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

INCIDENTS OF THE ACTION. 313
6 Hurrah for Bill Robbins! Hurrah for Bill Robbins! run
over by Lancers two times, and a living agin i"
But there were some incidents connected with the affair
at Cerralvo of a different character, that interested more
seriously the hearts of those present, and with one of which
I propose to detain the reader. The Mr. R- -, of whom
mention is made at the beginning of this chapter, happened,
at the commencement of the fight to be near the front of the
train, while his friend and family were riding in a wagon far
away toward the rear. He at once made a desperate effort
to join them, but after a fierce hand to hand conflict in which
he killed one of the enemy, was forced to abandon the attempt
and unite with our force in front, then hotly engaged. Covered with blood and bathed in tears, the gray-haired old man
approached the commanding officer, and in a voice tremulous
with wild excitement stated the position of his family and
implored assistance. It was not the moment for a consolatory conversation, yet sympathizing deeply with his sudden
and great grief, the commander briefly assured him that he
should have our arms, as he already had our sympathies, at
the earlest possible moment; that in order to be able to aid
him effectually we must first secure ourselves; and suggested
that his wife and children were probably safe with the rearguard. And so it proved. Their wagon had been attacked
with others, and I -'- s friend had been killed before the
eyes of the family. But the women and children, supplicating mercy in the Spanish language, with which from their
long residence in Durango, they were familiar, had been
spared and suffered to join Captain lZeneally's party in the