from the fort, returned with information, that a body of troops were on the opposite bank, and that they attempted to charge upon him. His opinion that the retreat should be delayed until morning, was adopted. At an early hour the next day we were under march- ing orders. Our cannon, baggage and sick, were dra,vn by Mexican oxen, in Mexican carts. Not being well broke, nor understanding the language and man- ners of English drivers, many of them as they issued from the fort, run furiously into the prairie, and were unmanageable. Others would go no way but backwards; but we were in the midst of a wide prairie, when, suddenly, they were seen displaying their columns two or three miles in our rear. Our com- mander ordered a halt, unlimbered the cannon, and forming a line fronting the enemy, commenced can- onading them. We had not made many shots before the order was to fasten the oxen, all of which had been turned loose, to the carts. The line of battle was ordered to file to the rear from the extreme right and left wings, marching in double columns, our baggage in the centre, and cannon in the rear. In this man- ner we continued retreating, until being surrounded, we were compelled to stop and fight. Having in another place (see Note 1, of the Appen- dix) detailed many of the circumstances which render this encounter memorable and painful in review; I
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