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SKETCHES
OF THE
CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN MEXICO3
IN
EIGHTEEN HUNDRED FORTY-SIX AND SEVEN.
BY AN OFFICER
OF THE FIRST REGIMENT OF OHIO VOLUNTEERS.
NEW YORKo
PUBLISHED FOB THE AUTHOR BY
GEORGE P. PUTNAM & CO., 10 PARK PLACE.
1853.




Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1853,
BY MASKELL E. CURWEN,
In the District Court of the United States, for the District of Ohio.




TO THE
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PRIVATES
OF
THE FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEERS)
THIS VOLUME
IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
AS A
TRIBUTE OF RESPECTo








INTROD UCTION.
IF the time has not yet come for the grave and impartial summing up by the historian, of that interesting event-the Jtfexican
war-it is believed that a sufficiently remote period has arrived
for the publication of those Notes and Memoirs which have been
prepared, and are designed, not so much to gratify any existing
popular interest, as to " serve the cause of History." The writer
of the following pages is aware that his subject lacks the charm of
novelty.  A strong and experienced corps of intelligent officers and
literary camp-followers, armed cap-a-pie for the campaign, have
taken the field before him. Still, as the same landscape or picture,
when. observed from  different points of view, will not unseldom
present new and attractive features; the reader may perhaps discover in these Sketches, some lights and shadows to which his
attention has not heretofore been directed. The history of the First
Regiment of Ohio volunteers (incorporated with the narrative)
may be interesting to many of his fellow-citizens; and his account
of some of the leading events of the war, he trusts, will not be
altogether valueless.
An untrained volunteer in authorship as in arms, the writerthough not indifferent to, nor ungrateful for the approbation of
others,-has been more intent upon the performance of his duty,
than solicitous for the favorable opinion of his readers. Prompted
by a just State pride, and the desire to discharge a merited tribute to
the constancy and courage of the gallant men to whom the volume is
inscribed, he has endeavored to recite plainly and briefly those inter



Vi                      INTRODUCTION.
esting events in which the troops of Ohio participatad, together with
such incidents of Taylor's campaign as seemed necessary to afford
the general reader a clear, connected, and comprehensive view of
the war in Northern MIexico.  He has quoted only such Orders,
-Dispatches and official documents as were required to elucidate the
narrative; the interest of which he has sought to enhance by occasional extracts from the only history of the war as yet published
by Mexicans.  To his surviving fellow-soldiers, who are all doubtless content (for the true soldier is never covetous of praise,) with
the meager account of their -services moldering in the archives of
the War-Department, these chapters may serve to recall many
scenes which time, perhaps, has already partially effaced from the
tablet of memory.  An eye-witness of what he describes, the
writer confidently claims for it the belief of the reader; for
though his little book be but a trifling contribution to the history of
the war, it is one of facts,-collected from notes taken almost daily
during the campaign.
It has been no part of his purpose to discuss in these pages the
question of " the origin of the war."  Concerning that, our politicians have scarcely yet ceased to pass resolutions and malie
speeches. The mists of passion and prejudice still hang like the
smoke wreaths of battle over the unfortunate controversy. Time
will soon dissipate them, and the impartial pen- of some future
historian will treat the subject in a manner which its magnitude
and interest and justice to both nations require.
However the final decision of the grave question of its causes
may-affect the character of our government, all will agree that its
prosecution and results redound greatly to the credit and permanent
benefit of the United States. For, to judge it fairly,-as a military
transaction,-the numbers and positions of the forces actually




INTRODUCTION.                     vii
engaged in the field must be regarded, rather than the power and
resources of the belligerent countries.
As in all wars, we are compelled to lament among its consequences, the desolation of many hearts and homes; but it has also
extended the blessings of knowledge and of civil and religious
liberty to thousands; it has brought to us States, rivers and harbors, the possession of which was alone necessary for our political
and commercial pre-eminence among the nations of the earth.
More than this,-it has solved the problem  of this country's
strength; and proved to European Powers, what they had previously denied, that the volunteer armies of the United States were
competent to carry on extended and offensive operations and to
conduct great wars to a successful issue. These are among its
fruits; and it is believed that,-beside the immense accession to
our territory and commerce, —the military reputation resulting
from it will tend, under Providence, to aid enlightened statesmen
in averting greater bloodshed hereafter.
On this subject it will be sufficient to quote, in conclusion, a few
lines from the admirable dispatch of our late distinguished Secretary of State (Mr. Everett) to the British and French governments
on the subject of the proposed tripartite treaty for the protection of
Cuba. In alluding to the great march of events on this continent,
he thus speaks of the splendid results of the Mexican war:"Without adverting to the difference of opinion which arose in
reference to this war, —as must always happen in free countries in
reference to great measures, —no person, surveying these events
with the eye of a comprehensive statesman, can fail to trace
in the main result, the undoubted operation of the law of our political existence. The consequences are before the world. Vast
provinces, which had languished for three centuries under the




Viii                   INTRODUCTION.
leaden sway of a stationary system, are coming under the influences
of an active civilization.  Freedom of speech and the press, the
trial by jury, religious equality and representative government,
have been carried by the Constitution of the United States into
extensive regions in which they were unknown before. By the
settlement of California the great circuit of intelligence round the
globe is completed.  Every addition to the territory of the American Union has given homes to European destitution and gardens to
European want.  From  every part of the United Kingdom, from
France, from Switzerland and Germany, and from the extremest
north of Europe, a march of irmmigration has been taken up, such
as the world has never seen before. Into the United States, grown
to their present extent in the manner described, but little less than
half a million of the population of the Old World is annually pouring; to be immediately incorporated into an industrious and prosperous community, in the. bosom  of which they find political and
religious liberty, social position, employment and bread."




CONTE N TS.
CHAPTER I.
The annexation of Texas. Our army encamps opposite Matamoros. The Mexican troops cross the Rio'Grande and commence hostilities. General Taylor
calls for reinforcements. The war recognized by the Congress and people of the
United States. Requisition upon Ohio for three regiments of volunteers. They
are immediately raised and rendezvous at Camp Washington. Organization of
the Ohio brigade. Embarkation of the 1st regiment. Fourth of July. General
flamer's speech.   -                  e                       page 17
CHAPTER II.
Departure from New Orleans. Brazos Santiago. A man overboard. Scenes on
the island. A fire in the rear. The mouth of the Rio Grande. Volunteers
"falling back on New Orleans."  Burrita.  Camp Belknap.  The cat-fish
war. Sickness and trials of the troops. The battle-fields of Palo Alto and
Resaca.    -     -                                          -   p. 25
CHAPTER 1II.
The Mexican army under General Ampudia prepares to defend Monterey. General Taylor's order regulating the movement to Camargo. Departure from
Camp Belknap. The valley of the Rio Grande; its people and productions. A
Sabbath in Matamoros. Reynosa. A Fandango. The Stag dance. Death of
a volunteer. A pleasant interchange of visits with a Mexican family. Arrive
at Camargo. A glimpse at head-quarters and General Taylor. -   -   p. 44
CHAPTER IV.
Canlm scenes at Camargo. General Worth. The review. The regular troops
sent forward to Cerralvo. Great sickness and mortality in the volunteer regi



gX                             CONTENTS.
ments. Character and conduct of the natives. Our treatment of them. The
proclamation. The army and church of Mexico. Their influence on the government. Eager and enthusiastic spirit of the volunteers. The Texan Rangers.
Brigades organized for the field. Limited means of transportation. The Mexican jockeys and our horse-market. Something of a shower. General Hamer's
brigade crosses the San Juan preparatory to marching for Monterey  -   p. 74
CHAPTER V.
Arrieros. Packing the mules. The march commenced. Trials of the first day.
Cerralvo. A storm. Mustard per se. Orders for continuing the march. Description of the country. Marin. The enemy seen and heard from. A stampede,
Crossing a stream. A donkey going down stern foremost. San Francisco. The
army arrives before Monterey. Encamps at Santo Domingo.  -   -   p. 108
CHAPTER  V1.
The reconnoissance. Beautiful view of the city and valley of Molterey. Description of the fortifications.  Worth's division sent to seize the Saltillo road, and to
attack the western defenses of the town. Skirmish with the Mexican cavalry.
The action of San Jeronino.  Divisions of Twiggs and Butler advanced on the
north. Attack of Garland's column upon the north-east corner of the city. Its
result. Advance of Quitman's brigade. Fort Teneria captured. The 1st Ohio
regiment enters the town. Its operations. Charge of Lancers. Their respulse.
Loss and gain of our army on the 21st of September. View of Worth's operations on the 21st and 22d. The hights are stormed and the castle carried. The
Mexicans retire upon their second line during the night of the 22d. Street fights
on the 23d of September. The capitulation of the 24th. Taylor's letter vindicating it. General Ampudia's proclamation.                         p. 141
CHAPTER VII.
The army at San Domingo.  Texan Rangers discharged. The wounded sent
home. A new camp established. Discipline of the 1st regiment of Ohio volunteers. Lights and shadows of camp life. Our commissariat and the meat biscuit. The "spotted tiger " and " striped pig." Savage spirit of' the Mexicans.
Assassination of Father Rey. The Sierra Silla. Scenery hunters in a bad case.
A day in Monterey. Condition of the battle-field. Death of' Brigadier General




CONTENTS.                                xi
Hamer. His character and services. Military events of the autumn reviewed.
Saltillo and Tampico abandoned by the enemy. The Mexican forces concentrated under General Santa Anna at San Luis de Potosi. Columns of Generals
Kearney and Wool. Proposition of the American government referred by Santa
Anna to the Mexican Congress. The armistice terminated. Worth's division
occupy Saltillo. Twiggs' and Quitman's march to Victoria.          p. 219
CHAPTER VIII.
False reports. Why and how we went to Saltillo. The loan of a donkey. Forced
march across the Sierra Madre. Mountain scenery. La Rinconada. The Aloe
plant. Los Muertos.  The tierra templada.  Bivouac at the Palomas pass.
Conduct of the natives. A cotton factory. Scarcity of fuel. Sufferings of the
troops. Rabbit hunts. A visit to Saltillo. Christmas-eve. Another stampede.
Lassoing a team. Return to Monterey.   -   -   -   -               p. 253
CHAPTER IX.
Monterey garrisoned by our regiment. The battalion of' San Patricio. How the
monks of San Francisco diddled us.  A few words about volunteer troops.
Expedition against Vera Cruz. Arrival of General Scott in Mexico. His letter
to General Taylor. Its bearer, Lieutenant Richey, killed. The divisions of
Worth, Twiggs and Patterson sent back to the coast General Taylor returns
to Monterey. His letter to General Scott. Scouting parties captured by the
enemy. Taylor hastens to join Wool at Saltillo. Changes his head-quarters to
Agua Nueva.  Reasons for taking  that position. Advance of Santa Anna.
Taylor fills back to Buena Vista. Sights and sounds at Monterey. General
Urrea moves from Tula upon our line. He captures Lieutenant Barbour'strain.
Besieges Lieutenant Colonel Irvin at Marin. Attacks Colonel Morgan's battalion. Glorious news from Buena Vista. -   -   -              -   p. 275
CHAPTER X.
Bearers of dispatches from head-quarters arrive at Monterey.  We prepare to
escort them  to Camargo.  A train tacked on.  Description of the convoy.
Appearance of the country and villages. The massacre near Ramas. The
affair with the Mexican cavalry at Cerralvo. General Urrea retreats to Tamaulipas. Friendly reception by the citizens of Cerralvo. Pronunciamiento of the




xii                            CONTENTS.
teamsters. Arrival of Colonel Curtis' command. We resume our march to
Camargo. Fortifications of that town. Another march to Monterey. Mustang
Gray. Wholesale slaughter of Rancheros near Marin.       -   -   p. 296
CHAPTER XI.
Condition of General Taylor's army after the battle of Buena Vista. Tranquility
restored in Northern Mexico. Courts established. Glance at General Scott's
campaign. The homeward march..-                      p. 337
ERRATUM.
On page 273, line 22, read "skirting the reoad."




SKETCHES
OF THE
CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN MEXICO,
CHAPTER 1.
THE Annexation of Texas-Our Army encamps opposite Matamoros-The Mexican Troops cross the Rio Grande and commence hostilities-General Taylor
calls for reinfbrcements-The War recognized by the Congress and people of the
United States-Requisition upon Ohio for three Regiments of Volunteers-They
are immediately raised and rendezvous at Camp Washington-Organization of
the Ohio Brigade-Embarkation of the First Regiment-The Fourth of JulyGeneral Hamer's speech.
AT the commencement of President Polk's Administration,
our country was involved in two very serious disputes with
foreign powers: one with England, the other with Mexico;
the subject of the former, the boundary of Oregon; of the
latter, that of Texas.  Although "' Fifty-four Forty or Fight "
had been the shibboleth of the government party in the national election just passed, the Cabinet at Washington did
not seem to think it altogether politic to prosecute both of
these quarrels with arms. The Oregon question was, therefore, unraveled by negotiation; that of Texas, cut with the
sword. Whether the latter could also have been peaceably
adjusted, is one of the questions connected with the origin of




14             TIHE ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
the war which it is not my purpose to discuss. Non nostrum
tantas comnponere lites.
Pending the settlement of the interesting ante-nuptial contracts between "Uncle Sam " (who, besides being a sad old
Mormon in his polygamous tendencies, has a decided penchant for the dark-eyed daughters of the South) and Texas,
and which resulted in their union; the troops of the former
were sent to occupy a convenient position in the territory of
the latter, with a view of meeting promptly any presumptuous Mexican knights who might approach to forbid the bans.
The command of this " Army of Occupation "' was entrusted
to General Z. Taylor, whose prudence and firmness eminently
qualified him for a task of such importance and delicacy.
From August, 1845, to March, 1846, he remained encamped
at Corpus Christi, a healthful and convenient location on the
coast of Texas. Miany years had elapsed since so large a
portion of our army had been concentrated in the field, and
the general commanding availed himself of the opportunity
to establish a system of instruction and discipline, which contributed greatly to its subsequent success.
Meanwhile the annexation of Texas-the ccasus beli- was
consummated. The " lone star " was added to our glorious
banner, and the President announced the event as a bloodless
achievement.
But he, and all of us, learned ere long that
"Those who in quarrels.interpose,
Must often wipe a bloody nose."
Our government, believing that the limits of the new state
extended to the Rio Bravo del Norte, instructed General Tay



TAYLOR ENCAMPS OPPOSITE MATAMOROS.          15
sor to break up his camp at Corpus Christi, and march to the
left bank of that river. If, as many have supposed, the design of this movement was simply to quicken the tardy pace
of M exican diplomacy, an unfortunate mistake was evidentl?
committed in estimating the means necessary to aceomplisl
that object. The little army of three thousand men, whicl:
General Taylor displayed upon the frontier, rather invite*i
than averted the threatened war. In the presence of a largeforce, it is by no means certain that Paredes, the Dictator o:6 the magnanimous Mexican nation," would have ventured
to authorize those bold and offensive operations which led so
suddenly to the first shock of arms.
On the 11th of March, General Taylor marched from Cor.
pus Christi. In the latter part of the same month, afte3
establishing a depot at Point Isabel, he encamped opposite
Matamoros; the garrison of which fown was soon afterwards
reinforced by a strong division of troops from the interior,
under General Arista. From.that camp, which the Americans
hastened to fortify, " the flag of the stars " was unfurled; and
the Mexican authorities were informed that the United States
claimed all the territory north of the Rio Grande. There,
and then, too, was begun that military correspondence in which
the American general proved himself an accomplished master,
and by which, no less than by his valor and humanity, he
won the admiration of his countrymen.
In the following month (April, 1846) were shed the first
red drops of the long impending storm, which, it was even
then hoped, would pass away like an April cloud. The Mex.
ican cavalry, having crossed the river, succeeded in killing




16               f'THE WAR RECOGNISED.
and capturing some officers and small detachments of our
army. Encouraged by the good fortune attending these skirmishes, and the comparatively small number of the opposing
camp, General Arista, on the 1st of May, passed his army to
the Texan bank of the  Rio Grande, and displayed there, for
the last time, the banner of his arrogant and vain-glorious
country. Learning the hostile attitude of the Mexican general, the American commander immediately called upon the
States of Louisiana and Texas for troops. In the meantime7
hle determined to keep open the communication between his
lepio"t at Point Isabel and his camp opposite Matamoros, both
)f which were now seriously menaced,-Arista having taken
mn intermediate position, at Palo Alto, with the design of
obrcing a battle. Notwithstanding the disparity of numbers,
laylor did not decline the combat; but in a characteristic
lespatch from Point Isabel, May 7th, he informed his governnent that he should march that day for Matamoros, and adds,
if the enemy oppose my march, in whatever force, I shall
ight him."
The Federal government, meanwhile, informed of the critcal position of its army, was seized with apprehension for.s safety and success; and, on the 11th of May, the President
sent a message to Congress communicating the startling intelligence that war existed with Mexico, and this almost before the -announcement that annexation was a " bloodless
itchievement"9 had ceased to echo through the halls of the
-apitol. On the following day, a bill was passed, by large
majorities in both branches of the National Legislature, rec)gnizing the war; appropriating ten millions of dollars, and




OPPOSITION TO TIHE WARB...7
authorizing the President to accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers for its prosecution. It is, perhaps, to be regretted that there was not perfect unanimity in favor of that
important measure; and, indeed, for an earnest and energetic
pursuit of the war throughout,-all opposition to which should
then have been silenced by humanity, if not by policy and pa.
triotism.  To abandon or denounce the government in such
an alarming crisis, would only serve to prolong the contest.
Peace once broken with such a people-ignorant of our power,
and boastful of their own-could only be conquered, and that
rost effectively and speedily, by united councils at home, and
resolute and vigorous action in the field.  An accomplished
historian (Macaulay) has well remarked, that " if there be
any truth established by the universal experience of nations,
it is this: that to carry the spirit of peace into war, is a weak
and cruel policy.  The time of negotiation is the time for deliberation and delay.  But when an extreme case calls for'chat remedy, which is in its own nature most violent, and
which, in such cases, is a remedy only because it *is violent,
it is idle to think of mitigating and diluting.  Languid wai
can do nothing which negotiation or submission will not de
better; and to act on any other principle is not to save blood
and money, but to squander them."
But I have no quarrel with the opponents of the Mexican
war bills.  According to the venerable Senator from rMichigan, they have not been singular in their sentiment of hostility to the cause of their country.~  If, however, they, or any
* "I have seen a great deal of this political perversity,-this unpatriotic predisposition, which prompts many men always to take part against their country, what



. 8                  EENTHUSIASM  FOR  TlE  WAR.
jTho may come after us, shall perchance, in their efforts to arrest
Ahe progress of this Republic, either in  peace or war, be run
)ver and crippled by that new  and powerful American engine'cleped,-" manifest destiny,"-let them  not complain if the
)opular decision should be as usual, "no  blame is attached
o the company.9" But a decided majority of the people, as
yell as of the. Congress, of the United  States, were far from
)eing averse to a war with Mexico, whose wrongs and insults
Jo American citizens had  been  greater for a  series of years;han those inflicted  by all other nations  combined.   Hence,
Tihen it was known that American blood had been shed, and;hat "d the question had  reached  a point where  words must
~ive place to acts," the alacrity with  which the people  ten-lered their services to  the government.   Hence  the general
mthusiasm, the many public meetings, and the generous con-:ver be the position in which she is placed. I do not recollect a single controversy
n which we have been involved with a foreirgn power, since I have been on the
jtage of action, when the whole sentiment of' the country was united in the cause
of the country. I doubt if there is another people on the face of the globe whose
history presents so many instances of this want of true national pride —patriotisn
~ather-as our own. Whether it results from any peculiar political idiosyncrasy,.'know not; or whether our party feelings are so strong that we are blinded by
hem, and led, in their vehemence, to think that all is wrong our opponents do; or,
t may be, at any rate so far as England is concerned, that some of the old colonial
3aven remains, which leavens much of the lump. Be it one or the other, or
-ihatever else, the deplorable consequence, is certain; and the sentiment of Decatur,
tot less noble than just,-" Our country, right or wrong "-which, being truly un[erstood,-felt rather-means that when embarked in a controversy with a foreign.ation, it becomes every true citizen, after the course of his country has been decided by the constitutional authority, to submit to that authority, and to support her
ause, and not the cause of her foes. This noble sentiment finds many who repu-!iate it,-many who possess the character, without possessing the feelings, of Amer-an citizens."-Extract from   speech delivered by General Cass, in the Senate, Janwary 15th, 1853, on the resolution rea;firiaing the 3gonroe doctrine, concerning the Coloization of this Contine7.t




REQUISITION FOR OHIO TROOPS.           19
tributions for the support of the families of those whose
poverty would otherwise have prevented their enlistment.
It was determined by the War Department to call into immediate service but twenty thousand of the fifty thousand men
which the President was authorized to employ. Most of these
troops were furnished by the Western States,-Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee-as indeed was the largest
portion of those subsequently raised. These five States sent
twenty-six regiments of volunteers to the field, besides a very
considerable number of recruits for both the old and new regiments of the regular army. A requisition for thirty companies (three regiments) was the first made upon Ohio; and
Governor Bartley, on the 20th of May, issued a proclamation
appealing to the courage and patriotism of the State to render
promptly the required aid. Soon afterwards, Samuel R. Curtis, Adjutant General of the State, established a general rendezvous at Camp Washington, near Cincinnati, to which
companies were ordered to'repair as soon as organized. In
less than two weeks after the requisition of the War Department was received in Ohio, three thousand of her people,
having gladly responded to their country's call, were marching towards the rendezvous; and before the middle of June,
the tents of forty companies were pitched at Camp Washington. I recall with pleasure, and record with pride, the zeal
and enthusiasm with which the "' young giant of the West 9
rushed to the conflict, standing, as it does, in favorable contrast with the conduct of other States, whose chivalry and
patriotism it is the fashion to applaud.
During the month of June, companies were assembled at




20                 CAMiBP WASHINGTON.
Camp Washington from all quarters of the State. They were
chiefly from the rural districts, where the volunteers had followed those manly and laborious avocations that trained them
admirably for the fatigues of war. But every trade and profession was represented in the ranks, so that it was no difficult
matter, throughout the campaign, to obtain, upon call, a corps
of skillful laborers in any branch of industry. There were
workers in metal, wood and leather,-men who could make
clothes, harness, wagons, mills, bridges, forts, laws, and pills;
all of whom, of course, knew how to make a ch/arge.  Several
more companies than were necessary to fill the requisition,
came to the rendezvous, and those last to arrive were sent
home; not, however, without much clamor and dissatisfaction. But in the following year (1847) some new battalions
were raised in Ohio, thus affoibrding the disappointed fire-eaters
the desired opportunity of " seeing the elephant," or of "' reveling in the Halls of the Montezumas-" as the phrase went.
Governor Bartley having divided the thirty companies retained at the camp into three regiments, the officers  immediately set about completing their organization by the election
of field-officers.  Though they were naturally desirous of
promoting some of their own numbers, yet two of the reginents very disinterestedly conferred their colonelcys upon
gentlemen who had not been connected with the volunteers,
with a view of securing the benefits of their previous military experience. And here it may be remarked, that the
company officers-who were the electors of the regimental
officers-had themselves been previously chosen from the
ranks, after having been sworn in as privates. Such, at least,




OHIO TROOPS ORGANIZED.             21
was the just and honorable practice, so far as my observation
extended. The three regiments organized at Camp Washington, were composed and commanded as follows:
First Regiment, Colonel A.M. Mitchell; comprising companies from Cincinnati, Dayton, Hamilton, Portsmouth,
Georgetown, and Sandusky.
Second Regiment, Colonel G. W. Morgan; composed of
companies from Athens, Columbus, Mount Vernon, Newark,
Logan, Lancaster, Circleville, Chillicothe, and tiillsborough.
Third Regiment, Colonel S. R. Curtis; of companies from
Mansfield, Massilon, Wooster, Norwalk, Steubenville, St.
Clairsville, Coshocton, Zanesville, and Seneca.
This Buckeye brigade was soon afterwards reviewed by
Gen. Wool, (who was then en route to take command of the
column assembling in Texas for the reduction of Chihuahua,)
and mustered into the service of the United States for one
year. Though within the influence of the many allurements
of a populous city, but few of the thousands assembled at the
camp failed to apply themselves diligently to the task of learning their new profession. The garb and vocation of the
citizen were abandoned together; and with his uniform the
volunteer assumed the duties of a soldier. Crowds of citizens
from all parts of Ohio, attracted by various motives, were in
daily attendance at Camp Washington. Among them were
many eminent clergymen, who distributed Bibles and frequently addressed the troops. The sermons of those gentlemen were, as a volunteer remarked, "the only rations of
religion issued during the campaign;" for in the army there
are no Sabbaths, no days of rest and worship, as they who
read these pages will not fail to observe.




22         THE TROOPS EMBARK AT CINCINNATI.
Contrary to expectation, but little sickness prevailed in tile
encampment; and there was only one death during the month
we remained at the rendezvous. Toward the end of June,
our regiment, (the lst,) having obtained its outfit of clothing
and camp equipage, struck its tents, and entered that shining
path which leads "' to glory and the grave." The streets of
Cincinnati through which we marched, to embark upon " -tLa
Belle Riviere," were filled with a dense multitude of spectators. There were mothers, wives, sweethearts, fathers, brothers, friends, who eagerly scanned the passing ranks for some
familiar face; to which, when recognized, they ran to add
another blessing and a last adieu. The friendly volleys of
artillery that announced our departure from the wharf, shook
stout hearts that afterwards remained unmoved, when " death
spoke in every booming shot that knelled upon the ear."
Many there were in that band of citizen soldiers, who gazed
for the last time upon the beautiful " Queen City of the
West," then arrayed in the brilliant robes of summer; on
her shoulders, a mantle of the richest green; in her hair,
fruitful vines and fragrant flowers; her imperial head tiaraed
with gems of rural architecture that sparkled brightly in the
morning sun.
The Fourth of July found us afloat on the Mississippi, and
still many hundreds of miles above New Orleans. The soldiers, who had not then ceased to be sovereigns, were not
disposed to let the birthday of Independence pass by without
the usual amount of jollity and speechifying. With a familiarity, and in terms that would doubtless have shocked the
martinets of the regular army, several officers were'" called




GENERAL HAMIER.-EMBARK FOR THE BRAZOS.         23
out," and addressed the troops.  The last, and of course the
best speaker, was General Hamer, who possessed an extended
and enviable reputation as an orator, but whom it had never
been my good fortune to hear until that. day; and never
before or since have I listened to a more witching speech.
His manner was natural; his gestures, graceful; his words
well selected from an abundant store; his figures, beautiful
and striking; and his voice, clear and musical as a trumpet.
As a few of the men had previously evinced a mutinous disposition, he seized the occasion to denounce a spirit so dangerous to the happiness of the soldier and the success of the
regiment.  He illustrated the importance of subordination
and discipline by examples from history; he dwelt upon the
privations and sufferings of the men of the Revolution;
teaching his hearers that glory was the sweet fruit of toil and
danger, not of idleness and pleasure.' For sluggard's brow the laurel never grows,
Renown is not the child of indolent repose."
Such a speech was not without its influence, and proved
again the superior efficacy of words wisely wielded, in the
conquest of human passions. Hamer was indeed a perfect
master of that eloquence which, either in sprightly conversation or grave discourse, went directly to the soldiers' hearts.
Early in July we arrived at New Orleans, whence the regiment immediately sailed for Brazos Santiago, leaving the
writer, who had been attacked by fever on the Miississippi, to
mend or end his humble existence in that city, not remarkable
for its salubrity in the dog days. Two long weeks of solitude
and pain there passed heavily by, during which time the sound




24               TAYLOR'S CAMPAIGN.
of artillery and the hurrahs of the crowds that thronged the
streets, daily penetrated to his chamber, announcing the arrival of troops from the North, and their departure for the
hostile shores of Mexico.
The governors of Louisiana and Texas, upon whom, it
will be remembered, General Taylor had called for reinforceinents, had long previous complied with his requisition; but
their troops, though raised almost as quickly as the fabled
battalions of Cadmus, and transported with the speed of
steam, arrived too late to share the first harvest of laurels.
The battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma had been
fought and won by our gallant little army. The nation, that
had awaited the shock with breathless anxiety, was dazzled by
the radiance of those brilliant victories. From that hour,
"' Old Rough and Ready " became the first of living men in
the hearts of his countrymen; and as the gloom of war deepnedl, the glittering galaxy of his manly virtues shone out
with that enduring lustre, which no subsequent calumny
could obscure. The battles on the Rio Grande opened a
compaign, which, terminating with the perilous conflict on the
heights of Buena Vista, need not shrink from a comparison
with any in our history; and whatever may be the verdict of
posterity concerning the justice of the war, it must ever be
conceded that it was conducted on our part with great humanity, and waged to a successful issue with a skill and
prowess never surpassed in any quarter of the globe.




CHIAPTER II.o
Departure fiom New Orleans-Brazos Santiago-" A man overboard " —Scenes on
the Island-A fire in the rear-The mouth of the Rio Grande-Volunteers " falling back on New Orleans" —Burrita-Camp Belknap-The cat-fish war-Sickness and trials of the troops-The battle fields of Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palma.
Despairing of convalescence in the atmosphere of lNew
Orleans, and being anxious to join our regiment before the
contemplated invasion of Mexico should be set on foot, a
brother officer, also an invalid, and myself, concerted arrangements to decamp.  Our medical attendant offered no
serious objections, either because he thought our chance of
recovery as good in one place as another, or agreed with us in
believing that the voyage across the Gulf would dissipate the
slow, burning fever which his potions had failed to extinguish.
We therefore caused ourselves to be conveyed on board the
steamer "d Alabama," then about to start for Brazos Santiago.
In her cabin were assembled forty or fifty officers, and on her
decks a crowd of volunteers; many of whom, like ourselves,
were feeble and emaciated from recent sickness, and not very
redoubtable looking soldiers certainly. But all were filled
with the ardor and ambition of youth, and were hastening with
joyful anticipations to range themselves under the standard of
the gallant General from whom they were to receive their first
lessons in the art of war.  We left New Orleans on the 26th
of July, 1846, and anchored off the Brazos before daylight




26             BARRIVE AT THE BRAZOS.
on the morning of the 29th. The weather was intensely hot.
Not a breath of wind ruffled the smooth glassy surface of the
Gulf, and during the three days occupied in the passage, the
feverish invalids watched and panted in vain for the sea
breeze which we had hoped would invigorate our wasted
bodies. Thanks to the genius of Fulton, ours was a steam
ship, and, heedless of the calm, glided in triumph over the
slumbering sea. Many unfortunate companies, transported
in sail vessels, were two weeks on the voyage. An officer of
my acquaintance was becalmed ten days, in a filthy little
schooner, in which, as he gravely informed us, "the passengers had to fight like terriers to keep the rats from the
cabin table."  Ike ever afterwards spoke of the voyage as
the veritable purgatory between heavenz (the United States)
and hell (Mexico); commencing many a story or jest with
the preface-" When I was in purgatory."
At dawn on the 29th, we hastened on deck to see the land
which Spanish chivalry and more recently American courage
had invested with charms that kindled the most romantic
spirit of adventure. Next to the classic shores of the Mediterranean, those of Mexico and Central America, yet so rich
inl relics of ancient art, had long been most interesting to me.
Who, perusing the brilliant pages of Prescott, does not
desire to visit the grand and beautiful scenes, he so grandly
and beautifully describes?  To revel among the intoxicating
perfumes and flowery plains of the tierrac caliente; to wander
among the verdant fields and fruits of the tierra tem.tplada; to
gaze upon the magnificent scenery and wonderful exhibitions
of Aztec civilization displayed in profusion throughout the




THE DEBARKAT'ION.                27
tierrac fiac   To conquer the descendants of the Spanish
conquerors, and to plant the flag of our young republic
upon the capital reared centuries ago above the ruins of
Montezuma's palaces! What prospect more captivating to
the youthful imagination?
Our first glimpse, however, of the hostile coast, was not
particularly fascinating. The country before us, faintly revealed in the glimmering light of the morning, seemed to
be but ";a dreary waste, expanding to the sky.":  A narrow
belt of sand, stretching northward as far as the eye could
reach, lay between us and the main land. This was intersected by shallow channels, which formed los brazos de Sazn
lago, the arms of St. James. On.one of the Islands thus
formed, was located our principal army dep6t; and on the
opposite side of the broad lagoon, which was spread out between the Island and the main, was Point Isabel.
A number of large transports lay around us, all fuill of
troops, anxiously awaiting their turn to be disembarked. It
was five miles from the anchorage to the Brazos, and though
a busy fleet of little steamers and schooners was constantly
plying between the ships and the landing, the business
seemed to progress but slowly. Many hours elapsed before a
lighter approached the Alabama, during which time we sat
impatiently gazing upon the desolate picture of water and
sand, for not a tree could be seen in the distant perspective.
A strong breeze had sprung up with the morning, and when
the lighter came alongside, there was such a heavy sea on,
that it was no easy matter to transfer our troops and baggage
to her deck. While all hands were engaged in the work,




28                A MAN OVERBOARD.
that startling cry, " a man overboard," rang through the ship.
An eccentric little Frenchman, by profession a cook, in the
service of an officer of the Maryland volunteers, had thrown
himself into the sea. It was supposed at the moment, that he
had fallen from the gangway in attempting to reach the
lighter, as the footing was very unsteady and unsafe for lands.
men. Fortunately or unfortunately for the rash Gaul, his
body would not sink, either in consequence of the spirits it
contained, or because it was buoyed by the action of the tide
under the two vessels, between which he had precipitated
himself. He floated like some huge sea-frog upon the surface, but in imminent danger of being crushed between the
ships, whose sides were occasionaly grinding hard against
each other.  Before that, however, could happen, almost
indeed before the alarm was given, the mate of the Alabama,
seizing a rope, leaped overboard and rescued Monsieur le
Cuisinier, much to his dissatisfaction and disgust evidently,
and as he was hauled on deck, dangling and twisting at the
end of the rope, he looked daggers at the stout and daring
sailor who had so gallantly saved him from the sharks.
When it was understood that he had attempted " that poorsoul'd piece of heroism, self-slaughter," the sympathy of the
crowd was quickly checked, and many of the spectators
kindly wished him " better luck in his next effort."
The scene at the landing'was a lively and interesting one.
Two or three months previous, the Island had been a wild
and uninhabited ridge of sand, whose solitude was broken
only by the melancholy dirge of the great waves that broke
upon its shore. Now, it was alive with busy men; soldiers,




SCENES ON THE ISLAND.                29
sailors, artizans and others, who were running to and fro like
ants among the hillocks the winds had whirled up from its
surface. Tradition relates that a flourishing village (flourishing after the Mexican fashion, I presume) formerly existed at
Brazos Santiago; and that one morning, after a terrific storm
had raged through the night, the amazed inhabitants of the
main land looked out in vain for the hamlet that had so long
stood firm amid the billows of the Gulf. The last sun had
left it gleaming there like a beautiful shell on the shore; the
next, shone upon a sea of foam that danced wildly o'er its
walls. The tempest had come in darkness and wrath, and
swallowed up the village and its people, not one of whom is
said to have escaped. The island was not inhabited again,
until General Taylor occupied it, as a favorable position from
which to extend his military operations. The harbor is a
very poor and unsafe one; yet perhaps there are not many
better on the coast of Mexico, which, though often swept by
destructive tornados, offers but few havens to the navigator.
The only house at the Brazos, was a small frame shed,
built but a few yards from the water's edge, and which contained the offices of the quarter-master and commissary of
the depot. It was elevated about three feet from the ground,
upon Palmetto logs, and beneath it lay more than a dozen
volunteers, who, sorely stricken by disease, had sought its welcome shade. Around and near the building were piled great
heaps of provisions and munitions of war. The labor of unloading the vessels and rolling barrels, boxes, etc., across the
beach to the dry sand hills, was performed by a gang of
swarthy Mexicans. These industrious gentlemen were by no
p.wA




30             THE UNLADING.-SICKNESS.
means overdressed, their wearing apparel consisting of a
sombrero alone. Thus lightly attired, they could labor with
impunity under the broiling suns of their native land; and,
tempted by high wages, had abandoned for awhile the indolence in which they delight. Mechanics, too, were at work
on all sides; and sutlers, with their merchandise displayed
under awnings, were busily engaged in supplying, at California prices, the numerous wants of men so suddenly deprived of their ordinary comforts. Farther back from  the
shore, amid the deep hot sands, four or five lately arrived
regiments were encamped, awaiting transportation to the less
unpleasant banks of the Rio Grande, distant about eight
miles from the island.
At that time, and indeed until a very late period in
the campaign, there was a lamentable scarcity of wagons,
and consequently our troops were long detained in
the suffocating  atmosphere of that sandy waste at the
Brazos, before they could obtain the means of removing
their sick and baggage to the more salubrious location
selected for the volunteers in the vicinity of Burrita.  MiLany
a poor fellow, choked then with sand and parched with
fever, will long remember the sufferings that he endured
there. To heighten the misery of the'soldiers, infectious
diseases broke out amongst them. I was informed, that at
the time of our arrival, one-fourth of an Indiana regiment
was sick with the measles; and the only comfortable hospital at Point Isabel being filled with wounded regulars,
these unfortunate volunteers lay at their miserable camp,
half buried with the drifting sand. Before the termination




SET FORWARD FOR THE RIO GRANDE.           31
of the year, however, many convenient hospitals were
established, ample means of transportation were provided,
and the comforts of life were so multiplied at all our posts,
that the volunteers of 1847 suffered but little in comparison
with those of 1846.  A  government, pursuing the wise
policy that distinguishes ours in its military establishments,
cannot be expected to set an army in the field, or a navy on
the sea, in a day; yet, if the Cabinet had regarded the
words of wisdom contained in the somewhat famous letter of
the Commander-in-chief, General Scott, our privations would
have been comparatively few and trifling, while, at the same
time, the true interests of the country would have been promoted.  The troops would have been accompanied by all
the necessary supplies and material of war, and hundreds of
Americans rescued from inglorious graves upon the coast,
to meet the enemy in battle.
I was detained at Brazos Santiago but a few hours,
during most of which time I lay on the beach close to a pile
of baggage and camp equipage, so arranged as to afford me
some shelter from the sun's rays. Miuch to my surprise and
satisfaction, I was enabled to procure some ice, sold from a
Boston vessel at one dollar per pound, which costly and
fleeting luxury allayed my fever very much. Having ascertained that my regiment was encamped on the left
bank of the Rio Grande, about three leagues fiom "the
mouth," and being as yet too feeble for the saddle, I remlnbarked in a small vessel, bound to the river for a cargo of
fresh water.  That article, by the way, is not to be found
on the island; nor was the water brought from  the Rio




32                A FIRE IN THIE REAR.
Grande very fresh or palatable after standing in barrels.
Of course, all kinds of liquor were at a premium  in that
thirsty place. This scarcity doubtless prompted to an amusing trick, whereby, as will be perceived, a tolerably shrewd
Yankee got a 1" fire in the rear," which demolished his calculations for a small fortune. Jonathan had by some means
obtained a barrel of cider, with which small stock he determined to "set up" business. To scrape together a few
boards and odd bits of canvass, enough to build a small
shed, was but the work of a brief hour; to set his barrel on a
couple of skids in the back part of the tent, to tap it and to
commence retailing the cider at two dimes a glass, occupied
but a short time more. Customers flocked in by dozens, and
Our Yankee was making his " etarnal fortin " at a stride.
Some of his patrons complained, that two dimes a glass for
cider was an outrageous price; but the times were hard as
well as hot, whisky scarce, water bad, the retailer's conscience easy; he had all the cider in the market, and he
C" ralely could not afford to sell any cheaper."
For several hours the Yankee was as popular as a paymaster, crowds filled his shanty, his cider went off rapidly,
and the deep pockets of his short-legged pantaloons contained silver enough to start a free bank in Indiana. But
the tide of fortune unfortunately began to ebb before the
cider was half sold; his patrons gradually fell off, and by
the middle of the afternoon, Jonathan was left alone with his
barrel, to whittle and cogitate upon the mutability of trade;
speculating it may be, too, as to the time required in that
climate to convert apple juice into vinegar. Towards even



A FIRE IN THE REAR.               33
ing, a customer appeared in the tent, and called for a glass
of cider. The retailer hastened to draw the desired potation.
The customer, after drinking, took out his purse and inquired the price.
"Two dimes," said the Yankee.
"' Two what 2" exclaimed the customer.
"' Two dimes," coolly replied Jonathan.
" Two devils," snarled the customer; " why I can get just
as good cider here for five cents a glass."' No you can't," drawled the Yankee; " there aint a pint
of cider'cept what I've got in that are barril this side of Orleans, I'm darned if there is."
"6 I know better," indignantly retorted the purchaser; "I 
bought a glass not an hour ago, and only paid five centh;
for it."
" I'd like to know just where you effected that small trans
action?" inquired the Yankee.
"6 Right round here," was the answer.
" I guess it was-rigyht rosund here; right round where,
I'd like to know?"2 continued the cider seller.
6' Why, close by here somewhere, just back of your place:9'
rejoined the customer.
" I'll bet you tu drinks you did'nt," said the Yankee, "I and
we'll go right round and see."
" Done,"' responded the customer; and off they started.
Sure enough, "right round there" they found another
establishment in full blast. A second Yankee had rigged an
awning behind the first Yankee's shed, had tapped the rear
end of the aforesaid cider barrel through a board, and was




34      BAGOUND.,-THE MOUTH OF' THE GRANDE.:etailing it at five cents a glass to a perfect rush of cus-;OinerS.
We had a short but rough passage from Brazos Santiago to:he mouth of the Rio Grande; as the Gulf, long so calm,
was then lashed into fury by the winds.  In attempting to
enter the river, our little vessel was driven upon the bar, and
remained through the night in that dangerous position; the
turf breaking, at intervals, completely over her. A schooner,
which lay aground quite near us, was compelled to give the
Inost valuable part of her cargo to the ravenous ocean, that,:n truth, seems to be 1" at eternal war with man."  Old Nep-:tune was evidently propitiated by the gift, for soon afterwards,
inuch to our joy, the wind abated, and with the flood tide of
ihe morning we entered the celebrated Rio [Bravo del Norte.
It is quite a narrow river at its mouth, not more than three
)r four hundred yards wide, but in the wet season disera)rogues an imnense volume of water. On the right bank at
hat place, is a small collection of mud and reed huts, occ-,iedl by Mexican fishermen and herdsmen.  The latter pasture large herds of cattle in the marshes, which extend many
miles back from the coast on both sides of the river, This
miserable village was, I believe, called by the natives, Resguardo; but among our people it was known as the City of
Bagdad. When we revisited it, on our return to the United
States in the following year, it had been somewhat improved
and Americanized.  The few poor brown and bare-legged
fishermnen having been initiated into some of the mysteries of
our elective system, were then engaged in an animated
canvass for the high office of Alcalde.  A Y ankee, perhaps




VOLUNTEERS FALLING BACK ON NEW ORLEANS.    35
the sharp cider dealer of Brazoes Santiago, was the democratic candidate, and treated the sovereigns to bad liquor and
worse stump speeches alternately. As we were told by those
who listened to one of his harangues, that he took good care
to represent himself as the only disinterested friend and
obedient servant of the people; and denounced his opponent,
who, by the way, was some poverty-stricken and ragged
Mexican, as an aristocratic whig'; in short, a despot in disguise; it is probable that Jonathan was triumphantly elected,
and the country saved from the sword and chains of a
tyrant.
We landed on the Texan bank of the river, opposite Bagdad, where was located another of our army depots. At that
place, which was known throughout the war as "I the mouth,"
we beheld the same scenes of uproar, confusion, and bustle,
that had been witnessed the previous day at the Brazos. Soldiers, sailors, and sutlers, clerks, cooks, and camp-followers —
a motley multitude, all " full of strange oaths and bearded
like the pard," were crowded along the shore among barrels,
boxes, tents, wagons, and artillery. The naked Mexican laborers appeared to be the only people silent and really at
work. At'" the mouth " we met the army of "' three months'
volunteers," who had hastened to join General Taylor at the
commencement of hostilities; and who were then, as one of
their number jocosely remarked, falling back on  ezw Orlecns. It is a fact, which certain gasconaders, who engage
in the poor business of estimating the amount of blood and
sweat that each section of our Union expended in the war,
will do well to bear in mind, that six regiments of Louisiana




36                  BU RRITA TAKEN.
volunteers, one of Texas (foot), a battalion of Alabama, and
one of Missouri Infantry, retired from the frontier without
firing a gun or even seeing the foe. Of all those mentioned,
but one company (Captain Blanchardcl's, of Louisiana) remained. The residue, declining to extend their term of service to twelve months, were discharged by order of the War
Department.
After a short detention, caused by the usual parley with
the quarter-master of the post, we obtained transportation on
a small river steamer to the village of Burrita, around which
the volunteer army was encamped. The village is situated
on the first inland elevation; and is but eight miles from the
coast by the road, though fifteen by the river,-so crooked is
the course of the stream, as it doubles through the intervening plain. It was the middle of the rainy season, and the
swollen Grande poured along with such an impetuous current, that we were nearly four hours in reaching our destination. All of that time our boat was paddling to and fro
across the marshes, with, as it appeared to me, one or the
other broadside constantly turned toward the village and
camp, which were in full view all the way. The appearance
of Burrita, composed of a score of mud hovels, ludicrously
recalled the glowing panegyrics with which some of our editors, a month previous, had announced the capture of that
stronghold of the Mexican nation. "GLORIOUS NEWS
FROM THE ARMY! ANOTHER TRIUMPH! BURRITA HAS FALLEN!  THE ENTIRE CITY REDUCED
TO ASHES!!"  Such was the startling caption of the extras which the news-carriers thrust under the spectacles of




CAMP BELKNAP.                       37
peaceable and nervous old gentlemen in our cities, and who,
as they read, doubtless in imagination saw"High towers, fair temples, goodly theaters,
Strong walls, rich porches, princely palaces,
Fine streets, brave houses, sacred sepulchres,
Sure gates, sweet gardens, stately galleries,
All these (oh, pity!) now turn'd to dust."
My regiment had spread its canvas on the Texan bank of
the Rio Grande, opposite B3urrita, among some scrubby trees
and bushes; which, however insignificant as specimens of the
vegetable kingdom, relieved the eye, and afforded some protection from the clouds of scorching sand that, rising on the
gulf shore, often rolled inland upon the breeze like pillars of
fire.  This location was called "' Camp Belknap," — the name
of an officer of the General Staff, who had selected it.  On
entering  the camp, and finding myself surrounded  by so
mlany familiar faces, I really felt like one who had just reached
home after a long absence.  From that hour my pertinacious
fever began to succumb, though it was several weeks before
it released me from its grasp.  Many of our men7 in their
acclimation, suffered in a like manner-their fevers appearing
to rise and go down with the sun, thus daily and gradually
consuming the strength, and sapping the constitution of the
most robust.  Young troops, entering upon the duties and
dangers of an active caimpaign, are not subject to ennui; and
though during our stay at Camp Belknap much sickness prevailed, our life was one of cheerful excitement and bustle.
The officers and men were attentive and industrious, and
earnestly commenced upon a thorough system of instruction
and discipline.  On entering the field with the troops of other
3




O8'ITHE CAT-FISH WAR.
3States, a desirable esprit du corps had been awakened. A
kindly feeling also existed between the officers and soldiers,
which was strongly cemented by the common trials and triumphs of the campaign.  There were some accomplished and
agreeable officers in the First Ohio regiment, whose unasiurning manners, united with happy social qualities, cheerful
wit and humor, rendered them pleasant companions, and enlivened many a dreary scene. The legal profession was well
represented among them, as indeed it was in every corps-so
numerous as almost to verify Dryden's verse,
"Soldiers the lawyers, and the bar the field."
I have thought that a green bag would have been no inappropriate banner for the volunteer army.
~ The evening of my arrival at Camp Belknap, I received
from our adjutant (who, if reports be correct, did not, on the,ccasion, place himself in the way of sharing very largely in
he beatitude promised the peace-makers,) an amusing ac-:ount of a difficulty that had occurred between our regiment.tnd the Baltimore battalion, originating in the larceny of a:i'atf-f5 belonging to our colonel; and which trifling cause;ad nearly resulted in a disgraceful fight between the two:egiments.  At that time, Colonels i:. and W., the com-:nanders of the belligerant battalions were absent, having;one to head-quarters at Matamoros in consequence of the.fifair. Various accounts of the row reached the newspapers
at home; and in the dearth of more interesting intelligence,
their readers were regaled with some entertaining reports of
the "; cat-fish war."  It is to be regretted that the ill-feeling
aroused by this quarrel, was permitted, by one of the parties




SICKNESS AT CAMP BELKNAP.             39
concerned, to manifest itself at a subsequent interesting
period.
Between Camp Belknap and the river was a swamp, about
a mile in width, through which, from the want of wagons, the
men were compelled to wade for all their provisions,-the
tent of the commissary being pitched upon the banks of the
Rio Grande. All our water, too, was brought from the river;
for the ponds in the vicinity of our camp were salt, and the
few wells that were dug were as bitter as the fountain of Marah.  These supplies were carried in barrels, swung on
poles, the ends of which rested upon the aching shoulders of
the volunteers, and sinlking them  knee-deep in the mire.
Much of the sickness that so thinned the ranks of the army
on the coast was perhaps induced by the severity of these
necessary labors. To their ignorance of the art of cooking,
however, must be attributed many of the common and painful complaints with which the soldiers sufferedl, for at that
time they had not penetrated far into the mysteries of the culinary science. After a few weeks' practice5 when they had
learned how best to prepare their food, that class of diseases
disappeared. While we lay at Camp B]elknap,-nearly two
weeks-about one hundred of the eight hundred, rank and
file, contained in our regiment, were daily reported on that
melancholy catalogue, the surgeon's morning return.   Many
were at once disabled5 and discharged from further service.
Indeed I do not think we could have mustered more than six
hundred bayonets at Camargo, and scarcely five hundred at
Monterey, so rapidly did the climate, like a skillful anatomist, designate and discard all the unsound men. The great




40         THE CLIMATE -INSECTS INNUMERABLE.
number of lives lost by disease in Mexico has caused a very
general belief among our people that the country is unfavorable
to health. But it must be remembered, in this connection,
that our army landed there at the very worst season, and, indeed, the only unpleasant one of the year. The low grounds
were, overflowed, and the whole country saturated with water,
the exhalations from which were quickened by the heat of
summer into pestilent malaria.  For weeks (until September)
it rained every day; not continuously, but at intervals, in
sudden and drenching showers, each followed by a burst of
melting sunshine.  These deluging rains cooled the enthusiasm of a few modern paladins, who found but little romance
in the privations and sober realities of the camp.
Among the little dcsagrements attending our sojourn on
the lower Rio Grande, not the least were caused by the venomous insects and reptiles that swarmed on those burning
sands, and allowed us no repose.  Our camp was infested by
snakes, tarantulas, ants, centipedles, lizards, horned toads,
scorpions, fleas, spiders, —c  icZd yedzs omlze. Of these, the
ants were, I think, the most annoying. They not only found
their way into our food, but attacked our persons boldly,
crawling into our blankets or clothes, and stingin, with remarkable severity. But the far-famed tarantula was most
dreaded.  Our assistant surgeon was bitten by one of them,
and his was the only case of the kind in our regiment.  TIhe
effect of the poison was immediate and alarming.  So violent
were his spasms, that thle unitedl strength of several men was
required to confine him to his tent, from  which he had deliriously rushed soon after receiving ther wound.




THE ARTILLERY DID TIE WORE AT PALO ALTO AND RESACA. 41
The consecrated and still ensanguined fields of Palo Alto
and Resaca cde la Palma, were not many leagues distant from
Camp Belknap; and during our stay there, many of our people took occasion to visit them, in company sometimes with
those who had witnessed, and could communicate many thrilling incidents of the battles. It was well ascertained that the
enemy had at least five thousand fighting men at Palo Alto,
while General Taylor's effective force did not much exceed
two thousand.  Many officers with whom I conversed on the
subject united in attributing their success mainly to the artillery. In the action of the 8th of May, was first demonstratecl, in the practical operations of war, the wonderful
perfection of our light field-batteries. The prairie -upon which
the hostile forces met, was admirably adapted for their evolutions, and they made terrible havoc in the Mexican ranks.
The distinguished G6crdca Costa battalion of Tampico, is
said to have been almost extinguished by the artillery, so
boldly and brilliantly maneuvered by Duncan and Ringgold.
It is also affirmed that, by a single discharge of one of these
batteries, an entire band of Mexican musicians was ex —
terminated, while executing one of their grand martial bravuras.
It is not improbable that General Arista, perceiving at
Palo Alto how a complete knowledge of the artillery arm
equalized the strength of armies differing so greatly in numbers, was thereby induced to fall back on the morning of the
9th to the broken and covered ground at Resaca, where the
bayonet and sabre should decide the combat. But there again
his qucantiy yielded to what General Taylor calls in his offi



42           ARISTA'S CCNFIDENCE-AMPUDIA.
cial report, 66 the superior cquality of our officers and men;,7
and the Mexicans were completely routed, "1 horse and foot."
Confused and panic-stricken, they fled to the Rio Grande,
and hundreds escaped the wrath of the battle only to perish
in its waves. A few days before, that scattered and flying
army had crossed it elated with hope and assured of victory.
Nothing can be more conclusive of the confidence which
General Arista had in the result, than the fact that he, a soldier of considerable talent and. experience, unprovided with
pontoons, should decide to hazard a battle with a deep unbridged river in his rear; a position from which, in the event
of defeat, would result the loss of his army, and open the
northern frontier of his country to our victorious arms. The
entire Mexican army had crossed to the Texan bank in two
small boats, thus causing a delay of twenty-four hours, by
which Arista had been prevented from attacking Taylor on
his march from Fort Brown to Point Isabel, on the 2d of May,
as he intended. Under the circumstances, it is not strange
that the Mexican army, on reentering Matamoros, should be
diminished to one-fifth of its original strength; or that it
should be wary of again offering battle in the open field.
We shall see how strongly and judiciously it was posted in
the next engagement of the war. The Mexican historians
ascribe the loss of the battles of the Rio Grande to the distrust and jealousy which existed between Generals Arista and
Ampudia. It was currently reported among the Mexicans
that General Don Pedro de Ampudia was the first to abandon
the field of Resaca; and from his conduct in subsequent bat



AMPuDIA.                                 43
tles, there  arises  a  suspicion  that Senor Pedro is duly iinm
pressed with the conviction that
"'Timely running's no mean part
Of conduct in the martial art."




CHAPTER I1I.
Tui ITfexican Army under General Ampudia prepares to defbnd Monterey-General
Taylor's order regulating the movement to Camargo-Departure from Camp
Belknap-The valley of the Rio Grande, its people and productions-A Sabbath
in Matamoros-Reynosa —A Fandango-The Stag-dance —Death of a Volunteer —A pleasant interchange of visits with a Mexican family-Arrive at Camnargo —A glimpse at Head-Quarters and General Taylor.
AFTER the two sanguinary engagements on the northern
bank of the Rio Grande, General Arista solicited an armistice, which was refused by General Taylor, who stated in re —
ply, that a month previous he had proposed one to the Alexican
General, which had then been  declined; that circumstances
were now changed; that he was receiving large reinforcements, and could not suspend operations which he had not
initiated or provoked.  Perceiving that the Americans were
determined to crown their victories with the conquest of M]atamoros, the broken and dispirited battalions of the Mtexican
army evacuated the town at twilight on the 17th of May, and
retreated to Linares, which place they reached  on  the 28th,
sufiering every misfortune in their mournful retreat.  We are
informed  that "6many  of the soldiers perpetrated suicide;
and that General Garcia, a chivalrous man and an illustrious
citizen, died during the march of profound grief."'   "
": These facts are stated upon the authority of a M[exican history of the war, entitled, " The Other Side, or Notes for the History of the War between the United
States and Mexico;" written by a junta of Mexican officers, and translated by




TAYLOR ADVANCES UPON MONTEREY.                45
In the month of July the remnant of that unlucky army
was united with fresh troops at Monterey,-a city situated at
the base of the Sierra Madre, near the entrance of the principal pass leading up to the table lands of the interior.  The
Mexican government, learning the disastrous result of the
conflicts at Palo Alto and Resaca, and desiring, as usual, to
throw the blame upon the unsuccessful general, deprived
Arista of the command of the army of the North.  Hie was
succeeded by General Mejia.  Soon afterwards, however, the
Central Government was itself overthrown, and Mejia was in
turn superseded by Ampudia, who undertook, as " Governor
General-in-chief,"9 the defense of Monterey.
Meantime the American regulars had occupied Matamoros,
While the tents of the rapidly arriving volunteers dotted the
banks of the river, at various points, between that town and
the Gulf. In the latter part of July, General Taylor began
to push forward the regular troops to Camargo, a town situated near the head of steamboat navigation on the San Juan,
a tributary of the Prio Grande.  To that point, by water, it
was no difficult matter to transport men and supplies.  But
beyond it, in consequence of the limited resources of the
country, but a small force could be taken with our inadequate
means of land carriage.  Yet such was the anxiety of the
government to hasten operations, that General Taylor determined to march from Camargo upon Monterey with but six
thousand men,- half regulars and half vol3unteers, —unproColonel Ramsey, of the 11th United States Infantry. In that book, to which the
reader's attention will occasionally be invited in the following pages, the fiightful
disorders and hardships of the retreats from Matamoros and 1Buena Vista are vividly portrayed.




46                  ORDER OF MARCIH.
vided with a siege train, and with scarcely transportation
enough at the command of his Quarter-Master for a single
division. But in Taylor's hands, enterprises of great pith
and moment were not to be balked by ordinary obstacles.
When the number of troops intended for the reduction of
Monterey was made known, a strong desire was manifested
by the volunteers to learn which of the regiments would be
selected for that honorable service, as all were averse to an
indolent garrison life on the frontier.  That interesting question was not decided until after our arrival at Camargo; nor
were the volunteer troops organized into divisions and brigades until we reached that place. The following communication, however, which was received at Camp Belknap early
in August, indicated with tolerable clearness to some anxious
spirits that they were not to be included in the glorious six
thousand. Being an im portant order, it is quoted in extenso,
as it will explain not only the disposition first made of the
volunteers, but may also serve to inform the reader of the
numbers, commanders, and States of the various regiments
in the field.
Orders        eiacd- Quarters, Army of Occddpcption,
No. 93                    Af./clctmnzoros, ~Jdy 30, 1846.
1. The commanding General being about to leave for Cad
margo, the following arrangements for regulating the movements of the troops, and the service generally, in the rear,
are announced for the government of all concerned.
2. Four companies of artillery, under the command of
Brevet Major Brown, now under orders for Camargo, will be




TROOPS DESIGNATED TO REDUCE MONTEREY.        47
the first to ascend the river. They will be followed, as rapidly as transportation can be provided, by the following corps,
in the order nanmed:
Louisville Legion, (lst Kentucky regiment,) Col. Ormsby.
Baltimore and Washington battalion, Lieut. Col. Watson.
Ohio brigade, Brigadier General Haimer.
Second Kentucky regiment, Colonel ilMcKee.
Mississippi regiment, Colonel Davis.
First Tennessee regiment, Colonel Campbell.
Alabaima regiment, Colonel Coffee.
Georgia regiment, Colonel Jackson.
Second Tennessee regiment, Colonel Haskell.
3. The Indiana brigade, and the regiment from Miissouri
and Illinois, will remain below until further orders. The
regiments of Texas volunteers will receive particular orders
for their movement.
4. Brigadier General -Iamer is assigned to the command
of the Ohio brigade. H-le will designate one of the regiments
to proceed immediately by water to Matamoros, and take
snch position as may be indicated by Colonel Clarke, commanding in the town, to whomn the Colonel of the regiment
will report for orders.
5. The first four corps destined for Camargo, viz:-the
Louisville legion, Baltimore battalion, and two regiments
Ohio volunteers, will send their heavy baggage forward by
water, with four companies of each regiment and two of the
Baltimore battalionl. The remaining companies of each corps,
with their light baggage, will take up their line of march for
Camargo as soon as provided with wagons by the QuarterMaster's Department,-.say by the 1oth of August.




48           DISPOSITION OF THE LEGIMENTS.
6. The other corps destined for Camargo, viz:-the Tennessee, Mlississippi, Alabama, and Georgia regiments, and the
Second Kentucky regiment, will move forward by water as
rapidly as practicable, in the order prescribed in the second
paragraph.
7. Brigadier General Twiggs will remain at Matamroros in
command of all the troops in the vicinity until the last volunteer regiment shall pass up by land, when he will move
forward with the dragoons and horse artillery to Camargo.
On his departure, Colonel Clarke will assume command of
all the troops in and near Matamoros, on both banks of the
river. Colonel Clarke will receive special instructions for his
government in this command.
S. The artillery and train of the third brigade, with the rear
companies, will march by the 5th of August, under Lieutenm
ant Colonel Garland.
By order of 3Major General TAYLOR:
W. W. S. BLISS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
In accordance with the foregoing order, General Hlamer
designated the Third Ohio regiment, Colonel Curtis's, for the
garrison of Matamoros. The First and Second Ohio regiments,'Mitchell's and Alorgan's, proceeded to Camargo in
the manner mentioned in the fifth paragraph. It was my
fortune, being yet on the sick list, to go by water with the
four companies detached from our regiment. A  frail and
filthy little steamboat was provided for our transportation;
and on the Sth of August, after exchanging adieus with oure




STEAMING TO CAMARGO.                49
companions who were compelled to take the weary land route,
we pushed off from Camp Belknap, and commenced the ascent of the Rio Grande.
Owing to high water, the ignorance of pilots, who, being
unaccustomed to the river, were unable to steer at night, and
the fact that our boat was chartered by the day, we were more
than a week in getting to Camargo. It had not been long
since the first steamboat ascended the river, and, to the natives, it was yet an object of intense curiosity. At all the
fcfnclerias on the banks, a throng of people-women, children, and even old men tottering with infirmity-were assembled to stare at our boat as it struggled slowly up against the
rushing and roaring stream. At that period, but few woodyards had been established, and we were sometimes compelled
to take the troops ashore to gather the pickets inclosing the
fields, to be used as fuel. Occasionally, too, we were detained at places where the river, in its whole length brimfull,
had overrun its banks and covered the country for miles, form —
ing wide lagoons in which our pilots had to sound for the
channel. In these bayous were to be seen large flocks of
water-fowl; and not unfrequently the bloated carcases of
animals, navigated by piratical-looking vultures, floated slowly
through the circling eddies.
NMexico —bare, dry, and mountainous as it is, for the most
part-was naturally enough called I' New Spain," by the conquerors, from the resemblance of its principal features and
productions to those of the Peninsula. It is particularly
deficient in good harbors and navigable streams. Of the
latter, the Rio Grande is the most important; but the people




50        THE RIO GRANDE IS RATHER CROOKED.
have not availed themselves of the facilities which even that
affords. The river, as it meanders through the tierrc caliente, offers but few beauties to the eye of the traveler. Nothing is hazarded in asserting that it is the most crooked stream
on the continent, since it far surpasses the Mississippi in the
number and magnitude of its curves. For hundreds of miles,
its yellow waves, pent in by muddy banks, roll through a
lonely champaign country, undiversified by majestic cliffs or
shadowy woods. Like a great serpent which has lost its
brilliant and varying hue, it fails to charm. If it were but
straight, its homeliness would be complete. So far as I could
hear or observe, it has not a single tributary between its
mouth and the Rio San Juan; a fact suggestive of arid
wastes, which the mind, touched by remembrance, did not
fail to contrast with the many bubbling brooks and enchanting groves that beautify and refresh the Atlantic slope of the
United States. As there are no forests on its banks, there
are of course no snags or sawyers to excite the fears of the
voyager; and its navigation is far more tedious than hazardous. The country, however, is well clothed with chaparrcd;
and groves of the more lofty mnesqueet are abundant in the
valley. The former, as the reader is perhaps aware, is a low
evergreen thorn; the latter, a tree resembling the peach
somewhat in appearance, and of not much larger growth.
The valley of the Rio Grande abounds in fine, nutritious
grass, which, after the wet season, dries upon the stalk, and
becomes excellent hay. It is but sparsedly populated, yet
these plains, interspersed with clumps of mesqueet, gave to
many places the appearance of high cultivation, when viewed




THE SCENERY ALONG THE RIVER.              51
from a distance.  The broad and verdant lawns skirting the
river, afford good pasture throughout the year to the large
herds of cattle roaming over them.  The cattle far exceed in
size any of the common herds of the United States; owing,
perhaps, to the fact that they never experience any cold or
starving winters, but grow and fatten from their calfhood.
The quality of their flesh, however, is much inferior to that
of our norlthern stock.  This wild beef, together with salt
pork, beans, and hard biscuit, constituted our rations.  But
they were dainties to a campaign appetite,-hunger furnishing a better sauce than epicure ever invented. At some spots
along the river, we noticed a few beautiful flowers and luxuriant plants, whose broad and glossy leaves told of an exuberant soil, stimulated by the great heat and moisture of the
season. Mlexico, from its remarkable terraced formation, enjoying every variety of climate, is said to possess the richest
and most diversified Flora to be found in any country on the
globe. The soil is not generally poor,-the nakedness of the
interior plains being caused by the scorching sun and absence
of water, rather than by any natural barrenness.  The banks
of the Rio Grande are in places cheqcuered with patches of
maize, sugar-cane, and cotton, whose large stalks attest the
fertility of the soil; and of these products, two crops may be
raised annually in all situations where irrigation can be effected. An industrious, well-governed people could make the
valley "stand so thick with corn that it would laugh and
sing."9  But the Mexicans, naturally indolent, are oppressed
by a government that fosters neither agriculture nor any of
the productive arts which are the surest source of public and




52          STATE OF MEXICAN AGRICULTURE.
individual prosperity. Nay, so far from encouraging enterprise, it imposes severe restrictions upon it, and, together with
a numerous and avaricious priesthood, is continually and corruptly sapping what little of energy yet remains among the
people. Is it strange, then, considering this vampirism of
church and state, that the principal productions of the country should be pronunciamine los, priests, and prickcly-pears?
The cultivation of the soil, in northern Mexico, is slovenly
in the extreme. Agriculture there is yet the veriest drudgery; as it always must be when not pursued with system
and intelligence. The labors of the farmer, in our country,
now rendered comparatively light and pleasant by the improvements which science and the inventive genius of our
people have suggested, are there performed, of course, at a
great disadvantage, with the most antiquated implements of
husbandry. At a rancho on the Rio Grande, near which we
landed for wood, we had an opportunity of examining for the
first time a Mlexican plow. It may be best and briefly described as a forked stick pointed, with a huge ox horn as a
substitute for a share. Not a particle of metal was employed
in its construction, and probably it was only serviceable for
scratching the alluvial borders of the river. It was just such
an implement as has been used for centuries on the banlks of
the Nile; and was fashioned much like that curious specimen of eastern art —the Syrian plow-which was exhibited,
in the midst of many beautiful modern American tools, like
t senseless mummy, among the active and useful agents of agriculture, at the Ohio State Fair, held at Columbus in 1851.
Domestic animals are numerous in IMexico, but they are




THEIR DOMESTIC ANIMALS.               53
-very inferior to ours. The mustangs possess scarcely more
than half the size and strength of our northern horses, and
are entirely unsuited for farm work or military service. Many
of them exhibit marks of fine blood, but from the effect of
climate or food, neglect or close breeding, they have sadly
degenerated from their famous Andalusian ancestry.  The
Mexicans are a nation of horsemen, or mulemen,-even the
beggars are mounted. I never saw one traveling a _pied.
None are so poor as not to have a riding animal; they throw
the lariat too well for that. With them, the mule and ass are
literally A" beasts of burden," and often made to carry immense loads. The ox is generally used for draught at the
plow, and may sometimes be seen clumsily attached by the
horns to a heavy, unwieldy sort of tumbrel, with low, thick
wheels of solid wood, and which, though a sufficiently picturesque object, would be considered a decidedly slow coach
by our go-ahead people.  The fiact that the Mexicans have
existed so long on the boarder of "' the universal Yankee nation,9 without profiting by any of the useful inventions of our
country and age, is evidence of a sloth and degeneracy,
which, if not soon arrested, must, at no very remote period,
terminate in the ruin of their republic and race.
In contemplating the entire statcs of the people,-th eir political, religious, social, and intellectual condition —no attentive observer, even among themselves, has failed to foresee
and lament the fate of the country. It must gradually sink,
from its complication of fatal diseases, into the tomb of the
Aco!huans and the Aztecs. And not only Mexico, but the
whole of Spanish America, will probably pass from the do(2 — Xc




54  PASTORAL LIFE IN THE VALLEY OF THE RIO GRANDE.
minion of the original conquerors into the possession of the
enterprising blue-eyed Saxon-the chosen people of the age;
who, by the way, are even now "'prospecting "' in the rich
basins of the Amazon and La Plata. So few are the wants
of man in those soft and genial climes, that they are easily
satisfied by fitful and desultory exertion. And as long as the
people do not feel the pressure of that necessity which makes
intelligent and industrious citizens, they will continue to be
vagrant herdsmen and shepherds. The man, too, who merely
wanders over a country with his flocks, rarely forms the same
attachment for it, and is seldom as able to defend it, as he who
mingles the sweat of his brow with its soil as it is upturned
by his hands.
The inhabitants of the valley of the Rio Grande are chiefly
occupied in raising stock; the wool, hides, and tallow of
which constitute the exports of the port of Matamoros. But
a pastoral life, generally so propitious to purity of morals and
strength of constitution, does not appear to have produced its
usually happy effect upon that people, Poets, from the earliest
days of their art, have been most gracious and complimentary
to all engaged in that primative and innocent occupation.
Those men were shepherds too, who, "6 as they watched their
flocks by night, all seated on the ground," were made the
honored recipients of the most joyful tidings ever communicated by shining angels to sinning man. But neither poets
nor seraphs, I ween, would tune their harps to the praises of
these vile rancheros; the majority of whom are so vicious
and degraded that one can hardly believe that the light of
Christianity has ever dawned upon them. Miany of the coun



TH-IEIR DWELLINGS AND MANNEIRSo          55
try people are in quite as "' parlous a state 9 as shepherd
Corin, whom that rare fellow, Touchstone, makes the subject
of some exquisite fooling.  They are just such "6 ncrcttC   philosophers," and know simply " that the property of rain is
to wet, and fire to burn; that good pasture makes fat sheep;
and that a great eause of the night is lack of the sun."I Never
elsewhere have I seen such an idle, ignorant, and unenterprising a community.  Their habitations are constructed of the
most flimsy materials, and utterly devoid of taste or comfort.
Along the river we saw some formed of hides, fastened to a
light frame work, and many of reeds placed upright in the
ground, and interwoven and thatched with leaves or grass.
These domiciles are decorated with rude crucifixes, and perhaps a few wretched prints of the Virgin, or 6 Our Lady of
Gaudaulupe," the greatest of the native Mexican saints.
iHow striking was the contrast everywhere with the United
States, in which personal comforts of every kind are inconceivably multiplied and brought within the reach of all!
The population of Mexico is said to be about eight millions;
more than half of whom are pure blooded Indians, and the
remainder of every cross and color.  Three-fourths or more
of the inhabitants of the Northern States are of unmixed Indian blood. With scarcely an exception, the country people
are brown, broad, and big-headed bipeds; and it is only in
the towns that the traveler sees the fair complexion, regular
features, and graceful forms of Castile. In regarding the aspect, bearing, and manners of modern Mexicans,it is difficult
to believe that many of them can be the descendants of that
chivalrous Spanish race which once gave laws to both hemis



56      THE MISERABLE CONDITION OF THEE NATION.
pheres; or, of that fierce Aztec tribe, which, after centuries
of warfare, pushed the boundaries of their empire from a
little village of reeds in the marshes of Lake Tezeuco, to the
shores of the Atlantic and Pacific.  The sad and sinking
steps by which our sister republic-the oldest, and once the
strongest and wealthiest, power on this continent-has arrived
at her present low estate, and her people made the bondman
of even the bold barbarians on her borders, are known to
every reader.
"'Twere ldng to tell and sad to trace
Each steps from splendor to disgrace."
Now, instead of subjugating neiglhboring tribes, extending
the limits of their territory, and enriching themselves with
Crowds of prisoners, the Alexicans are unable to defend their
own provinces from Indian invasion; and it is stated that
there are not less than four thousand of their women and child-,
ren at this time enslaved by the wild warriors who wander over
the vast plains and hills washed by the waters of the Rio
Grande. How applicable to Mexico the words of the prophet: "; Wo to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled;
and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously
with thee! When thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be
spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee!"'  We commend those unhappy captives to the generous and disinterested
sympathies of our ardent Flibustiers, and trust that their next
foray in the cause of freedom and the rights of mankind will
be to the Camanche country, instead of Cuba.
The towns on the Rio Grande are few and insignificant.




MATAMOROS9 AFAR OFF AND NEARto L5
Matamoros, the largest of them, is about fourteen leagues by
land from the coast. We did not reach it, however, nntil thc
afternoon of the day after our departure from Camp Belknap,
On passing "Fort ]rown," which is rather below the city,
our men greeted the star-spangled banner, that then floated in
triumph o'er its battered walls, with many hearty cheers.
The fort, as well as the village, Brownsville, that has since
sprung up around it, takes its name from the gallant Major
who was killed while defending it. Though but a common
and hastily constructed field-work, it had sustained successfully for one hundred and sixty hours a severe cannonade of
shot and shells. We landed near the Mexican Fort Parades,
on the southern bank.
Matamoros is situated on a beautiful plain, half a mile from
the river, and from the landing it presented a very picturesque
appearance. But a short walk toward it, proved that distance
had lent its wonted illusions to the view. The beautiful suburban gardens and cottages that we had so much admired in
our first glimpse of the town, were found upon a closer inspection to be cow-pens and contemptible huts. Around the
Plaza-for every Mexican village has its public square-and
on some of the principal streets, there are a few respectable
dwellings of two stories, built of cd6obes, or large unburnt
bricks. The doors and windows are small, and most of the
latter are protected by stout iron bars, which cause the houses
to resemble so many prisons. Nor were the sulky and swarthy
faces peering through some of thbem at the passers by, in the
least calculated to remove the impression. The streets are
narrow, unpaved, and, at that season, were very muddy. The




8           THEHTE FAIR SENORITAS OF MATAMOROSo
town had not suffered in the bombardment, owing to its distance from Fort Brown, and the small calibre of our guns.
At the American hotel, in the ccl ecde Terrcan, we were shown
some balls which had been thrown by Bragg's battery into the
adjacent garden.  Such souvenirs of those perilous days in
Mlay were interesting to us, who had yet to hear
"The death-shot hissing from afarThe snlock, the shout, the groan of war."
In our stroll through the streets, we saw  many sezoritas,
sitting at the windows-a favorite position-chatting and
smoking; for all the women, even of the most polished circles, use the fragrant weed.  They are all alike, too, in having
large dark eyes and black glossy hair; the last, it is intimated,
is not unseldom frequented by those "6 ugly, sprawlin, crowlin
ferlies," which the Ayrshire poet once observed upon a lady's
bonnet, and so humorously addressed.  In this, as in many
other respects, did some of our young and adventurous
soldiers, in whose minds romance and poetry had painted
glowing pictures of Spanish beauty and grandeur, suffer a
disagreeable disenchantment in the city of Matamoros.
Of course) the foregoing renlarks will not be understood as
referring to the upper tendorn  of Matamoros.  3But the women of Mexico,-superior in all classes to the men —even of
the best society, do not contrast very favorably with their sex
in our country, either in their mental or personal charms.
Trueg their tresses may be like the raven's wing; their eyes
raay " shame a night of starlight gleams;" but among themn
is rarely seen
6' That purity and modesty of mien,
The mind, the music breathing fi'om the face,"




THE MARKETS-THE COSTUMES.               59
which so enhances loveliness in woman, and stamps herangel. Give me the blue eyes, fair locks, and snowy hands,
of our northern clime.
During our stay at Matamoros we visited the market plaza,
where we saw a goodly quantity and variety of fruits and
vegetables,-some of them quite new to us. ]But little space
was devoted to butchers' stalls, from which, and subsequent
observation, I inferred that the people consuLmed much less
meat than we carnivorous Americans. The crowd of men
and women assembled there, citizens and rustics, were all
smoking.  The towns people were generally pretty well
dressed; but the costume of the countrymen was plain, and
peculiar enough to be interesting. Scandals of thick hide,
coarse cotton trowsers, the unsightly national sombrero, with
the indispensable blanket, comprise their raiment.  Some
wear jerkins and pants of leather, both ornamented with
jingling bell-buttons, which, with their huge iron spurs, cause
a great rattle and clatter at every movement. To the rlancheros, who wear this economical apparel,-so suitable to their
occupation in the thorny chaparral-the Texans have given
the expressive name of Greasers. One has but to see them
clad in their leather armor, shining from grease and long
usage, to be satisfied of its propriety.
In one corner of the market square, were some stacks of
fresh grass and fodder, which, as they seemed to possess the
power of locomotion, attracted the attention of my companions. Great was the merriment when, on approaching one
of them to penetrate the mystery, the half smothered bray of
an ass broke upon our cars. The immense and well-packed




60          AMERICOAN NEWSPAPERS IN MEXICO.
burden, sweeping the ground on every side, so completely
concealed the patient little donkey, that, like his brother of
the fable who assumed the lion's skin and regal dignity, he
might have preserved a successful incog but for his foolish
and betraying bray.
Among other places, we visited the office of A" The American Flag,": a spirited little tri-weekly paper, the publication
of which was commenced soon after the capture of the town.
Its editors, Fleeson, Peoples & Co., kindly offered us late files
of New Orleans papers. There was a great number of patriotic typos in the volunteer army; and newspapeis were established in the course of the war, at every important point
occupied by our troops. Thus, in addition to the "' Flag,"s
we had subsequently in Northern Mexico, the "d Pioneer,:" at
Monterey, and the "6 Picket-Guard," at Saltillo. The native
population of the town is said to be about three thousand, but
at that time the place was full of' soldiers, and adventurers of
every description. For the consideration of some of these
last, the following polite and pointed advertisement (which is
copied from the "' American Flag" of that date —Sunday,
August 9th, 1846) was probably intended:' TO GENTLEMEN OUT OF EMPLOYMENT.
" I wish to hire two industrious gentlemen to work in my
stable. Those who have no business of their own, that can
work without getting clrunk, and obey instructions, can obtain immediate employment and good pay by applying in
time to                          ISRmaEL LB. BIGELOW."




THE SABBATH  IN  MATAMOROS.                         61
That particular calmness which distinguishes the  Sabbath
in all God-abiding communities, and by which the holy day
is intuitively recognized under all circumstances, did not appear "Ito  brood  with  dove-like  wings"  over Matamoros.
Stores and drinking-houses were open in every street; and
it was evident, from  the angry shouts and sound of breaking
glass that issued  from  some of the latter, that they were doing ca smalshing b6usiness.  In  consequence  of the  disorders
arising from  intoxication, General Taylor, before starting for
Camnargo, had  enacted  a  stringent anti-liquor law, to take
effect as soon as the stock on hand should be exhausted; but
it is probable that the adroit smugglers never permitted  that
event to occur.                                                  -
A  theater had also been  opened  by an enterprising histrionic company from  New  Orleans, whose bill for that evening
* Orders                            lead-Quarters, Army of Occupation,
No. 94. S                                     lMatamoros, August 2, 1846.
No spirituous liquors will be permitted to enter the river or the city of Matamoros,
for the purposes of barter or traffic, on account of any person whatever, whether
sutlers in the army, or private dealers. Any liquors found in violation of this
order, will be confiscated and sent to the Quarter-Master in New Orleans, to be
sold: one-half of the proceeds fobr the benefit of the informant, the other half to be
applied to the support of the hospital department. The merchants in Matamoros
will be permitted to vend the liquors they may have on hand, but to receive no new
supplies.
The Commanding General issues this order under the sanction of the General
Government, and calls upon all officers to give their aid in executing its provisions.
The Quarter-Master's Department, and Colonel Clarke, will take the necessary
measures to have it communicated to the persons interested, particularly to the
dealers in Matamoros, and the masters of all public transports, or other vessels, in
the river. Any steamboat captains, or other hired persons, that are found violating
it, will be at once discharged from the service.
By order of Major General TAYLOR:
W. W. S. BLISS.
Assistant Adjutant General.
4




(612                   REYNOSA.
was quite in keeping with the place, if not with the dayo
The manager posted the public that, " On Sunday evening,
August 9th, will be presented for the first time, 6 The Dumb
Girl of Genoa,' and; The Forest Rose,' together with a great
-variety of singing; the whole to conclude with a dance in
wooden shoes, that will be a caution to corns and cockroaches.?
At Matamoros, our men first tasted that inebriating beverage, putlzue, the whisky of Mexico. Whether in conse-,uence of their indulgence in it, or some other cause, some of
i;hem were reported as;" absent without leave," when we left'.he town on the 10th of August; and, by their disobedience,
were compelled to measure with fatiguing steps the land route
to Camargo.
The next village of any importance above Matamoros, is
Reynosa. There we found a small garrison of regular troops.
It is very prettily situated on a commanding elevation, about
a mile from the right bank of the Rio Grande, and contains
some substantial stone houses; but its general appearance, like
that of almost everything else in the country, indicates dilap.
idation and decay. A short distance below the landing, we
passed a number of women bathing in the river; the length
of their hair and tongues disclosing their sex. In the course
of our voyage, we encountered several parties of natives
washing themselves in the discolored stream, many of whom
were as destitute of modesty as of clothing. From the custom, not uncommon among the lowest class, of wearing pantaloons only, their tawny bodies have been dyed by the sun
and air, many shades darker than their legs. Hence the droll




A MEXICAN FANDANGO,                63
mistake of one of our volunteers, who gravely insisted with
his comrades that these swimmers were dressed in c" yallar
buckskin tights."
Some of these borderers were quite friendly, and often
hailed our boat, desiring to sell chickens, eggs, melons, and
milk. With the view of obtaining supplies of these rare delicacies, we generally stopped at dark in the vicinity of a
rancho; though, sometimes, we were compelled to I" tie up 
at places where, apparently, the foot of man had never trod.
Near one of the landing places between Matamoros and Reynosa, our soldiers had an opportunity of witnessing that novel
scene of revelry-afandango. Such social assemblies are of
frequent occurrence, and afford the common people their chief
amusement. A smooth, well-beaten circle in the open air is
generally the sclle de de nse on these festive occasions. This
is illuminated with torches, and surrounded by tables for
gaming, to which the Mexicans seem passionately addicted.
There are tables also for the sale of the vile liquors, and other
products of the country, which are pleasantly termed refreshments. A swarthy and sweating crowd, of both sexes, engaged
in waltzing, gambling, smoking, drinking, etc., I understand
to be afandango.
One night our boat was moored near a solitary hut, in
which dwelt an old Mexican fiddler. As soon as the musical
talents of its occupant were discovered, the men sought permission to spend the evening ashore, for the purpose of enjoying, what is termed in our western parlance, " a stag
dance."  Accordingly, the whole detachment landed-except
the sick, and a few elderly men who had no taste for such




(64                 A DANCE ASHORE.
boisterous mirth-sand soon the fun grew "' fast and furious."
It was a singular spectacle, as revealed to us by the light of a
huge fire on the bank, at which some hungry soldiers were
roasting a goat; and the ruddy glow  emitted by the smoldering furnaces of the steamer, as she lay with bows inclined
to the shore.  Those who heard that "' brisk awakening viol,"
or witnessed that G" gay fantastic round," certainly were not
inclined to think, that
"They saw in Tempe's vale her native maids,
Amidst the festal sounding shades,
To some unwearied minstrel dancing."
In front of the cottage of the musical shepherd, sat one of
our fifers and the new-found son of Apollo.  Though they
could communicate with each other only through those dulcet
symphonies, —-compared with which " lactcagye is said to be
faint and weak, -yet they formed an amiable orchestra;
and, aided by the hoarse blasts of steam which were occasionally suffered to escape from the boat, succeeded admirably in
" making the night hideous with discordant sounds."I  One
would have supposed, from the energy and evident delight of
the two artists, thus strangely brought together, that they, at
least, imagined themselves possessed by the spirits of Pan
and Paganini.  The dancing, too, it must be admitted, was
eminently suited to the music, and became stronger in proportion as the wild strains grew louder.  As the performers
trod the measure not upon'6 the light fantastic toe " alone,
but with their whole soles, the clatter of their heavy shoes,
like the sound of many cymbals, united to swell the din. The
soldiers, glad to be released from the crowded quarters to




BURIAL OF A SOLDIER.               65
which they had long been confined, vied with each other in
the extent and singularity of their saltations. They danced
in couples, but without much regard to time or order; and at
intervals the whole party indulged in a promenade or rather
gcallopacde of two or three  heats around the hut. A heavy
rain terminated the sport at a seasonable hour, and the men
returned to the boat much amused and refreshed by their
exercise.
We suffered much while cribbed upon the narrow decks of
the steamboat, from the great heat of the weather, and the
mosquitos that nightly environed us like a legion of foul
fiends. To the sick (and there were many on board) those
roasting days and restless nights were particularly trying.'We lost but one man during the trip,-one of the Dayton
volunteers, Co. B. His death had a very depressing effect
upon the invalids who were stretched around him on the
cabin floor, and who seemed not to have anticipated the
sudden invasion of the King of Terrors. Late in the afternoon of the day of his decease, we landed to perform the
sad funeral rites of poor Dix, —for such was his name. (' No
useless coffin inclosed his breast," but wrapped in his blanket,
the dead volunteer was borne in the arms of his comrades to
a grave which had been prepared in the chaparral, close by
the shore, and where the last honors were performed by a
corporal's guard. Attracted by the volleys of the funeral
escort, and understanding their import, a very respectable old
Mexican, whose haciezndcb was near by, came down to the
boat. He was accompanied by his wife, a fine specimen of
the Spanish matron, in manners and appearance. They were




66                VISIT OF A MEXICAN.
closely followed by a timid female slave, who carried in her
arms a neatly dressed child. Pleased with the superior air
and bearing of this family group, and gratified by the confidence they exhibited, we invited them to the cabin, where we
passed a pleasant half hour in conversation with them. The
old gentleman was well informed on the topics of the times;
and far better acquainted than most of his countrymen with
the power and resources of the hostile republics. He confessed that he saw but little prospect of success for Mexico in
the pending struggle; acknowledged that his country was
badly governed; and that he did not care much how the war
terminated. These remarks were received with some gracins
of scat. His wife-a handsome woman, with pleasing manners, and quitefair as well as fat and forty-seemed pleased
with the visit, and gracefully acknowledged the respectful
attentions of our people and their kindly notices of her child.
As our boat-captain was anxious to clean out the boilers,
in which much mud had accumulated, we determined to remain
all night at the place; and informed Senor I, when he
arose to depart, that we would take pleasure in returning his
visit after supper. We did so at the time appointed. On
arriving at the house, or Aontses, (for there were several small
tenements clustered around the principal building,-the former occupied by thepeons,) we were politely received by our
host, and offered cigaritas and seats in the open air. The
Mexicans generally are skillful fabricators of cigcritas; little
cigars made of fine cut tobacco, with wrappers of thin cornhusk or paper. These materials they always carry about
their persons,-the tobacco frequently tied up in the corner




WE VISIT A MEXICAN HACIENDA.
of the pocket-handkerchief, and the husk in the sombrero.
Our host was a capital cigar-maker, and while engaged iir
earnest conversation, manufactured the pleasant little rolil:
as fast as three or four persons could consume them. He wae:
a man of considerable substance, and in addition to his casca
de camcpo (country house) owned, as he informed us, a dwell
ing in the town of Reynosa. On his large estate, whic!extended for many leagues along the river, were grazing a
great number of mustangs, mules, cattle, sheep and goats;
the tithe of which, he said, were sometimes stolen by the
Camanches, at one fell swoop. Fifty of his best pack-mule;,
had recently been hired to the American quartermaster at
Camargo; and he informed us that many others were beinl
sent there by the Mexicans to be employed in transporting
our baggage and supplies to Monterey. In the course of conversation, Senor ~-  asked us, how many voluntarios wercoming to Mexico? He was told in reply, that we did no!:
know what number had been ordered to the Rio Grande;
but certainly enough for present purposes; and that nearly
every man in the United States capable of bearing arms wal
ready, if required, to join Taylor's army. From the incredulious air with which the latter part of this response wareceived, it was evident that the old man knew more of thcopposition to the war at home, than had been supposed.
Possibly he may have been enligidtened by some of th:
"' Stars" and "' Torchlights," or other equally luminous an(:
rabid anti-war prints published in Ohio; whose editors, noe
content with opposing the cause of their country, engaged ii
the pitiful business of abusing those who dared not only tdiffer from them, but to take part in the strife~




68           WE VISIT A MEXICAN HACIENDA.
The road from Matamoros to Camargo was not far from
the river at that point; and we were informed that a column
of American infantry had been seen passing up that day.
From the vague and incoherent description given of it by
one of the peons, we were led to suppose that it was composed
in part of.the remaining battalion of our regiment. In this,
however, we were mistaken; although, as the distance between the two places is more than twice as great by the sinuous Rio Grande as by the road, it would have been possible
for active and healthy troops to march it in less time than our
slow boat could steam it,-traveling as we did only during
daylight. Before our departure from the haciendca, we were
invited to enter and partake of some goat's milk; whichupon observing a fold near the house containing some hundreds of 1" the bearded people — we had expressed a desire
to taste. The patriarchal beverage was delicious. An unusual number of weapons were hanging upon the walls of the
apartment;- and which, the old gentleman remarked, were
used by his household against the Indians, who, since the
commencement of the war had become very bold and troublesome; that but the week previous a large and daring band of
Camanches had invaded the neighborhood, and driven off a
number of horses and fat cattle, besides killing three Mexicans in the foray.
It was night when we returned to the boat, for in that
latitude the twilight is so brief as to be scarcely perceptible. The sun disappears, and darkness almost immediately'" broods over the still and pulseless world.>"  But those
southern nights are enchantingly beautiful. Nothing arrested




THE NIGHTS IN MEXICO.                69
my attention more, during the many weary vigils of the campaign, than those glittering hosts, which at set of sun, were
ever seen in regular and stately march through that pure, unclouded firmament. No where else have'the lights that
rule the night" appeared so brilliant or lovely. On reaching the steamer, we mounted to the hurricane deck to enjoy
the night breeze, that laded with fragrance stole across from
the Texas bank. The scene around us that night, forms one
of those interesting pictures of the campaign which the
memory has retained more faithfully than the pen can delineate. On one side of us, the restless and turbid stream, rolled moaning to its' ocean-bed; on the other a vast expanse
of prairie and chaparral, o'er which comes the howl of
wolves and the answering bark of watch-dogs at the ranche.
The silent sentinels pace with ghost-like tread upon the
shore, as if fearing to disturb the last long sleep of their
departed comrade, over whose fresh grave the thick bushes
bending mournfully in the breeze, weep their dewy tears.
Stretched in slumber on the decks are whole ranks of men,
many of them with their greasy haversacks drawn over their
faces, to protect them from the mosquitos that swarm  out
from  the shore. But even these are not secure from the
insidious assaults of the pigmy enemy. For see how often
they start and wake,-how they shake their suffocating masks
as impatiently as hungry cavalry horses toss their empty nosebags,-how they smack right and left at the gray-coated gallinippers, "then swear a prayer or two, and sleep again."
While these are "' dreaming of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades,  a party of officers in the cabin are drinking




70               WE REACH CAMARGO.
healtAs, five fathomn deep.  And still below them on the
boiler deck, a number of soldiers are making merry over a
certain fatted calf, found couhctant near the landing; and
whose peaceful ruminations have been interrupted by a single
well-directed bayonet thrust.
Long before dawn of the following day, the steam was hissing like an angry serpent through the cleansed boilers and
pipes; and with the first light we were again upon our winding way to Camargo, which place we reached at noon on
Sunday, August 16th. The town is situated on the right
bank of the San Juan, about a league above its confluence
with the Rio Grande. As all our men were wearied, and
many indeed sickened, by a long confinement on the comfortless steamer, it was with unusual satisfaction that we
beheld our boat gliding, at an unexpected moment, into the
mouth of that beautiful little stream. Its limpid waves flowing between high banks (for draining a country of comparatively limited extent, its flood had subsided) formed an
agreeable contrast to the dark, swelling tide of the Rio
Grande. The water of the latter is, however, more palatable
and more healthful, when its 20 per centum (literally as well
as 7igurcatively) of mud is precipitated. The American camp,
with its right resting on Camargo, extended for a considerable distance along the river. The soldiers who loitered on
the shore filling their camp-kettles, or stood knee deep in the
water, washing their shirts, engaged in the usual skirmish of
wit with our men, as we passed slowly up. On reaching the
village, we pushed our prow into the landing where a company of Texas Rangers, with all the boisterous merriment of




FIRST INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL TAYLOR.       71
undisciplined troops, were engaged in cleaning their horses.
Just above them, a party of the village women were coming
to the stream for water, with the most primitive-looking
earthen jars upon their heads.
Having sent an officer to the quarter-master's office, in
quest of wagons with which to transport our equipage to the
camp, we set out to report at head-quarters the arrival of our
detachment. In our walk thither, we were overtaken by an
officer wearing the uniform of a brigadier general, who,
after exchanging salutations, informed us that he was General
-—, of the State of -.  Learning our destination and
object, he politely offered to accompany us to head-quarters
and introduce us to General Taylor. Passing on through
some narrow streets and lanes, and between gardens surrounded by mud walls, on the top of which grew many varieties of the luxuriant cactus plant, we arrived in a few minutes at a little grassy lot just without the town, in the center
of which were pitched three soiled and ragged tents. A
small guard of dragoons was posted near by. The spot was
remarkably quiet, being removed from the noise and bustle
of both the camp and village. Under an awning in front
of the tents, sat a solitary man, dressed in linen coat and
trowsers, twirling a straw hat between his fingers, and apparently conversing with or dictating to some one within. The
first glance assured us that it was the old hero, with whose
name and fame the country was then ringing; and as we
approached, we recognized the mahogany complexion, piercing eye, iron-grey hair, and stout frame, which we had been
told distinguished the commanding general. As he arose to




72             APPEARA NCE OF CAMARGO.
greet us, I was struck with the benevolent expression of his
face, and the affability of his manner. He was invested with
no silly pomp or ceremony. There was no ice to break in
approaching him; but the natural grace and kindness of his
reception at once placed us at ease, and during the time he
gave us audience, our respect and admiration for the sturdy
old republican general momentarily increased.  His first
question was concerning the health of the men, about which
he seemed extremely solicitous; and he expressed his anxiety
to hasten his army forward into a more salubrious region.
He conversed with a stammering voice. But if slow of
speech, no man could be more prompt in action than Old
_RougA and Ready. On arising to take leave, which we did
at the earliest suitable moment, he desired us to report to
General W~orth, who, he said, was in command at the
camp.
Returning to the boat, we had the satisfaction of finding
the wagons already laden with our sick and baggage. The
road to camp led us through the town,-if piles of crumbling
clay and straw might be so called. A short time previous to
its occupation by our troops, Camargo had been inundated,
and many of the houses being built of soft sun-dried bricks,
had partially dissolved. The roofs of some of them were yet
clinging mournfully to one tottering wall. The little church
and a few buildings around the Plaza, were in tolerable preservation. These were occupied as store-houses by our quarter-masters and commissaries. But few lMexicans remained
in the town, the population of which could at no period




WE REACH THE CAMP.                               73
have exceeded one or two thousand.'   A  brisk march of half
an hour brought us to  the  left  wing  of the  emcampment,
where we pitched our tents and  patiently awaited the arrival
of the remaining battalion of our regiment.
* The village of Camargo probably derives its name from Diego Munos Camargo, a native, and the historian of the celebrated Haskalian tribe, which was
associated with the Spaniards in the conquest of the city of Mexico. Camargo
lived in the latter half of the sixteenth century, was educated in the Catholic faith,
and composed his'" Historia de flascala' inl the Castilian language.




CHAPTER IV.
CAMP scenes at Camargo.-General Worth.-The review.-The regular troops
sent forward to Cerralvo.-Great sickness and mortality in the volunteer regiments.-Character and conduct of the natives.-Our treatment of them. —The
Proclamation.-The Army and Church of Mexico.-Their influence on the government.-Eager and enthusiastic spirit of the Volunteers.-The Rangers.Brigades organized for the field. —Limited means of transportation.-The Mexican jockeys and our Horse Market.-Something of a shower. —General Hamer's
brigade crosses the San Juan preparatory to marching for Monterey.
A STROLL through the encampment, on the morning after
our arrival at Camargo, afforded me,-a raw  volunteer,much pleasure and instruction. It was the first of any magnitude, and by far the most beautiful one I had ever beheld.
Never before, indeed, had I seen a battalion of our regular
troops, either in camp or garrison.  But there, in the same
field, were horse, foot and artillery; not in great force, it is
true, but perfect in all their appointments and discipline.
Four light batteries, of six guns each, a few  squadrons of
dragoons, and four brigades of infantry, (comprising the
divisions of Twiggs and Worth,) in all about three thousand
men, comprised the regular army of General Taylor.  The
tent of every officer and private was pitched in its proper
place, so that knowing a man's rank and company, his quarters could be almost as easily found as any number in the
streets of our principal cities. In front of the camp was a
vast and well smoothed parade-ground; along the edge of




CAMP SCENES.                   75
which was a row of fading fires, at which breakfast had just
been prepared. The long lines of white canvas and stacks
of burnished arms, interspersed with umbrageous rose-wood
and mesqueet trees; troops of splendid horses, standing
with the calm dignity of veterans at their pickets; batteries
of artillery, their bright muzzles gleaming from beneath tarpaulins like watch-dogs peering from their kennels; these
assisted in forming one of those impressive martial spectacles
that swell the veins and give fresh vigor to the step. Militia
camps and parades I had often witnessed, but though every
man wore the lace, and feathers, and gaudy trappings of a
Field MAarshal, they presented but a sorry mimicry of war.
Here, however, was liars himself; in repose, yet armed ccpag-pie and ready for action. The very calmness and order
that pervaded the camp would have told plainly enough that
it was no holiday affair, even if many of the quiet men
around us had not exhibited upon their persons and bronzed
faces the marks of recent battle. It was one of those scenes
that sent the mind wandering back through many a bright
old page of history, until it dwelt again with all the delight
of boyhood, upon those vivid and magnificent camp and
battle-pieces with which the Prince of Poets has adorned his
Iliad. And I am inclined to think, that the appearance of
Achilles himself, brandishing in triumph his bloody spear,
and dragging behind his chariot the body of some vanquished
enemy, would not, at the moment, have in the least astonished me.
At the quarters of the 3d infantry, I was courteously received by an officer to whom I had brought a letter from a




7 6                  BRAGG S BATTERIES.
mutual friend, and through whom  I at once became acquainted with other gentlemen of that gallant corps.  He
politely proposed accompanying me to the quarters of General Worth, to whom  I had been prevented  by sickness
from  reporting in person, on the previous evening.  We
paused in our walk to witness the morning drill of Captain
Bragg's excellent company of artillery. The horses, as well
as men, seemed to understand their business perfectly; and
being of "' fine bone and blood," they whirled the guns and
caissons over the plain with wonderful rapidity and ease.
These light field batteries, in which the canoneers ride upon
the gun carriages, ready for action at any moment, are very
efficient for quick work; and with sufficient horse-power, are
certainly the most formidable auxiliaries that science has
ever given to war. Captain Bragg, a skillful and courageous officer, is, I understand, distinguished for his attention
to the minnutim of his profession; a merit to be esteemed no
less than heroic daring, when it is remembered what disasters
may result in critical moments from the most trifling casualties, such, for example, as the loss of a horse-shoe or linchpin.   i He was in Fort Brown during its long bombardment.
There, his light pieces were of little service as battering guns.
So at Monterey.  But in the open field of Buena Vista, our
horse-artillery exhibited its terrible power. There, in fact,
(as General Taylor states, in his report of the battle) it saved
the day.  " Moving rapidly over the roughest ground, it was
Cmesar, whose great sagacity and conduct put success as much out of the power
of accident as human reason could well do, remarks in the third book of his Commentaries: " Fortuna quce pllrLimnun potest, curn in aliis rebus, turnm prcipue in bello
in parvis momentis magnas rerunm mutationes etficit."




GENERAL WORTH.                   77
always in action at the right place and the right time; and
its well-directed fire dealt destruction in the masses of the
enelmy.")
We found General Worth, in this, my first and only interview with him, pacing his tent with much the air of a caged
lion. Hie had that morning received orders to hold his division in readiness for a movement in the direction of Monterey;
and was most anxious to hasten events. IHe informed us
that he would march on the 19th, and was to establish himself at Cerralvo until the arrival of the other divisions at that
place. Colonel Duncan had just returned from a reconnoissauce to Puntagnada, and reported that the roads, which it
was supposed had been made nearly impassable by the summer rains, were in good condition, and that water was not so
scarce as on the route between 3Mlatamloros and Camargo.
This was cheering intelligence, and the ambitious and chivalrous spirit of Worth, chafed at missing the glories of Palo
Alto and Resaca, now burned to press firward and pluck
from the hights of Monterey a laurel as fresh and green as
that which crowned his rival.
It will be recollected by the reader that, in consequence of
a disagreement with  General Twiggs concerning rank,
(Twiggs being the senior colonel, and Worth a general by
brevet) he had resigned his commission and returned to the
United States before the battles on the Rio Grande were
fought. When the unexpected and startling news of those
actions reached him at Washington, he withdrew his resignation and immediately repaired to Mexico, where he added
greatly to his reputation as a soldier, by the brilliant manner
t..




X 8                GENERAL WORTH.
in which he fought his division throughout the war. The
blow upon his fame,-from which he was then evidently suffering,-like that of Achilles, had been self-inflicted by his
voluntary retirement from the camp. And like the Grecian
hero, he was destined to learn that' those wounds heal ill,
that men do give themselves." The countenance, address
and manners of this distinguished General, were exceedingly
prepossessing. His features were strikingly handsome, and
his face possessed that bright, healthy hue which contrasts so
well with the gray locks of age. His appearance and bearing were imposing and knightly; his person and gait erect
and military; his voice clear and pleasing; his utterance
very rapid yet distinct. His manners were at times, perhaps
a little ostentatious; and in that regard as well as in other
respects, he differed greatly from the commanding general.
Most soldiers in comparing these two generals, (whose charters Death has already given over to the impartial pen of
History) would probably have concluded that, while no one,not even Murat or Mfacdonald-could lead troops in a charge
more fiercely than the fiery and enthusiastic Worth; yet that
upon the deliberate courage, unbroken composure and unconquerable will of Taylor, it would be safer to rely for success
in all the varying chances of a campaign. Worth, with all
his ardor, united great military skill and judgment; but
though a more brilliant soldier, of acknowledged talents and
courage, he never inspired the volunteer army, at least, with
the same confidence and admiration as did Taylor. Yet was
he an extraordinary man, and his untimely death has caused
a blank in the American army which will not soon be filled.




REVIEW  OF  TROOPS.                            79
I was much  pleased with  the visit, and  felt gratified, proud
indeed, that mly country  possessed  such  a general.  Before
leaving his tent, he courteously invited the officers of lmy
battalion to attend a review  of the regular troops, which was
to take place that afternoon.
I have ever regarded  myself as very fortunate in reaching
Camargo in time to behold that review, which was decidedly
the most imposing of the campaign. That man is little to be
envied whose heart would not swell with gratitude and patriotism, in contemplating such an army; whose valor and
firmness had recently saved the periled honor of his country.
Though there were hardly three thousand  troops in the line,
the display was admirable and gratifying. The men were in
excellent condition  and  looked  invincible.   The  officers,
young, brave  and  intelligent, were (it mnay  be  safely  asserted) superior to  any  Europe  can  boast, in  professional
skill.Soon after the formation of the line, the generals, attended
by a brilliant staff, rode down from right to left. Taylor
* In common with every candid observer of events in Mexico, I would cheerfully
testify to the incalculable benefits derived by our country from its Military Academy. Not only did it give to the regular army nearly all its efficiency, but its advantages were realized to a considerable extent, in every volunteer corps connected
with the war. To the thorough military training and knowledge which it imparts,
the nation is much indebted for a series of splendid victories; any one of which
would more than compensate it for all the expenditures at West Point. That will
be an unfortunate day for the Republic, when Congress, influenced either by motives of fancied economy or the vile appeals of the demagogue, shall consent to
abandon an institution which has already done much to establish the reputation
and extend the borders of the country; and which is constantly spreading among
us that intelligence and skill by which the people-in their freedom from the burden
of a large standing army-may at any time be converted into the grandest host o
soldiers that ever battled in any cause or clime.




80                    REYVIEW  OF TRIOOPS.
clad in plain undress, was conspicuous in the glittering
group. Every eye was fixed upon him as he passed from
corps to corps, acknowledging the salute of each.  After he
had taken a favorable  position in the field, the line was
wheeled into column of companies, and then with a grand
and inspiriting burst of music from the bands, that glorious
little army passed in review, moving as one man across the
reverberating plain.  Floating high o'er the column was that
splendid 6' standard of the stars," to which Drake has ascribed so poetical and beautiful an origin, and which he has
described too, in lines that few Americans can read without
feeling their hearts beat within them  as at the sound of a
trumpet.  Ah!  the imperial eagles of Rome and France
were not more secure in the midst of the immortal' Tenth
Legion:" and  the unyielding "'6Old  Guard>," than is that
heaven-born banner there!' Fltag of the brave! thy folds shall fly,
The sign of hope and triumph high!
When speaks the signal trumpet tone,
And the long line comes gleaming on,
Ere yet the life-blood, warm and wet,
HIas dimmed the glistening bayonet,
Each soldier's eye shall brightly turn,
To where thy meteor glories burn,
And as his springing steps advance,
Catch war and vengeance from the glance!"
It was indeed a soul-stirring scene, and we earnestly wished
that every volunteer in the army could witness and would
emulate the soldiership it exhibited.  A distinguished officer
of the 3d infantry, who shortly afterward expired under the
walls of Monterey, pointed to us, during the review, the various battalions and commanders in the field;  and related some




ADVANCE UPON MONTEREY. 
interesting incidents connected with the history of many o
them. In reply to a remark of mine concerning the troops:
he said —' Yes, this is very fine, certainly; but our boys
always look better in a blaze. You will soon see what stufi
is beneath those blue jackets."
The day after the review, (Augnst 19th) General Worth
marched with his division for Cerralvo,-a town about mid-,
way between Camargo and Monterey. No serious opposition
was anticipated short of the last named city. Bold anc
strong indeed must that Mexican force have been, which
could have dared to face that splendid van-guard, led by the
keenly excited genius and angry courage of Worth. The
remaining brigades of the regular army soon afterward
passed to the left bank of the San Juan, and were pushed
forward in rapid succession. Meanwhile detachments of volunteers were being daily brought up by the boats, but it was
not until a week after our arrival that the marching colurni
(composed, as the reader has seen, of six companies fron
each regiment) reached Camnargo.  General Twiggs, who
marching rapidly up from Matamoros with the Dragoons ani
Flying Artillery, had passed the column on the road, reported, with his usual sportive and mirth-provoking humor,
that the volunteers were in exceeding bad plight, that their
patriotism was oozing out at their toes, and that their officers
were compelled to encourage them  forwardcl by stirring
speeches, at least thrice a day. At the commencement
of the campaign it was a standing joke among the regulars,
that the officers of volunteers found it necessary to enforce
every trifling order with a stump speech; and that therefore




82               DISCIPLINE OF TROOPS.
the discipline of each regiment depended pretty much upon
the eloquence of its colonel. At this jest, and its accompanying illustrative anecdotes, we have laughed as heartily
as our good-natured brethren of the old line; and, indeed,
considering the character of our people, there may have been
some room for such innocent raillery. It certainly was calculated to do more good than any severe and unkind professional criticism; which would have engendered much illfeeling between the old and new troops. None knew better
than the regular officers, that the volunteer regiments contained the best material in the world, from which to mold
an efficient army; but it required time, tact, and much forbearance, to accustom those independent spirits to the yoke
of military discipline. The volunteers, unlike the mass of
the regular army, had always been their own masters, and
it could scarcely be expected that they should abandon at
once all their habits of free thought and free action, and
become passive and obedient instruments in the hands of
others. Their good sense, however, aided by a little experience, and the example of all who valued the reputation of
their regiments, and the honor of their states, soon rendered
most of the volunteers quite equal to the regulars, in the
prompt, cheerful, and full discharge of every duty.
On the 23d of August, our regiment was again concentrated by the arrival of the six companies which had marched
from Camp Belknap under Lieutenant Colonel Weller. The
journey, performed under midsummer suns, and through a
country but scantily supplied with water, was a severe and
trying one to our unripe troops.  Several of the wagons




MORTALITY AT CAMARGO.               83
came in laden with sick and dying men, among whom we
were pained to find Lieutenant S., of Company B, (Dayton
volunteers,) one of the most energetic, reliable, and useful
officers of the Ist Ohio regiment. 1His death, which occurred
on the morning of the 26th, was, to many of his comrades,
one of the most distressing events of the campaign. Lieut.
S. had already displayed an activity, and tractable disposition, that won him the confidence and esteem of his superior
officers, while his cheerfulness, and the good humor with
which he bore every privation, had made him a favorite with
all.  He possessed, too, all those sterling qualities of the
soldier, which, had fate permitted, would have gained him
an enviable reputation.
The mortality in our camp at Camargo was appalling.
The dead march was ever wailing in our ears, and even at
this distant period, I can scarcely look back to our brief stay
there without a shudder.  At almost every hour of the day,
funeral escorts of various regiments might be seen following
the bodies of departed comrades to that vast and common
cemetery, the chaparral, where officers and men~, " in dust,
without distinction lie."  The large hospital-tents were constantly full-the dead being removed at sunrise and sunset,
but to make room for the dying. The groans and lamentations of the poor sufferers during those sickly, sultry nights
were heart-rending. Upon our arrival at Camargo, we had
been informed by the natives that it was the most sickly
place in the valley, but the appearance of the country did
not indicate it, nor have I ever heard it attributed to any
satisfactory cause.  An examination of the circumjacent
country might perhaps, have led to the discovery of some




84                ~IMORT'ALITY AT CAIMARGO.
swamps or pools of stagnant water, left from  the overflow of
the San Juan.
General Taylor, though busied with the many important arrangements upon which his subsequent success would depend,
yet frequently found time to visit the hospitals, and cheer
their inmates with  kind and sympathizing words.  In a
communication to the adjutant general, dated Camargo,
Sept. 3d, 1846, he says, " I have used every effort to extend
the hospital accomodations and the medical force, but the
service is suffering greatly in this latter particular.  There
has been great sickness and mortality in some of the volunteer regiments.  Great numbers are taken into the several
general hospitals, and' no exertion is spared to ameliorate
their condition."   The deficiency of medical officers here
alluded to, was seriously felt in many regiments.  But "6 the
laws of the land2," said the surgeon general, in reply to General Taylor's complaint of the scarcity of surgeons, a" awarded
two medical officers to a full regiment of 750 men,"9 and as
there were more than that number serving with the Army of
Occupation, ergo, the complaint was groundless, and the
surgeons in the field were censurable for not periforming
their duty. Our regiment was fortunate in securing at the
onset two skillful surgeons, and in being generally concentrated. But there were others, which, being divided and
sub-divided for garrison and escort duty, often suffered sadly,
in consequence of what the surgeon general asserted to be
a military propriety, and the customs of the service."9    It
* "I have given all in the way of medical aid which military propriety, and the
customs of the services in like cases, and the wants of the army seem to require;




DEALINGS WITH THE NATIVES.                  85
is due to the chiefs of the various staff departments of the
army, to remark that they did all, and often more than "the
regulations" required from them; but they should have been
neither disappointed nor dissatisfied when gently reminded
by the general commanding in the field, that the very nice
calculations made at Washington, did not altogether meet the
exigencies of every climate and service.
At Camargo we were tolerably well supplied by the Mexicans with fresh provisions, for which they took care to exact
exorbitant prices.  These native hucksters were a morose and
knavish set. Taught to hate all foreginers, and especially' 8os Yankhees," they looked-even when pocketing our dollars-as sour as their own bitter oranges when the green
rinds have received the first tinge of sickly yellow. As they
were allowed to enter the camp at all hours, they of course
kept their friends at Monterey well advised of our condition
and movements; while, in their dealings with us, they were
close-mouthed and professedly ignorant beyond example.
Nothing scarcely could be extracted from them save the price
of the articles they offered for sale, and which they uttered
glibly enough.  To every question touching their roads, country, towns, troops, etc., even when put in the purest Castilian, the usual reply was, " no entende, Senor," (don't under.
stand you, sir.)  It appears that General Taylor, up to this
time, had failed to obtain any very reliable information conbut if they desire more medical officers, they shall have them-with myself to boot,
if acceptable-and I am borne out in the measure by the government. Far be it
from me to withhold aught that will contribute to the comfort of one of those gallant souls who so valiantly fought and so signally triumphed on the battle-fields of
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma."- From the Letter of the Sturgeon General to the
Adjutant General.
AS




8 6      DIFFICULTY OF OBTAINING INFORMATION.
cerning the designs of the enemy, or even of the country beyond the points to which he had pushed his reconnoitering
parties. On the eve of marching for Camargo, and but two
weeks before he fought the battle of Monterey, he remarked
in a letter to the government, "We have no very recent
intelligence from  the interior, nor have I yet satisfactory
means of judging whether our occupation of Monterey and
Saltillo will be disputed."
Such indeed had been the barbarian policy of the Mlexican
government, and the plundering habits of the Mexican people, that travelers and traders had been discouraged from visiting the country; and but few of our citizens knew more of
its interior than what colld be seen along the great thoroughfaLre between Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico. Though
lying immediately upon the borders of the nmost enterprising
and inquisitive nation under the sun, Mexico had remained,
up to the commencement of the war, almost a terra ilcognzitc. The great wall of China could not have offered a more
effectual barrier to Tartarean invasion, than Mexican legislation, insolence, and intolerance have presented to American
industry and genius. The reader, therefore, will not perhaps
be surprised to find the quarter-master general (who, like the
surgeon general, found it necessary to vindicate his official
conduct,) writing as follows, in reply to one of General Taylor's letters: ". As to the complaint in regard to the want of
land transportation, it is proper to remark, that there was no
information at Washington, so far as I was informed, to enable me or the War Department to determine whether wagons
could be used in Mexico."




TAYLOR'S PROCLAMATION.                            87
Soon after the beginning of the war, our government had
announced its intention of conducting it in a spirit of liberality and forbearance; and it may be safely asserted that no
people were ever more kindly treated  by an invading army.
Rarely indeed, in time of peace, have the Mexicans extended
to Americans the same respectful consideration. It appears
that the Cabinet at Washington  entertained  a hope that the
mass of the natives might be propitiated, and, in some measure, convinced, that, " the war was waged not against them,
but a faithless government of military despots, who had both
deprived them of their liberty, and wronged and insulted us."
To that end, the government had  furnished  General Taylor
with a proclamation to the inhabitants of Northern Mexico,
(a copy of which  is subjoined) indicating the policy it intended to pursue in prosecuting hostilities, and which many
persons in our army, in view of the characteristic treachery
and deep-rooted enmity  of the Mexican  race, roundly  condemned at the time.~   Even if the statesmen of the United
*A PROCLAMATION.
BY THE GENERAL COMMANDING THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
To the people of 2lexico:
" After many years of patient endurance, the United States are at length constrained to acknowledge that a war now exists between our government and the
government of Mexico. For many years cur citizens have been subjected to repeated
insults and injuries; our vessels and cargoes have been seized and confiscated; our
merchants have been plundered, maimed, imprisoned, without cause and without
reparation. At length your government acknowledged the justice of our claims,
and agreed, by treaty, to make satisfaction by payment of several millions of dollars;
but this treaty has been violated by your rulers, and the stipulated payments have
been withheld. Our late effort to terminate all difficulties by peaceful negotiation,
has been rejected by the Dictator, Paredes, and our minister of peace, whom your
rulers had agreed to receive, has been refused a hearing. He has been treated with
indignity and insult, and Paredes has announced that war exists between us. This
war,, thus first proclaimed by him, has been acknowledged as an existing fact by




88             THE INFLUENCE OF THE PRIESTHOOD.
States had  interpreted  the  character of the  enemy  aright,
they yet greatly over-estimated the influence of the people of
the republic! of Mexico, if they supposed  that their wishes
would be in the least regarded by the central government.
Arms and religion govern Mexico.   The soldier and the priest
control her destinies.   The  priesthood-perhaps  foreseeing
disastrous  results for their church, in  the conquest of their
country by the free-thinking  Yankees-promptly brought to
the aid of the Dictator all their potent, pecuniary, and spiritual resources. Though quite shrewd enough to know that it
but little concerned our government whether Christian, Jew,
Turk, or Infidel possessed the land, yet these holy gentlemen,
our President and Congress, with perfect unanimity, and will be prosecuted with
vigor and energy against your army and rulers; but those of the Mexican people
who remain neutral will not be molested.
"  our government is in the hands of tyrants and usurpers. They have abolished
your State governments, they have overthrown your federal constitution, they have
deprived you of the right of suffrage, destroyed the liberty of the press, despoiled
you of your arms, and reduced you to a state of absolute dependence upon the power
of a military dictator. Your army and rulers extort from the people, by grievous
taxation, by forced loans and military seizures, the very money which sustains the
usurpers in power. Being disarmed, you are left defenseless, an easy prey to the
savage Camanches, who not only destroy your lives and property, but drive into a
captivity, more horrible than death itself, your wives and children. It is your military rulers who have reduced you to this deplorable condition. It is these tyrants
and their corrupt and cruel satellites, gorged with the people's treasure, by whom
you are thus oppressed and impoverished; some of whom have boldly advocated a
monarchical government, and would place an European prince on the throne of
Mexico. We come to obtain reparation for repeated wrongs and injuries; we come
to obtain indemnity for the past, and security for the future; we come to overthrow
the tyrants who have destroyed your liberties; but we come to make no war upon
the people of Mexico, nor upon any form of free government they may choose to
select for themselves. It is our wish to see you liberated from despots, to drive back
the savage Camanches, to prevent the renewal of their assaults, and to compel them
to restore to you, from captivity, your long-lost wives and children. Your religion,
your altars and churches, the property of your churches and citizens, the emblems
of your faith and its ministers, shall be protected, and remain inviolate. Hundreds
of our army, and hundreds of thousands of our people, are members of the Catholic
church. In every State, and in nearly every city and village of our Union, Catholic




THE INFLUENCE  OF THE PRIESTHOOD.                       89
pretending to believe all the clap-trap  uttered  in the United
States, about the wealth of the country and the mint value
of certain   "golden  images"  and   "silver  candelabras,"
aroused the people with stories of our avarice, and avowed
that the sacred and dearly-prized emblems of their religion
had been offered as a bounty to American volunteers. Thus
did the priests forestall our proclamation.  If there was any
disaffection in the land, it added but little strength to our
cause. The people generally placed no confidence in the
amicable intentions we published among them, and with the
exception of the  small spy company of Dominguez, which
churches exist; and the priest performs his holy functions in peace and security,
under the sacred guaranty of our constitution. We come among the Mexican people
as friends and republican brethren, and all who receive us as such shall be protected;
while all who are seduced into the army of your dictator, shall be treated as enemies.
We shall want from you nothing but food for our army, and for this you shall always
be paid, in cash, the full value. It is the settled policy of your tyrants to deceive
you in regard to the policy and character of our government and people. These
tyrants fear the example of our free institutions, and constantly endeavor to misrepresent our purposes, and inspire you with hatred fbr your republican brethren of
the American Union. Give us but the opportunity to undeceive you, and you will
soon learn that all the representations of Paredes were false, and were only made
to induce you to consent to the establishment of a despotic government.
In your struggle for liberty with the Spanish monarchy, thousands of our countrymen risked their lives and shed their blood in your defense. Our own Commodore, the gallant Porter, maintained in triumph your flag upon the ocean, and our
government was the first to acknowledge your independence. With pride and
pleasure we enrolled your name on the list of independent republics, and sincerely desired that you might, in peace and prosperity, enjoy all the blessings of a
iiee government. Success on the part of your tyrants, against the army of the
Union, is impossible; but if they could succeed, it would only be to enable them to
fill your towns with their soldiers, eating out your substance, and harrassing you
with still more grievous taxation. Already they have aboli~sed the liberty of the
press, as the first step toward the introduction of that monarchy which it is their
real purpose to proclaim and establish.
"Mexicans! we must treat as enemies and overthrow the tyrants, who, while
they have wronged and insulted us, have deprived you of your liberties; but the
Mexican people who remain neutral during the contest, shall be protected against
their military despots by the republican army of the Union."




90            EFFECTS OF OUR TREATMENT.
joined General Scott's army, remained faithful to their
tyvrants.
Notwithstanding the temper and conduct of the natives,
the pledges of the Proclamation were as scrupulously observed as circumstances would allow. Our army in its early
marches through the country, moved like a rich and powerful benefactor, scattering with a lavish hand, unheard of
wealth among the rabble in its path. But ignorance, pride,
jealousy and bigotry, were not to be thus overcome. Estimating over much their own resources and the ability of their
numerous army, or perhaps encouraged to believe from the
division of opinion in the United States on the subject of the
war, that we would eventually withdraw from the contesttheir government, without the prestige of a single victory,
continued to prosecute an active and relentless system of hostilities. At length, when it was discovered that our generosity and mild treatment had failed to produce the desired
effect upon the population, and that they frequently committed the most savage outrages upon our troops, the Secretary
of War instructed General Taylor to draw supplies from the
enemy without paying for them; and thus, by making them
feel the weight of war, become interested in the restoration of
peace. Beginning to understand the character of the foe, and
perceiving the effect of the policy previously avowed, he says
in his letter: " It is far from being certain that our military
occupation of the enemy's country is not a blessing to the inhabitants in the vicinity. They are shielded from the burdens
and exactions of their own authorities, protected in their persons, and furnished with a most profitable market for most




CONTRASTED WITH T'IE MEXICAN ARMY.        91
kinds of their property. A state of things so favorable to
their interests may induce them to wish the continuance of
hostilities."  But General Taylor never availed himself of
this authority to levy contributions, and we continued to pay
liberal prices for everything obtained from the enemy.
How differently would the dissolute and brutal soldiery of
Mexico have conducted themselves in an enemy's country!
How differently, indeed, did they often act in their own. We
have the authority of their historians for asserting that their
marches through their native provinces were sometimes
marked by the worst excesses and crimes; that, "they left
behind them, by their unbridled license, an imprint of horror
in the towns through which they passed; seizing upon vineyards, sacking shops, and even murdering poor poulterers to
take away their fowls."  So disgusted was an intelligent
Mexican whom I knew, with the arrogance and extortion of
his own troops, that he did not hesitate to admit frankly, that
he preferred the presence of the American army to his own;
since from the former he was sure of obtaining a fair compensation for his property. To a standing army, and an established national church, does Mexico owe most of her troubles
and her poverty. Her government, existing only by the coilsent of the army, is in turn compelled to sustain that army
at all hazards and sacrifices. It is now well understood that
the recognition of the independence of Texas had been deferred, and the war with that state nominally prolonged by
the various military rulers of Mexico, merely as a pretext for
the exaction of supplies, which were afterward squandered in
the maintenance of their ill-gotten and much-abused power.




92                  THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO.
The government, being supported by bayonets, always totters,
when, from its want of credit, and miserable domestic policy,
it suffers the pay of the troops to fall in arrear. Woe to it in
such dark hours, for then thrives that baleful mushroom, the
Pronunciamiento.   Nearly all their revolutions, since their
independence from Spain, have been conceived by ambitious
generals, and achieved by a greedy soldiery.* In these civil
wars, the church, of course, is carefiul to side with that party
most favorable to its interests; and it has been truly remarked
by one of our envoys to Mexico, that, "' no political movement
can succeed there, to which the priesthood is opposed."
The Mexicans have a very well written  constitution; but
what is the best system of government worth to those who
have not moral and intellectual power enough to compel its
observance?   Where the minds and hearts of the people are
not properly educated, there can be no real freedom; and to
*Even mercenary motives have sometimes been wanting to excuse the disloyalty
of the army-as witness the following passage of history from the Mexican " Notes
of the War:"
" During the last month of the administration of Paredes, in consequence of the
reverses suffered by our troops on the other side of the Rio Bravo, it was agreed to
organize the same expedition which Santa Anna afterward resolved upon. To realize it, pecuniary resources were wanting, and a contract was accordingly made
with the church for $1,000,000, which sum was estimated as being more than sufficient for the division that should march from the city of Mexico. The state of internal politics, and the fear, above all, of abandoning his prey, detained Paredes in
this city, even after Congress had given him permission to march from Mexico,
with the forces that were in garrison, and to place himself at the head of the troops
of the North. This delay began to consume, without profit, the loan from the
clergy, which, being for the most part wasted, obliged Paredes at last to take the
forces and relinquish the government, at the end of July, for the purpose of joining
the army of the North. Then he made payments for the march to all the corps, to
all the officers and chiefs; with which, a few days after, they flew to the citadel to
proclaim a new revolution; and assisted by the very money that ought to have
served to march to Monterey. Infamous intrigues, to which we owe principally
the unfortunate issue of our contest at the North."




THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO.             93
attempt the establishment of a republic among them, is the
very folly of building upon sand. Until directed by wisdom
and virtue, all popular efforts in Mexico, as in France, will
terminate in a military despotism, or in the crime and
folly of a Reign of Terror. In the words of the leading
Democratic paper of New York-which in April, 1853,
announced the return of Santa Anna to his native shores" What is chiefly wanted inl Mexico, is virtue and intelligence
among the people; an intelligence which can not be bamboozled by priests, and a virtue which will subject the military
to the civil power; together with such practical energy as
will convert the generous resources of nature into the food of
industry, instead of the nutriment of idleness and beggary."
Whether these wants will ever be supplied, whether the military will ever be made subject to the civil power so long as
she perseveres in what her recently exiled President, Arista,
terms, "that grand enigma, that squaring of the circle-nationality," is excedingly improbable. For every President
constitutionally elected by the people, the army can easily
make a half-dozen " ad  interim Presidents," as the usurpers
are called. Look, for example, at the changes of administration in the three years that intervened between the annexation of Texas, and the treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo. In
that brief period, I believe Herrera, Paredes, Salas, Farias,
Santa Anna, Pena and Anaya, were severally at the head of
affairs. Was there every such a political whirligig?  That
certainly was such "rotation in office" as one might suppose
would satisfy the most greedy spoils-seeker that ever fought
in the ranks of Jacobin or Empire club. Nor has the con



94              THE FUTURE OF MEXICO.
dition of the country materially improved since the termination of the war. It has been somewhat more tranquil, but
it is the calmness of indolence and humiliation. The indemnity, paid in annual installments by the United States, has
perhaps been the means of sustaining the government, and
of saving her thus long from anarchy.
The future of Mexico is one of the saddest and most embarrassing political problems of the day. That a country of
such extent and resources, enjoying a position which commands two oceans, (the advantages of which, by the proposed
Tehuantepec road, it has been left to foreigners to demonstrate,)
and with eight or nine millions of inhabitants, should be in
such a hopeless condition, is a peculiar phenomenon in history.
It is scarcely possible that Santa Anna, who has again become G" the Supreme Government," can avert, for more than
a brief season, her ultimate fate. Even well-informed and
patriotic Mexicans now cease to regard, with aversion, the
"manifest destiny" of their country. Ex-President Arista
seems to look forward to it with hope and encouragement.
lie says, in a late letter to his government: " I desire the
happiness of my country, and to attain it, I see no road but
through federal institutions, and, if it be desired, annexation
so the United States, in which Mexico will meet an inexhaustible fountain of riches and prosperity, notwithstanding
she may lose that grand enigma, that squaring of the circle,
called by General Santa Anfna, Nationality. The day will
arrive when this will happen."  There can be but little doubt
that a majority of the people of the United States are prepared to annex Mexico at once, and " the rest of mankind 9




ANNEXATION.                               95
at the proper time; yet a voluntary proposition, on her part,
for a peaceful amalgamation of the two republics, would per-:laps be but coldly embraced, if not rejected by some of our
ardent annexationists, who rejoice in  more violent delights.
To their palates, stolen fruits are always the sweetest. In
whichever manner the Mexican States may come into our
Union, it is more to be hoped than expected that they would
be at once relieved of the incubus which has so long oppressed
them; or that the people, long tantalized by the miryage of
liberty, would be able to appreciate its living waters when
offered to them  in all their freshness and purity.  Nor is it
certain that the connection would be very beneficial to us for
sometime at least, especially if the whole of Mexico should
be swallowed at one gutlp-as is sometimes mildly proposed
by our annexationists.  In that event, it is likely that-be she
ever so well " licked' before deglutition-we should find her
one of those morsels which, " though sweet in taste, prove in
digestion sour."'
*it will be seen by the following extract from a recent speech delivered by the
Nestor of the Democratic party, (Gen. Cass) that the venerable Senator is of the
opinion that the gastric juice of the body politic has not been in the least reduced
by the digestion of a brace of Mexican states. But considering the fact that those
were very thinly populated, it might be advisable to swallow the remaining nineteen or twenty at many, and perhaps smaller meals. This would enable us to
manage an island or two by way of desert. Meantime the South American states
may consider themselves as in a pen, fattening for our capacious maws. In good
time they will doubtless furnish Brother Jonathan with excellent thanksgiving
dinners.
In a speech upon Mr. Mason's resolution (in Senate, December 23, 1852,) calling
for the correspondence concerning the proposed tripartite treaty with England and
France, for the safeguard to Spain of the island of Cuba, General Cass took occasion to say, inter alia —" As to the general subject of annexation, I have no new
views to disclose. It is pretty well known that I have a capacious swallow ior
territory, though I am free to confess that I can wait awhile patiently, if necessary,
and spend the time in digesting our last acquisitions. They sit lightly on the




96                   SPIRIT O' THE VOLUNTEERS.
The volunteer army assembled at Camargo was composed
chiefly of young men, who had just attained the age at
which the enthusiasm of youth and vigor of manhood are
united.-'   The  " Young Guard"  of Napoleon  did not contain in its ranks more energy, valor, and daring, than was to
be  found  in  that youthful mass.   There  were  soldiers in
various regiments whom I had known when " we were boys
together,"  who  contemplated  the  prospect of an  arduous
campaign with more pleasure than  they ever did a recitation
in Thucydides or Juvenal.   To many of them, a battery was
a more agreeable object than a black-board, and I am convinced that some of my old school-mates would have -assaulted a bristling tete de pont with more alacrity than they
had aforetime evinced in  demonstrating the oon8 asinorum.
stomach, and promise to promote the health of the body politic to a degree surpassing the most sanguine expectations of those who expected most from the measure."
In the admirable speech from which the above is quoted, the eloquent Senator is
particularly severe upon the press and people of' Great Britain for their Pharasaical
pretensions, and justly denounces the inconsistency with which, after acquiring
empires by the sword, on the most frivolous pretexts, they presume to arraign this
country for its rapacity.
* " The volunteers of Mexico, were the picked men of the nation, who, devoting themselves to a service more than a thousand miles from home, went to it under the strong impulse of adventure and love of martial glory. They consisted of'
the young, the ardent, and the brave, who, for the time, renounced all domestic
pursuits and marched to the field, animated by the hope of distinction, and disen
thralled from all civil cares and engagements. Thus fortified by resolve, stimulated by love of the profession, cheered by loud acclamations of friends, unimpeded
by domestic solicitude, and filled with the ardor and courage of the national character, they more resemble the chivalry, which a few centuries ago, assembled
around Gonsalvo de Cordova, or Gaston de Foix, in their descents upon the fields
of Italy, than they do any army of modern times. The skill, concert, impetuous
valor and persevering labor of their assaults, will be the theme of commendation
from military critics in cen turies to come, while the brilliancy of their victories
over such disproportioned numbers, and the rapidity of their conquest of the
strongholds of Mexico, will be regarded as the marvels of the age in which they
were achieved." —flo. J. P. Kennedy.




THE TEXAN CAVALRY.                  97
Many adventurous spirits who had failed to obtain desirable
places in the Infantry, and who were determined to participate in the war even as privates, attracted by the loose discipline and hazardous service of the Texan Cavalry, had
become Rangers.  There were two regiments of Texan
troops with the army, commanded by Colonels Hays and
Wood, comprising the brigade of General Henderson. Their
knowledge of the character of the enemy and of the military
frontier, acquired in their long border struggle, rendered
them valuable auxiliaries in the invasion.  Of this far-famed
corps-so much feared and hated by the Mexicans-I can
add nothing to what has already been written. The character of the Texan Ranger is now well known by both friend
and foe. As a mounted soldier he has had no counterpart
in any age or country.  Neither Cavalier nor Cossack,
Mameluke nor Moss-trooper are like him; and yet, in some
respects, he resembles them all.  Chivalrous, bold and impetuous in action, he is yet wary and calculating, always
impatient of restraint, and sometimes unscrupulous and unmerciful. He is ununifbrmed~, and undrilled, and performs
his active duties thoroughly, but with little regard to order
or system. He is an excellent rider and a dead slot. His
arms are a rifle, Colt's revolving pistol, and a knife. Unaccustomed to the saber or to move in mass, the Rangers are
of course unable to make a charge upon, or to receive one
from well-armed and well-disciplined troops. But when an
* Some wag (doubtless the same individual who remarked that the Georgian costume was " a shirt collar and a pair of spurs,") has described the Texan uniform as
"a dirty shirt and a five-shooter."




98             TROOPS EN ROUTE FOR MONTEREY.
enemy's line is broken by the rapid volleys of their rifles,
they then "pitch  in promiscuously,' and finish the work
with the'" five-shooter, "-delivering their fire right and left
as they dash along at full speed.  And it must be confessed
that for a chaparral skirmish, or an " up and down and cross
over fight" upon house-tops, such as that of the third day at
Monterey, the Rangers have few  superiors.  Centaur-like,
they seemed to live upon their horses; and, under firm and
prudent leaders, were efficient soldiers, especially for scouts
and advanced post-service, where the necessity for unintermitting vigilance left them no opportunity for indulging in
the mad-cap revels and marauding expeditions for which
they are somewhat celebrated.
Before the end of August, all the regular troops were
en roudte for the interior; and intelligence was received from
General Worth-who had taken possession of Cerralvo-that
the enemy was in force at Monterey, and would probably
stand siege.  Upon this, General Taylor determined to lose
no time in inoving forward the volunteers, and bringing the
matter to an issue of arms.  On the 28th, the subjoined  order, decisive of the long debated question, " which  of the
new regiments and brigadiers will Taylor take to Monterey a"
was published.~  We of the First Ohio regiment were much
* Orders                        Head- Quarters, Army of OccuLpation,
No. 108.                                   Camargo, August 28, 1846.
1. The limited means of transportation, and the uncertainty in regard to the supplies that may be drawn from the theater of' operations, imposes upon the commanding general the necessity of taking into the field, in the first instance, only a
moderate portion of' the volunteer force now under his orders.
2. In addition to the mounted regiments from Texas, four regiments of volunteer
infantry will be held ready for the march, constituting two brigades and one division, to be commanded by Major General Butler. The 1st Kentucky, and 1st Ohio




TROOPS EN ROUTE FOR MONTEREY.                            99
rejoiced at our good fortune, and heartily condoled with those
less successful and loudly lamenting men, who, after coming
so far to share in the glory of a campaign, were compelled,
by 1" the limited means of transportation," to remain for weeks
and months inactive upon the  malarious plains of Camargo.
The reader will perceive, from  Order No. 108, that the four
regiments of infantry, comprising General Butler's division,
were reduced  to  a strength  of 500 men each.  These, with
the two regiments of Texan Horse, constituted a force of 3000
volunteers, which, with about the same number of regulars,
invested Monterey.   The allowance of transportation for the
march, were as follows:
regiments will form the first field brigade, under the command of Brigadier General
Hamer; the 1st Tennessee and the Mississippi regiments, will form the second
field brigade, to be commanded by Brigadier General Quitman.
3. The regiments designated will be reduced to a strength of 500 men each, exclusive of officers, by leaving behind all sick and disabled men, and all who shall
not be deemed capable of' undergoing the fatigues and privations of the campaign.
These selections will be made under the direction of Major General Butler, in the
first, and the brigadier generals in the second divisions-a board of medical officers
being convened in all doubtful cases. It is for the good of the service, and the reputation of each regiment, that the selections be rigid.
4. In announcing the above arrangements, the commanding general feels that he is
disappointing the hopes of many regiments and superior officers, who looked forward to a participation in the campaign. But they will see that he is controlled by
the necessities of the case, and that it is impossible to gratify the wishes of all.
The selections have been made solely with a view to promote the interests of the
service, and the successful prosecution of the war with present means. The general hopes, that after penetrating the country, and ascertaining its resources, he- shall
be able to bring forward other corps now unavoidably left in the rear.
5. The volunteer regiments, remaining at this place, will be temporarily brigaded
for instruction and camp service. The 2d Kentucky, and 2d Ohio regiments coming under the command of Brigadier General Mar.shall, and the other regiments or
battalions, under that of Brigadier General Pillow, the command will be exercised
by Major General Patterson, or, in his absence, by the senior brigadier general,
who will take measures to institute a rigid system of police and discipline.
By order of Major General TAYLOR:
W. W. S. BLISs,
Assistant Adjutant General.




100        LIMITED MEANS OF TRANISPORTATION.
To each division and brigade head-quarters,   1 wagon.
To the field and staff of each regiment,  4 pack mules.
To the officers of each company,          2     "
To every eight non-commissioned  officers,
musicians, and privates,              1 pack mule.
Three wagons in addition were assigned to each regiment,
one for the transportation of water, and two for such articles
as could not be packed on mules.
Such was the small force and limited means of transportation with which General Taylor took up his line of march for
the interior, and which he was careful to place upon record,
in a communication, dated September 1st, 1846, to the government. But doubtful as the result then seemed, his bold
advance, under the circumstances, had a show of confidence,
which, if it did not intimidate the enemy, at least inspirited
our own troops. In consequence of the short allowance of
mules, a great amount of baggage had necessarily to be abandoned at Camargo. But no complaints were heard on that
account; indeed, the troops selected were all too glad to go,
to stand upon the manner or order of their going. Such was
their enthusiasm, that they would cheerfully have marched in
their shirts alone, rather than have missed the fandango, as
they facetiously termed the anticipated battle at Monterey.
Taking advantage of our wants, a number of native horsedealers daily visited our camp, offering mustangs and mules
at prices previously unheard of in that region. These leatherclad jockeys were the most arrant knaves I ever encountered, and, in selling their animals, rarely failed to sell the
purchaser also. The wild, half-broken mustangs generally




RASCALLY MUSTANG DEALERS.            101
escaped in a short time to their native chaparral, for, " the
Unicorn could not be less willing to serve thee, or abide by
thy crib;" or, if detained by strong halters, were often claimed by other Mexicans, who had doubtless shared the purchase
money with the vendors. In the prevailing desire to conciliate the inhabitants, and live up to the Proclamation, these
false claims of ownership were, in many cases, recognized
upon the bare assertion of the claimant, and the property
restored; perhaps to be re-sold and re-claimed again by the
same villainous confederates. Indeed, it was ascertained that
one notorious rogue had sold the same mustang to five different persons; the animal having escaped from each successively, and been re-captured by the same lasso. The writer
himself call not deny having been victimized by these Camargo cheats. After purchasing two mustangs —-both of which
disdainfully curled their noses at the wholesome oats given
them, and finally, breaking from their pickets, disappeared in
the chaparral-I determined to invest in mule flesh. VMy
speculation in that article, however, was equally unfortunate.
Shortly before our departure for Monterey, a Mexican brought
a fine mule to my quarters, which I immediately bought.
After tying the money carefully in his pocket-handkerchief,
the fellow departed, politely wishing me much luck with the
mule. He had hardly got out of sight, before another sombrero-coverecl wretch hastily approached my tent, and with
well-feigned excitement, claimed the animal, averring, as
usual, that the other Mexican had stolen it from him. Understanding the game, I declined to give up the mule until
the thief (ladron, as he kindly termed his countryman and
5*a




102              PURCHASE OF A MULE.
colleague in guilt,) was brought back to the camp for punishment. Upon his expressing an unwillingness to aid in the
arrest, I bade him adios, upon which hint he vanished. I retained possession of the mule until the army reached Cerralvo,
at which place I received an order from head-quarters, through
a Colonel K., of Texas, who had charge of the mule train, to
transfer the beast to him, for the use of the quarter-master's department, to which, it was alleged, the mule had been hired by
some Mexican, who claimed to be its owner. As I sought no
explanation of the trifling, though not unprovoking affair, I have
never learned by what evidence the gentlemen at head-quarters satisfied themselves that the right of property was vested
in Mr. Insolent Ranchero; and I have mentioned the incident simply to illustrate the character of the border Mexicans, to show how groundless were their many complaints
of ill-treatment, and how over careful General Taylor was of
their rights, real or pretended.  The writer is clearly of
opinion that his government is still indebted to him for the
value of the mule aforesaid; and, (between us, good reader,)
if the practice of allowing compound interest upon musty
old claims, comes to be generally recognized by the Treasury
Department, our investment may not prove to be such a bad
one, after all; especially if we keep our mule out of Congress for a half century or more. My companions were of
course much diverted at the result of the matter, and really
I could not but admire the shrewdness displayed by the Mexican jockeys, in hiring the animal to our government, since
they well knew that its claim would at once outweigh that
of any individual officer or soldier. General Ampudia's




A  HORSE AUCTION.                            103
proclamation X of August 31st, threatening  death to  all the
natives who continued to traffic with the Americans, did not
distress us very much, after our dealings with the Camargo
people.   Before  leaving  Camargo, the  business  of these
horse-traders was broken up, in our quarter of the camp at
least, in  an  anmusing  manner.  A   party  of them   having
entered our lines one afternoon, were for some time quietly
permitted to exhibit their horses and horsemanship, in which
last they possessed considerable skill. Their greatest feat,
and  one  which  they  practiced  most, was that of bringing
their animals from the most rapid stride to a sudden halt.
This, which  was properly  esteemed  as a great accomplish* The following is a copy of Ampudia's bulletin, which, (as Gen. Worth remarked in his letter from Cerralvo, transmitting it to Taylor,) " is ingenious, and
well calculated through the clergy, to operate upon the fears of the ignorant Mexicans:"
" Considering that the hour has come for taking energetic and timely measures
to fiee the department of the East from Anglo-American rapacity, and that by the
laws of nations and of war, every traitor to his country, or spy of the enemy,
should suffer the penalty of death; and, finally, considering that it is my indispensable duty to oppose a barrier to the torrent of evils caused by the contraband traffic
which has been carried on in the most barefaced manner with the usurpers of our
sacred territory, in virtue of the powers confided upon me by existing laws, 1 have
determined to decree:
" st. Every native or foreigner, who of his own accord, shall give aid directly or indirectly to the enemy, shall be shot.
"2d. Those who, after the publication of this decree, shall continue to traffic
with the enemy shall suffer the penalty stated in the preceding article.
" 3d. The authorities of every branch of the public administration will take
care, strictly, and under the most rigid responsibility, that these provisions be punctually fulfilled.
" 4th. This decree is intended to produce action among the people, since all citizens have the right, and are under obligation to denounce any infraction of it, and
to apprehend the criminals in order to deliver them up to the judicial authority;
and, that it may reach the notice of all, and that none may allege ignorance, I
order it to be published and circulated among all to whom it belongs, to see that
it be faithfully executed.
" Given at Head-Quarters, Monterey, August 31, 1846.
PEDaO DE AIPUDImA."




104                A HIORSE AUCTION.
ment, by a people much addicted to hcalting and dodging,
they were enabled to do by means of a ring-curb that is universally used. After the usual preliminary display had taken
place, the natives, by preconcerted arrangement, were gradually surrounded by all the soldiers of the regiment not on
duty. One of the volunteers-a famous wag-then mounted
a barrel, and announced to the crowd that he proposed to sell
at auction, "for the benefit of whom it might concern," the
collection of live-stock before them. He invited particular
attention to it as the most miserable assortment of spavined,
sore-backed and s7houlder-shotten mustangs, mules and Mexicans, ever seen in any market; and humorously added, that
possession would not be guaranteed unless strong halcters
were used upon either the animals or their thievish riders,
esvpecially the lctter.  During the delivery of these and other
preparatory remarks, the Mexicans-profoundly ignorant of
their meaning, and wondering much at the position and mlerriment of the Americans-were either watching the speaker,
with looks of astonishment and alarm, or peering anxiously
around for some avenue of escape through the crowd.
The volunteer auctioneer, familiar with all the cant phrases
of the horse-market, then proceeded with admirable spirit
and wit to sell the animals, some by measurement and others
even by the pound, "'Commissary weight." This innocent
fling at the Commissariat was received with great applause.
He pleasantly commented the while upon the various qualities of the stock; now insisting that the ponderous ears of a
certain ugly, brown mule, indubitably proved his " Andrewlusian blood;" and again, swearing that a shabby, little gray




A HORSE AUOTION.                105
pony was a noble steed, indeed, a perfect Tartar, and would
carry any ambitious gentlemen as far as Montezuma's -Ialls,
to the tune of
" Yankee Doodle came to town,
Upon a little pony," etc., etc.
At this scene in the farce, some of the grave-looking Mexicans could not refrain from joining in the general laughter
caused by the song and comic action of the auctioneer, who,
while he sang, continued to saw with his right hand upon an
imaginary fiddle in his left.> Thus the sale progressed amid
much lively and good-natured competition in the crowd surrounding the kicking mustangs and braying mules. Not the
least diverting part of the affair, was the dialogue that followed the sale of each animal, between the auctioneer and
purchaser, concerning the terms of payment, and which generally resulted in the granting of credit for some indefinite
period, or the acceptance of a draft on the Mexican Treasury.
At the conclusion of the sale, the auctioneer remarked,
that,-" flattered by the unexampled patronage he had received, and encouraged by the animated condition of the
market, he would shortly invite the attention of the public
to a small invoice of excellent donkeys or rather to some
small donkeys in excellent voice, soon expected to arrive
from the chaparral."  With these words the wag descended
from  his stand; the crowd dispersed, leading away their
purchases to their quarters, and followed by the excited Mexican owners, who now began to comprehend, though they
did not seem to relish the joke. After playing for some time
upon the fears of the avaricious jockeys, their animals were




106    HAMER CROSSES THE SAN JUAN.-A SHOWER.
restored to them, and they left the camp under whip and spur.
Nor did they again venture to traffic within our lines. As
to the promised invoice of asses, it may be added that the
sale was not allowed to take place upon their arrival, inasmuch as those musical little beasts were daily employed in
transporting needful supplies to the camp.
On the 4th of September, General Hamer's brigade crossed
the San Juan, preparatory to marching on the 6th. The
weather was intensely hot, and we anticipated a thirsty,
dusty, and fatiguing journey. We had, I think, but one rain
during our stay at Camargo, but that was a memorable one.
Though it " overcame us like a summer's cloud," it nevertheless excited our special wonder. It occurred one sultry afternoon in the latter part of August, when the sun was low in
the west. Sitting in the shade of our tents, and looking
toward the east, our attention was suddenly arrested by a
dark cloud that was unrolled from the heavens, like the
drop-curtain of a theater, and which completely shut out the
distant landscape. It advanced rapidly, and we soon perceived that it was one of those showers, peculiar to the tierra
calienti, which are concentrated in a single drop,-a mass of
water from earth to sky. Their force is soon spent, but most
unlucky is the traveler on whom they chance to fall. This
cloud began to discharge itself not far from us, and swept
directly toward the camp. Rainbows were playing upon its
broad surface, giving it the appearance of a vast and beautiful curtain of variegated silk, shaken by the winds; while
the sound of the falling water as it broke upon the earth was
really terrific. It steadily approached, every moment becom 




A SHOWER.                   107
ing more fearful and audible, until, like a thousand horse
" thickly thundering on," it swept over our camp with a
force that almost crushed the awe-struck sentinels to the
ground. In a few moments the storm was o'er, the cloud
had sunk into the bosom of the earth, and the last glancing
rays of the sun shone upon a scene of bright tranquility, as
well as upon (to quote the immortal Mantalini) some "demd,
damp, moist, uncomfortable bodies."




CHAPTER V.
ARRIERos.-Packing the mules —The march commenced.-Trials of the first
day.-Cerralvo.-A storm.-Mustard per se.- Orders for continuing the march.Description of the country.-Marin. —The enemy seen and heard from. —A
stampede.-Crossing a stream. —A donkey going down stern foremost.-San
Francisco.-The army arrives before Monterey. —Encamps at Santo Domingo.
THERE are two very good roads from Camargo to Monterey,
on both of which it was supposed that a sufficiency of water,
beef, and corn, could be obtained for the marching force.
To avoid any inconvenience, however, and doubtless, for
other good reasons, General Taylor decided to advance
columns on both routes. The mounted troops were sent up
the valley of San Juan via China to Marin; while the infantry pursued the more westerly route, by way of Mier and
Cerralvo.  From Camargo to Cerralvo the army marched by
brigades; thence to Marin by divisions. At the last named
place the entire force-horse and foot-united, and moved
in one column upon Monterey.
On Sunday, September 6th, the 1st brigade (HEamer's) of
General Butler's division commenced its march and arrived
at Cerralvo, a distance of twenty-five leagues, on the following Thursday.  The first day's march was the most weary
and painful of the campaign.  No soldier of our regiment
will ever forget his sufferings on that unhappy day.  Hoping
to reach the first camping ground before noon, the tents had
been struck, baggage packed, and every thing got in readi



MEXIC.AN MUJ,ETEER-Sc.             109
ness at dawn. But it was not until the' sun had been up
several hours, that the mnuleteers made tl-eir appearance with
the animals assigned to our brig'ade.
The mules of Mexico have always been usefully employed
in its domestic commerce, and, indeed, a)ppear to be all-sufficient carriers. Like the camels of Arabia, they are peculiarly adapted to the country and primitive condition of their
masters.  But to persons, fresh from a land in which all the
many wonderful inventions in art and science are made subservient to the wants of man, a pack-mule is almost as great
a curiosity as a battering-ram, or any other relic of a barbarous age; and accordingly we contemplated with some interest,
the little animals, as unbridled and with most provoking and
mulish nonzcalantce, they strayed slowly toward us from
their pasture in the chaparral.  Each of them was covered
fi'onl neck to tail with a huge, arching saddle, of itself no
light burden, upon which was to be packed a load of from
three to follur hundred pounds.  One of the mules was laded
with ropes of hide, to be usedl in fasteningr the packs.  To
another, the most staidcl and venerable member of the drove,
was attached a bell. Ile enjoyed the honor of leading the
train, and of carrying the large, smooth stone, uponm which the
drivers crush corn for their frugal meals of cpan-c'e-maizve.
The muleteers were stout, athletic fellows, aind the most
uncouth, as well, perhaps, as the hardiest class in Mexico;
where the mixture of various races has resulted in the production of some strange looking species of the geznus 7omo.
Their features and those of the rancheros generally, are large,
but less prominent than those of our Indians; their lips,




:110  MEXICAN MULETEERnS.
thick; their faces, smooth; and their coarse hair, like their
ey0es, black.  Their frames are short and thick-set, and seem
to be made of sinew and muscle.  With great ease they endure fatigues which we northmen, even when seasoned to
the climate, scarcely equal.  A few -torticlas (cakes made of
corn, coarsely bruised by hand, with an infusion of chili and
lime) and a gourd of water, will suffice the arriero for a day.
If a little muscal or a few cigaritas be added to his allow-,anrce, he is perfectly contented.  HIe seems to desire no other
bed than the bare ground; and if rains overtakle him at
night, he will shelter himself beneath one of his large semicylindrical pack-saddles, the thick wood and leather sides
of which, being bullet proof, make an excellent barricade in
the common event of an attack by banditti.  I-Iis dress consists of a short, close-fitting leather jacket, ornamented often
with rows of buttons; and wide buckskin or dirty, whitelinen trowsers, open and flaring from the ankle to the knee.
The foot clothing consists of sandal-shoes, fastened wiith
lough thongs —stockings being a luxury enjoyed only by
some of the towns-people.  The heavy, hand-made, partycolored blanket, peculiar to the country, is an indispensable
article of apparel, and is at all times fastened about the
shoulders.  In bad weather it is unrolled, the head thrust
through the opening in its center, and its ample fblds allowed
to fall gracefully around the body.  This, with the widebrimmed sombrero, enables the wearer to defy the storm.
Our arrieros, as if to make amends for their long delay,
proceeded to pack with commendable celerity and skill.
Walking rapidly through the camp, they first examined the




LOADING THIE MIULES.               111
amount and character of the baggage.  TheV then divided it
into as many heaps as there were mules, ench one being a
ccargo, or load; taking care at thle same time to place such
articles together as would balance well upon the saddle.
This accomplished, the mules were brought up to receive
their burdens; which were put on by two men working on
opposite sides of the animal.  The largest articles, bundles
of tents, barrels or boxes, were first lashed to the sides of
the saddle; then upon those the rest of the load was piled,
forming a ridge high above the back, the bulk of the burden
being often much greater than the annail beneath it.  Each
article was securely fastened by cords passing around it, and
crossing under the body.  The men on either side, bracing
their feet against the thick, lower edge of the saddle, and
with the rope in their hands, would throw themselves back
horizontally,  and jerk and pull until tle poor mule fairly
groaned with the pressure.  A few younog and restive animals
were only made to receive their packs patiently, by the application of a bandage, which the drivers carried for the purpose, to their eyes. The business of packing completed,
the sage and distinguishedl wearer of the bell, carrying a few
measures of corn and the primitive mill-stone before mentioned, was led off upon the road. The train obediently followed the well-known sound; while the muleteers walking
on flank and rear, urged forward the slow and lazy with their
peculiar "' ista! hiss /!
Thus, after a vexatious detention of many hours, we commenced in the noonday heat, our memorable march.  Considering the debility of our men, consequent upon recent




1 - 2 Li1SUFFERINGS ON THtliE MAIlZClCIT.
sickness, tlhe inactivity of ca:np-life, or long confinement on
transports, I was prepared to witness mnluch sufiering on the
route; lbut owinTg to the late hour of starting and the scarcity
of water, it was distressing and lamcentable beyond all expectation.  Our route lay through dense chaparral which, being
a little higher than our heads, shut out every refreshing
breeze; and the dust, which was ankle deep, hung inl suffocating clouds over tile road.  The vertical rays of the sun
fell like fiery arrows upon the column, and so heated the
burnished metal of our accoutrements, that it could not be
held in the naked hand without pain.  The heat was indeed
almost intolerable, as the parched tongues of all momentarily
united in asserting.  Even the sable descendants of HI-amthe servants of officers —drooped beneath it like blasted
blades of corn.  ]Before one third of the day's march was accomplished, our then inexperienced. soldiers had consumed all
the water in their canteens; the contents of which, at later
periods, they learned to make suffice for an entire day.  Unfortunately no supply of water had been, placed in the wa gons,
set apart by General Taylor's order, for its transportation,
it having been supposed that the canteens would hold enough
for the first shlort march; and had we been able to start in
the early morning, we should perhaps have escaped that
arid thirst.  Many brief halts were made, and parties sent
out on the flanks to seek for water. rThese were all unsuccessful, and the search but added to the fatigue of the explorers.  After the first disappointments, the men marched
silently forward, determined to brave the trials of the day
with becoming fortitude.  For some time, their great and in



SUFFERI NGS ON\ THE MAaRCh.            11
creasing agony was endured with calm resignation.  Mliany,
whose scorched throats scarcely granted utterance, endeav-.
ored to cheer the weak with hopes of speedy relief, which
they, themselves, hardly entertained.  Our skillful, sympathizing, and attentive surgeon (Dr. Chamberlyn,) passed to
and fro among the rankcs, distributing pills, cordials, and
other needful tonics, with which a mule, led by the hospital
steward, was laded.  Thus onward, still onward, with feeble
steps, staggered our poor, uncomplaining fellows; all hoping
to reach water at every turn or descent of the road, if only
in sonme foul mud-hole.
_At lengtth, when  about two-thirds of the march had been
effectedl  with much pain and suffering, yet in tolerable
order, a solitary rancho was descried a short distance in advance.  The foremost troops hastened toward it with exclamations of gladness, for there, indeed, we might hope to find
the much desired beverage; to us, truly, the precious caquac
uvice. Ah! deceitful hope! transient pleasunre! The house
was deserted, and the well contained not "I a drop, to moisten
life's all gasping springs."  Each man as he arrived, hastened to gaze into its hateful depth, as if unwilling to believe
the sad report of the first comers: " the well is dry! "  What
heart-sickening intelligence to those, whose veins seemed
swollen with liquid fire; whose dusky skins and mouths
were dry and crisp as ashes! Evein at this distant period,
the recollection of my own sensations causes some slight
aridity in the region of the jugular.  The acclimatizing fever-as the surgeon termed the fever with which I had long
been daily harrassed-bhad seized me with renewed violence




114            SUFFERINGS ON THE IAlC.EI.
early in the march; and when we halted at the well, the
blood was "boiling like lava within the glowing caverns of
the heart."  A hundred strange visions floated through the
heated brain. Vivicl and tantalizing pictures of bubbling
springs and limpid streams well known in years long gone
by, were again present to the mind. Then the wandering
thoughts successively recalled all the horrible scenes of distress arising from thirst, which they had ever contemplatedl;
from the notable case of that certain rich man who, " in hell
lifted up his eyes, being in torments," to the latest narrative
of shipwrecked mariners casting lots for each other's blood.
And when from  the crowd around the rancho, there broke
forth some expressions of pain and disappointment that
could no longer be subdued, the mind reverted to the wanderings of the Israelites, their thirst, and their murmurings
against iMoses in Rephidim, and to the rock in Horeb
smitten by the rod. But the age of miracles was past!'Twere vain to sig-h for that rock and rod, or to expect relief;
save by additional exertion.  All complaints were soon
hushedc, and the column again put in motion. For another
half hour it continued to drag its slow length along amid a
silence that was broken only by the melancholy rattle of
empty canteens. Then, when we were not more than a mile
or two from water, occurred some touching scenes of human
misery. Here and there, the weakest men began to reel
from the ranks.  Sinking upon the road-side, they declared
that their strength was spent, and that they could go no further.  Some were still helped forward by their stronger comrades, while others, whom no words of hope or fear could




SU'FFEllINGS OE T'HlE- MlARiCH.        1I5
move. begged to be left to their fate.  With these, threats
and persuasions were alike ineffectual, such was their indifference to danger under the pressure of present pain.  Soon
all order was lost.  The two regiments composing the brigade were mobbed, and the stragglers from both increased at
every step.  lHad we been attacked at the time by a resolllte
enemy our troops would inevitably have been cut to pieces.
This distressing and discouraging march was lengthened'about two miles, for the want of competent guidces to direct
us to the usual camping-ground, which was near a large
pond, and some distance from tlhe main roadc  I9n our ignorance of the locality, the leading companies passed it and.
were compelled to retrace their steps.  Upon reaching the
water, many noble fbllows, after satisfying the cravings ofl
their own thirst, filled their canteens, and hastened back to
administer to the wants of' their weary and straggling comrades.  Not more than half of the column reached the camp
before dusk.  The remainder came in singly, or in small
parties, at various hours of the night, and but two of' our
reginent were reported "absent, and unaccounted lbor; at
roll-call on the following morning.  Those two unfortunate'absentees never afterward responded to their names, and
their fiate has often been to ime a nmatter of anxious interest.
It appeared that they had left their company by permission,
during a short halt early in the journey, to look for water.
Failing to return as soon as expected, their captain supposed
that they had wandered back toward Camargo; but they
never reported themselves at that post, or elsewhere, so far as
we could ascertain.




116                1N SIGHmUT OF' MIEt.
Such. was our first day's march, lipon the many painful incidents of which I have forborne to dwell. Much censure
was lodged at the time against those who conducted it, but
as I think, rather unjustly. Prudence should perhaps have
suggested the employment of the wagons allowed for the conveyance of water; bint I presume it was supposed that the
length of the marchl (about five leagues) scarcely rendered it
necessary.  The late hour of startilng, the unusual (even for
that climate) heat of the day, and the physical debility of
many of the soldiers, no human sagacity could have prevOnted.
Under ordinary circumstances, the same men could, and fieqluently did march with ease, twice the distance in less tinie.
The second day we suffered less fioom thirst, and having,
started early, reached OUr' camp before noon, without I1much
fatig'ue.  The country passed over was level and dry, but, in
many parts, well supplied with mesqueet wood, and grass.
Nlear our encampment, which was upon the banks of a deep
and rocky ravine, one of our soldiers discovered a mineral
spring, the water of which nearly resembled that of the Blue
Lick, in Kentu-cky.  On the morning of the third day, the
men, though still qlnite foot-sore, took the route with all the
cheerfulness of gay and thoughtless youth, and mlade a good
mnarch-more than six leagues-before 11 o'clock, A. M}i.
We ascended the brow of a hill, overlooki ng  Mier, just as
the sun pushed his broad disk above the horizon, and porured
a flood of rosy light upon the white walls of that pretty and
interesting  village. We did not enter the place, for our road,
the general direction of which had thus far been parallel
with the 1lio Gralde, after bringing us within sight of it,




C EIlRIAAL O.                  11 P
inclined to the south, and led us into a more hilly and broken
region.  There, too, the mountains of Cei'ralvo were first
discerned in the misty distance, their airy tops so softly
blending with the clouds,
"That the cheated eye
Forgets or which is earth, or which is heaven."
On the fourth day, we encamped by a clear and rapid
stream, near Pontaguada, (in which village, enz Jpessanzt, we
obtained solne delicious dried figs;) and on the fifth we entered Cerralvo  thus mnaking as good time as the Iegulars
who preceded us.  It was gratifying to witness the improvement in the health and spirits of the troops as we approached
the mountains.  The tender feet of many unaccustemed to
Sucli laborious exercise, hardened as they progressedcl, and
each day added to their knowledge in the business of campaigning.  In the pure streams of the tlpper country, they
washed away their wasting fevers, and before reaching Monterey, were generally in  excellent condition  for service.
Amid subsequent toils and trials, the hardships of the first
da-y's march were sometimes blithely recalledl, and often
served to assuage the severity of present privations.
Cerralvo is a smiling little town, of about twelve hundred
inhabitants, and is built chiefly of white limestone, which is
quite abundant in the neighborhood. The houses, as in all
tile Mexican towns we saw, were of the old Spanish style;
with massive walls, flat cement roofs, and a few  narrow,
barred, and unglazed windows.  The thick inside shutters,
substituted for sash, exclude both air and light.  Though devoid of all architectural beauty, they are not without their




1 18               CERRIAL'VO —A ST)ORM.
advantages in a warm  climate, and are quite comfortable
enough for such a people.  A  sparklling rivulet, fresh from
the cool recesses of the mountains, waters the town, and
forms, in its passage throughll  some of the gardens, deep,
clear, and refreshing baths.  One encllanting little spot I fiequently visited, where tle brook danced and sang through
banks of flowers, shaded by luxuriant lenmon and fig trees,
the interlacing brancles of which olbtered a welcome shade
and screen to the bather.
The country arouncl Cerralvo, except on the margins of the
streams, appears to be very poor and stony.  The stratified
limestone lay so near the surface of the hill upon which we
encamped, that it was no easy matter to pitch the tents, tho
pins being broken or blunted in many attempts to drive them.
In consequence of this unfortunate geological formation, our
canvas was carried away by the first breath of a storm which
broke upon us one night durling our brief sojourn there.  Of
all confusions confounded or confounded confusions, but few
can exceed that caused in a large camp by hig(h and sudden
winds, especially whern attended by rain.  A  squall in the
lday-time is often sufficiently annoying, but when it occurs
at night, when the frail tents are capsized in a twinkling, and
the tighltened ropes, and flying-pins are made to lash and
bruise the prostrate bodies of thousands of sleepers; when,
in an instant aroused from profound slumber, loose horses,
kicking mules and swearing  soldiers, are sent stumbling
about among each other, tripping' and falling over knapsacks,
cooking utensils, and the many articles which the wind has
also set in motion; what pen can describe the scene I "The




ORDERS FOl ThlE MARCH.               119
storm fiends," as the poets aptly term  certain imaginary
gentlemen in the clouds, must enjoy the fun vastly as they
ride by upon the blast. It would go hard with pussy and
puffy old AE olus, should he venture to make himself visible
within musket range of these ludicrous and vexatious scenes.
W~hat new dispositions were made at Cerralvo in our little
army, will be known by a perusal of the annexed order:
Orders          h _[ecacd- Qzcuarters, Arny of Ocectpationz,
No. 115.                  Cerrcalvo, September 11, 1846.
1. As the army may expect to meet resistance in its further
advance toward lMnonterey, it is necessary that the march
should be conducted with all proper precautions to meet attack, and to secure the baggage and supplies. From  this
point, the following will be the order of march until otherwise directed:
2. All the pioneers of the army, consolidated into one
party, will march early to-morrow, on the route to MIarin,
for the purpose of repairing the road, and rendering it practicable for artillery and wagons.  The pioneers of each division will be under a subaltern to be specially detailed for the
duty, and the whole will be under the command of Captain
Craig, 3d infantlry who will report at head-clquarters for instructions.  This pioneer party will be covered by a squadron of dragoons, and Captain McCulloch's company of rangers. Two officers of topographical engineers, to be detailed
by Captain Williams, will accompany the party for the purpose of examining the route. Two wagons will be provided
by the quarter-master's department for the transportation of
the tools, provisions, and knapsacks of the pioneers.




120              OIRDERS FOR THE MIARCtH.
3. The 1st division will march on the 13th, to be followed
on successive days, by the 2d division, and field division of
volunteers.  The head-quarters will march with the 1st division.  Captain Gillespie, with half of his company, will
report to Major General Butler; tile other half, under the
Ist Ijieutenant, to Brigadier General Worth.  These detachments will be employed for out-posts and videttes, and as
expresses between the columns and head-quarters.
4. The subsistence supplies will be divided between the
three columns, the senior commissary of each division receipting for the stores, and being charged with their care and
management.  The senior commissaries of each division will
relport to Captain Waggaman for this duty.
5. Each division will be followed immediately by its bagogage train and supply train, with a strong rear-guard. Thle
ordnance train under Captain Ramsey, will march with the
2d division, between its baggage and supply trains, and will
come under the protection of the guardcls of that division.
The medical supplies will, in like manner, march- with the
1st division.
6. The  roops will take eight days' rations, and forty
rounds of' ammunition. All surplus arms and accouterments,
resulting from casualties on the road, will be deposited with
Lieutenant Stewart, left in charge of the depot at this place,
who will give certificates of deposit to the company conmnanders.'. The wagons appropriated for the transportation of water, will not be required, and will be turned over to the quarter-master's department, for general purposes.




1BUTLE-R S DIVISION LEAVES CERIRALVO.      121
8. Two companies of the Mississippi regiment will be
designated for the garrison of this depot. All sick and disabled men, unfit for the march, will be left behind, under
charge of a medical officer, to be selected for this duty by the
miedical director.
By order of Major General TAYLOR,
Wg. W. S. BLISS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
The small garrison mentionedl, in the last section of the
foregoing orders, was the only one left onl the route. Among
the sick and disabled, about one hundred and fifty in number, who remained at this depot, was the captain of one of
our German companies. We had one Irish and two German
companies in the 1st Ohio regiment. According to Surgeon
Chamberlyn's account, the captain, being sick with pleurisy,
had swallowed in rather hot haste a quantity of mustard,
which had been prescribed as a plaster.  Though the condiment thus taken, internally and 2per se, proved as unwholesome as unpalatable, yet it served to season a good joke;
and it was even contended by some that it had saved the
captain's life, inasmuch as his unlucky mistake prevented
him fiom participating in the battle of Mionterey, where his
gallant 1st Lieutenant was slain at the head of his company.
On the 15th of September, the field division of volunteers-General Butler's-marched from Cerralvo, and on the
17th reached -Marin, where the Regulars awaited our arrival.
Nothing of unusual interest occurred between those places.
General Torrejou, with about a thousand horse, was constantly in front of our army, but distrusting his own strength,




122              ASPECT OF THE COUNTRY.
or intimidated by our steady advance, he made no effort to
arrest our progress, and contented himself with destroying
property likely to fall into our hands.  The road led us over
a succession of rough and bare hills, which, with the distressingly hot weather, and the length of our column, increased at Cerralvo by the addition of Quitman's brigade,
Webster's battery, and the supply train, rendered our progress tediously slow. The country, as far as iMalrin, presented
a more barren and desolate aspect, though better watered
than that previously passed. F'rom  the summits of the
thorn and cactus-covered ridges over which we marched, the
covup d'c'i1 was dreary and forbidding in the extreme. Far
and near, whichever way we looked, the mountains, hills,
and plains were glowing with the scorching heat of summer,
a few narrow belts of green foliage showing where the streams
yet generously moistened the thirsty earth. The rancheros
were mean and scattered, and sometimes we did not see a
Mexican during the clay's march.  On the borders of the
stream, we alone found their wretched habitations.  The
intervening wastes appeared to belong to the banditti, judging from the many crosses erected on the wayside; evidences
that the land was guilty of many " an arch deed of piteous
massacre."  The country is, for the most part, bare of trees.
This is its great and ever-prominelnt characteristic.  The fig,
olive, orange, and lemon, flourish in some locations, but there
are no forests, and a few  scattered palmettos alone show
their tufted heads above the surrounding masses of chaparral.
The traveler from the United States finds himself continually
looking around, but in vain, for the magnificent cgroves which




:MARIN.                      123
diversify and adorn the scenery of his native land.  In the
vicinity of the water-courses, the student of zoology, ornithology, or botany, may perchance find something to interest
him; but among the cheerless hills and plains that lie between the streams, there appears neither life nor beauty.
The presence of an army, hastening to the conflict, did not
materially enliven the dismal landscape.  And yet, without
pausing to seek its rationale, the idea most frequently present to my mind, when contemplating the country, was its
renmarccabe suntciabletess as ca theater for wear.  That desolate district, overhung by unclouded skies and burning suns,
seemed to invite belligerent men to strife and carnage, as
naturally as does the -well-rolled turf, the horse-race, or the
ring, the wrestling and boxing match. Bellce, /Iorric&c bellc!
might rage with all her rampant fitries there, unndisturb1ed by
a single tender appeal firom the genius of civilization.  There
was the stage and all the scenery for war's bloody drama.
Enter armies, and the martial spectacle is complete.
The village of Marin, said to contain a population of one
thousand, is picturesquely situated on the edge of an extensive and elevated plateau.  It commands a vast prospect in
the direction of MIonterey, and a charming little valley
blooms at its feet. Into this we descendedl, after marching
through, the village, and directed our steps toward a silvery
stream whose murmuring waters, as we approached it, filled
our hearts with delight.  With what "luxuriant joy and
pleasure unrestrainedcl," did the weary men stack arms upon
its grassy banks.  For an hour or more after halting, none
of the usual camp labors were performed, and all resigned




14-.t- n-EST BY THIE WATEIRS-rTIlE CAMP.
themselves to the bliss of rest in such a spot after a toilsome
march,  Officeers enjoyed their cigars it olio czt2 dgnZitacte,
while the lmen, reclining in groups, chatted merrily with each
other, or were quietly engaged in bathing their swollen and
heated feet in the cool ripples of the brook.  In good time,
however, tents were pitchedl, fires kindled, and guards posted,
the rustic deities flying the spot as MIars asserted his sway.
Those who have seen large bodies of troops in the field,
can not have failed to observe how rapidly andl strangely
rural scenes are transformed by encampment.  There is,
perhilaps, some favorite landscape which  you  may have
known from  childhood.  Let yonder army, whose banners
and bayonets you descry in the distance, approach and halt
Yupon the familiar spot, the artillery on that broad hill-side,
the cavalry in the plain, and the infantry down by the stream,
and along the skirts of the silent and shadowy woods. In a
brief half-hour an extensive camp is established with a celerity, qluietness, and precision, that recall the story of Aladdin's lamp. Rows of tents arise as if by enchantment; these,
with batteries, wagons, horses: fires, arms, and men, so metamorphose the scene, that your eyes wander over it almost in
vain for a single familiar object.
Soon after encamping at AMarin, we learned that the enemy's corps of observation had been seen leaving the town as
our pioneers approached it.  The absence of any hostile demonstration during so long a march, had induced many of
our impatient young soldiers to discredit the report that there
was a Mlexican force in our front.  A lance-head, found in
the road, was the only'" sign   which our Texan scouts had




THE ENEMiY  SEEN AND BEAID  READ        OM.             125
discovered until reaching the vicinity of Malarin.  The intelligence, therefore, that a considerable body  of the enemy had
actually been seen, and had even halted on one or two occasions to exchange shots with our van-guard, satisfied the most
incredulous.  When, moreover, they  were  kindly  inforined
by  copies  of a  Proclamation, "  which  the  enemy, before
evacuating  Mlarin, had industriously  scattered  about the village, that one  Pedro  de  Aimpudia, and  certain  battalions
with long and  formidable-looking  names at least, might be
found  at Monterey; all were happily  agreed  that a fight
would be the sequel of the march; and, full of confidence in
their brave old General and in themselves, regarded the capture of the city as unfcait CCeo?2C0      le.
While our army lay at Cerralvo, I had heard it stated that
the IMexicans intended to fight us at some favorable point on
the route; no  one seemed to know  exactly  where.  But as
we  afterward  marched  to  Monterey  without opposition, I
*" ARMY OF THE NORTH.
" Gezeral-i- C/hiej; Head- Quarters,
" Oe2onterey,,.Septemiber 15,1846.' IT is well known that the war carried on against the republic of' Mexico, by
the United States of America is iDjust, illegal, and anti-Christian, for which reason no one ought to contribute to it.
"The federal government having been happily re-established, a large number of
battalions of the national guard in the States of Coahuila, San Luis Potosi, Guanajuata, Tacatecas, Queretaro, and others, are ready to be on the field and fight for
our independence.
"Acting according to the dictates of honor, and in compliance with what my
country expects of me, in the name of my government, I offer to all individuals
that will lay down their arms and separate themselves from the American arnmy,
seeking protection, that they will be well received and treated in all the plantations,
farms or towns where they will first arrive, and assisted for their march to the interior of' the republic by all the authorities on the road, as has been done with all
those that have passed over to us.
"To all those that wish to serve in the Mexican army, their offices will be conserved and guaranteed.                                 PEURo DE AIruDIA."
6-*




126       AMPUDIA  IN''TEIDED  TO  ATTACK  US AT MAUIN.
continued to regard the statement as one of the many groundless rumors of the calmp, until recently informed by the Mlexican history of the  war, that General Ampudia  at one time
hadc  decided  to  leave  his  intrenchluients.   lMy  surviving
companions in arms will unite in  regretting  the counsels by
which  he was induced  to  change his plans; for, if on  the
beautiful plains around 5tarin, he could  have advantageously employed ", his well-appointed and numerous cavalry," he
would there also have enjoyed the pleasure of witnessing
some judicious combinations on our part; and have received
gratis, a few West Point lessons, which he might have turned
to good account in  his subsequent professional career.  But
the MIexicenm  General, it seems, was overruled by hisprauclent
chiefs of brigade, who doubtless entertained a lively recollection of the manner in- which  our light artillery was handled
at Palo  Alto, and  so-knowing  that -we brought no  siege
train-determined  to  await the issue behind  his walls.  A
wise conclusion certainly, since from  the advantageous posi* "He (Ampudia) decided to receive the invaders at Marin, by availing himself
in the movement of his well-appointed and numerous cavalry. In the event of a
reverse he still had a point of defense in Monterey. The advantages which the
country from Papagallos to Marin afforded, and other circumstances, confirmed his
hopes. With the object of adopting this plan he called a junta, composed of the
chiefs of brigade. In it he espoused the project, and it was perceived that in
Monterey could be counted, beyond the coTps alreacdy vmentioned, the 3d and 4th Light,
3ld of the Line, the active battalions of Agua Calientes, Queretaro, and San Luis
Potosi, of injfelntry; and the regiments of Guanajuato, San Luis and Jalico, qf
cavalry.
" General Mejia answered to the project of Ampudia, that he was ready to execute it, but the answers of the chiefs of brigade not being equally satisfactory, fiustrated the plan. It was then agreed to prosecute the fortifications of the first line,
and to undertake the second or interior intrenchments, and to so distribute the
worlk that all could labor with indefatigable strength.. The enemy, with their
characteristic energy threatened us with a strong indication of a quick advance. —
jllexican " iotcs of tlhe T'V1 ar."




ORDER 1OF MARCHI FROM MARIN.            127
tion of the enemy, do the scenes at Monterey, which I
shall presently attempt to describe, derive their sanguinary
coloring.  The same numbers, in a fair, open field, could
scarcely have withstood the first charge of our impetuous and
enthusiastic battalions.
At   etrecat, at sunset, on the evening of our arrival at
Miarin, the following orders were read to the troops, from
which it will be perceived that the order of march was
prudently changed as we approached the point of resistance:
Orderst       hirecad- Quarters, Arzmy of OcCZpcation,
No. 119         Ccmzp zear lctarinz, September 17, 1846.
1. The corps of the army will march to-morrow in the
direction of Mionterey.  The following will be the order of
1na1rch:
The advance, consisting of M3cCulloch's and Gillespie's
companies of rangers, and a sqIuadron of dragoons, will
march at 51- o'clock.  The pioneer party will be broken up,
and the pioneers will return to their regiments.
The ]st division will march at 6 o'clock, followed immediately by its baggage and one half of the ordnance train.
The head-quarters will march with the 1st division.
The 2cl division will march one hour after the 1st, followed
in like1  manner by its baggage, and the remainder of the
ordnance train.
The 3d division will march one hour after the 2d, followed
by its baggage and the general supply train.  The rear
guard to be composed of two companies of regulars, one
froitm each division, will follow the supply train, and close
the march.




128               ON TO MONTEREY.
2. In case the Texan volunteers, under Major General
HIenderson, should arrive in time, they will be thrown in
advance, except four companies, which will form the rearguard instead of the infantry above indicated.  The dragoons
in that case will march with the first division. Four men
frorn Captain Gillespie's company will be attached to each
of the rear divisions —2d and volunteers-to be employed as
expresses, etc.
3. The habitual order of battle will be as follows: The Ist
division on the right, the 2d division on the left, and the
volunteer division in the center.  The chiefs of divisions will
organize such reserves as they may deem necessary.  The
above order is not invariable, but may be controlled by the
nature of the ground.
By order of Maitjor General TAYLOR,
W. W. S. BLISTS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
At c(awn on the 18th of September, the slumbering camp
was aroused by the gay notes of the reveille from drum and
bugle.  In a few  minutes, the thousand tents which had
checkered the verdant little valley disappeared, the morning
meal was eaten, and the foremost troops began to cross the
stream and march toward Mionterey, still eight leagues distant.  It was an animating spectacle, that gallant little army
of ours, pressing boldly forward to the mountain peaks that
had long guided our steps, and which stood like giant sentinels around the city that was soon to rock and ring with the
shock of contending arms. But doubtless there were some




CANALES! CANALES!                    129
sad countenances and heavy hearts amlong the villagers, who,
from their lofty situation, watched the column  as it uncoiled
fiom the valley, and stretched, like a huge serpent over the
hills.  Far away to the south-west, a moving cloud of dust
told the position and progress of the advance corps.  For a
long distance, the road could be traced by the bright bayonets that heaved and flashed like breaking waves, over the
dark, green thickets, while near at hand, battalions and batteries were wheeling successively into column, as prompt to
execute, as to hear the loud, quick words of command.
Iamer's brigade being the last to march that day —the
brigades of the volunteer division led by turns —we did nrot
get in motion till 9 o'clock.  Just before that hour, and
while the companies were standing at ease, awaiting further
orders, a fat, greasy-looking Mexican, mounted upon a little
sway-backed nmule, came galloping up the valley toward us.
Though the animal was goaded to the top of its speed with
whip and spIn's, the rider yet continued to use his arms and
legs so industriously, that it was evident that his progress
was not satisfactory, or at all equal to his notion ot the
importance of his errand.  As he drew near, it was perceived that the man was badly frightened.  The mule, too,
seemed to participate in his master's fears, and was honestly doing his petite possible in the race.  To the many
questions, in imingled English and Spanish, with which he
was greeted as he came within ear-shot, his only reply was,' canales! Canalcdes! " 1 ycleped at every jump, as he dashed
* The name of a partisan leader of some celebrity among the border Mexicans;
and who, according to their many and conflicting rumors, was ubiquitous. He
owes the newspaper notoriety which he gained during the war, mnore to the extra



130            JOINED BY THE TrEXAN ItANGEtS.
throu-gh the camnp, and splashed across the stream, not pausing  for exf leanation, in his anxiety to place as mlany troops
as possible between himself and the dreaded pursuer.
Our druimmers immediately beat "'to the color, "' and the
compllanies ran quickly into line.  Those who had heretofore
complained  of their  tedious  position  in  the  rear, then
rejoiced at being in the post of honor.  All were anxious for
an encounter with the much talked of Canales, the lBayard
of thie Greasers, and every eye was turned in the direction
whence the-l flying Aiexican had come.  Soon the tramp of
horses, andc the clatter of armns, informed  us that a large
mounted tirce was rapidly approaching.  A few nmoments of
anxious interest and unbroken silence ensued, terminating'
noIt as all expected, in  the shouts of angry defiance that
-ung upon every tongue, but in cheers of friendly welcome,
as the advancing party was recognized to be the Texan reginments of' Colonels I-lays and Woods.  They passed us at a
rapid trot, to gain their position in the columnvI.  The terrified
Mexican, not knowing that the principal part of our cavalry
was a'dvancing on the lower or China road, had taken Gene'al T-Henderson's brigade for the troopp  of Canales, an interview  with whom, he, being a muleteer in our service, reasonably supposed would not be very agroeeable just at that
tinme.
orldluary fear with which his name inspired some of the eountry people, and the
ihpelrblolical representations of our letter-writing corps, than to any success as a
z'ccrrdilft. As, for a long time after our arrival in the country, we had only Ieard
(J/ him, and alm1ost of'himn alone, I had begun to regard Senor Canales as a "mla
in buckhranm," and every Mexican account of his audacity and courage as a mere
Inyth.
* Thec Jiglul to lirm by battatlion,




WE RZEACH SAN FRANCISCO.            131
The army marched five leagues on the 18th, and before
dusk had encircled, with its camp, the little village of San
Francisco, which, like all others on our route, was nearly
deserted. During the day, the men traveled merrily and
briskly, their ardor increasing at every step which brought
them nearer to the foe. The jest and repartee flew rapidly
fiomn rank to rank, and the songs were more frequent and
vociferous. The few old campaigners, in the regiment, had
already taught their young comrades some merry, marchingballads, the measure of which chimed well with the swinging
route step. Thus they went on, laughing and singing, over
hill and plain; and, in the light-heartedness and unconcern
of youth, extracting mirth from  every trivial incident or
accident of the march. Of course, in such a campaign,
laughable as well as lamentable events were of frequent
occurrence; and the former, by afobrding amusement, served
to lessen the fatigues of duty. A scene, so ludicrous that it
has not yet escaped from my memory, was witnessed between
Alarin and San Francisco. It was one of those that should
be seen to be enjoyed; and which tle pencil of Hogarth or
Cruikshank could describe more faithfully than the pen of
Dickens or Thiackeray.
In the progress of the march we came to a creek, or rather
what our western woodsman call a sccte; the boggy banks
and muddy bottom  of which had been much cut up by the
trains in advance. It was a sluggish stream of disgusting
mire, which the wheels and feet of preceding battalions had
scattered far along the road, causing it to look, as a sergeant
remarked, "'like the slimy track of an army of mnud-tur



132               SCENEs AT THE FOR)D.
ties."  A short halt was necessarily made, in order that the
men might cross as comfortably as possible, during which
the companies successfully passed over under a lively crossfire of wit and ridicule, drawn forth by the little accidents
which befell many in the ford. One of the first to scramble
up the opposite bank, was a stout, good-natured son of the
Emerald Isle, who possessed a fill share of all those qualities which have given the Irish a deservedly high reputation
as soldiers in all quarters of the globe; for what land has not
witnessed their constancy and courage?  After attempting
to shake off the brown mud that incased his legs, he turned
and shouted to those behind: 1" Ah! my jolly chaps, ye'll
all be Quakers by the time yez get through that swate boghole? )  Then, after another survey of his nether integuments, " upon me sowl, it's as lovely a drab as ever was
dyed! "  " Come on, boys," he continued " never fare the
Red Say; sure, and was'nt it the Israelites thimsilves that
made yer pantaloons?"  This allusion to the Jew tailors of
Cincinnati-who, it was supposed, had tcAen, ien some of the
companies in their clothing contracts —and the idea that any
such saving virtue as that insinuated, should linger in their
threadbare garments, convulsed all with laughter. A short
man, whose uniform was exceedingly ragged, waded the creek
at my side, holding to my stirrup-iron, while I carried his
musket. I-He, less fortunate than his long-legged comrades,
was plastered fiom waist-belt to brogans, usque adC nauseCamn.
On taking his gun he remarked: " that's first rate mud, sir
it's patched all the holes in my trowsers." But the odor,
I suggested, might not be quite as agreeable as that of spring




THE DONKEY FORDING.              133
flowers. He laughingly replied that he thought it would not
be so bad when it became dry, and with great good humor
turned away to take his place in the ranks.
Among the foremost to reach the stream was the bugler of
one of our flank (rifle) companies. He had obtained a
donkey somewhere and somehow on the route; one of the
most deformed of its ugly species. Its head was nearly as
large as its body, and supported a pair of ears that the
prince of asses or of darkness might have envied. The little
animal was quite a pet with the men, and had been made to
play a part in many comic scenes. It was unusually lively
and musical withal, and seldom failed to lend its melodious
vocal accompaniment to the instrumental performances of
its master. The wags of the regiment pretended to regard
it as the chief musician of the corps, and to incense the
drum-major, sometimes offered mock obedience to its bray.
This wonderful production of the animal kingdom the bugler
had been permitted to ride during the march, much to his
own satisfaction, and the amusement of others. When near
the bank of the muddy creek, the donkey "G smelt a rat'"-a
muskrat, perhaps, in that situation-and halting, suddenly
braced himself back in the usual manner of his stubborn
race; and which graceful attitude was understood to signify:
"here's one donkey that won't go it."  Without pausing-in
the words of a popular comic song-"' to give him some hay,
and ax him to go," the rider, by the prompt application of a
stout cudgel, compelled him to enter the water and advance
a few steps from the shore. While in that situation, one
of the heaviest men in the battalion mounted behind the




183'            REACHI SAN FRANCISCO.
musician, and humorously insisted upon being " toted"
across. The little animal, already overladed, sank deep in
the mire under the additional weight, and becoming seriously
alarmed, stretched its head toward the dry land and brayed
both loud and long. In vain did the merry bugler coax, or
the soldier en crou pe, prick with his bayonet. The beast of
Balaam was not more immoveable. The predicament of the
pet donkey, naturally enough, elicited many amusing remarks
from the men, as they waded across. " Well, Bob," said
one to a comrade, " I always did admire music on the water,
and that ere jackass is a full brass band —7e is."  Another
hailing the bugler, poli.tely desired to be informed "' whether
he intended to run all night'? A third ventured to tell him
that if he wished to stop, he could do so by " pulling the
strings." The hind quarters of the poor animal were, by
this time, setting rapidly in the bog, while its ears stuck out
like the masts of a stranded ship.'Twig him  now,"
shouted some one,'"he's going down stern foremost."
" Throw your guns overboard!   " Take to the life boats!'
and many other such exclamations were made by the crowd.
The bugler's donkey was finally brought over, as were the
wagons, by dint of much laborious pushing and pulling.
After a general scraping off we again moved forward, and
though halting "to noon" at the village of Agua Frio,
reached camp at San Francisco before sunset.
Such scenes as that I have attempted to describe, often
enlivened our march to Monterey; and toward the close of
it, the regiment was in excellent health and cheerfully encountered every labor and difficulty. To our young troops,




rTIE SPCENERY ON THE ROUTE.          135
even the dangers and the duties of the service had a romance
in them  that was particularly fascinating. Owing to the
absence of sufficient means of conveyance, or the negligence
of the rear-guard, many tents and much private btaggagemine included —had been left by the muleteers at Cerralvo;
and it was not until many days after the battle of Monterey that we recovered them. lMy friends made themselves
merry over my misfortune, especially as they knew that the
mule which I had purchased at Camargo had been claimed
for the public service, and probably had aided in the transportation of their own baggage. But I had remaining a
good saddle-blanket, and as the ground was dry and the
weather clear, suffered no great hardship.
The scenery, which daily became more interesting and
charming, was an ever-present source of pleasure to some of
us. Before reaching Marin, the road, deflecting to the west,
had brought us almost imperceptibly into a broad valley
which was inclosed on the one side by the gigantic Sierra
Madre, and on the other by the Cerralvo range. The mountains, first seen from Mier, floating like clouds in the distance, now reared their bold and rugged peaks far into the
sky, showing
"How earth may pierce to heaven, yet leave vain man below.'
These massive palaces of nature increased in hight and
grandeur as we advanced; the gorge or pass through the
Sierra Madre, at the mouth of which Monterey is situated,
expanding as we approachedl, daily, almost hourly, disclosed
new beauties to the eye.
"Thus, from afar, each dim-discovered scene,
More pleasing seems, than all the past hath been."




136               THE SIERRA MADRE.
The mountain scenery of Northern Mexico is singularly
striking and grand. The Sierra Madcre chain differs from all
that I have seen, in the abruptness with which it rises, like a
vast wall, from the bosom of the plain. And a most suitable boundary it is, for the wide and wild expanse that lies
between it and the coast. The great Appalachian range of
the United States, having its feet buried in numberless broad
and high-rolling hills, does not so fill the eye or the heart.
Unlike our mountains, too, the Sierra nMadre wears no forest
drapery around its majestic form; a few pines and cedars
alone fringing its summit, or crowning the pinnacle of some
jutting crag. Yet the rough, weather-stained rocks upon its
sides, deeply set in moss, and half overgrown with shrubs,
vines, and the bright-flowering cacti, make it a beautiful
object, and one which the lover of scenery will ever "clasp
firmly in the mind's embrace." I have gazed upon it at all
hours and seasons, and always with increased delight. View
it when you will —and'tis ever attracting the mutsing eyeeither when night melts into morn, and the growing light
disrobes it of the cloudy garment it sometimes wears; when
glowing at midday in the soft light of serenest skies; when
twilight lingers o'er its craggy sides,' beautiful as dreams of
heaven;'  or when the silvery moon, at evening bright,
walks o'er its dewy crest; it is always grand and enchanting.
Even now, it rises before the mental -vision, its towering
peaks and richly tinted slopes looming through the mellow
haze of that entrancing climate like a shadowy specter, called
up by some magician's incantations.
At San Francisco, after taking a hearty supper, composed,




THE EVENING AT SAN FRANCISCO.                 137
as usual, of coffee, hard biscuit, and tough beef, (the stereotyped bill of fare, to which sometimes was added a kid or
chicken,) a friend and myself climbed upon the flat roof of
one of the village houses, to enjoy the view and evening
breeze from the mountains.  The prospect was an agreeable
one, and  amply  compensated us for all the braises and
scratches attending the ascent, caused by thrusting the hands
and feet into the holes which  Mexican masons leave in
the outer walls, as the only means of reaching the roofs of
such buildings. The surrounding country was flat and
uncultivated, slightly descending toward the Sierra Madre in
our front. We turned our eyes in that direction, hoping to
obtain a glimpse of Monterey, knowing its position between
the now  prominent Saddle and  Al-ter mountains~ —peaks
which had long been to our march, as the cloud to the path
of Israel. But the advancing shadows from the Sierra, and
the dense foliage of the shallow valley in which it is situated,
concealed it from view. In the gardens and streets of the
hamlet, and in the few green fields around it, lay our army,
just then busied with the last labors of the day.  On one
side of us were the quiet and sytematic blue-clad soldiers of
the old line; on the other, the gay and rollicking volunteers,
diverse in their uniforms as their states.  Many of these last
seemed unusually merry, and little thought or cared for the
* These lofty mountains, jutting friom the main range of the Sierra Madre, flank
the city on the east and west, and obtain their names from the very stronlg resemblance which their peaks respectively bear to the deep-seated Spanish saddle, and
a Bishop's miter. They are correctly and beautifully represented in the lithographed
views of Monterey, taken from pictures by that accomplished artist, Captain Whiting, of the 7th Infantry.




138             WOLVES AND ROBBERS.
morrow, on which some of them were to make their last
march on earth.
Though the hostile armies were then almost within sound
of each other's drums, the Mexicans continued to practice
their policy of "'6a masterly inactivity," and had evidently
concluded, rather than get into any disagreeable scrapes, to
let us have our own way. An invading army in the United
States, I take it, would have fared somewhat less comfortably. The boasted light cavalry of Ainpudia, must have been
composed of apathetic and most unenterprising fellows, or
methinks they would have preferred a dash into our lines,
some pleasant night, to the dull amusements afforded by the
fondas of Monterey. Though there were many favorable
positions for ambuscades along our route, yet nothing more
formidable than the natural difficulties of roads and climate
harassed our march; nothing more alarming than the howl
of greedy wolves disturbed the repose of our camps. These
animals, by the way, are very numerous throughout the
country, and were induced, by the savor of our mess-pans,
to give us frequent serenades. They are very bold, too, and
great pests to the shepherds and herdsmen. I have occasionally seen them at dusk, prowling within the suburbs of
large towns, a temerity encouraged by the absence of a rural
population in Northern Mexico; for there, the whole country
without the walls of the villages, is surrendered to the beast
and bandit. The season was exceedingly propitious for both
these animals. The robber accepted a pardon from his government, and took, in addition to his plunder, the pay of a
guerrilla; and the wolf not only obtained an unusual share




THE FIItST GUN FROM MONTERtEY.            139
of ox, mule, and horse flesh, but many a human corse found
its way into his rapacious maw.
At sunrise on the 19th of September, General Taylor with
the mounted troops marched froim San Francisco, followed,
at intervals of an hour, by the three infantry divisions.  The
order of march being the same as that of the previous day,
we were again in the rear. We had scarcely left the village,
when a cannon-shot was heard in the direction of Montereyr.
Every man instantly, and almost involuntarily, stopped to
catch the sound.  It was the first hostile gun many of us had
ever heard, and for thile moment arrested every word and
thought.
" But hark! that heavy sound breaks in once more,
As if the clouds its echo would repeat,
And nearer, clearer, deadlier, than before!
On! on! it is-it is the cannon's opening roar!"
The first solitary and rather indistinct report was soon followed by the unmistakable  booming of distant artillery,
which rolled, on the morning breeze, far over the widespreading  plain.  "Column, forward!  Quick —march I'
shouted the chiefs of battalions, and away the men went at a
stride which kept the mounted officers in a trot. Every heart
beat high with new and strong emotions, and the most desirable enthusiasm pervaded the various companies and regiments, as they dashed, with their rattling accouterments,
through the chaparral, like a swollen and angry torrent
through  some mountain  glen.  All supposed  that the
advance guard had encountered the enemy in force outside
the city walls, and, knowing the value of minutes on such'
occasions, we pressed forward for some miles at the greatest
speed compatible with order. The heat and extraordinary




140      THlE ARMY ENCAMP AT SANTO DOMINGO.
exertion were beginning to tell upon the men, when a
dragoon-his horse covered with mud and foam-came dashing to the rear, to inform us that the firing was from one of
the Mexican forts upon General Taylor and the Texan troops,
who had ventured within range of the enemy's guns.
This intelligence allowed a most welcome halt, after which
the imarch was renewed and finished at a more comfortable
pace. The road, as we approached the city, had been much
broken up by the enemy, and in some places flooded by the
damming of little streams that crossed it, so that the soldiers
were again compelled to push the wagons through the mire.
The army encamped in the beautiful grove of Santo
Domingo, two miles from  Monterey. A slight elevation,
about midway concealed the city from  our view. This
delightful camping-ground was erroneously called, by the letter-writers, 6the Walnut Springs."  The grove contains
perhaps more than one hundred acres, and is composed
chiefly of live oak and pecan trees, whose spreading boughs
are thickly covered with the funereal drapery of Spanish
moss. It is watered by many clear, gushing springs, the
moisture of which has probably caused the remarkable
growth of forest trees, so uncommon in that country. The
shade and water it afforded, made it a charming spot-just
the place, indeed, in which to refresh a travel-worn army for
battle.




CHIAPTER VI.
THE reconnoisance.-Beautiful view of the city and valley of Monterey.-Description of the fortifications.-Worth's division sent to- seze- the Saltillo road, and
attack the western defenses.-Skirmish with the Mexican cavalry.-The action
of San Jeronimo.-Divisions of Twiggs and Butler advanced on the north.Attack of Garland's column upon the north-east corner of the city.-Its result.Advance of Quitman's brigade.-The Teneria captured. —The 1st Ohio regiment enters the town.-Its operations.-Charge of' lancers. —The repulse.-Loss
and gain of our army on the 21st of September.-View of Worth's operations on
the 21st and 22d.-The hights are stormed, and the castle carried.-The iMexicans retire upon their second line during the night of the 22d.-Street fights on
the 23d.-The capitulation of the 24th.-Taylor's letter vindicating it.-Ampudia's proclamation.
THE  city of Monterey derives its name from  the Conde de
Monterey, one of the earlier Spanish viceroys of Mexico.  It
is the capital of the State of lNueva Leon, and the most
beautiful city in the northern section of the republic. Say
the Mexican  historians of the war*-" The houses of Monterey are sufficiently handsome. Buildings of hewn stone,
streets regularly intersecting, specious plazas, and a cathedral
of magnificent architecture.  A  river, clear as crystal, flows
on one side of the city, on whose borders there are romantic
rural cottages, and gardens with thick foliage.  The city from
its origin had enjoyed repose; even the civil revolutions had
many times spared it, sacred to the frontier. After the misfortunes on the Rio  Bravo,  the whirlwind of war menaced
it closely, and the inhabitants anticipated the grievous and
mournftiul conflict." Situated in a fertile valley, in the midst
* "Notes of the War," p. 65.




142               THIE RECONNOISANCE.
of lofty and picturesque mountains, nature has invested it
with many charms, and blessed it with that mild, dry, and
salubrious climate, common to elevated intertropical locations.
The city is said to contain a population of twelve thousand.
It exhibits no evidences of prosperity, and is chiefly supported by the wealthy landholders of the department, who
from social or political considerations have established their
residences within its enchanting precincts. It has no manufactures, and but few shops. The bustle of business is seldom
seen, the noise of mechanics' tools rarely heard within its
walls. Indeed, the modern Mexicans seem to be scarcely
superior to the semi-civilized aborigines, in their knowledge
of the useful or decorative arts.  And, judging from  the.aspect of the country traversed in our march, they are not
even as well instructed in agriculture as those mysterious and
most interesting races who formerly possessed the land.
As previously stated, the army encamped before Monterey
on Saturday, the 19th of September. During that day, and
most of the next, our engineers were engaged in reconnoitering the city. So completely were its batteries, and the whole
town, masked by luxuriant gardens and embowering trees,
that but little information concerning its defenses could be
obtained, though the reconnoisance was wonderfully extensive, at least one fifth of the inquisitive volunteers assisting
in it. At the enlivening suggestion of a friend-" ye living
men come view the ground, where you must shortly lie"-a
few of us, soon after our arrival, had ridden down to the hill
midway between the camp and city, and were surprised to
find a great number of our soldiers already there. Some of




THE RECONNOISANCE.                        143
them were strolling far down the slope toward the citadel,
which, being situated just outside the northern suburb, was
the only fortification distinctly visible. In the general desire
to see that as yet unseen biped, a Mexican soldier, they had
escaped from the camp, unarmed, and under various pretenses.  The conduct of these men must have been no less
surprising to the enemy, who were perhaps prevented from
making a sally by the fear of some stratagem  or ambuscade.
In the event of a sudden onset of Lancers, the rash stragglers, defenseless and on foot, would have been slaughtered
to a man."
Of course the Texan brigade was numerously represented
in  such  an adventurous assembly, but the Rangers, being
mounted  on  fleet horses, could  in  any  emergency  have
retreated safely to the camp. Like boys at play on the first
frail ice with which winter has commenced to bridge their
favorite stream, those fearless horsemen, in a spirit of boastful rivalry, vied with each other in approaching the very
edge of danger.   Riding  singly  and rapidly, they  swept
* The thoughtless rashness of these men elicited the following order from headquarters.
Orders                          Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
LNo. 121. s                    Camp before 1Monterey, September 20, 1853.
The commanding general finds it necessary to condemn the practice which prevails, of small, unarmed parties, and even individuals, straying from the limits of
the camp. No persons, except officers, or armed parties conducted by officers, will
be suffered to pass the exterior guards, and the several commanders will give the
necessary orders to secure an observance of this regulation. An infantry picket
will be thrown out from the 1st division upon the Monterey road, at a distance of
half a mile, whose duty it shall be to arrest all persons who may be found in that
direction violating this order.
By order of Major General TAYLOR,
W. W. S. BLISs,
Assistant Adjutant General.




144          VIEW OF THE CITY AND VALLEY.
around the plain under the walls, each one in a wider and
more perilous circle than his predecessor. Their proximity
occasionally provoked the enemy's fire, but the Mexicans
might as well have attempted to bring down skimming
swallows as those racing dare-devils. While the marvelous
ring performances of that interesting equestrian troupe were
in progress, the artillerists of the citadel amused themselves
by shooting at the spectators on the hill. But the volunteers
kept one eye at least upon the fort, and wisely scattered
whenever they saw the flash and smoke rise from its battlements.  The distance of the battery from  the elevation on
which we were, about 1300 yards, afforded sufficient time for
a change of position before the balls fell hissing to the earth,
generally upon the spot where a group of men had been
standing.  The excellence of the enemy's guns, and the skill
with which they were served, were the subjects of mingled
admiration and regret.
From the position we occupied, a magnificent prospect met
our gaze. In the verdant valley before us, lay the beautiful
capital of New  Leon, sparkling like a gem  in the bright
beams of the evening sun. The houses of Monterey, covered with a hard, white stucco that glistened like polished
marble, were seen in glimpses through the acacia and orange
trees of the suburbs.
"Amid the shade of trees its dwellings rose,
Their level roofs with turrets set around,
And battlements all burnished white, which shone
Like silver in the sunshine."
In the rear or south side of the city, and at no great distance from  it, was the Sierra Madre chain, while on the




VIEW OF THE CITY AND VALLEY.          145
east and west rose those remarkable mountains heretofore
described, now seen from base to summit in all their grand
proportions. As we looked upon the refulgent and beautiful
city, reposing in the green valley, its charms coquettishly
hightened by their partial concealment in the fragrant foliage of the gardens, the lofty and insolated Saddle and Miter
mountains, along whose sides floated many golden clouds,
like ships drifting upon a lazy tide, the whole scene was in
such striking contrast to the country over which we had
recently passed, that we seemed to have arrived at the very
gates of Paradise. A paradise, alas! too soon to be converted into a Pandemonium. But with the roar of a hostile
battery in our ears, we did not regard that lovely landscape
with the calm delight of pacific and pleasure-seeking tourists.
The imposing yet beautiful aspect of the city awaiting the
combat, was viewed with feelings rather akin to those with
which the keen huntsman, after a long and fatiguing pursuit,
suddenly confronts some much-prized and formidable foe, at
bay in its mountain lair. Its rare beauty and unexpected
strength kindles anew the waning enthusiasm of the chase,
and causes him " to hold hard the breath, and bend up every
spirit," for the inevitable and doubtful struggle.
Linked in the memory with our first view of Montery, is
one of those sublime and fleeting merial scenes, by which the
heavens are often made to declare the glory of God and
the firmament to show his handiwork, and whose surpassing
grandeur appeals to'" every thing that hath breath to praise
the Lord."  There is a deep and romantic mountain gorge
west of the city, through which passes the road to Saltillo,




146                    A CLOUD SCENE.
and the interior of Mexico."  As we lingered upon the hill
to survey the dangerous charms of our fascinating foe, we
beheld a dense cloud far up the pass, rolling rapidly down,
like all Alpine torrent, toward the city.  It completely filled
the gorge, and concealed in its massive folds every crag and
shrub as it advanced.  It differed from  the wonderful cloud
we had observed with so much interest at Camargo, especially
in the ominous silence attending its progress. Both were
presented to our gaze about the same hour of the day, but
that seen at Camargo, approaching us from  the east, was
brightened and adorned by the rays of the setting sun, while
this, coming from the west, frowned darkly and fearfully upon
us.  As it advanced, it continued to rise and spread until it
occupied the whole of the narrow valley through which it
moved. The slanting rays of light from the west, piercing
its thin, upper folds, formed a foam-like crest upon the cloud
cataract. It was a mute and magnificent representation of
Niagara.  The resemblance was more perfect when the cloud,
reaching the mouth of the pass, encountered a strong current
of air flowing parallel with the Sierra Madre, which, while
holding it firmly within its mountain banks, whirled in wild
eddies the heavy vapor at its base, and scattered into mist
the more elevated and projecting portions of the mass. Like
some mighty host suddenly and impetuously assailed when
marching in close column through a narrow defile, the broken
* Through this gorge, which widens into the pretty little valley of Santa
Catalina, is the only practicable route for wagons and artillery to be found in the
whole range of the Sierra Madre. There is another pass through the rocky rampart, many leagues to the eastward, leading to Tula de Tamaulipas, but it is rough
and precipitous —merely a bridle path.




THE NIGHT BEFORE TIHE BATTLE.          147
and tumultuous cloud, unable to extend its front, was dispersed as rapidly as it advanced. In this splendid spectacle,
this combat of the elements, the deities of the air had imparted to us a practical lesson in the art of war.
Having loitered around the city until the glimmering landscape faded from the sight, we galloped back to camp. It
was a pleasant night, and I did not regret that duty called
me to watch through its witching hours. A solemn stillness
pervaded the camp, when, soon after our return, I set out to
visit the guard. Miany of the men, whose tents had been
lost on the march, were stretched in sleep beneath the umbrageous trees, dreaming, perhaps, of the kindred and country
some of them were never more to see. A few individuals
wrapped in their blankets were sitting or standing, silent and
alone, their minds, it may be, occupied with dazzling and
ambitious hopes of distinction, or obscured by gloomy presentiments of the coming strife. As I groped my way among
the many obstructions which then filled the grove, I came
upon a party of officers who were discussing in low and
earnest tones, the rumored result of the first reconnoisance.
In a brief conversation with them, I discovered that they were
all greatly disappointed in the strength of the city, and
anticipated a sanguinary conflict. One of them, a thorough
soldier, asserted that any attempt to take the place without a
battering train, would be to convert the army into a forlorn
hope. But dark as the prospect was, all had evidently determined to triumph or die, and in passing the canteen, united
in the sentiment, that a victory worthy of our arms and
country might be gained at Monterey.  The volunteers




148          ANTICIPATIONS OF THE BATTLE.
being generally inexperienced in military affairs, yet having
blind confidence in their Chief, had no idea that the means
in our possession were considered inadequate to the easy
accomplishment of the object in view, and I believe that
most of them would gladly have stormed at any hour.
But belligerent as man is said to be by nature, and anxious
as all were to participate in that most interesting of great
events, a battle, yet, probably, there were but few persons in
the army who could regard with indifference such a trial as
was then at hand. Officers high in rank, or occupying those
fortunate positions which secure for them a favorable mention
in the official reports, may see bright rewards glittering in
the dark and dangerous future. In their ears, the weird sisters may whisper mystic promises of the Presidency, the
Senate, and Foreign Missions. But life is their stake also,
and considering the responsibilities as well as the rewards
attending rank and station, it is doubtful whether their
minds are as much at ease on the eve of battle, as those
of the nameless soldiers, abused in the particular, and
applauded in the aggregate, who are destined to die unwept,
or live unhonored. To all ranks, particularly to us raw volunteers, the proximity of our enemy, and the certainty of combat, was strangely exciting. How anxiously did the mind at
that hour contemplate the future!  How busy, too, was
memory with the past!  How  ineffably pleasing to the
aroused senses were all the works of nature then!  For
ourselves we would confess, that when emerging from the
shadow of the wood, we entered the open, moonlight plain in
which the guard was stationed, the earth and its, 6' majestical




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TI-ILH MORNING OF THE SABBiATI.          119
roof, fretted with golden fire," seemed more beautiful than
ever before.
"The balmiest sigh
Which vernal zephyrs breathe in evening's ear,
Were discord to the speaking quietude
That wrapt the moveless sccne."
The scene was, in truth, divinely calm and fair. Even the
stern sentinels yielded to its influence, and like the radiant
orbs above them, moved in solemn -silence through the night.
The large force assembled at the guard-station was unusually
quiet, and while the men stood leaning on their arms, ready
for any emergency, the thoughts of many had doubtless flown
through that pure, serene, effulgent air, back over the wild
and thirsty plains of the tierrc ccaliente, across the wide and
trackless Gulf, and up the great " Father of Waters," to the
loved ones at home. From that happy communion, they
returned to inspire many a watch-worn and weary soldier
with courage and mercy.
The Mexicans, disinclined to night operations, permitted
the hours to steal quietly on.  Before morning had " dappled
the drowsy east," or the reveille had pierced the sleeper's
ear, the army was stirring; the blazing breakfast-fires dissipated the darkness of the grand old grove, and, though no
orders for battle had been issued, the camp began to resound
with the din of preparation.  Soon the music of the distant
church-bells floated sweetly and peacefully to our ears. These
familiar sounds, it must be aclmitted, alone reminded somne
of us that it was the Sabbath; for the fourth commandment,
andc indeed almost every other not contained in the " Army
Regulations," and " Orders of the Day," seemed to be gener



150                  VISIT TO TAYLOIR.
ally ignored. Two Catholic priests were attached to our
army, but what part they were instructed to perform in the
campaign is, to the writer at least, unknown.  Qubien s;ale?
Certainly they never, perhaps for lack of encouragement,
observed the divine injunction declared by the Prophet whom
the Lord knew face to face-" And it shall be., when ye are
come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and
speak unto the people."  If, as some believed, their appointment was designed by the government as a master-strole of
policy, it deserves to rank with the admission of Santa Anna
to the blockaded port of Vera Cruz.  But whatever may
have been the motives of the Cabinet in the matter, the
worthy ecclesiastics were well received by the army, and
treated with due respect by the commanding general, who,
unlike the Constable de Bourbon, had no fear that men would
say-" Taylor is turned driveler, and rides to war in company with monks.9" -
At an early hour on the 20th, (Sunday,) I had occasion to
visit head-quarters, where I found the General sitting before
his tent, as "C calm as a summer's morning."  I learned soon
afterward that an attack would probably not be made that
day, and that the engineers under the direction of the gallant
and accomplished Mansfield, were again busied with the
reconnoisance.  The position of affairs at that period, as
will readily be seen, was well calculated to inspire the commander-in-chief with the most painful anxiety.  ]No one,
* The reverend gentlemen alluded to, were Fathers McElroy and Rey. The
former, I believe, remained at Matamoros, but the latter marched with us to Monterey, and was murdered by the Mexicans soon after the capture of the city.




SPIRIT OF THE ARMY.              151
however, who observed the cheerful manner and determined
mien with which he received his officers that morning, could
suppose that the usual serenity of his strong mind was in the
least disturbed. On the bold spirit of Taylor, difficulties
operated rather as incentives than discouragements to action.
Doubtless, as at Palo Alto, he had resolved to fight the
enemy, whenever, wherever, and in whatever numbers he
found him. His officers and soldiers were not slow to participate in his courageous impulses and resolute spirit; they,
" beholding him, pluck comfort from his looks."  But few
doubted the issue of the approaching conflict. Situated as
was our army, hundreds of miles from reinforcements, with
a powerful enemy in front, a barren and hostile country in
rear, it became absolutely necessary to beat Ampudia, and
take Monterey, cost what it might, and so, "out of this
nettle, danger, to cull the flower, safety." Why, after Congress had voted ample means to prosecute the war, our armies
in Mexico were so often placed in those fearful straits, fiom
which their deliverance appeared to be almost miraculous, is
a question that has frequently excited the attention and
astonishment of the American people. The Executive department of the government being of course responsible for the
conduct of the war, and the proper application of the men
and money granted for its prosecution, has not escaped censure; but a more charitable explanation of the matter, may
perhaps be found in the great extent of the line of military
operations, the difficulty of obtaining transportation, and the
unceasing and wasting inroads of disease. However, many
perplexing obstacles might have been avoided, and many




152        DESCRIPTrION OF T'HE ENEMY S WORKS.
lives saved, had the prudent counsels of Winfield Scott,
heretofore alluded to, been heeded by the Cabinet.
In order that the reader may have a better understanding
of the battle of Monterey, it will be well, before entering on
its description, to take a general survey of the fortifications
of the enemy, of the position and strength of many of which
we were not apprised until we received their fire in the progress of the engagement.  The outline of the city, as will be
seen firom the accompanying map, is nearly that of a parallelogramn, the longest sides being on the north and south.
The only elevated ground in its immediate vicinity that could
be made serviceable in its defense, was the steep and bare hill
of the ObispacCdo, rising from the western suburbs, and upon
which the Bishop's Castle and Fort Independence were situated. Between this hill and a spur of the Sierra Madre,
about six hundred yards to the south of it, and which was
crowned by the two forts Federacion and Soldada, runs the
river and road from the Saltillo pass.  The elevation between
our camp and the city, already mentioned, could scarcely be
termed a hill. It was merely a low swell of the plain, within
good battering distance of the town, however.  On this elevation our Mortar Battery, (save the mark!) was planted.
This forimidable battery consisted of a single ten inch concern, which looked more like some old witch's soup pot, than
one of those"Mortal engines, whose rude throats
The immortal Jove's dread clamors counterfeit."
It proved perfectly useless in that position, aid our old grayhaired chief of artillery, on observing how far short of the




THIE EINEMY S WORKS ON THE NOITIiiH.            53
city the first shell exploded, gave it a contemptuous kick
which almost sent it from the platform.
The fortifications of the exterior line on the north were,
first, the citacdel.  It was a remarkably strong work, occupying an area of two hundred and seventy yards square, and
inclosing an unfinished church, which, in its solidity, like
most others in Mexico, showed a military as well as a religious design.  Indeed, the churches have been almost as
conspicuous in the wars of modern AMexico, as were the
G teocalles,"' pyramidal temples of the aborigines, in the
Spanish invasion.  This fortress, standing just on the edge
of the plain, commanded every approach to the northern
suburbs, which, thinly  covered  with  humble  dwellings,
environed by luxuriant gardens, stretched from  east to west
the whole length of the city.  Lofty hedges, and rows of
fruit trees divided these suburban  squares, whose dense
fbliage served to screen numerous parties of lurking shlarpshooters.  A  small stream  flows between the city and this
suburb.  The Mariin road, upon which we advanced, and
which is the principal thoroughfare fromn the north, crosses
this stream, and at once enters the city by the bridge of the
Purlsimua, a substantial stone structure, ciefenlded by artillery
and infantry.  All the streets leading in the same direction
were barricaded at the stream, down to the edge of which the
city is compactly built.  To turn these works, thereobre,
flanked by massive stone houses, full of troops, was out of
the question.  And no prudent officer, advised of their
strength  and position, would assault them  until he had
probed in vain for a more vulnerable point in the enemy's




154         WORKS ON TIHE WEST, SOUTIH  AND EAST.
exterior line.  Such were the defenses on the north side of
the city.
On the west were, the Bi8swp's  Cc'stle, situated  about
midway up the rugged  slope of the hill of the Obispado,
Fiort  nidepeqzdencia, crowning its summit, and forts Federacionr and Soldctda, on a spur of the Sierra Iadre, south of
the Saltillo road.  These fortifications, with the citadel, were
the only military works observable from  the plain.  Naturally
strong, and occupied by the enemy in considerable force, they
seemed impregnable, and the troops selected to storm them
were generally regarded as enfcans  erdus.'~
On the south and east, the walls of the city are washed by
a broad and rapid river, which flows from  distant and almost
inaccessible ravines of the Sierra Madre.  Its high and precipitous banks were defended by the redoubts, lca   eneria,
Diabolo,  i6bertad, with other smaller batteries, all so connected by houses and fleches of masonry, as to form  a continuous line of defense on those two sides.  In additon to
these works of the first, or exterior line, commanding all the
approaches to the city, there was a vast number of interior
street fortifications.  Every square was defended by barricades, some ten or twelve feet in thickness, and  many of
* These hights were, however, carried by General Worth's division, with such
trifling loss, that many persons, supposing it the weakest point in the enemy's
defenses, have suggested that our whole army should have attacked on the west.
But it was (naturally at least) the strongest section of the Mexican line, and its
cheap conquest is alike due to the admirable strategy of Worth, and to the extraordinary diversion, made in aid of his operations, by the ardent tr'oops under Taylor, on the opposite side of the city. Had the whole American army been thrown
upon the enemy's western defenses, it must be considered that, instead of meeting
the garrisons only of the forts stormed by Worth, it would certainly have encountered Ampudia's entire force on the Obispado hill.




AMIERICAN TRiOOPS AT MONTEREY.          155
them having embrasures for guns, while the flat roofs, surrounded by high and massive parapets, made each house a
fortress. At least ten thousand troops, regulars and citizen
auxiliaries, with fifty pieces of artillery, held the town, the
entire population of which was animated by a spirit of determined hostility.  They were fighting, as they believed, for
all that could nerve men to the most desperate resistance.
For the reduction of the city, thus fortified and defended,
General Taylor had about six thousand men of all arms.
Unfortunately he had no artillery suitable for a siege. With
the aid of a half dozen heavy guns, it is believed that we
could have taken lMtonterey in half the time, and with a tenth
of the lives it eventually cost us.
The following is a list of the corps comprising the Six
Thousand. But few of them had more than half their complement of men, and some had even less.
First Division-GENERAL TWIGGS.
3d Brigade,       2d Dragoons,
i Ridgely's Battery,
Commanded by   
L 3d Infantry,
Lt. Col. Garland. 4th Infantry.
4th Brigade,    (Braggs battery,
Commanded by j Ist Infantry,
Lt. Col. Wilson. (Baltimore Battalion.
Secozd Divisionz-GENERAL WORTH.
1st Brigade,    (Duncan's battery,
Commanded by r Artillery battalion, (serving as infantry)
Major Staniford. I8th Infantry.




156          AMERICAN TROOPS AT MIONTEREY.
25d Brigade,     rMackall's battery,
I 5th Infantry,
Commanded by        th Infantry,
Col. P. F. Smith. 1 th Infantry,
~lBlanchard's Company of La. Volunteers.
Third Divi8ion, GENERAL BUTLER.
Brigade of   i 1st Ohio regiment,
Gen. Hamer.  1st Kentucky regiment.
Brigade of     $I 1st Tennessee regiment,
Gen. Quitman.  Mississippi Rifle regiment.
Gen. Henderson. i 1st Regiment Texan Rangers,
2d  c                  c
Webster's battery (two 24-pound HIowizers) 1st Artillery.
It was evident from the first that there would be a vigorous defense. The enemy made no petty sallies, or boastful
displays of strength, but lay quietly behind their walls,
awaiting the attack for which they were so well prepared.
The greatest difficulty, that of breaking the exterior line, and
effecting a lodgment within the city, was to be encountered
at the outset. That accomplished, the enemy's superiority of
artillery would be no longer felt, and the rest of the work
would be comparatively easy to our skillful troops. HIad we
possessed a correct knowledge of the Mexican works, there
can be no question, it is presumed, but that a night attack
would have been advisable under the circumstances. In the
want of all reliable information, the battle promised, as
indeed it proved to be, a headlong assault of infantry columns over an open plain, within full view and range of the




WORTHI DIRECTED TO SEIZE THE SALTILLO PASS.   15'h'
enemy's batteries.  It has been remarked by a popular
American historian that, " to defend walls, a body of shlarpshooting militia may be as serviceable as the oldest and best
trained troops, but to attack them, requires that perfect discipline, and unyielding courage, which neither pain, nor death
itself, can unsettle or subdue."  Yet courage and discipline
alone will not always insure success in such contests. The
assailants should have a sufflcient weight of numbers to enable
them, after deducting the loss necessarily suffered in the long
charge, to overcome the force against which the blow is
directed.
By the reconnoissance on Sunday morning, September
20th, it was discovered that the enemy's defenses on the west,
were not as strong as at first glance they had appeared
to be, General Amnpudia having placed a delusive confidence
in the natural advantages he possessed in that quarter. The
commanding general at once determined to seize the Saltillo
road, by which route, on the day before our arrival, a conduzcta with a large amount of money and provisions had
reaclhed the garrison. The roads on the north and east were
already ours, and our cavalry swept the intervening country.
By this movemlent to the west, therefore, we should cut off all
communication with the beleaguered city, except by the laborious foot-pathls across the steep Sierra in its rear. B1revet
Brigadier General Worth, whose splendid division, increased
to a force of 2000 men by the addition of Hays' regiment of
Rangers, immediately got under arms, was instructed, "d to
endeavor, by a detour to the right, to reach the Saltillo pass,
qffect a thorough reconnoissance of the approaches to the city
S




158          WORTH ADVANCES TO THE PASS.
from that direction, to cut off supplies and reinforcements,
and, if practicable, carry the hights."
The whole army united in commending General Taylor,
for assigning this hazardous and honorable service to Worth,
not only on account of the pre-eminent qualifications he
possessed for it, but because it gave that distinguished officer
an opportunity of healing his fame, which had been so
G shrewdly gored," at the commencement of the war. General Worth promptly and cheerfully accepted the important
commission, with the remark, it is said, that it should bring
him  a'"grade or a grave."  Hie marched from  the main
camp at El Bosque de St. Domingo, at 2 o'clock, P. iM~., September 20th, in high spirits, and at the head of one of the
finest bodies of troops ever arrayed under the standard of
the United States. A Mexican prisoner, with a hempen
cravat about his neck, was led by the Texans as a guide. It
was hoped that the circuitous march of the division through
the chaparral would not be perceived by the enemy, and
Generals Twiggs and Butler were ordered to display their
commands in front of the city, in order to divert attention
from the seriously menaced point. This ruse  dec gterre,
however, was unsuccessful. The large bodies of infantry
that were soon seen pressing up the hights to reinforce the
garrison of the castle, indicated that Worth's movement had
been discovered. Owing to the difficulties of the ground,
and the consequent delay in making the route practicable for
acrtillery, the division was occupied the whole afternoon in
its march from the camp to the pass. About dark, the Mexican cavalry, which had been favorably posted on the slope




THE lMORNING OF TIHE TWENTY-FIRST.       159
of the Aliter mountain, charged and forced back some reconnoiterinyg detachments of the Texan roegiiment. After a brief
skirmish between the Lancers and Rangers, the increasing
darkness compelled the division to halt, and bivouac for the
night, just without tile range of the battery of the Independencia. At nightfall also, the troops on the north side of the
city were withdrawn to camp, leaving only the 4th Infantry
upon the plain, to guard our famnous mortar battery, which,
some credulous individuals supposed, would, on the morrow,
blow the enemDy's citadel higher than the Saddle mountain.
Thus terminated the operations of the 20th of September.
A gentle shower fell upon us in the night, pattering most
melancholy music through our leafy camp. But the morning
of the 21st was calm and clear. A fresh and balmy breeze
played in the tree-tops, and the sun sent many a warml and
kindly glance through the long aisles of the majestic grove.
How many then beheld, -for the last time, that most common,
yet most magnificent and ever joyous spectacle, the opening
of "6 the bright eye of the universe  9
It was understood that General Taylor did not then ineditate a serious assault, but wished to malke a strong diversion
upon the center and left of the town, to favor Worth's distant
and detached enterprise against the hights on the right. As
soon as breakfast was eaten, the drums called to arms, and
the regiments were quickly formed.  One company was
detailed from each to serve as a camp-guard. This, while it
materially reduced our effective force, formed a corps of no
great strength. }lad there been any union or energy among
the country people, they could, while our army was engaged




160           TH1i ENEMY OPEN THEIR FIRE.
in a distant conflict with the city, have overpowered the
guard and plundered the camp. The loss of our stores would
have resulted in great inconvenience and suffering, if, indeed,
it would not have placed the army fhors dc  combat.
A march of twenty minutes brought us to the hill in front
of the town, where our columns were deployed; the Regulars
(Twigg's division) on the left of the line of battle, and the
Volunteers (Butler's division) on the right.  The order and
calmness which characterized the movements of the former,
were in striking contrast with the excited step and irrepressible enthusiasm of the latter. A short time after our regimlent had taken its position in the line, and while every eye
was fixed  upon the frowning citadel, whose time-worn
towers were deckced with many gaudy flags, a cloud of smoke
was seen to rise suddenly from its walls.  The next moment,
a deafening roar broke upon our ears, and in the next, a
shower of round shot came bounding up the hill and crashing over our heads.  Startled by this thrilling and unfamiliar melody, this piercing "music of the spheres," our
people, much  to  their subsequent amusemlent, made an
involuntary obeisance to the volley as it hurtled past.  The
Mexicans managed the heavy guns of the citadel admirably,
and their practiced artillerists had been wise enough to obtain
the exact range of every part of the plain before our arrival.
They had one long and excellent piece, mounted on the
north-east bastion, which seemed to carry death in every discharge.'"That infernal barbette gun shoots like a rifle,")
said a friend to ume, as one of its balls thumped through the
side of an orderly's horse, a short distance fromn  us. A few




THE ACTION OF SAN JERONIMO.            161
men were killed and some wounded on the hill. The surgeons, who had already, with their usual professional nonchalance, displayed their glittering instruments and bandages
on the grass a few yards behind the line, then commenced
their merciful labors. It was remarked that, after the groans
of the first sufferers were heard, but few  of the soldiers
seemed inclined to commit the offense of Lot's wile.
To describe the events of the 21st of September as they
occurred, it should be stated that, even before our line was
forined in front of the city, Worth had brilliantly commenced
operations among the hills and gorges on the right. Leaving his bivouac befobre "6the blabbing eastern scout" had
returned to advise the enemy of his movement, he had, at
the hamlet of San Jeronimo, encountered the cavalry  of
Generals Roomaro and Torrejou, covered by the batteries on
the hights.  After a fierce conflict of fifteen minutes' duration, the enemy was completely routed, and driven in disorder up the pass, or compelled to take refuge among the
mountains.  The Mexican loss in the affair was about one
huindred killed and wounded.  Among the former, the Lieuten::~a- Colonel of the Jalisco Lancers, Don Juan N. Najera,
whose conspicuous gallantry and  death-defying courage,
elicited the admiration of friend and foe. General Worth,
having thus become the master of the Saltillo road, prepared
to launch his columns against the batteries on the hights-of
which hereafter.
The enemy, after the morning combat of San Jeromino,
finding  all his communications cut off, prepared, with
-undaunted courage, to resist the closing of the fatal coil so




162        GAPLAND'S ATTACK ON THE NORTI-EAST.
rapidly and dexterously thrown around him.  The citadel
maintained a deliberate fire Upon our line in its front, which
was as steadily returned by Webster's howitzers and  the
mortar, but without making the least impression upon  the
enemy.  MIeantime, the light field batteries of Bragg and
Ridgely were compelled to remain inactive in the line, (for
they were as useless as muskets in that position,) their strong
and couragfeous horses pawing and neighing with delight at
the well-known roar of battle.  The preponderance of metal
being evidently with the Mexicans, the game of artillery was
becoming a decided bore, when Taylor, advancing his left
wing, brought on the action.
Lieutenant Colonel Garland  commanding  a brigade of
Twiggs' division, was ordered, with the Ist and 3d infantry,
the battalion of Baltimore volunteers, and Bragg's battery of
horse-artillery, to make a stronfg demonstration upon, and, if
it could be done without too heavy loss, carry one of the enemy's advanced works in the nzo9rt-ecast corner of the town.`
lMajor Mansfield, of the Engineers, accompanied  Garland'9s
column to direct the attack, which, doubtful and desperate as
it seemed, was yet undertaken by the troops with a cheerfull
and resolute spirit.  With what breathless interest did we
watch the progress of that devoted column!  Though the
withering fire of the citadel was at once concentrated upon
* This column of attack included all the infantry of Twiggs' division, except the
4th regiment, which soon followed it into action. The 2d Dragoons (also of
Twiggs' division) with Colonel Wood's regiment of Texan cavally, had been
ordered to scour the country on our right flank, and to support Worth if necessary.
The writer has never seen a report of Garland's command; but, after deducting
the company left by each regiment at the camp, his entire force could not have
exceeded seven or eight hundred men.




GARLAND 9S ATTACK.                  163
it, it movedcl firmly and rapidly down the slope.  Uncistnurbed for the time by the enemy's balls, a profound silence
reigned through the volunteer division.  The same objects
filled every eye, the same sentiment every heart.  The tranquil courage of the commanding general was not without its
influence on our troops.  ZMotionless as an equestrian statnue,
he occupied the highest point of the hill, his bronzed face
turned steadfastly toward those well-known battalions of
Regulars, whose courage and discipline were now  about to
encounter a trial such as they had never beobre known.  Disregarding, and as if proudly disdaining, the galling fire which
was unintermittingly poured upon them  from  the citadel,
they pressed heroically forward upon the Teneria, a redoubt
of five guns, full of men, and flanked by other strong works.
Now an intervening field of sugar-cane conceals the brigade
from  our view.  Again it appears, still moving rapidly
toward those ominously quiet walls, behind which are kindling the fires of death.  Now the distance between the head
of the column and the Teneria is so short that the cannoneers of the citadel suspend their labors to gaze, like ourselves, in silent expectation on the issue of the charge.
Another moment, andl" The pause is o'er; the fatal shock
A thousand thousand thunders woke;
The air grows thick; the mountains rock;
Red ruin rides triumphantly."
Artillery and musketry opened furiously and together from
the enemy's well protected line, shattering the leading comnpanies, and striking down a number of distinguished officers.
The open area in front of Fort Teneria, to which our troops




164              GARLAND S ATTACK.
had advanced, was swept with grape and musket balls. So
great and sudden had been the loss, especially of officers,
that the column was, for the moment, checked and stunned.
Had Garland or -Mansfield luckily been informed of the
enemy's positions, they could then undcloubtedly have rushed
upon the front of the Teneria with the bayonet. But with
the hope of taking the redoubt in reverse, the direction of
the column was unfortunately changed to the right, and led
immediately into the focus of fire from several batteries.
The torn and bleeding ranks, unable to make head against
that terrible storm, and unwilling to retreat, halted there,
and set the smoke in which they were wrapt ablaze with their
volleys. Tile Mexicans, greatly outnumbering  Garland's
brigade, being aided by artillery, and concealed behind
intrenchments, had every advantage in the combat. The
rank and file of the 1st and 3d regimcnts, and also of the
4th, which had soon advanced to their assistance, was badly
cut up. Among their officers slain were, Morris, Field, Barbour, HIoskins, Terret, Irvin, Hazlett, and Woods; for whose
precious blood a hecatomb of Mexicans would be but a paltry propitiation. Among those wounded in this assault,
some of them mortally, were, the gallant Williams, of the
Engineers, Lear, Abercrombie, Bainbridge, Lemott, Grahamla
and Dilworth. Failing in their attack upon the Teneria,
the regular troops, dividing into small parties, and sheltering
themselves as much as possible behind some scattered cottages in the vicinity, kept upon an annoying fire upon the
advanced works of the enemy.
Meanwhile the division of volunteers had remained quietly




GAULAND9S AlTTACK IS UNSUCCESSFUL.        165
on the hill watching the fierce conflict that raged on the
let, at the north-eastern angle of the town.  The roar of
artillery, mingled with rapid volleys of musketry filled our
ears, but the scene of action; at first partially hidden by
fields and trees, was soon completely enveloped in smoke,
in the midst of which the work of destruction went wildly
on. Again did the batteries of the citadel open upon our
line.  The fire was promptly returned by our yamnefil little
mortar, which, if it damaged not the enemy, served at least
to diversify the spectacle, for its shells exploding high in the
air, formed beautiful circles of smoke that continued to
enlarge themselves " till, by widcle-spreading, dispersed to
naught."  The scene, even before the introduction of Butler's
division into the affray, was one never to be forgotten by
those who so anxiously witnessed it.
Soon from out the dark cloud on the left) reeled solitary
soldiers, wounded and bleeding; then came small parties,
bearing back officers or comrades gasping and groaning in
agony; then staggered out from the fiery edge of the fight,
broken and discouraged ranks of men, chiefly volunteers.
The appearance of these, and of mounted messengers, whose
haste betokened evil tidings, assured us that the attack of the
1st division had failed, yet the continued but irregular rattling of small arms told too, that our gallant troops were
obstinately maintaining their ground. Considering the disparity of numbers in favor of the enemy, and his advantage
in position and artillery, it is not surprising that some of our
troops yielded to that destructive fire. The veterans of Welb
lington and Bonaparte have faltered in like situations.




166        BUTLEBRS DIVISION COME INTO ACTION.
General Taylor finding it necessary to support the attack,
made at such sacrifice by the Regulars, now ordered General
Butler, with three regiments of his division, to march at
once by the left flank toward the scene of battle. The Tennessee and Mississippi regiments, constituting General Quitman's brigade, and the Ohio regiment of General HIamer's
brigade were selected, leaving the 1st Kentucky regiment,
which had been posted oI the extreme right of the line, to
cover the mortar battery.  Our men, hitherto the excited
spectators of the conflict, and standing " like grayhounds in
the slips, straining upon the start," received the order with
loud hurrahs.
The three regiments above named, moving left in front,
advanced together in the same direction. Before proceeding
far, the Ohio regiment was ordered  "to the right," and
instructed to enter the town at a more central point, nearer
the citadel.  Generals Butler and I-amer rode with us to the
attack, while General Quitman with his brigade, continued
to advance upon Fort Teneria.  Profiting by Colonel Garland's experience, that general avoided any movement calculated to expose his command to the cross-fire on the right,
and marched steadily upon the front of the redoubt.  Arriving within musket range of the work, he extended his column
and advanced firing. A terrific and incessant discharge of
all arms was encountered from the Alexican defenders, but it
neither checked not changed the direction of that blazing
line.  MIanfullly breasting  the storm, the brigade moved
firmly on till within a few yards of the fort, when the order
to charge was given. Then the troops rushing forward




FORT TENERIA  TAKEN.                        167
through the smoke, scaled  the low  earthen  walls, and took
the work as Joshua took Jericho, " with a shout."1
Captain Backus, of the 1st infanltry, who, with a portion
of his own and  other comnpanies, had  previously gained the
roof of a house overlooking Fort Teneria, by pouring a destructive fire into the work just at the time when the charge
was macde by Quitman's brigade, contributed largely to its
capture.  Too much credit, however, can not be awarded to
the Tennessee and Mississippi regiments, for the unyielding
courage they exhibited in the attack.  In spite of a resistance
hardly less vigorous and formidable than that encountered
by  Garland's  brigade, they  carried  in  handsome  style, a
stroing and important position, and thereby secured to us that
foothold within the enemy's line of defenses so necessary to
our operations on that side of the city.  In this assault, the
brave Tennesseeans suffered a loss of twenty-five killed, and
seventy-four wounded.  Of the  Miississippians, seven  were
hilled, and forty-two wounded.  The garrison  of the work
fled precipitately as our troops entered it, yet about thirty
prisoners, including  three  officers, five  pieces of artillery,
and  a  considerable  supply  of ammunition, fell  into  our
hands.* The Mexican historians give us the following account of the capture of the
Teneria in their'Notes for the History of the War." Their complaint of the
scarcity of cartridges is altogether unfounded. We certainly thought they possessed a tolerably good supply throughout the battle; and upon taking the town we
found many well-filled magazines; even the cathedral contained several tons of
ammunition. But to the extract:
"Then there broke forth to the north-east, a vivid flash of musketry and artillery, on the points of the line of' General Mejia. A rude, sustained and desperate
shock took place in the redoubt of the Teneria, whose limited garrison, with only
four pieces, was multiplied by their glowing heroism. The attacks were renewed.




G168         ADVANCEO  OF THE FIRST 01110O REGIMENT.
We  now  return  to  our own  regiment, which, though
then  numbering  less than four hundred, rank and file, was
ordered, as the reader will remember, to attack the center of
the northern  front of the city.  Its line of march was over
the open plain, within grape range of the citadel, on our
right flank; but the guns of that fortress, which had hitherto
been  trained  upon  more distant columns, were  not soon
brought to bear upon ours.  The air above us was turbulent
with whizzing  and bursting shells, and  more than  once we
distinguished  a sharp  cracking, as of balls driven violently
in contact.  The regiment advanced in excellent order, but
not without loss from  the heavy flank fire.  Near the edge
of the town we passed Bragg's battery, already in very bad
plights apparently indeed, a perfect wreck.   A  few  of his
artillerymen, and  more  than  a dozen  of his  horses, were
down in the same spot, making  the ground  about the guns
slippery with their gasped foam and blood.  The intrepid Captain and his men, though exposed the while to a galling fire,
were deliberately engaged in re-fitting the teams and in strip-.ping the harness from  the dead and disabled animals, deterThe impulse of the invader was vehement. The general-in-chief sent the 3d Light
to reinforce us. The enemy came close upon the work when we had not one
cartridge for the cannons. The assault was plain; but a reinforcement came up,
with an order for the Lieutenant Colonel of the 3d Light, to sally forth and charge
the enemy. The word to handle the bayonet was answered by enthusiastic vivas;
to form column and then  *  * *. The parties say, and different witnesses do
not satisfactorily deny it for this officer —with whose name we do not wish to defile
these pages-that rushing out through the gorget of the work, he threw himself
into the river, taking to flight among cries of scorn and indignation. By the
desertion of the Chief of the Light, the enemy tools the Teneria. Our soldiers
retreated to the' Rincon del Diabolo,' within musket range of the Teneria, whence
they made a courageous resistance, distinguishing among others Lieutenant Colonel Bravo, and Captain Arenal of the artillery."




ADVANCE OF THE FIRST OHIO REGIMENT.       169
mined that not a buckle or strap should be lost upon the
field. For the safety of this battery, the advance of our
regiment was most opportune, as we immediately attracted
the fire to which it had previously been exposed. On entering the suburbs, Lieutenant Colonel Watson, commander
of the Baltimore Battalion, with two or three of his officers
joined our column. That high-spirited and worthy gentleman was killed soon afterward, while bravely fighting in our
midst.
We moved rapidly through a labyrinth of lanes and gardens, without knowing or seeing upon what point of the
enemy's line we were about to strike. At every step the
discharges from the batteries in front became more deadly,
while we had no opportunity for burning a cartridge. Nothing discouraged, the regiment went boldly forward, until it
had reached a point in the suburbs north-west of the "1 Puente
Purisiman,   and nearly on a line between it and the citadel.
There we met Major MIansfield, who had conducted the first
assault upon the Teneria, and who had since been closely
examining the defenses in front.  I-e informed General
Butler of the failure of that attack, and advised the withdrawal of the Ohio regiment, (' as there could no longer be
any object in advancing further, warning him at the same
time, that if he advanced he must meet a fire that would
sweep all before it."`~ The command was thereupon halted
in a broad street, parallel with, and not more than two
hundred yards from the enemy's works, at the stream heretofore described.  Though screened fromn  view by a dense
* From General Butler's Report




170      ADVANCE OF THE FIRST OHIO REGIMENT.
hedge of pomegranate, the Mexicans seemed well informed
of our position, and, during the few minutes we stood quietly
yet impatiently there, sent some terrific rounds of canister
into our ranks.  Among those then killed was Lieutant H-Iett,
commanding Company H, whose captain had been left sick
at Cerralvo. To stand still and be thus tamely and unresistingly slaughtered, was a severe trial for volunteers. I-Iad
the order been given they would willingly have cleared the
hedge, and have stormed the barricades in front with indomnitable fury.
We had been but a short time in that position when
General Butler, who, on receiving Major Mansfield's comPmunication, had galloped back to consult the general-inchief, returned and gave the order to retrograde, and the
movement was accordingly commenced in no very good
humor.  General Taylor, however, who was near at hand,
animating, directing, and watching every shock and charge
in the fight,' presenting himself even in the aim and very
flash of danger,"9 learning almost immediately afterward that
Quitman's brigade had carried Fort Teneria, countermanded
the order. At once and again the direction of the column
was changed, and we re-entered the streets further to the
east, striking at a point in the enemy's line between the tetede-pont of the Purisima and Fort ]Diabolo. Upon the withdrawal of the regiment from the point to which it had first
penetrated, the Mexicans had been encouraged to throw out
parties of light troops, who, being familiar with the ground,
followed us with a close and annoying fire. The order to
countermarch, therefore, was obeyed with alacrity by our




ADVANCE OF THIIE FIRST OHIO REGIMENT.             1Y1
men, who hoped to encounter these skirnmishers outside their
walls.  But the skulking sharp-shooters knew not only how
" to fall on pell meli," but, as we perceived, how II to fall back
and retreat as well."  They retired in haste before our men,
whose impetuosity the ocffiers were directed to restrain, in
order that the companies might be kept well in hand for the
deadly struggle just before us.
Passing now  near that quarter of the suburbs which had
already been  fought over by Twiggs' division, we occasionally heard, amid the roar of combat, the deep groans of
the dying, and the cries of the wounded for water."  But in
consequence  of the oppressive heat of the day, and the
quenchless thirst which seizes all in the fever of battle, every
canteen was dry, and we were painfully compelled to witness,
without the means of relieving,
" The panting thirst, which scorches in the breath
Of those that die the soldier's fiery death,
In vain impels the burning mouth to crave
One drop-the last-to cool it'for the grave."
Among mangled bodies, and these melancholy sounds, the
regiment marched quickly on, with shouts that were heard
tabove the din of the fight. Thus for ten or fifteen minutes
we groped our way through the streets, turning many corners, and crossing the northern suburbs diagonally toward
Fort Diabolo.
At length a large open lot was reached within full view of
* General Hamer informed the writer, in a conversation touching these sad
scenes, that he saw a soldier of Company G, (from Brown county, Ohio) climb an
orange tree, the branches of which were being momentarily torn aad severed by the
enemy's shot, and pluck some of its juicy fruit for a wounded comrade.




1772        UNDER THE FIRE OF EL DIABOLO.
that battery, which at the time was enlgaged in a spirited
contest with Fort Teneria, then in the possession of our
troops. The artillery captured in the last named work was
being skillfully served by Captain Ridgely, and as these now
opposing batteries were not more than two hundred yards
apart, the cannonade just in that vicinity was deafening. This
lot or square was separated from the broad area around
El Diabolo by a wall and a ditch. Between these two
obstacles was a lane, leading, (as we too late discovered,)
from an angle of the tete-de-pont on the right. As the
regiment entered this open place, we observed a number of
the enemy's skirmishers hurriedly taking position behind the
wall. The next moment a line of flane flashed above it,
and almost at the same instant the diabolical battery in its
rear saluted us with a terrible discharge of grape. A few
men of the leading companies were killed or disabled, and
our colors riddled and cut down by this first discharge. We
were now evidently "1 in for it."  There, within sixty yards
of us, were some of the olive-colored gentlemen with whom
an interview had been so long and earnestly sought. The
appearance of the regiment in the square was followed by
startling explosions from every house and battery in that
part of the town. There, and then, by that bloody baptism,
did the 1st Ohio regiment obtain a name to which no pen
has yet done justice. Never will the writer forget the gallant bearing of those courageous and obedient young troops
at that place and period of the battle. There was no hesitating or wavering, no turning, or even looking to the right or
left. A few of the foremost files discharged their pieces at




CUARGE ON E1L DIABOLO.               173
the enemy, and then the whole corps made a dash at the wall,
determined to dislodge the foe with the bayonet.  No orders
were heard in that illdescribable din and uproar. Tle officers, first among whom were Generals Butler and HIamer,
-led, and the soldiers followed, as American volunteers I
trust will never fail to do. One had but to look at their
countenances, their set teeth and expanded nostrils, to be
assured that those men so recently taken from tkhe gentle
pursuits of peace, were now ready for the wildest work of war.
The enemy's fire was, in my inexperienced judgment, particularly heavy.  The guns of Fort Diabolo belched I-orth an
unintermitting sheet of flame and smoke as we advanced, but
owing to the short distance, overloading, or the excited haste
of the cannoneers, they overshot us at times so widely, as to
cut off the highest branches of some lofty trees growing
thereal-out.  A  thick smole rolled over our men as they
crossed the square, and to the mounted officers, their serried
bayonets alone were visible, moving resistlessly on through
the flickering canopy like an verial stream.  Before reaching
the wall our progress was unexpectedly, though but for a
moment, arrested by a wide ditch which was full of water.
Into this the men, notwithstanding their ignorance of its
depth, did not hesitate to plunge.  The water was waistdeep, and flooded the cartridge boxes of some who unfortunately had neglected to raise them while crossing. BIy this
misfortune a part of the corps was rendered temporarily
unserviceable at a critical juncture. A few soldiers, who
halted in the water to slake their thirst, were there shot.
Adjutant Armstrong was severely wounded as he reached




174-            CHARGE ON EL DIABOLO.
its edge, a grape shot passing through his leg, and entering
the side of his horse. The enemy retreated from the wall
before we succeeded in clambering up to it, and commenced
a race for life, which some of them lost. The greater number, however, succeeded in sheltering themselves behind the
adjacent batteries.
WNe were now in the street which unites the bridge Purisima with the Fort Teneria, and which is inclosed at the
point where we entered it, by a ditch on the one hand, and a
wall on the other. Spreading rapidly to the right and left,
the regiment opened a general fire upon Fort Diabolo, and
the houses within musket range in front. The more numerous defenders of these poured such a storm of balls upon us
that we could not have held our position five minutes, had it
not been protected by the wall. Against it, the Diabolo and
his imps lkept up a knocking that would have put our modern
spirit rappers to shame, if not to flight. Some of the'lexicans at first exhibited a daring courage, often leaping upon
their barricades to deliver their fire. But the quick and true
aim of our better marksmen soon extinguished that vaunting
spirit. Of course, in such a fight, most of the wounds given
and received were about the head and shoulders, many of
them fatal. One of our men, Myers, a soldier of the Rifle
company was shot in the mouth, which was fortunately
closed at the moment, so that the ball after summarily
extracting divers molars and incisors, lodged in the upper
part of the throat, whence it was easily removed. The gallant Rifleman, spitting out the tetiGh and blood, and coolly
remarkling, (in a voice singularly changed,) that the pill had




THiE FIRE OF'THE PURISIMA OPENS ON US.      175
salivated him, continued with his company for some time
after receiving the wound.
Aided by the lively and effective fire still maintained by
our friends in the Teneria, we were beginning to hope that
we might ere long silence the guns of Fort E1 Diabolo,
when, suddenly as the lightning's flash, and loud as the
thunder's peal, a battery was opened close upon our right,
and swept the regiment with grape shot from flank to flank.
It took all by surprise, and taught some young soldiers a
lesson they will not soon forget. It sufficiently explained,
too,   why the Mexican engineers had suffered that garden
wall in front of the Diabolo to remain for our protection."
A question which I had asked myself more than once. So
dense had been the smoke, and so intent had we been on
engaging the enemy before us, that we had not observed on
entering the street that it was enfilade-l by the tete-de-pont
of the Purisima on the right.  The same causes, with the
uninterrupted cannonade, had probably prevented the garrison of that formidable work from sooner discovering our
exposed position.  At the Purisima, General Mejia, who
was charged with the northern defenses of the city, commanded iin person, and his artillerists having us "1 in a
string," kept the street so full of balls that the escape of the
regiment from utter destruction seems now, in a calm retrospect of the affair, almost miraculous.  But our men displayed much coolness and dexterity in the emergency, and
dividing into small parties availed themselves promptly and
prudently of such shelter from this new and angry cross-fire,
as happened to be near.




176            UNDER TIIE ~FI1E 01" TIE PURLISILIA.
It was evident from  the moment the battery of the tetedoe-pot opened  nipon lus that our1 position  was untenable.
The Mex;cauns with  artiliery and infantry strongly posted in
front and flank, could and did fire  from  behind their walls,
deliberately  and  without nmuch  exposure, while but few  of
our tr00oops were sheltered fiom  the storm.  Yet it was gratifyingo to behold the obstinate courage with which these volunteers continued the fight, each one demeaning   himself as if
the issue of the conflict depended upon his individual efilrts.
The smoke was so thick that the small arms were discharged
pretty  much at random, and  most of our balls must have
fallen harmless from  those solid stone walls.  But the guns
of the  Purisimna  continued  to  sweep  the streets  furiolsly,
~while his Satanic Majesty, E1  Diabolo, blazed like a volcano.
Yet our silken standard, the staff of which had been spliced
since the commencement of the action, by the color-guard,
still streaecld like a rainbow  o'er the cloud.7`
The'" noise and confusion " were indescribable, and the
inhabitants of MIfonterey might well have supposed that all
the embattled legions of Pandemonium  were raging at their
gates.  Our position was just the one, it appears to me, in
which  any anxious candidate for popular favor, who cared
* At the or-ganization of' the 1st Regiment of Ohio volunteers, it was found that
nearly all the companies possessed banners of' various devices. These were laid
aside for special occasions, and the flag of Captain Armstrong's excellent company, (E,) bearingr sitmply the national " stars and stripes," was adopted as the regimental colors. It was attached to a MNexican lance before the close of the battle
of the 21st of September, and borne on it through the campaign. Who of my
fellow-soldiers is so fortunate as to possess this tattered and battle-scorched banner
of our regiment? HIe would much gratify his comrades, I am sure, bs depositing
it in some public place, and I would suggest the new Capitol at Columbus, if'
assured that Ohio cared to count such relics among her treasures,




'OSITION  OF' AFFAIRS AT NOON.                   i77
less for the  eporlts of fire-arms than of the newspapers, less
for the  balls of the  Devil than  for the  disciples  of Dr.
Faustus, might have ventured   to express his opinions boldly
and candidly on the subject of " River and HIarbor Improvenments," or upon  any of the so-called delicate questions of
thile day.  The loudest voice was lost in the wild uproar, and
officers were often compelled to comnmunicate orders pantoinimically, even to those who were standing  beside them.
About noon  the storm  of battle was at its hight, and the
sceneo as describ'ed by the reserve corps at the mortar battery,
was intensely exciting and grand.  The devoted city seemed
to blaze at every portal.  General Worth's division was just
then  storming  the'Federacion  and  Soldada on the right;
the troops of Twiggs and Quitman in the Teneria, reinforced
by the howitzer battery of Captain Webster, was thundering
on the left, and dashing their blows indiscriminately. upon
the Diabolo  and the  cathedral,  while  our little regiment
combated with the more central defenses of the'town.  Volnines of sulphurous smoke settled darkly  and heavily  over
the streets, in  which blazed  flaslhes of musketry, and  the
ruddy flames of deep-toned artillery.
" The swift and deafening peals
In countless echoes through the mountains ring;
Now swells the intermingling din, the jar,
Frequent and fearful, of the bursting bomb,
The falling beam, the shriek, the groan, the shout,
The ceaseless clangor, and the rush of menc
Inebriate with rage!'
* In the cathedral, a large and massive stone edifice, occupying one side of the
plaiea;laytr, (principal square,) General Pedro de Amlppudia had established this
head-quarters, and there remained during the battle. An immense quantity of amamlunition was also deposited in the building. The Mexicans had, therefore, di-vested




173               BUTLER AND MITCHELL WOUNDED.
General Butler and  Colonel Mitchell having  been  borne
wo8ounded from  the street, and the regiment being  more  than
decimated, General I-lamer decided to withdraw  it to  a less
exposed  position.   Indeed  there was no prudent alternative,
as nothing could be gained by prolonging a contest with such
odds.   And  since the  capture  of Fort Teneria, the ground
was of no value to us, certainly it was not worth the lives
it would have cost to maintain it.
Those persons  who  have read  the official dispatches, are
aware  that General Butler at one  time  intended  to  storm
Fort Diabolo  with  our regiment alone.'   It was, however,
wisely unattempted.   Admitting the possibility of organizing
a general assault by our scattered companies in the midst
of the confusion which prevailed, it must yet have been  the
most hopeless  of all forlorn  hopes.   I do  not believe  that
it of its religious character. It was most fortunate for the valiant General, who
had thus hoped to sanctuarize himself, that the church was bomb-proof, for the
accomplished Webster, aided by his brave and skillful Lieutenants, Donaldson and
Bowen, visited it with a heavy and searching fire. The only damage it sustained,
however, was in one of the towers, where a large bell was splintered into fragmesnts.
* "A very slight reconnoissance sufficed to convince me that this (El Diabolo)
was a position of no ordinary strength. Still, feeling its importance, after consulting with part of my staff as to its practicability, I had resolved to attempt carrying
it by storm, and was in the act of directing the advance when I received a wound
which compelled me to halt. Colonel Mitchell was at the same time wounded at
the head of his regiment. The men were falling fast under the converging fires
of at least three distinct batteries, that continually swept the intervening space
through which it was necessary to pass. The loss of blood, too, from my wound,
rendering it necessary that I should leave the field, and I had discovered at a
second glance that the position was covered by a heavy fire of musketry from other
worlks directly in its rear, that I had not seen in the first hasty examination. There
is a possibility that the work might have been carried, but not without excessive
loss, and if carried, I feel assured that it would have been untenable." —Extract
2i;' l, ]ajor G'll' ral Butler's Reort.l




THIE REGIMEN'T WITHIDRAWN F'IROM 11TIIE TOWN.    1793
thirty of the three hundred men whom  we could perhaps
have gathered for the charge, would have lived to reach the
walls of the redoubt.  The regiment must have been crushed
by the weight of the converging fires of the enemy.  The
writer respectfully differs friom the gallant General of his.division, in thinking that there was even " a possibility that
the work might have been carried," by so small a force as
ours. Nothing less invulnerable than that celestial armor
which so protected certain faithful Jews in the burning furnace of Babylon's king, that not even the smell of fire was
on their garments, could have prevented the annihilation of
zthe regiment in the,rash attempt.'The battalion, now  under the command of Lieutenant
Colonel Weller, prepared to execute a retrograde movement
under fire, the most difficult that new troops can be required
to perform.  From  the character of the conflict, the conmpanies had become so scattered and subdivided that it was
found impossible to re-form  the line with much precision.
3But the column retired from the town in good order, through
a street several squares to the east of that by which we
had entered.  As we emerged from  the suburbs upon the
plain, we were chbtrgled by a strong' corps of Lancers from the
direction of the citadel.  Fortunately, as the regiment had
not then been instructed in the formation of the square, a
brush fence happened to be near by. Behind it the nmen
were at once drawn up, and every musket leveled upon the
advancing squadrons.
The cavalry is a favorite, and very numerous corps in the
army of iMexico.  Tlhe infantry battalions are composed




180            CIARGE OF CONDE S LANCERIS.
almost exclusively of pure-blooded Indians, while in the
mounted regiments the greatest number are of the Spanish
and mixed races.  Tlle Lancers are graceful riders, and their
chief weapon one whiich I am  inclined to thinka is generally
too much underrated.  Until theyv import a larger breed of
horses, however, they will not become very formidable troopls;
for, with all the aid of their heavy iron spurs, they can never
impart that momentum  to the Gn mustang," which in our
cavalry tactics is considered of more consequence in a charge
than the arms of the rider.
The troops that so suddenly assailed us were the 3d and
7th Lancers, under General Garcia Conde.  The ground
was favorable to the movement, and for some distance they
advanced boldly and beautifully, their long lances gleaming
brightly in the sun, and their whole line decorated with
bandrol and flag.  A  great number of our soldiers who
had been wounded by the enemy's artillery, were lying
where they had fallen upon the fiell, and various members
of the medical staff were at the time engaged in attending
to them.  TWhen these were reached by the Lancers, we were
compelled to witness one of the most savage and shameful
spectacles which ever disgraced hulmanity.  Surely the worst
fiends of hell must have filled the actors in it,  from the
crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty!  iNot content
with riding over and lancing, as they did at full gallop, those
of our defenseless comrades who happened to lie in their
track, large parties of those base and cowardly assassins,
shunning an honorable combat with ius, left their ranks and
murdered indiscriminatelyJ all the wounded Americans in




THE CHARGE REPULSED.                 181
that part of the field.~-  The surgeons and their assistants,
flying from the fate of their patients, were hotly pursued by
the enemy, from whom  they made so narrow an escape, that
we freely forgave their attempts to play upon our nerves by
the rather unnecessary display of their tools in the morning.
The main body of the Lancers pressed on toward us in
gallant style, but their speed instead of being increased was
slackened as they approached.  In vain did we caution our
men not to fire until commanded.  So excited and exasperated were they at the cruel butchery of their helpless
friends, that most of them  discharged their guns as they
obtained a good aim, but when the enemy were too distant
to secure the most satisfactory results. IIad they waited but
a few minutes, their vengeance would have been ample.
The first volley, however, emptied several saddles, and put
them to flight. A few of the Mexican officers still galloped
forward in the hope of encouraging their followers to renew
the charge.  One of these fell mortally wounded within
twenty paces of our line, and in dying threw his baleful eyes
upon us, still flashing "' with obdurate pride and steadfast
hate."  The breath had scarcely departed from  his body,
before Lieutenant HI., of Company A, (who had lost his
shoes in the ditch,) limping from  the ranks, proceeded to
appropriate the boots of the unfortunate Lancer. Drawing
them over his own sore feet he returned to his place, remarking that "' there never was a better fit."  Many other little
* Such atrocities have often stained the annals of proud and magnanimous
Mexico. Yet the cruelty of the Texan troops, who were perfect saints as compared with theirs, is a favorite subject of complaint and censure with the Mexican
historians.
9~




182                    THE MEXICAN  ACOOUNT.
pieces of serio-comedy were played in the shifting scenes of
the battle, but to rehearse which  would too much  delay the
progress of our narrative.~
After the repulse of the Lancers, our regiment was moved
to a new  position  near the  Teneria, and  within  sustaining
distance of Bragg's battery, where we remained  for some
* It may be a satisfaction to the reader to peruse the subjoined Mexican account
of the conflict between our regiment and the defenders of the tete-de-pont, and of
the affair with the cavally. It will be observed that the want of ammunition is
again pleaded, and here, it would seem, unnecessarily. And yet, strangely enough,
in almost the next sentence it is stated that the Mexican troops " increased their
activity." How can we be expected to agree with an historian who does not agree
with himself?
The " confounded and frantic charge," so classically described in the extract
is a piece of pure romance, a fabrication more shadowy than the fabulous achievements of the deformed Tyrtmus, and to which the word " confbunded." perhaps
misused by the translator, might with more propriety be applied. The sortie must
have been made, if at all, after the withdrawal of our regiment from the vicinity,
of the Purisima. Unfortunately we knew not of it, for certainly after contending
so long with concealed and inaccessible foes, there would have been no shrinking
on our part from the " breast to breast, and arm to arm," conflict. They are welcome to the laurel! gained by charging the dead, and bayoneting the dying. From
the passage quoted, it appears that the 3d regiment is entitled to the dishonorable
aistinction of lancing fifty of our wounded men.
" General Mejia was posted at the bridge of the Purisima. There revived the
sanguinary contest, which was tenaciously prolonged with great carnage. When
all the ammunition was exhausted, the troops asked General Mejia for the park,
who answered that it was not necessary while they had bayonets. This reply was
received with vivas of applause, and they increased their activity. Finally an
impulse seized upon us, our soldiers leaped the parapets, and as Tyrtmus staid in
exhorting the Greeks, bieast to breast, arm to arm, confounded and frantic ours
charged, and over the ground they had gained, and over the dead bodies of the
enemy, and amid the vapor of their foul reeking blood arose to heaven the victorious cry of-viva Mexico. The brave men who gained this laurel were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ferro.
"The Americans having fallen back, General Mejia believed a charge of cavalry
proper. General Garcia Conde was ordered with the 3d and 7th, who were in the
place, to charge the enemy in- the rear, by the way of the citadel. Garcia Conde
led the corps to the point where he should have charged, and there the 3d alone
entered the action, lancing more than fifty men of various partisan enemies, and
afterward withdrew to the city." —-Mexican " Notes of the TVar,"l page 74.




A NOVEL HAND-GRENADE.             183
hours unemployed, save as a target for the Mexican artillery.
But our soldiers endured the harassing service with uncomplaining fortitude. Captain I-Hooker, 1st Artillery, of General
Hamer's staff, and Colonel A. Sidney Johnson, of General
Butler's, were constantly with our regiment, and by their
professional skill and gallantry, rendered it valuable aid
throughout the action.
At the approach of evening, all the troops were ordered
back to camp, except Captain Ridgely's artillery, and the
regular infantry of Twiggs' division, who, under the commnand of Lieutenant Colonel Garland, were detailed as a
guard for the captured redoubt during the night. One half
of the 1st Kentucky regiment, which had been all -day at the
mortar battery, panting for the affray, was ordered forward to
reinforce this command. The battalion approached Colonel
Garland's position about twilight, under a heavy cannonade
from the enemy. One of its officers, a tall, thorough-bred
Kentuckian, and doubtless as brave a gentleman as any in
the army, supposing that they were about to be led at once
against the enemy, suddenly became disgusted with the
small sword with which he had imprudently armed himself.
It was scarcely larger than a fencing foil, and in his strong
but unpracticed hand then seemed as useless as a bodkin.
Scornfully throwing it away, and seizing upon two ponderous
pieces of limestone, he marched confidently forward and
entered the Teneria with one in each hand, ready and
anxious for the fight. This incident was related to me by
the major commanding the battalion, who jocularly added,
that he thought of making a requisition upon the Ordnance




184                RETURN TO CAMP.
department for a supply of hand grenades, to be used by those
of his subalterns who were not swordsmen. It will at once
be presumled, by all who are familiar with the habits of
American boys, that the officer thus 1" in league with the
stones of the field," had but renewed a favorite alliance of
his youthful days. HIow  often has the writer, and you,
reader, if ever a country boy, when " creeping like a snail,
unwillingly to school," halted to pelt the unfortunate groundsquirrels and cat-birds encountered by the way; or, with
pockets well crammed with stones, aided some truant troop
in the bombardment of a hornet's nest.
Worn down by fatigue we returned slowly toward our
beautiful camp at Santo Domingo. Now that the brazen
throat of war had ceased to roar,'the silence which had fallen
with the darkness upon the valley, seemed unnatural, and
was almost as appalling as the sudden thunders of the morning. Like that valorous Captain and veracious Chronicler,
Bernal Diaz, after the three months' siege of Mexico, we
felt " as if just released from a belfry."  This quaint remark
of the old Knight, reminds me that as we retired from the
field, the Mexicans rang the bells of the city in menrry chimes,
that did not altogether harmonize with the groans of the
wounded and dying. But their boastful and ill-timed rejoicing neither convinced us, nor themselves, that they were, in
our Western phrase, " out of the wood."  Though we had
not been prepared to witness so pertinacious a spirit in the
foe, yet with one of their works in our possession on the east
side, and two on the west side of the town, captured the
same day by Worth's division, as will be described, we knew




RESULTS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST.                    185
that they could not possibly maintain the town. The most
intelligent among the defenders, too, must have felt that
their fate was sealed, and even while their bells were pealing
so  joyfully, doubtless  were  " sorrowfully  rulinating  the
morning's danger."s "
The Mexicans, who always greatly exaggerated our loss,
while they studiously avoided (even in official reports) any
allusion  to their own, stated that one thousand Americans
were killed  or wounded during the first day's operations at
Monterey.  Our loss was in reality but three hundred and
ninety-four, including, however, some of the most promising
officers in the army.  But quite enough blood had been shed
to satisfy some of our people that they had not properly estimated the military efficiency of the enemy.  Yet in the condition of affairs on the evening of the 21st, we saw no cause
for despondency at the prospect of victory. Indeed, in the
events of the day, our troops found much to cheer and
encourage them. If the snake had not been killed, it was at
least scotched, and could not escape ultimate destruction.
As to our own regiment, though it does not vauntingly
claim  to have fought " beyond the mark of others," yet may
Ohio, ever more boastful of the triumphs of peace than  of
* The Mexicans have a happy faculty of passing off disasters fbr triumphs.
Their historians confess that the battle of Mlolino del RLey was celebrated with
music and bells, and that Santa Anna sent a proclamation by extraordinary
couriers into all parts of the nation, stating that a victory had been gained, and
that he had in person led the troops of the Republic, both of which " illusions," as
they are mildly termed, " the inhabitants generally believe to this day."
The truth is, that when with the advantage of vastly superior numbers, and a
remarkably strong position, as at Monterey and the Molino, they were not routed
by the first charge, they considered they had made a lucky escape, and rejoiced
accordingly.




186          TAYLOR' S REPORT OF THE DAY.
arms, be permitted to point with pride to her share in the
fight; and each of her hardy sons'' May stand a tiptoe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of" —Mlonterey.
What Major General Butler says in the latter part of the
following extract, from  his official report, of the situation
and conduct of his brigadiers-I-amer and Quitman-may,
with like propriety and justice, be said of the more humble
soldiers of his division:
"It is with no little pride and gratification that I bear testimony of the gallantry and general good conduct of my
command. Were proof wanting, a mournful one is to be
found in the subjoined return of the casualties of the day.
That part of my division properly in the field, did not exceed
eleven hundred, of which number full one-fifth was killed
or wounded. The fact that troops for the first time under
fire should have suffered such loss without shrinking, in a
continuous struggle of more than two hours, and mainly
against a sheltered and inaccessible foe, finds but few parallels, and is of itself an eulogium to which I need not add.
"' Of my bligadiers, it is proper that I should myself speak.
General Hamer was placed in a position where nothing brilliant could be achieved, but which at every moment imperatively demanded prudence, and calm, unbending courage. It
is but justice to him to say that I found him equal to the
emergency. General Quitman had before him a field in
which military genius and skill were called into requisition,
and honors could be fairly won; and I but echo the general
voice in saying that he nobly availed himself of the occasion."




THE NIGHT OF THE TWEN'TY-FIRST.        8%
Dismal indeed was the night of the 21st of September.
"Darkness and the shadow of death obscured it; and no
joyful voice came therein." The complexion of the elements
as well as the aspect of our camp was peculiarly gloomy, and
pressed heavily on the spirits. Many of the soldiers sank
immediately to rest upon the ground, too much exhausted to
prepare supper, and needing repose more than food. To add
to the discomfort of those who had no tents, a drizzling rain
set in and continued to fall mournfully through the trees,
while the wailing night-winds sang a requiem in their trembling boughs. Nature herself seemed to weep and moan
o'er the sad scene. In the dimly-lighted hospital-tents were
to be seen and heard what I shall not attempt to portray.
The surgeons, unremitting in their attentions to the wounded,
were engaged the whole night in dressing wounds and amputating limbs, their duties, as General Taylor remarks in his
report, being rendered uncommonly arduous by the small
number serving in the field. The commanding general himself, though bred to the iron trade of war, yet possessing a
heart ever ready to sympathize with its unfortunate victims,
visited the hospitals and the quarters of all his wounded officers before retiring to rest.
In consequence of the many melancholy duties of the
night, our mess did not assemble for supper until a very late
hour. When at length we approached the board used for a
table, and the bright light of a couple of lanterns was allowed
to fall upon it, all gazed with as much amazement and disgust upon it as if the banquet of Tereus or a feast of the
Anthropophagi had been spread before them. The table




188                 A NIGHT ALARM.
was covered between the plates and cups with thin strips of
human flesh and clots of gore, which the cooks, in the haste
of preparation by the faint fire-light, had not perceived.
Our surgeon, who evidently enjoyed the exclamations and
denunciations which the spectacle elicited, stated in explanation that he had been compelled to use the mess-table at the
hospital, and had'" only cut off some legs and arms upon it."
We insisted on having the bloody board turned upside down,
and then seated ourselves around it with rather less satisfaction, as may be supposed, than we have experienced in placing our feet under the mahogany of certain friends at home.
After supper, we wrapped ourselves in our wet blankets and
vainly sought repose. The excitement of battle having subsided, we began to suffer from the extraordinary exertions
which the body had almost unconsciously made during the
day. Sinews that had been strained like bowstrings then
relaxed, and the cramp racked every limb.
During the night, the fatigue parties continued to bring in
the wounded, and one of them losing its way, and approaching the chain of sentinels from an unexpected direction, an
alarm was spread rapidly over the camp. The "long-roll II*
instantly resounded through the grove, and for a time all
thought that the enemy were upon us. The weary and drowsy
men flew to arms, and stumbling through the bushes, and over
numberless obstacles, formed as good a line around the camp
as the darkness would permit. Though the uproar was as
complete as drums, bugles, and human voices could make it,
*The long-roll is the signal for getting under arms in case of alarm, or the sudden
appearance of the enemy.




VISIT TO A WOUNDED OFFICER.          189
and attended by some scattering shots from a few startled
soldiers of the guard, yet so great was the fatigue, and so
deathlike the slumbers of some of my acquaintances, that they
remained until the next morning in happy ignorance of the' stampede," when they were deeply mortified at not being at
their posts. Returning to our quarters, we found the brave
old surgeon of our regiment standing before his wounded colonel's tent, armed with a lance and pistols. Having, at the
first sounds of alarm, hurriedly mustered the hospital attendants, servants, and other non-combatants, and placed in their
hands such weapons as were within reach, he had determined
to guard his patients to the death, and phlebotomize in a
manner unknown to the faculty generally.
About midnight, a soldier wearing the uniform  of the
regular infantry, came to inform me that a wounded officer
lying in the vicinity had expressed a wish to see me. I
immediately desired him to lead the way, which he did, bearing a lighted candle in the socket of a bayonet, over which
he held his cap to shield it fiom the rain. A short walk
brought us to a small tent, which we entered. In the middle
of it, and with only a single blanket between him and the
damp turf, lay one, whom, as the light of the soldier's candle
fell upon his face, I recognized as Lieutenant —, of the
1st Infantry. I had become acquainted with him a month
previous at Camargo, under circumstances that contrasted
strongly with this second most painful interview. But an
active military life is made up of scenes as strange and
varied, as ever bard or novelist created! Though pale from
the loss of blood, Lieutenant --— s features were so calm




190       OPERATIONS OF THE TWENTY-SECOND.
and his voice so firm, that I did not think him severely
wounded, and was quite shocked when, after remarking that
" I hoped he had not fared very ill in the battle," he replied
by iaising the blanket and exposing to view the stump of an
amputated leg. After having his foot shot off by a cannon
ball, he had been placed in a wagon and jolted back to camp.
The tortures endured during that rough ride, he said, were
indescribable, and from which death would have been a welcome relief. Unfortunately for such sufferers, there were at
that time no ambulances with the army. The Lieutenant
expired a few days afterward, under, I believe, the terrible
second amputation, which it was found necessary to perform
in many cases in that climate.
The 22d of September, Tuesday, passed without any active
operations on the north and east of the city. The citadel
and other works continued to fire at parties exposed to their
range, and at the Teneria. The guard left in that redoubt
the preceding night, was relieved at midday by General
Quitman's brigade.
On the west side of the city, however, the battle raged
with unabated fury. We have already mentioned the action
of San Jeronimo, by which, on the morning of the 21st,
General Worth had obtained possession of the Saltillo road.
Between him and the city, were yet the strong hill forts we
have heretofore described. The road, following the course
of the river, ran through the valley between these, and was
commanded by the guns of Forts Federacion and Soldada
on the south, and of the Bishop's Castle and Independencia
on the north. It was obviously necessary to dislodge the




ATTACK  ON  FEDERACION  AND  SOLDADA.                      191
Mexicans from  these exterior positions before assaulting the
west side of the town.
General Worth accordingly ordered three columns, under
Captain  C. F. Smith, Captain  Miles, and  Major Scott, successively, all under the  immediate  direction  of Brigadier
General P. F. Smith,` to storm the two batteries, Federacion and Soldada, crowning the hights south of the road and
river. The attack was made at 12 AM., in full view of the
foe, who  opened  a plunging  fire from  both works upon our
men as they waded the stream, and commenced to toil slowly
up the steep, rugged, and bare acclivity. The light troops
of the enemy, descending  to favorable points on the slope,
offered a vigorous resistance. Our troops steadily advanced,
firing, and  the Mexicans, gradually yielding, retired  slowly
up  the hill.  In  the meantime, General Smith, discovering
that the ground favored the movement, with  his characteristic sagacity and promptness, rapidly marched the forces
under Scott and Miles obliquely up and around the hill, with
the view of taking the Soldada simultaneously with the Federacion.  The last named  fort was gallantly carried  by the
a Those who carefully noted the progress of events in Mexico, can not have
failed to observe the genius and military talent uniformly displayed by General
Persifor F. Smith. The commencement of the war found him, I believe, a practitioner in the courts of New Orleans. At the suggestion of General Taylor, he
was selected to command the six-month volunteers of' Louisiana, sent to the Rio
Grande. President Polk soon afterward appointed him to the Colonelcy of the
new regiment of mounted rifl2men, with which corps, however, he never served,
having earned promotion before its arrival in the field. At the battle of Monterey,
he commanded with distinguished ability a brigade in Worth's division. He subsequently gained an enviable fame in Scott's army, especially for the splendid
victory of Contreras. By his recent judicious dispositions on the Indian frontier of
Texas, he has effectually secured peace and confidence to that border. 1 hope the
President-makers will ere long discover his worth and talents.




192               BOTH AR:E CAPTURIED.
column attacking in front, under Captain C. F. Smith, composed of four companies of the artillery battalion, and six of
Texan riflemen. Captain Smith immediately moved with
his main body to participate in the assault of the second fort,
Soldada, about five hundred yards distant, which was stormed
at nearly the same moment by the troops of Scott and Mliiles,
5th and 7th Infantry, and Blancharcl's company of Louisiana
volunteers. Lieutenant Pitcher and the color-bearer of the
5th, were the first to enter the Soldada.
The guns captured in these two works were immediately
brought to bear upon the opposite hill, a valley six hundred
yards wide intervening, and which was guarded by the
Bishop's Castle, about midway up the slope, and the Independencia, on its crest. The possession of these works was
of controlling importance; especially of the latter, which
overlooked and commanded the Castle. Night, however,
attended by rain, closed in soon after the capture of Forts
Federacion and Soldada and operations on the west ceased
for the day, the 21st. Successes had been obtained by General Worth's division almost as important as the capture of
the Teneria, and, owing to the comparative weakness of the
enemy in that quarter, especially in artillery, at the loss of a
very small number of men. Captain VIMcKavett, of the 8th
Infantry, was the only officer killed. The troops had been
thirty-six hours without food, and constantly tasked to the
utmost physical exertions. They spent the night under arms
in a pelting storm, and at 3 A. M., on the 22d, prepared to
attack the remaining works of the Obispado.
The redoubt, the capture of which is next to be mentioned,




STORMING OF THE INDEPENDENCIA.        193
was perched upon the highest point of a hill, eight hundred
feet in hight, and which from its steepness was almost inaccessible, save on the eastern side, where it gently descended
toward the Bishop's Castle, and thence down to the street by
which the Saltillo road enters the city. It was deemed by
the enemy impregnable. I well remember the astonishment
with which the Mexican officers, who were prisoners in our
camp at San Domingo, received the intelligence that General
Worth had carried the Independencia.
Lieutenant Colonel Childs was assigned to lead the storming party, which consisted of three companies of the artillery
battalion, three companies 8th Infantry, and two hundred
dismounted Texan Rangers. The command moved from its
bivouac in the valley at 3 A. M., and was conducted to its
point of ascent by Captain Sanders and Lieutenant Meade,
of the Engineers. At the base of the hill, the force was
divided into two parties, and silently commenced to climb
the dark slopes. It required all the strength of the men to
overcome the difficulties which nature had, at places, thrown
in their way. Perpendicular ledges of rock and projecting
crags were to be scaled, and thickets of stunted chaparral to
be crept under. But "excelsior" was the motto of those
invincible men who slowly and cautiously pressed up toward
the lofty apex, then clothed with a thick mantle of mist. It
was Night's last, still, and dark hour, always the most favorable for such enterprises.
The garrison of the work, having witnessed the mettle of
our troops on the previous day, and warned by the loss of
the Federacion and Soldada, were on the qui vive; yet such




194              THE WORK IS CARRIED.
was their confidence in the difficulties of the ground, that it
was supposed no assault could be successful. At dawn the
storming party had reached a point within one hundred
yards of the redoubt, and where among the clefts of the rocks
a body of the enemy had been posted in apparent anticipation of the attack. The flash and roar which announces the
coming of a sumnmer's rain, is not more sudden and terrific
than the explosion which then burst upon our stormers. The
deep-set rocks around them were scarcely more firm  and
unyielding than were our stout-hearted men in that crashing
blast. Not a shot was returned —-not a cheer raised  At
the thrilling word, I charge," quickly repeated by the officers, the Americans rushed forward and forced the enemy
back toward the redoubt at the point of the bayonet. The
summit of the hill occupied by the Mexicans, blazed like a
beacon, while in the dark cloud around it, the flashes of our
guns soon formed an unbroken ring of fire. Rapidly and
regularly that burning circle contracted, until it mingled
with the fire of the foe. Then came the deadly struggle.
Those red flames were suddenly extinguished, and instead
of the rattle of musketry, the shouts and groans of a fierce
hand to hand encounter, floated out from the peak of that
cloud-capt hill. Our men fought with unwavering courage;
the enemy, for a few minutes, made an obstinate but unavailing defense; but being forced over their walls, finally
fled in wild confusion toward the Bishop's Castle. Among
the few Americans killed in this assault was Captain Gillespie, a popular officer of the Texan Rangers.
The next piece in Worth's brilliant programme was the




STORMING THIE BISHOP'S CASTLE-THE SORTIE.   195
Bishop's Castle; which was below, and about four hundred
yards distant firom the position last carried.  No artillery
was found in the redoubt, and Lieutenant Roland, of Duncan's battery, aided by fifty soldiers of the line, undertook
the Herculean task of dragging or rather carrying a twelvepounder howitzer up the rugged acclivity which the troops
had climbed in the early morning. In two hours the labor
was successfully accomplished; and the howitzer, covered by
the epaulernent of the captured work, commenced to play
upon the castle.  Meanwhile the 5th Infantry had been
brought up by its gallant Major, Martin Scott, to reinforce
the hight, while the troops of Major Vinton, and the Texans
under Hays and Walker, advancing to covered positions on
both sides of the ridge, invested the castle with a close and
constant fire, which the enemy returned from the parapets
and loop-holes of that massive edifice. This contest of
sharp-shooters continued for several hours, and with the fire
of Roland's howitzer, produced a visible efiect upon the garrison. At length the Mexicans conceived the desperate resolution of re-taking the hight, as the only means of saving
the castle; and about 3 P. M., having received heavy reinforcements from the city, they made a vigorous sortie under
Colonel Francisco Berra. This was a movement long anticipated, and for which the needful dispositions had been made
by the accomplished strategist who commanded our troops.
The enemy was allowed to advance, unmolested, for some
distance up the ridge; and then, at a preconcerted signal, a
general discharge from all arms was poured into his culumnn,
which caused it to reel and stagger back in dismay. Our




196              THF BISHOP'S CASTLE TAKEN.
men rising in the next instant, from the rocks, charged with
a shout upon the front and flanks of the foe.  The Mexicans
were unable to resist this sudden and impetuous assault, and
after a short but ineffectual effort to hold their ground, gave
way, and, like a loosened cliffs rolled headlong down the
descent. Few of the fugitives paused to re-enter the castle;
but " horse and foot" fled in dire confusion past the work,
and, as their own historians confess, " penetrated to the interior of the city, spreading terror." X
The Americans pursuing, entered the castle. Its guns,
together with Duncan's and Mackall's field-batteries, which,
the road being now open, came up from. the valley at a gallop, were discharged upon the retiring and confused masses
that filled the avenue leading to the city.  About thirty prisoners were taken in the fortress. Lieutenant Ayres of the 3d
Artillery hauled down the gaudy standard of Mexico; and
in the next moment, the unpretending flag of our glorious
Union floated in triumph from  the battlements.  As it was
unfurled by the evening breeze, and the " stripes and stars"
flashed in the golden rays of declining day, shouts of joy
burst forth from those who, on the north side of the city, had
been attentively observing the tragic scenes enacted on the
hights.  Thus terminated on the evening of September 22d,
the second act of the drama.
*The enemy committed, in my poor judgment of such matters, an egregious
blunder in associating some squadrons of horse with the attacking column. The
practice of mixing small bodies of infantry and cavalry together, is a bad one in
all places, but especially so in that. Ground more unsuitable for the operations of
mounted troops, I never beheld. The proud Lancers, it may be, concluded that
the disgrace and humiliation of defeat could be no greater than that of serving on
foot.




THE MEXICAN PRISONERS IN CAMP.                   197
That night I was again on duty. A great number of prisoners, chiefly soldiers, but among them some of the vile
scum of the chaparral, were in the camp, and had hitherto
been under a special guard in the center of the grove. In
consequence of the paucity of our troops, and the number of
our wounded, it was determined to dispense with this detail,
and to place the prisoners in charge of the main-guard. It
was after dark when the order for their removal reached me,
and it was found necessary to exercise great vigilance to
frustrate attempts at escape, during their progress through
the intricate paths and gloomy shades of the  wood.  On
arriving at tile guard station, and observing a large force
drawn  up under arms, the Mexicans gazed at each  other
with anxiety and alarm; and some of them, supposing they
were about to suffer the cruel fate so often inflicted upon
Texan prisoners by their own troops, broke forth in prayers
and  lamentations.~   Our assurances that  no  harm   was
intended, uttered, it is true, not in the best Castilian, and
interlarded with a little dog-latin, that seemed quite as comprehensible, allayed their fears, and they all quietly obeyed
the order to sit down. The jeers of some of their own number contributed to the pacification of the most timid. An
old man, clad in the garb of a citizen, was greatly alarmed,
* The Mexicans-naturally sanguiniary, and debased by merciless civil warsin their fitful efforts to subdue the revolted province of Texas, were strangely,
madly, blind to the policy of humanity. They commenced the campaign of 1836,
under a special act of' the Mexican Congress, which provided that no prisoners
should be taken. Yet they did accept prisoners of war, but only to violate the
express terms of capitulation, and every sentiment of honor and justice, by murdering them in cold blood. The slaughter of Alamo, the massacre of Colonel
Fanning's command at Goliad, and the decimation of the Mier captives, were act
wholly unjustifiable, and which deserve to be held up to eternal execration.
9.#,




198            THE MEXICANS ABANDON  EL DIABOLO.
and would have embraced my knees.  He supplicated loudly
for his release, declaring that he was not an enemy of the
Americans, and had been captured while pursuing a journey
of business.  A  promise  that his case should  be looked  to
as soon  as soon as leisure permitted, and a tender of some
little comforts due to his gray hairs and misfortunes, elicited
from  him  nzuc/os graciwas.
Earls  on  the  morning  of Wednesday, September 23d, it
was discovered by General Quitman's brigade occupying the
Teneria, that the  enemy  had, during  the  night, evacuated
fort Diabolo, and  abandoned  all their exterior works on the
north, except  the  citadel.~   General Taylor  immediately
ordered the troops to advance cautiously, and the batteries to
* The following account of the abandonment of these works is given by the
Mexican historian, in the " I-Votes:"
" This unlucky event, the loss of the Bishop's Castle, infused a silent fear which
comes before defeat. With few exceptions, the officers of corps felt this; and it
infected the General-in-chief himself, who was not endowed with dispatch and
energy. The possessors and disseminators of these sentenents, we are acquainted
with, but whose names, from shame, we hastily dismiss.
" An order was sent to concentrate the army in the interior line, by abandoning
all the works more advanced at the north, east, and west; and still preserving the
citadel and a few works to the south on the balnkl of the river. These dispositions
were executed at eleven at night, in the midst of a noisy confusion arising from
the troops refusing to abandon their positions without fighting. The grumbling and
discontented showed themselves openly, and the military morale suffering by it in
a manner beyond description. On the commencement of the 23d, it was discovered that the enemy's column, attacking from the west, had occupied the Quinta
de Arista, Campo Santo, and other contiguous positions. At the points we had
abandoned in the night, in the midst of fiightful disorder, some drunken soldiers
still remained, discharging their pieces in the ail, committing excesses, and giving
a clear idea of the want of concert that prevailed. General Ampudia now issued
from the cathedral, where he had remained during the action, and repaired to the
defenses. The azoteas were topped with sacks, and various houses pierced for
musketry. At ten in the morning, the enemy occupied the posts we had deserted,
and at eleven invested with firmness, generalizing their fire, which grew warm, to
the very houses on the principal plaza."




THE FIGHT IN THE CITY.             199
open a fire upon the central parts of the town. Colonel
Wood's regiment of Rangers dismounted, and joined the
attacking party. They were excellent marksmen, and their
equipments were most suitable for the work in hand. The
Americans, no longer annoyed by the Mexican artillery,
seized upon the nearest houses, and mounting to the roofs or
breaking through. walls, slowly forced their way toward the
heart of the beleaguered city. They were soon engaged,
and now upon more equal terms, in a desperate conflict with
the defenders. House after house, and square after square,
were wrested from them. The Mexicans fought in sullen
silence, while our men, assured of victory, made the welkin
ring with their cheers.
In the meantime, General Worth, supposing from  the
heavy fire on our side of the town, that General Taylor was
conducting a main assault, and that orders fbr his co-operation, having to travel a circuit of several miles, had miscarried, organized two column of attack, and descending firom
the Obispado, launched his steady and enthusiastic battalions
once more upon the foe. Bragg's and Ridgely's light artillery were brought in on the east side, and Duncan'b and
Mackail's on the west side of the city. Sections of these
batteries thundered simultaneously through the principal
streets, advancin g after every discharge. The enemy thus
pressed between two fires, slowly retired, defending every
wall and house-top with the heroic fortitude that has characterized their race in resisting sieges. Soon after midday, as
if by mutual consent, both parties took a short breathingspell, and a deathlike stillness pervaded the streets, which




200             THE FIGHT IN THE CITY.
a few moments before had resounded with the wild tumult of
war. For about an hour the din of battle and fierce shouts
of the combatants.were hushed, and then were with greater
violence renewed. The Mexicans, soldiers and citizens, animated with the energy of despair, boldly ascended to the
azoteas, where, armed with heavy old English muskets, they
were no match for our dextrous riflemen. If, as I am inclined
to believe, our loss was greater than that of the enemy on
the first day of the battle, the account was more than balanced on the third. The Americans being now as well sheltered as the Mexicans, took a more deliberate aim than when
exposed in open ground to the fire of artillery. They availed
themselves in this singular combat, waged as it were, in midair, of every possible stratagem to deceive or provoke the
enemy into committing some fatal blunder or exposure. The
Mexican who dared to show himself above the parapets challenged certain death. From every angle and aperture they
showered their balls upon the enemy; and even the spouts,
which in Mexican houses resemble the scuppers of a ship,
poured forth streams of fire. Ampudia's troops continued to
yield before the valor of our intrepid men. The Texans,
whom the sight of a Mexican always inflamed to madness,
were conspicuous and furious in their assaults. Driven back
by inches, the enemy at nightfall found himself confined to
the vicinity of the grand plaza, which had been barricaded
for a final and desperate resistance.
In some of the newspaper narratives of the battle of the
23d, the women of Monterey are represented as actively participating in the defense, and hence the pen of fiction has




NIGHT OF THE TWENTY-THIRD.                     201.
already interwoven many tender love scenes in the siege.
But the only  account of female heroism   exhibited  there,
which possesses any claim  to authenticity, may be fouLd inl
the subjoined passage from the Mexican history to which we
have previously had occasion to refer.~In the afternoon of the 23d, General Quitman's brigade
was relieved by that of General Hamer.  Night once more
compelled the contending forces to seek a respite from  their
sanguinary labors, and General Taylor now prepared to concert measures with Worth for a combined attack on the Plaza
the next morning.  The opposing troops lay so near to each
other during the night,
"That the fixed sentinels almost received
The secret whispers of each other's watch."
Scattered through the streets and on the house-tops were the
cold  and  bloody  corpses of those  killed  during  the day,
while the gardens of the suburbs were " reeking with the
smell of death."   The mangled remains of those slain on
the 21st, unburied and moldering where they had fallen,
tainted the night air and threatened a pestilence. A few of
our men, too, who had been wounded on the first day of the
battle, were, as we subsequently discovered, still lying there,
* "' At this time, sublime as the heroines of Sparta and of Rome, and beautiful
as the tutelar deities of Grecian sculpture, the Senorita Dona Maria Josefa Zozaya,
in the house of Senor Garza Flores, presented herself among the soldiers who
fought on the azotea, to give them food and ammunition, and to teach them how
to despise danger.
" The beauty and rank of this young lady comu2nicated new attractions, and it
was requisite to conquer to admire her, or to perish before her eyes to be made
worthy of' smiles. She was a lovely personation of the country itself. She was
the beau ideal of heroism in all her movements, and with all her tender fascinaa
tions."




202           THE BOMBARDMENT AT NIGHT.
suffering agonies, their tongues swollen with thirst, and their
gashed and festering flesh devoured by worms.  Among
these dead bodies and helpless, wounded men, now prowled
the fierce, ravening wolves of the chaparral, tearing some,
limb from limb, and perhaps lapping the warm blood of others
" ere life be parted."
The mortar, which had proved so inefficient on the north
side of the city, had been sent around to General Worth, and
now, from the vicinity of the Campo Santo, played with no
trifling effect upon the enemy crowded in the plaza mayor.
Many of us had never before witnessed the operation of shellfiring at night, and found it a most interesting pyrotechnic
exhibition; especially upon this occasion, when the excitement it produced within the enemy's lines assured us (as a
brother officer, who lay on the ground at my side, remarked)
that General Don Pedro de Ampudia was about "' to cave."
The first few bombs that were discharged, exploded high in
the air, revealing the whole shadowy outline of the city and
mountains in a ghastly glare that was quickly swallowed up
in darkness.  A slight increase of the projecting charge
deposited them in the Grand Plaza, with an explosion that
shook the city, and a blaze that for an instant obscured the
stars, and caused the heavens to blush upon the scene. The
service of this battery during tLo night was admirably
managed by 2Major Munroe, and exercised a decided influence upon the final result. It is a noticeable fact, that
Ampudia's proposal to evacuate the city, is dlated within an
hour after the mortar opened its fire. And there can be no
question but that the same proposition would have been




AMPUDIA  PROPOSES TO  CAPITULATE.                      203
made early on  the first day of the battle  had  we possessed
guns of sufficient weight to reach the city firom any point
without the enemy's lines.
Thursday morning, September 24th, we were early on foot,
and waited  but for the dawn to renew  the assault.   About 3
o'clock, A. M., a bugle  sounded  the parley  in  front of the
position  held  by  our brigade, and  soon  afterward  a small
party under cover of a flag of truce was discerned advancing
down the street.  It proved to be Colonel Morino, of General
Almpudia's stafl; whose sad countenance at once explained to
all the object of his mission.   He bore from  his commandinggeneral to  General Taylor a  proposition  to  surrender  the
town, which, together with  Taylor's reply, is subjoined.X
* Copies of the notes of Generals Ampudia and Taylor preliminary to the capitulation of Monterey.
"  ead- Qaroteirs, 1M1onterey,
" Septemnbe? 23, 1846; 9 o'clock at night.
"Ge eral: As I have made all the defense of which I believe this city capable,
I have fulfilled my obligation, and done all required by that military honor which,
to a certain degree, is common to all the armies of the civilized world, and as a
continuation of the defense would only bring upon the population distresses to
which they have already been sufficiently subjected by the evils consequent upon
war, and believing that the American government will appreciate these sentiments,
I propose to your Excellency to evacuate the city and citadel, taking with me the
personnel and material of war which is left, and under the assurance that no prosecution shall be undertaken against the citizens who have taken part in the defense.
Be pleased to accept the assurance of' my most distinguished consideration.
"PEDRO DE AMPUDIA.
"Senor Don Z. TAYLOR, General-in-chief of the American Army."
"  ead- Quarters, Camp before llonterey,
" Septembeir 24, 1846; 7 o'clock, A. 31.'" Sir: Your communication bearing date at 9 o'clock, P. M., on the 23d, has just
been received by the hands of Colonel Morino. In answer to your proposition to
evacuate the city and fort with all the personnel and material of war, I have to
state that my duty compels me to to decline acceding to it. A complete surrender
of the town and garrison, the latter as prisoners of' war, is now demanded. But
such surrender will be upon terms, and the gallant defense of the place, creditable




204                    THE FIRING CEASES.
The Colonel was introduced to General HIamer, who imimediately provided him  with an escort to head-quarters at San
Domingo.  I was with IHamer at the reception of Marino,
and was surprised as well as pleased at the assumed indifference and tranquility maintained by all who were within earshot when he announced his business, though we were no
sooner relieved of his presence than congratulations were
joyfully exchanged.
A  cessation of fire was agreed upon, while commissioners
arranged the terms of capitulation, and we set about getting
breakfast in the captured Forts Teneria and Diabolo.  We
were usually pretty well provided with provisions of some
sort, but it must be confessed that the table of the St. Charles,
in New Orleans, was rather better than ours on that particular
morning.  A tin cup full of a thick liquid facetiously called
coffee, and made from the berry of that name, slightly
bruised with the butt of a musket, a slap-jack, weighing a
quarter of a pound to the square inch, and a crawfish, which
had that morning been dashed upon the wall of the Teneria
by the explosion of a shell in the ditch, constituted my
repast.  But the stomach of the soldier is not often dainty,
and the appetite, which for somne days past had been scarcely
alike to the Mexican troops and nation, will prompt me to make those terms as
liberal as possible. The garrison will be allowed, at your option, after laying
down its arms, to retire to the'interior, on condition of not serving again during the
war, or until regularly exchanged. I need hardly say that the rights of non-comnbatants will be respected. An answer to this communication is required by 12
o'clock. If you assent to an accommodation, an officer will be despatched at once,
under instructions to arrange the conditions. I am sir, very respectfully your
obedient servant.
"Z. TAYLOR, Major-General U. S. A., commanding.
"Senor Don PEDno AMrPUDIL, General-in-chief, Monterey."




ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION.           205
felt in the rage of stronger passions, now returned with such'
strengths that we could have fallen upon whatever was
offered, like " a priest, a shark, an alderman, or pike."
The sounds of merriment that broke from the men as they
gathered around the camp-kettles for breakfast, proclaimed
the joy they felt at the prospect of a termination of the siege.
A remarkably happy looking mess were observed sitting on
the body of a dead mule, and talking, laughing, and sipping
their coffee with evident gusto; occasionally placing their
cups upon the animal's bloated side, while they helped themselves to the contents of a pan that simmered over a neighboring fire. After breakfast, fatigue parties were sent out
to bury the dead. While engaged in that painful duty, they
happily discovered a few men who had been wounded three
days previous, and who were so much reduced by hunger,
suffering, and the loss of blood, that their comrades could
scarcely recognize them.
A long negotiation, lasting until late in the night of the
24th, resulted in the following
"ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION."
ARTICLE 1. AS the legitimate result of the operations before
this place, and the present position of the contending armies,
it is agreed that the city, the fortifications, cannon, the munitions of war, and all other public property, with the undermentioned exceptions, be surrendered to the commanding
general of the United States forces now in Monterey.
ART. 2. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain the
following arms, to wit: the commissioned officers their side10




.4)06 g        ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION.
arms, the infantry their arms and accouterments, the cavalry
their arms and accouterments, the artillery one field battery,
not to exceed six pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammluni
tion.
ART. 3. That the Mexican armed forces retire, within
seven days from this date, beyond the line formed by the
pass of l the Rinconada, the city of Linares, and San Fernando
de Presas.
ART. 4-. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the
Mexican, and occupied by the American forces to-morrow
morning at ten o'clock.
ART. 5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience,
that the troops of the United States will not occupy the city
until the Mexican forces have withdrawn, except for hospital
and storage purposes.
AlRT  6. That the forces of the United States will not
advance beyond the line specified in the 3d article before the
expiration of eight weeks, or until the orders or instructions
of the respective governments can be received.
ARLT. 7. That the public property to be delivered shall be
turned over and received by officers appointed by the commanding generals of the two armies.
ART. 8. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the preceding articles shall be solved by an equitable construction,
and on principles of liberality to the retiring army.




THE NEGOTIATIONS.               207
ART. 9. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel,
may be saluted by its own battery.
Done at Monterey, September 24, 1846.
(W. J. WORTH
Commissioners on the part of the 1W. J. 9oHER,
I J P. HENDERSON,
United States,               I
[JEFF. DAVIS.
rT. RAQUENA.
Commissioners on the part of Mexico,   ORTEGA,
M. MW. LLANO.
C Z. TAYLOR,
Approved by  UP. AMPUDIA.
It will be seen that the terms granted the Mexican garrison were less rigorous than those first imposed by General
Taylor. But the gallant defense of the town, and the fact of
a recent change of government in Mexico, (the restoration of
Santa Anna,) believed to be favorable to the interests of
peace, induced the commission to concur in these articles,
especially that for the temporary cessation of hostilities. It
was said that our straight-forward old general, vexed by the
caviling and arrogant demands of Ampudia's commissioners,
was more than once about to break up the conference, and
" let the tongue of war again plead for our interest." The
camp was full of rumors of what took place in the councilchamber; among others, that General Taylor had at first
peremptorily refused to allow the Mexicans to take off any
artillery, declaring that he held the town, as if it was an
orange in his hand, and that he would squeeze it to a pulp
if terms more in accordance with the condition of afiairs




208 TAYLOR VINDICATES THE TERMS OF TIIE CAPITULATION.
were not speedily agreed upon. That thereupon the Mexican
chief of artillery successfully appealed to the generosity and
magnanimity of the stern old soldier, stating that arms and
accouterments had been conceded to the infantry and cavalry,
and declaring that he would rather die at his guns than see
the artillery alone disgraced, by being compelled to march
out without a single light battery. Certainly the capitulation was sufficiently honorable to our arms, and humiliating
to the foe. Many mustang heroes and militia generals, both
in and out of Congress, and even the Cabinet of Mr. Polk,
have condemned General Taylor for acceding to it,-one of
the most humane and politic strokes of war that distinguished
the campaign. By its terms we gained all that could have
been acquired from a further assault, save more blood, and a
repetition of those horrors from which I have not attempted
to raise the vail. It is one of the maxims of Napoleon, that
" the keys of a fortress are well worth the retirement of the
garrison, when it is resolved to yield only on those conditions. On this principle it is always wiser to grant an
honorable capitulation to a garrison which has made a vigorous resistance, than to risk an assault."  But no more ample
and satisfactory vindication of the convention can be desired,
than that contained in the following letter of General Taylor,
written in reply to the strictures of the Secretary of War,
and to which the attention of the reader is earnestly invited.
fHead- Quarters, Army of Occupation,
Camp near iionterey, November 8, 1846.
Sir: In reply to so much of the communication of the
Secretary of War, dated October 13th, as relates to the




TAYLOR S VINDICATION.             209
reasons which induced the convention resulting in the capitulation of Monterey, I have the honor to submit the following
remarks:
The convention presents two distinct points:  First. The
permission granted the Mexican army to retire with their
arms, etc. Second. The temporary cessation of hostilities
for the term of eight weeks. I shall remark on these in order.
The force with which I advanced on Monterey -was limited,
by causes beyond my control, to about 6000 men. With this
force, as every military man must admit who has seen the
ground, it was entirely impossible to invest Monterey so
closely as to prevent the escape of the garrison. Although
the main communication with the interior was in our possession, yet one route was open to the Mexicans throughout
the operations, and could not be closed, as were also other
minor tracks and passes through the mountains. Had we,
therefore, insisted on more rigorous terms than those granted,
the result would have been the escape of the body of the
Milexican force, with the destruction of its artillery and magazines; our only advantage being the capture of a few prisoners of war, at the expense of valuable lives, and much
damage to the city. The consideration of humanity was
present to my mind during the conference which led to the
convention, and outweighed in my judgment the doubtful
advantages to be gained by a resumption of the attack upon
the town. This conclusion has been fully confirmed by an
inspection of the enemy's position and means, since the surrender. It was discovered that his principal magazine, containing an immense amount of powder, was in the cathedral.




210              TAYLORIS VINDICATION.
and completely exposed to our shells from  two directions.
The explosion of this mass of powder, which must have
ultimately resulted from a continuance of the bombardment,
would have been infinitely disastrous, involving the destruction not only of the AMexican troops, but of non-combatants,
and even our own people, had we pressed the attack.
In regard to the temporary cessation of hostilities, the fact
that we are not at this moment, within eleven days of the termination of the period fixed by the convention, prepared to
move forward in force, is a sufficient explanation of the military reasons which dictated this suspension of arms. It paralyzed the enemy during a period when, from the want of
necessary means, we could nlot possibly move. I desire distinctly to state, and to call the attention of the authorities to
the fact, that with all diligence in breaking mules and setting up wagons, the first wagons in addition to our original
trains from Corpus Christi, (and but 125 in number,) reached
my head-quarters on the same day with the Secretary's communication of October 13th, viz: the 2cd inst. At the date
of the surrender of lonterey our force had not more than
ten days' rations, and even now, with all our endeavors, we
have not more than twenty-five. The task of fighting and
beating the enemy is among the least difficult that we encounter; the great question of supplies necessarily controls all
the operations in a country like this. At the date of the
convention I could not, of course, have forseen that the
department would direct an important detachment from my
command without consulting me, or without waiting the
result of the main operation under my orders.




TAYLOR S VINDICATION.             21 t
I have touched the prominent military points involved in
the convention of Monterey. There were other considerations which weighed with the commissioners in framing, and
with myself in approving, the articles of the convention.
In the conference with General Ampudia, I was distinctly
told by him that he had invited it to spare the further effusion
of blood, and because General Santa Anna had declared himself favorable to peace. I knew that onr governnment had
made propositions to that of Mexico to negotiate, and I
deemed that the change of government in this country since
my last instructions, fully warranted me in entertaining considerations of policy.  My grand motive in moving forward
with very limited supplies had been to increase the inducements of the Mexican government to negotiate for peace.
Whatever may be the actual views of the MIexican rulers,
or of General Santa Anna, it is not unkn~owzn to tAe yovernment tAat Ihacd tle very be4st reasons for believing the statemeent of General Ampuiciic to be true.  It was my opinion
at the time of the convention, and it has not been changed,
that the liberal treatment of the Mexican army, and the suspension of arms, would exert none but a favorable influence
in our behalf.
The result of the entire operation has been to throw the
Mlexican army back more than 300 nmiles, to the city of San
Luis de Potosi, and to open the country to us, if we choose to
penetrate it, up to the same point.
It has been my purpose in this communication, not so
much to defend the convention from  the censure which I
deeply regret to find implied in the Secretary's letter, as to




212                     THIE MALCONTENTS.
show that it was not adopted without cogent reasons, most of
which  occur of themselves  to  the  minds of all who are
acquainted with the condition of things here.  To that end I
beg that it may be laid before the General-in-chief and the
Secretary of War.
I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant.
Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. A., commanding.
The Adjutant General, Washington.
The fault-finders in our army were chiefly  Texans.  On
the night of the 23d of September they had obtained possession  of the highest houses in  the vicinity  of the great
plaza, arnd, unsated with slaughter, they but waited for the
riorning  to avenge  signally  the  hoarded  wrongs suffered
during their long war for independence.  The capitulation
on the 24th,  of course, disappointed all their sweet and long
cherished hopes of vengeance.  Fortunately for the Mexican
population  the American  General knew  how  to crown  a
triumph with mercy.  It appears from the Mexican " IIistory
of the WVar," that some of the enemy were equally dissatisfied with the finale of the siege, and, it must be admitted,
with better reason.~  Both parties of malcontents, however,
in complaining, sin against humanity.
* "The second interview resulted in the capitulation, in which the commisdioners were the Generals Raquena, Conde, and Don Manuel Maria del Llano, a
capitulation which, with cutting irony, was called honorable. This was, that the
army should retain their arms and baggage, a battery of six pieces, ammunition
for twenty-four rounds each, one supply of catridges for the boxes, and the rest of
the material to be given to the Americans, who agreed on their part not to pass
tlie line of the Muertos, Linares, and Victoria, for two months, ill which time
clbrts wouldbe diligently made to accomplish a peace.
" On the 25th, at eleven o'clock, our troops evacuated the citadel, in front of a




THE CITY EVACUATED BY THE MEXICANS.                    213
During the protracted  conference of the 24th, and indeed
until the morning  of the  25th, we remained  under arms.
Pending the negotiation, many citizens came over to our
lines, and  offered  themselves  as prisoners  of war.   We
declined to be troubled with them, and they joyfully scattered through the surrounding country, as gladl, apparently,
to leave the city as we were to enter it.  Large parties of all
ages passed quietly under our guns in the direction of Gaudeloupe, a picturesque village that showed its scattered roofs in
the valley before the city, on the road to Victoria.  Others
fording the river behind  the town, escaped into the rugged
fastnesses of the Sierra.  On the 25th, we took possession of
the citadel, and became masters of the city.  A  large quantity of ammunition, upward of forty pieces of artillery, and
a considerable amount of tobacco, clothing, and other public
stores fell into  our hands.  Thus within a week after our
arrival before MIonterey, the more numerous Mexican army
bad been  forced  into  a disgraceful capitulation, and driven
beyond the Sierra Madre, north  of which  no standard  now
floated but that of the United States.
column of the enemy, commanded by General Smith. Our forces struck their flag,
a salute sounded from the ordnance, and our banner fell degraded. The victors
took possession of the fortress, and in hoisting their standard hailed it with hurras
of delight, while we were overwhelmed with humiliation and grief. Our forces
were lodged in the eastern part of the city, not having saved more than their personal effects and six pieces of artillery.
" Thus terminated the defbnse of Monterey. The simple relation of events will
excuse us from all commentary. The judgment of the sensible part of' the nation
will approve this course. * * *  * Our generals, with the exception of those
we have honorably mentioned, suffered in the contempt of their enemies a severe
chastisement, probably deserved.  When the difficulties of a cotemporary description are removed, the impartial pen of the historian, referring to these transactions, will reveal some names to infamy." —Notesfor the:History of the lar.




214          THE APPEARANCE OFf OUR ARMY.
A large number of the inhabitants, including nearly all
the most respectable citizens, retired with the army, scowling
hatred and defiance on us as they marched out. The:Mexican historian says —" When the inhabitants of Monterey
saw the last of our army depart, they could not resolve to
remain among the enemy, and many of them  abandoning
their houses and business, carrying their children, and followed by their wives, traveled on foot behind the troops.
1Monterey was converted into a vast cemetery. The unburied
heaps, the dead and putrid mules, the silence of the streets,
all gave a fearful aspect to the city."  The people who
lingered behind were, at first, exceedingly sullen and shy,
certain " gentlemen in black," having inflamed their minds
against us "' outside barbarians," representing the volunteers
as the scum of the United States, and destitute both of honor
and courage.
And in sooth, the spectacle that some of us presented on
entering the city was not very well calculated to undeceive
them, though I believe we had the advantage of Falstaff's
army, and could, perhaps, boast more than'6 a shirt and a
half' to each company. But our jackets looked exceedingly
shabby, and a pair of whole trowsers was a rarity. Our
beards and hair too, had grown to a great length, so that our
personal appearance must have been rather savage and grotesque. Some of the Monterey people, in their letters to
the newspapers of the interior cities, described us as " a set
of ragged vagabonds, nearly resembling  the Camanche
Indians, in manners, ferocity, and appearance."  Complimentary, certainly! But may we not be permitted to write




AMPUDIA S PROCLAMATION.                          215
beneath this portrait, thus drawn  by the pencils of our enemies, the  words  of Henry V. to  the French  herald  on  the
field of Agincourt:
"We are but warriors for the working day;
Our gayness and our gilt are all besmirched
With rainy marching in the painfiul field;
There's not a piece of feather in our host,
(Good argument, I hope, we shall notfly,)
And time hath worn us into slovenry:
But, by the mass, our hearts are in the trim."
In connection with the subject of this chapter, the truly,
and  therefore  truthless,  Mexican  proclamation, issued  by
General Ampudia, after his arrival at Saltillo, is subjoined.~
* " THh GENERAL CO0MANDING THE ARMY OF THE NORTH, TO
rIIE PEOPLE OF THE THREE DEPARTMENTS, 1TAMAULIPAS, NEW LEON, AND COAHUILA.'"Fellow-Cilizens: Occupied, before all things, in providing for the defense of the
rights and integrity of the territory of our beloved Republic against the enemy who
5as invaded her soil, the supreme government thought proper.to intrust to me the
Command of the patriotic troops destined, on the northern frontier, to this holy purpose. I accepted with enthusiasm the post assigned me, (for the zeal with which I
hive ever defended the holy cause of the people, is notorious to every one,) and in;he beginning of the month assumed the direction of such means as were within.ly power to repel the advance of the enemy. But fearing that the charge would
)rove too great for my feeble abilities, I solicited the worthy and most excellent
3enor, General Don Juan Neponuceno Almonte, to come and relieve me from the
-ommand of the army, presuming that the illustrious conqueror of Panuco would,
mn his return to Mexico, resume the reins of' our National Government.
On the 19th inst., the enemy having appeared in the vicinity of Monterey, and
ncamped in the San Domingo wood —their camp being one league in length, and
hree leagues in circumnfereace — I ordered their movements to be carefully observed,
nd hostilities to be commenced forthwith, the generals under my command being
Lll decided to risk a battle rather than retreat. The redoubts of the citadel opened,heir fires the same day upon the enemy, who were occupied, during that and the
succeeding day, in reconnoitering and preparing for the attack.
On the 21st, the assault was made by a formidable body of their troops, chiefly of'he regular army, upon our redoubts of the Teneria, the Rincon del Diabolo, and;he bridge of the Purisima, but they were gloriously repulsed by our valiant veterins, with a positive loss to our adversaries of fifteen hundred men.
On the morning of the 22d, General Taylor directed his columns of attack against:he Bishop's Hill, an elevation commanding the city; and although in their first
advance they were repulsed in a skirmish, a full brigade of regular troops returned




216                    SANTA  ANNAlS VEXATION.
That farrago of vanity, deceit, sycophancy, bombast, and
falsehood, does not accord very well with  his actions during
the battle, or his words at the subsequent conference.   The
reader will not fail to remark how lightly the veracious
Pedro treats his recent defeat, and how obsequiously he
endeavors  to  propitiate  "the  worthy  and  most excellent
Senor, Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna," whom the revolution of August had recently recalled from exile, and
re-established  in  power.   That distinguished  Mexican, disappointing the hopes of those who permitted  him  to land al
Vera Cruz, had placed himself at the head of the war party.
and was then engaged in organizing a grand army at Sar
Louis  Potosi, which  he  proposed  marching  to  the north.
We are informed  that, "irritated  by the  news of the fall o:
to the charge. Unfbrtunately, two pieces of cannon and a mortar, which defended
the position, got out of order, and became useless, and although as soon as advise(
of it, I sent a reinfobrcement, it reached the hill too late; the enemy had alread3
succeeded in obtaining possession of the castle. This accident compelled me t(
concentrate my force in the Plaza, in order to present to the foe a more vigorou:
defense, and to repel on the 22d, as was done, the assaults made by them througl
the streets and houses of the city. But, as under the circumstances, I suffere(
great scarcity of ammunition, and in spite of the ardor with which the entire army
both regulars and auxiliaries, were animated, I proposed to the American Genera
a parley, which resulted in an understanding by which the honor of the nation amn
the army, the personnel, aims, and equipments were preserved.
This is a true statement of the operations of the campaign up to the 24th inst
and if an inadequate supply of means, and other circumstances, have led to thi
result, we have not yet cause for a moment's dismay, for the Republic will now pu
forward all her elements of greatness, and with one single victory, which we may
shall, and must obtain, will solve the problem definitely in favor of our arms.
People of the east! the event which occurred at Monterey, is of' little moment
The favorite general of the Mexicans, the worthy and most excellent Senor, Dot
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, will promptly take charge in person of the direction
of the campaign. Let the sacred fire of patriotism  continue to burn in your bo
somns, and without fail we will triumph over our enemies.
PEDRO DE AMPUDIA.
Head-Quarters, Saltillo, September 29, 1846.




COMPAJRED WITH BUENA VISTA.            217
Monterey, he determined to chastise those who had not
known how to profit by the defenses of the place and the
enthusiasm of the troops." Upon the arrival of Ampudia
at his head-quarters, he immediately sent that general before
a court-martial. As often happens in such cases, Pedro
endeavored to throw the responsibility upon subordinate officers. Hiowever, Santa Anna soon decided that there were
no grounds for a prosecution, and published orders vindicating the accused. A  wise conclusion this, most excellent Antonio! For if to be beaten by inferior numbers
was of itself to constitute a sufficient cause for the trial of
Mexican officers, none of the enemy's generals, not even
".the illustrious conquerer of Panuco," would eventually
have escaped the operation of the precedent.
The following congratulatory order appropriately closes
the narrative of the battle of Monterey; a conflict of arms
especially interesting to the country, as the first of the war
in which its citizen soldiers participated.  The victory of
Buena Vista is commonly regarded as the most brilliant, not
only of the campaign, but of the war. Yet it may well be
questioned whether it reflects more luster upon American
arms than that of Monterey. True, there was a more fearful array of numbers ranged under Santa Anna's banners;
but were his 20,000 as formidable to volunteers, as Ampudia's 10,000 behind the walls and guns of Monterey? At
Buena Vista too, be it remembered, we had a fair field for
our superb batteries of horse-artillery; any one of which
was an overmatch for a brigade of Mexican troops, as witness the digraceful route of General MIinon's brigade by the
two pieces under Lieutenants Shover and Donaldson.




218         TAYLORI'S CONGRATULATORY ORDER.
Orders           He ad- Quaccters, Army of Occpation,
No. 123.       (camp near Xozter ey, Se2ptember 27, 1846.
The commanding general has the satisfaction to congratulate the army under his command upon another signal triumph over the Mexican forces. Superior to us in numbers,
strongly fortified, and with an immense preponderance of
artillery, they have yet been driven from point to point,
until forced to sue for terms of capitulation. Such terms
have been granted as were considered due to the gallant
defense of the town, and to the liberal policy of our ownJ
government.
The general begs to return his thanks to his commanders,.and to all his officers and men, both of the regular and volunteer forces, for the skill, the courage, and the perseverance
with which they have overcome manifold difficulties, and
finally achieved a victory, shedding luster upon the American"
arms.
A great result has been obtained, but not without the loss
of many gallant and accomplished officers, and brave men.
The army and the country will deeply sympathize with the
families and friends of those who have thus sealed their
devot;on with their lives.
By order of Major General TAYLOR,
W. W. S. BLIsS,
Assistant Adjutant General.




CHAPTER VII.
TiiE army at San Domingo.-Texan Rangers discharged.-The wounded sent
home.-A new camp established -Discipline of' the 1st Ohio Regiment of Volunteers.-Lilghts and shadows of' camp life.- Our Commissariat and the Meat
Biscuit.-The "spotted tiger" and "striped pig."-Savr ge spirit of the Mexicans.-Assassination of' Father Rey.-The Sierra Silla.-Scenery hunters in a
bad case.-A day in Monterey.-Condition of the battle field -Death of Brigadier General Hamer. —His character and services. —Military events of the autumnn reviewed.-Saltillo and Tampico abandoned by the enemy.-The Mexican forces concentrated under General Santa Anna, at San Louis de Potosi. —
Columns of' Generals Kearney and Wool.-Proposition of the American government referred by Santa Anna to the Mexican Congress.-The armistice terminated.-Worth's division occupy Saltillo. —Twiggs' and Quitman's march to
Victoria.
THERE is no situation  that so severely tries the discipline
of the soldier as a life of inaction in the enemy's country.
The stimulus to exertion and the dangers attending the presence of a hostile force being removed, his thoughts begin to
fasten themselves on pleasures and dissipations, to which the
weaknesses and perhaps the manners of the conquered people offer many temptations.  Especially is this the case when
cantoned in a city, or in a camp, like that at San Domingo,
within a short league of one. Though, as in our regiment,
every effort be made, by the establishment of a strict system
of police instructions, by the encouragement to manly exercises and diversions, and by the promise of extra pay  for
certain  important labors not in the line of duty, to employ
the time and attract the attention of troops. yet will the com



220            THE ARMY AT SAN DOMINGO.
manding officer find it extremely difficult to guard against
the many troubles of a monotonous existence in camp. The
lawless character and vicious habits of some men will render
all orders, threats, or promises, unavailing.
A better feeling never existed in any corps, than that
which prevailed in the 1st Ohio regiment after the fall of
Monterey.  Amid the common dangers of the recent battle,
in which they had well performed their part, the men and
officers formed new and strong attachments for each other,
and the majority of them were disposed to be obedient and
diligent in the discharge of their duties. But there were a
few turbulent spirits among us, who did not seem to know
that it was a greater achievement to conquer themselves than
to take a city; and while they had gallantly periled their
lives to accomplish the latter, unfortunately could not be prevailed upon to strive for the former more glorious victory.
In consequence of the disobedience and dissipation of these,
during our stay at San Domingo, the first notices of cortlsmartial were inscribed in our regimental books, while the
morning reports recorded not only deaths from disease, but
by assassination and rencounters not strictly military. Such
sacrifices of life, unrequired by duty and therefore unrewarded by fame, did not fail to produce a beneficial effect,
by demonstrating the truth of the couplet"Our dangers and delights are near allies,
From the same stem the rose and prickle rise."
After the surrender of Monterey, General Worth's division was selected to garrison the city; a well merited compliment, and which was but poorly requited by some of the




THE TEXAN IANGERS DISCHARGEDo          221
over zealous friends of that officer, who boldly claimed for
him  the honor of the victory. The same unhappy dissensions which afterward broke out so violently in Scott's army
at the city of Mexico, might have been witnessed at Monterey, had the commander-in-chief been so unwise as to
breathe upon these hateful sparks of discord. Taylor possessed too frank and generous a nature, and too earnest a
devotion to the cause of his country, to harbor any petty
feelings of rivalry or envy in his bosom.
With the exception of the brigade of mounted troops from
Texas, who, having expressed a desire to return home, were
mustered out of service on the first of October, the remainder
of the army remained with the head-quarters in camp. The
departure of the Rangers would have caused more regret
than was generally felt, had it not been for the lawless and
vindictive spirit some of them had displayed in the week
that elapsed between the capitulation of the city and their
discharge. Such deeds as were perpetrated must have
shocked the chivalric feelings of many in their own brigade,
since they were calculated not only to dim the luster of our
victory, but also to take from their own distinguished corps
"the pith and marrow of its attribute."  Gifted with the
intelligence and courage of back-woods hunters, well mounted
and skilled in arms, they were excellent light troops. Had
they remained and given their whole attention to the guerillas, they might have been exceedingly useful. The commanding general took occasion to thank them for the efficient
service they had rendered, and we saw them turn their faces
toward the blood-bought State they represented, with many
10~




222            THE WOUNDED SENT HOME.
good wishes and the hope that all honest Mexicans were at
a safe distance from their path.
Immediately after the cessation of hostilities, our wounded
men were comfortably lodged in town, and those who were
disabled from further service, were, as soon as convalescent,
sent home to be discharged. As an evidence of the spirit
that animated many of the unfortunate privates, it may be
mentioned that an Infantry soldier who had lost an arm,
called on General Taylor and asked permission to remain
with the army. "My good fellow," said the general, " you
are disabled and can do nothing more for your country in
the field."  "0 yes," replied the gallant man,'"I can work
with the artillery  I can carry cartridges and fire a cannon! 
The strength of our regiment was much reduced after the
operations before Monterey. Several officers had resigned
and a considerable number of soldiers had been discharged
on account of wounds and sickness. From one of the morning reports of November, now before me, I observe that but
four hundred rank and file are returned "' for duty;' and
this after the remainder of the corps had arrived from Camargo, where, it may be remnarked, thirteen of the number
left by us, had died after our departure in September. The
same report records twelve officers " absent with leave," and
two "absent without leave; " the latter doubtless having
remained in town, to make a night of it, at the fondac of
"llindoo John." Among the former were the Colonel,
Lieutenant Colonel, Adjutant, and Surgeon, who had returned to the United States. The Surgeon went in attendance upon the Colonel and Adjutant, both severely wounded;




A NEW CAMP ESTABLISHED.             223
though, could the fatal diseases which prevailed in his absence,
have been foreseen, it is to be supposed that both he and
they would have insisted upon his remaining with the regiment. The generous argument with which General Hamer, —
who, alas, too soon required for himself all of Dr. Chamberlyn's justly renowned skill,-overruled the only objection
raised to the Surgeon's leave of absence, is yet fresh in my
memory.
But if, when at San Domingo, the regiment was weak in
numbers, it soon became much more efficient and formidable
than it ever had been, even than when it landed eight hundred strong, upon the coast. Soon after the battle, we set
about establishing a more permanent and orderly camp. The
ground chosen was on the east side of the grove, and when
marked off, was covered with an almost inpervious thicket
of thorns and aromatic shrubs. It was convenient to water,
and most of it well shaded by wide-spreading and venerable
oaks of extraordinary beauty. Some of the idlers complained
of the selection in consequence of the labor required to clear
out the undergrowth. But we were amply compensated for
that, in possessing a most comfortable camp. Nor was it a
work of much fatigue with our force. I well recollect the
merry day we spent in the peaceful and pleasant labor. It
was the first of October, and the weather was delicious.;No
" loud war-trumpet woke the morn," but the more pacific
notes of the'pioneer's march " summoned the whole regiment for fatigue duty. The battalion was formed, not as
usual, under arms, but under the useful tools of the husbandman.  Axes and pickaxes, hatchets and spades, gleamed




224            PA'lADEiGRJOUD LAID OUT.
above the line; and the hardy men grasped the good oldfashioned weapons with many a laugh and lively sally of wit.
Every officer was in his place, and throughout the day
labored cheerfully with his command.
The chaparral falling rapidly beneath the heavy blows of
an hundred axmen, was immediately drawn off and thrown
in lofty ridges around the camp, forming thus a dense barrier that would have proved a very serious obstruction to the
progress of the enemny, and which, certainly no cavalry could
have crossed. The spade and pickax-men followed the
choppers, leveling the surface and removing the stumps and
stones from the parade-ground.  Before night, the entire
space was cleared and a wonderful transformation accomplished. The roving herdsman who had passed the spot in
the morning, returned at evening to gaze with astonishment
on the smooth and charming lawn, that but a few hours before had been a tangled thicket, through which he could
scarcely force his leather-clad body. Even the gay colored
birds that had reveled among the perfumnied bowers just destroyed, seemed surprised and bewildered by the magical
metamorphosis, and flew noisily about in quest of their
favorite retreats. After subdividing the ground and assigning to each company its position, we returned to our old
quarters, quite satisfied with the victory of the day; and
numbering among our prisoners, sundry tarantulas and scorpions, a brace of armadillos, and a fine specimen of the genus
Lacerta, which was supposed to be a genuine chameleon.
On the following morning we moved to our new position,
and the tents were pitched in the beautifill and compact




DISCIPLINE OF THE REQIMENST.          225
order prescribed by the Army Regulations.  The soldiers
who were without tents, constructed wigwams, by hanging
the long Spanish moss gathered from the trees, upon frames
of poles, which greatly enhanced the picturesque beauty of
the encamnpment. The colmfort of the men having thus been
secured as far as possible, a system of instruction and discipline was at once established and energetically maintained.
Experience -lad already taught us, that if we desired to be
useful in the active operations of a campaign, we had much
to learn. The company officers were urged to the fulfillment
of all their responsible duties, and to encourage their men
both by precept and example. But few of them failed to aid
the commander of the regiment in the maintenance of subordination.  It had been supposed that the practice of electing
officers from the ranks, which prevailed in many, if not in
all of the volunteer corps, would not be very favorable to
the attainment of discipline. But whatever may be said of
those who received their coammissions before entering the
field, the men generally made judicious selections in filling
the vacancies that afterward occurred. Many of the newly
elected lieutenants were exceedingly active and trust-worthy
officers, and in their new position exhibited qualities which,
under other circumstances, would perhaps not have been discovered. There were some, however, who took prinlotion
simply as the means whereby they hoped to escape ciuby and
promote their own pleasures. These so annoyed their superior officers by their pernicious practices, that they would
gladly have exchanged them for the better men that remained
in the ranks.




226           DISCIPLINE OF THE REGIMENT.
At San Domingo, particular attention was given to guardduty, always so much neglected by young troops, and the
importance of which is never so well taught as by an enterprising enemy. Pains were taken to instruct the sentinels,
and to inculcate perfect vigilance, which next to fortitude
and courage, I take to be the chief qualification of a soldier.
The regiment was often drilled twice a day, and certain companies were exercised more frequently. But few of us had
enjoyed the advantage of a military training, yet with the
aid of the lucid and admirably-arranged work on Infantry
Tactics, prepared by General Scott, it was an easy matter for
ainy studious officer to acquire a correct knowledge of the
e&volutions announced for each day. From the period of our
larrival in the country up to that date, a suprise would have
been fruitful of disaster to our undisciplined corps; but after
a few weeks of faithful application, during which the paradeground was daily beaten to dust under the feet of the men,
we dismissed all apprehensions on that score. There was
no maneuver in the "school of the battalion," that they
could not perform with ease, precision and rapidity. They
coulid march in line admirably over the roughest ground;
while the dispositions against cavalry, by the various formations of the square from column or line of battle, were so
often practiced, that I believe we could have executed them
with closed eyes or in the darkest night. These exercises
gave the men confidence in themselves and in each other, by
showing them of what they were capable. Before the expimation of three months, they had attained a degree of excellcnce that elicited gratifying encomiumns from  competent
jAI Yges of the old line.




DISCIPLINE OF THE REGIMENT.           227
I trust to be excused for recalling as I do, with pleasure
and satisfaction, but I believe without undue partiality, the
good discipline of the 1st regiment of Ohio volunteers.
Justice to many officers and soldiers demands that I should
bear this testimony to the industry and perseverance by
which they succeeded in elevating their corps to a condition
of efficiency, certainly not excelled by any of the new battalions. The work was the more creditable to them, in view
of the shortness of their term of service, and the many evil
temptations incident to their position. There were some
regiments that rarely left their tents for military exercises,
and others that sought only to accomplish a few showy movements. The commander of one of these appeared solely
intent upon teaching his men the " fire by battalion."  In
its acquirement, he consumed thousands of cartridges, and
with his volleys terrified the peaceable people for miles around.
True, the fire of his regiment was universally admitted to be
perfect-there was but one flash and one explosion in his
line. But, czti 6otoo?  He was himself an amiable man 
though somewhat ambitious " to make a noise in the world,'
and his battalion, a capital one for a funeral escort.
In the intervals of duty, the soldiers found ample leisure
for amusement, and dull indeed were the events of the day
from which they could strike no sparks of fun. Their wild
pranks often caused the sedate and dignified Mexicans, who
happened to witness them, to make big eyes. Rarely, however, did they pass the bounds of decorum, and even upon
these occasions, the commanding officer, himself no graybeard, would have preferred joining in their sports, to admain



228                  CAMP sCENEs.
istering the necessary reproof. At night, the camp often presented a scene quite as enchanting as any the imagination
could portray. The open and spacious parade-ground brightened by the mild radiance of an autumnal moon; the lofty
arches of the grove, adorned with waving banners of moss, and
illuminated by the ruddy glow of many fires; rows of tents,
luminous in the dim and shadowy vistas of the wood; the
silent sentinels pacing to and fro, their arms now flashing in
the light, now concealed in the shade; here a- group of cheerful young soldiers, whose bonyant spirits no vicissitudes can
dampen, laughing over the latest joke, or hatching some
harmless conspiracy against their comrades; there, seated
upon a fallen tree, their bronzed and bearded faces turned
toward the flames that curl and crackle around its green
stump, a party of elderly men smoking their pipes and conversing with the gravity of veterans, all combine to make up
a charming and interesting picture. Some of the Germans
belonging to the regiment were excellent vocalists, and not
unfrequently united their manly voices in the grand and
beautiful songs of their Fatherland; captivating every ear
with the wild melody of their choral symphonies.  There
were those too, in the ranks who delighted in the Ethiopean
style of minstrelsy, long popular in the United States, and
who awoke the echoes of the grove with the untutored, but
not unpleasing, music of the banjo and the bones.
But our cainp-life at this period was not all coleur cle
rose. Sickness and pain were mingled with our pleasures;
and death, multiform as the clouds, flitted frequently across
the checkered scene. Though the mortality was not so




SICKNESS IN THE CAMP.            229
appalling as at Camargo, it was much greater than was
anticipated in view of the season and location of the troops.
It is true, many lives were lost by intemperate indulgences,
assassinations, and the accidental discharge of fire-arms, yet
a legion of deadly diseases lurked in the cool and delightful
shades of San Domingo. Scarcely a day elapsed that the
muffled drums of some regiment in the wood, did not
announce the departure of one or more poor fellows to the
chaparral. The Ohio regiment perhaps suffered as little as
any in the camp; still our hospital-tent was never untenanted, and Dr. Heighway, the Assistant Surgeon, was kept
in full practice. Nor were the' poor Mexican serfs, who
dwelt in the surrounding ranchos, altogether exempt from
sickness. Knowing that medicine and advice would be gratuitously bestowed by our surgeons, a few of them were
occasionally to be seen hanging upon the outskirts of the
pale-faced party that each morning assembled at "the sick
call."  One old lepero, wasted to a shadow by the quartan
ague, whose entire wardrobe was a dirty blanket and threadbare pantaloons, "a world too wide for his shrunk shank,"
and whose rags and wretchedness obtained for him the name
of Lazarus, enlisted the sympathies of every beholder.
Senor Lazarus received not only our pills, but with all the
polite and profound acknowledgments of his race, deigned
to accept the crumbs from our not overladed tables.
But we may not complain of our fare at that period of the
campaign. A number of the Mexican farmers, inheriting
the keen Spanish scent for gold, were soon encouraged to
visit the camp, bringing green corn, pumpkins, poultry, and




.230:1:11:E iN THlE CAMP.
some fruits, with which they opened a prosperous traffic.
At no time indeed did our people want for the common
necessaries of life; and there was no one in our regiment
who will not remember and appreciate the indefatigable
exertions of its commissary, Captain  Stevens. He was
always prepared to feed the hungry, and at the right time
and place, no matter how hurried or long the march.
While in the wood of San Domingo, most of our companies built bake-ovens and succeeded in making excellent
bread, which we found an agreeable substitute for _pan-demaiz, slapjacks and ship-biscuit. The last named ration,
by the way, had also begun to disclose a very suspicious
meaty flavor, and caused the coffee or liquid in which it was
usually soaked by those whose teeth were otherwise unequal
to its mastication, to assimilate vermicelli soup. It will be
observed therefore that the famous "'meat-biscuit,' which
was exhibited by a Texan gentleman at the Wold's Fair in
London, is nothing so very new under the sun; and my
belief is that the invention was suggested to him by a specimen of our army bread.
As the troops were regularly paid, and with those almighty
dollars whose talismanic influence is acknowledged in all
quarters of the globe, it was within their power to obtain
many little comforts. To many, however, " the shining mischief " but furnished the means of indulging the passion for
gaming, to which soldiers seem  peculiarly addicted, and
the greatest portion of their pay soon found its way into the
pockets of the gamblers and adventurers who swarmed, like
famished harpies, in the track of the army. Every effort




FIGHTING THE TIGER-TiHE STRIPED PIG.              231
was made by a few vigilant officers to break up these ambulatory " hells," but with indifferent success; as even the soldiers who had been bitten made it a point of honor not to
reveal the haunts of "the Tigers."  Though they changed
their spots frequently to  avoid  detection, yet our patrols
occasionally surprised them in the sequestered recesses of the
chaparral, and captured considerable sums of money, together
with blankets, stools, tables, etc; all of which were confiscated for the benefit of the hospital.
It was even more difficult to combat the parent of vices,
drunkenness; and the "striped pig"* proved to be a more
formidable beast than  the  " spotted  tiger."   No  Maine
Liquor Law, no military authority, or moral suasion, could
restrain the appetite of some old Bacchanalians in the regiment.  A  few  of them  were always taken with fits of piety
on Sunday, and seldom failed to solicit permission to attend
divine service at the cathedral in Monterey. Of course,
being in town, they must needs " go the whole pig;" and
on these occasions they generally returned to camp in such a
state of uproarious excitement, that the officers on duty were
fain to offer them an asylum with the usual restoratives in
the guard-tent. Many Americans suffered a severe penalty
for their indulgences, from the knife or lasso of the Mexican
bravos. These murders were too often followed by the tacit
* This singular sobriquet, (the meaning of which it is unnecessary to explain to
an American reader,) is even more applicable in Mexico than in Massachusetts,
where, I believe, it originated; for in the former country, pulque and other intoxicating liquors are actually kept in hogs' skins. And since the time our Saviour
caused the swine on the shores of Galilee to be possessed by the devils of Legion,
we venture to assert that those valuable domestic animals have never been filled
with more filthy and disgusting spirits.




232             MURDER OF FATHER REY.
enactment of the lex talioenis, under which the innocent probably suffered equally with the guilty. These scandalous
affairs seem to be inseparable from war, and are to be universally deplored and condemned. But considering the hacts,
that no contributions were levied upon the natives, and that
many sacrifices were made to secure their confidence and
good-will, it is not strange that these bloody deeds should
have irritated to retaliation. Indeed, it may be considered
somewhat remarkable, in view of the relative position and
character of the two races, that these unfortunate occurrences
were not more frequent. Though the ears of General Taylor, ever open to the complaints of the people, were often
assailed with accusations of the volunteers, yet I can recall
but one outrage of that foul dye, which was not provoked by
similar conduct on the part of Mexicans. To the lasting
honor of my own regiment be it recorded, that while several
of its number were treacherously murdered, it never sought
fcr blood save upon the battle-field.
The assassination of the learned and pious Father Rey,
which occurred about this time, illustrates the indiscriminate
and implacable hatred of our enemies. One of the soldiers
of the 1st Ohio regiment, who, at the request of the worthy
priest, had been relieved from military duty for temporary
service with him, was killed at the same time. Of course,
the heathen who could thus " give the flesh of a saint to the
beasts of the field," would have no mercy for a layman.
The murderers, perpetrating the deed in the face of open day,
and on the high road, certainly knew the holy calling of
their principal victim; but to be an American was a crime




FATHER REY.                  233
that admitted no benefit of clergy. Doubtless also, the ruffians were confident of obtaining plenary absolution for " the
deep damnation of his taking off."  Father Rey was, I understand, a member of the society of Jesuits, —an unpopular
order in Miexico,-and whether his presence with our army
was designed to promote the objects of certain statesmen or
churchmen, or both, is part of the secret history of the war.
It was hinted by some, that while his* ostensible mission was
to counteract the influence of the Mexican priests and their
insidious attempts to cause disaffection among our Catholic
soldiers, his object was to secure, in the progress of events,
the interests of his order, whose vast estates and possessions
had been confiscated upon their banishment.
During the two months we remained in camp near Monterey, the weather was perfectly dry, and generally of a mean
and pleasant temperature; though we occasionally suffered
from the Northers which prevail in that latitude between the
autumnal and spring equinox. To protect ourselves against
those chilling tempests, which however rarely lasted more
than two or three days, and to procure timber for the construction of bomb-proof magazines in the citadel, we were
compelled to consume a goodly portion of the grove of San
Domingo, the pride of the province. Beyond that necessary destruction, I am not aware that the country in the
vicinity of our army suffered much from its presence. The
probability is that it was considerably enriched. lNever having entertained the mercenary motives so recklessly imputed
to them by some opponents of the war, our troops were content with the barren laurels of victory. The spoliation of




234                THE SIERRA SILLA.
private property is an odious feature of ocean warfare; and
for the abolition of which, it is to be hoped that all civilized
nations will hasten to unite. It has recently been justly
denounced as " the vicious relic of a barbarous age," and is
fostered by a spirit but little better than that of the old Flibustiers of Barrataria. The only public property, other than
munitions of war, captured at Monterey, consisted of cigars,
which were distributed among the troops. Tobacco, it is
known to most of our readers, is one of the articles monopolized by the Mexican government, and is a source of very
large revenue. Its culture is prohibited, except in certain
districts, and even in those, is restricted to a limited number
of farmers. The tobacco produced is purchased by the government at a price barely sufficient to compensate the planter,
and after being manufactured by public agents is re-sold at
enormous profits.
There are some interesting and notable sights in the neighborhood of Monterey, but which the claims of duty never
allowed me time to examine. I was particularly anxious to
obtain a view of the landscape from the summit of the Sierra
Silla, and which for extent, beauty, and sublimity, was represented as being unsurpassed in the observation of those of our
people who accomplished the ascent. That lofty mountain is
seen far and wide over the plains, and in all the long array of
giant peaks, is the first to challenge the rising sun and the last
to witness his departure. It wears the usual conical form of
volcanic mountains, and the curious saddle-shaped depression
in its top, may have been caused by the falling in of the
ancient crater. A  geological reconnoissance would per



A PARTY ON THE SADDLE.            235
hlaps confirm the belief that it is ignigenous, so forcibly suggested by its appearance. Standing on the east side of Monterey and a short distance in advance of the Sierra Madre
chain, it was scarcely a league from San Domingo. Yet,
though probably not over five thousand feet in hight, so steep
and rugged are its sides, that the persons who essayed to climb
it, were usually absent two days from camp. Some officers
of our brigade who had made the ascent in a sweltering day
in November, determined to pass the night among the bare
rocks, on the very pommel of the Saddle; and from that
lofty perch, to behold the whole gorgeous panorama of the
dawn. Before they had been many hours in that situation, one
of those sudden and not unfrequent commotions in the atmosphere occurred, changing its temperature almost immediately
from "India's fire to Zembla's frost."  A freezing Norther
swept across the plains and howling up the dark ravines of
the mountain, broke with the fury of a hurricane upon our
unprotected adventurers. With its first breath, all the loose
articles in their bivouac were carried away; and it was only
by prostrating themselves upon the rocks, that the heaviest
men avoided being borne off by the tempest. It is needless
to add that the unlucky party, now chilled to the bone,
awaited the god of day with increased impatience; not,
however, that they might see him in the brightness of glory,
glancing from mountain to mountain, from valley to valley,
and causing the whole earth to glow with a thousand hues
in his dazzling flight, but that they might take the "wings
of the morning,'" and fly from that bad eminence to our more
genial camp below.




236              A VISIT TO MONTEREYo 
In company with a friend, (who, alas, like many other
young companions of that period, is now among the dead,) I
spent a day in riding through Monterey and in examining
such places as were thought worthy of attention. A brief
sketch of that visit may not be unacceptable to the reader,
especially as he has obtained, in the preceding chapter, but a
distant bird's-eye view of the city. It was more than a
month after the battle, and the unburied carcasses of horses
and mules yet remained in the suburbs. Around these still
lazily stalked many of the voracious and insatiable vultures,
which, in anticipation of the banquet, had been observed to
descend from their mountain eyries to the field of carnage,
as soon as the last echoes of the combat had died away. We
entered the city by the road which passes under the eastern
wall of the citadel. That fortress, and indeed all the minor
Mexican works, were said to be constructed on scientific
principles; and so admirably arranged as a whole system of
defense, as to strengthen and protect each other. During
the battle, the citadel was commanded by Colonel Uraga,
who, I am forced to believe, tacitly permitted, if he did not
actually authorize, the slaughter of several volunteers captured near his position on the 21st of September. This
Colonel is probably the present General Uraga, the military
leader of the late successful revolution; I mean that based
upon "6 the plan of Guadalajara,"> by which President Arista's
government was overthrown in January, 1853.
From the citadel, we rode first to the western suburbs, and
gratified our curiosity with a view of the hights and works
captured by General Worth's division. At the base of the




ARISTA'S PALACE.               237
castle hill, we saw a giant cactus, more than twenty feet
high, and which, when in bloom, must be a magnificent
floral spectacle. We next directed our course to Arista's
palace, and its adjacent gardens, then filled with luscious
and tempting fruits. The building possesses little architectural beauty, but its lofty and spacious rooms and breezy corridors formed agreeable quarters for the sick and wounded
soldiers who occupied them. The massive edifice inclosed
three sides of a smoothly-paved patio or court, which was
filled with vases of flowers and fountains of crystal water,
that shed a grateful coolness over the atmosphere. The
fourth side of the square opened upon an extensive garden,
which, in its arrangement, displayed a degree of horticultural
taste and knowledge not often surpassed in our own country.
Parterres of flowers, hedges of pomegranates, alleys of limes,
clumps of orange trees, bowers formed by the grape, the
broad-leafed fig and the golden shaddock, the air filled with
perfumes and the melody of birds; altogether formed a scene
that Shenstone might have envied, and that Downing might
have been pleased to contemplate.
From that delightful spot we turned to examine a widely
different place, the Campo Santo, or cemetery, situated
between Arista's palace and the town. It was surrounded
by a high wall, and, like almost everything else built by
Spanish hands, strong enough to withstand an ordinary siege
or earthquake. A large body of Mlexican troops had occupied it at the commencement of the battle, but, after the fall
of the Bishop's Castle, it was evacuated, a few balls skillfully
thrown from Duncan's battery having caused them " to bile




238            APPEARANCE OF MO0NTEREY.
over the walls," as an old artillerist expressively remarked.
The walls served the double purpose of enclosing the "L holy
ground," and as a place to deposit the dead. Rows of tombs
were built in it, some of which being open, exposed to view
" dead men's bones, and all uncleanness." Leaving that
gloomy receptacle of poor mortality, we entered the city by
one of the streets which Worth's division had fought through,
to the Plaza de la Carne, in the center of which is a rudely
constructed jet d'eau. Thence we proceeded by the way of
the Plaza ilMercado, or market square, to the great Plaza,
around which are clustered the public buildings of the city.
The streets of Monterey are all well paved with round
stones, and sloped to a gutter in the middle. They are
uncommonly narrow, which, however, causes no inconvenience, since the people possess but few vehicles, and it seldom or never happens that
" Laden carts with thundering wagons meet,
Wheels clash with wheels and bar the narrow street."
The dreamy and dignified old Hidalgos would probably prefer the roar and crash of Paixhan-guns, to.the rattle and
clatter of omnibus and cab in their idle and quiet city.
Beside scaling off a little of the everlasting stucco from the
walls, and sundering some of the scarcely more durable iron
bars that protect the windows, our light artillery had not
damaged the town. The houses, nearly without an exception, are built of stone, and in the square, massive style well
suited to that sultry and revolutionary country; combining
comfort with a solid strength that makes them as defensive
as so many fortresses. The floors as well as roofs, the latter




DWELLINGS IN MONTEREY.             239
being supported by beams of imperishable mountain-cedar,
are covered with a hard and beautiful cement, in the manufacture of which the Mexicans have excelled for many centuries. But few of the mansions are more than one story
high, though the great elevation of that, being eighteen
or twenty feet with its crowning parapet walls, give to
the exterior of the buildings a hight quite proportional to
the breadth of the streets. The best establishments cover a
wide extent of ground and are generally arranged in a quadrangular form, the stables and offices occupying one side of
the square, with a court or small garden in the center. This,
as well as the building, is reached from the street by a single
large porte-cochere, in which a small door is inserted for the
convenience of pedestrians.  These huge barn-like doors
and the few closely-barred windows,-so unlike our inviting
porticoes and bright venetians,-give an exceedingly cheerless and inhospitable aspect to the streets. The interior of
the dwellings, however, excite very different impressions.
In their internal arrangement, elegance and comfort are
often judiciously combined. From the wide entrance just
described, the visitor passes to the right and left, into spacious reception-rooms; the polished floors, lofty ceilings and
solid walls of which inclose a refreshing atmosphere even in
mid-summer. These front rooms generally communicate with
the more private apartments of the family, situated in the
wings of the building, all of which open upon a pleasant
arcade, that surrounds thepatio, or space in the center. This
comfortable appendage to the dwelling, affords the inmates
a secluded place for exercise or amusement. And while it




240              THE CAFES-THE SHOPS.
protects the inner walls from  the sun, is itself generally
sheltered by the overhanging branches of fruit trees and rare
flowering vines, that breathe a delicious fragrance through
its cool arches.  These colonnades, as we afterward discovered when stationed in the city, were just the places in
which to enjoy a siesta or a bottle of vinto tino and cigar,
after a fatiguing drill in the Plazca zmayor.
After visiting the churches and other public buildings,
which presented nothing remarkable either in design or
embellishment, we entered a restaurant, where a very poor
dinner was obtainable for sixteen rials, including the luxury
of a table-cloth. The Mexicans are much more temperate
than the Americans, both in eating and drinking; and their
cafes consequently are not as flourishing as those in our
towns and villages. Their favorite beverages now, as at the
princely feasts of the Aztec nobles in the days of their barbaric splendor, are the pulque, distilled from the aloe, and
the chocolate, prepared from the cacao. A very good red
wine is grown in parts of the tierra templacdct, the quality of
which might be much improved by the careful and cleanly
process of manufacture pursued in our Ohio vineyards.
Nearly all the shops of Monterey were open, and some of
them contained assortments of rare and valuable goods, particularly of Chinese fabrics. The market also seemed to be
well attended by the country people. Relying on the friendly
assurance contained in the proclamation of the military governor of the city, the citizens had gradually returned to their
homes. But they evidently avoided any familiar intercourse
with the Americans. Naturally taciturn and serious, the




THE INDIANS OF MEXICO.                     241
countenances of the better classes seemed to be yet more
darkened with scowls of mingled hatred and sadness; doubtless attributable to wounded pride and disappointed hopes.
I do not recollect ever to have heard a hearty laugh from
Mexican lips; and rarely indeed could they be induced to
smile, "though Nestor swear the jest be laughable."  The
miserable leperos, however, who bask in the sunny plazas
and hang around the huts of the suburbs, appeared perfectly
indifferent to the fortunes of the city and even to their own
fate.  No spark of' true patriotism, religion, or virtue, ever
warmed  their hearts.   They seem  incapable of the least
intellectual effort; and in their present ignorance and wretchedness, no proof of the influence of Christianity and civilization  in  purifying  and  elevating  the  Indian  race, can be
recognized.  The Indians of Mexico, comprising, it is said,
at least two-thirds of its population, seem to have exchanged
the rude virtues of their warlike ancestors for the vices of
their conquerors.  Ages of slavery under Spanish masters,
commencing  with the repcrtimiento  system, so justly  denounced at its inception by the renowned Las Casas,~ have
rendered them  incapable of appreciating or enjoying liberty;
even as the fish, long confined in the dark lakes of the Main* Fray Bartolome de la Casas, bishop of Chiapa, was born at Seville, in 1474;
and was the first person admitted to priest's orders in the New World. A benevolent missionary and devoted friend of the aborigines, he was honored with the
title of "Protector-General of the Indians." He was the first to propose, as the
means of ameliorating the condition of the conquered natives of Cuba, that negro
slaves should be introduced into that island. It would seem then, that the most
enlarged philanthropy of the 16th, as of the 19th century, extended to but one
favorite color. In the former the black was enslaved for the benefit of the red
race; and now the meek Chinaman is being substituted for the Afrlican.




242                CAPTAIN RIDGELY.
moth Cave, have lost the organs of vision from the absence
of light.
On the way to camp, after the visit to Monterey just mentioned, I rode over the battle-field, and was shocked to perceive that the dogs and wolves had opened many of the
shallow graves. The glacis, thrown across the gorge of the
Teneria after its capture, and in which many of the enemy
had been buried, was a promiscuous mass of bones and rags.
The remains of our own soldiers were afterward more carefully interred. The officers who fell in the battle, were
buried together in a little cemetery on the border of the
wood of San Domingo, over which a cross was erected in the
hope that it would protect the hallowed spot from desecration.
Many Mexicans have as little regard for the sanctity of the
grave of an heretical Yankee, as the hyena itself; and there
have been instances in which dying foreigners have been
compelled to profess the Catholic religion in order to secure
even the privilege of burial.
Among the gallant officers whom death released from the
service in the autumn of 1846, were Captain Randolph
Ridgely, of the Artillery, and Brigadier General Thomas L.
Hamer. The former possessed one of those dauntless spirits
that revel in danger as if it were their natural element; and
by his conspicuous courage and skill in battle had already
gained a brilliant reputation. After the death of Major
Ringgold at Palo Alto, he had succeeded to the command of
the " Flying Artillery,"-a post for which he was eminently
fitted. In battle, he seemed to bear a charmed life; but
though shielded in the midst of so many perils, it was not




DEATH OF GENERAL HAMER.I             243
proof against the accidents of fortune. He was the most
accomplished horseman in the army, and yet by one of those
inscrutable and most unexpected dispensations of Providence, met death by the slipping of his horse while riding in
the streets of Monterey.
General Hamer, commander of our brigade, died in camp
at San Domingo, on the night of the 2d of December, after
a very brief illness. The writer, who became acquainted
with him at the commencement of the war, and enjoyed
much of his society during the campaign, is conscious that
his rude and unpracticed pen can not portray his character,
or render more than a feeble tribute to his many excellent
qualities of head and heart.  Never was a general more
beloved by his troops; and indeed, his frank and popular
manners gained him friends in every society in which he
was thrown. Throughout his sickness, his tent was besieged
by the men with sorrowful faces and anxious inquiries. The
devotion of his own brigade was evinced in one of those
sad scenes, which I was often called to witness, —the death of
a soldier. Early in the night of General HIamer's decease,
private Collins of our regiment breathed his last; and with
his dying words expressed the most affectionate interest for
his General. A  few hours afterward that loved superior
suddenly expired, in the presence of his physician, Dr. Caldwell, and a few officers of the brigade, exhibiting in his last
moments his usual serenity and fortitude:
" — So calm his exit!
Night dews fall not more gently to the ground,
Nor weary, worn-out w:inds expire so soft."
The whole camp, from the commander-in-chief down to the




244                     CHARACTER OF HAMER.
roughest soldier in the ranks, esteemed him and lamented
his' death.~   General iHamer was well known  as an  able
lawyer, and  the  most popular and  eloquent orator of the
Democratic party in Ohio.  The complexion  of his politics
was not, perhaps, quite red  enough  to  suit his party in the
times in which he lived; yet was he universally esteemed as
a true patriot and a sound statesman.   He had  represented
his district in the councils of the nation, where his excellency
of speech and wisdom  commanded  the admiration  and  confidence of his peers.  But lately re-elected to Congress, and
with  a brillant position  in  the army, a dazzling  career of
* When General Taylor was infbrmed of Hamer's death, he exclaimed, " I have
lost the balance-wheel of my volunteer army!"  The following communications
manifest to some extent, the regard entertained for the deceased General at headquarters:
lead- Quarters, Army of Occupation,
Camp near  l onterey, December 3, 1846.
"Sir: It becomes m) melancholy duty to report the death of Brigadier General
Hamer, of the volunteer service, who expired last evening, after a short illness.
The order to the army announcing this sudden dispensation, expresses but feebly
the high estimation in which the deceased was held by all who knew him. In
council, I found him clear and judicious; and in the administration of his command, though kind, yet always impartial and just. He was an active participant
in the operations before Monterey, and since had commanded the volunteer
division. His loss to the army at this time can not be supplied, and the experience
which he daily acquired in a new profession rendered his services continually more
valuable. I had looked forward with confidence to the benefit of his abilities and
judgment in the service which yet lies before us, and feel most sensibly the privation of them
"I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Z. TAYLOR, Major General U. S. A., commanding.
The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C."
Orders  Head- Quarters, Army of Occupation,
a\No. 150.                          Camp near illonterey, D)ecember 3, 1846.
"With feelings of profound sorrow, the commanding general announces to the
troops the decease of Brigadier General T. L. Hamer, of the volunteer service, who
expired last evening, after a short but violent illness. The ability and judgment
displayed by the deceased general in the exercise of his military command, and the
sterling qualities which marked his private character, endeared him justly to the




CHA]ACTER OF IIAMER.                        245
earthly honors was opening before him, and had he lived, he
would probably have " touched the highest point of mortal
greatness."   His manners were natural, graceful and winning; his person robust and manly; and his features, though
not handsome, exceedingly prepossessing and intellectual.
He was one of those men, whose souls appear to be ever
beaming through their faces. His conversation was cheerful and interesting, and the wit and anecdote with which he
pointed and adorned it, was always brilliant and charming.
It has never been my fortune to know one who understood
better than Hamer, when  and how  to use  " the word fitly
spoken," which, " is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
His cool head, ripe judgment, enlightened spirit and  cornprehensive genius would have made him eminent in any
position. During the campaign he had shown a practical
good sense and talent for military affairs, not often displayed
by those suddenly elevated by political influence from civil
life to high rank in the army.
The funeral ceremonies on  the 4th  of December were
solemn and touching, and there were not many dry eyes at
army and to his many personal friends. By the army in the field, and by the
citizens of his own state, his loss will be severely felt; to those connected with
him by closer ties it will be irreparable. The deceased will be interred at 10
o'clock, A. M., to-morrow, with the honors due to his rank. Brigadier General
Quitman, commanding the volunteer division, will conduct the funeral ceremonies, and will command the escort, to be composed of one regiment of volunteer
infantry, one company of cavalry, and two pieces of artillery. The cavalry and
artillery of the escort will be designated by Brigadier General Twiggs from his
division, and will report to General Quitman at 9 o'clock to-morrow.
" All officers off duty are respectfully invited to attend the funeral, from the headquarters of the Ohio and Kentucky brigade.
"By order of' Major General TAYLOR:
W. W. S. BLISS,
Assistant Adjutant General."
11 X




246        EVENTS OF THE AUTUMN REVIEWED.
the grave. The remains of the venerated General were subsequently conveyed,-in accordance with a resolution of the
Legislature of Ohio,-to his former home in Brown county,
where a vast concourse of his old friends and neighbors
united in his final obsequies.  His name and fame will
never be forgotten by the brave and patriotic people of the
great State he served and honored. So long as purity of purpose, wisdom, eloquence and courage are esteemed, they will
treasure his memory in affectionate rememberance. I trust
the day is not far distant, when Ohio (emulating the generous
example of her sister States) will testify her appreciation of
such services and sacrifices by rearing a monument in honor
of her own lamented dead; and inscribe high upon its marble muster-roll the deathless name of " Harer,' —statesman
and soldier,-in utroque fidelis.
Before concluding this chapter, I desire to review briefly
the military movements of the autumn: And first, those of
the Mexican forces. We have seen that the army of General
Ampudia after the battle of Monterey, had retreated not only
beyond the line agreed upon by the convention of September
24th; but to the city of San Luis de Potosi, situated hundreds
of miles in the interior. The pass of the RinconCadac or Los
Jlitertos, is the gate to the broad table-lands of Northern
Mexico. It is two marches from Monterey and is the strongest natural position for defense I ever saw, or read of, save
Thermopyle. Nature scarcely needed the assistance of art
in defending the pass; yet on the brow of the mountain and
commanding the narrow and steep ascent, strong intrenchments had been thrown up, and preparations made for a




EVENTS OF THE AUTUMN REVIEWED.          247
serious resistance. By its abandonment, the State of Coahuila, with its rich capital, Saltillo, was left open to our
arms.
A  month later, on the 27th of October, the garrison of
Tampico under General Parrodi, after dismantling their
batteries and throwing their heavy guns into the sea, also
retreated to San Luis through the pass of Tula. The people
of the frontier States of Mexico witnessed these movements
with surprise and alarm; and complained loudly of the central government for having thus left them to the tender mercies of the enemy. But these dispositions attest the sagacity
and military talent of General Santa Anna, who having
recently been restored to power, had entered the bloody arena
as proudly and boldly as one of his own favorite game-cocks.
I-e foresaw the impossibility of making head against the
American arms, with even the preponderant force his country
had heretofore set in the field. To prevent the Mexican
divisions from being beaten in detail, he wisely determined
to concentrate the entire military strength of the Republic;
and then by one heavy and sudden blow upon a weak point
of his adversary, restore the morale of' his troops and the
sinking fortunes of his country. The point too (San Luis de
Potosi) which le had selected for the re-organization of his
grand army, being nearly eqlui-distant from all parts of our
widely extended line, favored his designs; and at the same,
time would enable him to meet promptly invasions from any
quarter or 2ronuncicamientos at the capital.  Keeping a
strong division of Infantry and Lancers in observations at
Tula, and throwing his numerous Cavalry forward on the




248        EVENTS OF THE AUTUMN REVIEWED.
road to Saltillo, he remained quietly at San Luis until the
28th of January, 184-7; during which time many and exaggerated accounts of his forces and designs reached our camp.
There were some among us, who saw in every fire that
blazed upon the mountains, the signal for an insurrection;
and who magnified every plump of partisan Lancers seen in
the valley, into the van-guard of an approaching army. But
General Taylor, from his time-worn tent at San Domingo,
calmly watched the gathering storm; and when told that
Santa Anna would finally advance with thirty thousand men
of all arms, is said to have replied, " In that event, I shall
want ten thousand."
Let us now examine the position and strength of the
American forces at this period. It will be remembered that
at the commencement of hostilities, our government determined to invade 1 Mexico with three columns. The first or
" Army of the West", under General KIearney, marching
from the frontier of Missouri across the Indian territory,
was ordered to conquer the State of New Mexico; and, with
the co-operation of our Pacific fleet, the State of Alta California. This column performed the task assigned it before
the close of the year 1846. Those distant departments of
Mexico were virtually annexed to the United States, and
supplied with constitutions of the most approved pattern, and
laws of the latest fashion. It must be confessed that the
establishment of these civil governments, was not calculated
to convince the world, that the object of the Cabinet at
Washington was diflerent from that which had been previously disclosed with such amiable naviete by our minister to




EVENTS OF THE AUTUMN REVIEWED.         219
Mexico, a plain-spoken Buckeye, who had not studied diplomacy in the schools of Metternich and Talleyrand.
The second column, or "Army of the Center," under
General Wool, marched about the same time from  San
Antonio, Texas, in the direction of the enemy's State of
Chihuahua, with orders to capture and hold it subject to a
definitive treaty of peace. General Wool, finding no practicable route to Chihuahua, except one by way of the towns
Mlonclova and Parras, which brought him  within a few
leagues of Saltillo, was fortunately ordered by General Taylor to abandon his original purpose, and await further orders
at Parras. Though this expedition had thus been defeated
in its object, the long and weary march of Wool's command
had been favorable to the training of the volunteers composing it; and who soon afterward exhibited their discipline
and constancy on the field of Buena Vista.
With the progress and condition of the third column or
"' Army of Occupation," as it continued to be designated,
the reader is already familiar. He has seen it dislodge the
enemy from Monterey, and then quietly encamp in and
around the city, to await the progress of diplomacy during
the armistice. Our government had sent to that of Mexico
a proposition to open negotiations for peace immedliately
after the return of Santa Anna from exile; and had been
briefly -informed, in reply, that the question would be laid
before the new Mexican Congress, which was to assemble
in December. Now if that Congress should consent to treat
for a termination of the existing war, and a peace upon the
basis of the u'ti possidetis should be established, it was




250            THE ARMISTICE TERMINATED.
clearly desirable that we should be found in possession of the
the whole country north of the Sierra Madre. And if the
Mexican Congress should refuse, as it did, to enter into negotiations, the possession of Tampico and the establishment
of a new basis of operations on the East would facilitate the
conquest of a peace. Our Cabinet therefore very wisely determined to prosecute the war in the interval that must
elapse before the assembling of the Mexican Congress, with
the utmost vigor, and issued orders for a combined attack
upon Tampico by land and sea. The movement was arrested
by the news of the capitulation of Monterey, at the date of
which General Taylor was not apprized of the changes that
had occurred in the views of his government. The enemy,
however, as we have seen, hastened to abandon the threatened port, Tampico, and it was soon afterward occupied by
the naval force under Commodore Perry.
On the 3d of November, General Taylor was instructed
by his government to terminate the armistice. All the hopes
of peace which he had reasonably entertained were dissipated. On the 6th of November, he sent Major Graham to
notify the Mexican general-in-chief, that the temporary suspension of arms would cease on the 13th, the date at which
the notice was expected to reach San Luis de Potosi. Major
Graham proceeded no further than Salfillo, whence his dispatches were forwarded to Santa Anna by the governor of
Coahuila. The M]exican general in his acknowledgment of
their arrival, thoughtlessly or maliciously insinuated that
the notice was not warranted by the terms of the convention
of Monterey; but added that Taylor might commence hos



TAYLOR ADVANCES ON VICTORIA.         251
tilities when he pleased, and that he would duly correspond
to them. This note met General Taylor at Saltillo, which
city he had entered without opposition on the 16th of 1N'ovember, at the head of Worth's division. He at once, in a
second communication, vindicated his government from the
imputation of a want of faith, and concluded by expressing
the hope that the august Mexican Congress would find it for
the interest and honor of the nation, to enter upon an amicable negotiation for the settlement of existing difficulties.
General Santa Anna, in reply, courteously submitted to General Taylor's better judgment of the armistice; but assured
the American General, that neither the Congress nor any
IfeMxican (the words in italics were probably intended to
clear his own garments from the smell of treason) could
ever listen to any proposition for peace, until the forces
of the United States had withdrawn from the national territory.
General Taylor leaving Worth and twelve hundred regular
troops at Saltillo, now our advance post, with Wool at the
head of twenty-four hundred men, on his flank at Parras,
returned to Monterey and prepared next to occupy Victoria,
the capital of Tamaulipas. That city was not only an important point, politically, but being situated at the debouchee
of the Tula pass, a strong force there would threaten the
flank of the Mlexican army should it attempt to advance upon
Saltillo. Accordingly on the 13th of December, the commander-in-chief, having previously ordered Patterson's division which had been left in reserve upon the Rio Grande, to
meet him at Victoria, marched eastward with the brigades of




252        TAYLOR ADVANCES ON VICTORIA.
Twiggs and Quitman, leaving General Butler in command at
Monterey, with a small battalion of Regulars, the 4th Infantry, in the city, and our brigade still in camp at San
Domingo.




CIHAPTER VIII.
FALSE reports.-Why and how we went to Saltillo.-The loan of a donkey.Forced march across the Sierra Madre.-Mountain scenery.-La Rinconada.The aloe plant.-Los Muertos.-The tierra templada.-Bivouac at the Palomas
pass.-Conduct of the natives.-A cotton factory.-Scarcity of fuel. —Sufferings
of the troops.-Rabbit hunts.-A visit to Saltillo. —Christmas-eve.-Another
stampede.-Christmas-day in Saltillo.-Lassoing a team.-Return to Monterey.
THE reader who traces on the map of Mexico, the long
line occupied by our troops in the winter of 1846, in distant
and small detachments, and then looks at the position of the
united Mexican forces at San Luis de Potosi, might perhaps
suppose that General Taylor had committed a palpable fault
in so dividing his army as to prevent its timely concentration
at any threatened point. But when he is informed that there
are no practicable passes through the rocky barrier of the
Sierra Madre, save at Tula and Rinconada, and that it is
impossible to transport artillery through the former; that
between  San Luis and Saltillo, there  is  a  vast desert,
which is of all natural obstacles the most difficult for an
army to overcome; he will perceive how the rules of war
are governed by the country in which it is waged, and admit
that the American arms were in no way comproinited by
the dispositions which followed the termination of the armistice. Our greatest difficulty was in obtaining reliable information of the enemy's designs, and we were consequently
annoyed by many false and vexatious alarms.  On the other
12




2'4:   WOiRTH9S BIG STAMPIODE.
hand, General Santa Anna was correctly advised of all our
movements by the citizens in our vicinity; and unfortunately
by the sad capture and death of Lieutenant Richey at Villa
Grande, obtained possession of dispatches which revealed to
him Scott's proposed descent upon Vera Cruz, to be preceded
by the withdrawal from our line, of the elite of Taylor's victorious army. Every one remembers how he profited by this
knowledge; how despite the clamors of his own countrymen
concerning his inactivity, he remained at San Luis drilling
his troops and collecting the necessary material for the camipaign, until all our regular and many of our volunteer regiSments had joined General Scott upon the coast; and how,
when the long anticipated moment arrived, his mnighty host
rapidly crossed the desert and rolled, like the swelling tide
of Fundy, up through the valley of Angostura.
It has been stated in the preceding chapter, that General
Taylor marehed for Victoria on the 13th of December, leaving the 1st Ohio and the 1st (entaucky regiments, formerly
Hamer's brigade and which after his death had been broken
up, in camp near Monterey.  The departure of so considerable a portion of our force, and especially of the commanderin-chief, whose presence always seemed sufficient to inspire
the weakest corps with confidence, gave room to many vague
surmises concerning the enemy, and which soon attained a
threatening magnitude. The most important of these, generally known as " Worth's big stampede," caused a commotion that was felt from Saltillo to the Brazos, and brought
every battalion several marches up the line. On the night
of the 16th of December, General Butler commanding at




WORlTH S BIG STAMPEDE.            255
Monterey, received a message from General Worth to the
effect that Santa Anna designed to take advantage of the
diversion of force toward Victoria, to strike a heavy blow at
Saltillo; and if successful, then at General Wool's force at
Parras. This rumor, caused by some unimportant movement
in the enemy's camp which was reported by our spies, obtained color from the advantage it was supposed to promise
the Mexicans.  General Butler immediately commanded the
1st Ohio and 1st Kentucky regiments, with Captain Webster's howitzer battery, to move by forced marches on Saltillo; and dispatched orders to hasten up troops from the
rear. The intelligence also overtook General Taylor at Montemorelos, who immediately turned back with Twiggs' divisions, leaving Quitman's brigade to continue its march eastward. But on his return to Monterey, learning that the
expected movement of Mexican troops had not taken place;
and that in addition to our brigade, General Wool's column
was also hastening to reinforce Worth at Saltillo, he made a
rapid countermarch on Victoria.
General Butler's order reached our camp at San Domingo
at 2 A. M. on the 17th of December; and as we were expectedl to be in Monterey at dawn, but few hours were allowed
for preparation. We however, " took the instant by the forward top."  The men set fire to their huts, hurriedly packed
their knapsacks by the light their flames afforded, and then
cooked breakfast upon the glowing embers. As there was
not a wagon or pack-mule in the camp, and the march was
to be a rapid one, the soldiers were required to reduce their
baggage to the smallest possible compass. Mlany articles of




256            WE LEAVE SAN DOMINGO.
comfort, that had been collected during our long stay at San
Domingo, were therefore necessarily abandoned. Yet when
the battalion was formed, I was surprised to observe heavy
and rudely-constructed bird-cages hanging upon the backs of
a few men. These contained birds of the parrot tribe,
caught in the grove, and which their owners preferred to carry rather than more useful articles. Though somewhat enervated from long inaction, the troops shrank not from the
fatigues in prospect. More tranquil than before the battle
of Monterey, they were yet as ready for the encounter, and
animated by as good a spirit as could be wished. The reflection too, that the regiment had now attained a degree of discipline which rendered it doubly as formidable as it had previously been, was a source of no little satisfaction to its commanding officer.
Leaving a small guard to attend the sick, and follow with
the tents as soon as the means of transportation were supplied, the column cheerfully set forward. Long, and tedious
to many, as was our sojourn at San Domingo, yet will its
grateful shades resting now upon the graves of many brave
comrades, ever be remembered with associations of mingled
pleasure and sorrow. It was quite dark when we moved
from the grove, but before we reached the city, the sun
emerged from the golden portals of the East, shedding a glorious effulgence over the mountain-tops, and which gradually descended upon the trembling shadows of the valley,
until the whole scene at length rejoiced in the perfect day.
We entered the town without beat of drum, and stacked
arms in the plaza, just as a group of priests were hastening




WE MARCH OUT OF MONTEREY.            257
to matins. They paused upon the steps of the cathedral in
evident surprise at the sudden appearance of our brigade in
marching trim; and their manner went far to satisfy me that
General Santa Anna was at that moment calmly reposing at
San Luis de Potosi. The conduct of the intelligent and wellinformed natives, was a tolerably good index to such matters.
After making such an early start, it would have been possible to reach the Rinconada in one march; but we were
unfortunately detained in Monterey several hours in obtaining a supply of ammunition, shoes, etc. It was not until 11
o'clock, and when a thermometer in one of the cool mansions
of the city indicated a temperature of ninety degrees, that
the column composed of our brigade and Webster's battery,
attended by General Butler in person, was ordered to move.
In the meanwhile, some of the men in addition to the weight
of their equipments, had succeded in getting "' bricks in their
caps."  Those we would have left as being overladed, but
they insisted that they "could march the better, since their
knapsacks were now balanced."  Judging from the replies
that were generally encountered by officers on such occasions,
one might reasonably infer that the Mexican aguqadiente, like
the Falstaffian beverage, sherris sack, had a " two-fold virtue
in it," making men witty as well as " very hot and valiant."
Passing round the hill of the Obispado, we bade adieu to
the beautiful and balmy region in which we had long lingered,
and entered the gorge so often noticed in previous pages of
this narrative; on our right, the M1Iiter mountain, on our
left, the Sierra Madre, soaring to the skies. The road for
several miles, is closely flanked by mountains, and the scene



258            THE LOAN OF A DONKEY.
ry most grand and picturesque. The river, which we were
often compelled to wade in the course of the clay, meanders
through the narrow valley and embraces in its graceful arms
some spots of rich verdure. The shades of evening closed
around us at Santa Catalina; and as many of the men were
lagging from fatigue, we determined to halt in the hamlet.
An hour afterward, the rear-guard with the stragglers, came
up in high glee, driving before them what, from its great size
and singular motion, appeared to be a camel or bunch-backed
dromedary. On approaching the camp-fires, it was discovered
to be a moving mass of knapsacks: but it was not until they
were unbuckled and removed one by one, that the motive
power was disclosed to the amused spectators, in a diminutive donkey, much jaded and looking quite woe-begone.
Had it been one of Ericson's caloric engines, I could scarcely
have been more surprised; so utterly disproportionate were
the weight and bulk of the burden, to that of the animal.
General Taylor had published an order prohibiting the
men from owning riding animals; but the soldiers often
1orrowed them on emergencies like the present. They were
always cheerfully restored to the Mexican claimants after a
a few hours' use. It may be needless to add that the doublejointed and iron-ribbed donkey that brought such a mountain
of baggage into Santa Catalina was-a forced loan. The
ass, —one of the things specially mentioned in the commandment against covetousness,-is almost the commonest species
of property among the Mexicans, as among the Israelites.
So common and cheap indeed, that no divine or human
injunction concerning it was ever much regarded. It was




THE PASS OF RINCONADA.             259
always,-" nothing but a d -d jackass any how;9 and
generally received more curses than corn. On the hurried
march to Saltillo a numnber of them were  at various times
and places pressed into the service. I recollect one occasion
when, having ridden unexpectedly to the rear, I surprised a
party of soldiers engaged in lifting a donkey bodily over a,
stone wall that separated his pasture from the road. Though
it never displeased me to know that the animals of the
enemy were sometimes required to assist our men in bearing
" the burden and heat of the day;" yet it was impossible to
overlook this singular highway operation, lest the offense
once countenanced by an officer, should be changed " to
virtue and to worthiness."  The party being caught 7cagrante
dieico,) at once took up their arms and resumed the march,
leaving the patient and stupid ass dangling across the wall.
Calling them back to relieve the animal from that ludicrous
attitude, I rode rapidly off, not doubting however, but that
they would find it much more convenient to pull him into
the road, than to push him back into the field.
With the first glimmering of dawn on the 18th, we left
Santa Catalina, and soon afterward began to climb the broad
mountain which lies between that village and La Rinconada.
It is eight leagues across that dreary and voiceless Sierra -
and not one human habitation or drop of water in the whole
distance. Though the ascent is gradual, yet so rough was
the road and so warm  tile day, that many of the men
enfeebled by sickness or relaxed by previous inaction, suffered
greatly from exertion and thirst. No one seemed to bear the
fatigue better than a Mexican boy, about twelve years of age,




260                VIEW  FROMi THE SUMMIT.
who (his father having been killed in the battle of Resaca)
had attached himself to Captain Hamilton of our regiment.It was nearly noon when we arrived, thirsty and panting, at
the top of the mountain, where we halted for those who had
loitered behind,?unable to keep up with the march.  The
view  from  the lofty ridge we had gained, was grand beyond
example.  No trace of verdure could be seen; but in every
direction bare and bristling peaks, flashing in the hot sun,
met the astonished eye. A single glance, and we were ready
to exclaim with the poet, —
"A scene so wide, so wild as this
Yet so sublime in barrenness,
Ne'er did my wandering footsteps press."
It was many a weary step from the summit of the mountain
to the water at Rinconada; and over a more rocky and precipitous road.  Soon after commencing the descent, we met
a Mexican driving a few  mules, which were laded with
apples for the Monterey market.  A  very poor variety of
that fruit is imperfectly grown on the high land  around
Saltillo; sufficiently hard and knotty to bear transportation
in rough hampers lashed upon the backs of mules.  The
oranges and other fruits of the tierra caliente, are brought
back in exchange, to the inhabitants of the mountain regions.
The startled arriero was much rejoiced to find that he would
be allowed to pass unmolested; and politely offered us water
from a large gourd which he carried; a generous sacrifice,
* The boy's name was, I understood, Carlos de la Cruz. He was a sprightly
youth, a great favorite with the soldiers, and after he had acquired our language
was often a useful interpreter. After enduring all the hardships of the campaign,
he was brought to Ohio by his excellent patron, Captain Edward Hamilton; and is
yet enjoying the favor and protection of that gallant gentleman.




LA RINCONADA.                          261
nardly to be expected from  one who had such a dry and toilsome path before him.  The traveler in Mexico soon learns
to estimate highly the precious element with which the
Creator has so bountifully  blessed  our own  land, and to
appreciate fully the many beautiful allusions to floods, and
wells and water-brooks contained in the Bible.
At La Rinconadca, which is, as its name signifies, " a
little corner " or nook, we found  a rapid stream  of warm
water, strongly impregnated with sulphur. It issued from a
narrow  glen, so gloomy  and forbidding  in its aspect, that,
with the hot brimstone flavor of the water on his tongue, the
spectator might readily suppose it the entrance to Hades.
In this sequestered spot and  hemmed in  on three sides by
towering  mountains, is a  single  large  rancho, built  of
adobes, and designed, I presume, chiefly for the accommodation  of travelers.   Scattered  over the few  acres of arable
ground around the house, we saw, for the first time in perfection, that miracle of the vegetable kingdom, the  aloe,
(cgave Americana;) and which was to the Aztecs, all that
the  reindeer is to the Laplanders.~   Though  the officers
and men generally were active and cheerful, and untiring,
throughout the march, in efforts to encourage and assist the
* The distinguished historian, Prescott, in his " Conquest of Mexico," gives the
following account of the various and important uses to which the maguey was
applied by the aborigines. To these, the modern Mexicans have added another,
by converting it into a hedge plant, for which it is very valuable in the great
scarcity of wood for fencing.
" Its bruised leaves afforded a paste from which paper was manufactured; its
juice was fermented into an intoxicating beverage, pulque; of which the natives to
this day, are exceedingly fond; its leaves further supplied an impenetrable thatch
for the more humble dwellings; thread, of which coarse stuffs were made, and
strong cords, were drawn from its tough and twisted fibres; pins and needles were
made of the thorns at the extremity of its leaves; and the root when properly




262               THE PASS OF LOS MUERTOS.
weak, it was late in the afternoon Defore the last feeble and
foot-sore soldier limped down to the stream  at La Rinconada.
Some of the foremost troops had already kindled fires, expecting to pass the night there; but when the rear-guard came
in, General Butler determined to push across the next sierra
by the famous pass of Los Muertos, and encamp at Agua
Caliente.  The men were cramped and stiffened by the toilsome march they had already performed; but they at once
shouldered their arms and fell into ranks.  A  few, utterly
exhausted, were unable to proceed, and did not overtake the
column until the next day.
The road at the Rinconada turns abruptly to the left, and
winds for a league up through a narrow gorge, at the head
of which the enemy had erected a strong field-work.  About
half way up, it turns a bold shoulder of the mountain; and
for the rest of the distance sweeps round a deep hollow  in
its bare sides, every foot of which might be commanded by a
battery on the summit.  The sun had left the valley before
lus, and the mountains, obscured by the gathering shades of
night, loomed up in black and shapeless masses against the
sky.   The faint light which  remained, revealed  to  us a
number of rude crosses that  studded  the  steep  ascent.~
cooked, was converted into a palatable and nutritious food. The agave, in short,
was meat, drink, clothing and writing-materials for the Aztec! Surely, never did
nature inclose in so compact a form so many of the elements of human comfort and
civilization."
* Los Muertos or " the dead men's " pass, obtains its name friom the number of
murders committed in that wild and dismal spot. It is customary to mark those
scenes of violence with the symbol of the Christian faith. In consequence, as I
suppose, of' the difficulty of planting crosses in the hard mountain road, those in
the pass of Los Muertos were supported by large piles of stones, beneath which,
many of cur people believed, were the bones of the dead.




THE PASS OF LOS MIUERTOS.           263
Before getting through the pass, we experienced a most
unwelcome change of temperature; often so sudden and
perceptible when actitude regulates the climate, as in Mlexico.
The cold night-wind flowing through the gorge from the
table-lands above, to the warmn valleys we had left, was
keenly felt; and after our halt benumbed us all. It was
quite dark when the weary stragglers reached the bald crest
of the mountain; but they were there stimulated to exertion
by the blaze of the bivouac fires in advance, and around
which were assembled their comrades preparing the evening
meal.
WVe encamped near some hot-springs, of which there are
many possessing various mineral properties along the Sierra
Madre range. After the cravings of hunger and thirst were
appeased, cheerfulness returned even to those who were comnpelled to undergo the additional fatigue of guard-duty. So
true it is, that the soldier in active service is alike heedless
of past suffering and indifferent to the future. Thirst was
his greatest tormentor in Mexico, but every stream  from
which he drank seemed to possess the quality of Lethe's
waves. Though the day thus spent in crossing the Sierra
Madre was one of the most fatiguing of the campaign, it
was yet full of interest and excitement; inspired both by the
cause of our forced march, and the grand marvellous exhibitions of nature around us.
On the 19th, we had an early reveille, and marched before
dawn, determined to reach Saltillo in the afternoon, though
some of us were far from believing that Santa Anna was
hastening, as reported, toward the same point. The road,




264         THE APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY.
now by an easy grade, led us to the table-land of Coahuila,
and we soon found ourselves in a vast and elevated plain,
which was encompassed by a lofty mountain rampart.  At
the south-western extremity of the plateau, near the point
at which the rocky ranges converge to form  the valley of
Angostura-(in which is the pass of Buena Vista) is the
capital of the State, Saltillo.  About midday, we met Lieutenant Colonel Mlay with his Dragoons, en ronte for 3Monterey.  He informed us that the report of Santa Anna's
advance, had not been confirmed; that there was no necessity for haste; and that General Worth desired us to encamp
on a stream two leagues this side of Saltillo, near Canon of
Palomas (pass of Pigeons,) by which, it was rumored, a
division of the enemy designed to get in rear of the town
and cut off our communication with Monterey.~  At this
intelligence, we slackened our pace and proceeded leisurely
to the spot designated.
The face of the country, over which we marched, was bare,
even of chaparral, and was in appearance exceedingly sterile.
But the many ranchos and numerous fields gave evidence of
a more settled and industrious population than any we had
yet seen; the austerity of the climate, unlike the genial
temperature of the lower country, rendering systematic labor
necessary. In the summer season, the rough aspect of that
region is probably much softened, by the green and attractive
garniture with which it is decked by Ceres and Pomona.
* It was through this same " Pigeon Pass," that Minon's cavalry brigade did cross
two months afterward, viz-on the day preceding the battle of Buena Vista. It is
rather remarkable that the rumor should have floated to our ears so long before the
movement was executed.




A COTTON FACTORY.                265
The soil though dry, is generous, and by the simple application of water is made productive. Irrigation therefore, is
extensively practiced on those elevated and thirsty plateaus.
In the neighborhood in which we encamped, were numerous
canals, which, gathering water from the only stream in that
part of the country, assisted in fertilizing many a broad acre
of the parching plains. As the soil would be utterly worthless for agricultural purposes without the application of water,
the poor husbancldmen are compelled to pay high rents to the
proprietors of the canals as well as to the landlords. We
were informed that two crops were gathered from the same
land every twelve months, as in the tierra caliente; but here
one of them was a crop of small grain. Wheat sowed in
November, is ready for the sickle in April; and corn is
planted immediately after the wheat harvest.
Soon after encamping, we observed that the inhabitants
of some rcane7os not far off, alarmed at the vicinity of
the dreaded voluntactios, were preparing to abandon their
homes. To these we immediately sent assurances of good
treatment, and offered a guard for their property if desired.
This tranquilized them, and they were soon induced to enter
our lines; bringing chickens, eggs, and what was most
acceptable, some dried fruit. Some of them were intelligent
people, and conversed freely about their government, with
which they expressed much discontent.
Between our camp and Saltillo, and located upon the
stream  before mentioned, was a cotton factory; the only
establishment of the kind, I believe, in Northern Mexico.
Indeed, notwithstanding the adaptation of large tracts of




266                       A  COTTON  FACTORY.
MIexican territory to the growth of cotton, and the high tariff
policy  of the government, there  are but few  manufactories
in  any  part of the country.~   The  most extensive  are  at
Puebla; but none of them  are said  to be prosperous, though
the price of coarse cotton goods (not smuggled) is from  thirty
to  forty cents per yard.   The owners of the factory did  not
appear to be particularly friendly to the United States, whose
traders they said  were following  our armies and  filling the
IMexican markets with cheap cottons.   One of them  informed
me that the Mexican  editors were all for war to the bitter
end; and  based  many  hopes upon  the  peace party in  the
United States, which was soon expected to pronounce against
President Polk.
* I am tempted to quote in this connection,-as explanatory of the causes that
have operated against the development of the industrial interests of the country,part of' an excellent article that appeared in the number for May, 1847, of that valuable periodical,'"Hunt's Merchants' Magazine."  The difficulties encountered in
the recent Tehuantepec negotiations, confirm what the writer says concerning the
jealousy and opposition of the natives to the enterprise of foreigners.
" Whoever contemplates the map of the world, and reflects upon the course of
commerce in relation to the East, from the discoveries of the Portuguese, down to
the present day, will naturally fix upon Mexico as that nation of all others best
calculated fiomn its frontier to take the lead in commerce. Her geographical position is good; and the eyes of all nations have, since the abandonment of a northwest passage to India, been fastened on the Isthmus, as the great future road for
commerce between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Mexico labors, however,
under many disadvantages. On the Gulf' coast she has not a single good harbor;
and the cities are nont habitable for foreigners during many months in the year.
The land ascends rapidly fiom the coast to the interior, making the transportation
of goods difficult and expensive. But Mexico enjoys also many great advantages.
Nature has blessed it with every possible description of mineral and agricultural
wealth in profise abundance: and an industrious people, with an efficient government, would not fail to place it foremost among the nations of the earth. Unfortunately, however, the natives passed under the dominion of proud, indolent, and
rapacious Spaniards,- a people essentially anti-industrial and anti-commercial.
Down to 1789, Spain continued its barbarian prohibitive policy, allowing only one
galleon of 1400 tons to enter Mexico annually with Chinese merchandise; and
one, once in three years, from Seville or Cadiz, was chartered by government with




STATE OF IMIEXICAN  MANUFACTURES.                     267
The manufactory was a very substantial structure, two
stories high, and built of acdobes.  Its machinery (about forty
looms and  twelve hundred spindles,) was made in New  Jersey.  The native  operatives seemed  sufficiently  active and
intelligent.  A  small chapel was erected for their accommodation near the  mill, in order, perhaps, that they might lose
but little time in paying their devoirs to the many inferior
divinities of the Mexican  church, every saint's day prompting to idleness.
European merchandise. In 1790, the trade was thrown open; and private capitalists engaging in it, it soon reached from $11,000,000 to $19,000,000. This trade
was, however, still burdened with most onerous impositions under four general
heads: first, on articles of Spanish produce in the markets of Seville or Cadiz;
second, on shipments for Mexico; third, at Vera Cruz; fourth, transfer duties at
every step from merchant to consumer. Under such arrangements, the trade did
not prosper much  but on the breaking out of the civil war, the new government
opened the leading ports of commerce. The Spanish merchants withdrew to Cuba
and Cadiz, and their places were supplied by British and Americans, who, settling
in the interior, supplied the people with goods in exchange for dollars. Thejealousy
of the natives, who, themselves exceedingly indolent, are instantly enraged at
contemplating the prosperity of a diligent foreigner among them, caused an imbecile government to make absurb threats against foreign artificers and traders; and
thereby prevented the growth of enterprise in the country. These circumstances
conspired to leave Mexico, at the era of the war of independence, in 1822, entirely
without those great conservative commercial and industrial interests, without
which the military inevitably obtain the mastery and control of affairs. The long
war of independence turned all the energy the nation possessed, into a military
direction. From 1808 to 1821, the history of the revolution is only that of a sanguinary guerrilla warfare, leading to no results other than destruction to trade and
insecurity to property. In 1821, the sudden secession of Iturbide from the royal
cause, in favor of liberalism, resulted in his ascending the throne as Emperor
Augustin I. Fromn that time down to the present day, the political history of Mexico, has been one rude scene of violence and military anarchy. A turbulent banditti, as faithless in their foreign dealings as they were rapacious, cruel and treacherous in their domestic affairs, have, for twenty-six years, held possession of' that
unhappy country. Room for enterprise, encouragement to industry, or security for
property, there were none. The roads, particularly the splendid way constructed
by the merchants of Vera Cruz firom that city to the upper county, were suffired to
go to decay; not even the injuries they sustained during the war have been
repaired. Their antipathy to carriages, and means of transport and communica



268                   SUFFERING  OF THE  TROOPS.
We lay in our position  near Saltillo, from  the 19th of December until the  1st of January, 1847, suffering  much from
the  inclemency of the  season.   In  the  hurry of our departure from San Domingo, much of our camp equipage had
been lost, and some of our troops were compelled to dig holes
in the ground, in which to shelter themselves from  the piercing blasts that nightly swept across the open plain. Fuel
was more scarce, in that region, than water; a single wagonload of wood, brought from a distance of twenty miles, being
distributed each day for cooking purposes, among the companies in camp.   Many poor inhabitants of that country obtain
their subsistence by daily carrying small faggots on their
backs to the Saltillo market.
The soldiers off duty, often engaged in such athletic sports,
as aided them in resisting the severity of the climate. A
tion, is even more strong than that of the Spaniards. While the government in its
enactments and practice, has shown itself far more hostile to commerce than to
crime, traffic has been more oppressed than vice, and merchants more rigidly fined
than murderers. The repeated revolutions have left those who gain power, no
other prospect than to get rich by peculation; and it has become a seemingly well
understood system, that those going out of power should empty the treasury, and
leave their successors to fill theirs by the most approved system of' plunder. The
readiest mode of replenishing the treasury and feeding the cupidity of the officers,
has been found in the prohibitive tariff system; because, while under pretense of
encouraging home manufactures, by keeping foreign goods scarce and high, it
made the sale of special privileges to import goods more profitable to the dictator.
The higher were the profits to be realized by the merchant, the better price could he
pay for the privilege. Hence, although a dishonest government had pledged the
custom's revenue to discharge the interest on its debt; by this device of the special
privileges, they could still be made available to the officer. A system of low duties
would not have admitted such an operation.
"All these causes have operated powerfully against the development of those
great conservative industrial and commercial interests, without which there can be
no stability of government, no efficient execution of the laws, nor any means of
keeping in check those military adventurers, whose turbulence has torn that illfated country in internal brawls; and whose non-observance of treaties and plighted
faith has involved two nations in the horrors of war."




RABBIT HUNTING.                  269
favorite diversion was rabbit-catching by a circular hunt or
6"surround.9   Those animals were neither rare nor shy in
that vicinity; and from their unusual size and the extraordinary length of their ears, were designated by the specific
term "jackass-rabbit-s.' Some of them are nearly as large as
the red fox of the North.  Their hair is very long and fine,
and it is known that the ancient Mexicans possessed the art
of weaving it into a soft and delicate web. Three or four
hundred of the men, unarmedl, generally united in the hunt,
the scene of which was a plain adjoining our camp, covered
with sedge and bushes not much higher than the knee. By
skillfilly and rapidly forming a large circle, the men always
inclosed one or more rabbits.  Then marching with loud
shouts toward the center, and closing the intervals between
them as they advanced, no means of escape were left to the
terrified and bewildered animals, save by jumping over the
heads of the soldiers, which was sometimes successfully
attempted.
The day after our arrival, I visited Saltillo on military
business and to see the town. It contains some handsome
and extensive buildings, and the streets are tolerably well
paved. The principal plaza is embellished with shade trees
and a fountain, and the whole city is abundantly supplied
with good water. The church is a vast and irregular edifice,
nearly two hundred and fifty feet in length, and elaborately
ornamented within and without.  The wall behind the grand
altar is about fifty feet high, and all covered with a mass of
gilding in raised figures, that dazzled and wearied the eye.
A profusion of paintings, statues and wax figures, were dis129



270                VISIT TO SALTILLO.
played upon the sides of the building, or grouped around
the various shrines, representing the Virgin, our Saviour,
and sundry saints, both native and foreign, "our Lady of
Guadaloupe " having as usual a conspicuous place. To all
of these, the artists had given the the dark complexion of the
M/Iexicans, and which pious fraud, it has been remarked, " is
intended to flatter the race for the good of their souls."
There are no pews in their churches, and an American, even
an American Catholic, as he strolls through them, finds it
difficult to divest himself of the idea that he is examining a
museum or picture-gallery. But when in the performance
of some religious ceremony, the priests, in their flowing and
picturesque habits, are gathered around the altar, and the
broad floor is covered with kneeling worshippers, while the
deep tones of the organ fill the ear with sacred melody, the
effect is impressive and solemn.
Bleak and comfortless as was our bivouac, I can yet recall
some cheerful hours spent there. And what position or circumstance could damp the exuberant spirits of youth, engaged in an exciting campaign in a country so full of curious
and novel scenes! We had determined that nothing but the
approach of the Mexican army, (in which event, I ween,
birds of a stronger wing and fiercer spirit than doves would
have wheeled in the "' canon de Palomas ") should prevent us
from observing with customary honors the "hallow'd and
gracious time"' of Christmas. On its sacred eve, the country around us assumed a more cheerful aspect. The people
were abroad with songs and music; bonfires and rockets
blazed in every direction; the little chapel at the mill was




CHRISTMAS IN CA]MPo              271
illuminated, and the sound of bells floated far over the plain.
In our camp too, there were some merry little parties. Some
of my readers will perchance recollect a certain company of
jovial friends that assembled at our Assistant Surgeon's tent
to discuss a bucket of foaming egg-nog, mixed according to
the Old School prescription and administered in no HIomeopathic doses; they will remember too, that when in the full
enjoyment of their "' flowing tin-cups," a courier, who had
come in hot haste from Saltillo, entered with the intelligence
that the Mexican troops were rapidly advancing, and an
order for the brigade to be held in readiness to march at a
moment's warning; —and how, in the midst of the song and
toast, those'Gmerry, merry men" buckled on their swords
and hastened to their posts, with the white froth yet upon
their mustaches and the red blood bounding gladly in their
hearts.
An old Mexican residing in the neighborhood, and whom,
for certain reasons, I was inclined to believe, had on that day
assured me with many solemn protestations, that Santa
Anna's forces were still at San Luis de Potosi. But with
the brightening prospect of another glorious " stampede" at
least, the men were directed to sleep on their arms. Toward
morning as we lay "''twixt sleeping and waking" on the
hard ground, the faint but unmistakable sound of many distant hoofs was heard; and after the lapse of a few anxious
moments we saw advancing across the arid plain, what, in
the uncertain light appeared to be a large body of cavalry.
They approached slowly and cautiously as if hoping to surprise the camp; and we were just indulging in a little quiet




272               ANOTHER STAMPEDE.
mirth at the disappointment which awaited them, when the
enemy at a closer view were transformed into pack-mules,
about five or six hundred in Dumber.
But the excitement caused by the report received on the
previous night, was not allowed thus tamely to subside.
Early in the forenoon of Christmas-day, a dragoon galloped
into camp with a communication from General Butler, who
had now assumed command at Saltillo, ordering us to repair
to town forthwith. The messenger stated that the game was
now afoot beyond doubt; that General Wool's column, which
had arrived within a few miles of town, had actually seen
and skirmished with the enemy.
We started immediately at a rattling pace and reached
Saltillo in an hour. After halting a few moments in the
suburbs to dress the ranks, we entered the town with the
cadenced step and flying colors. On every side were evidences of excitement and alarm. The garrison (General
Worth's division) was under arms; while groups of frightened citizens, whom the appearance of our volunteers was
not calculated to pacify, were hurrying to and fro. For several hours we remained in the plaza, awaiting orders. In the
meanwhile, a hundred contradictory rumors floated around.
Plans of battle there were many; but of retreat, not one.
All reports agreed in estimating Santa Anna's army at more
than twenty thousand. With General Wool's force, we coLlcd
have mustered about four thousand effectives, and sixteen
pieces of artillery. But a resolute courage animated every
breast and each felt that,-" the fewer the men the greater
share of honor."  We had expected to pass the niglht




LASSOING A TEAM.2o i23
under arms in the open country toward Buena Vista,  a
position not then  selected for a battle-ground, but at
dark, scouts coming in with the intelligence that no enemy
was within fifty smiles of us at least; we were provided
with filthy quarters in town and slept on Christmas-night,for the first time since leaving the United States,-unde:r
a roof.
The next rmorning, it was satisfactorily ascertained that
the Mexican army was still at San Luis, and we marched
back to our old position near the Palomas pass. About a
week afterwardS some regiments long kept in the rear, (thle
2d and 3d Indiana and 2d Kentucky,) having arrived to claim
places in front, we were ordered to return and garrison lMonterey. The men, finding themselves deceived in the prospect
of a battle, and disgusted with the privations of their dreary
and miserable bivouacs among the mountains, contemplated
their return to the cheerful and smiling valleys of Tueva
Leon with much pleasure. On New-Year's day, 1847, we
set out, attended by a large train of empty wagons going
down the line fbr provisions. At the moment of starting)
one of the teams took fright, and dashed off at full speed
into the plain skirting the wood. A XMexican who happened
to be near, with a clriat as usual hanging to his saddle-bow,
immediately gave chase. Overtaking the runaways he decterously threw his lasso over the head of the leading mule,
(there were five in the team;) and then by gradually checking and turning his prize in easy circles, as a skillful angler
would play a strong fish, finally succeeded in bringing the
fugitives back to the starting point, panting and quite sub



274             RETURN TO MONTEREY.
dued. I have never seen the lasso thrown more gracefully or
to so good a purpose.
We reached Monterey on the 4th of January, in excellent
health, after our forced marches; but sadly deficient in clothing and camp equipage.




CHAPTER IX.
MVTONTEREY garrisoned by our regiment.-The battalion of San Patricio.-How the
monks of' San Francisco diddled us.-A few words about volunteer troops.Expedition against Vera Cruz. —Arrival of General Scott in Mexico.-His letter
to General Taylor.-Its bearer, Lieutenant Richey, killed.-The divisions of
Worth, Twiggs and Patterson sent back to the coast.-General Taylor returns
to Monterey.-His letter to General Scott.-Scouting parties captured by the
enemy.-Taylor joins Wool at Saltillo.-Changes his head-quarters to Agua
Nueva.-Reasons for taking that position.-Advance of Santa Anna. —Taylor
falls back to Buena Vista. —Sights and sounds at Monterey.-General Urrea moves
from Tula upon our line. —He captures Lieutenant Barbour's train.- Besieges
Lieutenant Colonel Irvin at Marin.-Attacks Colonel Morgan's battalion.Glorious news from Buena Vista.
THE months of January and February passed rapidly
away.  We were comfortably quartered in town, and our old
friends of the  ist Kentucky regiment held the citadel.  The
weather was temperate  and  serene, and  the gardens and
environs of the city rejoiced in the gay flowers and blossoms
of spring.  The citizens, beginning to appreciate the mild
and respectful treatment they experienced, evinced a more
friendly disposition; and the soldiers preserved a commendable deportment, although their position was not remarkably
favorable to discipline. It had been supposed by many, that
the volunteers were unfit for garrison  duty; and that a life
of comparative ease in a populous city would foster and
strengthen the spirit of lawlessness and insubordination some
of them  had displayed.  IHence the regular troops had generally occupied the towns, while the volunteers were com



276           THE BATTALION OF SAN PATRICIO.
pelled to "1 rough it'9 in the chaparral.  By this procedure,
of which no experienced volunteer officer will ever complain,
the enemy gained rather more than was expected, namely9
the notorious battalion of San Pactricio, made up of deserters from our regular army, who availed themselves of opportunities presented while in garrison, to abandon the service
of "6 the model republic."2  More than fifty deserted at Miionterey, during the period it was occupied by the regulars.
These the enemy joyfully received and speedily enrolled in
their ranks, where they served with a courage and fidelity
they had never exhibited in ours.  Doubtless, the humblest
soldier of the battalion of Saint Patrick, was honored with
much consideration by the ]M:iexicans; and we may imagine
that those distinctions were not lavished in vain upon the
warm and enthusiastic nature of the iliberniano
So far as I am  informed not a single volunteer, either
among the native or adopted citizens, went over to the
enemy.  There were some who, voluntering in haste and
repenting at leisure, deserted their flag before leaving the
United States and returned to their " anxious mammas," But
was there one so faithless to his country, as to take up arms
in the cause of faithless MIexico 2.  Nearly a third of our
regiment were Catholics; and among them  were seventy or
eighty gallant Irishmen, some of whom, I have reason to
know, were proof against the fscinating lures of an insidious
fbe.  When stationed in IM onterey, they more than once
k Since writing the above, I have been reminded that a lieutenant of a certain
volunteer corps resigned with a view of joining the enemy. He left Monterey with
the words of Cataline upon his lips, —" I held some slack allegiance till this hour,
but now my sword's my own."




INFLUENCE OF THE PRIESTS.           277
informed their officers of the presence of Mexican emissaries
and were unusually active in their detection. According to a
preconcerted arrangement, a noted partisan was arrested by
the very men to whom he had made liberal and flattering
offers of money and rank. They were all Irishmen and
never did ferrets pursue a rat more indefatigably, than did
they their pretended friend. He was a wily rascal and scenting his danger, had, after many windings and turnings
ensconced himself in a bake-oven, in one of the back yards
of the city, whence he was finally dragged by the heels and
lodged in the guard-house.
There can be no doubt but that the Mexican ecclesiastics,monopolizing tile wealth and intelligence of the country,
fattening on the traffic in'" indulgences," and many of them
"C wanton, more than well beseems men of their profession
and degree,"-knowing that even the presence of an American army would be unfavorable to their interests, were our
most bitter enemies. There are not wanting among them,
especially in the obscure villages, truly pious priests whose
unblemished lives aptly illustrate their holy teachings. But
the greatest number are pampered and frantic friars,
" Such as do build their faith upon
The holy text of pike and gun."
They unblushingly announced to their people, that our object
was to make war upon their religion; and spared no efforts
to weaken our ranks or strengthen their own. They even
availed themselves of the protection we always extended to
their churches and other religious houses, to convert them
into secret magazines for arming our enemies. A lieutenant
13




2178         How THE I MONKS DIDDLED US.
of our regiment, strolling on a pleasant morning in February,
under the walls of the Franciscan convent in Monterey, was
astonished at observing some gunpowder sprinkled upon one
of the window-sills next the river-bank.  The guard was
immediately called and the building searched,-but too late.
A few scattered cartridges alone were found. But the number of empty boxes which remained, satisfied us that a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition had been recently
removed; perhaps to equip the guerrillas then assembling
in the vicinity. The heavy tread of the guard in the corri.n
dots of the monastery, startled from their cells, some drowsylooking individuals in flowing robes and skull-caps of silk;
whose thoughts however, just then very conlveniently, happened to be so intent upon the bliss or brimstone of another
world, as to prevent them from accounting for the mysterious
presence of the sublunary salctpeter.
In consequence of the limited number of the garrison, and
the large details often required for escorts, and daily for
guard, fatigue and patrol duty, the men were kept sufficiently busy.  Yet would our position at Monterey have
been more pleasant, had it not been for the unnecessary labors
and petty annoyances imposed upon the troops by certain
individuals in authority, who did not know how to wear
very becomingly the greatness thrust upon them. Fortunately they were not in supreme command, and could do no
great harm to the cause of their country. But the soldiers
and subaltern-officers, whom they vexed and wearied by their
thoughtless and ill-timed orders, were often induced thereby,
to recall the more prudent conduct and bearing of the wise




A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE ARMY.            279
and modest Hamer. Had the conceited and ambitious plotters at Washington, succeeded at that time in their ungenerous and shameful efforts to foist a political lieutenant-general
upon the army, the spirit of discontent, already rife in consequence of the conduct of certain favorites of the President,
would have been so inflamed as to threaten the efficiency, if
not the very organization and existence of some divisions in
the field. They err greatly, who suppose that the volunteers
were anxious to hail any civilian as their general-in-chief.
They valued the experience of their veteran leaders too
highly to sigh for the authority of new men; and least of all,
for that of those in whose selection they could have no voice.
Political topics were rarely discussed in the army;-certainly
I never heard the terms Whig and Democrat uttered by
the rank and file; and notwithstanding recent political
events, I do not doubt but that, if our government was now
to call out a hundred thousand volunteers for a war with any
European nation, at least ninety-nine thousand of them
would prefer Winfield Scott as their leader to any living man.
When men stake their lives and reputations in war, they
want a general of acknowledged military genius and capacity,-one who combines experience with patriotism, prudence with resolution, and wisdom with valor. They prefer
a military to a political strategist, and look for proof of
ability on hard-fought battle-fields rather than in long-winded
Congregressional debates. But while it will readily be admitted that the chief even of a volunteer army, should be a man
trained to the profession of arms; it is questionable whether
West Point officers would make the most successful regi



280         A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE ARMY.
mental or company commanders of citizen troops.  This
however would depend upon the amount of good sense, tact,
and temper they might happen to possess. With the benefit
of their experience and example, there can be no doubt but
that our volunteers would soon be found superior to the best
drilled automaton armies of Europe. That benefit may be
obtained to some extent, by a union of our regular and citizen troops in the same armies, and causing them to march,
encamp, and fight together. The American volunteer is a
thinking, feeling, and often a capricious being. He is not
and never intends to become a mere moving and musketholding machine; and something more than the Tactics and
Army Regulations is required for his instruction and government. His patriotism, pride, ambition, and enthusiasm, may
be so controlled and directed, as to be rendered auxiliary to
his arms. These, united with his native courage and intelligence and a proper degree of discipline, make him the most
formidable soldier in the world.
The position of an officer of volunteers, elected from the
ranks, as the majority of us were, is one of peculiar delicacy.
While he should not allow himself to forget that he owes his
rank and power to the kindness of those he commands, he
must yet know now to maintain discipline and exact obedience. He should not be eager to assert his authority on light
occasions; but be as ready to encourage as to find fault, and
as mindful of the comforts as of the delinquencies of his
men. Iie should know how to temper severity with indulgence, and mingle affability with authority, so as to retain a
personal as well as an official influence over subalterns; and




A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE ARMY.            281
thus govern as much through the affections as the fears. iHe
should not attempt to enforce all the minutiae of military
etiquette, but insist upon a complete observance of all the
essentials of discipline. Above all things, he should know
how to govern himself; and though mild and forbearing, yet
be prompt and resolute, when occasion demands. HIe must
set an example of submission, vigilance, and zeal, in his own
person, if he would be respected and cheerfully obeyed.
Volunteers are ever ready to regulate and justify their conduct by that of their officers; among them  "a choleric
word" is as "flat blasphemy" in the captain as in the
soldier. Most men like a tranquil and even-minded officer;
stern and severe if necessary, but firm  and unchanging.
Indeed, a respectable dog's life, would be preferable to that
of a soldier who is continually subjected to the caprices of
an insolent, ignorant and irascible officer, puffed up with a
power he knows not how to exercise. Volunteers in taking
the field, are apt to suppose that courage is the only essential
quality to be desired in their leaders. Let them beware how
they place themselves under the command of brainless bullies,
whose vanity, arrogance, and overweening conceit, may be
as fatal to their success and welfare as cowardice itself.
While we garrisoned Monterey, certain important military
events transpired, which demand a passing notice in this
rambling narrative. Our government at length perceived,
from  the hostile tone and attitude of Santa Anna and the
Mexican Congress, that it would be necessary to carry the
war to the gates of the enemy's capital ere a peace could be
obtained: "Ja amais on ne vaincra les Romains que dans




282           SCOTT'S PLAN OF OPERATIONS.
Rome!"  That grand achievement was reserved for the
commanding genius of Scott. It was accordingly determined
to transfer the war from the northern to the eastern part of
Mexico, and make Vera Cruz the point d'appui for future
operations, to be directed by the masterly mind of the general-in-chief of the American army. As the request of that
officer to be allowed to put his sword into the harvest of
Mexican laurels, had previously been peremptorily refused
by the President, some explanation of his employment at
this period, may perhaps be found in the difficulty that had
recently sprung up between General Taylor and the Secretary
of War, and which resulted in a sharp controversy, now
included in the documentary history of the times.
General Scott, hastening to execute the orders of the
government, arrived at Brazos San Iago in the latter part of
December. Being anxious to invest the city of Vera Cruz
before the season of the deadly vomito should again occur;
and finding that the ten additional regiments of regulars and
new volunteer levies, which Congress had lately called into
service, would not reach the scene of action in time to enable
him to accomplish that object, he determined to supply himself with troops from  the northern line. He accordingly
wrote to General Taylor, revealing his plan of operations
and requesting him to send at once to the coast, the regulars
(Worth's and Twiggs' divisions) and enough volunteer troops
to swell the force to 10,000. " With these forces," he concludes, " and adding three or five regiments of new volunteers, Providence may defeat me, but I do not believe the
Mexicans can."  Before this dispatch arrived at Monterey,




TROOPS WITHDRAWN TO JOIN SCOTT.             283
General Taylor had marched, as previously stated, to Victoria.  It was immediately sent after that general; but its
bearer, Lieutenant Richey of the 5th Infantry, a gallant and
meritorious young officer, was unfortunately killed in discharging the hazardous duty, and the letter found its way to
the hands of Santa Anna.  General Scott however, had
taken the precaution to communicate his wishes to General
Butler also: and that officer, who, since the great stamcn)ede
of December had remained in command at Saltillo, lost no
time in the absence of Taylor, in putting Worth's division in
motion for the rear.  The regulars marched through MIonterey about the middle of January en route for the Brazos,
much to the satisfaction of the Mexican citizens, some of
whom  but ill concealed the pleasure caused by their departure.  General Taylor, soon after his arrival at Victoria,
having been advised of the orders of the general-in-chief,
sent forward to Tampico the regulars of Twiggs and the
volunteer brigades of Quitman and Pillow.  Thus the entire
force intended for the descent upon Vera Cruz was enabled
to reach the general rendevous behind the island of Lobos,
before the end of February. General Taylor now, for the
want of troops, was compelled to abandon his design of occupying the line of the Sierra Madre.  He was not able to
leave a garrison at that important point, Victoria; of which
circumstance the Mexican corps of observation at the pass of
Tula soon availed itself.* In a Mexican field-report, (for Febuary) of Santa Anna's forces, the strength
of this division of observation is given as follows,Infantry-of General Vasquez; 11 chiefs, 117 officers, and 1655 privates.
Cavalry-of' General Urrea;   8 do.  95 do.    2121 do.
Total of Division    19 do. 212 do.      3776 do,




284               TAYLOR'S POSITION.
On the 24th of January, General Taylor returned to Monterey, bringing with him  the light artillery companies of
Captains Bragg and Sherman, which he had fortunately
reserved. Washington's and Webster's batteries had also
been retained with General Wool's brigade at Saltillo. Without these, Buena Vista would not occupy the proud eminence
it now does, in the column of American victories. Taylor
encamped as usual in the grove of San Domingo, with a
small quarter-guard.  His presence again restored confidence; and all the uncomfortable apprehensions aroused by
the departure of so large a portion of the army from our line,
disappeared at his coming. Stripped of his veteran infantry,
and left with a little band of volunteers to struggle with the
twenty thousand Mexican troops, soon to be precipitated upon
him; he was yet as calm and undismayed as if threatened
only by a summer shower. He says in a letter to Major
General Scott, written about this time,-" I feel that I have
lost the confidence of the government, or it would not have
suffered me to remain up to this time ignorant of its intentions, when so vitally affecting the interests committed to my
charge. But however much I may feel, personally, mortified
and outraged at the course pursued, unprecedented at least in
our own history, I will carry out in good faith, while I remain
in Mexico, the views of the government, though I may be
sacrificed in the effort."
There is no period in the history of General Taylor more
interesting than this, replete, as his whole career is, with
honorable deeds, and instructive examples of patriotic and
self-sacrificing magnanimity. View him in his tent at San




TAYLOR'S HEAD-QUARTERS MOVED TO SALTILLO.    285
Domingo, patiently bearing the burden of neglect and injustice, calmly submitting to the behests of his official superiors;
and with a placid courage, and unshaken loyalty, preparing
to take his place, " in the forefront of the hottest battle,"and his character assumes a grandeur, which all his victories
alone could not bestow.  It was expected that he would now
abandon his advanced post, Saltillo, and concentrate his few
and scattered regiments within the strong walls of Monterey.
But to have done so would neither have contributed to the
honor of his arms or the interests of his country. A retreat
generally proclaims weakness or timidity; and does not fail
to encourage the enemy, while it disheartens the troops who
are compelled to give ground.i   General Taylor wisely
decided to meet Santa Anna on the edge of the desert that
stretches between San Luis de Potosi and the Angostura;
and fight his exhausted troops before they could reach the
granaries of Saltillo.  Had the Mexicans been permitted to
pass the mountains, the fruits of our victory at Monterey
would have been lost.  With their large cavalry force, and
by the extraordinary rapidity of their infantry marches, they
would have swept all the feeble posts on our line back to the
Brazos.
General Taylor remained but a week at Monterey, after
his return from Victoria, namely, from  the 24th to the 31st
of January. On the day last named, he changed his head* "At the commencement of a campaign, to advance or not to advance, is a matter for grave consideration; but when once the offensive has been assumed, it
must be sustained to the last extremity. However skillful the maneuvers in a
retreat, it will always weaken the morale of an army, because in losing the
chances of success, these last are transferred to the enemy." —1Napoleon's "lMlaxims
of War."




286        TAYLOR'S ADVANCE TO AGUA NUEVA.
quarters to Saltillo, in consequence of the startling intelligence received from General Wool, that two reconnoitering
parties of the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry under Majors
Gaines and Borland, had been captured by the enemy. Soon
afterward, on the 5th of February, in order to restore confidence among the troops, which had been a little shaken by the
disasters just mentioned, he established his camp at Agua
Nueva, a position eighteen miles in front of Saltillo. From
that camp he wrote as follows to the government: "Although
advised by Major General Scott to evacuate Saltillo, I am
confirmed in my purpose of holding not only that point, but
this position in its front. Not to speak of the pernicious
moral effect upon volunteer troops of falling back from points
which we have gained, there are powerful military reasons
for occupying this extremity of the pass rather than the other.
The scarcity of water and supplies for a long distance in
front, compels the enemy either to risk an engagement in the
field, or to hold himself aloof from us; while, if we fell back
upon Monterey, he could establish himself strong at Saltillo,
and be in position to annoy more effectually our flanks and
our communications." The American army assembled at
Agua Nueva consisted of the 1st and 2d regiments of Illinois,
the 1st Mississippi, the 2d Kentucky, the 2d and 3d Indiana,
of Infantry; two squadrons of regular Dragoons and the
Kentucky and Arkansas Horse; together with four batteries
of light artillery; comprising in all about 5000 men. Of
these, but few had ever been in action; some too were
undrilled, and many of the cavalry companies wretchedly
mounted.




TAYLOR OCCUPIES BUENA VISTA.         287
In garrison at Monterey, under General Marshall, were the
1st Kentucky and 1st Ohio regiments, mustering together an
effective force of 800 men. Below Monterey, at the posts of
Marin, Cerralvo, and Punta Aguada, was the 2d Ohio regiment, in detachments under its three field-officers. At Mier
and Camargo, were the 3d Ohio and 1st Indiana regiments.
Such were the positions of our troops on the 21st of
February, 1847, when General Taylor was induced, by the
information brought him by that trusty and accomplished
scout, Captain McCulloch, to change his ground from Agua
Nueva to the gorge of Buenca Vista. As my object is not
to write a history of the war, but simply to relate a few incidents of the campaign concerning which I have some personal knowledge,-introducing such others, as may be well
authenticated and necessary to form a connected narrative;I shall not presumptuously attempt to describe how 20,000
troops, the flower of the Mexican nation and assembled under
the banner of their most popular chief, were disgracefully
routed by the handful of men whom General Taylor set in
battle array on that memorable field. The story has been
often told at length, by the graphic and graceful pens of eyewitnesses and is yet fresh in the minds of American readers.
I propose here, to give some account of minor cotemporary
events, with which I claim to be more familiar.
General Santa Anna, well informed by his numerous spies,
and the intercepted dispatches, of all the movements that
had taken place on our line, did not, as many predicted he
would, hasten to succor the menaced city of Vera Cruz; but
anticipating an easy victory over Taylor, he issued a stirring




288   SANTA ANNA  MARCHES FROM  SAN  LUIS DE POTOSI.
proclamation  to  his  soldiers, and  on the 28th  of January
marched from  San Luis de Potosi toward  Saltillo.~   About
the same time, the Mexican corps of observation was ordered
to debouch from  the pass of Tula, and at the proper moment
fall upon  our flanks, prevent the  passage  of supplies and
reinforcements to the front, and be in position to cut off Taylor's beaten and  retreating battalions.   This division, as we
have already shown from a field report, consisted of about
* I append the document, as a fair sample of the military papers of " the Napoleon" of Mexico. It is translated from a copy found in Monterey.
"Companions in Arms: The operations of the enemy require us to move precipitately on their principal line, and we are about to do it. The independence, the
honor and the destinies of the nation depend on this movement and your decision.
Soldiers! the entire world is observing us, and it is obligatory on you that your
deeds should be as heroic as they are necessary. From the neglect with which
you have been treated by those whose duty it is to aid you, privations of all kinds
await you; but when has want weakened your spirits or debilitated your enthusiasm i! The Mexican soldier is well known for his frugality and capability of sufferance. Never does he need magazines or provisions, when about to pass the
deserts; but he has always an eye to the resources of his enemy to supply his
wants. To-morrow you commence your march through a thinly settled country,
without provisions; but you may be assured that very quickly you will be in possession of those of your enemy, and his riches; and with them all your wants will
be superabundantly gratified.  Liyfriends! we are about to open the campaign, and
who can tell how many days of glory await us! What a perspective, so 11ll of
hope for our country! What satisfaction you will feel whern you have saved our
independence; when you shall be the objects of admiration for the whole world,
and our own country shall shower blessings on your heads! When again in the
bosoms of your families, you shall relate your dangers, your combats, and your
triumphs over your daring presumptuous foe; when you tell your children that you
have given them their country a second time, your jubilee will be complete. Soldiers! the cause we sustain is holy; our honor, our religion, our wives, our children! What sacrifices are too great for objects so dear? Let us conquer or die!
Let us swear before the Eternal, that we will not rest one instant until we completely wipe away from our soil the vainglorious foreigner who has dared to pollute
it with his presence. No terms with him. Nothing for us but heroism and grandeur!"
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA,
General-in-chief of the "Army of the North."
Head-Quarters, San Luis de Potosi,
January 27, 1847.




AFFAIRS IN MONTEREY.                     289
two thousand cavalry under General Urrea and sixteen hundred infantry under General Vasquez.-*  It was soon rumored
at MiIonterey, that a large force had entered the valley, and
was moving upon our line; but being unprovided with cavalry, we were unable to learn anything definite concerning
its strength, position, or designs. The citizens, whose conduct at once underwent a change, could not be prevailed
upon to disclose any particulars, and in their dealings with
us, they assumed a less gracious air and bearing, as if preparing for our defeat.  At one time it was rumored that
Santa Anna's whole army had come through the Tula pass
and were in rapid march upon Monterey. Our suspicions
that some hostile movement was about to be executed, were
confirmed by the continued departure of families from the
town; the few schools it contained were broken up and the
children removed to distant villages. Before the 22d of February, Monterey was like a city of the dead. I do not
believe that there were ten Mexicans who remained within
its walls. Not one was to be seen abroad in any quarter.
Never was a city so rapidly and completely evacuated by its
inhabitants of all classes. Every house was closed and the
intense silence that reigned day and night over its empty
streets and vacant plazas, was alone broken at intervals by
* I have never been able to ascertain with certainty, whether the infantry of Vasquez entered the tierra calie~nte with Urrea's brigade of cavalry. It was never displayed before any of our posts, and the probability is that it joined Santa Anna in
his march to Buena Vista. An intercepted letter however, from a Mexican officer
to his wife in Monterey, requesting her to leave the city, as it would soon be
attacked by a column of 5000 men, caused some to infer that the entire division of
observation, swelled to the number stated by rancheros, was at Montemorelas
about the middle of February.




290             AFFAIRS IN MONTEREY.
the firm tread of its determined little garrison. Beacon fires
were nightly flaming on the lofty peaks of the Sierra Madre;
a primitive mode of telegraphing for which the country is
well adapted. The gloom of approaching danger was the
more oppressive, because its position and extent were unknown. Every possible precaution was taken against surprise. A careful watch was maintained upon all the roads
leading to the city, and the highest officers relieved each
other in mounting guard at night. All the public stores
were removed to the citadel, which fortress, under the superintendence of Captain Frazier of the Engineers, had been
much strengthened since it fell into our hands. The 1st
Kentucky regiment lay in the work, while ours remained in
the town. For more than a week preceding the battle of
Buena Vista, (23d of February,) and indeed for several days
succeeding it, we did not take off our boots or clothes, but
remained under arms day and night. Such restless vigilance
was more harassing than bodily fatigue. Stampedes were of
frequent occurrence; and at the first sound of the 6'longroll,"' every man hastened to the post assigned him, either
upon the house-tops or at the barricades of the Plazcca  iayor,
which quarter of the town alone, our force was sufficient to
hold.
Up to the 24th of February, no very satisfactory information was received at Monterey, of the movements of the
enemy. It was evident however, from the non-arrival of
couriers, that our line of communication had been cut both
above and below us. On the 23d, a lieutenant of our regiment who had gone to the summit of the mountain behind




THE MEXICANS INVEST MARIN.           291
the city, to reconnoiter the surrounding country, returned
with the intelligence, that while in that elevated position he
had heard two faint reports of artillery in the direction of
Saltillo. As a sharp-eared sentinel at the citadel had also
heard the same sounds, we were convinced that a battle was
progressing in front. But General Taylor's position, at the
last account, being distant at least eighty miles by the road,
and perhaps fifty in an air line, many were disposed to entertain the painful belief, that he was retiring before the enemy
toward La Rinconada.
About the same time, General Urrea, doubtless informed
that Santa Anna had commenced operations in front, presented himself upon our line, with all his regular cavalry
and a large body of rancheros under General Canales. He
invested iarin, garrisoned by a part of the 2d Ohio regiment under Lieutenant-Colonel Irvin, with eight hundred
horse: with as many more he fell upon one of our trains
near Ramas, killing about fifty of the wagoners and capturing the escort, which consisted of thirty soldiers of the 1st
Kentucky regiment under Lieutenant Barbour. A part of
his force was also thrown between Colonel Morgan's detachment at Cerralvo and Major Wall's at Punta Aguada.
On the morning of the 24th of February, the painful uncertainty and suspense which had so long prevailed at Monterey were partially dispelled. A messenger arrived from
Lieutenant-Colonel Irvin, stating that the enemy had been
for some time in force around Marin; that the little garrison
was much harassed by the close siege and desultory attacks
of the foe; that their ammunition was failing rapidly and




292         COLONEL MORGAN REACHES MARIN.
that assistance would be acceptable. Colonel Ormsby of the
1st Kentucky regiment, who had recently assumed command
at Monterey, promptly dispatched Major Shepherd of his
regiment, with a mixed command of five companies and two
field-pieces, to Irvin's relief.*  Major Shepherd marched at
noon, and reached Marin at 9 P. M., the enemy suffering
him to enter the place without opposition. The next day
(25th) the Mexican cavalry were withdrawn from the vicinity
of the town, and the now united commands of Irvin and
Shepherd started to return to Monterey. General Urrea,
instead of opposing, would I suppose, cheerfully have hastened their departure; since he must have been advised of
the advance of a smaller detachment under Colonel Morgan,
which he could attack advantageously, only before it formed
a junction with the American troops at Marin.  Colonel
Morgan, having been ordered to concentrate the 2d Ohio
regiment, and march to Monterey, had called up Major Wall's
command from Punta Aguada and set out from Cerralvo on
the 24th of February. IIe marched that day and the following night with but few brief halts, and arrived at Marin soon
after the departure of Lieutenant-Colonel Irvin, who, it
seems, was unapprised of his approach.
Early on the 25th, a solitary Kentucky volunteer staggered
into Monterey, nearly dead with fatigue and hunger. He
brought us the first account of the capture of Lieutenant Barbour's train; stating that he believed he was the only soldier
* This detachment was composed of the following companies:-Captains Triplett's, Bullen's and Kearn's of the 1st Kentucky regiment; Captains Bradley's and
Vandever's of the 1st Ohio regiment; a few files of Kentucky cavalry under Lieutenant Patterson; two four-pounders, with squads of volunteer artillerists.




URREA ATTACKS MORGAN'S TROOPS.        293
of the escort who had escaped, and that all the drivers
had been massacred and horribly mutilated by the enemy.
Shortly afterward a few teamsters came straggling in, breathless with terror and covered with wounds. They had been
hunted far and hotly through the chaparral, by Urrea's men,
and had escaped by avoiding the road and ranchos, and
making a detour around Marin. In addition to these, it was
afterward ascertained that twenty-five drivers and wagonmasters had succeeded in joining Colonel Morgan's advancing command. Among the fugitives was a negro-boy, who,
with eyes protruding and wool almost " on end at his own
wonders,'" narrated his hair-breadth escape. The Lancers had
gashed him severely, or, to use his own very expressive
words, "' Dem Lanceers plugged into me, jes as if I was a
green water-million."
Before dark on the 25th, Major Shepherd, attended by a
score of officers and men, returned with the information that
he had relieved Irvin, and that the remainder of the detachment were en route and would probably reach M/Ionterey
early that night. Fortunately, Lieutenant Colonel Irvin did
not make such rapid progress as was anticipated, but bivouacked eight miles from town, not far from San Francisco;
for scarcely had he resumed his march on the morning of the
26th. when he was overtaken by Lieutenant Stewart of his
own regiment, who being well mounted had gallantly and
successfully dashed through the enemy's line, with the
information that Colonel Morgan with the remainder of the
2d Ohio regiment, was surrounded by Urrea's troops a short
distance from Agua Frio. Irvin's command immediately
13~




294            NEWS FROM BUENA VISTA.
turned back, and with the aid of the artillery soon succeeded
in extricating his Colonel (Morgan,) who in the course of his
march from Marin had been repeatedly assaulted by the enemy. The intelligence was also forwarded to Monterey, and
in less than ten minutes after its arrival, two hundred men of
the 1st Ohio regiment set out for the scene of action. Being
unincumbered with aught save their arms, and stimulated by
the perilous condition of their friends of the 2d regiment, the
men strode lightly and quickly forward; and marched to
San Francisco (four leagues) in two hours. At that village,
we met Colonel Morgan's regiment, and those of our own
corps who had aided him in shaking off the pertinacious foe;
among whom were distinguished Captain Bradley and Sergeant HIowell, —the latter commanding one of the volunteer
gun-squads. After exchanging hearty congratulations with
our gallant friends of the 2d Ohio regiment, whom we had
not seen for more than six months, we fell into the rear
of the weary column and slowly retraced our steps to Monterey. The garrisons having been thus, with much peril and
some loss, withdrawn from the three posts of M1Rarin, Cerralvo and Punta Aguada, the enemy obtained temporary possession of the country between Monterey and Camargo.
It was not until after these affairs, just described, that we
received the glad tidings of the battle and victory of Buena
Vista; and over which we rejoiced and lamented by turns,
as the messenger described each charge and repulse; and
told how, for so many long hours the fortunes of our count-ymen, who had been compelled to fight with the desperation of men, " whose only safety was in the despair of safe



RETREAT OF THE MEXICANS FROM BUENA VISTA.  295
ty,' had trembled in the balance. Every allusion to' Old
Rough and Ready,"-from his heroic reply to Santa Anna's
summons at the commencement of the action, to his memorable order, "' A little more grape Captain Bragg," at its close,
was received with shouts and tears of joy. We immediately
fired salutes and rang the long silent bells of the city in
honor of the glorious achievement. In a few days the citizens began to return to their homes and property, lookingmuch to our amusement-quite disappointed and crest-fallen.
After one of the most lamentable retreats recorded in history,-and in which the Mexican writers confess that he lost
from desertion and death in every horrible form, ten thousand five hundred men,-General Santa Anna re-entered San
Luis de Potosi on the 9th of March. We were soon afterward informed, by a person who traveled from San Luis to
Monterey, that the dead were strewed along the road for sixty
leagues. But while we may well exult in the heroism of our
troops and skill of our officers, the impartial observer of these
events, must also respect and admire the valor and patriotism
with which our enemies, undismayed by a series of disastrous defeats, prepared to continue the war. Look for example at the alacrity and fortitude with which Santa Anna's
shattered battalions, yet bleeding from the wounds of Buena
Vista, hastened to meet the army of General Scott and to
incur new disasters at Cerro Gorda.




C  APTE R X.
BEARERS of dispatches from head-quarters arrive.-We prepare to escort them to
Camargo.-A train tacked on.-Description of the convoy.-Appearance of the
country and villages. —The Massacre near Ramas.-The affair with the Mexican cavalry at Cerralvo.-General Urrea retreats to Tamaulipas.-Friendly
reception by the citizens of Cerralvo.-Pronunciamiento of the teamsters.-Arrival of Colonel Curtis' command.-We resume our march to Camargo.-Fortifications of that town.-Another march to Monterey.-Mustang Gray.-Wholesale slaughter of rancheros near Marin.
THE  long suspension of communication between HeadQuarters and the coast, caused much apprehension in the
United States for the safety of General Taylor's army. Reports of the capture of the Arkansas and Kentucky scouting
parties in the vicinity of Encarnacion, the advance of Santa
Anna's host, and the assembling of the rancheros with
Urrea's corps in the lower country, had spread through the
Union and awakened the most painful solicitude, which in
those days of mail-coaches and ponzy-expresses, was not dispelled for many weeks.  Colonel Curtis of the 3d Ohio regiment, being the senior officer on the Rio Grande, considering the perilous position of our troops, thought it advisable
in the emergency to call upon the adjacent states for volunteers.  Each anxious day deepened  the gloom  what rested
upon the public mind. But thanks to an all-wise Providence
who guided and guarded our arms, the sun of victory arose
at last, and with a radiance the more brilliant and dazzling
from the preceding darkness.




BEARERS OF DISPATCHES ESCORTED TO CAMARGO.  297
On the 3d of March, Mr. Crittenden, volunteer aiddecamp, and Major Coffee of the pay department, arrived at
l/Ionterey on their way to Washington. They were the
bearers of those dispatches from Buena Vista, which, while
they excited the admiration and called forth the gratitude of
the nation, carried desolation and mourning to many a home
and heart. That night, an order was received by the Major
commanding the 1st Ohio regiment, to march on the following day to Camargo, with five companies of infantry and
two light pieces, as an escort to the bearers of dispatches.
Wearied by inaction and the monotony of garrison life, that
officer had long desired such an opportunity for employing his
men; and for that and other reasons, he prepared to execute
his commission with no ordinary zeal and pleasure. Knowing that his march would be opposed by General Urrea —perhaps daily harassed by the attacks of the light squadrons of
the enemy-and that much would depend on celerity of
movement, he had determined not to encumber his troops
with more than their blankets, and provisions barely sufficient for the journey. With this compact little escort, he
felt assured that the merely mounted force of the Mexicans,
could not compel him even to halt or change the order in
which he proposed to march. The companies-who had all
now acquired the discipline and weather-beaten aspect of
veterans-burned for another fight before their term of service should expire, and pleasantly contended with each other
for places in the expedition. But as two companies of our
regiment had been detailed for the previous enterprise under
Major Shepherd, the Kentucky regiment reasonably claimed




298           A WAGON TRAIN TACKED ON.
that two of theirs should be attached to this command. The
detachment therefore was organized as follows: three companies of the 1st Ohio regiment under Captains Bradley, Armstrong, and Keneally; two companies of the 1st Kentucky
regiment under Captains Howe and Fuller; and two gunsquads, each with a four-pounder, commanded by Lieutenant
McCarter and Sergeant William Howell of the 1st Ohio regiment, both of whom were skilled in the exercise of artillery.
Our assistant surgeon, Dr. Heighway, also accompanied the
party, which comprised in all, about two hundred and fifty
fighting men, whose strength was augmented by the resolute
spirit with which they sought the hazardous service. It was
a well-appointed escort; and its commander,-knowing his
men and confidently relying upon their endurance and courage,-had assured Messrs. Crittenden and Coffee that they
would reach Camargo in five days. But unfortunately, just
as we were about to start from Monterey on the 4th of March,
an immense number of wagons were descried approaching
the city on the Saltillo road. It proved to be a train, made
up chiefly of wagons which had accompanied General Wool's
column in its long march from San Antonio, —now going to
the rear for supplies. Much to our dissatisfaction, the escort
was immediately ordered to delay its march until the following day in order to convoy the train. This at once changed
the aspect of affairs, and gave a different character to the
detachment. Its commanding officer, though impressed with
the belief that his force was entirely inadequate for the protection of so large a train, was not disposed to avoid the
additional responsibility so unexpectedly thrust upon him;




DESCRIPTION OF THE CONVOY.          299
and contented himself with replying that this new arrangement would probably result in the detention of important
dispatches on the route, longer than was expected, and that
he hoped his force would not be held accountable for the
safety of the entire train. It was supposed however, by the
officer commanding at Monterey, that General Urrea, learning the result of the battle of Buena Vista had withdrawn
from the line; or that remaining, he would not be tempted
by empty wagons to make an attack which promised more
blows than booty. The number of the detachment therefore,
was not increased,-except by the addition of a dozen Arkansas horsemen under Lieutenant Thompson. But the companies composing the escort or convoy, were made up of men
who would stand by their officers to the death; and we left
Monterey with the determination, that, though some public
property might be lost on the way, honor should be saved,
and if possible, some glory won.
In surveying the apparently interminable string of wagons
which, on the 5th of March, followed us from the city and
stretched for miles over the plain, I must confess that, much
as General Taylor had complained of their scarcity, I heartily wished them all with Pharaoh's chariots,-at the bottom
of the Red Sea. It was the largest train that ever passed
over the road; and consisted of at least one hundred and fifty
wagons, with perhaps seven hundred animals in harness,many of them wild and stubborn Mexican mules. The ordinary difficulties attending the movement of such a train,
even through a friendly country and under the most favorable
circumstances, would vex a Job-like temper and patience.




300           DESCRIPTION OF THE CONVOY.
But when it is remembered that there were more than a thousand active enemies upon the route; that the train when
extended and in motion, must be nearly or quite two miles
in length; that there was no military organization and but
little subordination among the drivers; that the road for
much of the distance was closely hedged in by dense thickets,
most suitable and convenient for ambuscading, while it was
only at rare and distant intervals in the chaparral that the
wagons could be parked; the disadvantages under which the
escort labored will be apparent. With the prospect of an
action with a strong cavalry force, to have scattered a small
body of infantry around so large a mass would have endangered the whole. The detachment was therefore divided into
but two parties; —three companies marching in front and two
in the rear of the train, each having a piece of artillery,
which, had the country been more open, would have afforded
prompt and efficient protection to the flanks. It was evident
however, that a vigorous assault on judiciously selected
ground, by an enemy numerically so superior would result in
the destruction of some portion of the train. The drivers
who had escaped the massacre at Ramas, had already by
their accounts of it, so terrified their fellows, that most of'
them were prepared to desert their teams at the first sign of
danger. A  number of clerks, camp-followers, and other
Americans not connected with the army, alarmed at the
threatening aspect of affairs in Mexico, availed themselves of
the protection of our escort to leave the country. These
being poorly armed and undisciplined would have embarrassed, rather than have aided the detachment, had not Mr.




THE APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRY.
Crittenden undertaken the difficult task of making them
march at least, in some order. IIe so far succeeded, that an
enemy reconnoitering us from afar, would perhaps have supposed them to be a formidable body of Rangers. Among
those who solicited permission to accompany the train was
a Mr. IR-*, a genuine Yankee, who had long resided at
Durango, where he had been engaged in some manufacturing enterprise. Ils party consisted of his wife, two or three
children, and a friend who had been employed in the same
business with himself. It was represented to him that the
3Mexican troops were on the road, and would probably fight
a small force; and that he had better remain until the line
was re-opened. But as he had been detained at Saltillo during the battle of'Buena Vista,-much to the terror of his
family,-he was determined not to make another halt south
of " the little town of' Bosting;" and accepting the risk, concluded to march with us.
A poor account of the poor country between Monterey and
Camargo has been given in a previous chapter. Its appearance was now rather less attractive, if possible, from  the
absence of water. During the six months that had elapsed
since we first marched over it, scarcely a cloud had floated in
the sky. Parched by the hot suns, the shrub-covered hills
and plains had assumed a brown and fading hue, the gaudy
flowers of the cactus and variegated convolvuli had disappeared from the valleys, and many of the streams which at
the period of our upward march had been both broad and
deep, were now " consumed out of their places."' But unlike
" the troops of Tema" and  "the companies of Sheba," we
14




302              ARRIVE AT AGUA FRIO.
neither looked nor waited for "the deceitful brooks;" and
sometimes traveled an entire day without water.
In consequence of the usual delays in starting from Monterey, it was late on the 5th when we reached Agua Frio,
where we established ourselves for the night. The train was
securely parked in the bend of a deep barrancce or ravine;
and every arrangement made to guard against any meditated
surprise or sudden assault, from which alone any serious
danger was apprehended. The wagons, when halted around
our camp, instead of requiring protection rather afforded it
to us, while, at the same time, they were in a position to be
effectually sheltered by our arms. It was only when in motion and winding its slow length over the rough hilly road,
and but a small part of the train could be seen from any one
point of view, that it invited attack. The village of Agua
Frio was deserted by its inhabitants; and we were somewhat
surprised to find in one of the vacant houses, four mustangs, bridled and saddled for the read; and which probably
belonged to some of Urrea's spies lurking in the neigh-.borhood.
Many articles, of but little value however, plundered from
Lieutenant Barbour's train, were discovered in the hamlet;
which circumstance, some persons with the detachment (not
soldiers) would have made the pretext for the commission of
excesses, but being promptly arrested they were careful not
to betray any lawless designs during the remainder of the
march. With our own men, the commander, had every reason to be satisfied. They were obedient, patient and courageous; and too deeply impressed with the responsibility and




SCENE OF THE MASSACRE NEAR RAMAS.       303
dangers of the expedition, to indulge in the usual levities and
petty maraudings.
The second day, notwithstanding the many breakings of
harness and wagons, and indeed many of the villainous mules
had to be broken afresh every morning, we traveled with
uncommon swiftness, and passing through Marin and IRamas,
at nightfall bivouacked at Papagallos. Towns and ranchos
were all deserted, and not a Mexican was seen in the course
of the dav's march. A suspicious silence reigned over the
whole country; and but few now doubted that the enemy
was prepared at some point to dispute our progress. The
complete abandonment of the villages was partly explained
by the shocking spectacle that met our gaze as we descended
into a deep and narrow valley near Ramas. It was the scene
of the massacre ten days previous, (24th of February,) and
the inhabitants of that region had doubtless fled from the
retribution which they feared it would provoke. The ground
for the attack on Lieutenant Barbour's little command, had
been well selected by the enemy. The valley is inclosed by
lofty ridges, over which, on either side, the road passes by a
rough and abrupt ascent. It is so intersected by ravines, cut
by the rains in their passage from the hills, as to make the
progress of a train through it slow and difficult.  The
unfortunate party had been permitted to enter the valley, and
when involved among the ravines and thickets, were suddenly and furiously assailed by the Mexicans who had been
stationed in ambush. The startled escort, taken by surprise,
was almost immediately surrounded by ten times its number
and forced to capitulate without firing a shot. But no quar



304           SCENE OF THE MASSACRE NEAR RAMAS.
ter had been given to the drivers, —the bodies of more than
fifty  of whom  still lay  festering  there; naked, bloated  and
blackened  by  sun  and  fire.   Some  of them, after being
smeared with tar, had been burnt to a crisp upon the wagons.
Others, frightfully mangled with wounds, had been placed in
an erect position with pieces of their own flesh thrust into
their months.  The hearts of some had been torn from  their
breasts, and suspended  upon  the bushes or left to roast upon
the rocks, reminding us of the revolting sacrifices of the
Aztecs to the Sun.   Indeed  such  barbarous atrocities could
only have been perpetrated by the progeny of those cannibals
and the cruel torturers of Gautemozin.i   The effluvia arising. It has been supposed by many persons that these barbarities were committed
by the semi-savage rancheros of Canales alone. In the Mexican " Notes of the
War," —a work to which I have often heretofore referred,-a chapter is devoted to
the guerrilla operations both on the lines of Scott and Taylor; from which I quote
the subjoined extract to show that officers of' rank and troops of the line were
present at, if not actual participators in this merciless butchery. Let it be remenmbered that the enemy commenced this sort of' warfare. Their historian does not
deny it; but after remarking that,-" this kind of hostilities the Americans called
barbarous,"-he hastens lamely to justify them by adding,-" but they soon established the same on their side." General Urrea was undoubtedly the commanderin-chief of all the Mexican troops north of the Sierra Madre at the time. He, I
believe, is generally known as the executioner of Fanning's Texans.  The
Iturbide mentioned in the following extract is a son of the ill-star'd Emperor oi
that name, and is also well known in the cities of the United States. It is believed
that the name of Lambert is a misprint, and should be " Langberg;" at least it is
so written by that officer himself in a certain considerate and modest billet now in
my possession. He is probably a German, and takes pains to announce himself
" a foreign officer," in the note which will be given to the reader on a subsequent
page of these Memoirs. After describing the guerrillas on the Vera Cruz line,
under the famous Padre Jaurauta and Robolledo, the Mexican historian writes as
follows:" The guerillas of Tamaulipas were recruited from the rancheros of the villas
and were comnmanded by Canales; along with the squadrons of Guanajuato, of
Allende and Fieles de Guanajuato, commanded by Generals Urrea and Romaro.
They had under them likewise, several officers of the army of the line, such as
Emelio Lambert, Augustin Ricoy, Augustin Iturbide, Pantaleon Gutierrez, and




BIVOUAC AT PAPAGALLOS.                    305
from the mass of putrefaction tainted the atmosphere to the
summits of the hills bordering the valley. The road was marked
for a considerable distance with the dead bodies of men, the
carcases of mules and pieces of the wagons, which had been
broken up and partly burned to avoid detection and recovery.
The fugitives had evidently been hotly pursued and some of
them were slain far from the train. At one place even
beyond the valley, I saw the half of a human head, which
bad been cleft from  the crown downward, lying in the road
at a great distance from any corpse. The face was upturned
to tile sun, and the shrunken and ghastly features, caused some
stanch old horses of the passing escort to snort and tremble
with fright.
Altogether the scene was one of the wildest savagery; and
the terrible bloodshed it provoked, of which the reader will
be informed at the close of this chapter, may perhaps, to
some minds, "' prove but a jest," when " exampled by this
heinous spectacle."
It has been stated that we bivouacked the second night of tle
march at Papagallos.  As at Agua Frio, the ground was
carefully selected, and the camp a strong one,-the wagons
being parked around a low but steep conical hill, to the commanding summit of which the artillery was dragged by hand.
others. They passed from Tula to the State of BNew Leon, making marches and
countermarches to surprise detachments of the enemy. On the 24th of February,
1847, they attacked a convoy and captured 121 wagons loaded with clothes and
provisions; and 137 mules also loaded with clothes, besides leaving many killed,
wounded, dispersed and prisoners taken; breaking up the force that accompanied
the train which exceeded 300 men. War made systematically by guerrillas,
appears to us would in the long run have ruined the enemy and given success to
the Republic."




306       BETWEEN PAPAGALLOS AND CERRALVOo
The dreadful objects passed during the day, and the prospect
of a conflict before reaching Camargo, afforded topics for
conversation to the men who sat around their fires cooking,
or cleaning the dust from their arms. It was late in the
night before silence stole over the camp; and toward dawn
it was again broken by the clatter of hoofs on the road in
advance of our position; which sounds, the officer of the
guard reasonably supposed, proceeded from a scouting party
of the enemy.  These increasing signs of danger, caused
uneasiness for the safety of the wagons alone. The troops
were abundantly able to protect themselves from many times
their number of Mexican cavalry; but the experience and
observation of the two past days had convinced us that the
train when in motion, was never in any other than a bad
position and only perfectly safe when closed in mass. But
the interminable thickets which skirted the road,-while they
were intersected by many paths and little glades favorable to
the operations of an attacking party,-presented but few
openings spacious enough to contain our wagons. Especially
is this the case between Papagallos and Cerralvo, a distance
of twenty-eight miles, which we marched on thd third day,
7th of March. The solitary rivulet with which nature occasionally gladdens the first twenty miles of that journey, was
dried up. But at the " Robbers' Rancho,"-eight miles from
Cerralvo,-which we reached early in the afternoon, a supply
of water was obtained. The scorching heat and rough road
had so jaded both men and animals, that the commanding
officer had concluded to encamp there; but on learning from
the wagon-masters that they were short of forage, he deter



ACTION OF CERHALVO.             80d
mined to push forward to Cerralvo. The "6 Robbers' Rancho 9
was also deserted, but, as it was Sunday, an officer of the
detachment sportively remarked that 1" the forty thieves had
probably gone to church."  Some new brogans, several packs
of playing cards and other sutler's goods were found in that
very respectable establishmert.
After leaving the Rancho, the teams began to lag, as usual
toward the end of a day's march. When the head of the
train was about a mile from Cerralvo, a small party of horsemen who had been kept in advance galloped back with the
information that, just as they were cautiously entering the
suburbs of the town, the Mexican troops began to pour out,
through many streets, upon the plain. So sudden indeed
was the appearance of the enemy that one of our people,
being poorly mounted, was overtaken and killed in the
retreat. Before hearing this report, the long array of Lancers,
then rapidly approaching, had admonished us to prepare for
action. Fortunately there was a slight elevation in the plain,
rather bare of chaparral, about 200 yards in front of the spot
we occupied when first advised of the enemy's presence.
This, the commander of the escort determined to gain as a
favorable position for his artillery, while the open ground
about it would afford ample space to park the train, for which
orders were immediately given. Our four-pounder and the
three companies of infantry were at once rushed forward to
the desired position; and formed upon it just as the leading
squadrons of Lancers had arrived within good range for
canister shot, with which they were promptly greeted. They
continued to advance, but in a slower pace and evidently




308               ACTION OF CEIRRALYO.
much confused and disconcerted by their unexpected reception. Before our cannon was re-loaded, we were enabled to
open a lively fire of musketry upon their line; at which they
broke and fled in disorder, many of them throwing themselves upon the necks of their horses the better to avoid our
balls.  A  rapid glance from  the point we occupied had
revealed a heavy force between us and the town; and large
bodies of men, moving rapidly through the chaparral upon
our flanks and rear.  There seemed to be quite enough of
them to overwhelm us by the mere weight of numbers.  At
the moment of the attack, the rear-guard,-composed of
Howe's and KIeneally's companies with Lieutenant McCarter's gun-guard, was more than two miles behind us; while
the wagons were strung out in the intervening road, which
was for the most part hemmed in by thickets.  The sudden
volleys and shouts of the combatants, conveyed to those in
the rear, the first intimation of the affair on hand.  Captain
Howe then marched his company to the front, leaving
Keneally's (Company A, 1st Ohio regiment) alone in the
rear; which unaccountable movement,-had the latter company been composed of less resolute material,-might have
seriously endangered the whole command. But the commander of the escort, was not apprehensive that the reargun would be captured so long as one gallant Irish heart was
left to bleed in its defense.* At the sound of the first shot,
the drivers in the center of the train abandoned their teams
* Captain Keneally's company was composed of Irishmen; and was for many
years well known in Cincinnati as-" the Montgomery Guards." The gallant
Captain lost his life on the Vera Cruz line, a few months alter the events here
narrated.




ACTION OF CERRIALVO.             309
and ran either to the advance or rear-guard. But few of
those men deserve censure, for the road was so narrow that
the stopping of a single"wagon necessarily detained all others
behind it. And even at those rare places where the track
was wide enough to admit of passing, many of' the brainless
native mules, being accustomed only to follow, refused to
pass those halted in advance of them; thus, by their provoking obstinacy, defeating the efforts of the most diligent
and courageous drivers to bring up their wagons. To remain
with such brutes was certain death; and indeed, so sudden
was the onset of the cavalry at all points, that more than a
dozen of the teamsters were lanced in their saddles; while
others, unable to join either division of our force escaped
in the chaparral, and wandered off toward Monterey or
Camargo.
Meantime the wagons were being gathered as rapidly as
possible around the advance and rear-guards, and by prompt
and unceasing exertions,-in which some of the wagon-masters and drivers fearlessly discharged their duty,-we succeeded in saving about one hundred and twenty of them.
The remainder, probably forty in number, were lost chiefly
by the mules taking fright, and dashing through the penings
of the thickets into the enemy's hands. Had we fifty or a
hundred good dragoons, even those should have been recovered. The ranchero portion of Urrea's force, under General
Canales, after unhitching the animals immediately set fire to
the wagons. Among those burned was our ammunition
wagon, which, though placed in charge of two drivers
recommended as trusty men, had been lost in the first




310               ACTION OF CERRALVO.
alarm. They excused themselves by asserting that their
horses became unmanageable at the noise of the affray, and
that they did not leave their saddles until in danger of being
carried over to the enemy. The sad story of its loss was
first communicated to us by the sound of its explosion, which
was followed by an unearthly yell of pain. It seemed that a
party of Mexicans, perhaps engaged in wrangling for the
horses, an unusual and much coveted booty, were assembled
around it while it was burning; when, as we afterward
learned from one of the sufferers who was captured, three of
the number were instantly killed and several wounded by an
explosion that shattered the wagon to fragments.  This
unlucky event, a more persevering foe than General Urrea
would have turned to good account, assured as he must have
been by the slackening of our fire, that we had no cartridges
to waste upon a distant mark. It was no easy matter to prevent the loss from having a depressing effect upon our troops;
but the circumstances of our position when fully understood,
strengthened every heart and arm.
The enemy, foiled in his first and most serious attack in
front, after re-forming, continued to menace us with a charge;
but was as often driven back by the unflinching steadiness of
our men, and a few round shot from the piece of artillery
under Sergeant Howell, some of whose balls rebounded into
the town, creating no little consternation among the citizens.
Our first object being to collect and park the wagons, the
men were directed to husband their ammunition, and content
themslves with keeping the enemy at a respectful distance.
While engaged in these skirmishes, altogether defensive on




ACTION OF CEIRRALVO.             311
our part, we could not refrain from again lamenting that it
had not been our fortune to march fiom MVionterey with the
escort alone, as at first designed. Arrested in our progress
more by the train in our rear. than by the foe in front, we
could, if unembarrassed with the former, have thrown the
latter from our path as easily as a buoyant ship casts the
billows from her prow. Encouraged by our apparent inactivity, a party of the enemy dismounted, approached under
cover of the chaparral and opened a rattling fire of escopetts
upon our left flank. Their balls pattered among the mass of
wagons then collected, but beside wounding a few mules did
no damage. Our four-pounder was moved in that direction,
and with a few raking discharges swept the skulking gentry
from the bushes. While the fight was in progress, a gamecock, that courageous and vigilant bird, which the ancients,
with their nice perception of the fitness of such things, dedicated to Mars, belonging to a soldier, flew upon a bow of the
wagon in which he had been confined, and crowed in a style
that would have caused the whole tribe of overgrown and
loutish Shanghaes to hide their diminished heads.  His
clarion notes were greeted by the men with cheers and shouts
of applause.
Among the laughable little incidents was the following, to
which my attention was called by a gentleman near me. In
one of the foremost iwagons of the park was a beardless
youngster,-perhaps a clerk,-whose only weapon was a
little brass pocket-pistol.  But he fought with that, as if
victory depended upon his single efforts; discharging it with
the most astonishing rapidity,-now  disappearing in the




312            INCIDENTS OF THE ACTION.
wagon to load, and the next instant rising to fire at any
Mexican in sight, no matter how distant. MInch excited, he
continued his animated fusillade long after the troops had
ceased firing. Whenever he dropped to charge his pistol,
the driver of his war-chariot, who sat upon his mule, shaking with laughter, was engaged in selecting the next victim,
and at which the terrible piece of ordncance was leveled as
soon as loaded.
Another amusing scene occurred about this time. A teamster who had escaped from the massacre at Ramas, —and
who was a driver in our train also, —had been suddenly set
upon by a couple of Lancers; and failing in his attempt to
give " leg-bail," he had darted head foremost into a cluster
of chaparral about twenty feet in diameter. Into this the
enemy were nnable to force their horses; and being afraid to
dismount, contented themselves with riding around the thicket
and thrusting their long lances at the fugitive. Our driver,
now on his hands and knees, and dodging from side to side
like a wounded partridge in a brush-heap, succeeded by dint
of hard scratching, in eluding all the blows aimed at him.
The Lancers, alarmed at the proximity of some of our troops,
finally rode off; when the teamster, venturing cautiously
from his friendly cover, fled to the escort, with clothes torn
to shreds and hands and face badly lacerated by the thorns.
Overjoyed at his narrow escape and regarding himself as one
returned almost from  the dead, he gave utterance to his
delight and attracted attention by some lusty cheers for himse7.  Jumping into the air and swinging the remnant of an
old straw-hat exultingly around his head, he shouted,



INCIDENTS OF THE ACTION.            313
6 Hurrah for Bill Robbins! Hurrah for Bill Robbins! run
over by Lancers two times, and a living agin i"
But there were some incidents connected with the affair
at Cerralvo of a different character, that interested more
seriously the hearts of those present, and with one of which
I propose to detain the reader. The Mr. R-   -, of whom
mention is made at the beginning of this chapter, happened,
at the commencement of the fight to be near the front of the
train, while his friend and family were riding in a wagon far
away toward the rear. He at once made a desperate effort
to join them, but after a fierce hand to hand conflict in which
he killed one of the enemy, was forced to abandon the attempt
and unite with our force in front, then hotly engaged. Covered with blood and bathed in tears, the gray-haired old man
approached the commanding officer, and in a voice tremulous
with wild excitement stated the position of his family and
implored assistance. It was not the moment for a consolatory conversation, yet sympathizing deeply with his sudden
and great grief, the commander briefly assured him that he
should have our arms, as he already had our sympathies, at
the earlest possible moment; that in order to be able to aid
him effectually we must first secure ourselves; and suggested
that his wife and children were probably safe with the rearguard. And so it proved. Their wagon had been attacked
with others, and I -'- s friend had been killed before the
eyes of the family. But the women and children, supplicating mercy in the Spanish language, with which from their
long residence in Durango, they were familiar, had been
spared and suffered to join Captain lZeneally's party in the




314              AOTION OF CERRALVO.
rear. The old man, —husband and father,-being agitated
with a thousand fears for his loved ones, could think of nothing but their fate; and throughout the action stood by the
commanding officer, occasionally taking hold of his stirrup
and looking mutely and imploringly up into his face, as if to
remind him of his promise. Doubtless each moment seemed
an age to the one. I know that duty and the tenderest feelings of our nature were making wild war in the breast of the
other.
The enemy, it will be observed, being all mounted and
acquainted with the ground, had been enabled with their
superior numbers to dash almost simultaneously upon all
parts of the train. A heavy column had briskly charged
the rear-guard, but meeting with a determined resistance had
been compelled to retire with loss and in disorder. They
then formed in force, between the two divisions of our detachment with the view of preventing a junction.  From the
time of the arrival of Captain Howe's company in front, we
had been greatly concerned for the safety of the company and
artillery left in the rear.  Lieutenants Fyffe and Mi/oore,
acting staff-officers, had both gallantly volunteered to bear
any communication to Captain  Keneally. But the comnmander, believing from the mutual confidence which existed
between that officer and himself, that the Captain needed no
encouragement to do his duty; and would count with certainty upon our aid when the proper moment arrived, —
declined to risk the lives of his staff unnecessarily. He did
not believe that there was a company in the 1st Ohio regiment, which, under the circumstances could be induced to




THE ENEMY INVITE A CAPITULATION.             315
lay down their arms and surrender that piece of artillery,
contrary to his orders and the interests of the whole detachment.  Company A, certainly was not one to withdraw from
danger and thereby involve their comrades in greater peril.
The Mexican force in our front having been repulsed, and
now disposed to content themselves with random  volleys of
escopetts from a distance, Captain Bradley was ordered to
march with eighty men, to the rear; unite his force with
Captain Keneally's and bring up the wagons collected there.
Just as Captain Bradley was about to set out, Captain
Keneally himself-cheerful and sprightly as usual —rode up
on a gaily caparisoned Mexican horse.  He stated that his
company was surrounded, and that he had received under
cover of a flag the following communication, which was
written with a lead pencil on a mammoth sheet of foolscap.
T' The Colonel Langberg, offers to all the socdiers, life and
security, if you surrender yourself.
(Signed)    G" EMELIO LANGBERG, Foreigyn Qicer.9
Captain Keneally also stated that upon receiving the note
he had requested an interview with Colonel Langberg; that
he had found him with a large force under General Romaro,
occupying an intermediate point of the road; and that Langberg, who spoke our language fluently, had remarked to him
that further resistance would be useless as the Mexican force
amounted -to sixteen  hundred  men and  three generals.~
Keneally next inquired, if the remainder of the detachment
* I have no doubt but that this statement of the strength of the Mexican force at
Cerralvo is nearly correct. We were afterward informed by citizens of the town,
that all Urrea's troops, both regulars and rancheros, had been concentrated there,
as a suitable point for their operations; it being about equi-distant from our posts




316                   WHICH WE DECLINE.
had been captured. To this interrogatory, Langberg truthfully replied in the negative; a circumstance from  which I
am disposed to infer that he is a soldier of more honor than
many of those with whom he has associated himself.  Captain Keneally then demanded permission to consult his commander, which was immediately granted and a horse placed
at his disposal. The enemy also cheerfully agreed to a truce
of one hour, during which time he had proposed, doubtless,
to practice some of his perfidious arts.   The men, who
seemed to guess at once, the purport of Captain Keneally's
message and the contents of the paper he delivered, swelled
with silent indignation at the bare idea of a capitulation.
But one however, ventured to make a remark, and that sotto
voce.  6' Boys,"'-said he to those next him  in the line,"' boys, how would we look cracking pcandy-mice in Urrea's
camp to-night 2" 9 
The commander of the escort, not intending to be duped
by the wily foe, became, after hearing  Keneally's report,
doubly solicitous to concentrate his force without further loss
of time.  The captain was forthwith sent back with a suitable reply to the enemy, and a word of encouragement to his
own company. Immediately upon the heels of Keneally
was dispatched Captain Bradley with the force previously
designated: so that if the Mexicans had calculated  upon
at Monterey andCamargo. The generals so vauntingly alluded to, were Urrea,
the commander-in-chief, Romaro and Canales. But generals are as plentiful in
Mexico, as Colonels in the snaky counties of Virginia.
* The reader will perceive the kernel of this remark, when he is informed that the
Mexican soldiers, who are their own commissaries, subsist chiefly on "pan-demaiz," —corn bread:-which they make fiom corn coarsely bruised or cracked upon
flat stones.




THE FORCE CONCENTRATED.             317
having an hour's truce in which to spread their nets, " they
reckoned without their host."  Captain Bradley possessed
an intrepid spirit, united with a rare combination of prudence
and promptness, which, I take occasion to remark, rendered
him eminently worthy of this dangerous and honorable disitinction. Captain Keneally having notified Colonel Langberg of the termination of the truce, courteously advised
him to move his troops, as they were in a dangerous position
and might get hurt if they persisted in remaining. Upon
rejoining his company, he was informed by Lieutenant McCarter commanding the artillery, that during his absence
some squadrons of the enemy had moved to a new position
within short range of the piece. These were immediately
fired upon. Bradley, who had advanced rapidly on the main
road, was enabled at almost the samie moment to pour the
whole weight of his fire upon other bodies of cavalry, who,
taken by surprise at these sudden offensive movements on
our part, gave way on all sides and suffered the rear-guard to
be re-inforced. Among the foremost in Captain Bradley's
command, marched the gallant old New Englander,-R-*':, 
who had learned from Keneally the melancholy fate of his
friend, and the joyful tidings of the safety of his wife and
children.  His meeting with these, after such sanguinary
scenes as all of them had witnessed, I leave to the imagination of the kindly affectioned reader. The now united commands of Captains ]Keneally and Bradley, had but little difficulty in bringing up the remainder of the train: and thus,
in less than two hours after the first attack, we had the satisfaction of seeing our little force again concentrated, and with
14l




318          URREA DEMANDS A SURRENDER.
a loss of but two soldiers, fifteen drivers and about forty
wagons. The Mexican loss we had no means of ascertaining, but the people of Cerralvo, subsequently informed us
that it amounted to between forty and fifty killed and wounded. It was General Urrea's last appearance in that theater,
from which we argue that he at least, did not think attacking
trains a very profitable business in  the long rfzzn; or
agree with the Mexican historian that-"a guerrilla war
would have ruined the enemy and given success to the
Republic."
It should be stated that before the junction of our troops
was effected,-indeed but a few minutes after the departure
of Captain Bradley,-General Urrea commanding in our
front, sent a flag toward us, which Major Coffee volunteered
to meet midway, as it was not desirable that any of the
enemy should be allowed to inspect closely our force and
position. Its bearer, who did not speak English very intelligibly, was understood to inquire why we had violated a truce
by firing on the general-in-chief. This strange inquiry,
strange, because the truce was construed by us as extending
only to the rear-guard, served to show that General Urrea,
though more distant from the scene of contract than ourselves, was cognizant of it before we were; and strengthened
our suspicion that some preconcerted scheme was about to be
put in execution; and which was thwarted by our promptness in reinforcing the rear-guard. The demand for a surrender was also iterated, but the envoy was given to understand that General Urrea had failed to convince us of its
necessity; and that as his object in these parleys was evi



THE ENEMY RETIRE.               319
dently to gain time and information, we would not regard or
hesitate to fire upon the next flag he presumed to send.
After the arrival of the rear-guard, a few more shots were
exchanged with the enemy, but he finally gave up the contest
and withdrew from the field. It was beginning to get dusk,
but the commander of the escort determined to make an effort
to reach the town, in the direction of which the Mexicans
had retired. The wagons closed in mass, covered several
acres of ground, and though empty of aught save curses,
with which they had been pretty heavily laded, especially
since the attack, embarrassed our operations greatly. On
the four sides of the park, were posted in as many divisions
all our available force, including the miscellaneous command
of Mr. Crittenden. In this order we resumed our march.
But the bushes skirting the road so impeded the progress of
the train, that, after many short detentions, we were compelled by the darkness to halt outside the town. It was supposed, too, from the sounding of bugles in advance, and the
movements of the enemy, dimly discerned in the faint starlight, that preparations were being made to dispute our
entrance; and it was therefore deemed best to await the
morning before making the attack. Strong picket-guards
were thrown out, and the men were ordered to lie down in
their places and sleep on their arms. Many- of the poor fellows were too much fatigued with the exertions of the day,
either to eat or sleep; but a feeling of contentment and a
sober joy pervaded the whole command, arising from the
consciousness that they had done their duty and were an
overmatch for the enemy. During the night General Urrea




320        FRIENDLY RECEPTION IN CERRALVO.
evacuated the town and marched southward into Tamaulipas; nor was our line of communication afterward interrupted, save by the indigenous robber bands.
Early the next morning, 8th of AMarch, we took possesion
of Cerralvo; after having been met in the suburbs by some
deputies of the citizens, who, governed by their fears rather
than their inclinations, greeted us cordially and proffered every
service needful. These humble characters on the previous day
had doubtless been cheek-by-jowl with Urrea. But the ayuntamiento of Cerralvo are not singular in the amiable faculty
of accomodating themselves to the power that happens to be
in the ascendant. Learning from two wounded Americans
whom we found in the town, that they had been kindly
treated by the citizens,-the Alcalde was notified that in
return for his humanity, and a liberal supply of beef and
corn during our stay, we would extend to himself and people
our protection and " distinguished consideration."' Notwithstanding these friendly demonstrations at Cerralvo, we did
not relax our usual vigilance, and took up a strong position
in the town. The same day, the commanding officer dispatched a Mlexican courier to General Urrea, with some
details of the battle of Buena Vista; and requesting him
him to release Lieutenant Barbour's party and other Americans then in his hands, upon the assurance that General Taylor would promptly r 3ciprocate the act by giving liberty to an
equal number of prisoners. The messenger returned on the
following day, with the intelligence that Urrea had retreated
toward Victoria; ard that despairing of success in any
effort to overtake him with his poor muzstang, he had aban



A STAMPEDE AMONG THE TEAMSTERS.          321
cloned the chase. Though the man had been promised, in
the event of his success, that his brother, then our prisoner,
should be released; yet there were many who placed no confidence in his report. Among those whose minds were filled
with the belief that the enemy yet lingered in the vicinity
with some ulterior designs upon our train, were the teamsters. On the 9th, the commander of the detachment issued
an order for the companies and wagons to be got ready for
resuming the march in the direction of Camargo. iHe was
soon informed by the chief wagon-master, that the teamsters
positively and unanimously refused to drive. This unexpected
ne exeat of Jehu involved us in a dilemna, for which, so far
as I am informed, neither 1iMars nor 3Marcy had made any
special provision: the oracles of the god and Secretary of
War, being alike ominously silent concerning teamsterso
They were not enlisted men, or considered subject to martial
law. Beholding in perspective a fate as dreadful as that
already encountered by some of their comrades, the little
subordination that had heretofore prevailed among them was
nlow lost in an appalling sense of danger.
The conmmanding officer, not being altogether satisfied
himself, that the enemy had abandoned the road; and knowing that in the event of another sudden attack by sucl  a
force, more lives and wagons must be lost, was not disposed
to resort to any extreme measures to compel obedience.  i-e
was free to admit too, that the unarmed drivers had some reason to dread an enemy who had proved so unsparing to them:~
and in this connection it may be remarked that in Langberg's
note, life and security were offered to the soldiers alone.




322        CANALES OVERHAULS OUR MESSENGER.
But being anxious that the important dispatches fi'om
Buena Vista should not be delayed, he next concluded to
divide his force,-to leave one-half at Cerralvo in charge of
the train, and march with the other to Camargo. Hie stated
to Major Coffee and Mr. Crittenden the embarrassments of
our position, arising from the temper and conduct of tile
drivers; and informed his officers of the plan proposed. To
this it was replied among other things, that there was a scarcity of cartridges,-but ten or twelve rounds remaining for
the muskets and a less number for the artillery; —and that
if the enemy had not retreated toward Victoria, and should
be tempted by a division of our force to invest Cerralvo, as
he had besieged Marin; a failure of ammunition or of supplies from the surrounding country would be fatal to the
party left with the wagons. After calmly weighing all the
difficulties that surrounded him, the commanding officer
finally decided to await the arrival of a force under Colonel
Curtis, supposed to be on the march from Camargo; and in
the meantime dispatched a messenger to Major Crossman,
thle quarter-m-aster at that post, requesting the provision of
supplies on the route. The messenger who was a Mexican
smuggler, familiar with the frontier, returned in a few hours
and stated that he had encountered some of Canales' men;
but as he had fortunately refused to take a written message,
they had released him after searching his clothes and saddle
for papers. He however, stated his belief that it was possible to get through by making a circuit to the north-west,
crossing the Rio Grande and descending to Camargo on the
Texan bank.  This he immediately undertook to do, in com



FALSE REPORTS-COL. CURTIS REACHES CERRALVO. 323
pany with a volunteer; whom he shaved, painted and disguised as a Mexican with a skill that proved him an adept
in such matters. The second attempt was successful, and
we afterward found our march greatly facilitated by the satisfactory arrangements that Major Crossman had promptly
made for supplying the train on the road.
We were detained at Cerralvo four days, at the end of
which time Colonel Curtis arrived with a column of more
than twelve hundred men; comprising his own, the 3d Ohio,
regiment, four companies of the new Virginia regiment under
Lieutenant-Colonel Randolph, —a squadron of regular dragoons under Lieutenant-Colonel Fauntleroy,-four pieces of
artillery; and a corps of Texan Horse, lately called into service. Some of the fugitives from our train had met him at
Mier, with the usual report in such cases, that our detachment
was cut to pieces. On receiving this intelligence, LieutenantColonel MIcCook of the 3cl Ohio regiment, had proposed a
rapid advance to Cerralvo with the cavalry alone. But his
wishes were not acceded to, and the whole force in hourly
expectation of an attack continued to advance by slow
marches. The same misrepresentations of our fate reached
General Taylor,-then at Monterey;-who, in the absence of
any official report of the circumstances, though fresh from his
glorious victory over Santa Anna, immediately started on a
bush-whacking hunt after such small game as Urrea. That
wily gentleman however, hastened to burrow in the Tula
pass, from which he did not again emerge during the campaign.
After obtaining from Curtis' command some needful sup



324      WE SET OUT TO RETURN TO MONTEREY.
plies; and thirty Texan Rangers, to be employed as scouts
and flankers, we continued our march, and arrived at Camargo without further interruption on the 15th of the month.
At that post we met Colonel Mitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel
Weller, Surgeon Chamberlyn and other officers of our regiment who had just arrived from the United States. The
town of Camargo we found much changed since our former
visit in August of the previous year. It had been fortified
too,-(as the reader, peradventure, knows,) but in such a
bungling manner, as to expose a certain one of Mr. Polk's
generals to the 8us8.icion of incompetency. An extensive
and well-constructed field-work had been built on the west
bank of the Rio San Juan (opposite the town) by the 2d
Ohio regiment, and named in honor of the officer who superintended it —" Fort Major Wall."
On the 20th of March, five days after our arrival at
Camargo, we again entered upon the dry and weary road to
Monterey; with a train of one hundred loaded wagons, and
a force augmented to five hundred men, by the addition of
some companies of the Virginia regiment; a company of
United States Dragoons; and a company of Texan Rangers
under the famous " fustcang " Gray;-the whole column
commanded by Colonel Mitchell, whose wound was sufficiently healed to enable him to take the saddle. Nothing
worthy of notice occurred during our journey until our
arrival, on Sunday, the 28th of March, at the scene of the
massacre between Ramas and Marin, already described.
There Captain Gray and his Rangers separated from the
command, for the purpose, as was said, of obtaining fbrage.




MASSACRE OF RANCHEROS.                    325
The column  pursued its march a few  miles farther, and.
encamped for the night at the stream  near Marin.  I was
informed that one of the Texans had recognized a brother
among the decaying remains of mortality in the valley, and
with tears of grief and rage, had insisted upon avenging his
death in the blood of the first Mexicans they encountered.
The departure of the Rangers therefore, seemed to bode evil
to the neighboring rancheros; for human vengeance,-especially Texan vengeance of the Gray species,-armed with
power, is seldom over nice in the exercise of it.
We saw nothing more of them  until dark, when they rode
into camp laded with forage, and driving a couple of terrified
old Mexicans before them; both so covered and hung about,with flapping and complaining fowls, as to resemble in no
small degree their ferocious ancestors, when clad in their
gorgeous panoplies of " plumage " or feather-mail.   The
fright which evidently possessed the old men, was most
lamentable; and they hastened in anxious silence to leave
the camp as soon as relieved of their burdens. Little did we
suppose that they were going home to weep over the dead
bodies of relatives and friends.  Nor was it until after our
arrival at Monterey that we learned that twenty-four men,
comprising nearly the entire male population of a village,
about eight miles from our camp, had been put to death.~
* This massacre gave rise to an interesting correspondence between General
Mora Y. Villamil (commanding the nearest Mexican garrison, at San Luis de
Potosi) and General Taylor, in which the latter displayed his usual candor and
ability; as will be perceived in the following extract from his letter:
" But as you have thought proper, in communicating the instructions of your
government, to address me somewhat at length on the manner in which the war
has been prosecuted on my part, I embrace this opportunity to make a few remarks
15




32(3               OPINIONS OF IT AT MONTEREY.'Various opinions were expressed  at Mionterey, about this
sanguinary and merciless transaction.  Many justified  it by
the  wanton  cruelties  inflicted  upon  our  countrymen  near
Ramas, in which some of these same MAiexicans were probably  enugaged;  and  for which  outrages the  rancheros  certainly had  no  apology  whatever.   Others thought it necessary as a warning and example to the people, whom  we had
so long in vain endeavored to conciliate, and whom  we could
only intimidate by some such sudden and heavy blow.  Some
excused  it as the result of a wild stormn of passion; by the
long rankling  injuries of the  Texans, or by the border code
of " blood  for blood."   It forms one of the darkest passages
in the history of the campaign; and in fact, can not be justified on the score of necessity of any kind.  I would fain blot
it out from  these memoirs; and  it is alluded  to  here chiefly
because as an officer of that detachment, I desire to exculpate
my  own  regiment from   any  participation  in  the atrocious
on that subject. Thle outrages to which you have specifically referred became
known to me soon after their occurrence, and I can assure you that neither yourself nor the president of the republic could have felt deeper regret than myself on
those occasions. Every means in my power, within the operation of our laws,
were employed, but in most cases in vain, to identify and punish the delinquents.
I can not suppose you so badly informed as to believe that such atrocities were
committed with my connivance or consent; or that they furnish a fair example of
the mode in which the war has been conducted in this part of Mexico. They were
in truth unfortunate exceptions, caused by circumstances beyond my control. It is
proper to inform you that, firom the moment the American army first entered the
territory of Mexico, it has sustained losses of individual officers and soldiers, who
halve been murdered by Mexicans, sometimes almost within sight of its own camp.
I (:o not recall these fahets for the purpose of' justifying, in any degree, the practice
of retaliation; for nm-3y government is at any rate " civilized enough " to draw the
distinction between the lowest acts of individuals and the general policy which
governs the operations of an army; but you have chosen to institute a comparison
between our respective governments in their mode of waging war, which can not
pass unnoticed. In this connection let it be remembered that Mexican troops have
given to the world the example of killing wounded men upon the field of battle."




TIlE PERPETRATORS ARE UNDISCOVlERED.        3, 7
deed; which future historians, in the absence of all evicIdeceo
to the contrary, might perhaps charge to the entire escort.
Let the perpetrators, whoever they may be, vindicate their
own conduct.  The Rangers denied plumply having been concerned. in it;  but of that, the reader can now judge as well
as myself.  General Taylor made every effort to discover the
offenders, but without suCCess,-tthe AMexican witnesses faia.ing to come forward to identify them; being afraid that thiy
mllight incur a similar ffate.  The whole truth of the caise wiiAll
probably remnain locked up in thle cells of flinty and gnuit1y
hearts, until that day when the omniscient God who w'itnessed'
"it:  shall come with righlteous ness to judge the w\orld tand
t.he people withl elquity.y




CHAPTER XI. 
CONDITIOaN f General Taylor's army after the battle of Buena Vista.-Tranquility
restored.-Courts established.-Glance at General Scott's campaign. —The homeward march.
WtITH the battle of Buena Yista, and the guerilla affairs
already described, the campaign in Nlorthern Mexico may be
said to have closed. The attention and power of the enemy
were concentrated on General Scott's armv, and the defense
of their now seriously threatened capital. Active operations
were necessarily suspended by General Taylor, in consequence of the nearly approaching expiration of the term of
service for which the old volunteers had been enrolled.  The
new levies, destined for the northern line were late to arrive;
and neither their numbers nor discipline would justify the
immediate execution of any hazardous forward movements.
A march to San Luis de Potosi, it was thought, too, would
be attended with peculiar difficulties, chiefly from the absence
of water.  In that barren region which intervened, Santa
Anna had lost the greater part of his army, made up of men
accustomed to all the fatigues and privations of the country.
Many of our new troops were already suffeiring much from
disease, and the unusual hardships they had been compelled
to endure. The Virginia regiment appeared sadly worn and
reduced in health on reaching Monterey.  The new Mississippi (2d) regiment, was almost immediately wasted to two



TRANQUILITY R ESTORED.               329
thirds its original strength by the small-pox.  The North
Carolina and AMassachusetts troops were in rather better
plight; but still the force was entirely inadequate to the
enterprise of penetrating  to the heart of the republic, even
if it had been in condition to encounter the melting suns
and incredible toils of the desert march.  No great number
of the old volunteers could be induced to re-enter the service until they had once miore seen those homes to \7Nwhilch
amid all the various changes and chances of the war, their
hearts had been fondly turned.
In this condition of affairs, events began to stagnate, north
of the Sierra AIadre; and the eyes of' both nations, so long
fixed upon the fascinating drama which concluded amid
shouts and tears at Buena Vista, were turned  to the moro
gorg.eously appointed spectacle upon which the curtain was
rising, at Vera Cruz.  Even the robbers, awed by the rapid
and searching patrols of the few companies of Texan Langels, again in the field, were perflectly quiescent; and our
trains were permitted to pass unmolested with even saicl~er
escorts than at any previous time.  Such protection was
given to the conquered States as they had never before enjoyed, and the people returnling everywhere to their homres
embarked in their various pursuits with a prospect of greater
rewards than they hlad derived under their own rulers. The re
is no lack of the material for general comfort and prosperity
in Mexico.   The mere assurance that property will be
secure from the rapacity of officials and the numerous professed banditti, would of itself- give a great impulse to the
country.  The protection alfforded by our military occupation




330                 TAYLOR S MODERATIONo
of the Republic, had it continued a little longer, would have
planted commerce and the useful arts upon her soil in a manner calculated to insure their growth.
Up to the period of the withdrawal of the  lIexican troops
from  the NIorthern States, the j as gladii had been the only
authority acknowledged and respected within their borders.
In the clash of contending arms, the laws of the country (at
all times speaking in a feeble tone and often to the perversion
of justice) had remained perfectly silent.  General Taylor's
dictun, settled many disputes, and the enemy never had
cause to complain of the prompt decrees and stirrup verdicts
he often enunciated.  From  Palo Alto to Buena Vista lihe
had prohibited all wanton injuries to the Mexicans in person
or property, and never failed to punish the perpetrators of
them  when detected.  And indeed, as we have before had
occasion to remark, his scrupulous sense of justice and generous leaning to the side of the vanquished, sometimes c'aused
the scale of his own soldiers " to kick the beam," when the
complaints of the natives were light and false.  NWith  the
ill-fated IKing tHenry VI., General Taylor might truly have
said"I have not stopp'd mine ears to their demands,
Nor posted off their suits with slow delays;
My pity hath been balm to heal their woutrnds,
My rmildness hath allay'd their swelling griefs,
My mercy dry'd their water-flowing tears:
I have not been desirous of their wealth,
Nor much oppress'd them with great subsidies,
Ntor forward of' revenge, though they much err'd."
Though fully authorized to levy contributions for the sup —
port of his army, the only pecuniary burden he ever imposed
upon the Ml~exican people, was a tax to indemnify his govern



COURTS ESTABLISIHED.               331
nient for the loss of the train near Ramas on the 24th of February; and even the collection of that was suspended, and
its final decision made to depend on the future good conduct
of the rancheros.
With the restoration of tranquility in the conquered States
came the necessity for the establishment of tribunals for its
preservation and the administration of justice. Unfortunately for the AMexicans, the American government did not
think proper to bless the States of Tanmaulipas, New Leon
and Coahlluila with such permanent governments as it had
bestowed upon ~Ncw Mexico and California.  That work, in
the rapid march of events on this continent, it will be called
upon to perform at no distant day, to the great benefit of Liberty and Christianity.   Our armies, however, assumed temporarily supreme civil as well as military jurisdiction; and
boards of officers —" courts of military commission" —were
organized for the adjudication of all cases, not falling within
the cognizance of courts-martial.  By these all disputes between Americans and Mexicans were adjusted.  Their jurisdiction extended to the whole catalogue of Crime, and the
punishments were awarded in accordance with the laws of
the particular State which the officers composing the court
happened to represent.  The citadel at Monterey was converted into a quasi-penitentiary, and scarcely a day passed
after the establishment of the 6 commission"  at Monterey,
in which some ccvcaier d'inldlestrie was not sentenced to
hard beans and labor at the fort.  That court was organized
soon after our return from Camargo, and I can safely affirm
that, clduring the two months in which I was familiar with its




332           INEWS OF SCOTT S OPEiA'rIOINS.
proceedings, a patient hearing was given to every party
interested; and justice administered without fear or favor.
As might be supposed, there were many cases on its docket
between M3iexicans and Texans.  The latter too, were generally if not always the defendants; and their answers to the
complaints (the pleadings were oral) almost invariable began,
continued and ended with the Alanno, or Goliad or MIier;
and wrongs or injuries long since suffered thus attempted to
be set up in justification of present conduct.
The great beazttl' of these military tribunals was in the
o"QmZtness with which they dispatched business.  In this
respect they were model courts.  There were no ridiculous
or barbarous forms of pleading to dodclge an issue or raise a
false one; no learned counsel with heads full of 8es8u'ipecl7catlc verfbc and bags full of precedents to obstruct or turn away
the stream  of justice.  IHence there was at least, none of
that tedious, heart-breaking and mind-destroying litigation
against which Dickens has recently turlned his power'ful
pen. Certes, but our court at ~Ionterey would have decided even the tough case of "Jarucdyce and Jarndyce"' at a
single sitting.
About the liiddle of April an account of the fall of Vera
Cruz reached TMonterey; and about a month later news was
received of the wonderful battle of Cerro Gorda.  The first
reports of both came fr1om Ilexican tongues and the facts
were greatly niisrepresented. They acknowledged however
to a shameful defeat at Cerro Gorda, and stated that Generals
Scott and Santa Anna were both killed.  The arrival of our
own couriers from the coast with authentic reports,:) was fo1



sCOTT98  CAMPAIGN.                         333
lowed  by official announcements of the victories, by salutes
and  rejoicings  in  which  every American  heartily  united.
The exploits of General Scott's army, rivaling upon the same
theater those of Cortes, even when viewed through the clear
medium  of the present, before Time has thrown its magnifying mist around  them, seem   more  like the highly-colored
pictures of romance than the sober truths of history. The
nineteenth century, so fruitful of great and remarkable events,
furnishes few more striking to the imagination than the second
conquest of NMexico.  What American  can contemplate that
campaign without feeling his heart swell and glow  within
him!  Commenced with a force of ten thousand men, who,
after pouring out their blood as freely as the clouds drop rain,
upon the thirsty sands of the coast, the rough slopes of the
mountains, the fertile valley of the capital; after warring
against every unpropitious circumstance, finally succeeded in
capturing a city of two hundred thousand people, splendidly
fortified, and prostrating the last standard the enemy dared
spread to the breeze, on the very spot where, more than five
centuries ago, its device of " the eagle, serpent and cactus 
had originated.~"'
* The city of Mexico was founded in the year 1325, by one of those migratory
tribes of aborigines which entered the valley from the remote regions of the North.
Prescott gives the following account of the humble beginnings of this splendid
capital." After a series of wanderings and adventures, which do not shrink from a comparison with the most extravagant legends of the heroic ages of antiquity, the
Aztecs at length halted on the south-western borders of the principal lake, in the
year 1325. They there beheld, perched on the stem of a prickly-pear, which shot
out from the crevice of a rock that was washed by the waves, a royal eagle of extraordinary size and beauty, with a serpent in his talons, and his broad wings
opened to the rising sun. They hailed the auspicious omen, announced by the
oracle, as indicating the site of their future city, and laid its foundation by sinking




334                IHOMEWARD MARCIHI.
The brilliant campaign of General Taylor, crowned thoug'h
it be with the splendors of Buena Vista, may not be considered more glorious to American arms than the series of
operations conducted by General Scott in EaCstern and Central Mlexico; plannecl with consummate genius, and executed with a courage, daring and skill that have never been
surpassed.  I-e who unclertakes to institute a comparison
between the characters and actions of that noble pair of
American Generals, will engage in a difficult and thankless
task.  In Miexico, both led small armies against an enemy
vastly superior in n1umbers, and always overcame him whenever and wherever he offered battle-in the walled city,
mountain defile or open plain —and accomplished with the
neans at command, all and more than their government
could reasonably expect.  And to the permanent honor of
both it will be recorded, that their campaigns were graced
alike by the milder virtues of a compassionate forbearance
and inagnanimity.  Both loved peace more than war; and
prizing the Olive more than the Ictaureg  wreath, were conquerors only to become pacificators. The honor and interests
of their country were dearer to them  than their own.  May
that country ever have a Scott and Taylor in her hour of
need 
As the close of their terms of enlistment drew near, the
old volunteer regiments were sent in succession from the field
to be mustered out of service at New Orleans.  Our homepiles in the shallows; for the low marshes were half buried under water. The
legend of its foundation is still commemorated by the device, of' the Eagle and the
Cactus, which hiormn the a11'rms of the modern Iexican republic."




I-IOMEWARD MARCH.               335
ward march was a joyful one, though over a road then numerously dotted with the skeletons of men and animals. Roofless and ruined ranchos, and many a dark and smoldering
heap of ashes, told the disasters in which the people had
involved themselves by throwing off their neutrality and
entering npon a career of pillage and massacre. Truly' they that plow iniquity and sow wickedness shall reap the
same."  The hot season had again returned, and in consequence of the low water in the Rio Grande, the land route
was lengthened to Reynosa and MIatamoros. In the center
of the march we met several detachments of troops who had
lately arrived in the country; and after exchanging the military salutations usual on such occasions, many a merry laugh
would escape from our men, as they contrasted their own
burnt visages, flowing beards and soiled and ragged attire
with the fresh complexions and perfect appointments of the
new levies. But the day after our landing in New Orleans,
the barbers and tailors of that city, accomplished such magical changes in their appearance, that it was no uncommon
thing for officers and men who had served side by side
throughout the campaign to pass each other as strangers in
the streets.
In descending the Rio Grande, then diminished to a mere
creek, it was difficult to realize that it was the same stream
upon whose turbid and swollen current we had floated the
previous summer. Its banks relieved from that inundation,
appeared quite lofty and wore a more inviting and healthful
aspect. It was a bright evening in June, 1847, when our
eyes were once more gladdened by the blu'?wave; "df the 




336                     HOMIEWARD.
Gulf.  Pitching our last camp upon the breezy beach, we
sat down and gazed with delight upon the rolling billows,
and the stout transports chafing at their anchors as if impatient and anxious to bear us home.   Desert and danger were
behind; toils and vigils were o'er, and now the faces and
voices of long parted friends began to fill the heart.  Soon
the full-orbed moon with visage bright, arose in queenly
splendor from the deep, and paved a silvery track across the
sea; tempting our busy thoughts upward as well as homeward, to that Almighty Spirit who at the beginning "I moved
upon the face of the waters;" and who had borne us unscathed through all the perils of the march, the camp, the battlefield.  We looked from our tents upon the lovely scene,"the soul, on past and future, foraging for joy "-till the
spirits of air and sea assailed us with their slumb'rous spells,
while to fairy music chanting"Soldier, rest! thy warfare o'er,
Sleep the sleep that knows not breaking;
iDream of fighting-fields no more,
Days of danger, nights of waking."