* 
On April 5, 1847, 600 men, with 14 cannon, left tececatiad a that 
pone while about 300 men, with some pieces of artillery, we 
. hind for the safekeeping of the city. As there was at that time ren of 
surgeons,in the regiment, an appointment to that effect was offered to me 
which I accepted. I left Chihuahua with the troops, moving towards’ the 
south. 
_ . Passing through Mapul ula and Bachimba, we reached within Sites days 
San Pablo, 50 railes southeast of Chihuahua. Here we were met by an 
express, sent from Americans below, and reporting’ that a large Mexican — 
force was approaching from the south to reconquer Chihuahta, that ‘the 
Mexican government had fled at the first news of our march, and that 
_ General Ta aylor had left Saltillo, ete. Upon these reports Colonel ‘Doni- 
_ phan resolved to return to Chihuahua, and defend that place at all ee 
With some reluctance the troops return ed; the chivalric sons of Misso 
relied so much upon their own bravery and good fortune, that ee disliked 
every eyiverade move; although policy might command it. Two” 
_ days afierwards we entered Chihuahua a ain, to the sstonigtiaiert ot 
friend ted foe. Many Mexicana eonsliee that had stayed in town left it — 
now, from fear of a new battle. But, for two weeks we waited in vain for 
the large army from the south, till we e became convinced at last that it was 
but a hoax—invented , perhaps, in Chihuahua, by some persons whose in- 
terest it was to keep the troops there as long as possible. — os the 8 gpm 
of a battle diminished, the regiment, whose term of service came near 
piting, and which during the campaign had received aan enough, but 
neither pay nor dove became every day more anxious to return to the © 
United States, and a day was at last fixed for the final departure of the 
whole regiment, if the express sent to General Wool should not retum u 
to that time. Our route in that case would have been” by Presidio del | 
Norte and the Red river, to Fort Towson. But in due time Mr. Collins. 
made his aga ‘In about 30 days he had travelled, with a _ | 
pS 5 ae in Chiktuahaa « with aah joy. He. Acari us Me ) 
- nite orders from General Wool to march at once, and on the most direct 
illo. Within two dayea ou t troops were on the march. Colo- 
nel Doniphan, before he lef called the Mexican authorities of the place | 
2m promise to treat the American residents of Chihuahua in 2 | 
oe eaneeat manner, and threatened theta, in case of disorder, ae a return of | 
_ the American ge s and a severe chastisement. The Mexicans promi 
eas Many ” neat and other fofeign residents, Newstex; had 
_ 80 sg eonfidence i in Mepeat so that they oer to notin os Me? 
yi Ghat aa started in the mornin ng of 
26, to meet the troops in Bachimba. When, in the datas P| 
Ww sie in crossing a chain of | hills that encompass er 
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