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 lMORNING OF TIHE TWENTY-FIRST. 159
of the Aliter mountain, charged and forced back some reconnoiterinyg detachments of the Texan roegiiment. After a brief
skirmish between the Lancers and Rangers, the increasing
darkness compelled the division to halt, and bivouac for the
night, just without tile range of the battery of the Independencia. At nightfall also, the troops on the north side of the
city were withdrawn to camp, leaving only the 4th Infantry
upon the plain, to guard our famnous mortar battery, which,
some credulous individuals supposed, would, on the morrow,
blow the enemDy's citadel higher than the Saddle mountain.
Thus terminated the operations of the 20th of September.
A gentle shower fell upon us in the night, pattering most
melancholy music through our leafy camp. But the morning
of the 21st was calm and clear. A fresh and balmy breeze
played in the tree-tops, and the sun sent many a warml and
kindly glance through the long aisles of the majestic grove.
How many then beheld, -for the last time, that most common,
yet most magnificent and ever joyous spectacle, the opening
of "6 the bright eye of the universe 9
It was understood that General Taylor did not then ineditate a serious assault, but wished to malke a strong diversion
upon the center and left of the town, to favor Worth's distant
and detached enterprise against the hights on the right. As
soon as breakfast was eaten, the drums called to arms, and
the regiments were quickly formed. One company was
detailed from each to serve as a camp-guard. This, while it
materially reduced our effective force, formed a corps of no
great strength. }lad there been any union or energy among
the country people, they could, while our army was engaged