Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/403

Rh strung all along the road and did not get into camp until late. The best part of the road was very dusty and unpleasant to march upon. We can soon tell when we get near to towns, for the manguey plants make their first appearance before we enter into any town. It is used here as a fence; some of the plants are called the organo, and are as straight as an arrow.

Tuesday, November 30, 1847.—This morning we left Tepegahualco at daylight, and passed several beautiful villages, and over a sandy road and plain.

The fields are filled with wheat, corn, barley and beans. When on our last march these crops were all green, but now they are reaped and stacked. We did not stop at the usual stopping place, but went on to the second stopping place, making two days' marching into one. We went into camp about 5 o'clock,, and up to 10 o'clock to-night the soldiers are not all in camp yet.

One of our Dragoons reported that he saw two of our men lying along the ruta, stripped of all their clothing and with their throats cut, no doubt done by the guerillas who are constantly watching the straggling soldiers, and rush out of the chaparral and kill our men. This is all Col. Wynkoop's fault he wants to march us through in four days, so as to have something to brag about.

Wednesday, December i, 1847.—This morning we left camp early, and actually the men could hardly keep up they were so stiff from marching. We passed several large haciendas, and went into camp about 3 o'clock,, at El Pinol.

We had intended to go through the Pass, but the Massachusetts and the other new regiments lagged so far behind, that we were obliged to stop here for the night.

This evening about 6 o'clock, word came to our camp, that the guerillas were killing our stragglers (soldiers), back at the town, so Col. Wynkoop ordered a company of Col. Jack Hays' mounted rangers to go in pursuit of them, with instructions, that if they caught any of the guerillas, to show them no quarter.