Zenas Matthews' 1846 U.S.-Mexico War Diary and Service Papers

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