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: 34
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34 LIFE IN THE CAMP.
civilians of the present day, is not respected or courted in the
camp of a soldier. There, bravery and intelligence outrank it.
At 9 o'clock the men retired, our beds consisting merely of a
blanket spread on the ground, with a sack of corn or oats for a
pillow, or heading as the "(boys" called it, and save those who
were on guard, all was soon hushed in sleep.
On Sunday, the 19th, at daylight, a party of us went out about
a mile and a half to graze our horses. The morning was beautiful,
and as is always the case when we meet with new scenery,
it elevated the soul, and one became more impressed with the
grandeur of God's works. The country around looked bright and
cheerful, the birds were singing their morning carols, and the
green fields and forests of chaparral were pleasing to the eye.
We carried our arms with us, and on arriving at the pasturage,
we slipped our horses' bridles around their necks, and merely unbuckled
the girths without taking off the saddle, so that in case
of surprise, we would be ready for a fight or flight. We then
untied our cabaristas or Mexican halters, which are about some
twenty or thirty feet long, and holding the end in our hands, lay
down and let our horses graze at will. The grass here was only
tolerable, owing to the late overflow. On returning, we met several
small parties of Mexicans on horseback, some of whom were carrying
women before them, instead of behind them, as is the custom in
our country. On reaching camp we rode down to the river, and
watered our horses. The banks were lined with women who
carried earthen jars upon their heads, and were busy filling them
with water-while others were occupied washing clothes, and
another group of girls were bathing in the river. They did not
mind our presence at all, and swam with great ease and activity.
After feeding and grooming our horses we went to breakfast. To
have seen the different messes sitting round their meal, one would
have thought, from the savage-looking mien of the men, with their
long matted hair and beards, and their singular costumes, that we
were a band of brigands. Our life was a rough one, and although
sometimes disagreeable, yet from its novelty and wild excitement -
it had many charms-for notwithstanding the hardships we suffered,
there was much in it that partook of the romance of the
olden days of chivalry.
After breakfast, having determined to go to church, we completed
our toilet by greasing our boots, which came up over the
caps of our knees, instead of blacking them. The chiming of the
bells reminded us mightily of our old cathedral at New Orleans;
and as it was so natural after taking one's cafe noir at the
French market on Sunday morning, to drop into the cathedral to
see our pretty Creole girls, and listen to the fine music of the
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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/m1/37/: 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.