Campaign sketches of the war with Mexico

Front matter

Corpus Chris U. CAMPAIGN SKETCHES OF THE WAB WITH MEXICO. BY CAPT. W. S. HENRY, U. S. ARMY. He wishes to enjoin upon the battalions of infantry, that their main dependence must be in the bayonet. — Taylor's Orders. tMUft!) 3Snjirabrnfl». NEW YORK: HARPER &. BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 82 CLIFF STREET. 184 8. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty -seven, by Harper & Brothers, in the Clerk's Office ofthe District Court ofthe Southern District of New York. TO MAJOR-GENERAL Z. TAYLOR, U. S. ARMY. Dear Sir, — It is with feelings of no ordinary pleasure that I dedicate, by permission, these pages to you. The honesty of purpose and decision of character which have marked your career, under all circumstances, have obtained for you the love of the officers and men under your command.

Your brilliant suc cesses with inadequate forces and materiel, the well laid and admirably-executed plans of your campaigns, excite the pride and gratitude of your countrymen, and place you by the side of those who occupy the most conspicuous positions in history. The army can never forget (in that dark hour which preceded the victories of the 8th and 9th of May, 1846, when our countrymen thought our " little army" sacrificed) that you, with perfect fearlessness, without a doubt of the result, boldly marched forward, met the enemy's legions, and conquered them, evincing to the world the courage, force, and discipline of our army, and proving to the United States that the money ex pended in the education of their officers at the West DEDICATION. IV Point Military Academy has been productive of re sults which should render its basis immovable.

Hoping that the sunset of your life may be as happy and tranquil as your successes have been alike glorious and honorable, I subscribe myself Your friend and obedient servant, W. S. Henry, Capt. U. S. A.

Preface

. In committing the subjoined pages to the tide of popular favor, the author disavows any claim to liter ary merit. He issues them as a diary of events now blended with the history of his country. They have been jotted down principally for his own amusement, or to beguile away the otherwise long and weary hours of camp life. They are now brought forth as the means of introducing into the family circle a con cise, and perhaps instructive, narrative of events, a description of the country, its scenery, the people, their manners and customs, which have been subject ed to his own observation. The journal commences with the first movement of the " Army of Observation." The author's personal knowledge extends to the time when General Taylor was deprived of his regulars at Victoria, prior to his return to Monterey, and to his own departure from the army, subsequent to the fall of Vera Cruz.

The remaining incidents of the campaign of General Tay lor are compiled from his official dispatches, and from graphic letters written by gentlemen associated with the army. He must not forget to acknowledge his obligations to Lieutenant A. Sully, of the army, for his spirited A* preface. VI embellishments; and to Major J. H. Eaton, to whom he is indebted for a few designs. From the nature of the forces employed during the war, it is a natural suppo sition that there are few persons who have not had some friend or relative engaged in the stirring scenes herein described. They may be assured the writer has endeavored to give a faithful history of the events connected with the war. To the casual reader, it is hoped the subject will be of sufficient interest to fix his attention for a brief pe riod.

And if, to his brother officers, he has succeeded in recalling scenes upon which memory must fondly dwell, though tinged with melancholy hues, he will feel himself amply repaid. The Author.

Chapter I

In order to have a clear understanding ofthe causes which resulted in the formation of the original " Army of Observation," its concentration upon the Red River and at Fort Jesup, &c, and for the purpose of obtain ing a starting-point for my journal, I deem it necessary to give the reader a synopsis of the events which immediately preceded these military movements ; not presuming, however, that all are not conversant with them, but thinking it will afford an interesting intro duction to the work, and bring more forcibly to recol lection all the causes for the first military movements, which eventually resulted in the war with Mexico. The intensely exciting period which preceded the annexation of Texas must be too well remembered to need any reference. It was generally believed this measure would be effected by President Tyler early in the spring of 1844.

For this purpose he introduced a treaty, which was rejected by the Senate. From an understanding between our government and that of Texas (both calculating upon the certainty ofthe passage of the treaty), we were to concentrate upon the borders of Texas a force sufficient to prevent or re pulse any attack which might be made by the Mexi can government, which might reasonably be expected from their determined and expressed opposition to the annexation of the State of Texas to the United States, the independence of which state they had never ac knowledged, although eight years had elapsed since her existence as a separate and independent government. In furtherance of this promise, the government se lected (then Brevet Brigadier-general) Z. Taylor, colonel of the 6th Regiment of Infantry, as commanding officer for the forces about being concentrated at or near Fort Jesup, Louisiana.

He received informa tion to this effect in May, 1844, immediately resigned the command of Department No. 2, and repaired to Fort Jesup. This post was at the time garrisoned by seven companies of the 2d Regiment of Dragoons, commanded by Colonel D. E. Twiggs. In April, 1844, the eight companies of the 3d Regiment of In fantry, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel E. A. Hitch cock, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, received orders to repair immediately to Fort Jesup, Louisiana. On the 27th of April they embarked on transports, and arrived at Fort Jesup on the 10th of May. Their encampment, in close proximity with the above-named fort, was called Camp Wilkins, in honor of the then Secretary of War. In May, 1844, eight companies of the 4th Regiment of Infantry, then sta tioned at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and command ed by Colonel Vose, received orders to repair to Red River.

They took water transportation on the 7th, and arrived at Grand Ecore on the 13th of May, 1844. They selected a beautiful site for an encampment, about three miles from the river, which was called Camp Salubrity. Two companies of the 3d and two of the 4th Infantry were at that time detached ; the former at Fort Leavenworth, the latter at Fort Scott, Missouri. General Taylor arrived at Fort Jesup about the middle of June, and took command of the forces. He called them the " Army of Observation." On the 3d of April, 1845, the two companies ofthe 3d Infant ry, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, started for Fort Jesup, and arrived there on the 23d of April. This movement concentrated the 3d Infantry. The original " Army of Observation," under command of General Taylor, consisted of seven companies of the 2d Dra goons, under the command of Colonel Twiggs; the 3d Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel Hitch cock ; and eight companies of the 4th Infantry, under command of Colonel Vose.

In February, 1845, the resolutions annexing Texas to the United States passed Congress. On the 28th of May, 1845, General Taylor received instructions from the War Department as fol lows: "So soon as the Texas Congress shall have giv en its consent to annexation, and a convention shall as semble and accept the terms offered in the resolution of Congress, Texas will then be regarded by the ex ecutive government here so far a part of the United States as to be entitled, from this government, to de fense and protection from foreign invasion and Indian incursions. The troops under your command will be placed and kept in readiness to perform that duty." General Taylor deemed the position then occupied one which would enable him, under any emergency, to fulfill his orders ; therefore no change was made.

Active preparations were going on, with the expectation of a march through Texas, to the point designated for our occupancy, on the extreme southwestern borders of Texas, when, on the 15th of June, 1845, in structions were transmitted by Mr. Bancroft to Gen eral Taylor as follows : " On the 4th day of July the Convention of the people of Texas will probably accept the proposition of annexation, and, in anticipation ofthe event, he was to advance to some point on the Gulf of Mexico which he might deem convenient for the embarkation of his command to the western frontier of Texas." New Orleans was selected as this point. The 3d and 4th Infantry were immediately ordered there. It was decided that the Dragoons should march across the country. On the 2d of July the 4th Infantry em barked on steamers at Grand Ecore, and arrived at New Orleans on the 4th, and took position at the Bar racks, about four miles below the city.

The 3d In fantry left Fort Jesup on the 7th, and arrived at New Orleans on the 10th. Quarters were assigned them in the lower cotton-press. And here we have the Army of Observation ready for a start, the quarter-master's department busily employed in chartering transports, and the officers of the line making the most of their time by enjoying as many of the pleasures of that de lightful city as the heat of the season and the fear of yellow fever would permit, previous to their banish ment to parts unknown. Here we have a starting point. From the date of our arrival in New Orleans the Journal commences, which I hope will be suffi ciently interesting to induce those who have accom panied me thus far to peep into the following chapter.

Chapter II

Nothing could exceed the heat of the weather dur ing the few days we spent in New Orleans. All were anxious to hear ofthe action ofthe Texas Convention, and we found some little difficulty to restrain our im patience to be " off." General Taylor and staff did not accompany the troops on their departure from Fort Jesup. He remained behind to see that every thing was arranged for the departure of the Dragoons, and arrived in the city on the 15th. In the mean time, vessels had been engaged to transport the troops to the point which should be selected by General Taylor, and all was life and animation in getting the necessary stores on board. On the 4th of July the Texas Con vention decided upon accepting the propositions of an nexation (with one exception) by a unanimous vote. According to instructions, an immediate move became necessary, and that the general should make choice of the position he intended to occupy.

He was, you may say, in utter ignorance of the country ; but decided, aft er carefully weighing the advantages (as represented) of the different points upon the Gulf, to repair to Cor pus Christi. The glowing descriptions which we received of the beauty of its location, and of the immense number of fish, oysters, deer, and every kind of game, gave us pleasurable anticipations. On the 15th of July a gloom was thrown over us all by the sudden and unexpected demise of Colonel J. H. Vose ofthe 4th Infantry. This sad event occurred at New Orleans Barracks. He was on drill within a few moments of his death. He fell back on the porch of his quarters in a fit, and died before medical aid could be of any avail. He died like a true soldier, with his sword and sash around him — literally " in harness."

On the 16th he was buried with funeral honors ; the 3d Infantry formed his escort. We could not but be impressed with so melancholy a commencement of the campaign. Few of us will forget the melting heat we endured while marching from our quarters to the Bar racks. On the 19th Lieutenant Bragg arrived from Charles ton with his company of the 3d Artillery, with or ders to report to General Taylor for duty with the " Army of Observation." A light battery, with the nec essary horses, should have met him at New Orleans. Nothing of the kind made its appearance, and the com pany embarked without it, for the time being serving as infantry. The steam-ship Alabama was assigned to the 3d Infantry. The general and staff (Captain Bliss, acting adjutant-general, and Lieutenant Eaton, aid-de-camp), Captain Crossman, acting quartermaster, and Captain Waggaman (assistant commissary of sub sistence) decided upon embarking in her.

During the day and evening of the 22d the baggage and subsist ence were placed on board. Ships were chartered for the 4th Infantry and Bragg's battery, who were ordered to leave as soon as they could prepare them selves. The 3d Infantry, at eleven o'clock at night on the 22d of July, were formed in line in the street run ning between the yards of the Cotton Press, wheeled into column, and, to the soul-inspiring air of their regi mental quick-step, marched through the streets, thence to their transport. Many curious heads were seen pro truding from half-opened doors and windows, to know what all the fuss could be about; and many an old veteran had the dormant feelings of the 8th of January re kindled by the " ear-piercing fife" and " spirit-stirring drum." The moon was just rising as we marched out, gilding the domes and house-tops, and caused our bay onets to glisten in the mellow light.

The deep shad ows on one side of the street, the bright moonlight upon the other, the solemn quiet of a sleeping city, dis turbed so harshly by the martial music of the column, formed a scene which touched one's feelings, and will not easily be forgotten. The Alabama left her moorings at three o'clock on the morning ofthe 23d, and by twelve M. had crossed the bar at the southwest pass, and was gallantly and rapidly cutting her way over the Gulf, barely ruffled by the soft breeze. At anchor outside lay the sloop of-war St. Mary's, commanded by that gallant and ex cellent seaman, Captain Saunders, ordered from Pen sacola to convoy the troops. As we had steam, she remained to convoy the sail vessels. At twelve o'clock on the 25th, after a delightful run, we made Matagor da Island. It was the first glimpse of the promised land, the land of "the lone star" no longer.

Matagorda Island is properly St. Joseph's ; and the one put down on the maps as St. Joseph's should be Espiritu Santo. We ran along the coast (about two miles distant) all the afternoon. Its white sand-beach and rolling sand-hills, from twenty to fifty feet high, covered with verdure, presented quite a bold and picturesque appearance. It resembles very much the Florida coast. You miss, however, the palmetto and pine ; to the latter-named we have bidden a long fare well. The live-oak, of immense size, through whose thickly-interlaced leaves and limbs the sun's rays nev er pierce, has taken their place. I regret to part with Vol. I.— B CAlVIPAIGN SKETCHES OF the stately, long-leaf pine ; it has been associated with my southern service, and its " music" has oft lulled me into happy reveries. A fierce band of Indians, the Ca ranchuas, formerly, and within a very late period, in habited this island.

They are cannibals, and proved a scourge to the early settlers of this portion of Texas. A small band of Texans gave them battle, and, after a fierce fight, whipped and drove them from the island. The spot on which the battle took place bears the name of "Battle Island." In the course of several fights they have nearly been exterminated. They are now reduced to a few warriors, and are located upon Padre Island. They are very brave and warlike, and cele brated for the accuracy of their shooting. An instance is related of a warrior lying down upon his back, using his feet to draw his bow, and driving an arrow, at the distance of 175 yards, through a man and six folds of buckskin. We made Aransas Bay, latitude 27° 45", early on the morning ofthe 26th of July. Lieutenant C. landed at nine o'clock, and on the top of one ofthe loftiest sand-hills erected a pole, from the top of which was unfurled the star-spangled banner.

It floats over a rich acquisition, the most precious Uncle Sam has yet added to his crown. "Long: may it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave." The company I commanded had the honor of landing first. The vessel, drawing too much water, could not cross the bar ; it therefore became necessary for us to land in small boats. Seventy-five yards distant from the shore the men had to jump overboard into the roar ing surf. They made a real frolic of it. Some old vet eran camp-women took to the element as if they were born in it ; while others, more delicately-nerved, pre ferred a man's back, and rode on shore. This island (St. Joseph's) is a curiosity, in many respects. If you dig a well four feet deep any where, even on the sea shore, you obtain fresh water. Into these wells a bar rel is usually sunk, to prevent their caving in.

My company was encamped near a fresh-water pond ; within a few paces there was another pond, of precise ly similar appearance, but salt as brine. No one was aware of this fact until we saw one of the men, who was very thirsty, rushing to it, flattering himself he was about having a refreshing drink, spitting out the first swallow, with strong symptoms of disgust. I can not satisfactorily account for the water in some places being fresh and in other's salt. The most plausible theory is, the water of the ocean, filtrating through the sand, loses its saline property. Every thing goes to prove this. If you dig a little lower in the same well, after reaching fresh, you will strike salt water. The fresh water, at best, has a most unpleasant taste. There are three or four families residing upon this island, who depend upon this water for their drinking.

The fish ing here can not be surpassed ; sheep-head, drum, mul let, red-fish, and many others too numerous to men tion, abound ; the water is literally alive with them. The red-fish are most prized ; the men caught great quantities of them ; they bait with fiddlers, wade out into the surf, and as fast as they throw in their lines are sure to have a bite ; not so sure, however, to catch the fish, for they often strike such large ones they snap their hooks like pipe-stems. As soon as you have fast ened one, you throw the line over your shoulder and put for the shore "double quick;" often, by this means, landing the largest fish without any difficulty ; for they swim along with you, and find themselves caught be fore they know it. A sergeant of my company hooked such a monster that he could not budge him ; the fish darted between him and a comrade standing by his side; as he passed they laid violent hands upon him, unhooked him, and started for shore.

They had not proceeded ten paces, when he flapped his tail and threw them both on their backs, and escaped. The hunting here is unsurpassed. Deer abound. If you are in want of meat, you have but to station yourself behind some of the innumerable sand-hills, near ponds of fresh water. Here may be seen the deer for half a mile, when feeding or coming to water. There you can quietly sit, and the deer will walk with in thirty yards of you ; or, if you prefer it, mount your horse, dash over the island, and you can have the ex citement of shooting them under full run. An officer of our regiment jumped on a horse, rode to the shoot ing-grounds, and in twenty minutes from the time of dismounting killed three fine, fat fellows. Teal and mallard duck were found in the ponds with their young ; also jack-snipe.

This is somewhat astonishing, as it is the general impression they migrate to the north to breed. The soil of the island is peculiarly adapted to the cultivation of sea-island cotton. Potatoes and melons flourish luxuriantly. It is a light soil, quite sandy, mixed with a great deal of shell ; and no matter how much time elapses between rains, the moisture from the soil (water being found so near the surface), com bined with the heavy dews, affords sufficient nourish ment for the plant. The landing of the troops' supplies was effected with great difficulty. On the 29th, two companies of the 3d, one of which was mine, embarked on the steam er Undine for Corpus Christi. Aransas and Corpus Christi Bays are separated by a long flat of land. It was discovered that the Undine drew too much water to pass over it.

We were forced to leave the steam boat, and cross the bay, a very i-ough one, in small boats. We landed on the main shore on the 31st of July. On the 14th of July Captain Tompkins's company of the 3d Artillery sailed from New York in the United States store-ship Lexington, for the mouth of the Columbia River. He carried with him a battery of artillery, besides heavy guns, and every material requisite for the erection of a permanent fortification.

Chapter III

The village of Corpus Christi, or "Kinney's Ranch," as it is generally called, is situated on the western shore of Corpus Christi Bay. The town consists of some twenty or thirty houses, partly situated on a shelf of land, elevated some six or eight feet above the water, about two hundred yards broad, and on a bluff which rises from the plain to the height of one hundred feet. The bay at this point is in the shape of a crescent, ex tending in a southeast direction to Padre Island, and northwest to the mouth of the Nueces. The bluff pre sents a beautiful aspect, the rise being sufficiently gentle to deprive it of all appearance of abruptness, clad with the mesquite-grass, and evergreen bushes scat tered in clumps hither and yon in graceful confusion, looking, in its gentle undulations, as if its pleasing ir regularities had been fashioned by the hand of man B* The bluff and the plain presented, early on the morn ing after our arrival, quite a pastoral appearance.

First came a large drove of cattle, driven by two Mexicans, mounted upon their mustang poneys ; then followed at least five hundred goats and sheep, which, dispersing themselves in groups over hill and plain, added much to the beauty of the scene. The shepherd and his trusty dog accompanied them; Fancy placed in his hands the crook, and brought vividly to mind the poetic descriptions of his life. From the top of the bluff the view that burst upon us was magnificent in the extreme. Far off to the east the scene was bounded by the white-caps of the beautiful bay ; to the southeast Flower Bluffs stood out in bold relief; in the northeast the distant highlands of Maglone's Bluff were dimly visible ; to the northwest, the land near the mouth ofthe Nueces ; in the west, one unlim ited plain presented itself, extending to the mountains, the home of the mustang and buffalo, the hunting ground of the bold Camanche and the fierce Lipan.

The scene was charming, and the soft, refreshing sea breeze, cooling the atmosphere to the temperature of an October's day, made one exclaim, in the enthusiasm of the moment, " It is God's favored land — the Eden of America." When the enthusiasm subsided, it was not exactly that, but it certainly is very beautiful. The atmosphere is tempered by a constant breeze, and you hardly feel the heat. This place was first settled by Colonel H. L. Kin ney, in 1838, who, in conjunction with his partner, Mr. Aubrey, established a trading-post, to meet the im mense traffic carried on by the Mexicans. It was the extreme frontier settlement. The incursions of the Indians were so frequent, and attended with so much danger, that he was forced to keep a regular company of men, at his own expense, to defend his " ranch."

Its proximity to the Rio Grande made it the most con venient point for the contraband trade. This trade is carried on by Mexicans, who bring in immense droves of horses and mules, saddles and bridles, Mex ican blankets and silver, and in return take back the common unbleached domestics and tobacco. From the great extent of frontier on the Rio Grande, they are enabled to escape the custom, and realize immense profits upon their goods. Colonel Kinney's life has been a romance from his first entrance into the coun try ; and those accustomed to the luxuries of cities, and unacquainted with border life, can hardly realize, much less credit, some of the astonishing adventures in which he has been a prominent actor. His ready wit, generosity, indomitable courage, and perseverance have relieved him from many perplexing situations.

As the concentration of our army at this point has rendered it notorious, I can not refrain, even at the ex pense of being considered prosy, from relating a few anecdotes connected with the place and its spirited pro prietor. For the suppression of this illicit trade, the government of Mexico kept constantly stationed on the Rio Grande a species of troops called "comisiones." They were usually commanded by some worthless vagabond, who was ready in a moment to sacrifice his duty for a bribe. The government, looking with a jealous eye at the increasing trade of "Kinney's Ranch," dispatched an officer of the " comisiones," with two hundred men, to destroy his contraband goods and take him prisoner. At this time Kinney had with him a company of forty men. Receiving information ofthe intended expedition, he hurried to "Liveoak Point," a neighboring settlement east of the Nue ces, to obtain all the assistance they could spare.

On his return he found that his valiant company had not only deserted him, but stolen many of his goods. The " Ranch" was, in itself, a pretty strong work, being sur rounded by a wall pierced for infantry, and having two pieces of artillery mounted for its defense. The com manding officer ofthe detachment halted his men with in three miles ofthe Ranch, and dispatched a messenger to Colonel Kinney, telling him if he would give up his goods peaceably, he would not molest his per son. The colonel's force consisted, all told, of eight trusty adherents. While the messenger was deliver ing the mandate of his superior, they were employed, by order of the colonel, digging holes in which to place some bomb-shells, the " Ranch" being well supplied with the various materiel of war. Observing that the proceedings of his men had attracted the attention of the messenger, the colonel said to him, " Go back to your captain ; tell him I'll neither surrender my goods nor myself; I'll fight him to the last, and will lay his bones and those of his command to bleach at my door."

This reply being reported to the worthy commander, he exclaimed, " Why, what has got into this d — d Amer ican ? he must have been sure of whipping me, or he would never have sent so fierce an answer." The affair, thus savagely commenced, ended in a conference. A few insinuating gold pieces, placed most unostenta tiously in the hands of the worthy and valiant de fender of his country's laws, sent him back to the Rio Grande, to report to his government that the conduct of the colonel was unexceptionable. So much for a lit tle ingenious bravery, and a happy application of the lever of the world. The settlement was almost entirely at the mercy of the numerous bands of Indians. So daring were they in their fierce incursions, that it became neces sary to make every house a castle. The colonel's In dian adventures were numberless.

I have only spacf to relate some of the details of one in which he was concerned with a party of Camanches. They are the most war-like tribe of Indians on this continent ; neither ask nor give quarter ; being mostly armed with the bow and arrow, they have acquired a skill in its use that is perfectly wonderful. The party with whom he had the combat was headed by Santa Anna, a noted chief, and numbered seventeen. The party which Colonel Kinney commanded numbered eleven. Santa Anna had been in the "Ranch," committing dep redations. Being mounted on fleeter horses, the col onel and his party soon overtook the illustrious chief. The two parties dismounted and approached each oth er, skirmishing, to within fifty yards. Each shot from the unerring rifle of the border men told with terrible effect.

The Indians fought with desperate valor ; no signs of flinching. Presently Santa Anna, with Jjis raw-hide shield before him, dashed to the front, and ran along the line of his opponents. Each fired as he passed them, but with no effect. You could hear the balls rattle harmlessly on his shield. Just as the colonel fired at his legs, the object of this bold manœuver of the wily chief flashed across his mind. It was to draw their fire, and rush upon them while their pieces were discharged. He cried to his men to mount, and vaulted upon his noble steed. His men, objecting to mount before they loaded, were dashed upon by the enemy. Now they were all mingled in a hand-to-hand conflict. The man who first objected to mounting his horse was immediately speared and killed. Another was speared and shot in several places with arrows.