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

302 ARRIVE AT AGUA FRIO.
neither looked nor waited for "the deceitful brooks;" and
sometimes traveled an entire day without water.
In consequence of the usual delays in starting from Monterey, it was late on the 5th when we reached Agua Frio,
where we established ourselves for the night. The train was
securely parked in the bend of a deep barrancce or ravine;
and every arrangement made to guard against any meditated
surprise or sudden assault, from which alone any serious
danger was apprehended. The wagons, when halted around
our camp, instead of requiring protection rather afforded it
to us, while, at the same time, they were in a position to be
effectually sheltered by our arms. It was only when in motion and winding its slow length over the rough hilly road,
and but a small part of the train could be seen from any one
point of view, that it invited attack. The village of Agua
Frio was deserted by its inhabitants; and we were somewhat
surprised to find in one of the vacant houses, four mustangs, bridled and saddled for the read; and which probably
belonged to some of Urrea's spies lurking in the neigh-.borhood.
Many articles, of but little value however, plundered from
Lieutenant Barbour's train, were discovered in the hamlet;
which circumstance, some persons with the detachment (not
soldiers) would have made the pretext for the commission of
excesses, but being promptly arrested they were careful not
to betray any lawless designs during the remainder of the
march. With our own men, the commander, had every reason to be satisfied. They were obedient, patient and courageous; and too deeply impressed with the responsibility and