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: 74
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74 RETURN TO COMARGO.
forthcoming; for they knew not, as yet, whether we came as friends
or foes, (as the place had not yet been garrisoned by our troops,) and
the only way to make a Mexican act promptly, is to operate on his
fears. Under the shadow of some beautiful shade-trees, which
ornamented the streets of the town, we sought shelter from the
scorching rays of the sun, and despatched our rations of sweet
bread, fresh meat, and poloncias, (Mexican sugar,) with an appetite
sharpened by our previous exertions. Mier is a pretty town,
and rejoices in the possession of a multitude of fair women; indeed,
we thought that it contained more beauty than any place we had
yet visited.
So much has been said of Mier by others, that we will not
here attempt to describe its localities. We had among us many
of the brave men who had participated in the engagement which
rendered its name immortal on the page of Texian history; and
all the most notable points of the battle-ground were pointed out to
us by Lieut. McMullen, who was in the fight, and who, as our
readers already have seen, shared all the horrors of Mexican captivity.
Thus was our day spent in Mier, and it was with no little
reluctance that we iere compelled to leave so pleasant a spot.
But a soldier's orders are his only law, and when our commander
had learned that the Indians had struck off from this place towards
their great hunting-grounds in the north-west, he concluded to discontinue
further the pursuit. Accordingly, our horses' heads
were turned towards our old post, Comargo; and after another hard
day's ride, and again swimming another river, the San Juan, we
arrived safely on its banks, and were warmly welcomed to our
quarters by our messmates and friends; and as we sat around our
suppers, which were cooking on the fires, we related to our anxious
comrades the incidents of the scout.
To those who are at all acquainted with the skilful stratagems
used by the roving tribes of the prairies, to baffle and elude pursuit,
and the amazing rapidity with which they move when on a
marauding expedition, no explanation need be given for the unsuccessful
termination of our expedition. But if there be any not
over-versed in such matters, and yet over-curious on the subject, we
have only to say to such, go to Mexico, join a ranging company,
start out in a hurry, almost without provisions, upon an Indian
trail, swim three rivers, and follow a Comanche war-party for
five days and nights, through the chaparral, and we will wager
high that at the termination of the chase, you will be perfectly
satisfied upon the subject, and will never be inquisitive again about
the pleasures or result of an Indian scout.
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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/m1/78/: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.