Life and Letters of General W. H. L. Wallace

V. On the March to Buena Vista.

CHAPTER V. ON THE MARCH TO BUENA VISTA. C HRISTMAS day the regiment camped at La Encantado and William Osman, a member of the Ottawa company, writes: "After tents were up and in order, the impulse was to take a rest. Our mess had a few gallons of wine left, and having come in possession of a couple of jack rabbits, and our cook having in addition to roasting them concocted a delicious corn pone and a plum pudding out of Mexican figs and raisins, we celebrated Christmas with a state dinner, which Colonel Hardin, Adjutant Wallace and Secretary Goodell honored with their presence." Mr. Wallace writes from this new camp to his father: "Camp La Encantado, Mexico,·'January 9, 1847. "Our column is fast breaking up; everybody seems pleased with it. * * * * Major Bourneville's battalion , Sixth Infantry and the Squadron Second Dragoons, were ordered to join General Worth's division and are now on their march to Camargo. * * * * The knowing ones say that all the regular force that can be spared is to be concentrated at some point on the coast for a descent on Vera Cruz. General Scott is in the field, and the 17th inst. is fixed upon for a conference between him and General Taylor at Camargo. There is little doubt but Scott will be governed in a great measure by Taylor. * * * * All the regular troops have left Saltillo except one company of the First Artillery with two howitzers. All we have remaining is Washington's battery, Fourth Artillery, and a squadron First Dragoons. Vera Cruz is the only assailable point in this country. Tampico is of no value, as there is no practicable route for artillery into the interior, the only means of conveyance being by mules. "The route from here to San Luis Potosi is almost destitute of water and is entirely impracticable at this season [32] LIFE AND LETTERS OF GENERAL W. H. L. WALLACE of the year. After passing the range of the Bolson Malpini that now rise before us on the south, there is no water for ninety miles. The only season of the year when it can be traversed by an American army is in the summer during or shortly after the rainy season. Mexicans can probably cross it at any time, as they eat nothing and their horses require but little water. And if their animals should all fail, the next drove of mustangs would supply their places. * * * We have no definite rumors of peace. The Mexican people and government seem determined to have another brush at us. I wish we could get a chance to give them a sound thrashing and go home." On January eleventh Wallace, with his friends, Dr. Herrick and R. E. Goodell, went to Patos, and on their return on the 12th found the camp had moved to Buena Vista, five miles south of Saltillo, and from here Wallace writes to his father: "Camp San Juan de Buena Vista, "January 19, 1847. "Our little camp has been in commotion for several days past in consequence of a rumor that gained credence in camp that a large Mexican force, variously reported from seven to nineteen thousand, was on the march from San Luis Potosi to attack us. Our small command (now reduced to two Illinois regiments, Washington's Artillery, Colonel Yell's Arkansas Cavalry and a squadron of First Dragoons) moved back from the camp at La Encantado, Colonel Yell's regiment was called in from Potos and stationed at La Encantado, two Indiana regiments, a part of General Butler's division, were quartered in the town, and scouting parties were sent out in every direction. * * * We have been in constant readiness night and day for an attack-the cartridge boxes were filled and each night everything was packed in the wagons except the tents and blankets ready to obey the signal agreed on between Generals Wool and Butler, which was the firing of two cannon in town in case the attack was there, and the same here if they came this way. * * * * Major Warren left Monclova yesterday with three of the companies of our reg- [33] LIFE AND LETTERS OF GENERAL W. H. L. WALLACE iment and one of the Second, and will probably reach here in six or seven days. We shall then have all told about five thousand effective men-all volunteers except the squadron First Dragoons and the two...