Sketches of the campaign in northern Mexico : in eighteen hundred forty-six and seven / by an officer of the First Regiment of Ohio volunteers.

THE TEXAN CAVALRY. 97
Many adventurous spirits who had failed to obtain desirable
places in the Infantry, and who were determined to participate in the war even as privates, attracted by the loose discipline and hazardous service of the Texan Cavalry, had
become Rangers. There were two regiments of Texan
troops with the army, commanded by Colonels Hays and
Wood, comprising the brigade of General Henderson. Their
knowledge of the character of the enemy and of the military
frontier, acquired in their long border struggle, rendered
them valuable auxiliaries in the invasion. Of this far-famed
corps-so much feared and hated by the Mexicans-I can
add nothing to what has already been written. The character of the Texan Ranger is now well known by both friend
and foe. As a mounted soldier he has had no counterpart
in any age or country. Neither Cavalier nor Cossack,
Mameluke nor Moss-trooper are like him; and yet, in some
respects, he resembles them all. Chivalrous, bold and impetuous in action, he is yet wary and calculating, always
impatient of restraint, and sometimes unscrupulous and unmerciful. He is ununifbrmed~, and undrilled, and performs
his active duties thoroughly, but with little regard to order
or system. He is an excellent rider and a dead slot. His
arms are a rifle, Colt's revolving pistol, and a knife. Unaccustomed to the saber or to move in mass, the Rangers are
of course unable to make a charge upon, or to receive one
from well-armed and well-disciplined troops. But when an
* Some wag (doubtless the same individual who remarked that the Georgian costume was " a shirt collar and a pair of spurs,") has described the Texan uniform as
"a dirty shirt and a five-shooter."