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: 78
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:
78 THE STRANGE GUIDE.
rad, we were now convalescent, though still feeble. The doctor
would frequently sit hours by our pallet, keeping us amused with
his dry stories, and we must be permitted here to return him our
grateful acknowledgments. In the afternoon, we dressed ourself
and left the hospital for the more agreeable quarters of our friend
Lieut. D., where we spent a very pleasant evening with a select
party, and, retiring to our friend's cot while the band was playing
a soft melting air, we gradually sunk into a sweet repose. The
next day was very hot; but we found ourself improving very fast,
and reading the " Three Guardsmen" to occupy our time, we felt
again all the wild excitement of the " hero," and were anxious
once more to be like him in the saddle, engaged in active service.
On the 30th, we joined our company and returned to camp
duties.
On the first of August, to our great joy, we received secret
orders to march. All now was great excitement. Many of our
horses were to be shod, and it was not without great difficulty that
we could obtain iron enough for the purpose. The different
messes were busily occupied cleaning their arms, moulding bullets,
and parching coffee for the scout.
On the morning of the third, at 8, A. M., the command was
ready and departed, leaving a rear-guard of some ten or twelve to
follow after, among whom were Mr. Kendallhand ourself. At 10,
A. M., we started, having been detained for special purposes; one
of which was to throw the spies off the scent; and taking a W. S.
W. course we stopped at the Sugar Rancho, where we found
Duncan's artillery encamped. After spending a few moments
here with our friends, we rode on. The. sky looked threatening,
and soon after a tremendous shower of rain came up-in the midst
of which a horseman was seen pursuing us, at full speed, and
coming up, he asked us as he rode by, if our name was " Reid."
Upon replying to him in the affirmative, he dashed on, much to
our surprise, telling us to wait a moment at the next rancho. On
our arrival at the hut, we saw him changing his clothes, and then
taking a fresh horse, rode up with us, and putting a note into our
hand from Capt. Duncan, said he would show us the camp of
Capt. McCulloch, as he knew that he had encamped some place in
the hills. His manner was much hurried and excited, and seemed
so strange that we first looked suspiciously on him. He took the
lead, and after winding around some deep gullies and hills for
about three miles, he changed his course to a high ridge, and
bade us follow. We approached cautiously in double file until we
gained its top, where we found the camp of our boys. It was
raining so hard at the time that we could not lear clearly the
purport of the note. It now appeared that the man, whose name
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/m1/82/: 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.