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

TI-ILH MORNING OF THE SABBiATI. 119
roof, fretted with golden fire," seemed more beautiful than
ever before.
"The balmiest sigh
Which vernal zephyrs breathe in evening's ear,
Were discord to the speaking quietude
That wrapt the moveless sccne."
The scene was, in truth, divinely calm and fair. Even the
stern sentinels yielded to its influence, and like the radiant
orbs above them, moved in solemn -silence through the night.
The large force assembled at the guard-station was unusually
quiet, and while the men stood leaning on their arms, ready
for any emergency, the thoughts of many had doubtless flown
through that pure, serene, effulgent air, back over the wild
and thirsty plains of the tierrc ccaliente, across the wide and
trackless Gulf, and up the great " Father of Waters," to the
loved ones at home. From that happy communion, they
returned to inspire many a watch-worn and weary soldier
with courage and mercy.
The Mexicans, disinclined to night operations, permitted
the hours to steal quietly on. Before morning had " dappled
the drowsy east," or the reveille had pierced the sleeper's
ear, the army was stirring; the blazing breakfast-fires dissipated the darkness of the grand old grove, and, though no
orders for battle had been issued, the camp began to resound
with the din of preparation. Soon the music of the distant
church-bells floated sweetly and peacefully to our ears. These
familiar sounds, it must be aclmitted, alone reminded somne
of us that it was the Sabbath; for the fourth commandment,
andc indeed almost every other not contained in the " Army
Regulations," and " Orders of the Day," seemed to be gener