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

WORlTH S BIG STAMPEDE. 255
Monterey, received a message from General Worth to the
effect that Santa Anna designed to take advantage of the
diversion of force toward Victoria, to strike a heavy blow at
Saltillo; and if successful, then at General Wool's force at
Parras. This rumor, caused by some unimportant movement
in the enemy's camp which was reported by our spies, obtained color from the advantage it was supposed to promise
the Mexicans. General Butler immediately commanded the
1st Ohio and 1st Kentucky regiments, with Captain Webster's howitzer battery, to move by forced marches on Saltillo; and dispatched orders to hasten up troops from the
rear. The intelligence also overtook General Taylor at Montemorelos, who immediately turned back with Twiggs' divisions, leaving Quitman's brigade to continue its march eastward. But on his return to Monterey, learning that the
expected movement of Mexican troops had not taken place;
and that in addition to our brigade, General Wool's column
was also hastening to reinforce Worth at Saltillo, he made a
rapid countermarch on Victoria.
General Butler's order reached our camp at San Domingo
at 2 A. M. on the 17th of December; and as we were expectedl to be in Monterey at dawn, but few hours were allowed
for preparation. We however, " took the instant by the forward top." The men set fire to their huts, hurriedly packed
their knapsacks by the light their flames afforded, and then
cooked breakfast upon the glowing embers. As there was
not a wagon or pack-mule in the camp, and the march was
to be a rapid one, the soldiers were required to reduce their
baggage to the smallest possible compass. Mlany articles of