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: 82
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82 ENTRANCE INTO CHINA.
forming them of our approach. The express must have left that
point at day-break, and going by Passa Sacate, the nearest route,
by obtaining relays, accomplished the defeat of our object.
On the return of Gibson, he told us that he had found the
company encamped on a road, in the rear of the town, and that
they were proceeding to the river bank, when the report of the
gun arrested their movements, and they were waiting the return
of the spies sent out to ascertain the cause of the alarm; but
upon his arrival, had concluded to remain in their position until
daylight, when it was thought the attack would be made.
"' How did you find the camp, Arch ?" asked one of the men.
Why, I was right smartly bothered at first," said he, " but,
getting down from my horse, I found the shod-tracks of our horses,
and letting my critter smell their trail, he carried me right to it."
The men were under arms all night, and not a wink of sleep
was allowed us. Our prisoners lay on the ground, perfectly
unconcerned; one, untying a corner of his handkerchief which
held his tobacco, and taking a corn-shuck from his hat, made a
cigar which he lighted by means of a prepared rag, with a flint
and steel; and then puffing the smoke through his nose, said 6 he
did not mind remaining with us till daylight, but that his young
wife would become alarmed at his absence :" at the same time
the fellow was uncertain whether we intended cutting his throat
or not. At the gray of the;dawn, we left the mules tied to the
chaparral bushes, and mounting our horses, rode fearlessly into
the town of China, uptil we arrived at the plaza, where we formed.
As we rode through the streets, the people commenced barricading
the doors and windows, in evident alarm, and, save one or two men
standing on the covers, there was no one to be seen. Our surprise
was somewhat great, as we could see nothing of our company
! Presently, however, we discovered a few heads peeping
around a corner, and then drawn quickly back; this was repeated
several times, showing that the persons were evidently trying to
make us out; when the rest of our company was seen riding up
towards the plaza, having taken us at first for Mexican troops. As
Captain " Ben" rode in, the rim of his hat was turned up-a way
he had when any thing crossed him, and a sign for all not to be
familiar. It was evident the game had escaped us; so, without
saying a word, he merely ordered us to go back for the mules,
and then follow him as fast as possible.
After we had followed the enemy's trail for some six miles,we arrived
at the river bank, and discovered the place where they had.
crossed. But there we found theyihad scattered out, so as to prevent
pursuit, and our orders did not permit us to follow them farther.
On our return to town, we passed the place where their
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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/m1/86/: 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.