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

1 - 2 Li1SUFFERINGS ON THtliE MAIlZClCIT.
sickness, tlhe inactivity of ca:np-life, or long confinement on
transports, I was prepared to witness mnluch sufiering on the
route; lbut owinTg to the late hour of starting and the scarcity
of water, it was distressing and lamcentable beyond all expectation. Our route lay through dense chaparral which, being
a little higher than our heads, shut out every refreshing
breeze; and the dust, which was ankle deep, hung inl suffocating clouds over tile road. The vertical rays of the sun
fell like fiery arrows upon the column, and so heated the
burnished metal of our accoutrements, that it could not be
held in the naked hand without pain. The heat was indeed
almost intolerable, as the parched tongues of all momentarily
united in asserting. Even the sable descendants of HI-amthe servants of officers —drooped beneath it like blasted
blades of corn. ]Before one third of the day's march was accomplished, our then inexperienced. soldiers had consumed all
the water in their canteens; the contents of which, at later
periods, they learned to make suffice for an entire day. Unfortunately no supply of water had been, placed in the wa gons,
set apart by General Taylor's order, for its transportation,
it having been supposed that the canteens would hold enough
for the first shlort march; and had we been able to start in
the early morning, we should perhaps have escaped that
arid thirst. Many brief halts were made, and parties sent
out on the flanks to seek for water. rThese were all unsuccessful, and the search but added to the fatigue of the explorers. After the first disappointments, the men marched
silently forward, determined to brave the trials of the day
with becoming fortitude. For some time, their great and in