claps of thunder. — The 
 city opens from all the batteries in reply. Witness the vol- 
 umes of smoke rising from the castle, and the booming of 
 artillery is incessant. 
 
 Turn around to the right ; — see, gracefully approaching, 
 five slender schooners on the water, and with them two 
 steamers; — they take their positions. They are what is 
 called the Mosquito Fleet, and each one carries heavy guns. 
 (Their position, taken this evening, is placed on the right of 
 the picture, opposite page 536). See the smoke rising from 
 them ; — how rapidly they fire. 
 
 Now, a grand scene is before us. — Seven large mortars 
 and four six-inch cohorns, smaller, but destructive, from 
 the trenches or batteries Nos. 1, 2, and 3, are at work, and 
 seven heavy guns from the musquito fleet ; while so many 
 are opening in reply from the castle and city, that we can- 
 not keep the account. But the iron storm of shot and shells, 
 bursting, plowing, and throwing up clouds of sand and dust, 
 far and near, are doing but little damage to our troops or 
 
ANSWERING FIRE OF THE AMERICANS. 517 
 
 batteries, for they are all in the long narrow trenches, under 
 the ground. 
 
 Scott has not, in his arrangements, allowed any detach- 
 ment to expose itself to the destructive fire that would so 
 quickly annihilate them. Every advance near them has 
 been made by digging at night, like moles, unseen, slow, but 
 sure. — Sec the shells from the fort in the city, nearest the 
 harbor, burst round the vessels. — Here is an officer who is 
 directly from Gen. Scott's quarters. He informs us that Gen. 
 Morales sent back a reply to Gen. Scott, refusing to surren- 
 der the city, and stating his determination to defend it to the 
 last.* 
 
 His action he has now commenced in good spirit. — The 
 scene is such that you could remain and gaze with interest 
 unabating for hours ; but night is approaching, and the au- 
 thor must return to his post. Let us descend the hill to 
 the road; — there we learn that Capt. Vinton, commanding 
 the batteries, was killed a few moments since, by one of the 
 enemy's shells. — Turning to the crowded beach, we find it 
 still busy as before, though now it is near dark. Three heavy 
 mortars are hoisted on the wagon frames, and these, with 
 the wagons containing shells, are about starting out for the 
 trenches, as they cannot now be seen in their approaches 
 
 * IlKi'LY OF GEJf. MORALES TO GEX. SCOTt's SUMMONS. 
 
 [translation.] 
 
 Vera Cruz, March 22, 1847. 
 
 The undersigned, commanding general of the free and sovereign slate of Vera 
 Cruz, has informed himself to the contents of the note which Maj. Gen. 8cott, gen- 
 eral-in-chief of the forces of the United States, has addressed to him, under date of 
 to-day, demanding the surrender of this place, and castle of Ulua ; and, in answer, 
 has to say, that the above named fortress, as well as this place, depends on his author- 
 ity, and it being the principal duty, in order to prove worthy of the confidence placed 
 in him by the government of the nation, to defend both points at all costs, to effect 
 which he counts upon the necessary elements, and will make it good to the last ; — 
 therefore, his excellency can commence his operations of war in the manner which he 
 may consider most advantageous. 
 
 The undersigned has the honor to return to the general-in-chief of the forces of the 
 United States the demonstrations of esteem he may be pleased to honor him with. 
 
 God and Liberty. 
 
 (Signed) JUAN MORALES. 
 
 To Majou General Scott, 
 
 General-in-chief of the forces of the United States, 
 situated in sight of this place. 
 
"518 SCENE FROM THE BEACH BY NIGHT. 
 
 there. — Following the beach down, as we came up, through 
 the multitude, who seem to forget that there is any such 
 thing as rest at night, we at last come to the stranded ves- 
 sels, and near them are the guard fires, made of pieces of the 
 wreck washed ashore. Will you, in imagination, stay with 
 us longer ? — If so, sit down on the sand around the fires, and 
 take with us a tin cup of hot cofljee and a piece of hard 
 bread, with a piece of fat pork. — We would ofl^er you more, 
 if we had it. 
 
 Gaze around : how wild and dai'k is the scene ; — the trou- 
 bled waves dash at our feet, and sparkle in their foam : the 
 roar of their breaking is continual. The wind is cool, coming 
 off' the water. — See how many lights are visible in the crowd- 
 ed fleet of vessels to our right, and what a number more are 
 up the beach. — Observe how singularly our camp fires light 
 the sails of this brig, that is ashore so near by us that her 
 bowsprit is almost over us. — What a ghastly flickering they 
 throw around, and illumine the rough faces of the men who 
 are seated about you. — Are we not a hard looking set, with 
 our long mustachios and longer whiskers, and rough garbs, 
 illumined by so wild a light ? — But your attention is drawn 
 away from these things, which, although strange and inter- 
 esting, cannot keep your eyes from the magnificent scene that 
 is still going on towards the castle and city. — Observe the 
 bright flashes there, as they for the instant light up the battle- 
 ments of the castle, and render the heavy volumes of smoke 
 above it luminous against the surrounding darkness. See 
 the same from the vessels : one instant by the light you per- 
 ceive the whole outline of the vessel, her masts, and spars, 
 and smoke, and then all is dark, but again illumined; above 
 the whole, describing long arcs of circles high in the air, 
 see the bomb-shells rising over and falling, shown in their 
 courses by the fuses, which twinkle like bright red stars. 
 — Observe that flash ; notice the shell thus rising ; — count 
 seconds: one, two, three, four, — it is still rising, — five, six, 
 — it takes its long sweep, — seven, — it is coming down, — 
 eight, nine, — it has fallen. — How heavily must that iron mass 
 of a hundred pounds have fallen from such a height as that. 
 But look, the flash of the explosion brings out in view, for an 
 
CONTINUATION OF BOMBARDMENT. 519 
 
 instant, the domes and spires among which it descended. — 
 Tiie report you cannot distinguish from the mingled roar of 
 the whole. Several shells, from both sides, are in the air at 
 the same moment; and, in their high sweeps, they cross each 
 other in their lines of light. — After gazing at the scene, 
 you may turn from it ; 3'et you will be drawn to look again. 
 — But the night wears away, and on the cold beach around 
 you, the soldiers, spreading their blankets, and wrapping 
 themselves up in them, seek repose, careless of the morrow's 
 fate. — This sleeping on the wet sea-beach, with the cold 
 wind upon you, and with a single blanket only, for bed and 
 covering, with the dashing waves at your feet, and the re- 
 ports of artillery to lull you, you will not choose ; and as the 
 author is obliged to take it so, and from continued exposure 
 it comes easy, too, he bids you, reader, good-night. 
 
 Saturday, March 23c?. Will you again accompany the author 
 during the day? for in the various and important events, so 
 rapidly taking place, it is difficult to keep up with them ; and 
 now, every day is an age in the life of one who sees them. 
 — From the same spot we left last night, on the beach, look 
 with him around you ; — the cannonade and bombardment 
 have kept their continual thunder for the whole night, until 
 about an hour since. The landing of shot, shells, powder, 
 cannon, and stores, has not ceased ; fatigued men have been 
 replaced by fresh ones, and all is yet going on. Another 
 vessel has arrived, during the time, with thirteen additional 
 mortars, and quantities of shells, which are landing. — Now 
 there is a quiet in the storm of war ; the scene around is 
 beautiful and grand. The castle and the city are noiseless ; 
 the little fleet, that have done such service during the night, 
 have hauled off from their position, and are resting, as it 
 were, near the heavy ships of war. The batteries are also 
 quiet. — The sun rises from his ocean bed, and his rays bright- 
 en up the magnificent stone buildings of the city and the im- 
 posing battlements of the castle ; the Mexican flag, of green, 
 red, and yellQW, floats in the morning air from the lofty staffs 
 above them; while from every mast in the crowded fleet, the 
 stars and stripes flow out in the light breeze. — The mountain 
 of Orizaba, with its lofty, snow-capped summit, is distinctly 
 
520 MUSQUITO FLEET FIRING AT THE CASTLE. 
 
 visible inland ; but this only foretells the renewal of the nor- 
 ther, notwithstanding the calmness of the scene at present. 
 — The scene is beautiful of nature's quiet, but it is soon to be 
 broken ; for, sec, the signal Hags are run up on the commo- 
 dore's ship. These are responded to by the musquito fleet, of 
 the seven small vessels ; which immediately move out, and 
 fall in a line opposite the castle, and about a mile from it. 
 — It is a dangerous position. — Look at them, as gracefully 
 they lay, each with its large flag waving above. — There goes 
 the smoke ; and again, again, and again ; the loud reports 
 reverberate along the sand hills, in the still, morning air. 
 Their shells burst in and about the castle, but that seems to 
 notice them not. — "A little puppy, barking at a bull-dog," 
 says a volunteer, seated on the sand, and with us watching 
 them. — Still they fire, and are enveloped in their smoke ; 
 now a slight wind takes that off" over the water. But look ! 
 all along the battlements of the castle, dart out sheets of 
 flame and clouds of smoke ; — around the vessels the water 
 is thrown high, in perpendicular columns of dashing spray ; 
 how thickly the balls fall near them; but the vessels are so 
 small, that, at the distance, they are hard to hit; amid the 
 terrific hail of iron that is pouring upon them, they still keep 
 up their fire. — The batteries open on the land, and throw 
 their shells into the city. The three mortars, that went out 
 last night, are added to those in operation before. The peals 
 of all are continual ; the ten-fold number of cannon along 
 the eity walls, reply in their thunders ; and in the immense 
 volumes of smoke that rise from all, and hang over and among 
 the domes, the destructive scene closes in. — But observe, one 
 of the schooners ceases her fire ; the steamer goes to her, 
 and making fast, tows her rapidly away. She is badly struck ; 
 see, her mainmast totters. — You look round, at the splendid 
 fleet of frigates and sloops of war, with the line-of-battle 
 ship, Ohio, at their head, and each with their heavy guns 
 protruding in bristling rows from their sides, and with gay 
 streamers from their tall masts, and you ask why they do 
 not go to the relief of the little vessels that are in such a 
 dangerous situation. — They know better than to do it. — The 
 castle is not now as it was when the French, by accidentally 
 
CAMP AT MALIBRAN. 521 
 
 blowing up one of its magazines, took it, when it was al- 
 ready almost dismantled. Then its powder was so poor, that 
 the shot would not go through the sides of the ships ; only 
 nineteen of its guns were in a condition to be worked, and 
 the garrison were all unprepared for an attack : but that ca- 
 tastrophe had learned them a lesson ; and having had the 
 whole summer to prepare, they have now put the impregna- 
 ble fortress in its proper state. Its guns are good, its pow- 
 der excellent, its garrison strong, and it is folly for our large 
 vessels to approach it. — See, the signal of recall is hoisted 
 on the commodore's ship, and the little flotilla haul off as 
 fast as possible ; — they have had enough, and will not try it 
 again. 
 
 As the guard of our regiment are now going up to the 
 camp, let us follow; leaving, for the present, the beach at this 
 point, and passing up through the busy crowd, to the road, 
 striking off in that to the left and winding among the bare 
 sand hills, upon which not even a bunch of grass can find 
 root ; — passing over these, and through the little valleys be- 
 tween, we come to hills of thick chapparal, through which 
 the road has been cut, and a mile and a half distance from 
 the beach, brings us out to a plain, upon which is a winding 
 lake of shallow water; at the extremity of this plain from 
 the town, directly towards which it runs, is the old, ruined 
 castle of Malibran ; and in the rear of this, we find our regi- 
 ment encamped, with some of the 2d Tennessee and Illinois 
 infantry. In a building near, are the headquarters of Gen. 
 Patterson. (A inciv of this old ruin may he seen opposite page 
 528). — We find that most of our regiment have been hard at 
 work all the night, in hauling the sixty-eight pounders, from 
 the beach, through the sand and over the hills, to a new work, 
 called the ]\aval Battery, or battery No. 5, which is erecting 
 in the chapparal on a hill, not far from the city walls ; of the 
 construction of this, the Mexicans, as yet, are not aware; it 
 will play heavily upon them, for it is to mount six guns, three 
 of them being sixty-eight, and three thirty-two pounders. — 
 The men, after their work, are stretched out in their tents 
 asleep, unmindful of the continued connonade, that is thun- 
 dering upon the air. Some few are on the old ruins, looking 
 
622 SLACKENING OF THE FIRE OF MORTAR BATTERIES. 
 
 with interest upon the smoke-enveloped city, which is before 
 them, up the plain ; though the general will not let many- 
 show themselves at a time, lest they should provoke the can- 
 non balls of the enemy, for we are directly under their fire. 
 — We find that a prisoner was taken this morning, who says, 
 that during the night our shells were most destructive within 
 the city. And now, reader, the author can accompany you 
 no farther to-day, not knowing at Avhat time the regiment, or 
 part of it, may be called upon for more active service. 
 
 — At noon, on this day, according to the indications in the 
 morning, the norther sprung up again, and blew with great 
 force ; throwing the sand in the trenches, blinding the eyes 
 of the artillerists, more than the gunpowder smoke from the 
 mortars, and impeding the operations much ; almost stopping 
 the work on the new batteries, Nos. 4 and 5. — It also raised 
 the waves in the harbor so high, and dashed them so on the 
 beach, as entirely to stop the passage of the boats, and the 
 landing of mortars, shot, and shells; and, for the want of the 
 latter, the mortars, which had thrown them so incessantly 
 into the city during the night and the forenoon, were now 
 obliged to slacken their fire. This falling oft" seemed to en- 
 courage the enemy, who, from the castle and every fort, fired 
 with renewed energy ; — for the norther was not at all incon- 
 venient to them, being at their backs, and the high build- 
 ings of the city broke its force ; neither was there any sand 
 within the walls, to trouble them ; but without, it rolled in 
 driving clouds into the trenches. — The smoke of the combat 
 now was blown off as it issued from the mouths of the can- 
 non, and all was clear above the city and castle. 
 
 As the excitement of the army, during the whole day and 
 the previous night, had been highly raised, they were now, 
 even to every soldier, fretted and displeased at the slow, lan- 
 guid manner in which our batteries were obliged to fire, for 
 the want of shells, and on account of the furious driving 
 sand ; and at the rapidity of the discharges of the enemy's 
 artiller}^ so cheered by the depression of ours. 
 
 In the mean time, the storm increased, drove many of 
 the surf-boats upon the beach, and entirely stopped the 
 busy scene there, before described; prostrated the sutlers' 
 
CITY ON FIRE AFTER NIGHT. 523 
 
 store tents, and sent all the laborers over the sand hills, for 
 shelter. — Night drew on, and still the norther continued un- 
 abated ; the castle and the forts of the city were lit up by 
 the continual discharge of tlieir artillery ; and the numerous 
 shells seemed to ride out towards us, borne on the careering 
 tempest ; while only occasionally did our opposing shells rise 
 up, and, breasting the wind, fall over from their long sweep 
 into the city. 
 
 After dark we had an alarm of an attack in the rear, as 
 we had had the night before ; and as we knew that there 
 were some two thousand lancers near by, there was much 
 bustle and preparation made to receive them ; but the alarm 
 proved false. — About nine o'clock, our shells set fire to some 
 of the buildings within the walls, and they burned with a 
 lively flame, fanned by the stormy wind, and gave out a 
 bright light, that glared on all the buildings, domes, and 
 spires above, bringing them into strong relief against the 
 dark sky beyond, and, with the lurid flashes of the artillery 
 below, presented a scene of terrific grandeur. Then the fire 
 burned down, and only black smoke arose from it, and all 
 was gloomy and dark, save the flashes of the guns. We 
 turned away from the strong blasts, in which we had been 
 standing, gazing at the grand appearance, and, chilled through, 
 sought our tents, where, thickly stowed to one another, and 
 WTapped in blankets, we became comfortable, and lay quietly 
 listening to the rushing wind and the ceaseless roar of the 
 cannon, and dozed quietly off" to sleep, when suddenly came 
 an order from Gen. Pillow, for four companies of the regi- 
 ment to march to the beach, and drag up one of the sixty- 
 eight pounders, for the naval battery. We passed down, 
 and by the long rope attached to the heavy timber wheels, 
 under which hung the w^eighty piece of artillery, we tugged 
 and pulled, and, in our endeavors, sweat and blowed with it, 
 as we passed over the sand hills up to the camp, and then on 
 to the batter}'', which, by the roundabout way wc had to go, 
 was nearly three and a half miles. It was the toughest sort 
 of M'ork ; and, as we approached the place of the battery, 
 had to be done in the stillest manner possible, to avoid discov- 
 ery ; the bushes concealed the place from the view of those in 
 
524 LABOR AT THE NAVAL BATTERY. 
 
 the city. By hard labor we got it there late in the night, and 
 it was soon hoisted upon its carriage, and stood with its four 
 companions, with their long black muzzles projecting through 
 the embrasures in the embankment, which was thickly laid 
 up of bags filled with sand ; the sides of the embrasures were 
 covered with raw hides. — One more gun was lacking, which 
 had been brought, by another detachment, as far as the camp 
 at Malibran, but as the morning approached, it was stopped 
 for the present; its carriage and plank platform, like the 
 others, were ready for it, and we regretted that it could not 
 be brought on; for by Gen. Scott's orders, not a shot was to 
 be fired from the whole battery, or the least indication of 
 its existence given to the Mexicans, until every gun was in 
 position ; for this battery, when known to them, from its ele- ■ 
 vated position would draw upon itself a heavy fire. It was 
 to be manned entirely by seamen from the navy, which had 
 furnished the guns, though detachments from the brigades of 
 generals Pillow, Shields and Quitman, had erected the battery. 
 — The naval officers and seamen were impatient for the other 
 gun ; for, without it, the battery would have to remain silent 
 during the next day ; and they had already brought the shot 
 and ammunition. — So busy and hard at work had we been 
 during the night, that we had scarcely noticed the firing, which 
 from our side had almost ceased, and from the enemy had 
 greatly slackened; nor had we perceived, till our task was 
 accomplished, that the norther had spent its strength, and 
 was now dying away. — Leaving the battery, with its five 
 guns in position, in charge of the seamen, we were dismissed 
 an hour before day, and finding our way back in the darkness 
 to Malibran, we quickly stretched ourselves in our tents, and 
 Avere soundly asleep. 
 
 Wednesday, March 24(h. The fire, which had been slack- 
 ened off" before daylight, as mentioned, was renewed by the 
 enemy with vigor, and all his batteries were served with 
 great rapidity, and shot and shell fell in showers over our 
 lines. Our own, though keeping up the fire, did so slowly, 
 for want of shells ; but every one of these fell within the city, 
 and did fearful execution, as we learned from some deserters 
 who escaped from there last night. — The naval battery being 
 
MOUNTING THE LAST GUN. 525 
 
 much needed, and the ammunition for it, as said before, be- 
 ing ready there, while that of the mortars was scarce, and the 
 only remaining gun to be mounted in it being at Malibran, 
 in front of the quarters of Gen. Patterson, Gen. Pillow, after 
 examining the road, determined to run the risk, and take 
 the gun to the battery in open day ; being urged to it, by the 
 slackening fires of the mortars, and the vigorous cannonading 
 of the enemy. This was a hazardous undertaking ; for, 
 after proceeding over the hills about three-fourths of a mile, 
 the way lay for several hundred yards, up along the side of 
 the level railroad, in view of, and directly in front of one 
 of the forts of the enemy, on the walls, the guns of which 
 could bear directly down the road, and rake it for a mile. — 
 Gen. Patterson, seeing the risk on one side, and the advan- 
 tage, if successful, on the other, simply repeated to Gen. Pil- 
 low the order of Scott, that the guns should be carried during 
 the night, and remarked to him, that if he undertook it, that 
 it would be on his own responsibility. Pillow, after noticing 
 that the battery to which he would be exposed was almost 
 constantly enveloped in smoke, from its rapid firing, and as 
 the wind had ceased, judging that such a movement as he 
 contemplated, would not be thought of, or watched for by the 
 enemy, determined to carry it into execution ; and, ordering 
 out a heavy detachment, the gun was taken over the hill 
 to the railroad. Now came the trying time ; the road was 
 level ; steep hills of chapparal were on one side of it, and 
 the railroad on the other, and immediately in front, in the 
 city wall, was the dreaded battery. — The detachment, with 
 the gun, rapidly advanced up the road; the battery contin- 
 ued discharging its cannon at the trenches on the right, and 
 still the clouds of smoke settled over it ; once or twice this 
 smoke blew away, so that it was clear for a moment ; but 
 the enemy there not dreaming of so bold a move as an 
 advance uncovered, up the railroad, paid no attention to 
 the view of it. Again the battery was enveloped, as the gun 
 advanced ; it reached the road to the right, up the hill ; turned 
 into it; was concealed by the chapparal; was undiscovered, 
 safe, and soon at the battery, to the great joy of the brave 
 naval officers and the seamen, who had given up all hope of 
 
526 OPENING OF THE NAVAL BATTERY. 
 
 opening the fire of the work until the morrow. — It was soon 
 placed in position ; the chapparal in front, on the brow of the 
 hill, was quietly cut down, and, to the astonishment of the 
 Mexicans, so elated at the slackening fire of the mortar bat- 
 teries, this opened its six pieces, with a terrific and well-di- 
 rected discharge of its heavy shot ; which, especially the sixty- 
 eights, made the stones and mortar fly from the buildings 
 and walls — they crashed through blocks at a time, and a dif- 
 ferent aspect was placed upon the day. All the Mexican 
 batteries, that could bear, immediately turned their fire 
 upon the new and destructive work ; which, now under 
 the command of Capt. Aulick, second officer of the naval 
 force, sent the heavy shot with such effect among them. — 
 This it kept up for the remainder of the day; in the after- 
 noon, under the command of Capt. Mayo. In a short time 
 after it opened, four sailors within it were killed, two badly 
 wounded, and Lieut. Baldwin slightly. The dead were taken 
 off", down to Malibran {see picture). — The battery was much 
 torn to pieces by the shot of the enemy. 
 
 The storm having now subsided, the landing of shot, shell 
 and mortars v/as resumed with spirit ; and all the afternoon 
 the beach presented the busy scene before described, and the 
 utmost efforts were made to supply the mortar batteries, 
 Nos. 1, 2 and 3, under the direction of Col. Bankhead, called 
 Worth's batteries, with shells, so much needed by them. 
 
 At eleven o'clock. A. M., our shells set fire to some build- 
 ings in the city, and dense volumes of black smoke arose on 
 the air, contrasting with the w^hite volumes from the artil- 
 lery below, along the walls, and increasing the grandeur of 
 the scene. 
 
 The Mexicans fought with great gallantry and bravery; — • 
 their artillery was served in such a way as to excite the ad- 
 miration of our officers, who universally remarked that it 
 could not possibly have been better done ; and the only rea- 
 son that their powerful fire was not more destructive among 
 us, was the most excellent arrangement of Scott, for the de- 
 fence of the men. — They tore the heavy embrasures of the 
 naval battery, at which only they could get a chance, com- 
 pletely to pieces. The fire from that battery had been di- 
 
MEXICAN FORTS. 527 
 
 rected much against a fort opposite to it, called St. Barbara, 
 — by our men called the " red fort," from the color of the 
 buildings behind it. 
 
 The Mexican flag above this fort was cut down by a ball. 
 — Our troops in the battery and trenches stopped firing for a 
 moment, and raised three cheers all along, the sound of which 
 rose above the bombardment. The Mexican officers and 
 soldiers jumped down on the outside of their fort, seized 
 their flag, and, amid the heavy balls that again flew among 
 them, held it to its place until it was lashed. — This gallant 
 act excited the astonishment of our men. 
 
 The fort to the eastward of it, or to the right as we face 
 the city from the south, called by us, from its position " the 
 railroad fort," fired most accurately. One gun, a twenty-four- 
 pounder, was known by its peculiar sharp report, and the ar- 
 tillerists so managed it, that the balls, rapidly following one 
 another, struck the naval battery, entering the embrasures, 
 and never missing farther than two or three feet. Our men 
 called it " spiteful," and named it the " spit-fire." 
 
 Another fort still farther to the east, along the walls, call- 
 ed by our troops the " white fort," was close by the " Gate of 
 Mercy," or principal entrance of the city ; (for a view of part 
 of this fort, see plate of " Gate of Mercy," opposite page 
 566). It was very active, and had not sufliered much; the 
 naval battery not having any opportunity to pay its respects 
 to it, having enough to do to answer the fire of the forts of 
 St. Barbara and the " rail road fort." A mortar was between 
 these two forts, by itself, and threw shells without intermis- 
 sion, sometimes at the trenches, sometimes at the naval bat- 
 tery, and sometimes over towards our camps at Malibran. 
 One of its shells fell directly into the narrow trenches, about 
 two o'clock, and stopped under the mouth of a mortar which 
 had just been loaded, and its heavy shell lifted into it ; in- 
 stantly exploded, wrapped the mortar in flame, ignited its 
 charge, thus sending its shell high in the air, to fall into 
 the city ; in the same instant tearing the heavy mortar, 
 which could not have weighed less than two thousand 
 pounds, from its firm timber bed, breaking the strong iron 
 clamps that confined it, and sending the wdiole into the air, 
 
528 FORCE OF EXPLODING SHELLS. 
 
 out of the trench, and forty feet back from it. — Most fortu- 
 nately, the exploding fragments of thick iron passed up, in- 
 stead of horizontally in the trenches, thus saving the lives of 
 scores of men. — Some of the small pieces mortally wounded 
 one man, and severely three others, — several slightly. Lieut. 
 Arnold— who commanded the mortar, that thus, after doing 
 its duty, by a continual fire for two days and nights, (begin- 
 ning on the afternoon of the 22d), had most unceremoniously 
 been thrown out of the trenches, — narrowly escaped with 
 his life, and was left \vithout a gun. 
 
 This was but an ordinary example of the force of an ex- 
 ploding shell, but they are much more destructive when fall- 
 ing in a confined place — such as the interior of a building. 
 What, then, must have been the elfect in the crowded city, 
 into which, though the firing last night and this day had been 
 slow, the mortars have, in these forty-eight hours, thrown over 
 two thousand of the ponderous missiles. These, from their 
 high sweeps aloft, have descended with irresistible force on 
 the stone tops of the buildings, passing through them and 
 all the floors, and exploding below ; — or else falling into the 
 streets and crowded squares, spreading death and destruc- 
 tion among soldiers and inhabitants, men, M'omen and chil- 
 dren, in one common sweep. But that is not all — for the 
 musquito fleet has thrown in over a thousand more ; — not so 
 heavy, but yet averaging sixty -two pounds each ; and most 
 destructive are they in explosion and powerful in force, in 
 their descent from their high elevations, in which they ap- 
 peared almost to touch the lower clouds. And not only 
 these, but the naval battery, this day, so far, has thrown 
 nearly three hundred sixty-eight pound and thirty-twos, 
 direct shot, which have produced a terrible efl!ect. 
 
 Yet there is not the slightest appearance of surrender or 
 slackening of the enemy's fire. — With a strong and efficient 
 garrison, a massive built city, and the best fortifications in, 
 around, and near it, on the continent of America ; with a 
 most complete and heavy armament, and the utmost abun- 
 dance of material of war — they seem determined to carry 
 out the promise of Gen. Morales, to defend the place to the 
 last ; their flags yet wave out in defiance, supported by their 
 
EFFECT OF BOMBARDMENT. 531 
 
 ceaseless artillery. — They have probably fired about five can- 
 non or mortars to our one ; or, during the two days, so far, 
 near fifteen thousand shot and shells, besides an enormous 
 number before our batteries commenced. The plain and the 
 hills are covered with balls and fragments of shells, and the 
 ground is torn, blown, and plowed up in every direction. 
 The awful, constant roar of this artillery, and the sublimity 
 of the scene, the reader can hardly imagine. 
 
 Fort Santiago, on the water's edge, is a fine work, and 
 its guns are most excellently managed. The magnificent 
 castle in the distance belches forth its thunder, and sends its 
 heavy shells over the lower part of the city, into our lines, 
 without intermission. 
 
 Now, reader, leaving this thunder of the artillery and 
 gathering volumes of smoke, to relieve our minds, let us turn 
 our attention to the more quiet scenes of camp at Malibran, 
 represented on the opposite page. — This old building that 
 you see, still strong in its ruins, was once a splendid place. 
 It was constructed more than two hundred and fifty years 
 since, by a Spanish count ; — was occupied by his descendants, 
 as a palace, for several generations ; — then went to ruins, 
 and so remains. — The walls, which surrounded the grounds, 
 are now broken ; — some of them can be seen in the picture. 
 That in the foreground, that runs around the lake, is nearly 
 entire ; it has several round holes in it, which are earthen 
 jugs set in : for, to help out in the material of building, in 
 this section, the former inhabitants set rows of jugs, each 
 filled with earth, in the walls, and plastered them around 
 with mortar and stone, and from their shape and situation, 
 they were strong and firm. Now, many of them are broken 
 into, and the sand has run out. 
 
 The water in front is part of the lake, which extends back 
 towards the city ; for, in this picture, we are supposed to 
 stand upon the wall, which ends in the water, with the city 
 behind us. — Several sentinels are standing around the build- 
 ing ; in the ruined arches of this are yet perfect stone rooms ; 
 ■ — these are the quarters of several of the officers. On the 
 top of the ruins rises a singular and large species of ivy, 
 which grows like a tree, finding no earth for its roots, which 
 
532 RUINS OF MALIBRAN. 
 
 insinuate themselves in every crevice of the stone, and run 
 up and down the sides of the ruin, within and without, cHng- 
 ing with great tenacity. — The dead and wounded are brought 
 in from the batteries, which are pealing away behind us. 
 
 On the hill, to the right, are the tents of some infantry 
 companies, while behind the building, and on the left, crow- 
 ded together, are those of our regiment, and two companies 
 of the second Tennessee. On the little hill over the tents, 
 are a number of our men looking above our heads in front, 
 at the bombardment. The top of the old ruins would be 
 crowded with these also, but Gen. Patterson has forbidden 
 the men to go up there, because they draw the shells of the 
 enemy, who are ignorant, as yet, that this is his headquar- 
 ters. These are in the building to the right, but little of 
 which can be seen. The muskets of a company are stacked 
 before it, and a sentinel is on post by them. On the left of 
 the picture is an officer, coming at full speed from the head- 
 quarters of Gen. Scott, bearing orders to Gen. Patterson. — 
 Two sailors are riding little burros that they have picked up, 
 and are exciting much sport. 
 
 In the camp, the men are variously employed : — most of 
 them are now up, having been asleep at times during the 
 day, exhausted by the hard labor of last night and the night 
 before, in the batteries. — Parties of them have been out to- 
 wards the interior; have had a skirmish with a scouting party 
 of Mexican lancers in our rear, and repulsed them, killing 
 some few, and now have returned, loaded down with fresh 
 beef that they have killed, and vegetables from the gardens 
 of the ranches around, from which the families have fled ; 
 they are engaged in cooking, and have entirely forgotten the 
 horrors of the bombardment that is raging, and are laugh- 
 ing, joking, telling tales, and enjoying themselves finely. — 
 They were just now interrupted by one of the larger shells 
 thrown from the city, which came with a loud noise, and 
 caused them to dodge about the tents in an amusing man- 
 ner ; but the falling shell burst in the lake, and the pieces 
 flew, amid the smoke and mud, with sharp, long, singing 
 sounds, far on every side, but fortunately touched no one. 
 
 Some stop and appear serious for a moment, as they look 
 
APPEARANCE OF THE DEAD. 533 
 
 at the mangled dead that lay under the arch of the buildings. 
 One had a horrible appearance, that struck them particu- 
 larly ; — he was a stout, muscular man, of perhaps forty years 
 of age. A cannon ball from that excellent gun, with keen 
 report, that has been mentioned, had entered the embrasure, 
 striking him fairly on the right breast, tearing a terrible hole 
 through him, and taking his lungs through his back. — He was 
 dead in an instant. — His countenance had an expression of 
 mortal agony upon it ; — his blear eyes gazed upward. — The 
 wound was obscured with dirt and sand ; his hands were 
 clenched, and his bloody hair streamed back. 
 
 Two, that lay immediately along side of him, however, 
 had smiles on their countenances, and one appeared to be 
 in a sleep, with pleasant dreams, if we might so express it : 
 for he was not mangled or torn. — He was neatly dressed, 
 was young, of fine form and handsome countenance. A small 
 piece of a bursting shell had entered his head, above his ear. 
 He had bled but little, and died so quickly, that the laugh 
 that he was giving utterance to, excited by an odd remark 
 of his comrade, as they were assisting to fire the heavy can- 
 non, was 3et depicted on his countenance. — That comrade, 
 too, had the same expression, as he was killed at the same 
 instant ; but he was most horribly mangled : — one piece of 
 the shell had taken off the back and side of his head ; the 
 brain was all out of the bloody skull, and sand was stuck 
 thickly within, while the long hair that covered the remain- 
 der was stiff with blood and dirt. — Another piece had struck 
 his right shoulder in front, and had torn and mangled the 
 shoulder, arm, breast, and ribs, in a hideous manner. The 
 long strips of skin, of bloody, hanging flesh, of white sinews, 
 ends of bones, and protruding vitals, with the torn clothing 
 among them, and sand within him, was revolting to the eye ; 
 and the laughing features seemed to mock the terrible, man- 
 gled expression of death. 
 
 The batteries of the enemy increased in rapidity about 
 sunset, and kept up vigorously ; and, after dark, ours began 
 to answer them more rapidly, for they had shells on hand ; 
 and, as large trains of wagons now went to them, conveying 
 part of the immense quantity that had been landed during 
 
534 FLAG OF TRUCE FROM FOREIGN CONSULS. 
 
 the day, after the cessation of the norther, there was no fear 
 of their exhausting the quantity ; and they fired freely, with 
 a continual roar. 
 
 Another fire was kindled by the explosions in the city, and 
 burnt with brilliancy ; in and around the flame, our bombs 
 came down from the long sweeps, in which their courses 
 had been traced by the twinkling fuses, and brilliantly, with 
 sullen roar, exploded in the midst. 
 
 At nine o'clock, P. M., the fire of the forts and batteries 
 of the enemy had slackened, and shortly after ceased ; and 
 a sally of the garrison being expected, more troops were 
 thrown into the trenches ; — but the cessation proved to be 
 from another cause : — four foreign merchants came out with 
 a flag of truce from the foreign consuls in the city to Gen. 
 Scott, requesting a truce and suspension of firing, to enable 
 the subjects of the powers of England, France, Spain, and 
 Prussia, to leave the city with their families, &c. ; — the city 
 was becoming too hot for them ; and their opinion was alter- 
 ing with respect to the efiiciency of the bombardment. — We 
 now heard definitely of the terrible destruction within the 
 walls. 
 
 No answer was returned this evening by Gen. Scott to this 
 application, but every arrangement was made for carrying 
 on the bombardment. Large quantities of shot and shells 
 were landed from the fleet during the night, and the wagons 
 were engaged during the same time in taking them to the 
 batteries. Detachments of our regiment, and others, were 
 occupied nearly the whole night, in repairing the damage 
 done to the naval battery during the day, and in mounting 
 the guns at a new battery. No. 4, which was between No. 5 
 and the mortars. These guns, two sixty-eights, Paixans, 
 and four twenty-fours, were all got ready, and amply sup- 
 plied with ammunition ; and, at a late hour, the men detailed 
 to work, after having filled and placed up two thousand bags 
 of sand, returned to camp, and threw themselves down to 
 sleep. 
 
 Thursday, March 26th. Early this morning Gen. Scott sent 
 back his answer to the communication of the consuls of 
 England, France, Spain and Prussia, which he received last 
 
ANSWER OF GEN. SCOTT. 535 
 
 night.* As this was a decided refusal to their request, no 
 delay was made in the progress of the bombardment. The 
 fire had slackened off during the night on both sides ; but di- 
 rectly after daylight, Gen. Worth's batteries, 1, 2, and 3, 
 mortars and cohorns, (smaller mortars), commenced the fire 
 with great rapidity, having now plenty of ammunition and 
 shells. The new battery, No. 4, finished last night, opened 
 in fine style, and fired most rapidly, while the naval bat- 
 tery, thoroughly re-fitted, was not behind, in pouring its 
 heavy shot with the others, upon the devoted city. Already 
 had great distress arisen within the walls. — Those who were 
 at work in the darkness, on the naval battery, spoke, this 
 morning, of the continual shrieking and wailing that rose 
 from the city, on the stillness of the night, after the firing 
 had ceased ; but now that distress rapidly accumulated : for 
 three shells to one, and double the shot, were going in, — 
 
 • answeb of gen. scott to the foheigk consuls. 
 
 Headquarters of the Army of the United States, > 
 Camp Washington,before Vera Cruz, March 25th, 1847. J 
 
 The undersigned, Major General Scott, &c., &c., had the honor to receive (late last 
 night) the memorial signed by the consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain, and P*rus- 
 sia, in the city of Vera Cruz, requesting that the undersigned would grant a truce 
 sufficient to enable the consuls and the subjects of those powers, together with Mexi- 
 can women and children, to leave that city, now under a close siege and blockade. 
 
 The undersigned deeply regrets the lateness of this application, for up to the 22d 
 instant, the communication between the neutrals in Vera Cruz and the neutral ships 
 of war, lying off Sacrificios, was left open, mainly to allow the neutrals an opportu- 
 nity to escape the horrors of the impending siege, of which the undersigned gave to 
 the consuls every admonition in his power. 
 
 In respect to a truce, it must be evident, on reflection, that the undersigned cannot 
 grant one, except on the application of the governor or commander-in-chief of Vera 
 Cruz, accompanied by a distinct proposition of surrender. In the meantime, the siege 
 will go on with increased means and rigor. 
 
 That the unavoidable distress of the women and children in the besieged place had 
 deeply engaged the sympathies of the undersigned, before one shot or shell had been 
 fired by him in that direction, he begs to refer to the accompanying copy of his sum- 
 mons, addressed the 22d instant, to his excellency the governor and commander-in- 
 chief of Vera Cruz. His excellency chose to consider the castle of San Juan de Ulua, 
 as well as Vera Cruz, to be included in that summons, and expressed his confidence 
 in his ability to make a successful defence of both. 
 
 The undersigned has the honor to tender to the consuls of Great Britain, France, 
 Spain, and Prussia, the assurance of his high respect and consideration. 
 
 (Signed) WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 To Messrs. Gifford, Gloux, Escalente, and D'Oleive, &c., «Scc., Vera Cruz. 
 
636 INCREASED VIGOR OF BOMBARDMENT. 
 
 Ten large mortars, six smaller ones, six sixty-eight pound 
 cannon, three thirty-twos, and four twenty-fours, were served 
 in the most rapid and efficient manner. 
 
 All the Mexican forts redoubled their energies, and from 
 castle and city shot and shells were thrown in immense 
 quantities. The scene became intensely interesting. — The 
 air was filled with missiles ; the roar of so much ordnance 
 in operation was deafening, nor was there the slightest in- 
 termission. 
 
 On this morning fatigue parties were set to cutting brush 
 and making fascines, or bundles, with which to fill the ditch- 
 es, in the final storming of the forts and city, with which 
 Gen. Scott intended to close up the combat, if the city 
 surrendered not. — All that were off duty crowded upon the 
 sand hills, far and near, to view the scene, such as they had 
 never before witnessed. — The day was warm and pleasant, 
 and the air clear. — To get a good view, the author, with sev- 
 eral others, proceeded towards the beach, turned to the left 
 among the sand hills before he reached that ; crossed several 
 of these, and stopped on the top of one from which the best 
 view could be obtained of the whole scene ; and there was 
 sketched the picture seen on the opposite page. 
 
 Imagine yourself, reader, on this hill at this time, and the 
 whole, though in the distance, and partly obscured by smoke, 
 before you : but you can see enough of it : you are east of 
 the city, and about a mile from it. — The lines showing the 
 course of the shells art imaginary : for, in the day time, the 
 shells themselves could not be seen, and in the night, could 
 only be perceived by the twinkling of their fuses. You see, 
 over the letters H and I, the steamer Vixen, and one of the 
 small schooners of the musquito fleet, in the position they 
 occupied on the afternoon of the 22d, when the bombard- 
 ment commenced ; the other steamer, and four schooners, 
 are still farther to the right. — You observe (over G) the wa- 
 ter battery of the castle ; and, on the left of that, the castle 
 itself, over F; in the distance, a vessel is out far beyond it. 
 She is going around to Gen. Twiggs' position, which is out 
 of view to the left of the picture ; — the water there comes 
 round in a bay, and this vessel, to get to them with provi- 
 
VIEW OF THE SCENE. 539 
 
 Bions, &c., is forced to go far off, to avoid the guns of the 
 castle. 
 
 On the left extremity of the castle is the light house, which 
 is high ; — on the opposite quarter is an upper building : — the 
 flag-staff rises there, with the Mexican flag upon it. You 
 observe that the fire of shells is kept up from the main castle, 
 and from the water battery also. — The strength of the whole 
 has been alluded to. 
 
 There is a shallow bank or reef of coral rock, which makes 
 out from the right of the water battery some distance, called 
 the Gallega shoal ; this prevents vessels from approaching it 
 in that direction. — The vessel that you perceive, is beyond 
 the extent of that. The castle is about one thousand yards 
 from the city. — The water that you notice between them, 
 is deep enough for the largest men-of-war; and, in times of 
 peace, the whole space is filled up with vessels. 
 
 To the left of the castle, and nearer to you, at the south- 
 eastern corner of the city, over E, you see the fort of San- 
 tiago, with a flag above it ; — this is strong, and the guns of 
 it are now busy. To the left of that is another flag, at the 
 custom house. To the left of this, over D, and nearer to us, 
 is the commencement or eastern extremity of the trenches ; 
 and over C is the cemetery, with its chapel in the centre. 
 
 Gen. Worth's mortar batteries, Nos. 1, 2 and 3, are in the 
 trenches, which run parallel with, and close to the w^alls of 
 the cemetery, beyond them. The volumes of smoke arising 
 from these obscure the city. To the left of this is the smoke 
 of the new battery, No. 4, which has been mentioned as fin- 
 ished last night. Farther to the left, over A, is the naval 
 battery, sending out its peals and volumes. Over B is the 
 Mexican fort of St. Barbara; over No. 4 is the "railroad 
 fort ; " — the " white fort" is near the tall spire in the centre 
 of the view. 
 
 To the left of the picture, between you and the naval bat- 
 tery, is part of the plain upon which the surrender of the 
 Mexican arms afterwards took place, and at the lower part 
 of this is the lake spoken of. In the foreground, you wit- 
 ness a detachment of infantry, going to the batteries. — ■ 
 You observe the hills of sand, some of which are bare, and 
 
540 VIEW OF BOMBARDMENT. 
 
 some covered with chapparal. — Many of the men, that are 
 off duty, are standing on the sand hills, gazing at the scene, 
 while the castle has honored them with the presenta- 
 tion of a thirteen inch bomb-shell, which has fallen on the 
 little plain before you, close to that group of men, who 
 were going to join their comrades on the hill, but who are 
 now running away from the shell which has come among 
 them ; one is endeavoring to scramble up the steep side of 
 the opposite sand hill. — You perceive no troops, save those 
 going to the trenches ; for these in the latter, and in the bat- 
 teries, are all concealed from your view. 
 
 You can obtain a more correct and definite idea from this 
 engraving, of the position and appearance of Vera Cruz at 
 this time, than you could from a dozen pages of description ; 
 and from this same hill can also have a definite point in your 
 mind, from which to judge of the position of the camp and 
 fleet, not laid down in the picture : for, as you stand upon 
 this hill and face the city, the sea is to your right hand, and 
 the island of Sacrificios, the busy beach, and the fleet of 
 ships laying off from it, is also to your right, as it were over 
 your shoulder, — partly behind you. Directly in your rear, 
 among the hills, are the camps of Gen. Worth's division, 
 and Gen. Scott's headquarters. Behind you yet, and over 
 your left shoulder, are the numerous valleys, in which are 
 encamped the division of Gen. Patterson, or the brigades of 
 generals Shields, Pillow, and Quitman ; — these go far off to 
 the left ; and beyond them, and on the left of the city also, 
 is the camp of the division of Gen. Twiggs, extending to the 
 water's edge, at a little place called Vergai-a. 
 
 On the beach, between you and fort Santiago, over the hill 
 between E and F, is a small point, concealed from your 
 view, called Punta de Hoj-nos ; and is the place where, after- 
 wards, the capitulation was signed by the American and 
 Mexican commissioners. — Now, reader, you have a correct 
 idea of the situation of the city, castle, trenches, cemetery, 
 batteries, fleet, beach, positions of troops, &c., &c. 
 
 The unabated fire of the batteries and mortars, and the 
 forts and castle, continued for the whole day, and the scene 
 was terrific ; — no change took place until 3, P. M. Many 
 
ATTACK UPOIS COL. HARNEY. 541 
 
 were killed and many wounded in the trenches; — and among 
 them, Midshipman Shubrick was instantly killed in the naval 
 battery, by a round shot ; — within the city the destruction 
 was most terrible. 
 
 At that hour, an alarm was raised of an attack in the 
 rear, by a large body of Mexican lancers, who repulsed Col. 
 Harney, with his dragoons, and one company of our regi- 
 ment of cavalry, Capt. Caswell, who had attacked them ; and 
 that officer, in command, now sent in to Gen. Scott for rein- 
 forcements and artillery, stating the force of the enemy to be 
 two thousand men, with two cannon. Gen. Pillow was or- 
 dered to detach a force from his brigade, which was imme- 
 diately done, by sending four companies of the first Tennes- 
 see infantry, under Col. Campbell, four of the second Ten- 
 nessee, under Col. Haskel, and four companies of our own, 
 dismounted cavalry, and two pieces of artillery, under Lieut. 
 Judd. 
 
 And now, reader, as the author has to go with his com- 
 pany, he will leave you for the present, to witness the bom- 
 bardment, by which the city is suffering every moment, in a 
 terrible manner, remarking only, that the foreign consuls, 
 that so treated with contempt the previous warnings of Gen. 
 Scott,* and chose to remain in the city and take their chance, 
 and who sent the flag of truce last night, are now in a most 
 uneasy position, and are endeavoring to induce Gen. Mo- 
 
 * COPT OF SAFEGUARD. 
 
 Gen. Scott, a week before the bombardment commenced, sent to each of the con- 
 suls a " safeguard," as, in such cases, is authorized by the articles of war. The copy 
 of one of these safeguards is here given : — 
 
 " Whosoever belonging to the Armies of the United States, employed in foreign 
 parts, shall force a safeguard, shall suffer death." — 55th Article of War. 
 
 Safeguard. — By authority of Major General Scott, General-in-Chief of the armies 
 of the United States, the person, the family, and the property of the French Consul, 
 residing in Vera Cruz, his house, and its contents, are placed under the safeguard of 
 the army of the United States. To offer any violence or injury to them is expressly 
 forbidden ; on the contrary, it is ordered that safety and protection be given to him 
 and them in case of need. 
 
 Done at the headquarters of the army of the United States, this 13th day of 
 
 March, 1847. 
 
 WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 By command of Major General Scott. 
 H. L. Scott, A. A. A. G. 
 
542 EFFECT OF THE FIRE UPON THE ENEMY. 
 
 rales to surrender the place, sending him, this evening, the 
 answer they received this morning from Gen. Scott, accom- 
 panied by the communication given in the note below.* 
 
 We had an exciting and quite interesting fight this after- 
 noon. — In the morning. Col. Harney, with the dragoons 
 under Capt. Thornton, and Capt. Caswell's company of our 
 regiment, under the immediate command of Major Sumner, 
 was ordered by Gen. Scott to the southward, it being re- 
 ported that a large force of the enemy were near us. The 
 gallant colonel and his command fell in with the enemy at 
 a stone bridge over a lagoon, called Puente de Moreno, and a 
 fight ensued ; but as the force of the enemy was large, and 
 their position too strong for him, reinforcements were sent 
 for. We marched out at a quick pace, partly across chappa- 
 ral hills, and then across small prairies, about nine miles, and 
 went immediately into action, up and down the bank of the 
 lagoon in the chapparal, and commenced firing at the bridge. 
 
 The dragoons were drawn up in the rear. The firing be- 
 came very sharp ; but, from the thick chapparal, together with 
 the smoke, concealing our men, was not ver}' effective upon 
 us ; but the balls cut the twigs and branches over and among 
 us at a great rate, whistling loudly. The artillery fired grape 
 shot at the fortifications that the enemy had thrown across 
 
 * ADDRESS OF THE FOREIGS CONSULS TO GEN. MORALES. 
 
 The undersigned, Consuls of the different foreign powers near the Mexican go- 
 vernment, have the honor to address the general commanding the state of Vera Cruz, 
 a copy of the reply which they have received from Gen. Scott, commanding in chief 
 the army of the United States of the North, to the request which they made to him 
 for a truce, to permit their respective countrymen, as well as the Mexican women and 
 children, to leave the city of Vera Cruz. 
 
 More and more afflicted by the disasters which this place has suffered during three 
 days of bombardment, and desiring to accomplish, to the end, the duties of humanity 
 imposed on them by the mission which they have received from their governments, 
 and by their own personal feelings, they beseech Gen. Morales to have the goodness 
 to interpose to Gen. Scott his support to a request so reasonable as theirs. 
 
 They have the honor to renew to His Excellency the Commandant, Gen. Morales, 
 the assurances of their respectful consideration. 
 
 (Signed) T. GIFFORD, Consul of Her Brilannic Majesty. 
 
 A. GLOUX, Consul of France. 
 F. G. DE ESC AL ANTE, Consul of Spain. 
 HENRY D'OLEIVE, Consul of His Majesty 
 th^ King of Prussia. 
 
BATTLE OF MADELINE BRIDGE. 543 
 
 the bridge, and after some twelve or fifteen rounds, knocked 
 it down, and the order was given to charge ; and then, with 
 a wild yell, that resounded far and near, we rushed towards 
 the bridge in an irregular manner, the men of the three regi- 
 ments becoming all mingled together. 
 
 The enemy retreated, run, broke, vamosed, — the lancers 
 going at full speed up the road, and the infantry taking the 
 thick chapparal in every direction. Some were overtaken 
 and killed ; and we pushed on in a trot after the main body 
 of lancers. The dragoons being brought up by Capt. Thorn- 
 ton, passed by, overtook them, and killed many more. 
 
 After four miles' chase, we were halted by Gen. Patterson, 
 who seemed to be in his right element, and extremely pleased 
 with the spirit and conduct of the troops. He took off his 
 hat, as he rode by us, after the pursuit was done, and, car- 
 ried away by his enthusiasm, raised himself in his stirrups, 
 and, as he swung his hat around, called out, " Hurrah for 
 Tennessee ! ^^ which compliment, of manner and expression, 
 from him, who commonly was so stern and silent, was im- 
 mediately responded to, with ihree loud cheers for Gen. Pat- 
 terson. — He rode along, with an approving remark to each 
 company as he passed it. 
 
 It was nearly dark when we commenced the return to the 
 camp before Vera Cruz, about thirteen miles distant. The 
 ranchos on the road, near the battle-ground, were all desert- 
 ed. — The men took from them the chairs, blankets, &c., and, 
 as the inhabitants were hostile, fired the buildings, as they 
 returned. — The dead were brought in across horses, and the 
 wounded on litters.* — We had lost but few, and killed some 
 fifty or sixty of the Mexicans, — would have killed more, had 
 
 • KILLED AND WOUNDED AT MADELINE BRIDGE. 
 
 Killed — James H. Nicholson, corporal of company F, in action at Puente de Mo- 
 reno, March 25th ; Hopkins, private, company H, 3d artillery, same place and 
 
 time. 
 
 Wounded — Lewis Neill, 3d lieutenant, adjutant; Joseph Marshall, private, com- 
 pany B ; Jones, do., 2d dragoons, severely ; Hugh Gavin, private, Capt. Cheat- 
 ham's 1st Tennessee, slightly; M. Foy, W. Ailes, privates, company A ; D. Vann, 
 do., company C ; G. Woodly, do., company H, 2d Tennessee, slightly ; Thomas 
 Young, guide, slightly ; W. T. Gillespie, company B, Lewis Geisele, company C, 
 John Smith, company K, privates, 2d dragoons, slightly. 
 
644 EFFECTS OF THE BOMBARDMENT. 
 
 they fought longer; but they had enough, and could not 
 stand the wild charge. 
 
 Thus ended the spirited little battle of "Madeline Bridge," 
 as it is called, or of Puenic dc Moreno ; and here we are back, 
 in fine spirits, but exceedingly exhausted. It was nearly 
 midnight when we reached the camp. We found our bat- 
 teries firing slowly, while those of the enemy were all silent. 
 And so, reader, as we are about to throw ourselves down to 
 sleep, we bid you good night. 
 
 Friday, March 2Qth. At two o'clock this morning, the bat- 
 teries re-commenced upon the city ; but only a few guns 
 were fired from the enemy in reply to the numerous shells 
 that rose, passed over, and fell within, more rapidly than be- 
 fore, several new mortars having been added to those in op- 
 eration yesterday. 
 
 Another norther came down upon us, immediately after 
 the firing commenced. This gale blew with more violence 
 than any which had preceded it. — It whistled across the hills 
 and plains, deadening the noise of the mortars. — As soon as 
 it was light, the fatigue parties were again set to work, ma- 
 king fascines and scaling-ladders for the final assault; — but, 
 directly after sunrise, a flag of truce came from the city gates. 
 The order to cease firing was sent to the batteries, by Gen. 
 Scott. 
 
 We now found, what we were confident of yesterday, that 
 the bombardment had been productive of the utmost deso- 
 lation within the walls, tearing the buildings to pieces, and 
 sweeping hundreds, — soldiers, citizens, women and children, 
 — into a common grave. — We learned that the destructive 
 effects, sometimes of a single shell, had been tremendous : — 
 that one had fallen, crashing through the stone side of a 
 building, and exploded within, where a meeting of the citi- 
 zens was being held, and killed and wounded scores of them 
 in one bloody pile. — That the distresses of the citizens and 
 private families could not be described ; — that whole families 
 had perished by a single shell, that, in the same instant, by 
 its explosion, had tumbled in the floors, roofs, stone and mor- 
 tar, of their shattered mansions, upon their mangled bodies. 
 — That there was safety nowhere ; — that the heavy stone 
 
FLACx OF TRUCE. 545 
 
 roofs, SO much relied upon, were futile in defence : for the 
 ponderous shells, from their height, had burst down through, 
 crashing to the ground ; — that they had torn up the pave- 
 ments, sending stone and iron in destructive showers through 
 the streets. — That the churches were not safe ; — that the 
 altars of these, around which the frightened M^omen had col- 
 lected to pray for deliverance, had, in some instances, been 
 the places where they were torn and mangled by the shells, 
 that, loaded with destruction, crashed through the roofs.— That 
 the round shot were terrific in effect, but the shells, from 
 their falling in every part of the thickly crowded city, were 
 far more so.— That last evening, so terrible had become their 
 situation, the citizens united with the foreign consuls in ap- 
 plication to Gen. Morales, and the soldiers to the same added 
 their requests, being unable to stand longer against the mur- 
 derous fire. — That, driven to desperation, part of the garrison 
 formed in the night, on the outside of the city walls, to at- 
 tack the batteries that were so destructive to them ; but not 
 enough, to be successful, could be induced to join it, as they 
 were well aware that the trenches were strongly defended, 
 though the men therein could not be seen. 
 
 Gen. Morales, not wishing to surrender, and to save his 
 word, under color of sickness, resigned his command during 
 the night, and thus devolved it upon the next officer. Gen. 
 Jose Juan de Landero, who, at this earl}^ hour, hastened, by 
 a flag of truce, to stop the horrors that were recommencing. 
 — By this flag he sent the letter seen in the note below.* 
 
 * GEX. LANDERO TO GEN. SCOTT. 
 
 I have the honor of transmitting to Your Excellency, the exposition which has this 
 moment been made to me by the Srs. Consuls of England, France, Spain and Prus- 
 sia, in which they sohcit that hostiUlies may be suspended while the innocent 
 famihes in this place, who are suffering the ravages of war, be enabled to leave the 
 city, which solicitation claims my support ; and considering it in accordance with the 
 rights of afflicted humanity, I have not hesitated to invite Your Excellency to enter 
 into an honorable accommodation with the garrison, in which case, you will please 
 name three commissioners, who may meet at some intermediate point to treat with 
 those of this place upon the terms of the accommodation. 
 
 With this notice, I renew to Your Excellency's attentive consideration, 
 
 God guard Your Excellency, &c., 
 On account of the sickness of the commanding general, 
 
 [Signed by] JOSE JUAN DE LANDERO 
 
 35 
 
546 APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 The batteries remained silent, but everything was in pre- 
 paration for a renewal of the fire. — The storm was now ra- 
 ging with the utmost fury, and many of the vessels in the 
 fleet at Sacrificios were unable to hold to their anchors; and 
 as their chains parted, they went ashore on the beach. — 
 Twenty-seven ships, brigs and schooners were thus ashore 
 before night, with the waves dashing over them. This wind 
 blew with such a hurricane force that no boat could float in 
 the tremendous surf; — even the line of battle ship, Ohio, that 
 lay proudly moored at the head of the fleet, was forced to 
 send down all her upper masts and yards, and she ap- 
 peared almost dismantled. — In consequence of this violent 
 gale, the commander-in-chief found it impossible to commu- 
 nicate with the commodore of the naval forces, as he wished 
 to do upon this application of Gen. Landero ; and, after wait- 
 ing some hours, he appointed his commissioners, and sent to 
 the Mexican general the answer seen in note.* The time 
 
 * GEN. Scott's replt to gen. lANDEno. 
 
 Headquaktebs of the Aemy of the United States op Amekica, ) 
 Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz, Marck'26, 1847. J 
 
 The undersigned, Major General Scott, General-in-Chief of the Armies of the 
 United States of America, has had the honor to receive a communication on the part 
 of His Excellency the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Vera Cruz, signed by 
 the Senor General Landero, in vphich it is proposed to the undersigned, that he [the 
 undersigned] should appoint three commissioners to meet an equal number to be ap- 
 pointed on the part of the city of Vera Cruz, to treat of the surrender of that city 
 and its dependencies, on terms honorable to the garrison of the same. 
 
 The undersigned, not doubting that the proposition was made in good faith, has 
 promptly given orders to all his batteries to suspend their fire upon the city of Vera 
 Cruz, which cessation of fire will be continued, unless after a delay of thirty minutes, 
 any Mexican battery shall continue or renew its fire upon the batteries or the lines of 
 the army before Vera Cruz. 
 
 The undersigned hastens to name, on the part of the United States of America, 
 three commissioners — generals Worth and Pillow, and Col. Totten, Chief Engineer, 
 all of the said army — to meet an equal number of commissioners to be appointed by 
 competent authority, to treat of the surrender of the city of Vera Cruz and its de- 
 pendencies, on terms honorable to the garrison. And the three commissioners named 
 above will, in that delay, repair, under a flagof truce, to Puntade Homos, there to 
 await the arrival of the corresponding commissioners on the part of Vera Cruz. 
 
 It is expected by the undersigned that the commissioners will proceed, at once, to 
 treat of the business jointly submitted to them, without unnecessary interruptions, and 
 that the negociation will be concluded early in the present day. 
 
 The undersigned has the honor to tender to the Senor Gen. Landero the assuran- 
 ces of his high consideration and respect. 
 
 [Signed] WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
MEETING OF COMMISSIONERS. 547 
 
 for a reply was restricted to thirty minutes. — Now was there 
 the utmost curiosity in every regiment and company, to know 
 what was going on ; and even at every tent, the only subject 
 of inquiry or remark was concerning the passing flags of 
 truce, and present events. 
 
 Generals Worth and Pillow, and Col. Totten, proceeded 
 up the beach to the buildings at the point Punta de Hornos, 
 under the guns of fort Santiago. In a short time, three 
 Mexican officers, with another white flag, issued from the 
 lofty arched gateways of that fortress, and approached the 
 same spot. Many polite salutations now passed, as though 
 the parties had been most intimate friends for their whole 
 lives, and only lived to be agreeable to each other. — The 
 Mexican officers brought out Gen. Landero's reply to Gen. 
 Scott, which is placed below.* 
 
 The preparation for the assault still went on. The land- 
 ing and transportation of shells, shot and powder, was stop- 
 ped on account of the norther, which drove the waves in fu- 
 rious breakers over nearly the entire beach ; and, so sudden 
 and strong was its effect, that immense quantities of stores 
 were overflowed and spoiled. — In camp, we crowded in our 
 firmly pinned tents, to avoid the cold wind ; and thus the re- 
 mainder of the day passed. — The commissioners returned at 
 evening, not having come to any agreement, save to meet 
 again in the morning. 
 
 Saturday, March 21th. This was a lovely morning : — the 
 norther had ceased, and the sun shone pleasantly. Every- 
 thing was quiet in the city, batteries, and camp. — The com- 
 missioners met again at Punta de Hornos, and the entire day 
 
 * GEX. XANDEIIO TO GEN. SCOTT. 
 
 Vera Cruz, March 26th, 1847. 
 In virtue of your Excellency's having accepted the proposition for an accommoda- 
 tion, which I made in a dispatch of this date, and in conformity with a reply which I 
 have just received, 1 have the honor to inform you that I have named, on my part, 
 Colonels Don Jose Gutierrez Villanueva, Don Pedro Miguel Herrera, and Lieutenant 
 Colonel of Engineers, Don Manuel Robles — to whom I have committed competent 
 powers to arrange the said accommodation, having the honor to add herewith a copy 
 of said powers. 
 
 I renew to your Excellency the assurances of my high consideration. 
 God and Liberty. 
 
 [Signed] JOSE JUAN DE LANDERO. 
 
548 APPEARANCE OF THE CEMETERY. 
 
 was spent in their deliberations. — Let us, therefore, reader, 
 take a look into the trenches — pursuing our walk from the 
 sand hill, in the foreground of the picture, across the hills and 
 valleys towards the cemetery, or campo santo, as the Mexicans 
 term it. — As we pass over the hills, and come near, you are 
 astonished in seeing how the ground is torn up by cannon 
 shot and bomb-shells : the large balls lay thickly scattered 
 around. — Many holes, each of size sufficient to bury a horse, 
 are blown out, by the explosion of the shells that there de- 
 scended. Large and small fragments of these shells are scat- 
 tered everywhere about. The Mexicans have thrown shot 
 and shells enough to kill a hundred thousand men ; and yet, 
 so skillfully have our movements been directed by the gener- 
 alship of Scott, that our loss is very small. — We approach the 
 cemetery — pass around the left hand corner, and enter the in- 
 closure through the lofty arched gateway. — On going in, we 
 are struck with the appearance of destruction there exhibited : 
 the walks and the graves are torn up, and skulls and bones 
 are scattered around, by the numberless shells thrown here 
 from the city and castle; the enemy thinking that part of 
 our force was within it. The walls of brick, plastered over 
 within and without, are riddled with so many large holes, 
 that it was useless to attempt to count them ; and the brick 
 and mortar from these, had been driven over the whole 
 ground. — Here is an entire shell, whose fuse did not ignite 
 the charge ; — it is in the ground, and you see but little of it. — 
 The chapel, which is in the centre of the cemetery, is about 
 forty feet square, with a brick dome, also plastered. You see 
 this chapel in the picture. — Around the building is a wide, 
 raised platform, of chequered marble, enclosed by a light bal- 
 ustrade of masonry, which is mostly torn to pieces ; the mar- 
 ble slabs are broken and thrown up by the shells. — Within 
 the chapel we observe a fine sculptured structure of white 
 marble ; it is broken, and covered with the mortar and pieces 
 of brick that have fallen from the dome above, and the sides 
 of the house, as the cannon shot have coursed through it 
 again and again. The large door of the chapel, towards the 
 city, has over a dozen cannon shot holes in it. — The marble 
 Jfloor is covered with rubbish ; and the wardrobes for the fu- 
 
SEPULCHRES OF THE DEAD BLOWN OPEN. 549 
 
 neral trappings and dresses for the priests, are splintered into 
 thousands of fragments. — The eastern wall of the cemetery, 
 or the right hand one seen in the picture, is of such thickness 
 as to be divided into four rows of cells like ovens, above each 
 other, on the same plan as is adopted in New Orleans. — In 
 these cells are the bodies of the more wealthy placed. — You 
 observe that the cannon shot, coming slanting from the city, 
 have opened the ends of many of these, and left the corpses 
 and skeletons exposed. It is not a pleasant sight to view 
 them. — You perceive that they were buried in their or- 
 dinary clothing. — Do you notice that pair of feet, with 
 boots on, sticking nearly out of the hole made by a cannon 
 ball that ranged along, opening a dozen or more of these 
 sepulchres? — Many of the soldiers are peeping about in the 
 cemetery, and looking into these cells ; but the sight of death, 
 or his mementos, are nothing to them : — hardened, careless, 
 and indifferent by habit, the appearance of dead men pro- 
 duces no more effect than that of so many dead animals. — - 
 Hear that dare-devil, humorous looking volunteer, as he calls 
 out to another : " I say. Bill, don't you believe these chaps 
 thought the resurrection day had come, when that 'ere can- 
 non ball raked open their holes ? D-n-d if I don't think 
 they were getting ready to sing, ' Hark ! from the tombs.'" 
 So little is human life valued by the older soldiers, that no 
 one is affected by these sights. — Some, of the new regiments 
 that have just come out, walk round, and appear serious ; but 
 they, too, will be equally careless after a while. — But let us 
 look at the marble slabs that close the vaults which have not 
 thus been rudely broken into. We see that many of them 
 are finel}'' sculptured. Observe this one, of black marble, 
 on which Life is represented as a fragile vase of beautiful 
 flowers — Death as a wolf, who jumps upon it ; and it is fall- 
 ing over, to be crushed under his tread. 
 
 Having seen enough of the interior of the campo santo, let 
 us go out by the gate by which we entered, and a few steps 
 bring us to the farther wall, under which run the trenches. — • 
 Here are piles of balls and shells lying on the edge of them , 
 and near are several small brass cohorn mortars, which have 
 the English crown upon them, and the letters G. R. — Geor- 
 
550 SCENES IN THE TRENCHES. 
 
 gius Rex (King George). These were taken at the surrender 
 of Burgoyne, during the revolutionary war, and are yet good 
 as ever ; and, after being used in the last war, against their 
 former masters, are sent here to fight Mexicans with. — Look 
 into the trench : it is six or seven feet wide — eight or nine 
 where the mortars are placed. You perceive the embank- 
 ment is thrown towards the city ; and, in the deep trench 
 thus sheltered, you do not wonder that the troops have been 
 so secure. Look along in it : — you see it full of infantry, 
 seated, patiently awaiting the issue of the negotiations for 
 a surrender. You observe the numerous black mortars on 
 their beds, ranged along, with the match-rope slowly burn- 
 ing by each : and piles of loaded shells arc near ; while the 
 artillerists are leaning on the destructive pieces, chatting and 
 laughing, ready, at any moment, again to send the ponder- 
 ous missiles into the city. — Let ue go down into the trench : 
 it is quite a jump ; and now we are in among the crowded 
 men. — Look at this mortar before us, which, firmly placed in 
 its bed, is on a platform laid down for its support ; its muz- 
 zle slants upward. Take out the wooden mouth-piece, and 
 you see the shell lying in there : it is heavy, and required 
 two men to lift it in. You perceive that four small wedges 
 are placed around it, so that it does not press tight to the 
 interior of the mortar ; for, if it did, the fuse, which is on the 
 upper side, would not catch as it went out ; but the wedges 
 causing a small space to be left, the flame from the charge 
 wraps around the shell as it is sent out, and fires the fuse, 
 Mdiich burns as it goes. — You observe that the fuse plug is 
 of wood, large enough to fill the hole in the shell, being about 
 an inch and. a half thick at the larger end, and tapering to an 
 inch; being, when whole, about nine inches long ; it has a 
 simall hole drilled lengthwise through it. — This hole is filled 
 with the fuse combustible, which is black and hard — appear- 
 ing something like the lead in a pencil ; and is about as large 
 as a common pencil itself. The tapering plugs are marked 
 into inches and tenths, so that they may be accurately sawed 
 off" to the length they are required to burn. If the shells are 
 to go but a short distance, a small quantity of powder is put 
 into the mortar, and the fuse is cut oft' in proportion ; so, for 
 
SCENES IN THE TRENCHES. 551 
 
 a greater distance more powder is added, and the fuse is left 
 longer. So well have our artillerists done this, that of the 
 thousands of shells* they have thrown into the citj^, very 
 few have burst before they had crashed through the build- 
 ings ; and almost every one, then, has immediately exploded. 
 — Let us pass to the mouth of this magazine near, which is 
 a deep hole in the trench, covered with "a slanting double 
 roof of plank and timber, upon which are three tiers of large 
 bags, filled with earth or sand, to protect it from the bombs 
 of the enemy. Near the magazine door, in which set the 
 powder-men, are a number of shells, loaded, with their fuses 
 driven in them. These men inform us that they filled every 
 shell with three pounds of first-rate powder, and that the 
 mortars were at first loaded with two and a half pounds, to 
 send the shells to the walls ; then two and three-quarters, 
 three, three and a half, three and three-quarters, and at last 
 four pounds were used for a charge ; and that these different 
 charges were used at the same time, in order to distribute 
 the deadly missiles over the city, — thus bringing all within 
 it into the same terrible condition. 
 
 Turning to the left, we follow along the crowded trench, 
 and, working our way by the mortars, shells, and through 
 artillerists, and supporting infantry, we soon come to battery 
 No. 4. We find no shells here, but abundance of the heaviest 
 kind of shot; — the large cannon stand on the high platform, 
 with their muzzles sticking out of the embrasures towards 
 the city, into which they have already vomited so man}' de- 
 structive missiles. — We find the artillerists here ready to 
 renew the firing ; the infantry are stretched out, some asleep, 
 
 * Shot and shell thrown into the city of Vera Cruz, during the bombardment, ou 
 the evening of 22d, the 23d, 24th, 25th, and morning of 26th March, 1847 : 
 ■wokth's batteries, wos. 1,2, 3, 4. 
 
 3000 ten inch shells 99 lbs. each, 
 
 500 round shot 25 " « 
 
 200 eight inch howitzer shells 68 " " 
 
 NAYT BATTEUr, NO. 5. 
 
 1000 Paixhan shot 68 lbs. each. 
 
 800 round shot 32 " " 
 
 MUSaUITO FLEET. 
 
 1200 shot and shell, averaging 62 lbs. each 
 
 Making in all, 6,700 shot and shell, weigfiing 463,600 lbs. 
 
553 
 
 APPEARANCE OF THE BATTERIES. 
 
 others engaged in conversation, wondering whether they will 
 have another chance at the city. 
 
 When leaving this battery, we pass still farther to the 
 left ; we come out of the trenches on the plain ; crossing 
 that, as well as the railroad, w^e ascend the hill, on the top 
 of which is the naval battery, over A in the picture. — This 
 hill, like many of the others, is covered with a species of 
 musquit, of which the sharp thorns are several times as large 
 as the twigs on which they grow ; and they are so singular, 
 that the author has placed below a drawing of a small 
 twig, bearing them. 
 
 TWIG OF MUSQUIT : SPECIES FOUND NEAK VEKA CKUZ. — NATURAL SIZE. 
 
 After climbing the hill, and working through the thorny 
 chapparal, we arrive at the naval battery. — Here, too, the 
 heavy cannon were all loaded and aimed, ready to fire the 
 moment hostilities may be re-commenced. The seamen that 
 man this battery are in groups around, as are the supporting 
 infantry. The sailors are having much sport to themselves, 
 and wish that the " bloody Mexican land-lubbers," as they 
 call them, may hold out a little longer, to give them a chance ; 
 (for this battery has a change of seamen every twenty-four 
 
VIEW OF THE CITY FROM NAVAL BATTERY. 553 
 
 hours, and those now at it have not had an opportunity of 
 firing).* % 
 
 We notice that the battery is much torn to pieces : for, 
 from its situation, being so high and exposed, it has drawn 
 many of the shot from all the forts, and well has it answer- 
 ed them. On its opening, the Mexican batteries directed 
 most of their fire at it, for nearly the whole day ; — but this 
 had been foreseen, and it had been made verj'' strong. 
 
 From this we can look directly into the town ; but nothing 
 appears there to be in motion, save the bodies of Mexican 
 soldiery, who are parading about to the strains of their mar- 
 tial music, or else thickly crowded in the shattered forts, busy 
 in repairing them with bags of sand ; but the battered build- 
 ings above and around them cannot be so repaired ; they 
 present, when viewed with the glass, an appearance of utter 
 destruction. 
 
 And now, reader, we have endeavored to give a particular 
 account of the batteries, as well as of the occurrences of the 
 siege, though thousands of circumstances accompanying it 
 must, for want of space, pass unrecorded. At five, P. M., the 
 capitulation was signed by the commissioners, and we learn- 
 ed that the city was to be given up on Monday, the 29th. — 
 
 * The naval forces which had been so long before this place had, during the bom- 
 bardment, manifested the greatest desire to have a part on shore, and this battery had 
 therefore been assigned to them ; it was manned in turn by detachments from the 
 vessels. Iliese vessels of war now before the city were — 
 
 Ship of the line Ohio, Capt. Stringham, 74 guns. 
 
 Frigate Raritan, Capt. Forrest, 44 
 
 " Potomac, Capt. Auiick, 44 
 
 Sloop Albany, Capt. Breese, 20 
 
 " John Adams, Com. McKinney, 20 
 
 " St. Marys, Capt. Launders, 20 
 
 Steamer Mississippi, Commodore Perry, 10 
 
 " Princeton, Commander Engle, 9 
 
 " Spitfire, Commander Tatnall, 8 
 
 " Vixen, Commander Sands, • 8 
 
 Brig Porpoise, L. Com. W. E. Hunt, 10 
 
 Storeship Relief, Lt. Com. Bullus, 8 
 
 " Supply, 8 
 
 " Fredonia 8 
 
 Steamers Petrita, Hunter, and Scourge, ■ . . — 
 
 Schooners (musquito fleet) Bonito, Petrel, Reefer, Tarapico, and Falcon, — 
 
554 CAPITULATION SIGNED BY COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 The terms on which the city and castle were surrendered are 
 given in the note below.* 
 
 March 28th. We have endeavored to find out the loss of 
 the Mexicans within the city, during the terrible bombard- 
 ment, but it is not known to themselves ; of course it can 
 never be definitely ascertained by us. Their calculations 
 of it vary from twelve to fifteen hundred. — Our own loss, 
 killed and wounded, during the regular operations of the 
 siege, falls a little short of eighty, all told. The names of 
 those that fell at Puente de Moreno have before been given. 
 The list of the others is contained in the note on page 556. 
 
 Beside those mentioned, there were, also. Midshipman 
 Shubrick and fifteen seamen of the navy, killed and wounded. 
 — With so little loss of life amid such terrible and long-con- 
 
 PuNTA DE UoRXos, (williout the Walls of Vera Cruz). } 
 Saturday, March 27, 1847. ) 
 
 Terms of capitulation agreed upon by the Commissioners, viz : 
 
 Generals W. J. Worth and G. J. Pillow, and Col. J. G. Totten, chief engineer, on 
 
 the part of Maj. Gen. Scott, General-in-Chief of the armies of the United States, and 
 
 Col. Jose Gutierrez de Villaneuva, Lieut. Col. of Engineers, Manuel Robles, and 
 
 Col. Pedro de Herrera, commissioners appointed hy Gen. of Brig. Don Jose Juan 
 
 Landero, Commander-in-chief of Vera Cruz, the castle of San Juan dc Ulloa, and 
 
 their dependencies, for the surrender to the arms of the United States of the forts, 
 
 with their armaments, munitions of war, garrisons and arms. 
 
 1. The whole garrison or garrisons to be surrendered to the arms of the United 
 States, as prisoners of war, on the 29th inst., at ten o'clock, A. M.; the garrison to be 
 permitted to march out with all the honors of war, and to lay down their arms to such 
 officers as may be appointed by the gcneral-in-chief of the United States' army, and 
 at a place to be agreed upon by the commissioners. 
 
 2. Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and effiicts, including horses and horse 
 furniture, and to be allowed, regular and irregular officers, as also the rank and file, 
 five days to retire to their respective homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed. 
 
 3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in article 1, the Mexican flags of 
 the various forts and stations shall be struck, saluted by tb 'ir own batteries, and im- 
 mediately thereafter the forts Santiago and Conception, and the castle of San Juan de 
 Ulua, occupied by the forces of the United States. 
 
 4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to be disposed of, after 
 surrender and parole, as their general-in-chief may desire, and the irregular to be per- 
 mitted to return to their homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and descriptions 
 of force, giving the usual parole, that the said rank and file, as well as themselves, 
 shall not serve again until duly exchanged. 
 
 F>. All the materiel of war, and all public property, of every description, found in 
 the city, the castle of San Juan de Ulua and their dependencies, to belong to the 
 United States ; but the armament of the same (not injured or destroyed in the further 
 
SURRENDER OF VERA CRUZ. 555 
 
 tinued discharges of artillery, has Gen. Scott thus taken the 
 city of Vera Cruz and the strong castle of San Juan de Ulloa, 
 that even now, on the ground, we are surprised at the result. 
 
 Most anxiously are all throughout the camp waiting for 
 the approach of to-morrow, which shall place us in posses- 
 sion of these formidable strong-holds. 
 
 March 2dth. This has been a day of triumph to the Amer- 
 ican army, which will long be remembered by every one 
 whose fortune it was to witness the imposing scene. — The 
 morning was calm and tranquil, the sky clear, and the sun 
 rose in unusual splendor ; not a breath of wind was there 
 even to display the flags, with which the shipping was deco- 
 rated, or those which hung over the castle and forts of the 
 city. No sound could be heard from within the walls. Our 
 
 prosecution of the actual war) may be considered as liable to be restored to Mexico 
 by a definite treaty of peace. 
 
 6. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in the city with such 
 medical ofticers and attendants and officers of the army as may be necessary to their 
 care and treatment. 
 
 7. Absolute protection is solemnly guarantied to persons in the city, and property, 
 and it is clearly understood that no private building or property is to be taken or used 
 by the forces of the United States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and 
 for a fair equivalent. 
 
 8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is solemnly guarantied. 
 
 [Signed in duplicate.] W. J. WORTH, Brig. Gen. 
 
 GID. J. PILLOW, Brig. Gen. 
 JOS. G. TOTTEN, Col. and Chief Eng. 
 JOSE GUTIERREZ DE VILLANUEVA. 
 PEDRO MIGUEL HERRERA. 
 MANUEL ROBLES. 
 Capt. Aulick, appointed commissioner by Uoin. Perry on behalf of the navy, (the 
 General-in-chief not being able, in consequence of the roughness of the sea, to com- 
 municate with the navy until after commissions had been exchanged), and being pres- 
 ent by Gen. Scott's invitation, and concurring in the result and approving thereof, 
 .hereto affixes his name ar.d signature. 
 
 J. H. AULICK, Capt. U. S. N. 
 
 Headquarters of the army op the Umted States. ) 
 Camp Washington, be/ore Vera Cruz, March 27, 1817. J 
 Approved and accepted : 
 
 WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 M. C. PERRY, 
 Commander-in-Chief of U. S. naval forces in the gulf of Mexico. 
 
 Vkra Cruz, Marzo 27, 1847. 
 Aprobad y aceptado : 
 
 JOSE JUAN DE LANDERO. 
 
556 SURRENDER OF VERA CRUZ. 
 
 batteries and trenches were still manned with their full 
 number of troops and seamen, and the guns remained loaded. 
 — At an early hour the drums were beat in the encampments 
 of Worth's and Patterson's divisions, and all their troops 
 mustered to take part in the ceremonies of the approaching 
 surrender. — The author, to obtain the best view of the whole, 
 left the camp and took his position on the naval battery; 
 which, though a little distant from the plain below, on which 
 the Mexican army were to march, yet commanded a line 
 prospect of the city, the castle beyond it, and the fleet at Sa- 
 
 LIST OV KILLED AND WOUJJDED AT THE SIEGE OF VEBA CRUZ. 
 
 UNDER GENERAL WORTH. 
 
 Killed—}. B. Vinton, Captain 3d artillery, on the 22d March ; John Iluffner, private, com- 
 pany B, 2tl artillery, 2Gth March ; Nicholas Burns, private, company B, 24th March ; 
 
 , musician, 21st March. 
 
 Wounded — James Foster, Sergeant, company G, 3d artillery, March 23d, severely; W. B. 
 Hunt and Emile Voltarat, privates, company B, 2d artillery, 24th March, sliffhtly; Adolphe- 
 Mnihe, John Uolding and Wm. Henderson, privates, company D, 2d artillery, 22d March, the 
 two last named slightly, the other his left arm shot ofl"; Ernest Krunse, Owen Boate, William 
 Cartilage, Joseph S. Hayden and Archibald McFadger, privates company F, 2d artillery, the 
 first on the 20th and remainder on the 24th March, slightly ; Martin Dignant, private, compa- 
 ny G, 2d artillery, 22d March, slightly ; S. D. Schuctzenback, private, company A, and Edward" 
 Fleming, private, company 1, 8th infantry, 23d March, slightly. 
 
 L'.VDER GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 Killed — Wm. Alburtis, Brevet Captain 2d infantry, March 11th, by a cannon ball ; AVm. R. 
 Blake, Sergeant company F, 4th artillery, March 15th; Robert T. Cunningham, private, com- 
 pany A, mounted riflemen, March 11th. 
 
 Wounded — W. B. I>ane and Edward Harris, Sergeants, company D, mounted riflemen, 
 March 24th, severely ; John Teluna, private, company E, mounted riflemen, March 24th, 
 severely; Frederick Warren, private, company C, mounted riflemen, March 24th, slightly ; 
 Henry Niell, slightly, and Thomas Weller, severely, privates, company B, mounted riflemen, 
 March 11th; John Rose, musician, company B, 1st artillery, severely ; James Stephen, pri- 
 vate, company F. 4lh artillery, March 14th, severely ; Spencer, corporal, company D, 2d 
 infantry, March 11th, severely. 
 
 rNBER GE>fERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 Killed — John l\Iiller and Gothlet Reip, privates, company G, Isl regiment Pennsylvania 
 Volunteers, the first on the 17th, and the latter on the 2.5th March. 
 
 Wounded — Lieut. Col. J. P. Dickinson. South Carolina regiment, severely; private Ballad; 
 severely, privates Coke, D. Phillips, and Hiekt-y, slightly, all of South Carolina regiment; Q, 
 M. Sergt. B. F. !\TcDonakl, severely, Sergt. Jos. King, slightly, privates T. J. Scott, severely, 
 Henry Lanbeck, slightly, John G. Eubank, severely, all of Georgia regiment — all on 11th of 
 March; Sergt. John Hejison, company E, 1st Pennsylvania regiment, March 9th, slightly; 
 privates O. Burden, Wm. Vandenbark, and Andrew Keamer, company I, Jas. Stevens, com- 
 pany J, all of 1st Pennsylvania regiment, private Fry, company D, 2d Pennsylvania regi- 
 ment — all on 11th of March, slightly ; private Mark Fose, company A, 2d Tennessee regi- 
 ment, 25lh March, slightly ; private John Hubbard, company A, 1st Tennessee regiment, 
 during bombardment, sliglitly ; Sergt. R. Williamson, company C, 1st Pennsylvania regiment, 
 11th March, slightly ; private Daniel Harkins, company A, Isl Pennsylvania regiment, (on 
 . picquet), slightly. 
 
 In addition to these, were killed on tlie 28th, of the New York and Pennsylvania regiments 
 — Rev. W. H. T. Games, Robert Jeff, George W. .'Miller, Benjamin Fane, Hardin, Wil- 
 liam H. Kearney, and several others, whose names are not ascertained, were lassoed, shot,, 
 stabbed, and all horribly mutilated, by the enemy. 
 
SURRENDER OF VERA CRUZ. 557 
 
 •crificios, as well as the whole extent of the plain from the 
 city walls, back as far as Malibran. — The different regiments, 
 with their colors flying, moved upon the ground about nine 
 o'clock, and formed in two long lines, facing each other, a 
 mile or more in length. At the head of these lines, about 
 half a mile from the walls, were placed the rocket and 
 howitzer company, under Capt. Talcott, with its six small 
 field pieces, so as to rake the foreground, in case of any 
 treachery ; the matches were lighted, and the men were 
 ready for such an event. The mounted dragoons were 
 drawn up in the rear of Worth's line, and a large detachment 
 of seamen from the navy were near. The music bands of 
 the army were at their stations, but were wholly silent. — 
 The view of these large bodies of troops, thus placed, was 
 in itself of much interest. — Gen. Worth was conspicuous at 
 the head of his column, from his brilliant uniform and long, 
 waving plume. — The sea-breeze shortly began to blow gen- 
 tly, and the numerous banners floated gaily in it. — At ten 
 o'clock, precisely (according to the terms of the capitulation), 
 a single light volume of smoke burst out from the castle, and 
 rolled off over the water. The report announced that all 
 was ready. Immediately the Mexican bands within the city 
 struck up their loud music, and with drums, fifes, clarionetts 
 and bugles, swelled the concert. As they finished, the fort 
 of Santiago commenced a salute of artillery, in honor of the 
 Mexican flag still waving above it. As the last cannon of 
 this was fired, the flag was hauled down, and at the same 
 moment descended all the others, which had been flying at 
 different points above the city. The gates were thrown 
 open, and the head of the Mexican army emerged therefrom, 
 accompanied by loud music, and battalion after battalion 
 swept out under their banners ; they appeared soldier-like, 
 as they moved towards our lines, with shouldered muskets 
 and free step, while the rays of the sun glanced upon their 
 bright arms. Their movements were made with precision 
 and concord. Their officers paid the same attention to these, 
 as though they had been on parade. Some of the regiments 
 were clothed in brilliant uniforms of green, trimmed with 
 red ; others in blue, trimmed also with red ; others in light 
 
558 SURRENDER OF VERA CRUZ. 
 
 dress, nearly white, with red pompons ; and, taking them 
 altogether, they made a much more imposing display than 
 did the same number of our troops in their plain blue. — First 
 came the column of regulars ; then followed the National 
 Guard. Crowds of women came out, loaded with baskets, 
 children, household furniture, and almost every other con- 
 ceivable article. These camp-women, thus burdened, fol- 
 lowed contentedly, and seemed more like the slaves than the 
 companions of the soldiers. They waited on them, bringing 
 them \vater, &c. Most of these were by no means attractive 
 in their appearance, although some were indeed handsome 
 in countenance, and with good forms. — The platoons of regu- 
 lars moved on with a free step, to their music, and coming to 
 the space between our lines, were halted, wheeled into line, 
 and, at the command, stacked their muskets regularly, and 
 hung over them their bayonet-scabbards and cartridge-boxes ; 
 their numerous colors, drums, and musical instruments, were 
 alike placed down ; and then, at the renewed order, the dis- 
 armed platoons moved off and gave room for other coHimns 
 and other bands, M^hich still were pouring from the city gates. 
 This scene continued for two hours, during which no music 
 but that of the Mexican bands could be heard. Not a word 
 was said by the American troops to the disarmed bodies, as 
 they passed down the lines towards Madeline. After the 
 army came a miscellaneous crowd of citizens, officers, priests, 
 and camp-women ; wounded and sick soldiers ; and in the 
 throng were carts, each drawn by three mules abreast, con- 
 taining the women and children of the officers ; also, litcras, 
 a kind of covered box, with shafts each way, supported by 
 a mule before, and another behind ; in these were entire 
 families. Other carts were loaded with various articles, and 
 many mules were packed with bulky bundles. None of 
 these things were interrupted, but all were allowed to pass 
 without hindrance ; — every soldier had something besides his 
 full knapsack ; and every camp-woman was loaded like a 
 mule. The officers themselves were on fine steeds, splen- 
 didly caparisoned. One officer seemed to have much money, 
 for it took four soldiers to carry the litter containing it upon 
 their shoulders. Every officer retained his sword ; and one 
 
SURRENDER OF VERA CRUZ. 559 
 
 company of soldiers, in number about forty, marched down 
 the lines with their muskets shouldered, not stopping to 
 stack them. They, by previous arrangement, had been per- 
 mitted to retain these, in order to guard a gang of convicts, 
 who had been confined in the castle, and w^ere now taken 
 with them. — Toward the last of the long procession came 
 a body of dismounted lancers, dressed in their uniforms of 
 green. These laid their escopetas and lances on the ground, 
 and in regular order followed after the dense crowd that had 
 preceded them. — On the countenances of the soldiers, not- 
 withstanding the firm step and martial bearing, Avith wdiich 
 they swept down the plain, could be seen an undefined ex- 
 pression of doubt and anxiety, especially as they came 
 before the artillery of the rocket and howitzer company, 
 which bore upon them, looking threateningly. — A bare sketch 
 of the vast crowd that continued to pour out from the gates, 
 is all that can be given in this compass to the reader. 
 
 The officers generally were fine-looking men, of light com- 
 plexion, and exceedingly polite in their manners ; saluting 
 our generals with their drawn swords, as they passed. The 
 soldiers were of every grade of color. — When the rear of the 
 conquered army had emerged from the gate, three companies 
 of the 3d and 4th regiments U. S. artillery, with their field- 
 pieces and colors, commenced the march for the gate, with- 
 out music, passing along the column of JMexicans, who with 
 shouldered arms were still advancing. They soon arrived 
 there, and passed through ; one company going down to 
 take possession of Fort Santiago, the other to the Castle. 
 — Shortly after, the whole of the Mexicans laid down 
 their arms, and the throng of stragglers that followed, had 
 passed on. — As yet not a sound of music had been heard 
 from our lines. Our troops were motionless, and a few mo- 
 ments of suspense took place. — All eyes were directed to 
 Fort Santiago, watching for the appearance of the American 
 flag. — The musquito fleet of the two steamers and five 
 schooners, could be seen to glide gracefully in between the 
 city and castle. — Suddenly the flag looked for arose to the 
 top of the staff, and unrolled its stars and stripes to the breeze, 
 and, at the same instant, the guns below it, which had been 
 
560 SURRENDER OF VERA CRUZ. 
 
 belching their thunders against it, spoke out as clear for its 
 honor, and announced that the city was ours. — Simultane- 
 ously with its discharges, came a full salute from the field- 
 pieces on the plain, another from the batteries, still another 
 from the musquito fleet in the harbor, and one also from 
 every vessel of war at Sacrificios. The first glimpse of the 
 flag as it rolled out, was the signal for all to fire together ; 
 and their mingled roar appeared to shake the hills. The 
 whole fleet was completely enveloped in smoke. — When 
 this grand discharge had ceased its thunders, the bands of 
 music commenced, and the strains of " Hail Columbia," rose 
 in power on the air, and the enthusiasm of the American 
 army was aroused to its highest pitch. Gen. Worth's divi- 
 sion was put in motion : dragoons, artillery and infantry, 
 swept by, to the quick and inspiring national air of " Yankee 
 Doodle ;" and thus they entered the city. 
 
 The impressive scene closed with the entrance into the 
 gates of the heavy column. — The other troops were marched 
 back to their encampments and dismissed, and the general 
 exclamations of all were of the events of the day, and the 
 wonder expressed was, whether they should ever see the like 
 again. 
 
 The Mexicans had all gone, and the surrounding country 
 was full of them, as they pursued their various courses, 
 — some north, some south, — carrying in every direction the 
 news of their defeat. — At the gates of the city were imme- 
 diately placed sentinels, to prevent the entrance of anymore 
 soldiers, — Gen. Scott being fearful of disturbance or disorder. 
 Many of the soldiers, however, anxious to see the city, en- 
 tered, through the breaches battered in the walls. On ap- 
 proaching these, we were struck by the preparations that had 
 been made for defence against an assault : — deep holes were 
 dug along in three parallel lines, with lance heads set in the 
 bottom ; — a thick growth of prickly pear was within these. 
 At every distance of two hundred yards, the solid stone forts 
 stood out from the walls. We entered into the " railroad 
 fort." — Six heavy cannon were there ; — piles of shot lay 
 near each; — the rammers, sponges, &c., were laid across 
 them, as the artillerists had left them in the morning. — 
 
APPEARANCE OF CITY WHEN TAKEN. 561 
 
 Blood had stained the whole place, where the Mexican sol- 
 diers had fallen at their posts ; — bags of sand had been 
 placed upon the breaches of the walls. 
 
 We passed out of this, inside of the battered city wall, 
 along the wide avenue between that and the buildings, to 
 the next fort, — or the " red fort," as we called it, — which had 
 done so much injury to our batteries, and received so much 
 in return. Six heavy cannon of brass, cast in Spain a hun- 
 dred or more years ago, — in 1707, 1750, 1694, &c., — were 
 here ; — the cannon shot, rammers, &c., lay as in the other, 
 and with them several large boxes of congreve rockets, and 
 piles of grape and canister shot. Some of these guns had 
 been injured by our fire, and the battlements of the fort were 
 torn down, but had been rebuilt, during the intervening time, 
 ■with bags of sand. Large stains of blood were on the whole 
 area. 
 
 Turning from this, we passed down to the fort of Santiago. 
 This was much larger than the others ; was battered, but not 
 so much as the city wall or other forts. 
 
 We turned into the streets, and a scene of destruction and 
 desolation was before us. — Bombs had fallen thickly, making, 
 in their descent, large holes in the pavements ; and the ex- 
 plosions that had followed, had thrown the ragged pieces of 
 iron, and the round paving stones, through the sides of the 
 buildings, doors, and windows, tearing and crashing all be- 
 fore them. Very many had fallen, too, upon the stone and 
 tiled flat roofs, which had failed to protect the interior : for 
 the ponderous shells had torn and descended, through the 
 rooms and the floors, to the basement. The eflect of their 
 explosions was terrible. — The floors, and in many instances 
 the stone walls, were lifted, crashed, and all fell in — a mass 
 of timbers, plank, plaster, stone and brick — upon the man- 
 gled inmates. 
 
 The streets were covered with heaps of broken walls) 
 plaster, and brick ; heavy pieces of exploded shells were 
 scattered in and about their deep, torn out beds.— In all the 
 southern part of the city the heavy cannon shot had ranged 
 in straight lines, doing terrible execution ; — whole sides of 
 stone blocks had fallen before them. The interiors of some 
 36 
 
562 APPEARANCE OP THE CITY AFTER SURRENDER. 
 
 of the churches were ripped and torn in a scene of confusion 
 and destruction difficult to imagine. The chequered marble 
 floorswerethrown up, the images were broken and scattered, 
 the plastering tumbled in ; and in one, a shell had taken off 
 the head of an image of Christ upon the cross. 
 
 We were looking within the walls of a fine, two story, 
 lofty building, and observing the complete havock made 
 by a bomb, when a Mexican woman came by, (the first that 
 we had seen within the walls : for the streets were nearly 
 deserted). Throwing up her hand from under her reboso, 
 and fixing her eyes upon us, with a wild and terrified look, 
 she exclaimed, " Muchas bombas Americanos ! mui malo, mui tcT- 
 riblc .'" (multitude of American bomb-shells ! very bad, most 
 terrible !) — and, after gazing upon us for a moment, with 
 grief and terror depicted in her countenance, she passed on. 
 
 The owner of a large store invited some of us to follow 
 him into the second story of his buildings. In a room, on 
 the shelves, a great quantity of China and Liverpool ware 
 had been stowed. Many large and splendid looking-glasses 
 had been hung up around. On one side of the apartment 
 had been a range of costly furniture, — tables of the richest 
 mahogany and rosewood, secretaries and sideboards, with 
 black and white marble slabs on their tops ; Grecian chairs, 
 &c., &c. 
 
 Into this costly collection a heavy bomb, breaking in an 
 instant through the thick roof, which the owner had fondly 
 believed to be proof against them, had descended and explo- 
 ded; and the complete destruction of everything, with the 
 fallen quantities of plaster and stone, could not be justly 
 described. We were struck with amazement. The owner 
 contemplated the scene for a moment, and pointing upwards 
 to the large hole, through which we could see the blue sky, 
 exclaimed, " bomba .'" and throwing his hand around towards 
 the heaps of property, so shattered in an instant, repeated, 
 *' mucho malo ! mucho jnalo ! " and shook his head despond- 
 
 ingly. 
 
 The city had been well prepared to resist an assault. 
 — The parapet walls of the houses, around the roofs, had 
 been piled higher with sand bags. Ditches had been dug in 
 
APPEARANCE OF THE CITY AFTER SURRENDER. 563 
 
 every street, and embankments placed before them, with 
 cannon pointed over them. The streets, near the city w^alls, 
 were barricaded with posts ten feet high, set in the ground. 
 Quantities of hand grenades, or small bombs, to light with a 
 a match, and throw down upon troops in the streets below, 
 had been carried up to the tops of the houses. And we found 
 that, in addition to the force within, every citizen had been 
 fully armed from the public arsenal, thus nearly doubling 
 the force for defence. 
 
 But their calculations were destroyed by our shower of 
 bombs, against the effect of which there had been no protec- 
 tion. They were miserably disappointed in the manner of 
 attack ; and now, some of the English and French, who had 
 remained within the city to witness the slaughter of our 
 troops, in the expected assault, and who had suffered most 
 grievously in their families and property, by the shells and 
 shot, had the impudence to complain most bitterly of it, 
 saying that Gen. Scott, when directing them to leave the 
 city, did not inform them that he was going to bombard it ; 
 as if they expected our general to tell them and the Mexi- 
 cans the plan of his future operations. They refused to 
 leave the city when they might have done so ; and, un- 
 doubtedly, many of them had anticipated the pleasure of 
 popping at us from behind the parapet walls of their high 
 stone buildings, or dropping hand grenades, to burst among 
 our troops in the streets below ; — they remained at their 
 own peril. 
 
 Gen. Worth was immediately appointed governor of the 
 city and castle, and entered upon the discharge of his duties. 
 — Ten thousand rations of bread, rice, beans, and meat, 
 were ordered to be distributed among the poor of the city, 
 who crowded to receive this unexpected bounty, given by 
 those, who but a day or two before, were destroying them by 
 hundreds. 
 
 The vessels were removed from the anchorage at Sacrifi- 
 cios, to the harbor of the city. — The custom-house was open- 
 ed, and business commenced. — A Mexican printing-office was 
 hired, and a newspaper, styled the " Vera Cruz Eagle," soon 
 made its appearance. The rancheros came into market, with 
 
S64 REVIVAL OF BUSINESS IN VERA CRUZ. 
 
 provisions and vegetables to sell ; the burreros with their 
 jackasses, to resume their business, of bringing in wood, 
 coal, &c. — The stores w^ere re-opened ; and many American 
 establishments were added, the goods of which had, until 
 then, been on board the vessels in the harbor. Immense 
 quantities of stores were landed in the city, and placed in 
 security. — The castle and city were thoroughly cleaned up, 
 the rubbish taken away, and the citizens, finding them- 
 selves secure in person and property, began rapidly to re- 
 build and repair their immense damages. The fondas, or 
 eating-houses, were opened ; the religious services, in their 
 great variety, were carried on ; one of the first of which was 
 afuncion, or religious thanksgiving, to show their gratitude 
 to the saints, that their city had been surrendered to " los 
 Americanos," before it had been entirely destroyed, and its 
 inhabitants cut off by the terrible bombas. 
 
 The inhabitants who had fled, began to return ; and in 
 less than a week Vera Cruz was in a more brisk and thriv- 
 ing state, as it regarded business, than it had been for years. 
 The American soldiers, who garrisoned the forts and castle, 
 were found to be less oppressive than those of their own na- 
 tion. — Money was plenty, labor wanted ; a market for every- 
 thing, their lives and property safe, their religion respected, 
 and in its ceremonies Gen. Scott, himself, took a part, much 
 to their surprise and gratification; and no one would have 
 judged the Americans and Mexicans, that were now mingled, 
 buying and selling from each other, to have been, but a few 
 days before, deadly enemies ; but so it was. — Such stores of 
 goods and merchandise had been sent by the vessels, that 
 anything needed, could be bought almost as cheap as in 
 New Orleans. 
 
 The camps of the troops of Worth's and Patterson's di- 
 visions, were brought up near the city. Gen. Quitman's 
 brigade, of the Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina troops, 
 with Lieut. Steptoe's artillery, were sent off to take Alvara- 
 do, about thirty miles to the south-east; while a powerful 
 naval force, under Com. Perry, of the frigate Potomac, the 
 steam frigate Mississippi, the sloop-of-war St. Marys, the 
 steamers Spitfire, Vixen, Water Witch, the brig Porpoise, 
 
EXPEDITION AGAINST ALVARADO. 565 
 
 one bomb-ketch, and the five schooners of the musquito 
 fleet, sailed to make, in conjunction with Gen. Quitman, 
 this third attack on Alvarado. — But Com. Perry having 
 sent the little steamer Scourge, Lieut. Hunter, to lie off the 
 port, that officer receiving from the authorities propositions 
 for a surrender, accepted them, and hoisted the American 
 flag over the place, and also over another small town above, 
 to the utter astonishment of the commodore and his officers, 
 when the fleet arrived, and no less so to the army of Gen. 
 Quitman, when they came before the place.* 
 
 Col. Harney, with his dragoons, made a descent upon the 
 town of Antigua, eighteen miles north of Vera Cruz, and 
 took the place, capturing a number of lancers, and much 
 ammunition and arms. — The navy, to atone for the loss of 
 the anticipated active operations against Alvarado, project- 
 ed, and carried into execution, shortly after this, an expe- 
 dition against the town of Tuspan, about one hundred and 
 thirty miles to the north-west of Vera Cruz, defended by 
 Gen. Cos. After some brisk fighting, they took this town, 
 and, with its fall, the whole of the eastern coast of Mexico, 
 bordering on the Gulf, came under the power of the United 
 States. — But we are getting ahead of our subject. — A little 
 to be said of Vera Cruz and the Castle of San Juan de 
 Ulloa, now in our possession, and we leave this city for the 
 next scene of action, in the interior, now approaching to the 
 vital part of Mexico. 
 
 Vera Cruz, or " the true cross," is a closely-built city, en- 
 tirely surrounded by a wall ; without which is a barren sand 
 plain, save on the south, where is a dilapidated part of its 
 former extent, and a stone walk for pleasure, called the Pas- 
 co. The streets are regular and well paved, with sidewalks 
 of smooth cement. The houses, mostly of two lofty stories, 
 square, with court-yards within, as has been described at 
 Tampico. There is not a garden, or a tree, or a single green 
 
 • For this act Lieut. Hunter was arrested by Commodore Perry, tried by a court- 
 martial, and sentenced to be reprimanded and sent home; which was done. — But the 
 President of the United States, not agreeing with the proceedings of the commodore, 
 complimented Lieut. Hunter for his conduct The expression of public opinion was 
 also in his favor and a splendid sword was presented to him for the act. 
 
!566 CITY OF VERA CRUZ. 
 
 leaf of shrub or plant, or vacant spot of ground from the 
 city wall on one side, to the same on the other. It is a 
 heavy mass of stone, brick, and mortar, throughout ; and is 
 like a vast citadel surrounded by its heavy fortifications. It 
 has a splendid aqueduct, built in 1725, for supplying it with 
 water from the interior. It is most liberally furnished with 
 churches ; not all of which, however, are used. The oldest 
 one, built in 1630, can partly be seen in the view opposite, 
 taken by the author, of the Gate of Mercy, or principal gate 
 on the southern side of the city, and the same out of which 
 the Mexican army marched to the surrender. The reader 
 can see there, the railroad, which runs but a few miles into 
 the interior, made thus far by English capitalists ; the car, 
 with the cannon-ball hole through it ; the road, torn up by 
 the explosion of shells, — shot, and pieces of shell around ; a 
 iurrero, driving in his two jacks with coal ; a Vera Cruz cart, 
 with three mules abreast ; — beyond is seen the double gate, 
 one of our wagons going in, and the sentinels there; on the 
 left of it some tables, at which the Mexicans sell pulque, 
 pine-apples, oranges, &c. The walls and the buildings are 
 battered with shot, though, directly at this spot, they did not 
 suffer very much. The shell that entered the dome of the old 
 church above the window, did much damage in the interior, 
 and killed several women that were praying within to the 
 Virgin Mary. The building, seen only by its interior corner, 
 on the extreme left, was the barracks for the troops ; but it 
 was so riddled through in hundreds of places, by our shot, 
 as to be untenable by the Mexicans during the bombardment. 
 On the right, are seen two guns of the " white fort." In the 
 cart are a couple of women, with their rebozos drawn over 
 their heads. — On entering this gate, you come directly into 
 a crowded street. — The materials of which the walls, the 
 buildings, the aqueduct, and the whole Castle are constructed, 
 is a porous, hard, coral rock, which is obtained from the 
 reefs in the harbor, before mentioned. Their lime, for mortar, 
 is burnt from the same rock. — Vera Cruz has always enjoyed 
 most of the foreign trade of the city of Mexico, and would, 
 from its position, be a much larger city, but for its poor 
 harbor, exposed to the northers, (being only protected from 
 
CASTLE OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA. 5G9 
 
 their force by the reefs and castle), and its fatal yearly visits 
 of yellow fever or vomilo. 
 
 The castle of San Juan de Ulloa* is built on a small island 
 opposite the city. The weaves beat against its massive walls 
 on every side but the north-east, where is a small beach. — It 
 is divided within into three separate fortresses, with canals 
 between, which are crossed by draw-bridges ; (for view of one, 
 see frontispiece). It is of immense strength; — the walls are 
 from fifteen to eighteen feet thick, of solid stone ; — the Hat 
 roof, supported on arches, is nearly as thick. — The area on 
 the top of this is so extensive that thousands of infantry 
 and squadrons of cavalry might parade upon it. There is a 
 large plaza in the interior or main fortress. — On the top, and 
 in the water batteries, or lower forts, the cannon are ar- 
 ranged along in formidable rows ; — there are many sixty- 
 eight and eighty-four-pounders among them, and several 
 mortars. Magazines are placed in various parts of the large 
 extent. The whole fort covers between seven and eight 
 acres. — Its full complement of cannon is three hundred and 
 seventy; complete garrison, two thousand fiive hundred men. 
 In the plaza below, or paved square, and the courts and 
 streets, it resembles a city, with its lofty houses around. — 
 On the top, one is struck with its extent, magnitude and 
 strength. 
 
 Its water tanks are filled by the rain which descends on 
 the extensive stone area above. These tanks hold a suffi- 
 cient quantity to serve the whole garrison for two years. — 
 Its immense arches below; its subterranean apartments; its 
 large square; its extensive canals, fine bridges, thick walls, 
 solid roofs, and its excellent adaptation for defence, and its 
 durability, (for one cannot see why it should not remain a 
 thousand years), excite wonder and astonishment in the 
 mind of the beholder. The magazines were filled with pow- 
 der : its plaza piled with shells and shot. 
 
 Many of its guns are of old Spanish and French manufac- 
 ture, and are beautifully carved, and most have upon them 
 the name of Philip V, of Spain. This castle was commenced 
 in building near two hundred and eighty years since; — has 
 
 * A ditiputed word — sometimes spelled " Ulloa," and at otltcrs, " Ulua.' ' 
 
670 CASTLE OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA. 
 
 been improved and built upon continually since, or until the 
 Spaniards lost it ; — has cost upwards of fifty millions of dol- 
 lars, according to the accounts of the different expenditures ; 
 and now, with an American garrison in it, it would bid suc- 
 cessful defiance to the navies of the world. To describe it, 
 so as, part by part, to bring it fully before the reader's mind, 
 would take a volume of hundreds of pages. A correct view 
 of its outside appearance from a distance, to the south, is 
 shown in the picture of the bombardment. 
 
 The Spaniards held possession of it eighteen months after 
 they had lost the city opposite, and, in fact, every foot of 
 land in Mexico, save that ; and even then were starved out. 
 The Mexicans might have set at nought all our efforts to 
 take it, had they been supplied with provisions, and been 
 willing to abandon the city to its fate ; for Gen. Scott refused, 
 at last, to accept the surrender of the city without the castle ; 
 and, while the garrison of the latter had laid in sufficient 
 powder, shot and shells, for a siege of years, they had not 
 provisions in it for more than a few weeks. 
 
 And so had fallen the city of Vera Cruz before American 
 arms ; one castle, the strongest in America ; nine other forts, 
 well mounted with artillery ; over four hundred good pieces 
 of cannon and mortars, of every calibre, and an abundance 
 of ammunition for them ; near six thousand stand of mus- 
 kets, and many other arms ; and five thousand prisoners, 
 besides inhabitants. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 We were not allowed much rest in Vera Cruz, for Gen. 
 Scott had determined on an immediate advance towards the 
 city of Mexico ; but he was delayed in his operations for a 
 few days, by the want of transportation. — Mules enough 
 could not be procured, and those sent from the United States 
 were slow in arriving. 
 
 While these events of the investment, bombardment and 
 capture of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa 
 had been carried on. Gen. Santa Anna, upon whom all the 
 hopes of the Mexicans depended, had not been idle ; but, 
 after reaching San Luis Potosi, about the 5th of March, on 
 his return from his bloody battle with Gen. Taylor, at Buena 
 Vista, remained there only a few days. — Spurred on by the 
 difficulties that surrounded him, — the actual existence of a 
 revolution in the city of Mexico, raised by Gen. Pena y Bar- 
 ragan, against the power of Gomez Farias, the vice presi- 
 dent, who held the reins of government, — by the descent 
 of Gen. Scott upon Vera Cruz, of which he was previously 
 aware, from the captured dispatches, — he left San Luis on 
 the 14th of March, and attended by two brigades of infantry 
 and one of cavalry, commenced his movement for the city of 
 Mexico, leaving a force at San Luis, and another, under Gen. 
 Minon, on the road between that place and Buena Vista, to 
 oppose any onward movement that Gen. Taylor might pro- 
 ject. He had previously sent four thousand of his veterans, 
 under Gen. Vasquez, to the seat of government. 
 
 His reception at the towns on his route was that of a tri- 
 umphant conqueror ; — deputations from Congress met him 
 to congratulate him on his glorious achievements : — the mu- 
 
 (571) 
 
5t3 ENERGETIC MOVEMENTS OF GEN. SANTA ANNA. 
 
 nicipal authorities of the towns vied with one another in 
 endeavoring to do him honor, so completely had the whole 
 people been deceived with regard to his action at Buena 
 Vista. New recruits, in crowds, joined his standard, eager 
 to march against the Americans, to accomplish other glorious 
 actions. 
 
 He arrived near Mexico on the 20th March, having, a week 
 previous, written letters to Gomez Farias, and to Gen. Barre- 
 gan, the chiefs of the opposing factions in the capital, to sus- 
 pend all hostilities until his arrival ; and which direction by 
 each had been obeyed. He took the oath of office, as Presi- 
 dent of the Republic of Mexico, on the 23d, and, reconciling: 
 both the contending armies, united their forces to his own. 
 He impressed many wagons and atajos of mules into his 
 service, and at the head of his army quickly marched by the 
 national road towards Vera Cruz, adding to his force the 
 troops at Puebla, Perote, and Jalapa. At the latter place he 
 borrowed from the alcaldes twenty thousand dollars, to pay 
 to his force. He made a stand with his army, then swelled 
 to thirteen thousand men, with forty-two pieces of artillery,, 
 at the pass of Cerro Gordo — a strong position, about sixty 
 miles from Vera Cruz, and twenty-seven from Jalapa. 
 
 This pass, which had before been the scene of contest, 
 in their civil wars, as well as in that between Mexico and 
 Spain, had always been regarded as impregnable to an attack 
 made by an enemy advancing from the coast, and as impos- 
 sible to be turned.* The heights, here overhanging the road,, 
 already strongly fortified, he farther strengthened, and placed 
 in position his pieces of artillery. His right was protected 
 by a ravine of several hundred feet perpendicular depth, and 
 his left by the height of Cerro Gordo ; his front was covered 
 with hills, among which the road lay for miles, and came up 
 through his centre, between the heights, and was thus ren- 
 dered utterly impassable. Here he waited, to prevent the 
 advance of Scott, confident of victory, from his position, sit- 
 uation of artillery, and amount of force. No stronger place 
 could have been found. — He was not obliged to wait long, 
 
 * Santa Anna's vindication, published at the city of Mexico soon after the battlo- 
 of Cerro Gordo. 
 
SANTA ANNA'S ESTATE. 573 
 
 as the sequel will show. — In the interval, let us speak of 
 this section of country. 
 
 The land upon which Santa Anna had now posted him- 
 Gelf, belonged, as private property, to him. His vast estate 
 comprehends the whole slope of the mountains, from Jalapa 
 to Vera Cruz, near ninety miles, including, in one sense, the 
 land of the torrid and of the temperate zones ; for, as land 
 rises, the air becomes cooler, and at Jalapa is almost like that 
 of a perpetual spring. On the lower part of Santa Anna's 
 estate, towards Vera Cruz, in the tierras calicntcs, or hot lands, 
 can every rich fruit of the torrid zone be produced : oranges, 
 lemons, limes, figs, pine-apples, zapotes, tunas, anonas, ba- 
 nanas, plantains, cocoa-nuts, and sugar-cane ; while upon 
 the tierras templadas, or temperate lands, flourish corn, cotton, 
 small grains, and the fruits and flowers of the temperate 
 zones. The oak, the sycamore, and the other forest trees to 
 which he is accustomed, meet the eye of the northern soldier 
 in every direction ; the air is cool and balmy ; the dreaded 
 vomito, or yellow fever, that so rages in the tierras calientes, 
 never reaches here. 
 
 On this large estate, the Mexican chieftain has three prin- 
 cipal haciendas ; one in the hot regions, eighteen miles from 
 Vera Cruz ; a stone building splendidly furnished, roomy and 
 capacious, with marble floors, &c. This is called Manga de 
 Clavo. — Another is near the Puente Nacional, or National 
 Bridge, about half way to Jalapa. — The scenery around this 
 is of the most wild and romantic character ; the bridge and 
 fort overlooking it, has been the scene of many a combat and 
 bloody fight, between the Spaniards and Mexicans, the differ- 
 ent factions of the Mexicans themselves, and lately between 
 the guerilla forces and small bodies of American troops.* — 
 
 * THE NATIONAL liniDGK. 
 
 The bluff from which this picture was taken is of perpendicular rock, about two 
 hundred feet in height. The mountain torrent, or the Rio Antigua, as it is called, 
 rushes against the base of this rock, and turns off to the left around it. The bridge 
 is of solid stone, of magnificent proportions and structure ; and will remain, unless 
 forcibly destroyed, for ages. — Near the foreground of the picture, not shown therein, is 
 another fort, the guns of which, when in position, bear down upon the bridge, and 
 upon the road, as it descends the opposite hill. On that slope perceived, the Mexi- 
 cans afterward defeated the detachment of Captain Wells, by means of cannon 
 
574 HACIENDAS OF GEN. SzVNTA ANNA. 
 
 A view of the bridge from the rocky bluffa on the lower 
 side, is given on the opposite page ; and the hacienda of 
 Santa Anna, spoken of, is seen on the right, though the large 
 village near it, is concealed by the rocks, that the artist who 
 sketched it from the author's drawing, has piled up too freely 
 there. 
 
 THE NATIONAL nOAB TO TUF. CITr OF MEXICO. 
 
 on the high fort seen on the hill, and also others on this bluff; — their cross-fires were 
 terrible. — After that event, it was found necessary — what at first should have been 
 done — to place an American garrison in the works. Since this, the guerrillas do not 
 come near it. This national road has been by some travelers described as one most 
 miserable ; but this representation resulted from the fact of their starting from V^era 
 Cruz in the night, in the diligencia, or stage, and going at a rapid rate ; the road, in 
 places, being out of repair, they were jolted exceedingly. The truth is, that the road 
 was, originally, and would be now, with small repairs in paving, the best on the con- 
 tinent of America. — One who marches slowly along it, is astonished at the magnitude 
 of the whole work ; hills are dug down, and the valleys filled up ; every water-course, 
 and even little brook, is spanned by a magnificent bridge, which, even the most com- 
 mon ones, exceed, in stability and beauty, anything of the kind to be found in the 
 United States. — Let the traveler, instead of rolling in the close coach, take his horse, 
 and ride over the road at his leisure ; descend the ravines, and pass under the magnifi- 
 cent arches below, and he will be astonished at the work. — The traveling public of the 
 West are familiar with the stone arch over the canal at Louisville, Ky.; but that does not 
 compare with any one of the arches of the splendid national bridge, seen in the view. 
 Though from the height which you are supposed to look down upon that, these appear 
 much lower than they really are. Every object of nature around is upon such a 
 vast scale, that one does not perceive the immense strength and size of the bridge, 
 until he is on or under it — This road, when first it leaves the citj' of Vera Cruz, passes 
 over the level, loose sands that surround that city ; after three miles it enters the chap- 
 paral-covered sand hills ; eight miles distance through these, brings one upon it to the 
 little town of Santa Fe, in the midst of a beautiful, undulating country : eighteen miles, 
 to Manga de Clavo, a section more hilly, wooded, green, and fertile, with many 
 ranchos scattered about. — It now begins to ascend, and, at the national bridge, winds 
 among wild hills, more barren and sterile; beyond this, it rises continually, ranging 
 around the bases of the mountainous hills, until, by a rapid and circuitous rise, near 
 Cerro Gordo it leaves the hot lands, and enters the temperate regions, but among 
 scenery so rugged and mountainous, that there are but few ranchos or inhabitants. It 
 continues rapidly to rise, until, at Encerro, it passes through a fine grazing country, 
 where sheep and cattle are innumerable, in the undulating pastures, which are enclosed 
 by stone walls, of miles in extent. Still rising, and passing through the town of Jalapa, 
 it brings one to a most lovely country ; and then pursues its course towards the city of 
 Mexico. For its whole extent it is paved, or covered with tuuaslaie rock, which, 
 when pulverized, makes a macadamized road of the finest kind. If the pavements 
 were repaired in some places, it would, as said before, be the best road in America. 
 The cost of it to the Spanish government was immense. The Mexicans have don© 
 nothing to it of benefit. 
 
MARCH OF THE AMERICAN ARMY TO THE INTERIOR. 577 
 
 Santa Anna's third hacienda is at Encerro, a few miles east 
 of Jalapa, and in the temperate regions. By varying his resi- 
 dence from Manga de Clavo or Encerro to the other, only 
 about sixty miles apart, on the same road, he enjoys as 
 much variety of climate, change of scene and air, and view 
 of thg different productions of the earth, as one would find 
 in traveling from Maine to Florida. He can suit himself. 
 If at Manga de Clavo he is weary of the rich fruits and hot 
 sun of the torrid zone, one day's ride takes him to the medium 
 clime at the national bridge ; or another to the healthful, 
 temperate, grazing region about Encerro. — His haciendas are 
 all beautiful. That at Encerro appears to be the more richly 
 furnished ; while the stock of fine wines, &c., into which our 
 men dipped, at Manga de Clavo, showed that he had laid up 
 much for use there. 
 
 Between Encerro and the national bridge, at the supposed 
 impregnable hills of Cerro Gordo, as before said, he awaited 
 with his hosts, to give battle to Gen. Scott. 
 
 Four days after Vera Cruz was taken, on April 3d, the latter 
 general issued orders to his army to prepare for the march 
 to the interior, stripping themselves of all extra baggage, 
 and leaving all tents behind, save three for each company for 
 sick, wounded, and protection of arms, in case of rain. On 
 the 8th of April, the second division of regulars, under Gen. 
 Twiggs, commenced the march towards Jalapa, all anxious 
 to leave this sickly climate, before which, already, many 
 were falling ; — the hospitals were filled with sick, and the 
 dreaded scourge, the vomito, began to make its appearance.* 
 
 On Saturday, April 10th, two days after the departure of 
 Gen, Twiggs, the large division of volunteers under Gen. 
 Patterson, followed. — These were the first and second Ten- 
 nessee infantry, under colonels Campbell and Haskell, and 
 one company of our regiment of cavalry, Capt. Caswell ; the 
 first and second Pennsylvania regiments, colonels Roberts 
 and Wyncoop ; and Capt. Williams' independent company 
 
 * There was less spirituous liquor drank at Vera Cruz than at any other town we 
 took ; the soldiers being afraid of its effects in the sickly climate, and moreover being 
 particularly cautioned to abstain from its use by the officers, both general and inferior.. 
 Even the old soakers took but little stronger than wine ; claret was freely used. 
 37 
 
578 GEN. QUITMxVN'S BRIGADE BRINGING UP THE REAR. 
 
 of Kentuckians : — forming the brigade of Gen. Pillow, (the 
 remainder of our regiment being left behind, on account of 
 our horses not yet having arrived) ; and the third and fourth 
 regiments Illinois, under colonels Forman and Baker ; and 
 the New^ York regiment. Col. Burnett, composing the brigade 
 of Gen. Shields. 
 
 On Monday evening, the 12th, (two days after this), Gen. 
 Scott and his staff left, with an escort of dragoons. — On the 
 next day, (Tuesday, the 13th), the whole division of Gen. 
 Worth, with field artillery, followed with part of the siege 
 train of heavy artillery. 
 
 On the same day that Gen. Scott departed, the large fleet 
 of frigates, sloops of war, armed steamers and schooners, — 
 in all sixteen vessels, — sailed, as before mentioned, to attack 
 Tuspan. 
 
 On Sunday, April 18th, the remainder of the forces. Gen. 
 Quitman's brigade, marched for the interior, bringing up the 
 rear of the army, and leaving as a guEird in the city and 
 castle the first regiment regular infantry and two companies 
 Louisiana volunteers. Gen. Quitman's brigade was com- 
 posed of the Alabama regiment. Col. Coffee, the Georgia re- 
 giment, Col. Jackson, and the South Carolina regiment. Col. 
 Butler, with four companies of our regiment of cavalry. Col. 
 Thomas, the horses of the remaining companies not yet hav- 
 ing fully arrived. — The horses of our companies, which now 
 started, were in fine condition, having been well attended to 
 at Tampico, and having had a short passage from thence. 
 
 The brigade marched rapidly, for we had heard of the po- 
 sition of the enemy ahead, and wished to be in the battle ; 
 but we were too late, for the battle was fought on this day, 
 and our brigade had none of the work, save a little skirmish- 
 ing with guerrillas along, who had killed the stragglers of 
 the other divisions.* The mutilated bodies w^e found here 
 and there on the road. In these skirmishes three of our 
 
 * These guerrillas lay concealed at every bridge, and fired upon any small parties 
 of our men that passed. — Sergeant Tucker and four men, of the regular dragoons, 
 came daslung into camp late in the night, carrying an express of the news of the battle 
 of Cerro Gordo to Vera Cruz. Hundreds of shots had been fired at them; they 
 were closely pursued to near our sentinels, and three of the men were bleeding freely 
 from wounds received. — We were amused at one of our men, A. G. McCandliss, 
 
ARUIVAL AT CERRO GORDO. 579 
 
 men — Roach, King and Luker, of Capt. Haynes' company — 
 were slightly wounded. We did not arrive at Plan del Rio, 
 near Cerro Gordo, until the second day after the battle. 
 
 We had marched from the national bridge. — The day was 
 hot and the road dusty. — As the column neared Plan del Rio, 
 and wound over the hills, we came to a burnt rancho. Here 
 the dragoons had had the first skirmish with the advance 
 parties of Mexicans before the battle. Another mile brought 
 us to a bridge crossing a creek in which were many beautiful 
 cascades, and shortly after to another bridge, and beyond it 
 a small plain, embosomed, as it were, in among crags and 
 mountains. — This was Plan del Rio, and here we found en- 
 camped the second Tennessee infantry. As we approached, 
 they came to meet us, crowding in among our horses ; and 
 the advance was almost stopped, so eager were all of us to 
 learn particulars from them. — There was inquiry among us 
 for this one, for that one, &c. 
 
 The answers were various : — some were safe ; others had 
 lost arms or legs, or had been otherwise wounded, while the 
 inquiry for others was answered by their pointing to the long 
 rows of fresh graves by the side of the road. — The enemy 
 had been completely defeated, but many brave men had 
 fallen in our ranks. 
 
 We visited the wounded after encampment, and then rode 
 to the battle-ground, on which we found detachments of men 
 piling up muskets, bringing off the wounded, burying the 
 dead, &c., over the extended hills. We examined the ground 
 thoroughly, and many unpleasant scenes were presented be- 
 fore us, of which we will speak after giving an account of 
 the battle. 
 
 The battle-ground of Cerro Gordo is difficult to be descri- 
 bed, on account of its being but a vast collection of massive 
 hills, divided by deep and precipitous ravines. — No view of 
 the whole ground can be obtained from any one place, save 
 
 who was so anxious to have a hand-to-hand conflict with these guerrillas, that he went 
 to Gen. Quitman and begged to be allowed to go back to Vera Cruz with their little 
 escort, thinking that they would be fired upon again. On account of the wounded 
 men, the general permitted him to go. Although disappointed previous to reaching 
 Vera Cruz, yet, in returning, near Jalapa, he was gratified by having a fight, and kill- 
 ing a guerrilla captain. 
 
580 BATTLE-GROUND OF CERRO GORDO. 
 
 the height of Cerro Gordo itself, that rises nine hundred and 
 fifty feet above the river, which runs in a deep ravine on its 
 southern side. — The only way in which the author can pos- 
 sibly present to the mind of the reader a correct idea of the 
 extraordinary strength of this place, and the difficulties that 
 our gallant troops had to surmount in the attacks upon the 
 enemy's strong works, is to draw his attention to the plan 
 and views combined. (Sec plan, page 580 ; view opposite, and 
 frontispiece). 
 
 In the first place, imagine yourself standing at Gen. Pil- 
 low's position, marked on the plan. — You are on a high hill, 
 facing to the north-west, and you have before you the view 
 seen in the picture opposite. Behind you is a dense growth of 
 chapparal. In front of you are the batteries of the enemy's 
 left, — Nos. 1, 2, 3, — running on the tops of the hills, and sep- 
 arated by ravines. These works are of stone. 
 
 The space between you and the batteries is very rough, 
 of irregular stones, overgrown with briers; — the thorny mus- 
 quit has been cut down, and so left : for, as the enemy ex- 
 pected the main attack here, every precaution was taken to 
 ensure success in defence. — To the left of the whole picture, 
 a little beyond the view, is the edge or perpendicular side of 
 the principal ravine — an awful chasm, between four and five 
 hundred feet in depth, and two-thirds of a mile in width. — 
 Far down in this meanders the river. — Behind you are rug- 
 ged, stony hills, covered with thick chapparal, and with tre- 
 mendous ravines between, rendering them impassable. If 
 you turn and look in that direction, you can see far down 
 over their rugged tops to Plan del Rio, and the American 
 camp quietly reposing in the narrow valley. 
 
 The national road, as you also perceive by the plan, (page 
 586), leaves Plan del Rio ; runs eastwardly, up the side of 
 the mountain base ; then north, rising rapidly ; then west ; 
 then north again, until, down in the valley, where Gen. 
 Worth's position is marked, it comes within long range of 
 the guns on the right of the fort before j'ou. There it winds 
 around the next hill, and takes a north-western course, di- 
 rectly through the " pass," where you see it is exposed in its 
 approach to the guns of battery No. 3, which are high up 
 
BATTLE-GROUND OF CERRO GORDO. 583 
 
 above it ; and, after it enters the pass, to those of No. 4, 
 which bear directly down upon it ; also to those of the height 
 of Cerro Gordo, — opposite which, you observe that battery 
 jVo. 5 entirely closes the road, and its guns point directly 
 down the pass. — From No. 4 to No. 5 is a continued breast- 
 work on the side of the rising hill, within pistol range of 
 the pass below. — Turn again to this picture of the batteries, 
 and you observe part of No. 3, on the right ; and, over the 
 top of the hill upon which that is placed, under the letter X, 
 there placed, and looking down on the road in the pass, is 
 the position of No. 4. The hill of Cerro Gordo you observe 
 rising above, in the distance. Observing the position of 
 the battery No. 4, on the plan, {page 586), and from this 
 picture described, in imagination proceed there in a direct 
 line, — crossing the ravine, — leaving battery No. 3 to your 
 right. 
 
 On arriving at No. 4, you have the picture, shown in the 
 frontispiece before you, which was also taken after the battle : 
 — the pass below you ; the hills of Cerro Gordo and Tele- 
 grafo, in front ; Cerro Gordo being to the left. Telegrafo is 
 the hill on which the fighting of the 17 th took place ; and 
 Cerro Gordo rises high, the key of the whole position. A 
 body of our troops are placed going through the pass, toward 
 the head, or the farther extremity, at which is battery No. 5, 
 shown on the plan ; — the guns of this bear directly alon§ 
 the pass, as above mentioned. 
 
 Now, reader, from your last position (battery No. 4) ima- 
 gine yourself across the pass, and on the summit of Cerro 
 Gordo, and then you look down on, and have a direct view 
 of the whole ground, and, with the aid of the plan first men- 
 tioned, can gain a clear idea of the field of operations. — In 
 the first place, facing to the south-east, below you is the 
 pass, and the hill beyond it, rising from battery No. 5, and 
 continually ascending, until it ends at batteries No. 1, 2 
 and 3. Still farther on, in the same direction, you look far 
 over the mountainous hills, which are between you and Plan 
 del Rio. To the south, you see over this hill of batteries, 
 and observe that on its southern side it is abruptly termi- 
 nated by the terrible chasm or ravine before mentioned. — 
 
584 BATTLE-GROUND OF CERRO GORDO. 
 
 Over the ravine, you observe but distant mountains, thrown 
 together in nature's w^ildest style. 
 
 Looking down from your high elevation to the west, you 
 observe the plain, bounded by the same ravine, which, at 
 battery No. 5, comes nearly to the road at the base of the 
 mountain, and this road follows up the bank of the ravine to 
 where is marked Santa Anna's headquarters ; — there the 
 road branches off, and loses itself in other hills. 
 
 Now look to the north. — At the base of the mountain is 
 another ravine, apparently impassable ; — beyond that, the 
 rugged mountains are piled upon one another far as the eye 
 can reach. 
 
 Now look to the east, still consulting the plan. Below 
 you is the hill of Telegrafo ; — it stretches long and high. 
 Between it and the hill of batteries Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the 
 road runs up. Over this hill of Telegrafo, surrounded as it 
 is by tremendous chasms, your vision extends far off to the 
 eastward ; — rugged hills succeed to others still lower, until, 
 thirty miles in the distance, you observe the more level and 
 faint outlines of the lower lands of the sea coast. l 
 
 The view all around you is of the wildest of nature's 
 work, and you wonder at the exceeding strength of this 
 place. You see that no force can approach by the south, for 
 the terrible ravine forbids. — You think it utterly hopeless to 
 endeavor to come around to the north, for the ravines ap- 
 pear impassable. — You perceive no way to come, save di- 
 rectly up the road from the south-east along the pass ; but 
 if that was attempted, you perceive, from the plan, that they 
 would be exposed to a flank fire from fort No. 2, as they 
 crossed the valley below, and then would be annihilated as 
 they came up the pass, by the lofty batteries. Nos. 3 and 4, 
 and the direct fire of No. 5, added to that of No. 6, on the 
 summit of the hill of Cerro Gordo. You can perceive no 
 opportunity for a force ever to be able to come so near as 
 to attack any of the works, save the batteries on the extreme 
 south, — Nos. 1 and 2, — which may be approached by a diffi- 
 cult path through the chapparal on the rocky hills, marked 
 as Gen. Pillow's route. 
 
 Well, reader, so it appears, and so Santa Anna and his 
 
DESERTION OF DRAGOON. 585 
 
 officers thought ; and into that part of the line, consequently, 
 he had placed the best troops and strongest collection of ar- 
 tillery ; their opinion was made certain by a German, — one 
 of our regular dragoons, — who, confident, from their position, 
 that they must gain the victory, deserted from our troops on 
 the night of the 17th, and passed over to them, informing 
 them that they were to be attacked on the next morning, and 
 that the principal effort was to be made against those bat- 
 teries, — Nos. 1 and 2. On this information, Gen. La Vega, 
 who commanded on the height of Cerro Gordo, changed 
 places with Gen, Vasquez in command of the batteries on the 
 hill ; and every preparation was made to receive the attack. 
 But this deserter was wrong in his idea : the main assault 
 was not to be made there, but at the eminence of Cerro Gordo 
 itself, in the face of all the natural difficulties that surround- 
 ed it; and his tale, therefore, and its effect in change of the 
 Mexican movements, in strengthening these batteries, and 
 waiting there for the main attack, was in the highest degree 
 subservient to the glory of the American arms : for Gen. 
 Scott, although commanding an assault to be made against 
 these batteries, yet had from the first intended to direct his 
 main movements to the right ; and so confident was he of 
 his plans securing the victory, notwithstanding the immense 
 advantage of position and numerical force of the enemy 
 added to their overpowering number of artillery, that his 
 •orders were only directed to that end, and nothing is said in 
 them of the possibility of defeat ; but the troops are directed 
 as to the manner of pursuit of the routed foe.* 
 
 • oEir. bcott's ohders previous to the battle of CERno gordo. 
 
 Hkapquarters of the Army of the Untted States of Amebica. ) 
 Plan del Rio, April 17, 1S47. J 
 
 General Orders, No. 111. 
 
 The enemy's whole line of entrenchments and batteries will be attacked in front 
 and at the same time turned, early in the day to-morrow, probably before ten o'clock,' 
 A.M. 
 
 The second (Twiggs') division of regulars is already advanced within easy turning 
 distance towards the enemy's left. That division has instructions to move forward 
 before daylight to-morrow, and take up position across the National Road in the en- 
 emy's rear, so as to cut off a retreat towards Jalapa. It may be reinforced to-day, if 
 ■•unexpectedly attacked in force, by regiments — one or two taken from Shields' brigade 
 
586 GEN. TWIGGS' MOVEMENTS. 
 
 Gen. Twiggs had already opened a road around, with in- 
 finite labor, and, after a hard fight on the 17th, taken pos- 
 session of the hill of Telegrafo, driving off" the enemy with 
 great loss ; and, on this evening, he was reinforced by Gen. 
 Shields' brigade of volunteers, consisting of the third Illinois 
 infantry, Col. Foreman, the fourth do., Col. Baker, and the 
 New York regiment. Col. Burnett. 
 
 Gen, Twiggs' division slept on their arms, on the ground 
 
 GEN. SCOTT's orders PREVIOUS TO THE BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO. 
 
 of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments will march for that purpose at day- 
 light to-morrow morning, under Brig. Gen. Shields, who will report to Brig. Gen. 
 Twiggs on getting up with him, or the general-in-chief, if he be in advance. 
 
 The remaining regiment of that volunteer brigade will receive instructions in the 
 course of this day. 
 
 The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the movement against the en- 
 emy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning. 
 
 As already arranged. Brig. Gen. Pillow's brigade will march at six o'clock to-mor- 
 row morning along the route he has carefully reconnoitred, and stand ready as soon as 
 he hears the report of arms on our right, or sooner, if circumstances should favor him, 
 to pierce the enemy's line of batteries at such point — the nearer the river the better — 
 as he may select. Once in the rear of that line, he will turn to the right or left, or 
 both, and attack the batteries in reverse, or if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy 
 with vigor until further orders. 
 
 Wall's field battery and the cavalry will be left in reserve on the National Road, 
 a little out of view and range of the enemy's batteries. They will take up that posi- 
 tion at nine o'clock in the morning. 
 
 The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divisions and corps will 
 pursue with vigor. 
 
 This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by darkness or fortified 
 positions, towards Jalapa. Consequently, the body of the army will not return to this 
 encampment, but be followed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next morning, by the 
 baggage trains of the several corps. For this purpose, the feebler officers and men of 
 each corps will be left to guard its camp and effects, and to load up the latter in the 
 wagons of the corps. A commander of the present encampment will be designated 
 in the course of this day. 
 
 As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have been carried, or that 
 the general pursuit has been commenced, one wagon for each regiment, and one for 
 the cavalry, will follow the movement, to receive, under the directions of medical offi- 
 cers, the wounded and disabled, who will be brought back to this place for treatment in 
 general hospital. 
 
 The Surgeon General will organise this important service, and designate that hos- 
 pital, as well as the medical officers to be left at it. 
 
 Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy, will take the usual al- 
 lowance of ammunition, and subsistence for at least two days. 
 By command of Major General Scott : 
 
 H. L. SCOTT, A. A. A. General. 
 
POSITION OF MEXICAN TROOPS. 589 
 
 they had so gallantly won.* In the night, three pieces of 
 artillery, twenty-four pounders, two of them howitzers, un- 
 der the command of Capt. Steptoe, and the other under that 
 of Lieut. Seymour, were dragged up the new road opened 
 by Gen. Twiggs (marked on the plan opposite), with incredi- 
 ble labor, by the regulars, the Illinoisans, and the New York 
 regiment, and on the summit of Telegrafo placed in position. 
 This battery commenced the action of the 18th, at seven 
 o'clock A. M., by a heavy upward fire upon the enemy's bat- 
 tery, on the adjacent height of Cerro Gordo. 
 
 We will now speak of the disposition of the Mexican troops 
 at this moment, and the arrangements made for receiving the 
 attack. — In the fort, at the top of the hill of Cerro Gordo, 
 were six pieces of artillery, and near three thousand men, 
 under Gen. Vasquez ; Gen. Santa Anna and Gen. Ampudia 
 were there, also, during the commencement of the fight, but 
 cleared themselves quickly afterward. — At the foot of Cerro 
 Gordo, and near the battery No. 5, were about two thousand 
 men and five cannon. On the hill of the batteries Nos. 1, 
 
 2, 3, and 4, were about four thousand men, and twenty-four 
 pieces of artillery — five in No. 1, eight in No. 2, eight in No. 
 
 3, and three in No. 4. These were under the commands of 
 Gen. La Vega and Gen. Pinson. The fact of there being 
 artillery in Nos. 1 and 2 was unknown to our attacking force, 
 the pieces being masked by brush, like that which lay cut 
 down and dry before them, and there having been no oppor- 
 tunity of making a correct reconnoissance of the position. 
 
 * TWIGGs' ACTION ON THE 17tH. 
 
 The forces of Gen. Twiggs engaged in the battle of the 17th, the object of which 
 was to gain possession of Telegrafo, were under the immediate command of Col. 
 Harney ; — were composed of the regular rifle regiment, Major Loring, first artillery. 
 Col. Childs, and one company of the seventh regular infantry, under Lieut. Gardner, 
 with the mountain howitzer and rocket company, under Capt. Talcott, and was a 
 spirited battle, in which Col. Hamey and his command conducted themselves with 
 great gallantry and success ; driving the numerous bodies of the enemy from the hill 
 of Telegrafo, and repulsing three heavy charges that they made with a heavy force 
 from Cerro Gordo, to regain possession. While this action was going on, Gen. Santa 
 Anna was on the height of Cerro Gordo above, and the action was thus fought beneath 
 his eye, and directed, on the part of the Mexicans, by his orders. By referring to the 
 frontispiece, the reader has a full view of Telegrafo, and the hollow between that and 
 Cerro Gordo, which, as well as the hill, was the scene of the severe fighting of this day^ 
 
>590 BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO. 
 
 At Santa Anna's headquarters, were a body of infantry and 
 artillery, with six cannon, and four thousand lancers, under 
 Gen. Canalizo ; making in all about thirteen thousand men, 
 with forty-two pieces of cannon. 
 
 The battle now commenced with the utmost spirit. Gen. 
 Twiggs' three brigades — Col Riley's, Col. Harney's (Gen. 
 P. F. Smith, the commander, being sick), and Gen. Shields' 
 volunteers — were already on the ground ; — Gen. Pillow's 
 brigade — composed of the 1st and 2d Tennessee regiments, 
 under colonels Campbell and Haskell, 1st and 2d Pennsyl- 
 vania do., under colonels Roberts and Wyncoop, the inde- 
 pendent company of Kentuckians, Capt. Williams, and one 
 company of the Tennessee cavalry, Capt. Caswell — was on 
 the route from camp, at Plan del Rio, but having three miles 
 to march round, before it could reach the enemy's left bat- 
 teries, was not able to arrive at these until after the general 
 commencement of the fight at Cerro Gordo, on the other ex- 
 tremity, although the gallant brigade was making every ex- 
 ertion to get there. The firing commenced sooner than had 
 been anticipated. 
 
 Col, Harney's brigade of the 1st artillery. Col. Childs, 3d 
 infantry, Capt. Alexander, 7th infantry, Lieut. Col. Plymp- 
 ton, and the rifle regiment, Major Loring, descended from 
 Telegrafo, into the valley {seen in the frontispiece) between that 
 and Cerro Gordo, and then rapidly charged up the sides of 
 the steep mountain, upon the fort, exposed to the fire from 
 above, and partly to that of the three pieces, seen in the 
 foreground, which fired with fatal effect across to the moun- 
 tain. 
 
 While these were attacking the hill, the 2d brigade, under 
 Col. Riley, passed to the right, around the base of Cerro 
 Gordo, and engaged the enemy at and near its base. At the 
 same time, the volunteer brigade, under Gen. Shields, also 
 passing under the base of Cerro Gordo, and crossing a ravine, 
 moved up on its right bank, and, to the perfect astonishment 
 of Santa Anna, vigorously attacked his headquarters, which 
 were protected by the battery of six cannon, and supported 
 by Gen. Canalizo's body of lancers. 
 
 While these three brigades were thus moving, the enemy, 
 
BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO. 591 
 
 perceiving the movements, apparently became alarmed, lest 
 the main attack should be in that direction, instead of on 
 the other extremity ; and a heavy body of near two thousand 
 infantry w^ere put in motion, to proceed across and strengthen 
 the post of Cerro Gordo. But at that moment the heavy 
 firing upon their left announced the attack of Gen. Pillow, 
 and this body were immediately recalled to the resistance 
 of what they supposed to be the main attack of the Ameri- 
 can army.* Harney's brigade, after sharp fighting and heavy 
 loss, entered the breast-works on top of Cerro Gordo, from 
 opposite points, and, finishing the work with the bayonet, 
 drove the enemy down the hill, where Col. Riley's brigade 
 was already routing the force there stationed. — Gen. Shields' 
 lllinoisans,"f with the New York regiment, charged upon the 
 battery at Santa Anna's headquarters, and upon the lancers 
 beyond, in a most gallant manner, that drew upon them 
 the admiration of the whole army, and the highest com- 
 pliments from the generals. Their brave and accomplished 
 leader. Gen. Shields, fell, shot through the breast; and Col 
 Baker, of the 4th Illinois, assumed the command. The bat- 
 tery was taken, and the lancers routed ; Santa Anna barely 
 escaping, by a rapid flight ; and the rout of all the forces of 
 the enemy became complete, save that upon the hill of the 
 batteries Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. These surrendered prisoners of 
 war. — The remainder, that fled towards Jalapa, were pur- 
 sued by Gen. Twiggs, with two sections of artillery, the reg- 
 ular dragoons, captains Hardee and Blake, under Major Beal, 
 
 * Never, in any battle, have been a superior and excellently fortified force more com- 
 pletely out-generaled, and more decisively and promptly defeated in consequence, than 
 were the Mexicans in their almost impregnable position at Cerro Gordo. Strong as 
 was the main hill, they relied too much upon it. The very opinion of the Mexicans, 
 that their left was the only place that could be assailed, and the formidable preparations 
 there made for the reception of the Americans, and their confidence of being able to 
 repulse them, proved their ruin ; for although they were thus enabled to repulse Gen. 
 Pillow, yet the attention and force to do this, thus withdrawn from Cerro Cordo and 
 their right, lost them those positions, before the sweeping, resistless charges of Col. 
 Harney, Col. Riley, and Gen. Shields; and their batteries on the left were then un- 
 tenable, being completely commanded by Cerro Gordo. 
 
 ■j" As the 1st and 2d Illinoisans distinguished themselves at Buena Vista, under 
 Gen. Taylor, so did the 3d and 4th, of the same State, gain equal honors a' this 
 action, 'jnder Gen. Scott. 
 
592 ATTACK BY GEN. PILLOW'S BRIGADE. 
 
 and the Ulinoisans and New Yorkers. A scene of slaughter 
 and capture extended for miles ; the routed forces escaping 
 in the chapparal, wherever they could, throwing away their 
 arms in their flight. 
 
 But we are getting ahead of our account. We left Gen. 
 Pillow's brigade arriving before the enemy ^s left batteries. 
 Not ready— but the firing having already become heavy at 
 Cerro Gordo, that general, too hasty in the movement, in- 
 stantly ordered the 2d Tennessee, accompanied by Capt. Wil- 
 liams' Kentucky company, to charge upon battery No. 2, to be 
 supported by the 1st Pennsylvania; and the enemy opened 
 with artillery into the chapparal in which the arriving troops 
 were forming, killing and wounding some, and, of the latter,, 
 the general himself, as he was riding over to the other col- 
 umn, the 2d Pennsylvania, supported by the 1st Tennessee, 
 which was to attack battery No. 1. — The 2d Tennessee had 
 dashed ahead, towards its object. A short distance brought 
 them out into the open space, of which the covering chap- 
 paral had been cut down, and now, for the first time, all saw 
 the position of the works here ; (for, as said before, it had 
 not been possible to closely observe them previously, on ac- 
 count of the strong Mexican pickets, in the chapparal, which 
 completely prevented the approach, sufficiently near, of a re- 
 connoitering party). Before them, for two hundred yards, the 
 chapparal trees lay over the ground in every direction. The 
 large rocks beneath lay piled on each other, covered with a 
 coarse grass, which grew up between, and concealed their 
 ragged, irregular crevices. In front, at battery No. 2, eight 
 pieces of artillery were loaded to the muzzles with canister, 
 and eighteen hundred infantry were ranged behind them. 
 To the right, in battery No. 3, five pieces of artillery, within 
 musket shot, loaded with canister, and supported by in- 
 fantry, were ready to fii-e crosswise ; on the left, in battery 
 No. 4, were three pieces, in the same manner, to cross-fire in 
 the other direction, supported in the same manner. Thus 
 had they here prepared to receive the main attack of the 
 American army. — As the column emerged from the chap- 
 paral, the glance around them upon the obstructions of the 
 ground, and the terrible preparations to receive them, did not 
 
CHARGE OF SECOND TENNESSEE REGIMENT. 503 
 
 daunt, in the least degree, the courage or the enthusiasm of 
 this noble regiment of Tennesseeans, and the equally gallant 
 company of Kentuckians ; — delivering their fire at the ser- 
 ried, protected ranks before them, they answered the clear 
 strains of the Mexican bugles with a wild shout of defiance, 
 and over the rocks, brush and fallen trees, as rapidly as they 
 could get, they dashed firmly forward with the bayonet. — 
 The Mexican artillery in front opened upon them; the bat- 
 tery on the right swept them with grape, and that on the left 
 crossed its showers of canister through their ranks, while 
 the deadly fire of two thousand muskets poured upon them. 
 The air was filled with the storm of iron, copper, and lead ; 
 the trees and brush flew in splinters, the rocks were .shattered 
 on every surface ; and the gallant command, pressing nearly 
 to the forts, fell like leaves before the whirlwind. Their 
 heroic colonel, Haskell, maddened in seeing his men thus 
 falling around him, and that the consummation of the assault 
 with his force was absolutely impossible, — his lieutenant- 
 colonel, major, adjutant, and most of his company officers 
 having fallen, with his cap torn from his head by a grape- 
 shot, his hair streaming wildly in the wind, loudly ordered 
 his men to fall back until supported. This v/as done : and 
 then the whole brigade put in columns, to attack Nos. 1 and 
 2 simultaneously. But now it was unnecessary — the ob- 
 ject had been gained.* For the heavy Mexican column, that 
 had been proceeding to the assistance of the force on the 
 height of Cerro Gordo, was stopped in its course, and turned 
 back with all speed, by the firing at the left ; and before they 
 could return, Cerro Gordo, the key to the whole position, had 
 been taken ; the forces there entirely routed, and, immedi- 
 ately after, those in the batteries displayed a white flag for 
 surrender, and the battle was over. 
 
 The rout was complete. — Not a thing was saved by the 
 flying enemy ; all order was lost, and every one escaped in 
 the best way he could. — There fell into the hands of our 
 
 • The reader lias only to look at the view of these batteries, (page .580) and in 
 imagination to fill up the fortifications with the crowded ranks of the enemy, to be 
 able fully to appreciate the daring valor and unflinching bravery of tills 2d Tennessee 
 regiment, with its accompanying band of Kentuckians. 
 
 38 
 
594 FRUITS OF VICTORY. 
 
 victorious army forty-two pieces of cannon, (most of them 
 brass), many wagons and pack mules, four thousand prison- 
 ers,* six or eight thousand stand of arms (not numbered), 
 five generals, — Pinson, Jarero, La Vega, Noriega, and Obando ; 
 (another. Gen. Vasqaez, was killed on Cerro Gordo, fighting 
 to the last) ; many colonels, lieutenant-colonels, and other 
 officers (two hundred and fifteen in all) ; most abundant sup- 
 plies of excellent powder ; cannon and musket cartridges ; 
 cannon-balls, grape-shot and canister, of copper, iron, and 
 lead ; Santa Anna's traveling carriage, and his effects,, inclu- 
 ding sixteen thousand dollars, in silver — a good part of which 
 fell into the hands of the victorious Illinoisans and others ; 
 and, in fact, everything that the enemy possessed. 
 
 Santa Anna escaped to the town of Orizaba, on the foot 
 of the mountain of the same name. The Mexican army dis- 
 persed in every direction, and the largest body was pursued 
 sixteen miles, to Santa Anna's hacienda at Encerro,t and 
 many were cut down. 
 
 The hopes of the Mexicans were, for the time, Avholly de- 
 stroyed ; and, as the fruits of victory, the fine city of Jalapa 
 
 * About one thousand of these escaped, for the want of a full escort in the chap- 
 paral-lined road, between the battle-field and Plan del Rio, whither they were con- 
 ducted. The remainder were released on parole, given by their officers, that ihcy 
 should not again bear arras against the United States during the present war. 
 
 -j- At Encerro, a few miles from Jalapa, the pursuing column of Illinoisans, of both 
 regiments, of the New York regiment, and of regular dragoons, directed by Gen. 
 Twiggs in person, was halted by Maj. Gen. Patterson, on account of the extreme 
 fatigue of the men and horses, — many of the latter dropping dead, from over-exertion ; 
 — the miserable fugitives left of the Mexican army were unnoticed farther. — On this 
 route. Gen. Ampudia and his staff were nearly caught: for, hemmed in by a wall, they 
 could not escape, and they took the bold movement of advancing directly towards 
 Gen. Patterson and his staff, who supposed that they were coming up to surrender 
 themselves; but the wily Mexicans had no such idea: bj' this movement they came 
 to a lower part of the wall, and Ampudia leaped his splendid gray horse, which he 
 calls " Gen. Taylor," over it, followed by the rest, like a flock of sheep, and away 
 they went. The dragoon horses were too much fatigued to pursue them, and Gen. 
 Patterson was disappointed in capturing his supposed prize. 
 
 This gallant general had been, during the day, and for several days before, quite 
 sick, — enough so to be confined to his bed ; but, on the approach of the battle, could 
 not be kept in by the surgeons, but joined Gen. Scott at the base of Cerro Gordo 
 during the battle ; and was in the whole of the subsequent pursuit. Gen. Smith 
 was sick, so that he could not get out, and therefore Col. Harney had command of 
 his brigade. 
 
SURRENDER OF JALAPA, PEROTE, AND PUEBLA. 595 
 
 yielded, on the next day, to the conquerors ; and, in two days 
 more, the strong castle of Perote, second only to San Juan de 
 Ulloa, followed, — having within it fifty-six cannon and seven 
 mortars, and an abundance of small arms ; and in a few days 
 the splendid city of Puebla surrendered, upon the advance 
 of Gen. Worth, and was taken possession of by that officer^ 
 and the road to the city of Mexico was open.* 
 
 Such was the battle of Cerro Gordo,t which, although ad- 
 
 * In less than two months after Gen. Scott haJ landed at Vera Cruz, he had taken 
 nine thousand prisoners, and among them ten generals ; three large cities ; two fa- 
 mous fortresses; five hundred pieces of cannon, over ten thousand stand of arms, and 
 an immense quantity of materiel of war ; had routed and dispersed the Mexican 
 armies, and driven their great general, a fugitive, into the mountains for safety. 
 
 -j- KILLED AND WOUNDED, FIIIST BHIGAUE OF VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 For the list of Tennesseeans and Kentuckians, the author is indebted to the polite- 
 ness of the acting adjutant of the second Tennessee regiment. 
 
 riRST BRIGADE OF VOLTJNTEKS. — WOUNDED. 
 
 Brig. Gen. G. J. Pillow, slightly. 
 
 SECOND TENNESSEE REGIMENT, COL. 'WM. HASKELL. 
 
 Woitndtd — Lieut. Col. David Cummings, Major Farquarharson, Adj. Wilev P. HalR, (since 
 dead). 
 
 , Company A, Capt. W. G. McCowan. — Killed — Private Samuel Floyd. Wounded — Sergeant 
 And. Carson, privates H. Mowry, Peter Wheeler, Aaron Dockery, Aaron Capps, S. G. 
 Williams. 
 
 Company B, Capt. Henry F. Murray. — Wounded — Captain H. F. Murray ; privates J Kent, 
 (since dead), Moreau Brewer, Benj. F. Bibb. 
 
 Company C, Lieut. W. G. McAdoo. — Killed — Private Wm. England, Geo. W. Koeny. — 
 Wounded — Sergeants T. R. Bradley and E. H. McAdoo; privates Wm. Bennet, Isaac N. 
 Graham, liCwis L. Jones, Sam'l Davis. 
 
 Company D, Lieut. F. B. Nelson. — Killtd — tst Lieut. F. B. Nelson ; private Chas. Bampson. 
 Wounded — Josiali Prescott, Benj. O'Haver, Chas. Ross. 
 
 Cotnpany E, Ut Lieut. W. B. Davis.— Killed— 2d Lieut. C. G. Gill, Serg't H. L. Bynum, pri- 
 vates R. L. Bohannon, John J. Gunter. Wounded — Privates John Gregory, A. Gregory, E. G. 
 Robinson, B. Plunkelt. John P. Isler. 
 
 Company F, 2d Lieut. A. P. GrMie.— Killed— SergH F. Willis; privates W. O. Striblin, Eph. 
 Price, Thos. Griffin, Rob't Keirnan, Wounded — Serg't George A. Smith, (mortally) ; privates 
 L. AV. Fussell, Alonzo White, John Burrus, Christopher Johnson, James Whitlington, Thos. 
 H. Boyd. 
 
 Company G, Capt. W. J. Standifer. — Wounded — Serg't John Cowan ; private James Allison. 
 
 Company H, Capt. John D. Loivry. — Killed — Serg't W.F. Brown. Wounded — 1st Lieut. 
 Wm. Yearwood, (since dead), 2d Lieut. Jas Forest; privates James Woods, John D. Armon, 
 George Sherman, (since dead), a free colored boy, who persi.sted in going into the action. 
 
 Independent co?npany Kentuckians. from Clark county, Capt. John S. Williams, attached to 2d 
 Tenn.]— Killed — Corporal W. F. Elkin ; privates W. Durham, Alfred Hatton. Wounded — ^2d 
 Lieut. George S. Southerland, serg't A. T. Mocabee ; privates W. W. Keith, Henry Williams, 
 Minor T. Smith, Ira Storm. Henry Bre wner, Joseph J. Langston, Wm. Bruce,Willis F. Martin, 
 James Muir, William Chism. 
 
 FIRST TENNESSEE, COL. CAMPBELL. 
 
 Killed — Private S. W. Lauderdale. Wounded — Captain Maulding, Adj. Ileiman, Adj. cor- 
 poral Johnson ; privates S. G. Steamers. M. Burns, W. F. McCrory, S. W. Garnette. 
 
 FIRST PEN.NSYLVANIA, COL. ROBERTS. 
 
 Woutided — Privates J. Lindhurt, David Lindsay, Albert Cudney, J. R. Davis, C. F. Keyser, 
 John Slieleen, G. Sutton, A. Lovier, D. W. C. Kitclicn, D. K. Morrison. 
 
596 MERIT OF THE BATTLE. 
 
 mired, has not received its merited degree of praise ; for the 
 position of the enemy ; his greatly superior force ; his vast 
 supplies ; the excellent generalship displayed in the attack ; 
 the complete and sudden overthrow^ and defeat ; the disper- 
 sion of his army ; the vast materiel captured, and the con- 
 sequences of the victory, render it one of the most brilliant 
 
 KILLED AND WOUNDED. 
 
 SECOND PKNKSYLVANIA, COL. WYNKOOP. 
 
 Wounded — Corporal John Smith: privates A.Roland, J. Shultz, John Chambers, Jacob 
 Simons, Ed. Cruse, Jacob Miller, D. M. Davidson, Wm. Wilhelm, F. Somers, James Shaw, 
 Thos. Hann, Josiah Horn. 
 
 SECOND BRIOADB VOLTNTEKKS. 
 
 Wounded — Brig. Gen. Shields, severely. 
 
 THIRD ILLINOIS, COL. FOKMAN. 
 
 Killed — Private Benjamin Merritt. Wo2i7ided — Serg't Allen, corporal J. F. Thompson; pri- 
 vates Andrew Browning, T. W. Haley, John Roe, Levi Card, H. Dimond, S. While, A. Mc- 
 Colium, S. C. B. Ellis, G. Hammond, T. Harlow. S. Bullock, J. Mellburn, John iViaulding. 
 
 FOURTH ILLINOIS, COL. BAKER. 
 
 Killed — 1st Lieut. George M. Cowardin, corporal H. H. INIiller, private Joseph Newman. — 
 Wounded — Lieutenants Richard JVIurphy, Charles Maltby, And. Fornian ; sergeants J D. 
 Sanders, J. M. Handsby, James B. Anderson, Uriah Davenport: corporals Thomas Hissey, 
 G. W. Nelson; privates James A. Banel, James Depen, John Walker, Wni. E. Lee, James 
 Malion, John Arahood, Laban Chambers, George Carver, E. Rice, James Shephard, David 
 Hoflmun, Robert Jackson, Leroy Thornley, Thomas Tcnuery, John Price, Josaph Tharp, Ir- 
 win Becker, J. J. D. Todd, Charles Lanning, Frederick Braucher, S. Browne, Win. Morris. 
 
 The first and second lieutenants of company F, Scott and Johnson, and eleven others in that 
 company are also known to have been killed or wounded ; but the names the author has not 
 been able to procure. 
 
 FIRST NEW YORK, COL. BURNKTT. 
 
 Wounded — Capt. Pearson; privates E. Cook, R. Hedrick, John Stiver, Henry [ieveran 
 Christopher Newman. 
 
 FIIIST BniGADE REOULAHS, COL, HARNET, 
 
 , MOUNTED RIFLEMEN, MAJOR SUMNER. 
 
 Killed — Serg't James Harlison, Corporal Danley Ware ; privates Thomas J. Pointer, Benj"- 
 McGee, Conrad Kuntz, Charles Wills, Wm. Cooper, George Collins, Wm. McDonald. 
 
 Wounded — Major E. V. Sumner, commanding regiment, Capt. Stephen T. Mason, first lieu- 
 tenant Thomas Ewell, (since dead), second lieutenant Thomas Davis, second lieutenant G. 
 McLean, brevet second lieutenant Dabney H. Maury, brevet second lieutenant Alfred Gibbsj 
 sergeants Jeremiah Beck, Thomas Sloan, Carter L. Vigus, H. Louis Brown, Charles H. W. 
 Boln; corporals Thomas Williams, Ferdmand Liltlebrand, Wm. R. Leachman, Thos. Goslin, 
 Lewis P. Arnold; privates John McCormick, W. "W. Miller, John McCauley, T. J. Hester, 
 
 D. Hesiing, R. Ross, S. N. Bitner, W. F. Ford, E. N. Brown, John Sampson, W. W. Breedon, 
 
 E. Allen, A. Evans, W. Butterfield, J. Meyers, D. Carpenter, G. W. Gillespie, John Raney, 
 J. Windle. H. Zimmerman, James McGowan, W. A. Miller, C. Jones, W. J. Scrivener, Jas. 
 A. Adams, George Stempson, David Bear, W. Hammersly, Samuel Gilman, John W. Robin- 
 son, Justus Freemaux, Adam Ryan, J. Hooker, L. Hooker. John Walker, H. Hill, W. Hig- 
 gins, W. Forbes, Ira While, George Tucker, C. A. Alburn, H. Bell, W. H. Preston, W. Sche- 
 der, J. Lipp, J. Vorle, J. Spencer, T. Conway, A. L. Ogg, C. Bruner, F. Workman, Hiram 
 Melvine, M. Lang, D. Ferguson, C. Foster. G. Bacurine, G. Brydong, S. Runison, J Schra- 
 man, T. Moll, N. J. Campbell. 
 
 FIRST ARTILLERY, COL. CHILD3. 
 
 Killed— SiiTgca.nl Caldwell Armstrong; privates Patrick Casey, Daniel Doty, Amant Hara- 
 man, Charles Skinner, Joseph Wood, Francis Perrod, Michael Dailey, Griffin Budd, Samuel 
 M. Roberts, Hugh Croley.— 11. 
 
 Wounded— Sergeixnls J . M. Ilolden, (mortally), John Haymes, John Teahan ; privates John 
 Bandorf, Adam Kock, R. M. Huntington, Michael Griffin, James Welsh, Thomas Sullivan, 
 
LOSS OF EITHER ARMY. 597 
 
 actions of the Mexican war. The least estimate made by 
 the Mexican officers, of their loss in killed and wounded, 
 was about one thousand ; but from the number of dead, and 
 the wounded which fell into our hands, it was afterwards 
 universally conceded that it could not have been less than 
 one thousand five hundred. The loss of the Americans, as 
 seen below, was four hundred and twenty-five. 
 
 KILLED ANU WOUNDED. 
 
 Sergeant S. F. Simpson, privates John Gormley, Thomas Malheron, Wm. B. Williams j cor- 
 poral Ferdinand Littleward ; artificer Hiram Melvin ; privates Marinus Lang, David Fergu- 
 son, Cliarles Forster, Gotlert Barnrule, George Briduiig, Konradt Fisher, Stephen Rineson, Ju- 
 lius Schramm, Frederick Molte, Nathaniel J.Campbell; corporal Thomas Williams; pri- 
 vates Patrick Anthony, Samuel Downey, Anthony Bracklin, Mathew Enganberg, George 
 Hamblin, Michael Harley, James Keegan, Orrin I-awton, John Rooney. John A. Sloane, 
 Wm. H. Webber, John Wooley, James Burnett, Thomas Lynes, Andrew Wright, Patrick 
 Kane, Sergeant Thomas Geff". — 43. 
 
 SEVENTH INFANTKY, LIEUT. COL. PLYMPTON. 
 
 Killed — Sergeant Robert Wright ; corporal Fidmund Toley ; privates Wm. Myers, Lewis 
 Belie, J. M. Derby, Jolm M. Seaton, John Lynch, Francis O'Neill, Isaac Dolcn. 
 
 Wounde!! — 1st Lieut. N. T. J. Dana; sergeants John Heynes, Jolm Teahan, James M. Hol- 
 den, H. J. Manson, Samuel Cline. R S. Cross, Jonathan Marsh, James Ecles, John Brayman j 
 corporals Nicholas Bradley, John Carter, Patrick Duneghar, James Garrard, John Jones; 
 privates Anthony Bracklin, Samuel Downey, Matthew Eugan, George Hamlin, Michael Har- 
 ly, James Keigan, Orrin Lawton, John Rooney, J. A. Sloane, W. H. Webber, John Wooley, 
 James Burnet, Thomas Myres, Andrew Wright, John Bandorf, Adam Kock, Patrick Kane, 
 R. R. Hunlington, N. GrifTni, James Welsh, Thomas Sullivan, Jacob Halpin, D. McCrystaI.E. 
 Lyons, E. Peters, C. Elliott, James Godfrey, C. S. Hassner, William Longwell, I. Gilleze, 
 e. Johnson, James Joice, J. Lee, John McMahon, T. O'Callaghan, W. Robinson, John Smith, 
 George Wakeford, C. Bierwith, John Keelan, John Burnes, Niell Donelly, P. Henley, D. 
 Downs, John Trunks, S. RatclifT, P. Mahoney, John Davidson, Michael Dwyer, James Flinn, 
 
 M. Ryan, Walter Roob, D. Reed, Peter M. Calee, Thompson, A. Hansford, James Har- 
 
 mer, Wm. Sprague, D. Whipple, Daniel McCrae, Joseph Brewer, K. Fisher. 
 
 SECOND EKIGADE, COL. KILEY. — SECOND INFANTRY. 
 
 Killed — Serg't Michael Christal ; privates James Olsen, John Schenck. Andrew Devine, 
 Wm. Turner. 
 
 Wounded — Capt. George W. Patten ; Lieut. C. E. Jarvis ; sergeants Francis Doud, Alpheue 
 Russell; privates Wm. Pollock, D. Hogan, Patrick Sheridan, Jacob Carr, George AV. Derry, 
 James Harper, Morris Welsh, Henry Yuill, Lyman Hodgden, Timothy Byrne, Jas. McCul- 
 lough, Richard Crangle. 
 
 THIRD INFANTRY, CAPT. ALEXANDER. 
 
 Wounde'l — Lieuts. J. N. Ward, B. E. Bee ; serg't George Reed ; corporal David Kerr ; pri- 
 vates Henry Carleton, George Dunn, R. Tonlden, R. Vickers, Nicholas Tyaiis, J. D. Lore, 
 J. B. Richardson, Wm. Keaner, C. Smith, J. Malten, Silas Chappel, A. Marsh, Joseph Gallion, 
 A. E. Marsh, John McConviUe. Steplien Garble, P. Levy, S. Corey. 
 
 APPEAnANCE OF THE GROUND AFTER THE BATTLE. 
 
 Now, reader, having given an account of the glorious action of Cerro Gordo, as it may be 
 interesting to many, we will speak, in this note, of the appearance of the battle-ground a.'"ter- 
 ■ward, as it appeared to us of the four companies of cavalry, who had come up with Gen 
 Quitman's brigade. We remained there for a few days, to assist the 2d Tennessee regv 
 ment, who had been left, with one company of regulars, to guard the hospitals of wounded, 
 and to spike the cannon, burn the muskets, blow up the magazines, and, as much as possible, 
 to destroy all the immense materiel of war, which, with so much labor and expense, had been 
 collected at this stronghold by Santa Anna, in the vain hope of entirely defeating us, and 
 which materiel was now not wanted by our army. 
 
 Quitman's brigade passed on, and joined the main army at Jalapa. and we commenced car 
 
598 BLOWING UP MAGAZINES. 
 
 The labor of blowing up the magazines and destroying the 
 muskets was hard, and we were all rejoiced, when, after 
 three days, we were ordered to leave for Jalapa; for the 
 dead men and horses now had become most offensive, and a 
 sickening air seemed to rest over the hills and field of car- 
 nage. We had lost, while here. Adjutant Reet^e Porter, an 
 
 APPEAUANCE OF THK KIlOL/iNU AFTER THE BATTLE. 
 
 laborious task. Having, in our work, for three days, to traverse, again and again, all parts of 
 the ground, we became more familiar with every position, than any other portion of the army 
 had tlie opportunity to be ; and the more we walked over its strong positions, the more we 
 were struck with admiration of tlie glorious results of the battle. A battleground, after the 
 fight, especially when such a rout as this has taken place, presents a melancholy appearance. 
 
 We will give a short sketch of the scenes around, commencing at Plan del Rio. The hos- 
 pital here presented a painful spectacle ; all the little cane buildings on the side of the road were 
 filled with wounded, who were ranged along on blankets, stretched upon the- bare, hard earth. 
 Their situation was uncomfortable ; the pain they were suffernig was dreadful. They lay in 
 their ordinary clothing, which, in many instances, was stiff with blood. — Some had been shot 
 through the body, and lay groanmg in pain ; others, being struck by cannon balls, had lost their 
 arms or legs ; some were shot in the head, neck, or sides ; in every possible manner were they 
 wounded. — Some apparently suffered but little, and lay quietly, without a word ; others, una- 
 ble to move, were in good spirits, and freely conversed upon the battle, and their part in it. 
 Walking around, wore many who had been slightly wounded ; several with the stump of an 
 arm tied up in a bandage ; some were shot in two or three places. — One young man was 
 shot by a canister ball, through the thigh, and another ball had wounded him, at tho same 
 instant, m the left side, while another had taken the cap from his head. — The groans of many 
 were heart-rending. — One, who had been hit near the ear, by a canister ball, which had 
 ranged down into his neck, and lay deep against the back bone, — so deep that it could not be 
 extricated, — every few moments was delirious with pain ; he groaned and rolled in intense 
 agony, and in no position could he be relieved ; he turned upon his side, his back, or, rising 
 on his hands and knees, would press his fevered forehead against the earth ; most ear- 
 nestly and piteously did he continually beg of the attendants to be killed — it was his only 
 prayer ; — death, that night, came to his relief — Near him, another young man, clotled with 
 gore, from a terrible wound on his head, by grape shot, was sinking under its effects ; he lay 
 quietly, and murmured sometimes incoherently, and sometimes plainly, of scenes at home ; 
 called upon his mother and his sisters, i.i terms of endearing affection, and wa.s, in imagina- 
 tion, at the place of his childhood again ; but never would he be there in reality, — for, before 
 he had been brought from the battle-field, the flies had clustered upon his wound, and the worms 
 were already working within, beyond the reach of the surgeon to remove. His was a horri- 
 ble death. — Another lay near, whose jaw was shattered, tongue torn out, part of his neck gone, 
 and hi.s power of speech departed ; but still he lived ; and the quick, restless movements of his 
 eyes, showed that he was fully aware of his terrible situation. — The scene in all the houses was 
 the same ; men, wounded in every way, all suffering, all bloody ; some improving, some shriek- 
 ing with pain, some dying, and some dead; while the new burial ground, near, was receiving 
 continually, the victims. Hero, too, were some Mexican soldiers, severely wounded. — After 
 gazing at these painful scenes, the author with a companion, saddled their horses, and pro- 
 ceeded up the road, to the nearest batteries on the hills, those that had been attacked by Pil- 
 low's brigade, and entered No. 2. — ^The dead and wounded had from here been taken down ; 
 tho blood, where so many had yielded up their lives, was caked upon the ground, and the 
 rocks were smeared with it. — Inside the batteries, the cannon, which had been employed in 
 the work of death, still looked grim and threateningly ; piles of sliot were by them ; tin can- 
 isters, containing about two hundred and fifty balls each, were ready to be forced down their 
 muzzles ; the spongers and rammers lay as they were left; — groat quantities of ammuni 
 tion were in the magazines, near by. 
 
 We crossed to No. 3. The same scenes of abandoned cannon, piles of shot, and cases of 
 powder, were here ; but with them, too, were great numbers of muskets. From No. 4, to the 
 road at 5, the way was strewed with muskets, bayonets, cartridge-boxes, belts, and scabbards, 
 
APPEARANCE OF BATTLE-GROUND. 599 
 
 officer who had gained the good will of the whole regiment. 
 He died at Plan del Rio, directly after our arrival. — One of 
 Capt. Newman's men, while out on a foraging party, had ac- 
 cidentally shot himself, and was brought in dead. — One of 
 Capt. Caswell's men, J. L. Robertson, on a foraging party, 
 had been killed, in a fight with some lancers, a few days 
 
 APPEARANCE or THE OIIOUND AFTER THE BATTLE. 
 
 and, in many places, the ground was literally covered with loose cartridges. Here, at this bat- 
 tery, No. 5, were four old Spanish cannon, richly carved ; and with them one new one, that had 
 recently been cast at the city of Mexico, with its name in large letters upon it, "El Terror 
 DELOsNoRTE Americanos," ("the terror of the North Americans"); bulnotmuch terror had it 
 in.spired in our troops. A great quantity of arms and ammunition lay around here, trampled 
 under foot. — We passed up the sleep height of Cerro Gordo. — Soldiers, with litters, were still 
 bringing down the wounded ; and their groans, as we passed, were distressing. On the summit, 
 were the blackened cannon, the marks of the deadly conflict, and blood in abundance ; around 
 the hill, and all up its side towards Telegrafo, and on the north, the corp.ses lay thickly, as 
 they fell, their guns in their hands, or by them. In one place were fifteen, almost in a pile; 
 some stabbed with bayonets, some shot in the head, some through the heart : — one had fallen 
 by a ball through his brain, as he was holding his gun in his left hand, and biting off the end of 
 a cartridge held in his right ; although dead his face had a stern expression of defiance, and his 
 left hand yet grasped his gun, and the cartridge was still in the fingers of the right. — Another had 
 fallen on his lace so violently, that his cartridge-box was thrown over his shoulder ; his gun was 
 still in his hand, the hammer of the lock was drawn back, and, on opening ihe pan, we found 
 it loaded. We turned him over, to see where he had been hit, to be killed so suddenly ; a 
 large hole between his eyes, showed the passage of the fatal ball. — On opening the cartridge- 
 boxes of the dead that lay on their faces, we saw that they had yet plenty of powder and 
 ball. Here five lay almost over each other, as they had fallen, in defending the same spot; 
 the life-blood of the upper ones, had satur.ited the clothing of the lower. Some had died 
 apparently in much agony ; for their countenances were awfully distorted, and their bodies 
 Were drawn up and stifTcnedin convulsive movements. — Some, lower down the hill, had evi- 
 dently crawled some distance, as shown by the trail of clotted iilood behind them, before they 
 died. Many had their heads blown open ; while the entrails of others were out; and one pre- 
 sented a horrible appearance, having crawled twenty yards or more, in that terrible situation ; 
 several had died with their hands covering their faces. — One, in this way, was leaning back 
 against a rock, and appeared as if alive, among the corpses stretched out around him. Some, 
 down in the valley, appeared to have been shouting as they were killed, or else uttering their 
 cries of mortal agony; for their mouths were opened to their utmost. In almost every in- 
 stance where balls had passed through the vitals, the hands wore pressed upon the wounds. 
 One muscular body lay with the arms and legs stretched widely out, but without a head; 
 the bloody stump was terribly lacerated. One had his stomach entirely torn away, by a 
 cannon shot. — So, horribly mangled, they lay thickly to one another, as they fell. — The dead 
 bodies of the Americans had been selected out, and buried. — Hundreds of buzzards and vul- 
 tures sailed around, but appeared not to touch these Mexican dead ; at least, v/e did not see 
 in the multitude any that appeared to have been torn by them. 
 
 Descending the hill, towards the scene of Col. Riley's and Gen. Shields' attack, the same 
 sights were before our eyes, until we were sick of the spectacle. — Hearing a groan in the 
 bushes, close by a number of dead, we looked in, and saw a lancer, lying stretched out 
 bloody, and unable to move; his escopeta lay by him; he held up his hands and cried pite- 
 ously for agica (■pv on. ah-w ah), water. We had none to give him; but determined to see 
 that the poor fellow should be attended to. — At the scene of Shields' and Baker's attack, the 
 dead had been buried, and the wounded taken in. — The dead horses of Canahzo's lancers, shot 
 in the furious attack of the Illinoisans, covered a large space of ground; — some of the 
 mules of the amnwinition wagons were dead in their harness; a universal scene of destruc- 
 tion was all around. — There was a rancho of several cane houses here, and they were nov7 
 occupied as hospitals. Entering those on the left side of the road, we looked at the numbers 
 of Mexican wounded, thickly covering the floors of the houses; attended by fine-looking 
 
GOO MARCH TOWARDS JALAPA. 
 
 before. There were so many deaths now, every day, froia 
 violence and sickness, that the author found himself unable 
 to keep an account of those even in his own regiment. 
 
 It was a bright morning when, to the cheering sound of 
 our bugles, we saddled up, Ibrmed our lines, and leaving the 
 scenes at Plan del Jlio, commenced ascending the long 
 slopes, winding round and up the rugged hills. The road 
 was excellent, and we traveled fast ; stopping at battery No. 
 5 a short time, again we looked down into the terrible ravine 
 below, on the south. It was a grand sight to gaze below, as 
 the winding river ran through the vale ; but so awful the 
 depth, that few, from giddiness, could bear to look a moment 
 down. — We marched over the burnt and blackened ruins 
 of Santa Anna's headquarters ; then by the hospitals, where 
 Americans and Mexicans — friends and foes — were together 
 suffering, and still dying; then passed through the scene of 
 the slaughter of Canalizo's lancers ; then on up the long 
 paved road, that ascended the mountain's elevation. Mile 
 after mile, we continued so to ascend, while the air began 
 perceptibly to change. Sixteen miles brought us to the lovely 
 valley of Encerro, with its sparkling river, dashing over the 
 rocks ; crossed by the road on a stone bridge, of construction 
 equal to those before mentioned. Here the sight of dead 
 horses and fresh graves, by the side of the road, which had 
 met our eyes all along, from Cerro Gordo, ceased ; for at this 
 place that terrible slaughter ended. 
 
 Encerro was a beautiful section ; green pastures took the 
 place of sterile hills, and clear water was abundant. — Just 
 before arriving at the bridge, we crossed a little ditch which 
 had been made by the Mexican army for the whole distance 
 to Cerro Gordo, in order to convey a stream of water into 
 
 APPEAllANCE OF THE G110U>"D AFTER THE HATTLE. 
 
 Mexican surgeons ; — many Mexican soldiers in atlendance. On the other side, the buildings 
 were used for the American wounded. The scenes in these large and crowded hospitals 
 were equally painful as those at Plan del Rio. 
 
 We entered the Mexican hos[)ital first, and informed the officer in charge, of the wounded 
 lancer, and were promised that he should be attended to. After looking at the scenes of pain 
 and distress crowded around, till our hearts were sick with the sight of so much misery and 
 suffering, we retraced our steps; — turned out again from the road, to hunt up the lancer among 
 the dead. On coming to the place, we found witli him a Mexican soldier, who liad been sent 
 to his assistance — carrying to him a large bottle of water and a double handfnl of raw corn! 
 which the poor fellow was munching with great eagerness. He was soon after conveyed to 
 the hospital j and we returned to Plan del Rio. 
 
SANTA ANNA'S HACIENDA AT ENCERRO. 601 
 
 their camp ; and this ditch, winding around, encircling 
 the hills, carried the waters rapidly. At this spot in its 
 course it completely deceived the eye ; and there was not 
 one man in a hundred, of the troops that passed over it, to 
 whom it did not have the appearance of water running up 
 hill. Some declared that it did so, the illusion was so com- 
 plete. Neither could that be corrected by a renewed look ; 
 for, judging by the eye alone, the more we gazed at the 
 ground, the more perfect was the deception, caused by the 
 ditch winding around the brow of the green eminence. 
 
 During the halt of an hour, near the bridge, in this de- 
 lightful, sunny valley of Encerro, some of us went up to 
 Santa Anna's hacienda, which was about half a mile ofl", on 
 a long, verdant hill, to the left of the road ; commanding, in 
 its position, a view of the valley, the river, and the rugged 
 mountains beyond, overlooked by the snowy peak of Orizaba 
 — as beautiful a scene as could be desired. — Entering the 
 lofty gateways, we followed a curved, paved way up to the 
 house ; where, though at first coolly received by the domes- 
 tics in charge, yet were soon most cordially welcomed, as 
 they found by our actions that we wished not to disturb, but 
 to view the place. They showed us, freely, through the 
 house ; opened to our observation the arched piazzas, and 
 splendid rooms above ; the private office of Santa Anna be- 
 low, with its furniture as he had left it a few days before ; 
 and pointed out to us the fine framed pictures that adorned 
 the apartments. These were, a series of Napoleon's battles ; 
 another, of Hannibal's history ; a set of hunting scenes, as 
 acted in various parts of the world ; and the plan of a splen- 
 did monument to be erected in honor of the Mexican chief. — 
 The glasses were large, the carpets fine, the furniture excel- 
 lent, the pictures splendid. — In the long gallery, we smiled 
 as we observed one of the general's artificial legs lying there, 
 booted finely, and excellently manufactured. 
 
 We were shown his services of China and table ware, of 
 the best kind ; and every plate and every cup had his name 
 upon it, in ornamental scrolls. We were conducted through 
 his pleasure grounds ; observed the cascades of falling water, 
 in the small river which had been dammed up, and now fell 
 
■602 ARRIVAL AT JALAPA. 
 
 about fifteen feet, in a sheet on the rocks below, and then 
 wound off in several clear channels, which lost themselves 
 among the little islands of thick shrubbery, among which it 
 hurried along towards the valley below. 
 
 The stone stables, at some distance down the slope of the 
 hill, were capacious enough to hold the horses of a cavalry 
 regiment. We could have spent several hours in strolling 
 about the beautiful place, but the mellow sound of the bu- 
 gles arose from the valley ; and, on looking down, we saw 
 the column forming for the advance. Mounting our horses, 
 we rode over the paved way to the gates, then down a long 
 slope to another brook, then up to the road, where we re- 
 mained a few moments, until the column came, took our 
 places in ranks, and continued our course. — Yet upwards 
 we rose ; — the air became more invigorating, the scene fresh- 
 er, the green of the foliage deeper. 
 
 Oaks appeared, the first we had seen for a long time ; — 
 black jack, sycamore, alder bushes, of enormous size, and 
 many of the plants of the temperate zone, to which we were 
 accustomed at home, met our eyes. Maguey plants, of the 
 largest size, were closely growing among them. Ranches 
 became thickly scattered along the road ; good houses, fine 
 ctone walls around the green fields, more cultivation of the 
 toil, and, in fact, the best appearance met our eyes, both in 
 country and people, that we had viewed in Mexico. All were 
 exhilarated and delighted by the balmy, bracing air and de- 
 lightful garb of nature. Still we were rising, and occasion- 
 ally, from a height, could look down on the vast regions of 
 ■^he torrid zone beneath us. 
 
 A little before sunset, we came over a verdant hill, and 
 ^efore and below us was the beautiful city of Jalapa, uni- 
 versally acknowledged by travelers to be one of the most de- 
 lightful places in the world. The tall mountains rose above 
 it, green even to the edge of the dazzling snow that eternally 
 covered the summit of the loftiest, Orizaba. The city stood 
 in the valley, upon several little hills, with its ancient spires. 
 its white stone buildings in its large extent, relieved by the 
 groves of every sort of tree of freshest green, fragrant flow- 
 •ers, and richest fruit. — A fine clear stream coursed by it. 
 
BEAUTY OF SCENERY. 603 
 
 We closed up our ranks, and descending, crossed the 
 bridge, and entered the clean paved streets, with wide side- 
 walks and spacious houses of stone on either side. The 
 iiendas, or stores were all open, the people engaged at their 
 various occupations, the streets crowded with Americans 
 and Mexicans, and business was briskly going on, and all 
 were apparently friendly. At their iron barred windows 
 were many of the ladies, who gazed upon us without fear,* 
 and, to our surprise, we noticed them as extremely beautiful. 
 
 The busy view of life, activity and enjoyment, immediately 
 banished from our minds, as it had from those of the rest 
 of the army M'ho were participating in it, all thought of the 
 scenes of death, destruction, and suffering, that we had left 
 behind. 
 
 We marched through the crowded streets and market- 
 places up the long slope of the city beyond, and passing 
 on by the farther boundary, continued our course over the 
 hills, looking down into valleys of beauty unknown to us 
 before, and in one of these, on the right of the road, en- 
 camped with the volunteer division. 
 
 Saturday, May \st, 1847. We have now been at Jalapa 
 near a week, and the time has flown so quickly that it seems 
 but a day ; for every attraction had been presented to the 
 senses and mind. It is the most beautiful spot that any of 
 us ever saw — the finest air that ever we inhaled. — The sun 
 shines with unusual splendor, and there is not that sickly 
 sensation to its heat, although great at noon-day, that is so 
 strongly felt in the regions on the coast. It has rained a 
 little every night, and the beauty of the morning, as we see 
 it from camp, is difficult to conceive — much more so to de- 
 scribe. All nature is fresh and green, dressed in smiles ; the 
 lofty mountains are tinted then with rosy hues ; — clouds of 
 rolling majesty, in brilliant whiteness, lay in massive, strong- 
 ly defined volumes, around in the valleys, at their bases. 
 
 ♦After VeraCrur, had been taken, Gen. Morales, who there gallantly commanded the Mexi- 
 can forces, passed through Jalapa, and informed the people that the American army would soon 
 advance upon the interior, and that, if Gen. Santa Anna should be defeated by Gen. Scott, 
 their city would fall into the hands of the Americans ; and advised them, in that case, not 
 to be alarmed for fear of ill treatment, but to go on with their regular business; — assured the 
 females that in such a case they need apprehend no danger from the American soldiers. 
 
604 LOFTY MOUNTAIN OF ORIZABA, 
 
 Orizaba, lifting high its dazzling top of snow, appears to 
 be but a few miles otf, in fact close at hand ; but forty miles 
 will hardly reach its base. Its head is elevated seventeen 
 thousand feet above the level of the sea ; — our Alleghanies 
 and Blue Ridge at home would appear like small eminences, 
 when compared with this majestic mountain. On that lofty 
 summit no human foot has disturbed the eternal snows, 
 Avhich have looked down, from age to age, upon the changing 
 races in the lovely and extensive valleys below. 
 
 One can have no idea of the vastness of the scale in 
 which mountains, hills and valleys are here thrown together. 
 You gaze on a beautiful valley beneath you, on the height 
 near the city. It appears close under you ; for the opposite 
 mountain, in its grandeur, covered w^ith a robe of verdure, is 
 near to you, apparently ; but half a dozen miles will hardly 
 carry you across to it. The extraordinary clearness of the 
 air assists in the deception. There is no light blue haziness, 
 caused by vapor in that distance, as is seen elsewhere, but 
 every object, far and near, is plain and distinct. 
 
 Not only is nature so attractive in her appearance of land- 
 scapes in this favored section, but she also seems to have 
 poured out here, profusely, her richest gifts of grains, of fruits, 
 and flowers, and every store that can conduce to the comfort 
 of man. And to that, she has added health robust, and driven 
 away those lurking causes of disease that infest other sec- 
 tions, as intruders who have no right to enter this, her chosen 
 paradise. — We had heard before of the beauty and richness 
 of this section, but it excelled all our previous ideas ; — not a 
 person in the army but was agreeably disappointed in find- 
 ing it more beautiful than he anticipated. — Attempts to de- 
 scribe its attractions are idle : — to see it, to enjoy it, to 
 breathe the air, is only to know it. 
 
 The city, too, taking everything into consideration, was the 
 finest that we had seen in Mexico. We were now where 
 we could observe the true Mexican character and customs 
 more perfectly than before. — We saw, in comparison to what 
 we witnessed in the valley of the Rio Grande, just what a 
 foreign traveler would see in the United States, in New York, 
 Pennsylvania, or any of the older states, compared with the 
 
SCENES IN JALAPA. 605 
 
 frontiers of the west. The same language was spoken, and 
 many of the same customs were observed ; yet one could 
 learn more of Mexicans and Mexico here in a week, than 
 there in months. But few pretty women had we seen on 
 the frontier, and many soldiers, whom the fortune of war kept 
 during the campaign in northern Mexico, now firmly believe 
 there are but few in the whole country ; yet it is saying no- 
 thing more than the truth to observe, that the ladies of Ja- 
 lapa are, with few exceptions, beautiful — strikingly so ; and 
 their manners are most agreeable and pleasing. 
 
 The male population are, as a body, superior to those that 
 we had before met with ; more industrious and enterprising. 
 Several cotton and woolen factories are on the streams about 
 the city, and all the business within it was brisk and flour- 
 ishing.* 
 
 Monday, May Sd. Reader, will you, on this lovely morn- 
 ing, again accompany the author into town, to observe some- 
 thing more of Mexican manners and customs, than yet you 
 are acquainted with. We will have but little to say of the 
 scenery to be viewed on both sides of the wide, paved road 
 thither, of mountain and valley, and most luxuriant vegeta- 
 tion, for we have glanced at that already ; but will hurry 
 on to the upper part of town nearest to us, passing the 
 crowds of soldiers going in and returning to the camp, the 
 numerous hurreros, with their loaded jacks, bearing fodder, 
 wood, charcoal, fruits, &c., going in ; and, besides these, you 
 see another class, that you have not noticed before : the 
 lowest order, or pure descendants of the Indians, which are 
 yet distinct in this section. You observe that these are 
 ragged and dirty ; the men have large panniprs, or square 
 baskets of oranges, pine-apples, &c., on their heads , and 
 
 * We hilve before spoken of the principle of '-protection and remuneration to the Mexi- 
 •caiis." This was exemplified at Jalapa, by forcing the volunteer divisions, who were mostly 
 ■without tents, to camp out. and take the cold rains, at night, (which were the first that had 
 fallen upon them for months), as they could, while there was plenty of room in the city for 
 their shelter. — This principle was carried to its utmost extent, and never produced tlie slightest 
 beneficial results; but, on the conlrary, excited ridicule and contempt among them. For 
 instance: at Jalapa, a Mexican proprietor, in less than three days after the battle of Cerro 
 Gordo, presented a bill to the quartermaster for the use of fifty of his mules, furnislicd to Santa 
 Ainia to haul a twelve pound brass cannon up the height of Ctrro Ciordo, wliicli piece had 
 opened upon our troops a perfect shower of grape and canister, killing many and wounding 
 more ! Another, who had supported a large body of the Mexican lancers for some time pre- 
 vious to the battle, called also, to inquire about getting his pay for it! 
 
606 MARKET-PLACE OF JALAPA. 
 
 as they stoop forward, in moving with their load, the basket 
 is held to its place by a broad band, which passes around 
 their foreheads. They carry enormous burdens. The squalid 
 women have each a child lashed to their backs. There are 
 many of these miserable looking creatures passing. 
 
 We enter the city, and are in a crowd, up and down the 
 hilly streets. We will glance at the meat-market, in the 
 "Plaza de la Constitucion," and you will notice the neatness 
 of the stalls, and of the whole establishment, and the way in 
 which they cut their meat, into long strips, for the purchas- 
 ers. But although a very busy crowd are around, there is 
 nothing more of interest, and we will pass on down, peeping 
 into the iron-barred windows of house after house, to gaze at 
 the pretty scnoritas, who sit, with their fans in hand, and rich 
 rebosos over their glossy hair, and observe all that passes. 
 It is no impoliteness here thus to notice them; in fact, you 
 will be greeted with a smile, from as lovely lips as ever you 
 looked upon, for the compliment you thus pay them. — They 
 are beautiful, indeed. — See them, as they come out of their 
 houses in numbers, to proceed to the yglesia, or church, to 
 hear mass. They walk finely, look neat, and their bright 
 black eyes sparkle with intensity of feeling. — Amid these, 
 and among the crowd of officers, soldiers, citizens, rancheros, 
 burreros, Indians, pack mules, and burros, with here and 
 there wagons of our own, we force our way down to the 
 vegetable market, near the principal church. This market- 
 place is rather small, and, as you enter it, you are aston- 
 ished at the throng within, and the immense quantities of 
 vegetables and fruits arranged around on stands, or spread 
 on mats, to sell ; the piles are near one another, as close 
 as they can be placed in rows ; and the buyers and vendors 
 are mingled together. Look around, a few minutes, and 
 think if ever you have heard of a vegetable, or of many 
 fruits, that are not here for sale. Here is an anomaly among 
 markets. This ranchero has brought in a fine quantity of 
 pine apples, tunas, anonas, sapotes, cocoa-nuts, &c. ; and an- 
 other, bananas, plantains, oranges, and lemons, all the pro- 
 ducts of the torrid zone ; while another has brought black- 
 berries, currants, apples, peaches, nectarines, apricots, &;c., 
 
VARIETY OF CLIMATES NEAR THE CITY. 607 
 
 growing only in the temperate zone; and another has fine 
 cherries, plums, and other fruits, which grow only, in perfec- 
 tion, still farther north; and yet these different persons live 
 not a half day's ride from the city. The ranchero, from the 
 torrid zone, meets with his brother, who lives in the tem- 
 perate, every week ; and this last performs regular trips, 
 oftener than that, into the frigid; and makes a business of 
 bringing the snow and ice therefrom, and selling it in the 
 market. You can buy drinks, cooled w^ith the snows and ice 
 of Orizaba, at the same stand where you purchase the juicy 
 fruits of the torrid zone ; and both have been brought to mar- 
 ket that morning. — Many other articles are here, besides 
 fruits and A^ege tables. Here are stands of sweet-meats 
 and confectionery, of kinds, of the making of which our 
 people know nothing; thousands of trinkets, of every kind, 
 are for sale ; calicoes, silks, sombreros ; and, in fact, every 
 article that a Mexican needs, can here be procured. 
 
 On one side of the square, is the parochia, or parish church, 
 a large, old building, most elaborately ornamented within; 
 Its images and wealth had not been disturbed on the ap- 
 proach of our army. Many worshippers are kneeling there, 
 on the marble floor, before the Virgin Mary. From this 
 church proceeds the " host," or the sacramental bread, when 
 going to the death-bed of a citizen. And as this cerernony 
 is always most imposing, and is the same in all Catholic 
 countries, a full description of it is given in the note ; which, 
 as it is minute and correct, will be found interesting.* 
 
 THE PROCF.SSIOX OF THE " HOST." 
 
 * Wlienever a person is about to die, it is indispensable, according to their faith, to the repose 
 of his soul, that he confess his sins to the priest, receive alisolution, and partake of the holy 
 sacrament; which is commonly carried to him in the twilight of evening, so that its display 
 to the population will be greater. The ceiemony universally followed is this: — One of the 
 boys attached to the vestry sacrisUa, or establishment of the church, steps out in front of the 
 parochia, and violently rines a large hand-bell; thus announcing to all the faithful, that tlie 
 body of Christ (sacramental bread), or holy unction of the sacrament, is about to proceed 
 upon its mission to the bed of the dying believer. At the sound of the bell, there soon collects, 
 within and at the door of the church, a large body of persons, mostly women, each of whom 
 is supplied with a lighted wax candle. The parochial coach drives up before the doorway. 
 The officiating priest, with holy reverence, takes the vase containing the consecrated wafer, 
 from witliin its resting place, in the altar at the extremity of the church, and bears it towards 
 the doorway, preceded by two boys, dressed in their church habiliments — red and white robes 
 One carries a wooden cross, about five feet high ; the other swings a censer, in whicli incense 
 is smoking, diffusing a pleasant odor around. — At the instant the "host" is thus lifted from 
 the altar, and borne towards the door, the bells in the tower of the church commence a rapid 
 ringing, which is kept up, without intermissior., as long as the procession, about to start, con- 
 
608 PROPERTY OF THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT. 
 
 On emerging from the church into the large square again, 
 ■w^e notice, opposite, a large building, with several of our 
 regular soldiers crowded around the arched doorway. This 
 is their barracks. The building belongs to the government 
 of Mexico, and has been used continually for military bar- 
 racks. Observe the inscription painted around the arches : 
 " Cuarto de la Guarda National,'' (quarters of the National 
 Guard). You must not suppose, however, though this be- 
 longs to, it was built by the government: for the gov- 
 ernment of Mexico never has done the slightest thing to- 
 
 THE PRCCESSIOX OF THE " H"" ' 
 
 tiniies ill sight of the parochia. The vase of bread, or " hos* ,he door, is reverently placed, 
 by the priest, in the centre of the coach, with a lighted ; .per by it ; the priest enters, seats 
 himself on the back seat, and remains with his head uncovered in its holy presence. The 
 boy with the censer of incense enters before him, and seats himself on the front seat. The 
 procession is then formed. — First, the boy with the bell, still ringing, advances about forty 
 yards in front ; following him, after an interval, the white and red robed youth, with the 
 sacred cross; then a band of music, — clarionettcs, fifes, bugles, and drums, — then an escort 
 of soldiers, if there are any in the town, with muskets shouldered j then the parochial coach, 
 with its sacred contents ; around the coach, and in its rear, follow the crowd of the faithful, 
 with their lighted candles, every one repeating prayers; — in this order they proceed towards 
 the dwelling of the dying. — The din of the bells of the parochia ceases, as the procession 
 is lost to view in the distant street; but if it comes in sight of another churcli, the bells of 
 that commence, and keep up the same noise, while it is within the vievir of the ringers. — 
 Amid the din of these bells, the wild strains of the music, the deep sounds of the drums, and 
 the confused chant of prayers, from the devout, candle-bearing crowd, whose numbers are 
 increased at every step, by others with their tapers, — the solemn procession moves slo\vly 
 on. — The sharp, well-known sound of tlie hand-bell gives notice to all of its close approach ; 
 — the inhabitants of Ihe buildings on either side, grasp and light their candles, advance to 
 their doorways, windows, and even upon the side-walks, and instantly kneel in reverential 
 awe, and so remain while the holy train is within their sight. By so doing, they are taught 
 that they gain much favor from the blessed Virgin Mary, and secure the forgiveness of many 
 of their smaller transgressions , and not only so, but the law forces them so to do ; and, 
 therefore, every foreigner, who resides in a Mexican city, whenever he hears the bell, absents 
 himself from view. — The lighted throng continues to increase, as the procession advances, 
 until, at its arrival at the house of the sick, it not unfrequently numbers five hundred or more 
 candle-bearers, of both sexes and all ages. — Arrived, the priest with the vase of holy bread, 
 accompanied by the boy with the censer, from the coach, proceeds into the house, leaving 
 the crowd and the escort, who continue to chant their prayers, without. — A table within has 
 been prepared for the reception of the host, being covered and adorned with pictures of the 
 Virgin, Nuestro Senora de Gaudaloupe. the peculiar name of the blessed Virgin in IMexico. — 
 The sacrament is administered, and the procession returns by dilTereiit streets from those by 
 ■which it came, followed by the still increasing crowd; and as now it is commonly dark, it 
 makes, with the kneeling worshippers at the houses, and the innumerable lights, a most im- 
 posing appearance.^When in sight of the parochia, the bells of that again commence iheir 
 rapid ringing, and cease not, until the vase of sacred bread is deposited within the altar. The 
 crowd then disperse. 
 
 Such is the procession of the host; precisely the same in every cily and town of Mexico, 
 and at all times, with only this difference : that when, on account of the rapid approach of 
 death, it must be carried to the sufferer in the daytime, the coach is not used; the priest 
 walks, bearing the vase, and four men hold over him a splendid salin canopy. — Respect 
 IS always sho%vn to this consecrated bread in tlie church, by raising the hat when passing 
 tne aoor. Every Mexican does this at every church, whether he is riding or walking. 
 
MEXICAN SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN. 609 
 
 wards improvement of old national edifices, or building new 
 ones. — It has been occupied with revolutions, and has not 
 kept in repair the splendid works that the Spanish power 
 erected. It owns much property, though, in ever} large 
 town; — some of the most magnificent buildings in the re- 
 public belong to it. — The reason is this : — When the .order 
 of Jesuit priests, which had become wealthy in Mexico, was 
 abolished, and the priests themselves banished by ' .e old 
 Spanish power, all their property — churches and ; jivate 
 buildings — was taken b}' the government then existing ; and, 
 after, the revolu+" on, the whole fell into the hands of th 
 can governm -e the cathedrals and parochias v^. 
 
 had been given to the new establishment of the chun • 
 
 These numerous buildings are rented out, used ; 
 racks, devoted to city purposes, &c., &c. — Some hav uecii 
 given to every town, in charge of the president of the ayun- 
 tamiento, for the purpose of the rents thereof being i ijpliea 
 to keeping up a public school for children, where these might 
 be instructed in reading, writing, a little arithmetic, A\d in. 
 all the numerous ceremonies and doctrines of the c 'irc'i . 
 which, in fact, is their principal object of education. 
 
 Mexican children are always more precocious and 1: zhter 
 than those of our country at the same age. One is ' .ston- 
 ished at the genius and talent exhibited by the boys ni 
 
 eight to fourteen years of age ; — but at that age they ?coine- 
 dull and stupid, and so afterward continue. 
 
 Let us look into the school near here, and you v II ac- 
 knowledge the truth of the remark, from the very int Higent 
 appearance of the countenances of the children.— It i i per- 
 fect Babel in sound, for every one is studying his cr d, the 
 history of some saint, or his spelling book, at the to f hia 
 voice ; and such screaming, yelling and chattering ^oing 
 on, that you will be glad to get out of it instantly. The old 
 pedagogue, who looks so uneasily, is rejoiced to see you 
 about to go, though he makes many bows and polite salu- 
 tations before you leave. You will observe that most of 
 his persuasive arguments addressed to the boys are with a 
 sort of rattan, which he lays upon them in a manner that 
 shows him equal, in that method of education, to those of 
 39 
 
610 EDUCATION OF MEXICAN YOUTH. 
 
 our country, — a method which should have been long since 
 abolished in our own land, but may yet answer in Mexico. 
 
 These young ones can tell you all about every saint in the 
 calendar, and recount miracles that they have wrought ; can 
 rattle over the creed and Ave Marias, Padre Nucstros, &c., &c., 
 and can inform you all about the church ceremonies ; — can 
 tell you minutely how even the longest one is done, (Corpus 
 Christi,* which takes a week in performance) ; — can write 
 
 * CORPUS CHRISTI FUNCION GRANDE DE LA TGLKSIA. 
 
 Of all the church ceremonies in Mexico in which Ihe people blend religion, recreation, 
 pomp, fun and folly, this festival of Corpus Chrisli, of the holy week, is the longest, most formal 
 and most imposing, and is strictly attended to in every town of the republic, when it yearly 
 comes round. — At Vera Cruz, this year, it was neglected : for, at the time it sliould have com- 
 menced, the surrender to our troops had prevented it. At Jalapa, though, it had been cele- 
 brated with unusual pomp ; for there were Mexican soldiers to take part in it. It comes on 
 immediately after Lent, in the latter part of March. The ceremony, as related to the author 
 by those who had just acted it, and who acted it every year, is as follows: 
 
 Sometime in the week previous, the curate of the parochia, with much ceremony, goes 
 'o the president of the ayunlamiento, and delivers to him the keys of the church ; thus ac- 
 knowledging the inferiority of the ecclesiastical to the civil power. The president immediately 
 issues a proclamation to the people of the city, ordering all shops to be closed, all business to 
 be suspended, and every animal and vehicle to be kept out of the streets from Wednesday 
 morning until Saturday noon of the following week, under penalty of fine and imprisonment; 
 and enjoining upon all the inhabitants the necessity of having the streets, through which the 
 various processions will pass, cleanly swept and continually sprinkled ; and also of having 
 curtains hung before their windows and doors, &c. 
 
 All the population now commence preparing in earnest for the approaching festival; the 
 showy dresses of tlie wealthy, and every article of finery of the lower class, is hunted up and 
 put in order ; — in fact, these preparations commenced two or three weeks before for the grand 
 celebration — in which they are to hunt up Jesus Christ, who will escape their hands, to be 
 again apprehended by the aid of Judas, who will betray him. They will try. and condemn 
 Jiiin; will crucify him; raise him from the dead; then exalt and worship him; and finally 
 will wreak their vengeance on Judas Iscariot. 
 
 On Monday morning the priests go, in a body, to the president of the ayuntamiento, and 
 i.umbly beg of that officer the keys of the parochia, that they may dispense the consolations 
 of the gospel to the inhabitants of the city for the ensuing year. That functionary grants 
 their prayer, delivers to them the keys, and with these they rlturn, and the closed parochia is 
 again opened. — In the afternoon of this day, at four, P. M., the first procession of the festival 
 makes its appearance from the church, coming out in a most imposing manner. 
 
 First advances a band of music, followed by various banners and crosses of the parochia, 
 borne by the church boys, dressed as has been mentioned in the procession of the host. — These 
 banners are commonly surrounded by a crowd of idlers. Next, under a splendid silken canopy, 
 supported by four men at the corners, come the body of the priests, in their robes; — these, in 
 a loud voice, chant prayers as they march, and are answered in the responses to these by the 
 multitude behind. Next comes a full length figure of St. Peter, borne on a frame supported 
 upon the shoulders of four men. — The saint has in his hand a bunch of large keys (in allusion 
 Maltliew xvi: 19.) Following this are many persons with long lighted wax candles, and all 
 with their heads uncovered, Then, upon another such a frame, comes the Virgin Mary, but 
 borne by four richly dressed ladies. Her right arm is extended, an<l from her hand is sus- 
 pended a golden cup. A beautiful radiating crown encircles her head. — Following lier are 
 many women, each with their lighted tapers, and many of the other sex in the same manner. 
 — Next, borne on a like frame, is the large image of Christ, with a long flowing beard, bearing 
 a heavy cross, of perhaps ten feet in height, and the timbers apparently a foot in diameter ; — 
 iben numerous files of persons again, with their tapers. Following along at intervals in the 
 
Festival OF CORPUS cHRisTi. 611 
 
 beautifully; read, and cipher a little, but cannot tell you 
 whether St. Petersburgh is in Europe, Asia, or New Holland ; 
 — is taught that Mexico is the most powerful nation on the 
 earth, and that Spain is the next. Most of the schools are 
 of the Lancasterian order, and are of but little advantage. 
 Before we leave the crowded, noisy room of bright look- 
 
 conpus cHnisTi — funcion grande te la tglesia. 
 
 dense procession, come, in the same manner, the figures of St. Paul, St. John, St. Matthew, 
 and a host of others. This long procession, which is often from a mile to a mile and a half in 
 extent, with all persons uncovered, and with so many hundreds, often thousands, of candles, 
 makes a most brilliant display. From the moment that the head of the procession moves off 
 from the parochia, and while it winds its length through the streets of the city, all the bells 
 keep up a ceaseless clatter until it returns again. So ends the first day. 
 
 On Tuesday, early in the morning, in every street may be seen one or more men, dressed 
 peculiarly with clothing of all colors: — most have white roundabouts, striped with red across 
 their backs ; with strange shaped caps, something like the old style of dragoon helmets, with 
 red sashes, depending from their topmost ridges, hanging over their backs. — These carry 
 in their hands slender poles of cane from twelve to sixteen feet in length, having a bunch of 
 red, white and blue ribbons streaming from the upper ends. These are the Roman soldiers, 
 and they are now hunting for Jesus Christ. With an anxious, hurried and wild appearance, 
 these soldiers run up to every passerby, with great eagerness inquiring, "Aa visto V Jesu 
 Christo! " (have you seen Jesus Christ). Each one thus addressed, with perfect seriousness 
 answers " No," and then away rushes the soldier, to ask another. This search is continued 
 the whole day. but they do not find their object. — In the afternoon the procession starts out 
 again, the same in its parts as on the day before, save that the figure of Christ is missing, and 
 the advance is a body of fifty or sixty of these Roman soldiers, with their long staffs, who 
 are still continuing their search for Jesus Christ; many are blowing clearly on little wind 
 instruments, something like our fifes. 
 
 On Wednesday, the next day, the bells all cease their sounds. Not a horse or vehicle is 
 seen in the streets. Christ has been apprehended during the night, by the treachery of Judas, 
 and the Roman soldiers are seen, in high glee, to collect around the doors of the parochia, 
 rejoicing in the successful termination of their search — In the afternoon the procession again 
 moves out, but is materially changed in its order. — As before, first comes the music, crosses 
 and banners ; then the Roman soldiers, with the ends of their long poles trailing behind them, 
 the ribbons flying in the air before and above them, vibrating with tremulous motion. In 
 the midst again, as a prisoner, appears the image of Christ, with the cross.— After him 
 follow the priests, chanting prayers and responses in a loud and wild manner. — Next is the 
 Virgin Mary, in deep mourning; then Joseph, and Mary Magdalen, Peter and others. This 
 night the soldiers keep watch over Christ ; but he escapes : is hunted and overtaken the next 
 morning. On this day, Thursday, comes the full acting of the scene of crucifixion, in the 
 manner described by the evangelists. — His clothes are divided by lot, &c. ; and the one who 
 kills Christ (called by the crowd the Christ-killer) is borne around the streets in triumph. 
 When Jesus is thus crucified, the bells stop their former clanging, and are not heard again for 
 two days — The body is asked for and obtained by persons representing Joseph, of Arimathea, 
 and Nicodemus; (see St. John xix : 38). In the afternoon it is carried about in the proces- 
 sion within a frame coffin, with glass sides, for all to see and all to worship. The remainder 
 of the procession is like that of the day before, — the Virgin Mary in deep mourning. The only 
 other difference is in the missing sound of the bells ; but that is compensated by thousands of 
 rattles (like those of our watchmen), which, in the hands of boys and men, kcc-p up a cease- 
 less clatter, assisted by a large clacking wheel, in the belfry of the church. To the church 
 the body is brought, and placed near the altar, and a guard of two persons at a time keep 
 walch over it the remainder of the day and following night, — on Friday, and Friday night, — 
 until Saturday. The.se guards are regularly detailed from the best of the population, and, 
 with lighted candles in their hands, stand their time of thirty minutes, when they are relieved 
 by others. And thus ends Thursday. 
 
612 FOUNTAINS— PUBLIC WASHING-PLACE. 
 
 ing urchins, we will examine their written copies • and these, 
 from the universally beautiful execution, will astonish you ; 
 and it is surprising, when compared with the performances 
 of our youth. — Every Mexican, that writes at all, writes finely; 
 some excelling even our best writing-masters. The immense 
 amount of their army papers and reports, that we have cap- 
 tured from time to time, are executed in a style nearly equal 
 to that of copper-plate printing. 
 
 We will leave them, and come again into the street ; and, 
 passing on, w^e will observe that many of the spacious courts 
 within the houses are provided with fountains and jets of 
 water, producing a fine effect. — We observe a public wash- 
 ing place, of long, stone reservoirs, with roofs above them ; 
 
 COnPUS CHHISTI FCXCIOff GUAXDE DE L.V TGLKSIA. 
 
 On Friday, is an entirely changed scene. The cliurclies are lit uji with the utmost splendor • 
 from five to eight hundred candles difTuse their light around in each ; while every decoration that 
 can, by the ingenuity of the inhabitants, be placed within, is added ; nothing is omitted tliat can 
 increase the splendor. — The people, dressed in their richest attire, go in groups, companies, or 
 families, from church to church, repeating prayers all the while, as Ihey pass with heads un- 
 covered. This they call their pilgrimage; and every church in the city must bo on foot thus 
 visited, in the course of the day, by every person, rich or poor. — This brilliant scene is kept 
 up until twelve o'clock at night. 
 
 The next day, Saturday, is called Sabado de Gloria, Sabbath of Glory; and at about eleven 
 o'clock the bells, which so long have been silent, burst out from every church, in one peal, thus 
 announcing that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead ! And now conies a scene. A moment 
 before, the horses were standing saddled in the yards ; the coaches \vere harnessed ; the boys 
 ■were collected at the corners of the streets ; the Roman soldiers, in their odd dress, were walk- 
 ing in consequence about, having crucified Jesus ; and everything was unusually still. — But at 
 the first clap of the bells, rises through the city a wild hurra and uproar. Christ has risen. The 
 Roman soldiers run as if for lite, witli the rabble in pursuit of them. — In every direction the 
 court-yard gates open, and hundreds of horsemen issue into the street, and wildly gallop to 
 and fro. — The streets are crowded; the curtains, that hung at the windows and doors, disap- 
 pear in a twinkling; all is noise, confusion, fun, frolic, and mirth — for the Redeemer lives ! 
 
 The next day, Sunday, gives the end to this/wncion grayide de la Yglesia (grand ceremony of 
 the church), which is, the vengeance to be taken by the mob upon Judas Iscariot, who betrayed 
 his master. — The first part of the day is spent in adoration of the risen Saviour; and about 
 twelve o'clock the indignation of the people appears to be aroused against the traitor. '• Van a 
 quetnar a Judas " (they are about to burn Judas) is clamored in one street, echoed in another, 
 and vociferated by the boys and rabble, everywhere. Immediately after this a crowd, with 
 music, advances into the principal square, bearing aloft, on a pole, the full length figure of the 
 traitor, with his right hand holding to his hat on his head. He has been ingeniously construct- 
 ed by the Saeristati, or sexton; and is composed entirely of a mass of rockets, crackers, and 
 otlier fireworks, and is commonly made a fac-simile of some tbreign merchant, who may reside 
 in tlic place, and who is a Protestant or heretic. The pole is planted in the earth ; the tumultu- 
 ous crowd sway to and fro, in their excitement ; highly elevated on the pole is Judas, awaiting 
 his doom; the combustible string, that leads up to him is ignited; the little flame runs up, and 
 the traitor immediately experiences the most awful torments; his hands, his body, and head 
 burst out in numberless small explosions and flames ; he whirls round and round on the pole; 
 his hat flics off, and with it his arm extends itself with a jerk, and he turns faster as the 
 flames are more severe : they reach within, and a loud explosion, amid the shouts of the 
 delighted populace, blows Judas to the four winds of heaven. — And so ends the grand cere- 
 jnony of the church, in Mexico. 
 
ORDER FOR DISCHARGE OF VOLUNTEERS. G13 
 
 washing benches — one built on either side, of the same ma- 
 terial ; and scores of women are there washing. — We notice 
 that everything around us is entirely Mexican in appearance. 
 But our observations must close, for here rides up an officer, 
 ordering all of us to camp, preparatory to another march, to 
 be immediately made to Puebla, on the road to the city of 
 Mexico. 
 
 Tuesday, May 4th. This day Gen. Scott countermanded the 
 orders given yesterday, for a farther march ; and, as the time 
 of the twelve months' volunteers was nearly expired, he had 
 suddenly concluded to discharge them, and thus enable them 
 to leave Vera Cruz before the vomito should reach its height. 
 
 Accordingly, on the next day, — Wednesday, May 5th, — 
 Maj. Gen. Patterson issued the order in the note below^, — 
 being the last general order addressed to us.* 
 
 * Headquarters, Volunteer Division, ) 
 Jalapa, Mexico, May 5th, 1847. J 
 Orders, No. 17. 
 
 In accordance with the orders from tlie Headquarters of the army, the Tennessee cavalry 
 the 1st and 2d Tennessee, the 3d and 4tli Illinois, the Georf^ia and the Alabama regiments of 
 infantry, and Capt. Williams' company of Kentucky volunteers, will be held in readiness to 
 march to Vera Cruz, thence to embark for New Orleans, where they will be severally and 
 honorably mustered out of the service of the United Stales, and paid offbythe proper officers 
 on duty there. 
 
 To facilitate the inarch. Col. Campbell, with the regiment of Tennessee liorsc. the 1st and 
 2d Tennessee infantry, and the company of Kentucky volunteers, will march to-morrow morn- 
 ing, the Cth instant. 
 
 The 3d and 4th Illinois regiments, under Col. Forman, will march to-morrow, at two, P. M. 
 
 The Georgia and Alabama regiments, under Col. Jackson, will march on the morning of 
 Ihe 7th instant. 
 
 The troops will march witli their arms, ten rounds of ammunition, and their personal ef- 
 fects, and will turn in at this place all tents, and such other articles of camp equipage as may 
 not be indispensable on the return march. 
 
 Each man will take in his haversack hard bread for four days, and bacon for two days. — 
 The Brigade Commissaries will obtain from the Chief Commissary money to purchase fresh 
 beef, on the road, for two days. 
 
 The Quartermasters of the command will make the proper requisitions on the acting Quar- 
 termaster General for the necessary transjiortation. 
 
 In promulgating this order for these gallant regiments to return to the United States, the 
 Major General, while he regrets that the term of their service will not afford another oppor- 
 tunity for these troops to gather additional fame in the future events of this already brilliant 
 campaign, cannot forget that the recollections of a glorious past will be carried to their homes 
 The services of the twelve months' volunteers will ever be perpetuated in their country's his- 
 tory with the remembrances of Monterey, Buena Vista, Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. 
 
 The Major General avails himself of this occasion to take leave of the 1st and 2d Pennsyl- 
 vania, the South Carolina and the New York volunteers, and to tender his thanks to Brigadier 
 General (now Major General) Quitman, and them, for their obedience to orders, attention to 
 duty, and their faithful, ready and cheerful support, under all emergencies, since th<^y have 
 been under his command ; and he assures these fine corps, and their gallant and accomplish^ 
 cd commander, that he will always be happy to meet, and to serve with them. 
 
 By order of Major General Patterson : 
 
 (Signed) WM. H. FRENCH, Actins Asst. Adjt. Gen. 
 
614 COMMENCEMENT OF THE RETURN MARCH. 
 
 We commenced the return march, from the city of Jalapa, 
 on the morning of the 6th of May. It was a lovely day ; the 
 air was clear, and Orizaba showed its height of snow more 
 plainly than usual. For a sketch of this mountain, taken 
 this morning, see plate opposite.* 
 
 We arrived at Vera Cruz, on the 8th, without any circum- 
 stances worthy of note, save some skirmishing with guerril- 
 las. We sold our horses there, to the quartermaster's depart- 
 ment, and immediately embarked on board the ships ready in 
 the harbor, and a few days' sail brought us to New Orleans ; 
 where, on the last of May, we were mustered out of the ser- 
 vice of the United States, with the other twelve months' vol- 
 unteers, who were arriving from Gen. Taylor's division. We 
 were paid off and discharged, and, for the first time in near 
 twelve months, felt ourselves at libert3^ — Every man com- 
 menced thinking, planning, and acting for his future inter- 
 ests ; and each experienced a feeling of pride, upon reflect- 
 ing that he had nobly served his country for one year of his 
 life. But with our joy a feeling of sadness was mingled, 
 when we thought of the many brave spirits that a year be- 
 fore had gone out with us, who now returned not, — fallen in 
 the ranks before the enemy, or sunk beneath the baneful 
 efl^ects of a sickly climate. — Of the eighteen thousand twelve 
 months' volunteers that then had been marshaled for the 
 conflict, not twelve thousand could now be mustered. 
 
 And now, reader, the long account is brought to a close ; 
 and if to the minds of his former fellow-soldiers the author 
 has succeeded in bringing past scenes freshly in review, — and 
 if to the general reader he has given a clear idea of those 
 transactions and events, — his object is fully accomplished. 
 
 *In the foreg;rouiKl of this view the artist was directed to place part of the column of cav- 
 alry and infantry of the twelve months' volunteers, as they commenced the return march, and 
 which, from want ot' time, had not been placed on it by the autlior. When again he saw the 
 picture, on being finished, he perceived that only part of one company of cavalry had there 
 been placed, and those were represented as going at full speed, as if on a charge, apparently 
 delighted at the idea of return. — But, however gratifying this might have been to them, the 
 march was made in regular columns of tvi-os, with the same steady motion as at all other times, 
 save in the charge, or in pursuitof the enemy. — A long plume and beaver had also been placed 
 on the head of one of the oiTicers. The author has no recollection of ever seeing one of these 
 m the American army in Mexico, save upon one occasioir — that worn by Gen. Worth, at the 
 scene of the surrender of Vera Cruz. — Being amused, however, at the idea of the hurry to 
 return, expressed by the position of these soldiers, ar.d thinking that it would perhaps strike 
 the minds of his ibrmer comrades in the same manner, he allowed the picture to remain unal- 
 tered. — It gives a correct view of Orizaba and the neighboring mountains. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 After the twelve months' volunteers had left the army, Gen. Scott remained at Puebia, 
 which had been previously taken, until he was reinforced by the arrival of other troops, from 
 the United States, all of which were mustered in for the war. As these reinforcements moved 
 up from Vera Cruz, along the national road, they were violently opposed in their progress by 
 bodies of guerrillas, now become formidable, and whose method of fighting was without 
 quarter, or in their own ^vords, " without pity unto death." 
 
 These had severe conflicts with the forces of Gen. Pillow, Gen. Cadwalader, Gen. Pierce, 
 Gen. Lane, Major Lally, and others ; but they were worsted in every conflict, save one, at the 
 National Bridge, in which they defeated the small detachment of Capt. Wells, and forced him 
 to retreat, with the entire loss of his train, and many men killed and wounded. Major Lally's 
 command fought nearly every foot of the way from Vera Cruz to Jalapa; the report having 
 spread among the guerrillas, that in the train he had with him was contained, in specie, over 
 a million of dollars. 
 
 On the 6th of August, the army commenced the march from Puebia, towards the city of 
 Mexico. Now, the Mexican army, in great numbers, posted in strong fortifications, awaited 
 them ; having entirely recovered from the effects of the rout at Cerro Gordo. — For an account 
 of the succeeding glorious battles, and the final capture of the city of Mexico, the reader is 
 referred to the dispatches of Gen. Scott: 
 
 HEABQtJAIlTEKS OP THK ARMY, ) 
 
 Tacubata, at the Gates of Mexico, Aug. 28, 1847. J 
 
 Sir — My report, No. 31, commenced in the night of the 19th instant, closed the operations 
 of the army with that d.ay. 
 
 The morning of the 2Uth, opened with one of a series of unsurpassed achievements, all in 
 view of the capital, and to which I shall give the general name — the battle of Mexico. 
 
 In the night of the 19th, brigadier generals Shields, P. F. Smith, and Cadwalader. and Col. 
 Eiley, with their brigades, and the 15lh regiment, under Col. Morgan, detached from Brig. Gen. 
 Pierce, found themselves in, and about, the important position, the village, hamlet, or hacien- 
 da, called indiflerently, Contreras, Ansalda, San Gerenano — half a mile nearer to the city, than, 
 the enemy's entrenched camp, on the same road, towards the factory Magdalena. 
 
 That camp had been, unexpectedly, our formidable point of attack, the afternoon before; 
 and we had now to take it, without the aid of cavalry or artillery, or to throw back our ad- 
 vanced corps upon the road from San Augustin to the city, and thence force a passage through 
 San Antonio. 
 
 Accordingly, to meet contingencies, Maj. Gen. Worth was ordered to leave, early iu the 
 morning of the 20th ; one of his brigades to mask San Antonio, and to march with the other, 
 six miles, via San Augustin, upon Contreras. A like destination was given to Maj. Gen 
 Quitman, and his remaining brigade, in San Augustin — replacing, for the moment, the garri- 
 son of that important depot, with Harney's brigade of cavalry, as horse could not pass over 
 the intervening rocks, &c., to reach the field of battle. 
 
 At three o'clock, A. M.. the great movement commenced on the rear of the enemy's camp, 
 Riley leading, followed successively, by Cadwalader's and Smith's brigades ; the latter tem- 
 porarily under the orders of Major Dimmick, of the 1st artillery — tlie whole force being com- 
 manded by Smith, the senior in the general attack, aud whose arrangements, skill, and gal- 
 lantry, always challenge the highest admiration. 
 
 The march was rendered tedious, by the darkness, rain, and mud ; but about sunrise, Riley, 
 conducted by Lieut. Tower, engineer, had reached an elevation behind the enemy, whence 
 
 (615) 
 
61 G APPENDIX. 
 
 he precipitated his columns, stormed the entrenchments, planted his several colors upon them, 
 and carried the work — all in seventeen minutes. 
 
 I doubt whether a more brilliant or decisive victory, taking into view, ground, artificial de- 
 fences, batteries, and the extreme disparity of numbers, without cavalry or artillery, on our 
 side, is to be found on record. Including all our corps directed against the entrenched camp, 
 with Shields' brigade at the hamlet, we positively did not number over four thousand five 
 hundred, rank and file ; and we knew, by sight, and since, more certainly, by many captured 
 documents and letters, that the enemy had actually engaged on the spot seven thousand men, 
 with at least tvi^elve thousand more hovering within sight, and striking distance — both on the 
 19ih and -iOth. ..All, not killed or captured, now fled with precipitation. 
 
 Thus was the great victory of Contreras achieved : one road to the capital opened : seven 
 hundred of the enemy killed : eight hundred and thirteen prisoners, including among them, 
 eighty-eight officers, four generals, besides many colors and standards : eighty-two pieces of 
 brass ordnance — half of large calibre — thousands of small arms and accoutrements, and im- 
 mense quantities of shot, shells, powder, and cartridges, seven hundred pack mules, many 
 horses, &c., &c. — all in our hands. 
 
 One of the most pleasing incidents of the victory, is the recapture, in the works, by Capt. 
 Drum, 4th artillery, under Major Gardner, of the two brass six pounders, taken from another 
 company of tlie same regiment, though without the loss of honor, at the glorious battle of Buena 
 Vista — about which guns the whole regiment had mourned for so many long months ! Com- 
 ing up a little later, I had the happiness to join in the jirotracted cheers of the gallant 4lh, on 
 the joyous event ; and indeed, the whole army sympathises in its just pride and exultation. 
 
 The battle being won before the advancing brigades of Worth's and Quitman's divisions 
 were in sight, both were ordered back to their late positions. Worth, to attack San Antonie 
 in front, with his whole force, as soon as approached in the rear, by Pillow's and Twiggs' 
 divisions — moving from Contreras, through San Angel and Coyoacan. By carrying San An- 
 tonio, we knew that we should open another — a shorter and better — road to the capital, for 
 our siege and other trains. 
 
 Arriving at Coyoacan, two miles by a cross road, from the rear of San Antonio, I first de- 
 tached Capt. Lee, engineer, with Capt. Kearney's troops, 1st dragoons, supported by the rifle 
 regiment. Major Loring, to reconnoitre that strong point ; and next dispatched Maj.Gen. Pil- 
 low, with one of his brigades (Cadwalader's), to make the attack upon it, in concert with 
 Maj. Gen. Worth, on the opposite side. ' 
 
 At the same time, by another road to the left, Lieut. Stevens, of the engineers, supported by 
 Lieut. G. W. Smith's company of sappers and miners, of the same corps, was sent to recon- 
 noitre the strongly fortified church, or convent, of San Sablo, in the liamlet of Churubusco, one 
 mile off". Twiggs, with one of his brigades (Smith's — less the rifles), and Capt. Taylor's field 
 battery, were ordered to follow, and to attack the convent. Major Smith, senior engineer, was 
 dispatched to concert with Twiggs, the mode and means of attack, and Twiggs' other brigade 
 (Riley's), I soon ordered up to support him. 
 
 Next (but all in ten minutes) I sent Pierce (just able to keep the saddle), with his brigade 
 (Pillow's division), conducted by Capt. Lee, engineer, by a third road, a little farther to our 
 left, to attack the enemy's right and rear, in order to favor the movement upon the convent, and 
 cut off" the retreat towards the capital. And, finally. Shields, senior brigadier to Pierce, with 
 the New York and South Carolina volunteers (Quitman's battalion), was ordered to follow 
 Pierce, closely, and to take the command of our left wing. All these movements were made 
 with the utmost alacrity by our gallant troops and commanders. 
 
 Finding myself at Coyoacan, from which so many roads conveniently branched, without 
 escort or reserve, I had to advance, for safety, close upon T'wiggs' rear. The battle now 
 raged from the right to the lel't of our whole line. 
 
 Learning, on the return of Capt. Lee, that Shields, in the rear of Churubusco, was hard- 
 pressed, and in danger of being out-flanked, if not overwhelmed, by greatly superior numbers, 
 I immediately sent under Major Sumner, 2d dragoons, the rifles (Twiggs' reserve), and Capt. 
 Sibley's troop, 2d dragoons, then at hand, to support our left, guided by the same engineer. 
 
 About an hour earlier. Worth had, by skiUt'ul and daring movements upon the front and 
 light, turned, and forced San Antonio — its garrison, no doubt much shaken by our decisive 
 victory at Contreras. 
 
 The forcing of San Antonio was the second brilliant event of the day. 
 
 Worth's division, being reunited in hot pursuit, he was joined by Maj. Gen. Pillow, who, 
 marching from Coyoacan, and discovering that Sun Antonio had been carried, immediately 
 
BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. 017 
 
 turned to the left, according to my instructions, and, though much impeded by ditches and 
 swamps, hastened to the attack of Churubusco. 
 
 Tlie liamlet, or scattered houses, bearing this name, presented, besides the fortified convent, 
 a strong field-work {lete de pont), with regular bastions and curtains, at the head of a bridge, 
 over which the road passes from San Antonio to the capital. 
 
 The whole remaining forces of Mexico — some twenty-seven thousand men, cavalry, artil- 
 lery, and infantry, collected from every quarter — were now in, on the flanks, or within sup- 
 portingdistanee of those works, and seemed resolved to make a last and desperate stand; for, 
 if beaten here, the feebler defences at the gates of the city — four miles off — could not, as •was 
 well known to both parties, delay the victors an hour The capital of an ancient empire, now 
 of a great republic, or an early peace, the assailants were resolved to win. Not an Ameri- 
 can, and we were less than a third of the enemy's numbers, had a doubt as to the result. 
 
 The fortified church, or convent, hotly pressed by Twiggs, had already held out about an 
 hour, when Worth and Pillow — the latter having with him only Cadwalader's brigade — began 
 to manccuvre closely upon the iete de ponl, with the convent at half gun-shot, to their left. — 
 Garland's brigade (Worth's division), to which had been added the light battalion under Lieut. 
 Col. Smith, continued to advance in front, and under the fire of a long line of infantry, off on 
 the left of the bridge ; and Clarke, of the same division, directed his brigade along the road 
 or close by its side. Two of Pillow's and Cadwalader's regiments, the 11th and 14th, sup- 
 ported and participated in this direct movement; the others (the voltigeurs), were left in 
 reserve. Most of these corps — particularly Clark's brigade — advancing perpendicularly, 
 were made to sutler much by the fire of the me de ponl ; and they would have suffered greatly 
 more by flank attacks from the convent, but lor the pressure of Twiggs, on the other side of 
 that work. 
 
 This well-combined, and daring movement, at length reached the principal point of attack, 
 and the formidable tele de pout was, at once, assaulted and carried by the bayonet. Its deep 
 wet ditch was first gallantly crossed by the 8th and 5th infantry, commanded, respectively, 
 by Major Waite and Lieut. Col. Scott, followed closely, by the Gth infantry (same brigade), 
 which had been so much exposed in the road, the 11th regiment, under Lieut. Col. Graham, 
 and the 14th, commanded by Col. Trousdale, both of Cadwalader's brigade, Pillow's division, 
 About the same time, the enemy, in front of Garland, after a hot conflict of an hour and a 
 half, gave way, in a retreat towards the capital. 
 
 The immediate results of this third signal triumph on the day were : three field pieces, osie 
 hundred and ninety-two prisoners, much ammunition, and two colors, taken in the iete de 
 ponl. 
 
 Finally, twenty minutes after the tele de ponl had been carried by Worth and Pillow, and at 
 the end of a desperate conflict of two hours and a half, the church or convent — the citadel of 
 this strong line of defence along the rivulet of Churubusco — yielded to Twiggs' division, and 
 threw out on all sides signals of surrender. The white flags, however, were not exhibited 
 until the moment when the 3d infantry, under Capt. Alexander, had cleared tlie way by fire 
 and bayonet, and had entered the work. Capt. J. M. Smith and Lieut. O. L. Shepheard, both 
 of that regiment, with their companies, had the glory of leading the assault. The former re- 
 ceived the surrender, and Capt. Alexander instantly hung out, from a balcony, the colors of 
 the gallant 3d. I\laj. Dimick, w^ith a part of the 1st artillery, serving as infantry, entered 
 nearly abreast with the leading troops. 
 
 Capt. Taylor's field battery, attached to Twiggs' division, opened its effective fire, at an 
 early moment, upon the out-works of the convent and the tower of its church. Exposed to 
 the severest fire of the enemy, the captain, his officers and men, won universal admiration ; 
 but at length, much disabled, in men and horses, the battery was, by superior orders, wth- 
 drawn from the action thirty minutes before the surrender of the convent. 
 
 The immediate results of this victory were ; the capture of seven field-pieces, some am- 
 munition, one color, three generals, and 1,201 prisoners, including other officers. 
 
 Capt. E. A. Capron and M. J. Burke, and Lieut. S. Hoffman, all of the 1st artillery, and 
 Capt. J. W. Anderson and Lieut. Thomas Easley, both of the 2d infantry — five oflicers of 
 rare merit — fell gallantly before the work. 
 
 The capture of the enemy's citadel was the fourth great achievement of our arms in the 
 same day. 
 
 In a winding march of a mile around to the right, this temporary division found itself on the 
 edge of an open wet meadow, near the road from San Antonio to the capital, and in the pres- 
 ence of some four thousand of the enemy's infantry, a little in rear of Churubusco, on that 
 
618 APPENDIX. 
 
 road.— Establishing the right at a strong building, Shields extended his left parallel to the 
 road, to outflank the enemy towards the capital. But the enemy extending his right, suppor- 
 ted by 3,000 cavalry, more rapidly, (being favored by better ground), in the same direction, 
 Shields concentrated the division about a hamlet, and determined to attack in front. The 
 battle was long, hot, and varied ; but ultimately, success crowned the zeal and gallantry of 
 our troops, ably directed by their distinguished commander. Brig. Gen. Shields. The <Jtli,12th 
 and loth regiments, under Col. Ransom, Capt. Wood, and Col. I\Iorgnn. respectively, of 
 Pierce's brigade, (Pillow's division), and the New York and South Carolina volunteers, under 
 colonels Burnett and Butler, respectively of Shields' own brigade, (Quitman's division), to- 
 gether with the mountain howitzer battery, now under Lieut. Reno, of the ordnance corps, all 
 shared in the glory of this action — ouxjiflh victory in the same day. 
 
 Brig. Gen. Pierce, from the hurt of the evening before — under pain and exhaustion — fainted 
 in the action. Several other changes in command occurred on this field. 
 
 Shields took 3S0 prisoners, including officers ; and it cannot be doubled that the fate of the 
 conflict between him and the enemy, just in the rear of the tele de pont and the convent, had 
 some influence on the surrender of those formidable delences. 
 
 As soon as the tete de potit was carried, the greater part of Worth's and Pillow's forces 
 passed that bridge' in rapid pursuit of the flying enemy. These distinguished generals, com- 
 ing up with Brig. Gen. Shields, now also victorious, the three continued to press upon the fu- 
 gitives to within a mile and a half of the capital. Here, Col. Harney, with a small part of his 
 brigade of cavalry, rapidly passed to the front, and charged the enemy up to the nearest gate. 
 The cavalry charge was headed by Capt. Kearney, of the 1st dragoons, having in squadron, 
 with his own troop, that of Capt. McReynolds, of the 3d — making the usual escort to general 
 headquarters; but being early in the day detached for general service, was now under Col. 
 Harney's orders. The gallant captain, not hearing the recall, dashed up to the San Antonio 
 gate, sabreing, in his way, all wlio resisted. 
 
 So terminated the series of events, which I have but feebly presented. My tlianks were 
 freely poured out on the different fields — to the abilities and science of generals and other offi- 
 cers — to the gallantry and prowess of all — the rank and file included. But a reward infinitely- 
 higher — the aiiplause of a grateful country and government — will, I cannot doubt, be accorded, 
 in due time, to so much merit, of every sort, displayed by this glorious army, which has now 
 overcome all difticulties — distance, climate, ground, fortifications, and numbers. 
 
 It has in a single day, in many battles, as often defeated 32,000 men ; made about 3.000 pris- 
 oners, including eight generals, (two of them ex-presidents), and 205 other officers ; killed or 
 wounded 4,000 of all ranks — besides entire corps dbspersed and dissolved; — captured 37 pieces 
 of ordnance — more than trebling our siege train and field batteries — with a large number of 
 small arms, a full supply of ammunition of every kind, &c., &c. Tliese great results have 
 overwhelmed the enemy. 
 
 Our loss amounts to 1.053 — killed, 469, including 16 officers ; wounded, 876, with 60 officers. 
 The greater number of the dead and disabled were of the highest worth. — Those under treat- 
 ment, thanks to our very able medical officers, are generally doing well. 
 
 I regret having been obliged, on the 20lh, to leave Maj. Gen. Quitman, an able commander, 
 with a part of his division — the fine 2d Pennsylvania volunteers, and the veteran detach- 
 ment of United States' marines — at our important depot, San Augustin. It was there that I 
 had placed our sick and wounded ; the siege, supply and baggage trains. If these had been 
 lost, the army would have been driven almost to despair, and considering the enemy's very 
 great excess of numbers, and the many approaches to the depot, it might well have become, 
 emphatically, the post of honor. 
 
 After so many victories, we might, with but little additional loss, have occupied the 
 capital the same evening. But Mr. Trist, commissioner, (Sec. as well as myself, had been ad- 
 monished by the best friends of peace — intelligent neutrals, and some American residents — 
 against precipitation ; lest, by wantonly driving away the government and others — dishonor- 
 ed — we might scatter the elements of peace, excite a spirit of national desperation, and thus 
 indefinitely postpone the hope of an accommodation. Deeply impressed with this danger, and 
 remembering our mission — to conquer a peace — the army very cheerfully sacrificed to patri- 
 otism — to the great wish and want of our country — the edat that would have followed an en- 
 trance—sword in hand — into a great capital. Willing to leave something to this republic — 
 of no immediate value to us — on which to rest her pride, and to recover temper — I halted our 
 victorious corps at the gates of the city, (at least for a time), and have them now cantoned 
 in the neigliboring villages, where they are well sheltered, and supplied with all necessaues. 
 
CAPTURE OF THE CITY OF MEXICO. 019 
 
 On the morning of the 21st, being about to take up battering or assaulting positions, to au- 
 thorize me to summon the city to surrender, or to sign an armistice, willi a pledge to enter at 
 once into negotiations for a peace — a mission came out to propose a truce. Rejecting its 
 terms, I dispatched my contemplated note to Gen. Santa Anna — omitting the summons. The 
 22d, commissioners were appointed by the commanders of the two armies ; the armistice was 
 signed the 23d, and ratifications exchanged the 24th. 
 
 All matters in di.spute between the two governments have been thus happily turned over 
 to their plenipotentiaries, who have had several conferences, and with, 1 think, some liope 
 of signing a treaty of peace. 
 
 There will be transmitted to the Adjutant General reports from divisions, brigades, &c., 
 on the foregoing operations, to which I must refer with my hearty concurrence in the just ap- 
 plause bestowed on corps and individuals by their respective commanders. I have been 
 able — this report being necessarily summary — to bring out. comparatively but Utile of indi- 
 vidual merit not lying directly in the way of the narrative. Thus, I doubt whether 1 have, in 
 express terms, given my approbation and applause to the commanders of divisions and inde- 
 pendent brigades ; but left their fame upon higher grounds — the simple record of their deeds 
 and the brilliant results. 
 
 To tlie staff, both general and personal, attached to general headquarters, I was again un- 
 der high obligations for services in the field, as always in the bureaux. 
 
 I had the valuable services, as volunteer aids, of majors Kirby and Van Buren, of the pay 
 
 department, always eager for activity and distinction ; atid of a third, the gallant Major J. P. 
 
 Gaines, of the Kentucky volunteers. 
 
 I have the honor to be, sir, with high respect. 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 Hon Wm. L. Marct, Secretary of War. 
 
 But this armistice was only used by Santa Anna for the purpose of re-uniting his scattered 
 troops, and of throwing all their power together, for a desperate defence of the city! Negotia- 
 tions were broken off on the 6th of September, and on the 8th, Gen. Worth attacked the strong 
 position of Molino del Rey, or King's Mill, and took it. but with severe loss on both sides. — 
 This was followed by the most spirited operations, of which the following is Gen. Scott's 
 report; — 
 
 [No. 34.] Headquarters or the Army, ) 
 
 National Palace of Mexico, Sept. IS, 1S47. \ 
 
 Sir — At the end of another series of arduous and brilliant operations, of more than forty- 
 eight hours' continuance, this glorious army hoisted on the mormng of the 14th, the colors of 
 the United States on the walls of this palace. 
 
 The victory of the 8th at the Molino del Rey, was followed by daring reconnoissances, on 
 the part of our distinguished engineers — Capt. Lee, lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens, and 
 Tower — Major Smith, senior, being sick, and Capt. Mason, third in rank, being wounded. — 
 Their operations were directed principally to the south — towards the gates of Piedad, San 
 Angel (Nino Perdido) San Antonio, and the Paseo de la Viga. 
 
 This city stands on a slight swell of ground, near the centre of an irregular basin, and is 
 girdled with a ditch in its greater extent — a navigable canal of great breadth and depth — very 
 difficult to bridge, in the presence of an enemy, and serving at once for drainage, cuslora-house 
 purposes, and military defence — leaving eight entrances of gates, over arches ; each of which 
 we found defended by a system of strong works, that seemed to require nothing but some men 
 and guns, to be impregnable. Outside and within the cross-fires of those gates we found to 
 the south, other obstacles, but little less formidable. All the approaches near the city, are 
 over elevated causeways, cut in many places (to oppose us), and flanked on both sides by 
 ditches, also of unusual dimensions. The numerous cross-roads are flanked in like manner, 
 having bridges at the intersections, recently broken. The meadows thus chequered, are 
 moreover, in many spots under water, or marshy ; for it will be remembered, we were in the 
 midst of the wet season, though w'ah less rain than usual, and we could not wait for the fall 
 of the neighboring lakes, and the consequent drainage of the wet grounds at the edge of the 
 city — the lowest in the whole basin. 
 
 After a close personal survey of the southern gates, covered by Pillow's division and Ri- 
 ley's brigade of Twiggs', with four times our numbers concentrated in front, I determined ou 
 the 11th, to avoid that net-work of obstacles, and to seek, by a sudden inversion to the south- 
 west and west, less unfavorable approaches. To economise the lives of our gallant officers 
 and men, as well a.s to insure success, it became indispensable that this resolution should be 
 
620 APPENDIX. 
 
 long masked from the enemy; and again, that the new movement, when discovered, should 
 be mistaken for a feint, and the old as indicating our true and ultimate point of attack. — Ac- 
 cordingly, on the spot, the lltli, I ordered Quitman's division from Coyoacan, to join Pillow, 
 by daijlig/tt, before the southern gates, and then, that the two major generals, with their divis- 
 ions, sliould, by night, proceed (two miles) to join me at Tacubaya, where I was quartered with 
 Worth's division. Twiggs, with Riley's brigade, and captains Taylor's and Steptoe's field 
 batteries— the latter of Iwclve-pounders — was left in front of those gates, lo manceuvre, to 
 threaten, or to make false attacks, in order lo occupy and deceive the enemy. Twiggs' other 
 brigade (Smith's), was left at supporting distance, in the rear, at San Angel, till the morning 
 of the 13th, and also to support our general depot at Miscoac. The stratagem against the 
 south was admirably executed throughout the 12th, and down to the afternoon of the 13th, 
 when it was too late for the enemy to recover from the effect of his delusion. 
 
 The first step in the new movement was to carry Chapultepec, a natural and isolated mound, 
 of great elevation, strongly fortified at its base, on its acclivities, and heights. Besides a nu- 
 merous garrison, here was the military college of the republic, with a large number of sub- 
 lieutenants, and other students. Those works were within direct gun-shot of the village of 
 Tacubaya, and, until carried, we could not approach the city on the west, without making a 
 circuit too wide and loo hazardous. 
 
 In the course of the same night (that of the 11th), heavy batteries, within easy ranges were 
 established. No. 1, on our right, under the command of Capt. Drum, 4th artillery (relieved 
 late next day, for some hours, by Lieut. Andrews, of the 3d), and No. 2, commanded by Lieut. 
 Hagner, ordnance — both supported by Quitman's division — Nos. 3 and 4, on the opposite, sup- 
 ported by Pillow's division, were commanded, the former by Capt. Brooks and Lieut. S. S. 
 Anderson, '2d artillery, alternately, and the latter by Lieut. Stone, ordnance. The batteries 
 were traced by Capt. Huger, and Capt. Lee, engineer, and constructed by them^ with the able 
 assistance of the young officers of those corps and the artillery. 
 
 To prepare for an assault, it was foreseen, that the play of the batteries might run into the 
 second day; but recent captures had not only trebled our siege pieces, but also our ammuni- 
 tion, and we knew that we should greatly augment both, by carrying the place. I was, 
 therefore, in no haste in ordering an assault before the works were well crippled by our mis- 
 siles. — The bombardment and cannonade, under the direction of Capt. Huger, were commen- 
 ced early in the morning of the 12th. Before nightfall, which necessarily stopped our batte- 
 ries, we perceived that a good impression had been made on the castle and its outworks, and 
 that a large body of the enemy had remained outside, towards the city, from an early hour, to 
 avoid our fire, and to be at hand on its cessation, in order to reinforce the garrison against an 
 assault. The same outside force was discovered the next morning, after our batteries had re- 
 opened upon the city, by which we again reduced its garrison to the minimum needed for 
 the guns. 
 
 Pillow and Quitman had been in position since early in the night of the 11th. AInjor Gen. 
 Worth was now ordered to hold his division in reserve, near the foundry, to support Pillow ; 
 and Brig. Gen. Smith, of Twiggs' division, had just arrived, witii his brigade, from Picdad 
 (two miles), to support Quitman. Twiggs' guns, before the southern gales, again reminded 
 us, as they did before, that he, with Riley's brigade, and Taylor's, and Steptoe's batteries, was 
 in activity, threatening the southern gates, and there holding a great part of the Mexican army 
 on the defensive.— Worth's division furnished Pillow's attack with an assaulting party of two 
 hundred and fifty volunteer officers and men, under Capt. McKenzie. of the 3d artillery ; and 
 Twiggs' division supplied a similar one, commanded by Capt. Casey, 2d infantry, to Quitman. 
 Each of those little columns was furnished with scaling ladders. — The signal I had appointed 
 for the attack, was the momentary cessation of the fire of our heavy batteries. About eight 
 o'clock in the morning of the 13lh, judging that the time had arrived, by the effect of the mis- 
 siles we had thrown, I sent an aid-de-camp to Pillow, and another to Quitman, with notice that 
 the concerted signal was about to be given. Both columns now advanced with an alacrity 
 that gave assurance of prompt success. The batteries, seizing opportunities, threw shot and 
 shells upon the enemy, over the heads of our men, with good effect, particularly at every 
 attempt to reinforce the works from without, to meet our assault. Maj. Gen. Pillow's approach, 
 on the west side, lay through an open grove, filled with sharpshooters, who were speedily dis- 
 lodged ; when, being up with the front of the attack, and emerging into an open space, at the 
 fool of a rocky acclivity, that gallant leader was struck down by an agonizing wound. The 
 immediate command devolved on Brig. Gen. Cadwalader, in the absence of the senior bri^ 
 gadier (Pierce) of eame division, an invalid since the events of August 19th. 
 
BATTLE OF CHAPULTEPEC. 621 
 
 On a previous call of Pillow, Worth had just sent him a reinforcement — Col. Clark's bri- 
 gade. The broken acclivity was still to be ascended, and a strong redoubt, midway, to be 
 carried, before reaching the castle on the heights. The advance of our brave men, led by 
 brave officers, though necessarily slow, was unwavering, over rocks, chasms, and mines, 
 and under the hottest fire of cannon and musketry. The redoubt now yielded to their resist- 
 ■ less valor, and the shouts that followed, announced to the castle the fate that impended. The 
 enemy were steadily driven from shelter to shelter. The retreat allowed not time to fire a 
 single mine, without the certainty of blowing up friend and ibe. Those, who, ot a distance, 
 attempted to apply matches to the long trains, were shot down by our men. There was death 
 below, as well as above ground. At length the ditch and wall of the main work were reached ; 
 the scaling-ladders were brought up and planted by the storming parties; some of the daring 
 spirits, first in the assault, were cast down, killed, or wounded ; but a lodgment was soon 
 made; streams of heroes followed; all opposition was overcome, and several of our regi- 
 mental colors flung out from the upper walls, amid long-continued shouts and cheers, which 
 sent dismay into the capital. No scene could have been more animating or glorious. 
 
 Maj. Gen. Quitman, nobly supported by brigadier generals Shields and Smith (P. F.), his 
 other othcers and men, was up with the part assigned him. Simultaneously with tlie move- 
 ment on tlie west, he had gallantly approached the south-east of the same works over a 
 causeway, with cuts and batteries, and defended by an army strongly posted outside, to the 
 east of the works. These formidable obstacles Quitman had to face, with but little shelter 
 for his troops, or space for manoeuvering. Deep ditches, flanking the causeway made it diffi- 
 cult to cross, on either side, into the adjoining meadows, and these again were intersected by 
 other ditches. Smith and liis brigade had been early thrown out to make a sweep to the right, 
 in order to present a front against the enemy's line (outside), and to turn the two intervening 
 batteries, near the foot of Chapultepec. This movement was also intended to support Quit- 
 man's storming parties, both on the causeway. The first of these, furnished by Twiggs' divis- 
 ion, was commanded in succession, by Capt. Casey, 2d inf , and Capt. Paul, 7th inf , after Casey 
 had been severely wounded; and the second, originally under the gallant Major Twiggs, 
 marine corps, killed, and then Capt. Miller, 2d Pennsylvania volunteer.?. The storming party, 
 now commanded by Capt. Paul, seconded by Capt. Roberts, of the rifles, Lieut. Stewart, and 
 others of the same regiment, Smith's brigade, carried tlie two batteries in the road, took some 
 guns, with many prisoners, and drove the enemy posted behind in support. The New York 
 and South Carolina volunteers (Shields' brigade), and the 2d Pennsylvania volunteers, all on 
 the left of Quitman's line, together with portions of his storming parties, crossed the mead- 
 ows in front, under a heavy fire, and entered the outer enclosure of Cliapultepec, just in time 
 to join in the final assault from the west. 
 
 Besides Major Generals Pillow and Quitman, Brigadier Generals Shields, Smith and Cad- 
 walader, the following are the oflicers and corps most distinguished in those brilliant opera- 
 tions : — The voltiguer regiment, in two detachments, commanded, respectively, by Col. An- 
 drews and Lieut. Col. Johnstone — the latter mostly in the lead, accompanied by Major Cald- 
 well ; Capts. Barnard and Biddle, of the same regiment — the former the first to plant a regi- 
 mental color, and the latter among the first in the assault ; the storming party of Worth's 
 division, under Capt. McKenzie, 2d artillery, with Lieut. Seldon, Slh infantry, early on the 
 ladder and badly wounded ; Lieut. Armistead, Oth infantry, the first to leap into the ditch to 
 plant a ladder; Lieuts. Rogers of the 4th, and J. P. Smith of the 5th infantry, both mortally 
 wounded; the 9lh infantry, under Col. Ransom, who was killed while gallantly leading that 
 gallant regiment; the 15lh infantry, under Lieut. Col. Howard and Maj. Woods, with Capt. 
 Chase, whose company gallantly carried the redoubt, midway up the acclivity ; Col Clarke's 
 brigade, (Worth's division), consisting of the 5th, 8th, and part of the Oth regiments of infantry- 
 commanded, respectively, by Capt. Chapman, Major Montgomery and Lieut Edward .John- 
 son, the latter specially noticed, with Lieuts. Longstreet. (badly wounded — advancing — co!oi» 
 in hand), Pickett and Merchant, the last three of the 8th infantry : portions of the U. S. mii 
 rines, New York, South Carolina, and 2d Pennsylvania volunteers, which delayed with then 
 division (Quitman's) by the hot engagement below, arrived just in time to participate in the 
 assault of the heights — particularly a detachment, under Lieut. Ried, New York volunteer.", 
 consisting of a company of tlie same, with one of marines ; and another detachment, a por 
 tion of the storming parly. (Twiggs' division, serving with Quitman), under Lieut. Steele, 2d 
 infantry — after the full of Lieut. Grant, 7th infantry. 
 
 In this connexion, it is but just to recall the decisive eflect of the heavy batteries, Nos. 1, 2 
 3 and 4, commanded by those excellent officers, Capt. Drum, 4th artillery, assisted by Lieuts. 
 
622 APPENDIX. 
 
 Benjamin and Porter of his own company; Capt. Brooks and Lieut. Anderson, 2d artillery, 
 assisted Ijy Lieut. Russell, 4th infantry, a volunteer; Lieuts. Hagner and Stone, of the ord- 
 nance, and Lieut. Andrews, 3d artillery — the whole superintended by Capt. Huger, chief 
 of ordnance — an officer distinguished by every kind of merit. The mountain how- 
 itzer battery, under Lieut. Reno, of the ordnance, deserves, also, to be particularly men- 
 tioned. Attached to the volliguers, it followed the movements of that regiment, and again 
 won applause. 
 
 In adding to the list of individuals of conspicuous merit, I must limit myself to a few of the 
 many names which might be enumerated: — Capt. Hooker, assistant adjutant general, who 
 won special applause successively in the staff of Pillow and Cadwalader; Lieut. Lovell, 
 4th artillery, (wounded), chief of Quitman's staff; Capt. Page, assistant adjutant general, 
 (wounded), and Lieut. Hammond, 3d artillery, both of Shields' staff; and Lieut. Van Dorn, 
 7th infantry, aid-de-camp to Brig. Gen. Smith. 
 
 These operations all occurred on the west, south-east, and heights of Cliapultepec. To the 
 north, and at tlie base of the mound, inaccessible on that side, the 11th infantry, under Lieut. 
 Col. Herbert, the 4th, under Col. Trousdale, and Capt. Magruder'.s field battery, 1st artillery — 
 one section advanced under Lieut. Jackson — all of Pillow's division — had, at the same time, 
 some spirited affairs against superior numbers, driving the enemy from a battery in the road, 
 and capturing a gun. In these the officers and corps named gained merited praise. Col. 
 Trousdale, the commander, though twice wounded, continued on duty till the heights were 
 carried. 
 
 Early in the morning of the 13th, I repeated the orders of the night before to Maj. Gen. 
 Worth, to be with his division at hand, to support the movement of Maj. Gen, Pillow from our 
 left. The latter seems soon to have called for that entire division, standing momentarily in 
 reserve, and Worth sent him Col. Clarke's brigade. The call, if not unnecessary, was, at 
 least, under the circumstances, unknown to me at the time ; for, soon observing the very large 
 body of the enemy in the road in front of Maj. Gen. Quitman's right, was reinforcements from 
 the city — less than a mile and a half to the east — I sent instructions to Worth, on our opposite 
 flank, to turn Chapultepec with his division, and to proceed, cautiously, by the road at its 
 northern base, in order, if not met by very superior numbers, to threaten or to attack in rear, 
 that body of the enemy. The movement, it was also believed, could not fail to distract and 
 to intimidate the enemy generally. 
 
 Worth promptly advanced with his remaining brigade — Col. Garland's — Lieut. Col. C. F. 
 Smith's light battalion, Lieut. Col. Duncan's field battery— all of his division— and three 
 squadrons of dragoons, under Major Sumner, which I had just ordered up to join in the move- 
 ment. 
 
 Having turned the fortress on the west, and arriving opposite to the north centre of Chapul- 
 tepec;, Worth came up with the troops in the road, under Col. Trousdale, and aided by a flank 
 movement of a part of Garland's brigade in taking the one-gun breastwork, then under the 
 fire of Lieut. Jackson's section of Capt. Magruder's field battery. Continuing to advance, this 
 division passed Chapultepec, attacking the right of the enemy's line, resting on that road, 
 about the moment of the general retreat consequent upon the capture of the formidable castle 
 and its outworks. Arriving some minutes later, and mounting to the top of the castle, the 
 whole field, to the east, lay plainly under my view. 
 
 There are two routes, from Chapultepec to the capital— the one on the right entering the 
 same gale, Belen, with the road from the south, via Piedad ; and the other obliquing to the left, 
 to intersect the great western, or San Cosme road, in a suburb outside of the gate of San 
 Cosme. Each of these routes (an elevated causeway) presents a double roadway on the sides 
 of an aqueduct of strong masonry, and great height, resting on open arches and massive pil- 
 lars, which, together, afford fine points both for attack and defence. The sideways of both 
 aqueducts, are, moreover, defended by many strong breastworks at the gates, and before 
 reaching them. As we had expected, we found the four tracks unusually dry and solid for 
 the season. 
 
 Worth and Quitman were prompt in pursuing the retreating enemy— the former by the San 
 Cosme aqueduct, and the latter aloiig that of Belen. Each had now advanced some hundred 
 yards. Deeming it all-important to profit by our successes, and the consequent dismay of the 
 enemy, which could not be otherwise than general. I hastened to dispatch from Chapultepec, 
 first Clarke's brigade, and then Cadwalader's, to the support of Worth, and gave orders thai 
 the necessary heavy guns should follow. Pierce's brigade was, at the same time, sent to 
 Quitman, and, in the course of the afternoon, I caused some additional siege pieces to be ad- 
 
AMERICAN ARMY IN THE CITY OF MEXICO. G23 
 
 ded to his tram. Then, after desig^nating the 15th infantry, under Lieut. Col. Howard — Mor- 
 gan, the colonel, had been disabled by a wound at Churubusco — as the garrison of Chapulte- 
 pec. and giving directions for the care of the prisoners of war, the captured ordnance and 
 ordnance stores, I proceeded to join the advance of Worth, within the suburb, and beyond 
 the turn at the junction of the aqueduct with the great highway from the west to the gates of 
 San Cosme. 
 
 At this junction of roads, we first passed one of those formidable systems of city defences, 
 spoken of above, and it had not a gun ; — a strong proof— 1. That the enemy had expected us 
 to fail in the attack upon Chapultepec, even if we meant anything more than a feint ; 2. That 
 m either case, we designed, in his belief, to return and double our forces against the southern 
 gates — a delusion kept up by the active demonstrations of Twiggs and the forces posted on 
 that side ; and, 3. That advancing rapidly from the reduction of Chapultepec, the enemy had 
 not time to shift guns — our previous captures had left him, comparatively, but few — from the 
 southern gates. 
 
 Within those disgarnished works, I found our troops engaged in a street fight against the 
 enemy posted in gardens, at windows, and on house-tops — all fiat — with parapets. Worth or- 
 dered forward the mountain howitzers of Cadwalader's brigade, preceded by skirmishers and 
 pioneers, with pick-axes and crow bars, to force windows and doors, or to burrow through 
 walls. The assailants were soon in an equality of position fatal to the enemy. By eight o'clock 
 in the evening, Worth had carried two batteries in this suburb. According to my instruc- 
 tions, he here posted guards and sentinels, and placed his troops under shelter for night. — 
 There was but one more obstacle ; the San Cosme gate (custom-liouse) between him and the 
 great square in front of the cathedral and palace — the heart of the city ; and that barrier, it 
 was known, could not by daylight, resist our siege guns thirty minutes. 
 
 I had gone back to the foot of Chapultepec, the point from which the two aqueducts begin 
 to diverge, some hours earlier, in order to be near that new depot, and in easy communication 
 with Quitman and Twiggs, as well as with Worth. From this point, I ordered all detach- 
 ments and stragglers to their respective corps, then in advance ; sent to Quitman additional 
 siege guns, ammunition, entrenching tools ; directed Twiggs' remaining brigade (Riley's) i"rom 
 Piedad, to support Worth, and Capt. Steptoe's field battery, also at Piedad, to rejoin Quitman's 
 division. 
 
 I had been, from the first, well aware that the western, or San Cosme, was the less difficult 
 route to the centre and conquest of the capital ; and, therefore, intended that Quitman should 
 mancEuvre and threaten the Belen or southwestern gate, in order to favor the main attack by 
 Worth — knowing that the strong defences at the Belen were directly under the gims of the 
 much stronger fortress called the c/tec/cZ, just within. Both of these defences of the enemy 
 were also within easy supporting distance from the San Angel (or Nino Perdido) and Sau 
 Antonio gates. Hence the greater support, in numbers, given to Worth's movement at the 
 viain attack. 
 
 Those views I repeatedly, in the course of the day, communicated to Maj. Gen. Quitman; 
 but, being in hot pursuit — gallant himself, and ably supported by Brig. Generals Shields and 
 Smith — Shields badly wounded before Chapultepec, and refusing to retire — as well as by all the 
 officers and men of the column — Quitman continued to press forward, under flank and direct 
 fires — carried an immediate battery of two guns, and then the gate, before two o'clock in the 
 afternoon, but not without proportionate loss, increased by his steady maintenance of that 
 position. 
 
 Here, of the heavy battery, 4th artillery, Capt. Drum and Ijieut. Benjamin were mortally 
 ■wounded, and Lieut. Porter, its third in rank, slightly. The loss of those two most distin- 
 guished officers the army will long mourn. Lieutenants J. B Moragne and Wm. Canty, ot 
 the South Carolina volunteers, also officers of high merit, fell on the occasion — besides mauy 
 of our bravest non-commissioned officers and men — particularly in Capt. Drum's veteran 
 company. I cannot, in this place, give names or numbers; but lull returns of the killed and 
 wounded of all corps, in their recent operations, will accompany this report. 
 
 Quitman, within the city — adding several new defences to the position he liad won, and 
 sheltering his corns as well as practicable — now awaited the return of daylight, under the 
 guns of the formidable citadel, yet to be subdued. 
 
 At about four o'clock next morning {Sept. 14th), a deputation of the ayiintnmiento (city 
 council), waited upon me to report that the federal government and the army of Mexico had 
 fled from the capital some three hours before, and to demand terms of capioilation in favor 
 of the church, the citizens, and the municipal authorities. I promptly replied that I would 
 
624 APPENDIX. 
 
 sign no capitulation ; that the city had been virtually in our possession since the lodgments 
 effected, by Worth and Quitman, the day before ; that I regretted the silent escape of the Mex- 
 ican army ; that I should levy on the city a moderate contribution for special purposes ; and 
 that the Mexican army should come under no terms, not self-imposed — such only, as its own 
 honor, the dignity of the United Slates, and the spirit of the age, should, in my opinion impe- 
 riously demand and impose. 
 
 At the termination of the interview with the city deputation, I communicated, about day- 
 light, orders to Worth and Quitman, to advance slowly and cautiously (to guard against 
 treachery), towards the heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger and more commanding 
 points. Quitman proceeded to the great plaza, or square, planted guards, and hoi-sted the 
 colors of the United States on the national palace — containing the halls of Congress, and the 
 executive apartments of federal Mexico. In this grateful service, Quitman might have been 
 anticipated by Worth, but for my express orders, halting the latter at the head of the Alameda 
 (a green park), within three squares of that goal of general ambition. The capital, however, 
 was not taken by any one or two corps, but by the talent, the science, the gallantry, the prow- 
 ess of this entire army. In the glorious conquest, all had contribu: d — early and powerfully 
 — the killed, the wounded, and the fit for duty — at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, San 
 Antonio, Churubusco (three battles), the Mcilino del Rey, and Chapullepec — as much as 
 those who fought at the gates of Belen and San Cosme. 
 
 Soon after we had entered, and were in the act of occupying the city, a fire was opened 
 upon us, from the flat roofs of the houses, from windows, and corners of streets, by some two 
 thousand convicts, liberated the night before by the flying government — joined by, perhaps, 
 as many Mexican soldiers, who had disbanded themselves, and thrown off their uniforms. — 
 This unlawful war lasted more than twenty-four hours, in spite of the exertions of the muni- 
 cipal authorities, and was not put down till we had lost many men, including several oiFicers, 
 killed or wounded, and had punished the miscreants. * * * » . * * 
 
 Leaving, as we all feared, inadequate garrisons at Vera Cruz, Perote, and Puebla — with 
 much larger hospitals ; and being obliged, most reluctantly, from the same cause (genera! pau- 
 city of numbers), to abandon Jalapa, we marched (Aug. 7-10), from Puebla, with only 10,7:J3 
 rank and file. This number includes the garrison of Jalapa, and the 2,429 brought up by 
 Brig. Gen Pierce, August Cth. 
 
 At Contreras, Churubusco, &c., August 20th, we ha.d but 8,497 men engaged — after deduct- 
 ing the garrison of San Augustin (our general depot), the intermediate sick, and the dead ; at 
 the Molino del Rey, Sept. 8th, but three brigades, with some cavalry and artillery — making 
 in all 3,2.51 men — were in the b.ittle; in the two days — Sept. 12th and 13th— our whole opera- 
 ting force, after deducting again, the recent killed, wounded, and sick, together with the gar- 
 rison at Miscoac — the then general depot — and that of Tacubaya, was but7,lS0; and, finally, 
 after deducting the new garrison of Chapultepec, with the killed and wounded of the two 
 days, we took possession, Sept. 14lh, of this great capital, with less than 0.000 men 1 And I 
 re-assert, upon accumulated and unquestionable evidence, that, in not one of these conflicts, 
 was this army opposed by fewer than three and a half times its numbers — in sever.il of them, 
 by a yet greater excess. — I recapitulate our losses, since we arrived in the basin of Mexico : 
 
 Augu.st 19th, 20th — Killed, 137, including 14 officers. Wou7ided, 877. including G2 ollieers. — 
 MUsing (probably killed), 38 rank and file. Total, 1,002. 
 
 ' September 8th — Killed, 116, including 9 oflicers. Wounded, G55, including 49 officers. Mis- 
 sing, 18 rank and file. Total, 789. 
 
 September l-2th, 13th, liih— Killed, 1.30, including 10 officers. Wounded, 703, inoliuling 68 
 officers. Mi3si/)g, 29, rank and file. Total, S02. Grand total of losses, 2,703, including 3Ki 
 officers. 
 
 On the other hand, this small force has beaten, on the same occasion, in view of their capi- 
 tal, the whole Mexican army, of (at the beginning) thirty odd thousand men. Killed or woun- 
 ded, of that number more than 7000, oflicers and men, taken 3,730 prisoners, one-seventh offi- 
 cers, including 13 generals, of whom three had been presidents of this republic, c.iptured 20 
 colors and standards, 75 pieces of ordnance, besides 57 wall pieces, 20.000 small arras, and an 
 immense quantity of shot, shells, powder, &c., &c. ***»#» 
 
 1 have the honor to be, sir, with liigh respect, your most obedient servant, 
 
 WINFIKLD SCOTT, 
 lion. Wm. h. Marcy, Secretary of War. 
 
 10 7Q 
 
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