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"I don't know anything of the manœuvres. The boys
kept coming to me to let them charge; and when I saw a
good opportunity, I told them they might go. They were
off like a shot, and that's all I know about it."

6

The backwoods lawyer was better fitted to conciliate
the good-will than to command the obedience of his men.
There were many serving under him, who both from
character and education could better have held command
than he.

7

At the battle of Sacramento his frontiersmen fought
under every disadvantage. The Mexicans had chosen
their position; they were drawn up across the valley that
led to their native city of Chihuahua; their whole front
was covered by intrenchments and defended by batteries,
and they outnumbered the invaders five to one. An eagle
flew over the Americans, and a deep murmur rose along
their lines. The enemy's batteries opened; long they re-
mained under fire, but when at length the word was given,
they shouted and ran forward. In one of the divisions,
when mid-way to the enemy, a drunken officer ordered a
halt; the exasperated men hesitated to obey.

8

9

10

"Forward, boys!" cried a private from the ranks; and
the Americans rushed like tigers upon the enemy. Four
hundred Mexicans were slain upon the spot and the rest
fled, scattering over the plain like sheep. The standards,
cannon, and baggage were taken, and among the rest a
wagon laden with cords, which the Mexicans, in the ful-
ness of their confidence, had made ready for tying the
American prisoners.

11

12

Doniphan's volunteers, who gained this victory, passed
up with the main army; but Price's soldiers, whom we
now met were men from the same neighborhood, precisely
similar in character, manners, and appearance. One morn-

-385-

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Publication Information: Book Title: The Oregon Trail: Sketches of Prairie and Rocky-Mountain Life. Contributors: Francis Parkman - author, Frederic Remington - illustrator. Publisher: Little Brown. Place of Publication: Boston. Publication Year: 1892. Page Number: 385.
    
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