Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-03-19


alone the river can be passed, for although not
very broad it is rapid and deep. We resolved to
take position within this bow, calculating that we
might manage to defend the two forts, which were |
not above quarter Of mile apart.
A, the same time we did not lose sight Of the |
dangers Of such position, and Of the almost GER
tainty that ifthe enemy managed 10 tho river,
we should be surrounded and cut of. But our sue
cess the few occasions which we had hitherto /
come to blows with the Mexicans at Vaasco, |
Nacogdoches. aud Galveston had inspired US with
much confidence, that considered ourselves
a match for thousands OF such foes, aud actually
began to wish the enemy would attack US before
main body came up. We reconnoitred the
ground, stationed picket Of twelve men at each
ford, and an equal number in the islands Of mus
keei trees and established ourselves with the remain
der among the vines and in the hollows the riv
er bank.
The commssariat departement Of the Texan
army was, as may be supposed, not yet placed up
on any very regular footing In fact, every man
was, for the present his own commissary-general
Finding stock Of provisions TO be very small we
sent out party Of foragers, who soon returned
with three sheep, which they had taken from
rancho, within mile Of San Antonio. An old
priest whom they found there, had threatened them
with the anger Of Heaven and of General Cos but
they paid little attention to his denunciations, and
throwing down three dollars, walked of with the
sheep. The priest became furious, got upon his
mule, and iroued away in the direction Of the
city 10 complain to General Cos ofthe misconduct
of the heretes
After this we made no doubt that we should
soon have a visit from the worthy Dons. Never
theess the evening and the night passed away with
out incident Day broke-still no signs Of the
Mexcans. This ueacherous sort Of calm, we
thought might forbode a storm, and we did not
allow it to lull us into security We let the men
get their breakfast which they had hardly finished
when the picket from the upper ford came in with
news that a strong body of cavalry was approach
ing the river, and that their vanguard already
in the hollow way leading to the ford We had
scarcely received this intelligence when we heard
the bare OF the ,rumpets, aud the next moment we
saw the officers push their horses up the declivous
bank, closely followed by their men, whom they
formed up IN the prairie. We counted six small
squadrons, about three hundred men in ALL They
we're the Durango dragoons-smart troops enough
to all appearance, capi,aly mounted and equipped,
and armed with carbnes and sabres.
Although the enemy had doubtless reconnoitred
US from the opposite shore, and ascertained our
position. he could not form any accurate idea Of
our numbers; for with view to deceive him, we
kept the men in constant motion, sometimes show
ing part Of them on the prairie then causing
them TO disappear again behind the vines and
bushes This was all very knowing for young
we had committed a grieyous error, aud sinned a.
gainst all established military rules, by not placing
picket the further side of the river to warn US
Of the approach OF the enemy, and the direction IN
which he was coming. There eau be little doubt
that il we had earlier notice Of their approach
thirty or forty good marksmen-Snd all our people
were that-might not only have delayed the adj
vance Of the Mexicans, but perhaps even totally
disguised them of their attempt to the Salado
The hoilntv IN hp oflnr side of the river
leading the ford, was narrow, and toerably steep
aud the bank al least six times as high as on our
side Nothing would have been easier than TO
have stationed party, as TO pick of the cavalry
they wound through this sort of pass, aud emery
ed two by two upon the shore. Our error, how
ever did not strike till it too late TO repair
il; so we were fain TO console ourselves with the
reflection that the Mexcans would be much more
likely to attribute negligence TO an excess of
confidence in our resources than 10 the ineXperi-
ence in military matters, which its real cause.
We resolved to do our best to merit the good
opinion which we thus supposed them 20 entertain
OF ms.
When the whole of the dragons had crossed
the water, they marched on for short distance in
, an easerly direetion then, wheeling to the right,
proceeded southwark until within some five hun
bred PAGES OF us where they halted. In this posi-
ton. the line of cavalry formed the chosd Of
the arc described by the river, and occupied by
us.
As soon as they halted they opened their fire,
although they could not one OF US, for we were
completely sheltered by the bank. Our Mexican
heroes, however, apparently did not think it nee
essary to be within sight range Of their oppo-
nents before firing, for they gave rafting
voey at a distance which no carbne would carry
This done, others galloped on for about hundred
Yards, halted again, loaded, fred another volley,
and then giving another galop, fred again. They
continued this sort Of manage till they found them
selves within two hundred and fifty PAGES of us, and
then appeared inclined to take little time for re-
Election.
We kept ourselves perfectly still The Dragons
! evidently did not like the aspect Of matters, Oar
remaining concealed, g. not replying to their fire,
seemed TO bother them We the officers
taking deal Of pains to encourage their men, and
at last two squadrons advanced the others follow
ing more slowly, a short distance in rear. This
was the moment we had waited for. No sooner
had the dragons got into a canter, than six of our
men, who had received orders to that effect spyang
up the bank, took steady aim at the officers fred
aud then jumped down again.
, As We had expected, the small numbers that
had shown themselves, encouraged the Mexieans
to advance They seemed at first taken aback by
the fall Of four of their officers; but nevertheless
after moments hesitation they came laundering
along fall speed. They within sixty or seven
, ~ yards ofus when Tanning and thirty of our ri.
aemen assembled the bank, aud with GOODNESS
and precision that would have done credit to the
most veteran troops, poured steady fire into the
ranks of the Dragons.
!, II requires some nerve and courage for men who
have never gone through any regular military
10 ID an