Mexican War Causes Consecuences

aass,_IEr
ô^
COMPLETE HISTORY
OF THE
MEXICAN ^YAU:
ITS CAUSES. CONDUCT.
AND CONSEQUENCES
COMPRISING AN ACCOUNT OP THE
VARIOUS MILITARY AND NAVAL OPERATIONS,

FROM
ITS
COMMENCEMENT TO THE
TREATY OE PEACE.
ILLUSTRATED AND EXPLAINED BY
MAPS, PLANS OF BATTLES, VIEWS,
BY
AND PORTRAITS.
N. C. BROOKS, A.M.,
MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND UISTORICAL SOCIETY
AUTHOR OF " SKETCHES OF THE BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTION,"
ETC. ETC.
PHILADELPHIA:
GRIGG, ELLIOT &
CO., 14
NORTH FOURTH STREET.
BALTIMORE:
HUTCHINSON
&
1851
SEEBOLD.
Entered according
to
Act of Congress,
HUTCHINSON
in the
year
1841t, liy
& SEEBOLD,
iu the Clerk's OfiSce of the District Court of .Maryland.
J'/S'/ii
f
&
Prnted by T. K.
&
P.
4'
G. Collins.
PREFACE.
In relation to the origin of the Mexican War, which
now forms an important

try, public
by the
it
is
part of the history of our coun-
opinion has been divided, and
political bias of the
impossible
two leading
much
affected
parties; so that
an impartial chronicler to please
for
both, and difficult even to avoid giving offence to either.

I
have therefore reviewed the causes which led to the
war between the
sister
republics,
unaffected
party preferences or prejudices whatever
by any
and after a
careful examination of all the points at issue,
and the
diplomatic action of the two governments, have endea-
voured
at least to arrive at just
and candid conclusions.
In the record of the events of the
war
which
may
challenge comparison with the military achievements of
any age or nation
arm of
the service
to our
navy
and
in
if,
have endeavoured award

and
any
the
to
cavalry, artillery,
meed
of praise
it
to each
infantry, and
has so nobly
won;
case, the claims of particular persons
have been overlooked,
it is
to be
may
hoped that the circum-
stance will not be attributed to 3 disposition to do injustice to any.

(5)
Vi
PREFACE.
For the details of the history,

of
the
the
perusal
public
records
ijeneral
and subordinate
to
the
am
diplomatic
letters
respondence with those
and
officers,
indebted mainly
correspondence and
official
reports of the
and interviews and cor-
who were
active participators in
the scenes described.
The
subscribers to
War, who have
The History
patiently waited
reception of their copies, will

lias
its
BaltimorKj July
Ath^ 1849.
some time
for
the
pardon a delay which
insured the authenticity of the

value.
of the Mexican-
work and enhanced
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
Mexran VVak Revolution
Calses of the
Consequent irregularities Neutrality
I.
ol tlu'
ot the
Ilisiiaiio-
American Provinces
it by
United States Violations oC
of the United States Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and

Navigation Revolt of Texas Neutrality of the United States Troops under
Page 5
General Gaines Conduct of M. Gorostiza, the Mexican Minister
Mexico Forbearance
CHAPTER
n.
Property of
liijuncs and Insults oticred by Mexico Outrages on the Persons and
American Citizens Insults to the American Flag Application of Texas for the
recognition of her Nationality Just and candid Policy of General
cognition of
Texas Refusal
of
Mexico
to
Jackson Re-
redress or even admit the Injuries
committed against the United States- Jackson's special Message Action of

Congress Special Messenger despatched Promises of redress Neglect oi
the
Mexico to perform her Promises Renewal of Negotiations Convention for
Settlement of
Mexico
to
Claims Procrastination and Evasion
of
Mexico- Failure
ot
^''
comply with the Stipulations
CHAPTER
111.
Moses Austin by the Spanish AuthoritiesColony led to Texas by Stephen F. Austin in 1821 Overthrow of the Spanish
Power in Mexico Contirmation of the Grant to Austin Mexican Constitution
Early Condition of
of 1824
Texas Grant
Coahuila
to
Texas Its
Political
Guaranty ot
Condition Election of Pedraza
and Texas provisionally united as a State
future State Sovereignty to
Mexico overthrown by the Military Power of Santa Anna

by Bustamente
Tyranny of Bustamente Troops sent to harass Texas Expelled by the
Tf'xans- Bustamente overthrown by Santa Anna and Pedraza recalled Santa
as President of
'niirrero declared President Deposition and Death of Guerrero
Anna President Overthrow
of the Constitution and Federal
System- A
Central
(Jovernment organized Resistance of the Mexicans Zacatccas Butchery

(Jencral Cos in
the People Call of a Texan Congress of Consultation Arrival of
Cos
Resistance of the Texans Fall of the Mexican Forts General
oi
'IVxas
capitulaies with his
Troops Declaration
of the People of Texas-Provisional

24
Govrrnment
0)
CONTENTS.
Mil
CHAPTER
IV.
Rumours of Invasion Want of Preparation by tlie Texans Convention of the

People Intelligence of the Advance of the Mexican Army Declaration of Independence Constitution in conibrniity to it General Houston's OrdersLorenzo de Zavala, the Refugee Advance of the Mexican Army Urea marches
on Goliad Santa Anna marches on San Antonio Colonel Travis in the Alamo
Besieged by General Siesnia Arrival of Santa Anna and Fall of the AlamoSurrender of Colonel Fannin at Goliad Massacre of the Prisoners after Capitulation-Policy of General Houston Battle of San Jacinto Complete VictoryCapture of Santa
Anna
Texan Independence established ......

CHAPTER
Political Existence of
Texas Proposals
for
S'j
V.
Annexation
to the
United States-
Recognition of the Independence of Texas by MexicoPresident Tyler's Treaty of Annexation Its Rejection by the Senate Mr.
Bocanegra Protest of Almonte Letter of General Jackson Joint Resolution
Attempt
to effect the
Protest and Departure of the Mexican Minister

Measures the Defence of Texas GeneDefence Letter
Taylor Commander of the Forces of the United States
of Instructions Acceptance of the Terms of Annexation by Texas The Army
open Negotiations with MexicoCorpus Christi Attempt
of Occupation
Mission Downfall of Herrera and Accession of Paredes Refusal
Mr.
except as a Special Envoy Advance of the United States
receive Mr.
the Rio Grande The Texan Boundary considered Arrival of the
Army
the Colorado Crossing disputed Point Isabel invested
American Army
March resumed Encampment on the Rio Grande Correspondence
for the
Aimexation of Texas
Action of the Mexican Government
for
for its
ral
to
at
Slidell's
Slidell
to
to
at
CHAPTER
/ Interview between General Worth
'iO
VI.
IntrencliArrival of General
Ampudia Artful Address the Foreigners the American Army Correspondence between Ampudia and General Taylor Blockade of the Rio Grande First
Rencontre Body of Colonel Cross found The Burial Arista's Arrival
clamation of Paredes Correspondence between Arista and Taylor Recapitulaments thrown up
Fort
Brown
and the Authorities of Matamoros
Murder of
to
Colonel Cross
in
Prt)-
tion of the
Causes of the
War
90
CHAPTER
VII.
Command Exultation
of the Enemy Council-of Contemplated Attack of Arista Arrival of Captain Walker Skirmish with
the Mexicans Arista crosses the Rio Grande March of General Taylor
Point
Isabel Garrison of Fort Brown Religious Ceremonies Bombardment of Fort
Surrender Hawkins's
Brown Death of Major Brown Arista's Summons
Fort Brown Resaca de
Palma Mexican
Reply Battle of Palo Alto heard
Capture of Captain Thornton's
war
to
to
at
la
Fugitives
10.5
CHAPTER
VIII.
Bombardment of Fort Brown heard at Point Isabel Captain Walker sent with a
Communication to Major Brown May charges the Enemy's Lancers Return
March of General Taylor for Fort Brown Published Order
of Captain Walker
CONTENTS,
Taylor's Order of Battle

opened Duncan's Battery
Ringgold's Artillery ChurchhiU's 18-poundcrs Charge of Cavalry Lieutenant
Ridgely Fall of Ringgold Artillery Battalion Lieutenant-Colonel Childs
Duncan's Movement Forces of the two Armies The Lost
The Prairie
on each side Taylor's Despatch Arista's Despatch
Enemy
discovered
Arista's
IX
Order of Battle
Daring Service of Lieutenant Blake
Enemy's
B'irc
fired
CHAPTER
A
12:?
IX.
Taylor's
March resumed Mexicans killed and wounded

Advance-Guard under Captain McCall Skirmish with the Enemy His Position
Commencement of the Battle Ridgely's Artillery
at Resaca de la Palma
The 5th Infantry The 4th Infantry Service of the Cannon 8th Infantry
brought up ]May ordered to take the Enemy's Battery May's brilliant Charge
Death of Lieutenant Inge Capture of General Vega Bravery of Lieutenant
Colonel Belknap Lieutenant-Colonel Mcintosh w-ounded Capture of Arista's
Camp Lieutenant Cochrane killed The Tampico Battalion Capture of its
Flag Rout of the Enemy General Taylor's Report Burial of the Dead
Humanity of General Taylor Exchange of Prisoners Congratulatory Orders
Manifesto of the Mexican Commander
l;n
Council-of-War
CHAPTER
X.
Reduction of BaritaTaylor's
Cause of Taylor's inacthe Battles of the 8th and 9th of May Letter
the War Department
Occupation of Matamoros Arista's Flight He ordered lay down his
command The War announced
Congress President's Proclamation
cient preparations
War Rejoicings
the United States
the victories
Palo Alto and Resaca de
Palma Taylor breveted a Major-General Act
Congress promoting him to
rank Appointment of General Officers
Occupation of Reynosa Capture of Camargo Of Mier Organization of tlw
Army Departure
Seralvo Letter
the Adjutant-General March on
Assistance aflbrded by
at
Fort
Brown
Commodore Conner
Preparations
for
arrival
attacking Matamoros
tivity after
to
is
to
to
Ineffi-
in
for
for
at
la
of
full
to
for
Monterey
15
CHAPTER
XI.
Defences of the CityMexican Forces Reconnois.'sances Worth's

Column of Attack Occupation of the Pass the west Defences that direction
Operations of the First Division Colonel Garland's command Severe
from the Enemy's Batteries Fall of Major Barbour and Colonel Watson CapBackus 4th Infantry General Quitman's Attack on Redoubt No.
Redoubt taken and guns turned on the Enemy General Butler's command
Cavalry repulsed by Bragg's battery Worth's Operations Engagement
the Lancers Storming-party under Captain Smith 7th Infantry under Captain
Miles Reinforcement under General Smith Attack on Federacion Hill and
Fort Soldada Taken and occupied Storming-party under Lieutenant Childs
Sortie from the Bishop's Palace Palace taken Operations
Independence
under General Taylor Approach
the (irand Piaxa Capitulation Terms of
Monterey
in
in
firo
tain
wiiii
Hill
to
the
Convention
...
I7.I
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER
XII.
of the Capitulation Views of the Administraon General Taylor's Letter Retrospect of Mexican affairs Elevation oi
Monterey Policy
Evacuation of
Paredcs Pronuncianiento
in
favour of Santa
Anna His
arrival at
Vera Cruz-
through the Fleet Termination of the Armistice Projected

Expedition against Tamaulipas Opinions of General Taylor relative to the Protroops Protest of the
secution of the War Saltillo occupied by the American
Expedition
(;overnor of Coaluiila Advance to Agua Nueva General Wool's
Permission
to pass
Chihuahua Arrival of Wool's column at Monclova Marches to Parras

Tampico occupied General Taylor marches upon Victoria Reconnoissances
towards Labradores and Linares Arrival of General Scott in Mexico Withdrawal of troops from General Taylor Orders consequent thereon- Santa Anna's
March from San Luis Potosi against General Taylor Ruse of General Taylor-
against
Forces of Santa
Anna Angostura February 22d Summons
of Santa
Anna
to
surrender Taylor's Reply Battle of Buena Vista Skir190

Result of the Action
(Jcneral Taylor to
mishes
CHAPTER
XIII.
Enemy's Columns of
Advance of Lombardini's and Pachecho's Divisions O'Brien, with his
repulse them Retreat of the 2d
Artillery and 2d Indiana Regiment, ordered
Indiana Regiment American Reserve ordered up Second Column of Attack
Angostura Troops on the Plateau reinforced by Artillery and Infanrepulsed
Arrival of General Taylor on the Field Confidence restoredThe gallant
The conMississippi Regiment The Enemy driven back on the American
on the Plateau Movement of the Cavalry on the Enemy's right checked
Batteries of Sherman and Bragg Baggage-train threatened by Cavalry Dangerous Position of the Enemy's Cavalry Biise of Santa Anna Mexican
Reserve ordered up Terrible Service of O'Brien's Artillery Slaughter of the
and Kentucky Regiments Deaths of Colonels Hardin, McKce, and Clay
Washington's Battery Gallantry of Lieutenant O'Brien Repulse of Minon's
.... 212
Cavalry Close of the Battle American and Mexican Losses
Action of the
23d Commencement on
the
American
left
Attack
to
at
try
left
test
Illinois
CHAPTER
N EW
XIV.
Mexico. Recognition of the War, and Disposition of the

Forces General Kearny Army of the West Instructions from the War DepartmentMarch from Fort LcavenworthArrival at Cotmcil Grove The Prairies
Bent's Fort Proclamation by Colonel Kearny March resumed Las Vegas
Co.NQCEST OF
E.xpected
Tacolete Pecos The Canon Captiu-e of Santa Fc

Battle
Appointment of Officers Departure of General Kearny for California. Co.\uiEST OF California. Commodore Stockton Colonel Fremont Kit Carson
-Counter-revolution Battle of San Pasqual San Bernardo Battle of the
224
Son Gabriel Reoccupation of Los Angeles Return of General Kearny
CHAPTER
(.'olonel
XV.
The Zumians March upon Chihuahua Battle

Paso
Doniphan's Expedition against the Navajoes
ley of El
Treaty with the
Indians
of the Brazito Town and Val-
March continued Enemy's position the Sacramento Battle

Aflairs
Occupation of ChihuahuaMarch
of the Sacramento
at
for Saltillo
in
CONTENTS.
XI
New Mexico Plot discovered Second Conspiracy Governor

Pueblo de Taos Insurrection quelled
CHAPTER
Bent murdered
'2GG
XVI.
Govornnient determines upon making Vera Cruz the base of a new Lino of Operations
Vera Cruz Description of the City San Juan d'UIloa By whom
Description of the Fortress Capture by Aclc, Lorencillo, and

reduce his Force Scott ordered
Bodin Taylor notified of the intention
Mexico Reaches the Rio Grande Appoints the Island of Lobos as the place
of Rendezvous Description of Lobos The Arrival of Volunteers ReconnoisDisembarking upon the Beach
sance by Scott and Conner Preparations
Vera Cruz Disembarkation of the Troops Investment of the City Gallant
co-operation of the Navy Skirmishes with the Enemy Investment completed
Scott's Despatch the War DepartmentThe Batteries opened Skirmish
Medellin Overtures
the SurFuente del MedioHarney's
render of Vera Cruz and San Juan d'UlIoa Commissioners appointed Cerethe War Department Alvarado
mony of Capitulation Scott's Despatch
291
Effects of the bombardment of Vera Cruz
founded
Its
to
to
at
for
at
to
brilliant affair at
for
to
CHAPTER
XVII.
The course of Santa Anna

Civil War the Capital March
met by a Deputaof Santa Anna upon the Capital from San Luis Potosi He
triumph Is installed President of the
tion from the City Enters Mexico
Republic Reconciles conflicting Parties Collects a new Army Fortifies the
Road
the Capital Formation of Guerrilla Bands Address of Santa Anna
Scott receives information of the Battle of
Forced
Buena Vista
Levy attempted by Gomez Farias
in
is
in
to
to
the
Mexican People
31()
CHAPTER
Scott
commences
Reaches
his
March
Plan del Rio
the Capital
for
Is
XVIII.
Twiggs
thrown forward
joined by the General-in-ehief
in
advance
Description
of
Scott determines upon turning the PositionA new Road cut

Twiggs ordered
take up his Position
met by the Enemy Gallantry of 7th
the rear
Infantry Dashing Charge of Harney's Brigade They capture a Hill
of Cerro' Gordo Mount a Battery
the Night Wonderful Exertions of the men
Morning of the ISth of April Scott's celebrated Order Position of the Mexicans Battle of Cerro Gordo Storming of the Heights Operations of Shields's
Brigade Shields dangerously wounded Defeat of the Enemy Fruits of Victory
321
Scott's Despatch
the War Department Worth enters Puebla ....
Cerro Gordo
to
Is
in
in
to
CHAPTER
XIX.
Appearance
of the American Troops Their

Embarrassing Position of the General-in-chief Discharge
the twelve months Volunteers Prospects of Peace Mexican
Defiance
of the Mexican Congress Proclamation of General SaJas Anaya dccku'es the
Capital
a
of Siege Coalition of the Mexican States Scott's Address
the Mexican People Feeling of the United States Government Buchanan's
Treat ConLetters American Commissioner appointed Mexico refuses
Astonishment of the Pueblanos

Characteristics
ol
Aflair-s
in
to
state
to
dition of the
American Armv
Arrival of Reinforcements
340
CONTENTS.
Xll
CHAPTER
XX.
Scott determines advance on the

Capital Description of the Route Twiggs reaches Ayotla The Divisions close
up Rcconnoissanccs upon EI Pcnon Advance by the National Road abandoned
The Army moves round Lake Chalco the Acapulco Road Description
the March Concentration of the Divisions upon the Acapulco Road
The American
Army
concentrated
at Puel)]a
to
ot
to
CHAPTER
The Defences around Mexico
National
35:*
XXI.
Road
El Pcfion, Mexicalcingo
Aca-
Churubusco, and Contrcras Toluca Road; El

Molino del Rey, Chapultcpec Interior Defences Position and Force of the
Mexicans Movement of Worth's Division tipon San Antonio Reconnoissances
pulco
Road; San Antonio,
Twiggs marches upon Contreras Valencia's Fortifications

Indecisive Result of the Day Smith bivouacs in the Village of Contrcras
362
Perilous Position of our Troops Victory of Contrcras
across the Pedrcgal
CHAPTER
Contreras
San
Antonio
Worth's
XXII.
Operations on the 20th
Topography of the
The Advance on
Battlc-Grounds of Contreras, San Antonio, and Churubusco
Scott's Plan of Battle Description of the Mexican Defences

The Battle commenced Operations of Twiggs'Terrible Position
of Taylor's Battery Attack of Shields upon the Mexican Reserve Bravery of
the Mexicans Gallant conduct of the New York and South Carolina Regiments
Mexican Defence of San Pablo The Deserters San Antonio forced and
turned by Worth His advance upon Churubusco Storm of the Tete-du-Pont
Eflcct of Duncan's Battery Storm and Surrender of San Pablo The Mexicans
Points Daring Charge of Harney's Dragoons Result of the Vicrouted
tory Mexican and American Loss
Churubusco
Churubusco
at
at all
37.5
CHAPTER
Scott's
Note
to
Santa
Peace Negotiations
Anna
The
Mexican
XXIII.
Armistice questionable Policy

Commission Boundaries American Project
Reply
Its
Mexican Counter- Project Failure of Negotiations Infringements of Armistice

to Santa Anna
His Answer
Warlike temper of the Mexicans- Scott's Letter

Trial of the DesertersSentence and Execution
CHAPTER
38(i
XXIV.
Reconnoissances Valley of Mexico Defences around

the City Description of Chapultcpec Molino del Rey Casade Mata Strength
of the Mexican Lines Storm of
del Rey Capture of the Mexican Bat
tery Repulse of the Victors The Battery retaken Storm of Casa de Mala
>
Terrible Fire of the Mexicans Mcintosh's Brigade repulsed Duncan's Bat
402
Surrender of Casa de Mata Mexican Loss American Loss
Hostilities
recommenced
I\Iolino
tor
I.
CHAPTER XXV.
Pronounced impracticable Scott determines

Formidalile Character of the Works' Mask Movement
upon the Southern Gates Movements of Pillow and Quitman Tiic Batteries
opened upon Chapultcpec Operations of Twiggs on the San Angel Road As-
Defences of tho Southern Gates

assault Chapultcpec
lo
CONTENTS.
Chapultcpcc
sault of
Its
Capture
Wortli's
Xlll
Movement
against the Garita ot
San Cosine His Success Tacubaya Causeway crossed by Quitman Garita

Belen carried The City of Mexico taken Surrender by the Mexican Autiiorities
Quitman Marclics to the Grand Plaza American Colours hoisted on the
National Palace
411
CHAPTER
XXVI.
American Army Guerrilla Warfare Attack on McinSkirmish at the National Bridge

Reinforced by Cadwaladcr
tosh's Train
CadwaArrival at Jalapa Battle of La Iloya Gallantry of Captain Walker
General Pierce Attack on Lally's
Pillow's Reinforcement
lader's Report
Train Skirmish at Paso de Ovcjas At the National Bridge At Cerro Gordo
443
At Las Animas Arrival at Jalapa American Loss
Isolated Condition of the
CHAPTER
XXVII.
Quitman appointed Governor Scott's General Orders

A Contribution levied on the Capital Arrangement of the Troops
of General Scott Approach of Reinforcements Establishment of new Posts
along the
Peace Prospects Circumstances favourable to Negotiation
Mexican Prisoners Correspondence between the Archbishop of Mexico and
General Scott Arrival of Reinforcements Assessment of the Mexican States
Contemplated Operations Condition of General Santa Anna Increase of the
Peace Party Election of Herrera Negotiations Recall of Scott
457
American
Army
in
Mexico
'Difliculties
line
CHAPTER
XXVIII.
Capture of TuspanPerry determines

Tabasco bar Organion the Capture of Tabasco The Squadron assembled
upon by a Party
zation of a
The ascent of the RiverThe
of Mexicans under General Bruno The Enemy repulsed Perry casts anchor
the Seven Palms Divides
force Assaulted by the Enemy Debarkation of
the Naval Army Hidalgo's breastworks forced Capture of Fort Iturbide The
Naval Operations in the Gulf of Mexico
off
Flotilla fu-ed
Flotilla
at
his
468
City surrenders
CHAPTER
XXIX.
Consequences of the Occupation of the Capital
ment
Disorganization of
Circular
its
Condition of the Mexican Govern-
Army Santa Anna
retires to
Guadaloupe Hidalgo
Commandants- General Resignation of the

Presidency by General Santa Anna His Letter to the Mexican People Circu-
lar
of Seiior Alcorta to the
of Scnor Pacheco
of the
upon
Reasons
Government developed
his
for
abandoning the Capital
Santa
Anna
sets out
The future intentions

Puebla Reflections
for
475
Reverses
CHAPTER XXX.
City of Puebla threatened by General
American Detachment
Colonel Childs
Anna
Rea Situation
invested
His noble Reply Operations
Loss of an
of the Garrison
Summons
of General Santa
of the Besiegers
Anna
to
General Santa
Lane Successful SortiO from the

The Besiegers Reinforced Severe Street-fightApproach of General
leaves the city to intercept General
Garrison
Lane
Puebla
The Siege raised
489
CONTENTS.
XIV
CHAPTER
Communication with the Coast reopened
XXXI.
Steady increase of Reinforcements from
The Guerrilleros driven from their StronglioldsAdvance of

Battle of Iluainantla Heroism of Captain Walker Repels tho
by the Enemy His during Stratagem
repeated charges Hemmed
Lancers
His Death Chivalric Character of Walker
Tribute
his Memory
the United States
General Lane
ih
in
Official
Lane marches
to
to
Pucbla
4i)"i
CHAPTER XXXIL
Atlixco Running Fight with the Guerrilleros Atlixco taken ExpediLane returns to Pucbla Is attacked Daring
Its Capture
tion to Matamoros
Bravery of Colonel Hays Peace Prospects Anaya elected President Secret
Escape of General Santa Anna Orizaba captured
E.xpedition to Tchuacan
Battle of
50S
Garrisoned
CHAPTER XXXIIL
Situation of Public Affairs Mr. Trist Assumption

Peace opened Mutual Concessions Adoption of a
of Power Negotiations
IMexican Congress Treaty amended and
Treaty of Peace Sanctioned by
adopted by the United States Senate Ratifications exchanged Evacuation of
Mexican Capital by the American Forces Territory acquired by the Treaty
Description of the Country New Mexico Resources of the Country Upper
California The Sierra Nevada The Great Basin Great Salt Lake Productions of the Country Temperature The Gold Mines Valley of the Sacramento Nueva Helvetia Captain Sutter Discovery of Gold by Sutter Richness of the Deposit Consequences of the War Consequences to the United
States To the Inhabitants of the Territory acquired To Mexico To the
520
Countries adjacent To the Isles of the Pacific
Election of General Hcrrcra
for
tlie
tiie
Appendix.
Treaty of Peace
541
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Frontispiece Portrait of Major- General Zachary Taylor.

Portrait of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Portrait of Commodore David Conner
W.
Page
55
Worth
Portrait of Captain Samuel H. Walker
Topography of Fort Brown and Matamoros
Portrait of Brigadier- General
7^
J.
lOS
113
Plan of the Battle of Palo Alto

Battle of Palo Alto and
Portrait of
12'i
Death of Major Ringgold
]'M
Major Ringgold
IS.i
Plan of the Battle of Resaca de
la
Palma
13')
Battle of Resaca de la Palrna
141
Portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel
Portrait of
May
143
Major-Gcneral Robert Patterson
Portrait of Major- General
162
William 0. Butler
Plan of the City of Monterey and

its
Wm.
165
Defences
174
H. Watson
ITS
General Ampudia signing the Capitulation of Monterey

Portrait of Brigadier- General
18S
John E. Wool
199
20S
Plan of the Battle of Buena Vista

Battle of
2.>
214
Buena Vista
Henry Clay,
221
Jr.
Plan of the Battle of San Pasqual
253
Plan of the Battle of Los Angelos
25S
Plan of the Battle of Sacramento
276
Portrait of
Major-General Winheld Scott
Portrait of
Commodore M.
2!)!
302
C. Perry
Surrender of the City of Vera Cruz
31'>
Plan of the Defences of Cerro Gordo
322
Twiggs
327
Storming of Cerro Gordo
330
Portrait of Brigadier-General Shields
332
Portrait of Brigadier-General
Portrait of Brigadier-General Pillow
337
View
33'J
of the City of Jalapa
(15)
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Xvi
Page 352
Jortraitof Brigadier- General Pierce

ftlap of the
357
Valley of Mexico
369
Storming of Contreras
Portrait of Brigadier- General Smith
374
Storming of Churubusco
Plan of the Battles around the City of Mexico
Storming of Molino del Rcy
Plan of Chapultepec
383
403
407
420
Storming of Chapultepec
View of the City of Mexico
424
435
Quitman
Portrait of Brigadier-General
416
Portrait of General
Cadwalader
448
Portrait of Brigadier- General Childs
494
Upper and Lower California
523
Map
of
IIISTOllY
OF THE MEXICAN
CHAPTER
^y^Vx.
I.
War Revolution of the Hispano-Amcrican Provinces

Neutrality of the United States V'iolationsof by
Consequent
Mexico Forbearance of the United States Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and
Navigation Revolt of Texas Neutrality of the United States Troops under
General Gaines Conduct of M. Gorostiza, the Mexican Minister.
Causes of the Mexican
irregularities
While
it
is
in every
war the
civil authority of the
carried on, will be, to
tary power,
civil
it
it
is
country in which
some extent, subordinate
to the mili-
an aggravation of the unnatural character of a
war, that the disregard of law
is
general, and that the rights
of persons and property, being without any adequate security, anliable to continual molestation.
The overthrow
government of a country, or resistance
of the existing
to its authority, with the
excitement and confusion incident to the struggles of antagonistic

factions for ascendancy, all tend directly to produce a lawless
aggressive
spirit,
which
is
and
hostile to personal liberty, while tin-
wasting of the public resources of the country by the doubk'

exactions of intestine war, give
rise to those
which are often supplied by the
forcible
pressing necessities
impressment and
ajijuo-
priation of private property.
This was exemplied
American countries
for
in the struggles of the
independence.
ally sul)jectcd to seizure of their property either
or monarchists, just as one party or the other
and was
in
want of necessary funds.
ditlercnt
Hispano-
The people were
continu-
by the republicans
happened
to prevail,
HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
Nor
in their eflbrts
means
to raise
which they were engaged, did
tliey
support the contest in
to
much more
evince
respect for
the law of nations than they did for the laws of their
own country
the property belonging to citizens of a neutral power,
was appropri-
own
ated to their
necessary to
use, without scruple or reserve,
their
whenever
it
was
Although, during the protracted
purpose.
struggle between Spain and her revolted colonies, the most perfact neutrality
was observed by
the
government of the United
States, this impartial course did not shield her from the depreda-
An
tions of both the belligerents.
message of President Monroe,
extract from the
first
annual
in 1817, will exhibit the aggressive
conduct of the contending parties, and the just and liberal policy
of the United States towards both
"
It
was
anticipated, at an early stage, that the contest
between
Spain and the colonies would become highly interesting

United States.
in events
It
was natural
which affected
to the
that our citizens should sympathize
their neighbours.
also, that the prosecution of the conflict,
It
seemed probable,
along our coasts and in
contiguous countries, would occasionally interrupt our commerce,
and otherwise
persons and property of our citizens.
affect the
These anticipations have been
realized.
Such
injuries
have been
received from persons acting under the authority of both the par-
and, for which, redress has in most instances been withheld.
ties;
Through every stage of
the conflict, the United States have main-
tained an impartial neutrality, giving aid to neither of the parties

in
men, money,
ships, or munitions of war.
They have regarded
the contest not in the light of an ordinary insurrection or rebellion,
but as a
tral
civil
war between
powers, equal
every
other.
proper
either
Our
rights.
article, the fruit
which
parties nearly equal, having, as to neu-
ports have
been open
to both,
was permitted
to take,
has been equally free to the
Should the colonies establish their independence,
now
and
of our soil or of the industry of our citizens,
to state, that
tliis
it
is
government neither seeks nor would
accept from them any advantage
in
commerce
or
otherwise,
VIOLATIONS OF NEUTRALITV.
which
will,
will not be equally
open
The
to all other nations.
colonies
in that event, become independent states, free from any
gation
to, or
connexion wiUi us, which

on the basis of a
interest to form
The
it
may
obli-
not then be their
fair reciprocity."
property of American citizens, resident in the Spanish
colonies,
was
American
often impressed,
flag
blockades of extensive coasts
employed
and merchandise protected by the
was confiscated under a pretended
to sustain
violation of
which, considering the small force
them, were merely declaratory, and had not
the slightest foundation in any
acknowledged principle of
national law on which to rest their pretensions.
were some of these spoliations
inter-
So outrageous
in their character, that the
same
President in a subsequent message designated them as " piratical

practices," and asserted
to
it
was " incumbent on
the United States
claim of each, with equal rigour, the faithful observance of the
well-known law of nations."

In the case of
made by
all
these injuries,
much allowance was
generously
the United States government, in consideration of the
distracted condition of the several countries during a period of

civil
war, and the difficulties attending an enforcement of any
laws, either civil or international.
Mexico, our immediate neigh-
bour, like the other Spanish-American countries, had applied the
appropriating code to the property of American resident citizens,
and had been guilty of sundry violations of the American

Redress of grievances was not immediately demanded
flag.
for these
repeated violations of our neutrality, in the hope that, after Mexico
had established her independence, a more

vail, at least
power
just policy
would pre-
towards the United States, which had been the
first
to recognise her nationality.
And when,
ment of
contrary to
all
reasonable expectation, the impress-
the property of our citizens,
and spoliations on our com-
merce, were continued, the United States, evincing more than the
courtesy which
is
due
to nations, still exhibited a
magnanimous
forbearance towards a sister republic, just coming into existence.
and was unwilling
demand
to
which the magnitude of
tlie
redress with that
injuries
would have
promptitude
justified.
This magnanimous forbearance was mistaken
for
weakness,
and Mexico therefore continued her unjust and aggressive policy.
commerce and boundaries was negotiated
In 1828 a treaty of
between the two republics, but the

the government of
was delayed by
pretexts.
ratification of that
the most trifling
Mexico upon
In 1829, President Jackson, in his annual message,
complained that the Mexican government

"treaty negotiated and concluded in
its
instrument
own eye."
its
still
own
failed to ratify this
capital
and under
This delay was the more vexatious, on account of
the uncertainty of the
boundary
certain claimants under
line,
and the consequent acts of
Mexican grants of
been under the jurisdiction of the United
territory,
Mexico assumed an overbearing tone towards
which had
The same
States.
year,
the United States,
and requested the recall of our resident minister, Mr. Poinsett.
On
the 5th of April, 1831, a treaty of amity,
navigation
was concluded between
some time
after.
the
commerce, and
two republics, and
ratified
convention was also agreed upon between
the two powers, for the appointment of commissioners to

a demarcation of boundaries
Mexico did not observe
make
between the two countries, but
the stipulations.
She even permitted the
time fixed, by the treaty of limits with the United States, for the
meeting of the commissioners to define the boundaries,

without appointing any commissioners whatever,
rangements incidental
time, jeoparding the
to
to expire
all
the de-
an undefined boundary, in the mean
protection
and quiet of
citizens resident
upon the border.

After the conclusion of the treaty of amity, commerce, and
navigation, in 1831,
just
it
was hoped
that
Mexico would observe
and friendly policy towards the United States
but, instead
of redressing, or even acknowledging the former injuries which
she had committed, in violation of the solemn obligations of the

late treaty, she
was
guilty of
new
outrages, not only upon indi-
REVOLT OF TEXAS.
vidual citizens of the United States, but upon her flag, and upon
and other agents and
the persons of her consuls
government, as we
will
more particularly show
mean time new causes
In the
Texas, a department of Mexico,
by emigrants from the United
settled to a considerable extent
States, being absolved from
its
hereafter.
which widened the breach
arose,
between the two governments.
officers of the
allegiance to
Mexico by
the entire
overthrow of the constitution, and the tyranny of the

go\'ernment, refused to acknowledge any longer the
rule,
and raised the standard of
independence, she
for
Central
Mexican
In her heroic struggle
revolt.
continually received
subsidies of
men,
money, and munitions of war, from the people of the United

States,
which gave great offence
was
It
would
perfectly natural that the citizens of the United States
feel a sti'ong
and endeared
them
Mexican government.
to the
to
sympathy with a people struggling
them by kindred
ties
and that they would give
such aid as was in their power.
however, failed
to discriminate, as
for liberty,
The Mexican
people,
they should have done, be-
tween the people and the government of the United States, the
latter of
which determined
was due
to the
to preserve that
two contending powers.
with arms, ammunition, and troops,

all
If individual citizens did
United States, by supplying Texas
violate the neutrality of the
government, which took
exact neutrality which
is
it
due means
no
reflection
to prevent
it,
upon the
as will ap-
pear from the following circular from the Department of State,
addressed to the United States District Attorneys, resident in the

principal cities of the
Unfon
"Washington, Nov.
<<
Sir
It
has become necessary for
the probable event of a contest

the
Mexican empire
of our citizens
me
in the vicinity of the
may, from
their
to call
between the
4, 1835.
your attention
to
different portions of
United States.
connexion with the
Some
settlers there,
10
and from
their
their enterprise
own government, and
duty to their
powers
but
is
it
and love of change, be induced
of the government, and

shall abstain,
obligations to foreign
the fixed determination of the Executive faith-
power extends,
fully to discharge, so far as its
we
its
to forget
more
especially that
all
the obligations
which requires
that
under every temptation, from intermeddling with
the domestic disputes of other nations.
" You
are, therefore, earnestly enjoined,
begin, to be attentive to
all
movements
should the contest
of a hostile character
which may be contemplated or attempted within your

and
to prosecute, without
discrimination,
all
violations of those
laws of the United States, which have been enacted

pose of preserving peace, and of
district,
fulfilling the
pur-
for the
of
obligations
treaties with foreign powers.
"I am,
sir,
your obedient servant,
JOHN FORSYTH."
Notwithstanding the
efforts of the
States, to prevent her citizens
government of the United
from taking part
ifi
the contest be-
tween Mexico and Texas, many joined the standard of the

and furnished supplies of arms and ammunition.
this,
latter,
In addition to
a portion of the United States troops, under General Gaines,
advanced
into the territory of
gave great offence
Texas
to the other
as far as Nacogdoches,
contending power.
of the United States had stationed these troops
deeming
it
which
The President
upon the
frontier,
proper, while observing a strict neutrality himself, to
require both the contending parties to respect his neutrality
employment
to prevent the
and
of the Indians in the contest, which
might cause incursions into the
The following
territories of the
United States.
extract from a letter of General Gaines, presents
the reasons which, in his opinion, justified his advance into the
Texan
territory
" The
.33(1
article of the treaty with
contracting parties to prevent
'
Mexico
by force,
requires botli the
all liQStilities
and incur-
TROOPS UNDER GENERAL GAINES.
11
sions on the part of the Indian nations living within their respec-
boundaries, so that the United States of America will not
tive
Mexican
suffer Indians to attack the citizens of the
" The provisions of

cause to be enforced
measures
to
am
this article, I
and
make known
States,' &c.
particularly instructed to
have, pursuant to instructions, taken
to the various
Indian tribes inhabiting
that portion of the United States bordering
upon the Mexican
ter-
on the waters of the Red and Arkansas rivers, the deter-
ritory,
mination of the government to prevent any hostile incursions into
Texas, and have directed that the chiefs be called upon

cate
upon
to incul-
their people the necessity of carefully abstaining
from
any violation of the above-mentioned engagements,

"
have learned, from several of our citizens entitled
Manuel
that one
Flores, a
Mexican Spaniard, but
years past a citizen of Spanish
Town
to credit,
for several
in this state, near the
Sabine
Ridge, has been lately commissioned by persons professing
by the authority of the Mexican government,
for the
to act
purpose of
enticing the Indians in the western prairies on our side of the
boundary line
in
Texas
to join
and
them
war of extermination now waging
in the
that with this view, the agent,
accompanied by a stranger, has
Red
river,
among
the
lately passed
Manuel Flores,
up the valley of the
and has already produced considerable excitement
Caddo
And
Indians.
have very recently learned,
from several intelligent persons in Texas, and others who have

lately
Texas
been there, that many of our Indians have gone over

side of the line.
" These
facts
and circumstances present
portant question, whether I
ments
to the
to
be so
am
to sit
far matxired as to
still
and
to
me
this
most im-
suffer these
move-
place the white settlements on
both sides of the line wholly within the power of the savages, or
whether
ought not instantly
the frontier settlements

to return to their
and
to prepare the
if
means
for protecting
necessary, compelling the Indians
own homes and
huntinjj-ffrounds
'
12
"
cannot but decide in favour of the
this question presents
for nothing
which
last alternative
can be more evident than that
an Indian war, commencing on either side of the
line, will
s-urely extend to both sides, as that a lighted quick
match
as
thrust
one side of a powder magazine would extend the explosion
into
both sides."
to
Mr. Gorostiza, the Mexican Minister, protested against the
advance of the troops under General Gaines, as

tion of the
Mexican
pondence ensued,
territory
in
a long and
a positive viola-
somewhat angry
which Mr. Gorostiza
at length
corres-
demanded
peremptorily the recall of the troops under General Gaines, and

failing to effect his desire in that particular,
on the 15th of Octo-
ber, 1836, abruptly terminated his mission to the United
States,
and returned home.

Before doing so, however, he adopted a course unexampled in
the history of diplomacy,
ment
a
of the United States.
and highly indecorous
On
his
own
to the govern-
responsibility he issued
pamphlet containing portions of his correspondence with the
American Secretary of
own government
State,
and extracts from
with an introduction
to the
his letters to his
whole, containing
statements and comments defamatory of the people and govern-
ment
This pamphlet was sent
newspapers known generally

tration,
and
to
be unfavourable
to editors of
to the
adminis-
diplomatic agents accredited to the United
to the
States government.
The
President
felt
himself greatly aggrieved by this extraordi-
nary and disrespectful conduct, especially after the long forbear-
ance that had been exercised towards the Mexican government,
which
the
still
many
refused not only to redress, but even to acknowledge

injuries
and insults which had been offered
to the per-
sons and property of our citizens, to the American flag, and to

the <lignity of our consuls
and other
officers.
CHAPTER
II.
by Mexico Outrages on the Persons and Property of

Application of Texas for the
to the American Flag
recognition of her Nationahty Just and candid Policy of General Jackson Recognition of Texas Refusal of Mexico to redress or even admit the Injuries
committed against the United States Jackson's special Message Action of
Injuries and Insults offered
American Citizens
Insults
Special
Messenger despatched Promises of redress Neglect of

Mexico to perform her Promises Renewal of Negotiations Convention for the
Failure of
Settlement of Claims Procrastination and Evasion of Mexico
Congress
Mexico
to
After
cluded
in
comply with the
Stipulations.
the treaty of amity,
1831,
it
was hoped
commerce, and navigation, con-
that
Mexico would observe a
and friendly policy towards our country

most solemn
articles,
just
but, in violation of the
she committed outrages not only upon indi-
vidual citizens of the United States, but upon her flag, and the
persons of her consuls and other
officers.
The following
list
of
grievances, as enumerated in a letter of July 20th, 1836, from the
Department of State
to
Powhattan
Ellis, our
Charg^
d'Aflfaires in
Mexico, will exhibit the outrages of Mexico, and the unexampled

forbearance of the United States.
On
the 31st of
December, 1831, an alcalde of Menotillan,
the colony of Guazcualco, instituted what
is
in
said to have been an
illegal, arbitrary, and oppressive proceeding against Doctor Bald-
win, a citizen of the United States, under colour of a

preferred and carried on
by
Baldwin appeared before the alcalde

altercation ensued,
suit at law,
a creature of the alcalde himself.

to
answer the charge
and the alcalde ordered him
an
to the stocks,
13
14
which Bakhvin refusing
was pursued by
the race
submit
to
Baldwin
fell,
to,
attempted to escape, and
who
a party of soldiers
attended the court.
receiving an injury in one of his legs
In
was
captured, carried back into the presence of the alcalde, placed in

the stocks,
and afterwards imprisoned.
In February 1832, the schooner Topaz, of Bangor, Maine, was
employed by the Mexican government

moros
by the
sel
crew imprisoned, and the ves-
soldiers on the passage, the
seized and converted to the
On
Mexican
was seized
in the port of Brazoria,
commandant
service.
American schooner Brazoria
the 21st of June, 1832, the
military
from Mata-
to carry troops
The master and mate were murdered
Galveston Bay.
to
by John Austin, the Mexican
in that quarter,
and employed
make an
to
attack upon Anahuac, then in possession of insurgents.

the attack she
was abandoned
was injured
as a total loss, for
During
made unseaworthy, and
so as to be
which the underwriters have
received no compensation.
In the
summer
of 1832, the steamboat Hidalgo, and schooner
Consolation, belonging to Aaron Leggett, of

cibly taken possession of
used by them.
detained, and
The
by Mexican
New York,
officers
at
brig John, belonging to Leggett,
money was
extorted from him.
were
for-
Tobasco, and
was
also
The consequences
resulting from these acts are represented to have been ruinous to

the sufferer,
and the Mexican government was clearly bound by
the treaty to indemnify

In
him
for
them.
March 1834, Captain McCeige, of
of Mobile,
was imprisoned
demanded
of
at
the schooner Industry,
Tobasco, and an exorbitant
him without cause.
The payment
made, the only condition upon which he could be allowed

]iai-t,
who
fine
of the fine being

to de-
he aljandoned his vessel and her cargo to the authorities,

afterwards sold them.
In the
summer
of 1834, the brig Paragon, of
causelessly fired into on her
way
to
New
York, was
Vera Cruz, by the Mexican
INSULTS TO THE AMERICAN FLAG.

In answer to an
public-armed schooner Tampico.

sentation on the subject
15
by Mr. Butler,
that the affair should be inquired into
oilicial
repre-
government promised
that
but the promise was not
fulfilled.
In the beginning of
to
belong
New
to the
May
1835, the answer of
custom-house,
York, on her
arrival at
who boarded
Campeachy,
captain as to which of the ship's papers
present at the custom-house,
misrepresented.
was
at the
the brig Ophir, of
to
an inquiry of the
would be necessary
to
accidentally, or intentionally,
In consequence of
papers w'ere shown to the boarding
being exhibited
it
supposed
officers
this,
notwithstanding
officers,
all
the
the invoices only
custom-house, the vessel was seized and
condemned.
In
May
New
1835, also, the schooner Martha, from
was seized
at
Montezuma,
Orleans,
Galveston Bay, by the Mexican armed schooner
for
an alleged non-compliance with some of the
for-
Four of the passengers of
the
malities of their revenue laws.
Martha were put in irons, under the hatches of the

and otherwise treated with great barbarity, merely
Montezuma,
for
an imputed
intention to use their firearms against a guard that
had been
placed on board the Martha.

In
November 1835,
New
Orleans,
Bay.
While
the schooner
was stranded
Hannah and
in this condition, she
was
command
of
two
officers,
Matagorda
by the Mexican
fired into
armed schooner Bravo, boarded by twenty armed

the
Elizabeth, of
in attempting to enter
under
soldiers,
w'ho forcibly took the master, crew,
and passengers from the wreck, pillaged them of most of

clothes,
and chained them
arrival at
in the hold of the
Bravo
Matamoros, where they were continued
in
until
who was
their
confinement
but through the urgent representations of our consul there,

the captain were eventually released,
their
all
but
kept a long time
in confinement.
On
the 17th of February, 1836,
William Hallett and Zalmon
16
Hull, citizens of the United States, were arrested in the streets

of Matanioros by a party of
armed
soldiers,
who
struck Hull in
the face with a sword, and forcibly took both to the principal bar-
rack in that
city,
being about
proceed to Texas.
to
were placed
at the
pretences, and
Armed
where they were confined upon suspicion of
all
Shortly afterwards, sentinels
doors of the consul's residence, under false
communication with the house prohibited.
soldiers broke
open his gate during his absence, forcibly
took a mare and two mules belonging to him, entered his house
with drawn swords, and searched every room in
for the
avowed
at the city of
Mexico
it,
object of finding the consul.
In February 1836, an attempt was
from Mr.
to take
W.
made
A. Slocum, protected by a courier's pass-
port from the United States
Department of State, public despatches
of the United States government, addressed to Mr. Butler.
The
attempt failed, but Mr. Slocum was fined and detained, for carrying
official letters
on his person, authenticated by the endorse-
ment of the American Department of
State,
Charge d'Affaires of the United States
in
In
March 1836,
the schooner Eclipse
and directed
to the
Mexico.
was detained
and her master and crew maltreated by the
at
Tobasco,
authorities.
In April 1836, the brig Jane, schooner Compeer, and other
merchant vessels of the United States, were forcibly detained
at
Matamoros.
The same
the
year, the military
embargo a pretext
commandant
of
Tampico made
for interrupting or obstructing the corres-
pondence between the commander of the United States revenue

cutter
Jefferson
anchored
sent out
off'
and our consul
the port of Tampico,
there.
When
the
Jefferson
direct from Pensacola, being
by order of Commodore Dallas
Lieutenant Osborn and
his boats' crew upon going on shore were seized and imprisoned,
and the vessel

satisfaction
proliibitcd
from entering the
was made by
tlie
river.
A demand
American Consul, but was
for
indig-
CANDID POLICY OF GENERAL JACKSON.
Some time
nantly refused.
after, the
17
commandant was
displaced
on representation of our government, but he was speedily restored

to a higher office
In the
mean
on the same coast.
time, Texas, which, since the battle of San Jacinto,
had not been molested by Mexico, pressed upon the American
government
its
recognition as an independent nation
but Presi-
dent Jackson, although wounded by the conduct of the Mexican
government, with that strong sense of justice and honour
which he was distinguished,

of
December
message
to
for
Congress
21st, 1836, advised that the United States should
delay to recognise
was
in his special
its
nationality until the independence of
Texas
indisputably established, that the policy of his country might
be above
" The
all
suspicion.
title
of
Texas
with her independence
the territory she claims
to
is
identified
she asks us to acknowledge that
title
to
the territory, with an avowed design to treat immediately of
its
transfer to the United States.
early
movement, as
it
It
becomes us
beware of a too
to
might subject us, however unjustly,
to tlu'
imputation of seeking to establish the claim of our neighbours to

a territory, with a view to
its
subsequent acquisition by ourselves.
" Prudence, therefore, seems
to dictate that
stand aloof, and maintain our present attitude,

itself,
if
we
should
not until
still
Mexico
or one of the great foreign powers, shall recognise the inde-
pendence of the new government,

or the course of events shall
at least until the lapse of time,
have proved, beyond cavil or
dis-
pute, the ability of the people of that country to maintain their
separate sovereignty, and to uphold the government constituted
by them.
" Neither
course.
By
of the contending parties can justly complain of this
pursuing
lished policy of our
us respect and
home."
it,
we
are but carrying out the long-estab-
government
influence
a policy which
abroad, and
has secured to
inspired confidence
at
18
time before this, to prevent any hasty action in the case
Some
of Texas, the President had sent a confidential agent to ascertain

the civil, political,
On
time
and military condition of the country.

the independence of Texas,
acknowledgment of
the
after,
by
the United States, the
Mexican Minister
most solemn manner,
Affairs protested against the matter in the
and
in a
way
some
of Foreign
calculated to do violence to the feelings of the go-
vernment and people of the United
States.
In the interim, the
representations of our Charge d'Affaires in Mexico, in relation to

the grave complaints which the United States
government of that
country,
Wherefore, the President,

ask for
made
against the
had been entirely disregarded.
in carrying out his
nothing which was not clearly
right,
candid policy "
and
to
to
submit to
nothing that was wrong," finding he could effect nothing with the
Mexican government,
culty in a special
make
called the attention of Congress to the
message of February
the following extracts
6th, 1837, from
diffi-
which we
" The length of time since some of the
injuries
have been com-
mitted, the repeated and unavailing applications for redress, the
wanton character of some of the outrages upon the persons and

property of our citizens, upon the officers and flag of the United
States, independent of recent insults to this
ple,
by the
the eyes of
'<
late
all
government and peo-
Extraordinary Mexican Minister, would justify, in

nations, immediate war.
That remedy, however, should not be used by just and gene-
rous nations, confiding in their strength for injuries committed,

it
can be honourably avoided
and
it
has occurred to
me that,
if
con-
sidering the present embarrassed condition of that country,
we
should act with both wisdom and moderation, by giving to Mexico
one more opportunity of atoning

dress into our
own
hands.
To
for the past, before
avoid
all
we
take re-
misconception on the
part of Mexico, as well as to protect our national character from
reproach, this opportunity should be given with the
avowed design
ACTION OF CONGRESS.
and
preparation to take immediate satisfaction,
full
not be obtained on a repetition of the

I
19
recommend
that an act
demand
for
be passed authorizing
if
To
it.
it
should
this end,
reprisals,
and the
use of the naval force of the United States, by the Executive,

against Mexico, to force them, in the event of a refusal by the
Mexican government,
to
come
to
an amicable adjustment of the
matters in controversy between us, upon another
made from on board
of one of our vessels of
demand
war on
thereof
the coast of
Mexico."
The President was
by both houses of Con-
entirely sustained
gress in his views of the flagrant outrages committed

as well as in the plan of redress
but
it
by Mexico,
was recommended
that
she should have another opportunity to atone for her past misconIn this,
duct.
treaty with
strict
adherence was had
Mexico, which provided that
to the 34th article of the
"
If
any of the
articles
contained in the present treaty shall be violated or infracted in
any manner whatever,
it is
stipulated that neither of the contract-
ing parties will order or authorize any acts of reprisal, nor declare
war against the
other,
on complaint of injuries or damages,
the said party considering itself offended shall

to the other a statement of
shall
In the
have presented
such injuries or damages, verified by
competent proofs, and demanded justice and
same
first
satisfaction,
House of Representatives,
" The committee

cause exists
we
and the
have been either refused or unreasonably delayed."
for
fully
Committee
the report of the
on Foreign Affairs contained the following paragraph
that
until
concur with the President that ample
taking redress into our
own hands, and
believe
should be justified, in the opinion of other nations, for
taking such a step.
But they are willing
to try the
of another
demand, made
tice of the
Mexican government, before any
are adopted."
in the
experiment
most solemn form, upon the jusfurther proceedings
20
The
committee in the Senate contained
report of the similar
the following
" After such a demand, should prompt justice be refused by
Mexican government, we may appeal
the
towards a
compel us
by
to all nations not only
equity and moderation with which
for the
sister republic,
to
reprisals.
seek redress
The
we
shall
have acted
but for the necessity which will then

our wrongs, either by actual war or
for
subject will then be presented before Congress,
at the
commencement
form
and the committee cannot doubt but that such measures
will
of the next session, in a clear and distinct
be immediately adopted as
may be
necessary to vindicate the
honour of our country, and insure ample reparation
to our injured
citizens."
Pursuant
to these
recommendations, the President despatched
a special messenger to
dress,
who made
1837.
the
Mexico
demand
to
The government
of
Mexico
re-
left
undone which may con-
most speedy and equitable determination of the
subjects which have so seriously
American government."
only guides of
and
the 20th of July,
replied on the 29th, and gave
assurances that " nothing should be

tribute to the
satisfaction
demand accordingly on
its
It
engaged the
further promised to
attention of the
"adopt, as the
conduct, the plainest principles of public right,
imposed by international law, and the
reli-
gious faith of treaties; and that whatever justice and reason
may
the sacred obligations
dictate respecting each case will
How
well
Mexico adhered
be done."
to the
above pledges,
will
appear
from the following extract from the annual message of President
Van Buren,
of
December
5th,
1837:
" Although the large number, and many of them aggravated

cases of personal wrongs, have been
Mexican government, and some

plaint,
now
for years before the
of the causes of national
com-
and those of the most offensive character, admitted of im-
mediate, simple, and satisfactory replies,
it is
only within a few
RENEWAL OF NEGOTIATIONS.
days past that any specific communication
demand, made
Mexican
answer
in
By
given or oflered
out of
the
be seen
of our public complaints has satisfaction been
all
those
wrong has
that but four cases of both de-
formally presented and earnestly
pressed, have as yet been decided upon
ment.
will
it
that but one of the cases of personal
been favourably considered, and

scriptions,
last
the report of the Secretary of State, here-
with presented, and the accompanying documents,

that for not one
your
to
months ago, has been received from
five
Minister.
21
by the Mexican govern-
In accordance with the clearly-understood wishes
of the legislature, another and formal
demand
for satisfaction
has
been made upon the Mexican government, with what success the
documents now communicated

rative
will
my
pain-
duty to return the subject, as
whom
a careful and delibespirit
manifested by the Mexican government,

ful
On
show.
examination of the contents, and considering the
it
it
now
it
has become
stands, to Congress, to
belongs to decide upon the time, the mode, and the
measures of redress."
Instead,
now, of war
to redress her
tiations
wrongs
or reprisals,
Congress generously forbore
in the case of a sister republic
were renewed between the countries.
delay, the convention of April 11th, 1839,
and nego-
After a year's
was agreed upon "for
the adjustment of claims of citizens of the United States of
Ame-
The
joint
rica
upon the government of the Mexican republic."
board of commissioners to examine and decide upon these claims
met
in
August 1840, and the four
lous points raised
first
months were spent
by the Mexican commissioners.
tion of claims, in consequence, did not
commence
till
1840, though the time of session of the convention was

but eighteen months.
When
the time
in frivo-
The examina-
expired, in
December
limiterl to
1842,
the
claims allowed amounted to two million twenty-six thousand
one hundred and thirty-nine dollars and sixty-eight cents. Before

the umpire
between the commissioners of the two countries, and
22
undecided
for
want of time, were claims amounting
to nine
hun-
dred and twenty-eight thousand six hundred and twenty-seven

dollars
and eighty-five cents
to the board,
six thousand
cents,
lion
amounting
while
still
other claims submitted
to three million three hundred and thirty-
eight hundred
were not examined
and thirty-seven
at all
and
five
The two
mil-
dollars
for want of time.
one hundred and thirty-nine dollars
twenty-six thousand
and sixty-eight cents, were not paid by Mexico, according

stipulation,
to
and a postponement of the time of payment was
granted to Mexico at her request, in the
spirit of
forbearance that
had always actuated the American government.
second convention was concluded on the 30th of January,
1843, which was declared to be " entered into

tion of
Mexico."
This stipulated that
for the
accommoda-
Mexico should pay on
the
30th of April, 1843, the interest then due on the awards of the
cortvention of the 11th of April, 1839; and that she should
five years, in
of the awards, and the interest accruing thereon.
thus acknowledged for acts of outrage
upon the
pay
in
equal instalments every three months, the principal
citizens of the United States,
obligations of a treaty,
Of
the
sum
and wrong committed
and secured by the solemn
Mexico paid only
the interest due on the
30th of April, 1843, and three of the twenty instalments of the

}irincipal.
Nor was
To
this all.
provide for a liquidation of the
claims not decided upon by the convention of April 1839,

stipulated
by the
sixth article of the
January, 1843, that a
new
was
convention of the 30th of
convention should be entered into for
the settlement of these claims.
ingly concluded on the 20th of
third convention
On
was accord-
November, 1843, and
the United States Senate in January 1844, with
manifestly reasonable.
it
referring these
ratified
amendments
to the
government of Mexico, she was guilty of delays and evasions,

violation of the
faith
by
two amendments,
of treaties; and, though the subject
in
was
earnestly pressed upon her, she would not give an answer whether
LETTER TO MR. SLIDELL.
23
she would or would not accede to the amendments, but preserved

a gloomy and sullen silence.
but just, however, to state that an
It is
our admitted claims, which
of the anticipated annexation of Texas.
an extract from the
"For
letter of
Mr. Voss
was made
to
pay
to
This will appear from
Mr.
Slidell
avowed purpose of liquidating the recognised Ame-
the
rican claims. General Santa
vernment, in
to
effort
through, partly in consequence
fell
May
Anna, the head of the Mexican go-
1843, decreed the collection of a forced loan,
be distributed in certain proportions through the departments
of this Republic, and paid at periods corresponding to those stipulated in the convention to that effect wîth the
United States.
government of the
This measure, essentially unpopular, could only
have emanated from a government as absolute as that of Santa
Anna
then was, and, even with the aid of his unlimited powers,
was very imperfectly enforced, while
the temptation to a misap-
by which
plication of the funds collected amidst the difficulties
Anna was surrounded
Santa
is
sufficiently obvious.
From
these
concurring circumstances, the Mexican government was absolutely unable to
1844
and
pay the instalment which became due
in July of the
same
year,
when another
in
should have been paid, the incapacity of the government to

its
engagements had become

" About
this
it
its
and amidst the angry excitement
occasioned, the press found a popular theme for com-
plaint in the
cated
fulfil
greater.
time public attention was directed to the Texan
question with renewed force
which
still
April
instalment
payment of the American claims, and
freely advo-
discontinuance."
To show
that
Mexico had no
just right to
complain of the con-
duct either of Texas or of the government of the United States,
we
will consider the circumstances attending the revolt of the former,
and
its
annexation to the United States.
CHAPTER
III.
Grant to Moses Austin by the Spanisii AuthoritiesColony led to Texas by Stephen F. Austin in 1821 Overthrow of the Spanish
Power in Mexico Confirmation of the Grant to Austin Mexican Constitution
Guaranty of
Coahuila and Texas provisionally united as a State
of 1824
Its Political Condition
Election of Pedraza
future State Sovereignty to Texas
as President of Mexico overthrown by the Military Power of Santa Anna
Guerrero declared President Deposition and Death of Guerrero by Bustamente
Tyranny of Bustamente Troops sent to harass Texas Expelled by the
Early Condition of Texas
Bustamente overthrown by Santa Anna and Pedraza recalled Santa

Anna President Overthrow of the Constitution and Federal System A Central
Government organized Resistance of the Mexicans Zacatecas Butchery of
the People Call of a Texan Congress of Consultation Arrival of General Cos
Texas Resistance of the Texans Fall of the Mexican Forts General Cos
capitulates with his Troops Declaration of the People of Texas Provisional
Texans
in
Government.
Before 1821,
over
its
erally
wastes,
if
we except
Texas contained few
were Americans,
the towns of
settled, for the
tlie
abroad the love of liberty
no small degree
and
most
part, in
to
wandered
These gen-
and around
adventurous and
restless enterprise,
beyond the confines of
Bearing with them
in
inhabitants.
San Antonio and Nacogdoches
hardy pioneers, who, with

fortunes
the tribes of savages that
had pushed
their
civilization.
innate spirit of freedom, they diffused
among
the Spaniards, and contributed
induce them to throw off their foreign yoke,
establish independence.
On
Moses Austin,
the 17th of January, 1821,
of Connecticut,
obtained from the Spanish autliorities permission to establish a
colony in Texas, with
powered
many
to introduce into
important privileges.
Texas
He was em-
three hundred families, upon a
24
EARLY CONDITION OF TEXAS.

specified territory, one
hundred miles
extending one hundred and
fifty
25
in breadth on the coast,
and
The
miles into the interior.
grant allotted to him crossed the rivers Brazos and Colorado,
and included large
tracts east
and west of these
rivers.
By
the
conditions agreed upon between Austin and the Spanish authorities,
each family of the
settlers
was
to receive a grant in fee of a
section of land of the extent of one Spanish league square.

colonists
were permitted
to
bring with them
all
The
necessary imple-
ments, and other goods not exceeding the value of two thousand
dollars, free
from any duty, and,
for a period of five or six years,
they were to be exempt from taxes of every kind.

Before the colony was established the grantee deceased, and
Stephen F. Austin, his son, who received the grant by bequest,

led thither a colony of settlers in
December 1821.
many
of their career, the colonists endured
At the outset
hardships, and suf-
fered many privations, while they were continually harassed by
the incursions and depredations of the Indians.
Notwithstanding, they bore up amid their discouragements, and,

favoured by a mild climate, and cheered by the hope of future
wealth from the richness and

to
fertility
of the
continued both
soil,
labour and to suffer, while they redeemed a
home from
the
wilderness and the savage.

After a period of
toil
had steadily progressed
and dangers, during which the colony

in importance, the
produced a change of government, and
Mexican Revolution
in
consequence cast a
degree of doubt upon the validity of the compact

elder Austin
by
the Spanish authorities.
terests of his colony,
To
made
with the
superintend the
in-
Austin went to Mexico, and after spending
a year there, he obtained a confirmation of his grant from the

National Congress of Mexico in August 1823.
drooping
spirits of the
new homes,
tion to
colonists,
of which they
This revived the
and reconciled them
had begun
to
grow weary.
to their
Emigra-
the country, which had been checked, was now resumed
26
again, with alacrity and confidence, under the naturahzation laws
of 1823, '24, and '25.
In 1824,
when
the
Mexican
territory
was organized
into states
under the constitution which was then adopted, and which provided
a political system similar to our own, consisting of a gen-
for
eral or
government, and local or
national
Texas, on account of the smallness of

with Coahuila, under the
Texas.
sional,
name
to continue until she
state herself
was
own
consent,
in a condition to
was
provi-
become a
and assume the necessary powers of government
the words of the organic act of

ico, of tlie 7th of
tlie
constituent congress of
Texas a
in
Mex-
May, 1824, " until Texas possessed the necessary

Thus was guaran-
elements to form a separate state of herself."

tied to
governments,
of the state of Coahuila and
This union, which was with her
and
state
population, wâs united
its
specific political existence, with all the rights of
self-government, as an independent state of the

eration, as soon as she
Mexican confed-
"possessed the necessary elements."
During the presidency of Guadaloupe Victoria, the constitution
and the federal system adopted under

established.
The
internal
was divided
that of our territories.
It
each of which chose
own
The
selection thus
who were
rity
fied
its
judges,
by the people, from
to administer
were considered firmly
it,
government of Texas was similar
to
into five municipalities,
sheriffs,
their
and other
own
officers.
citizens, of those
law and justice among them, was a secu-
against violence and oppression.
Their
officers
with them in views, feelings, and interests.
were
identi-
With
these
guaranties for the protection of person and property for the present,
and the provision
for the future state
that country afforded strong
inducements
prise to the citizens of the United States,
grated
tliither, in
sovereignty of Texas,
for agricultural enter-
who
accordingly emi-
expectation of the permanent enjoyment of
institutions like those of their
own
country.
civil
DEPOSITION AND DEATH OF GUERRERO.
At
the close of Victoria's term of office, in 1828,
27
when Gomez
Pedraza had been elected president of the republic, Santa Anna,

with his troops, pronounced in favour of General Guerrero, the
candidate, and defeated the
rejected presidential
troops,
civil
and thus gave
by the
to
Mexico the example of
prostrating the
Guerrero was, in consequence,
powder.
military
government
Bustamente, who had received the suffrages
installed president.
of the friends of Pedraza,
was
vice-president.
Santa Anna, in
reward of his services, was appointed secretary of war.

In 1831 Bustamente organized a conspiracy, deposed Guerrero,
and, under the formalities of a military tribunal, sentenced
to
be shot, on the 10th of February, 1831.
pretended that
this zeal
was evinced
him
Though Bustamente
in favour of
" Constitutional
order," he did not recall Pedraza, the rightful president, but,

sustained by the aristocracy and clergy,
who were alarmed
at the
influence of republican institutions on their privileges, he pro-
ceeded, under the humble
title
of Vice-President, to establish
throughout the country a perfect military despotism, in utter disregard of
all
constitutional
and loyal
liberty,
and property of his subjects.
As an
press w'as destroyed.

lisher of a
seized, his press
himself, in presence of the governor

to
tyrant and
All freedom of the
instance, in Guadalaxara, the pub-
paper which had given offence
commandant, was
The
most absolute sway over the
his military satraps exercised the

life,
restraints.
to Inclon, the military
and types destroyed, and he
and
state authorities, ordered
be shot in three hours.
Among
the early acts of this iniquitous administration,
repeal of the colonization laws in relation to
United States.
was
Texas and
the
the
Emigrants from that republic were forbidden
hold land in Mexico

of the settlers in
to
and by a new construction of law, many
Texas were
to
be deprived of their lands, en-
deared to them by their labours and their sufferings.
Troops
soon after were sent to Texas to harass the people, under the pre-
28
of aiding
text
uccommodation
became
revenue
the
at
Forts erected
officers.
seats of military tribunals, for
tlie
their
for
Nacogdoches, Anahuac, and Velasco, soon
mock
trials of
popular
and influential citizens, under the vague charges of disaffection

government
to the
and were made prisons
for their incarcera-
were condemned.
tion, after they
Determined
resist
to
military
tliis
despotism, the
planters
week
united, and with such forces as they could raise, in one
took the forts at Velasco, Nacogdoches, and Anahuac, and drove

the
enemy from
About
the country.
this time,
but without any
concert of action, the garrison of Vera Cruz declared against
Bustamente, and invited Santa
He
that post.
to
Bustamente,
accepted the
after Avhich
Anna
offer,
to
assume the command of
and addressed a remonstrance
he seduced over to his interest large
bodies of the government troops, and marched upon the
when Bustamente
With
resigned his power and fled from the country.
seeming regard
violated in 1828,
for
"
constitutional order,"
to expire.
he would be
much by
tlie
this
Aware
whose term of
now
office
next president, he hazarded nothing, but gained
show
of disinterested action.
In the beginning of 1833 Santa
the
re-
of his popularity, and assured that
dential chair without opposition
he
which he had
when he deposed Pedraza, Santa Anna now
called to the executive chair that chieftain,
was about
capital,
Anna was
and, from
elected to the presitlie
popularity which
enjoyed, as the restorer of the constitution of his country,
most sanguine expectations were entertained of a
execution of the powers of government.
liberal
The members of the Con-
gress were regarded as sincere friends of liberty, and the inhabitants
of
Texas thought the time favourable
government
for
admission into the Mexican
to
petition
the
confederacy as a free
state.
Their petition
set forth, that
dissimilar in soil, climate,
" Coahuila and Texas were
and productions
totally
that the representa-
GEN. ANTOIilO LOPEZ DE SAK'TA ANNA.
SANTA ANNA PRESIDENT.

tives of the former
that all legislation
one,
were so much more numerous than

benefit of
for the
a generous courtesy
effect of
29
tJie latter,
Texas could be only
the
that laws happily adapted to the
would on account of the great
dissimilarity of their interests
be ruinous to the other: that Texaswas in continual danger from

the aggression of the Indian tribes, without any efficient govern-
ment
to protect her in
such cases
that the present legislation is
calculated to exasperate the Indian tribes

rights
by withholding
their
whereas, by doing them justice, valuable auxiliaries might
be gained, instead of deadly enemies, w^hich should be the policy
Texas
of
state
that
Texas
'
possessed the necessary elements for a
government, and that
stitution,
and
for
her attachment to the federal con-
to the republic, the petitioners
pledged
their lives
and honour.' "

For
tlie
above reasons and others, they prayed that Texas might
be erected into a separate state of the Mexican confederacy,

agreeably to the decree of the 7th of
it
May, 1824, which annexed
provisionally to Coahuila.
Austin as Commissioner proceeded to Mexico with this petition,
which he presented
He urged
after
its
to
Congress and had referred to a committee.
importance upon Congress and the executive, but
waiting several months, during which he was unable to get
the committee to report, to obtain a hearing from Congress, or the
encouragement of the president, he despaired of success

existing state of affairs.
authorities of
He
in the
wrote therefore to the municipal
San Antonio, advising the
call of
a convention to
organize a state government in Texas, witli the view of rendering

the action of Congress necessary in their behalf.
In consequence
of this letter, while on his return to Texas, he w'as arrested in
Coahuila, and imprisoned on a charge of treason.
The circumstances
led
him
of the election of Santa
to aspire to the
supreme power.
Anna, probably
Movements
of the sol-
diery in which he wâs implicated soon after his inauguration,
30
But he was restrained
evince this disposition on his part.
designs by the Congress, which was libera] in
and could not be induced
actions,
to favour his
its
in his
views and
ambitious
incli-
nations.
During
its
ecclesiastical
clergy.
It
had turned
session the Congress

affairs,
was
religious creeds
and made innovations that alarmed the
in favour of granting toleration to the different

;
and appropriated
to the national treasury
of the resources of the church, which
without law or right.
it
was conceived
some
to hold
This dissatisfaction of the clergy favoured

Santa Anna, and he soon resolved to ren-
sinister designs of
tlie
attention to
its
der himself intlependent of Congress through their instrumentality.
The
clergy, wherever they
had influence
to
dictate their views,
now procured pronunciamentos which denounced Congress and

its
reforms, but expressed
Backed thus by
trolled,
unbounded confidence
the priesthood and those
in the president.
whose action they con-
Santa Anna, in 1834, dissolved by force the Congress and
the general council of the nation, and took measures to secure

the return of a majority of
For
able to his designs.
was employed, and
members
this
to the
next Congress favour-
purpose the power of the clergy
large bodies of troops were posted to overawe
the suffrages of the people.
When
in his
this
"
in
January 1835, Santa Anna
message plainly intimated that the people were not
for a free
in
Congress assembled
government.
He who,
1823, on the
in
fitted
of Iturbide,
fall
order to forward his selfish views, had proclaimed himself

protector of the federal republic,"
Pronunciamentos
eflfeeted
among
priesthood,
in
now
favour of a
the people
when Congress, upon
annihilated.
and
state authorities.
To check
the
central
its
destruction.
government were
by the agency of the president and

the
decree abolishing the constitution of

constitutions
contrived
3d of October, passed a
1824, and with
The very name
opposition that might
it
the state
of State
was
arise, large
OVERTHROW OF THE
CONSTITUTION".
forces were quartered in each state under the

military prefects
who were appointed by
government was
tral
gress
was
in the
in fact a military
new
governors or
The cen-
the usurper.
despotism
power of the creatures of
31
and the Con-
the usurper,
and served
but to register his decrees.

If this
change of government had been effected by a conven-
tion of the people,
was not even
it
would have been legal and binding.
the act of a constitutional congress
But
it
for, the usurjêr
had dissolved by a military order the legitimate Congress while

one-half of
its
term remained unexpired, and by a military order,
under means that prevented the
free action of public opinion,
had
procured the election of members in a revolutionary and unconstitutional
manner.
Opposition to this revolutionary subversion of the government,
was made by the people
The
and Jalisco.
in the states of
arms against the government

tion,
Mexico, Oaxaca, Puebla,
inhabitants of the state of Zacatecas took up

in support of the federal constitu-
but by a powerful army led by Santa Anna, and the treach-
ery of that usurper, their efforts were crushed, and the horrid
butchery of the citizens which followed, cast such a terror over

the
Mexican people,
that they submitted to the military govern-
ment which had been imposed, without
The people
of Texas,
still
further opposition.
attached to the Mexican federal sys-
tem, and hoping that the Mexican people would

it,
determined
to call a general
and delegates elected
for that
rise
and
restore
congress of consultation for Texas,
purpose were directed to meet on
the 15th of October.
Before that period, however, the war had commenced.

eral Cos, the governor, or military prefect of
Gen-
Texas, arrived with
large bodies of troops, and attempted to disarm the inhabitants,
which disclosed
to the
Texans
the intended re-enactment of the
bloody drama of Zacatecas, and animated them to a brave

ance.
The
repulse of the
Mexicans
at
Gonzales, on the
resist-
last
day
32
of September, the capture of Goliad, the victory at Conception,
and the capture of Fort Lepanticlan, on the west bank of the

Nueces, followed
the people
quick succession, and gave confidence
held by Mexico, by which General Cos and his
capitulated to the
commander
the liveliest joy through the state.
the capitulation, as
Texas
of
Texan
We
copy the
troops, diffused
first article
of
proves even at this time, the sincere desire
be a member of the Mexican confederation,
to
still
it
of the
agreeably to the constitution of 1824.
also prove the
It wull
faithlessness of Cos, in returning again to the
paroled
to
while the storming and capture of San Antonio, the
last military post
army
in
war
after
being
"Article
their arras
That General Cos and
1st.
and private property,
his officers retire with
into the interior of the republic,
under parole of honour, that they will not in any way oppose
re-establishment
of
tJie federal
the
q/'l824."
constitution
This capitulation took place on the 11th of December, 1835,
and closed the campaign of
When
that year.
came, the time appointed
the 15th of October
delegates to assemble in consultation,

the
army
ration, in
but there was
and proffering
their firm
their aid to restore
military chieftains, have
them.
It
was made on
the llth
confederacy,
by force of arms overthrown the federal
Mexico, and dissolved the social compact which
existed between
now
Texas and the other members of
1st.
That they have taken
liberties,
the
Mexican
the good people of Texas, availing themselves
of their natural rights, .solemnly
and
to the federal
Whereas, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and other
institutions of
<<
adherence
and the lawful government of the country,
November, and was as follows

'<
for the
ranks of
in the
a quorum, which published a decla-
which they expressed
constitution of 1824,
of
still
many were
declare
uj)
arms
in
defence of their rights
which were threatened by encroachments of military
DECLARATION OF THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS.
33
despots, and in defence of the republican principles of the federal

constitution of
Mexico
" 2d. That Texas
compact of union
common
thy
ance
to
in 1824.
is
no longer morally or
civilly
bound by the
yet, stimulated by the generosity and sympa-
and
to a free people, they offer their support
assist-
such of the members of the Mexican confederacy as will
take up arms against military despotism.
" 3d, That they do not acknowledge
that the present authorities
Mexican republic have
the right to govern within
of the nominal
the limits of Texas.
" 4th. That they
will not cease to carry
on war against the said
authorities, whilst their troops are within the limits of
" 5th. That they hold
it
to
be their
Texas.
during the disorgani-
right,
zation of the federal system, and the reign of despotism, to with-
draw from the union,

to
adopt such measures as they
tect their rights

ful to the
by
to establish
and
ment of the
now
"
6th.
Mexican government
the constitution
"
liberties
an independent government, or
may deem
best calculated to pro-
but that they will continue faithso long as that nation
and laws, that were framed
is
governed
for the
govern-
political association.
That Texas
is
responsible for the expenses of her armies
in the field.
7th.
That the public
of any debts contracted
" 8th. That she
Texas is pledged
faith of
for the
payment
by her agents.
will reward,
by donations
in
hand,
all
who
vol-
unteer their services in her present struggle, and receive them as

citizens.
" These declarations
God
we solemnly avow
to witness their truth
and
sincerity,
disgrace upon our heads, should

It
is
Mexico
herself,
was
call
guilty of duplicity."
above that not Texas, but
the revolutionary party.
apparent from the views set forth
and
and invoke defeat and
we prove
certainly evident from the
to the world,
in a report
This will be further
by Stephen F. Aus-
34
tin to
tlie
of which
we submit an
extract
" That every people have the right

is
November, of
provisional government, on the 30th of
unquestionable
but
change
their
equally certain and
is
it
to
government,
true, that this
change, to be morally or politically obligatory, must be effected
by the
free expression of the
stitutional
means
community, and by legal and con-
for otherwise, the stability of
the rights of the people
would be
at the
mercy
governments and
of fortunate revo-
lutionists, of violence, or faction.
"Admitting, therefore, that a central and despotic, or strong

government,
tion of the
is
best adapted to the education
Mexican people, and
and cannot, give
means and
to
them
and habits of a por-
that they wish
this
does not,
by unconstitutional
the right to dictate,
who have
force, to the other portion
it
equal rights, and
differ in opinion.
" Had the change been
effected
by
constitutional
a national convention been convened, and every
confederacy been
change,
it
fairly represented,
and a majority agreed
would have placed the matter on
but, even then,
it
means, or had
member
would be monstrous
to
admit
different
of the
to the
ground
the principle, that
a majority have the right to destroy the minority, for the reason,
that self-preservation is superior to political obligations.
such a government as
is
That
contemplated by the before-mentioned
decree of the 3d of October, would destroy the people of Texas,
must be evident
to all,
when they
consider
its
geographical situa-
tion, so
remote from the contemplated centre of legislation and
power
populated as
it is,
by a people who are so
different in
education, habits, customs, language, and local wants, from

the rest of the nation
tral
all
and especially when a portion of the cen-
party have manifested \nolent religious and other prejudices
and jealousies against them.
But no national convention was
convened, and the constitution has been, and

disregarded.
The
now
is,
violated and
constitutional authorities of the state of Coahuila
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
35
and Texas solemnly protested against the change of government,

for
which act they were driven by military force from
The people
imprisoned.
had a
right to do, for
Texas protested against
of
office,
it,
and
as they
which they have been declared rebels by the
government of Mexico.
" However necessary, then,

of the 3d of October,
in other parts of
may
Mexico,
be to prevent
it
some
parts of
Mexico,
civil
However
beneficial
would be ruinous
it
presents the whole subject to the people.

forcible
wars and anarchy
be effected by force
is attempted to
and unconstitutional means.
by the decree
the basis established
to
it
and unconstitutional destruction of the
submit
social
to
compact,
to support, they violate their oaths.
which they have sworn
to
This view
Texas.
If they
may be
If
they submit to be tamely destroyed, they disregard their duty to
themselves, and violate the

the heart of
man,
law which God stamped upon
first
civilized or savage
which
is
the
law of the
right of self-preservation.
" The decree of
effect, evidently leaves
sion from
no remedy
Mexico, and a direct
The members
to
3d of October,
the
for
therefore, if carried into
Texas but
resistance, seces-
resort to natural rights."
of the Consultation, after sundry acts calculated
meet the exigencies of the times, organized a provisional gov-
ernment, which consisted of a governor, lieutenant-governor, and
was composed of one member
general council.
The
from each
represented in the Consultation.
district
council
The
visional government went into operation on the 14th of
ber,
and was
to continue in force
was made thus temporary,
till
in order to
tion of the other states, should they
constitution of the country,
and
its
pro-
Novem-
the following March.
It
await the action and co-opera-
make an
effort to restore the
legitimate political system.
In organization of the provisional government, Henry Smith
was chosen governor, James
W.
Robinson, lieutenant-governor,
and General Samuel Houston, commander-in-chief.

7
CHAPTER
IV.
of Invasion Want of Preparation by the Tcxans Convention of the

Intelligence of the Advance of the Mexican Army Declaration of Inconformity
General Houston's Orders
dependence Constitution
Lorenzo do Zavala, the Refugee Advance of the Mexican Army Urea marches
the Alamo
on Goliad Santa Anna marches on San Antonio Colonel Travis
Rumours
People
to
in
it
in
Besieged by General SiesmaArrival of Santa Anna and Fall of the Alamo

CapituGoliad IMassacre of the Prisoners
Surrender of Colonel Fannin
Policy of General Houston Battle of San Jacinto Complete Victory
Capture of Santa Anna Texan Independence established.
after
at
lation
During
the winter,
owing
to the
remoteness of the capital,
and the variance of the two countries, the Texans had but
information respecting the intentions of Mexico.
little
Frequent ru-
mours, however, came, that Santa Anna contemplated an invasion.

It
was even
said, that he
paration to meet
was on
him followed
his
march, and alarm and pre-
the annunciation.
But, as the
accounts proved unfounded, a sense of security and indifference

fulled
them
to sleep,
and
in
consequence, nearly
were disbanded, when the Texans were

gence
that Santa
Anna,
at the
startled
all their
by the
forces
intelli-
head of ten thousand men, the
choicest of his troops, had already entered the country, with the
declared intention,
nor sex, but to
if
make
he found resistance,
to spare
neither age
the country an utter desolation.
This intelligence, with that of the siege of San Antonio de

Bexar, reached Washington on the 2d of March.
convention
of the people was in session at that place, to provide for the exi-
gencies of the time, as the period of the provisional government
was about
to expire,
and decree the independence of the country

30
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
if it
to
Cominced now,
were deemed expedient.
37
that nothing
was
be expected from a change in the political system of Mexico,
and preferring death
to a state of slavery, the delegates, in full
view of the
terrible struggle that
dissolve
connexion with Mexico whatever, and published
all
was before them,
the world the following charter of freedom,
upon
on which they learned the advance of the Mexican
resolved to
to
same day
the
chief,
and the
San Antonio de Bexar.
siege of
^Ûiianimous Declaration of Independence, by the delegates of the

people of Texas, in general convention, at
town of Washing-
on the 2d day of March, 1836,
ton,
"
tlie
When
a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty,
and property of
people, from
tlie
whom
its
legitimate powers are
derived, and for the advancement of whose happiness

stituted
it
was
in-
and, so far from being a guaranty for their inestimable
and inalienable
rights,
evil rulers for their
becomes an instrument
When
oppression:
constitution of their country,
in the
hands of
the federal republican
which they have sworn
to support,
no longer has a substantial existence, and the whole nature of

their
government has been forcibly changed,
sent,
from a
eign
states,
which every
priesthood
restrictive federative republic,

to
consolidated
central
wîthout their con-
composed of
interest is disregarded but that of the
both
sover-
military despotism, in
army and
the
the eternal enemies of civil liberty, the ever-
ready minions of power, and the usual instruments of tyrants
When, long
eration
is
after the spirit of the constitution
at length
so far lost
semblance of freedom
is
by those
has departed, mod-
in power, that even the
removed, and the forms themselves of
the constitution discontinued
and
so far from their petitions
and
remonstrances being regarded, the agents w^ho bear them are
thrown into dungeons, and mercenary armies sent

a
new government upon them
at the point of the
forth to force
bayonet
38
<<
When,
in
consequence of such acts of malfeasance and
abduction on the part of the government, anarchy prevails, and

society
civil
is
crisis, the first
dissolved into
law of nature
its
the
original elements
such
in
right of self-preservation
the
inherent and inalienable right of the people to appeal to

principles,
and take
tlieir political affairs in
extreme cases, enjoins
their
first
own hands
as a right towards themselves,
it
in
and a
sacred obligation to their posterity, to abolish such government,
and create another
in its stead, calculated to rescue
impending dangers, and
to secure their welfare
and happiness.
" Nations, as well as individuals, are amenable

the public opinion of
grievances
is
mankind.
them from
for their acts to
statement of a part of our
therefore submitted to an impartial world, in justifi-
cation of the hazardous but unavoidable step
now taken
of sever-
ing our political connexion with the Mexican people, and assuming
an independent attitude among the nations of the earth.
" The Mexican government, by
its
colonization laws, invited
and induced the Anglo-American population of Texas

its
to colonize
wilderness, under the pledged faith of a written constitution,
that they should continue to enjoy that constitutional liberty
republican government
to
which they had been habituated
and
in the
land of their birth, the United States of America,
"In
this expectation they
much
as the
made
in the
have been cruelly disappointed, inas-
Mexican nation has acquiesced
offers
all
constitution of his countrj',
us the cruel alternative, either to abandon our homes,
acquired by so
of
changes
government by General Antonio Lopez de Santa
Anna, who, having overturned the
now
in the late
many privations,
or submit to that
most intolerable
tyranny, the combined despotism of the sword and the
priesthood.
"
It
hath sacrificed our welfare to the state of Coahuila, by
which our
interests
have been continually depressed, through a
jealous and partial course of legislation, carried on at a far dis-tam
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.
seat of government,
and
this, too,
by a
an unknown tongue
hostile majority, in
notwithstanding
we have
39
petitioned in the humblest
terms for the establishment of a separate state government
and
have, in accordance with the provisions of the national constitu-
presented to the General Congress a republican constitution,
tion,
which was, without a just cause, contemptuously
"
It
incarcerated in a
dungeon,
for a long time,
rejected.
one of our
citi-
zens, for no other cause but a zealous endeavour to procure the
acceptance of our constitution, and the establishment of a state
government.
"
of
It
has failed and refused to secure, on a firm basis, the right
by jury
trial
guaranty
"
that palladium of civil liberty,
for the life, liberty,
and property of the
and only
safe
citizen.
has failed to establish any public system of education,
It
although possessed of almost boundless resources, (the public
domain
;)
and although
it
is
an axiom in
political science, that
unless a people are educated and enlightened,
it is
idle to
expect
the continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self-govern-
ment.
"
It
has suffered the military commandants stationed
to exercise arbitrary acts of oppression
among us
and tyranny, thus tram-
pling upon the most sacred rights of the citizen, and rendering the
military superior to the civil power.
"
It
has dissolved, by force of arms, the state Congress of Coa-
huila and Texas,

lives
to fly for their
from the seat of government, thus depriving us of the funda-
mental
"
and obliged our representatives
It
political right of representation.
has demanded the surrender of a number of our citizens,
and ordered military detachments

the interior for
trial, in
to seize
contempt of the
civil
and carry them

authorities,
into
and
in
defiance of the laws and the constitution.
"
It
has
made
piratical attacks
upon our commerce by commis-
sioning foreign desperadoes, and authorizing them to seize our
40
vessels and convey the property of our citizens to far distant parts
for confiscation.
"
It
denies us the right of worshipping the Almighty according
own
to the dictates of our
functionaries, rather than
"
It
has demanded
to our
tial
defence
midable only
conscience, by the support of a national
promote
religion, calculated to
tlic
tlie
temporal interest of
its
human
glory of the true and living God.
us to deliver up our arms, which are essen-
the
rightful property of
to tyrannical
freemen
and
for-
governments.
"It has invaded our country both by sea and by land, with the
intent to lay waste our territory,
and drive us from our homes
and has now a large mercenary army advancing,

against us a
"
It has,
with the
to carry
on
war of extermination.
through
its
emissaries, incited the merciless savage,
tomahawk and scalping
knife, to
massacre the inhabi-
tants of our defenceless frontiers.
"
It
has been, during the whole time of our connexion with
the contemptible sport

tions,
it,
and victim of successive military revolu-
and hath continually exhibited every characteristic of a
weak, corrupt, and tyrannical government.
"These and
other grievances, were patiently borne
ple of Texas, until they reached that point at
We then took
We appealed
ceases to be a virtue.
national
for
constitution.
assistance
our
appeal
by the peo-
which forbearance
up arms
in defence of the
to our Mexican brethren
has been
made
in
vain
though
months have elapsed, no sympathetic response has yet been heard

from
tlie
We
interior.
conclusion, that the
struction of their liberty,
tary government
are, therefore, forced to the
melancholy
Mexican people have acquiesced
in the de-
and the substitution therefore of
that they are unfit to
be
free,
a mili-
and incapable of
self-government.
" The necessity of self-preser\-ation, therefore,

our eternal political separation.
now
decrees
GENERAL HOUSTON'S ORDERS.
We,
<<
I)le
therefore, the delegates with plenary
41
powers of the peo-
of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to
candid world
solve
our condition, do hereby
for the necessities of
and declare,
nation has for ever ended, and that the people of Texas do
belong
independent nations
to
of our intentions,
we
to the decision of the
now
and Independent Republic, and

and
fully invested with all the rights
fearlessly
re-
connexion with the INIexican
that our political
constitute a Free, Sovereign,
attributes
are
which properly
and, conscious of the rectitude
and confidently commit the issue
Supreme Arbiter
of the destinies of nations."
Signed by Richard Ellis, President,

and forty-nine
On
was
the 17th the convention agreed
to
be submitted
to the people,
upon a
and,
if
constitution,
strict
which
approved, the officers
of the government were to be elected under
done, was in accordance with
delegates.
Whatever was
it.
democratic principles, and
the sovereignty of the people.
While the convention thus acted with decision

nationality of Texas,
in declaring the
prompt measures were taken
in its defence.
General Houston, the Commander-in-chief, by the following brief

but stirring appeal, announced independence and
country
to
arms
summoned
the
"ARMY ORDERS.
"Convention Hall, Washington, March
<<
War
is
raging on the
frontiers.
thousand of the enemy, under the

Reinforcements are on their
army.
By
dred and
fifty
men
strong.
it
East march to the combat.

or desolation will
The
is
2d, 1836.
besieged by two
command
of General Siesma.
to unite
with the besieging
march
the last report our force in Bejar
the aid of our army, or
soil,
Bejar
citizens of
will perish.
was only one hunTexas must
Let the citizens of the
The enemy must be
accompany
rally to
their
driven from our
march upon
us.
In-
42
DEPENDENCE
The
DECLARED
IS
it
Immediate
iBust be maintained.
with valour alone can achieve the great work.
united
action
<
sernces of
all
are forthwith required in the field.'
SAM. HOUSTON,
Commander-in-chief of
The events
wounding
of the former
to the pride of the
campaign were
Mexican
the Army.^''
in the
last
degree
The Texans,
chief.
op-
posed to the central power, not only had refused to receive his
military governor
and had organized a government of
but, after taking the several forts,
troops to capitulate and
their
military pride thus urged
vengeance against the Texans, because they refused
up Lorenzo de Zavala, one of the purest men

in
Mexican Congress, against
president of
in
to deliver
certain church property.
To
tlie
provisional government.
in
two
left,
di\isions.
General
Siesraa, on the
W.
Anna,
marched upon San Antonio de Bexar, which was
reached by the van, consisting of a thousand
Colonel
in the
render
unpardonable, the Texans had elected Zavala vice-
Urea led the right and advanced upon Goliad, while Santa
men.
to
Mexico, who
consequence of moving a law
The invading army entered Texas
with the
him
him
to subjugate the country, religious fanaticism stimulated
their action
his
abandon the country.
While wounded executive and
had become a refugee
own
had forced the governor and
23d of February.
men under General
The Texan
garrison, under
B. Travis, consisted of but one hundred and
Expecting no mercy from the infuriated
fifty
chief, they de-
termined to make a desperate resistance, and retired into the
Alamo
with what provisions they could collect.
commander
The
intrepid
then issued the following proclamation, which he
observed to the
letter
COLONEL TRAVIS IN THE ALAMO.

"
CoMMANDANCY OF THE Alamo,
43
I3ejar, Fcb. 24th, 183G.
" Fellow-Citizens and Compatriots
"
am
besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under
Santa Anna,
cannonade
have sustained a continual bombardment and
for
twenty-four hours, and have not lost a man.
enemy have demanded a surrender

garrison
is to
be put to the sword,
at discretion
if
the fort
is
otherwise
taken.
answered the summons with a cannon-shot, and our
waves proudly from the
Then
I call
walls.
I shall
on you in the name of
will
The enemy
no doubt increase
Though
days.
liberty, patriotism,
is
come
and every-
to our aid with all
thousand in four or
five
may
due
Victory or death
country.
still
and
be neglected,
sustain myself as long as possible,
never forgets what
flag
are receiving reinforcements daily,

to three or four
this call
tlie
have
never surrender or retreat.
thing dear to the American character, to

despatch.
The
and die
am
determined to
like a soldier
own honour and
to his
who
that of his
W. BARRETT TRAVIS,
Lieut. Col.
From
the
23d of Fe*bruary
to the
Com'V'
3d of March, the Mexicans,
increased by the successive arrivals of troops, assailed the

garrison with an incessant
were made
ted to a terrible resistance

floated
cannonade.
to carry the fortress
by
by storm
the
slaughter.
In the
mean
Various attempts too

but the Texans, anima-
ominous blood-red
from the enemy's camp, repelled

time, the
little
flag
which
their efforts with
heavy
enemy
encircled them with
entrenched encampments, while the Texans increased their defences by entrenching on the inside.
On
3d of March a deafening shout of acclamation announ-
the
ced the
arrival of
Santa Anna, attended by additional troops.
Closely invested
now by an army
brave Travis and
his
of four thousand men, the
band withstood the
furious onset that con-
HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR,
44
Human
tinued night and day.
up against
this incessant labour
nature, however, could not bâr
On
and watching.
the morning
of the 6th, a few hours before day, oppressed they sunk

Shortly after, Santa
rest.
had met, made a more
sistance he
down any who would
An
the attack.
at the re-
furious assault than usual.
them on
turn back, he forced
noise roused the garrison to a desperate struggle, and on
round were strewed the bodies of the assailants,

witli the fatigue of slaughter,
The
till
Mexicans obtained
man
garrisen,
alive
possession of the
full
Santa Anna, infuriated
which had caused him
troops, immediately ordered

ferocity, ordered
tlie
all
sides
the Texans,
and exhausted by wounds,
sunk overpowered by the numbers of the enemy.
single
to
hour before day the Mexicans advanced, slew
the exliausted sentinels at their posts, and gained the walls.
overcome
to
his infantry, with his cavalry posted in the rear
Having drawn up
to shoot
Anna, who was maddened
down
fort,
When
the
they found but a
at the resistance of tlie
the loss of a thousand of his best
him
to
be shot
mangled bodies
and, with a savage
of the slain to be piled
up
together and reduced to ashes.
That the lamented Travis acted properly

der to the sanguinary tyrant,
Goliad.
Colonel Fannin,
who commanded
to resist the right division of the
Urea, surrendered to
solemnly
'<
in refusing to surren-
proved by what took place
is
tliat officer
ratified as follows
Mexican
at this place,
and
under the assurances of a treaty
to avoid the effusion of blood,
prisoners of war, under
"Art.
1st.
tlu'
unable
forces under General
Seeing the Texan army entirely overpowered by a
force,
at
we
following terms
far superior
surrender ourselves
That we should be received and treated as prisoners
of war, according to the usages of civilized nations,
" Art. 2d. That the

their arrival at
La
officers
Baliia
should be paroled immediately upon
and the other prisoners should be sent
MASSACRE AT GOLIAD.
Copano, within eight days, there
to
them
cure
to the
it
no more
to take
"Art. 3d. That

officers'
await shipping to convey
to
United States, so soon as
45
it
was practicable
up arras against Mexico,
until
to pro-
exchanged.
private property should be respected,
all
and
swords should be returned on parole or release.
"Art. 4th. That our
men
should receive every comfort, and be
own men.
fed as well as their
Signed,
Gen. Urea,
on the part of the enemy, and our
Col.
MORATEAS,
Col.
HoBZINGER,
Signed by
part.
Col. Fannin, and
Maj.
pledges given above, the unfortunate
Notwitlistanding the
Fannin and
men were
his
Wallace."
length by order of Santa
treated with great brutality, and at
Anna were marched
out between
of soldiers under circumstances of great treachery,
And
butchered, and their bodies afterwards burned to ashes.

if
alike in disregard of
rocity
roar of
the
the
God and humanity,
was committed upon

musketry
smoke
still
of
Sabbath
this act of
cries of the
wounded
as
fe-
the
and
burning bodies desecrating and polluting
The awful scene
air.
depicted in the follow-
is
ing extract from the letter of a Mexican officer
" This day. Palm Sunday, March

heartfelt sorrow.
savage
the day of the Prince of Peace
the petitions and
the
files
and inhumanly
At
27, has been to
me
a day of
six in the morning, the execution of four
hundred and twelve American prisoners was commenced, and

continued
eleven,
till
eight,
commenced
when
could view
it
shot.
the operation of burning their bodies.
what an awful scene did the

were executed, and
number was
the last of the
fell
dead
without horror
field
in
present,
heaps
They were
when
But
the prisoners
And what
all
At
young,
spectator
tlie
oldest
46
When
not more than thirty, and of fine florid complexions.
the
unfortunate youths were brought to the place of death, their
lamentations and the appeals which they uttered to heaven in

their
own language,
with extended arms, kneeling or prostrate on
the earth, were such as might have caused the very stones to cry
out in compassion."
The
slaughter of Fannin
Alamo, carried dismay

government panic-struck
up
all for lost,
and
the
into
fled,
hearts
and the
fall
of the
of the people.
The
his troops,
and most of the
imitated the example.
citizens, giving
In this trying emergency,
Houston, the commander-in-chief, having drawn to his standard

about eight hundred men, with dauntless intrepidity resolved
attack the
enemy
thus cut up his
By
would concentrate
before he
army
his forces,
to
and
in detail.
a providential circumstance, Houston,
vision of the centre,
when near
the di-
which was commanded by Santa Anna,
obtained every desirable information.
was captured
courier
with a despatch detailing Santa Anna's movements, his force, route,
By
and destination.
a forced march, Houston reached on the 20th
of April the place, near the confluence of Buffalo

Jacinto, where Santa
way
river,
on
their
refreshments,
his
cannonade soon
to
Anna intended
Anahuac
to cross the
commenced on
of Santa
Anna
appeared.
both sides, with skirmishes be-
tween the cavalry and detached bodies of

which Santa Anna
San Jacinto
and, before his array had prepared
troops
the
Bayou and San
infantrj-, shortly after
retired to a position three-fourths of a
mile
from the Texan camp, where he rested the right flank of his
infantry on a
left
by a
wood
that skirted the
fortification of
San Jacinto, and secured
packs and baggage, with an opening
his
in
the centre for his artillery.
Thus, almost
till
in
presence of each
otlier, the hostile
the bright sun of spring arose which was
armies slept
to light the
young
BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO.
47
republic to independence, and usher in the day of
doom
to its
enemies.
On
morning of the
the
hundred and
forty
men
21st, Santa
Anna was
reinforced
These were choice
nearly sixteen hundred men.
troops,
under his own eye, acquainted with the manoeuvres and

war, and equipped with
all
needful appointments.
Texan commander had under him
these, the
five
formed
strifes of
To oppose
less than eight
hun-
These were planters and men of every profession
dred men.
and trade, the most of
whom had
never seen service,
scarcely any military exercise had taken upon
If vanquished, they
them.
them
who
with
the duties and
They had, however, every stimulant
fatigues of a soldier.
excite
by
under General Cos, making his force
knew
that
they would
to
be
butchered in cold blood, and that the
fire
and sword of desolation
would sweep over the settlements,
till
it
Patriotism thus
summoned them
to every
reached the Sabine.
manly exertion
for the
defenceless living, while a voice from Goliad and the Alamo,

called to vengeance for the butchered dead.
Under
the cover of a wood, having completed his arrangements
for battle,
without exposing his designs to the enemy, General
Houston led on
his little
were made with
alacrity
island of timber, the
when
army
army advanced
rapidly in line across the
of the
enemy's breastwork, and poured
menced
in
two hundred yards
a destructive
the action on the
!"
fire
of
Colonel Sherman's regiment having comleft,
the centre and right advanced in
double quick time, with the terrible war-cry, "
Alamo
evolutions
Debouching from an
the artillery took position within
prairie
grape and canister.
The
to the attack.
and precision.
Remember
the
which rose above the roar of battle, and carried dismay
into the hearts of the
Mexicans.
which mostly went over
their
advanced within point-blank

livered their
fire
Receiving the
heads and did

shot,
with murderous
fire
little
of the enemy,
execution, they
and then with deadly aim deeffect.
Not taking time
to
48
reload the pieces, they rushed on and used their pistols, and then,
as war-clubs, sent
raising their
rifles
and bone.
Many
them crashing through
skull
of these were broken at the breech, when,
still
pressing on like furious lions, and shouting that deathful cry,
"Remember
down
the
Alamo!" with
enemy
those of the
The breastwork and
their
bowie-knives they hewed
that resisted, or stabbed
were soon
artillery
them
in possession of the
mean time had been put
ans, while the wings in the
in retreat.
Tex-
to slaughter
or the rout.
The enemy's cavalry had been repulsed with

that of the
Texans under
the brave
Hotly pursued by
retreat.
Lamar, and
the Texans,
it
it
great
loss
was now
by
in full
sought retreat by a
bridge which General Houston had taken the precaution to cut
down.
On
arriving here, a cry of horror
Some urged
was gone.
down
hofse and rider went
were
jammed and crushed

fire
down
together.
swim over
struoffflinjj to
while a heavy
their coursers
the steep bank, and
Others dismounted, and
the stream.
together,
announced the bridge
Horses and
upon the banks and
from their pursuers assailed them,
men were
in the waters,
till
the waters
were red with blood, and the channel choked up with the dead
The
and the dying.
was
six
hundred and
was complete.
victory
thirty killed,
ed, and seven hundred
and
The Mexican
loss
two hundred and eighty wound-
thirty prisoners.
Among
the latter
were General Santa Anna, and General Cos, who had treacher-
Of
ously broken his parole.
The Texans
The
lost
battle of
and the new
had
Texas
rose in beauty
was generously spared by
As President
of
Mexico he made a
Houston, in which he recognised the
and engaged
among the
Santa Anna, who by his inhumanity
forfeited his life,
mander.
army scarcely a man escaped.
San Jacinto sealed the independence of the country,
star of
of republics.
the
but two in killed, and twenty-three wounded.
to order the
full
constellations
to his prisoners
the
Texan com-
treaty with General
independence of Texas,
withdrawal of the remaining troops, up-
TEXAN INDEPENDENCE ESTABLISHED.

wards of four thousand
His generals immediately
number.
in
49
evacuated the country and returned to Mexico with their troops

but the Mexican Congress refused to acknowledge the treaty which
he had made, and ordered a

not attempted, and
all
new
hereafter confined to desultory attacks
Texas, which had been granted
Mexico, according
become
theirs
to
and skirmishes.
to the
settlers
laws of naturalization
by labours
that
which had been pledged

federal
This however was
invasion.
warfare between the two countries was
compact of 1824
to
redeemed
it
them with
all rightful
as a part of
which had
further
from the w'ilderness
state sovereignty
control of
by the
which reverted
from Mexico to them upon the forcible dissolution of that compact by military despotism
had
lastly
become
theirs
by
right of
conquest, and the inhabitants of Texas had an unquestionable

right to organize a
or union
Able
wîtli
to
government of their own, or form any alliance
any government whatever.
maintain the independence she had declared, she was

President Jackson, after
admitted into the family of nations.
sending a confidential agent
and resources,
first
The
examine her condition, people,
recognised her political existence
time he put his hand

occasion.
to
officially to
paper,
act of recognition
it
was on
and the
last
this interesting
by the United States was soon
followed by that of England, France, and Belgium.
We
have thus
nation, with the
at
some length shown the
rise of
Texas
as a
view of relieving her from the ol)loquy too often
thrown upon her, and of demonstrating the
fact, that instead of
plundering the Mexican nation of a part of her
territory, as
her
people have been accused of doing, they acknowledged and upheld

the great principles of the
fidelity, until there
Mexican
was no hope
constitution with truth and
of constitutional freedom, and a
war of extermination denounced against them
them
into independence.
as rebels, drove
CHAPTER
Political Existence of
Attempt
Texas Proposals
to efTect the
for
V.
Annexation
to the
United States-
Recognition of the Independence of Texas by Mexico
Rejection by the Senate Mr.

Protest of Almonte Letter of General JacksonJoint Resolution
the Annexation of Texas Protest and Departure of the Mexican Minister
the Defence of Texas GeneAction of the Mexican Government Measures
President Tyler's Treaty of Annexation
Its
Bocanegra
for
for
ral
Taylor
Commander
of the Forces of the United States for
its
Defence Letter
Acceptance of the Terms of Annexation by TexasThe Army

open Negotiations with Mexico
Corpus Christi Attempt
of Occupation
Mr. Slidell's Mission Downfall of lierrera and Accession of Paredes Refusal
except as a Special Envoy Advance of the United States
to receive Mr.
Army to the Rio Grande The Texan Boundary considered Arrival of the
American Army at the Colorado Crossing disputed Point Isabel invested
March resumed Encampment on the Rio Grande Correspondence.
of Instructions
to
at
Slidell
Having achieved
of
the independence of their country, the people
Texas now turned
their attention to the future,
and considered
whether they would best promote their security and happiness by

a separate existence under the protection of
or
by merging their sovereignty
The expenses
in the great
some
foreign state,
Northern Confederacy.
of maintaining a government, and the distrust of
foreign alliances, indisposed
them
to the former, while the
cir-
cumstance of the majority of the inhabitants being emigrants

from the United States, rendered a union with that country desirable.
"With this preference, and in the exercise of a legitimate
act of sovereignty, the Executive of Texas, on the 4th of August,
1837, proposed to annex that country to the United States.

expression of opinion relative to this subject had been
September 1836,
at the
first
election held for choosing
An
made
in
officers
50
RECOGNITION OF TEXAN INDEPENDENCE.
under the constitution, and the desire
for the
51
union was found to
be nearly unanimous.
The
proposition of annexation
of Mr.
Van Buren
bound by
was made during
but, as the United States
a treaty of amity
the presidency
and Mexico were
and commerce, he conceived that
annexation woukl be a breach of the comity existing betwaen
them
and, foreseeing that
it
involved the probability of a war
with Mexico, he was unwilling to entertain the proposition with

favour.
Having
failed
to
secure
incorporation with
the
republican
family of the North, Texas opened negotiations with European
powers, with the view of obtaining the acknowledgment of her
mdependence by Mexico, through

England.
the intervention of France
and
England, especially, treated the young republic with
great consideration, and exerted her influence to induce the re-
cognition of her nationality on the part of Mexico.

for
no disinterested love of a republican
This was
but with the view
state,
of securing to herself by treaty the commercial advantages to be
derived from the increasing importance of Texas.
committed now
to the
France, too,
intrigues of the Montpensier marriage,
laboured to prevent the annexation of Texas to the United States,
probably with the view of placing over Mexico and Texas, at
no distant day, a French prince, through the Spanish union.
Mexico
herself,
fearing that the annexation of
United States might lead
would have consented
to a further
Texas
to
dismemberment of territory,
to the recognition of
Texas, on condition
that she would preserve a distinct nationality
and accordingly
an armistice had been concluded between them, through the

tervention
of
becoming thus
France and England.

less necessary
the
in-
While annexation was
and desirable
to
Texas, the impor-
tance of the measure claimed the attention of the politicians of

the United States.
Accordingly, during Mr. Tyler's administration, negotiations
52
with a view to annexation were opened on the 6th of October,
1843, by Abel P. Upshur, Esq., Secretary of State.
treaty of
annexation was signed by the Texan Ministers Plenipotentiary
and by President Tyler, and on the 22d of April, 1844, submitted

to
tlie
United States Senate, but was rejected by that body.
"While
was
of annexation
subject
the
Mexico had
agitated,
government of the United States
steadily notified the
that
it
would
The Mexican Minister
consider the act a ground of war.
of
Foreign Relations, Mr. Bocanegra, on the 23d of August, 1843,

in
Waddy Thompson,
a letter to
our Minister in Mexico, had
used the following explicit language
" His Excellency, the Pro\isional President, resting on

deep con\nction,
dented in the annals of the world from being consummated

if it
its
and
be indispensable for the Mexican nation to seek security for
rights at the
God, and
In
this
obliged to prevent an aggression unprece-
is
rely
expense of the disasters of war,
on
November
own
its
of the
it
will call
for the defence of its just
effoi-ts
upon
cause."
same year, General Almonte, the Mexican
Minister at Washington, protested against the act of annexation

in the
following solemn manner
" But
if,
contrary to
the hopes and wishes entertained by the
government of the undersigned
for the preservation
of the good
understanding and harmony which should reign between the two
neighbouring and friendly republics, the United States should,

defiance of good faith and the principles of justice
in
which they
have constantly proclaimed, commit the unheard-of act of violence of appropriating to themselves an integrant part of the
Mexican
territory',
and now
for
the undersigned, in the
them, protests
such an aggression
in
name
the most solemn
of his nation,
manner against
and he moreover declares, by express order
of his government, that on sanction being given by the Executive

of the
Union
to the incorporation of
Texas
into the
United States,
he will consider his mission ended, seeing that, as the Secretary
MEASURES FOR THE DEFENCE OF TEXAS.

of State will have learned, the Mexican government
war
to declare
Though
as soon as
it
53
resolved
is
receives intimation of such an act."
was defeated,
the treaty of annexation
who
favourably entertained by the people,
the subject
was
feared that the fertile
province offered to them would, by a union with England, be-
come
some measure a
in
letter of
following extract from a
General Jackson of the date of January
the importance of the subject
"
The
rival.
1st,
have just received from Major Donelson, a
Washington,
Texas, from which
in
gress expect to annex

speedily, or
it
Texas
to the
be found
will
rejection of the advances of
and a handle
1845, shows
would
dated at
letter
infer, that
if
Con-
United States, they must act
The
be beyond our grasp.
to
Texas has given
offence to some,
England
to others to press the liberal propositions of
upon the Texans, together wnth
splendid view of Texas
the
independent, growing into a vast republic, in time to embrace

not only the limits of Texas, but
This view,
zuma's.
to
all
domain once Monte-
the
ambitious
aspirants,
added
guaranties of England of her independence, and the

large
sums
factures
be
General Houston
can be counted upon
and
its
of duty,
free
How
can be successfully withstood
giving to
all
and
his influence alone
to resist the present influence of
increasing power.
questionable matter.
loan of
gaining a party in Texas.
is
the leading star
is still
the
based upon a treaty that English manu-
for ten years,
shall
to
England
long this influence of England
Texas,
in
is
becoming
a very
have taken a view^ of the whole ground,
information
its
due weight, and
say to you that,
unless Congress acts upon this subject promptly, Texas will be
beyond our grasp, and

regained by the
country, witli
Texas
"
lost to the
sword.
British
Comment
is
hazard nothing
What
United States
be the
will
for ever, unless
situation
manufactures introduced duty
of our
free
into
unnecessary.
in
saying, that,
if
the present Congress do.
54
not act promptly upon this subject, the next will not have the
The consent
power.
of
Texas cannot then be obtained.
paw upon
Britain will have laid the lion's
Great
and bound her
her,
by treaty."
During
session
tlie
1844-45,
of
subject
tlie
attention of Congress, and on the 1st of
resolution passed the
the United
we
as
two houses of Congress annexing Texas
have occasion
" Resolved by
to refer to
the Senate
it
hereafter
of
belonging to the Republic of Texas,
the
That Congress
dotli consent that the territory properly included within
new
to
and House of Representatives of
United States of America in Congress assembled
fully
joint
We extract the principal part of the resolution,
States.
shall
engaged the
March, 1845, a
may be
and
right-
erected into a
state, to be called the State of Texas, Mîth a republican form
government
to
be adopted by the people of said republic by
deputies in convention assembled, with the consent of the exist-
ing government, in order that the same
may be
admitted as one
of the states of this Union.

''
And be itfurt/ier resolved, That the
Section 1st.
sent of Congress
"
given upon
is
foregoing con-
the following conditions, to wit
Said state to be formed subject to the adjustment by this
First.
government of
other governments
evidence of
its
questions of boundary that
all
;
and the constitution
may
arise with
thereof, with the proper
adoption by the people of the said Republic
of Texas, shall be transmitted to the President of the United

States, to
tlie
be laid before Congress
1st of
for its final action,
on or before
January, 1846."
Immediately
after learning that this resolution
was signed by
the President of the United States, General Almonte, the
Minister,
demanded
As soon
protested
against
his passports,
and
it
Mexican
in the name of his government,
left
as the annexation of
the country.
Texas became known
in
Mexico,
Senor Cuevas,'thc Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the 23d of
MEASURES FOR THE DEFENCE OF TEXAS.
March addressed
which he stated
subject, in
foreign powers
ter,
long memorial
Mr. Sliannon, that
Die
notified the
American Minis-
diplomatic intercourse between Mexico
all
and the United States
Chambers upon
upon the interference of
his reliance
same time he
at the
to the
55
was
at
He
an end.
addressed
also
circular to the ministers resident of all the foreign powers, in
which he protested against
tlie
injustice bf the
and announced the intention of Mexico

the
22d of March sent despatches
different
departments
the
to
throughout the
to
United States,
resist
it
and on
governors
republic,
of the
asking
their
assistance to sustain the government and maintain the rights of
On
the nation.
the
Mexican Congress
had been
right to
made
whom
made a
the memorial on the affairs of

report, in
most urgent appeals
its
Texas
which they asserted
Texas, and the duty to take up arms
the
prevent
referred,
to
7th of April, the joint committee of the
for its
recovery
their
;
and
to the patriotism of the people to
usurpation.
Meanwhile the American government,
satisfied
that
Texas
would accept the terms of annexation, had taken precautionary

measures
force
An
for the protection of the country.
was concentrated on
efficient military
the frontier of Texas, under the
com-
mand of Brigadier-General Zachary Taylor, who had distinguished

himself in the Florida war
and a strong squadron under Ca])tain
Stockton was ordered to the Gulf of Mexico, with instructions
to
co-operate with the army.
By
a despatch of the 21st of March, 1845, General Taylor, then
at Fort
Jesup, in Louisiana, was ordered to hold his troops in
readiness to march into Texas upon notification by the Depart-
ment of War.
tary of
War
"Sir:
Subsequent
reiterated the
am
directed
to this,
on the 28th of May, the Secre-
above instructions as follows
by the President
under your command, and those which

be put into a position where they
to
cause the forces
may
be assigned
to
may most promptly and
now
it,
to
effi-
66
act in defence of Texas, in the event
ciently
necessary or proper to employ

formation received by
the belief that
As soon
tion.
to annexation,
tlie
Texas
as the
tliem for that
Executive of
will shortly
accede
Texan Congress
and a convention
tlie
The
in-
United States warrants

to the
shall
shall
become
shall
it
purpose.
terms of annexa-
have given
its
consent
assemble and accept the
terms offered in the resolutions of Congress, Texas will then be

regarded by the executive government here so
United States as
to
be entitled from
this
far a part of the
government
to defence
and protection from foreign invasion and Indian incursions.

troops
under your command
will
The
be placed and kept in readiness
to perform this duty."
On
the 15th of June, in accordance with a requisition of Mr,
Donelson, the American Charge

acting Secretary of
tlie
dP Affaires in
War, addressed
confidential letter of instructions,
of
its
importance
to
Texas, Mr. Bancroft,

Taylor
which we give
tlie
following
entire on
account
'War Department, June
" Sm: On the 4th day of July next,
15, 1845.
or very soon thereafter, the
convention of the people of Texas will probably accept the proposition of annexation, under the joint resolutions of the late
gress of the United
Texas an
States.
That acceptance
will
Con-
constitute
integral portion of our country.
" In anticipation of that event, you will forthwith make a forward
movement with
the
mouth
Mexico,
the troops under your
command, and advance
to
of the Sabine, or to such other point on the Gulf of
or its navigable waters, as in your
most convenient
for
an embarkation
at the
judgment may be
proper time for
tlie
western frontier of Texas.

'<
In leaving to your judgment to decide the route,
it is
intended
that you choose the most expeditious, having due regard to the
health and efficiency of

nation.
tlie
troops, on reaching the point of desti-
LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS.
The
<'
force under your
57
immediate command,
at
and near Fort
Jesup, to be put in motion on the receipt of these instructions,
be the 3d and 4th regiments of infantry, and seven compa-
will
nies of the
of the
4tli
2d regiment of dragoons.
infantry have
been ordered
Artillery will be ordered from
"It
is
The two absent companies
New
to join
their regiments.
Orleans.
understood that suitable forage for cavalry cannot be ob-
tained in the region which the troops are to occupy

so, the
be
dragoons must leave their horses and serve as riflemen.
But
it is
sist
on meagre forage, may be procured,
You
if this
possible that horses of the country, accustomed to subif it
be found necessary.
will therefore take the precaution to order a portion of the
cavalry equipments to
mounted
accompany
the regiment, with a view to
service.
" The point of your ultimate destination
is
the western frontier
of Texas, w^here you will select and occupy, on or near the Rio
Grande del Norte, such a
site
as will consist with the health of
the troops, and will be best adapted to repel invasion, and to

protect what, in the event of annexation, will be our western
border.
You
will
of Texas, unless
limit yourself to the defence of the territory
Mexico should declare war against
the United
States.
Your movement
<
to
embark
for the
out any delay
to the
Gulf of Mexico, and your preparations
western frontier of Texas, are to be
made
with-
but you will not effect a landing on that frontier
you have yourself ascertained the due acceptance of Texas
until
of the proffered terms of annexation, or until you receive directions from Mr, Donelson.
"
am,
sir,
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE BANCROFT.
To
Brigadier-General Z. Taylor,
U. S.
Army, commanding
\st dcp^t.
Fort Jesup, La.^'

|
58
This
letter
was forwarded
and immediately upon
On
General Taylor by an express,
receipt, the
its
army was put
in motion.
2d of July, the 4th Infantry embarked on steamers, and
the
New
arrived at
Taylor and
The 3d
Orleans on the 4th.
Jesup on the 7th, and reached

ral
to
staff
remained
New Orleans
at
Infantry
left
Gene-
on the 10th.
Fort Jesup to arrange
Fort
affairs for
the departure of the Dragoons, and did not join the troops until
On
the 15th.
the 19th, Lieutenant Bragg, with
tlie
Army
arrived from Charleston, and joined the
3d
Artillery,
of Occupation.
Here the general received the following despatch, which modiformer instructions
fied his
"
" Sir
This department
is
War
Department, July
informed that Mexico has some

of the Rio Grande,
military establishments on the east side
which
are,
and
of her troops.
for
8, 1845.
some time have been,
in the actual
occupancy
In carrying out the instructions heretofore re-
ceived, you will be careful to avoid any acts of aggression, unless
an actual
state of
war should
The Mexican
exist.
forces at the
posts in their possession, and which have been so, will not be
disturbed as long as the relations of peace between the United
Mexico continue.
States and
WM.
L.
MARCY.
Brigadier-General Z. Taylor."'
The
line of policy herein enjoined
was much
in
accordance
with the views of General Taylor, as appears in the following

reply
"
Uead-Qlarters
P'irst
New
"Sir:
respectfully
Military Departme.nt,
Orleans, La., July 20, 1845.
acknowledge your communication of
July 8, covering the instructions of the Secretar}' of
War
of
tiic
same
this side
of
tiie
date, relative to the
Rio Grande.
Mexican settlements on
Those instructions
will
be closely obeyed
TERMS OF ANNEXATION ACCEPTED.
may
and the department
rest assured that I will take
interrupt the friendly relations
Mexico.
my
confirm
am
59
no step to
between the United States and
gratified at receiving these instructions, as they
views, previously communicated, in regard to the
proper line to be occupied at present by our troops.
"
am,
sir,

Z.
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S.
The Adjutant-General
of the
TAYLOR,
commanding.
Jl.,
Army. Washington, D. C."
despatch from Major Donelson, dated at Austin, July 7th,
reached
New
Orleans on the 21st, and informed General Taylor
that the Convention
of
Texas had unanimously accepted the
terms of annexation, and the following day the troops embarked

for
On
Texas.
the
morning of the 26th of July they reached
St.
Joseph's Island, in Aransas Bay, where they were temporarily

established
tion at
and on the 31st the
Corpus
Christi.
Army
of Occupation took posi-
This location was
at
once healthy, easily
supplied, and well situated to hold in observation the course of

the Rio
Grande from Matamoros
to
Laredo.
troops were regularly practised in the
While here the
different evolutions
and
manoeuvres of war, and reconnoissances were made with reference

to
an advance of the army towards the Rio Grande.
while Mexico
made no
Mean-
declaration of war, and adopted no
sures that looked like a determination to invade Texas.
induced
the United States Executive to suppose that
would be willing
to settle the existing diflficulties
meaThis
Mexico
by diplomacy
and accordingly, Mr. Buchanan, the Secretary of State, by
means
of an indirect correspondence with Mr. Black, the Ameri-
can Consul of Mexico, attempted
The government was evidently
Mexican
cabinet.
adjusting
all difficulties
in favour of
wath the United States, and agreed to re-
ceive an envoy for that puqiose
10
to renews negotiations with the
but, fearing the prejudices of
0
the
Mexican people, who were
to avoid all
appearance of coercion, the person deputed should be
conciliatory disposition,
of
in favour of w'ar, stipulated that,
and that before
his arrival,
the
naval force of the United States should be witlidrawn from Vera
Cruz, where
in
Commodore Conner, who was now
lay in sight.
it
of the squadron, promptly withdrew the naval force,
command
No
as requested.
doubt whatever can be entertained that Presi;
but before
Mexican people had been prepared
for the re-
dent Herrera and his cabinet were desirous of peace

the minds of the
newal of
friendly relations, the
American envoy, Mr.
appeared and pressed his reception

greatly
embarrassed
the
council of government
action of
was
earnestness, which
witli
the
Slidell,
The
administration.
to a great extent in
open opposition
to the Executive and his cabinet, and, instead of forwarding the
movement in favour
of negotiation,
made
it
the subject of intrigue
against the administration, witli the view of overthrowing
consequence of
Mr.
Slidell,
this the
it.
In
^Mexican government refused to receive
upon a point of
etiquette, that
having recalled her
resi-
dent Minister, and dissolved the relations between the two countries,
Mexico could not receive again a
United
States, until a special
following
from the
This will appear from the
the difficulties in relation to Texas.

extract of a letter
resident Minister
envoy had by negotiations arranged
from
xMr.
Black
to
Mr.
Slidell, detail-
ing the substance of a conversation between him and Pena y
Pena,
"
Mr.
tlie
On
Mexican Minister
of Foreign Affairs
Saturday evening, the 13th instant, at
Slidell,
called on the
his house, to inquire
Mexican
when an answer would be given
(Mr. Slidell's) aforesaid note.
been submitted
that as soon as the
He
replied, that the
government council,
to the
of this day, and that
request of
tlie
Minister, Seiior Pena, at
it
had been referred
to his
affair
had
in a special session
to a
committee, and
committee made a report, and
tiic
counril
should decide, he would then advise me, through Mr. Monas-
GENERAL HOUSTON'S ORDERS.
when he was ready
terio,
the
answer
for
Mr. Slidell
as those presented
me
conference to present to
for the
amine the credentials of Mr.
61
as he
Slidell,
said
when he came
he found them
to ex-
be the same
to
by Mr. Shannon, and other former Ministers
as a Minister to reside near the government of Mexico, just as

there
had been no suspension of the diplomatic and friendly
tions
between the two governments
that the
if
rela-
Mexican government
understood the present mission to be a special mission, and con-
fmed
Texas question, and not
to the diflerences in relation to tlie
as a mission to reside near the
nary cases
that of course
Mexican government,
would follow when the
as in ordi-
first
question
was decided.
'<
I replied, that
as
understood
it,
the
Mexican government had
not only agreed to receive an envoy intrusted with full powers to

settle the question in dispute in
but
all the questions
as proposed
between the two governments,
by the government of the United
that the credentials of Mr. Slidell

tions in dispute, but
if
the diplomatic
to
and friendly
to reside
to
proceed
that the
wîth
to
any questions
relations
replied
any ques-
near the Mexiin
dispute,
between the two
governments had not been and were not interrupted

the critical situation of the
He
States.
had not reference
merely as a Minister
can government, without reference

just as
Texas,
relation to the affairs of
in dispute
Mexican government, and
that I
that
knew
it
had
great caution and circumspection in this affair
government
itself
was well disposed
to
arrange
all differ-
ences."
The
principal reason, however, that influenced the Executive in
coming
to this decision,
was
the fear of an anticipated revolution,
which took place but nine days
after,
and caused the overthrow
of Herrera's administration in favour of General Paredes,
was
Mr.
the
who
a military despot, and hostile to the United States.

Slidell now' retired to Jalapa,
Mexican government
and again made overtures
to renew: their friendly relations
to
by ro
HISTORY OF THE MKXICAN WAR.
62
"Envoy
ceiving him as
istration
of
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipoten-
government of Mexico
tiary to reside near the
Paredes, adhering to the
administration, which had
;" but the
resolve
of the
adminformer
been accused of treason on account
of being favourably disposed to the United States, refused to

receive Mr. Slidell in any other character than that of a special
envoy
upon the subject of Texas alone.
treat
to
appear mo?"e fully from an extract of a
Mexican government
intention of the
upon
powers
say, special
this alone as
it
was the
firm
admit only a plenipo-
to
tentiary from the United States clothed with

is to
Senor Castillo
letter of
y Lunas, dated March 12th, 1846 :

" From these extracts it is manifest that
This will
powers ad hoc
that
upon the question of Texas, and
to treat
preliminary to the renewal of friendly relations

the result should be such as to
between the two countries,
if
admit of their restoration
and then, but not before, of the
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
reception of an
Plenipotentiary
near the same government.
"Nor
extend
by
could the government of the republic on that occasion
its
engagement beyond
the United
this
for to
admit any person sent
States in the character simply of the ordinary
agents between friendly nations, whilst the grave question of
Texas was
it
still
pending, directly and immediately affecting, as
integrity of the
does, the
nationality itself,
that this question
touching
it,
and
Mexican
would be equivalent
was
at
territory,
and the very
an acknowledgment
to
an end, thus prejudging
it
without even
to a recognition that the relations of friendship
and harmony between the two nations were from that moment
in
fact re-established."
Immediately on the receipt of

his passports,
and returned
Notwithstanding the
have been nvoided
if
to the
hostile
time
this note,
liiui
Mr.
Slidell
demanded
United States.
attitude of
Mexico, war might
been allowed
for the
prejudices
LETTER FROM TAYLOR.
63
and animosity of the people against the United States
Mexico had
true
It is
an intention
signified
invade Texas, but would never have done so
provoked by the advance of the

substantiate this opinion,
after tlie battle of
we
army
to subside.
to declare
if
war and
she had not been
To
should call to mind, that immediately
San Jacinto, the Mexican government had
or-
dered an invasion of Texas, but never carried her order into exe-
General Almonte had solemnly stated, in the event of
cution.
the annexation of Texas, " the

to declare
yet
war as soon
as
Mexican government
Mexico made no declaration
And
the
subjugation of Texas after
its
all
until the National
of aggression
the
the threats about
annexation
Even Paredes, who was known
to
United States, had declared in his manifesto

'<
resolved
of war.
such would have been the issue of
States.
is
receives intimation of such an act,"
it
to
the United
be hostile
to the
to the
people that
Congress had considered the question, no act
would be committed against the United States by
Mexican government, but
that
it
would repel any
that
might
be offered by them."
evident alike from the letters of General Taylor and of the
It is
War
Department,
while
the
war was not expected by
Christi,
will
that
show
this to
be the case
army remained
at
The following
either.
Corpus
letters
"Head-Quakteks, Army of Occupation, ^

Corpus
" Sir
spatched
have the honour
some days since
reports that
there
war.
death,
to
Texas, Sept.
6, 1845.
a confidential agent, de-
Matamoras, has returned, and
no extraordinary preparations are going forword
that the garrison does not
and that our
Christi,
to report that
con.sul is
seem
to
have been increased,
of opinion there will be no declaration of
decree had been issued prohibiting, under penalty of
any communication, by writing, across the
frontier
64
precaution which has been adopted on former occasions, and
Nothing
caused, no doubt, by our presence here.
be learned
in relation to the
march of troops from the
body of 3,000 men was reported
the information
who
agent,
is
vague
too
to
march
in
merit
interior.
Matamoros, but
to
much
can
definite
The
confidence.
and upon whose statements a good deal
is intelligent,
of reliance may, I think, be safely placed, says that the mass of

the people, with
and
that if
whom
he mingled,
war be declared,
the frontier departments of
and Nuevo Leon,
lipas, Coahuila,
opposed to a war with
is
selves independent of the central
us,
Tamau-
will probably declare
them-
government and establish
pacific
relations with us.

<'
This
is
the substance of the information brought from Mata-
Notwithstanding
moros.
its
character, I shall not relax
my exer-
and a
war with
tions to prepare for active operations
Mexico.
dered
fident that
"
must express the hope
to join
am,
me
none
sir,
without
state of
that no militia force will be or-
my requisition
for
it.
very respectfully, your obedient ser\'ant,
Subsequent
was
of the
Ji.
commanding.
above, and while admitting
of war, the Executive, through his secre-
an advance
in dispute,
TAYLOR,
Army; Washington, D. C."
to the reception of the
was no probability
tary, directed
to the
Rio Grande, into
territory
and which had never been held by Texas
"War
:
The information which we have
Department,
>
16, 1845.
here, renders
that no serious attempts will, at present, be
which
at all
Washington, Oct.
" Sir
entirely con-
will be required.
Z.
there
am
it
probable
made by Mexico
invade Texas, although she continues to threaten incursions.
to
Pre-
%nous instructions will have put you in possession of the \'iews of
FROM MARCV.
LF.TTER
65
the orovernment of the Ignited States, not only as to the extent of

its territorial
claims, but of
its
determination to assert them.
carrying out these instructions, you will be
own judgment, by
and the
On
very
much
to
In
your
reason of your superior knowdedge of localities,
earlier notice
you may receive of the probable views of
Mexico, and the movements of her

"
left
troops.
the supposition that no active operations on your part will
be required during the approaching winter, an important question

to
be decided
by your
the position or positions to be occupied
This must be determined mainly with reference to the
forces.
objects for
which the army under your command was sent
You
Texas.
Texas
is
(the
will
into
approach as near the western boundary of
Rio Grande) as circumstances will permit
reference to reasonable security
your troops into winter huts,
and certainty of procuring
if
to
accommodations
deemed necessary
or receiving supplies
having
for putting
to the facility
and
to
checking
#**#**
any attempted incursions by the Mexican forces or the Indian

tribes.
" You are requested
to avail yourself of all proper occasions,
and employ the means you possess

gard to
all
"Very
to collect information in re-
these matters, and forward
it
to this
department.
respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM.
L.
MARCY,
Secretary
of War.
Brigadier-General Z. Taylor,
Commanding Army of Occupation
While
efforts
were making
in Texas."
to restore diplomatic relations
be-
tween the two countries, and long before the Mexican govern-
ment had
finally refused to receive the
United States' envoy, the
President had ordered the advance of the
army
to the left
bank
of the Rio Grande, and a strong fleet into the Gulf of Mexico,
and thus precluded
all
hopes of accommodation
66
"War
Department,
Washington, January
" Sir
am directed
by the President
to instruct
13, 1810. J
you
to
advance
and occupy, with the troops under your command, positions on
bank of the Rio del Norte, as soon as
or near the east
it
can be
conveniently done with reference to the season and the routes by
which your movements must be made.
From
fore presented to this department,
presumed Point Isabel
will be considered
some one near
it,
by you an
or posts
left to
which you are
to
In the positions you
and other movements
may be
This point, or
suggested
for
your consideration
your better knowledge to determine the post
occupy, as well as the question of
ding your forces with a view
Norte
is
eligible position.
and points opposite Matamoros and Mier, and
in the vicinity of Laredo, are
but you are
it
the views hereto-
to
occupying two or more
may take in carrying out these
that
may
divi-
positions.
instructions
be made, the use of the Rio del
very convenient,
if
not necessary.
Should you
attempt to exercise the right which the United States have in
common
with Mexico to the free navigation of this river,
You
probable that Mexico would interpose resistance.
it
is
will not
attempt to enforce this right without further instructions.
" You are requested
what means you may

sess, to enforce
river, as well as
to report to this
require, if any,
department, without delay,
beyond those you now- pos-
and maintain our common right

your views of the importance of
to navigate this
this right in the
defence and protection of the State of Texas.
"
It is
not designed, in our present relations with Mexico, that
you should treat her as an
enemy
but, should she
assume
that
character by a declaration of war, or any open act of hostility
towards us, you will not act merely on the defensive,

lative
means enable you
to
deem
it
your
re-
do otherwise.
" Since instructions were given you

case you should
if
to
draw
aid from Texas, in
necessary, the relations between that
BOUNDARY OF TEXAS.
State
67
and the United States have undergone some modification.
Texas
is
now
fully incorporated into
by the President
are hereby authorized
to
make
that state for such of
upon the Executive of
may be needed
our Union of States, and you

a requisition
its
militia force as
to repel invasion or to secure the
country against
apprehended invasion.
"
have the honour
to be,
with great respect, your obedient
sen'ant,
WM.
MARCY,
L.
Secretary of War.
Brigadier General Z. Taylor."
The
President, in his annual message to Congress, assigned
the following reasons for ordering the advance of the
troops
" Instructions have been issued

occupy the
left
bank of
the
frontier
from
vicinity, in the
This
is
was threatened
judgment
which
river,
of Texas,
state
this quarter invasion
immediate
command,
to the general in
Del Norte.
south-western boundary of the
in its
American
is
to
the
an exposed
upon
it
and
of high military expe-
rience, are the proper stations for the protecting forces of the
government.
In addition to this important consideration, several
others have occurred to induce this

are the facilities afforded
mouth of the Del Norte,
by the
movement.
ports at Brazos Santiago
for the reception of supplies
stronger and more healthful military positions

for
Among
these
and the
by sea
the
the convenience
obtaining a ready and a more abundant supply of provisions,
water, fuel, and forage
by the Del Norte,
and the advantages which are afforded
in forwarding supplies to such ports as
established in the interior and
Now, were
it
true that the
upon the Indian
may be
frontier."
Rio Grande del Norte was the south-
western boundary of the republic of Texas, the advance of the
American army
have been
II
to that river for the
justifiable.
But
let
defence of Texas, would
us consider this subject, and see
68
really
if it
was
That the Rio Grande was the
States,
While Texas
must admit.
all
boundary of the Texas annexed
the
and
the United States,
of revolution and
it
was
boundary of Texas,
acknowledged bound-
the
upon the downfall of the Spanish
it
Holding now the
powder in that country.
by subjugation,
entire country
must be admitted
it
could make any partitions of her ow^n
was
she
amplify
that
right
Mexico
In doing
at perfect liberty to abridge the extent of Texas, or
by any additions from the
it
by
and establish any
territory,
domestic boundaries which she deemed expedient.

this,
United
belonged severally to France, to
to Spain,
So Mexico received
ary.
ancient
to the
In her internal divisions,
the territory east of the Rio

ancient Texas, to the states
Grande
Mexico
territory of
Mexico saw
fit
that
proper.
to assign a portion of
had been included
in the
of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Chihua-
hua, and established the original line between Texas, Tamaulipas,
and Coahuila, on the

This, then,
Nueces.
with Coahuila
it
Aransas, thirty miles east of the
river
was
the boundary of Texas,
was admitted
as a state into the
when
jointly
Mexican Con-
federation.
This was
its
boundary when the unconstitutional establishment
of a central government and military despotism resolved the
Mexican Confederacy
into its original elements,
By
own.
right of revolution the people of
])ublic of
Texas would,
metes and bounds
of necessity,
that the state or
left to
Texas declared
This simple
independence, and established a government.
however, did not extend her boundaries.
and thus
government of
each integrant portion the right to organize a
their
act,
The independent
now be
its
re-
within the same
department of Texas had been
while a part of the Mexican confederacy, unless additions were
made
its
to
it
by annexation,
boundaries were enlarged
between
Nueces
by conquest.
or
;
for the
the Aransas and the Nueces,

to the
west of that river as
To
a certain extent,
people of Tamaulipas, living
and those
in tlie valley of the
far as the great desert, united
THE TEXAN BOUNDARY CONSIDERED.
69
with the Texans in their revolt, and after the independence of
Texas was declared, associated themselves with them
ted
They were thus annexed
government.
their
by
and became a part of Texas,
it,
by revolutionary
then,
had united
laws of Texas
or subjuga-
of Texas,
by subjugation, now became
right or
in the
Texas
The boundary
great desert west of the valley of the Nueces.

the people
to
forming
in
Texan
Up
revolution,
to this
the
boundary
acknowledged the
government was formed, and paid taxes
after the
for its support.
From
the great desert west to the valley of the Rio
Grande
were Mexican setdements, composed of those born under Mexican laws
citizens of the states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila,
and Chi-
huahua, who had not revolted with the Texans, but had always
acknowledged the Mexican authority, and given
Over these Texas had no
port.
them
it
a ready sup-
She had not subjugated
control.
she exercised no jurisdiction over them
she attempted
none, either to serve process, collect taxes, or enforce laws.
True, the Congress of Texas, by act of December 19th, 1836,

declared
tlie
boundary
Rio Grande, from
its
mouth
might have gone
further,
San Fernando
be the boundary.
to
and maintain
had
it
by arms.
It is
and another
To
to take
Zacatecas or
New
The
Ellis,
who was
the constitution,
sufficient
margin
between the
right that she
Leon, and no more.
upon no
declaration of the Rio
boundary by the Congress of Texas, according
Judge
They
by conquest,
it
the country lying
a claim simply asserted on paper, but founded
maintained by no force.
one thing to declare
and the Rio Grande, Texas had the same
to the state of
be their
and with equal justness declared the
right to territory, on paper,
desert
to its source, to
but with what propriety, or on what grounds
to a
It
was
right,
Grande as
statement of
President of the convention that formed
was an
act of policy with the sole view oi giving
in the negotiation
pectation of so retaining
it.
mth
Mexico, and with no ex-
70
The above
and inferences show that Texas had
historical facts
no just claim to the country up to the Rio Grande
we
quently
What
could have none.
more apparent.
In
tlie first
the treaty of annexation which
not consider the Rio Grande
Hence Mr. Calhoun,

Green, our Charge at
make
the truth
who concluded
by the Senate, did
rejected
boundary of Texas.
the Secretary of State, in his letter to Mr.

:
'<
You are
enjoined also, by
Mexican government,
that
it is
questions between the two countries which
desire to settle all
grow out of
was
as the certain
Mexico, says
President, to assure the
tlie
follows will
place, President Tyler,
and conse-
this treaty, or
any other cause, on the most
liberal
And
again,
and satisfactory terms, including
of boundary.''^
that
"
speaking of the government of the United States, says:
Texas without
the boundary of
line
of boundary should be, might be an open question
and
fully discussed
It
had
what the
specification, so that
left
and
his
may
to
be
settled according to the rights of
fairly
each
the mutual interests and security of the two countries."
The Executive
that ordered the
indirectly admits that our claim
advance
to the
was not just
Rio Grande,
for the
Minister, Mr. Shannon, acting under his instructions,

to leave
states
Mexico,
" The
Cuevas
in his letter to the Minister of
undersigned can assure
that his (Mr. Shannon's)
his
American
when about
Foreign
government entertains the
liest desire to cultivate amicable relations with that of
and here he
will
improve
Affairs,
excellency Sefior
this opportunity to repeat that
live-
Mexico
which he
has before communicated to the government of Mexico, to wit,

that the United States has not adopted the
in
any
spirit
of hostility towards Mexico, and that the United
States are anxious to settle all questions

this
measure of annexation
which may grow out of
measure, including that of boundaries, in terms the most just
and liberal."
The
liberal
terms referred
have reference only
to the
to, in
connexion with boundaries, could
purchase of
territory.
The same
is

apparent from the
letters of
Mr.
Slidell,
who was
71
sent to arrange
matters in dispute between the two governments.
all
evident that the Congress of the United States did not
It is
believe the claim of
Texas
Rio Grande tenable,
to the
joint resolution of annexation, the
language
is:
belonging
properly included within and rightfully
for in the
"The
territory
Texas."
to
Indeed, the very phraseology employed was in consequence of a
common
conviction in the Senate, that Texas' claim to territory
up
Rio Grande was not just.
it
to the
was
In accordance wnth this belief,
further resolved, that the United States should adjust all
questions of boundary, the only one in dispute being the boundary
between Texas and Mexico.

follows
" Section
1st.
sent of Congress
"
The language employed was
as
jlnd he
is
First, said state to
government of
all
it further
That the foregoing con-
resolved,
given upon the following conditions, to wit
be formed subject
to the
questions of boundary that
adjustment by
may
this
arise with other
governments."
The following
resolution offered in the United States Senate
by Senator Benton,
will place the matter in a stronger light:
" Resolved, That the incorporation of the
left
bank of the Rio
del
Norte into the American Union, by virtue of a treaty with Texas,
comprehending, as the said incorporation would do, a part of the
Mexican departments
of
New
Mexico, Chihuahua, Coahuila,
and Tamaulipas, would be an act of

for all the
direct aggression on
Mexico,
consequences of which the United States would stand
responsible."
I shall
now show
that our agent sent to Texas,
Mr. Donelson,
did not regard the claim of Texas as just, to the country lying on
the Rio Grande.
State,
This
is
apparent in his
letter to the
Secretary of
under date of June 23d, 1845, in which he says: "The
territory
between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, you
has been in possession of both parties.
are aware,
Texas has held
in
peace
T^
Corpus
Mexico has held Santiago.
Christi.
Both parties have
had occasional possession of Laredo and other higher

Mexico, however, has threatened a renewal of war
of Texas,
if
she accepts
whole
proposals for the annexation to the
tlie
If she undertakes such
Union.
points.
for the
an expedition, she of course puts
upon the hazard of war the whole claim, and gives us
the right
of
we may please.''^
goijig not only to the Rio Grande, but wherever else
In a note to the Secretary, under date of July 2d, 1845, Mr.
Donelson
"My
reiterates the
position
is,
that
points up the Nueces.

thorize us to expel
tlie
same
we can
hold Corpus Christi and
If attacked,
Mexicans
to
tJie
the right
of
all
other
defence will au-
Rio Grande.''^
In a letter to General Taylor, of June 28th, Mr. Donelson uses
language of the same import
"The
:-
occupation of the country between the Nueces and the
Rio Grande, you are aware,
is
a disputed question.
Texas holds
*******
Corpus Christi
Mexico holds Santiago, near
the
mouth of the
Rio Grande.
" You can safely hold possession of Corpus Christi and

points
up the Nueces,
aiid if
Mexico attempts
all
other
to dislodge you,
drive her beyond the Rio Grande.'
The views which Mr. Donelson

claim of Texas, were perfectly
Christi
entertained respecting the real
She was
just.
entitled to
and the settlements on the Nueces, east of the great
Corpus
desert,
but to no territory beyond the desert.
More than
this, in the
preliminary treaty between Texas and
Mexico, signed by the Texan Secretary of State, and approved
by the President of Texas, the Texans themselves admitted the

boundary between them and Mexico
as will appear from the
"
.3.
3d and 4th
to
be an unsettled question,
articles
Limits and other conditions to be matter of arrangement
in the final treaty.
" 4. Texas
territory
73
will be willing to remit disputed points respecting
and other matters
to the arbitration of
umpires."
In a letter to Mr. Buchanan, of July 11th, 1845, Mr. Donelson
shows the impropriety of vindicating by arms a claim

territory
by
settle
to the
on the Rio Grande, which Texas herself had agreed to

arbitration
" The proclamation of a truce between the two nations (Mexico

and Texas), founded on propositions mutually acceptable
question of boundary not only an open
leaAing the
Mexico in possession of
to
me
hank of
the east
the
to
them,
one, but
Rio Grande, seemed
inconsistent with the expectation that in defence of the
claim of Texas, our troops should march immediately to that

river.
for,
well
What
but to
left to
the Executive of
settle
Texas had determined not
by negotiation,
to
say the least of
the United States on the
to fight
could be as
it,
same conditions."
The above views of Mr. Donelson on
the question of the bound-
ary of Texas, were consonant both with justice and prudence,
and
pursued by the Executive
in direct opposition to the course
But
further, while the President
the Rio Grande,
claimed the
we were accustomed
territory as far as
to paj' duties to
Mexico
at
the custom-house at Brazos Santiago or Point Isabel.
We
paid
duties also at Santa Fe, far east of the Rio Grande, and
we
inter-
ceded
wîth
Mexico
for the
American
citizens taken prisoners in
the expedition against that place.
In March 3d, 1845, Congress passed an act relative to drawbacks
on goods sent
to
" Santa Fe
Treasury, on referring to
ber, recognises Santa
Fe
it
in
Mexico."
The Secretary
in his report in the following
as a part of Mexico.
of the United States, himself, in the
of the
Decem-
The President
same message
in
which he
claims as the boundary of Texas, " the Rio Grande from
mouth
to its
its
source," in speaking of the victories of our troops,
74
admits the
futility
movements
rapid
capital,
of the claim in
the province
of
following sentence
tlie
Kew
Moreover,
Mexican
portion of the
tliis
" By
Mexico, with Santa Fe,
has been captured without bloodshed."
taking possession of
its
after
territory, the
President provided for the establishment of a military govern-
ment, such as would temporarily follow an acquisition of territory
by conquest.
it
If he
had considered
it
really a portion of
Texas,
would, as a matter of course, have come under the control of
the state authorities of Texas, for even the President of the United
States
could not interfere with the internal government of a
sovereign state.
The
foregoing, in connexion with the letter of the Secretary of
War, under
date of July 8th, 1845, which
we have
the official despatch of General Taylor to the
given, and with
Department of War,
of the date of February 26th, 1846, conclusively prove that the
Rio Grande was not considered the

either
by Texas herself, by
real
boundary of Texas,
the Congress of the United States, or
its
Executive, by the agent sent to Texas, by the Secretary of War,

or
by
the
commander
of the forces sent to occupy Texas.
military officer, however. General Taylor
matter, but
was bound
to
had no election
As
in the
obey the directions of the President
as Commander-in-chief of the
Army and Navy
of the United
States.
The following
ment,
after
letters
from General Taylor to the
he was ordered
to
advance
necessary to an understanding of
the
commencement
tlie
to the
War
Depart-
Puo Grande, are
causes which led directly to
of hostilities between
Mexico and
the United
States.
"
Head- Quarters, Akmy of Occupation,

Corpus
"Sir:
Secretary- of
respectfully
Christi,
Texas, February
4, 1846.
i
J
acknowledge the communication of the
War, dated January
structions of the President to
13th, and containing the in-
move forward with my
force to the
LETTERS FROM TAYLOR.

Rio Grande.
I shall
no time
lose
in
75
making
the necessary pre-
parations for carrying out those instructions.
" The occupation of Point Isabel or Brazos Santiago as a depot
That point, and a position on
be indispensable.
will
Matamoros,
the river opposite
At any
purposes.
rate, I
answer
my
shall not separate
vmtil the position of affairs shall
"
will, I think,
render
it
or near
present
all
force further
entirely safe to
do
so.
propose to abandon this position entirely, as soon after our
march as the
seph's Island.
It will
be necessary
at that point for the present,
Point Isabel direct from
" In reply
means,
New
to
to St. Jo-
keep up an establishment
although our supplies will come to

Orleans.
to the call of the Secretary for information as to
what
to enforce
and maintain our
right to navigate' the Rio Grande, I
would respectfully
any, will be required
if
(>ommon
can be transferred
stores, hospital, &c.,
state that, until I
'
reach the river and ascertain the condition of
things in the frontier states of Mexico, temper of the people, &c.,

I
cannot give any satisfactory answer to the question.
have
every reason to believe that the people residing on the river are
well disposed towards our government.
Grande
the
will itself
common
produce a powerful
Our advance
effect,
and
established higher up, as

I
may be
navigation of the river wnll not be disputed.
when
very important to us, and will be indispensable
"
it
to the
shall not call
for
must ultimately be the

any
Rio
that
It is
posts are
case.
militia force in addition to
already have, unless unforeseen circumstances shall render
what
its
em-
])loyment necessary.
'<
beg leave again
to call the attention of the
the necessity of having our
movement and
Santiago covered by a small armed vessel.

important, and hope
"
We
it
will
to
position at Brazos
I
deem
this vitally
meet with favourable consideration.
have no news from the
12
Department
interior of
Mexico more recent
76
New
Than that derived from the
Orleans papers of the 26th of
January.
<<
am,
sir,
TAYLOR,
Z.
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A. commanding.
The
Adjutant-Genei-al of the
Army, Washington, D. C."
" Head-Quarters,
Corpus
" Sir
ment of
have
this
of Occitation,
Texas, February
command
are
my
now
2(),
The reconnoissance
The exami-
nearly completed.
report of the 16th instant have
the practicability of both routes
1846.
forward move-
to report that the preparations for a
nations spoken of in
Island.
Army
Christi,
shown
by the main land and by Padre
of Padre Island
extended to
its
southern extremity, and included the harbour of Brazos Santiapjo
and Point Isabel
that of the
the Little Colorado.
sistence for the army,
to a point
near
depot, with four days' forage, and sub-
be thrown forward some
will
Santa Gertrudes.
to the
main route reached
forty miles,
detachment of two companies,
to
establish and cover this depot, will march, on the 28th, under
Brevet Major Graham.

of March,
In about a
week
By
one day, by the brigades of infantry.

latest, I
"
at intervals of
March,
the 25th of
at
hope to be in position on the Rio Grande.
have taken occasion
who were
moros,
thereafter, say the 7th
march, to be followed,
the cavalry will
to represent to
here with a large
and who are represented
to
some
number
citizens of
have considerable influence
that the United States government, in
Mata-
of mules for sale,

at
home,
occupying the Rio Grande,
has no motive of hostility towards Mexico, and that the army

will, in
no case, go beyond the
commenced by
the
living on this side will
troops
not be disturbed in any
may need
will
Mexicans
that the
way by
that they will be protected in all their usages
everjihing which the army
should be
river, unless hostilities
Mexicans themselves
the
and that
be purchased from
TEXAN BOUNDARY.
them
at fair prices.
also stated that, until the matter should be
between the two governments, the harbour of
finally adjusted
Brazos Santiago would be open
commanded
Mexicans
to the free use of the
The same views were impressed upon the Mexican
as heretofore.
custom-house
77
officer at
the
Brazos Santiago by Captain Hardee, who
which covered the reconnoissance of
escort
Padre Island.
"
We
are entirely without
news
of interest from the frontier, or
the interior of Mexico, our latest date from the capital being the
21st of January, and the
"
am,
sir,
same from Vera Cruz.
TAYLOR,
Z.
Now,
of the
has been contended by some, that the advance to the
it
Rio Grande was not the cause of the war,

have declared war anyhow,
and
val of General Taylor
the 28th of
that
impossible that the
it is
arri-
in
Mexico, delibe-
commencement
of hostilities for-
March, could have been reported
General Arista, by the 24th of April.
to
Mexico would
upon the Rio Grande, which took place on
rated upon, and orders for the
recollected, that direction to

to
Paredes published his
that, as
manifesto on the 23d of April, 1846,
warded
commanding.
JJ.
march
to the
But,
it
will
be
Rio Grande was given
General Taylor, October 16th, 1845, three months before the
peremptory order of the

lor,
1.3th of
while at Corpus Christi,
advance
to the
citizens of
made no
and that General Taysecret of the. intended
Rio Grande, but openly conversed with
Mexico respecting
Hence we perceive
them.
January
Grande, and possibly before he
march was known
to the
it,
that,
with the view of conciliating
long before he reached the Rio
left
Corpus
Christi, his intended
Mexican government.
The language
of General Taylor, in his letter of February 26th,

clear
"
have taken occasion
influential
to represent to
some
makes
this
citizens of
78
Matamoros, who were here with a large number of mules
and who are represented
have considerable influence
to
hostility
towards Mexico, and that the army will
no case go beyond the
in
home,
occupying the Rio Grande,
that the United States government, in
has no motive of
for sale,
at
should be com-
river, unless hostilities
menced by the Mexicans themselves,"

In the
final
note of Sefior Lanzas to Mr, Slidell, dated
12th, from the following passage,
would seem
it
that the
March
Mexican
government was already aware of the intended advance of the
American army,
which he impugns the
in
States, which, he says,
the ports
at the very
moment
their troops to
advance
were "jarqpoww^ peace
wJien they are ccaising their squadrons
upon
sincerity of the United
and
and frontiers of Mexico, exacting a humiliation im-
possible to be submitted to, in order to find a pretext, if no reason
may
can be found, which
occasion the breaking out of
hostili-
ties,"
But the manifesto of Paredes, which we

course of narrative, will
pressly states
the
is
Mexican
"
tliat
itself set the
matter at rest, for he ex-
he does not declare war, but merely defends
territory
His language
which has been invaded.
solemnly announce that
due
shall give in the
United States of America, because
I
it
do not declare war against the

pertains to the august Congress
of the nation, and not to the Executive to settle definitely the repara,
tion
which so many aggressions demand.
Mexican
territory,
urgent necessity, and

the nation,
if I
But the defence of the
which the United States troops invade,
my
responsibility
did not give
commands
act like enemies, and I have so
is
an
would be immense before

to repel those forces
commanded.
From
mences a defensive war, and those points of our
this
who
day com-
territory
which
are invaded or attacked, will be energetically defended,"
And,
is
that Paredes
beyond dispute
knew
of tlie advance of the
for in his
American army,
manifesto he enumerates
among
the
acts of aggression, the occupation of Padre Island, Point Isabel,
MAJ. GEN.
WILLIAM
J.
WORTH
IMARCH TO THE RIO GRANDE.
and the right bank of the Rio Bravo

the United States
Ma
Santa
encamped
Padre; following
del
Isabel,
the right
and
bank
as the
" Meanwhile the army of
Corpus, Christi, and occupied the
at
this,
moved
they then
and
their standard of the stars
the Point
to
stripes
waved on
of the Rio Bravo del Norte, opposite the city of
Matamoros, blockading that
Now,
79
Army
river with their vessels of
of Occupation remained seven
war."
months and
eleven days at Corpus Christi without interruption, but was im-
mediately opposed on passing the bounds over which Texas possessed jurisdiction,
it
is,
think, sufficiently evident that
would not have ensued, had
it
troops to the Rio Grande, into territory
Texas, and
war
not been for the advance of our
which never belonged
annex
which, therefore, she could not
to
to us.
The reconnoissances which General Taylor had ordered being

completed, he determined on the route by the main land.
ingly, on the
Accord-
morning of the 8th of March, the advance of the Army
of Occupation, under Colonel
Twiggs, marched
direction for the Rio Grande.
It
consisted of the
in a
southerly
2d regiment
of
dragoons, and Major Ringgold's light artillery, and numbered

twenty-three officers and three hundred and seventy-eight men.
On
the 9th
it
was followed by
Worth, with Duncan's battery
the First Brigade, under General
and on the 10th by the Second
Bri-
The Third Brigade,
gade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Mcintosh.
under Colonel Whistler, with Bragg's battery, struck their tents
on the 11th, and were followed on the same day by General Taylor
and
his staff.
Major Monroe embarked
for
Brazos Santiago, accompanied by
Captain Sanders, of the Engineers, and the
and the pay departments.

field-battery,
which,
The movement
cutter
to
for
He had
officers of the
ordnance
with him a siege-train and a
want of horses, was of necessity shipped.
Brazos Santiago was covered by the revenue
Woodbury.
Arrangements having been made by the
staff
departments
for
80
supplying the army on their inarch, as well as for establishing a

depot at Point Isabel,
that
tlie
commanding
by which he intended
to the troops,
might be
general issued an order
by the Mexicans on account of
felt
his
march
Copies of the order were sent in advance
their country.
moros, Camargo, and Mier.
was
It
" Order No.
as follows
Corpus
Army
of Occupation of
a position upon the
left
bank of
into
Mata-
to
30.
" PIead-Quakters,
" The
apprehensions
to relieve the
Army
Christi,
of Occupation,
March
8, 1846.
Texas being now about
to take
the Rio Grande, under the orders
of the Executive of the United States, the General- in-chief desires
hope that the movement
to express the
all
concerned
will
be advantageous
and with the object of attaining
he has ordered
all
under his
command
scrupulous respect, the rights of
all
to
this laudable end,
to observe,
with
the inhabitants
most
tlie
who may be
found in peaceful prosecution of their respective occupations, as

well on the
left as
no pretext, nor
in
on the right side of the Rio Grande.
any way,
will
Under
any interference be allowed with
the civil rights or religious privileges of the inhabitants
but the
utmost respect for them will be maintained.
" Whatsoever
may
for the
use of the army will be
bought by the proper surveyor, and paid
for at the highest prices.
be needed
The General-in-chief has

in the patriotism
and
the satisfaction to say that he confides
and discipline of the army under his command,
that he feels sure that his orders will
be obeyed with the
utmost exactness.
Z.
TAYLOR,
Brevet Brig. Gen, U. S. M. commanding.''''
The march
ing nature.
of the
The
army was
country' over
of the most toilsome and exhaust-
which they moved was
sterile,
destitute of vegetation, except the wiry grass of the prairie
and
and
MARCH TO THE
surface
its
was varied only by
the dignity of hills,

in
RIO GRANDE.
81
slight elevations,
never rising
to
and by occasional skirtings of stunted wood,
which the musquete and prickly pear were predominant.
As they proceeded
desolate,
till
vegetation
country became more
further south, the
they entered
solitudes of a vast desert,
tlie
was suspended, and
weary
the
soldier,
where
encumbered
with his burden, was ready to sink with exhaustion from the
heat of a tropic sun and his toilsome progress over loose and
burning sands like heated ashes, into which,

foot
with
descended.
At times, when
faint with
every step, the
at
marching and fevered
energies of nature were exhilarated by the
thirst, the failing
appearance of blue mountains in the distance, beautiful lakes

skirted with trees,
and
fields clothed
dier forgot his suffering
and
shade and refreshing streams
toil
;
with verdure
in
and the
sol-
expectation of hospitable
but as he advanced he either dis-
covered that the mirage had spread a false verdure and beauty
over barren sands, that
mocked
and then faded
his sight,
utterly
away, or found the groves he had descried impenetrable thickets

of thorn and cactus, that refused
lakes pools of brine, which
Beyond
this,
in
appearance
The supply
and the glassy
the thirst they
the wood was
and of better growth, and the
a dark-coloured clay,
maddened
shelter,
mocked.
and approaching the Arroya Colorado, the country
was much improved

(juantity
him
soil
increased in
changed from sand
and covered with vegetation and
of fresh water, too,
was abundant, and
to
flowers.
the troops in
measure forgot the hardships they had passed.
As General Taylor advanced, he formed
a junction of the Dra-
goons and First and Second Brigades, and on the 20th he came
to
the Arroya Colorado, a narrow inlet
enemy made some demonstrations

march.
of the sea, where the
of an intention to resist his
After ordering a reconnoissance, he
made
dispositions to
cross the river, and effected the passage without opposition from
82
The following
the enemy.
War
letter to the
detailed account of the atfair
Department gives a
" IlEAD-QrARTERS, Ar.MY OF OCCUPATION,
Camp Three
"Sir:
Miles south of the Arroya Colorado, March 21, 1816.
my
respectfully report that
forces are
me
is
a salt river, or rather lagoon, nearly
one hundred yards broad, and so deep as barely
would have formed a serious obstruction
enemy chosen
On
to
the 19th, the
occupy
to our
be fordable.
to
march had the
right bank, even with a small force.
its
advanced corps encamped within three miles
was pushed
of the ford, and a reconnoissance

river.
for^vard
on the opposite bank, but threw no obstacle in the

ford.
They, however,
with the reconnoissance that
we attempted
hostility if
that case, be treated
not
I
knowing
deemed
the
way
signified to the officer
to pass the river,
of ex-
charged
and that we should,
in
Under these circumstances,

might be on the other bank,
force that
prudent to make dispositions to pass the river under
it
which please see
fire, for
the
would be considered an act of
it
as enemies.
amount of
to
was discovered
party of irregular cavalry (rancheros)
amining the
to-day.
of Matamoros, and about thirty miles distant.
" The Arroya Colorado
It
now concen-
trated at this point, the Third Brigade having joined
We are nearly north
my
'
At an early
Orders,' No. 33.
hour on the 20th, the Cavalry and First Brigade of Infantry were
in position
at the ford, the batteries of field artillery
placed as to sweep the opposite bank.
were
in
before
to
made
their a})pearance.
communicate with
had
positive orders to
river.
river to
the officer in
fire
upon us
Another party then made
communicate with me.
the day
sent Captain Mansfield
command, who
said that he
we attempted
to cross i\w
if
its
being so
dispositions
shown themselves
progress, the party that had
again
While these
appearance, and passed the
One
of
them (who was
repre-
sented as the adjutant-general of the Mexican troops) repeated

substantially
what had been sent before,
viz.
that
tliey
had
PASSAGE OF THE ARROYA COLORADO.
peremptory orders
upon
to fire
dered a declaration of war
my
us,
and that
we passed
if
it
83
would be consi-
He
the river.
placed
issued at Matamoros, a day or two previous, which I enclose.
informed the
any of
if
in
hands, at the same time, a proclamation of General Mejia,
his party
showed themselves on the other bank
passage commenced, they would receive the
mean time,
In the
the
fire
my
crossing
was then commenced and executed
came up and formed on
Not a shot was
scribed.
after the
of our artillery.
Second Brigade (which had encamped some
miles in
rear)
fired
in
the order pre-
and a reconnoissance of cavalry,
had occu-
pied the bank retreating in the direction of Matamoros.
First
my
orders, they
The
the extreme right.
sent immediately forward, discovered the party w'hich
ably to
should immediately cross the river, and
officer that I
were not molested.
Agree-
The Cavalry and
and Second Brigades of Infantry, with a
train of
two hun-
dred wagons, crossed over and encamped at this point, three

miles distant, at an early hour in the afternoon.
"
have thought proper
tion, as
being the
shown themselves
an
furnished
troops,
and
gratified to
"
am
first
in
to
make
occasion on which the Mexicans have
an attitude decidedly
excellent
be able
to say,
compelled
to
remain
the 23d, at latest, I expect to

to the direction.
be ultimately attained,
has also
instruction
and
spirit,
of the
which,
at this point until joined
Third Brigade, which
On
to
It
am
were everything that could be desired.
train of the
decided as
hostile.
opportunity for the
for displaying their discipline
[)ly
fully
a detailed report of this opera-
it
is
resume the march, but
While Matamoros
necessary, at the
is
by the
unavoidably in the
is
su])-
rear.
am
not
the point
same time,
to
cover our supplies, which will soon arrive at Point Isabel.
" From
the best information I
am
able to obtain, the
not in force on this side of the Rio Grande.

are
still
there
on the route hence
may
to
Matamoros.
It
enemy
is
few rancheros
is
believed that
be nearly two thousand troops in that place, but what
13
84
proportion of regular troops

arrival of
General
Ampudia
is
"
am,
sir,
expected from the interior
movements
the accounts I receive of his
The
cannot state with confidence.
but
are quite contradictory.

Z.
TAYLOR,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A. commanding.
Of
the proclamation to
foregoing letter,
the
of the
we
which General Taylor alludes
much
give as
as
is
in the
necessary to show that
Mexicans considered the advance of the Americans
into their
territory as equivalent to a declaration of war.
" The general-in-chief of

to the inhabitants
of
the forces assembled against the
enemy,
department and the troops under his
this
command.
" FELLow-CrTizENS
Texas
to the
The
annexation of the department of
United States, projected and consummated by the
tortuous policy of the cabinet of the Union, does not yet satisfy
the ambitious desires
The
of the
degenerate sons of Washington.
civilized world has already recognised
marks of
injustice, iniquity,
the
and the most scandalous violation
Indelible
of the rights of nations.
in that act all
is
the stain which will for
ever darken the character for virtue falsely attributed to the people of the United States
their perfidious
})loyed
tion.
by them
The
humanity
and posterity
will regard with horror
conduct, and the immorality of the means emto carry into effect that
right of conquest has
most degrading depreda-
always been a crime against
but nations jealous of their dignity and reputation
have endeavoured
at least to
and the prestige of
victory.
cover
To
it
by the splendour of arms
the United States
it
has been
reserved to put in practice dissimulation, fraud, and the basest

treachery, in order to obtain possession, in the midst of peace.
mejia's proclamation.
85
of the territory of a friendly nation, which generously relied upon

the faith of promises and the solemnity of treaties.
" The cabinet of the United States does
Not only does
career of usurpation.
its
of the department of Texas, but

left
bank of the Rio Bravo.
tioned at Corpus Christi,
Its
it
its
treating with an
security,
for
some time
sta-
to take possession of
vanguard has arrived
Arroya Colorado, distant eighteen leagues from

expectations, therefore, can the
in
aspire to the possession
army, hitherto
and
however, stop
covets also the regions on the
now advancing
is
a large part of Tamaulipas
it
not,
at the
What
this place.
Mexican government have of
enemy, who, whilst endeavouring
to lull us into
by opening diplomatic negotiations, proceeds
to
occupy
a territory which never could have been the object of the pending
discussion
The
limits of
Texas
are
certain
and recognised
never have they extended beyond the river Neuces; notwithstanding which, the American army has crossed the line sepa-
Tamaulipas from that department.
rating
Even though Mexico
could forget that the United States urged and aided the rebellion
of the former colonists,
and
pendent people the right
to
that the principle, giving to an inde-
annex
itself to
another nation,
not
is
applicable to the case, in which the latter has been the protector
of the independence of the former, with the object of admitting

into its
own bosom
even though
axiom of international law,

rality
it
that the violation of every
and justice might serve as a legitimate
nevertheless,
the
territory
of
it
could be accepted as an
title for
Tamaulipas would
I'ule
of
mo-
acquisition
still
remain
beyond the law of annexation, sanctioned by the American Congress
because that law comprises independent Texas, the ground
occupied by the rebellious colony, and in no wise includes other

departments,
in
edly exercised
which the Mexican government has uninterrupt-
its
legitimate authority,
" Fellow-countrymen
own
With an enemy which
respects not
its
laws, which shamelessly derides the very principles invoked
by
previously, in order to excuse
it
its
We
no other resource than arms.
ambitious views,
we have
are fortunately always pre-
pared to take them up with ^lory, in defence of out country
to
do we regard the blood in our veins, when we are called on
little
shed
it
in vindication of our
and independence.
threatens us
will form
it
it
If
be necessary
and on
honour, to assure our nationality
the
to
to
torrent
oppose a dike of
steel,
our swords
enemy
their sharp points will the
the fruits of his anticipated conquest.
which
devastation
of
receive
banks of the Panuco
If the
have been immortalized by the defeat of an enemy, respectable
and worthy of the valour of Mexico, those of the Bravo
shall
witness the ignominy of the proud sons of the north, and
deep
its
waters shall serve as the sepulchre of those w^ho dare to approach
The flame
it.
receive
new
of patriotism which
fuel
burns in
our hearts will
from the odious presence of the conquerors
the cry of Dolores and Iguala shall be re-echoed with

to
and
harmony
******#
our ears,
when we
breasts to the
take up our march to oppose our naked
of the hunters of the Mississippi.
rifles
FRANCISCO MEJIA.
Matamoros, March
On
18,
1846."
the evening of the 21st, the
Third Brigade crossed the
Colorado and encamped near the other brigades, and the whole
rested on the 22d, to enable the ox- teams to
been
come
up, which had
behind in order to accelerate the movements of the
left
troops.
General Taylor had intended
to
march
direct
.to
Matamoros,
but hearing that the Mexicans in force occupied Point Isabel, the
contemplated depot
an enemy
changed
in
his
for his military stores,
rear, so
his intention
as
to
and unwilling
endanger
his
subsistence, Iw
and marched upon Point Isabel.
might be ready
in
of battle with
great readiness, the order of
to leave
That he
case of emergency to form the troops in line
march was
in four
CARDENAs' DESPATCH.
87
columns, the Dragoons being on the right, the Third Brigade on

the
and the First and Second Brigades
left,
On the
in the centre.
to Point Isabel, eighteen miles from the former,

ter place,
Matamoros
24th, upon reaching a point on the route from
and ten from the
lat-
he learned that Point Isabel was not occupied by troops,
and directed General Worth

himself proceeded
w'ith
to
move towards Matamoros, while he
the dragoons
On
the train to Point Isabel.
and the empty wagons of
approaching the place. General
Taylor was met by a deputation of citizens of the state of Tamaulipas,

his
who came
advance
to present a protest of the Prefect against
He promised
into their country.
them an
to give
audience when he halted the troops, but when near Point Isabel,
the rising
smoke indicated
when he dismissed
answer
that the
Mexicans had
the deputation, informing
their protest wdien opposite to
fired the
them
Matamoros.
that he
place
would
Having de-
tached Colonel Twiggs with the advance of the dragoons to arrest

the flames. General Taylor found on his arrival that the conflagra-
had done but
tion
to find
that,
little
damage
and had the further good fortune
agreeably to his well concerted arrangements, the
steamboats from Corpus Christi with the supplies, had just entered
the port.
The
protest to
which we have referred was as follows
" Office of the Prefect of the Northcin District of the
Department of Ta-
maulipas.
''
God and Liberty
"Santa Rita, March
" Sir
23, 1846.
Although the pending question respecting the annexation
of the department of
Texas
to the
United States
is
subject to the
decision of the supreme government of Mexico, the fact of the
advance of the army, under your excellency's orders, over the

line
occupied by you
at
Corpus
Christi, places
me
under the ne-
cessity, as the chief political authority of the northern
district of
88
Tamaulipas,
to address you,
through the commissioners,
and
have
now
the honour to do,
will place this in
your hands,
inform you that the people under this prefecture, being
to
justly
as
who
alarmed
at tlie
invasion of an army, which, without any
previous declaration of war, and without announcing explicitly

the object proposed
belonged
by
it,
comes
to
occupy a
to the insurgent province,
territory
which never
cannot regard wnth
indiffer-
ence a proceeding so contrary to the conduct observed towards

each other by civilized nations, and
tlie
law of nations
that, directed
to the
by
the cabinet of the

the extension of
Texas
the limits of
been said
Mexican government, respecting
certain that nothing has
Union
to the clearest principles of
by honour and patriotism, and
to the left
officially
bank
of the Rio Bravo, trusting in
the well-known justice of their cause, and using
their natural right
of defence, they (the citizens of this districts protest, in the most
solemn manner, that neither now nor
at
any time do they, or
will
they consent to separate themselves from the Mexican republic,
and
to unite
themselves with the United States, and that they are
resolved to carry this firm determination into effect, resisting, so
enable them, at
far as their strength will
until
the
occupy
army under your excellency's
its
former positions
all
times and places,
orders shall recede and
because, so long as
the territory of Tamaulipas, the inhabitants
whatsoever protestations of peace
may
it
remains within
must consider
that
be made, hostilities have
been openly commenced by your excellency, the lamentable consequences of which will
rest before the
world exclusively on the
to say this to
your excellency, with the
heads of the invaders.
"
have the honour
object indicated, and to assure
you of
my
consideration and es-
teem.
JENES CARDENAS.
Juan Jose Pineda.
To General
Z.
Taylor, &c."
ARRIVAL AT THE RIO GRANDE.
As Point
Army
Isabel
was
of Occupation,
be the depot of
to
all
military stores for the
was accordingly surveyed with a view
it
to
defence, and Captain Sanders of the Engineers ordered to
its
In addition to the troops origi-
construct the necessary works.
nally intended for the defence of the post, Captain Porter's
pany was ordered

placed under the
reinforcement
to the place as a
command
Having thrown forward a
com-
and the whole
of Major Monroe.
sufficient
amount of supplies towards
Matamoros, General Taylor proceeded with the dragoons and

staff to join
General Worth, who had advanced with the brigades
on the 24th six miles towards Matamoros, and again three miles
on the 25th, encamping
at
battle afterwards occurred,
Palo Alto, near the place where the
and which General Taylor then
cated as the place which the
enemy would probably
he desire to meet them in an open
was
effected on the 27th,
for the
and orders issued
town of Matamoros,
At eight
the 28th, the troops were put in motion
select, should
The junction
field.
to
and
of the troops
march on
o'clock, on the
;
after a
indi-
the 28t]i
morning of
march through
a beautiful and picturesque country, reached the Rio Grande opposite
Matamoros
at
eleven o'clock A. M., and planted upon
banks the standard of the " Stripes and Stars."

tination
famed
had been gained. At
river,
its
The point of des-
their feet rolled the waters of the far-
and beyond rose the
city of
Matamoros
in its beauty,
with the Mexican colours gaily flying from the Place d'Artillerie,
the quarters of the military
of the
its
city.
When
the
commandant, and
American
flag
presence was greeted by the cross of
French and Spanish colours run up from the
As
the
St.
whom two
Mexican
to the
breeze,
George, and
th(!
different consulates.
American troops advanced towards
large parties of irregular
by
the prominent places
was spread
the Rio
Grande,
troops retreated before them,
of our dragoons, far in advance of the rest, were
captured, which created
some excitement among our
soldiers.
CHAPTER
VI.
Interview between General Worth and the Authorities of Matamoros Intrenchments thrown up Fort Brown Murder of Colonel Cross Arrival of General
Ampudia Artful Address to the Foreigners in the American Army Correspond-
ence between Ampudia and General Taylor Blockade of the Rio Grande First
Rencontre Body of Colonel Cross found The Burial Arista's Arrival Proclamation of Paredes Correspondence between Arista and Taylor Recapitula-
tion of the
Causes of the War.
DiRKCTLY
Grande, General Worth and
staff
with an open communication

of the
Mexican
for
the Rio
American colours on
after the planting of the
were directed
to cross the river
General Mejia, the commander
and a sealed one
forces in JNIatamoros,
for the civil
General Mejia, on a point of etiquette, refused to re-
authorities.
ceive General
Worth
in
person
some delay. General
but, after
Vega, representing the military authorities of Matamoros, and the

Licenciado Casares the
civil
authorities,
were deputed
to
meet
General Worth and receive any communication which he had to
make from
his
commanding-general.
In the interview which took place. General

of the
march of
the
American troops
raaulipas as an act of aggression
to
into the
which General Worth replied
that the question of the right of territory
by the two governments.

receive from
ral
him
the sealed
was a matter
document
it,
to
be
settled
Finding that General Mejia refused
the despatch with which he
Worth withdrew
Vega complained
department of Ta-
to
was charged. Gene-
but delivered to the Licenciado Casares
for the civil authorities.
During the interview, General Worth repeatedly requested permission to see the American Consul, and,
when
finally refused,
(90)
FORT BROWN.
stated that the refusal
was considered
91
a belligerent act; and, after
announcing that the commanding-general would regard the passage of any armed party of Mexicans across the Rio Grande as
an act of war, promptly terminated the conference.
Both parties now})repared
for the contest
which was
inevitable.
General Taylor ordered Major Mansfield of the Engineers to

the necessary surveys and throw
make
up suitable works, while the Mexi-
cans were active in strengthening their former defences and estab-
new
lishing
ones.
On
the 29th the
Mexicans mounted a heavy
and contemplated a night attack.
gun
in a battery of sand-bags,
The
reported crossing of a large body of cavalry led General
Taylor
at the
men
May
to attack
their batteries
Point Isabel, while
on the troops opposite
Accordingly he gave out the watchword and ordered
Matamoros.
the
was
to believe their object
same time they opened
to sleep
upon
their arms, while
he despatched Captain
with a squadron of dragoons to reach Point Isabel, twenty-
seven miles distant, in the space of four hours, to put Major
Mon-
The morning
of the
and reinforce the garrison.
roe on his guard
30th dawned, however, without an attack, and the Mexicans lost

the golden opportunity of assailing their
in
open
enemy while encamped
field.
The defences under Major Mansfield, an
was completed
for
and accom-
By
the 6th of April
four 18-pounders,
and the guns
plished officer, were prosecuted with energy.

battery
active
placed in battery bearing "directly upon the public square of
Matamoros, and within good range
for
demolishing the town."
In rear of the battery they broke ground on the 8th for the prin(ipal
intrenchment, a strong
two thousand men.
of holding
Brown,
defence.
in
field-fort
It
with six bastions, capable
was afterwards named Fort
honour of the brave Major Brown who was killed in
Along
the Rio
Grande on
either side, fronting
its
each
other for the space of two miles, thus lay the hostile armies within
musket-range
14
their batteries shotted
the guns pointed
at
each
92
other
and the
matches, and
On
and men impatient
officers
commence
work of
the
for the order to light the
destruction.
the 10th, Colonel Trueinan Cross, Deputy Quartermaster-
General of the army, rode out as usual for
day passed away without
the
began
full
to
be
felt
his return,
for his safety, as the
of rancheros, or irregular cavalry,
for plunder,
and
air
country was
fired to direct
him,
if lost,
at
and
be
to
about
Towards evening
parties
were subse-
Letters were also sent to the
sequently out to search for him.
commandant
known
who were prowling
and spared neither age nor rank.
cannon were
and exercise, but
fearful apprehensions
Matamorosto inquire
for
him, but no intelligence
could be obtained.
On
the 11th, the firing of a salute, the ringing of the church-
music of the bands, and a parade of
bells, the
Matamoros, announced the

expected the
arrival of
all
the troops in
General Ampudia; and
immediate commencement
all
of hostilities.
His advent had been preceded by the following ingenious appeal

to the naturalized
citizens of the United States in the
army of
General Taylor, and had probably been suggested by the frequent

desertions that had taken place from that class of soldiers:
"The Commander-in-cliief of
the
Mexican Army,
to the
English and Irish
under the orders of the American General Taylor
"
Know
ye
That the government of the United States
com-
is
mag-
mitting repeated acts of barbarous aggression against the
nanimous Mexican Nation

under
'
the flag of the stars,'
whom
George, and
it
belongs
to take possession of
Now,
I
exists
unworthy of the designation of

that
American government looks with coldness upon the powerful
flag of St.
to
is
government which
Recollect that you were born in Great Britain
Christian.
the
that the
then,
guaranty
is
to a rupture the warlike
people
President Polk boldly manifesting a desire
Oregon, as he has already done of Texas.
come with
to
provoking
all
you, upon
confidence to the Mexican ranks; and
my
honour, good treatment, and that
all
'
ampudia's letter.
93
your expenses shall be defrayed until your arrival in the beautiful

capital of
Mexico.
" Germans, French, Poles, and individuals of other nations

Separate yourselves from the Yankees, and do not contribute to
defend a robbery and usurpation, which, be assured, the civilized

nations of Europe look upon with the utmost indignation.
therefore,
and array yourselves under the tri-coloured
confidence that the

tect
God
of armies protects
it,
and
Come,
flag, in the
that
it
will pro-
you equally with the English.
Head-quarters, upon the road to Matamoros, April 2d, 1846.
PEDRO DE AMPUDIA.
Francisco R. Moreno, AdjH of the Commander-in-chiefJ''
The day
after the arrival of
he addressed a
to
letter to
withdraw from
of the Nueces.
the
General Ampudia
General Taylor,
his position before

It is
Matamoros
Matamoros,
to the other side
plainly to be inferred from this letter that
Mexican government would have
question of the annexation of Texas,
if
settled
by diplomacy the
American troops had
the
not invaded the
department of Tamaulipas.
Ampudia's
were as follows
letter
in
which he required him
in
The contents
of
" Head-Quarters at Matamoros, 2 o'clock P. M.

Fourth Military Division, General-in-Chief.
"^
April 12, 1846.

''
God and Liberty
" To explain
felt
you the many grounds
to
for the just
by the Mexican nation, caused by the United States govern-
ment, would be a loss of time, and an insult

I,
grievances
to
your good sense
therefore, pass at once to such explanation as I consider of
absolute necessity.
" Your government,

permit
me
to say
rules established
regarded
in
an incredible manner
an extravagant one,
and received among
has not only insulted, but
if
all
you
will
even
the usages, or general

civilized nations are
has exasperated the Mexi-
94
can nation, bearing
its
Rio Bravo del Norte
my
orders of
ceive
new
conquering banner
and
in this case,
to the left
by
outrages,
require you in
all
will, nor
bank of
the
Nueces
defaiitive
should
it
on remaining upon the
will clearly result
question
to
river,
while our governments
that,
on our
much
part, this
the principles established
operations
"Vyith this
of the department of Tamaulipas,
advise you that
war
shall
accept the war
be conducted conformably
by the most
civilized nations
shall
trusting that on your part the
view,
we
injustice on your part, you provoke us,
law of nations and of war
say, that the
you
If
that arms, and arms alone, must decide the
and, in that case,
which, with so
and
soil
re-
up your camp and
are regulating the pending question in relation to Texas.

insist
the
form, and at latest in the
peremptory term of twenty- four hours, to break

retire to the other
and
explicit
government, which neither can,
bank of
be the guide of
same
to
that is to
my
will be observed.
tender you the considerations due to your
person and respectable
office.
PEDRO DE AMPUDIA.
Senor Geneial-in-chief of the U.
Don
Z.
Army,
S.
Taylok."
General Taylor sent word
to
Ampudia
that he did not require
twenty-four hours for deliberation, but would reply

the following day.
his
army
at ten
o'clock
Shortly after, he removed the First Brigade of
to the right, out of the
range of shot; and early on the
morning of the 13th moved the Second Brigade
to the left, out
of range, while General Twiggs, with the dragoons and Ringgold's

battery, occupied the centre,
and Duncan's
field-work.
batteries, took position within the interior of the
Having made
in expectation of
the following
Ampudia:
and the Third Brigade, with Bragg's
this
prudent disposition of his troops
an immediate attack. General Taylor despatched
manly reply
to the
peremptory requisition of General
95
Taylor's reply.
" Head-Quarters
" Senor
had the honour
I liave
which you summon me
date, in
command
Army
of Occupation.)
near Matamoros, Texas, April 12, 1846.
Camp
this
withdraw the forces under m>
to
from their present position, and beyond the river Nueces,
pending question between our governments,
until the
your note of
to receive
the limits of Texas, shall be
advise you that, charged as
"I need hardly
relative to
settled.
I
am,
in
military capacity, with the performance of specific duties,
only a
cannot
enter into a discussion of the international question involved in

the advance of the
me
to say, that the
You
American army.
will,
however, permit
government of the United States has constantly
sought a settlement, by negotiation, of the question of boundary

that an
that
by
up
envoy was despatched

to the
the actual
his passports
been ordered
Mexico
to
most recent dates said envoy had not been received
Mexican government,
and
to
left
if
indeed he has not received

In the
the republic.
occupy the country up
Grande, until the boundary

ing out these instructions
shall
mean
be definitely
time,
have
bank of the Rio
to the left
settled.
In carry-
have carefully abstained from
of hostility, obeying, in this regard, not

instructions,
and
for that purpose,
all
acts
my
only the letter of
but the plain dictates of justice and humanity.
" The instructions under which

to retrograde from the position
I
I
am
acting will not permit
now occupy.
me
In view of the
relations
between our respective governments, and the individual
suffering
which may
but, at the
result, I regret the alternative
same time, wish
it
which you
offer
understood that I shall by no means
avoid such alternative, leaving the responsibility with those

rashly
to
commence
hostilities.
give the assurance that on
war among
'<
my
civilized nations shall
have the honour
who
In conclusion, you will permit
mc
part the laws and customs of
be carefully observed.
to be, very respectfully,
vant,
Senor General Don Pkdro de Ampudia.''
your obedient
Z.
ser-
TAYLOR.
96
Expecting an attack, and hearing that the enemy were crossing

in great
numbers, General Taylor despatched the
company
1st
of dragoons, 4th infantry, and Ringgold's battery to meet the

train
coming from Point
Isabel,
which arrived
The following day he blockaded

the United States brig
the
mouth of the
Ampudia's army.
from Ampudia,
dignified
manner, showing that the act was the
the 19th, the
first
the
3d
camp
result of the belli-
between the Mexican
oflficers
and ten privates,
purpose of finding the body of Colonel Cross,
for the
his murderers.
About noon on the 19th, Lieutenant
Porter advanced upon a party of Mexicans, one of

his piece at
and
his
whom
men
camp
rushing on, captured the
the evening he
met
of the Mexicans, with
a second larger party,
been joined by those he encountered

immediately
fired
On
tliat
Mexican
knew where
and on sending out
and
Commodore
and much esteemed
the 21st, a
he
which had probably

morning, and they
The
lieutenant and one
the rest, unable to use their fire-arms on
rain, separated
the son of the late
Late in
in the
upon his command.
when
fell,
account of the
officer,
snapped
him, whereupon he discharged both barrels of his gun,
ten horses and their equipments, and twenty blankets.
of his party
the
Lieutenant Porter was
fled.
Porter,
and was a gallant young
in his regiment.
straggler
came
into
body of an American
camp, and stated

officer
was
He was
lying,
a party, the remains of Colonel Cross
found in a thicket, a short distance from the road leading

river.
letter
calm and
and Lieutenant Porter of the 4th, each with a
infantry,
and punishing
in a
days before. Lieutenant Dobbins of
detachment of two non-commissioned

left
on
Ampudia had assumed.
conflict took place
Two
and American troops.
cutter, and,
This elicited another menacing
gerent attitude which General
On
Bravo with
two vessels laden with
which General Taylor replied
to
on the 14th.
river
Lawrence, and a revenue
the 17th, ordered to the Brazos Santiago

stores for
in safety
stripped of his clothing, and the flesh
were
to the
was
torn
arista's address.
away from
his
body by the
cers assembled to report

sion that he
On
vultures.
upon
his death,
was attacked and
stripped
97
the 23d, a board of
and came
by the
offi-
to the
conclu-
banditti of
Romano
Falcon, and afterwards slain by that desperado by a blow upon

the
head from the butt of his
Late
pistol.
evening of the 24th, the remains of the unfortunate
in the
colonel were committed to the grave, under an escort
composed
of a squadron of dragoons and eight companies of infantry, the
whole commanded by Colonel Twiggs.

the front of the procession, the dragoons
drawn by
followed,
enveloped
the
in
by dragoons, followed by
the opposite
works, groups of
as the
in
bank of
officers
and
Next came a
country.
;
body
and
solitary
then a war-horse in black led
the officers
all
body was borne and
the flag-staff,
infantry occupied
next, and the
six horses on the wheels of a caisson,
flag of his
mourner, the son of the deceased
From
The
came
who
the river,
wêre not
upon duty.
and from the enemy's
upon the procession,
soldiers looked
laid in its resting-place at the foot of
upon which the
flag
was
at half-mast.
an impressive manner read the burial-service
three volleys w'ere fired over his grave
former position, and the dead was
the
left to
flag
Colonel Childs
for the
dead,
was run up
to its
his repose in silence.
Like his predecessor. Arista, when about to assume the com-
mand
in
Matamoros, insidiously endeavoured
rican soldiery,
by disseminating the following
original draft of
when
his
to corrupt the
which was subsequently found among
camp was captured on
the 9th of
Ame-
artful address, the
May
his
baggage
" General Arista's advice to the Soldiers of the United States
Army.
He.\d-Quarteks at Matamoros, April 20, 1846.
"
Soldiers
army
for
You have
a specific term
you were bound

rights of friends
enlisted in time of peace to serve in that
but your obligation never implied that
to violate the
laws of God, and the most sacred
The United
States government, contrary to the
98
wishes of a majority of
all
honest and honourable Americans, has
ordered you to take forcible possession of the territory of d.friendh/
neighbour,
who has never given
her consent to such occupation.
In other words, while the treaty of peace and
Mexico and
the United States
is
commerce between
in full force, the
United States,
presuming on her strength and prosperity, and on our supposed
make you
imbecility and cowardice, attempts to
ments of her unholy and
mad
as the hateful robbers of our dear

violators of our dearest feelings as
and outrage,
know,
of any gentleman,
homes, and the unprovoked
men and
Such
patriots.
villany
perfectly repugnant to the noble sentiments
is
and
the blind instru-
ambition, and Jo7-ce you to appear
base and foul to rush you on to certain
it is
death, in order to aggrandize a few lawless individuals, in defiance

of the laws of
"It
is
to
God and man
no purpose
annexation of Texas
Norte
for
by
tliis
if
justifies
they
tell
you, that the law
for the
your occupation of the Rio Bravo del
act tliey rob us of a great part of Tamaulipas,
Coahuila, Chihuahua, and JYew Mexico; and
it is
barbarous to send
a handful of
men on
like nation.
Besides, the most of you are Europeans, and
such an errand against a powerful and war-
we
the declared fiiends of a majority of the nations of Europe.
are
The
North Americans are ambitious, overbearing, and insolent as a

nation,
and they
will only
make use
of
you as
vile tools to carry
out their abominable plans of pillage and rapine.
"
warn you
interests
and
cause, and
in
in the
name
self-respect, to
become
of justice, honour, and your
abandon
their desperate
peaceful Mexican citizens.
own
and unholy
guarantee you,
such case, a half section of land, or three hundred and twenty
acres, to
settle
upon,
gratis.
Be
wise, then, and just, and lion-
ourable, and take no part in murdering us

feelings for you.
Lands
shall
be given
who have no unkind
to officers, sergeants,
corporals, according to rank, privates receiving three
twenty acres, as slated.
and
hundred and
PAREDES' PROCLAMATION.
"
If,
in
time of action, you wisli to espouse our cause, throw-
away your arms and run

friends
99
and Christians.
to us, antl
we
embrace you as
will
But should any of you render important service

shall
true
not decent nor prudent to say more.
It is
to
Mexico, you
be accordingly considered and preferred.
M. ARISTA,
Commander-in-ckief of the Mexican
On
the
23d of
of defensive
war
April, General Paredes issued a proclamation
to the
following extracts
" At
Army.''''
people of Mexico, from which
we make
the
the time Mr. Slidell presented himself, the troops of the
United States occupied our
territory, their
squadrons threatened
our ports, and they prepared to occupy the peninsula of the Californias, of
which the question of the Oregon with England

Mr,
a preliminary.
was not received, because
Slidell
new
of the nation repelled this

the United States
Ida
del
Isabel,
right
Padre
and
encamped
following
Corpus
Christi,
moved
their standard of the stars
bank of the Rio Bravo
and
and occupied the

to the point
stripes
waved on
was surprised by a party of
the
vil-
and a
disarmed.
have been commenced, by the United States of
North America, beginning

tories of the
The
their troops,
small party of our men, reconnoitring there, were

Hostilities, then,
Santo
del Norte, opposite the city of Mata-
moros, blockading that river with their vessels of war.

lage of Laredo
the dignity
Meanwîile the array of
insult.
they then
at
this,
only
is
new
conquests upon the frontier
departments of Tamaulipas and
New
terri-
Leon, and pro-
gressing at such a rate, that troops of the same United States

threaten Monterey in
of the
two republics
Upper
is
California.
No
responsible for this
one can doubt which
war
a w'ar w^hich
any
sense of equity and justice, and respect for the rights and laws
of civilized nations, might have avoided.
"I have commanded

15
the General-in-chief of our forces on the
100
Northern
actual
the
frontier, to repel
all
hostilities offered to us,
war against any power making war on
God
of battles,
He
which
is
and calling upon
us,
will preserve the valour of our troops, the
Tinquestionable right to our territory, and the honour of those arms
which are used only
in
Our general
defence of justice.
will
govern himself by the established usages of civilized warfare.
With orders from me

he will intimate
to prevent,
it
possible, the effiision of blood,
General-in-chief of the American troops
to the
that he shall return to the other side of the
ancient limits of Texas.

the peace of so
commercial
many
Rio de
las
Those nations interested
years, and
relations with the
who may be
Mexican
Nueces, the
in preserving
injured in their
republic, will perceive the
hard alternative to which they are reduced, by the politic invasion

of the United States, and they (the nations)
fend their existence thus compromised.

that I
or de-
solemnly announce
do not declare war against the United States of America,
because
to the
must succumb
I
it
pertains to the august Congi'ess of that nation, and not
Executive,
to settle definitely the reparation
which so many
aggressions demand.
" But the defence of the Mexican

States troops invade,
is
territory,
would be immense before the nation,
who
to repel those forces
manded.
From
if I
the United
my responsibility
commands
did not give
act like enemies, and I have so
day commences
this
points of our territory
which
an urgent necessity, and
a defensive war,
which are invaded
com-
and those
or attacked will be ener-
getically defended."
On
the 24th, a grand
announced the
parley
review and
arrival of Arista in
was sounded on
the
great
military rejoicing,
Matamoros.
Mexican
senger brought to General Taylor the following

<<
In the evening a
side of the river,
and a mes-
letter directed to
the Gencral-in-chiof of the forces of the United States
opposite Matamoros."
encamped
arista's letter to TAYLOR.
101
'^Mexican Army.
" The course of events since the annexation of Texas

United States was declared, has been so clearly hostile
and so foreign
to the dignity
and principles which the Americans
have proclaimed to the world, that

that their policy has
to the
Mexico,
to
we come
conclusion
to the
changed, and their moderation
is
turned into
a desire of aggrandizement, enriching themselves by humiliating

their neighbours.
" The respect and consideration
show
that friendly nations
to
each other have been trampled upon, by which reason the justice
and excessive moderation of Mexico shine
and forced
we
into war,
avoided without failing in what
"
Political discussions
diplomatic agents
to us
forth
still
more.
Pressed
enter into a struggle, that cannot be

is
most sacred
do not appertain
in
man.
men, but
to military
belongs the part to act, without
to
occa-
it
my command
should
Mexicans have been calumniated as barbarous,
in the
sioning any surprise that the troops under

not wait for anything else to give battle.
"We
most caustic and unjust terms
what we
are,
command
and
show
the occasion has arrived to
do not believe that in the troops under
there will be
any cause
to confirm
as they will cause to shine the feelings of
my
such suppositions,
humanity and generosity
that distinguish them.
" For the
my
first
time,
great consideration.
have
tlie
honour
God and
to offer
your Excellency
liberty!
MARIANO ARISTA.
Head-Quarters. Matamoros, April 24, 1846."
This
official
note, in
the
war
communication was accompanied by a
polite private
which General Arista announced his intention

in
which they were about
to
have
now
conduct
engage according
laws which courtesy and humanity impose on modern
Wc
to
to the
civilization.
traced the progress of events from the
first
mis-
HISTORY OF Tin: MEXICAN WAR.
102
understanding between the two coimtries to the commencement

of actual hostilities; and, notwithstanding the belligerent attitude
which Mexico assumed by recalling her minister immediately

annexation of Texas to the United States,
after the
it is
evident,
from the subsequent actions and correspondence of the Mexican

authorities, that
war would not have occurred, had
the advance of the
American army
into territory
not been for
it
which Mexico
believed to be, and which was, a part, not of Texas but of Mexico.
But we not only invaded the
we
commenced
first
hostilities,
Though we
horses."*
we would
admissions,
that there were
had outraged
own detachment,
surprised a
men, and took possession of
the
make
are obliged, in candour, to
their
these
not be understood as holding the opinion
not just
the
republic
when on the 18th of April " Lieu-
tenant Porter, at the head of his
Mexican camp, drove away
Mexican
territory of the
grounds
American
for
war against a country which
imprisoned our citizens and con-
flag,
fiscated their property, and violated the solemn faith of treaties.
But, while there existed so
many causes,
have justified a declaration of
supreme
regret, that, after, tlie
all or
war on our
any of which would
part,
it
is
a matter of
magnanimous forbearance which we
had exhibited towards Mexico, and unwillingness to appeal

last resort of nations,
and
in a
When
I'exas,
manner,
the
war was
at
length brought on by an act,
totally unjustifiable.
Mexican minister Almonte,
demanded
to the
his passports
after the
and menaced war,
annexation of
usage, both
all
ancient and modern, of civilized nations, would have justified the
American Congress
in declaring
immediate war, and ordering the
armies of the republic into Mexico, without waiting for her to

strike the first
is
disposed
blow.
But, while the Congress of the United States
to continue the exercise of that
magnanimous
ance which had characterized her intercourse with a

lic,
forbear-
sister
repub-
the Executive, by an assumption of power not warranted in

*
Ceneral Taylor's Letter
to the
Secretary of
War, April
23.
CAUSES OF THE WAR.

the Constitution, and without the
American army
gress, orders the
knowledge and consent of Coninto the territory of
Had
precipitates the country into war.

conflict in
103
Mexico and
not been for
it
arms between the republics would have
this,
no
and the
arisen,
outpouring of blood and treasure expended upon this contest would
have been avoided

herself aggrieved
for
evident, that, altliough
is
it
by the annexation of Texas
to the
Mexico
felt
United States,
government would have seriously con-
neither the people nor the
templated war on that account, had not the invasion of the Mexi-
can
territory
true,
It is
Texas,
been superadded.
Mexico had no
for that republic,
dispose of her
own
just cause of offence in the case of
free
and independent, had
territory as she pleased
a right to
but some degree of
allowance and forbearance was due even to the prejudices of a

country which had seen a portion of
who had
those
its
afterwards annexed to that country.
allowed
territory
dismembered by
formerly been citizens of the United States, and
wounded
for the
pride of
had been
If a little time
Mexico
to heal,
and we had
abstained from aggression upon her territory, better feelings and

better counsels
would have prevailed with
honourable to both would have arranged

If the
us.
of the
money
cured
it
my
nation
country
been expended
their
in the
much
honour her brave sons
brows with the laurels of victory
beds of glory upon the
names
admire
who throughout this war have
mighty dead, who 'with garments dyed

their
war, would have se-
by purchase.
the gallant chiefs and their soldiery,
wreathed
between
which was the true boundary, a very small part
that has
to the
love
and a treaty alike
Rio Grande was desirable as a boundary, instead of
the great desert,
her,
all difficulties
battle-field,
in blood,'
venerate the
have made
and have bequeathed
but the love of
trutii witli
a historian should be paramount to the love of country.
The eye
of immortality to the republic
of justice should not be blinded by the blaze of glory; and, what-
104
ever splendour has crowned the achievements of our troops in

this
war
means
however widely the power and majesty of our arms by
of
have been spread abroad among the nations,
it
feel that the
manner
which
in
it
was brought on, was
can but
unjust, and
reprehend as dangerous to the republic the precedent that has
been
set
by the Executive, of involving the nation
in
war without
the privity and consent of Congress.
Of what
gress alone shall declare war,

at
Con-
avail arc the guaranties of the constitution that
when
the
American Executive can,
any time, bring on a war, by ordering the troops of the republic
into foreign territory, or

lies in
dispute
even into
territory
which we claim that
In the case of this weaker neighbour, though
great have been the sacrifices of life and treasure, the consequences
have not been serious
have been,
if,
but
who can imagine what
in the dispute about
Oregon, the President, without
consulting Congress, had ordered
boundary as claimed
Another serious
in
54 40'
evil is, that a
the end would
the
American army
to the
war thus brought on without
paration has for a time to be sustained with the inadequate
and means of a peace establishment

prestige of victory
may
be
and thus,
in favour of the
at the
pre-
men
onset, the
enemy, and
to
some
extent influence the future contest.
In 1845, with that prudent forecast for which he
General Scott had recommended

filling
is
remarkable,
army by
an increase of the
up the skeleton regiments, but his prudent suggestions
were neglected both by Congress and the President.

thing there
was a want
comprising the
Army
of due preparation.
of Occupation,
was
In every-
The meagre
collected
force
by withdraw-
ing the troops from the forts and military posts, which in
cases upon the seaboard and the frontier were thus
left
many
without
a garrison, while even for this small force, thrown forward into
an enemy's
territory, like a forlorn
hope, to provoke and bring on
a war, the provision for munitions, subsistence,
tion,
was
totally insufficient.
and transporta-
CHAPTER
VII.
Command Exultation of the Enemy Council-of Contemplated Attack of AristaArrivalof Captain Walker Skirmish with
Point
the ^Mexicans Arista crosses the Rio Grande March of General Taylor
Isabel Garrison of Fort Brown Religious Ceremonies Bombardment of Fort
Brown Arista's Summons
surrender Hawkins's
Brown Death of
Fort Brown Resaca de
Palma Mexican
Reply Battle of Palo Alto heard
Capture of Captain Thornton's
war
to
to
IVIajor
at
la
Fugitives.
Reports having reached
the
American camp,
that the INIexicans
were crossing the river above and below, in great force. Captain
Ker was despatched
to the
lower ford wuth a body of dragoons
ascertain the truth of the report, and
Captain Thornton was despatched
to
on the evening of the 25th
to the
upper ford,
for the like
purpose, accompanied by Captain Hardee, Lieutenants
Kane and
and
privates.
Mason, and sixty-one non-commissioned
officers
Captain Ker returned with his party without discovering any of

the
Thornton proceeded with his command up the
enemy.
river
about twenty-four miles, and as he supposed within about three

miles of the
to
camp
of the
enemy, when
his
Mexican guide refused
proceed further, from a belief that the whole country was
occupied by Mexican
Thornton with his
soldiers.
pressed on about two miles further,
when he reached
command
a firm-house
enclosed by a thicket of chaparral, except on the side lying next

to
the
river.
impassable.
The ground
firing
this
direction
was boggy and
Entering the enclosure through a pair of bars,
Thornton with his
sudden
in
command approached
the house,
when by
from the surrounding chaparral, the Americans per-
ceived that they were encompassed by the enemy,
who were
(105)
jQg
hundred in number.
afterwards found to be about twenty-five
a charge,
his command, Thornton ordered
Promptly wheeling
and attempted
dense
up
files
to offer
of the
enemy
prevented.
Captain Hardee
now
rode
Captain Thornsome suggestion, when a shot struck

maddened by the wound, ran with hira
ton's horse,
and the beast,
towards the chaparral, cleared
insensible for
some hours,
mounting
wounded, he endeavoured
it,
enemy, and carried
after
at a
bound, and plunging down
to the
to
which
make
his
earth.
The captain
lay
his consciousness returned,
charger, which
his
Before he reached
it
fell
a precipice with his rider,
^vhcn,
entered, but the
way he had
escape by the
to
like
way
himself was badly
to the
American camp.
however, he was taken by a party of the
to
Matamoros.
As soon
as the misfortune
assumed
occurred to Thornton, Captain Hardee
command, ami
view of swimming the

dashing towards the river bank, with the
prevented escape.
he found that the marshy ground
river,
dismounted his
Determined then on a vigorous resistance, he
engaged, a
thus
while
men, and examined their pieces; but
Hardee
surrender.
Mexican officer came up and demanded a
treated
be
would
men
agreed to surrender, provided he and his
usages of civilized warfare. The message was
agreeably to the
borne by the
officer to his
commanding-general, who gave assur-
with humanity. Captain

ance that the prisoners should be treated
carried
surrendered, and he and his men were
Hardee then
by the Mexicans.
Matamoros, where they were kindly treated
forces in this engageGeneral Torrejon commanded the enemy's
and the comnumbers
was owing to their
to
ment.
Their success
ambuscade by the chaparral.

was one lieutenant, two sergeants, and eight
concealment afforded
plete
The American
loss
to their
privates killed, and fifty-three prisoners.
as
the
it
was
in
numbers, was
The
loss, inconsiderabl.-
notwithstanding important, depriving
American commander of nearly one-third of
force on the
Rio Grande.
the
mounted
General Arista, on receiving the
news
CONTEMPLATED ATTACK OF ARISTA.

of this skirmish,
afrectcd
addressed the foHowing
General Torrejon
1o
consider
letter of
great victory, atul
it
107
congratulation to
tire
commander,
" Matamoros, April 26.
" This has been a day of rejoicing to

North,
having
it
the brigade
this
day been known
all
the division of the
of the triumph achieved by
which your Excellency so worthily commands.
The
rejoiced country will doubtless celebrate this preliminary of glori-
Your
ous deeds that her happy sons will in future present to her.
Excellency will communicate
to
your brave soldiers that
have
seen with the greatest pleasure their valiant behaviour, and that I
await for the detailed despatch to elevate
to the
it
the supreme government, so that the nation
may
knowledge of
learn the triumph
of your arms.
MARIANO ARISTA.
To Gen. Don Anastasio Torrejon."'
On
the evening of the 27th, after the
news
of Thornton's defeat
reached the American encampment, General Taylor called

council-of-war of a few confidential
ration
officers, to
the propriety of crossing the Rio
and corps selected

presented
itself,
for the
How
Grande and attacking
The primary arrangements were
Arista at Matamoros.
purpose,
when
take into conside-
all
made,
the important question
could the troops pass the river
.^
All kinds
of schemes and expedients were concerted, but none appeared

feasible,
and the general reluctantly abandoned
it.
Could the troops have been transported suddenly over. Arista's

forces
or
would have been demolished without fighting
Resaca de
Here, as
of the
War
la
after the battle
of the 9th of
Department was apparent
of Occupation with a pontoon
General Taylor; while,
16
at
Palo Alto
Palma.
at the
May,
the improvidence
in not furnishing the
train, as
Army
had been requested by
same time, he was under
instruc-
108
lions, if attacked, not to limit himself to defensive operations, but
cany
war
the
About
into the
this time,
enemy's country beyond the Rio Grande.*
who had been
Captain Walker,
identified with
the border struggles of Texas, and one of the Mier prisoners,

arrived at Point Isabel with a
company
of
Texan Rangers, and
prepared to participate in the contest, in which he subsequently

acted so prominent a part.
The Mexicans,
capture of Captain Thornton, had
after the
boldly crossed the Rio Grande in large detachments, and spread
themselves between General Taylor and the depot at Point Isabel
under Major Munroe, with the view of threatening both stations

of the
American army, and cutting
off
Captain Walker with his
supplies.
therefore,
by Major IMunroe
to
General Taylor from his
command
w-as
directed,
occupy a position west of the Point,
for the purpose of gaining intelligence of the movements of the
enemy, and
At
this
of opening a
Brown were compelled

out with his
raw
retreat,
to return
company on
overwhelming Mexican
his
communication with General Taylor.
time some teams despatched from Point Isabel
recruits
and
were scattered
Munroe had put
and Captain Walker, who went
the 28th to reconnoitre, encountered an
force,
and was pursued
]\Iajor
to Fort
to within
after a short contest, in

in
confusion,
which
was obliged
to
cannon-range of Point Isabel.
the Point in the best possible state of
defence by strengthening the works, and adding to the regular

force the masters
and crews of the vessels in
port.
Still,
an immediate attack, he desired
was
in expectation of
the
commanding-general of
his situation
as he
to inform
and Captain Walker,
notwithstanding his late discomfiture, volunteered his services to

carry any message to General Taylor.
Late on the evening of the 29th, accompanied by six companions. Captain Walker set out on his perilous expedition, and
Letter to the Secretary of
War, August
30, 1845.
C A P T.
tS
M VKL
\v A
KH
MARCH OF GENERAL TAYLOR TO POINT

after
109
encountering the most imminent risks of capture, he suc-
ceeded
The
in deliveiing- his
situation of the
He must
crisis.
message
enemy
brave the
General Taylor.
back upon Point Isabel
either fall
or, lastly,
to
American commander had now reached a
the garrison there to defend
to
ISABEL.
itself,
remain
at
or,
Fort
leaving
Brown and
attempt with a portion of his forces
To
open a communication with Point Isabel.
bear back the
had been planted on the Rio Grande was out of the
flag that
question; to remain stationary at Fort Brown, would soon reduce
Nothing remained, then, but
the troops to starvation.
part of his force at Fort
to leave a
Brown, and with the residue open a com-
munication with Point Isabel, and thus procure
for the troops
necessary supplies.
In doing this he had to encounter the risk
of an attack from the
enemy upon
which
his
either of the three portions into
army would be divided
but the pressing necessities
of his situation rendered the measure imperative,
Taylor accordingly made arrangements
At four o'clock P.
Brown with
the
rJ.
open
and General
marching.
on the 1st May, he marched from Fort
main body
of his army,
chaparral without meeting the enemy.

halted, fatigued
for
and passed through the
At midnight
and exhausted, and lay upon
their
the troops
arms
in the
prairie, without fires to take off the chillness of the cold
damp
night
march, and
air.
On
the
and
morning of the 2d the army resumed
after suffering
much from
thirst
its
and the heat of the
weather, reached Point Isabel about noon.
On
the evening of General Taylor's departure for Point Isabel,
Arista had ordered his troops to cross the Ptio Grande, for the
purpose of attacking the Americans. After transporting his forces,
he found that the American commander had departed

Isabel
for
Point
and, with the vanity peculiar to the Mexican character, he
supposed that General Taylor had been aware of his intention,
and was desirous of avoiding a meeting, and he construed the
march of
the
American army
into a timorous flight
from the valiant
IIISTOKY or
110
Americans on
their
MEXICAN' WAR.
Conccivini? the design of cutting off
of iMoxico.
It'irions
TIIF.
march, the Mexican general despatched his
cavalry for that purpose, wliich accordingly
hv night
made
disapjiointmcnt
enemy, was
Taylor had
nece.'^sitv
a forced march
but (General Taylor with his troops had already passed
beyond the pkice where the enemy had intended
The
tiie
in
which
this
some measure
left a
soon
to intercept
him.
occasioned the over-confident
alleviated
by the
fact, that
General
small garrison in Fort Brown, which would of

to surrender
be compelled
to
Mexican
valour.
The following document, from El Monitor Republicano of Mapaper,
tanioros, a semi-official
and
"
vaincflorious feelinfrs of the
On
the
first
is
specimen of the arrogant
Mexicans on the above occasion.
of this month, at eleven o'clock in the morning,
the general-in-chief left this place to join the
hours before, had
left
army, who, several
with the intention of crossing the river at a
shoi^ distance from the
camp
of the enemy.
In consequence of
might be per-
the orders given, so that this dangerous operation
formed with due security, and according to the rules of military

art.
when our
troops arrived at the spot designated for the crossing
of the river, the
left
bank was already occupied by General D.
Anastasio Torrejon, with
all tlie
force
under his command.
The
enthusiasm of our soldiers to conquer the obstacles which separated
them from the enemy was so
great, that they
impatient of the delay occasioned by the

of the flat-boats,
portation
showed themselves
bad condition of some
which had been very much injured
in the trans-
by land, and could not be used, as they would
with water as soon as they were launched.

ol)staclc, the
work went on with such
activity,
fdl uj)
In spite of that
and so great was
the ardour of the most excellent general-in-chief,
whose orders
were obeyed with the greatest promptness and precision, that a

few hours were suffcicnt
to transport, to the opposite
Uravo, a strong division, with
"This
rapid
all its artillery
and well-combined
and
bank of
the
train.
movement ousht
to
have
MARCH
proved
OF GENERAL TAYLOR TO POINT ISABEL.
to the invaders not only that the
Mexicans possess
by the purest
of fatigue,
The Northern
patriotism.
and levelling
all
difficulties,
instruc-
now brought
tion and aptness for war, but that those qualities are
forth
Ill
Division, fearless
enemy
ran to seek an
who, well sheltered under parapets, and defended with guns of a

large calibre, could wait for the attack with indisputable advantage.
With deep
trenches, with a multitude of fortifications, the defence
was easy against those who presented themselves with their naked
breasts.
" But General Taylor dared not

siasm of the sons of Mexico.
resist the
Well did he
valour and enthu-
foresee the intrepidity
with which our soldiers would rush against the usurpers of the
Well did he know
national territory.
were
to
many
the
injuries
which
be avenged by those who had taken up arms, not
to
aggrandize themselves with the spoils of the property of others,
Well did he
but to maintain the independence of their country.
know, we
repeat
by trenches,
the
it,
that the
Mexicans would be stopped neither
or fortresses, or large artillery.
chief of the
American
Thus
forces, frightened
as
it
was
that
soon as he
perceived from the situation and proximity of his camp, that our
army were preparing
to cross the river, left with precipitation for
Point Isabel, with almost
all
his troops, eight pieces of artillery,
Their march was observed from our position,
and a few wagons.
and the most excellent General
I).
Francisco Mejia immediately
sent an express extraordinary to
communicate the news
most excellent general-in-chief.
Here
men
the
tribute
let
which they deserve.
me pay
to our
The express
informed some of the troops, which had not yet arrived

of the escape of the
Americans
spontaneously crossed the
river,
in
one instant,
all
brave
verbally
at the ford,
the
soldiers
almost racing one with another.
Such was the ardour with whieh they crossed the

the
to the
river to attack
enemy.
" The
terror
and haste with which the
latter
Hed
to the fort, to
112
shut themselves up in
measures of
were
to
and avoid a
it
conflict, frustrated the active
most excellent Scuor General Arista, whicli
tlie
order the cavalry to advance in the plain and cut off the
But
llight of the fugitives.
it
was not
possible to do so, notwitli-
standing their lorced march during the night.

his
left
camp
two o'clock
at
General Taylor
afternoon, and, as fear has
in the
wings, he succeeded in shutting himself up in the
fort.
When
our cavalry reached the point where they were to detain him, he
had already passed, and was several leagues ahead.

the sorrow of our brave
enemy
face to face
of that invading
men, not
their defeat
to
have been able
was
certain,
Great was
to
meet the
and the main body
army, who thought that they inspired
Mexicans with so much respect, would have disappeared
But there was some
important battle.
first
and the Americans do not know how
Why
Why
those of duplicity and treachery.
under
firmness
their
colours.''
ground which they pretend
to
fighting to be
use
to
in all his
repel all hostilities?
manner
to
chief of the
they
did
Why,
Had
Thus
not General
to
then, does he fly in so cowardly a
The commander-in-
American army has covered himself with opprobrium

in sacrificing a part of his forces,
return to their assistance
not
calculates that this
it is
that he
is
whom
he
left
in
certain that he will not
ignorant of their peril,
would be greater
of attempting to resist the
open
if
he had the temerity
Mexican lances and bayonets
in the
jilain."
Tlie garrison
Captain
left in
Fort
Brown
Loud's company of 2d
consisted of the 7th infantry,

artillery,
in
charge of four
18-pounders, and Lieutenant Bragg with his light battery of four

pieces
all
abandon the
communications, that he was prepared
the fortifications, to save himself; for
lie
done
arms but
usuip with such iniquity?
shut himself up at the Point
and ignominy
but
in the
did they not remain with
has an honourable general kept his word.
Taylor said,
other
the
under the
command
of Major Jacob
Brown, a veteran
<
CO
BOMBARDMENT OF lORT BROWN.
He was
officer of great bravery.
ammunition as possible, not

to
defend the post
to
113
expend
instructed to
as
little
attempt ofTcnsivc operations, and

Certain signals were arranged to
to the last.
be given by means of the 18-pounders, which were
to
be
fired at
half past six o'clock A. M., in case of the investment of the fort,
any particular accident.
or
On
of INIay 1st, Major
afternoon
the
Brown had
tents
his
pitched, divided his forces to the several bastions, six in number,
and apportioned the

viz
No.
tain jNIiles
and No.
On
Captain Hawkins
1,
No.
4,
6, Captain
dawn
to
work on
By
the parapet raised to
JNIatamoros.
at
festival
all
friars,
and
by the gate
some extent; when,
There seemed
at last
to
was perceived
going round from battery
blessing the guns, shot, and shell.
it
3,
Cap-
was a prelude
to
it
dint of hard labour, the ditch
to
On
the
what was going
marched and coun-
a train of priests,
to battery,
monks,
consecrating and
This pious ceremony conall
wdio reflected,
an attack.
Mexicans commenced
reveille beat
theirs.
The
and finished, when the
shrill
bugles poured forth
music amid the continued peal of
a longer period than usual, until Ihe streaks of
thing visible to the cast,
when
the report of a
was passing
their bells, for
dawn made
every-
gun was heard, and
turning the eye quickly towards Matamoros, the

it
for'
an earlier hour than usual.
morning of the 3d,
their discordant
seen as
was
just before sun-
Accordingly the guards were doubled, and orders given

reveille at
at
had
be a grand parade and
tinued until the night had set in, and convinced

that
No.
hands were turned out
the east bastion,
the bells rung continually, soldiers
termarched
and
No. 5, Brevet Major Sewall,
and men's attention was called
set, officers'
on
No. 2, Captain Lee
of them,
Holmes.
not yet been touched.
dug and
Captain Loud
morning of the 2d of May,
the
the earliest
command
six senior officers to the
first
shell
the bright and beautiful star Venus,
was
whose
THE MEXICAN WAR.
IllSTORV OF
114
seemed only
tarilincss in retiring to rest,
many
In (luick succession followed
soon
l8-pounders upon the
American works
the
American
fire
opened,
it,
it.
immediately
shell
was
garrison
struck
ball
the
effect, the
one of the
muzzle,
and
dis-
and
men
that
This incident, and the hotness of the American
fire,
directly
the
in
wounding and maiming the
so disconcerted the
and
the
In twenty minutes after the
18-pound
an
Mexican twelve-pounders
mounted
Loud opened with
and town with tremendous
fort
consulate flags being respected.
manned
discharges from a battery
a condition of resistance, and
in
await this signal of
gun of the war.
the bloody strife, in this fnst
of seven guns, upon
to
enemy,
officers
whole battery was silenced
that the
The enemy then commenced
after.
from the lower
shot
firing
and mortar battery, but without
fort
doing any damage, though the cannonade continued with
little
interruption until night.
As soon
were
cannonade commenced, one-third of the garrison
as the
left to
man
the bastions,
the curtain
rest
were directed
gate and drawbridge and finish
to the east bastion

j)lete
and the
bastions, the troops
the
To com-
connecting the flanks of the north and east
worked under a continued shower of shot and
shell for twenty-four hours without intermission,
pleted.
it.
to repair
The men became more exposed
enemy taking advantage
labourers, but without effect.
of
it,
till it
was com-
as the parapet rose, and
directed their guns
The only man
killed
upon
the
was Sergeant
Weigart.
As
the garrison found that their
except to the houses of the town,
it
fire
did but
little
execution
was deemed prudent
to sus-
pend the cannonade, with the view of saving ammunition.

firing
accordingly ceased
at ten o'clock.
From
however, the enemy inferred our loss was severe, and that
fire
had silenced our guns.
The
this circumstance,
their
BOMBARDMENT OF FORT BROWN.
On
the 4th of
May,
the firing from the
115
enemy's batteries was
continued during the day.
The men
in the garrison
having completed the defences at and
around the east bastion, were

bomb-proofs
They were
assailed them.
soldiers
rels of
when
employed
busily
making
in
tempest that relentlessly
built at points convenient for the
in their stations,
and were formed by layers of bar-
pork, with poles laid across, and the whole covered with
embankments
of earth.
At nine o'clock
was
now
for security against the iron
in the evening,
an irregular
firing of
musketry
heard in the rear of the fort, at a distance of three or four
hundred yards, and extending up the
river about a mile.
Major
Brown, supposing that the storming of the fort would take place
immediately, put the entire garrison under arms, and ordered
the batteries
and defences
to
manned
be
but the assault was
not attempted.
During the night the enemy erected a battery
the field, which
was intended
to assail the
all
American works by
in
cross-fire.
On
the
morning of the 5th, large
discovered in the rear of the
fort,
parties of horse
and
foot
were
supported by the above-men-
tioned battery, which, simultaneously with those in Matamoros,
opened upon the

This
fort
with a galling
was answered from
fire
fire
of round-shot and shells.
the 18-pounders, and the howitzer
battery placed in embrazure on the south-east bastion, for the
space of an hour,
nine o'clock
when
the firing on both sides ceased.
some Mexican
with large bodies of mounted

distance,
commenced
officers,
men and
infantry within supporting
a reconnoissance at the distance of half a
mile, with the view of establishing a
Hanson with a party
About
under an escort of cavalry,
of dragoons,
new
battery.
Lieutenant
by permission of Major Brown,
with great gallantry sallied out to watch their movements,
when
they precipitately retreated behind their works.
On Wednesday,
17
the 6th, the cannonade
began with the dawn
im
of day, and round-shot and shells from the lower fort and mortar
battery were tlirown into
killing
tearing the tents to pieces and
fort,
tlie
and wounding many of the
of mounted
men and
Large parties
artillery horses.
infantry were
now
seen hovering near; and
Major Brown, finding himself surrounded by the enemy, gave to

General Taylor the preconcerted signal, by
The enemy's
o'clock the 18-pounders.
as if in consequence of this
and
his adjutant,
men were
of dust that arose he

torn
was performing
at their posts,
was seen
to the
sympathy around him.
as he
had before been
was borne
duties, as he
stand by your posts
He was
air,
had but
little
of the 9th
distinct
and amid the cloud
wounded.
His
view of his companions, who gathered
Calm
in the
am
but one
endurance of suffering,
he reminded them of their
in danger,
to the hospital
" Men, go
your duties,
to
among you."
owing
to the confined
wound, and the heat of the weather, he
chance of recovery.
He
and while the roar of the
and nearer, proclaimed the
his victorious general at

to his country, in
to fall mortally
carried to a bomb-proof; where,
the violence of the
his usual round,
he stopped to give some
leaving the muscles and the bare and
off,
jagged bones exposed

in
an iron shower
rear, fell in
gaged, when a descending shell struck him
was
from the
bomb-proof upon which they were en-
directions respecting a
right leg
shells
At about ten o'clock, while the brave Major
fort.
Brown, attended by
to see that the
was now redoubled,
and the shot and
several forts and batteries in front
throughout the
firing at half-past six
fire
lingered until the evening
artillery, as
retreat of the
Resaca de
la
it
became more
Mexicans before
Palma, yielded up
his life
whose honourable service he had been so long
employed.
In his notice of the defence of Fort
Brown, General Taylor
pays the following handsome tribute to his
memory
" The field-work opposite Matamoros has sustained
itself
hand-
somely, during a cannonade and bombardment of one hundred and
arista's summons to surrender.
alloyed with profound regret at
sixty hours.
But the pleasure
the loss of
heroic and indomitable
its
117
is
commander, Major Brown,
wiio died to-day from the effects of a shell.
His
On
it is
indeed irreparable."
Brown, the command of the
the fall of INIajor
on Captain Hawkins, and
Soon
army under my
severe one to the service at any time, but to the

orders,
would be
loss
after this, large parties of infantry
advancing upon the
devolved
and cavalry were seen
the rear, but they soon dispersed on
in
fort
fort
on Brevet Major Rains.
his bastion
receiving a few rounds of canister from Lieutenant Bragg's battery.
From
ten o'clock
fell in
one continual shower.
kept up
till
till
half-past twelve P. M., the shot
and
fire
was
a white flag
was
After this, a dull and sullen
between four and
five o'clock,
when
shells
displayed in the rear, and the Mexican bugles sounded a parley.
Soon
after,
were met,
two
approached the
officers
at the distance of three
and Lieutenant
who
Britton,
fort
with a flag,
when they
hundred yards, by Major Sewall
bore the following communication
from General Arista to Captain Hawkins, written in Spanish
Mexican Army, Division of the North,

General-in-Chief.
" You
is,
are besieged
by
forces sufficient to take
you
and there
moreover, a numerous division encamped near you, which,
free
from
all
other cares, will keep off any succours which
you may
expect to receive.
" The respect

all civilized
for
humanity, acknowledged at the present age by
upon me
nations, doubtless imposes
the duty of miti-
gating the disasters of war.
"This principle, which Mexicans observe above all

obliges
me
to
summon
you, as
all
your
efforts will
other nations,
be useless,
to
surrender, in order to avoid, by a capitulation, the entire destruction of all the soldiers
"You
under your command.
will thus afford
me
the pleasure of
complying with the
mild and benevolent wishes above expressed, which distinguish
118
same time
the character of ray countrymen, whilst I at the

the most imperious of the duties
the offences committed against
" God and
liberty
Head-Quarters,
at
which
my
fulfil
country requires for
it.
Fanques del Raminero,
the
May
1846.
6.
M. ARISTA."
Captain Hawkins, though resolved to defend the
thought
his
it
fort to tlie last,
proper to submit the message which he had received to
He
officers.
accordingly assembled
commanders of
the
bastions, with Captain Mansfield, principal engineer,
The
tenant Bragg.
officer,
vote
was taken, beginning with
and was unanimous,
The following
reply
to
defend the fort to the death.
was returned within

"
the allotted hour
Head Qtarteks U.
Near Matamoros, May
Your humane communication has
"Sir:
and, after the consideration due to

fully decline to
*'
surrender
The exact purj)ort
understood, as
but
if
my
my
and Lieu-
the youngest
its
S.
Fokces,
6, 1846, 5 P.
just
importance,
M.
)
|
been received,
I
must respect-
forces to you.
of your despatch
interpreter
is
cannot
feel confident that
not skilled in your language
have understood you correctly, you have
my
replv
above.
I
am,
sir,
E. S.
Commanding
HAWKINS,
U. S. Forces opposite
Matamoros.
Gen. M. Arista,
Commanding Division of the NorthV
On
the receipt of this reply followed the
of shot
and
shells that
troops could
not
most harassing
had yet been experienced
answer
it,
as their
fire
but the American
ammunition was nearly
xpcnded, and that on hand had to be kept for close quarters, as

the storming of the fort
was momentarily expected.
BOMBARDMENT OF FORT
At the dawn of the 7th the enemy's
BRO'W'N.
batteries
Il9
opened as usual
with great vigour, and parties seemed advancing on the

several rounds of canister
fired into their
but
picket-guards,
houses in the rear, and at the old guard-house, caused
at tlie
them
and grape
fort,
to fall
back out of cannon-range.
up during the forenoon with musketry
commenced
a regular
random
was kept
fire
but at half-past two
bombardment with
shot and shells, from
howitzers and mortars, which was continued without intermission

after sunset.
till
The Mexicans had advanced

traverse left
river,
by the garrison
to the
north of the
which was only one hundred yards from
At
our breast-work.
fired their
whence
was determined
it,
at
work near
the
and as high as
w^hich they
and which might serve them as
fort,
to rush
to level
it,
was a cover from
place
this
escopets into the
a rallying-point,
It
the former night, and occupied a
upon
in the expected storm.
it
whatever
cost.
Accordingly, on the night of the 7th, Captain Miles, with three

Lieutenants Potter,
subalterns.
Van Dorn and
Clitz,
and one
hundred men, under direction of Captain Mansfield the chief

engineer, were sent, with spades only, on this dangerous enterprise.
The
the
traverse lay longitudinally perpendicular to the face of one of
enemy's strongest
from
it
cut away,
off the
whole party.
was
levelled
much
to the
traverse
who
and not over
five
hundred yards
had a discovery been made, a single discharge of grape
might have cut

tlie
batteries,
Happily, by eleven o'clock,
and some clumps of chaparral adjacent

chagrin and mortification of the enemy,
returned about midnight to resume their firing of the previous
night, but found their breastwork level with the ground.
At
this
time a random
fire
of musketry
commenced, accom-
panied by the notes of bugles sounding the charge

defenders of the
fort
and the
expected every moment the deadly assault.
Arrangements had already been made
for
it
in
Matamoros,
place this very night by a picked corps of five thousand
to take
men
but
\>0
was advancing, and
Arista had ascertained that General Taylor
The storming of the
was countermanded.
order
abandoned, the
A. M.
was now
firing
At this time
it
irregular
became more
fort
the
having been
three o'clock
until
and was continued until
severe,
daylight.
At sunrise on the 8th the enemy's

lire,
and
for several
commenced
batteries
their
hours poured an incessant storm of shot and
At noon the bombardment was resumed, and
shells into the fort.
an additional mortar, established in the chaparral across the river,
opened upon
garrison.
tlie
Worn down
with watching, exhausted
by labour, and harassed by a continual

were becoming
fell in
listless,
and
fire,
the
indifferent to the shot
weary
and
soldiers
shells that
dangerous proximity to their persons, when, about half-past
two o'clock P. M. on the 8th, they were roused from
by a cannon-shot
their lethargy
Another and
in the direction of Point Isabel.
another followed in quick succession, and then ensued a heavy
cannonade
like a
continued volley of
The countenances
artillery.
of the soldiers brightened, as they sprang to their feet
and listened
with intense interest to the roar of the distant battle, which
then raging on the plains of Palo Alto.
and more
distinct,
driving the
enemy
The sounds grew nearer
from which they inferred their general was
before
him
regardless of the missiles that
and, mounting upon the parapets,

fell
thick around them, they raised
a shout that rose far above the thunder of the
carried
Soon
dismay
to
after this the
established
was
enemy's
forts,
and
the hearts of the inhabitants of Matamoros.
enemy redoubled
in the north,
south and
his
fire,
west
and from mortars
four
in
number
round-shot and shells in a storm of iron hail strewed the earth in

every direction.
While the sounds of the
distant battle were
now
heard, bodies of infantry and cavalry were seen crossing the river,
and
hurrj-ing
sunset, a
announced
onward
to reinforce
Mexican came running
their
to the
companions.
fort
with a
About
flag,
to tlie garrison the pleasing intelligence, tliat
and
General
DEATH OF MAJOR BROWN.
121
Taylor had met the forces of Arista on his march, and
During the night there was no more

tliouoli
after a
him back towards Matamoros.
severe fight, had driven
firing,
and the garrison,
on the alert should an assault be attempted, was enabled
to obtain better rest than usual to their weary, exhausted frames.
The
firing
garrison
was
was resumed on
morning of the
9th, but the
greatly encouraged on finding that the enemy's
battery to the east of the fort
Matamoros.
the
was withdrawn and removed
belief that General Taylor
The
on the preceding day,
had been victorious
was confirmed by seeing
troops hurrying
During the
in the direction of Arista's head-quarters.
to
this
fire
morning, an act of great daring was performed by Lieutenant
The halyards
Van Dorn and Quartermaster-Sergeant Henry.

the flag
ascended
fire
had become unrigged

to adjust these,
of all their batteries
and
when
the preceding
the
it,
of
they
enemy turned upon them
the
yet, amid the storm of grape, canister,
shells, tliey dauntlessly stood to their
accomplished
evening
work
had
until they
and descended amid the acclamations of
their
companions.
About midday
the firing ceased for
silence of the pause, the

It
was now
after
some time, and amid
gallant Major
two o'clock
Brown breathed
the
his last.
no message or tidings had been
was
received from General Taylor, and anxiety
painfully depicted
on the faces of many, when the booming of cannon in quick succession, told that their
with the enemy.
companions were again
in deadly conflict
Nearer and clearer came the sound,
the diapason of artillery
was heard
till
amid
the sharp rattle of musketry,
and the garrison knew that the brave army coming
to their relief,
were driving before them the proud legions of Mexico.
At length the sound of battle ceased, and the defenders of the

fort
their
were now anxious
own
safety
was
to gain intelligence of a result in
which
when, towards
set of
so deeply concerned
sun, the Mexican troops emerged from the chaparral in the utmost
122
confusion, and rushed
in
Duncan's
May's dragoons and
manned
sight, the garrison
retreat to the river,
full
pursued by
Transported
artillery.
of exultation, silenced with their cheers the batteries of the

for not
As
another shot was fued afterwards.
cavalry and
from
one of the 18's of the fort, carried increasing
6-pounder and
confusion into
enemy,
Mexican
the tide of
by, discharges of grape
rolled
infantry
at the
the parapets, and, lifting up the voice
masses
tlieir
friend from foe, the
fire
but as
was
it
of the garrison
deadly missiles might be directed against
difficult to distinguish
was checked,
tlie
lest the
pursuers as well as
the fugitives.
After a siege of one hundred and sixty hours, in which several
thousand shot and shells were received, and every ten feet of
Brown.
was undoubted4y one of
It
Throughout
ments of the war.

patience,
its
by a bomb, thus ended the defence of Fort
area ploughed up
and perseverance
its
of the
the most brilliant achieve-
continuance, the
courage,
American soldiery were
severely tested, under the most disadvantageous and harassing
circumstances
Besides
of the
its
7th
and well did they abide the
gallant defender
infantry
were thirteen
in
was
the
fiery ordeal.
Major Brown, Sergeant Weigart

only one
number, and were
all
killed
privates.
Sergeant Weigart was a remarkable one.
the
wôunded
The case
of
The second bomb
thrown by the Mexicans exploded near his company, and carried
away
a part of his head, killing
on a board
entered
a
tlie
bomb
in the hospital tent
tent, burst,
entered
exhumed him.
his
and blew
grave,
him
instantly.
While
laid out
preparatory to burial, a shell

off his head.
After his burial,
and exploding therein,
partially
CHAPTER
VIII.
Captain Walker sent with a

Enemy's Lancers Return
Fort Brown Published Order
of Captain Walker March of General Taylor
Enemy discovered Arista's Order of Battle Taylor's Order of Battle
Daring Service of Lieutenant Blake Enemy's Fire opened Duncan's Battery
Ringgold's Artillery Churchhill's 18-pounders Charge of Cavalry Lieutenant
Ridgely Fall of Ringgold Artillery Battalion Lieutenant-Colonel Childs
Duncan's Movement Forces of the two Armies The Loss
The Prairie
on each side Taylor's Despatch Arista's Despatch.
Bombardment
Brown heard
of Fort
Conimunicalion
to
Major Brown
at
Point Isabel
May charges
the
for
fired
The cannonade
opened upon Fort Brown, on the 3d of
that
May, was heard by General Taylor

relieve the garrison, he
determined
Brown, and the troops were under order

Subsequently, he
fort
deemed
it
proper
first
and Captain Walker was selected
Anxious
at Point Isabel.
to return
to
to
immediately
march
to
to Fort
at one, P.
M.
communicate with the
About two
for that duty.
o'clock, on the evening of the 3d, the captain set out with ten
Texan Rangers, accompanied by Captain May, with

of one hundred dragoons
and
after
command
proceeding a few miles, halted
until dark.
About nine o'clock they came

fires
and,
between
from the
by proceeding cautiously,
their
encampment and
latter,
Walker, and
the
May remained
with his
six of the rangers,
enemy's camp-
succeeded in
fort.
protected from observation
chaparral, Captain
tain
in sight of the
getting
About seven miles
by the edge of the
command
advanced
while Cap-
to the fort.
It
was
arranged between them, that Captain Walker should return as

early as possible, so that they could pass the
enemy's
lines before
daylight.
18
(123)
124
Captain
(lawn
the
May
awaited
when, finding
tlic
that
return of Captain
enemy's scouts, and believing
pened
to tlie captain,
twelve miles of
before
he returned
him towards
to
their
camp
When
Point Isabel.
way
within
obstructed by about
These he charged, and drove
lancers.
fifty
until near
some accident had hap-
that
Point, he found his
tlie
one hundred and
Walker
and his party were discovered by
lie
for
two
or three miles
when,
fear-
ing an ambuscade, he wheeled about and proceeded on to Point

Isabel,
It
which he reached
was near
at
nine o'clock.
morning of the
three o'clock in the
Captain Walker succeeded in reaching the
message
his
commander.
to the
Major Brown's communications
After
for
fort,
4th, before
and delivering
some time, he received
General Taylor, and being
furnished with fresh horses, hastened to join Captain IMay.

arriving at the spot
where he had
he found them gone

return.
He
night,
till
to
this
tliat
in his
pathway, but he managed
itself;
and was
for his return to
it
to
completed
arrangements
left
to
evade them,
tlie
for
After
it.
defences
Fort Brown.
the deep-moutlied
his
receipt of
tlie
at
in a better state of defence,
at
Point Isabel, General
of that post,
Summoned
cannon
tliat
army, and a
train of three
and made
and munitions
thither
by the
assailed the fort, he
Point Isabel on the evening of the 7th of
main body of
fort
remain a while longer
for the transportation of the supplies
war intended
booming of
The enemy
Fort Brown.
During the week which he spent
of
off his
able, for the present, to repel
could be brought against
Point Isabel, that he might place
Taylor had
to cut
again for Point Isabel.
set out
news. General Taylor resolved
and prepare
the captain and his party,
General Taylor the cheering intelligence that the
had nobly sustained

any force
left
enemy prepared
the
then rode back to Fort Brown, where he remained
and then
were everywhere
and bore
and
On
May, and with
hundred wagons,
the
his
ENEMY DISCOVERED.
125
and two IS-poundeis on siege-carriages, drawn
light artillery,
by ten yoke of oxen, moved towards
tlie
Rio Grande.
In expectation of the enemy's disputing his return, and confi-
dent of his ability to repel their

following order
efforts.
General Taylor issued the
" Head- Quarters,
Army
of Occupation,
May
Order No.
" The army
march to-day
will
of Matamoros.
It is
route in force.
If
known
still
the
I84G.
7,
58.
at three o'clock, in the direction
enemy has
recently occupied the
general will give him
in possession, the
The commanding-general has every confidence
battle.
and men.
officers
If his orders
he has no doubt of the result,
He
numbers they may.

infantry, that their
in his
and instructions are carried

let the
enemy meet him
in
out,
what
wishes to enjoin upon the battalions of
main dependence must be
in the bayonet.
W. W.
S.
BLISS,
Assistant Jidjutant- General."
The weather was warm, and

encumbered
for
Fort
as
Brown
it
was with
their
the train
so that, after
march slow and toilsome,
and the heavy
artillery
making seven miles of
intended
their
way,
they halted and bivouacked on their arras for the night.
Early on the following morning
under Captain Walker, that

from which
it
giving battle.
tinued
till
was
tlie
it
was reported by
enemy had
inferred, that the
enemy
did not contem])late
The march was resumed about
noon.
At
this time, the
the scouts
deserted their camp,
sunrise,
and con-
advance of cavalry which had
reached the water-hole of Palo Alto, brought intelligence

general that the Mexicans were in front
covered that they occupied the road
On
and
it
to the
was soon
dis-
in great force.
reaching the water, the army was halted, with the view of
resting and
refreshing the
men, and enabling
the
general to
126
make
enemy
The
a proper and deliberate disposition of his forces.
was now plainly
in battle-array
at a distance of
visible
three-quarters of a mile, his banners gaily floating in the breeze,
and
Compact
his tall lances flashing in the sunlight.
lines of
infantry extended from a tliicket of chaparral on their right, about
a mile over an open prairie of three miles in extent

force of cavalry on
their left,
upon a salt-marsh of
line, batteries
while a heavy
stretched across the road and rested
difficult
were planted to
At
passage.
intervals along their
sweep the advancing column of the
Americans.
Though he saw before him an army
many
inured to arms in
greatly superior in numbers,
a fight, and enjoying the advantages of
a well-selected position, General Taylor, firm in his resolution to
advance, and confident of the bravery of his troops, calmly dis-
posed his forces in order of
The
was commanded by
was composed
extreme
right
in
5th
following troops,
infantry,
Ringgold's light artillery
3d
The
two wings.
the veteran Colonel
of the
:
battle.
was formed
line of battle
David E. Twiggs, and
commencing on
under
Major G.
Captains
command
W.
Allen
the
Lieutenant-Colonel
Mcintosh
infantry. Captain L.
M. Morris
two 18-pounders, under Lieutenant Churchhill, 3d

infantry.
wing
right
artillery
4th
and two squadrons of dragoons,
Ker and May.
The
left
wing, under
the
of Lieutenant-Colonel Belknap, consisted of a battalion
of artillery, serving as infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Childs;
Captain Duncan's light artillery; and the 8th infantry, under

Captain Montgomery.
For security the wagon
train
was parked
near the water, under the directions of Captains Grossman and
Myers of the Quartermaster's departhaent, and protected by the

squadron of dragoons under Captain Ker.
Having refreshed themselves and
filled
their canteens,
troops were put in motion and ordered to advance
columns.
After the line of battle
the
by heads of
had been formed, General
KATTLE
of
Kxnhi
IPAILD AJliaVO
I'.S Chiv,/;
;i"'.\l;ivl8-U)
l\i(
ArulJ,r<
I'.s Inl'imlr}
11
a lion
ih.riiiiri
1(1
vol I
II'-
lrt,//,;A
H"
Inl'tintrs
It" Hiini-hfi-;.:
A
A
C^
\Y
o'y
DARING SERVICE OF LIEUTENANT BLAKE.
who seemed
Taylor rode along the line and encouraged the men,
As
eager for the contest.
had
artillery or not;
Captain
detached
lines,
and,
and anxious
May
possible,
if
yet he did not

to
know whether the enemy

that particular, he
learn
with his dragoons, to reconnoitre his
draw
the
of his artillery; but
fire
completely masked by the long prairie-grass and the

of the pieces,
127
and the captain returned again,
after
men
it
was
in front
an ineffectual
effort.
Lieutenant Blake
posed
to
now
He
volunteered a daring service.
pro-
go forward alone, and make a reconnoissancc of the
enemy's position and
With
forces.
great gallantry he dashed
forwards to within eighty yards of the enemy's line, while both
armies looked on with admiration
this,
and dismounting, took
and deliberately surveyed the whole of
glass,
he mounted his horse and galloped down the
his
After
their forces.
line to the
other end, and, after a second examination with his glass, returned
and reported
two
to the general the presence
batteries of artillery in the
enemy's
finished his report to General Taylor,
and position of
line.
when
right,
forces,
and the work of destruction began.
As soon
his
as the cannonade
enemy's battery
commenced, General Taylor
columns, and ordered them
to
deploy into
wings and the 18-pounders
line,
The
performed with steadiness and precision.

the
the
and grape, opened upon the American
on the
with ball
at least
Scarcely had he
in the centre,
halted
which was
light artillery
on
were advanced about
one hundred yards, and the order passed to answer the enemy's
fire.
Duncan's battery on the
advance of the others, and
enemy.
and the
Ringgold
terrible
of the general,
The
battle
's
left
first
artillery
got into position a
returned
little
in
the challenge of the
was soon engaged
in the conflict
l8-pounders from the centre, under the direction
were brought
now raged
to
bear upon the enemy's
with fury from right to
cannon on both sides dealt destruction.
The
fire
left.
left,
and the
of the
enemy
128
was
incessant, but inaccurate
Ringgold's
artillery
mowed down whole
platoons of cavalry on the
discharges of
l8-pounders
the
Mexican
same
the
in
on the contrary
left
the
were
direction
murderous, while the Mexican right suffered terribly from the
was served
Duncan, which
of
artillery
Captain May,
who had been ordered
At
by which he
this
fire
from the Mexican
and precision of Ringgold's
artillery,
and
of the heavy pieces under Churchhill, had faltered and given
fire
for the
upon
a demonstration
To check
in the rear.
The
promptly detached.
enemy
artillery,
purpose of attacking the right flank of the Americans,
making
parked
by
which had been
the train
this flank
5th infantry
in that quarter, supported
battery under Lieutenant
movement, troops were
was advanced
to
meet the
Major Ringgold's
a section of
Randolph Ridgely, Captain Walker's
company of volunteers, and,

into
while
horses killed and two wounded.
way, advanced through the chaparral with two pieces of
or of
effect.
time the Mexican cavalry, which, unable to withstand
the rapid discharges

the
lost four
deadly
to support this battery,
contemplating a charge, received a severe

artillery,
with
shortly after, the
3d
infantry.
Thrown
cavalry square, the 5th sustained with great bravery the
charge of the lancers under General Torrejon, and galled them

with a severe
fire,
while Lieutenant Ridgely served his pieces
with rapidity, and poured shot and shells upon their ranks with
decisive effect.
The
lieutenant had his horse shot under him, at
which time the horses
madly forward
in
at
lieutenant threw himself
the leader
one of his caissons, affrighted, sprang
range of the gun.
Regardless of danger, the
between the contending
by the head, brought the horses
fires,
and seizing
to their places,
saved both tliem and the ammunition of his battery.
and
Though
severely wasted, a portion of the enemy's cavalry on the flank
continued to press on,
advancing
in
column by
until
they perceived
the
division to receive them,
3d
infantry
when they
FALL OF RINGGOLD.
129
turned and retired with precipitation, lessened by the iron hail

that pursued them.
mean time
In the
Churchhill's 18-pounders and the artillery
under Ringgold, supported by the 4th infantry from the
enemy
tinued to assail the
To check
effect.
a storm of grape
of the 4th, and
by a
disfigured
with a steady
and
which
canister,
fire,
killed
which
shot
wounded by
mangled and dashed

mounted.
and wounded many
tore
away
C-pound
shot,
fire
which
after,
was
of his pieces,
same time
at the
charger on which he was
to the earth the
Colonel Payne, inspector-general of the army and one
him
at the time.
permission, he had just directed with effect one of the guns,
and,
the
Soon
his lower jaw.
of General Taylor's aids, chanced to be near
By
his batteries
among them Captain Page, who was shockingly
the gallant Ringgold, while directing the
mortally
and with murderous
enemy poured from
this fire, the
con-
left,
summoned by the
wounded major,
call of
to aflford
one of the men, ran with others to
such aid as was in their power
but
with the true gallantry of a soldier, more concerned for the cause
of his country than his
"Don't
and said:
vices,
own
life,
he wished
stay with
to decline their ser-
me; you have work
to do.
Go ahead!"
After Major Ringgold
Shover assumed the

serve
was
command
carried
to
the
rear.
Lieutenant
of his pieces, and continued to
them with precision and good
effect until the close of the
action.
While
this flank
brought up,
hill
fire
from
As
tlic
the
them.
enemy,
tlie
enemy's cavalry came dashing on,
18-pounders gave them a severe check,
the artillery battalion, thrown into cavalry-square,

to receive
the
purpose of supporting the batteries of Chui-ch-
for the
and Ringgold.
deadly
movement was attempted by
under Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, had been
artillery battalion,
whil'
were prepared
Again pressing on, the enemy opened a
fire
of
small arms upon the square, by which Lieutenant Luther, of the
130
2d
artillery,
and others were wounded
but a volley from the front
of the square, delivered with good effect, stopped their advance,
and closed the action upon the American
now
the
setting in
American
and the enemy,
foiled in all his attempts against
back from
line, fell
Evening was
right.
and
his position,
retired through
the chaparral out of sight.
While these things took place, Captain
May
enemy on
the cavalry of the
to drive in
had been ordered
Mexican
the
while advancing for that purpose, received a heavy

artillery,
which disabled a considerable portion of
Having gained a
restrained
position with the
fire
his
left,
from their
command.
view of charging, he was
by the consideration of the great disparity of
which were as one
to ten,
but
and returned
forces,
former position.
to his
During the engagement, the prairie-grass on the
by the continued blaze of the cannon, had been
left,
fired
parched
by the
dis-
charge of Duncan's battery; and dense wreaths of smoke rolling

up, entirely enveloped the two armies from each other, and
this, the fight
was suspended
can was advancing
to
but during
hung
In consequence of
death over the battle-field.
like the pall of
pause, while Dun-
its
gain a position somewhat to the right of the
one which he had occupied, the Mexicans were marching across

the prairie witli the
engagement,
in
view of attacking the
been advanced and parked
The temporary
breeze
lifted
up
clearing
away
like a curtain,
intention, Colonel
Rushing
which, during the

line,
had
also
in the rear.
each army the manoeuvre of the
and wheel
train
consequence of the advance of our
of the smoke, which the sea-
and
other.
let fall
Belknap ordered Duncan
his horses to the left,
in the direction of the
again, disclosed to
Penetrating the enemy's

to alter his direction,
which was promptly obeyed.
enemy's advancing
troops,
Duncan
halted within musket-range of the lancers; and, as the clearing
of the air revealed his position to the astonished

a volley of shot
and
shells
enemy, poured
upon the lancers from one section,
o
tn
H
<1
P
o
<4
o
o
O
w
H
H
<1
PP
THE LOSS ON EACH
of another against
wliile lie directed the fire
Bravely did
131
some regiments
of
by horse, were emerging from the cha-
infantry, that, supported

})arral.
SIDE.
enemy
llie
sustain the
fire for
a time.
They
re-formed the broken ranks, and attempted to press on, but the
shells
and shrapnell shot soon carried confusion
their
own
was
resistless.
fire
slackened, while the iron storm that assailed them
Their infantry
fell
back, and retired within the
chaparral, in the rear of the position
movement
it
into their ranks
was soon followed by
coming on put an end
had occupied
it
the
in
which
cavalry, while
night
to the contest.
During these movements, Ker's dragoons and the 8th infantry

stood firm as veterans, ready to support the batteries
The 8th was kept
not called into action.
being deployed into
line,
and sustained
in
but were
column, instead of
a galling
fire
under
cir-
cumstances demanding the coolest endurance.
The
fire
last rays
from both armies ceased with the setting sun, whose
gave a light tinge of gold
to the
heavy clouds of smoke
that draped the battle-field, like the transient
Many
gloom of war.
fame that gilds the
an eye that brightened with his morning
radiance was dim, and would
now
behold his beams no more
for ever.
The
regular force of the Mexicans in this battle
sand men, with twelve pieces of
artillery,
The Americans had
lar troops.
and eighty-eight
men
in
all
was
It
of the belligerents
the
and
its
first
six thou-
besides bodies of irregu-
but twenty-two hundred
yet, with this inferior force, the
general defeated a veteran array, with

select position.
was
all
American
the advantages of a
open action between the armies
complete success was a happy omen
of the victories that were to follow.
The Mexicans
wounded
the
lost
two hundred
Americans
and two missing.
lost
Artillery
killed,
and four hundred
nine killed, forty- four wounded,
was
the
main arm employed, and
the rapidity and precision with which the
American guns were
served, caused the great disparity in the loss of the two armies.
19
niSTORV OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
132
Another cause of the disparity was, that the Mexicans directed

their
witli
fire
Americans directed
the chief cause
view of silencing the batteries
the
the difference in the
commanders, and the bravery
while the
masses of men.
their shot against the
was
But
two
abilities of the
of their subordinate officers.
men, with veteran firmness, withstood the volleys of our
Their
artillerj-,
and, had they been led by superiors of dauntless bravery, though

they might not have been victorious, would have rendered the
fortunes of the day far different.
Finding the great superiority
of our artillery. Arista should have charged, with recklessness of

the partial sacrifice, and
by the very
do
this, is
force of his
numbers have
That General Taylor expected him
overpowered his enemy.
evident from his order
He
"
the battalions of infantry, that their chief
to
wishes to enjoin upon
dependence must be
in
the bayonet."
By
the light of the
burning
moon, the Americans collected

dead
and
after the
and
prairie,
their
of the
soft rays
tlie
wounded and buried
excitement was over, sank
to repose
the
on the
bare earth, in expectation of resuming the battle on the morrow.
The place
of the battle, Palo Alto (tall timber),
is
so called on
account of the timber wliich skirted the further end of the prairie,
and which, though of stunted growth,

the chaparral of that region.
When
is tall in
first
General Taylor had predicted, that the
comparison with
passing over this ground,
enemy would
select
it
for
their place to give battle.
At the tiawn of day, on the
9th, the
enemy were seen
along the ciiaparral towards the road, as

progress of our army.
Determined
enemy, General Taylor resolved
some of
the
left
advance and attack the
park the
train,
and mount
The
behind, to be sent to Point Isabel.
The
gallant Major Ringgold,
watching the
dispute the further
defence.
r2-pounders, which
wounded were
to
to
if to
retiring
it
carried
for its
who, while standing up
effect of his fire,
in his stirrups
had received a shot that passed
AJOR SAMUEL lUNGGOLD.
TAYLOR
through both legs, carrying
DESPATCH.
away
the llesh
133
and integuments,
lin-
gered until the 11th; when, with great composure, he closed a

life
wliich had been faithfully devoted to his country.
About
sunrise General Taylor formed his troops in line of
and marched forward
battle,
to
meet
the
and Captain Walker's men, who were
enemy
chaparral free, and the
upon which the general halted
enemy but the dragoons

;
in
advance, reported the
rapidly retiring along the road,
his army.
The commanding-general now rode back

the purpose of despatching his
prepared
the
whom we
train,
for
which had been
bulletin,
first
While here, an unfortunate
preceding night.
occurrence took place.

Engineers,
to the
Lieutenant Blake, of the Topographical
have mentioned as making the bold recon-
On
noissance of the enemy's line, accidentally shot himself.
entering the tent in which General Taylor was sitting, he threw
down
his holsters,
when
the cap of one of his pistols exploded,
discharging the contents into his body.
The despatch of General Taylor
wâs brief
and unpretending.
In a subsequent communication he dwelt upon the details of the

fight.
" Head-Quakters,
Camp
<<
Sir
have the honour
place yesterday, on
forces,
and
after
at
Army
Palo Alto, Te.xas,
to report that I
my march
of Occupation,
May
9,
1846.
an action of about
five
hours, dislodged
field.
Our
consisting of two l8-pounders and two light batteries,

chiefly
engaged, and
to the excellent
was manoeuvred and served
" The
strength of the
is
probably
not exceed,
all
at least
this
manner
in
them
artillery,
was
the
which
it
our success mainly due.
enemy
6000 men, with seven pieces of

loss is
was met near
from Point Isabel, by the Mexican
from their position and encamped upon the
arm
is
believed to have been about
artillery,
one hundred
told, twenty-three
and 800 cavalry.
killed.
Our
His
strength did
hundred, while our loss was
HISTORY OF THF, MEXICAN WAR.
J34
comparatively
four men
trilling
men wounded,
seven
killed, three officers
and
several of the latter mortally.
thirty-
I regret to
say that Major Ringgold, 2d artillery, and Captain Page, 4th
wounded.
infantry, are severely
Lieutenant Luther, 2d
artillery,
slightly so.
" The enemy has

I
direction,
and
tlie
shall
move
shall
in the
believed, has repassed
now thrown
forward in his
main body immediately.
the
most admirable manner throughout the action.
have the pleasure of making a more detailed report when
commanders
those of the different

<'
it is
haste of this report, I can only say that the officers and
men behaved
I
and
have advanced parties
the river.
" In
fallen back,
am,
shall
be received.
sir,
TAYLOR,
Z.
of the
Jl.,
Army, Wasliington, D.
In striking contrast with this plain statement

the vanquished Arista, addressed to the
and Marine, and dated,
Though
in sight of the
when we
consider the
" Constant
my
in
is
the account of
Mexican Minister of War
" In sight of the enemy,
May
8."
enemy, the Mexican commander was
This omission, however,
the time in retreat.
commanding.
C."'
many
is
of
little
at
moment,
misstatements of his despatch.
purpose of preventing General Taylor from
uniting the forces which he brought from the Fronton of Santa
which he
Isabel, with tliose
left
opposite Matamoros,
this
day from the Fanques del Raminero, whence
my
last
extraordinary courier, and took the
Alto, as soon as
Fronton, with
my
the
spies informed
me
moved
despatched
direction of Palo
that the p nemy
determination of introducing into
wagons loaded with provisions and heavy

'<
had
]ef\
liis
fort
artillery.
arrived opposite Palo Alto about one o'clock, and observed
that the
enemy was
entering that position.
ARISTA
With
'
plain,
all
my
my
forces,
DESPATCH.
135
established the line of battle in a great
upon an elevation, and
right resting
my left
on a slough
of difficult passage.
" Scarcely was
the
cannon
first
fired,
when
there arrived
whom
D. Pedro de Ampudia, second in command,
ral
ordered to join
me
after
serve to besiege the
" The
forces under
in the forts opposite
had
Matamoros.
my orders
amounted
artillery
those of the invaders were three
to three
thousand men,
thousand, rather less than more, and were superior in

since they
having covered the points which might
enemy
and twelve pieces of
Gene-
had twenty pieces of the
calibre of sixteen
artillery,
and eighteen
pounds.
" The
battle
commenced
so ardently, that the
did not cease a single moment.
wished
troops
to follow the road to
fire
In the course of
Matamoros,
it,
of cannon
the
enemy
to raise the siege of his
with which object he fired the grass, and formed in front
of his line of battle a
smoke so
thick, that he
succeeded
in cover-
ing himself from our view, but by means of manoeuvres this was
twice embarrassed.
"General Taylor maintained

offensively,
employing
his best
by half of the infantry, and

remainder
his attack rather defensively than
arm, which
all
fortified in the ravine,
is artillery,
protected
of his cavalry, keeping the
about two thousand yards from
the field of battle.
"
was anxious
much damage
sio
for the
in our
ranks
Torrejon to execute
our
left flank,
charge, because the
it
and
fire
of
cannon did
instructed General D. Anasta-
with the greater part of the cavalry, by
with some columns of infantry, and the remainder
of the cavalry.
"
was waiting
the
moment when
the charge, and the effect of

to give the
the
it
impulse on the right
that general should execute
should begin to be seen, in order

;
but he was checked by a
enemy, which defended a slough
that
fire
of
embarrassed the attack.
136
" Some battalions, becoming impatient by the loss which they

suffered, fell into disorder,
I
demanding
advance or
to
back.
fall
immediately caused them to charge with a column of cavalry,
under the
command
of Colonel D. Cayetano Montero
the result
of this operation being that the dispersed corps repaired their fault
as far as possible,
marching towards the enemy, who,
quence of his distance, was enabled
and night coming on, the
battle
to fall
back upon
was concluded,
in conse-
his reserve
the field remain-
ing for our arms.
" Every
suitable
measure was then adopted, and the division
took up a more concentrated curve in the same scene of action.
" The combat was long and bloody, which may be estimated
from the calculations made by the commandant-general of
lery.
General D. Thomas Requena,
enemy threw about

afternoon,
it
when
terminated,
commenced,
six
hundred and
" The national arms shone
fifty
being
forth, since
enemy, who
" Our troops have

two
men
dispersed,
to
suffered
lament the
two
fired
on our
side.
they did not yield a

the
superiority in
two hundred and
killed,
tlie
please with his note to report to his
Excellency the President, representing
to
him
that I will take
care to give a circumstantial account of this deed of arms
officers
to
him
the
good conduct of
and soldiers under
my
combat, which docs honour

cipline."
which
most sacred of causes.
"Will your Excellency
recommending
fifty-
the last worthy of
national recollection and gratitude for the intrepidity with
they died fighting for
in the
much damage.
loss of
wounded, and
artil-
that the
seven at night, when
until
hand's-breadth of ground, notwithstanding

artillery of the
me
assures
three thousand cannon-shots from
the battle
who
to
all
and
the generals, chiefs,
orders, for sustaining so bloody a
our arms, and exhibits their dis-
CHAPTER
A
IX.
Council-of-\Var Taylor's March resumed Mexicans killed and wounded

Advance-Guard under Captain McCall Skirmish with the Enemy His Position
Ridgcly's Artilleryat Resaca de la Falma Commencement of the Battle
The
5th Infantry The 4ih
brought
up May ordered
Death
of Lieutenant
to
Cannon 8th
Infantry Service of the

take the
Inge Capture
Enemy's Battery May's

of General
Infantry
Charge
brilliant
Vega Bravery of
Lieutenant-
Belknap Lieutenant-Colonel Mcintosh wounded Capture of Arista's

Cochrane killed The Tampico Battalion Capture of its
Flag Rout of the Enemy General Taylor's Report Burial of the Dead
Humanity of General Taylor Exchange of Prisoners Congratulatory OrdersManifesto of the ^Mexican Commander.
Colonel
Camp Lieutenant
At
daybreak on the 9th, the rear of the enemy was seen
retirinf?
through the chaparral towards Fort Brown, and the gene-
ral belief
was, that he was disposed
to try his fortunes again,
and
would further dispute the advance of the American army.

meal, General
After their morning
composed
for
of the heads of the
marching forward
were, until
Taylor called a council
commands,
in
which some were
others preferred intrenching
where they
reinforced by the volunteers that were expected
others, again,
were
in
while
favour of returning to Point Isabel.
commanding-general reconciled
he would be in Fort
Brown
all
differences
before night,
if
by
he lived.
Thereupon
the council closed, and orders were given to form in line,
march forward.
The
declaring, that
and
In passing over the battle-ground of the former
day, the terrible effects of our artillery were visible in the heaped-
up masses of dead bodies disfigured with ghastly wounds and

distained with blood,
in the
route of the retreating cavalry,
dead horses scattered along the
and
in the
fragments of arms,
(137)
138
and clothing strewed over the
military accoutrements,
field
in
admirable confusion.
On
reaching the edge of the chaparral, General Taylor halted
the troops at a pond, and ordered forward into the chaparral an
advanced corps,
enemy, and ascertain
to feel the
his position.
This consisted of the light companies of the First Brigade, under

Captain C. F. Smith, 2d
light troops
4th
the whole under
and
artillery,
a select
command
detachment of
of Captain A. G. IMcCall,
and numbering two hundred and twenty men.
infantry,
Captain Smith's party moved along upon the right of the road,
command upon
the remainder of the
the
In expectation of
left.
an engagement. General Taylor parked his supply-train, and

fortified
its
position
by intrenchments, and by
The
ing of the two iS-pounders and two 12's.
a battery consistartillery battalion,
under Lieutenant-Colonel Childs (excepting the flank companies),
was
of
stationed as a guard to the train,
some distance
in
advance
it.
While scouring the chaparral
American advance upon
in
search of the enemy, the
the right discovered
some small
parties
of infantry, and one of cavalry, and immediately fired

Shortly after this the head of the
them.
within range of a
canister,
this
the
which
men
masked
killed
battery,
Palma, came
la
and received three rounds of
one man, and wounded three others.
broke and took
however, they
command, on reaching
upon the Resaca de
the open ground bordering
rallied,
upon
to the
chaparral.
Upon
Shortly after,
and uniting with the detachment under
Captain Smith, prepared
to
move upon
enemy
the flank of the
and attack him.
While
this
was going on upon
the right of the road, Lieutenant
Dobbins, with a small party, encountered upon the
body of Mexicans.
the
The
lieutenant raised his
Mexican leader; almost
killing
at the
same
rifle
left
a large
and
killed
instant his soldiers fired,
and wounding a number of the enemy, while the remainder
Si
ale
i)i'
our
niiJc
'i
'i
<?^^-.^
BATTM']
''.',
^!^
01
RESACA
DC LA
PALMA
l)"'M.iviaK,
'"''^"''^''^^^
Gen
Jrisju.
HIS POSITION AT RKSACA DK LA PALMA.
Soon
fell
back.
anil
Lieutenant Dobbins was struck
after, a ina.skod battery
recovered himself soon
opened upon the party,
down by
and ordered
after,
139
He
a grape-shot.
men
his
to the
dense
chaparral, which they reached in time to escape a troop of Mexi-
can cavalry that came dashing up
men
liis
had
to press
fallen
with
advance-guard
to
He
in pursuit.
men, returned
his
main body
to the
position
the
the ravine in
march.
enemy was one
selected by the
of
three dragoons
enemy occupied
force, with the evident design of obstructing his
The
After this the
when Captain McCall despatched
inform General Taylor that the
now^ ordered
who, fearing they
rear of the cavalry,
tlie
an ambuscade, hastily retreated.
into
lieutenant,
upon
of great natural
.Midway between Palo Alto and Fort Brown, and
strength.
in
the centre of the forest of chaparral which extends for about seven
miles between these points, the road crosses a ravine which

semicircular in shape, with the opening between
lying towards Point Isabel.
broad, and
The
nearly breast-high.
is
ravine
At
is
its
is
extremities
about sixty yards
difTerent places
along
its
extent arc ponds, oval or of serpentine shape, which are so
increased during the rainy season, as to unite and form a continuous stream that
Hows
of!"
hence called the Resaca de
towards the
la
Grande, and
is
Pnlmn, or Dry River of Pabna.
The bed
of this river,
intervals,
was occupied by the enemy
now
llio
dry, with the exception of

in
ponds
at
double lines; one posted
tuuler the front bank, the other intrenched behind the chaparral
that
lined the further bank.
right
and
the
left
enemy's
Batteries were planted
upon the
of the road in the centre of each line, and one upon
right, so that the fire of the
a terrible focus
whole might converge
upon the American column, as
it
in
advanced between
the horns of the crescent which the ravine formed across the road.
With these advantages of

men, many of them veteran
American
array.
20
position, Arista, with seven thousanil
troops, awaited the approach of the
140
About
o'clock in the afternoon, General Taylor received
tliree
the message from Captain McCall, and instantly put his
motion, which
came up with
in
advance-guard about four
the
Lieutenant Ridgely, with his battery, was immediately
o'clock.
Captain Smith, with his party, was
thrown forward on the road.
now
army
directed to take the right of the road, while Captain
took the
left,
action, after
enemy's
with orders to feel the
which they were
flanks,
McCall
enemy and bring on
Having advanced about
and harass him.
the
assume a position upon the
to
three
liundred yards to front and flank, the advance encountered the
enemy's
right of the
infantry,
and with great gallantry brought
on the action, pouring an incessant and destructive Are upon the
enemy.
mean
Ridgely's battery, in the
road
time, had advanced upon
while the 5th infantry and one wing of the 4th, thrown into
the chaparral on the

of the 4th
upon the
left,
right,
and the 3d infantry and the other wing
moved simultaneously upon
the
These coqis were deployed as skirmishers, and intended

the battery
Moving
tlie
and engage
Mexican
tlie
road, about
four
forward his battery

returned the
fire
at
hundred yards
full
fire
cover
enemy
in
advance, and almost
in
Ridgely ordered
speed, about a hundred yards, and
with precision and
effect.
The cannonade was
kept up for some time on both sides with great

tlie
enemy.
to
infantry.
cautiously along, Ridgely discovered the
instantaneously their artillery opened upon him.
as
tlie
spirit, after
which,
of the enemy slackened, Ridgely limbered up and
advanced upon him,
until
a hundred and
yards of the enemy's batteries, and
fifty
fearful proximity, galled
at
length he was within a hundred or
him with rapid and
at tliis
terrible discharges
of grape and canister.
Simultaneous with the opening roar of

the sharp rattle of musketry.
On
tlie artillery
was heard
the left the 5th infantr)-, led by
the gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Mcintosh, rushed on towards the
i'p"'^
-^^^^
SERVICE OF THE CANNON.
enemy
speed,
at full
trable chaparral,
tained the
support
The
the
enemy, and
impene-
the almost
some time
for
sus-
any infantry
\vi(hout
to
except the advance party, under Captain McCall.
it,
4th infantry, while pressing on towards the
became
chaparral,
while
way through
Mexiean army,
of the
fire
its
tlie
made
engaged
141
divided.
enemy through
part united with the
5th,
remaining portion, under Captain Buchanan, with
the
Lieutenants Hays and Woods, crossed the pond in the ravine,
which was waist-deep, and on surmounting the
crest of the hill,
charged and took one of the enemy's pieces, though defended by
hundred and
enemy from
fifty
infantry
Before the cannoneers
to ignite the
sprang forward in time to prevent
knocked
made an
dashing up, and

part of the
Soon
the priming.
ofi"
3d
drove the
after
they had set fne to the priming-tube,
(led,
and the match was about
Woods
and immediately
breastwork behind wliich he was intrenched.
infantry,
the support of the 4th.
after a
effort to
powder
it,
Lieutenant
and with
his
sword
body of cavalry came
recapture the artillery
but a
under Captain Barbour, had arrived
They formed
in the face of the
enemy,
and advanced with the utmost determination, W'hen rapid

I'harges from the united force drove
The
action
now became
In various parts of
fury.
liaparral,
became
bared like reapers
artillerists,
cool
of
terrible
the roll of musketry,
enemy.
by the intervening
At times the
crossed
field
in
tlie
conflict
deadly
and the corses of the enemy,

of death beneath
service at the j)ieccs.
Their
tlieir
intrei)id
and determined, not only gave direction
tlie
in confusion.
under Ridgely, meanwhile, were
to their toil,
ripened grain, strewed the
and
the
and bayonets were
The
encounter.
was heard
into small parties
was contending with
nearer,
dis-
general, and the battle raged witli
tlie field
where the infantry, divided
back the enemy
to
like
incessant
commander,
to the
discharges
guns, but with his ready glass sought afterwards the evi-
dences of the
elFect
with which each charge was sped.
The
roar
142
of the enemy's cannon, in
and had
not been that
it
swept Ridgely's
liave
While
mean
tlie
batteries,
was almost continuous
was directed
fire
tlie
time,
too high,
and annihilated
it
command.
his
who
the battle thus raged, Lieutenant-Colonel Belknap,
commanded
the
and Duncan's
Brigade, ordered
First
artillery,
up the 8th
right of the road,

his position
and
infantry,
On
which had been posted as a reserve.
arriving at the scene of action, the 8th charged the

aflcr a
would
enemy on
vigorous resistance drove
the
him from
but Duncan's battery, on arriving at the edge of the
ravine, could not open
same
friends at the
remain inactive
fire
time.
on the enemy without galling his
He was
obliged, therefore, to
let
it
until near the close of the action.
The batde had now continued
some time without any
for
decided advantage on our part, and General Taylor perceived

that the
enemy
artillery
was
was
could not be driven from his position until his
He
silenced.
stationed in the
appeared, with his
therefore ordered Captain
rear, to re{)ort
command, and was
men
to
remember
them
follow.
he dashed forward, followed by his
On
May
Knowing
command
the danger attending a charge
desired
him
He suddenly
to wait until
swept
columns of
like hail
upon
their pieces
he drew the
enemy
replied,
advance, with his long hair streaming behind
The
fire
and
through his batteries.
Instantly the squadron of dragoons sprang forw'ard,
comet.
fours.
applied the match, and, ere the
reverberation of his pieces had died away, the

their shot
in
by Ridgely and his brave
halted to learn the position of the enemy's bat-
when loaded, Ridgely

of their batteries.
towards
Striking .spurs into his horse,
arriving at the place occupied
cannoneers,
teries.
soon
After exhorting
their regiment, the captain pointed
the batteries and bade
He
directed to charge and
take the enemy's batteries, at whatever sacrifice.

his
May, who
himself for duty.
May
in the
like the rays of a
earth .shook beneath the iron hoofs of their steeds,
and the rays of the tropic sun flashed back
in flame from their
I.IEUT
COJ.
CHARLES
MAx'.
OF GENERAL VEGA.
CAPTl'lU-:
143
burnished sabres, as they swept along, cheered by a shout of

exultation from the artillerists and infantry.
Still
foremost.
and upon the
May
of
rigiit
breastworks, he
reached
it
at
length the batteries in the road,
and, as his steed rose upon the enemy's
turned
to
wave on
his
men
to
encourage his platoon, when a

canister from
dashed
horses and seven
men
upon them, and
among them
at
the gallant Inge and his
bound cleared
the batteries, followed
by Lieutenant Stevens, and the survivors of the

toons.
teries,
1st
and 2d pla-
Their impetus carried them through and beyond the bat-
when charging back, they drove
and silenced
ship
to
mangled and bloody masses, eighteen
May's steed
charger.
manner
like
discharge of grape and
upper battery swept down
llie
the earth, in
to
terrible
in
charge.
who answered
Closely pressing upon him, was Lieutenant Inge,

the challenge with a shout, and turned
the
to
and Pleasanton, with the
time swept to the
left
the
enemy from
tiie
guns
Captain Graham, and Lieutentants Win-
their fne.
.3d
and 4th platoons,
in
t!i(!
mean
of the road, and at the point of the sword
carried the battery situated there.
Perceiving the small force by which they were assailed, the
Mexicans recovered from
their panic,
batteries, prepared
them.
followers.
May
to
fire
and rushing l)ack
charged upon them with
the terror-stricken
ning.
An
voured
to rally his
irresistible
enemy shrunk back from
sword, which descended with a
flash
and force
the
With
his
force, while
blows of
Jiis
like that of light-
intrepid officer, however, kei)t his place,
men.
to the
Gathering around him a few
own hands he
and endea-
seized a match
when he was ordered by Captain May
and was about
to apjily
to surrender.
Finding himself without support, he acknowledged
it,
himself a prisoner, and handed his sword to his gallant captor.

It
was General
Vêga, a brave and accomplished officer.
placed in charge of Lieutenant Stevens, and conducted
He was
in safety
144
to the rear, to
Colonel Twiggs, though exposed to a shower of
musketry.
The
was
of the enemy's batteries
fire
commenced
struggle
for
silenced, but a terrible
The
their possession.
5th infantr}^,
under the brave Lieutenant-Colonel Mcintosh, though separated

into
masses by the chaparral, rushed on through a sweeping
of musketry, and at length crossed bayonets with the
enemy
fire
over
the cannon-muzzles.
The
main
8th infantry, having learned that
formed
in the
and led on
road,
May
had carried the
for
want of support, was
in person
by Colonel Belknap.
battery, but could not maintain
it
While moving forward they were joined by a part of

ment, under Captain Martin Scott.
enemy they
faltered for a
moment, when
down
sprang forward, and smiting

standard, and with
soon carried
away
it
Under
waved on
the 5th regi-
the heavy
of the
fire
the gallant
Belknap
Mexican ensign, seized
the troops to the charge.
the flag, but with the staff he
his
shot
continued to
cheer his men, until thrown from his horse over a pile of dead
and wounded
artillerists.
Supposing him
slain,
the
regiment
fought with desperation to avenge his death, and, together with
engaged
the 5th,
Tampico
battalion,
Some time
fields.
at
in a terrible conflict,
seeing Colonel
hand
composed of veterans
after, the
to
hand, with the
victorious in twenty
regiment was gratefully surprised
Belknap appear again
at
head of
the
his
column.
The
Sth,
under the immediate
command
of Captain Montgo-
mery, and the 5th, under Lieutenant-Colonel Mcintosh, had
charged up the ravine, under a sheeted

of the
enemy, and
after a
these impenetrable thickets, the

fire
from right and
front
vigorous resistance forced liim Ijark
through the dense chaparral.
poured a destructive
fire
Lodged
in
different
enemy continued
clumps of
the fight,
and
upon the Americans, which caused the
action to be varied by numberless skirmishes, in one of which
CAPTURF, OF arista's CAMP.
Lieutenant Chadbournc,
who had
was mortally ^vounded
bravery,
distinguished himself by his
at the
head of
While Colonel Mcintosh was forcing
his
shot and
fell
warded
way through
a dense
his horse
midst of the enemy.
he encountered them sword in hand, and
to his feet,
off, for
command.
dead, and the colonel was pre-
cipitated through the chaparral into the
Mounting
his
and cavalry,
thicket of chaparral, lined with infantry
was struck with a
145
the instant, both bayonets and lance-points
but
he was soon overpowered by numbers, and disabled by wounds.
bayonet entered his mouth and came out
aimed
at his heart, pierced
the bone
while by a third, which passed through his hip, he

to the
of his regiment devolved
with great energy and
spirit
earth.
Upon
upon Major Staniford, who
before him.
after carrying the battery
The 4th regiment,
his fall the
followed up the advantages already
enemy
obtained, and drove the
on the
before described, continued to press on, increased
men
second,
through his arm and terribly shattered
was borne down, and pinned
command
at his ear; a
right, as
by squads
of
from the different regiments, and at length emerged from the
chaparral into the
camp
of General Arista, of which they
Here was found
diately took possession.
his splendid
imme-
marquee,
his private carriage, his trunks, private property, and his corres-
pondence, among which was recognised
in his
own handwriting
the original of the disgraceful proclamation which he

to be distributed
among
the
American troops
to
had caused
encourage deser-
In addition to the above, they took five hundred mules,
tion.
with their pack-saddles, stands of small-arms, ammunition, am-
munition-boxes, and military equipage of every variety.
Soon
up, as
the
afl(;r
if for
captors
the
capture of the Mexican camp, an officer rode
the purpose of reconnoitring,
a volley
of mu.sketry, but
returned again soon after, and

After receiving a third
fire,
was again
and received from
escaped unhurt.
fired
lie
on and escaped.
he came dashing back, followed by a
146
company
The
prepared
wlio
of lancers,
impetuosity.
to
charge
emptying a few of the Mexican saddles, and then
lessly,
fell
its fire,
back within
ground
his
fear-
dead, having received seven lance-points in
fell
This was the
his breast.
now
headlong
defended himself with his sword, but was borne down by
the charge, and
The
who kept
Lieutenant Cochrane,
the chaparral.
Avith
regiment, however, steadily delivered
success of the enemy.
last
and camp of the Mexicans, were
intrenchraents, artillery,
in possession of the
Americans
yet the
enemy
for a
time
bore up against his losses wuth fortitude, and disputed the advance
by an obstinate
resistance.
But American
valour and discipline at length were triumphant.
The Tampico
of his victorious foe
many
battalion, that, with the pride of veterans victorious in
bloody
fight,
had struggled
almost annihilated.
Its
back the
to roll
proud
tide of battle,
had been rent
tricolour, that
iron storm of our artillery on the plains of Palo Alto,
Mexican
flag that
waved upon
indignantly spurning
concealing
it
ral rout that
its
the field
surrender, tore
it
and
the last
flagstafT,
and,
about his person, attempted to escape in the gene-
had now taken place
but he
was ridden down by
The
our dragoons, and captured with his precious burden.

of the
was
in the
stand-bearer,
its
from the
was
flag
" Batallon Guarda Costa de Tampico" now hangs among
the trophies of the
American
Capitol.
Just before the enemy's last struggle, the two batteries, which
could not operate on account of the close contest that had been
raging, were ordered across the ravine.
general,
Duncan's
battery,
and
When
the rout
fresh infantry, brought
pursuit, thundered in the rear of the panic-stricken

tied,
became
up
enemy
for the
as they
increasing their confusion, and thinning their ranks with the
iron hail poured
upon
The overthrow and
their
columns
rout of the
in full retreat.
enemy were complete.
panic of uncontrollable fear, horsemen rode

before them, and
all, in
down
In the
the infantry
haste to escape from the Americans in
THE ENEMY.
ROl'T OF
117
pursuit, rushed tumultuously
down
amid
death they were striving to avoid
its
boiling waves,
from behind.
the multitude
to tlic
flats, till
To
upon them.
they sank beneath the weight of
stop this headlong rush to destruc-
Father Leary, a venerable
sacred robes, with
j)riest, in his
crucifix in hand, stood before
them and exhorted them
He succeeded
in his
came
stream.
moment
for a
down
spurring
soldiers
efforts,
and
the bank,
in
to patience.
but a troop of horse
an instant priest and
were struggling with the waters, and perished
Many
river-side, as the
Rio Grande
above was found near the
emblem
in
the
of these bodies were thrown ashore afterwards,
and hung suspended among the branches of the
the
and found,
river-side,
At the crossings of the Rio Grande, infantry and
eavalry sprang into the
tion.
tlie
That of the
fell.
fort, his
canonicals
of salvation grasped tightly
still
in his
by the
trees
priest
mentioned
upon him, and
hand.
During the night, Matamoros was a scene of confusion and
The
consternation.
victory,
inhabitants
been assured of certain
iiad
and preparations had been made
lands, and music and beauty waited to
querors.
welcome back
But when the sad reverse was learned,
terror-stricken troops entered the city,
of the
for a festival, in
wounded were heard,
the streets,
the
women
stamped upon the

their sorrow
by
honour
Ball-rooms were decorated and hung with gar-
of the occasion.
festal
the con-
when
the
and the groans and shrieks
as they were borne in sacks through
rushed to the rooms, tore dow'n and
wreaths and decorations, and
cries of passionate despair.
and reckless, roamed about the
streets
The
testified
soldiery, lawless
committing disorders of
every kind, while the inhabitants shut themselves up in their
homes
in fearful
apprehension, or, gathering up their goods,
to the country, or
were engaged
in
fled
lamenting friends that w'ere
dead, or tending upon those that were wounded.

battalion,
under
Colonel Childs, and the 3d infantry, pursued the fleeing
enemy
Ker's squadron
21
of
dragoons, the
artillery
148
Rio Grande, and bivouacked on
to the
having followed also
its
May's squadron
banks.
to the river, returned
again to the battle-
ground, and rested with the main army.

In the evening after the battle, the following brief despatch
was prepared by
a
the commanding-general.
more detailed report on the
" Head-Quarters,
Camp
at
was followed bv
It
17th.
Resaca de
Army
of Occupation,
)
Pfilma, 3 miles from Matamoros,
la
May
10 o'clock P. M.,
Sir
<<
have the honour to report that
main body of the army
at
marched with the
light infantry into the forest
When
covers the Matamoros road.
now encamped, my advance
flanking and sustaining
it
of artillery and of musketry
artillery.
sweep the
posi-
by the 3d, 4th, and 5th
regi-
field-artillery to
was kept up
for
left.
heavy
some time,
the enemy's batteries were carried in succession
finally
am
discovered that a ravine crossing
ments, deployed as skirmishers to the right and

fire
which
near the spot where
had been occupied by the enemy with
immediately ordered a battery of

t,ion,
two o'clock to-day, having previously
thrown forward a body of
the road
9, 1846.
until
by a
squadron of dragoons and the regiments of infantry that were on
He was
the ground.
by
soon driven from his position, and pursued
a squadron of dragoons, battalion of artillery,
a light battery, to the river.
Eight pieces of
standards,
three
taken
officers.
among
One
enemy has
artillery,
and
Our
infantry,
and
with a great quantity of ammunition,
some one hundred prisoners have been
the latter. General
general
3d
victory has been complete.
is
La Vega, and
several other
understood to have been killed.
recrossed the river, and
am
The
sure will not again
molest us on this bank.
The loss of the enemy in killed has been most severe. Our
own has been very heavy, and I deeply regret to report that
<'
Lieutenant Inge, 2d dragoons, Lieutenant Cochrane, 4th infantry,
BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
I49
and Lieutenant Chadbourne, Sth infantry, were
killed on the
Lieutenant-Colonel Payne, 4th artillery; Lieutenant-Colo-
field,
nel Mcintosh, Lieutenant Dobbins,
3d infantry
and Lieutenant Fowler, 5th infantry
Captain Hooe,
and Captain Montgomery,
Lieutenants Gates, Selden, McClay, Burbank, and Jordan,

infantry,
were wounded.
wounded
is
The extent
not yet ascertained, and
is
8tli
of our loss in killed and
reserved for a more detailed
report.
" The
affair
of to-day
may
be regarded as a proper supplement
cannonade of yesterday
to the
and the two taken together,
exhibit the coolness and gallantry of our officers and
most favourable
nobly.
It will
be
men
in the
All have done their duty, and done
light.
my
it
more circumstantial report of
pride, in a
both actions, to dwell upon particular instances of individual distinction.
"
It affords
me
peculiar pleasure to report that the field-work
Matamoros has sustained
opposite
itself
handsomely during
cannonade and bombardment of a hundred and sixty hours.

the pleasure
is
Bui
alloyed with profound regret at the loss of
its
and indomitable commander. Major Brown, who died
heroic
to-day from the effect of a shell.

to the service at
indeed
any time, but
One
irreparable.
officer killed,
His
to the
officer
loss
would be a severe one
army under
and
my
orders,
it
is
one non-commissioned
and ten men wounded, comprise
all
the casualties
incident to this severe bombardment.

'<
inadvertently omitted to mention the capture of a large
number
<< I
of pack-mules
am,
sir, ver\-
left in
the
Mexican camp.
Z.
TAYLOR,
Brevet Brifr. Gen. U. S. A.^ commanding.
The
Adjutant-General of the Army. Washington, D. C."
The day
the burial
after the battle of
of the slain
in
Resaca
ile la
wliirh sad
Palma, was devoted
duty the heart of
many
to
150
brave soldier sank within him, that the clay before had rushed
upon the bayonet

mouth.
or lance-point, or
Their honoured remains were laid
resting-places, beneath the turf on
and the
rolling volleys of
tribute to the
Nor did
musketry
soldier's
fired, that
were the
With
Not being able

for
left
spirit
field,
sad
trials
hands
General Taylor
in battle,
wounded Mexi-
to attend properly to all,
Mexican surgeons,
on the
fell,
last
generosity and manliness of soul
paid the same scrupulous regard to the dead and
wounded
their
in
which they fought and
friends only share in this sacred duty, at the
conqueror.
Matamoros
cannon's
life.
equal to the stern bravery of his
cans.
at the
at length
dead from those who had shared with them the
and the triumphs of a
of the
braved death
and
to assist in
for
men
he sent over
to
taking care of their
to assist in
burying the
dead.
On
the
morning of the 11th, agreeably
Arista, an
ral
to the request of
Gene-
exchange of prisoners took place, and Captains
Thornton and Hardee, and Lieutenant Kane, with the gallant

little
band captured by General Torrejon, were marched on
to the battle-field,
officers
and there exchanged
and men captured
for
foot
an equal number of
in the action of the 9th.
As
there
was
an excess of Mexican prisoners, they were delivered to their
countrymen, a receipt being taken for their number,
force
him
to
be held
General Vega was offered
against future chances of capture.
his parole, but declined the acceptance, as
ment would
to
he
knew
his govern-
bear arms, notwithstanding his pledge
to the contrary.
After this General Taylor set out for Point Isabel, to confer
with
Commodore Conner
Barita,
left
and Camargo
respecting the reduction of Matamoros,
while the army, under Colonel Twiggs,
the battle-ground, and took
of the Rio Bravo.
up
its
former position on the
left
Before General Taylor departed he published
CONGRATULATORY ORDERS.
the following
onlcr, in
151
acknowledgment of
good conduct of the troops
the gallantry and
HEAD-QfAKTERS, ArMY OF OCCUPATION,

Rcsaca dc
la Palnia,
" The commanding-general congratulates
command upon
The
on the
ral
and the
which the enemy's position and
its
brilliant
To
every officer and soldier of his
command,
manner
returns his thanks for the noble
main body of
impe-
in
the gene-
which they have
the
army has been thus
While
actively employed, the
Matamoros has rendered no less distinguished
garrison
left
service,
by sustaining a severe cannonade and bombardment
many
his
recent
were carried
artillery
sustained the honour of the service and of the country.

the
army under
have displayed the best qualities of the American
9th,
soldier.
coolness and steadiness of
the troops during the action of the 8th,

tuosity witli
the
11, 1846.
which has crowned
the signal success
operations against the enemy.
May
opposite
The army and
successive days.
for
the country, while justly
rejoicing in this triumph of our arms, will deplore the loss of
many
brave officers and
men who
fell
gallantly in the hour of
combat.
"
It
being necessary
commanding-general
for the
Isabel on public business, Colonel
Twiggs
will
to visit Point
assume command
of the corps of the
army near Matamoros, including
of the field-work.
He
making such
rommand
strictly
will
occupy the former
dispositions for defence
as he
may deem
and
advisable.
for the
He
the garrison
lines of the
army,
comfort of his
will hold himself
on the defensive until the return of the commanding-
general.
" By order of Brigadier-General Taylor.
W. W.
.1.
BLISS, Jet. Mj. -General:'
General Parrode, of the department of Tamaulipas,

actions of the Sth and 9th of
May,
after the
])ublished a manifesto to the
152
army under
his
command, which
is
in striking
contrast with the
congratulatory orders of the American general to his victorious

troops.
breathes a
It
of patriotism and bravery, which
spirit
honourable to a manly mind.
If
the
Mexicans generally, they would have been
any
foe.
TJie
Commander-in-chief of the Department of Tamaulipas

troops under his
of
the 8th of this
Matamoros have fought with
The enemy passed from
efforts.
smoke
of a
wood on
fire,
to
to the
But
month
and
intrepidity
On
enthusiasm in the Fanques del Raminero.
charged with the same ardour.
invincible
command.
"Fellow-Citizens: The afternoon of

our brothers
is
such sentiments had inspired
the
they
9th
has not crowned our
fate
by the dense
the fort, favoured
which protected them from our
shot.
Thus have our enemies escaped

"Soldiers! another time
we
of war, a defeat to-day and glory to-morrow

shall
is
be ours
at the
Such
shall conquer.
;
The God
end of this holy struggle.
trying our valour, but he has not abandoned us.
how
to conquer,
and we know how
the fate
is
that glory
which
of battles
We
know
to suffer.
"Soldiers! the lamentation of the soldier for the companion
who
the
dies on the field of battle ought to be a shot well-aimed at
enemy.
our love.
The
Those
are the tears
which our brothers require of
Their tomb must be raised in the American camp.
corpses of the Yankees ought to form their mausoleums.
"Soldiers!
if
we have
lost
some of our
be greater, there will be fewer conquerors
which gives
victory.
brothers, the glory will

;
it
is
not the
number
There were but three hundred Spartans,
and the powerful Xerxes did not cross the Thermopylae.

celebrated
army of
the great
Napoleon perished
hands of a defenceless people, but they were

and were fighting
for their liberty.
in
free
Spain
and
The
at the
intrepid,
MANIFESTO OF THE MEXICAN COMMANDER.

<<
Fellow-soklicrs
shall \ve ilo less than they
153
We
did?
are
fighting for our liberty, our religion, our country, our cradles, our
Let him \vho does not wish to die a
graves.
wishes to deserve the tears of his children,
and
He must
sustain his courage.
we
but what have
to fear
find all that is requisite
The
let
him who
him take breath
not faint, he must not fear,
heart tells us that in
and our hearts we
traitor,
will
it
we
oppose
shall
to the
enemy.
" Soldiers
honour
"
to
for
We
you
sweeter
vengeance
our country
for
our brothers
but glory
panion will attain
it
glory for our children
Do
not fear.
day be a laborious one, our glory
we
will have,
swear
will be
and your general and com-
with your loyalty and valour.
ANASTASIO PARRODE.
Tampico.
May
defend those cherished feelings.

that if the
13th. 1846."
CHAPTER
X.
Reduction of BaritaTaylor's
Malamoros Cause of Taylor's inacthe War Department
the Battles of the 8th and 9th of May Letter
Occupation of MatamorosArista's FlightHe ordered lay down his
Congress President's Proclamation
command The War announced
the United States
the victories
cient preparations
War Rejoicings
Palma Taylor breveted a Major-GencralAct of
rank Appointment of General Officers
Congress promoting him to
Occupation of Reynosa Capture of Camargo Of Mier Organization of the
Army Departure
Seralvo Letter
the Adjutant-General March on
Assistance afforded by
at
Fort
Brown
Commodore Conner
Preparations
arrival
for attaciving
to
tivity after
to
is
Ineffi-
to
in
for
at
for
la
full
to
for
Monterey.
While
Point Isabel, General Taylor published an order, in
at
which he suitably recognised the merit of Major Munroe, who
commanded
command,
at
Point Isabel, and
for the
the officers and
In this praise
While cruising
off the
Commodore Conner
Matamoros,
American army, and with great promptitude had
hundred marines,
contributed
whom
his
putting
for
sailed
The
five
it
in a proper state of defence.
arrangements with Commodore Conner
combined movement up the
river.
General Taylor
Point Isabel on the morning of the 13th
thither
to
he caused to land and aid the garrison,
much towards
Having made
a
at
Point Isabel, to render any assistance in his power.
for
also
harbour of Vera Cruz, he
had heard of the preparations of the Mexicans,

attack the
men under his
energy and activity which they had displayed
in fortifying the place.
participated.
all
.set
but on his
for
out
way
he was met by a courier, with intelligence that the enemy
was receiving reinforcements, and was

points near the
mouth of
the river.
fortifying Barita
and other
In consequence of this, the

(154)
MOVKMENT UPON MATAMOROS.
1").")
general returned to the Point, and found that a small body of
some volunteer troops from Alabama and Louisiana,
regulars, anil
had
The
just arrived.
volunteers were in prompt answer to his
late call for additional troops.
General Taylor promptly organized a command, under Colonel
Wilson,
for the
reduction of Barita, consisting of three hundred
and three hundred and
regulars,
fifty
Of
volunteers.
the latter,
two companies were from Louisiana, under Captains Stockton and

Tobin, and one company from Alabama, under General Desha.
At one o'clock
up
its
the
Brazos, while three
river, to transport the troops at the
Commodore Conner
took
steamers
proper place.
same time, a part of
ordered, at the
appear off the mouth of the
to
command
afternoon of the 15th, the
march from
of
line
ascended the
in the
river, to co-operate
the fleet
with them.
Colonel Wilson proceeded up the river towards Barita, in mo-
mentary expectation of an attack from the cavalry, who were

reported to be in the vicinity, and took possession of the town
The
without any resistance.
He
witlrout firing a gun.
which he invited them
inhabitants fled on his approach,
immediately issued a manifesto,
to return to their dwellings,
them of the peaceable enjoyment of
all
their civil
in
and assured
and religious
rights.
On
the 14th of
May, General Taylor
hundred men, a
train
Point Isabel, with six
left
of artillery, and two hundred
wasfons, loaded with stores, and reached Fort

ino"
same day.
of the
next day,
if
and
effort to
the
river,
throw
possible.
make
and
to
He determined
It
while
mount
General
at the
22
the even-
Matamoros the
required, however, considerable time
the
two 16-inch mortars destined
shell into the city, should
Wilson,
fifty
preparations for transporting the troops across
it
not be surrendered.
morning of the 17th, everything was ready

that,
Brown on
to attack
and
and
it
On
to
the
was arranged
Taylor moved upon Matamoros, Colonel
same time, should advance from
Barita.
The
156
delay of General Taylor in following up the advantages of the

battles of the 8th
the
War
and 9th of May, was owing
Department,
to the neglect of
him a ponton
to furnish
train,
and heavy
mortars, as requested in his letters of the former year.
lowing
Matamoros by
the
The
American troops
"Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation,

City of Matamoros,
*'
Sir
have the honour
fol-
account of the occupation of
letter presents a detailed
to report that
my
May
18, 1846.
very limited means
of crossing rivers prevented a complete prosecution of the victory
9th
of the
instant.
ponton
train,
which
the necessity of
exhibited to the department last year, would have enabled the
army
with
have crossed on the evening of the
to
all
the artillery and stores of the
of prisoners.
But
to await the arrival of
menace the town from
to
mulation of small boats.
with three thousand
able defence.
the
left
Mexican army.
heavy mortars, with
bank, and also the accu-
mean
In the
somewhat recovered from

still,
enemy, and a great number
In short, to destroy entirely the
was compelled
which
battle, take this city,
enemy had
time, the
the confusion of his flight, and ought
men
made every
left
him, to have
made
a respect-
preparation to cross the river above
the town, while Lieutenant-Colonel
Wilson made a diversion on
the side of Barita, and the order of
march was given out
o'clock yesterday, from the
camp near
Fort Brown,
for
when
one
was
waited upon by General Reguena, empowered by General Arista,
commanding-in-chief the Mexican forces,

until the
government should
to this, that
since
declined
an armistice was out of the question
had proposed one

;
to treat for
to
that circumstances
of
which
had not invited
Matamoros was
I replied
tliat
month
General Ampudia, which was
were now changed
receiving large reinforcements, and could not

rations
an armistice
finally settle the question.
provoked
or
a sine qua non
now
that
was
suspend ope-
thai the possession
that our troops
would occupy
Taylor's dkspatch,
town
the
157
but that General Arista might withdraw his forces,
leaving the public property of every description.
"An
answer
none came
and
in position at a
repaired at
crossing
sundown
in the
to join tlie
some two miles above
and three batteries of
field-artillery,
companies of
was made, and
were
the battalions
all
the
sick
stall- officer to
and, in the
mean
No
confer with
me
all
was
I
gave assurance that the
would be respected, and our troops
flag
Mexican redoubt near
encamped
a surrender
sent by the prefect to
once dropped down opposite the town, and crossed
American
being displayed
the crossing.
in the outskirts of the city.
The
at the
at Fort
suitable arrangements for the occupation of the
Upper
make
town, and
dred of the enemy's wounded have been
left
his
at
Paredes, a
I shall
More than
retreat
'
different corps now-
To-morrow
taking possession of the public property.
is in full
that
immediately
demand
the prefect to
on the same point.
civil rights of the citizens
Ferry,' the
resistance
his troops, the evening
and wounded.
time, a commission
thrown over,
first
was soon informed from various quarters
leaving only
despatched a
Arista
Very
and the crossing commenced
had abandoned the town, with
before,
army, already
the town.
followed by the volunteer and regular cavalry.
Arista
afternoon, but
morning the bank was occupied by two l8-pounders,
t-arly this
the light
above was promised
to the
in
for
three hun-
the hospitals.
towards Monterey, with the fragments of
army.
"
verj'
deeply regret to report that Lieutenant George Stevens, a
promising young
drowned
tliis
officer, of the
2d dragoons, was accidentally
morning while attempting
to
swim
the river with his
squadron.
"I am,
sir,

Z.
TAYLOR,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.
of the
15S
The
proposition of Arista for an armistice,
gain time, that he might be enabled to withdraw or
to
artifice
was a dishonourable
At
destroy the public and military stores of the city.
moment he
solicited
artiller}^ or
throwing
the very
it,
his troops
were busily engaged in burying
it
into wells,
and
in destroying or
concealing
arms and ammunition.

After taking possession of the city. General Taylor, with great
humanity and courtesy, adopted
efficient
means
for the protection
of the persons and property of the citizens.
was allowed
single guard
were distributed
in the
Arista
left
the city.
Matamoros on
his
army, and
month
columns of
interior,
arrived at the hacienda of

his troops,
17th, with the
the evening of the
fled in the direction of
continued his retreat into the

the
Colonel Twiggs
suburbs and vicinity.
was appointed governor of
remnant of
in the city, the rest of the troops
many having
He
Camargo.
and towards the close of
Coma, with
the shattered
died from the privations and
and others having deserted and formed
fatigue of forced marches,
predatory bands, that plundered their defenceless countrymen.
From Coma he continued

he was ordered
answer
to
to lay
his
down
for the reverses
march
his
to
Monterey.
command and
of the
While
repair to
army under
here,
Mexico,
his orders
dreading the character of Parcdes, he refused to appear
but,
at the
seat of government.
On
the 11th of
announced
the
to
May, 1846,
the President of the United States
Congress the commencement of
Mexican and American armies, and used
" A war
guage
avoid
it,
exists
exists
hostilities
and, notwithstanding
by the act of Mexico
between
the following lan-
herself.
all
our
We
upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism
efTorts to
are called
to vindicate
with decision, the iionour, the rights, and the interests of our
country."
Immediately
nising the existence
after,
Congress passed an act recog
of war, and appropriating ten millions of
LETTEK TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

and empowering- the President
dollars,
fifty
thousand volunteers
made with
for the
accept the services of
to
The
army.
159
appropriations were
great promptness and unanimity, but that part of
preamble which declared the war
by the
to exist
tlie
Mexico,
act of
met with great opposition.
The proclamation
of the President
was immediately
issued,
and, witli an ardour unprecedented in military annals, volunteers
rushed to the
was
ever,
The
call of their country.
pletely embarrassed
by their
arrival
for they
by proper supplies and adequate means of

irregularity was, in part,
Gaines
who,
to
was com-
were unaccompanied
This
transportation.
General
to the indiscreet zeal of
in his anxiety to reinforce the
had exceeded
Owing
owing
how-
influx of troops,
so great and so rapid, that General Taylor
Army
of Occupation,
his instructions.
the
was
perplexing circumstances in which he
placed, General Taylor was unable to follow up the advantages
gained over the enemy

})articularly
by an extract from a
dated June 3d
"
am
This will appear more
in the late battles.
letter to the
War
necessarily detained at this point for
want of
There
transportation to carry on offensive operations.
steamboat
Grande
to
at
Department,
my command
not a
proper for the navigation of the Rio
and without water transportation,
attempt any extensive movement.
In the
consider
it
useless
Measures have been taken
to procure boats of suitable draught
two may now be expected*
suitable
is
and description, and one
mean
or
time, I propose to push
a battalion of infantry as far as Reynosa, and occupy that town.
For any operations
in the direction of
sary to establish a large depot at
Monterey,
it
Camargo, which
will be necesI shall lose
time in doing as soon as proper transports arrive, unless
no
receive
counter-instructions from the Department.

<<
I trust
anticipated
the
Department
the
arrival
will see that I could not possibly
of
such
heavy
reinforcements
have
from
160
Louisiana as are
large
now
our operations.
facilitate
way
here, and on their
means of transportation,
I
this force will
Without
hither.
embarrass, rather than
cannot doubt that the Department
has already given instructions, based upon the change

position since
my
first call
for volunteers."
Although General Taylor had asked but
men,
army was enlarged
his
made, by successive
in our
far
for eight
beyond the requisition he had
arrivals of troops, while he
make any forward movement
for
want of
With
sary for an invading army.
which has always characterized
was unable
to
the materials neces-
all
policy
the straight-forward
his conduct, he addressed a letter
to the adjutant-general of the
army on
he
which he was placed,
set forth the situation in
regiments of
the 10th of June, in which

in plain
and
explicit terms.
"
beg leave earnestly
to the following points
"
First.
The
to invite the attention of the
Department
Five
great influx of volunteers at Point Isabel.
regiments certainly from Louisiana, numbering, say 3600
men
two regiments
num-
or battalions from Louisville
bering, say 1200 more

I
know
arrive.
not
troops,
How
6000 men.
St.
previous notification to me,
far
it
is
the latter
now beginning
now under my
they
may be
impossible to
Louis,
Alabama, and
several companies from
how many from Texas
The volunteer
to nearly
and
orders,
to
amount
increased without
tell.
" Secondly. The entire want of the proper kind of transportation to
push
depended
my
worms, and
tenant-Colonel
it
from
in a
were found
to
The
boats on which
Thomas, on
Hunt
of the engineers,
May,
At my
required from Lieu-
a boat of the proper description, and followed
few days by
New Orleans
the 18th of
be nearly destroyed by
entirely unfit for the navigation of the river.
instance. Major
up
operations up the river.
for this service
a requisition for another.
no boat had been procured.
was despatched by me
to
New
At the
last dates
Captain Sanders,
Orleans, to assist
TO THK
LF.TTF.R
WAR DEPARTMENT.
procuring suitable boats, but
in
161
no report
liave yet received
from him.
"As
my
have previously reported,
operations are completely
paralyzed by the want of suitable steamboats to navigate the Rio

Since the 18th of May, the army has lain in
Grande.
this place, continually receiving
no
facility for
camp near
heavy reinforcements of men, but
water transport, without which, additional numbers
are but an embarrassment.
"
I desire
to place
myself right
Department see that the

neglect of mine.
in
army
inactivity of the
must express
large reinforcements have
and
this matter,
my
to let the
from no
results
astonishment that such
been sent forward
army,
to join the
without being accompanied by the means of transportation, both
by land and water,

stand, whatever
render them
to
may be
cannot move from this place
succeed
in
efficient.
As
now
matters
the expectations of the Department,

;
and unless Captain Sanders
procuring boats of the proper kind,
shall
can give no
assurance in regard to future operations."

In a letter to the same, dated a
week
later.
General Taylor,
with the frankness of a soldier, unwilling to have his character
misconceived, complained of the delay of the Department
him with
vide
the
means
was expecting him
to prosecute the
lowing plain language

"
No
campaign.
He
New
Orleans
navigation of the Rio Grande, and in the absence of

tion
I
am
uses the
that point, or respecting the
all
informa-
think that orders have been given, by superior authority,
means
cannot otherwise account
the Quartermaster's
of transportation from
for the
for the
views of the government,
altogether in the dark as to our future operations.
})end the forwarding of
fol-
steamboats have been sent out from
upon
to pro-
of offensive operations, while the country
New
must
to sus-
Orleans.
extraordinary delay shown b)
Dej)artnienl in that city.
Even
the mails,
162
containing probably important despatches from the government,

are not expedited.
'<
Volunteer regiments have arrived from Louisville and
Louis, making, with
teers,
we have seven companies
addition,
and twelve
Texas
are continually arriving.
camp
Alabama volun-
of
Others from
portion of these volunteers
place for nearly a month, com-
at this
by the want of
pletely paralyzed
and
strong
companies from Texas.
or fifteen
has been lying in
St.
mustering over 5000 men.
organized battalions
"In
those from Louisiana, eight
Exposed
transportation.
as
they are in this climate to diseases of the camp, and without any
prospect, so far as I can see, of being usefully employed,
recommend
that they be allowed to return to their
must
homes."
Great fears had been entertained throughout the country

the safety of General Taylor
by the legions of Arista
May came
9th of
and
and the
express the
to
army, when threatened
and
brilliant victories of the 8th
unexpectedly, and
with enthusiastic admiration.
were called
his little
filled
the whole country
In almost every
general joy,
municipal bodies vied with each other
in
for
and
city,
meetings
and
legislative
awarding honour
to the
triumphant general and his troops.
The President
of the United
States
immediately forwarded
General Taylor a commission, as Major-General by brevet
and,
with great cordiality, expressed the profound sense which
he
entertained of the meritorious services of the gallant general, and

the
all
oflficers
and men under
June, Congress passed an

full
Major-General
after,
in the
Secretary
the
of
act,
his
On
command.
promoting him
to the
army of the United States
War
the 18th of
rank of a
and shortly
forwarded his commission, with
remarks of a complimentary character.
About
this time, general officers
the volunteer troops.
tucky, and
were appointed
They were, "William 0.
to
command
Butler of Ken-
Robert Patterson of Pennsylvania, major-generals
MA.I-.
GEN. ROBERT
A TT K RhO N
OCCUPATION OF REYNOSA,
anil
Gideon
J.
Pillow of Tennessee,
Thomas
163
L.
Hamer
of Ohio,
John A. Quitman of Mississippi, Thomas Marshall of Kentucky,

Joseph Lane of Indiana, and James Shields of
Illinois, brigadier-
Generals Butler and Patterson were
generals.
army during
the last
war with Great
Britain,
and
officers
tlie
distinguished for his good conduct at the battle of
where he was
member
While waiting
him
make
to
his
the
former was
New
Orleans,
of General Jackson's staff.
for boats,
and other things necessary to enable
a forward movement with the main body of the
army. General Taylor had sent detachments

ent towns up
in
to
occupy the
differ-
Rio Grande, whose occupation was necessary
tlie
to
advance upon Monterey.
On
the
1st of
many
of
tions
and
tlie
June, the Alcalde of Reynosa, together with
principal citizens of the place, tired of the depreda-
ill
treatment of the rancheros, waited on
General
Taylor, asking the protection of the American flag, and tendering
Accordingly, on the 5th, General
the surrender of the town.
Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson,
Taylor despatched
infantry, a section of Bragg's battery,
and Price's Texan rangers,

hold
with the
1st
under Lieutenant Thomas,
to take possession of the
place and
After a fatiguing march of four days and a half, the
it.
colonel reached
possession.
Reynosa with
He was
his
command, and took undisputed
ordered by the commanding-general to tlirow
up intrenchments, and
his troops the plaza,
fortify the
which was
place
but he occupied with
sufficiently protected
heavy stone buildings that surrounded
it,
by the
without additional
defences.
Having determined
to
make Camargo
his principal depot
and
the base of his future operations, General Taylor ordered Captain

-Miles, of the 7th infantry, to capture the
It
was held
at that
(jeneral Canales.
town from the enemy.
time by about seven hundred rancheros, under
The
captain's orders were, on reaching Rey-
nosa to take two pieces of Bragg's battery,
23
commanded by
Lieu-
HISTORY OF THK MKXICAN WAR.
164
tenant Thomas, and Captain iNIcCullough's
The
rangers.
company
to
the
other three
steamers.
companies, was to ascend the river
This expedition was considered an honourable
to the bravery of the defenders of Fort
The progress
of the boats
was
other, with Captain Miles
slow, on account of the flood
About dusk, while moving on
swamp
testi-
left
The
behind.
and the other two companies, continued
ings of the river, an American,

lurking in the
in
Brown.
and one, with Captain Ross and company, was
on.
Texan
of
with three companies of the 7th infantry,
march by land, under Captain Holmes; Captain Miles,
were
with
monial
latter,
in utter
ignorance of the bear-
named Davis, was discovered
escape from Canales, from
to
whom
they
learned that the boat was just below the mouth of the river San
Juan, and within tw'o miles of Camargo.

stated, that
Canales was then
men, and intended
On
in
Their informant also
town with about two hundred
fighting, if the citizens
would permit him.
approaching the town, Captain Miles sent that night
Alcalde, General Taylor's proclamation, and his

for the
He gave
surrender of the town.
to the
own summons
would
notice, that he
take possession at nine o'clock the next morning.
About mid-
night the Alcalde returned answer, that the town would be given up
as
demanded.
The
men, did not exceed
entire force
eighty-five
and took formal possession,
at
under Captain Miles,
nine o'clock on the 11th of July.
the troops entered the town, Canales with his cavalry
out towards the west.
officers
his
company.
the evening of the
scampered
at this place,
Soon
his
com-
same day, Captain Ross with
The whole then took
plaza, and held the place.
can standard
As
This small force held the town until the
morning of the 12th, when Captain Holmes arrived with
mand, and on
and
yet with these he boldly advanced
possession of the grand
after the planting of the
Ameri-
steamboats arrived daily, freighted with
troops and government stores, and the river-banks were
with tiers of barrels, boxes, and bales.
lined
ORGANIZATION OF TIIR ARMY.
On
the last
day of July, Captain Vinton took undisputed pos-
session of jMier, with a
party of
1(>5
Texan
company
of the
3d
artillery,
and a small
rangers, and stacked his arms in the i)laza.
After the capture of Matamoros, the steady influx of volunteers
from the United States, increased the strength of the army to over
On
nine thousand men.
having completed
left
all
the 5th of August, General Taylor,
his arrangements
jNIatamoros for Camargo, which had
depot
On
for provisions.
was organized
The
two
in
for a
forward movement,
been occupied
as a
main
the iSth of the same month, the army
divisions.
under Brigadier-General Twiggs, consisted
First Divison,
of four companies of the
2d dragoons, Lieutenant-Colonel May,
and Captain Ridgely's battery; Captain Bragg's battery, 3d

Major Lear, and 4th infantry, IMajor Allen, forming the
infantry.
Third Brigade of regulars, and
Garland
and the
1st infantry,
more and Washington
Lieutenant-Colonel
Major Abercrombie, and the
battalion,
forming the Fourth Brigade,

Wilson.
commanded by
Balti-
Lieutenant-Colonel Watson,
commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel
This division numbered two thousand and eighty men.
The Second
Division, under General Worth, consisted of Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Duncan's battery, the artillery battalion, Lieu-
tenant-Colonel
Childs,
and
forming the First Brigade,

Staniford
8th
infantry.
commanded by
company
Scrivner,
Lieutenant- Colonel
and Lieutenant Mackall's battery, 5th infantry, IMajor
Scott, 7th infantry. Captain Miles,
M.
Captain
and Captain Blanchard's
of Louisiana volunteers, forming the
commanded by
Second Brigade,
Colonel P. F. Smith, of the mounted riflemen.
The whole column amounted
to
seventeen hundred and eighty
men.
On
the arrival of the volunteers, a third division
under the
1st
command
of Major-Gencral Butler, consisting of the
Kentucky regiment, Colonel Ornisby, and
Colonel
Mitchell,
was organized,
forming the
first
1st
brigade,
Ohio regiment,
commanded by
166
General
Hamer and
;
the 1st Tennessee regiment, Colonel
Camp-
and Mississippi regiment. Colonel Davis, forming the Second
bell,
Brigade,
commanded by General Quitman.

was two
this division
The Texas
tliousand eight
The sum
total
Division, which arrived
during the march upon
Monterey, consisted of the 1st and 2d regiments of mounted

unteers, under Colonels
of
hundred and ten men.
Hays and Woods.
It
vol-
was commanded
by Governor T, Pinckney Henderson, with the rank of major-
was detached,
general, and
as occasion required, to co-operate
with the other divisions.
The
total
number of
effectives destined for this particular ser-
hundred and seventy men.
vice, was, therefore, six thousand six
Besides these, a garrison of two thousand
Camargo,
six
established at
important point, and small
for the protection of that
detachments
men was
Of these
at points of less significance.
hundred men composing the divisions organized
six thousand
for
marching
upon Monterey, nearly four thousand were raw and imdisciplined

volunteers.
The march
to
Monterey was commenced on the I8th of August,
by the Second Division, under General Worth, moving upon

Seralvo, with the view of occupying that place as a depot of
supplies.
The
First Division,
same month.
the Gth of
means of
on the 31st of the
September General Taylor
authority over all the troops
of the Rio Grande,
to bring
up
transportation arrived.
leaving Major-General Patterson in
follo\vied
The Volunteer Division was ordered
the rear, as fast as the
On
under Twiggs,
started for Seralvo,
command
between
at
that place
some three thousand
in
Camargo, with
and the mouth
number.
considerable portion of these troops might have been added
to the
main column, under General Taylor,
transportation has been at his disposal.
if sufficient
means
of
Before leaving Camargo,
General Taylor addressed to the Adjutant- General of the army a
LETTER TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL.

which, as
letter,
it
want of promptness
entire
relieve liim
will
167
from the imputation of any
campaign, we give
in the prosecution of the
" Sir
HEAD-QrAKTERS, ArMV OF OCCUPATION,
Cainargo, September
Before marching for the interior,
1, 18'1G.
beg leave
to place
on record some remarks touching an important branch of the

public service, the proper administration of which
sable to the efliciency of a campaign.
master's Department.
is
There
is at this
is
indispen-
the Quarter-
I refer to
moment, when
the
army
about to take up a long line of march, a great deficiency of
proi)er
"
means
On
of transport, and of
the 26th April,
force called out
ment would
for the
<
when
by me,
first
many
important supplies.
apprising you of the increased
wrote that I trusted the
War
Depart-
give the necessary orders to the staff department,
supply of
this large
additional
force
;'
and when
first
advised of the heavy force of twelve-months' volunteers ordered

hither, I coidd not
accompanied,
portation,
and
doubt that such masses of troops would be
or, preferably,
all
preceded by ample means of trans-
other supplies necessary to render
But such has not been the case.
be
made
efforts directed
from
and many weeks elapsed before a lodgment could
at this place, the river
"After
efficient.
Suitable steamboats for the Rio
Grande were not procured without repeated

this quarter,
them
infinite
being perfectly navigable.
delays and embarrassments,
have succeeded
in bringing forward a portion of the army to this point, and
the steamers procured in Pittsburg are just arriving.

notliing in saying, that if proper foresight
now
hazard
and energy had been
displayed in sending out suitable steamers to navigate the Rio
Grande, our army would long since have been
in possession of
Monterey.
"Again,
as to land-transport.
train is considerably less than
At
when we
this
left
moment
Corpus
our
wagon
Christi, our
168
force being increased five-fold.
Had we depended upon means
from without, the army would not have been able
But
this place.
to
some extent
fortunately the
advance perhaps
a train which will enable

to
that our ability to
to
move from
of land-transport existed
country, in the shape of pack-mules, and
in the
we have formed
means
Monterey.
move
is
wish
due wholly
it
to
army
a small
to
distinctly understood,
means created
and which could not have been reckoned upon with
here,
safety in
Washington.
"I have
adverted to the grand points of water and land trans-
Of the want
portation.
more than enough.

been
partially relieved
quality.
<<
by
deficiency of
many
army has
the issue of cotton tents, of indifferent
the wânt of horse-
and even common blacksmith's
myself and the service,
ral-in-Chief and Secretary of
"I am,
sir,
maybe
tools,
notice.
which
make
Gene-
laid before the
War.

Z.
Maj. Gen. U.
On
my
smaller deficiencies are daily brought to
respectfully request that the above statement,
in justice to
suffered
camp equipage has
Our cavalry has been paralyzed by
shoes, horseshoe-nails,
while
of minor supplies, the
The crying
of the
S.
A.^ commanding.
Army, Washingtonj D. C."
the 9th, the First and Second Divisions,
each other, entered
in
TAYLOR,
now
admirable order the beautiful
of Seralvo, accompanied by the General-in-Chief.
up with
close
town
little
At
this place,
a number of proclamations from General Arapudia gave the
first
authentic information that the possession of Monterey would be

disputed.
The information received by General Taylor
respect-
ing the force and disposition of the enemy, had been hitherto of
the
most meagre and contradictory character.
31st of August, General Taylor, writing to the
So
War
late
as the
Department,
MARCH ON MONTEREY.
what he supposed
Stated, from
^vere
lar troops at
information, that there
reliable
"not more than two thousand
169
or twenty- five
hundred regu-
Monterey, and a considerable number of the militia

This force he estimates in
of the country."
all
as not over six
thousand, and expresses himself in a subsequent letter as doubtful Avhether
Ampudia would attempt
to
hold the
number
the reports coincided, with regard to the
^Monterey
while some Mexicans, professing to
the city, asserted that the
Most
city.
of
of troops at
come
direct from
American array would meet with no
opposition.
The
gradually assumed a graver and less
tidings, however,
dubious character.
On
far
the 11th of September, a spy
came
in
from Monterey with
more accurate information, concerning the force of the gar-
rison
and the strength of the works, than any previously received.
His relation seemed so extravagant, that many of the

not believe
it
at all.
A map
officers
of the batteries reported by
protect the town, was, however,
made by
member
did
him
to
of the staff
of General Worth.
The next day
the jiioneers of the army, consolidated into one
party, under the
ward on the route
command
to
of Captain Craig, were thrown for-
Marin,
for the
practicable for artillery and wagons.
purpose of making the road
The
operations of this party
were covered by Captain Graham's squadron of dragoons, and
McCullough's company of rangers.
On
arriving the following
in considerable force
day
at
Papagayo, the enemy appeared
and Captain Craig, believing
his party
inadequate to venture an attack, despatched a courier to hasten
on the First Division.
On
the 14th, Captain
McCullough, with
on an expedition to the town of Ramas.
forty rangers, set out
After skirmishes with
inconsiderable parties, he attacked two hundred of the
near the town, and
after a spirited
firing,
charged them
enemy
at full
170
He
speed and drove them through the town.
advance
returned to the
engagement, and found that General Taylor
after this
had arrived with the First Division.
The column
of Major-General Butler having arrived, the First
was put
Division
in
motion towards Marin on the 13th, closely
followed by the Second Division and that of the volunteers.
This march was excessively fatiguing both

the days were intensely hot,
men and
to
But the character of the scenery along the
some portion of
was
of route
line
wayworn
of a description well calculated to beguile even the

soldier of
horses
and the road both rocky and rugged.
his weariness.
In front, and on either hand, magnificent mountains were piled
over one another in an ascending series, until the abrupt and fantastic
peaks of the highest range stood out clearly defined against
the deep blue of the cloudless sky.
These mountains, clothed with
chaparral and delicate flowering shrubs, presented at every turn

of the road an ever- varying aspect, while valleys of extraordinary
beauty, broken by bold hills and precipitous chasms, lent a constant
charm
artillery
to
scenes which the gallant
and wagons and mules stretched out
the undulations of the hills,
imbued with
But the pleasant emotions
army, with
little
spirit
for
miles
and with
its
among
life.
by the loveliness of the
elicited
country through which the troops were passing soon changed to
more
feelings of a
stirring character,
were seen hovering
in
when
and
the distance,
skirmishes were passed from
the
enemy's cavalry
reports of occasional
lip to lip.
Slowly receding, however, as the American troops advanced,

tne swarthy lancers of Torrejon seldom suffered either the dra-
goons or rangers
Near
the
encamped on
village
to
come within easy
dilapidated
village
fighting distance.
of Marin
the 16th, until the rear divisions
was found almost
entirely deserted.
First
the
came
The
Division
up.
The
cavalry of the
APPROACH TO MONTEREY.
enemy,
in passing through
it,
had driven the poorer people
the chaparral, and carried with
them the
Here General Taylor concluded
Even
to concentrate his forces.
rable service in resting his
From
though
171
remain two days,
to
this brief halt
men from
into
local authorities.
in order
was of conside-
the fatigues of the march.
the tower of the cathedral at Marin, the city of Monterey,
still
twenty-five miles distant,
picturesque appearance,
was
distinctly visible.
many an animated remark between
source of
Its
embosomed among mountains, was
the
the officers and their
subordinates, as they surveyed, apparently so near, the point at
which
it
was now ascertained a
was assembled, protected by
garrison of nine thousand
fortifications of the
men
most formidable
character.
The
bom
troops, at length, certainly expected to
resistance
and
this
the evening of the 17th,
meet with a stub-
expectation was partially confirmed on
by
a letter
which the General-in-Chief
received from the Spanish consul at Monterey, inquiring whether

the property of foreigners in that city
reply returned
The
would be respected.
by General Taylor was,
that
if
the
town should be
taken by assault, he could not be responsible for the consequences

that
might ensue.
On
the
morning of the 18th, the
Second and Third, took up
its
by the
First Division, followed
line of
march, and reached the
town of Francisco.
At Agua
Frio, eleven miles from Marin, the
the
same evening by
ral
Henderson.
which
The
a brigade of
forcement, when within
At
it
mounted Texans, under Gene-
well earned reputation for daring bravery
this class of soldiers
as inspiriting as
army was joined
had acquired, made so strong
a few hours'
march of the
city of
a rein-
Monterey,
was seasonable.
sunrise the next morning. General Taylor and his
staflj
accompanied by McCullough's and Gillespie's rangers, pushed
24
172
forward to reconnoitre the
city, closely
supported by Henderson's
noble brigade.
The columns
of Twiggs, Worth, and Butler, advancing in
By
order of battle, followed.
nine o'clock A, M., the army had
reached within three miles of the
non suddenly
air
city,
when
the report of a can-
and echoed from mountain
to
This was followed by others in quick succession.
mountain.
was
the
startled
new
The men no longer
Ampudia.
the challenge of
Inspired with
felt
It
weary.
energies, and filled with the most enthusiastic
ardour, they pushed rapidly forward, ready to answer at once,
need be, that daring challenge

der was
still
reverberating
to battle, the voice of
among
if
whose thun-
the mountains.
But General Taylor was already aware, that before the com-
mencement
of the assault a
more extended knowledge of
He saw
enemy's strong points would be necessary.

the contest,
The
come when
it
forts
and
the thick walls of
the
once that
might, would be fierce and sanguinary.
had been enabled
brief reconnoissance he
him strong
at
batteries,
to
make, showed
surrounding a compactly built
whose houses might well
city,
afford protection to a
determined enemy, whose expulsion would require the utmost

exercise of coolness and daring.
Quickening
their pace,
and shouting as they ran, the troops of
the First Division soon reached the spot where the General-in-
Chief, surrounded by his
staff,
was
quietly surveying with his
glass the defences of the city.
This being done, and reconnoissances ordered

at once, the division
beautiful
encamped
grove
was countermarched
until it
Walnut Springs, where
called
commence
to
reached the
the
army was
for the night.
These lovely and secluded woods, soon

history as the favourite
nificent collection of
camp
become famous
of General Taylor, consist of a
pecan and live-oak
greatest luxuriance, in
to
in
mag-
trees, flourishing with the
what must have formerly been the basin
MONTEREY.
The grounds,
of a small oblong lake.
towards
tlie
173
centre, arc naturally beautified
sloping
on
sides
all
by numberless
springs,
fountains, and cascades.
The grove
of
San Domingo,
or
Walnut Springs,
constant resort of the citizens of Monterey,
most scrupulous
care.
It
is
Within
to the
its
sylvan recesses
intricate majccs of the
hearts and laughing lips.
Among its
was only broken by
waterfall,
many
many
music of guitar and mandolin,
and bounded through the
silence
the pride and
preserved vith the
three miles long, and about three-
quarters of a mile in ^vidth.
gay group had listened
is
dance with
light
cool shadows, and where the
the lulling sounds of rivulet and
a loving couple had given utterance, in the stately
music of the Spanish tongue,
young passionate
to the beautiful fancies wîth
hearts build up the
which
romance of the unknown
future.
The scene was now changed.
Guitar and mandolin had given
place to the spirit-stirring sounds of trumpet-blast and
neighing of war-steeds, and the clash of arms.

feet of
drum
Where
the
the light
joyous dancers once bounded merrily, the heavy tramp of
men now
martial
fell in
measured stroke upon the ear
and where
delighted lovers once breathed their ardent vows, the watchful

sentinel
haired
now paced
man,
resolve,
his solitary round.
and energetic
had pitched
Led by a sturdy
quiet and unostentatious in manner, but
their tents
the sequestered grove,
in
gray-
bold in
action, the hardy warriors of the North
among
the cool and grateful
shadows of
and now waited with high hopes and a
quicker pulse the fierce events of that morrow which was to bring
to
many
a hero's grave
to all, a soldier's glory.
CHAPTER XL
Defences of the City Mexican Forces Reconnoissances Worth's

Occupation of the Pass the west Defences that direction
Operations of the First Division Colonel Garland's command Severe
from the Enemy's Batteries Fall of Major Barbour and Colonel Watson Captain Backus 4th Infantry General Quitman's Attack on Redoubt No.
Monterey
Column of Attack
in
in
fire
Redoubt taken and guns turned on the Enemy General Butler's command
Cavalry repulsed by Bragg's battery Worth's Operations Engagement with
the Lancers Storming-party under Captain Smith 7th Infantry under Captain
Miles Reinforcement under General Smith Attack on Fcderacion Ilill and
Taken and occupied Storming-party under Lieutenant Childs

Independence Hill Sortie from the Bishop's Palace Palace taken Operations
the Grand Plaza Capitulation Terms of
under General Taylor Approach
Fort Soldada
to
the Convention.
Monterey,
the capital of
New
Leon,
is
situated on the north-
ern bank of the Arroyo Topa, in the valley of

Sierra
Madre
on three
sides,
of the valley
The
girdles,
in
some places
its
tributaries
open
it
Marin.
in the direction of
approached in front by the roads from Marin and
Guadalupe, and on the West through a stupendous

Sierra
The
San Juan.
closely approaches
but receding on the North, leaves the whole extent
and
city is
and
Madre, by the road from
of the
Saltillo.
Northward from Monterey run the roads

queria Grande.
rift
to
Monclova and Pres-
While on the South, across the Topa, a road
extends in the direction of Guaxuco.
West
of the city, the approaches
were defended by Fort Inde-
pendencia, a strong work on the crest of a steep
hill,
and by the
Bishop's Palace, a castellated structure on the slope of the

hill,
below.
South of these, on the other side of the
same
river,
was
Federacion Hill and an adjoining height, both of which were

fortified
the city,
by redoubts and
was
batteries.
In front, and to the north of
the citadel, also regularly fortified.
(174)
Mf
RECONNOISSANCES.
175
In advance of the city, to the east, the works consisted of a
succession
of strong
behind these, and within

porting the redoubts.
tlie city,
the avenues,
all
being strongly
wiiile
was a
line
of
terrible tete-duall
the houses
and low parapets
numbers of armed men, whose commanding
enabled them to direct a plunging
the
these
built of stone, their flat roofs
afforded shelter to
jiosition
and the
Nor were
pont of the Purisima bridge.
and
were infantry breastworks sup-
In rear of these, again,
commanding
barricades,
mounting fourteen guns
redoubts,
fire
upon
the assailants;
and barricades below, were
batteries, breastworks,
raking the streets.
The
correct force of the
ten thousand
men, of
Notwithstanding
enemy, as subsequently
whom
this large force,
of being able to carry the place
by
was
verified,
seven thousand were regular troops.
General Taylor
felt
confident
by storm, by the bayonet, and
artillery.
Such were
the difficulties against
were preparing
which the American army
The reconnoissances, begun on
to contend.
the
afternoon of the 19th, and extending to the morning of the 20th,
though executed with great

fire
of the
skill
and coolness, under the repeated
enemy, could obtain no information beyond what could
be gathered of the works not masked by the buildings of the
Within the
until
city, the character of the
city.
defences remained unknow^n,
gradually ascertained, with great loss of life, after the assault
had actually commenced.
On
arms.
the
morning of the 20th the
troo])S
were ordered under
At ten o'clock A. M., the reconnoitring
of which,
parties,
one
under Major Mansfield, had observed the western
approaches, the
other,
under Captain Williams, the eastern,
returned and reported to the General-in-Chiof the result of their

observations.
The
possibility of reaching the western
being ascertained by Major
approaches of the city
Mansfield, the
Second Division,
176
under Brigadier-General Wortli, was directed

position
by making a wide sweep
to turn the
to the right of the
and, after joining the Saltillo road, to storm,
enemy's
Marin road
practicable, the
if
detached works in that quarter.

Accordingly, at two o'clock P. M., the Second Division, reinforced by Hays's regiment of
mounted Texans and McCullough's
and Gillespie's companies of rangers, took up
enemy, whose
while, in order to divert the
line of
its
march
had been
attention
already drawn to the movement, the First Division, under Briga-
dier-General Twiggs, and the
field division
Major-General Butler, were ordered
They remained
the afternoon, a battery
of volunteers, under
form in
line of battle
column.
The
was commenced
for the
mortar and two
and the
upon the
Kentucky regiment covered
1st
The remainder
the erection of the battery during the night.
In the
fire
morning, during the attack by General Worth's
infantry
the troops were withdrawn, after dark, to their
Springs.
During
in position until dark.
24-pound howitzers, with the view of opening a

city the following
upon
and threaten the formidable
the plain to the east of the city,
redoubts in front.
to
mean
time, General
camp
at
of
Walnut
Worth had succeeded, with
great difficulty, in gaining the vicinity of the Saltillo road, and at

six
o'clock P.
M.
the division
was halted
for the
night, just
without range of the battery upon Independence Hill and that
midway
of the Bishop's Palace, about
of the
same
slope.
Nearly opposite, on the other side of the Arroya Topa, were

the forts of Federation
ral
Worth determined
and Soldada.
to carry
and despatched an express
him of
be
his intention,
made
Gene-
assault, the following morning,
to the
General-in-Chief, informing
on the eastern side of the
determined
promptly responded
latter heights
and requesting that a strong diversion might
in his favour
already been
by
These
to
city.
This had
upon by General Taylor, and was
by him.
Early on the morning of the 21st, the First and Volunteer
STREET- FIGHT IN MONTEREY.
177
Divisions were ordered under arms, and, supported by the light
marched towards
artilleiy,
The 2d dragoons, under
the city.
Lieutenant-Colonel May, and Colonel Woods's regiment of Texan

cavalry, were thrown to the right, to support General Worth, and
make an impression upon

reports of artillery
The loud
the upper part of the town.
and small arms
to the
west of the
The
the contest in that direction already begun.
city,
proved
mortar, under
Captain Ramsey, and the howitzers, under Captain Webster,
now
opened from the east upon the citadel and town, and the main
battle
commenced.
command
portion of the First Division, under the
of Colonel
Garland, and consisting of the 1st and 3d regiments of infantry
and the Baltimore battalion, supported by Bragg's and Ridgely's

batteries,
was ordered
make
to
a strong demonstration upon the
lower part of the town, and carry,
possible, one of the redoubts.
if
Major Mansfield and Captain Williams, topographical engineers,
accompanied the column, and the most favourable points of

attack were to be indicated
was accordingly formed, beyond reach
when
No.
it
received directions to
1, in
The column
by Major Mansfield.
of the
guns of the enemy,
move forward and
attack battery
advance of the north-east corner of the
city.
Major
Mansfield, the chief engineer officer, covered by skirmishers, had
The remainder
already succeeded in reaching the suburbs.
of
the
column followed, and although subjected,
for a distance
five
hundred yards across the plain,
from battery No.
1,
and a severe
towards the
streets.
tery
cross-fire
city,
to the fire
from the citadel,
passed the batteries in
it
dashed impetuously
front,
and entered the
masked
In an instant, without note or warning, a
opened
its
deadly
fire
one continuous storm of bullets.

;
sibility
exposed
to the
bat-
and from the tops of houses, from the
corners of streets, from windows, and barricades, poured
street
of
enemy
in
Without shelter;
in a
down
narrow
every direction, without the pos-
of effectually returning his
fire
officers
and men
fell
178
rapidly.
Major Barbour, the
instantly
by an escopet
next
was
killed
The
was hopeless
assault at this point
who
ball passing through his heart.
first
officer
column
so the
fell,
retired into the
under cover of the walls and houses.
street,
brought the wounded, the dying, and the dead.

pressed
encouraged
on,
by
Major
The rnen
Mansfield,
wounded, with indomitable courage
Here were
still
who, though
them forward, and
led
pointed out places of attack.
At
the head of the Baltimore battalion, here
Watson, cheering on
lant Colonel
When
veteran commander.
iron tempest
still
his
men
was seen
the gal-
with the courage of a
the stoutest hearts quailed
poured upon them, dismounting from
amid the
his horse
pressed on, though followed by but few of his men.
horse
was soon struck by a
shot,
and
fell
he
His
dead, and shortly after
the colonel himself received a ball, which severed the jugular
vein and killed
him
instantly.
Bragg's battery now dashed up, but could make no impression
The
upon the barricades.
firing increased
artillery
and small-
arms, hurling a storm of grape, canister, and bullets,
imaginable angles,
literally
any longer,
hemmed
numbers of
the
by
swept the
batteries
streets.
all
To have remained
and barricades and superior
enemy, would have entailed a
loss of life, without
command was
in
at
still
more
terrible
any corresponding prospect of success.
The
therefore withdrawn, for the purpose of seeking
a more favourable point of attack.*
During
this time.
Captain Backus, of the 1st infantry, with a
mixed command, had possessed himself

tannery.
of a shed attached to a
This shed faced the gorge of battery No.
at a dis-
tance of a hundred and twenty yards, and from behind the low
parapets surmounting
its
roof the Americans poured a deadly
and
incessant fire into the battery.
Learning, however, that Colonel Garland's

'
command, unable
Captain Henry's Campaign Sketches.
COL.
WILLIAM
H.
WATSON.
BUTLKR AND QUITMAN.

any longer
to
maintain
179
was
the city,
itself witliin
withdrawing, Captain Backus also prepared to
moment
the guns of
all
infantry,
number
fell
tenants
Graham, Hoskins, and Woods.

to
maintain his position
of
fire
the gallant Lieu-
now
Captain Backus
at all
hazards, and com-
upon the battery No.
defenders were killed, and the
its
fire
One-third of their
among them
this galling fire,
menced an avenging
this
advancing across the
plain to join their comrades within the city.
determined
act of
At
the batteries poured out a stream of
upon two companies of the 4th
under
in the
retire.
1,
by which many
remainder considerably
shaken.
As soon
as the
nel Garland's
heavy
firing within the city indicated that
command had met
the
enemy
in force.
Colo-
General
Taylor despatched the Volunteer Division, under Major-General

Butler, to his support.
The general
himself, with the 1st Ohio
regiment, entered the town to the right, leaving Colonel Ormsby,
with the Kentucky regiment, to protect the batteries.

.
The brigade
of General Quitman, consisting of the Mississippi
and Tennessee regiments, formed
marched
directly
upon
it,
in front of
redoubt No.
two companies of the 4th infantry, which had been so

cut up.
dash
As soon
at the
1,
and
almost immediately in rear of the
as the brigade approached near
fearfully
enough
for a
work, the two regiments, stimulated by a generous
rivalry, strove with
each other which should be
first
within the
work.
The Mexicans,
already staggered by the galling
and now threatened
in front
by
fire
in
rear,
the impetuous advance of the
determined brigade, precipitately retreated from the work, so that
when
the
stormers poured
like
resistless
tide
through the
embrasures, and over the walls, but few of the enemy remained.
These were quickly dispersed, leaving the battery, so long a

source of terrible annoyance, with
tion, in the
25
hands of the daring
all
victors.
its
cannon and ammuni-
180
The Mississippians entered

being the
to
first
diately after
mount
in front, Lieut.
He
the parapet.
fell
and, simultaneously with his
regiment carried the
The cannon
left,
and flung
of battery No.
McClung
Colonel
wounded imme-
fall,
the Tennessee
their colours to the breeze.
was
instantly turned
upon No.
2,
from the constant and fearful activity of
its fire,
had been named El Diablo, and loosely translated by the
troops,
a redoubt which,
" The DeviPs
ment of the
Captain Ridgely,
Own.'^''
action had annoyed the
who
enemy
commence-
in the
with a section of his
enemy
battery, directed one of the 12's of the fort against the
with great effect, until the ammunition gave out.
After that he
advanced against the enemy's breastworks with
own
his
battery,
but unable to accomplish anything, returned again to the work
taken from the enemy.
While
this heroic
achievement was
in
the act of accomplish-
Coming up
ment, Butler entered the city to the right.

after
of Garland's
with the shattered remains
noble
shortly
column,
General Butler was advised by Major Mansfield of the impracticability of
attempting an assault
commands accordingly
the plain
the
first
when
fell
in
that
direction.
The two
back, but they had scarcely reached
the General-in-Chief, having learned the
fall
of
battery, ordered the First Division immediately to return
and hold possession of the captured work, while General Butler,

with the Ohio regiment, marching to the
city in the
direction of El Diablo, and
left,
should enter the
attempt to carry
it
by
storm.
The regiment accordingly advanced
came under
on the
right.
a galling
On
was opened upon
fire
across the plain, and soon
from El Diablo, and from two batteries
approacliing nearer, a terrible

it
from troops
in
rear of
tiie
sheltered as to be perfectly secure from attack.
General Butler and Colonel Mitchell both
fell
and, as the redoubt was found to be protected
fire
of musketry
redoubt, and so
At
this juncture,
severely
in front
wounded
by a deep
PUENTK DK PUKISIMA.
and
ditch,
by masses of
rear
in
defended by a high
ordered to
fall
infantry,
No
sooner
while
its
column was
stone wall, the
back.
181
was
this
was
flank
reluctantly
movement observed
than the Mexican cavalry, hovering under the guns of the citadel,
made
The charge was
a sudden dash at the regiment.
fully repulsed.
reinforced,
The
success-
lancers, however, soon returned, strongly
when Bragg's
battery hastened up to the support of
the regiment, and by a series of rapid discharges, which did great
execution, forced the
enemy
to retreat in disorder.
During these operations on the
talion, while
Colonel Garland, with
left,
parts of the 1st, 3d, and 4th regiments,
and of the Baltimore bat-
remaining under cover of the captured battery, was
ordered again into the city, for the purpose of carrying,
possi-
a battery supposed to be but a few streets beyond.
ble,
sooner had the column

artillery
much
and
if
No
shelter, than the terrible fire of
its
and small-arms recommenced.
as possible, the
in
left
men advanced
Covering themselves as
from street to street steadily
good order.
After
moving cautiously along
for
some distance, and crossing
exposed points whenever the enemy had momentarily exhausted

his fire, the
column suddenly found
An
du-pont of Puente de Purisima.
them, and
after
itself
confronted by the tHe-
awful
fire
now
burst upon
attempting to turn the work by breaking through
the walls of houses, and crossing gardens and yards, they found
their progress arrested
the opposite
whose
by the impassable character of the stream,
bank of which was
force at the britlge
was
lined with
at
least a
masses of the enemy,

thousand strong.
attacking column, amounting to only a hundred and

after forcing its
way
incessant firing
still
to
fell
back
to the
far,
The
men,
finding every street barricaded, and
kept up from every point that offered cover
an enemy, abandoned
more
its
thus
fifty
all
further effort to proceed,
captured battery, with the loss of
bravest officers and men.
and once
many
of
182
This closed the engagement on the 21st.

fast
drawing
to a close
talion of the 1st
The day was now

by one
the First Division, reinforced
Kentucky regiment, was ordered
bat-
to hold posses-
sion of the battery during the night, while the remainder of the
weary and
troops,
camp
dispirited, returned to the
Walnut
at
Springs.
On
column under General
the western side of the city, the
Worth had been more

21st, the
Early on the morning of the
fortunate.
column recommenced
march
its
for the Saltillo road.
At six o'clock A. M., the advance consisted of Hays's regiment

of
Texans and
the light companies of the First Brigade, under
These, while sweeping round the base of
Captain C. F. Smith.
the mountain near the hacienda of
upon a strong force of cavalry and

body of cavalry
in the
San Jeronimo, came suddenly

by a second
infantry, supported
The two foremosi
cornfields beyond.
companies of rangers, under McCullough and Acklen, immedismounted and threw themselves under cover of a fence
diately
the left of the road.
The
lancers
now dashed
to
forward with the
utmost impetuosity, the daring gallantry of their colonel rendering
him conspicuous above

of the
Texans and a
Smith and Scott,
As
all others.
fire
they swept past, the
rifles
of musketry from the skirmishers under
told with
murderous
effect
upon
their ranks,
while two companies of the 8th regiment, and a part of the
mounted rangers, under Captain Walker, dashed

them and engaged them hand
to
hand.
Finding
rades thus severely handled, the lancers in reserve

rapidly
up
batteries
to their support.
In one minute
the heads of our
by infantry and cavalry, on
own
their
now
com-
galloped
Duncan and McCall's
were unlimbered, and poured a destructive
enemy over
amongst
in
troops.
Thus
their flank
by the
fire
upon the
assailed in front
terrible
fire
of
skirmishers and rangers, and in rear by Duncan's and McCall's

artillery, the
lancers faltered, and within fifteen minutes their
imposing array was broken into fragments, and
fell
back
to the
worth's operations.
with the
road,
Saltillo
loss
183
hundred men killed and
of one
wounded among the former of whom was their brave colonel,

Don Juan N. Najera, whose heroic conduct throughout the whole
;
of the conflict
nessed
The
won
the unqualified admiration of all
who
wit-
it.
fugitives
were promptly pursued, and the column moving
forward under the
of the guns from Federacion and Soldada,
fire
secured the gorge where
and thus cut
all
the debouches from
off not only the retreating cavalry,
Monterey
but
all
unite,
other rein-
forcements from entering the city in that direction.*
General Worth
now
turned his attention to the capture of Forts
Federacion and Soldada, situated on twin heights

of the Topa.
The occupation
commanding
as
of these
to the
was necessary,
south
ultimately,
the city, and immediately, as restoring the
com-
munication with head-quarters, which had been broken by sending

troops to occupy the Saltillo road.
arranged.
It
should be the
was decided
first
By noon
his
plans were
that the battery on Federacion Hill
attacked.
storming-party was accordingly
organized, under Captain C. F. Smith.
It
consisted of three
hundred men, one half regulars, the other half Texans, and was
ordered to cross the Arroyo
the
Topa
at a point
beyond the reach of
enemy's guns, and commence the assault immediately.
Shortly afterwards. Captain Miles, with the 7th infantry,
ordered to support the stormers.

direct line, crossed the
Topa under
finding the forces of the
was
This reinforcement moved in a
enemy
the
fire
of the
enemy, and
largely increasing, Brigadier-
General Smith, with the 5th regiment and Blanchard's Louisianians,
was
also ordered to cross the river, co-operate with,
and
assume command of the storming columns.

Discovering on his approach the practicability of carrying the
Soldada
simultaneously with
*
Fort
Federacion,
VVorili's Official Report.
Smith moved
HISTORY OF THK MKXICAN WAR.
184
with
and 7th regiments and Blanchard's company,
5th
the
obliquely up the
During
the direction of the former work.
hill in
movement
this
stormers, under
the
Captain C. F.
Smith, clambered up the height, and under a severe

lery
of artil-
fire
and musketry, swarmed over the walls, drove the enemy
from the work with

opposite
session,
and bayonet, turned the gun upon the
rifle
and then leaving a small detachment
fort,
dashed over the
hill to
to
hold pos-
the support of their comrades,
now
nearly up with Fort Soldada.
As soon
as this heroic rivalry
was observed,
the 5th
and 7th
pressed on with accelerated speed, while side by side the Louisia-
nians and rangers also contested the honour of
first
entering the
work.
Under
of grape and heavy discharges of small-arms, the
fire
mixed commands struggled up

lantry, driving in the
the ascent with
unwavering gal-
enemy's skirmishers before them.
course of a few minutes the fort
was abandoned by
its
In the
dismayed
garrison, and the colours of the United States planted in triumph
upon
The
Captain Gillespie, of the Texan mounted vol-
the walls.
unteers,
was
forts
the
first
mount
to
the parapet and enter the work.
were now garrisoned by detachments of the
Captain Smith retaining possession of the

last fort
taken
and
this
sides of the Arroyo
hours,
was
first,
victors.
Captain Miles of the
being done, the gallant division on both
Topa having
tasted no food for thirty-six
rested and refreshed preparatory
to
assaulting the
opposite heights on the following morning.
The enemy, from
the Bishop's Palace,
commenced
fire
of
round-shot and shell upon the 7th infantry in Fort Soldada, which
was returned by
Independence
the captured gun, under Lieutenant Dana.

Hill
is
seven or eight hundred feet high, and
almost inaccessible on account of
its
perpendicularity,
surface, and the thick and tangled bushes that cover

the Bishop's Palace,
which
about three hundred and
it
fifty
commands and
its
it.
rocky
With
overlooks, distant
yards to the south-east,
it
may
be
I-
regarded as the key
fended by
artillery,
to
CRT INDKPKNDKiN'CIA.
185
Monterey on the western
ami
in anticipation of
side.
It
was
de-
an attack, strengthened
by a heavy detachment thrown forward from
the Bisho})'s Palace.
Early on the morning of the 22d, the column was appointed

storm the Forts of Independencia and the Bishop's Palace.
to
It
consisted of three companies of the 8th infantry, three companies

of the 3d and 4th artillery, and two hundred dismounted Texans,
under Hays and Walker
all
under
tlie
This column moved
Colonel Childs.
command
of Lieutenant-
at three
o'clock A. M.,
by mist and darkness, clam-
recrossed the river, and, favoured
bered up the steep ascent, unobserved by the enemy,
gained within a hundred yards of the

pickets were
first
discovered, and a skirmishing
but so great was the panic, that
when
fire
rifles
and
fire
upon the
bayonets,
the
During the ascent of the

lespie
and Herman
Texas, the
latter of
S.
startled
precipitately
two gallant
Thomas
hill,
Texans
and pour-
enemy, dashed forward with
work was
hill,
it
commenced
the regulars and
approached within a few yards of the crest of the

ing in a heavy
until
Here the advanced
crest.
spirits fell,
abandoned.
Captain Gil-
of the rangers, the former of
Harford county, Maryland.
The
5th regi-
ment, under Major Scott, and Blanchard's Louisianians now

crossed the river to aid the assault of Childs upon the Bishop's
Palace.
12-pound howitzer was hauled bodily up the steep
ascent of Independencia, and being placed in battery, opened
upon the Palace and

cover of this
fire,
the
its
outworks with decided
column moved down the
of the enemy's last remaining defence.
effect.
hill in
Under
the direction
Here the Mexican general
had concentrated a large body of troops, and rendered desperate
by the
loss of
Independencia, he attempted a formidable
from the Palace,

This
sortie
for the
purpose of recovering
sortie
it.
was, however, so effectually repulsed, that the
troops soon gave
way under
the
front
and flank
stormers, and being closely pursued, some
fled
fires
of the
past the Palace
186
in the direction of the city, wiiile others, seeking the protection
of the works, were followed so rapidly, that fugitives and pur-
them
suers entered
brief, spirited,
together.
but unavailing resistance then ensued.
few minutes, amidst the sharp crack of the deadly Texan
In a
rifles
the clash of swords, the dull heavy sound of clubbed muskets,
mixed up with shouts and
men and
cries of supplicating
Mexican
and imprecations
the groans of the
was hauled down, and
flag
enemy was
yells
forcibly wrested from him.
the earnest
wounded
the
the last outwork of the
The guns
of the Palace,
together with Duncan's and McCall's batteries, which
came up
at a gallop,
were now directed upon the retreating masses of the
enemy with
terrible effect.
This ended the labours of the 22d.
The
the
"
division
was now concentrated about
the Palace, and
morning of the 23d the assault upon the
Two
columns of attack were organized,
two principal
city
to
upon
commenced.
move along
streets in the direction of the great Plaza,
of light troops, slightly extended, with orders to
the
composed
mask
the
men
whenever practicable, avoid those points swept by the enemy's

artillery, to press
end of the
streets
on
to the first
Plaza (Capella), get hold of the
beyond, then enter the buildings, and, by means
of picks and bars, break through the longitudinal section of the

walls,
work from house
to house,
and ascending
to the roofs, to
place themselves upon the same, breast-high with the enemy."
Such were the graphic directions given by General Worth

the assault of the city from the west.
successful.
By dark
the
for
The plan was eminently
men had worked
their
way through
walls and squares, until they had reached to within one square
of the Great Plaza, carried a large building
principal defences of the
enemy, and during
the night
ceeding morning, placed two howitzers and

battery upon
its
roof.
commanding
the
and suc-
6-pounder
in
10-inch mortar was also brought into
FINAL STORM OF MONTEREY.

the smaller square (Capella), and at sunset
187
opened upon the
main Plaza.
mean
In the
time, on the eastern side of the city, the severe
check received on the 21st had also been amply redeemed.
During the 22d but
little
\\a.s
attempted beyond a strong
demonstration to favour the operations of General Worth
when
the
column
morning of the 23d
arrived, the successes of
offered an opportunity of
renewing the
but
Worth's
assault,
under
advantages not heretofore enjoyed.
The enemy,
too, evidently
staggered by the pertinacity with
which the storm was carried on, had deserted the battery of El
Diablo, during the night of the 22d, and concentrated the main
body of
his forces nearer the heart of the city.
Immediately
the Mississippi
this
was made known
to the General-in-Chief,
and Tennessee regiments were ordered
to take
possession of the abandoned works.
The enemy, however, holding some
strong buildings close by,
and a triangular work some two hundred yards

an annoying
fire
The General-in-Chief now

man's brigade
to
move
in,
positions.
a sharp firing once
When
infantry.
more swept
within range of the guns of the cita-
del, the battery crossed the field of fire at full gallop,
injury.
It
Bragg's battery was also ordered up, supported
streets.
by the 3d
kept up
arriving in the city, directed Quit-
and force the annoying
was immediately advanced, and

the
off, still
through the gorge of El Diablo.
The
infantry
and escaped
and battery now engaged the enemy, and
drove him back with repeated discharges.
While the
assault
was thus warmly urged by
the Mississippi
and Tennessee regiments, the dismounted Texans, under Henderson, entered the city, and the united
into houses,
own manner, and

defenders wêre
the city.
commands, by breaking
and crashing through walls, fought the enemy

in the
midst of his
own
in his
defences, until the
forced resolutely back into the very heart of
This being done, the columns of Quitman and Hen-
26
HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN AVAU.
X88
derson were withdrawn to the captured works, until such time
Worth a com-
the General-in-Chief could concert with General
bined attack upon the
remaining defences.
last
been already anticipated by the
23d
the
the respective
latter officer
This attack had
so that
commands, moving from
by dusk of
east
and west
almost simultaneously, had each succeeded, though unknown
to
other, in reaching to within one square of the principal
each
Plaza.
heavy mortar had been placed
Worth was ready
to
open upon the enemy
The next morning, while

renew the
attack, General
der of the
The
city.
and General
in battery,
in the
morning with
Ampudia despatched
shell.
made
preparations were being
General Taylor, expressing a desire
to
a.'
to
a flag of truce
to negotiate for a surren-
was accordingly suspended on both
assault
and commissioners having been appointed
to
confer with each other, the following basis of capitulation w'as
al
sides of the city,
length agreed upon
"Terms
of the Capitulation of the
citj'
of Monterey, the capital of
Leon, agreed upon by the undersigned commissioners,
to wit
Nuevo
General
Worth, of the United States Army, General Henderson, of the Texan

volunteers, and Colonel Davis, of the Mississippi riflemen, on the part
of Majoi-Genoral Taylor, commanding-in-chief the United States forces;
and General Requena and General Ortego, of the Army of Mexico, and
Senor Manuel M. Llano, Governor of Nuevo Leon, on the part of Senor
General Don Pedro Ampudia, commanding-in-chief the
Army
of the
North of Mexico.
'
As
Art. 1.
the legitimate result of the operations before the
place, and the present position of the contending armies,
agreed that the
war, and
all
city, the fortifications,
it is
cannon, the munitions of
other public property, with the under-mentioned
exceptions, be surrendered to the commanding-general of the
United States forces
" Art.
2.
Monterey.
to wit
The commissioned
and accoutrements
the artillery
to
retain the
officers their side-
the infantry their arms and accoutrements
their arras
to
at
That the Mexican forces be allowed
following arms,
arms
now
the cavalry
one field-battery, not
exceed six pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammunition.
'/^-^
''''
'
I
P___i^
TF.KMS OF CAPITULATION.
"
Art. 3.
clays
from
Tluit the
" Art.
force
retire within
seven
date beyond the hue formed by the pass of
tliis
Rinconada, the
Mexican aniu'd
139
tJie
and San Fernando de Pusos.
city of Linares,
That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the
4.
Mexican and occupied by
the
American
forces to-morrow morn-
ing at ten o'clock.

'<
Art.
To
5.
avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience,
that the troops of the United States will not
the
Mexican
occupy the
have withdrawn, except
forces
for
city until
hospital
and
storage purposes.
"Art.
That the forces of the United States
6.
beyond the
will not
advance
line specified in the third article before the expiration
of eight weeks, or until the orders of the respective governments
can be received.
" Art.
7.
That the public property
to
be delivered shall be
turned over and received by officers appointed by the
command-
ing-generals of the two armies.
"
Art. 8.
ceding
That
doubts, as to the meaning of any of the pre-
all
be solved by an equitable construction, and
articles, shall
on principles of liberality
"Art.
may be
9.
to the retiring
That the Mexican
saluted
by
its
W.
own
J.
flag,
army.
when
struck at the citadel,
battery.
Worth,
Brig.- Gen. U. S. A.
PiNKNKY Henderson,
J.
Major-Gen. commanding Texan
volunteers.
Jefferson Davis, Col. Mississippi Riflemen.

J.
M. Ortega.
T. Requena.
Manuel M. Llano.
Approved
Pedro Ampudia.
Z.
Taylor,
Major- Gen. U.
Dated
at
Monterey,
Sept. 25, 1846."
S.
A. commanding.
CHAPTER
XII.
Policy of the Capitulation Views of the Administra Retrospect of Mexican

Elevation of
General Taylor's
favour of Santa Anna His
Vera Cruz
Paredes Pronunciamento
Permission
pass through the Fleet Termination of the Armistice Projected
Expedition against Tamaulipas Opinions of General Taylor
the Prooccupied by the American troops Protest of the
secution of the War
Agua Nueva General Wool's Expedition
Governor of Coahuila Advance
Monclova Marches
against Chihuahua Arrival of Wool's column
Parras
Tampico occupied General Taylor marches upon Victoria Reconnoissances
towards Labradorcs and Linares Arrival of General Scott
Mexico Withdrawal of troops from General Taylor Orders consequent thereon Santa Anna's
March from San Luis Potosi against General Taylor Ruse of General Taylor
Forces of Santa Anna Angostura February 22d Summons of Santa Annate
General Taylor
surrender Taylor's Reply Battle of Buena Vista Skirmishes Result of the Action.
Evacuation of Monterey
tion
letter
affairs
in
arrival at
to
relative to
Saltillo
to
to
at
in
to
At
ten o'clock on the 25th, pursuant to the articles of capitu-
lation,
the
ceremony of the surrender took place.
Worth, who by
his labours
General
had contributed so largely
to the
reduction of the place, was appointed to see the execution of

the stipulations.
Two
division, with a
section of each battery, the whole under the
companies of each regiment
in the
second
immediate command of Colonel Persifer F. Smith, were appointed

to take possession of the citadel.
These troops were drawn up
on the road leading to the citadel, the
Texans on one
the regulars on the other, while the imposing display
by
the presence of General Taylor and
officers of the
With
army
staff,
and
all
side,
and
was graced
the principal
in splendid military costume.
a parting salute from the shrill bugle
cannon, the Aztec eagle fluttered down from

the " stars and stripes" floated
upward on
its
and the booming

airy height, while
the gentle breeze,
and
unfolded from the citadel amid the strains of martial music and the
(190)
EVACUATION OF MONTEREY.
From
united cheers of the victorious troops.

in
like
191
the other eminences,
manner, the Mexican colours disappeared, and were
The Mexicans
replaced by the national ensign of the conquerors.
then marched out from the citadel, between the two lines of
and the
the Americans,
The
quitted.
first
moved
latter
division of the
had
into the place they
enemy marched
out of the city
on the 2Gth, the second on the 27th, and the remainder on the
2Sth.
Ampudia accompanied
General
proceeded with his troops

place, but since
became, shortly
after, the
retired to
after
to fortify the
defend Monterey, a
San Luis
Potosi,
which
head-quarters of the northern army.
He, himself, soon became a prisoner

order of Santa Anna,
to
greater advantages, the inhabitants refused
whereupon he
their consent,
He wished
to Saltillo.
he had been unable
much
position having
the second division and
who had
in the castle of Perote,
by
returned from exile, as will here-
be related.
The terms
of the capitulation, though favourable to the
Mexi-
cans, displayed not merely an exalted humanity on the part of
General Taylor, but great military prudence, and sound policy.
brief consideration of the circumstances will serve to
this
view of the capitulation
Without
to
show
be correct.
siege-artillery, or intrenching tools.
General Taylor
could not have carried the citadel without great loss to his troops,
who were
than one-half the forces of the enemy.
less
had
If he
carried the citadel, he could not have prevented the escape of
the
enemy,
for
he had not sufficient troops to invest the city
had he means of transportation, so

he had compelled him
him
after
the
Mexican general could
to
still
that he could
evacuate the
nor
have pursued
city.
If beaten,
have retired with his troops,
small-arms, and ammunition.
How much
better
and wiser was
it
in
General Taylor,
without sacrificing the lives of his troops,
all
which could have been ultimately obtained, with

circumstance
in his favour, that the
the
tliis
to gain,
advantages
additional
moral effect upon the enemy
192
was much greater than
if
he had retired, as he could otherwise
have done, without the consent of the Americans.
The government
at
Washington, however, and a small portion of
the administration party, did not approve of the terms of the cai)itulation,
lor
was
instructed by the President " to give the required notice,
that the armistice
was
to
cease at once, and that each party was
resume and prosecute
at liberty to
The
Accordingly, General Tay-
and especially the armistice.
hostilities
without restriction."
reply of the general to this order, addressed to the Adjutant-
General
Washington,
at
points, that
we
insert
it
is
and satisfactory upon these
so full
entire
" Ca.mp mear Monterey,
November
" Sir
tary of
In reply to so
War,
much
8, 1846.
of the communication of the Secre-
as relates to the reasons
tion resulting in the capitulation of
which induced the conven-
Monterey,
have the honour
submit the following remarks.
to
" The convention presents two
distinct points
First, the per-
mission granted the Mexican array to retire with their arms, &c.
Secondly, the temporary cessation of hostilities for the term of
eight weeks.
shall
remark on these
" The force with which

causes beyond
this force, as
ground,
it
my
control, to about six thousand
every military
was
in order.
marched on Monterey was
man must
admit,
entirely impossible to invest
as to prevent the escape of the garrison.
communication with the

route
was open
to the
interior
was
in
who
limited, by
men.
With
has seen
tlie
Monterey so closely
Although the
niiiin
our possession, yet one
Mexicans throughout
the operations, and
could not be closed, as were also other minor tracks and pa.sses
through the mountains.
Had we,
therefore, insisted
on moiv
rigorous terms than those granted, the result would have btrn
tlie
escape of the body of the Mexican force, wnth the deslructiuii
TAVI.OK
of
and
its artilk'iv
I.KTTF.R
OK KXPLANATION.
our only atlvantap:e beinu;
ina<::aziiU'S,
ture of a few prisoners of war, at the
much damaqe
present to
The
to the city.
my mind
expense of valuable
my
tlie caji-
and
lives
was
consideration of humanity
durino; the conference
vention, anil outweiirhed, in
W.i
which led
to the con-
advan-
judtjjmcnt, the doubtful
tages to be gained by a resumption of the attack ujion the town.
This conclusion has been
fully
confirmed by an inspection of the
enemy's position and means, since the surremler.
It
was
disco-
vered that his principal magazine, containing an immense amount

of jiowder,
shells from
der,
was
two
in
The explosion
our
to
mass of pow-
of this
which must have ultimately resulted from a continuance of
the bombartlment,
would have been
the destruction not
" In regard
we
to
infinitely disastrous, involving
oidy of Mexican troops, but of non-com-
batants, and even our
that
exposed
the ("athedral, completely
directions.
own
we
people, had
pressed the attack.
the temporary cessation of hostilities, the fact
are not at this
moment, within eleven days
of the termi-
nation of the period fixed by the convention, prepared to
forward
in force,
which dictated
move
is a sufficient explanation of the military reasons
this
suspension of arms.
It
paralyzed the
enemy
we
during a period when, from the want of necessary means,

could not possibly move.
desire distinctly to state,
the attention of the authorities to the

in
breaking mules
antl
setting
fiict,
that with
up wagons, the
and
all
first
wagons
addition to our original train from Corpus Christi (and
hundred and twenty-five
in
number), reached
my
to call
diligence
in
but one
head-quarters
on the same day with the secretary's communication of October

viz
l."Jth,
terey, our force
now, with
ThK
At the date of the surrender of Mon-
the 2d in.stant.
all
had not more than ten days' rations, and even
our endeavours,
we have
not more than twenty-fivi-.
task of fighting ANP BKATING THK KNKMY
LF.A.ST
DIFFICULT THAT wF, F.NCOUNTKR
plies necessarily controls
ail
IS
AMONG
TIIK.
the great qucstion of sup-
the operations in a country like this.
HISTORY OK THE MEXICAN WAR.
194
At
tlu' (late
of the convention,
Department would
that the
command
ray
main
of the
''
could not of course have foreseen
dire(;t
without consulting me, or without waiting the result
my
operation under
orders.
have touched the prominent military points involved
weighed with the commissioners

approving the
to spare
in framing,
was
distinctly told
and with myself
by him that he had invited
the further effusion of blood,
and because General
Santa Anna had declared himself favourable

that our
government had made propositions
negotiate,
and
country since
deemed
my
that the
to peace.
to that of
My
me
knew
Mexico
change of government
instructions, fully warranted
considerations of policy.
in
In the conference with
articles of the convention.
General Ampudia,
in the
There were other considerations which
convention of Monterey.
it
an important detachment from
to
in that
in entertaining
grand motive in moving forward
with very limited supplies had been to increase the inducements

of the
may
Mexican government
to negotiate for peace.
be the actual views or disposition of the Mexican rulers, or
of General Santa
Anna,
it is
for
Ampudia
was
to
vention, and
of the
be true.
it
It
unknown
not
had the very best reason
government that
my
opinion al the time of the con-
suspension of arms, would exert
tlie
result of the
in our behalf.
three
been
to
throw the
hundred miles,
to the city
entire operation has
Mexican army back more than
of San Luis Potosi, and to open the country to us, as far as
choose to penetrate
"
to
It
has been
my
it,
up
to the
purpose in
same
this
implied in the Secretary's
we
point.
communication, not so much
defend the convention from the censure which
to find
has not been changed, that the liberal treatment
Mexican army, and
The
to the
believing the statement of General
none but a favourable influence

'<
Whatever
letter, as to
show
deeply regret
that
it
was not
adopted without cogent reasons, most of which occur of themselves to the
minds of
all
who
are acquainted with the condition
ACCKSSION OK PAREDKS.
To
of things here.
tliat eiul I
beg
it
may be
sir,
TAYLOR,
Z.
Maj. Gen. U.
An
laid before the
War.
General-in-chit'f and Secretary of
"I am,
thai
195
of the
commajidvng.
S. Jl.,
extract from a letter of General Taylor's, of the date of
November
5th,
further
still
shows that the armistice was of no
disadvantage, because being without proper transportation he was
move
not then in a condition to
" In regard
to the armistice,
limitation in a
few days, we
move even now, had

strange to say, the
declaration of
I
further into the
the
first
enemy's country.
which would have expired by

nothing by
lost
enemy continued
to
it,
we
as
occupy
could not
Saltillo
wagon which has reached me
war was on
the
2d
instant, the
one hundred and twenty-five, so that
am
completely crippled, and
still
and then
my
want of
despatch
received only
have been, since
so, for
for,
same day on which
received from Washington an acknowledgment of
announcing the taking of Monterey
since the
May
last,
transportation.
After raking and scraping the country for miles around Camargo,
collecting every pack-mule and other
means
of transportation,
could bring here only eighty thousand rations (fifteen days' supply), with a
do which,
all
moderate supply of ordnance, ammunition, &c.,

the corps
had
camp equipage necessary
among
to leave
for their
behind a portion of
a way, and with such limited means, that, had

I
some
comfort, and in
the volunteers, their personal baggage.
We
instances,
moved
not succeeded,
should no doubt have been severely reprimanded,
worse,
to
their
if
in
such
nothing
did so to sustain the administration."
will
now
turn our attention for a
moment
to the affairs of
Mexico.
In January, Paredes, by a revolution which had been jointly
projected by the
27
army and
clergy, gained the executive chair on
196
Instead of conciliating discordant par-
the downfall of Herrera.
by moderation and gentle measures, he changed both the
ties
and the
letter
spirit of the constitution
acknowledged by
his pre-
decessors, abridged the privileges of the people, trampled

the press,
and arrogated
to
upon
himself a power nearly absolute.
In
the embarrassed state of the treasury he appealed to the priest-
hood
in a
for alienation of a part of the
measure a part of that
The popular
it
discontent
church fund, which disaffected
influential
body from him.
was fomented by
factious chiefs, until
There was a defection, not only
broke out into open rebellion.
of military bodies, but of cities, and provinces.
ments were overthrown, and the central power
Cruz pronounced
favour of Santa
in
Anna on
other military chiefs at
them
as traitorous,
especially Santa
and
movement.
was declared, with General de Salas and

its
head, which denounced
and invited the return of
North.
to
assume the command of

the United States of the
short conflict took place
and the troops of Paredes, when the
and
fled
from the
city.
Thus
recalled
by
Cuba, and arrived
at
his
opposition
all
all political exiles,
army of
Anna, desiring him
the forces raised against the
all
Vera
assailed.
the 31st of July,
the capital, three days afterwards, followed the
provisional government
to
Local govern-
between the
revolutionists
abandoned
latter
his
power
countrymen, Santa Anna sailed from
Vera Cruz on the 16th of August, passing
without molestation through the United
blockading the place.
States'
squadron then
This was done by express permission of
the President of the United States, in the vain expectation that
Santa Anna, so coming into power, would favour negotiations

peace.
Instead of
city of
tions,
the
Mexico on
this,
however, after a triumphal entry into the
the 15th of September, he united opposing fac-
and with singular energy and
ability
prepared
war against the invaders with the utmost vigour.
answering the
for
expectations
of
President
Polk,
to
prosecute
So
far
Santa
from
Anna
PLAN OF OPF.RATIONS.
promptly replied
to
197
General Taylor, wlien inviting propositions
"You
peace some time after:
ought
for
discard every idea of
to
peace while a single North American treads
arms the
in
territory
of this republic, or while hostile squadrons remain in front of her
With these views and
ports."
feelings, Santa
Anna hastened
to
San Luis Potosi, the head-quarters of the northern army, and on
commenced
the 8th of October,
new
supply and equip the
to
levies for vigorous operations against the invaders of his country.
For
this
much
end he not merely exerted
his talents, but contributed
of his private fortune, and succeeded in raising and orga-
nizing a large and powerful army.
While General Taylor remained

Washington a
armistice,
it
letter
Monterey, he received from
at
containing instructions
and accordingly promptly
would cease on the
the
Santa Anna that
notified
By
November.
3th of
terminate
to
a previous letter
from the Secretary of War, General Taylor had been informed of

the plan of the
that
it
government
contemplated taking
'<
Tamaulipas, or some of the

of a
possession of the department of
])rineipal
column advanced from
to
means
which should have
in the gulf,
Tampico was
ance from them.
places in it," by
the Rio Grande,
communication with the ships then
prominent point
prosecution of the war, and
in the
and derive
particularly
assist-
specified
be occupit-d by the American troops
as
and
Major-General Patterson was named by the Secretary as the

choice of the government to
by Brigadier-Generals
command
Pillow and
movement upon San Luis
Potosi
the expedition, assisted
Shields.
was
simultaneous
also suggested.
In reply to the letter of the Secretary, General Taylor
the impracticability of
forces
showed
moving upon San Luis Potosi with
and means of transportation
at his disposal
holding Monterey, with the places already
advances pushed forward
to
occupy
in his
Saltilhi,
Monclova, Linares, Victoria, and Tamj)ico.
the
but advised
possession, with
and detachments
He
jiointed to
at
Vera
198
Cruz
or Alvarado as the proper base of operations against the city
of Mexico, and advised the landing there of twenty-five thousand
men, ten thousand
blow
strike a decisive
be regulars,
to
at the
main body of
his
the government desired to
power of Mexico.
General Taylor considered

the
if
army
a necessary outpost of
Saltillo as
at
Monterey, because
it
covered the
great defile leading from the low country to the table-land, and
controlled the fertile region around Parras, while, as the capital of
Coahuila,
army under General Worth, consisting
of
two regiments of
one company of volunteers, a field-battery of eight
infantry,
pieces, and eight
On
to Saltillo.
division,
point
in a political
Accordingly, on the 12th of November, a division of
of view.
the
occupation would be important
its
companies of
artillery,
marched from Monterey
the next day, General Taylor followed Worth's
accompanied by two squadrons of dragoons.

boundary of the
passed the
Saltillo, the
governor of the
him a written
protest, in
state of Coahuila,
state,
When
he
way
to
on his
Jose Marie de Aguirre, sent
which he remonstrated against the march
of the Americans, and the usurpation of the territory, " with

the outrages
and damages
likely to accrue to the
Without replying
inhabitants."
proceeded on
to Saltillo,
encamped with
his
Worth occupied
to this manifesto.
all
defenceless
General Taylor
which he reached on the 16th, and
dragoons a
little
beyond the
city.
General
the plaza.
Reconnoissances were
now
ordered into the interior for about
twenty-five miles, and the two principal routes in this direction
covered
by troops.
The one towards San Luis
covered by General Worth's

through a
fertile
country,
command,
by the
General Wool, which had arrived

October, and was
Parras.
We
will
now
"Army
at
of the Centre"
now bestow
was
Monclova
attention
upon
under
on the 29th of
ordered by General Taylor to
forces invading Mexico.
Potosi
the other, towards Parras,
move upon
this division of the
GK.N-KUAI.
Immediately
recognisiniT
wool's DIVISION.
199
passage of the act of
after th(>
May
war between the republics, General Wool was ordered
muster into service the volunteers of Ohio,
to
Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi.

sending
13th, 1846,
to the
Illinois,
After organizing and
war about ten thousand men
seat of
Indiana,
General Taylor, he was ordered with the remainder
to
to reinforce
San Antonio
de Bexar, where Colonel Harney of the 2d dragoons was stationed

with a small force of regular cavalry, and some companies of
Texan
volunteers.
During the month of August
and detachments arrived
all
the regiments
place of rendezvous, and were
at the
employed some weeks
in learning the different military evolutions
before taking the
The Central
field.
Division, under General
consisted of four companies of the 2d dragoons. Colonel
one company of the Uh
artillery.
Wool,
Harney
Captain Wâshington, with eight
two 12-pounders, and the remainder 6-pounders battalion
pieces,
of 6th infantry, Major Bonneville; Colonel Yell's regiment, Arkan-
mounted volunteers
sas
2d
Illinois,
1st Illinois
Colonel Bissell; and one
and one of Texan volunteers.
The advance
left
the
of the
army
infantry, Colonel
company
of Kentucky cavalry,
Total strength, 2,829.
of the centre, under Colonel Harney,
San Antonio on the 26th of September, and was followed by

head-quarters on the 29th.
Illinois
Colonel Hardin, with the 1st
regiment, marched on the 2d of October; and the rear,
under Colonel Churchill, followed some days
2d
Hardin
Illinois,
after,
comprising the
and various other detachments.
From San Antonio,
their route lay
westward
to Presidio,
where
they crossed the Rio Grande, through a country diversified by

prairies,
sandy deserts, and
forests of chaparral.
From
Presidio,
General Wool led his army through Nava and San Fernando to
Santa Rosa, taking peaceable possession of the towns upon his

route.
upon
On
arriving at the latter place, he found his further
march
the city of Chihuahua, his ultimate destination, prevented
by the impassable peaks of the Sierra Gorda.
He
turned aside.
HISTORY OF Tin: MKXICAN WAR.
200
Moiulova, the ancient
therefore, to
which he
him
to
Wool,
re{)oitetl to
remain where he was,

therefore,
remained
at
of Chihuahua, from
ca})ital
General Taylor
Monterey, who directed
at
until ordered otherwise.
Monclova
of Saltillo,
when he moved forward
Alameda.
At both these places he and
General
occupation
until after the
and occupied the
to Parras,
his troops
were treated
Having thus disposed
with great kindness by the inhabitants.
his troops so that in case of further operations they could
be
thrown upon Zacatecas, Durango, or San Luis, as occasion might

require, General Taylor returned
to
Monterey on the 23d of
November.
On
tion,
the 14th of
November, Tampico was taken without opposi-
by a portion of
was garrisoned by
the Gulf squadron, and
force under General Shields, consisting of eight
companies of
under Lieutenant-Colonel Belton, and a regiment of
artillery,
Alabama
volunteers.
Immediately
after
Tampico
fell
hands of the Americans, General Taylor determined

Victoria, the capital of Tamaulipas.
into the
occupy
to
Situated at the debouchee
of a pass through the mountains, threatening the flank of the
Mexican army, should
it
advance from San Luis Potosi, and with
Soto la Marina convenient as a depot,

sidered
of
great
importance.
its
occupation was con-
Accordingly, General Taylor
ordered General Patterson to march on Victoria, with three regi-
ments of volunteers of
while
he himself,
his division, one of
with
the
regular
them Tennessee
troops
under
horse,
Brigadier-
General Twiggs, except those in garrison, and the regiments of

General Patterson's division under General
proceed to Montemorelos, and,
after uniting with
2d Tennessee regiment, under orders
Quitman, would
the
column the
for that place, to effect a
junction with Major-General Patterson, before Victoria.
When,
in
prosecution of this plan, General Taylor reached
Montemorelos, a despatch arrived from General Worth,
mand
a1
Saltillo,
with the intelligence, that Santa
in
com-
Anna was
OCCUPATION OF VICTORIA.
about making a rapid
movement upon
that position, intended to attack
201
and, after carrying
Saltillo,
Wool's forces
In con-
at Parras.
sequence of this news. General Taylor ordered the volunteers, under
Quitman, reinforced by a
field-battery, to continue their
Victoria, while he returned with
and immediately
time, had
Twiggs's division
moved up from Parras
to
General Wool,
set out for Saltillo.
in
to
Monterey,
mean
in the
General Wôrth
to reinforce
and Major-General Butler, who was
march
command
at
Monterey,
advised in like manner of the threatened attack, had proceeded
command
with reinforcements to Saltillo, and assumed

forces.
On
way
his
General Taylor learned
Saltillo,
to
of the
that
Wool's column had joined Worth, and that no demonstration
was
likely to
be made by the Mexican commander
w^hereupon
he considered Twiggs's division as unnecessary, and determined
proceed with
to
to Victoria,
it
of January, w^here he
which place he reached on the 4th
was met on
the
same day by Major-GeneGeneral Quitman
Patterson, wuth troops from Matamoros.
ral
had reached the place six days before.
enemy occupying the town

fell
back
to
Jaumaze,
Upon
with a force of fifteen hundred cavalry,
From Montemorelos, on
his approach, the
his
way
Tula Pass.
to Victoria,
General Taylor
despatched a party of engineers, protected by May's squadron of

dragoons, to reconnoitre the mountain passes from that to Labradores and Linares, and on their return, ten
were cut
off
by
men
of the rear-guard
enemy.
the
Wliile proceeding to Victoria, General Taylor learned the

val of General Scott in
Mexico,
to
assume
the
command
expedition against Vera Cruz, with the view of making
base of a
new
line
of operations, having
the reduction of the
Mexican
for their ultimate
now
General-in-chief in
of an
it
the
design
capital.
General Taylor had received intimations of

time before, and
arri-
this
design some
awaited, at Victoria, despatches from the
relation to
it.
These arrived on the 11th
HISTORY OK THE MEXICAN WAR.
202
of January,
and contained a demand
army, embracing nearly

sions of Generals
man and Twiggs.

at Victoria
Worth and
The
at the
On
to
Saltillo
back
Brazos.
the
him by long and
commanding-general gave expression
feelings in the following orders
"
marched from
were already
Matamoros, and joined General Scott
parting with the troops, endeared to
services,
ful
Patterson, and the brigade of Quit-
forces of the latter generals
the troops, under Worth,
Camargo, and thence
to
for the greatci- part of his
regulars, with the volunteer divi-
all his
faith-
to
his
with deep sensibility that the commanding-general finds
It is
To
himself separated from the troops he so long commanded.
who have
those corps, regular and volunteer,
shared with him
services of the field, he feels the attachment due to
the active
such associations, while
to those
who
are
making
their first
cam-
paign, he must express his regret that he cannot participate with
them
in
its
eventful scenes.
extends his heartfelt wishes
To
all,
both officers and men, he
continued success and hap-
for their
piness, confident that their achievements on
another theatre will
redound
arms."
to the credit of their country
After thus withdrawing nearly
all
and
its
his forces,
it
was
the wish
of the government, in which General Scott concurred, that General
Taylor should withdraw his troops from
Saltillo
and
fall
back
to
Monterey, but as he considered the occupation of the place

important for the procuring of supplies, and essential to the due
defence of the line he held, he not only continued to hold

but advanced with his
beyond.
He deemed
main
force to
this prudent,
Agua Nueva,
Saltillo,
eighteen miles
because the place had a large
plain to drill his troops in,
and held
San
passes in the vicinity; and while there,
lie
I.uis,
and the
would be
after
dififerent
in observation the
in position to attack the
enemy
at
road from
a disadvantage
advancing over a barren waste that afforded neither water
Mor food of any kind.
KNCAMPMF.NT AT AGUA NUKVA.
On
203
and Kentucky
of January, a party of Arkansas
the 22(1
cavalry, seventy in
number, under Majors Ikirland and Gaines,
was surprised and
ca})tured at the hacienda of Encarnacion, forty-
eight miles from Saltillo, by the cavalry under General Minon.
party of seventeen of the Kentucky volunteers under Captain
Heady, was
also captured on the.27tii of the
the advanced pickets were frequently driven
same month, and

by the enemy.
in
These occurrences, with the frequent rumours of the march of
Anna
Santa
against the American army, disposed General Taylor
an attack would soon be made.
to believe
lie
therefore left
Monterey on the 31st of January, with a reinforcement of

hundred men
Agua Nueva, on
until the 21st of
five
General Wool's column, and proceeded to
for
the
San Luis road, where he remained encamped
February.
Lieutenant-Colonel May, with a strong reconnoitring party,

consisting of four companies of the 1st and 2d dragoons, a section
some
of Washington's battery under Lieutenant O'Brien, and
volunteer cavalry,
making an
men, was sent on the 20th

of General Minon,
to
the
with his cavalry
enemy under Santa Anna might
At the same time. Major McCullough with a
be advancing.
party of
Iledionda to ascertain the presence
who had been hovering near
some time, and whether
for
mounted
entire force of four hundred
Texan
spies
was
sent to
Encarnacion
for
same
the
puqiose.
On
reaching Iledionda in the afternoon. Colonel
May
sent out
pickets in every direction through the valley in which

situated,
saw
to
at the
it
was
gain intelligence of the enemy, and shortly after
extremity of the valley, near the hacienda of Potosi,
signal fires lighted on several peaks, and clouds of dust, indicating
the
march of
around the
troops.
hills in the
These clouds of dust appeared
to
move
neighbourhood of Guachuchil, whence he
inferred that Minon's brigade was marching around, to gain a

position
between him and the main army, and thus cut him
28
ofT.
204
Having
to
await the return of his pickets, and expecting an
attack, he prepared for a defence,
each end of the
About ten
at
running through the rancho.
street
o'clock,
by placing bales of cotton
by which time the pickets had
returned
all
except one, a deserter from the Mexican army came to Colonel
May
with the intelligence that General
bourhood, and that Santa
Minon was
in the neigh-
Anna was at Encarnacion
that
morning
30,000 men, and intended attacking General Taylor the next
W'ith
Agua Nueva.
Colonel May, knowing the importance of
day
at
his
detachment, which contained
army, immediately
left
all
the regular cavalry of the
Hedionda, and rejoined the main column
under General Taylor by daybreak, having made a march of sixty

miles
in
twenty hours.
Contrary to expectation, he did not
encounter General Minon on the march.

the
San Luis road
at
Encantada, as
Instead of intersecting
May had
Minon
expected,
continued on to San Antonio, and through the pass of Palomas, in

the rear of Saltillo.
Major McCulIough with

nacion, and
managed
to
his party
had proceeded
twenty thousand, with a large proportion of

returned
Encar-
gain a position where he could see the
whole force of the enemy, which he estimated
He
to
by twelve o'clock on the
at
upwards of
artillery
and cavalry.
21st,
and reported
his
observations to the commanding.general.
The
camp
position of the
at
Agua Nueva, though
and possessing many advantages, could

flank.
Because of
and American
this,
forces.
a good one,
easily be turned on either
and the great disparity of
tlie
General Taylor determined to
Mexican
fall
back
about twelve miles to a place of great natural strength called

Angostura, near the hacienda of Buena Vista, and particularly
suited to a small
"The
army
resisting the
advance of superior numbers.*
road [from San Luis Potosi to Saltillo] at this
General Taylor's Report.
point
TAVLOU FALLS BACK TO BUKNA
becomes
a luinow defile, the valley on
quite impracticable for artillery
able gullies, while on the
205
right bein<]^ rendered
its
by a system of deep and impass-
a succession of
left
VISTA.
rugged ridges and
precipitous ravines extends far back toward the mountain which
bounds the
The
valley.
features of the
ground were such as
nearly to paralyze the artillery and cavalry of the

his infantry could not derive all the
advantage of
enemy, while
its
numerical
superiority."
This place had been selected some time before by General
Wool, and approved by General Taylor. Besides, the commanding-general believed that by his falling back a day's march, Santa
Anna would mistake
the
movement
for a precipitate flight,
and
urge on his forces, already exhausted by a march of thirty-five

miles from Encarnacion to
Agua Nueva,
over a barren desert that
afforded neither water nor food of any kind
would thus be able
engage
to
and the Americans
enemy under
their
all
the disad-
vantages of a forced march, want of food, and general disarray.
On
the 21st, at noon, General Taylor broke up his
ment and
back
fell
to
Buena
of the Arkansas
part
removal of the
stores.
Hardin, was halted

to give battle
the
at
to
meet him.
and the Mississippi

put
expected
it
under Colonel
so that, instead of passively awaiting

feel the
moral effect of marching
for-
rifles,
under Captains Sherman and Bragg,
under Colonel Davis, proceeded
a better state of defence,
and prepare
to Salfor the
battle.
Santa Anna
after
in
1st Illinois regiment,
the
General Taylor, with May's dragoons, two
batteries of the .3d artillery,
tillo, to
superintend
main body, under General Wool, encamped a
enemy, the troops might
ward
to
Angostura, where General Taylor intended
mile and a half in the rear

the
Vista, leaving Colonel Yell, with a
mounted volunteers,
The
encamp-
left
Encarnacion
mass had been
at
noon on the 21st of February,
said in front of the several divisions.
Ampudia commanded
the
General
advance-guard of lour battalions of
nisTORY OK THK MEXICAN WAR.
'200
li'^lit
iiifiuitry.
willi
A brigade
of artillery of 16-pounders followed,
regiment of engineers and their train, and after them a
Next came
park of the regiment of hussars.
of heavy infantry, with five 12-pounders
The second
General Lombardini.
and
their jârk,
and
the
first
division, with eight
followed under General Pachecho
sions of cavalry under General Juvera.
division
their park,
8-pounders
then the divi-
came
Lastly
under
the remain-
der of the cannon, the general park and baggage, with a rear-
guard consisting of a brigade of lancers, under General Andrade,
making
in the
aggregate a force of upwards of twenty thousand
men.
About midnight on the

two companies of the
mounted volunteers
Mexican
and immediately
light infantry,
moved
Agua Nueva.
after their
train of
Buena
to destroy the stores that
fired,
and the flames
tada, and illumining the
back from the
glittering
the
filled
wagons was now
Vista, while
the
troops
had not yet been removed.
In pursuance of an order, the buildings and
were
arrival,
in the pass of Cornero, about five miles
The whole
with speed towards
oflf
remained
was reinforced by
under Amjiudia, attacked Colonel Yell's
advance piquet, stationed

south of
21st, Colonel Yell
dragoons, and a part of the Kentucky
1st
some stacks of wheat
the w^hole valley of the
Encan-
rugged mountain peaks, and flashing
appointments of armed
men and
steeds,
produced a picture wonderfully sublime, whose impression was

heightened by the rumbling of the wagons in
shots of the advanced parties,
startling the
After
destroying
returned to
In the
midnight
Ruena
mean
retreat, the
random
and the sounds of signal trumpets
air.
the
Vista,
stores
that
remained, the Americans
which they reached about day-break.
time, Santa
Anna had put
his
heavy forces
in
motion, and emerging at length from the mountain gorge, above
Agua Nueva, was

had expected
surprised to find the
to surprise
and cut up.
forces gone,
which he
Supposing the American
PRKPARATIONS FOR BATTLE.
army
in
brigade,
troops,
full
lie
ri'treal,
forward
liurried
after
Intercepted
;uiil
meagre
the
in
207
by Minon's
rear
exhausted and nearly famished
liis
and a single draught of water,
repast,
cheering them with the assurance that they would
abundance from
In
tlie
the
American
soon enjoy
sujiplies at Saltillo.
morning of the 22d of February, a day hallowed
American
as the birthday of
to
Washington, General Wool,
every
in the
absence of the commanding-general, who had not yet returned

from
Saltillo,
The banners were
ordered the troops under arras.
unfurled to the breeze amid the inspiring strains of " Hail Colum-
bia" from the bands, and the talismanic words " The
Washington," passed from corps
The
was
following
Washington, with
the
of the
was posted
Captain
troops.
so as to
command
road at Angostura, suj)ported by the 1st regiment of

lunteers, under Colonel Hardin,
of
to corps.
disposition
his battery,
memory
which partly occupied
the
Illinois vo-
a ridge of
land extending from Angostura to the plateau or high table-land,
The 2d
running back to the mountains.

a
company
its left,
of Texans,
commanded by
and
Illinois volunteers,
Colonel Bissell, were on
and the 2d regiment of Kentucky volunteers occupied the
crest of a ridge
by the roadside.
the base of the mountains,
volunteers, under
was
the
On
the extreme
Colonel Yell, and
under Colonel Marshall.
left,
and near
Arkansas regiment of mounted
The Indiana
the
Kentucky regiment,
volunteer brigade, under
General Lane, composed of the 2d and 3d regiments, under

Colonels Bowles and Lane, the 1st regiment of Mississippi
men, under Colonel Davis, Colonel May's squadron of
rifle-
the
2d
dragoons, Captain Steen's s(iuatlron of 1st dragoons, and the batteries of
Sherman and Bragg,
constituted the reserve, and were
stationed on the ridges in the rear of the right of the plateau.
Shortly after the troops were placed in position, General Taylor
returned from Saltillo, and riding along the lines, was received
with enthusiastic cheers.
General
Wool
also roile along,
and
208
own column, by
inspirited the troops, especially his
brief, yet
stirring remarks.
mean
In the
time, a cloud of dust
and soon
tant hills,
down
thundering
after the
rising over the dis-
coming
the valley of Encantada, and,
of Washington's battery, sounded
American
the mountains on the
in sight
a halt with their bugles just out
The advanced squadrons now
of cannon-range.
formed,
was seen
enemy's cavalry advance came
left,
filed off
while others
towards
came up and
nearly the whole space from the road to the mountains
till
was covered by
the serried legions, with all their blazonry of ban-
ners and panoply of armour gleaming in the sun.
While the engineers of both armies were busily employed
in
learning the disposition of the forces of their antagonist, and pro-
viding for their own, a white flag advanced from the Mexican
front,
and
its
bearer presented the following letter

"
Camp at Encantada,
February 22, 1847.
" God and Liberty

<'
You
by twenty thousand men, and cannot,
are surrounded
any human probability, avoid suffering a

pieces with your troops
at discretion,
you
you from a catastrophe, and
this notice, in order that
under the assurance that you
the consideration belonging to the
end you
to
will be granted
commence from
the
in
and being cut
to
but as you deserve consideration and
particular esteem, I wish to save

that purpose give
rout,
to
moment when my
you may surrender
will
Mexican
an hour's time
for
be treated with
character, to
which
make up your mind,
flag of truce arrives in
your camp.
" With
this
view,
assure you of
my
particular consideration.
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.

To General Z. Taylor,
Commanding the forces of the
To
this
U. S."
summons General Taylor immediately despatched
following answer:
the
./^l
'
-J
,-s'
'V
'7
Sic
r'^"-
'
V.
"^
"
'
-I
n.VTTLK OK
BUKNA
VISTA.
209
Mead-Qlauters, Ak.my ok Occupation,

j
Near
"Sir:
In
surrender
my forces
acceding
to
your
February
22, 1SI7.
your note of this date, summoninp^
to
r('j)ly
Rviciia Vista,
beg leave
at discretion, I
me
to
to say that I decline
reijuest.
" With high respect,
am,
sir,
your obedient servant,

Z.
Major- Gen. U.
S.
TAYLOR,
A. commanding.
Senor Gen. D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna,

Commander-in-chief. La Encantada.'
Soon
after this the
arranged as follows
On
whole Mexican army had come up, and was
the second ridge, in front of the
stationed the
first
On
the other.
American army,
the
enemy
and second divisions of infantry, one behind
the right of this, upon
a higher point,
was
sta-
tioned a battery of 16-pounders, supported by the regiment

of
Upon
engineers.
batteries of 12
the
their
left,
and near the road, were two other
and 8-pounders and a large howitzer.
two wings was the cavalry
in
In rear of
rear of the centre
was the
head-quarters of Santa Anna, and the regiment of hussars, his
body-guard.
In the rear of
all
was
the general park, protected
by the brigade of General Andrade.
The
first
movement
session of one or
left
of the
check
this.
of the
enemy was an attempt
plateau, occupied
by the American
battalion from the Indiana brigade
To
under Major Gorman, and a
and Kentucky volunteers, dismounted.
hostile bodies
approached each other, both with the
design of outflanking, General

battery-
ujion the
reserve.
Colonel Marshall was sent up the other slope with a
portion of the Arkansas
While these
to get pos-
two gradual slopes of the mountain
Taylor sent Captain Bragg's
and the 2d Kentucky regiment of volunteers under Colonel
McKee,
to
occupy the slope of the eminence on the
Washington's battery
at
Angostura, and a
little in
rii^lit
ad\ance of
of
it,
210
for
tl)t>
j)urpo.se
enemy's
of checking a demonstration
Three pieces of
left.
by Captain Washington up
artillery
had
made upon
the
been detached
also
and
to the left of the plateau
])laced
under Lieutenant O'Brien, who was supported by the 2d Indiana

regiment.
These dispositions being made, the Americans calmly awaited

the attack of the
The
enemy.
signal for the opening strife
from the enemy's
shell
division under
howitzer,
Ampudia was
The former
riflemen.
vollies
was given
fired
hotly
thrown into the
the
air
men wounded,
wounded was over

American
the
light
in
continuous
terrible effect, while
of the
enemy behind
the
This and an occasional
our troops on the plateau, comprised the
at
action of the 22d, which
but four
fire
and
which they occupied.
cannonade directed
after
and
with rapidity
they sheltered themselves from the
shell
and soon
engaged with the American
the latter with cool deliberation
crest of the ridge,
o'clock by a
at three
was suspended about dark by

by the enemy.
The American
while that of the
three hundred
enemy
so deadly
a signal
loss
in killed
was
was
and
the aim of
rifle
During the day, the
1st
formed a parapet along
regiment of
its front,
Illinois volunteers
had
and, directed by the engineers,
had dug a ditch, and thrown up an epaulement with a traverse,

before Washington's
Angostura, to occupy which
battery at
Colonel Hardin detached a supporting force of two companies of

his regiment,
under Lieutenant-Colonel Weatherford.
At sunset. General Taylor

the forces,
and proceeded
left
General Wool in
to Saltillo, with
command
May's dragoons and
the Mississippi regiment, to complete arrangements for
and prepare
for the reception of his
wounded
by Santa Anna, expected on the morrow.

arranged as follows
Two
*
companies of the
Santa Anna's account.
of
after the
its
defence,
main attack
The defences were

1st Illinois volunteers,
BATTLE OF BUF.NA VISTA.
211
under Captains Morgan and Prentiss, and two companies of the

2d
under Captains Hacker and Wheeler, the
The
whole comraandetl by Major Warren, occupied the town.

field-work
commanding
Webster's company,
while the
train
its
approaches was garrisoned by Captain
1st artillery, with
two 24-pouiHl liowitzers;
and head-quarters camp was defended by a
6-poundcr from Bragg's battery under Lieutenant Shover, supported by two companies of Mississippi riflemen under Captain
Rogers.
After the close of the battle, Santa
Anna made
a spirited
address to his troops, which was received with enthusiastic cries,

distinctly heard in the
the
Mexican
floated
down
American
lines.
After this the band of
chief struck up, and strains of surpassing sweetness
away
the mountain sides, and died
along the narrow gorge.
Silence and darkness
and amid the gloom, the troops
in general
sank down
on their arms, without covering and without

chill
night-winds and
occasional
gusts
echoes
in faint
now succeeded,
fires,
of rain
to
slumber
exposed
;
but
to the
on
the
mountains, where the cold was extreme, the light troops of both
armies gathered the trunks of dwarfish trees, and the stalks of
shrubs, and kindled
fires,
groups during the night.
29
around which they gathered
in
shivering
CHAPTER
XIII.
Commencement on the American Enemy's Columns of

Advance of Lombardini's and Pachecho's Divisions O'Brien, with his
repulse them Retreat of the 2d
Artillery and 2d Indiana Regiment, ordered
Indiana Regiment American Reserve ordered up Second Column of Attack
repulsed
Angostura Troops on the Plateau reinforced by Artillery and Infan Arrival of General Taylor on the Field Confidence restoredThe gallant
The conMississippi Regiment The Enemy driven back on the American
checked
on the Plateau Movement of the Cavalry on the Enemy's
Batteries of Sherman and Bragg Baggage-train threatened by Cavalry Dangerous Position of the Enemy's Cavalry Ease of Santa Anna Mexican
Reserve ordered up Terrible Service of O'Brien's Artillery Slaughter of the
and Kentucky Regiments Deaths of Colonels Hardin, McKce, and Clay
Washington's Battery Gallantry of Lieutenant O'Brien Repulse of Minon's
Cavalry Close of the Battle American and Mexican Losses.
Action of the 23d
left
Attack
to
at
try
left
right
test
Illinois
At two
o'clock on the morning of the 23d, the advanced pickets
of the American army were driven in by those of
whose
light division
thousand
men
was
from the divisions of Lombardini and Pachecho,
with the view of gaining the American
mountains.
Ampudia,
reinforced towards day-break by two
left
Here the action commenced
and was maintained with
dawn on
the 23d,
by Colonel Marshall's
great spirit
command, holding themselves under
at
and rear upon the
cover,
and contending
against nearly eight to one, until reinforced by Major Trail, 2d

with three companies of riflemen, including
About
Captain Conner's Texas volunteers.

O'Brien,
who was
stationed at the upper edge of the plateau
with a 12-pound howitzer, and two guns

other a 4-pounder
threw
shells
with
among
came
great
sunrise. Lieutenant
to their aid,
accuracy and
the troops of
one
a 6-pounder, the
and advancing his howitzer,
terrible
Amj)udia,
eflect
six
or
eight
now pouring down

(213)
the
BATTLK OF BUENA VISTA.

slope of the mountain that intervened
The
riflemen.
rican
between them and the Ame-
precision of the firing elicited the most
enthusiastic cheering from the whole
By
213
this time, tiie ciiief of
American
Santa Anna's
stalT,
line.
General Michel-
torena, hail planted his battery of 8-poundors on the high ridge
lying between the contending forces, and

fire
O'Brien's pieces, but with

distance intervening.
to
commenced
a plunging
on the plateau, which was more especially directed against
answer the
fire
For
of the
little
success, on account of the great
this
reason O'Brien did not attempt
enemy, as
guns were of
his
He remained
than the pieces of their battery.
lighter metal
silent, therefore,
subsequently ordered by General Lane to meet the advance
until
of Pachecho's division.
The enemy had now arranged

first,
to
three
columns of
the pass of
La Angostura, was composed
The
attack.
be led by General Mora y Villamil, and destined
to force
of the 2d regiment of
engineers, the 12th regiment, the Jigo de Mexico, and the battalions of
Puebla and Tampico.
'I'he
second column was com-
posed of the divisions of Lombardini and Pachecho,

division
left
was
to
move
The former
across the ridge mentioned above, to the
of their 8-pounder battery, while the division of
advanced up the ravine
in
front of the plateau;
Pachecho
and thus, both
uniting near the mountain, together with their supporting forces

of cavalry, turn the left of the
plateau.
The
light
troops,
column of attack, and were
American troops stationed on the

under Ampudia, were the third
to
turn
the
mountains, and attack the American rear
in
extreme
left
on the
conjunction with the
second column, under Generals Lombardini and Pachecho.
Be-
sides these three columns, a reserve, under General Ortega,
was
stationed on the ground occujjied by the two lines of the
when
first
While the
third
riflfinen ujjon the

rifle
enemy,
displayed on coming in sight of the American army.
column was hotly engaged with the American

moimtains, and the
was intermingled with
rattle
of musketry and the
the roar of the 8-pounders directed
HISTORY OF TIIK Mi:XICAN WAR.
814
against the
left
along the ridge
army;
men
his
of the plateau, Lombardini's division
Pachecho,
to unite with
view of the American
in
in full uniform, his horses in
gay caparison, their
burnished weapons and appointments flashing
in
and every standard, colours, and guidon unfurled
While
tlie
this
pageant was passing
in review.
came
engineers, about nine o'clock
was moving
the sunlight,
to the breeze.
Major Mansfield, of
with the intelligence that
Pachecho's division, which had moved along screened from
sight,
was coming up
the ravine with the evident design of gaining the
way
of the ridge adjoining the third principal gorge,
plateau by
which scalloped the plateau.

at
tlie
in
At
time General
this
Wool was
Angostura, having gone thither to give some directions about
General Lane, therefore, the next
defences in that quarter.
command, ordered Lieutenant O'Brien,
with his three pieces
of artillery, and the 2d Indiana regiment, to take position just
beyond the head of
By
the time the
the third gorge, and repel the
guns were
in battery
enemy.
and the regiment
dis-
played, the Mexican infantry was ascending the ridge, and, form-
ing
in lines,
Their
fire
opened upon
it
at a
distance of two hundred yards.
was returned immediately and
taneously with
it,
effectively; and, simul-
O'Brien's guns poured their deadly discharges
Though
upon the columns of the enemy.

superiority of ten to one in front,
struggling against a
and enfiladed by a
cross-fire of
grape and canister from the 8-pounder battery on his

ral
Lane
left.
Gene-
gallantly maintained the contest for twenty-five minutes
during which he swept
down whole
platoons at a time, and re-
peatedly broke the front lines of the enemy, which were as often
re-formed.
juato,
So murderous was the
fire,
that the corps of
which constituted the advance, was
With
the view of getting out of range of the
and driving back Pachecho's troops

ordered O'Brien to advance about
was immediately done, and
Guana-
totally destroyed.
enemy's guns,
into the ravine. General l.ane

fifty
yards to the front, which
his pieces served, as before, with
mn^n^^^^l^
-^:
f^'^^mp^^'^^'^
BUENA
BATTLF, or
And
terrible cfTect.
VISTA.
215
he been promptly sustained by his sup-
lia:l
porting^ force,
he would have defeated this division of the enemy,
and driven
back
it
But, instead of
into the ravine.*
to his support, the 2(1 Indiana volunteers hesitated
under the severe
of the
fire
companies from the
right,
enemy, and
fled
in
and
of
Exertions were
the Mississippi regiment,
during (he day; some retired
where they
tillo,
assistetl
in
to
Buena
made
but without effect;
staff,
brave Captain Lincoln lost his
in the effort, the
by
utter confusion, leaving the
them, by General Lane and his
them joined
and staggered
then, breaking ofT
gallant O'Brien to bear the contest alone.

to rally
moving up
life.
few
and did good service
Vista,
and others
defending the depot.
It
to Sal-
may
at
least
be mentioned to their credit, that before flying, they had
fired
twenty rounds of cartridge
four
enemy.
at the
In the
flight,
companies of the Arkansas volunteers, which had been
mounted and ordered

a single
fire
after
into action, participated,
coming
into action.
By
dis-
having delivered but
the giving
way
of the
2d Indiana regiment, the riflemen, under Colonel Marshall, were

cut off'from the centre, and, unable to withstand the overwhelming
force of the
enemy on
diref;tion of
Buena
this flank, retreated
Vista.
They
in
good order,
w'ere pursued
cavalry and a part of the light forces under

force
was held
in
check
for a
in the
by the Mexican
Ampudia.
This
time by the spirited conduct of the
Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry, under Colonels Yell and Marshall.
Left without support, and exposed to a continuous sheet of
O'Brien and his brave

fearful
ter, the
artillerists
struggled for a time against the
odds; and before their pieces, charged with double canis-
enemy
fell
in
fall
But,
scores, like grass before the scythe.
overpowered by numbers, he was compelled

up and
fire,
at length to
limber
back, yielding the 4-pounder to the enemy, after
every horse and
man
that belonged to
it
had been killed or
Mexican Eiigineer'a Report.
dis-
216
Pacheclio immediately advanced, with his cavalry on the
abled.
right of his infantry, and, united with Lombardini's forces,
The
emerging from the ravine.

the plateau, concentrated
column, moving across
entire
upon the 2d
fire
its
now
under
Illinois,
Colonel Bissell, the squadron of 1st dragoons, under Captain

Steen, and the
nants
section of Sherman's battery, under Lieute-
first
Thomas and French;
of which had been ordered to ad-
all
The
vance just before the 2d Indiana regiment gave way.

of the artillery
was
terrible,
service
and cut avenues through the dense
masses, while the storm of musketry strewed the ground with
The
dead and dying of the enemy.
the
cavalry, unable to
attempt anything by charging into the overwhelming masses,
back
American
and shortly
left;
after, the Illinois troops
battery were assailed in front and
The
iron storm
and
faltered
was
fell
again, supported
resistless
this
Mora y
rear,
and before
Illinoians,
time the heavy
Villamil,
left
first
fury, the
flank.
Americans
battery
in
of the plateau to gain the rear.
column of
attack, under General
of the guns at Angostura,
pieces opened upon
it
with signal
Nothing could stand up against the storm that assailed
enemy soon wavered, and was thrown
into confusion,
shelter in the third gorge of the plateau
beyond, nor renewed the attack

this
and the
and the enemy's flank severely
came within range
when Washington's
About
advance
and upon each

its
But the pieces were soon
back.
by the
galled as he passed to the
At
to
deadly engines, and their right to pass around
in the teeth of the
the
The enemy continued
to the ravine in the rear.
fell
and
effect.
it.
The
and sought
in the great ravine
in that direction.
time Captain Sherman gained the plateau with the
second section of his battery, and, on reaching the head of the

first
gorge, opened
fire
The 2d Kentucky
tain
upon the enemy.
volunteers, under Colonel
McKee and Cap-
Bragg, with two pieces of his battery, soon
from their position beyond Washington's battery,
after
at
arrived
Angostura.
BATTLE OF BUENA
line of artillery
to the ravine,
was now
217
formetl Aoin the head of the gorge
which was soon driving
The
Mexican ranks.
into the
VISTA.
its
masses of iron and lead
under the
1st Illinois regiment,
gallant Colonel Hardin, now came up from Angostura,
after the
repulse of Villamil, and with the squadron of 1st dragoons, the 2d

Illinois
and the 2d Kentucky regiment, constituted the support-
ing force of the artillery, and poured

serried
leaden hail upon the
its
masses of the enemy.
When
these reverses had taken place, and while the fate of
the battle
seemed decided
the
American
left
almost in entire possession of the plateau

despairing of the issue
from
Saltillo,
General
the enemy
the
Americans
Taylor arrived upon the
field
He was accompanied by
and restored confidence.
May's dragoons, the Mississippi
forced
and
riflemen, under Colonel Jeffer-
son Davis, Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse, and a

piece of artillery, under Lieutenant Kilburn.
relative
the
to
restoring the
2d Indiana
The
battle,
American
After
some orders
General Taylor immediately attempted

left,
and bringing
into action again the
fugitives.
Mississippians under the gallant Colonel Davis were im-
mediately led into action, while General
Wool himself
started to
bring up to their support the third Indiana regiment stationed
upon the
left
Near
tura.
and
the
in the rear of
Washington's battery,
head of a small ravine whith
at
Angos-
intersects the third
large ravine in rear of the plateau. Colonel Davis intercepted the
pursuing forces of Ampudia.

of the
ing
fire
enemy's column, yet he
tremendous
still
fire
smote the head
passed on over dead and dy-
successive discharges checked advance and caused

slacken when the Mississippians, with a loud hurrah,
his
his
to
rushed on the enemy, passed the ravine, and

the bank, after a murderous
upon the
reserves.
fire
clambering up
drove back his routed
This accomplished, they made a dash
enemy's cavalry on the
flank,
and
after a
ranks
at the
few Aolleys, turned
it
HISTORY OF TIIK MEXICAN WAR.
218
back
Soon
infantry.
to join tlic
after the
and Lieutenant Kilburn's piece of

force compelled the
enemy
was
still
and the united
artillery arrived,
back
to fall
still
While these things were going on upon

battle
3d Indiana volunteers
farther.
American
the
when Santa Anna brought upon
rather in our favour,
with a heavy battery the battalion of San
the
the plateau
Patricio, consisting of
renegades who had basely deserted the American colours
Irish
which they had sworn
to
laded the plateau, and
was
The
support.
effective,
fire
of this battery enfi-
but the American batteries
kept ihc advantage, and at length broke the attacking col-
still
umn.
moved
part
off"
in
Perceiving
ravine.
fell
back
to
take shelter in the
the forces under Hardin, Bissell, and
this,
McKee, pressed on and drove back

After this advantage Captains
the
enemy
precipitately.
Sherman and Bragg were
patched, with two pieces each, to sustain the American

strife
was
The
obstinate and sanguinary.
defended by four pieces
Ampudia,
a direction to reinforce
while the other, under Santa Anna,
the
left,
raging upon the plateau, where the advantage was
two
left,
where
was
plateau
des-
still
under the intrepid O'Brien, and
two under Lieutenants Thomas and Garnet.

In the
mean
Ampudia's
time,
forces
upon the enemy's extreme
right,
beyond
and along the base of the mountains, cavalry
was moving down towards Buena
Vista,
whose advance was im-
peded by the mounfed volunteers, under Colonels Yell and Marshall.
To
reinforce this small
May
despatched Colonel
body of
with the regular cavalry, and Captains
Preston and Pike's mounted volunteers.
mediately stopped
caused
it
to return
the
troops, General Taylor
progress of the
The united
force im-
enemy's cavalry, and
along the base of the mountain, where the
fire
from the detachments of the batteries of Sherman and Bragg was

concentrated upon
Soon
after, a
it
with decisive
effect.
powerful brigade of cavalry, principally lancers,
under General Torrejon, had crossed the ravines
in the rear,
and
BATTLK OF BUKNA VISTA.
21!)
Uireatened a (lescenl upon the baggage-tiaiii

Vista.
'I'licy
charged
in
ing the contest with great
Arkansas and
and maintain-
repulsed them with the aid of par-
spirit,
ties of troops in that vicinity, that
May
the
tiiein,
columns of squadrons
Kentucky volunteers, wiio gallantly received
near Bucna
jiarke;!
had
lied in the
morning. Colonel
with the dragoons and other cavalry, and Lieutenant Jveyiiolds
with two pieces of artillery, iiad been ordered to their sujiport.
The former came up too late
to participate in the fight
the other
wheeletl his section into battery, and played upon the retreating
columns of cavalry with precision and

cavalry, the gallant Colonel Yell
and by
side the brave Captain
his
effect.
fell at
the
In this charge of
head of
Porter, with
his regiment,
many
of their
men.
After this failure, a fresh brigade of cavalry with supporting
infantry, the chivalry of the
the
Mexican army, attempted
to drive
Mississippi regiment and 3d Luliana volunteers, and
force a passage to the road nearer the plateau.
On
they
thus
came
at
a gallop, in close columns of squadrons, their flags and pennons

flying,
and
their
lance-points flickering in the sun, while the
was
Mississippi regiment
in line to receive
troops in like manner, with their
left
them, and the Indiana
resting on the right of Colonel
Davis's regiment, the two lines forming an obtuse re-entrant angle

to receive the
on the
left.
murderous
enemy.
howitzer from Sherman's battery was
Arrived within eighty yards, the brigade received a

fire
from the faces of the angle, which struck down
the front ranks of the column.
and the
rifles
enemy, while
The deadly discharges
of musketry
rapidly delivered, increased the confusion of the

the howitzer of
Sherman, charged with canister
and grape, strewed the earth with the dead and wounded.
iron tempest poured
enemy
upon him was
turned and fled
Following up
this
resistless,
for shelter to the
The
and the dismayed
mountains.
advantage. General Taylor sent Lieutenant-
Colonel May, with the troops lately returned from the engagement
30
220
at the
hacienda, to (hive
As
the mountains.
in the
enemy's
cavahy under
tlie
forced the troops to
back, Lieutenant Reynolds with his two pieces kept following
fall
Bragg
on, and poured destruction upon their ranks.
upon them with
his three pieces of artillery,
the
enemy continued
he came
to retreat
at length within
which prevented further
and exposed
shells
to the fire
advanced
also
and Sherman with
by the Mississippi and Indiana regiments.
his howitzer, supported
As
along the base of
riglit
May
along the base of the nu)untains.
range of the guns upon the plateau,
Hemmed
retreat.
in
now upon
of nine pieces of artillery,
went crashing through
their
all
sides.
whose shot and
crowded masses
.Reynolds's
pieces on their right, Sherman's and Bragg's in front, and
Thomas on
pieces of O'Brien and

their destruction
their
seemed
inevitable,
upon
the plateau
when they were
the
their left
relieved from
dangerous position by a dishonourable ruse of Santa Anna.
That treacherous chief sent a white
know what
General Taylor,
flag to
desir-
he wanted^ and during the suspension of the
ivg
to
fire
ordered upon the advance of the
enemy's forces
flag, the
which were so sorely pressed, amounting
to five or six
thousand,
On
cavalry and infantryescaped from their perilous situation.
head of the plateau, a heavy
arriving, however, near the
fire
from O'Brien's and Thomas's pieces, w'hich were advanced
meet them, and from the

also
Illinois
moved up, caused
great
and Kentucky
destruction
their
to
to
had
troops, that
confused
ranks.
But while thus engaged, the Mexican reserve, composed of the

best troops, with the veteran regiments in front,
The
plateau at the head of the third gorge.

joined the reserve,
Before this
were compelled
O'Brien
making
irresistible
in the
to
retire
the
retreating party
column about twelve thousand.
force, the
mean time
with terrible effect
the
was entering
Kentucky and
and seek cover
in the
Illinois troops
second gorge.
served his pieces, charged with canister,
but the
enemy
still
pressed on, until
tliey
'I t^
iL
il
!, ^j
KY
CIj
A'l.
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

reached the hcatl of
move
to
across
wiiiU' the other half
down upon
phituau,
resisted
half eoiitinued
only by U'Hrien's guns
occupied each side of the gorge,
American troops
the
The one
sceonil gorge.
thi-
tlie
221
antl
marched
crowded together, and
there
scarcely able to stand on account of the inclined position which
The slaughter was
occupied.
tliey
down
pressed
tlie
gorge, to escape by
the whole line of their retreat
great,
its
and the Americans
mouth
to the road,
was strewed with
the
while
dead and
dying.
On
reaching the opening of the gorge, they found a large body
of cavalry just closing up the door of escape.

to force their
the
enemy
the
way
througli, but
while the work of destruction went rapidly on
densely-crowded
moment was heard
masses
with signal
effect,
in
the
In
ravine.
this
among
fearful
the thunder of Washington's battery, and
amid the enemy's cavalry, exploded
spherical case-shot falling
upon
Some endeavoured
sank beneath the lance-points of
confusion, dismay, and rout
causing
their rapid retreat, the
remnants of the
Illinois
and
and Kentucky
regiments escaped to the road, leaving hundreds of their brave
companions behind them
in
death
among
them
the
gallant
Colonels Hardin and AIcKee, and Lieutenant-Colonel Clay.

After the escape of the enemy's right, consequent on Santa
Anna's stratagem. General Taylor ordered the troops from the
American
left to
the plateau,
where he expected a strong demon-
While these were coming up, the American
stration.
been driven, as
related,
by
a part of the
O'Brien and Thomas, with their

hold
artillery,
Mexican
infantry
had
reserve,
and
were endeavouring
At every discharge avenues were made through the enemy's
men
the
assailed
the battery with a steady
fire.
Nearly
all
his horses
killed
and wounded, as O'Brien sawBragg's
into action,
and Davis and Lane, with their brave
and cannoneers were
coming
col-
soon closed up, and moved firmly on, while they
umn, but
battery
to
check the other portion, which kept steadily advancing.
in
IIISTOIIY
222
ascendin:^ the i)Iateau.
troops,
upon him,
quite
OK THr, MFA'ICAN wau.
he
fr^ve a final
The enemy by
this
time was
and murderous
fire,
and, with
the few crippled companions that remained,
The
contest.
back from the
fell
enemy
guns thus obtained by the
want of
for
horses to bring them away, were subsequently recaptured by
Captain Drum, 4th
Bragg's battery
Churubusco.
artillery, at
now opened upon
fury; Sherman's battery soon united
enemy, with
the
terrible
and the Mississippi
its fire,
riflemen and Indiana volunteers poured a severe enfilading
upon
his flank.
Still
front ranks of the
who
raged the iron tempest, and
enemy
fell,
as the
others succeeded to their places,
To advance
were shot down.
in their turn
storm was impossible
still,
fire
the enemy
at
fusion spread through their ranks,
against such a
length began to falter
and they retreated
con-
to the great
dead and dying,
ravine, leaving the ground covered with the
in
fearful eviilence of the severity of the contest.

It
was now about
five o'clock,
and the batteries moved up a
few hundred yards, and opened a destructive
San
battalion of
Patricio, supported
fire
upon the
by the Mississippi regiment
and other troops, while General Taylor despatched the cavalry
under Lieutenant-Colonel
May
to the left, to
guard against any
attempt again to turn our flank in that direction.
General Minon with his cavalry had advanced against

during the day, but was received by a heavy
fire
Saltillo
from the redoubt
occupied by Captain Webster's company, which caused him
move
off with rapidity.
the attempt,
artillery,
the close of day he

fire
renewed
from two pieces of
under Captain Shover and Lieutenant Donaldson, and a
mixed command
mountains
As
Towards
when, galled by a severe
to
the
to his
sun
of volunteers, he hastily fled up the base of the
encampment.
set,
at length ceased,
down upon
the
the
firing
on both
sides
slackened,
and
and darkness and comparative silence settled
two armies.
Expecting a renewal of the attack,
223
BATTLK OK BUKNA VISTA.
preparations for the next day, but
General Taylor made due
when
dawned,
niorninn^
tl)e
were nowliere
Mexicans had
masses of the enemy
be seen, and shouts of victory went up from
to
American host
the
dense
the
that shook
fallen
very
the
dead bodies
men and
of
horses,
who
may be
success of the Americans,
while the
in
the
enemy passed
tiie
had perished for lack of
Indeed the great physical exertions, and,
during the pauses
The
back upon Agua Nueva, and subsequently
Encarnacion, strewing the desert between with
retreated to
food.
around.
hills
measure, the
in a
attributed to the fact that
they were regularly refreshed,
fight
with no more than a single
three days
meal.
The
of
battle
Buena Vista may be considered
glory of the brave old chief,
imperishable
wilii
Resaca de
renown upon the
Palma, and
la
who had
at
exultation of victory, however,
many
valorous spirits,
battle, in the vigour of
American
loss
hundred and
in
manhood
crowning
of Palo Alto and

of iMonterey.
was saddened by
The
the loss of the
who had gone down amid
the storm of
or the full honours of years.
wounded, and missing,
killed,
forty-six
fields
heights
the
the
already covered himself
The
was seven
Mexicans upwards of two
that of the
thousand.
The
battle of
Buena Vista
left
General Taylor
possession of the whole line of the Sierra Madre.
afterwards attempted by the
enemy
in
undisputed
Nothing was
that quarter,
depredations of small parties of guerillas.
strengthening General
in
beyond the
For the purpose of
Scott's line, furtlier drafts
were made the
following August upon his forces, whicli had been considerably

increased.
Having made
pro{)er
disposition of the remaining
portions for the maintenance of his
obtained leave of absence
ing
left
General
Wool
in
in
own
line.
General Taylor
November, and returned home, hav-
command
of all the forces.
CHAPTER
XIV.
New Mexico. Recognition of the War, and Disposition of the

General Kearny Arrnyof West Instructions from the War Department March from Fort Leavenworth Arrival
Council Grove The Prairies
Bent's Fort Proclamation by Colonel Kearny March resumed Las Vegas
Expected Battle Tacoletu Pecos The Caiion Capture of Santa Fe
Conquest of
Forces
tiie
at
Appointment of OflRccrs Departure of General Kearny for California. Conquest OF California. Commodore Stockton Colonel Fremont Kit Carson
Counter-revolution Battle of San Pasqual San Bernardo Battle of the
.San Gabriel
Reoccupation of Los Angelos Return of General Kearny.
Thk
fornia
is
story of the recent conquest of
one of rare and romantic
-eminence
second place
in the
New Mexico
interest.
and Cali-
Yielding the pre-
achievement and blood-bought triumph
in brilliancy of
operations in
to the
southern and central Mexico,
importance of
its
results, while
takes no
it
it
asserts for
the force employed, skill, valour, devotion, and endurance, unsur-
passed in military annals, and has crowned our arms with the
truest
On
the
and most abiding fame.

recognition of war between the United States and Mexico,
American land
formed
"
forces designed to operate against the latter
with
three
divisions,
of
Occupation,"
Army
instructed to
distinct
under
move forward from
Brigadier-General Wool, with the
rendezvous
and
.state
Missouri,
of
at
of attack.
Major-General Taylor,
its
and subjugate and hold Coahuila,
to
points
while
New Leon, and Tamaulipas.

"Army of the Centre," was
was concentrated
the
at Fort
'<
Army
the city
Leavenworth, on the
of the
West" under
Colonel Kearny, of the 1st regiment United States dragoons.
primary instructions were
to
was
position on the Rio Grande,
San Antonio de Bexar, and move on
Chihuahua
The
march upon
His
Santa F<5, the capital

(224)
New
of
aiul
TIIF.
eflect the
conquest ami occujiation of that
225
were subsequently enlarged so as
or department, but they
state
to
Mexico,
WKST.
AKIMY OK
embrace
the conquest of California.
Mounted
troops were considered best for the expedition
Edwards
agreeably to the requisition of Governor
Fort Leavenworth
companies began
to arrive
of June, 1846.
They were immediately mustered
and instructed and
at
in (he early part
all
into service,
Horses, mules,
drilled in military exercises.
wagons, ordnance, subsistence
and
of Missouri,
the necessary materiel for an
invading army were collected with prudent haste, and before the
end of June, the expedition,

for
organized, was on
fully
its
route
Mexico.
The
little
army under Colonel Kearny numbered 1658 men,
with sixteen pieces of ordnance, twelve 6-jiounders, and four 12-
pound howitzers.
companies
1st
It
consisted of the following corps
Five
regiment United States dragoons, under Major
Sumner, three hundred men, and the only regulars

Captain Hudson's company of
St.
army;
in the
Louis dragoons, the "Laclede
Rangers," one hundred and seven men
two companies of
flying
artillery,
under Captains Fischer and Weightman, two hundred
and
strong, with
fifty
infantry,
tains
1st
Major Clark as
field-officer;
numbering one hundred and
Angney and Murphy
forty-five
a battalion of
men, under Cap-
with eight companies, composing the
regiment of Missouri mounted volunteers, eight hundred and
fifty-six
men, with
the following field-officers
William
Major; C. F. RufT, Lieutenant-Colonel; Alexander

Colonel, and second in
column.
accompanied
gallant
rank to the
band of
field
commander
Doniphan,
of the whole
and topographical engineers
the expedition, consisting of Lieutenants
Warner, Abert, and Peck.
They received
seat of government, on the 5th of June,
their equij)nient
at
St.
Emory,
their orders at the
and within twenty-four
hours thereafter were on their way, and
completed
W.
Cilpin,
Louis,
having expeditiously
reported
to
Colonel
HISTORY OF TIIK MKXICAN WAR.
22(J
Kearny
at
Fort Leavenwortli,
across the prairies ahead of the
A
a
take their line of
In tliiu! to
march
main column.
short time previous to his departure, Colonel
Kearny received
communication from the Secretary of War, covering additional
instructions and
extended command.
occupancy of Santa Fc, he was

and co-operate with the
province.
fleet
to press
men added
secure the aid of a large body of
ary,
His orders
to his
column, he
and was directed
to call for additional troops,
for that distant region.
many
forward to California,
there in conquering and holding that
Besides one thousand
was empowered
After the conquest and
Mormon
emigrants, en route
relation to the
in
to
route,
and
other things appertaining to the expedition, were discretion-
and he was informed
rank of Brigadier-General
that the
would be conferred on him as soon as

fornia should be
movement
his
to Cali-
commenced.
In the last days of June, the army, broken into divisions, and
preceded or accompanied by long trains of baggage and provision wagons, set forth on
its
toilsome westward march.
hopeful impatience, confidence
gave nerve
to
For some days
in
their chief
and
in
Health,
each other,
every limb, and to every bosom soldierly pride.

their
wholly pathless route lay over elevated and
rolling plains, covered with tall luxuriant grass
and matted vines,
and traversed by many deep ravines and steep-banked streams,

the tributaries of the Kansas, or "
Missouri.
The country,
Kaw," and
rich in picturesque
its
beauty and
presented the general appearance of " vast, rolling

with colossal hedges."
upon
the great Santa
Fd
The army, on
road.
The
sovereign, the
fields,
fertility,
enclosed
the 1st of July, struck
earliest rays of the
morrow's
sun glanced brightly back from the long lines of polished arms
and streaming banners that already moved across the broad, level
plain, or rose over the gently-heaving hills,
diversified the boundless sea of green.
which here and there
Out upon the
silence of
the mighty solitudes, with nougiit but plain and sky on every
227
kkauny's march.
martial
shout and spirit-stirring strains of
mirthrul
side, burst forth the
brou-lit the
afternoon of the 5th
The
hymns, on Independence Day.
advanced battalion of the array
Council Grove, the general rendezvous
for
to the
well-known
union, rest, and repair,
of all caravans and hunting companies, and prized deservedly

for its hospitable
delicious
water, and
its
Here,
various kinds.
fifty
pasturage and shade,
its
abundance of serviceable timber of
at a distance of
about one hundred and
miles from the western borders of Missouri, runs the line
roamings of the savage
that limits the eastward
hands of Indians who own allegiance

from, the United States
dwelling
to,
Paw-
tribes of
The intermediate country
nees, Osages, and Sioux.
life,
copious springs of most
in the
is
and receive stipends
and who, having abandoned nomadic
log-houses, rearing cattle, cultivating the
in
and pursuing some of the other
arts of
soil,
peace, " form the con-
man
necting link between the savage of the plains and the white
Pawnee Fork was reached on
of the States."
the 14th
and here
Colonel Kearny, with the rear division, overtook the advance,
The
and formed a junction of forces with Colonel Doniphan.

waters of this creek, swollen by recent rains,
were so high as
to
be then impassable; "the trees along the sides of the banks
were half hidden

great velocity
the whirling eddies
the willows that
were rushing along with
grew on the bank were waving
under the strong pressure of the water, and brush and large logs
were hurriedly borne along on the turbid bosom of the stream."
Having encamped beside
the river,
whose angry condition
men were promptly
described by Lieutenant Abert, the
work on the construction of a
mander was
rivalled
The energy
by the cheerful labours of
a wild excitement marked
of the
set to
com-
his soldiers,
and
their struggles with, and triumi)h over,
the fiercely rapid current that
way.
raft.
thus
is
presumed
In the forenoon of the IGtli,
to obstruct their
immense
toil
and
onward
resolution
had accomplished the passage across, and on the 17th, the whole
31
HISTORY OK Tin: mkxican war.
228
column was
motion, the Arkansas river route having
in
a<;aiii
Here commenced
been chosen as the most practicable.

tion of the
prairies that
of the Great Desert.
may Justly be
that por-
considered as the outskirt
scanty vegetation sprang from the
soil
of
these plains of granite santl, over which the eye wanders in search
wanders
of trees, but
In
in vain.
directions lay the short,
all
curly buflalo-grass, with thistles and endless varieties of cactus.
Wild
horses, large and well-proportioned, stood in groups watch-
ing the approach of the troops, then dashed
ofl"
into their native
The ground was darkened and the
wilds in wonder and alarm.
horizon lined with herds of butfaloes
and
in close
proximity to
these prowled gray wolves, eagerly watching the opportunity of
Along
prey.
the
margin of
tlie
Arkansas, a
bottom-land afforded suitable places
for
of luxuriant
strip
encampment, and here
occasionally scattered clumps of the cotton-wood extended an

irresistible invitation to the
march over
relieved
BoK
by
wearied and sunburnt soldier,
the sandy plains,
whose monotony was sometimes
villages of prairie dogs
tlie
de vache and wild sage
after his
tliat
dotted the solitudes.
was
the only fuel to be procured.
On
the 20th, the severe illness of
Sickness assailed the troops.
Colonel Kearny caused general anxiety, while the doctors'
The anxiety respecting
exceeded one hundred men.

of the
ness
column was, however, quickly
though extremely harassing and
generally,
attended with
steeds
tliat
results.
fatal
had thus
far
By
tlie
24th,
many
Still
while the sun

that
marked
with unabated vigour
came
hotly
further
On
was
the
abandoned on
entrance
on the
the 28th, the troops
first
the
march continued,
desert,
arid plains,
and the bullhlo
life
and
interest to
caught glimpses of the
enemy's countr\ and every heart beat responsive

,
debilitating,
of the gallant
and witheringly down upon
ceased by his presence to give somewhat of

the scene.
the sick-
borne their owners over the wilderness of
the strange land, failed, and were reluctantly

prairie.
the leader
was
relieved, nor
lists
to tlie
challenge
BINT
of the clarion,
was now
at
out
rin;iiit;"
its
ruuT.
229
joyous iuliinatiou
Crossing the Arkansas on
hand.
encainpcd on (he Mexican
territory,
tliat
the struggle
29th, the array
tlie
on a spot chosen for the con-
venience of grazing, about nine miles below Bent's Fort, a small

the Arkansas, in longitude 103 25/
bank of
post on the north
45" west, and
latitude
38
2'
53" north.
supply had previously been forwarded
Thither large stores of
here was the appointed
general rendezvous, and here, on the appointed day, August the

1st,
with admirable precision,
was concentrated the whole
force,
regular and volunteer, having accomplished a journey of about

six
hundred miles.
To
recruit his
men,
make necessary
long march, as well as to

progress. Colonel
and distresses of
after the fatigues
onward
Kearny detained the army three days
in their
regular and strictly-guarded
encampment.
intelligence of various kinds
was brought
having upon their persons blank
commander,
letters
in.
Three Mexicans,
addressed to the American
were apprehended, and by the colonel's
command
so conducted through the
minds the
liveliest
retire in
During these days
supposed purpose of diverting suspicion of
for the
their character as spies,
allowed to
their
provision for
camp,
as to leave
upon
impressions of the strength of the army
peace
their known propensity
to
their
then
exaggerate
being relied on, to give a sulhciently satisfactory account of what

they had seen to the people and the governor of
Rumour
By some
meet with no opposition
it
was announced
being strongly
fortified,
that our forces
and
Courcy was, with twenty men,
feelings and
to
disposition
at
army, that Santa Fe and Taos were

that
everywhere throughout
there would be resistance to the death.
mountain passes
would
by others, that Governor Armijo was
the head of a formidable
the
Mexico.
contradicted rumour as to the resolves and proceedings
of the latter.
Mexico
New
orrlered to
New
Lieutenant
De
proceed directly through
the valley of the Taos, to ascertain the
of
ilie
people
and on the same day,
JiisTOiiY
230
OF Tin: mkxican war.
July 31st, was issued the following proclamation, bearing date as

above, at the
camp
at
Bent's Fort
New Mexico
" The undersigned enters
with a large military
force, for the purpose of seeking union with, and ameliorating
the condition of
This he does under instructions
inhabitants.
its
from his government, and with the assurance that he will be
amply sustained
in
the
accomplishment of
New
enjoined on the citizens of

their
homes, and
to
Mexico
to
object.
this
It
is
remain quietly at
So long
pursue their peaceful avocations.
as they continue in such pursuits, tlicy will not be interfered with
by
the
American army, but
their rights, both civil
and
will
be respected and protected in
religious.
All
who
take up arms or
encourage resistance against the government of the United States

be regarded as enemies, and will be treated accordingly.
will
S.
W. KEARNY,
Colonel \st Dragoons.''''
From
the Fort, on the
wide folds
out
its
the
Army
train
to the
2d of August, an American
threw
breeze from the desert, in salutation to
The ordnance
of the West, again en route for Santa Fe.
had not arrived, neither had the new levies ordered
Missouri
resistance
the Great
by the enemy.
American Desert, and men and animals

off'
arid waste being left behind, they
a chain of ragged
in
at
combined
suffered
much,
an alarming manner.
This
ascended the Raton or Mouse,
mountains that separates the waters of the
Arkansas from those of the Canadian.
hundred
any attempts
For several days the road lay across
the horses, especially, falling
arduous;
in
but the colonel desired, by the celerity of his move-
ments, to embarrass and frustrate
ful
flag
The ascent
of the pass
but the views from the summit, seven thousand

feet
was
five
above the level of the sea, were inexpressibly beauti-
and sublime.
To
the north-west rose Pike's
south and south-west, the Wattahyah, or
Twin
Peak
Hills,
to the
and the
MARCH RESUMKD.
231
spurs that run southward from the Wattahyah
up the
summits of
sin<j:uh\rly forined
tlie
to the east
towered
Raton, presenting the
appearance of a succession of castles, with time-worn and storm-
now
stained battlements,
glistenino; in the sunshine,
now seeming
to frown upon the small adventurous host that threaded
upward
the defile.
The descent was found more
rajiid,
than the ascent, the road passing over
by
and much more
many
sharp spurs formed
working
the channel of the mountain stream, resolutely
way
to the
Canadian
on the main branch of which
difficult
its
latter river,
a day's halt, with abundant supplies of water, wood, and grass,
was gladly enjoyed
after the fatigues of crossing the
Here commenced a hardship incidental

infinitely
more harassing and annoying
to
such expeditions, but
to the volunteer just fresh
from the abundance and comforts of home, than any

road, or any effort of
army was put on

in
after
toil
and prowess.
military skill
half rations, and
But
Santa F6.
Mexican
mountains.
of the
The
so continued, until their arrival
a few good-humoured benedictions on
the provoking cont)'e-temps, the
men calmly accommodated them-
selves to the sacrifice, and even merrily discussed the diminished

fare.
Spies were daily captured, but upon the information elicited
from them,
little
just
On
reliance could be placed.
Towle, an American
citizen,
came
into
10th, Mr.
the
camp, reporting himself
escaped from Taos, and stating that on the previous day
had been received there the proclamation of Governor Armijo,

calling
all
the citizens to arms, and placing the whole country
under martial law; that Armijo had assembled the Pueblo Indians,
numbcrincT about two thousand, and
bearing arms
that on the
day
this
all
the citizens capable of
proclamation was issued, three
hundred Mexican dragoons had arrived
were every man eager
for a fight,
Santa
in
twelve hundred more were hourly expected
F<5,
that the
and that
Mexicans
but the Indians generally not
232
SO bellicose.
On
est.
day now
Kacli
broii<^ht its
the persons of several
quota of increasing inter-
Mexicans captured on
the 11th,
were found copies of the proclamation of the Prefect of Taos,

based on
of Armijo,
tliat
summoning
the people to
American invaders, who were coming
the
arms
property and liberties," and ordering an enrolment of
between the ages of
advance of the column

first
all
their
citizens
The 13th brought
fifty.
Moro
to the valley of the
tlie
creek, and the
settlements they had seen in their march of seven hundred
and eighty miles.
Bent's spy
them
it
was learned
do battle
at
a Mr. Spry
that the
Las Vegas.
came
clothing, having
an ensign and
in
to reconnoitre.
Mexicans were assembling
And
at the halting-place this
camp, on
into
been
company brought
by the enemy
three privates, sent forward
to
and
fifteen
to repel
"destroy
to
foot,
From
in force
evening
and nearly destitute of
furtively despatched
from Santa F^ on the
previous night, to communicate to Colonel Kearny the stirring

intelligence, that
in
Armijo was energetically assembling his forces
preparation for a vigorous resistance, and that the Caiion, a
well-known pass
being
fortified,
and easily defended, was now
or defile, narrow,
that from this vantage-ground,
whelming numbers,
and with over-
army might be
the further progress of our
disputed and stayed.
Early in the march of the 14th a lieutenant, accompanied by

a sergeant and two privates, of
Mexican
lancers, all respectably
clad and accoutred, but miserably mounted, presented themselves.
The
officer
letter,
proved
to
be the bearer from Governor Armijo of a
which, says Lieutenant Emory, was a sensible, straight-
forward missive, and
would have meant

to take possession
if
this:
written
of the country
country have risen en masse in

country,
it
will
by an American
"You have
I
my
notified
govern.
defence.
or
me
you intend
The
people of the
If
you take the
be because you prove the strongest
suggest to you to stop at the Sapillo, and
Englishman,
that
will
in
battle.
march
to
the
F.XPKCXr.D
We
Vfoas.
meet and
will
some
After a delay of
passed over the
Sa{)illo,
BATTLK.
no![!ôtiiite
iiours,
on
llic
233
between them."
])lains
which the
duiiiifj^
was
artillery
ami the troops brought within sight of
Las Vegas, a village on the creek of the
saiiie
name, the messen-
ger and his escort were dismissed with a verbal reply from Colonel
Kearny, " Say

I
hope
to
General Armijo,
be as friends."
will
it
had begun greatly
to
that
shall
meet him soon, and
This day the face of the country
improve, indications of culture and comfort
presented themselves, herds and flocks dotted the valleys, the

stately pine
and cedar adorned the
corn for the
first
hills,
village, at a short distance, looked like
On
nearer approach,
arrangements
for
and gardens and waving
its
an extensive brick-kiln.
outline presented
little
town, and away
of the beautiful creek, extended the

side rushed the clear
down
the valley
On
American camp.
or fence, lay the
broad
from the creek by numerous
The sweet water was
the
Eutaws and Navajoes.
for a mile
one
mountain stream, on the other, unprotected
by any interposing hedge
strictly
some
stock, for pro-
all their
tection against the attacks of the predatory
grain, irrigated
a square with
defence, within which the inhabitants are, not
unfrequently, compelled to retreat with
In sight of the
The
time greeted the soldiers' weary eyes.
free,
fields of luxuriant
artificial
canals.
but a closely-posted chain of sentinels
guarded those tempting
fields
from intrusion or injury by
hungry animals, and the men with jealous honour obeyed
the orders given to respect the persons, properties, and feelings
of the inhabitants.
At midnight, news was brought that the enemy was
in con-
siderable force in one of the formidable gorges of the mountain,

distant
given.
in
two miles from the camp, and that here

P^y
motion
battle
would be
seven in the morning of the 15th, the troops were

and, as they neared the town, they were overtaken by
Major Swords, from Fort Leavenworth, with Captain Weightraan

and Lieutenant Gilmer, who, hearing there was
to
be a
fight,
had
HISTORY OK TIIK MKXICAN WAR.
234
ridden sixty miles during the night to be
Swords was bearer
Major
in for tlie fray.
Colonel Kearny of his commission
to
as
Brigadier-General of the army of the United States.
was
halt
close to the
called
village,
while
general
the
addressed, from the broad roof of one of the low adobe houses in
by orders of his government,

and extend over
amongst
He came,
he said,
to take possession of the
country,
and people.
the public square, the alcalde
the laws of the United States,
it
not as conquerors; to
benefits
Henceforth they were absolved from
government, from
all
was no longer
governor
their
injuries.
to
all
remained peaceably
he (General K.) was
home should be amply
at
and
religion
Mexican
allegiance to the
The
obedience to General Armijo.
latter
their governor.
Active partisanship on their part was not expected.
properties, persons,
They came
not as enemies as protectors

confer
not commit
the people as friends
Those who
protected in their
and not a pepper, not an onion,
should be taken or disturbed by the troops, without pay and the
Submission wôuld insure safety
consent of the owner.
resist-
ance was useless.
The general
then, in a solemn manner, administered the oath
of allegiance to the United States, to the alcalde and two captains

of militia
grace.
one of the
He
tinued in
latter
swallowing
with a ludicrous
it
ill-
whom he conpeople, whom he
then shook hands with the alcalde,
and througli him with
office,
all
the
hailed as good citizens of the United States, to
which a general
shout and grimaces of satisfaction were the ready response.
"To
horse,
and onward!" was now' the cry; the
along the
charged.
to the
lines
dazzling sun
each
Nerved
a lively trot
great
to the
stern joy in every eye.

to
the
were
Banners and guidons were unfurled, and
waiting in the pass.
streaming out
foe
trot
the
officers
dashed eagerly
gun was ready, and every
utmost was every arm, and the
The gorge
is
neared
breaks into a gallop.
rifle
flash of
the walk quickens

The pass
is
entered
pixos.
it
is
heads
cleared
in
no enemy
235
iCven
seen.
is
tiic
horses droop their
disappointment, as sullenly, and one by one, the guidons
are I'urled, and
all
things assume the ordinary tameness of the
Noon brought
march.
the people there, the
army
the
to tiie village of Tacolete,
same change of government,
and
"with the
to
same
San Miguel,
ceremonies, as had metamorj)hosed Las Vegas.
another of these adobe villages, situated on the river Pecos, wit-
And
nessed a repetition of the same drama, on the 16th.
here
again expectation was on tiptoe, for every few minutes brought
Armijo was collecting an overwhelming
in additional reports, that
army's further march,
force, to contest the
Canon, the Pecos pass,
The
17th
saw
fifteen
the
at
celebrated
miles from Santa F6.
the banner of the
interesting ruins of the ancient,
Union passing proudly by the
and once strongly
of Pecos, standing on a rocky eminence.
fortified,
Built, as
it is
town
alleged,
it
presents the blended
features of Pagan and Catholic architecture.
Here, until within the
beiore the conquest
last
by the Spaniards,
seven years, had burned the eternal holy fire, whose incense had
ceaselessly ascended for centuries before the conquest, and whose
sacredly fatal flame
was watched and
fed with unwearied
fitlelity
by the Indian, even after his conversion to the faith of the Cross.
But gradually the devoted

last too
"
few were
left to
tribe
diminished
number,
in
until at
maintain the undying flames in the vast
estufla ;" then yielding to the sore necessity, the
remnant aban-
doned the holy spot, and j)assed over the mountains to the south,
to
mingle with a kindred
still
yet
keep up the eternal
may burn
exposure
to
but the
tribe
fire
toil,
of
of their original race, and there
Montezuma.
Some few
continued heat, consequent upon their
rence to the old delusion,
is
race, will
32
fire,
and the breath of the
go out together.
it
faithful
adhe-
with steady progress diminishing the
already thin numljcrs of the tribe, and ere long, in

bability, the holy
years
the unceasing watchfulness, and the
last
all
of
human
pro-
Montezuma's
236
Santa F6 was
still
distant nine-and-twenty miles, on the
ing of August the 18th, and between
midable Canon, which,
it
feet
on either side.
Colonel Emory, " which
in the
"It
hands of a
is
rise
Governor Armijo had taken up

six pieces of artillery,
even here
our troops were
Whether owing
engineer and one
Here
or
his position, with four thousand
and had thrown up an
among
his followers
from some other cause, Armijo had abandoned
this
arms.
in
and
men
But
abattis.
destined to find no foe
to dissensions
hills
a gateway," says
skilful
hundred men, would have been perfectly impregnable."
and
for-
miles from the town, contracts into
fifteen
a narrow gorge, some forty feet in width, above which
many hundred
morn-
and the army lay the
officers,
command-
ing position without firing a single gun, and with his artillery
and an escort of one hundred dragoons, had
The army passed
towards Chihuahua.
fled
on.
in hot haste
the
Vigil,
lieu-
tenant-governor, with other leading citizens, received the general
and his companions
at the palace,
With
pitalities of the place.
and tendered
to
them the hos-
the setting of the sun, our guns,
from an eminence overlooking the town, saluted the
United States, floating over the capital of
New
Army of the West had marched, from
days the
eight hundred and eighty-three
Mexico.
taininof a
In
fifty
Fort Leavenworth,
miles, over solitudes and arid
and subjugated, without striking a blow,
w'astes,
flag of the
hundred thousand inhabitants, and
in its
a province con-
commercial and
military aspect a possession all-important to these United States.
On
the
morning of
the 19th, the general, through his inter-
preter Robideaux, addressed the assembled people at considerable
length, distinctly and firmly claiming henceforth the whole of
New Mexico for

to all, of the
and of
his
his country, while giving the strongest assurances
peaceable and friendly intentions of his government,
army, and pledging the national
of person, property,
from
all
and
religion.
He
faith to the protection
declared them absolved
allegiance to the government of Mexico, and promised
kkarny's proclamation.
237
the speedy pronniluation of a civil government, similar to those

in
his
own
under which the people woukl enjoy
counliy, am!
freedom and hai)piness
The acting governor
unknown.
iiitherto
and other magistrates then took the oath of allegiance

United States, and the people
shouts, vivas,
large saluted the general with
at
and huzzas.
The same energy and
skill that
had conducted the army through
of no ordinary kind to bloodless victory, and the quiet
dilficulties
occupation of the capital,
now marked
tent garrison,
Lieutenants
Emory and Gilmer,
cheerful labours of
men
War, Fort Marcy.

people of
to
Mexico
by
a site selected
one hundred feet above
of these officers, and
named,
by the
compliment
in
to the Secre-
proclamation was issued announ-
the
of Santa Fe, and the
province, or department, with
original boundaries on both sides the
the United States,
for the
compe-
hundred yards of
six
New Mexico the capture
general's intention to hold

its
suited for a
detailed from the several corps, quickly
arose a substantial structure,
to the
witliin
and from sixty
Under the superintendence
cing
measures taken
fort,
was immediately commenced on
the heart of the town,
tary of
the
permanent securing of the conquest.
it.
to the
Del Norte, as a part of
and under the name of the
New-
territory of
reiterating and confirming the promises heretofore given
of the fullest protection in
urgently
religion, property,
and person
and
recommending peaceful submission and allegiance
the United
States.
Interviews were
to
had with those who had
held authority under the Mexican government, with the clergy,
and others, and the most conciliatory

confidence and attachment.
With
efforts
used to win public
the chiefs
and wise men of
the Pueblo Indians, a large and formidable tribe, but
among
the
most peaceable and best citizens of the department, conferences
which
minds were
were had,
in
sought
be impressed by the Mexican priests, regarding the
to
their
fully
disabused of the terrors
barbarous treatment to be expected from the " Americanos," and
HISTORY OK TIIK MEXICAN WAR.
238
they, and the several

for ever.
trilies ol'
hull-breeds, were
The savage Navajoes were warned
from their })redatory and murderous
immediate and
From Taos and
disobedience.
inroatis,
vengeance hehJ
effective
its
made
fast friends
to desist
forth
henceforth
and menaces of
in case
of their
neighbourhood, deputations
arrived, charged with the duty of giving in the popular allegiance
and adhesion, and
soliciting protection
from the Indians.
Their
words and demeanour manifested the most friendly disposition

subsequent events proved them adepts
The
in duplicity.
day of August brought with
last
it
reports, apparently
well authenticated, that Armijo, having been joined by Colonel
Ugarte with a force of
was
five
hundred regulars and some
artillery,
now^ rallying the people to the south, and with daily increasing
strength, advancing on the capital.

sions,
To
quiet the public apprehen-
and promptly suppress any symptoms of an insurrectionary
kind, General Kearny, on September 2d, marched out of Santa
with seven hundred men, on a reconnoissance

the
He
Rio Grande.
passed
Felipe, Albuquerque, and
through
many
down
Santo
Domingo, San
other villages, to
one hundred miles from Santa F^.
F^
the valley of
Tomd,
distant
Everywhere the troops were
received with hospitality, and manifestations of friendly welcome.
The
last sixty
miles of this route, from Algodones to
Tomd,
pre-
sented the appearance of one continued straggling village, so

closely clustered towns, hamlets,
banks of the
river
while the inhabitants, especially the
as well as the soldiers, enjoyed
among
of pleasure
hostile land.
and farm-houses, along both
friends, than
Returned
to
women,
what seemed rather an excursion

a military demonstration in
Santa Fe by the 13th, General Kearny
busied himself in making arrangements for the
civil
government
of the province, for the military occupation of the capital and outposts,
and
for the prosecution
of the further object intrusted to
him, the expedition to California.
collection of laws for the
administration of the territory, prepared by Colonel Doniphan,
PREPARATIONS
CALIFORNIA.
I'OR
239
Mr. Willanl P. Hall, then serving as a private
witli tlie aid of
and
the Missouri dragoons,
elected by his
tlistrict
mulgated on the
'22d
afterwards, while
in
so serving,
still
was
as representative in Congress,
})ro-
and simultaneously therewith the following
appointments were made by the general, under authority from

the president:
Charles Bent,
be governor; Donaisano Vigil,
to
be secretary; Richard Dallam, marshal; F. P. Blair, United
to
States district
Eugene
Charles Blumner, treasurer;
attorney;
Leitzendorfer, auditor of public accounts; Joab Houghton, Antonio
Josd Otero, Charles Baubian, judges of the superior court, of the
newly subjugated
territory.
seen, Americans and
In this
of officials,
list
will
it
be
Mexicans were combined.
The conquest was complete,

law and order succeeded
was
tranquillity
perfectly restored,
and anarchy
to oppression
By
wore the aspect of peacefulness and content.
now communicated
adjutant- general, the chief
everything
letter to the
his resolution of
departing for the shores of the Pacific on the 25th of September,

in the
hope of reaching
month
his destination
by the end of the following
assuring the department, that no exertions would be
wanting on the part of any one attached

insuring to
The
little
it
full
and
to the
expedition in
entire success.
army, whose triumphant progress we have hitherto
followed from the borders of Missouri to the capital
Mexico, was now divided

in districts far apart,
nel
Doniphan, with
battery of artillery,
the arrival,
now
his
columns, destined
into three
and never
own
to reunite
Wool
at
to
remain
daily expected, of the
proceed southward and
Chihuahua.
of Captain
remain
in
The
ellt.'ct
in
New
The
Colo-
Mexico,
2d Missouri mounted
until
vol-
being relieved by that

a junction with General
infantry battalion, under
Angney, and Fischer's company of
Santa F6.
to operate
soil.
regiment, and Captain Weightman's
was directed
unteers, under Colonel Price, and, on

officer, to
on foreign
New
of
force designated to
command
artillery,
march on
were
to
Califor-
240
nia consisted of the
hundred of the
three
corps of topographical engineers, and
little
United States dragoons, under Major
1st
Sumner, with two mountain howitzers.
Of
which lay between our western borders
the vast territories
and the broad Pacific, and the acquisition of which has added
more than a fourth
known, previous
to the national
to the visit of the
domain,
little
was accurately
United States expedition under
Lieutenant Wilkes, in 1841, and the subsequent explorations by
At
land of Colonel Fremont.
intervals of frequent recurrence in
the history of this continent, the
attention,
of
name
of California had attracted
and rumour had spread abroad vague and varying ideas
extent, capabilities, and resources; but, while the coast of
its
was imperfectly and even erroneously
that distant region
down, the great
or daring hunter
which only the adventurous trader
land, from
laid
two provinces was an unexplored
interior of the
occasionally brought back scant and contradictory information.
The
bowever, of
peculiarities,
states
its
commercial and
not far distant future
our
own
had not
statesmen, or by
its
political
position,
regarded
as
these
importance, in relation to
failed to
be appreciated, either by
those of foreign countries
necessary, self-protecting policy of America
was
and the
plainly indicated
by the precautionary seizure and temporary occupation of Monterey, in 1842,
by our squadron, under Commodore Ap Catesby
Jones, acting upon information of a contemplated surrender of

California to Great Britain.
After the conquest of
government
civil
at
New
disposition of his forces,
arduous enterprise.
the
Mormon
Santa
F(f%
and prepared
Leaving orders
battalion, five
to take
Kearny, on the
'2b\\\
Mexico, and the establishment of
Santa F^, General Kearny made a proper
up the
for his
for the
second and more
officer
commanding
hundred strong, upon arriving
line
of
march
in
his
rear.
at
General
of September, set out for California with the
corps of topographical enefineers, and the three hundred United
nKPAKTl'KK OF KEARNY FOU CALIFORNIA.

States (Iraonoiis,
imdcr Major Sumner.
route lay o\.t lirouiid
2^11
For several days the
previously traversed, and through villages
visited before, duriiiu- ihe military reconnoissance as far as
The Rio (Irande was erossed
below Santa Fe, where the depth of the

inches, and
Grande presents thus
of the Rio
running stream, which
little artificial
tion
by
rapid and regular, and
by means
These are indisjumsible aids
canals.
rains.
West
of zequias,
to cultiva-
sion of rolling sand-hills,
New Mexico
amid which
as children and
ever,
descend
are the hiding-places during
small companies, these predatory
in
at
night to the valley, to bear
from the settlements motley plunder of
they boldly
if
of this belt of bottom land lies a succes-
day of the Navajoes, whence,

lords of
valley
country, the lowlands of which are seldom,
in
visited
thirty
The
but a few feet above the

is
affords the greatest facilities for irrigation,
or
was about
down, bottom lands, about
far
a mile and a half wide, and elevated

level of the
river
width some five-and-twenty yards.
its
Tome.
Albuquerque, sixty-five miles
at
women.
When
fruit
united in
come down by day and
and
off'
cattle, as well
more numerous bands,
levy their blackmail, then
quickly retire to their far distant, and apparently inaccessible,

retreats in the
mountains, whither Mexican vengeance has never
vet essayed pursuit.
At Tome, reached October the
measure
thirty
thirty inches.
yards in width,
depth
.still
at
the
and the cultivation
is
of a superior
bend of the
river, opposite
tlie
La Joya,
Her*' an (>xpress from Colonel Price announced
Santa Fe.
AjkI at noon a
set-
In their encampthe
column
awaited during the 3d, the wagons which had fallen in the
officer at
to
continuing about
Hut after passing the pretty village of Sabinal, "
tlements became very few and far between."
ment
was found
the river
Below^ this, for a distance of some miles, the val-
lev wifiens, the soil improves,
kind.
its
1st,
tiie
Mexican on
rear.
arrival of that
jianting steed
rode into canip, elaimiiitr instant aid and protection again.st the
HISTORY OF TIIK MEXICAN WAK.
242
Navajoes, on the part of the alcalde and people of Pulvidera.
Captain Moore's company was forthwith

rescue
his
despatched to
the
while orders were sent to Colonel Doniphan to march
regiment into the Navajo country,
ally repressing their incursions.
for the
purpose of etlectu-
march of twelve miles on the
named
4th brought the column to the appropriately
village of
Pulvidera, at which place the dragoons had arrived too late on
The Indian
the preceding day to render any assistance.

ants, in
number about one hundred
mounted men, had
well
descended rapidly on the town, and driven

while the
cattle,
houses.
terrified
The people
to the rescue of their neighbours,
The
good.
the spot as
and
off the horses
mud
inhabitants took refuge in their
of Lamitas, a village
gorge, by which alone
assail-
two miles below,
rose
and seized upon the pass, or
retreat with all the
plunder could be
made
Indians, thus in part foiled, slaughtered wantonly on
many
as they could of the captured oxen and goats,
and with the larger number of the horses and mules scrambled
away over
the hills
and
been given or received.
by the same
yet the
cliffs
beyond
more disastrous
Then,
for a levy en masse.
"
Women,"
resting Notes,
who
says Colonel
women had been
Emory
" women, when captured,
in his
extremely inte-
are taken as wives
made
to carry
they chance to be pretty, or receive too
their lords
borne
by
capture them, but they are treated by the Indian wives
of the capturers as slaves, and

if
had been made
in addition to other varied
plunder, fifteen or sixteen of the prettiest
those
foray
band upon the settlements higher up the river, ere
American army had reached Santa F6, and when Armijo
had called
away.
No wounds had
pursuit.
and masters, they
are, in the
wood and water
much
latter,
The most
unfor-
unmercifully beaten, and otherwise maltreated.

tunate thing which can befall a captive
by two persons.
In this case she
for indiscriminate violence."
To
is
attention from
absence of the
woman,
is to
be claimed
either shot, or delivered
the
people of
up
New Mexico
KIT CARSON.
243
assuredly the change in government ought to be welcome, even
were
it
attended by no other benefit, than absolute security in the
future against outrages such as these.
Pursuing his route along the bank of the Rio Grande, on thf
Kearny was met by the celebrated
6th of October, General
adventurer, trapper and guide. Kit Carson, sent with an escort of

sixteen
men, including
Delaware Indians, as bearer of express
six
Commodore Stockton and Lieutenant-Colonel

Monterey, to the authorities at Washington. The
despatches from
Fremont,
at
who had
information brought by Mr, Carson,
Angelos on the
1st of
Ciudad de
left
los
September, represented the Californias as
already in possession of the above-named officers; that in the
space of some ten days the upper country had been revolutionized,
and placed under the American
flag,
which now
puted sovereignty from every important position
floated in undis;
that there the
war was ended, and peace and harmony established among
the
people.
If this unlooked-for intelligence shot a
the
bosoms of
the gallant
hood of hope threaded
little
its
distance from home, and
momentary
band, that had
way through
toils
and
chill
through
loyal brother-
in
trials to
saw now even the chance
such a
of honourable
trophy from the battle-field denied, the patriotic and the brave
will
know how
pointment.
to appreciate
How much
and
to
more ready
pardon the soldier's disapto
acknowledge and estimate

swallowed up
aright the purer, sterner patriotism, that quickly

the lingerings of self-love
and soldierly ambition
in the pride of
American success, and with cheerfulness resumed the

routine
dull
of duty ever faithfully performed, while sighing as
thought of laurels
Under
these
which
it
it
might have shared
circumstances,
it
seemed
to
tiie
general
un-
necessary to take with him the whole of his present force, a portion of
which might be more serviceably employed
subjugated province.
33
in the
already
Accordingly, three companies of the dra-
244
goons and the principal part of the baggage-train, under Major Sum-
were ordered
ner,
or operate as
for
to retrace their steps, to winter at
Albuquerque,
The reduced column
might be found expedient.
advance now comprised the general and
his personal staff,
Major Swords, Captains Johnson and Turner, Assistant-Surgeon

Griffin,
Lieutenants
Emory and Warner,
with their assistants and
attendants, and Captain Moore, with Lieutenants
Davidson, and one hundred
deaux accompanied as
men
and
Mr. Robi-
of the 1st dragoons.
interpreter; and Mr. Carson, yielding to
the urgent representations of General Kearny,

safe delivery in
Hammond
who
insured the
Washington of the despatches, by a trust-worthy
and expeditious
messenger, and
took on himself the
wdiole
responsibility, consented to forego his cherished hopes of soou
rejoining his family,
and undertook the piloting of the column
through the mountains and the deserts, the
dangers of which he had, with his
The two mountain howitzers went with

the returning
command was
difficulties
faithful followers, just
and the
overcome.
the advancing force, and
put under requisition to supply the
best outfits for these, and the six wagons,
drawn each by
eight
stout mules, that followed the dragoons.
Soon the
last settlements
road was to be explored.
were past, and thenceforth a new
The
valley
began
to
table-land, over which they were compelled to
narrow, and the
make
their
was rugged, and obstructed by thick bushes, rendering

some
way,
toil-
services of a pioneer force indispensable, and progress con-
sequently slow.
front.
camp,
On
Worse, they were informed, awaited them
the 9th, the teams
after a
wagons and
portation of the
modes
came blown and staggering
in
into
journey of less than twelve miles, and some of the
wagons were broken.

the
the
It
was
therefore determined to send
back
resort to mules with pack-saddles, for the trans-
baggage and
provisions.
Awaiting these new
of conveyance, for which messengers
had been sent
Major Sumner, the four following days were spent
in
to
camp.
MARCH TO CALIFORXIA.
Here a cross section of the
and eighteen
feet,
river
245
gave a width of one hundred
with an average depth of fourteen inches, the
water flowing over large round pebbles, making

navigation with any kind of boats
feet
and a half
On
the
fall is
it
unsuitable for
estimated at four
in the mile.
13th, Lieutenant Ingalls arrived with a mail, the last
the
communication that could be expected with the United
On
same day,
the evening of the
the pack-saddles
came
States.
up, and
on the morrow, the wagons having been sent back, under charge
and
thirty miles
ture from the
Two
march was resumed.
of Lieutenant Ingalls, the
below Santa Fe, the army took
hundred
final
its
depar-
Rio Grande del Norte, on October 15th, marching
westward over a table-land, deeply cut by the now dry channels
The approach
of the mountain streams.
Mimbres was over "
to the
Sierra de los
a beautiful rolling country, traversed
by small
streams of pure watery fringed with a stunted growth of walnut,

live oak,
and ash," and through the delightful and
here narrow, valley of the
them
of the
and
rich,
though
The 18th brought
river.
copper-mines, which are extremely rich
to the celebrated
in that ore
Mimbres
in gold,
but have been abandoned in consequence
Apache Indians cutting
off all supplies
from the operators,
destroying the mining towm, and manifesting jealous and deter-
mined
hostility.
Indians, headed
mounted on
attired,
On
by
the morning of the 20tli, a party of these

their chief.
small, but fine
mostly
Red
Sleeve,
came
and well-cared horses, and
in habiliments plundered from
into
cam]),
fantastically
the
Mexicans.
Beautiful helmets decked with black feathers covered the heads

of some, but the most were bare-headed and bare-legged, with
buskins,
waist-belt,
and cartridge-box.
attired, some bore guns, others lances and
the use of
all
of
Variously armed
as
bows and arrows,
in
which they are exceedingly expert.
A nomad
race, whose temporary dwellings are formed of interwoven twigs,
they roam the
fair
hills
and pleasant rolling lands that over.
246
hang
Del Norte between the 31st and 32d parallels of
tlie
latitude,
and plunder without compunction any weaker bands
that fall in
their
Now
way.
they
vowed
before the
general
eternal peace and friendship with the white men, and everlasting
hatred to the Mexicans.
Carson placed
little
value on their
vows.
Resuming
march
the
at
noon, they slowly descended
the
narrow valley of Night Creek, overhung on each side by huge
masses of volcanic rock, that with their ragged and precipitous

walls
much impeded
them
to the
feet
the road.
descent of
bank of the famous Gila, a bold,
wide and about two
five
miles brought
clear stream,
fifty
running swiftly over a pebbly
feet deep,
bed, bordered with trees, and closed in by mountains.
Hence
the route
wound through
nesses of the savage Indian tribes,

tion the
in
and alarms of these,
and
An
and valleys
if
fast-
Still
rapidly
the incessant devasta-
their uncivilized
not stayed, the country must soon
waste.
and bewildering
hold in terrified subjec-
resources, they are
natural
declining in wealth and population

tions
who
once flourishing states of Chihuahua and Sonora.
and abounding
fertile
the wild
mountain
lords,
be
become a wide, luxuriant
almost impracticable labyrinth of mountain-spurs

;
ascents and descents narrow, tortuous, and paved
with sharp fragments of basalt and of trap; rocks, precipices, and

ravines, in
which every aspect of nature and of
life
was
strange,
imposed on men and beasts an incredible amount of painful

exertion and incessant
the ancient race
now
of
toil.
Ruins, connected by tradition with
Montezuma, and manifesting a
lost in its antiquity,
civilization
were frequently encountered
these
were generally surrounded by heaps of broken pottery, and
some instances traced with hieroglyphics, no key

yet
been discovered.
Interviews were
smaller or larger groups from the
to
in
which has
repeatedly had
wit}j
Apache and kindred tribes
but treacherous and cruel themselves, they obstinately declined
RIVER GILA.
347
Vain were
such intercourse as could be beneficial.
made
to
all
efforts
procure from them a supply of mules, to replace those
which had
in
numbers foundered and died under the
toils
of the
Their promises were abundant, their anxiety to barter
road.
manifest, and their desire of gain strong, but stronger than

these were their cowardly doubts and habitual duplicity.
turies
had formed the
they bore
tlie
undying hate, which
roots of that deep,
Mexican
the
wrongs of
all
Cen-
their forefathers
were
vaguely remembered, but shapeless as these memories were,

they exercised over the
now savage
made them look upon
all
the hatred of revenge
and of
whites with
race a resistless sway, and

tliat
most deadly of hatreds,
fear.
The rugged mountains were

the valley of the Gila extended
left
its
on the 9th of November, and

width.
This river had been
crossed times innumerable by the army, so often frequently as
from ten
to fifteen
times in a single day's march, so jealously do
the craggy spurs and precipitous canons obstruct the progress of
On
an intruding force.
plain, giving,
the 10th, a
now unused
in its
march of
six miles over a
zequias, ruins,
and thickly
strewed fragments of pottery, evidences of having once sustained

an industrious and dense population, brought them to the remains
known
as the "
Casa de Montezuma."
four buildings exist,

others.
piles of earth testify to the site of
The one which was found most
building of some
tion
and
Portions of the walls of
fifty
or sixty feet square, of four stories in eleva-
the walls, built of a sort of whitish earth
were four
outside,
feet thick, pierced for doors
and plastered,
implements were
unhewn.
left
mixed with pebble,
and windows, smoked
or glazed, within.
No
traces of steel
upon the timbers, which were round and
Fire had evidently destroyed the whole interior, and
no specimens of household furniture or domestic

found
many
nearly entire, was a
with the exception of marine
art
were
to bi'
shells cut into ornaments,
and the corn-grinder commonly met among
all
the ruins on the
248
About two hundred yards from
plains.
the chief ruin, a terrace,
about three hundred feet in length, and
five
surmounted by a pyramid, eight
which commanded a
view of the vast

left
plain, stretching to north-east
bank of the Gila
seemed
height,
in
at
one time
irrigated
was
and west, on the
the whole extent of which, for
have been
to
feet high,
many
miles,
by water from the
river.
Along
now
plain
this
graze the cattle of the peaceful and
Pimos and Maricopas
interesting Indian tribes, the
tribes distinct,
but not dissimilar, living as neighbours in cordial amity.

the
army
An
industrious, intelligent,
beautiful
To
they accorded a frank welcome, and ready hospitality.
and
fertile valley,
comforts and even
and seldom
little
and virtuous people, they occupy a

from which they procure
many
of the
luxuries of life, remote from the busy world,
by whites, and then only by those who
visited
in
distress confidently seek aid, that is ever generously bestowed.
Their religion consists simply in a belief in one supreme and

benevolent
Emory, "
nation, of
"
spirit.
it
was a
what
is
It
was a
rare sight,"
rare sight to
be thrown in the midst of a large
behind them in the useful
little
and immeasurably before them
Even by
Mexican government
the
numbering several thousand

ted, while the
and have even

for thefts
quote from Colonel
termed wild Indians, surpassing many of the
Christian nations in agriculture,

arts,
we
in honesty
the worth
souls, has
of
and virtue."
tliis
Apaches have ever found them superior

in their
own
people,
been uniformly appreciain battle,
retreats suffered severe chastisement
and other outrages, whenever hazarded against men
that are as peaceful as they are brave.
two days'
refreshed the
rest in this pleasing
men and
a farewell watering
was given
the Tesotal Jornada.
neighbourhood having much
recruited the animals, at noon of the 13th,

to the horses, ere they set out
on
Across a plain of granitic sand, which
rose almost imperceptibly to the
summit of
a'hill
range, running
249
MARCH ACROSS THE DESERT.

south-east,
the opposite slope of similar character, they
down
and
destitute of vegetation,
and %vhich was wholly
made
a two
days' journey, during which the mules suffered dreadfully

lack of food and water.
Many
perished, and those which survived
Rest
promise of future service.
^'ave little
for
camp,
in
in the Gila
bottom-land, was necessary during the 15th, as on the morrow

they were to set out on the most distressing part of the journey, a
distance of three hundred miles, reported to be witliout grass.
For many days the march was over parched valleys and tablelands, dreary
beyond description, where a few stunted growths of
the Larrea
Mexicana, gave almost the only sign of vegetation.
This
and
bitter
mules when most hungry
offensive shrub, even
refuse to touch.
The cane and willow found here and there in
the low grounds, afforded these poor animals a scanty subsistence.
By
the 22d, most of
tlie
men were
on
was obliged
horse having given out, he
foot,
to
and the general's
have recourse
mule.
a cafion through a
Colorado, w^here the united streams force
butte of feldspathic granite, and flow due magnetic
the
column approached the end of
tered a
trail,
its
men.
villages strengthened
w-est.
As
day's march, they encoun-
indicating the recent passage of a
of probably one thousand
Pimo
to his
This day they reached the junction of the Gila with the
mounted
force
Reports w^hich had reached the
the
first
supposition, that
it
was
General Castro on his return from Sonora, with a cavalry force, to

If so, he could not
regain California.
numbered only one hundred and

small to await an attack
ten
be
far distant
men,
that
was
the
promptly therefore did the general
resolve, should the conjecture prove correct, to assail the
camp
the
moment
have time or light
Emory was
column
a force too
enemy's
night set in, and beat them before they coukl
to discover the disparity of
numbers. Lieutenant
ordered to reconnoitre, and soon ascertained
neighbours were a party of Mexicans, on their

fornia to Sonora, with five
hundred horses
for the
tliat
way from
their
Cali-
use of Castro's
250
On
command.
was found
affairs,
the person of one of these intercepted
a mail
tlie
were of course opened, and from them
that a counter-revolution
Mexicans
suspected of being on public
letters,
had taken place
was ascertained
it
in California, that the
Americans were expelled from Santa Barbara, Puebla de

Angelos, and other places, and that Captain Flores
as general
and governor
commanded
which had thrown
in the country,
los
off
"the detestable Anglo-Yankee yoke." From the horses, General
Kearny levied a much needed supply.
Ten
miles below the mouth of the Gila they forded the Colo-
rado, there five hundred yards wide, and in mid-channel about

four feet deep.
furtlier,
then, at
Along
the river bottom they
dawn
of day on
November
marched
thirty miles
25th, each
man
with
a bundle of the river-grass tied to the cantle of his saddle, turned

their course across the formidable desert.
This dreary waste of
floating sand lay in their route ninety miles from water to water
in crossing
it,
during three days and nights,
much
suffering
was
endured, and numbers of the horses and mules sunk on the
heavy sands,
to die of
hunger and
thirst.
Refreshed by the waters of the Cariso creek, they slowly pur-
sued a scarcely less toilsome road, partly through thickets of the

centennial plant, the
which sadly
Agave Americana,
tore the
and legs were now almost bare

hills
the countless spears of
dismounted and wearied men, whose
feet
partly over rugged rocks,
amid
where barrenness and desolation held sovereign sway.
The
flesh of the
food,
jaded horses, poor and tough, supplied no palatable
and the howl of the wolves no cheering
ferocious
lullaby, as the
creatures battled over the carcasses of the deserted
beasts.
December
the 2d, the frontier settlement of California,
Agua
ner's Rancheria, in the beautiful valley of
tlie
upon
their delighted view.
rested,
slight
amends
for their
Here they
War-
Caliente, burst
and made some
long-continued abstinence.
This rancho,
RF.VOLT IN CALIFORNIA.
or farm,
was
Commodore
patching
251
San Diego, now
sixty miles from
in possession of
Des-
Stockton, and eighty miles from Los Angelos.
a letter to
Commodore
Stockton, requesting him to send
between them, the general
out a party to open a communication
was met, about
j)ushed cautiously forward, and on the 5th
forty
miles from San Diego, by Captain Gillespie, with an escort of

thirtv-five
men, sent out
l)y
commodore.
the
This
little
force
lonsisted of California volunteers, with
some carbineers from the
ship Congress, under Lieutenant Bcall,
and was accompanied by
a field-piece.
From Captain
attempted
main
Gillespie were learned the
and the
revolution
then existing
Thinking his conquest complete, and
facts of the
modore Stockton, on the 2d of September, withdrew

sailors
cisco,
and marines from Ciudad de
where he designed
Mazatlan and Acapulco,
The
Fremont.
latter
main strength of
to
los
of affairs.
state
Com-
things secure,
all
Angelos
make arrangements
for
his force of
to
San Fran-
an attack on
Lieutenant-Colonel
in conjunction with
joined him on the 12th of October with the
his battalion, leaving Captain Gillespie, with
nineteen volunteers and a few pieces of ordnance, to garrison the

capital.
The departure
of the great
body of
the
American
forces
from the vicinity of Los Angelos, was the signal for revolt, incited
by the Mexican
officers
still
lingering in
the
The
territory.
insurgents, several hundred strong, took the field under Floras,
and hourly gathering

tulate,
force,
compelled Captain Gillespie to capi-
on terms highly honourable
to retire
to
him and
his little
band, and
from the presence of overwhelming numbers, on board
the Savannah, Captain
Menine, then
time, Lieutenant Talbot, a young,

rious officer,
who had been
left
lying off San Pedro.
l)ut
Mean-
most gallant and merito-
as military
commandant
at
Santa
Barbara, a pretty place about one hundred miles north of Los

.\ngelos, with his
little
force of nine
above two hundred insurgents,
34
men, was hotly besieged by
under Don Manuel
Gaspar.
252
Having
effected his escape from the town, Talbot took post in the
neighbouring
hills, to
await the return of the troops.
Being
dis-
covered in his retreat, the Californians burned him out, and, with
and
infinite peril
difficulty,
mountains, and thence,
dred miles, enduring
he and his band escaped into the

month's travel over some
after a
much
five
hun-
hardship and suffering, they effected
a junction with Colonel Fremont at Monterey, where the latter
was
recruiting for the expedition to the south.
Informed of the
" Savannah"
the
Commodore Stockton had
revolt.
He
to San Pedro.
" Congress," and took up
march
his
for
of
San Diego, with
his noble force of sailors
duty merrily on shore, as horse,
Having
and
in possession
and marines, doing
artillery.
further learned from Captain Gillespie, that an
band of the enemy,

at the
foot,
down
Los Angelos, dragging
Now he was
along by hand six of the ship's guns.
sent
followed himself in the
with an extra supply of horses,
armed
was encamped
Indian village of San Pasqual, nine miles distant from his
present position, General Kearny sent out Lieutenant
with a party to reconnoitre.
The
the foe.
the 6th
reveille
order of battle.
This party saw, and was seen by,
sounded
December, and
at
Hammond
at
two o'clock on the morning of
three the
march was resumed
The enemy, one hundred and eighty
in
fresh, well-
armed, and well-mounted men, under Colonel Andreas Pico,
were already
in the saddle,
prepared for an attack.
at length, the little section of the
perilous
its
and most harassing march over the half of a mighty
continent,
first
Here then,
army, weary and worn from
ill
clad,
ill
time, and at his
mounted, and
own
ill
was
to grapple for the
door, with the foe.
General Kearny, with Lieutenants

side, rode
fed,
Emory and Warner
at his
immediately in rear of Captain Johnson and the ad-
vanced guard of twelve dragoons, mounted on the best horses

that remained.
Then followed Captain Moore, with about
fifty
of the dragoons, mounted, with few exceptions, on the jaded and
'
SKKTrH
or THC
ACTIONS
VOrt-'llT
AT
^
IN
rrruK
calii
ohm.v
ruHwetnilhe Amoruaiis
ami Mexuaiis
18-Mi
V^y
=s4<
1^.
.;^"
^^^
Am
.\rti\v
;^'
>'
0>v"-
BATTLK OF SAN PASQUAL.

famished mules
lliey hail
the
two
ridden, over one thousand and
Next came Captains Gibson and
miles, from Santa Fe.
twenty of their volunteers
pie, with
253
Lieutenant Davidson, with
managed by dragoons, brought up
liowitzers,
fifty
Gilles-
the rear.
The
remainiler of the force, dragoons, volunteers, and citizens,
were
left to
protect
and bring on the baggage, under command
of Major Swords, the quartermaster of the expedition.
Drawn nigh
enemy. Captain Johnson made a
to the
furious
charge upon them with his advanced guard, promptly supported
The
by General Kearny and Captain Moore.
Californians withfire,
gave way
an open plain about half a mile distant.
Eagerly
stood not the shock, but pouring in a continual
and retreated
to
Captain Moore, with the few dragoons on horseback, pursued
mules slowly seconded the ardour of
the tired
soon an interval was
their riders,
and
between the hot pursuers and these thus
left
Well mounted, and among
retarded in their support.
enemy
expert horsemen in the world, the
most
tlie
rallied in full force,
took advantage of the interval, charged with desperation on the
advance, and from their overwhelming superiority in numbers,
made
dreadful havoc with their long lances.
they furiously held the ground, for
five
For
five
minutes
minutes the rapidly thin-
ning handful around the general bore up against the storm

support
came
fled
from the
affrighted
the
up, hand to hand the fierce but unequal fight con-
tinued for half an hour
and
then the outnumbering foe was repulsed,
field, to
which they returned not again.
and wholly unmanageable mules had refused
to
The
bring
their howitzers into the fight.
With
the
battle-field,
their dead.
slain,
dawning of
the day, the
permitting the victors to collect their
Of
officers
Lieutenant
The
killed
Hammond,
ofT
from the
wounded and
and men, sixteen wounded and nineteen
gave melancholy evidence of
been won.
smoke cleared
how
hardly the victory had
were Captains Johnson and Moore,
Sergeants Moore and Whitehurst, Ccr-
or THE
>#
ACTIONS
F OUGHT
,^
J4
),ir<-o
.î.tUi.U
IN
ajid
li
111'
^'O
'
.V
c^
}')cUveeii
he Americans
Mexicans
7^ 18-10
on
I'l.-o's
fores
253
BATTLE OF SAN PASQUAL.

famished mules they had ridden, over one thousand and
miles, from Santa Fe.
pie, with
Next came Captains Gibson and
twenty of their volunteers
the two howitzers,
fifty
Gilles-
Lieutenant Davidson, with
managed by dragoons, brought up
the rear.
The
remainder of the force, dragoons, volunteers, and citizens,
were
left to
protect
and bring on the baggage, under command
of Major Swords, the quartermaster of the expedition.
Drawn nigh
to the
enemy. Captain Johnson made a
furious
charge upon them with his advanced guard, promptly supported
The
by General Kearny and Captain Moore.
Californians with-
stood not the shock, but pouring in a continual
and retreated
to
fire,
gave way
an open plain about half a mile distant.
Eagerly
Captain Moore, with the few dragoons on horseback, pursued

the tired mules slowly seconded the ardour of their riders, and
;
soon an interval was
left
between the hot pursuers and these thus
Well mounted, and among the most
retarded in their support.
expert horsemen in the world, the
enemy
rallied in full force,
took advantage of the interval, charged with desperation on the
advance, and from their overwhelming superiority in numbers,
made
dreadful havoc with their long lances.
they furiously held the ground, for
five
For
five
minutes
minutes the rapidly thin-
ning handful around the general bore up against the storm

support
came
fled
from the
affrighted
the
up, hand to hand the fierce but unequal fight con-
tinued for half an hour
and
then the outnumbering foe was repulsed,
field, to
which they returned not again.
and wholly unmanageable mules had refused
The
to bring
their howitzers into the fight.
With
the
dawning of
battle-field, permitting
their dead.
slain,
the day, the
the victors to collect their
Of officers and men,
Lieutenant
The
killed
Hammond,
off
from the
wounded and
sixteen
wounded and nineteen
how
hardly the victory had
gave melancholy evidence of
been won.
smoke cleared
were Captains Johnson and Moore,
Sergeants Moore and Whitehurst, Ccr-
354
porals Clapin and West, and ten privates of the 1st dragoons,
The
one private of the topographical corps, and one volunteer.
wounded included General Kearny, Captains Gibson and

pie, Lieutenant
Warner, Mr. Robideaux, Sergeant Cox, and ten
On the next day, the gallant Sergeant

Many of the survivors had from two to
privates of the dragoons.
Cox
died of his wounds.
ten lance- wounds; Captain Gillespie and Lieutenant

three each
loss of the
enemy was
but
it
must have been
Having been assured
dug up,
wounded and
the dead, excepting
severe.
that the dead,
that the bodies
assumed the command.
not ascertained, they having carried
off in their final retreat all the
six
Warner had
the general two, and these so serious, that during
the remainder of the day, Captain Turner
The
Gilles-
wherever buried, would be
might be stripped of
their clothing, the
sorrowing victors bound on mules the remains of their fallen companions, with the intention of taking them to San Diego, there to
be decently interred
but the number of mules required for con-
veyance of the wounded, caused
and the men were engaged

During the w'hole of the
tJie
camp
in constant
be abandoned,
this intention to
in fortifying the
6th, the
camp
for the night.
enemy hovering around, kept
and harassing excitement.
Early in the
day three of Captain Gillespie's volunteers were despatched
San Diego,
thirty-nine miles distant, to procure conveyances for
the wounded.
As
night closed in, under a willow that grew
beside the battle-field, were laid to
and secrecy, the departed brave.

the
strange land, far
whom
to
rest, in
Thus
all
to lay
possible silence
down
for ever in
away from kindred and from home,
those
march together of two thousand miles, common hopes
and hardships, common dangers, enjoyments and

familarized and endeared,
was
privations, had
to the survivors of this little
common grief.
On the ground where they were
baml
of brothers no
afforded scarcely so
much
forced to encamp, rocks and cacti
of level space as to
accommodate
the
BATTLE OF SAN BARNARDO.
wounded during
even
damp, cold
the
night,
and sleep was denied
The dawn
hours of ceaseless exertion and fatigue.
after thirty
new
of the 7th called to
was now reduced
efforts
and new endurance
to one-third of its
By
dead, and provisions exhausted.
the
away, horses
fast falling
the skill
and untiring
of Dr. Griffin, the only surgeon of the party, the
fluities
assi-
wounded
capable of being removed in rudely formed ambu-
men were now

lances,
column
number, worn down with
ragged and emaciated, with mules
toil,
256
and General Kearny w-as enabled
to
resume the command.
Pursuing the San Barnardo road towards San Diego, they found
the
enemy occupying
At the rancheria of San Barnardo, they watered
approached.
their
the hills in their front, but retiring as they
horses and procured refreshments
for the sick,
drove before them
many
towards the bed of the
river,
much needed
supply.
These, however, had soon
doned,
enemy debouching from
for the
forward a party in
and these
road,
this,
was but
advance.
the
The
the skirmish,
it
became necessary
to
cattle, a
be aban-
the hills in the rear, sent
gallop to seize a
full
then moving
hill
commanding
to dislodge.
the
To accomplish
work of a few moments, and tha task of the
Californians had five or six killed and
which entailed on the
victors
no other
wounded
in
loss than that
of the cattle, one sufficiently serious under the circumstances.
Against a force so numerically superior and so splendidly mounted,
it
was impossible
to
move, while the ambulances required
the services of half the effective

est care
in transporting
exceedingly distressing.
A
to a
way
to
and even with the tender-
carried on horseback, resolved
San Diego.
flag of truce sent in
conference
Here, therefore, the general encamped,
wounded could be
to wait until the
then to cut his
men
them, the suflerings of the sick were
by Pico on the morning of the 8th,
he wishing to exchange four Americans,
he had captured, for an equal number of Californians.

timately there
was but one
Californian prisoner in
led
whom
Unfor-
camp
but
256
one was well exchanged
this
Burgess,
for
who was one
despatched to Commodore Stockton on the 6th.
companions had arrived
had, previously to their capture, concealed their

tree
but on subsequent examination,
been abstracted.
He and
San Diego, and on
safely in
it
was found
of those
his
their return
letters
under a
that these
had
That night, Lieutenant Beall of the navy, Mr.
Carson, and an Indian, voluntarily went forth, on the perilous
attempt of reaching San Diego, nine-and-twenty miles distant,
and
every
towards
pass
which
was now occupied by
the
enemy.
During four days'
was
their food
all
camp,
as for
many days
before,
meat of the poor worn-down horses and mules
wounded were going on
but the
10th
the
rest in this
and on the evening of the
well,
save two were declared by the surgeon ready for the saddle.
Orders were given
to
resume the march next morning.
Before
daybreak, they were joyously surprised by the arrival in cam])

of Lieutenant Gray, of the navy, sent out from
Commodore
eighty
marines.
arrived in
Beall,
San Diego.
ployment until day,

soldiers their
By
own
and the Indian, had
Carson,
The
gallant
in distributing
its
route.
safely
new-comers found glad em-
among
the
naked and famished
clothing and provisions.
ten in the forenoon of the 11th
was on
San Diego by
Stockton, with an escort of one hundred tars and
December,
enemy
Before them the
the united force
precipitately fled,
leaving behind most of the cattle, for which they had so eagerly
contested.
hills, the
This day
first
burst
upon
their view,
from one of the
broad Pacific, henceforth to be their country's western
boundary.
On
the 12th they entered
San Diego, having thus
terminated the arduous march of one thousand and ninety miles
from Santa Fd.
The
preparations for the contemplated expedition against Ciu-
dad de
los
Angelos, distant one hundred and
having been steadily pushed forward,
forty-five miles,
at the request of
Commo-
BATTLE OF THE SAN GABRIEL.

Stockton,
(lore
who had
in
257
September assumed the
went
forth
from San Diego, on the 29th of December, at the head
of about five hundred men.
The
force
was
constituted thus
dismounted dragoons consolidated into one company, under
sixty
Captain Turner
Gillespie
tain
Go-
of
title
command, ami
vernor of California, General Kearny assumed the
and
infantry
tenant
fifty
the remainder,
artillery,
Emory
Californian volunteers,
sailors
commanded by Cap-
and marines, acting as
with six great guns of various calibre
Lieu-
Commodore
acted as assistant adjutant-general, and
Stockton accompanied the army.

Progress was slow, the oxen used in the wagons being poor,
and the wagons themselves of the miserable construction of the
No enemy was
country.
showed themselves
seen until January the 8th,
in full force,
under their acting governor
anrl
men and
four
captain-general, Flores, occupying with six hundred
pieces
when they
of artillery the heights in front
commanding
San
the
Gabriel, and evidently prepared to dispute the passage of that
The
river.
troops were immediately disposed in the order best
adapted to meet a wholly mounted force, a strong party of
skir-
mishers being thrown forward to cover the front, the wagons
and baggage occupying the centre, and the remainder of the
command
protecting the flanks.
highly favourable.
bank on
and
just
ridge
his side of the
behind
this hill,
awaited the favourable
The
fifty feet
position of the
on which he posted his
river,
moment
stream, the battery on the

fly
were
now
artillery,
on either flank, a squadron of his cavalry

for a
As
charge.
battalion, deploying as skirmishers, reached the
water
enemy was
high ran parallel with the
hill
the leading
middle of
opened upon them, and made
around with grape and round-shot.
The
the.
the.
artillery tarsi
ordered forward, the guns were quickly unlirabered-,
pulled over cheerily by the men, and planted in counter battery
on the enemy's
their
side.
thundering replies
And
to the
soon, and briskly, they sent forth

liill,
making
the
fire
from the
latter
258
Thus covered,
wild and uncertain.

with great
the
baggage and
cattle
were
forced across the river, which flowed one hundred
toil,
yards wide and about twenty inches deep, over a bottom of quicksand.
Under a natural banquette, breast-high, on
the right bank,
the troops deployed into line, while a heavy shower of round-shot
and of grape passed
chiefly over their heads.
twenty minutes the baggage-train had

of the
enemy was
upon the
made
silenced,
all
and the troops
In an hour and
crossed,
wêre in full charge
Half way between the bank and the
hill.
artillery
tire
hill,
the foe
a furious charge on the left flank, while the right
menaced
assailants,
and
same moment.
at the
volley or
was
two repulsed the hot
minutes more the heights were carried, and
in ten
our troops masters of the
Pursuit was impossible, from the
field.
wretched condition of the wagon-train, which, bearing provisions

for the garrison intended to
be
On
could not be abandoned.
left
in tlie city of
the battle-field the
Los Angelos,
army encamped
that night.
Next morning,
the cattle but
little
refreshed, the
route
was
pursued across the Mesa, a wide plain, lying between
leisurely
the San Gabriel and the stream, called indifferently the Rio San
Fernando, and the Rio de

tinually on the front
los Angelos.
and flanks
The enemy hung con-
for a distance of
about six miles,
then concentrated their force at a crest and ranne, that com-
manded
his
the road on the right.
men, urging them
to
Here General Flores addressed
make one more bold and determined
charge, to which he promised certain success.

left
of the road, to deprive
artillery, tlie
fire
him of the vantage-ground
steadily pursued
which the enemy opened with
Flores
now deployed
column's
fire
army
front,
on the right
which was a
his
Deviating to the
force,
its
for his
march, disregarding the
his artillery from a
distance.
making a horse-shoe
and opening with his nine-pounders
in
the
galling
flank.
A halt was called to silence this annoyance,
fifteen
minutes' work, and the order was again
^'^'^r,,
^
i\rt*'
|\
il
OCCUPATION OF LOS ANGELOS.
when down came
given to move forward,
and the rear
the left flank
the small-arms brought
pleted their repulse.
Now,
them
to a
check
his little
It
was known
away on horseback
to
abound
in
to
town was
wine and
across the stream, and
encamped
the town.
loss
on the part of the Americans
In the spirited battle of the 8th, one seaman, acting
small.
artilleryman,
was
whom two
one volunteer and eight seamen wounded,
killed,
subsequently died.
and annoying
affairs of the
were severely wounded

Lieutenant
com-
of their fallen horses,
with wise precaution, therefore, the general led
army of conquerors
During these two days, the
of
once on
at
volley from
three o'clock in the afternoon, the
some three miles below
was
One
a round of grape
The accoutrements
distant only four miles.
agua ardiente
enemy
menacing charge.
in
with their dead and wounded, they bore

the hills.
the
259
Rowan
In the continued skirmishing
9th, one
dragoon and two seamen
Capt. Gillespie of the volunteers, and
of the navy, were slightly contused
by spent
Their extraordinary expertness on horseback, enabled the
balls.
enemy
to carry off all their
their loss, but
it
dead and wounded, and so conceal
must have been comparatively great
it
was
estimated at eighty-five.
Next morning the army entered, without encountering opposition, the City of the
Angels, the capital of California, and hitherto
the centre of the wealth
and population of
as the focus of revolution,

the 14th, Colonel
in the
that province, as well
and the point of military power.
Fremont, with four hundred volunteers raised
neighbourhood of the Sacramento, reported himself
capital.
With him
day entered
a portion of the
into terms
command
Don
Jos('
at the
the preceding
among them Andreas
of the insurgents,
his parole forfeited his life, but
procured pardon.
35
enemy had on
of capitulation,
Pico, second to Flores in
by breaking
On
by
who had
this capitulation
Mariana Flores made good
his
260
The
escape to Sonora.
revolt
was now
effectually quelled,
American
the country peaceably submitted to
At the meeting of these three distinguished

Stockton, and Fremont, each of
whom had
and
authority.
officers,
Kearny,
so materially contribu-
ted to the success and the glory of their country's arms, difficul-
unhappily arose, as
ties
powers and position
to their relative
About
the conquered territory.
Commodore
the 16th of January,
own
Stockton, acting, according to his
in
opinion, in
con-
strict
formity with the instructions received by his predecessor in the
command, and by
naval
porary
civil
Fremont
government
as governor.
himself, proceeded to organize a tem-
and nominated Colonel
California,
for
Against
this
procedure General Kearny
commodore,
protested, and in writing assured the
him
that to
(General K.) the President had confided the sole right of erecting a
civil
government
Kearny's authority.
the
in
Commodore
California.
on his instructions, refused
relying
Stockton,
acknowledge General
to
Colonel Fremont abided by the decision of
commodore.
The
instructions,
under wliich General
right to sole authority in the territorial
have been materially embodied

the
in the
more ready comprehension of
retrospect
By
may be
Kearny claimed
preceding chapter.
the
counter-claim,
ment, bearing date June 24, 1845,

the United
Commodore
naval
States
forces
instructed, so soon as he should ascertain
Mexico had declared war against

employ
the force
For
a brief
desirable.
a " secret and confidential order" from the
manding
his
government of the conquest,
under his
the
in
Navy Depart-
Sloat, then
beyomi
Pacific,
a
com-
was
doubt that
the United States, to " at once
command
to the best
advantage," "
to
at
once possess himself of the port of San Francisco, and blockade
or
occupy such other ports as
his force
may
permit."
quent orders from the same department, under
May
13th,
May
15th, and
In subse-
date respectively,
/une 8th, 1846, those instructions
Fremont's operations.
261
were confirmed, and the commodore was expressly directed

exercise
all
the rights
tliat
belonged
chief of a belligerent squadron

the importance
was urged of
the people of California,
to
him
as
to
commander-in-
while in every communication
establishing friendly relations with
and making the occupation of the ports
a benefit to the inhabitants.
On
the 7th of June,
Commodore
Sloat, then at
Mazatlan, in
the Savannah, received intelligence of the actual outbreak of hos-
and properly considered these as justifying his commenc-
tilities,
ing offensive operations on the west coast, under the order of
Immediately he
June, 1845.
set sail for
Monterey, landed the
necessary force of seamen and marines, entered that town, hoisted

the standard of the United States, without bloodshed or strenuous
opposition, and issued his proclamation, declaring,
among
other
things, California henceforth to be a portion of the United States.
Other ports were similarly occupied, and possession of the coast,

with
its
bays and harbours, secured.
About the same time, Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont, then near

the settlement of
Sonoma, on
the
bay of San Francisco, with
his
topographical corps, had been compelled in self-defence to hoist

the
American
flag
and
raise a volunteer force, in
consequence of
the extraordinary, unprovoked, and faithless conduct of De CavStro,
governor of Upper California.
avowed,
the
to attack
American
The design
of the latter
was
and destroy, not only Fremont's party, but
Hemmed
settlers.
in
by a treacherous
foe,
all
more
than tenfold his number. Fremont turned on his pursuers, defeated
them
at
in fiercely
contested engagements, and on the 4th of July,
Sonoma, headed the American and
declaration of independence,
troops, as the only
officer
from
means of
Commodore
of Monterey.
foreign
residents in
and war against De Castro and

safety.
his
few days afterwards an
Sloat brought intelligence of his capture
Colonel Fremont, then leaving some
garrisons behind him,
set forth in pursuit of
De
fifty
men
in
Castro with one
262
hundred and
Commodore
On
sixt)-
the 29th July
command, and
tions
riflemen,
when he
received instructions from
march upon Monterey.
Sloat to
Commodore Stockton succeeded
to the naval
therewith to the authority conveyed in the instruc-
He
from the Naval Department.
declared the whole coast
of California to be in a state of blockade, proclaimed himself
governor and commander-in-chief of
and claimed by
land,
L'pper
gated.
of the
for
whole
territory of the
territory of
United States, a
which he forthwith caused
to
be promul-
He next organized the " California Mounted Riflemen,"

men who had followed Fremont, received them as volun-
teers into the service of the
Fremont
their major,
their captain.
men and
De
United States, appointing Captain
and Lieutenant
Gillespie, of the marines,
Directing Major Fremont to proceed to San Diego
in the sloop-of-war
turing
by sea and
the forces
right of conquest the
and Lower California as a
form of government
all
Cyane, with his one hundred and sixty
rifle-
seventy marines, for the purpose of intercepting or capCastio, the
and uniting
commodore himself
their forces,
set sail for
San Pedro,
on the 13th of August, both these com-
manders marched upon, and took without opposition, Ciudad de

los
Angelos.
Thus unvarying success had already crowned

republic, and the whole country
the arms of the
was under dominion
ere yet the despatch of the 13th of
May, and
of her flag,
the President's pro-
clamation in reference to the war, had reached the
officers
engaged.
Two
subsequent despatches from the Secretary of the Navy,
bore date July 12th and August 13th.
They embodied
the sub-
stance of previous instructions, and added, that the object of the
United States was, under

sess itself entirely of
ence
to ultimate
its
Upper
rights as a belligerent nation, to pos-
California.
peace with Mexico
That object had

and
if,
at that
basis of the uti possidetis should be established, the
refer-
peace, the
government
KEARNYV-'i7S GENERAL ORDER.
263
expected, through the forces under the commodore, to be found

in actual possession of
it
Upper
This would bring with
California.
the necessity of a civil administration.
should be established under
Under
all
now
Such a government
commodore's
protection.
these instructions, directed at various times to the
commander of the
ton
tlie
Commodore
naval forces in the Pacific,
asserted his superior authority in California
Stock-
and, disre-
garding the protest and representations of General Kearny, perappointment, as governor, of Colonel
sisted in confirming the
Fremont.
General Kearny withdrew
to
January he was joined by the
San Diego, where on the
Mormon
battalion, four
strong, under Lieutenant-Colonel Cooke, of the
This corps arrived
goons.
having had no serious
loss
in excellent condition
29tli of
hundred
2d U.
and
S.
dra-
fine health,
during their long march, and
in
their
appearance, conduct, and discipline, reflecting the highest honour
on their military chief.
On
the
23d of January, Commodore
W.
B. Shubrick, in the
razee Independence, arrived at Monterey, and assumed

of
all
the naval forces, and on the 1st of February issued his
general order.
two
at
dially supported the
Commodore
his senior, cor-
In consequence, the follow-
ing general order was by them jointly promulgated
all
whom
San
views of the general, and co-operated with
in carrying out his instructions.
" To
first
Monterey on the
proved perfectly harmonious.
officers
Shubrick, and subsequently Commodore Biddle,
him
at
The interview and arrangements between
of February.
these
Mormons
General Kearny, leaving the
Diego, went on board the Cyane, and arrived

8th
command
it
may
concern, be
it
known
That the
Presi-
dent of the United States, desirous to give and secure to the

people of California a share of the good government and happy
civil
organization enjoyed by the people of the United States, and to
264
protect
them
at
the
same time from the attacks
of foreign foes,
and from internal commotions, has invested the undersigned with

separate and distinct powers, civil and military
operation in the exercise of which,
have the happy results desired.
a cordial co-
hoped and believed,
it is
will
To the commander-in-chief of
the naval forces, the President has assigned the regulation of the
import trade, with conditions on which vessels of
own
(our
may be
as well as foreign)
the territory, and the establishment of
the
commanding
nations
To
port-regulations.
all
military officer, the President has assigned the
has invested him with
direction of the operations on land, and
administrative functions
territory
all
admitted into the ports of
of government
people and
over the
occupied by the forces of the United States.
Monterey, capital of California,
this 1st
Done
at
day of March, A. D. 1847.
W. BRANDFORD SHUBRICK,
Commander-in-chief of the JVaval Forces.
S.
W. KEARNY,
Brig. Gen. U. S. A. and Governor of California.^''
On
same day
the
the general issued his proclamation as gover-
nor, promising respect
and protection
religion, absolving the inhabitants
from
to person, property,
all
and
ties of allegiance
Mexico, assuring the people of the early establishment of a
to
free
government, and earnestly urging peace and union, and combined

efforts to
promote the prosperity and happiness of the country.
Early in February Captain Tompkins and his company of the
3d United States
with
tools
24-pounders,
:
the
artillery arrived in the transport
mortars, ordnance
company was
March, Colonel Stevenson arrived
at
T. H. Perkins, with two hundred and

California volunteers
stores,
stationed in Monterey.
and
and intrenching
On
San Francisco,
fifty
few days
men
after,
Lexington,
of the
the 6th of
in the ship
New
York
other transports
brought the remainder of that regiment, numbering,
in full, eight
Kearny's return.
265
hundred men, and including many mechanics

tliem, in addition to six pieces of artillery
they brought with
and a supply of small-
arms, machinery for saw and grist-mills, mechanics' tools, and

other materiel of industry.
With
these forces
be entertained that the peace of the
fears could
would again be
made and towns founded,
Settlements were
easily disturbed.
little
territory
confidence was restored, and industry, released from terror and

doubt,
was now
of the
American
active,
under the impartial and wise protection
flag.
The work which had been assigned

completed
the
object
of his
General Kearny was
to
government
honour of his country maintained and exalted
fame of
his
little
achieved
fully
his
army written imperishably on
pages of that country's
history.
On
the 31st of
the
name and
the
the brightest
May, 1847, hav-
ing transferred to Colonel R. B. Mason the authority and duties

of governor and commander-in-chief, the general, with his
and a small party of

States.
Difficult
stafl"
officers, set out
on his return
to the
and hazardous was
his route of
two thousand
two hundred miles across the continent.

he arrived at Fort Leavenworth.
sped by since
him
last its flag saluted
vening twelve months has yet
On
the
United
22d of August
little
more than one year had
the story of those inter-
in military
annals to find a parallel.
CHAPTER
XV.
Treaty with the Indians

March upon Chihuahua Battle of the Brazito Town and Valley of El Paso March continued Enemy's position
the Sacramento Battle
of the Sacramento Occupation of Chihuahua March
Affairs in
New Mexico Plot discovered Second Conspiracy Governor Bent murdered
Pueblo de TaosInsurrection quelled.
Colonel Doniphan's Expedition against the Navajoes
The Zumians
at
for Saltillo
Fulfilment of the promises of protection made

of
New
Mexico by
their conquerors,
From La
delayed.
Kearny addressed
instructing
him
was
to the
people
neither forgotten, nor
Joya, on his route to the Pacific, General
to
Colonel Doniphan at Santa
to defer his
F6 an
express,
contemplated movement on Chihua-
hua, and to proceed with his regiment into the
Navajoes, to effect the restitution of
all
country of the
hill
prisoners
and property
taken by stealth or violence from the newly-subjugated people,
and
to exact
from that half-civilized,
ample security
for their future
Indians have, for
scourge of the
tains
full
New
fierce,
good conduct.
two centuries, been the
Mexican
border.
From
bounding the valley of the Del Norte,
away down
and powerful
tribe,
These warlike
terror
and the
the range of
moun-
their country stretches
the tributaries of the Colorado, and towards the set-
tlements of California on the west, the Cordilleras, and the highlands beyond, affording them strongholds and almost inaccessible
retreats.
Without towns or permanent abodes, they
on horseback, and
open
in the
horses, cattle, and sheep
air,
live chiefly
wealthy in countless herds of
yet, ever at the dictate of wild caprice,
or in the spirit of a long-cherished hate,
descending on the
vil-
lages and settlements of the valley, plundering and destroying

(266)
EXPEDITION AGAINST THE NAVAJOES.
wherever they come.

seven or
their latest incursion they
In
men, taken
eit^ht
dren, and (hiven
away
267
had
slain
many women and
off captive as
chil-
thousand head of
into their highlands ten
sheep, cattle, and mules.
Leaving the town of Santa Fe, on the 26th of October, Colonel
Doniphan divided
command
his
into separate detachments,
far
advanced, and winter had
For
severity.
practicable
artillery
set
in
and
The season was
invaded the Navajo country by three routes.
more than usual
with
and wagons the country was wholly im-
mules with pack-saddles, therefore, alone accompa-
nied the force, which, without tents, almost destitute of shoes and
and stinted
clothing,
provisions,
in
pursued
over
snow-clad
mountains, and through precipitous ravines, barricaded by stu-
pendous
cliffs,
and paved with huge masses and sharp fragments
of the living rock,
its
Their daily march
strangely perilous way.
was through snows gathered deeply

walls pendent with icicles, along
in the gorges,
up mountain
narrow ledges overhanging
appalling chasms, where an error or a stumble would have hurled
man among jagged and
horse and
As
feet below.
pointed rocks, hundreds of
the days passed on, the cold
became
yet frequently at night, the adventurous soldiers laid
weary bodies, wrapped
in
a newly-fallen
of snow, with
coverlet
pendent
in
their
blankets and skins, on the rugged
earth or the frozen snow, and rose in the
icicles
intense
down
clusters from
morning from beneath

limbs benumbed, and
beard and
hair.
Even when
they reached the diversified table-lands and the rich valleys, the
snow continued equally deep, and
the cold no less severe.
cess crowned such fearless resolution.
Suc-
The Mexicans looked
with undisguised amazement on what they considered the extreme

of temerity
whose
skill
deepened
and
the braver Indians, with respect
and courage
into reverence
fidelity in
36
tliey
upon the strangers
could appreciate, a respect soon
by the generous confidence, the
every instance displayed.
fairness
Every portion of
their
268
country was visited, and with incredible
of the adult males of their tribe, including
were collected
situate in the
the
permanent
Mexicans and
in
treaty, signed
the head
chiefs,
here, after
treaty of peace
two days' delibe-
and amity between
which term were specially included the
the Pueblo Indians
and tameless
concileable
And
Navajo country.
American people
New
all
a conference at the Ojo Oso, the Bear Spring,
to
was made
rations,
about three-fourths
toil
To
race.
and
this hitherto irre-
memorandum
the
of this
on the 22d of November, by Colonel Doniphan,
Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, and Major Gilpin, fourteen Indian

chiefs
appended
their marks.
Returning through the large and singularly built town of Zuni,

situate about
two hundred miles west of the Del Norte, and con-
taining an interesting, intelligent, and honest population of about

six thousand persons,
inferior race,
who
ancient Aztec character,
enabled by
to
arts,
diplomacy
skilful
of peace between
Thus,
look upon the
and are said
New
have preserved
and
Mexicans as an
to this
habits, Colonel
Doniphan was
to effect a reconciliation
them and the Navajoes,
day the
and treaty
hitherto mutual foess
in despite of physical privations, in the face of the obstacle.
of nature, and the incessant hostility of the elements, the import-
ant object of the expedition
was accomplished.
routes, each rivalling each in dreariness, difficulty,
and
all
by the Mexicans declared
to
By
different
and danger,
be impracticable, the several
detachments of the force arrived, between the 8th and 12th of December,
at
Valverde, on the Del Norte, the appointed rendezvous.
The advance,
consisting of three hundred
of Major Gilpin, took up the line of
verde,
on the 14th of December.
followed, with
two hundred
Colonel Doniphan
was
in
Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson
men, on
the
men under command
march southward from Val-
tlie
16th.
While yet
Navajo country, Lieutenant-
Colonel Mitchell, accompanied by Captain Thompson, of the
United States
1st
dragoons, had been despatched by Colonel
BATTLE OF THE BRAZITO.

Price from Santa
Fe with an
escort of
volunteers from the 2d
hundred men,
light artillery of Missouri, witli the
valley of the Del Norte, joined the
who, thus strengthened,
command, on Dec.
and
fifty-six
between ninety and one
mounted regiment, and
the
view of opening a communi-
This force having passed down the
Wool.
cation with General
269
left
column of Colonel Doniphan,
Valverde, with the remainder of his
The whole
iSth.
effective men, armed with
was
force
rifles
no
eight hundred
artillery.
leaving Valverde, information of the advance of the
Before
enemy
to
the defence of El Paso, on the Chihuahua road, induced Colonel
Doniphan
Missouri
send orders
to
artillery, to join
Santa F6
to
him
Major Clarke, of the
for
moment, with
at the earliest possible
That union could
one hundred men, and a battery of howitzers.
not be effected until the 1st of February following.
The march
thence
across
lay along the Rio

tlie
of the dead."
On
consolidated, and a
wagons,
fell
name El Jornada
the 22d, at
number
in with the
Fra Christobal, and
del
by the
Muerto, " the journey
Dona Anna,
the whole force
was
of traders, with over three hundred
baggage and provision
now came
Certain intelligence
to
dreaded desert, known
dreary and
appropriately ominous
Grande
that seven
trains in the rear.
hundred men and
six-
pieces of cannon had reached the pass of the river, sixty miles
below.
The column moved
forv^rard
in
gay anticipation on
the 23d.
About
three o'clock in the afternoon of Christmas-day, after a

five
hundred men
arm of
the river, for
merry march of eighteen miles, the advance of
was
called to a halt, at the Brazito, or
the purpose of encamping.
loose to graze, and the

in quest of
arose
wood and
little
The horses were unsaddled and
men, scattered
water.
in all directions,
let
were busy
Suddenly a thick cloud of dust
and moved towards them from the direction of El Paso, and
soon one of the advanced guard
enemy was
at
hand.
To
in full
speed announced that the
the call of the bugle the
men
hastily
270
collected
time
foot, tlie troops
to
was
horse there
not
open order, and on
in
formed as skirmishers, the extremes of the wings
thrown towards the
river to protect the flanks, the
baggage, and
The enemy, under General Poncd de Leon,
the traders' wagons.
numbered twelve hundred and twenty men, of whom
five
hun-
dred and thirty-seven were well-mounted and splendidly equipped

lancers and dragoons, from Vera Cruz and Chihuahua
der, infantry from
To
howitzer.
the
east,
drew up
troops, they
within
the infantry
left,
the remain-
half a mile of the
their line in gallant
Vera Cruz dragoons on the

on the
Chihuahua and El Paso, with one 2-pound
right, the
and
American
and imposing array, the
Chihuahua Active battalion

with the howitzer, in the
militia,
centre.
From
their marshalled ranks rode forward briskly a lieutenant
bearinor a black flag
he halted
about one hun-
at a distance of
dred paces, and through the American interpreter delivered his
presumptuous message, and received an approriate response.
He came
go over
demand
to
to confer
that, unless the
commander
that the
of the
column should
with his general, menacing, at the same time,
demand was complied
and take him, adding
with, they would charge
that they gave no quarter
and asked none.
Receiving in reply a scornful defiance, he gracefully waved

black
flag,
Instantly
and galloped back
and boldly
dragoons riding
line.
Mexican
lines.
charge commenced, the Vera Cruz
their
in firm array
The charge was
to the
down on
the
left
of the
American
and when within a few rods
coolly met,
a deadly volley, again repeated and again, rained in

dreadful execution.
his
The remainder
among them
of their force pressed forward
simultaneously, and under cover of the intervening chaparral

three rounds were fired
by
howitzer, before a single
rifle
their
line,
was discharged
men
Doniphan had directed
his
reserve their
the foe
fire until
whole
to lie
came
seconded by the
in return.
down on
Colonel
their faces,
within sixty paces.
and
The
BATTLE OF THE BRAZITO.

manoeuvre
fully
271
The Mexicans, supposing
succeeded.
they had
caused great destruction in the quickly dropping ranks, pushed

forward exultingly, when, suddenly rising, the whole centre and
wing
right
a volley so terribly unerring, that the
sent forth
turned, and fled in irredeemable confusion, while the
reeled,
Howard county company, dashing

away
bore
into the mel(;e, captured
Vera Cruz dragoons,
gallantly led up against the

.
who had succeeded
rallying on the left, twenty of his regiment
Furiously this
in regaining the saddle.
into the force
more than threefold
ranks, and with their sabres
hewed
squad charged on,
little
their
number, broke
line,
and attacked the commissary and baggage
by a well directed
fire
Another
fight continued.
division of the enemy's horse, having outflanked the

train,
of the
left
were met
from the steady soldier-wagoners
soon over every part of the
the foe
field
was
their
Here,
destructively around.
twenty minutes, the desperate
for full
and
Meantime, the ever vigilant and intrepid
the cannon.
Captain Reid
and
foe
and
in disorderly flight.
In the contiguous mountains they found refuge.
The
volunteer force in this engagement
was under
five
dred, the rear, under Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, not

arrived until the battle
seven wounded,
all
struggles and renown.
already given
was
of
entirely
whom
The
commanding
a
officer".
their loss,
strength of the
their loss, so far as
number
none killed
recovered to participate
in future
enemy has been
could be ascertained, exceeded
seventy killed, and a hundred and
itzer,
ended
hun-
having
fifty
wounded, including
General Ponce de Leon.
their
Besides the how-
of carbines, several stands of colours, a large
quantity of ammunition and baggage, with ample store of provisions
and delicious wines, were among the
supplied the victors no
unwelcome
feast for
spoils.
The
latter
their merry Christmas
night.
Such was
of the
West
the battle of Brazito, the
first
in
crossed weapons with the foe.
which the volunteers
With
troops fresh
272
and ngorous, and outnumbering them
in the proportion of five to
two, their struggle was brief, their victory

laurels
brilliant.
Brighter
were none, than Missouri won that day.
Proceeding with military precaution,
of El Paso, on the 27th.
Wool had
in anticipation of another
army entered without opposition
attack, the
Here
it
town
the populous
was ascertained
not as yet advanced on Chihuahua.
that General
forward move-
ment under these circumstances was judged extremely hazardous,
and therefore Colonel Doniphan resolved
to
await at this
point the arrival of the artillery ordered from Santa Fe.
The
beautiful
and
fertile
valley of El Paso extends along the
Rio Grande about two-and-twenty miles, by an average breadth

often, and
occupied by a peaceable population, whose
is
settle-
ments present the appearance of a continuous farm, thickly

intervalled
by orchards and vineyards.
The
fruits
and wines of
the valley are of unsurpassed excellence, the produce in grain
By
abundant.
the capture of the town, Colonel
Doniphan was
placed in possession of more than twenty thousand pounds of
powder, lead, musket and great-gun cartridge, grape and canister

shot,
and of
five
hundred stands of small arms, four hundred
lances, four pieces of cannon,
Finding
lated
and several stands of colours.
that, contrary to representatious industriously circu-
among them, and unblushingly put forward even by
their
chief officers and clergy, the Americans behaved themselves in

the captured city with the greatest forbearance, order, respect,
and humanity, the inhabitants soon abandoned

hostility,
friendly
and
gratefully repaid
and generous
hospitality.
ously every day, purchasing
their doubts
such unexpected conduct
The men now
in the well
and
by
fared sumptu-
supplied markets the
more substantial food they desired, and having kindly pressed

upon them the
the place.
rich fruits, luscious wines,
and other luxuries of
Hours of reasonable relaxation, and the intercourse
of amity with the citizens, alternated with
company and
regi-
MARCH
mental
of supply and outfit for the
New Mexico
of the artillery,
to
273
and other military exercises, and the preparation
drills
Events in
CONTINUF.D.
x-lt
march on Chihuahua.
caused the detention
for several
weeks
length Colonel Price found himself in a position
comply with Colonel Doniphan's
order,
and despatched Major
Clark with one hundred and seventeen men, and six pieces of
after extraordinary exertion
cannon, which,
On
column was on march
the 8th, the
enterprise pre-eminently perilous
more quickly
We
Chihuahua.
of the heroic army, thus
on the
hardships they endured, and
to record the
The
prairie.
twenty-four effective
officers
still
be dreaded.
must not stay
fire
was an
It
resources, in the very centre
the dangers they encountered from the deserts, the
and
February.
encompassed by natural obstacles
of innumerous foes, and

to
fate
own unaided
their
for
through the
toil
1st of
and the national heart beat
suspense for the
in
thrown out upon
more
and
and deep snows, reached El Paso on the
deserts
men
force consisted of nine
whom
of
and privates were of the
numbered
artillery, ninety-three of
wagons
fifteen
Colonel
mounted volun-
The merchant-train under
hundred and
three
hundred and
one hundred and seventeen
Mitchell's escort, and the remainder of the 1st

teers, all of Missouri.
canons,
flinty
their escort
and, at the recom-
mendation of Colonel Doniphan, the merchants and teamsters

organized themselves into a well-armed and highly efficient corps
of about one hundred and
respectively
Owens elected
brackish
fifty
men,
in
On the
their major.
Laguna de
three miles wide,
25th, they reached the shallow,
Encenillas, about twenty miles long and
two hundred and seven miles below El Paso,
and seventy-four from Chihuahua.

themselves into
advance, and
in
force
at
two companies, commanded
by Captains Skillman and Glasgow, with Samuel C.
intelligence,
near the
that
Previous rumours
now shaped
about twenty-five
miles
in
margin of the lake, the enemy was
Insencas, the
country-seat
of
Don Angel
Trias,
274
governor of Chihuahua.
the 26th, they found
it
Arrived
at
Inseneas on the evening of
evacuated by the military; and on the
following evening, at the Fort of Sans, they learned from their

spies that the
Sacramento
By
in great force,
about
the authorities of
troops
tions
enemy,
river,
had been
made
for a
fifteen
of
fortified the
Chihuahua the approach of the American
advance.
to obstruct their
that Doniphan's
In
full
and
confidence of the
department had in session deter-
men, when captured, should be stripped
arms and money, and sent bound, on
Mexico
pass of the
long time expected, and extensive prepara-
result, the legislature of the
mined
had
miles north of the city.
that no delay
foot, to the
city of
might occur, a quantity of cord was
provided, and cut into suitable lengths, for tying the prisoners.
Governor Frias strenuously promoted the arrangements made

under direction of Don Jose A. Heredia, commandant-general of
Durango, Chihuahua, Sonora, and

rals
The
Two
New
Mexico, aided by Gene-
Garcia Condd, Justiniani, and Uguartd.

position
commanding
rivulets, rising in
the road and pass
was well chosen.
the mountains westward of the valley of
the Sacramento, cross the valley in an easterly direction

the northern of these streams, the Arroyo Seco,
south, meets the other, the Arroyo Sacramento,

the Rio Sacramento,
of the Rio
formed by these
on
its left
rivulets, the
into the
to the
forms
Conchas, a tributary
Across the peninsular plateau
main road leads from north
all
to south
directions to the north-east corner, where
crowned by the rocky height of the Cerro
dred and
it
then
the ground abruptly rises in a bench, sixty feet high,
sloping upwards from

it is
which flows
Grande del Norte.
bending
and with
fifty feet
above the plain.
Arroyo Sacramento come

their easternmost
The
Frijoles,
sierras
at right angles in
one hun-
south of the
upon that stream,
advance, the Cerro Sacramento, narrowing the
valley to a breadth of one mile.
From
the Cerro Frijoles along
the northern front of the eminences, and
thence
southwardly
BATTLF. OF
along
tlie
THE SACRAMENTO.
275
whole bench overhanging the road, was erected a con-
tinued line of redoubts and intrenchments, under the superin-
tendence of General Conde, formerly Mexican Minister of War,
man
and a
there
was
of science and
the Cerro
commanding the
a strong battery,
Sacramento also
road as
it
approached
In this seemingly secure position, the
the ferry below.
command
under
On
skill.
experienced
of the
before
officers
awaited the approach of the American troops.
was protected behind
redoubts
the
enemy,
named,
Their infantry
and intrenchments
their
cavalry was drawn up in front of the redoubts four deep, and in

rear of the redoubts
ticable.
two deep, so as
mask them
to
Their force consisted of twelve hundred cavalry from
Durango and Chihuahua, with
the
Vera Cruz dragoons, twelve
hundred infantry from Chihuahua, three hundred

fourteen hundred and twenty rancheros, badly
lances, and machetoes, or corn-knives
lery,
as far as prac-
artillerists,
armed wuth
and
lassos,
ten pieces of field-artil-
and six culverins, or rampart-pieces.
At sunrise, on the 28th of February, Colonel Doniphan took

up the
line of
The
march.
traders' commissariat,
wagons, more than three hundred
number, were arranged
in
four parallel columns, with intervals of

tral interval
on the
marched the
right, the
second battalion
dered more compact, and
to
wagons could be
fifty
yards.
in
In the cen-
artillery, the first battalion in the interval
in tliat
of all rode two hundred cavalry proper.
the
and company
at a
its
numbers
moments
encompass and bulwark
on the
In advance
left.
Thus was
the force ren-
effectually concealed, while
notice converted into a caral,
the troops.
When
arrived within one
mile and a half of the formidable intrenchments, Colonel Doni-
phan, pushing
still
further forward the cavalry in advance, sud-
denly diverged to the right, so as to gain the easier though narrow

ascent to the west.
endeavoured
This the enemy perceived, and promptly
to prevent,
by pushing forward
in that direction
thousand cavalry, masking four pieces of cannon
37
in
one
their rear.
276
These were, however, anticipated, and by a rapid movement the

elevation
was gained and
The American
within reach of the guns.

witli the
line
was now
parallel
main road, and fronting the enemy's defences on the west
of the heights, with a marsh protecting

this
enemy came
the line formed before the
Embarrassed by
its rear.
well-conceived and quickly executed movement, the
halted,
and a brisk
now unmasked American
from the
fire
tery, at the distance of nine
hundred and
The enemy unmasked
the action.
fifty
yards,
guns and
his
from his trenches, and opened a heavy
fire,
against the battery under Major Clark, but wuth

fire
killing fifteen,
enemy's guns.
from the American
line
bat-
commenced
Then
replied.
up additional
rapidly deploying into line, he brought
so with the
enemy
artillery
mainly directed
Not
little effect.
that proved effective,
wounding many, and dismounting one of

At length, thrown
the
and driven
into confusion
from his position, he slowly retreated behind his intrenchments,
moved forward
while Colonel Doniphan

to the
way
right, to obtain
his
whole
more advantageous
line obliquely
position.
In this
they reached the southern edge of the plain, and within five
hundred yards of the Mexican army, posted
in a
and trenches, extending along the
bench
From
this
crest of the
round battery
to the right.
bench three trenches and a stone caral completed the
connexion with the
ford,
and with the
fortified
southern bank, beneath the Cerro Sacramento.

armies, and beneath the
Mexican works on
a deep gully, impassable for cannon,

their position.
To
rancho on the
Between
the
two
the height in front, ran
and greatly strengthening
the right of the advancing
American
an abrupt bench of the Sacramento Hill, a strong
fort
line,
on
was occu-
pied by a battery supported by cavalry, the balls and grape from
which raked with a plunging

of the passage
down
fire
the flank of the line, the whole
to the ford,
and the ravine
in front of the
trenches.
And now
with greater fierceness the hot battle
is
renewed
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:U)0
it.i
BATTLE OF THE SACRAMENTO.

and shame, are de})endent on
security antl honour, ruin
On
either siile there
is
volunteers
on
There
theirs.
movements and
cavalry, and dismounted
artillery,
On
forward.
main
the
directed
is
odds,
tliere
won
within
is,
press emulously
central battery of the
foe the foremost
Weightman with
his
two howitzers, and
in front,
and on the
it
two
latter
By some
by
already,
is
Weightman's guns
foe.
the
Reid
and unlimbering
left,
yards of the well-manned intrenchment, open their
fifty
salutation
effective
men
gallop to the gully, turn
full
that
of brilliant charges divide the
mischance the order reaches not the
where he ever
this day.
Reid, Hudson, and Parsons, are ordered to charge.
come
these
soil,
Those are American
glory to be
is
series of rapid
onset
issue.
country's
their
than crushing victory.
fight
its
fourfold
they have no time nor will for counting odds
must be
victory
less
With
scornful resolve.
embattled vantage-ground, and
must not think of
277
of
canister
and grape.
The
warmly returned.
The horsemen, some leaping
others riding round
it,
is resistless,
and
have charged up the slope.
for a
moment
the battery
is
courtesy
the gully,
is
and
Their impulse
silenced
but the
numbers of the enemy are as yet overwhelming, and Reid's

gallant
men, met by dense masses thronging the breastworks,
and sending
to the left,
forth a ceaseless hail of bullets, are forced to oblique
and seek the intervals of the redoubts through which
Here many are wounded, Reid
to charge.
chivalrous
Owens, who had volunteered
Hudson, anticipating
his
demanding permission
to charge, are
the hottest of the fray.
deployed
up the
hill to
unhorsed, and the
in this charge, is slain.
commander's
order,
now up
and
Parsons,
the slope
and
in
Gilpin, with the second battalion, has
to the left at a gallop, his
are running
is
men have dismounted, and
the support of their brethren in
arms.
Mitchell with his mounted riflemen have advanced on the right
having reached the ravine, they too dismount, and charge as

skirmishers on the Mexican position, which
is
with
much
gallantry
278
maintained,
within fivc-and-twenty yards, the
until,
rifle tells
on
every head raised above the breastworks, with fatally unerring
Weightman
aim.
obstacles
presses on the intrenchments, regardless of
and within a few
feet of the ditches,
of a cross-fire from three directions, opens his
and
The work
to the left.
order, to encourage,
furious
line of redoubts, the brisk
rifles is
poured
in.
officer,
From
midst
fire
to the
right
no
is
man
there to
fails,
or
right to left along the
and deadly
Horse, howitzers, and
in the
Doniphan
now.
No
to lead.
of the leader's hopes.
falls short
whole
and
is
and
fire
foot, in
charge they dash upon the works of the enemy
American
of the
one simultaneous
to the very brink
of the strong redoubts they advance and attack with their sabres.
Long and
obstinately are the works defended
cleared, and the foe
is
Meantime, under a heavy

Sacramento, Clark
is
extreme
cross-fire
they are
from the battery on the Cerro
own staunch companies.
right,
now
bringing up, as fast as practicable, the main
battery of four 6-pounders, followed

escort of its
sent whirling in flight across the plain.
by the wagon-train under
He
from which an incessant
opens upon the enemy's
fire
had hitherto been kept
up; and soon two of their guns are dismounted, the battery silenced,
and the enemy dislodged from the redoubt on the Cerro
body of Mexican lancers attempt
American
line,
to outflank the
and attack the wagon-train
them away.
has fought, and gallantly have Heredia and

victory.
their
of the
on them, Clark again
opens his untired battery, and a destructive

spherical case-shot has cleared
Frijoles.
left
fire
of grape and
Bravely the enemy
Cond^
striven for
Before the volunteers they are borne headlong down,
intrenchments are abandoned, their guns deserted, and by
both wings of the conquering force, with the merciless howitzers,

they are hotly pursued towards the mountains beyond the Frijoles
height,
and away down the ravine of the Arroyo Seco.
Repeated
discharges of Clark's guns disorder, while they expedite this

retreat.
BATTLE OF THE SACRAMENTO.

But
all
battery on the mountain
The main
not over yet.
is
279
bench beyond the Arroyo Sacramento, consisting of six of their

best
and heaviest guns, supported by eight hundred cavalry, con-
tinues, as
down
it
has done during the heat of the engagement, to pour
a constant and heavy
the order to
remount
their
zers, charge across the
Mitchell and Jackson, obeying
fire.
men, and accompanied by
main road, and round the rancho, up the

Gilpin, with his second bat-
ascent to the rear of this position.
on
talion,
crosses the Sacramento rivulet higher up, and
foot,
come down on
scales the rough mountain, to
the other side
the howit-
the
enemy from
while Clark, occupying that one of the enemy's
deserted intrenchments nearest the Cerro Sacramento, twelve
hundred and twenty-five yards

his well-used battery.
They
enemy's guns.
from below has cut
third shot
Brisk and precise
guns, and their horsemen are

gallop.
first fire
upon
it
the effect of
has dismounted one of the
are of greater calibre, and their elevated
them a plunging
position gives
wagons.
His
distant, tries
Further struggle
is
fire
in
into the intrenchment, but a
two one of
the discharge
is
now
ammunition
of the American
seen ascending the
hill
in
full
Their guns and ammunition
vain.
are abandoned, their colours flung
their
down
as
men astounded by
the force of an incredible calamity, they fly in wild disorder, they

are pursued for a short distance
Thus ended
they have disappeared.
the battle of the Sacramento, which had lasted
above three hours, was resolutely contested, and most nobly won.
For the
skill
brilliant
daring and resistless energy of
of the commanders, the discipline of the men, the
The Mexican
four thousand
force in the
tally,
still
own
tale.
engagement numbered upwards of
two hundred men
four killed on the field, a
all, it tells its
their loss
larger
was three hundred and
number wounded, many mor-
and above forty prisoners, together with a large quantity of
provisions,
all their artillery
and mules, wagons, ammunition, imple-
2S0
killed,
The American
and colours.
ments, small-arras,
and eleven wounded
loss
was one
three of them mortally.
detachment of the American army took possession of the city
of Chihuahua on the 1st of March, and the following day the
whole army entered
it
On
and took quarters.
the 25th of April
Colonel Doniphan resumed his march, and on the 22d of
1847, reported to General
Wool
at Saltillo.
On
May,
the 27th they
reported to General Taylor at Monterey, and reached St. Louis
on the 2d of July following, after a march which
in interest
incident far transcended the famous " Retreat of the
and
Ten Thou-
sand."
The
Chihuahua
route from
less toilsome
to Saltillo
was no
and dangerous, than those through which we have
already accompanied the men of Missouri.

progress
no
less arduous,
we have
The
not time.
alone detain us for a
The good people
moment
in
For
details of their
El Poso must
brilliant affair of
our rapid survey.
of the rich and beautiful city of Parras had
received with hospitality, and treated with kindness, the soldiers

of General Wool's
command, and
generous attentions.
Just
now
to his sick especially
extended
they were thrown into general
gloom by an incursion of the robbing and murderous Camanches,
who had descended from
their
mountain-holds on the
cruelly slaughtered several of the people, plundered
ted
many
hurried
abodes, driven off some
away
but mostly females.

the
five
into captivity nineteen
hundred head of
Ere yet they had made good
found themselves face
than they had ever met.
Thus
far
and desecracattle,
young persons, of both
mountains, and while meditating
their spoil, they
fair valley,
new
and
sexes,
their retreat to
outrages to add to
to face
with a foe, other
had reached on the advance
of the army, our gallant Captain Reid, ever present, whenever
wanted.
To him
distress.
The appeal was
the injured people related the cause of their

irresistible.
The kindness shown
to
BATTLE OF EL POSO.
their sick
forget
and wouiulod compatriots, the volunteers could not
and among the captives not a few were of that sex that
always finds
in
281
American arm a sure defence, of
in the
that sex that
Parras had been, as everywhere, the tendercst, most assiduous,
most considerate, by the couch of pain.
Reid proffered
Near
to intercept the
this place,
With
fifteen of his
men,
barbarous marauders at EI Poso.
on the morning of the 13th of May, he met
Lieutenant Gordon, sent forward with
fifteen
men
from the main
United, they formed a band of some
body, to provide water.
By
men.
three or four- and -thirty
a skilful feint they drew the
Indians, intent on further spoil, towards a hacienda, where Reid
had concealed
The Camanches were
his force.
sixty-five, well
mounted and armed,
elate with success,
When
within half a mile of the friendly hacienda,
they had
the order
flash,
come
was given
they were in
to Reid's
among
fought for
ground, only as
fallen of their
it
the surprised, but nothing-daunted foe.
full
two hours, yielding each
arrows.
Of his
injured.
The Indians
Thus
high
tion
foot
lost
full
of
some newly
in
both places by steel-tipped
gallant corps of supporters, none
and had
seventeen killed on the
was materially
field,
including
five-and-twenty dangerously wounded.
severely chastised, the remnant found protection in the
grounds,
The
acquired.
the
in the blood of
Reid was himself severely wounded
the face, and in the shoulder, in
their chief,
to lose their rich booty, the
was made slippery
number.
to defeat.
band, to charge. Like the lightning
With desperate determination not

latter fiercely
and strangers
leaving behind
the
the
spoil
restoration of the captive youths
bosoms of their delighted

to
all
families,
generous deliverers.
they had lately
and maidens
Through
the Prefect of the
department of Parras, Don Josd Ignacio Arrabe, a

graceful
acknowledgment and
to
was more than compensa-
letter
of
thanks was conveyed to the
chivalrous leader and his corps of worthy brothers.
282
We
turn
now
New Mexico,
to take a
hasty glance at events occurring in
while thus the troops under Doniphan were passing
triumph througli the centre of the enemy's country.
in
Charles Bent,
will
it
Kearny constituted governor of

of Colonel Doniphan, the
They
New
Mexico
command
own
consisted of his
on the departure
of the troops remaining in
province devolved on
the subjugated
Mr.
be remembered, had been by General
Colonel Sterling Price.
regiment, the 2d Missouri mounted
volunteers; an extra battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Willock;

the Laclede rangers, under Lieutenant Elliott
U.
S. 1st dragoons,
and Murphy's battalion of infantry

artillery,
and some additional
of light
and miscellaneous
an aggregate of nearly two thousand men.
number was
company
Fischer's
artillery
under Lieutenants Dyer and Wilson, of the U.
able
two hundred of the
commanded by Captain Burgwin; Angney
S.
Of
troops,
Army; making
these a consider-
sent out, in separate detachments, to stations
throughout the province, for the threefold purposes of preserving

health and activity
beasts,
among
and maintaining
troops, however,
the
was detained
service the volunteers
were
strenuous efforts of the
men, securing forage
The
tranquillity.
to garrison
little fitted
officers,
for their
large proportion of the
For such
Santa Fd,
and notwithstanding the
deviations from good order, dis-
regard of discipline, and fatal excesses and indulgences, were

frequent.
At the time of General Kearny's departure,
Fe and throughout New Mexico wore
all
things at Santa
the aspect of acquiescent
Smiles and gaiety, and professions of cordial amity,
tranquillity.
were, however, but the skilfully assumed covering of deep discontent, jealousy, and hate, in the
in
December,
had
held
the leading malcontents, including officers
rank under Armijo,
generally to
Early
bosoms of very many.
whom
night conclaves
the old
began
to
displaced
officials,
and
and corrupt system was gain,

plot the
overthrow of the
in
who
those
mid-
existing
283
COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
Their plans were
crovernment.
towards maturity
and consequent duties

the church-bells at
commenced on
December,
the 19th of
Santa Fe were to give the signal
more complete organization and more

night of Christmas-eve
for a simul-
to insure
was
effective action,
finally fixed
on
and the
for the rising,
which
Counting on certain
be universal and instantaneous.
to
for action assigned,
The time was subsequently postponed,
taneous revolt.
was
and approaching
craftily laid,
their several departments
success, they had already nominated from
among themselves
Don Tomas Ortiz, as governor, and Don Diego Archuleta, as

commander of the forces. By a female the whole plot was disSeveral of those sup-
covered, and revealed to Colonel Price.
posed to be implicated were
at
once arrested, and ample evidence
obtained of the existence, character, and objects of the conspiracy.

Ortiz and Archuleta by timely flight escaped
arrest,
and, from
motives of politic clemency, the other arrested persons were discharged.
But the contemplated rebellion seemed utterly crushed.
This appearance was deceptive.
With embittered determination, and with
To
conspiracy was renewed.

fluential
men
of the state
it
closer secrecy, the
were committed the most
in-
the priests especially, bigoted in pro-
portion to their ignorance, using all their authority to excite the
people against the "heretic Americanos." Their teachings and

exhortations were but too successful.
embryo
rebellion
Governor Bent,
in
as well as to the
The suppression
of the
had been followed by a proclamation from

which he addressed himself
honour of
tlie
to the
good sense
people, seeking to disabuse their
minds of the absurd impressions which designing
factionists
had
busied themselves to make, showing the folly and hopelessness

of insurrection, and urgently inviting
})eople
the co-operation of the
themselves in the peaceful struggle
Meantime
for
common
the organization of the government in
prosperity.
its
inferior
departments had gone on, and pari passu the enjoyment and
38
284
Imprudence and excess
relaxation of the soldiery in Santa F6.
many
counted
among
victims
liarity witli the
city revellers
To
increase of sickness.
On
ingly awake.
and where he
still
refusal to release
our,
this the conspirators
officials, left
Santa F^
which place he had previously
in
brought with
their habits,
it
were unceas-
the 14th of January, 1847, Governor Bent,
accompanied by several
Taos,
all
and increasing fami-
the troops,
and
had a house and
San Fernando de
to his installation resided,
On
estate.
two Indians, incarcerated
was followed by
for
the 19th, the
some misdemean-
for
the murder, in the most cruel manner, of
the governor; the sheriff, Lee; the district- attorney. Leal; the prefect, Vigil, a
also a
Mexican
Mexican.
blo Indians were
sudden
a son of
Judge Baubian
In these inhuman murders Mexicans and Pue-
common
actors.
Nor was
On
or unpremeditated outbreak.
Americans were
four others at the
and Harvimea,
this the result of
the
same day, seven
in cold blood butchered at the
Moro town, and two
at the
any
Arroya Hondo,
Rio Colorado.
the alcalde of Moro, and the faithful gallantry of a
By
Frenchman
of Canada, letters were intercepted, in which, with revelations of

the plot, were contained earnest invitations to the inhabitants
along the Rio Abajo, and the northern portion of
New Mexico,
to
strike for revenge, in union with their brethren of the other districts.
From
these letters
it
wâs further ascertained
enemy, bent upon the extermination of

Mexicans
in their confidence
the
In this
movement
all
and friendship, was approaching
Santa Fd, gathering in his advance upon

force.
that the
Americans and of
this city accessions of
the leaders were Tafoya, Pablo Chavez,
Pablo IVIontoya, Cortez, and Tomas, a Pueblo Indian.

Prudently anxious to meet the foe, ere yet increased by their
anticipated
reinforcements along their line of march, Colonel
Price, leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Willock with a comparatively
strong force in garrison at Santa Fe, went forth to meet the insurgents, on the
morning of January 23d,
at the
head of three hun-
285
COUNTER-REVOLUTION.
died and fifty-three men, rank and fde, supported by four mountain
charge of Lieutenant Dyer, United States
in
liowitzers,
Captain
sary.
St.
was neces-
merciless, but action
The weather was then
Army.
Vrain's company, the only mounted men of
the force, formed the advance, and early in the afternoon of the
24tla
discovered
the high grounds
Canada,
Two
enemy
tlie
in considerable strength,
commanding, and
close to, the
occupying
little
town of
situated on a tributary of the Rio Grande.
thousand strong, under
command
of Tafoya, Chavez, and
Montoya, the foe had taken advantageous ground on both sides

of the Chicito stream, and in three houses at the base of the
Promptly forming
hills.
as his force and circum-
such line of battle
stances directed. Colonel Price threw forward and across the
creek his four howitzers, from which, about two o'clock

afternoon. Lieutenant
and the more
the dismounted
protected
by
Dyer opened a brisk
men were moved up
the bluff
bank
the wagon-train, already
menaced by a
American
to protect
large party.
Angney and Murphy's
some degree
enemy from
tlie
The
St.
same
the
This service
infantry battalion
house opposite the
infantry battalion, supported
Vrain by a circuit turned
artillery,
it,
so
by
hills,
as to cut off retreat.
supported by the remaining three companies of
Price's regiment, drove
the
enemy from some houses and
densely wooded coral, and from

set the struggle continued
was seeking
and bring up
two companies of the 2d Missouri, moved rapidly up one of the

while
fire
This gallantly accomplished, a general
right flank.
charge was ordered
Meantime
of the stream from the INIexican
was despatched
charged, and dislodged the
upon the houses
to a position, in
while Captain St. Vrain
satisfactorily effected,
fire
by the enemy.
distant height, occupied
the
in
safety
by
flight.
tlie
heights beyond.
then the enemy, routed at
The
Till sunall
points,
nature of the ground rendered
pursuit hopeless, and the troops were for the night quartered in
the town.
Next morning, they
hesitatingly
showed themselves
5*50
on the distant heights
but on the
first
intimation of a disposition
renew the intercourse of the preceding afternoon, they most
to
unceremoniously decamped.
Canada was two
On
and
loss in this affair of
Of
forty-five
loss of thirty-
wounded.
the 27th, Colonel Price
resumed
his
march towards Taos,
whitherward the enemy had retreated, as
to their
stronghold.
Next morning he was joined by Captain Burgwin with
company
of the 1st U. S., and Lieutenant Boone's
2d Missouri, dragoons,
was now
whom
to
La
enemy.
or
Embudo was
Embudo being
Walker
St. Vrain's,
held in
command by
the
forward with his
own
and White's, accompanied too by Adjutant
of the 2d Missouri, and Lieutenant
joined force
with
impracticable for artillery
wagons, Captain Burgwin pushed
company,
file,
Joya, and there learned, on the 29th,
that the gorge leading to
The road by
of the
His whole
Canada.
four hundred and seventy-nine rank and
he proceeded
own
his
company
dismounted, and by Lieutenant Wil-
all
son, with a 6-pounder brought up from

force
was
the latter
The Mexicans acknowledged a
Lieutenant Irvine.
six killed
The American
and seven wounded.
killed
Wilson
their con-
numbering one hundred and eighty men.
The enemy, some
six or seven
hundred strong, was discovered
occupying a formidable position on the mountain slopes, over-
hanging each side of the road, just where the gorge was so
narrow, as scarcely to admit of the passage of three
and
still
men
abreast,
further protected
by dense brushwood and large fragments
From
the gallant force so numerically inferior,
of detached rock.
flanking parties were thrown out on either side, while St. Vrain,
dismounting his men, advanced up the rugged and precipitous

hill-face,
contest
whose
was
still
trees lent aid to the climbing
men.
The
brisk
going on, when Captain Slack, with twenty-five
mounted men, came up from La Joya,

half hour, and the battle
was decided
to
the
lend aid.
Another
pursuit of the foe
occupied two hours. One killed and one severely wounded, bought
PUEBLO DE TAOS.
this victory
full
Mexicans and
defeat cost the
twenty killed and
287
wounded.
.sixty
tlicir
Indian
allies
white flag greeted
Captain Burgwin's entry into the town of Embudo.
The march resumed
led over the
Taos Mountain, covered
to a
depth of two feet with snow, through which the troops, with
admirable constancy and patience, trampled down a road

artillery
On
and wagons.
for the
3d of February Colonel Price
the
marched, without meeting any show of resistance, through San
Fernando de Taos, and there ascertained that the enemy had

posted himself advantageously in the Indian village, Pueblo de
Taos, a strongly protected place a short distance in advance.
Walls of adob^,
flanked
to the
or sun-dried bricks, with strong pickets,
by projecting buildings, supplied w-hatever
means of defence
afforded
by the large church, two other
large structures rising in an irregular
seven or eight
stories,
and
wanting
wâs
pyramid
and a number of smaller
to the height of
edifices.
These
were now occupied by Mexicans and Indians, numbering between
and seven hundred.
six
On
was opened on the western
the evening of the 3d, a
warm
fire
flank of the church, from Lieutenant
Dyer's battery of two howitzers and one six-pounder, and kept
up
for
about two hours and a half; when, as the ammunition
wagons had not yet come up, and the men were
suffering severely
from cold and fatigue, the colonel commanding withdrew them

for the night to
San Fernando.
Early on the morning of the 4th, the troops were in station

attacking the town.
was
From
the north
and the west, a
for
cross-fire
briskly opened from the artillery under Lieutenants
Dyer
and Hassendaubel, the former supported by Captain Angney's

battalion and
two companies of the 2d Missouri
Captains Burgwin and McMillen

Slack, with the mounted men,
town, to intercept any attempt
having proved
it
while Captains
moved round
at flight.
Two
the latter by
St.
Vrain and
to the east of the
hours' cannonading
impossible to breach the strong walls of the
288
church
with
and howitzers, the troops
G-pounder
the
Most gallantly was
ordered forward to storm.
were
the service per-
formed, and most manfully was the building defended by
who poured
occupants,
out
and destructive
a continual
its
fire.
Establishing themselves close under the western wall, the troops
now endeavoured
breach
to
it
temporary ladder the roof was
with axes
fired.
and by means of a
Meanwhile Captain Burg-
win with a small party, leaving the cover of the wall, entered the
and essayed
to effect
This attempt was found
fruitless,
coral in front of the church,
the great door.

it,
the daring
Burgwin received
an entrance
and
in
at
making
About 4 P. M.
his death-wound.
the 6-pounder, brought within sixty yards, enlarged into a prac-
made by
ticable breach one of the holes
The gun was
the axes.
then run up within ten yards, a shell and three rounds of grape
were poured through the breach, and now- the storming-party
On
burst in.
and disordered
was equally
the north the charge
long and hotly contested
fight resulted in
flight of the foe.
were quietly quartered
in the
abandoned by the enemy.
It
successful
the
the utter discomfiture
was now
night,
and the troops
houses on the west side of the town,
Early next morning, the old men, the
matrons, and the priest, bringing with them the children and the
altar
images, humbly implored mercy and peace.
Their suppli-
Tomas
should be given
cation
was granted, on
the condition that
up, that chief having been an instigator and actor in the cruel
murder of Governor Bent and

ascertained loss
w'ounded unknown.
forty-five
his party. In this battle the
was about one hundred and
wounded.
The American
Of
these
many
loss
fifty
was seven
deavouring
He was
in
among
killed
his
and
her bravest none more brave,
whom Mis-
fell,
while en-
to suppress the insurrection in the valley of the
command
afterwards died.
In the earlier days of the revolt, Captain Hendley , than

souri counted
enemy's
killed
Moro.
of the grazing detachment on the Pecos, but
hearing of the insurrection, on the 20th of January, promptly
289
INSURRECTION SUPPRESSED.
and took posordered the dillerenl grazing parties to assemble,

forces of the
the
of
concentration
of Las Bagas, where a
session
the captain
These were readily dispersed by
commenced.
insurgents had
and
his
men, by the
of two hundred and twenty-five
number
set out
Las Bagas, he
arrival of
force to preserve
main body of his
Leaving the
different parties.
tranquillity at
increased to the
command, which was soon
on the 22d
to the
Moro,
where the insurgents had embodied two hundred men. Upon

arriving before the place, on the 24th, he found the Mexicans
While preparing
under arms.
for
an attack, he perceived a small
party of insurgents running from the
he sent out to cut them
off,
hills.
detachment which
encountered the main body of the
enemy, and soon brought on a general engagement.
After a
few volleys the enemy gave way, and sought their houses, from
windows and loopholes
the
cans.
The
latter hotly
of
which they
upon the Ameri-
fired
pursued them in their
flight,
rushing into
the houses with them, shooting, and running through many with
the bayonet.
commenced
part of the insurgents gained an old fort and
fire
with a small party, forced his

and, while preparing to
fire
died in a few minutes.
lie
considered the
fort
Captain Hendley,
on the American troops.
way
into one of the apartments,
the fort, received a ball, from which
Being without
artillery, the
Americans
impregnable under present circumstances,
and abandoned the place, having killed twenty-five of the enemy,

and taken seventeen prisoners.
Hendley
killed,
Santa F^, and
The American
loss
was Captain
His body was taken
and three wounded.
buried with military honours.
to
Subsequently his
remains were conveyed to Fort Leavenworth, and thence to Rich-
mond, where they were
On
interred on the
the 1st of February, his death,
23d of September, 1847.
and the
fall, too,
of other gallant
men, was avenged by the complete demolition of the Moro

village,
By
by
the troops* under Captain Morin.
those prompt exertions the insurrection
was
effectually sup-
290
Of
pressed.
Chavez
at
nando
and Tomas was,
Tafoya
the leaders in the revolt,
Pueblo
Montoya was hanged
in a quarrel, shot
by a
prisoner in the guard-room of the latter town.

ral
Kearny's assumed power
Mexicans from
refused by the
at Cafiada,
San Fer-
private, while a
Sanction of Gene-
to transfer the allegiance of the
own government
their
fell
as a traitor, at
to the
New
United States, was
Consequently the charge of treason alleged
latter.
against the revolters
was not
be sustained, and the military
to
executions under this supposed right were very promptly stopped.
May, marauding bands
In
of
Mexicans and Indians made
desultory attacks on supply-trains and grazing-parties.
26th of this month, at the Red
On
the
River Canon, after a sharp conflict,
Major Edmondson, with a detachment of about two hundred men,

severely punished the largest of these bands, killing forty-one of
number, and wounding a
their
still
Lieutenant Brown, with two of his men, in an
command, was
horses stolen from his
Edmondson
hastily
murderers, shot
effort to recover
Major
cruelly murdered.
marched from Las Vegas
down
In June,
greater proportion.
in pursuit of the
a few, and took forty prisoners.
rumours of an intended renewal of the insurrection were
In July,
rife.
But
of the troops, and the presence of an
the increased vigilance
additional force from the States, checked the contemplated out-
break.
On
quil,
the 20th of July,
all
now seeming more permanently
tran-
Colonel Price was raised to the rank of brigadier-general,
and appointed
still
to
command
at
Santa F^.
Here we take leave of the Army of the West

sufferings
and whose deeds alike
boundless gratitude of
its
entitle
country.
it
an army whose
to the
admiration and
CHAPTER
XVI.
the base of a new Line of OprCity San Juan d'UUoa By whom
Government determines upon making Vera Cruz

rationsVera
Cruz Description
of the
Description of the Fortress Capture by Acle, Lorencillo, and

reduce his Force Scott ordered
of the intention
Taylor
Island of Lobos as the place
Mexico Reaches the Rio Grande Appoints
of Rendezvous Description of Lobos The Arrival of Volunteers ReconnoisDisimharking upon the Beach
by Scott and Conner Preparations
Vera Cruz Disembarkation of the Troops Investment of the City- Gallant
co-operation of the Navy Skirmishes with the Enemy Investment completed
Scott's Despatch the War Department The Batteries opened Skirmish
the SurMedellin Overtures
Puenta del Medio Harney's
render of Vera Cruz and San Juan d'UUoa Commissioners appointed Cerethe War Department Alvarado
mony of Capitulation Scott's Despatch
Effects of the Bombardment of Vera Cruz.
Its
founded
Bodin
lo
to
notified
tiie
at
for
tâncc
at
to
for
brilliant affair at
to
With
the capture of
But before
Monterey ended the campaign of 1846.
this brilliant
evident to the government,
achievement took place,

tliat
column of invasion would be required

affording a nearer approach to
it
became
another and even more effective
tlie
to operate
Mexican
from a point
capital.
General Santa Anna, whose return from exile had been connived at by our government, so
far
from distracting the Mexican
people by internal dissensions, or inclining them to more peaceful
views, had succeeded in allaying
and
in
rousing and uniting
all
tlie
feuds of opposing parties,
classes to a
more vigorous prose-
cution of the war.
Finding
untoward
all
hope of reasonable accommodation cut
state of tilings, a
new and
on, striking into the heart of the
39
shorter line
off
by
this
was determined
enemy's possessions.
While
291
the
292
Madre was
line of the Sierra
diminished forces,
of a
new
to
be held by General Taylor with
Vera Cruz was selected as the base
city of
tlie
line of operations, for the assault of
which preparations
were made on a scale commensurate with the formidable characundertaking.
ter of the
Vera Cruz, the only commercial

of Mexico,
to the republic
min. 52 sec. N.
city of
situated
is
importance belonging
in latitude
longitude 19 deg. 10 min.
W.
19 deg.
11
of Washington,
and has an average temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Founded about
the year
1560 by the Count of Monterey, and
upon the exact spot which witnessed the landing of Cortez,

years before,
it
became,
in
forty
1600, the capital of the department of
Vera Cruz.
It
contains about one thousand and sixty-three houses, built
mostly of stone, two stories high, and of a square shape, with

roofs
The
and parapets.
computed
which
The
is
at
population, which in the year 1804
16,000, has fallen
believed to be about
city is
ofl'
its
flat
was
gradually to about 5000 souls,
present number.
surrounded by a stone wall, 3124 varas or yards
circumference, which
is
in
defended by nine bastions, capable of
supporting 100 guns.
Vera Cruz
well lighted.
is
small but regularly laid out, well paved, and
Its police
regulations are admirable.
a Cathedral, to which are attached the
and Del Loreto.
The
On
It
has also
five
It
contains
two chapels of Del Pastora
convents and three hospitals.
Catliedral occupies the south side of the principal Plaza.

the
east
is
the
Government House,
of Palace, and on the west
The more modern
among
and north
dignified
by the
title
are ranges of porticoes.
erections for public offices, near the wharf, are
tlie finest in tlie city.
Although Vera Cruz
itself is
situated
upon an
arid plain, sur-
rounded by billowy sand-hills of various heights, and intervening

clusters of thick chaparral, the country at a
little
distance inland
SAN JUAN d'uLLOA.

is
Game,
and productive.
fertile
abundant
and
tliere
even the luxuries of
The harbour
few
are
life,
29'.i
and vegetables are
fish, fruit,
cities in
which the necessaries
can be obtained with greater
or
facility.
or roadstead is a very insecure one, and, from the
anchorage being among shoals, affords but
protection
little
during the prevalence of " Northers."
But the pride of

Old Spain,
is
the
tlie
n^public, as
famous
fortress of
it
was formerly
the boast of
San Juan d'Ulloa.
This almost impregnable structure was commenced

1582, and the immense
sum
of forty millions of dollars
pended by the Spaniards upon

upon an island
It is built
from
had been
visited
in front of the city,
by Don Juan
him received
year 151 8, and from

is
was ex-
erection.
and
at a distance
of one thousand and sixty- two " varas," or yards.
it
island
its
year
in the
the
This
di Orijalva, as early as the
name by which
the fortress
now known.
The foundations
sea,
and with a
of this
immense
solidity that has
structure
are
laid
in
of that latitude, and the encroachments of the fierce element
which
it is
The length
fire
by
surrounded.
of the exterior polygon towards
hundred yards
the
the
defied alike the furious storms
Vera Cruz,
is
three
on the north channel two hundred yards, while
upon both the northern and southern channels can be
doubled by the use of the additional batteries of Santiago and
The
San Miguel.
is
the
Madrepom
stone used in the construction of the fortress,
Jlstrea, a species of soft coral, tlic walls
and ex-
posed points being further defended by a facing of stone of

harder quality.
mounting,
Castle
to
is
The complement
said to be three
was taken by
contain
one
of
guns which
hundred and seventy.
the I'VenrJi in 1838,
hundred
and
it is
its
batteries
seventy-seven
capable of
When
the
were found
guns of various
calibre.
Notwithstanding Uie formidable character of
its
works, San
294
Juan d'Ulloa had been captured

vestment
\)y
the
American
by Juan Aguinas Acle,
three times, previous to
forces.
well
fleet of
The second capture

Cruz.
It
Don
Francisco di Lujan,
twenty-three vessels.
a remarkable one in the annals of Vera
is
was made on
the pirate Lorencillo,
its in-
surprised in 1668,
known buccaneer, who was,
however, expelled shortly afterwards by

supported by a
was
It
the night of the ITtJi of
who,
May, 1693, by
after defeating tlie garrison,
the city at his leisure, retaining possession of both for
sacked
two weeks
when, having secured an immense amount of plunder, he
retired
without molestation.
The
third capture, that
by the French naval
miral Bodin, has already been alluded
was upon
It
this })oint, already
forces under
Ad-
to.
blockaded by our squadron, that
the greater proportion of the military force in actual service, or in
was
the progress of enlistment,
By
concentrated.
directed by our government to be
22d of October, 1846,
a despatch, dated the
General Taylor was notified by the Secretary of

self in readiness to
meet a
of his best officers and
informed that a
still
men
requisition
,
War
upon him
to hold
for four
while, by a subsequent
him-
thousand
letter,
he was
greater number, amounting to one-half of his
whole force, would be required. Nine new regiments of volunteers

were called
for,
and the President proposed
meeting of Congress for permission
ments of regulars.
in the session,
On
bill
was not passed
November, General
until near its close.
Scott, having
ously put in possession of the views of

tlie
ask at the next
This authority he expected to receive early
but the
the 2.3d of
to
to organize ten additional regi-
tlie
following order from the Secretary of
War
"
been previ-
Executive, received
:
War
Department,
Washington, Nov.
" Sir
The President, several
23, 1846.
days since, communicated
person to you his orders to repair to Mexico, to take
in
command
SCOTT ORDERED TO MEXICO.
and
of the forces there asseinbk'tl,

set
on foot an expedition
to operate
pailiciilarly to organize
on the Gulf coast,
ing at the theatre of action, you shall
deem
not proposed to control your operations

instructions, but
under a
work
are
is
full
committed
"The
it is
objects
which
hoped
that
means provided
tlie full
Of
it is
you
this
definite
It
is
and positive
for
The
accomplishing
it,
conlldence that you will use them
desirable to obtain have been indicated,
will
have the requisite force
to
accom-
you must be the judge, when preparations
made, and the time
" Very
arriv-
the circumstances shall dictate.
all
you, in
to
on
if,
practicable.
advantage.
plish them.
are
view of
by
it
and
prosecute them as your judgment
left to
before you, and the
to the best
and
you are
295
for action arrived.
W.
MARCY,
L.
Secretary of War.
General Winfield Scott."'
Under these
next day
for
instructions. General Scott left
New
Washington
tlie
York, from which place he sailed on the 30th,
and reached the Rio Grande on the
1st
day of January, 1847.
Here he was met by the divisions of Generals Worth, Twiggs,

Quitman, and Pillow.
These,
after a brief
delay at the mouth of
the river, with the forces here collected, were

tlie
transports waiting to receive them.
embarked on board
Their destination was the
island of Lobos.
This island, as described by an eye-witness,

spot,
formed entirely of
coral, about
two miles
<<
is
a lovely
little
in circumference,
twelve miles from the Mexican shore, sixty from Tainpico, and
one hundred and thirty from Vera Cruz.

<
It
was covered, before
the
Americans made
it
their rendez-
vous, with a variety of trees and shrubs, the highest of the former
probably some twenty-fi\e
feet,
and these so thickly covered with
vines that one can hardly get through them.
Almost
all
the trees
296
are of strange growth.
Banyan-trees speading over large spaces
of ground, their limbs forming props as they pierce into the earth
and take
root
vines, form
Lemon,
lime,
the freshness and beauty of the Indies.
water
to
be had by digging from four to six
There
we have
With
in profusion.
these
fourteen hours out of the twenty-four,
is
palin,
plenty of
It is
feet.
blackish
Fish and sea-
and sweet, and about the quality of ship-water.

lowl
fig,
and an hundred other species of wood, are growing with
I'ane,
all
while the tops, thickly thatched with evergreen
most beautiful arbours.
we have
a sea air that,
makes the place
delightfully
])leasant."
By
four
the
15th of February, thirty-six hundred volunteers and
hundred regulars had already concentrated here, together
with eighteen vessels of the
first
class.
Shortly after, the transports arrived from the Rio
Grande
and
the commander-in-chief, having at length increased his forces to
about twelve thousand men, embarked them on board one hun-
dred ships and transports, and sailed for Anton Lizardo.
On
March,
the 5th of
in the
midst of the violent " norther,"
look-outs on board the squadron lying at the latter place, descried

the long-expected
armament bearing down upon them, and whi-
tening the horizon with a wall of canvass.
waves
in triumph, ship after ship
Spurning the
came dashing
fierce
into the harbour,
and, casting anchor, presented at the close of the day a perfect

forest of masts.
On
ner,
the 7th, General Scott,
commanding
the
accompanied by Commodore Con-
naval forces stationed in the Gulf, pro-
ceeded on board Uie steamer

noitring the city
to facilitate tlie
and
castle,
landing of
The beach west
Petrita, for the
purpose of recon-
and choosing a point best calculated
tlie
troops
of the island of Sacrificios
the anchorage being very contracted,
it
was
selected
was decided,
but
in order to
avoid the confusion which would necessarily follow the crowding
PRKPARATIONS FOR DISKMBARKING AT VERA CRUZ.
many
of SO
vessels, to transfer
most of the troops from the
297
trans-
ports to the vessels of Avar.
And now
all
delays and impediments having been overcome,
day
the eventful
at lengUi arrived
which was
witness the
to
embarkation of the invading force upon Mexican

sight of
heroic city, and the
tlie
renowned
dis-
and within
soil,
castle of
San Juan
d'Ulloa.
It
was
The
tlie
fierce
The sun
9th of March.
" norther," the
rose bright
terror of those
and
latitudes,
beautiful.
had given
place to a gentle breeze from the south-east, and a sea as smooth

as
if it
had never known
eager expectation.
a ripple,
and every heart beat high with
About an hour before noon,
the squadron got
under way, the Princeton leading, with the Raritan
mid-day
tliose
on board the steamer
with six hundred and
fifty
additional
New
in tow.
About
Orleans, just arrived
men, while casting anchor
beheld the steamer Massachusetts pass, and upon her deck the
and
tall
stately
followed in their turn
The remainder
magnificence has seldom,
of
war moving under easy
if
sail,
ever,
been equalled.
to
ships
in the sunlight, ilickered
continually like innumerable tongues of flame.
and attached
The
were packed closely with war-
men, whose bayonets, flashing
vessels,
sa-
of the transports
and then was exhibited a spectacle which
for
like
He was
form of the Commander-in-chief,
luted with deafening cheers.
them, were
tlie
Following
up
tlie
numerous surf-boats
destined to convey the trooi)s ashore.
Steamers and other vessels brought up the
European nations looked on
crowded with
The
ships of
war
their masts, rigging,
and
spectators, anxious to witness the landing.
of three
rear,
every point of vantage crowded with eager faces.
Inspiriting
strains of martial music were heard from afar, and
at intervals
rose,
subdued by distance, the shouts and joyous outbursts of the
soldiers,
who, weary of
a life of inaction,
welcomed with
en-
298
thusiasm the
glory of
fierce
But the crowning
excitement of the hour.
scene was yet to come.
tlie
In about three hours the frigates and transports dropped anQuietly and in admirable
chor opposite the island of Sacrificios.

order, each ship took
up
its
The steamers
appointed station.
Spitfire and Vixen, and five gun-boats, were detailed to cover
The immense
the landing.
number,
surf-boats, sixty-five in
each capable of holding one hundred men, were hauled
gangways of
the various ships
with four thousand
five
to the
and, by four o'clock, freighted
hundred men, were seen drawn up abreast
of each other, in a single line extending for nearly a mile.
was
the
first
under General Worth.
division,
The Massachusetts
human
flotilla, filled
way
freight, was seen under
who were
cheers of those
for landing,
the signal
fired
simultaneously, the bristling

its
This
left
to the
and then,
gunwales with
and, amid the hearty
behind, to the spirit-stirring strains
of martial music, and within sight of the gray old walls of Vera
Cruz, and the terrible armature of

tress, the dauntless soldiers
As
its
almost impregnable
neared the shore.
the boats touched ground, the foremost
into the
for-
men
of each sprang
water waist deep, and dashed up the sandy beach,
lowed by
their
equally impetuous comrades
were rapidly flung
few minutes a lingering radiance among

achieved the landing of the
first
The
its
for a
Thus was
folds.
division.
The second, under command

speedily followed.
and the setting sun cast
to the breeze,
fol-
the stars and stripes
of Major-General
Patterson,
reserve of regulars under Brigadier
General Twiggs succeeded, and by ten o'clock, P. M., the menof-war and transports were relieved of the remaining troops.
The
portant
facility,
object
directness,
was
and precision with which
accomplished,
Commodore Conner and
reflect
the officers of the
necessary arrangements had been
made with
so
great
much
upon
credit
squadron.
skill
im-
this
All the
and
fore-
thought,
tlial
CO-OPERATION OF THK NAVY.
299
men were
thus disembarked
nearly twelve thousand
without confusion, disturbance, or a solitary accident of any kind.
Never, perhaps, in the annals of warlike operations, was a disembarkation
completed
in
which
The
successfully combined.
and science were more
skill
and
able
which the naval dispositions were carried

that
arm of
manner
effective
out,
proved
how
in
fully
service participated in the enthusiasm animating the
faces of those destined to operate on shore.
The
toils
and hardships performed by the squadron
in the per-
formance of thankless and inglorious duties, have never been

sufficiently appreciated
by the country
The more
at large.
bril-
liant
achievements of the army have had the
less
imposing, but equally arduous services of the navy into the
shade.
Time
effect of casting the
alone can do justice to the incessant caution,
gence, and watchfulness required of both
officers
dili-
and seamen,
in
an exceedingly unsafe position, and constantly exposed to the

terrible effects of the fierce
winds called " northers," so prevalent
in the Gulf during eight
months of each
year.
That the navy panted
to share in the
successes of their com-
panions in arms, and that they could be equally zealous in maintaining the honour of their country's flag, the best evidence
given in the manner in
which the marine
was
batteries
were worked
during the subsequent operations of the siege, and
in the eager-
ness with which
themselves of
all
men
the officers and
of the squadron availed
this only opportunity for distinction.
The landing of
the troops,
which
all
expected
to
by a most bloody and determined resistance, was
have been met

effected, to the
great disappointment of the ardent spirits of our men, without any
demonstration being
made on
the part of the
enemy,
further than
the firing of roundshot and shells from the long guns of the fortress.
The enemy lost
here, as at the passage of the Arroya Colorado, the
best opportunity of resistance to the
During the night the
40
line of
army
investment was partially taken up,
300
and by the 12th, the
entire
army Imd assumed the
positions pre-
viously assigned them in general orders, which were minute in

particulars, based
on information carefully obtained and tho-
roughly studied by the Commander-in-chief, and pointed out everything with the utmost precision.
must not be supposed, however,
It
that this
out difficulty, or an attempt at opposition

labours of both officers and
The character
with-
on the contrary, the
unusually severe.
of the country around
light shifting sand, varying
Vera Cruz
loose
hills of
from twenty to two hundred feet in
dense and almost impenetrable forests
height, interspersed with
of chaparral
men were
was achieved
and the limited
means
was
of land transportation,
only to be overcome by the most excessive exertions on the part

of the
men, upon
tions of war,
whom
the conveyance of the ordnance, muni-
and the necessary provisions
for subsistence,
was
almost entirely devolved.
Their labours, sufficiently severe

still
more
so
away whole
by
hills
and stifling the
On
the
any time, w'ere rendered

'<
northers," which blew
of sand, added to and created others, blinding
men
with the minute and penetrating particles.
morning of the lOlh the
menced from
the storm,
at
the prevalence of violent
the city and castle
firing of
heavy ordnance com-
and, except during the fury of
was kept up night and day without any
though with but
little
effect
upon the
intermission,
lines of investment.
By eleven, o'clock General Worth succeeded in taking up

sition
on the right of the
line.
The
division of General Patterson
followed, Pillow's brigade being in the advance.
Worth, Pillow was detached with the

1st
and 2d Pennsylvania regiments,
were
in
his po-
1st
After passing
and 2d Tennessee, and
to dislodge the
enemy, who
possession of an old building near the head of the
Laguna
Malibran, while Lieutenant French, with one field-piece of Taylor's battery,
was ordered
occupied by
tlie
to
enemy, and
open
fire
upon a stone magazine
situate in the rear of the city.
also
Both
SKIRMISHES WITH THE ENEIVH'.

these
301
orders were successfully accomplished.
The Mexicans
evacuated the magazine, and Pillow's detachment,
from the
their antagonists
three
men
field,
on the part of the
after driving
with the loss of one
and
officer
way through
cut their
latter,
the
chaparral, and with the 1st Tennessee regiment took possession

of the magazine.
Tennesseans
at
countered the
Leaving Colonel Campbell with
this
point, Pillow
enemy near
again pressed forward, en-
and drove them
the Medellin road,
Here they again
rapidly thence to the hills south-east of the city.
attempted to
rally,
but eventually
brave
his
fell
back within
shelter of the
citv fjuns.
Upon
these hills Pillow rested his
the morning. General
command
Quitman, while
In
for the night.
in the act of relieving Pil-
low, was fired upon simultaneously by the enemy's infantry and
the batteries of the city.

tain
detachment of riflemen under Cap-
Davis was instantly thrown forward, sup])orted by Lieutenant
Colonel Dickinson and Major Gladden with two companies, each

of the South Carolina regiment,
and
brief but spirited
after a
Two
engagement the enemy was repulsed.
skirmishes
sub-
sequently ensued, in which separate detachments of the
New
York regiment distinguished themselves, and with the same successful result.
The same day, Brigadier-General Twiggs commenced

march of
the
the
Nothing but the well known energy and perseverance of
this
village of Vergara,
and the
left
veteran
commander, enabled him

which beset him
to
the
overcome the numerous
every step.
the sandhills high and

chaparral required
and broken
for artillery
at
for
of the line.
ficulties
to
down
him being
his division, the position laid
The ground was
loose,
to
and
dif-
ruo-o-ed
utterly impassable
be pierced
at
many
points
allow the passage of the troops, and the guns to be hauled and
lifted
over high ritlges, the successful accomplishment of which
demanded
tlie
utmost exercise of physical
force.
302
The men had
also to sustain the
burden of carrying
their pro-
and munitions of war, and were besides annoyed oy
visions
incessant attacks from skirmishing parties of the enemy, who, re-
peatedly driven back at one point, reappeared at another, and
kept the IMounted Rifles, under the
command of the
Sumner, 2d dragoons, continually on the
The enemy
two commissioned
lost
gallant Major
alert.
and
officers,
it
was during
these operations that Brevet Captain Alburtis, an officer highly
distinguished in the Florida war,
from the
On
this
was
by a cannon-ball
killed
city.
the 13th the line of investment
time until the l8th,
when
were kept constantly busy
in
was complete, and from
the trenches were opened, the
throwing up breastworks, erecting
batteries, planting mortars, landing supplies,

light troops of the
Commodore
mand
of the
Scott.
On
men
and beating
oflT
the
enemy.
Perry,
Home
who on
the 21st succeeded to the
Squadron, rendered
efficient aid to
com-
General
the 22d, simultaneously with the opening of the bat-
teries in the rear of
Vera Cruz, he directed the
fire
of his flotilla
of steamers and gun-boats upon the city with good effect.
By
permission of the General-in-chief, he also established under the

direction of Captain Aulick a marine battery, of three
Paixhan
guns, and three long thirty-two pounders, which bore an important part in the demolition of the city.
From
is
best
the 18th, until the final surrender, the progress of events
marked by
the following official despatches.
" Head- Quarters of the Army, "^

before Vera Cruz, ^
Camp Washington,
March
" Sir
tery,
Yesterday, seven of our 10-inch mortars being
and the labours
for planting the
metal being in progress,
mons
23, 1347.
to the
in bat-
remainder of our heavy
addressed, at two o'clock, P. M., a sum-
Governor of Vera Cruz, and within the two hours
scott's despatch.
303
limited by the bearer of the ihig, received the Governor's answer.
Copies of
tlie
two papers (marked respectively
and B) are
herewith enclosed.
"
It will
be perceived that the Governor, who,
castle
turns out,
is
the
of both places, chose, against the plain terms of the
commander
summons,
it
to
suppose
and of the
heavy metal
city
me
to
have demanded the surrender of the
when
in fact,
principally
mortarS'
from the non-arrival of our
was
in
no condition
to
threaten the former.
" On
tlie
return of the flag with that reply, I at once ordered the
seven mortars, in battery, to open upon the

the smaller vessels of Commodore
and
schooners
five
approached the
being
according
city
to previous
two steamers
arrangement with him,
within about a mile and an eighth, whence,
from
partially covered
to their
In a short time
city.
Perry's squadron
tlae
an
castle
safety they also opened a brisk
fire
essential condition
upon the
This
city.
has been continued uninterruptedly by the mortars, and only with

a few intermissions, by the vessels, up to nine o'clock this morning,
when
the
properly, called
Commodore, very
them
from a
off
position too daringly assumed.

'
Our
battery,
three remaining mortars are
and the whole ten
in activity.
now
(12 o'clock, A. M.) in
To-morrow,
city should continue obstinate, batteries Nos. 4
ready to add their
fire
early, if the
and 5
will
be
No. 4, consisting of four 24-pounders,
and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, and No. 5 (naval batteiy), of

three 32-pounders,
cers,
and
sailors,
and three 8-inch Paixhans tlie guns,
landed from the squadron
navy being unremitting
mode and
" So
offi-
the
zealous co-operation, in ever^'
form.
far,
we know
effective, particularly
).!
in tlieir
our friends of
that our
from
fire
the
anted at about 800 yards from
upon the
batteries
tlie
city.
city
of
has been highly

lO-inch
mortars,
Including th? pre-
paration and defence of the batteries, from the beginning
now
;i04
many days
city
and
officer
and notwithstanding the heavy

we have
castle,
only had four or
and one man killed
in or
five
fire
of the
That officer was
near the trenches.
Captain John R. Vinton, of the United States 3d
army, and who was highly distinguished
He
he was on duty as
gretted.
grave
field
in the brilliant ope-
and commanding
officer,
universally re-
have just attended his honoured remains
besides heavy guns, behind
have
heavy norther then
that operation,
to a soldier's
view of the enemy and within reach of his guns.
in full
one
of the
evening in the trenches, where
fell last
" Thirteen of the long-needed mortars
landed.
artillery,
members
of the most talented, accomplished, and effective
rations at Monterey.
enemy, from
men wounded and one
leaving twenty-seven,
arrived,
and two of them
set in (at meridian), that stopped
and also the landing of shells.
Hence
the
fire
of our
mortar batteries has been slackened since two o'clock to-day, and
cannot be reinvigorated
mean
In the
events that
time
may
until
shall
we
shall
again have a smooth sea.
leave this report open for journalizing
occur up to the departure of the steamship-of-
war, the Princeton, with
Commodore Conner, who,
I learn,
ex-
pects to leave the anchorage of Sacrificios, for the United States,

the 25th inst.
(i
March
commenced
24.
The
storm having subsided in the night,
this forenoon,
smooth, to land shot,
shells,
<<The naval batteiy. No.
as soon as the sea
became
we
little
and mortars.
5,
was opened with great
activity,
under Captain Aulick, the second in rank in the squadron, about

ten A.
M.
before he
His
was
fire
was continued
relieved
two o'clock,
P. M., a
little
by Captain Mayo, who landed with a
fresh
to
supply of ammimition, Captain Aulick having exhausted the supply he had brought with him.
had one
'<
officer.
The mortar
He
lost four sailors, killed,
and
Lieutenant Baldwin, slightly hurt.

batteries, Nos. 1, 2,
and
3,
have
fired
but Ian-
SCOTT
DESPATCH.
30.')
guidly during the day, for want of shells, which are
now going
out from the beach.
" The two reports of Colonel Bankhead, chief of

of this date, copies of which
both
artillery,
enclose, give the incidents of those
three batteries.
" Battery No,
which
4,
mount
will
S-inch Paixhan guns, has been

indefatigable engineers
sand nearly as
bourers.
fast as
much delayed
in the
and two
hands of the
up the work with
nortlier, tliat filled
could be opened by the half-blinded
it
however, doubtless be in
will,
It
by the
four 24-pounders
la-
activity early
full
to-morrow morning.
" March
25.
The Princeton being about

moment
phia, I have but a
"
All the batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4,
morning.
this
The
effect is,
the city cannot hold out
many
of the
when,
new
to start 4br Philadel-
to continue this report.
and
5, are in
awful activity
no doubt, very great, and
beyond to-day.
think
To-morrow morning,
mortars will be in a position to add their
or after the delay of
to surrender should
some twelve hours,
be received,
rying the city by assault.
So
I shall
far, the
if
fire^
no proposition
organize parties for car-
defence has been spirited
and obstinate.
"
enclose a copy of a memorial received last night, signed
by the consuls of Great
Britain, France, Spain,
within Vera Cruz, asking
me
trals,
together with
to grant a
from the scene of havoc about them.

that an
opportunity
tmce
Mexican women and
may
be taken,
enable the neu-
children, to withdraw
I shall
to say
to
and Prussia,
reply, the
1.
moment
That a truce can
only be granted on the application of Governor Morales, with a
view
to surrender.
2.
That, in sending safeguards to the
ferent consuls, beginning so far
admonished them
back as the 13th
dif-
inst., I distinctly
particularly the French and Spanish consuls
and of course, through the two, the other consuls, of the dangers that have followed.
3.
That, although at that date
had
306
already refused to allow any person whatever to pass the line

of investment either way, yet the blockade had been
left
open
to
the consuls and other neutrals, to pass out to their respective
22d
ships of war, up to the
the memorialists a copy of

that I
had
instant
and, 4.
my summons
fully considered the
to the
impending hardships and
tresses of the place, including those of
gun had been
before one
could not
"
fail to
It will
wâr
and the
by Commodore
the last-mentioned date
currence, which
women and
fired in that direction.
between the neutral ships of
city
enemy momZ
give to the
intercourse
was stopped
Perry, with
my
at
con-
aid and comfort.
be seen from the memorial, that our batteries have
other sources), and hence
soon be proposed.
I
The
dis-
children,
placed on the ground that that intercourse
already had a terrible effect on the city (also
"
enclose to
I shall
Governor, to show
known through
the inference, that a surrender
must
In haste,
have the honour
remain,
to
sir,
with respect, your most
obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon.
Wm.
L.
The naval
command
Marcy, Secretary of War."
battery which opened
of Captain Aulick,
walls of the city, and such
its fire
on the 24th, under the
was erected within 700 yards

was
of the
the secrecy and celerity with
which the work was performed by the night labours of two

thousand men, that
its
proximity was not discovered by the be-
sieged until the intervening chaparral

before
it
McLane,
was suddenly
cut
away from
by some daring volunteers headed by Midshipman Allan

a descendant of the brave Revolutionary officer of the
same name, and,
to the
great astonishment of the enemy,
it
guns mounted, and the men
at
stood boldly developed with

their stations.
its
THE BATTERIES OPENED.
Then commenced
tempted
the
fire
turnini]::on
which was vainly
fire,
it,
upon a
as
at-
terrible focus,
the batteries in town.
all
battery opened the succeedin<2: morninp^, and
The marine
was here
destructive
be silenced by
to
of
its
307
that, within a
few hours,
it
Midshipman Shubrick,
fell
while watching the effects of his shot.
" The
ful.
effect of this battery," writes
The
an eye-witness, was aw-
number
walls were breached, a
of guns dismounted,
and the red battery completely silenced.
Three
" Equally brave and determined were the Mexicans.
times the flag-staff was shot away, and three times a Mexican
leaped to the battlements and held
of the
In the afternoon a flag of truce arrived, requesting
assailants.
six hours
amid the cheers
aloft
it
to
their dead.
bury
was accorded, and
It
the firing
ceased."
While
tlie
siege
cured with the
was thus vigorously pressed, two
enemy without
affairs oc-
which are well worthy
the walls,
of record.
The
first
took place on the 23d,
ceived, that a
number
of
when
tidings having been re-
Mexicans were
in the vicinity of the
Puebla road. Colonel Persifor F. Smith detached from
mand
his
com-
Lieutenant Roberts, with company C, of the Mounted Rifles,
with orders to reconnoitre and return.

dio, six
men were
summoned them
discovered,
to
who
Then
surrender.
Near
the Puente del
Me-
displayed a white flag and

it
was
that he discovered
several hundred men on the heights, commanding the bridge, the
former being entrenched, and the
latter
barricaded with abbatis.
Finding his force too small to act with effect, he sent back for
reinforcements.
Smith
Two
hundred men, commanded by Colonel
in person, soon arrived.
Lieutenant Roberts was

ral to the right;
now
directed to display in the chapar-
and, crossing below, turn the
left
of the
enemy;
while Captain Pope, with two companies, crossed above, and
41
308
turned their right, the remainder advancing by the road and

bridge.
These orders were gallantly carried
Roberts, from his
out.
previous knowledge of the ground, was the
enemy.
He
succeeded in facing
themselves charged on
were pursued
all
Maury, and Hatch, were
The second
may
affair
to reach the
when, finding
their position,
sides, they broke
until sunset.
first
confusion, and
in
In this skirmish Lieutenants Roberts,
particularly distinguished.*
was of a
far
more important character, and
be justly regarded as one of the most
brilliant actions of the
war.
Learning on the 25th that a considerable force of the enemy
were
in the
advanced
neighbourhood of the Medellin
river,
Colonel Harney
meet him, taking with him Thornton's dragoons
to
under Major Sumner, and some
fifty
dismounted men, com-
manded by Captain Ker.
On
fied,
reaching the stone bridge of the Morena, he found
and
all
further passage disputed
two pieces of
artillery.
sionally seen.
On
by two thousand men and
Small parties of lancers were also occa-
approaching the bridge, a heavy
poured upon our skirmishers, by which one
two wounded.
forti-
it
Harney then
fell
man was
back, and waited
fire
killed
was
and
for twô pieces
of artillery, with which he determined to force the bridge.
Mean-
while he was joined by Captain Hardee with forty men, a com-
pany of the
1st
Tennessee regiment under Captain Cheatham,
and part of four companies of the 2d Tennessee regiment under

Colonel Haskell.
As soon
as the
two pieces of
Lieutenant Judd arrived, preparations were
made
artillery
under
for the attack.
Captain Ker, with the dismounted dragoons, was stationed on

the left of the road leading to the bridge, the volunteers on the
right,
while Captain Hardee and Lieutenant Hill supported
artillery,
and held themselves
in
readiness to charge.
'Smith's Report.
tlie
Major
HARNEY
Sumner with
the
mounted men were kept
Judd was directed
to
309
Lieutenant
in reserve.
approach with caution, as the road was
No
fortification.
sooner was he discovered than the whole
To
of the Mexicans was concentrated upon him.
detachments
to the right
and
left
of the
At
of the road were ordered to
fire,
forti-
and, after six or eight well directed rounds, the heads
enemy were no
this
longer to be seen above the parapet.*
moment Harney
ordered a charge, and forward rushed
the volunteers under Haskell and
a shout,
fire
divert this, the
while Lieutenant Judd, nothing daunted, opened upon the

fication
cir-
the bridge not visible until within fifty yards of the
and
cuitous,
BRILLIANT AFFAIR AT MEDELLIN.
came
Cheatham
The enemy
clear the parapet.
and, following with
Haskell was the
the bold dragoons.
first
man
to
back, and re-formed beyond
fell
Sumner's command now came galloping up, and
the bridge.
with a wild hurrah they leaped the fortification, and charged
The Mexican
across the bridge.
infantry broke
The
towards Medellin, some into the chaparral.
and a hand-to-hand
conflict
strength with the
enemy,
killing or
Harney was seen everywhere

his coolness,
and
mand, and struck
into
terror
some
lancers stood,
several times
measured
dismounting their antagonists.
his tall form
his audacity,
fled,
Sumner and Lieutenant
ensued.
in the thickest of the melee,
Sibley,
and
won
the
the
enemy.
and gallant bearing,
admiration of his com-
The 2d dragoons,
the bravest and best disciplined corps in the whole army, parried
the quivering lance-points with the easy grace and expert swords-
manship
for
gave way,
which they are renowned.
fled,
and were routed so
Lowry and Oaks, with

sabred or dismounted
The
pursuit
three
all
was urged
but
The
utterly,
lancers faltered,
that
men, pursued a party of
thirty,
and
five.
to the village of Medellin,
party of lancers were found
Lieutenants
these,
too,
where another
soon partook of the
general panic, and were pursued by Lieutenant Neill, outstripping

*
Harney's Report.
gjQ
companions
his three
The
flying foe,
but his daring had near cost liim his
of being chased
ashamed
lancing him
suddenly, and by dint of numbers succeeded in
and arm.
in the breast
beyond
pursuit
halting to refresh both
men
exploits
dellin
we have
was a
After
and horses, Harney returned with his
26th, after a warlike episode which, in
compare with
two miles
for
to the village.
camp, which they reached on
to
nothing to
was urged
and then the victors rode back
this,
command
The
life.
by one man, turned
its
morning of the
the
chivalric character, has
but the series of dashing heroic
it
yet to record, and of which the action at
Me-
fitting forerunner.
But we have now
to
events
notice
of greater
The siege of Vera Cruz was approaching

same day which witnessed
magnitude.
close.
its
On
the
the return of Harney, General Scott
received in answer to his reply to the consuls, overtures of sur-
render by General Landero, upon

of General Morales, the chief
whom, owing
command
to the sickness
of both city and
castle
had been devolved.
The Mexican
general invited the
appointment of three com-
missioners on each side, to meet at some intermediate point, and

treat
upon the terms of accommodation.
Generals Worth and Pillow, and Colonel Totten, were accordingly
appointed on the part of the Americans
and Colonels
Vil-
lanueva and Herrera, and Lieutenant-Colonel Robles, on the part

After a considerable discussion, and a rejec-
of the Mexicans.
tion of several of the articles
first
were agreed upon and assented

in chief.
On
proposed, articles of capitulation
to
by the respective Commanders-
the 27th the ratification took place.
ing are the articles of capitulation
Generals
W.
J.
Worth and G.
The
follow-
J.
Pillow, and Colonel J. G.
Totten, Chief Engineer, on the part of Major-General Scott, General-in-chief of the armies of the United States
tierrez
de Villanueva, Lieutenant Colonel of
and Col. Jose Gu-
tlie
Engineers,
Man-
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION.
311
uel Robles, and Colonel Pedro de Herrera, commissioners appoint-
ed by General-of-brigade
Vera Cruz, the
in chief
dependencies
of the said
Don
Jose Juan Landero,
castle
of
commanding
San Juan d'Ulloa, and
for the surrender to the
armsof
their
the United States
with their armaments, munitions of war, garri-
forts,
sons, and arms.

'<
The whole
1.
garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to the
arms of the United

ten o'clock, A.
M.
States, as prisoners of war, the 29th inst., at
the garrisons to be permitted to
the honours of war, and to lay
all
may
as
and
officers
to their respective
the
their
including horse and horse furniture, and
and irregular
"
arms
such
to
and
also to rank
and
arms and private

to
be allowed, regu-
fde, five
days
Mexican
flags of the various forts
saluted by their
to retire
homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed.
Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in
3.
officers
be agreed on by the commissioners.
INIexican officers shall preserve
2.
effects,
lar
their
be appointed by the General-in-chief of the United States,
at a point to
"
down
march out with
own
batteries
and
article one,
stations shall
be struck,
and, immediately thereafter, forts
Santiago and Conception and the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, oc-
cupied by the forces of the United States.
"4. The rank and

be disposed
chief
may
their
homes.
of,
file
of the regular portion of the prisoners to
after surrender
and parole, as
and the irregular
desire,
The
officers, in
to
their general-in-
be permitted
respect to
all
to return to
arms and descriptions
of force, giving the usual parole, that the said rank and
file,
as
well as themselves, shall not serve again until duly exchanged.
"
5.
All the materiel of war,
and
all
public property of every
description found in the city, the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, and
their dependencies, to
ment of
the
same
Mexico by
to the
United States
but the arma-
(not injured or destroyed in the further prosecu-
tion of the actual war)

to
belong
may
be considered as liable to be restored
a definitive treaty of peace.
312
"
The
6.
wounded Mexicans
sick and
to
be allowed to remain
with such medical officers of the army as
in the city,
may
be ne-
cessary to their care and treatment.
"
Absolute protection
7.
the city, and property, and
building or property
is
to
is
it is
solemnly guarantied to persons in

clearly understood that
no private
be taken or used by the forces of the
United States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and

for a fair equivalent.
"
Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies
8.
is
solemnly guarantied."
On
the 29th, the
chosen for
ceremony of surrender occurred.
this purpose,
was
The
spot
a plain in the rear of the city walls,
and extending back towards Malibran.
The American
was drawn up
and extending nearly
in
two
lines facing inwards,
array
a mile.
General Worth,
ceremony of
who had been appointed
capitulation, appeared
superintend the
in full uni-
About ten o'clock, the Mexican troops marched out
form.
sound of music, and

equipments
down
in their
women and
Halted between our

laid
to
upon the ground
children
lines, the
their colours
to the
customary military costume and

bearing burdens
conquered army stacked
followed.
their arras,
and equipments, and marched
into the
interior as our troops entered the city.
Simultaneously with the act of surrender, the American flag

floated over the plaza,
and was saluted by the guns of the
city
and squadron.
On
this
memorable day, Scott dated from the Palace of Vera
Cruz the following despatch
to the Secretary of
War
" Head-Quarters of the Army,

Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847. !
" Sir
The
flag of the
umphantly over the walls of

d'Ulloa.
United States of America

this city
floats
tri-
and the castle of San Juan
scott's despatch.
313
Our troops have garrisoned both since ten o'clock

Brigadier-General Worth
noon.
is
in
command
it is
now
of the
two
places.
" Articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged

hour night before
"
up
last.
have heretofore reported the principal incidents of the siege
to the
early in
Nothing of striking
25th instant.
tlie
morning of the next day, when
from General Landero, on

the principal
it
difficult to
whom
Perry.
position to surrender
city,
was obliged
for the
received overtures
and impossible
that
made
to refer
had shown a
dis-
perhaps several,
loss of a day, or
The accompanying papers
could not be permitted.
till
to entertain the proposition
upon a place
fire
storm of wind and sand
communicate with the
alone, or to continue the
interest occurred
General Morales had devolved
A terrible
command.
Commodore
to
at a late
enclose a copy of the document.
will
show
the proceedings and results.
" Yesterday,
after the norther
sioners appointed
had abated, and the commis-
by me early the morning before had again met
those appointed by General
ashore his second in
Landero, Commodore Perry sent
command. Captain Aulick,
on the part of the navy.
as a commissioner
Although not included
in
arrangement made with the Mexican commander,

hesitate, with proper courtesy, to desire that
be duly introduced and allowed
my
specific
did not
Captain Aulick might
to participate in the discussions
and acts of the commissioners who had been reciprocally accredited.
Hence
the
preamble
The
to his signature.
original
American commissioners were Brevet Brigadier-General Worth,

Brigadier-General Pillow, and Colonel Totten.
Four more able
or judicious officers could not have been desired.
"
siege
have
to adil
but
more.
The remaining
the able co-operation of the United States
cessively under the
little
command
the admirable conduct of
of
tlie
details of the
squadron, suc-
Commodores Conner and Perry

whole army, regulars and volun-
HISTORY OF TlIE AfEXICAN WAR.
314
teers
should be happy to dwell upon as they desenê
way, and
additional
operation,
is
under
have commenced organizing an advance into the
This
terior.
but the
steamer Princeton, with Commodore Conner on board,
may be
means
ment towards
In the
of transportation.
by land and
lateral expedition,
in-
delayed a few days, waiting the arrival of
water, will
mean
time, a joint
No
be made upon Alvarado.
however, shall interfere with the grand move-
the capital.
" In consideration of the great services of Colonel Totten, in the

siege that has just terminated most successfully, and the im-
portance of his presence at Washington, as the head of the engineer
bureau,
to
intrust this despatch to his personal
commend
care,
and beg
him to the very favourable consideration of the
department.
"
have the honour
remain,
to
with high respect, your
sir,
most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon.
Wm.
The
expedition upon Alvarado determined upon between Scott
L. :Marcy, Secretaiy of
and Perry, was
War."
by
entirely superseded
having surrendered in the meanwhile

in the steamer Scourge,
little
town
Lieutenant Hunter, who,
had boldly undertaken on
sponsibility the capture of a place

efforts of
to
that vexatious
his
which had twice
own
re-
baffled the
our navy, owing to the difficulty of crossing the bar, and
the shallowness of the river
upon which
it is
situated.
This gallant act of disobedience entailed upon Lieutenant
Hunter the censure of
his superior officers, while
it
raised
him
in
the estimation of the American people.
The
fruits of the
)risoners, as
capture of Vera Cruz, were
many stand
J^nd a large quantity of
The
to serve
prisoners were
of arms, four
ordnance
all
five
thousand
hundred pieces of ordnance,
stores.
set at liberty
upon
their
" parole" not
again during the war, with the exception of a few
who
EFFECTS OF THE BOMBARDMENT.
These General
had especially distinguished themselves.

with the chivalric sympathy of
315
Scott,
a kindred mind, released, not oidy
without conditions of any kind, but
hinji
wilii
eiiconiiunis
upon
their valour.
When
for the
and
the
American troops entered Vera Cruz, they hecame
time eye-witnesses of the terrible effects of their shot
first
shells.
There was scarcely a building
in the w'hole city
escaped the unerring precision of our
were
totally destroyed,
destructive
crushed
in,
missiles
some by
that
had
fire,
artillery.
some by
fallen
which had
Many
houses
the bursting of the
upon them.
Roofs were
walls rent to their foundations, and the massive stones,
hurled forcibly from their places, lay in confused heaps, mingled
with broken shells, and the dead carcasses of horses and mules.
An
intolerable stench pervaded the place,
incessant efforts of General
Wilson
to
Worth and
even partially subdue.
42
which required the
his successor
Colonel
CHAPTER
XVII.
Buena
Levy attempted by Gomez Farias
Scott receives information of the Battle of
Forced
of Santa
Anna upon
from the City
tion
Republic
Vista
Civil
the Capital from
Enters
Reconciles
Mexico
The course of Santa Anna
March
War in the Capital

He is met by a
San Luis Potosi

in
triumph
conflicting Parlies
Deputa-
Is installed President of the
Collects a new Army Fortifies the

Address of Santa Aima
Road to the Capital Formation of Guerilla Bands

the Mexican People.
On
the 15th of March,
two days subsequent
to
to the
complete
investment of Vera Cruz, Scott received information of the wonderful victory of
Buena
Vista,
and immediately issued a general
order apprising his troops of the same.

gratulating the
army upon
the opinion, that Santa
San Luis
Potosi,
this glorious
Anna having
In this order, after con-
achievement, he hazards
already fallen back upon
would probably not stop
In this opinion he
was
correct
short of the capital.
but even his sagacity could
scarcely have imagined the fatal tenacity with which, notwith-
standing his late disastrous expedition, the war party in Mexico

still
clung to the fortunes of
The
false bulletin issued
its
favourite chief.
by Santa Anna immediately
after that
great battle, could scarcely have deceived his most credulous adherents.
tory,
All must have been aware that, while claiming a vic-
he retreated
the tender
in
mercy of
such confusion that his wounded were

the victor, while his troops
were so
left to
utterly
discomfited and disorganized, that thousands deserted by the way.
Meanwhile, as
if
under the influence of that madness which the
ancients imputed to those forsaken of the Gods, while Taylor held

316
CIVIL
WAR
undisputed possession of
llie
THE CAPITAL.
IN
317
country from Matamoros to
and Scott was surrounding Vera Cruz with a
Saltillo,
belt of fire, civil
war
broke out in the capital.
Gomez
Farias, the acting President, having with the authority
of Congress attempted,
sum
levy the
by a proposed
sale of church property, to
of five millions of dollars for
purpose of carrying
tlio
on the war, found himself thwarted by the resistance of the priesthood, and their adherents
<'
among
guarda nacional," or enrolled
the masses, supported
militia.
These
by the
latter raised
the
standard of revolt, and for three weeks the city of Mexico was
the theatre of one of those disgraceful scenes which have so often
shamed
that turbulent republic.
Houses were
fortified
convents and public

the stones of
offices seized as
barracks and places of defence

torn up, and barricades erected
and then both
the streets were

parties, as if un-
willing to test their strength in bold and open encounter, retired
behind their defences, and kept up

firing
upon each
for
many days
a desultory
other, with unfortunately less loss to themselves
than to the unofFending citizens,
whom
duty or necessity com-
pelled to be abroad.
At
this juncture, all
as to the only
eyes were again turned upon Santa Anna,
man who
could reunite the shattered fragments of
the nation, and perhaps retrieve,

tory,
some portion of
that glory
by the prestige of a
which seemed
single vic-
have departed
to
for ever.
How
far that able
but unscrupulous chief might himself have
assisted in bringing about this state of things,
of knowing.
Well versed
in all the
political intrigue, the use of
were
be served, was not
to
act as mediator
was
between
chicanery which belongs to
base means, where his
uncommon
to
Santa
is
own purposes
Anna
parties in a storm of his
species of diplomacy for which he
qualified.
we have no means
own
known
to
and
to
raising,
be well
HISTORY OF THF, MEXICAN WAR.
318
We
may
therefore regard
as certain
he was
at least
kept
well advised of the progress of things at the capital, and
was
it
tiiat
prepared, at any moment, to act as circumstances might dictate.
That moment
now
at length arrived.
Finding that both parties
looked to him for the adjustment of their mutual differences,
he took leave of
his troops,
and quitting San Luis Potosi on the
14th of March, proceeded to the city of Mexico.
was
hailed
by the people with enthusiasm.
dence from various
states
met him by
Addresses of confi-
the way.
from Congress were sent out to conciliate him.

as the
His progress
Deputations
His march was
march of a conqueror, binding and forgiving, dictating and
dispensing.
He
entered the capital on the 20th, amid the acclamations of
the multitude; and, on the 23d,
was formally
installed President
of the Republic, at Guadalupe Hidalgo.

In the general joy elicited by his presence, party animosities
were hushed,
once more
at least for a time,
and
all
seemed disposed
to unite
attempt to revive the drooping fortunes
in a vigorous
of the republic.
Money was
the city
and
subscribed, arms and munitions of war collected,
its
immediate environs placed
formidable defence, and
all
between Vera Cruz and the

ing great natural advantages
fortified as to
points of the route
points themselves
were strongly entrenched
capital
in
offer-
so
tlie
citizens enrolled themselves for
and
home
and a new army was rapidly organized under approved
leaders, while a partisan warfare of guerilla

in
most
in a state of the
principal
become almost impregnable.
In addition to this,
serv'ice,
the
which no quarter was
to
be given
bands was authorized,
to those
who
fell
hands, and the plunder of our trains was to be divided
into their
among
the
victors.
All things being thus satisfactorily arranged. General Santa
SANTA ANNA
Anna assumed command
ADDRESS.
319
of the army, and previous to leaving
capital issued the following address to the
tlie
" Antonio Lopez

can Republic,
has succumbed,
their
it
to his compatriots.
"INIkxicans: Vera Cruz
nor can
Mexican people
Anna^ President ad interim of the Mexi-
de Santa
It
is
not under the influence of American valour,
ever be said that
own good
have produced
already in the power of the enemy.
it
To
fortune.
this deplorable
has fallen under the impulses of

our shame be
it
said,
misfortune by our
own
we
ourselves
interminable
discords.
The
'<
truth
is
due
to
you from the government; you are the
ters of the fate of our country.

it
who
be you
will
who
will stop the
occupies Vera Cruz.
If our country is to
arbi-
be defended,
triumphant march of the enemy
If the
enemy advance one
step more,
national independence will be buried in the abyss of the past.
tlie
"I am
life
fers
resolved to go out, and encounter the enemy.
worth ennobled by the national gratitude,
What
is
the country suf-
if
under a censure the stain of which will rebound upon the
forehead of every Mexican
"
My
duty
Perhaps
it!
is to sacrifice
tlie
will never witness
am determined first to die fighting.

"The momentous crisis is at length
public.
It
as glorious to die
is
well
know how
American hosts may proudly tread
Capital of Azteca.
I
myself, and
the Imperial
such an opprobrium,
arrived to the
fighting, as
it
is
is
as far
infamous
free yourselves
children
must be action
the
religion
protect
from infamy!
then liberate
to
enemy
removed from valour, as from generosity.
"Mexicans! you have a
then
for
Mexican Re-
declare oneself conquered without a struggle, and by an
whose rapacity
to fulfd
You
it!
you have honour
love your wives, your
them from American
brutality.
But
it
not vain entreaty nor barren desires with which
enemy must be opposed.
Vhe natKM\al cause
is infinitely just.
have abaiuionoil us: but His

st'ut
tinoible
of what
when
tor, as::înst
enemy
IV
the decision
apprvvich
will
\ou for the
s}H*ak to
It is
now time
last
that the
The
time
on
laurtl to repost*
happy
will
iliiirnity
tlie
opens
K^st
my
the
destruction of that citv
can brtwst the
common
and
tlie
heuMsm
if
of
>
the
our
lietcntc sliouUl alone
has soimuUhI
unir
itst^lf at
its vitality
triumph of Mexico,
tor the
on your part second
"Thus
Mexicans,
Aiuoiicans,
tVct
its
Toii-
'
it.
The nation has not yet
answer
o\'
it-
pray you to listen
lunir of sacritice
A tomb
Awaken!
ot"
not v;u'illate between death and slavery, and
a thousand times
tlie
milHons
ot* eis::ht
be
will
of Divine Justice?
tiat
CH'cupy vour thoujjhts
etlort^
a tnu- }nitnot-
and we
con^juer you, at least they will n\<pect
resistance.
quor a
ot"
a>~ail art^ tlie etl'oils of eigiit or ten millions
Terliaps
!
whon wo jm^
api>easTvl,
Almii::htY will bloss our otVorts,
oppvvsed bv the
me
bo
appt':\rs to
of a sim^'tv univ>n.
Ihus the
to
will
as an oxpiativMi ot'our onvrstho stM\timon(s
i&iu, an(.l
irt*
aUhoUiih Cuvi
desirt\s.
if
unanimous
Happy
unfortunate event
mav have
swear
will
>oii,
to
auvl sinceir
have been
at \ era C^ru/. if
servcil to infuse into the
ijenerv"us ai\lour of a true
Mexi-
patriotism
country have been indubitably sa\cd; but
if
the countn" sviccumb, she will bequeath her opprc>bnum ami her
censurt^ to those Oiôtists
those
who
who were
not rtwily to iletVnd her
to
traiton>usly pursued tlieir private turmoils to tnunple
upon the national baiuu^r!
Mexicans
Your
Americans, but you

veni::i'ance
'
fate
will
is
the tate o( the nation
decide her destiny
tollow me, and wash out the

AN lOMO L01M:Z
Mcxicv, Mareh 31. 1847
''
Nera Cn\i
N\>t the
calls tor
stain o( her ilishonour.
1)E
SAN rA ANNA.
CMAP'IKR
hm Mrrh
Hcftll r/ittitnt-.nri-n
R:/:ha
Cftfro
f'lufi
f It-.rro (i<ifi\ii
Mortiifin of
cfi*
t}i-
of
1
tii;
rn arrh
Itii.
of
f;)r-
by
'\'\n-
ih
fh'!
Ht/tit'H
War
'I
tJt*
nrrxt flay h<f
anJ ShicMs,
tif.w
/ivun'M
\0>w\
(^/tllantry
Hill in
orf
t.ni
f/f
ittf.
7th
rtv
K**r'i//ri of th': M'-.n

P'/siti/yn of ihi
of thi Kri'sroy
Wf/rth
Mx^
of Hhi':l/1*'
Frui'iiof Vi/rv/ry
ent/.-rn l'iibla.
hrrdycA against hirn,
mAisUiT.
VTa fJruz,
roarl, ariH arriv^rrj at
was
iif.y '^Hîfif.
ohst^r;|f;
K;ff.
in
/>.v.rip'i//fi
Op:rati//f)ji
IVrfiiat
ur>iT<:)\ {(tr \\\f:
Kf)<-.my
()i<if^
formiHaM*;
Jalapa
th;
volijrit<-rs,
by
'^"-
\h:[>Ht\.uit:ul
l/iTWHrri
('t-.uf:t*\\n-i:\nfA
Won/J/rrful
ijt.MiXHifA
"f
Htijfhta
Hi/>Tirniin
of April, 'YW\\ry,_H
r;inforo<;'l
by
anrJ i)bw-qij<;ntly
taWirij(
Plan
rjf.l
up
thr-
line
Rio on the
of (jciic-
thf; hrigarjf;s
joined by a portion of
unfler Major-fytfi<rJil Patter rs<'>n.
Meanwhile, havinj^
ntjmber of
th*.
In rntt
l''<iiiti/>rt
Hbi;M*rJarii(<rroij>!ly woiinH/:'!
ralh I'illow
t}ie
hi
IHiU of A(ril
tin:
8f.h
thrown
'l'yu\u.9i*
hy
(Ainrif/: "i llnfii'-.y'n firif(H(i>:
Scott. i:()U\Ui-U(:(:i\ \i\H
()u
''^pitai
joifid
Morifit a Hnnizry in ih* Nijfht
H</*tt'ii f>.Kpat':h to
In
r.h;
of Cerro (iiuAn
f'it(l<;
Jtnuntif.
iitki: 11(1
t//
hnMinnn
Infwniry
O/r
Ki/*
H'yit AfM-.ttumf.n uptiti Uitnititf thi F'tmti//ti
(ifiTtifi
'I'wiifnttf/riif.f.'i
of
d:l
XVIJf.
.sixteen
reetrived information that the enerny, to the
thousand rnen, linder the
irnrnefJiat/-
cornrnanfl
of Santa Anna, were in the nei(rhbourhood of Cerro fJordo, he orflererj
;j
r*-'
onnoissanee.
'Ilie
a Huecj-ssion of heights, eaeh
entrenched and
In the
to
faf;-
of
fortififd,
lh-,se
report of
thir
oflieers
efirnrnanrlinj^ the
and the road
eiit
showed
f>t}i*T,
that
had been
up and barricaded.
formidable obstacles, Twi((f(s detf-rrnined
advance: and preparations
tack on the morninf.^ of the
wre made
l.'ilh,
to
commence
tlie at-
but the momiriôf the 14th

321
was
322
afterwards
at
a(loi)teil
my, were yet
too
solicitations of
the
Shields, whose commands,
Generals Pillow and
tlioui;h desirous of
weary from
march,
their
to
engaging the ene-
do
with
it
spirit
and
effect.
At
Major-General Patterson, who had been on
this juncture,
the sick
list,
reported himself for duty, and assuming the com-
mand, suspended
farther offensive operations until the arrival
all
of the General-in-chief
The
Worth had come up
division of
in the
meanwhile, and
shortly afterwards Scott himself reached Plan del Rio,
when
second and more extended reconnoissance being made,

discovered that a front attack, even
successful,
if
immense number
the sacrifice of an
it
was
would occasion
of lives, and might possibly
result in the almost total annihilation of our army.
The
position
occupied by the Mexicans was indeed almost impregnable.
" The road, as
passes the Plan del Rio, which
it
rocky bed of a once large stream,

high
cliffs,
miles, and
rising one
all
well
above the
" The road then debouches
and
commanded by
is
a wide,
a series of
and extending several
otlier,
fortified.
ridge passes over a high

forts
is
cliff",
to the right,
which
is
and curving round the
completely enfiladed by
batteries.
" This ridge
is
the
commencement
of the 'Tierra Templada,'
the upper or mountainous country.
" The high and rocky ra\ine of the
river protected the right
flank of the position, and a series of abrupt and almost impassable mountains and ridges
crowned
their left.
" Between these two points, running a distance of two or three

miles, a succession of strongly fortified forts bristled at every
turn,
and seemed
to
defy
all
bravery and skill." f
Twiggs's Report, April

t Correspondent of the
10, 1847.
New
Orleans Delta.
\V
''If
TWIGGS ORnKRKO TO TAKE UP HIS POSITION.

"
On
the otluT
siili', tlie
lofty
commandt'd the approaches
and
ditruMilt
height of Cerro Gordo
in all directions."*
Under these circumstances, Scott determined

tion of
enemy by
tlie
" along
by
ravine, should skirt
and over chasms, out of the enemy's view,
guns when
his
debouch on the Jalapa road, and

of the
tiie
mountains, over rough ground and chaparral,
diilicult slopes
reached
to turn the posi-
cutting a road which, diverging from
main road, and descending abruptly a deep

the base of the
but
32^3
discovered,"! until
the rear of the
in
should
it
main body
Mexican army.
This road,
after incredible labour,
was only
partially completed.
For three days, the working parties succeeded
unknown
to the
Mexican
lines,
enemy
in
pushing forward
but on the 17th, while approaching the
they were discovered and fired upon.
bours, however, had been
Their
la-
crowned with success, as the Jalapa
was known
road, though not entirely reached,
to
be within easy
distance.
The
division of
by the new
route, and, supported
teers, turn the
designated.
Twiggs was accordingly ordered
enemy's
left,
In doing this
in the vicinity- of
it
by
to
advance
Shields's brigade of volun-
and take up the position previously
was necessary
to
occupy the heights
Cerro Gordo.
Lieutenant Gardner was accordingly detached with a com])any

of the 7th infantry, to a height on the
connoitring the enemy.
left, for
Upon observing
this
the purpose of re-
movement, a strong
party of Mexican skirmishers were advanced towards him, supported by a reserve of some two thousand men.
severe
fire
vanced
to
he gallantly maintained his position,
T'nder this
iiutil
Harney ad-
support with the Rifles under Major Sumner, and
his
the Artillery under Colonel Childs.
Moving
mit of the
rapidly up in line, these regiments reached the

hill,
drew
the
fire
of the
enemy, and charged.
sumFor a
while the ground was obstinately disputed, but nothing could

*
Scott's
43
ofl'icial
report, April 23, 1817.
+ Ibid.
334
withstand the
imjietuosity of our
Animated by the
troojis.
voice and the exani})le of Harney, and led by
down
tliey forced the Mexicans
Sumner and
Chikls,
the steep, and up and over the
neighbouring heights.
On
the lieight in front of Cerro Gordo,
guns, the
enemy again made
gined themselves secure
and
canister,
Rifles
and under cover of
its
Here they ima-
a desperate stand.
but, through a fierce storm of grape
and amid a heavy
fire
dashed forward, stormed the
of musketry, the Artillery and
and carried
hill
with severe
it
loss.
Three times the [Mexicans

height,
rallied,
and attempted
to retake the
and each time they were successfully beaten back,
at length they
until
gave way, thoroughly disorganized, and were pur-
sued by Colonel Chikls, with a portion of the
Tower
they sought shelter within the
tlie
steep of Cerro
command
till
of Cerro Gordo.
'Such was the reckless enthusiasm
his
artillery,
1st
M'ith
which
Gordo had been conducted,
within one hundred and
this
that
chase up
upon halting
yards of the Tower,
fifty
Colonel Childs found that he had urged the daring pursuit with
only sixty followers.
At
this juncture,
of the brave
little
Major Sumner, while hastening
band,
der was more fortunate

bullets,
fell
severely wounded.
to the support
Captain INIagru-
he gallantly dashed through a shower of
and with nine of
his
men succeeded
in
reaching Colonel
Childs, when, the recall being sounded, they withdrew I'rom their
perilous position, and
of their
command,
retiring slowly, rejoined
wiUi only
men enough
to
the
remainder
carry back the
wounded.*
But there was yet a work
to
be accomplished, which was des-
tined to tax the physical energies of
exhaustion.
Upon
commanding
all
tlie
men
to the point of
the height thus gallantly captured, a height
others with the single exception of Cerro Gordo,

*
Childs's Report, April 20, 1847.
scott's celebrated order.
24-poundcr and two 24-pound howit-
a battery consi.stinn- of one
was ordered
zers
For
to
be planted.
arduous service a thousand
this
325
although the work was
commenced
men were
at
dusk,
detaibnl, and
occupied the
it
greater portion of the night.
The guns were
of
immense weight, and had
be
to
lifted
up the
rugged and almost precipitous sides of the mountain by dint of
main
force, the
men
dred
men being
divided into two parties of five hun-
each, and relieving each other by turns.
At length, however, the work was successfully accomplished
and pickets being placed, the weary soldiers threw themselves
down upon
the rocky crest of the
captured
hill,
and sought
but imperfect repose.
brief,
Thus
far,
then, the admirable arrangements of the General-in-
chief had been
Twiggs being
successfully
carried
out,
and the division of
reported in position, Scott now^ issued the following
confident and prophetic onh-r:
"General Orders, No.
111.
" Hkau-Quaktees of the Army.

Plan del Rio, April ]7/l847.
<'
The enemy's whole
line of entrenchments
^
)
and batteries will be
attacked in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day,
to-morrow
probably before ten o'clock, A. M.
" The second (Twiggs's) division of regulars
is
already ad-
vanced within easy turning distance towards the enemy's

division has instructions to
move forward
left.
That
before daylight to-mor-
row, and take up a position across the national road in the ene-
my's
rear, so as to cut ofTa retreat
reinforced to-day,
one
tlie
or
if
It
two taken from Shields's brigade of volunteers.
two volunteer regiments will
liixht
towards Xalapa.
may be
unexpectedly attacked in force, by regiments
niarcli for that
purpose
If not,
at
day-
to-morrow morning, under lirigadier-General Shields, who
will report to Brigadier-General
or to the General-in-chief,
if
Twiggs, on getting up with him,
he be in advance.
;W6
"The remaining
regiment of that volunteer brigade will receive
instructions in the course of this day.
" The
division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the
first
ment against
enemy's
the
move-
sunrise to-morrow morning.
left at
" As already arranged, Brigadier-General Pillow's brigade
march
at six o'clock
will
to-morrow morning along the route he has
carefully reconnoitred, and stand ready as soon as he hears the

report of
arms upon our
right, or sooner if
circumstances should
favour him, to pierce the enemy's line of batteries at such point

the nearer the river the better
rear of that line, he will
enemy with vigour
" Wall's
on the national road, a
They
Once
select.
left,
or
abandoned, he
or, if
in the
both,
will
and
pursue
until further orders.
and the cavalry
field battery
batteries.
may
as he
turn to the right or
attack the batteries in reverse

the
little
will take
will
be held in reserve
out of view and range of the enemy's
up that position
at
nine o'clock in the
morning.
" The enemy's

divisions
and corps
batteries being carried or
abandoned,
cm-
will pursue with vigour.
" This pursuit may be continued many miles,
until
darkness, or fortified positions towards Xalapa,

the
all
body of the army
will not return to this
stopped by
Consequently,
encampment, but be
followed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next morning, by the
For
baggage-trains of the several corps.

officers
and men of each corps
effects,
and
to load
commander
up the
of the present
will
be
this purpose, the feebler
guard
left to
latter in the
encampment
wagons
will
its
camp and
of the corps.
be designated
in the
course of this day.
"As
soon as
been carried,
one wagon
it
shall
be known that the enemy's works have
or that the general pursuit has
for
will follow the
been commenced,
each regiment and battery, and one
movement,
to receive,
for the cavalry,
under the direction of the
BRIG. GEN.
DAVID
E.
TWIGGS
MORNING OF THK EIGIITRKNTH OF APRIL.

medical ofTKCis,
back
tlie
wounded and
to this jilace for
who
disal)led,
will
bo brouglit
treatment in general hospital.
" The Surn;eon-General
will organize this important servire
and designate that hospital, as well as the medical

left at
."^-JT
be
officers to
it.
" Every man who marches out

will take the usual
pursue the enemy,
to attack or
allowance of ammunition, and subsistence
for
two days.
at least
By command
of Major-General Scott,
H. L.
The morning
SCOTT;^.
a.
Ji.
General:'
The sun
of the 18th rose bright and beautifid.
rode up the clear, deep, cloudless blue, ascending through an
atmosphere of such transparent purity, as rendered remote objects

sharply distinct, and confounded to unaccustomed eyes the idea
of distance.
and fanned
gentle, cooling breeze swept over the hill-tops,
the parched
eyes were
lips of the fevered
now
watchers of both armies, whose
bent eagerly upon each other, waiting the signal
which should impel them from the opposing heights,
to
meet
in
close and deadly conflict.
The
division of Twiinrs,
day had
now
to
To
elicited
go
forth
whose gallantry on the preceding
that old veteran's unqualified
admiration, was
again into the hottest of the battle.
the brave regulars of the First Brigade
was committed
the
perilous duty of storming the tower of Cerro Gordo, the success

or failure of
which enterprise would stamp the orders of the
General-in-chief with the spirit of prophecy, or cause them to

a])pear in the annals of history as the vainglorious production
of an over-confident man.
During
this attack wj)on the
key position, the Second Brigade
under Riley, and the volunteers under Shields, were
ward
enemy's
left,
to press for-
over rough and rugged
328
ways, and through the thorny chaparral which intervened between

the
newly cut road, and
The
the plain in the rear of the mountain.
movement was
object of this
to seize the
Jalapa road, and
prevent the escape of the fugitives.
The
Worth was ordered
division of
party, while that of Pillow operated

teries
upon the
Upon
right.
the
therefore, the fiercest brunt of
but,
upon the
battle
in front,
were comparatively valueless as
whenever the position should be
of defence,
effect of the capture of
Not only would
its
effectually
conquerors.
Cerro Gordo did not end here.
the river batteries be rendered ineffective, but also
the ascending series of forts
commanded by
fall
others, and, that once taken, the
all
turned, and Cerro Gordo in possession of
But the
would necessarily
by the former mainly depended
be assaulted by Pillow, though almost impracti-
when attacked
means
river bat-
Cerro Gordo was the key position, over-
commanding
river batteries to
cable
upon the strong
storming
columns of Twiggs and Pillow,
tlie
results achieved
the fortune of the day.
topping and
to support the
and breastworks,
all
of which were
the tower.
The movement
of Pillow
was more
enemy from
the attention of the
for the
purpose of diverting
the storm of Cerro Gordo, than
Irom any great result which was likely to ensue otherwise; and,
if this
succeeded, the object of the General-in-chief would be
gained, even though Pillow should be beaten back with severe

loss, as
happened
to
be subsequently the case.
Through the desertion of a German
soldier from our ranks, on
the evening of the 17th, General Santa
Anna
obtained early
in-
formation of the plan of attack as arranged for the morrow, and
strengthened his
left
and
riglit,
and
efficient officer,
General
accordingly.
La Vega,
In order to protect his front
previously
known
as a most gallant
supposing Cerro Gordo secure from assault,
exchanged command of
the
latter willi
General Vasquez, and
BATTLE OF CF.RRO GORDO.

by
souy-ht,
his
329
presonce in the river batteries, to animate
tlie
defenders to a successful resistance.
Througliout
17th, tliere were eight tliousand
nigiit of the
tlie
Mexicans lying upon and around
the dilTerent heights, protected
by breastworks and
and
assault,
fortifications,
furtlier
secured from direct
by deep ravines, and almost precipitous rocks, up whose
steep sides they imagined a
man would
scarcely dare to climb.
was a
In addition to the force thus formidably posted, there

reserve of six thousand
men encamped upon
the plain in the rear
of Cerro Gordo, and close to the Jalapa road.
These troops, under the immediate command of General Santa
Anna, were posted

point upon or
so as to be within supporting distance of
among
danger from a vigorous
The American
assault.
men.
force did not exceed eight thousand
At break of dav, the second division was ordered

for battle,
that
and the cc.imand was obeyed with a
augured well
The
for the
was returned by
now opened
a i)lunging
much
difficulty
its fire
fire
prepare
to
(piiet fearlessness
success of their heroic
battery planted with so
the captured hill
any
the heights, that might be most exposed to
efforts.
upon the
crest of
upon Cerro Gordo, which
of grape and canister.
Meanwhile, Harney was organizing his storming party.
This
consisted of the 7th infantry under Lieutenant-Colonel Plympton,

the Rifles under Major Loring, four
companies of the
1st artillery
under Colonel Childs, and six companies of the 3d infantry under

Captain Alexander.
All of these,
composing the
men, daring and
resolute.
forlorn hope,
Many
of
were regulars
picked
them were veterans who had
passed not unscathed through the desperate battles of Palo Alto
and the Palm llavine, and the

rev.
Now
slill
more deadly storm of Monte-
they were about to wrestle with a danger, jierhaps
more imminent than any they had
They were
to
advance
hitherto encountered.
in the face of an
enemy
confident in the
330
Gordo
strength of his defences
Tower
Ccno
of
in the face of a
defiance
in
thrown forward as a succouring force
plunging
enemy's reserve
of the
over
from the
fire
barricades bristling
with musketry, up steep rocks, several hundred feet in height,
and over and
into the
Tower
armed men outnumbering

well directed
and protected by a
their assailants,
from guns served by the ablest
fire
man
nation, yet not a
Forming
of Cerro Gordo, itself filled with
artillerists of the
faltered.
the 7th Infantry on the right, the 3d on the
the Artillery in the rear,

large force of the
and, without waiting for the
and
the Rifles to check a
Harney detached
enemy hastening
left,
to the support of
Cerro Gordo,
of his skirmishers, ordered the
fire
charge to sound.
And now, down
rushed those daring
men
through a storm of
grape and canister, and musketry.
They descended
a shout,
have so
they crossed
commenced clambering
back from
has
the hill
its
to
they
the tall form of the General-in-chief.
He
witness the exploit which
the day, and, as he beholds the
of his exposure to the fierce

as he sees a part of
;
Looking
the terrible height.
hill
ing the rocks, in every direction
the hill
and, ^vith
base, they recognise on the crest of the
lat-ely quitted,
come
the ravine
men
is to
determine the
clinging
each eager
fire
them form a
to
to,
be
fate of
and surmountfirst,
regardless
continually poured upon them

little
distance from the base of
and, led by the intrepid Harney, carry the interposing
breastwork
at the point of the
bayonet, in defiance of
its
resolute
defenders; and as he hears, in the ravine below, the brave Rifles,

already baptized in
surpassed, a galling
blood,
fire in
sustaining, with
front
courage never
and upon both flanks from en-
trenchments and batteries, and yet keeping the succouring force

at
bay, while their comrades ascend the height, he feels that the
agonizing suspense which intervenes between the projecting of a

perilous exploit
and
its
successful execution,
is
gradually sub-
//w/
"^W--
Jil
!|
STORMING OF THK
siding into a calm confulcnoe that witli

suidi
331
IirJGIITS.
siu'li
men, and
led
l)y
as certain as that the sun shines, or the
oiricors, vit'tory is
water flows.
Nor
\vas
tliis
Onward
confidence misplaced.
they rushed, im-
pelled by the double consciousness, that the eyes of the Generalin-chief were upon tiiem, and of the terrible consequences that
would follow a disastrous

spicuous above
commanding
men
all
others
stature.
to follow,
Harney
issue.
by
military uniform,
his full
Waving
his
he rapidly ascended,
way,
led the
and
his
sword, and calling on his

in
view of the enemy,
full
while his cheering voice infused into the breasts of his

the
con-
command
same energy and dauntless entiiusiasm which animated
his
own.
It
was
a race for glorious
The
foremost.
and
still,
renown, wherein each strove
front ranks fell, but the survivors
still
above the thunder of the war, rose high,
be
to
pressed on
distinct,
and
clear, the voice of their intrepid leader.
Near
to
be carried.
ing up the walls of the

their guns,
fence
Tower, another
the crest of the hill, and encircling the
breastwork was
down
It
fort,
was done
and then, swarm-
they bayoneted the
and drove the desperate enemy from

the steep sides of the hill, in utter
artillerists
at
his central de-
and irremediable
rout.
Lieutenant Ewell, the

mortally wounded.
soldiers with his
first
to
Lieutenant
own
hands.
mount
Van Dorn
down
the
killeil
fell
two Mexican
Captain Magruder promptly turned
the captured guns upon the flying foe.
7th infantry hauled
the breastworks, here
Sergeant Henry of the
Mexican standard,
while almost
simultaneously with the scaling of the walls, the colours of the 1st
artillery
and the 3d and 7th infantry were planted upon
amidst the deafening cheers of the conquerors.
th( in
Such was
the
famous storming of Cerro Gordo.

In a
little
44
while, having been delayed by the rugged character
332
of the
route
it
had
to traverse,
Worth's division arrived, and
below surrendered.
shortly afterwards, the nearest batteries
The remainder
Twiggs was equally
of the division of
suc-
cessful.
The Second Brigade, under

on
tlie
enemy's
Riley, after
moving some distance
cleared the foot of the
left,
infested with their skirmishers,
Cerro Gordo, gaining the crown of the

that the First Brigade reached
it
which was
ridge,
and then attacked the reverse of
from the
hill at
front.
the
same moment
After the capture,
both brigades joined in the pursuit.
The
of the
left
moving upon
volunteers, under Shields, were
enemy.
of five pieces
the extreme
U])on approaching the Jalapa road, a battery
was discovered,
in front, supported
by a large force
of cavalry and infantry.
While forming
his
men
for the attack. Shields fell
wounded, and Colonel Baker of the
command, charged
the
and part of the 4th
man, and
the
the
New
assumino:
the enemy's lines, supported
by the 3d
Illinois
volunteers, under Harris and Fal-
York regiment, under Colonel Burnett, when
enemy, already disheartened by the
being threatened
at
same time by
the
infantry, u])on his right, after a
directions, leaving his guns,
camp equipage,
On
tering
the
many
right.
a detachment of the
2d
in all
baggage, specie, provisions, and

victors.
After encoun-
obstacles and delays, he took up his position in front
a murderous enfilading
of Cerro Gordo, and
Pillow was less fortunate.
of the river batteries, and
to fall
fall
few random shots scattered
hands of the
in the
enemy's
dangerously
Illinois reffiraent
atteiiii)lc(l to
fire
carry them by assault
but
opening upon him, he was comi)elled
back with considerable
loss.
second time he attempted the assault, with a storming force
composed
of the 2d
Tennessee regiment, and a company each
from Pennsylvania and Kentucky,

Colonel Haskell, an
ail
under the
officer alreatly distinguished
command
by
of
his --allant
BRIG.
GEN
JA1.1E3 SHIELDS.
BATTLE OF CKRRO GORDO.

conduct
This coluinn,
in tlie nlTair at Modi'lliu.
tained itself under a
Tennessee
tiallinti;
fire
333
aflfi' luivino-
sus-
of oTape and musketry until the
and the supporting
resînient \vas nearly annihilated,
companies proi)ortionably shattered, was also Avithdrawn beyond

the range of the
enemy's guns.
Pillow then organized his

the
command
meanwhile Cerro Gortlo had
for a third attack
fallen, antl
but in
General La ^ ega,
finding himself threatened from the Tower, and cut
oflf
from
all
support, surrendered himself, with three thousand men, prisoners

of war.
The
was now ended.
battle
On
the other side of the mountain
Generals Santa Anna, Almonte, and Canalizo, with eight thou-
sand men, were already
and the pursuit of the
in full retreat,
commenced.
fugitives
Harney's dragoons, with Worth's division of regulars, dashed

forward in advance.
The brigades
of
Twiggs, Shields, and Riley
soon followed, and from mid-day until set of sun the pursuit was
urged with an energy that not only

time to
left
the Hying JNIexicans no
but broke and dispersed them utterly.
rally,
At length the wearied
victors halted at various distances along
the rational road, the furthest in
advance being within ten miles
of the beautiful city of Jalapa, and fifteen from the scene of action.
The
fruits
of this glorious victory were three thousand prisoners,
between four and
five
thousand stand of arras, forty-three pieces
of splendid bronze artillery of large calibre, mostly manufactured

at the
Royal Foundry of Seville, and a large quantity of fixed
ammunition of superior
Our
loss
quality.
during the two days, was sixty-three killed, and three
hundred and ninety-eight wounded.

supposed
'I'he
and woinuled, nearly twelve hundred.
appearance of the
witness,
"
to be, in killed
was
That of the enemy was
battle-field, as
described by an eye-
a])palling to the sight.
dragoon we encountered on the way kindly olTered
to
be
HISTORY OF THK MEXICAN WAR.
334
our guide, and from him
we
learned the positions of the different
As winding around
armies, their divisions and subdivisions.

hills
by the national road, the enemy's entrenchments,
their bar-
ricaded heights, strong forts, and well defended passes
view,
we
No
ment.
and gazed
halted,
one, from
for several
moments
the
came
in
mute amaze-
in
reading the newspaper accounts or the
reports of the generals, can form a proper idea of the advantages
possessed by the
enemy
chosen position.
in his
knew, had been fought and won by our troops

in its bare,
ing as
still
reality, a
dream.
The
could not shake
battle, I
it
seemed,
off"
this feel-
yet
rode along the enemy's lines of entrenchments, entered
his dismantled forts
and magazines, and looked from
his chosen
heights upon the paths up which our troops rushed into the jaws
of death.
<'
Passing down the ravine where the National Guard had three
times attempted to dislodge the mounted riflemen, who, supported
by the howitzer
I
was obliged
battery, literally rained death
to turn
back and
retrace
my
among
steps.
their ranks,
The gorge was
choked up with the mangled bodies of the flower of the Mexican

army.
The wolf-dog and
rode by, and the stench
the buzzard
howled and screamed as
was too sickening
ing to the national road,
we passed
to
a large
number
of
cannon
taken by our troops, and saw piles of muskets, charred with

in heaps,
be endured. Return-
where they had been heaped and burned.
fire,
" All along the road were the bodies of Mexican lancers and
tlieir
horses, cut
fire-eaters
down by
chased Santa
beyond Jalapa.
Colonel Harney's dragoons,
Anna and
when
these
his retreating troops into
Almost every man's
skull
was literally
split
and
open
with the sabres of our horsemen, and they lay stretched upon the
ground
From
in ghastly
the old
groups."
camp
his hospital for the
Department of
War
at
sick
Plan del Rio, where he had established
and wounded, Scott forwarded
the following despatch
to the
SCOTT
DESPATCH.
335
" IIead-Qiarters of the Ak.my,

;')0 miles from Vera
Cruz,
Plan del Rio,
April 19, 1847.
" Sir
The
of attack, sketched in General Orders, No.
})lan
Ill, forwarded lierewith,
was finely executed by
We are
before two o'clock, P. M., yesterday.
with the results of victory
this gallant
army,
quite embarrassed
prisoners of war, heavy ordnance,
small arms, and accoutrements.
fiekl batteries,
" About 3,000 men

portion of field and
laid
down
company
ral of
them of great
riega,
and Obando.
officers,
distinction
their arms, with the usual pro-
besides
five
generals, seve-
Pinzon, Jarrero, La Vega, Nogeneral, Vasquez,
sixtli
was
killed
in
defending the battery (tower) in the rear of the whole Mexican
army, the capture of which gave us those glorious
" Our
loss,
though comparatively small in numbers, has been
zeal,
and
talent,
some
five
miles from
many
covered
I
commander
Brigadier-General Shields, a
serious.
results.
fear, if not
is, I
me
at the
of activity,
He
dead, mortally wounded.
moment.
The
field
is
of operations
miles, broken by mountains and deep chasms,
and
have not a report, as yet, from any division or brigade.

" Twiggs's division, followed by Shields's (now Colonel Baker's)
cow
brigade, are
at or
near Xalapa, and Worth's division
is in
route thither, all pursuing, with good results, as I learn, that part
Mexican army
of the
had
fled
perhaps
six or seven thousand
men
who
before our right had carried the tower, and gained the
Xalapa road.
" Pillow's brigade alone,
sick,
and prisoners; and
names
is
near
me
at this
have time oidy
depot of wounded,
to give
of 1st Lieutenant F. B. Nelson, and
2d C. G.
Hill, both
among
the killed,
of the 2d Tennessee foot (Haskell's regiment),
and
"
in tiie
brigade 106, of
Among
a smart
all
ranks, killed or
from him the
wounded.
the latter, the gallant brigadier-general himself has
wound
in the
arm, out not disabled
and Major R. Far-
queson, 2d Tennessee, Captain H. F. Murray, 2d Lieutenant G.
336
T. Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant
same regiment,
P. Hale, Adjutant,
severely, and 1st Lieutenant
And
wounded.
tally
W.
W.
Yearwood, mor-
know, from personal observation on the
ground, that 1st Lieutenant Ewell, of the Rifles,
was mortally wounded
of the
all
in entering,
sword
in
not
if
now
dead,
hand, the entrench-
ments around the captured tower.

" 2d Lieutenant Derby, topographical engineers,
saw,
I also
at
same place, severely wounded, and Captain Patten, 2d United
the
States infantry, lost his right hand.*
was
States dragoons,
Major Sumner, 2d United
wounded
slightly
day before, and Cap-
the
tain Johnston, topographical engineers (now lieutenant-colonel
of infantry),
was very severely wounded some days
reconnoitring.
must not omit
2d Lieutenant Davis, both
wounded
verely
"I
to
enemy
Xalapa (25 miles hence),

enemy's
army
to
and wounded,
killed
se-
maybe
In the pursuit towards
at 350. f
learn
loss in prisoners, killed,
pose his retreating
were among the very
same tower.
estimate our total loss, in
about 250, and that of the
add, that Captain JMason, and
of the Rifles,
in storming the
earlier, while
we have added much
and wounded.
In fact,
to the
I
sup-
be nearly disorganized, and hence
my
haste to follow, in an hour or two, to profit by events.
" In
this hurried
and imperfect report
Twiggs,
that Brigadier-General
must not omit
in passing the
to say,
mountain-range
beyond Cerro Gordo, crow^ned with the tower, detached from

division, as I suggested the
that height,
could not
which commanded the Xalapa road
fail, if
carried, to cut off the whole, or
enemy's forces from a
"
retreat in
his
to carry
at the foot,
and
any part of the
any direction.
portion of the 1st artillery, under the often-distinguished
Brevet-Colonel Childs
*
The General
is in
error
the
it
very inaeruratc estimate
enemy
day before, a strong force
nearly 1200.
See data.
3d
was
infantry,
under Captain Alexander
a portion of his
our loss was 431,
left
hand Captain Patten
killed
and wounded
lost,
that of the
WAJ
(^TX
rjITEON
J.
FALLOW
^-H
Scott's despatch.
thf
Till
infantry,
under Major
Harney,
under Lioutf;narit-Co!onfl Plymton
Loriiif;, all
under the temporary
drafôons, diirinr^
2(1
tlie
Brifâdier-General P. F. Smith,
style of execution,
brilliant
<'
The
Gordo,
which
and
Rifles,
llie
of (Jolonel
Brevet
to his hc-d of
that detachment.
had the pleasure
to witness,
Tlie
was most
and decisive.
hrifjade asf:ended the lonf(
without shelter,
and musketry, with

works, drove the
and
difficult slo[)e of
and under the trernendoiis
th(;
Cerro
of artillery
fire
utmost steadiness, reached the breast-
enemy from them,
and 7th infantry
artillery, .3d
some minutes' sharp
after
confinement
composed
command
jiianted the colours of the 1st
the enemy's
firing, finished
flag
still
flying
and,
the conquest with the
bayonet.
"
due
a most pleasing duty to say that the highest praise
Ji
is
to
Harney, Childs, Plymton, Loring, Alexanrler,
ofTicers anrl
men,
for this brilliant service,
is
their gallant
independent of the
great results which soon followed.
"Worth's
division
of regulars
coming up
at this
time,
he
detached Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith, with his light
The general
battalion, to support the assault, but not in time.
reaching the tower a few minutes before me, and observing a

white flag displayed from the nearest portion of the
the batteries below, sent out Colonels
a parley.
The surrender
gers anfl fatigues of the day

to
the
to
hold
followed in an hour or two.*
" Major- Ceneral Patterson
command
enemy towards
Harney and Childs
left
a sick-berl to share in the dan-
and
after the
surrender went forward
advanced forces towards Xalapa.
"Brigadier-General Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted with

great daring the enemy's line of batteries on our
wilhout success, they contributed

their
'
much
left,
to distract
and though
and dismay
immediate opponents.
President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalizo and Almonte,
These were
the baiierieB
commanded by General Pinzon,
a mulatto officer.
HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN AVAR.
338
men escaped
and some six or eight thousand

before Cerro Gordo
was
towards Xalapa just
and before Twiggs's division
carried,
reached the national road above.
"
determined
I liave
as I have not the
to ])arole the prisoners
means
of feeding
and cannot
afford to detach a
wagons,
accompany them
to
though increasing,
heavy body of horse and

to
and men
officers
them here beyond to-day,

with
foot,
Our baggage-train,
Vera Cruz.
not half large enough to give an assured
is
progress to this army.
"Besides, a greater number of prisoners would, probably,

escape from the escort, in the long and deep sandy road, without
subsistence
ten
body of men,
one
than we
in the ranks
Cruz prisoners
Some
Gordo.
to
is
same
shall find again, out of the
opposed
Not one of
to us.
the
Vera
believed to have been in the lines of Cerro
six of the officers, highest in rank, refuse to give
their paroles, except to
go
Vera Cruz, and thence, perhaps,
to
to
the United States.
" The small-arms and accoutrements, being of no value
army here,
or at
home,
have ordered them
to
have not the means of transporting them.

embarrassed with the
we have
captured.
It
am,
pieces of artillery,*
We have our
them
fifty
miles.
must be collected, and
own
siege-train
left
to follow
to
be
at
and the proper carriages with
movement, besides looking
from Vera Cruz,
have time
Xalapa early to-morrow.
meet with serious opposition
army
add no more
means
* Forty-three.
us.
which are
intending
shall not, probably, again
this side of Perote
unless delayed by the want of the
but
the details
all
to the supplies
to
We
here for the present.
" Being much occupied with the prisoners, and

of a forward
we
bronze, which
field-battery I shall take for service with the
the heavy metal
to our
for
somewhat
also,
all
would take a brigade, and half the mules
of our army, to transport
"A
be destroyed
certainly not,
of transportation
WORTH ENTERS PUEBLA.
"I have
the honour to remain,
339
witli
sir,
high respect, your
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. W.M.
L. jNIarcy, Secretary of
The complete
The
partially
rout at Cerro
War."
Gordo opened the way
to Jalapa.
completed defences of the La Iloya pass, offered no
On
molestation to the march of our troops.
succeeding the
battle, the division of
the 19th, the
Twiggs was
in
day
undisputed
possession of Jalapa, while Worth's division pushed on to Perote,
and captured the town and
castle without resistance
receiving
them by the Mexican government, the following
to surrender
arms and munitions of war:

iron
hands of Colonel Velasquez, the commissioner appointed
at the
"Fifty-four
and bronze, of various calibres,
in
guns and mortars,
good service condition,
eleven thousand and sixty-five cannon-balls, fourteen thousand

tliree
hundred bombs and hand-grenades, and
five
hundred
muskets."*
Here Worth
maining
for
rested,
and recruited his command.
After re-
about two weeks, he again resumed his line of march,
and on the 15th of May, accompanied by Quitman's brigade of

volunteers, entered the city of Puebla, with no
more opposition
than a slight skirmish, near Amosoque, distant about twelve

miles from the
city.
There his progress had been threatened by
a force of about three thousand cavalry, under General Santa
Anna
but a few discharges from the light
some ninety of
the
enemy,
sufficed to clear the
o'clock the next morning, the division,
men, stacked
their
*
45
arms
artillery,
in the
dismounting
way, and by ten
numbering four thousand
Grand Plaza.
Worih's Report, Perote, April
22, 1847.
CHAPTER
XIX.
Their
Appearance of the American Troops
Astonishment of the Puehlanos
Embarrassing Position of the General-in-chief Discharge of
Characteristics
Prospects of Peace Mexican Affairs Defiance

Proclamation of General Salas Anaya declares the
Capital
a state of Siege Coalition of the Mexican States Scott's Address
the Mexican People Feeling of the United States Government Buchanan's
Treat ConLetters American Commissioner appointed Mexico refuses
dition of the American Army Arrival of Reinforcements.
the twelve
months Volunteers
of the Mexican Congress
to
in
to
Nothing could exceed
the astonishment of the citizens of Pue-
bla, at witnessing the entrance of the small force of four
American
troops, one-half of
thousand
-whom were raw, and only
partially
disciplined volunteers, into the midst of a hostile population of
eighty thousand souls.
The
false
and exaggerated
reports
which had been circulated
throughout the interior of Mexico, in regard to the ferocious
prowess of the North Americans,
arrival
from those
who marched
Great, indeed, was

stature
the
far
their
dis-
to
expect the
different in personal
appearance
posed the more imaginative of the Pueblanos

of a body of men
had
their gigantic stature
cannibal propensities, and their wonderful skill in arms,
with quiet confidence into their midst.
wonder of the
citizens to find, that in
and apparent physical strength, the conquerors were not
superior to the conquered
that the
were plain and unpretending,
their
arms of the Anglo-Americans

equipments indifferent
in the
extreme, and themselves apparently worn down with the fatigue

c( a long march, the sickliness of the country tlirough which they
340
THE AMERICAN TROOPS.
341
had passed, and the alternations of heat and cold
to
which they
had been constantly exposed.
The undaunted courage, and indomitable
resolution,
which
had made every man a hero, could not be exaggerated.
commonest
and the fortunes of
The
The
soldier in om- armies fought as if the fate of the battle
battles
his country rested
won by Taylor and
much
Gordo, are as
upon
Scott,
his single arm.
from Palo Alto to Cerro
instances of individual daring, as of fine
military skill.
To
in
us
it
warfare
appears as
terrible
if
from
they present a
very
its
new and
ef!(:'ctiveness
terrible feature
the
combination
of the individual heroism of the old chivalric era, with the warlike
science of
modern
times.
In European warfare,
men
are
still
considered as mere ma-
chines, to be impelled or withdrawn as the science of the
mander
dictate.
shall
The sentiments of
a pure
com-
patriotism, as
acting upon and stimulating the gallantry of the soldier, are but
little
regarded, while thought, genius, ability, or a quick percep-
tion in the masses, are considered as obstacles to success rather
than calculated to promote
The
it.
perfection of the art has been
hitherto supposed to consist in a blind unreasoning obedience
the accuracy of
knowledge of
mechanism
in military evolutions,
and a perfect
the manual.
But, unfortunate indeed would
tliat
general be,
who should
attempt to snatch a victory from the grasp of the Anglo-American
by means of
the present continental system of military tactics.
Enthusiastic in temperament, and elastic under reverses
ac-
familiar
from
customefl to a
life
of hardihood and adventure
childhood with the use of arms

the outskirts of civilization,
pressing forward continually to
whence he has
often to repel savage
incursions, and often obliged to maintain his
own hand,
of law
is
in states
many
and
own
territories thinly settled,
rights
by
his
where the force
times administered with difTiculty or inefficient in
342
its
operation, the
Anglo-American has learned,
in a severe school,
the benefits of self-reliance, and the good results which never
supported by a corresponding energy.
to follow the strong will,
The system
of volunteer training has also been of service
while retaining
tliat,
science, and acting
fail
much
that
is
really useful in
when necessary under
modern
its strictest
so
military
rules, he
still
maintains an independence of thought and action which enables
him
to
cope successfully with dangers from which no mere
skill
could extricate him, and to win battles after science has pro-
nounced them irrecoverably
lost.
While Worth took possession of
the hills
commanding Puebla,
and accumulated supplies, the General-in-chief,
still
at Jalapa,
found himself placed in a situation of the utmost embarrassment.
Of
the twenty-three regiments of twelve
called out
by the President
in
May and June 1846,
were with Scott, and the period

about
By
months volunteers
for
seven regiments
which they enlisted was now
to expire.
the abstraction of these forces, honourably discharged
amounting
to nearly three
reduced that the General-in-chief found himself compelled

for reinforcements before
It is true,
and
thousand men, the army was so greatly
he could resume
that the spirit of the
to
await
oflfensive operations.
Mexican array appeared
have become completely paralyzed by the
terrible defeat of
to
Cerro
Gordo, but the main body, which escaped with Santa Anna and
Almonte, amounting
to eight
nucleus around which
many
thousand men,
remained as a
still
yet eager and untried spirits might
rally.
The prospects
of peace also
seemed
further off than ever.
In-
dignant under their repeated disasters, the cry of the Mexican

people was
still
for
vengeance.
The
chief papers of the capital
and departments of Mexico, teemed with appeals

and patriotism of the nation, and every
effort
to the
honour
which a feeble
DEFIANCE OF THE MEXICAN CONGRESS.
government could
"
On
preamble
The Sovereign
induce the people
to
their invaders.
which
as follows
is
it
faithful interpreters of the firm
on
waging against
the nation, without losing courage at
public necessity
is
to
all
or to consent to
first
first
the energy wliich the state of things
avoid even the danger of a revolutionary power
and destroy
arising to dissolve the national union
ment "
any kind of
to preserve a centre of union, to direct the
national defence with
demands, and
and
the United States is
and considering that in these circumstances, the
reverses,
The
nationality,
its
determination of their constituents
war which the government of
tlie
a series of
has been invested by the people of
the republic for the sacred object of preserving
to carry
to rise
Constitutional Congress of Mexico, in use of
powers with which
the full
to
Mexican Congress passed
the 20th of Aprd, the
resolutions, the
'
was made
and exterminate
masse''''
C72
exert,
343
dismember its territory, has decreed

power of
resolution asserts the
to take the
the
its
institutions,
the following."
supreme govern-
necessary measures to carry on the war, defend
the nationality of the republic,
and
to save the republican
form
of government, popular and federal, under which the nation is
constituted."
The second
meaning
resolution, in explanation of the true intent
of the
first,
states that " the foregoing
authorize the Executive to
make
article
and
does not
a peace with the United States,
conclude negotiations with foreign powers, nor alienate the whole

or a part of the territory of the republic."
J
The
article declares null
fourth
antl
illegal
"all treaties and
arrangements made betwêen the United States and any authority
who
should
substitute
itself
for
supreme powers legplly
the
established."
And
"who,
in
the
fifth,
every individual
is
denounced as a
traitor,
either in his ))rivate capacity or as a public officer, either
privately, or invested with any incompetent authority, or of rcvo-
344
lutionary origin, shall treat \vith the government of the United
States."
It is sufficiently
evident from the above action of Congress, that
great distrust had
entered the public
mind
The
reverses which the nation had suffered.
Anna was doubted, and

make peace with
yield
Texas
repeated
sincerity of Santa
were entertained that he would
fears
the invaders, on terms
to the
after the
which should not only
conquerors, but dismember a portion of the
republic.
Congress also entertained a suspicion that the priesthood,
alarmed by
ment
which had
intrigues,
ment and
Santa
their attempt to appropriate to the uses of the govern-
a portion of the revenues of the church, were engaged in

for their object the
overthrow of the govern-
the establishment of royalty, either in the person of
Anna
himself, Paredes, or
some continental
prince.
Fear-
ful of these attempts, they sought to intimidate them by a course
of action which
showed they
wêre cognizant of the designs enter-
tained, and which should check theni
In
strict
if
attempted.
accordance with the defiant resolves of Congress, on
the following day General Salas issued a proclamation to the
citi-
zens, in which he exhorts them to unite at general head-quarters,
and
enroll themselves as guerrilleros for the
and destroying the invaders
in
purpose of attacking
every manner imaginable.
"War
without pity unto death!" he continues, "will be the motto of the

guerrilla warfare of
On
the
first
the city of
of
vengeance."*
May, Anaya,
Mexico
the President ad interim, declared
in a state of siege, assigning as his reason the
necessity of providing for the defence of the capital and the com-
mon defence of the nation against the enemy.

On the 6di, following out the above proclamation.
General Bravo,
Commander-in-chief of the Army of the Centre, issued a decree,

wherein
all
Mexicans between
*
the ages of sixteen and sixty are
Extracts from El Monitor.
Scott's address to the Mexicans.

called
upon
to enroll
themselves
defence
for tiie
under the penalty of being considered as
345
ot the capital,
and treated as
traitors,
such, in the event of evasion or refusal.
Nor was
The
retaro,
this exhibition of
states of
San Luis,
energy confined
INIexico, Zacatecas, Jalisco,
bound themselves, by
protest,
and Que-
solemn league and covenant,
preserve the unity of the republic
Mexican people, they
to the capital only.
and
to
in their address to the
" that never
will they consent to,
nor be bound by any convention or treaty of peace with the North
American enemy,
or
so long as he threatens or occupies the capital
any part of the Mexican republic
they also will not recognise
any general suspension of arms which should compromise

belligerent forces
of the nation ;"
all
and they close by asserting
their determination to aid with their private resources the

ral
the
gene-
government, independent of the assistance they are bound by
law
to give
graces and
so that the one cause
its perils
honour re-established, and
made
to
common
to
them
may be sustained, the national

all ])ossiblc
in its dis-
credit
and
opposition and resistance
every attack upon the popular federal representative
system."*
Had
these various resolutions been as firmly carried out as they
were pertinaciously insisted upon,

yet have inclined to the
difTerencc
it is
possible that victory might
Mexican standard
but there
between the energy which can be exhibited
is
a vast
in fiery
denunciations, and the spirit necessary to meet in successful conflict
even a mere handful of resolute men.
In an equally firm,
Init
far
more moderate tone, was the pro-
clamation of General Scott, addressed also to the Mexican nation,
and dated Jalapa,
him
to
May
11th, 18-17.
be as accomplished
in
It
is
a paper
which proves
diplomacy, as in the
art
of war.
In this admirable document, after briefly alluding to the causes
which precipitated
the war,
New
and the successes that had

Orleans Bulletin.
in
every
346
battle attended the
more
successes which he
American arms
want of valour
in their troops
he
concludes by saying
" Again, Mexicans of honourable pride

of peaceful and laborious citizens, in
The
possessions of the church
tlie
artisan, the
contributions,
to the
contemplate the
lot
classes of your society.
all
menaced and held
citement to revolution and anarchy

tors pointed out for
attributes
Mexican generals than
to the unskilfulness of the
out as an in-
the fortunes of rich pro})rie-
plunder to the ill-disposed
the
merchant and
labourer and the manufacturer, burdened with
monopolies, taxes
excises,
upon consumption,
surrounded with restrictions and charged with odious internal
customs
liberal
tlie
man
of letters
knowledge who dares
by some
faction, or
by
and
the rulers
statesman, the
tlie
man
speak, persecuted without
to
who abuse
their ])ower
crimi-
nals unpunished and set at liberty, as were those of Perote
Mexicans, the liberty which you enjoy
this, then,
"
will not believe that the
wantino'
in
them, and
with
tlieir
to
courasê
to
of
trial
is
Mexicans of the present day are
confess errors which do not dishonour
adopt a system of true liberty, of peace, and union
brethren and neighbours of the north
neither will I
believe that they are ignorant of the falsity of the calumnies of

the press, intended to excite hostility.
No! public sentiment
not to be created or animated by falsehood.
We
is
have not pro-
faned your temples, nor abused your women, nor seized your
property, as they
"We
would have you
say this wuth pride, and
believe.
we
confirm
it
by your own
bishops, and by the clergy of Tampico, Tuspan, ]Matamoros,

terey,
Vera Cruz, and Jalapa, and by
religious,
"
We
all
Mon-
the authorities, civil and
and the inhabitants of every town we have occujiied.
adore the same
God
and a large proportion of our army,
as well as of the people of the United States, are Catholics, like
yourselves.
We
merit and virtue.
punish crime, wherever
we
find
it,
and reward
SCOTt's address to the MEXICANS.
"The army oftlie rnited
347
States respects, and will always respect
private property, of every descrijition, ami the property of
tlie
JNIexican church.
Mexicans! the past cannot be remedied, but the future may
'
be provided
nu'ut and
Repeatedly have
for.
peoj^le of the
shown you,
that
tôvern-
tlie
United States desire peace, desire your
sincere frientlship.
" Abandon,
then, rancorous prejudices; cease to be the sport
American
be truly
conduct yourselves
ambition, and
of individual
nation
and you
free, truly republican,
and happy,
for
you possess
all
will
become prosperous
from
"
Remember
the elements to be so.
you are Americans, and that your happiness
tliat
great
like
leave otF at once colonial habits, and learn to
not to
is
come
['Europe.
I
and with equal frankness,
desire, in conclusion, to declare,
an army of one hundred thousand Americans
that, if necessary,
could promptly be brought, and that the United States would not
terminate their differences with Mexico
ing to yourselves.
if I
had any doubt of
" The
evil
know how
will
to yoiu' country,
to
"
in irritating,
the hard necessity of retaliation,

for the
consequences which
am marching
do not conceal
it
with
my army
]ircfer
shall not fail
my
ujion
war
and union
you
evil to
;
and
will
I shall
it
upon yourselves.
is
again address you.

for
you
to select,
under any circumstances, be assured
word.
WIN FIELD SCOTT."

46
so
impose
Puebla and Mexico
our
if,
and then you cannot
will fall
from those capitals
I desire peace, friendship,
whether you
do so by
assure you
and no
proceed against them
from conciliating, you succeed
blame us
to
acquaintance with this truth.
order to form guerrilla parties to attack us,
army, which
upon us
compelled
})recarious, or dishonour-
should insult the intelligent of this country

their
can procure nothing but
far
(if
any manner uncertain,
force of arms) in
348
That the government of the United States was

of peace there cannot be
tlie
least doubt.
really desirous
had originally con-
It
templated nothing more than a small border war, in which the
Mexican
troops, being beaten,
would
retire
from the frontier
and, by the conclusion of an armistice, leave Hie existing

culties to
line,
diffi-
be settled by negotiation.
In this expectation, however, our government was deceived.
had not
It
and obstinacy which
sufficiently considered the pride
have always formed the two most prominent elements of the
The
Spanish character.
of
revolt of
independence, were
its
Texas, and the establishment
sufficiently mortifying
pride.
With
States,
from which the original
the mortification
to
Mexican
was coupled hatred of the United

settlers
Texas came
of
that
increased on the incorporation of the latter with the states of the
Northern Confederacy, and became an implacable

the
Army
hostility,
when
of Occupation, not content with Texas, carried
its
aggressive banner to the banks of the Bravo.
The hatred with which an American was regarded

of the
Mexican
republic,
unexampled prosperity
power
rapid increase in
which able
ful vitality
the
body
politic
feelings of
ill
was by no means of recent

and
of the United States,

;
its
all
origin.
its
parts
The
consequent
energetic character, and the wonder-
legislation
had infused
into every part of
had long been viewed by the Mexicans with
suppressed jealousy and distrust.
presentiment natural to a
weak
nation watching the advan-
cing and gigantic strides of a powerful neighbour, seems to have

constantly stimulated this feeling of antagonism.
ment was,
This presenti-
that a collision
must some day take place, and upon
the results which followed
would depend the question of Mexican
nationality.
measure
Hence,
in
some
respects, arose
their strength with that of the
and the disasters that followed repeated

deeper a self-love, which attributed
the true cau'ê
its
tlie
early anxiety to
"barbarian of the
trials,
nortli,"
wounded
still
defeats to every other tlian
the manifest superiority of
our
men
in courage,
349
Buchanan's letters.
and
tenacity,
undaunted
Had
use of arras
tlie
and the great military
whom
by
resolution of the officers
but a single victory crowned
and
skill
they were conducted.
arms of Mexico,
tlie
it
is
possible that from the vantage ground thus obtained, and with
her national honour soothed by an unwonted triumph, she might
have consented
pride, shame,
to
open negotiations
but, defeated in every battle,
and a galling sense of the presen(;e of a victorious
enemy, goaded her on
new
to
only to end in more terrible
offorts,
disasters.
As
early as the 15th of April, Mr.
ister of
in
Foreign Affairs, in answer
which the
Buchanan wrote
to a
to the
Min-
previous communication,
declined, according to an earlier proposition
latter
our government, to send commissioners to Jalapa, Ha-
made by
vana, or any other point that might be agreed upon, unless the
blockade of the Mexican ports should be
army withdrawn beyond
Mexican
the limits of the
and our
raised,
first
territory.
In reply, Mr. Buchanan states, that the President holds such a
be wholly inadmissible, both as calcu-
preliminary condition to
and as contrary
lated to prolong the war,
and that he
will not
make
to the
usages of nations
neiiotiations, at least until he shall
have reason
to believe
such will be accepted by the Mexican government.
however,
war
to honoured)le
shall not
further overtures for the opening of
peace, he
is
determined that
that
Devoted,
tlie
evils of
be protracted one day longer than shall be rendered
absolutely necessary by the
Mexican
Mr. Buchanan then announces,
republic.
that, to carry this
determination
into effect, the President has sent in the quality of commissioner, to
the head-quarters of the
army
in
Mexico, Mr. N. P.
Clerk in the State Department, with
full
powers
to
Trist,
First
conclude a de-
treaty of
peace with the United ]\Iexican States, and
recommends him
as eminently worthy the confidence and consid-
finitive
eration of the ^Mexican government.*

*
Washington Union.
350
This
General Santa
convened
On
numerous vexatious delays, was
letter, after
Anna
to the
for the especial
the 13th of July, a
Mexican Congress,
body being
that
purpose of deliberating upon
quorum
of seventy- four
by
referred
its
contents.
members being
present, the question as to whether the commissioner should be
received and negotiations opened, wâs considered,

mittee on Foreign Affairs, upon
of the subject
"that
effect,
was devolved,
it
belonged
to receive all ministers
peace, alliances, &c.
whom
when
com-
the
the primary consideration
and resolutions
offered a report
to the
Executive under their constitution
to the
and public agents, and
that the functions of
to
make
treaties of
Congres were limited
the approving or disapproving these treaties
when made, and
consequently, until a treaty should be submitted in form,
it
to
that
could
take no constitutional action on the subject.*
The
two
to
report being submitted,
twenty-two
was accepted by a
it
and the
letter
vote of
having been ordered
fifty-
to
be
returned to General Santa Anna, the Congress adjourned the same

day, as
The
if
desirous of avoiding any further action upon
of a determination to continue the war,
known
that the Executive
the initiative in
the
was
inasmuch as
lic officer is
any negotiations
declared a traitor
for
peace by the
who
in
this time,
may have had
of the
its effect
Mexican government,
Something,
to
too, they doubtless
upon men unaccustomed
to its
American
Synopsis of
tlie
fifth
w'ell
section of
which every
j)ub-
States, f
force in
Mexico
at
in sustaining the determination
prolong the war
hoped from the
at
all
hazards.
effects of climate
changes, and unprepared by a suf-
ficiency of clothing to sustain the great contrast
was
should enter into any treaty or
arrangement with the government of the United
The numerical weakness
it
effectually prevented from taking
law passed on the 20th of April, 1847,
of the
it.
resolutions thus adopted might be considered expressive
Washington Union, August 23d,
between the cool
1847.
tSee
ante.
CONDITION OF THE AMERICAN ARMY.

temperature of
tlie
mountainous
rco-ion
in
351
which lluy were then
garrisoned, and the excessive heat of the phiins.
The Mexicans well knew that

been
more
infinitely
Vera Cruz and Putbla, than
engaged since
the
sickness and disease had hitherto

route
between
the battles in which they
had been
our troops, on
to
fatal
all
commencement
Weak indeed was the condition

On
of the war.
of our gallant
army
the 4th of June, Scott wrote to the Secretary of
that the strength of the
army had been
Cruz about one thousand men

;
iwo hundred
at
a thousand), and in the
seventeen.
In
War,
stating
surprisingly reduced.
was
dent companies of volunteers, there
Jalapa
at that time.
That
discharge of seven regiments, and two indepen-
in addition to the
at
tlie
all,
like
left
in hospital at
number of sick and wounded
Perote (afterwards increased to nearly
hospital at Puebla, one thousand
three
Vera
thousand two
hundred,
and
the short
in
space of two months, or nearly one-fourth of the whole force that
disembarked
at
Vera Cruz.
If
we add
to these the three
discharged volunteers, and the killed at Cerro Gordo,

not
wonder
that,
after
thousand
we
shall
deducting the garrisons of Vera Cruz,
Jalapa, and Perote, there remained but the small force of five
thousand eight hundred and twenty effective non-commissioned

ofi^cers, artificers,
Thus
draw
its
musicians, and privates.*
situated, Scott
determined
to
abandon
Jalajâ,
and with-
garrison, together with a portion of the garrison at Perote,
in order to place
him
in a
more favourable condition
for
advanc-
ing upon the capital.
But the reinforcements, long looked

of,
were
at this
time
fairly
on
tlicir
for,
way.
and almost despaired
By
the
Stli
of July, in
addition to the garrison of Puebla, the brigades of Pillow and Cad-
walader reached the head of the army, increasing the number

of effectives
rank and
and swelling the sick
file,
list,
to eight
by
thousand and sixty-one men,
the addition of the hospitals from
Scott's Official Despatch, No. 29.
352
Jalapa, to the fearful extent of two thousand two hundred and

fifteen
men, and eighty-seven commissioned
About
this time, Scott
arrived at
heard
tliat
officers.*
Brigadier-General Pierce had
Vera Cruz with twenty-five hundred
recruits,
General-in-chief determined to delay his march
should join him.
transportation. Pierce reached
his
tlie
until they also
After various delays, arising from the want of
Puebla on the 6th of August, with
twenty-four hundred and twenty-nine
commenced
and
march
men and
for the capital,
the next day Scott
with an army composed
often thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight, rank and

* Scott's Official
Papers, No. 29.
file.
X...y
BKI'i.
GEN. FRANKr,IN FIERCE.
CHAPTER XX.
Puebla Scott determines
concentrated
advance on the
Description of the Route Twiggs reaches Ayotla The Divisions close
The American Army

Capital
to
at
up Reconnoissanees upon El Penon Advance by the National Road abandoned

The Army moves round Lake Chaico the Acapulco Road Description of
the March Concentration of the Divisions upon the Acapulco Road.
to
The numerous
delays by which a portion of our troops
was
detained so long at Puebla, were at least beneficial in one point

of view,
by enabling the new
that perfect discipline
without which
it is
doubtful whether they
those signal victories which have since
name
came up,
levies, as they
and thorough knowledge of
to acquire
their officers,
would have achieved
made
Anglo-Saxon
the
a terror to the hearts of the inhabitants of the valley of
Mexico.
It
of
must be remembered,
Mexican
the
that of the force
capital, nearly one-half
which
was new and
left
Puebla
for
Most
untried.
them were men suddenly called from the occupations of
civil
from the plough, the loom, the desk, and the anvil
and
life,
though perhaps there were none among them wholly unaccustomed

to the use
of arms, there were, yet, very
expert in the manual, or

the
who
few indeed who were
coidd have performed with })recision
numerous and complicated manoeuvres,
which
is
always requisite
in the
the
knowledge of
presence of an enemy, and so
often essential to the success of a battle.
The
rigid
system of military instruction instituted
made every man
a soldier
who
arrived early
enough
at
Puebla,
to participate
353
HISTORY OF THK MEXICAN WAR,
354
in
it,
army
so that, before the
left
that citj,
it
had acquired the
high distinction of being the best disciplined of any which had
American nation on
yet been sent forth by the

quest.
Its
character
One
subsequent deeds fully proved that
was not
less just than true.
of the most remarkable features of the war,
No
occasions.
matter by
how many
what numbers opposed, the

have been entertained
was
for
all
by
To
moment.
and
seems
Mexico
that the city of
in despite of the difficulties
that the possession of the Aztec capital
Puebla was
that
left in
to
anticipate a
which were known
way, was entertained with so undoubting a
to beset the
moment
the un-
American army on
the
possibility of defeat never
a single
to antici})ate a victory
would be reached,
was
obstacles surrounded, or
bounded confidence which animated
battle
the road to con-
this estimate of its
was assured from
belief,
the very
the rear.
Leaving: the meag^re force of three hundred and ninety-three
men under
Colonel Childs to garrison the latter city, and charged
with the protection of eighteen hundred sick in
army advanced towards
its
hospitals, the
the capital in four divisions, preceded
a cavalry brigade.
These divisions had been previously arranged as follows:
CAVALRY BRIGADE.
COLONEL HARNEY.
1st
Dragoons, Ca])tain Kearney.
2d
do.
Major Sumner.
3d
do.
Captain McReynolds.
FIRST DIVISION.
GENERAL WORTH.
f
First Brigade^
2d
'M
Artillery.
do.
Colonel Garland.
4t]i
Infantry.
Duncan's Battery.
by
MARCH ON THE
CAPITAL.
355
5tli
Infimtry.
6th
do.
8th
do.
Second Bngade^
Colonel Clarke.
SECOND DIVISION.
GENERAL TWIGGS.
Mounted
First Brigade,
Rifles.
1st Artillery.
General Smith.
3d
Infantry.
Taylor's Batterj-.
4tli Artillery.
Second Brigade,
2d
Infantry.
7th
do.
Colonel Riley.
third division.
GENERAL PILLOW.
9th Infantry.
First Brigade,
General Pierce.
12th
do.
15th
do.
Magruder's Battery.
Voltigeurs.
Second Brigade,
14th Infantry.
General Cadwalader.
11th
FOURTH
do.
division.
GENERAL QUITMAN.
New
First Brigade,
York regiment.
South Carolina do.
General Shields
Marines.
Stcptoe's Battery.
Second Brigade,
2d Pennsylvania regiment.
Colonel Roberts.
But though
order of
the above
march was
47
was
the arrangement of the divisions, the
different.
Twiggs's
division,
preceded by
356
Harney's cavalry, was in advance; then followed Quitman's

division
to this
succeeded
sion of Pillow brought
These divisions
left
tlie
up the
division of
Worth
and the
Puebla on four successive days, beginning
on the 7th of August, and ending on the 10th, but were
beyond
five hours'
divi-
rear.
at
march, or supporting distance, apart.
8th, the General-in-chief overtook
no time
On
the
and continued with, the leading
division.*
The
by which
route
the troops
marched was over a
gradually ascending towards the Sierra Nevada.
day of
their departure
During the
first
from Puebla, the country through which
they passed, was of great natural beauty and

well- watered,
rolling road,
fertility.
and bore evidences of the most careful
It
was
cultivation.
In the midst of the magnificent estates before them, were to be

seen the haciendas of wealthy proprietors,
each with
its
embosomed
in foliage,
appropriate chapel gleaming white through the trees,
and surrounded by the numerous habitations of the labourers.
Upon
the
left, at
the distance of
many
miles, though seemingly
close by, rose high, clear, distinct, and sharply defined in the pure
atmosphere of the mountains, the mighty summits of Popocatapetl
and Iztaccihuatl, clothed densely around
the dark verdure of forest trees, but
snows
tains,
their bases with
crowned with everlasting
while nearer yet, and between the road and the moun-
were
to
be seen the ruins of the pyramid of Cholula, the only
vestige remaining of the p()})uIous city of the Aztecs, which in the
days of Cortez numbered two hundred thousand
souls.
During the morning of the second day, the face of the country
began
to
wear
gradually grew
more rugged aspect
less,
the signs of cultivation
and, after passing a few miles beyond the
vil-
lage of San Martin, terminated altogether.
The
road
now became
*
wilder,'
winding about and over a suc-
Scott's Official Despatches, No. 31.
-^î
-1
ARRIVAL AT THK VALLF.Y OF MEXICO.
357
cession of mountain ranches, each highor than the clnor, until
reached at Rio Frio
Here
tlie
resistance,
of
abandoned
have been met by a formidable
to
and such had evidently
at
one time been the intention
some cause
but, from
or other, the design
had thrown up a few breastworks, and
after tliey
it
greatest elevation.
advance expected
Mexicans
tlu'
its
was
felled
a considerable quantity of timber.
From
the time of leaving Puebla until they reached Rio Frio
a distance of about
gaining
miles
fifty
in ascent, so that they
dred and twenty-two
But they were soon
eller.
then
first
now
above
feet
one hundred and twenty-two
by one of the
the
former
tlie
feet
troops had been constantly
stood two thousand nine hun-
be compensated
to
city,
for the toils of the
few miles further was a sudden turn of the road, and

burst
upon the astonished
vision, with the splendour of
an enchantment, the glorious valley of Mexico
traversed by
haciendas, and
streams
silver
the
clothed with
dotted with lakes,

many
in extent,
of them extinct vol-
canoes, green with forests or white with eternal snow,

barriers, rising
rich
villages,
whole enclosed by an amphitheatre of
mountains hundreds of miles
mountain
march
loveliest sights that ever greeted the eyes of a trav-
verdure
and
and ten thousand
above the level of the ocean.
beyond them and blending
with other
in the far dis-
tance, with the soft blue sky above.
On
the lOth, the leading division
encamped
the base of the mountain, surrounded on
all
sides
for the night at
by the enemy's
scouts.
The next day, Twiggs reached

capital.
On
Here he halted
until th(> other divisions
came
tlie
up.*
the 12th, the different divisions, as they approached the base
of the mountains,
drew more
division halted at
five
Ayotla, fifteen miles from
closely towards each other.
Ayotla, and Worth's
Twiggs's
at the village of
Chalco,
miles distant across the lake in a straight line, but double

*
Letter to the
New York
Courier.
353
that distance
camped
by the road
between Twiggs and Worth were en-
and Quitman.
the divisions of Pillow
The National
Vera Cruz Road, by which the troops had
or
hitherto advanced, is approached
margin of Lake Chalco, and

on and
to the right, is
at
The road
capital, rises the lofty
mound completely
Road, and had been
had been made so by

different calibres
causeway running
midway between Ayotla
or about
mound
side
commands
the National
and repaired with the greatest care
was inaccessible by
Batteries
art.
" This
called El Penon.
enfilades and
fortified
One
by Santa Anna.
is
boggy grounds.
At a distance of seven miles,
hill or
by the
portion of the space intervening between the
lakes by marshy and
and the
at Ayotla,
left
bounded by Lake Tezcuco, which extends
to within three miles of the city.

for a considerable
on the
a distance of seven miles further
mounting
had been placed on
twenty-four feet wide and ten deep,
its
guns of
in all fifty
and a deep ditch
sides,
filled
nature, the rest
with water, had been
cut connecting the parts already surrounded
by marshes."*
Such was the information gained by a reconnoissance of the

work, which was decided
to
be impracticable, and a second
re-
connoissance was directed, the next day, the 13th, upon Mexicalcingo, a village at a fortified bridge across the canal leading from
The
Lake Xochimilco.
reconnoitring party, consisting of the
regiment of Mounted Rifles and three companies of cavalry

about four hundred
to the left,
city,
men
batteries on the hill
in all
discovered aroad leadingfrom Los Reyes
and followed
when they were
its
windings
halted by
until within five miles of the
coming suddenly upon
which commanded the road.
five
strong
Rapidly coun-
termarching, the party quickly discovered that in avoiding one
danger they had
laid
El Peiion, with
its
themselves open to another

three tiers of works,
cannon, lay directly between them and

*
Letter to the
Is'evv
York
and
still
its
tlieir
Courier.
more
terrible.
fearful array of
camp
at Ayotla,
DESCRIPTION OF THE MARCH.
3.'J9
Expecting every instant an attack, they clashed fonvard

utmost speed, and arrived safely
at
camp
reconnoissance was pronounced
brilliant
at tlieir
This
about midnight.
liy the
General-in-chief
"the boldest of the war."*
Of
the route
Secretary of
"
It
by Mexicalcingo, General Scott thus wrote
War
might have been easy
passage
masking
the
Penon
but, on the other side of the bridge,
to the
found ourselves four miles from

flanked to the right and
difficulties, closely
this
viewed, threw
to force the
road on a narrow causeway,
by water
left
we should have
me
or
boggy grounds.
l)ack
upon the
Tiiese
project, long
entertained, of turning the strong eastern defences of the city,
passing around south of Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco
by
at the foot
of the hills and mountains, so as to reach San Augustine, and
hence
manoeuvre on hard though much broken ground
to
to the
south and south-west of the capital, which has been more or less
under our view since the 10th instant."!
The
attempt, therefore, to advance
by the National Road was
abandoned, and the strength of the defence upon and near the
Acapulco road was now
be tested.
These consisted of San
Antonio, Contreras, and Churubusco.
Reversing the order of
to
march, Worth's division now took the lead, Pillow and Quitman
followed, while the division of
remaining one day longer
movement
at
Twiggs brought up
Ayotla, in order to
as long as possible,
the rear, after
mask
the
new
by threatening the Peiion and
Mexicalcingo.
On
the 16tli,
the village of
Twiggs commenced
Buena
described
"
On
Upon reaching
number
the skirmish
of five thousand
by
a force
men, under
and subsecpient march
is
tiius
our
*
march.
Vista, he found his train threatened
of cavalry and infantry to the
General Valencia
his
left
were large
Letter to the
New York
fields
of half-grown barley, through
Courier.
t Oflicial Dcspatclies.
360
which was seen advancing

It
was
the
in
splendid order the enemy's column.
most splendid sight
The yellow
had ever witnessed.
cloaks, red jackets and caps of the lancers, and the bright blue
and white uniforms of the infantry, were most beautifully contrasted with the green of the barley-field.
line of battle
was
we deployed through
the grain to turn their
and cut them off from the mountains.
A few shots, however,
soon formed, and

left,
Our
from the battery, showed them that they were observed
termarching in haste, they
Thus ended
our fight of
Buena
Vista.
left their
dead on the
field.
That night we stayed
at
and coun-
Chalco.
" The next day we made a long and toilsome march over a
through which, with the utmost
road,
horrible
difficulty,
we
dragged our wagons, by the assistance of both men and mules.
The next was
nearly the same, except that the road,
was worse than
before, as the
large stones, rolled
The
down from
possible,
if
Mexicans had blocked
it
up with
the neighbouring hills."*
route thus laboriously traversed, lay on the
left,
along the
base of a mountain range, whose sides, often precipitous, would
have afforded an enterprising enemy frequent opportunities of

annoyance, or the road
structed
might have been
by blocking up the way with rocks
summits of the
hills,
cure, and occasionally
The bed
of the road
land, and intercepted
had
to
effectually ob-
rolled from the
a task of easy accomplishment
right of the road, the
artillery
itself
for,
ground was frequently marshy and
bounded by
was covered with
be dragged by hand
was
the
inse-
the actual waters of the lakes.
loose rocks
by ravines, over which,
fatiguing in the extreme,
on the
toil
in
and rugged
many
places, the
and slow, and painful, and
by which these
difficulties
over a circuitous route of twenty-seven miles were at length sue

cessfully overcome.
On
the iSth, all the divisions
vicinity of
San Augustine and
Letter to the
were again concentrated
the
New
Acapulco road.
York Courier.
in the
CONCENTRATION UPON THE ACAPULCO ROAD.
361
Vera Cruz
or National
By changing
Road
to the
tlie
line of
march
rroiu llic
Acapulco road, the formidable defences of the Penon
and Mexicalcingo were avoided altogether
many
fortifications to
of thirty tliousand
proaches
American
to
be turned, or taken by
Mexicans
the capital
troops.
to
but there were yet
assault,
and an army
be routed before either of the ap-
would be open
to the
advance of the
CHAPTER
The Defences around Mexico
XXI.
National Road EI Peiion, Mexicalcingo AcaRoad; San Antonio, Churubiisco, and Contreras Toluca Road; El
Molino del Rey, Chapultepec Interior Defences Position and Force of the
Mexicans Movement of Worth's Division upon San Antonio Reconnoissances
across the Pedregal
Twiggs inarches upon Contreras Valencia's Fortifications
;
pulco
Indecisive Result of the Day Smith bivouacs the Village of Contreras

Perilous Position of our Troops Victory of Contreras.
in
The
defences of the three great roads which approach the city
of Mexico, were as follows
On
the
Vera Cruz or National Road, was the mound of El
Pefion with
that
its
mounted
three tiers of works, containing twenty batteries
fifty-one guns,
and commanding the causeway by

advance, and
which the Americans were expected
to
were
was
breastworks.
fifteen infantry
surrounded by a deep ditch
filled
It
As
at
there
to the left
was a road turning
Los Reyes, leading
from the
city, the
to a
defended by eight batteries

breastwork
and the
great, from the
and
left
to the right
by
seen,
the waters of
by marshy grounds.
off to the left of the National
causeway
approach
base
at its
we have
with water, while the causeway
beyond, though broad, was flanked
Lake Tezcuco, and
also, as
at
Mexicalcingo,
five
Road
miles
to the capital in that direction

for thirty-eight guns,
difficulty of
was
and one infantry
an advance beyond, was
causeway being narrow, and flanked
still
to the right
by water.
The movement upon
the capital
by the National Road,
either
storming El Pefion and following the direct route, or by passing

tlie
left at
Los Reyes and forcing the
batteries at
by
to
Mexicalcingo
362
DEFENCES OF MEXICO.
3()3
and the caiiscnvay beyond, was found too hazardous
to
attempt
with so small an army, and was tlierefore most wisely abandoned.
The Acapulco road was then
selected, as beinc^ protected
by de-
fences of somewhat inferior strength, and as affording a better opportunity for our troops to manoeuvre with advantage.
The defences upon
this road
were those of San Antonio, Churu-
San Antonio was a
busco, and Contreras.
village approachable
only in front by a causeway flanked by wet ditches or by
grounds, composing
difficult
the outskirts of a field of broken lava, called
the Pedregal.
Its
works consisted of seven batteries
two breastworks
sides
twenty-four guns, and
for infantry.
Churubusco was a strongly

all
for
by a high and thick
fortified
hacienda, surrounded on
wall, within
which was
also a strong
stone church.
In front of the hacienda, without the wall, and embracing two

sides of
it,
was a field-work mounting seven pieces
which commanded the approach
in all directions.
of cannon,
Besides these, at
a distance of five hundred yards, and directly across the causeway
by which
it is
approached, was a tete-du-pont, or bridge-head, at
the crossing of a canal
this
was defended by a deep
ditch,
and
mounted three large pieces of cannon.
To
the left of
was
miles,
San Augustine, and
distant from
it
about four
the hill of Contreras, a strongly fortified position
manding a
difficult
pass through which, by means of a cross road
through San Angel and Cuyoacan, the
fortifications of
nio mi"-ht have been turned, and those of Churubusco
ably approached.
com-
Upon
tliis
hill
San Anto-
more favour-
were twenty-two pieces of
cannon, surrounded by a breastwork.
On
the third approach to the
capital, the
Toluca road, where
of
the mountains most closely approach the city, were the works
Molino del Key, and the
The
first
4S
fortress of
Chapultepec.
consisted of the strong stone buildings of the
maga-
364
zine, called
" Casa
Mata,^''
and the foundry of Molino
del
Rey,
protected by a field-battery, the guns of Chapultepec, and infantry breastworks.
The second,
of the
military college, an
hill
of Chapultepec, crowned with the
immense building well
fortified
surrounded
base by a thick stone wall fifteen feet high, protected at
at its
different points
by seven
batteries
infantry breastworks
seven
which perforated the
mounting nineteen guns, and
and further defended by mines
hill in all directions,
and by broad and deep
wet ditches.
Such, then, were the exterior defences commanding
proaches
The
all
the ap-
to the capital.
interior defences, or those
more immediately round the
were of a slighter character, and consisted mainly of the
city,
narrow causeways flanked by water,
which breastworks had been
or
wet ditches, and upon
causeways were the Garitas, or small
these
At the head of
thrown up.
hastily
forts
immediately
protecting the entrance to the capital.
Of
the positions and force of the
Mexican
various works were to be defended,
tliese
troops,
we
shall
by which
now
take
occasion to speak.
General Valencia occupied the
hill
of Contreras with seven
thousand men, the best and bravest of the Mexican army.
corps of reserve, consisting of twelve thousand
the immediate
command
of General Santa
in front of the village of Contreras,
the
hill
men under
Anna, was stationed
an intermediate point between
of Contreras and Churubusco,
and so situated as
to
be
able to reinforce the one or the other as circumstances might

require.
Three thousand troops under General Bravo garrisoned San

Antonio, while at the hacienda and the tete-du-pont of Churubusco were from seven to nine thousand
On
men under
General Rincon.
the I8th, Worth's division and Harney's brigade of cavalry.
SAN ANTONIO.
reaching San Augustine, were thrown forward to reconnoitre
after
San Antonio, ami,
Advancing on
they found
tlic
if
it.*
the direct road to within a mile of that village,
commanded
tlie
heavy guns, which
approach through
tlie
at
whole length
route, t
Tlie approach
was by
a causeway,
marshy grounds, while on the

distance of five miles,
was
This singular
Pedregal.
flanked to the right by
extending
to the
mountains a
the field of volcanic rocks called the
field is in
found cut up
tliese is
left,
shape an irregular oval
it is
by patches of dense chaparral, and on pass-
skirted occasionally
ing
mask
possible, to carry or
front thoroughly fortified with
its
various angles
of
30")
directions
in all
by deep
ravines,
and
covered with huge masses of rock and rugged lava.
The Mexicans believed

attempt whicli miglit be
tion
but the
it
opposed an effectual barrier
made
to
any
to turn their position in that direc-
and daring reconnoissances of the iSth and
skiliul
continued on the morning of the 19th, proved, that by the exercise of great energy, perseverance,
and severe
toil,
the Pedregal
might be penetrated, and, by a semicircular sweep, the main road
beyond San Antonio be gained.
By
tlie
this
means, the double purpose would be
enemy's
position,
and cutting
ofifhis retreat
eflfected of
turning
towards the capi-
tal4
Meanwhile,
also on the 18th, another reconnoissance
was
order-
ed from San Augustine, the head-quarters of the Gencral-in-chief,

over the
left
of the Pedregal and at the opposite side from
Antonio, with the view of avoiding,

latter
mense
if
possible, the
works
San
at the
place (the assault of which would have involved an imloss of life),
and
at the
same time reaching Churubusco
through the villagesof San Angel and Cuyoacan by a road which
was known
to exist
beyond the Pedregal.
Worth's Onicial Report.

.<(oti's OHi.iiil
Despatch, No. 31.
t Ibid,
HISTORV OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
3C)G
In doing
this,
however, the entrenched camp upon the
Contreras would have to be carried by assault
posed
but as
it
hill
of
was sup-
be less capable of sustaining a defence than San Antonio,
to
this route, if practicable at all,
would be preferable
The reconnoissance continued over
when
a route
the
morning of the 19th,
was discovered, through which, however,
found that a road would have to be opened
was accordingly
Pillow's division
artillery.
to the latter.
it
was
passage of
for the
sent forward for that
purpose.
The
division of
Twiggs
arriving at
within two miles of San Augustine,
San Juan, a small
was ordered
The men were
cover the working parties.
village
the front to
to
directed to sling their
blankets across their shoulders, leave their knapsacks behind in the
wagons, and put bread and beef
From
this order
they
knew
for
two days
that a battle
in their haversacks.
was impending
and
though somewhat fatigued already with a rugged march of seven

miles, they
The
met
the requisition with their accustomed alacrity.
distance they had yet to
road,
march before reaching
tlie
was nearly seven miles more, a considerable
San Angel
portion of
which lay through thick chaparral, and over loose rocks and lava,
intermingled with prickly pear and cactus, and cut up bv deep
ditches and ravines.
About two o'clock P. M., Smith's brigade reached

of a
dragging with
hill,
it
the
summit
Magruder's batteiy of three pieces, and
two mountain howitzers, under Lieutenant Callender, when even

the boldest of the advance were suddenly startled at finding themselves within
the
hill
Now
two hundred yards of Valencia's
it
was
that the great strength of the
distinctly visible.
calibre,
front
fortifications
upon
of Contreras.
Twenty-two pieces of
commanded
and
to tlie left,
" The camp and
the road,
was
Mexican works became
artillery,
mostly of large
between which and
tlie
works
in
deep and almost impassable ravine.
ravine were closely defended by masses of infan-
BATTLE OF COXTROLAS.
try,
367
and these again supported by clouds of cavaliy
hovering
new,"*
in
at
hand and
while between Contreras and Chxirubusco,
and within supporting distance of both, was the reserve of rwelve

thousand men, imder General Santa Anna.
From an elevated
position in
San Augustine, many of the move-
ments of the enemy beyond the volcanic
ainly
field c
seen, and at an earlier hour heavy reinforcements Laviiig been
"~r Contreras from the capital, Cadwalader's
discovered ar
brigade was
rward to support Riley, and Pierce's
gade was subsequently despatched
to sustain
Without pausing upon the eminence from which the

tions
bri-
Smith.!
fortifica-
had been discovered. Smith ordered the baneries forward,
and threw out the Rides
to protect
them.
The enemy's
were soon driven in, and the batteries dashed past

a severe
fire
from the
at
pickets
a gallop under
Gaining a position about four hundred
hill.
yards from the Mexican works, Magruder and Callender opened

their fire
cision
and
but though the pieces were served with wonderful prerapidit}",
they were opposed by so great a superiority,
both in the number of guns and weight of metal

against five
that the contest
was
maintained with any hope of success.

lapse of
two hours, during which,
our troops threw themselves

balls,
and then sprang up
withdrawn, with the loss of

killed
twenty-two
too unequal on our side to be
at
Accordingly, afrer the
every discharge from the
upon the ground,
flat
to avoid
to serve the guns, the batteries

fifteen artillerists
hill,
the
were
and thirteen horses,
and wounded. +
During
this
time repeated charges of lancers had been
re-
pulsed both by Smith's brigade supporting the batteries, and by

the
Second Brigade, under Riley.
In attempting to gain the San Angel road in the rear of the
Sc:-
"
Ke:
Letter to ibe
A. No.
?
New
New York
31.
Orleans Picarane.
Courier.
363
enemy, Riley became separated from support by the
two
position,
Taking advantage of
ground.
character of the
Mexicans
or three thousand
sallied
his
difficult
isolated
out from the
camp, and threw themselves between him and Smith's brigade

a large body of cavalry also bore
down upon him
charges, while the reserve of Santa
upon
Anna was
in
two successive
discovered closing
his rear.
Notwithstanding the perilous array thus opposed to him, Riley,
though
hemmed
in
on
all
sides, gallantly
maintained his ground,
beat back both the infantry and cavalry, and by a series of well
conducted manoeuvres, executed
in the face of the
enemy, suc-
ceeded, late in the evening, in joining Smith's brigade
at the
village of Contreras.
In the meanwhile the General-in-chicf had arrived upon the
ground
and observing, from an eminence overlooking the
of battle, that large reinforcements of the
field
enemy were advancing
from the city by the road which, passing through the villages of
San Angel and Contreras, led

Morgan's regiment, the 15th,
ras,
to the
and the brigade of Pierce,
to follow
and sustain Morgan.
were already moving
entrenched camp, he ordered
push forward and occupy Contre-
to
just arrived from
The brigades
in that direction,
San Augustine,
of Smith and Riley
and Cadwalader's brigade,
despatched at an earlier hour ui)on the same point, was found

already in position, though
For the
first
much
close, the General-in-chief,
and, as the day was drawing to a
accompanied by General Twiggs, who
was disabled from following
his division, returned to
leaving General Smith in
On
need of assistance.*
time in the history of the war, no impression had
been made upon the enemy
tine,
in
command.
approaching Contreras, that active
immense
reserve of Santa
San Augus-
officer
Anna forming on
Scott's Official Despatch, No. 31.
discovered the
the slope on the
BATTLE OF CONTRERAS.
Opposite side
of
tlie
and
villniie,
Cadwalader, already there and
369
thrcutoning the
brioade
of
in position.
" The village lay entirely on the other side of the main road,
and was divided from it by a small stream running through a
deep ravine.
On
the road,
and between
it
and the stream, was
a garden and house surrounded by a high and tolerably strong

stone wall.
The
village
was
intersected by narrow lanes lying
between high dikes enclosing gardens
the
full
of trees and shrubbery
lanes afFortling cover and the trees concealment for the
men.
In the centre stood an old stone church."*
Forming Cadwalader's brigade on
the outer edge of the village,
flanked on the right by the 3d infantry and Rifles, Smith occupied

the church with the Engineer
took up
its
avenue and the
rear.
The enemy now formed

front, the
company, while the 11th regiment
position in the garden on the road, to protect that
opposite in two lines, the infantry in
cavalry in the rear and about ten thousand stronff.
Riley's brigade having arrived in the
mean
time. Smith deter-
mined upon an immediate and energetic attack
but the troops
were disengaged from among the ravines and chaparral with so
much
difficulty, that
it
grew dark before
perfected, and the design
his order of battle
was
was abandoned.
The men now bivouacked
for the night.
The brigades
of Smith
and Riley occupied a narrow road running through the centre of

the village, while
Cadwalader resumed
brigade of Shields, which
came up
his former position.
later in the
The
evening, lay in an
orchard near by.

But. sleep visited not the eyelids of the
weary troops on
that
eventful night, for the indecisive result of the day
by prospects gloomier
still.
was succeeded
They were surrounded by a force of
eighteen thousand Mexicans, within range of the batteries upon

the
hill
of Contreras, completely cut

*
ofl"
from
Smith's OfTicial Report.
all
reinforcements,
370
antl
without even the possibility of hearing from General Scott,
whose messengers, repeatedly despatched across the Pedregal,

returned, one after another, foiled
and the
by the darkness of the night
difficulties of the route.
To add to the discomfort of their situation, the

The rush of waters choked up the bed of
rents.
Drenched and benumbed, they sprang
they lay.
huddling closely together, awaited
witli
rain
fell
the road
in tor-
where
to their feet,
and
desperate resolution the
events of the morrow.*
But while the

they were
by whom
now
success of the day, the terrible storm by which
and the threatening aspect of the enemy
they were surrounded,
of despondency
their
ill
assailed,
drooping
all
contributed to infuse a feeling
among the troops, an unexpected
spirits
discovery stirred
with hopeful animation.
route, barely practicable for infantry,
had been found by
Lieutenant Tower, of the Engineers, leading from the village

through a ravine to the rear of Valencia's
fortifications
and Smith
upon the daring project of carrying them by
instantly determined
storm.
Dangerous as the execution of this design was, while

in
by masses of
become
enemy's
the
the assailants,
it
was
troops,
who might
at
instantly acquiesced in
hemmed
any moment
by
his subor-
dinate officers, and Smith had actually matured his plans before
the arrival of Shields,
That brave
officer,
though then the senior upon the ground, and,
as such, entitled to the
command,
right to interfere, but took
not only delicately waived his
upon himself the perilous duty of hold-
ing the village against the overwhelming force of the
enemy posted
opposite, and of cutting off the retreat of the fugitives in the event
of Smith proving successful.
The plan
of attack having been arranged. Captain Lee, of the
Engineers, volunteered to cross the Pedregal,
Letter to the
New York
Courier.
for the
purpose of
BATTLK OK CONTRKHAS.
371
made from San
requesting that a powerful diviTsion might bo
Augustine upon the
works, while Smith assaulted
front jf the
tliem in the rear.
The hour
when
tlie
M. had been agreed upon
of three A.
the troops should
marrh eommenced
move forward
the hour
at
as the time
but, tliough
to the attack;
appointed,
was near day-
it
light before the head of Cadwalader's brigade succeeded in get-
ting out of the village.
Riley's brigade led, followed by that of Cadwalader, while
Smith's brigade brought up the
The
rain
still
fell,
and
it
rear.
was
so
dark that the
men were
re-
quired to keep touch of each other, to prevent their going astray.
The path was narrow, and
the ground a
tfie
stiff"
muddy
clay
full
com-
necessity of advancing by a ilank which extended the
mand
Eventually, however, the troops suc-
to thrice its length.*
ceeded
in attaining a point of the ravine
posed possible to reach

until those
halted
tfie
of
march were greatly enhanced by
rocks, and the difficulties of the
rear of the
closed up.
beliind
from which
enemy;
It
the
it
was sup-
advance then
was now about
four
o'clock on the morning of the 20th.
Forming
brigade
in
in line, tlie
They were
right, the
and, with Riley's
march recommenced.
yet about a quarter of a mile from the enemy's
Wending
camp.
wet loads were drawn
two columns on the
their
way through
gether witli the darkness,
a thick orchard, which, to-
efrectually concealed
their apjiroanh,
they debouched into a deep ravine which, running within
hundred
yartis of the
tlie flatteries,
Up
to this
rant of the
Prepared
to
have
work, led directly
feeing screened from tliem
bv an intervening
was evident
was
time
it
movement which
for,
relied
49
that Valencia
hill.f
utt(Mly igno
so seriously threatened his position.
and anticipating only an attack
in front,
he seems
upon the vigilance of the main army stationed
.Smiili's OfTicial Flcport.
five
in rear and out of sight of
t Ltiicr to the
N"W York
Courier.
in
372
any demonstra-
front of the villa<(e of Contreras, for intercepting

tion
which might be made upon
his
Flushed with the
rear.
temporary success he had gained on the preceding evening, he
among
distributed promotions
impatiently awaited the renew-al of the attack, in

tliat
confidence
full
from so small a body of assailants, operating without either
tiller}^-
was nothing to
or cavalry, there
But he was soon

in
and
his officers with a lavish hand,
to
fear,
ar-
and everytliing to hope.
be sternly undeceived.
With
celerity
and
profound silence, the gallant Riley drew up his noble brigade
just
under the brow of the
hill.
The entrenched camp was upon another and

eminence,
in front of the
from the crest of the
lower
rather
one upon which our troops
now were
smooth slope descended directly
latter a
to
the work.
The
position of Smith's
Riley's brigade
was under
command was now
the
brow
of the
Valencia's camp, and awaiting the
walader was pressing forward
to
hill
facing the rear of
command
changed the march of
support Riley.
his
command
body of Mexican cavalry discovered on the
Ransom, with
left
to
in the
a temporary brigade sent from
of the works, to divert the attention of
point
of
attack.
tlie
meet a large
San Augustine
enemy from
was ready, gave
all
in front
the medi-
These arrangements were completed
about sunrise, and then Smith, walking slowly up
gade and finding
same
Hank.
under the guidance of Captain Lee, crossed the ravine
tated
Cad-
storm.
to
Major Dimmick with Smith's brigade, following

direction,
follows:
as
the
to Riley's bri-
word of command
"Men, forward!"
In an instant, with a wild fierce yell, they sprang
over the brow of the
a deadly
fire
to
protected the storming-party by throwing
in
upon the
forward to participate
and dashed
thrown forward
hill
the foot of the slope,
the
u]i
startled
Rifles, previously
enemy, and then
in the assault.
gallantly rushed
BATTLE OK CONTKKRAS.
The Mexican
fire
oversliot the storiucrs,
couhl be depressed, the
men clambered
37:1
and, before
tlie
pieces
over the earthen parapet
with deafening cheers, and attacked the garrison hand to hand.
Intermingled with the
brief but terrific conflict ensued.
and the crashing blows from musket and
the clash of swords
Valencia himself suddenly
stocks could be ilistinctly heard.
rifle
firing,
com assaulted
disappeared, whi-le his officers and men, taken by surprise
pacted together into a confused struggling mass

their midst, in front
and
in
one and the same moment
in rear at
were perfectly paralyzed, and sulfered themselves

pieces with dreadful
by one
be cut
survivors, unabl(>
to
to
impetuous avalanche of intrepid Americans, animated
resist the
as
slaughter, while the
to
heart, threw
to flight in all
down
their
arms
Some
directions.
in vast
numbers, and took
fled to the
mountains, others
across the Pedregal, and others again, in the direction of Contreras
jammed up
Five hundred fugitives
and San Angel.
narrow pass, were headed by
in
men, and surrendered them-
thirty
selves prisoners of war.
The road was
literally
strewn with the dead and dying
did the pursuit pause until
San Angel, from the

So
fierce
fire
it
Mexican
of the
had been the
the
had been captured, and
During the storm of the
mand had
Rilcv.
not
been
hill,
idle.
and
its
brunt of the action
in that brief
space of time
defenders completely routed.
the other portions of Smith's
com-
Cadwalader had ably supported
Smith's brigade under Major
Dimmick met
body of Mexican cavalry, and drove them

bavonet
nor
reserve.
assault, that the
lasted only seventeen minutes,

fort
received a check, near the village of
at
the
the large
jioint of the
then, turning back, rushed up the slope in front of the
work, and
fell
upon the enemy outside,
just as he
was escaping
from Riley's furious attack from the rear.

In the
mean
time, completely deceived by
ments of Smith and Shields, the
tlu-
Mt>xican
masterly arrangereserve
remained
perplexed and inactive before the village of Contreras, until the
HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAB.
374
disastrous defeat of Valencia compelled
it
back upon San
to fall
Arfêl and Churubusco, leaving Shields at leisure to cut off the
numbers of whom, coming under
fugitives,
Carolina regiment, broke
among
in utter despair,
victory being
achieved
before
ordered back to their former positions

in front
divisions
so
appropriate
lately
moving
is
killed
San
from Contreras through San

it
in the rear.
and
results were,
Its
its
his
for the
seven hundred of
eight hundred and thirteen taken prisoners,
among whom were

Guadalupe
to attack
American nation indebted
the
great victory of Contreras.
enemy
Worth
were
and bravery of General Persifor F. Smith and
intrepid subordinates,
the
sight, they
in
by Smith, but now each under
led
commander
the skill
and took refuge
with his whole force, while Pillow's and Twiggs's
Angel and Cuyoacan, approached

'J'o
of the South
detachments from
the
Worth's and Quitman's divisions arrived
Antonio
fire
and ravines of the Pedregal.
the rocks
The
away
the
four generals
Salas, Mendoza, Garcia, and
eighty-eiglit inferior officers
many
colours and
standards, twenty-two pieces of brass ordnance, thousands of
small arms and accoutrements, an

shells,
immense quantity
of shot,
powder, and cartridges, besides seven hundred pack-mules
and many horses.*
Our
fifty
loss
men
Among
officer killed,
and one wounded, and about
and wounded.
the ordnance captured,
4th artillery
By
was one
killed
were the two guns
but without dishonour
at the battle of
a singular and pleasing coincidence, these were
by Captain Drum, of
nised
the
same regiment, and
of their recovery so exhilarated the spirits of the
command,
that
affection
first
long mourned as
lost,
but
Vista.
recog-
the tidings
men under
they sprang rapturously forward, and,
deafening cheers, caressed and embraced them
by the
lost
Buena
as objects of
now suddenly and unex-
pectedly restored.
Scott's Ofiicial Report.
his
amidst
t Letter to the
New York
Courier.
r.
i-;.
-.IN.
iEUsiFt:i;
siaith.
CHAPTER
Contrcras
San
Antonio
Worth's
XXII.
Operations on the 20ih
Topography of the
Advance on
Baitie-Grounds of Contreras, San Antonio, and Churubusco
'I'lie
Description of the Mexican Defences at

Operations of Twiggs Terrible Position
Shields upon the Mexican Reserve Bravery of
Churubusco Scott's Plan of Battle

Churubusco The Battle commenced
Attack of
Gallant conduct of the New York and Soutli Carolina Regiments
Mexican Defence of San Pablo The Deserters San Antonio forced and
turned by Worth His advance upon Churubusco Storm of the Tete-du-Pont
Effect of Duncan's Battery Siorm and Surrender of San Pablo The Mexicans
Points Daring Charge of Harney's Dragoons Result of the Vicrouted
tory Mexican and American Loss.
of Taylor's Battery
the ^Mexicans
at all
Viewed
tive of the
in every aspect, the victory of Contreras
most important consequences
was produc-
American
to the
array.
It
was
It
cut the line of the enemy's defences, and rendered no longer
mattT
the
first
victory gained in the valley of Mexico.
of doubt the advance of our troops upon Churubusco;
the only remaining exterior defence, and the last obstacle pro-
tecting the
causeway by which the Garitas,
or small forts at the
gates of the city, could be easily approached.

It
broke
down
the confidence of the
Mexicans
in the
strength
of their fortifications, by exhibiting in the most impressive
ner their inability to successfully defend them, and

the spirit of the Americans, to
whom
the
change of
it
route, from the
National to the Acapulco road, had been ominous of the

ties
by which they were
beset,
and upon
whom
on the 19th before both San Antonio and the
the
hill
man-
reinvigorated
difficul-
check received
of Contreras,
was
calculated to conjure up the most fearful presentiments of evil,
while
it
encouraged the enemy
to
increased exertions.
375
376
While the operations which led
to the indecisive results of the
afternoon of the 19th, were going on over the
Worth, on
his
of the Pedregal,
already related, were
crowned with success, by the discovery of a dubious
at length
the
left
was pushing vigorously
field,
we have
These, as
reconnoissances.
route, over
which
main road
to
San Antonio
of
same
the right of the
was hoped
it
that
by a semicircular sweep,
Churubusco might be gained, and the
left in
batteries
the rear.
But though San Antonio might possibly be thus
effectually
turned by the infantry, the advance of the heavy ordnance com-
posing the siege train was opposed by obstacles on both sides of

the Pedregal,
which were almost
Antonio was, therefore, ordered

short
if
to
not entirely insuperable
be forced,
and excellent road would be open
as,
by
its
San
capture, a
to the artillery.
Accordingly, on the morning of the 20th, Wôrth's detachment
was countermarched from

his
the neighbourhood of Contreras,
two divisions being again concentrated near each
and
other, the
movement upon San Antonio commenced.

In order to fully understand the operations of the American
troops, on the 19th
and 20th of August,
it
must be borne
San Augustine, the head-quarters of General
that from
in
mind,
Scott, a
road swept round the skirts of the Pedregal in an almost continu-
ending
ous
circle,
To
the right of
at
Churubusco, on the main road
San Augustine the road led
to
to the capital.
San Antonio, and
thence to Churubusco.
To
ended
the
left
tliere
after the
of San Augustine the road advanced to the Pedregal,

in a trail, or
mule-path, and again becoming wide
Pedregal was passed, tapped
lena road in front of the
hill
at right
of Contreras,
angles the Magda-
and from thence passing
through the villages of San Angel and Cuyoacan, also terminated

in tlie
main road
It will
at
Churubusco.
therefore be perceived,
opened by taking the works
tliat, if
the latter road could be
at Contreras,
the
object being to
SCOTT
roach Cliuiulnisco,
be attacked
it
PLAN OK BATTLE.
thf strong position of San Antonio need not

Or,
at all.
if
San Antonio could be taken
would not have been so necessary
But wlien Contreras

attack,
front
by
and
a
in
this
combined movement, the works of San Antonio
in
rear, so as to
open
Churubusco thus became the
advance the road on both
to his
good passage
means he would be enabled
have carried Contreras.

to
for his artillery.
approach Churubusco in
to
San Angel and Cuyoacan, and
by the causeway leading through
defence
or turned,
decided
the rear, through the villages of

front
to
luas taken, the General-in-chief
sides of the Pedregal, and ailbrd a
By
377
final
in
,San Antonio.
and most important point of
and, as a good road led from thence to the city,
heavily and continually reinforced from
tliat
it
was
quarter, besides re-
ceiving large accessions of fugitives from Contreras, subsequently
increased by the addition of fifteen hundred

nio, until within,
in front,
Mexican
the
and
tiie
force
Americans
and
in tlie
men
from San Anto-
rear of the hacienda, the field-work
tete-du-pont at the crossing of the canal, the
amounted
to
twenty-seven thousand men, while
in all parts of the field
numbered only nine
thou-
sand strong.
The work
at
Contreras being taken, those of San Antonio and
Churubusco were next

Accordingly,
to
be attacked.
at eight o'clock,
and Pillow, under the immediate

from Contreras
to
A. M., the divisions of Twiggs
command
of the latter,
marched
Cuyoacan, followed closely by the General-in-
chief in person.
At
this village,
one mile from Churubusco, and
treras, several roads
five
from Con-
meet, one of which, stretching off to the right,
leads to the rear of San Antonio, two miles distant.
At Cuyoacan, Scott arranged

sition of his force
was
his ])lan of battle,
Worth, already on the San Antonio road, was

in front, suj)ported
and the
disjio-
briefly as follows:
to
storm that work
by Cadwalader's brigade (Pillow's division),
378
which was directed
march from Cuyoacan and attack
to
it
simul-
taneously in the rear.
When
work was
the
two divisions were
carried, the
to unite
and press forward upon Churubusco, the distance of the

from San Antonio by the causeway being but
little
latter
more than two
miles.
In the
mean
time,
Twiggs was
move upon Churubusco, and
to
attack the works nearest to Cuyoacan.
These proved
to
be the
hacienda and convent of San Pablo.

Shields, in
command
of his
own brigade (Quitman's
and that of Pierce (Pillow's division), was

a third road further to the
left,
to leave
Cuyoacan by
Churubusco
cross the
enemy's right and
to attack the
his attention from the
movement upon
vour
to intercept the retreat
ca])ital
the city of
rear, divert
and endea-
the hacienda,
towards the
and,
river,
upon reaching the causeway between Churubusco and

Mexico, was directed
division)
of the garrison
from Churubusco, in the event of the attack upon that point

proving successful.
Quitman, with the remainder of
San Augustine
baggage
The
to
remain
at
trains.
mands upon
up by the march of
first,
at this point
" They consisted of a

a high
" Inside
com-
with Smith's brigade in advance supported
Riley's, soon reached the vicinity of
The works
their respective
the point indicated.
Twiggs moving
by
was
orders rapidly given to Pillow, Twiggs, and Shields, were
as promptly followed
by
his division,
guard the hospital, and the siege, supply, and
to
were of the most formidable description.
fortified
and thick wall on
the wall
was
all
hacienda which was surrounded

sides," forming a large square.
a stone building, the roof of which
and
higlier than the walls.
still
higher than the
was pierced with
San Pablo de Churubusco.
rest,
Above
all
this
was
and having a large
was
flat
a stone church,
steeple.
The wall
loopholes, and so arranged that there were
two
379
BATTLE COMMKNCF.D.
tiers of
men
rano;es of
ranojc
look
firino; at tlie
men
ruin<2: at
and phiced
same
They had
time.
tliey
the surrounding country, but at the
all
plunging;
upon
fire
(liflL'rent
once, and four ranks were formed on each
such a hei^-ht that
at
thus four
eould not only over-
same time they had a
us.
"Outside the hacienda, and
commanding
completely
the
avenues of approach, was a field-work extending around two

sides of the fort,
and protected by a deep wet
with seven large pieces of cannon.
the
It
This hacienda
two thousand men.
causeway leading
to the
ditch,
and armed
was garrisoned by about
is at
commencement
the
western gate of the
city,
of
and had
to
be passed before getting on the road.
" About three hundred yards
work had been

point where
it
built
by large
it
was
was therefore decided

of
full
at
The works were surrounded on every

were
corn-fields wliich
skirmishers, so that
the city,
field-
crosses a river, thus forming a " tete-du-pont," or
large pieces of cannon.
were
work, another
This also was very strong, and armed with three
bridge-head.
side
in rear of this
where a cross-road meets the causeway
to
difficult to
make
men, and extended
with
filled
make
the
enemy's
a reconnoissance.
It
the attack immediately, as they

for nearly a
mile on the road to
completely covering the causeway."*
Lieutenant Stevens, of the Engineers, having reported a onethe road leading up from
gun battery across

artillery
was detached
being met by
to turn
a vigorous
fire
it
by
its
left.
Cuyaocan, the
1st
This movement
from the work, Taylor's battery, sup-
ported by the 3d infantry, took up a position fronting the buildino-s
about the church.
The tremendous
fire
which immediately
opened from that quarter, indicated not only the presence of a

strong force of the enemy, but Uiat the works were more considerable than
had been
at first reported.
What was supposed
to
be a one-gun battery proved afterwards
* Letter to the
50
New
York. Courier.
380
have been the right salient angle of the fiold-wdik which flanked
to
the hacienda, and enfiladed the road to Cuyoacan, so that

the 1st artillery attempted to turn
front of the work,
and exposed
it,
when
they found themselves in
and plunging
to a terrible
fire
from the musketry, poured through the embrasures of the walls

beyond.
Gallantly standing their ground, they took such cover
as they could get, and picked off the
Mexican
infantry at the
loops whenever an opportunity offered.
Taylor's battery, though assailed by a most fearful

canister, musketry, round-shot,
officers,
and
shell,
fire
of grape,
which struck down two
twenty men, and thirteen horses, not only maintained
position, but, for
upwards of two hours, was served with a deand regularity which won the admiration of
structive precision
who witnessed
its
all
it.*
While Twiggs was thus
actively
engaged before the convent
and hacienda, Shields, on the extreme
left,
found his
command
confronted by the Mexican reserve, consisting of four thousand

infantry
and three thousand cavalry, drawn up
busco, and on the road towards the capital.

ble to outflank the
enemy, owing
ground occupied by the
latter,
in rear of
Finding
it
Churu-
impossi-
to the superior character of the
and Pierce's brigade being hard
pressed in consequence, Sibley's troop of 2d dragoons and the

Rifles,
both under
command
of Major Sumner, were ordered to his
support.
Shields
enda de
now withdrew
los Portales,
his
men, and under cover of the Haci-
determined
to attack the
enemy upon
his
front, t
From
the
this
time the battle gradually deepened
Mexicans seemed
at length to
the resolution of
have caught something of the
heroic spirit of their Spanish progenitors, and, animated by the
knowledge of their superior numbers, and confident

of their position, they kept up an incessant
*
Smith's
OfTicial Report.
fire
in the strength
of artillery and
t Shields's Oflaial Report.
381
"
THE DESERTERS.
and
.kouts of Iheir =..sailat.
Mnall a,ms, unlil the
wounded were ,lrowned
Then
,t
American so
York
The South Carohna and New
diers shone conspicuous.
whde forming
inLpidily a
fire
cr.cs of tl,e
the conlhet.
in the thunder of
courage of the
that the indomitable
was
regiments,
tl.c
for the charge,
as terrihle
as ever
the walls of
furU,er to the right, from
endured with urrllmchmg
man
San
witnessed *
I'ahio, tier
w We
above
t,er,
the conand from the steeple of

from the roof of the hacienda,
of
poured down such rapid volleys
vent, the enemy's infantry
Uie sound of Ureir

musketry, that for three hours,
continuous
Deadlier
firing
was one
roll.f
still
from the field-work

^vasthe service of the artillery
manned by deserters
Three of the pieces were
by the traitor Riley. Knowmg
from our own army, commanded
was an ignommious death,
taken the penalty of their crime
in advance.
that
if
and
countryin a victory over their own

that their only safety lay
oil,
picking
with the courage of despair,
men, these men fought
revenge, several of the American

with the malignity of private
subsequent period ol
whom they recognised, and, at a
officers
tire
battle, pulling
down
no less than
the white flag of surrender
three times.^
It
was about mid-day when
hour earlier Worth
commenced
the battle
his
became
An
general.
movement upon San Antonio.
Clarke, advanced up
The Second Brigade, under Colonel
causeway
ino-
to within five
otrto the
left,
the
stnkhundred yards of the works, and then
across the Pedregal,
by the route previously
rc-
and regained the road, a short

cmmoitrcd, turned the enemy's right,
and between it an.l Churubusco.
distance in rear of the village,
During
remained
this
Colonel Garland,
time the First Brigade, under
of the
Antonio, but masked by an angle
in front of
causeway from the

* Shields's Official
San
direct
Report.
fire
of the batteries.
t Letter to the
This position was
New York
Courier.
Ibid.
.'^82
assumed with a view
was opened
to a direct assault as
soon as Clarke's
fire
in rear.
But the enemy, already shaken by the
of Contreras, and
fall
fearful of beinf^ intercepted in his retreat, as soon as Clarke's bri-
gade threatened
his rear,
commenced
position, for the purpose of falling
intention, however,
was
precipitately evacuating his
back upon Churubusco.
partially frustrated
which Clarke dashed forward
to gain
Finding the Mexican garrison
in full
by the
possession of the road.
two companies of
retreat,
the 3d infantry, under Captains Morrill and McPhail, and
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel
furiously
advance portion of
der,
Scott, precipitated
upon the column and cut
com-
themselves
nearly in the centre, the
it
moving upon Churubusco, and
it
some two thousand
This
rapidity with
the remain-
strong, under General Bravo, retreating
upon Dolores.
As soon
moved
found
as Clarke
was known
to the assault of the

to
to
works
be engaged. Garland's brigade

in front, but, the
have already deserted them,
enemy being
passed quickly through,
it
and the two brigades were soon united and
in hot pursuit.
Approaching Churubusco, the hacienda and convent of San

advance and
Pablo were discovered
in
crowded with Mexican
troops.
yards to the right, and
still
further in advance,
or tete-du-pont, garnished with
Between
the
rear the
enemy was
to the loft of the road,
At a distance of three hundred
two a continuous
was
heavy guns and
line of infantry,
the field-work,
filled
with troops.
and on the
left
and
also seen in force, as far as the eye could
reach.*
Twiggs had already been engaged
when Worth,
for
upwards of an hour,
previously joined on the causeway by Pillow with
Cadwalader's brigade, arrived before Churubusco close on the

heels of the fugitives from
San Antonio.
Worth's
Official Report.
STORM AND SURRENDER OF SAN PABLO.
The whole
Worth's division, as soon as
of
was thrown
musket-sliot of the works,
with
exception of
tlie
The
moving
hitter,
marching by
within
to tlie right of the
to the assault in front,
and momentarily checked

try,
came
it
road,
6th infantry.
tlie
was exposed
to a ter-
and musketry, which raked the road
of grape, canister,
rible fire
383
advance, but the 5th and 8th infan-
its
a flank parallel to the road, drove the
skirmishers, and in defiance of a tremendous
enemy's
from the
fire
tete-
du-pont, dashed across the deep wet ditch surrounding the work,
carried
it
at the point of the
bayonet, and instantly turned the
captured cannon upon the hacienda and convent, before which
Twiggs was
still
hotly engaged.
Duncan's battery of
light artillery,
no longer exposed
metal of the tete-du-pont,
efTects of the heavier
the main road, and opened upon the
field
now
to the
galloped up
work surrounding San
" Seizing the prolongation of a principal face, in a space
Pablo.
of five minutes,
by a
fire
of astonishing rapidity, the
enemy was
driven from his guns in that quarter and the infantry from their
intrenchments."*
The
battery
Duncan's
was now directed upon
battery,
upon the San Antonio causeway
tery, further to the left
and
At
the convent.
tured guns of the tete-du-pont, were
all
time
Taylor's bat-
in front of the field-work
this
and the cap-
turned upon San Pablo,
and within half-an-hour from the storm of the trte-du-pont, the
enemy's
As soon
fire
visibly slackened
as this
under
this terrible
was perceived by Smith,
combination.
the 3d infantry, already
advanced under cover of some huts near the
right bastion,
was
ordered to charge; and, as soon as the brave fellows had partially

cleared the rarnparts by a
lessly over, led
when
by Captain
fire
J.
of musketry, they dashed daunt-
M. Smith and Lieutenant
Shei)pard,
the garrison, throwing out several white (lags, surrendered
themselves prisoners of war. General Rincon,

*
Worih's
Ofllcial Report.
its
brave cora-
3S4
mander, appearing
as a staff officer
balcony with Captain Alexander, just
at the
despatched by Worth to receive the surrender,
arrived within the works.
After the storm of the tete-du-pont, and the surrender of San
Pablo, that portion of the

Clarke's brigades, to the
way
enemy engaged with Garland's and

and
left
rear of the former work, gave
precipitately.
Still
further to the rear. Shields, operating against the reserve,
having determined upon an assault in

accordingly.
New
formed
front,
his
command
Selecting the Palmetto regiment as the base of his
York and 12th and 15th were deployed
line,
the
right,
and the 9th
to the left; the
to the
whole then gallantly advanced,
under a withering discharge of small arms, opening
As soon
they
came up and moving
was
observed to waver, the order to charge
steadily forward.
their fire as
as the
enemy
was given, and
the
naen rushed upon him with the bayonet, broke his ranks, and put
him
to
the rout, just as the fugitives from
Churubusco came
wildly up the road, closely pursued by the head of Worth's divi*
sion
All
was now
confusion.
The Mexican
their horses, fled panic-struck
their
arms by thousands,
cavalry, putting spurs to
while the infantry, throwing
either knelt
down by
away
the wayside, and
with uplifted hands prayed for quarter, or scattered with the speed
of fear in every practicable direction.
Harney's bold dragoons were
now
let
loose
upon the
fugitives,
and, galloping along the high road to the capital, sabring as

they went, dashed into the enemy's intrenchments at the very
gate of the city
fire
but this itopetuosity laid them open to a severe
of grape from one of the batteries in that quarter,
Major Mills, of the 15th infantry, a volunteer

killed.
Captain Kearney,
who
whereby
in the charge,
led the squadron, lost his left
Shielda's Official Report.
was
arm
RESULT OF THE VICTORY.
385
Captains McReynolds and Diipeiu Nvere severely wounded, and

several of the dragoons placed " /lors
Tims ended
American
same
to
troops, in three separate
field,
five
dti
comhaty
famous 20th of August, a day upon which the
the
and
distinct actions,
upon the
assaulted and signally defeated an
times their
enemy from
own number; captured no less than
three
three
strong positions, protected by ten batteries, jnepared for sixty-one
guns, and within which thirty-eight guns were taken, together

with an immense quantity of small arms and ammunition,
suffi-
cient to suj)i)Iy a large army.
In these actions the Mexicans sufTered a loss in killed and
wounded
ers
of three thousand two hundred and
two thousand
fifty
and
in prison-
and twenty-seven, among
six liundred
whom
were eight generals, and one hundred and ninety-seven subordinate officers.
The American
loss
was, in killed, sixteen
dred and twenty-three rank and

cers,
file
and
officers,
in
and one hun-
wounded,
and eight hundred and sixteen rank and
sixty
offi-
file.
But, though these brilliant events occurred within a few miles

of each other, the storm of Contreras and the turning of San
Antonio were but subordinate parts of the main action

busco.
a final
Here General Santa Anna concentrated

and determined resistance
Mexicans
pidity than
it
is
had been exhibited
battle
was indeed most
in
his forces for
all
but justice to the
on
botli sides
any previous engagement.
obstinate and bloody, and that a
at length
have been obtained over a
enemy, numbering from twenty-seven
men, by a
Churu-
strongest evidence that they fought with greater intre-
crowning triumph should

solute
and
to say, that, at this ])oint, the severe loss
affijrds the
The
at
to thirty
force of nine thousand Americans, exhausted
ing, marching,
and countermarching
for thirty-six
significant proof of the indomitable courage, enero-y,
verance by which the
latter
were animated.
re-
thousand
by
hours,
fightis
and perse-
CHAPTER
Scott's
Note
to
XXIir.
questionable
Anna The Reply Armistice
Mexican Commission Boundaries American
Santa
Peace Negotiations
Its
Policy
I'rojeci
Mexican Counter- Project Failure of Negotiations Infringements of Armistice
Warlike temper
of the
Mexicans Scott's Letter
to
Santa
Anna His Answer
Trial of the Deserters- Sentence and Execution.
After
the victory of
Chumbusco, and
American
wliile the
troops were hotly pursuing the discomfited enemy, Scott pro-
ceeded
to
Tacubaya, and established
his head-quarters in the
bishop's palace.
The next morning,
wliile
on his return
met by commissioners to propose a

promptly rejected
to
Cuyoacan, he was
truce, the terms of
which were
but, previous to this, an intimation having
been
received from reliable sources, that an armistice for the purpose

of opening negotiations for peace would be eagerly
Scott despatched from
Cuyoacan
the following note
Akmy U.
Head-Quarters, Army
S.
accepted
Amekica,
America,
/uyoacan, August 21, 1S47.

Ci
"To
his Excellency the President
1
J
and General-iii-chief of ihe Republic of
Mexico.
" Sir
Too much blood has already been shed
tural war between the two great Republics of

is
in this
unna-
this continent.
It
time that the differences between them should be amicably and
honourably
settled,
and
it
is
known
to
yotu-
Kxcellency that a
commissioner on the part of the United States, clothed with
powers
to that
3=i6
end,
is
with this army.
full
ARMISTICE.
<
To cnaMo
willin'i^ to
"
direct
the
answer
to this
on negotiations,
am
impatience until to-morrow morning
for a
mean
time,
communication, but
shall, in the
occupy such positions outside of the
deem necessary
I
to enter
sign, on reasonable terms, a short armistice.
shall wait with
seize and
"
two republics
3S7
to the shelter
have the honour
to remain,
spect, your Excellency's
capital as
may
and comfort of this army.

with high consideration and re-
WINFIELD SCOTT."
This
met with an immediate reply from
letter
the
Mexican
Secretary of War, in which he stated that the proposition for an

armistice with the view of an honourable termination of the war,
had been received with pleasure, by
his
Excellency the President
and Commander-in-chief, and that Brigadier-Generals Villamil

and Quijano, were appointed commissioners
to
agree upon the
terms of the armistice.
The commissioners subsequently appointed on

United States, were
Major-General Quitman,
Generals Smith and Pierce.
ment were drawn up, and,
the part of the
and Brigadier-
Shortly afterwards, articles of agree-
after
some
slight modification, received
the signatures of Generals Scott and Santa Anna.
The terms
of the armistice were as follows
" The undersigned, appointed respectively, the
first
three
by
Major-General Winfield Scott, commander-in-chief of the armies

of the United States, and the last two
nio
Lopez de Santa Anna, President
commander-in-chief of
were
August, 1847,
the
its
armies,
fully verified in the village of
to enter into
by
Excellency
I).
Anto-
Mexican Republic, and
met with
full
powers, which
Tacubaya, on the 23d day of
an armistice
Mexican government an opportunity

51
his
of the
for the
purpose of giving
of receiving propositions
388
of peace from the commissioners appointed by the President of

the United States, and
now
with the American army,
following articles were agreed upon
" Art.
1.
when
the
and absolutely cease be-
Hostilities shall instantly
tween the armies of the United States of America and the United
Mexican
States, within thirty leagues of the capital of the latter
States, to allow time to the
commissioners appointed by the Uni-
ted States and the commissioners to be appointed by the
Mexican
Republic, to negotiate.
"
2.
The
armistice shall continue as long as the commissioners
of the two governments
commander
the
may be engaged on
negotiations, or until
of either of the said armies shall give formal noarmistice for forty-eight
tice to the other of the cessation of the
hours after such notice.
"
3.
In the
mean time,
of the city of Mexico,
army
shall, within thirty
leagues
mili-
fortification or
or defence, or do anything to enlarge or
work of offence
tary
neither
commence any new
strengthen any existing work
or fortification of that character
within the said limits.
"
4.
Any
Neither army shall be reinforced within the same.
reinforcements in troops or munitions of war, other than subsist-
ence
now approaching
either army, shall be stopped at the dis-
tance of twenty-eight leagues from the city of Mexico.
"
5.
Neither army, nor any detachment from
beyond the
"
6.
line
it
at
it,
shall
advance
present occupies.
Neither army, nor any detachment or individual of either,
shall pass the neutral limits established
by the
last article,
under a flag of truce, bearing the correspondence
except
between the two
armies, or on the business authorized by the next article

individuals of either army, who
the neutral limits, shall,
off,
"
or
7.
sent back
to their
may chance
by the opposite
party, be kindly
own armies under
The American army
shall
not,
and
to straggle within
warned
flags of truce.
by violence, obstruct the
3S9
ARMISTICK,
passage from the open country into the city of ^ffxico, of

ordinary supplies of food necessary to the consumption of
Mexican army within
habitants, or the
Mexican
authorities, civil or military,
passage of supplies from the city or
the
city
do any act
tlie
its in-
nor shall the
to obstruct the
by the
country, needed
American army.
"
All
8.
American prisoners of war remaining
Mexican army, and not
the
hands of
in the
heretofore exchanged, shall
army, against a
like
number, having regard
immedi-
American
ately, or as soon as practicable, be restored to the

to rank, of
Mexican
prisoners captured by the Americ.an army.
"
of
All
9.
Mexico
American
citizens
who were
prior to the existing war,
established in the city
and who have since been
expelled from that city, shall be allowed to return to their
re-
spective business or families therein, without delay or inolestation.
"10. The
better to enable the belligerent armies to execute
these articles, and to favour the great object of peace,
it is
further
agreed between the parties, that any courier with despatches that
either
army
Mexico
shall desire
or its vicinity, to
to
send along the line from the city of
and from Vera Cruz,
shall receive a safe
conduct from the commander of the opposing army.

'<
11.
The
administration of justice between Mexicans, accord-
ing to the general and state constitutions and laws, by the local
authorities of the
forces, shall not
towns and places occupied by the American
be obstructed
" 12. Persons and property
in
any manner.
shall
be respected
places occupied by the American forces.
molested
in the
exercise of his profession
of any one be required without his consent.
No
in the
towns and
person shall be
nor shall the services

In
all
cases where
services are voluntarily rendered, a just price shall be paid, and

trade remain unmolested.
<<
13.
Those wounded prisoners who may desire
to
remove
to
390
some more convenient

tlieir
still
wounds,
place, for the })urpose of being cured of
be allowed
sliall
" 14. The Mexican medical

the
do so without molestation, they
to
remaining prisoners.
wounded
shall
who may wish
officers
have the privilege of doing
to attend
so, if their services
be required.
"15. For
the
more
perfect execution of this agreement,
two
commissioners shall be appointed, one by each party, who,
in
case of disagreement, shall appoint a third.
"
IC.
This convention shall have no force or
proved by
their Excellencies, the
commanders
efl'ect,
unless ap-
respectively of the
two armies, within twenty-four hours, reckoning from the
sixth
hour of the 23d day of August, 1847.

A. Quitman, Maj. Gen. U.
S.
A.
Persifor F. Smith, Brig. Gen.
Franklin Pierce, Brig. Gen.
Ignacio de
Mora
U. S.
A.
y Villamil,
Benito Quijano.
"A
true
copy of the
G.
W.
original.
Lay,
U. S. A.,
Military Secretary
to the General-in-chicf.''^
HEAD-QrAKTKRS
OF THE
Tacubava, August
" Considered, approved, and

standing that the word
^^
ratified,
ArMY
U. S.
23, 1847.
with the express under-
as used the second time, with-
supplies,''''
out qualification, in the seventh article of this military convention
American copy
shall
be taken to
mean
(as in both the British
and American armies) arms, munitions, clothing, equipments,

subsistence (for men), forage, and in general,
army.
Tiiat
word " supplies,"
in the
ously translated " viveres," instead
all
the wants of an
Mexican copy,
of"
is
errone-
recursos."
WINFIELD SCOTT,
General-vi-chief of the U. S.
A.''^
ARMISTICE.
391
[Translation.]
" Ratified, suppressing the ninth

fourth, to the
be observed
shall
it
efli^ct
that the
in the capital
sos
and that
it
armistice
this
and twenty-eight leagues around
and agreeing that the word supplies
and explaining the
article,
temporary peace of
be translated recur-
shall
comprehends everything of which the army may
have need, except arms and ammunition.
DE SANTA ANNA."
ANTOiNIO LOPEZ
" IlEAD-QrARTERS
Army
U. S. of America,
Tacubaya, August
"
24, 1847.
accept and ratify the foregoing qualification, added by the
President-general of the
Mexican Republic.
WINFIELD SCOTT."
<<
copy of the
true
G.
W.
original.
L.^Y, U. S. A.,
Military Secretary
to the General-in-cJneJ'.'''*
"Head-Quarters Army
U. S. of America,^
Tacubaya, August
"To
his Excellency the President
23, lt47.
and General-in-chief of the Mexican
Republic
<<
Sir
Under
a flag of truce, I send Lieutenant Semraes, of
the United States navy,
with such
officer as
cation of the
who
may be
will
have the honour
to
exchange
appointed for the purpose, the
military convention that
ratifi-
was signed yesterday, by
commissioners from the American and Mexican armies.
"
particularly invite the attention of your
terms of
my
ratification,
consideration
and
and have the honour
respect,
to
Excellency
to the
remain, with high
your Excellency's most obedient
servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT,
General-in-chief of the U. S. army.^^
392
[Translation.]
"National Palace
of Mexico,
August
"
have the note of your Excellency, of this date,
are pleased to say that Lieutenant
Semmes,
United States, will exchange, with another
23, 1847.
in
which you
of the navy of the
named
officer
for that
purpose, the ratification of the military convention which
was
signed yesterday by commissioners of the Mexican and Ameri-
can armies, and
calls particular attention to the
terms of the
rati-
fication.
" The most excellent President orders the undersigned
to say to
your Excellency, as he has the honour to do, that he orders

ratification within the
time agreed in the armistice
and he
is
its
also
charged to direct the attention of your Excellency to the terms of

ratification
"
by
his
Excellency the President.
have the honour
to be, &c.,
LINO JOSE ALCORTA,

Minister of State, and of
To
his Excellency, the General-in-chief of the U. S.
War and Marine.

Army."
The
policy of this armistice has been doubted
The
disorganization of the
the. battle
Mexican army was
of Churubusco, that
it is
well
known
pushing forward the same evening, might

tal,
by many.
so complete after
the Americans,
by
have entered the capi-
almost without resistance.
Whether
tliey
were in a condition
to
advance,
after the severe
fatigues of the 19th and 20th, or whether they could have main-
tained possession of the city with so
fences
still
many
of the surrounding de-
held by the enemy, are questions which have acquired
importance from the events that subsequently transpired, and the

diversity of opinions hitherto prevailing.
TIIK ARMISTICE.
QUESTIONABLE POLICY OF
To improve
a victory to
advantages that victory
offers, is at
bring an antagonist to terras

success, enables the
its fullest
enemy
extent,
all
393
by grasping
all
while, to stop short at the
the
way
to
moment
of
times the surest
to recover from the paralysis of defeat,
and but too often jeopards results which might otherwise have
been considered
certain.
The American army being then avowedly
in the
most favoura-
ble position at this time for entering, with comparatively small

loss, the city of
policy
Mexico, we incline
would have been
opportunity which
him no time
to
to
to the belief that the wisest
have pressed on,
enemy
the panic of the
to
have taken the
presented, and allowed
recover from his fears, and rally behind
new
de-
fences.
The adventurous Kearney, with

under his command,
the city
the small but daring squadron
did actually penetrate to the very gates of
and, had a sufficiently strong supporting force
rapidly upon
the heels of the fugitives, the small
number
moved
of de-
fenders behind the breastworks being operated upon by the pre-
sence of a victorious array, and their confidence weakened by that
vague but powerful sense of
overwhelming
terror,
which the experience of an
disaster so certainly creates,
would have soon given
way, and the network of obstacles, which subsequently compelled

the General-in-chief to advance
by a
different road,
easily cut through, perhaps the serious losses

befell the
American
being thus
which afterwards
troops before the Molino del
Rey and Cha-
pultepec, might have been avoided altogether.
reasons given by General Scott for offering an armistice
The
at this
juncture were.
First
that the
The
information of intelligent and disinterested men,
Mexican Government were prepared
to the project of a treaty of peace, amity,
to listen favourably
and lasting boundaries,
of which Mr. Trist, as the agent of the Executive of the United

States,
was known
to
be the bearer.
HISTORY OF THE MF.XICAN WAR.
394
Secondly: That
it
was
feared
if
was entered by
the cajiital
force
of arras and the government dispersed, a spirit of national desperation
would be engendered, and the hope of accommodation
indefinitely postponed.
Thirdly:
A humane
Mexicans from the
desire to shield the
crowning dishonour of beholding a victorious enemy
in possession
of the chief city of their republic.
The argument
of others
of the 19th and 20th

losses
and fatigue
to
left
marches and
that the severe
is,
battles
Americans too much shaken by
the
advance immediately
but, as they subse-
quently took possession of the city with only six thousand men,
after
storming the formidable heights of Chapultepec, and forcing
the well defended Garitas of
San Cosme and Belen,
questioned that the same result could have been
achieved
at a
time
eight thousand
when
it
cannot be
at least as readily
the effective force of the
army numbered
men, and while the causeway of San Antonio
comparatively open to their advance, the few troops
at that
lay
Garita
being already terribly shaken by the victory of Churubusco.

But, as the General-in-chief admits the ease with which the
capital
might have been taken on the evening of the 20th,
not be amiss to examine
how
far his
own
it
may
reasons justified either
the proposal or the acceptance of an armistice, taking into consideration the
commanding
avowedly within
There
neutrals
is
position he occupied, with the capital
his grasp.
no doubt that the American residents and intelligent
who cautioned General
cerely believed the
Mexicans
Scott against precipitancy, sin-
at length
desired peace
the interior line of defences surrounding the city

latter a further
means
still
obstinacy
but, as
of resistance, were time allowed them to
reunite their shattered forces, the sincerity of their
seeming rea-
taking view
characteristic
might well have been doubted.
diness to treat
afforded the
in
their
Every hour's delay was of eminent service
to
pride
and
them, by reviving
QUKSTIONABLE POUCY OF
unci
their droopino- courao-c,
new hopes
To
^^'^
TIIK ARMISTICF..
by infusing,
^vith
increase of numbers,
of eventual success.
danger,
ru^t
in their rear,
and
pregnant ^vith
Americans the pause ^vas
accessible at present, but by
chasing the avenues easUy
the
only by
safety.
tlireatening their future
lar<re\.odv oi the
enemy
^vas kno^vn to
too f.r
their reinforcements ^vere
how
regard was paid by the
little
articles of the armistice,
to
in their front
emergency; while
of an
back
by
the
be
be available in the event
it
enemy
was soon
to the
to
be shown
solemnly
ratified
Mexican population being seen
of breastworks, and
openly engaged in the erection
approaches to the
in various ways, the
in stdl iurther
city.
obstructing,
The
forcible entrance
of ^vhlch it
into the capital, the efTect
of peace, was also
prospects
was supposed would jeopard the
quiet that ensued was
subsequently made and the absolute
suffi-
dispersion
of the city and the
cient evidence that the possession
rousing the people to a more claof the government, so far from
the war,
of the further prosecution of
morous outcry
was
the
in favour
event which brought
first
their condition,
home
them
to
and seriously inclined them
the
to listen to
reality of
terms of
accommodation.
But, though the armistice
may have been
impolitic, there
is
not
Scott, in granting it,

reason to suppose that General
than that of the most exalted
was actuated by any other feeling
the Mexican people, proud,
tl,e sli'-htest
The
humanity.
obstinate,
forlorn situation of
proved themselves, could

and unreasoning as they had
not have been witnessed

spare them the last
by him without a
chivalric desire to
sight
and bitterest scene of degradation-the
whu^h
the very walls of a capital
enemy
wiU.in
heroic
had surrounded with so many
ancestors
the valour of their
imagined
Nor could his frank nature have easily
of a
victorious
associations.
seek to take
sense of moral obligation, as to
of tl^ conqueror, by using
advantage of the humane forbearance
them so
lost to all
52
396
the respite allowed them, not for the stipulated purpose of termi-
nating existing
difficulties
by an honourable peace, but with
the
treacherous view of improving the interval in strengthening themselves for a continuance of the war.
would have pushed on, regardless of the
sterner soldier
able condition of the
enemy;
as Scott did, and, in trusting to the honour of such an
would have found himself
will
it
we conducted
and
that
it
redound
manner deceived.
in like
perhaps, by a wiser policy, war

avoided,
piti-
humane one would have paused,
Mexico
w'ith
to the eternal
enemy,
Although,
miglrt have
been
honour of our country, that
agreeably to the dictates of an exalted humanity
we were ready
was prolonged by
the
at all
times to terminate a contest w'hich
indomitable
Mexican
obstinacy of the
people.
The
armistice, however, being ratified, the
were quartered
in different villages, within
American troops
supporting distance
of each other, leaving Mr. Trist, on the part of the United States,
to
open negotiations
for
peace with the Mexican government.
Accordingly, on the 25th of August, that gentleman wrote to
Mr. Pacheco, the Mexican Minister
him
for
Foreign
Affairs,
of his readiness to treat, and on the succeeding
answer that the Mexican commissioners, then
informing
day received
in the act of
being
appointed, would meet at the village of Atzcopozalco, on the
morning of the
rera,
"iTth
and, in accordance therewith, Generals Her-
Conto, and Villamil,
Don Miguel
Atristain,
and Don Jose
Miguel Arroyo, were accredited on the part of the Mexican government,
Negotiation
assumed by
their
the
now commenced,
but from the
Mexican commissioners, under
government,
America
with Mr. Trist, at the place designated.
to confer
it
lofty
attitude
the instruction of
soon became apparent that the peace which
so earnestly sought, could only be obtained
by
sacrifices
incompatible with her honour.
The preliminary
condition insisted upon by the Mexicans, that
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.
397
the treaty should be m;ule upon the basis that they
and were yet
had triumphed
in a situation to successfully prosecute the war,
might have been accorded by the United States with a smile of
weakness
contempt
for the
known
be utterly
to
at
that dictated an assumption so well
variance with the facts; but
when Mexico
refused to recognise the Rio Grande, which had been claimed by

the United States government as the boundary of the two republics,
and pertinaciously insisted upon the
tliough professing
between the two
line
herself willing to stipulate that the interval
rivers should
remain uninhabited, the impression
soon became general, that President Santa

armistice rather as a
Scott until he
of the Nueces,
means
Anna had
hailed the
of delaying the advance of General
was again prepared
to
oppose him, than as affording
an opening for the ratification of a permanent peace.

It is true that the
" project of a treaty," of which Mr. Trist was
the bearer from his government,
commissioners, and
counter-project
treat for
it is
was discussed by
the
Mexican
equally true that they offered in return a
but, as Mr. Trist
was clothed with no powers
peace upon any other terms than those stipulated
instrument he had been delegated to present,
it
to
in the
could hardly have
been supposed that he would assume the responsibility of altering

boundaries already
The
strictly
defined by his government.
question of boundaries involved a cession of territory by
Mexico
United States,
to the
for
which the
latter oflt;red
an equi-
valent in money.
These boundaries, as proposed by the fourth

ject submitted
line of the
by Mr.
Rio Grande
were as follows
That the boundary
at the
follow the middle of that river until
southern boundary of
to the
Trist,
two republics should commence
article of the pro-
New Mexico
western boundary
down
it
of the
reached the
thence west with that line
thence north
through the mouth of that river

California into the Pacific.
mouth
vvitli
the river Gila,
and
the middle of the Gulf of
39S
HISTOHY OF TIIK MF.XICAN AVAR.
By
the
this article
it
be seen that the United States demanded
will
acknowledgment of
the Rio
Grande as her
true boundary,
and required the cession by purchase of about ten degrees of

thinly inhabited territory, including within
ment
New Mexico
of
its
and Upper and Lower California.
addition to this, a free right of
way
for
In their counter-project the
commence
the
boundary
line of the
boundary
to the 37th
New
two republics
mouth of
with the middle of the latter river to
boundary of
article.
Mexican commissioners proposed
of Corpus Christi, thence to the
the eastern
In
ever across the isthmus of
Tehuantepec was demanded by a subsequent
to
limits the depart-
its
in the
bay
the Nueces, thence
source, thence west to
Mexico, thence north with that
degree of latitude, thence west
to tlie Pacific.
In other words, they claimed the disputed territory between the
Nueces and the Rio Grande, and declined ceding

of
New
of
Lower
Mexico, the southern portion of Upper California,
the
way
any
also declared their inability to grant a free
across the isthmus of Tehuantepec, on the plea that
Mexican government had, some years
of the
or
California.
The commissioners
right of
the greater part
power
to
do
so,
by granting a
this object to a private contractor,
before, divested itself
privilege with reference to
by whom
it
had been transferred,
with the authority of the Mexican government, into the hands of
English subjects, of whose rights Mexico could not dispose.

In an effort to adjust these differences, and finding the
commissioners resolute
in
adhering
to the
Mexican
boundary of the Nueces,
as the condition ''sine qxiavon'^'' of peace, Mr. Trist did eventually

so far depart from the letter of his instructions, as to offer to refer
the question of that boundary to his government, and to
the claim to
insisted
Lower
California altorether: but at the
upon the cession of
New
abandon
same time he
Mexico, and upon
this latter
point neither party being willing to yield to the other, the negotiations fell through.
WARLIKK TONE OF THE MEXICANS.
However
sincere the
399
Mexican commissioners may have been,
personally, in their efforts to promote a peace, the instructions
by
government was
far
which they were
fettered
showed
from desirous of participating
in
that their
such a
Perhaps, indeed,
result.
peace might have been obtained, had the United States been
willing to yield
all
to surrender the line of the
Nueces
tion
to
by
Rio Grande and
fall
back upon the
but such a retrogression, even had the Mexican proposi-
been referred by Mr.

his
and further agreed
the points of controversy,
Trist,
would never have been acceded
government.
But, long previous to the close of the armistice, the warlike
temper of the Mexican people had made

pendent of their almost undisguised
to the
city, the
in a protest in
Mexico would
Inde-
apparent.
efforts to fortify the
representatives of the states of
and Zacatecas united

city of
itself
approaches
Mexico, Jalisco,
which they asserted that " the
not allow the necessary freedom in
discussions and deliberations,
if
Congress should assemble
its
in that
city."
They declared
also, that
any arrangement made
foreign affairs, unless ratified by Congress,

tional,
and that
tiation then
their only
pending, was
motive
in relation to
would be unconstitu-
for protesting against the
to save the republic
"from
the
nego-
ignominy
of a treaty conclutled and ratified under the guns of the
enemy,
and on the day succeeding unlooked-for reverses."

In addition to this, a circular
was
sent
by the Secretary of State
Puebla and Mexico, exhorting the people
to the states of
whatever arms they could conveniently obtain, and by
to
grasp
fire
and
sword, and every oiher practicaljle means, endeavour to annihilate

the invaders.
Matters were
ber, the
now drawing
day before the
On
to a crisis.
failure
of the
ascertained, Scott addressed a letter to the

chief,
the 6th of
negotiations
Mexican
Septem-
was
fully
(n'neral-in-
complaining of repeated violations of the armistice, and
^00
threatening a resumption of hostilities, unless
full satisfaction
was
accorded before twelve o'clock of the following day.
To
this
Anna
General Santa
indignantly
replied in a letter of the
same
date,
denying the charges specified, and accusing his

This closed the
antagonist of similar infractions of the truce.
correspondence
on the 7th, the negotiations were
and both parties entered
declared to be abortive,
publicly
into active pre-
parations for the renewal of the war.
During the pending of the armistice, an event occurred which

produced emotions of painful regret among many of the Mexican
people.
This was the
army, taken
trial
arms against
in
of the deserters from the

their
own countrymen
American
at the
battle
of Churubusco.
These men,
after clandestinely quitting the colours of the
ted States, had enrolled themselves in the service of the
by whom they had been formed
Uni-
enemy,
two companies, under the
into
Riley, a
commanded by the notorious

man whose undaunted courage won the admiration even
of those
who abhorred
title
of the companies of St. Patrick,
They had fought long and
his treason.
desperately in the field-work before the convent of San Pablo,
and were not taken prisoners

fled,
and
their
until their
own ammunition was
Mexican comrades had
entirely exhausted.
At a general court-martial, over which Colonel Bennett Riley

presided, twenty-nine of these deserters were tried and found
guilty, sixteen of
San Angel, and

At
whom
four the
were hung on the 10th of September,
day following,
at
at
Mixcoac.
a subsequent general court-martial, of
which Colonel Gar-
land was president, thirty-six more were tried and convicted,

thirty of
whom
were also executed
at
Mixcoac, on the 13th of
September.
The remainder on
ber,
owing
commuted
to
both occasions, amounting to fifteen in
mitigating circumstances, had
to lashing
and branding
among
their
num-
sentences
the latter
was
the
EXECUTION OF THR
commander, Riley, wlio escaped

by having deserted previous
Di:SKRT|-.KS.
401
the extreme penalty of the law
to the
formal declaration of war by
the United States.
Thus ignorainiously
comrades,
and
at
fifty
perishctl,
by the hanils of
convicted traitors, whose weapons
their indignant
at
Buena
they had sworn to defend, and the nation to which they

allegiance.
by
Vista
Churubusco had been wantonly turned against the colours
It
was
owed
a terrible spectacle, and only to be justified
the enormity of the crime,
which had, however, been provoked,
throughout the whole war, by the allurements with which the
Mexican generals basely tempted them.
ijm: ok
oim'.i;
r<lo.- .! .nn.mau,!
On
the
.,!
.H'''
ations or
riii:
is aumy
MA.IOH (IbiNKlLM- WIN l-lKl.D

/.' inul l.V"
of Srpn'mh,!-
1,1
S(
OTT
!u
iB
ilKncîilhitllr
if
f.>,fflul.
1).
]K
j(r.
Hury.n,
Cttatltl
I'nllitilrnl
AJanuda
I"'
"
Btjtwfr
tiil^ff
vL
DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC.
in tht" vicinity of the city
by numerous
403
lakes, the borders of wliich
are beautified by the residences of wealthy Mexicans, <Tleaming
whitelyfrom the midst of groves and gardens, while, interspersed

throughout
its
whole extent
to the
base of the furthest mountains,
by noble
are seen wide stretches of cultivated land, diversified
orchards and evergreen forests, and

threads of
many
fair
rivers.
intersected
by
the
The imposing haciendas
silver
of large
landed proprietors, and villages and hamlets innumerable, are

scattered
all
about,
some boldly
by back-grounds
relieved
uriant foliage, and others partly hidden
by intervening
The
the swells and undulations of the plain.
of this beautiful valley, the city of Mexico,

the plain on various sides
by
five great or
ting in eight causeways, elevated
and
some
These marshes render any approach
is
trees, or
central attraction
approached from
main roads, termina-
six feet
grounds by which the city
soft
is
of lux-
above the marshes
partially
surrounded.
to the city impracticable, ex-
cept by the causeways, each of which " presents a double road-
way on
tlie
sides of an aqueduct of strong
masonry and great
height, resting on open arches and massive pillars, and flanked
At the end of these cause-
by ditches of unusual dimensions."*
ways, Garitas are built over arches, through the gates of which
persons are compelled to pass before they can enter the city
all
and
at this
time the gates were defended by a system of strong
works, and the passage of the causeways protected by numerous

batteries
and breastworks
for infantry.
the routes
had other and
But the causeways of Belen and San Cosme

by which General Scott proposed
more formidable defences

del Rey,
still.
Casa de Mata, and the
Chapultepec, or " the
hill
to
advance
These were the works of Molino

castle of Chapultepec.
of the grasshopper,"
tradition as the favourite resort of the unfortunate
and the princes of the
old
famous
in
Montezuma,
Aztec empire, whose wealth and
Scoll's Ofilcial Reports, Nos. 33 and 34.
53
is
serai-
HISTORY OF THK MKA'TCAX WAR.
101
barbaric taste are
slrikiiisj^ly
attested
by the gardens and cypress
groves, anil the ruins of tanks and grottos which yet remain scattered around.
This natural isolated mound, composed of porphyritic rock,

of considerable height, ami
commands from
sive prospect of the beautiful valley
The western
summit an exten-
below and of the mountains

most accessible point,
encircling
it.
clothed for
some distance upwards with a
beyond
its
side, its
The summit
and strongly
is
abrupt ascents
crowned with an imposing
fortified structure, originally
Galvez as a palace.
erected by
republic into a military college, and, at the period of

tion
was garrisoned
of hostilities,
tlie
Viceroy
was subsequently converted under
It
is
stately grove of cypress;
this the iace of the hill presents a series of
over rocks and chasms.
is
tlie
tlie
resump-
by the cadets of that
in part
institution.
At the western
foot of the
of stone buildings,
Mill
known
liill,
adjoining the grove,
is
a group
as El Molino del Rey, or the King's
and, as the only practicable approach to the fortress above
was on
this side,
defend
it,
and
EI JMolino del Rey was heavily garrisoned to

return
in
was
itself
being directly under the guns of the
About
five
foot of the
Tacubaya
hundred yards
riilge
still
protected by Chapultepec,
latter.
further to the west,
and
that slopes grailually from the heights
to the plain
below,
is
at
the
above
an old Spanish work, called Casa
de jMata, consisting of a strong stone citadel, recently repaired
and enlarged, and surrountled with bastioned intrenchments, and

impassable ditches.
bv the
El Molino del Rey was supposed to be used
and the Casa de Mata
(.'uemy lor the founding of cannon,
as a magazine.
As Molino
del
Rey defended
Chapultepec, and as the

city
from Tacubaya,
it
latter
the only access to the fortress of
commanded
was necessary
to
the approaches to the
take Molino del Rey,
before Chapultepec could be effectually assaulted, and afterwards
MOMNO
C'liiipullfpoc,
l)(>r(ir(>
llic
for
UKY.
1(15
soutli-wcstcrii a\('iiucs citlicr of l^'lrii or
San Cosmi' could hr tmvcrscd

Another reason
DKI.
willi
any
iinssil)lr liopc
of success.
Key, was the
reduction of Moliiio del
llic
impression entertained thai certain church-hells had been sent

out from the city for the pur|)ose of Ijeini; cast into cannon
impression was the more prohahle, inasmuch as the immense
this
nund)er of ûns already captuicd fiom the enemy had imt

hiui witli sulHcient
remaining
to
arm,
powder
in the
same time,
the
at
all
left
the
The
destruction of
magazine of Casa de Mata was
also considered
strong works at each of the eiglit Garitas.*

the
and
of primary importance.
Accordingly, on
7th of September, after a personal recon-
tlie
noissancc of Molino del lley and Casa de Mata by Generals
was ordered
Scott and Worth, the latter
morning those
lines
and defences with
attack the following
to
his division reinforced
Cadwalader's brigade of Pillow's division,
tlirei*
]jy
s([uadi()ns of
dragoons under Major Sumner, and some heavy guns of the siegetrain
under Captain linger of the ordnance and Captain
of the 4th artillery.
Worth's
and the reinforcements
division,
amounted
detailed for (his ])erilous service,
Drum
in all
to only three
thousand one hundred men.
The
instructions
given by the
limited his operations to carrying
Rey, capturing the enemy's
machinery and
to
innlericl
General-in-chief to
Casa de Mata and Molino del

and
artillery,
after destroying the
supjiosed to be in the
immediately withdraw his
Worth,
command
to its
foutidry, he
was
former position in
the village of Tacubaya,t until certain contemplated reconnois-
sances upon the southern gates should enable the former to decide
upon the most lavourable
j)oint for his future operations.
Fully sensible of the im|)ortance of maintaining these posts, the
Mexican general occupied

.Scott's Otlicial
the lines with his troops in great force.
Despatch, No.
t Worlli's Oflicial Report,
3'.).
September
lOtli,
1817.
406
daring reconnoissance,
Captain Mason,
made on
the
morning of the
of the Engineers, subsequently verified
enemy's own statement, determined the Mexican
7th,
by
by the
as resting
left
upon and occupying the group of stone buildings called Molino

del Rey, This wing,
commanded by General Leon, was composed
of National Guards, and consisted of the battalion of Mina, those

of Union and
La
Patria or Oaxaca, with a few companies from
Puebla and Queretaro.
The
right wing, the brigade of Perez, rested on
and was composed of regulars,
Midway between
side
by
lines of infantry,
fifteen
was a
these
Casa de Mata,
hundred strong.
field-battery, supported
amounting
on each
thousand men.
to ten
These
were under the immediate command of General Santa Anna.
second reconnoissance was made by Captain Mason and
Duncan on
Colonel
the afternoon of the
of both alike indicated the centre as the
and
that his left flank
same day, and
weak
the results
point of the enemy,
on Molino del Rey was stronger than
his
right.*
As the
orders of General Scott had reference only to the defences
at the foot of
to
Chapultepec, the storm of the
be determined on. Worth found
it
latter
remaining yet
necessary, in disposing his
forces for the attack, to isolate the works
below from the
fortress
above.
Accordingly, Garland's brigade, with two pieces of Drum's

battery,
was ordered
to take position
on the enemy's
left, for
the
purpose of watching Molino del Rey and any supporting force

that
might be sent down from Chapultepec.
This position was
also to be within sustaining distance of the assaulting column,
and of Huger's battery of 24-pounders, the

the ridge sloping from Tacubaya,
some
latter
being placed on
five or six
hundred yards
from El Molino.
An
assaulting
column of
*
five
hundred men, under Brevet Majo
Worth's Report.
ATTACK ON MOLINO DKL REY.

Wright, was posted on the same ridge,
battery, for the purpose of forcing the
Clarke's
commanded
brigade,
407
to the left of
by Colonel Mcintosh,
strengthened by Duncan's battery, was stationed

the
ridge,
opposite
enemy's
the
instructions to look to the left
Huger's
enemy's centre.
right
Casa
still
Mata
de
and
up
further
with
flank, sustain the storming party
if
necessary, or to attack the enemy, as circumstances might dictate.
Cadwalader's brigade was held

further up the ridge,
in
reserve in a position yet
between Huger's battery and Clarke's
bri-
gade, and within easy support of either.
Sumner's cavalry enveloped the extreme

in
left,
with orders to act
any manner that commander might think best.*

Accordingly, under cover of the darkness,
o'clock on
at three
the morning of the 8th the troops were put in motion, and at
early
dawn were found
The
commenced by Huger's guns opening upon Molino
battle
which was actively continued
del Rey,
enemy's
as accurately posted as if for review.
line
until
was sensibly shaken, when
that part of the
the storming column,
guided by Captain Mason and Lieutenant Foster of the Engineers,

dashed forward
Undismayed by a tremendous
to the assault.
of artillery and small-arms, they rushed
and infantry, drove them

battery,
But
fire
upon the artillerymen
at the point of the
bayonet, took the
and turned the captured guns upon the retreating masses.

this
success was only temporary.
On
discovering
the
smallness of the force by which his position had been stormed,

the
enemy
rallied
and
made
desperate
effort
to
regain
it.
Assisted by the infantry which covered the house-tops and had a
plunging
fire
upon the
battery, his
whole
line
of musketry upon the stormers, which struck

the
fourteen
officers
composing
the
poured a
Staggered by
this
*
out of
command, among whom
Major Wright, Captain Mason, and Lieutenant Foster
wounded.
terrific fire
down eleven
fell
severely
unexpected revulsion, the stormers
Worth's Report.
409
were
when
falling back,
battalion under Captain E.
the light
Kirby Smith moved rapidly up
to their support, and, precipitating
themselves upon the enemy, shattered his advancing ranks, and

recaptured the position, and held
mean
In the
down upon Molino
ar^llery, bore
inch
of the
succeeded
it.
while, Garland's brigade, supported by

del Rey,
Drum's
and although every
ground was obstinately disputed by the enemy,
him from
in driving
when Drum's
that strong hold,
section and Huger's battery immediately advanced, and adding
the guns captured from the

destructive
fire
upon
enemy
his retreating
to their
masses
own
pieces, poured a
until they
were beyond
reach.
During the time these

being made on the
left
intrepid
and successful assaults were
and centre, Duncan's battery opened upon
Casa de Mata and continued
with terrible activity, until
its fire
Molino del Rey and the enemy's centre were pierced and taken
when, being masked by Mcintosh's brigade

assault,
it
moved
to the
and observing a large force of cavalry and infantry rapidly
moving to
to
as
the support of
meet them,
Casa de Mata,
in concert with
brigade, and opening
fire
now dashed
Andrews' voltigeurs
them back
gallantly up
ture, while the battery returned to
During the progress of
of Cadwalader's
in confusion;
Sumner's
and completed the discomfiits
former position.
this brilliant affair,
animated by the successes of

to the attack of
dashed forward promptly
upon the cavalry as they came up,
shattered their ranks and drove
dragoons
it
their
Mcintosh's brigade,
comrades, moved intrepidly
Casa de Mata; and now,
for the
first
time,
its
great strength, which had hitherto been skilfully concealed, be-
came
for
fearfully apparent.
The
reconnoitring parties had mistaken
an ordinary field-work what proved
to
garrisoned by the choicest troops in the
Notwithstanding
this
lutely })ressed forward.
be a regular
Mexican
fortification,
service.
ominous developement, the brigade
reso-
STORMING OF CASA DK MATA.
The enemy waited

hundred yards of
fire
still
of musketry
his
first
position,
undauntedly advancing,
From
this shelter,
lie
when he poured
in a terrible
much
cut up,
retreated to his second position
Casa de Mata and
the breastworks in front.
he continued to pour volley after volley upon
devoted column of assailants, who, staggering on under a
murderous
fire, at
length reached the slope of the parapet.
Their heroic bravery could carry them no further.
Mcintosh and Major White had already
men
in
the act of
across the ditch which separated
them from
With
enemy.
Colonel
wounded,
fallen severely
and Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Scott was

urging his
the
one
approaclied within
it
but finding the Americans, though
beliind the walls of
tlie
quietly until
409
their
muskets
foul
killed
and unserviceable,
their
ammunition nearly expended, and with one-third of the noble

brigade, including one-half of the officers, killed and wounded,
they
fell
slowly and reluctantly back in rear of Duncan's battery.
These guns, no longer masked by the movements of the brigade,
now opened
was
a retributive
fire
upon Casa de Mata
the effect of the rapidity and precision with
were served,
enemy, unable
that the
to
and so
terrible
which the pieces
endure the avenging
storm, precipitately abandoned the post he had hitherto so obsti-
nately defended, and sought securer refuge under the guns of
Chapultepec.
Thus,
in
the terse language of General
and won" the
battle of
Molino del Rey,
Worth, was
in w'hich his
<<
fought
command
of three thousand one hundred men, after two hours' severe fight-
works
ing, carried the strong
at the foot of
Chapultepec
fourteen thousand of the enemy, led by General Santa
person
killed
former of
and
routed
Anna
in
and wounded twenty-two hiuidred, among the
whom
tliird in
were Generals Valdarez and Leon, the second
command
took over eight hundred prisoners, inclu-
ding fifty-two commissioned
officers
and captured a battery of
410
four pieces, together with a large quantity of
ammunition and
small-arms.
In this terrible contest, the
and
eighty-seven killed
American
and wounded,
loss
was seven hundred
fifty-eight of
M'hom were
officers.
The enemy being
dispersed at
all
instructions of the General-in-chief,
points, in obedience
and the cannon-moulds and useless ammunition destroyed
which Worth returned with
his
command
the result of future reconnoissances.
to the
Casa de Mata was blown up,
to
Tacubaya,
to
after
await
CHAPTER XXV.
Pronounced impracticable Scott determines to
Formidable Character of the Works Mask Movement
upon the Southern Gates Movements of Pillow and Quitman The Batteries
opened upon Chapultepec Operations of Twiggs on the San Angel Road Assault of Chapultepec
Capture Worth's Movement against the Garita of
San Cosme His Success Tacubaya Causeway crossed by Quitman Garita
Belen carried The City of Mexico taken Surrender by the Mexican Authori Quitman Marches to the Grand Plaza American Colours hoisted on the
Defences of the Southern Gates

assault Chapuliepec
Its
ties
National Palace.
TiiK (learly-bouglit victory of IMolino del
Rey was promptly
followed up by the reconnoissances already projected, with the
view of ascertaining the most practicable route by which the
city
could be approached.
The
result of a close
and daring scrutiny, principally towards
the gates of the Piedad,
Nino Perdido, San Antonio, and Paseo de
laViga, showed that a navigable canal, both wide and deep, and
very difficult to bridge in the presence of an enemy, stretched
along the southern front of the

for the
city,
while the causeways, running
most part through wet meadoAvs and boggy grounds, were
not only flanked by broad ditches fdled with water, but were cut
up
in
numerous places,
would be exposed
to
at the
impede the progress of the
same time
troops,
to severe cross fires
Garitas, and from batteries and infantry breastworks, thrown

at
who
from the
up
every available point.
The
impracticability of these approaches being determined,
Scott concluded to storm Chapultepec, and force an entrance into

the city
by
54
the
causeways
either of
San Cosme
or
Tacubaya.
411
412
The
atical
prospects of success even here were scarcely less problemfor,
notwithstanding the destruction of Molino del
and Casa de Mata, the
hill
of Chapultepec
Rey
presented an array
still
of obstacles of the most formidable description.
The base
thick,
of the
hill
was girdled by a
and about twenty
body of
siderable
feet in height.
troops, protected
stone wall
some
four feet
Inside of this lay a con-
by breastworks and the im-
mense trunks of ancient cypresses.
The lower
was mined
slope of the hill
the trains laid
ready
mines, and about
to
be
midway
fired
at
any moment.
of the ascent,
clasping the entire front. This also was

this
in all directions,
was
filled
Beyond
main
the
the
a strong redoubt,
with troops. Above
redoubt was an inner wall, enclosing the crest of the
with a wide and deep ditch and counterscarp.
was
with
hill,
Inside this wall
citadel or fortress of Chapultepec, filled with troops,
with eleven pieces of cannon, some of them of the largest calibre,
and these commanded the approaches on
ways leading
to the city,
and even the
sides
all
the
cause-
city itself.
In order to economize the lives of his troops,
by deceiving the
enemy
as to the real })oint of attack, Scott arranged a
upon a
diflerent point than that
movement
which he intended as the
true one.
Following out the orders of the General-in-chief, Quitman's division
marched by daybreak on the 10th,
low before the southern gates, and

strength
in
secretly to
that quarter, the
Tacubaya,
to join the division of Pil-
after this
open exhibition of
two divisions proceeded by night
to operate
upon Chapultepec, leaving only
Twiggs, with Riley's brigade and Steptoe's and Taylor's batteries, in front
series of
of the southern gates, to maintain the deception
menacing mancruvres and by
by a
false attacks.
This admirably executed stratagem was completely successful.

Fully convinced that an attack was contemplated upon the southern
gates, the
enemy
heavily reinforced his troops in that direction,
and increased the strength of his defences by additional breast-
PRKPAKATIOXS FOR THE ATTACK.
works and batteries; nor was he untleceived

the L'Jth,
when
As soon
it
was
413
until the
evening of
loo late to repair his error.
and Quitman reached Tacu-
as the divisions of Pillow
baya on the night of the 11th, they
\vere ordered into position
In the course of the same night four batte-
before Chapultepec.
ries
were established within easy range of
was
the intention of the General-in-chief to delay the assault until
the fortifications
were w'cU crippled by
Quitman were ordered
to
that point
and, as
his artillery. Pillow
remain passive
until
that object
it
and
was
etrected.
On
the
morning of
Chapultepec and
its
opened
the 12th the batteries
their fire
upon
outworks, under the direction of Captain
Huger, and the bondjardment and cannonade were continued

with
marked
during the whole of that day, and
effect
through the evening, until
became
it
down
too dark to distinguish
objects.
During
this time,
Twiggs, on the San Angel road, was holding
a considerable part of the

ries
were heard again
Mexican army
in full activity,
check, and his batte-
when Huger's guns reopened
upon Chapultepec on the morning of the
The
in
13th.
period for closer and more determined action having at
length arrived, the plan of attack, which
commanded by Generals Quitman and

simultaneously
commenced on
was
Pillow,
two columns,
in
was ordered
to
be
the west and south-east sides of
the works.
An
assaulting party of two hundred and
manded by Captain McKenzie

by Worth's division
similar one, led
by the
to
precede the
Twiggs,
picked men, com-
of the 2d artillery,
was furnished
column under Pillow, and
by Captain Casey of the 2d
division of
fifty
to aid the
infantry,
was
column of (Quitman.
remainder of Worth's division was held
in reserve
su}){)lied
The
near Molino
del Rey, with orders to support Pillow's attack, while that of
Quitman was sustained
in like
manner by Smith's brigade, which
HISTORY
414
had
moved up
TIIF,
Ol-'
MI^XICAN WAR.
purpose that morning from the vilhige of
for the
Piedad.
At eight o'clock on the morning of the 13th, the momentary

cessation of the heavy batteries gave the preconcerted signal for
the assaulting
columns
to
advance.
the buiklings of Molino del
promptly threw out
Rey
who had occupied
Pillow,
ever since the night of the llth,
his skirmishers to clear a
work protecting a breach
sand-bag breast-
in the wall, through
which
The enemy being driven from
necessary to pass.
McKenzie's storming party advanced, supported by

nies of voltigeurs under Colonel
four
compa-
Andrews, and preceded by four
same under Colonel Johnstone.
other companies of the
was
it
this position,
These
eight companies, acting as skirmishers, soon took the lead and
kept
it
for the assaulting
column of McKenzie, being encumbered
with the scaling-ladders, were compelled to move less rapidly.

Protected by the cypresses, the
puting the ground inch by inch.

base of the
hill,
the
command
enemy
fell
back slowly,
dis-
Pillow being wounded at the
of the
column
General Cadwalader, and that gallant
officer
fell
upon Brigadier-
proved himself
fully
equal to the occasion.

Terrible indeed
was
sheeted
fire
men, through
the struggle of these brave
the cypress forest, where every tree hid an
enemy
amidst the
and thunder of the guns of Chapultepec, and an
in-
cessant storm of musketry from behind trees and rocks and breast-
works
and over mines, the
ignition, shooting
down
trains of
which were
the soldier appointed to
laid
fire
ready for
them, as he
stood at his post with the match lighted in his hand, ready to hurl
them
to destruction.
Thus
by
it
was
the intrepid skirmishers pressed forward, followed
the stormers and the remainder of the assaulting column, and
by Clarke's brigade of Worth's

at a critical
moment
From behind
division,
which had hastened up
to their support.
the redoubt,
midway
of the ascent, the
enemy
415
ASSAULT OF CIIAPULTEPEC.
made
again
fire
fearful
of musketry, checked the impetuous advance of the voUit;i'urs.
Then,
the
by a most
a desperate stand, and at this point,
for the first
Mexican
time during that eventful day, hope animated
But
heart.
hope was
that
illusive.
momentary indecision
gallantry converted the
single act of
of the assailants
into an irresistible enthusiasm.
At
tlie
awful
this
when
crisis,
to risk annihilation, for
ground was mined beneath them, Captain Chase, of the 15th

dashed towards the right (lank of the work, and bade his
infantry,
company
follow
supported instantly by Lieutenant Beach of the
same regiment with
his
comjjany and by the voltigeurs and the
9th regiment of infantry, the

the
pause was
to
enemy, unable
mined,
fell
back
to
work was stormed
at all points,
and
withstand an onset so terrible and so deter-
to within the enclosure
surrounding the
fortress,
Reach-
with the daring stormers pressing rapidly upon his rear.
ing the crest of the counterscarp and enveloping
it,
these three
regiments, joined soon after by Clarke's brigade, and portions of
Quitman's command, awaited under a severe
fire
of artillery
and
small-arms the arrival of McKenzie's party with the scaling-
These soon came up, and another
ladders.
courage ensued.
of those
who
first
The ladders were quickly

scaled the wall
fell
brilliant display of
planted, and
back either
killed or
Nothing daunted, however, others promptly took

as these
fell,
Of McKenzie's storming
men,
party. Lieutenants
killed
whUe
and Lieutenant Selden of the 8th
mount
their places,
and
the ladders were thronged by spirits equally daring.
Smith of the 5th infantry were
to
many
wounded.
the scaling-ladder,
in spite of this resistance
fell
Rogers of Uie 4th and

gallantly leading their
infantry, one of the
back severely wounded.
by the enemy,
a foothold
was
at
first
But
length
obtained, and the stormers, swarming up the ladders and over the
wall, rushed into the fortress
though twice wounded
ment and unfurled
and carried
in the act, seized
the
first
American
it.
Captain Barnard,
the colours of his regiflag
upon the captured
416
Major Seymour, of
Avorif, wliile
tress
sword
In the
tlie
infantry, entered
9tli
down
hand, and himself struck
in
mean
Mexican
tlie
time, Quitman, marching by the
for-
tlie
flasf.*
Tacubaya road,
approached the works on the south-east, over a causeway obstructed
by intersecting ditches and
batteries,
and further de-
fended by an army strongly posted outside and to the east of the

w'orks.
Moving
in reserve
on the right flank of the assaulting column,
Smith's brigade took a sweep across the meadows, turned the two
batteries at the foot of Chapultepec,
enemy
the
While
and presented a
front against
outside.
the column, thus ably supported,
on towards the batteries, ready
for a
was pressing boldly
dash
opportunity offered, the South Carolina and
at
them
New York
as soon as
regiments,
under Brigadier-General Shields, and the 2d Pennsylvania

ment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Geary, by an
to
the
and
a
oblitpie
regi-
movement
crossed the low grounds at the foot of Chapultepec,
left,
in the face of a terrible fire of artillery
lodgment
and musketry, effected
Major Gladden, with
at the wall.
his regiment,
mediately penetrated the enclosure, through a breach

the artillery
and the Pennsylvania and
New
im-
made by
York regiments as
quickly effected a like entrance by climbing over a deserted

battery further to the south.
As soon
as this
was achieved,
the storming parties precipitated
themselves upon the batteries and breastworks protecting the
causeway
was
killed
and, after a desperate conflict, in which Major Twiggs
and Captain Casey severely wounded
their respective
commands, captured
routed the enemy.
head of
the works and completely
This gallant attack was nobly seconded by
Smith, whose daring Rifles were as usual
The
at the
batteries being taken,
among
the foremost.
and within them seven pieces of cannon
and a large number of prisoners, the stormers, now united with

*
Pillow's Report.
^
d
H
V'^
-s
u^
>vi#6'^<
5
-- -4------
'f
i!
= S
.
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'.;|f'^
::?"'
r ^
^ ? ' E ?
'i-cS
<
? 'a4-~
i 5 Va.
2-^5-t''
'I
S-
; 1 1 i
^1
..î^-'^&'l
'"{'
~"
["^''F^
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P''"
^__^.
"^'
!
(ftoadoi
SVORTIl's
Sniith's
MOVEMKNT AGAINST SAN COSME.
pursued the fugitives
l)rit2:a(Ie,
and then, turning
to the Garita Beleu,
417
causeway leading
to the
to the left,
clambered up the
steep ascent of Chapultepec, with the view of assisting in the assault of the fortress; but the
they soon met Hying
down
immense crowds
the
enemy,
of the
directions,
hill in all
whom
showed
that
Pillow had already anticipated them.

Part of Quitman's
command, however, shared
in the
honour of
capture. Following rapidly upon the heels of Pillow's column,
its
the
New York,
gled
uj)
Pennsylvania, and South Carolina regiments strug-
the rugged acclivity, driving the
two active companies, one from the
enemy
before them, and
New York regiment,
and one of
marines, led by Lieutenant Reid, succeeded in reaching the crest
The daring
of the hill in time to take part in the final assault.
gallantry which
was then displayed
in scaling the walls surround-
ing the fortress has been already related

lant feat
but (>ven
was successfully accomplished,
frowned defiance on
Animated by
its
when
that gal-
the fortress itself
still
assailants.
the presence of the veteran General Bravo, the
National Guards and the cadets of the institution contested the

possession of this, their last stronghold, with the most heroic resolution
but their
avail but
little
efforts to retrieve the fortunes
when
directed against
of the day could
men who had
lorn hope, from the steeps of Cerro
Gordo
The
sanguinary, was
struggle, though fierce and
fortress
its
was
carried,
its artillery
defenders, including
fifty
fought, a for-
to the walls of
captured, and a large
general
officers,
made
Mexico.
brief.
The
number
of
prisoners of
war.
But another and

take place.
The
still
city of
tem of defences had

at length lay
open
more imposing event was now about
so long baffled the
to attack.
The
advance of the Americans,
garitas
and the works protect-
ing the causeways were the only remaining obstacles.
were now
to
to
Mexico, whose almost unparalleled sys-
be overcome.
These
418
Wortli, wlio, (luring the storming of Chapultepec, had passed
around the base of the
and with Garland's brigade, Smith's
hill,
light battalion,
and Duncan's battery, had defeated
of the enemy,
was already moving
Cosme
in
right
wing
San
Quitman, equally energetic, had concen-
Garita, while
command and was fighting
trated his
tiie
the direction of the
his
way
over the causeway
leading to the Garita Belen.
Leaving only the 15th regiment of Pillow's division
to garrison
Chapultepec, Scott despatched the brigades of Clarke and Cad-
walader
support Worth's attack, and subsequently ordered up
to
Riley's brigade from before the southern gates for the

pose.
The
latter,
however, did not arrive
same pur-
until after the Garita
of San Cosme had been carried and the action was over
for the
day.
The column
of Quitman, consisting of his
own
division and the
noble brigade of Smith, received no additional assistance, with

the exception of Steptoe's battery, and two regiments of Pierce's
brigade.
The advance upon
the Garita Belen being intended
by
the
General-in-chief merely as a manoeuvre to favour the main attack
by Worth, Quitman was ordered only

that quarter
nates, he
direct
determined
and enfilading
way
works
in
but, being nobly seconded by his gallant subordi-
advance, notwithstanding the
to
fires
and a
severe
from the enemy's batteries, which threa-
tened to gall and impede his progress.

the
to threaten the
brilliant
little
Smith's brave Rifles led
episode, which occurred shortly
afterwards, considerably facilitated Quitman's future movements.
While struggling with masses of the enemy, and

dreadfully under the severe cross-fires from
grounds
to his left, a
section of
suffering
batteries in the
low
daring and chivalric exploit achieved by a
Duncan's battery, covered by the
Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, both attached

materially assisted in clearing his front.
to
light battalion
of
Worth's command,
GARITA BELEN CARRIED.
419
Worth, while operating on the San Cosmc road, observing a
meadows
cross route over the
the
and
to the right
in the direction of
works which were annoying Quitman's advance, promptly
threw out a section of Duncan's battery

yards of the enemy's
upon the
way.
line,
to within four
hundred
which opened a destructive
fire, first
and then upon the troops obstructing the cause-
battery,
This unexpected support enabling Quitman
with greater freedom, the artillery with
back
San Cosme
to the
road,
its
to
advance
covering force then
fell
and rejoined the column of Worth.
Clarke's brigade coming up at this time from the support of

Pillow's attack upon Chapultepec,
face of a terrible
He had now
ground, a
fire
reached the
little
deavour
Campo
At
Santo, or English
this point the General-in-chief
the- garita carried,
burying-
fifteen
came up,
and that the column should en-
Alameda, a spacious
to penetrate the city as far as the
green park, some
in the
advance of which, the causeway and aqueduct
in
incline to the right.
and ordered
Worth dashed forward,
from two batteries, and carried them both.
hundred yards within the gate.
Accordingly, after leaving Cadwalader's brigade, which had

just reached
him
to look to the left
in position
and
rear,
at
Campo
Santo, with instructions
Worth advanced
in a direct line
another battery, distant about two hundred and

the
San Cosmo Garita, and protected by
came
terrible in the
by grape,
canister,
extreme.
and
shells,
fifty
The
it.
The causeway was
upon
yards from
firing
now
literally
be-
raked
from the battery, while from the
tops of the neighbouring houses, from churches, and from every

point of vantage, the
musketry.
To
this fearful
enemy poured down an
incessant storm of
equalize the position of the combatants, and check
fire,
another
mode
of operations
became necessary.
Garland's brigade was accordingly thrown to the right, under

cover of the arches of the aqueduct, with orders to dislodge the
enemy from
the buildings in his front, and turn the
garita; while Clarke's brigade, breaking
55
left
of the
open the building
to
430
the left of the causeway, were to
work
way
their
with bars and
picks from house to house, and carry the right of the garita.*
Favoured by the
fire
of two mountain howitzers, which
had
been placed upon conspicuous buildings, these orders were slowly,

but, in the end, successfully accomplished.
The enemy soon

upon the
to
after
garita.
At
abandoned the
battery,
fell
back
artillery to
from the garita.
fire
upon Lieutenant Hunt, and was performed with a
fell
gallantry that extorted the admiration of
who witnessed
all
Followed by nine men, he traversed with

of one hundred and
he
and
This was the advance of a piece of
be executed.
o'clock in
positions.
most dangerous service was now required
the evacuated battery in the face of the direct
This duty
five
columns had gained the required
the afternoon, both
lost in killed
fifty
yards, and, though
and wounded
five
remaining four he met the enemy
of his
at the
it.
his piece a distance
moving
at full
command.
speed,
With
breastwork, muzzle to
muzzle, conquered his position, and successfully opened a
upon the
During
garita
and the intermediate force of
time
this
tlie
the
fire
infantry.
brigades of Garland and Clarke, preceded
by a company of sappers and miners, under Lieutenant G. W.

Smith, and the storming party of Captain McKenzie, had succeeded
works
in
approaching undiscovered
at the garita,
sprang up suddenly
to within
to the tops of the
causeway, and poured a destructive
One
enemy.
terrible volley sufficed.
at their pieces
easy range of the
when, the signal being given
for attack, they
houses on each side of the

fire
upon the astonished
The gunners were
killed
and, before the supporting force could recover
from their consternation, the two brigades charged the garita with
a wild hurrah
victors
On
and carried
announced
the
it.
The next
instant the shouts of the
their entrance into the city of
Tacubaya causeway,
the
equally successful.
*
Mexico.
column of Quitman had been
Worth's Report.
'V
"'VTAiuîr'niiwrw
I'"
MEXICO TAKEN.
TIIK CITV OF
Preceded by an
tain
Drum,
the
howitzer under the direction of Cap-
cii]:;ht-in('li
Mounted
421
Rifles,
supported by the South Carolina
regiment, and followed by the remainder of Smith's brigaile, ad-
vanced under
aqueduct towards a
shelter of the arches of the
strong battery thrown across the causeway, nearly
midway
be-
tween Chapultepec and the Garita Belen.

Sustained by flanking batteries, and a large force of the
stationed on a cross-road to the
most
of the
of
left,
the defence at this point
The
obstinate character.
Drum's howitzer, having
of
way, the
Rifles
the effective
at length partially cleared the
dashed forward with a
yell,
of the most daring courage, carried the
command was now halted and
was
interposition of a section
Duncan's battery from the San Cosmc road, and
fire
enemy
and, by an exhibition
work by
The
assault.
reorganized for an attack upon the
garita.
The
Rifle
and South Carolina regiments were
still
thrown
in
advance, but intermingled
placed under each arch.
These regiments were closely sustained
by the residue of
three
rifles
their respective
and three bayonets being
brigades, under Smith
and
Shields.
Winding round
the pillars of the aqueduct, and creeping from
arch to arch, the whole column worked

assailed incessantly
and by
These
cross-fires
terrible fires,
by a tremendous
direct
flank fires
silenced by
way onward, though

fire
from the garita,
from the Paseo and from the Piedad road.
though they cut up the column
extent, did not check for a single instant
The
its
its
to a fearful
determined advance.
sweeping through the arches being
at
leniith
Drum's howitzer and a sixteen-pounder which had
been brought up by Lieutenant Benjamin, the Rifles and the South

Carolinians succeeded about noon
Immediately
after this
getting close to the garita.
was accomplished, they sprang from
sheltering arches, and, with their

garita
in
drove the enemy, and
at
accustomed
yell,
the
charged the
twenty minutes past one, P. M.,
422
nearly the whole column had passed the gate and
was within
the
limits of the city.
But the victory was not yet complete.

Citadel, a
cannon,
work of immense
now opened upon
strength,
the
column
The slaughter was
yards distance.
peril of their position, the
The Ciudadela,
mounting
or
fifteen
pieces of
at only three
hundred
and, to add to the
terrible,
ammunition of the heavy pieces worked
by Captain Drum and Lieutenant Benjamin was soon
entirely
expended, without the possibility of obtaining another supply

under the heavy
The
loss at
that raked the
fire
the
causeway.
guns was also most
The brave
disastrous.
South Carolina regiment had twice supplied additional
work
the pieces,
loss of
two of
Drum, one
tally
when Quitman was
his bravest
and most
called
the side of his
gun
sooner did the

nition,
semce,
than he
enemy
made
the
Captain
mor-
fell
same
find the battery silenced for
The com-
fate.
No
want of ammu-
upon Lieutenant
Porter.
back the
the most desperate efforts to force
column, and recover his position.
to
and within a few minutes
afterwards Lieutenant Benjamin shared the

of the battery then devolved
mourn
to
efficient subordinates.
of the ablest artillery officers in the
wounded by
mand
upon
men
Under cover of a
terrific
fire
of artillery and small-arms, from the Citadel, from the Paseo,
and
from the buildings in front and upon the

sallies
with
right,
he made several
on both flanks of the column, but was each time repulsed
loss.
Finding
it
impossible to bring forward a supply of ammunition
during daylight, Quitman determined to shelter his
and hold his position until the darkness should
affijrd
command
a
more
fa-
vourable opportunity for crossing the causeway.
During the night, the

batteries for
firing of the
enemy having
heavy guns and a breastwork
for
ceased, two
infantry
were
erected within the garita, under the superintendence of Lieutenant
Beauregard, the requisite supply of ammunition obtained, and the
guns mounted ready
to
open
at daylight.
POSSESSION TAKEN OF THE CITY.
When
the
423
morning of the 14th of September dawned, and while
tlie
undaunted cohimn was preparing
tlie
defenders of the Citadel, finding
to
all
recommence
the attack,
further resistance useless,
despatched to General Quitman a white flag of surrender.

Before
this,
however, as early as four o'clock on the same
morning, General Scott had been waited upon by a deputation of

the city council, who, after reporting the evacuation of the capi-
by the Mexican government and army, demanded terms of
tal
capitulation in favour of the church, the citizens,
To this
cipal authorities.
and the muni-
Scott replied, that, as the city had been
virtually in his possession ever since the forcing of the garitas,
he intended not
to accejit
honour of the army, the dignity of the United
sistent with the
States,
and the
Upon
but to impose such terms as were con-
spirit of the
this the
age.*
Ayuntamiento
afterwards given to
retired,
and orders were shortly
Worth and Quitman
advance cautiously
to
and take up commanding positions within the
city.
Acting under these instructions. Worth promptly moved
ward
of the
the
his
command, and
at six
for-
o'clock, A. M., occupied two sides
Alameda, while Quitman,
South Carolina regiment
after leaving
Smith's brigade and
to garrison the Citadel,
marched
with the remainder of his column through the principal streets,
and took possession of the Grand Plaza, where the colours of

the United States were for the
first
time flung abroad from the
National Palace.
Soon
after
were seen the waving plumes and commanding per-
son of the General-in-chief, as he rode into the Plaza, escorted by

the
2d dragoons
hero, who,
amid
and a deafening hurrah greeted the gallant
so
many
difficulties
and disappointments, and
with means totally inadequate, had, by prudent arrangements, and

that military skill in
which he
*
is
unsurpassed by any commander
Scoti's OfTicial Despatch.
4"21
of
modem
times, triumphed over every difficulty, and established
his head-quarters in the very palace of the
But the daring
enemy's
capital.
to enjoy that repose
act of occupying the city, a
in the
them from
were not yet
which
and arduous services so imperiously demanded.
their protracted
While
victors
the roofs of houses, from the
from the corners of
fire
was opened upon
windows and
looi)s,
and
This insurrection of the leperos and
streets.
liberated convicts, instigated
by many Mexican
soldiers in the
dress of citizens, occasioned a desultory contest of twenty-four
hours' duration,
morning of
when
it
was
down, and on the
effectually put
the ICth of September, 1847, the
army
of the United
States of North America, after a series of victories untarnished
was
a single defeat,
Cajjital of the
in
Republic of Mexico, from the National Palace of
which, General Scott addressed the following despatch

Secretary of
by
complete and unmolested possession of the
War
to the
" Head-Qi'arteks of the Akmy,

National Palace of Mexico, Sept. 18, 1847.
li
Sir:
At
the end of another series of arduous and brilliant
operations of more than forty-eight hours' continuance, this glori-
ous army hoisted, on the morning of the 14th, the colours of the
United States on the walls of
" The
this palace.
victory of the 8th, at the
Molino del Rey, was followed
by daring reconnoissances on the part of our distinguished engineers
Captain Lee, Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower
Major
Smith, senior, being sick, and Captain Mason, third
rank, wounded.
the
in
Their operations were directed principally to
south towards
the gates of the Piedad,
San Angel (Nino
Perdido), San Antonio, and the Paseo de la Viga.
" This
city stands
on a slight swell of ground, near the centre
of an irregular basin, and
extent a navigable canal
is
girdled with a ditch in
of great
its
greater
breadth and depth very
diffi-
Scott's despatch.
cult to In-id^c in
for drainage,
425
presence of an enemy, and serving
tlie
once
at
custom-house purposes, and military defence leaving

;
eight entrances or gates, over arches
each of which we
defended by a system of strong works, that seemed

nothing but some
men and guns
"Outside and within
to
be impregnable.
we found
cross-fires of those gates,
the
but
to the south other obstacles
found
to require
little
All the
less formidable.
many
approaches near the city are over elevated causeways, cut in
places (to oppose us), and flanked on both sides by ditches, also
The numerous
of unusual dimensions.
like
manner, having bridges
The meadows
cross-roads are flanked in
at the intersections, recently
thus checkered are, moreover, in
water or marsliy
for,
it
will
be remembered,
many
we were
under
in the
midst
we
could
of the wet season, though with less rain than usual, and
not wait for the
fall
of the neighbouring lakes
broken.
.spots,
and the consequent
drainage of the wet grounds at the edge of the city
the lowest
whole basin.
in the
"After a close personal survey of the southern gates, covered
by Pillow's
division
and Riley's brigade of Twiggs'
with
times our numbers concentrated in our immediate front
mined on
four
deter-
the 11th to avoid that network of obstacles, and to seek,
by a sudden diversion
to the
south-west and west, less unfavour-
able approaches.
" To economize the
lives of our gallant officers
well as to insure success,

lution should be long
the
became indispensable
masked from
new movement, when
feint,
it
the
enemy
and men, as
that this reso-
and again, that
discovered, should be mistaken for a
and the old as indicating our true and ultimate point of
attack.
"Accordingly, on the
vision
from Cuyoacan,
spot, the 11th, I ordered

to join
Quitman's
di-
Pillow, by daylight, before the
southern gates, and then that the two major-generals, with their
divisions, should,
by
night, proceed
(two miles^
to join
me
at
426
Tacubaya, where
was quartered with Worth's
division.
Twiggs,
with Riley's brigade and Captains Taylor's and Steptoe's
the
batteries
latter of
12-pounders
was
gates, to mancEuvre, to threaten, or to

to
make
left
field
front of those
in
false attacks, in order
occupy and deceive the enemy. Twiggs' other brigade (Smith's)
was
supporting distance,
left at
morning of the 13th, and
The stratagem
Mixcoac.
against the south
cuted throughout the 12th and
when
was
it
in the rear, at
San Angel,
till
the
also to su])port our general depot at
too late for the
down
enemy
was admirably exe-
to the afternoon of the 13th,
to recover
from the
effects of
his delusion.
" The
first
step in the
a natural and isolated

at its base,
on
garrison, here
large
number
were within
carried,
we
its
new movement was
mound,
acclivities,
was
Chapultepec,
to carry
of great elevation, strongly fortified
Besides a numerous
and heights.
the military college of the republic, with a
Those works
of sub-lieutenants and other students.
direct gun-shot of the village of
Tacubaya, and
until
could not approach the city on the west, without ma-
king a circuit too wide and too hazardous.
"In
teries,
the course of the
same night
(that of the 11th)
within easy ranges, were established.
under the command of Captain Drum, 4th

next day,
No.
2,
for
No.
1,
heavy bat-
on our
right,
artillery (relieved late
some hours, by Lieutenant Andrews of the 3d), and
commanded by Lieutenant Hagner, Ordnance
ported by Quitman's division.
both sup-
Nos. 3 and 4 on the opposite side,
supported by Pillow's division, were commanded, the former by
Captain Brooks and Lieutenant

alternately,
batteries
neer,
young
and the
latter
S.
S.
Anderson, 2d
artillery,
by Lieutenant Stone, Ordnance.
The
were traced by Captain Huger and Captain Lee, Engi-
and constructed by them with the able assistance of the

officers of those corps
" To prepare
batteries
for
might run
and the
an assault,
into the
it
artillery.
was foreseen
second day
that the play of the
but recent captures had
Scott's despatch,
427
not only trt'bU-d our sioge-pieces, but also our ammunition
we knew
place.
that
we should
was, therefore,
o-reatly
in
augment both by
no haste
the works were well crippled
and
carryinn; the
an assault before
in ordering
by our
missiles.
" The bombardment and cannonade, under the direction of

Captain Huger, were commenced early
Before nightfall,
12th.
we had
its
and
fire,
to
be
at
hand on
city,
batteries,
made on
outworks, and that a large body of the
remained outside, towards the

our
morning of the
tlie
perceived that a good impression had been
and
castle
in
which necessarily stopped our
the
enemy had
from an early hour to avoid
its cessation, in order to reinforce the
garrison against an assault.
The same
was
outside force
disco-
vered the next morning, after our batteries had reopened upon the
by which we again reduced
castle,
needed
fc)r
garrison to the
its
minimum
the guns.
" Pillow and Quitman had been
in position since early in the
Major-General Worth was
night of the 11th.
now
ordered to
hold his division in reserve, near the foundry, to support Pillow
and Brigadier-General Smith, of Twiggs's division, had just arrived

with his brigade from Piedad (two miles), to suppoit Quitman.
Twiggs's guns, before the southern gates, again reminded
us, as
the day before, that he, with Riley's brigade and Taylor's
Steptoe's batteries,
and
was
and
in activity, threatening the southern gates,
there holding a great part of the
Mexican army on
the de-
fensive.
" Worth's
party of
division furnished Pillow's attack with an assaulting
some
twô
hundred and
fifty
volunteer
oflTicers
and men,
under Captain McKenzid, of the 2d artillery; and Twiggs's division supplied a similar one,
infantry, to
Quitman.
Each
commanded by Captain Casey, 2d

of those
little
columns was
furnisiied
with scaling-ladders.
<'
The
signal
cessation of
56
fire
had appointed
for the attack
was
the
on the part of our heavy batteries.
momentary
About eight
42S
o'clock in the morning- of the 13th, judging that the time had
arrived by the effect of the missiles
we had thrown,
de-camp
Quitman, with notice
and another
to Pillow,
to
concerted signal was about to be given.
advanced with an
The
the
alacrity that
enemy over
sent an aid-
the
tiiat
now
Both columns
gave assurance of prompt success.
batteries, seizing o})portunities,
larly at every
the heads of our
threw shots and shells upon
men, with good
effect, particu-
attempt to reinforce the works from without to meet
our assault.
" Major-General Pillow's approach, on the west

through
an
open grove,
speedily dislodged
and emerging
into
that gallant leader
who were
with sharp-shooters,
filled
when being up with
open space,
lay
side,
the front of the attack,
at the foot
of a rocky acclivity,
was struck down by an agonizing wound. The
immediate command devolved on Brigadier-General Cadwalader,

in the
sion
absence of the senior Brigadier (Pierce), of the same
an invalid since the events of August
call of Pillow,
19.
On
divi-
a previous
Wortli had just sent him a reinforcement
Colonel
Clarke's brigade.
" The broken
acclivity
was
still
to
be ascended, and a strong
redoubt, midway, to be carried, before reaching the castle on the

heights.
The advance
of our brave
men, led by brave
officers,
though necessarily slow, was unwavering, over rocks, chasms,
and mines, and under the hottest
The redoubt now
of cannon and musketry.
fire
yielded to resistless valour, and the shouts that
followed announced to the castle the fate that impended.
enemy were
steadily driven from shelter to shelter.
allowed not time
to
fire
blowing up friend and

to
The
retreat
a single mine, without the certainty of
foe.
Those who
at a distance
apply matches to the long trains, were shot
attempted
down by
There was death below, as well as above ground.

ditch and wall of the
The
our men.
At length
the
main work were reached; the scaling-lad-
ders were brought up and planted by the storraing-parties
some
Scott's despatch.
of the daring spirits
wounded
followed
the assault were cast
but a lodgment was soon

all
first in
opposition
429
made
was overcome, and
down
killcMl or
streams of heroes
several of our regi-
mental colours flung out from the upper walls, amidst long-continued shouts and cheers, which sent dismay into the capital.
scene could have been more animating
No
or glorious.
" IMajor-General Quitman, nobly supported by Brigadier-Generals Shields
and Smith
(P. F.), his other officers
up with the part assigned him.
ment on
the west, he
Simultaneously with the move-
had gallantly approached the south-east of
same works, over
tlie
causeway with cuts and
defended by an army strongly posted outside,
little
meadows, and
side into the adjoining
out to
Smith and
ditches.
make
made
it
and
to face, with
shelter for his troops or space for manoeuvring.
ditches flanking the causeway,
by other
batteries,
to the cast of the
Those formidable obstacles Quitman had
works.
but
and men, was
difficult to cross
Deep
on either
these again were intersected
had been early thrown
his brigade
a sweep to the right, in order to present a front
against the enemy's line (outside), and to turn two intervening

batteries near the foot of Chapultepec.
intended
causeway.
to
This movement was also
support Quitman's storraing-parties,
The
in succession
and Captain Paul, 7th
wounded; and
by Twiggs's
division,
by Captain Casey, 2d
infantry,
of these, furnished
first
was commanded
on the
both
infantry, after
Casey had been severely
the second, originally under the gallant Major
Twiggs, marine corps,

sylvania volunteers.
killed,
The
and then Captain Miller, 2d Penn-
storming-party,
now commanded by
Captain Paul seconded by Captain Roberts, of the Rifles, Lieutenant Stewart, and others of the same regiment, Smith's brigade,
carried the two batteries in the road, took
prisoners, and drove the
New
the
enemy
jjosted
some guns, with many
behind in support.
The
York and South Carolina volunteers (Shields's brigade) and
2d Penn^ylvania volunteers,
all
on the
left
of Quitman's line,
430
too-ctlierwitli portinns of liis storming-parties, crossed the
heavy
in front, innler a
Chapultepec just
" Besides
fire,
time to join
in
meadows
and entered the outer enclosure of
Major-Generals
in the final assault
from the west.
and Quitman, Brigadier-
Pillow
Generals Shields, Smith, and Cadwalader, the following are the
and corps most distinguished in those
officers
The
voltigeur regiment in two detachments,
ively
brilliant operations:
commanded
respect-
by Colonel Andrews and Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone
the latter mostly in the lead,
accompanied by Major Caldwell;
Captains Barnard and Biddle, of the same regiment
and the
to plant a regimental colour,
the
first
first
in the assault
latter
tiie
former
among
the
the storming-party of Worth's division, under
Captain McKenzie, 2d
artillery,
fantry, early on the ladder

istead, 6th infantry, the
first
with Lieutenant Seldon, 8th in-
and badly wounded
Lieutenant Rodgers of the 4th, and
both mortally wounded
Lieutenant Arm-
to leap into the ditch to })lant a ladder

J.
P. Smith of the 5th infantry
Ran-
the 9th infantry, under Colonel
som, who was killed while gallantly leading that gallant regiment;
the 15th infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel
Woods, with Captain

the redoubt,
Cliase,
midway up
Howard and Major
whose company gallantly carried
the acclivity
Colonel Clarke's brigade
(Worth's division), consisting of the 5th, 8th, and part of the 6th
regiments of infantry,
commanded
respectively by Captain Chap-
man, Major Montgomery, and Lieutenant Edward Johnson

latter
specially
noticed,
with
wounded, advancing, colours

tire
last three of tlie
marines.
teers,
New
Longstreet
in hand), Pickett,
8th infantry
the
(badly
and Merchant,
portions of the United States
York, South Carolina, and 2d Pennsylvania volun-
which, delayed with their division (Quitman's), by the hot
engagement below,
of the heights
New
Lieutenants
arrived just in time to participate in the assault
particularly a
detachment under Lieutenant Reid,
York volunteers, consisting of a company of
one of marines
the same, with
and another detachment, a portion of
tlie
storming-
Scott's despatch.
431
party (Twiggs' division, serving with Quitman), under Lieutunant

Steele,
infantry, after the fall of Lieutenant Gantt, 7th infantry.
2d
"In
connexion,
this
it is
but just to recall the decisive
of the heavy batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3,
efifect
and 4, commanded by those
Drum,
4th artillery, assisted by Lieu-
tenants Benjamin and Porter of his
own company; Captain Brooks
excellent officers. Captain
and Lieutenant Anderson, 2d
artillery,
assisted
by Lieutenant
Russell, 4th infantry, a volunteer; Lieutenants Ilagner and Stone

of the Ordnance, and Lieutenant
Andrews, 3d
artillery; the
whole
superintended by Captain Huger, chief of Ordnance with this
army
an
distinguished
officer
by every kind of
The
merit.
mountain-howitzer battery, under Lieutenant Reno of the Ordnance, deserves, also, to be particularly mentioned.
to
voltigeurs,
tlie
won
again
limit
of individuals of conspicuous merit, I
to the list
myself
few of the
tp a
many names which might be
Captain Hooker, Assistant Adjutant-General,
who
special applause, successively, in the staff of Pillow
and
enumerated
won
followed the movements of that regiment and
applause.
" In adding
must
it
Attached
Cadwalader; Lieutenant Lovell, 4th
artillery
(wounded), chief
of Quitman's staff; Captain Page, Assistant Adjutant-General,
(wounded), and Lieutenant

Shields's
camp
to
staff,
all
heights of Chapultepec.
of
occurred on the west, south-east, and
To
the north,
Magruder's
and
at the
base of the
the 14th, under Colonel Trousdale,

field-battery,
1st
advanced under Lieutenant Jackson

had, at the same time, some spirited
bers, driving the
a gun.
both
infantry), aid-de-
inaccessible on that side, the 11th infantry, under Lieu-
tenant-Colonel Hebert
Captain
artillery,
Brigadier-General Smith,
" Those operations
mound,
Hammond, 3d
and Lieutenant Van Dorn (7th
enemy from
artillery
all
affairs
one
and
section
of Pillow's division
against superior
num-
a battery in the road, and capturing
In these, the officers and corps
named gained merited
432
Colonol
praise.
Trousdale, the
wounded, continued on duty

" Early
commander,
morning of the 13th,
in the
though
twice
were carried.
until the heights
repeated the orders of the
night before to Major-General Worth, to be, with his division, at
hand
to
left.
The
support the
latter
movement
seems soon
to
of Major-General Pillow from our
have called
for that entire division,
standing momentarily in reserve, and Worth sent him Colonel

Clarke's brigade.
The
the circumstances,
unknown
call, if
was
not unnecessary,
me
to
at the
time
from
at least,
soon observ-
for,
ing that the very large body of the enemy, in the road in front of
Major-General Quitman's
from the city
instructions to
was receiving reinforcements
right,
and a half
less than a mile
Worth, on our opposite
to the
east
flank, to turn
Chapultepec
WMth his division, and to proceed cautiously, by the road

northern base, in order,
Uneaten or
ment,
it
date the
if
not
"Worth promptly advanced
sion
to join in the
forest
F. Smith's light bat-
all
of his divi-
Sumner,
movement.
on the west, and arriving opposite
the north centre of Chapultepec,
Worth came up with
troops in the road, under Colonel Trousdale, and aided,
movement
to intimi-
remaining brigade
his
three squadrons of dragoons, under Major
had just ordered up
" Having turned the

to
with
Lieutenant-Colonel C.
Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan's field-battery
and
which
and
generally.
Colonel Garland's
talion,
the
by a flank
of a part of Garland's brigade, in taking the one-gun
breastwork, then under the
fire
of Lieutenant Jackson's section
of Captain Magruder's field-battery.
Continuing
to
advance, this
division passed Chapultepec, attacking the right of the

line, resting
enemy's
on that road, about the moment of the general retreat
consequent upon the capture of the formidable castle and

works.
to
body of the enemy. The move-
also believed, could not fail to dis.tract
enemy
at its
met by very superior numbers,
to attack, in rear, that
was
sent
its
out-
Scott's dkspatcii.
'<
some
Arriving'
whole
castle, the
niiiuitcs later,
field to the
433
and nio\inting
to the top of the
east lay plainly under
" There are two routes from Chapultejiec
my
to the
view.
capital
the
one on the right entering the same gate, Belen, with the road from
the south, via Piedad
and the other obliquing
sect the great western, or
of the gate of
San Cosme road,
to the left, to inter-
in a
suburb outside
San Cosme.
" Each of these routes (an elevated causeway) presents a double
roadway on the
sides of an aqueduct of strong
great height, resting on open arches and massive
masonry and
])illars,
The
together afford fine points both for attack and defence.

w'ays of both aqueducts are,
breastworks
expected,
at the gates,
we found
moreover, defended by
which
many
side-
strong
As we had
and before reaching them.
the four tracks unusually dry and solid for
the season.
<'
Worth and Quitman were prompt
enemy
the
former by the San
along that of Belen.
in
pursuing the retreating
Cosme aqueduct, and
the latter
Each had now advanced some hundred
yards.
"Deeming
it
all-important to profit by our successes, and the
consequent dismay of the enemy, which could not be otherwise

than general,
hastened to despatch
from Chapultepec
first
Clarke's brigade, and then Cadwalader's, to the support of Worth,
and gave orders
that the necessary
Pierce's brigade was, at the
the course of the afternoon, I caused

to
be added
to his train.
heavy guns should follow.
same time,
Then,
after
sent to
Quitman, and,
in
some additional siege-pieces

designating the 15th infantiy,
Morgan, the colonel, had

Churubusco as the garrison of
under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard
been disabled by a wound
at
Chapultepec, and giving directions
for the
care of the prisoners
of war, the captured ordnance and ordnance stores,

to join the
i)roceeded
advance of Worth, within the suburb, and beyond the
434
highway from
turn at the junction of the aqueduct with the {Treat

the west to the gate of
"At
San Cosrae.
this junction of roads,
we
passed one of those formi-
first
dable systems of city defences, spoken of above, and
gun
a strong proof,
in the attack
than a feint
to
had not
That the enemy had expected us
1.
upon Chapultepec, even

2.
it
if
to fail
we meant anything more
we
That, in either case,
designed, in his belief,
return and double our forces against the southern gates
delusion kept up by the active demonstrations of

forces posted on that side
and,
our previous captures had
from
enemy had
the
not time to shift
him, comparatively, but few
left
the southern gates.
" Witliin those disgarnished works,
and on house-tops
all
found our troops engaged
enemy posted
in a street-fight against the
ward
Twiggs and
That advancing rapidly from
3.
the reduction of Chapultepec, the
guns
in
gardens, at windows,
Worth ordered
with parapets.
flat,
the mountain-howitzers of Cadwalader's brigade,
by skirmishers and pioneers, with pickaxes and crowbars,

burrow through walls.
windows and
doors, or to
were soon
an equality of position
in
o'clock in the evening.
suburb.
According
to
my
and sentinels, and placed
him and
carried
enemy.
two
to force
assailants
By
eight
batteries in this
instructions, he here posted guards
his troops
There was but one more obstacle

house), between
fatal to the
Worth had
The
for-
preceded
under shelter
for the night.
the San Cosmo gate (custom-
the great square in front of the cathedral
and palace, the heart of the
city
and
that barrier
it
was known
could not, by daylight, resist our siege-guns thirty minutes.
"
had gone back
to the foot of
which the two aqueducts begin

order to be near that
new
Chapultepec, the point from
to diverge,
some hours
earlier, in
depot, and in easy communication with
Quitman and Twiggs, as well as with Worth.

" From
this point I
ordered
their respective corps, then in
all
detachments and stragglers
advance
sent to
Quitman
to
additional
MAJ. GEN. JOHN
A.
QUITMAN.
Scott's despatch.
435
siege-guns, ammunition, intrenching tools
remaining brigade (Riley's) from Piedad,

Captain Stcptoe's field-battery, also
Twiggs's
directed
to support
Worth, and
Piedad, to rejoin Quitman's
at
division.
"
had been, fiom the
first,
well aware that the western, or
San
Cosme, was
the less diflScult route to the centre,
the capital,
and therefore intended that (Quitman should only
and conquest of
manoeuvre and threaten the Belen or south-western gate, in order

to favour the
main attack by Worth, knowing
that the strong
defences at the Belen were directly under the guns of the

stronger fortress, called the Citadel, just within.
defences of the
enemy were
much
Both of these
also within easy supporting distance
from the San Angel (or Nino Pcrdido^ and San Antonio gates.
Hence
ment
the greater support, in numbers, given to Worth's
as the
main
" These views
attack.
I
repeatedly, in the course of the day,
Quitman
nicated to INIajor-General
gallant himself,
move-
commu-
but being in hot pursuit
and ably supported by Brigadier-Generals Shields
and Smith, Shields badly wounded before Chapultcpec, and

refusing to retire, as well as by
umn
fires,
Quitman continued
all
the officers
to press forward,
carried an intermediate battery of
gate, before
two o'clock
tionate loss, increased
in the afternoon,
by
his steady
" Here, of the heavy battery (4th
and men of the
under flank and
col-
direct
two guns, and then the

but not without propor-
maintenance of
artillery),
that position.
Captain
Drum and
Lieutenant Benjamin were mortally wounded, and Lieutenant

Porter,
its
third in
rank, slightly.
distinguished officers the
army
will
The
loss of those
long mourn.
two most
Lieutenants
J.
B. Morange and William Canty, of the South Carolina volunteers,

also of high merit,
fell
on the same occasion, besides
many
of
our bravest non-commissioned officers and men, particularly in
Captain Drum's veteran company.
57
cannot, in this place, give
436
names
of
all
numbers
or
but
returns of the killed and
full
corps, in their recent operations, will
" Quitman within the
adding
city
accompany
new
several
wounded
this report.
defences to
the position he had won, and sheltering his corps as well as practicable
now awaited the return of daylight under the guns of the
formidable citadel, yet to be subdued.
" About
four o'clock next
morning
(Sept. 14), a deputation of
upon
the Jlyuntamiento (city council) waited
some
to report that
army of Mexico had
the federal government and the

the capital
me
three hours before
and
fled
from
demand terms
to
of
capitulation in favour of the church, the citizens, and the municipal authorities,
tulation
promptly replied, that
that the city
had been
by Worth and Quitman the
Mexican army
that I regretted the silent escape of the
that I should levy
special purposes
upon the
and
nity of the United States,
opinion, imperiously
city a
that the
no terms not self-imposed
'<
would sign no capi-
virtually in our possession from
the time of the lodgments effected
day before
moderate contribution,
for
American army should come under
such only as
and the
its
own honour,
spirit of the
the dig-
age, should, in
my
demand and impose.
For the terms so imposed,
refer the
department
quent General Orders, Nos. 287 and 289 (paragraphs
to subse-
7, 8,
and 9
of the latter), copies of which are herewith enclosed.
" At the termination of the interview with the

I
to
communicated, about daylight, orders

advance slowly and cautiously
towards the heart of the
commanding
points.
city,
and
to
(to
to
city deputation,
Worth and Quitman
guard against treachery)
occupy
Quitman proceeded
its
stronger and
to the
more
great plaza or
square, planted guards, and hoisted the colours of the United

States on the National Palace, containing the halls of Congress
and executive departments of federal Mexico.

service,
my
In this grateful
Quitman might have been anticipated by Worth, but
express orders, halting the latter at the head of the
for
Alameda
SCOTT
(a p;rcen park), witliin
Tiie
tion.
cajiital,
tlirt'c
DESPATCH.
squares of
437
tliat
goal of general ambi-
however, was not taken by any
oni'
or
two
corjis,
but by the talent, the science, the gallantry, the prowess
of
entire army.
tiiis
In the glorious conquest,
early and powerfully, the killed, the

at
had contributed
all
wounded, and
the
fit
for duty,
Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco
(three battles), the
those
who
" Soon
Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec, as much as
fought at the gates of Belen and San Cosme.

after
the city, a
we had
houses, from
entered, and were in the act of occupying
was opened upon us from
fire
windows and corners
the
roofs of the
flat
by some two thou-
of streets,
sand convicts, liberated the night before by the flying government,

joined by, perhaps, as
many Mexican
soldiers,
who had disbanded
themselves, and thrown off their uniforms.

lasted
more than twenty-four hours,
This unlawful war
in spite of the exertions of the
municipal authorities, and was not put down
many men,
including several
punished the miscreants.
officers, killed or
we had
till
lost
wounded, and had
Their objects were to gratify national
hatred, and, in the general alarm and confusion, to plunder the
wealthy inhabitants, })articularly the deserted liouses.

lies are
now
generally returning
resumed, and the
But fami-
business of every kind has been
city is already tranquil
and cheerful, under the
admirable conduct (with exceptions very few and
trifling) of
our
gallant troops.
" This army has been more disgusted than surprised, that by
some
its
sinister ])rocess
on the part of certain individuals
numbers have been, generally, almost trebled
at
home,
in our public
papers, beginning at Washington.

'
Leaving, as
Perote,
we
all
feared, inadequate garrisons at Vera Cruz,
and Puebla, with much larger hospitals
obliged, most reluctantly, from the

of numbers) to
and being
same cause (general paucity
abandon Jalapa, we marched (August 710) from
Puebla with only 10,738 rank and
file.
This number includes
433
tlie
men
garrison of Jalapa, and the 2,429
brought up by Briga-
dier-General Pierce, August 6.
" At Contreras, Churubusco, &c,
men engaged
8,497
after
deducting the garrison of San Augus-
general depot), the intermediate sick and the dead
tin (our
the JMolino del
Rey (September
at
some
in all
in
two days
in the
8) but three brigades, with
making
3,251 men were
the
September 12th and 13th our whole
cavalry and artillery

battle
(August 20), we had but
operating force, after deducting, again, the recent killed, wounded,
and
sick, together with the garrison of
and
depot),
that of
deducting the
wounded
new
of the
Mixcoac
(the then general
Tacubaya, was but 7,180; and,
finally, after
garrison of Chapultepec, with the killed and
two days, we took possession (September 14th)
of this great capital with less than six thousand
And
men.
upon accumulated and unquestionable evidence,
reassert,
net one of those conflicts
was
three- and-a-half times its
numbers
that, in
army opposed by fewer than
this
in several of
them, by a yet
greater excess.
"I
recapitulate our losses since
Mexico
" August 19,
<'
arrived in the basin of
20. Killed, 137, including 14 officers. Wounded,
877, including 62
and
we
file.
Missing (probably
officers.
killed),
38 rank
Total, 1,052.
September
8.
665, including 49
Killed, 116, including 9

officers.
officers.
Missing, 18 rank and
file.
Wounded,
Total, 789.
" September 12, 13, 14. Killed, 130, including 10
Wounded, 703, including 68
officers.
officers.
Missing, 29 rank and
file.
Total, 862.
" Grand
total of losses,
" On the other hand,
2,703, including 383
this small force
officers.
has beaten on the same
occasions in view of their capital, the whole INIexican army, of

(at the
beginning) thirty-odd thousand
chosen positions,
behind
men
intrenchments,
posted, always,
or
more
in
formidable
Scott's despatch.
defences of nature and art
more than seven Uiousand

one-seventh
killed or
oilicers
139
wounded, of
that nundjer,
and men taken 3,730 prisoners,

;
including thirteen generals, of
officers,
this republic
had been presidents of
whom
three
captured more than twenty
colours and standards, seventy-five pieces of ordnance, besides
twenty thousand small-arms, an immense
fifty-seven wall-pieces,
quantity of shots, shells, powder, &c. &c.
" Of that enemy, once so formidable in numbers, appointments,

artillery,
&c., twenty-odd thousand have disbanded themselves in
despair, leaving, as is
known, not more than three fragments
the largest about 2,500
now wandering
in different directions,
without magazines or a military chest, and living
upon
their
own
people.
" General Santa Anna, himself a
fugitive, is believed to
the point of resigning the chief-magistracy,

tral
Guatemala.
clared,
at free quarters
A new
and escaping
is
expected
to
Zacatecas road, some time in October.
will find itself without resources
nals,
no magazines, and but
Still,
such
it
is
little
this,
at
on the
have seen and given
safe-conduct through this city, to several of
that
neu-
reassemble
Queretaro, a hundred and twenty-five miles north of
is
to
President, no doubt, will soon be de-
and the federal Congress
government
be on
its
;
members.
The
no army, no arse-
revenue, internal or external.
the obstinacy, or rather infatuation, of this people,
very doubtful whether the
new
authorities will dare to
sue for peace on the terms which, in the recent negotiations, were
******
.made known by our minister.
'<
In conclusion,
beg
to
enumerate, once more, with due com-
mendation and thanks, the distinguished
staff officers,
general and
personal, who, in our last operations in front of the enemy, accom-
panied mo, and communicated orders

every danger.
General
to
every point and through
Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, acting Inspector-
Major Turnbull and Lieutenant Hardcastle, to})Ographi-
440
cal engineers
Major Kirby, chief paymaster
quartermaster
Captain Irwin,
Captain Grayson, chief commissary
L. Scott, chief in the Adjutant's-General's department
ant Williams, aid-de-camp
and Major
J. P.
cliief
Captain H.
Lieuten-
Lieutenant Lay, military secretary
Gaines, Kentucky cavalry, volunteer aid-de-camp
Captain Lee, engineer, so constantly distinguished, also bore important orders from
wound and
me (September
the loss of
13), until he fainted from a
two nights' sleep
ants Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower,
with the divisions, and Lieutenants

lan, with the
company
all
of sappers and miners.
The ordnance
and
won
G. B. McClel-
Those
five lieuten-
the admiration of all
Captain Huger, Lieutenants
officers.
Hagner, Stone, and Reno, were highly

at the several batteries
eflective,
must add
and distinguished
that Captain
McKinstry,
assistant quartermaster, at the close of the operations,
several important commissions for
me
were
and untiring,
executed
as a special volunteer.
" Surgeon-General Lawson, and the medical
the
Lieuten-
wounded, were employed
G.W. Smith and
ants of engineers, like their captain,
about them.
at the batteries.
and out of
staff generally,
fire,
in ministering to
illustrate the operations in this basin, I
enclose two beau-
skilful
in
numerous wounded.
" To
drawings, prepared under the directions of Major Turnbull,
tiful
mostly from actual survey.
"
have the honour
to be, sir,
with high respect, your most
obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
The Hon. Wm.
L.
Marcy, Secretary
of
War."
Thus ended a campaign, perhaps

dern military annals.
A mere
the most wonderful in
mo-
handful of enthusiastic men, under
the guidance of skilful and brave officers, had dared to penetrate

into the heart of an
enemy's country, and occupy
defiance of the great natural and

tlieir
artificial
his capital, in
obstacles that
way, and the immense superiority of
hostile
impeded
numbers by
which those obstacles were strengthened and defended.
Useless
POSSESSION TAKEN OF THE CITY.
441
Tlie descendants of the heroic Cortez, though proud,
defence!
obstinate,
and vainolorious, enervated by a luxurious climate, had
neither the physical strength nor mental firmness which might have
enabled them
to successfully
whom
measure swords with those
they contemptuously designated as "the barbarians of the North."

In the short space of eighteen months, the armies of the United
States
had penetrated various
parts of the
the Atlantic Gulf to the Pacific
Mexican Republic from
Ocean; and neither castles, hitherto
called impregnable, nor rugged fortified passes, nor walled cities,
though defended by immense quantities of
artillery,
nor the bris-
tling bayonets of innumerable infantry, nor the flickering lance-
points of a cavalry admirably equipped and thoroughly versed in

the use of their particular arm, could offer
more than a temporary
resistance to
men whose
but with
one single foot of ground over which they had already
life,
advanced, and never
fixed determination
to turn
was never
aside from their
to yield,
march upon any
point towards which their efforts had been directed.
Nor
is
the glory of these achievements lessened
that the brilliant victories in
disciplined soldiers, but

quietly
engaged
business of
wê reflect
by men who a few months before were
in the various avocations
civil life,
when
Mexico were not gained by regularly
and by men
in all
which distinguish the
grades of society.
The
sons of the greatest statesmen of the republic and those of the
humblest
tillers
of the soil strode side
by side
into the thickest of
the combat, and each rivalled the other in the exhibition of cou-
rage and conduct.
was upon him, and

of the general in
in the
The
Each man fought
as if the eye of his country
the victories that ensued, apart from the plans
command, were
the result of individual heroism
aggregate, rather than of collective bravery.

battles of Palo Alto
regulars only
and the Palm Ravine were fought by
and perhaps a nice analysis would
find that,
from
these initial successes by the organized troops of the republic,
by which
the vol-
their better disciplined
compa-
arose subsequently that tremendous enthusiasm

unteers, emulating the
renown of
442
nions-in-arms,more than rivalled them
and stood coequal with them
How
results
ment
in the
in acts of individual darino-.
splendour of their successes.
seeminf^ly inadequate the force
were obtained,
will
was by which
these great
be best shown by the following state-
August 19th and 20th, before Contreras and Churubusco,
8497
September 8th, Molino del Rey,
32ol
September 13th and
And
1-lth, Cliai)ultepec
Mexico was
the city of
and the Garitas,
finally entered, after
garrison of Chapulte})ec and the killed and
7180
deducting the
wounded, by
less
than
6000 men.
The
intermediate losses in killed, wounded, and missing, were
as follows
Killed.
Contreras and Churubusco,
137
Molino del Rey,
116
Wounded.
Chapultepec, the Garitas, and within
130
the city,
383
Of
the
number
The Mexican
of killed, 33 were officers and
losses in these
Killed and
Prisoners,
350 rank and
engagements, were
wounded,
7000
3730
file.
CHAPTER
XXVI.
American Army Guerrilla Warfare Attack on Mcin Reinforced by Cadwalader Skirmish the National Bridge
Arrival
Jalapa Battle of La Iloya Gallantry of Captain Walker Cadvvaladcr's Report Pillow's Reinforcement General Pierce's Attack on Lally's
Train Skirmish
Paso do Ovejas At the National Bridge At Cerro Gordo
Ai Las AnimasArrival JalapaAmerican Loss.
Isolated condition of the

tosh's Train
at
at
at
at
From
the time the
army
of the United States left Puebla, on
when
of August, to the 14th of September,
tlie Till
it
entered the
city of ]\rexico, Scott did not receive a single reinforcement,
and
most part of that period his communication with the coast
for the
was completely cut
off
by the
activity of the guerrilleros,
who had
thrown themselves between the inadequate garrisons established

along the
lino.
These garrisons were themselves
frequt^ntly tlireatened,
required the most incessant vigilance on the part of the
manders both
at
but heroic garrison maintained a noble defence until

lieved
But
army
ing
trains
its
it
weak
was
re-
by reinforcements under General Lane.

it
was upon
the trains,
supplies, large
which containing, besides the usual
amounts of specie
for the
officers, that the attacks of the guerrilleros
made.
it
com-
Perote and Puebla, to avert the designs of the
Puebla was indeed eventually besieged, and
enemy.
and
The long
stretch of
were most frequently
wagons and mules
were composed, and the
they were
use of the disburs-
of which these
utterly inadequate force
usually guarded, offered irresistible
by which
temptations to
roving bands of the enemy, whose knowledge of the country
58
443
444
enabled them
appear suddenly
to
disappear with equal rapidity,

to
be unfavourable.
is
so great,
The
if
at
any designated
point,
and to
the chances of success promised
distance between Vera Cruz and Perote
and the points of attack
so
many,
that, notwithstand-
ing the exertions of a company of Mounted Rifles, under the

celebrated Captain
Samuel H. Walker, which
route tolerably clear, there
for a
time kept the
a train that ventured
up
which did not meet with interruption by the way.
to Perote
Had
was scarcely
there
been
at this
time a subsidiary force suiHcient to have
maintained posts, such as were subsequently established

National Bridge, Plan del Rio, and the city of Jalapa,
the
at
much
of
the annoyance and loss incident to a line of route continually
blocked up and reopened might have been avoided.
On
the 4th of June, 1847, a train of
command
under the
brave and gallant
left
Vera Cruz,
This
of Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Mcintosh.
officer
self at the battles of

fell
wagons
had already gloriously distinguished him-
Palma, where he
la
pierced with wounds, from which he had not fully recovered
when he sought
to rejoin his
Subsequently,
after
regiment
at
Puebla.
enduring the perils of the march and
tinguishing himself at the battle of Churubusco, he

seriously
wounded while leading
terrible assault of
train of
was again
the brigade of Clarke to the
Molino del Rey, of which wound, aggravated
by those previously received, he
The
dis-
shortly afterwards died.
which he assumed the command, was
respect inethcient.
The
drivers
in every
were bad, the teams unbroken,
and the troops, new volunteers from the northern
states of the
Union, exceedingly debilitated by the heat and unhealthiness of

the climate.
The
train consisted of
loaded with
amounted
sjiecie
one hundred and twenty-eight wagons,
and ammunition, and
in all to six
its
conducting force
hundred and eighty-eight men, of
whom
ATTACK ON m'iNTOSh's TRAIN.

six huiulred
445
and six were reported on the 7th of Juiu' as
fit
for
duty.
By
owing
the evening of the second day,
to accidents
On
had befallen them, four wagons were abandoned.

ing of the 6th the troops broke up their
after
camp on
proceeding a few miles, were attacked
the guerrilleroSj while ascending a
hill.
the
the morn-
San Juan, and

first
time by
hills in the
distance
for the
The
which
being also seen covered with the enemy, the wagons were parked,
and, after a short contest, the assailants were dislodged with some
The march was then resumed, but
loss.
ceeded more than a mile when the
now opened
front,
off",
the
As soon
in rear.
the train
firing, w^hich
march was again resumed.
as the
had not pro-
was previously
in
enemy was beaten
Half a mile further on he
another and more desperate attack, but was eventually dis-
made
persed by a vigorous charge, and his force driven back into the
recesses of the forest.
It
being
now
dark, and the firing having
ceased, the train was halted at this point, and the troops rested
upon
their arras all night.
The next day, on

again harassed,
visions
the route to Paso de Ovejas, the train
when
was
finding himself scantily supplied with pro-
and forage, and learning that more serious attacks were
be apprehended
at the National
to
Bridge and the passes beyond.
Colonel Mcintosh determined to send back his mules to Vera
Cruz
for a
supply of provisions, and at the same time despatched
a communication to General Cadwalader, then at that place, re-
questing an additional force.
In the
mean time he encamped
at
Paso de Ovejas, with the loss of twenty-four wagons, and of

twenty-five
On
ment
On
in the
men
killed
and wounded.
the 11th, General
of five
Cadwalader joined him with
a reinforce-
hundred men, and assumed command of the whole.
the afternoon of the 12th the
march was continued, and
late
day the column reached the National Bridge.
Here the enemy was discovered strongly posted' in occupation
HISTORY OF
446
of the fort to
tlic left
of
heiglits to the ri<;ht.
tions of the
a raking
Mexican war.
Tin-:
bridg;e
upon the
The bridge was barricaded, and
the posi-
tiie
road,
enemy were such
and beyond the
tliat it
could only be crossed under
fire.
simultaneous attack upon the
and barricade was accord-
fort
ingly ordered, and as soon as the howitzers, under Lieutenant
Prince, had breached the barricade, one
two of
infantry dashed forward
and succeeded
ketry,
company
of cavalry and
amid a plunging storm
No
in crossing the bridge.
mus-
of
sooner was this
accomplished than Pittman's company of the 9th infantry, supported by a detachment from other companies, led by Brevet
Captain Hooker, rapidly ascended the heights beyond, and

a sharp skirmish drove the
In this
affair the loss
enemy from
of Cadwalader
his position
was
after
and held
thirty-two, killed
it.
and
wounded.
No further interruption of consequence

ing the city of Jalapa.
by
From
occurred until after leav-
this place the
column, being joined
the garrison under Colonel Childs, continued
18th, and on the 20th approached the pass of
enemy was known

The necessary
attack
to
be already posted
was found
of Colonel
train,
In the battle of
for his
to repel his
have been already
by Walker's
Wynkoop, who, being aware
and of the force by which
had marched out from Perote
koop
to
the
numbers.
Rifles,
companies of the Pennsylvania regiment, under
five
command
proach of the
La Hoya, where
in considerable
successfully assailed from the opposite end
the
march on the
were accordingly made
dispositions
but, on nearing the pass, he
supported by
its
La Hoya,
to
meet
it
of the ap-
was threatened,
it.
great credit
is
due
to Colonel
promptitude in marching from Perote to
Wyn-
assist in
disengaging the column of Cadwalader from the apprehended

difficulties of the
leros
assembled
heroic Walker.
pass; but the honour of dispersing the guerrilat that point
belongs almost exclusively
to the
GALLANTRY OF CAPTAIN AVALKER.
The
447
from the 1st Pennsylvaniii regiment readied the
detail
enemy
pass before midnight of the 19th, when, finding the
Wynkoop
from making an attack
refrained
should come up.
These
Las Vegas, and did not
of the village of
to the front, they
was more properly
number
of the
Walker gave
enemy were thrown
across the front
the order to charge, and galloping im-
petuously through the midst of a random and harmless

the guerrilleros to their fastnesses
was urged with

arrested
the duty
but observing by the light of his picket-fires that
a considerable
of the pass,
arrive at the pass until
were ordered to advance and dislodge the
This, during the darkness,
of infantry
an examination
in
morning of the 20th. As soon as they moved
three o'clock on the
enemy.
been detained
liad
in force,
Walker's Rides
until
among
the hills.
fire,
The
drove
pursuit
most daring impetuosity, but was suddenly
the
by the advance encountering a fence
at a turn of the road,
over which Walker and seven of the foremost were precipitated,
with the loss of their horses.
Finding
it
impossible to render further service against an un-
seen enemy, and ignorant of what obstacles might yet remain to
be overcome. Walker withdrew his
arms
men and
rested
them on
their
until daylight.
The next morning. Colonel Wynkoop,

occupying the heights
finding the guerrilleros
numbers, and
in great
self surrounded, determined to
fall
being him-
fearful of
back upon Perote.
This
ill-
timed resolution, the result of an excessive prudence rather than

of any lack of courage, might have been productive of the most
unfortunate consequences to the column of Cadwalader, had not
Walker, stung
to
the quick with the dishonour of a retrograde
movement, separated
galloping back
action with the
in
his
Mounted
About two miles from

discovered.
command from
the direction of
La
that of the infantry,
and
commenced
the
Iloya,
Rifles alone.
the pass,
Walker threw out
some
fifty
his skirmishers
of the
on
enemy being
foot,
with orders
443
bring on the engagement, and immediately afterwards dis-
to
mounting the
In a few minutes the skirmishers were driven
of a low stone fence.

in
connnand, he posted them under cover
rest of his
by overwhelming numbers, and the action commenced!

After a sharp and well contested firing, which lasted half an
hour, the
enemy
fell
The
Rifles
wounded.
In the
open
mean
of forty killed and
back, with the loss
now sprung
to their horses
and charged.
time, Cadwalader's artillery had been heard to
Wynkoop's detachment
end of the pass.
at the other
re-
turned at this juncture to the support of Walker, and the guerril-
themselves pressed on
leros, finding
Shortly afterwards the train

this brilliant affair the
precipitately.
all sides, fled
was brought through without
command
of
Walker
consisted of only
one men, while the enemy had three hundred
men
In
loss.
fifty-
actually en-
gaged, and a like number hovering in view.
The following
report,
by General Cadwalader, presents a con-
nected view of the incidents of the march after he came to the

relief of the train
"Head-Quarters, First Brigade, Third

Piiebla, Mexico, July
<<
to
Sir
In reply to your letter dated the
Division,
I'i,
1847.
1th instant, recpiesting
be furnished with a report of the incidents which occurred on
my
march from Vera Cruz
the
enemy,
I respectfully
to this place, including
submit the following
combats with
for the information
of the General-in-chief.
"On
the 7th of June, whilst awaiting at
of a portion of the troops of
my
brigade,
Vera Cruz the
arrival
received a letter by
express from Colonel Mcintosh, dated the 6th June, eleven P. M.,
at
Paso de Ovcjas, stating that he had been
since ten A.
escort of
INT.,
my
'
constantly attacked
to-day, and that the inunense train under the
(his)
troops
is
so extensive, that
without a considerable additional force to guard
copy of the
letter is
herewith enclosed.
it
it
is
im[)ossible
and proceed.'
BRIG. GEN.
GEORGE
C AD
W AL A D K
11.
cadwalader's report.
<'
44&
Immediately orders were communicated
for so
many
troops as could be provided with trans})ortation, to be
marching order; and early on the morning of the
of the
put in
8th, one
com-
pany of the 3d dragoons, one section of the howitzer battery from

the regiment of voltigcurs, and a
detachment of
infantry, in all
hundred, were en route
to reinforce the
column await-
about
five
ing support.
"
On coming up
of June,
it
with Colonel Mcintosh, which
was found
that
we would be unable
to
was on
the lOfh
proceed without
delay, in consequence of the crippled condition of his train, while,

at the
same time,
the scarcity of forage and the limited supply of
provisions for the troops to Jalapa, rendered

to direct that every effort should
marching condition, and

at the earliest practicable
<<
On
in
be
me
to put the train in

in readiness to leave
moment.
the following afternoon the
Before leaving Paso de Ovejas,
enemy,
be made
for the troops to
necessary for
it
column resumed
we had
its
reason to believe
considerable numbers, were occupying the
march
tliat
the
command-
ing positions in our front, at the National Bridge, and were pre-
pared
''
to resist us at that point.
On
approaching the bridge, they were found
sion of the fort on the left of the
deliver their
fire
to
be in posses-
road, from which they could
with effect upon the train at several ])oints, from
the circuitous course of the road in
before reaching the foot of the ravine.
its
descent to the bridge
The enemy were
also in
possession of the heights on the opposite side of the bridge, from
which
j)oint
they would have a raking
durintr the passage of the river.
ticable to reach, except
" The bridge

it
itself
upon o
fire
These heights
found
ir
it
columns
imprac-
by crossing the bridge.
was barricaded. Under
these circumstances
a])peared to be necessary to detach a sufficient infimtry force to
drive the
enemy from
ing the bridge
the fort overhanging the road, before reach-
and, simultaneous with that movement, to order
HISTORY OF THK MEXICAN WAR.
450
forward the howitzers to breach the barricade, and a company of
cavahy and two of
infantry to force the bridge as soon as a pass-
age was prepared
for
Lieutenant and Adjutant Henry
them.
Prince, of the 4th infantry,
who had been assigned
me
highly valuable service
the howitzers, rendered
moment.
He advanced
with the
and succeeded
battery,
breaching the barricades, and preparing the way

charge, which
was made under
The heights upon
a heavy
command
to
at this critical
fire
in
our troops to
for
from the enemy.
the right, after crossing the bridge, were carried
by Captain Pitman's company of the 9th
infantry,
detachment from other com})anies, under a
fire
and a small
from the enemy,
my
handsomely led by Brevet Captain Hooker, the chief of
Having thus gained possession of
the points on which
staff.
was
it
necessary for us to encamp, both on account of water and the

security of the train, the latter
for the night.
have
was ordered forward
antl
parked
to regret the loss of thirty-two officers
and
men, killed and wounded, belonging to the service, with others

employed with the
reason to believe that the

positive information has
their loss,
in
We
whose names are not known.
train
enemy
been communicated
or the numbers engaged.
to
me
with regard to
In consequence of our delay
marching from Paso de Ovejas, we were compelled
plish a part of our
work
been forced by
to
accom-
under cover of the night, and to this
mainly attribute the limited

tions
have
suffered severely, although no
loss
daylight,
we
tlu;
sustained.
list
Had
of killed
those posi-
and wounded
would have been, unquestionably, greatly augmented.
" On
escort,
or
the 13th, after sending
we proceeded
to
back the wounded with a
suitable
Plan del Rio, with no other interruption
annoyance than an occasional discharge of escopets
portions of our troops and train.
The discharges
at
small
usually pro-
ceeded from behind dense thickets, almost impracticable for our

flankers to penetrate,
and not unfrequently resulted
men, horses, and mules.
in the loss of
cadwalader's report.
"
We
passec-.
possession of the
Jalapa, where
14tli,
having previously taken
positions,
and on the 15th reached
Ccrro Gordo the
commanding
we were
451
under Colonel
joined by the brigade
Before leaving that city on the 18th, information reached
Childs.
enemy were
us that the
La Hoya, prepared
in force at
our advance in so strong a position, and
we encamped
On
lage before entering the pass on the 19th.
the 20th, at an early hour, our advance found
to resist
at the vil-
approaching
it
it
on
occupied with a
considerable force, apparently determined to dispute the passage
Four companies, under Captain Winder, of the
of the train.
artillery, were sent in advance, with written instructions to
On
the successive heights in the pass.
the
that he
upon the intermediate height
force
gaining the mountain on
with two companies, he reported the
left
1st
occupy
from which only the other height, which
enemy
be also in
to
had already gained,
commanded
the road,
could be approached.
Major Dimick, with two companies, was
sent to reinforce him.
The approach
rear of the
tately
of this detachment
enemy was unexpected, and they were
killing four,
in
driven precipi-
Captain Winder suc-
from the mountains across the road.
ceeded
upon the
and taking three prisoners, and three
prisoners were taken
by Major Dimick.
with a portion of the
fu'st
The enemy
frilling
in
regiment Pennsylvania volunteers, and
Captain Walker's company of mounted riflemen, under the com-
Wynkoop,
mand
of Colonel
ties.
The advance
drove the
enemy
of the
a brisk
thirty
at
men.
their escape, the
The
force of the
field,
several
enemy seen by
The command encamped
I refer
59
you
to the report of
who were wounded
enemy admitting
it
was
us,
a loss of over
was estimated
said to have
been much
that night at Rio Frio,
the 21st reached Perote, at twelve o'clock,
"
par-
more than two miles, they leav-
about seven hundred, although
greater.
was opened by both
Second Brigade, under Colonel Childs,
in confusion for
ing seven or eight dead upon the
having made
fire
Colonel
and on
M.
Thomas
Childs, in
com-
452
mand
of the
Second Brigade of the division under
herewith enclosed, from
whom
my command,
received valuable
assistance
from the time he joined me.
" The miserable mustang ponies, by which our

rendered
it
difficult,
train closed up,
and
train
was drawn,
over a mountainous country, to keep the
to afford
an enemy, without attention
proper protection to
to the
management
in the face of
it
by
of the train
the proper officers, and the assistance of persons of experience
and industry.
" At Pcrote,
mules
Puebla,
for
became necessary
it
purchase a number of
to
and on the 23d June, as
for the train,
was about
to
march
received an order from Major-General Pillow, by
express from Vera Cruz, directing
me
not to proceed beyond
Perote until his arrival at that place.
" On the
1st -July,
General Pillow arrived
assumed the command previously

Enclosed you will
the
have the honour
Perote,
and
our march to this place.
find a return of the killed
march from Paso de Ovejas
"
to
at
and wounded during
to Perote.
to be, very respectfully,
your obedient
servant,
GEO.
CADWALADER,
Brigadier- General U. S. Jlrmy, commanding.

Captain H. L. Scott,
AcVg AssH
On
Adjutant-General, head-quarters of the army/'
the 17th of June, General Pillow left
Vera Cruz
for
Puebla,
with a reinforcement of one thousand men, and arrived safely at

the head-quarters of the army, with scarcely the loss of a single
man.
General Pierce,
Scott, with
who
twenty-five
left
Vera Cruz
in
July, to join General
hundred men, one
hundred and
wagons, seven hundred mules, and a million of dollars
was
less fortunate.
with his
When
fifty
in specie,
he had reached the National Bridge,
command, he was attacked by
fourteen hundred Mexi-
lally's march.
when
cans,
a spirited
engagement took place,
found
it
loss in killed
in wliicli tlie
of one hundred and
cans were defeated with a loss
American
I,');?
and wounded was
Mexi-
men.
fifty
The
General Pierce
thirty.
necessary, after this, to return to Vera Cruz for artillery
and reinforcements.
With
these advantages he
marched forward,
and reached Puebla the day before General Scott marched on the
capital.
But
a train of
unteers,
the
which
command
wagons, guarded by a force of one thousand vol-
started from
Vera Cruz on the Cth of August, under
Major Lally, met with serious and continual
of
interruptions.
Under
the impression that this train
conveyed a large amount
of specie, the guerrilleros assembled from
all
quarters, in
numbers
varying, at different points along the line of route, from twelve
hundred
The
two thousand men.
to
first
made on
attack,
the 10th of August, at Paso de Ovejas,
was repulsed by
Lally, after a severe skirmish
hour and a
The American
half.
loss
which lasted an
was eleven men
killed
and
wounded.
On
the 12th, a second and far
enemy
more serious attempt upon the
train
was made by
the
itself
was found
be barricaded, and the
to
at the
hills in front
right of the town, and the castle on the left,
large
numbers of
Bv
The bridge
National Bridge.
were
all
and on the
occupied by
guerrilleros.
the exertions of the Artillery, under Lieutenant Sears, those
positions were eventually forced and the guerrilleros compelled to

retire.
The
contest at this point had been unusually obstinate
and protracted
severe, the
of
whom
On
and the American
thirteen
of killed and
was correspondingly
to fifty-one,
were killed and seven wounded mortally.
to force the passes of
command,
loss
wounded amounting
the 15th, leaving his train behind
determined
of his
number
him
at
Plan del Rio, Lally
Cerro Gordo with the main body
before advancing his wagons.
This was sue-
454
cessfully accomplished on the 16th,
by a dashing assault upon
The
the batteries enfilading the road.
of a detail of one hundred and thirty

nies,
was
led with great gallantry
4th infantry, the

sive positions,
captured.
enemy being
storming-party, consisting
men from
various compa-
by Lieutenant Ridgely, of the
rapidly driven from
all
his defen-
and two guns and a large amount of ammunition
Lally's loss at this point
was two
killed
and eleven
wounded.
On
the
Las Animas, within a mile and a half of Jalapa,
the 19th, at
enemy made
a final attempt upon the train
but
after receiv-
ing a few rounds of canister, he was effectually dispersed by a
charge of infantry, and the train entered Jalapa a short time

wards, having sustained a
loss,
after-
including the skirmishes already
mentioned, and desultory attacks along the
line of route,
amount-
ing in killed, wounded, and missing, to one hundred and
five
men.
On
the 13th, an expedition
left
Lally's
command.
pany of
the 15th infantry. Captain
It
Vera Cruz
was composed
to reinforce
Major
of Captain Wells's
com-
Hade's company of the 14th
infantry,
and Captain Fairchild's company of the Louisiana Ran-
gers, all
under
far as the
command
of Captain Wells.
command, but he had proceeded on and
Lally's
in safety
beyond Jalapa.
The
it
came up,
wagons save one,

of the men.
of his
the
fire
upon the command of

and
The enemy captured
the
baggage of
Before the final
carried his train
killing nearly all the mules,
forcing the whole party to retire.
five
as
guerrilleros occupied the heights
about the bridge, and opened a heavy
Captain Wells as
had
They proceeded
National Bridge, where they expected to overtake Major
the officers,
affair at the
and the knapsacks
bridge. Captain Wells
successive engagements with the enemy.
command was owing
to the
all
advantage of
The
repulse
artillery,
pos-
sessed by the Mexicans, from which they fired grape witli good
effect.
SKIOIISIl
To
AT THE PASO DE OVEJAS.
455
restrain the depreciations of the giierrilleros,
it
was deemed
advisable to obtain possession of the National Bridge.
Hughes was despatched

lery,
for that
and some companies of
He succeeded
infantry.
dislodging the enemy, and by his promptitude
check
in that vicinity.
command was
Soon
after his
them
in
occupation of the place,
iiis
strengthened by some recruits for the 2d infantry,
The
captain
Vera Cruz on the 11th of September with a battalion of six
companies,
arid a train of
the army.
On
wagons with
provisions and
money
for
reaching the Paso de Ovejas, about nightfall, he
anticipated an attack from the

his
artil-
readily in
held
which were brought up by Captain Heintzelman.

left
Colonel
purpose with two pieces of
enemy, and placed
camp, and posted a picket of
forty
sentinels around
men upon
the heights to
prevent any sudden surprise.
During the night the enemy made

in the party posted
camp
into the
who had
ing the
enemy
wliich disconcerted the
fell,
He
in repelling
Checked by the
number
reinforced to the
and advanced
loss
which many of the
them and regaining
which they met, the enemy
to molest the picket,
of a hundred.
their
afforded an opportunity to
National Bridge
when
it
fell
back
first
con-
result in killed
first
fire,
while
it
newly-appointed surgeon. Dr. R.
T. Spence, for the exercise of his

In the morning the
the lost
which was now
This was the
bravery under a
its
to dis-
took with him about two
which the battalion was engaged, and the
and wounded evinced
25th,
fire
Captain Hays,
troops.
after a sharp conflict, in
succeeded
and did not again attempt
flict in
raw
in possession of the heights,
hundred men, and
position.
upon them, drove
seen considerable service, perceived the danger of leav-
lodge them from their position.
enemy
a descent
upon the heights, and poured a destructive
skill
and humanity.
army proceeded onward, and reached
from which place
it
did not
move
the
until the
proceeded on with the army of General Lane, of
456
Indiana.
In
tlie
ture out
val of
mean
Vera Cruz on the 23d, and con-
arrived from
It hail
sisted of twenty-eight
hundred
time, Lally,
infantry, horse,
who had reached
upon the road, but remained
Lane with
his
and
artillery.
Jalapa, did not ven-
at tiiat place until the arri-
command.
Thus, by active parties of guerrilla bands, the road between
Vera Cruz and Puebla was continually infested, and no one could
travel widiout a powerful escort.
tlie
partisan leaders of these bands
who had
The most active and daring

was Father
laid aside the pastoral crook of the ministry of
the sword of strife
and the sanguinary spear.
of
Jarauta, a priest,
peace
for
CHAPTER
XXVII.
Army Mexico Quitman appointed Governor Scott's General Orders
A Contribution levied on the Capital Arrangement of the

of General Scott Approach of Reinforcements Establishment of new Posts
along the
Peace Prospects Circumstances favourable Negotiation
Mexican Prisoners Correspondence between the Archbishop of Mexico and
General Scott Arrival of Reinforcements Assessment of the Mexican States
Contemplated Operations Condition of General Santa Anna Increase of the
Peace Party Election of Herrera Negotiations Recall of Scott.
Americnn
in
'I'roops
Difficulties
to
line
The American army
having
length obtained undisputed
at
possession of the city of Mexico, General Scott established his
head-quarters at
His
first
act
tlie
was
National Palace.
to issue
an order, dated September 14th,
cautioning his troops against excesses of every kind, and urging

the importance of the strictest military discipline.
order Major-General
Governor of the
On
civil
the
same
and military
city.
September, the 16th, he promulgated a second order,
which he "
lic
Quitman was appointed
By
calls
upon
his brethren-in-arms to return, both in
and private worship, thanks and gratitude
triumphs" which he had vouchsafed

this order,
lest the
to the
to
God
in
pub-
for the signal
American arms.
In
he reiterates the necessity of the strictest discipline,
discomfited enemy, reuniting with the populace, should
attempt to
make himself once more master
Tlie following
day he caused
to
of the capital,
be republished, with additions^
the General Orders of February 19th, 1847, declaring martial law,
and imposing a contribution of one hundred and

dollars
upon the
city of
Mexico,
to
fifty
thousand
be paid by the corporate

(457)
'
'
458
authority in
weekly instalments of thirty-seven thousand
four
five-hundred doHars each.
Of
this levy,
twenty thousand dollars were appropriated to the
purchase of extra comforts
for the
wounded and
sick, ninety
thousand dollars
to the gratuitous distribution of blankets
among
and
the rank
and
file,
forty
and shoes
thousand dollars reserved
for
other military purposes.*
On
September the army was ordered
the l8th of
be quartered
to
over the city as early as practicable, in the following manner:
" The
of San
first
division on or near the
direct route from the gate
Cosme, towards the Cathedral, and extending
the east
little
beyond
end of the Alameda.
" The second

towards the gate
division
of
about the
San Lazaro,
" The third division on
Plaza Mayor, extending
or the Pefion.
or near the direct route from the gate
of Peravilla, or Guadaloupe, towards the Cathedral.
" The volunteer
division on or near the direct route from the
gate of San Antonio, towards the Cathedral."
On
each of these gates a competent guanl was ordered
detailed from the respective divisions, protected
to
be
by two pieces of
artillery.
From
Scott
this time,
up
to the
was busily engaged
in
second week in October, General

preparing his despatches, detailing
the operations around the capital.
particularly at this time
This appears
to
a task of great labour.
have been
Not only were
discrepancies to be reconciled, and errors corrected, but the more

delicate office of discriminating
between
rival claims,
and award-
ing to each gallant soldier his due share of honour, imposed the
necessity of
as
is
material investigation.
These labours
resulted,
many
aspirants
generally the case, in the disappointment of
for military
As
much
if to
fame.
imbitter
still
more
*
this
unpleasant state of feeling, the
General Orders, 287.
PROSPECTS OF PEACE.
some
republication of
459
States, professing
iVoin the I'liited
letters
an account of the battles of the H)th and 20th of August,
to n-ive
and most unjustly claiming

honour of those
ral-in-chief
for
Major-General Pillow the chief
widened the breach between the Gene-
victories,
and some of
his
and led
nearest subordinates,
to
charges and recriminations as dangerous to the " morale'^ of the
army, as they were injurious
By
to its efficiency.
middle of October, having learned unofficially that
the
reinforcements ranging in
number between
and
four thousand
seven thousand men, were on their route from Vera Cruz towards
the capital, General Scott issued a circular to the
commanders
of posts along the line, directing three military posts to be established
between Vera Cruz and Jalapa, the regarrisoning of the

with twelve hundred men, and the garrison
latter city
to
The
be strongly reinforced.
further strengthened
line
of communication
by the establishment
of a
new
midway between Puebla and
pass of Rio Frio, about
at
Puebla
was
still
post at the
the city of
Mexico.
Nothing now remained
be done
government of the
civil
until the arrival of additional
In the meantime, the duties of the military
troops at the capital.
and
to
city
were ably
fulfilled
by
JNIajor-
General Quitman.
The most
and
courtesy
generally.
induced
perfect order
By
decorum
this
was
rigorously maintained, and a quiet
strictly
enforced
towards the
citizens
generous course of conduct, the wealthy were
to return- to the
homes they had timidly abandoned, and
the customary pleasures and avocations of a luxurious city
resumed, with a
American
seemed
The
flag
spirit
were
and confidence which the presence of the
floating
from the walls of the national
palace
rather to heighten than subdue.
prospects of peace, however, were
faint hopes, indeed,
assemble
60
still
clouded.
Some
were entertained from the Congress about
at Queretaro,
but the elements of discord
among
to
the
460
rival
candidates for power were as yet too
much
disturbed to
allow of any calculation as to what would be the result of the

session.
The
his
recall of
powers by
who were
Mr. Trist about
his
own
and the revocation of
this time,
government, were a source of regret to
pacifically disposed; and,
had that gentleman implicitly
obeyed his instructions, by returning home

whether any subsequent attempt
many
at once,
at negotiation
it
doubtful
is
might not have
been seriously embarrassed by those malcontents whose
official
existence depended upon maintaining a belligerent attitude on the
Mexican people.
The reinforcements gradually drawing towards
part of the
the activity of General

their fastnesses
afforded
them
of
avail
little
influential
Lane
the capital,
in routing the guerrilla
and occupying the towns which had
protection,
against
Mexicans
by
hitherto
proving even that system of warfare
American
to
and
bands from
troops, also predisposed
a favourable termination
many
of hostilities;
but they were fearful of giving voice to their desires while the
possibility
remained of the war party regaining
former
tlieir
ascendancy.
The imposing
enabled
to
position, however,
which General Scott was
assume by the occupation of the Mexican
capital,
the increase of his garrisons along the line, and the strong force
was contemplated he would soon have at

operating against the states of the interior, began
which
for
it
impression even upon those defiant
spirits
his disposal
to
remotely secure from the actual scene of warfare, were
clemency on
tlie
was
still
further
at
length
its evils.
This favour-
enhanced by
a noble act of
threatened with an actual participation in

able state of feeling
make an
who, residing hitherto
part of General Scott.
After the capture of Vera Cruz and the victory of Cerro Gordo,
the prisoners of war, both officers
on parole.
and rank and
Unfortunately, this generosity
was
file,
in
were released
many
instances
LETTER FROM THE ARCHBISHOP OF MEXICO.

abused
and men of
all
stations
were known
461
have dishonoured
to
themselves by immediately resuming arms against their former
To
conquerors.
battles
to
correct this evil, those prisoners taken
in the
These amounted
around Mexico were held in durance.
about eight hundred men, and the deplorable condition to
which the families of many were reduced

the venerable Archbishop of
Mexico
consequence moved
in
to intercede in their behalf.
A correspondence alike honourable to both parties was accordingly

opened between
that prelate
and the General-in-chief, and resulted
favourably.
The
letter of the
Archbishop, and the reply of General Scott,
are equally worthy of preservation, as indicating the esteem in
which the American commander was held by the Mexican

Church, and the frank and generous conduct by which
opinion had been
won
Ecclesiastical
this
good
Government of the Archbishopric of Mexico, i

Mexico, November 5, 1847.
y
" Most Excellent Sir
The
respect which your Excellency has
manifested to the Mexican church (of which
me
head), in calling upon me, has induced
am
to take
unworthy
the
advantage of
the favourable disposition of your Excellency to ask a favour which

will perpetuate
members
of
your memory, and will make known
my
to the faithful
diocess the feeling of benevolence which you
entertain towards them.
"
multitude of fathers, wives, children, brothers, and other
relations of the prisoners
who
now
are
confined, under
of your Excellency, loudly entreat their liberty
themselves vehemently lament the
ment has brought down upon

for subsistence,
and
in
many
evils
which
their confine-
who depend upon them
and who, consequently, are reduced
political reason
why
order
and the prisoners
to misery,
Were
cases to an absolute state of indigence.
any important
liberated,
many
their families,
tiie
there
these prisoners should not be
should not have been so bold as to ask
it
but their
HISTORY OF THR MF.XICAN WAR.
462
number
small, and
is
dislributi'd, as
parts of the republic, their importance
"
ask their liberty, not only because
my
but
upon
to
use
my
in that character they
most tender
care.
ample of
many
so
good
stead,
a duty of
it is
my
office,
my
have a right
to
to
they were sheep of the
care,
considered myself
demand my
pastoral
and
I wish to imitate the ex-
who, before now, have
lent
without success) in cases of the same nature.
I hesitate to constitute
me
for
utmost endeavours in their favour, because
illustrious prelates,
and willingly
obliges
to
if
For the same reason,
offices (not
Neither would
faith
And, as
most especially intrusted
called
be, in dilTerent
insignificant.
me to solicit some real consolation

men whom the fates of war have reduced
so lamentable a condition.
flock
Avill
heart also impels
these unfortunate
their
they
must be
even
myself a prisoner
would be the ransom of their

be anathematized
to
in their
liberty, as
for the
sake of
my
my
In our days, the brave General Lamoriciere, by the
brethren.
mediation of the bishop of Algiers, obtained the liberty of a considerable
number
French prisoners from the barbarous Abdel
of
Kader, and
notable
of benevolence and
who
is
trait
take the liberty to recall to your Excellency this
magnanimity on the part of a man
ignorant of the duties of Christian charity.
Scott, doubtless, has a heart equally noble
his
General
and generous
nor to
Christian character, will be indifferent the mediation of a
Catholic archbishop
the church
who
entreats your Excellency, in the
which he governs,
to believe that after so
name
of
It is difficult
many proofs of philanthropy, your Excellency
will not lend yourself to
the church will
to grant this favour.
an act of clemency and generosity which
remember
of history as one of those
as a great favour,
and the annals
noble actions peculiar to republican
countries.
"
entreat
God Almighty
to preserve
your Excellency
years, and to incline your heart to grant to the
the precious gift of liberty.
Mexican
many
prisoners
scott's uefly to the Aucimisnop.
"I am,
you
463
with respect, the servant of your Excellency, ^vho ioves
Jesus Christ.
in
JUAN MANUEL,
Archbishop of Cesarea.
To
the most excellent
Don Winfield
Scott,
the Army
McxkoP
Major General and Comviandcr-in-chief of

of
the United States
of the North, in
was
reply of General Scott, a few days afterwards,
The
follows
as
" Head-Quarters of the Army of the U. S.

Mexico, Nov. 10, 1847.
I
The
"Sir:
request of your grace, on the part of the holy

I
should release, on parole,
in the
hands of the American
church of which you are the head, that

the prisoners of
army,
"
is
war remaining
entitled to the highest consideration.
beg
to state
what have been, heretofore,
endeavours on the subject of prisoners in
tween the United States and

" At Vera Cruz,
this
my
practice
and
unhappy war be-
JNIexico.
very willingly stipulated that the Mexican
garrison should be permitted to return to their respective
on parole, although I had
in
it
my power
to
homes
reduce the garrisons
to unconditional submission.
" At Cerro Gordo, the Mexican prisoners who surrendered

discretion to the
army under
my command,
at
were voluntarily and
promptly paroled by me.

"
am
sorry to say, that
many
of the ofKcers and
on those occasions, encouraged by the

are
known
to
late
men
Mexican
authorities,
have violated their paroles.
" Of the prisoners captured by the army
in the basin of
not an ofTicer remains in confinement, except one,
avowed
released
his intention to
Several of the general
resume arms against
officers,
Mexico,
who openly
us, if left at large.
who happened
to
be members of
464
Supreme Congress,
the
voluntarily discharged without
exchange
and without parole.
"July
from Puebla,
]'2,
certain
addressed a communication to the
demanding the
release of
American prisoners of war, taken from the army
of the Rio
Mexican Minister
of Foreign Relations,
Grande, who had been exchanged by agreement between Generals

Taylor and Santa Anna, immediately
Vista, or Angostura,
but who were
contrary to that agreement; and, at the
battle of
after the
Buena
held in close confinement
still
same time,
proposed that
commissioners should be gîpointed on the part of the two armies,

to agree
all
upon a
cartel for the general treatment
war
prisoners of
in future.
an evasive reply, when

the 29th of
tlie
received to
my
To
this
and exchange of
communication
received
addressed another to that minister, dated
same month.
It
singular that the only reply
is
second communication
found here, in the palace,
enveloped, sealed, and addressed to me, bearing date August.
" In the armistice agreed upon by the belligerents,

there
was
a stipulation (article 8) for the
But
same American prisoners mentioned above.
was
also
ment
and
this stipulation
have since, on terms very disadvantageous
who were
confined at Toluca.
same party were,

direction of
Tampico.
the application of your grace
the
way
comes
file
some place
learn, unofficially, that they
home by
to the
for the officers of that
The rank and
at the time, confined at
recently permitted to return
"But
August,
evaded and wholly neglected by the Mexican govern-
United States, been obliged to exchange

party
in
immediate release of the
to
of the
far in the
have been
of that port.
me
under sanctions
will
have the good-
too hiffh to be nerjlected.
"
I therefore
beg
to say, that if
ness to appoint some dignitary of

prisoners of
war (rank and
this capital,
and explain
in such cases, viz
to
file,
or
them
your grace
tlic
church
to visit the
common men) now

the customs
Mexican
confined in
and usages of war
that prisoners, released on parole, are
always
465
ASSESSMKNT ON TlIK MEXICAN STATES.

put
death,
to
if
taken in arms against the same belligerents before
being duly exchanged
and add the solemn admonition of the
church against the violation of their
under
friends,
will, iiuiiu'dialely,
cause the said prisoners lo be released
that holy sanction,
may
on parole, so that they
})aroles,
return to their respective families,
and peaceful occupations.

I
have the honour, &c.,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
To
the most illustrious Auchbishop of INIexico."
By
December,
a second letter, dated the 16th of
Archbishop professed himself willing
the
accept and
to
Mexican
fulfil
the
all
conditions stipulated by General Scott, and also volunteered personally to administer the oath to the prisoners.
factorily
it
performed on the
'22d of the
by a brief but dignified address,
and temporal, which were
he
satis-
which he pointed out the
in
heinousness of the crime of perjury, and

eternal
'I'his
same month, and followed
tlie
likely to
consequences, both
Each man
ensue.
then received a paper attesting the fact of his release on parole, and
his obligation not to take
exchanged
in the
up arms against the United States unless
manner customary
in
The
such cases.
of this act on the part of General Scott cannot be doubted

the
prompt manner
in
which he resj)onded
Archbishop doubled the obligation, while

contrast to the evasive duplicity of the
it
to the
policy
;
and
appeal of the
exhibited a grateful
Mexican government
in
similar circumstances.
The American army was now

ofli-'Hsive.
The columns
in a condition
to
assume the
of Major-General liutler and Lieutenant-
Colonel Johnston reached the city of Mexico about the 17th of
December.
As
soon as the General-in-chief was aware of their
proximity, he caused a general order to be published, in which
was
stated that the
tions against the
army was about
enemy, and
that
of the princi[)al point or points in
to
recommence
it
active oj)era-
immediately on the occupation
any
state, the
})ayment of
all
466
taxes and dues usually collected by
to
be demanded of the proper
the
army
Mexican government
support of
civil authorities for the
The
American troops were held
tlie
These revenues were henceforth
would be absolutely prohibited.
states already
and the amount
as immediately liable,
Mexican
assessed to the several states of the
occupied by
republic, as respect-
ively brought under the control of the forces of the United States,
was
distinctly defined in a supplemental order bearing date the
31st of December.
The
first
movement towards
limits of die city of
the collection of dues
beyond the
Mexico, was made by despatching Colonel
Withers, with a detachment of the 9th infantry, to Pachuca, for
Mexican
the purpose of preventing the
from seizing the
officers
assay duties constantly accruing at that place, from
being
its
in
the vicinity of the silver mines of Real del Monte.
command
Another detachment, under the
Cadwalader, was subsequently sent

state of
to
of Brigadier-General
Toluca, the capital of the
Mexico, while Colonel Clarke, with a small brigade, was
ordered to occupy Cuernavaca.
Mexican
All these officers were directed
and
to await
reasonable time for the payment of die amount assessed, and
if
to treat the
means
gentle
same
failed,
instructions
authorities with courtesy,
they were then to resort to forced levies.
were forwarded
to the military
The
commanders of
Puebla, Perote, Jalapa, Vera Cruz, and Tampico.
Other and more extensive operations were contemplated

direction of Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi; but, owing
tious delays
to
The
in the
vexa-
and disappointments, these movements were obliged
be postponed.
rations
to
In the
mean
time, however, these active prepa-
were producing a corresponding
result of the elections
effect
upon the enemy.
was decidedly favourable
to peace.
General Santa Anna, deprived of his command, and but too

severely visited with the scorn and contumely of those
he was previously idolized, was
by
whom
now a wanderer, anxiously desiring
RECALL OV SCOTT.
the passport that should guaranty
the limits of
clamorous
tlie
for a
467
him safo-oonduct
The adherents
republic.
until
beyond
of that party, so long
continuance of the war, dropped
off,
one by one
while those who, from fear of the consequences, had heretofore
remained
silent,
were now emboldened
deprecate any further
to
prosecution of hostilities.
The accession
of General Herrera to the Presidential chair,
and the negotiations which followed,
will
be more
fully
developed
hereafter.
The
brilliant career of
close, the
war was
command
of the
General Scott was
virtually ended,
army he had
the present
left for
to a
when he was superseded
so gloriously led,
How far party feeling entered
Butler.
government, must be
now drawing
into this act of the
posterity to
judge
day could scarcely be expected
to
in
by Major-General
American
the chronicler of
hold an even bal-
ance while weighing the dry acts of the politician against the
One
splendid achievements of the soldier.

certain
that both before
thing, however,
is
assuming the command of the army, and
afterwards. General Scott laboured under the impression that there
did not exist, on the part of the
War
Department, a feeling of
kindness towards him, or even of justice.
An investigation
whole matter would carry us beyond the limits prescribed

work,
if it
even came within the legitimate province of the histo-
rian rather than the biographer.
61
of the
for our
CHAPTER
XXVIII.
Naval Operations in the Gulf of Mexico Capture of Tuspan Perry determines

on the Capture of Tabasco The Squadron assembled off Tabasco bar OrganiThe Tisccnt of the River Tlie Flotilla fired upon by a Party
zation of a Flotilla
of Mexicans under General Bruno 7^he Enemy repulsed Perry casts anchor at
Assaulted by the Enemy Debarkation of
the Seven Palms Divides his force
the
Naval Army Hidalgo's breastworks forced Capture of Fort Iturbide The
City surrenders.
After
Mexican
the capluie of
Vera Cruz, the naval operations along the
coast, though
marked by none of those imposing events
which distinguished the progress of the
array,
were yet of a
character well calculated to test the efficiency of the seamen,
and the
The
ous.
ability of the officers
by
whom
they were commanded.
services of the squadron were both important
The Mexican
coast
was
effectually
Tuspan, Laguna, Fronteira, and
all
and hazard-
blockaded
Alvarado,
the towns of any note were
taken and garrisoned, and the multifarious duties pertaining to

the service performed wuth that skilful celerity
which
is
only to
be acquired by means of the most perfect discipline.
Alvarado was taken by Lieutenant Hunter, as described in a

former part of our narrative, and
fit
Commodore Perry
resolved to
out an expedition to reduce and occupy Tuspan.
employed consisted of the steamer Mississippi,
The
fleet
frigate Raritan,
sloop-of-war Albany, ships John Adams, Gerraantown, Decatur,

Spitfire,
and
fifty
Vixen, Scourge, Vesuvius, Hecla, Etna, Bonita, Reefer,
Petrel.
men
Among the
vessels were distributed one hundred and
belonging to the Potomac, and three hundred and forty
men belonging
to the
Ohio.
After
some delay
at the island of
(46S)
EXPEDITION AGAINST TABASCO.
Lobos, and derangement
sea in consequence of the i)revalcnce of
at
made
a norther, arrangements were
of the 18th of April.
'IMie
469
landing on the morning
for
Mississippi
was anchored
the river near the town, while, to enable
them
bar of
off the
to ascend, the other
steamers were relieved of their masts and lightened in every possible
While
way.
th<}
other vessels of the squadron remained at
anchor under Tuspan shoals, the steamers took in tow the gun-
men and two
boats and barges, which carried twelve hundred
pieces of artillery.
The
way
the
steamers, with each a gun-boat in tow, soon ploughed their
across the bar, and gained the entrance of the river
presented by the breakers.
difficulties
amid
all
Having gained an
entrance by twelve o'clock, the gallant Perry hoisted his broad
pennant on board the

they proceeded, two
squadron,
when
all
Spitfire,
and led the
As
rest of the vessels.
from the right bank opened on the
forts
the boats were
manned
with storming-parties,
and while the gun-boals and steamers briskly returned the

of the
enemy, the storming-parties rushed on and
while the
enemy
in terror fled
from before them.
press on towards the town, they were assailed
another
carried,
fort
and troops posted
in the chaparral.
fire
into the forts,
Continuing
by a
The
fort
fire
to
from
was soon
and simultaneously a division entered the town and took
possession of
it,
while the
enemy
holding the place for some time.

the forts, and retired, leaving the
fled
in
every direction.
After
Commodore Perry demolished

Albany and gun-boat Reefer
to
garrison the place.
Previous to the month of June, 1847,
all
the
Mexican
ports
upon the gulf had now been captured, with the exception of the
city of
Tabasco; and, as the
seconfl only to
latter
was
in
commercial importance
Vera Cruz, Commodore Perry determined upon
its
speedy reduction.
Accordingly, leaving the frigate Potomac before Vera Cruz, and
a small naval force at Tuspan, Alvarado, and' Laguna, for the
470
protection of those places, Perry sailed on his proposed expedition,
and on the 13th of June anchored
Tabasco bar with
off
the
following vessels of his squadron: Flag-Steamship Mississippi,
Commander Adams; Albany, Captain

mander Pinckney
brig Stromboli,
Lee
Raritan, Captain
Germantown, Commander Buchanan
Commander Archer
mander Magruder
Phillips
Breese
Adams, Commander McCluney; Decatur, Com-
Forrest; John
bomb
brig Vesuvius,
bomb
Com-
brig Washington, Lieutenant-Commanding
Steamer Scorpion, Commander Bigelow
Steamer
Lieutenant-Commanding Smith Lee; Steamer Vixen,
Spitfire,
Lieutenant-Commanding William Smith.
By one
o'clock, P. M., of the 14th, the
The steamers Scourge,
expedition was fairly under way.
pion, Spitfire, and Vixen, had towed
Stromboli, Washington, and Vesuvius

of surf-boats, launches,
and
filled
sels of the
five
and
with officers and
squadron
left
over the
;
men
Scor-
bar the brigs
and the three divisions
cutters, carrying
behind.
selected for the
flotilla
seven field-pieces,
detailed for service from the ves-
The
city
being situated seventy-
miles up the river. Tabasco could only be approached by
vessels of the lightest draft.
Commander Van
Commanding
Here the
At Fronteira, the bomb brig Etna,
Brunt, and the schooner Bonita, Lieutenant-
Berrien, joined the expedition.
flotilla
was reorganized, and
divisions, the ascent of the river
manner
after
being formed into
was begun
in
the
following
Perry in the Scorpion took the lead, with the brigs Vesuvius
and Washington
in
ments of
and men from the Mississippi, Potomac, and
officers
tow, and the boats containing the detach-
John Adams.
The
Spitfire
towed the Stromboli and Bonita
and the Vixen
towed the Etna, and detachments from the Germantown, Raritan,

and Decatur.
In ascending the river, the
commodore kept under way
all
PERRY CASTS ANCHOR AT THE SEVEN PALMS.
At
night.
found
a distance often leagues from
be contracted so much, that an
to
its
mouth, the
enemy
thick chaparral covering the banks, could
471
river
was
stationed in the
command
the opposite
shore with musketry alone.
was
It
however,
not,
evening of the 15th, that the
until the
enemy made any attempt
oppose the progress of the
to
flotilla.
General Bruno, who had posted himself with a strong detachment

behind a breastwork
where the channel ran close

plunging but ineffectual
fire
upon the deck of the Scorpion.
was
This
instantly replied to
by a
of grape and canister from the Vesuvius and Washington,
and by rapid volleys of musketry from

Scorpion and the boats in tow.
the
river
bank, suddenly poured a
to the right
attack, though totally unexpected,

fire
bend of the
chaparral, at the
in the
enemy, who
some
loss,
their tops
These volleys
shortly afterwards
abandoned
and from the
effectually silenced
his breastwork with
and the remainder of the divisions swept past without
any molestation whatever.
By
sunset the
flotilla
had arrived
landmark two leagues below the
at the
city
Seven Palms, a noted
and though
it
had been
occasionally annoyed by desultory firing from the chaparral, the
amounted
loss
to
man wounded.
only one
Near the landmark the enemy was found

bank of the
river in
to
considerable numbers.
occupy the
right
Night was now
approaching, and as the channel by nearing that side subjected

his
men
to a galling fire
from the chaparral, Perry ordered the
rigging to be barricaded with cots,

thus sheltered, after
upon the
city
the
his preparations for
and
movement
by land and water, the ensuing morning, he cast
anchor, and rested his
On
making
hammocks, and bags
men
against the toils of the morrow.
morning of the 16th, the boats of the
their
complement of men, were arranged
the
respective
commands
of
Captains
flotilla, filled
in three divisions,
Breese,
with
under
Forrest,
and
472
The
McCluney.
command
formed a fourth division, under the
artillery
of Captain A. Slidell Mackenzie.
The schooner Bonita was now towed
into position, for the dou-
ble purpose of covering the landing and protecting the sounding-
party under Lieutenants Alden and
May.
Just as the latter had discovered an insufficiency of water for

the brigs, the
enemy opened
a heavy
of musketry from a con-
fire
cealed breastwork, called by them " Calmena," by which one

officer
and three
raking
of grape, canister, and musketry
fire
thrown from the
which
men were wounded.

flotilla
that of the
along the bank and into
enemy was checked
tlie
spirit-stirring order,
burst forth the loud hurrahs
chaparral, by
and then Commodore
Perry, standing erect in his barge in front of the
gave the
was promptly
first
" Three cheers, and land!"
to tlieir oars,
impelled the numerous boats towards the right bank.
Mayo were
the
first
to
ten minutes afterwards, clambering up the steep

tlie
cannon rapidly
sisting of nine
Then
from over a thousand manly voices,
and the sinewy rowers, bending simultaneously
dore Perry and Captain
division,
to the top, the
reach
Commoit,
bank and
and
in
lifting
whole of the detachment, con-
hundred seamen, including
officers,
and two hun-
dred and twenty marines, were safely landed without hindrance

or impediment.
While
the
little
army, thus boldly debarked in the face of the
enemy, were preparing

steamers
Spitfire,
to
march upon
the city, " the light-draft
Vixen, and Scourge, picked up
all
tlie
boats,
took them and the Bonita in tow, and stood for the city, followed
by the Scorpion, who forced her way over the obstruction under
a heavy head of steam."
These movements by land and water had the
effect of discon-
certing the
enemy, who, expecting an attack by water only, found
his strong
works turned by a movement
prepared.
for
which he was not
No
CAPTURE OF FORT ITURBIDE.
473
sooner was the landing effected, than the
enemy abandoned
of" Calmena," and
the position
the city,
fell
back
to a
breastwork nearer
where Colonel Hidalgo had stationed himself
The naval army,
by the gallant commodore
led
moved forward over
a narrow
The
The
distance to bo traversed
breastwork
at
marshy ground.
came wuthin
sight of Hidalgo's
This was a strong position, defended
Acachapan.
and strengthened by a battery mounting
infantry,
Here the enemy opened a harmless
two guns.
was
route lay for the most part through dense
o'clock, the advance
by cavalry and
now
preceded by a pioneer party
chaparral, with occasional cane-brake and
About one
in person,
trail,
under Lieutenant Maynard.

about seven miles.
in force.
fire at
long range,
which being returned by the field-pieces undtr Mackenzie, Hidalgo
was soon thrown
into confusion;
and the men, dashing forward with
loud shouts, possessed themselves of the work just as the last of
enemy had evacuated
the
refresh.
to pass
An
up the
of the city.
The command was now halted
it.
hour previous to
river,
and
firing
this, the
steamers had been seen
was afterwards heard
This soon ceasing,
it
to
in the direction
was conjectured
had surrendered; a supposition which was
that the city
verified
some
three
hours later by discovering the American flag displayed from the

walls of Fort Iturbide, a
work of considerable
on the
and commanding a long reach of the
skirts of the city,
strength, erected
river below.
It
was now ascertained
that the Scorpion, having no boats in
tow, passed the Spitfire and was the
guns of the
the
to
come within range
was hauled down,
silenced the
fort,
and when the Mexican
the Scorpion passed
up and received from
the alcalde an offer for the surrender of the city.
time, as the
fort
upon the
of
fort.
The steamers soon

flag
first
enemy had
Spitfire,
treacherously reopened a
In the
fire
mean
from the
Lieutenant Porter was despatched with a
small force to storm the work.
This duty was gallantly performed.
474
and resulted
in driAing the
enemy, and capturing two brass
field-
pieces and three long 28-pounders, with a considerable quantity

of small arms and ammunition.
No
sooner had Perry entered the city with his
command,
than,
stationing the artillery and marines in the plaza, so as to
command
men and
quartered
the principal streets, he
them on board
the
drew
off"
the rest of his
the steamers for the night.
At eight o'clock on
morning of the 17th, the colours of the United States were
hoisted over the city of Tabasco, and a national salute fired.
The armory and magazine were then taken
possession of by
one detachment, while another party under Captain Mackenzie,

dismantled Fort Iturbide, and removed the large guns to the river
ready
for
embarkation.
The arms were burnt
and the captured
powder, not being of good quality, was destroyed, together with the
magazine.
The next day,
the
mud
walls of Fort Iturbide were rained and
blown up, and then, the object of

fully
prepared to return, leaving
Com-
hold possession of the city, with the
bomb
accomplished, the
mander Van Brunt
to
the expedition being success-
flotilla
brig Etna, the steamers Spitfire and Scourge, and a detachment
of seventy marines.
CHAPTER XXIX.
Consequences of the Occupation of the Capital
ment
Disorganization of
Circular
its
Condition of the Mexican Govern-
Army Santa Anna
Guadaloupe Hidalgo
retires to
Commandants-General Resignation of the

Presidency by General Santa Anna His Letter to the Mexican People CircuReasons for abandoning the Capital The future intentions
lar of Seiior Pacheco
of the Government developed Santa Anna sets out for Puebia Reflections
of Seiior Alcorta to the
upon
his Reverses.
The
occupation of the capital by General Scott was an event
from which the peace party in Mexico were soon
to reap the
most
beneficial results.
The advocates
for a
continuance of the war
still,
indeed, pre-
dominated, both in numbers and in authority, but day by day the
grow more lukewarm,
chiefs of this faction found their adherents
as their confidence of redemption
gave way before the stern
by means of the national prowess
reality of the
Anglo-Saxon conqueror
and by
quietly reposing himself in their very midst,
frowning down
It
the
was now
eflfects
of
all
for the first

its
own
time that the government began to feel
treachery in regard to the unfortunate armi-
stice.
Grown bold
capital
was surrounded
final
his lion port
opposition.
in the strength of the

at all points,
defences by which the
and
fully
aware that the
struggle must take place long before any additional troops
could arrive to strengthen the meagre force of their antagonist,

the
Mexican
rulers
were so
inflated with the
hope of a
final
and
glorious success that the possibility of so disastrous a contingency

as the loss of their capital
tained
seems scarcely
to
have been enter-
at all.
62
(475
476
When,
therefore,
was found
it
city,
and
at length
that the heroism of the
had forced
cans, rising with the occasion,
penetrated the city
persed in dismay, and
itself,
concert of action
all
Ameri-
the obstacles to the
all
the
was
government
lost in the
dis-
general
confusion that ensued.
Of
army, which on the morning of the 12th of
that boasted
September numbered upwards of twenty thousand men, within

two days afterwards a few fragments alone remained
the defection
was glossed over
organization systematized into

military chiefs,
it
in the official reports,
and though
and the
dis-
imaginary divisions under different
was well known
that the
orderly retirement
from the capital degenerated into a complete rout, long before the
remains of the panic-stricken troops reached the appointed place
of rendezvous.
At Guadaloupe Hidalgo, General Santa Anna concentrated

about his
own
the
first
person the few cavalry that yet were faithful to
From
their colours.
this place also, the
government commenced
of a series of spasmodic efforts, ostensibly to sustain the
flagging zeal of
retrieving
its
adherents, but in reality for the purpose of
its
own waning
ral-in-chief from the
popularity, and of defending the Gene-
fierce
denunciations by which his
civil
policy and military skill had been relentlessly assailed.
On
the 14th of September, Senor Alcorta, immediately after
reaching Guadaloupe Hidalgo, addressed a circular
mandants-general of the departments,
abandon the
which had taken place,
com-
it
was found neces-
means might be
adopted and pursued
He
to the
which he informed them
capital in order that other
that, after the events
sary to
in
for
further notified
harassing the enemy.
them
that the General-in-chief
was
still
firmly resolved to prosecute the war, and, whatever might be the
consequences,
the
same time
to
wage
it
by
all
a hope that each
possible
means; expressing
commandant would endeavour
at
to
preserve and reanimate the public spirit in his particular depart-
SANTA anna's LETTER TO THE MEXICAN PEOPLE.

ment,
war might be
in order that the
477
carried on with that vigour
and energy so imperiously demanded by the national honour.

But the
had attended
reverses which
fatal
his efforts to beat
back the invaders, had so weakened the popularity of the Mexican chief,
that, foreseeing
now
storm of indignation
Anna sought
Santa
he should be unable
to control the
boldly launched against him, General
himself from
to shield
by formally
fury
its
resigning, on the 16th of September, the presidency of the republic.
By
into
the
the
same document he
transferred the executive pow'er
hands of General Herrera and Senor Alcorta,
and
appointed Queretaro as the seat of government, subject to the

decision of the National Congress, which
On
the
same day he addressed
can people
<<
TJie
was then about
to
meet.
the following letter to the
Mexi-
President of the Integral Republic of Mexico to his fellow-
countrymen
" With the most poignant and profound grief do
you
that
it
was
after
repeated and extraordinary
announce
effbrts,
and
to
after
fifteen hours' incessant fighting, I
saw myself under the necessity
of abandoning the capital, with
my
by the
projectiles of the
lines, strewing the
noble Mexicans
rights
way
who
and honour
with their bodies and with those of the
so gloriously defended, inch
by inch, the
of their country.
" You have been witnesses

time when there were none
I
ranks considerably thinned
enemy, which penetrated our nearest
that I
that
erected fortifications around
assembled a powerful army,
have created resources
laboured day and night
Mexico
that
in order that I
at a
that
organized and
might wrest some
favour from fortune, which has been so adverse to us.
" The insubordination of one general subverted

of operations
a thing which you already know^
my
entire plan
In the convent
and bridge of Churubusco the enemy received some very severe
478
were
lessons, whicli
thrice repeated afterwards, in
the fort of
Chapultepec, the suburbs of Belen and San Cosme, and finally in
But the valour of many of our
the Citadel.
soldiers of the guard
and of the army was not always supported, yet

and sword that the enemy,
fire
made
in a
day most
himself master of the capital.
death in
all
it
was only by
fatal to the nation,
have anxiously sought
parts, because a loss so great has occasioned
most profound despair.
In Chapultepec
me
received a contusion,
my clothes were pierced by the balls of the enemy,

around me disappeared the best soldiers of the republic.
" What remains to me, then, in the midst of the woe
Belen
in
me
anguish which assail

I
The
and
that
have sold dearly
has seen
me
and
and
unprofitable consciousness that
have personally sustained the combat
He
the
to the very last extremity,
enemy
to the
his astonishing victory.
in the front at Angostura, Cerro
Gordo, Churu-
busco, Chapultepec, Belen, San Cosme, and the Citadel, and he

shall find
me,
me
glorious for
"
swear
to
ought also
to
you, wherever
it
shall
be useful and
combat.
to
announce
to
you
that I
have spontaneously
resigned the Presidency of the Republic, calling to assume
according
who
of justice, with the associates,
power
until
"
shall
be intrusted
When power was
intrusted to
cumstances,
accepted
it
enemy's advance towards the

that
its
is
he to
future destinies,
me under
the most trying cir-
might combine the
country
in the
capital, I
and, upon the
resumed military com-
might oppose to him a force of considerable strength,
and concentrate
fall
be the depositaries of
in order that I
elements of resistance existing
mand,
wnll
Congress can decide who
the National
whose guidance
it,
President of the Supreme Court
to the Constitution, the
all
our resources for
its
defence.
But
after the
of the capital, circumstances have been altered, and
division of the
command
enemy
to attack the
is
requisite to
in his line of
now
promote the same object
communication from Vera
SANTA anna's LETTER TO THE MEXICAN PEOPLE.
Cruz
imperiously urgent, and
to the capital is
upon myself
that responsibility,
because
I feel it
alone must take
The supreme magistracy cannot be exposed
of war, and
is
it
necessary to locate
wealth, in order that
order that
" For
it
may
this
it
country.
most
the
hazard
to anarchy,
and
in
me
so
again arise with power and with glory.
reason have
have aspired
is
to the
amid population and
it
be not given over
surrendered an authority, to
laborious and so bitter, and in

I
me
incumbent on
ever to place myself in that quarter in which there

peril.
479
to
whose reception and laying down
my
nothing more than the welfare of
may have committed some
beloved
errors in the discharge of
my
ray civil obligations, but be assured that
my
desires and
hopes have known no other stimulus than the noble one of sustaining the rank of the nation in which I
me
which has laden
"I have
said
it
pair of the fate of
my
our yearnings, there
known
to
The
if
here repeat
If faction
be
we be unanimous
and
the light,
it,
that
silent
and
never deswill listen
in our desires
enemy from
yet time to hurl the
is
which he pollutes by
is
country.
to the sovereign voice
"It
saw
with honours and with favours.
before, and
reduce the republic
first
and
in
the soil
his presence.
you that
rejected
to a nullity the
nation has desired and
still
peace which would
most absurd and complete.
desires war.
Let us continue
my example
then, with the greatest intrepidity, and
shall
it,
be a
most ardent one.
" Factions cannot now dispute with
which with pleasure

let
them come
serene,
abandon.
If they
to the field of battle.
and firmly consecrated as ever,
holy of causes.
is
What do we
and
when
concerning the power
would dispute with me,
There they
to the
is
the
will find
Misfortune
Mexican nation grander
she strives to force from destiny the victory which
justice promise us.
me
most generous and
care for misfortunes
the crucible of nations, and never
than
me
God
4S0
Thirty years have passed over since you pro-
"Mexicans!
Sustain
claimed your independence amid perils and privations.

it
for ever!
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.

GuADALOuPE Hidalgo,
Sept. 16, 1847."
In the above well written, but occasionally overstrained appeal,
General Santa
Anna made
use of the same arguments which he
had so often heretofore found available

the
Mexican mind
in
moving and moulding
but the ears which had so frequently listened
favourably, were now deaf to the voice of the charmer.
This appeal was followed up, on the 18th, by a circular under

the signature of Senor Pacheco, Secretary of State, and addressed
to the governors of the different states.
In this document, the secretary enters into an elaborate defence

of the policy
by which General Santa Anna had been guided
in
the conduct of the war.
The
which attended the Mexican army
disasters
attributes
to his
capital, he likewise
and immediately before, the
conflicts around,
mainly
to the insubordination of
General Valencia and

lu
subsequent loss of the important position of Contreras.
regard to the evacuation of the capital, he avers that

at a
in the various
meeting of the generals held
in the Citadel
it
was decided
on the night of
the 13th, that a continued resistance would only expose the city
to pillage
enemy
and
to
all
the acts of immorality to
abandons himself.
It
was
which General Santa Anna sought
commencement,
causing, at the
advanced
The
all
at all
he avers,
hazards to avoid, by
his fortifications to be
made
at
points.
which the generals arrived
result at
ference was, that, in order to retain
means
which a savage
this latter misfortune,
to continue the
that very night
war,
that the
it
all
in their
their
was necessary
whole army should
midnight con-
armament and
to
abandon
retire to
the
the city
Guadaloupe
PACUFXO'S CIRCULAR.
4^J1
Hidalgo, ready to take the road to Pucbla, the next day,
for the
purpose of redeeming that city out of the hands of the Americans,
and cutting
off all
communication
\vith the coast.
This intent being, however, frustrated by the want of means,

it
was
army
finally resolved to divide the
command
of tried officers
who were
into the states of the interior,
into sections,
directed to
make
under the
their
way
where each division might serve as
a nucleus to be increased or shaped as subsequent circumstances
might prove most
The
Santa
beneficial.
army accordingly took
partition of the
Anna
retaining about his
only, proposing
to unite
own
place, General
person a portion of the cavalry
these with the troops
Puebla under General Rea, and carry out, as
already before
far as possible, his
orifînal design.
The
exposition of Secretary Pacheco
as explaining the reasons

tal,
which led
valuable in two things
is
to the desertion of the
and elucidating the events w^hich followed soon
therefore give
it
entire
after.
capi-
We
" ToLUCA, Sept.
Circular by Dr. Jose
Ramon
Pacheco^ Secretary of State,
Governors of the
"Your Excellency:
18, 1847.
to the
different States.
After having sent to your Excellency
from the city of Guadaloupe Hidalgo the manuscript decree issued
from that city under yesterday's date, by his Excellency the

President ad interim,
have
now
the
honour of sending you
(blank) copies printed in this city, in order that your Excellency
may
and
circulate
them
that the nation
in the state
may be
which you so worthily govern,
informed that
head, as his Excellency, General
Anna, previous to his march to
it
is
not
left
without a
Don Antonio Lopez de Santa
commence
his military
movements
against the base of the enemy's operations, has devolvetl the
government upon the
authority designed
by the constitution.
4S2
His Excellency, by virtue of the extraordinary powers conferred

on him, took the responsibility of ordering some
details,
which,
from the force of circumstances, could not be done in conformity

with the tenor of the constitution, none of the bodies in
On
these attributes are vested being in existence.
this
whom
account
he has dispensed with one of the necessary qualifications
in
one
of the colleagues of the Executive, in order to give this additional
guarantee
to the nation.
It is
also desirable that the place fixed
upon as the residence of the Supreme Government should be

generally known, in order that
the functionaries and servants
all
Government should regulate
of the General
their actions
according
our political system as provided by the laws.
to
" Impartial history will some day record, whatever
dence
may have
fate
Provi-
decreed, the causes w^hich brought about the
events which have just occurred in the capital, in consequence
which
"of
in the
now,
is
it
power of the enemy.
immense
loss to
their
grief,
These causes are known to thousands
of witnesses, and well understood

its
and
to our astonishment, indignation,
by those only who
The
country.
fact is that
truly feel
one of the
points which defended the entries to the city having been aban-
doned without any orders, and another point having been taken
at the
it
end of the day on the 13th,
was decided by
after a
and
enemy abandons
to all the acts of
This
himself.
Excellency wished
to avoid
which he had
very
to
be made
other
hand
at the
at far
all his
the war, without
was resolved
whole army
to
fifteen hours,
a meeting of the generals, held that night in
the citadel, that a continued resistance

city to pillage,
combat of
immorality
latter
at
would only expose the
all
was
to
hazards, and with a view to
commencement caused
advanced
points.
armament and
owing them
which a savage
a misfortune which his
the fortifications
In order to retain on the
the necessary
means
to continue
to a humiliating capitulation,
it
evacuate the city that very night, conducting the
to the city of
Guadaloupe de Hidalgo,
in order to
PACHECO
CIRCULAR.
483
take the next day, according to the intentions of his Excellency,
redeem
the road to Puebla, to
enemy, cutting
off at the
that city out of the
same time
all
power of the
communication with
Vera Cruz.
"The
troops having
commenced
already
having made some progress on the road,
much
it
the
to our satisfaction as surprise, that the people,
before, although supported
march, and
became known,
who
as
the day
by the army and the valiant National
Guards, had taken no part in the struggle, had undertaken on
own account
their
army was countermarched, and two columns, one
diately the
command
under the
Don Juan
of his Excellency and the other under General
Alvarez, penetrated as far as the
Domingo, and La
sequently, after
is
Imme-
the extermination of the invaders.
unnecessary
of Santo
streets
Cerca, lancing some of the Americans.
Sub-
some measures and other circumstances which
to
it
mention, the heroic people of the capital were
disarmed.
" In undertaking
midable obstacle
The
means.
to
troops
to carry out his first intent, the
had been
at
From
day
that
all
personal
his
the 19th of August, the date of the misfortune
Padierna, to which our present situation
that
is,
in twenty-six
had been sent from any
days
How
part.
is to
be ascribed, up
not a man
could
it
sacrifices,
nor a dollar
made
of the
become
the
war, caused by the invaders,
government
to
the expense of the people

that they
been a
63
might devastate
still
greater evil.
so
alone carry on the war and bear the
should
weight of the burdens which are destroying the nation

evils
to
be exacted, or even
expected, that the city of Mexico, which had already
many
for-
days without any support.
five
His Excellency the President had exhausted

resources.
most
be encountered was the entire w'ant of
it
To
.''
add those of making the army

and yet
tlie
The
to
the
would not have

live at
disband the troops, in order
roads and villages, would have
difficulty
was insuperable,
as there
4S4
was no food on
that
day
for the soldiers,
and the
was
situation
dreadful.
" His Excellency the President, since his return

has above
to
them
is
all
had
to
contend with
to the republic,
and
difficulties of this nature,
to be attributed the greater part of our misfortunes
but rather than destroy a force which, after being purified and
organized in a different manner, could
army
the
still
be rendered service-
embraced the middle course, of dividing
able to the nation, he
into sections,
command
under the
of tried officers,
giving them instructions as to the roads they were to take, his
Excellency reserving for himself a part of the cavalry.
army
was
the burden
district,
and above
In this
the great evils of a disbandment of the
manner were obviated
distributed so as not to
all it
weigh on a single
furnished to the States of the Interior a
nucleus which they could increase or shape as they might

in order to
carry on the war, which they have
like,
demanded,
all
without listening to any propositions of peace from the enemy.
" As regards
political
organization, his Excellency
saw
the
extreme of perplexity of another kind in which he was placed
by
his determination to continue, personally, the defence of the
independence of his country
many have
fallen
upon
until
dissensions, and under which
end
to his existence.
one of the reverses of which so
us, through the will of
we
God and
our
own
are suffering, should put an
His Excellency did not wish
to
be invested
with the character of President of the Republic, in conformity

with the resolution of August of last year, his desire being to
devote himself exclusively to carrying on the war against the
invaders
down
and
if
he has since assumed that power,
a civil war which
was raging
was
to put
in the capital, and, finally,
to raise the necessary resources to place
it
"His Excellency saw that there was no one
make
it
in a state of defence.
before whom he could
his resignation, in order to release himself from that onerous
charge which prevented him from pursuing the only object of his
495
PACHECO'S CIRCULAR.
ardent desires, and which had drawn upon him so
ances
to bring
and
that all
many annoy-
his efforts and repeated orders had been in vain
about a meeting of the Congress, composed of a hundred
forty
members, which never held
regular sessions for
its
want of numbers, and of which hardly twenty-six members could

be assembled on occasions when he applied to
mission which had been confided to
cutive might do no
more than
it,
and
it
Exe-
in order that the
to carry out the will of the repre-
His Excellency saw
sentatives of the nation.
to discharge the
operations which he meditated,
it
that, for the
would be necessary
should be personally absent from the centre
and
that,
new
that he
moving
with his forces in different directions, the very uncertainty of his
movements would occasion great

of the government
he saw,
difficulties in the administration
consummation of the
finally, the
triumph of the enemy by abandoning these questions
Under
of designing partisans.
views
these circumstances, his Excel-
lency determined to issue the decree which
your Excellency, and of which

printed copy, by which
to the
communicated
have the honour
his Excellency, the President
to
to
annex a
ad interim,
endeavoured to consult not only the observance of the fundamental law in a great
crisis,
but also the
will of the nation, manifested

'<
spirit
of the law and the
on former occasions.
His Excellency only intends by
this
decree to
fill
vacuum
in the present circumstances, to preserve a representation of the
unity and nationality of the republic
possession of the
upon
enemy
but
his fellow-citizens.
the
capital of
by no means
Far from
this,
to
which
impose his
he has on
this
is
in
will
occasion
only taken upon himself the solution of the difficulty, because,

neither at the capital, which
other part of the republic,
ready to abide by whatever
"
is
it
is
its
legal residence, nor in
any
there a legislative body, and he
may
is
decide.
After acts so pure, originating in intentions so honourable,
there will not be wanting vile passions that always will accuse
4^
upon
after a mistbrtuno, aiul
in the
death
ol"
accovmt of these misibrtunes, nor
sible that stupidity
consigns
'Êii-st,
oti
liis
selt-denial to devote
Anna does
not despair on
account of ingratitude, wliich
His Excellency renounces power, and yet
is still woi-se.
it
ot*
General Santa
to his country.
may
immense
to his other
in his gar-
individuals allied to his person, and in his
person, invfrag-able testimonials
himself
account thoy arc the more
that vovy
His Excellency the President carries
reprehensible.
ments,
own
MFXUAN WAR.
HISTORY OK TUK
join with malice to
He
ilisasters.
that
north,
the
at
pos-
is
add absurd calumnies
abandons power, and with
thi-ee tacts to history for his eternal
at
it
honour.
the east, and at the
capital,
although with various fortune, he has been found confronting the
enemies of his country, appearing

most exposed
in those
to
danger
at all
points of the battle, and
secondly, that in
States
all tlie
their respective autliorities, as well individuals as corporations,
femain
in the tree
ment of
exercise of their functions and in the enjoy-
their respective
laws
absolute liberty to act as
and the
thirdly, that tlie nation,
government which may be called
to preside
may seem
over
have
will
it,
proper witli regard to the
question of war or peace with the I'nited States, since
it
has been
proved that neither the presence of their cannon nor the approach
of a danger
which has since become
intluence on what
was due by
GenenU Santa Anna

honour.
single
have had any
the government of his Excellency
to the divinity of his
The government has
reality,
country nor to his
not taken a step, nor has
communication with the enemy but what
reach of
all his
compatriots, nor has
promise, past, present, or
have been made
it
i'uture.
may have
it
is
it
own
had
witliin
tht
been bound by any com-
If in the publications
which
excited surprise, anil not without
reason, not to have t'ound the discussions which were expected
tVom the general and the commissioner o( the government of the

United States,
it
was
tliat
the contempt with
and the unblushing determination which
which
tliey
tliey treat us,
have taken
to carry
KANTA ANNA
UKKLKf.riO.NS LI'O.N
on a war
RKVKBKKS.
infamous and sanûinar)-,
niosl
llif
for
4r!7
ilif;ir
fiiin|>li
diversion and jih-asure, no other answer eould be fîven, except

throuj^h the eannon's rnouth
and death.
" His Exeelleney the President

sif^ned to cornrnunieate to
(ul
inlmrri orders' the under-
your Excellency the
\}U'J:(i(l\n^
exposi-
time transmitting to you the decree of his re si {(nation,
tion, at the
reservinj^ to himself to f(ive at a proper time to his fellow-citizens

a circumstantial manifesto
to state in his
name
he will not lay
to the
down
his
he has also enjoined him particularly
new
Constitutional Government, that
arms against the enemy of
government, or whatever government
until this
may
his coiintry,
be nominated
by the nation or Congress, shall order hira to lay them

he will be
its
firmest support against
every matter which
be
tion,
may
will
that
any revolution, as also
be determined as
peace or war; that he
it
down
to the
comply
in
American ques-
in his quality of
subject with the national will legitimately expressed, as he always
has done in his capacity of First Magistrate, and that his Excellency wishes to be the
first
the authority of the laws.
"
have the honour
to give an
Cod and
example of submission
to
liberty!
to be, with distinguished consideration,
PACIIECO.
."
His Excellency the Governor of
There
is
something
at this period of the
condition of General Santa
war
in regard to the
Anna which commaruJs our
pity,
even
while the knowledge of his former duplicity forbids our esteem.
Suddenly
fallen
from the topraosi height of national
honour
deserted by his former friends and parasites; anathematized by
many
of his
own countrymen
remote and secluded
and soon
cities offered
to experience that
even
no secure refuge from the
untiring pursuit of his warlike and energetic foes, he exhibited

tJie
sad spectacle of a once g^xjdly ship shorn of the white and
expansive adjuncts by which she was formerly impelled in grace-
HISTOR\ OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
489
ful
and imposing
upon a stormy
and rolling helplessly, a shattered hulk,
state,
sea, subject to the sport of every
wind and the
treachery of every wave.
The
General Santa
fact that
sacrifices for the
private fortune
armies
that he
great personal
nation, even to the impairment of his
had succeeded
in organizing three large
had raised unexpected, though limited supplies
that he infused an
the
Mexican
that he
Anna had made
unwonted energy and uniformity of action
complex machinery of government
had
that he
stilled the
unnatural feud existing between opposite factions in the republic

that he
which
had blended,
parties are
for a time, the
composed
in that
into
heterogeneous elements of
unhappy land
that he
had
built admirable fortifications, at points judiciously selected for
defence, and that he had offered a steady and continuous, though
unavailing resistance to the American arms, wherever resistance

*
promised success, should
at least
have shielded him from many
of the calumnies to which his ill-success had exposed him, and
should have taught the Mexican people to look leniently even
upon
the
his errors.
power
No
other
or the ability to
and though
man
in the republic
have achieved as much
his frequent manifestoes exhibit
modesty so becoming
in a great
mind had
taken the vapourings of Ancient Pistol
Leonidas.
in its defence
an absence of that
man, there
peculiar idiosyncrasy of the Mexican
spirit of
possessed either
is
little
doubt the
often before mis-
for the
self-sacrificing
CHAPTER XXX.
Situation of the Garrison Loss of an

Summons of General Santa Anna to
Colonel Childs His noble Reply Operations of the Besiegers General Santa
Rea
City of Puebla threatened by General
American Detachment
Anna
Lane Successful Sortie from the

The Besiegers Reinforced Severe Street-fightApproach of Genera!
The Siege
In the
raised.
mean time
that the divisions
on
only a
their
weak
the city of Puebla
No
by General Rea.
fairly
invested
leaves the city to intercept General
Garrison
Lane
Puebla
was
seriously threatened
sooner was this active partisan chief aware
under General Scott had
march towards
left
Puebla, and were
the capital, leaving behind
garrison to hold the former city, than he
them
moved down
from his fastnesses, and after hovering about Puebla for some time
in the
hope of cutting
commenced
its
off foraging-parties
investment on the 13th
entirely isolated, without

possibility of aid
from the garrison, he

of September.
communication with the
Left
coast, or the
from General Scott, the situation of Colonel
Childs as Governor of Puebla was in every respect a critical one.
With a slender command, amounting
in
all to
only three hun-
dred and ninety-three men, exclusive of convalescents from the

hospitals under his charge, he
San Jose within the
city,
had
and the
to garrison the
forts of
two tolerably strong works crowning the heights

Puebla, and distant from
The
first
Rea was
open act of
it
grand depot of
Loreto and Guadalupe,

to the east
of
about a mile.
hostility
by which the presence of General
signalized, resulted in a loss to the Americans, which,
considering the weakness of the respective garrisons,
considered serious.
489
may
be
490
On
the
morning of the 26th of August an express arrived
San Jose, with
the tidings that the guerrilleros
had broken
at
into the
stock-yard near Fort Loreto, and driven off in the direction of Ca-
margo seven hundred and
fifty
mules.
Five teamsters immediately started in pursuit

skirmish, in which one
driven in
Mexican was
by superior numbers.
but after a slight
killed, this small party
Unable
were
to dispense with the
services either of the cavalry or infantry, which constituted the
of the already too limited garrison of
effective force
San Jose,
Colonel Childs consented to the formation of an irregular force
mounted men
of
for the
purpose of pursuing the guerrilleros and
recovering the stolen animals.

of thirty- three
men under
the
This
little
command
detachment, consisting
of Captain Blanchard,of
the Quartermaster's department, followed the tracks of the mules

for
some miles,
With
until they
were
lost in the
the reckless impetuosity of the
bed of
American
a ravine.
character, the
advance guard clambered across the ravine closely followed by

their
companions, and were in the act of dashing over the
of the
trees,
hill
beyond, when they were
and a few guerrilleros were seen
old stone building at the foot of the
in full flight
to
towards an
hill.
Unconscious of the trap which had been
gave the order
crest
upon from a clump of
fired
laid for him,
Blanchard
charge upon the fugitives, when the chase was
suddenly arrested by the appearance of the main body of the

guerrilleros darting out from their hiding-places
among
the willows
beyond.
Finding himself thus drawn into an ambuscade, with bodies of

lancers increasing on
all
sides, until their
infantry afterwards discovered,
Blanchard ordered his
men
amounted
like a
sprang from
all
to eight
hundred men,
to retreat in the direction of the city.
In an instant the whole array of the
them, and,
numbers, including the
enemy was
pack of famished wolves panting
let loose
upon
for blood, the}'
points of the compass, and with screams and
CAPTAIN BLANCHARd's DEFEAT.

vivas darted towards
common
tlie
491
centre formed by the devoted
band they had so successfully decoyed.
On approaching
the ravine so lately crossed with impunity, the
opposite bank was found lined with
As
lances ready couched for the attack.

the passage of a single
man
ness to have attempted
its
the
at a time,
enemy, holding
their
the ravine only admitted
it
would have been mad-
passage in the face of an enemy pos-
sessing the advantage both of position and numbers.
Hemmed
on
in
all
Captain Blanchard,
well together,
to himself,
and
force continually increasing,
hitherto kept his
little
the mournful order for every
sell his life
way
by a
who had
now gave
In an instant his
forced their
sides
command
man
to look
as dearly as possible.
command
scattered in
all
directions;
some
across the ravine, and precipitating themselves
upon the enemy died hardily, pierced with innumerable wounds

others dashed along the
bank of
the ravine in search of a
more
favourable outlet, but the quivering lances met them at every
point.
field,
to
few sought the tempting refuge of a neighbouring corn-
but were forced back by finding
and
fro,
the
little
it
filled
with infantry. Tossed
band of victims turned daringly upon
their
pursuers, and fighting desperately, died literally hacked to pieces.
Of thirty- three men only

rades, succeeded
in
eleven,
more fortunate than
cutting their
way through
of the enemy, or in outstripping pursuit

of their horses.
Among
the victims
by
their
com-
the dense ranks
the superior fleetness
was
the
brave
Captain
Blanchard.
During the three following weeks, the enemy, as
if satisfied
with his bloody achievement, remained inactive, or contented
himself merely with cutting off such straggling soldiers as chanced

to
fall
in
his
way.
This interval was improved by Colonel
Childs, who, confining his defence to the principal squares around

the Plaza, threw up breastworks across the principal streets that
64
HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR-
492
led to
it,
and by the energy of
obtain a small but
On
to
supply of provisions.
the night of the 13th the investment
Emboldened by
was enabled
his foraging-parties
much needed
commenced
in earnest.
the cautious policy to which Colonel Childs pru-
dently restricted his
command,
and combining with
a portion of the citizens, seized such positions
as could be
made
available,
the guerrilleros entered the city,
and opened a heavy
fire
upon San
Jose from the tops of houses and churches, from balconies, and
from the corners of the various streets leading
As
the safety of the posts of Loreto and
Guadaloupe depended
upon the successful defence of San Jose,
mand
of the latter
was
to the Plaza.
the immediate
com-
intrusted to Lieutenant-Colonel Black, of
the 1st Pennsylvania regiment, with Captain Ford's

cavalry. Captain Miller's
company
company
of
of 4th artillery, and four com-
panies of the 1st Pennsylvania regiment, together with such convalescents from the hospital under his charge as were enabled
from time to time
The
to
do duty.
point of attack being San Jose, the enemy, in constantly
increasing force, kept up an incessant firing upon that post by
day and night,

its
in the vain
hope of breaking down the courage of
defenders through the effects of utter physical exhaustion.
On
the
23d of September, a joyous ringing of bells throughout
the city announced the arrival of General Santa
Anna
but the
melodious congratulations were speedily silenced by a discharge

of shot
On
and
shells
from Loreto into the heart of the
the 25th, General Santa
that of General Rea,
Anna, having united
city.
his force with
and assumed command of the whole, des-
patched the following message
to
Colonel Childs, in which he
informed him he was surrounded by eight thousand men, and
demanded
his evacuation of the city
and Guadaloupe within a
certain
and of the posts of Loreto
and peremptory time.
COLONEL CHILDS'S REPLY TO SANTA ANNA.
493
" Head-Quarteks, Puebla,

September 25, 1847.
'
" Having taken possession of
my command,
and
have suffered so
it
with the forces under
to operate against the points
purpose of restoring to
for the
deem
this city
much from
proper, before
full
occupied by you,
who
liberty the citizens
the troops of the United States,
making any movement, and
for the
sake
of humanity, to intimate to your Excellency that you shall liave

leave, within a limited time, to
occupy
in this city,
to join
General Scott, or
convenient for you.
to
But
proceed
if
accepted by your Excellency,

est feeling,
proceed
abandon the places you now
and march out with the honours of war,
this
I
either
may be most
to Perote, as
moderate proposition be not
shall, in that case,
to act in a military
with the deep-
manner, and assault
all
of your positions, and from the consequences of which

your troops
must
suffer,
inasmuch as there
is
in the vicinity of
your Excel-
lency an army of eight thousand men, determined to

cause the
rights of this nation to be respected.
God and
liberty
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA,

General-in-chief,
iSefior
Commander of
To
Mexican Army.
Colonel Childs,
this
the United States forces in this city.'^
demand Colonel Childs immediately
replied
by the
following letter, in which, after indignantly denying

that any
outrages had been committed upon the citizens of
Puebla, as was
insinuated in the message of the

to contrast the
troops,
conduct of the
Mexican general, he proceeded

Mexican with that of the American
and concluded with a quiet defiance worthy of
all
honour.
" Head-Quakters, City of Puebla, Mexico,
September
"I had
the honour to receive this
25, 1847.
)
)
day (2 o'clock, P. M.) the
note of your Excellency, of this date, notifying
me
that
you had
494
taken possession of
liberty the
full
and
this city,
citizens
'
purpose of restoring to
for the
who have
much from
suffered so
the
troops of the United States,' and also offering the garrison certain
terms in case they would, in a limited time, abandon the points
occupied by the same.
" In regard
vindication of the good

States
and
which
discipline
duct, and
name
which have
more
necessary and just,
it
of the military forces of the United
times distinguished their con-
at all
particularly while holding military possession of
to
deny the imputation conveyed
Excellency's communication
that the rights of persons
lously respected,
but,
your
in
on the contrary, would
assert
and property have been most scrupu-
and maintained
to a
degree unparalleled
and would willingly leave the question
in
they have earned by the humanity, good order,
the city of Puebla
warfare
deem
to the first point, I
in
for the decision
of the intelligent and impartial portion of the population of this
by
city,
whom
have they suffered most violence, from
people, or from troops of the
" As
demanding
your Excellency
my command,
that having
duty to maintain them

at
States.
your Excellency's communication,
my
to the
have but
this reply to
make
been honoured with the custody
and safe-keeping of these places,
means
own
a surrender, within a limited time, of the places held
by the troops under

to
army of the United
for the other portion of
their
last,
it is
alike
my
desire
and
my
feeling fully confident in the
disposal to accomplish that purpose.
" With considerations of high
respect, I have the honour to be,
your Excellency's most obedient servant,
THOMAS
CHILDS,
Civil
To
his Rxcellency Seiior
Commander-in-chief of
No
Col. U. S. A.,
and Military Governor.
Don Lopez de Santa Anna,

the
Mexican army before
this city?^
sooner was this reply transmitted to General Santa Anna,
than Colonel Childs rode to the different posts and informed his
ENERAL
i'HOMA.S CHILDS.
OPERATIONS OF THE BESIEGERS.

troops of
tlic
demand which had been made and
The hearty and
reply.
all
Few
showed
sides,
miscalculated the courage and the
the tenor of his
cheers with
enthusiastic
was greeted on
information
495
spirit
which
of his men.
numbers, and beset by a large army and a
in
his
had not
that he
hostile
population, with but a scanty store of subsistence and a slender
supply of ammunition, weakened already with continuous watching, and without hope of any immediate relief, these heroic
looked forward to renewed
garrisons
exertions with a serenity unshaken
and a resolute determination

tlie
American name with
the
to
by the hazard of
endure
little
and painfully wearying
all
their position,
things rather than stain
ignominy of having surrendered a
post of such vital importance to the safety of their victorious
comrades
and the reinforcements which might be
in the capital,
hastening up from below.
On
the 27th, the
Mexicans having taken possession
strong stone monasteries and convents of
of the
San Juan de Dios, San
Juan, Santa Monica, and Santa Rosa, opened from these points
a
fire
of artillery and
small-arms upon San Jose, which was
vigorously responded to by the
latter,
and by the guns of Fort
Late in the evening the cannonading ceased, but was
Loreto.
resumed the next morning, and continued throughout the day

with equal
spirit
on both
sides.
During the night of the 29th, the enemy succeeded

lishing
two 6-pounders
in
estab-
above the Tivoli, from which
in position
he opened with vigour on the morning of the 30th
but, antici-
pating this movement. Colonel Childs, by a wise forecast, had
thrown up a traverse across the Plaza, and withdrawn a 12-pounder

from Loreto, by which he was enabled to answer the
Towards night
to
force the
his battery ceased
Americans from
and, failing in
all
their position. General
fire.
his attempts
Santa
Anna
transferred the conduct of the siege into the hands of General
Rea, and
set out
on the
1st of
October, with four thousand men.
496
and three pieces of
purpose of intercepting the
artillery, for the
reinforcements which were understood to be approaching under
General Lane.
Taking advantage of this reduction in

Colonel Childs directed a sortie to be
the strength of the
made
enemy,
against those barri-
cades and buildings by which the garrison at San Jose had been
most annoyed.
One
of the expeditions
was confided
walls of an entire square with
fifty
Captain
to
" Passing through
Small, of the 1st Pennsylvania volunteers.
men, he succeeded,
after
the
an
incessant labour of twenty-four hours, in gaining a position opposite
enemy with
the barricade, and drove the
The
seventeen dead on the ground.
hundred and
fifty
great loss, they leaving
barricade, consisting of one
bales of cotton,
was consumed."*
Other
prominent buildings were also blown up and demolished by

parties
commanded by Lieutenant
Laidley, of the Ordnance, and
Captain Herron, of the 1st Pennsylvania regiment.
From
of the
2d of September,
the
enemy was
of a
until the 8th, the firing
more desultory character
on the part
but on the
last-
mentioned day, the besiegers having been strongly reinforced,

attempted a closer investment, but were eventually driven back
with
loss.
From
this
time their
efforts
began
to relax, and,
on the morning
of the 12th, they were discovered in the act of retiring from the
positions they
A severe
had so long and so unavailingly occupied.
fire
being
still
kept up from the corner of a street upon
the breastwork, Colonel Black

for the
purpose of silencing
it.
moved down with two companies

Seeing the enemy
retire at
his
approach, he directed Captain Herron, with one company, to
move round
the plaza, and, if possible, cut off their retreat, while
an attack was being made

After a short time, firing
in front
by the remaining company.
was heard
in the direction
by which
Captain Herron had advanced, and on hastening to his support,

*
Report of Colonel Childs.
THE SIEGE RAISED.

Colonel Black found the
company enveloped by clouds
hilated
after
the
detachment from being
driven back and the
company rescued,
But
relief
was now near
hand
at
for,
while the firing
continued, the worn-out garrisons were cheered
come
sight of reinforcements
and energetic
under General Lane.
As soon
as he reached the city,
now
the wel-
This brave
to the relief of
liberated
Puebla.
and found that the contest was
raging, he dashed without pause
aided by the
by
beating at Huamantla the strong force
officer, after
under General Santa Anna, hastened
still
the
utterly anni-
having experienced a loss of thirteen killed, and four severely
wounded.
still
little
enemy was
of lancers,
The timely reinforcement saved
and fighting desperately.

remains of the gallant
497
upon the besiegers, and,
garrisons,
drove them from their
breastworks and other positions, and effectually broke up an
investment which had kept the besieged
almost incessantly
harassed for thirty days and nights.
This memorable siege

important phase
Hitherto
the
in
the
qualities
is
remarkable as developing a novel and
character
of
of energy,
American
the
spirit,
soldier.
determination,
and
unexampled daring, had been most conspicuously displayed.
He was now
Weak
to exhibit the higher faculty of passive
in point of
endurance.
numbers, surrounded by watchful enemies, and
deprived for thirty days and nights of that necessary repose from
incessant
toil,
by which the physical powers
sustained, like the ancient
he remained firmly
Roman
at his post,
are recruited
soldier at the
Pompeian
choosing rather to die,
be, amidst the fiery storm than desert a trust confided to

his superiors.
if
and
gate,
need
him by
CHAPTER XXXI.
Steady increase of Reinforcements from

Advance of
General Lane Battle of liuamantla Heroism of Captain Walker Repels the
Lancers in repeated
Hemmed by the EnemyHis daring Stratagem
His Death Chivalric Character of Walker
Tribute
his Memory-
Communication with the Coast reopened

the United States
The
Guerrilleros driven from their Strongholds
ciiiirges
in
Official
Lane marches
The communication between Vera Cruz and

had so long been cut
was
at
to
to Puebla.
off
by intervening
the capital, which
parties of the
enemy,
length effectually opened.
The steady
increase of reinforcements from the United States,
permitted the establishment of posts at the long-neglected points

of the National Bridge and Plan del Rio, whilst the reoccupation
by a competent
of Jalapa
garrison,
of Perote, and of the forts
and the possession of the
commanding
the city of Puebla,
castle
com-
pleted the links in the chain of communication which were never
afterwards severed.
Thus driven from
their strongholds,
and divested
in a certain
degree of those powers of annoyance, which, arising from the
numerical weakness of their adversary, declined with his strength,

the
guerrilleros
situated,
and of
congregated in various small towns, remotely

access
difficult
to
any but those who were ac-
quainted with the topography of the country.
Broken up
into hills
and ravines, intersected by water-courses,
the roads themselves were
mule paths, winding through rugged
passes whose precipitous sides offered a safe protection to the
enemy above
or
beyond
and these paths
also, often obstructed
by loose masses of lava, or broken up by cavities and

498
fissures,
ADVANCE OF GENERAL LANE.
was
the impracticable character of the ground,
any
in
every respect
and well calculated
suited to the nature of guerrilla warfare,

set at defiance the efforts of
499
to
and deter-
troops, less energetic
mined than those of the United States.

But the
places,
cities of
Huamantla, Atlixco, Orizaba, and Matamoros,
which had
no longer
to
hitherto
afford
swarmed with
them a secure
Captain Walker was refused permission

to
be effectually performed by a
guerrilla bands,
refuge.
undertake, was soon
to
much
were
The duty which
stronger force, under
General Lane.
Leaving Vera Cruz with a considerable
train,
and with
forcements to the number of two thousand men, this gallant
succeeded in reaching Perote almost entirely unmolested.

ing at this place
promptly
of the
officer
Learn-
marched
investment of Puebla, he
to the relief of that garrison, taking
rein-
with him Brough's
regiment of Ohio volunteers. Captain Simmon's battalion of three
companies, and Lieutenant Pratt's battery
these were
subse-
quently detached, to guard the train at San Antonio Tamaris.
The remainder
of his
battalion from Perote
volunteers
command
consisted of Colonel
Wynkoop's
Colonel Gorman's battalion of Indiana
Captain Heintzelman's battalion of six companies
Major Lally's regiment of four companies of mounted men, under
command
artillery
of Captain
Samuel H. Walker, and
five
pieces of
under Captain George Taylor.
At various points along the road, tidings came
to
General
Lane, that a large force of the enemy was concentrating between

Perote and Puebla, for the puqôse of disputing his advance.
Nothing
definite,
the 8th of October,
While halting
however, was received
when
the train reached
to rest at this
until the
evening of
San Antonio Tamaris.
hacienda, certain spies brought in
word, that General Santa Anna, with a force of four thousand
men and
six pieces of artillery,
but was preparing to leave
65
it,
was
for the
at the city
of Huamantla,
purpose of occupying the
500
Black Pass, six miles distant
and from that impregnable position
holding the American force at bay, until the garrison of Puebla,

already reduced to the last extremity, should be compelled to
surrender to General Rea.*
To
by
avert the possibility of this disaster, and,
enemy unawares,
to seize his artillery before
commence
march
his
at
once, and
could be removed
Lane determined
to positions too difficult of access. General
engagement
it
endeavour
to bring
to
on an
Huamantla.
at
Parking his
under guard of the troops
train at the hacienda,
already mentioned, he pressed on with the rest of his

in the
upon the
falling
hope of coming up
w'ith the
enemy
command,
before he should have
the city.
left
On
was
approaching within
five
miles of Huamantla, Captain Walker
directed to push on quickly with his cavalry, and,
an intrepid dash
could come up.
at the
enemy, keep him engaged
His orders were also
by making
until the infantry
to secure the
artillery at
hazards.!
all
Throwing
These instructions were promptly obeyed.

vance a couple of his own men, with orders
to feel the
ascertain if possible the position of his artillery,

at the
head of
his
command, kept on
at
in ad-
enemy and
Walker
an easy pace
himself,
until
he
reached the outskirts of the city.

Before entering a narrow* lane thickly lined on each side with
overarching
maguey bushes,
up, moving by twos
and
the squadron
fours, as the
was closed compactly

nature of the ground
admitted.
In the
mean
time, this advance-guard being driven in, reported
*
When General Lane entered the city of Puebla on the 13th of October, such
was the haggard and exhausted condition of its defenders, that it was supposed to
have been almost physically impossible for them to have held out two days longer.
This
diflers materially
from the
official report
one who heard distinctly the orders given,

the intrepid
Walker from
it
is
but, as
it
comes from
but just to rescue the
the charge of rashness implied in the report.
the lips of
memory
of
HEROISM OF CAPTAIN WALKER.
enemy
the
still
in
force
in
the
adjacent streets, but
;uul
jjla/.a
501
evidently preparing to retire.
Throwing these men again
Walker rapidly seized the
in front,
enemy
opportunity which the confusion of the
soon as his
to
tlieir
own company
the four companies under his
command,
men responded
to the call
of seventy-five
heroic leader.*
shouts, gallopped
These, spurring forward with enthusiastic
into the plaza, seized
afli-ighted artillerists,
and as
neared the plaza, he ordered the trumpet
Of
sound a charge.
only his
of
command
offered,
the
cannon from the
and then precipitated themselves upon the
supporting force of some four hundred lancers.
Foremost of
all
in this noble
charge was the gallant Walker.
Firing his revolvers with a cool, steady, equable movement, hi^
down an enemy
unerring hand brought
with every shot.
then, closing up, looking neither to the right
turning once back to see by
whom
hand nor the
And
left,
nor
he was supported, he kept his
place in the advance, and wherever the
enemy attempted
to
make
a stand, dashed upon him with a cry of triumph, and tore a
bloody pathway through.
The
impetuosity of such a charge no
fierce
enemy could long
Closely followed by his ow'n daring company, the
Avithstand.
lancers were soon put to rout, and pursued out of the city and
beyond
it
for
more than a mile.
Flushed with success. Walker returned to the plaza, and while

the rest of his
command was coming
slowly in from the pursuit,
those that remained about him were engaged
in securing the
None of the other companies of cavalry were in the engiagcmcnt at all; nor did
make their appearance until the inlaniry was near at hand and their services
no longer of any paramount importance. The terrific conflict at Iluamantla was
*
tliey
borne by Walker's Rifles only
had these been properly supported, they would have
been saved from almost utter annihilation, and
might have been
ilie
fate
of their heroic
commander
difTerent.
From this censure a part of the oflTicers must be relieved. Captains Lewis and
Besancon, and Lieutenants Anderson and Wnter? rode off from their commands,
and. joining the Rifles, fought mo^'I galhiiitly.
502
cannon already captured.
was destined
to
number
ployed, to the
But the triumph of the daring
men
of twenty-five
only, the look-out
stationed in the steeple of the church opposite,
Walker
victors
While thus busily em-
be of short duration.
warned Captain
lancers, powerfully reinforced,
that the fugitive
were
gallopping impetuously towards the plaza.

Sheltering his horses behind the wall
Walker stationed
adjoining, and
fiercely
up the
his
dismounted
windows of the house

Riding
with that triumphant confidence which the
immense
their
at the
convent-yard,
awaited the expected charge.
coolly
streets,
knowledge of
men
of a
superiority inspired, the lancers
dashed into the plaza.

In an instant the whole front rank, as
by the same
lightning-flash,
only for one
moment
but a plunging
fire
fell
their
from the
if
simultaneously struck
For one moment
dead.
comrades continued
first
and second
and from behind the parapet of the
roof,
to
it
was
advance
stories of the house,
drove them back in
huddled-up confusion.
Retreating out of
rifle-shot,
irresolutely about the
they could yet be seen hanging
edges of the
streets
leading to the plaza,
while the movements and gesticulations of their

that they
were endeavouring
to
urge the
men
officers
to
indicated
make
another
attack.
But the
fear of the deadly
time hold back.
At
and unerring
rifle
intervals, indeed, the
made them
numerous trumpets
would blow a charge, and then the enemy, as

firmness,
would move out
for a short distance,
if
lashed into
but after settling
themselves in their saddles, their brief stimulus seemed
them
and
they would
at length,
move
for a
to desert
on, then hesitate, then halt altogether,
overcome by
their fears,
wheel round and return
to their starting-place.
But
this
hesitation
and timidity, though affecting
degree some of the Mexican
officers,
in
did not extend to
a like
all.
walker's daring stratagem.

few brave men were seen riding across the
front, urging,
ing,
commanding, and even threatening, but
last,
one heroic
his
spirit,
command by
their midst,
his
503
implor-
At
in vain.
all
as if determined to excite the courage of
own
brilliant
example, gallopped out from
and dashed alone across the plaza, waving his sword
and calling upon his men
The
to follow.
gallant fellow suc-
ceeded in reaching the gate of the convent-yard, and there
fell
riddled with balls.
The Mexicans were now seen

sultation, but after a while this
for
some time
in
earnest con-
ended, and then they scattered in
various directions, swept round interior streets, and reappeared,
choking up every avenue leading
The
object of this
of the Rifles,
to the plaza.
movement was soon
who had been
carried
discovered.
away by
or were sent out in search of the missing
Two-thirds
the ardour of pursuit,
artillery,
were now seen
by the look-out hovering beyond the dense masses of lancers,
some break
vainly endeavouring to find
which they might

cut off these
occupied
all
men
rejoin their
from
all
those streets
companions.
hope
by
in the hostile circle

It
was, therefore, to
had
of succour that the lancers
by which they might have succeeded
in
reaching the plaza.
No
sooner, however,
was Captain Walker made acquainted
with the situation of his men, than he adopted a daring stratagem

for their release.
Leaving behind him a few men under Lieutenant Claiborne
to
garrison the house and protect the artillery from recapture, he
mounted
the rest of his
command, and
commenced what seemed
to
be a
sallying into the plaza,
retreat.
Immediately he
left
the protection of the enclosure, the lancers darted out from the
different
streets
and bore down upon him
The avenues being

glers having
in
thus partially cleared, and
succeeded
in
converging
line.
many
now suddenly
passing through. Walker
of his strag-
504
wheeled
his
little
command, and
way back
attempted to cut his
furiously charging the
to the
His whole command numbered
enemy,
convent yard.
time scarcely more than
at this
twenty men, while the intervening space was
crammed
literally
with the dense masses of the enemy.

In front, and by successive leaps, rather than by regular pro-
upon the nearest of the enemy, and won by
gression, he plunged
a length at a time the ground occupied by his foes.
Standing
erect in his stirrups, with his clenched teeth gleaming white from
beneath the tightly-drawn upper

ing moustache, those
time,
call to
still
trickled
who saw
mind with
down from
lip
and
its
long red overshadow-
the gallant soldier at this fearful
terrible
distinctness
how
the blood
his uplifted sword, and, falling across
his
hand, died with crimson streaks the white mane of his horse
and they remember,
mands were
too, with
what surpassing coolness
his
com-
uttered, even while the incessant attacks of the lancers
were gradually lessening the number of his devoted followers.
Swayed
and
to
fro
now dashing onward

wall, the
little
succeeded
vent gate.
by the pressure of accumulating numbers,
now
a few paces, and
band of twenty,
at length in
finally
reaching to within a few yards of the con-
But they could proceed no
spirited attacks
forced back to the
reduced to only seven men,
were now changed
Their former
further.
to incessant yet hopeless par-
ryings of the lance-points thrust at them from

the
moment when
the
gateway was turned upon the lancers by some of
garrison,
seemed
lost, the
The
lancers, on seeing this, gave
Walker, followed by
the gate, and entered
it
the slender
to fire
it
way, and Cap-
his sorely diminished troop,
dashed
at
with a loss of thirteen men.
These, with the stragglers, who had succeeded

through, soon
at
captured gun in front of
and Lieutenant Claiborne made the attempt
with his pistol.

tain
all
But,
all sides.
commenced
a destructive
fire
in
getting
from the windows
DEATH OF CAPTAIN WALKER.

and
and the baffled enemy once more
roof,
fell
505
hack and occupied
the neighbouring streets.

It
was
at this time,
when
the
enemy had
entirely deserted the
Walker stepped out a few paces from
plaza, that Captain
gateway, and was in the act of directing his

captured cannon nearer to the yard
when,
men
in the
the
draw the
to
midst of the
most profound silence, the report of a single gun was heard, and
those
who looked
window
across the square,
saw
the
smoke
been flying during the whole engagement.
In another instant a
sharp agonizing cry arose, and then passed from
bereaved garrison the

It
was but
too true
fearful
words
He
side.
fell
In half an hour he
With
" Captain Walker is killed!"
Thus
instantly
downwards came out
was dead.
markable
the very vigour of
men
As
of the age.
perhaps, his equal in any service

his fiery ardour
sorrowing
" Never surrender!"
fell, in
had
and was carried within the yard.
his last breath, his heroic exhortation to his
command was
of th
lip to lip
the treacherous ball fired from behind,
entered the shoulder, and passing obliquely
on the
issue from a
of the house opposite, and from which a white flag had
manhood, one of
a partisan
was yet tempered
soldier,
the
most
re-
he had not,
prompt, daring, and energetic,

in the midst of
danger by the
most imperturbable coolness.
With a
toil
constitution confirmed
and hardship
episodes, he
hunger and
was
thirst
life
full
and strengthened by a
life
able to endure the vicissitudes of climates and
and prolonged fatigue,
to
an extent, and with
an apparent insensibility, that was a theme and a w'onder
who knew
To
of
of romantic incidents and terrible
to all
him.
a most thorough
knowledge of
and cruel character of the
the cunning, treacherous,
enemy, he united an intense personal
hatred, the result of foregone and painful experiences.

fierce as he at
all
But
yet,
times proved himself, both in the random fight
506
and
the
in the
headlong charge, no
enemy he
when
despised,
man was more humane, even

was
the brunt of the battle
to
over,
and the wounded lay about him.
To
disabled
men and
defenceless
Huamantla, he was seen
up with
the street, tie
own hands
enemy, and remove him
stricken
at all times
in the last fatal battle of
from his horse in the midst of
to alight
his
women, he was
Even
a sure friend and a protector.
the dislocated
jaw
of a
he should be
to the wall, lest
trampled upon by advancing horsemen.
His conduct towards his own

of decision and kindness.
soldier,
To
command was
a happy
he exacted the most implicit obedience.
both as respects the cavalry exercise and
rifle
His discipline,
practice,
same time,
the most rigid character; but at the
regard for the comfort of his
compound
the duties of a well disciplined
all
men was
so well
was
of
his thoughtful
known, and
his
attention to their requirements so steady and unremitting, that
the strict disciplinarian
was soon
forgotten in the kind-hearted
man, and a love sprang up between himself and

that, with the
tearful
memory
Nor was
felt
few who yet survive,
mourned by
his
own company
death, burst into tears and exclaimed
but for
life,
Walker ;" and even

rises into a
only,
One with whom he had been
a gallant, generous, open-hearted man,
my
command,
for ever.
his loss
by the whole army.
years of
his
remain a tender and a
will
fifteen
"
commanding general
mournful dignity, when announcing the event.
a brevity that approaches the sublime,
" This victory
is
saddened by the
it
says
loss of
men that graced
wounded."
With
one of the most
the profession of arms
Captain Samuel H. Walker, of the mounted riflemen.

in the advance, he
of his
would have given two
minutes' speech with Captain
the official report of the
chivalric, noble-hearted
was
at variance,
when he heard
I
it
had routed the enemy when he
fell
Foremost
mortally
LANE MARCHES TO PUEBLA.
How
otherwise than so gloriously, should an heroic spirit like
his desire to die
command
After the deatli of Captain Walker, the
devolved
The enemy made one more attempt upon
upon Captain Lewis.
the convent-yard and the house adjoining, but
with
507
was again repulsed
loss.
Finding
all
further
abandoned the
quantity
of
Mexican
killed
But
city,
useless,
effort
General Lane coming up
and
infantry under
the
at this time, the
guerrilleros rapidly
lea\nng two pieces of artillery and a large
ammunition
loss in the
in
the
hands of the
The
victors.
engagement was one hundred and
fifty,
and wounded.
brilliant as the event
had been
to the
American arms,
and although the victory of Huamantla prevented General Santa
Anna from
intercepting the train at the Black Pass, according to
his original plan, the
splendid
company
of
success was dearly won.
mounted
Of
all
riflemen, constituting the
that
imme-
command of Captain Walker, and which numbered seventymen at the commencement of the engagement, only seventeen
diate
five
were able
to
keep the saddle
at its close.
That same evening, General Lane took up

for
his line of
march
Puebla, and reached his destination about one o'clock on the
afternoon of the 13th.
His presence having speedily relieved
the exhausted garrison of that city from an obstinate and long-
protracted investment, he rested his
men
for a
few" days,
and
then turned his attention to those secluded towns, which were yet
daring enough to afford refuge and protection to the guerrilleros.
66
CHAPTER
XXXII.
Running Fight with the Guerrilleros Atlixco taken ExpediMatamoros Its Capture Lane returns to Puebla Is attacked Daring
Bravery of Colonel Hays Peace Prospects Anaya elected President Secret
Expedition to Tehuacan Escape of General Santa Anna Orizaba captured
Battle of Atlixco
tion to
Garrisoned.
Learning, on the 18th of October, that a considerable body
was
of guerrilleros
Perote, General
at Atlixco, a
town about ten leagues from
Lane marched from Puebla, on the morning
of
the 19th, for the purpose of attacking them.
His force consisted of the 4th Ohio and the 4th Indiana regiments,
Major Lally's and Captain Heintzelman's battalions,
Colonel Wynkoop's battalion of four companies of the 1st Pennsylvania regiment, Taylor's and Pratt's batteries of light artillery,
and a squadron of dragoons under Captain Ford.
The advance-guard
of the
enemy was
discovered near
first
Santa Isabella about four o'clock in the afternoon.
General Lane
then halted his force, and waited until the cavalry should
In the
up.
hill
mean
time, the
enemy came down
where he was posted, and invited the attack by the
escopets, and
waving of lances.
up, the column
moved
forward.
while the Ohio regiment
made
As soon
come
to the foot of the

firing of
as the cavalry
came
Lally's battalion led the advance,
a wide sweep to the
left
of the
road, for the purpose of flanking a deep ravine on that side.
No
sooner were these arrangements observed by the
than he began to exliibit signs of irresolution.
508
The
enemy
cavalry
was
RUNNING FIGHT WITH THE GUERRILLEROS.

accordingly ordered to charge at once, and keep
engaged
until
the infantry should have time
Pratt's battery
was ordered
change
a previous
in its position
was unable
to
enemy
the
come
to
to follow at a gallop,
509
up.
but owing to
do so
and the
opportunity which then presented itself of taking prisoners the

entire force of the
The
enemy, was consequently
lost.
enemy, and
cavalry, however, pursued the retreating
On
brisk running fight ensued.
arriving at a small
hill,
another
stand was made, but the appearance of the infantry and a few
shots from the artillery, soon caused the flight to be renewed.
The dragoons followed
when
the
on a
side-hill,
main body
horse-shoe.
It
enemy had
manded
the fugitives closely for about four miles,
of the
enemy was discovered
round which the road curved
was on
the form of a
the o{)posite side of the curve that the
stationed himself, and the
the entire
strongly posted
in
sweep of the road
fire
from his escopets com-
but the cavalry by a bold
dash gallopped round the circuit under a heavy and continuous

fire,
and, dismounting at the base of the
parral
on
foot,
lasted until the infantry

fled
to
the infantry-
made
appearance, when the enemy
their
much exhausted
now took
night had already set

shots were fired at
charged the cha-
The
Atlixco, a distance of about a mile and a half.
cavalry being too
risk
hill,
and commenced a desperate engagement which
street-fight
hill
As
in.
them
fire
head the pursuit any
command and
light as the
it
moon
alone
its fire.
After pouring a rapid and well
most populous parts of the town,
quarters of an hour. General
unsafe to
ordered the artillery to take
overlooking the town and open
into the
further,
they approached the town several
and General Lane, deeming
This was promptly done.

directed
to
but, before they reached the town,
by such imperfect
afforded, halted his
possession of a
the lead
Lane silenced
directed Major Lally and Colonel
Brough
to
his
for three-
artillery,
advance with
and
their
510
commands
into the town.
But the
the authorities.
The Mexican
loss
was immediately surrendered by
It
guerrilleros
on
had already dispersed.
occasion was very severe
this
Santa Isabella and Atlixco, no less than
enemy were
teen of the
lost
killed
between
hundred and nine-
five
and wounded, while the Americans
only two men.*
Routed from Atlixco, the remainder of the
guerilleros,
under
General Rea, retreated upon Matamoros, which became, in the

course of a short time, the head-quarters of
all
bands who were yet held together by various

actuated far less by
those predatory
chiefs,
though
patriotic considerations than the hope of
occasional plunder.
Forming, however, a nucleus around which many disaffected
men began
Mexican government
to rally, the
nise these insubordinates as a part of the
available for future operations.
quently established at
affected to recog-
army which yet remained
military depot
was conse-
Matamoros, and the mixed force there
assembled well supplied with
artillery
and munitions of war.
In order to break up this organization, and seize the public stores,
General Lane determined to
make
a sudden descent
upon the
town.
He
of
accordingly started from Puebla, on the night of the 22d
November, taking with him only one hundred and
and one piece of

troops,
and well
under the
fitted to
command
hundred and
move with
They
demanded.
of the service
These, however, were
artillery.
that celerity
sixty
all
men
choice
which the nature
consisted of twenty-five
men
of Lieutenant Field, 3d artillery, and one
tliirty-five
men, part of
whom
were Texan rangers
under Colonel John C. Hays, and part Louisiana dragoons under

Captain Lewis.
Notwithstanding the incessant

o'clock on the evening of the
*
Lane's
22d
Official
rain, wliich
continued from ten
until five o'clock the following
Report synopsized.
511
GENERAL LANE ATTACKED.
morning, they reached iMatamoros by seven o'clock A. M. of the

23d, " accomplishing a march of
Charging
the town, they drove
and by
fifty- four
the advance-guard of the
as they approached
back upon the main body within the
it
a dashing attack upon the
dispersed
miles in twelve hours."
enemy
combined
force of the
with scarcely a shadow of resistance.
it
In this short action, from sixty to eighty of the

killed or
wounded, while
Among
man.
city,
enemy,
the killed
Matamoros, two
artillery
was
Colonel Piedras,
and several other
lose a single
commanding
officers.
who had been captured
seven American soldiers,
were discovered and
Americans did not
the
enemy were
at
Twenty-
at various places,
Three pieces of bronze cannon
set free.
were captured, together with a considerable supply of ammunition of all kinds,
and large quantities of public
After resting his

23d,
Lane
set out
men
at
Matamoros during
on his return
to
stores.
the whole of the
Puebla on the morning of
the 24th.
While moving with
difficulty
through a long mountamous pass,
called the Pass of Galaxra, the train

the artillery,
fallen far in the rear.
of
some
driven
was
thirty
in,
became considerably extended,
and four wagons containing captured property, ha^^ng

At
mounted
pursued
this
time the advance-guard, consisting
riflemen, under Captain Roberts,
by two hundred
lancers.
were
Colonel Hays
instantly ordered to the front, to unite with the advance-
guard, and engage the enemy.

executed.
The
His movement was gallantly
lancers were charged with such impetuosity, that
they broke, and were pursued
" across an extended plain, and
towards the mountain, from which they had
When
about
midway
of the hill the
but falling rapidly before the
rifles
made
the attack."
enemy attempted
to rally,
of Hays, again broke and
was
pursued across the crest of the mountain.
Here the enemy were reinforced by

General Rea, and
the,
five
hundred lancers under
mounted men under Hays not carrying
512
sabres, being
armed only with
revolvers
and
already discharged, he gave the order to
This was performed in
position.
charge of
five
command, and
his
fall
back
to their original
and
in the face of a
fine style,
Hays himself
hundred lancers.
halting as the
which had been
rifles,
the rear of
fell to
enemy advanced,
deliberately
shot dead two of the foremost, and then covered his

until within supporting distance of the artillery
As soon
mountains
as the former unlimbered, the
own
retreat
and dragoons.
enemy
retired to the
and, although he hovered for some hours afterwards
along the line of march, he did not again venture an attack.
Mexican
loss in this affair
Americans two men
the
was
killed
fifty
and wounded,
and two wounded
killed
one of the
former was Lieutenant Henderson Ridgley, a young
much
promise,
who was lanced
The
that of
officer of
mortally while charging by the
side of Colonel Hays.
men
After visiting Atlixco and refreshing his
General Lane returned
noon of the 25th,

he heard
at
after
to
at that place,
Puebla, which he reached on the
On
an absence of sixty hours.*
after-
his return,
Cholula that the Mexicans had just finished two
pieces of artillery at Guexocingo
these he determined to destroy,
and, proceeding thither with a part of his forces, he found that the
guns had been removed, but destroyed the carriages, which had
been
left
behind.
Information having reached General Lane that a train of thirtysix
wagons, containing merchandise belonging
Puebla and the
had been captured
with
to
merchants
in
San Martin by
in pur-
marauders with a party of cavalry and infantry, and
overtook them at Tlascala on their

booty.
at
under Generals Rea and Torrejon, he started
guerrilleros
suit of the
capital,
way
to Queretaro with the
Captain Roberts, with the Mounted
them,
and
attacking them
'Official
with
Rifles, first
came up
headlong impetuosity,
Report of General Lane.
PEACE PROSPECTS.
scattered
killed,
them
in every direction.
and fourteen
Americans.
officers
513
Seventeen of the enemy were
taken prisoners, without loss to the
The wagons and nearly
their entire contents
were
recaptured.
These repeated incursions being followed up by others of a
like
was soon reduced
character, the condition of the guerilleros
to
the extreme of weakness.
Hunted from
their hiding-places in the
mountains, and timidly
refused admittance into those towns which had usually afforded
them protection, they had no
alternative left but to disband as
quietly as possible, or to take refuge in states as yet remote from
the
American arms.
This routing of the guerrilleros had also another and equally

beneficial effect.
It
carried the terrors of
but wealthy towns, to which,
at the
war
into those small
commencement
of the
paign, most of the better class of Mexicans had retired.
having experienced none of the
evils
camThese
which accompany the
presence of a hostile soldiery, had been hitherto most clamorous

for a
continuance of the war.
unexpectedly exposed
irruptions,
and
to
the
But when they found themselves

effects of
sudden and uncertain
their quiet abiding-places in daily
crushed in by shot or
shells,
danger of being
they became sudden, but very decided
converts to the blessings of peace, and wondered at the obstinacy

of the people of
more
distant states,
who, being exempt from the
calamities experienced by those nearer the scene of action,
still
cried out lustily against any negotiation with " the barbarians of
the North."
But the cry gradually grew

for deputies to
the
fainter
new Congress
and
fainter.
The
election
took place, and resulted in a
large majority favourable to peace.
considerable party yet remained,
artful
hostile
it is
true,
who
sought, by
appeals to the passions of the people, to keep alive those
elements by which alone they could hope
to
prosper.
514
Gomez Farias, and their adherents,
Generals Santa Anna, Paredes,

shouted war
still
but the more sensible portion of the nation
began
to see, in its further prosecution, the eventual absorption
of the
Mexican
republic,
and
its
annexation as a conquered pro-
Reinforcements were
vince to the republic of the United States.
already flocking in by thousands, and emigration might soon be
expected
The question was reduced,
to follow.
sacrifice of territory, or that of separate
becoming
independence
patriotism, they inclined to the former.
this decision,
therefore, to a
territories for the
cession of which she offered to pay an equivalent in

that, if this ofTer
the anarchy
was intriguing
active
which he expected
to
whom
Anna
was
exile,
establishment of a monarchy, of
selfish
But the government
designs of these chieftains,
and not only discountenanced, but thwarted

the
and
keep
supreme power, which he had
be constituted head.
and the people began to see the
and defy recapture.
all,
and Paredes, who had returned from

for the
to
that prevailed, Santa
and confusion
for restoration to the
and persevering
y Pena, upon
money
was again refused, she might determine
possession without any remuneration at
abandoned
and, with
they were doubtless influenced by the fact that the
United States already held, by conquest, the
Amid
In leaning to
their designs.
Pena
supreme power of the government had
devolved, ordered General Santa
Anna
to surrender his forces to
General Rincon, in the following letter of his Secretary of State

" Office of
Home and Foreign Relations,

S.
" Excellent Sir
W.
Department.
)
)
His Excellency the Seiior Provisional Pre-
sident of the republic, feeling profoundly his duties to his country,
convinced of the necessity of establishing in the nation public
morality, and of gi"ving
more energy
almost extinguished by
civil
dissensions
manifest to the people of the city
now
in the
to the discipline of the
enemy's possession,
army,
desiring, moreover, to
of Mexico, and other points
that their lot
is
not indiflferent to
SANTA ANNA DEPRIVED OF COMMAND.

his
Excellency
considering,
515
in fnie, that in every country, well
organized, the generals of an army answer before a tribunal for
which they have committed, and even
the faults
may have
tunes which
befallen
them
resolved that your Excellency deliver

the
army
Rincon
may
until this chief
has
command
of
Don Manuel
present himself to receive
temporarily to his Excellency Senor General
"The
campaigns
the chief
Excellency the General of Division,
to his
and
in their
u})
for the misfor-
Don Juan
it,
Alvarez.
President orders that your Excellency establish head-
quarters wherever you
may
see
fit,
in
agreement
supreme
wîth the
government, and there await, under the guarantees of
its
word
and honour, the orders you may receive regarding the formation
who may judge your Excellency
of a council-of-war,
for the loss
of the actions which your Excellency, as Commander-in-chief in

the present war, has directed, and particularly for the loss of the
capital of the republic.
'<
His Excellency the President believes that
own honour
cleared of
will
that,
is
due
to
your
blame, and he entertains the hope that the result
all
be favourable
communicating
of ofTering
it
by a council-of-war, your conduct should be
you
to
my
for
you
your Excellency.
this
have the honour of
supreme order, and have the honour
distinguished consideration.
God and
liberty
ROSAS.
To His Excellency Senor General, well deserving of
his country, Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna."
Refusing to obey
this order,
Santa
Anna
directed the chief part
of his troops to join General Alvarez, in Oajaca, and the remainder, with the exception of a small
repair to Queretaro.
The
body-guard
fallen general attempted to find his
way
out of the country through Oajaca
tion,
he returned
protest to the
67
to
for himself, to
but,
changing
his inten-
Tehuacan, from which place he addressed
new government,
in
which he asserted
that
he had
516
only divested himself temporarily of executive authority, that he
might be able
to
oppose the enemy with more vigour.
He pub-
lished, also, an appeal to the people,
complaining of the
ment he had received, and magnifying
his services in the cause
But he had now
of his country.
moulding the people
On
the 11th of
lost the
treat-
power of moving and
to his will.
November, General Anaya was elected
Presi-
dent of the Mexican republic, until the 8th day of January, 1848;
this
being the remainder of the constitutional term yet unexpired.
His opponent was General Almonte, who was warmly supported
by the adherents of Santa Anna, who sought by
this
means
to
raise the fallen fortunes of their chieftains.
The
choice of this distinguished man, more than any event
which had yet occurred,
now drawing
to
to
be devoted
war was
at the
same
to the best interests of his
coun-
Friendly to peace, and
to a close.
time acknowledged
try, the
justified the opinion that the
inaugural address of President
Anaya was looked forward
with an anxiety heightened by the solemn urgency of the
occasion, and the importance of the subject upon which
it
would
necessarily treat.
In this address, which

brevity. General
Anaya
is
remarkable
prepossession in favour of a peace
which even
mildness and
was received by
new government,
War, were avowed
mediately organize a commission

negotiations with Mr. Trist.
own
the assemthe
of which, Peiia y Pena, Secretary of State, and
Villamil, Minister of
latter
its
but the favourable manner in
this slender intimation
bled deputies, emboldened the
members
for
rather hints, than openly asserts, his
leading
Mora y
friends of peace, to im-
for the
purpose of reopening
But, as the powers with which the
gentleman had been intrusted by his government had been
subsequently revoked,
opportunity which
gether.
it
now
became doubtful whether

presented
itself
the favourable
might not be
lost alto-
SECRET EXPEDITION TO TEHUACAN.
With
517
happy daring, which under other circumstances would
have been censured severely, Mr. Trist determined

the responsibility of
assume
to
acting as the agent of the United States,
still
provided the negotiation could be conducted upon the basis of

the project formerly refused.
One
was
great obstacle to negotiation
of General Santa Anna.
His adherents, though few
were yet strong enough
knowledge
watching an opportunity
from joining the advocates of peace,
ranked themselves among
An
was
still
to regain his popularity,
its
who would
command,
in Orizaba,
withheld
many
otherwise have
supporters.
materially
to
hasten
consisting of dragoons,
rifles,
a pacific
Mexico on
National
in
Road
the
fifty
men,
all
left
day already mentioned, taking the
in the direction of
command
chief
His
result.
and Texan rangers,
well mounted, and numbering three hundred and

the city of
the
and the
expedition undertaken by General Lane on the 18th of
January, tended
was
number,
in
harmonious action
to disturb
the vanquished general
that
be the presence
felt to
Vera Cruz.
Colonel Hays
of the rangers, and Colonel Polk led
mounted riflemen and dragoons.
The column reached Venda
de Chalco by four o'clock the next morning, and by nine o'clock the
same evening reached

Puebla.
On
a^.d at the village of
and
The next day
it
entered
column again
started,
Amazoque diverged from
the National Road,
pursued one to the left for a distance of ten or twelve miles,
when
the direction of the
now taken was

and
the Rio Frio Pass.
the evening of the 21st the
for ten
column was again changed.
a mere mule-path, winding
among
The
road
the mountains,
miles presented nothing but a rough bed of jagged
limestone rock.
On
Santa Clara,
at
for the
Then
day.
gaining a hacienda near the village of
the foot of the mountains, the

it
was he
first
informetl his
the expedition had been organized for the
general halted
command,
that
purpose of attempt-
518
who was known
ing the arrest of General Santa Anna,
taken refuge at
Tehuacan, a town some
At night the column was again put
to
ha\e
forty nailes distant.
in
motion, the inmates of
the hacienda, and all persons previously met, having been put
under
Tehuacan
when
surveillance, to prevent any tidings from reaching
strict
but the deepest and wisest plans often prove abortive
success
is
nearest.
Shortly after leaving the hacienda, a party of
These were immediately
w'ere encountered escorting a carriage.
arrested,
when
armed Mexicans
the traveller stepped from the vehicle and pre-
sented a passport from General Smith, authorizing him to proceed
from Mexico
servants.
No
to
Orizaba and back, accompanied by eight armed
The cortege was permitted
sooner, how'ever, had the
to proceed.
column passed out of
sight, than
the traveller, surmising the object of the expedition, despatched
one of his servants by a shorter route across the country towârds
Tehuacan, who apprised General Santa Anna of the approach of

the Americans.
He immediately
fled
and when the excited
rangers dashed into the plaza some two hours afterwards, with
revolvers cocked and their eyes roving from
their
window
to
parapet in the hope of resistance, the expected captive w-as far
beyond reach of pursuit.

It
appears by a
letter of
Santa Anna's to the Minister of War,
dated at Cascatlan, February
was engaged
1st,
1848, that while Santa
in writing a note, requesting
Anna
a passport to leave
the country, that he learned of Lane's advance and hastily retired.
After leaving Tehuacan, he took refuge in the town of
He
Teotitlan del Camiro, where there were troops from Oajaca.
was subsequently permitted
to leave the country,
and embarked
on the 4th of April at Antigua, near Vera Cruz, in a Spanish

brig, destined for Kingston,
Jamaica.
After resting for a day and a night at this place. General
determined
to
push on
to
Lane
Orizaba, a beautiful town situated
in
519
ORIZABA GARRISONED.
the valley of that
five
name, and containing from twenty

Near the
thousand inhabitants.
to
twenty-
village of Acalcingo, the
column was met by the curate and ayuntamiento, by
whom
they
The next
night.
were furnished with good quarters for the
of the
authorities
the
by
morning General Lane was waited on
city of Orizaba,
who
desired to
accept the surrender of the

know^
when he had
When
know upon what terms he would
city.
His reply was, they should
possession.
within about three miles of the city, he
was approached
the
by a larger and more imposing deputation, who accompanied
column
to the
gates, and there formally surrendered the keys
without making any stipulation whatsoever.
Having thus
quietly obtained possession of the city, General
Lane appointed Major Polk

intrusted to Colonel
Hays
its
civil
the chief
and military governor, and
command
few days afterwards. Colonel Bankhead
of the troops.
arrived with large rein-
forcements, and the possession of the city
was thus
secured by the presence of a competent garrison.
effectually
CHAPTER
Election of General
XXXIII.
Herrera Situation of Public Aflairs Mr. TristAssumption
Negotiations Peace opened Mutual ConcessionsAdoption of a

Treaty of Peace Sanctioned by the Mexican CongressTreaty amended and
adopted by the United States Senate Ratifications exchanged Evacuation of the
of
Power
for
Mexican Capital by the American Forces Territory acquired by the TreatyDescription of the Country New Mexico Resources of the Country Upper
mento
ness of the Deposit

Countries adjacent
To the
War Consequences to the United

Territory acquired To MexicoTo the
Consequences
of the
States To the Inhabitants of the
On
Nevada The Great Basin Great Salt Lake ProducCountry Temperature The Gold Mines Valley of the SacraNueva Helvetia Captain Sutter Discovery of Gold by Sutter Rich-
California The Sierra

tions of the
Isles of the Pacific.
the 8th of January, 1848, General Herrera
was
elected con-
This was another
stitutional President of the Mexican republic.
advance made by the peace party, and showed that the nation
had
at length
become thoroughly alarmed
at the
situation
of
affairs.
Never, indeed, had the independence of Mexico been in so

great a danger as at this period.
persed, her arsenals and

stores
and resources exhausted
The
her victorious foe.
Her armies beaten and
forts in the possession of the

;
dis-
enemy, her
she lay prostrate at the feet of
probability of absorption into the republic
became,
therefore, every
day
less doubtful
and had the Mexican government refused much longer those

overtures for peace, which
urged to accept,
it
is
it
had been repeatedly and so earnestly
certain that the
course of conduct thus
forced upon the Executive of the United
ended
in the annihilation of the separate
States,
would have
independence of the
sister republic.
Fortunately the
Mexican people, while standing upon

(520)
the
MR. TRIST.
521
very brink of destruction as a nation, saw,

distinctness, the consequences
if
witli
That step was not
they advanced but a single step further.
The
taken.
perilous position
was slowly abandoned, and those
negotiations
commenced, which, with
the republic
which they were too weak
the independence of
It
to
defend, were to insure
what yet remained.
to the
temporary occupancy of the Presidency, a commis-
had been appointed
Trist,
by
the loss of that portion of
has been already stated, that shortly after the election of
Anaya
sion
at least partial
which inevitably awaited them,
and that the
his
latter,
own government,
to confer with the
American agent, Mr.
conscious that his powers were annulled

hesitated for a while as to
what
step he
should take in the emergency, but at length decided to meet the
commissioners, as
the
if
he was
still
clothed with powers to treat,froni
American Executive. This was a
rash assumption of authority,
which, under other circumstances, might have entailed serious
consequences upon the nation which he professed

Mr. Trist knew his countrymen
he was conscious that, to the
majority of the American nation, peace
terms not incompatible with

cloyed the public appetite
war
its
honour.
and the
was
desirable
upon any
Constant success had
possibility of a long-continued
afTecting the financial condition of the country,
weighed seriously by those upon
But
to serve.
whom
began
the burden
to
would
be
fall
most heavily.
He knew
formed
sition
also that
an act of successful daring, even when per-
in defiance of the express
entitles
them
to
implicit
regarded with a lenient eye
With them
b}" the
commands
of those whose po-
obedience, has always been

people of the United States.
the success cancels the obligation.
How
far a less
tavourable result would have excused the temerity of the offence,
Mr. Trist was happily not called upon
The
sides.
to experience.
negotiations opened harmoniously by concessions on both
The
old issues were surrendered.
Mexico abandoned
522
her claim to the Nueces as her frontier, while Mr. Trist waived
Lower
the cession of
the isthmus
California,
The
of 'rehuantepec.
which he had previously
and the
consideration
offered for the transfer of
and Upper California, he professed himself
pay
also to
right of
to citizens of the
way
across
money,
in
New Mexico
willing to allow,
still
United States the amounts of their
claims upon the Mexican republic, under the conventions of April
The
1839 and January 1843.

nally
drawn up by
government of the United States, subject
exceptions already mentioned, was then discussed and
to the
finally
the
definition of boundaries, as origi-
and on the 2d
Guadalupe Hidalgo, a
treaty of peace,
accepted by the Mexican commissioners
of February, at the city of
elaborated in due form, wâs unanimously adopted and signed by
Senors Conto, Cuevas, and Atristain, as commissioners on the part

of the JNIexican government, and
by Mr. Trist on
that of the
I'nited States, subject to the ratification of their respective govern-
ments.
Four days afterwards,
Mexican Minister
Sefior Rosas, the
of
Foreign Relations, notified the governors of the different states

that the treaty
had been concluded, and urged upon them the
necessity of using their influence in insuring
its
prompt accept-
ance by the deputies, then about to be assembled in special
These deputies soon
session.
received their sanction,
ment of the United
was
States.
after
met, and the treaty, having
instantly despatched to the govern-
Immediately on
its
receipt, 'it
was
submitted by the Executive to the action of the Senate, then in

session,
by whom,
solemnly
ratified
after a
few unimportant amendments,
it
was
on the 9th of March, 1848.
The Mexican Congress having

by the Senate of the United
ratified the treaty as
amended
States, the ratifications thereof
exchanged on the 30th of May, 1848,
at
were
Queretaro, by the
American commissioners, Ambrose H. Sevier and Nathan
Clifford,
and Sefior Rosas, minister of Internal and Foreign Relations.
TERRITORY ACQUIRED BY THE TREATY.
Immediately
On
flag
of General
amid a
began
troops
June the
of
l:^th
La Vega, while
territories
the
left
artillery, in
command
Mexican colours were run up
the
salute from the battery of Lieutenant-Colonel
Guadalupe Hidalgo ceded
treaty of
evacuate
to
last division
descended from the National Palace,
complimentary salute by the Mexican
after a
The
the
The American
capital.
American
tliercaftcr, tlie
country.
the
523
to the
Duncan.
United States
extending from the eastern base of the Rocky Moun-
tains to the shores of the Pacific, in breadth over ten degrees of

latitude,
and containing an area of
far
more than half a million
This vast region, exceedingly diversified
of square miles.
features, in climate,
and
in
has been usually comprehended
in soil,
under the rather vaguely applied names of Upper California and
New
Between these two acknowledged, though
Mexico.
greatly
unequal, divisions, no boundary-line seems ever to have been
They meet and melt
definitely fixed.
far at least as
into
each other; and, so
Mexican geographers enlighten
Mexico implies
the
Nuevo
country extending from the easternmost
range of the Northern Cordilleras, towards the

fornia, on the other
us, while
hand,
may
from the coast of the Pacific
wêst,
by Alta
Cali-
be understood, the region reaching
far
away towards
the rising sun.
This indefiniteness of boundary being premised, we shall not

be surprised
to
find
New Mexico
the area of
estimated
at
one
time as covering two hundred thousand, and at another time as
embracing only
tical
the
purpose,
name
forty-four thousand square miles.
we
shall not, perhaps, materially err, in considering
applicable strictly to the irregularly shaped basin of the
Upper Rio Grande.
hemmed
in,
and
This extensive
in all directions
feet
district
on
all
sides
rise
from ten
to thirteen
above the level of the
sea.
Its table-lands, formintr
Mexican plateau,
are
everywhere strewed with
part of the great
large angular fragments of basalt, trap, lava,
68
is
crossed and chequered, by bleak
and barren mountains, whose summits

thousand
For any prac-
and amygdaloid.
524
The
These, how-
valleys alone offer inducements to cultivation.
ever, are numerous, of various sizes and running
The
angles into the main valley of the Rio Grande.
described as being magnificent in scenery and
various
at
latter is
rich in soil, tra-
versed by mountain streams paying tribute to the broad bright

river,
whose whole course
is
New Mexico
the Middle,
dotted by towns, villages, and farms.
a bland and salubrious climate.
The whole country enjoys
divided into three departments, the Northern,
is
and the South-eastern
counties or districts
these are subdivided into
and these again
Del Norte
richest, the valley of the
main
thousand, most of
fifty
and many possess wealth
documents found
official
and sustaining a population
whom
are in easy circumstances,
in land, stock,
at
and gold
number
is
From
dust.
Santa Fe, Lieutenant Abert calculated
the population of the whole state at one hundred thousand

raise the estimate to one
the
incomparably the
in this part containing the
agricultural wealth of the state,
of about
Of
into townships.
principal divisions, that lying furthest south is
hundred and sixty thousand.
others
In either
included the Pueblo Indian population.
The mountains
immense mineral
and when even
are said to contain
treasures,
imperfectly, and under great difficulties, worked, to have bountifully repaid the
coal
Gold,
labour.
silver,
and brimstone, gypsum and
Nor can there be
much doubt
The products
sentations.
salt, are
all
copper, with
said to abound.
of the correctness of these repre-
of the valleys are grain, pulse, pepper,
and onions, and, most valuable of

the Rio
lead, and
all,
the grape.
In the latter
Grande possesses a source of revenue, unsurpassed by
any region
in
of excellent
Europe. Even
now many hundred thousand
wine are manufactured yearly, while
energy the means
are at
hand
for a tenfold
to
increase.
gallons
American
Immense
herds of cattle, horses, and mules find sustenance on the mountain

slopes
and when, under new policy and ample protection, the
countless hillsides shall have been thickly dotted over with sheep,
UPPER CALIFORNIA.
the mildness of the climate
may,
Nor can we believe
New Mexico
promise that
gives
abundance and fineness of her
in the
Spain.
525
fleeces, outrival
that the thousand unfailing
down
tain streams, that leap invitingly
to the valley, will
Old
mounbe very
long permitted to exhaust their unappreciated powers, strangers

to
American
enterprise and manufacturing skill.
Independent of
abode of a
intrinsic value, as the future
its
numerous and happy branch of the great republican family.
Mexico
in a
is,
commercial and
and even necessary possession
Holding
United States.
to the
New
an important
in a political view,
it,
the latter will effectually suppress the ruinous incursions of the
savage Indian
dictates,
tribes,
and thus protect and nurse into prosperity,
New Mexico
not only
the
but,
itself,
adjoining provinces
From Santa Fe
and leading towns of the central
exceeding
for a railway,
states, the
also.
common
table-land
to Fort
Emory demonstrates
Leaven-
that there are
no obstacle insurmountable or of
Pursuing the
difficulty.
republic
sister
to the several capitals
From Santa Fd
worth, the authority of Colonel
policy equally
true
of the
Mexico, and
to the city of
affords all facilities for travel.
few obstacles
what
route
followed by Major
Cooke, from the Rio Grande, across the great table-land, there
is
the
all
but established certainty, that such railway
easily continued
to
the
Pacific.
routes for the introduction of
Thus
immense
will
may
be
be opened easy
quantities of merchandise
from the United States, into the then thriving and populous states
of
DurangOj Sonora, and Lower California
able
means
while the most desir-
of connexion shall have been secured between the
new Great West,
with
its
ocean tributary, and the teeming valley
of the Father of Waters,
The region which, under
the
name
of
passed under dominion of the American

32(1
and 42d degrees of north
Lower
latitude,
California in the south, to
Upper
California, has
flag, lies
between the
extending from Sonora and
Oregon
in the north
and reach-
526
ing from the Pacific, over successive mountain ranges, basins, and
table-lands, to the uncertain limits of
New
The most
Mexico.
eastern and central portions of this vast extent have been, until
lately,
wholly unknown, and are
wandering
tribes of Indian
still
unoccupied, save by a few
savages.
average length, and
Its
The
average breadth, are each about seven hundred miles.

natural diversities of
such an extent of country,
it
may be
antici-
pated, must render any general description unsatisfactory and
But here those differences
fallacious.
met with
in tracts of
The exceedingly
afford us the
even equal extent.
interesting observations of Colonel Fremont,
most satisfactory and
whole region.
to the
recommending
are greater than usually
From
reliable information in regard
these principally
the perusal of his
memoir
we must
to those
abbreviate,
who desire
fuller
and more detailed accounts.
The
universally prevailing opinion has been, that the strip of
country lying along the Pacific, and between that ocean and the
Sierra
Nevada,
in length about
seven hundred, and in breadth about
an average of one hundred and twenty-five miles, was the only portion of Alta California capable of
by a
civilized population.
lessness of this opinion.
being cultivated and occupied
Exploration has ascertained the ground-
The
Sierra
Nevada
a part of
that great
range which, under different names and with different elevations,

runs nearly parallel and nigh to the coast, from the Californian
peninsula to Russian America

parts, exercising a
ductions of each.
divides Upper California
decided influence on the climate,

Its appellation,
snow.
warm
it,
this
and pro-
and snows upon
its
in
summits ever dwell
at a general distance
great mountain wall receives
winds, charged with vapour, which sweep across
Pacific Ocean, precipitates their

rains
its
" Stretching along the coast, and
of one hundred miles from

the
two
" The Snowy," as applied
Spanish geography, ascertains the fact that

in
soil,
into
accumulated moisture in
tht'
fertilizing
western flank, and leaves cold and dry
THE GREAT BASIN.

winds
to
two regions
of the
kingdom on one
The
other."
mikhiess,
side
and
two
Sierra exhibit
and a superb veiêtable
thermometrical obser-
illustrated the fact, that the
climates, varying
distinct
it
was
some
and
five
Basin
four
that
is
anomalous feature
hundred miles
five
in
it
and the Rocky
in our continent, the Great
diameter every way, between
thousand feet above the level of the sea, shut
around by mountains, with
its
own system
Partly arid and
sparsely inhabited, the general character of the basin

desert, but wîth great exceptions, there
residence of a civilized people
Mormons have
and
and of these
lately established themselves in
The predominating
best.
is
being parts of
;
that of a
it
very
thousand
summits,
sides
girt
parts, th<>
features of the interior are
mountwo
to
above the level of the country, having their
feet
for the greater part of the year,
wooded and
fit
one of the largest
tains rising abruptly from narrow^ bases to heights of from

five
in all
of lakes and rivers, and
having no connexion whatever with the sea.
for the
by about
spring.
East of the Sierra Nevada, and between
Mountains,
two sides
Thus, December on one side of the mountain
on the other
fertility,
state of vegetation, as well as
twenty degrees.
was winter
the characteristic differences
comparative barrenness and cold on the
vations, have established
of the
Hence
pass on to the east.
527
capped with snow,
grassy, and their bases, ere they
meet the
their
level,
with belts of rich alluvium, while streams, varying in breadth
from two to
some
fifty feet,
in lakes,
some
hurry
down
in the loose
their slopes,
and
in the dry plains that isolate these
The Great
Salt
Lake
and
lose themselves,
light alluvial belts,
mountains from each
a saturated
solution of
and some
other.
common
salt
of very irregular outline, and about seventy miles in length, and
the Utah, a lake of fresh wâter, are situated in this basin towards
its
eastern rim.
feet
The
Salt
Lake
above the level of the sea
above the level of the
Salt, is
is
four thousand
two hundred
the Utah, about one hundred feet
connected with the
latter
by a
strait,
528
Both united drain an area of ten
or river, thirty-five miles long.

or twelve
thousand square miles, and have on the
along the
east,
base of the mountain, the usual bench of alluvion, which extends

to a distance of three
abundant
hundred miles, with wood and water, and
Along
grass.
Mormons have
the connecting strait the
established themselves, where arable land for a large settlement
The Utah and
abounds.*
trout
and other
animal
life
fish in
of any kind
an incrustation of
waters which
its
salt,
its
numerous
found
clear,
and
every evaporation from
and a covering
waves throw over the
Other lakes there are within
and
In the Salt Lake no
abundance.
is
abounding
in
tributaries afford large
like
it
fish or
leaves
ice forms over the
rocks.
this basin,
excellent
many
of them deep
There are
fish.
also
several considerable rivers, the most important, perhaps, of which,
named by Colonel Fremont "
that
is
maps
.sometimes on
as
"Mary's"
or
sketched
Humboldt,'^'* but
"Ogden's."
Rising
in
two
streams from the mountains west of the Great Salt Lake, and
bearing nearly due west towards the Sierra Nevada,
it
presents a
narrow valley of rich alluvion, beautifully covered with nutritious

grasses,
and
cotton-wood
tracked through the plain by a line of willow and
is
Lying on the present
trees.
fornia
and Oregon, furnishing a
three
hundred miles, and terminating
fifty
line of travel to Cali-
level, unobstructed
in a
way
for nearly
marshy lake within
miles of the base of the Sierra Nevada, and opposite to the
Salmon-Trout pass, which leads over the mountain
into the valley
of the Sacramento,
some
this river is certainly
an object of interest and importance.
are very
many
forty miles north of
Nueva
other streams of various lengths, up to
Helvetia,
There
two hun-
In the spring of 1848, these settlers had three thousand acres in wheat, seven
saw and
grist-mills,
seven hundred houses in a
with stock and other suitable accompaniments.
fortified
enclosure of sixty acres,
Intelligence from
of the present year, indicates continued prosperity.
them up
lo
They have commenced
May
the
erection of a city on a grand scale, to include a council-house, bridges, baths,

.schools, colleges,
and
all
the institutions of a great metropolis.
THE GREAT
BASIN.
529
dred miles, but similar in their general character, and
law of terminating
the general
some one of
the
The climate
modes
before mentioned.
of the Great Basin does not present the rigorous
The summer
open, pleasant, and
man
its
elevation and mountainous
appears to linger long, the winter to be

In
clear.
climate of this great, and

civilized
obeyinn^
their course within the basin, in
winter that might be expected from

structure.
all
fact,
from making
it
there
nothing
is
maligned region,
hitherto
home, and finding
his
the
in
to prevent
in its arable
parts a comfortable subsistence.
The words
Fremont
of Colonel
and
will best
most
briefly
" West
describe the second great division of this vast territory.
of the Sierra Nevada, and between that mountain and the sea,
grand division of California (Upper), and the only
the second
part to
which the name applies
country.
is
It is
in the current
language of the
the occupied and inhabited part,
and so
different
so divided by the mountain wall of the Sierra from

constitute a region
the Great Basin above as
with
structure and configuration a
climate, and productions
in character
to
to itself,
soil,
of
its
own
and as Northern Persia may be referred
type of the former, so
comparison
to the sea,
fifty
may
for the latter.
it
hundred
parallel to the Sierra
tains, the valleys a
thousand
feet
two hundred, giving an area of
Nevada and
Lateral
miles.
the coast,
make
be
and moun-
few hundred, and the mountains two
above the sea.
lofty wall of the Sierra
assumed as the
to four
Stretched along the mild coast of

its
plains and valleys
only a few hundred feet above the level of the sea
may
ranges,
the structure
into a surface of valleys
it
the Pacific, with a general elevation in
by the long and
some
middle parts, one hundred and
thousand square
of the country, and break
to as
some point of
to as
East and west from the Sierra Nevada
will average, in the
miles, in the northern parts
above one
be referred
Italy
mildness
characteristics
of
its
of
and backed
and geniality
climate.
The
530
inhabitant of corresponding latitudes on the Atlantic side of this
continent can with difficulty conceive of the soft
and southern
air
productions under the same latitudes in the maritime region of
Upper
The
California.
the south of this region,
})henomenon, and
The
all
singular beauty and purity of the sky in

is
characterized by
Humboldt
as a rare
travellers realize the truth of his description.
present condition of the country affords but slight data for
forming correct opinions of the agricultural capacity and

of the
At present, but
soil.
which had been attained

the control
Only
is
little
at the
capable
remains of the high cultivation
" Missions" (successively under
of the Jesuits, the Franciscans, and Dominicans).
some places do we see
in
what the country
the evidences of
At San Buenaventura we found the
of.
January, bending under the weight of neglected

mission of San Luis Obispo (latitude 35),
for the
excellence of
its olives,
those of the Mediterranean.
corn, have been
its
staples,
is
olive-trees in
fruit
still
with
Grapes, olives, Indian
many
assimilated fruits and
Tobacco has been recently introduced, and
the uniform
heat which follows the wet season, and
by
would make the southern country well adapted
rain,
is
the
first
product of the north, where
be the grain-growing region of California.
the coast
tables
seems particularly suited
common
to
extraordinary size.
uninterrupted
to cotton.
always constiThis promises
The moisture
to the potato,
the United States,
is
it
tuted the principal cultivation of the missions.

to
and the
of the south differ
summer
Wheat
distinguished
considered finer and larger than
The productions
from those of the north and the middle.
grains.
fertility
and
to tlie
which here grow
of
vege-
an
to
Perhaps few parts of the world can produce

fruits
and grains, as the
large and various region enclosing the bay of
San Francisco, and
in
such perfection so great a variety of
drained by
its
waters.
greatly modified
aspect
may be
The
climate of maritime California
by the structure of the country, and under
considered in three divisions
is
this
the southern, below
TEMPERATURE.
Point Conception and
tude 35
Santa Barbara Mountain, about
tlic
lati-
latitude 41, to
Cape Mendocino,
the northern, Worn
Oregon boundary
the
531
and the middle, including the bay and
basin of San Francisco, and the coast between Point Conception
Of these
and Cape Mendocino.

is
three divisions, the rainy season
longest and heaviest in the north, and lightest in the south.
Vegetation
accordingly, coming
governed
is
decaying where they
Summer and
fail.
with
the
not applicable to this part of the country.
the terms, arc
not heat and cold, but wet and dry, which
and the winter months, instead of
The dry season makes
rains,
winter, in our sense of
mark
It
is
the seasons
killing vegetation, revive
it.
a period of consecutive drought, the only
winter in the vegetation of this country, which can hardly be said

at
any time
In forests, where the soil
to cease.
low lands of streams, and
hilly country,
where the ground remains
moist, grass continues constantly green, and flowers
months of the
year.
ence of the missions,
irrigation necessary,
in their
California, as elsewhere,
tlie
in all the
and the experi-
prosperous day, has shown that in
dryest plains are
the heaviest crops produced
by
irrigation, a succession of crops
Salubrity and
bloom
In the southern half of the country, the long
summer drought has rendered
year.
sheltered, in
is
that
mode
made
productive, and
of cultivation.
may be produced
With
throughout the
mildness characterize the climate, there
being no prevailing diseases, and the extremes of heat during

the
summer being checked by
by
light airs
sea-breezes during the day, and
from the Sierra Nevada during the night.
nights are generally cool and refreshing, as
is
The
the shade during
the hottest day."
Thus
largely
from the
we have borrowed, by
official
memoir
of Colonel Fremont,
are, almost to the letter, confirmed

tion
selection and condensation,
whose observations
and corroborated,
and corroboration be deemed necessary, by
and trustworthy
69
authorities, both of earlier
and
if
all
confirma-
competent
later date.
And
532
such distinct and satisfactory evidence, as
to the
character and
general capabilities of that distant region, can scarcely be omitted,

in
view of the accumulating farrago of confusion and contradic-
tion, that
forms the burden and the refrain of the ephemeral press.
historical
forbid
and geographical memoir of the country our limits
nor are the materials for the latter portion of such a work
as yet sufficiently comprehensive
ingly
in
and, under the
interesting,
accurate work of
and ample.
M. de
From
circumstances,
the exceed-
wonderfully
Mofias, giving an account of the country
1842; from Humboldt and Greenhow; from Sir George Simp-
son's " Overland Journey ;" and from the notes of the exploring
expeditions by sea and land, under Wilkes and Fremont, as well
many
as from
comparatively unpretending documents from vari-
ous adventurers, military and commercial, a large mass of information has been accumulated.
To
those
we must
refer for
details.
Some
however brief and imperfect,
notice,
will
be expected
from us, of the discovery, position, and prospects of that extraordinary mineral wealth, which during the past twelve months
has caused feverish excitement, not only throughout our
own
dominion, and the countries adjacent, but even in Europe, and

the islands of the Pacific, while
the sluggish Asiatic.

in the
it
has roused from his torpor even
The gold mines
homely, and certainly, so
far as
rather
let
us call them,
experience has yet taught,
more appropriate term of the once Far West, the gold diggings
independently of
all
that
unwholesome, and not unnatural pertur-
bation which they have caused, arc an object of very great, though
not, in our opinion,
The
mineral treasure
primary or overwhelming importance.

long prevailed, that California teemed with
belief has
more especially with the most insinuating and
beloved of metals.
To
the Jesuit Fathers, even in the earliest
period of their benevolent labours, the existence of this source of
wealth was not
unknown
but, either from a belief in the insuffi-
NUEVA HELVETIA.
533
ciency of reward to be reaped by the time, labour, and expenditure
supposed
main
be required
to
from the desire of directing the
or
attention of their reclaimed children of the wilds to the
more unfailing mine of steady industry, they extended no coun-
The discovery
tenance, no encouragement to the search for gold.
then, or re-discovery of these layers of wealth, bears date in the

early part of 1848.
At the western base of the
Sierra
Nevada, betweeen
it
and the
bay
coast range, and stretching across the head of the spacious

of
San
Francisco, lies the continuous valley of the Sacramento
and San Joaquin
rivers,
at its opposite
which, rising
receiving in their course
many
ends, and
tributaries from the mountains,
flow towards each other, the Sacramento from the north, the San
Joaquin from the

united waters by
ing some
south,
meet about half-way, and send
hundred miles,
five
the Sacramento
is
is
the garden of California.
the settlement of
Nueva
Captain Sutter, a native of Switzerland,

mission in
On
Helvetia, founded by
who having
held a com-
the Swiss Guards of Charles X. of France, and being
released from that
grated
their
This long valley, extend-
a delta into the bay.
first
to
employment by
the revolution of 1830, emi-
Western Missouri, and thence,
in
1838-9, to the
country in which he has so fortunately established himself, under

a grant from the Mexican government.
tion
By
well-timed concilia-
and decision, he speedily acquired over the Indians
all
de-
sirable authority, and converted them into a peacable and industrious people.
By their
labour, with the aid of American, French,
and German mechanics, he constructed various
w'orks.
Around
him, others, allured and taught by his example, settled on the

Rio de los Americanos, or American Fork, a tributary of the
Sacramento, and
like
him prospered
in
their industry.
protection of his settlement, he has had a large
fort,
For the
mounting
twelve cannon, and capable of containing one thousand men, but

garrisoned by forty trained and uniformed Indians.
534
Ascending
the south branch of the xA.merican Fork, the country
becomes broken and mountainous,
the hills rise to about one
thousand feet above the valley, and
at a distance
miles from his
growth of pine.
in the centre of a
of
some
fifty
Captain Sutter resolved to locate a saw-mill
fort.
For the erection of such a
mill he contracted with a Mr. Marshall, in September 1837.

the course of the winter
dam and
completed, and a
having been
race constructed
but the tail-race
found too narrow
in the first instance
escape of the water, the
sufficiently rapid
In
and ensuing spring, the building was
permit the
to
was, to save
latter
labour, allowed to run with a strong current directly into the

race, so as to
bed of
wash
mud and
it
wider and deeper.
gravel
was
glittering particles lying
tracted Mr.
Marshall's
on the upper edge of
least for a time, but
it
this deposit at-
made acquainted
These gentlemen naturally wished
discovery.
Some
They were gathered,
attention.
value ascertained, and Captain Sutter
secret, at
This purpose effected, a
carried to the foot of the race.
to
their
with the
keep the matter
leaked out and spread with
lightning velocity.
The
first
explorers
and daily did they increase
were amply repaid
for
labours.
their
On
the
in
numbers
banks of the
streams, and in the dry ravines, the precious metal
was found,
principally in particles of greater or less coarseness,
mixed with
gravel and sand from which
was extended,
ravines
it
was
the adjoining and even
proved
equally
wealthy.
thousand persons were engaged
In
more
period from
some
thirty to forty
months
in gold-hunting.
toiling
search
distant streams and
three
was usually found, but sometimes lumps

startled with delight
As
easily washed.
full
four
In scales
it
of extraordinary size
explorer,
and even
at
this
thousand dollars' worth of gold was
daily obtained.
The discovery
Mason,
of these vast deposits of gold, says Colonel
in a despatch to his
government, has entirely changed
535
CALIFORNIA GOLD.
the character of
Upper
their
.ultivatinir
and mechanics abandoned
all
gone
Even from the
garrisons soldiers
In
deserted, unable to resist the strong temptation.
on adventure, summoned
and
all
its
influx of
for all
all
quarters of
and the success attendant
of the discovery
news
the states the
Labourers
mines.
to the
their pursuits, traders forsook their
sailors their vessels.
and
people, before engaged in
small patches of ground, and guarding their
herds of cattle and horses, have
stores,
Its
California.
forth thousands,
home
ready to forsake
The
allurements to try their fortunes in the mines.
comers lessened not the wealth of any; ample
new
was found, and each day but showed
room
that almost limitless
gold.
along the Sierra, was the extent of the region of
On
the 8th of
California
December, 1848, the
was received
at the
U.
first
Mint
S.
deposit of gold from
in Philadelphia.
It
had
over the
been brought by Mr. David Garter, from San Francisco,
On
isthmus, and weighed 1804.59 ounces Troy.

deposit
was made
of
the 9th another
The gold was
228 ounces.
two
of
differing
external character, though apparently not
sorts in
in quality.
from one to
That from the dry diggings was in grains, averaging
of the
margins
or
two penny- weights that from the swamps
Assays of this gold,
streams in spangles of much smaller bulk.
;
when melted, showed an average

slightly
below the standard
fineness,
fineness of 894, being thus
which
is
value per ounce of the bullion, before melting,

in bars, after
melting, $18.50.
900.
is
The average
stated at $18.05^;
Further assays by various pro-
have ascertained that the California gold is in

equal to any found on this continent, and within
fessional persons,
fineness fully
half a carat of the quality of English
The
and American standard
history of these mines, during the last
cannot venture to trace.
coin.
few months, we
Ship after ship from the American
away expectant hundreds, and many hundreds

The latest
more have sought the distant treasure-ground by land.
ports has borne
intelligence
more than confirms early accounts.
Marvellous as
536
were deemed the
abundance of the metal,
stories respecting the
they have been found to
fall
far short of the
New
reality.
dis-
coveries have almost daily enlarged the region in which gold
found
region,
and the most substantial evidence of the riches of the

is
supplied in the arrival at various ports in the States, of
The "
vessels bearing large consignments of the metal.

City^''
is
New
steamer reached
Crescent
Orleans on the 11th of June, with
dust on board to the amount of one million of dollars.
During the winter, gold-washing had been carried on with
At
varied success.
the dry diggings
three feet, and remained on the
storm.
Little
gold was
saw-mill, w^here
first
fell
to the depth of
ground several days
each
after
At Culloma, however,
procured.
the gold
snow
or the
was discovered, the season was
uniformly gentle, and the labours of the persevering explorer

attended with partial success.
return
On
the
was about two ounces per day

was
retarded the work, and
to
likely so to
Middle Fork, the average

each man, but high water
do
until the
end of May.
Fair success, with a like average, rewarded operations on the
The same may
Yuba.
generally be said of Feather River, Bear
Creek, Dry Creek, Mohelumne and

attraction has
Cosumne
been the Stanislaus, whose
rivers.
But the great
wâters are said to
out the beautiful ore in size and quantity unequalled.
wash
The borders
of this stream form an inexhaustibly rich portion of the placer.
The abundance
of the gold, and the facility with which
it
is
accumulated, very naturally have had the effect of raising the

price of labour enormously.
One hundred
dollars a
to induce the services of ordinary seamen, and

in the
cisco
crowded
the beginning of
sons were at
fail
The town
of
San Fran-
with constantly arriving immigrants,
and about
bay are deserted by

is
month
numbers of ships
May,
work
it
their crews.
was calculated some eight thousand
in the various mines.
per-
In the town, accommo-
dations of any kind could be procured only at enormous rents.
Good
provisions were equally scarce and dear.
Other prices
may
CALIFORNIA GOLD.
537
be inferred from that of board, which stood, exclusive of lodging,
Dates from San Francisco
$20 per week.
at
main corroborated
in the
to the 18th of
May,
the previously received intelligence,
and
represent the tide of immigration as unceasing and undiminished.
"In
lished at
San Francisco, "
ness bustle,
little
when
California," a newspaper pub-
resume
this place will
rare times are anticipated.
wonted busi-
will
have but
away
leagues
in the distance
what changes
The
flood-gate to fortune
shall
but, in the interval of another
be rung in the beautiful valley before us

is
opened
w'ith the
spring, but in the resistless torrent pouring in,
be the
above us, verdant plains and woodlands stretch
is
year,
sacrifice of health
how many
and perish' in the struggle for wealth
now
its
We
rain from this time until the setting in of another winter,
cloudless sky
for
" Alta
a few days," says the
setting out strong in
shall
'
balmy breath of
how
great must
by the way-side
fall
many, very many who are
hope and heart, and buoyant
in youth's
vigour!"
full
Hitherto
American
all
coiners, foreigners from every clime, as well as
citizens
and
inliabitants of the Californias,
have
parti-
cipated without hindrance in the abundant wealth of this region,
nor does any
undoubted
effort
seem
At length
blood and treasure.

try
as yet to have
been made
the
to assert the
purchased by national
rights of the nation over the soil
American
citizens in the coun-
begin to murmur, and question the right of those foreign intru-
ders, for such, under every aspect of international law^, they
be considered.
It is
hoped
that a grievance so manifest
must
and so
detrimental to the interests and just rights of our citizens, will

speedily be removed
and
that, as a
adopted of securing to the nation

from that which
A
this
is
next step, means will be
at large
some
benefits, at least,
national property alone.
few words on the advantages of the maritime region, before

chapter
is
brought to a close.
From
the time of
its
earliest
discovery until the present, the bay of San Francisco has been
^38
considered one of the finest in the world, and

that high character,
of
all visiters
far
beyond
all
its
viewed even only as
is
fully entitled to
To
a harbour.
this fact
nations have borne unanimous testimony.
value as a mere harbour,
tion in relation to the
commercial and
is its
But
geographical posi-
political interests of the
United States, and not only of the States, but of also the opposite
The
extremes of the old world.
other harbours are, proceeding
southwardly, Monterey, Santa Barbara, San Pedro, and San Diego.

All these are of secondary importance.
San Francisco, the
safest
and best
San Diego
locked, with deep water and a good bottom.

site
extremities.
Upper
California possesses
on the Pacific, while each of them
is
is,
next to
being land-
in the province,
Thus,
oppo-
at its
two of the best ports
greatly enhanced in value
by the distance of any other harbour worthy of the name, San

Francisco being nearly a thousand miles from Port Discovery,
and San Diego, nearly
the north,
Add
of Magdalena, to the south.
tages the
fertility
the mildness
commanding advan-
and salubrity of the climate, the vast resources

and
"What
cattle,
a splendid
internal resources or
its
But thoughts here

ourselves to dwell.
arise,
invites
ties of
in his
country, w'hether
on which
we must
future of almost
now
Asia and Europe
common humanity
for
and we can the better appreciate
commercial capabilities
before the nation, which
and
to these
admiring language of Sir George Simpson,
Jouniey,^^
to
hundred miles from the Bay
of the large district west of the Sierra Nevada,
ship timber, grain,

tlie
six
" Overland
we
regard
its
!"
now
not
overwhelming
permit
interest is
grasps the two great world oceans,
to
meet and draw closer together the
on her mediating
soil.
Through her
broad dominions the wealth of Asia and the civilization of Europe

pass one another, to leave their riches deposits on the
to
both she
is
called on to
become
way
and
the exemplar and the guide in
the higher civilization that awaits the species

social progress that is to bring with
it
in the
moral and
the happiness of mankind.
CONSEQUENCES OF THE WAR.
539
"Whether the sudden and immense influx of the precious metal.?
new
from the
territory
enervate
will
strengthen the North
or
American Republic, time alone can determine.

found inimical to national virtue
whether the eager search
and
for gold
it
may
Too
often is
it
well be doubted,
by a promiscuous crowd of
unsteady adveriturers, will not be hostile to the industry, frugality,
and
which, as a nation,
virtue, for
we
are proverbial.
At present
the fear and the hope are so intimately intermingled, that the sin-
cere patriot trembles while he glows.
discovery will necessarily arise
One advantage from
the
the rapid settlement of the newly-
acquired territory.
In another point of view the war with Mexico has been productive of the most beneficial consequences.
country a prominent rank
among
It
has given our
the nations of the earth.
It
has displayed to the eyes of doubting monarchists the existence

of a majestic
power and energy, a youthful freshness of
combined with a manly vigour, which
spirit
are well calculated to insure
prolonged peace, by the respect which her ability has inspired,
and the admiration which has been

of her sons.
for defensive
The United
elicited
by the heroic conduct
States has not merely
shown her
ability
war, but has successfully solved the problem of the
She has
capacity of a republic to engage in a foreign war.
demonstrated that, without the expense of a standing army, she
can
any time bring
at
fatigue,
into the field a force
men drawn from
thousand
the
of one
body of the people, able
surmount obstacles, and achieve
victories,
hundred
to
endure
under circum-
stances which would have broken the spirits, and quelled the
courage, even of troops inured to war.
The consequences
of the
Mexican war must
necessarily be
favourable to the inhabitants of the territory ceded to the United

States.
Under
a fixed and stable form of government, relieved
from former exactions, with ample guaranties

of person and property, they
70
will
for tlie
protection
have additional inducements
540
and enterprise, and by the example of
to industry
neighbours,
who may
settle
among them,
will
their northern
be stimulated to
generous exertions, which will raise them from their present

ignorance and degradation, to
and a higher
Mexico
the blessings of rational liberty
all
civilization.
herself,
being brought into more immediate connexion
with the republic of the United States, and enjoying a freer intercourse with
citizens, will participate in these
its
advantages.
Enervated by dependence on her mines, long distracted by
and a prey
internal dissensions,
to the intrigues of military des-
pots, she will at length rise to an appreciation
learn that her true policy
" swords
into ploughshares,
find her chief wealth

toil.
of real liberty,
industry and peace, and, beating her
is
and her spears
and happiness
into pruning-hooks,"
in peaceful, health-inspiring
Relieved from the exorbitant exactions of her military and
priesthood, her expenditures will be diminished, while increased

attention to agriculture and manufactures will develop and aug-
ment her resources and
institutions of learning, after the
of her
of those
among
Nor
northern
sister,
difTuse
manner
knowedge and
virtue
her ignorant and half-civilized multitudes.

this all.
is
where our
flag is
The
now
light of liberty
and
civilization,
from
planted on the shores of the Pacific, will
illumine not only the adjacent countries, but the far-off islands
of the watery
waste.
From
white- winged ships will
and each green

for their
isle
that
visit
the
bay of San Francisco, our
the
shores of Asia and Africa,
gems
the Southern Ocean,
chandise, but the " true
riches," civilization, and
ledge of the one God, causing the "
"
freighted
heathen inhabitants not merely with perishable mer-
isles to
desert to smile and blossom as the rose."
the
know-
be glad," and the
APTENDIX.
TREATY
Of
Peace, Friendship, Limits, and Settlement, between the United States of
America, and the Mexican Republic, concluded

the Second
March
Day of
lOth, 1848,
February,
and by
the
ivith
at
Guadalupe Hidalgo, on
Amendments by
Mexican Senate,
May
the
American Senate,
25th, 1848.
THE TREATY.
name of Almighty God
In the
The United
animated by
States of
America and the United Mexican
States,
a sincere desire to put an end to the calamities of the
war which unhappily

on a
exists
between the two republics, and to establish
solid basis relations of peace
and friendship, which
shall confer
reciprocal benefits on the citizens of both, and assure the concord,
harmony, and mutual confidence wherein the two people should
live
as good neighbours, have, for that purpose, appointed their respective

plenipotentiaries
that
is
to say, the President
of the United States
has appointed N. P. Trist, a citizen of the United States, and the

President of the Mexican republic has appointed
Cuevas,
the
Don Luis Gonzaga
Don Bernardo Conto, and Don Miguel Atristain, citizens of
said
republic,
who,
after a reciprocal
communication of
respective powers, have, under the protection of
their
Almighty God, the
author of peace, arranged, agreed upon, and signed the following

treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement, between the United
States of
Art.
America and the Mexican
I.
There
shall be a firm
republic.
and universal peace between the
United States of America and the Mexican republic, and between their
541
APPENDIX.
542
respective
countries,
territories,
cities,
towns, and
people, without
exception of places or persons.
Art,
II,
Immediately on the signature of
entered
be
siiall
into
this treaty,
a convention
between a commissioner or commissioners
appointed by the general-in-chief of the forces of the United States,
and such as
may
be appointed by the
end that a provisional suspension of
by
that in the places occupied
may
Mexican government,
hostilities shall
the
said forces, constitutional
be re-established, as regards the
order
administrative, and
political,
judicial branches, so far as this shall be pei'mitted
to the
take place; and
by
the circumstances
of military occupation.
Art.
Ill,
Immediately upon the
ratification of the
present treaty
by the government of the United States, orders shall be transmitted

the
commanders of
their land
and naval
to
forces, requiring the latter
(provided this treaty shall then have been ratified by the government
of the Mexican republic) immediately to desist from blockading any
Mexican
to
ports
commence,
and requiring the former (under the same condition)
the earliest
at
moment
practicable, withdrawing
all
troops of the United States then in the interior of the Mexican republic,
be selected by
to points that shall
common
agreement, at a distance
from the sea-ports not exceeding thirty leagues; and such evacuation
of the interior of the republic shall be completed with the least possible
delay
the Mexican government hereby binding itself to afford every
facility in its
on
their
power
march, and
same convenient
for rendering the
new
in their
positions,
and
for
understanding between them and the inhabitants.
to the troops,
promoting a good
In like manner,
orders shall be despatched to the persons in charge of the custom-
houses
at all ports
occupied by the forces of the United States, requir-
ing them (under the
of the same
receive
it,
to the
together with
importations and
faithful
all
condition) immediately to deliver possession
all
bonds and evidences of debt for duties on
on exportations, not yet
and exact
amount of
same
persons authorized by the Mexican government to
duties
from and
after the
in
of collection
Moreover, a
at such
Mexico, by authority of the United
day of the
ratification
government of the Mexican republic

:ost
due.
on imports and on exports, collected
custom-houses, or elsewhere
States,
fallen
account shall be made out, showing the entire
of this treaty by the
and also an account of the
and such entire amount, deducting only the cost
of collection, shall be delivered to the Mexican government, at the
APPENDIX.
city of Mexico, witliin three
months
543
the exchange of ratifica-
after
tions.
The
evacuation of the capital of the Mexican republic by the troops
of the United States, in virtue of the above stipulation, shall be completed in one
month
after the orders there stipulated lor shall
been received by the commander of said troops, or sooner
Art. IV.
Immediately
exchange of
after the
ratifications
present treaty, all castles, forts, territories, places
have
if possible.
of the
and possessions,
which have been taken and occupied by the forces of the United
States during the present
war, within the limits of the Mexican
by the following
republic, as about to be established
article, shall
be
definitely restored to the said republic, together with all the artillery,
arms, apparatus of war, munitions, and other public property, which
were
in
when
the said castles and forts
remain there
at the time
when
captured, and which shall
this treaty shall
To
government of the Mexican republic.
be duly
this end,
ratified
the signature of this treaty, orders shall be despatched to the
commanding such
officers
castles
and
ports,
removal or destruction of any such
artillery,
munitions, or other public property.
The
above stipulations, as regards
the
American
securing against the
arms, apparatus of war,
city of Mexico, within the
inner line of intrcnchments, surrounding the said city,

in
by the
immediately upon
the
comprehended
is
restoration of artillery,
apparatus of war, &c.
The
final
evacuation of the territory of the Mexican republic by the
Ibrces of the United States, shall be completed in three
months from
the said exchange of ratifications, or sooner if possible
the
republic hereby engaging, as in the foregoing article, to use

in its
power
for facilitating
to the troops,
and
for
such evacuation, and rendering
it
Mexican
all
means
convenient
promoting a good understanding between them
and the inhabitants.

If,
however, the
ratification
of
this
treaty
by both
parties should
not take place in time to allow the embarkation of the troops of
United States to be completed before the
commencement of
th(!
the sickly
season, at the Mexican ports on the Gulf of l\Iexico, in such case a

friendly
arrangement
shall
be entered into
between the gencral-iii-
chief of the said troops and the Mexican government, whereby healthy
and otherwise suitable places,
at a distance
from the ports not exceed-
ing thirty leagues, shall be designated for the residence of such troops
as
may
not yet have embarked, until the return of the healthy season.
APPENDIX.
544
And
the space of time here referred to as comprehending the sickly
season, shall be understood to extend from the

first
day of
first
May
to the
day of November.
war taken on
All prisoners of
on land or on
either side,
sea, shall
be restored as soon as practicable after the exchange of the ratifications of this treaty.
now
also agreed that if
It is
any Mexicans should
be held as captives by any savage tribe within the limits of the
United States, as about to be established by the following
government of the said United States
and cause them
captives,
to
article, the
will exact the i*clease of
such
be restored to their country.
Art. V. The boundary line between the two republics shall commence in the Gulf of Mexico, three leagues from land, opposite the
mouth of the Rio Grande, otherwise called Rio Bravo del Norte, or
mouth of
opposite the
deepest branch,
its
if
one branch emptying directly into the sea
it
should have more than
from thence up the middle
of that river, following the deepest channel, where

one,
Mexico
New
it
it
has more than
boundary of
strikes the southern
New
thence, westwardly, along the whole southern boundary of
Mexico (which runs north of the town called Paso)
to its
western
thence northward along the western line of
New
Mexico,
termination
until
where
the point
to
it
branch of the river Gila
intersects the first
(or if
it
should
not intersect any branch of that river, then to the point on the said
line neai-est to
such branch, and thence
in
a direct line to the same
;)
thence down the middle of the said branch and of the said river, until
thence across the Rio Colorado,
it empties into the Rio Colorado
;
following the division line
between Upper and Lower California,
to the
Pacific Ocean.
The
southern and western limits of
down
article, are those laid
Mexican
States, as
in the
New
map,
Mexico, mentioned
entitled
"
Map
of Lhe
in this
United
organized and defined hy various acts of the

and constructed according to the best
Congress of said republic,

anthorities.
Revised edition.
J. Disturneliy
Published at Neiv York, in 1847, by
Of which map a copy
is
added
to this treaty, bear-
ing the signatures and seals of the undersigned plenipotentiaries.

in
order to preclude
all difiiculty in
separating Upper from
Lower
California,
it
is
agreed that the said
drawn from
the middle of the
limit shall consist
of a straight
Rio Gila, where
unites with the Colorado, to a point
it
of the Pacific Ocean
distant
And
tracing upon the ground the limit
line,
on the coast
one marine league due south of the
APPENDIX.
545
southernmost point of the port of San Diego, according

said
made
port,
sailing-master of the Spanish
year 1802,
in the atlas
fleet,
to the
plan of
by Don Juan Pantojcr, second
the year 1782,
in
and published
at
Madrid
in
the
voyage of the schooners Sutll and
to the
Mexicana, of which plan a copy
hereunto added, signed and sealed
is
by the respective plenipotentiaries.

\n order to designate the boundary line with due precision, upon
and
authoritative maps,
show
shall
article, the
the
limits
on the ground landmarks which
to establish
of both republics, as described in the present
two governments
shall each appoint a
commissioner and a
surveyor, who, before the exj)iration of one year from the date of the
exchange of
ratifications of this treaty, shall
mark
Diego, and proceed to rim and
meet
course to the mouth of the Rio I>ravo del Norte.

journals and
make
out plans of their operations
upon by them, shall be deemed a part of
same
the
force as if
it
amicably agree
will
persons, and
also
regarding what
may
respective
their
to
They
and the
this treaty,
whole
its
keep
shall
result
and
agreed
have
shall
The two governments
were inserted therein.
as
San
at the port of
the said boundary in
be
necessary
escorts, should
to
these
such
be
necessary.
The boundary
respected
made
line established
by each of the two
therein, except
by
by
the express
be religiously
this article shall
republics,
and
and no change
shall ever be
free consent of both nations,
lawfully given by the general government of each, in conformity witli

its
own
constitution.
Art. VI.
all
fornia,
to
The
vessels
time, have a free
and
and by the river Colorado, below
and from
its
confluence with the Gila,
situated north of the
their possessions
defined in the preceding article

is to
citizens of the United States shall, in
and uninterrupted passage by the Gulf of Cali-
boundary
line
being understood that this passage
it
be by navigating the Gulf of California, and the river Colorado
and not by land, without the express consent of the Mexican government.
If,
by the examinations that
to be practicable
way, which should,

upon
its
right or
may
and advantageous
its
in
whole or
left
from either margin of the
in
be made,
it
should be ascertained
to construct a road, canal, or rail-
part,
run upon the river Gila, or
bank, within the space of one marine league

river, the
governments of both republics
will
APPENDIX.
546
form an agreement regarding
its
construction, in order that
may
it
serve equally for the use and advantage of both countries.
Art. VII.
The
river Gila,
and the part of the Del Norte lying
below the southern boundary of
New
Mexico, being, agreeably
to the
divided in the middle between the two republics, the navi-
fifth article,
gation of the Gila and of the Bravo, below said boundary, shall be
free
and common
to the vessels
.
and
citizens of both countries
neither shall, without the consent of the other, construct

that
may impede
right
not even
Nor
tion.
title,
or interrupt, in whole or in part, the exercise of this
for the
shall
and
any work
any
purpose of favouring
new methods of navigaany denomination or
tax or contribution, under
be levied upon vessels, or persons navigating the same, or upon
merchandise, or
effects,
transported thereon, except in the case of
landing upon one of their shores.
If,
purpose of making the
for the
said rivers navigable, or for maintaining
them
in
such
state,
it
should
be necessary or advantageous to establish any tax or contribution, this

shall not be
The
done without the consent of both governments.
stipulations contained in the present article shall not impair
the territorial rights of either republic, within
Art. VIII.
Mexicans
now
its
established limits.
established in territories previously
to
Mexico, and which remain, for the future, within the
limits of the
United States, as defined by the present treaty, shall be
belonging
free to continue
to the
Mexican
where they now
reside, or to
republic, retaining the property
the said territories, or disposing thereof, and
wherever they please, without

to
title
their being subjected,
and rights of Mexican
on
this account,
their selection within
of ratifications of
this treaty
either
citizens, or acquire those of
But they shall be under the obligation
citizens of the United States.
make
in
removing the proceeds
any contribution, or tax, or charge, whatever.

Those who shall prefer to remain in said territories, may
retain the
to
remove, at any time,
which they possess
territories, after the expiration
one year from the date of the exchange
and those who
shall
remain in the said
of that year, without having declared
their intention to retain the character of Mexicans, shall be considered

to
have elected
to
become
citizens of the United States.
In the said territories, property of every kind,
Mexicans not established
present owners, the heirs of these, and

after acquire said property
now
belonging to
there, shall be inviolably respected.
by contract,
all
Mexicans who
shall enjoy,
with
may
The
here-
respect
to
547
APPENDIX.
It,
guaranties equally ample as
if
same belonged
the
to citizens
of the
United States.
Art. IX.
The
Mexicans who,
aforesaid, shall
the territories
in
not preserve the character of citizens of the Mexican republic, con-
formably with what
is
stipulated in the preceding article, shall be incor-
porated into the union of the United States, and admitted as soon as
possible, according to the principles of the federal constitution, to the
enjoyment of
mean
In the
the rights of citizens of the United States.
all
and protected
time, they shall be maintained
of their liberty, their property, and the
With
according to the Mexican laws.
in the
now
civil rights
enjoyment
vested in them
respect to political rights, their
condition shall be on an equality with that of the inhabitants of the
other territories of the
United States, and at least equally good as
and the Floridas, when these proFrench republic and the crown of Spain,
that of the inhabitants of Louisiana
by
vinces,
became
transfer from the
territories
The same most ample guaranty

and
shall be enjoyed
by
all ecclesiastics
religious corporations or communities, as well in the discharge of
the offices of their ministry as in the enjoyment of their property of
This guaranty
every kind, whether individual or corporate.
embrace
all
temples, houses, and edifices dedicated
Catholic worship, as well as

that of schools, hospitals,
No
ficent purposes.
havino-
all
property destined to
and other foundations
its
shall
Roman
the
support, or to
for charitable or bene-
property of this nature shall be considered as
become the property of the American government, or as sub-
ject to be
by
it
disposed
of,
or diverted to other uses.
Finally, the relations and communication

living
to
in the territories
aforesaid,
authorities, shall be open, free,
and
their
between the Catholics

respective ecclesiastical
and exempt from
all
hindrance what-
ever, even although such authorities should reside within the limits of
the
Mexican
republic, as defined
shall continue, so long as a

shall not
by
this
treaty
new demarkation
and
this
freedom
of ecclesiastical districts
have been made, conformably with the laws of the
Roman
Catholic church.
[Article IX.
and
was expunged, and
in its stead
the Senate adopted
inserted substantially the third article of the treaty with France,
of 1803, for the
cession
of Louisiana, to the
efiect
that
bitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the
71
and admitted
inha-
Union
as soon as Congress shall deter-
APPENDIX.
548
mine, accordijig
to the 2^nncij)les
of the federal constitution., to the
enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and imm.unities of citizens

oftJie United States ; and in tlie mean time, they shall be maintained
and protected in
the full
enjoyment of their
and
liberty, property,
the
which they profess.']
religion
Art. X.
All grants of land
by the competent
made by
the
Mexican government, or
authorities, in territories previously appertaining to
Mexico, and remaining for the future within the limits of the United
States, shall be respected as valid, to the
grants would be valid

limits of
if
same extent
But the grantees of lands
Mexico.
since the beginning of the troubles between
Texas, put
in
in posses-
may
Texas and the Mexican
have been prevented from
fulfilling all
tions of their grants, shall be under the obligation to
the condi-
the said
fulfil
conditions within the periods limited in the same, respectively

periods to be
same
who, by reason of the circumstances of the country,
sion thereof,
government,
that the
the said territories had remained within the
now
such
counted from the date of the exchange of ratifica-
tions of this treaty
in default of
which, the said grants shall not be
obligatory upon the State of Texas,
of the stipulations con-
in virtue
tained in this article.
The
is
foregoing stipulation in regard to grantees of land in Texas
extented to
than in
all
grantees of land in the territories aforesaid, elsewhere
Texas, put
in possession
under such grants
of the fulfilment of the conditions of

period, which, as
change of
is
and,
in
any such grant, within
default
the
new
above stipulated, begins with the day of the ex-
same
ratifications of this treaty, the
The Mexican government declares
that
shall be null
and
void.
no grant whatever of lands
Texas has been made since the second day of March, one thousand
and that no grant whatever of lands, in
eight hundred and thirty-six
in
any
of the territories aforesaid, has been
made
since the thirteenth day
of May, one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.
[The above
Art. XI.
by
article
was expunged by
Considering
the present treaty, are to be
the limits
will hereafter be
States,
the Senate.]
that a great part of the territories which,
is
comprehended
now
for the future within
occupied by savage tribes
who
under the control of the government of the United
and whose incursions within the
prejudicial in the extreme,
it is
shall bo forcibly restrained
territory of
solemnly agreed that
Mexico would be
all
such incursions
by the government of the United
States,
APPENDIX.
whensoever
may
this
be necessary
549
and that when they cannot be
prevented, they shall be punished by the said government, and satis-
same
faction for the
be exacted
shall
equal diligence and energy, as

within
It
its
own
if
against
teri'itory,
own
its
incui-sions
under any pretext whatever, for any inhabit-
shall not be lawful,
inliabiting the territory of either
by such Indians
And
in the
by
within
its
purchase
nor to provide such Indians with
territory,
its
and
into
it
the territory of the United
engages and binds
latter
most solemn manner, so soon as
exercise of
to
stolen within
event of any person or persons captured within Mexican
government of the
States, the
any kind,
sale or otherwise.
by Indians, being carried
territory
captured by Indians
of the two republics, nor
or acquire horses, mules, cattle, or property of
fire-arms or ammunition,
any Mexican, or any
who may have been
foreigner residing in Mexico,
territory
were committed
citizens.
ant of the United States to purchase or acquire
Mexican
same way, and with
in the
all
same
the
shall
shall be able to
know of such
do
so,
itself in the
captives being
through the
influence and power, to rescue them and return
their country, or deliver
them
to the
The Mexican
Mexican government.
faithful
them
to
agent or representative of the

authorities will, as far as prac-
government of the United States notice of such

agents shall pay the expenses incurred in the main-
ticable, give to the
captures
and
its
tenance and transmission of the rescued captives
time, shall be treated with the utmost hospitality

authorities at the place
where they may
be.
But
who,
in the
mean
by the American
if the
government
of the United States, before receiving such notice from Mexico, should
obtain intelligence, through
any other channel, of the existence of
Mexican captives within its territory, it will proceed forthwith to

effect their release and delivery to the Mexican agent, as above
stipulated.
For the purpose of giving
to these stipulations the fullest possible
efficacy, thereby affording the

their true spirit
now and
and
intent, the
hereafter
security and
redress
demanded by
government of the United States
pass, without
vigilantly enforce, such laws as the nature of the subject
And
finally, the
may
sacredness of this obligation shall never be
of by the said government
from any portion of
when providing
for the
said territories, or for
citizens of the United States
but,
will
unnecessary delay, and always
its
require.
lost sight
removal of Indians
being settled by the
on the contrary, special care then
APPENDIX.
550
shall be taken not to place
Indian occupants under the necessity
its
those invasions which the
new homes, by committing
of seeking
United States have solemnly obliged themselves to restrain.
Art. XII.
In
fifth article
present treaty, the government of the United States engages to
Mexican republic the sum of
that of the
fifteen millions
the one or the other of the two modes below specified.
government
shall, at the time
shall be
to
by
it
prefers
to
The Mexican
and the mode so elected by
after this treaty shall
by the government of the Mexican
ratified
pay
of dollars, in
that of the United States.
mode of payment: Immediately
First
been duly
sum
conformed
the
of the
of ratifying this treaty, declare which
of these two modes of payment

it
by
consideration of the extension acquired
boundaries of the United States, as defined in the
have
republic, the
of three millions of dollars shall be paid to the said government
that of the United States, at the city of Mexico, in the gold or
by
For the remaining twelve millions of
silver coin of Mexico.
dollars,
the United States shall create a stock, bearing an interest of six per
centum per annum, commencing on the day of the
by
treaty
the
at the city of
Washington
deemable there,
States, at
of
at
any time
this treaty
the
ratification
of
this
government of the Mexican republic, and payable annually
six
after
the principal of said stock to be re-
two years from the exchange of
ratifications
months' public notice of the intention to redeem
same being previously
per form, for such
the pleasure of the government of the United
Certificates of such stock, in pro-
given.
sums as
shall be specified
by the Mexican govern-
ment, and transferable by the said government, shall be delivered

the
same by
to
that of the United States.
Second mode of payment
Immediately after
this treaty shall
have
by the government of the Mexican republic, the

sum of three millions of dollars shall be paid to the said government by
been duly
ratified
that of the United States, at the city of Mexico, in the gold or silver coin
of Mexico.
The remaining twelve
millions of dollars shall be paid at the
same coin, in annual instalments of three millions

of dollars each, together with interest on the same at the rate of six per
centum per annum. This interest shall begin to run upon the whole
same
place,
sum of
treaty
and
in the
twelve millions from the day of the ratification of the present
by the Mexican government, and
be paid
at the expiration
the
first
of the instalments shall
of one year from the same day. Together with
each annual instalment, as
it
falls
due, the whole interest accruing on
APPENDIX.
such instalment from the beginning
in
551
also be paid.
sliall
Certificates
proper form, for the said instalments, respectively, in such sums as
shall bo desired
by the Mexican government, and transferable by

government by that of the United
shall be delivered to the said
it,
States.
[The second mode of payment was accepted by the Mexican government.]
Art.
pay
XIII.
The United
to the claimants all
States engage, moreover, to
become due, by reason of
after to
assume and
amounts now due them, and those here-
the
the claims already liquidated
and
decided against the Mexican republic, under the conventions between

the two republics severally concluded
on the 11th day of April,
eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, and on the 30th day of January,
eighteen hundred and forty-three
so that the Mexican republic shall
be absolutely exempt for the future, from
expense whatever on
all
account of the said claims.
Art. XIV.
The
United
Mexican republic from
all
States
furthermore
do
discharge
the
claims of citizens of the United States, not
Mexican government, which may have
heretofore decided against the
arisen previously to the date of the signature of this treaty
which
discharge shall be final and perpetual, whether the said claims be

rejected or be allowed
by the board of commissioners provided
the following article, and whatever shall be the total
for in
amount of those
allowed.
Art. XV.
The United
States, exonerating
on account of the claims of

article,
to
dollars.
may
be,
Mexico from
mentioned
and considering them entirely and
ever their amount
same,
their citizens
for
demands
all
in the
preceding
ever cancelled, what-
undertake to make satisfaction
for the
an amount not exceeding three and one quarter millions of

To ascertain the validity and amount of those claims, a board
of commissioners shall be established by the
United States, whose awards shall be

that in deciding
final
government of the
and conclusive
upon the validity of each claim, the board
provided,
shall
be
guided and governed by the principles and rules of decision prescribed
by the
first
and
fifth articles
of the unratified convention, concluded
the city of Mexico on the twentieth day of

eight hundred and
forty-three
made
any claim
in favour of
and
not
in
at
November, one thousand
no case
shall
an award bo
embraced by these principles and
rules.
If,
in the opinion of the
said
board of commissioners, or of the
APPENDIX.
552
any books,
claimants,
power of
tlie
necessary
to
documents
records, or
possession or
in the
government of the Mexican repubhc,
shall
be deemed
any claim, the commissioners, or
the just decision of
the claimants through them, shall within such period as Congress

designate, make an application
the Mexican minister
United States
engages, at the earliest possible
demand,
to
specified,
which
cause
any of
by
the
and the Mexican government
moment
books,
the
may
same, addressed to
foreign affairs, to be transmitted
for
secretary of state of the
in writing for the
after
the receipt of such
documents,
records, or
shall be in their possession or
power
so
(or authenticated
copies or extracts of the same) to be transmitted to the said secretary
of
state,
who
them over
shall immediately deliver
commissioners
to the said
or at the instance
of,
any claimant,
until the facts
which
board of
made
Provided, that no such application shall be

it is
by,
expected
prove by such books, records, or documents, shall have been stated
to
under oath or affirmation.
Art. XVI.
Each of the contracting
entire right to fortify
proper so to
parties reserves to itself the
whatever point within
its
territory
it
may
judge
fortify, for its security.
Art. XVII.
The
treaty of amity,
commerce and
navigation, con-
cluded at the city of Mexico on the 5th day of April, A. D. 1831,
between the United States of America and the United Mexican States,
except the additional article, and except so far as the stipulations of
the said treaty
in the
may
not be incompatible with
present treaty,
is
hereby revived
from the day of the exchange of
same
force
and virtue as
if
any
stipulation contained
for the period
of eight years
ratifications of this treaty, with the
incorporated therein;
it
being understood
that each of the contracting parties reserves to itself the right, at
any
lime after the said period of eight years shall have expired, to terminate
the
same by giving one year's
notice of such intention to the other
party.
Art. XVIII.
in
All supplies
whatever
for troops of the
United States
Mexico, arriving at ports in the occupation of such troops previous
to the final
evacuation thereof, although subsequently to the restora-
tion of the
custom-houses at such ports, shall be entirely exempt from
duties
and charges of any kind
hereby engaging and pledging

enforce,
all
the government of the United States
its
faith to establish,
and
vigilantly to
possible guards for securing the revenue of Mexico,
by
preventing the importation, under cover of this stipulation, of any
553
APPENDIX.
kind and in quaUty, as shall really
articles other than such, both in
be wanted
use and consumption of the forces of the United
for the
States during the time they
may
remain
in
To
Mexico.
this end,
it
the United States to

shall be the duty of all officers and agents of
ports any
denounce to the Mexican authorities at the respective
which they may know

attempts at a fraudulent abuse of this stipulation
give to such authorities all
of or may have reason to suspect, and to
and every such attempt,
the aid in their power with regard thereto ;
when duly proved and established by sentence of a competent tribunal,
shall be punished
by the confiscation of the property so attempted
to
be fraudulently introduced.
Art.
XIX. With
respect to
all
merchandise,
whatsoever, imported into ports of Mexico

the forces of the United States, whether
by
or
citizens or subjects of
any
effects,
and property
whilst in the occupation of
by
citizens of either republic,
neutral nation, the following rules
shall bo observed
and property, if imported previously

as
to the restoration of the custom-houses to the Mexican authorities,
from
exempt
shall
be
treaty,
this
of
article
stipulated for in the third
All such merchandise, effects,
confiscation, although the importation of the
the
Mexican
2.
prohibited by
same be
tariff.
The same
perfect exemption
shall
be enjoyed
by
all
such
and property, imported subsequently to the restomerchandise,

and previously to the sixty days fixed in
custom-houses,
ration of the
effects,
the following article for the

at such ports respectively
coming
into force of the
Mexican
tarilF,
the said merchandise, effects, and property
being, however, at the time of their importation, subject to the pay-
ment of
3.
duties, as provided for in the said following article.
All merchandise, effects,
and property described
in the
two rules
tbrcgoing shall, during their continuance at the place of importation,

or upon their leaving such place for the interior, be
duty, tax, or impost of every kind, under whatsoever

shall they be there subjected to
nation.
Nor
upon the
sale thereof.
exempt from
title
all
or denomi-
any charge whatsoever
4. All merchandise, effects, and property, described in the first and

second rules, which shall have been removed to any place in the
Ulterior whilst such place was in the occupation of the forces of tho
Cnitod States, shall, during their contiinianco therein, be exempt from
APPENDIX.
554
upon the
all tax
sale or
consumption thereof, and from every kind of
impost or contribution, under whatsoever
But
5.
first
any merchandise,
if
and second
rules, shall be
title
or denomination,
effects, or property,
removed
to
described in the
any place not occupied
at
the time by the forces of the United States, they shall, upon their
introduction into such place, or upon their sale or consumption there,
be subject to the same duties which, under the Mexican laws, they
would be required
pay
to
in
such cases
they had been imported
if
in
time of peace, through the maritime custom-houses, and had there paid
the duties conformably with the
The owners
6.
of
all
Mexican
merchandise,
tariff.
effects,
the first and second rules, and existing in
have the
right to reship the same,
or property described in
any
exempt from
port of Mexico, shall

all tax,
impost, or con-
tribution whatever.
With
respect to the metals, or other property, exported from
Mexican port whilst

States,
port,
in the occupation of the
and previously
to the restoration
any
forces of the United
of the custom-house at such
no person shall be required by the Mexican
authorities,
whether
general or state, to pay any tax, duty, or contribution upon any such
exportation, or in
any manner
to
account for the same to the said
authorities.
Art. XX.
generally,
Through
consideration for the interests of
agreed, that
is
it
if
between the date of the signature of
commerce
than sixty days should elapse
less
this treaty
and the restoration of
the custom-houses, conformably with the stipulation in the third article,

in
such case
all
merchandise,
effects,
and property whatsoever,
arriv-
ing at the Mexican ports after the restoration of the said customhouses, and previously to the expiration of sixty days after the day
of the signature of
be admitted to entry
this treaty, shall
and no
other duties shall be levied thereon than the duties established by the
tariff
found in force at such custom-houses at the time of the restora-
tion of the
same.
And
the rules established
Art. XXI.
If,
to all
such merchandise,
by the preceding
effects,
and property,
article shall apply.
unhappily, any disagreement should hereafter arise
between the governments of the two republics, whether with respect

to the
to
interpretation of
any
stipulation in this treaty, or with respect
any other particular concerning the
do promise to each other that they
commercial
relations
name of those
nations,
political or
of the two nations, the said governments, in the

will
endeavour, in the most sincere
555
APPENDIX.
^nd earnest manner,
settle
to
the
so
difTercnces
and
arising,
to
preserve the state of peace and friendship in which the two countries
now
are
placing themselves
and
tions
using, for this end, mutual representa-
And
pacific negotiations.
not be enabled to
come
to
if,
by these means, they should
an agreement, a resort shall not, on
to reprisals, aggression, or hostility
account, be had
this
of any kind, by
the one republic against the other, until the government of that which
deems
aggrieved shall have maturely considered, in the
itself
peace and good neighbourship, whether

should
difference
be
by the
settled
it
arbitration
commissioners
of
And
appointed on each side, or by that of a friendly nation.
such course be proposed by either party,

other, unless
deemed by
it
of
spirit
would not be better that such
it
shall be acceded to
should
by
the
altogether incompatible with the nature of
the difference, or the circumstances of the case.
Art. XXII.
bid
war
!)
shall
If
(which
do now, with a view

each other and
is
not to be expected, and which
God
for-
unhappily break out between the two republics, they

to
such calamity, solemnly pledge themselves to
to the world,
to observe the following
rules, abso-
where the nature of the subject permits, and as closely as
lutely,
possible
in
all
cases where such
absolute observance shall be im-
possible.
The merchants of either
1.
republic then residing in the other shall
be allowed to remain twelve months, (for those dwelling in the interior,)
and
the
months
six
debts
and
same
(for those dwelling at the seaports,) to collect their
settle their afTairs
protection,
during which periods, they shall enjoy

footing, in all respects, as the
most friendly nations
citizens or subjects of the

tion thereof, or at
and be on the same
any time
before, they shall
and, at the expira-
have
full
liberty to
depart, carrying off all their effects without molestation or hindrance
conforming therein
to the
same laws which
the most friendly nations
are required
to
the citizens or subjects of
conform
to.
Upon
the
entrance of the armies of either nation into the territories of the other,
women and
children, ecclesiastics, scholars of every faculty, cultiva-
tors of the earth, merchants, artisans, manufacturers,
unarmed and inhabiting

general
and
all
persons whose occupations are for the
benefit of
mankind,
employments unmolested
goods
and fishermen,
unfortified towns, villages, or places,
shall
common
and
in
subsistence
be allowed to continue their respective
in their persons.
Nor
shall their houses or
be burnt or otherwise destroyed, nor their cattle taken, nor
72
APPENDIX.
556
their fields wasted,
by the armed force
events of war, they
may happen
to fall
whose power, by the
into
but
the necessity arise tc
if
take any thing from them for the use of such armed force, the same
an equitable
for at
paid
be
shall
for charitable
and other establishments,
schools, colleges, libraries,
be respected, and
shall
and beneficent purposes,
All churches, hospitals,
price.
all
persons connected
with the same, protected in the discharge of their duties, and the pursuit
of their vocations.
In order that the fate of prisoners of
2.
such practices as those of sending them
unwholesome
They
places, shall be studiously avoided.
alleviated, all
into distant, inclement, or
crowding them
or
districts,
war may be
and noxious
into close
shall not be confined in
dungeons, prison-ships, or prisons, nor be put in irons, or bound, or

otherwise restrained in the use of their limbs.
The
enjoy liberty on their paroles, within convenient
districts,
comfortable quarters
and the
common
officers shall
and have
soldiers shall be disposed in
cantonments, open and extensive enough for air and exercise, anci
lodged in barracks as roomy and good as are provided by the party
iii
whose power they are
j)risoner shall escape
shall
much
breaking his parole, or any

limits assigned
But
if
any
officer shall
so assigned him, or any other
him, such individual,
to
on parole or
liberty
his
troops.
district
from the limits of his cantonment, after they
have been designated
prisoner, shall forfeit so

for
own
for its
break his parole by leaving the
or other
officer,
of the benefit of this article as provides

in
cantonment.
common
And
if
an
officer so
soldier so escaping from the
him, shall afterwards be found
arms, previously
in
to
his being regularly exchanged, the person so offending shall be dealt
The
with according to the established laws of war.

daily furnished
rations,
by the party
and of the same
by commutation,
in
whose power they
articles, as
to officers
soldier in
its
own
of equal rank in
service
be
many
are allowed, either in kind or

its
own army
others shall be daily furnished with such ration as
common
officers shall
are, with as
the value of all
is
and
all
allowed to a
which supplies
shall, at the close of the war, or at periods to be agreed upon between
commanders, be paid by the other party, on a mutual

Mdjustment of accounts for the subsistence of prisoners and such
iccounts shall not be mingled with or set off against any others, nor
the respective
;he balance due

tor
on them be withheld, as a compensation or reprisal
any cause whatever,
real or
pretended.
Each party
shall
be
APPENDIX.
557
allowed to keep a commissary of prisoners, appointed by
every cantonment of prisoners,
commissary
in
possession of the other; which
seethe prisoners as often as he pleases; shall be
shall
allowed to receive, exempt from
whatever comforts
may
all
duties or taxes,
be sent to them by
and
to distribute,
and
their friends;
be tree to transmit his reports in open letters to the party by

he
is
with
itself,
shall
whom
employed.
And
it
treaties,
declared that neither the pretence that war dissolves
is
nor any
all
other whatever, shall be considered as annulling or
suspending the solemn covenant contained
war
contrary, the state of
and during which,
its
is
precisely that
On
this article.
in
for
which
the
provided
it is
stipulations are to be as sacredly observed as
the most acknowledged obligations under the law of nature or nations.
Akt. XXIII.
This
treaty shall be ratified
by the President of the
United States of America, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate thereof; and by the President of the Mexican republic, with

the previous approbation of
shall be
exchanged
its
in the city
General Congress
of Washington,
date of the signature hereof, or sooner
and the
ratifications
months from the
in four
if practicable.
In faith whereof, we, the respective plenipotentiaries, have signed

this treaty
of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement
unto affixed our seals respectively.
Done
and have here-
in quintuplicate, at the city
of Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the second day of February, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.

P. TRIST,
LUIS G. CUEVAS,
N.
[l. s.]
[l. s.]
BERNARDO CONTO,
[l. s.]
MIG. ATRTSTAIN,
[l. s.]
Additional and secret article of the treaty of feacc^ friendship, limits, and
settlement, between the United States
sifrned this
In
of America and the Mexican republic,

(Expunged.)
their respective plenipotentiaries.
view of the possibility that the exchange of the
this treaty
is
day by
may, by the circumstances
in
placed, be delayed longer than the term of four
months
fixed
by
twenty-third article for the exchange of ratifications of the same,
hereby agreed that such delay shall not,
in
any manner,
and validity of
months, counted from the date of the signature
it
aficct
thereol".
its
it
should exceed the term
force
eirrht
this treaty, unless
of
ratifications
which the Mexican republic
is
tin.'
ot
APPENDIX.
558
This
have the same force and virtue as
article is to
the treaty to which this
is
if
inserted in
an addition.
In faith whereof, we, the respective plenipotentiaries, have signed

this additional
and
respectively.
Done
secret article,
on the second day of February,

eight hundred
and
and have hereunto
in quintuplicate, at the city

in the
affixed our seals,
of Guadalupe Hidalgo,
year of our Lord one thousand
forty-eight.
P. TRIST,
LUIS G. CUEVAS,
[l. s.]
BERNARDO CONTO,
[l. s.]
MIG. ATRISTAIN,
[l. s.]
N.
THE END.
LHttO
[l. s.]
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
I
III
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'
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011 896 964 9
I
I

Mexican War Causes Consecuences

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Mexican War Causes Consecuences

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aass,_IEr

COMPRISING AN ACCOUNT OP THE

VARIOUS MILITARY AND NAVAL OPERATIONS,

MAPS, PLANS OF BATTLES, VIEWS,

MEMBER OF THE MARYLAND UISTORICAL SOCIETY

AUTHOR OF " SKETCHES OF THE BATTLES OF THE REVOLUTION,"

NORTH FOURTH STREET.

iu the Clerk's OfiSce of the District Court of .Maryland.

now forms an important

part of the history of our coun-

opinion has been divided, and

political bias of the

an impartial chronicler to please

both, and difficult even to avoid giving offence to either.

have therefore reviewed the causes which led to the

war between the

party preferences or prejudices whatever

careful examination of all the points at issue,

diplomatic action of the two governments, have endea-

at least to arrive at just

and candid conclusions.

In the record of the events of the

challenge comparison with the military achievements of

any age or nation

have endeavoured award

case, the claims of particular persons

have been overlooked,

hoped that the circum-

stance will not be attributed to 3 disposition to do injustice to any.

For the details of the history,

respondence with those

and interviews and cor-

the scenes described.

War, who have

reception of their copies, will

pardon a delay which

insured the authenticity of the

work and enhanced

United States Violations oC

of the United States Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and

redress or even admit the Injuries

committed against the United States- Jackson's special Message Action of

Claims Procrastination and Evasion

comply with the Stipulations

and Texas provisionally united as a State

future State Sovereignty to

Mexico overthrown by the Military Power of Santa Anna

'niirrero declared President Deposition and Death of Guerrero

Anna President Overthrow

of the Constitution and Federal

(Jovernment organized Resistance of the Mexicans Zacatccas Butchery

capitulaies with his

of the People of Texas-Provisional

Rumours of Invasion Want of Preparation by tlie Texans Convention of the

Texan Independence established ......

Protest and Departure of the Mexican Minister

Action of the Mexican Government

/ Interview between General Worth

and the Authorities of Matamoros

Capture of Captain Thornton's

Taylor's Order of Battle

Daring Service of Lieutenant Blake

March resumed Mexicans killed and wounded

Defences of the CityMexican Forces Reconnois.'sances Worth's