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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

REFERENCE DEPARTMENT
$K
This book
is under no circumstances to be taken from the Building

,i

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410

THE NEW YORK

PUBU-.'

LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND

T'LDCn- (FOUNDATIONS.

;':!;ill!''

''"is

'iinliiil;'

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES

THE AR ITH MEXICO,

CAPT.

W.
U.
S.

S.

HENRY,

.ARMY.

He

wishes

to enjoin

upon the br.ttnJions of infantry, that their main dependence must be in the bayonet. Taylor's Orders.

WBIU) HitflvnbfnflK.

NEW
HARPER
cV,

YORK:

BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS,
82

CLIFF STREET.

18 4

7.

:;.L18RARY

153986
^

ANC

^TIONS.

Entered, according

to

Act of Congress,

in

the year one thousand

eight hundied and forty-seven, by

Harper
in the Clerk's Office of

&

Brothers;
"

the District Court of the Southern District

of

New

York.

TO

MAJOR-GENERAL
u.
s.

Z.

TAYLOR,

A Amy.

Dear
It
is

Sir,

with feelings of no ordinary pleasure that

dedicate,

by permission, these pages

to you.

The honesty

of purpose and decision of character

all

which have marked your career, under

stances, have obtained for

circumofficers

you the love of the

and men under your command.

Your

brilliant suc-

cesses with inadequate forces and materiel, the welllaid

and admirably-executed plans of your campaigns,

excite the pride and gratitude of your countrymen,

and place you by the side of those

who occupy

the

most conspicuous positions

in history.

The army can

never, forget (in that dfy/k hour

which

preceded the victories of the 8th and 9tn of May, 1846,

when our countrymen thought

doubt of the
result, boldly

p^i' ''little

army"

sac-

rificed) that you, witli perfect, fearlessness, without a

marched forward, met

the

enemy's legions, and conquered them, evincing

to the

woild the courage, force, and discipline of our army,

and proving

to the

United States that the money ex-

pended

in the

education of their officers at the

West

IV

DEDICATIOiV.

Point Military
sults

Academy

has been productive of reits

which should render

basis

immovable.

Hoping
and

ihat the sunset of

your

life

may

be as happy
alike glori-

tranquil as your successes

I

have been

ous and honorable,

subscribe myself

Your

friend

and obedient servant,

S.

W.

Henry, Capt.

U. S. A,

PREFACE.
In committing the subjoined pages to the tide

of

popular favor, the author disavows any claim to Hter-

ary merit.

He

issues

them as a diary of events now

his country.

blended with the history of

They have

been jotted
or to

hours
the

down principally for his own amusement, beguile away the otherwise long and weary of camp life. They are now brought forth as
into the family circle a con-

means of introducing

cise,

and perhaps instructive, narrative of events, a

its

description of the country,

their

scenery, the people,

subject-

manners and customs, which have been

ed

to his

own

observation.

The
the "

journal

commences with
to the

the

first

movement

of

Army

of Observation."

knowledge extends

The author's personal time when General Taylor

was deprived of

his

regulars at Victoria, prior to his

return to Monterey, and to his

the army, subsequent to the
fall

own

departure from

of Vera Cruz.

The

remaining incidents of the campaign of General Taylor are

compiled from

his official dispatches,

and from

graphic letters w^ritten by gentlemen associated with

the army.

He
to

must not forget

to

acknowledge

his obligations

Lieutenant A. Sully, of the army, for

his spirited

VI

PREFACE.

embellislunents; and to Major J. H. Eaton, to

is

whom

he

indebted for a few

desi^i^ns.

From
it is

the nature of the

forces

employed during the war,

a natural suppo-

sition that there are

few persons who have not had

some

friend or relative

engaged

in the stirring

scenes

herein described.

They may
w^ar.
it is

be assured the writer

has endeavored to give a faithful history of the events

connected with the

To
riod.

the casual reader,

hoped the subject

will

be

of sufficient interest to

fix his

attention for a brief pe-

And

if,

to his brother officers,

he has succeeded
fondly

in recalling

scenes upon which

memory must

dwell, though tinged with melancholy hues, he will

feel

himself amply repaid.

The

AuTfioR.

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES.
CHAPTER
I.

In order to have a clear understanding of the causes which resulted in the formation of the original " Army of Observation," its concentration upon the Red River and at Fort Jesup, &c., and for the purpose of obtain-

ing a starting-point for

my journal, I deem it necessary to give the reader a synopsis of the events which
;

immediately preceded these military movements not presuming, however, that all are not conversant with them, but thinking it will afford an interesting introduction to the work, and bring more forcibly to recollection all the causes for the first military

movements,

which eventually resulted

in the

war with Mexico.

The intensely exciting period which preceded the annexation of Texas must be too well remembered to
need any reference. It was generally believed this measure would be effected by President Tyler early For this purpose he introduced in the spring of 1844. a treaty, which was rejected by the Senate. From an understanding between our government and that of Texas (both calculating upon the certainty of the passage of the treaty),
iic

w^ere to concentrate upon the

borders of Texas a force sufficient to prevent or repulse any attack which might be

made by the Mexican government, which might reasonably be expected from their determined and expressed opposition to the
annexation of the State of Texas to the United States,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

which state they had never acknowledged, although eight years had elapsed since her existence as a separate and independent governthe independence of

ment.
In furtherance of this promise, the

government

se-

lected (then Brevet Brigadier-general) Z. Taylor, col-

onel of the Gth

Regiment of

Infantry, as

commanding

officer for the forces

about being concentrated at or

near Fort Jesup, Louisiana.

tion to this effect in

He

received informa-

May,

1844, immediately resigned

2,

the

command

of Department No.

and repaired to

Fort Jesup.

This post was at the time garrisoned by

seven companies of the 2d Regiment of Dragoons, commanded by Colonel D. E. Twqggs. In April, 1844, the eight companies of the 3d Regiment of Infantry,

commanded by

Lieutenant-colonel E. A. Hitch-

cock, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, re-

ceived orders to repair immediately to Fort Jesup,

transports,

On the 27th of April they embarked on and arrived at Fort Jesup on the 10th of May. Their encampment, in close proximity with the above-named fort, was called Camp Wilkins, in honor
Louisiana.

of the then Secretary of

War.

In

May,

1844, eight

companies of the 4th Regiment of Infantry, then stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and commanded by Colonel Vose, received orders to repair to Red They took water transportation on the 7th, River.

and arrived

at

Grand Ecore on

the 13th of

May,

1844.

encampment, about three miles from the river, which was called Camp Salubrity. Two companies of the 3d and two the of the 4th Infantry were at that time detached former at Fort Leavenworth, the latter at Fort Scott, Missouri. General Taylor arrived at Fort Jesup about
selected a beautiful site for an
;

They

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

the middle of June, and took

9
of the forces.

command

He

called

them the

"

Army

of Observation."

On

the

3d of April. 1845, the two companies of the 3d Infantry, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, started for Fort
JesLip,

movement concentrated
nal "

and arrived there on the 23d of April. the 3d Infantry. The

This
origi-

Army of Observation," under command of General

Taylor, consisted of seven companies of the 2d Dragoons, under the command of Colonel Twiggs; the

3d Infantry,

commanded by

Lieutenant-colonel Hitch-

and eight companies of the 4th Infantry, under command of Colonel Vose. In February, 1845, the resolutions annexing Texas to the United States passed
;

cock

Congress.

On

the 28th of

May,

1845, General Taylor

received instructions from the

War

lows: "So soon as the Texas Congress

Department as folshall have giv-

its consent to annexation, and a convention shall assemble and accept the terms offered in the resolution of Congress, Texas will then be regarded by the executive government here so far a part of the United States as to be entitled, from this government, to de-

en

fense and protection from foreign invasion and Indian

incursions.

The

troops under your

command

will be

placed and kept in readiness to perform that duty."

General Taylor Weemed the position then occupied one which would enable him, under any emergency, therefore no change was made. to fulfill his orders
;

Active preparations were going on, with the expectation of a march through Texas, to the point designated

occupancy, on the extreme southwestern borders of Texas, when, on the 15th of June, 1845, instructions were transmitted by Mr. Bancroft to Genfor our

eral

Taylor as follows: "On the 4th day of July the Convention of the people of Texas wmH probably ac-

10

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
in anticipation

cept the proposition of annexation, and, of the event, he

advance to some point on the Gulf of Mexico which he might deem convenient for the embarkation of his command to the western frontier of

was

to

Texas."

New Orleans

was

selected as this point.

The

3d and 4th Infantry were immediately ordered there. It was decided that the Dragoons should march across On the 2d of July the 4th Infantry emthe country.
barked on steamers at Grand Ecore, and arrived at New Orleans on the 4th, and took position at the BarThe 3d Inracks, about four miles below the city. fantry left Fort Jesup on the 7th, and arrived at New
Orleans on the 10th.
the lower cotton-press.

Quarters were assigned them in And here we have the Army

of Observation ready for a start, the quarter- master's department busily employed in chartering transports,

and the

officers of the line

making the most of

their

time by enjoying as

many

of the pleasures of that deto their banish-

lightful city as the heat

of the season and the fear of

yellow fever would permit, previous

ment
point.

to parts

unknown.

Here

w^e have a starting-

From

the date of our arrival in

I

New

Orleans
suffi-

the Journal

commences, which

hope will be

ciently interesting to induce those

who have accom-

panied

me

thus far to peep into theTollowing chapter.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

CHAPTER
Nothing could exceed
ing the few days

II.

the heat of the

weather durAll

we

spent in

New

Orleans.

were

anxious to hear of the action of the Texas Convention,

and
not

we

found some

little

difficulty to restrain

our imstaff did

patience to be "

off."

General Taylor and

the troops on their departure from Fort remained behind to see that every thing was arranged for the departure of the Dragoons, and arrived in the city on the 15th. In the mean time, vessels had been engaged to transport the troops to the point which should be selected by General Taylor, and all was life and animation in getting the necessary stores on board. On the 4th of July the Texas Con-

accompany

Jesup.

He

vention decided upon accepting the propositions of an-

nexation (with one exception) by a unanimous vote.

According

to instructions,

an immediate move became

necessary, and that the general should make choice of

the position he intended to occupy.

He

was, you

may

say, in utter ignorance of the country; but decided, aft-

er carefully weighing the advantages (as represented)

of the different points upon the Gulf, to repair to Cor-

pus Christi.

The glowing
its

descriptions

which

w^e re-

ceived of the beauty of

number of

fish,

and of the immense oysters, deer, and every kind of game,

location,

gave us pleasurable

anticipations.

gloom was thrown over us all by the sudden and unexpected demise of Colonel J. H. Vose of the 4th Infantry. This sad event occurred at New Orleans Barracks. He was on drill within a few moments of his death. He fell back on the porch of
the 15th of July a

On

12

CAMPAIGN" SKKTCHES OF
fit,

his quarters in a

be of any

avail.

He

and died before medical aid could died like a true soldier, with his

sword and sash around him

literally " in

harness."

On

the 16th he w^as buried with funeral honors; the

3d Infantry formed his escort.

We

could not but be

impressed with so melancholy a commencement of the

campaign. Few of us will forget the melting heat we endured while marching from our quarters to the Barracks.

On

the 19th Lieutenant

ton with his

"

Bragg arrived from Charlescompany of the 3d Artillery, with or-

ders to report to General Taylor for duty with the

Army of Observation." A light battery, with the nec-

essary horses, should have met him at

New

Orleans.

Nothing of the kind made its appearance, and the company embarked without it, for the time being serving
as infantry.
to the 3d

The

steam-ship

Infantry.

Alabama was assigned The general and staff (Captain

and Lieutenant Eaton,

Bliss, acting adjutant-general,

aid-de-camp), Captain Crossman, acting quartermas-

Waggaman (acting commissary of upon embarking in her. During the day and evening of the 22d the baggage and subsistence were placed on board. Ships were chartered for the 4th Infantry and Bragg's battery, who were
ter,

and Captain

supplies) decided

ordered to leave as soon as they could prepare themThe 3d Infantry, at eleven o'clock at night on selves.
the 22d of July,

were formed

in line in the street run-

ning between the yards of the Cotton Press, wheeled into column, and, to the soul-inspiring air of their regi-

mental quick-step, marched through the

to their transport.

Many curious

streets, thence heads were seen pro-

truding from half-opened doors and windows, to

know

what

all

the fuss could be about; and

many an

old vet-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

eran had the dormant feelings of the 8th of January
kindled by the "ear-piercing
fife"

13
re-

and

"spirit-stirring

drum."
onets to

gilding the

The moon was just rising as we marched out, domes and house-tops, and caused our bayglisten in the mellow light. The deep shadside of the street, the bright moonlight

ows on one
upon the

other, the

solemn quiet of a sleeping

feelings,

city, dis-

turbed so harshly by the martial music of the column,

formed a scene which touched one's

not easily be forgotten.

and will

left her moorings at three o'clock on morning of the 23d, and by twelve M. had crossed the bar at the southwest pass, and was gallantly and

The Alabama

the

rapidly cutting her

way

over the Gulf, barely ruffled

At anchor outside lay the sloopof-war St. Mary's, commanded by that gallant and excellent seaman. Captain Saunders, ordered from PenAs we had steam, she sacola to convoy the troops. remained to convoy the sail vessels. At twelve o'clock on the 25th, after a delightful run, we made Matagorda Island. It was the first glimpse of the promised
the soft breeze.
land, the land of

by

"the lone star" no longer.

is

Matagorda
one put

Island

properly St. Joseph's

and the

down on
all

the

maps

as St. Joseph's should be

Espiritu Santo.

We

ran along the coast (about two

Its

miles distant)

the afternoon.

white sand-beach

and rolling sand-hills, from twenty to fifty feet high, covered with verdure, presented quite a bold and picIt resembles very much the turesque appearance. You miss, however, the palmetto and Florida coast.
pine
well.
;

to the latter-named

we have

bidden a long fare-

The

live-oak. of

immense

size,

through whose

thickly-interlaced leaves and limbs the sun's rays nev-

er pierce, has taken their place.

regret to part with

Vol. I. B

14

CAMPAIGN SKETCUErf OF
has been associated with "music" has oft lulled me fierce band of Indians, the Ca;

the stately, long-leaf pine

it

my southern
into

service,

and

its

happy

reveries.

ranchuas, formerly, and within a very late period,

habited this island.

in-

They

are cannibals, and proved

a scourge to the early settlers of this portion of Texas. small band of Texans gave them battle, and, after a

fierce fight,

whipped and drove them from the

island.

The

spot on which the battle took place bears the

name

of" Battle Island." In the course of several fights they have nearly been exterminated. They are now reduced to a few warriors, and are located upon Padre They are very brave and warlike, and celeIsland.
brated for the accuracy of their shooting.
is

An

instance

related of a warrior lying

down upon

his back, using

his feet to

draw

his

distance of 175 yards, through a

bow, and driving an arrow, at the man and six folds of

latitude 27 45", early

buckskin.

We

made Aransas Bay,

on

the morning of the 26th of July.

Lieutenant C. landloftiest

ed at nine o'clock, and on the top of one of the

sand-hills erected a pole,

from the top of which was

It

unfurled the star-spangled banner.

rich acquisition, the

floats

over a
has yet

most precious Uncle

"Long may
it

Sam

added

to his

crown.
wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

The company I commanded had the honor of landing The vessel, drawing too much water, could not cross the bar it therefore became necessary for us to
first.
;

land

in

small boats.

Seventy-five yards distant from

the shore the

men had to jump overboard into the roaring surf. They made a real frolic of it. Some old veteran camp- women took to the element as if they were

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

born
in
it
;

15

ferred a inan's back,

(St. Joseph's) is

while others, more delicately-nerved, preand rode on shore. This island

a curiosity,
in

many

respects.

If

you

dig a well four feet deep any where, even on the seashore,
rel
is

you obtain /res/i water.

Into these wells a barin.

usually sunk, to prevent their caving

My
;

company was encamped near a fresh-water pond within a few paces there was another pond, of precisely similar appearance, but salt as brine. No one was aware of this fact until we saw one of the men, who was very thirsty, rushing to it, flattering himself he was about having a refreshing drink, spitting out the first swallow, with strong symptoms of disgust. I can not satisfactorily account for the water in some places being fresh and in other's salt. The most plausible
theory
is,

the water of the ocean, filtrating through the

its

sand, loses

saline property.

Every

thing goes to

you dig a little lower in the same well, after reaching fresh, you will strike salt water. The fresh water, at best, has a most unpleasant taste. There are three or four families residing upon this island, who depend upon this water for their drinking. The fishprove
this.

If

sheep-head, drum, muland many others too numerous to menthe water is literally alive with them. tion, abound The red-fish are most prized the men caught great quantities of them they bait with fiddlers, wade out into the surf, and as fast as they throw in their lines are sure to have a bite not so sure, however, to catch the fish, for they often strike such large ones they snap As soon as you have fasttheir hooks like pipe-stems. line over your shoulder and ened one, you throw the put for the shore "double quick;" often, by this means, landing the largest fish without any difliculty for they
ing here can not be surpassed
;

let, red-fish,

10

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

fore they

swim along with you, and find themselves caught beknow it. A sergeant of my company hooked
lie

such a monster that

could not budge him

the fish

darted between him and a comrade standin.^ by his

side; as he passed they laid violent hands upon him,

unhooked him, and started for shore. They had not proceeded ten paces, when he flapped his tail and threw them both on their backs, and escaped. The hunting here is unsurpassed. Deer abound. If you are in want of meat, you have but to station yourself behind some of the innumerable sand-hills, near ponds of fresh water. Here may be seen the deer for half a mile, wdien feeding or coming to water. There you can quietly sit, and the deer will walk within thirty yards of you or, if you prefer it, mount your horse, dash over the island, and you can have the excitement of shooting them under full run. An officer of our regiment jumped on a horse, rode to the shooting-grounds, and in twenty minutes from the time of dismounting killed three fine, fat fellows. Teal and mallard duck were found in the ponds with their young;
;

also jack-snipe.
is

This

is

somewhat

astonishing, as

it

the general impression they migrate to the north to

breed.

The

soil

of the island

is

peculiarly adapted to the

cultivation of sea-island cotton.

flourish luxuriantly.
It
is

Potatoes and melons

soil,

a light
;

quite sandy,

mixed with a great deal of shell and no matter how much time elapses between rains, the moisture from the soil (water being found so near the surface), combined with the heavy dews, aflbrds sufficient nourishment for the plant.

The

landing of the troops' supplies

difliculty.

was

effected

with great

On

the 29th,

two companies of

TUE WAR WITH

the 3d, one of which

iMEXICO.

17

was mine, embarked on the steamUndine for Corpus Christi. Aransas and Corpus Christi Bays are separated by a long flat of land. It was discovered that the Undine drew too much water to pass over it. We were forced to leave the steamboat, and cross the bay, a very rough one, in small boats. We landed on the main shore on the 31st of July. On the 14th of July Captain Tompkins's company of the
er

3d Artillery sailed from

River.

New

store-ship Lexington, for the

York in mouth

the United States

of the Columbia

He

carried with him a battery of artillery,

besides heavy guns, and every material requisite for

the erection of a permanent fortification.

CHAPTER
The
as
it is

III.

village of

Corpus

Christi, or "

Kinney^ s RanchJ*
consists of

generally called,

is

situated on the western shore

of Corpus Christi Bay.

The town

some

twenty or

thirty houses, partly situated

land, elevated

some

six or eight feet

on a shelf of above the water,

feet.

about two hundred yards broad, and on a bluff which

rises

from the plain

to the height
is

of one hundred

The bay

at this point

in the

shape of a crescent, ex-

tending in a southeast direction to Padre Island, and

northwest
tle

to the

mouth of the Nueces.

of
all

The

bluff pre-

sents a beautiful aspect, the rise being sufficiently gento deprive

it

appearance of abruptness, clad

with the mesquite-grass, and evergreen bushes scattered in clumps hither and yon in graceful confusion,
looking, in
regularities
its

gentle undulations, as

if its

pleasing

ir-

had been fashioned by the hand of

man

18

CAMPAIGN
bluff

frKETCIlEr:;

Ol'

and the plain presented, early on the morning after our arrival, quite a pastoral appearance. First came a large drove of cattle, driven by two Mexicans, mounted upon their mustang poneys then

The

followed at least five hundred goats and sheep, which,

dispersing themselves in groups over
hill

and

plain,

added much to the beauty of the scene. The shepherd and his trusty dog accompanied them; Fancy placed in his hands the crook, and brought vividly to mind the poetic descriptions of his life. From the top of the bluff the view that burst upon us was magnifiFar off to the east the scene cent in the extreme. was bounded by the white-caps of the beautiful boy
to the southeast
in the

Flower

Bluffs stood out in bold rel.ef;

northeast the distant highlands of Mnglone's

;

Bluff were dimly visible

to the
;

northwest, the hind

near the mouth of the Nueces in the west, one unlimited plain presented itself, extending to the mountains,
the home of the mustang and buffalo, the huntingground of the bold Camanche and the fierce Lipan. The scene was charming, and the soft, refreshing seabreeze, cooling the atmosphere to the temperature of an October's day, made one exclaim, in the enthusiasm the Eden of the moment, " It is God's favored land When the enthusiasm subsided, it was of America." not exactly that, but it certainly is very beautiful. The atmosphere is tempered by a constant breeze, and you

hardly

feel the heat.

first settled

This place was

ney, in 1838, who,

by Colonel H. L. Kin-

in

conjunction with his partner, Mr.

Aubrey, established a trading-post, to meet the immense traffic carried on by the Mexicans. It w^as the extreme frontier settlement. The incursions of the Indians were so frequent, and attended with so much

TEIE

WAR WITH
to

MEXICO.

19

dann^er, that he

was forced

keep a regular company

Its
it

of men, at his

own

expei^se, to defend his " ranch."

proximity

to

the Rio

Grande made

the most con-

venient point for the contraband trade.

is

This trade by Mexicans, who bring in immense droves of horses and mules, saddles and bridles, ]\Iexican blankets and silver, and in return take back tlie
carried on

common unbleached

domestics and tobacco.

From

the great extent of frontier on the Rio Grande, they

are enabled to escape the custom, and realize

profits

immense
life

upon

their

goods.

Colonel Kinney's

has

been a romance from

;

his first

entrance into the coun-

and those accustomed to the luxuries of cities, try and unacquainted with border life, can hardly realize, mucli less credit, some of the astonishing adventures His ready in which he has been a prominent actor. wit, generosity, indomitable courage, and persevei-ance have relieved him from many perplexing situations. As the concentration of our army at this point has
rendered
it

notorious,

can not refram, even

place and
its

at the exfev/

pense of being cons'dered prosy, from relating a

anecdotes connected with
prietor.
th.e

spirited pj^o-

For the suppression of this illicit trade, tlie government of Mexico kept constantly stationed on the comisiones." Rio Grande a species of troops called They were usually commanded by some worthless vagabond, who Vvas ready in a moment to sacrifice his duty for a bribe. The government, looking with a jealous eye at the increasing trade of "Kinney's Ranch," dispatched an olhcer of the " comisiones," with two hundred men, to destroy his contraband goods and take him prisoner. At this time Kinney had with him a company of I'orty men. Receiv.ng infor'*

mation of the intended expedition, he hurried

to

"Live-

20

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

oak Point," a neighboring settlement east of the Nueces, to obtain all the assistance they could spare.
his return

On

he found that his valiant

only deserted him, but stolen

company had not many of his goods. The

and having two The com-

"Ranch" was,

in itself,

a pretty strong work, being surfor infantry,

rounded by a wall pierced

pieces of artillery

mounted

for its defense.

manding
ger
to
his

in three miles of the

up

detachment halted his men withRanch, and dispatched a messenColonel Kinney, tellng him if he would give goods peaceably, he would not molest his perofficer of the

son.

The

colonel's force consisted,

all told,

of eight

messenger was delivering the mandate of his superior, they were employed, by order of the colonel, digging holes in which to place some bomb-shells, the " Ranch" being well supplied with the various materiel of war. Observing that the proceedings of his men had attracted the attention of the messenger, the colonel said to him, " Go back to your captain tell him I'll neither surrender my goods nor myself; I'll fight him to the last, and will lay his
trusty adherents.

While

the

bones and those of

he exclaimed, "
ican
?

his

command

to

bleach at

my door."

This reply being reported to the worthy commander,

Why, what has got into this d

d Amer-

he must have been sure of whipping me, or he

would never have sent so fierce an answer." The affair, thus savagely commenced, ended in a conference. A few insinuating gold pieces, placed most unostentatiously in the hands of the worthy and valiant defender of his country's law^s, sent him back to the Rio Grande, to report to his government that the conduct of the colonel was unexceptionable. So much for a little ingenious bravery, and a happy application of the
lever of the world.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

21

The
they

settlement

was almost

entirely at the

of the numerous bands of Indians.

in their fierce incursions, that

mercy So daring' were it became neces-

sary to make every house a castle.

dian adventures were numberless.
to relate
I

The

colonel's In-

some of
witli

the details

have only space of one in which he was

concerned

a party of Camanches.

They

are

the most war-like tribe of Indians on this continent

neither ask nor give quarter

being mostly armed

skill

with the
in
its

bow and
is

arrow, they have acquired a

use that

perfectly wonderful.

The party with

The party

whom

he had the combat was headed by Santa Anna,

a noted chief, and numbered seventeen.

which Colonel Kinney commanded numbered eleven. Santa Anna had been in the "Ranch," committing depredations. Being mounted on fleeter horses, the colonel and his party soon overtook the illustrious chief. The two parties dismounted and approached each other, skirmishing, to

within

fifty

yards.

Each

shot from

the unerring
effect.

rifle

of the border

men

told with terrible

;

The

Indians fought with desperate valor

no

signs of flinching.

Presently Santa Anna, with his

front,

raw-hide shield before him, dashed to the

ran along the
balls rattle
line

and
he

of his opponents.
efl?ect.

Each

fired as

passed them, but with no harmlessly on

You

could hear the

Just as the col-

his shield.

onel fired at his legs, the object of this bold manocuver

of the wily chief flashed across his mind.

It

was

to

draw were

their fire,

and rush upon them while

their pieces

discharged.
his

He

cried to his

men

to

mount, and

vaulted upon

noble steed.

His men, objecting to

mount before they loaded, were dashed upon by the enemy. Now they were all mingled in a hand-to-hand
conflict.

The man who

first

objected to mounting his

22

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

horse was immediately speared and killed. Another was speared and shot in several places with arrows. Colonel Kinney's clerk, a young Mexican, was speared, had his horse shot under him, and fell. The colonel
seized him, and placed

him on

his horse.

An

Indian

rushed at and speared the poor fellow again, the spear

Kinney in the back. Another Indian rushed he met and parried the spear, which pierced his buckskin hunting-shirt through both sleeves. At this critical moment the Mexican hit saved his life. By its great power he was enabled to stop his horse, and, by turning him suddenly round, succeeded in tearing
cutting
at

him

the spear from his sleeves.

The poor

clerk

all this

time had him clasped around the throat.

age rushed at him, but fell dead in his unerring aim of an arm which grows stronger as death stares him in the face. Another rushed from behind, and speared the boy through the kidneys. The poor
clerk relaxed his hold, told Colonel
cool,

Another savtracks by the

Kinney
to rise

and he would be saved, and

colonel's

fell

to keep no more.

While the

arms were yet unloaded, he was

;

he dashed his pistol and again disarmed the savage of his By this time Santa Anna, as well as the colspear. onel and his party, were satisfied with this desperate conflict, and retired from the field. Of the colonel's party three men and nine horses were killed, and all wounded. Santa Anna lost seven men. One of Kinney's men came to him with^ue ai^rows sticking in him, besides being speared in two places. The arinto his face,

again set upon by a fierce devil

rows were pulled

survived.

out, and, incredible as

it

seems, he

romance of history, you ever read of a more desperate, gallant, and bloody fight and yet many such have taken place between
Tell

me

where,

in the

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

the Indians

23

and those brave pioneers of civilization, the which almost makes the blood chill in one's heart, and of which the world remains totally ignorant. To give an idea of the obstinate courage of the Camanche, I must cite one instance of desperate resistance in a chief A party of them had been for some time annoying the settlements in the vicinity of San Antonio. A large force had been collected to pursue ihem. A battle ensued near the town many were killed, and some taken prisoners. One chief and his squaw shut themselves up in an old Spanish house,
recital of
;

resolutely refusing to surrender.

The command was

drawn up around
that every
cess,

the house, and he must have seen

avenue of escape, as well as all hope of sucoff. Wishing to spare him, they sent the prophet of his band to use his influence to prevail upon him to surrender. He scorned their proposals, and for an answer sent an arrow among the troops, which killed one of their men. His position was so favorable that he killed seven. To get him out, they made holes in the roof and threw composition balls into the house. Suddenly he opened the doors, and wnth desperate energy rushed forth, and nearly succeeded in

was

cut

making

his escape.

He

dealt death-blow\s to the last,

killing three

more before he was shot down.

killed

One can
had bur-

hardly realize such desperate resistance from one man.

His squaw was

ied her.

during the attack.

He

She

w^as found in her simple grave, with the

warrior's saddle as her tomb-stone.

24

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER
Fkiday, August
1st.

IV.

After enjoying the delightful

a party of us strolled over the

view from

tiie

hlwiY,

beautiful plain, on the borders of

families reside.

which many Mexican

;

Their residences are primitive enough

nothing more than sheds, partially inclosed with the

crooked mesquite-wood, and their roofs thatched with a long grass which grows in the marshes, called "tula."

A dam

thrown across

deep ravine furnishes the peo-

ple with a plentiful supply of rain-water, not only for

themselves., but for the stock,

and

for the
in

droves of horses and mules brought

cans.

immense by the Mexi-

fifteen dollars, or

very capital mustang can be purchased for from that to twenty-five, depending
in

upon the manner

which he

is

broken.

On
It

the side

of the pond, under a grove of beautiful live-oaks, w^as

encamped a company of Texas Rangers.

der the

was

un-

command

of Colonel Bell, an officer

who had

greatly distinguished himself in this border warfare.

They were
were
inhabitants.

paid by the government of Texas, and

stationed at this ])oint for the protection of the

ging wells.

The men have been busily employed all day digThe best of the water is sUg/itlij brackish. The ground will admit of an extensive encampment,
Another

iinmediatcly along the shores of the bay.

company
thus be

The whole command will brought up by detachments. Our means of

arrived to-day.
comjiletely

transportation are too limited, and one can not but reflect

how

we would

be at the mercy of an

active and energetic enemy.

THE WAR WITH

MblXlCO,

25

General Taylor is still at St. Joseph's Island, with energy pushing forward his troops and supplies, with the contemptible means he has at command.
his usual

22d. For the first time had the pleasure of riding a mustang, with complete, though rude Mexican rigging. The animal was lively and frisky enough, but a mere
rat

compared with our northern

;

horses.

The ride was

autumn day.

delightful

the atmosphere as cool as an

The

face of the country

was a

rolling, gently-undulat-

ing plain, covered with the most luxuriant grass, and

interspersed with " mots'^ (islands) of timber, looking

man's country-seat.

were planted to ornament some gentleYour imagination would lead you to assert you saw the elegant mansion corresponding with such noble grounds. For the first time saw the
as though they

mesquite-tree ; it resembles very much the wild locust, and bears a bean having a delightfully-sweet taste, very nutritious for animals, and eaten by many persons. The wood of the mesquite is unsurpassed for fuel, giving an intense heat, and the best coal for cooking that

ever gladdened the eye of a professor of that delicate

science.

August
sels.

3d.

Details from the

command were kept in

the water from morning until night, unloading the ves-

Hearing there was

to

be Catholic service at one of

the houses in the Ranch, a friend and myself decided to

The service had not commenced when w- e arThere were about a dozen females collected, I can not say much the majority of them Mexicans. There w^as one, the Senora Leonofor their beauty. To ra, a Mexican widows who looked quite sw^eetly. delicate features, good figure, and blood-like Castilian carriage, were added the softest, deepest-fringed black eyes I ever saw. Beauty in that organ is common to Vol. I. C
attend.
rived.

26

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
all.

them

There
;

is

a softness, an abiding confidence

full

in its expression

one so

of the gentler feelings

which constitute the poetry of woman's character, that you can not fail to admire them. Their dress is very simple, consisting of a skirt, generally of a gay color, with the graceful rehosa, which completely conceals The service was performed at the nudity of the bust. the house of an Irishman, whose lady was a fair specimen of the Emerald Isle. Her husband came grunting out of the room, complaining in most audible terms of
a pain in his back.

pressed with the belief that

Lest the company might be imit arose from a belaboring

he might have received from his more muscular better half, he explained to them that wind in his intestines, by a sudden exertion, had been driven to his kidneys, and pained him pow^erfully. It may well be imagined,
if

there

was

not a regular burst of laughter, there

was

a most decided smile.

pearance.

The
is

priest soon

made

his ap-

His name

Estene, a native of Old Spain,

who,

filled

with the enthusiasm of the Gospel, has be-

come a traveling savior of souls. He resides on the San Antonio River, and makes his periodical visits to
villages in a circumference of four

hundred miles. He gave us an excellent sermon in Spanish and English. There is a singular state of affairs existing between the Texans and Mexicans, at least at this point. When you reflect how long they have been in a state of war, and how great an antipathy must exist between them for the numerous acts of savage barbarity committed during the Texas struggle, one would suppose there would be complete non-intercourse. On the contrary, the most friendly relations exist between them, no doubt occasioned by the profitable contraband trade. We here meet with the chaparral, which, strictlv,

THK WAR WITH MKXICO.

signifies a " plantation of

27

evergreen oaks," but wiiieh

here means an almost impenetrable thicket of small bushes, so interlaced with a thick undergrowth, covered

with thorns, that a passage through it is next to imposEvery tree and bush has its thorn. The deep sible.
hlack-gj^een of the foliage
is
;

almost inconceivable.
in the

The
feel

temperature

is

delightful

shade you do not

the heat of the sun;

and the never-ceasing trade-wands

at times occasion the chilly sensation belonging to a

fall

day.

August 5th. We all feel under obligations to Mr. B., the governor of Kinney's Ranch during the absence In truth, I have never of its gentlemanly proprietor. met a community who have so universally extended This afternoon, at Mrs. to us unlooked-for civilities. It B.'s, I ate a Mexican preparation called themales. is made of corn-meal, chopped meat, and Cayenne pepper, nicely wrapped in a piece of corn-husk, and boiled. I know of nothing more palatable. August 6th. We hear that Commodore Connor is coming round with the whole Gulf Squadron. Troops
still

arriving by small detachments.

General issued

his first order,

dated

'

Headquarters,

Army

of Occupa-

tion

;"

no longer Observation.
of fine fish with a seine.
8th.
it

The men

catch quan-

tities

August cane, and

The wind

has blown a perfect hurri-

was with great difficulty our tents could Heard from the Dragoons they reached the Trinity River. Our camp-ground is had as many as two at a time infested with rattle-snakes
be kept standing.
;

have been found August 9th,

Grande.

in the tents of the officers.

Two

They

report only five hundred

still

Mexicans arrived from the Rio men at Matat

amoras, and Arista

Monterey, no movements

28
being made.
is

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
That, however,
;

the governis no sign and no movements are made pubhc. The Undine succeeded in getting over the flats, and Two comwill now ply between them and the camp. That regiment panies of the 4th Infantry came in her. Drills arrived safely at the island several days since.

ment

despotic,

are the order of the day, and every exertion

to

is

made

prepare the
is

command

for

any emergency.
;

attention

paid to the target practice

Great we may have

use for sharp shooting.

pired until the 12th,
the

Nothing of any moment transinformation that

when we received
;

Mexican troops w^ere in motion that Arista had Monterey with one thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry for Matamoras. War had not yet been declared, but the people were daily in expectation of
left
it.

It is

reported that General Arista

is

deficient in

The great majority of us are funds to pay his army. will be no fighting, although Mexico of opinion there may declare war, if only to save her pride. She is incapable, in her present distracted state, in the utterly

prostrated condition of her treasury, to sustain a war.

The
to us

information of Arista's movements

was brought
and
in
is

by a Mexican
life,

called Chapita, the favorite

confidential spy of Colonel Kinney.

He

man

the prime of

middling height, broad shoulders,

muscles

like

whip-cords, a dark, piercing eye, prom;

inent forehead, and bushy eye-brows

having that de-

termined expression of countenance common to one who follows so dangerous an occupation. He is devotedly attached to Colonel Kinney, and assisted him
in his

escape from the prison at Matamoras, in which he had been confined by the military commandant. He always travels alone through the desolate and dreary wilderness extending to the Rio Grande, and

THE WAR WITH

MEXIf'O.

29

has ridden from that river to Corpus Christi (one hun-

dred and
horse
thin
is

fifty

miles) in a

day and

night.

His favorite

a Mexican, about thirteen hands high, and so

you would hardly think him fit for the crows. report gave us some little excitement, and we With no could not help laughing at our situation. dragoons nor artillery, and our force scattered between St. Joseph's and this place, we would not have been in a position to withstand a vigorous assault of five thousand men. August 14th. The schooner Swallow, with baggage and stores for the troops, went on the bar, and was wrecked. An immense mail was thoroughly soaked. Among the last things found was a paper containing the Mexican minister's proclamation to the commanders of departments, urging upon them the necessity of

The

increased energy in recruiting the army.

to look rather
ter,

This begins
let-

more

serious.

The

reception of this

Our lieutenant-colonel, E. A. Hitchcock, commanding officer, deemed it prudent to throw up a line of defense, which was commenced on the 15th, under the superintendlittle

combined with the ceived, has created no

different reports

we have

re-

excitement.

ence of Captain Larned, 4th Infantry. In case of an attack, we have only six hundred and ninety-nine men with whom to oppose the enemy. The policy of the government is niggardly in the extreme. If the object
in

sending us here was political effect, that might have been attained by simply publishing a bulletin on this if to take and hold possession of side of the Sabine the country against an enemy, it is entirely inadequate. It is on a par, however, with all the first military op;

erations of a republic.

We

may

consider ourselves a

mere

bait for the

enemy.

Bait as

we

are,

under

it

30

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

they would find a hook, though small, yet, if skilfully managed, would hold and land tiiem. That we could

conquer Arista to-morrow, none doubts but it would be after a bloody battle and great loss of life. Not
;

many

historians

would be

left to tell

the tale.

General Taylor arrived from St. Joseph's Island on The 7th Infantry is ordered to the 15th of August.
join us.

This land of Texas

in fact, for almost

is

celebrated for

many

things

society.

Among

every thing but the refinements of those characters who have gained a

reputation that can only die with the history of horsethieves and abominable rascals, the

name
at

of Garner

stands conspicuous.

ous rascals in the

He was one of country. He held

the most notori-

one time the

honorable station of high private

as.

in the

army of Tex-

Feeling discontented with his position, and believin the art of horse-stealing, he deserted.
trial,

ing his light w^as hidden under a bushel, or that he w^ould

become rusty
Apprehension,

was sentenced

and condemnation follow^ed. He On the day appointed for The prishis execution General Houston was present. oner knelt with perfect composure upon his coffin, beto

be shot.

fore W'hich

was

the grave.

He

requested permission

not to have his eyes blinded; that he

look death in the face.
!

command, " ready Houston reprieved him.

was not afraid to The ceremony proceeded, the aim !" was given, when General
Garner rose from
his coffin,

and, with perfect effi'ontery and sang-froid, approached

the general, and exclaimed, " Fun's fun, general, hut
l^ll le

and

if this is not carrying a joke a little too far ;" then added, " If you had shot me you would have

lost the best

man

in

your army

!"

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

31

CHAPTER V
Nothing of great importance occurred between
16th and 25th of August.
the

The
;

traders drove a brisk

business in mustang horse-flesh

many

of the officers

suppUed themselves, but

nearly
all

at prices nearly fifty per cent,

higher than the usual rate.

could be suited.

As regards color and gait, The best look as if they

had lost all the fire they possessed in a state of nature. Their look is one of regret, as if they were dwelling upon the glories of untrammeled motion on the boundless plains. The entrenchments were pushed on vigorously. Some cannon were borrowed from Colonel Kinney, and placed in position, to give us a more terI question whether they were not rific appearance.

more dangerous
general ordered
protection.

to ourselves
all

than the enemy.

it,

The
feeling

operations to cease upon

it

convinced, from the position,

little

could afford us very

The work

has been of some service,

as

it

has given us a practical knowledge of the man-

ner of hastily throwing up a temporal y defense. The steamer Uncfine was discharged, and a poor, miserable wreck of a boat, called the Dayton, took its place. The Dragoons have been heard from at San xA.ntonio,

and were
visit

to leave for vSan Patricio

on the

21st.

Had

from. two Lipan chiefs.

;

They were

magnificent

specimens of the Indian race tall, huge frames, with muscles w^ell developed, and with open, fearless countenances, they appeared, in every particular, warriors

of the desert.
rious.

Their usual array

is

is

Their saddle

a simple tree, primitive

it

in its construction,

from which

very simple and cuenough would be very difii-

32

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

cult to be thrown.

Their arms are the

bow and arrow,

is

and tomahawk

the

bow

is

made

of mesquite, covered

with the skin of some animal, to which

attached a

pouch
beads.

for

their

arrows, the whole decorated with

General Taylor and staff left on the 23d for San Patricio, to meet the Dragoons. On the 24th we were visited by a terrific thunder-storm, accompanied by torrents of rain. Lieutenant Bragg had one of his negro boys killed instantaneously, and another badly The crash was tremendous, and injured, by lightning. was felt throughout the camp. My arm was shocked as severely as if I had received a discharge of electricity from a heavily-laden battery, and the whole air was impregnated with a smell of sulphur. A child was born at the height of the storm, and should cerA few more such tainly be christened " Thunder^ They are storms, and feather-beds will be in demand. perfectly awful take your breath away, and make you

your chair, feet on the rung, as if your life depended upon it. General Taylor returned on the 2oth. His meetsit

bolt upright in

ing with the

Dragoons was somewhat singular. The heavy thunder we had on the 24th was taken by them They felt assured for the distant rumbling of cannon. we were attacked. " To horse !" w^as sounded. Men who before were on the sick report found themselves by their horses' sides, and they all gallantly dashed in and swam the Nueces. When they met the general, they w^ere marching by squadrons, with the full belief we were engaged with the enemy. Their promptness and gallant passage of the river in the saddle reflect The 2d Dragoons arrived at great credit upon them. San Patricio, a small village on the Nneces River, on They accomplished this fatiguing the 23d of August.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

33

march

in the heat of

summer, with" horses perfectly

unaccHmated, in thirty days. They are in fine healtli and spirits, and will join us in a few days. August 25th. The arrival of Lieutenant Ringgold, with dispatches from Washington to General Taylor, threw the whole camp into a fever, and prevented any What is thing like going to bed until the small hours. The 5th and 8th Regiments of Infantry, and to pay?
four companies of flying artillery, are ordered here

forthwith
racks.

The 5th concentrate at Jefferson BarThe news received at Washington from Mex!

ico has caused the greatest alarm as regards our fate.

at Washington was, that we were in most critical position, and that it was questionable whether any troops could be found to re-enforce us. If they really had advices of a warlike nature, of which we at the time had none, save the Mexican bombastic paper threats, there might have been a little mental suffering when they calmly reflected upon our destitute condition, and how insignificant was our force if there was the remotest probability of a conflict with Mexico If reports could have reached the north on the 6th of August which could have led them to believe the Mexicans had invaded the country with so large a force as to have demolished us, what will they think upon the reception of General Herrera's war message to the Mexican Congress, which did not reach New Orleans Then they will have us tinned. Deuntil the 7th? spite all these alarms, we are ready for any thing that

The impression

the

may occur never felt our oats better. Up to this date there is nothing new
Our information of movements
relied upon. collected.
is

from Mexico.

accurate, and can be

There is no force of any amount, as yet, General Arista is still at Monterev. Last


34
reports fiom

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

hundred troops
stantly

Matamoras make out one thousand five there. A declaration of war was conlooked for by the people. I do not know how
it,

they can well avoid

but

do not believe a mother's

son of them will cross the Rio Grande.

Many
is

differ

with

me

in opinion

nous verrons.

If there

a dec-

it may well have been brought forth by the knowledge of the paltry number of troops at present here. A respectable force would have overawed them.

laration,

The steam-ship Alabama arrived to-day with five companies of the 7th Infantry, under command of Major Brown, and two companies of Volunteer Artillery, W4th their battery and horses, under the command of Major Gaily. These companies were called out by Major-general Gaines. The citizens of New Orleans were under great apprehensions for our safety. That patriotic city, composed of citizen-soldiers, is ever ready and foremost to take up arms and fly to fight the
battles of her country.
for
it,

Long may

she be renowned

and receive all the credit that is due such patriotic impulses and prompt action. Two companies of the 4th Infantry arrived to-day, They are commanded in the barque "William Ivy." by Major Graham, and were last stationed at Fort
Scott, Missouri.

When

all

the troops arrive at present under orders

for this place, the

"Army

of Occupation" will consist

of 2d Dragoons, five companies of Artillery, 3d, 4th,

gregate of three thousand men.

and 8th Regiments of Infantry, making an agThat will be quite a respectable show; and when well supplied with all the munitions of war, from a bullet to a bomb, from a musket to a siege-piece, will be quite a dangerous crowd
5th, 7th,

to

fall in

with.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

35

Colonel Twiggs, with his Regiment of Dragoons, ar-

Three companies of the 7th arrived this date drills were the order of the day. A depot was formed on the beach, directly behind the line of intrenchments, of which I have previously spoken, and great activity prevailed in the attempt to purchase mules and cattle for transportation of the army in case of an emergency.
rived on the 27th.

on the 28th.

From

The

spy, Chapita, returned from

Matamoras on

the

6th of September.

He

reports no warlike prepara-

tions, and that the two thousand men at Matamoras have again dwindled to five hundred. He says the people in that vicinity are opposed to the war. An additional force is ordered here; it is taken from the artillery regiments, so that each shall have four companies in the field, in all sixteen companies. The three companies of the 2d Dragoons, marched from Fort Washita under the command of Major Beall, are to be stationed at San Antonio and Austin. September 12th. This alternoon Lieutenant Graham, of the 4th Infantry, arrived in camp badly scalded, and reported that the steam-boat Dayton had burst her boilers, killing Lieutenants Higgins and Berry, of the 4th, and some others, and scalding many in the most shocking manner. The Dayton left in the morning

having on board Captain Crosman, Lieutenants Graham, Higgins, Berry, and Woods, of the 4th, Lieutenant Gordon, of the 3d, and Doctor
for St. Joseph's Island,

Crittenden.

Besides these there were several soldiers

and

citizens.

At twenty minutes past twelve M.,

be-

ing opposite Maglone's Bluff, she burst her boilers,

scattering death and destruction on every side.

Lieusitting

tenant Higgins, just before the explosion,

was

talking to Doctor Crittenden, and Lieutenants Berry

36

CAxMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

and Woods were lying down near them, the former

asleep, all

bemg

the small cabin aft the social hall.

Captain Crosman, Lieutenants

with

Graham and Gordon,

were standing on the boiler-deck. Lieutenant Higgins was killed immediately by a piece of iron striking him on the head Doctor Crittenden and Lieutenant Woods escaped any material injury all on the boiler-deck Lieutenant Berry was killed into the air, and were thrown into were blown high Lieutenant the water some distance from the boat. was uninjured, Captain Crosman very slightly, Gordon and Lieutenant Graham very badly. There were eight The scene baffles dekilled and seventeen wounded. After the first boiler burst, the second was scription. thrown into the water, and exploded with a crash like The thunder, throwing volumes of water high in air. water was quite deep the poor, mangled follows lay
others,
;

many

clinging to pieces of the wreck, until, fortunately, they

ically

picked up by the yawl, which was energetemployed under the immediate direction of LieuThe wounded were brought up this tenant Gordon. evening. As they were landed, it was horrible in the extreme to look at them some with nearly all the and all more or flesh off'; one with his leg broken some perfectly blackened and one less mutilated

were

all

negro not only scalded, but

to a crisp. and talented medical officers could render was freely and promptly given.

his flesh

burned

Every

aid that experienced

The
all,

general hospital w^as placed at the disposal of

fering that

and citizens. The amount of terrible sufgoing on within its walls would rend the The boat is a complete heart of the most indifferent. wreck, literally blown to atoms. It was an old hulk
soldiers
is

of a thing, totally unfit to carry passengers.

It

was

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

our only choice
tion. in

37

the absence of proper transporta-

In an evil hour she

was

chartered, and

was

the

means of sending
eternity.

eight souls, and possibly more, into

The

fate of

Lieutenant Berry's body was recovered. poor Higgins is particularly melancholy

and sad. He married Captain M.'s daugliter last July, and separated from her two weeks after their marriage, to join his company, then on its way to this place. Theirs had been an attachment of many years it was a marriage of a day. The spring of their love had
;

its

hardly opened, when the frost of death deprived it of bloom, without deigning to grant it the existence of
a summer.

Poor Berry the amiable, the mild, the pure, whose knew no guile, shall we never see you more ? To die, too, ye gallant souls, so miserable a death one from which your relatives can draw no consolation Had it been on the field of battle, after a hardfought and well-earned day, a battle for liberty and your country, there would have been a secret satisfaction and pride in yielding up thy warm spirits but to die the death of a dog, from the carelessness of others, is too, too bad May the God of Battles receive and cherish them, and carry the consolation so necessary to the hearts of their bereaved friends and relatives. They were buried on the 13th, with appropriate military honors. From some unavoidable delay, the procession did not take up its line of march until after sunset. It was a solemn, sad march; and the circumstances and the time rendered it very impressive. The sun had just set the clouds, piled up in pyramids, were
!

heart

tinged w^ith golden light; flashes of lightning w^ere seen

in the north
;

the pale moon, in the east,

was

smiling

sweetly forth, seemingly regardless of the sad feelings Vol. I. J>

38
of those
in that

CAMPAIGN SKETCHED OF

solemn funeral procession.

They were

buried about half a mile from camp, on the top of a

beautiful bluff,

esque view.
their graves.

commanding an extensive and picturThe service of the dead was read by

Three volleys were
and drum, we
their
left

the light of a lamp.

fired

over

The

escort wheeled into column, and, to

the soldiers to

a lively

air

from

fife

their long sleep,

and

dreary but romantic graves.

CHAPTER
Between

VI.

the 13th and 24th of September the follow-

ing companies of United States troops arrived, viz.

General Worth, with six companies of the 8th Infantry Major Ringgold, with his company of Horse Artwo companies of the 8th, under Captain Ogtillery
; ;

den also, Lieutenant Duncan's company and battery. His horses have suffered very much, he having lost fourteen. Add to these Captain Burke's command (ar;

tillery),

and

five

Captain Smith.

companies of the 5th Infantry, under These latter-named troops have made

a prompt and exceedingly rapid movement; they traveled two thousand five hundred miles in twenty-one days. Detroit was their starting-point thence across to the
;

Ohio River by canal

in

down

the Ohio and Mississippi

steam-boats to

New

Orleans, and by the steam-ship

Alabama to Aransas Bay. A movement of this kind brings

grand system of

into bold relief our

internal navigation, which, in

con-

nection with our rivers, enables the government, in an

incredibly short period, to send troops from one ex-

tremity of the Union to the other.

THE WAR WITH MKXU.O.

39

company of Texans

arc to be mustered into the

:

service at each ol the following places

Victoria, Cor-

pus Christi, San Antonio, and Austin.

against
war war
!

The son of an alcalde of one of the towns across the Rio Grande came over and proposed to furnish the army with fresh beef. That is very indicative of war
beeves
!
!

In

the States the cry

is

war

Mexicans it is beef! beef! beef! Their cry is decidedly the most sensible. On the 29th Doctor Hawkins arrived, with his amiable lady. She designs making camp her home. October 13th. It is generally believed there will be a movement to the Rio Grande in a short time. A
the

With

large proportion of the force constituting the "

Army

of Occupation" has arrived.

The morning

report of

to-day gives the following as the strength of the com-

mand
sand

hundred and fifty-one officers, three thouhundred and seventy-one rank and file grand aggregate, three thousand nine hundred and twentyThese are on the coast. The three companies two. of Dragoons in the interior number about one hundThe following is the distribution of the red and fifty. The 1st Brigade is on the right it is composed forces of the 8th Infantry and twelve^ companies of Artillery, the whole commanded by Brevet Brigadier-genNext comes the Dragoons, commanded eral Worth. by General Twiggs. Then the 2d Brigade, composed of the 5th and 7th Regiments of Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Mcintosh. Then a command of four companies of Horse Artillery, unden Major Erving. Then the third Brigade, composed of the 3d and and 4th Infantry, commanded by Colonel Whistler
:

tw^o

six

then two companies of Volunteer Artillery, under the

command

of Major Gaily.

40

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

Of

late

we

hear very
is

little

talk of war.

The time
in riding,

not spent in drilling

fishing,

actively

employed

and hunting.

Colonel Payne has been appointed inspector-general

for the "

Army

of Occupation."

He

reviewed the

dif-

ferent brigades on the 15th and IGth.

The

display

and we all felt that a more effiwas never brought into the field. A party of five officers left on the 23d for a three We were completely days' hunt upon the Nueces. equipped in every respect. Nothing could exceed the beauty of the weather, the sw^eet, charming scenery, and the buoyancy of all. It is no little relief to escape for a few days from the everlasting sound of the fife and drum. We all lay claim to a good share of patribut, otism, and are exceedingly ambitious of drilling then, " too much of a good thing is good for nothing." No one but the most irreclaimable cynic could have

was

quite creditable

cient

army,

for its size,

ridden over the beautiful country

grass
their

in the vicinity
its

of the

Nueces without being enchanted with

is

beauty.

The

of a rich pea-green; the " mots'^ of timber, with

deep black-green, scattered about in picturesque the rolling prairie, and the level plain, and the sweet Nueces, coursing its quiet w^ay, as if through a green meadow, presented a picture of wiiich the eye could never tire, and to transmit which would require There the pencil of a Loraine in his happiest mood. are some sites for building which surpass, in quiet, pasOur party w^as toral loveliness, any I have ever seen. made of the right stuff; good men and true ready for any emergency and w^ere each on the qui vive for We were gratified in killing one of tiger or panther. The second day w^e had all rethe latter gentlemen. turned to camp for some grub except D., when we
confusion
; ; ;

THK WAR WITH MEXICO.

41

saw him coming on horseback with

a deer behind him.

(as

we

supposed)
lie

To

our joy, instead of a deer,

"

threw down an enormous panther.

was
kill

the involuntary exclamation.

?"

Well done, D. !" "Where did you

?"
;

him
;

"Under what circumstances

your horses
I
;

"

Easy,

my
tip

boys

just hold

I'll

tell

you

but just

me some

grog, for

am
'

rather used up.

Well,

shot

a busting big buck, and

saw
mot.'

it

fall,

about a hundred

yards from me, in a

Knowing when

Old
it is

King Death' (name of

all

his rifle)
hits, I

sends a ball that

up with any thing

I

it

gave myself no uneasianother,

ness about the buck, and

was crawling upon

heard the greatest fuss and growling where the buck fell, and concluded the wolves must have got
it.

when
I

ran up, and got within six feet before

all this

saw

the

cause of

confusion; when, simultaneously with

my

sight,

with a sharp, cat-growl, and desperate leap.

I

a panther sprang at me. a few

feet,

had barely time

past

to fall

back

when he brushed

me

in full leap, just

missing

my

person, lighting on the ground about twen-

ty feet from me.

He

instantly turned
tail

prepared, w^ith teeth shown,

in his
*

on

his back,

eye, to make another spring at King Death,' saying, It is you or I, old fellow,' cracked away, and shot him through the center of the forehead, a Httle lower than the eyes. He fell, and, with some
'

toward me, and and death me. I drew up

desperate struggles, died, relieving

unpleasant predicament."
out that bottle
"

me from rather an Good, old fellow bring of Cozzens's old brandy none but the
!

best to drink to the panther-killer."

It

certainly

was

a dangerous, most fearfully dangerous situation. D.'s coolness, daring, and ready command of nerve saved
his

The animal weighed one hundred and sixty pounds, was seven feet eight inches from tij) to tip,
life.

42

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
feet high.

and four
approach.

The

spotted tigers are terrible

animals, and the fiercest hunting-dogs

cower

at their

Colonel

C, of Texas,

told

me

that,

on the

Bernard River, while hunting coons with a friend, the dogs treed, in an immense live-oak, something over which they made an unusual commotion. Being the youngest, it was his fate to climb the tree, and get, as they thought, the coon down. The tree was directly on the river bank, and its horizontal branches reached The trees are no saplings in that secnearly across.
tion of country, the live-oaks especially
;

for they do

say that under the shade of somej^L-e hundred persons could dine. If they could have had these trees in the
sylvan times in merry England, what dances the good
people could have had under them
!

But

to return.

He

climbed the tree, and crawling out on one of these

horizontal limbs, expecting every

moment

to see the

coon, what should present

balls of fire."

itself,

upon

rising

up

to look

round, but an immense spotted tiger, with eyes "like

What
;

to

do was the question.

He
:

could
it

not back out

he dared not drop into the river, for

was

swung himself beloiv the limb, and hung on by his Jtands ! The tiger walked over him, descended the tree, and went through a crowd of nine dogs, as fierce ones as there were in Texas, who never even growled at him. Our hunting was entirely still hunting the ground will not admit of any driving the deer have no regular runs. At the point where we encamped our hunting was confined to a strip of mesquite chaparral, about twelve miles long and two or three broad, running parallel with the Nueces. The deer are attracted to it by their fondness of the bean of that tree. The number
full

of alligators.

He

fell

upon

this plan

of deer

is

incredible.

Passing through the chaparral,

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

43

you come

to the

bald prairie, in which you find hundIn the prairie they are only a curi;

reds in a drove.
osity for their
for
it is

numbers

the hunter has no chance

still

impossible to crawl upon them, and

more

impossible to run them down, as the ground, in places,

so mellow that the horse sinks in above his knees, which would make the chase very dangerous both to horse and rider. Our most exciting sport was shooting wild geese. Every morning they fly from the prairie to the salt marshes, and return in the evening. Stais

tioning ourselves on one of the innumerable bluffs, we knocked them over right and left. Two of the mornings proving very foggy, and the geese flying very low, we slaughtered them out and out. Job was heard a quarter of a mile from camp, cracking away as fast " Bang as he could load. bang how Job is giving !" it to them Presently he made his appearance, without any geese, and as he came in we all cried out, " Why, wdiat luck ? you have been firing away as if you were protecting yourself from being knocked down by them w^e never heard such a firing !" " Firing
! ! !

away
swer.

yes, you're a pretty set of fellows

I

here

have

been hallooing as loud as

I
;

could, and getting no an-

took to firing

off"

my

piece

regular

distress-

guns

and now you tell me I w^as having tip-top sport and not knowing how far I was I was completely lost from camp, I have hung up five geese, and shall never We had a hearty laugh at the " lost one." find them."
!

Two

of the geese were afterward found, but the buzzrest.

ards had appropriated to themselves the

tenant R., separating from his pony to
kill

Lieu-

a deer, after
it

butchering

it

dark, and arrived in

was unable to find his camp on foot on

;

horse, as
his

was
in

way he

killed

some geese, and hung them up

to

guide him back

44
the morning.

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

The next
is

nnorning he found his pony

and deer.

It

not every where you can find your

way
road.

to a lost horse

by leaving your game along

the

We
two
is

reached camp on the evening of the third

killed, ten deer, fifty-one geese, four

day.

Return of

bittern,

sand-hill crane, sixty-nine snipe, eighteen

ducks, four curlew, three turkeys, and one panther.

This

a specimen of the success of the

many

hunt-

ing parties

who

frequently went
the

oflT

for several days,

and

will give

some idea of

abundance and variety

of the game.

CHAPTER
November
1st.

VII.

time for which Major Gally's were called out having expired, the general has decided upon sending them home. They have conducted themselves with great proprieAt ten ty, and have been indefatigable in their drill. o'clock A.M. they gave the camp a farewell salute. On the 4th they-embarked, and were saluted in return. One can hardly realize that the Corpus Christi bebattalion of volunteers
fore us

The

now

is

the settlement of scattering houses

we

saw upon our landing. At the end of November its The mapopulation was computed at one thousand.
jority of

them are grocery keepers and gamblers, who have come here to feed upon the army. Houses apThere are all sorts, peal' to have grown in a night. from a frame covered (from the want of lumber or
cash, or both) with

common

domestic, to a tolerably

respectable one, clapboarded and shingled.

A theater,

of no inconsiderable dimensions,

is

about being erected,

TflE

WAR WITH

MEXICO.

45
its

and a company of actors are anxiously awaiting

completion.

During the
of

latter part of

November and

the

month

December we had

the most shocking weather im-

aginable; either cold "northers" or drenching rains,

Hast thou, dear reader, ever No. Well, your of one ? It comes " like a thief northern cold is nothing to it. You go to in the night," and all but steals your life. bed, weather sultry and warm, bed-clothes disagreeabefore morning you hear a distant ble, tent open
without intermission.
felt

a norther

heard

tell

rumbling

the roaring increases

the

norther comes.

For several minutes you hear it careering in its wild course w^hen it reaches you it issues fresh from the snow-mountains, and with a severity which threatens The change in one's feelings to prostrate the camp.
;

is like

frigid

zone

an instantaneous transit from the torrid to the blankets are in demand, and no one thinks
;

of living w^ithout a good supply on hand.

Ice has

formed in pails several times, and one morning every the sleet had frozen upon it, tent had an ice covering and the crackling of the canvas sounded like any thing We were forced to throw up embankments but music.
;

the wind.

and plant chaparral to the north of our tents, to break The men, of course, suffer a great deal. The constant dampness and bad water have produced many serious cases of dysentery. The beauty of this Til venture to climate is decidedly in the summer. there is no part of the United States cursed with say such a variable one in the winter. Oh Texas, if we have not " fought, bled, and died" for you, we have
!

done as Dick Riker (peace

some."

to his ashes) did, "suffered

Our encampment presented

quite a picturesque ap-

40

CAMPAIGN

riKRTCHEri OF
It

pearance, with the evergreen inclosnres. hke an encampment among orange groves.

looked

The morning
the

after our coldest night, cart-loads of

were driven on shore at Nueces reef in a torpid state. Wagon-loads were carried off by the men. For the last month, whenever a day would permit, some kind of a pony-race came off. For short distances, some of the mustangs make quite a respectable show. One race, for three hundred yards, between two cream-colored ponies, was inimitably rich. The
the finest fish and green-turtle
first

heat

was declared
to

lost

from

foul riding

the parbolt-

ties

agreed

run

it

over.

In the next, one

pony

ed, and, not at all

or three piles
his rider,

alarmed by the crowd, cleared two of rubbish, knocked one man down, threw
fifty

ran about

yards, stopped, turned round,

"

and snorted, as much as to say, That pony was hard to beat.

Beat

that, if

you can."

Some who read these pages will remember the fun and merriment produced at the mustang pony-races, and never can forget the " modus operandi" of roping mules to mark them. A Mexican goes into the herd, and dextrously throws the lasso over the one designated, and then all hands bend on and pull him (after great resistance) out of the pen. Just as he goes out, a man at the gate, with consummate skill, throws a lasso, and catches the mule by one of his legs and The object now is to throw then commences the sport. them to be branded. Sometimes they are cast very easily, and then, again, they resist for several minutes, kicking, jumping, and performing all kinds of gyrations every motion has something comical and ridicSometimes, when one is down and is ulous about it.
;

branded, instead of flinching the

moment

the iron sears

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

him, he
lies still for

47
if

a moment, and then, as

he had

forgotten himself, thrashes around, and plays the very

devil.

month (October) a party of Mexicans which was reported to be the celebrated " White Horse of the Prairies," the one so often seen and described by travelers over the southwestern prairies. He was a flea-bitten gray, fourteen hands high, well proportioned, and built a good deal after the
Early
last

brought

in a horse,

pattern of a Conestago No.

2.

His head and neck

were
tle

really beautiful, perfect Arabian; beautiful ears,

large nostrils, great breadth of forehead, and a throtas large as any I have ever seen His white main was two feet long.
in a

blooded nag.
looked about
arti:

He

twenty-five years old.

He

w^as driven into a pen with

some hundred
fice,

others,

and lassoed.

was more will he lead

entrapped the

Thus, by an monarch of the mustangs

no

the countless herds in their wild

;

scampers of freedom no more will be seen his noble form, with head up and eye dilated, standing on the prairie-knoll, snuffing danger in the breeze, and dashing off at lightning-speed when it becomes apparent. Lieutenant-colonel Hoffman, of the 7th Infantry, died on the 26th of November, and Lieutenant Allen, of the Dragoons, on the 6th of December. The former was
an old and
faithful officer, the latter a

graduate of 1846.

The army theater opened on the 8th of January, 1846. It was a capital building, capable of containing some eight hundred persons. The scenes were painted by officers of the army. A very clever company was engaged, and many an otherwise dreary evening was spent by many of us with infinite pleasure within
its

walls.

Early

in

February General Taylor received orders

48

CAMPAIGN ski:tches or

to march to the Rio Grande, and select some ehgible and healthy situation on that river for his commai^d. In anIt is idle to discuss the propriety of this move. nexing Texas to the Union, we were bound to take^her

as she was.

Texas, with her prescribed

limits.

She

claimed
ation

to the

Rio Grande.
the

The moment

the annex-

was consummated
and

Mexican minister demand-

ed
to

his passports,

left

the country.

War

appeared

be inevitable.

any conflict, would be received, with powder to adjust all questions Having rein dispute between the two governments. ceived assurances that such an agent would be received, Mr. Slidell was selected by the president, and immediately dispatched to Mexico.

Our government, anxious to avoid took means to ascertain whether an agent

the then President of Mexico,

;

The fleet, at the request of was removed from before

Vera Cruz and there can be little or no doubt that Herrera was sincere in his desire to settle all difficulAt the head of a ties in the most amicable manner. government as unstable as the winds, his seat was entirely too insecure to retain it, and at the same time act
with that dignity, honesty, and firmness so necessary
to

terminate

successfully so

delicate a negotiation.

Upon

the arrival of

Mr.

Slidell, the

Council of Mexico

DecemOn resolved not to receive him. of Herrera was superseded ber, 1845, the presidency
the 29th of

by
the

that of Paredes, placing an insuperable barrier in

way

of negotiation.

Hostility to the United States

was

the countersign and watchword of this military

Mr. Slidell presented his credentials to the government, and was again refused reception. new Our government left nothing undone which might lead But what could be expectto a peaceable settlement.
chieftain.

ed of a government depending entirely upon the

ca-

THE VVAU WITH MEXICO.

p^ice of military factions,

49

where

the president of to-day?

was superseded by
During the

the successful general to-morrow

latter

part of January and February,

184'6, reports were daily coming in from the Rio Grande of the concentration of troops upon that river, and that a forward movement would certainly meet with resistance. That was of little consequence to v\^, professionally ; our orders were out, and all that was required of us was prompt obedience. Various rumors reached us regarding the state of affairs in Mexico, more especially of the northern states. It was generally believed there was another revolution on foot. General Arista, suspected of good-will to this country, was rendered hostile by being supersed-

ed

in

command

of the "

Army

of the North."

It

was

thought the people of the northern states would rise, throw off the military yoke of Paredes, declare themselves independent, form for themselves a separate and independent government, and elect Arista their governor.

The

friends of this

move

dispatched Colonel

Carabahal to General Taylor, to prevent, if possible, the advance of our army, fearing it would check the outbreak, and cause the people to be united against us,

and thus, for a time, retard their political regeneration. It would be sad to think such would be the effect, for no lover of freedom can refrain from shedding tears to witness the deplorable, degraded state into which the poor Mexican is cast. Ground down by oppressive taxation, subject to the caprices of every military upstart, deprived of all their freedom of thought and action, it is to be feared that, unless the taper of freedom (which is still burning in their bosoms, and occasionally gives us some proofs of its existence by its feeble
attempts to kindle the hearts of the people)
is

carefully

Vol. I. E

50
nursed,
it

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
will

be extinguished forever.

It

is

in the

natural course of things that, sooner or later, the north-

ern states will declare themselves independent.

Not
still

many

years hence there

may

be another state

and who shall say the cry will not be responded to, and another star added to the bright ones of Liberty ? It is by " annexation" the whole American Continent is bound to be peopled by us and fate, no doubt, has decreed that, ere long, the anthem of Liberty shall be sung along its length and breadth.
further west, begging to be annexed;
;

The

press of the country estimates our force at four

It is

thousand.

questionable whether

we

will

advance
in-

with more than two thousand five hundred bayonets.

Colonel Churchill, inspector general, reviewed and

spected the troops just prior to our departure for the

Rio Grande.

Owing to the submerged state of the country during December, 1845, and January, 1846, it was thought the march across the country would be impracticable. Fortunately, in February we had delightfully warm weather, and the ground was rapidly dried. The report of two reconnoitering parties, one for some forty miles into the interior, and the other along the shores of Padre Island, as far as Point Isabel, enabled the general to decide upon crossing the country. During the winter months the most active means were used by the quartermaster's department to colWe were miserably deficient lect transportation. and every wild mules were purchased and broken thing, you may say, had to be created out of nothing. To the exertions of Captain Crosman, but more particularly to the energy and untiring zeal of Colonel T. Cross, were we indebted for the meager supply with
;
;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

51

tion

which the army effected its march. Every preparawas made by the general to break up all his depots at Corpus Christi, and remove them to St. Jo-

seph's Island.
established.

At

that point the general hospital

was

Prior to the departure of the army, General Taylor

issued a proclamation,
ish,

which was translated into Spanand sent to the Rio Grande for distribution. Its pacific tendency could not fail to produce a good effect. It showed the people we were coming there with the most amicable intentions, determined to respect the civil and religious rights of the inhabitants, and maintain, as far as in us lay, the most friendly relations politely telling them if they would bring in marketing, they would be paid the best of prices, and saying every thing, in fact, that could possibly conduce to per;

fect confidence.

We

are delighted at the prospects of the march,

;

having become restless and anxious for a change

anticipate no
little

fun,

and

all sorts

of adventure, upon

the route.

The impression gains ground that the reports which have been received here lately, regarding the number of troops concentrating upon the Rio Grande, are greatly magnified, if not totally untrue.

Many

of us think

there
I

is

not the remotest prospect of a brush with them.

it

think

more than probable there are some

;

scatter-

ing troops on this side of the river

it is

much more
I

probable they will retire upon our advance.

it

think

is

the object of the

Mexican government

to

prove

that, at the

time of our arrival, they had military posmight, in

session of the country, believing that this

some future negotiation, gain of money.

for

them no small sum

52

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

The army was ordered

from the Rio Grande.
tience to

to

move by

brigades, and to

concentrate at the Colorado River, about sixty miles

And now, dear reader, I hope, if you have had wade through the dull monotony of our

paso-

journ at Corpus Christi, you will be repaid by the perusal of subsequent chapters, detailing events
led to a

which most momentous period of our national history.

CHAPTER
March
8th.

VIII.

We

are off for the Rio Grande

Col-

onel Twiggs, with the 2d Regiment of Dragoons, and

Major Samuel Ringgold,

tillery, left at

w^ith
;

company
officers

ten this morning

of Horse Arand men were

in tip-top health

and spirits, and all eager to reach our extreme southwest boundary. Old " Davy Branch," the major's trusty and beautiful charger, after gaining laurels on the turf, is equally ready to reap them on the battle-field, under his gallant and accomplished owner. March 9th. The 1st Brigade,.under General Worth, having with him Duncan's battery, took their departure, and were followed on the 10th by the 2d Brigade, under Lieutenant-colonel Mcintosh. March 11th. The 3d Brigade (to which I was attached), under the command of Colonel Whistler, with
Bragg's battery,
left their

old stamping-ground.

We

were the first to Taylor and staff

arrive, the last to leave.

left

the
;

same day.

General Corpus Christi

like

looked perfectly deserted

the field of white canvas

was no longer

visible

the

camp-ground looked

desolation itself;

but the bright waters of the bay

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

looked as sweetly as ever.

53

The army were encamped

upon
ly

its

borders seven months and eleven days.

The day was oppressively hot. As we were quietmarching along, some commotion was created at the head of the column. It was caused by some of the men killing two piccarees (wild hogs) one of them, after being shot, made for the column, and was knocked down by one of the men with the butt of his gun and
;
;

a mustang, taking

it

into his

relieved himself of his

head to be a little restive, load, a demure-looking campmiles,

woman.

After a

march of sixteen

we encamped
;

on the Nueces.

March

12th.

cold,

dreary morning

route over
its

a monotonous, level prairie, called in Texas, from

culiar appearance, "

pe-

Hogwallow"

Prairie, over

which

(from
the

ting the train.

boggy nature) we had great difficulty in getOur course was nearly west. Owing to" roads being so heavy, we marched only eight miles,
its

and encamped.

General Taylor pushed forward

to

overtake the advance.

March
prairie a

13th.
little

Our course to-day was southwest,

higher, with occasional skirts of mes-

quite and prickly-pear.

Crossed the

Agua

Dulce. a

small stream about three miles from our last camp.

Marched eleven
"

miles,

tensive water-holes, skirted with

and encamped at some very exheavy timber, called

this

Los Pintas."

March

14th.

Nothing could surpass,

morning,
Far, far

the magnificent mirage seen in the west.

appeared ranges of blue mountains, lakes fringed with trees, deep ravines, and farms with cultivated fields. The effect was exceedingly beautiful, and attracted universal attention. In conjunction with this curious scene appeared the phenomin the distance

away

54

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
"

ena of

converging rays."

As

the sun rose the fairy

scene gradually disappeared, and when the advance sounded naught remained but the interminable vista of
level prairies.

The

delusion w^as perfect;

many

un-

consciously called the attention of the officers to what

they really believed were mountains.

if

It

appeared as

created to

awaken

in

some the

recollections of their

An enthusiastic son of the Old Dominion exclaimed, " Have you ever been in Virginia ?" " No !" " Well, there are the Blue Mountains, and many just such a scene has been before me in that dear Our course to-day has been nearly south. old state."
childhood's home.

The morning was very

cold, and, singular to relate,

we
1

frost in this latitude

Think of that frost. The praion the 14th of March traveled over is much higher and more dry the ie road was very hard, and the consequence was, some Saw a herd of the men became rather tender-footed. of antelope, which dashed away to the verge of the hohad quite
a heavy white
!

rizon,

and proudly looked

at the

passing column.
their

An
in

immense drove of mustangs made

the distant horizon
;

appearance

their forms, at first indistinct, beas they galloped

came more apparent

toward us

to

gratify their curiosity.

Several of the officers gave

them chase, and an animated scene ensued.

Mounted

on their blooded horses, they soon ran up with them. The mustang can not compare, in either fleetness or endurance, with ours. While halting to "noon" it, one of the officers came galloping into camp, having by his side a very young colt, which he was leading
with a rope
:

when

wee

thing, but a

raised against his

it became known that it was a few days old, a universal cry was inhumanity. Another officer jumped
it

on a horse, and carried

in the direction the

drovr

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

55

was

last seen, and left it near a pond, and it is to be hoped the mother found it. Captain M'C. killed three piccarees. It is the wild boar, which, in days gone

by, furnished so chase.

much

sport to the followers of the

We

crossed the San Fernando five miles from

nified

camp. It is a very small creek, although digby the name of river. Quite dry in the wet season a torrent of water must flow through it its banks are thickly wooded, the trees interlacing so
our
last
;
:

thickly that the sun's rays scarcely ever cool

fall

into

its

and delightful shade. The strip of timber skirting its banks is very narrow. The flowers during today's march were gloriously rich conspicuous above
;

were the Texan plume, a beautiful scarlet flower, the Mexican poppy, and the indigo. The country decreases in interest, becomes more barren, the scenery tame and monotonous the only use to which it can
all
;

be put

is

grazing, and that

is

very questionable

in the

summer
water

season, on account of the great scarcity of

for the stock.

We reached San Gertrude about

At this place a depot had been previously established by Major W. Graham the water was quite brackish. Sunday, 15th. "Advance" sounded at sunrise; the prairie higher and more rolling, and filled with gorgeous flowers. The road was very hard, and looked simply, by the passage of the advance brigades, like a well-beaten turnpike. " Taylor's Trail" will never be We reached our camp, " Santa Clara obliterated. Mots," having marched thirteen miles, by twelve M., under a scorching sun. The camp-fires of the 2d Brigfour P.M., and encamped.

ade were

still

burning.

March
fforgeous.

16th.

The

sunrise

was

truly beautiful

The

prairies

more

rolling, sandy,

and and bar-

56

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

ren, yet filled with flowers.

The

dust

was completely

suffocating.
ree,

Some

of the servants discovered a picca;

and drove it toward the column it was shot just before it reached us, thereby insuring some nice steaks Crossed the Bobee, a salt to the fortunate individual. stream running through the prairies. Its banks were
thirteen miles,

very high, and composed of rotten limestone. Marched and encamped at El Pista. This is decidedly one of our prettiest camps. It is surrounded

by ponds,

in

which are

quantities of water-fowl.

Just

before reaching here, the corporal of General Taylor's Colescort arrived with a dispatch from the general.
onel

Twiggs has met

the advance-guard of the

enemy

are about twenty miles this side of the Colorado. ordered to leave our ox-teams behind and hasten forward. The news has created an agreeable and delightful excitement; knots of officers are collected over
the camp-fire, discussing the chances of a fight
;

We

the
is

majority, however,
false alarm.

incline to the opinion that

it

March

17th.

We

were

off*

at early

dawn, and

all

pushed ahead with renewed energy.

Emerging from
the eye the whole

a belt of mesquite, w^e entered a region of country

where

the live-oak flourished.

;

To

country was beautiful

nothing can exceed in beauty

the islands and clumps of oak stretching out in every

diversity of form over a gently undulating country

but

when you come

;

to the feet

it is

a very different

matter
tion,

it is

deep, deep sand, of the heaviest descrip-

and perfectly unproductive, barely supporting a very thin growth of grass. We have entered upon that part of the country laid down as a desert, and which Colonel Benton proposed should be the boundary between Texas and Mexico. It is midway between

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

the

57
is

Nueces and the Rio Grande.

There

the great-

est scarcity of fresh

eler,

water; but, to tantahze the trav-

he meets with pond after pond of salt water, whose

beautiful, clear surface only

relief.

aggravates

vs^ithout

giving

upon us in the midst of a level prairie, surrounded by high banks, capped with the Spanish bayonet in full bloom, vv^ith numerous
beautiful lake burst

One

water-fowl sporting in
tantalizing, for

its

clear waters.

It

was

too

water.

we were all suffering for the want of The men suffered a great deal from the heat

and
trail

dust,

to iind themselves in

and were glad, after a march of twenty miles, camp. Our road lies along the over which General Filisola retreated, after the

battle of

San

Jacinto.

The

terrible suffering of his

men is beyond description. March 18th. Did not march

shifting provisions

until eight

o'clock;

delay occasioned by the issuing of subsistence, and

from the

different teams, so as to

forced march. The and the day was oppressively hot. By starting so late, the dew was off the sand, and rose in thick clouds, to envelop, blind, and choke us. We had fourteen miles to march to get water, and were forced to halt repeatedly, and the men sat down, with parched mouths, upon the hot sand, with the tropThe prairie had a few sickly ical sun beating on them. blades of grass upon it the sand was like hot ashes, and when you stepped upon it you sank up to the ankle.

leave the oxen behind, and

make a

wind blew very

strong,

The
gave

last

two

miles

could not but pity the

men
life.

many

out,

and lay down by the road-side perfectly exif

hausted, looking as

they did not care for

When
hardly

we

perceived the Artillery halted on a

hill,

we

dared believe water was near. An hour after reachThis ing the pond we were again ready for a start.

56

CAMPAICxN SKETCHES OF

desert belt of country

was
;

thirty-four miles

we

crossed

it.

As soon

as

we

left

the

wide where pond the face

miles

of the country changed

some

little

grass and patches

of mesquite were seen.

the pond.

Encamped three

beyond

We

here learned the cause of the alarm.

Lieutenant H., of the Dragoons, was in advance while marching over the section of country included in today's march. He met with some twenty-two mounted Mexicans, supposed to be the advance of a larger The officer in command told Lieutenant H. he force. must not advance. H. replied to them that we were
only going to take peaceable possession of the country, but that he would return and report to Colonel Twiggs,

and would meet him

at three

At

the time appointed Colonel

ed, but

no Mexican
19th.

officer

at the same spot. Twiggs was representor soldier was visible.

P.M.

There has been a decided improvement in the country the amount of wood is increased, and the prairies, surrounded by trees and interspersed with " mots," produce a picturesque and pleasing efStopped to lunch after marching five miles. lu fect. a neighboring pond shot some " black-neck avorset," a rare species of plover. Received an express from General Taylor, stating that he was moving on by easy marches, and would expect us to join him on the 21st. Passed many pens in which the Mexicans confine their droves of cattle and horses. Passed a Mexican on his way to Corpus Christi, who says we are sure to have
;

March

fight.

March

20th.

The

face of the country and the na;

ture of the soil have entirely changed

become more

the former has and thickly wooded with mesquite, and the latter, from a sand to a stiff, black clay. It has been one of the most picturesque marches we have
level

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

yet enjoyed.
the idea that
It

59

was impossible

to divest one's self of

we were marching
them
at

through a peach orin all their

chard.

The

flowers have again appeared

glory, acres of

a sight.

Encamped,

after a

march of sixteen

miles.

March 21st. Quite an exciting day. Had not proceeded more than three miles from camp, when, seeing some horsemen in advance, our good colonel took them for the enemy, halted his command, and made preparations to receive them.
to
It

turned out to be an escort

some teams

sent back to relieve our loads.

1st

We

and 2d Brigades crossed the Colorado on the 20th. When General Taylor, with his command, reached the bank, some twenty or thirty Mexicans presented themselves, and said that if his force atten^pted to cross, they would fire upon it Their troops were drawn that such were their orders.

then learned that the Dragoons and

up

in

gles sounded for

order of battle upon the bank the Mexican busome distance up and down the river,
;

out there was an immense force opposed to us. appeared to be certain, and although our gallant fellows had made up their minds they would have to cross amid a shower of bullets, they were eager to advance. The men were employed cutting down the bank for the passage of the train. General Taylor, standing on the bank, told them that " as soon as he

making

fight

the bank he intended to cross, and that the Mexican he saw after our men entered the water would be shot." At this there was a regular scamperThe bank being prepared, the word ing on their parts.

cut

down

first

'^

forward r was given, and our boys dashed

into the

river,

which at that point was four feet deep. batteries were drawn up to cover the passage
fires lighted.

The
;

port-

Captain C. F. Smith, with a battalion of

60
four

CAMPAIGN

SKETCllEri OF

companies of artillery, was selected as the " forGeneral Worth and staff dashed in ahead lorn hope." Previous to the crossing, of them, and led the way. the adjutant-general of General Mejia, the commanding general at Matamoras, made his appearance, and
General Taylor a paper from Mejia, " forbidding his crossing, stating that he would look upon of war," and left, assuring the it as a declaration general he would be opposed, and that a fight was inNo enemy showed themselves no gun was evitable.

handed

to

fired.

they ever intended making a stand against they could have done us great us, here was the spot rendered some desperate fighting necesdamage, and
If
;

sary.

The presumption

is,

there

were very few men

at the river, and they thought to frighten us away by Thus ended the the sounds of bugles and big threats.

famous " crossing of the Colorado." It is a beautiful stream, about one hundred yards broad, with bluff banks some twenty feet high, and bordered, for a depth of two to three miles on each side, with a dense growth
of mesquite and prickly-pear (cactus).
impenetrable, except in certain places
the river
is
;

It is

perfectly

the water of
its

quite salt, arising from

its

coursing

way

We crossed the river, through immense salt plains. and encamped about four miles beyond, in the vicinity
of the other brigades.

March

22d.

Sunday, and really a day of rest.

The

general decided upon awaiting the arrival of the ox It is presumed there are some two thousand teams.
troops at Matamoras.

General Ampudia (who super-

seded Arista)

is

reported to be making rapid marches

:

from the south with five thousand men he was last heard from at Victoria, and should be at Matamoare, forturas about the last of this month.

We

THE WAll WITH MEXICO.

nately, ahead of
liiin,

61
pos-

and

will

march and take

I

session of Point Isabel.

The advance

of so large a

force certainly looks like a conllict, yet

lieve
it.

can not be-

There is a "physique" and "morale" about our " little army" of which they never dreamed well moving forward with clad, well fed, and well armed an enthusiasm and " sang froid" which carries victory I feel more and more convinced that in their face. we can successfully contend with an immensely superior force. The order for marching to-morrow is published. Being ignorant of the state of the country, and hearing that Point Isabel was occupied by the enemy, the general changed his original intention of marching direct upon Matamoras, and determined to advance upon the Point. It is necessary to secure it as a base
; ;

of operations.

If

it

is

to be

our depot for supplies,

it

would be madness to march upon Matamoras without knowing the state of affairs at that place. March 23d. Our order of march was in four columns, the Dragoons on the right and the 3d Brigade on the left. The arrangement was a very judicious and available one, being able to form line of battle
with the least possible delay.
country entirely changed
the land esque.
is

The character
side

of the

this

of the Colorado

much

richer,

and the country more pictur-

fresh-water ponds, in which were innumerable ducks and plover, so tame that you could hardly drive them away started any number of hares (called jackass rabbits), and had no little amusement in witnessing some animated runs their speed is wonderful there are few dogs that can catch them.

We

passed

many

March 24th.

I c'o

not think

have ever

felt

a sweet-

er or fresher morning.

and moon were about setting; the former, even as dav broke,

The morning

star

Vol.

l.F

62
looked
like

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

The a diamond set in the clear, blue sky. through a wildermarched country was beautiful.

We

ness of mesquite and acacia thickets, fragrant with the

blossom of the
vine, with
its

latter

the grass

was

rich

the pea-

delicate blossom, abundant, and the coun-

try sufficiently rolling to relieve the eye.

The

air

from the sea

appeared so

was delightful, and every thing in nature happy that it was perfectly exhilarating.
Isabel last night,
left

Mexican arrived from Point

and
for

reported that the guard stationed there had

Matamoras, and that all the houses had been burned but one, the owner of which refused to obey the order. Finding no enemy in our rear, the general decided to march toward Matamoras. Emerging from the mesquite after a march of three miles, we came suddenly upon an open prairie, extending, apparently, to the Gulf, with no trees visible. The mirage in the distance

was

beautiful

singular, too, for

it

looked as
the

if

the prairie

was on

fire,

whereas

it

was

this peculiarly

heated atmosphere.

We

waves of marched for

;

some distance through a wilderness of wild peas, than which nothing is more nutritious for animals the mesAt this point the quite-grass was also very luxuriant. command was halted, and all the empty wagons started for the Point to obtain subsistence, escorted by the Dragoons. General Taylor accompanied them. General Worth marched the command in the direction of Matamoras, and encamped it within twelve miles of On our march, a man and mule were bitthat place.
the country is overrun with by a rattle-snake them neither will die, although friend B. thought it all over with his " mula ;" he was overheard repeating
ten
; ;

something about " the

fairest

being always taken

first,"

when he

well

knew

that his

was

the ugliest "mula" in

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

G3

the crowd.

The

arrival of the steam-boats and sup-

phes

at

Point Isabel were simultaneous with that of the

general.

He was much

gratified.

In

all his

arrange-

ments he has shown great wisdom, and all must admire the firm and energetic manner in which he has advanced. Too much credit can not be given him for the prompt and able manner in which he has carried out the views of the executive. When he arrived at the Point, he was met by a deputation of fifty armed citizens from Matamoras, with some important civil functionary at their head, who presented him a paper The protesting against our occupying the country. general, having no time to discuss the matter, told them very concisely " he would give them an answer at Matamoras." The Point was surveyed with a view to its defense, and a work ordered to be constructed under the superintendence of Captain Sanders of the Engineers. Major Munroe (who, with two companies, had accompanied the transports) was assigned to the

command

of the post.

On

the 25th General

Worth moved

the

camp

three

miles to Palo Alto,. and there awaited the arrival of

General Taylor, who, with the Dragoons and stafi', arrived on the 27th, and issued his orders to march on the^Sth. This part of the country is really beautiful, and I am not surprised the Mexicans are loath to part with it. I think they would have been satisfied with

boundary for east of it is a desert, west of it a paradise. Our camp-ground at Palo Alto and the neighboring country were certainly very beautiful. Novelty, no doubt, greatly excited our fancy but it seemed to me I could imagine one of Old England's lawns, which, instead of being clipped close, is broken into an uneven surface bv the luxuriant ijrowth
the Colorado as a
;

64

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
;

"

of grass and flowers

chestnuts, one

instead of the stately oaks and

in

must imagine, scattered about

the

most picturesque confusion, the popinac, a species of acacia (now in full bloom, and scenting the air with
its

perfume), the ebony, whose leaves are of the dark-

est, richest

quite
ries,

if to

green imaginable, and the graceful mesthese you add glimpses of beautiful praiat

an unclouded sky, and the sweetest, softest breeze,

eight miles from

some idea may be formed of our camp Matamoras.

Palo Alto,

CHAPTER
March
28th.

IX.

day not easily forgotten. About Matamoras, or, rather, the Rio Grande. Many believed that before we reached I was, and have the river we would hav3 a fight. been, an unbeliever however, we were all prepared, and I can not say but some would have liked a " brush"
eight

A.M. we

started for

for exercise.

The country passed over was

alive with quail, flock of ducks.

really

beautiful

such grazing was never seen before.

The

ground appeared
hole turned out
its

and every waterAs you approach

the river the chaparral increases in density.

is

The

soil

very

rich.

If

they intended to attack

us,

numerous

have been selected where they could have fight. Within a mile of the river we came to some settlements large fields were inclosed by driving in posts and filling up the spaces with brush. The country is a perfect level, and the roads are in capital order. As we approached the bank we passed through a long line of Mexican huts
points could

forced us into a bloody

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

Stopped at one, arid there

05

was

a regular rush for eirgs

us an ap-

and

clnckeiis

salt

grub

for a

few days gave

floor of the

petite for " chicken fixins.''^

The

house was

paved with bricks, and covered with beds. Not a darkeyed lassie made her appearance. On one of the beds a small goat was sleeping, and under every one, and in every corner, a game-cock was tied by the legs. The domestic animals appeared to have " carte-blanche" to occupy the parlor with their mistresses. The poor devils at their cottage doors appeared pleased at our arrival, and saluted us as we passed. We reached the river at 11 o'clock. The far-famed and much-talked-about waters rolled beneath us, and

Matamoras rose like a fairy vision before I was so agreeably disappointed, 1 was inclined to grant it more beauty than it probably When we arrived some two hundred perpossessed. sons were on the opposite bank. The Mexican colors were flying from the quarters of the commander, Genthe city of

our enraptured eyes.

eral Mejia

from the Place d'Artillerie

quarters of the Sappers and Miners.

prominent places pointed out to us Two of the advanced guard of the Dragoons, being some distance from the main body, were pounced upon by a body of Mexicans and carried ofl' prisoners to Matamoras a little bugler-boy was dismounted and his horse taken from him. This seizure caused no little ex;

and from the Those were the upon our arrival.

;

citement, and
risk.

we were

all

ready

to

take the city at any

General Worth was deputed by General Taylor to open communication with the commander of the Mexican forces, and bear to him an answer to the deputation

which

visited

General T.

at Point Isabel.

Some

time elapsed before the Mexicans would send a boat

66
over.
eral

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

At last one came with an officer, Worth expressed his desire to see
sent an

to

whom

Gen-

the

commandofficer re-

ing officer of the troops at Matamoras.

The

answer to the efturned to General Mejia, who fect that he would neither receive General Worth, nor He sent his the communication of General Taylor. second in command, General La Vega, to meet General

Worth

the latter crossed the river, and the interside.

view took place on the opposite

General
;

La
that

Vega spoke
the

of our arrival as an act of invasion

it

Mexican government looked upon

as such

and

asked the question, " What would we have done if we had been served so ?" Of course, no reply could
be given, except that
for

we would have
possessions.

fought like lions

what we deemed our

They

are de-

cidedly inimical to us.

General Worth did not touch

that subject

upon the capture of the Dragoons, leaving

until a friendly intercourse

could be established.

Two hours after our arrival a flag-staff was erected, under the superintendence of Colonel Belknap, and soon
the flag of our country, a virgin one,

was seen

floating
in a

upon the banks of the Rio Grande, proclaiming silent but impressive manner that the " area of

free-

dom" was again extended.

and the
field

As

it

was

hoisted the band

of the 8th Infantry played the " Star-spangled Banner,"

music

"

Yankee Doodle."
raising
it.

There wns not

troops should

ceremony enough

in

The

have been paraded under arms, the banner of our country should have been hoisted with patriotic strains of music, and a national salute should have proclaimed, in tones of thunder, that " Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable," had advanced to the banks of the Rio Grande. Simultaneous with the appearance of the " Stars and Stripes," the cross of St.

THE WAIl

IN

MEXirO.

()7

George, and the French and Spanish colors, wore run up from the diflerent consulates. \Ve looked in vain
for ours
:

either our consul

it.

is

confined, or else he dare

not raise

We have had no communication with him.

of the city
is

The main body

river
sition
;

half a mile from the

scattering houses near the bank.

From our
it

po-

we

can discover several strong-holds, and

It is

looks

as

if it

was well defended.

At
is

reported the different

runs nearly

forts are well supplied

with ammunition, and ordnance

this point the river

of heavy caliber.
east

and west, and

one hundred and seventy-five

is

yards wide.

The

city

on the south

side,

and
rich,

situ-

ated in an alluvial bottom.

the climate

The
it

soil is

very

and
If

of a similar character to that on the Mississippi.

is

must be immensely valuaThe river reminds one a good deal of the Arble. The kansas, and the water is capital for drinking. Mexicans expected we would have struck the river higher up, opposite their main ferry, where they are reported to be actively engaged in throwing up a work. I am convinced, if it becomes necessary for us to take the city, we can do it, although we have no siege arThey could not withstand such an onset as tillery. would come from us. General La Vega spoke to Gennot too dry,
eral
I

Worth about

raising our flag

he did not

like

it.

presume it looked like taking possession in earnest one from w^hich there will be no retreat. General Worth told him " it was a matter of taste, but that no sight was so glorious to him as- that of the flag of his
country floating in the breeze."

walked down to the bank, and found no doubt, by the arrival Strolling along, and seeing of so many strangers. some irenteel-looking young ladies upon the bank, I
In the

evening

it

lined with citizens, attracted,

63
took off

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

my

hat and saluted them with "

Buena noche,

They laughed most heartily, and appeared very much inclined to enter into conversation. The river at this point was so narrow that I could have thrown a stone across it. As our troops approached, the windows and house-tops w^ere filled with citizens,
sefioritas."

anxious to see what

we

intended doing.

Their troops

kicked up a
the trees

little

dust by marching about some infan-

try and cavalry, of

;

whom we

caught glimpses through

and, to finish the incidents of the day, a

rooster, brought

the

moment
his

the

from Corpus Christi by Colonel T., wagon arrived upon the bank flap-

ped
eral

wings and crowed defiance.

Our camp was

in a corn-field, the

GenTaylor sent for the owner, and told him he would pay him what he thought was the value of the crop. Rumor estimates the force of the Mexicans at one
thousand
five

corn some six inches high.

hundred.

March
this
little

29th.

ed a heavy gun

The enemy, during the night, mountin a battery made of sand-bags, and
the pleasure of reflecting that

morning

we had

no

damage might be done us, if they should amuse themselves by firing it. They are missing a great deal of delightful society by behaving in so churlish a manIt is rather provoking being in sight of so much ner.
comfort and luxury, without permission to enjoy it. Fight or no fight, the general has made up his mind not
of the Engineers, to

budge from here, and has ordered Major Mansfield, make surveys, with a view of throwing up a w^ork.
to

March
At
tattoo

30th.
it

Last evening we had quite an alarm. was reported that, " from information re-

ceived, there
tack."

was a strong

probability of a night at-

Some Mexicans had

reported the crossing of

THE WAR

IN

MEXICO.

DO

a large body of the enemy's cavalry above our camp,

was thought their object was to attack " Point Isabel," and at the same time open their batteries upon I was among the unbelievers us. yet it was impossible to divest one's self of the thoughts of what might be the result, if the premises were granted. The watch-word was given out, and the men ordered to Captain May, with a squadron sleep upon their arms. of the 2d Dragoons, was ordered to march to Point
and
it
;

Isabel, a distance of twenty-seven miles, in

to re-enforce the garrison

With
what

that officer's

four hours, and put them on their guard. usual energy and promptness, he ac-

in the stated time, and someup the gentlemen with an idea of an atMorning dawned, however no gun was fired, tack. no attack was made upon the depot at the Point. I then felt more satisfied that no contingency could happen that would produce a fight. They had permitted two golden opportunities to pass the passage of the Colorado, and the night of our arrival. Had they fired upon us the night of the alarm, there is no computing The train was the damage which would have ensued. placed in the center of the camp, and if the firing had commenced, there would have been a " stampede" of some six hundred animals they would have carried

complished the distance

stirred

death and destruction with them.

The

return of killed

and wounded by mules would have exceeded the numA death by a stampede would have ber by Mexicans.
been a glorious
contriving
it ;"

finale for officer or

I

man

lay

awake

how

should escape them, but

my

imagina-

tion could present

no means, unless

to " lie

down and
Mule
educa-

take

relying upon the faint hope that Mr.

his late

would be military enough, considering

tion, to
^'

pass obstacle"

70

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

The enemy were hard

at

work

all

day, throwing up

traverses to the sand-bag battery.

dressed officers were lounging

in front

Groups of wellof it, and guards

and fro. Their soldiers are in full uniform, and all have the Mexican blanket to protect them from the inclemency of the weather. Our situaright in the enemy's countion is truly extraordinary try (to all appearance), actually occupying their corn and cotton fields, the people of the soil leaving their homes, and we, with a small handful of men, marching with colors flying and drums beating, right under the very guns of one of their principal cities, displaying the star-spangled banner, as if in defiance, under their very nose and they, with an army twqce our size at least, sit quietly down and make no resistance, not the
to
: ;

were passing

first eflfort to

drive us
It is

off".

March
tility

31st.

reported that the families of gen-

are leaving the city.

The weather

is

extremely
it

disagreeable, and the Mexicans say

we
It

bring

with

Walked up work the enemy

us.

to

the upper ferry to examine the

is

are constructing.

called Fort

Paredes, and
river.

is

erected to

command

the passage of the

;

the

of

At the landing we saw crowds of both sexes men were actively at work on the fort, and many Nearly all the latter the women were washing.
:

have well-developed, magnificent figures they dress with as little clothing as can well be fancied, and appear as happy and contented as the day is long. They talked to me across the river, and asked " how we all were." I told them "well," and "hoped we were all friends." They replied, " yes." I do not doubt it and if these poor devils could decide the matter, it would Two men swam the river and deserted. all be settled. General Taylor having demanded the April 1st.
;

THE

W.All

WITH MEXICO.

71

release of the captured Dragoons, they

to-day, with nearly

all their

equipments.

were returned This was an"

other evidence of no very actively hostile feeling, but, as

General Mejia, in

his note,

termed

it,

one of great

magnanimity."
oners,

The whole

city turned out to see the

Dragoons when they were carried over the river prisand the captors were looked upon as noble fellows, who had performed a deed of signal bravery. They were imprisoned, but treated with kindness. When the order for their return was given, there was
a great deal of difficulty in finding their effects
:

it

ap-

and were to be kept as trophies. No doubt they gave them up with regret, as any article captured from the " barbarians of the North" must be of inestimable value in
pears they were divided
their captors,

among

their eyes.

April 2d.

Order received
it,

settling the

much- vexed
are
still

question of brevet rank.

General Worth, considering

resigned.
;

himself aggrieved by
at

The enemy
details

work on a

line

of defenses

getting fascines and hurdles for

from our men our proposed work.

Quite a military display among the enemy seemed to have had a review. They have excellent music there
;

is

one singularity, however,

all

in

it

at times, conspicu-

ous above

sounds, you hear an everlasting bugle,

deafening the ear with the same monotonous notes.

Daily reports are received of their intention to give us

all agree that when General Ampudia (rendered notorious by boiling Santamanat's head in oil) arrives, then we shall " see sights," and nothing can hold

battle

him back from a

fight. His proclamation, which has preceded him, styling us " barbarians of the North," &c., would cause the world to believe he intended to eat us right iip, and make of us some delicate maiCs

72
liead soup.

CAMTAIGN SKETCHES OF

Our men appear

it is

to

be very anxious
they want, and

for his
I

arrival

a fight appears to be

all

ver-

ily believe

their nightly prayer.

in

Broke ground for a battery, to be erected Several of the advance of the main field-work. men have deserted grand military display among the enemy. One of their regiments showed themselves, and looked very well. They have been actively employed every day in throwing up defensive works. The extreme work below the town was finished today, and a priest was seen consecrating it by sprinkling holy water over it.
April 3d.
;

April 4th.

This afternoon a rapid

discharge of

musketry was heard below the camp, on the river bank. The first impression was, the enemy had made an attack. The long roll was beaten and the regiments promptly formed the 1st Brigade, which was near the It was soon river, with a yell rushed to their arms. discovered the firing proceeded from our picket guard, and that it was at a man who attempted to desert by swimming the river. He was shot and sank. The Mexicans scampered from the bank, and thought we had commenced upon them. The whole afiair was one of some little excitement, and proved u^ith what alacrity our men would fly to their arms. April 5th. Last evening the camp was again disAnother attempt at turbed by the report of fire-arms. Four eighteen pounders desertion, and another death.
:

arrived to-day.
April 0th.

More

of our

men

deserted last night.

This morning our guns were placed in battery.

April 7th.
the
Little or nothing

done

the

number of
All

enemy

increasing.

April 8th.

Broke ground upon the field-work.

G
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
the
is

73
until
it
it.

men

off

duty will be constantly employed

finished.

Captain Mansfield has the direction of

Some

lour or five of the deserters have been

crossing-the river.

drowned in One man to-day succeeded in reach-

ing the opposite shore, and as he crawled out the senfell dead. The Mexicans immedihim with a sheet and buried him. It was a capital shot for a musket, being about two hundred yards, and must give them no contemptible idea of our shooting. Three slaves of officers have run away. Of course every inducement is offered by the enemy. Major R.'s boy returned, and said he was treated with^" the most distinguished consideration ;" " had the first seat at the table, and the best bed in the house." April 9th. We hear to-day Mr. Slidell has left Mexico. After repeated attempts to open negotiations, he at last gave up all hope, and sailed for the United States the latter part of March, 1846.

tinel fired,

and he

ately covered

April 10th.

Colonel Cross

left

camp

this

morning,
in ev-

and, not returning in the evening, great fears are entertained for his safety
:

parties
;

have been sent

ery direction in search of him and thinking he might be lost. General Taylor directed some cannon to be
fired, to

guide him to camp.

"

fear he

is

either a pris-

oner, or has been murdered.

April 11th.

iVmpudia

is

coming!'' "

Ampudia

is

coming
salute

1"

has been the daily cry.

This morning a
the

of twenty guns

was

fired,

church
;

bells

rang, the bands played, the troops paraded

and, true

enough, Ampudia came.

Colonel Hitchcock,

much
health,

Nothing from Colonel Cross. to the regret of the army,

from

his

wretched

was

forced to leave for the

States.

translation of an article from the

Matamoras Ga-

VoL. I.


74
zette lias

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
afforded us no
little

amusement.

It

goes on

to say, "

There have been

'

forty-three

men

desertions

from the

barbarians,' six slaves,

mentarily old Taylor, body and soulP

get him they will have a bitter
pill to

and they expect moWhen they do

swallow.

April 12th.

dismal day; raining and very cold.

tion.

toward compleAbout 2 P.M. a parley was sounded from the opposite side, and two Mexican officers crossed, and were escorted by Captain Bliss to General Taylor's They remained but a few minutes, and returned. tent. As Captain Bliss rode by a knot of us, warming ourselves by a small fire, he said, " Well, you may get ready; it's coming." Of course, we knewsomething serious had transpired, and that the impression at head-

The

field-work vigorously pushed

quarters was, the long-expected fight w^as to

the ball to be opened.

come

off

communication to General Taylor from General Ampudia. The general was told that " he must leave his position in
officers bore a

The

twenty-four hours, retire to the Nueces, and there await

the settlement of this question
fault of

by negotiation

in de-

which, Mexico would look upon

his position as

a declaration of war."

He

added, "

The war

should be

carried on agreeably to the usages of the most civiliz-

ed nations by him, and he hoped it would be so by us." Every disposition was made immediately to resist the threatened attack. Some believed that all the grace we were to have was " the twenty-four hours," and The that at its expiration we must look out for shot. immediately moved to the right, out 1st Brigade was
of range.

The general

sent

word
It

to

Ampudia

that he
at

did not require twenty-four hours, but

would reply

10 o'clock A.M. to-morrow.

certainly looks as if

hard knocks were approaching.

We have every confi-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

deuce
in the

75

courage and patriotism of our general, and

last.

believe he will fight to the

April 13th.

Early

in

the

was moved

to the lelt of the line, out of

w^ith the

morning the 2d Brigade range of shot.

RinG^i][old's

General Twinrnrs,

Dra^-oons and

battery, occupied the center, and the 3d Brigade

was
with

moved

into the interior of the field-work, together

Bragg's and Duncan's batteries. In this position the 3d Brigade were defiladed from the fires of the enemy,

and the remainder formed a

line so

strong that the

camp was considered impregnable. eral Taylor's reply was sent over.
nified, concise,

At 10 A.M. GenIt

was

mild, dig-

and firm perfectly characteristic of the man. He told General Ampudia, " He was sent hero by order of his government, in a peaceable attitude, and intended to remain ; and then warned him against the responsibility of firing the first gun." No guns

were

fired

the completion of the

work was pressed

forward.

morning of the ennumbers below. It is definitely understood that some have crossed. That is all we ask of them cross and fight us, and we will exterminate them. The general is in capital spirits, and
this

Various rumors reached us having crossed

emy

in large

feels confident in the strength

of his position.

The

4th

Infimtry, 1st
battery,
the train

company

of Dragoons, and Ringgold's

were ordered to march immediately to meet coming from Point Isabel. It is thought those
:

of the

We

enemy who have crossed intend attacking it. have heard nothing more of Colonel Cross those most sanguine of his safety have given him up. He has undoubtedly been murdered by some of the bands of assassins who are roaming about the country. His unaccountable disappearance, and probable horrible

76
fate, liave cast

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
a gloom over the camp.
officer,

He was esteem-

one of more than ordinary attainments, and stood deservedly high in his profession. He was a high-minded, chivalric gentleman. The train arrived without being attackApril 14th.
ed an excellent

and Captain Thornton returned reporting no signs At Matamoras every thing has been unusually quiet hardly any citizens, and but few workmen, made their appearance there was a solemn silence reigning over the whole city it appeared to be
ed,

of the enemy.

deserted.

It

was impossible

to explain

it.

It is

now
dis-

considered very unsafe to leave

tance.

camp

to

go any

The land in this vicinity is cultivated to some extent. Some of us occupy cotton fields, some corn. The soil
is

of the richest alluvial character, susceptible of the

;

highest cultivation

for

sugar

it

can not be surpassed.

The

whole valley of the Rio Grande, after the settlequestion,

ment of this

must be rapidly and densely pop-

In ten years this wilderness will " smile and ulated. blossom like the rose." How gorgeously rich the plantNearly every thing growls ations will be on its banks
!

here.

In the vicinity of the

camp

there are the re-

mains of a beautiful garden, and in it you have the orange, lemon, fig, banana, plantain, peach, and cocoaIt had evidently at one time been under high nut. cultivation, and ornamented with choice and beautiful This rich body of land is between thirty-five flowers. and forty miles in width, and some two hundred and fifty
in length.

April 15th.
fort.

The whole command at w^ork on the The enemy keep pace w^ith us, and shovel sand
can give us no contemptible idea of their

in a style that

proficiency in the use of that instrument.

rumor

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

reached us that Ampudia has been superseded.
tenant Deas, of the Artillery,
for the purpose, as
(v'ross.

77
Lieu-

swam

the river last night

he stated, of searching for Colonel General Taylor has blockaded the mouth of
;

the river

the

enemy
About

are, therefore, cut off from re-

ceiving their supplies from

New

Orleans.

April IGth.
in full dress,

11 o'clock four
;

Mexican

officers,

appearance they were bearers of the reply of General Ampudia to General Taylor's letter concerning Colonel Cross. They have heard nothing of him report Lieutenant Deas as a prisoner on parole.
their
;

made

No change. Great military displays April 17th. with the enemy, and a proportionate barking of dogs in the city. Lieutenant Dobbins of the 3d Infantry, and
ten

command of men and one non-commissioned officer, left camp with the avowed intention of catching, if possible, some of the band of the notorious Romano Falcon, hoping to
Lieutenant Porter of the 4th, each with a
discover some clew to the murder of Colonel Cross.
April 18th.

Actually rained out of our camp, and

were forced

to

remove

it

to the

bank of the

river.
in

The
and

sergeant of Lieutenant Porter's

command came

reported that the lieutenant had been attacked by some

Mexicans and was killed. His story is rather contradictory, and we await with great impatience the arrival of Lieutenant Dobbins, or some of the command, to confirm
it.

April 19th.

The

corporal of Lieutenant

Porter's

party has returned, and confirms the melancholy report of yesterday.

Lieutenant Dobbins separated from

was to meet him at a certain About 2 P.M. on the 19th, met with a party of armed Mexicans engaged in jerking beef. As they apLieutenant Porter, and
spot.

78

CAMPAIGN SKRTCFIRS OF

preached their camp, a Mexican snapped his piece at Lieutenant Porter, who returned it with both barrels of his gun. The enemy immediately fled, and the lieutenant found himself in the possession of ten horses and

twenty Mexican blankets. He immediately mounted At this time it comhis men and proceeded to camp. menced raining violently. He had gone but a short distance when, near the edge of a dense chaparral, he was attacked by a party of Mexicans concealed therein. He ordered his men to dismount the enemy kept up
;

a brisk

fire

both of the lieutenant's barrels snapped,

and nearly
useless

all the pieces of his men had been rendered by the rain. One man by the name of Flood was shot down. After the lieutenant found his piece would not go oft', he called to one of the men to hand him his musket before he could get it, he was shot in the left thigh, and falling, said, " Never mind the gun
;
!

Take care of yourselves /" The Fight on, my boys ! unable to get off' their pieces, broke for the men being chaparral, became separated, and found their way into

camp

as they best could.

The man who came

in last

says he concealed himself until dark in the edge of the chaparral, and saw the proceedings of the enemy.

During the
our

fight

they yelled like Indians

as soon as

men broke they rushed upon

:

the lieutenant

and

Flood

the latter they surrounded and

deliberately

knifed,

and then performed the same inhuman office upon Lieutenant P. Lieutenant Porter was the son of the late commodore, and entered the army in 1888: he was a brave, gallant officer, and much esteemed in His fate is truly deplorable. Two com his Regiment. mands were gent out to seek for his body. They were neither able to find it, nor the spot where the fight
took place.
All parts of the country are so precisely

THE WAK WITH MEXICO.

similar,

79
it is

impossibility to return to

and destitute of landmarks, that any one spot. April 20th. Nothing new.

almost an

A Mexican came into camp and reportknew where the body of an American officer was lying. A command was immediately dispatched for it;
April 21st.

ed he

it

was
;

recoc^nized as beinc: the remains of the lamented

Cross
lor, "

there can be no doubt of

its

identity.

to General TayThat he understood from undoubted authority the river was blockaded that two vessels laden with stores for his army had been seized and carried into Brazos

April 22d.

General Ampudia wrote

Santiago.

He

thought

this

blockade, under the pres-

was unauthorized by the law of nations, and requested him to raise it, or serious consequences w^ould ensue." This is the amount of the coment circumstances,

munication.
us, for

These

^''serious consequences'^

did not alarm

we

are getting quite accustomed to their high-

flown language.
as represented
off

The vessels spoken of were not taken, by General Ampudia, but were warned

by our navy.
General Taylor replied to the communiIt is
;

April 23d.

cation received yesterday.

republican, and

a capital paper truly every respect, and for which he should receive the approbation of the people. He is a man of sound views, and by his strong common

American

in

sense (a pretty scarce

article

nowadays),

is

sure

to

arrive at a correct and just conclusion.

the honor of the country
is

We

feel that

intrusted in

safe hands.

In his reply, he reviewed every thing

which has oc:

curred since

we

left

Corpus Christi

to this date

spoke

of the proclamation he had issued prior to his departure, in

which he

said " he

religious rights of the citizens

would protect the civil and that it was with no hos; '

80

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
;

remindtile intentions he advanced to the Rio Grande ed him that a Spanish translation of that proclamation had been sent to Matamoras, and that he knew General Mejia had seen it; states that his advance was met twenty miles from the Colorado, and were warned, if they advanced, it would be considered a " declaration of war ;" at the Colorado they threatened to fire upon ;" him, and again repeated the " declaration of war that at Point Isabel he was met by a deputation from

Matamoras,

at the

head of which was the prefect of

the State of Tamaulipas, protesting against his occu-

pying the country: after delivering the protest, they caused some buildings to be set on fire, which General Taylor deemed " an act of war." Opposite Matamoras he was again told that his occupancy of the counTo try was looked upon as a " declaration of war." all these declarations of hostile intentions no heed had been paid no change had been made in our treatment of, or behavior toward them but General Taylor had pursued the even tenor of his way. But when General Ampudia arrived, and gave General Taylor " twenty;

four hours to quit," he

deemed

it

time to turn his atten" block-

tion to the repeated threats,

and conceives the

ade of the river the least offensive act of war he could have committed under the circumstances that the blockade had been reported to his government, and he
;

should maintain
fers
is

it

until

he received their orders.

until the question
;

Of-

them an armistice

of boundary

raise the blockade, but

and if that is accepted, will on no other terms." Tells them he can not pass over the objectionable style and tone of his (Ampudia's) correspondence that the epithets
settled, or

war

declared

of " usurpers," " invaders," &c., will not be permitted,

and informs him,

in future

it

must be more respectful,

THE WAR WITH MRXfCO.

or
it

81

and concludes by giving him is equally ready and prepared for peace or war. Affairs are approaching a crisis they can not remain thus long. The enemy are reported short of provisions they must either fight,
will not be received
;

his choice

of action: that he

treat, or just naturally dissolve

themselves before

many

days.

A
all

board of

officers

assembled to-day to report upon

the circumstances connected w^ith the death of the

Mexican reported the colonel was Falcon's band of authorized murderers ; after taking him prisoner, they stripped him of every thing, and then consulted what should be done with him. The majority were for taking him over the river, when Falcon walked up and decided the matter by striking the colonel on his head with the butt of his pistol, from which blow he immediately died. There is no proof of this tale but the hole in the skull was
lamented Cross.
captured by

Romano

evidently
April

Colonel Cross His escort was composed of a squadron of Dragoons and eight companies of Infantry, the whole commanded by Colonel Twiggs, The procession, under the circumstances, was painfully

made by the butt of a pistol. The remains of the late 24th.

at half past

were buried

4 P.M.

imposing.

First

next the body,

came the Infantry, next drawn by six horses, on

;

the Dragoons, the wheels of

;

a caisson, enveloped in the flag of his country

sad mourner, his son

led

next a then a horse clad in mourning,

by two Dragoons, followed by all the officers off The march w^as so conducted that part of the way it could be seen from the city groups of soldiers and officers were upon the enemy's works, and on the bank of the river. The grave was dug at the foot of
duty.
;

the flag-staff; the flag

was

at half mast.

Colonel Childs

82

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
;

read the service for the dead

the flag

three volleys

were

fired,

was run

up, the escort

left

marched

off to a

gay

dead in silence. Such is a military funeral we have no time for grief About 10 A.M. a grand review took April 25th.
and lively tune, and
:

the

place

among

the

enemy

great military rejoicing; Aris-

ta arrived.

He communicated that fact in a note, couchby one of

his staff.

ed

in

courteous and gentlemanly terms, transmitted to

In the afternoon re-

the general

ports reached us that the

enemy were

crossing the

Captain Thornriver, above and below, in great force. was sent out in the evening with a squadron of the 2d ton

Dragoons

to ascertain the fact of their crossing

above.

Captain Hardee and Lieutenants

the officers of the party.

Kane and Mason were Every one was on the " qui
days past,

vive" to ascertain April 26th.

its

truth, as, for several

matters were assuming a more hostile appearance.

The camp was

electrified

by the news

brought by Chapita, the Mexican guide who accompaHe returned, and stated Capnied Captain Thornton.

Thornton had an engagement with a large body all had been either cut to pieces or The excitement which prevailed in taken prisoners. camp can hardly be imagined the report was passed from tent to tent, and an immediate engagement was
tain

of Mexicans, and

thought not improbable.

About

11 o'clock a
;

wounded-

dragoon was brought in on a cart he was sent by General Torrejon, the commander of the force engaged with Captain Thornton, with a note to General Taylor, stating " that, on the score of humanity, he claimed the right of sending him two dragoons, wounded in the affair of to-day (26th), as he had no Jli/ing hospital; that the officers and men would be treated with all the rights of prisoners of war, by order of his chief." The

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

83

the affair

man who was brought in had a very confused idea of knew that Captain Hardee was a prisoner,
;

but

was

uncertain about the rest; reporting Captain

tivity

Thornton and Lieutenant Kane killed. Increased acwas used in pressing forward the work the gen;

eral himself, for hours at a time, superintending

it.

All

idea of there being no fight has ceased.

War has com-

menced, and

The

train

we look for a conflict within a few days. now at Point Isabel is ordered to remain.
this

General Taylor dispatched a messenger

evening

with a requisition on the governors of Louisiana and Texas for five thousand men three thousand from the
;

former, two thousand from the latter.

There is no doubt the enemy are crossing the river, and that all communication with Point Isabel is extremely hazardous.

The

sition are

troops sent for on General Taylor's requiexpected to be used " to carry the war into

Africa."

We expect

to

whip
is

the

Africans hack
'*

to their

country before their arrival.

tack, the utmost vigilance

In anticipation of an at-

used at

the lines."

An

intrenchment has been thrown up around the camp,

light

and the troops are lying every morning.

April 27th.

in

it

under arms before day-

The
fight.

general received Captain Hardee's

report of the

He

states that after the guide re-

fused to go any further, on account of the proximity of

the

enemy, they advanced about three miles, and came surrounded by a very high chapthat the whole squadron entered the field arral fence through the open bars, and advanced about two hundWhile there the alarm was red yards to a house. given of the enemy. " Our gallant commander ordered a charge, and led it in person they dashed toward the bars again, but found them occupied by a large
to a large plantation
; ;

84

CAMPAIGN
Inflxntry.
fire, to

tiK

ETCH Erf OF

body of
galling

Tliey dashed to the right, under a

endeavor to find a passage." Captain Thornton here fell and Captain Hardee, taking command, called on his men to follow, and dashed toward the river, intending to swim it, but found the banks too boggy. He returned and formed his men out of range Perceiving they were completely hemof Infantry. med in, he determined, if he could get honorable terms, He rode forward if not, to die fighting. to surrender met an officer his terms were granted, and he surren; ; ;

dered

his party, forty-five, prisoners.

He

states " that

Captain Thornton was unhorsed," and,

a personal conflict with
ant

" I hear, died in

Romano Falcon." " LieutenMason was not seen, but died, no doubt, fighting " The gallant Sergeant Tredor fell in the gallantly." first charge, and Sergeant Smith was unhorsed and killThey were taken to Matamora?. Captain Hared." dee and Lieutenant Kane live at the hotel of General
Ampudia, eat
at his table,

greatest kindness.

and are treated with the General Arista " received them

most graciously," put them on half pay, and gave them

a ration, or, in lieu thereof, twenty-five cents per day.

On

Captain Hardee's declining, for himself and Lieu-

tenant Kane, to receive the half pay, and requesting

permission to send for some money, he refused, stating

he would take the best of care of them.

high terms of their kind treatment.
It

He

speaks in

w^as certainly

unexpected, and
April 28th.

is

highly creditable to the enemy.

the gallant fellow

This morning a report was received

:

from Captain Thornton

is

is

safe,
fall

and

uninjured, save a slight contusion from the

of his

His horse (the " old roan," who had carried him through the Florida war) was shot, and fell on him. He was discovered by some of the enemy some time
horse.

H
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
after the battle into

85

had ceased, taken prisoner, and carried Matamoras. Poor Mason, it appears, is the only

officer killed.

He was

the

of the 1st Dragoons, and graduated from

in
;

nephew of Colonel Mason West Point

1842 was assigned as a brevet to the 1st Dragoons, and promoted to the 2d. He was universally beloved a high-toned, chivalric, and withal a very modest officer
;

recollections of his noble traits of character will

ever be fresh in our memories.

eight privates

Two

sergeants and
impossible

were

killed.

It

was

a complete ambusit

cade
for

the nature of the country rendered

to
;

have discovered an enemy in the densely thick chaparral any number of men could have remained concealed. The force of General Torrejon is estimated at tw^o thousand five hundred. General Canales is reported to be in our vicinity. Captain G. A. M'Call, 4th Infantry, with one hundred picked men, was sent out to obtain information of the enemy. Captain Walker has authority from General Taylor to raise a company of volunteers. Those he has already enlisted have been stationed midway between this and the Point. Captain Walker has been for some time identified with the border struggles of Texas, and was one of the unfortunate Mier prisoners. Early this morning his camp was attacked by the enemy. He had left fifteen of his men, and gone on a scout with the remainder. Five of his men were killed and four are missing. One of the men was evidently lariated, and was probably choked

them

Generals to death before he was pulled oflT his horse. Canales and Torrejon are supposed to have been in command of the attacking force, and Colonel Quintaro
is

reported to have his

April 29th.
It is

arm broken.
at-

reported that the Mexicans had

VoL. I.

86

CAMl'AIGN SKETCHED, ETC.

tacked Point Isabel, and were signally defeated by Major Munroc, with his two companies of Artillery. The but when Captain report was too good to be believed
;

M'Call returned in the evening, and reported he had heard the discharge of artillery in the direction of the Every preparaPoint, it became generally credited.
tion
is

being

made

to

march

to the Point.

Subsistence

and other stores removed hauled, &c.

April 30th.

into the fort,

wood

cut and

Regiment of Infantry, under Brown, have been designated the command of Major by the general to remain at the fort Bragg's battery, and Captain Loud, with his company, in charge of the

The

7th

eighteen-pound battery, constitute the remainder of the The report of the attack upon Point Isabel garrison.

was erroneous

the impression gains

ground that

we

will be attacked

on our march.

4 P.M.

The general decided we should march at Every preparation had been made to meet the enemy, and we marched at the appointed hour in cap-

May

1st.

ital spirits.

We

passed through the chaparral with-

out meeting any of the enemy.

The march was

con-

tinued until 12 o'clock at night, and one of the most

fatiguing
in the

have ever endured. We slept under arms prairie, without any fires to take off the The march was resumed on the chill of the night air. reached the Point at 12 o'clock, having 2d, and we suffered much from the intense heat and want of water.
I

broad

,!

.1

|:Ba:i||Jiiii!lil,lJ.,., I|||i,iii(llli!|illi|i|iiill||!*n

lllliilil!,

hi

lilll'

88

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER
Before
reveille

IX.

on the morning of the 3d of May,

fort,

ing in from the direction of the

came rollMatamoras. The camp was wild with excitement we knew our ofallant fellows were resistinf]^ a bombardment, and Captain Walker, all were anxious to fly to their rescue.
1846, the heavy, booming sound of cannon

opposite
;

on a scout last evening, after taking a survey of the enemy's camp, fell in with their picket guard and fired upon them. He reports the enemy in force, and eviWe were under orders to dently awaiting our return. march at 1 P.M., but the general changed his mind,

and decided upon communicating with the fort. Captain May, with a command of Dragoons, was ordered to accompany Captain Walker (who was selected by the general to carry his communication to the fort) as far as the edge of the chaparral, and, if he did not return before morning, to wait no longer, but return to
the Point.

We

were kept

in a constant state of ex-

citement
day.

the firing continuing at intervals the

whole

On the morning of the 4th Captain May returned, having waited as long as he deemed it prudent for Captain Walker. He reports fresh signs of the enemy. Early in the morning we had an exciting scare : the cry was the "enemy are advancing." The long roll was beaten, troops paraded, and immediately marched The enemy was Captain May and out to meet them.
command. The 1st Brigade, which was encamped two miles in advance of the Point, after the alarm
his

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

89

moved
flat

lo

running along
for

our present camp, situated on an extensive Active preparati(jns are tlie bay.

making
in

our return march, and

I'or

leaving Furl Polk

a defensible state.

Captain Walker returned on the

cheering intelligence that
batteries
all

5th,

and brought the

at the fort.

was well

The

from the city were opened upon the

fort at

daybreak of the 3d. In thirty minutes all fires from heavy gun batteries were silenced by the superior skill of our artillerists. The enemy have continued throwing shells, but with trifling effect. The reception of such good news put us in the very best spirits. Captain Walker ran a great many risks making his way to the fort, and deserves great credit for the fearless manner in which he effected the communication. The heavy report of artillery throughout the day announces the bombardment in continuance. Little was done on the 6th but to make preparations for the coming march. On the 7th, General Taylor issued the following arder
the
Headquarters,

Army of Occupation, May 7, 1846.

Order No. 58.

The army

will

march to-day
It is

at 3 o'clock, in the di-

rection of Matamoras.

known

the
If

enemy has
still

re-

cently occupied the route in force.

sion, the general will

in posses-

give him battle.

The command-

ing general has every confidence in his officers and

men. If his orders and instructions are carried out, he has no doubt of the result, let the enemy meet him He wishes to enjoin upon in what numbers they may. the battalions of Infantry that their main dependence

must be

in the

bayonet.

Signed,

W. W.

S. Bliss,

Assistant Adjutant-general.

90

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

The order, in advance, announced a victory. There was no doubt expressed in it. Commanding a much
composed of troops few of whom have gunpowder," our brave general, neverHe wishes theless, speaks to them as to old veterans. the Infantry to recollect their main dependence must he That sentence alone shows the man in the bayonet. in it you see confidence, and a determination to win The army marches at 3 the battle at all hazards.
inferior force,

ever " smelt

P.M., having

in

company an immense
six

train, rich,

not

only

in subsistence,

but in munitions of war.

In the

wagons there were

twelve-pounders.

There was

also with us a battery of two eighteen-pounders drawn by oxen, the command of which was assigned to

Lieutenant Churchill, of the Artillery.

We

marched

five miles and encamped. Early on the morning of the 8th our scouts under Captain Walker reported the camp of the enemy de-

serted.

From

that
battle.

it

would decline

was generally believed they The march was resumed shortarrival within a short dis-

ly after sunrise.

Upon our

tance of our last camp, previous to our reaching the

Rio Grande, the advance reported the enemy in force. Debouching from a point of mesquite, the masses of the enemy were apparent, less than a mile distant, and occupying a front of nearly a mile and a half. The general immediately had his command formed in column of attack, and with the greatest deliberation ordered arms, and permitted the men, half at a time, We had to go and get water to fill their canteens. already marched twelve miles, the day was very warm, and we had suffered from the want of water. As soon as the men had refreshed themselves, the command was formed, and marched steadily to meet the

ITHENEW

mmmm' ppt
i
I~'4(^A1

"I I'm i||r __J'

I

Mi''

V^ ^

J^

*%"
mfi
Wi%ifWi|-'?'#lti

Repelling Cav.

Si

I
I I a

^
1-1

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

'J I

enemy, with as much regularity and coolness as if on Two squadrons of Dragoons were at fu'st in advance, but, after the battle commenced, were emdrill.

ployed either gallantly supporting the batteries, or defending the train.

the

When

within seven hundred yards,

enemy opened their fire from a battery on their right. The column was halted, and deployed with the
utmost precision, except the 8th Infantry, w^hich
re-

mained

in

column during the

action.

The following was the order The right wing, commanded by

composed of

of our line of battle

Colonel Twiggs,

was

the 5th Infantry on the right, Ringgold's

Artillery, the 3d Infantry, Churchill's eighteen-pound

Left wing, commanded by Brevet Lieutenant-colonel Belknap, composed of Dunbattery, and 4th Infantry.

companies serving as Ringgold's and Duncan's batteries were immediately advanced and opened
can's Artillery

Infantry

the Artillery and the 8th

The
firing of the

Infantry.

their fires.

enemy was

incessant, al-

though not very accurate. The enemy's line of battle was along and in advance of the chaparral. Their cavalry (Lancers) were on the left, then a battery,
then masses of Infantry, then a battery, masses of Infantry, another battery,

and again masses of Infantry. Their position had been deliberately assumed, know-

ing where

we would
their

pass the road.

The

fire

of the

gallant Ringgold's battery on our right told w^ith dead-

mass of Cavalry; platoons appeared at a time. The two eighteenpounders carried death and destruction with them. The Cavalry soon found it was getting too warm for them, and commenced moving ofi', by a flank movement, to the left in a trot, and were tickled into a gallop by a discharge of the eighteens. Their flank movely effect
to be

upon

mowed down

y.2

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
train,

ment threatened our

the

and was promptly met by

movement of a

section of Ringgold's battery under

Lieutenant Ridgely, the 5th and 3d Infantry.

strength of this body of Cav.ah-y

The
at

was computed

one

thousand, and, therefore,

tion.
fire

was

a formidable demonstra-

The

5th received them in square, and from the

of an angle vacated twenty saddles.

Some

of

them still passed on, until they saw the 3d advancing in column by division, when they rapidly retreated. Lieutenant Ridgely performed excellent service with He aimed and fired a shell, which struck his pieces. about the middle, which exploded simultanea lancer ously with the blow, making one mangled mass of horse and rider. Thus the battle progressed on our
right.

On

the

left,

the gallant
fire.

a most destructive
fect,

Duncan was pouring in Each shot seemed to take ef-

and as our men saw the execution, their cries of triumph mingled with the cannon's roar. The fire of the 8th Inthe enemy upon our left was more galling fantry, particularly, suffered, having been kept in column, instead of being deployed in line. The Regiments
;

of Artillery and Infantry, and squadrons of Dragoons,

stood firm as veterans, ready to support our batteries.

The

prairie took

fire,

and the burning of the long, rank

grass sent up columns of smoke, which at times con-

The cannonading comcealed the opposing forces. menced at 3 P.M., and ceased for a short time at 4
P.M.
In the

mean

time, a masterly

to outflank the enemy,

movement to the right, was being executed. Ring-

gold's battery

and the eighteen-pounders were pushed forward toward the left flank of the enemy. The 4th Infantry and 1st Brigade moved up to their support.

As soon

as the firing

recommenced, the enemy were

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

forced to change their Hne of battle.

1)3

Lieutenant Dun-

can, under cover of the smoke, conceived and executed

a brilliant flank movement on the enemy's right. He advanced with his battery, and suddenly debouched and poured in a galling enfilading fire upon their right flank it was thrown into the utmost confusion. His shells and shrapnell shot told with murderous effect. At this moment, if a charge had been made, so great was the confusion of the enemy, the whole field would have been swept but the general felt bound to protect his train, and feared any movement which would have laid it open to an attack. As night approached the fire of the enemy slackened, and it ceased on both sides with the setting sun. We had driven the enemy from his position, and forced him to retire. We encamped as victors upon the- field of battle. The
; ;

last

rays of the setting sun tinged with a golden light

the clouds of battle that

carnage
slept

hung heavily over the field of weary army rested on their arms, and sweetly on the prairie grass. Our loss was won;

the

derfully small.

two missing.

Nine killed, forty-four wounded, and Major Ringgold, Captain Page, Lieuten-

ants Luther, 2d Artillery, and Wallen, 4th Infantry,

were wounded.

Major Ringgold received a shot while away the flesh on his legs from his knees up, and passed through the withers of his thorough-bred charger," David Branch;" Captain Page had his lower jaw^ shot off; Lieutenant Luther was wounded in the calf of the leg, and Lieutenant Wallen very slightly in the arm Captain Bliss, assistant adjutant-general, had his horse shot under him likewise Lieutenant Daniels of the 2d Artillery. The wounds of the men w^re very severe, most of them requiring amputation of some limb. The surseated on his horse, which carried
;
;

94
geon's

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

saw was going

the livelong night,

and the

groans of the poor sufferers were heart-rending. Too much praise can not be bestowed upon our medical It was officers fur their devotion and prompt action. a sad duty for them. The enemy, commanded by
General Arista, were six thousand strong we were two thousand two hundred and eleven only the difference of three thousand one hundred and one, and
; ;

they in a selected position.

battle of

Singular to relate, the

Palo Alto

(tall

timber)

was fought on

the spot

which General Taylor predicted when he first passed over the ground. At daybreak on the 9th the enemy were seen moving along the edge of the chaparral toward the road, and the prevailing impression was that they intended occupying the road in force, and disputing our further progress. The general determining to advance and attack, decided to park the train, throwing up a temporary breastwork, and mounting some of the twelvepounders for its defense. Shortly after sunrise the army was again formed in line of battle, and marched forward. The wounded were left behind to be sent to Point Isabel. The Dragoons and Captain Walker's company of Volunteers, thrown out in advance, soon returned and reported the chaparral free, and the enemy in full retreat along the road. The army was halted near a pond, and General Taylor rode back to
the train to send
off" his first bulletin, to cheer the desponding at home, and to aw^aken American glory and While there. Lieutenant Blake, of the toppatriotism.

ographical corps, accidentally shot himself.

It

was a

he had behaved with distinguished gallantry on the 8th. I took advantage of the halt to
sad occurrence
;

go over the

field

of battle.

It

was

truly a shocking

THE WAR WITH

sight
;

.MEXIC<J.

95

our Artillery had literally mowed them down. There were heaps of dead lying hither and yon, with some had died the most ghastly wounds I ever saw with a smile on their countenance others, in the agony of death, with a fierce convulsive struggle had caught at the rank grass, and died with their hands clinched firmly in it, looking defiance at the enemy. It was a
;

shocking picture.

The number

killed could not be ac-

curately ascertained, but of killed and

are safe in claiming five hundred. portion in the loss of the
fact
:

wounded we
great disprothis

The

two armies arose from

;

we fired

at their

masses

they at our batteries

The

prisoners taken acknowledge they

were badly

whipped, and confirm us

of their army.

in the belief of the strength

As we were advancing we came across a poor fellow who w^as wounded, and who, without a drop of water, had passed the night upon the battle-field. He gave us to understand he wanted bread and water.
Colonel

Twiggs exclaimed, "Men, give

this

poor

fel-

low something to eat and drink." In an instant the haversacks and canteens of a company were at his Such acts of generosity threw a flickering service. sunbeam over the deep shades of the battle-field. On the field was found a dog lying by the dead body of his master no entreaties could prevail upon him to leave the body of him who in life had caressed him. General Taylor ordered out parties in every direction to search for the wounded of the enemy, had them brought in, and attended to with the same care as our men. About 1 P.M. the army resumed its march. When we first halted. Captain G. A. M'Call had been sent in
;

advance, with one hmiditHl picked njen, to scour the

96
chaparral and

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

watch the progress of the enemy.

Captain C. F. Smith, of the Artillery, with his battalion of light companies of the 1st Brigade, followed. We

proceeded through the chaparral

of the
the
fort,

to

within three miles

when word was

passed to the rear that

enemy were in force, and in a selected position. The advance under Captain M'Call had discovered

them, and after a spirited brush, retired, agreeably to There orders, to await the arrival of the main body.

termined
right

was not a moment's hesitation our brave general deOur troops to give them immediate battle.
;

filed past the train,

and deployed as skirmishers

Captain M'Call's

to the

and

left

of the road.

command

w^as ordered

the

fire

by the general " to advance and draw Nobly did they perform that of the enemy."

terrible service.

The enemy occupying the opposite bank of a ravine, concave toward us, had planted their batteries to rake the road, and every approach (few in number) through
the almost impenetrable chaparral.

The

fire

of the

enemy was drawn by

ly,
fit

the advance.

Lieutenant Ridge-

successor to the gallant Ringgold,

his battery.

was ordered

forward with

The

struggle for victory

then commenced.

The
it

Artillery of the

enemy swept
;

the ground with their grape and cannister

Lieutenant

Ridgely returned

with murderous

efl^ect.

Masses of

their Infantry, lining the

banks of the ravine, and pressed forward into the chaparral, were met by our skirmishers on the left with a gallantry and determination,

on both

sides, rarely equaled.

onets crossed, the

enemy

giving

Repeatedly were bayway slowly, and fight-

ing for every inch of the ground.

The
to

4th, 5th, 8th,

and part of the 3d w^ere on the

this

left,

sanguinary struggle.

Owing

and engaged in the dense chapar-

vc

u
to
i
' '
I

A
III

a
s

a I

5 H

IIP
B ^ h B
a:*^

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h
c:=D
^i;:

n=3 c=^
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n,v""""'""'ii"'^"nii;;,

Hi

q>

ipUBLK
AST OR.
^^

RV

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

ral,

97
tlie

the

Regiments became mixed, but fought not

less severely.

The enemy clung

This gallant

to their batteries

with

the greatest pertinacity.

Ridgely's Artillery thunderofficer, in

ed

in reply.

one of

his

daring

advances, had only one piece unlimbered,

charged by a body of lancers, upon him like thunder, when Sergeant Kearnes put a load of cannister on the top of a shell and fired it this scattered them all but foiir, who still dashed along. Lieutenant Ridgely charged them in person, and drove them off. Captain ]May rode back to the general, and asked if he should charge the battery on the opposite side of
the ravine.
" Charge, captain, nolens volens /"

when he was who came dashing down

the reply; and

away dashed
I draw

the gallant fellow.

''

he passed Ridgely's battery, Ridgely exclaimed,

on, Charley,
till

was As Hold
this
fell,

their fire T

and

it

is

well for

May

that he partially succeeded.

Away

dashed

gallant squadron

down

the ravine

Lieutenant Inge

and many of their saddles were vacated. On went the rest crossed the ravine, and captured the battery. Captain Graham's company was associated with May's General La Vega, standin this memorable charge. ing at his battery to the last, was taken prisoner by May, and passed to the rear. On the right of the road, where the 3d deployed, no enemy was met; but the Regiment so far outflanked them as to be in danger of fires from our own batteries.
;

not

The density of the chaparral was such that they could make their way through, but were forced to return, in order to get into the action. They reached the ravine just after the desperate charge of the Infantry (n

ed the enemy.

which the 8th was so conspicuous) had comi)letely routImmediately after their balteJes weie V^.L. I.

98
captured,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHEri UF

Duncan came up with his battery and took The Dragoons, 3d Infantry, and Captain Smith's command were ordered to support the ArtilThe enemy were in full retreat. On we all lery. pushed, hemmed in a narrow road by a dense chaparthe advance.
in its

on each side, the Artillery advancing and pouring bloody fire, and clearing the road. About two hundred yards from the ravine we came upon the camp It was already captured and deserted. of the enemy.
ral

To

this point the gallant

Barbour had

fearlessly ad-

vanced with
the

his

company of the 3d

Infantry, and, unaid-

ed, successfully resisted a desperate

charge of cavalry

empty saddles, and horses writhing in the agony of death, marked the spot where the struggle occurred. The huge packs of the enemy were arranged with mules, some with great regularity upon the ground packs, were scattered about beeves were killed, their
; ;

camp-fires lighted, and their meals cooking.

They

ev-

idently expected to have been undisturbed that night.

On, on

we

went, keeping up a run, and yelling

like

mad

The enemy now and then gave symptoms

were driven

of a

stand, but

on, scattering themselvs in the

chaparral, and availing themselves of every trail that

led to the river.

We neared the lines of our old camp

when they
some of our men.
;

our cheers reached high heaven,

w^ere sud-

denly silenced by three shots from an eighteen-pounder

which came very near

first

killing

The

had mistaken us for the enemy, and were firing at us from the fort but we soon ascertained the shots came from the city.* The enemy fled in every direction, and many were
impression
that our friends
*

was

The

Artillery Battalion,

under Colonel

Cliilds,

remained

in rear to

guard

the train, and thus reduced our fighting force to one thousand seven hundred.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

99
It

drowned

in their

attempts to

swim

the river.

was a

perfect route, " horse, foot, and dragoons."

the best-appointed
field
;

Our brave general had gained a glorious victory over army Mexico ever sent into the
confident of success, in an almost impregnable

position,

to one. battle

and with an overwhelming force, at least three There were two thousand troops not in the of tlie 8th, who crossed the river the evening of
of the 9th.
veterans of twenty successful battles, and

that day, expressly to join in the battle

They were
in their

own

country, upon whichever side they fought,

victory perched.
sition,

Every thing was

;

in their favor
all

po-

numbers, confidence

and, yet, with

these,

they
of

failed.

History does not furnish a more striking

battle than "

Resaca de

la

Palma," the battle of the

victory, that

9tl4

May.

So confident were they of

it

Amthen
it

pudia, speaking to Captain Thornton,

their prisoner, said "

who was

was

utterly impossible that

numbers alone were sufficient, independent of those veteran regiments." General La Vega said that "if he had any sum of money in camp, he should have considered it as safe as if at the city of Mexico and he would have bet any amount that no ten thousand men could have driven them." The dead, dying, and wounded were strewed in every diOur brilliant victory was purchased with the rection. blood of some gallant souls. Our loss in this action was three officers and thirtysix men killrd, twelve officers and fifty-nine men wounded. The names of the officers killed are. Lieutenant Z. Inge, 2d Dragoons Lieutenant R. E. Cochand Lieutenant T. L. Chad bourne, rane, 4th Infantry
could be otherwise
;

that their

8th Infantry.

The wounded
4th
Artillery,

officers are, Colonel

M.

M. Payne,

acting

inspector-general

;;

lOU

LAMTAIGN SKKTCUEri
J. S.
;

Colonel

M'Intosh, 5th Infantry

Captain A. Hooe,

5th Inaintry

Captain
P.

W.

Lieutenant S. H. Fowler, 5th Infantry R. Montgomery, Lieutenants J. Selden, R.

Maclay,C. F. Morris, C. R. Gates, J. G. Burbank, and C. D. Jordan, 8th Infantry and Lieutenant S. D. DobWe captured from the enemy, eight bins, 3d Infantry. pieces of artillery, two thousand stand of arms, two hundred mules, a great number of packs and the necessary appurtenances, all the baggage and camp equipage of the army, and one hundred and fifty thousand rounds
;

of musket cartridges. gage and papers fell

colonel,

All General Arista's private baginto our hands,

from which much

important information was obtained.

lieutenants

One

general, one
five

one lieutenant-colonel, four captains, and

were taken prisoners. Three captains and and they acfour lieutenants were buried on the field knowledge that forty-eight officers, besides these, are The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, missing. and missing can not be less than two thousand. It was
;

a victory achieved by the ai^my proper, and, as such,

doubly dear to

us.

Genon his horse in the thickest of the fight, with his sword drawn, while the balls were Colonel C, the amiable sutler of rattling around him. the 4th Infantry, formerly mayor of Augusta, Ga., and well known for his courage and kindness of disposition, remarked to him that he was exposing his person very much, and proposed to him to retire a short distance
acts of individual daring are recorded.
sitting

Many

eral

Taylor w^as

" Let us ride a

little

nearer, the balls will fall behind

us,'^

Lieutenant Lincoln, of the 8th, killed two Mexicans with his saber.
the general's reply.
It

was

is

a great pity

we were

unable to follow up our

success.

Had we

crossed the river the niijht of the

f^OUNDATlOK^.

I!ll!

Ill:

i
!

Iff

"

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

battle,

1U3

blow

as

Matamoras would have been ours without a It was with it is, we may have to fight for it.
deep regret

we heard, upon our arrival, of Major Brown, the commanding officer of the fort. He was struck in the leg by a shell, on the 6th of May amputation became necessary; but from
feelings of

the death of

confinement
rally.

in a

bomb-proof, and debility arising from

excessive fatigue and watching, his system could not

He

died a few hours before the cry of victory

reached him.
the general

He was
full

a brave and gallant soldier, and

knew

well into whose hands the defense

The bones of every man up in it before he would have surrendered. He has earned for himself, and the re'^iment to which he belonged, a glorious reputation, which must be shared with Lowd's and Bragg's batCaptain Hawkins, of the 7th, the next in rank, teries. assumed command when Major Brown was w^ounded. The defenders of the fort have suffered every thing they have been harassed night and day, and all looked haggard from the want of sleep. From the morning of the 3d to the afternoon of the 9th of May, they were subjected to an incessant bombardment. The enemy completely invested them, and established three batteries, producing a cross-fire upon the work. Genof the fort w^as intrusted.

would have been

piled

eral Arista
to

summoned them
w^as

to surrender, representing

no chance of General Taylor's comIt was promptly and most posiing to their succor. The enemy had fired at them some tively declined. two thousand seven hundred shells and shot, killing one officer, one sergeant, and wounding thirteen privates. Their small loss can hardly be credited a special Providence seemed to have intervened to preserve them from

them there

destruction.

When

the

armv marched

for Point Isabel,

104

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
;

and they, all the cnmp women were left at Fort Brown poor creatures, underwent the horrors of the siege. I would have rather fought twenty battles than have
passed through the bombardment of Fort Brown. On the 10th we were actively employed burying the
dead.

Lieutenants Inge, Chadbourne, and Cochrane

;

were buried with funeral honors the unsodded grave by the road side, with its rude paling, marks the spot where sleep those who died gallantly in battle. The Mexican prisoners were employed burying their dead. On the 11th Captain Thornton and his party were
exchanged, and, to the great joy of their friends, they Lieutenant Deas was also arrived in the afternoon.
returned.

General La Vega, with other prisoners, were The former declines his parole, sent to Point Isabel. and goes to New Orleans. General Taylor and staff left for Point Isabel, and the army marched and occupied their old camp.
Headquarters, Anny of Occupation, Resaca de la Palma, May 11, 1846.
) )

Order No. 59.

The commanding general congratulates the army under his command upon the signal success which
has crowned
its

recent operations against the enemy.

The

coolness and readiness of the troops during the

'

action of the 8th, and the brilliant impetuosity with

which the enemy's position and artillery were carried on the 9th, have displayed the best qualities of the American soldier. To every officer and soldier of his

command,
the noble

the general publicly returns his thanks for

in which they have sustained the honor of the service and of the country. While the main body of the army has been thus act-

manner

ively employed, the garrison

left

opposite

Matamoras

'I'lii:

WMi WITH

Mexico.

105

has rendered no less distinguished service by sustaining a severe cannonade

and bombardment

lor

many

successive days.

The army and country, while justly rejoicing in this triumph of our arms, will deplore the loss of many brave officers and men, who fell gallantly in the hour
of combat.
It

being necessary for the

visit

Point Isabel on public business, Colonel

will assume command of the Matamoras, including the garrison of the field-work. He will occupy the former lines of the army, making

commanding general to Twiggs corps of the army near

such disposition for defense, and for the comfort of his command, as he may deem advisable. He will hold
himself strictly on the defensive until the return of the

commanding

general.
:

By

order of Brigadier-general Taylor

W. W.
On
the 12th

S. Bliss, Assistant Adjutant-general.

we

received the melancholy intelligence

of the death of Major Ringgold.

Isabel on the 11th of

He

died at Point

honors on the
Point,
in the service.

May, and was buried with funeral 12th. He was a graduate of West

and esteemed one of the best Artillery officers For some time he commanded a battery of Light Artillery, and brought that arm of the service to great perfection, and lived to see its efficiency exemplified upon the field of battle. He was a high-toned, chivalric soldier, and his death is universally regretted. The wounded of the enemy were sent over to Matamoras to be attended to by their own
surgeons.

Colonel Twiggs took receipts for those

turned over other than exchanged.

solemn silence bancs round the citv

we

see no

lot)

CA.MI'AIC^N

.SKETCHES OF

military displays, no music

even the dogs have ceased

some horrible murders by a party of rancheros. were crossing the country
ol'

barking.

We

heard to-day
1st of

committed on the

May

party of sixteen citizens

from Corpus

Two of the party were women. Christi. They were surprised, and captured near the Colorado. They were stripped, tied together by two's, taken across
and
then thrown into the stream.
;

the river, had their throats cut with a large knife,

were

Two

of them

escaped by swimming

one of them, William Rogers,

without any thing to eat,
in the

wandered
amoras.

for five days,

chaparral, and

was finally captured and taken to MatHe was sent over by General Arista, and is
the treatment of our medical officers.

now under
ing?

Was

ever any thing more barbarous, more perfectly shock-

Nothing of any interest occurred on the 13th. Rewere received that many of the enemy were deserting, and that the " morale" of the army was destroyed. General Taylor returned on the 14th. Four companies of the 1st Infantry, under Lieutenant-colonel Wilson, have arrived at the Brasos, and five companies An expedition, under the command of the Volunteers. of Colonel Wilson, has been organized to march upon
ports
Burita.

On
the

the 15th and 16th the river was examined with view of selecting a point to cross. On the 17th

the general decided

lected,

we

should

move

to the point secity.

and commence operations against the

We

struck our tents early in the morning.

stir

Our unusual

and activity was seen by the enemy, and no doubt

attributed to the proper cause.

We were all anxiously

when we were informed

awaiting the order to move,

a parley had been sounded by the enemy, and that a

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

107

deputation from General Arista had crossed to see

General Taylor.
it
;

General Ricardo was at the head of

Arista proposed to enter into an armistice until

they could hear from Mexico, not doubting the boundsettled. General Taylor said, "No, had offered them one some time since had evinced the most friendly disposition that they would not agree to it when his army was weak, and now, that re-enforcements had arrived, he should dictate his own terms." Ricardo wished to know if the general intended taking Matamoras. He said, " Yes." General Ricardo offered to surrender all the public property, ammunition, &c., if he would not cross. The general said, "No, he must have Matamoras, if he had to batter it down, and that now he was prepared to do it." By the train we had received some additional He told him to supplies of ordnance and ammunition. tell General Arista that these, and these only, w^ere his That the city must capitulate, all public propterms. erty, ammunition, provisions, &c., must be given up, and then the army might march out and retire." The deputation then returned to obtain General Arista's answer, which w^as to be communicated at 3 P.M. In the mean time the army marched, and encamped three General Taylor told General Rimiles up the river. cardo that Ampudia had written him the war should be conducted agreeably to the usage of civilized nathat in the last battle the enemy had stripped tions our dead, and mutilated their bodies. General Ricardo replied, " that the women who followed the army, and

ary would now be

that he

rancheros, did

it;

that they could not control them."

^^

Our brave

old general replied,

I am coming

over,

and

ril control them for

yonr

During the evening active preparations were made

108
to cross
tlie

CAMPAIGN SKETCHED OF
troops.

No
The

reply

was given

to the gen-

eral's proposition.

country people

commenced
the

crossing to us, and reported the

city,

army had deserted

and
the

retired.

morning of the 18th confirmation was received of the reported flight of Arista and his army. The Early in the morning, the scare was still working. Walker's company of Rangers, the Dragoons, Captain

On

companies of the different battalions, Ridgely's battery, and the 5th Infantry were crossed, and took up a favorable position to cover the passage. I regret to record that, in crossing. Lieutenant Stevens, of the
light

He was a fine young 2d Dragoons, was drowned. his death ollicer, much beloved by his regiment For what singular threw a gloom over the camp. destinies are we reserved, and how certainly and irre;

sistibly

one has

to

advance and

fulfill

his fate!

He
;

was among

those gallant fellows

who

stared death in

the face in the late brilliant charge of Captain

May

with balls scattering around him in every direction, his

life

was

spared, only to be resigned in a few days in

the waters of the Bravo.

The

flight

of the

enemy having been undoubtedly

to

ascertained, and the civil authorities of the city having

invited General

Taylor

take possession of

it,

the

crossing of the remainder of the

the upper ferry of the city.

army was effected at Upon our approach to the

in possession
in

ferry

we saw

our troops were

Paredes, and busily engaged

of Fort preparing to run up

our

flag.

Just as

we

reached the bank, Captain Ker, of

it

the 2d Dragoons, ran

up

it

floated gracefully in the

breeze, and proudly

waved over Mexico.

The men of

the advance sent up three hearty cheers to

the flag of their country.

welcome There was a rope stretched

THE WAR

Wl'J'lI

MEXICO.

109

across the river, and three boats

manned by Mexicans
felicity

ready

to transport us.

We

had the

of being

ferried across by the enemy.

As they

landed, each com-

When

pany was formed and awaited the arrival of the others. the whole of the 3d was formed, it moved off to

the right, to the tune of "

Yankee Doodle."
1

Did you

ever hear

it,

dear reader

a foreign land, just

!

reckon you never did, in conquered by good, honest hard

?

blows If you have, you never heard such an honest cheer as arose from the gallant fellows on the opposite

bank when the drum and fife gave us that air, which fills at all times an American's breast with the purest patriotism. All was excitement, and every one boiling over with " amor patria)." It was a proud day for the American army. Citizens in crowds came down many of them, who ten days ago would to see us have cut our throats, were now apparently our warmest friends, shook our hands heartily, and cried lustily
;

" amigo."

saw some signs of the hurry in which As we landed near the fort, boxes of destroyed ammunition were visible, and it was rumored that two pieces of artillery were thrown into the river. The army left most precipitately, during the day and night of the 17th of May, taking with them,
here
Arista had
left.

We

as

it

appears, eleven pieces of artillery, and any thing

hut a large supply of ammunition.

complete than

we have

claimed.

Arista had not over three

Our victory is more The citizens say that thousand men with him.

What
sand
tles
?

has become of the remainder of the seven thouMany, no doubt, deserted, but the bloody bat-

of the 8th and 9th of

tell

May, and

the " whirlpools of

the Bravo," can

the tale.

The
Vol.

troops

were encamped above and below the

l.K

110
city.
it
;

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

We had

but our worthy general

say, are
full

indulged the hope of being quartered in saw fit to direct otherwise.

of curiosity
;

Women, they
felt

but

if

they ever

more than we did to see that city, I say God help them. We had encamped but a short time before a party of us rode to the city to gratify that consuming passion. Never have I been more disappointed never did distance more thoroughly lend "enchantment to the view." I first rode up to the Plaza, which is quite a The houses large square, surrounded by china trees.
;

the lower and the second story as part used as stores or offices, dwellings. The walls are very massive, and their windows barred, so that one thinks they were built for deStRiets diverge from the Plaza, and are crossed fense. by others. The Cathedral occupies a large space on one side of the square, and is an unfinished mass of masonry. Directly opposite to the Cathedral is the prison properly situated, the poison and the antidote. There are a great many stores, and a market-house

facing the square are built of brick or stone

w^hich
tals

is

well supplied.
filled

visited the different hospi-

they are

with the wounded and dying.

could
tell

The

stench that arose from them, for the want of police,

was

disgusting.

You

at a glance the
la

wound-

Palma. The latter were mostly bullet wounds; the amputated limbs told
ed of Palo Alto or Resaca de
of the cannon's fearful execution in the former.

Beside
seat-

one poor fellow a beautiful

ed,

girl

of seventeen

was

She was his wife. In another corner a family group, the mother and her children, were seated by the wounded father. One bright-eyed little girl quite took my fancy, and my heart bled to
keeping off the
flies.

think that thus early she should be introduced to so

much wretchedness.

On one bed was

a corpse

on

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

another, one

HI
He showed
the hospital
left their

was

dying, holding in his hand the grape-

shot that had passed through his breast.

it

to us

with a sad countenance.

little

left

shocked with the horrors of war.

The enemy

wounded comrades, with very

wants.
:

attention to their

I next rode round the city some distance from the Plaza the houses became more detached, surrounded by yards containing various tropical trees and flowers ;^

many
it is

of the roofs are thatched, and in the outskirts of

the city the

common
The

"jacal" prevails.

On

the whole,
I

one of the most indifferent and

left

filthy cities

have

ever seen.

greater part of the genteel population

have

in

about one house in three of the more hum-

ble cast, one of the family

was

diligently searching the

lice,

heads of the others.

It is

said they are some for

and that disagreeable reflection made me think it was time to depart for camp. Colonel Twiggs has had the especial charge of the city, as far as the discovery and collection of the public

property was concerned.

The
it

general declined

in-

terfering with the municipal authorities.

He

is

a lawcourse,

abiding man, and prefers that

unless interference
is

should take

its

positively necessary.

The worhis

thy colonel has a

tle

way
felt

of his

own

in

throwing

man-

of protection mid fin(l-out-a-tive?iess over

the effect of
it.

all,

and the

alcalde has often

He

has carried

on

his
;

cess

examination with the greatest energy and sucdiscovering several pieces of small ordnance, all
a great deal of

kinds of munitions of war, a large

corn, lumber, tobacco, and cigars
:

number of muskets, pow- ^

'

der and fixed ammunition had been thrown into the wells. The alcalde manifested no great willingness to

make

discoveries, but the colonel

was

too

much

for

112
him.

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

The government

enjoys the monopoly of the sale

it.

of tobacco, deriving an immense revenue from

sell the plain leaf at six cents

They

These municollecting since Santa Anna's tions of war have been Large quantities of aninvasion of Texas in 1836. chors were discovered, intended to be used in anchoring boats and bridges upon which to cross their armies
per ounce.
during their march into Texas,

can not but repeat, that

all

we

all feel

proud that these

conquests have been effected by the

army proper.

We

were
press,

aware of

the undeserved remarks that had

been made in reference to us by some portions of the and representatives in Congress, and we only asked for an opportunity, few as we were, to prove to
our country she had a safe anchor in our small but gallant force. By far the great majority of the officers

were graduates of the Military Academy

duty, and

all

did their

many

distinguished themselves

by

their skill

and thorough knowledge of their profession. All arises from their instruction received at that best of instituIn the hour tions, the West Point Military Academy. of our country's danger she will always prove her usefulness, and her graduates will show to their country and the world that the money expended in the education of so talented a corps of officers has not been thrown away; richly will she be repaid for every cent expendOur Alma Mater may be proud of her sons coned. spicuously have they shown themselves soldiers upon
;

the field of battle.

Away,

hereafter, with opposition to

forth, for the country's servfitted for

an institution which sends

*
I

ice,

yearly, a class of
in
life.

young gentlemen

any

walk

THE VVAU WJTII MEXICO.

113

CHAPTER XL
On
the 19tli of

May

Colonel Garland was sent out

with two companies of Rangers and the Dragoons, to

follow up and observe the course of the retreating

army.
miles
;

He

returned on the 22d, having advanced sixty

fell in

about twenty-seven miles hence he

with
at 10
killed

the rear-guard of the army, and attacked

them
;

P.M.

Two of his men (Rangers)

their

were wounded

two, and wounded two of the enemy, and captured

twenty men with

quite small,

baggage.

His command, being

was not intended

for hostile operations, but

The march of the eneday was attended with great confusion but subsequently they organized and retreated in good How much it is to be regretted we were not order. strong enough to give immediate pursuit a thousand Cavalry would have been valuable beyond price. I paid another visit of curiosity to the city. Mr. B., an American merchant, was kind enough to take me round.
merely a corps of observation.
for the first

my

We

first

visited the city prison

it is

a building of very

thick walls, with a large interior area, along

which the

prison-rooms were ranged

gusting.
is

the

filth

about

it

was

dis-

In the second story of one of the magazines

;

the Hall of Justice

it

occupies the whole depth of

is
;

the building.

At the lower end

a railing inclosing
in the center

the seats for the judges and jury

was a
;

large table, covered with red cloth, with three armchairs for the judges, and one opposite for the clerk
directly opposite the judge's seat

was suspended,
side,

in

frame, the arms of Mexico

on each

along the

K*

114
walls,

campai(;n SKETriiES of

were
and,
if

six seats,

covered with crimson velvet, for

the jury.
lies,"

We

were

told

we were
it

in the "

Holy of Ho-

we had

entered
since,

manner two weeks

unceremonious imprisonment would have

in this

been our least punishment.

We

visited a

gentleman

who showed

us a magnifi-

cent Spanish saddle, valued at 8400.

The pommel

and cantel were of

thing attached to

solid silver,

the covering and every

it

being worked with silver thread.

The gentleman had a very comfortable house; three large rooms opened one into the other paintings and Their a piano gave evidence of taste and refinement. areas and thick walls attract the eye of the visitor they must make the dwelling deliciously cool. Visited the unfinished Cathedral, one room of which has been rudely fitted up for the service of the Church. The furniture around the altar was very neat, but not no diamond as costly as I had been led to suppose and pearl petticoats of " our Lady of Guadaloupe."
;

cigars

General Taylor very properly divided the captured among the command such a happy set of smok;

were seen, and all at the expense of the enemy. There was something consoling in the thought no men have better earned a smoking indulgence by
ing dogs never

smoking work.

None
isiana,

of the volunteers, up to the 22d of

May, had

joined the main army.

LouAlabama, and Texas promptly met the call for troops, and hastened larger re-enforcements than called
state authorities of

The

for to the seat of

war.

We

daily hear of their arrival

General P. F. Smith has arrived, in command of the troops from Louisiana, and is daily expected from Barita, of which place undisputed posat the

Brasos.

session

was taken by the command under Colonel Wil-

TIIC

WAR WITH

MEXICO.

115

son on the
tion

17tli

of

May.

great disproportion exists

between the arrival of troops and means of transporta;

so

much

so, that

the general feels himself anwill be forced to

noyed and crippled, and

keep the
tlie

greater part of the Volunteers encamped near

mouth of the river. General Smith, with his command, and Colonel Wilson, with four companies of the 1st Artillery, arrived on the 24th of May, and encamped opposite Matamoras. The steam-boat Neva arrived the same day, transporting the baggage of the command. The arrival of the steam-boat w^as hailed with
three hearty cheers
;

it

looked quite

like civilization^

and as if our friends were following us up. General Worth returned on the 25th, having with-

drawn

his resignation.

The

citizens of

New
in the

Orleans,

ever just

in patriotic impulses,

shipped

steamer
to
in

Alabama a magnificent horse, which they presented Captain Walker for his courage and perseverance
eftecting a

communication with Fort Brown during its bombardment, and while it was surrounded by the enemy.

Upon

the reception of the intelligence of the capture

of Captain Thornton and his

command,

the President

of the United States addressed a message to Congress

(on the 12th of May), recommending a declaration of war, and calling for men and money to prosecute it

with vigor.
ing of
fifty

the recommendation, passed a

Congress sustained law authorizing the raisthousand Volunteers, and appropriated ten
the 13th of

On

May

millions of dollars for the expenses of the war.

The

promptly called upon the governors of the different states for their quotas, and officers were immediately sent to different points to muster into servSecretary of
ice the organized regiments.

War

These regiments were

11(3

CAMPAIGN ^^KKTCHES OF
Instructions

enlisted for twelve months.

were sent

to

muster out of service all the volunThey teers vv^ho would not enlist for twelve months. were originally enlisted for six months. Those disGenenil Taylor
to

charged consisted of the Louisiana Volunteers, comprising General Smith's brigade, the regiments commanded by Colonels Reyton and Featherston the St. Louis Legion, three companies of Alabama Volunteers under Captains Desha, Plate, and Elmore, and the battalion, from the same state, commanded by LieutenantThe prompt action of Congress gives colonel Raiford.
;
*"

proof to the world that a Republic, naturally averse to

war, and anxious to cultivate peace,

is

at all

times

ready and willing to vindicate its rights and confront its invaders. How promptly the good citizens have
responded
to the call of the executive
!

IIow unani!

mous has been

an

the action of the whole country

What
it

irresistible influence

our action must carry with

across the " big water."

that interferes with rising,

Woe

crowned head onward, onw^ard America

to the
!

On

questions affecting our national honor,

we

are one

No

matter w^hat our internal dissensions,

when

the foe

appears, united

we meet

him.

This war, decidedly

not a popular one, tests the strength of our institutions.

'

Talk of the instability of this government A division of this Union will never take place." On the 23d of April war was declared by a manifesto issued at the city of Mexico by President Paredes, and transmitted to his generals commanding on the
!

In opposition to the strenuous exertions of our government to effect an amicable compromise ot our difficulties, it seems it w^as the determination of
frontier.

their
futile

government

to

commence

hostilities,

and make a
di-

attempt to reconquer Texas.

No

doubt our

'J'llE

WAR

WlTfl MEXICO.

117

minutive force urged them on, with the belief an easy

was at hand. A more respectable force might have prevented the war. Under all circumstances, it must be borne in mind that Mexico commenced hostilivictory
ties

that she fired the first gun.

To

render the regiments more

of

efficient,

about the

latter part

May

four companies from each

were

or-

dered to be broken up, the men to be distributed among the remaining five, and the officers of those broken up
to be sent

on the recruiting service.

On
first

Hugh M'Leod, Esq., issued the American paper west of the Rio Grande it was
the 1st of June,
;

called the " Republic of the Rio Grande, and the People's

Friend." On the Ctli of June, Lieutenant-colonel Wilson, with four companies of the 1st Infantry, Price's

company of Rangers, and a section of Bragg's battery, under Lieutenant Thomas, left for Reynosa. The authorities of the
signified,

town, soon after the

fall

of

Matamoras,

through a delegation to General Taylor, their willingness to give it up. It is situated on the river,
sixty miles

above Matamoras. General Taylor turned all his energies toward eflJecting a speedy advance but the deficiency of transportation was again a stumbling-block. It Was necessary that all the towns and prominent points on the river
;

should be occupied, between Matamoras and Camargo,

as the latter
is

destined to be our base of operations on

all

Monterey, and

our provisions and stores will be

the Legislature

transported there by steam.

On the 9th of June the committee from

tions of that
tories.

of Louisiana presented to General Taylor the resolu-

They voted him

in front

body upon the occasions of the late vica sword. The ceremony was
of his tent, nearly
all

performed

the officers of

118
the

CAMPAIGN rfKETCHES OF

army being present. Mr. Cole, on the part of the made the general a very happy speech, to which he briefly, but feelingly replied. It was an incommittee,
teresting ceremony,
eral felt justly proud.

and one of which our noble genImmediately afterward a splenall

did collation

made

us

quite happy.

On

the 10th of

June Governor Henderson arrived

from Texas, with a large command of volunteers.

He

marched across
riving in great
States.

the country.

The

volunteers are ar-

numbers by every transport from the Mr. Shatsel, our consul at Matamoras, arrived from Tampico on the 11th of June. He was ordered away from Matamoras, at a moment's warning, by General Ampudia, and, of course, was exposed to
all

the suffering incident to traveling over a wilderness

country, w^ithout any conveniences.

zens are becoming more at

genteel classes are

home with

us

The good citimany of the

;

showing themselves. There is a some m6st strikgreat deal of beauty among them

ingly beautiful faces.

least
I call it

They
if

lead a luxurious

life,

at

any of my readers have inhabited a southern clime, and felt the enervating effects
so
;

and

of the climate, they will agree with me.

They

sit all

day long
tied

in buildings

with thick walls and brick floors,

suits

with their beautiful

possibly fancy

of hair nicely braided and

you can evening they emerge like bees from their hives, take possession of their balconies, and enjoy one of the most delicious evening climates that God has ever granted to poor mortals. I apply
up, having the least quantity of dress
;

and

in the

this,

of course, to the better class, for the

is

filth

of the

other

not endurable.

They

are very sociable, and

will permit

you

to stop at their lattice

faces, wiiether

windows and
lazi-

gaze on their beautiful

from sheer


TilC

WAU WITH
I

MEXICO.

H'J

ness, or love of admiration,

If

will not pretend to decide.

you are a lover of nature unadorned you can gratify your taste by walking up to Fort Paredes any pleasant evening, and witness the fair ones bathing in the Rio Grande no offense is taken by looking at them
;

enjoying their aquatic amusements.

In the charge led by the gallant

May were
little

poor
the

Inge and Lieutenant Sackett

when May gave

word "Charge
est,

!''

Sackett's horse, being a

the quickfire

got the
said
to

start.

May

In the midst of the enemy's Sackett, " Sackett, that's not fair
;

you

took the jump on me."

Lieutenant Sackett's horse

shot,

was

almost at that
water-hole
ficulty
;

moment

and

fell

with

hiiPi

into a

he fell upon Sackett, who with great difdisengaged himself, with the loss of his sword gaining the bank, he seized a horse from a Mexican dragoon, took a sword from a Mexican officer, mount;

ed

his

charger, and joined in the " melee."

When

the

battle

was over he returned

to

the

sword

to the officer.

Corporal Farrel, of the 4th Infantry, with ten men,

came up

Lieutenant Hays, of the 4th, and exclaimed,

" Lieutenant, if

we had

an

officer to lead us,

we

could
the

take that piece," referring to one that

"

was pouring

leaden messengers of death" into our poor fellows.

"

You
:

shall not

say you had no

/"

officer to lead you, cor-

poral

follow me

was

the reply of the fearless

Hays

and away they dashed, stormed the battery, and took it Such, such is the character of the American officer and It must not be thought the enemy did not soldier. They fought, at first, like devils! The piles of fight. wounded along their lines tell how they stood up
to
it.

The Tampico Regiment,

It is

the 6th and 10th Insaid a battalion of the

fantry, suffered the most.

"

Garda

Costa's" of Tampico, numbering

two hundred

120

CAMPAICiN SKETCIlEri OF
fifty, left

and

two hundred dead and wounded upon the

to
its

field.

The river has risen many places overflown

an immense height, and in It will be quite fabanks.

vorable to our operations, provided the rise does not Lieutenant-colonel subside before our boats arrive.

Payne

is

ordered to Washington, to convey the stand-

ards and other trophies taken from the enemy. Our wounded are generally doing very well, except Captain

Page, who, it is thought, can not recover. Early in July our steam-boats commenced arriving. The 7th Infantry, under the command of Captain Miles, left for Reynosa, on their way to Camargo, on the 6th

and 7th of July. These companies took water transThey portation, and the remainder started to march. w^ere compelled to relinquish the prosecution of it by the back-water from the river, and were forced at last For many years such a to take water transportation. It is a mighty current. freshet has not been known. The Mexicans say there has been a special interposition of Divine to rise so that to

Providence

in

our favor, causing the river

we can

transport our troops and supplies

Camargo without any trouble. If they really think so, the omen must be any thing but favorable to their It certainly never was intended this lovely cause.
land, rich in every production, with a climate that ex-

ceeds any thing the imagination can conceive of, should remain in the hands of an ignorant and degenerate race.

The

finger of Fate points, if not to their eventual ex-

time when they will cease to be owners, and when the Anglo-American race will rule wath republican simplicity and justice, a land literally "flowing with milk and honey ;" who will, by their superior mental, if not physical abilities by their energy and
tinction, to the

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

go-a-head-a-tiveness,

121

which no

suflferings or privations
in the frozen

can retard, which shines aUke

the

regions of

North and under the burning sun of the South, renfertility

der available the surprising

race of

of the

soil, its

im-

mense mineral wealth, and populate the country with a

men who

will

prove the

infinite
is

goodness of our

and some good purpose. No part of Texas surpasses in fertility, or equals in salubrity, the Valley of the Rio Grande. The river courses its way from the mountains through a varied climate, which will produce any thing, from wheat to sugar and cotton. Nothing can exceed the rich growth of vines. The melon flourishes, and our camp is daily
in creating

Maker

nothing but what

for use

supplied with fine water-melons.

try
is

This region of coun;

bound
it

to

be settled very rapidly

if

nothing else

points

out as a desirable location, the fact of the Rio

really a iiavigahle stream
is

Grande being

sufficient.

few regions can surpass it. There are no causes for disease there are no swamps, which, in the heat of summer, throw out their poisonous miasma the banks are high, and the country preserves that character to the Colorado. Let this boundary be settled, and there will be a tide of emigration to this favored region rarely equaled. If some of our northern farmers would settle here, they could make one flowergarden of the river banks, from its source to its mouth. Cultivation can be carried on by white labor, I think, beyond a doubt. No summer climate can exceed it in
In point of health,
; ;

loveliness

the everlasting breeze deprives the sun of

!

much of its heat. Such evenings Such a morn Young people should come here to make love the old
;

should emigrate and rejuvenate themselves.

To

the

former

say, the

moon

shines with such bewitching

Vol. I. L

122

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

sweetness, no matter
" the

how determined
it

they

may

be to

live ajid die maids, they will find

little

impossible to resist

god

:"

to the latter,

some of the romance of

days will be renewed, and their frames invigorated by the ocean breeze, which comes every evening laden with coolness and health. As the transportation arrives, the general will push
their early

forward

his forces.

The

court for the

trial

of Captain

Thornton met on the 10th. Two of the Catholic clergymen, appointed chaplains to the army, have arrived. These appointments will be productive of much good. The Mexicans have been told they would be persecuted " for conscience' sake ;" that we would tolerate no religion but the Protestant and their priests have added all the fuel to the flame they could, to produce
;

the impression
that
civil

among

these poor, ignorant creatures

we

are a set of savage barbarians.

military,

Our

acts, both

and

contrary, and will

and now religious, will prove the open their eyes to the magnitude of
after victory
is

the attempted deception.

The behavior of our army

session of

as highly

honorable as the victories themselves.

In taking pos-

Matamoras we have not

interfered with ei-

ther the civil or religious rights of the inhabitants.

Their courts of justice are still held, the most perfect is paid to law and order, and every infraction of either is severely punished. The army, instead of
respect

entering the city as conquerors,

suburbs.
for our

encamp

quietly in the

Instead of taking possession of their houses

men,

we remain

aftbrds no protection from the storm,

to protect the soldier

under miserable canvas, which and scarcely shade

have

710

tents,
is

no building

from the noonday sun. Many and yet, under these circumstances, occupied those taken for store-houses
:

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

and public

123

offices are regularly rented. By such conwe have restored confidence to the people the citizens mingle freely among us, walk through our camp,

duct

and feel sure of protection. Such conduct should our countrymen proud of their army.

make

On
ment

the 13th the 5h Infantry

for

commenced their moveCamargo, of which undisputed possession was

Immediately on the receipt

taken by Captain Miles.

the president conferred

of the news of the victories of the 8th and 9th of

May,

upon General Taylor a brevet major-generalcy, and Congress passed a vote of thanks to himself and army. On the 15th of July we received the joyful news that he had been promoted a majorgeneral in the army, and that Colonels Twiggs and Kearney were appointed brigadier-generals. Some time in May General Scott was informed that he would
be sent to take

command

of the

army

in the field, but,

from a misunderstanding between himself and the executive, the authority was withdrawn, and he was ordered
to

remain

at

Washington.

This insured the

command

of the army, for the approaching campaign, to the hero

of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.

Captain Thornton delivered

his

defense on the loth;

and, although the sentence of the court can not be

known, yet we
prise

feel

he

is

honorably acquitted.

By

the

papers received to-day (15th July),

expressed at the

some surtardiness of our movements.

see
first
is just.

we

The grumblers had

inquire
if

better hold their peace, and

their fault-finding

with military details

to

One unacquainted can hardly imagine the number

of obstacles (which can not be anticipated) which arise

prevent our rapid progress.

in

The government
I

has

poured

a very large force, without, at the same time,

sending the necessary transportation.

may have

re-

124
peated
this

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
very often, but
I

can not help

is

it,

for

it is

our
re-

daily complaint.

Transportation does not

grow
let

in this
all

country.

When

any anxiety

expressed,

flect that the

honor of the country is intrusted to a brave and persevering general, who has every inducement to
push forward and win fresh
laurels.
;

Every exertion
it is

is

made

the

Camargo to hire mules time the army is concentrated

at

and

hoped, by

at that point, all will

rest assured they will

if

The people may be ready for a forward movement. have a good account of us and,
;

means do not fail us, the war will be pushed on with energy and perseverance. The scabbard must now be flung away, and the war prosecuted with such determined energy as to bring the Mexican nation to their senses, and teach them there is a point " beyond which
endurance ceases
to

be a virtue."

Our reports of

the

movements of the enemy are of

the most contradictory nature.

Some say
at

they are

making every preparation

to

meet us

Monterey

and others, that there is but a handful of disaffected soldiers to resist our approach. In this country of magnificent distances, where our operations must necessarily be so far from our base, and from which nearly all our subsistence must be drawn, if the people are united against us, and will make this a patriotic struggle, we may find no little difficulty in conquering a peace. We have received news of the new appointments of two major-generals and six brigadiers for the war. General

Hamer

has arrived.

Of

late there

have been several disgraceful

riots in

the city, in which

some of

the volunteers

spicuous, arising from the lax state

were conof discipline in some

its

of the regiments.

The

1st
It is

Brigade commenced

mjovement on the 19th.

commanded by General

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

125
with troops,

Worth.

Every steam-boat goes up

filled

and, returning, transports to the moutli the Louisiana

Volunteers from the camp. General Smith about sixteen miles

gusted
mer's

is

encamped
are
all dis-

above have undergone

this place.
all

They

the hardships of a sum-

the fu'st red'' of a fight.

and return " without congratulate themselves upon retaining the services of General Smith. This valuable officer will continue throughout the cam-

encampment

in this climate,

The army

paign.

Before July 24th Mier was taken, without any

ance.

resist-

The

arrival of our troops at

Camargo was

hailed

with great joy by the people. General Canales, after inflicting numerous pains and penalties upon the good
people,
left just

before our forces arrived.

The

citi-

zens

felt

a security from our presence that their

own

troops did not impart.

They
;

already see

we come
is

not to conquer them, nor to interfere in the slightest de-

gree with their comforts

that justice

our sole object

to

drag

from

their tyrannical rulers so long de-

nied us.

The 3d Brigade commenced

the 28th.
land.
It

their

movement on
up by
first,

w^as decided to take the batteries

Captain Duncan's battery moved

Infantry.
left.

escorted

by a company of the 8th

On

the 4th of

Au-

gust General Taylor and staff

Colonel Garland,

with two companies of Infantry, and Bragg's battery, leave on the 6th and General Twiggs, with the Dra;

goons and Ridgely's battery, remain

until all

have

left.

Matamoras
Clark, with

is

left

in

command

of Lieutenant-colonel

two companies of

Artillery

and a regiment

of Ohio Volunteers, under

The

volunteers

command of Colonel Curtis. designated for Camargo will be pushed

Colonel Hays, with his regi-

forward with rapidity.

126

CAiMPAlGN SKETCHES OF
is

ment of Texas Cavalry,

the south, and join at

Camargo

ordered to make a detour to and now (August 5th),

;

before leaving Matamoras, and opening upon a

new

up a few neglected matters, and record some reflections which have arisen from our first campaign on the Rio Grande. Poor Page has, after suflering a thousand deaths, paid the debt of nature. He died on the steamer Miscampaign,
I

will bring

near Cairo. He was a warm friend, an agreeable companion, a devoted husband and father, and a good and faithful oflicer. He rendered much valuable service in the removal of the Creek Insouri, July 12th,

dians.

It

was

his

the fight at Palo Alto.

good fortune to be in the hottest of It was there he received, at

the

same time with the gallant Ringgold, his mortal wound. Soldier would that thy spirit had passed,
!

with the rapidity of the cannon's

flash, to

thy

Maker

Would

had been spared thee, and thou hadst died on the battle-field, in the arms of victory, with the shout of triumph ringing in thy ears Colonel M'Intosh, I am happy to say, has left for the States, and is rapidly recovering. As I had an account of the manner in which he was wounded from his own lips, I must record it, even at the risk of being thought prosy. When his regiment (5th) deployed in the chaparral, he was mounted. He soon found it was necessary for him to dismount and lead his horse. He
that thy severe sufferings

was
I

in advance, and, to use his own words, as nearly as can recollect them, " I w^as making my way as well as I could, when I was suddenly beset by six Mexicans.
I

was completely taken aback, and had not time

holsters to get

to

reach

my

crossing

my pistols. The rascals two bayonets in my mouth, one

pinned me,
of which
;

forced out, but the other the scamp pressed in

I felt

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

127

my my

teeth go, and the exit of the bayonet at the back of

neck.

I fell

they

left

me

for dead.

About

thirty

feet off, a soldier

was

shot.

Alter shooting him, they

All this time
I

beat his brains out with a musket.

was

playing possum, and thinking of the chances of my esThey gave me several ominous looks, but I precape.
served the character of the animal.
but one,
soldier.

They

all

retired

who amused
I

himself rifling the pockets of the

thought

my

time had come,

when he made

a few steps toward me.

Something alarmed him, and, much against his inclination, he ran away. After carefully satisfying myself the coast was clear, I ceased playing possum, made my way to the troops, and was
led out to the road."
I

think that
in years.

was rather a

tight

place for a
It is

man advanced

a matter of no ordinary pleasure for us to reflect many, if not the majority, of the Volunteer Regiments are commanded by graduates from West Point. Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, and other states have shown that sound appreciation and respect for the advantages which must arise to their troops by being commanded
that

educated for that purpose. They on the battle-field it will tell. Have Has not the ends of this institution been obtained? not the scientific education there acquired been disseminated throughout the country, and upon the first

by

oflicers expressly

may

rest assured,

blast of the

bugle rendered available

triumphantly
it
;

so

The

people have set their seal upon

the votes

of the " bone and sinew" have clearly said, "

cation has fitted you for

Your eduothers will

command

none
in

we have

we

feel

our honor safe

your keeping."

Let those scoffers who sneeringly speak of officers who have resigned, forever hold their peace. Where are Are they found those officers who have resigned ?

128

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

sneaking from service?

duty they

owe

to their

Are they unmindful of the country for their education ?

No

we fearlessly challenge the most evil-disposed to bring charges of want of alacrity in flying to their country's rescue, against those whose miUtary education
!

was received

at that

most glorious

institution.

No

here they are in the

field,

commanding regiments and

companies, to which they have been elected by the people. In the case of Colonel Mitchell, of Ohio, it

was

the intention of the people to run General

Hamer

for that office.

The
threw

general's excellent sense showing

how much more

ell

appropriate the appointment of Mitchhis influence into the scale,

would

be,

and

insured his election.

He

accepted the majority of the

regiment.
spicuous
the

Here we
in

man

see an instance of the most conOhio acknowledging the superiority of

West

Point graduate.

The

appreciation of the
;

government was not quite so sensitive for Major Hamer, upon his arrival in Mexico, received his commission as brigadier-general.

ple properly appreciate,

are required, the

From this we see the peowhen their peculiar services graduates of the Military Academy
;

and

w^ish

it

recorded, that many,

if

not the majority,

of the Volunteers called into service by the Mexican

war, were commanded by gr^aduates fro?n West Point f The army expects nothing for itself; the day for the
appreciation of merit has passed
;

the door for political

favoritism
Rifle

is

opened

into that service,

where

taint

should never enter.

ice, or

The

recent preferments in the

all of any hope of justchance of promotion, no matter how glorious their deeds. But in all these our disgusts and troubles, there is an infinite satisfaction and pleasure for those who love, and reverence, and hug unto themselves the

Regiment have deprived

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

129

memorials of their boyhood's military days whose fill with tears, and whose hearts swell with emotion w^hen reflecting upon the happy, happy moments in the reflection that, spite spent at dear old West Point of every eflJbrt to keep the talent and learning there foseyes

tered, buried,
ces,

when

the country

demanded

their servi-

regiments were promptly brought into the

first

men whose

military aspirations
Point.

field by were breathed on

the plains of

West

How
its

magnificently has the Horse Artillery proved

efficiency.

After witnessing

its

destructive effects

on the field of the 8th and 9th of May, more particularly on the former, the most skeptical must be convinced it is an arm that throws any amount of strength into an army, and actually makes up in its dreadful efIt needs the fostering ficiency for want of numbers. The companies should have care of the government.
extra
ed.

men
The

to supply the place of the killed

and wound-

necessity for

it

was
had

fully exemplified in the

late battles,

when

officers

to

gunners, under a heavy

fire.

The
in

dismount and act as officer has all he can

do

to direct,

without assisting

W'orking his piece.

Reader, have you any idea of the fighting condition of the army on the 8th and 9th of May, as regards their
officers?

In those battles there

his

was

not afield officer

who enjoyed

proper command hut General Taylor.

all its field officers

One regiment had

absent

its

col-

onel for years laid upon the shelf;

onel, in the vigor of his
life,

its

lieutenant-col-

at this critical juncture,

down by disease its major, a gallant soldier, but broken down in constitution this regiment was comcut
;
;

manded by
its

a captain

Another had
for years

its

colonel absent,

lieutenant-colonel enjoying a brigadier's

command,

its

major bed-ridden

This regiment was

130

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
a brevet major.

commanded by

Another regiment, its its major enjoying a brigadier's command: this regiment was commanded by a captain, and only one captain led his comcolonel and lieutenant-colonel absent,

pany.

battalion ivom four i^egiments vfdiS

command-

ed by a captain
field-officer

by

brevet a lieutenant-colonel

not a

the officers

Some of to either was present. were gallant fellows, necessarily deprived of the chance of glory by sickness but many were absent, who have not for years, and never will do any more service. Is it fair, is it just, the juniors should be performing their duty and reap none of the advantages ?
belonging
;

Is

it

just

they should retain their high rank

it ?

until

death
in sub-

deprives them of
the service
;

doing no good, but great harm, to

keeping young and active

so
that,

men back

ordinate grades until age crawls upon them, and

makes

them likewise inefficient

fasten

when promotion

comes, they are good for nothing but to carry out and

upon the army the old system of broken-down

?

and

inefficient officers

Take another view

whose physique has

of the injustice of the case.

In

a fierce and bloody battle, where are those officers

time at the Springs,

them ? Some wasting their hope of resuscitating constitutions already broken down by hard and honorable service others bed-ridden, having given up all hopes of drawing that sword which, in the vigor of their manhood, they wielded with a strong arm and stout
left

in the

heart in the service of their country.

juniors
?

Where

are the

Coolly and undauntedly standing a cannon-

ade, or

storming a battery vomiting forth death at

!

every flash. What gain they by it 1 Glory All well enough but they can not live upon glory. Do No! They hazard their lives, they gain promotion?
;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

131

while those who enjoy the rank are absent. They pass through a hopeless struggle, one that holds out no inducement one that, if the deadly battery is silenced,
;

the guns spiked, the officer performing the gallant deed can exclaim, " Well, I am safe, hut a lieutenant stills

retired

list

has become essentially necessary for the

well-being and efficiency of the service.

sity for
it is

The
it

neces-

a crying evil

we must have

sooner or

later, or the

army

will

degenerate into utter worthlessnot written to

ness by the weight of a mill-stone of old, worn-out, and

inefficient officers.

This

is

wound

the

from the past services or merits of officers who have " done the state some service." It is a solemn fact, and it can not he denied. No offense should be taken at it. Every thing, be it animate or inanimate, has its growth, perfection, and decay. You
feelings, or detract

might as well keep the old tree, almost falling from age, which is destroying every thing in its vicinity by the

worms and
ers,

caterpillars
it

it

attracts

and imparts

to oth-

simply because
its

shades the play-grounds of our

childhood, and at
no, the

foot

we

learned lessons of
;

wisdom

good gardener removes the tree not, however, without feelings of regret, and in its place plants the young and vigorous sapling, which, in its time, arrives at maturity, and then decays and is replaced by others. But the government, in removing, must provide for them, so that they may live without want to a green and happy old age, " fighting their battles o'er," and feeling proud of the deeds of the youngsters. While such have been the operations on land, the squadron under Commodore Conner was engaged in Prethe thankless task of blockading the Gulf ports. vious to the 8th of May, the commodore, feeling there

was a

certainty of a conflict on land, sailed with his

132

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

whole squadron for the Brasos, to offer all the assistance in his power to General Taylor. A command of five hundred marines and sailors were landed on the 8th, under the command of Captain Gregory, to assist Another in the defense of the fort in case of attack. command of five hundred marines and sailors, under Captain Aulick, proceeded up the Rio Grande to act in concert with the expedition of Colonel Wilson against Burita. An unsuccessful attack was made upon the Shots small town of Alvarado on the 8th of August. were exchanged, resulting in no injury on either side.

To

the great astonishment of a majority of officers, the

;

attempt was abandoned

the reason assigned, the

diffi-

culty in crossing the bar, and an approaching storm.

CHAPTER
August
5th.

XII.

Colonel Garland's

command

of four

companies of Infantry, and Bragg's battery, took up their line of march for Camargo. Nothing could exceed the miserable condition of the roads
the previous days had
:

the rain of
in

made them ankle-deep

to

mud.

The whole

population of the district through which

see us
;

we

must confess we presented but a sorry appearance, even if the fife and di'um did keep up, with a perfect vim, the good old tune of " The girl I left behind me." Owing to the

marched turned out

flooded condition of the country,

we were
;

forced to

make a

" detour" of

some

thirty miles

and, instead of

taking our proper course, which

started southeast.

ras

is

situated

was nearly west, we Matamowas completely inundated, making the

The

flat

land upon which

M
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

133
After march-

march

fatiguing for

men and

animals.

we ascended another table or shelf of land which was somewhat less

ing four miles through thick chaparral,

humid.
the soil

Passed a few indifferently-cultivated ranches

was very rich, and the growth of mesquite abundant. About seven miles from the city, entered a beautiful oblong prairie in the center was an extens;

ive slash, filled with every species of plover

a large

herd of horses dashing through the water gave animation to the scene. Encramped, after a march of twelve miles, on the borders of a pretty pond the grazing w^as
;

and the men refreshed themselves by bathing. August 6th. Marched at daybreak the roads, if possible, were heavier than ever, and a drenching shower previous to marching did not improve them. The road for the first six miles continued through a thick growth of mesquite. Some Mexicans we opportunely met informed us that our guide, instead of turncapital,
;

ing off at the proper road, was taking us toward Linares,

the headquarters of the

Mexican army.
it

Our small
could not un-

force

would have cut a

the rascal did
;

figure at such

an introduction
I

Whether
derstand
it

intentionally,

but

if his

face

marked him

villain.

was an index of his intentions, We know we are right now,

us

for

we

are following the tracks of Captain Duncan's

battery,

who preceded

leaving the Linares road, our course

the country
tiful

some two weeks. After was nearly w^est,

into a beau-

becoming higher, and opening

prairie, picturesquely dotted

with the mesquite, and

In the midst

a beautiful shrub of the acacia species.

of the prairie,

we met

melons
minute,

for the

Mexican with a cart-load of Matamoras market he sold them in a

a
;

much

to his delight

and

ou?^

refreshment.

Stopped " VoL.

to

noon"

at a pond,

near which was a mis-

134
erable "jacal."

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES, ETC.

Two

remarkably fine-looking Mexi-

can

women and
:

a girl of eighteen gave us something

to look at

the eldest

stone, grinding corn,

was on her knees at the metatmaking it up into cakes, and bakTortillas are

ing tortillas upon a plate of sheet-iron.

the universal food of the Mexicans.

The
is

process of
until

making
the hull

it

is

simple enough
off,

the corn
it

soaked
it is

comes

rendering

so soft that

easily

ground on the metat-stone with a stone roller. The metat is a species of burr-stone. The corn, as fast as ground, is made up into thin cakes, and immediately baked, making a very palatable bread combined with
;

milk, they are delicious.

In this miserable building

were

relics of better days, in the

shape of a glass canlittle

dle-shade, and a plaster figure, a

boy, pencil in

hand, writing on a tablet.

night

Our march from our noon halt to the camp for the was a decided improvement. The ground was
drier, and,

much

arral, passing

with the exception of a belt of chapthrough which the heat was intense,
in

through a beautiful prairie,

which we derived some

encamped at it was a town, but it is the custom of the country to give names to simple ranchos, and generally to those which are used as camping places, from the fact of their having water. The proprietor of this lived at Matamoras he
comfort from a delightful breeze.

We

Maguella

one would think, from the name,

owns,
ter

in

one body, four leagues of land, and has quite

beautiful girls.
;

a number of" peones" to cultivate

were

it some of the latThis " peone" system is fully

;

equal to our slavery

is

work

for the sake of

sinfully held out to the former,

redemption and never thought of

by
ter

the latter.
:

The men

sufl^ered for the

want of wa-

marched eighteen

miles.

136

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OP
7th.

August
day.

Our course has been west nearly

at times,

all

Passed over one beautiful march being through open, and,

chaparral.

prairie, the rest of the

densely thick

The
I

heat

was
I

intense,

ed very much.

am

free to

and the men sufferconfess, had not my pride

come

to

my

greatest cause of suffering

men

in the

The was want of water. No world drink more water than soldiers, and
rescue,

should have given out.

you can not convince them a swallow is as refreshing as a good long drink in their improvidence, they soon exhaust their canteens, and then commences their sufTo those who have never felt the want of wafering. ter in marching in an excessive hot day, God grant they
;

may never
scription
is

experience

it
;

to those

who

have, no deit.

necessary

they can duly appreciate

Our guide was very ignorant of the route, and deceived us. Any one who is told it is only one league to water,

and has

to

march

three,

can well imagine

the

how

ex-

asperated

we were dropped down from

burned your
feet,

against him.
thirst
;

The men actually ground was so hot that

it

and the dense chaparral prevented

miles,

our feeling the influence of the sea-breeze.

We

marched eighteen

and encamped at a

ranch called Cayetana. Shortly after we arrived, a number of pack-mules came in, laden with fruit from Saltillo. It was packed in crates, and intended for the

Matamoras market.
good, the rest

granates, quinces, and grapes

There were apples, pears, pomethe latter were very miserable. Being picked green, and
;

exposed for eleven days to the intense heat of the sun, The men bought them lost all their flavor. in great quantities, and at exorbitant prices. I had a long conversation with the head man of the train he appeared quite intelligent, and very frank, answering
they had
;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

137

promptly all my questions. Being direct from Montehad to answer not a few regarding the defenses of the city, troops, &c. He says there are two thousand men at Monterey, under General Mejia, and none
rey, he
at Saltillo or

San Luis Potosi

that they are daily look-

ing for our arrival via Camargo, and that there will be

no

fight.

The water
nor
less

at this

camp

is

miserable

than a hog-wallow.

nothing more Water, no doubt, of the

;

best kind could be obtained by digging

but these misIt

is

erable creatures are too lazy for that.

a great

drawback

to

any thing

like

comfort.

The

inhabitants

of the ranchos are particular

in their inquiries

whether
of the

the troops are regulars or volunteers.

Some

disgraceful rows, proceeding from a few disorganizers

among
envied.

the latter, have been

'*

bruited" far and wide,

establishing for that

arm

a reputation certainly not to be

The inhabitants of this ranch say the Mexican army, in their retreat, took every thing they could lay their hands upon, without paying for it. How different is our course of conduct. Here we are, invading an enemy's country as conquerors, and yet levy not one cent; buy every thing not only buy, but pay the most ex;

sometimes doubt the good effects of it not be their interest to continue a war which deprives them of nothing, but adds However, we will always have the to their purses. gratifying consolation of knowing we have brought no
orbitant jrr ices.
I

such liberality.

Will

distress

upon the poor. The country through which passed abounds in the wild pepper. August 8th. Off at daybreak for the first half mile marched through an avenue seventy-five yards broad, cut out of the dense chaparral by order of the govern-

we have

ment.

It

was

left for

some reason

in

an unfinished

133
state.

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

Debouching from

the chaparral,

we ascended

much

higher ground, and, changing our course to the

northwest, entered upon a beautiful rolling prairie.

Thunder-storms passed all round us, cooling the air, making it the most pleasant march w^e have had. Vast numbers of, to me, strange flowers presented themselves, and the flowering acacia scented the air with the flower is white and globular. its vanilla perfume
:

Stopped
greatest

" to

noon"

at a ranch,

where

saw
in

the

number of
old

fat,

ugly
I

girls sitting

on the bed,

tailor fashion,
ico.

sewing, that

have ever seen

Mex-

One

woman was
is

spinning yarn with a hand-

spindle.

ces, if all that labor

What

they charge such exorbitant pribestowed upon spinning the wool. would our Yankees, with all their machinery,

No wonder

think of this primitive

material.

manner of preparing the raw hung with pieces of rawhide, stretched from posts, hung with jerked beef, of which we all took good care to lay in a plentiful supEncamped six miles beyond the rancho. ply. August 9th. Started at daybreak, intending to march but on four miles to Hacaletas, and rest for the day our arrival the commanding officer changed his mind.

The yard

w^as

After a short stop

we

again started, having the pleas-

ant reflection that not a drop of water could be obtain-

ed
the

for seventeen miles.

We turned

off"

due north from

Camargo road, to strike the Rio Grande at ReyThe face of the country almost immediately nosa. changed, the soil more loamy, and in many places quite
sandy, the chaparral quite dense, and the ground
ing gradually at
first,

roll-

and increasing as

we

advanced.

We

soon struck an extensive district of limestone rock,

and, emerging from a mesquite thicket,

quite a
hill,

we

descended

thence into a large valley; passing through

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

it,

130

we ascended on

the other side, and within seven

Reynosa we passed over a succession of hills and valleys as far as the eye could reach hills were overtopped by others, until they united in the crest of a mountain. The hills were of limestone formation, and ran in ridges toward the river. I was probably more struck with the beauty and grandeur of the scenmiles of
;

ery from the fact of having been separated so long from any thing like a mountain or valley, among which my boyhood's early days were spent. The men suf-

was intense, and their thirst knowledge of the fact that no water could be obtained. A league off we saw the belfry of the Cathedral. It was to us like a sail to a shipwrecked mariner it inspired hope, made those who were cheerful still happier, and braced up the
fered excessively, the heat

was only increased by

their

weary.

We
miles.
It is

encamped above

the towm, on the banks of the

river, at half past 3 P.M.,

having marched twenty-one I strolled up to the town. beautifully situated on a high bluff, which runs alDirectly after sunset
to the river.

most

Some

rich bottom-land intervenes,

the cultivation of which added to the attractions of the

The Plaza is on the summit of the ridge. The place. town boasts of a Cathedral, with two discordant bells, which, just as I entered the square, were tolled for vesAt the first sound, all heads were uncovered in pers. mute and silent adoration of that Being to whom we owe our existence. There was something in the act which at the time struck me with awe. At that moment, in different parts of the w^orld, millions of God's
creatures
All the buildings of

were performing the same act of adoration. any pretension presented a dilap-

idated or unfinished appearance.

Many

have been

140

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OV
a grand scale, and suddenly slopped,
proprietors had suddenly changed
;

commenced on
looking as
if

the

and yet this very dilapidaand throws around them an interest of which they would otherwise be dispossessed. Beyond the Plaza most of the buildings are the common " jacThose of any pretensions are built of limestone; al." it is the soft lime, which indurates by exposure to the air, and which, when fresh from the quarry, can be sawed into any shape. On nearly every street you find quantities of the stone ready for building, giving evidence that at one time there existed an intention of pushing forward the improvements of the place with vigor, which now only remain as monuments of their It is very clean imbecility and want of enterprise.
their mind, failed, or died

tion adds to,

they can not help themselves

in this

respect

if

they
w^ere

would washes
;

for

Providence, in

his kindness,

sends rain, which

off

every thing
It
is

like filth.

The women

well formed, rather good-looking, and unusually tidy in

their appearance.

quite ancient,
It

and contains

was named after General Reynosa, an oflicer in the Mexican army. Captain Swartwout, with his company of the 2d Artillery,
about two thousand inhabitants.
garrisons the place.

August

10th.

To-day has been one of

I

the most

scorching hot days

miles,

have ever

felt.

The

colonel de-

cided not to start until the afternoon, to

and encamp.

road for the first tom, and was, of course, not uninteresting

march nine Our course was due west the three miles was through the river bot; ;

then

it

be-

came
struck

rolling,
hills.

gradually more and more

so, until

we

From

the top of one

we had

a beautiful

view of Reynosa, about six miles off, whose white walls were displayed to great advantage. From this point

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

Ml
were composed

we

continued to ascend, having pretty and extensive

left.

views to the right and

chiefly of limestone,

The

hills

covered with a dense growth of chaparral, the soil being of little value. The road was excellent. In the descent we crossed over beds of
gravel, the peculiar color of
the presence of iron.

which gave evidence of

The crowning

feature of to-day's

march was

the

magnificent view which broke upon us from the summit and during the descent
;

think

it

one of the most

I

picturesque, slightly touched with the grand,

have

ever seen.

The Valley of

the Rio
;

Grande stretched

one intricate web of hills and valleys fenced it in, and in the distance a line of mountains placed a barrier to the eye. Immediately
before us for several miles

beneath us

slept, in all its luxuriant quietness

and

re-

pose, the river, which, seen in stretches, had the ap-

pearance of so
zily

many lakes imbedded in green foliage. The smoke from several ranchos curled gently and laupward, giving evidence of the presence of civand a steam-boat a high-pressm^e steam-boat true emblem of an American, lay moored at the bank, disturbing nature's rich and solemn silence by lazily working off its surplus steam. Add to this the long line of covered wagons the troops, upon whose bayonets the sunbeams glistened, marching on their winding way, and you have a picture rarely surpassed. As we descended the hill-side, the limbs of the chaparral were so thickly covered with snails that at first they
;

ilization

looked
the

like

white flowers

it is

common
hill,

sight to see

little

animals in such numbers.

at the foot of the
in the vicinity

We

encamped

of quite a number of ranchos.

resided, having

In one,

two

families

between them seventeen children, the

142
eldest of

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

wliom was not over eleven. The mother of In a neighboring eight did not look over twenty-five. As we inclosure the goats were equally numerous.
left

Reynosa we passed
It
is
;

the burial-ground, " El

Campo

Santo."

surrounded by a wall

made

of small

pieces of limestone

in the center are three

cubes of

stone, each smaller than the other,

and on the top of

base are arranged several skulls. They continue burying in the same place, and must, of course, disinter some for the benefit of others.

them a cross

at its

August

11th.

Started at daybreak, but, owing to

the difficulty of passing a slough, did not get under way until the sun had risen, which made the march oppressively hot.

Our course continued west, through the bottom, where the thick undergrowth forbade the river The soil w^as generally of the richest access of air.
character.

Passed several respectable ranchos, and had more water than on any other day's march. Nine It is a old Reynosa. miles off, passed Reynosa Vijio

collection of indifferent " jacals."

for a

We

stopped to rest

few moments.

The moment we
;

tortillas

are offered for sale.

it

passed a running stream

into

an extravagance of joy.
all

the running at

taking

for

halt, milk and Three miles further on, was enough to drive one There was nothing but it was muddy, warm, and

coursed

through uninteresting lowlands. The colonel very sensibly decided to 12th. August Troops can not march in alter his time of marching.
its

way

this

country during the heat of day the march should made between 12 at night and 10 in the morning. Reveille was ordered at 12, and the line of march was taken up at 1 A.M. It was a bright, moonlight night. The tramp of the column, and the dull, heavy rolling of
;

be

the artillery, disturbed the romantic stillness of the

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

hour.

113

Tlie mesquite-trees have increased in size, and

the deceptive Hglit of the

stranger to think

moon would have caused a we were marching through a peachawake was

really pain-

orchard.
ful
;

The
it

exertion to keep

this "

turning night into the day" causes nature to

it to be by the road also two conical stone structures, in shape like a side sugar-loaf, about five feet high and three feet through the base, all of which marked the spot where murders had been committed. Marched twelve miles by 9 A.M., bringing the men in comparatively fresh. For tlie amusement of some of the officers, I gave them a de-

rebel,

yet

was much

better than to cause

roasted.
;

Passed a great

many

crosses

scription of

my

trip to

New

Orleans

last

June, and, as

it

was

the cause of

my

meeting rather an original char-

and having no small amount of fun, I will not be enough to deprive my readers of the full benefit of " THE GEORGIA DOCTOR." During a trip to the good city of New Orleans, on the steamer Fashion, it was my good fortune to be an eye-witness of the most infinite succession of saws,'^ run upon a would-be doctor from Georgia, that ever He was an unfell to the lot of any one " human." doubted specimen of the piney wood genus a tall,
acter,
selfish
^^

light-haired,

blue -eyed, fair-complexioned Georgian.

He

hailed from the upper part of the state, somewhere

near Buncombe, and evidently had been favored with

the least imaginable intercourse with the world.

Where

he graduated, or from
is

no part of my ken. and it was this title, and the benefits arising from the practice of the profession, which induced him to venture forth into the world, and, as he said, to " take a look
at Texas,

whom he obtained his diploma, He gloried in the title of doctor,

and see what was

to

be done

in the

medicine

144
line in that

CAMl'AIGN SKETCHES

Ol-^

country."

He
It

had " heard

tell it

was some

lor

making money or doctoring, and he had no objecapi)ears that, after arriving in

tion to try his liand."

and looking around him, he decided upon settling upon some point on the Brasos. *' Well, doctor, how did you like the country ? did
the land of promise,

the practice meet your expectation ?"

enough; amazing fine crops but when I had, sure you speak of health, thar you have me enough, determined to settle and practice, and send for the wife and children; but when summer-time came, I

"As

for the country, stranger, that's all well

is

the soil

rich,

and

raises

saw enough."
*'

Well, doctor, what did you see

you did not

'

see

the elephant
"

"

Not

edzactly the elephant, but something

which

might be called awfully close to it. I tell you, when I came to practice round among the neighbors, and see their yaller, sunken faces, I concluded it did not take
to turn to bile ; and thinks I to mywould be too much risky practice to suit my and so I decided to pack up and put back for taste Georgia, high up, where we have hills, and some of the

long for their blood

self,

that
;

purest white sand-water that ever

as
I

was about
It

starting, this
I

cursed

was drank. Just war broke out, and

nothing would do but

regiments.

was agin

must go surgeon to one of the the grain, any how, for I have

no particular taste for this army fighting. When it comes to the regular native knock down, drag out, and gouge, I'm some punkins ;' but the case is pretty considerably altered when you are placed just so that the very next moment a a cannon ball may come alon"-, a whizzing and tearing, and knock your head into a mumtnux, and scatter the well-stored larnin' of years, in
'

N
THE WAR WITH
a moment, to d
xMEXICO.
it I

145
;

d smash
I

Go

did

but

I'd

made

up

my

mind

that Point Isabel should be the termina-

tion of

my

campaign.

the regiment moved,

colonel,'

Upon my made out

arrival thar, before

to

'

come

it

over the
see

and got

my

discharge, and you

now

me

on the Fashion, traveling straight home to the mountains of Georgia, with little chance of ever leaving them
again."

This was a short sketch he gave

the
first

me

of his history on

evening.

Little did the

poor fellow

know what

was

in store for

him the next day.

In the morning,

his face,

while at the breakfast-table, with evident alarm upon he sang out,

" Well, captain,

have you heard what's happened

The
is

eighty miles back in the night

don't know w^here the boat's a leaking, and we are a devil of a

in
I

captain of this craft has lost his w^ay

has

run

he
!"

fix

looked around the table, and

I

ery face.

instantly

saw

there

saw a smile upon evwas a joke on foot, and

determined, pour passer

le

temps, to lend
if

my

amusing
"

("

God save

the mark,"

you

call that

hand in amuseboat

ment) the gentleman.

What
!

captain lost his

!

way

ran backward
!"

leaking
"

my God
;

you don't say so

No
is

mistake, captain (this said with the greatest enit's all

thusiasm)
tain

true

ad

rascal,
;

and, besides, they say the capand would give us up to pirates

;

rather than not

as for the boat's leaking,

saw

it

my-

had been bribed to throw water from the engine into the hold), and it comes in the all-fireoh that I was back home, a hugging my dest stream !" wife and children As the day wore on, he became perfectly nervous very one added their quota to plague him. The reVoL. I.
self (the engineer
!

146
port

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

was a pirate, and he some Mexican port." This intended to take only increased the trepidation of the Son of Esculapi" hugging his us, and made him feel much more like formal protest was drawn up by one of the wife." A passengers, which we made the doctor head, enumerating our grievances, and calling upon the captain "to
was
circulated " the captain
us into

run
lain

for

was

Galveston, under penalty of his life." The capwe put the protest in the let into the secret
;

doctor's hands, and

all

followed up to see
deck, took
it,

its

delivery.

and read it. We had previously cautioned him that it would give great that the captain would rip and tear about, but offense that he must stick to him like a good-felloAv. The captain read it, put himself into a towering passion, pocketed the protest, and swore he'd put us in irons. " if you'll " No, you'll not, captain," we exclaimed yourself and take us to port, we'll let you behave alone but if you don't, we'll take the vessel." " That's the way to talk it, boys !" cried the doctor. " I'm the boy to hold him and give him h 11, while you Oh, that I was back take possession of the vessel home, hugging my wife !" The captain pretended that, as we outnumbered him, he would have to obey, but that he would keep the document, and, when we arrived at port, have us tried for mutiny on the high seas. With the assurance he would run us into port, our victim was slightly quieted for that day not, however, sufficiently so to insure sleep. He was up and down all night, examining the leak, and repeatedly did I hear the exclamation come from his innermost soul, " OA, that I was at home, hugging my wife /" He looked perfectly haggard the next morning for want of rest his

The

captain

was on

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

eyes were actually popping out of his head, and
lie

147

when

came

to the table

he looked more

a sane being.

By

this

maniac than time the joke had reached the

like a

hands of the
" Leak, sir
told

boat.

" Well, doctor,

!

how does the leak get on ?" my God the boat is rotten ; the
I

niggers
!

me

they put their feet through

it

last

night
!"

Oh,

gents,

if I

was only home, hugging

him of

my wife

and away

he bolted from the table to re-examine the leak, the bare

reflection depriving
his appetite.
still

The next morning the number of saws at work

ous,
I

scare

continued, and the

increased.
;

He was

so nerv-

became alarmed about him

with hat

off, his

long
ter-

yellow hair streaming, and eyes expressive of utter

ror, he

was seen rushing

imprinted on his face.

in

every direction, with despair Sympathizing friends he found

in

numbers; every one to whom he went was willing him all the comfort they could invariably ending their advice by expressing their fears for their own Poor situation, and asking Ids advice in the premises. doctor when thoughts of self for one moment left his mind, imagination flew to that wife and those children every inward prayer for their happiness was outwardly ended by the oft-repeated ejaculation of, "Oh, that I was home, hugging my wife !" It was the burden of his
to give
;
!

story.

Shortly after breakfast a schooner was seen making

for us
;

"a long, low,

to

black, rakish-looking craft."

lost
;

Such
!"

a chance was not to be

the cry of " pirate

pirate

went from stem " Where where

!

Out rushed the doctor: !" Our worthy captain, who had fully entered into the sport, pointed it out, and remarked, " He was afraid he would attempt to take us, but that he would fight to the last, and requested all
stern.

148

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
to

hands to arm themselves ;" and then, caUing mate said, " Mr. Richards, load the swivel, sir prepare
!

the

for ac-

tion

suspicious-looking craft

!"

The

doctor gave one look at the preparations for

;

loading a swivel, about a feet long

the expression of his countenance,
took,

and then, when, by

we

all

rushed

aft,

crying, "

we saw that the joke To arms." The Lou-

were on board, returning from their complimentary visit to General Taylor, and had brought with them some of the lances, escopets, and sabers taken from the enemy on the 8th and 9th of May. Each one supplied himself with some kind of w^eapon a saisiana delegation
;

ber was offered to the doctor, but, true to his education,

he scorned the proffered arm, and swore he would

" take the native bowie."

Thus armed and equipped,

;

forward

we

all

rushed.
ex-

By

this

time the schooner was nearly abreast

last.

citement was in every countenance

firm determination of fight to the

an expression of
The doctor had

evidently
as the

worked himself up to the boiling point, when, vessel came abreast, with stentorian voice, the
helm
!

captain cried,
Port "
fire !"

Bang"

w^ent

the

swivel, loaded to

the

muzzle.

Just at that

moment

the doctor's heart failed him, and

;

back to home and all its endearments above the swivel's roar, with a falsetto screecho accent, we heard, " Oh, that I was home, hugging my wife !" He was overjoyed when he found one shot had driven ofT the " d d pirate ;" and made the captain quite a complimentary speech about the excellent management of his boat, his coolness and daring, and said " he'd have it put in the papers."
his thoughts flew

for clear

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

149

About this time some of the gentlemen tried to make him believe he had been fooled that, of course, he would not listen to: he was one of your obstinately credulous men. By questioning a good-natured pilot,
;

he discovered,

if we were lost, that we were now right, we would make the Balize next morninnr. o The captain now thought it his turn for a " saw." Saw ye ever one so sawed ?

and that

my young man, I'm mighty good heartheap of the milk of human kindness, and am inclined to think well of your wife and children but all this can't have any effect upon me. I have the reputation of the "Fashion" to sustain. You have attempted to excite a mutiny on board my boat said you would hold me and " give me h 11," while the others took possession I've got your signature as ringleader, and when I get in port I'll have you tried for mutiny, and you may count upon a comfortable birth in the peni"

Look

here,

ed

have a

tentiary."

not have been more alarmed

ing he

had struck the poor fellow he could he even forgot wife and children, and commenced begging for mercy declarIf a thunder-bolt
; ;

was only

" in fun"

that the boys

knew

it.

The
;

captain remained inexorable, and fully determined upon

trial.

The doctor had

to

a likely negro boy with him

he was very anxious

take to

know what
;

the captain

would

let him off offered his boy to any one who would undertake to defend him but finding there was no hope, retired to his state-room not " to sleep," nor, " perchance, to dream" but to exclaim, " Oh, that I was home, hugging my wife !" Just before he retired it was suggested that we were again lost, merely to give him an additional incentive to sleep. The next morning, as we shoaled water, it changed

150

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

color; as soon as he
reason.

saw it, he wished to know the One of the passengers exclaimed, " Now I know the captain to be a rascal Gentle!" men, he is taking us to Havana " To Havana how do you know that?"
!

and
is

I know it by the color of the water ? not this very color a certain sign the yellow fever raging, and are not the chances ten to one we die of

"

Know it
is

don't

it?"

Here was more matter

tion.

for the

poor fellow's imagina-

began again to talk of taking the vessel, but was soon relieved from all anxiety by crossing the bar and getting into the " Father of Waters." The only
thing

He

now was

to avoid prosecution for mutiny.

it

Many
all,

earnest conversations about

did he have with us

and many
tle

deputations waited upon the captain to set-

In furtherance of our sport it, but with no success. with the unsophisticated Georgian, the bearer of the

order for the Fashion to go to Mobile was the deputysheriff of

New

Orleans.
arrived,

Were
it

ever saws so lucky

The moment he
" sheriff

The

sheriff

was on board." was let into the

was whispered about the The poor doctor was aghast.

secret,

and

he, being as big

all his

a devil as any of us, entered into the joke with

heart.

deputation waited upon the sheriff to see

this

if

he could not accommodate

matter

he, with

one

or two others, shut themselves up with the doctor in a

state-room, and kept the poor fellow in a state of sus-

Repeated ejaculations were heard issuing from that room, " not loud, but deep," of
pense for nearly an hour.
" Oh, that
last
I was home, hugging my wife !" It was at accommodated by the doctor writing a very hum-

ble letter of apology to the captain.

I left

the Fashion at the Balize, and the doctor

went

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

to Mobile.

151
after,
I

Meeting the

sheriff a

few days

felt

anxious to

know

the fate of our friend, and asked him

of.

how

he was disposed

"Disposed of! he took good care to dispose of himself very well, and of our money a great deal better. Thinking he was a green ^un, he was invited to play
after a great deal of persuasion, he consented, with manifest reluctance. The biters were bitten. If

poker
there

medicine,

was any thing he could do better than practice There he had us he it was playing poker!
;

won

his passage,

and fobbed
*

lots

of

'

the

tin'

besides.

As soon
so d

as

we

landed at Mobile, he bolted on shore, he did not think sea- voyaging

telling the captain

d bad,
'

after

all.'

So anxious was he
;

to get

was home

and hug that wife,' that he took the stage in preference to waiting for a boat swearing, by all that was holy,' if he was ever again caught in Texas, you might
*

put him
the

down

for a stark natural."

Reveille at 12, marched at 1 A.M. march was performed by a lovely moon the heavens were studded with stars, and none but one entirely

August

13th.

devoid of feeling could

so glorious a scene.

resist the pleasure

derived from
the

The

land

was high bottom, and

larger.

growth of the mesquite

crosses within ten miles.

still

Passed thirty

very celebrated robber after committing several murders, was taken at Reynosa, and paid the

some years ago

infested this district

penalty of his crimes.

ed Camargo.

Day dawned before we As we approached, the Valley

;

reach-

of the

San Juan was marked by the distant hills the landscape was quite a pretty one. We skirted the town, the cupola of whose Cathedral was visible for a mile, and reached our camp by 7 A.M., just in time for The distance marched from Matamoras breakfast.

152

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES, ETC.

was one hundred and twenty-seven miles. Found the army encamped, in line of battle, along the banks of General Worth has the immediate comthe San Juan. mand of the camp all those who know his qualities as a rigid disciplinarian must be aware that duty was
;

performed

strictly

according

to regulations.

Regiment, the Baltimore Battalion, The Texas and some of the Louisville Legion have arrived. Every boat brings up volunteers. The Texas Regiment of Rifles, commanded by Colonel Johnson (a graduate), determined to take their discharge: he addressed
Rifle

them in a patriotic strain, to induce them to remain but The not more than fifteen out of sixty were willing.
;

government, therefore,
red men, for

lost the services

of six hund-

whom

they have incurred the expense of

clothing, subsistence,

received one iota of service in return

and transportation, and have not within one hundred and fifty miles of the enemy, where the great majority of the army expected battle, they took their dis;

charge.
feel,

Before

this

war

is

terminated, the people will

to a

by

applying their

of the person
president

the

hands

very sensitive part

pocket

the difference

between

carrying on the

war by

volunteers and regulars.

The

was correct in discharging the six months At the time, I thought the patriotism of volunteers. the Americans was so strong, that in the face of the enemy they, to a man, would have enlisted for twelve
months
;

experience has proved their patriotism not

equal to their self-interest.

a dilapidated-looking town, situated upon San Juan, a few miles above its junction with It boasts, like all Mexican towns, of the Rio Grande. a grand Plaza and a Cathedral, a few low stone buildings, of very thick walls and flat roofs, a great many

Camargo is

the River

154

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

miserable "jacals," not a few donkeys, and any num-

The 7th Infantry, uncommand of Captain Miles, was encamped in The town was completely inundated in the Plaza. June last, and the population driven out. It may once
ber of dogs and chicken-cocks. der the

have boasted of two thousand inhabitants, but there

were not more than

lar architectural

half that

arrival of our army.

number at the time of the The Cathedral is of no particu;

beauty

it

has a cupola and two

bells.

Nearly every building in the place

is

some manner by the government. to consist of pack-mules, and the place

was occupied in Our transportation

is

alive with

them.

On
from

the 17th of
his

reconnoissance of the

August Captain Duncan returned left bank of the San

Juan, as far as Ceralvo.

ticable

He

reports the route prac-

and well watered, the country picturesque, and increasing in interest and beauty as he advanced describes the town as well built, and having a tidy aspect, that none we have yet seen possess. The inhabitants were very friendly, and readily furnished him with every thing he required, for which they were well paid. Within three leagues of Ceralvo he heard there was to be a fandango, at which a colonel under General Canales was to be present to surprise and take him, he made all those who were going to the dance join his party and accompany him. Shortly before he arrived he met a man, with some mules, going toward our camp he was permitted to pass. Having accurately informed himself of the avenues and approaches to the ranch, upon his arrival he took pos;
; :

session of them, and, to the surprise of

all

present, sur-

rounded the house and demanded the colonel. The The man who was driving the mules bird had flown.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

155

a brother of Canales, and by a detour had returned and given the colonel warnhig. The colonel left, however, without giving the people any intimation of the

was

his lips.

cause: the fear of the accusation of cowardice sealed Captain Duncan informed the gay dancers
visit,

he was on a friendly
but
if

and would
it;

any made an

effort to escape,

injure no one they would be shot.

killed,

Two
in the

unfortunate devils tried

one was

and

the other had his

arm

broken.

Pretty good shooting

of their
;

dusk of the evening.

The death
until the

com-

rade affected not the hilarity of the party

the dance

and merry laugh continued

dawn
was

of day.
a grand re-

On

the afternoon of the 17th there

It

view of the regulars.

cent military displays

was one of

the most magnifi-

we have had

since the last war.

There were seven regiments of

teries of horse-artillery
tle

infantry and
;

two

bat-

under review

the line of bat-

occupied three fourths of a mile.

his
staff,

General Taylor,

accompanied by
man.

was attended by General

Worth with his staff, and Generals Pillow and QuitThe review was commanded by General Worth. The general's advance from the right was announced
salute

by a

from Duncan's battery, and each corps

in

succession saluted as he passed.

The

troops were aft-

erward passed

in

review, and presented quite a credit-

able appearance.

General Taylor never looked

in bet-

ter health or spirits.

On

the 18th of

August an order was

:

issued, organ-

izing the regular

army

it is

divided into two divisions,

the brigades retaining the

same denominations

as at

Corpus

Christi.

General Twiggs's column, the

1st Di-

2d Dragoons, 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, and Bragg's and Ridgely's batGeneral Worth's column, 2d Division, consists teries.
vision, consists of the

156

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

of the Artillery Battalion, the 5th, 7th, and 8th Infantry, Duncan's battery, and Captain Blanchard's Vol-

attached to the 2d Brigade, the assigned to Colonel P. F. Smith. Captain Blanchard and his Phoenix Company are the He solitary representatives of the State of Louisiana.
unteers
:

the latter

is

command

of which

is

marched from his camp to join the brigade on the 18th, with drums beating and fifes playing. The appearance of the company reflected credit upon himself and He is a resigned graduate but the shrill trump state. of war awakened within his breast early military im;

pulses,

and he found

it

impossible to tear himself away

from his first love. General Worth's division commenced the movement to Ceralvo on the 18th, and he is ordered to push forward and occupy it as a depot for supplies. Cap.

tain

Duncan

reports the military are actually lariating

peones" into service ; they will be used in throwing up fortifications at Monterey. From all the reports, we have to conclude great efforts are being made to
the "

men, such as they are, advance has commenced, and are equally ready for peace or war in one hand we hold the olive branch, in the othLet Mexico take her choice. In any er the sword. event, under all circumstances, she may rest assured the latter will force her to take the former. For the sake of humanity, I hope her choice will be the former.
resist us
;

and large

levies of

are being collected.

We are all delighted the

On
in

the 20th
;

we

received information of a revolution

had overthrowai PaThat looked more like peace than any event that had occurred. When the subject of peace is advanced, the question invariably arises, " With whom are we to negotiate ?" The
that General Alvarez

Mexico

redes and had taken him prisoner.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

;

157

president of to-day is a prisoner to-morrow liis views ana intentions are totally changed in that brief period by a successful military aspirant seizing the reins of government. Were ever a poor, wretched people so situated ? Was ever a duplicate of such a government known in the world ? I really think there is a dim light of peace breaking through the darkness. God grant it Although my profession is that of arms, and we may gain glory and honor by the exercise of it, yet I can not help thinking it would be more honorable and satisfactory to the people and the government to have this war brought to a speedy and peaceable termination. Then, again, the question arises, With whom are we to treat ? If we make a treaty, what assurance have w^e it will be respected for a day ? View it in
!

any
on

light, I

see a long series of trouble and annoyance

this frontier.

A rumor comes to us that Colonel Harney, with a mixed command of Dragoons and Texans, has left San Antonio on an expedition into the interior. General Twiggs, with four companies of Dragoons, Ridgely's and Taylor's batteries, arrived to-day. The latter battery is assigned to Worth's division. Every one is
now
purchasing mules.

The

transportation

is

so lim-

most of the officers have purchased one to carry along some few comforts. Our attempts at speaking Spanish are truly amusing talk it you must, in some shape or other, or you fail making your bargain. The laughable attempts we make remind me of an anecA man by the dote which I heard at Corpus Christi. name of Clifton, a vagabond " leg," had lost his horse going to look for him in the chaparral, he met a MexThinking he might be ican upon a similar expedition. of service to him. he accosted him with
ited, that
; ;

Vol. I. O

158
"

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

Look

here,

a d
ta

d
No

my

man, have you seen any thing of

cahallo. a

harnosing about here, with a cahris-

on
"

his

neck

?"

entiende, senor."
!

Why, the d d/ooZ donH know own language /" As an instance of some of the wonderful escapes which occur in battle, I must mention that of private Moore, of Company J., 3d Infantry. While Captain Barbour was gallantly resisting a charge of the enemy's Lancers, on the 9th of May, a ball passed through
" Don't understand

his

Moore's cartridge-box and exploded

fire.

all his

cartridges,

tearing his box to pieces, and setting his clothes on

At

first

he was not aware his clothes were burn-

ing, and, finding that his

box was torn to pieces, he borrowed a cartridge from his next file, and, as he was

caught fire and exploded it, singing off his eyebrows, and otherwise burning his face. How the passage of the ball could have exploded the cartridges, is beyond my ken Private Chissem, of but of the fact there is no doubt. Company H., 3d Infantry, was particularly distinguished for his gallant conduct in the battle of the 9th. He fought with a courage and pertinacity rarely equalled, killed many of the enemy, and when completely riddled and shot down, he still continued firing. The "leaden messenger" of death which sent his soul into eternity met him with a cartridge in his faigers, in the act of
tearing
it.

in the act of " tearing cartridge," his sleeve

In this position the gallant fellow

was

found, surrounded

by a

pile

of " his own dead^

were moving into the interior, to encamp upon that barren, sandy island. The sand drifts in such clouds, you stand not only a chance of swallowing
volunteers, as they landed at the Brasos,
forced, before

The


THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

159

more than man's

likewise.
his full
*'I

allotted share, but of

becoming blind

volunteer
it,

share of

thought he had swallowed thus accosted the doctor

will

who

say, doctor,

have you any thing that

remove

a sand-bar

V
I

"

No,
in

sir."

a gone sucker. I've got a sandupon which every thing grounds, and I can't get any thing up nor down." The volunteers continue arriving by every boat. They have suffered a great deal at their encampments near the mouth of the river. Diarrhoea, dysentery, and fevers have been very fatal. They must suffer much more than the regulars, for they have no idea how to collect around them those nameless comforts the old besides, campaigning is entirely soldier alwaj^s has out of their line and my only surprise is, that people so suddenly transported from a high to a low latitude, in the middle of summer, should have so few cases of They may consider themselves very fortudisease.

" Well, then,

am

bar

my

innards,

nate.

Discharges are numerous, and the great majority

are pretty well disgusted with the service.
sinecure
it,

It

is

no

it

isuH

and, before they are through with

" the elephant" will

some other animal worse than

make

They do say the animal has its appearance. been seen by a few, and a certain medical gentleman Before this war is told me he took it for a walrus ! over, the government will be forced to confess, and the
volunteers freely acknowledge, v^^ithout any charge
against their patriotism or efficiency, that the volunteer system
is

one of the most outrageously expensive

and

inefficient

with which any government could un-

dertake a war of invasion.

No

one could have con-

160

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

than General Taylor

ducted the expenses with a more rigid eye to economy but when the bill is footed the people will open their eyes, and be forced to acknowl;

edge that their worthy citizens had better remained home, and the regular army been increased.

at

Owing

to the deficiency of transportation, the

ber of volunteers to be taken i'orward to

necessarily limited.

numMonterey is

The general has organized a dicommanded by Major-general Butler, the vision to be brigades of which will be commanded by BrigadierThe Dragoons, Taygenerals Hamer and Quitman. lor's, Ridgely's, and Bragg's batteries, crossed the San Juan on the 27th, to encamp at some point where grass
onel

could be obtained for their debilitated animals. ColHays arrived at China from his southern tour.

Did not meet with any of the enemy. Captain Benjamin M'Cullough's and Gillespie's companies of Rangers have gone with the advance. For the last few days before our departure rumors of every kind and deTo any that coincide with scription have reached us.
our wishes for peace, he

we

naturally give credence; but

truly gull-

who

believes a

Mexican report must be

able.

On
is

the 28th

we

received something tangible from

the city of Mexico.

The
is

report of the civil revolution

confirmed.

Paredes

a prisoner
;

Gomez

Farias

declared provisional president

I'eturn,

and probably by

this

Santa Anna invited to time in the country. Santa

?

Anna
ries

Through what

a strange, up-hill, down-hill se-

of events has he not passed

Twice

president

by

means of

his military popularity;

banished from his

country, and every thing connected with his

name

scorned and trampled upon, he lives to see himself recalled by the same fickle beings, placed at the head of

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

their

161

chair
is

army, and will no doubt reascend the presidential Fate what hast thou yet in store for him who
!
!

as faithless to his promises as he

is

devoid of honor?

The

1st Division

are ordered to cross the river on

march on September; the Volunteer Division to follow as fast as transportation arrives. General Taylor remains behind for a few days to see every thing en
the 1st of
route.

the 31st of August, and take up their line of

The

inclosure

ed Ringgold,

at Point Isabel, is

which marks the grave of the lamentmade of two uprights

filled in

and cross-pieces, the opening

with the gun-

arms of the Mexicans. They are sawed off to produce a regular slope from the head to the foot of the grave. I can not conceive of any thing more appropriate. We are indebted to Captain Ramsey, of the Ordnance, for so much taste in ornamenting the gallant soldier's grave.
barrels and bayonets of the captured

CHAPTER
August
Shivers's
31st, 1846.

XIII.

The 3d

Brigade, composed of

the 3d and 4th Regiments of Infantry, and Captain

tenant-colonel Garland, crossed the

company of Volunteers, commanded by LieuSan Juan and en-

camped.
ately took

We
up

relieved the 2d Brigade,

their line of

who immediThe

march

for Ceralvo.

Baltimore Battalion was brigaded with the 1st Infantry

(the

2d Infantry not having arrived)

under

this

brigade conof Lieuten-

stituted the 4th Brigade,

command

ant-colonel

Wilson and were

o*

to follow

our movements,

162

CAMPAIGN SKETCH RS OF
s

with a clay

intermission.
;

We have

no regrets

at bid-

ding adieu to
but pleasant.

Camargo our sojourn has been any thing The heat and dust have been so annoy-

ing, that any change would have been considered a God-send; besides, the health of the troops require

motion.

September 1st. At 8 A.M., sun broiling hot, we were ordered to strike our tents, with the intimation we would start at 10 o'clock. Tents were accordingly struck but at 10 o'clock no mules made their appearIn the mean time we ance, nor did they until 2 P.M. morning exposed, without any spent a most annoying
;
;

shade, to the noon-day sun.

When the

mules arrived,

our baggage was shown

to the arrieros,

and

we

w^ere

ordered not to touch

its

it,

or give any orders regarding

disposition.

They

applied themselves to loading

very

scientifically, but

very deliberately,

may

almost

compared with the prompt movements of our men. The following is the modus operandi of packing: The baggage is carefully selected and piled in a row the mule is brought up by an arriero, and the
say, lazily,
;

tapoho (leather blind) immediately put on

blinding
is

it.

This

universal

whenever the mule

is to

be loaded,

The arriero carries a leather causing it to stand still. tapoho in his hand, which, with the addition of a few The leather thongs, answers admirably for a whip.
pack-saddle
is

an immense pad,

stuffed with

hay or

wool, tightly girted on, weighing from thirty to forty

on the top some matting is placed. The one mule another seizes a package, puts it on the side of the mule furthest from him, which another packis received and held by another arriero

pounds

who

blinds holds the

age, selected with great care with regard to the weight,

is

placed upon the opposite side of the mule, and the two

THH WAR WITH MEXICO.

1G3

packages (called a cargo) tied by the lasso ; over all, it, is passed a very broad belt, with any quantity of lariats attached, which is secured secundum artem.
to bind

The pack
loose,

is

then completed, and the mule

is

turned

and

joins a horse

with a

which they always

follow.

around its neck, Another and another is

bell

brought up, loaded, and turned loose.

The

arrieros,

with their large sombreros and leather aprons, mules, and the process of loading, formed a busy and lively
picture.

Eight mules w^ere assigned to each comhot

pany.
It

was withering

when we

started,

and the per-

spiration burst forth in streams from every person.

and encamped at sunset on the There arose no little disgust at our novel transportation. The packs were not up with us, nor did they arrive until after dark. There was " confusion worse confounded ;" all the baggage was mixed up, and the deuce was to pay to find your own. After dilfive miles,

Marched

Rio Grande.

igent search,

found

all

my packages

but

my wall

tents.

For

my

consolation,

was informed

that one

mule had

stampeded, and
to infer

was

left (in

ignorance of their language)

visit to

my

tents

had paid a

the chaparral.

days afterward they were found, to my great delight, mixed up with other baggage. Flattering myself with the hope of the mule arriving in the night, I dispensed with tent, and had my English camp-bedstead brought out, musquito-bar tucked in, and tarpaulin thrown over the head, and slept as delightfully as if in a house. I w'ould advise every officer to provide himself with one of these camp-cots they can have no conception of their comfort, convenience, and economy,
;

Two

until
I

they try

it.

am

perfectly disgusted with this primitive trans-

164
portation
;

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OP

where wagons are practicable, it is a perhumbug your hands are completely tied with fect them. The arrieros must have daylight to pack, and the result is, the command is forced to march during
;

the heat of the day, or the train

must be

left

behind,

thereby running the risk of

off.

its

being attacked and cut

We are passing one

always
pass.

of the very best natural roads in

little repairs, wagons can Independent of the comfort and luxury of a w^agon, and the fact that, with them, you can suit the hour of your march to the temperature of the day,

the world, where, with very

no inconsiderable expense might be saved by their use. Eleven wagons (fifty-five mules) would have transported the command whereas we have one hundred and twelve mules for the transportation of the baggage,
;

at

an expense of
it

fifty-five

cents per day.

least,

is

the most provoking transportation

To say the we have

had

in

any of our marches.

The brigade was accom;

panied by four

camp women
Mexican

one of them had gone to

the expense of a

lady's side-saddle, certainly

one of the most curious specimens of saddlery I have ever seen. The lady sits square in the saddle, from which, in the place of a stirrup, is suspended a board,
large enough for both feet
;

it

has the usual horns, but

sides are inclosed

much

higher,

and the back and

I

vertical pieces of leather, often beautifully

silver thread.

by worked with
suit

do not think

it

would

our

fair

equestrians.

leche (milk)

we were visited by Mexicans with and pollas (chickens) for sale. One donkey brought in a load which, combined with his perWhat sonal appearance, was rather hard to beat. would my readers say to a man, two boys, and a kid
Upon our
arrival

; ;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

Kif)

upon one poor, mean-looking jack? the kid bleating so piteously that, if he was purchased and killed, the purchaser must have had an adamantine heart or a devil of an appetite, which latter covers a multitude We were visited by one real patriarch of a of sins. jack whether it was intended for us, or the female
;

mules,

dinna ken.
muless

The

mellifluous notes of his deli-

cate voice, while serenading,

were very
its

striking

and

any

fair

who

could resist

supplicating, be-

seeching accent, must have been unattuned to love.

Saw
The

a hog with a thick coat of fur instead of hair.

land over which

we marched was
very early

very

rich,

and

susceptible of high cultivation.

September

2d.

reveille.

Again the

inconvenience of our transportation became apparent every thing was in utter confusion, and we did not

march until 8 A.M. By this time the heat was intense much so, the march was painfully oppressive and Passed Brevet Lieutenant-colonel May's fatiguing. camp. Our march still continues through the river
so

bottom course, west. The land is high, dry, and rich passed several ranchos and some fine fields of corn, and met several carts carrying soap and wool to mark;

et.

Soap
;

is

a legal tender in

some

parts of this coun-

try

hence the expression, " How are you off for soap?" with it you can wash in the hardIt is superior to ours Stopped to " noon it" on the banks of the est water. The mules passed us when they start they river.
;

travel very rapidly.

was more oppressmorning we finished a fatiguing march of eleven miles at 4 P.M. Met the return train of wagons from Ceralvo, under the charge of Captain Sibley. He gives glorious descriptions of its beauty and the says it will make your teeth coolness of its water
afternoon
ive than the
; ;

The

160
ache.

CAMPAFGN SKKTCIIES OF

Now,

to

one with a

tin

canteen of blood-warm

water, the idea

was

rather tantalizing.

September

3d.

Reveille beaten at 3

umn

put in motion at

dawn

of day.

A.M. the colThe colonel has

;

decided on marching, independent of our packs, leaving a strong rear-guard with them, and pushing on to

our

camp during

the cool of the morning.

Passed sevin
in

eral barrancas (deep gulleys),

and washing of the

altitude.

soil.

We

caused by the caving are gradually rising

Just before descending to the

Arroyo Sala-

opened upon us, a succession and valleys rising one beyond the other. The Salado is a small stream, at this time nearly dry the water was good, and running over sand and pebbles. Previous to reaching the stream, we passed over the bed of another creek or bend of the Salado, in which were found deposits of marine formation, in the shape of masses of oyster-shells, now turned into flint, some of immense size one was eighteen inches long by six
do, a beautiful prospect

of

hills

broad.
large.

The

bed of the oyster

was not proportionately

Doctor S. brought me one sixty-four, which I thought might clearly be entitled to the appellation, par excellence, of the governor oyster, without any reference to the eighteen by six. The inhabitants of this country about that time must have had some exquisite stews and broils. Stopped some time at the Salado. It being but three miles from Mier, I, with two friends, obtained permiswe jumped on our horses, and sion to visit the town dashed off right merrily. The face of the country was very rolling, at times rocky, and always picturesque. We approached the town from the east; within half a mile it suddenly burst upon us. Its appearance was the towers of its two Cathedrals, strikingly beautiful
;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO. and long

1(37

line of buildings, all white-washed, were a emblem of the purity of the climate. As we aj)proached, some little of the picturesque disappeared.
fit

In the suburbs

we

passed the humble adobe (sun-dried

;

brick) cottages, with thatched roofs

proceeding,

we

ascended a hill and entered quite a dilapidated Plaza, having one Cathedral. Further on we passed through
another Plaza, which was " une autre chose."
buildings surrounding
it

The

were

in

a good state of repair,

;

and constructed w^ith an eye to regularity the walls were immensely thick, with flat roofs (azotea) the streets were narrow, but clean, presenting decidedly a much more creditable appearance than any I have yet
;

seen.

situated upon the sides and top of a upon the right bank of a small stream, variously named the Alcantero, Alamo, and Mier River. The former is the proper name for it, and was the original name of the town until some general, expecting to hand his name down to posterity, with its never-crumis

The town

limestone

hill,

bling buildings, affixed his to

that of the suburbs,
is

it.

Its

population, and

estimated at two thousand five

hundred.
to

It

boasts of
is

two Cathedrals
having no
:

that in the diIt is

lapidated Plaza

closed,

priest.

said

be richly decorated

being closed, our curiosity

could not be gratified. The buildings generally have an antique appearance, which throws around them an indefinable interest. I visited the Cathedral in the main Plaza. It is a large mass of masonry, about two hundred feet deep and sixty feet front, surrounded by a

very thick and high wall

the foot of

there is one main aisle, at which is the grand altar. Upon either side, near the door and grand altar, are four alcoves, twenty feet deep by twelve broad, in which are altars, mak;

1(38

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

ing five altars in the church.

The
;

decorations were

very creditable, although not rich the walls were hung with paintings, some of which were fine specimens of the art. It boasts of an organ, and a belfry with a chime of bells. The inhabitants are much more cleanly than any I

have yet seen, and

for its pretty

did not note a solitary instance of

hunting deer in each other's head.

Mier

is

celebrated

women. We saw two beautiful girls at I a house where we obtained some eggs and claret. never have seen more magnificent suits of hair their arms and hands were faultless and with their be;

witchingly tender eyes, and their persons arrayed in

their native dishabille, they
artist.

were

fit

subjects for the

The great

interest the place possessed for

me was

from the fact that it was the theater of the fight between Colonel Fisher's command of Texans and the Mexicans under General Ampudia, in 1842. The circumstances connected with that desperate struggle are
too recent to need

any reference suffice it to say, I have visited the house where they fought, bled, died, and surrendered, with more than ordinary emotions.
;

at first despaired of finding a cicerone, but fortune

favored
house.

me when my

friend.

Captain E., kindly volun-

teered his services.

me immediately to the Here, at one corner of the street, diverging from the Plaza, and running with a considerable detook
clivity

He

planted
river,

toward the river, were the Mexican cannon and here, about two hundred yards from the
;

we

are at the house.

It is

a low, one-story build-

ing, of immensely thick walls,

with a thatched roof

to all

We

pass the iron-grated

houses).

window (common
?

Do you

see that bent bar

It

Mexican was struck by

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

169

a grape-shot, which glanced into the room, and killed a Texan lad in the act of discharging his rifle. Do you
see those riddled doors
?

It is

the effect of the canin

non.

Do you

see that fresh

masonry

the walls

It

replaces the cannon's breach.

Come

with

me

to the

back yard. Do you see those loose stone walls? The cannon balls striking them, killed many a gallant fellow by the quantity of pieces that fell far and wide. Do you notice that angle of the wall in a dilapidated state ? There, on that spot, the brave Cameron, with his company, repulsed repeated charges of the Mexicans, and laid two hundred at its base. Do you see, to
the right, that large bake-oven, built in the open air
?

When
you
it

the poor fellows took possession of the house, to

it

their joy they found

full

of bread.

Look
;

closely,

and

will see a hole lately replaced in the wall;

through

the muzzle of a cannon protruded

the

match was apyou

will

plied,

hoping the Texans were seated round the oven

eating bread.

None were

there; but

if

open

the sheet-iron door of the oven, you will see five holes

made by

the cannister shot.

Return with
hole in the wall

me

to the house.

filled

Do you see that large up with fresh masonry, in the end

toward the Plaza ? When the gallant fellows found the enemy had opened their cannon upon them, they worked their way through it, mounted the roof of a
neighboring house, and, with their unerring
rifles, killed

many
the

of the

enemy

at their guns.

Again and again

death
themselves.
off*.

Mexicans attempted
the portion of
all

to fire their pieces, but

was

who showed

They
This

at last lariated their pieces,

and drew them

his leg, a

unequal combat lasted two days.

The day

previous,

one of the Texans having broken

six

doctor and

men were left YoT,. f.-P

to attend him.

On

their

way

to join

170
their

GAMl'AIGN riKETCHEri

01'

comrades, they were discovered by the enemy, and a large party of dragoons dashed after them. All were killed but the doctor, who made his way up that
fatal street;

stopping in front of the house in which the

'

Texans were, he exclaimed,

er hot out here."

Let

me in, boys

it's

rath-

He

entered safely.

His trusty horse

the

fast as

enemy attempted to catch, but they were shot as they came near him and at last the cowardly
;

rascals shot the poor beast.

These are some of the circumstances attending a fight between some three hundred Texans and three thousand Mexicans. The
victory unquestionably belonged to the former and, had they refused to treat, Ampudia w^ould have retreat;

ed,

and

all their

horrible sufferings been spared them.

At

this

point

we

leave the Rio Grande

rolling,

course,

and the The southwest. a mile from Mier, a lofty range About soil quite rich. of blue mountains burst upon us, their jagged peaks cut into fantastic shapes against the blue sky it was
country continues
;

truly a

refreshing

sight.

glance at them

made

us think of rocks, deep and cool dells, and, above all, The grazing increased both in quancool, cool water.
tity

and

quality.

We

encamped

at

12 M., having

marched twelve miles. regulated by the water.

vicinity of our

The The

length of our

march

is

grass in the immediate

camp
for

is

sufficient for

animals

it is

the nutritious mesquite, and

any number of I have a tuft-

ed carpet of

it

my

tent floor.
;

by the

marched at 3 A.M., and beautiful moon our early start is decidedly an improvement the men walked off with great life. There are a good many sick, and some have given out not i\\e first convenience is taken along for their comfort. An ambulante, for the sick or woundSeptember
4th.

Reveille at 2

light of a clear

THE WAR WITH

ed,
is
is

.MEXICU.

171

not

known

in the
;

not anticipated

so

upon the road. few necessaries.

its

army. Sickness or a broken le"they must keep well hy order, or die Never did an army take the field with

Our course

is still

southwest, over
soil

a succession of

hills

and valleys.

The

generally

maintains

rich character, although parts are per-

fectly worthless. On every hill we were delighted and charmed with a view of the mountains, w-hich rise in magnitude as we approach. They w^ere a perfect tonic. I was particularly struck with the peculiarly delicate blue tint which envelops them. The sky is clearer, and the air purer and more bracing. The sunrise was magnifixient as it rose, accompanied with the phenomenon of converging rays, above the edge of the
;

its golden light over an exand dale, one must have been insensible not to have been struck with its exceeding beauty. The growth of the mesquite diminishes, and the thick undergrowth of chaparral and prickly pear

eastern horizon, throwing

tensive range of
hill

increases.

Saw many

varieties of the cactus

is

lime-

stone abounds, and

some sandstone

found

picked

up many pebbles covered with the red oxide of iron, which will serve as an excellent substitute for chalk, to mark our tents. The morning-glory grows in clusters by the road side one species, pink in color, is nearly as large as my hand. Crossed the Arroyo St. Domingo, eight miles from our last camp it is a clear, running stream of good water. Reached camp at 9 A.M., having passed no ranchos in a march of twelve miles. One of the strongest objections which will be urged
;

against the settlement of this country

is

the w^ant of

water,
but

do not know how

it

may

effect the interior,

it can not apply to the lands bordering the Rio Grande. There, if it is necessary, irriiiation can be

172
obtained at a
mills,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
trifling

expense

a small outlay in wind-

forcing-pumps, and leaders for the water, and you have it always at your command. The never-dying sea-breeze can be put to an economical and capital use. are encamped on the Agua Leguas, a narrow,

We

but deep and rapid, stream of excellent w^ater.

To-day

we

received another budget of reports from Monterey, the amount of which was, that no resistance would be that the people at Monterey were only waitoffered
;

ing for us " to walk in and

All this

make ourselves

at

home."

by a Mexican direct from Monterey, who said, also, it was reported some American cavalry were seen in the vicinity of the city, which we naturally presume is a part of Colonel Harney's command. I record all these reports and deductions, so that my readers may go along with us, from day to day, and understand the feelings of the army. Off" again at 3 A.M. cool and September 5th. pleasant, and we knocked it off* at three miles an hour

was

reported.

in glorious style.

Passed over a high,

soil

level plain, the

chaparral very thick, and the growth of mesquite luxuriant

;

some of the

good

for nothing, but that bor-

dering the small streams very rich.

Arrived

at the

small village of Puntaguida at 8 A.M., having

marched

seventeen miles.

From an eminence on
;

the march, the

white walls and houses of the village of

and

its

beautiful valley,

ing prospect.

were visible As we approached, the mountains

well-defined,

Agua Leguas, it was a charmbe-

came more grand and

and here

we appear

to be almost under them.

At

this

place the 2d Brigade

was

stationed

the officers received us with great hos-

pitality.

They

their ground,

mai-ch to-day for Ceralvo, and we take upon the banks of a narrow but swift

mountain-stream.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

173

Puntaguida is a small hamlet of unpretending thatched cottages, containing some four hundred souls. They are devoted to dancing, having given the officers two

fandangoes a week. Ate some peaches brought from Saltillo and Monterey although slightly wilted, they were delicious at any rate, we have proof positive we are approaching the country wiiere they grow. Figs are here in abundance, partially dried and they have a fig marmalade which is very delicious. The banks of this little river are well cultivated. Irrigation is obtained by throwing a dam across the stream, and leading the water off by artificial ditches. The sugarcane grows luxuriantly. This has been an exquisite evening such piles of dark, heavy, fantastic clouds,
; ;
;

some fringed with

the silvery moon-light

;

patches of
;

the clearest blue sky

lightning in the south

the dark,
the sweet,

indistinct outline of the

towering mountains
;

refreshing breeze

the tented field all conspire to form an enchanting scene. The atmosphere is so pure, it is it is done so easy, you are not a luxury to breathe it
;

aware of the September

exertion.
6th.

In a ride through the village,

;

found

little to interest

me

houses looked as if cals," with their groups of

lazy, loafing

was very dirty, and all they were falling down;

it

the stone

the "ja-

women and

children, and the

comfort.

men, gave one but a poor idea of Mexican people bake, and carry round for sale, a bread which is called semitas ; it is very light (sweetSome of the cakes are ened), and tastes like our rusk. made of unbolted flour, and must be capital for dyspep-

The

tics.

In the evening formed a party to visit

Agua Le-

guas.

September

7th.

Disappointed in our

visit.

to information received from Ceralvo,

it

Owing was deemed

174

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES

01-'

imprudent to go.
as the place
priest,
is

Our disappointment was very

great,

described as a " bijou," with a jolly, fat

who

entertains liberally, and for our

billiard-table.

amusement

a domestic

Last evening an express ar-

rived from Ceralvo with the following intelligence: General Worth, relying upon the information he had

received from a Mexican

whom

he had taken,

felt

assur-

ed that he

knew

and sent out two

Colonel Childs
lars to support

the whereabouts of General Canales, companies of Rangers to surprise him.

sent with five companies of

was
them.

Regu-

proceeded but a short distance when he met a messenger from Captain M'Cullough, who reported the captain had met, and driven in,
the advance picket of a

He had

posed to be the

command

body of Mexican cavalry, supOur command, of Canales.

having orders not to bring on an engagement, retired. A body of cavalry is, no doubt, in the vicinity, watching our movements.
In the evening a large party of us

went

to

Punta-

guida

up a fandango. On my w^ay, a crowd of happy Mexican lads surrounded my pony, crying most merrily, " Fandango !" " rancho fandango !" " bonita,
to get

senoritas

!"

We
To

w^aited a long time for the girls to

collect; they rarely

commence

until

10 o'clock
it

quite
rained

fashionable.

our great disappointment,

and became quite muddy, depriving us of the dance, as they dance in the open air. The moon rising about the time it rained, a beautiful lunar bow, together with Two " monte" banks a secondary one, w^ere visible. were in full operation one out of doors; the cards were dealt on a " ponclio," a man holding a candle, and a large crowd surrounding the dealer. The other was in one of their mud-houses, where the heat of the room truly made it a "hell." All appeared absorbed
'

THK WAR
in the

Wri'H .MEXICO.

]75
last

game, both men and

women

and their

cent

was staked and lost with the utmost " sang froid." The boy who gained his sixpence by seUing a bundle of grass
in the

morning,

lost

it

at the "

bank"

in the evening.

Gambling is a perfect mania with them. September 8th. General Taylor and staff', General Twiggs and staff', four companies of Dragoons under Colonel May, Captain Webster's battery of two twenty-four pound howitzers, and Ridgely's and Bragg's batteries,

arrived in the morning.

Determined

to see a

fandango,

we

paid a

visit to the village in the

evening.

We
girls

waited some time

until the

made

tlieir

appearance.

moon rose, when the The first dance was a

which none but the Mexicans were engaged. An old humpbacked Mexican, seated in a straight, highbacked w^ooden chair, with the clear moonlight full upon him, called forth tolerably fair music from his It was a slow, graceful waltz, and in elegance violin. of motion the senoritas will bear comparison with some of our northern belles. They continued it fifteen
waltz, in

minutes, without cessation.

did not see a pretty face,

but

all

had good

figures,

and were graceful.

One could

not but be struck with the wild picturesqueness of the

scene.
the

Twenty

or thirty couple, waltzing in the open

crowd of men surrounding them, some smokair, under ing, others listlessly reclining upon the ground one porch a " monte" bank in full blast on the outer edge of the circle, occupied by the dancers, another bank, whose flickerins^ lio^ht fjave a wild and brio^and expression to the faces of the betters two stalls, with
; ;

sweet bread for sale, to which, at the end of each dance, the moon your fair partner expects to be treated the irregular thatched roofs of the low and quaint "jacals;" the old fiddler, and you have a scene worthy
;

the pencil of

any

artist.

176

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
of the officers took partners,

The next dance many

and
tried to introduce

an Americanized fandango ; but, however wiUing the girls were, their utter ignorance The next, I selected the of our style made it no go.
belle
;

but,

with

all
I

my
was

accurate calling
in

off,

we made

duty bound to entertain my partner I knew nothing of the language, but, having picked up a word or two, I thought I would make the
another
failure.
;

best use of them.

So, believing the coast

all clear, I
'

would experiment, and softly w^hispered, A meaning to tell her that it bueno noces, senorita'" was a very pretty night when, right at my elbow, I heard the jocular voice of Captain M. " Well done, G.,
thought
I

what's that
like the
I

try

it

again."

My

Spanish evaporated

dew from
a bad

before the sun, and, spite of myself,

had

to join in a hearty laugh.

hit,

However,

did not

make such

after

all,

for they

do not expect

to be entertained, and, if j^ou spoke, the

chances are

The more we became mixed up and confused, the greater the pleasure of the crowd for every extraordinary effo7% " mucho bueno" saluted
they w^ould not reply.

them in a gale of spirits. I wanted some sleep. The 1st Division of the army, under General Twiggs, marched for Ceralvo. General Taylor and staff preceded us. The morning was beautifully clear, and a cool north wind made one realize The face of the country w^as the fall had arrived. more level than any we have passed over since leavCrossed two swift-running streams. As ing Mier. we approached Ceralvo the mountains became more
us from
all

quarters.
at

I left

Having to march September 9th.

daybreak,

interesting.

The
;

land in the vicinity of Ceralvo

is

well cultivated

our course was more to the south.

the

We

marched past

camp of the 2d

Division,

and took

Tin:

WAIl WITH MEXICO.

riglit at
is

177

our position on the

fifteen miles.

12 o'clock, having

marched
hill
;

The town
is

situated in a beautiful val-

ley, partly

upon the

side of a white limestone

in

but

the larger portion

a beautiful level at

its

base,

through which courses a bold, running stream, winding its noisy way through the town, and carrying water

by artificial ditches into the yard of every family. The houses are low, with " azotea" roofs, built of "adobes"
of a blue color, which imparts a very pleasing effect

and all are little forNearly every house has a garden, surrounded by a wall. The fig, peach, and pomegranate are in the greatest abundance besides the yards, the banks of the stream are lined with them, and the lemon, orange, and peccan. The latter are
built of blue limestone,

some are

tresses within themselves.

immense

trees,

covering a great deal of ground,

invit:

ing one to enjoy their cool and delightful shade

one

of them must have measured five feet through.

The

Plaza

is

large and clean

the steeple of the unfinished

Cathedral had more pretensions to architectural beauty than any

est
It is decidedly the neatI have yet seen. and most picturesque town I have noted that bold, clear, cool stream flowing through it, and bridged in It is impossievery direction, is of itself beautiful.
;

ble to feel the heat

for, if

the house

is

disagreeable,

take a water-melon, go under that huge peccan, rest

thyself beside that rushing, bubbling stream, and you'll
all but freeze.
Its population is between one thousand and fifteen hundred. The valley appears to be surrounded by mountains. Far off in the west we see the mountains of Monterey, and they tower so far above these we have so long had in view that these may be

considered

little

ones.

We

are in the vicinitv of the silver mines of Ceral-

178
vo,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

which are considered

its

quite rich.

The

Indians have

been such a scourge to

prevented
of the mines.

this

country, they have not only

working At the foot of the hill upon which we are encamped is the same bold, running stream which courses its way through the town, fed by innumerable springs, which gush out every few yards from its base. It flows through a green flat of land, two hundred yards broad, and in its center are immense cypress-trees, which, at a distance, look like the elm, so rich and
settlement, but have stopped the

feathery

is

their foliage.

The majority of

the

army

now

believe there will be a fight.

spies,

through means of

General Worth, has received information on

certainly arrived at

which he
is

relies.

Ampudia

Mon-

terey on the 31st August, and assumed

said to

command.

He

have

at least five

number of rancheros. If think he will make a stand

thousand regulars, and any he has ten thousand men, I

;

but this

we

think

is

sure,

no matter what their numbers, we will whip tliem, A few days since we received a report that Colonel Harney was at Monclova it appears now that he never
;

crossed the Rio Grande

the

men

objected to proceed-

ing any further, and he returned to San Antonio.

September 11th. Information was received to-day that a guard which Colonel Harney had left at the Presidio crossing, on the Rio Grande, had been attacked by the Mexicans, and all either killed or taken prisoners.
General Butler, with the
Ohio, Colonel Mitchell,

Brigade of Volunteers (1st Kentucky, Colonel Ormsby), On the 11th General Taylor isarrived on the 10th. sued his orders for the march. The 1st Division moves on the 13th, the 2d Division on the 14th, and the Vol1st 1st

unteer Division on the 15th.

All

the pioneers are

placed under the

command

of Captain L. S. Craig,

who

THE WAR WITH MEXJtO.

will leave with

Hi)

them to-morrow, escorted by a squadCaptain

ron of Dragoons under Cnptain Graham.

M'Cullough's company accompanies them.

are
rey,
still

Reports

arriving of the

numbers

collecting at

Montefight-

and of

their determination to resist us.

The

ing stock

is

on the
;

rise.

The

report of one day

may

contradict the next

try to unravel

nevertheless, on the last day. we'll

and get them all right. With this precamp rumors of to-day. The last spy in from Monterey brought so vivid, and, apparently, accurate a description, that a map was made by one of the staff of General Worth. From the map, one would think we are to have tight work. Fires from advanced batteries, enfilading fires from the old Cathedral direct, and all sorts offiires from the Bishop's Palace, made some of the old ones even, to say nothing of the They go on to say, no volunteers, open their eyes. matter what preparations they have made, they have unaccountably neglected to fortify a hill which commise,
I'll

give the

mands
hill, I

the town.

With

the comfortable picture of that

will try to sleep soundly.

ISth.

September

Captain Craig and escort

left.

Fighting fever on the increase.

First Division, under General September 13th. Twiggs, marched at daybreak. General Taylor and The " tug of war" has now staff accompanied it. commenced, and the Rubicon may be put down as

passed.

It
;

was my

luck to be

left in

command

of the

rear-guard

and as I had to w^ait until the supply-train had passed, I had the extreme felicity of being broiled in the sun until 2 P.M., when, if dinner had been announced, I might have been served as a rare dish. General Quitman, with his brigade (1st Mississippi Regiment,Colonel Davis, 1st Tennessee, Colonel Camp-

180
bell),

CAMPAIGN

SKETCllEri OF

arrived at 11 o'clock.

Our course was more

to

the south, and parallel with the mountains.

Passed sev-

eral bold, running creeks, dashing over pebbly bottoms,

in

was a luxury to stand and cool your feet. The heat was excessive the sun blistering hot. Thunwhich
it
;

der-showers had
passed over us

been holding a general gathering

throughout the day upon the mountain-tops.

;

One
as re-

we were

soaked, but

it

was

freshing as the spring to the traveler in the desert.

of the route the land was quite rocky bordering the streams very rich.

On most

that

Passed only one ranch.

to

boy and man came out

meet the command

;

the former with a large gourd

full

of milk, the latter with tortillas, as the

truly,
I

men
I

said,

baked in the sun

believe they w^ere.

halted

my

company, and the boy and man were relieved of you could turn round. As we ascended, we met with a luxuriant growth of the Spansome to the height of tw^enty feet, and one ish bayonet
their loads before
;

foot in diameter

at a distance its bark looked like that

of the oak.

The character

of the chaparral has chang;

ed

various beautiful shrubs are seen

one, having white

leaves, looking

much

like the ice-plant,

fail

w^th a profusion
cinosa

of delicate pink flowers, can not

to attract attention
it
;

and admiration.

The Mexicans

call

it

covtree

ers the sides and tops of the mountains, and at a dis-

tance gives them a bare appearance.

The ebony

grows

in this region.
train, I

had an opportunity of There are no happier fellows in existence their shrill whistle, and constant, sharp cry of " mula !" can not fail to amuse the novice. One of them was singing most cheerily the whole afternoon. If the load (called cargo) becomes
Following behind the
seeing a great deal of the arrieros.
;

THE WAli WITH MEXICO.

the least deranged,
ity the
it is

181

inconceivable with what rapid-

stopped, blinded, cargo readjusted, and the animal turned loose.

is

mule

made the atmosphere quite cool. We did camp until dusk. Just before reaching it, we crossed a bold, running stream, which made us rather too cold. A camp-fire was delightful, and a hot

The

rain

not reach

supper awaiting us still more so. Perhaps some of my readers have had the annoyance of playing rear-guard,
in

a broiling hot day, to some three hundred mules, and,

into

coming
ready
it
;

camp wet and

?

fatigued, find a nice supper

of chickens and boiled

for
I

rice,

and a hot cup of

coffee

them
can

No

Then they can not

it is

appreciate

but

tell

them

monstrous good, and sur-

passes, for a time, turtle soup

and oysters,

to those en-

joying the luxury of a city

life.

When

was

a lad,

despised a " drum-stick" from the bottom of

ing the
sel,

my

heart

(papas have a particular and amiable weakness for givlittle

fellows at the side-table that sinewy mor;

the drum-stick of a turkey)

but

if
I

any one had seen

me

take the

last in the dish,

when
I

was

particularly

it, it would have been good for delicate appetites. To dry ourselves we had a cheerful fire, and under its benign influence were made very happy. September 14th. Started at daybreak. Last evening a report was sent in from the advance (at least it

asked, and the gusto with which

enjoyed

was

so reported to us, and, like

all

camp rumors,

turn-

ed out

to be incorrect) that four

in

thousand of the ene-

my

were twelve miles

to us.
in

advance.

The word "go!"

his joke,

could not be more inspiriting to the race-horse than the

news
them,

Every man cracked

!

and had
full flight

imagination, whipped, prisoners, or in

before evening

Everv preparation was made

to

meet

182
them.

CAMI>A1(JN iSKETCHEa OF

We
;

had not marched far before the truth was

known

the

same cavah-y which had been

previously-

reported had again been seen by the advance.

Our

course has been more westerly, gradually ascending

through a valley, between two ranges of mountains, toward the gorge of the main Sierra. We have approached very near to the mountains, and have a more minute view of them they are thickly clad with chaparral and the delicate cinosa, and are composed of a
;

succession of conical peaks, rising one higher than the

other, until they terminate in the bold
line of the crest.

The

valley

is

intersected
;

and ragged outby small'

ridges,

quite rocky,

and many fine, running streams the road is and hard upon the men and animals. Captain M'Cullough, with thirty-five of his men, had a little affair to-day with some of the enemy's cavalry, supposed to number two hundred. They passed a few shots, resulting in wounding two Mexicans, and a horse It is astonishing the eneof one of the captain's men. my did not charge them they formed for that purpose, This occurred near the but afterward slowly retired.
;

small village of

saw

the

In the village the captain Ramos. two men he had wounded, and took one pristo the general.

questioned, and stated there

He was closely were only a few troops at Monterey, and they would not fight us he was then released. On our march we passed a ranch which was deserted two pigs and some chickens were the only
oner,

who was brought

evidence of
inclination.

its

having been inhabited

for years.

Some

of the people say they were driven

away

against their

September
tle to

Marched 14 miles. 15th. Our course to-day has been

in

lit-

the south of west, and surrounded by mountain

scenery never surpassed

beauty.

With an amphi-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

183

theater of mountains, we liave been passing through a succession of beautiful valleys, each inclosed by small-

er

hills,

and they, again, backed by towering mountains,

all its

so that the ever-varying scene has not tired, but ke})t

one's senses keenly alive to
beauties.

Language

can hardly depict them, especially those of the mountains, in whose rugged features were revealed new charms by every change of light. A succession of bold, rugged cliffs, conical peaks, some terminating in jagged points, with their white sides glistening in the sun, perfectly stripped of all verdure magnificent clouds curled up, and, nestling in the ravines and on the mountaintops, made one (regardless of the fatigues of the march) exclaim, " Nothing like this, in grandeur or loveliness, have I ever seen !" The soil in the valleys is very good. About eight miles from camp we passed the
;

summit, and then commenced our descent into the valley in which the village of

Ramos

is

situated.

Ramos we
the

overtook the pioneers.

From
beautiful
its

the
;

Near summit

view was very extensive and

for three

miles our division could be seen wending

the valley and up the hill-sides.

way through

Just before reaching

Ramos we
Tt is

passed one of the

I

boldest and deepest mountain-torrents

have yet seen. most of the

of stone

We

soon entered the village.

beautifully situated,
;

but has a most dilapidated appearance

houses were the

common mud-hut some were

;

and one was pierced with large holes, as if for defense. Nearly every yard has a great quantity of fruitgrapes, figs, pomegranates, and oranges. trees
:

"The

air

was heavy with

the siijhs of orauge groves." all

The enemy's cavalry had driven nearly

calde and the padre.

the real-

spectable people out of the place, carrying off the

Saw some

beautiful specimens

184

CAMl'AICN SKETCHES OF

of calcareous spar and

tion
is

gypsum

the general forma-

limestone.

No

better natural road

was ever

approached Marin over a beautiful level mesquite plain, and entered the town by a slight descent, it being situated on another table-land, rising abThe town, ruptly from the Valley of the San Juan. as usual, has its grand Plaza, containing about an acre
found.

We

of ground, surrounded by a very indifferent-looking Cathedral, and other low stone buildings, with azotea
roofs.

The
is

streets run perpendicularly with

each oth-

hardly a building worthy of description. it had a large I examined the residence of the alcalde court-yard ascending two flights of stairs, you entered
er; there
; ;

room with an earthen floor the lower part of the wall was painted red, with festoons of flowers, supported by hideously-deformed cupids. Ascending three
a long
;

steps,

you walk out upon a

fine

flat roof,

from which you

have a

view.

The town contains about two thousand inhabitants. As we approached it, the scenery, if possible, became more beautiful and grand mountains upon whichever

you turned the valley completely hemmed in, except where an occasional opening in the mountains gave you a beautiful prospect beyond. The mountains of Monterey, at whose base the city is situated, were distinctly visible in the west. The " Mitre Mountain" and the "Camanche Saddle" stand in bold relief;
side
;

the latter takes

its

name from

its

resemblance to the

tle

It was at this littown it was predicted we would have a fight, and many would have bet upon it. No enemy presented When we marched through the town, themselves. a death-like, painful silence it was nearly deserted reigned throughout most of the houses were closed

saddle used by that tribe of Indians.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO. and barred.

It

185

was a deserted village. One might what were Napoleon's feelwhile riding through the deserted streets of Mosings cow. When our advance arrived, the enemy had left;
judge, on a miniature scale,

had been previously seen lining one street and the Plaza, and were computed at a thousand. They are under the command of General Torrejon, and bivouacked in the city last night. Previous to their departure they drove nearly all the citizens out of the town, and, as usual, carried with them the public funcThey appear to delight in annoying the peotionaries. ple unable, or too cowardly to protect them, they take pleasure in driving them from their homes, and causing them to endure all the evils and sufferings they can possibly inflict, hoping, I presume, by such means to stir up within them a hatred for, and opposition to us, which they in their hearts possess, but have not the
their cavalry
;

courage

to display.
;

Most of

the people fled to the

chaparral

but after

we

passed through, and before

returning.
I

we encamped,
with them
;

a few

commenced

saw

some leading back pigs which they had tied and taken
others driving goats, and some returning on horse and mule back men, women, and children, some three deep, on the same animal. On the 14th September General Torrejon had a man shot as a spy in the grave-yard for holding communiHe carried off with him cation with General Taylor.

the

man
is

taken prisoner at Ramos, and released by Gen-

eral T.

He

intends shooting him.

;

It is

a pity

if

the

fellow

to be shot

it

could not be for telling the truth;

little

for I will venture to

say the general has

;

of that

communicated
cares very

to

him

" the truth

it
;

is

not in them."

He

Monterey he is going, if Decision of purtwenty thousand men oppose him

little

about

to

186
pose,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

which he possesses
is

in

which

so essential for an invading general,

;

an eminent degree, and is one of

it

the best points in his character

is

that

which

will

carry him triumphant wherever he goes.

talked-about city.
centrate the forces.

We are now
to con-

within twenty-five miles of the long-looked-for, much-

We

will

remain two days

September

16th.

From

aJVIexican, taken last night,

:

the general squeezed out the following information

There are nine thousand men at the city, six thousand rancheros and three thousand regulars. The latter are the remains of the army we whipped on the 8th and 9th of May the former swear they will not fight, and This little town can boast of most the latter they will. The valley through which the rivlovely scenery. er flows is quite level, covered with a rich growth of grass, affording ample grazing for any number of cattle. The mountains spring up directly from its plain to the west, three passes opening through the mountains are striking features in the landscape, as viewed from town. The sunset this evening was gorgeously
;

beautiful.

This valley

is

capable of supporting an imits

mense population, and ere long

with rich harvests.
ceived an opinion.

banks will teem

This country comes nearer the

All the
I have ever congood people of the north
;

idea of fany -land than any of which

must think of

they can people

it really is so and then and dress it up to suit their fancies. I will only add, if you give your imagination the rein, you will barely realize it. General Worth, with the 2d Division, arrived to-day. General Henderson, with his command of Texas cavalry, is expected to-morrow, unless they have decided to follow the example of the Rifle Regiment, and take their discharge. it

as such, for

it

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

187

September 17th. Early in the morning I rode up to town for the purpose ol' making a minute examination
of
it.

Fortunately,

found the Cathedral open, and as-

cended a spiral stair-case, inclosed in a masonry tower, upon which the belfry rests. I soon emerged upon the top. The view was magnificent, but, owing to the unusually hazy atmosphere, not as distinct as could have been desired. Before this elevated view 1 had no conception of the breadth of the Valley of the San Juan
;

it

can not be
I

less

than fifteen miles.

1 I

At the base of the

mountains, to the southwest,

terey.
ble
;

could distinctly see

was

surprised, for
it

had no idea
I

and then

looked so near,

could not

Monwas visicredit it was

it

twenty-five miles distant.

The

Bishop's Palace look-

and the city appeared to cover a great deal of ground of course, every thing was very indistinct, yet very interesting, as all our hopes are at This Cathedral present concentrated upon that spot. it is built in the shape of a cross, and has is unfinished very few decorations. Their patron saint, and other
ed
like a fortified place,
; ;

holy figures, occupied conspicuous positions

in niches

over the

altar.

The

roof

is

made of

a lime cement,

and beautifully graduated

to turn rain;

on one end

The ceiling was twenty feet high, composed of massive beams of timber, and laid with plank,
was a sun-dial.
meeting
fight,
in angles.
full

The camp has been

of

all sorts

of rumors

first

and then no fight. A reputed deserter made his appearance, fresh from the trenches, and reported there was no doubt we w^ould be resisted that the most extensive preparations were made; thereupon the Jig ht-

ites

rose

then, again, a report contradictory of the

former, and the fever would subside.

In the evening.

General Taylor received a communication from the

]88

CAMPAir.N SKETCHES Ot

erty of foreigners would be respected.

replied, he could not be responsible for

Spanish consul at Monterey, asking whether tne propThe general

any thing

if

the
dis-

city

was taken by

assault.

General Ampudia has

tributed along the road a printed proclamation, calling

upon the men and

stigmatizing the

officers of

our army to desert, and

war

as anti-Christian.

He offers them

protection, good pay, and equal rank in the Mexican How ignorant he must be of the character service. American soldier to think, for a moment, his ofof the The fer could provoke other than a feeling of disgust. volunteer division, under General Butler, arrived toCaptain Craig was relieved from the pioneers, day. The order for the march the road being good ahead. we move to-morrow morning. In case line of is out battle is formed, Twigg's Division will be on the right, the Volunteers in the center, and Worth's on the left. Rode to the city to enjoy one more sunset it cer; ;

tainly

was
it

perfectly lovely.
its

The sun

setting behind a

mountain, threw

body

in a deep,

dark blue shade,

while

illuminated the jutting peaks with golden light.

It

Some
scene

of them looked transparent.

soft

was a
;

rich, rich

and melancholy

one calculated

to inspire

none but the purest emotions of the heart one that made you feel like drawing around you your family and friends to drink in its beauties, and never wish to leave them. My God what a spot on which to build a palace, in whose western windows one could sit every evening and enjoy the gorgeous scenery
!

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

189

CHAPTER
September marched at 8
18th.

XIV.
division of the

The
;

first

army
an

o'clock

the others followed, with

The scenery was similar to that already described, save the around was more rolling than it appeared from Marin. The valley is made up
hour's intermission.

of gentle undulations, broad, level plains

the

whole

backed by huge mountains, whose

color in the morning's sun.

cliffs

are of a pink

The water of the vSan Juan was very cold, and wading it at early dawn was not very agreeable. Eight miles from Marin passed a small stream called Agua Frio. Its banks were high, bottom rocky, some slate formations visible, and I have no doubt coal
could be found.
banks.

Quite a number of houses,

suppose the

cabins of the peones attached to the hacienda, lined the

quite a

The "lord of the manor" had, for this country, showy and extensive establishment. In his court-yard was seen one of those old Spanish coaches,

heavy enough for six mules, and capable of containing a whole family. Its tout ensemble proved the owner a man of some pretensions. An Irishman, upon seeing it, exclaimed, "Och, but we're gettin' into civilization Be Jabers there's an omnibus /" A good many of the in! !

habitants

came

out to see us.

About three miles beyond the Agua Frio we reached the hacienda San Francisco, where we encamped. Just as our advance entered, the cavalry of the enemy left, and were in sight when we turned off to take our campground. Many thought the enemy were in front in

190
force,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

and a

battle

would ensue immediately

but

it

turned out to be the same force which has preceded us

eral

we left Ceralvo. The Padre of the place told GenTaylor that Ampudia would defend the place until death, and that it was well fortified. If we do fight, the Infantry will have to do the work, as our deficiency in heavy guns will render our field batteries almost useSome of the arrieros attempted to stampede toless. day, but Colonel Kinney, with his usual energy and They were alarmed, promptness, prevented them. having heard that the bugbear, Canales, was in their The alarm arose from General Henderson's rear. Brigade, consisting of two mounted regiments of Texans, under the command of Colonel Hays and Woods, who joined us this evening. They are a fine body of men, and add some eleven hundred to our force. Marched at sunrise. General September 19th. Henderson, with his brigade, and two companies of Rangers, in advance. General Taylor and staff accompanied them, to reconnoiter the place. Passed several plantations, and luxuriant fields of corn and sugarsince

cane.

Marching slowly along, within three miles of

the city, about 9 A.M., the report of a large cannon,

re-echoing from mountain to mountain, told us most

plainly the

intended to make, at

work had commenced, and that least, a show of fight.

the

enemy
more
ener-

Two
new

reports, in quick succession, followed,

and our men,

from lagging behind, were inspired with a

gy, and pushed forward with increased vigor.

They

were ready for the fierce combat at the moment. Two more guns were fired, and the command was halted. The general and staff were seen slowly returning. It appears, when the advance presented themselves, some Lancers came out from the city, hoping, no doubt, our

THE

VVAlt

WITH MEXICO.

lUl

cavalry would charge upon them, when, as they came within range of their guns, many would be sacrificed.

General Taylor saw through their design, and ordered a halt and then it was the enemy opened upon them.
;

The

firing

was from
city,

the citadel,

some distance

in ad-

and from guns of twelve pounds caliber. The third shot ricoched and passed directly over the general's staff, coming very near him. The troops were immediately encamped about three miles from the city, in a magnificent grove of peccan and

vance of the

From the sides of the slope issue springs of water, which are said to be streams at their fountainhead.
live oak.

After the general retired, the mounted troops remain-

ed some time

in the vicinity of the spot

were

first fired

upon.

Several shots were

course,
all
is

with no

effect.

ment

storming ditches the

all

Of

parties

taking
as

where they them anxiety and excitefired at

batteries

crossing
A
reconat

subjects of conversation.

noissance w^as immediately ordered, under charge of

our engineer

officers,

and they are

firing

away

them

with their big guns.

As soon

it is

finished the gen-

eral will form his plans,

and then we will know what The city appears well fortified and their heavy guns give them a great advantage over us, our small pieces being of no use in batAll we have to do is to take tering down their walls. theirs, and use them against themselves The greatest enthusiasm prevails among men and officers, and a

work
;

is

cut out for us.

perfect confidence of success

is

expressed.

In our ig-

norance of

its

fortifications,

no idea can be formed of

in

the time that will be

consumed

taking

it

but the

general impression
but soon over.

is,

that the struggle will be fierce,

Iii2

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

September 20th.

Major Mansfield,
left

in

charge of a

reconnoitering party, escorted by Captain Gillespie's

company of Rangers,

yesterday at 4 P.M. to re-

connoiter the works to the west of the town.

He

re-

turned at 10 P.M., having reached within five hundred

yards,

party

when he was fired upon with grape. The whole was repeatedly fired upon. He thinks the works

on the heights above the palace quite strong, but that

they can be carried by assault without much difliculty. Reconnoissances are actively going on. General Tay-

upon sending General Worth with his diand storm the heights to the west of the city. The division marched at noon in capital spirits. To this division was attached Colonel Hay's regiment, and Captains M'CulThe remaining dilough's and Gillespie's Rangers. visions are left for the work in the plain and on the The spot upon which we are eneast of the city. called Walnut Grove, and is said to be a camped is fashionable rendezvous for the exclusives of Monterey. A more charming spot for a pic-nic could not possibly
lor decided

vision to take possession of the Saltillo road,

be desired.

The works which command

city appear to be as follows
:

the approaches to the

on the west, the bishop's

palace, and a fort on a height

commanding
;
:

it

to the to the

north, the citadel, a regular bastion-work

east, several

and

detached redoubts

the streets are said

to be barricaded.

At 4 P. M. one regiment from each brigade of the and Volunteer Division, with Ridgely's, Bragg's, and Webster's batteries, were ordered out into the plain to make a diversion in favor of General Worth. General Taylor and his staff were out, and we presented quite an imposing appearance. The troops and the
1st

MONTEREY
AND
ITS

APPROACHES
-g^-,^-^^;-

"o.-^-a..<:x

!_.

REFERENCE
A Mex-Ambuscade of noon of20th Sepr.

B lard into

wTiichJIex. fired onJEvc. 30th

C Charge ofJSrex.Zancerson Morn. 21st

5|| E 'Eeighvstormed ly Col. Childs on

22nd

F Bishop'sPalace carried on

22nd
Tthrniy2ist

G Bht storniedl)yCap.SmiiIisB
Arista's house

H MedoiCbt stormed iyCen. Smith on 2Jst

I

and garden

Ck. cemetery wiihloopholes for rtmsfictry

K TaxueJa de Came L Small Tiara,

GrandSPlaza

PQKPos.oc'pied l)y ourTroops on lilbrn. 2Ith

1 Hedouht of4guns assaulted carried ot^

3rorn. of2ist
7>ylsr

3rd Diiision

F<.edoiiT)tof

3guns JFtJiiablo

3 ^JBreast-worTts
5
JTer*?

deTont JPurissima Bridge

6
^j^r^oT-

Be doubt of 4: guns
Be doubt of o guns

aan.Zine of Barricades

Buildings ofdifferem 7:inds i=^heseZines show the pos. of Corn

si.^J^hapa rra I

fields

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

surrounding scenery

193
picture.

made
fire

quite

striking

We

thought

we

could trace by the dust the course of

Worth's column.

was kept up

at the train

Irom
aft-

the height above the bishop's palace.

During the

ernoon a battery was commenced for the mortar. After dusk some shots were fired at us and the working party. After dark all the troops retired but the 3d
Infantry and Bragg's battery
;

they remained

until

o'clock to cover the erection of the mortar battery.

They were relieved by the 4th Infantry and the 1st Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, who remained upon the field all night. The mortar and two twenty-fourpound howitzers were established during the night, and will probably open upon the city in the morning. September 21st. During the night an express was received from General Worth, stating he had arrived in position, and would storm tw^o heights to the southwest of the castle before storming the height directly west of it. About 7 A.M. the 1st and Volunteer Divisions were ordered under arms, and advanced toward the city. The mortar and howitzer batteries opened, but with little or no effect. General Taylor directed the 1st Division to be moved toward the east of the city to support Major Mansfield in a close reconnoissance of the enemy's works. The division (owing to the indisposition of General Twnggs, who had no idea the action was to be brought on, and was at first in camp, but immediately repaired to the field) was under the command of Colonel Garland, 4th Infantry. The 4th Infantry, under Major Allen, being at the mortar battery, the division went into action with the 3d Infantry, commanded by Major Lear, the 4th Brigade, commanded by Colonel Wilson, consisting of the 1st Infantry, commanded bv Major Abercrombie. and the Vo,./l.

194

CAMTAIUN SKEJ'CUES OF

Baltimore Battalion under Colonel Watson, and Bragg's and Ridgely's batteries. Major Mansfield was direct-

ed by General Taylor to bring on the action, if he thought the works could be carried. The reconnoitering party was first supported by Company C, 3d Infantry, under
the command of Lieutenant Ilazlitt, and re-enforced, upon application, by Company H., 3d Infantry, under the

command of Captain Field. The division was formed in

line of battle

out of

reach of the guns of the enemy, when orders were brought for us to advance (by Lieutenant Pope, topographical engineer, and Colonel Kinney, who was acting as volunteer aid-de-camp), make our way into the
city,

end.

and storm battery No. 1, at the extreme eastern As we advanced, battery No. 1 opened upon us. The first shot fired struck immediately in front of our An enfilading fire was line and ricoched over it. opened upon us from the citadel. The line steadily but rapidly advanced, regardless of all fire important work was to be performed, and we had made up our minds to carry all before us at the point of the bayFor five hundred yards w^e advanced across a onet. We rushed into plain under fire of the two batteries. the streets. Unfortunately, we did not turn soon enough to the left, and had advanced but a short distance when we came suddenly upon an unknown battery, which opened its deadly fire upon us. From all its embrasures, from every house, from every yard, showers of Being in utter ignorance balls were hurled upon us. of our locality, we had to stand and take it our men,
;

covering themselves as well as they could, dealt death

and destruction on every side there was no resisting the deadly, concealed fire, which appeared to come from every direction. On every side we were cut
;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

195
wlio

down.
shot

Major Barbour was the

;

first officer

was

men. He was killed an escopet ball passing through his heart. by He never spoke his most intimate friend, standing by his side, never received one kind look one " God bless you !" but his spirit, in the twinkling of lightning, winged its way to his Maker. We retired into the next street, under cover of some walls and houses. Into this street the body of Major Barbour was carried. Here were lying the dead, wounded, and dying. Captain Williams, of the topographical corps, lay on one side of the street, wounded the gallant Major Mansfield, wounded in the leg, still pressed on with unabated ardor, cheering the men,

down

he

fell,

cheering

his

and pointing out places of attack. It was in this street saw the gallant Colonel Watson, followed by a few of his men (some of them were persuading him to reNever shall I forget the animated expression of tire). his countenance when, in taking a drink from the canteen of one of his men, he exclaimed, "Never, boys never will I yield an inch I have too much Irish blood A short time after this exclamain me to give up !" Lieutenant Bragg's battery artion he was a corpse. rived about this time. He reached the street into which we had retired, but it was impossible for him to do any Finding the struggle at this point hopeless, our thing. force originally having been deemed only suflicient to carry battery No. 1, without any expectation of finding
I
!
!

some two or three others raking us, we were ordered to retire in order, with the view of attacking the battery at a more salient point. In the mean time. Captain
Backus, of the
himself, with
1st

Infantry, succeeded in stationing

fifty

some

men,

in a tan-yard,

which was

about one hundred and thirtv vards in the rear of bat-

196
tery No.
1,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
;

and nearer the town in this yard was a No. 1 its roof was flat, encompassed by a wall about two feet high, which was an excellent breast-work for his men. About twenty yards to
shed, facing battery
:

the southwest of the battery

was

a large building, with

very thick walls, used as a distillery. On the top of this building sand-bag embrasures had been constructThe gorge of ed, and it was occupied by the enemy. Captain battery No. 1 was open toward the shed. Backus, with his men, drove the enemy from the distillery with considerable loss.

About

this

time he re-

been ordered to retire. Our firing having ceased, he was about withdrawing, when he again heard firing in front of the battery, and
ceived information that
at the

we had

same time

all

the guns of the battery opened in

fire.

This was the advance of two companies of 4th Infantry, about ninety strong, upon whom the fire of the enemy's batteries were concenIt was actutrated, and actually mowed them down. ally ninety men advancing to storm a work defended hy Jive hundred! It was here the gallant Hoskins and Woods fell, bravely cheering their men, and the genBackus determined to erous Graham was wounded. reposted his men on the roof of the retain his position shed, and shot down the enemy at their guns, firing through the open gorge of the work. At this time the Mississippi and Tennessee regiments, under the command of General Quitman, advanced under a very heavy fire, and gained possession The galling of the battery, after a very severe loss. The fire of Backus saved many of their gallant men. greater part of the enemy had been driven from the work before it was taken possession of by the command of General Quitman. Major-general Butler was
the direction of the
;

THE WAR WITH

MEXICf).

197

in company with Ohio Rei]:iment. In retirinfr from the city, we were exposed to a galling fire from A ball took a man's head off, and threw it the citadel. and part of his gun high in the air.

wounded

in the leg

while leading,
1st

General Hamer, the

When

the division re-formed our terrible loss be-

In the 3d Infantry, its gallant commander, Major Lear, was severely wounded by a ball entering at his nostril and coming out at the back of his ear. Lieutenant D. S. Irwin, adjutant of the 3d Infantry, was killed by a shot in the neck. Captain G. P. Field was killed by Lancers while retiring. Lieu-

came apparent.

tenant Hoskins, of the 4th Infontry, Lieutenant

Woods,

of the 2d (serving with the 4th), were

tenant
bie,

killed,

and Lieu-

Graham

mortally wounded.

of the 1st Infantry,

was

slightly

Major Abercromwounded Cap;

tain

La Motte was

shot in the

arm

Lieutenant

Dill-

worth had a leg shot off; Lieutenant Terret w^as woundThe division was then orderetl ed and taken prisoner.
to the

captured work to support Ridgely's battery,

city.

about being ordered into the

During this time the mortar and three twenty-fourpound howitzers were playing upon the city; one of them, having been taken to the captured w^ork, was now firing into Fort Diablo. While under cover of the battery, we were ordered to enter the city immediately, and carry, if possible, a work of the enemy apparently but a few streets off. The command which went on that fearful expedition was chiefly made up from the 3d and 4th Infantry. The moment we left the cover of the work we were exposed to a galling fire of musketry, escopets, and artillery. We pushed steadily along, taking advantage of every shelter to approach the work. Captain L. N. Morris, 3d Infan-

198
try, led the

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES, ETC.

column.

Crossing one street, we were exguns (mounted in barbette) of a tete de pont, which commanded the passage of El Puente Purissima. The fire from it w^as perfectly awful. We advanced through several gardens and streets,

posed

in full to the

and

at last

worked our way

to a spot

where we were

slightly sheltered from the showier of lead.

The

ene-

my had occupied these houses, and w^ere driven from them by the determined advance of our men. We could not proceed any further, having arrived at an impassable stream, on the opposite side of which the enemy were in force with three pieces of artillery, from w^liich an incessant fire w^as kept up on us. In fact, every street w^as blockaded, and every house a and on all sides our gallant officers and fortification men were shot down. Our command did not number over one hundred and fifty, and the enemy were at least a thousand strong at the bridge. It would have been madness to storm it with a force so inadequate. It was at this point that Captain L. N. Morris, while;

bravely loading his regiment, received a mortal wound

the shot passed through his body, killing
diately.
critical

him imme-

Going

into action with five seniors, at this

moment
in the

the

command

of the 3d Infantry de-

volved upon myself

Captain Bainbridge had been

after leaving the captured
after

w^ounded
battery.

hand just few moments

Captain Morris
his

fell,

Lieutenant Hazlitt, of the 3d, received

the

Here it American

death-wound. was that the undaunted courage and bravery of

soldier

showed

itself

to a deadly

fire, they would advance by

selves of their aim,

fire,

retire

Although exposed file, assure themand load, and agaiii reto re-en-

turn to the spot where the balls were flying thick and
fast.

At one time a whole regiment, coming

200
force the

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

command

already at the bridge, was ex-

posed

to the fire of

our

men

it

was very

effective.

Major

W. Graham was

the senior officer of the 4th

Infantry with this advanced

command.
ordered to
(if

The enemy
retire.

being strongly re-enforced, our cartridges nearly exhausted, the

command was

This

was done
creased
the

coolly and calmly, under

possible) an in-

fire. On command was

arriving near the captured battery

forced to

lie

down

flat in

the road,

under cover of a very small embankment of an irrigating ditch, for more than an hour, exposed to an incessant fire of bullets, ball, and shells, until ordered to take position under cover of the captured work.
Lieutenant Ridgely, with a section of his battery,

advanced to the street leading to the " tete de pont," and fired several rounds, but, finding they were perLieutenfectly useless, his pieces were withdrawn. ant Bragg, with his battery, put to flight some little

show of a charge of Lancers. Captain Shivers, with company, did good service. The volunteers were all ordered to camp, excepting the 1st Kentucky, which was not in the action, having been kept as a guard
his

They, with the 1st, 3d, and 4th Inand Captain Shivers's company, were ordered to remain, to hold the captured work. Just before dark an express arrived from General Worth stating that he had been successful in taking two heights, and would storm the one commanding the Bishop's Palace to-morrow at day-daw^n. There was a smile of satisfaction passed over our good general's face, and when it was announced to the command we gave three cheers. A traverse was immediately thrown up, under the superintendence of Lieutenant Scarritt, Engineers, as a cover from the fire of the citover the mortar.
fantry,

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

201

Tlie 3d Infantry, with two companies of the 1st adel. Kentucky Regiment, occupied the battery, the balance the distillery and houses in the neighborhood.

The
rain-

night set in cold, and, to complete our misery,

it

ed

the

men had
1

neither dinner nor supper, and, with-

were forced to lie down in the mud. mounted five pieces one twelve-pounder, one nine, two sixes, and one howitzer. While such were the operations under the immediate eye of General Taylor, General Worth, with his division, was moving for the Saltillo road. A large body of cavalry and some infantry disputed his further passage. The charge of the cavalry was met by the battalion
out even a blanket,

Battery No.

of light troops under Captain C. F. Smith, and Captain

JVrCuUough's company of Rangers. The enemy charged by squadrons, and had to turn the foot of a hill before reaching our men. On they came, our men standing like rocks, and many a saddle was emptied by their unerring aim. The first squadron was completely mixed up with our advance, when on came the second. Lieutenant Hays, of Duncan's battery, unlimbered the guns in a minute, and poured in round shot over the heads of our men. This dispersed the whole body, and In this sharp engagethe cry was, " Saiive qui pent /"

presumed, lost one hundred, the number. As soon as the cavalry had retired, the enemy (from "Independence Hill," west of the Palace) opened upon Under this our column a fire from a twelve-pounder. fire the division marched two miles, incurring very Out of range of this height, another little, if any loss. battery of one gun opened from a hill, called " Federacioji" (between these heights the road to Saltillo runs), and continued the fire until the division marching on
ment, the enemy,
colonel
it is

among

the

202

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

the Saltillo road

were out of range. At this point General Worth decided to storm the battery on FedCaptain C. F. Smith, 2d Artillery, was eracion Hill. selected, with about three hundred men, half regulars,
and the
service.
rest

Texans, under Major Chevalier,

for this

After the departure of Captain Smith, Cap-

tain Miles, with the 7th Infantry,

to his support.

was ordered

to

march

rect route to
aflbrd

His orders required him to take a dithe hill, through a cornfield, which would

him

slight shelter.

The advance of Captain Miles was unobserved by the enemy until he had nearly reached the small stream
and upon which As soon as the head of the the battery was situated. column debouched, a discharge of grape was opened upon them, w^ithout injuring a man. Before crossing the river, two more discharges of grape were received, and the Infantry stationed upon the hill commenced a
(the

Arroyo Topa) which runs south of

its

the city,

courses

w^ay along the base of the

hill

plunging

fn-e

not

man
it

ment crossed

the riVer,

rock, out of reach of the

As the regiw^as injured. was formed under a point of enemy. Detachments were

then sent forward under Lieutenants Grant, Little, and

Gardner,

keep the enemy employed, and divert their attention from the advance of Captain Smith. About this time Colonel Smith, commanding the 2d
to

Brigade, arrived, with the 5th Infantry, and ordered Captain Miles, with the 7th, to follow that regiment in

an attack upon Fort Soldado, a temporary breast-work on an eminence to the southeast of Federacion. As the brigade moved on, it was discovered that Captain Smith, with his command, had possession of the height. The 2d Brigade formed in line within four hundred yards of the redoubt, and rapidly advanced. It receiv-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

203

ed one discharge of grape from a twelve-pounder, and several were woimded. not a few escopet balls The
;

advance continued rapidly until within a hundred yards, when the charge was made at double quick. The enemy fled in every direction. In this affair the left wing of the 7th entered the redoubt with that of the 5th. There were also many
of Captain Blanchard's gallant

company
w^ell

of Louisiana

Volunteers and Texan Rangers

vance, each and
sition of his
all

up with the ad-

striving for the post of honor.

Colonel Smith immediately

made
;

the following dispo-

command
first

session of the

Captain Smith to retain posheight stormed Captain Miles, with

:

the 7th, to hold the last height taken

Scott, with the 5th Infantry, to

and Captain

move on

the

same
;

ridge,

further east.

In this position the 2d Brigade remained

the 7th In-

during the afternoon and night of the 21st

fantry receiving, for several hours, the

fire

from the

Bishop's Palace, which was returned by the captured

gun under charge of Lieutenant Dana, of the 7th Infantry. Soon after dark, General Worth communicated with Colonel Smith, informing him that at daybreak

the next morning

he intended storming the height

above the Bishop's Palace, and that Captain Miles, with three companies of the 7th, must move in the direction of the Palace, to create a diversion.

September 22d.
tery No.
1,

Let us return

to the eastern ex-

tremity of the city, where the

as soon as

command occupying

bat-

day dawned, were forced to lie flat down in the mud to cover themselves from the spiteful fire from Fort Diablo, which was incessantly kept up. Just at the gray dawn of day, lying on my back, I witnessed the storming of the height which

commanded

the Bishop's Palace.

The

first

intimation

204

CAMPAIGN SKETCHEri OF

we

top of the

was the discharge of musketry near the Each flash looked like an electric spark. The flashes and the white smoke ascended the hill side The dark space steadily, as if worked by machinery. of the height and the curling smoke between the apex of the musketry became less and less, until the whole became enveloped in smoke, and we knew it was galIt was a glorious sight, and quite lantly carried.
had of
it

hill.

warmed up our cold and chilled bodies. Firing commenced on us as soon as the day

cleverly

dawned. Many shells were thrown from the citadel, none of which burst in the work, although they fell all around us. Lieutenant Scarritt was busily employed putting the battery and distillery in a better state of deCaptain Bainbridge assumed command of the fense. 3d Infantry in the morning. The 1st, 3d, and 4th Infantry, and Kentucky regiment were relieved by a command under General Quitman, of Colonel Davis's Returning to camp, we were Mississippi regiment. exposed to a cross and enfilading fire from the enemy's
batteries.

corporal of the 4th Infantry

was

cut in

two, and one

man wounded.

We

had

to scatter

along

to prevent being fired at in a body.

The

division

were

delighted to reach their camp, to have one night's rest.

We had hardly arrived when an express came in, stating

that General

Worth had
I

carried the castle, and another,

from whence,

presume, will never be known, that the

!

enemy were coming

out to meet us in the plain were again immediately under arms, and marched no enemy appearing, we returned. At sunset the

We
out; reg-

iment followed to the grave the remains of the lamented Morris.

have previously menupon the height comtioned, the attack was made

At daylight on

the 22d, as

S
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

205

manding the Bishop's Palace, by a command under Colonel Childs, composed of artillery and infantry, and
At the mQ_ment command under Captain Miles descended toward the palthe storming party
ascent, the
ace, giving three cheers to attract the attention of the

some Texans under Colonel Hays. commenced the

enemy

in return for

their

cheers, they received a

shower of grape. This movement held the enemy in check at the castle, and prevented him from succoring his flying forces on the hill above, which was carried
with great gallantry and
pie
fell

slight loss.
first

Captain Gilles-

mortally wounded, the

breast-work.

Soon

after.

man to enter the General Worth ordered up

the 5th Inlantry, Captain Smith's

tain Blanchard's

re-enforce
itzer

command, and Capcompany of Louisiana Volunteers, to Colonel Childs. With great exertion, a howin position,

was placed

under charge of Lieutenfire

ant Roland, which played with a plunging

the castle with great precision and effect.

upon

A light corps
Blanof the hill,

under Captain Vinton, composed of chard's company and Texans, on the

kept up a continued

artillery,
left

turned with

fire of musketry, which was reby the enemy. About noon the Mexican cavalry deployed before

spirit

the palace, and

ishers.

Vinton's

made an attempt to charge our skirmThey were repulsed, and pursued closely by command, preventing many from again enter-

ing the castle, rushing in themselves through every

opening, and driving the

fore them.

enemy with

consternation befirst

Lieutenant Ayers was the

to enter

and

pull

down

the flag of the enemy, and run up the

Vinton
V.,i..

Great credit is due to Captain General Worth, after the castle was taken, moved down all his forces and anistar-spangled banner.
for his gallantry.

I.

206

CAMPAIGN

SKETCIlEri OF

munition train from the ranch of the Saltillo road, and so remained during the night of the 22d, directing the
5th Infantry and Blanchard's

redoubt on the

company to return to the was stationed. September 2od. From our camp we had the pleasure of hearing General Worth open upon the town from the castle about 7 o'clock. A report was circuThe lated that the enemy were attempting to escape. whole command was immediately under arms, and marched almost within range of the enemy's guns. So many commanding points were in our possession, that
hill,

where

the 7th

we were
tion.
It

momentarily
that, too,

in

expectation of their capitula-

was cheering

to see

them, and
nition.

with their

Worth pouring it into own pieces and ammu-

The

rapid discharge of small-arms at the east-

ern end of the city gave notice that the engagement had again commenced. The regiment of Texas cav-

Woods had dismounted, and, with under Colonel Davis, were sharply the Mississippians, The Mississippians at daybreak took possesat work. sion of Fort Diablo (from which we had received such a destructive fire on the 21st and 22d), without any realry under Colonel

them

enemy having abandoned it, taking with guns during the night. General Quitman was in command. These troops fought most gallantly, driving the enemy before them from house to house, their rifles picking the mofF wherever a Mexican's body
sistance, the

their

or head presented itself

Bragg's battery was ordered into the city, and the 3d Infantry was ordered to support it. When we got within range of the guns of the citadel, the battery
crossed the
jured.
field

of

fire at full

gallop

not one

The 3d took

a more circuitous route, and

was incame

up under cover.

When we

arrived the city had been

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

cleared of the

207

two main Plaza, and in which they had heen concentrated. General Quitman, General Henderson, General Lamar, Colonel Wood, and Colonel Davis all displayed distinguished gallantry several of their men were wounded, and some few killed. Bragg's battery and the 3d Infantry dashed in among them, and shared the fight for the remainder of the day. The firing was very severe, but nothing compared to that on the 21st, except at one street running directly from the Cathedral. To cross that street you had to pass through a shower of bullets. One of Bragg's pieces played up this street with very little effect, as the weight of metal was entirely too light. Sergeant Weightman, Bragg's first sergeant, worked his piece like a hero, and was shot through the heart while aiming his gun. The Mexicans, whenever the piece was pointed at them, would fall behind their barricade, and at that time we could
squares
of,

enemy on

a line with, and within

is

the Cathedral,

which

situated in the

cross without a certainty of being shot

as soon as

it

was fired, their balls (as if bushels of hickory nuts, were hurled at us) swept the street. Our men crossed " Go it, my hoys /" and away some would it in squads. others would wait until the enemy had foolishly start expended at space their bullets, and then they would
;

cross.

General Taylor was in town with his staff, on walking about, perfectly regardless of danger. w^as very imprudent in the exposure of his person.
crossed the street
fire in

foot,

He He

in

which there

w^as such a terrible

a walk, and by every chance should have been

I

shot.

ran across with some of

my

men, and remindin

ed him

how much
'

he w^as exposing himself, to which

that

he replied,

Take

ax and knock

that door.''

208

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

When we commenced
fied,

on the door the occupant signiby putting the key in and unlocking it, if we had no objection, he would save us the trouble. It turned The out to be quite an extensive apothecary-shop. proprietor. Doctor San Juan (there are more St. Johns in this country than stones), was a very respectablelooking Esculapius, and offered us some delicious, ripe I took some of the former, but limes and cool water.
declined the latter, as
ed.
it

was

hinted

it

might be poison-

One

of the men, not so sensitive,

made

himself a

governor lemonade, and told me it was ''first rater and The doctor said Ampudia advised me to take some.

was

in the

Plaza with four thousand men, and that two

in the citadel.

thousand were
posite corner
;

The

house on the op-

had been broken open. It was a grocery in it the men found bread and other edibles. store Bursting open another door, we came upon five rather genteel-looking women, with some children, and one or two men. They were on their knees, each with a crucifix, begging for mercy. As soon as they saw me, the cry was, "Capitano capitano !" I reassured them by shaking hands, and, by the expression of my counThey aptenance, signified there was no danger. peared very grateful to find their*" throats were not to be cut. Although we are fiercely fighting, and the
!

blood of our officers and

men

has freely flowed, yet

I

not one act of unkindness have

heard reported as

being committed by either regular or volunteer.

General Taylor, finding the field-pieces of little use, ordered us to retire to camp as soon as the volunteers

had withdrawn.
throwing

Their withdrawal was ordered upon

the supposition that General

shells into the

mortar was sent

to

Worth would commence The him yestei'day. It was a difficult

city in the afternoon.

Tin:

WAR

Willi MliXICO.
;

209

matter to get the volunteers out

their

they were having

own

fun.

The enemy

sent in a flag of truce to-

day, asking a cessation until the

women

and children
;

could he removed.

The

general, of course, declined

such a degree of politeness should not have been ex-

pected at
their time

this late hour.

is

The
It is

flag
I

is

a good

symptom;
leav-

drawing near.

hardly think they will

hold out another day.

reported

many were

ing the heights with pack-mules this morning.

Had

not General
road,
I

Worth taken possession question whether many w^ould

Thus
far

of the Saltillo

off yesterday.
ly,

not have been they have fought most braveI

and with an endurance and tenacity

did not think

they possessed.

On our march back to camp, I was very much amused at a remark of an Irishman " Faith, boys, we have had a Waterloo time of it three days' fighting The French fought against the combined powers of Europe
: ;
!

we

are the combined powers of Europe and

America

We

have a
'/'

little

of

all

among

us,

and

the

whole can't

be bate

the operations at our end of the General Worth directed the twelve-pounder capcity. tured in Fort Soldado to be taken to a point further

While such were

and placed in position to play upon the city. CapChapman's company of the 5th Infantry had the immediate charge of it. Its fire had the effect of driving the enemy from their lines bordering the river. Major (no longer Captain Martin, though the same in history) Scott showed he was as apt with a twelvepounder as a rifle. I presume, if the Mexicans had known he was up there, they would have decided the jig was up. About 10 A.M. the 7th Infantry evacueast,

tain

ated the redoubt and joined General

Worth

at the Pal-

210

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
In these differ;

ace, preparatory to entering the city.

ent operations their loss

was very

inconsiderable

the

resistance offered
that at the eastern

was of a

different
city,

character from

end of the

where the enemy

were concentrated.
Captain M'Kavett, of the 8th Infantry, was killed by was marching around the base of Lieutenant Potthe hill, on the morning of the 21st.
a cannon ball as he
7th Infantry,
ter,

was wounded

in

storming the redoubt,

and Lieutenant Rossell, 5th Infantry, was wounded in A command was formed, the attack upon the Palace. composed of Major Brown's company of Artillery, Captain Blanchard's company, and one or two companies of Texan Rangers, with a piece of artillery from M'Kall's Battery, all under command of Major Brow^n, and directed to march back on the road to Saltillo and take possession of an extensive mill, holding themselves ready to repel succor and cut off retreat. Lieutenant Meade, of the Topographical Corps, had reconnoitered the city in company with Captain M*Cullough, and found the enemy had abandoned it as far as the Plaza, in which is located the cemetery. Captain Miles was ordered to detach three companies, and take the
street nearest to the river.

Colonel Stanniford had a

similar order, as regards the 8th Infantry, to take the

next street north

the latter

the first was led by Captain Holmes, by Captain Scriven. Both parties reached the cemetery without a shot from the enemy, and took possession of it. Its wall had been loop-holed and pre;

pared for defense.

Each

of these

lowed by a piece of

artillery.

After these

commands were folcame Col-

onel Childs with the Artillery Battalion, and Captain

Miles with the remainder of the 7th and a company of the 8th Infantry, the latter protecting the mortar

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

2.1

and ammunition train which had been sent round by General Taylor. The mortar was left in the cemetery, and soon placed in position by Major Monroe, assisted by Lieutenant Lovell. Captains Holmes and Scriven,
with their commands, had been ordered to advance

through the same streets

cemetery.

to a

square

in

advance of the

They were

both soon engaged with the

enemy.

Colonel Childs followed the street upon which

Captain Scriven advanced, and arrived at a large Plaza

which it was deemed important to hold Captain Miles was ordered to his support. Here Captain Gatlin, of The troops were soon under the 7th, was wounded. cover of the walls, and were re-enforced by two compa;

nies of the 5th,

under Captain Merrill, and afterward

by three more companies under Major Scott. The column in the next street, now under the immediate orders of Colonel Smith, was in sharp conflict with the enemy. Captain Holmes was supported by Texans under Walker, and had gallantly pushed his way
near the enemy,
onel
tery.

through houses and garden walls, until he arrived very Lieutenant-colin Cathedral Plaza.

Duncan was playing down

the streets with his bat-

Late in the afternoon, Major Brown, with his command, was recalled, and joined the Texans in the Plaza, where Colonel Childs was stationed. They immediately commenced with pickaxes, working their way toward the enemy, on that line of buildings. It was
not long before the sharp crack of their
rifles

w^as heard,

and good execution w^as done with them.

When

night

arrived, the troops kept possession of the houses they

had taken, excepting Captain Holmes, who, being so far advanced, was without support, and having many of his men wounded, was forced to fall back. The

212

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

troops in the Plaza took possession of the houses on

both sides, and rested on their arms until daylight.

During the night Lieutenant Lovell threw shells with great accuracy and execution, the enemy returning More than their fire with shells from their howitzers. once did bomb and shell cross each other in their airy
flight.

Lieutenant Gardner, of the 7th, greatly distinin

guished himself

leading the advance of the 7th with

At one time nearly all his comwounded. Quartermastersergeant Henry, of the 7th, was conspicuous for his
ladders and pickaxes.

mand were
gallantry.

either killed or

September 24th.
shortly after reveille

In the

morning

all

was

quiet,

and

we

heard that Colonel Murine had

in camp with a flag of truce, and with an offer from General Ampudia to surrender the city, if General Taylor would permit him to march out with his troops and all the public property. General Taylor of course declined, and sent back his terms, stating an answer would be received at General Worth's headquarters at

arrived

12

M. he repaired
;

there immediately.

Colonel Murino

had received information that commissioners had been appointed to negotiate for peace, and that no re-enforcements would be sent them that we might take the place, but that it would cost us two thirds of our command. It was understood, if terms were not agreed upon, firing would re-commence, and as night has arrived, I presume it is all settled. If it is
stated that they
;

so,

honorably, thanks be to
25th.
;

God

am

tired of this

spilling of blood.

September

The general

returned

last

night

about 12 o'clock

the city has capitulated.

The com-

missioners on our side were Generals

derson, and Colonel Davis.

Worth and Hen-

On

the part of the Mexi-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

cans,

213

Manuel M. Llano, T. Requena, and Ortega.

The

following are the terms

Terms of

the Capitulatioii of the City of Monterey, the Capital of Niieva Leon, agreed upon by the undersigned commissioners, to-wit: General Worth, of the United

General Henderson, of the Texan Voland 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 SeJlor Manuel M. Llano, Governor of Nueva
States

Army ;
;

unteers

Leon, on the part of Sehor General Don Pedro Ampudia, commanding in chief the Army of the North of

Mexico.

Article

1.

As

the legitimate result of the operations

before this place, and the present position of the con-

tending armies,
tions,
lic

it is

agreed that the

city, the fortificaall

cannon, the munitions of war, and

other pub-

property, with the undermentioned exceptions, be

surrendered to the commanding general of the United States forces now" at Monterey.
retain the following arms, to-wit:
;

That the Mexican forces be allowed to The commissioned the infantry, their arms and officers, their side arms the cavalry, their arms and accouaccouterments
Article
2.
;

terments

the artillery, one field

battery, not to ex-

ceed six pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammunition.

within seven days from

That the Mexican armed forces retire this date beyond the line formed by the pass of the Rinconada, the city of Linares, and San Fernando de Pusos. Article 4. That the citadel of Monterev be evacuArticle
3.

214
ated by the

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

Mexican and occupied by the American to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. Article 5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, that the troops of the United States v^ill not occupy the city until the Mexican forces have withdrawn, except for hospital and storage purposes. Article 6. That the forces of the United States will not advance beyond the line specified in the third arforces
ticle

before the expiration of eight weeks, or until the

orders of the respective governments can be received.

Article
shall be

7.

That the public property

to be delivered

turned over and received by officers appointed

by the commanding generals of the two armies. Article 8. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the preceding articles shall be solved by an equitaand on principles of liberality to the army. Article 9. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, may be saluted by its own battery.
ble construction,

retiring

W.
J.

J.

Worth,
Army.

Brigadier-general United States

PiNKNEY Henderson, Major-general com'g Texan Volunteers. Jefferson Davis,

Colonel Mississippi Riflemen.
J.

M. Ortega,

T. Requena,

Approved,
Dated

Manuel M. Llano, Pedro'Ampudia, Z. Taylor, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. com'g.

September
24th, 1846.

at Monterey,

Colonel P. F. Smith
in the

commanded our
the

troops engaged
flag

ceremony.

When

Mexican

was lower-

THE WAK WITH

xVIEXlCu.

iil5

ed, they fired a salute of eight guns.

When

the " star-

spangled banner" was run up and floated

in the breeze,

twenty-eight guns were fired from the Bishop's Palace.

There

that

most

beautiful of

all flags, its

colors

dyed

in the blood of

our forefathers, and re-dyed in that of

upon the fierce battle-field, floated, an emblem of American possession to the Sierra Madre Whether by treaty we are to keep possession or not, the fact of its having once floated o'er this rich domain will make it sacred to every American and when they think by what a loss of noble spirits it has been obtaintheir sons
!

drop a tear to their memory. Our troops marched in to the tune of" Yankee Doodle !" The enemy, commanded by General Ampudia, can be safely put down at ten thousand, of which at least seven thousand were regulars. Our force consisted of
ed, they will

four hundred and twenty-five officers, and six thousand

two hundred and twenty men.

cers,
six

We

lost tw^elve offi;

and one hundred and eight men killed tw^entyofficers, and three hundred and seven men wound-

ed.

The
it is

loss of the

enemy could

not be ascertained,

but

thought to exceed ours.

in the

We

captured forty;

two

pieces of artillery, of various caliber

among them

an eighteen-pounder struck
ed at the

muzzle and dismount-

Brown.

commencement of the bombardment of Fort The amount of munitions of war is immense.

:

The following officers were killed Captain Williams, 1st Infantry, Lieutenant Topographical Engineers 3d Infantry, J. C. Terrett, Lieutenant R. Dilworth Captains L. N. Morris, G. P. Field, and Brevet Major P. N. Barbour, Lieutenants D. S. Irwin and R. Haz4th Infantry, Lieutenant C. Hoskins, Brevet Lieulitt
;
;

tenant

J. S.

Wood, 2d

Infantry (serving with the 4th)

;

8th Infantry, Captain H. M'Kavett

Baltimore Battal-

210
ion,

CAMPAIGN
Colonel

SKETCilEri OF

Watson;

1st

Ohio, Lieutenant Hett

;

1st

Tennessee, Captain Allen, Lieutenant Putnam

Gillespie,
:

Captain

Butler,

Texas Rangers. Wounded Major-general Major Mansfield 1st Infantry, Major J. S. Abercrombie. Captain J. H. Lamotte 3d Infantry, Major W. W. Lear, Captain H. Bainbridge 4th Infantry,
;

Lieutenant R.
tenant

II.

Graham
;

5th Infantry, Lieutenant

N. B. Rossell; 7th Infantry, Captain R. C. Gatlin, Lieu8th Infantry, Lieutenant G. WainJ. H. Potter
wright;
1st

Ohio, Colonel Mitchell, Captain George,

;

1st Lieutenants Armstrong, Niles, Morter, M'Carty Tennessee, Major Alexander, Lieutenants Allen, Scud-

and Nixon; 1st Mississippi, Lieutenant-colonel M'Clung, Captain Downing, Lieutenants Cook and
der,

Arthur.

The
unteers

battle

is

over

the army, both regulars and vol-

have proved themselves invincible. Both officers and men, with death staring them in the face, did their duty without flinching, and with a bravery worthy of all praise.
or,

more properly speaking, Americans

CHAPTER
September
26th.
I

XV.

rode to that city which has been

the object of our hopes

and

fears since the 8th

and 9th

May. was the

of
fires

On my way
citadel,
plain.

there, the first point of interest

spiteful cross-

from which issued those

It is

over the

a regular bastion-work, with

revetments of solid masonry, having thirty-four embrasures.

If the ditches
it

had been dug out

in front of

the curtains,

could only have been taken by regular

its

approaches.

In

interior are the remains of

an un-

TEIE

WAR WITH

MEXICO.

217

which of itself is a work of defense. Tw^o magazines, filled w^ith ammunition, were discovered, enough to have kept them shooting at us for a
finished Cathedral,

month.

The
south,

city

is

situated in

a plain, open toward the

Madre, overhang it. Direct1}^ north of the city, and between it and the mountains, flows the Arroyo Topa. Entering the city, I was immediately struck with the number of persons moving and getting ready to move. Every thing that bore the name of an animal was packed, and all appeared to be making their way out of the city as speedily as possible. In every street we passed works of deand almost
at the base of the Sierra to

whose towering peaks appear

fense, nearly

all

barricaded, the barricades lapping

in front of each.

each other, and ditches

Every house

was a
I

fortification.

rode to the Plaza,

division

well

in which many of General Worth's were comfortably quartered. The streets are paved, and the sidewalks have flat stones. In the
is I

center of the Plaza there

a neat fountain; the houses

;

are better built than any

have yet seen each one garden inclosed by high stone walls, filled with oranges, pomegranates, grapes, and a profusion of
has
its

flow'ers.

The

quantities of beautiful trees

scattered
it

about the

city, the

domes and minarets, give

fruit is

a fairyfor sale

like aspect.

great deal of

exposed

in the Plaza; the

grapes are delicious.

The market-

men and women,

ply of vegetables.

with their quaint dresses, are already

on the move, and every thing betokens an ample supAttracted by the sound of that everlasting Mexican
bugle (whose
first

notes were given to us at the Col-

orado),

discovered the Mexican troops were march-

VoL. l.-^T

218
ing out.

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

I saw many of them pass. were miserably clad, brawny, thick-set

The

infantry

fellows, chiefly

shod with sandals

fine looking

men
;

inferior animals

one regiment of Lancers were as Their horses wp^-e I ever saw. one of ours could ride over three of
;

as

them.

The
to

the army,

were filled with the followers of mounted on every thing, from a decent musstreets

tang

an humble, uncomplaining donkey.

Some

of

the officers' wives, picturesquely

wrapped

in their

gay-

colored ponchos, were slowly riding after their chivthe enemy, to

The main Plaza is still occupied by which we have no access. General Ampudia left on the 25th, with two divisions of his army. I visited Arista's Palace, which is directly under the It is a hill on which the Bishop's Palace is situated.
alric husbands.

long, low, white

stone building, beautifully finished,

flat

claiming no particular order of architecture, with

roof, thick walls,

and stone floors. At the back of the house is a portico twenty feet in width, and a garden Double walls of that rivals Oriental magnificence. white masonry, about three feet high, filled in with
earth, laid out in fanciful figures, with fountains in the

center, roses, and numerous other plants, apparently growing out of the walls, and also in the inclosed

space vases, with choice exotics, arranged round them a bold stream of water, running through a plaster raceway, leads to a marble bath, covered with trellis-work, over which the grape and other vines clam; ;

ber.

In the rear of this are beautiful groves of or-

ange-trees and pomegranates, and a fine vegetable garden.

in the neatest order,

Imagine the w^hole tastefully laid out and kept and you can form some idea of
this
in

one of the retreats of

turned into a hospital,

Mexican nabob. It has been which the wounded of Worth's

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

division are lying.

219
garden were

The oranges
;

in tlie

kept for the wounded

but immediately outside there

was

a wilderness of them,

where every one picked

of the houses occupied by
;

what they pleased.

the officei's

Some

are very neatly, but simply furnished

many

of the walls are hung with mirrors and choice

paintings.

After riding over the city and examining minutely

its

defenses,
it.

my

only astonishment

is

how

they could

yield

It is

a perfect Gibraltar.
so

At
is

the eastern exfell,

tremity,

where
is

many

of our brave fellows

my

wonder

that

any

escaped.

There

a system of bat-

teries, the

conducted

one defending the other. General Worth his movements with judgment and skill.

His motto on starting was, "

A grade or a graved He
settled

escaped the
the former.

latter,

and

The army soon

and regulated their

there

hoped he will obtain down, changed camp-ground, so that in a few days

it

is

to be

was no trace of the recent

I

contest.

Leaving the diary,

will give a

connected account
;

of our sojourn in the vicinity of Monterey

and

if

my

readers will follow me, wdll try to give them a

more minute description of the city. After passing Arista's Palace, do you see, to the west, that venerableThat is called the looking building upon a high hill ?
Bishop's Palace.
the city

The enemy occupied

It is

it.

Toward

some two or three heavy pieces were mounta quaint old

pile,

ed

in barbette.

and gives one

it

quite a

good idea of some of

the smaller castles in

Spain.

Some seventy

or eighty years ago

was

the

archbishop's residence, and

many

a gay cavalier and

lady
It is

fair

has been entertained at his hospitable board.

a ruin, fast
its

now

ing, perhaps, in

crumbling away more decay than its glory.

:

interest-

220

CAMPAIGN SKETCIIE3 OF

Directly back of the castle, do you see that height

which towers above it ? That is Fort Independence, which was stormed on the morning of the 22d. Take it
easy, for
it is

quite steep, and

we

will

ascend.

surpassingly lovely view bursts upon you, and

tensive
ted
! !

What a how ex-

It is

To
its

the north the

lie

You are perfectly captivacharming whole Valley of the San Juan

!

and
little

tributaries

before you, with

;

all its

rich fields

of corn and sugar-cane

and

far

ofl*

in the distance the

town of Marin

is

indistinctly visible;
lies

and

at

your

feet,

embowered

in

orange groves,

the fairy city of

Across the valley to the south, on the other Topa, do you see two heights of less elevation than this, and which exhibit signs of having batThey are the heights takteries erected upon them ? en by General Worth on the 21st. But look! look to the southwest, through that opening in the stupendous

Monterey.

side of the

cliffs

of the Sierra

Madre
It
is

there

lies

the sweetest, dear-

est little valley in the world,

through which the road

with
the

to Saltillo runs.

a rich garden, surrounded by

magnificent, towering

mountains,
its

Arroyo
a lovely,

Topa meandering through

gorgeous scene
description
as
! !

center, looking in the

distance like a thread of silver light.

What
;

how

completely language

fails in its

one can never tire of it view it as often But you will, new beauties will be discovered. what are these two mounds upon the apex of the hill ? Tread lightly they are the graves of those who fell Here lie Captain Gillespie and Private in battle. Thomas (from Maryland) of his company. Can one conceive of a more appropriate spot for the brave and gallant dead to rest ? But let us hasten down, and we will be in time to see Here we are at it, after a the Cathedral and Plaza.
;

THE WAR WITH MEXTCO.

pleasant gallop of three fourths of a mile. large square most of the

221
Into this

enemy had been driven

before

they sent

in

a flag of truce.

On

one side

is

ranged the

captured
tiful

artillery.

Some

tw^elves and nines

pieces, of English manufacture,

were beauand of as late date

is

as 1842.
dral.

On

the eastern side of the Plaza

pile,

the Cathe-

It is

an immense

of no particular order of

richly ornamented with elabchime of bells is melodious, and an excellent clock warns the citizens of the flight of every quarter of an hour. Its interior is magnificent.
architecture.
Its front is
;

orate stucco-work

its

The
some

lofty pillars,

groined arch ceiling, paintings and

altars, with the gentle, soft light issuing

thirty feet

visitor

from windows from the floor, can not but strike the with admiration and religious awe. There are

which are very and gilded work but the grand altar is really magnificent. It is composed of one immense piece of rich carving and gold gilding, with many figures, heads of saints, and other holy personaThe effect is grand. It must have cost much ges.
several minor altars, the ornaments of
chaste, being carved
;

time and

money

in its construction.
lifting

The

floor

is

made

of panels of oak, each panel

vault for the dead.

up and disclosing a

There are some very

cally daubs.

fine paintings

and some

ras-

When
;

I first

visited

it,

religion had fled

;

it was used as a depot for ammunition immense, of every kind and description. The shells had their fuses driven, ready for firing, proving to us that the enemy must have calculated the

from

its

walls

the quantity

is

distance at which they expected to use them.

Two

of our shells exploded

23d, and killed and

in the

Plaza on the night of the

wounded many.
is

Had

one explodterrible loss

ed

in the

church, there

no describing the

222

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

that might have ensued.

ice

On
;

the 3d of October serv-

was

held in the Cathedral

It

our chaplain, Mr. Rey,

officiated.

see

was a strange, yet interesting sight, to an American minister officiating at the altar of the

enemy, and around him, kneeling, men and

the country
;

women
in

of

on the

battle-field

we may
all

be opposed,

but before the altar of our

adoration.

Redeemer
first

bow
in

mute

Before the expiration of the

the

week

October,

troops of the

enemy had

left

the city.

Several

medical officers remained to attend to their wounded. In going over the eastern extremity of the city, and
seeing the
redoubts,
first

number of
fight.
It

barricades, fortified houses, and

it is

inconceivable

how

so

many escaped

the

day's
all

was here

the fierce battle raged,

and

around are the graves of the noble dead.

Stranc^e that

some of

the brii^htest flowers of the

!

armv

should have been selected

Morris, Barbour, Field,

Irwin, Hoskins, Woods, Hazlitt, Terrett, Dil worth, Will-

iams

soldier's sepulcher,

Each of you have a Brave and gallant spirits and a page in the history of your
!

country's glory.

General Worth, wnth his division, occupied the city, and Captain Miles was his executive officer. A rigid system of police was instituted, and every means taken to preserve order, which, however, proved at times unavailing, as many riots and murders occurred, which
the

were not only disgraceful to American name. These

chiefly, if not wholly,

the participators, but to

disgraceful scenes

were

enacted by the same few evil-dis-

posed volunteers, for whom the weak discipline of that arm had no terror. The filthy condition of the streets soon gave place to cleanliness the stores were open;

ed, and,

by

their exposure of

gay goods, gave

the city

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

a

223
the better

more

cheerful appearance.
;

Very few of

class

remained

at least, if they did, they kept

them-

selves housed.

but in their place, at I have yet to see a pretty girl every corner, you meet with old women, whose wrinkles claimed for them an intimate acquaintance with
;

the last century.

class will return

It

is

to be
all
is

hoped the more genteel

settled

when

when

they find

their rights are protected,

tions not interfered with.

and

their municipal regula-

the city called upon General Taywhat was to be his policy. He was told the military would not interfere, and he might pm-sue
lor to see

The governor of

told him he and should expect him to cause them to be promptly furnished. The governor was rather averse to that arrangement. The general told him he took that plan, it being the one pur-

the even tenor of his w^ay.

The general

should

call

upon him

for supplies,

sued by the Mexican generals

that

have

it

so he must

he was willing to pay for every thing, and that he called

upon him
not

to save the sufferings that

might be occasion;

ed the people by

his seizing his supplies

that

we
all

did

come here

to

war upon them,

of the

but to obtain an hon-

orable peace, and that cash should be paid for

plies.

supscru-

The sound

word cash overcame

all

ples, and I have no doubt all supplies called for will be Our cash and their promise to promptly furnished. pay are entirely different things. The general and the

governor separated with a very good understanding.

Several of our deserters were recognized
of the enemy, the most conspicuous of
in the

ranks

whom was

an

Irishman by the name of Riley,

recognized by
his old

who

has been appoint-

ed a captain in the artillery of the enemy.

He was

mess-mates, and passed them

224

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
hisses

amid
tard's

and a broadside of reproaches.

it

The

das-

was with difficulty he reEven the enemy looktained his position on his gun. ed upon him with disgust, and one tali Mexican looked down upon him with an expression of countenance, as
cheek blanched, and
if

he had

said, "

You are

being paid for your rascality

you have to stand it, old fellow !" Some few of our men were taken prisoners during the action. General Ampudia had them brought to him, and questioned them himself; after asking one of them our strength, number of cannon, &c., he wanted to know w^hat effect whether his proclamation had made among our men some of them had not been inclined to desert. " Oh,
;

no

!"

replied he, " they w^ere not so green as that."

The

expression green being rather above the general's English,

another interpreter was brought

in to explain this

monstrous word.
six

This interpreter was a captain,

who

months ago was a private in our ranks. When questioned to explain the word, " Why," said he, "they were not such d d fools." (Mem " Green," an Americanism, not well understood by Mexican generals, sig-

nifying d

dfool.)
I

Walking through
ber's sign,

the streets, and perceiving a barI

thought
I

w^ould indulge in the luxury of

a shampoo.
I

entered, and told him to

shampoo me.

he did not exactly understand me, and as I could speak no Spanish, and he no English, 1 had to resort to signs, and flattered myself I
his look that

saw by

had made
ation.

my

moment discovered
Being
fellow would do.

wants known. I sat me down, and in a he had never performed the operin for
it,

thought

would see what the

fit

He

brought a basin, scooped to

my neck, and commenced washing my head with water. To explain to him that I wanted it well scratched, I

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

had
to operate

225
he had

myself; and

as,

by

this time,

wet

my

shirt, I

jumped up
first

in utter disgust,

dried

my

head, and, without the

quarter and
satisfy

''

drop of perfume, paid my traveled," determined to let the hrst trial

me

that the barbers of

Monterey had not

be-

comre sufficiently civilized to understand the refined art

of shampooing.

Early

in
;

October

we were
is

luxuriating in fruit and

All the
after the

green corn
battle.

the latter

of the third crop.

Texas troops were discharged immediately

tain

One company of the 2d Infantry, under Ca]> Anderson, arrived on the 3d of October, as an esTaylor,

cort to Colonel

who

arrived with a large

amount of subsistence
the

funds.

The advance guard

of

the Georgia Regiment, under Colonel Jackson, arrived

same day.

General Lamar,

who

active as the best of us, has raised a

is as young and company, and will

be stationed at Laredo.

The

question often arises with us,

Are we
1
it

to

have
great
quar-

peace or war at the end of the armistice

majority
ter.
it is

By a
in this

deemed

folly to
is

prosecute

aim of our this can not be obtained by slightly government wounding the extremities of the body we have not touched the heart, nor can we by this route. Until there is a government established which has the power to treat, I do not see that we are any nearer the setPeace, not territory,
;

certainly the

tlement of our

difficulties

than previous to the battles

We may go on and expend millions, and sacrifice the lives of thousands, withIt strikes me an advance from out any good result. this point can have no efTect upon the settlement. Our better plan is to take Tampico, fortify and keep possession of the Sierra Madre and the Valley of the Rio
of the 8th and 9th of May.

226
Grande,
take
it,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
until

Let them come and war is to be prosecuted, let Vera Cruz be taken, and march directly upon the capitol, batter its walls down, and see if some sense can The victories on this not be battered into the people.
they

come

to terms.

it'

tJiey

can.

If the

frontier, as

to

honorable and glorious as they have been our army, are mere flashes in the pan as regards the

question of peace.

The humane and

liberal

policy

pursued by the government in the prosecution of this war has a tendency to ])rolong it. It is the first war of which I ever heard which was an actual benefit to
the

at

enemy. Wherever we go, we pay for what we get two or three times the usual price of the country,
their civil

and both
desire
?

and religious rights and property

are protected.

What more prosperous times can they Their cry is, " Come along, gentlemen very
!

glad to see

you

come from

city to city

you spend
I

your money freely

tired of this

put us
first

to

very
!"

little
I

inconvenience,

and, really, times are

rate

must confess

am

work, and long to see an honorable peace.

are doing very well

The wounded
ical

as well as they

can, with the few comforts and conveniences our

department are enabled

to supply.

medNothing can

exceed the devotion of our medical officers; they are literally fatigued to death. There was culpable negsending more medical offipresume the government, hugging unto themselves the chance of peace, thought there would be no more necessity for their services. The number was reduced so low immediately after the batligence
in not
I

somewhere
field,

cers into the

but

tle,

that one surgeon attended tioo regiments, /ow?- being

the usual

number in peace. The great and valiant General Ampudia,

after reachfall

ing Saltillo, issued his proclamation explaining the

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

of Monterey.

227

To condense

matters, he states, on the

21st he repulsed us with the loss o^ fifteen hundred;

on the 22d the Bishop's Palace

provisions, a conference

fell,

hut not without

great resistance; that, being scarce of ammunition and

was held on the 24th with the enemy, and such terms were made by wdiich they saved their honor, and marched out with their arms that General Santa Anna was coming, and then we would see w^ho would be the conquerors. Was there ever such stuff and such lies Mexican to the last. If you were to exterminate a whole army but the general, he would issue a bulletin claiming a victory. If these bul; ?

letins are salve to their

wounded
teji

feelings, they are wel-

come

to

write and publish quires.

is

Our

loss o(

*'

fifteen

hundred"
ulous.

only magnified

times our loss in the three

is

days' fight.

Their deficiency of ammunition

found cords of
it
;

ridic-

We

but they

may have

I hope they always continue thinking so as long as they have that amount of " materiel" to present us with even at

thought a montlis supply a deficiency.

will

the cannon's mouth.

General Santa Anna arrived at Vera Cruz on the There can not be a moment's doubt that our government, in permitting his return to the
16th of August.

country, believed that his best exertions would be used

to effect a reconciliation.

All those hopes

were imme-

upon the promulgation of his proclamation to the people the same day of his arrival. It He was immediately placed spoke war to the knife. in command of the army, leaving Salas to perform the
diately crushed

functions of president, wiiile he repaired to the tented

field to

dream of winning
lite

fresh laurels,

and driving the

activity char-

baibarians beyond the Sabine.

He

infused fresh en-

ergy and

into the people.

With an

228
acteristic of the

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

man, he repaired to San Luis Potosi, and strained every nerve for the purpose of collecting and disciplining a large army. On the 11th of October we heard he had arrived at San Luis with eight hundred men, and that Ampudia had left Saltillo to join him. Ampudia was ordered to Mexico to explain
the
fall

of Monterey.

We

all

think Saltillo will

fall

into our hands without a blow.

General Ampudia de-

cided upon fortifying the place, and the citizens would They very justly told him he had spent not permit it.

much time and money

w^hose natural defenses

in fortifying

Monterey, a city

and had

failed to

were much superior to theirs, hold it, and they had no idea of hav;

ing their property destroyed

a very just conclusion.

Taking

Saltillo,

we have

the key to this whole valley

we

Potosi, the

are then over three hundred miles from San Luis march to which is ditiicult, and part of the
a desert.

way over

Having

Saltillo,

taking Monclova

and Tampico,

we

can quietly

settle

down

in as

lovely

a country as the sun ever shone upon, and tell Mexico Tell her we have taken enough to remuto come on.
nerate us for the expenses of the war, and will keep it if she does not grant us peace by a certain day ; then

import your families, give them the land for a mere song, and before one could realize it this valley would We do not be teeming with an American population.

want
keep
to

the valley, nor

it
;

but

certainly

would I, if it can be prevented, would not put our government

any more expense than simply holding it, which, compared to an onward movement, would be nothing. From what we have seen, I question the feasibility of "dictating a peace at the cannon's mouth ;" they are
a stubborn, stiff-necked race and ance of emigrants determined to
;

think the appearthis

nettle

valuable

THE WAR WITH MKXICO.

part of her domain would have

229
effect

more

upon her

than hard knocks.

"Mais nous

verrons."

The Mexican merchants are packing up tlieir goods and leaving for Saltillo, it being impossible to compete with our merchants and sutlers, who, with true American energy, are pushing their goods forward.

On
eral
to

the 10th of October a colonel of the

arrived from Saltillo; his object

was

to get

Mexican army from Gen-

Taylor the clothing that was left behind belonging Mexican army. They claimed it upon the ground that, in the armistice, the word " accouterments" meant "clothing," and every thing appertaining The general informed him the word to the soldier. had a different signification in English, and politely dethe
clined granting his request.

Colonel H. L. Kinney was General Taylor's general

agent for obtaining transportation for the army. Every one who knows his activity of mind and body, his
excellent

management and perfect knowledge of the Mexican character, must be satisfied a better choice
could not be made.

He

has proved his efficiency to

the army, and his services are appreciated.

On

the

ever-memorable 21st he performed, voluntarily, the duties of aid-de-camp, exposed to a most galling fire, with great promptness and distinguished gallantry. On the 23d he was exposed to the fire of the enemy during the animated street-fight of that day. About four miles to the north of our camp there is a Its temperature is a hundred and ten sulphur spring. It is situated upon the outskirts of a small degrees. A village, in a gorge, between two lofty mountains.
rude house has been constructed for the benefit of those

who wish
which
is

to

bathe

out of

it

you walk

into the bath,

directly over the spring, about

twenty

feet

Vol. I. U

230

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

square, with walls of sufficient height to

vate.

make

it

pri-

The water sulphur to make

medical purposes.
thing
is

is
it

not sufficiently impregnated with

disagreeable, but enough so for

The bath

is

truly delicious

every
it,

so perfectly rude and uncivilized about

you

can hardly apply the term luxurious, for you miss the

many

things requisite to
all

make

it

so

such as dressing-

rooms, and
fection
;

the other

little et

ceteras, to

make

it

per-

but such as

it is, it

creates an additional enjoy-

ment
for

for those

who may
I

sojourn at Monterey.

The

man who owns

its

the bath requires a small compensation

visited
it
it,

use.

When

clothes in the water as

flowed from the bath.

women were washing What

make
this

a fashionable resort an American would

spring.
If well

managed, the lovely scenery alone would insure a full house. There wns a goodly number of people in the village but the dogs outnumbered them, and made a desperate attack upon mine host. Sabers and whips were put in requisition for his defense, and by dint of great exertion we kept him from being devoured. All the Mexican dogs have their ears cropped, and a surly looking set of devils they are.
;

On
rived.

the

1th of

October Lieutenant Armistead, bearer

of dispatches from Washington to General Taylor, ar-

surmised that some movement

Their contents have not transpired, but it is is on foot for Tampico.

Lieutenant-colonel Clay, of the 2d Kentucky regiment^

is

performing the duties of aid to General Taylor.

On

the night of the 12th of October, Lieutenant R.

re-

H. Graham, of the 4th Infantry, died from wounds

ceived while gallantly leading his
sault

company

in the as-

consciously from
itself

on Monterey, September life to death

;

21st.

He

passed un-

his gentle spirit sighed

away.

All

who knew

the amiable and gentle-


THH WAR Willi
.Mi:XICO.
vviil

231
to his

manly qualities ol'the memory. A moment

omr.-Dle

ciecea^;cd
before'
lie

drop a tear

passed to that unfathfaint,

world, he

complained of leeling very

vital

turned aside, and the

that, to the last,

spark had

tied.

It

must be

a great consolation for his family and friends to

he

know was surrounded by warm and deall

voted friends,

who

did

they could to ease

his

pain

and administer
his

to his wants.

On

the 13th of October

remains were consigned

all

to the

tomb, with appro-

priate funeral honors.

buried with

Being a Roman Catholic, he was the forms of the Church, the Rev. Mr.
of October

Rey officiating. On the IGth

evacuated
cess.

we

heard the enemy had

Saltillo.

We

also hear that

Ampudia was
of suc-

ordered not

to risk a battle here, unless positive

Santa Anna rebuked him for fighting, and stated the loss of Monterey had complicated the settlement of our difficulties. I can not imagine what are the additional complications, but the inference
is

that

Ampudia

was
I

certain of \ictory.

Under

these circumstances,
is

the glory attending our triumph

greatly enhanced.

am

safe in stating the

in
fact,

enemy

at

twelve thousand.
aj3-

Monterey was,
proach
to
it

a walled city; for every

w^as fortified.

The

attacking force never

for history to

exceeded
in

six thousand.

There remains

record the successful assault of a fortified city, strong

natural as well as artificial defenses, by a force one
third less than the besieged, at the point of the bayonet.

On

the 17th

we

had a great change

;

in the

weather
visit-

a visit from a

young norther
it

not a Corpus Christi one,

but yet sufficiently like

ors.

to

remind us of our old

it

During

its

continuance,

chill to visit

the houses in

was enough to give you the city. Heavens how

I

232

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
!

cheerless they are

furniture
;

Stone

floors

stone walls
;

no

not the
It
I

first

sign of a fire-place

not even a

painted one.
think of
it.

makes

the chills run through one to

much

prefer being in

camp,

to enjoy the

luxury of a glorious camp-fire.

The Mexicans were

bundled up

in their

ponchos, and looked frozen to death.

Their ideas of comfort are very limited; for, although I presume they never have frost, yet there are many
in which the luxury of a fire would be acceptable. blue-winged teal and have had several hunts On snipe, for a few days, gave us some fine sport. one of our hunts we followed a slash until we reached

days
I

the small village of

to the vote

San Francisco.

There we put
effort to
his

it

whether

we

should

make an
it,

get a

dinner

the dinnerites carried

and D., with

smat-

tering of Spanish,

was appointed spokesman.

Passing

through a crowd of crop-eared curs, all looking as if they would like to make a meal of us, we rode up to a A very hut where we liappened in most opportunely.
tidy-dressed
stone

woman was
tortillas.

busily

engaged

at the metat-

making

To

our inquiry whether they

a sort of olla

could give us a dinner, they replied they had something already cooked.

They produced

podrida (half hash, half soup) in a soup-plate, and, to assure us it was good, one of the men stuck Ids fingers
in
it

and tasted
it I

it,

exclaiming,

"Mui bueno!"

The
;

fin-

gering of

any recommendation so, getting D. to venture first upon it, and he deciding it was really " mui bueno," two more plates were orderI must confess, good as it tasted, recollecting in ed. Gil Bias the " civet de maton," rendered some Cayenne necessary to make it stick. Expressing a wish for pepper, one of the men ran to a neighboring fence and So eager was he to be of service, picked a handful.
did not consider

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

it

233

was with
of.

difficulty

with

his fingers.

thought

I could prevent his mashing it Such a thing as a spoon they had not The olla podrida, combined with some

warm

tortillas,
I

made

us a capital meal.

The more
struck with

ride over this region, the

fertility.

more

am

its

Field after field of the finest

corn and suij-ar-cane stretch out for miles and miles.

All this luxuriance
for,
is

the spontaneous gift of nature;

compared with
is

Their ground
plow,
iron
:

is really no cultivation. broken up by a primitive wooden

ours, there

made
it

of the crotched limb of a tree, shod with

is

the seed
is

barely stuck
all
;

in,

and

if

it

gets one

hoeing,

about

and

yet, with all this neglect,

they

make magnificent

crops.

What would

not the

land produce by our preparation, and our care and at-

growth of the plant? most interesting incident connected with the fall Jt is of Monterey I have nearly forgotten to record. stated, and generally believed, that a company of LanHer name was cers was commanded by a woman.
tention during the early

Dos Amades.
of Lancers
;

Seized w'ith a patriotic

spirit,

she un-

sexed herself, and dressed

in the full suit

of a captain

she desired to be led against the foe, and swore she would never yield until the northei'n barbarians" were driven from her natal land, or until she had shed her last drop of blood in defense of her native Previous to our attack, she was paraded becountry. fore the troops, and greatly excited and augmented She harangued them, and desired to be their courage. posted at that spot where the first shot would fall and where the thickest of the battle should ras^e. It is reported that on the 21st she led the charge of Lancers which proved fatal to some of our command, among There's an example the number the lamented Field.
''

234

CAMPAIGN

SKETCIIE-S OF
It

of heroism worthy the days of old

for

has remained

produce a second Joan d'Arc, but not, She is reported to have been a like her, successful. daughter of one of the former governors of Nueva Leon, and after the battle retired to the walks of pri-

Mexico

to

vate

life.

On

the 23d of October a Spanish officer arrived di-

rect from the city of Mexico.

He

states he

passed

Ampudia's army between Saltillo and San Luis Potosi, in a most disorganized and broken-down condition that Santa Anna was at the latter point, actively engaged organizing an army, but without money and subsistence; that the government had only sent him
eighty thousand dollars for current expenses.
It

does

seem

that,

reduced

to so

low an ebb, the enemy should

accept the olive-branch.

On
and

the 25lh of October, as Captain Ridgely w^as rid-

ing along the streets of Monterey, his horse blundered

fell,

the captain's head

coming

in

contact with a

rock.

He

remained

in

a state of perfect insensibility

until the

night of the 27th,

to the

was brought out

tober.

when he expired. His body camp of his company, and buried

with funeral honors on the evening of the 28th of Oc-

His company escorted the remains, and the

Baltimore Battalion attended as mourners.

cession

The

pro-

was swelled by nearly

all

the officers of the

army. Colonel Childs read the service for the dead, and three guns were fired over his grave. Dark clouds hug o'er the mountain-tops; mists were in the valand all nature seemed in mourning for the deleys parted hero. Captain Ridgely graduated from West
;

Point

in

1837.

He was

a native of Baltimore, and

from a family

identified with the State of

Maryland.

He

served with distin^juished credit

in the battles of

THE

U'AIl

WITH MEXICO.
la

235
in

Palo Alto and llesaca de

ing of Monterey.
the 9th of

Pal ma, and

the storm-

For

his gallantry in the action

of

May

he was brevetted a captain, and ap:

pointed an assistant adjutant-general

the latter ap-

pointment he accepted, the brevet he declined. He, as well as his friends, thought if he was deserving of a
brevet for the 9th, he was equally so for the 8th of May. It seems strange he should die by such means, after
passing through three battles.
If
it

any

officer h^s particularly distinguished himself,

is

the lamented Ridgely.

His dauntless courage

in the hottest fire,

and reckless exposure of person, combined with the most perfect coolness and judgment

won golden opinions for him from all. Those w^ho knew him in the social circle can well appreciate A bright star is extinguished He w^ill never his loss. return to pluck fresh honors for, and add new luster to,
!

the gallantry and chivalry of the service.

!

Strange He died from a fall from a and unfathomable fate horse, than whom none could ride with more grace and fearlessness, nor manage with more judgment and dexHe was probably the best rider in the world, terity. an accomplished and polished gentleman, and one of the most heroic and gallant officers of the army. On the 29th of October we received a new hatch of General Bravo is said to be marching on reports. Tampico with fourteen thousand men General Bustamente, with eight thousand, upon Chihuahua, to give General Wool (of whose march General Taylor received information) a friendly reception and Santa Anna, with twenty thousand, at San Luis Potosi. Should General Wool meet with such a force, he may have something to amuse him. Major Lear died from the effects of his wound received on the 21st, on the 30th
;
;

236
of October.

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
His remains were brought out
to the

camp

of his regiment, and interred with funeral honors on the

1st of November. Four companies of the 4th Infantry, under the command of Major Buchanan, were his esMajor Lear cort, and the 3d followed as mourners. was appointed from the army as second lieutenant of Serving his country 4th Infantry, February, 1818.

faithfully for

more than a quarter of a century, he

re-

ceived his mortal

wound while

gallantly leading his

storming of Monterey. Who of his regiment will ever forget the cool and calm manner in which he took the regiment into action, marching it

regiment

in the

with the same precision as

if

on the

drill field?

He
and a

was a man of iron nerves, a

strict disciplinarian,

warm friend. He is the try who fell at Monterey.

Near
the spot

sixth officer of the 3d Infan-

the gallant Barbour.

where Major Lear was wounded fell The latter, a native of Ken-

tucky, graduated at the Military

Academy

in 1834,

and
in

joined the 3d Infantry as a brevet second lieutenant in

that year.

He was promoted
first

to

a second lieutenant

1836, and a

lieutenant in 1838.

In the latter year

office

he was appointed adjutant of the regiment, which he held

tant,

until the fall

of 1845, discharging
in the service.

its

duties with

great ability and distinguished credit.

As an

adju-

he had not his equal

He

accom-

panied his regiment to Florida, and performed the arduous duties connected with his staff appointment, not
only of the regiment, but of assistant adjutant-general
for a short time, and of the western dismore than a year, with credit to himself and satisfaction to all. For meritorious services in Florida he was brevetted a captain, and in November, 1845, was promoted to that grade. For gallantly resisting,

of the

army

trict for

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

237

on the 9th of May, a charge of cavalry which threatened the recapture of a battery, he was bre vetted a
major.

He

fell,

gallantly leading his

21st of September.

He was

company, on the one of the most accom-

plished and finished soldiers in the

his superior in his grade.

army

he had not

He was
;

essentially a mili-

tary

man

in all his thoughts,

words, and actions.

He

was

a rigid disciplinarian

dignified without reserve,

exacting prompt obedience, but affable and courteous

to all.

friend,
cial

He was a fond husband, a warm and devoted and eminently calculated to shine in all the sorelations of life; his high and honorable soul scornmeanness.
In

whatever circle he moved his inand his departure always regretted. By his death the service and his regiment have sustained an irreparable loss both have been deprived
ed
all

fluence

was ever

felt,

of one of its brightest ornaments. Soldier

to thy noble ashes
!

friend

Thou

hast fought bravely,

peace and died

!

nobly upon the

battle-field.

Many

tears will be shed

over thy grave.

sition

Thy
be

noble form and generous dispo-

will
;

long

missed by crowds of admiring

friends

thy goodness and thy deeds are engraven upon

the hearts of thy comrades, and thy

name

will be

hand-

ed

down

in the
it

annals of thy country.

rumored that fault is found with General and the terms of the capitulaThe more tion. I can not imagine upon what ground. I reflect upon it, the more I am convinced that, under the circumstances, they were the best terms that could have been made. Take it for granted we could have forced the Mexican army into an unconditional surrenWe encumbered der, what was to be gained by it?
hear

We

Taylor

for the armistice

ourselves with ten or twelve thousand

men we

could

not have fed, and would have been forced to turn loose.

238

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
policy of our government
h;is,

The

thus far, been hu-

manity.

Humanity

has been particularly inculcated

;

upon the commanding general and when could he have had a better opportunity of giving a practical exemplification of our feelings and policy than in the present
instance?

Under

all

the circumstances, better terms

;

should not have been wished

credit

they not only reflect

upon our brave

chief, but

prove to the world

that this

war

is

not a

war

of conquest for conquest's

sake

but that, in the height of victory, humanity, and

a strong desire to obtain an honorable peace, characThe country will assuredly terized the capitulation.
support General Taylor.

At

best,

we were
to

unprepar-

ed

to

advance beyond

this point,

and

have encum-

bered ourselves with a large army of prisoners would have been the extreme of folly, more particularly as the army who had bravely defended the place marched out with only their personal arms and six pieces of Every thing else fell into our hands in the artillery. article of ammunition alone we captured more than has been sent for the use of the " Army of Occupation^ The troops on the Rio Grande, during this period, were under the command of Major-general Patterson, whose headquarters were at Camargo. The following- are the different re2:iments. and the mode of their
;

distribution

At Camargo, 2d Brigade, General Pillow commandcomposed of 2d Tennessee, Colonel Haskell Alabama, Colonel Coffee Ohio and Kentucky Brigade, General Marshall commanding, composed of the 2d Kentucky, Colonel M'Kee, 2d Ohio, Colonel Morgan Illinois Brigade, General Shields commanding, composed of 3d Illinois, Colonel Forman, 4th Illinois, Coling,
;

onel Baker, 2d Infantry, Colonel Riley.

Tin:

WAR WITH

MEXICO.

239

At

Reyiiosa,

Company H, 2d
1st Indiana,

panies of the

Artillery, and two comCaptain Svvartwout com-

manding.
Matanioras, 3d Ohio, Colonel Curtis, Captains Louds, Vanness, and Norman's companies of Artillery, Colonel

Clarke commanding.

Camp
manding

Belknap, Indiana Brigade, General Lane com;

2d Indiana, Colonel Bowles, 3d Indiana, Col1st Indiana,

onel Lane.

Mouth of tJie Rio Grande,

lery.

Colonel Drake.

Brasos Island, Captain Porter's company of ArtilPohit Isabel, one company of Artillery, Major Gard-

ner commanding.

CHAPTER
On
the 2d of

XVI.
ar-

November Major James Graham

course,
all

rived from Washington as bearer of dispatches to General Taylor.

Of

contents w^ere divulged.

was excitement until their The government directed

General Taylor

that the armistice

announce to the Mexican authorities was broken up, and that we were to commence hostilities with renewed energy. It was
to

rather a matter of astonishment to those

actual state of aftairs

who knew

the

how

that

was

to be done.

It is

announced that General Taylor has twenty thousand men at his command. At this date our returns only show thirteen thousand, and I question whether, from the great sickness and discharges among the volunteers, the general could raise an efficient army of ten thousand men. To carrv out these instructions, Major Gra-

240

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

was dispatched, on the 6th November, to communicate to the general commandof ing the Mexican forces the orders of our government. We know he will be permitted to go to Saltillo, but it
harn, with a small escort,
is

extremely improbable that they will permit

his fur-

ther advance.

Again active operations may be considered as renewed. The government, having decided upon attacking Tampico. determined, without any consultation with General Taylor, to send General Patterson, in command of a force, for that purpose. His orders were not even passed through General Taylor. The general, with his usual magnanimity, threw no obstacles in his way, and General Patterson commenced orThe two companies of the 2d ganizing his command. Infantry at Monterey were immediately ordered back to Camargo, as the 2d Infantry was to be a part of his command. General Worth, with his division, with the exception of the 7th Infantry, one company of Artillery, and M'Kall's battery, and Colonel Smith, are ordered to march to Saltillo on the 12th instant.

On

the 5th, a priest

was detected inducing our men

false to their colors,

to desert.

Several have proved

to the
in

and gone over

man was
train to

placed

The reverend gentleconfinement, and was shipped by

enemy.
he gets his deserts, he should be

Camargo.
his
in

If

hung, spite of

sanctity.

The

recruiting officer's
priest.

duty

is

hardly

keeping with that of the

The

enemy offer
that

as high as one

hundred and

fifty

dollars per

man, with a promise of a captaincy.

If

they will give

much
?

for a private,
I

what

will they not give for

an

officer

should think

we

should, at least, have one

of their mines, and a general's commission.

General Taylor intends going

to Saltillo

with two

X
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
241

immediately.

squadrons of dragoons, on the 12th instant, and return Upon his return he will organize a colforce.

umn, and move upon Tampico as a supporting

Opinions are very

much

divided as to the resistance

is

that will be offered.

There

a rumor that Santa

Anna
for

has ordered the withdrawal of the troops from

I

that point.

should not be astonished

if

it

was

true

he must

feel

assured

it

will

fall, its

garrison and
the general

artillery captured.

Santa Anna deprived of their comall

missions, and placed in confinement,

officers of

Ampudia's army but Mejia and Ricina

is

at

least such

the report.

Ampudia was

confined in

Perote.

would
eral

remarked to General Taylor that he commission for the capitulation. GenParedes has left the country and gone to Halose his

He

vana.

On

the 8th an express arrived from General

Wool,
in-

reporting his arrival at Monclova.

He

does not

tend to advance upon Chihuahua, but will remain at

Monclova

until further orders.

On

one of

my

late

visits

to the city, I paid

an

in-

teresting one to

a children's

(female) school.
;

The

school-mistress

was

a respectable lady

the children

had finished their recitations, and were actively engaged embroidering. There were some beautiful creatures among them, and with one bright-eyed little one I should most certainly have had a frolic had I been master of her language. There are several schools
in the city, but

children of the higher class.

wholly confined to the The poor are kept in utter ignorance, and under a blind obedience to their priests. Their whole labor is for the Church a child
education
is
;

can not be christened, a couple married, the dead burThe ied, without extortionate fees for the Church.
Vol. I.

242

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
enemies and opposers, and

priests are our bitterest

are the main-spring of the war.

The
ber,
cel

greatest curiosities in this country are the sodemure, honest donkeys they are part and parof the poor Mexican as much so as the pig of the
;

Irishman.

with their

They

will
;

some of the funny-looking ones, monstrous loads, would make a cynic laugh. put nearly a whole field of fodder upon one
see

To

of them

and so completely are they covered that their

legs can hardly be seen

nothing but a moving mass

of fodder.

And

then, if their fashion of riding could

be seen, the climax of one's mirth would arrive. After throwing off their load, instead of sitting on their
saddle, they put themselves

key's rump, sometimes a

little

upon the apex of the donnearer his tail, and there

they

sit,

and every step they keep

their heels spas-

modically spurring the poor devil's sides, not increasing their gait one particle, but only proving that in

THE WAR WITH MIXICO.

one instance they do not give
laziness.

243
to

way

their

utter

Major Graham returned from

his

mission on the 10th.

He
ties

proceeded no further than Saltillo. The authoriof the city received him very kindly, and pressed
offers

him (under the impression he was the bearer of

for a peaceful settlement of the question) to

proceed to

San Luis

Potosi, offering to increase his escort.

official

Havhis dis-

ing found an

with
fulfill

whom

he could leave
he
felt

patch, and thereby

his orders,

bound

in

honor not

to proceed.

He

says the citizens appeared

very anxious for peace.

could obtain, Santa

From the best information he Anna was at San Luis Potosi with
It

sixteen thousand men, and expected six thousand more.

They were

actively engaged fortifying.

was

sup-

posed he was laboring under great

difficulties

from

deficiency of money, and that he would find

trouble in keeping so large a force together.

much
which

Papers have been received from Mexico,

in

the dispatches contained in one of our mails (which

was captured

not long since) figure largely.

it,

As bad

luck would have

they were quite important

in

no

less

than orders to co-operate with the navy

an attack

upon Tampico.

Much good may

it

On

the 10th an express arrived from

letter

do them. Matamoras,

with a

from Robert M'Lane, Esq., stating he

was bearer of important dispatches from Washington. The movement of General Worth w^as suspended. On The contents of the the 12th Mr. M'Lane arrived.
dispatches did not prevent the movement.

We

are to

take possession of the different towns and cities be-

tween

this

and Tampico.

On

the 13th General

Worth marched with

It is

his divi-

sion, together with General Taylor.

surmised an

244

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

expedition is on foot against Vera Cruz, and there is no doubt the navy is ordered to attack Tampico. We received a report it had been taken by a night attack. General Taylor received Santa Anna's reply to his notice of the breaking up of the armistice on his way to
Saltillo.

On

the 21st of September a private of the 3d Infantry

v/ms mortally

wounded by a cannon

ball.

An

orderly

passing by him, the

ter
;

man

asked him for a drink of wa-

he gave it to him, and asked him if he could do any more for him. " Yes, my friend, you can take my musket back to the 3d I am a dead man, but I would The like my piece to go back to my old regiment." musket was faithfully delivered, and the poor fellow died. Another of our men, dashing across a street, was struck by a musket ball on the leg. He clapped his hand upon the spot, turned on his well leg, and exclaimed, " Boys, I've got my ticket I I'm off for camp." On the 20th Colonel Belknap returned from his trip The gento the Rio Grande and St. Joseph's Island.
;

eral hospital at the latter place

is

broken up.

He was

down to press forward supplies. On our march from Camargo to Monterey inquiries would be made regarding the chance of a fandango. Puntaguida was the only place at which we enjoyed one. They all told us " Mucho fandango a Montesent
rey."
tle

This was constantly repeated.

;

After the bat-

we saw the point of it they facetiously referred to certainly a most polite the fight we were to have
;

manner of informing

us

bloody work was ahead.

little

Some

brave, chivalrous souls

thought, in

all

the

confidence and buoyancy of youth, their hearts

terey"

filled

with anticipated pleasure, that the " fandango k Mon-

was

to be their death-knell.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

General Taylor and
the 23d of
sion of
tlie

245

staff

returned from Saltillo on

entered and took posses-

November.
city

He

on the IGth.

When

within twelve

him by the governor of the city, protesting against his occupying it. After so great an effort, his honor left immediately for San Luis
miles, a dispatch w^as sent

Potosi, or, as they say here, " barnosed the ranch.''

He

was
cipal

met, shortly before entering, by some of the prin-

men

of the city.

the streets with colors flying and

eral

Worth's division

eral Taylor, with his

like a house, passed

marched through drums beating. Genoccupied the main Plaza. Genusual disinclination to any thing
troops
his

The

through the city with

dragoons,
ap-

and encamped

at the first stream.

The people

peared decidedly hostile, although lots of pretty women and girls lined the windows and doors to see our They wished to charge an extortionate troops pass.
price for their forage, but the general sent out foraging

own

what he wanted, and paid for it at his That brought them to their senses, and they decided upon supplying the command at a fair
parties, took

price.

rate.

Saltillo

is

the capital of the State of Coahuila, and

contains betw^een fifteen and twenty thousand inhabitants.

It is
It is

about seventy-five miles from Monterey.

situated

upon the
is

side of a

hill

of considerable de-

clivity.

The houses
The

are well

built,

many two
It is

stories

high; their material

sun-burned bricks, covered with

about the

cement.
size of

streets are well paved.

Monterey, but much more compactly built. It has four Plazas kept in neat order, and fountains scattered throughout the city impart to it an air of elegance and taste. Its Cathedral is a magnificent building, a third larger than the

one at Monterey,

built ot

X*

246
these sun-dried small stones.

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
bricks,

and the cement mixed with groined is magnificent arches, rich and elaborate carvings, paneled floors, and ornaments of gold and silver. Nothing has been

The

interior

removed

the
is

first

instance, as yet

for heretofore ev-

ery Cathedral has been stripped of its valuables prior San Luis Potosi is celebrated for its to our approach.
fairs,

and

quite a place of business.

It

boasts of a

cotton factory, employing some fifty hands (many of them Yankee girls), owned by an Englishman. Oats, wheat, barley, and corn are cultivated. Our troops The maguey is exwill have a good supply of flour. tensively cultivated the grape and apple flourish but, from its extreme elevation, it is too cold for the orange. Jack frost paid the general a visit nearly every night, and twice ice was found in camp. The troops will it is brought suffer, owing to the scarcity of wood
;

several leagues.

Captain Graham, of the Dragoons, went thirty miles beyond, toward San Luis Potosi, to examine the passes. They were said to be impregnable but he reports they
;

can be readily turned. The city is commanded by a hill, and would have been untenable by the enemy. No doubt these considerations influenced its abandonment. The Passo del Muertos, between Saltillo and Monterey, is really a very strong position, at which a few determined men might dispute the passage of an army. The enemy had fortified it, but, in their retreat, destroyed the works. The great beauty of the ponies at Saltillo is spoken of in enthusiastic terms by the ofSanta Anna ordered the tanks between San ficers. Luis Potosi to be destroyed. The difficulties attending a

march

to

San Luis
;

Potosi are very great

they

have not been magnified

and, with the loss of these

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

tanks, they will be

247

much

increased.

Captain Hardee,

was temporarily left While the general was there the news of at Saltillo. the abandonment of Tampico was received. It was occupied by the navy on the 14th of November, withThe expedition was commanded out any resistance. by Commodore Perry. The enemy destroyed their
with
his

company

of Dragoons,

works, took ofl\vhat cannon they could, and threw the

rest into the river.

On
ers.

the 24th Captain Taylor arrived from

Camargo

with two eighteen-pounders and two eight-inch howitz-

He was escorted by two companies of the Rifles. Our heavy ordnance is placed beside that captured from the enemy in the main Plaza. It presents quite a formidable appearance, and will enable us, if we again come
in contact, to play at long

taw as well as the enemy.

General Shields and Colonel Harney arrived on the 24th from General Wool's command. Colonel Harney
regiment (2d Dragoons), and Camargo, and thence to take command at Tampico. At the request of all the captains, and a majority of the subalterns. Brevet Major Buchanan, of the 4th Infantry, was appointed to the
his

assumed command of

General Shields goes

to

command

of the Baltimore Battalion of Volunteers.

for

Colonel Belton, with six companies of artillery, sailed

from the Brasos

Gates.

Tampico.

They

will, for the pres-

ent, constitute the garrison of that place

under Colonel

Taylor, started

General Patterson, w-ithout authority from General down the river with some of his com-

eral expressed a

to embark for Tampico. The genmessenger after him, who fortunately overtook and stopped him at Matamoras. His movement would have interfered with General Tavlor's

mand, intending

2iS

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

plans and directions already transmitted to General Patterson, and can only be accounted for by a spirit of

insubordination or utter ignorance of military responsibility.

the middle of

The 2d Regiment of Infantry took post about November at Monte Morelos. It is a

small town about sixty miles from here, on the road to

Tampico. In some of the Mexican papers which w^e have received there is a defense of General Ampudia by his nephew. The general has been sentenced to death by one court, but as he has an appeal to two more,
the result
is

easily foreseen.

From another

article, it

seems the Mexicans carry their system of rewards so Alvarado is nothing more than fcir as to brevet towns.
a village
;

but for

its

gallant defense against the at-

tacks of our navy, the supreme government, with any

quantity of pretty compliments, has seen

fit

to b?'evet

it

city.

village.

And the hamlet is dignified with What great rejoicing the good
!

the

title

of

inhabitants

must have had what an eating of sweet-bread and drinking of muscal there must have been upon the reIf adobes (bricks) ception of the joyful intelligence could speak, what magnificent thanks those houses would return Seven Texans were taken prisoners previous to the storming of Monterey, at China and the Presidio crossing of the Rio Grande. Some belonged to Colonel Hays's regiment, and some to the guard left at the Presidio by Colonel Harney. They were taken to San Luis Potosi. When General Taylor sent his dis! !

patch, giving notice of the cessation of the armistice,

he demanded their release.

with
it,

Santa Anna complied

and, in a flaming letter, complimenting our

his

worthy general upon

great magnanimity, &c., sent

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

249

them with an escort to Saltillo, where they were deThey were in wretched to General Worth. They rephght, but said they were treated kindly. ported Santa Anna with twenty-seven thousand men, and that he was fortifying the city. Their description of the road is any thing but agreeable to those who expect to travel it. For thirty leagues the traveler is dependent upon tanks for water. It is with the greatest difficulty the stock is supplied by keeping animals drawing w^ater night and day. It makes one thirsty
Hvered
to think of
it.

Desertions of late have been alarmingly on the

crease
;

in-

it

is

chiefly confined to the English and Gerlatter.

is

mans, particularly the

not be seduced.
to effect desertions.

The
was

sons of Erin can

There

a regularly-organized gang
laid

plan
:

by some of our

men

to catch the

scamps

they pretended they were

disgusted with our service, and wished to go over to

the enemy.'

They were

taken by the Mexicans into a

take them to the army.
;

private room, and there promised $60, citizens' clothes,

and a horse and guide Every thing was agreed extra liberal, gave them
health of their

to to

Santa Anna. one of them requested permission to stop in a house to He communicated the state of aflairs. see a friend. Three Mexicans were taken, and among the number

and the Mexicans, to be cents each to drink the illustrious general, Seiior Don Lopez de As they were passing out of the city,
fifty

was the son of the alcalde of the city. The 3d Infantry erected a cemetery

for the officers

who

Monterey. It is a square inclosure, situated a few yards to the west of the road leading to Monterey, and directly in front of the camp of the The wall is four feet high, and on the face regiment.
fell

at

250

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES, ETC.

toward the camp there is a rectangular pillar surmounted by a cross. It is built of blocks of white

The remains of the officers limestone neatly dressed. having been disinterred from the shallow graves in which they had been placed on the battle-field, at 4
P.M. on the 25th of November the funeral ceremony of The 4th Infantry were the gallant dead took place. 3d attended as mourners. It was the escort, and the a sad and melancholy duty, yet one which carried

some

little

consolation to the officers of the regiment,

and and relatives. The service for the dead was read by Major L. Thomas. There they lie, sleeping as they and there they should be perfought, side by side mitted to remain, surrounded by towering mountains, and in the midst of scenery unsurpassed for grandeur and beauty, until the " last trump" shall summon them Lear, Morris, Fiey, Barbour, before their Maker. where could have been found in the Irwin, Hazlitt service more gallant, courteous, and excellent officers ? Flowers of your regiment an early frost has forever has stopped the pulsaclosed your opening leaves But, unlike tions of your warm and generous hearts earthly flowers, the memory of your virtues, of your You noble, chivalric bearing, no frost can destroy. will live in the hearts of your countrymen, and your memory will be cherished in your regiment while it exists. History will record your gallant bearing when fighting against great odds, and the spot upon which you fell, crimsoned by your heart's blood, will be sacred to every American. The Alabama regiment, under the command of Colonel Coffee, was sent round by water to Tampico. General Patterson was ordered to march upon Victo;

will be of inestimable satisfaction to their friends

252
ria with the

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

two

Illinois

regiments and the Tennessee

to Parras,

regiment of cavalry.
eral

General Taylor ordered Gen-

Wool with

his

command
It is

where he
is

ar-

rived on the 5th of December.

the east of Saltillo.

Parras

situated to

described as a beautiful place,

and the country under rich cultivation. Parr a means hence its name, the country in the vicinia vineyard
;

ty being a succession of vineyards.

At

this

place

large quantities of the native wine and brandy are made the wine is a fair article, and the brandy, ex;

cepting

its

peculiar taste,

is

quite good.

Brigadier-general

Thomas

L.

Hamer
after a

expired on

the night of the 2d of

illness.

December,
battle

very short

Ever

since the

he has been in bad

health, but

On

the 1st of

no fears were entertained of his recovery. December he was seized with an alarmIt

ing attack of dysentery, which resulted in almost im-

gloom over the army. He by us. He was a man of unpretending manners, of sound judgment, and of fearHe was a conspicuous member less independence. of the Democratic party, and had just been elected to Congress from his native state (Ohio). His whole political career has been marked by devotion to his counHe never descended to the low tricktry and state. ery of party, and often fearlessly advocated and voted for measures to which a majority of his party were warmly opposed. Ohio lost in him one of her favorite sons, the country one of her sound and good men, and the army one of its warmest admirers and supHe had made it his particular study to inporters.
mediate death.
cast a

was

universally esteemed

form himself of our condition, of our wants, and the changes which a ruinous system demanded. A Retired List, from its vital necessity to the well-being

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

253

and efficiency of the service, he had repeatedly promall the influence his high talents and As a general, without makcharacter commanded. ing the least pretensions, his good judgment and sound common sense invariably led him to correct conclusions, and his firmness enabled him to execute them. His bereaved family and friends have the consolation of knowing he died beloved by all who knew him. His fnneral took place at ten A.M. on the 4th of DecemHis escort consisted of the 1st Regiment of Kenber. tucky Volunteers, commanded by Major Shepherd, Captain Graham's company of Dragoons, and two The 1st Regiment of Ohio pieces of Bragg's battery. Volunteers attended as mourners, and all the officers of the army ofl* duty swelled the mournful procession. General Quitman commanded the escort. The remains of this great man, the balance-wheel of the volunteer force, were deposited in the cemetery of the
ised to urge with

3d Infantry, and, after reading the service for the dead, three volleys were fired over his grave, and he
It

was left to rest beside the honored dead of the 3d. was the first funeral of a general officer I ever at-

tended.

The

serpentine course of the procession,

its

through the deep, dark woods of St. Domingo, the gurgling stream beside whose banks we marched, combined with the recollection of our great loss, made
it

way

a funeral of unusual solemnity.

On
their

the 11th of

December General Taylor reorgan-

ized the brigades of the 1st Division, preparatory to

battery,

The 2d Dragoons, Bragg's for Victoria. 2d and 3d Infantry, constitute the 3d Brigade, commanded by Colonel Harney. The 3d will unite with the 2d Infantry at Montemorelos. The 1st Infantry, 7th Infantry, Rifles, and Captain Sherman's
march
Vol. I. Y

254

t'AMl'AlGiV SKfc^iCHEri

Of

battery, at present
as, constitute the

4th Brigade,

commanded by Lieutenant Thomcommanded by Colonel

4th Infantry
is

P. F.

Sinitli.

The

to be left,

and
is

staat-

tioned at the citadel.

The Baltimore

Battalion

tached

to

General Quitmnn's Brigade, which will

to

move with our column.

I

have almost forgotten

mention

we have
blast.

had,

two or three weeks, a circus in full head of the company is a Mr. Hamblin.
for

been

in this

country nearly four years.

The They have They take

;

the native horses, and break

them

to the ring

the

horses are very tractable.

beauties.

Some

of their ponies are

!

We Americans are a great nation whip Mexicans one day, and offer them the amusements the
of a circus the next.

At 10 A.M. on
first

the 11th of

December, the funeral

of Lieutenant Hoskins, of the 4th Infantry, and brevet

Lieutenant Woods, of the 2d Infantry, took place.

A company of the
lowed

3d was their escort, and the 4th

fol-

as mourners.

They were
It is

buried in the ceme-

tery of the 3d Infantry.

proper and appropriate

that such should be their burial-place.

The two

regi-

ments served together at Jefferson Barracks, moved together to Corpus Christi, and, since our arrival in
this country,

have been brigaded

it

to this date.

We

are

now

to

be separated^ and
all

was

grateful to the

feelings of

that, just before

our departure, the 3d

should perform the last sad rites to their brothers of

the 4th.

Lieutenant Hoskins was the adjutant of his

;

regiment, a whole-souled, noble fellow

all

who knew

him loved him. Lieutenant Woods, just prior to the battle, was promoted to the 2d Infantry. As a brevet
second lieutenant, he particularly distinguished himself in the battle of the 9th of

May, and

for his gallant-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

ry was brevetted a
lant
first

255

Both these galcharge of the two companies of the 4th Infantry against Battery No. 1, on
lieutenant.

young

officers fell in the

the mornini^ of the 21st.

The order
December.
daybreak.

for the inarch

was

issued on the 12th of

The
I

1st

Division

moves to-morrow
evening

at

On

the 12th
;

took

my

last

stroll to the

cemetery my heart was sad filled to overflowing. The innumerable happy hours spent with those whose existence is now only marked by a cross and grave Oh that I could recall you, rose vividly before me.

my

noble,

my

dear old friends

fate,

But, alas
;

'tis

vain to

good and brave are granted happiness hereafter, surely a full measure has been accorded to you A departure more or less attended with melancholy, for is always there is hardly that spot on earth where we have not formed some warm ties where we have not received
wish.

Your

ere this,

is

sealed

and

if

the

some

acts of kindness

where some

friend, in antici-

pation of our loss, has not exclaimed, " I'm sorry

very
wom;

sorry you are going

!"

where some

bright eye of

an has not been dimmed with departure's tear but this spot, can any of us leave without feelings of the
saddest nature
?

And

yet,

why

should

we

grieve

Have
by

not our brother officers and the gallant men,

their blood freely shed in

fire,

storming the cannon's

dreadful

added another page to the glory of American arms, and consecrated one of the loveliest spots upon which the eye ever rested? Sweet and gloriously brilliant was our last sunset at Monterey. From the rear of the cemetery could be seen the Saddle Mountain it v-^as thrown into a deep, dark shade its lofty peak appeared to be kissed by a
; ;

256

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

itself and formed a delicate bridge across the saddle. Turning the ragged to the west, the sky was all brilliancy peaks of the Mitre Mountain were illuminated by a golden light, and the distant outline of the Sierra Madre, fringed with lofty pines, looked proudly down upon But a soldier has no right to be sad the quiet scene. his duty is to tramp, tramp, fight, fight, not to brood Farewell to the romantic city over misfortunes. to the scenes never to be effaced from memFarewell Farewell to you, graves of my brother officers ory The memory of your would that you were with us Thank noble deeds will nerve us in future battles. God the cross protects your precious remains from
; ;
!

dove-colored cloud, which anon extended

desecration.
In one of

my

late visits to the city, I

I

attended high
to visit
it

mass

at the Cathedral.
It
is

was induced
;

to

hear the organ.

organist

one of very

fine tone,

was

a finished performer

and the he played two or

favorite operas.
I

three exquisite pieces,

I left,

some from our

struck with regret at the small congregation.

do not think there were twenty souls present; and they, in the immensity of the Cathedral, were hardly noticed. War has caused its solemn aisles to be deserted. Th inhabitants have left the city, and must kneel at other
altars than those of their childhood.

May

peace soon
first

enable them to return to those, so intimately and beautifully

associated with their every feeling, from the

wondering gaze of admiring childhood, to the holy sociations and impulses of maturer years.

as-

And now
of the navy,

let us, for

still

a while, contemplate the deeds

in

engaged

blockading Mexican ports.

the 15th of

The

brig Truxton,

commanded by Commander Car-

pender,

was unfortunately run aground on

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

August, on the bar
left
oft'

257

Tuspan.

Lieutenant Berrvman

in

a boat to communicate the inteUigence to the

On the 17th she was abandoned by all the ofand men, except Lieutenant Hunter with a boat's crew. The latter succeeded in reaching a vessel of the sqadron, and the former surrendered themselves
squadron.
ficers

prisoners of war.

Tliey were treated kindly by the enemy, and were eventually exchanged for General La Vega, and the officers who accompanied him to

New

Orleans.

L^pon the reception of the news, the

dispatched to the scene of
impossible to save the ves-

Princeton
she

was immediately
it

the disaster, and finding

sel,

was burned.

was made town of Alvarado. Commodore Connor was in command. The attacking fcrce consisted of steamers Vixen and M'Lane, three gun-boats, and schooners Nonata and Forward, and steamer Mississippi, Commodore Perry. It was thought the latter vessel could be brought near enough to command the passage of the bar, but the water was too low. There was a battery at the mouth of the river mounting seven The first division, consisting of the Reefer and guns. Bonita, towed by the Vixen, crossed the bar and became engaged with the battery. The second division, consisting of the Nonata, Forward, and Petrel, towed by the M'Lane, were prevented crossing by the groundCommodore Connor finding it ing of the steamer. would be folly to proceed with the first division, withdrew the vessels, and the attempt was abandoned.
the 15th of October a second attempt
to capture the

On

On the

16th of October

Commodore Perry
;

sailed

from

the squadron to attack the

town of Tobasco. He took with him the steamer Vixen, Captain Sands schooners Bonita, Benham Reefer, Sterret and Nonata, Haz; ;

258
;

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
;

ard schooner Forward, Captain Nones and steamer M'Lane, Captain Howard, both of the Revenue servCaptain Forest had a command of some two ice. hundred marines and sailors. On the 23d he crossed the bar, and took, without resistance, the small town of
Frontera, capturing
all

the vessels in port

among

the

number, two steamers. Tobasco is seventy-four miles from Frontera. On the morning of the 24th CommoThe dore Perry commenced the ascent of the river. captured steamer Petrita towed the Forward and the On the morning of barges, and the Vixen the Bonita. the 25th arrived in sight of Fort Aceachappa, which

commanded
deserted the

a difficult pass of the river.

fort,

The enemy

and the commodore ordered the guns spiked. About noon all the vessels anchored in front of The town was summoned and refused to the town.
surrender.
In the
vessels.

merchant

mean time the boats captured five The town was fired upon by the
Captain Forest, with
his

vessels, and, in the afternoon

command,
back

w^ere ordered to take a position in the city.

little

After a sharp
at night.

engagement, they were ordered

at the earnest

The town was spared

merchants.

solicitation of the foreign

morning of the 26th preparations were made one of them, under the command of Lieutenant Parker, grounded, and was immediately fired upon by the enemy. The vessel was gallantly defended by Parker, with the loss of one man killed and two wounded. The vessel was got off. In conveying an order to Lieutenant Parker, Lieur tenant Morris was wounded he died, from the effects of the wound, on the 1st of November. He was a gallant young officer, beloved in the service, and his loss
the
to leave with their prizes
; ;

On

will be severely

felt.

The

expedition returned to Fron-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

tera, and, leaving the

269

mouth of

tlie

river blockaded,

anchorage of the squadron. On this expedition were captured and sent in two steamers and seven sail vessels four sail vessels were
sailed for the
;

burned.

All the vessels in the river

;

destroyed

were captured or and no doubt a check was put to a com-

merce by which supplies of munitions were introduced from Yucatan into Mexico. On the 12th of November Commodore Connor sailed for Tampico with a large proportion of his squadron, and on the 14th the city surrendered unconditionally, The navy held possession of without any resistance. it until relieved by the arrival of troops from the
Brasos.

On the 20th of November, Lieutenant Parker, with Midshipman Rogers and Hynson, with a small boat and crew of six men, in the darkness of night, rowed
and succeeded in burning the bark Creole, anchored under the guns of San Juan d'Ulloa. It w^as a gallant and daring act, reflecting great credit upon the
in

On the 5th of heroic lieutenant and his associates. December, Midshipman R. Clay Rogers, Doctor I. W. Wright, and John G. Fox, a seaman of the Somers, went ashore for the purpose of reconnoitering one of the enemy's magazines, and ascertaining the practiThe party had gone some cability of destroying it. distance from the boat, when they were surrounded by seven Mexican soldiers. Doctor Wright made his Midshipman Rogers and the seaman were escape.
made
prisoners.

260

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

CHAPTER
Shortly
Texas, and

XVII.

after the declaration of

war

the president
in

decided upon organizing a column to concentrate

move thence

directly

huahua, the capital of the state

dier-general J. E.

upon the city of Chiof that name. Briga-

of this force.
lected for

Wool was assigned to the command San Antonio de Bexar was the point seconcentration. It was the last of August,
The
general's

1846, before the various corps arrived.

column, which he denominated the "Central Division

Army
ments

of Mexico,"
:

was composed of the following

Colonel Hardin
;

regi-

2d Illinois, Colonel six companies of Arkansas mounted men. ColBissell onel Yell; one company of Kentucky Volunteers, commanded by Captain Williams two companies of the two companies of the 1st Dragoons, Captain Steen 2d Dragoons, Major Beall three companies of the 6th Infantry, Major Bonneville and Captain Washington's company of Horse Artillery, making an aggregate of two thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine men. From the moment of their arrival at San Antonio every exertion was made to push forward the military instructions of the volunteers, to prepare them to take the field. The army moved from San Antonio in two columns the first under the command of Colonel Harney, 2d Dragoons, on the 26th of September the second under Colonel Churchill, on the 14th of October. General Wool, with his staff', left on the 29th of September. On the 8th of October the advanced column reached the Rio Grande, and crossed at the Presidio. This is
1st Illinois,
; ; ; ; ;
:

TUP,

WAii WITH Mp.xrco.

261
in-

a small, dilapidated town, of probably a thousand

habitants, remarkable
rascality than

more

for their uncleanliness

and

umns

uniting, the

any other propensities. The two coladvance left on the 15th, and was

followed by the remainder on the 16th of October.

great fatigue and annoyance.

Their march was one of extreme interest, although of The country passed
;

over was, at times, beautifully romantic

bold and

magnificent ranges of mountains ever gladdened the

eye

and the happy, smiling

valleys,

harvests, their fields irrigated

teeming with rich by the dashing mount-

ain streams, formed a picture that deprived fatigue of

some of

its

pains.

The towns passed through

are described as very

in-

teresting, all being built after the old

Spanish fashion.

The commands were treated kindly were enabled to obtain every thing
ed at moderate prices.

at

every

point,

and
no

the country affordit

To

their credit be

said,

act of violence or robbery w-as committed.

The towns
one of
It

of San Fernando de Rosas and Santa Rosa are particularly spoken

of.

The

latter lies at the foot of

the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world.

is

especially noted for the richness of

its

silver mines.

In consequence of the unsettled state of the govern-

ment, they have not been worked for

many

years.

General

Wool was

received with marked civility by

all

the alcalde of the place, and

seemed

to look

upon
soil

the arrival of his force with a favorable eye.

in the valleys
is

The

rich,

and produces noble crops of corn,

wheat, and barley.

The command
It
is

arrived at

tober, and took possession of

Monclova on the 29th of Ocit without any resistance.

its

situated in a valley celebrated for

figs,

great pro-

duction of grain: oranges,

lemons, &c., are found

202
in great

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
abundance.
parts,
It
is

quite an old town, and in

rather a dilapidated condition.

it

small

hill,

dividing

into
;

two

commands a

beautiful

view of the
not

city

the back ground of mountain ridges produces a

striking effect.
to prosecute his

General Wool decided

at this point

march upon Chihuahua.

CHAPTER
December
13th.

XVIII.
his division,

General Twiggs, with

It

started at sunrise for Victoria.

ment the first day rather a late start is expected. I had the felicity of being on rear guard with my company. Of all duties to perform, it is the most disagreeable for the first day's march. All the drunkards must
be taken care
try
of,

was

prompt move-

and

had

my

hands

full.

The

infan;

Guadaloupe the artillery and baggage train went through Monterey. The sunrise was magnificent, and every thing appeared combined to leave a pleasing impression of the old camp. Before arriving at the village, we passed some farms under excellent cultivation, and crossed the Arroyo Topo. It is a clear, swift-running stream, pebbly bottom, whose bluff banks were lined with the willow, indirect to the village of

marched

terspersed with the

village
is

tall,

graceful palm-leaf cane.

The

situated directly at the foot of the Saddle

five

Mountain, and contains some

It is

hundred inhabitants.
Cathedral, lots of
loitering about, with

well laid out, has a neat

little

pretty
their

women, and men enough

While the

shovel-crowned hats and graceful ponchos, to

a small army.
train

whip

was

arriving and

j'iiL:

WAR

\v(t:i

Mexico.

2G3
offer-

passing,

stopped at a house, where they kindly

I

ed

me

a seat in the shade.

tried to

make

friends with

the children, but, in spite of the pa's " bueno Ameri-

cano," and the ma's "

Americano amigo," and

my

offer

of an insinuating "
tance.

bit,"

they kept at a respectful dis-

I presume the little things are taught to fear Our course from the village was slightly to the north of east, over a good road and limestone country. Our road runs near the base of the Sierra Madre. After a march of ten miles, we encamped on the Topo. December 14th. Marched at daybreak. Every one was fresh for a good pull, and a pull, indeed, they made of it. The heat was intense, almost equal to mid-summer the grass all dried up, not having had

us.

a drop of rain for three months, and the road either

ankle-deep

in dust,

or

iilled

with small sharp stones,

which materially

assisted not only in

wearing out your

route, until

shoes, but blistering your feet.

Our

we

reached Cadereta, was over a magnificent table of land, being the dividing ridge between the Topo and San Juan. Our course is still to the north of east, with

an extensive range of mountains to the west, and in the The couneastern horizon the mountains of Ceralvo. try has lost much of its beauty, the great drought having burned up every thing.

Occasionally

we would

catch glimpses of the rich alluvial plantations upon the Topo, which materially deprived the picture of much

monotony monotony, save in those glorious mountains, which are ever charming, yet seem never to vary
their proximity.
tive distances.

This country

is

the

One can hardly

credit

country of decepmountains, it
:

miles distant, appear within a short ride

for days,

yet travel

and there they

are, apparently at the

same

distance.

204

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

We

have marched thirty-two miles from Monterey,

and we are just realizing we are bidding farewell to our old friend the Saddle Mountain. This evening it appears to rise higher and higher, and come forward There are no less than three disagain to greet us. tinct ranges in the mountain chain along which our road runs, each rising in a succession of conical peaks, with singularly distinct wedge-like sides, until the last We stopped to " noon" six is often lost in the clouds. Great bargains were driven for miles from Cadereta.
eggs and chickens.
beautiful city lies at

Just before reaching Cadereta,

ridge,

you suddenly descend from the dividing

your
feet,

and the

with her white houses

in

imbedded

in

orange groves, situated

a richly-culti-

vated valley, on a slightly elevated bluff on the right

bank of the Topo, surrounded by gardens, with the

dashing stream stealing
the

away

in the

midst of a wilder-

ness of sugar-cane and corn.

good people

to turn out.

Our approach caused I was full of agreeable

bank above
he,

expectations, having formed no ordinary idea of the

fairy city.

Women in crowds were on the

the crossing-place, attracted, as they are and should

by the button. A wobegone looking set they must have taken us for, covered with dust, and no particular show of any extra abundance of clothing.
Crossing the river,
the city.
I

we

continued our route through

to

presumed we were

encamp on

the op-

posite side, but imagine

my

disappointment, and that

of

we were to proceed, and have no opporexamine the place. I was utterly disgusted, but delighted with the little I saw. The same Spanall,

to find

tunity to

ish

style

of building, large yards with

high walls,

orange and other evergreen groves

houses were well
built,

in profusion.
stories high,

The
and

some two

Z
THE WAR WITH MEXICO.
painted with bright and clieerful colors
old
;

265
their quaint

wooden

doors, with massive bolts and fantastic

knockers, gave them quite an aristocratic appearance.

men in crowds gathered at and the bright eyes of pretty women were occasionally peeping at us through the grated windows. I saw more well-dressed men, who looked like gentlemen of easy circumstances, than I had met previously the females looked tidy, and their
along, the
the corners of the streets,
;

As we passed

complexions were

lighter.

Just as

we

entered
It

the

Plaza the Cathedral

bell tolled for

12 o'clock.

had

a rich, deep tone. The Cathedral was commenced on a magnificent scale, but for some reason remains unfinished, imparting to it the appearance of a ruin. In
the center of the Plaza
is

a Corinthian column, about

forty feet high, erected in honor of the declaration of

their independence.

The
is

streets are well paved,

and

cleanliness itself; there

happy

air

about the place.

Marching from Cadereta to our encampment on the Topo Grande (one of the branches of the San Juan) was excessively fatiguing, and the dust actually choked us. For the last mile we had to march in a narrow lane, on each side a high brush
right bank of the
fence, not a particle of air,

could be cut.

and the dust so thick it could not help thinking the " white

kid-glove gentry"

day.

The Valley
out,

were earning their per diem of the Topo Grande is under

this

rich

cultivation with sugar

gave

and corn. Many of the men from the excessive heat and length of l"he

Twenty-two miles to a recruit is no joke. reached camp we passed a squad of men resting. One of my company was whistling with the greatest glee the Cachucha. One of the squad, who was completely used up, exclaimed, " What would 1
march.
Just as

we

Vol.

260

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

not give to be able to whistle like that

fellow
!

man?" Poor him the idea of freshness and freedom from fatigue. Give me your singing, If you they arc always contented. whistling fellows have to decide between two men, take the fellow who you may be sure he is equally whistles and sings honest, and much more willing.
whistling carried to
; ;

December 15th. Started at 8 A.M. heat excessive. Our course has been southeast since leaving Cadereta,
;

over a succession of rocky ridges and rich bottoms. Nearly all the low lands are under cultivation. No
matter
is

of

how rich the soil is, if it can not be irrigated it much less value. It rains so seldom there would

lands.

be no certainty of making a crop upon the high tableOur road was well watered.

An immense quantity of sugar-cane

valleys.
:

is

grown
it

in these

Their mode of manufacturing

is

primitive

enough when the time for grinding the cane arrives, the whole family leave their house, and go to the sugarshed and take up their quarters. There, for a mill, you
see a plain cylinder, with cogs
;

a regular old-fashion-

ed cider-mill, with a long arm turned by a yoke of oxen. A man stands by and feeds the mill with strips
of cane two feet long.
into a trough.
in the

The
is

juice runs

from a gutter

furnace

obtained by digging a hole

placed, leaving

ground, into which

that

is

room

for

the

fire

below, an immense copper kettle for a boiler.

When

and the trough are

filled,

the operation of
is

grinding ceases until that amount of juice

boiled

down. Under the shed is collected the whole family; the aged grandparents, their children, and their grandchildren, all either drinking the juice or chewing the cane. Chewing cane takes up half their time, and a very lucrative trade is driven by its sale. Nowhere can such

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

fat,

267
;

dirty-faced children be found as at the mill

it.

it is

pleasure to see them enjoy

ciently boiled,
is

The

juice,

when

suffi-

run into molds

this

in the

shape of truncstrips

ated cones.

In

shape,

wrapped around with

of the cane from which the juice is expressed, it is exposed for sale, and called pilonci. The taste of their sugar is any thing but pleasant too much of the cane. While at Monterey, they were very anxious for us to

and treated us to as much juice as we wanted, and never let us depart without forcing upon A drink made of the us two or three cakes of pilonci.
visit their mills,

and the green orange is delightful. encamped this evening on the right bank of the Ramos. It is a beautiful stream, and, where we crossed, appeared to issue directly from the mountains. Its banks were lined with cypress, willow, sycamore, and ebony. Our camp-fires were made of ebony. Think
juice

We

what extravagant dogs we

miles.

w^ere

Marched

thirteen

December IGth. Started at daybreak. The atmosphere was much cooler, and a brisk north wind braced We passed over a lovely country it was a us up.
;

succession of stony ridges, and basins of the richest

kind of

soil. We marched along rapidly, and before noon had passed over twelve miles, when we reached a hill which forbade any chance of our wagons ascendI christened it ing without the assistance of the men. ** Disappointment Hill ;" for we were very anxious to reach Montemorelos, and we saw our march delayed We ascended, for some time within sight of the place. stacked arms, and marched down again to assist the teams. The artillery got along admirably by hitching twelve horses to a piece but when the mule-teams came, it was entirely another thing. The ascent must
;

268
have been

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES, ETC.

at least forty-five
hills I

degrees

certainly one

of the steepest

wagons ascend. General Twiggs assumed the management of the passage in person. Those who know the general can
ever
sav^^

not but recollect his peculiarities, and his faculty of getting more work out of men in a given time than any
other officer in the army.

quarter-master stood no

chance; his stentorian lungs drowned every one's voice and his tone of command did not admit of any question. " Bring on that team, there !" Along comes
;

the team, with a

company

of

men

hold of

its

Quarter-master " Drive w^ay at a time, and let your mules blow." slowly, a little Team commences the ascent all steam is cracked on,

and every available point.

wheels,

and the
devil
!"

quarter-master

cries " Stop."

" Stop

the

cries the general;

!

"who

ever heard of such a

thing

? Crack ahead speak to your mules, sir, and keep them going as long as they will !" And away goes the team, amid cracking of whips and cheering The men would pile on about six feet deep of men. "General, those behind, pushing each other along. men are certainly doing no good." " You are mistakthey are keeping the man next the wagon from en, sir The last to cross was the holding on going up hill." " Well," exclaimed the genquarter-master's forge. eral, " do you think you can get up, lasty asty,' with"Well, on with out any men?" "Oh, yes, general." you !" By the time " lasty" had ascended twenty feet " Great God teamthe mules commenced backing. That's not the way ster, which way are you going ? up the hill." And, amid peals of laughter, a company
;
'
!

went

to the assistance of " lasty."

With any number of jokes,

the general succeeded in

half.

crossing the train in an hour and a

From

the

270
top of the
hill

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
the

town was

visible.

Descending,

we

marched

at least three miles

over a dead

level, the soil

Skirtof the richest character, and well irrigated. P.M., having ed the town, and encamped about 4

marched seventeen miles. The most striking feature I saw in passing by was the " star-spangled banner" waving from the Plaza. The orange-trees were loaded with ripe oranges, and fig and peach trees were in
abundance.

December

17th.

very cold night and keen

air in

the morning. After breakfast, walked to the city. It is a small place, of the usual Spanish appearance the side;

walks and the streets well paved situated in a beautiful and extensive plain of the richest soil, surrounded by hills on the north, south, and east, and on the west a lofty range of mountains incloses the valley, adding
;

a striking feature to the landscape.

tains

The town

con-

akout two thousand inhabitants, and the valley Its Cathedral is small, the altar very nine thousand.

and most of the ornaments solid silver. It boasts belts, and from the belfry you have a beautiful view. The town lies at your feet, its houses imbedded Toin orange-groves, laden with their golden fruit. ward the east the small River Pilon winds away in the distance, running over a blue pebbly bed. Leaving the Cathedral, I passed through the principal streets, in which are several excellent stores. Reneat,

of four

turning, passed the funeral procession of a soldier of

the solemn music of their excellent band produced a sad effect. The town is nearly deall who can get aw^ay have gone to the counserted try, fearful of Santa Anna's wrath should he suspect them of any kindness or attention to us. It is a very old town, and takes its name from a priest by the name the 2d Infantry
; ;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

of Morelos,

271
in

who

held large possessions

the vicinity,

and was very active

chief article of

in their struggle for liberty.

in this

The

commerce

valley

is

sugar; they
this year,

have been in two hundred

the habit of supplying the mines about

miles from here with pilonci

however, the demand has been so great from our soldiers, the trade has been diverted to Camargo and Matamoras. The miners will be rather the sufferers. Colonel Riley, with five companies of his regiment, has been stationed here for several weeks. Four more companies of that regiment and the 2d Tennessee, Colonel Haskell, arrived from Camargo this morning. General Taylor and suite arrived to-day as also General Quitman, with his brigade. Met with and was introduced to a gentleman by the name of Thompson. He is a doctor, and has been in this country for nineteen years he looks /or a// the world like a Mexican, although he
;

is

a native of Connecticut.

He

told

me

he had.been at

San Luis Potosi since the collection of Santa Anna's army, and says he has thirty thousand men, fourteen
thousimd of

whom

are regulars, well armed, and the

remainder a rabble, armed with knives and whatever The road from Victhey can lay lay their hands on. toria to San Luis is impassable for wagons, mules often being precipitated with their loads from the narrow and dangerous path, and crushed to pieces. One of our officers, conversing with a regular-looking Mexican, and finding

some

ditliculty in expressing himself,

was informed he need not put himself to any trouble, for the man could speak English. He turns out to
be a Pennsylvanian, and has been
his
in

this

country for
as if he

several years; his skin has partaken of the olive, and

whole aspect was as completely Mexican were " to the manor born."

272 For the two

tion,

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
last

days of our march the

men were

forced to eat corn-bread.

Corn-mills were in requisi-

and grinding was going on all night. As a genmen do not like corn-bread. " Fool who with your corn bread." " Pain de maize^^ has got to be as much of a by- word as Lance?'s" after the bottle. Some companies made it better than others; and some were quite on the softky order. One of the men
eral rule, the
^^

attacked another, exclaiming, " Halloo, Jim, you've got

your haversack
or yoiCll sticky

full

of mush
are

take care you don't

fall,

This evening
ment.

we

all in

a grand state of excite-

After dark an express arrived from General

Worth
Saltillo,

reporting the advance of Santa

and of
his

his

having invited General

Anna upon Wool to join

is-

him with

command.

Orders were immediately

sued for the return of the regulars.

We
his

march

to-

morrow

at

daybreak, and expect some of the

tallest

marching.
toria.

General Quitman, with

majority think the report

brigade and

Thomas's battery, are

to prosecute their
is

march

to

Vic-

The

a false alarm,

but

feel

assured

Worth can
It
is

hold the

until

we

arrive.

certainly a proper
is

enemy in check move for

Santa Anna.

His only chance

to attack us after

we

are well scattered over a large section of country,

beyond supporting distance.

Started at daybreak upon our rewere in good spirits, and willing to shove ahead to meet the " Napoleon of Mexico." The door-ways of all the ranches were filled with people looking at our return. They would have thought we were retreating if General Quitman had not continued the march. Since our arrival at Montemorelos we have observed signal-fires in the mountains. If Santa
18th.

December

turn march.

All

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

273

Anna

is

really advancing,

it

corresponds with the re-

ports of the citizens at Monterey.

month ago they

Santa Anna had
at tlieir city.

commenced
promised

leaving the city, giving as a reason there

battle, as

would certainly be another

to eat
his

Christmas dinner

The 2d
town.

Infantry joined us shortly after leaving the

We marched
with
his

ty miles by 4 P.M.
reta, and,

at a cracking pace, making twenGeneral Taylor went on to Cadeusual energy and endurance of fa-

forward w^ith his escort of dragoons under Colonel May. December 19th. Off at daybreak, and made twentigue, will push

ty-one miles by 4 P.M.

It

It is

quite cold this evening.

w^as reported at Cadereta that Santa

;

Anna

left

San

Luis on the Gth instant

fore us.

if so,

he will reach Saltillo beat Guadaloupe, four P.M. We there heard and left orders for us to
to Saltillo
1st

December

20th.

Encamped
1

miles from Monterey, at

General Taylor had gone on,

proceed.
iments.

General Butler repaired

1st

with a
at

brigade of volunteers,

Kentucky and
Saltillo.

Ohio reg-

No news
is

from

The impression

Monterey

that

Worth was

unnecessarily alarmed,

and that there is no probability of a fight. Late in the evening an express arrived from General Taylor, who is on his way back, ordering us not to proceed, but to
repair to our old
this

camp

at the

Walnut Springs.

All

excitement turns out to be a grand hun^bug. December 21st. Reached our old camp at 10 A.M.
to

Expected

remain some time.

Before evening the

shall

order for our return was out.

to

We

make

anoth-

reach Victoria on the 23d. It is to be er attempt hoped there will be no more false alarms, to make us

march one hundred and twenty miles

for nothing.

274

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OP
is

Colonel Harney
brigade.
onel

relieved from the

is

command
it.

of his
Col-

Brevet Colonel Riley

assigned to

Harney

repairs to Saltiilo to take

command
Saltiilo in

of his

regiment.

General Butler remains at

com-

mand.

December 22d. In the morning take one more look at it, as well
few vacancies
in the mess-chest,

visited the city, to

as to supply

some

occasioned by the re-

turn march. I was struck, upon entering, with the number of persons leaving the city. A perfect stam-

they are frightened out of their in operation and can not account for all these marches and counter-marches. A report has been circulated among them that we are forced to retreat from Saltiilo that Santa Anna, with a large army, is after us and that another battle will soon be fought at Monterey. They openly declare they are not afraid of us, but of the brutality of their own soldiers. A handsome compliment

pede

is

senses,

to their

army

The

city looks deserted.

I

Every one
little

is

leaving, the

rich and the poor.

saw

several carriages containchildren, hurry-

ing delicate, genteel females and ing

oft',

with but few necessaries, hastily thrown into

;

the vehicle

they are probably destined to some ranch

in the vicinity.

could upon donkeys, and

The poor were packing out all they many poor creatures have

gone to seek shelter in the mountains, with a second meal for their sustenance. Their sufferings will be very great, and from my heart I pity them. It was impossible to convince them there was no danger. The bustle and confusion in the city, teams dashing about for supplies, officers hurrying about hither and yon, making purchases for the march, I have no doubt tended to keep up their alarm. The hospitals are filled

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

with the sick
red.
Chills
:

275

there are between two and three hundand fevers prevail to an alarming extent.

The 2d Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers made a very prompt movement from Camargo upon hearing of the expected advance of Santa Anna. They arrived this evening, and came with the most limited supply of transportation. They deserve great credit. Colonel Marshall's regiment of Kentucky horse is arIf all these movements have not the tendency riving. to puzzle Santa Anna, I am very much mistaken. We have had a drizzling rain during the afternoon and evening. Nothing could be happier for us, provided there is not too much of it it will lay the dust, and render our return march quite pleasant it is the first rain we have had for more than three months. December 23d. Reveille beat at 4 A.M., but before it was over an order came putting it off an hour and a half, on account of the rain. Before I heard of the order, my hasty toilet was performed, and of course I was not a little provoked. At daybreak had my tent struck and wagon packed, when an order came statHad my wagon uning we would not march to-day
;
:
!

packed and tents pitched again. Then an order came Well, after stating we would leave after breakfast
!

breakfast

we

really got

ofT.

The day was

first

decidedly

moist; the roads

to the dust.
at
1

muddy and heavy,

reached our

but far preferable

We
24th.

camp

at the

Topo

P.M.
Started at sunrise.

December
fair to
all its

The day bade

in
brilliant.

be cloudy, but before noon the sun was out

beauty.

The

sunrise

was surpassingly

The whole heavens were covered with

rain clouds,

and the mountains were overhung by a thick mist. Suddenly the Sierra, directly behind Monterey, the

276

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
Saltillo,

and the Salinas Pass, by the sun's sun could not be seen, and it seemed as if its rays were concentrated into an aperture, and thrown with all their brilliancy upon these beautiful mountains. I never saw them stand out in bolder relief; in the far west the clear blue sky seemed the emblem of purity, and made one believe naught but happiness could exAnd there ist where every thing was so beautiful. hung upon the mountain sides, and were pillowed in the ravines, thin, gauzy, floating, fairy-like clouds, which

gorge leading toward

away in rays. The

far

the distance,

were

lighted up

the sun's rays gradually dissipated.

Winding down a

hill,

our column was halted to

let

a troop of horse pass.

plain-looking gentleman,

Do you

see, at their head, a

mounted upon a brown horse,

having upon his head a Mexican sombrero, dressed in a brown, olive-colored, loose frock-coat, gray pants, wool socks, and shoes beneath the frock appears the scabbard of a sword he has the eye of an eagle, and every lineament of his countenance is expressive of
;

Reader, do honesty, and a calm, determined mind. you know who this plain-looking gentleman is ? No It is Major-general Zachary Taylor, who, with his military family, and a squadron of dragoons as an escort, He never has around him is on his way to Victoria. any of the " pomp and circumstance of glorious war;" but when the battle rages, when victory hangs upon a thread, when the bravest are appalled by the galling fire, you will find, foremost among them all, that brave and gallant general, whose presence alone insures a victory. While his wagons were passing, he received an express stating that General Patterson, with his command, left Matamoras for Victoria on the 21st instant. Strange, we have thrice passed through Cadereta as
!

THE WAR

WiTil MEXICO.

277

the bell tolled for meridian.

We
!

reached our

camp
!

upon the Topo Grande

at

4 P.M.

December 25th. Christmas dear old Christmas Ever dear and hallowed in the memory of every youngand rendered sacred to the parents from the fact on that day, if on no other, they strive to collect the Dear old Christmas family around the social board.
ster,

that,

What
!

a host of pleasant recollections

come over me

when memory

reverts to events connected with that

How eager to " catcW even the servants for " a day merry Christmas," and how anxious and sleepless the
night in anticipation of the well-filled stocking
!

How,

when

a "

little

shaver,"

eagerly emptied the contents

;

to get to the small piece in the toe

and, after unwrap-

ping some dozen covers,

shilling
!

ments never return.

forget

how my eyes glistened as the Oh happy, happy morolled upon the floor. Their bloom is worn off; their freshness can
!

It is

not at

all

probable any of us will

friends,

how we

spent this Christmas

a weary march
is

in a foreign land, separated

from family and

not easily forgotten.

As we

left

our

camp

at the

dawn

of day, the merry

ranch proclaimed the holyday. was as hard and smooth as marble, and, as
bells of the

The road
if to

insure

our not forgetting the day,

we encamped upon

Tick

River

named from
vermin.
left

the innumerable quantity of those

insufferable

chicken

belonging to

Last evening there was one my mess. I had just given

orders for
breakfast,

its

decapitation, preparatory to frying for

it

when

jumped on

my

mess-chest, then on
if

the table, and sat beside

it

my

plate as contentedly as

were a member of the mess. Of course, its execution was forbidden, and it was treated, in honor of the eve, to some egg-nog, which it drank as if accustomed Vol. I. x\ a

278

CAMI'AIGN feKETCHEri

Ui"

to it. We received a report that the Mexican Congress were willing to treat. An Irishman exclaimed, "Boys, Be Jabers I'm glad of it Mexico is goin' to trate !" I've been wantin' a dhroj) this many a day December 2Gth. Off at daydawn crossed " Disappointment Hill" without any difficulty. Passed through Montemorelos, crossed the Pilon, and encamped a mile and a half beyond the town by 10 A.M. The camp was thrown into no little excitement by the announcement of the fact that General Scott might daily be expected in the country, and that the government had
!
!

ordered out nine additional regiments of volunteers. It is also rumored that Santa Anna has been elected

and Gomez Farias vice-president. The message of President Salas to Congress gives a gloomy description of the state of affairs, but recommends a vigorous prosecution of the war. December 27th. Off at daybreak on an advancepresident,

guard

for the day.

Our road,

for the first eight miles,

wound through
small conical

a succession of valleys, surrounded by of limestone formation.

visible,

hills

deal of slate rock

iron ore.

was

A good and some appearance of

The

scenery, as ever, perfectly beautiful.

For

the last nine miles

plain,

quite

marched over an extensive mesfrom which the view was surpassingly

valleys

lovely.

The

seemed

like

continuous orchards.

Saw three large

had no gun
ous
;

gobblers

in the road, but, unfortunately,

to shoot

them.

Turkeys are very numer-

the deer equally so.

in
its

Saw

a bird called the wild

guinea-hen;
the color of

form

like the jay-bird, but

much

larger

body was brown, and head dirty white. Encamped about 1 P.M. upon the banks of a bold-running stream.

General Taylor overtook the

command

Colonel Davis, of the Mississippi regiment, accompa-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

nied him.

279
regiment.
Scott,
is

He

is

on

his

way

to join his

An
the

expedition to
topic of

Vera Cruz, under General

conversation.
it.

Nothing ofBcial lias been is thrown out that he I is to take a large part of General Taylor's army. If peace does not prehardly think it can be possible. vent it, certainly none can be spared from this frontier, for General Taylor will have his hands full enough. December 28th. Off' at day-dawn. The character
received as regards

camp

hint

of the country for the

first

nine miles similar to that

of yesterday.
of Linares.
last four miles

We

then entered the beautiful Valley

It is

under excellent cultivation.

For the

of our march the road w^as through a

lane

on one side was nearly a thousand acres of sugarcane in one field on the other an extensive cornfield; and in the distance beautiful evergreen trees added On the west was the same freshness to the landscape.
; ;

bold range of mountains, and in the east another

its

made

appearance, and

we seem

gorge between the two. A town, on the north side of the river, the cultivation of the field has been neglected, and beautiful acacia In one field there was shrubs have usurped its place. quite an orchard of apple and peach trees, and fig-trees Sugar-making was lined the fence for half a mile. going on in all its glory, and the road was lined with Mexicans oflfering for sale " pilonci" and delicious oranges.

marching to the mile or two above the

to be

We
at

crossed one of the branches of the San Fernan-

do, half a mile

from the tow^n, and marched through it arms supported, close order, and bayonets fixed. It is an imposing sight to see a body of armed men marching through an enemy's city in that order dead silence prevails, save the heavy tramp of the column
;

280

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

and the dull rumbling of the artillery. The windows and doors were thronged with women and children many groups of the latter laughed most heartily at us. We passed through the town, crossed the San FernanThe Valley do, and encamped upon its right bank. of Linares is decidedly one of the richest in this secIts population is nine thousand, and tion of country. that of the town fifteen hundred. In appearance it can It has two Plazas and not compare with Cadereta. two Cathedrals one merely a chapel. Its police is
:

shockingly neglected.
In the afternoon

upon the padre,

be shown to
is

we rode over to the city and called who kindly ordered the Cathedral to
Its

us.

exterior

is

striking

the interior

simply but neatly finished in groined arched ceilings,

the soft light

with an octagonal dome, from whose stained windows was thrown upon the altar. The orna;

ments of the latter were of silver the pure white Corinthian columns of the grand altar, bordered with gold, had a pleasing effect. The town is about eighty years old, and is interesting to us from the fact that it was the point to which Arista retreated with his army Received after the battles of the 8th and 9th of May. another report that General Worth was attacked no We proceed to-morrow. confidence was placed in it. December 30th. A fresh southeast wind made our For the first five miles passed -march very pleasant. over a rolling country, quite rocky, and covered with
;

low chaparral
da.
It is
is

then entered the small Valley of Parinarrow, but the soil very rich. A small vil;

lage

situated on the left

bank of a

clear, rapid

stream

of the same name.

The growth of

the timber in the

bottom

is

quite large; the beautiful peccan

was con-

spicuous.

After crossing the river,

we

entered upon

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

281

an extensive mesquite plain. Our road hearing more to the west, brought us under quite a range of lofty hills, between which and the Sierra lies an extensive
valley.

At 12 o'clock crossed a rapid stream, upon the right bank of which is situated the village called Cerro de Villogrand.
It is

a dilapidated-looking place, boasting of a

Plaza, a small Cathedral, with three large bells in front

and detached from the building, suspended on a pole, and supported by two uprights. Most of the houses look as if they had been visited by a hurricane. It contains about three hundred inhabitants. Passing one of the houses, I saw^ the dead body of an infant, decorated with flowers, laid out upon a table it looked like a wax doll. We encamped upon the western skirts of the town, having marched tw^elve miles. The mountains at this point are particularly interesting, the tops of most of them fringed with tall pines. The setting sun threw them in bold relief. Flocks of parrots are found in the woods you hear them talking away at a great rate, but it is all Mexican, and therefore unDoubts being expressed about their idenintelligible. tity, an officer killed one this evening, and convinced the most skeptical it was a bona fide poll. December 31st. Late last night an express arrived from Colonel May stating his rear-guard was attacked on the way from Labadores to Linares, which, together with the baggage-train, had been cut off. He wrote no particulars, except that the officer and sergeant had Immediately upon receipt of the news the escaped. order for the march to-day was countermanded, and the general dispatched an order to Colonel May stating he w^ould wait here, and ordering him to proceed immediatelv. Colonel Mav with a squadron of DraA A*
;

282

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

goons, had been dispatched to Labadores to examine

the nature of the passes through the mountains.

Of

course the news

produced great excitement, and, in

the absence of details,

it is

many

surmises.

In

any event,

most unfortunate
it

loss,

will

no matter how insignificant the be magnified by the enemy, and embolden

;

make future attacks. The night we encamped two thousand eight hundred dollars public The report is funds were forced from the alcalde. that such an amount of public money was not in his possession, and that it was made up hy forced contribuThe best contradiction to the tions from the citizens.
them
to

at Linares

report

is

the fact that General

Taylor approved of

it.

An
this

express was received from General Quitman

evening.

He

arrived at Victoria on the 30th, and

the place the

took possession without any resistance.

a body of a thousand cavalry
left

Report says day beGeneral Valencia is reportfore he arrived for Tula. ed to be at Tula with five thousand men and several Tula is a small town southwest pieces of cannon. from Victoria, on the road to San Luis Potosi. Between Tula and Victoria there are forty miles of mountain passes, impracticable for artillery. From Tula there is a wagon-road to San Luis Potosi. We have passed various specimens of cactus on our march. One (first seen at this place) is extremely cuImagine a cucumber very nearly as thick as rious. your leg, about eight feet long, with seven grooves lengthwise, their edge covered with thorns, one large and six smaller ones arranged in the shape of a star, at equidistances throughout its length, terminating in one mass of thorns at the top, and you have a very good idea of it. I have never seen any thing more curious in the vegetable kingdom.

TIIK

WAR WITH

MEXICO.

283

January 1st, 1817. A pretty New Year's day I have spent, truly marching twenty miles in a cloud of dust, without a drop of "the critter" with which to drink a " Happy New Year" to the absent ones. I commenced the wish in dust, and washed it down in Last night w^e had a regular norther. cold water. There was a busy scene driving in tent-pins and tightening cords, and no little fun seeing a tent snugly setFrom being sultry hot it became tle upon its inmates. quite cold, and it took fast marching to warm us. Our road for the first sixteen miles w^as very much of the
!

same character
ery
like
still

as that already described.

;

The
cliff

scen-

continues beautiful

one prominent

looked

an immense dome colored pink and yellow.

Fifteen miles from Villogrand

ley in w^hich the small

we

entered the val-

Previous to
the

town

is

Hidalgo is situated. crossing the river, in an elbow of which located, we passed over a very rich tract
St.

town of

of bottom-land.
rich cane-brake,

There were two

shelves, the

first

and the second covered with a vigorous growth of hackberry, oak, ebony, and peccan, all The limbs of the trees interlaced over of good size. the road, and it seemed as though we were passing through a beautiful avenue, the approach to some genThe town of St. Hidalgo is a tleman's country seat.
dilapidated-looking place, designed, apparently, to be
built

on a magnificent

scale, but the intention

is

was nev-

er realized.

The Plaza
its

quite large, but the houses

are few and far between, and crumbling away.

The
have

Cathedral, in

early days, must have presented quite

showy appearance,
its

but

now

centuries

seem

to

rolled over

crumbling, moss-covered walls.

river,

We again crossed the

and encamped two miles

from the town, having marched tw^enty miles over as

284

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

dusty roads as could possibly be desired.

set

The
;

sun-

and the mountains were higher at one peak this point than at any other on our march seemed to tower a thousand feet above its neighbors.

was

beautiful,

Passing along the road,

we saw

pipe in his mouth, sitting bolt upright, fast asleep.

Dutchman with a The

men, as they passed, looked at him, uncertain of his state, when one exclaimed, " Look at that Dutchman
asleep
!"

The

voice

woke

him, and, without moving

a muscle of his countenance, he puffed

away with
this

all

the phlegmatic indifference of his race.

Colonel
ing.

May, with

his

squadron, joined us

He

reached Labadores through a

difficult

evenmount-

ain pass, scarcely practicable for horses.

The view

from the heights

is

described as very beautiful and

magnificent beyond description.

tity of cigars,

He

took the good

people of Labadores by surprise, seized a large quan-

and distributed

all

he could not take with

his party between the priest and alcalde.

He

returned

by the way of the Linares pass. On leaving San Pedro, a small ranch upon the route, a stream takes its Their route rise, wiiich has washed out a deep ravine.
lay along the dry bed of this stream.
at a point

They

arrived

where the pass was so narrow they were

forced to dismount and lead their horses through in single

file.

On one

side the cliff rose perpendicularly to

the height of six hundred feet

slope

was nearly
it,

as precipitous.
defile,

passed through the

entering

on the opposite side the Just as the squadron and as the rear-guard was
;

from the top of these immense heights a mine was sprung, which had the effect of hurling show-

ers of stone into the pass.

fired

At

the

same

time, they

were

upon from the opposite side. The arrieros deserted their mules in affright, and the rear-guard, con-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

285

The officer sisting of eleven men, fled precipitately. and sergeant of the guard, being in the advance, escaped. They were both arrested, and the matter will undergo an official investigation. Colonel May immediately dismounted twenty men, and returned with them he went through the pass and a mile beyond, but could see nothing of his men nor the enemy. Some straggling shots were fired at him from the heights, and were returned, without efTect on either side. The party who attacked Colonel May is supposed to consist of some forty or fifty rancheros, who, stationing themselves upon the top of the clifT, could, in perfect security, hurl stones upon those passing. The arrieros joined Colonel May, so no suspicion can be
;

The loss to the squadron was eleven men, twelve horses, and all the baggage. An express was sent back to the alcalde of San Pedro, demandHe replied he had nothing to do with ing the men. the attack, regretted it (humbug !), and informed Colonel May the men had passed through the village. Some think they will make their way back but I think they were so outrageously frightened, they gave themselves up to the first man they met, and are good for a
attached to them.
;

journey to San Luis Potosi.

have constantly heard the mountain passes were commanded by a few men rolling down rocks we have now practical evidence of the fact. This gives some idea how difficult it will be for an army to march through these passes Had if they are defended by a few determined men. this party been bold, the whole squadron might have
so intricate that they could be
;

We

been cut
in a
useless.

off: they were perfectly helpless, hemmed narrow pass where their fire-arms were perfectly

286

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

January 2d, 1847. In anticipation of a long day's march, reveille was beat at 3 A.M., and the column reached marched at 4 o'clock. It was quite cold.

We
It

the Rio Purificacion just after sunrise.

is

a bold

mountain torrent, dashing over rocks, the color of the water like that on soundings. It is the deepest and largest stream we have yet crossed, being above the The saddle-skirts, and nearly a hundred yards broad. water was very cold so much so, we dreaded to go No little fun ensued one man, in particular, creain. he had taken off every thing ted a great deal of mirth but his shirt, and half way over fell full length into the

torrent, creating a universal shout.

The face of the country has been more level than any we have passed over since leaving Montemorelos. It is quite rocky, and a great deal of conglomerate is visible. We had a very dusty and tiresome march of twenty-three miles, reaching the hacienda Engracia We encamped upon the opposite side of the at 3 P.M. The estate is owned by Don Simon de Portes, stream. He has a very comfortable a native of St. Domingo. and a magnificent orangery, inclosed by a residence,
high stone wall.
In his inclosure he cultivates nearly
:

every tropical

fruit

the banana, orange, lemon, sweet

lemon, citron, &c.

sweet lemon was a curiosity, and by many is considered very delicious but the oranges one never tastes them don't know what they are in the States they are delicious, and we bought for a dime as many as we could eat. The estate, an
;
!

The

extensive sugar plantation,

ley within a

is

situated in a lovely val-

few miles of the mountains, and is worked by peones, whose jacals were scattered around the mansion. Being asked his name, he presented us with a very neat card that was a point beyond us we
;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

287

were not

quite so civilized as to carry with us, in this

semi-barbarous land, so evident a mark of gentility.

January 3d.
twelve miles

Started at daybreak, and marched

to Caballeros.

The

face of the country

was
in

less

broken, chiefly well-wooded mesquite plains,

and densely thick chaparral. The character of the soil some places was much changed a great deal of the red and chocolate-colored was visible. Crossed the San Pedro, a stream with very high banks immense cypress-trees lined its banks, and grew in the bed of the stream. All these streams give evidence, from the
;

breadth of their beds, of being tremendous torrents

when

On the south side was San Pedro, where we halted for a few moments, and purchased and ate some delicious oranges. A large flock of parrots were in a neighborswelled by heavy rains.
a small ranch, called
field,

ing

entertaining us with their garrulous tongues.

They

invariably fly in pairs.

The stream on which

a

we encamped
the singular

has a broad, rocky bed, and presents

phenomenon of sinking;

few yards above

it

our

camp

it is

running, and directly opposite

has dis-

appeared.
are quite

Streams with that singular characteristic

common

in Florida.

The

proprietor of the

plantation had quite an extensive grove of bananas.

level;

January 4th. Off* at day-dawn. The country more growth of mesquite and thick chaparral abundAbout half way to Victoria passed a ranch ant. It is beautifully situated on a called the Mission. rocky ridge, commanding on every side an excellent, and extensive, and well-cultivated plantation. A stone wall, made real " Northern fashion," took my eye. The approach to Victoria was over an elevated plain, under rich cultivation, and in view of valleys on all sides teeming with sugar-cane and corn. I have never seen

288

CAMPAIGN

SKETCIlEri, ETC.

a richer agricultural prospect.

erra

At

the foot of the Siits

was

a sweet
east of

little

valley, cultivated to

base.

We
za,

passed directly through the town, and encamped

it.

two miles

Our

flag

was waving

in the Pla-

and the streets were lined with volunteers, some of whom were amusing themselves by feeding a huge monkey, perched upon a garden wall. General Patterson, with his command, arrived a few moments they suffered very much for the want of after us
;

water.

January
cemetery.
ural merits.

5th.

Rode

to the city.

of the town, half a mile from the Plaza,

It

On the outskirts we passed their

has decidedly some claims to architectIt is

surrounded by a wall, the base of

its

which

is

stone and the upper part brick, with brick

extent
the
;

pilasters at equal distances throughout

the

entrance, very neatly ornamented, faces

town.
I

Quite a large monument

is

erected to some one,

;

pre-

sume, of more than ordinary distinction its base is quadrangular, and top pyramidal. The base is hollow

and neatly finished

on a

shelf,

presumed
;

to be the

tomb, are four candlesticks, with candles

the top are suspended

and from

two lamps.

was through a very neat

our poor fellows,
buried there

The entrance to it wrought-iron gate. Some of

if

who

are " food for powder," could

not help expressing their wish,

;

they were

killed, to

be
re-

so natural

is it

to desire

some sweet,

tired spot, free

from the noise and confusion of the

world, in which to have our remains deposited, and

where
with us

the ashes of he or she,

in indissoluble ties spirit

who

has been associated

of friendship, may,

when

the

immortal

has

fled, find

a secure resting-place.
is

The

better-built portion of the city

confined to the
"jacal."

Plaza; the outskirts consist of the

common

290

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
is

The Plaza
most
Victoria

a large one, and the Cathedral one of the

I

indifferent
is

have seen.

the capital of Tamaulipas,

and contains
It is

about one thousand three hundred inhabitants. a place of very

little

importance.

The

inhabitants

have evinced toward us a more friendly disposition than those of any other city many of the genteel famGeneral Quitman went through quite ilies remained.
:

a ceremony
troops

in

taking possession of this place.

;

The

were formed upon the sides of the Plaza he and his staff, and the commanding officers of regiments, were ordered to the front, and, as the star-spangled banner was run up, arms were presented. A captain of one of the companies of the cavalry, which retired before the advance of General Quitman, was Augustine Iturbide, a son of the late

emperor.

Several of our officers

were his schoolmates in the United States. His father was shot, upon his return from banishment, near this
place.

January

Gth.

Undoubted
is

intelligence has

been
It
is

re-

ceived that a large force of the enemy, under Generals

Valencia and Urea,

stationed at Tula.

esti-

mated at five thousand. Tula is one hundred and fifty miles from Victoria. One of the passes have been surveyed by Lieutenant Meade, who reports it impracticable for artillery.
letters

The general is anxiously awaiting from General Scott, in order to regulate his future movements. It is thought he must be at Tampico, and an express is to leave for that place to-morrow, to communicate with him.
January
7th.
I

Last night was one of the most unShortly after tattoo, from be-

comfortable

ever spent.

ing sultry hot, the wind shifted to the north, and before

morning one would have supposed

it

blew directly from

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

291

The liolding-ground was bad, and before an iceberg. morning nearly every tent was prostrated. A certain " Tlie lieutenant's lieutenant's went at tlie first blast. " Never fetch some men to put it up." tent's down mind the tent, sergeant I'll stick it out until morning under my blanket." And, sure enough, there he laid, There like a true philosopher, regardless of the blast. were many more of the same class, with, probably, a litfor many of the tents fell directly on tle more endurance
;
; ;

the inmates,

who never moved

a peg, thankful for a

little

more covering. For my part, I was just getting warm, and felt a good deal like the British officer who had retired

upon half pay.

He made

it

a rule, during his reat the usual

tirement, that his servant should

wake him

might have the pleasure of turning over in his comfortable bed, and exclaim, with n reveille /" and then enjoy the luxgreat emphasis, " ury of a morning nap, with the consciousness he was no I say I had longer the servant of the fife and drum.
hour
for reveille, that he

the feeling

but the latter instrument soon dispelled so

consoling a delusion.

The

mail arrived from Monterey, but no

General Scott.
Scott,

news from That indefatigable government agent,

left

Colonel H. L. Kinney,

with dispatches for General

presumed
if

to

be at Tampico.

His expedition
its

is is

hazardous, but
the man.

any one can insure

field

success, he

We

are losing precious moments.

operations,
is

The

winter season, the best for

passing,

rapidly

and we are not one

difficulties

particle nearer the settle-

ment of our

than

we were

after the fall of

Monterey. It is reported that the Mexicans entertain great hopes that our operations will be crippled by the discharge of the twelve-months' volunteers. That time
is

rapidly advancing, and, unless forced to sue for peace

S92
in the

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OP

mean

time, they will

hang

on,

hoping

to find,

by

the loss of so large a portion of our force, matters will

take a turn in their favor.

To

be sure, nine regiments

have been called out

be occupied
for a

to take their place, but time will

in their transportation,

and after their arreflects

is

rival they are to be disciplined.

Any one who

moment must be convinced

that such a course

not only perfectly natural, but dictated by a state of The bad policy things that never should have existed.
of having so great a disproportion of volunteers can
not but be
felt in

war of
vigor.,

invasion.

If the

war

is

to

be prosecuted with

much

larger regular force

the

must be raised.
interior

No column should advance into composed of less than one half regulars.
now
This
is

We
in

are

preparing to enter a densely-populated

not said

country, and must go strong-handed.

disparagement of the volunteers. Their individual gallantry and courage, and sacrifice of home and all The only difference its comforts, are appreciated.

between them and the regulars is discij)line : it makes for, after all, we are mere the coward a good soldier guided and directed by some one head. A machines, considerable body of troops is reported to be at Hamarve, a small town forty-five miles from here, on the road to Tula. An expedition to dislodge them was talked of, but every thing is to remain quiet for the action of General Scott. Santa Anna, defending himself for the abandonment of Tampico, says the place must have fallen, and that Tula is a much better point
;

to

make

a stand against an advance.

the strength of his reasoning.

tain,

One

thing

can not see is very cer-

he abandoned a very important sea-port, which

will be of inestimable value to us, giving us

base from which, in certain emergencies, to

a*new draw our

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

supplies,

293

from which the navy can obtain water, and

at the

where
vessels

a depot of coal can be estabhshed for our steam:

same

time,

it

perfects the conquest of

the state of Tamaulipas.

At

this point

our gallant and veteran general sees

himself the victor, with inadequate means, of three

hard-fought battles, and a successful conqueror of a

large portion of the enemy's country.
lieved of the

He

will be re-

command

of the

glory, having driven the

army in the zenith of his enemy beyond the Sierra

Madre, completely surrounded them on their eastern borders, and in active preparation for advancing and rendering still more circumscribed their limits.

CHAPTER
January
8th.

XIX.

have nothing new on this the New Orleans. Last night was very cold, accompanied by frost. I have often noticed in the different towns braids of the palm leaf My curiosiattached to the gratings of the windows. ty was excited, and, until to-day, never gratified. It appears these plaits of palm are consecrated by the priests and sold to the people, who attach them to some part of their dwelling, believing them to be a When a storm rages, they specific against all harm. break off a small piece of the plait and burn it, believThey attribute to it ing it will appease old Boreas.
anniversary of the battle of
as

We

much

virtue as the Indian does to the "

powwow"

of his chief.
their*
ale.

secrated a

The priests make quite a speculation by Some time since, at Mier, the priests conlarge quantity of new ones at Christmas,

B*


294
CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
;

and wished the people to buy them those whose consecrated palms were supposed to have lost none of then' virtue refused to buy, thereby causing quite a row with their priests it ended, however, as usual, in
:

favor of the Church.

January
late files of

9th.

Had

the

])leasure of reading

some

Mexican papers.
quite desponding
:

Their tone, as regards

they talk no longer of
;

the war,

is

their cry men, money, and supplies, to prevent our Many think, from the different artifurther advance. It is fair to cles upon the subject, peace is at hand. presume it should be but should be and vAll be are

driving us barbarians beyond the Sabine

is

now

for

different things.

The impression
is,
;

of some respectable
is

Mexicans

at this place

that there

no chance of

peace without another battle that they must be whipped w^hipped soundly sacrificed in numbers, and then they will treat. They say truly that w^e have not yet seen Mexico have not touched upon the populous

parts

nor associated with

it

the people.

The
;

latter

do

not believe they ever have been beaten

their

pride

makes them think

their

is

utterly impossible to vanquish

!

and mighty Mexican army never They therefore eagerly swallow the lies disseminated by their officers that Arista sold them on the 8th and 9th of May and that Ampudia's cow^ardice caused

army

their great

To

be conquered by so diminutive a force

the surrender of
lieve
it

Monterey
is

No

they will not be"

until a battle

fought in which their loss will

be very great.

I hope you will whip theni if you would exterminate our army, it w^ould be the greatest blessing to our country, Never were truer fv^ords for it is our greatest curseJ^ spoken. A colonel of the Mexican army is now placed
:

One gentleman remarked,

THE WAR WfTH MEXICO.

in disgrace

295

by

vSanta

Anna

for

his opinion, that ive

that our soldiers

for

were superior were better and

;

openly expressing, as to them in artillery

that
it

them to contend with

us.

was hopeless agree with the worthy

down as one of the few from whose eyes the scales have fallen. The general has decided upon marching to Tampico he must move from here, for we have consumed nearly all the grain the country can supply.
colonel,

and think

lie

may

be put

January 10th. Again very cold. Killed some of Paysan Mexicanus," a bird the natives call "Chicalacha," from the sound of its note. It made capital eating. The weather has been so cold, the small fish in the creeks were benumbed one of my men killed twenty-one at a shot Nothing of any interest occurred on the 11th. January 12th. The order for our march to TamThe 1st Division marches on the pico was issued. 14th, and the volunteer brigades follow with a day's
the "
:
!

intermission.

The general

directed

me

to

be put in

charge of the pioneers.

My command

consisted of

one company of the 3d, one of the 7th, and the company of sappers and miners, under Lieutenant G. W.
Smith.

January
neers.

13th.

Marched

at 7

A.M. with

the pio-

lected

one

To

save a few miles, a middle route w\as sethat

was seldom
old proverb,

traveled by any thing

way round home," was fully realized. We had a hard day's work of it, and were forced to bridge two bog holes, to say nothing of cutting down banks.
but mules.
is

The

"the longest

the shortest

way

Those who
timber of

recollect the crooked, thorny natui'e of the

this

country

so crooked

that a

man

has to

hold one end to

make

the other

lie still

can form some

296

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OP

idea of our trouble.

The

sappers and miners, under

the direction of that excellent and promising

officer,

young

Lieutenant Smith, of the Engineers, showed they were equally capable of bridge-building as of the higher class of operations usually intrusted to them.
It is

nothing to

make a bridge
it

that will pass fifty or

to

sixty
red,

wagons, but when

is

comes

two or three hund-

it

another

affair.

By

the time

we

reached a

small ranch, Santa Rosa, a distance of ten miles,

we

were all willing to encamp. Our coiu'se has been southeast

er to us
;

the Sierra

much closmo-

the mountains not so lofty, and the scenery

in the

notonous

extreme.

Our

route, with the excep-

tion of about a mile of rich bottom-land, has

been over
lost its

arid mesquite plains.

rity
:

The

water, too, has

pu-

we

are bidding farewell to mountain torrents,

and gradually approaching the land of lagunes. January 14th. We have been completely imposed upon in the selection of this route. It is really nothing more nor less than a mule track, and that of the most infamous kind. Streams to be bridged, with no means the face of the country is very stony, and at hand We failfilled with gullies, which must be cut down.
;

ed in reaching the spot laid down for our second night's camp, by six miles. Fortunately, at the last place we
constructed a bridge, there was a small stream of water, which, by building a dam, afforded us a supply.

Shortly after dark

in the rear

it

failed.

Some

rascally

Mexican

had cut the water oft', hoping to annoy us. He succeeded to a charm. The person who recommended this route had certainly an eye to the " internal improvements" of the
state of
suit

Tamaulipas.

The

pioneers should institute a

of damages against him.

We

were

quite a dis-

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

gnsted set o{ worked-out individuals.

297

Our greatest an-

noyance was the crossing of small streams with soft bottoms. They must be bridged, and timber was so scarce that it was really a work of no little labor. Our expression of countenance, when " soft bottom" was announced, would have been a fit subject for ineffable disgust. We were repaid for some of the annoyances of the day by witnessing one of the most magnificently deceptive sights I have ever beheld. Just as day dawned, there appeared in the east a lofty range of blue mountains, from whose conical summits,
at various distances, appetired to

columns of smoke
volcanoes.

be evolved immense

perfect amphitheater of active

The

delusion

was

perfect

so much

so,

an
!"

officer exclaimed, "

It

What

a lofty range of mountains

was nothing but an immense bank of clouds, which assumed these fantastic shapes, which the sun, in rising, soon dissipated, leaving in their stead some of a most delicate mulberry color. The sun seemed to rise
directly under this apparent mountain.

An

Irishman

exclaimed, "

Be

Jabers, boys, we're surely in a

new

counthry

there's the sun rising under the mountains.

it's

Och

but

a quare sight."

January

15th.

Our road was

still

worse

to

El Pas;

ta, the cutting quite heavy, and the arroyos very deep

the soil miserable and rocky.

hills

From

the tops of the

;

the eye rested

upon

fair

and beautiful prospects

when it came to examine the mesquite thickets, it made one dread to reach them. The command worked like "good men and true," but the army overtook us within two miles of El Pasta, at which point we enbut

camped.

After an hour's

rest,

we

again started to

work on

the road until sunset.

Lieutenant Smith and

myself, for our satisfaction (the reports of the state of

298

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

the road being so contradictory), determined to ride

some
it

ten miles in advance to examine

better than

it.

We

found

much

cutting

any we had yet passed over less some heavy digging, and lots of stone to restones are singularly confined to small
if

move.

The

spaces, and there they are piled up as

they were

purposely thrown there.

ation.

They

are impregnated with

the oxide of iron, and are evidently of volcanic form-

Our road has been over immense hills and through extensive valleys, almost a dead level, cut up with arroyos (the word is here applied to deep gullies) now dry, upon the sides of which there are deposits
of salt. There is a striking similarity between the prominent features of the different hills. We cut foui miles in advance, and returned to camp.

order relinquishing the

old army.

General Twiggs brought with him General Taylor's command of this part of his

On

the eve of marching, General Taylor

received instructions from General Scott to send his

whole command, with the exception of the two batLight Artillery and squadron of Dragoons, to Tampico, where he will meet them the latter part of General Taylor was this or the first of next month. ordered to return to Monterey and remain on the defensive. He left immediately, taking with him the 1st Mississippi regiment, in addition to the above-named forces. This order deprived him of nearly all his regulars, and destroyed all his hopes of advancing upon San Luis Potosi, leaving him with a force which may endanger not only the keeping open his long line of
teries of

country bade farewell to the veterans who had been so long under his eye in a feeling and complimentary order, expressing his regrets, and wishability to retain the

communication, but the

already conquered.

He

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

ing us every distinction.

299

Many

a soldier's heart that

had braved the battle's storm undaunted, now swelled with emotion many an eye that had flashed fire o'er
;

glistening bayonets, filled with tears

when

the order

announcing our separation was read. It was as follows " It is with deep sensibility that the commanding general finds himself separated from the troops he To those corps, regular and volso long commanded.
:

unteer,

who had
field,

shared with him the active services

of the
tions
;

he

feels the

while to those

making

attachment due such associatheir first campaign, he

must express his regret that he can not participate with them in its eventful scenes. To all, both officers and men, he extends his heartfelt wishes for their continued success and happiness, confident that their achievements on another theater will redound to the General Scott credit of their country and its arms." arrived at the Brasos, December 28th, 1846, and immediately assumed command of the army. Orders

were dispatched

to

General Worth

to

move with

all

the regulars, excepting Washington's, Webster's, Sher-

man's, and Bragg's batteries, to Point Isabel.

Although
it

no announcement was made undoubtedly for Vera Cruz.

!

of our destiny, yet

is

"Ah me what various ills environ The man who meddles with cold iron."

January

16th.

Another very heavy day's work.

Marched eleven miles, and encamped upon the Arroyo The country passed over is good for nothAlhagilla.
ing

the most

utterly worthless section

have yet seen.

The

labor of the pioneers

they deserve praise for

they forced the work.

was hard and incessant, and the cheerful manner in which We expected to march as far

as Tula, but the guide, sent ahead, returned and re-

300

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

ported that there

the impression that

was no water. We were all under we were approaching a ranch, and

some had the impudence to think they might add a few eggs and chickens to their mess-chests, but it turned out to be notlung but a pond (in wet weather), derivits name from the peculiar grass growing in it. Saw an enEggs and chickens were at a discount tirely new species of tree, which is called La Palma. It reminded one still more forcibly he was in a trop-

ing

about nine feet high, about from the top of which grow several smaller branches, from whose ends long leaves, in shape like the ribbon-grass, grew in tufts, descendThe bark was pering like the feathers in a plume. Lieutenant fectly smooth, of a grayish-white color. Sturges, who was tried for the loss of the rear-guard which was cut off from Colonel May's squadron, was
ical climate.
Its

trunk

is

six inches in diameter,

acquitted.

January

17th.

This has been

rest.

to the pioneer
little

party
or no

comparatively a day of

They had

through a and then through quite open chaparral, part of the road well cut and very much traveled, so that we It was kept ahead of the command without difficulty. a pleasure to see the men strike out and enjoy their march, unmolested by the cutting of trees, building of
to do, for the first nine miles passing prairie,

work

bridges, or reduction of ditches.

We
its

o'clock, crossed the

reached a miserable ranch called Forlon by 10 Rio Persas, and encamped upon

right bank, having

marched

ten miles.

The

river

is

a bold, running stream, with rocky bottom.

literally

The

country passed over was

ous species of cactus

good

for nothing,

being an extensive wilderness of chaparral and vari:

the singular variety already de-

THE WAR
scribed predominated.

VVTTII

MEXICO.

301

rious amphitheater of hills

the east

is

are surrounded by a cuand mountains. Far off in quite an extensive range of lofty mountains

We

one peak,
hills

in particular,

has attracted our attention for

us,

the last ten days.

Nearer, and surrounding

title
:

are

having

fair

pretensions to the

of mountains,

astonishingly alike in their formation

their crests are

;

and of the same height their slopes are in the same direction, and at equal angles. Having no connection with any other range of mountains, and surrounded by plains, they appear to have been planted there purposely to excite the admiration and astonishment of the traveler. Our course now diverii^es from the Sierra, running more to the east. The sunset, with the distant peaks of the Sierra, covered with fleecy white clouds, enveloped in a peculiarly blue, smoky atmosphere, and one of those singular hills standing boldly in the foreground, formed a magnifialmost right
lines,

cent sight.

January
laid

18th.
for

Intending to march the distance as

in one, reveille

down
at a

two days' march

;

was

or-

very early hour. The pioneers slipped off, without fife or drum, at 3 A.M. by so doing we avoided waking up the camp, and stole a good march, which enabled us to keep ahead all day without being pushed. We reached the ranch Panocha, situated upon the left bank of the river upon which we encamped last night, quite early in the morning. It was laid down at jive leagues distant, and certainly was not more than seven miles. Four miles from our last camp there was excellent camping-ground directly on the river. I mention these facts to show how annoying and provoking it is marching through a country where you
dered
are perfectly dependent upon ignorant guides, W'L. I. f^
c

who

ap-

302

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
lies.

They asserted most positively, was no water between it and Panocha, whereas there was plenty four miles off. From an examination of Arista's map (which, bypear to exist on
at Forlon, there

the-by, has been

more valuable

to us than

any thing

captured from the enemy), and from the river turning so much to the west, I am induced to believe it either the

Simon or Tamesis.

The same
filled

river
It is

is

called

by as
mer-

many names

as there are ranches.

a noble stream,

of considerable depth, and

with
his

fine fish.

chant, with an atajo of mules laden with merchandise,

was

at this miserable ranch,

on

way

to Victoria.

He

informed us that the Mexican Congress were unanfor carrying

imous
est.

on the war.

Strange infatuation

Such being
for the

the case,

we must
this
it

really

go

to

war

in

earn-

If the people,

through their representatives, vote

struggle,

continuance of

we

thejji feel it.

In the end,

will be the

must make most humane

policy. They must be made to do so, or the war will never end. A protracted war will carry with it more evils, and a greater amount of suffering; while a fierce, and, if necessary, sanguinary struggle, though terrible
for the time,

must bring matters

to a

speedy settlement.

After crossing the river, the face of the country

changed a great
ber.

deal, particularly the grov/th of tim(or palmetto)

The cabbage-tree
in all its

ance
riant.

beauty, and the grazing

made its appearwas most luxu-

miration at
in the

Marching along, we were all struck with adMount Bernal, an immense mountain peak shape of a dome, which was seen in the southIt

west.

was

truly grand.

Rising to the height of

three thousand feet in a plain, with nothing in the shape

of elevation around
relief,

it, its jagged peaks standing in bold and vaporing clouds playing around its base and

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

summit, caused every one
ly beautiful
ta's

303

to exclaim, "
!"

How

striking-

and magnilicent

It is

put

down on

Arissaid

map with smoke

issuing from
It
is

its

apex, and

is

to be an active volcano.

directly opposite the

Santa Barbara Pass, on the route to San Luis Potosi. It was through this pass the troops from Tampico retired.
in

We

Mount Bernal is the first land seen by mariners approaching Tampico. reached El Petril by 1 1 A.M., having marched
It
is

sixteen miles.

a small ranch, situated upon a

It

creek of the same name.

consists of one dilapida-

ted stone building, the mansion of the proprietor, sur-

rounded by the jacals of

in this vicinity are stock to cultivation.

his

peones.
:

All the estates

attention
is

farms

little

paid

were standing three striking-looking females, w^hose appearance induced me to ride from the road to give them a nearer inspection. It was a mother and her tw^o daughters, decidedly the most genteel women I have seen in Mexico. Death had deprived them of a husband and father, whose body had left the house for burial at Alamitas just before we arrived. Sadness and gloom were in the mansion, and the tear of sorrow was trickling down the face of the younger girl. I could not but feel for them they looked as if they were alone
In the door of the mansion
;

in this vast wilderness.

mail arrived, and

we

received information of the

extensive preparations on foot for the

bombardment of
is

Vera Cruz.
will repair

company of

rocketeers

formed, and

immediately

to the scene of operations, un;

der the

command

of Lieutenant Talcott

Captain Hu-

ger coming out as the chief of ordnance. January 19th. Off at early dawn country slightly
;

rolling

road quite stony, though good

grazing cap-

304
ital
;

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
no palmetto, but
its

place supplied by a species

of the acacia, and some large trees resembling the liveoak.

The

chain of mountains in the east becomes more

For several days we have been passing through the valley lying between them and the Sierra
apparent.

Madre.

Saw

several large droves of ponies, the prop-

erty of the proprietor of Alamitas.

We

reached Alamitas
;

at

noon, after a march of

twelve miles

it

is

quite an extensive hacienda, the

property of Mr. Cintara, nephew of the gentleman

died at El Petril.

who

He was

educated

in

Louisiana.

upon quite a high bluff: the mansion of the proprietor, a long stone building on the east of a small Plaza, and directly opposite a very neat little chapel, the front ornamented with Roman-Doric columns. Both buildings were white- washed, which gave them an air of refinement. Around him, on all sides, were the jacals of the
is

The hacienda

situated

principal buildings are the

peones, corresponding to the quarters of our slaves

but
oh-,

how

different in point of real comfort

The
move-

slave

is

a happy being compared with the peone.

January 20th.
projecting limb,
is

Started before day

this early

ment, occasionally getting your face scratched by a

along famously

We went For the first five miles we passed through chaparral, and then we struck the prairies, and have continued in them all day.
any thing but
pleasant.
;

found the road capital.

They extend within a short distance of the coast. Passed through quite a large ranch called Los Tinos, a smaller one called Tierras Blancas, and arrived at Chicoi, a small ranch, at 3 P.M., having marched
twenty-three miles.
beautiful.

The

prairies passed

were

quite

undulating, and, in their green liveries, must be very

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

305

During our march we met a merchant just from Tampico, on his way to Victoria, with goods for our army. His disappointment was very great to find we had left. For the few last days we have seen a bush with most singular thorns they are quite large, and in the shape of ox horns, and grow from the root of the Ants make nests in tree to the end of the branches. them by eating through one of the ends breaking them open, we found them full of these little insects. January 21st. Off before day. The morning was cold and cheerless, and the heavens threatened rain dark as it was, we managed to poke along. Our road
;

for the first

seven miles ran through a prairie

soil,

we

then

entered upon a low^ bottom, evidently subject to overflow, of a rich, black

which had been traveled

;

while
for

muddy and dried in lumps it w^as very rough both men and w^agons. We have been unusually faall

"vored in
ed,

our marches, especially

in this;

had

it

rain-

we

could never have passed through the country.

We reached a ranch called Los Estaros at 10 A.M., having marched twelve miles. It is situated in an extensive flat of land, upon a very large lagune, which empties into the Rio Tamesis, and which often overIt is flows its banks to the depth of four or five feet. a dismal-looking place, and inhabited by men who have
the most thoroughly cut-throat, " your-money-or-yourlife"

expression of countenance

have ever beheld.

on reaching AlWaiter a dozen,
!

The
place

only consolation
is

we have

for stopping at such a

that,
!

timira,
fried."

this: we are informed we can procure oysters

"

January 22d.
of day.

Started some time before the

it

dawn
truly

Our
It

progress, until

was

light,

was

lauirhable.

was

so dark

we

could not see the road.

30G

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

We knew, from an examination last night, that there were deep ditches in various places, a fall into which might have occasioned no little injury aware of this, there was a good deal oi feeling to find where we were. ' Where are you going ?" " Why, I'm right." " No, you are not you are taking up the bed of a dry stream." By the time the caution was given, the advance was in The cry then was, Where's a ditch or a tree top. Trail the trail ?" for that was all we had to guide us. again we moved on until some one pitched into found
; ;

*'

a ditch, and set us

all

groping

for the path.

We
;

two camp women along, who were on horseback

had and

the poor creatures, from the tumbles they received, to

say nothing about their scratched faces from projecting

limbs,

must have been thankful when day dawned. of the very worst description, being traversed at brief intervals by the deepest gullies we have met. The labor was constant and fatiguing. The column passed early, and left us in the rear for the

The road was

balance of the day.

reached Altimira at 3 P.M., having marched It is a very old and insignificant-looking place, situated upon a rise of ground near the edge of an extensive fresh- water lagune, which communifourteen miles.
cates with the Rio Tamesis.
It is

We

eighteen miles from

Tampico.
distinctly

The
heard.

distant roaring of the breakers

was

Our

anticipations with

regard to

oysters
ble.
us,

were not

realized

not even a
out from

Some

officers

came

shell was visiTampico to meet

and gave bewitching descriptions of the place. We found some Irish potatoes at Altimira. One who is in the daily use of them can hardly conceive of the joy

which the greeting of the good old standard vegetable produces after being without them for some time.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

307

January 23d.
miles of

The
at 12

division arrived within three

Tampico

M., and encamped

in the vicin;

marched fifteen miles the road nearly the whole distance was through dense woods, chiefly of live-oak the undergrowth of impenetrable chaparral, and the soil quite sandy. As we approached Tampico, the country became hilly and the soil quite rich. To avoid a hill, a road was cut through a wilderness of lime and lemon trees growing
ity of a large lagune.
;

We

wild.

The command

picked a great (quantity of them.

this
:

General Patterson passed us ed immediately to the city

arrival.

morning, and repair-

a salute announced his

fatiguing,

Our march, though

and at times
;

harassing, has been attended by few

drawbacks

we

have been blessed with fine weather and health, have passed through a new and interesting country. What

more could we

desire

CHAPTER XX.
General Taylor, with
under the
the 1st Mississippi regiment,

command

of Colonel Davis, Colonel May's

squadron of Dragoons, and two batteries under Bragg and Thomas, arrived at Monterey, on his return from Victoria, toward the latter part of January, 1847, and
re-occupied his old
eral

camp

at the

Walnut Springs.
at the

Wool had

established a

camp

Genrancho called

Buena Vista, five miles to the south of Saltillo. His rapid march from Parras, to re-enforce General Worth, reflected great credit upon his command. The superior state of discipline to which he had brought his column, by his untiring energy and perseverance, his


308
rigid

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
enforcement of orders, was not only soon
to

be

displayed upon the battle-field, but had already gained

for

them the respect of the citizens of the diflJerent towns at which they were stationed. On leaving Parras, some of the ladies of the city besought the
privilege of nursing his sick, and, to their honor be
it

recorded, watched by the sick-bed of an American

soldier,

and cast around him those comforts and conspirit

veniences which none but the gentle

of

woman

know how
vised

to bestow.

General Taylor, though ad-

to abandon Saltillo, with a determined to hold it and the strong prudent foresight passes in advance, and pushed forward all his avail-

by General Scott

able forces to those points.

Hacienda Encarnatwo scouting parties, under the command of Majors Borland and Gaines, the former of the Arkansas, the latter of Kentucky cavalry, were surrounded and captured by General Mifion, with a command of three thousand Mexican
the 22d of January, at the
cion, sixty miles

On

from

Saltillo,

cavalry.
lessness,

Their capture was the result of gross careand reflects little credit upon the vigilance of

the officers.

and sixty-four

The command consisted of six officers men they were immediately marched
:

off for the city of

Mexico.

On

their

way. Captain

Henrie, a Texas volunteer,

made

his escape, and, after

an endurance of privations hardly credible, succeeded in reaching our forces in the vicinity of Saltillo. Another disgraceful and mortifying capture, the result of

want of

that of Captain

January Heady, with seventeen men, Kentucky volunteers, who, being on a scout, were captured by a party of rancheros without the least resistance. About
vigilance, occurred on the 27th ol

this

time

was perpetrated

a fiendish act of atrocity.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

309

which one must blush to record. A private of the Arkansas cavah'y was found near the pickets, murderA party of that ed, having previously been lassoed. regiment, who should blush to own themselves men, armed themselves and repaired to a neighboring ranch, and, in cold blood, murdered several inoffensive peasants, in revenge for their lost comrade. The capture of the different parties, and the rumors and reports which reached Saltillo of the advance of Santa Anna with an overwhelming force, induced General Taylor to change his headquarters. Bringing forward with him the command with which he m^arched from Victoria, he arrived at, and established his headquarters at Agua Nueva, eighteen miles south By the 8th the of Saltillo, on the 5th of February. whole army, with the exception of Major Warren's

command,

for the protection of Saltillo,

It

trated at that point.

nies of the
1st

was concenwas composed of two compaDragoons, under Captain Steen two

; ;

companies of the 2d Dragoons, under Brevet LieutenBragg's and Sherman's batteries, ant-colonel May 3d Artillery Washington's battery, 4th Artillery one regiment Arkansas cavalry, under Colonel Yell one regiment of Kentucky cavalry, under Colonel Marshall 2d Kentucky foot, under Colonel M'Kee 1st Regiment Mississippi Rifles, under Colonel Davis 2d Indiana, under Colonel Bowles 3d Indiana, under 2d 1st Illinois, under Colonel Hardin Colonel Lane and two companies of Illinois, under Colonel Bissell Texas Volunteers, one commanded by Captain Conner, the other a spy company, commanded by the celebrated Captain (now Major) M'Cullough, in all amounting to three hundred and thirty-four oflicers, and four thousand four hundred and twenty-five men.
;

310

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
this

Of

number/o2^?' hundred and fifty -three

men com-

posed the entire regular force.

General Taylor minutely examined the country, with

a view to selecting a position for the anticipated conflict.

The camp

at

Agua Nueva was

found to be un-

tenable by so small a force, being easily turned on

either flank.

pass

Vista, critically

two miles in advance of Buena examined by General Wool prior to

the arrival of General Taylor,

was

selected.

In the

choice of his position. General Taylor exhibited the

same comprehensive sagacity and military coii'p d^oeil which has characterized him in the several battles of
his brilliant

campaigns.

The

valley, at the point se-

lected,

was about

three miles broad, the surface very

irregular, dotted with hills

and ravines, cut up with deep arroyos, and bounded by lofty mountains. The main road ran along the course of an arroyo, the bed of which was so deep as to form an impassable barrier. On the right of the road impassable gullies extended
to the mountains,

and on the

left

commenced

steep as-

cents to the tops of the spurs of the mountains,

which

united and formed an extensive plain for a battle-

ground.

Nothing could have been more judicious than

this selection.

Information which reached General Taylor regarding the concentration of a large force of the
his front,

enemy

in

induced him to send out reconnoitering parMajor M'CuUough had ties several miles in advance. reported to the general a large force of cavalry at Encarnacion, on the route to

San Luis
to the

Potosi.

On

the

20th of February a strong reconnoitering party, under

Colonel

May, was dispatched

Hacienda Hendi-

ondo, and Major M'Cullough

tion of Encarnacion.

made another examina-

The

result of these examinations

THE WAU WITH MHXICU.

rendered
tack.
it

311

certain
in

that

the

enemy under General

at-

Santa Anna were

great force, and meditated an

his

General Taylor broke up

scribed.

camp on
with a
tlie

the morning

of the 21st, and took position at the pass above deColonel Yell

was

left,

command
stores.

of

cavalry, to cover the removal of

This

driven in by the advance of the enemy, had removed nearly all the stores, and set fire to the remainder. General Taylor, with a small force, proceeded to Saltillo to make arrangements for the defense of the place, leaving General Wool in command of the army. Dispositions were immediately made to receive Santa Anna. Captain Washington's
after they

command was

battery

was posted
Illinois

to

command

the road.

The

1st

and 2d

regiments (each eight companies strong,

the 2d

to the latter

being attached Captain Conner's compa-

ny of Texas Volunteers), and

ment, occupied crests of ridges

Kentucky
and

regi-

to the left

in rear.

The Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry occupied the extreme left, near the base of the mountain. The Indiana brigade, under General Lane, the Mississippi Riflemen, the two squadrons of Dragoons, and the light batteries of Sherman and Bragg, were held in reserve. Before General Taylor had completed his arrangements for the defense of the city, on the morning of the 22d he received information of the advance of the enemy, and immediately repaired to camp. Clouds
of dust announced the approach of the foe,
in position

who

arrived

between 10 and 11 A.M., with immense masses, sufiiciently strong to have brought on an immeAll silently but firmly awaited the diate engagement. when, true characteristic of the Mexican, a attack, white flag made its appearance, and with it Surgeon-

312

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

general Lindenberger, bearing the following

nication from Santa
'

commu-

Anna

You

are surrounded by twenty thousand men, and

in any human probability, avoid suffering a and being cut to pieces with your troops but, as you deserve 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

can not,

rout,

camp.
"

With

this

view,

assure you of

my

particular con-

sideration.

"

God and

Liberty.

Camp

at

Encantada, February

22d, 1847.

"Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

"

To Gen. Z.

Taylor,

comm'g

the forces of the United States."

To

which, without the necessity of one

liour's con-

sideration, our brave general

made

the following brief

but characteristic reply

"Headquarters,

Army

of Occapation,
22, 1847.

>

Near Buena Vista, Feb.

" Sir,

In reply
I

to

your note of this date, summoning

force at discretion,
I

me

to surrender

my

beg leave

to

say that
"

decline acceding to your request.

I

With

high respect,

am,

sir,

Your obedient

servant,

Z.

Taylor,

" Maj. Gen. U. S.

"

Army, commanding.
>

Senor Gen. D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Commauder-in-chief, La Encantada."

Hours

rolled by,

and no attack was made.

The

lli

iiiliim

iiiii

iiii

BATTLE GROUND
OF

:lH|||lirill|l||l||lllj
I:

lIUIULiiaiULiJLlL

BUENAVISTA
ANGOSTURA

ETrniTinT"
lllllilli

iiniiiiniii'

:dllllJ.llilIi)I]L

MAAtV\/W\ AAAAAAAAAA

:May acPike's Sqnad. of Drag-oons d^M.Feh. q3

"
""*,iiai iiiii

"^MmA K4w

\
'

my.
a)%^
Z,^^

/Bowitzer
Supporting

1/

XLTnfantry

^' ^ ^, ^1s

.^m
,t*
.5;i>
,;:.^^

^ ^

REFERE NCE

OF THE
y'scamp

Me^JiJ^iviihJafY SupportingJ3M23rd

t\o /y

THE NEW York!

ENOX AND
'"^'"'ATIONS.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

rear columns of the

313

coming
tucky

up.

enemy could be distinctly seen demonstration on our right caused a

by the 2d Ken-

section of Bragg's battery, supported

foot, to

be detached to that point where they

bivouacked

for the night.

troops of the

Toward evening the light enemy engaged ours on the left, comrifle

posed of detachments of Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry,

dismounted, and a

battalion of the Indiana

Brigade, under Major Gorman, the whole

ed by Colonel Marshall.

An

occasional shell

commandwas
no

thrown by the enemy

effect.

into this part of our line with

The

skirmishing of the light troops was conbattery, under Captain

tinued until after dark, with trifling loss on our part.

Three pieces of Washington's

O'Brien (with

whom

served Lieutenant Bryan, of the

to

Topographical Corps, supported by the 2d Indiana

Regiment), were detached
arms.

our

left.

In this position

the troops bivouacked without fires, resting on their

General Taylor, with the Mississippi regiment and

During hundred strong, under the command of General Miiion, had thrown themselves into the valley by a pass through the mountains, and were visible in the rear of the city.
squadron of 2d Dragoons, repaired to
the day, a large
Saltillo.

body of cavalry, some

fifteen

In anticipation of victory, this strong force

was
city

thus

was com panics* of Illinois Volunteers, under Major Warren of the 1st Regiment; a field-work, commanding the approaches, was garrisoned by Capposted to cut
oft^

and harass our

retreat.

The

occupied by four

tain

Webster's company, with two twenty-four-pound

howitzers.

The

train w^as

defended by two compa-

nies of Mississippi Rifles, under Captain Rodgers, with

one

field-piece,

under Captain Shover.

d

Vol. I. D

314

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

During the night of the 22d the enemy threw a large body of Hght troops on the mountain side, for the purpose of outflanking our left. At this point the action was renewed early on the morning of the 23d. Our riflemen, under Colonel Marshall, re-enforced by three companies of Illinois AVjlunteers, under Major Trail, handsomely maintained their position, and used their About 8 o'clock a heavy colrifles with great effect.

umn moved

up the road and threatened our center, but

the lire of Washington's battery.

were driven back by

All attempts upon our right, from the nature of the

ground, would have been time and labor thrown away.

Santa Anna saw

plain.

this,

and determined,
left,

if

possible, to

gain and outflank our

stationed on an extensive

For this purpose, large masses of both infantry and cavalry were collected in the ravines, under cover of the ridges. The 2d Indiana and 2d Illinois regiments formed the left of our line, the former supporting O'Brien's three pieces.

Brigadier-general
at this point.

Lane
bring

had the immediate command

the artillery into

To

more

effective range, O'Brien

was

ordered to advance.
rible effect

His pieces were served with teragainst an overwhelming mass of the en-

emy. The firing at this point was very severe. The Mexican artillery poured in its grape and canister, to cover the advance of their forces. The 2d Indiana
regiment broke
galling
fire,

in confusion,
left

unable to withstand the

and

the artillery unprotected.

Captain

O'Brien, thus deserted,

one of

his pieces, at

was forced to retire, leaving which every man and horse was
All efforts to rally the fly-

either killed or

wounded.
;

ing regiment failed

a few, by the gallantry of Major

Dix, Paymaster U. S.

Army, were brought back, and

with their colonel (Bowles), attached themselves to the

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

Mississippi regiment, and did

315

good service the remain-

der of the day.

The left ot" our Hne giving way, afforded the enemy an immense advantage, who, pushing forward their masses, forced our hght troops on the mountain side to
retire.

Many

of the hitter were not ralhed

at

until
th(,'y

they
aitcrII-

reached the depot

Buena

Vista,

where

ward

assisted in the defense of the train.

The 2d

hnois regiment, to which had been attached a section

of Sherman's battery, were driven before the advancing

columns.

The enemy continued pouring

in their

mass-

and cavalry; the base of the mountain seemed covered with men, and their bright arms glisOur rear was in danger the tide of tened in the sun.
es of infantry
;

battle

was decidedly
cast

against us

the fortunes of the

upon a die, when, at this critical juncTaylor arrived upon the field, and occuture, General pied a commanding position on the elevated plateau.

day seemed

His presence

restored confidence.

iment, under the gallant Davis,

The Mississippi regwas ordered to the left,

and immediately engaged the masses which had turned

our
flank.

They nobly

sustained a fearful struggle

overwhelming odds, and added fresh laurels to The 2d Kentucky, under Colthose already gained. onel M'Kee, with a section of artillery, under Captain
against

Bragg, had been previously ordered to the support of This command, with a portion of the 1st Illeft. linois, under Colonel Hardin, were soon fiercely engaged in the fight, and partially recovered the lost
our
ground.

The

batteries of

Sherman and Bragg,

sta-

tioned on the plateau, played with dreadful effect

upon

the advancing masses, and especially upon those who had gained our rear. The Mississippi regiment, fighting manfully, and sustaining, without flinching, more

316

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES, ETC.

than their share of the fight, were re-enforced by the 3d Indiana, under Colonel Lane, and a piece of artillery under Lieutenant Kilburn. The struggle at this
point was dreadful by the cavalry and
;

repeated efforts were made, both

lin.e,

infantry, to force our

loss.

but

were

signally repulsed with great

artillery, literally

Our

sheet anchor, the

;

sion and rapidity of their fire

mowed down their masses the preciwas the admiration of all.

cavalry, and Captain Pike's,

The squadrons of regular

of the Arkansas cavalry, were under the

command

of

Brevet Lieutenant-colonel May. He was ordered to hold in check the masses which had gained our rear, in conjunction with the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry,

under Colonels Marshall and Yell. The enemy still, with the greatest pertinacity, continued the attack upon
Different sections and pieces, under Sherman, left. Bragg, O'Brien, Thomas, Reynolds, Kilburn, French, and Bryan, were extended along the front, and belched forth their incessant fire. The iron hail, directed with

our

the greatest

judgment and coolness, rent

their ranks,

staggered their masses, and the cannon's roar drowned

the horrid yell of battle,

hundreds.

and the shrieks of expiring the enemy's shout of triumph at their temporary success; under our galling fire they gave way. Lieutenant Rucker, with his squadron of 1st Dragoons, was ordered to dash in among them
Short-lived

was

this

handsome style. A large body of cavalry, who had gained our rear, threatened an attack upon our train at Buena Vista. Colonel May, with his command, with two pieces under Lieutenant Reynolds, was dispatched to strengthen that point. Before his arrival, the enemy had been gallantly met and repulsed by the Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry. They broke into two columns; one, sweephe did
in

!t.

The new

yo rkI

\vtv^*
'lll

"

'''i?=?5PllHllls:f

'-lipiPlgP''

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES, ETC.

ing by the ranch, received an effective
fugitive forces,
fire

319
from the

composed

in

part of Major Trail's and

Gorman's command, who had been re-organized by the

fcdvice and exertions of Major Munroe, of the artillery
;

the other, gaining the base of the mountain, received a

from the pieces under Lieutenant Reynolds. charge at Buena Vista, the gallant Colonel Yell fell, at the head of his regiment and Adjutant Vaughn, of the Kentucky cavalry, yielded up his life
terrific fire

In the

like a true soldier.

Colonel May, with his

command,

and portions of the Arkansas and Indiana troops, kept in check the right of the enemy. Their masses, crowded into ravines, were played upon incessantly by our the havoc was dreadful. The position of that artillery portion of the enemy who had gained our rear was extremely critical, and their capture appeared certain. Santa Anna saw the crisis, and, by conduct unbecoming a true soldier, which only tended to increase the dishonor and baseness of a character already conspicuous for
;

both in history, dispatched a white flag to General Taylor,

asking him " what he wanted."

General Taylor ima white flag

mediately dispatched General

to

Wool with

answer

it,

and ordered our

firing to cease.

The

in-

terview could not be effected, as the Mexicans continued to fire, thus adding unparalleled treachery to the
other acts of barbarity for which they are celebrated.

Santa Anna's object was effected the greater portion This could have of his cavalry regained their lines. been prevented by a breach of the sanctity of the white flag; but, thank God, that blot remains alone with th-e
;

enemy.

formidable force, during their retreat, refire

ceived a severe

of musketry

and Reynolds's

artil-

lery, beautifully served, dealt

death and destruction

among them.

320

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

During the day, the cavah'v under General Minon occupied the road between the battle-field and Saltillo, and threatened the city. They were fired upon from the redoubt in charge of Captain Webster, and move^ Captain Shover moved foroff toward Buena Vista. ward with his piece, supported by a miscellaneous com-

mand
fect,

of volunteers, fired several shots with great

ef-

and drove them into the ravines which led to the lower valley they were accompanied in this pursuit by a piece of Webster's battery, under Lieutenant Donaldson, supported by Captain Wheeler, with his company of Illinois Volunteers. The enemy made one or two attempts to charge the pieces, but were driven back in confusion, and left the plain for the day. In the mean time, the firing had nearly ceased upon It was but the prelude to the fierce and the main field. a struggle which tested the last struggle for the day courage and firmness of our army, and rendered, if possible, more conspicuous the strength and dreadful efficiency of our artillery, and the skill and gallantry of Santa Anna, re-enforced by his its able commanders. cavalry, under cover of his artillery, with horse and The shock w^as gallantly susfoot charged our line. tained by our small band of heroes. On they came in overwhelming masses, their reserve fresh and eager for
;

the contest, their artillery pouring in a dreadful

fire,

the whole under the immediate eye of their chief

'2d

The
their

Kentucky,
fire

1st Illinois,

and O'Brien, with two pieces,

stood the brunt of the attack.

On

they came

deadly
officer

thinned our ranks

the infantry in support

of O'Brien's piece were routed, and that gallant young

was forced
batteries

to retire, leaving his piece in the

bands of the enemy.

Our

now

stood conspicuous

such was the

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

rapidity of tiieir

321

movements, that both

officers

and men

seemed
fire, it

with ubiquity; so dreadful was their could not be resisted. The enemy fell back in
gifted

^disorder.

The

gallant

Hardin and M'Kee, with

their

regiments, charged the flying hosts with a degree of

The enemy, seeing the small magic turned upon them, and came up in myriads. For a short time the carnage was dreadful on both sides. We were a mere handful in opposition to their legions. Again our men were routed, and the day seemed lost without redemption. Brent and Whiting, of Washington's battery, covered the retreat of the remnants of these gallant
courage rarely etjualed.
force in pursuit, like

regiments,
fight.

who had

so nobly borne the hottest of the

General Taylor stood calm and unmoved upon all eyes were turned upon him. The leaden messengers of death swept harmlessly by his person, while hundreds were passing to futurity.
the plateau

Bragg, with
fearful

his battery,

struggle.

had arrived at the point of Alone and unsupported was that

Confident to the

battery and that brave old chief.

last

ber

of victory, he ordered his trusty captain to unlimto load

until

with grape, and await the arrival of their

masses
pieces.

they nearly reached the muzzles of his

the

On came

enemy,

like

legions of fiends,

certain of victory.

When

almost within grasp of the

battery, Bragg opened his fire. The first volley staggered them, the second opened streets through their ranks, and the third put them in full retreat, and saved

the day.

The

Mississippi regiment and 3d Indiana

;

supported the batteries on the plateau

arrived in time to throw in a galling
their

the

former

fire,

and add

might

to the discomfiture of the

enemy.

322

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

In this last conflict

we

sustained a great loss.

Col-

onel Hardin, Colonel M'Kee, and Lieutenant-colonel Clay fell at the head of their regiments, sustaining a desperate conflict against an overwhelming force.

Thrice during the day had our artillery turned the of battle thrice had the masses of the enemy fallen before its terrible hail, and thus maintained the The battle had now glory of the American arms.
tide
;

raged

for ten hours.

No

further attempt

was made

and our troops, weary and exhausted, sank on the battle-field, surrounded by the dead and dying, w^ithout a fire to cheer them and warm their benumbed limbs, to obtain that rest which was necessary to fit them for the conflict on the morrow. The wounded were removed to Saltillo, and every preparation was made to meet the enemy should the attack be renewed. Ere the sun rose they had fallen back upon Agua Nueva, leaving the field strewed with Brigadier-general Marshall their dead and dying. made a forced march from Rincanada, with a reenforcement of Kentucky cavalry and a battery of heavy guns, under Captain Prentiss, 1st Artillery, but too late to participate in the engagement. Our loss w^as very severe, two hundred and sixtyseven killed, four hundred and fifty-six wounded, and twenty-three missing. The enemy, at the least calculation, must have lost two thousand. Five hundred of their dead w^ere left upon the field of battle. Twenty-eight of our officers were killed on the field, and forty-one were wounded.
to force our lines,

The following are the names of the killed and wounded General Staff: Killed, Captain George
:

Lincoln,

Assistant
1st

Adjutant-general

wounded, H.

W. Benham,

Lieutenant Engineers; F. S. Bryan,

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

brevet 2d Lieutenant Topographical Engineers.
:

'S'2'3

1st

Regiment of Dragoons Wounded, Captain E. Stecn. 2d Regiment of Dragoons Wounded, Brevet Lieutenant-colonel C. A. May. 3d Regiment Artillery
:

Wounded, Lieutenant S. G. French. 4th Artillery Wounded, 1st Lieutenant J. P. O'Brien. Mississippi
Rifles
:

Moore, 2d Lieuwounded. Colonel Davis, Captains Sharp and Stockaw, 1st Lieutenants Corwin and Posey. 1st Regiment Illinois Killed, Colonel Hardin, Captain Zabriskie, and 1st Lieutenant Houghton. 2d Regiment Illinois Killed, Captain Woodward, LieuKilled, 1st Lieutenant R. L.
;

tenant F. M'Nulty

tenants Rountree, Fletcher, Ferguson, Robbins, Steel,

wounded. Capand Baker, Lieutenants Picket, Engleman, W^est, and Whiteside. Texas Volunteers Killed, 1st Lieutenant Campbell, 2d Lieutenant Leonhard wounded. Captain Connor. Indiana Volunteers Brigade Staff: Brigadier-general Lane. 2d Indiana: Killed,
Kelly, Bartleson, Atherton, and Price
;

tains Coffee

Captains Kinder and Walker, and Lieutenant Parr

wounded. Captains Sanderson and Osborn, Lieutenants Cayce, Davis, Pennington, Lewis, Moore, and Epperson. 3d Indiana Killed, Captain Taggart wounded. Major Gorman, Captains Sleep and Connover. 2d Kentucky foot Killed, Colonel M'Kee, Lieu:

tenant-colonel Clay, and Captain Willis

w^ounded.
:

Lieutenants Barber and Napier.

Killed, Colonel Yell,

Arkansas Cavalry Captain Porter; wounded, Lieu-

tenant Reader.

Some
were

of the brightest spirits of that band of heroes

sacrificed for their country.

is

The

great

of officers killed

a sufficient guarantee of the

number manspirits

ner in which they performed their duty.

Lincoln,

Hardin, M'Kee, Clay, and the other gallant

T
324 CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF
will ever be

who fell upon that bloody field, among the proudest names of
laurel

ranked

their

country.

The

and the cypress are necessarily joined in the The wreath of the former, which decks battle-field.
the

brow of the conqueror,

the latter,
:

is

not

more honorable than

fit

the branches of

which shade the grave of

evergreen verdure is a memory throws o'er
his

the departed hero

their

type

of the

halo

which

deeds.

General

Wool

bore himself with distinguished credit

his

throughout the day, and by

presence stimulated the

men

to great activity

and exertion.

The

troops of his

immediate command, with some exceptions, gave evidence of their discipline, and to his gallantry a large General share of our success may be attributed. Taylor speaks in high terms of the gallant bearing of
his

personal

staff,

as well as those of Generals

Wool

and Lane.
pians,

Colonel Davis, with his gallant Mississipparticularly distinguished in maintaining his

was

ground

after the disgraceful flight of the

2d Indiana
fields

i^giment.

Though w^ounded, he

still

kept the

Of

the operations of the artillery too much can not be The battle may be called a " battle of artillery said.
In the w^ords of the general-in-chief, " the services of

the light artillery, always conspicuous,

were more

than usually distinguished.

Moving
its

rapidly over the

roughest ground,

it

was always

in action at the right

place and the right time, and

well-directed

fire

dealt destruction in the masses of the

enemy." Throughout the day General Taylor was where the shot fell hottest and thickest two balls passed through His firmness of purpose, his energy of his clothes. character, were never more freely developed. His quickness of perception, copl, unerring judgment, and
;

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

325

fertility of resources, were never at fault, and must rank him among the most conspicuous generals of

any age.

The

battle of

annals of history.
sition of the

Buena Vista stands unsurpassed in the When we reflect upon the compoAmerican forces, only four hundred and
thousand being regulars, the remain-

fifty-three of five

der citizen soldiers,

drawn from

different parts of the

country, and a[ various pursuits,

the result.

we

can hardly realize

With

a force so composed,

how

conspicu-

ous was the judgment of our brave general

to

in

deciding

give battle instead of retreating.

If

he had pursued

would not only have lost his army, but the whole Valley of the Rio Grande, with all our depots, would have fallen into The great lack of numbers the hands of the enemy. prevented the general from following up his success. Thus has it been from the commencement of the war
the latter course, the chances are, he
;

victories are gained, their fruits are lost.

brigade of

regulars would have insured the capture of the greater

Mexican forces. was dispatched by General Taylor to Santa Anna, to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, which was satisfactorily completed. On the 26th the
part of the

staff officer

general issued the following order to his

Headquarters,

army
of Ocrapation,
26, 1847.
) )

Army

Bueua

Vista,

February

Order No.
I.

12.

The commanding general

hns the grateful task of

congratulating the troops upon the brilliant success

which attended their arms in the conflict of the 22d and 23d. Confident in the immense superiority of numbers, and stimulated by the presence of a distinguished leader, the Mexican troops were yet repulsed
Vol. I, E
e

326
in

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OP
eflbrt to force
loss,

every

our

lines,

and

finally

withdrew,

with immense

from the

field.

II. The general would men and officers engaged

express his obligations to the

for the cordial support

which

they rendered throughout the action. It will be his highest pride to bring to the notice of the government

and whose unwavering steadiness more than once saved the fortunes of the day. He would also exthe conspicuous gallantry of particular officers corps,

press his high satisfaction with the small

left at Saltillo.

command

Though

not so seriously engaged as

their

and

efficiently rendered.

comrades, their services were very important, While bestowing this just

tribute to the

deeply regrets to say that there

ceptions.
to

good conduct of the troops, the general were not a few extrusts that those

He

who

fled

ingloriously

Buena

Vista, and

even

to Saltillo, will seek

an op-

portunity to retrieve their reputation, and to emulate

the bravery of their

comrades who bore the brunt of

the battle, and sustained, against fearful odds, the hon-

or of the flag.
III.

The

exultation of success

heavy

sacrifice of life
officers

many

is checked by the which it has cost, embracing While the of high rank and rare merit.

grateful country will be given to the bereaved families and friends of those who nobly fell, their illustrious example will remain for the benefit

sympathy of a

and admiration of the army.

By

order^

Major-general Taylor.

Signed,

W. W.

S. Bliss,

Assistant Adjutant-general.

pany.

This order will be read at the head of every comBy order

:

Signed,

'

W. W.

S. Bliss.

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

327

On
were
road

the

same

(late a close

reconnoisance of the ene-

my's camp
left,

})rove(l tliat

only a small body of cavalry

and that the main body were retiring on the

l^)tosi.

to

San Luis

turned to their

camp

at

On the 27tli our army reAgua Nueva. A large numMarch

a
to

ber of w'oun-ded Mexicans were found there, and kindly

taken care

of.

On

the 1st of

command,

un-

der Colonel Belknap, was dispatched

Encarnacion.

The enemy had left in the direction of Matehula, their numbers reduced from desertion, and suffering greatly from hunger. Some two hundred wounded, together with sixty Mexican soldiers, were found at the hacienda. The deqd and dying were strewed along the road, and the retreat of the enemy left marks of their perfect
disorganization.

General Urrea, with a cavalry force estimated as

high as eight thousand, had, prior to the battle of Buena
Vista, Qomyjbetely succeeded in cutting off
all
:

commu-

between Camargo and Monterey the whole line was infested with guerilla parties, who, in conjunction with the troops, attacked trains and murdered -traverers. A train of wagons, escorted by thirty men of the 1st Kentucky regiment, under command of Lieut^naat f?hrbour, were surprised and captured on the 24th.of'February, 1847, at Ramos, a small village between Ceralvo and Marin. The wagons were burned, roany of the teamsters horribly mutilated, and their bodies, with savage barbarity, cast into the flames. Colonel Morgan, with the 2d Ohio regiment, occupied Punta three points upon the line of communication Aguda, Ceralvo, and Marin. On the 21st of February he was ordered to concentrate his regiment and march to Monterey. Major Wall, from Punta Aguda, joined Colonel Morgan on the 23d, and on the 24th
nication

328
Colonel

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF

Morgan marched

for

Monterey.

he was joined by some twenty teamsters,

On the 25th who had es-

caped the general massacre on the 24th. Lieutenantcolonel Irvin had left Marin, and reached Monterey. At the latter place, Colonel Morgan was joined by a command under Major Shepherd, 1st Kentucky regiment. At Agua Frio he met the enemy, but continued During the march they his march to San Francisco. repeatedly attacked and attempted to break his column, but were as often handsomely repulsed. At San Francisco Colonel Morgan was joined by a command under Lieutenant-colonel Irvin, who had returned from

Monterey

to re-enforce him.
final attack,

The enemy
the
field.

at this point

made his llict, was

Graham,
service,

and, after a short but sharp conleft

repulsed, and
assistant
killed,

Captain B. F.
the

quarter-master

in

volunteer

was

together with three Americans and

one friendly Mexican.

ed.

Captain

One soldier was sligbtly woundGraham behaved very gallantly.

March, Major Giddings, of the
1st

On

the 7th of

Ohio regiment, with a command consisting of three companies of the 1st Ohio regiment, two companies
of the 1st Kentucky, and a small detachment of Ar-

kansas cavalry, in charge of a

downward

tra'in

of.one

hundred and
of the

fifty

wagons, was attacked near Ceralvo.

After a sharp conflict, the

enemy were repulsed.

Fifty

wagons were

lost.

Two

privates of the Ohio

killed.

Volunteers and

fifteen

teamsters were

The

in-

terruption of our communications, the repeated attacks

upon

trains, the depredations of the guerillas,

and the

large force under General Urrea, in the Valley of the

San Juan, caused much uneasiness and alarm throughout the Valley of the Rio Grande.

General Tnvlor returned to Monterey earlv

in

March

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

329

with May's squadron of Dragoons, Bragc^'s battery, and the Mississippi regiment. The Kentucky cavalry were ordered to Monterey. lie determined to take the field in })erson, and go in pursuit of the redoubtahle
general.

For

this

purpose, he

left

Monterey on the
Meeting the

10th of

March with

a squadron of Dragoons, Bragg's

battery, and the Mississippi regiment.

command

of Colonel Curtis escorting a train to

Mon-

terey, he sent the train forward with

an escort, and,
his

taking with him the balance of the force, renewed

the pursuit.

Urrea retreated rapidly before

ad-

vance, and crossed the mountains.

General Taylor returned to Monterey without meeting the enemy. From this time the communications were secure. Prior
to the reception of the

news of the
to

battle of

Monterey,

Colonel Curtis sent on a requisition to the government

for five

thousand troops

maintain the line of comissued a proc-

munication.

On

the 31st of

March General Taylor

Nueva Leon, and Coahuila, requiring from the people of the country an indemnification for the loss sustained by i\\e capture of the trains, and destruction of subsistence and other public property. He reminded them of his
lamation to the inhabitants of Tamaulipas,

uniform kindness to the people of the country, and hoped (by their quietly keeping at home and remaining
neutral) to be enabled to pursue toward
liberal policy.

them the same

The

time for the discharge of the regiments of vol-

unteers,

who

enlisted for twelve months, arriving, prepin

arations
tion to

were made early

New

Orleans, on their
left

May for way

their transportato

their

homes.

Major-general Butler
battle of

for the

States prior to the

Buena

Vista, on account of his

wound.

The

E*

330
following
is

CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OP
the assignment of the
:

new

levies to the

army under General Taylor Five companies 3d Dragoons, under Colonel Butler; 10th Regiment of Infantry,

Colonel Temple

13th Regiment of Infantry, Colonel

Echols; IGth Regiment of Infantry, Colonel Tibbatts. In April the government made an additional call for

Of these were assigned to six thousand volunteers. General Taylor one regiment of infantry from Indiana, and one from Ohio one battalion (five companies) from
;

New

Jersey

one battalion of
;

five

companies from

Delaware and Maryland one battalion of five companies from Alabama one company of foot from Florida four companies of horse from Illinois, Ohio, and Alabama; two companies of foot from Virginia, and one from North Carolina. These, with the addition of the Massachusetts, North Carolina, Mississippi, Virginia, and Texas regiments, were presumed to have given
;
;

the

General Taylor a force of ten thousand men. When new levies shall have all reported, deducting for

contingencies, his force will probably

amount

to eight

thousand.

The

volunteer regiments were pressed for-

ward

to relieve those

ly expired.

Mier for the eral Hopping. Such was the position of affairs upon the Rio Grande in June, 1847. The arrival of re-enforcements were so slow, and the force, at best, placed under the command of General Taylor was so inadequate for our advance, that he quietly remained at Monterey, happy to perform his duty in any manner the government saw fit to direct, happy in contemplating the advance of our arm^s under other generals, happy in being loved and respected by all those who were or are under him, for

whose term of service had nearof instruction was formed at new levies, under the command of Gen-

A camp

THE WAR WITH MEXICO.

his kindness of heart, acute
ities ot^

331

judgment, and sterling qualgood soldier, and iiappy in the reflection that his government and many States of the Union, by their votes of thanks, have demonstrated how strong a hold he has upon the hearts of his countrymen, and that his brilliant victories have sustained, untarnished, the honor of his country's flag.
a great and

Colonel Churchill, inspector-general, was conspic-

uous on the
rapid

battle-field,

not only for his gallantry and

and prompt and meeting the enemy. To his assistance and perseverance General Wool is greatly indebted for the superior (for volunteers) state of dis-

coolness, but for his sound judgment,

movements

in

cipline into

which

his

column had been brought.

THE END.

>.

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