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: 29
251 p. : ill. ; 20 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
VOYAGE ON TIll; RIO GIANDE. 29
at last presented itself. The 1st infantry was already stationed at
Reynloso, and the 7th and 8th had been despatched to Comargo by
land. This latter point was to be made the grand depot for future
operations, and large quantities of military stores were now being
sent up. Orders had also been issued to the 5th regiment to move.
And on the 13th of July, three companies of the 5th, under command
of Capt. Merrill, were embarked on the steamer "( J. E. Roberts,"
and taking our horses on board, we bade adieu to Matamoras,
and were soon booming up the Rio Grande.
At night we stopped at Gen. P. F. Smith's camp of the volunteers,
which was then some fifteen miles from Matamoras, on the
same side of the river. Several of the volunteer officers came on
board to see us, and after landing a few stores, we kept on our way
again. The Rio Grande is certainly one of the most crooked rivers
in all North America. It partakes very much of the character of
our own Mississippi, and is in fact very much like it, only not so
wide or deep. The river being very high, a quantity of trees
and drift-wood were running down with a sweeping current of about
six knots per hour. The wood piles on the banks were quite
numerous for the short time our boats had been running, as steamers
never before ran so high up the river. The corn fields were one
sheet of water, and the Mexicans were gathering the ears in canoes!
The huts on the banks were made of mud and cane, with no order
or neatness about them. The farms generally were very fine, and
we passed some most beautiful places for the opening of plantations.
We made but little headway at night, on account of the
strong current frequently forcing the boat into the banks, in turning
the bends of the river, and so violent were the concussions,
that we were often alarmed for our safety.
On we sped, however, invading the enemy's country without
opposition; and it was the subject of remark, that we were thus
permitted to proceed without resistance. For, had the enemy
chosen, small parties might have lain in ambush, and injured and
harassed our boats very much; certain it is, that no enemy could
take such a liberty with us in our country. At 10, A. M., on the
morning of the 15th, we arrived at Reynoso, a distance of 170
miles, which is situated on a high, rocky, steep point, and contains
about 2,000 souls. Here we stopped to wood, and learning that
our company had gone to Comargo, we remained on board. The
road to the town was up a long and steep hill, and it was so
extremely hot, that we could not be induced to venture its ascent.
Having received our complement of wood, we pursued our course.
At 2, P. x., when about fifteen miles from Reynoso, our boat got
aground, on the right-hand side of the river, at a place called Sabaritas.
After many ineffectual efforts to get off, the soldiers were
3*
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
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/m1/32/: 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.