Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/23

Rh and others, arrived at the camp. By the middle of October 1845 the army of occupation consisted of 251 officers 3671 privates, total 3922. These were on the coast, and there were about 150 in the interior.

Texas claimed the land to the River Rio Grande, and General Taylor was ordered, in Feb. 1846, to move the army to some point on that river. In March it accordingly, started, having been at Corpus Christi seven months and eleven days. March 16th Col. Twiggs met the advanced guard of the enemy and was ordered to advance no further. He returned to the army and reported. Nothing however, was seen of the enemy again until our forces reached the banks of the Colorado, the passage of which was strongly disputed. The Mexican forces were drawn up on the opposite bank, and declared that they would fire upon our forces if they attempted to cross. General Taylor told them, that as soon as the bank was cut down for the train to pass, the first Mexican that he saw after our men entered the river would be shot. At this they fled. The Adjutant general, Gen. Mejia, the commanding officer at Matamoras, handed a paper to General Taylor informing him, that if he crossed they would have a fight; but no opposition appeared. The order of march as our army drew nearer Point Isabel was in four columns, the Dragoons on the right and the 3d Brigade on the left. Before arriving, however, it was ascertained that the place was deserted by the enemy and that all the buildings but one were burned. Our army were then ordered to direct their march towards Matamoras and General Worth encamped 12 miles from that place. General Taylor proceeded to point Isabel and the steamers and provisions arrived at the same time. While a deputation of fifty armed citizens of Matamoras, protesting