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

310 ACTION OF CERRALVO.
alarm. They excused themselves by asserting that their
horses became unmanageable at the noise of the affray, and
that they did not leave their saddles until in danger of being
carried over to the enemy. The sad story of its loss was
first communicated to us by the sound of its explosion, which
was followed by an unearthly yell of pain. It seemed that a
party of Mexicans, perhaps engaged in wrangling for the
horses, an unusual and much coveted booty, were assembled
around it while it was burning; when, as we afterward
learned from one of the sufferers who was captured, three of
the number were instantly killed and several wounded by an
explosion that shattered the wagon to fragments. This
unlucky event, a more persevering foe than General Urrea
would have turned to good account, assured as he must have
been by the slackening of our fire, that we had no cartridges
to waste upon a distant mark. It was no easy matter to prevent the loss from having a depressing effect upon our troops;
but the circumstances of our position when fully understood,
strengthened every heart and arm.
The enemy, foiled in his first and most serious attack in
front, after re-forming, continued to menace us with a charge;
but was as often driven back by the unflinching steadiness of
our men, and a few round shot from the piece of artillery
under Sergeant Howell, some of whose balls rebounded into
the town, creating no little consternation among the citizens.
Our first object being to collect and park the wagons, the
men were directed to husband their ammunition, and content
themslves with keeping the enemy at a respectful distance.
While engaged in these skirmishes, altogether defensive on