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

22 THE TROOPS EMBARK AT CINCINNATI.
Contrary to expectation, but little sickness prevailed in tile
encampment; and there was only one death during the month
we remained at the rendezvous. Toward the end of June,
our regiment, (the lst,) having obtained its outfit of clothing
and camp equipage, struck its tents, and entered that shining
path which leads "' to glory and the grave." The streets of
Cincinnati through which we marched, to embark upon " -tLa
Belle Riviere," were filled with a dense multitude of spectators. There were mothers, wives, sweethearts, fathers, brothers, friends, who eagerly scanned the passing ranks for some
familiar face; to which, when recognized, they ran to add
another blessing and a last adieu. The friendly volleys of
artillery that announced our departure from the wharf, shook
stout hearts that afterwards remained unmoved, when " death
spoke in every booming shot that knelled upon the ear."
Many there were in that band of citizen soldiers, who gazed
for the last time upon the beautiful " Queen City of the
West," then arrayed in the brilliant robes of summer; on
her shoulders, a mantle of the richest green; in her hair,
fruitful vines and fragrant flowers; her imperial head tiaraed
with gems of rural architecture that sparkled brightly in the
morning sun.
The Fourth of July found us afloat on the Mississippi, and
still many hundreds of miles above New Orleans. The soldiers, who had not then ceased to be sovereigns, were not
disposed to let the birthday of Independence pass by without
the usual amount of jollity and speechifying. With a familiarity, and in terms that would doubtless have shocked the
martinets of the regular army, several officers were'" called