Zenas Matthews' 1846 U.S.-Mexico War Diary and Service Papers

100 lashes and the others 50 a piece Wednesday 3rd 1846 Corpus Christy had a commanding view from the bluff The Town is situated on the beach under the bluff Called on Mr and Mrs Johnson all well Johnson is goint to Port Isabella. A man was knocked in the head last night of which wou nd he died this morning They are in pursuit of the murderer The Gen and staff are [?] and start this morning the other troops have gone. We drew our ration for our selves and horses corn & oats coffee sugar pork bread candles soap beans and ginger Our corn and oats that we could not pack we sold for 8 1/2 $ Their [?] of [?] [ordered?] draw 8 days rations. Thursday 4th 1846 This morning we took our horses out to grase at eleven oclock Came in after dinner Mr Booth Hays and myself borrowed Mr Johnsons Sail Boat this afternoon and took a pleasant sail on the Bay. The wind being

strong we sailed very fine had a very fine ride

Friday 5th Went sailing and oystering on the Bay the wind being strong it made the bay to rough for the Boat. Mr Ballow of Montgomery County troops has been taken sick and intends going to point Isabella by water and lend out his horse for one of us to ride. Saturday 6th Dined with Mr Johnson and wrote a letter home. This after noon two companies from Liberty and Houston Counties arrived Tomorrow or next day the Harrison and Nacogdoches compan ies are expected. This evening Capt McGowan and Mr Ballow took passage for St Joseph Island thence to prt Isabella.

Sunday June 7th 1846 This morning packed up and started for the Rio Grand 150

in advance to look out. We yesterday having let Capt Irion take the command to the Rio Grande in case of an attack of the Mexicans Crossed another arm of the Lagune 1/2 mile wide some bogged down again Passed several Salt Lakes. The road to day is heavy sand and poor grass Camped at a Live oak grove Water was bad it being brackish We travelled today about 30 miles

Wednesday 16th 1846 Left camp and went about 15 miles and stoped in a grove near some large white sand hills. The scouts have found some fresh tracks of Mexicans as we supose. Saw a drove of mustangs near here. We have seen them in large droves for several days. Started at 4 oclock and traveled untill 1 hour after dark and left the road 1/3 mile and camped in a live oak grove Thursday 11th 1846 Rode 2 miles and came into the trail of Genl Taylor's army leading to Point Iabell some of our men discovered

about one mile from the River some of the men thought they had discovered a Mexican crouching by the side of the road We hailed and presented our guns Some said shoot him and some not We called Mr Arriola to interpret for us but lo and behold it was a prickly pair leaves! we in double file expecting an attack from the Mexicans. We came across 6 of the Dragoon horses caught one the others stapeded. Travelled till 11 oclock and camped without fire or water

Friday 12th 1846

Struck camp and started for Mata moras but last night having taken the wrong road at the little Colorado we traveled toward Point Isabel. Arriv ed at the camp of Maj Hays about 7 miles from the point and pitched our camp this being the only place that we can get wood and water This wood we have to pick up on the shore of the cayune We find a number of our acquaintances in the Washington and other companies that are camped here.

Galveston having come in with troops from New Orleans they will take passage on her. There are some deaths in the eastern Regiment of Mounted Volunteers One of the Tennessee Volunteers at Brazos died yesterday and was buried with honors of war at the point.

Friday July 24th 1846 Today the Eastern Regiment of Mounted Men Marched for Mata moras on account of sickness in camp we expect to March in a few days for Mier by way of Camargo. We have commenced drilling on horse back. Mr Howard of our mess acting as drill officer he being a Graduate of west point. The Suttler of our Regim ent has moved into camp and is selling goods very fast and at a large profit He credits the volunteers on the faith of their wages so he will get a large amount of the pay. Thursday July 30th 1846

This morning we have had a Regimental drill in which we form for march various evolutions and charging by companies Our charging was amusing. Horses trying to run away hats flying and