Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/125

Rh by the indomitable courage that nerved their hands, and strengthened their hearts. They still feared the worst, but they did not wholly despond. For a few moments all was still, — and then the silence was suddenly broken by the thunder of heavy artillery. Each man sprang to his feet, and for an instant held his breath. Boom! — boom! — those low, deep echoes were repeated and prolonged in the distance. The sound could not be mistaken — General Taylor was on the road to rescue them — the bronzed countenances of that band were lit up by a smile of joy, and their glad hurrah rang loud and clear down the valley of the Rio Grande.

On the 6th of May, a body of recruits for General Taylor's army arrived at Point Isabel. The garrison of the fort at the depot was strengthened by the addition of this detachment; and having completed his preparations, General Taylor left the Point on the afternoon of the succeeding day, with a force of about 2,300 men, accompanied by a large wagon train containing his ammunition and supplies. Occasional guns were heard in the direction of Matamoras, which assured him that everything was right in that quarter. It was his determination to fight the enemy, if they offered him battle, and his intentions were communicated to the army. On the night of the 7th, his forces bivouacked about seven miles from Point Isabel. The march was resumed on the following morning, and continued until about noon, when his cavalry advance reported that the Mexican army were drawn up in front, near the water hole of