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

The men were becoming sick from the use of it and wood was very hard to get we having to pick it up on the beach one or 2 miles from camp. Monday 29th 1846 On thursday evening it rained without intermission for 24 hours and our camp being pitched in a low place it was flooded with water. We moved about 100 yds to higher ground but up to last night it continued to rain occasio nally. During the late storm the steam ship Col Heanery and a schooner loaded with troops and Govt stores have been wrecked on the Bar at Brazos St Lago and some a total loss also the steam boat Frontier loaded with [cattle?] goods and camping equipment for one of the regiments of Volunteers has been lost on the bar of the Rio Grande Wednesday July 1st 1846 Struck camp this morning and moved about 2 miles farther up and pitched camp on a Lake of fresh water. Fine grass and plenty of wood and a good camping place Rained to day Our men go out hunting and bring in plenty of beef and veal. So we have fine living here The recent rains have flooded the pararies with water and making moving about very bad