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

two taverns a number of stores and Grocery's A Jail and conta ining about 1,000 inhabitants of German and Americans Crossed the ferry kept by Andy Carothers, and passed through the bottom 2 miles and stopped for some company. Started this evening for the Rancho on the colette 6 miles distant at which we arr ived 1 hour after dark having had a very severe thunderstorm most of the way which soaked us pretty well Saturday 1846 At two oclock left for Goliad District Eighteen miles. We seen the ground that Fannin occupied when he surrendered to the Mexicans. Mr Duval one of our company was one the men. After the fight darkness stoped the fighting the americans un trenched themselves. The trenches are still to be seen and containing less than an acre of ground. Mr Duval gave us a history of the scenes that occured to him which was very interesting to us. Camped at Goliad there is no town here Some few familys only Sam Kenneys Stodards McCamlies and others. To morrow we intend visiting the mission

where Fannins men was shot as Mr Duval is with us he can describe to us as it happened his brother being the Capt of the company that he was in only 3 of the company escaped Mr Duval and 2 others. Sunday Crossed the San Antonio River looked at the place where one of Fannin's Divisions was shot. Went to the Old mission and examined it the old church and walls and dilapidated houses resemble the plates in Stevens Travells in Yuccatan. Rained this morning stopped 15 miles from Goliad on a creek to [noon?] it I undertook to wash a shirt here but the water was so strongly impregnated with lime that I could not get it clean when done the My hair was white with the lime when dry. Camped on the Aransas. This stream has no bottom there is no gamebut little game in this part of the country Monday June 1st 1846 Started for San Patricio on the Neueces distant 28 miles at which place we arrived at in the [evening?] There is several a number of Irish familys living here. Their houses are built of poles set in the ground and covered with

him a passage. But as soon as one arrives he can get his discharge and return home. The troops are remov ing from the Brazos St Lago up the Rio Grande and we will march in 6 or 7 days or as soon as our arms and equipment arrive. A Company of regulars arrived at the point from Fort Moultrie South Carolina. They were dressed in beauty full uniforms and made a handsome appearance.

Sunday July 1846 This morning we dress for pack mules each mess of 6 getting one our mess drew the 2nd [choice?] At four oclock we had a sermon by the Rev Mr Johnson of the Baptist Church he preached in the shade of some Muskeet bushes.

Tuesday July 1846 Last evening hearing that the Steamer Jas L Day had arrived I borrowed a carriage from the Naco doches company for Duval and Leon to ride to the fort in where we arrived at 8 oclock. Went to the Quarter Master Capt Sibley and got an order to the Quarter Master Maj McRee at Brazos for a passage to Galveston for Leon. James Webb and J C Duval are with him. The Jas L Day will not touch at Galveston but the steamship