UNIVERSITY or PITTSBURGH

E4054
B93I

_L)arlington JVl.eniorial J-<ibrary

NARRATIVE
OF THE

CENTRAL DIVISION,
ARMY

OF.

CHIHUAHUA,

-m:\ian])ei)

BRIGA131EK

kv

GENERAL WOOL:

EMBRACING

ALL TUK OCCUUnimCE?, INCIDEXTS AND ANEC10TS, FKOM: TUE TIME

OF ITS RENDEZVOUS AT SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR TILL ITS JXJNC-

TUUE WI*^

GEn'i.

TAYLOR, AND ITS FINAI. DISBANDMENT

WITH AN ACCOtTNT OF ITS SUFFERINGS

WalLE I'ASSINO THROUGU A BARREN AND HOSTILE

AT CAJtARGO

TOGETHER WITii A DESCRIPTION

BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA, tC.
AND AN INTERESTING APPENDIX.

f^it'NTRY
OF THB

BY JONATHAN W. BUHOUP,
LATE OF THE ARKANSAS CAVALRY.

1>1TT8BURGI1:
rUBLISHED BY

M. P.

MORSE,

85

FOURTH

1847.
PRICE-^^^i^iTcENTS.

ST.

NARRATIVE
OF THE

CENTRAL DIVISION

NARRATIVE
OF THE

CENTRAL DIVISION,
OR,

ARMY OF CHIHUAHUA,
#

COMMANDED BY

BRIGADIER GENERAL WOOL:

EMBRACING
ALL THK OCCUKRENCES, INCIDENTS AND ANECDOTES, FROM THE TIME
OF ITS RENDEZVOUS AT SAN ANTONIO DE BEXAR TILL ITS JUNCTURE WITH GEn'l TAYLOR, AND ITS FINAL DISBANDMENT
AT CA3IARG0 WITH AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SUFFERINGS
WHILE PASSING THROUGH A BARREN AND HOSTILE
COUNTRY TOGETHER WITH A DESCRIPTION
OF THE BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA, &C.
AND AN INTERESTING APPENDIX.

BY JONATHAN W. BUHOUP,
LATE OF THE ARKANSAS CAVALRY.

PIT TSBVROH:
PUBLISHED BY

M. P.

MORSE,

1847.

85

FOURTH

ST.

Entered according

to the

Act

of

Congress,

itj

the

Year 1847,

By Jonathan, W. Buhoup,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for thf

Western

PRINTED 3Y DUMAivS &

Chronicle Job

Office.

CO.,

District of Pennsylvania.

PREFACE,
It

more

is

we

with feelings of temerity, that

to

attempt to add one

the already numerous, able, and judicious

which have been brought

into existence, and are

now

works
before

an enlightened public, on subjects connected with the present

The

war with Mexico.

unassuming pages,

is

author of the following humble,

aware, however, that

among

the

num-

none have as yet touched on that body of the army

ber,

known

as the

Central

Division, or

Army

of Chihuahua,

excepting a small sketch written by a correspondent of the

New

York Spirit of the

TV/^ies,

and embraced in a publication

which has since been copied

entitled,

"

Taylor and

his

Generals."

The
plain

author has endeavored, in his narrative, to be as

and concise as possible, confining himself

strictly to

occurrences in the Division and the army connected with

from the time of

until

its

final

its

rendezvous

disbandment

plated the publication of a

at

at

San Antonio de Bexar,

Camargo.

work of

this

Having contemdescription, while

connected with the army, he spared no endeavors

all

the

it,

adventures, incidents, anecdotes,

which occurred during the campaign.

to obtain

stampedes^

etc.,

PREFACE.

VI

Being young

in years,

and not having had the advantages

of a liberal education, he will have to trust this, his

first

attempt at authorship, to the mercy of a generous public.

Should

critics find

employment

of his pen, he begs of them to

predominate

in

this

And he

in

commenting on

let

the labors

"
the " darling attribute

instance.

will ever remain,

The

Public's most

humble

servant,

THE AUTHOR.
Pittsburgh, Oct. 20, 1847.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
Not only

War

I.

of Defence, but also one of Invasion,

was Judged

Design of the Wise Heads The Division to Attack

Chi uahua Division Ordered to Rendezvous March by Land and
Voyat*^ by Water Quartermaster's Employment Military Academy Left, Right Strict Discipline very Necessary, and Orders
Issued Mexican Fandango The Countersign, " Rackensack or
Sucker" Orders Issued to March Consternation about the "Haversack" Crowds Collecting and some Deserting The Tall CherAdvisable

13

okee

CHAPTER II.
Numerous Wagon Train Bustle
Breaking up the Camp and Setting
Out Detailment of Army and Number of Officers and Men March
in

on the Morning of the 26th of September The next day Orders

Issued Beautiful Prairie, and exploits of the Cherokee Indian Rest

on the River Leon, and arrival of General

Wool

17

CHAPTER III.
Creek Almost Impassable The Cherokee
pursuit of Game False
Alarm and Confusion Facing Enemy and Discovery of Mistake
Rested
the Wagon Train Salt Licks Strictest Viglance and a
Stronger Guard Explanation of Grand Rounds The General Visits
in

for

the Grand

Rounds The Old

General Thunderstruck The German

Sentinel and the General's Hearty

Rio Grande

The

Laugh

Army Marches
The

Arrival of the Alcalde of Presidio

Scrutinizing his Honor's Blanket

Orders Issued from

for

the

Indian

The Indian's ideas of the Alcalde

Headquarters.

22

CONTENTS.

VIII

CHAPTER
the River Enter

IV.

Presidio Description of
Pelonsellas and Backwoods Dance Return Tents
Senoritas and Fandango Explanation of Fandango Guard the
Ford News of the Battle of Monterey Arrival of Col. Hardin and
Major Beale's
Regiment Second Stampede Cause of
Cock Guns, &c. Drill
Adventure with Sentinel Orders not

Preparations to cross

it

Encampment

to

at

his

it

to

to March March and Encampment at a Hacienda Arrival

San Fernando, and the Exploits of Captain Pike Encamp, and

Orders
at

Experience a Cold Night Soldier's Rations Encamp in a Swampy

Place Water Bad Express from General Taylor Dry Grass on

Fire Uncomfortable Travelling The Indian's Plan and Success

in

Getting the Alcalde's Blanket.

29

CHAPTER V.
A Mean Transaction Move, and
Come to a Swift Stream Another Stream, called Alamo View of
Mountains A Day of Rest The Days of the Month not forgotten
Col. Roane waiting them Alcalde and bare legged Mexicans
His Honor desires Peace Private Property Respected His DepartureThe Boys Charge the Sugar Cane Silver Mines of Dr. Long
40
Mexican Taste The Lasso Formidableness.

Encamp on

the River Sabinass

for

Its

CHAPTER

VI.

A Place of Chaparals and Prickly Pears- -Dilemma of a Colonel Ready

March Pass through a Miry Place Several Ranches- An OffiCommits a Mean Aciion Arrived in Camp in Good Time Evidently among the Mountains Travels of a Gentleman Journey
through Sandy Plains Unfeelingness of some of the Wagoners
Cold Consolation for Poor Footmen Wagon Masters Their AuthorityOffset to the Above Hospital Wagons E:jcamp Good
Water, but no Wood The General receives luforma ion of a Furtification March
No Mexican Soldiers, but
All Ready for a Brush
a Dozen of Apple Carts The Boys Charge on the Apples
The
Indian again The " Sucker's" Misfortune Encampment, and Visit
to the Rancho Witness a Specimen of Mexican Slavery
Hot
Spring Cross several Springs Dragoon almost Drowned The
Indian and the Kid--Monclova Its Surrender by fhe Alcalde thereof
Encamp within three miles of Monclova Orders given to Clean,

to

cer

Shave and Cut Hair.

45

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER

IX

YII.

think hard of the Order to Shave Major Warren Appointed

Governor of Monclova Mexican Market The Indian again on the
Carpet Joined by a Squadron of Dragoons Orders for a Great
Military Parade Enter Monclova Description of it Encamp about

The Boys

Volunteers Destroy the Cotton Trees Orders

on the 4rh to march by the 8th Hard Speeches Sickness in the
Camp Poor Shelter and Worse Nourishment Junction of the Rear
of the Central Division Captain Hunter's Company Reinforcea Mile from the City

ment

Indian

Regular Encampment The Provost Guard Its

Again The Morning of the 8th Arrives Orders

use

The

to Scout,

&c.- Mexican Flour Its Inferiority Soldiers Curse in Consequence

Thereof Gen. Wool not to Blame In for it Sickness Bad and
Duty Irksome Coffee Scarce Hospital
54

CHAHTER

VIII.

Description of the Country around Presidio

The

Soil

Manner

of

Ditching Cultivation of Corn Indolence of the Inhabitants Manner

of Conveying Water Farms without Enclosures Agricultural Productions Sheap, Goats, Swine and Neat Cattle Mode of Cooking
Victuals Higher Class Condition of Neat Cattle Sheep Inferior-

Timber on the Mountains Country around Monclova City of Monclova Mills and Flour Stores Trade from St. Louis.
62

CHAPTER

IX.

Laws Steel Mills Delegates AssembledA Speech Made Order Commanded Speech Concluded
Committee Appears Resolutions Read The Indian Meeting Ad-

General Melee about the Corn

journsThe Regular Insulted Officer forms a Guard Something

About Corn Prayer Meeting Officer's Plan Frustrated Desired
Effect of the Corn Meeting A Rumor Express to General TaylorTrick Played on an Officer Dialogue Lariat and Spur Discharged
With an Admonition Nine Ears of Corn
67

CHAPTER
Cavalry and Dragoons

to

X.

March Pelonsellas and

the

Wooden Leg-

Experience a Norther Joined by Major Boreland Ordered up by

Daylight Sufferings from the Cold Entire Force Rest and Draw
Ten Dollars Marched through Town Our Indian used up Lost his
Tobacco^Encamped at a Hacienda Capt, Davis not Massacred

CONTENTS.

Charming Place Intense Heat Food Improving Fare Tolerably

Well Poor Beef Troops Encamp and Daily Drilled Took up a
Small Cannon General Shields and Colonel Harney Sad Parting
Harney's Brass Band Auld Lang Syne Joined by the whole Com-

mand-Ordered

to

March Destined

Failure of the Project

for

Paras Six Months Spent

Reflections

76

CHAPTER

XI.
Washed Water Good

and Wood
Encamped where Gold had been
Plenty Loud Complaints March through a Barren Country Encamped in a Swamp--Travel Forty Miles without Water Troops
Anticipate SufTering SufTering from Thirst Hard Hearted Teamsters Arrive at Water The Famished Soldiers Supplied with it
Numbers Die Mules Die in their Harness Reflections Express
from Gen. Taylor Encamp in a Ditch, and the Mexicans stop the
Water Resume our March Palmetto, or Soap Plant High Banks

Travel

Advantage over Infantry

Mountains March through Dry and Sandy Deserts
Great Suffering Encamp at a Tank Water Plenty Disobedient
Oflicers No Mutiny Place Assigned for Arkansas Regiment
Officers all under Arrest
They March in the Rear No Water for
Thirty-six miles The Infantry set out March through a Sandy
Plain Come to Pure Water Corn in Abundance Arrival at Paras
Don Manuel Mr. Jackson of Kentucky The " Rico" invites the
Twenty-five miles Cavalry

Large Fires

in the

Officers The Indian again

83

CHAPTER

XII.

Encamp Three Miles from Town A

Visit from the Alcalde Arrive

Paras Sickness again in Camp The Disobedient Officers are
Acquitted Almost an Open Rupture Thq Drunken Sergeant
Draft taken of our Encampment by a Mexican, supposed to be a Spy
Captain Preston's Company sent on a Scout Coffee again Withat

heldDescription of the Country about Paras, and of the

Town

Corn Luxuriant Manners and Customs How

obtained

An Express from General

The

Cavalry, &lc., go

in

Wood
Worth The Whole Army

is

in

Motion

All under way next Morning

next Day Encamped
Patos

Advance

Accomplished Thirty-one Miles

at
Orders issued to make no Noise-'All moved, taking a Circuitous
Route A False Alarm, and arrive at Agua Nueva Cooked Nothing for two Days
Orders to March to Monclova Inspecting and


CONTENTS.

XI

Report of Three Thousand Mexicans Two

Hoffman's Retreat Large Santa Fe
Wagons Wagons Crowded Hoaxed Again The Christmas Frol General Wool called a Coward Retreated Encantada Joy
Reviewing the Troops

Companies

Captain

Started'

to

ic

Among

the Troops

General

Wool Removes

his

Camp

to

Agua

Nueva Arkansas Regiment ordered to Patos General Wool

moves his Camp to Buena Vista Obtain a Hospital at Patos The
93
Indian's Escape Next Morning saw his Exploits

CHAPTER

XIII.

Things Went on Very Well Clothing for the Arkansas Regiment

Express Arrived-^Report about Santa Anna Gen. Wool Remained
Patrol Sent Out
Major Gaines Joins Majors
at Buena Vista
Gaines and Boreland Captured Interpreter of Major Boreland
Remarks about Several Officers Major Warren Arrived The
Great Joy among the Troops Two SquadCentral Division all Up
Gen.
rons called in Major Warren Appointed Governor of Saltillo
Taylor Arrived The First Mississippi Riflemen and Others En-

An Occurrence Remarks Respecting

Court of Inquiry Respecting Matters
Rested undecided Gambling the Order of the Day Gen. Taylor's
a Gambling Scene Reconnoithe Rackensacks
Introduction
103
treing
Encarnacion Discover Marks of the Enemy.

camped

at

Agua Nueva

it

Relation of the Occurrence

it

at

to

at

CHAPTER

XIV.

Neighborhood The whole

Encarnacion Gen. Wool
bring in the Remainder of the
Proceeds to
Stores Alarm Taken and Times Look Squally Rancho on Fire
An Awfully Grand Scene Santa Anna's Stratagem to Hold up

Confirmation of a Mexican Force

Army

in

Col.

in the

McKee kept
Buena Vista Wagons to

Motion

at

Orders Given, but Helter Skelter was the Order Arrival at Buena
Vista Snugly in Blankets The Enemy in Sight The Gallant
Suckers The Army in Line to Meet the Foe Yankee Doodle
HI
Remarks Concerning the Battle Description of the Battle

CHAPTER XV.
Continued Loss of America's Bravest Sons The Troops
Suffer for Want of Fire -Despatch a Hasty Breakfast Retreat of
the Enemy Shocking Sight of the Dead, Dying and Wounded

The

Battle

HI

CONTENTS.

Troops Engaged in Burying the Dead The Troops Encamp at

Buena Vista Coffee Procured Fresh Meat Desired A Drove of
119
Sheep Devoured

CHAPTER XVI.
Rpport of the Number of Killed, Wounded and Missing Causes of
Troops remain at Buena Vista Mexicans LeavDifferent Reports

Wounded to our Hospitality An Election Held Mexican

Wounded in a Starving Condition A Sickening Sight American
Deserters Five Day's Rations left for the Wounded Mexicans Gen
Taylor goes in Pursuit of Gen. Urrea Encantada an Outpost Gam-

ing their

Day Again

bling the Order of the

Ingenuity of

the Indian while

Engaged in Capturing Mules Capture of Chihuahua A Forgotten

Thing brought Forward Gen. Taylor Countermands Camp Talk
Camanche Indians Havoc among the Ranches Camanches take
The Caravan Stopped and the Indians Victorious
the Suckers' Caps
Pretty Spectacle Shy Looking Fellows Recruiting Commenced
and a New Company Formed Visited by two Mexican Officers
Carrajo Purport of the Mexican Officer's Despatches Gen. Tay-

lor's

130

Reply

The Time

CHAPTER
Going Home Great

XVII.

for
Sufferings of Col. Doniphan's
Troops lUinoisians start for New Orleans Gen. Wool's Parting
Address Reflections Forbearance of Gen. Wool His Courage and
Valor Remarks Anecdote of the Young Officer and his Dulcinea
Central Division about Breaking Up in Earnest The Parting Hand
Army of Chihuahua Regiment Proceeds Twelve
to Gen. Wool
Miles Our Indian Again Eacamped at Reconada Gen. Ampudia's Fortification
Reach Monterey The Black Fort and Bish-

op's Palace

Capt. Pike's Squadron Discharged Joyful News The

Bodies of Col. Yell, Capt. Porter and Private Pelham Set out and
Arrive at Ceralvo Saw Massachusetts Volunteers Encamped at
Canales' Run The Town of Meir Reached Camargo on the Fif-

Gen. Pillow's Fortress Illinois Regiments Mustered Out

Arkansas Regiment Discharged Stanzas Addresses
Our Indian Remains Mexican Rope Dancers Upper Reynoso
Reach the Mouth of the River Arrive at the Mouth of the MississippiArrive
the Crescent City Reflections New Orleans
Dandies Appeal
the Reader The Author's Remarks Respecting

teenth

of Service

at

to

Himself Appeal

to the

Public

139

^tf''*^*^

NARRATIVE
OF THE

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

CHAPTER
Not only

War

I.

of Defence, but also one of Invasion,

was judged

Design of the Wise Heads The Division to attack Chihuahua Division ordered to rendezvous March by land and voyage
by water Quarter Master's employment Military Academy Left,
right Strict Discipline very necessary, and orders issued Mexican
Fandango The Countersign, " Rackensack or Sucker" Orders
Issued to March Consternation about the "Haversack" Crowds
Collecting and some Deserting The Tall Cherokee.

advisable

After

the declaration of the

United States,

it

war between Mexico and the

was not only thought advisable

to stand in

defence of our frontiers, but to push the war into the enemy's
country, and carry on a

powers of Mexico
ish

them

for

many

for the

war of

invasion, so as to bring the

and honorable peace, and

to a just

numerous

insults

to

pun-

heaped upon our nation

years past, by outrages committed upon American

citizens. &;c.

To
at

carry this into

Washington

effect,

to enter

it

was designed by

Mexico

so conquer her at one blow.

the wise heads

at three different points,

One detachment was

and

to attack

Monterey, a second Chihuahua, and the third Santa Fe.

NARRATIVE OF THE

14

The one which was

to attack

Chihuahua

endeavor to confine ourselves

shall

to,

This division was ordered

Division.

to

Antonio de Bexar, and Brigadier General

to

command.

The

different regular

is

that

rendezvous

Wool was

artillery

dragoons

selected

Company

one squadron 2d regiment United States

three companies of the 6th United Slates infantry

one regiment of mounted volunteers from Arkansas

one regiment from Kentucky and one from Tennessee.

two

last

named were subsequently ordered

Taylor, consequently they never arrived

Two

San

at

and volunteer corps that

received orders to report there, were as follows:

B, 4th

which we

namely, the Central

to join
at

also,

The

General

San Antonio.

infantry regiments from Illinois, one independent

com-

pany from Kentucky, and one independent company from

Texas, were also ordered there.

The

dragoons, artillery, Arkansas regiment and the three

companies of United States infantry, proceeded en route by

two regiments from

land, while the

Gulf of Mexico

was the

camp

Port Lavacca, and from thence

miles by land to San Antonio de Bexar.

latter part

of August, 1846, before the last of the

troops arrived
the

to

fifty

one hundred and

It

and the independ-

Kentucky and Texas proceeded by water,

ent companies from

via the

Illinois

as fast as they

designated for them.

came

tiiey

Camp

were ordered

to

Crockett, about five

miles north of San Antonio, on a stream of water called the

The

Salough.
is

from the

reason of

to his entering the

During

this

Alamo

in

time the Q.

obtaining stores

employed

a Military Academy.

It

Crockett,

there previous

M. Department was employed

sufficient for

commenced.

in drilling

Camp

encamped

1836.

and wagons

the one about to be

daily

being termed

its

fact that the old veteran

it

The

in

such a march as

different corps

were

had indeed the appearance of

was an amusing

sight to see the

tall

CENTRAL
Arkansawian,

athletic

rocked

hollow

in a

who had been

log,

15

DIVISION.

born on a bear skin,

and had never attempted

march

to

before, except marching through the cane-brake after game.

He

might be seen trying

words, as follows

to

keep step

"Left, right!

right

left,

when he would

called

it

much

to the

It

to his old

was

until his

mind

good long walk,

his captain.

also necessary at this time

to

observe very

Orders were accordingly issued to

discipline.

tall

haunts in Rackensack, as he

start off at a pretty

annoyance of

The

left!"

backwoodsman would keep very good time

would wander back

Captain's

after the

strict

this effect,

that no one should be absent from cam.p after sunset, and for

purpose the

this

was

roll

and nine o'clock

called at six o'clock in the evening

at night.

Consequently, any one found

absent after this time would be punished, by being put on

But

extra duty.

manner

this

go

to

it

Immediately

they would.

o'clock, they

were not

the volunteers

the Mexican Fandango had

would

steal past the

San Antonio, and dance with

to

morning

tercept

roll

them

The

call.

they had

their

its

be thwarted in
attractions,

after roll

and
nine

the Senoritas until three

to

camp

strictest vigilance

own

call, at

guard, and walk five miles

o'clock in the morning, and then walk

for

to

countersign

to

be ready

could not in-

in this

way

they could pass.

It

was

thus,

when

a soldier

distance of the sentinel, and

comes there

.^"

would come within hailing

would hear the words

off,

Things went on

when

the sentinel

and the soldier would continue

at

when every man was

ther,

"

Who

he would forthwith answer, " Rackensack,^^

or " Sucker,^^ as the case might be,

turn and walk

this

rate until the

to

would
go on.

23d of September,

speculating high on not going any fur-

and were laboring under the opinion that they would

soon rejoin their friends, when, as

if

by magic, an order

v/as


NARRATIVE OF THE

16

issued to hold themselves in readiness

march on

to

the

26lh of that month, with one day's rations cooked, in their

haversacks.

Here indeed was

damper on

enjoyments, but they

their

could not complain, for they were in for

remain

silent, until

one fellow of the Arkansas regiment,

had the advantage of being a

smarter than the

leetle

cried out at the top of his voice, saying

what

in the

11 is

Wool

says

to

Two

A
shall
to

tall

Wool was

that they

Cherokee belonging

have occasion

to

many

a deer

1 've

a haversackr'''^

Many

declared they

much astounded

deserted that
to the

same

regiment,

at the

night.

whom we

mention in the sequel, was heard

say that he did not intend

killed

Feller Sogers

trying to pull wool over

of them were so

word " haversack,"

who
rest,

collecting together and con-

versing about that indispensable article.

would not go, because old

to

put our grub in our

never saw such a thing

Crowds might now be seen

their eyes.

"

these things they call haversacks

a notion not to go, for old

haversacks, and

So they had

it.

to carry

and cooked

The Arkansas Regiment,

any grub,

a piece of

it

for

with old

he had
ribs.

not having received their uniform, of

course had not received that article.

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

17

CHAPTER II.
Numeroas Wagon Train Bustle breaking up the Cannpand setting
out Detailment of Army, and number of Officers and Men March
on the morning of the 26th of September The next day orders
sued Beautiful Prairie, and Exploits of the Cherokee Indian Rest
in

is-

on the river Leon, and arrival of General Wool.

FiXALLY, the evening of the 25ih arrived

on

train

had been

collected,

and ammunition, had come

thing

was made ready

morning

a numerous wag-

stores,

both provisions

hand from Port Lavacca. Every-

to

for the

break of day

at

and the

we

march.
all

Accordingly, the next

set off

Chihuahua, as we then supposed, but

upon our march

in this

we were

for

des-

tined to be disappointed, as will be seen in the sequel.

Our readers may imagine

one might be heard

camp
"

kettle?" or,

Who in

dle ?" and

the h

many

the bustle in breaking

exclaim, "

"Someone
11

What

up

camp

rascal stole our

has been eating our sugar?" or,

has been hooking the stirrups off my sad-

other exclamations too impious and obscene

At length every thing being arranged, we

to mention.

out as follows

Colonel

to

W.

S.

Harney, who previously had joined us with

in command.
H, Rucker, 1st dragoons, Acting As-

a squadron of the 2d dragoons,

First Lieutenant, D.

sistant Adjutant General.

Captain O. Cross, Assistant Quarter Master.

Doctor

J.

Doctor

W.

set

Simpson, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A.

Levly, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A.

Captain R. E. Lee, United States corps of Engineers.

;;

NARRATIVE OF THE

18

W.

Captain

D. Fraser, United Slates corps of Engineers.

W.

Captain G.

Hughes, United States corps of Topo-

graphical Engineers.
First Lieutenant, L. Sitgreaves, United States corps of

Topographical Engineers.
Lieutenant,

W.

B. Franklin, United States corps of Top-

ographical Engineers.

Company

B. 4th

artillery,

commanded by Captain

J.

M.

Washington.
Subordinates: First Lieutenant J. P. J. O'Brien; First Lieutenant T. L. Brent; Second Lieutenant

H. M. Whiting.

Orderly's book showed for duty and able to march,

The

four Sergeants, four Corporals, and eighty-seven Privates

total,

in

95

aggregate 99.

One squadron of the 2d regiment

command were, Brevet Major B.
H.

ant, J.

Hill

Lieutenants, J.

The
118

of dragoons, the officers

L. Beall

First Lieuten-

First Lieutenant, D. G. Rogers

M. Hawes and

J.

Second

Y. Bicknell.

Orderly's book showed for duty, and able to march,

non-commissioned

officers

and privates, making an

aggregate of 123.

Three companies of the 6th United States infantry, to

which was attached the independent company of Kentucky
foot volunteers.

follows

A, Cady

The

ant,

W.

W. Hoffman

Captain,

First Lieutenant, E.
ant, L.

officers of the

above corps were as

Major, B. L. E. Bonneville, 6ih infantry

H.

Captain, J. Williams

Fitzgerald, A. C. S.

Wetmore, commanding company

Howe

First Lieuten-

Second Lieuten-

Brevet Second Lieutenant,

and three subalterns of Captain Williams'

names we have not procured.

for

Read, of the 5th United States infantry

Lieutenant, E.

duty were 253

Second

W.

Rhea,

company, whose

The number

aggregate 265.

Captain,

of

men

reported

CENTRAL
Arkansas Cavalry.
Colonel, A. Yell
S. Borland

ant

DIVISION.

The

staff

19

was composed

as follows

Lieutenant Colonel, J. S. Roane; Major,

Doctor Peyton, acting Surgeon

G. Mears, Adjutant

First Lieuten-

Captain Porter, Captain A. Pike,

Captain S. R. Inglish, Captain J. Preston, Captain C. C.

Danley, Captain

J. J. Dillord.

Four companies, commanded by Captains Patrick,

Hunter and

W.

G., Preston, were ordered to remain at San

command

Antonio, under

Moffit,

Major Borland.

of

Adjutant's book reported for duty, and able to march, 392

non-commissioned

Two

and privates

officers

companies of the

aggregate, 417.

1st Illinois volunteers,

commanded
men ag-

by Captains Morgan and Prentis, numbering 150

Two

gregate 156.

companies of the 2d

Illinois volunteers,

commanded by Captain Webb, numbering for duty 135 agOne company for the pioneer service, comgregate, 142.
f.ee, numbering 30 men.
Captain
manded by
The following
;

non-commissioned

officers,

what was termed

commissioned

the advance

officers

and privates, composed

officers

army

and privates

of Chihuahua; 1171 non-

73

officers

making an

aggregate of 1244.

With

An

this

v\'e

marched on the 26th of September.

order had been previously issued that none, excepting

belonged

those that

Our

number

first

to

the

army, should accompany us.

day's march was twelve

when we found

miles,

During the evening, as

plenty of wood, water and grazing.

camp, your ears would be

uted with the following exclamations: " Well, here we

you would pass through

on our road

to

the

Chihuahua.

What do you

all

eling three days without water, and cooking

Buffalo dung?"

Another might be heard

one month's wages

Rio Grande."

At

that we'll never

this rate things

sal-

are,

think of trav-

your grub with

to say, " Fll bet

go any further than the

went on

till

the sound of


NARRATIVE OF THE

20

drum and the blast of the bugle announced the tattoo,

and we all went to our tents to sleep and dream of traveling

the

sixty miles without water and fighting Mexicans.

On

the following

morning we

out at sunrise.

set

An

order was here issued forbidding the discharge of fire-arms

within hearing of the

one fr'^m

''^aving the

commanding

the

We

camp
camp

too

fire

<jolumn.
left

or

column without permission of

also, to prohibit

day.

passed through a beautiful prairie, over which bound-

was

with

any

column

officer of the

The

ed hundreds of deer.
it

or

much for our Indian friend his eyes sparkled

when a drove of them darted across before the
He could not endure it. Regardless of orders he

the ranks and

we do

not

scene was delightful to behold

know

fell

behind.

but

this

How

he passed the rear guard,

we do know,

that

it

would have

been impossible for any other person to have passed or got

behind

In the evening

it.

we have
neglected

when our

forgotten
it.

We

not

small

German

having our note book handy,

scarcely

with a

we

had been encamped one hour

Indian appeared with his horse loaded with veni-

Being somewhat acquainted with him,

son.

slice,

we were

which made a very savory meal.

quence of presenting

to

at a

on the banks of a beautiful stream, the name of which

village

this

we encamped

his offence

favored

In conse-

piece thereof to the Colonel, he had

forgiven, promising at

the

same time not

be guilty of a similar one.

However, we
he kept

will see

subsequently with what accuracy

his promise.

Things went on very well without

any thing occurring worthy of note until the first of October,
on which day we rested
of grazing our horses.

at the river

were joined by Gen. Wool

Lieut.

I.

McDowell,

Leon,

for the

In the afternoon of the

in person,*

1st Artillery A.

purpose

same day we

accompanied by First

D. C.; Brevet Second

CENTRAL
Lieut. F.

T. Bryan

sistant Adjt.

Quarter Master
try

General

Doct. C.

21

DIVISION.

Capt. J. H. Prentis, 1st Artillery, As-

Capt.

W. W. Chapman,

First Lieutenant

M. Hitchcock,

M. R.

Assistant

Patrick, 2d Infan-

Assistant Surgeon,

U.

S. A.;

Major D. Hunter, Paymaster, U. S. A.; Second Lieut. C.

P. Kingsbury, Ordnance Department; Capt. E. Steen, 1st
Regt. U. S. Dragoons
ants A. Buford and J.
1st Draofoons,
o
'

Capt.

H.

W.

Eustace

Second Lieuten-

Whittlesey, and a squaaron of the

numbering
o 131 men.

which joined us here was 144.

Our

The
force

coo

aofs^reffate

was now

force

increas-

ed to 1,.S8S men, with Brigadier General John E. "Wool in

command.

NARRATIVE OF THE

22

CHAPTER III.
Pursuit of Game False
Creek Almost Impassable The Cherokee
Alarm and Confusion Facing Enemy and Discovery of Mistake
the Wagon Train Salt Licks Strictest Vigilance and a
Rested
Stronger Guard Explanation of Grand Rounds The General Visthe Grand Rounds The Old General ThunderstruckThe
German sentenced and the General's hearty laugh Army marches
the Rio Grande The arrival of the Alcalde of Presidio The
Indian scrutinizing
Honor's Blanket The Indian's ideas of the
Alcalde Orders issued from Headquarters.
We marched on the following morning. Nothing of
in

for

its

for

his

great

moment

transpired until the 3d, when, the Arkansas

Regiment being

Wool

in

the rear and

wagon

guard, and Gen.

with the remainder formed the advance, on coming to

a very

deep creek, which was almost impassable for the

wagons, considerable time was taken up

so, that Col. Yell

Gen.

Wool

During

deemed

beins^ about

it

in crossing, so

necessary to

camp

much

for the night

twelve miles in advance.

the afternoon, our

Indian friend, forgetting his

promise, sallied forth in pursuit of game, but missing the

Arkansas camp, came up within sight of Gen. Wool's camp

before he discovered his mistake.

He

forthwith

commenced

by one
was continu-

to retrace his steps, but not without being discovered

of those

men

with

whom

ally troubled, in causing

the central division

unnecessary alarms.

by one of

those fractious-minded

covered.

He

men

immediately sounded the alarm:

it

was

was

dis-

Well,

that our hero

"A

Mexican

Soon every man was up in arms not a few

were made by men who imagined their time was come.

spy."

wills

An

CENTRAL

23

DIVISION.

express was started up for the Arkansas camp.

The

ex-

camp about 12 o'clock the same

Here indeed was a scene some running one way
and some the other. Others, again, who had been so un^
" Where
fortunate as to lose tlieir horses, were crying out
some fellow has cut my rope." An11 is my horse
in h
press arrived at the above

night.

other might be heard to ask at the top of his voice, whether

old

Wool was

how many Mexicans were there

among the rest. As soon as every
was ready, and every man had received his quota of
cut

off,

or

the unfortunate Indian

thing

cartridges and caps, off they started, helter skelter, and

such
were sent up, the surrounding chaparalls had

screams as

heretofore been strangers

Had

to.

a catamount been within

On

hearing distance, he would necessarily have blushed.

they charged, headlong

eager

for the fray

and every man

lookingf out for the Mexican lines.

At

length, a

over the

tall

rest,

fellow,

own

troops,

formed

enemy. Having heard

who

but

troops were

no one

the noise of the Arkansas

sure

else but

men coming

Mexican charge.

When

the

together once more, and no one hurt, they

up three cheers.

sent

Why

And

in a line of battle, waiting for the

up, they took them to be the

all

the advantage of looking

exclaimed, " Thar they are !"

enough, there they were

our

who had

Thus ended

the

first

stampede^ of

the Central Division.

We

then rested to wait for the wagon train to come up,

which arrived about 10

march about
It is

o'clock.

five miles farther,

We

then continued our

and encamped

camp

needless to say the Indian remained in

ing.

We

were

off the following

morning

for the night.

at

break of day,

nothing transpiring worthy of notice, except that

some

salt

licks,

where the ground

*

An

alarm.

for six

that even-

we

passed

hundred yards

NARRATIVE OF THE

24

around was covered with a hard cake of

When we came

here salted their horses.

The

salt.

cavalry

within 25 miles

camp

of the Rio Grande, a report was circulated through

that the

Mexicans were

and intended

river,

to

on the opposite bank of the

fortified

An

oppose our crossing.

express was

San Antonio, ordering up Col. Hardin, with eight

companies of the 1st Illinois Volunteers. Piquets were now
started for

sent out in every direction, and the strictest vigilance observ-

The

ed.

day we marched about 16 miles.

next

This

We

brought us within nine miles of the enemy's country.

were encamped on a beautiful eminence, where we had a

commanding view of

ed with eager eyes, trying

to point

out the course of the river,

banks of which we could discern.

the
this

Many look-

the surrounding country.

The

afternoon of

occupied in inspecting the troops and arms.

day was

Previous to our approaching the enemy's country, a stronger

guard was placed, and spies sent out

Wool accompanied

the night, Gen.

son, to try the vigilance

For

fear

some

officers of the

day

the grand rounds in per-

of the sentinels.

may

of our readers

of "grand rounds,"

During

in all directions.

we

not

will state that

know

the meaning

the duty

it is

to visit the guard, at least

of the

once during the

nio^ht.

Well,

it

was

in

company with

visited the different posts.

when he

sees

It is

swer,

Grand rounds."

" Stand, grand rounds

tersign."

Who

The

to hail,

and the grand

comes there,"

sentinel

will

will an-

then

say,

advance Sergeant, and give the coun-

After this ceremony, the officer will advance, and

after questioning the

proceeds on
It

General

the duty of the sentinel,

any one approaching

round, on being hailed with, "

"

this officer that the

man on

post as to what he has seen,

to the next.

happened

that this night the Sergeant

was somewhat

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

longer in relieving the guard.

tired,

and out of humor

fellow got considerably-

consequently when Gen. Wool and

was under

the officer approached, he

He

One

25

the impression that

was

the relief.

The

Sergeant replied, " Grand rounds."

be d

immediately hailed, "

thought

was thunderstruck

was the

it

at

Who comes

relief."

such an answer.

"

there?"

Grand rounds

The old General

Had it been some

other officer of the army, the inconsiderate soldier

have been placed in irons without ceremony

our gallant old General.

After standing

we have no doubt he

onds,

and undisciplined, and used

would

but not so with

mute

reflected that he

for

was

some

sec-

a volunteer,

to

conduct, he cautioned him not to do so

On coming up

the next.

every privilege which the laws

allowed him. After reproving him for his

God and man

of

it

to this

in future,

and passed

man, he was seen

to

to get up.

him as to the reason of

He being a German, and had laid down,
his lying down.
to
seize
a few moment's repose, the following
no doubt,
" Veil, Sheneral, I vash
harangue forthwith commenced

'After hailing as usual, he questioned

just tinking dere vash something comin, so I just tot dat I

would lay down

him.

at

till

Vel den,

him cot up so close dat

I get a

shoot

look and see dat

it vash you."
Here
him how he knew him.
you come up on de wrong side, and

the General thought proper to ask

"

Vy

dat

it

you see

saw

dat

vash not the Mexicans, so

vash, too."

I tot dat it

vash you, and

it

After the General had enjoyed a hearty laugh,

and complimented our German friend for his vigilance, he

proceeded on without any similar occurrence.

The

next morning, after an advance, rear and flank guards

had been

detailed,

and placed according

to orders, viz

The

advance about one mile ahead of the column, the rear about
six

hundred yards behind the

fourth of a mile from the

train,

and the flank about one

wagons and columns, on each

side

NARRATIVE OF THE

^B

In this manner

of the road.

the Rio Grande

del Norte,

we commenced

our march for

where we arrived about 2

o'clock,

P. M., on the 8th of October, and encamped in order of

The

men

banks were crowded with

river

battle.

endeavoring

to

catch a glimpse of a Mexican on the opposite side.

About 4

M., the same day, his Honor the

o'clock, P.

Alcalde of Presidio and his cabinet arrived on the opposite

bank, with a white

and desired

flag,

beckoned across.

He

have an interview

to

Accordingly, he was

with Gen. Wool, which was granted.

forthwith began fording

On reach-

it.

ing the shore, he was conducted to Gen. Wool's tent, not

only by a selected escort for that purpose, but by the whole

army all anxious to obtain a glimpse of this functionary.

Our Cherokee was observed to scrutinize him very closely,
more particularly his blanket, which was of a very fine quality.
The Alcalde's business with Gen. Wool was to surrender the town of Presidio, on condition that private property

should be respected, which, of course, the General assented

and his Honor was permitted

to,

This he did by fording the river

parley.

by

depart without further

to

requested

the boys to keep his lower limbs out of the water, for

fear

he

He

rniorht

catch cold.

had hardly gone ten minutes, when we were accosted

by our son of
proached

the forest,

Having

us.

fided to us the following

humbug

?"

"

whose eyes gparkled

a pretty
:

What humbug

good opinion of

What do you

What
mighty

did

you think of

fine ?"

We

would be any harm

he ap-

us, he con-

"

Why that there

see the General.

Wasn't

that blanket of his?

it

" Well, do you think

nodded assent.
to sort of skeer

you could do so without knocking

you

to

as

think of that there

?" said we.

copper colored Alcalde, that was up

it

being

him out of

the old

it,

provided

chap over

see that would be wasting ammunition."

We

for

endeav-

CENTRAL
ored

dissuade him from

to

said he did not think there

ed

and the

off,

last

it,

but

it

27

was

was any harm

all

in

we heard him say was,

in

it.

vain.

He

So he

start-

was

that anything

war.

fair in

The

next morning the fatigue party were employed on

both sides of the

them passable
was

DIVISION.

preparing the banks, so as to

river,

wagons, and

for the

which read

issued,

as follows

in the evening

make

an order

Headquarters, Camp on the Rio Grande.

near Presidio^ ^th

October, 184.6.

[Orders No. 89.]

Soldiers

After a long and tedious march,

ved on the bank of the Kio Grande.

you have

arri-

In the performance of

this service, the

commanding general has witnessed with

greatest pleasure

your patience, good order, and perseverance,

under

many

manner

and men.

officers

his staff,

All have done their

deprivations and hardships.

duty, and in a

who have

to the service

that reflects the highest credit

From
actively

this

the

on both

remark he would not except

and zealously devoted themselves

whilst Captain Cross has been eminently

successful in forwarding his long train of supplies, without

delay or serious accident.

To-morrow you

will

cross the Rio Grande, and

the territory of our enemies.

war upon

We

United States.

The

at their

homes,

to

make

render justice to the

people, therefore,

arms against the United

States,

who do

not take up

and remain quiet and peace-

will not be molested or interfered with,

either as regards their persons or property

who

occupy
to

the people or peasantry of the country, but to

compel the government of Mexico

ful

have not come

and

all

those

furnish supplies will be treated kindly, and whatever

is

received from them will be liberally paid for.

It is

expected of the troops that they will observe the most

NARRATIVE OF THE

28
rigid discipline

and subordination.

All depredations on the

persons or property of the people of the country are

forbidden

strictly

and any soldier or follower of the camp who may

so far forget his duty as to violate this injunction, will be

severely punished.

By command
(Signed.)

of General Wool.

James H. Prentiss, Ass'i

Jidj.

Gen.

CENTRAL

29

DIVISION.

CHAPTEE IV.
Preparations
cross the River Enter Presidio Description of
Encampment Pelonsellas and Backwoods Dance Return
Tents Senoritas and Fandango Explanation of Fandango Guard
the Ford News of the Battle of Monterey Arrival of Colonel
Hardin and
Regiment Second Stampede Cause of Major
Beal's Adventure with a Sentinel Orders not
Cock Guns, &.c.
Drill Orders to March March and Encampment
a Hacienda
Arrival
San Fernando, and the Exploits of Captain Pike Encamp and Experience a Cold Night Soldier's Rations Encamp in
a Swampy Place Water Bad Express from General Taylor Dry
Grass on Fire Uncomfortable Travelling The Indian's Plan and
to

it

to

at

his

it

to

at

at

Success

On

Blanket.

morning of the 10th we prepared

the

Two

river.

the

in getting the Alcalde's

boats had been constructed at

San Antonio,

for

purpose of using here, but they were only used

The

conveying the infantry across.

train forded

train

two

the

artillery

first,

above

the dragoons next, then the

remaining behind, for the purpose

of covering the passage, should any attempt be

pose us.

feet

which way they passed over without injury.

infantry crossed over

wagon

for

cavalry, artillery and

the cannon being raised about

it,

the carriage, in

The

to cross the

made

to

op-

The dragoons and Arkansas Regiment having

crossed, started in advance for the purpose of taking Presidio

in true military style

his scanty

take the
Division.

every man having on

wardrobe would

first

Mexican town

It is

situated

afford.

that

the best clothes

Thus we proceeded

was taken by

to

the Central

on a piece of rising ground, about


NARRATIVE OF THE

30

eight miles from the river.

Just

before entering the town,

passed by an old church, which had more the appear-

we

ance of a

fortification or prison than a

house of worship.

"On our entrance, the citizens appeared

The
at

it

Men, women and children were in the street,

our ears with " Buenos dies miifcha bueno .'"

as a festival.

and saluted

be enjoying

to

houses were similar to those occupied by the Spaniards

San Antonio de Bexar

mud, and a pretty

built chiefly of

good crop of grass and prickly pears growing on top of them.

We encamped about one fourth of a mile from town, on
the road leading to Monclova.

camp
some

before

We

had scarcely got

was crowded with Mexicans of

it

into

classes

all

as spectators, others with small articles for sale, such

which

as cakes and pelonsellas,

small loaf

latter article is a

of sugar, similar to our brown sugar, only of an inferior

quality.

After passing into the Arkansas camp,

ered a crowd collected together.

On

we

discov-

it,

we saw

approaching

two Mexicans, one playing on a clarionet, the other on a

Kackensacks were enjoying

good old
backwoods dance, or as a volunteer would term it, a " stag

violin,

while

the

Did

break down."
ing

more

Our

this

look like two hostile parties meet-

readers will say "

return of long

like the

party, than the

camp

Things went on

No,

it

did not."

It

looked

absent friends, or a pic-nic

of an invading army.

in this

way

night,

until

turned to their tents, to sleep for the

first

country, or out of the United States.

well-known

when some

re-

time in an enemy's

Others performed the

feat of stealing past the guard,

and spending the

night in adoring and dancing with the dark-eyed senoritasoi

Mexico,

at a

fandango.

For the information of our readers, we

will

fandango

celebrated dance

is

somewjiat similar

houses of the Southern

cities.

to

the

The fandango

remark

is

that

generally

CENTRAL

31

DIVISION.

given by some one of the citizens of the place, for no other

to obtain

purpose than

money.

It is

from our soldiers their hard earned

customary,

ladies, to treat her to

pose

so

five

cents, almost as

when you dance

with one of the

some refreshments, kept

for that puf-

that every dance will cost you, at the least, twenty-

much

pay

as a soldier's

one dav.

for

After treating her to cakes, nuts, &c., (as for drinks, none
are kept

them;

but,

observe that she does not eat

will

by watching her

takes them back

two

you

public,)

you

closely,

consequently, you

or three times.

of the stratagems

buy the same

may

Hence, our readers

made use

of to play

will see that she

articles

form an idea

upon our unsuspecting

volunteers.

The

next day one infantry

the ford, but the

company was placed to guard

their camp about four

main body moved

miles further on the road leading to Monclova

place

this

having tolerable grazing, but very bad water.

The

we heard of the battle of

The prospects for peace ap-

following day, October 12,

Monterey, and the armistice.

peared
this

fair,

and joy beamed on every

many

hardships they had

of those poor fellows,

who

treading their native soil,

and safety, were destined

this

Illinois

formed an

Many

undergo.

where they could dwell

to

in

peace

find their graves beneath the

Mexico.

day we were joined by Col. John

Regiment of

in

then expressed a hope of soon

jchaparals of the arid plains of

On

to

But, alas!

Few

they were doomed to be disappointed.

idea of the

1st

face.

Volunteers.

were composed of the following

officers

His

field

Lieutenant Colonel Weatherford.

Major Warren.
Captain R. H. Chilton, A. Q. M., U. S. A.
Dr. Herrick, Assistant Surgeon.

J.

Hardin's

and

staff

NARRATIVE or THE

32

Dr. Zabriskie, Acting Assistant Surgeon.

First Lieutenant

Captains:

W. H.

Wallace, Adjutant.

Moore, Fry, Zabriskie, Richardson, Landon,

Montgonery, Crow and Wyatt.

The

total

of Colonel Hardin's

was 538 non-commissioned

commissioned

The
ond

command, which joined

Aggregate, 574.

officers.

we

next morning, October 13,

stampede, as the soldiers called

o'clock, A. M., that platoons

At

tion of the river.

bound, but

at

sounded

horse!

to

The

under arms.

were

were heard

firing

every one stood as

eight

in the direc-

still

as if spell-

was heard.

Harney and

gallant Colonel

battle

not come up

was about

It

was

All

The long roll was beaten. The bugles

The whole division was immediately
moment, and

in the saddle in a

Rackensacks.

Wool

first,

experienced our sec-

it.

length a second firing

bustle and confusion.

us,

and privates, and 36

officers

at

off".

his

dragoons

Next came

the

now seemed inevitable. Had Gen.

the moment he did, the citizens of

Presidio would have witnessed a charge unparalleled in the

annals of Mexican history.
Yell, at the head of his

But

the General

mounted

Harney's phrase,) and ordered him

from Colonel Harney.

in

line of battle, to await

About

this

might have been heard

Now
open

every

word

met Colonel
use Colonel

to wait until

news came

the consequences.
all

time, a

Presently a

speed, and riding up to

smart picking of

every man being anxious

flints

to distin-

The
who forthwith galloped towards the lines.
man was looking, with eyes, ears and mouth

guish himself.
aid-de-camp,

(to

Accordingly the troops were formed

dragoon was seen coming with

the General.

devils,

General was seen

to give orders to his

ready to step off

at the

the cavalry with their bridle reins tight, and

their

the infantry with the

left foot

spurs in a position that threatened a severe attack upon the

CENTRAL

The

flanks of their prancing steeds.

deliverins: orders

diiferent corps,

who commenced
It

the ford of the river,

concluded

to

The

commanders of

relating to their

burial of

one of the soldiers stationed

who was

soldiers, in

the

commands

was occasioned by the

a child belonorinof to the wife of

as a laundress.

aid-de-camp was seen

the Colonels and

to

the cause of the alarm.

at

33

DIVISION.

company

attached to the

honor

to the afflicted parents,

bury the young soldier with the honors of war,

not apprehending the consequences.

After hearing this news, the infantry

known

"rest"

in military tactics as a

their bridle reins,

and brought

comfortable to their horses.

came

who

by

threatened

soldier, they

more

their spurs to a position

The commanders marched

their

little

was

few who were more daring than the

rest,

Very

corps back to the different encampments.

said, except

to that position

the cavalry dropped

that

if

they had the daddy of the yonng

would make him

turned to our tents,

to

So we

treat all hands.

re-

all

converse on the topics of the day, and

the second stampede.

Nothing more happened

which gave Major Beal

that

Happening

grand rounds.

going his customary rounds,

upon one of

the sentinels

of resting.

The

"

Who

sentinel

comes there

day worth noticing, except

that

a great aversion to going the

to

be officer of

at

12 o'clock

who had

sat

jumped up

Stop

for

by

at night,

down

all at

the day,

for the

and

he came

purpose

once, exclaiming

Gd

she

cocked

's

I"

The alarm which this occasioned, was indeed amusing. The

Sergeant who accompanied him, left for the guard house
the Major retreated about ten paces, saying
it's

me."

The

" Don't shoot

sentinel began walking his post as if nothing

had happened, while the

his steps without visiting

The

terrified officer

of the day retraced

any more of the posts

that night.

next day an order was accordingly issued forbidding

NARRATIVE OF THE

34
the cocking of

The

arms previous

fire

hailing

to

14th was employed in drilling.

three times.

In the evening Capt.

Pike's squadron of the Arkansas Regiment was ordered

draw

tt^

six days' rations, and hold themselves in readiness to

march

the following morning, the 15th,

command

ingly did, under the

which they accord-

of Lieut. Colonel Roane, for

the purpose of forming an advance and for procuring forage.

Nothing special transpired

when

the

until

following

march
march

The

the next morning.

sick

the line of

who were

not able to

per day, were to remain at

fifteen miles

evening,

up

the were ordered to be ready to take

the Rio

Grande, and those whose maladies were of a very serious

were sent back

character,
train,

command

under the

San Antonio with an empty

to

of Lieut. Calvert, of the Arkansas

Cavalry.

We

took up the line of march according to orders on the

Our march,

16th of October.

this day,

was through an open

space of country, interspersed here and there with a cluster

We

of chaparal bushes.
cienda,*

nothing

the volunteers

occurring of

got hold of

brought them into a

some

We

note except that

some aguadienleA

/m-

some of

This soon

admittance into a society

known

Sons of Temperance.
set out the following

morning by the break of day,

and arrived in due time at a village

nando.

this night at a small

which would have caused them

state

difficulty in gaining

as the

camped

The Mexicans

by

the

name

of San Fer-

here had been apprised of our ap-

proximation by Capt. Pike's squadron, hence our arrival

caused but

little

excitement.

the ^members of this

Capt. Pike ordered sabres

they galloped into the

*

A small village.

It

was

related to us

by one of

squadron, that on entering this place,

to

Plaza,:!:

Whiskey.

be drawn.

In this manner

alarming men, women, chilX

Market

place, or square.


CENTRAL

35

DIVISION.

dren and dogs, and every thing alive within sight vamosed.
After reaching the Plaza, he

march

"

commanded,

seeing any thing in the shape of

was seen opening and an

however, not with a

old

woman

At

commenced

belles,

door

last a

observed coming out

flag of truce, but

with a basket of pel-

courtsey that would have done honor to our

after a

qiiere

iiearing this

to

address

crivinor

him

in

Spanish

comprar pelonsellas, miicho

her a

San Antonio by

civil

left the old

answer.

own

city

" Buenos

After

buena.''^

speech he gave the following orders:

forward, march," and so

even

human.

She approached the grave looking Captain, and,

lonsellas.

dias

''Front into line

In this manner they remained some time without

"By fours,

lady standing, without

Thus ended

the capture of

Capt. Pike's squadron, under the

command

of Lieut. Colonel Roane, of the Arkansas Cavalry.

We

encamped within about one mile of

the town,

where

was plenty of forage and wood. This last article was

somewhat in demand, for it was one of the coldest nights we
ever experienced^
Any man who has been to Mexico and

there

felt

the severity of

some

what

is

termed a " Norther," can form

idea of such a night as that was.

diers' language,

by bunking

together,

But, to use the sol-

we were

able to get a

In the morning, after des-

pretty comfortable night's sleep.

we were off.
of those who know not what a soldier's
we will state that we here received three

patching a soldier's breakfast,

For

the benefit

rations consist of,

pound of pork, bacon or beef per day. Generally, about the same time, we got one pound of beef per day
for four days, and three fourths of a pound of pork or bacon
quarters of a

the fifth day, and one

fee, salt

and soap accordingly.

ed was very bad

it

pound of hard bread or

against a

flour,

But the beef we here

so poor, as the soldiers say, that

smooth plank

it

and

would

stick.

to

cof-

receiv-

throw

NARRATIVE OF THE

36

was only commencing the campaign, and no one

formed an idea as to what had yet to be undergone. We
arrived at the place designated for our camp pretty early in
But

this

the day,

a very bad place, the

which was

ground being very

low and swampy, and the water almost undrinkable.

An express reached us here, Oct. 18th, from Gen. Taylor,

giving an official account of the battle and capitulation

However,

of Monterey.

it

was not made public

that night

every
hence, there was considerable uneasiness manifested
but
particulars
they
were
held
in
man anxious to learn the
;

suspense until the next evening,

pond

side of a large

We had

wood

the

being extraordinarily scarce.

here a detailed account given of Gen. Taylors ope-

rations, o-iving an account of the

ed on both sides
on.

when we encamped by

number of killed and wound-

enemy

likewise the terms the

capitulated

After hearing this, the boys, judging that the prospects

for peace

were very

Zack and

his

flattering,

sent

up three cheers

for old

men.

Scarcely had the above been read to the different corps,

was beaten and

than suddenly the long roll

was

to

arms

they were

to

in

No

minute.

have a chance

the heroes of Monterey.

to

doubt

show

every

many

man

thought

their grit as well

as

But the alarm was occasioned

by some dry grass taking fire in the vicinity of the Illinois

camp, which threatened to make charge on their tents
and other camp equipage. The men were immediately
formed, not in a hollow square, as they would form to repel
a charo-e from the

Mexican

lancers, but in a position

more

favorable to prevent the approach of the threatening element,

namely, every one for himself or his

The
made

it

next morning

it

commenced

own

quarters.

a drizzling rain,

rather uncomfortable traveling.

which

As we were passing

along through the camp, viewing the different corps as they


CENTRAL
marched out

columns, what was

in the

which was worn by the Alcalde of Presidio,

time of his interview with Gen. Wool.

at the

Our curiosity
for some time,
manner

company with

After extorting from us a

it.

a secret, he related to us the following

it

was mightily taken up with

how to gel
when a

it

knew

my

mind

would

that I

be a deserter and get the Alcalde to hide me.

to

found a

him whether
peared

So,

we left Presidio, I went to a fandango there

negro who resided there.
I went to him and asked

the night before

I

could speak to

be afraid, but

to

when

hurt him, he consented.

that I

wished

heard

this,

desert

to

him

At

alone.

him

I told

he ap-

lirst

would not

that I

took him out of doors and said

them d

When

Americans.

he seemed delighted beyond

all

am

'

de greatest

when

hide folks you ever seed

feller to

run away from

and one day, hearin' dat de

to dis

same

ole feller,

darkest places

massa had
shinin ob

" After

come

my
I

why,

and
it

dar,

massa

ole

ole

if

in

Texas,

massa was

after

here,

went

of de

'cept

if

ole

by de

eyes.'

heard

this, I

asked him to take

of the Alcalde, which he immediately did.

me to the house
On entering the

house the negro commenced talking Spanish and the old

low began

see,

come

me

he

me,

me in one
am myself

he couldn't a found

then

you

he didn't hide

was blacker dan

he

measure, and

how or where I might conceal myself. He

Why, you see, sar, dar's dat ole boss of ours

asked him

began

that there blanket

had almost given up

not, hence, I

thought popped into

trying,

the Indian

purpose of learning from him the

for the

keep

to

" You see

on

led us to ride in

which he had obtained

in

promise

let

37

our Indian friend snugly rolled up in the

to see

identical blanket

but

DIVISION.

to take their places

our surprise

to bustle

around mightily

he took

room, shut the door, put on his blanket

me

into a

fel-

back

but not this one


NARRATIVE OF THE

38

(alluding to the one he had on,)

me

alone

negro had told

ing to hunt a place to hide me.

I

saw

a sort of chest

but

opened

it

and looked

However,

see nothing of the blanket.

was

for the next

np nice

I to eet

awav

Sunday.

gro was in the front room, and what

on going

back door,

to the

with a bar.

took

took

The back door was

out,

it

found

up some old

enough
1

there

knew

was,

how

the nenot.

But

fastened on the inside

it

and as easily as possible opened

the door and climbed over a prickly-pear fence.

break for camp

it

out, but

it

fastened

do

to

to

room

but could

in,

I lifted

things that were on the top, and sure

folded

had no time

In one corner of the

beaan to look around.

out,

in the

me before that he was goI now began to think that

had got into a mighty bad scrape

lose, so I

a sort

went

old fellow

the back room, and the negro

in

The

front room.

must have been

this

However, the

of a Sunday blanket.
leaving

faster than

If I didn't

horse, then I

a quarter

am no

Ingin.

' However,
past the guard
I hallooed
It

*'

when
all I

reached the camp,

could do.

the old countersign

I tried

Rackensack " and " Sucker," but

must have been one of them

was bound

could not get

to stay out all

Ingin skeered,

it

was

I.

nigfit,

The

it

go.

you saw an
wolves seemed to be

and

'tarnal

was no

Here, then,

'tarnal regulars.
if

ever

fighting for the rights of their country and the old Alcalde's

blanket

so I had to form one of

try does, to
light

them squares

keep them from charging on me.

came, the wolves retreated and

horse and

left for fear

not catch me, and so

went

that the old fellow

of hankering after his blanket and

it's

like the infan-

come

to

camp, got

to

my

might take a sort

for

it.

But he did

have the blanket, and don't you think

very comfortable such a morning as

Of course we had

Finally, day-

this

"
1

agree with him as regarded comforta-

CENTRAL
bleness

39

DIVISION.

but as to the manner in which he obtained

endeavored

to point out to

him the

evil that

it,

we

would grow out

of such conduct, and that he was running a great risk of his

life

use,

in

tampering with the Mexicans

however;

is fair

in

his

rate.

It

was no

only reply and motto was: "Anything

war," and, " catch an Indian asleep, will you

At the conclusion of this

last

speech

had given

a promise to remain silent

we had

comply with

to

at this

it.

we

left

him, and, as

"

we

on the matter, of course

NARRATIVE OF THE

40

CHAPTER V.
Encamp on the River Sabinass A Mean Transaction Move, and
a Swift Stream Another Stream, called Alamo View
Come
of Mountains A Day of Rest The Days of the Month not
them Alcalde and bare-legged
gotten Colonel Roane waiting
Mexicans His Honor desires Peace Private Property Respected
His Departure The Boys Charge the Sugar Cane Silver Mines
Formidableness.
of Dr. Long Mexican Taste The Lasso
to

for-

for

Its

This evening, October 21st, we encamped on a stream by

the name of Sabinass, which is noted for its swift current.

Here we found wood

Mexicans,
nando.

The

They were

We

we had met

since

good

sale,

shall here notice an action

it

was none of

it

San Fer-

committed by some person

not scruple to publish.

confident that

left

being a sort df rarity.

we had their names,

However, we are pretty
volunteers, because we

or persons, the perpetrators of which,

we would

we

and sweet potatoes.

selling pelonsellas

met

latter article

same time saw some

plenty, and at the

beincr the first

the

if

think that at this time they had not forgotten the injunction

placed on them by General Wool, at the Rio Grande, not to

molest the persons or property of peaceably disposed

zens
erate

nor do

enemy

we

think ihat our Indian, although the invet-

of the Mexicans, would so far forget his duty

as to be guilty of such a

dark

citi-

we found

that four

the river, for the

cowardly and dastardly

Mexicans had

purpose of encamping

act.

About

retired to the

bank of

for the night.

They

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

had scarcely struck their camp

(if

such they could be

requested to see

ceeded

to

seized by

fires,

41

when some Americans

approached their camp, and

called,)

some pelonseUas, which

show.

When

some of

the party,

they had opened them, they were

The Mexicans endeavored

were inhumanly beaten,

Mexicans pro-

the

who began

carry them

off.

to secure their property, but

they

their

to

pelonseUas and

and themselves unceremoniously put into the

money

readers
in their

may

some of our

say that they would use us as bad, had they us

power.

make more

We do

river.

not attempt to take the part of the Mexicans, for

taken,

This we admit

but the American people

Had

pretensions to civilization.

Mexicans

the

given any just cause or provocation for such proceedings,

would agree,

as far as the flogging

murder them,

for the paltry

We

stamp

it

with

sum of

most

the

concerned, but to half

is

we

few

dollars,

unqualified

Neither did our good General approve of

was

brutal.

disapprobation.

Could he have

it.

ferreted out the perpetrators of such a high-handed outrage,

wo would have betided them.

The next morning we did

made

Preparations were being

we

found would be very

not start as early as usual.

to'

cross

The

difficult.

the

foot

river,

which

men moved

off

about eight o'clock, having to wade the stream, which was

extremely
tleep.

It

difficult,

from the reason of

was likewise found

stand against the current

wagons across by means

fastened to the wagons on one

alry

would take

mules were unable

of a long rope,
side,

it

in this

back.

to

to

work

which was

and drawn over in this

stationed on the other.

wagon had crossed

being so swift and

consequently they had

the

manner by men

that the

its

Thus, when one

manner, three or four of the cavIn this

manner we worked

until

almost night.
After this the infantry and dragoons

4*

marched about

five

NAKRATIVE OF THU

42
miles, to

another stream, similar in rapidity to the other,

called the

Alamo.

For

age of the wagons, as

the purpose of facilitating the pass-

fast as

they arrived, the Arkansas Cavthe opposite side, and

encamped on

alry crossed over and

then assisted the remainder to get across.

The
tains.

following morning

As they arose

in

we had

the

view of moun-

first

majesty and grandeur in the hori-

zon, they had the appearance of opaque clouds, and

bets

were made on

Next

many

their being such.

morning, the

wagons being

all

over, the Arkansas

Regiment came up with the main body of the army, which

was encamped on a

strip of rising

ground, about six hundred

yards from the river, the train and troops having forded two

We

of the swiftest streams in Mexico.

were, upon this

hazardous enterprise, permitted a day of recreation and

for the

For

purpose of cleaning up and washing.

fear

some of our readers may suspect we had

ten the days of the month,

we

Alamo on

the

of October, 1846, the remainder on the 23d, and

on the 24th.

We

forgot-

advance

will state that the

arrived on the right bank of the river

25th,

rest,

22d day

we

rested

took up our line of march again on the

being only about 12 miles from a town called San

Rosallia.

We

camp about noon, where we found Col.

Roane's command waiting for us, and to one of them we are
reached the

indebted for the particulars of the capture of the place.

On

approaching the town, they were met by the Al-

calde,

accompanied by about twenty bare-legged Mexicans,

with a negro for interpreter,

ately recognized as

whom

one of our men immedi-

once belonging

State of Tennessee, and

to a

gentleman

who had absconded from

in the

his master

about ten years since.

After the usual salutations, 4he Alcalde

commenced by

CENTRAL
saying

"

Our

desire

we

peace, and

for

is

43

DIVISION.

surrender the town and public property "

say there was very

vate property

A man

Honor

ranks said,

in the

ty,

'

the pri-

You have

to give

it

up with-

No unfendeP^

to interfere,

and the Colonel assured his

would be respected, who,

that private property

needless to

Captain had

Now,

(it is

'*

"

Alcalde answered, "

bowing about

provided,

respected."

is

out any proviso

The
The

of that found,)

little

are willing to

after

dozen times, departed.

the boys, not thinking or not

and not having the

fear of

forthwith charged on a field

precedented havoc

among

remembering the

Gen. Wool before

trea-

their eyes,

of sugar cane and made an un-

the lucious vegetable.

No

set of

Erzgebirgen of Bohemia, could have fallen upon that

field

with an equally devouring appetite.

Here we

mine owned by a Dr. Long,

visited a silver

From

merly of Pennsylvania.

appearances

he was not doing a flourishing business,

ology of a certain Major,

He

ratives."

'*

for-

opine that

use the phrase-

he looked no better than his ope-

exhibited to us quite a variety of specimens of

ore in its natural state,

The

silver

dies

and ornamenting

and also

produced here

is

after

Indians in this respect.

it

had been smelted.

principally used for plating sad'

bridles, for

play an extraordinary taste

mented

for, to

we

dis-

in fact they are similar to the

Give

bridle, plated saddle,

which the Mexicans

Mexican

his pony, orna-

and lasso, and he

is

then

at the

highest point of ambition.

weapon the Mexican

at least he uses it with more expertness and dexpossesses
terity than any other. As Mr. Gregg says, in his " Commerce

The

lasso

is

the most formidable

of the Prairies,'^
hood.

it

forms part of the sports of their child-

This we had an opportunity of

noticing, for

we have

44

NARRATIVE OF THE

seen a child scarcely able

its

walk alone, attempting

to

throw

lasso over the [leads of dogs, chickrens, &c., &;c.

We

to

have been informed that

it

chase a bear, capture

with his lasso, and drag

it

is

a trifle for an expert ranchero to

it

to death.

We

will have an opportunity of informing our readers, be-

fore

we come

use

it

country
lasso

to the

as a deadly

"^m's," of the manner

weapon

but we have

is.

said

in

which they

against the invaders of their

enough

to let

them know what a

CENTRAL

CHAPTER
A

45

DIVISION.

YI.

Dilemma of a Colonel
March Pass through a Miry Place Several Ranches
An Officer Commits a Mean Action Arrived in Camp in Good
Time Evidently among the Mountains Travels of a Gentleman
Journey through Sandy Plains Unfeelingness of some of the
Wagoners Cold Consolation for Poor Footmen Wagon Masters
Their Authority Offset to the Above Hospital Wagons Encamp Good Water, but no Wood The General receives Information of a Fortification March All Ready for a Brush No
Mexican Soldiers, but a Dozen of Apple Carts The Boys Charge
on the Apples The Indian again Busy The " Sucker's" MisWitness a Specifortune Encampment, and Visit to the Rancho
men of Mexican Slavery Hot Spring Cross several Streams
A Dragoon almost Drowned The Indian and the Kid Monclova
Place of Chaparals and Prickly Pears

Ready

to

thereof Encamp within three

Orders given to Clean, Shave and Cut Hair.

Surrender by the

Its

miles of Monclova

The

place where

Alcalde

we were encamped was covered with

a very thick chaparal, and any quantity of prickly pears.

If

we may

be allowed

pricks referred

to in the

to kick aorainst them.

quote scripture, and these are the

good book,

But

to

it

would indeed be hard

our narrative.

certain Colonel, not any too strenuous in his morals,

happened

to

be officer of the day.

he happened
pears.

when

to

Just

to get

In going his usual rounds,

entangled in a dense cluster of prickly

at this critical

juncture, the sentinel hailed him,

the following dialogue occurred. Its repetition will no

doubt be diverting

to the

the refined ear,

rather blasphemous.

it

is

majority of volunteers, but for

We

give

it,

how-

NARRATIVE OF THE

46

verbatim^ merely

ever,

Rackensacker
Sentinel.

is

to

show what

sort of an animal a

" Who comes there?"

moment

Just at this

the refined Colonel struck his

against one of the goading articles, while the sentinel

concluding the

last

that, in the pain,

.*J_s

The

word.

knee

was

Colonel was stung so vividly

he cried out

C t!"

Sentinel.

"Halt! J C
s

and

t!

send

twelve

the

Apostles with the countersign."

The Colonel

after this

merely remarked, "

night, friend," and passed

pretty dark

on without any further interrog-

atories.

The following morning found us ready for the march, but

we were somewhat detained, in consequence of having to pass
a
it

miry piece of ground on our road.

was rendered passable

we

In a very short time

As we marched on

for the train.

passed several ranchos, where, from appearances, they

were

custom of raising an immense quantity of sugar

in the

cane.

During

this

day we saw a very mean

act

committed by an

who should have shown a better example to his men.

Coming to a place where there were some neatly finished

officer,

gourds hanging out, doubtless for

sale, the officer

rode up,

took one of the finest of them, and handed the old lady (apparently the

doubt the
like this.

owner

woman

which
judged

never had, in

all

her

life,

to

make

She immediately began

hands, in order

senting

of them) a five dollar gold piece.

to let

him know

to

so, for

him, or

sum

of

mean

at all events a

money

signs with her

that she could not

the gentleman understood to

it

No

that she

change

was

it,

pre-

spectator might have

he wheeled his horse about, saying: *^3Inche8

grasiouSf^^ and galloped

off,

leaving the old lady

minus her

CENTRAL

obtain
act,

it

it,

and the

he had played on the old lady to

trick

Had we

for nothing.

we would

not heard him boast of the

not have noticed

where

give every occurrence

it

but our intention

the

name, but

his eyes, he will

We

remember

camp

arrived in

ever

if

in

is

The

was done.

injustice

to

offi-

We shall defer giving

cer shall suffer alike with the private.

officer's

how he

V/e subsequently heard him relate

beautiful gourd.

came by

47

DIVISION.

meet

should

these lines

it.

We

good time.

were encamped

on what once had been a stream of water, but which was

now

reduced

readers, or

undertook
a

to a

.^uch a campaicfn,

how

would ask our

them who have never

that portion of

at least

greasy scum off

thirst

We

few stagnant pools.

they would relish clearing

stagnant water, and quenching their

tlie

But

with such a beverage.

after

enough

miles, under a sun almost hot

marching 15 or 20

to set fire

the dry

to

we were glad to find water as good as this.

were now evidently among the mountains. As they

twigs,

We

arose towering above our heads, without a green thing visible,

they presented a very romantic aspect

seem

to

be from them

gentleman

say that

is

the distance

also very deceptive.

when he came

to

We

you

heard a

camp he intended

to

take a walk to the mountains, from which he could take a

He

view of the surrounding country.

started

on, incautious of the distance he had went,

and walked

when upon

look-

ing up, he discovered that the mountains appeared to be as

far off

as

when viewed from

the

camp.

It is

needless to
to

camp,

fears

having

say that he proceeded no farther, but returned

which he reached some time

been entertained
it
-

-was fully

The

after

for his safety.

20 miles

to

We

afterwards learned that

the base of the mountains.

following day our journey

dry and sandy plains,

dark some

known now

was through one of those

to

every

man

belonging to

NARRATIVE OF THE

48

The

Central Division.

the

crossing these plains

suffering for

beyond

is

all

want of water

in

conception of the mind.

We

cannot speak very favorably of some of the wagoners

who

belonged

they had the advantage of hav-

to the train, for

However, we have

ing a small cask attached to each wagon.

no doubt

that

was designed by the proper

it

the troops to be supplied therefrom also

turned

it

into a speculation

authorities for

but

the wagoners

consequently we have seen

them exacting twelve-and-a-half cents for a single drink. As

some of our soldiers were not very flush of money, they
were compelled

to suffer

wagoner would haul

and

fill

water

it

exceedingly, while the hard-hearted

to the

next camp, there throw

it

out,

the cask the next morning, in order to have fresh

We

for sale.

had known

it,

are certain that

if

the Quarter Master

there would have been a stop put to such

foul proceedings.

We

have seen footmen

who were

so fatigued and exhaust-

ed that they could with difficulty get along.

down by

tion they would lay themselves

and wait

They

for the train.

In this condi-

the side of the road,

not unfrequently received but

a very poor consolation.

There were
with

about as

of soldiers.
red,

a sort of things called wagon-masters, clothed

much

When

authority

|i^

a corporal of a

circumstances similar

to the

company

above occur-

and the poor wayworn soldier would request permis-

sion to ride, these petty officers would exercise their authority

by refusing them, with not

itative treatment, the

few curses.

By

this author-

exhausted pedestrian was compelled to

camp

fall

behind, and perhaps not reach the

fall,

besides running a great risk of falling a victim to the

lariette or lasso of

As an

till

after night-

some murderous ranchero.

we could make some few honwe have known some who would assist

offset to the above,

orable exceptions, for

CENTRAL

49

DIVISION.

the helpless soldier, as far as they could.

were regular hospital wagons

men who were very

mostly crowded with

able to

there

true

It is

for the sick, but these

ill,

were

or totally un-

move.

This evening we encamped on a small stream of tolerably

The cooking done

good water, but we had no wood.

here

was not verv extensive.

About dark the General received information
Mexicans were

fortifying a

that the

pass about thirty miles in ad-

The

vance, for the purpose of opposing our progress.

alry and artillery had orders to be ready to

march

4 o'clock

at

Mexicans

the next morning, in order to rout the

cav-

out, before

they could get their ends accomplished.

According
der

command

officer could

and

to orders, the cavalry

of Colonel

Harney

and

ceeded about 12 miles,

un-

more appropriate

When we

not have been selected.

confirmed the report.

artillery set out,

had pro-

we were met by some Mexicans, who

Here, also, General Wool and his

escort joined the advance, for the old hero could not think

of remaining behind,

We

finally arrived

when

there were prospects for a fight.

in sight of the pass, but

could be descried with the naked eye

column

was

sent to the

noitre the pass

by the

summit of

a hill close by, to recon-

aid of a telescope.

that he

saw Mexicans and

to their

employment, he was unable

now looked as
man examined

no Mexicans

consequently the

and Mr. Gregg, author of " Commerce of

being one of General Wool's aids, and inter-

halted,

the Prairies,''''
preter,

if

we were

His report was,

the semblance of a camp, but as

to

have a

to

make

it

Things

out.

fight for certain.

the priming of his gun,

and

all

Every

seemed

wil-

ling to have a brush.

On coming

within about a mile of the pass,

Mexicans very plainly

to the left of

it,

we

could see

and something that

NARRATIVE OF TH

5^

we

resembled a stone wall, but

On coming up to the pass, no one

and we marched through without

other kind of arms.

peared

oppose us,

to

camp

we

us,

of

apin-

Having got through, and surveying the location

terruption.

around

could see no cannon, or any

indeed discovered a camp.

Mexican

carts, laden

was not the

however, but about a dozen of

soldiers,

way

widi apples on their

San Rosallia.

to

The troops were

indeed was a rarity.

It

halted,

This

and presently

a well dressed Mexican appeared, and very politely invited

General Wool and his

the stone wall

which was within

staff to his house,

we had

seen

his rancho being walled in, as

Camanche

security against the depredations of the

The

Indians.

boys, as soon as the General was out of sight, con-

cluding that they had been fooled once more, and that they

ought

to

have some recompense, unceremoniously charged

the apple carts.

but those

Those who had money paid

who had

not that indispensable

for their apples,

medium

of trade,

did not just exactly steal them, but as the volunteers say,

they mustered them into service.

We

among the rest,

many others, whose moral

saw our Native American

supplying not only himself, but

friend

honesty would not permit diem to partake of the sport, but

who

imagined

that

it

had been taken in an

not stand this game.
think they did not

was no

illegal

cents for three.

good

Thus our

pretty

We

the apple carts

encamped here

for those

by

we

The
late

" Suckers" had the misfortune

made upon

back.

price, viz

think they were served right.

not arrive here until

to fall

readers,

to

them,

in

they

after

The Mexicans

manner.

They had
lose much

their apples paid a pretty

to eat

sin

could

However, we

who

did pay for

twelve-and-a-half

have no doubt, will

infantry and train

did

so

the

the evening

miss the grand

charge

the " Rackensackers."

the following day, for the purpose of

CENTRAL
resting.

As

a matter of course^

We

noitreing the place.

we had an

paid a

51

we had

a chance of recon-

visit to

the rancho.

Here

opportunity of witnessing the horrors of Mexican

We

slavery.

DIVISION.

we

entered a large enclosure, where

beheld

about one hundred small huts, and in these there were indeed
objects of pity, living, or rather staying, in
filth

imaginable.

conjecture that

was

some of our

if

one lunar year.

the dirt and

a shocking sight indeed, and

anti-slavery lecturers

would have had

there, they
at least

It

all

a subject

A German

we do

had been

expatiate on for

to

who had

blacksmith,

been working there for about twenty-five years, informed us

how

these folks

were reduced

seems they are there

an extent that

it

for debt,

and held

to,

in slavery.

It

having been involved to such

was impossible

extricate

to

themselves

consequently, the owner of such a rancho paid their debts,

while these unfortunate debtors were to work for him until

the debt

was

In this

paid.

The wages allowed them

way

they have been duped.

for their labor is

from two

to four

dollars per

month, and about one peck of corn per week.

Such wages

are of course inadequate to the support of them-

In a very short space of time they get

selves and families.

so involved to this gentleman of the rancho, that they never

can emancipate themselves, and thus they remain in

of slavery

this

kind

all their lives.

Contiguous

to this

place

is

a remarkably hot spring, to

which a considerable number of

invalids resort

its

medi-

cinal properties being considered of the first order.

The

following

morning we proceeded on our march,

crossing several small streams, at one of which a very seri-

ous accident (almost) occurred.

ingly rapid.
to

One

The

of the cavalry went

down

water his horse, when the horse slipped

and

fell

in,

over head and ears.

It

was exceed-

current

to the

oflf

was with

the

edge
bank,

the greatest

NARRATIVE OF THE

52

The

he was rescued.

difficulty that

hundred yards, and then reached the shore

Our march

this

were now 18 miles from Monclova.

Nothing special took place

we marched

in safety.

day was only 12 miles, hence we encamp-

We

very early.

ed

down two

horse floated

and

this evening,

We

for that place.

morning

in the

did not observe anything

going ahead

we saw our

Indian fiiend carrying a kid behind his saddle.

We enquired

worthy of

notice, except while

him how he came

of

had an

old load in

in possession of

my

gun, and

" O," said he, "I

it.

wanted

to discharge

my

did n't want to wate the cartridge, so I tried

this

young

We

told

him we had no

we

Finally

this distance

The column
to

come

Won't you have

goat.

a piece of

was not

visible,

being surrounded by

his,

hills.

halted here, to wait for the Alcalde of the city

out and surrender

city,

with

to-night?*'

it

got within three miles of Monclova, but at

it

it.

This dignitary did not make

However,

just as

Washington had suggested the propriety of ad-

vancing to the susnmit of one of the

the

on

objection.

his appearance as soon as was expected.

Captain

it.

sight

hills

and sending an iron messenger

long train of attendants.

which overlook

for him,

he arrived

After the usual compli-

ments, he commenced to parley, but General Wool had not

come

He

to parley.

politely requested

him

the city, and the public property, and told

him

to deliver

that

up

he would

be held responsible for the good behavior of the Mexicans.

To

these terms his

Honor

the Alcalde agreed, or rather had

to agree.

General

Wool

that evening;

did not

deem

consequently

it

necessary

we encamped

of Monclova on the 31st of October, 1846.

ed from San Antonio on

thirty-six

to enter the city

within three miles

We

had depart-

the 2Gth of September,

days from the time of taking up our

line of

making
march,

CENTRAL
till

we reached Monclova

53

DIVISION.

travelling

distance of

417

miles.

On

the ensuing

day an order was read, informing us that

Brigadier General Shields would have the immediate com-

mand

of the troops, and also that that officer would review

us the next day, for which purpose every

man

should be

shaved, and have his hair cut, and clean himself up in the
best

manner

possible.

54

NARRATIVE OF THE

CHAPTER
The Boys

VII.

Major Warren appoint

think hard of the Order to Shave

IVIexican

Market The Indian again on

the Carpet Joined by a Squadron of Dragoons
Orders for a Great
Military Parade
Enter Monclova
Description of it
Encamp
ed Governor of Monclova

about a mile from the City

Camp

the

Volunteers

destroy the Cotton Trees

march by the 8th Hard Speeches Sickness in

Poor Shelter and worse Nourishment Junction of the

Orders on the 4th

to

Rear of the Central Division

Captain Hunter's Company ReinEncampment The Provost Guard Its use

The Indian again The Morning of the 8th arrives Orders to
Scout, &c. Mexican Flour Its Inferiority Soldiers Curse in consequence thereof Gen. Wool not to Blame In for it Sickness
Bad and Duty Irksome Coffee Scarce Hospital.

forcement

regular

The

orders

we had

received, so far as the cleaning and

was concerned, were cheerfully obeyed,

demur; but that clause which required

hair-cutling business

without the least

every

man

to

shave,

was something of moment, because

there were not a few beardless boys belonginof to the Central

Division,

who

otherwise

stood

ranks

in

with

whiskered

bipeds, and who, very naturally, and as a matter of course,

thought themselves
tive

men

too.

It

wounded

feelings to think of doing that

their

very sensi-

which they never did be-

However, they postponed the matter until the next

day, and some of the young ' Suckers" were about sending

fore.

a deputation to the General, to ask

part of that law repealed, viz

shaved," when the

drums

him

to

have the obnoxious

that " every

beat,

man

should be

and the bugle sounded,

CENTRAL

55

DIVISION.

announcing that the time had arrived

for the review,

and

thus they had to abide the consequences of appearing without being shaved.

We
ment

were reviewed by General Shiehls

him,

to

who,

in compli-

noble lookins and dignified personage

is a

young

as he said nothing to the

and

volunteers, about not being

shaved, he of course became a favorite.

We

had forgot

had taken up

mention that prior

to

his quarters in the city

to this

General Wool

likewise Colonel Har-

Major Warren was appointed Govemor, and two

ney.

companies of the

Morgan and

1st

Volunteers, under

Illinois

Captains

Prentis, formed a police, to enforce orders.

Here we had

Mexican market, with

all its

delicacies, but

they demanded such exorbitant prices for them, that some

mode

of the boys were compelled to adopt the old

tering into service
as

many

ered

events the Indian was seen to eat

cakes and other good things as any one, although

he was never seen

how

at all

to

purchase anything.

We

he managed matters so adroitly as never

by

the

Mexicans

You

easy matter.
start for

home.

along.

Then

that he

of mus-

I
I

"

O,"

said he,

see I wait until dark,

then

lie in

run out with

leaves his basket,

and

be discov-

to

" that

when

a very

is

the

the bushes until a

my

asked him

Mexicans

man comes

gun, and sheer him so bad

tlien I

have nothing

to

do but

Next day we asked him why he did not

women, saying that we thought they would be

help myself."
skeer the old

easier frightened than the

and said

we were

men

He

burst into a loud laugh,

mistaken, that he had tried them, and

found that they were braver than the men.

On

the 3d of

November, we were joined by

dragoons, and a part of Captain

of Arkansas Cavalry, under

W. G.

command

squadron of

Preston's

company

of First Lieutenant

NARRATIVE OF THE

SQ

Tomlin, escorting some wagons loaded with money

payment of the troops.

On the same day we received orders

for

the

be ready for a

to

great military parade on the following day, for the purpose

move

of celebrating the capture of Monclova, and also to

our camp within one mile of the

new

to the soldiers (for

we

Great indeed was

city.

the preparation for this splendid affair

not

because

it

think that by this time they were

getting tired of parading), but for the purpose of seeing

would

were formed

ingly, next day, at 10 o'clock, the troops

and marched off

the

infantry in the centre,

bringing up the rear.

As

w^e entered

we had

for the city

the artillery in advance,

manner we entered

row
large

the city.

pass through a beautiful promenade,,

On

lined with large cotton-wood trees.

of seats

in a

and the dragoons and cavalry

In this
to

who

Accord-

attract the attention of the senorilas most.

line,

was

as white as alabaster,

monument, with some

was a

either side

and

at

inscription on

one end was a

it,

but not being

very well versed in the Spanish language, we were under the

necessity of remaining ignorant of
at the

its

import.

On

arriving

plaza. Major Bonneville's Battallion formed into line

and saluted the troops as they passed, by a

The sound was very strange, the houses

appeared as if we were going through a

it

roll

of the

drum.

being so close that

The plaza

vault.

was crowded with Mexicans of all classes, from the aristocratic caballero down to the humble pion.
The cathedral,
which stands

in

the plaza, is beautiful indeed

piece of architecture

we

think

we

never saw.

It is

a better

equal, if

not superior, in magnificence and ornament, to the celebrated

church

at

Saltillo,

of which so

much

has been said by the

correspondents of the newspaper press of the United States.

After parading through the principal streets of the city,
started for our

new camp, which was

we

about one mile dis-

CENTRAL

57

DIVISION.

on the summit of a small eminence, with not a

tant,

of wood
trees,

On

visible,

except some young cotton-wood and

which had been planted

for

a general rush,

this

and soon de-

which we subsequently were informed

the General had to pay, or rather did pay, the

Thus, from

fig

there.

made

these the volunteers

molished them,

particle

sum

of $400.

time forth the troops had to buy the

who brought

they used, from the Mexicans,

wood

about ten

it

miles on donkeys, at the rate of twenty-live cents a load.

The consequence was that not a few fights came off in the
morning, because, as we have before said, money was somewhat scarce with some of the boys. They had, therefore^
to

come

the Indian over the rest.

The

next dav, 4th of November,

hold ourselves in readiness

the 8th

us

to

where

we knew

to,

fifteen or

Wool and

It

this

to

this

to

be

ill

in the

make

to

march by

was very

afflictive for

Some went
little
its

so far as to sav

frictions

be dissatisfied.

army,

for

minded.

way through
very

Ii

{q\^^

the camp-,

is

bairier against the weather;

truly dis-

whose disease

an exacerbating degree, ever recover.

eat but salt

this

time heard, respecting Gen.

ing any shelter, except that which a tent affords,

no

we

All expected that

very tired.

be a

to

to

caused numbers

couraging
reaches

him

now began

Sickness

received orders to

the line of

twenty days, because by

the late false alarms.

that they suspected

and

not.

we were worn down, and

Hard speeches were by

we

up

think of setting off so soon.

would remain here

time

take

to

Not havyou have

nor have you anything to

pork or beef, of the poorest quality.

This

is

exceedingly poor nourishment for the sick soldier.

The

following day

Central Division.

names

The

we were

joined by the rear of the

following

is

list

of the officers'

NARRATIVE OF THE

58

Colonel S. Churchill, Inspector General, U. S. A., com-

manding.
First Lientenant J. H.Carlton, 1st Dragoons, Aid-de-camp.

Major C. Thomas, Quarter Master, U.

S. A.

Captain Davis, Acting Assistant Quarter Master.

Captain Howard, A. C. S.

Doctor E. B. Price, Surgeon.

Doctor

J.

H. White,

do.

Captain George H. Blake, 2d Dragoons, commanding de-

tachment of Artillery Dragoons and Infantry.

Brevet Second Lieutenant

J.

Oaks, 2d Dragoons, on duty

with Captain Blake.

W.

Captain

G. Preston, Arkansas Volunteers, with the

remainder of his company.

W. H.

Colonel

Bissel,

commanding 2d

Lieut. Colonel Morrison,

Major

2d

Trail,

Illinois

Volunteers.

Volunteers.

Illinois

do.

do.

And seven companies of the 2d

commanded by the followinor officers

Volunteers,

Illinois

Captains
strong, and

Wheeler,

Miller,

Baker,

Coffee,

Lott,

Arm-

Lemon.

Captain Charles A. Seefeld, commanding one company

of

Texas Volunteers.
Captain Hunter's company of Arkansas Volunteers came

as far as the Rio Grande, but v^^ere then ordered to remain

there, to assist Captain

Moore, of the

1st Illinois Volunteers,

in constructing a fortification to defend the ford.

The detachment

that

left

San Antonio under Colonel

Churchill, numbered, in the aggregate,

724

but in conse-

quence of Captain Hunter's company remaining behind, only

660 joined

us.

With

tliis

reinforcement,

selves ready and prepared for

We

had now gone

we deemed

our-

any emergency.

into a regular

encampment, and the

CENTRAL
guards were as follows

One main

5&

DIVISION.

guaTd, one provost guard,

two flank guards, and one mounted piquet.

There was

also

one patrol, for the purpose of patrolling the town.

The

provost guard was the one to which prisoners were

men who committed deeds in camp, such as

when detailed for that purpose, or
leaving the camp without permission from the proper authorities
in fact for any petty offence.
They were put to hard
taken, that

is,

refusing to do duty, &c.,

labor, until they

were brought up

they were subjected

this

days more, and had

It

above punishment

hard labor for

to

five or ten dollars

was very unpalatable

Frequently

for trial.

to

fifteen or

after

twenty

of their pay witheld.

the volunteers to undergo the

such a small offence as leaving camp

for

without leave.

Thus our

Indian became an almost constant victim not

for plundering the

However,

to

Mexicans, but

use his

own

provement of

his health

very sick, or

at least

for being absent at roll call.

words, he went there for the imfor,

when

appeared

so.

there, he

The

was generally

fact is,

we never

saw an individual who could feiorn sickness better than he.

He was naturally of a dark cast, but on these occasions his
phiz was extremely white, or rather pale, so that the provost
marshal could not get

much work

out of him before his

trial.

Afterwards, he had always to be sent there, for work he

would not
to serve

for the

Sergeant

hence, he was only sent there

He was sentenced to labor, but no

He said they might slop his pay,

out his time.

labor would he perform.

but he would
said he

make

it

up

off the

would never do any,

which he generally contrived

Mexicans.

as long as

were being made

for

for

work, he

he could fool them,

to do.

Finally the morning of the 8th

tions

As

arrived, but no

marching.

prepara-

For once we had

received orders to march without getting things in order.

NAURATIVE OF THE

60

This day Captain Porter's company of Arkansas Volun-

draw four days'

teers received orders to

ready

and examine a pass on the road

it

was passable

for

rations,

They were

proceed on a scout.

to

Chihuahua,

to

and

be

to

also to reconnoitre
to ascertain if

Accordingly they set out on

wagons.

the following morning.

We

now commenced

American

and such

to

draw Mexican

wav

In the

stuff"!

flour, instead of

of making bread,

it

reminded us of Dr. Franklin's celebrated saw dust pudding.

Was

Such food

used

in

our

was made up

into

a sort of cake, for the sustenance of rational creatures

of

not this food for soldiers

And

country for feeding swine.

men who had

man,

friends,

left all

this stuff"

the delicacies

and everything

country, right or wrong

is

which natuie bestows on

else, to

go and contend

for their

or at least no soldier, that belonged to the

Not one man,

General Division, can cease

termed

" musquit bread."

remember what was vulgarly

Not a few maledictions were

to

heaped upon the devoted head of the man that introduced

American camp.

into the

the General had

and crackers

it

It

was generally presumed

we do

not believe.

In looking into the matter, and seeing where the

General was
in

to

to

impossible

to

come from, we do not

blame

some Mexican

that

done, in order to save the American flour

for his officers, but this

had necessarily

it

for taking the

flour,

believe that the

opportunity of slipping

once in a while.

keep up the supplies

supplies

It

was next

at this great distance

to

from

eur depots.

Had
a few

more

guerrilla

bands been as numerous then as they were

months afterwards, we would have suffered much

but " we were in for it," and of course we had to

abide the consequences.

About

this time coff'ee

began

to get

very scarce, and half

CENTRAL
were issued

rations only

61

DIVISION.

Thus they had

to the troops.

dispense with that brown beverage half the

caused
feel

still

what

it

more complaints.
was

to

We were now all

to

them on
It

that

was

that

Having so many guards

duty

asserted

by

to

keep up,

a correspondent of a certain
to furnish

accuracy of this statement,

General refused

to

who
it

newspaper

we

cannot vouch.

As

If the

we believe he was indo know that when the army

grant the hospital,

duced by proper motives.

it

re-

brought

a hospital in town.

We

departed from Monclova, there was a hospital there.

length of time

still

every third day.

at least

General Wool refused

for the

beginning to

an alarming extent in the camp,

thus making duty very burthensome on those

well.

to

which

be soldiers.

Sickness prevailed

mained

time,

had been

in operation,

we

What

are unable to say.^

NARRATIVE OF THE

62

CHAPTER

YIII.

Description of the Country around Presidio

The

Soil

Manner

of

Cultivation of Corn Indolence of the Inhabitants Manner of Conveying Water Farms without Enclosures Agricultural
Productions Sheep, Goats, Swine and Neat Cattle Mode of Cooking Victuals Higher Class Condition of Neat Cattle Sheep inferior Timber on the Mountains Country around Monclova City
of Monclova Mills and Flour Stores Trade from St. Louis.
Ditching

As nothing
this

time,

is

we

transpiring in

will

camp worthy of

note, just at

beg the indulgence of our readers, and

proceed to give a description of the country between Presidio

and Monclova.

We

will not say

acter of the Mexicans, except

for

so

much

has been

left.

country from Presidio to the Sabinass

so great between

it

that the term prairie

us,

about them, that

said and written

be termed one extensive prairie, or plain

is

char-

where necessity compels

they have scarcely any character

The

much concerning the

what may

is

for the

contrast

and the beautiful savannahs of Texas,

is

hardly appropriate.

On

the

latter,

grass grows abundantly, with an occasional interspersion of

large trees;

but on the former, grass

on streams.

As

inferior

for timber,

quality of musquit

none

is

is

very scarce, except

to be found, save a

very

wood, a kind of shrub, some-

thing akin to our bramble bushes.

matter what kind, bears thorns.

In fact every bush, no

Along the immediate banks

of the Sabinass and Alamo, there are

some

sized cypress growing, but they are of

tolerably good

little

use

to

the

CENTRAL

63

DIVISION.

inhabitants of the surrounding country, because those that

are large enough for any use are generally so diseased as to

be of

growing on the
feet.

which

plains,

a species of the palmetto

is

attains

the

height of twenty

sometimes used by the peasantry

It is

doors, &c.,

but

soil

Therefore

we

cannot

call

it

wood.

extremely thin and poor on these plains, save

is

where there

making

for

very pithy, and generally rots in the

is

course of a year.

The

There

or no service.

little

is

water;

in

such places

it is

very good, and pro-

commonly very sandy, and

is

so broken

incessant rains during the rainy season, that

it

holds out no

duces well.

It is

inducements

for emigration.

The

land which

is fertile

by

has

be ditched, in consequence of the long droughts, which

to

from August

last

time, and

what

June and July

to

little

there

It rains
is, is

of

little

of ditching and

By

this

way water

this plan, a

day.

We

consequence

flooding the

is

conveyed

farms

some stream

digging a large or main ditch from

and in

but seldom during this

but in

rains continually.

it

The manner

June.

to

by

is

or spring,

and through

a ranoho.

rancho of 200 acres can be watered in one

have seen water conveyed 40 miles,

to

some ha-

cienda or village.

The

inhabitants generally raise

year, but, for

want of

American farmer

is

attention,

two crops of corn

in the

one good crop raised by an

worth both.
very indolent.

They

have no implements of husbandry, which accounts

for the

The

people of this country are

wretched culture of the

soil,

and the poor crops.

The Mexican farm has no enclosure,

care of

by shepherds or herdsmen.

the stock being taken

Very

little

experienced, except from droves of ranging catde.

trouble

To

is

pre-

vent their intrusion, small huts are built around the farm, at
the distance of one-fourth of a mile, or less, according to the

NARRATIVE OF THE

64

extent of the farm, and in each of these a

man

is

stationed,

for the purpose of watching and driving off intruders.

The agricultural productions of arancho, in this portion of

Mexico, are commonly nothing more than corn and red pep-

The

use

in everything.

of

it

They

one of their favorite vegetables.

pers.

latter is

We

have seen a pio7i take his bowl

manufactured into a sort of sauce, with some

chili,

tortil-

which he would make a hearty meal.

stock line, they raise goats, sheep, swine and neat

las (corn cakes), of

In the

Goat

cattle.

flesh

prepared for the

mostly broiled
smell and
it is

in this

which makes

it^

it is

cooked upon the naked embers,

hard crust, so that

which

taste,

cooked

table,

to a

When

forms their favorite animal food.

all

the strong offensive

peculiar to goats,

is

manner, they cover

it

is

removed. After

with red peppers,

We

very savory dish.

in their opinion, a

do not believe, however, that an American would relish it.

The higher class of Mexicans live better, and have more
and different sorts of vegetables, such as the potatoe (but
this

This

is

of an

inferior

latter root

grows

quality), the
to

seldom eaten by the lower

Their neat

mon very

cattle are

meagre.

cabbage,

onions, &c.

an extraordinary size, but

it

is

classes.

of a tolerably good kind, bat in com-

Their horses are small, but exceedingly

hardy, and not unfrequently rather handsome.

Notwith-

standing the roads in Mexico are rough and rocky, they

never shoe their horses.

We

have seen some of the cavalry^

them a worn out horse, and the moment they

him their own, they would tear the shoes off of his

trade or sell

could
feet.

call

If

you ask

the reason, they will say

"no

buenaj'*

meaning "not good."

Their sheep are much

inferior to the

size and appearance, but their

at least

wool

is

American sheep

in

of a very good quality

they ncjake exceedingly fine blankets of

it,

so

fine'^

CENTRAL
that

we have known more

fifty to

The country from

than one of them to

the Sabinass to

Timber

of the mountains bear what

is

from

sell for

When

this is done, the

Monclova

uncom-

is

The summits

very scarce.

termed ^'pinon,^^ or pine, but

is

can hardly be attained, owing

it.

6^'

sixty dollars.

monly mountainous.

it

DIVISION,

to the difficulty of

reaching

mountains are ascended by climb-

The

ing from peak to peak, and by winding around them.

timber b^ing cut,

of

rolled off,

Sometimes

mountain.
it is

is

litlle

it

and then

falls to

the foot of the

becomes so injured by the

There

use or value for any purpose.

fall

that

are a

few

cotton-wood trees growing about the ranchos, but these,

we

opine, have

we have

thither, for

The

in

almost every instance been

never seen any growing in a wild

stale.

productions of the country between the Sabinass and

Monclova are

similar to

The

Sabinass.

between Presidio and the

those

country immediately around Monclova

tolerably good, and the

soil fertile.

It

likewise seen

some

cotton growing here.

we suppose

be doing very well, but

We

want of attention.
ly attended

to,

it

It

We

did not appear

have been told that when

produces equal

to

have

was owing

it

is

We

produces well.

have seen corn and sugar cane growing very well.

to

imported

it is

to a

right-

some of our Southern

However, unless land can be obtained in the neighborhood of water, we do not think it would produce at all,
on account of its being of a dry and sandy nature. Around
States.

Monclova, water

is

We

plenty.

must say

general looked better here than any

The
is

city

situated

previously seen.

of Monclova, the capital of the State of Coihulia,

between and

through which water

ditches,

we had

that the crops in

in the
is

midst of small

hills

and ridges,

conveyed, by means of canals and

from the main stream, which winds

the hills, about a mile from the city.

6*

We

its

way among

noticed several

NARRATIVE OF THE

66

make

flouring mills in the neighborhood, but they do not

good

We

flour.

have before spoken of

population of the city

There

are

some very

sell

there.

the country !" said he

I

"that

is

got a right smart sprinkle of

woman

I did,

and

so

fortably."

We

asked him

ing there.

He

said they liked

more plenty then than

sell their

produce

as to their

it

how

manage

never could do

to live pretty

much

to the

camp-

Americans

not doubt.

country than

and have no doubt kept our readers

We

camp, and observe what

com-

money was

very well, for

for three times as

pense long enough.

the

yellow fellows

the citizens liked our

it

"Like

money by marrying

own people. This we did

now said more about the
first,

saw

residing

ever was before, and that they could

have

intended at

I contrive to fool these

out of a great deal more

We

something

kept by

We

goods high.

from St. Louis, who had married and was

We asked him how he liked the country.

trader

The

quality.

fine stores in the place,

Mexican merchants, but they

but

its

about 10,000.

is

will therefore retrace

is

going on there^

we had
in

sus-

our steps to

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

67

CHAPTER IX.
General Melee about the Corn Laws Steel Mills Delegates Assembled A Speech made Order Commanded Speech Concluded
Committee Appears Resolutions Read The Indian Meeting Adjourns The Regular Insulted Officer forms a Guard Something
about Corn Prayer Meeting Officer's Plan frustrated Desired
of the Corn Meeting A Rumor Express
General Taylor
Trick played on an Officer Dialogue Lariat and SpurDischarged with an Admonition Nine Ears of Corn.
to

effect

It

was now

the 11th of

November.

general melee

created in consequence of the celebrated corn laws

come

into vogue,

already heard

of.

at

having

which we have no doubt our readers have

Great, indeed, was the excitement.

company of the

Steel mills had been provided (one for each

command)

was

San Antonio,

arise.

The General

making

a great fuss about the

in case

an emergency should

having learned that the soldiers were

Mexican

to try the eifects of their grinding their

flour,

own

had concluded

flour.

Accord-

ingly nine ears of corn were issued daily to cash man.

The

They needed

a Sir

efi'ect

was

horrible on the volunteers.

Robert Peel

to advocate their cause, but

so distinguished a

peer they had not, consequenfly they had to substitute some

other great

man

One evening

in his place.
after

nightfall delegates

from the

companies of Rackensacks and Suckers met

camp and camp

guard, a sufficient distance

difl*erent

between the

from

either, so as

not to be heard, and then framed a series of resolutions for

NARRATIVE OF THE

68

the immediate repeal of the prevailing and obnoxious

laws, that threatened a mutiny

the camp.

in

corn

After appoint-

ing a President, Vice President and Secretary, and other

necessary

proceeded with the business of the

officers, ihey

meeting, by appointing

committee

to draft resolutions.

After the committee had retired to an adjoining cornstalk

shed, which had been erected by a Mexican, for the purpose

of watching a fodder stack, the President was called upon to

address the meeting, although not until a resolution had been
to let reporters liave a chance.

passed

He

arose, and after

a coufh and hem, which would have done honor to the

greatest orator of the day, addressed the meeting as follows
*'

Fellow citizens

have said

diers, as I should

tion to

me,

ble body

and

to

excuse me,

or,

if

you

please, fellow sol-

source of great satisfac-

It is a

have the honor of addressing such an honora-

of delegates from the different companies of Arkansas

In the

occasion.

plare, gentlemen, I

first

know what you have met

adopt measures
attempted

have met here on the present

Volunteers as

Illinois

to

to

presume you

You have met

for.

all

here in order to

veto one of the greatest outrages ever

be imposed upon a civilized people, namely,

the corn laws

now

draw and grind,

force,

in

which compel every man

one of them

witli

all-fired,

to

infernal, flam-

busted, penitentiary instruments called a steel mill, his rations

Perhaps

of corn.

ground,
fellow

was on one of them

it

Samson

that

after the Philisiiiies had put his eyes out.

citizens

hem

horrible

impropriety of such a course.

so sick that he

is

unable

to get

gentlemen, look

Just think of a
out of bed,

man

Now
at

the

being

hem excuse me,

!

out of his blankets, having to grind nine ears of corn for his
subsistence; isn't the idea shocking beyond anticipation?
I

wonder

of

if

these

humbug

heads might be seen

officers"

in

[here

a quick turning

every direction, trying

to ascer-

CENTRAL
tain if

we

any of those

DIVISION.

dignitaries

69

were present]

are going to grind their corn for them.

"think

that

If they do, they

They will have to treat us like the Philistines

Yes, gentlemen, they'll have to
treated Samson if we do.
put out our eyes before we will submit to such indignity and
tyranny, I assure you.
To think that we, men blest with
are mistaken.

health and strength, are going to risk

for other

we

people

The

idea

is

by grinding corn

preposterous.

you

I tell

that

are a free and independent people, and have a right to

express our opinions just as

By

upon."

we

please,

who had been

ular,

to get into the

are

Vice President

camp, and happen-

When

crowd.

he heard the

last sentence,

are not free."

"

volunteers seeing that

order !"

say, order

it

was one of thenn

Some

otherwise

made himself

it

of the

'tarnal regulars, as

they termed them, very politely requested him

retreat,

imposed

and among them a reg-

travelling through the

You

he exclaimed, "

when we

time some of the other volunteers had col-

this

lected to hear the celebrated speech,

ed

it all

would not be wholesome

for

to

beat

He

him.

scarce immediately, and order being restored,

our orator resumed his speech.

"

am

the middle of

many

gendemen,

sorry,

my

discourse.

obstacles before

we

Just think

are in pursuit of.

was no

We

have been interrupted

will

have

to

how

meet with

obtain that great object which

ings three or four days ago,

it

that I

they worked on our

we

feel-

by giving us wheat bran, because

[low murmurs of applause], and when they

better

suspected they had us worked into that nice enough, what

comes next

Why

nine ears of corn are given to us, like

folks in the United States feed their hogs,

and we are

told to

grind them into corn meal, without having a sieve so

have

to eat hulls

About

this

and

lime

we

all."

thi?

committee appeared, and the President

NARRATIVE OF THE

70
concluded by saying

"

hope

that the honorable

has framed resolutions that will put a stop

and abominable proceedings.

to

such nefarious

my

you

return to

committee

sincere

thanks for the good attention you have manifested during

the time I

The

was making

President

now

the past remarks./'

sat

down, not on

on the

a chair, but

ground, amid smothered bursts of applause.

The committee then submitted the following resolutions

the Secretary, who proceeded to read them forthwith

to

That

Resolved,

measures

for

existing,

much

the object of

to the

annoyance of the

was

After this resolution

to

is,

take

now

soldier.

read, our Indian,

who was

"I wish you would make

the crowd, cried out:

keep

meeting

this

the immediate repeal of the corn laws

law

in
to

them from making innocent men bury dead horses,

when they have them under guard."

President.

" Gentlemen,

wish you would keep better

order."

Resolved, That this

ears of corn per day,

by

is

way

of feeding volunteers on

nine

unjust, and ought not to be tolerated

civilized people.

Indian.

" I suppose

it

is

be tolerated by Ingins."

to

President, [with a menacing gesture].

" Order

I say,

we

must have order!"

Resolved, That we, the honorable representatives of the

regiments of Illinois and Arkansas, will go

captains, and prevail
tlie

General, in order

upon them
to effect

to

to

our respective

use their influence with

the repeal of this obnoxious

law.

Resolved,

Thai when any one Captain refuses

influence with either General

be taken
until

we

down and kept

Wool

to

use his

or Shields, his

as a living witness against

are discharged, and that

we

name
him,

then and there select a

CENTRAL

man

him

to give

life.

Indian.

if

71

whipping he ever got

the all-firedest

"Yes and

President.

DIVISION.

one can

whip him,

't

TJl help."

you do not keep order, I will have

"li"

put out of the hou

Resolved, That

if

a*hem,

'11

his

in

have you sent

to

you

camp."

the General will condescend and

orra-

ciousiy repeal the existing corn laws, this body shall meet

him

again, and return

a vote of thanks.

Resolved, That this meeting, having the repeal of the corn

laws

in

view, adjourn now, sine die.

The

by

regular, stung

the insult he

hands of the volunteers, had

guard

tent

was

it

He

him

told

mutiny

who was

diately,

and marched

arrived

just in

time

particularly the

word

" What
President. "
Officer.

to

every day,
try to

do a

had met

camp, and

for

that they

formed the guard imme-

taking the informant with him, and

hear part of the

last

resolution,

corn.

is all

this

crowd

collected here for ?"

nothing but a prayer meeting.

thought

leetle better

Officer.-^'' I

the

in

Seeing

many dying
we would hold a prayer meeting, and
than we have done heretofore."

so prevalent in camp, and so

is

we

the

to the

off.

a regular,

off,

It is

that sickness

in

the

at

whose duty

officer of the guard,

had unceremoniously chased him

officer,

had received

meantime went

that a party of volunteers

purpose of raising

The

the

crowds, and keep good order

10 disperse all

camp.
the

and informed the

in

thought I heard something about corn, as

was coming up."

President.
tliis

" O,

that

was Mr. Secre

a-hem.

gentleman of the Arkansas Regiment,

prayers.

He was

who was

It

was

just at

saying that he hoped the Lord would

let

us have plenty of corn for our horses, and that our nine ears=

might be of a large size and good quality."

NARRATIVE OF THE

72

The

was not

officer

manded

to

He com-

be put off in this manner.

The

the guard to take them.

largest portion of the

guard being volunteers,' they of course did not care about

Thus

taking their brethren.

tJie

When

guard captured none.

row commenced, and

fuss was over, and the

a general

the

found none there save the guard and the informant,

officer

he marched him off

to the

guard

tent,

and kept him there

all

night, for satisfaction.

The

corn meeting had

its

desired effect, for on the follow-

ing day, one of the Illinois Captains being informed about

tlie

intentions of the volunteers, not to put

till

they had received their corn.

man

to

it,

the

farthest

said

"

waited

then ordered every

pick up his nine ears, formed them into a

marched them out and

throws

He

up with

I will treat the

prepare to throw

throw

and

line,

man who

Away

!"

went nine successive rounds, but no one knew who threw

The next day they had the great satisfaction
the farthest.
of having the corn laws repealed, but whether the honorable
representatives of the Arkansas and Illinois Regiments

and passed a vote of thanks

we

This day, being the 13th, a rumor was current

tliat

to

met

are unable to say.

in

camp

Captain Davis, bearer of despatches from General

Wool

General Taylor, had been massacred, escort and

General Canales.

This caused

all,

by

a great excitement, because

by him we expected to gain information of when and where

we would march. At this time it was generally believed that

we would not go to Chihuahua, for Captain Porter and his

command had returned, and reported that the road through
the mountains
It

was now

tain Porter's

ed

to

eight

was very bad.

the 13th, and First Lieutenant Deshea, of

company, Arkansas Regiment, had been

Cap-

detail-

carry an express to General Taylor, with an escort of

men.

This was indeed a small body of men

to

go so

CENTRAL
great a distance through an

enemy's country, and

when every one was impressed with

had already been cut

73

DIVISION.

the

rumor

that besides,

that

one party

But we must say,

to pieces.

honor

in

of that gallant officer, that he fearlessly undertook

On

it.

the morning of the 14th he set out, with Sergeant B.

Danley and seven men

them

as for the last time, and bade

This morning
night

upon

into

a Sergeant of the

at night, for the

After patrolling

stragglers.

all

played off

a trick

last

Arkansas

Sergeant being on piquet guard, was sent

town about 11 o'clock

ing out

by

looked on them

a silent but final farewell.

was informed of

a regular officer,

The

Cavalry.

Many

as an escort.

F.

company with

across an officer, in

purpose of

some

time, he

start-

came

Mexican, and going

at

The Sergeant charged on and overtook him.

He stopped him, and ordered him off to camp immediately,
when the following diverting dialogue occurred

a great

rate.

" Are you Lieutenant ?"

under
Sergenat " No but
am
a

Officer.

the orders of a

acting

Lieutenant."

" What

Officer.

does he order
Sergeant.

he

told

town ?"

officers out of

"

am

me

to take

officers out of

town,

everybody out, and so

do not know,

I will,"

" You not me."

Tention guard
though
Sergeant. " Won't
take

will

Officer,

Now

sabre

you

you had

we

don't,

'II

'

I,

for if

Upon

not going to answer questions.

what authority he orders

i)ut

name, aud upon what authority

his

is

better go along without

have

to

do something

to

any

you

draw

trouble,
that

you

will not relish."

Officer.
I ain't a

" Do

what, you scamp

going to go now.

alarm the guard

You had

'11

have you shot.

better go on, or I will

at the plaza.^*

While he was saying

this,

one of the guard was getting

74

NARRATIVE OF THE

a lariat,
that

which he had

Iiorse with, into a position

might drop very handsomely over a man's head, and

it

him

catch

to tie his

Another was very cahnly engaged

in a noose.

in

taking a large Mexican spur from his heel, which looked as

though

it

effect the

was

purpose of keeping him quiet.

So you won't go along peaceably, won't you ?

have you that rope ready ?"
On being answered in the

Sergeant.
Bill,

be introduced into a gentleman^s mouth, to

to

*'

Drop it over, and Tom, you have that

big spur ready, to prevent him from hallooing."
The terrified officer saw that he was bearded in his own
den, and that he was placed in a pretty awkward predicament.
affirmative,

He

he

"

said,

started to run, but the Sergeant

him

to slip yet, so

was not

he ordered gallop, and had him surrounded,

and the rope thrown around his body.

ready

mouth,

for his

He now saw
told the

The

spur was also

deemed necessary.

if

he had better go along quietly, and he

that

Sergeant that

if

he would untie him, he would march

He was

along in peace.

him, and the

willing to permit

men with

formed around

untied, the guard

the rope and the offensive spur

on each side of him, with both the instruments

ing condition.

in a threaten-

In this manner they marched the unfortunate

officer off to the

to

walked

camp, about a mile

distant.

It is

needless

say that his Mexican companion had previously evapo-

rated.

After marching the

came within

until they

precaution

officer

through the

sight of the

not to go within

Xo

camp

yourself.

you have us

in

this far, so I think

You

regulars

your power

great

hearing of the regular town

guard), he halted the patrol and said: "

have escorted you

mud and water

camp (having taken

so

Look here now

you can

pop

it

to

town or

we

us every time

have popped

time, and you can either go back to

find the road

it

to

you

to the

this

camp.


CENTRAL
just as

you please

but after this never endeavor to disturl)

prayer meetings again,

a

worse snap than

gallop

march

!"

75

DIVISION.

in

this.

camp, or you might be trapped

Attention, guard

And away

mortified officer to do as

or return and seek his

right

in

turn

they scampered, leaving the

he pleased, either

Mexican guide.

to

go

to

camp,

However, we opine

he made choice of the former.

Our

readers

will recognize

the officer as the

one

who

broke up the corn law meeting, and the Sergeant as the

gentleman of the Arkansas Regiment,

who had prayed

for

the nine ears of corn to be of the largest size and very best
quality.

NARRATIVE OF THE

76

CHAPTER X.
Cavalry and Dragoons to march Pelonselas and the Wooden Leg
Norther Joined by Major Borland Ordered up by
Experience
Daylight Sufierings from the Cold Entire Force Rest and Draw
Ten Dollars Marched through Town Our Indian used up Lost
a Hacienda Captain Davis not Massahis Tobacco Encamped
cred A Charming Place Intense Heat Food Improving Fare
tolerably well Poor Beef Troops Encamped and daily Drilled
Took up a small Cannon General Shields and Colonel Harney
Sad Parting Harney's Brass Band Auld Lang Syne Joined by
Paras Six
the whole Command Ordered to march Destined
Month's Spent Failure of the Project Reflections.
a

at

for

Nothing occurred worthy

of notice until the 16th,

an order was given for the Cavalry and Dragoons

to

march on

be ready

the following day.

Wagons were

being loaded by the Quarter Master, and

everything appeared

we were

to

when

to

be in a bustle.

destined to go.

No

one knew where

report got into circulation that

about eight thousand lancers were in the vicinity, and also a

Anna had been in our camp, selling pelonEvery iNIexican huckster was closely
sellaSf in disguise.
scrutinized, to see if he had the appearance of having a wooden
notion that Santa

leg.

On

the night of the 15lh

very dusty
eral tents
to the

Boreas,

in

camp

we experienced

the blow on us

were blown

in

a norther.

Being

was tremendous.

Sev-

every direction, and the inmates

left

fury of the blast, and to the merciless breath of old

CENTRAL

On

urvisio??.

morning of the 16th,

the

at

77

4 o'clock,

by Major Solon Borland, Doctor John

W.

we were

joined

Glenn, Assistant

Surgeon, and two Companies of Arkansas Cavalry, com-

manded by Captain Patrick and

The

numbering 141 men.

men who had

up

aggregate force, counting

been detained by sickness,

command, amounted

in this

First Lieutenant Taylor,

to 164.

by an express from General Wool,

some
and who now came

They had been met

at the

hot springs,

at

them up by daylight

o'clock in the evening, ordering

the

next morning.

No

one can imagine how they must have suffered from

the severity of the

all

wind and

cold.

up, except Captain Hacker's

San Antonio,

pany of

to

The

now

troops were

company, being detained

at

guard that place, and Captain Hunter's com-

the Arkansas Regiment, and Captain JMoore's

pany of the

1st Illinois

Rio Grande,

for the

Regiment, which were

purpose of constructing a

we have previously spoken.

Our entire force was now

in the field,

list,

fort,

at the

of which

with the exception

The whole number, including

of the above three companies.

those on the sick

left

com-

made an aggregate of 2,688.

At 10 o'clock, A. M., four companies of the Arkansas

Cavalry (Captains English and Dillord's companies being on a
not

scout did

accompany

us,)

and one squadron of the 2d

Dragoons, commanded by Major B. L. Beale,

under
alry,

command

each

man

troops

to

to

to

march

come up

draw

whole

of Colonel Archibald Yell, Arkansas Cav-

were ordered

command,

the

leaving behind Major Borland's

in the evening, in order to rest,

ten dollars.

and

We forgot to mention that the

had been paid a part of

their

wages here.

The

Volunteer Infantry received three months' pay, the regular

Dragoons and Infantry two months', and the Arkansas Regiments ten dollars

to

each man.

NARRATIVE OV THE

78

We

marched through town, but

guard

for the rear

to get

work

difficult

of the volunteers out, because

some

aguadiente before starling on a journey

they wanted a

little

of which they

knew

But

nothing.

Being attached

and went on.

was very

it

finally they all left

to this

town

regiment, of course

to accompany it.
Marching onward, we observed our Indian,

we

had

camp

not seen in

Why, you

we were
go

to a

Monclova

in

fandango, and see what

so

We

show me where

there

from what

to

was

match

fellow took

my

it,

sin to General

we

entered

my

The

first

pockets.
I

over

it

threw

me

this

time.

over a fence, to

it

he had wanted the others

me with it. After that

me, and the way they whipped me

Wool.

they dismissed me, and

because

We

came

if

as

you

tell

it

was not slow.

of them held me, and the other one pounded me.

though.

and

he would have stuck

they commenced beating

felt

to talk,

hold of me.

laid

all

knife, but he

himself, 1 suppose, for

have seen

last

myself

Mexicans, any time, with

for four

big butcher knife, but they

was a
Three

began

went on, and just

into an exceeding dark street, they

it

started,

could judge, they said the General would not

allow fandangos in town.

One

would just

out of the main part of

I did not like to go, but they

keep

we

off

me up

took

the last one

some Mexicans

got

So

was one.

They

and four Mexicans.

my

was

could pick up by the way.

the city.

supposed

asked him how.

thought

fandango myself, and

I could not find a

to

be so badly hurt.

to

see I understood that last night

remain

to

had

wonderfully

morning, with his face

that

We enquired how he came

used up.
" 0, I 'm a used up Ingin," said he.
'*

whom we

water

I left.

came

They had

did n't run very fast,

across, I

washed myself and

not taken any

had none, but they took

asked him what that was.

"

It is

At

money from me,

what was worse."

something you cannot

CENTRAL
get out here

We

he said

sir,"

it

chew of tobacco," he replied.

some more from the sutler. " No

the last
get

" he has none, and

In the evening
miles

was

him he might

told

79

DIVISION.

we encamped

'm

used up Ingin."

small hacienda, about 12

at a

from where we started in the morning, beautifully

situated on the

worthy of

bank of

a small stream.

notice, save that in the night

Nothing occurred
an express arrived

from General Wool, with orders for Colonel Yell

command, and

The General had

morning.
tain

to halt his

headquarters by 10 o'clock next

report at

received information that Cap-

Davis was not cut up.

This,

we presume, was

Colonel Yell reported according

cause of our stopping.

orders, and he likewise received instructions to remain

he was,

the
to

where

until further ordered.

This was a charming

There were some

Everything appeared green.

place.

large cotton-wood trees here, under the

shade of which the sick remained during the heat of the day.

We may

this season, is

impossible

can

lie

to

is

part of the day, duiing

from 11 o'clock, A. M.,

during which time the heat

P. M.,it

warm

here mention that the

endure

it.

comfortable

is

From

to 3 o'clock, P. M.,

so intense that

3 o'clock,

and from

it

is

P.M., to 10

that time

till

sun-rise,

Thus our

readers can form

some

of one of the causes from which diseases originate.

are also other causes, such as

Here food began

to

improve

Mexican
also

to

flour.

draw one

Our

in quality, a train

half

having come

with these additional supplies,

We now

American and the other half

rations of cofl^ee

drew three fourths of

was amusing,

idea

There

want of proper food, &c., &c.

hand with Major Borland, bringing provisions.

commenced

we

you

under a couple of Mackinaw blankets without the

least inconvenience.

to

almost
o'clock,

pound of bacon per man.

we

indeed, to see the

were increased, and

fared tolerably well.

men

practising

It

economy,

NARRATIVE OF THE

80
endeavoring

make

to

their small

They

far as possible.

with the poor beef which

heighten

its

flavor,

allowance of bacon reach as

geaerally boiled a small piece of

we

here

received, in

it

order to

and then divided that piece of bacon among

mess of five or six men. In this way they managed ta

make it last a good while. Matters now began to assume a
somewhat better appearance. The troops now encamped
a

rancho or hacienda were employed

at the

in drilling

on horse-

back in the morning, and on foot in the evening.

We

also took here a small piece of cannon, about a four

pounder, one of the

men having

rogated about
to

it,

the

Mexicans replied

defend themselves against the

we were

it

covered up,

On

being inter-

discovered

apparently for the purpose of concealment.

that they

Camanche

had

it

there

Indians, but this

we do

not credit, for

ing in

Monclova, but when the Mexicans heard of our ap-

informed of several pieces be-

proach they had them removed, and

been one of them.
value from

It

its

was now

was, however, found

It

so

it

the 19th.

was spiked and

On

Harney came up with

Col.

believe this to have

to

be of small

having once been exploded and the crevices

up with lead

filled

we

this

us,

left.

evening Gen. Shields and

and

it

was now confirmed

that Capt. Davis had really arrived and brought with him

orders for those two officers to join Gen. Taylor, and they

were then on

their

way, accompanied by

a detachment of

Capt. Dillord's company, Arkansas Regiment, under com-

mand
It

of First Lieut. Foster, Arkansas Cavalry,

was indeed

a sad parting with the troops, for Col.

ney was beloved by

been said about

this

the

whole command.

man and

Har-

great deal has

his conduct on the frontiers,

but his disposition here showed him to be of entirely a

ferent nature

sented.

dif-

and turn of mind from that generally repre-

He was

plain and mild in his conversation and

man-

CENTRAL
ners, and

commanding appearance, which

of a noble and

endeared him

to

81

DIVISION.

He was

every man.

never once

command,

be overbearing, although second in

until

known to
we reach-

ed Monclova, and that amongst raw and undisciplined volun-

when

but was ever ready to render justice

teers,

was

it

needed.

He

had a brass band attached

Dragoons,

and,

to his

and fatigued, he would

call his

allied,

would revive any one's

and dale with

hill

we had marched
soldiers were worn down

unfrequently, after

not

twenty-five or thirty miles, and the

lively air, as he

squadron of Second

to

band out and strike up some

our

revive

spirits, for,

a double echo,

it

as

spirits.

it

sounded through

it

would

Indeed

call

us back to the

remembrance of former days, and every man would

start

with renewed and redoubled vigor and energy.

We

understood ihat when he

band not being permitted

him

for

his favorite tune,

to

go with him, they met and played

to

mented

his loss as irreparable.

The

Harney, and the Central Division

But
la-

next morning, ihe 20lh, he set off for Monterey.

Nothing happened worth noticing

when we were

22d,

Monclova, his favorite

namely, " Auld Lang Syne."

we had

lose Col.

left

until

the evening of the

joined by the whole

command except

Capt. English's squadron, Arkansas Cavalry, and Capt. Mor-

who were left to

who were not able to travel.
command of Major Warren, First

gan's squadron. First Illinois Volunteers,

guard the place and the sick

The whole was under

Illinois

We

Regiment.

were now ordered

march on
the

the following

wind blew

\vere

the

all

to

be ready to take up the line of

morning

at four o'clock.

a perfect iuirricane.

The

next morning

ready by the break of day, and

knew where,

save the General himself.

That night

We

set off,

we

no one

were, however,

NARRATIVE OF THE

82

going somewhere, but not

on the exact road

learned that

point.

to that

we were

Chihuahua,

to

for

we were

not

However, before night we

destined to go to Paras, about two

hundred miles from Monclova, and there

to

await orders

from Gen. Taylor.

After about six months had been spent in collecting troops,

obtaining supplies sufficient for such an expedition, and an

immense wagon

train

and other necessaries, the Government

likewise having spent an enormous amount of money, the

troops drilled and every thing arranged to take that great
city of

Northern Mexico, the army

barren and unpropitious

soil

hundred miles, and what

is

marched through

and climate for upwards of four

here

is

now

revealed to our

project had failed

army of Chihuahua had failed

Had the troops, instead of being rendezvoused

at

looking

eyes

Why,

the

the

good
great

town hardly

an inland

attainable,

been sent into immediate service

we

are under the impression that our

under Gen. Taylor,

army would now have more foot hold in Mexico than it has
because, they would have reached the field in time to have
;

participated in

the capture of Monterey, and

Gen. Taylor

could then have advanced with more speed than he has done.

But, as

it is,

they underwent twice the hardships and suffer-

ing that the troops of Gen. Taylor's Division did, and travelled about four times as far

nine hundred

men

more expense

to the

But we

will not

finally

all, all to

take one town,

look, after having been one third

Government than any other

say

which

division.

much concerning these matters. If

we will permit more

anything wrong has been committed,

efficient writers to discuss the subject
at headquarters..

with the Government

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

CHAPTER

83

XI.

Encamped where Gold had been Washed Water Good and Wood
Plenty Loud Complahits Marched through a Barren Country
Encamped in a Swamp Travelled Forty Miles Without Water^^

Troops Anticipate Suffering Suffering from Thirst Hard Heartedness of Teamsters Arrive at Water The Famished Soldiers
Treated with it Numbers Died Mules Died in their Harness

Express

Encamped in a Ditch and

Mexicans stopped the Water Resumed the March Palmetto, or
Soap Plant High Banks Travelled Twenty-five miles Cavalry
Reflections

from Gen. Taylor

Advantage over

Infantry Large

March

Fires in the Mountains

Through Dry and Sandy Deserts Sufferings Great Encamp at a

Tank Plenty of Water Here Disobedience of Saff" Officers No
Mutiny Place Assigned for Arkansas Regiment Description of
Disobedience of Staff' Officers Officers all Under Arrest Officers
March in Rear No Water for Thirty-six Miles The Infantry set
out March through a Sandy Plain
Come to Pure Water Corn
Arrival at Paras Don Manuel Mr. Jackson of
in Abundance
Kentucky The "Rico" invited the Officers The Indian again.

On

this

evening the army encamped on a spot of ground

where formerly there had been

The house
tain

still

remains and

was pointed out

washing the ore

water runs

is

a place for

worn out path up

as leading to the mine.

an

ariicle

arrival at

the

The

a large stone trough, through

into this the ore is put

and washed.

gold sinks to the bottom the dust runs

The water

washing gold.

moun-

place for

which the

While the

off".

here was tolerably good and

wood was

plenty

that had not been so plenty from the time of our

Monclova

until

now.

NARRATIVE OF THE

84

Many were
were destined
going

We

Paras.

to

many were

to go, for

was one thing

The

the conjectures this evening- as to

where we

not aware that

were not going

to

we were

Chihuahua, that

certain.

next morning

we were

up, and after marching through

we encamped on a sort of
water arose in a muddy or high

an open barren country, as usual,

a

swamp

grass

near

spring,

swamp.

where

It

on account of

it

tlie

was exceedingly
it

difficult

being so boggy.

some

plenty here, musquit growing to

to get

horses

Wood was

very

Large

fires

extent.

might be seen springing up in every direction.

About eight o'clock

in the

evening orders came, announc-

we should be ready to march at four o'clock

next morning, for we had to travel forty miles without waThe troops now began to anticipate some suffering,
ter.
and well they might. None but those who have tried it know
the suffering that we had to experience in travelling that dising to us that

tance,
it

had

under an almost scorching sun, without water.

to

be done, and so every

but not without complaints.

murmur

at the

submitted

in this last

to

But

his fate,

Some, where they could not

General or some other

themselves for being caught

some sense

man

in

officer,

would curse

such a scrape.

There was

expression.

At 4 o'clock the next morning, the drums beat and the

bugles sounded, and the

army was put

in

along very well, until about 10 o'clock,

motion.

when

apparent power and wrath.

on us with

all its

now began

to suffer

from

thirst.

falling

back

to the rear, but there

with poor comfort, in the

ed wagoners,
it

for sale.

who had

way of

the sun

beamed

The

soldiers

Eleven o'clock came, and

the heat increased, with redoubled fury.

be seen

We moved

Some

could

now

they would meet

water, from the hard-heart-

provided themselves with plenty of

This day these wretches demanded a double

CENTRAL

85

DIVISION.

We

price for this indispensable article.

were

by one

told

of the Illinois Volunteers that he had actually paid twenty-

Many became

one drink of water.

five cents for

worn

so

down that they would fall back altogether. Others would

again.
The men
sit down and rest, and then proceed
were ordered not to leave the ranks. Many who could get
out no other way, would keep up as long as

down

lie

in the

middle of the road, and wait

possible, then
till

the troops

had passed, and then crawl off to the road side.

After experiencing

the sufferings the imagination could

all

portray, from heat and thirst, a portion of the troops arrived

a stream of water, and fortunately

at

rushed

to

to

it

quench

their

burning

an excess, that they were soon

We

mules were

water,

and drank

worse condition.

fed,

After the

wagons

arrived,

who were

down

this

and

they were forthwith turned back with

worn

unable to walk, and had lain them-

We

in despair.

have been informed that they

went back 15 miles, and there found men

the agonies of death

in

such

to

not for sale, but to give to the suffering and

out soldiers
selves

in a

Many

was good.

pursued our march about three miles further up

stream, and then encamped.

the

it

thirst,

but

when

lying, apparently

they had water given

ihem, by degrees they revived, and were then placed in the

wagons and conveyed

Numbers

to

died from

camp.
tiie

effect of that day's

march.

It

was admitted by men who had been accustomed to the country, and who had travelled that same road before, that it was
the hottest

down

day they ever experienced.

in their harness

Mules would drop

and die instantly.

We

remained here the following day, for the purpose of

That day, the 25th of
resting the men, horses and mules.
November^ 1846, is impressed with an indelible stamp upon
the

memory

of

all

who

yet live,

who were

concerned

in the

86

NARRATIVE OF THE

adventures thereof.

It

man

will

be remembered as long as a

of the Central Division survives

took part in that day's

On

the 26th

toils

we were

that

is,

by any who

and privations.

joined by Lieutenant Deshea,

who

had borne the express from General Wool to General Taylor.

We were all rejoiced to see him and his escort back again
;

hardly ever expected to see ihem again

for

we

left

Monclova.

We

received

some

letters

when they

and papers by

them, and also got information of General Taylor's advance

on

Saltillo.

The
ditch,

place where

we were encamped was on

which came 25 miles from

a canal or

a large stream.

Some

of

the Mexicans, on the 26th, stopped the water about 10 miles

above us, leaving us almost without

Wool

removed, which brought

structions

soon.

Had

the

course, they, in

Mexicans refused

this

day again.

Gen.

all

down

the water very

to let the

water have

its

probability, would have got the " sick

Our dragoons were

headache."

it

despatched a party of dragoons up, and had the ob-

not to be trifled with.

Next morning we resumed our march, and travelled through

This valley was apparentvalley between two mountains.

ly about nine miles wide, with nothing but palmetto or soap

plant growing over

it.

This plant grows about two

with stalks or branches growing out of

it,

feet high,

exactly the shape

so much like that instrument that the soldiers

name of Spanish bayonet to it. It is extremely
dangerous to ride a horse through it, where it grows very
dense, because it is so sharp that it will pierce him shockingly, and the effects are so venomous that the wounds are

of a bayonet
applied the

The roots
The women will

Mexicans

hardly curable.

are used by the

washing.

take three or four of the roots,

pound them up, and wash

were

told

by a Spanish lady

clothes admirably clean.

for

We

that the suds of this root are

CENTRAL
equal,

But

not superior, to those of the best rosin soap.

if

we have

enough

said

our readers what

would

refer

where

it

We

87

DIVISION.

is

soap plant

Gregg*s " Commerce of the

to

to

Prairies,''^

described at length.

travelled along on the side of a creek, but

height of

inform

For a more accurate description of it, we

it is.

them

in regard to the

banks we were unable

its

to

from the

procure any water.

About nine miles from camp we obtained some with great

difficulty.
It

was night before we encamped

We

about 25 miles.

would

liave

We had

this day.

encamped sooner, but

the height and steepness of the banks of the creek,

prevented us

from procuring water

camp

After getting into

the cavalry had to go four miles for

doubt agree with us, that

five

for

which

a shorter distance.

at

Our

the horses and mules.

corn, to feed

gone

it is

readers will no

hard task to travel twenty-

miles, then go four miles, load

wagons with

corn, and

Of course the whole body

hence it fell
but details were made

return without eating anything.

of cavalry did not go,

The

some of them.

a hard lot to

cavalry have the advantage of the infantry, so far as

travelling

is

concerned

The

heaviest share.

but as to duty, the former have the

necessary duties
their

horses,

and

coming

infantry, on

nothing to do but attend to their

own

into

camp, have

comforts, and other

but the cavalry have to procure feed for

attend

to

them, besides other ordinary

duties.

Here we discovered some large

They created some uneasiness, until
by some Mexicans who had come
ment for the corn they had sold to
had originated

The

in

next day

some

we

fires

in

the

the cause
to

camp

us.

lead mines that

mountains.

was explained

to receive

They

pay-

said the fires

were being worked.

reached a rancho by the name of Sap,

NARRATIVE OF THE

Sd
Here

Antonio.

rumor was

American prisoners confined

several

moments would have

unteers became enraged, and in a few

However,

demolished the whole concern.

that

some

who had been

The volsince.

there,

taken at Monterey and kept concealed ever

ference of

Mexicans had

started that the

of the regular officers,

the timely inter-

who

assured them

there were no prisoners there, prevented an " awful

The boys on

catastrophe."

hearing this retired, each taking

a piece of the destroyed cabins, as

wood was extremely

trouble, and as

recompense

his

for

scarce, of course

it

came

good.

We

started the following

morning tolerably

march was through one of those dry and sandy

known

so well

The

to the soldiers.

early.

Our

deserts,

now

suffering for

want of

water was as great as usual.

The

we encamped

place where

what

side of

is

in the

called a " tank," a j)lace

evening was by the

dug

for the

of catching rain water during the rainy season.

commonly dug
more

or

We

tank

is

those large plains which require two days

in

to cross

purpose

them.

neglected to mention before that there

was

a tank

on

one of the plains which we had crossed several days before

(when so much suffering was experienced), but it was dry.

However, there was plenty of water in the one at which we
were now encamped.
This was the place where the mutiny occurred, which has
been spoken of by some of our newspaper correspondents.
It

would have been

on some other

subject.

the kind attempted.

he part of the

we
did

better for

It

As

them

was only disobedience of orders on

staff officers of the

readers

may

have used their pens

mutiny, there was nothing of

to

are of the opinion that they

Our

to

think,

Arkansas Regiment, and

were justifiable

in

what ihey

we say so because we were

CI:NTftAL DIVISION.

89

attached to that corps, and are inclined to be partial.

our object

is,

We

sides.

as

will

we have
now give

said before, to give justice on

The position generally

when encamped, was on
on being encamped on
of the

all

the circumstances connected with

and then permit the public

it,

But

judge

to

for themselves.

assigned to the Arkansas Regiment

the extreme

left

a stream, fronting

encampment would be on

of the camp, and

towards

it,

the rioht

the upper part of the stream,

and of course that would throw the Arkansas Regiment on

the lower part of it.
After being used by the dragoons and
artillery, for

washing and watering

their horses,

it

was very

unpalatable, indeed.

The

impression

left,

filthy as

He

would be

it

came

the last that

the

had put up with

officers

into

rectified

it

until this time,

camp, they proceeded as formerly

to

and on arriving there found the water muddy and

usuaL

Colonel Yell could brook

this

no longer.

immediately moved his camp further up on the lank, but

on the other
right,

side, so that

he was on a line with the extreme

and there encamped*

pitched

when

camp back

Scarcely had the tents been

the Colonel received orders

to the

men imposed on any

Immediately

and

one

for

command, and march

his

However,

that

he would not have

longer.

after this

also

remove

General, stating the reason

he had for encamping where he did

arrest,

to

again to the place designated for him.

he only wrote a few lines

his

under the

but on this occasion, beinor

came an order for the Colonel's

Roane to take the

Lieut. Colonel

the regiment back to

its

original posi-

But Lieut. Colonel Roane was the wrong man to send

He relumed answer to the General that
such a message to.
so soon as justice was rendered to the regiment, he would
tion.

assume the command, and

have reason

to

do

so.

if

He also

was done, he would not

was soon on the book of arrests.
that

8*

NARRATIVE OF THE

00

Presently Major Borland

received orders

What

headquarters, which he did.

Wool we

General
with

than

were now

all

the regiment devolved

Captain

when he went

under arrest

appear at

passed between him and

he returned

will not attempt to say, bat

less authority

officers

to

The staff
command of

tliere.

hence

the

on Captain Porter (being the oldest

regiment), which he assumed, and so the affair

in the

terminated, and the

command remained

in its

newly assumed

position.

The

next day

we marched,

the officers under arrest in the

About 10 o'clock we came

rear, according lo custom.

delightful stream of water,

running over some very rough

appeared good, and such

rocks.

It

we had

yet

to a

came across since we

it

left

was

being

the

best

the rancho, ten miles

from Monclova.

The General
miles.

here learned that there was no water for 36

He judged

very early,

for

at

it

best to

that

have been impossible

encamp, and

start

next morning

advanced hour of the day

to

have got through.

We

it

would

therefore

encamped where we were, and conjectured another day

of

suffering.

Accordingly,

at

2 o'clock the following morning, the infan-

try set out, so as to proceed the greatest part of the

the time the hottest period of the day

remained behind,

for the

came

on.

The

way by
cavalry

purpose of guarding the wagons,

for things looked as if there

can cavalry in the vicinity.

were straggling bands of Mexi-

We

saw one place where they

had encamped.

Our march
sandy plains

this

day was through another of those dry and

when we entered a sort of

pass in the mountains.
When we had travelled about a
mile among the mountains, we suddenly came upon a small
for

about 12 miles,

stream of pure running water. This was, indeed, unexpected.

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

91

Who it was told the General that there was no water for
36 miles, we know not; but whoever did so was mistaken.
From

appearances, the water came from a spring close by.

was not as fresh as our spring water in the United Slates,

We now found water every two or
but it was very good.
three miles, until we reached camp.
We encamped pretty
It

early this evening.

Here we found corn

abundance

in

in fact

it

was one

field

as far as the eye could reach, belonging to a large hacienda

We

the neighborhood.

in

that for the

for

should have mentioned before

two previous evenings we had received no corn

our horses, but on

this

we had an abundance

evening

of

it

for them.

The

next day

we had 20

miles to march, which brought us

We

within five miles of Paras.

arrived there without

any

other occurrences worthy of notice.

On

the following morning

we

did not start until about

we had proceeded about a mile, we came to

the hacienda owned by Don Manuel.
This was truly the
most splendid affair of the kind we had yet seen in this
After

o'clock.

Grapes were cultivated here

country.

We

here saw the

we had

first

house

built in the

to

On

mechanic.

Manual was

great

American

seen since our arrival in the country.

Mr. Jackson, of Kentucky, who was

extent.

style, that

Here we saw

living there as a boss

conversing with him, he told us that

the richest

man

in that part

that he imitated and followed

up

the

Don

of the country, and

manners and customs

of the Americans more than any other person among the

Mexicans

men

as

that he

knew

of the

He

Don Manuel, Mexico

government similar

We

of.

will here

army

United States.

that the "

to a glass of

few such

could soon be formed into a

to that of the

mention

said that with a

Rico"

invited the officers

wine with him.

As he

did not

NARRATIVE OF THE

92

some very hard remarks were heard

Oar Indian was heard to say that if he
concerning him.
had any sheep or goats, he might find some of them missThis same Indian was generally
ing one of these nights.
invite the volunteers,

man

of his word.

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

9,31

CHAPTER XIL
Encamped Three Miles from Town A Visit from the Alcalde Arrived
Paras Sickness again
Camp The Disobedient Officers
Acquitted Almost an Open Rupture The Drunken Sergeant
at

in

Draft taken of our

Encampment by

Mexican supposed

to

be a Spy

Captain Preston's Company sent Scout Coffee again Withheld Description of the Country about Paras and of the Town
obtained^
Corn Luxuriant Manners and Customs How Wood
An Express from General Worth The whole Army in Motion
under way
Advance Next Morning
The Cavalry, &c., go
Patos
Accomplished Thirty-one Miles next Day Encamped
Orders issued to make no Noise All moved, taking a Circuitous
Agua Nueva Cooked Noth-.
Route A False Alarm, and arrive
ing
two Days Orders to March to Monelova Inspecting and
Reviewing the Troops Report of Three Thousand Mexicans Two
Companies Started Captain Hoffman's Retreat Large Santa Fe
Wagons Wagons Crowded Hoaxed Again The Christmas Frol General Wool called a Coward Retreated to Encantada Joy
to

is

all

in

at

at

for

ic

General

Wool Removes his Camp to Agua

Regiment ordered to Patos General Wool
moves his Camp to Buena Vista Obtain a Hospital at Patos The
Indian's Escape
Next Morning saw his Exploits.

Among
Nueva

the Troops

Arkansas

We

arrived at the eampL about 12 o'clock, and

encamped

about three miles from town, on ground that had once been,

was now a large plain as far as

The plain where we encamped had

a lake, but

the eye could

reach.

several excel-

lent springs, but the water

We

were hardly

more of

in

was

rather

camp when

the aristocrats visited us

warm.
the Alcalde and

in three

some

carriages, each

drawn by two mules, which were driven without

the use of

NARRATIVE OF THE

94
lines, but in the

manner

wagoner usuaIFy

a Pennsylvania

drives his team, namely, the driver sitting on the saddle or

leader horse.

Their carriages or coaches look more

mail coaches than any thing

else,

like

but they are built more old

fashioned, the wheels being very large and strong, and the
axletrees being sufficiently strong for

any road wagon.

Col.

Hardin ordered his band out and they entertained them with

some very

We

fine music.

arrived at Paras on the 2d of

the hacienda twelve miles from

December, having

Monclova on

vember and arrived on the above, making

elling nine

days of

left

22d of No-

the

ten days out, trav-

time, varying something over twen-

this

more hardships than we

ty miles per day, and experiencing

had ever done before.

During our encampment here we
sible,

omitting details and things

imparting everything of interest.

in

camp

to a

great extent.

raged with great malignity,

will be as brief as pos-

of no consequence, but
Sickness again prevailed

The measles broke

proving fatal to many

and more so from the manner

was very seldom

in

out,
in

It

fallen into

an aggravated state of the disease, and

known
in

cases

where men have

lain

camp,

which the troops were

man

exposed.

and

recovered after he had

down

in the

we have

evening and

the morning have been found choked to death, from the

measels having struck in on them.

Captains Hoffman and Cadey's companies U. S. Infantry

town on the

took their quarters

in

forming a police.

Capt. Pike's company, of the Arkansas

5lh,

Cavalry, were ordered out on scout.

also, Col. Yell, Lieut. Col.

their cases investigated,

for the

About

purpose of

this time,

Roane and Major Boreland had

and were restored

to their

respective

offices.

An

occurrence took place about this time which almost

CBNtRAL

open rupture between the volunteers and regu-

xiaused an

On

lars.

Sunday some of

their passports necessary

obtained

who had no

into

passports

for the
;

There was

town.

compel

to

no passport.

In the

that

had been

to

all

but the sergeant having

intoxicated

go out of town passport or

mean time he came

in

at

purpose of arrest-

aguadknte by some means, had become

and undertook

men

the volunteers had procured

go

to

dragoon patrol,

this time a regular

ing those

95

Division.

some of

the

church, and ordered them to camp,

young man, who belonged

across

Capt. Pike's

to

company of Ar-

who had returned by this time, remarkwho were there had their passports. The

kansas Cavalry, and

ed

to

him

that all

sergeant replied that he did not care whether they had or

The young man

not, they should go.

willing to

comply with

his passport
his sabre

had

The

The drunken

themselves and went back

and reduced

was adopted,

ranks.

for,

any arms, of course

town and compelled the

to

to

camp and

him, on which he was

the

to

now drew

camp, but there they armed

to

geant to surrender, brought him

charges against

sergeant

desperate lunge at him and cut the top

volunteers, not having

and proceed

to leave

was not

the orders until the time specified in

was expired.

and made

of his cap.

said that he

It

was well

ser-

preferred

tried,

found guilty,

that

such a course

had any more coercive measure been em-

ployed, serious consequences might have ensued.

Nothing important occurred,

until the 12th,

when

our

who had been engaged in taking

encampment. He was adjudged to have been

the

whole array were expecting

ican

was

taken,

to

Mex-

a draft of

a spy, and

be marched out to witness

his execution, but after investigating his case, he proved to

be a Mexican

artist.

he had taken the

his genius.

Liking the form of our encampment,

draft of

He was

it,

for the

purpose of displaying

of course acquitted.

NARRATIVE OF THE

Captain John Preston's company were sent out about

time on a

While

this

scout, but returned without making any discoveries.

at

Paras coffee was again withheld, and complaints

became very

Nothing very serious happened, how-

general.

ever, until the 14th,

when Captain

company, Arkan-

Porter's

sas Cavalry, were sent out with four

days'

reconnoitre the surrounding country.

On

company, of

Patrick's

the

provisions, to

the 18th, Captain

same corps, was

also sent out

on

a scout.

We

will

moments,

now

ask the indulgence of our readers for a few

in order to

the country in

its

say something respecting Paras, and

The town is built

which we have spoken.

vicinity.

other Mexican towns of

similar to

Some of
we

the houses are of a finer and more tasty quality than any

had yet seen-^being

The church

high.

pared with the one

The
we had
was

is

at

very fine one, but cannot be com-

Monclova.
is

It

was

The

the second crop,

We

any

better cultivated than

yet the opportunity of seeing.

for roasting ears.

fit

white free stone, and two stories

country around Paras

be luxuriant.

to

built of

corn appeared

which by

time

this

noticed grapes growing to a

considerable extent, from which wine

is

made, of a

tolera-

able quality, and sold at the neighboring towns.

The manners and customs

kr
by
is

to

those of other parts.

a long hill,

of

tlie

On

Mexicans here

one side Paras

are simi-

bounded

and on the other by an extensive plain.

obtained here as at Monclova, that

donkeys.

is

by packing

is

Wood
it

on

But the Quarter Master had some compassion on

the troops here, and purchased the

wood

for

them

at

Uncle

Sam's expense.

On

the 19th, about 4 o'clock in the evening, an express

arrived

from General

Worth,

Mexican army was advancing on

at Saltillo,

that place.

stating that

the

In three fourths

CENTRAL

97

DIVISION.

of an hour from the time the express had arrived, the whole

army was

were taken
Porter's

The

motion.

in

to

company

Orders were

who were

sick,

town and there placed

unable

to travel,

Captain

in a hospital.

of Arkansas Cavalry had not yet arrived.

left for

him

to

remain

at

Paras, in junction with

Captain Hoffman's company of United States Infantry, to

guard the sick that were

left

there,

which were not

a few.

Captain Patrick's company, Arkansas Cavalry, had likewise

not yet arrived, but he had sent in an express, stating his

The

whereabouts.

bearer was forthwith despatched with

orders for him to join the main body on the Saltillo road, by

another route, which he did.

The

went

cavalry, dragoons and artillery

The

encamped eighteen miles from Paras.

about six miles,

to the

hacienda of

advance, and

in

went

infantry

Don Manuel, and

there

encamped.

The

we were under way

next morning

before day

same

dis-

night

we

cavalry, dragoons and artillery keeping about the

tance.

In

manner we proceeded, and

this

encamped about

the

same distance

apart.

at

We

the

were now on

a forced march.

The
miles.

second day, the 20th,

The

next day

we

we accomplished

thirty-one

about thirty-seven, the

travelled

infantry having gained six miles on the advance,

camped near

a small

have occasion

to

town

called

Patos, of which

for

halted at

what reason we do not know.

went about the same

distance, and

enwill

This day the cavalry

speak hereafter.

went about twenty-live miles, and

San Juan,

who
we

encamped

the

rancho of

The
at the

infantry

rancho

of Muchachos.

Orders were

now

given not to create any noise in the

camp, and word was despatched back

ding the beating of drums

at

to the infantry, forbid-

tattoo or

reveille,

because the

NARRATIVE OF THE

98

enemy were

The

suspected to be in the inmmediate vicinity.

General was apprehensive

that, if

they were near, they would

attempt to cut us off from General Worth.

next morning the infantry came up with the advance.

The

Captain Hunter's company, Arkansas Cavalry, and Captain

company,

Moore's

1st Illinois Volunteers, joined

They had abandoned

with a train of supplies.

come

the river, and

us here

the ford of

by the rancho of San Antonio, and

in

came up with us, an express having previously been

sent, instructing them to go to SaltillOi
The army now moved on- the Arkansas Regiment taking
a circuitous route, for the purpose of reconnoitreing some of

thus

We proceeded about 10

the neighboring passes*

it

was

miles,

discovered to be a false alarm, and the whole

turned to the right, and marched to the hacienda of

when
army
Agua

Neuva, where we encamped.

Thus we had marched about 125 miles in three days and

The advance cooked nothing for two days,

a few hours.

save broiling a
ing
but

it

what dry grass they could pick up,

had the

We
the

train

San Juan.

reached

infantry fared better, for they

Neuva on the 23d of December.

same day Captain Pike's squadron, Arkansas Cav-

arrived at Affua

morning,

him

The

until they

with them.

alry, received orders to

for

eat*

with a few crackers, and fed their horses with nothing

the rancho of

On

pork over a few coals, and then

little salt

in

to

Monclova on

the following

order to reinforce Major Warren, and with orders

to coine

duty for the

march

men

up immediately.

This was indeed a heavy

of that squadron, but they cheerfully pre-

pared for the march, and accordingly on the morning of the

24th

set off

which

on their journey.

On

reaching Saltillo, through

place they had to go, they were ordered to

with Major General Butler,

who was

in

command

remain
at

that

CENTRAL

99

DIVISION.

place, assigning for his reason that

Major Warren had

force

enough.

The 24th was occupied

troops.

in inspecting

and reviewing the

In the evening an express arrived from Captain

Hoffman (then

at

Paras), with information that 3,000 Mexi-

cans were advancing on that place, and that he would have

to

away

be reinforced, or he would not be able to get

sick

that

were there.

all

the

Captain Eustus' company. Regular

Dragoons, and Captain Danley's company, Arkansas Cavalry,

received orders to proceed to that place immediately.

Accordingly those two companies started about dark on

the evening of the 24th, accompanied

They

the purpose of transporting the sick.

in full retreat, the

having assured him that

if

travelled about

Mexicans

would be attacked by an immense

evacuate the place.

it

was best

Every preparation was made, and by

which had been purchased by some

Mexican, they were enabled

to

Paras

After holding a

force.

pressing into service a couple of large Santa

cept twelve,

in

he did not depart forthwith, he

consultation with his officers, he concluded that

to

for

and on the morning of the 25th

thirty-five miles this night,

met Captain Hoffman

by some wagons,

whose cases were

allow of their removal.

bring

to

Fe wagons,

" rico,^^

away

all

or

wealthy

the sick, ex-

too aggravating and dangerous

The

priest

promised

to take care

of them, which promise he faithfully performed.

The wagons were crowded

It

must have been shocking

fourteen
for so

been thus crowded together.

being put in each.

many

With

the

sick

men

to

assistance of

have
the

wagons which had accompanied the reinforcement, they were

somewhat relieved, and came on to the rancho of San Juan,

where they encamped. Here they learned that they had
once more been hoaxed, and the whole affair turned out to
have been

a false alarm.

It

was undoubtedly

a piece of

NARRATIVE OF THE

100

Mexican stratagem
fast as

to

have our men

possible, for of course

to

evacuate the town as

American

soldiers

were not

very welcome guests with them.

On

this day,

frolic,

Christmas, the army had their Christmas

Mr. Dyer,

which was another general stampede.

beef commissary, had learned from his Mexican butcher that

a sergeant of the

Mexican army had been

our situation.

at

camp, looking

in

Colonel Yell, with his remaining four

named Dogtown, on
the Sail Luis Potosi road, while General Wool commenced
Here it was that he was publicly
his retreat towards Saltillo.
"ied a coward, and published as such by some petty corcompanies, had been sent out

to a place

respondents of newspapers,

employed

in attending to

who would have been

their

better

penning such

duties, than

falsehoods.
It

would have been impossible

General

for

Wool

to

have

withstood an overpowering force here with his small com-

mand, hence he deemed

position.

He

it

advisable to

main where he was

It

the

was rumored

command

On

to a stronger

in

camp

to be united,
in person.

to

Here he was

He encamped

on the

Captain Hoffman

to re-

further orders.

until

by the troops on hearing

would not be subjected

many

halted.

by Captain Pike's Squadron.

night of the 25th, sending orders

Worth were

back

retreated as far as the rancho of Encantado,

where he discovered the hoax, and

joijied

fall

that the divisions of

Wool and

and Major General Butler

A
this

great deal of joy

to take

was manifested

news, because they judged they

to the consternations caused

by so

stampedes, with such a force.

Wool moved his camp back to his

former position at Agua Neuva.
Captain Hoffman now
received orders to join the command, which he immediately
did.

the 26th, General

CENTRAL

Next morning
march

to a

on the road

DIVISION.

the Arkansas

to Paras, for the

at

ceedings of the

Buena

this time

being attached

accompany

to

it,

to

but through

we were

enabled to obtain the pro-

whole Division.

The Arkansas Cavalry

arrived at Patos on the 28th, aud

of

We,

that place.

the kindness of a friend,

this

to

purpose of recruiting the horses,

Regiment, had of course

On

Regiment was ordered

small town called Patos, about forty miles back

corn being abundant

that

101

went

day General Wool removed

into
his

camp.

camp

to the

Tista, about six miles south of Sahillo.

General Taylor received orders

lo

:,

rancho

About

send his regulars

to

General Scott, and Brigadier General Worth was ordetieo

to

accompany them, leaving General Wool

the post of Saltillo.

United States

the

Bonneville's

command

of

General Butler was about returning

to

in

the benefit of his health, and

for

Batallion,

consisting of

Major

Captains Hoffman's

and Cady's, and Lieutenant L. Wetmore's companies, 6th

U. S. Infantry, and Captain Williams' company of Kentucky Volunteers,

left for

General Scott's headquarters.

The Arkansas Regiment, at Patos, obtained a hospital in

town for the sick, who began to recruit in health the moment
they were under shelter.

Our Indian met with

most miraculous escape during the

time the regiment was on the road

to

Patos.

Having lagged

behind for the purpose of ascertaining what he could pick up,

he came
fired

ran

to

some

thick chaparals,

on him and shot

to

his horse

some bushes not

where some Mexicans

from under him

far distant,

dark, the Mexicans firing at the bushes

concealment.

he then

and there remained

all

until

ihe time and he

Occasionally, he said,

firing at

their place of

the balls

came mighty near him, and he thought he was a

However, after dark, the Mexicans
enough.

gone

Injin, sure

ceased firing and he waited until he was tolerably certain that

NARRATIVE 01 THE

102

when he crept forth, but did not go near

he knew it was all up with him, as he heard

they were gone,

hi?

horse, for

the

wolves quarrelling about the choice pieces, but took the back
track and

camp.

came through

We

gullies

and ditches until he found the

remember having seen him

after his return

he

looked uncommonly dejected, and said he must have killed

one of them Mexicans, for he heard him

The

next morning, Lieut. J.

M.

holler.

Giles, of Capt. C. C.

Danley's company, took an escort, and the Indian

and proceeded

to

ascertain

for a guide,

what exploits Mr. Indian had

achieved, and, really, on coming

up

to

the {lace, there lay

the horse half eaten up by the wolves, and on examining the

bunch of chaparals which had contained

found from

all

the

Mexicans, they

appearances that he had either killed or wound-

ed one of them, for the ground was very bloody.

our Indian endeavored

when he

fell

behind.

to

After this

use more prudence and preca'ution


CENTRAL DIVISION

CHAPTER
Things Went on Very

Well Clothing

103

XIII.
for the

Arkansas Regiment

Report about Santa Anna Gen. Wool Remained

Buena Vista Patrol Sent Out Major Gaines Joins Majors
Gaines and Boreland Captured Interpreter of Major Boreland
Remarks about Several Officers Major Warren Arrived The
Central Division
Up Great Joy among the Troops Two Squadrons called Major Warren Appointed Governor of
Gen.
Taylor Arrived The First Mississippi Riflemen and Others Encamped
Agua Nueva An Occurrence Remarks Respecting
Relat ion of the Occurrence Court of Inquiry Respecting Matters
Rested undecided Gambling the Order of the Day Gen. Taylor's
Introduction
the Rackensacks
a Gambling Scene Reconnoitreing
Encarnacion Discover Marks of the Enemy.
Express Arrived
at

all

in

Saltillo

at

it

it

to

at

at

Things went on very

remained

at

Buena

Agua Nueva and

spent a better

On

in

both camps.

was

Gen. Wool
stationed at

Col. Yell remained at Patos.

New

The

troops

Year than Christmas.

the 7th of January, 1847, Captains English's and Dil-

lord's companies,

ment

well

Vista, a dragoon piquet

Arkansas Cavalry, came up with the regi-

Patos, escorting a large train,

at

4he clothing
need not

for the

a little.

before, but

which brought along

Arkansas Regiment, of which

They

now, with

it

stood in

presented a very shabby appearance

their

dragoon uniforms, they looked

remarkably well.

On Sunday

night, the 10th, an

express arrived from the

General, ordering up the Arkansas Regiment, and also stating

that

Gen. Santa Anna was supposed

to

be within three days'

NARRATIVE OF THE

104

march of

Accordingly, on the morning- of the 11th,

Saltillo.

about 4 o'clock, they started, thinking that after being fooled

so often, they would without

They went through

fail

have a

against 3 o'clock, the distance being about

forty miles, but here they found everything quiet, the

that

camp

believing

it

tado.

men

in

to be a hoax.

Buena Vista, while six companies

Arkansas Regiment were ordered to encamp at EncanCapt. Pike's squadron was ordered to encamp at Agua

Gen. AVool remained

of the

time.

fight this

Nueva and Capt.

at

San Juan Vaqueria.

Patrick's squadron at

All the above places

were about

army and were passes

that

fifteen

miles from the main

had necessarily

be guarded.

to

Patrols were sent out daily from the six companies at Encan-

tado to scour the country, because, from

there were

all

we

could judge,

armed bodies of Mexicans somewhere

in

the

neighborhood.

Things went on

at this

rate

until

Major Gaines,

Kentucky Cavalry, which had previously joined

Major Boreland, of

tlie

of the

us,

and

Arkansas Cavalry, were out on a

scouting excursion, and met at the hacienda of Encarnacion,

where they were captured.

So much has already been

said about this, that

we

think

unnecessary to add anything more.

The only statement
we have is from Capt. Henrie, Interpreter of Major Borland,
who made his escape, and by a letter of one of the parties
which found its way into the United States. We will have

it

to

wait until their release for an authentic account, for our

readers are well aware that with them there

is

talent suffi-

cient to do justice in the case.

The officers who were taken from the Arkansas Regiment

were Major Borland, Capt. C. C. Danley and Capt. Henrie,
interpreter,

who

subsequently made his escape and returned.

After the capture of Capt. C. C. Danley, the

command

of

CENTRAL
that

company devolved upon

The

reason

About

with his command,

which was now attached Capt. Hack

to

company, Second
San Antonio

left at

Monclova with

have occa-

shall

Major Warren arrived from Monclova

time

this

N. T. Gaines.

First Lieutenant

we mention this is, because we

speak of this company hereafter.

sion to

er's

105

DIVISION.

Illinois

Volunteers, which had been

He

guard the place.

to

had come

to

and from thence with the above com-

a train,

mand.

The
the

now

troops of the Central Division were

all

up, and

communication between San Antonio and the army stopped.

time

we heard

that

Monterey from

Victoria,

and that he was coming

About

this

command

in person.

this, for

Ready,

that they
until

all

at

to take

Great was the joy of the troops upon

much

they had heard ao

hearing

Monterey

Gen. Taylor had arrived

wished

to see

about the 2d of February,

Rough and

of old

He

him.

remained

at

when he removed

for Saltillo, bringing all the troops but a small force left to

garrison the place.

About
at

this

time the squadrons at Agua

San Juan de Vaqueria had been

Nueva and

called in,

and Capt. Pike's

squadron of Arkansas Cavalry had been sent

miles from Saltillo, by the
prise

name

of

the one

Polomos,

to a

pass twelve

to

prevent sur-

from that quarter.

Major Warren was appointed Governor of

immediately proceeded

to garrison the

Saltillo,

place with

and

two com-

panies of the First Regiment Illinois Volunteers.

On

the 4ih,

Gen. Taylor arrived and encamped

and on the 5th he moved and formed

Wool.

On

this

were ordered

to

a junction

at Saltillo,

with Gen.

day six companies of the Arkansas Cavalry

proceed

to

rancho San Anton, about sixty

miles distance, to procure corn.

On

the 9th, the

whole army, under the command of Major

NARRATIVE OF THE

106

General Taylor, moved out

to

Now

Agua Nueva.

Division became extinct, and was heard by

tral

no more
jfinally

but

we

became of

will

endeavor

The

it.

The

the

names of

command
command

tiie

company with Gen. Taylor,

First Mississippi Riflemen, under the

Col. Davis

name

an account of what

following are

different corps that joined us in

viz:

to give

the Cen-

that

command

of

Second and Third Indiana Regiments, under

the

of Colonels

Bowls and Lane,

of Brigadier Gen. Lane;

McKee
command of

Regiment, under Col.

Dragoons, under

the

the

whole under the

Second Kentucky

one squadron of the Second

Brevet Lieut. Col.

May

and

This force was now

Agua Nueva. We will not say much in future
the above named corps unless necessarily obliged

Capt. Bragg's Battery of Light Artillery.

encamped

at

respecting
to

do

so,

we have engaged to confine ourselves to

Division, and we will endeavor to redeem our

because

the Central

promise.

About

down
tain

this

time an occurrence took place which

the disapprobation of the

commanding

we

think

when

Cer-

general.

newspaper corresp.ondents have commented on

freely, but

called

it

rather

the public have read the facts, just

as they were, they will be inclined to think that ihose

men

who committed the tragedy were justifiable. The statement we are about to make may be depended on as correct.
Being a member of the same regiment, we would not have
We but give the
our readers think that we are partial.
already been
has
So
much
as
they
occurred.
naked facts
said about it that is not true, that we feel ourselves bound to
refute

The

some of

the base slanders and lies in relation to

it.

circumstances are these.

On

the 9th of February, S. Colquit, belonging to

company

commanded by Lieut. Gaines, Arkansas Regiment, left

camp for the purpose of training a Mexican horse, which he

B.,

CENTRAL
had just bought.

was noticed

Il

lOt

DIVISIOX.

he did not return

that

dark, and fears began to be entertained for his safety.

he was

ing arrived, and

men

that a

morning

this

in

man

small parly of

hunt of his horse, and in his walks came

kansas camp, and

Upon

was.

by

had

the

of the Kentucky Cavalry was out

He

across the missing man.

out

now became

It

started out in search of him, but returned without him.

happened

It

absent.

still

he had been lariated.

general belief that

at

Morn-

this

told

forthwith started for the Ar-

them where the object of

some

of the

men went

their search

pointed

to the place

the Kentuckian, and there found their comrade,

who

some murderous

ran-

fallen a victim to the brutality of

chero.

was around

lariat

covered in the flesh.

with the lariat

He was

tied fast,

shrub some distance

his neck,

and

ofl".

partially

bush,

sitting against a small

tlie

On

sunken or

other extremity fastened to a

examination of the ground,

it

appeared that he had been dragged about three hundred

yards, over stones and prickly-pears, and
to the

his
to

in a position

which showed

disengage his neck from the rope.

most awful looking object

picture.

mangled

He was
in a

him

had received
to

hearted deed.

in the breast of

into

men

for his fellow

camp, and

after

collected together

in search of the perpetrators of this black-

in

camp,

one commanded by Lieut.

There

There were but two companies of the Ar-

kansas Regiment

Hunter.

tried

body bruised and

and sympathy

a soldier's burial, the

go

horrible

and resentment

least feeling

he had

The sight was enough

The body was brought

countryman.

was

that

that the imagination could

most shocking manner.

raise feelings of revenge

and agreed

It

perfectly black, and his

any one who had the

it

tied

bush, he could not have been quite dead, for one of

hands was

sat the

to

when they

Companies B. and G., the

Gaines, and the other by Capt.

viz

portion of these companies saddled their horses

NARRATIVE OF THE

108
and started

off,

undoubtedly with the intention of meteing out

a sanguinary retribution on those blood-thirsty miscreants of

the lariat^ but

unknown
ticulars
plicit

we must

to either

here remark that

from one of the party,

We

confidence.

We

of those officers.
in

whom we

were on duty

at the

accompany them, otherwise we might

not

They proceeded up

the party.

into the

On

where Mexicans had been seen.

it

was

entirely

received the par-

could place imtime, and could

also have been of

gap of a mountain,

reaching the spot, they

some rancheros, living in small huts, but nothing

Our men searched some of the huts,
one of which they found the identical carbine sling be-

discovered
like a

in

rancho appeared.

They knew it from the fact

The Mexicans had by this
of its
Our men entime collected together, near one of the huts.
quired of them, through a young man who spoke Spanish,
how they came by the sling, but they gave no satisfactory

longing to the murdered man.

name on

having his

it.

answer.

moment one of the men shot a Mexican. Firing

now commenced in good earnest, and in rapid succession.
General Wool heard it, and sent Captain Crow's company
At

this

of 1st Illinois Volunteers, to ascertain what was the cause.

On coming

up, Captain

Crow,

between twenty-five and

not icomen

thought

pens by

to

and

as he afterwards stated,

saw

men,

and

Mexicans

thirty dead

children^ as

some

trifling

correspondents

shed a refulgent lustre on the productions of their

stating.

none present.

As

to

We do not

women and

children, there

think that during the whole

of the Central Division, any one belonging to

of a

woman

or child being murdered.

committed, no one

is

the wiser of

If

it

were

march

ever heard

such atrocities were

it.

The Arkansas men returned, but not under guard, for the
gallant Illinoisians knew too well the cause which led them

CENTRAL

109

DIVISION.

what they had done, and so did not attempt

lo

of ihem.

court of inquiry

censuring him for what he did, for

duty.

his

At

this court, a

any

was held by General Taylor,

purpose of investigating the

for the

to arrest

We

affair.

are far from

was nothing more than

man by the name of Peacock,
it

who had been out in that direction, in order to procure beef

cattle, and who had been drawn thither by the firing, stated
that he saw dead Mexicans, and likewise men of the Arkansas Regiment, but he could recognize no one in particular.

Several
stated

men who were

nothing that led

implicated.

word

to

a discovery of

any of the party

Hence, the only course the General could pur-

sue, to clear himself,

sent

witnesses, on giving their testimony,

was

to

punish them

to the officers that if

all

offenders, they might hold themselves in readiness to

to the

the

This was impossible,

Rio Grande.

real party.

We

believe,

He

together.

they did not give up the

for they

however, that

march

knew

not

they had

if

known them, they would have been willing to suffer alike

They were impressed with the idea, like
with the men.
ourselves, that any one who had seen the murdered man,
and could not

feel

revenge, was not the

himself inspired with the feelings of

man

qualified to be in

Mexico.

Here

the affair rested.

It

was now the 17th of February, and

the six

companies

of the Arkansas Regiment had returned from the rancho of

San Antonio. This day the troops were paid off, the Ar-

kansas troops drawing six months pay, and the

Illinois troops

four.

Gambling was now the order of the day

was plenty, and
it,

at least

the troops did not

in

camp.

know what

else to

such was the case with the majority.

not pass through the

Money
do with

One could

camp without having his ears saluted

is a game you all can win at."

with " Click, click, here

10

no
A

NARRATIVE OF THE

fellow might be seen sitting with a blanket spread out be-

fore him, with cards displayed thereon,

box

a chuckeluck

into

fits.

The Rackensacks and Suckers had

assembled for the purpose of gambling.
it

was

and himself shaking

places where they

We

were

told that

at one of these places that General Taylor got his in-

troduction to the

We

Rackensacks and Suckers.

were not

present, and therefore cannot vouch for the truth of the asser-

He was

tion.

taking a walk one evening through the camp,

and came butt up against one of these " sanctified courts."

He

stopped awhile, surveying the scene around and before

him.

At

by saying

moment an officer came up and saluted him

Good evening, General !" Every eye was im-

this
'

mediately turned in that direction, and sure enough there

stood the General.

Such

a running, and such a demolishing

of faro banks and chuckeluck boxes had not previously been

seen.

In

fact, in

less

time than

man had disappeared, and

to

we

can describe

the General and his friend

every

it,

left

alone

enjoy a laugh at their expense.

It

was now

the 20th, and a part of the

under Lieut. Col. Roane,

command

Arkansas Regiment,

two squadrons of dragoons under

of Brevet Lieut. Col.

Washington's Artillery, under

May, and one

command

piece of Capt.

of First

Lieut.

O'Brien, were sent to reconnoitre at Encarnacion, but did

not go any further than
strong marks of an
ing

it

Dogtown, where they discovered

enemy

in the

neighborhood, and think-

unsafe to go farther, returned that same night.


CENTRAL

CHAPTER
Confirmation of a Mexican Force

Army

in

Motion

Col.

Ill

DIVISION.

XIV.

in the

McKee kept
Wagons to

The
Gen.

Neighborhood
Encarnacion

at

whole

Wool

Buena Vista
bring in the Remainder of the
Stores Alarm Taken and Times Look Squally Rancho on Fire
An Awfully Grand Scene Santa Anna's Stratagem to Hold up
Orders Given, but Helter Skelter was the Order Arrival at Buena
Proceeds

to

Snugly Blankets The Enemy Sight The Gallant

Line to Meet the Foe Yankee Doodle
Suckers The Army
Remarks Concerning the Battle Description of the Battle.
Vista

in

in

in

On

the

Mexican

morning of the 21st

force

was marching

issued to march
tents
to

immediately.

and were ready

to go.

was confirmed

Many were

motion and

to

ofT,

Saltillo.

that a large

and orders were

All the troops

where our destination was, and some

about to retreat
in

it

to attack us,

now

struck

the conjectures as

said that

Directly the whole

we were

army was

except the Arkansas Cavalry under com-

mand of Col. Yell, who were ordered to remain at Agua

Nueva to guard some stores that were left there until wagons
could return for them.
Col.

McKee, Second Kentuckians, with one

Artillery,

were kept

at

Encantada, for the purpose of

ing Col. Yell in his retreat should the

him.

section

of

assist-

enemy come upon

About three miles from Encantada, the First

Illinois

Regiment, under Col. Hardin, was kept

to

guard what was

termed the pass.

Gen. Wool proceeded

to

Buena Vista and

there encamped.

Gen. Taylor continued

at

Saltillo,

along

NARRATIVE or THE

112

with Lieut. Col. May's squadron Second Dragoons, and Capt.

Sherman's and Capt. Bragg's Batteries of Third

Artillery.

During the evening Col. Yell was joined by the Kentucky

Cavalry and a squadron of the First Dragoons, under com-

mand

of Col. Marshall, and wagons to take in the remainder

of the stores, with orders for Col. Yell, that

upon him

to

destroy

all

if

the

enemy came

Accordingly the

that remained.

mid-

as rapidly as possible, but about

wagons were loaded

night the piquets were fired

upon and came running

ex-

in,

cept the one at rancho San Juan, which was ten miles dis-

A man was

tant.

accordingly started for that station, but

was never heard of afterwards.

Such an alarm as there was we never before witnessed.
Wagons were running in every direction some became
;

locked together and the teamsters did not wait

enemy

but ran away, supposing the

Some

We

of the

men had

horses and were in a dilemma.

we

German

observed an old

haversacks. He, meantime, had

lost his

horse and was in an un-

him with his two haversacks around

him why he did not leave it and take

Oh py
!

and

if I

his neck,

We

In the

saw

and asked

care of his clothes

sure," said he, " dish ish besser dan de clothes,

could find dat ole hause of mine,

faster as

in

two

filling

pleasant situation, but would not lose his crout.

"

them

to part

be just upon us.

had broken open some barrels containing sour crout

evening, and

the

lost their

to

dunder and blitzen

mean time

darkness of the night.

was

which sent
It

would run away

the rancho

large stack of wheat,

"
set

on

fire,

as

was

forth a lurid glare

also a

upon the

looked awfully grand and sublime,

indeed, and had the Mexicans been within six hundred yards

they would have been almost compelled

to halt

and admire

the scene.

The

troops

were formed fronting ihe rancho, but

fax

CENTRAL
enough back, so

DIVISION.

as not to be seen by

but within proper gun shot.

11^

any who came

we remained
enemv to give

welcome with our carbines and then

a cordial

But they did not show

as

their countenances,

though they were trying

to

have done had they attempted

it,

but Santa

This he

and thus held up.

one of our despatches

Orders were

now

who

visited

Anna hearing

we were about

told, after

him

in his

Away

the

giving

the battle, to

camp.

went the volunteers,

was of no conse-

All the crying out to halt

appeared

it

given to march off in good order; but

good order there was none.

helter, skelter

and

leave.

surround us, which they might

previous rattling of the wagons, judged

battle,

way,

In this position

about two hours, awaiting the approach of the

them

that

quence, and had the Mexicans indeed surrounded us, they

When we

could not have withstood the charge.

Encantada, Col.

We

arrived at

McKee came

ket,

stampede^
real

man was

we have no

where,

doubt,

o'clock, A.

First

in

some were dreaming,

not of a

fight.

enemy was
movements of the

that the

This we could judge from the

Illinois

Regiment, which was stationed

where they they had thrown up

at the

approached.

Truly, he must have

in full retreat,

pass,

on

a parapet or breastwork,

top of which stood the gallant Suckers cheering

we were

M., and

snugly ensconced in his blan-

About 9 o'clock the alarm was given

in sight.

in.

which they had become accustomed, but of a

to

genuine

out and accompanied us

Buena Vista about 4

a few minutes every

arrived at

felt

him

he

as

strange, thinking that

on coming up,

to

receive such

salute.

In a few moments the whole army was

ed off

to

meet the

foe.

in line

and march-

Great was the ambition and valor

drum and fife stirred up that

and enthusiasm-giving air," Yankee Doodle it

manifested that morning, as the

old fashioned

10*

NARRATIVE OF THE

114

seemed

every

to inspire

man

new

with

vigor and courage for

Tlie time long-looked-for by the boys

the affray.

of the

was

Central Division, (now termed the "Sleepy Column,")

rapidly approximating, and they were eager to improve

and come up

to

it

We

man.

to a

toil

Wool
who had

have no doubt Gen.

looked wiih feelings of pride on that

shared the

it

little

band,

and suffering of a six months' march through

a barren country with him.

We

Buena

did not intend to give an account of the battle of

Vista further than the different corps of the Central Division

were concerned
account, and
ity,

we

but
will

we have been
endeavor

and permit our readers

correctness.

When we

to

do

requested to give a
it

to the best of

our

us with

speak more particularly of any of

being partial because

immediate movements of

abil-

to refer to other reports for its

the corps of the before-mentioned division, our readers

not censure

full

this

we

must

notice

more than any other

the

corps, not

intending, as before observed, to give a full account of any

other.

On

morning of the 22d, the troops were stationed as

the

follows

the pass,

Capt. Washington's Battery was placed to guard

where

a ditch had been

dug across the road and a

redoubt had been thrown up extending to the edge of a large

gully

narrow passage was

left

next the

hill

which was

The
McKee,

obstructed by a couple of wagons loaded with stones.

Second Kentucky Infantry, commanded by Col.

was

stationed on a hill

Washington's Battery.

companies of the First

works on

immediately in the rear of Capt.

Lieut. Col. Weatherford with

Illinois

the right of Capt,

Regiment occupied

the breast-

Washington's Battery.

remaining six companies of the First

Illinois

two

The

Volunteers,

under command of Col. Hardin, were posted on an eminence

to the left of

Capt. Washington's battery.

The 2d

Illinois

CENTRAL
Regiment,
Capt.

to

DIVISION.

115

which was attached Capt. Conner's (formerly

company

Seefeld's)

of Texas Foot Volunteers, was

of the Kentucky Regiment.

The Indiana
Brigade, composed of the 2d and 3d Regiments, commanded
by Colonels Bowls and Lane, the whole commanded by
placed on the

left

Brigadier General Lane, was posted on a ridge immediately

Capt. Stein's squadron of the 1st

in rear of the front line.

Dragoons were held

gade.

in reserve in rear of the

The Kentucky

Indiana Bri-

command

Cavalry, under

of Colonel

Marshall, and the Arkansas Cavalry, under Colonel Yell,

were stationed

The

mountains.

the left of the

to

rifle

second

line,

towards the

companies of these two regiments,

together with the cavalry companies of the

Kentucky Regi-

ments, and a battalion of riflemen from the Indiana Brigade,

commanded by Major Gorman,

the

whole under command

of Colonel Marshall, were ordered to take post on the ex-

treme end,

About

at the foot

of the mountains.

time General Taylor arrived from

this

Saltillo,

accompanied by Col. May's squadron of the 2d Dragoons,

Captains Sherman and Bragg's batteries of Artillery, and the
Mississipjn Riflemen.

The enemy

halted just

beyond cannon

his strength on both sides of the road, and

light infantr}^ into the mountains on our

movement of

the

enemy appeared

on making

Taylor

despatch the 2d

to

demonstration on his

Bragg's batiery of

shot,

began

displaying
to

push

left (his right).

as if

his

This

he were determined

left.

This induced Gen.

Kentucky Infantry and Capt.

Artillery, supported

by Capt. Pike's

squadron of Arkansas Cavalry, which had previously been

called in
gullies,

from Polomos Pass,

and

in

to take part

on the right of the

advance of Captain Washington's battery.

Captain Sherman's battery was held in reserve,

second

line.

in rear

of the

NARRATIVE OF THE

116

The enemy was now

the heights on our

for the

to

purpose of gaining that posi-

Colonel Marshall, with his regiment, and four

on us.

tion

left,

discovered pushing his infantry

companies of Arkansas Riflemen, under Lieut. Col. Roane,

and the Indiana Rifle Battalion, under command of Major

Gorman, were

Brigadier General

sent to meet this party.

Lane, with the 2d Lidiana Regiment, and

a section of Capt.

Washington's Artillery, under Lieut. O'Brien, was ordered

to the

extreme

left

and front of the plain, which terminated

by a deep ravine, running from the mountains

with orders

to

prevent the

road,

to the

enemy from coming around

the

base of the mountain.

At 2 o'clock, P. M., the enemy opened a

men

on our

fire

rifle-

with a long howitzer posted in the road. About 4 o'clock

Col. Marshall engaged the Mexican infantry on the side of

the mountain.

The

firing

continued on both sides until dark.

was one man wounded,

In this skirmish, the loss on our side

while that of the

enemy was known

to

Indiana

men

have been great, by

was here

that the

tested the value of the revolving rifles.

There

subsequent inspection of the ground.

It

were two companies armed with these guns, and when

the

Mexicans commenced firing, they reserved their fire until

Previously they had kept
the Mexicans got pretty bold.
behind a sort of eminence, but seeing that the Americans did
not return the

At

this

the

by

they ventured out and came over the ridge.

They

juncture the Indianians opened on them.

and second

first

came

fire,

in

fires

very well, but the third and fourth

such rapid succession that they looked

the time the sixth

stood

was hurled on them,

terrified,

there

and

was not one

to be seen on the ridge.

When

the firing had ceased, General

Saltillo, to

arrange

aff'airs at

that place,

Taylor returned
and

to

to

guard against

General Minon and his cavalry, taking with him the Missis-

CENTRAL
sippi Regiment, and a

The

117

DIVISION.

squadron of the Second Dragoons.

troops remained under arms during the night, in the

position they occupied at the close of the day.

o'clock, P. M., Lieut. Tomlin, of the

About 10

Arkansas Regiment,

came in with his piquet. It will be remembered that this

was the piquet which was not j5red upon on the proceeding

The

evening, and had remained out.

sent for

how

to

him never

We

arrived.

express that had been

obtained the particulars as

he got past the Mexican camp and came

himself.

He

remained

at

the rancho of

to ours,

San Juan

usual time of relieving the guard, but no one came.

seen

the

lig-ht

hearing no guns
a

common

on the

fire

concluded

fired,

niffht

was dry

it

until about

judged he could come

in.

until the

He

had

of the 21st, but

grass,

occurrence in that part of the country.

however,

ed,

of the

from

which

He

is

wait-

10 o'clock on the 22d, when he

He

started, but

had not proceed-

when he met a Mexican, of whom he enquired about

the Americans.
The Mexican told him that the Americans
had left, and Santa Anna was at Agua Nueva. On hearing
this news, he felt himself somewhat puzzled, but nothing
ed

far,

daunted, he continued his journey in the direction of Saltillo,

saying that

if

enemy discovered him, he would have an

the

opportunity of trying the speed of Rackensack horses with

He came

those of the Mexicans.

on about

five

miles, and

discovered what proved to be the flank guard of the enemy.

They, however, looked so much

at a distance, that

like

he thought them

made towards them.

United Stales Dragoons

to

be really such, and

But on approaching pretty near, he

discovered his mistake and began to retreat, and the Mexi-

cans took after him

their purpose, for

my

but

Mexican horses would not answer

he was soon out of their reach.

The

ene-

returned to the former route, and he kept along parallel

with them, intending

to take

advantage of the deep gullies,

NARRATIVE OF THE

118

and get past, but on coming within sight of them, he discovered the Mexican army, encamped right at the head of him
at

So he made

Encantada.

movement

to the left, to get

behind a small ridge near him, where he expected

way by which

he might be enabled

Mexicans discovered

this

reach

to

movement

also,

ed the

hill,

sume,

As he ascend-

he and his companions gave three cheers, and

them

to

but conjecturing

to follow,

had a

full

we

as

" that the whole valley was

He

full,

He

his course.

Such

view of the Mexican army.

"

he had never before beheld.

in."

it,

pre-

be a Yankee trick, to decoy them, they returned to

camp, and our hero pursued

their

men

to

The

and gave chase,

but Rackensack horses were again victorious.

beckoned

to find a

Saltillo.

It

said he

number of

appeared," he said,

and they were

still

pouring

continued around the mountain, and got into a

way he

some four or five

miles, when he espied a gap or pass, which he conjectured
must lead to the valley. He entered this, and came to where
he could see the plain, and the rancho of Buena Vista,
narrow

In this

defile.

travelled

They had

and troops scattered over the valley.

the appear-

ance of Mexicans, so he did not venture towards them, but

way

along the

in sight of Saltillo.

He now

continued his

to his joy, that the

place.

He

returned

ed to Col. Yell,
his

men's

which brought him out

ventured into town, and found,

American troops had possession of the

to

Buena Visia immediately, and

report-

who had entertained great fears for his and

The number of men he had with him

safety.

was twenty.

This adventure has never before been men-

tioned in any report, so

here.

defile,

we deemed

it

our duty

to

record

it


CENTRAL

119

DIVISION.

CHAPTER XV.
The Battle Continued Loss of America's Bravest Sons The Troops
Want

Suffer for

the

of

Fire Despatch

Enemy Shocking

Hasty Breakfast Retreat of

Wounded
Wounded Mexicans
Dead The Troops Encamp at

Sight of the Dead, Dying and

Women Hunting

up

Seeming
Troops Engaged in Burying the
Buena Vista Coffee Procured Fresh Meat Desired A Drove of
Affliction of

Sheep Devoured.

About 2

o'clock on the morning of the 23d, the piquets

were driven

in,

and the action began

at

break of day,

in the

Major
mountains, between their infantry and our riflemen.
Trail, 2d Illinois Regiment, was ordered to the support of
Col. Marshall with his battalion of riflemen.

now opened

fire

upon our

left

The enemy

from a battery they

had

planted on the side of the mountain, near where his light

infantry

commenced

to

ascend

it.

The 2d Kentucky

Infantry

and Bragg's battery of Artillery were ordered from the extreme right, and Sherman's battery was ordered up from the
rear, to take post with Col. Bissel's

2d

Illinois

Regiment,

which extended from the centre of the line to

the foot of the mountains, the sides of which were covered
with Mexican infantry, and our riflemen, who were keeping
on

a plateau

up a pretty brisk
About

fire.

8 o'clock, the

enemy made an

body of lancers, infantry and

attempt, with a large

artillery, to

charge Captain

Washington's battery, posted in the pass, but

well directed shots, he was compelled to desist.

after a

few

In connec-

NARRATIVE OF THE

120

movement, a heavy column of the enemy's

tion with this

cavalry and infantry, and the battery on the side of the

tain,

moved

against our

left,

moun-

which was held by Brigadier

General Lane, with the four companies of Arkansas Cavalry

which were posted

north base of the mountains, and

at the

Captain Price's squadron of Kentucky Cavalry, which was

posted

somewhat

in the rear

of the front line, and to the

Arkansas Regiment, and the 2d Indiana Regi-

-right of the

ment, with Lieut. O'Brien's section of Artillery, was posted

on the

front line.

The Arkansas Cavalry and

Capt. Price's

squadron of Kentucky Cavalry were now joined together,

and ordered forward to the left, and somewhat in the rear of
the

2d Indiana Regiment, and

Lieut. O'Brien's section of

Artillery.

The enemy now opened

upon us from

his fire

all

quarters,

which was promptly returned by the Second Indiana Regi-

ment and O'Brien's

battery.

The whole

of this time the

four companies of Arkansas Cavalry, and the

of Kentucky Cavalry, were under

the infantry in front, and a cross

from the battery posted on our

fire

left,

two companies

most galling

without having orders

fire

guns, as also did the 2d Indiana Regiment, but by

take Col.

and

Bowls gave

over the ravine,

to

with his

some mis-

the unfortunate orders to cease firing

which they did

retreat,

from

of grape and canister

O'Brien returned the

return the compliment.

fire

in great disorder.

they came across

On

running

the horses belonging to the

Arkansas and Kentucky Riflemen, who were dismounted

and

in

pushed

oflf

for

quarters

rise to the report of the

as the

Some

mountain.

the

men appeared

their horses.

believe they

Any

more

were such.

safe.

This was what gave

Arkansas Regiment having retreated,

like

one

of these they mounted, and

Arkansas men, being mounted on

at a

distance

Some of

would have been

these

led to

men were afterwards

CENTRAL
rallied,

and

DIVISION.

fought with their

Regiment. In consequence of

121

Colonel

the Mississippi

in

movement, the enemy was

inspired with new courage, and came rushing down the
this

Colonel Marshall seeing the perilous situation

of the riflemen, (which induced him to sound the retreat,) then
mountains.

rode up to Colonel Yell and proposed a charge on the

lines, but before

ican

near that

it

they could do so, the

was deemed advisable

ravine, and then charge them.

to fall

of his pieces,

all

the

men and

enemy was

so

back across the

Lieutenant O'Brien held his

position as long as possible, and then

been killed or wounded.

Mex-

fell

back, leaving one

horses belonging to

having

it

Colonel Bissel's Regiment (2d

which had been joined by a section of Captain

Sherman's battery, was completely out-flanked, and comIllinois),

pelled to

fall

back, being entirely unsupported.

About

time. Colonels Yell and Marshall, discovering that the

was attempting

to cut ofl" the riflemen,

who were

this

enemy

in

immi-

nent danger, gained an advantageous plat of ground, and

charged the enemy's lines with great intrepidity and courage.

Here

for the first time the

enemy was

driven back.*

advantage over the enemy, the riflemen

escape from the impending danger.

and joined their regiment, and those

on

to the

look rather serious.

Saltillo.

The

A.t this

of cavalry and in-

which made matters

juncture General Taylor arrived

Mississippians were ordered to the

before reaching their position, and immediately

with the Mexican

of turning our

to

rancho.

fantry along the foot of the mountain,

action

this

Some got their horses

who had no horses went

The enemy was now pouring masses

from

By

were enabled

left flank.

infantry,

who were

came
in the

left

into
act

The 2d Kentucky Regiment, and

See Lieutenant Colonel Roane's Report

11

in the

Appendix.

NARRATIVE OF THE

122

a section of artillery under Captain Bragg, had been ordered

from the right

our

to reinforce

portion of the 1st Illinois

enemy

gallantly drove the

ground we had

That regiment, and

left.

Be giment, under

Colonel Hardin,

back, and regained a portion of the

Captains Sherman's and Bragg's bat-

lost.

were planted on the plateau, and did awful execution,

both in front and among those who had gained our rear. The
enemy was now pressing very heavily on the Mississippi
teries

Regiment, and the 3d Indiana Regiment, under Colonel Lane,

was despatched to strengthen that part of our line. At the

same time, Lieutenant Killburn, with a piece of Captain
Bragg's battery, was also ordered to support the infantry
The action was for a time warmly contested
there engaged.

The enemy made

at that point.

alry and infantry, but

The enemy

still

great efforts with his cav-

was repulsed with heavy

continued pushinghisinfantry and cavalry

The Arkansas* and Ken-

along the base of the mountain.

tucky Cavalry,
fortunate
selves,

to

enough

loss.

which some of the riflemen who were

to get their

horses had

now

joined them-

had several skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry, but

were compelled

to

fall

while the cavalry of the

back, being entirely unsupported,

enemy was supported by

hosts of

infantry on the side of the mountain.

Lieutenant Colonel May, with the regular cavalry, and

Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas Volunteer Cavalry,

was ordered

enemy

to their support, but

on coming up

could have been driven back, his

dered to another part of the

and Kentucky Cavalry

in

This

field.

to

where the

command was
left

a very unpleasant

the

or-

Arkansas

predicament.

In the meantime a detachment of Captain Bragg's, and a part

of Captain

Sherman's

batteries,

* The difTerent corps printed in

ouely with the Central Division.

were making sad havoc

italics

are those which wereprevi-

CENTRAL

among

the

enemy

123

DIVISION.

another point on our

at

left,

and the deter-

mined resistance they had met from the Mississippi and 3d

Indiana Regiments had cansed confusion in their ranks in
that

quarter, and

their

main

Is^

some of them attempted

Dragoons, was ordered up

were attempting

they intended

to

charge, but
fire

cover their retreat.

this duty, the

tillo

retreat

it

to the

and disperse

point from which

was impossible

to effect this,

of a battery, which was established

While

this

squadron was detailed on

wagon train became extended out on

became a conspicuous mark for

road, and thus

tion of the

enemy which had gained our

ments showed that they meditated

case they

Buena

would necessarily have

Vista.

charge on upon
to

the Salthat por-

Their move-

rear.

it,

in

which

pass by the rancho of

Colonels Yell and Marshall discovered

kansas and Kentucky Cavalry now

to receive

their charge.

fell

back

In

the

this

The Ar-

manoeuvre, as also did the commanding General.

position

upon

deep ravine, which they

retreat across, to charge

to

being exposed to the

to

This squadron proceeded

them.

to

Lieutenant Rncker, with a squadron of the

line.

to obtain a safe

meanwhile, the

disorganized troops which had collected at the rancho were

organized by Major Monroe, Chief of Artillery, assisted by

Major Morrison, of the Commissary Department, and were

stationed to defend that position.

Lieut. Col.

May

had also

been ordered with his squadron and two pieces of Captain

Sherman's battery, under Lieutenant Reynolds,

to assist in

defending the station, but before he arrived the

enemy had

been gallantly met by the Arkansas and Kentucky Cavalry,

when

most bloody

fight ensued, so terrible that in the short

space of a minute and a half (the time the fight lasted) up-

wards of twenty were

killed

and wounded on the side of

the Americans, and about thirty-five on the side of the

They

were, however, forced

to yield,

enemy.

and divided into two

NARRATIVE OF THE

124

bodies, one sweeping

deadly
Col.

the rancho, wlience they received a

from the troops collected

fire

May

by

At

there.

this

time

arrived and charged through the rancho, but the

enemy had

left

they however received a few parting bles-

sings from Lieutenant Reynolds's section. as they ascended

The remaining

the mountain on our right.

the base of the mountain on our

In this charge

fell

left.

Col. Yell, while gallantly fighting at the

head of his regiment.

It is

said that

fell

a victim to the

Mexican

it

lancers.

Company D, Arkansas

Capt. Porter of

was owing

to

his

becoming ungovernable

bridle bitts breaking and his horse

that he

portion regained

Here

fell,

also,

Volunteers, and Ad-

Vaughan of the Kentucky Cavalry.

Lieut. Col. May, who had been rejoined by

jutant

the squadron

of First Dragoons, the Arkansas Cavalry under Lieut. Col.

Roane and by a portion of the Indiana troops under Major

Gorman, now approached the base of the mountain, holding
in check the right flank of the enemy, upon whom our artillery

was doing

The
critical,

fearful execution.

situation of that part of the

so

much

so that

enemy now became very

seemed doubtful whether they

it

could regain their main body.

Gen. Santa Anna, seeing the

perilous situation of this division of his army,

tion of a piece of

comfiture.
to

He

the inven-

to avert its dis-

sent a white flag to Gen. Taylor, desiring

know what he

deputed

Mexican strategy thought

by

to reply.

wanted,

He

when Gen. Wool was

proceeded

to

the

forthwith

Mexican battery

at

the base of the mountain to see the General-in-Chief, but in

consequence of a refusal

to

cease firing upon our troops, he

returned without seeing Gen. Santa Anna, or communicating

the

answer of Gen. Taylor, which was,

that he

wanted Santa

Anna and all his army.

Santa Anna had accomplished what he wished,

for

had

it

Central

division.

126

not been for this piece of cunning craftiness, our troops could

have prevented his cavalry from joining his main body, but
in consequence of the cessation of firing on the part of our
troops, they

were enabled

gain their main line, not

to

ever until they had received a farewell from Major

howMcCul-

company of Texas Rangers, who had previously been

attached to Col, May's command, but here, seeing that the
enemy was about to get away, left and proceeded up the
lough's

ravine and charged them on their

own

hook, but

had very

it

little effect.

The enemy had now

concentrated his force for the pur-

pose of making a bold move against our centie.

Lieut-

enant O'Brien was ordered to advance and check this move-

ment, which he did in a most gallant manner, and maintained

his position until his support

was completely routed and

men and

killed

horses almost

all

then compelled to abandon

they

fell

into

the

or

remaining two pieces and

his

hands of the enemy.

enemy marched
thousand reserve, now
the

the

to

his

He was

wounded.

centre,

intending

to

From

bringing

make

a last

this

up

point

his

six

and despe-

rate effort.

They were met by

the First and

Second Begiments

Illi-

noisians, under Cols. Hardin and Bissel, and the Second

Kentuckians, under Col.

McKee.

These were

immediate eye of old Zack himself.

Gen. Wool,

tliat

his

men

tore

down

He

all

under the

once remarked

ranchos, but

now

to

the

Regiment was seen getting behind the ravine,

and expressed himself that he was afraid they would not
First Illinois

fight.

Gen. Wool's reply was, "Hold on. General, and

if

you do not see another rancho torn down, why I'm not here."
True enough, as the enemy arose on the other side of the
ravine, the lliinoisians let loose, and

sheet of

fire

it

was one continual

pouring from their muskets, and, as Gen. Wool

11*

NARRATIVE OF THE

126
said, they did tear

down

another rancho, and great was the

thereof.

fall

Tliis

was the

hottest and

most

critical part

of the action,

and our gallant Suckers and Kentuckians stood up before a

vastly superior force

way when

for

some

Gen. Taylor, and by

enemy
Gen. Taylor made use

under the immediate direc-

a well directed fire

with great loss.

drove back the

that

rear,

were about giving

Sherman and Bragg came

the batteries of Captains

up most opportunely from the

tion of

time, but

was

It

checked and
time

at this

of the words which have been going

the rounds in the United States, namely, "

Give them alitde

more grape, Capt. Bragg."

A large body of the enemy's lancers now took our infantry
in flank and drove them down the ravine in front of Capt.
Washington's Battery, where Lieutenants Brent and Whit-

them such

ting gave

who had
the

them

to

and thus saved the remnants of those brave regi/nenis

flight,

eflfort

a torrent of grape as soon put

stood the hottest of the

made by Santa Anna, but

enemy's

artillery

This was the

fiorht.

last

the firing continued between

and ours

until

dark, when, as

if

by

mutual consent, both parties ceased.

In this last charge, America lost
sons

best

repose, no

complished

that

more

have sunk
to

some of her bravest and

their long

and undisturbed

urge on the battle with their cheering

ofiicer;

while in

camp he was

the soldier's best

and on duty he assumed a commanding appearance

would have done honor

Jackson.

His only

fault in

and too conspicuous a mark

at the price at

were

to

Col. Hardin was an extraordinarily gallant and ac-

voices.

friend,

they

killed

which the

who have

Napoleon, Wellington, or a
battle was, he was too forward

to a

for the

enemy.

/hen we look

was obtained, and how many

distressed widows and lielpless or-

battle

left

phans, or afflicted and bereaved parents

to

mourn over an

irre-

CENTRAL
parable loss,

it

can scarcely be called a victory.

McKee

Yell, Hardin,

l27

DIVISION.

Such

raeti as

and Clay are but seldom found

at the

present day.

That night
not a

ranged

the troops bivouacked without fires and suffered

Gen. Wool had the wasfons

ar-

hacienda, and the wagoners armed, so that

if a

from the cold.

little

at the

demonstration should be made

in that quarter from the Mexwho had menaced our rear during the day, they
a fair way to receive them.
Their cavalry, under

ican Cavalry

would be

in

command
above

of Gen. Minon, had ascended the elevated plain

Saltillo,

and occupied the road leading from the

the city,

field to

likewise a

wagon loaded with wounded,

Capt, Shover, with a piece of

mand

of miscellaneous

directed shots

battle

where ihey took several of our men, and

artillery,

mounted

whom

they killed.

supported by a com-

volunteers, fired several well

among them, which drove them

the

into

Capt. Shover being reinforced by a piece of Capt.

ravines.

Webster's battery, from the redoubt, and Capt. Wheeler's

company of Second Illinois Volunteers, pursued them closely.

The enemy made one or two attempts to charge the artillery,
but was finally driven

off,

and did not again appear on the

plain.

On

the

morning of the 24th, the troops were up before

day in order

to

prepare and despatch a hasty breakfast of raw

bacon and crackers, expecting a renewal of the fight

break.
for the

iMany thought we would whip them easily

at

day-

this

day,

Mexicans, when they fought hard one day, would not

do so the next, and the batde of Resaca de

la

Palma was

re-

ferred to as a sample.

But just about day-break some of the troops posted on the

plateau, discovered that the

whole command sounded

it

enemy had

retreated,

throughout the

mounted our horse and ascended

to the

and the

camp.

plateau, and

We
there

NARRATIVE OF THE

128

moved off. Great was the joy

manifested when the word was first communicated to Gen,
Taylor; he was standing beside a fire with some soldiers.
When he heard it, he began rubbing his hands, which he

saw

column

his last

continued

as

it

do for some seconds, and then said, " Boys, give

to

Never were three more

us three cheers.""

cordial cheers

given than at this time.

The Arkansas Cavalry, under

Lieut. Col. Roane, and the

Kentucky Cavalry, under Col. Marshal, were mounted and

started in pursuit.

On going out,
we ever before

met our eyes

that

was

covered with

literally

the

most shocking sight

witnessed.
The ground
men wounded, dead and dying,

and the heart-rending and piteous moans sent up by those

were

sufficient to

shudder and the

most blunted

still

alive,

also noticed

present

some women and

at the

time of the

cause the stoutest hearts to

feelings to sympathise.

We

Whether they were

sanguinary conflict, we know not,
children.

We

but there they were now.

have no doubt they remained

behind until their army retreated, and, not finding their hus-

bands and friends with the main body, had come

among

seek them

the dead.

We
many

to

proceeded on towards Agua Nueva, taking

prisoners, but on coining within

we came upon

that place

their piquets

a great

about four miles of

and run them

in.

It

was then discovered that the enemy had encamped at Agua

Nueva so we halted, and, after collecting together the troops
who had become scattered in hunting up wounded Mexicans
;

in the chaparal that

grew

there, returned to the battleground,

where we heard platoons

troops,

was our
who, notwithstanding they were worn out and exfiring occasionally.

It

hausted, could not think of letting the remains of their fallen

comrades
their

lie

bones

to

unburied, a prey to wolves and vultures, and

bleach under the

burning sun of a tropical

CENTRAL

Ever mindful of honorable

clime.

129

DIVISION.
actions, they

were attend-

ing the solemn rites with the honors of war, and never were

those honors

The

more deserved than

now

in the present instance.

encamp at rancho Buena

Capt, Pike's squadron Arkansas Cavalry and Lieut.

troops were

Vista.

ordered

to

Rucker's squadron of dragoons were sent out within sight of

the

enemy,

wanted

to

to act as a piquet.

It

was here

charge the whole Mexican

On

Agua Nueva.
miles distance,

army

approaching within

the

that Lieut.
in their

sight,

Rucker

camp

at

say about four

Mexican army, perceiving these two

squadrons, formed a line of

ant requested Capt. Pike,

Seeing

battle.

who was

this, the

command,

in

Lieuten-

to charge,

but that officer refused, and good reason he had for declining
the honor.

However

the Lieutenant declared he would, but

refrained, because Capt. Pike,

it

who was

in

command, thought

would be a piece of fool-hardiness.

In the meanwhile, the troops had taken up their

Buena
a

Vista.

cup of

Some went

to

coffee, a beverage

previous forty-eight hours.

work

to

camp

at

procure for themselves

they had not tasted during the

Many were

wishing for fresh

meat, being tired of eating raw bacon,

when suddenly,

providentially sent, like quails

Isrealites,

sheep came running into camp.

to the
It is

as if

a drove of

needless to say that

without ceremony the sheep were despatched, and not one

remained or escaped.

NARRATIVE OF THE

130

CHAPTER XVI.

Causes of
Mexicans Leaving their Wounded
our Hospitality An Election Held Mexican
Wounded
a Starving Condition A Sickening Sight American
Deserters Five Day's Rations
the Wounded Mexicans Gen.
Taylor goes
Pursuit of Gen, Urrea Encantada an Outpost Gambling the Order of the Day Again Ingenuity of the Indian while
Engaged
Capturing Mules Capture of Chihuahua A Forgotten
Thing brought Forward Gen. Taylor Countermands Camp Talk
Camanche Indians Havoc among the Ranchos Camanches take
the Suckers' Caps The Caravan Stopped and the Indians Victorious
Pretty Spectacle Shy Looking Fellows Recruiting Commenced
and a New Company Formed Visited by two Mexican Officers
Carrajo Purport of the Mexican Officer's Despatches Gen, TayNumber

Report of the

Different Reports

of Killed,

Wounded and

Troops remain

Missing

Buena Vista

at

to

in

left for

in

in

lor's

Reply.

The

troops remained at

Buena Vista

until the 27th,

which time the boys of the Central Division

(alas

!)

during

had an

opportunity to talk about a real and genuine stampede^ one

indeed for which they had wished.

We

fectly satisfied.

honor

following

that our Indian did

is

a correct account, taken the

day

after the

wounded and missing, amounting to 760.

have been made out at later periods, which

of the killed,

Different reports

make

must here observe

per-

to his race.

The
battle,

They were now

the

mention

number

is,

greater, but the cause of such an aug-

still

that a vast

after the battle.

Our

number

report

died of their

may

wounds

shortly

be relied on as accurate

CENTRAL
Major Generals,

DIVISION.

wounded,
*

killed,

Brigadier Generals,

General

131

*'

Staff,

Artillery,

"

22

Fourth Artillery y

**

"

21

First Dragoons^

'

Second Dragoons,

'*

'*

**

Third

Kentucky Cavalry,
Arkansas Cavalry

27

"

23

40

40

56

"

29

"

"

"

Mississippi Riflemen,

*'

First Illinois Infantry

34

18

Second Illinois Infantry,

Second Kentucky Infantry, "

48

44

"

Second Indiana Infantry,

"

32

"

Third Indiana Infantry,

"

Texas

"

14

'

Infantry,

Total,

Missing.

Third

sissippi Riflemen, 2

Kentucky

Infantry,

Infantry, 7.

On

Second

273

464

Arkansas Cavalry^ 4

Illinois Infantry,

that the

Mis-

Second

^',
;

Texas

We
to

the 28th, an election

and

tents

arrived there about 12 o'clock,

Mexicans had evacuated the place,

our hospitality.

conveyed, together with the other wounded,

On

56

Second Indiana Infantry, 4

number of wounded

Illinois

71

Total, 23.

Agua Nueva.

and found
ing a

57

'

morning of the 27th, we struck our

the

started for

Artillery, 2

75

was held

in the

leav-

These were

to Saltillo.

Arkansas and

Regiments, for the election of Colonels.

In the

1st

first,

Roane was elected Colonel, vice Col. Yell, deceased, and Adjutant Mears Lieutenant Colonel, vice Lieut.

Lieut. Col.

Col. Roane, promoted.

ford

was

In the latter, Lieut. Col. Weather-

elected Colonel, vice Col.

Hardin, deceased, and

NARRATIVE OF THE

132

Major Warren Lieutenant Colonel, vice Lieut. Col. Weatherford, promoted.

On

the 1st of

March, Lieut. Col. Mears, with part of the

Arkansas Regiment, was ordered

in

company with detachments from

of wagons, loaded

partly with

latest accounts from that place,

army had

left

number of

a vast

began

to

The

became sickening.

filled.

because, from

provisions,

that the
there,

find dead men, and from that on

Mexican

who were

On

to

in

we

Encarnacion the

reaching that place, the

wounded were

dead, dyingand

Every house, church and other place

crowded together.

was

other corps, and a train

we heard
wounded

road was strewed with them.

sitrht

Encarnacion,

to

After proceeding about ten miles,

a starving condition.

all

proceed

to

what

lesson to ambitious man.

Was

he

ever created for the purpose of enhancing misery, and for

populating hospitals like these

ambitious

may end

here, and the

manner

terminate in a

The

career of the most

most ardent

thirst for glory

similar to those objects of pity in the

hospitals of Encarnacion.

The wagons were

bread and bacon given to the hungry, or those

able to call for and masticate

We

it.

who were

yet

never saw a hungry

menagerie, tear assunder and devour /ood

lion

or tiger, in a

in a

more voracious manner than these

Some

unloaded, and

half starved wretches.

declared they had not eaten anything for five days.

Here we saw some deserters from the American array.

There they

looking worse than condemned criminals

sat,

They were now aware

under the gibbet.

their situation,

and wanted

to return to the

to

was taken on

the

do with them.

American camp,

General Taylor would

but their supplications were in vain.

have nothing

of the reality of

He

told

one of them,

morning of February 24th,

worth the powder

it

would take

to

he was not

that

shoot him.

who

They

however, resolved on coming, and when the troops

were,

left,

they

CENTRAL

When we

Followed.

133

DIVISION.

saw them, they were with the

sort of yoke around their necks,
very difficult for them to lie down,

last

provost guard, wearing a

which must have made

it

having something like a twenty-four pound

besides

shot

attached to their legs.

Some

of the

wounded were

number yet remained.

sent to Saltillo, but a

Provisions for

for their benefit, but in our opinion

for

it

great

days were

five

would not be

left

sufficient

more than one.

We

camp on
Agua Nueva

arrived in

remained

at

the evening of the

2d March, and

without any special

until the 6th,

This day General Taylor departed in pursuit

occurrence.

of General Urrea, taking with him several of his favorite

On

we ail
It now seemed as though we were
long time, which we actually did.

corps, but none of the Central Division.

marched

for

destined to

The

Buena
lie in

Vista.

camp

the 8th

troops had an opportunity of resting, and really they

needed

it.

Eight companies of the Arkansas Regiment were posted

at

Encantada, for the purpose of forming an outpost, and

The

guarding the different passes in the neighborhood.

remaining two companies, Captain Pike's squadron, were

stationed at Saltillo.

We

will not attempt

and things in camp

to

impart a daily report of matters

but everything of interest, and

ing occurrences, shall be noticed, until our

all

march

divert-

for

Ca-

margo.

Gambling was the leading amusement

of the day.

The

Arkansas men constructed a very good race course, on which

races

came

horses

off every

running, and

officers acting as

day or two.

we

likewise

We

saw some very

fleet

saw some distinguished

In fact the En-

judges on these occasions.

cantada race course was

known
12

throughout the whole army.

NARRATIVE OF THE

134

Our Indian was now engaged

capturing horses and

in

mules, which had strayed over the plain, with his lariat or
lasso.

This weapon he had learned

terity.

He realized

handsome

a pretty

he sold the captured animals

for

and

who

did not wish to go to

Sometimes

the

to

to

use with great dex-

profit

by this business

men who were on

foot,

much expense.

owners would come and claim

their prop-

They proved the horses

They brought their
as their property by a brand on the hip.
branding iron with them, and if it fitted the mark on the
erty,

prove

it,

and take

it

away.

horse in question, of course he was given up.

In such cases

our Indian would be convicted, and his sentence was often

the penalty of lying ten or fifteen days at the guard-house.

However, he matched them

after all, for

he procured a piece

of iron and altered the mark, o that he baffled the efforts of

the owners to recognize their property.

Time went on now without any striking occurrences, until the first of April, when we heard of the battle of Sacramento and the capture of Chihuahua, by Col. Doniphan.
This was the

battle that

had been intended

for the Central

the

Had we never been so fortunate as to have got

we might have complained that we did not get
opportunity of taking Chihuahua.
But we had been

in a

small skirmish on the 23d of February, which the boys

Division.

into a battle,

of the " Sleepy

Column" had

perfectly satisfied.

was ordered

to

They were

not yet forgotten.

Capt. Pike, of the Arkansas Cavalry,

proceed forthwith

to

Chihuahua, as bearer of

despatches to Col. Doniphan, which he did with an escort of

about twenty men.

Something was brought forward about

which

this time

every body thought was forgotten, and that was the

which came

oflf

on the lOth of February, viz

the

affair

killing

of the murderous rancheros, for the brutal murder thev had

CENTRAL

march

their

men

the

did not take

hands

all

it

much

was

to start

Rio Grande.

for the

be getting that

them

135

The companies concerned were

committed.

up

DIVISION.

They

hard.

ordered to take

This was sudden, but

thought

The

nearer home.

On

the 7th of April.

it

would only

time specified for

the night of the 6th

Arkansas Regiment took a general parting

in the

spree, and such a time Encantada had hitherto been a stran-

ger

In the morning they started

to.

amid the cheers of

They, however, did not go

the remainder of the regiment.

farther than

Monterey.
and by a

that distance,

influence,

Lieut. Col.

off,

Mears accompanied them

from Gen. Wool, and

letter

Gen. Taylor was induced

to

countermand

own

his

his pre-

vious orders, and these two companies returned to Encantada,

much

against the will of some, but not of

some

in these

by a willingness

readers will term

by

it

time was

that

to

share the disgrace

cognomen,) with

now approaching

of

Nothing occurred worthy of note,

May, when

Camanche

the

their

(if

our

companions.

for the discharge of the

twelve months volunteers, which formed

soldiers.

were

for there

companies who were innocent, and had evinced

a noble spirit

The

all,

Indians

camp

talk for the

until about the 1st

made

a descent on the

country which had been considered as conquered by the

Americans, and made great havoc among the Mexican ranchos,

killing
cattle

men,

women

and children, and stealing their horses,

and everything they could get their hands on.

became necessary

to

send out detachments

depredations from being committed.

country, and of course

it

to

It

now

prevent these

We had conquered the

was our duty

to protect

it.

Com-

panies were accordingly sent out in every direction, but to

no purpose.
still

The

Indians were no where to be found, but

continued their depredations to such an extent that

was dangerous

3ome

for

Mexicans

it

to travel.

three or four of the Illinois

Volunteers happened

to

THE

NAKRA.T1VE OF

136

be out procuring some wood, and while busily engaged,

came upon them, scaring them not a little, for

they had the appearance of Mexican lancers, being armed
They came charging on them before the
with that weapon.
the Indians

" Suckers" had lime to form a hollow square to repel them.

One

of the Indians spoke a

" Americanos,
their caps,

The

?"

how do do

English, and exclaimed,

little

Indians then asked to see

which request was granted, and

them for some time, they put them on,

raised a loud laugh and galloped

off,

when

looking

after

at

the whole party

biding " good bye," and

leaving our heroes minus their caps.

party was sent out about this time on

Zacatecas

the

road for the purpose of intercepting some stores which were

reported to be on the

San Luis

way

to the

After riding

Poiosi.

the caravan and stopped

hungry, and

Mexican

night, they

The men were

it.

after leaving a

all

forces stationed at

overhauled

and

fatigued

guard with the captured property,

they concluded to go to a neighboring rancho, and obtain

something

to

But

eat.

lo,

gone the Indians came

guard,

when

and behold

while they were

upon the caravan, charging the

Mexicans and

(he

all

vamosed, leaving the

to the

rancho returned, they

Indians victorious.

When

the party

who had gone

found a pretty spectacle

Some

everything had been overhauled.

of them, going in a hurry, had

left

their forage sacks

with some corn in them, which was emptied out, but nothing

was taken except

a couple of the

Mexican mules.

The

In-

dians must have conceived the idea that the stores belonged
to

the Americans, or they

something away.

The

would undoubtedly have carried

guard, so

ceremonie, leaving stores and

dians,

came

into

set of fellows

we

camp one by

all

called,

to the

who

ran

sans

triumph of the In-

one, and such a shy looking

never before saw.

Their only excuse was

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

137

ihey thought they were Mexican lancers.

quently learned, was somewhere about forty.

The number
we subseThey still

continued their depredations on the Mexicans.

In fact the

lliat

of Indians that raised this enormous stampede,

Camanche

Indians are the most inveterate enemies of the

Mexican peasantry.
About

company

time

this

Col. Mears

liieut.

commenced

of cavalry to serve during the war.

to recruit

This was

an undertaking that was looked upon as useless, in conse-

quence of the suffering and privation the troops had endured

One would have supposed

during the past year.

it

impossi-

have enlisted one man, but such was not the case.

ble to

Gol. Mears was generally beloved by the whole regiment,

and got many signatures

to his roll.

The

prospects of a

speedy peace were quite promising, news having been received of the siege of Vera Cruz and the battle of Cerro Gordo.

Numbers judged

war was almost over, and the

idea of receiving 160 acres more of land, making, in addition
to their

The

the

many

to join.

and an election was held

for offi-

previous services, 320 acres, induced

roll

was

Col.

cers.

that

finally filled,

Mears was unanimously

having any opponent

elected Captain, not

Adjutant Ross was elected First Lieu-

Second Lieutenant McAfee, of company G, was

elected Second Lieutenant, and private D. P. W. Morrison,
tenant

of

company B, was

elected Junior

Second Lieutenant:

the officers being elected from the Arkansas Regiment.*

were indeed
lieve,

About
us by

noi.s

They

good looking company, and we sincerely be-

should they ever get a chance, they will again do honor

to the different

all

We

regiments

this time,

the

two Mexican

to

which they formerly belonged.

17th of

officers.

forgot to mention that a

number

Volunteers joined the companv.

12*

May, we had a visit paid

They came to one of our
of both regiments of the

Ilfi-

NARRATIVE OF THE

138

piquets and requested to be conducted

cordingly taken to the Arkansas

They were

in.

camp

first,

and

ac-

have no

doubt they thought they were a used up community, for the

Rackensacks made

a perfect charge to get a

good look

at

them.

Not having had much time for an examination

on the rancho on the 23d of February, they were anxious

charge

at the

know how
sion of

which he scared

by looking

him,

off,

could of

the

noticed

conclu-

Mexican almost out of his saddle

grinning like an

that

ourang outang, and

emphaiic Spanish word, which every

has learned,

volunteer

walked

at

him with

saluting

We
at the

they looked on closer inspection.

one fellow examining every thing minutely,

to

''carrajo!''''

Afier saying

leaving the terrified lancer to

make

he

this

the best he

it.

The Mexican

deputation was sent to Gen. Wool, and he

detained them in Saltillo, sending their despatches to Gen,

The

Taylor.

purport of these was, the

Luis Potosi wished to

commander

at

San

know whether Gen. Taylor was

re-

solved to wage a war similar to that of the Camanches, or a war

like

civilized nations.

request
ted

we know

on the Mexicans

reply to

it.

induced him

to

send such a

no depredations had been commit-

by the (Jamanche Indians

Americans were accused at San

lately, save

Perhaps the

themselves.

Luis with

What

not, for

Gen. Taylor's answer was,

him before

the walls of

that he would
San Luis, and so sent the

bearer of despatches back, or at least had them

through the American

where they pleased.

lines,

escorted

from whence they might go


CENTRAL

The Time

for

139

DIVISION,

CHAPTER
Going Home Great

XVII,
Sufferings of Col. Doniphan's

New Orleans Gen. Wool's Parting

Address Reflections Forbearance of Gen. Wool His Courage and
Troops
Valor

Illinoisians start for

Remarks Anecdote of the Youug Officer and his Dulcinea

Up
Earnest The Parting Hand
Army of Chihuahua Regiment Proceeds Twelve
Reconada Gen. AmpuMiles Our Indian Again Encamped
dia's Fortification Reach Monterey The Black Fort and Bishop's Palace Capt. Pike's Squadron Discharged Joyful News The
Bodies of Col. Yell, Capt. Porter and Private Pelham Set out and
Ceralvo Saw Massachusetts Volunteers Encamped
Arrive
Canales' Run The Town of Meir Reached Camargo on the FifRegiments Mustered Out
teenth Gen. Pillow's Fortress
of Service Arkansas Regiment Discharged Stanzas Addresses
Given by Cols. Weatherford, Bissel and Roane Paymasters Finthe
ish their Work Our Indian Remains There Encamped
Depot of Rio Grande Mexican Rope Dancers Upper Reynoso
the Mouth of the MisReach the Mouth of the River Arrive
sissippi Arrive
the Crescent City Reflections New Orleans
Dandies Appeal
the Reader The Author's Remarks Respecting
Central Division about Breaking

to

in

Gen. Wool

at

at

at

Illinois

at

at

at

to

Appeal to the

Himself

The

Public.

Arkansas and the two

the time designated for

them

Illinois

regiments

to leave for

regiments were to start on the 30th of

The

sas regiment on the 5th of June.

to

be discharged was

New

wished
little

to return

May, and

place at

Orleans.

for the Illinoisians, but a great

home.

many

now learned
The Illinois
the Arkan-

which we were

This did very well

of the Arkansas

men

by land through Texas, which caused some

dissatisfaction

but

we

think that a

man who

with-

NARRATIVE OF THE

140

Stood th hardships peculiar to our campaign, and faced

ghastly forms, might be glad to escape out of

death in

all its

Mexico

the best

way he

could.

Capt. Pike and escort had arrived in good health.

Col.

Doniphan's troops had also arrived and underwent an

Wool and

spection from Gen.

then started for

New

in-

Orleans,

there to be discharged, their term of service having expired.

These men looked

though they had not only seen the

as

Their sufferings must have

elephant but the kangaroo, also.

we

been very great, and

in

demand

are of the opinion that shoes

in the regiment, but

no merchants

At length the 30th arrived, and the

hearts, set out for

them

the

it

We

was

most

he delivered to

affecting scene.

good old General

with him, and, last of

with light

It

them a parting

who was

seemed

present

difficult for

who had

shared

march from San Antonio

to Sal-

to part

the troubles and toils of the

tillo

Illinoisians,

learned from a gentleman

were

supply them.

Gen. Wool accompanied

Orleans.

where

as far as Saltillo,

address.
that

New

to

all,

with the troops

but not least, had stood by him

in time of need.

Here we

man whose name,

see a

four months prior, had

now hailed
by every man of

not been mentioned but with scorn,

dictions, lauded

and beloved

Division yet on the stage of action, and

would have dared

to

wo

with benethe Central

to the

man who

speak disrespectfully of Gen. Wool

was now seen

in

only slept six hours out of twenty-four,

man who
and used so much

man

in time of danger.

the

"Sleepy Column."

It

discipline, was
some time during

discretion and
It is

said that

told

him

that the troops

he, " never

else to

mind

let

the

that the

the march, one of his officers

were cursing him.

them

"

Oh

" said

alone, they will find something

do before their time expires."

At the

battle of

Buena

Vista,

Gen. Wool's conduct was

CENTRAL
such as

We

to

savi'

141

DIVISION.

win the approbation of every man in the army.

ourself, riding alone, where balls were flying

him

almost as dense as rain drops from the clouds, or as hail in a

storm, and at

mark

shining

all

for

army has few

times during the day, he was constantly a

Mexican

better^Generals.

name

despatches, mentions his

But we

plause.

bullets.

As

for qualifications,

our

Gen. Taylor,

in his official

in the highest

terms of ap-

are not writing biographies, and will con-

clude the remark concerning Gen. Wool, by saying that other

army have, during the past year, risen

from the rank of Brevet Brigadier General to that of Major
General, and Gen. Wool, we know, has distinguished himself

regular officers of the

aa

much

motion

How

as they.

is it

that he remains without a pro-

Perhaps some of the worthies

at

Washington can

inform us.

We

have been told a very ludicrous and laughable story

concerning one of the young officers attached

nois Regiment.

would seem

It

irresistably smitten with the

that the

to the 1st

IJli-^

young spark was*

charms of one of the senoritas

whose black and lustrous hair, shining like the raplumage, hung in apparent neglect around her handsome

of Saltillo,
ven's

brow, and over her graceful neck,

whose
for

in beautiful

sylph-like form and gazelle-like agility

our hero

balls of the

cheros.

to resist,

ringlets,

was

too

and

much

although he could withstand the copper

Mexicans, and the lasso of the murderous ran-

Therefore,

when

the time arrived for his departure,

he thought he could not help paying a

visit to his fair dulcinea.

Mexican barber shop, and having himself

done up within an inch of his life, the little golden stripes on
his shoulders, termed epaulettes, which were soon to slumAfter going to a

ber, like

up

Gen. Taylor's,

for the last time.

that

all

was

right,

in

an old trunk, were

After viewing himself

now brushed

all

over, to see

he set out on his amorous excursion to

NARRATIVE OF THE

142

which coptained the object of

the casa (house)

to

worship

his adoration,

goddess, and to sip the

at the shrine of the fair

dulcified nectar from those enchanting lips, ere he should for-

ever leave her and the land of red peppers and pelonsellas.

On coming

jf

to the house,

he thought over

the Spanish

all

he had ever learned, and knocked at the door.

was open-

It

ed by a rough looking pio7i, and he was conducted to the

room of
as

The meeting was an

the fair one.

After conducting her to the sofa,

might be anticipated.

he commenced

manner
ever,

her (in Spanish, of course,) in the best

to tell

was going

possible, that he

when

little

hand

something therefrom, and holding

the

" Co7no

name

claimed,

llama

si

este

perhaps

for-

American.^

"A

by

louse,

it

between her

fingers,

He

looked

at

she

[What
it,

is

and ex-

G d !"

The poor love-smitten

entering on the duties commonly per-

formed by parting lovers.

Camargo with

her forehead, and took

to

en Americano?'''

of this in

vamosed without

officer

to leave her,

she, without listening to his sentimental tale of

love, put her delicate

said:

affecting one,

He

took up his line of march for

a lighter heart than he had expected.

The Central Division was now

est.
The only troops remaining
Arkansas Cavalry,

about

to

break up

in earn"

of that Division were the

squadron of the

1st

Dragoons, Captain

Washington's Artillery, Captain Mears' company of mounted volunteers, formed out of the Arkansas and two Illinois

Regiments, and

On

the

company

of Texas Foot Volunteers.

the 3d, Captain Pike's squadron, Arkansas

left for

Cavalry,

home, and on the morning of the 5th the remainder of

the regiment did likewise.

Gen. Wool being somewhat indisposed, was not able

come
fore,

out to address the whole regiment.

went

to his tent,

the old General.

He

The

to

officers, there-

where they took the parting hand with

conversed with them for some time,

CENTRAL

DIVISION.

14S

during which he said no cavalry regiment in the service had

performed more duly than the Arkansas Regiment.

was
ed

the last regiment of the Central Division

and

in the field,

army of Chihuahua became

great

On

with horses,

He went

to a

off an old mule,

which was not worth

entreating

him

After constraining the

miles, he gave

him

his

Gen. Arapudia had

him

Mexican

We

The

mule back

walk about ten

to

and encamped that

set out,

saw

this

subsequent

fortified

Monterey, being apprehensive

that

day the place which

to the great dattle

there, he

would

have had a harder

fight

doubtedly

it

most formidable place we have seen

Mexico.

The

by

hill,

abreast.

is

the

only

than he had

way

At

the

head of

at

Monterey,

of approaching

a road about wide

this,

of

Gen. Taylor might come

Had Gen. Taylor met him

him.

his

mule.

night at Reconada Pass.

after

The
we

fine pile."

three picayunes.

to give

morning of the 6th we

the

the boys on foot

all

neighboring rancho and drove

owner followed,

On

Regiment proceeded

heard of his having done, was on the day

Encantada.

again.

the

and encamped by the side of a

Saltillo,

by which he had realized a "

we

last trick

Thus

extinct.

Our Indian had provided

small stream.

which remain-

to leave too.

5th of June, the Arkansas

the

twelve miles from

left

was about

it

This

enough

it

is

for four

Ampudia had

un-

for

in

by ascending

men

a redoubt

to

ride

thrown

up, so that he could have raked the whole road.

On

the next day, the 7th,

we reached Monterey, and

pro-

Walnut Spring, and encamped near General

At Monterey we visited the Black Fort,
which, with the improvements made by order of Gen. TayWe counted thirty-four pieces
lor, would stand a long siege.
of ordnance, all of which, with the exception of two howitceeded

to the

Taylor's camp.

zers,

had been taken from the Mexicans.

We

also visited

NARRATIVE OF THE

144

which resembles the ruins of some old

the Bishop's Palace,

a palace occupied

more than

castle

In fact

teenth century.

We

San Antonio.

it

by

a prelate of the nine-

reminded us of the Alamo,

visited several other places in

at

the city,

where conflicts had taken place during the siege.

We here learned that Capt. Pike's squadron had been dis-

own

charged, by their

the Arkansas and the

charged

at

request, and also that the remainder of

two

Camargo.

Illinois

Regiments would be

This was joyful news

to us,

it was
wished
to
go
home
who
by
those
news
to
wise good
because they would now have an opportunity.

Col.

our

for

time of being discharged was nigh at hand, and

We

tlis"

like-

land,

should have previously mentioned that the bodies of

Yell, Capt. Porter, and private

John Pelham, of com-

pany B, Arkansas Regiment, had been disinterred, under the

superintendence of 1st Lieutenant N. T. Gaines, commanding

company B, and were now on

their

way

to the

United States

to find a resting place in their native land.

We

remained

at the

when we
we encamped at Agua

the lOth,

was about

Walnut Springs

set out for

as

warm

as

Frio,

until the

The

Camargo.

mroning of

first

evening,

which means cold water, but

it

any we had previously drank.

On the evening of the 12th we arrived at Ceralvo, where

we found a portion of the Massachusetts Volunteers encampThey were complaining very much, and wished for
ed.
peace, their regiment being in for the war.

Seeing so n:iany

of the twelve months volunteers on the road home,

doub't

worked on

asking one of our

to stay.

We

their feelings.

men how

heard some of them

long he thought they would have

" 0," said he, " assuming a face as long as

were saying grace before a thanksgiving dinner, "

is

probable you will get out of

then started

off,

no

it

whistling "

it

in

if

he

think

it

about five years," and

Home, sweet home."

CENTRAL

The

we encamped

next day

Run, from

the

its

This town

is

He was

Henrie.

is

was

the day after

to the

1839,

in

bri-

town of

among whom was Capt.

Majors

taken with

and Bore-

Gaines'

Encarnacion, but subsequently

party at

Canales'

called

noted for being the place where some

Texians were captured

land's

what

at

having been the depot of that

Our march

gand general.
Meir.

of

fafit

145

DIVISION,

made

his

escape.

The

we were off, it being twenty-five

which place we arrived about 3 o'clock,
We thought wg should never meet any

following morning

miles to Camargo,

at

P. M., on the 15th.

of the corps of the Central Division again, but were mistaken, for

we

here found both of the Illinois regiments en-

camped, not having yet been discharged. Thus, the majority

of the " Sleepy Column " were together once more, and soon
the Rackensacks and Suckers were seen

arm

in

arm,

stroll-

ing over the town and enjoying themselves comparatively

well.

We

here had an opportunity of seeing the celebrated,

far-

famed and much-talked-of works with the ditches on both

sides, constructed

ideas

were good,

We

by Gen. Pillow.
that

is, if

stand between the inner ditch and the

because

it

the breast

retreating, for

work and

would be impossible

the ditch,

the 16th, the 1st Illinois regiment

On

On
as

to fall

men

was mustered out of

the following day, the 17ih, the 2d Illinois Regi-

started off

service,

on a steamboat

and some of the

for the

the 20th the Arkansas regiment

all

once between

paid off during this day and part of the

ment was mustered out of

ment

it

would save any corps from disgrace.

it

service, and the

next.

make the men

breast work to fight,
to

would keep them from

back, and thus

On

think the. General's

he intended

the troops

were discharged,
13

mouth

of the river.

was discharged.
in

1st regi-

Now,

passing through

the

NARRATIVE OF THE

146

Camargo you might hear

chaunted by some of the Volunteers

streets

the

of

following lines,

" No more I'll pant for glory's wreath,

Or long and feathered plumes to strut,
Sleep rusty sabre in your sheath
"
E'gad I've seen the elephant
!

The

Colonels, on the discharge of the regiments, delivered

some very appropriate addresses to the men they lately had

Cols. Weatherford and Bissel
the honor of commanding.
publicly, so that

delivered theirs

we were unable

to obtain

They were, however, touching and enthusiastic, and

every way calculated to do credit to their heads and hearts.
Thus we
Col. Roane's was issued in the shape of an order.

them.

obtained

it,

and

it

reads as follows

Headquarters Arkansas Regiment,

near Camargo, Mexico, June 18, 1847.

>

Camp
General Order.

The Colonel Commandirjg would desire

in this,

Regiment with which he has so long

his last
been associated, and which he has for some time had the honor to
General Order

command,

to

to the

tender his deepest gratitude and kindest regards.

During the last year we have been associated in arms, co-laborers for the honor of our beloved country, and participators in the
hardships, privations and dangers incident to a soldier's life and
;

my
my pleasure, to publish to you, and proclaim
my entire satisfaction with the manner in which

now, when the term of our service

greatest pride, as
to the

is

about expiring,

it

is

it is

whole world,

you have discharged your duties.

However arduous and dangerous the service may have been,
required of you,
efficient

am

support from

yielded by the men.

proud

Conduct

an impression on

to create
I yield to

an

to say, I

have ever found a prompt and

my officers, and a

irresistible

like this

willing and ready obedience

on your part could not

my mind indelible, and

impulse, when

Buena Vista was

conduct

at

ually, to

your State and your country.

fai'

as kind as lasting.

announce

to

you

that

your

alike creditable to yourselves individ-

In the language of Briga-

CENTRAL
Woo!,

dier General

may

say

to

DIVISION.

you

147

You have nobly answered

"

every end for which you were called into the service
duct in the great battle of

Buena

you have rendered

a service to

abundant reason

be proud.

to

true

is

much

and

may

dead

less the

shafts of defamation
to

who

for all

did their duty there."

add, that none will detract from the living

who are not cravens, and who did not basely

The poisoned

and cowardly skulk from danger themselves.

falter,

your con-

worthy of commendation

is

your country, of which you have

There was glory enough won upon

Buena Vista

the bloody field of

This

Vista

from

this polluted

source have been attempted

be fastened on the escutcheon of this Regiment, but have fallen

mark; and he who

far short of the

wear

to

them

vilely hurled

shame, and be the scoff of

the mantle of

is

destined

honest and

all

honorable men.
I

deem

it

my

duty

to call attention to

have thus rendered such valuable service

commanders

the gallant officers

to their

of companies or as subalterns.

who

country, either as

would here premise

three of&cers were unfortunately prevented from participating

that

dangers of the battle by severe indisposition

in the

Capt. English'

Capt. Taylor, and Lieut. Douglass had long been confined to iheir

beds by severe and dangerous sickness.

The

afflictions of Provi-

dence should be borne with patience, although

at

particular

this

was peculiarly distressing.

The commanders of companies worthy of notice are Captains
Patrick, Dillord, Hunter, and Preston; Lieutenants Trousdall,
Reader, Gaines and Desha, after the fall of Capt. Porter, whose
conduct whilst living caused his death to be most especially
time

it

lamented.

whose conduct is alike worthy of commendation

Lieutenants McKean, Foster, Tornberlin,
Adjutant Means
McLean, Scott, Jesse Searcy, Stuart, Sagely, Fagan, Calvert,

The
are

Hill,

Giles,

subalterns

Richard Searcy, Carr, Degraftenreid, Cochrane, Willhoff,

McAfie,

McCown, and Sergeant Major

Then you have

all to rejoice at

B. F. Ross.

the

prospect of soon meeting

home, with the proud satisfaction of knowing that

you have done your duty to your country, both in the camp and on
with nothing to regret, save that you are forced to
the battle field
kind friends

at

leave behind you

some

of your brave

companions

in

arms, and

NARRATIVE OF THE

148
amongst

that

number

who knew him, eulogy

his fall,

and love for

To

our beloved and gallant Colonel,

is

superfluous

is

we should

those

have a tear for

memory.

his

JOHN SELDEN ROANE,

Col. Ark.

On

the 22d, ihe paymasters bad completed paying off the

troops, and, at

wagons

train of

we

RegH Cav,

expected

3 o'clock the same day,

Reynosa, about forty miles

for

to find

boats to ascend to

set

all

out with a

distant,

where

steamboats, the river being too low for

Camargo, having

fallen a great deal the three

previous days.

The

we saw of our

last

Indian was

We

ing to return to Saltillo.

so, but

he gave us

We

this."

think, should he

what

not

"great country,

intentions were, but

his

commit any depredations on

while not belonging

to

prepar-

asked him his reason for doing

satisfaction, saying,

little

know

when he was

any corps. Gen. Wool

the
will

we

Mexicans
"skeer an

Injin very bad."

The

night after leaving

Camargo we encamped at the depot

Here we found the boat

on the banks of the Rio Grande.

on which part of the

They came
At

more.

this place

we had an

fast

aground.

we were

together once

exhibition of

Mexican rope

ashore and joined us, so

They had

dancers.

regiment had started,

first

a large enclosure built

up of brush,

in-

The house was crowded,

but the performance was very indifferent.
They had, also,
a clown who performed with his face blacked, and who rewhich they performed.

side of

minded us of our negro singers

spoke a

little

now and

English, and contrived to

then.

After

their apparatus, run

by the

The

the United States.

in

it

was

all

make

He

the boys laugh

over, the bovs demolished

them off and commenced playing cards

light of their fires.

next day

we came

to

what

is

termed Upper Reynosa,

CENTRAL
ynd on the 24th we arrived

DIVISION.

149

Lower Reynosa, where we

Some embarked

at

found plenty of steaniboals waiting for us.

evening and others the next morning, the 25th of June.

that

We now

down, the
side,

we were

thought that
first

jammed

parted for good, but, on going'

boat got aground, and the other coming along

against her, and stuck fast also,

sent up three cheers that the great

come

the evening of the 26ih,

where we

we

the bo3's

reached the mouth of the

one day and then started

tarried

Brazos, which was nine miles distant.

for the

New

shipping for

we

arrived at the

we found

in

wagons

Here we took

Orleans, and after a })leasant voyage, of

four days, with the exception of

sick,

when

of Chihuahua had

together again.

On
river,

Army

hands being a

all

mouth of the Mississippi

with troops.

vessel laden

The

little

river,

Arkansavvians

were remarking among themselves that they were going

place they
their

way

knew

but

to

to a

be on

Mexico,) when a strapping big fellow got up on

to

the side of the vessel and exclaimed:

are

them

about, (supposing

little

sea

where

you on your way

to

"Go

Chihuahua?"

it,

Rackensacks

All hands looked-

and behold, there were the Suckers, snugly ensconced on

board of a vessel, they having
fore us,

and arrived

we

hours,) before

tow-boat

to take

and towed us

all

them

up

Balize about the same time (six

at the

did,

Brazos some six hours be-

left

and here they were now, waiting for a

to

New

to the

Orleans.

Finally one arrived

Crescent City, which

we reached

on the evening of the 3d of July, 1847.

Such
next day

a scatterment
all

hands appeared

men who had

lived

we never

travelled

in a

to fight

new

dress.

Here were

the

over about sixteen hundred miles,

on wheat bran, ground

helped

before witnessed, and the

their

one of the hardest

own

flour in

battles that

hand

mills,

was ever waged

on the American continent, and faced the grim monster death

13*

CENTRAL

150
every form,

in

now

DIVISION.

New

transformed into

Orleans dandies.

And now, kind reader, we have taken you through a great

many scenes, and given you an account of things that have oc*curred under our immediate observation and from various in-

Should any one who has been attached

disputable sources.
to the

ble

Central Division, observe any thing on these, our

hum-

and unassuming pages, which he thinks incorrect, why,

him pass

But

rect.

over and read that which he

it

finally, let

is

assured

is

cor-

him remember, before he passes cen-

sure and pronounces judgment from that dread tribunal,

mean an unmerciful
transpired that he

As

to

some things may have

aware of and knows nothing about.

not
self,

who,

hardly be noticed further than

of the

army by

(I

criticism,) that

is

our humble

let

in

to

those of epauletts,

ed with laurels and

till

up

our vale of obscurity, would

be counted as one of the

(who

men

are generally crown-

the measure of their country's

glory,) have, notwithstanding, given the circumstances just

as they transpired, and have written without fear.

We

would say

to those into

have read
ed "

it

to

the public in general, and especially

whose hands
you

will

The Great Army

this little

know

work may

that there

fall,

once upon

of Chihuahua."

after

you

a time exist-

APPENDIX.
NAKRATIVE,
WHICH TRANSPIRED DURING THE TIME THE
AUTHOR WAS LEFT IN THE HANDS OF THE MEXICANS.

OF MATTERS

The

Arkansas Regiment had been sent

where

to Patos,

they encamped for the purpose of obtaining forage.

After

being there a short time, an order came from General Wool,

which compelled them

At

this time there

not be removed.

it

evinced a willingness

him.

to attend

a situation which very few

calling.

in the hospital
in a

who

could

very short

indispensably necessary lo leave him

some person

behind, with

was

was a man

His disease indicated death

This rendered

time.

almost instantaneously.

to leave

seemed

to

This, however,

envy, and no one

on the duties of so charitable a

to enter

The poor invalid, a stranger in

a strange land,

and

far

away from friends and relations, excited my pity and finally,

being somewhat fond of romance and adventure, I consented
;

to stay,

him

on one condition.

that if he

care of me,

would go

went

to the

to the priest

He

would remain.

immediately proceeded, as

Colonel and told

and induce him

said he

would do

to take

so,

and

judged, to see his reverence.

In a few minutes he returned and

told

me

all

was

right.

then requested that a German, a friend of mine, should re-

main with me.

The

sick

man

being also

German, I deemed

APPENDIX.

152

My

his presence necessary.

my

handed

request was granted,

note book to

thing of importance which might occur, according

custom heretofore.

then

a friend, that he might note every

If there

anything omitted

is

our

in

my

to

mem-

orandum, between the 11th of January and the 9th of February, this

will

account for

The regiment

it.

left

about

some

time,

daylight.

The Mexicans did not interfere with us

but when they discovered us, they made a

My

taking everything from us but our arms.

panion was for fighting, but

sidering

we were

this I

for

perfect charge,

knew would

my

bosom,

determined that

them before

play, I would slay one of

In this manner

my way

went

to see his

had no small escort

if

the tug of war.

nor

He

indeed

reminded

it

However,

pleasant predicament.

he

my

did, the

very

could, in an

wish-

after these preliminaries

A.s

came

word of English,

things went,

was

in

an un-

But, finally, I struck on a plan which

purpose.

beckoned him

to follow

me, which

crowd of Mexicans escorting us back.

When we
much

Wool.

General

to

did not understand one

one word of Spanish.

answered

On
me of

I intended to indicate to the priest that I

ed for his blessing.

pis-

gave up the ghost.

entered the house in as humble a manner as

which

my

they attempted foul

reverence the priest.

the visit of the Alcalde of Presidio

attitude

was

Finally, 1

must do something, and placing one of

that I

tols in

be folly, con-

power, and the mildest manner of

in their

dealing with them 1 judged to be the best.

aware

German com-

entered the hospital, I found

excited.

A crowd

my German

friend

of Mexican boys had assailed

him, and there he was, with his sabre buckled on, and a pis" Dunner
tol in each hand, using the following language :
wetter

himmel sackerment

spitsbooben,

me

Hole

me

der

tifel,

shoot you justament right

die verdamte

off, if

you does

APPENDIX

153

These

not back oui from dis blace, anddat devilish soon !"

words were accompanied with

at

which the Miexicans were enjoying

The

priest entered the hospital,

lavish her smiles

to

us, as

and fortune appeared

who had

it,

and an immediate

congregated about the door,

effected.

The

priest, after this,

he gave
not a
ing

to

soon as the sacerdotal function-

in.

dispersion of the rabble,

to

a hearty laugh.

me, the priest immediately discovered

was

gestures,

antic

The invalid, as it now appeared, was a professor

Roman Catholic religion, and by some means unknown

ary was
of the

upon

many

a great

to

by

how my

be attended

wait,

word

me back

to,

was

to his

own

house, where

This pleased

to stay.

German and

the sick

could not conjecture.

any questions,

man were

There was no

for neither of us under-

the other said, consequently I

concluded

turned to the hospital, where

different scene

German

was

had before witnessed.

again assailed, not with boys,

women, while he himself was

manner which would have done honor

German

female cooks in some of our eastern

a pistol in each

bowls of atole

re-

found matters changed, and a

from the one which

friend

ever, but with

in a

to

and see what would be done.

After tarrying a while at the house of his reverence,

My

me

the bye, the quarters looked not uninvi-

friend the

great use in asking

stood a

took

understand

little, for,

but

me

how-

flying around
to

some of

cities,

the

not with

hand, as on the former occasion, but with

(a sort of gruel), tortillas (corn cakes), goat's

meat, and in fact everything eatable in the Mexican

bill

of

fare.
I

had

much

now

obtained light on the sublect, and could without

difficulty divine the

fortunate changes.

men who had

It

collected

cause of

seems the

when he

all

these favorable and

priest

had informed the

visited the hospital, that the

154
sick

APPENDIY.

man was

and ihey had communicated the

a Catholic,

women, who are constitutionally merciful.

They, in consequence, had come with something for the invalid to eat.
After my German friend had given him as
the
much of
bounties of the generous-hearted women as was

same

the

to

necessary for the time being, he appropriated the balance

same time

himself, saying at the

is

much
From

besser as de
this time

to

" These Mexshican vomins

men."
Mexicans appeared quite

on, the

of

full

friendship, and conducted themselves with deference and res-

pect towards me.

house, and the

boarded

reverend gentleman's

at the

German always

got enough to eat and drink

from the balance which remained from what was brought

women

by the

The
which

priest
I

for the sick

commenced

man.
teaching

was quite an apt scholar.

The

(talk) tolerably well.

me
I

speak Spanish,

soon began

man,

sick

to

at

habelar

to

as had been expected

from the nature of his disease, and conneclinor and surrounding circumstances, died in a few days, and

church yard.

Having

lived

vice of his adopted country,

of war.

no more

Gabriel's trump shall

I

and died as a soldier,

we

had a stone affixed

last resting place,

to

in the

in the ser-

buried him with the honors

to his grave, to

designate his

be disturbed, until the sound of

wake him

at the last

day.

should have mentioned before, that a horse which had

been sick, and unable

here, the

to travel

on

was

a forced

owner thereof having taken

and accompanied the regiment.

case,

was buried

that should the

man

The

die,

as an equivalent for his burial fees.

march, was

left

the sick man's horse

priest's idea, in

this

he would retain the horse

My

German

friend

begged

leave to object to the opinion of his reverence, by saying

"

You

besser

monish ve

vill

sell

de hause for vat he

den put

in

our

own

vill

fetch,

and dat

bockets, and after dat go

APPENDIX.
de camp."

to

saw

55

one glance the plausibility and seem-

at

ing truth of the old man's words, and shortly after the invaldeath, sold the horse to a

id's

had previously wanted him,

The moment
tion,

for

young Mexican buck, who

twenty

My

declaring he would have the horse.

gine that
a bad

now

fix.

felt

conjectured that probably

money

the

German, who had

he,

me, and

concluded

With

would pacify him.

it

related to

him

the

all
it

money,

for get sour-krout mit,

go

to
I

to

de camp, quicker

him

to the priest.

Dat ve

view

for as I

Dunner wetter

geb him the monish?

this

vill

and ve

went

money

about

had worked

we had better
What !" said he,

that

"

The

gelt ish

good

shump on our hakkys and

Faust over the big sea

as Dr.

to

the holiy sackerment

not do.

vill

was out more

man

the passion the holy

himself into, and likewise intimated

gelt

ima-

would give him

if I

unsafe to carry any

give the price of the horse

Give him de

may

readers

rather queer, and judged myself to be in

the

than

dollars.

was informed of the transache became enraged, and went on at a tremendous rate,
his reverence

!"

thought of doing this myself, but the distance was great,

and we would have been compelled

promised

when

it

very

The Colonel had

send back an escort for us, but

to

through

to pass

dangerous country and hostile people.

was uncertain

would come, hence our condition, every way, was

anything but enviable.

In this predicament I went

we were
not listen

locked
the

going
to

to leave for the

German

him that
He would

told

American camp.

such a story, but without further circumlocution

house of

in the

joining his own.

if

and

horse up in his stable, and procured quarters for

my

and that

to the priest,

now

a sort of

considered

Mexican carpenter, ad-

my case

almost hopeless,

the Colonel did not send for me, I

for an indefinite time.

might remain

APPENDIX.

156

In the meanwhile, however, the priest's wrath moderated.

He became more
endeavored

to

camp, and offered

only consent

About

this

me

to give

out of the notion of returning to

me

everything

time

offered to take

me

to

him and

in three

tering the
that,

knew

the priest that

months,

Mexican

would remain with them, but

I,

"I do

time of need."

my

being

we got

his aid

for

as to en-

own

serve

my

service,

country

in

This quieted them somewhat.

painter

left,

to

come

would think of

not like our

readers, no doubt, will ask

He
me a

not what to do. Finally,

an escort did not

if

and only volunteered out of ambition

versation.

would

a visit to the place.

service, I never could or

"because," said

My

if I

Gen. Santa Anna, and procure

commission. Thus situated,

me

wished,

became acquainted with Gen. Sanchzes,

Army, who was on

told

to stay.

of the Mexican

He

calm, and his conversation more mild.

persuade

who

came

there

how

carried on this con-

some lime subsequent

could speak pretty good English.

to

With

along pretty well, considering that by this time

could speak Spanish tolerably well, having been a close stu

dent of the priest's.

About

this time, also, information

reached here of the cap-

ture of Majors Gaines and Borland's party

This created
priest
I

a rejoicing time

among

now urged and compelled me

having worn

my

uniform

Encarnacion.

the Mexicans, and the

to

change

He

now.

until

at

my

costume,

assigned as his

reason for this notion, his fear that the Mexican soldiers
miglit kill

costume.
robe,

me if they should encounter me in my country's

He supplied me with a suit from his own ward-

which was anything but

myself

into these clothes, I felt

good

fit.

After introducing

something like performing

religious exercises.

An

accident transpired during

my

sojourn, which might

APPENDIX.
have led

consequences.

serious

to

157

bark and ground flaxseed

with

left

had some Peruvian

me by

the Hospital Sur-

geon, to be administered to the sick man, which I kept in

my

One day, while

saddle-bags.

thing out, they

declared
all I

was

a physician.

protested against

my

could to explain matters, but

They knew

better

In a few days

it

appeared as

to,

it

and said

labor proved abortive.

if

some epidemic was

consequence of which

had

This part of the game

pulses of not a few.

repugnance

some-

they had seen the medicine.

vailing in town, in

in the act of taking

medicaments, and fortliwith

noticed these

more

especially

when

the

to feel

had no great

on by the

called

pre-

ladies.

dosed out the flaxseed and bark with the gravity of a regu-

quack doctor.

lar built

other times

examine

Sometimes

gave them alone.

a patient with as

mixed them, and

at

In quite a short time I could

much

grace, obsequiousness and

independence, as any genuine son of Esculapius.

the joke to

I told

"

Den

vould gif
this,

in

dem

as

a dose,

One day

my
I

felt

py shure."

was

recommended

him

knowing

that

wishing

bleeding.

to

in

vant girl to a

enough,

man who, she

avoid administering

Not having any

leelle

my

lance,

fair

was now

in a

She therefore despatched

said,

would lend her one.

dilernma and

pa-

knew

a ser-

Sure

not what to do.

German friend and asked him what was

"Vy, py shure, den, pleed her just like von
done.
So I screwed up all my courage and
hog," said he.

hastened to m.y
be

bad scrape.

mental resources were not so soon run ashore, for

bled she said she must be.

to

agree with

expected no further trouble in this case, but

tient's

I did not

came very near being caught

I

had some arshnic, ve

perfectly harmless.

a lady's pulse, but

powders,

Friday, and he said

did not go in for killing folks,

the flaxseed at least

Having

my German man

vish, gooter as sour krout, ve

14

APPENI)IX.

l5d
concluded

perform venesection,

to

my own

how

veins to see

best
I

manner

to

But what was

my joy when

that the lance in question could not be ob-

tained.

The obnoxious

ao-ain to

be resorted

They were

last

quickly examined

patient and bleed her in the

possibly could.

was informed

had been bled, and proceeded

my

the priest's house to meet

At

or miss.

hit

observed the messenger coming, when

in

flaxseed and barks, however, had

to.

the habit of taking

me

one evening requested

to

go

to

me

fandangoes, and

to

one.

agreed, and on

entering the house, was horror struck to see the corpse of

a child laid out

new

play

wards

to

and they

me, but

had

found out that

generally accompany

it

around

da'^.cing

This was

share in the sport.

to take

was

it.

After-

At funerals they

a custom.

the corpse with music and firing of

muskets.
I

now

heard of the approach of Santa Anna's army, and his

proposed attack on the American forces.

sure of a victory, and
ering the small
great

my

number of our

number of Santa Anna's.

retreat to

began

feelings

Monterey, so that

The Mexicans were

be awful, consid-

to

forces and the comparatively

I

thought ours might have to

would be

still

away from
my doom would

farther

them, and should Santa Anna be victorious

be sealed.

But

was

finally relieved of all

ing of the 9th of February, a

my

fears, for

on the morn-

Mexican came galloping up

the door and reported that the Americans were coming.

to

The

priest appeared thunder-struck, never having entertained the

idea that our officers would send after me.

It

proved

who were

to

be six companies of the Arkansas

Regiment

sent out for corn, and the Colonel had sent Lieut.

Giles, of the

company

to

which

pany was not

along,) to

go

to

was attached, (my com-

Patos and see about me.

The

APPENDIX.

wanted

priest
in,

and

told

tell

him

go

me

the Americans that I had started for camp.

He

to the

would not do,

then said he

him

German would tell them

would lock the German up also. I
for the

would not answer, and that the American

would not credit such a tale as that, and in case they

again told
officers

did not find

take

to

prison and he would lock

that

better.

me

159

him

in

it

me

they would sack and demolish the town, and

my

stead.

was about concluding the last sentence, the

Americans marched in, and the above named Lieutenant, (to
Just as

whom

affairs,)

shall ever be indebted for the interest he took in

my

rode up to the priest's door, where

met him.

To

was

free.

me it was a joyful meeting,

The German ran about in
fists at

At

fetch mich

would get so drunk

last I

must say,

der

me

felt

that I

extacies,

in his

shaking his

way, saying,

tifei, if I

my

beUer than

and whipped the American

On

Dun-

had some schnaps

JMexican friends, who,

had expected

forces,

as

they

but no one

knows what they would have done had Santa Anna

would

as every ling."

bade farewell to

treated

now

perfect

every Mexican that came

der and blitzen

now,

for I

arrived

expected he

do.

the 11th of February I arrived in

there resolved never

cies of the

Mexicans

again to cast

camp, and then and

myself on the tender mer-

as long as I could avoid the contingency.

APPENDIX.

00

DESPATCHES
OF

GENERAL WOOL AND COLONEL ROANE

Headqtjartees,

Camp Taylor. Agua Nueva

SO miles south of Saltillo,

March

Mexic

4,

1847

-S

Major: Agreeably to the orders from the commanding general,

have the honor to report that on the 21st ultimo the troops at Agua
Nueva broke up their encampment, and preceded by the supply
and baggage train, marched for Buena Vista and Saltillo, except
Col. Yell's Regiment of Arkansas Volunteers, which remained lo
look out for the enemy, reported to be advancing on Agua Nueva
in great force, and to guard some public stores left at the hacienda
until transportation could be obtained to carry them to Buena Vista.
On the arrival of the commanding -general at Encantada, he
directed that Col. M'Kee's Regiment, 2d Kentucky Volunteers, and
a section of Capt. Washington's battery, be kept at that place to
give support to Col. Yell, in case he should be driven in by the enemy. Between Encantada and Buena Vista, called the pass, Col.
Hardin's Regiment, 1st Illinois Volunteers, was stationed. The
rest of my command encamped near the hacienda of Buena Vista.
The major general commanding, accompanied by Lieut. Col. May's
squadron (2d dragoons), Captains Sherman's and Bragg's batteries
(3d artillery), and the Mississippi Regiment, commanded by Col.
Davis, proceeded to Saltillo, to provide against the attack meditated
by Gen. Minon, with a cavalry force reported to be 3,000 strong.
As many wagons as could be obtained were ordered to return forthwith 10 Agua Nueva, and bring off what remained of the stores at
I

that place.
In the course of the evening, agreeably to the instructions of the
commanding general, transmitted from Saltillo, Col. Marshall, with
his regiment and the Lst dragoons were ordered to Agua Nueva to
reinforce Col. Yell, who was directed, in case he should be attacked, to destroy

everything

place he could not bring off, and to

Col. M'Kee, at Encantada, with the
directed to join Col. Yell on his retreat, and
at that

retire before 12 o'clock, P.

section of ariiliery,

was

M.

APPENDIX.

61

the whole to fall back to Buena Vista, should the enemy pursue
them to that place. Before leaving Agua Nueva, Col. Yell's pickets were driven in by the advanced parties of the Mexicans.
He

then retired jvith the reinforcements under the command of Col.

Marshall, after destroying a small quantity of corn yet remaining
at the hacienda, and leaving a few wagons which had been precipitately abandoned by their teamsters.
All the advanced parties came into Buena Vista, except Colonel
Hardin's Regiment, before daylight on the morning of the 22d.
At 8 o'clock, A. M., on the 22d, I received notice that the Mexican
army was at Agua Nueva, and ordered a section of Capt. Washington's artillery to move forward and join Col. Hardin. Shortly afterwards I repaired to that position where it had been determined to
give battle to the enemy. During the previous night, agreeably to
my orders, Col. Hardin's Regiment had thrown up a parapet on the
height, on the left of the road, and had dug a small ditch, and made
a parapet extending from the road around the edge of the gully, on
They were then directed to dig a ditch and
the right of the road.
make a parapet across the road for the protection of Capt. Washington's artillery, leaving a narrow passage next to the hill, which
was to be closed by running into it two wagons loaded v/ith stone.
About 9 o'clock our pickets, stationed at the Encantada, about
three and a half miles distant, discovered the enemy advancing.
Word was immediately despatched to the commanding general at
Saltillo, and I ordered the troops at Buena Vista forthwith to be
brought forward.
Capt. Washington's battery was posted across the road, protected on its left by a commanding eminence, and on its left by deep'
The 2d Kentucky infantry, commanded by Col. M'Kee,
gullies.
was stationed on a hill, immediately in the rear of Washington's

The

six companies of the 1st Illinois Regiment, comCol. Hardin, took post on the eminence on the left
and
two companies under Lieut. Col. Weatherford, occupied the breastwork on the right of Washington's battery. The 2d Illinois Regiment was stationed on the left of the Kentucky Regiment. The
Indiana Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Lane, was posted on a
ridge immediately in rear of the front line, and Captain Stein's
squadron in reserve, in rear of the Indiana Brigade. The Kentucky
Regiment of Cavalry, under the command of Co!. Marshall, and
the Arkansas Regiment, under the command of Col. Yell, were
stationed to the left of the second line towards the mountains.
Shortly afterwards the rifle companies of these two regiments were
dismounted, and with the cavalry companies of the Kentucky Regiment, and a battalion of riflemen from the Indiana Brigade, under
Major Gorman, under command of Col. Marshall, were ordered to
take post on the extreme lefi, and at the foot of the mountains.
These dispositions were appr ved by ihe major general com-

battery.

manded by

manding, who had now returned from Saitillo, bringing with him
May's squadron of the 2d dragoons, Captains Sherman's

Lieut. Col.

14*

APPENDIX.

162
and Bragg's

batteries of artillery, and the Mississippi

Regiment of

Riflemen.

The enemy had halted just beyond cannon shot, and displayed
his forces on either side of the road, and commenced pushing his
At the same time
light infantry into the mountains on our lefr.
indications of an attempt on our right induced the Commanding
General to order the 2d Kentucky Infantry and Capt. Bragg's
Battery, with a detachment of mounted men, to take post on the
and

the right of the gullies,

Washington's Battery,

at

some distance

in the centre.

held in reserve in rear of the second

in advance of Capt.
Capt. Sherman's Battery was

line.

The enemy was now seen pushing his infantry on his right toward the heights, showing evidently an intention to turn our left,

the eminence
in order to get possession of the key to our position
immediately on the left of Washington's artillery and thus open
a free passage to Saltillo.
Col. Marshall, with his regiment, the Arkansas Riflemen, under
Lieut. Col. Roane, and the Indiana Rifle Batallion, under Major
Gorman, was charged with meeting this party, and checking their
movement on our left. Brigadier Gen. Lane, with the 2d Indiana
Regiment and a section of Capt. Washington's artillery, under
Lieut. O'Brien (since Captain in the Quartermaster's Department,)
was ordered to the extreme left and front of the plain, which was
terminated by a deep ravine, extending from the mountain to the
road, with orders to prevent the enemy from coming around by the

base of the mountain.

At two o'clock the enemy's light infantry were moving up the

They opened a fire on
side of the mountain and in the ravines.
our riflemen from a large howitzer, posted in the road, and between
three and four o'clock Col. Marshall engaged the Mexican Infantry
on the side of the mountain, and the firing continued at intervals
In this our troops sustained no loss, whilst that of the
until dark.
enemy is known, by a subsequent inspection of the ground, to be
considerable. After the firing had ceosed, the Major General commanding again returned to Saltillo to see to matters at that place,
and to guard against Gen. Minon and his cavalry, taking with him
the Mississippi Regiment and a squadron of the 2d Dragoons.
The troops remained under arms during the night in the position
they occupied at the close of the day. About two o'clock, A. M.,
of the 23d, our piquets were driven in by the Mexicans, and at the
dawn of day the action was renewed by the Mexican light infantry
and our riflemen on the side of the mountain.
The enemy had succeeded during the night and early in the
morning, in gaining the very top of the mountain, and to our left
and rear. He had reinforced his extreme right by some 1,500 to
2,000 infantry.

Major

Prail,

2d

Illinois

Volunteers, was ordered, with his batta-

lion of riflemen, to reinforce Col. Marshall,

holding the right of the

enemy

check.

who was. engaged

in

APPENDIX.

163

The enemy now opened a fire upon our left, from a battery planted
on the side of the mountain, near where his light infaniry had commenced ascending it everything now indicating tnat the main at-

tack wc'uld he against our left.

The 2d Kentucky infantry and Bragg's battery of artillery were,
by instructions given to Major Mansfield, ordered from the extreme
right, and Sherman's battery ordered up from the rear to take post
with Col. Bissell's regiment, 2d Illinois Volunteers, on the plateau
which extends from the centre of the line to the foot of the mountain, the sides of which were now filled with ihe Mexican infantry
and our riflemen, between whom the firing had become very brisk.
About this time the Major General commanding, was seen returning from Saliillo with the Mississippi regiment and the squadron
of the 2d dragoons, and shortly after he arrived and took his position in the centre of the field of battle, where he could see and direct
the operations of the day.
At eight o'clock a large body of the enemy, composed of infantry,
lancers, and three pieces of artillery, moved down the high road
upon our centre, held by Capt. Washington's battery and the 1st
Illinois Volunteers, but were soon dispersed by the former.
The
rapidity and precision of the fire of the artillery scattered and dispersed this force in a i'ew minutes with considerable loss on their
side, and little or none on our own.
In connexion with this movement, a heavy column of the enemy's
infantry and cavalry and the battery on the side of the mountain
moved against our left, ivhich was held by Brigadier Gen. Lane
with the 2d Indiana regiment and Lieut. O'Brien's section of artillery, by whom the enemy's fire was warmly returned, and, owing
to the range, with great effect.
Gen. Lane, agreeably to my orders,
wishing to bring his infantry within striking distance, ordered his
This order was duly obeyed by Lieut.
line to move forward.
O'Brien. The infantry, however, instead of advancing, retired in
disorder, and, in spite of the utmost efforts of their General and his
officers, left the artillery unsupported and fled the field of battle.
Some of them were rallied by Col. Bowles, who, with the fragment,
fell in with the ranks of the Mississippi riflemen, and during the
day did good service with that gallant regiment. I deeply regret
to say that most of them did not return to the field, and many of
them continued their flight to Saltillo.
Lieut. O'Brien, being unsupported by any infantry, and not being
able to make head against the heavy column bearing down upon
him with a destructive fire, fell back on the centre, leaving one of
his pieces, at which all the cannoniers and horses were either killed
or disabled, in the hands of the enemy. Seeing themselves cut off
from the centre by the flight of (he 2d Indiana Regiment, and the
consequent advance of the Mexican infantry and cavalry upon the
ground previously occupied by it, the riflemen, under the command
of Col. Marshall, retreated from their position in the mountain,
where they had been so successfully engaged with the enemy on

164

APPENDIX.

the other side of the dry bed of a deep and broad torrent ihal is
immediately in rear of our position. Here many fled in disorder
Some of them were subsequently rallied and brought
to the rear.

again into action, with their brave companions ; others were stopped
at the hacienda of Buena Vista, and there re-formed by their officers.
The enemy immediately brought forward a battery of three
pieces, and took a position on the extreme left of our line, under
the mountain, and commenced an enfilading fire on our centre,
which was returned with so much effect upon the advancing column
of the Mexicans, containing near 6,000 infantry and lancers, that
it forced them to keep to the upper side of the plateau, close under
the side of the mountain; and, instead of turning to the left, and
advancing on our centre, against the heavy fire of so much well
served artillery, continued its course perpendicular to our line on
the extreme left, crossed over the bed of the dry torrent, in the
direction taken by our retreating riflemen, keeping all the while
close to the foot of the mountain.
Colonels Marshall and Yell,
with their cavalry companies. Col. May, with the squadron of the
1st and 2d dragoons, and Capt. Pike's squadron, Arkansas Cavalry,
in connection with a brigade of infantry, formed of the Mississippi
Regiment, the 3d Indiana, under Col. Lane, and a fragment of the
2d Indiana Regiment, under Col. Bowles, and Bragg's battery, and
three pieces of Sherman's battery, succeeded in checking the
march of this column. The Mississippi Regiment alone, and with
a howitzer under Capt. Sherman, moved against some 4,000 of the
enemy, and stopped them in their march upon Saltillo. A large
body of lancers, from this body, formed column in one of the
mountain gorges, and advanced, through the Mexican infantry, to
make a descent on the hacienda of Buena Vista, near which our
train of supplies and baggage had been packed.
They were
gallantly and successfully met by our mounted men, under Colonels
Marshall and Yell, and the attacking column separated, part returning to the mountain, under cover of their infantry, and a part
through the hacienda. Here the latter were met by a destructive
fire from those men who had left the field in the early part of the
action, and had been rallied by their officers.
Col. May's dragoons,
and a section of artillery, under Lieut. Reynolds, coming up at this
moment, completed the route of this portion of the enemy's cavalry.
The column which had passed our left, and had gone some two
miles to our rear, now faced about, and commenced retracing their
steps, exposing their right flank to a very heavy and destructive
fire from our infantry and artillery, who were drawn up in a line
parallel to the march of the retreating column, of whom many
were forced on and over the mountains, and many dispersed.
Gen. Santa Anna, seeing the situation of this part of his army,
and, no doubt, considering them as cut off", sent in a flag to the
Major General commanding, to know what he desired. The General
asked me to be the bearer of his answer, to which I cheerfully
assented, and proceeded immediately to ihe enemy's battery, under

APPENDIX.

165

But in conthe mountains, to see the Mexican General-in-Chief.

sequence of a refusal to cease firing on our troops, to whom the
news of the truce had not yet been communicated, and who were
actively engaged with the Mexican infantry, I declared the parley
at an end, and returned without seeing General Santa Anna, or
communicating the answer of the General commanding.
The Mexican column was now in rapid retreat, pursued by our
artillery, infantry, and cavalry, and, notwithstanding the effectof our
fire, they succeeded for the greater part, favored by the configuration
of the ground, in crossing the bed of the torrent, and regaining the
plateau from which they had previously descended.
Whilst this was taking place on the left and rear of the line, our
centre, under the immediate eye of the commanding General,
although it suffered much in killed and wounded, stood firm, and
repelled every attempt to march upon it.
The Mexican forces being now concentrated on our left, made a
move to carry our centre, by advancing with his whole strength
from the left and front. At this moment, Lieut. O'Brien was ordered
He did so in a
to advance his battery and check this movement.
bold and gallant manner, and maintained his position until his
supporting force was completely routed by an immensely superior
force.
His men and horses being nearly all killed and wounded,
he found himself under the necessity of abandoning his pieces,
and they fell rnto the hands of the enemy. From this point the
enemy marched upon the centre, where the shock was met by Col.
McKee, the 1st Illinois, under Col. Hardin, and the 2d, under Col.
Bissell, all under the immediate eye of the commanding General.
This was the hottesi, as well as the most critical, part of the action,
and at the moment when our troops were about giving way before
the vastly superior force with which they were contending, the
batterie-s of Captains Sherman and Bragg coming up most opportunely from the rear, and under the immediate direction of the
commanding General, by a well directed fire checked and drove
back with great loss the enemy, who had come close upon the
muzzles of their pieces. A part of the enemy's lancers took our
infantry in flank, and drove them down the ravine in from of Capt.
Washington's battery, who saved them by a well-directed and welltimed fire from his pieces.
This was the last great effort of Gen. Santa Anna; the firing,
however, between the enemy's artillery and our own, continued
until night.

The troops lay on their arms in the position in which they were
Major Warren's command, of four companies
placed at evening.
of Illinois infantry, and a detachment of Capt. Webster's company,
under Lieut. Donaldson, were brought on the field from Sallillo,
where they had performed, during the day, important services in
connexion with Capt. WVb'^ter's battery, under a piece ably served
by Lieut, (now Captain) Shover, 3d Artillery, in repelling the attack urider Gen. Minon and his Cavalry on that place.

166

APPENDIX.

Every arrangement was made to engage the enemy early the next
morning, when, at day-break, it was discovered he had retreaied
under cotter of the night, leaving about 1,000 dead and several
hundredf^Vounded on the fieid of battle, and 294 prisoners in our
hands^'^ne standard and a. large number of arms.
'i\e forces engaged in the great battle of the 22d and 23d ultimo,
"':
were as follows:
The United States Troops, commanded by Major Gen. Taylor,

amounted

to only 4,^10 including officers.

forces under command of Gen. Santa Anna amounted to
22,000. Some of the Mexican officers taken prisoners stated the
number to be 24,000,-exclusive of artillery. This number, I presume, included Gem Minon's cavalry, reported to be from 2,000

The

to 3,000.

The enemy

w> u.

be in a disorganized state, and that

the losses in killed aud wounded, and by desertion, exceed 6,000
men. The dead, the dying, and the wounded in a starving condition, everywhere to be seen on its route,, bespeak a hurried retreat
and extreme distress.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully.
is

represented

to

Your

obedient servant.
E. WOOL, Brig. Gen.

JOHN
To Major W. W.

S. Bliss, Asst. Adjt.

<

>

Gen.

>

Camp Taylor, Mexico,

Brig. Gk^t. JoHU E.

Wool

On

Feb. 27, 1847.

the evening of the 22d,

when

drawn up in line of battle to meet the enemy, who at

that tiaje was in our immediate vicinity, I was assigned to the
command of four companies of riflemen. Col. Yell taking command,
of four companies of cavalry, two companies of our regiment,
commanded by Captains Pike and Preston, Jr., being detached, and
acting with some other corps.
On the evening of the 23d, the Mexicans having taken possession
cf the mountain side, with the view of turning our left flank, I
wjis ordered to ascend the mountain, and if possible dislodge them
fioiii this position.
This I attempted, in connexion with the Kentucky Riflemen, but darkness coming on, "^ were recalled,- after
sustaining a heavy fire for more than an hcmr, and camped upon

we

vyere first

the plain until morning.

On the morning of the 22d, the position of my command was
designated by our gallant general himself; to whose cool and heroic
.Courage, military judgment, and commanding genius, I would add
my humble testimonial. Two companies, under Captains Patrick
and Hunter, were posted some distance in advance, to bring on the

engagement, which they

did, sustaining their

poMtion as long as