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: 28
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28 THE FANDANGO.
of the Mexican army, who were well educated men, one of them
speaking French tolerably well. Having invited them to dine
with us, they made themselves very agreeable, and told us that
./mpudia was fortifying Monterey, and that we would no doubt
have a decisive battle there. After dinner, they invited us to a
private party, which they said was to take place that evening.
Before which, however, we went to witness a marriage between a
young Mexican officer, and a very pretty Mexican girl. The
parties, it appears, had been engaged for two years, and the young
officer, during the late battles, had his leg shot off; notwithstanding,
the girl was true and constant, and determined to have him.
The bride was dressed in white, with a gold necklace, which hung
over her bosom, and a white veil covering half of her head
and face. The groom was in full uniform, which looked very
imposing. They were married by the priest, after which there
was a shaking of hands, and mingling of congratulations. At
night. we went to the fandango. The girls were dressed very
plain, but neat; and some were quite good-looking. The most
beautiful feature about them is their pretty feet. Their dresses
were all made short-waisted, after the old fashion, without either
corsets or stays to shape them. The Mexican gallants were
dressed in white jackets, with pants (f blue cotton or fine-dressed
buckskin, embroidered with silk, open at the sides, and lined
with buttons down the legs, underneath which they wore white
loose drawers, which made quite a flashy contrast. Around their
waists they wore a blue or red sash. Their hats were of a high
crowned conical shape, of black glazed silk, around which they
wore silver bands. The music consisted of a tambourine and a
mandolin. Their quadrilles were much like ours, only that they
danced them differently. The waltz was a sort of slow march,
balancing at every two or three turns. We all danced with the
girls, and had quite a pleasant time; all agreeing that ,"Dona
Catherina" was the belle of the night.
CHAPTER IV.
Departure for Reynoso on the Steamer " J. E. Roberts"-The Rio Grande and
its Banks--Our Arrival and Departure-The Steamer aground-Lieut. McMullen's
Story-Ride to Reynoso-Description of the Town-An IncidentWe
proceed to Conargo-The river San Juan-Clay Davis's Place-Arrival
at Comargo-Description of its Ruins-The Rangers' Camp, &c.-A
Sunday at Church-The Mexican Girls-Their Dress and Customs.
WE had long been waiting most anxiously for a boat to take us
to Reynoso, in order to join our company, which we were fearful
would go out on a scout before we could reach it. An opportunity
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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/m1/31/: 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.