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

ACTION OF CERHALVO. 80d
mined to push forward to Cerralvo. The "6 Robbers' Rancho 9
was also deserted, but, as it was Sunday, an officer of the
detachment sportively remarked that 1" the forty thieves had
probably gone to church." Some new brogans, several packs
of playing cards and other sutler's goods were found in that
very respectable establishmert.
After leaving the Rancho, the teams began to lag, as usual
toward the end of a day's march. When the head of the
train was about a mile from Cerralvo, a small party of horsemen who had been kept in advance galloped back with the
information that, just as they were cautiously entering the
suburbs of the town, the Mexican troops began to pour out,
through many streets, upon the plain. So sudden indeed
was the appearance of the enemy that one of our people,
being poorly mounted, was overtaken and killed in the
retreat. Before hearing this report, the long array of Lancers,
then rapidly approaching, had admonished us to prepare for
action. Fortunately there was a slight elevation in the plain,
rather bare of chaparral, about 200 yards in front of the spot
we occupied when first advised of the enemy's presence.
This, the commander of the escort determined to gain as a
favorable position for his artillery, while the open ground
about it would afford ample space to park the train, for which
orders were immediately given. Our four-pounder and the
three companies of infantry were at once rushed forward to
the desired position; and formed upon it just as the leading
squadrons of Lancers had arrived within good range for
canister shot, with which they were promptly greeted. They
continued to advance, but in a slower pace and evidently