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severely beaten - after we had appeared in the night, by some of Torrejon's officers, to induce him to leave; but, regardless of blows, he had determined to stick by his premises and property. All the inhabitants had been shamefully abused, their property taken from them, and they were then driven into the chapparal; and we were told that in an hour's time more, had our company not appeared in sight, they would have set fire to the place.

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Such is the policy which has been adopted, and such the course pursued by Torrejon, at every rancho and town since the enemy left Serralvo. To drive off the inhabitants and destroy all the supplies on the road, is the game they are now playing, certainly determining to harass General Taylor, if they do not intend to fight him. The Mexicans all along on the road spoke confidently that General Taylor would meet with stout resistance at this place; but the force we met only amounted to some eight hundred or a thousand cavalry, and they started off without firing a gun."

McCulloch's company formed part of the regiment of Texas rangers, commanded by Colonel Hays, which marched with General Worth [September 20th] to assist in storming the Bishop's Palace The following was the order of the general's march: - The first brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Staniford, consisted of Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan's battery of horse artillery; LieutenantColonel Childs' artillery battalion, composed of the following companies-Company K, of the 2d regiment; companies A and B, of the 3d regiment; and companies G, H and I, of the 4th regiment, acting as infantry; and the 8th regiment of infantry under Captain Scrivner. The 2d brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, was composed of Lieutenant Mackall's battery of horse artillery; the 5th infantry, to which was attached Captain Blanchard's company of Louisiana volunteers, under Major Martin Scott; and the 7th infantry, under Captain Miles. Added to these, as we have mentioned, were the Texas rangers.

In all the operations of General Worth's division, McCulloch distinguished himself in a remarkable manner. When the troops left the main camp, (noon of the 20th,) his rangers, with Gillespie's, formed the reconnoitring party. While passing a ridge on the following day, the enemy opened upon them with a howitzer and twelvepounder, firing shell and round-shot as fast as they could discharge their pieces. This continued until they arrived at the base of a hill

between Palace Heights and the mountains, on the west. When the head of the column approached this place, a body of Mexican cavalry came dashing round the ridge to charge it. Colonel Hays ordered his men to dismount; but, as McCulloch was at a considerable distance, he did not receive the command in time to obey. Accordingly, when the lancers approached, he poured into them a shower of rifle and pistol-balls. This being ineffectual to check their progress, a furious charge was made, and both columns reeled before the terrible shock. Horse and rider were crushed to earth, and for a moment all was a wild hurry of confusion. Then the lance and rifle were thrown aside; hand-to-hand a conflict commenced with sword and pistol, during which scores of the enemy sunk beneath the fierce rangers' aim. McCulloch fought with the intrepidity of a knight of chivalry. On one occasion he was separated from his men, and completely surrounded; but, putting spurs to his horse, he dashed against the enemy, broke their ranks, and arrived safely among his men. The action lasted fifteen minutes, during which the captain lost several of his command. The loss of the enemy was one hundred and fifty; the squadron which charged the rangers being nearly cut to pieces.

McCulloch was with Captain P. F. Smith at the storming of the redoubt on Federacion Hill. He also assisted in the capture of the Bishop's Palace, and received the commendations of his superior officers for his distinguished bravery. He is particularly mentioned by General Worth among those to whom his 'thanks are especially due.'

After the fall of the Palace, the Texas rangers were employed in breaking open the houses of Monterey, and penetrating their walls inside toward the central plaza. They contributed most mate rially to the subsequent capitulation of the city.

For his conduct during this siege, McCulloch received the commission of major. Soon after its conclusion, he set out with sixteen men for San Antonio. On the way he met with rather á singular adventure with two Indians, the particulars of which are thus given by his faithful biographer, Reid.

"Having crossed the Nueces with some difficulty, about mid-day, the party were reclining upon the grass to rest themselves, when a couple of daring Camanches rushed in among the horses close by and by their yells and accompanying antics succeeded in stamped

ing the entire cavallada, with the exception of Major McCulloch's horse, and that of the brave Captain Cheshire. These gentlemen mounted at once and put off in pursuit. On coming up with them. McCulloch received a flight of arrows, one of which wounded his horse, and caused him to dismount. He and one of the Indians then commenced manoeuvring for advantages. McCulloch could not bring his five-shooter to bear. Mean time the other Indian, armed with a rifle, was creeping round, trying to level it upon McCulloch; but the major was too cunning to be caught, even in a double-handed game. By this time Cheshire came up, when McCulloch proposed a charge. Cheshire, however, thinking it more prudent to try his rifle, fired, but it did not tell.

"The manoeuvring continued it was a sort of running fight. McCulloch charged up, close enough to let loose his repeater; two shots did no execution; at the third it broke, and the Indian escaped. Cheshire now fired and wounded his man; the Indians retreated, leaving the horses. The Texans drove them back in triumph to the camp. In the interim the foot company were in the utmost suspense, watching the prairie to catch a glimpse of their retuning comrades; and when they at last hove in sight, with the horses safe and sound, the air was rent with huzzas. Never was there a more joyful crowd, for never did a set of gentlemen come nearer footing it into white settlements."

On his return to Monterey, McCulloch was employed by General Taylor to obtain information of the strength and movements of Santa Anna, who was reported to be moving toward him. He set out [February 16th] with about twenty men; at about an hour before midnight he encountered a small detachment of Mexican cavalry, extending across the road. The rangers mistook it for chapparal, but were soon undeceived by a full volley of musketry. Although ignorant of the enemy's force, McCulloch ordered a charge, which was vigorously executed, breaking the Mexican ranks, and driving them toward Encarnacion. The rangers escaped without loss.

On the 20th, the major again set out with but four men, on a similar expedition. As he approached the foe, he sent all his men except one back to General Taylor, to report his observations. In this perilous situation, he was met by the enemy's picket guard, who immediately gave chase. Instead of retreating, McCulloch and his companion (William Phillips) galloped directly toward the

Mexican camp, thus completely deceiving the picket, who imagined them their own men on duty. They then rode leisurely to a neighbouring hill, where they concealed themselves and passed the night. Next day they commenced their retreat, but in passing between two roads, were greeted with the sight of a picket of twenty men placed upon each of them. No course was now left but to assume the appearance of Mexican scouts; and accordingly, without quickening their pace, they passed between the two parties, and proceeded toward Agua Nueva. Luckily the Mexicans were excessively fatigued, and having passed the night without fire, they were now industriously warming themselves. Considering the two strangers as their own scouts, they neglected to ride after them, and thus McCulloch escaped. But he was not yet out of danger. After proceeding about eight miles he mounted a hill, where to his mortification he beheld another picket, guarding the only pass to the road. After remaining some time in hope of their being relieved by a fresh guard, he ventured into the plain, and though the pass was extremely narrow, he rode through it without being observed. The two friends then galloped on to Agua Nueva, and reported to General Taylor.

In the battle of Buena Vista, McCulloch behaved with his accustomed bravery. "Major McCulloch," says General Taylor, "quar termaster in the volunteer service, rendered important services before the engagement, in the command of a spy company, and during the affair was associated with the regular cavalry."

The disbandment of the major's command took place about this time, after which most of the Texans returned home.

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COLONEL HAYS.

JOHN COFFEE HAYS is a native of Tennessee. He was born about the year 1818, in Wilson county, and named after General Coffee of the United States' Army. Even in childhood he appears to have been of a daring disposition, although little of any interest is known of him until the commencement of the Texan revolution. He manifested a lively interest in that struggle, and determining to be near the scene of warfare, emigrated in 1837 to San Antonio. Here he had several severe skirmishes with the Indians, and was engaged as surveyor on the frontier. In those times of peril, when Texas needed the assistance of every soldier, Hays could not long remain unnoticed. He was first created captain of a scouting party, and soon after superintendent of the entire border, with the rank of major. Desperate, and sometimes personal encounters with the Indians, soon spread his reputation, and before the commencement of our war with Mexico, he was regarded by the savages as superior to common men-the bearer of a charmed life.

He was appointed colonel of the Texan mounted rifles, and reached the Rio Grande a short time after the battles of the 8th and 9th of May. Particular incidents of his command are given in the sketch of McCulloch.

General Worth, in his official despatch of Monterey, speaks thus of him: "It is my pleasant and grateful duty to present to the consideration of the general-in-chief, and through him to the government, the distinguished conduct of Brigadier-General Smith, and Colonel Hays, of the Texas riflemen."

An order from the same general, [dated Monterey, September 28th,] has the following paragraph:

"The general feels assured, that every individual in the command unites with him in admiration of the distinguished gallantry and

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