The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 27, July 1923 - April, 1924 Page: 40
344 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
for food had to be scattered and driven abreast. After reaching
solid ground the road was comparatively good.
We reached the Nueces in the latter part of November, and
delayed there three days to build a bridge on which we could
cross our horses, as the stream was about fifteen feet deep and
very boggy even on the sides of extraordinarily steep banks. The
construction of this bridge certainly displayed some military back-
woods genius.
We were fairly on the other side about the first of December,
and within fifty miles of Laredo, which we expected to reach by
a forced march in two days. Hays's company captured two Mex-
ican spies, who had been sent out to verify some rumor that we
had changed our course. After marching about thirty miles, we
camped about thirty miles from Laredo. That night the two
Mexicans made their escape and informed the Mexican garrison
at New Laredo of our approach.
We marched on the next day, and at nightfall were ten or twelve
miles from the town. At daylight we were drawn up in front of
it, on its outer edge. I need not describe the different maneuvers
undertaken in the night to get a part of our men on the other
side of the river, as we did not need to get them there for the
reason that the news reached us some time before day that the
Mexican garrison had fled. After daylight Colonel Bell went
into town with a flag of truce. In a very little while he returned
with the alcalde and two leading men by his side, who with great
politeness and submission tendered the surrender of the town,
intimating at the same time that they asked protection, as they
were on the territory we claimed, and could not help submitting
to the Mexicans when we neglected to occupy the place.
We immediately went to camp, at first about two miles above
the town in a field near the river; but finding neither grass nor
forage, we moved in the afternoon about two miles below the
town where there was some short grass for our horses. The usual
orders had been given to keep in line, to observe the customary
discipline, not to leave the ranks unless by special permission,
and particularly not to trespass in any way on the citizens. In
spite of this precaution several hundred men found their way
into town-perhaps, not all together, and, I regret to say, col-
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 27, July 1923 - April, 1924, periodical, 1924; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101086/m1/46/: accessed April 24, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.