Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/26

22 army marched immediately in that direction. The report was false as there had been no attack.

May 3rd the batteries from Matamoras opened upon our camp at day-break with great energy. The battle was fierce for a while and in 30 minutes all the heavy gun batteries of the enemy were silenced by our artillery. The enemy threw many shells; but without effect.



Most of our forces were at Point Isabel and in that vicinity though some were opposite Matamoras. General Taylor, May 7th directed the army to march in the direction of Matamoras. It started at 3, P. M. having a valuable train of provisions and munitions of war. Six twelve-pounders were in the wagons and a battery of two eighteen pounders was drawn by oxen. The forces were under the command of Lieut. Churchill. On the morning of the 8th the enemy were observed less than a mile distant, occupying a front of about a mile and a half. The general formed his men in column of attack and permitted them to go half at a time and get water to fill their canteens, as they had marched twelve miles that day and suffered from heat and thirst. Our army moved on with firmness to meet the enemy, and when within 700 yards the enemy opened their fire from a battery on the right. The right wing of our army