Silence Rested Over the Field Wayside

This wayside provides a glimpse of what soldiers experienced the evening after the battle.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Brownsville, TX

Main Text

After night fell, U.S. soldiers fitfully slept here on the ground where they had fought throughout the day.

Hearing the moans of Mexican wounded, the Americans were aware that their cannon had inflicted heavy casualties. But on a battlefield lit only by glowing embers, they could not see the full effects of the clash. Resting with their guns within reach, the men waited for the fighting to resume at daybreak.

Quote Text 

…as it began to grow dark the two armies presented a beautiful appearance, separated by a line of fire. Men could be seen moving about… looking for their wounded. We laid down on our arms in the prairie with nothing but our blankets to cover us. ~ Madison Mills, assistant surgeon, 4th Infantry Regiment

Men, wearied, slept by their guns, and soon a silence, that contrasted strangely with the din of battle, rested over the field. ~ Samuel French, 2nd lieutenant, 3rd Artillery Regiment

[The Mexican army) left their dead and many of their wounded on the field. We slept on the field that night and heard their cries and moans distinctly. ~ E George Wainwright, 2nd lieutenant, 8th Infantry Regiment

Image Description

Center 
Historical depiction of a US artillery crew resting near their cannon.