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

:MARIN. 123
diversify and adorn the scenery of his native land. In the
vicinity of the water-courses, the student of zoology, ornithology, or botany, may perchance find something to interest
him; but among the cheerless hills and plains that lie between the streams, there appears neither life nor beauty.
The presence of an army, hastening to the conflict, did not
materially enliven the dismal landscape. And yet, without
pausing to seek its rationale, the idea most frequently present to my mind, when contemplating the country, was its
renmarccabe suntciabletess as ca theater for wear. That desolate district, overhung by unclouded skies and burning suns,
seemed to invite belligerent men to strife and carnage, as
naturally as does the -well-rolled turf, the horse-race, or the
ring, the wrestling and boxing match. Bellce, /Iorric&c bellc!
might rage with all her rampant fitries there, unndisturb1ed by
a single tender appeal firom the genius of civilization. There
was the stage and all the scenery for war's bloody drama.
Enter armies, and the martial spectacle is complete.
The village of Marin, said to contain a population of one
thousand, is picturesquely situated on the edge of an extensive and elevated plateau. It commands a vast prospect in
the direction of MIonterey, and a charming little valley
blooms at its feet. Into this we descendedl, after marching
through, the village, and directed our steps toward a silvery
stream whose murmuring waters, as we approached it, filled
our hearts with delight. With what "luxuriant joy and
pleasure unrestrainedcl," did the weary men stack arms upon
its grassy banks. For an hour or more after halting, none
of the usual camp labors were performed, and all resigned