Z. Matthews' Diary

Matamoras 150 miles from home Capt Irion and his company 15 our 10 making 25 men in all went 12 miles stoped cooked our dinner and rested 3 oclock started went 5 miles to the next water and camped here we found capt Wilson and men 10 in number making 35 in all. The country in these parts is all alike Flat pararies and scattering mesquite and [chapparall?] thickets No water except in [ponds?] To night we stand guard being whare we have to look out for parties of Mexicans Went 18 or 20 miles

Monday 8th 1846

Today we crossed an arm of the Laguna [Mathre?] about 1 mile wide The water several inches deep and some what Boggy 2 or 3 bogged down and had to wade out Camped near here. Put out a guard of 3 men tonight

Tuesday 9th 1846 Started early this morning and went 12 miles to noon it. One of the men killed a deer to day Mr Grayson and myself was ordered

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

some beeves this morning on the road and gave chace, killing a very large and fat one. Cut out the choice parts and halted and had a fine feast of Roasted beef. We seen an antelope to day the first one I have seen. We have came in to the [Muskeet?] today again and our horses feed very heartily on it. We have had a general clean ing of guns to day as we have plenty of tallow. At sundown we arri ved at the Rio Colorado A Stream of about 50 yds in width. Forded it the water coming over our horses backs. We saw one of the Skela tons of the men that were murdered here by the Mexicans. There was six in number with waggons going to point Isabella to haul for the ar my. They stoped to camp here and about 50 mexicans came upon them in the evening and having but 2 guns they surrendered on condition of being treated as prisoners of war. The Mexicans took them to the edge of the water cut their throats and threw them in the River One man named Rogers was not killed as they supposed and swam across the River and escaped

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.

Saturday June 13th 1846 This morning rode to the point and find it a beautiful place. It being a bluff and a fine view. Brazos Santiago is in sight where the most of the vessels lay it being the port of entry for the Rio Grande. The Louisvill Legion is encamped at Brazos Santiago The Texan Infantry is encampe d near the town. Two of the companies arrived this after noon from the east On board the Steamer [Pastion?] also a large number from N Orleans There is 2 companies of artillery here for the protection of the town it being ditched in and mounted with cannon. Went to the hospital and find a considerable number of men was wounded in the engagements of the 8th and 9th of May. [?] of the son are dying the weather being very hot This evening the Govenour arrived at our camp from Matamoras with Genl Burleson Hunt Lane and others.