Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/194

188 by-road passing around the town, and was seen on full trot on the National Road. We moved on very cautiously, looking through some of the chaparrals to see whether we could find some guerillas, but not a yellow-copper did we see.

At noon we arrived at Las Vegas; here we halted, expecting that we would put up for the balance of the day and night; having marched hard, and over a rough road, but Col. Wynkoop said that he would push on until he met the coming train, if he had to go to Jalapa. To this Capt. Walker made answer, "Why, Colonel, your men will kill my horses in marching any further." There was quite a time among the men, and one-half of the soldiers went into a church, and swore by all the Gods on high that they would go no further this day or night; and neither we did.

Sunday, June 20, 1847.—Battle of Las Vegas. This morning at 2 o'clock we left Las Vegas, and had not gone more than one mile before the Mexican picket guards challenged Capt. Walker, who was in the advance at the time. Capt. Walker, being well learned in the Mexican language, some twenty words passed between them. The Mexicans wanted to know if we were Republicanos de Mexicanos, etc. They, of course, thought it was a re-enforcement for them, as they were expecting some.

Capt. Walker kept on talking with the Mexicans until we arrived. We took our position on the left side of the road, after which Capt. Walker ordered his men to prepare to charge. Order "Mount!" was given, and while getting into position for action the horses became excited and seemed to know that something was going to be done, for they could hardly be managed, panting and snorting all the time. When the order was given, "Ready! Charge!" off they went with about fifty men with the awfulest rattling and cracking of horses' feet, and jangling of swords and scabbards, and yelling drove the strong sentinels from their breastworks, but not without first receiving several volleys of musketry from the enemy.