Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/363

Rh and preparations were made to obstruct their advance by Governor Trias, and General José Heredia, the commandant general of the district. At a meeting of the legislature of the department, the governor presiding, it was decided that when Doniphan's men should be taken, they were to be stripped of their money and arms, and sent on foot to the city of Mexico; and a quantity of cord was cut in suitable lengths for tying the prisoners, which was afterwards captured at the battle of Sacramento. General Heredia, with Generals Justiniani, Garcia Conde, and Ugarté and Governor Trias, who acted as a brigadier general, advanced to the pass of Sacramento about the middle of February, with near 4,000 troops, regulars and militia, ten pieces of field artillery, and six culverins, or rampart pieces. The position was skilfully and strongly fortified, under the direction of General Conde, who was afterwards detached with 800 cavalry to observe the Americans, and on the approach of Colonel Doniphan fell back to the main body.

The road from Sauz to the rancho of Sacramento, in front of which the enemy had fortified themselves, follows the course of an open level valley, bounded on either side by ranges of sterile Mountains. About sever: