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

THE ENEMY RETIRE. 319
dently to gain time and information, we would not regard or
hesitate to fire upon the next flag he presumed to send.
After the arrival of the rear-guard, a few more shots were
exchanged with the enemy, but he finally gave up the contest
and withdrew from the field. It was beginning to get dusk,
but the commander of the escort determined to make an effort
to reach the town, in the direction of which the Mexicans
had retired. The wagons closed in mass, covered several
acres of ground, and though empty of aught save curses,
with which they had been pretty heavily laded, especially
since the attack, embarrassed our operations greatly. On
the four sides of the park, were posted in as many divisions
all our available force, including the miscellaneous command
of Mr. Crittenden. In this order we resumed our march.
But the bushes skirting the road so impeded the progress of
the train, that, after many short detentions, we were compelled by the darkness to halt outside the town. It was supposed, too, from the sounding of bugles in advance, and the
movements of the enemy, dimly discerned in the faint starlight, that preparations were being made to dispute our
entrance; and it was therefore deemed best to await the
morning before making the attack. Strong picket-guards
were thrown out, and the men were ordered to lie down in
their places and sleep on their arms. Many- of the poor fellows were too much fatigued with the exertions of the day,
either to eat or sleep; but a feeling of contentment and a
sober joy pervaded the whole command, arising from the
consciousness that they had done their duty and were an
overmatch for the enemy. During the night General Urrea