Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/84

72 be purchased at a fair price; and that, in no case would he go beyond the Rio Grande, unless hostilities were commenced by Mexico. Similar sentiments were expressed to the Custom-house ofﬁcer at Brazos Santiago, by Captain Hardee, the ofﬁcer who commanded the escort covering the reconnaissance of Padre Island. The American troops were also commanded, in general orders, to refrain from the commission of any act of hostility, and to observe the rights and respect the religion of the Mexican people. Every thing being in readiness for the march, a dépót of forage and subsistence was thrown forward to the Santa Gertrudes, about forty miles from Corpus Christi, on the 28th of February, and on the 8th of March, the advance brigade of the main army, consisting of the cavalry and Major Ringgold's light artillery, the whole under the