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

298 A WAGON TRAIN TACKED ON.
that two of theirs should be attached to this command. The
detachment therefore was organized as follows: three companies of the 1st Ohio regiment under Captains Bradley, Armstrong, and Keneally; two companies of the 1st Kentucky
regiment under Captains Howe and Fuller; and two gunsquads, each with a four-pounder, commanded by Lieutenant
McCarter and Sergeant William Howell of the 1st Ohio regiment, both of whom were skilled in the exercise of artillery.
Our assistant surgeon, Dr. Heighway, also accompanied the
party, which comprised in all, about two hundred and fifty
fighting men, whose strength was augmented by the resolute
spirit with which they sought the hazardous service. It was
a well-appointed escort; and its commander,-knowing his
men and confidently relying upon their endurance and courage,-had assured Messrs. Crittenden and Coffee that they
would reach Camargo in five days. But unfortunately, just
as we were about to start from Monterey on the 4th of March,
an immense number of wagons were descried approaching
the city on the Saltillo road. It proved to be a train, made
up chiefly of wagons which had accompanied General Wool's
column in its long march from San Antonio, —now going to
the rear for supplies. Much to our dissatisfaction, the escort
was immediately ordered to delay its march until the following day in order to convoy the train. This at once changed
the aspect of affairs, and gave a different character to the
detachment. Its commanding officer, though impressed with
the belief that his force was entirely inadequate for the protection of so large a train, was not disposed to avoid the
additional responsibility so unexpectedly thrust upon him;