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

220 THE ARMY AT SAN DOMINGO.
manding officer find it extremely difficult to guard against
the many troubles of a monotonous existence in camp. The
lawless character and vicious habits of some men will render
all orders, threats, or promises, unavailing.
A better feeling never existed in any corps, than that
which prevailed in the 1st Ohio regiment after the fall of
Monterey. Amid the common dangers of the recent battle,
in which they had well performed their part, the men and
officers formed new and strong attachments for each other,
and the majority of them were disposed to be obedient and
diligent in the discharge of their duties. But there were a
few turbulent spirits among us, who did not seem to know
that it was a greater achievement to conquer themselves than
to take a city; and while they had gallantly periled their
lives to accomplish the latter, unfortunately could not be prevailed upon to strive for the former more glorious victory.
In consequence of the disobedience and dissipation of these,
during our stay at San Domingo, the first notices of cortlsmartial were inscribed in our regimental books, while the
morning reports recorded not only deaths from disease, but
by assassination and rencounters not strictly military. Such
sacrifices of life, unrequired by duty and therefore unrewarded by fame, did not fail to produce a beneficial effect,
by demonstrating the truth of the couplet"Our dangers and delights are near allies,
From the same stem the rose and prickle rise."
After the surrender of Monterey, General Worth's division was selected to garrison the city; a well merited compliment, and which was but poorly requited by some of the