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: 80
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:
80 AN EXTRAORDINARY VISION.
our captain, poring over a map, as he lay on the ground resting on
his elbow, and, tracing with his finger the lines there laid down,
seemed to be intent upon some scheme, which he was revolving
in his own brain. Notwithstanding the familiarity of the men
with our commander, for they most usually called him "Ben,"
yet on such occasions there were but few who dared to approach
him. Rising from the ground, and slowly folding up the map,
which he placed in his hat, for the most of us were in our shirt
sleeves, he approached his favourite horse, and patting him on the
neck, as he slipped the bridle into his mouth, gave the order,
" Saddle up." We doubt whether there is any cavalry corps in
the world that can saddle and bridle a horse quicker than the
"( Texas Rangers." The order was hardly given, when the majority
of the men were in the saddle, and the few that were detained
behind, were kept by some unruly pack mule.
Our road now lay along a beautiful skirt of country, and the air
became cool by the departure of the fiery rays of the sun. Far in
the distance could be seen the dim outline of the bluish mountains,
like some fleecy cloud. The sun was setting with unusual grandeur
behind the distant mountains, which seemed to rest upon the
western horizon, gilding the encircling view with all the magnificence
and splendour'of its golden rays. Just then we were
attracted by a most extraordinary vision in the heavens, and so
perfect was its every outline as to fix general attention. The
scene presented a battlement in the clouds, over which there was
a large arch, and beneath, was a soldier with his musket at a
charge, standing on a draw-bridge. The picture was as perfect
as if it had been drawn by the pencil of an artist, and caused
among the superstitious many ominous forebodings of what was to
come. As the last lingering roseate hue faded from the sky,
orders came from the advance to form into single file, and to observe
complete silence; and for those leading mules to fall back to
the rear. Our movements, thus far, had been made with the
greatest caution and secrecy, and a fight was now thought to be
certain. The merry joke and wild laugh of our companions were
no longer heard, and faces which before looked without care, then
became grave and thoughtful. Not a murmur was heard throughout
the long rank of single file of fifty-six men. It was a most
lovely night; the silver goddess of the heavens was smiling
sweetly in all her transcendent beauty; the bright arms glistened
in the moonlight, and the costume of our men was as wild
as their appearance was ferocious.
At 11, P. M., we passed a large rancho, about two miles long,
called " Rancho el Toro," in the midst of which, a little off from
the road, there stood an unroofed chapel, in the shape of a large
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/m1/84/: 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.