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: 79
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:
OBJECT OF THE SCOUT. 79
was Baker, was sent by Capt. Duncan, to act as guide for us,
or serve us in any way, with instructions to return in two or
three days. Capt. McCulloch then held a conference with him,
and concluded to dispense with his services. Baker was from
Tennessee, and had lived many years in Mexico, and knew
the country well, having been engaged in trading with the
Mexicans.
It soon after cleared up, though we got drenched to the skin.
The boys had nooned it here, and we were too late for coffee, but
the delicious fumes of broiled bacon added to our appetite, and
with a piece of it on a hard biscuit we made a hearty meal. That
day we travelled twenty-five miles, and encamped for the night in
a thick wood, about one hundred yards from the banks of the river
San Juan. As the order was given to halt and dismount, the boys
made a rush for the best trees to camp under. The guard was
set, fires were kindled, water was brought, and the jolly and hardy
Rangers were sitting around talking over the object of the expedition
and spinning yarns, while the supper was cooking on the
fire. We may as well here state that the object of the expedition
was two-fold; first to ascertain the condition of the China road,
and its practicability for artillery, it being the most direct route
to Monterey, and secondly to capture Col. Seguin and his men,
whom we learned were stationed there, numbering about one hundred
and forty. Our saddles served that night for heading, as the
Texians call a pillow, and our blankets for our bed. After supper,
the first watch was relieved, and the second posted, save which,
all the camp was soon wrapped in sleep.
The morning of the fourth was cloudy. Sleeping in wet clothes
and then having to stand guard from 2, A. M., till daylight, is not
very pleasant; but still, being tinged with adventure, the unpleasant
duty was in a degree relieved by its excitement, and the caution
necessary to be observed at this particular period of the watch,
as it is the time always selected by the Indians, and generally by
the Mexicans for an attack. Day broke, however, without the
occurrence of any incident, and we had barely time to swallow
our little breakfast, before the order "Saddle up, men," rang
through the encampment. We rode on all day, travelling in a
very fast walk; and there was much fun and merry glee, throughout
the long line of double file as we journeyed on. At 5, P. M., we
encamped near the road side, to rest and graze our horses, as well
as to partake ourselves of such refreshment as our wallets afforded.
It was intensely hot, and the camp-ground, composed of
but a few chaparral bushes, affording us but little or no shade, we
spread our saddle blankets over their tops to keep us sheltered
from the sun. Under one of these bushes might have been seen
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/m1/83/: 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.