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

286 TAYLOR'S ADVANCE TO AGUA NUEVA.
quarters to Saltillo, in consequence of the startling intelligence received from General Wool, that two reconnoitering
parties of the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry under Majors
Gaines and Borland, had been captured by the enemy. Soon
afterward, on the 5th of February, in order to restore confidence among the troops, which had been a little shaken by the
disasters just mentioned, he established his camp at Agua
Nueva, a position eighteen miles in front of Saltillo. From
that camp he wrote as follows to the government: "Although
advised by Major General Scott to evacuate Saltillo, I am
confirmed in my purpose of holding not only that point, but
this position in its front. Not to speak of the pernicious
moral effect upon volunteer troops of falling back from points
which we have gained, there are powerful military reasons
for occupying this extremity of the pass rather than the other.
The scarcity of water and supplies for a long distance in
front, compels the enemy either to risk an engagement in the
field, or to hold himself aloof from us; while, if we fell back
upon Monterey, he could establish himself strong at Saltillo,
and be in position to annoy more effectually our flanks and
our communications." The American army assembled at
Agua Nueva consisted of the 1st and 2d regiments of Illinois,
the 1st Mississippi, the 2d Kentucky, the 2d and 3d Indiana,
of Infantry; two squadrons of regular Dragoons and the
Kentucky and Arkansas Horse; together with four batteries
of light artillery; comprising in all about 5000 men. Of
these, but few had ever been in action; some too were
undrilled, and many of the cavalry companies wretchedly
mounted.