write:” On the eve of their departure GeneralTaylor issued orders to the troops governing relationswith civilians. He enjoined “all under his command toobserve with the most scrupu

to belong to Mexico?“The ‘claim
’ so called
of the Texans to the Rio Grande
is without foundation
” Colonel Hitchcock wrote in hisdiary. “She has never conquered
possessed
or exerciseddominion west of the Nueces.”19Taylor had done almost nothing to prepare for futureoperations while in Corpus Christi. Now he sat on newsof the impending move for three days. But conditions inthe camp had degenerated
and Lieutenant UlyssesGrant summed up the reaction to Taylor’s orders: “Fightor no ght evry one rejoises at the idea of leavingCorpus Christi.” On the eve of their departure
GeneralTaylor issued orders to the troops governing relationswith civilians. He enjoined “all under his command toobserve
with the most scrupulous regard
the rights ofall person who may be found in the peaceful pursuit oftheir respective avocations
residing on both banks ofthe Rio Grande. No person
under any pretencewhatsoever
will interfere in any manner with the civilrights or religious privileges of the people
but will paythe utmost respect to both.” Taylor had theseinstructions translated into Spanish and posted along theroute to Matamoros
on the Rio Grande. Taylor wrote anew will before starting the long trek to an unknownfate.20In March 1846
Taylor marched his four thousand menthrough the Nueces Strip. It was “dreary
desolate
dry
and barren” countryside
a land better suited for snakesthan people. The nearer they got to the Rio Grande
“themore dwarfed and thorny the vegetation—only thecactus more hideously large.” And it was hot. “The sunstreamed upon us like a living re
” one soldierrecorded. Despite Taylor’s proclamation asserting the“friendly intentions” of the U.S. Army
many of theinhabitants ed when they caught sight of the American