of the Rio Grande before he was taken. 9th. Petitioned the governor for more rations, and to one meal per day he added coffee. This evening, B. Bryan, an amiable young man and a good soldier, died from a cold received in sleeping without a blanket. 10th. Nothing important occurred, except the comet was discernible, which was at first seen a few nights previous, and which made the superstitious Mexicans very uneasy, for they are ever expecting something terrible to overtake their misdeeds.6 12th. They were visited in prison by some Americans and Lipan Indians, who were not permitted to speak with the men. To-day five of the sick were baptized by a priest, and these men were afterward treated with more kindness by the citizens. They refused to render poor Bryan any assistance, because he would not be baptized by them, but let him die for want of necessaries. They now learned that an order had arrived from Mexico to shoot every tenth man, which the governor and citizens [168] refused to execute, and petitions were sent back praying that they might be released, both on account of their magnanimous conduct at Salado and on their retreat. Captain Cameron was now treated with unusual kindness, the Mexicans in Saltillo declaring that they loved him for his bravery and magnanimity. 18th. Joseph Watkins and Wright were brought in, found near Montclova, having laid down to die for the want of water; were taken to the town of Quarto Sinicas,7 where they were treated kindly, after having been robbed of everything they had. On the 19th and 20th the examination of our interpreters took place about the attack at Salado, Colonel Barragan's conduct, &c., &c.8

March 21st. The cavalry arrived from San Luis Potosi to guard our men to the city of Mexico. In the mean time, an order had reached Saltillo from Santa Anna to shoot the whole of our men, which was also disobeyed by Governor Mexier.9

On the 22d they took up the line of march under command of Colonel Ortis. That night they reached Aqua Nuevo.

On the 23d marched fourteen leagues to San Salvador. Here their handcuffs were examined, being ironed in pairs, a right and left hand of each two closely fastened with large irons, and the sick also ironed. Now they began to suspect something wrong, but still hoped otherwise.

On the 24th marched eleven leagues. On the 25th marched early, and arrived at the Salado about [169] 2 o'clock P.M. Soon after they arrived, our men received the melancholy intelligence that they were to be decimated, and each tenth man shot.

It was now too late to resist this horrible order. Our men were closely ironed and drawn up in front of all their guards, with arms in readiness to fire. Could they have known it previously, they would have again charged their guards, and made them dearly pay for this last perfidious breach of national faith. It was now too late! A manly gloom and a proud defiance pervaded all countenances.