Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 1.djvu/307

Rh The subsequent generosity of the American general shines in happy contrast with these deeds. A large party of wounded Mexicans was left in the hospital, totally unprovided for, on the retreat of Santa Anna's army from Buena Vista. In this dreadful retreat hundreds of the wounded were left by the way-side, helpless and suffering, to be devoured piecemeal by wolves, even before their death; and numbers who had escaped unscathed from the fight, perished on their march, in the agonies of thirst and hunger. On General Taylor becoming acquainted with the fact, he despatched such medical assistance as he could spare, together with between thirty and forty mules laden with provisions, to their assistance. This is only a single instance, out of many that might be recorded, to the credit of the Americans at this period.

There was one villanous cumanche named Bacho, who had signalized himself on several occasions—leading on a troop of his associates to plunder and maltreat the dead on the field of battle; sharing the hateful spoil among his followers, after appropriating the largest portion to himself; and spending his ill-gotten gains in the most unrestrained debauchery. Many