Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/349

Rh weeks; but the time was profitably spent in drilling the troops on the plains near the town. The divisions of Generals Worth and Twiggs were rendered almost perfect in discipline, and the volunteers wanted but little of being equal to the regulars, in point of efficiency.

The guerilleros began to show themselves on the road to Vera Cruz towards the latter part of May, and the first of June. Captain Walker was ordered to join Colonel Wynkoop at Perote, with his company of mounted rifles, and he soon commenced the work of retaliation. Following their trails, and tracking them to their lairs, he rendered most efficient service in defeating their plans and counteracting their projects. On the 4th of June Colonel McIntosh left Vera Cruz for the head-quarters of the army, with three companies of the 3rd dragoons, under Lieutenant Colonel Moore, and six companies of infantry, belonging to different regiments, under Major Lee of the 4th, and Captain Whipple of the 5th, in all numbering about 700 men. The command escorted a large wagon-train containing specie and ammunition. The guerilleros had been made acquainted with the valuable character of the train, and collected in force on the road to reap the rich harvest which they fancied to be within their grasp. Great care was taken by the Americans to prevent a surprise, and flankers were thrown out from one to two hundred yards to the right and left of the advance guard.

Soon after they entered the broken country, the detachment under Colonel McIntosh encountered the