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 PASS OF LOS MIUERTOS. 263
Before getting through the pass, we experienced a most
unwelcome change of temperature; often so sudden and
perceptible when actitude regulates the climate, as in Mlexico.
The cold night-wind flowing through the gorge from the
table-lands above, to the warmn valleys we had left, was
keenly felt; and after our halt benumbed us all. It was
quite dark when the weary stragglers reached the bald crest
of the mountain; but they were there stimulated to exertion
by the blaze of the bivouac fires in advance, and around
which were assembled their comrades preparing the evening
meal.
WVe encamped near some hot-springs, of which there are
many possessing various mineral properties along the Sierra
Madre range. After the cravings of hunger and thirst were
appeased, cheerfulness returned even to those who were comnpelled to undergo the additional fatigue of guard-duty. So
true it is, that the soldier in active service is alike heedless
of past suffering and indifferent to the future. Thirst was
his greatest tormentor in Mexico, but every stream from
which he drank seemed to possess the quality of Lethe's
waves. Though the day thus spent in crossing the Sierra
Madre was one of the most fatiguing of the campaign, it
was yet full of interest and excitement; inspired both by the
cause of our forced march, and the grand marvellous exhibitions of nature around us.
On the 19th, we had an early reveille, and marched before
dawn, determined to reach Saltillo in the afternoon, though
some of us were far from believing that Santa Anna was
hastening, as reported, toward the same point. The road,