The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers; or, the Summer and Fall Campaign of the Army of the United States in Mexico--1846; including Skirmishes with the Mexicans, and an accurate detail of the Storming of Monterey; also the Daring Scouts at Buena Vista together with anecdotes, incidents, descriptions of country, and sketches of the lives of the celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker. Page: 15
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TEXIAN WIT. 15
to stay with them, we made a " night of it;" and as they had all
served in the late battles, many were the incidents and anecdotes
with which we were entertained. Lieut. H., of the dragoons,
who was the soul of the squad, related the following:-A Texas
Ranger, under Walker, who had gone home after the fight, was
relating the exploits of his commander, and was describing the
battles, &c., to a crowd of friends, when a young lad, who had
been an attentive listener, his face brightening up with enthusiasm,
at the glowing descriptions of the narrator, slapping his hand
upon his thigh, cried out, " D-n me if I don't go to the wars."
Attracted by this speech, the Texian turned round to see from
whom it had emanated, and discovering the author of it to be a
young delicate-looking lad, said to him, with a significant look"
You go to the wars !-hum--you had better stay at home !"
Yes, me-why not me?" cried the lad, indignantly drawing
himself up to his full height. Why, thar is a heap to do out
thar, youngster," said the Texian, "which you mought not be
able to do, that's all." "(And what have you done ?" said the
boy, making up to the Texian, who stood full six feet in stature.
The crowd now gathered around, anxiously leaning forward to
catch the reply of the Texian, for the boy's question was thought
a poser. " What have I done ?" said the Texian, repeating the
question several times, and laying much stress upon the pronoun
I, at the same time looking much confused for a reply. " What
have I done ?-Why," said he, " I have done more than you will
ever do, if you go." "And what is that ?" said the still indignant
lad. "Why, Pve got back safe!" said the Texian, with a
loud laugh of triumph, in which the crowd joined.
At this time Point Isabel was the scene of great activity. Supplies
were daily being received, and wagon trains were daily departing
with an escort of dragoons for Matamoras. What added to
the singularity of the bustling scene, was the gangs of piones, or
Mexican serfs, who were employed in loading teams, and bringing
stores, &c., from the landing to the warehouses. Several of these
poor devils were pointed out to us as having been engaged in the late
battles; and there still could be seen, from their manner, a lurking
disposition for revenge. Our flag flaunted on the breeze from the
highest eminence, while the cannon which was placed around Fort
Polk, commanding the bay and the plain, looked very significant.
On the afternoon -of the 11th instant, on returning to camp, it
was reported that a considerable force of the enemy's cavalry had
been discovered on tho main land near the Boca Chica. The
report was communicated to Lieut. Doubleday, of the 1st artillery,
who was in the command of a small detachment of United States
soldiers on the island, and also to the colonel of the Kentucky
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Reid, Samuel C., Jr. The Scouting Expeditions of McCulloch's Texas Rangers; or, the Summer and Fall Campaign of the Army of the United States in Mexico--1846; including Skirmishes with the Mexicans, and an accurate detail of the Storming of Monterey; also the Daring Scouts at Buena Vista together with anecdotes, incidents, descriptions of country, and sketches of the lives of the celebrated partisan chiefs, Hays, McCulloch, and Walker., book, 1859; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth38096/m1/17/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.