Two fine steamers belonging to the U.S. Quartermasters Department were running on the Rio Grande from Brazos to Camargo, transporting troops and munitions of war. The natural companions of the Greys were the Louisville Legion, and there are few of the old company who do not remember Cols. Ormsby and Rodgers; captains Harper, Bullon, Howe, Sanders and Triplett and many others of that gallant regiment, which was so soon ordered to the front, and gained renown by its great gallantry at the battle of Monterey. Much time was spent at Belknap, in drilling by regiment and company, and before the main body was ordered forward the army was in good condition, and ready for a fight. On the 29th day of September the news came of the victory at Monterey, and from that time the troops of the Rio Grande were eager to go forward and participate in the struggle. On the 6th day of December 1846, after a sojourn of nearly five months, we struck tents and embarked on a steamer for Camargo. We slowly stemmed the swift current of the Rio Grande and gradually our almost second home melted from our view, and camp Belknap was deserted. Camargo lies at the head of the Rio Grande, and is a small village with nothing worth notice, except the fort that was constructed by Gen. Pillow contrary to all rules of engineering, and caused a smile of derision on the face of every regular army officer who passed that way. On the 19th we left Camargo, for Saltillo, and then, "came the "tug of war." With knapsack on the back containing all his clothing, forty-four rounds of ball cartridges at his side, and a heavy musket on his shoulder, the soldier who had a good time at Belknap fell into ranks and through a dust six inches deep marched into the heart of the enemy's country. The sun was hot, very hot, the dust stifling, the water in our canteens warm, and there were few of us but felt that first day of actual service like re-entering for another year. The country along the route from Camargo in Monterey is not thickly settled. Towns there are at intervals of about twenty miles but the intervals are almost solitudes. The little town of Meir, on the banks of the Rio Grande, twenty-six from Camargo, stands upon a hill and can be seen from Monterey road many miles. It has many beautiful houses, two large catholic churches, a plaza or public square, fountains, etc. On the sides of some of the houses are marks of bullets left there when fight took place which culminated in the taking of the "Meir prisoners," who were decimated, and every tenth man shot by order of Santa Anna as Perote. We saw more women at Meir in proportion to the population than in any other place in Mexico. to be continued . . . Posted by Sue P. Carpenter 2005, all rights reserved