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

SKETCHES
OF THE
CAMPAIGN IN NORTHERN MEXICO,
CHAPTER 1.
THE Annexation of Texas-Our Army encamps opposite Matamoros-The Mexican Troops cross the Rio Grande and commence hostilities-General Taylor
calls for reinfbrcements-The War recognized by the Congress and people of the
United States-Requisition upon Ohio for three Regiments of Volunteers-They
are immediately raised and rendezvous at Camp Washington-Organization of
the Ohio Brigade-Embarkation of the First Regiment-The Fourth of JulyGeneral Hamer's speech.
AT the commencement of President Polk's Administration,
our country was involved in two very serious disputes with
foreign powers: one with England, the other with Mexico;
the subject of the former, the boundary of Oregon; of the
latter, that of Texas. Although "' Fifty-four Forty or Fight "
had been the shibboleth of the government party in the national election just passed, the Cabinet at Washington did
not seem to think it altogether politic to prosecute both of
these quarrels with arms. The Oregon question was, therefore, unraveled by negotiation; that of Texas, cut with the
sword. Whether the latter could also have been peaceably
adjusted, is one of the questions connected with the origin of