'^bv* •»ii* .^^ f • °^ *"^- V warn /M *^ T>V ^ V * 7 N^H^/Vi « ^.^^ -l V •» Ji\ UtM fU »* <>> X*3 . » -* .^"fr t^.o^ .• ,^°- /''.c^->* V o» c •_!:.•., '^o. U '-^Ao^ o *»: • o > v^ *>.W/k\ *^^^ c.'T **4Qe^'. 'e*. ^^ ♦: / THE MEXICAN WAR: HISTORY OF ITS ORIGIN, AND A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE VICTOEIES WHICH TERMINATED IN THE SURRENDER OF THE CAPITAL ; WITH THE OFFICIAL DESPATCHES OF THE GENERALS. BY EDWARD D. MANSFIELD, ESQ. EUustratctJ toft!) ifWaps anlf JEnfltahfnas. NEW YORK PUBLISHED BY A. S. BARNES & CO. No. 51 JOHN-STREET. CINCINNATI : DERBY, BRADLEY & CO. 1848. A ,^^o4 .1^^^ Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, By a. S. BARNES & Co., In the Clerk's OflSce of the District Court for the Southern District of New York. Stereotyped by RICHARD C. VALENTINE, New York. C. A. ALVORD, Printer, Corner of John and Dutch streets. ^ ^V' e. ^ a> PHEFACE. It has been wisely remarked by a distingaished American statesman, that " the commencement of the Mexican War was the opening of a new volume of American history." Nations, hke individuals, are often borne along in their progress, without pausing to consider the particular acts which are to shape and control their future destiny; and perhaps there is no subject on which the public mind is less hkely to tict with caution and deliberation than on the momentous question of peace or war. The present Mexican war is a striking illus- tration of this principle. It would appear, from the public documents, that neither the President nor Congress anticipated it until hostilities had actually commenced, and it may well be doubted if either can see the consequences which yet may flow from it. To pause, therefore, and review the past, to examine into all the causes which have led to the unhappy estrangement of two sister Republics, IV PREFACE. has seemed a fitting introduction to the narration of those inihtary achievements which now form a part of the history of the country. We have felt no pleasure in tracing the causes which led to this war, and certainly none in con- templating its progress and looking forward to its final consequences. But when we pass to the army, and behold the brilliant results obtained with such small means, against such immense superiority of force, and see the high military skill of the com- manding officers sustained by the courage and heroism of the troops, we feel a just pride in describing their actions and recording their deeds. In the preparation of this work great care has been taken to select the most reliable sources of information. Those who have taken part in the stirring scenes which are described must have viewed them from different positions, and an honest dif- ference of opinion in regard even to facts will sometimes be found to exist. But the descrip- tion of the great movements and battles is based on public documents, despatches, and orders, which must ever be the material of a reliable his- tory of a war. Cincinnati, January, 1848. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Origin of the War with Mexico. — Settlement of Texas. — Declaration of Independence. — Santa Anna's Treaty. — Movement towards Annexa- tion. — Correspondence of Boconegra. — Declaration x>i Almonte. — Mr. Calhoun's Reasons. — Lord Aberdeen's Declaration. — The Tyler Treaty. — The Joint Resolution. — Departure of Almonte. — General Taylor or- dered to Texas. — Strength of the Army at Corpus Christi . . Page 9 CHAPTER II. War inevitable. — General Scott at Washington. — Recommends an In- crease of the Army. — Mission of Mr. Slidell. — Downfall of Herrera. — Departure of Slidell. — General Taylor marches from Corpus Cliristi. — Arrives at Point Isabel — In front of Matamoras. — Capture of Captain Thornton's Party. — March of General Taylor to Point Isabel — Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. — Taylor's Official Reports . 22 CHAPTER III. Action of Congress. — Declaration of the President. — Legislation. — General Scott's Views of the War. — His Comments on the Plan of Campaign. — His Correspondence with Secretary Marcy. — The Grounds for his Opin- ions. — Is ordered to remain at Washington 44 CHAPTER IV. Campaign of the Rio Grande continued. — Movement of the Army. — March to Monterey. — Battle of Monterey. — Armistice. — March to Saltillo. — Wool's Corps. — Tampico. — Occupation of Victoria. — Conclusion of the Campaign. — General Taylor's Despatches. — Results 56 CHAPTER V. Government Plan to invade Northern Mexico. — Assemblage of Troops at Fort Leavenworth. — Kearney's March to Santa Fe. — Nature of the Country. — Retreat of the Mexicans. — Arrival at Santa Fe. — Kearney's Proclamation. — Kearney departs for California. — -Wool's E.xpedition. — Assembling of the Troops at San Antonio. — The Object of the Expedi- tion. — March to Mouclova ; to Pedas Wool joins Worth at Saltillo. — Taylor's March to Victoria .... 76 a2 b CONTENTS. CHAPTER VI. Expedition of Captain Fremont. — Arrival at Monterey, California. — Sus- picions of Governor de Castro. — Fremont takes position. — Returns by Oregon. — Returns again to Monterey. — Is threatened by De Castro. — Declares War. — Capture of Mexicans. — Sails from Monterey to Diego. — Capture of the City of Angels. — Conquest of California. — Object of the Government. — Marcy's Letter to Stevenson.— ^Marcy's Orders to Kear- ney. — Scott's Orders. — Insurrection in New Mexico. — Murder of Bent. — Battle of Covoda. — Battle of Pueblo de Taos. — Insurrection in Cali fornia. — March of Doniphan. — Battle of Brozitos. — Capture of El Paso'^ — Battle of Sacramento. — • apture of Chihuahua. — March to Sal- tillo. — Arrival at New Orleans. — March of Gilpin to the Rocky Moun- tains Page 91 CHAPTER VII. General Scott ordered to Mexico. — Letter of the Secretary of War to General Taylor. — Letter of the Secretary of War to General Scott. — General Scott leaves Washington. — His Letter to General Taylor. — Plan of appointing a Lieutenant-General. — Scott reaches the Rio Grande* — Condition of things there. — Withdraws a part of Taylor's Troops in compliance with the Orders of the War Department . 110 CHAPTER Vin. General Taylor's Movements. — Taylor's Position. — Santa Anna's Ad- vance. — Importance of the event. — Battle of Buena Vista. — Retreat of the Mexicans. — Taylor's Official Account. — Santa Anna's Report, 119 CHAPTER IX. Advance of the Army to Lobos ; thence to Antonio Lizardo. — Siege and Capture of Vera Cruz. — Official Despatches. — March to the Interior. — Battle of Cerro Gordo. — Official Despatches. — Capture of Puebla, 163 CHAPTER X. Entrance of the American Army hito Puebla. — Mexican Account. — American Officers. — Conduct of the Army. — Situation of Puebla, — Character of the Country. — The Ancient Cholula. — Strength of the Army. — Scott's Proclamation. — Humanity of the Army.— rMission of Trist. — Reasons for remaining in Puebla. — Drilling of the Army. — Rais- ing new Regiments. — New Volunteers. — Attack on the Train of M'ln- tosh. — Advance of Pierce. — Concentration of the Army . . 202 CHAPTER XI. Strength of the Army. — Reinforcements. — Divisions of the Army. — March from Puebla. — Hospitals of Puebla. — Volcano of Popocatapetl. — CONTENTS. 7 Pass of Rio Frio. — View of Mexico. — Valley of Mexico. — Lakes. — Inundations. — Topography of the Valley. — Position of the Army on the ]3th of August. — Reconnoissance of the Rifles. — El Penon. — Mexicalcingo. — Turning of Lake Chalco. — March to San Augustine. — Skirmish at Bueiia Vista. — Concentration. — Position of the Army on the 18th Page 221 CHAPTER Xn. Mexican Line of Defence. — Position of the American and Mexican Ar- mies. — Action of the 19th. — Position in the Hamlet of Contreras. — Po- sition of General Scott. — Arrangements for the Battle. — Distribution of the American and Mexican Forces. — Battle of Contreras. — Rout of the Mexicans. — Surrender of Mexican Generals. — Recapture of the Buena Vista Guns. — Scott's Arrangements. — Evacuation of San Antonia. — Storm of the Tete du Pont. — Battle of Churubusco. — Defeat of the Mexicans. — Loss. — Truce 241 CHAPTER XIIL Peace Negotiations. — President Polk's Commission. — Mexican Conditions. — American Ultimatum. — Failure of Negotiations. — Scott's Notice to Santa Anna. — Trial and Execution of the Deserters. — Description of Chapultepec. — Of Molino del Rey. — Mexican Defences. — March of Worth. — Strength of his Corps. — Battle of Molino del Rey. — Mexican Loss. — Evacuation of Molino del Rey. — Preparations for the Attack of Chapultepec. — Erection of Batteries. — Storm of Chapultepec. — Ac- tion of the 13th. — Capture of Mexico. — Entrance into the City. — Scott's Address to the Soldiers. — Insurrection of the Leperos. — Appearance of the City.— Reflections 273 MEXICAN WAR. CHAPTER I. Origin of the War with Mexico. — Settlement of Texas. — Declaration of Independence. — Santa Anna's Treaty. — Movement towards Annexation. — Correspondence of Bocanegra. — Declaration of Almonte. — Mr. Cal- houn's reasons. — Lord Aberdeen's Declaration. — The Tyler Treaty. — The Joint Resolution. — Departure of Almonte. — General Taylor ordered to Texas. — Strength of the Army at Corpus Christi. Till quite recently, the immense territory extending from the Sabine to the Rio Grande was comparatively un- inhabited. Comprehending a space large enough for an empire, and within the mildest part of the temperate zone, it was yet too remote from the inhabitants of ancient Mexico on one hand, or from those of the northern Atlan- tic States on the other, to be reached and cultivated at an earher period by the adventurous and advancing settlers of America. The country belonged to Mexico, but was hardly possessed by her people. A few towns immediately east of the Rio Grande, and an occasional village or settlement in the interior — such as Antonio de Bexar, Goliad, and Nacogdoches — were the only marks of improvement which indicated the civilization of the white man, or the dominion of Mexico. Nor did the aboriginal inhabitants appear much more numerous. The Camanches of the northern districts, and a few scattered and fleeting tribes, 10 EMIGRATION TO TEXAS. wandered over the vast territories of uninhabited Texas, but offered no very formidable obstacle to the progress of civilization. Texas was in this almost desolate condition when it attracted the roving eye of land speculation. Certain persons in the United States foresaw the rapid and inevit- able movement of the United States of the North towards the Western Ocean, and sought to enhance their fortunes by obtaining grants of Texan lands from the Mexican gov- ernment. Among these was Stephen Austin, who obtained a large tract, and whose name has since been attached both to a county and a town. With him, and with others to whom Mexico had made grants, came numerous par- ties of colonists and adventurers, who sought, like their leaders, to pursue their fortunes and avoid their adversi- ties, by successful enterprise in a new country, and by sharing in the distribution of vast bodies of unoccupied land. The number of these adventurers rapidly increased, till they became more numerous than the Mexicans who previously inhabited the country. The difference of race, religion, and laws, was soon apparent in diversities of sentiment and objects between the old and new inhabit- ants. The Texan of the United States brought with him, not only greater energy and industry, but a wild and restless ambition — a more intense and speculative pursuit of future objects. Where differences so deep and original as these exist among different classes of people, they will soon become manifested in external action. The new inhabitants soon seized the direction of all public affairs, and Texas be- came, in fact, the possession of these adventurers from a foreign land, rather than of those ancient citizens to whose CAUSES LEADING TO INDEPENDENCE. 11 government it professed allegiance. The power thus ob- tained was soon manifested in other acts. It is not in the nature of things, that a country should change its inhabit- ants and not also change its government. The new pos- sessors will assume the laws and institutions to which their habits have been used and their sentiments assimi- lated. It was so with Texas. No sooner did the settlers from the United States possess the power, than they looked round for the means of establishing their own forms of government. In the revolutions of Mexico, so rapid and often so disastrous, the opportunities for change could never be long wanting. In the case of Texas, such an occasion was offered in the overthrow, by Santa Anna, of the Mex- ican Federal Government. This powerful chief being invested with the supreme magistracy, in a short time after assumed absolute power. About this time, the peo- ple of Texas having increased largely in population and resources, petitioned the Mexican Congress for admission into the confederation, as a separate State. The bearer of this petition, and a commissioner to represent their claims, was Stephen Austin. The Congress of Mexico paid no attention to the petition ; but Austin imprudently wrote back to the Texan authorities, advising them to organize a State, without waiting for the consent of the government. The letter was intercepted, and Austin, on his return, arrested, carried back to the capital, and placed during a year in solitary confinement. The people of the United States who had become citizens of Texas, were naturally indignant at what they considered an outrage on the right of petition, and an insult to the dignity of their commissioner. 12 WAR WITH MEXICO. Such was the feeling in Texas, when Santa Anna, having completed his usurpation of the supreme power and de- feated the Zacatecans, who opposed him, sent General Cos into Texas to enforce certain requisitions of the gov- ernment. One of these was the execution of the Act of 1830, prohibiting the emigration of Americans into Texas. Another was the surrender of Lorenzo de Zavala, who had become a refugee in Texas, in consequence of moving a law, in the Mexican Congress, directed against church property. To enforce these demands. General Cos took possession of Antonio de Bexar. On the other hand, the Texans prepared for an armed resistance, and on the 28th of September, 1835, they attacked and defeated a party of 'Mexicans at the town of Gonzales, on the Rio Guadalupe. Thus was commenced the war and revolution of Texas : a war which arose, on the part of Mexico, from an attempt to enforce the authority of the government de facto (with- out reference to the Constitution) over the province of Texas ; and on the side of Texas, in an obvious attempt to make that province virtually independent of Mexico. On the 3d of November, 1835, the delegates of Texas assembled at San Felipe de Austin, and issued a solemn declaration against Santa Anna and other military chief- tains, " who had by force of arms overthrown the Federal Institutions of Mexico, and dissolved the social compact which existed between Texas and the other members of the Mexican confederacy." The war thus commenced between Texas and the mother country continued, with various fortune, till the 21st of April, 1836, when General Santa Anna was cap- tured at the battle of San Jacinto, and the Mexican au- thority over the Texans really destroyed. CAPTURE OF SANTA ANNA. 13 On the 2d of March previously, the Texan delegates ^ assembled at Washington on the Brazos, made a formal declaration of independence, signed a constitution, and organized a government. This independence Santa Anna, a captive in the hands of the Texan army, afterwards bound himself to " solemnly acknowledge, sanction, and ratify ;" and to use his personal and official powers to pro- cure without delay the ratification and confirmation of that treaty by the legitimate government of Mexico. The boundaries of Texas, as then defined, are of im- portance as constituting one of the grounds of claim on the part of the government of the United States against Mexico. They were declared to be as follows : — " Beginning at the mouth of the Rio Grande ; thence up the principal stream of said river to its source ; thence due north to the 42° of north latitude ; thence along the boundary line, as defined in the treaty between the United Slates and Spain, (February, 1819,) to the beginning." To any claim of boundary, however, resting upon this concession of Santa Anna, it is well replied, that it was made when he was under constraint, and was in its very terms of no effect till ratified by the legitimate govern- ment of Mexico. Accordingly when, a little while after- wards, Bustamente became president of Mexico, he re- pudiated this treaty, and recommenced the war with Texas. This war was continued, in desultory and pre- datory excursions, on both sides, till Texas was finally annexed to the United States. While things were in this state — the mother country contending for its continued dominion, and the young province for absolute independence — the Question of Annexation (as it is politically called) arose both in B 14 ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. the United Slates and Texas. The inhabitants of the latter, we have said, were chiefly citizens of the United States — persons whom past adversities or future hopes had impelled to this new region in pursuit of fortune or adventure. If it was natural for them thus to pursue these new objects, it was equally natural that they should desire to remain politically and socially connected with the land of their birth and the home of their associations. \Srccordingly, as early as the 4th of August, 1837, soon after she declared her independence, Texas proposed to annex herself to the United States.^ The then president of this country, Mr. Van Buren, declined the terms, for reasons which were alike honorable to his sagacity as a man, and his principles as a statesman. He declared, that so long as we were bound by a treaty of amity and commerce with Mexico, to annex Texas would necessa- rily involve the question of war ; and that a disposition to espouse the quarrel with Mexico was at variance with the spirit of the treaty, and with the policy and welfare of the United Slates.^ Texas continued negotiations with the United States, with Great Britain, France, and Mexico — the object of which was to procure the acknowledgment of her inde- pendence by Mexico, or her protection by some more powerful government. Thus matters continued — a partial war at one time, and a series of negotiations at another — till the administration of President Tyler revived the plan of annexation. On the 6th of October, 1843, the Hon. A. P. Upshur, Secretary of State, proposed to the Texan envoy the renewal of negotiations for the annexation of * Vide State Papers. * Idem. BOCANEGRA S LETTER. 15 Texas to the United States ; which was accepted by the Texan executive. In the mean while, the subject had been discussed in the newspapers, and the Mexican government availed it- self of this information to make a formal declaration of its views on this important point. Mr. Bocanegra, the Mex- ican Minister of Foreign Relations, addressed a note^ (August 23, 1843) to Waddy Thompson, our minister in Mexico, of which the following is a passage : — " And if a party in Texas is now endeavoring to effect its incoi-poration with the United States, it is from a con- sciousness of their notorious incapability to form and constitute an independent nation, without their having changed their situation, or acquired any right to separate themselves from their mother country. His Excellency the Provisional President, resting on this deep conviction, is obliged to prevent an aggression, unprecedented in the annals of the world, from being consummated ; and if it he indispensable for the Mexican nation to seek security for its rights at the expense of the disasters of war, it will call upon God, and rely on its own efforts for the defence of its just caused This declaration was a notice to the American govern- ment of the effects to he anticipated from the annexation, and fully justified the sagacity and firmness of Mr. Van Buren. It was replied to, by Mr, Waddy Thompson, in a haughty note, affirming that the notice of the Mexican minister was a threat, or a warning ; but silent as to the attitude really assumed by the United States. A short time subsequent to this correspondence, and * State Papers — Letter of Bocanegra. 16 a.lmonte's letter. as if to prevent any misunderstanding of the meaning of Mexico, General Almonte, Mexican minister at Washing- ton, addressed a note to Mr. Upshur, Secretary of State, of which the following passage is a part : — " 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 neighboring and friendly republics, the United States should, in defiance of good faith, and the principles of justice which they have constantly proclaim- ed, commit the unheard-of act of violence of appropriating to themselves an integrant part of the Mexican territory, the undersigned, in the name of his nation, and now for them, protests in the most solemn manner against such an aggression ; 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 of State will have learned, the Mexican government is resolved to declare war as soon as it receives intimation of such an act.^^^ Long previous to actual annexation, it will be observed, the Mexican government had officially informed -the Ex- ecutive of the United States, that war must inevitably result from that act. It cannot, therefore, be said, with any regard to truth, that the government of the United States, in annexing Texas, did not have reason to antici- pate that result, and did not neglect that preparation which such anticipations required of a prudent administration.^ ' General Almonte's Letter, dated November 3d, 1843. " In fact they made none till the war was commenced. LORD Aberdeen's letter. 17 The plan of annexation, notwithstanding these explicit declarations of the Mexican government, was anxiously and sedulously pursued by the Executive of the United Stales. Mr. J. C. Calhoun, who had succeeded Mr.. Upshur^ as Secretary of State, signed with the Ministers Plenipotentiary of Texas (Messrs. Van Zandt and Hen- derson) a Treaty of Annexation, on the 12th of April, 1844. In the same month, the Secretary of State (Mr. Calhoun) advised the Charge d' Affaires in Mexico, " that, the step had been forced on the government of the United States in self-defence, in consequence of the poli- cy adopted by Great Britain in reference to the abolition of slavery in Texas."^ At the same moment, there had been presented by Mr. Pakenham, (British minister,) and was on file in the Department of State, a solemn declaration of the British government, by Lord Aberdeen, that this idea of British interference was a gross mistake.^ In this declaration. Lord Aberdeen says, — " With regard to Texas, we avow that we wish to see slavery abolished there, or elsewhere ; and we should re- joice, if the recognition of that country by the Mexican government, should be accompanied by an engagement on the part of Texas to abolish slavery, and under proper conditions throughout the republic. But although we earnestly desire and feel it to be our duty to promote such a consummation, we shall not interfere unduly, or with an improper assumption of authority with either * Mr. Upshur was killed on board the Princeton. ' State Correspondence, April, 1844. ' Lord Aberdeen's Letter was dated December 26th, 1843 ; and pre- sented by Mr. Pakenham, February 26th, 1844. b2 2 ]S TREATY REJECTED. party, in order to insure the adoption of such a course. We shall counsel, but we shall not seek to compel or un- duly control either party." Did the President and Secretary of State disbelieve this declaration ? In any case, upon what evidence did the Secretary declare, that the government of the United States was forced into this step, in consequence of the interference of Great Britain with slavery in Texas ? Upon what principle of the Constitution did the American government interfere with Texas for such a cause ? — The plan of annexation, however, was strenuously pushed by its projectors. On the 22d of April, 1844, Mr. Tyler submitted to the Senate a Treaty of Annexation, which was soon after re- jected, and the question left open for public discussion.^ In consequence of the election of President Polk in November, 1844, and the apparent approval of annexa- tion by the people of the United States, Congress on the 1st of March, 1845, passed what is called the Joint Resolution, giving its consent that the territory " right- fully belonging to the Republic of Texas" might be erected into a new State called the State of Texas ; sub- ject, however, to the adjustment by this government of " all questions of boundary that may arise with other governments." The terms of this Resolution admit that Texas might have claimed boundaries which were not rightfully belong- ing to her, and that these " questions of boundary" had yet to be settled. To the terms of the Joint Resolution, Texas assented ' See the Public Documents of 1844 ^ GEN. TAYLOR ORDERED TO CORPUS CHRISTI. 19 by her ordinance of July 4th, 1845, and having formed her Constitution, became virtually a State in the American Union.^ Two days after this (July 7th) the same Con- vention requested the President of the United States to occupy the ports of Texas, and send an army to their defence. This desire the President of the United States immediately complied with. General Zachary Taylor, then in command at Camp Jessup, was ordered to move his forces into Texas, weeks before the War Department had received information of the Texan ordinance. On the 28th of June, Mr. Donel- son, then minister to Texas, and to whom General Taylor was referred for advice upon his movements, wrote him that he had best move his forces " without delay to the western frontier of Texas," and also informing him that Corpus Christi, on Aranzas Bay, was the best point for the assembling of his troops. The same letter also ad- mitted that the country between the Nueces and the Rio Grande was in dispute, the Texans holding Corpus Christi and the Mexicans Santiago, at the mouth of the Rio Grande? General Taylor proceeded immediately with the forces under his command to Aranzas Bay, and in the beginning of August, 1845, had taken the position assigned him by the government. All the troops in the west, the northwest, and the Atlantic which could be spared, were ordered to join him. In November, 1845, by the report of the Adjutant- General, his army was composed as follows : — ^ ' Documents of 1845. ' Mr. Donelson's Letter 28th of June 1845.— Public Documents. ' Adjutant-General's Report, November 26th, 1845. 20 STRENGTH OF THE ARMY. General Staff 24 2d Regiment of Dragoons - - - 596 1st " of Artillery - - - 236 , 2d " " " ... 233 3d « '< <« ... 219 4th " « " ... 235 3d Regiment of Infantry - - - 533 4th " u » ... 511 5th «« " " ... 573 7ih « " « ... 442 8lh " « «' ... 447 Aggregate - - - 4,049 This was General Taylor's army in November, 1845, when, by the confession of the government, the territory between his position and Santiago, or rather, between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, was in dispute, and the subject of negotiation for boundaries. What, however, was at this moment the real position of affairs in regard to the question of war ? Was there any room to doubt that war was the necessary consequence of annexation ? Was there any thing to justify the total neglect of all preparation for so serious a conflict, as w^ar with a nation, however inferior, of seven millions of people? The facts, as we have reviewed them, are simple and brief. Mexico, hearing from the United States the distant rumors of an intended annexation of Texas, announces by Mr. Bocanegra to the American minister, that she will resent such an act at the expense of the disasters of war. In the same year, (1843,) and a few months later, the Mexican minister, General Almonte, reaffirms the same STATE OF THE QUESTION. 21 fixed determination of his government in a letter to the American Secretary of State. When the act for annexation is passed, Almonte de- clares in his final note to the Secretary of State, that it is the most unjust act recorded in the annals of history ; protests against it ; declares that his government will resist it by all the means in its power; and demands his passports. The diplomatic correspondence of our government shows, that it apprehended war — that it knew well the sole cause by which war would come — and that in the minds of the President and his cabinet, the annexation of Texas, and its disputed boundaries, was the sole founda- tion for any rupture with Mexico. The march of General Taylor's army was evidently and declaredly' intended to meet the contingencies of such a rupture. The most remarkable fact in this transaction, is that, with this apprehension of war vividly impressed upon the mind of the government, the President should never have asked Congress for one dollar of money, or one company of soldiers in addition to the provisions of the peace establishment ! Upon what principle was it as- sumed, that an entire province could be wrested from one empire and give no cause for war ? Upon what idea of prudence or sagacity was all preparation for that war neglected, till battles were already fought, and the op- posing nation excited by all the worst feelings of national and martial controversy ? The effect of this neglect we shall see in the series of subsequent events. * See Douelfion's Correspondence. 22 WAR INEVITABLE. CHAPTER II. War inevitable — General Scott at Washington — Recommends an increase/ of the Army — Mission of Mr. Slidell — Downfall of Herrera — Departure of Slidell — General Taylor marches from Corpus Christi — Arrives at Point Isabel — In front of Metamoras — Capture of Captain Thornton's party — March of General Taylor to Point Isabel — Battles of Palo Altor and Resaea de la Palma — Taylor's Official Report. We have traced in the preceding chapter the negotia- tions of the United States vv^ith Mexico and Texas to that point, in which the Mexican Secretary for Foreign Af- fairs, and the Mexican minister at Washington, officially announced that the annexation of Texas to the United States would be considered just cause of war, and the lat- ter had departed from Washington with hostile declara- tions. That this declaration was believed, and that war would result from that act, the American Charge d^ Af- faires in Texas (Mr. Donelson) shows in his entire cor- respondence. In his letter of June 4th, 1845, to the Sec- retary of State, he declares his full belief that war will occur, although he chose to attribute it to the instigation of the British minister, Mr. Elliott. Mr. Donelson makes this remarkable announcement : — " I look upon war with Mexico as inevitable — a war- dictated by the British minister here for the purpose of defeating annexation, and intended at all events to deprive both Texas and the United States of all claim to the country between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, at the WAR INEVITABLE. 23 time the right of Texas to the protection of the United States arises under the contingency anticipated by you at the date of your last despatch to me." The " contingency" here spoken of by the Charge, was stated in Mr. Buchanan's letter of May 23d, 1845, and was simply the acceptance, by Texas, of the conditions of annexation stated in the joint resolution of Congress. The question of " boundaries" was by that resolution and by all prior negotiations, left open for future discus- sion. Mr. Buchanan, therefore, cautiously uses the term " state," in reference to the annexation of Texas, and tells Mr. Donelson (23d of May, 1845) that, in the event of annexation, the President will deem it his duty to " em- ploy the army in defending that state against the attacks of any foreign power." It was the state of Texas, what- ever that might be, which, in May, 1845, the President undertook to defend, and not any imaginary boundary, or supposed claim of Texas beyond the Nueces, the Rio Grande, or any other stream. Under the idea, however, as expressed in his letter of the 4th of June, that war was inevitable, Mr. Donelson asks the government for an army to defend the supposed frontier of Texas, and it is under this requisition that the corps of General Taylor was ordered to Corpus Christi, and became, in another year, the invading army of Mex- ico ! The cause of the war — the manner in which it was to arise and to be carried on, are projected and shadowed out so minutely in the diplomatic correspondence of Messrs. Buchanan and Donelson, as to leave the historian of these events no doubtful points to discuss. If they are not certain and fixe^ on the map of Time, in vain shall we look for any faithful volume of human transactions. 24 , OBJECTS OF THE ARMY. What was in prospect for the army when arrived in Texas, and its purpose there, is thus stated by Mr. Don- elson : — " Under such circunnstances, the officer intended for the connnnand of the United States troops on the Texan frontier may expect to find a large force of the enemy there ; and it is suggested whether that officer ought not at once to be selected, and ordered to some near and convenient point for the purpose of communicating with me, and providing the most prompt means of action the moment he is advised of the decision of the Convention of Texas on the terms of union proposed in our joint resolution." The requisition of Mr. Donelson was complied with. An express was sent to General Taylor, at Fort Jessup ; his troops were ordered into Texas ; and Captain Stock- ton was ordered with a squadron into the Gulf of Mexico ; both with the avowed object of repelling the attacks of Mexico, — an anticipated consequence of annexation.^ During this period General Scott was at Washington, in the diligent performance of his military duties as the commander of the army, without taking any public part in the political discussions of the day. The commander of the army, even on the peace estab- lishment of the United States, must necessarily carry on an extensive coirespondence, and have the oversight of many and various departments of the public service. General Scott found ample scope for his official talents and time, in both the superintendence and the anticipation of the wants and means of the army. At the time General Taylor was despatched to the frontier of Texas, the American army * Mr. Buchanan's letter to Mr. Donelson, dated June 15th, 1845. INCREASE OF THE ARMY. 25 was actually of less numerical strength than it had been in any year since 1808 ! And yet the official documents prove that at that very moment of time the government vi^as in daily expectation of war ; and yet the Executive did not ask from Congress an additional regiment, nor did Congress anticipate the need of additional means !^ General Scott, however, in his annual report upon the state of the army, recommended, what the other depart- ments of the government seem strangely to have over- looked, — a small increase of the army. He pointed out a very easy method of doing this, without raising additional regiments, or even requiring additional officers. During the presidency of Mr. Monroe, and while Mr. Calhoun was Secretary at War, (and, indeed, upon his recom- mendation,) the plan had been adopted of having skeleton regiments, in which all the officers were retained, but the number of privates reduced one-half. The reason for this was very strong. It was that, having all the officers ready, and a skeleton of the regiment, the number of the army might be doubled, in time of emergency, by new enlistments, without the expense of permanent mainten- ance. Accordingly, the regiments of artillery and infantry had but forty-two 'privates in each company, when the number should have been eighty-four. The Military Academy had furnished a large number of valuable offi- cers, many of whom were attached to the regiments by brevet. General Scott proposed to increase the army, simply by filling up these skeleton companies, and giving em- ' The President twice in his Message (December, 1845) alluded to the danger of a war with Mexico ; but recommended nothing for the army. C 26 scott's recommendation. ployment lo these brevet officers. In his report (Novem- ber 20lh, 1845) he says : " By adding ten privates to each company of dragoons, now fifty privates each, and twenty privates to each com- pany of artillery and infantry, now forty-two privates each, of the present establishment, we should have a total in- crease (by this plan) for twenty companies of dragoons, forty of artillery, and eighty of infantry, of twenty-six hundred privates — without the addition of a regiment, or of one non-commissioned officer, musician, or artificer. See organization (table) of the regular army of the Uni- ted States, Army Register. But, in this case, an ad- ditional subaltern (second lieutenant) to each company of dragoons and infantry (one hundred) would be necessary. There are, at present, about ninety-five brevet second lieutenants (graduates of the Military Academy — strangely called supernumerary by act of April 29, 1812, sec. 4) attached to companies, and doing duty with them. These officers would be absorbed, by promotion, should this second plan of augmentation be carried out, and the future supernumerary or brevet second lieutenants (grad- uates of the x\cademy) be kept down, for a series of years, to a small number — not more than sufficient to sup- ply three officers constantly on duly with each company, and to give others for staff and detached duties which the progress of the service will, in five or seven years, cer- tainly demand." This was General Scott's recommendation without looking at the question of war with Mexico ; although it now appears from official documents, that the war was then in the contemplation of the cabinet. Had the Presi- dent recommended, and Congress acceded to even this MEXICANS WILLING TO TREAT. 27 small increase of the military force, it may be doubted whether the invasion of Mexico, and the sanguinary bat- tles which followed, would ever have occurred. General Taylor's army would have been increased early in the spring, and the Mexican general would, not improbably, have refrained from an^ attack, to which he was tempted and invited by the weakness of the American force. In the autumn previous to this report, but after General Taylor's army were assembled at Corpus Christi, and while war was apparently inevitable, the President again resorted to negotiation by means of an indirect cor- respondence with Mr. Black, American consul at Mex- ico. The Mexican government was inquired of,^ whether they would receive an envoy, " intrusted with full powers to adjust all the questions in dispute between the two governments." The Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs (Manuel De La Pena Y. Peiia) acceded to this proposition, provided the mission was frank and free, without the appearance of coercion — and that the American squadron, then off Vera Cruz, was recalled.^ In saying this, and making other statements to the American agents, the Mexican cabinet alleged, that they wished to avoid irritation in the people of Mexico ; and in fact, intimated that the existing administration was, as to this point, weak — and feared the appearance of yielding too readily to the wishes of the United States. The Mexican government desired peace ; but feared the popular excitement. The cabinet at Washington immediately appointed Mr. * Mr. Buchanan's Letter to Mr. Black, September 17th, 1845. » Mr. Pena Y. Pena, (October 18th, 1845,) to Mr. Black. 28 MR. SLIDELL NOT RECEIVED. John Slidell envoy to Mexico. He arrived at Sacri- ficios on the 29th of November,^ and hastened to the city of Mexico. At Puebla, he was met by our consul, (Mr. Black,) who informed him that the Mexican gov- ernment were surprised that the United States had sent an envoy so suddenly — that they were not prepared to receive him — that he was not expected till January — and in fine, that they were afraid his appearance would prove destructive to the government, and thus defeat the intentions of peace.^ Mr. Slidell seems not to have understood the obvious position of the Mexican min- ister, nor to have subjected his impatience, in any degree, to the dictates of prudence. He hurried on, and from the 6th to the 20th of December, but two weeks, ad- dressed three imperative notes to Mr. Pena Y. Pena, demanding the consideration of his credentials, and an answer to his demand. The Mexican administration was in instant danger of dissolution, and desired delay, that they might better secure peace. The effect of Mr. Slidell's imperative haste was, to defeat the peaceful intentions of the Mexican government, and hurry it to an abrupt denial of the American minister. On the 20th of December, twelve days from the date of his first note, Mr. Slidell was ofi&cially informed, that the Mexican government could not admit him " to the exercise of the functions of the mission conferred on him by the United States ^overnment."^ The ground of the re- ' Mr. Black to Mr. Buchanan, December 18th, 1845.. " Mr. Black's Letter to Buchanan, December 18th, 1845. Slidell's Let- ter to Buchanan, December 17th, 1845. ' M. Pena Y Pena's Letter to Slidell, December 20th, 1845. REASONS GIVEN. 29 fusal was, that the American envoy was appointed as a general and ordinary nninister — when, in consequence of the interrupted and broken relations between the two nations, he should have been appointed a commissioner to settle the specific differences which were in dispute between the countries. The diplomatic correspondence, however, proves conclusively, that a fear of impending revolution, as a consequence of negotiating with the United States, was hurried to a premature crisis by the untimely importunities of Mr. Slidell. The dreaded revolution took place, and in nine days after, (the 29th of December,) the administration of President Herrera was overthrown. His successor, Paredes, was a mili,- tary chief — who, on the 2d January, (1846,) was ush- ered by the troops into the capital of Mexico. A tempo- rary government was soon formed, of which General Almonte, late minister to the United States, was a lead- ing member.^ Mr. Slidell retired to Jalapa, where he remained till March, when under instructions from the Department of State, he again made overtures to the Mexican govern- ment.^ To this new proposition, the Mexican minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Coslillo Y. Lanzas) again re- turned an unequivocal denial.^ He informed the Ameri- can envoy, that it was the firm intention of the Mexican government to admit only a plenipotentiary from the United States, clothed " with special powers to treat * Slidoll to Buchanan, January 14th, 1846. " Slidell to Costillo Y. Lanzas, March 1st, 1846. » Costillo Y. Lanzas to Slidell, March 12th, 1846. c2 30 TROOPS ORDERED TO THE RIO GRANDE. upon the question of Texas, and upon this alone ;" and that upon this point its resolve was immutable. When this answer was returned, the reader of history will ob- serve, that General Taylor's troops had already taken position on the Rio Grande, and that their presence there was deemed, in Mexico, a new wrong and injury^ to that republic. This letter closed, on the part of Mexico, its diplo- matic correspondence with the United States. On the 21st of March, Mr. Costillo Y. Lanzas enclosed to Mr. Slidell his passports from the Mexican territories. Long before this final refusal of the Mexican govern- ment to receive Mr. Slidell, the President of the United States had determined to take the initial, and advance his troops to the Rio Grande. On the 20th of January, Mr. Buchanan informed Mr. Slidell, that the President had already ordered the army of Texas to advance and take position on the left bank of the Rio Grande, and a strong fleet to assemble in the Gulf of Mexico.^ This was done before the answer of Mr. Pena Y. Pena was known at Washington ; and when the Mexican govern- ment had earnestly desired that no appearance of co- ercion should be allowed. The order, by which the army was moved from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande, was dated January 13th, 1846, before the government had received the cor- respondence of Slidell with Pena Y. Pena, and before it knew of the overthrow of Herrera, and the accession ' General Taylor's Report, March 8th, 1846. » Buchanan to Slidell, January 20th, 1846. GENERAL TAYLOR's ORDERS. 31 of Paredes.^ It suggested to General Taylor the "points opposite Metamoras and Mier, and the vicinity of Laredo," as stations for the American army.^ On the 8th of March, the advance column of the army under Colonel Twiggs commenced its march from Corpus Christi,^ and on the 18th, the whole was con- centrated near the banks of the Arroga Colorado, about thirty miles from Metamoras. Here a party of irregular Mexican cavalry (rancheros) appeared on the opposite banks, and signified to the officer making a reconnais- sance, that an attempt to pass the river would be an act of hostility.^ Notwithstanding this notice, the army crossed the river on the 20th, and on the 25th, established its position at Point Isabel ; the buildings of which the Mexican prefect attempted to burn, as he left the place.^ On the 28th of March, General Taylor took his posi- tion within cannon range of Metamoras.^ The Mexican forces in the town commenced preparing batteries to bear on the American camp ; and General Taylor also, erected batteries to command Metamoras. Such was the position of the parties, when a conference was held between Generals Worth and La Vega as to the objects ' Public Documents. Secretary Marcy's Letter to General Taylor, January 13th, 1846. " These were Mexican towns, in sight of which, and on territory claimed by Mexico, the army was directed to take post. ' General Taylor's Report, March 8th, 1846. * General Taylor's Letter, 21st of March, 1846 ' General Taylor's Report, March 25th. " General Taylor's Report, March 29th. Li this letter he states, that a battery of four pieces had been so mounted, as to conunand the public square of. Metamoras. 32 WAR UNAVOIDABLE. in advancing the arnriy. The conference was fruitless of any resuhs. At this lime, it was obvious to all intelligent minds that war was unavoidable. The crisis — to which the annexa- tion of Texas clearly pointed — had come. Mr. Slidell had received his final rejection from Mr. Costillo Y. Lan- zas, on the 12th of March. On the 8th, (four days before,) the army had marched from Corpus Chrisli to the Rio Grande. It had now arrived in front of Metanaoras, where the forces of Mexico were arrayed, and where the declarations of officers, the armament of batteries, and all the paraphernalia of martial display, indicated an instant conflict.' Notwithstanding all these plain indications of war, the movements of the administration at home exhibit- ed no symptoms of any thing but unbroken and continued peace. The recommendations of General Scott for an increase of the army were disregarded. The President and Congress moved placidly on, as if neither arms or money, strength or blood were required to secure its easy victory over a weak and effeminate foe. Some prepara- tions had heretofore been deemed necessary by statesmen to meet the exigencies of war, even with very inferior powers. In this instance, there was none. . The official returns show that one-half the entire army of the United States was in the corps of General Taylor, while various military posts and forts in the northwest and on the At- lantic, were entirely deprived of their garrisons to make up the forces on the Rio Grande.^ Even this army was almost totally without the wagons, animals, and drivers ne- cessary for common field transportation. They had to be * Report of General Scott. Public Documents of 1845. CAPTURE OF CAPTAIN THORNTON. 33 procured in the heart of the country, at places near two thousand miles from the scene of operations.^ The march of the American army to the Rio Grande — the erection of batteries within gunshot of Metamoras — the appearance of Mexican parties on the Arroga Colorado — the notice by them that the passage of that stream by the American troops would be considered an act of war — and the con- centration of large bodies of Mexican troops, known to have been marched to that vicinity — all announced, by no uncertain indications, that the conflict of war was about to commence, and the annexation of Texas to be followed by its natural and necessary consequences. On the 24th of April, General Arista assumed the chief command of the army of Mexico, On the same day General Taylor detached a party of 63 dragoons to watch the course of the river above Metamoras. This party, under the command of Captain Thornton, were watched by the Mexicans, and at a point about thirty miles from the American camp, were surprised and attacked. After the loss of sixteen men killed and wounded, they were compelled to surrender to the superior forces of the Mex- icans, who in large numbers had surrounded them in a fenced plantation field.^ This was the first actual fight of the war, and was received by the Mexicans as an au- gury favorable, but fallacious in the events which follow- ed, to their success. General Arista, desirous of making a favorable impression, treated his prisoners with distin- guished respect and kindness. ^ See the Letter of Colonel Cross, dated November 23d, 1845, detailing the fact, that the army had no means of field transportation whatever. — Public Doc. 119, 29th Congress. " Captain Haidce^s Report, April 26th, 184G.— Pub. Doc. 119. 34 ATTACK ON FORT BROWN. Three days after this affair, the camp of Captain Walk- er's Texan Rangers was surprised, and several killed and wounded.^ This was between Point Isabel and Meta- moras. In the mean while, it was ascertained that a large body of the Mexican army had crossed the river (Rio Grande) above,^ and that another corps was about to cross below. General Taylor was convinced that the object of attack was Point Isabel, which had been left in care of a small detachment, and where a large depot of provisions invited the enemy. Leaving an unfinished field-work, under the command of Major Brown, and garrisoned by the 7th infantry, with Lowd's and Bragg's companies of artillery, he marched for Point Isabel on the 1st of May, with his main force, and arrived on the next day. The departure of General Taylor with his army, fur- nished the enemy in Metamoras with the opportunity for a safe attack on Fort Brown. At five in the morning of the 3d of May, a heavy bombardment was commenced from ,the batteries in Metamoras, and continued at intervals till the 10th, when the gallant defenders of the fort were re- lieved. In this defence, Major Brown, Captain Hawkins, and Captain Mansfield were greatly distinguished, both for skill and gallantry. The former was killed by a shell, and the defence was vigorously continued by Captain Hawkins. Captain Mansfield was an engineer officer, under whose direction the fort was built, and by whose skilful conduct the defences were increased and strength- ened during the siege .^ The siege of Fort Brown was raised by the arrival of ' General Taylor's Report, May 3d, 1&46. Captain Walker was not present. ^ Same. — Pub. Doc. 119. * Reports of Major Brown, Captain Hawkias, and General Taylor. FORT BROWN RELIEVED. 3^ the victorious army of Taylor, which had just fought the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. It appears that General Arista, who was now in command of the Mexican army, had assembled in all about eight thousand men at Metamoras, and being well advised of the strength of the American forces, thought the time had arrived for a decisive blow. The capture of Captain Thornton's party had also emboldened the Mexican troops. Arista saw that Point Isabel, the depot of large quantities of provisions and military munitions, was comparatively de- fenceless. To take this place would, therefore, both cut off the supplies of Taylor's army, and leave it isolated in the heart of the enemy's country. The plan of Arista was to cross the Rio Grande, get in the rear of General Taylor's army, capture Point Isabel, and then fall on the American army.^ The plan was judicious, and was only prevented from being carried out, by the accidental infor- mation brought to General Taylor by one of Thornton's party — sent in by the Mexican commander !^ The rapid return of the army to Point Isabel was a consequence of this information, and the additional fact that the enemy was preparing to cross below. Either the Mexican army was dilatory in its movement, or the body detailed to cross below was unable to form a junction, for the forces of Taylor reached the depot at Isabel without encountering the enemy. Having obtained the object of his expedition, and gar- risoned the depot with new troops, the American general * This is an inference from the facts stated by General Taylor. " General Taylor states in his letter of May .3d, that in consequence of the deficiency in light troops, he was " kept ignorant" of the enemy's movements. 36 BATTLE OF PALO ALTO. commenced his return to Fort Brown on the 7th of May, a week after his departure. The army was accompanied by a train of wagons, and encamped at night about seven miles from Isabel. The next day (the 8th) the march was resumed, and at noon the enemy was discovered drawn up in battle array upon a prairie three miles from the Palo Alto. The army was halted, and the men re- freshed at a pool. The line was formed in two wings. The right, commanded by Colonel Twiggs, was composed of the 5th Infantry, Colonel Mcintosh ; 3d Infantry, Cap- tain Morris ; 4th Infantry, Major Allen ; Ringgold's Light Artillery ; two eighteen-pounders under Lt. Churchill ; and two squadrons of Dragoons under Captains Ker and -May. The left wing, under the command of Lt. Colonel Belknap, was formed by a battalion of Artillery, Colonel Childs, Captain Duncan's Light Artillery, and the 8th Infantry, under Captain Montgomery. The train was left in the rear, protected by a guard. At two p. M., the army advanced by heads of columns, till the Mexican cannon opened upon them, when they were deployed into line, and Ringgold's Light Artillery on the right, poured forth its rapid and deadly fire on the enemy. The Mexican cavalry, mostly Lancers, were on their left, and were forced back by the destructive dis- charges of artillery. To remedy this,. General Arista or- dered Torrejon, general of cavalry, to charge the Anjerican right. This he did, but was met by the Flying Artillery, undexLt. Ridgely, and by the 5lli Infantry. The Lan- cers were again driven back. At this period the prairie grass was set on fire, and under cover of its smoke the Americans advanced to the position just occupied by the Mexican cavalry. Again a Mexican division of Lancers MAJOR RINGGOLD WOUNDED. 37 charged, under the command of Col. Montero,^ but with as Httle success. The continuous fire of artillery disor- dered and drove back the enemy's columns. On the left wing of our army, attacks of the Mexicans were met by Duncan's battery, and by other troops of that division. The combat on our side was chiefly carried on by artil- lery ; and never was there a more complete demonstration of the superior skill and energy of that Arm of service, as conducted by the accomplished graduates of West-Point. (jHe who was the life and leader of the Light Artillery, — Major Ringgold — was in this engagement mortally wounded, and died in a few days, j The battle terminated with the possession, by the Americans, of the field, and the retreat during the night of the Mexicans. Arista, dating his despatch, says, " in sight of the enemy, at night.^'' This might be true ; but he was in retreat, and took a new position several miles off, at Resaca de la Palma. A ravine here crossed the road, and on either side it was skirted with dense thickets. This ravine was occupied by the Mexican artillery. The position was well chosen ; and with troops better skilled in the use of artillery, and with greater energy of body, might have easily been defended. General Taylor had encamped on the field of battle, from which he did not depart till two p. m. the next day. In two hours, the American army came in sight of the Mexican array. The dispositions of our troops were soon made. A battery of artillery, under Lt. Ridgely, moved up the main road, while the 3d, 4th, and 5th Regiments of Infantry deployed on cither flank to support it and act ^ Arista's Despatch. 38 / BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA as skirmishers. The action commenced by the fire of the Mexican artillery, which was returned by Ridgely's bat- tery and by the infantry on the wings. In this firing, the Mexican cannon were well managed by Generals La Vega and Requena, and the effect began to be severely felt on the American lines. It was necessary to dislodge them ; and this duty was assigned to Captain May of the Dra- goons. It was here that this officer became so distin- guished. The charge was gallantly made. The Dragoons cut through the enemy. The artillerymen were dispersed, and General La Vega taken prisoner. The Dragoons, however, had advanced beyond support, and in turn fell back on the main body. The regiments of infantry now charged the Mexican line, and the battle was soon ended. Their columns, now broken by successive charges, were unable to bear the continued and well-directed fire poured upon them by both infantry and artillery. They fled pre- cipitately from the field, and were rapidly pursued by the American rearguard. The Mexicans lost many prisoners, and ceased not their flight till they either crossed or were overwhelmed in the waters of the Rio Grande. In these engagements neither cowardice nor feebleness was attribu- ted to them. They fought gallantly, behaved well, and were only conquered by that union of physical strength and superior skill, with which some nations are fortunately gifted, by the natural influence of climate and the artificial developments of science. In these engagements the commander of the American forces, General Zachary Taylor, displayed the utmost coolness and bravery — exposing himself in the most dan- gerous positions, and encouraging the troops by his heroic example. After the battles were ended, his attention to GEN. tavlok's despatches. 39 the wounded and tiie dying, whether friend or foe, evinced that sympathy with suffering humanity which is ever in- separable from true courage. We here insert the official report : Headquarters Army of Occupation, ) Camp at Palo Alto, Texas, May 9, 1846. ^ Sir : — I have the honor to report that I was met near this place yesterday, on my march from Point Isabel, by the Mexican forces, and after an action of about five hours, dis- lodged them from their position, and encamped upon the field. Our artillery, consisting of two 18-pounders and two light batteries, was the arm chiefly engaged, and to the excellent manner in which it was manoeuvred and served is our suc- cess mainly due. The strength of the enemy is believed to have been about six thousand men, with seven pieces of artillery, and eight hundred cavalry. His loss is probably at least one hundred killed. Our strength did not exceed, all told, twenty-three hundred, while our loss was comparatively trifling — four men killed, three officers and thirty-seven men vi'ounded, several of the latter mortally. I regret to say that Major Pvinggold, 3d artillery, and Captain Paige, 4th infantry, are severely wounded. Lieut. Luther, 2d artillery, slightly so. The enemy has fallen back, and it is believed has repassed the river. I have advanced parties now thrown forward in his direction, and shall move the main body immediately. In the haste of this first report, I can only say that the officers and men behaved in the most admirable manner throughout the action. I shall have the pleasure of making a. more detailed report when those of the different commanders ahall be received, I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brigadier-general, U. S. A. Commandiug. 40 GEN. Taylor's despatches. Headquarters Army of Occupation, "i Camp at Rosaca de ia Palma, 3 miles from Matamoras, > 10 o'clock, p. M.— May 9, 1846. ) Sir : — I have the honor to report that I marched with the main body of the army at 2 o'clock to-day, having previously thrown forward a body of light infantry into the forest, which covers the Matamoras road. When near the spot where I am now encamped, my advance discovered that a ravine crossing the road had been occupied by the enemy with artillery. I immediately ordered a battery of field artillery to sweep the position, flanking and sustaining it by the 3d, 4th, and 5th regiments, deployed as skirmishers to the right and left. A heavy fire of artillery and of musketry was kept up for some time, until finally the enemy's batteries were carried in succession by a squadron of dragoons and the regiments of infantry that were on the ground. He was soon driven from his position, and pursued by a squadron of dra- goons, battalion of artillery, 3d infantry, and a light battery, to the river. Our victory has been complete. Eight pieces of artillery, with a great quantity of ammunition, three standards, and some one hundred prisoners have been taken ; among the latter, Gen. La Vega, and several other officers. One general is understood to have been killed. The enemy has recrossed the river, and I am 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 Lieut, Inge, 2d dragoons, Lieut. Cochrane, 4th infantry, and Lieut. Chadbourne, 8th infantry, were killed on the field. Lieut. Col. Payne, 4th artillery, Lieut. Col. Mcintosh, Lieut. Dobbins, 3d infantry, Capt. Hooe, and Lieut. Fowler, 5th infantry, and Capt. Montgomery, Lieuts. Gates, Selden, McClay, Burbank and Jordan, 8th infantry, were wounded. The extent of our loss in killed and wounded is not yet ascer- tained, and is reserved for a more detailed report. GEN. Taylor's despatches. 41 The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper supple- ment to the cannonade of yesterday ; and the two taken to- gether, exhibit the coolness and gallantry of our officers and men in the most favorable light. All have done their duty, and done it nobly. It will be my pride in a more circum- stantial report of both actions, to dwell upon particular in- stances of individual distinction. It affords me peculiar pleasure to report that the field-work opposite Matamoras has sustained itself handsomely during a cannonade and bombardment of 168 hours. But the pleasure is alloyed with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and indomitable commander. Major Brown, who died to-day from the effect of a shell. His loss would be a severe one to the service at any time, but to the army under my orders, it is indeed irreparable. One officer and one non-commissioned officer killed, and ten men wounded, comprise all the casual- ties incident to this severe bombardment. I inadvertently omitted to mention the capture of a large number of pack mules left in the Mexican camp. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brigadier-general, U. S. Army Commanding. [Orders No. 59.] 1. The commanding general congratulates the army under his command upon the signal success which has crowned its recent operations against the enemy. The coolness and steadiness of the troops during the action of the 8th, and the brilliant impetuosity with which the enemy's position and ar- tillery were carried on the 9th, have displayed the best qualities of the American soldier. To every officer and soldier of his command the general publicly returns his thanks for the noble manner in which they have sustained the honor of the service and of the country. While the main body o^ the army has been thus actively employed, the gar- d2 42 GEN. Taylor's despatches. rison left opposite Matamoras has rendered no less distin- guished service by sustaining a severe cannonade and bom- bardment of many successive days. The army and 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. 2. It being necessary for the commanding general to visit Point Isabel on public business, Colonel Twiggs will assume command of the corps of the army near Matamoras, including the garrison of the field-work. He will occupy the former lines of the army, making such dispositions for defence and for the comfort of his command as he may deem advisable. He will hold himself strictly on the defensive until the return of the commanding general. By order of Brigadier-general Taylor. W. W. J. Buss, Act. Adjutant General. HEADaUARTKRS ArMY OF OCCUPATION, ) Point Isabel, Texas, May 12, 1846. \ Sir : — I am making a hasty visit to this place, for the pur- pose of having an interview with Commodore Connor, whose squadron is now at anchor oft' the harbor, and arranging with him a combined movement up the river. I avail myself of the brief lime at my command to report that the main body of tlie army is now occupying its former position opposite Matamoras. The Mexican forces are almost disoi'ganized, and I shall lose no time in investing Matamoras, and opening the navigation of the river. I regret to report that Major Ringgold died the morning of the 11th ihst., of the severe wounds received in the action of Palo Alto. With the exception of Capt. Paige, whose wound is dangerous, the other wounded officers are doing well. In my report of the second engagement, I accidentally omitted the name of Lieut. Dobbins, 3d infantry, among the officers slightly wounded, and desire that the omission may be sup- plied iu the despatch itself. I am under the painful necessity of reporting that Lieut. Blake, topographical engineers, tifter rendering distinguished service in my staff during the affair GEN. Taylor's despatches. 43 of the 8th inst., accidentally shot himself with a pistol on the following day, and expired before night. It has been quite impossible as yet to furnish detailed re- ports of our engagements with the enemy, or even accurate returns of the killed and wounded. Our loss is not far from 3 officers and 40 men killed, and 13 officers and 100 men wounded ; while that of the enemy has in all probability ex- ceeded 300 killed ; more than 200 have been buried by us on the two fields of battle. I have exchanged a sufficient number of prisoners to re- cover the command of Captain Thornton. The wounded prisoners have been sent to Matamoras — the wounded officers on their parole. General La Vega and a few other officers have been sent to New Orleans, having declined a parole, and will be reported to Maj. Gen. Gaines. I am not con- versant with the usages of war in such cases, and ^beg that such provision may be made for these prisoners as may be authorized by law. Our own prisoners have been treated with great kindness by the Mexican officers. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOK, Brevet Brigadier-general, U. S. A. Commanding. The RESULT of these battles, however, was fatal. The Mexican republic lost all power, either present or future, of retaining one foot of that vast territorial empire which they once held east of the Rio Grande. The conquerors were tempted, in the flush of victory, to carry their arms beyond that melancholy river ; — to seek for glory in conquests ; — to find the gratification of dominion in foreign lands ; — — to indulg^e the rapacious lust of power ; — to leave fields fertile in blessings for others fertile only in blood ; — and finally, to make it uncertain whether even the best of Re- ' publics can resist the universal tendency of man to build up Empires — by the destruction of Justice. 44 president's message. CHAPTER III. Action of Congress. — Declaration of the President. — Legislation. — General Scott's Views of the War. — His Comments on the Plan of Campaign. — His Correspondence with Secretary Marcy. — The Grounds for his Opinions. — Is ordered to remain at Washington. The news of the capture of Captain Thornton's party- was received with great surprise by the nation, and the government. Notwithstanding all the acts of the United States and Mexico, both diplomatic and legislative, during the previous four years, had tended to this and no other result ; and notwithstanding General Taylor had been ordered to the Rio Grande with four thousand regular troops, yet neither people nor President seem to have realized that war was actually near at hand. They appear to have relied upon some invisible Providence to prevent a catastrophe, which to a reasonable mind, and especially to one imbued with the spirit of a statesman, seemed inevitable.^ The intelligence of hostilities on the Rio Grande, was therefore received with astonishment, and for a time occasioned a powerful excitement. Congress was then in session, and the President immediately sent in an ex- traordinary Message.^ In this, he declared tliat the f ' Mr. Clay declared in the canvass of 1844, that the annexation of Texas was equivalent to a war with Mexico, and that war mast follow. ■ * President's Message, dated the 11th of May, 1846. president's message, 45 Mexican government had " at last invaded our territory, and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil." In the same Message, and in the paragraph immediately- following, he stated that Mr. Slidell was sent to Mexico with full powers to adjust all the questions in dispute be- tween the two governments, " both the questions of the Texas bou7idary, and of indemnification to our citizens." The boundary in dispute was the western boundary of Texas only, and hence this was a clear admission, that the territory adjacent was in dispute, and was not our soil, till the question of boundary was settled. Congress, however, with less than two days' delibera- tion, adopted the declaration of the President, and de- clared that, " by the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that government and the United States." At the same time, that body authorized the President to accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers, and placed ten millions of dollars at his dis- posal. The intention was to put an end to the war, by a vigorous effort and decisive victories. The President declared that m his opinion, " the immediate appearance in arms of a large and overpowering force," would be the best means of producmg peace.^ Just two days before this declaration, the decisive battle of Resaca de la Palma had been fought, and the army of Arista pursued beyond the Rio Grande. We are now to see what plans the government had formed for the further prosecution of the war. ' The term most commonly used to express this idea was " to conquer a peace." The original autliorship of this phrase appears to belong to the poet Coleridge. — See Cottle's Reminiscences. 46 PLANS FOR THE WAR. At this time, General Scott, as commander of the army, was stationed at Washington, engaged in arranging and superintending the various staff duties of the army. He would be naturally consulted on the plans to be formed, and the means to execute them. This was the case. Im- mediately after the act of Congress of the 13th of May was passed, he was invited to call upon the President, who in that interview informed him that it was his determination to assign him the command of the army in Mexco.^ From that moment, he was busily engaged in the necessary arrangements to carry into effect the views and instruc- tions of the President. He was employed fourteen hours a day in all those various duties which pertain to the movements, supplies, equipage, direction, and objects of the army. No one can imagine the magnitude of these labors, their responsibility or importance, who does not reflect, that the geography, climate, military armament, means of supply, in fine, the whole detail of the physical and social condition of Mexico, were almost utterly un- known in the United States, and that information on these topics had to be obtained by inquiry and study, before even a general of the army could make prudent military arrangements. The Rio Grande was assumed by the government, as the base line of military operations from the beginning. Yet this river was itself not less than seven hundred miles from the Mississippi river, separated by lands so unproductive, and so sparsely populated, as to be incapable of supporting either man or beast on the extended scale required by the operations of war. The ' Marcy's Letter to the President, published in the Public Documents of 1S4G. WAR RECOGNISED BY CONGRESS. 47' Mississippi then became the true and real base of supply and movement, and New Orleans the great depot for pro- visions and armament. From this point, General Scott had to calculate the march and support of an army whose field embraced Texas and California, the Rocky Moun- tains and the Sierra Madre ; the cold regions of eternal snow, and those sunburnt climes where snow was never known ! To prepare the clothing and guard the health of troops who were to visit regions on the one side swept over by the frosty air of health, and on the other filled wij,h the pestilence which walketh in darkness ! To make these plans and arrangements required skill, sagacity, labor, and experience. The duties, services, and know- ledge acquired in his previous life, amply qualified General Scott for this duty ; and that he performed it well, is now uni- versally acknowledged by the people and the government. Congress had declared that "war existed" on the 13th of May. The armies were then in conflict on the Rio Grande, and it was known that the American force was much inferior in number, while their base of supply was seven hundred miles distant. Not a moment was to be lost. The plan of the campaign must be instantly formed ; the volunteers must be hurried into the field ; and what was another and yet greater difficulty, an army larger than the American Republic had yet raised at one time, must be supplied in the course of a few weeks, with the armament, equipment, provisions, and means of transporta- tion necessary to maintain that army actively in the field. This was the task which now devolved on the executive officers of the government, and especially upon those of the military department. The plan of the campaign in Mexico for the year 1846, 48 PLAN OF THE CAMPAIGN. seems to have been arranged jointly, by consultations be- tween the President, Secretary at War, and General Scott. What share either had in any particular plan, we have now no means of knowing. The fact of such consulta- tions is disclosed in the correspondence of the War De- partment.' Two days only after the declaration of Congress, the plan of the campaign had been completed — the requisi- tions on the governors of states determined upon — and General Scott issued to the chief of the General Staff at Washington, his memoranda relative to transportation. On his order, the immediate movements of the army depended. The following extracts are taken from the " Memoranda."- " An army of some twenty odd thousand men, reg- ulars and volunteers, including the troops already in Texas, is about to be directed against Mexico, in several columns. "For the numbers of troops, yet to be sent into Texas, the rendezvous or points of departure, and the routes of march thither, each chief of the General Staff will obtain the information needful to his particular depart- ment, from the Secretary of War, calls upon the governors of the several states, and from the Adjutant-General. " Arms, accoutrements, ammunition, and camp equip- age, must be thrown in advance upon the several rendez- vous or points of departure, unless depots or arsenals ' Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 1845-6, pages 649-51, Message of the President, Letters of Scott and Marcy. 2 Public Documents, 29th Congress, 2d Session, number 119. INSTRUCTION TO CHIEFS OF THE STAFF. 49 should be in the routes which may be given to volun- teers. " Subsistence will also be thrown in advance upon the several rendezvous given, and as far as practicable, on the several routes thence to be given to both regulars and volunteers. Hard bread and bacon, (side-pieces or middlings,) are suggested and recommended for marches, both on account of health and comparative lightness of transportation. On many of the routes, it is supposed that beef cattle may be obtained in tolerable abundance. " With the means of transportation by water and land, according to the several routes to be given to the troops, and on land, whether wagons or pack-mules, or both wheels and packs, the Quartermaster-General will charge himself at once, and as fast as the necessary data can be settled or known. "For marches by land, a projet for the means of transportation, by company, battalion, or regiment, ac- cording to route, is requested, as a general plan. The means of transportation on and beyond the Rio Grande — using for the latter purpose those which may accompany the troops — will require a particular study ; but boats for transporting supplies on that river, should be early pro- vided — assuming the depth of water to a certain height (up the river) at three or three and a half feet, and to another distance, higher up, at two and a half feet." This " Memoranda" immediately set the Staff officers and the subordinates in motion, and notwithstanding the government had provided nothing previously for the ex- traordinary emergencies of war, — yet so well skilled and judicious were the officers of the Staff of the army, that it may be regarded as one of the remarkable fea- E 4 50 scott's views of the campaign. tures of the war — that twenty thousand men could be put in motion, fed, equipped, and marched with so much rapidity and effect over thousands of miles, for the most part of barren territory.' These " Memoranda" of Scott were dated the 15th of May, and on the 1st of August, all the foot regiments of the volunteer army had been mustered into service, marched several thousand miles, and assembled on the Rio Grande."' The views of General Scott at this time, as to the num- ber of the army, and the service it was required to perform, in order to conquer a peace, were fully expressed in his letter to Secretary Marcy, dated the 21st of May.^ In that document he says, and it was admitted by the Presi- dent, that a "special army of some thirty thousand regulars and twelve months' volunteers," would be necessary to march against Mexico ;^ and that such an army (espe- cially the horse regiments) could not be assembled and ready for service much before the 1st of September; that in the mean time, (from June to September,) the rainy season occurred, and would unfit the horses in that country for active service ; and that finally, to pro- ' The extensive correspondence of the Quartermaster-General's depart- ment proves, that much was due to the energies of General Jessup, Colonels Hunt and Cross, Majors Whiting and Tompkins, and other officers of the service. "^ Public Document 119, 2d Session of 29th Congress; Taylor's Letter of the 30th July, 1846. ^ Appendix to Congressional Globe, 1845-6, page 650. * It will be observed here, that the thirty thousand effective rncn re- quired by Scott, were never in service at one time during the campaign of 1846. The regulars were less than 7000, and the twenty-four regi- ments of volunteers made but 18,000— in all 25,000. scott's views of the campaign. 51 duce a peace by the operations of war, — regular, in- cessant, forward movements were necessary. Subse- quent events proved, that each and all these positions were strictly correct. The army was not ready for a march against Mexico till the first of September ; and because it was not kept up to the full amount of effective men required, (for it was rapidly diminished by sick- ness,) it could not make incessant, forward movements, and thus it failed of obtaining those ends, of which its energy and victories were fully worthy. In no part of the war with Mexico, was more sagacity, correct infor- mation, and sound judgment exhibited, than in the cor- respondence of General Scott with the War Department, and the chiefs of the army, in May and June, 1846. In the mean time, an unpleasant controversy, or rather misunderstanding occurred between General Scott, Sec- retary Marcy, and President Polk. The effect of this misunderstanding, was to deprive the army for a time, of the experience and services of General Scott in the field, and throw a most undeserved ridicule on his name, — as disgraceful to those who, for political purposes, were engaged in its dissemination, as it was entirely foreign to any part of the public business, or any con- duct of its distinguished subject. On the 20th of May, Mr. Dix, a senator from the ; state of New York, and an active friend of the Presi- "> dent, had advocated a bill before the Senate, which pro- posed to authorize the appointment of two additional major-generals, giving the President power also to assign them their command and relative rank. The effect of this measure, if adopted, would give the President the power of appointing, by law, some new or junior, or 52 scott's letters. merely political general, over the head of Scott. That this proposition, coming from the political friends of the President, should excite the sensibilities of Scott, with the idea that he was to be supplanted in the command of the army, was most natural. That such an idea was not unjust to the President or his friends in Congress, was sufficiently shown by subsequent events, when the attempt was openly made and nearly succeeded,^ to ap- point a lieutenant-general to the command of the Ameri- can army. About the same time — although but one week after Congress had declared that "war existed," — Scott was in- formed by the Secretary of War, that much unpatience was already felt, that he had not placed himself on the route to the Rio Grande.^ It was under these circum- stances, which candor will admit, were well calculated to irritate a sensitive mind — that Scott, in one of his com- munications to the Secretary of War, wrote the following passage : " Not an advantageous step can be taken in a forward march, without the confidence that all is well behind. If insecure in that quarter, no general can put his whole heart and mind into the work to be done in front. I am therefore not a little alarmed, nay, crippled in my ener- gies, by the knowledge of the impatience in question, and I beg to say I fear no other danger. " My intentions have been, after making all preliminary arrangements here, to pass down the Ohio and the Mis- sissippi, to see, or to assure myself by correspondence, 1 3 Proceedings of the 2d Session of the 29th Congress. Scott's Letter to Marcy, May 21ft, 1846. SCOTT'S LETTERS. 53 that the volunteers, on whom we are mostly to rely in the prosecution of the existing war, are rapidly assembling for the service ; to learn the probable time of their readi- ness to advance upon Mexico ; to ascertain if their sup- plies of every kind are in place, or are likely to be in place in sufficient time ; to hasten one and the other ; to harmonize the movements of volunteers, and to modify their routes, (if necessary,) so that all, or at least a suffi- cient number, shall arrive at the indicated points on the Mexican frontier at the best periods, and as far as practi- cable about the same time. All that I have but sketched, I deem to be not only useful to success, but indispensa- ble. As a soldier I make this assertion, without the fear of contradiction from any honest and candid soldier. " Against the ad capiandum condemnation of all other persons, whoever may be designated for the high com- mand in question, there can be no reliance, in his absence, other than the active, candid, and steady support of his government. If I cannot have that sure basis to rest upon, it will be infinitely better for the country, (not to speak of my personal security,) that some other command- er of the new army against Mexico should be selected. No matter who he may be, he shall at least be judged and supported by me, in this office and everywhere else, as I would desire, if personally in that command, to be judged myself and supported. " My explicit meaning is, that I do not desire to place myself in the most perilous of all positions — a fire upon my rear from Washington, and a fire in front from the Mexicans.''"'^ ' Scott's Letter, 2lst of May, 1846. — Appendix to the Congressioiia] Globe, p. 6.50. e2 54 scott's letters. In a reply to this communication, Mr. Marcy, Secretary of War, in a letter of the 25th of May,^ assumed that this passage referred to the President only, said that the coun- try would feel impatient if the volunteers were to remain inactive on the Rio Grande till the 1st of September, and finally concluded by informing Scott that his services would be confined to the city of Washington, and to the preparations for the vigorous prosecution of hostilities against Mexico.^ The letter of Marcy, dated May 25th, General Scott did not receive till the close of the day, and it was imme- diately replied to. In his answer, Scott denied that he intended. to charge either the President or Secretary with any unworthy motives or indirect designs. He acknow- ledged the courtesy and kindness of both, but explained that he meant other persons in high quarters, who might be willing enough either to misrepresent him to the Pres- ident, or impair his public influence. He also asked to be ordered to the army on " the following, or any other day the President might designate." In the commencement of his reply to Mr. Marcy, Scott had used an expression which is now memorable as an example of the ease with which the public mind may be abused, of the malignity with which partisans pursue * Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 651. * The sufficient answer to this impatience, and the crude ideas of war formed by Mr. Secretary Marcy, is contained in the fact — that the ad- vance of the army, under General Worth, did not leave the valley of the Rio Grande till the 20th of August, and General Taylor could not leave Camargo till the 5th of SepLember. From May till September nothing was done, as Scott had anticipated, but prepare for the coming cam- paign. FINAL RESULT. 55 their objects, and of the final triumph of true greatness over all the malice and the intrigues of jealous or hostile politicians. The expression was caught up, and repeated, and re- turned, in squibs and witticisms, by hostile newspapers and by doubtful friends, till, for a time, the fame of the Hero of Niagara, alike dear to his country and to martial renown, seemed obscured in the mists of folly and of prejudice. Even the justice of the country seemed about to depart, and leave to a ribald ridicule the pen of history and the decrees of government. But such an ingratitude and so gross a malice could not endure. The same administration, which had thus coolly confined Scott to Washington, was compelled, in its necessities, to demand his services. He hurried to the Gulf of Mexico, and, in the splendid siege of Vera Cruz — the storm of Cerro Gordo — and the well-ordered and successful march to the city of the Montezumas — brushed away and obliterated forever the memory of the recent past, and silenced the voice of ridicule in the shouts of applause. The once celebrated phrase now remains only as a monument to the folly of those who used it to pervert the sense and abuse the justice of the people. It points a moral, if it does not adorn a tale. 56 MOVEMENTS OF THE ARMY. CHAPTER IV. Campaign on the Rio Grande continued. — Movement of the Army. — March to Monterey. — Battle of Monterey. — Armistice. — March to Sal- tillo. — Wool's Corps. — Tampico. — Occupation of Victoria. — Conclusion of the Campaign. — General Taylor's Despatches. — Results. From the period at which the American army occupied Metamoras, after the battle of Resaca de la Palma, both the general government at home, and the officers of the army on the Rio Grande, were busied with preparations for an advance into the interior of Mexico. The Rio Grande was assumed as the military base-line of opera- tions, although the real base was necessarily the Missis- sippi. Quartermasters and Commissariat Departments became at once very active :^ wagons, horses, provisions, and supplies of all sorts were to be found and purchased chiefly in the valley of the Ohio ; while military equip- ments were to be furnished from the Atlantic arsenals. More than three months were consumed in these prepa- rations. In the mean time, the Mexican villages of Reinosa, Comargo, Mier, and Revilla surrendered, and were occupied. Comargo, a town about one liundred and eighty miles above the mouth of the Rio Grande, was the point selected as the depot of supplies. Here the various ^ It is due to General Jessup — Quartermaster-general — to say, that the official correspondence proves that he was most assiduous, iittlustrious, and successful in the performance of the very responsible duties of his office. TAYLOR S FORCE. 57 divisions which were to compose the particular army of General Taylor were graduejiy concentrated. The entire army of General Taylor consisted of about nine thousand men. A small portion was assigned to garrisons, while the main body, numbering six thousand six hundred, were des- tined for the march to Monterey.^ On the 20th of August General Worth began his march for Monterey, the capital of New Leon ; and on the 5th of September, the general- in-chief left Comargo, leaving that town garrisoned by about two thousand men. Worth reached Ceralvo — about * The army was divided into three divisions, whose component parts were as follows, — as determined by General Taylor's order of September 3d, 1846, and variations subsequently made. 1st Division — Brigadier-general Twiggs. 2d Dragoons, (Captain May,) 4 companies . . . 250 men. Ridgeley's and Webster's Batteries 1st, 3d, and 4th Regiments of Infantry, and Bragg's Baltimore Battalion ..... 110 Battery 1,320 400 Total 2d Division — Brigadier-general Worth. Duncan's and Taylor's Batteries 5lh, 7th, and 8th Regiments of Infantry Blanchard's Louisiana Volunteers Texas Rangers — 2 companies Total 3d Division, (Volunteers,) Major-general Ist Ohio Rngiment, (Col. Mitchell) 1st Kentucky, (Col. Ormsby) . 1st Tennessee, (Col. Campbell) Mississippi Regiment, (Col. Davis) Texas Regiment, (Col. Hays) Total Butler. 2,080 100 men. 1,500 (( 80 (( 100 K 1,780 540 1 men. 540 (( 540 (( 690 « 500 (« 2,810 Total of the army (in all) 6,670 effectives. 58 TAYLOR ADVANCES TO MONTEREY. seventy miles — on the 25th of August, and at that point sent out reconnoitring parties, who discovered strong bodies of the enemy in front. Being reinforced, he ad- vanced to the village of Morin, where the entire army was in a few days concentrated under the command of General Taylor. The city of Monterey is situated in the valley of the San Juan ; and in the rear, and around it, rise the moun- tain-ridges of the Sierra Madre. In the rear of the city, and under the ridges of hills, runs the river San Juan. On the east, or on the left of the road approaching from Morin, the river makes a turn, so as nearly to cover that flank. The road to Sadairela thence crosses the river. On the opposite side — the right, as the army approached — lay the road to Saltillo, up the valley of San Juan. In front, the road from Ceralvo and Morin entered the town. On the heights, in rear of the town and beyond the river, works were erected which commanded the valley and the approaches from the north. Above the Saltillo road was a height upon which was the Bishop's Palace, and near it other heights, all fortified. In front of the city was the Cathedral Fort, or citadel, which was regularly fortified, and about two thousand yards in front and below the Bishop's Palace. The opposite side of the city, to the left, as the Americans approaciied, were forts also erected, and there were trenches in the streets of the city. Both the natural and the artificial defences of Monterey seem to have been very strong. Notwithstanding this, neither the nature of the defences nor the garrison withm them seem to have been known to the American army previous to its arrival in front of the city. On the 25th of August, General Taylor writes lo the REACHES WALNUT SPRINGS. 59 War Department^ that he had intelhgence from Monterey, by a confidential messenger, who said that there were " at Monterey not more than 2000 or 2500 regular troops, the remnant of those who fled from Metamoras, and a considerable number of the militia of the country gathered together, many of them forcibly. Some attempts had been made to fortify the city by the erection of batteries which command the approaches. He heard of no rein- forcements in rear." On the 17th of September, from the camp near Morin, General Taylor writes to the War De- partment — " It is even doubtful whether Ampudia will attempt to hold Monterey. A few days will now deter- mine. His regular force is small — say 3000 — eked out perhaps to 6000 by volunteers, many of them forced."^ These statements show that the military information of the army, as derived from scouts, spies, out-parties, and correspondents, was very scant. The army, however, pressed forward, and on the 19th of September arrived at Walnut Springs, three miles from Monterey, having met with no more serious resistance than that of skirmishing parties of Mexican cavalry. Monterey was then under the command of General Pedro Ampudia, and the garrison under his command consisted of about seven thousand regular troops, and two or three thousand irregulars. Notwithstanding this strong garrison, superior in numbers to the American army, General Taylor thought it possible to carry the place by storm, with the bayonet and the artillery. On the even- ing of the 19th a reconnaissance of the works in the direc- * Document 119 of the 29th Congress, 2d Session, page 130. ' Document 119, page 139, 29th Congress, 2d Session. 60 BATTLE OF MONTEREY. lion of the Sallillo road was ordered, and this important enterprise was ably executed by Major Mansfield of the engineer corps. A reconnaissance was also made on the east side of the town. In the afternoon of the 20th of September, General Worth, with his division, was ordered to make a detour to the right — turn the hill of the Bishop's Palace — take a position on the Saltillo road — and, if practicable, carry the enemy's works in that quarter. This movement was executed during the evening, and the troops remained upon their arms, just beyond the range of the enemy's shot. During the night two twenty-four pounders and a ten-inch mortar were placed in battery against the citadel. In rear of this battery was General Butler's Division. On the morning of the 21 si the main battle came on. Twiggs' and Butler's Divisions, supported by the Light Artillery, were both ordered forward ; May's Dragoons, and Wood's Texan Cavalry, were detached to the right, to the support of General Worth. A column of six hundred and fifty men, with Bragg's Artillery, was ordered to the left, to attack the lower part of the town. The point of attack was designated by Major Mansfield, who accompa- nied the parly in its advance. The front defence here was a redoubt, into the rear of which, in spite of its fire, the column rapidly moved, and commenced its assault on the towni Here it was opposed by intrenched streets and barricaded houses. On one of these the company of Captain Backus succeeded in getting, and fired upon the redoubt. Garland's force, however, were compelled to retire. It was then that General Taylor ordered up the 4th Infantry, and the Volunteer regiments from Ohio, Tennessee, and Mississippi, commanded by Colonels BATTLE OF MONTEREY. 61 Mitchell, Campbell, and Davis. The two last regiments, with three companies of the 4th regiment, advanced against the redoubt. The last companies being in front were received with a deadly fire, which killed or disabled one-third of the men, and they were compelled to retire. The brigade of General Quitman (Tennessee and Mississippi) pushed on, and with the aid of Captain Backus's company (on the roof of a house) captured the fort, with its cannon and ammunition. In the mean while the Ohio regiment, with General Butler and Colonel Mitchell, entered the town to the right, and advanced against the second battery, but the fire was so severe that the regiment was withdrawn ; General Butler, who had advanced with it, being wounded. The guns of the first battery were turned upon the second, and Colonel Garland was again ordered forward with an- other column. They were compelled to pass several streets trenched and barricaded, and after another severe contest retired in good order. Up to this time, it is ob- vious, no important success had been obtained against the lower town. Repeated assaults had been made, and one battery carried ; but it is evident the enemy had preserved the main part of his defences untouched. The Mexican cavalry had also made several charges, but always unsuc- cessfully. On the same day (the 21st) Worth's Division had advanced to the right, defeated the enemy, and car- ried several fortified heights. At night General Taylor ordered a large part of Twiggs' and Butler's ])ivisions back to Walnut Springs — a portion remaining to guard the battery in the ravine. At dawn of the 22d, Worth and his Division, which had bivouacked on the Saltillo road, recommenced the ad- 02 SURRENDER OF THE CITY". vance. The height above the Bishop's Palace was stormed and taken ; when the Palace and the guns of both were turned upon the enemy below. The guns of the Citadel continued, during this day, to fire upon the American positions ; but General Taylor made no important movement in front. The turning of the enemy's position by Worth, and the capture of the Bishop's Palace, gave a new face to affairs. This was the key to Monterey, and General Ampudia concentrated his troops in the heart of the city. General Taylor, on the morning of the 23d, found nearly all the works in the lower part of the city abandoned. He immediately or- dered General Quitman to enter the place ; but here a new resistance was made. The houses were fortified, and our troops actually dug through from house to house ! On the upper side of the city. Worth's Division had also gained a lodgment. The firing continued during the 23d — the Americans having possession of the greater part of the city, and the Mexicans confined, in their defence, chiefly to the Citadel and Plaza. That evening (at 9 p. M.) General Ampudia sent in propositions to General Taylor which, after some negotiation, resulted in the sur- render and evacuation of Monterey. The main part of the capitulation was, that the Mexican troops should re- tire beyond a line formed by the Pass of Rinconado, the city of Linares, and San Fernando de Prezas ; and that the forces of the United States would not advance beyond that line before the expiration of eight weeks, or until the orders or instructions of the respective governments should be received. As this armistice has been tlie subject of much com- ment, we have thought best to insert it in full. ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION. 63 The following are the articles of capitulation : Article I. As the legitimate result of the operations before this place, and the present position of the contending armies, it is agreed that the city, the fortifications, cannon, the muni- tions of war, and all other public property, with the under- mentioned exceptions, be surrendered to the commanding gen- eral of the United States forces now at Monterey. Art. II. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain the following arms, to wit : the commissioned officers their side- arms, the infantry their arms and accoutrements, the cavalry their arms and accoutrements, the artillery one field battery, not to exceed six pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammuni- tion. Art. III. That the Mexican armed forces retire, within seven da5'^s from this date, beyond the line formed by the pass of the Rinconada, the city of Linares, and San Fernando de Presas. Art. IV. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the Mexican, and occupied by the American forces, to-mor- row morning at ten o'clock. Art. V. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, that the troops of the United States will not occupy the city until the Mexican forces have withdrawn, except for hospital and storage purposes. » Art. VI. That the forces of the United States will not ad- vance beyond the line specified in the 2d [3d] article before the expiration of eight weeks, or until the orders or instruc- tions of the respective governments can be received. Art. VII. That the public property to be delivered shall be turned over and received by officers appointed by the commanding generals of the two armies. Art. VIII. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the preceding articles shall be solved by an equitable con- struction, and on principles of liberality to the retiring army. 64 ARMISTICE DISAPPROVED. Art. IX. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the cita- del, may be saluted by its own battery. Done at Monterey, Sept. 24, 1846. W. J. Worth, Brigadier-general U. S. A. S. PiNKNEY Henderson, Major-general commanding the Texan volunteers. Jefferson Davis, Col. Mississippi riflemen. Manuel M. Llano, Ortega, T. Requena, Pedro Ampudia. Approved : Z. TAYLOR, Major-general, U. S. A. Commanding. The Mexicans marched out with their arms, and the terms were unusually favorable to them. For this con- cession there were strong reasons. A change of govern- ment had just taken place in Mexico, believed to be favorable to peace, and to have reduced the citadel of Monterey would have cost the lives of many men. Be- sides all this, the American army had but a short supply of provisions, and were one hundred and eighty miles dis- tant from their depot. The American loss in this battle was (killed and wounded) four hundred and eighty-eight,^ a large portion of whom fell in the attacks of the 21st on the lower town. The War Department did not choose to continue the armistice ; but, on the 13th of October, directed General * One hundred and twenty killed, and three hundred and sixty-eight wounded. Taylor's reasons for the armistice. bo Taylor to give notice that the armistice should cease, and that each party should be at liberty to resume hostilities. In communicating this notice to General Santa Anna, then in command of the Mexican army, General Taylor took occasion to suggest the idea of an honorable peace. To this the Mexican chief replied, — " You should banish every idea of peace while a single North American, in. arms, treads upon the territory of this repubhc."^ The following are General Taylor's reasons for the armistice, given in a letter to the Secretary of War : " In reply to so much of the communication of the Secretary of War, dated October 13th, as relates to the reasons which induced the convention resulting in the capitulation of Monterey, I have the honor to submit the following remarks : " The convention presents two distinct points. First, the permission granted the Mexican army to retire with their arms, &c. Secondly, the temporary cessation of hostilities for the term of eight weeks. I shall remark on these in order. " The force with which I marched on Monterey was limited by causes beyond my control to about six thou- sand men. With this force, as every military man must admit, who has seen the ground, it was entirely impossible to*invest Monterey so closely as to prevent the escape of the garrison. Although the main communication with the interior was in our possession, yet one route was open to the Mexicans throughout the operations, and could not be closed, as were also other minor tracks and passes through the mountains. Had we, therefore, insisted on more ' Sania Auun't; Ir'Arr !o Genrral Taylor, Nnvrrnbcr, 1816. ir2 6 66 Taylor's reasons for the armistice. rigorous terms than those granted, the result would have been the escape of the body of the Mexican force, with the destruction of its artillery and magazines, our only advantage being the capture of a few^ prisoners of v^^ar, at the ex- pense of valuable lives and much damage to the city. The consideration of humanity was present to my mind during the conference which led to the convention, and outweighed in my judgment the doubtful advantages to be gained by a resumption of the attack upon the town. This conclusion has been fully confirmed by an inspec- tion of the enemy's position and means since the surrender. It was discovered that his principal magazine, containing an immense amount of powder, was in the cathedral, completely exposed to our shells from two directions. The explosion of this mass of powder, which must have ultimately resulted from a continuance of the bombard- ment, would have been infinitely disastrous, involving the destruction not only of Mexican troops, but of non-com- batants and even our own people, had we pressed the attack. " In regard to the temporary cessation of hostilities, the fact that we are not at this moment, within eleven days of the termination of the period fixed by the convention, prepared to move forward in force, is a sufficient explana- tion of the military reasons which dictated this suspension of arms. It paralyzed the enemy during a period when, from the want of necessary means, we could not possibly move. I desire distinctly to state, and to call the attention of the authorities to the fact, that, with all diligence in breaking mules and setting up wagons, the first wagons in addition to our original train from Corpus Christi, (and but one hundred and twenty-five in number,) reached my Taylor's reasons for the armistice. 67 headquarters on the same day with the secretary's com- munication of October 13th, viz. the 2d inst. At the date of the surrender of Monterey, our force had not more than ten days' rations, and even now, with all our endeavors, we have not more than twenty-five. The TASK OF FIGHTING AND BEATING THE ENEMY IS AMONG THE LEAST DIFFICULT THAT WE ENCOUNTER the great question of supplies necessarily controls all the operations in a country like this. At the date of the convention, I could not of course have foreseen that the Department would direct an important detachment from my command without consulting me, or without waiting the result of the main operation under my orders. " I have touched the prominent military points involved in the convention of Monterey. There were other con- siderations which weighed with the commissioners in framing and with myself in approving the articles of the convention. In the conference with General Ampudia, I was distinctly told by him that he had invited it to spare the further effusion of blood, and because General Santa Anna had declared himself favorable to peace. I knew that our government had made propositions to that of Mexico to negotiate, and I deemed that the change of government in that country since my last instructions, fully warranted me in entertaining considerations of policy. My grand motive in moving forward with very limited supplies had been to increase the inducements of the Mexican government to negotiate for peace. Whatever may be the actual views or disposition of the Mexican rulers or of General Santa Anna, it is not unknown to the government that I had the very best reason for believing the statement of General Ampudia to be true. Tt was my 68 Taylor's official despatches. opinion at the time of the convention, and it has not been changed, that the liberal treatment of the Mexican army and the suspension of arms, would exert none but a favor- able influence in our behalf. " The result of the entire operation has been to throw the Mexican army back more than three hundred miles to the city of San Luis Potosi, and to open the country to us as far as we choose to penetrate it up to the same point. " It has been my purpose in this communication, not so much to defend the convention from the censure which I deeply regret to find implied in the secretary's letter, as to show 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 of things here. To that end I beg that it may be laid before the General- in-chief and Secretary of War." We subjoin the official report of General Taylor : Headquarters, Army of Occupation, } Camp before Monterey, Sept. 22, 1846. ^ Sir : — I have the honor to report that the troops under my command, including the mounted volunteers from Texas, marched from Marin on the 18th, and encamped before Mon- terey on the 19th inst. It was immediately discovered that the enemy occupied the town in force, and had added greatly to its strength by fortifying the approaches and commanding heights. A close reconnoissance was made the same evening by the officers of engineers and topographical engineers on both flanks of the town, and it was determined, from the in- formation procured, to occupy the Saltillo road in the rear of the town, carrying, if practicable, the several fortified emi- nances in that direction. The 2d division of regular troops and a portion of Col. Hays' regiment of mounted volunteers Taylor's official despatches. 60 was accordingly detached under Brig. General Worth on this service, at noon on the 20th. A 10-inch mortar and tvv.j 24-pounder howitzers were placed in battery during the night, to play upon the citadel and town. At 7 o'clock these guns opened and continued a deliberate fire, which was re- turned. To create a still farther diversion in favor of Gen. Worth's movement, the remainder of the -force, except a camp guard, was displayed around the centre and left of the town. The infantry and one battery of the 1st division made a strong demonstration on the left, and soon became so closely engaged that I moved forward the volunteer division under Major- general Butler to its support, leaving one battalion (1st Ken- tucky) to cover the mortar battery. A close contest then ensued, which resulted in the capture of one strong battery of four guns, which with some adjacent defences our troops now occupy- A garrison was left to hold this position, and the remainder of the force returned to camp. In the mean time General Worth had engaged the enemy early in the morning, and defeated him with considerable loss. In the course of the day two of the batteries in rear of the town were carried by storming parties of the 2d division, and a third was carried this morning at dawn of day. — The Bishop's Palace occupied the only remaining height in rear of the town, and is completely commanded by the works already carried. Gen. Worth's division occupies the Saltillo road, and cuts off all succor or support from the interior. I must reserve a more minute report of the important operations of yesterday, until those of the different commanders are render- ed, and also until a topographical sketch of the country can be prepared. I regret to report that our successes have not been obtain- ed without severe loss, to be attributed in a good measure to the ardor of the troops in pressing forward. No returns of killed and wounded have yet been received, nor is it known 70 Taylor's official despatches. what corps of Gen. Worth's division have suffered most. In the other portion of the army, the 1st, 3d, and 4th regiments of infantry, and regiment of Tennessee volunteers, have sus- tained the greatest loss. The following is believed to be an accurate list of the officers killed and wounded : Killed. — 2d infantry — Brevet 1st Lieutenant J. S. Woods, (serving with 1st infantry.) 3d infantry — Capt. L. N. Morris ; Capt. G. P. Field ; Brevet Major P. F. Barbour ; 1st Lieut, and Adjutant D. S. Irwin ; 2d Lieut. R. Hazlitt. 4th infantry — 1st Lieut, and Adjutant C. Hoskins. 8th infantry — Cap- tain McKavett. Maryland and Washington battalion volun- teers — Lieut. Col. W. H. Watson. Volunteer Division. — Ohio regiment — 1st Lieut. M. Hett. Tennessee regiment — Captain W. B. Allen ; S. M. Putnam. Wounded. — Corps of Engineers — Brevet Major J. K. T. Mansfield, slightly. Corps of Topographical Engineers — Capt. W. G. Williams, (in hands of the enemy.) 1st infan- try — Brevet Major J. L. Abercrombie, slightly ; Capt. J. H. Lamotte, severely; 1st Lieut. J. C. Terrett, (in hands of the enemy ;) 2d Lieut. R. Dilworth, severely. 3d infantry — Major W. W. Lear, severely ; Capt. H. Bainbridge, slightly. 5th infantry — 1st Lieut. R. H. Graham, severely. 5th infantry — 1st Lieut. N. B. Rossell, slightly. 7th infantry — 2d Lieut. J. H. Potter, severely. 8th infantry — 2d Lieut. George Wainwright, severely. Volunteer Division. — General Staff — Major-general W. O. Butler, slightly. Ohio regiment — Colonel A. M. Mitchell, slightly ; Captain James George, slightly ; 1st Lieut, and Adjutant A. W. Armstrong, very severely ; 1st Lieut. N. Niles, severely ; 1st Lieut. L. Motter, slightly. Mississippi regiment — Lieut. Col. A. M. McClung, severely; Captain R. N. Downing, slightly ; 1st Lieut. H. F. Cook, slightly ; 2d Lieutenant R. K. Arthur, do. TAYLOR S OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. 71 Division of Texas Mounted Volunteers. — 1st regiment — Capt. R. A. Gillespie, mortally. I need hardly add, that the conduct of our troops, both regulars and volunteers, throughout the operations, has been every thing that could be desired. The part which each corps contributed to the successes of the day will appear more fully in future reports. To Major-generals Butler and Hen- derson, and Brigadier-generals Twiggs and Worth, command- ing divisions, I must express my obligations for the efficient support which they have rendered — particularly so to Brig- adier-general M^orth, whose services, from his detached posi- tion, have been most conspicuous. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major-general, U. S. A. Commanding. Headquarters, Akmy of Occupation, ) Camp before Monterey, Sept. 23, 1846. \ Sir : — I have the gratification to report that the Bishop's Palace was gallantly carried yesterday by the troops of the 2d division. In the course of the night the batteries below the town were, with one exception, abandoned by the enemy, and this morning were occupied by our troops. To-day the 3d infan- try with the field artillery of the 1st division, the Mississippi and Tennessee regiments, and the 2d regiment of Texas rifle- men, (dismounted), have been warmly engaged with the enemy in the town, and have driven him with considerable ioss to the plaza and its vicinity, which is yet strongly occu- pied. A portion of the 2d division has also advanced into the town on the right, and holds a position there. The enemy still maintains himself in the plaza and citadel, and seems determined to make a stubborn resistance. I am particularly gratified to report that our successes of yesterday and to-day, though disastrous to the enemy, have been achieved without material loss. 72 Taylor's official despatches. I cannot speak in too high terms of the gallantry and per- severance of our troops throughout the arduous operations of the last three days. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major-general, U. S. A. Commanding. HEADaUARTERS, ArMY OF OCCUPATION, ) Camp before Monterey, Sept. 25, 1S46. ^ Sir : — At noon on the 23d inst., while our troops were closely engaged in the lower part of the city, as reported in my last despatch, I received by a flag a communication from the governor of the state of New Leon, which is herewith enclosed, (No 1.) To this communication, I deemed it my duty to return an answer declining to allow the inhabitants to leave the city. By eleven o'clock, p. m. the 2d division, which had entered the town from the direction of the Bishop's Palace, had advanced within one square of the principal plaza, and occupied the city up to that point. The mortar had, in the mean time, been placed in battery in the cemetery, within good range of the heart of the town, and was served throughout the night with good effect. Early in the morning of the 24th I received a flag from the town, bearing a coinmunication from Gen. Ampudia, which I enclose, (No. 2,) and to which I returned the answer, (No. 3.) I also arranged with the bearer of the flag a cessa- tion of fire until 12 o'clock, which hour I appointed to receive the final answer of Gen. Ampudia at Gen. Worth's head- quarters. Before the appointed time, however, Gen. Ampudia had signified to Gen. Worth his desire for a personal inter- view with me, for the purpose of making some definite arrangement. An interview was accordingly appointed for one o'clock, and resulted in the naming of a commission to draw up articles of agreement regulating the withdrawal of the Mexican forces and a temporary cessation of hostilities. Taylor's official despatches. 73 The commissioners named by the Mexican general-in-chief were Generals Ortega and Requena, and Don Manuel M. Llano, Governor of New Leon. Those named on the Ameri- can side were Gen. Worth, Gen. Henderson, governor of Texas, and Colonel Davis, of the Mississippi volunteers. The commission finally settled upon the articles, of which I enclose a copy, (No 4,) the duplicates of which (in Spanish and English) have been duly signed. Agreeably to the provis- ions of the 4th article, our troops have this morning occupied the citadel. It will be seen that the terms granted the Mexican garrison are less rigorous than those first imposed. The gallant de- fence of the town, and the fact of a recent change of govern- ment in Mexico, believed to be favorable to the interests of peace, induced me to concur with the commission in these terms, which will, I trust, receive the approval of the govern- ment. The latter consideration also prompted the convention for a temporary cessation of hostilities. Though scarcely warranted by my instructions, yet the change of affairs since those instructions were issued seemed to warrant this course. I beg to be advised, as early as practicable, whether I have met the views of the government in these particulars. I regret to report that Capt. Williams, Topographical Engineers, and Lieut, Terrett, 1st infantry, have died of the wounds received in the engagement of the 21st. — Capt. Gat- lin, 7th infantry, was wounded (not badly) on the 23d. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant. Z. TAYLOR, Major-general, U. S. A. Commanding. In the mean time, the army had been transporting its supplies, opening its communications, and enjoying the fine fruits and climate of Monterey. November had ar- rived, and yet General Taylor had not received a single G 74 REFLECTIONS ON THE CAMPAIGN. wagon in addition to those with which he had left Corpus Christi.^ On the 2d of November a number arrived, and on the 8th a general order announced that Saltillo, the capital of the State of Coahuila, would be occupied by the United States troops. On the 12lh, the division under General Worth took up the line of march for that point, and in a few days Saltillo was garrisoned by Worth's corps. In the mean time, a column under General Wool, which had been originally intended to occupy Chihuahua, changed its direction, by order of General Taylor, and advanced to the town of Parras ; thence it soon after pro- ceeded to join General Worth at Saltillo. At this time, the government having determined to occupy Victoria, the capital of the Province of Tamaulipas, a division of volunteers under General Patterson was moved from the lower Rio Grande in that direction ; and the brigade of General Quitman, with a field battery from General Taylor's army, marched on the same place, and occupied it (Victoria) on the 29th of December without much op- position. Tampico was captured by Commodore Perry, and garrisoned by the land forces. The campaign of the Rio Grande was now brought substantially to a close. It commenced in March, 1846, by the march of General Taylor from Corpus Christi over the disputed territory, (between the Nueces and the Rio Grande ;) and terminated in December with the military occupation of the Provinces of New Mexico, New Leon, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas, in the Mexican republic. In this march of our armies, and in the battles they fought, the ofiicers and soldiers of the United ' General Taylor's letter of November 8th, 1846. REFLECTIONS ON THE CAMPAIGN. 75 States had signalized themselves for courage, energy, and good conduct. They shrank from no duty or danger. They failed in no enterprise or conflict. They endured, without complaint, the perils of a climate in which one- fifth of their number sank to the grave ; and they bore with equal firmness the fatigues of marches without the proper means of transportation. This martial energy — this firm endurance — this unconquerable courage — this enterprise in war — and this sagacity in the perception and use of means, thus exhibited on an extensive scale and in a foreign country, developed new features in the American character — the vast capacity of the country for war, and the restless thirst of adventure which impelled so many to volunteer in an invasive war. This development of national energy was the only apparent advantage, which was, so far, gained by this invasion. The plan of the campaign, as determined by the War Department, though executed with great military skill by General Taylor, was necessarily inconsequential ; for it merely caused the con- quest of barren territories, at the distance of seven hundred miles from the enemy's capital, and the movement of troops from a base-line nearly as far from our country. It led to no results, nor to any valuable purpose, except that of maintaining garrisons in a barren and useless country. 76 INVASION OF NORTHERN MEXICO. CHAPTER V. Government Plan to invade Northern Mexico. — Assemblage of Troops at Fort Leavenworth. — Kearney's March to Santa Fe. — Nature of the Country. — Retreat of the Mexicans. — Arrival at Santa Fe. — Kearney'*^ Proclamation. — Kearney departs for California. — Wool's Expedition. — Assemblage of the Troops at San Antonia. — The Object of the Expe- dition. — March to Monclova ; to Penas. — Wool joins Worth at Saltillo. Taylor's March to Victoria. While General Taylor was crossing the Rio Grande, and directing his columns towards Central Mexico, the cabinet at Washington sent two other columns against the northern provinces, under the command, respectively, of Generals Kearney and Wool. The movements of these corps, if less important in a military point of view, were vastly more extensive in their geographical scope and re- lations. It was their fortune to traverse magnificent plains, perform rapid and, m modern history, unprece- dented marches, and conquer to the dominion of the United States lands unmeasured and almost uninhabited. The origin of these expeditions seems to have been an idea entertained by the administration, that the States of New Mexico, — Chihuahua, Durango, and others in the upper portion of Mexico, — stood ready to declare them- selves independent, and that, by this movement, they would be at once detached from the central government. It was stated by some letter-writers, who professed ac- quaintance with that country, that those States were ready TROOPS COLLECTED. 77 to form a separate and independent republic. One writer even went so far as to declare that the Mexicans them- selves, in these provinces, would form an army to march against the central government ! With such views, the war department organized a corps, called the Army of the West,* which was intended to conquer New Mexico by marching into Santa Fe. This place, though very unim- portant as a town, was a point of concentration for the extensive trade which flowed through it from Chihuahua on the southwest and St. Louis on the northeast. Vast as were the plains and uninhabited regions through whicii this trade was carried on, it had grown, within a few years, to be one of great importance in magnitude and value. On the 16th of May, 1846, at the very time Con- gress recognised the existence of the wa.r, a company of Mexican traders arrived at St. Louis, through Santa Fe, from Chihuahua, with no less than three hundred and fifty thousand dollars in specie, to expend for wares and merchandise in the United States. The annual trade from Santa Fe with St. Louis, Pittsburg, and Philadel- phia, was supposed to be, in amount, from one to two millions of dollars. That trade has been cut off by the events of the war. The forces which were to compose the Army of the West, — almost wholly of Volunteers, — commenced as- sembling at Fort Leavenworth early in June, 1846. Col. Kearney received his orders in May,^ and the Missouri Volunteers were mustered into service before the end of June, and on the 30th of June the entire force had de- parted. The corps of Kearney was composed thus : — ' Lieut. Emory's Journal. ' Niles's Register, 70, p. 228. g2 78 AMOUNT OF THE FORCE. Colonel Price's Regiment, - 800 men. Doniphan's " - 800 Major Clarke's Battalion, - 400 Sumner's Dragoons, - 200 Mormon Battalion, - 500 Total force. - 2,700 A large part of this force were mounted men, accom- panied, however, by a regiment of infantry, a body of artillery, and a train of wagons. The point of departure was Fort Leavenworth, on the Missouri river, and tiie point to be reached (Santa Fe) was one thousand miles distant. For a greater part of that distance, from the Missouri to Bent's Fort on the Arkansas, the road lay over vast plains, which had for ages been the pasturage of the buffalo, or the hunting-ground of the Indian. Short dry grass, or sometimes barren ground, with skirts of trees in the valleys of the streams, made nearly the whole land- scape ; while occasionally a buffalo in the distance, a prairie-wolf in the trail, or the carcass of some unfortu- nate horse given to the wild birds or wilder beasts, gave variety to this desolate scene. Bent's Fort, the lonely plantation of Mr. Bonny, and the meeting of a party of traders, were the only signs of civilization. Beyond the Arkansas, and on the head-waters of the Cimarou and Canadian rivers, the country grows mountainous, and the pine, spruce, and other evergreens begin to give verdure to the summits. In passing a dividing ridge of these streams, the army was charmed with one of those splen- did mountain-scenes which frequently occur in extraor- dinary sublimity on the spurs of the Cordilleras. It was the passage of the Raton, a branch of the great Aztec COL. KEARNEY LEAVES BENt's FORT. 7t> mountains, which made the eastern ridge of the Rio Grande. By barometrical observations, the sunamit was 7000 feet in height. Towards the northwest, the lofty top of Pike's peak was visible, and around it other peaks whose white limestone cliffs looked like snow-banks in the sunbeams. Above, the rocky tops of the Raton rose in perpendicular ledges, and assumed the form of castles in the air, while all around nature exhibited a wide landscape of wild, various, and beautiful appearances.^ Such scenery in this desolate region was, however, uncommon. The weary soldier had to pass many a day's journey without water for his thirst, or grass for his beast. For twenty miles, in some cases, no spring was to be found. An eye-witness relates, that in going from the valley of the Canadian, a traveller might pass a good day's journey without meeting with either wood, water, or grass. Such was the unfruitful and uninviting country through which it was deemed necessary to march an army of the United States for the conquest of Mexico ! On the 3d of August Kearney left Bent's Fort on the Arkansas, and in ten days approached the Mexican settle- ments. Governor Armijo had previously received intima- tions of his approach, and, according to the accounts of traders, had gathered from the adjacent provinces a for- midable force. On the 16th of August he marched out of Santa Fe, and took post at a remarkably strong posi- tion. It was an eminence commanding a defile of not more than forty feet in width, through which lay the road to Santa Fe. Such a position, with good troops, might be deemed almost impregnable. Such was not the result. < > Lt. Emory's Journal. — Niles's Register, 71, p. 138. 80 SANTE Fi: CAPTURED. Governor Armijo held a council of war. His second m command, and other officers, advised him against defence. The advice was followed. The Mexican army retreated, and Armijo left the province for Cliihuahua with a hundred dragoons. In the mean while Kearney had arrived at San Miguel, and assured the alarmed alcaldes, padres, and other influential persons, that he should protect them in their persons, property, religion, and liberty. On the 18th of August he passed through the same defile the Mexicans had just left undefended, and in a few hours entered Santa Fe. Marching with his troops to the palace, or govern- or's house, Kearney hoisted the standard of the Union, and firing a salute of cannon said, " There, my guns pro- claim that the flag of the United States floats over the capital."^ On the next day (Aug. 19th) the general ad- dressed the people, proclaimed that the American army came to establish free government, offered the people protection, and absolved them from their allegiance to their former government ! Thus in about fifty days an army (which had been col- lected in less than a month) had traversed nearly a thou- sand miles of uninhabited wastes, and proclaimed the conquest of New Mexico, containing a surface of eighty thousand square miles, though inhabited by only eighty thousand people. Considered as a march for both infantry and artillery, this was a remarkable achievement. The result was, however, as unsatisfactory to the performers as it was fruitless of military results. Santa Fe offered neither the splendor nor pleasures of a rich and voluptuous city. It was a poor town, badly built, inhabited by a half- ' Jounial of an officer. — Niles, 71, p. 83. FACE OF THE COUNTRY. 81 civilized people, in the midst of a barren and uninhabited country. One of the travellers in this expedition thus w^rites : — " This is the most miserable country I have ever seen. The houses the people live in are built of mud, one story high, and have no flooring. They sleep on the ground, and have neither beds, tables, nor chairs."^ This account probably refers to the mass of the people,. and not the richer class. The mud spoken of is un- burnt brick. When the American officers visited the church, they found it without seats, except one long bench. for the chief men.^ A few villages and well-cultivated fields lay within a few miles of Santa Fe, and the banks of the Rio Grande below occasionally presented a town. But, for the most part, a country without resources, and a people without civilization, were the tempting prospect which New Mexico offered to her Anglo-Saxon invaders. On the 31st of August, two weeks after his arrival at Santa Fe, Kearney organized an expedition of nine hun- dred men to scour the banks of the Rio Grande below. This work was done without a combat, and without any other result than the march. In the mean while General Kearney, acting, as he de- clared, by authority and under the instructions of the ex- ecutive administration of the United States, assumed to direct the civil affairs of New Mexico, and even to declare the assent of the American nation to the incorporation of New Mexico with the United States, and to absolve its citizens from all allegiance to the Mexican government !^ * Niles, 71, p. 80. ' Diary of an officer, pp. 91, 92 ;— of Niles 71. ' Kearney's Proclamation may be found in the appendix to Young's History of Mpxicn. 6 62 GEN. Kearney's proclamation. These occurrences are so remarkable in American con- stitutional history, that they have attracted no small atten- tion from the gravest and most intelligent minds. The first in this series of novel proceedings in military history took place at the tow^n of San Miguel, a few miles from Santa Fe, on the 16th of August. Summoning the al- calde and the people of the village into his presence, the commander of the American army informed them that they were absolved from all allegiance to the Mexican government, and that the alcalde must swear allegiance to the United Stales ! After some demur, that officer complied, on condition that his religion was protected. The oath was then administered in this form : — " You swear that you will bear true allegiance to the govern- ment of the United Slates of America, and that you will defend her against all her enemies and opposers, in the name of the Father, Son, a.nd Holy Ghost. Amen," On the 22d of August, in Santa Fe, General Kearney issued a proclamation, entitled, "From the Army of the West to the Inhabitants of New Mexico."^ This proc- lamation was so extraordinary, that some paragraphs may be noted for the very novel ideas they brought before the minds of the American people. In this he first announces his intention to hold the department, with its " original boundaries, (on both sides the Del Norte,) as a part of the United States, and under the name of the Territory of New Mexico." He next informs the people that " it is the wish and in- tention of the United States to provide for New Mexico a free government, with the least possible delay, similar Idem. ESTABLISHES CIVIL GOVERNMENT. 83 to those in the United States ; and the people of New Mexico will then be called upon to exercise the rights of freemen in electing their ow^n representatives to the terri- torial legislature." The most extraordinary passage of this proclamation is the following : — " The undersigned hereby absolves all persons residing within the boundary of New Mexico from further alle- giance to the republic of Mexico, and hereby claims them as citizens of the United States. Those who remain quiet and peaceable will be considered as good citizens, and receive protection ; those who are found in arms, or in- stigating others against the United States, will be consid- ered as traitors, and treated accordingly." Neither the Constitution of the United States nor the people by act of Congress, or by vote, had provided any means or expressed any wish for the annexation of New Mexico. The laws of nations were equally silent as to any mode by which the allegiance of a citizen can be ab- solved by any act of a military commander. Nor had the laws of the United States provided any way by which a foreign citizen could become a citizen of the United States, except by naturalization. The conquest of New Mexico has opened, therefore, a new field for legal inves- tigation, as well as a new chapter in constitutional history. One month after these proceedings, (on the 25th of Sep- tember,) when the sparse population of that country seemed quiet, and the army found no other motives for activity than such as the amusements of Santa Fe afforded. Gen- eral Kearney left that place, and with four hundred dra- goons departed for California. He took the old Copper- mine route, down the Rio Grande to Sorotto, and thence 84 ARMY OF THE CENTRE. to the Pacific. On the 20lh of October, three hundred miles west of Santa Fe, he was informed by a returning parly that Fremont had already taken possession of Cali- fornia. He then sent Major Sumner back with the largest part of the dragoons, and taking only one hundred with himself, pursued, with this small force, the daring enter- prise of crossing the deserts and mountains of Western America in the cold season. Thus was effected the conquest of the province of New Mexico by the troops of the United States : bloodless in its achievement, and fruitless of any immediate results, but illustrating the energy of the American people in the collection and movement of troops, and the celerity with which the great western plains may be traversed by mili- tary forces. At the same time that the cabinet at Washington formed the plan of moving a column on Santa Fe, they also or- ganized another against the Central States of Mexico. This was called the " Army of the Centre," and was di- rected to march on Chihuahua, the capital of the province of that name, and supposed to be the centre of much of the Mexican strength and wealth. The object of this expe- dition, like that of Kearney, was to detach the northern and northwestern from the central government of Mexico, and thus induce that government to make peace by cut- ting off its resources. The " Army of the Centre" was placed under the com- mand of Brigadier-general John E. Wool, one of the small but gallant band who, by their heroic stand upon the heights of Queenstown, had, even in defeat, shed lustre upon the American arms, and acquired a lasting distinc- tion for themselves. This army was thus composed : — STRENGTH OF WOOl's COMMAND. S5 OFFICERS OF THE STAFF. General John E. Wool — Commander. Colonel Churchill — Inspector-general. Captain Cross — Quartermaster. Captain W. D. Fraser — Engineer. REGULAR TROOPS. 5 companies U. S. Dragoons — Col. Harney, 300 men. i company Artillery — Captain Washington, - 100 " 2 companies U. S. 6th Infantry — Capt. Bonne- ville, 100 " VOLUNTEERS. 1 regiment of Arkansas Cavalry — Col. Yell, - 750 " 2 regiments of Illinois Infantry — Col. Hardin, 1,600 " ! company Kentucky Cavalry — Capt. Wil- liams, 90 " Total forces - - 2,940 " These troops were directed by the War Department to assemble at Antonio de Bexar, on the river Antonio, and thence proceed to Chihuahua by Presidio Rio Grande. At the time the orders for their assembling were given, these troops were in different parts of the United States, remote from each other and remote from the point of ren- dezvous. Their marches, and the celerity and exactness of their movement and assembling, are among the remark- able incidents of the war with Mexico. Tlie IHinois regi- ments proceeded by water, in steamboats, down the Mis- sissippi, and by the Gulf of Mexico to Levacca, on Mata- gorda Bay. Here they commenced their march to San Antonio. 86 CONCENTRATES AT SAN ANTONIO. The Illinois regiments arrived at Pallida Creek, twelve miles from Levacca, on the 7th of August, and on the 11th commenced their march to Antonio de Bexar. The route to Antonio was through a dry prairie, crossing the head-streams of the Antonio and the river Guadaloupe, along whose banks alone the thirsty and tired soldier might expect to find water and shade. A writer, who was a member of the Illinois troops, thus speaks of this tedious march : *' Heat — heat — heat ; rain — rain — rain ; mud — mud — mud, intermingled with spots of sand and gravel, form the principal features of the route from Levacca to San Antonio. Loaded wagons of course move slowly over the roads, and our troops were moreover scourged on the route by the mumps and the measles."^ These regiments arrived at Antonio de Bexar (the place of rendezvous) before the 1st of September: so did all the corps who were to assemble there. The movement of these bodies was quite remarkable. Captain Wash- ington with the regular artillery had gone from Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, two thousand miles, and arrived on the 31st of August. Major Bonneville made eight hundred miles in six weeks with the infantry, and arrived on the 27lh of August. Colonel Yell, with the Arkansas cavalry, arrived from Washington, Arkansas, on the 28th. Thus, after these immense marches, did the troops of Wool's army concentrate, with remarkable precision, al the place of rendezvous, prepared to march into the terri- tories of Mexico. The extent of these marches and the extreme barren- ness of the country through which the route lay, after ' " Rondenac" to the Natioual Intelligencer. — Niles's Register, 71, p. 9(X. MARCH UPON CHIHUAHUA. 87 leaving the Mississippi, made this expedition one of great expense and difficuhy in its transportation. The real base- line upon which an army operates, is that which contains the depots of subsistence. In this instance, as throughout the war with Mexico, those depots were on the Missis- sippi river and the cities of the Atlantic coast. The same writer whom we have quoted says, " Forage and subsist- ence for the entire army are derived from New York, Baltimore, and New Orleans. The transportation by water, therefore, exceeds thousands of miles, while the total of land transportation may be found among the hun- dreds. The bare cost of bringing a bushel of corn from Levacca to this place (Antonio) is $1.20, and other sup- plies in proportion." This fact at once illustrates the ex- pense which invariably attends the march of an army through barren countries. Assembled at Antonio, the army was now ready to commence its march against Chihuahua. But with what object ? The declared object was to aid in establishing the independence of the northern States, and thus act against the central government of Mexico. But was this a probable result ? The same writer already quoted per- tinently asks, " Are the people of the United States pur- suing a war of conquest, of propagandism, or of necessity? Do they hope to convert provinces to their political faith by sending forth among them an armed soldiery to quicken their conclusions, and give energy to their admiration ? Are they desirous, by a grand military display, to exhibit to the Mexicans the vast superiority of their free institu- tions over their more humble neighbors ? Do they hope, by a series of marches and counter-marches, by glittering bayonets and flashing sabres, by waving banners and the 88 WHAT WERE THE OBJECTS, clangor of martial music, lo intimidate a people too proud to work and almost too poor to be pitied ? Do they wish, by a lavish expenditure of public funds, to bribe a whole nation to throw off its allegiance ? Are we to plant our flags at Presidio Rio Grande, — beat our drums at San Fernando, Santa Rosa, and Monclova, — carry the tramp of our war-steeds through Baria, Saledo, San Carlos, and Chericotti, and let the thunders of our artillery roll within the walls of Chihuahua merely to demonstrate the mili- tary prowess of a great nation, and the inherent energies of a free people ? So far as can be seen or known at present, these are the sole objects of the expedition, con- ceived in folly, and which has already cost millions of the national treasury, although it has not yet passed the threshold."* The language of this writer, although strong, was pro- phetic. The expedition pursued the route, and was^at- tended with no other results than those which these ques- tions indicate. Early in September, the division of Wool took up its line of march from San Antonio for the Pre- sidio Rio Grande, passing, in most of the distance, over the same dry and uninviting plains as those which the Illinois Regiments had passed from Levacca to San Anto- nio. Crossing the Rio Grande at the Presidio, General Wool and his corps pushed on by long and wearisome marches to the village of Santa Rosa. Here it was discov- ered that the geographical knowledge of the War Depart- ment was by no means equal to its martial energies. Looking to the west for the road to Chihuahua the army beheld in front the lofty mountain-range of the Sierra - . __ ' Letter of " Rondenac" to the National Intelligencer. ARRIVED AT SIERRA GORDA. 89 Gorda, lifting their summits four thousand feet above the level of the plains ! The officer of Topographical En- gineers in vain looks for a single defile through which the army may pass to the wesl.^ It is compelled to turn south towards Saltillo. On the 29lh of October, six weeks after leaving the Rio Grande, it reaches Monclova, one of the principal towns of Coahuila. Here the troops were received in a friendly manner, the Prefect content- ing himself simply with a protest against the occupation of the Mexican country. For a month the army con- tinued to enjoy the Mexican hospitalities as if no hostili- ties interrupted the harmony of the respective nations. The soldiers of Wool's corps acted as the armed watch- men of Coahuila, The robber and the savage alike fled from the drum-beat of the guard and the echoes of the bugle. The discipline of the army was equal to its en- ergy ; and the inhabitants around slept peacefully while the conquering invader unfurled his flag along the base of the Sierra Gorda. At length General Wool, writing to General Taylor, in- quired — '' What is to be gained by going to Chihuahua ?" General Taylor, then about to occupy the state of Ta- maulipas by marching to Victoria, replied, that he (Wool) should abandon the expedition to Chihuahua, and advance with his column to Parras, a place still further to the south, and not very distant from Saltillo. Here the army remained for a short time, till, in the month of December, it joined the division of Worth, in the town of Saltillo. The object of the enterprise, — the conquest of Chihuahua, ' Report of Captain Hughes, of the Topographical Corps, February, 1847. h2 90 GENERAL WOOL MARCHES TO PARRAS. — had previously been abandoned ; but this division, which had so far been employed only in marches, was soon lo appear, under the able Wool and the veteran Taylor, vie torious on the bloody and memorable field of Buena Vista.' The march of Wool, like that of Kearney, was re- markable for the steadiness and celerity with which new troops, of all the different arms, traversed vast deserts uninhabited, and unsupplied, except by provisions brought from the interior of the United Slates. By the route pur- sued it was seven hundred miles from San Antonio de Bexar to Saltillo, and this distance, deducting the period at Monclova and Parras, was performed in about six weeks. -^ General Wool arrived just in time at Saltillo to meet the intentions of General Taylor, and prepare for the events which followed. The commander on the Rio Grande had proceeded with a large body of troops to meet another corps, under Gen- eral Patterson, marching from Matamoras to occupy Vic- toria, the capital of the state of Tamaulipas. At Monte- morlos, sixty-eight miles from Monterey, Taylor was in- formed that Santa Anna was about to move on Saltillo, with a view to attack Worth. This recalled him, with the regulars, to Monterey. Generals Patterson and Quit- man proceeded to Victoria, and ultimately to Tampico, where they made a portion of the army of Scott, and took part in the brilliant and successful siege and cap- ture of Vera Cruz. ' The Iliinois Regiments, the Arkansas Regiment, and Washington's Artillery, were in the battle of Buena Vista, and constituted oue-third of Taylor's army. EXPEDITION OF CAPTAIN FREMONT. 91 CHAPTER VI. Expedition of Captain Fremont. — Arrives at Monterey, California. — Sus- picions of Governor de Castro. — Fremont takes position. — Returns by Oregon. — Returns again to Monterey. — Is threatened by De Castro. — Declares War. — Capture of Mexicans. — Sails from Monterey to Diego. — Capture of the City of Angels.— Conquest of California. — Object of the Government. — Marcy's Letter to Stevenson. — Marcy's Orders to Kearney. — Scott's Orders. — Insurrection in New Mexico. — Murder of Bent. — Battle of Canada.— Battle of Pueblo de Taos. — Insurrection in California.— March of Doniphan.— Battle of Brozitos.— Capture of El Paso. — Battle of^acramento. — Capture of Chihuahua. — March to Sal- tillo. — Arrival at New Orleans.— March of Gilpin to the Rocky Moun- tains. In the autumn of 1 845, Captain Fremont, of the To- pographical Corps of Engineers, set out with an armed party of men, prepared for hunting and Indian warfare, to cross the mountains and penetrate the interior of Cahfor- nia. This officer had been greatly distinguished in a pre- vious expedition for bold enterprise, scientific attainments, and interesting researches amidst the wilderness of Rocky Mountains. The ostensible object of his present journey was to seek a new route to Oregon, further south than the one heretofore travelled by emigrants, and to seek also scientific discoveries amidst these unknown and unde- scribed regions of the west. His well-known love of science, and his hitherto scrupulous conduct, afford strong presumption that such was the real purpose of his mission. He pursued his journey, undisturbed by any extraor- dinary events, till, on the 29th of January, 1846, he ar- 92 ARRIVES AT MONTEREY. rived in the neighborhood of Monterey, California. To avoid suspicion, or coHision, he left his party about one hundred miles from Monterey, and proceeded alone to that place to explain the object of his visit. Here he proceed- ed to the house of the American consul, (Mr. Larkin,) and then called upon the governor, De Castro. The governor complained that he (Fremont) was bringing an armed force into the province with hostile views. To this Captain Fremont replied, that he was not even an officer of the line, but belonged to the Topographical Corps, and that his object was to survey a new route to Oregon in a more southerly direction, his visit being peaceful, and that he desired to winter in the valley of the San Joaquin. To this the governor assented. Cap- tain Fremont then returned and brought his men nearer to the town, when he was informed that the governor was raising troops to attack him, and warned by Mr. Larkin (the consul) of his danger. Thus warned, he look post, with his small party of sixty men, on the summit of the Sierra, at a point about thirty miles from Monterey, and overlooking that town. Here, in the clear sky of the Pa- cific, and on this height, he could observe De Castro pre- paring his men to march upon the American camp. Here he hoisted the flag of the United Slates, and informed the Mexican that he would defend the post to the last. His intention was, if attacked and defeated, there to die with his companions on the spot where they had hoisted the flag, and leave to their country to avenge their death and vindicate their conduct.* This fate was fortunately avoid- ' Benton's Letter to the President, published in the " Union," Novem- ber 9th, 1846. FREMONT DEPARTS FOR OREGON. 93 ed. De Castro marched out, but did not attack them. Fremont, finding himself not attacked, marched out of his position on the 10th of March, by the valley of San Joa- quin, and commenced his march, by slow degrees, towards Oregon. On the following morning De Castro took pos- session of his camp, and finding some old vessels or other camp luggage, boasted of the flight of the Ameri- cans ! On the 1st of April Fremont had reached lat. 40° in the valley of the Sacramento. On the 14th of May he was on the direct route to Oregon. On the 15th he ar- rived at the Great Tlamath Lake. Here he found the mountains of the Sierra Nevada in front covered with snow, and himself and party surrounded by hostile In- dians. In this condition of aflairs he determined to re- turn back by the river Sacramento. On his arrival at the Bay of Francisco, he learns that Governor de Castro is at Zanona, on the opposite side, preparing an expedition against the American settlers. Under all the circumstan- ces of the case he determined, on the 6th day of June, to overturn, if possible, the Mexican government in Cali- fornia. At that time the war with Mexico actually exist- ed, and two battles had been fought on the Rio Grande ; but with this fact Captain Fremont was not acquainted. He formed his judgment on the circumstances around him, and not on any of the previous events connected with military operations.^ A party of De Castro's men having crossed the Bay, Fremont's men captured fourteen, with two hundred mules. On the 1st of June he surprised and took the ' Colonel Benton's Letter to the President. 94 RETURNS AND TAKES ZANONA, military post at Zanona. Colonel Vallejo and several . officers were taken, with nine cannon, and two hundred and fifty stand of arms. From this he proceeded to the Rio de los Americanos for assistance. There he heard that De Castro was about to attack his little garrison of only fourteen men, at Zanona. On the 23d of June he started with ninety mounted riflemen to their aid. Riding night and day he arrived on the 25th, a distance of eighty miles. De Castro's vanguard of seventy men was at- tacked and defeated by twenty Americans. About this time two Americans were taken by Torre, the comman- der of the Mexican party, and cut to pieces. In return, Fremont took and shot three of Torre's men. On the 4th of July Fremont assembled the Americans in that neighborhood at Zanona, and after making a speech, he and his companions declared the Independence of Cali- fornia. A few days after this news came from Commo- dore Sloat, that the American flag was hoisted at Monte- rey. Fremont then set out with one hundred and sixty riflemen in pursuit of De Castro, who was retreating with four hundred men. From this he is recalled by Commo- dore Sloat. On his return to Monterey he found Stockton in command, who was preparing a new expedition by water. By sailing down the coast he thought he might cut off" De Castro's retreat, who w^as moving southward- ly to the lower posts.^ On the 26th of July Fremont sailed in the sloop-of-war Cyane, with one hundred and sixty riflemen and seventy marines, the object being the port of San Diego, which it was supposed would be reached in time to cut off'De Castro. ' Colonel Benton's Letter. CALIFORNIA CONQUERED. 95 At this time Governor de Castro was encamped at Mara, three miles from Ciudad de los Angelos. In a few days after the departure of Fremont, Stockton sailed in the frigate Congress for the position of De Castro. When the latter heard of the approach of the American forces, he broke up his camp and proceeded to Mexico, while his officers and men were scattered in different di- rections'. On the 13th of August, 1846, Stockton being joined by Captain (now Colonel) Fremont, with Mr. Lar- kin, late American consul, entered the City of Angels, the capital of the Californias.^ Thus was completed, in a brief campaign, and with scarcely any bloodshed, the con- quest of the Californias. On the coast, the squadron under Commodore Sloat had taken the initial, and on the 6th of July, 1846, had hoisted the flag of the United States at Monterey. On the 22d of July, Commodore Stockton assumed the com- mand of the naval forces, and he, with Fremont, com- pleted, as we have seen, the overturn of the Mexican government in California. General Kearney did not ar- rive from his overland journey till these transactions were completed. Since then, controversies have arisen between the distinguished commanders on that station — Fremont and Kearney — in relation to their respective duties and commands. The events in which they were engaged have become memorable from their connection with the first footsteps and conquering march of that great nation which claims from destiny the dominion of the North American continent. In the traceway of these wild wilderness paths, some historian of after times may discover the steps by ' Niles's Register, 71, p. lo5. 96 THE president's views. which a nation, ascended to imperial grandeur and liberty, pursued the stream of civilization round the earth. The object of the American government, so far as the President can control its operations, is discovered in the instructions to its officers. While disclaiming conquest as the motive or object of the war, the executive of the United States furnished recorded proof that 'permanent conquest was intended to be its result. In the summer of 1846, a regiment of volunteers was raised in the city of New York, commanded by Colonel J. D. Stevenson. The object of this regiment was for some time unknown to the public. It was at length embarked for California. In the correspondence of the War Department subse- quently published, a letter from the Secretary (Marcy) disclosed the intentions of the President. Speaking of the composition of this regiment, the Secretary says : — " The President expects, and indeed requires, that great care should be taken to have it composed of suitable per- sons — I mean of good habits ; as far as practicable of various pursuits, and such as would he likely to remain, at the end of the war, either in Oregon or in any ofJter ter- ritory in that region of the globe which may then be a part of the United States."^ This regiment, then, were to act as pioneers in the work of conquest and coloniza- tion. The directions given by Secretary Marcy to General Kearney, in forming the new government, assimilate them- selves to this purpose. In his letter of the 3d June, 1846, he says — " You will establish teinporary civil govern- ments therein, abolishing all arbitrary restrictions that may " Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 1845-6, p. 809. INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SECRETARY. 97 exist, so far as it can be done with safety,'" You may " continue existing officers, if they will take the oath of alles'iance to the United States." — " Assure them it is the wish and design of the United States to provide for them a free government.'''' — " They will then be called upon to exercise the rights of freemen."* At this time Mexico was a free country, so far as a written republican Constitution could make her so. To offer the people of that country freedom, then, could have no possible meaning, unless it was meant to bring it within the limits of the peculiar government of the United States. Much less could any other construction be put upon the phrase — " called upon to exercise the rights of freemen." The oath of allegiance, too, which by the laws of na- tions could not be deprived of its legal virtue by any action of a foreign nation, and, by the Constitution of the United States, could not be made void in this country, except by an act of naturalization, was thus, by the order of a Pres- ident, to be made void by a compulsory oath to the United States ! The novelty of such a doctrine, if not its utter contempt of the civil law of this country and the public law of nations, attracted the attention of grave statesmen and of earnest patriots. It was sought, by the friends of the President, to explain the meaning of these documents, so that they might not appear in opposition to the theory and Constitution of American government ; but, however explained, these orders and proclamations yet remain among the jnost extraordinary movements of an extraor- dinary war.** ' Marcy's Letter, 3d June, 1846. ' General Scott, in his official orders, while complying with the gen- 1 7 98 MEASURES TEND TO INSURRECTION. The conquest of New Mexico, which we have seen com- pleted under General Kearney, though apparently blood- less, was yet to be attended by conflicts, if less sanguinary, yet more interesting than the common events of war. On the 19th of January, 1847, a violent and totally unexpected insurrection against the American authorities took place at Taos, in 'New Mexico. The origin and progress of this outbreak appears, by evidence subsequently given, to have been this : — In pursuance of the principles stated in the proclamations before referred to, and of orders expressly given by the President, Kearney had proceeded to organize a civil government. He had appointed a governor, sheriff, district attorney, and other functionaries ; as if the general of an army, in the service of the United States, could have any other than military authority, or become by any means the source of a civil authority which, in the very nation he represented, could be conferred only through the laws. These civil functionaries, thus appointed, went quietly to work, as if they were in one of the States of the Ameri- can Union : unconscious that the passions of a hostile people, the jealousy of displaced officers, or the violation eral direction of the President to occupy the country, seems to have dis- creetly avoided in his language the absurdity involved in these proclama- tions, and in the order of Marcy on which they were founded. In Scott's Order to Kearney, dated November 3d, 1846, he says: — " You will erect and garrison durable defences for holding the bays of Monterey and San Francisco, together with such other important points in the same province as you may deem it necessary to occupy." — •' Yon will not, however, for- mally declare the province to be annexed. Permanent incorporation of the territory must depend on the government of the United States." lu tiiis language General Scott avoids the absurdities of the proclamation, and recognises the fuudamental distinction between the orders of the Pres- ident and the legislation of Congress. INSURRECTION AT TAOS. 99 of national usages, could arouse the indignation of the in- vaded people, or expose them to more than common dan- gers ! They were mistaken in fact, as they were incautious in conduct. The displaced officers and the national pride occasioned a conspiracy to overthrow the American power in New Mexico, It appears from testimony that Thomas Cortez, Diego Archillette, Pino, Armijo, and others formed a plan for a general insurrection and overthrow of the Americans on Christmas night. This failed, or rather, was postponed. On the 15th of January, however, a tragedy occurred which startled the Americans, both in New Mexico and in the United States. On that night, Gov- ernor Charles Bent, with Elliott the sheriff, and twenty- three others, were murdered in the town of San Fernando de Taos. Seven others were killed at Turley's, eight miles from Taos, in the valley of the Moro.^ In a short time the insurrection became general, and Col. Sterling Price, who commanded the troops at Santa Fe, learned that a strong body of Mexicans and Indians were advan- cing against the place. Mustering pearly four hundred troops — cavalry, infantry, and artillery — lie marched out to meet them on the 23d of January. He found them posted, in a strong position, on the heights and in houses below, in front of the village of Covoda. The battle com- menced with a cannonade and general firing, which lasted for an hour and a half. Colonel Price then ordered a general discharge upon the houses and lines of the enemy. They were soon dispersed in every direction.^ The Mex- ican force engaged was supposed to be fifteen hundred ' Lt. Abort's Letter of February 20th, in the Union. « Colonel Price's Despatch, 15th February, 1847. 100 ATTACK ON PUEBLO DE TAOS. men. Their loss was ihirty-six. That of the Americans two killed and six wounded. ^ On the 27th of January Colonel Price marched to Lu- ceros, on the Rio Grande, and on the 29th to La Joya, a strong pass, situated in a canon, or deep pass of the moun- tains, where the men could scarcely move abreast. Along the slopes of the mountains the enemy were posted, and there they were attacked by a detachment under Captain Burgwin of one hundred and eiglily men, who, after a short conflict, dislodged them, with the loss to the Mexicans of twenty killed and sixty wounded.^ On the 1st of Febru- ary the main body of the forces, under Colonel Price, reached the top of the Taos mountain, which was cov- ered with, snow two feet deep. On the 2d they quartered at Rio Chiciti. On the 3d they entered the town of Don Fernando de Taos, which was the scene of the massacre of Governor Bent and party. The Mexican village was abandoned by the enemy, who had taken post at the In- dian town of Pueblo de Taos. This was a strongly-for- tified post. The key to the position was a large church, and two large buildings ascending in a pyramidal form, six or seven stories high, and pierced with embrasures for rifles. Around these was a wall, and within them the enemy had taken post. The Americans brought up a six- pounder and a howitzer, with which they battered the church and walls for two hours; but their ammunition- wagons not having come up, they retreated to Fernando. On the morning of the 4th, at nine a. m., the Americans again advanced, determined to take the place. The si.x- pounder and two howitzers, commanded by Lieutenant ' Colonel Price's Despatch, 15th February, 1847. PUEBLO DE TAOS TAKEN. 101 Dyer, of the Ordnance, were brought to bear against the church on one side, and two howitzers on another side. After battering for two hours a charge was made by Cap- tain Burgwin, of the Dragoons, with two companies in one line, and Captain Angrecy, with three companies in an- other hne.^ In this assault Captain Burgwin, a heutenant of volunteers, and several dragoons were killed. The church walls were still unpenetrated by the Artillery. Ladders were made, and a small hole cut with axes ; through that, fire was thrown into the church. A new as- sault was made upon the church door, which failed, with loss.^ The six-pounder was then run up, at half-past three p. m., within sixty yards, and a breach made large enough to admit four men abreast. A storming party then entered the church, which was found full of smoke. The enemy still occupied the two large buildings ; but early next morning, the aged men and women, bearing their children, images, and crosses, came out to meet the army, begging for mercy. The request was granted. In this battle the Americans were about four hundred and fifty; the Mexicans about six hundred. The Ameri- can loss w^as fifty-four killed and vv^ounded ; that of the Mexicans one hundred and fifty-two killed and many wounded. Taken, as a whole, the short cam- paign of Colonel Price, with Captain Burgwin and others, from the 20th of January to the 5th of February, 1847, was one of the best exhibitions of military gallantry which has occurred in the minor parts of the war. Marching in midwinter over snow-covered ground, they three times ' Letter of Lieutenant A. B. Dyer. ' Colonel Price's Report, 15th February, 1847. I2 102 DIFFICULTIES IN CALIFORNIA. engaged the enemy ; and in the last conflict, stormed and carried a very strong military position against superior numbers. During the winter of 1846-7 the Californians, either not properly understanding or not impressed with the value of an oath of allegiance to the government of the United States, also rose in insurrection. At the City of Angels, and other points, the flag of the United States was torn down, and that of Mexico hoisted in its place. In No- vember, 1846, an action occurred at Domingos Rancho, between a party from the United States frigate Savannah and a portion of the Californians. The latter were forti- fied, and supported by artillery. They gained an advan- tage over the sailors, who were on foot, which raised their courage and excited their hopes. In December, Commo- dore Stockton, having landed at Diego, adv'anced to the City of Angels, and again re-established the American dominion. Soon after this a battle occurred between the Ameri- cans under General Kearney and the Mexicans at San Gabriel. In this engagement the Mexicans were defeat- ed with loss ; but on the American side several were killed, and General Kearney wounded. In New Mexico and California, the inhabitants appear to have been much more interested in regaining their country by popular insurrection, than they had been iu defending it against the advance of the invaders. Either they had been at first surprised, and yielded to an unex- pected necessity, or the American army, and the new governments instituted among them had not impressed their minds with an idea of superiority and excellence. Both may in some measure have been true. But the lesson taught Doniphan's expedition. 103 by these insurrections is, that the Mexican inhabitants of New Mexico and Cahfornia remain under the dominion of the United States only as a conquered people ; not from any adhesion to oaths of allegiance, or to any admiration for the free institutions which were proclaimed among them. In the interval between the conquest of New Mexico by Kearney, and the march of Scott from Vera Cruz, there occurred, in the northern provinces of Mexico, one of those military adventures which convert the realities of history into the brilliant and enticing scenes of romance. This w^as the march of Colonel Doniphan's corps through the wild and unknown regions of Northern Mexico. When the American army, under Kearney, had reached Santa Fe, it was already nine hundred miles from the point of its departure. The great part of this distance had been passed over vast prairie plains, over arid deserts, in the valleys of streams, where no town or habitation was seen, and over hills like the Raton, from whose lofty summit no sign of civilization could be seen, and the dis- tant horizon was limited only by the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains. At Santa Fe there was but little real interruption to this wilderness prospect. New Mex- ico contained fifty thousand square miles, but only one hundred thousand inhabitants. The States of Chihuahua, Durango, and Coahuila, below, scarcely contained a greater population in proportion. Here and there a Mex- ican town appeared, and at intervals spots of beautiful culture, of vineyards and fruits ; but, for the most part, there were uninhabited regions, unknown to the Ameri- cans, and almost untrodden by travellers. In the early part of December Colonel Doniphan left 104 DONIPHAN MARCHES FOR CHIHUAHUA. Sanla Fe with eight hundred men, in three divisions, des- tined for Chihuahua. The object of the expedition was to join General Wool in the heart of Northern Mexico. Wool, as has been detailed, marched with what was called the Army of the Centre from San Antonio de Bexar for Chihuahua. The latter point he never reach- ed ; but Colonel Doniphan now supposed him either at Chihuahua or on his route. Doniphan, accordingly, marched south to form a junction. On the 21st of De- cember his corps reached Brozitos, and the troops were dispersed getting wood, when a large force of the enemy, supposed to be a thousand strong, appeared in sight. The Americans immediately formed in line. The Mex- icans were composed of Lancers and Infantry. A Mex- ican officer rode out on a fine charger, displaying a black flag. Their column immediately charged, and were re- ceived by the Americans with a well-directed fire of rifles. This determined the engagement. The Mexicans fled, Doniphan then pursued his march at his leisure. On the 27th of December Doniphan's corps entered El Paso del Norte without opposition. This is a consid- erable town on the Rio del Norte, or rather Rio Grande, the former being the name of that river in New Mexico. This town contains about five thousand inhabitants ; but there are about eleven thousand settled along the river for twenty-five miles. It is on the road to Chihuahua, and at one of the principal crossings of the Rio Grande. Here Colonel Doniphan was compelled to wait for re- inforcements, and also to hear from General Wool. The Americans were surrounded with a hostile population, and continually expecting an attack. One who was pres- ent writes, " Here we have spent a month in anxiety. HALTS AT EL PASO DEL NORTE. 105 drudgery, and toil."^ Nothing, however, was heard from Wool ; and it was long before reinforcements arrived. At length, on the 1st of February, Captain Weigh tman arrived with the Artillery, and Doniphan's command was increased to the amount of about nine hundred men. In the latter part of February he set out from El Paso, and on the 2.3d the American forces were at Carmen, one hundred miles from Chihuahua. In the mean time, Gen- eral Heredia, who commanded the Mexican forces in Chihuahua, having heard of the approach of the Ameri- can army, despatched General Conde with eight hundred cavalry to watch the Americans. On the 21st General Heredia himself took position with additional troops near the Sacramento river, and awaited the approach of Colo- nel Doniphan. The forces of Heredia were thus composed : — ,, Conde's Cavalry - - - 800 men 7th Regular Infantry - - - 70 " Chihuahua Battalion - - - 250 " National Guards - - - 180 " Dragoons ----- 50 " Ten pieces of artillery - - 119 " Corps of other cavalry - - 106 " Total of Heredia's army - 1575 " Many of these troops were the new levies of the country — National Guards and Volunteers.^ On the 28th of February the American army discovered ' Letter in the Missouri Republican. » General Jose Heredia's Report, March 2d, 1847, in the " Union," April 19 th. 106 BATTLE OF SACRAMENTO. the enemy intrenched near the Rancho Sacramento, on the river Sacramento. The position was a very strong one. It was in a valley about four miles in width, having a range of mountains on each side. The Rio Sacramen- to, and Arroyo Seco, both crossed the valley here ; and the main road to Chihuahua, pursuing the valley, crosses the Sacramento at the Rancho Sacramento. The Mexi- can intrenchments were on a ridge between these streams, and completely commanding the road. Their right rested on the Cerro Frijoles, with high precipitous sides, on which was a battery commanding the surrounding coun- try and the pass leading to Chihuahua, through the Arroyo Seco. On their left was the Cerro Sacramento, a pile of immense volcanic rocks, surmounted by a battery which commanded the main road to Chihuahua.* A passage was found practicable across the Arroyo Seco, within reach of the enemy's fire ; and the Ameri- can column having reached the ground between the Seco and Sacramento, commenced deploying towards the table- land occupied by the Mexicans. The column of General Conde's cavalry, opposed to the American right, now com- menced a charge, which was returned by the fire of the Artillery Battery, consisting of six pieces, under the com- mand of Major Clark. At the third fire the enemy's cav- alry gave way and dispersed.^ They fell back to the Mexican camp, and rallied behind a redoubt. This the Americans attacked with artillery, Captain Weightman rapidly advancing with two howitzers, supported by Cap- tain Reed's company of horse, and then by Lieutenant- ' Report of Major Clark to Colonel Doniphan, March 2d, 1847. ' Heredia's Report. MEXICANS DEFEATED. 107 colonel Mitchell, delivering his fire with great effect, the enemy were driven from the redoubt. The Mexicans were pursued towards the mountains by Lieutenant- colonel Mitchell, Lieutenant-colonel Jackson, and Major Gilpin, accompanied by Weightman with his section of howitzers. In the mean time the Mexicans had carried their cannon to the Cerro Sacramento, to cover their re- treat. The fire of the American artillery soon silenced these, and the Rancho Sacramento was then attacked. Al length the Mexicans were driven from their last posi- tion, and the victory was complete.^ The Mexicans lost one hundred men and ten pieces of artillery. Colonel Doniphan and his little army entered the city of Chihuahua, the fruit of this victory, in divisions, on the 1st and 2d of March. This town is the capital of one of the most important States of Mexico, and contains more than forty thousand inhabitants. It lies on a branch of the Conchas river, two hundred and fifty miles south of El Paso. On the east lies the Rio Grande, and on the west the lofty summits of the Sierra Madre. The coun- try is diversified with mountains and vales. The army passed rugged cliffs of basaltic rock on one side, and on the other fields rich with the finest wheat. In- the clear atmosphere of this elevated region, the mountain-tops would seem, in the distance, blue as the skies above ; or, near by, would darkly frown in the cold gray aspect of its granite rock. Chihuahua, too, is the centre of rich and various mines. Not more than twelve miles from it are silver mines supposed to be the richest in Mexico. These mines are generally owned by private companies, * Clark's Report. 108 DONIPHAN OCCUPIES CHIHUAHUA. composed of English or Spanish proprietors. At Chi- huahua, in this rich country and pleasant climate, the army of Doniphan rested in the bright days of spring. They had departed so far from the American lines of in- telligence, as to be ignorant of the situation or place of the American forces. The expedition had been planned with the idea that the corps of Doniphan would find the army of Wool at Chiliuahua ; but that army was not there. The reason we have already seen. Wool had encountered beyond Monclova the lofty ridges of the Sierra Madre, and been compelled to change his course to the south, and eventually to Saltillo.^ After waiting in vain for any ap- pearance of Wool, and having remained six weeks at Chi- huahua,^ the army at last took its line of march. Colonel Doniphan moved his corps from Chihuahua in three divis- ions, on the 25th, 26th, and 28th of April. Marching southwardly, through Cerro Gordo, Mapimi, and Parras, they reached Saltillo, three hundred and fifty miles fur- ther, on the 22d of May, 1847. Remaining but three days, on the 25th day of May they marched to Monterey. Pursuing their journey with rapid steps, they descended the Rio Grande, navigated the Gulf of Mexico, and arrived at New Orleans on the 15th of June. Here the volunteers were mustered out of the service of the United States, embarked on steamboats, and were soon returned to their homes in Missouri. In a little more than a year, this corps of volunteers, mustered from private life, had, by land and by water, — over mountain-tops and sandy plains, — ■ See Chapter 5th. " For a full and most interesting account of Doniphan's expedition, see " Doniphan's Expedition," by J. T. Hughes. Published by J. A. James &/ Co., Cincinnati. RETURNS TO THE UNITED STATES. 109 in snow and in rain, and in hot deserts, — amidst the homes of civilization and the wilds of savages, — amidst the fires of battle, the sports of the camp, and the adventures of the wild wilderness, pursued their unchecked career for five thousand miles ! Nor was this all. One detachment of this same corps, previous to the departure of the main body from Santa Fe, had marched another thousand miles in still wilder scenes and greater adventure. This was the detachment of Lt. Col. Gilpin, who was sent out towards the Rocky Mountains to overawe the Navajos Indians. This was a tribe which, unlike most tribes of Indians, lived in the pastoral slate, and inhabited the great unknown country lying between New Mexico and the Col- orado of the south. General Kearney had promised the New Mexicans protection from the incursions of this tribe. To carry out this intention, Gilpin's detacliment was sent into their country. This command actually crossed the Rocky Mountains, and descended into the valley of the Colorado of the south. Their march was full of new scenery, new dangers, and new adventures. Tribes of Indians unknown to the people of the United States were found and observed. The grizly bear, supposed to inhabit chiefly the polar regions, was here found a common tenant of the mountains. After this party had thus pursued its novel and most interesting march through the spurs and rivers, and wild tribes and wilder animals of the Rocky Mountains, it returned in time to join the long and adven- turous march of Doniphan to Chihuahua and the Gulf of Mexico.^ ' See the " Expedition of Doniphan," by J. T. Hughes, mentioned be- fore. The narrative of Mr. Hughes may be relied upon for accuracy, and ifi a graphic account of these remarkable adventures. K 110 SCOTT ORDERED TO MEXICO. CHAPTER VII. General Scott ordered to Mexico. — Letter of the Secretary of War to General Taylor. — Letter of the Secretary of War to General Scott. — General Scott leaves Washington. — His Letter to General Taylor. — Plan of appointing a Lieutenant-General. — Scott reaches the Rio Grande. — Condition of things there. — Withdraws a part of Taylor's Troops in compliance with the Orders of the War Department. On the 18th of November, General Scott was directed by the Secretary of War to hold himself in readiness to assume the command of the army destined to make a de- scent on Vera Cruz. The purpose of organizing a force for this object was communicated to General Tkylor in a letter from the Secretary of War, dated Washington, Oct. 22, 1846 : " I informed you in my last despatch, that in connec- tion with an invasion of Tamaulipas and attack on Tam- pico, an expedition against Vera Cruz was then under advisement. Upon a more full consideration of the sub- ject, it is believed that Vera Cruz may be taken, and having possession of that city, the castle of San Juan de Ulloa might possibly be reduced or compelled to surren- der. If the expedition could go forth without the object being known to the enemy, it is supposed that four thou- sand troops would be sufficient for the enterprise, re- ceiving as they would the co-operation of our naval force in the gulf; but at least ff teen hundred or two thousand of them should be of the regular army, and itnder the command SCOTT ORDERED TO MEXICO. Ill of officers best calculated for such an undertaking. In looking at the disposition of the troops, it appears to be scarcely possible to get the requisite number of regulars without drawing some of those noiv with you at Monterey, or on the way to that place. Should you decide against hold- ing military possession of any place in Coahuila or Chi- huahua, and order the troops under General Wool to join you, it is presumed that the requisite force for the expe- dition to Vera Cruz could be detached without interfering with your plans of operation. " You will therefore, unless it materially interferes with your own plan of operations, or weakens you too much in your present position, make the necessary arrangements for having four thousand men, of whom fifteen hundred or two thousand should be regular troops, ready to embark for Vera Cruz, or such other destination as may be given them, at the earliest practicable period. The place of embarkation will probably be the Brazos Santiago, or in that vicinity." On the 23d of November General Scott received the following order from the Secretary of War : — War Department, Washington, \ November 23d, 1846. \ Sir — The President, several days since, communicated in person to you his orders to repair to Mexico, to take the com- mand of the forces there assembled, and particularly to organ- ize and set on foot an expedition to operate on the Gulf coast, if, on arriving at the theatre of action, you shall deem it to be practicable. It is not proposed to control your operations by definite and positive instructions, but you are left to prosecute them as your judgment, under a full view of all the circum- stances, shall dictate. The work is before you, and the 112 MAKES THE ARRANGEMENTS. means provided, or to be provided, for accomplishing it, are committed to you, in the full confidence that you will use them to the best advantage. The objects which it is desirable to obtain have been in- dicated, and it is hoped that you will have the requisite force to accomplish them. Of this you must be the judge, when preparations are made, and the time for action arrived. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, W. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. General AViNfiELD Scott. General Scott imnnediately made all the arrangements to carry the plan into full effect. The requisite number of transports were to be provided, surf-boats for the land- ing of the troops constructed, a train of siege ordnance was to be collected and sent forward, and ten new regi- ments were to be added to the line of the army, at the earliest possible moment after the meeti/ig of Congress. In a very few days all the preliminary arrangements were completed, and General Scott left Washington on the 24th November, in the full belief that he enjoyed the con- fidence of the government, and that the conduct of the war, under general instructions, had beenrentirely confided to his discretion and judgment. The only reluctance which he felt in accepting the high trusts confided to him by the President, arose from an un- willingness to interfere, in the slightest degree, with the command of an old friend and brother soldier ; and this feeling was strongly expressed to General Taylor in a let- ter written from New York, November 25lh, 1846. Scott's letter to general taylor. 113 " I left Washington late in the day yesterday, and ex- pect to embark for New Orleans the 30th inst. By the 12th of December I may be in that city, at Point Isabel the 17th, and Camargo, say the 23d — in order to be with- in easy corresponding distance from you. It is not prob- able that I may be able to visit Monterey, and circum- stances may prevent your coming to me. I shall much regret not having an early opportunity of felicitating you in person upon your many brilliant achievements ; but we may meet somewhere in the interior of Mexico. " I am not coming, my dear general, to supersede you in the immediate command on the line of operations ren- dered illustrious by you and yotir gallant army. My pr^- ^, posed^lheatre is different. You may imagine it ; and I wish very much that it were prudent, at this distance, to tell you all that I expect to attempt or hope to execute. I have been admonished that despatches have been lost, and I have no special messenger at hand. Your imagi- nation will be aided by the letters of the Secretary of War, conveyed by Mr. Armistead, Major Graham, and Mr. M'Lane. " But, my dear general, I shall be obliged to take from you 'most of the gallant officers and men, (regulars and volunteers,) whom you have so long and so nobly com- manded. I am afraid that I shall, by imperious neces- sity — the approach of yellow fever on the Gulf coast — re- duce you, for a time, to stand on the defensive. This will be infinitely painful to you, and, for that reason, dis- tressing to me. But I rely upon your patriotism to sub- mit to the temporary sacrifice with cheerfulness. No man can better afford to do so. Recent victories place you on the high eminence ; and I even flatter myself that k2 8 1 14 SCOTT's letter to general TAYLOR. any benefit that may result to me, personally, from the unequal division of troops alluded to, will lessen the pain of your consequent inactivity. " You will be aware of the recent call for nine regi- ments of new volunteers, including one of Texas horse. The President may soon ask for many more ; and we are not without hope that Congress may add ten or twelve to the regular establishment. These, by the spring, say April, may, by the aid of large bounties, be in the field — should Mexico not earlier propose terms of accommoda- tion ; and, long before the spring, (March,) it is probable you will be again in force to resume offensive operations. " It was not possible for me to find time to write from Washington, as I much desired. I only received an inti- mation to hold myself in preparation for Mexico, on the 18th instant. Much has been done towards that end, and more remains to be executed. " Your detailed report of the operations at Monterey, and reply to the Secretary's despatch, by Lieutenant Armistead, were both received two days after I was in- structed to proceed south." Before ordering General Scott to Mexico, as subse- quently appeared by the statements of Senator Benton, the President had decided to create the office of lieuten- ant-general, and thus supersede, not only the scar-marked hero of Chippewa and Niagara, but also to tear the fresh laurels of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma from the brow of the gallant Taylor. After this plan had been finally arranged, the President sent for General Scott, and confided to him the command of the army in Mexico, and gave to him the most solemn assurance of his confidence and support. SCOTT SAILS FOR NEW ORLEANS. 115 Immediately on the opening of Congress the project of creating a higher militar}' grade was l)rought forward, and the friends of generals Scott and Taylor saw with alarm, that a plan was maturing by which they were both to be degraded to subordinate stations, and the entire direction of affairs in Mexico confided to other and untried hands. The friends of General Scott now saw that his apprehen- sions of an attack " from the rear," and which had been frankly expressed in his former letters, were indeed but too well founded ; and that notwithstanding the assurance given on his departure from Washington for the army, of the full and cordial support of the government, the plan of wresting from him the command, at the earliest pos- sible day, was then matured, and ready for speedy execu- tion. In view of all the circumstances, it is, perhaps, not uncharitable to suppose that he was selected for that com- mand, for the purpose of stirring up a spirit of rivalry be- tween his friends and those of General Taylor, and thus affording a plausible pretext for superseding them both. On the 30th of November General Scott sailed from New York, in the fullest confidence that the government was acting in good faith, and that every means would be furnished him for the prosecution of the war. Little did he then suppose, that before he could reach the theatre of active operations the government which had selected and sent him, would attempt to degrade him in the eyes of the world, by declaring, in effect, that he was unfit for the very place to which he had been so recently ap pointed. With the generous confidence of a brave soldier, who had otlen met the enemy in deadly conflict, he received through the President the plighted faith of the nation that 116 SCOTT REACHES THE RIO GRANDE. all was right. The President saw him depart in the ful- ness of this confidence, and yet before he reached the army, the proposition to supersede him was already there. Yes, the very army into which he was to breathe the in- spiration of hope — which he was to train and prepare for the deadly conflicts that awaited them — was informed, in advance, that the President had no confidence in their commander-in-chief. General Scott reached the Rio Grande about the first of January. Early in the month it became evident that some of the principal arrangements for the attack on Vera Cruz were not likely to be carried out by the government. The bill for raising the ten additional regiments was lost sight of by the administration, in the desire to carry their favorite project of placing a political partisan at the head of the army ; and this bill, which ought to have been passed in the first week of the session, was not finally disposed of till a day or two before the adjournment. What was the condition of things in Mexico at this critical period ? Santa Anna, with a force of twenty-two thousand men, was at San Luis Potosi, a fortified city containing sixty thousand inhabitants, and about equally distant from Mon- terey, Vera Cruz, and Mexico. General Taylor was in the vicinity of Monterey, in the command of a force of about eighteen thousand men, oc- cupying the long line from Saltillo to Camargo, and thence to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where General Scott had just arrived with a small force, for the purpose of at- tacking Vera Cruz as soon as possible. He well knew that the vomiio makes its appearance there in the early spring, and that delay would be fatal. The transports. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CAMPAIGN. 117 Stores, and munitions, were beginning to arrive. What was to be done ? Was the expedition against Vera Cruz to be abandoned, or was General Scott to go forward and do the best he could under circumstances so discouraging ? He adopted the latter alternative. He reviewed all the disposable forces within his command, and carefully weighed chances and probabilities. He forwarded to General Taylor a full plan of his proposed operations. By the capture and assassination of Lieutenant Ritchie, the bearer of these despatches, the plans were fully dis- closed to Santa Anna, and he became apprized that Vera Cruz was to be the main point of attack. At Vera Cruz, and its immediate vicinity, there were six or seven thou- sand men, and a much larger number coiTId be collected from the adjoining country on a short notice. Would Santa Anna break up his camp at San Luis Potosi, and march on Vera Cruz — fill the city and castle with his best troops, and oppose the landing of General Scott with a selected army of forty thousand men ? Or, was he like- ly to abandon the town and castle to their fate, thus leav- ing open the road to Mexico, and march with his whole force against General Taylor, over a desert of one hun- dred and fifty miles, with a certainty of having to encoun- ter his enemy either in the defiles of the mountains or from behind the impregnable battlements of Monterey ? Under such circumstances it became the duty of Gen- eral Scott so to divide the forces of the Rio Grande as would be most likely to meet any contingency that might arise. He collected the regular infantry — for these might be necessary to carry with the bayonet the fortified city and castle of Vera Cruz. He left within the limits of General Taylor's command, about ten thousand volun- 118 DIVISION OF THE FORCES, teers and several companies of the best artillery of the regular army. These General Taylor, might have con* centrated at Monterey, and General Scott suggested to him, in his instructions, to do so, if it became necessary. With this comparatively small force, General Taylor not only maintained all the posts within his command, but with the one half of it achieved the memorable victory of Buena Vista. General Scott assigned twelve thousand men to the ex- pedition against Vera Cruz, and had Santa Anna concen- trated his forces at that point, the disparity of numbers would have been much greater than at Buena Vista. These remarks are not made for the purpose of comparing the skill, or the conduct, or the claims to public gratitude of the two distinguished generals who have so well fulfil- led every trust reposed in them by their country ; but sim- ply to show that in the disposition of the forces made by General Scott, he did not take a larger portion for his own command than the interests of the service imperatively demanded. GENERAL TAYLOr's MOVEMENTS. 119 CHAPTER VIII. General Taylor's Movements. — Taylor's Position. — Santa Anna's Ad- vance. — Importance of the event. — Battle of Buena Vista. — Retreat of the Mexicans. — Taylor's Official Account. — Santa Anna's Report. In pursuance of orders fr(5hi the War Department, General Taylor, in the month of November, ordered the divisions of Generals Twiggs, Quitman, and Pillow from Monterey to Victoria, for the purpose of joining at Tam- pico the expedition against Vera Cruz. In the latter part of December, General Patterson's division left Matamoras for the same destination, by the route through Victoria ; while General Worth's division proceeded from Saltillo to Camargo, thence to Matamoras, and joined General Scott at the Brazos. At Victoria, on the 30th of December, 1846, General Taylor received information of Scott's departure for Mex- ico. Santa Anna, in the mean time, was at San Luis Potosi, with an army of twenty-two thousand men. In the latter part of January, 1847, General Taylor left Victoria and established his headquarters at Monterey, and early in February his whole force at this point, inclu- dmg the volunteers who had recently joined him, amounted to between six and seven thousand men. Soon after reaching Monterey, he received intelligence 120 GENERAL TAYLOR's POSITION. that a party of dragoons under Colonel May had been surprised at Encarnacion, in the early part of February, and that Cassius M. Clay and Majors Borland and Gaines were taken prisoners by General Minon, at the head of fifteen hundred men. These circunristances induced General Taylor to believe that Santa Anna in- tended advancing with his whole army, and he determined to proceed at once to Sallillo and give him battle. Leaving a force of fifteen hundred men, he departed from Monterey on the 31st of January, and reached Sal- tillo on the 2d of February. Having, in the mean time, been reinforced by five hundred men, his effective force was about five thousand. On the 4th of February he advanced to Agiia Nueva, a strong position on the road leading from Saltillo to San Luis. Here he remained until the 21st, when he received intelligence that Santa Anna was advancing with his whole army. Having carefully examined the strong mountain-passes, he de- cided that Buena Vista, a strong mountain-pass eleven miles nearer Saltillo, was the most favorable point to make a stand against a force so overwhelming. He therefore fell back to that place ; and having formed his army in order of battle, calmly awaited the approach of the enemy. The position of the American army at this moment was most critical. The regular troops had been with- drawn, with the exception of four companies of artillery, and even these had been filled up by new levies. The volunteers, of which the army was mainly composed, had received some instruction in the regular duties of the camp, but had not attained that perfection in disci- pline which gives confidence in mihtary operations. CHOOSES HIS BATTLE-GROUND. 121 The army of Santa Anna was admirably equipped. It was composed of the flower of the Mexican nation^ and numbered more than four to one of the army which it came to conquer. Hope and dire necessity both urged them to victory. Those who remembered that the American arms had triumphed at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterey, well knew that the regular soldiers, who had contributed so largely to those victories, had been ordered to distant fields of operations ; and that even courage and enthusiasm, without discipline, are un- availing against multiplied numbers. The commander, Santa Anna, had well considered the advantages he would derive from this movement, if suc- cessful, and all the chances were in his favor. Could he have driven General Taylor from his position at Buena Vista, he would have swe{)t down to Camargo, and over the whole valley of the Rio Grande. All the munitions of war, provisions, camp equipage, and public property of every description would have fallen into his hands, and the American troops would have been driven from every inch of ground which they occupied in the Mexican territory. If defeated, Santa Anna well knew that his moral power over his army would be broken. The desert in his rear, and over which he had just passed, could not be traversed by a retreating and dispirited army without great loss and suffering. The fate of his country seemed suspended on the issue of a single battle. His own fame, his place in history, were both to be decided in the com- ing conflict. On the 22d of February, a day memorable in American history, General Taylor saw the Mexican host approach L \ ~~^^^ III -*.!ilt*'= Mexican i=i« Infautn-, i^ Cavalry, '|' Artillery, moving to the attack. United States = Infantry, ^ Cavalry, t Artillery, receiving the attack. Tfy Lieut. Col. Mansfield, Corp. Engineers. IMPORTANCE OF THE RESULT. 123 the narrow mountain-pass which he had selected as the Thermopylae of his army. The position of the two armies at, and soon after the commencement of the battle, is shown by the map. The enemy's right, opposite to our left, is concentrated in col- umns of attack behind a spur of the mountain, and his riflemen are on the side of the inaccessible mountain firing across a deep gully at our riflemen on the same moun- tain. A small eminence and spur of the mountain be- tween them is unoccupied by either party. On our ex- treme left is the 3d Indiana regiment, supported by three pieces of artillery, one of which was lost in the onset of the morning; next, is the 1st Illinois regiment, with a piece of artillery on either flank ; next, two pieces of ar- tillery and a squadron of dragoons ; next, two pieces of artillery and the 2d Kentucky foot ; next, four companies of the 2d Illinois regiment on a spur of the plateau, at the foot of which is a parapet across the road, behind which are four pieces of artillery and two companies of the 2d Illinois regiment. A little to the rear is the 2d In- diana regiment on an eminence, behind which is a squad- ron of dragoons ; and still further to the rear, near the rancho of Buena Vista, is the 1st Mississippi regiment, and one piece of artillery just arrived from Saltillo under General Taylor. In rear of our extreme left, on the edge of the plateau, are the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry. General Taylor, in reviewing his army, could not but recollect that the troops which formed his first encamp- ment at Corpus Christi, and had shared with him the toils and triumphs of the campaign of 1846, were not in his line of battle. New men had come to replace them. Would these, as those, stand firm amid sheets of 124 AMERICAN ARMY VICTORIOUS. flame, the roar of artillery, and the impetuous rush of the charge ? Were they worthy successors of the old guards, who would die at their posts, facing the enemy ? These are questions which must have agitated the mind of the commander on the eve of that great battle. Fortunately for the country they have been all rightly answered. His own great example appears to have supplied the want of discipline, and inspired the troops with heroic enthusiasm. The volunteer is changed into the regular soldier ; the citizen of yesterday becomes the veteran of to-day ; and the American arms are everywhere triumphant. The solid Mexican phalanx of twenty-two thousand men, armed and equipped for victory, have melted away before the steady fire of the artillery, and the deadly aim of the American rifle. When the last struggle for victory is made, and Santa Anna rallies his broken columns for a final charge ; when the American regiments occupying the advance yield to superior numbers and fall back in confusion on the reserves, and the day seems lost ; the commanding general hurries to the point where the battle is to be decided, orders the artillery to face about and unlimber, and gives the emphatic order, " A little more grape, Captain Bragg !" This saves the day. The Mex- ican columns now waver and halt. The curtains of night close down over the battle-field ; the wounded and the dying rest in their gory bed ; and the wearied officer and exhausted soldier sink together to repose. The importance of this victory to the American arms cannot be exaggerated. It secured the whole frontier of the Rio Grande, and struck terror and dismay into the hearts of the Mexican nation. It was, in fact, the first great turning point of the war. GENERAL TAYLOr's OFFICIAL REPORT. 125 To the commander, General Taylor, the thanks of the country have been tendered in many ways for his signal ability, courage, and steadiness under circumstances so critical and trying. The general himself, with a magna- nimity and modesty equalled only by his merits, has expressed his obligations to those who acted under him, of all grades of service. To them he has said that the country owes much. Their patient endurance of fatigue and privation ; their cheerful submission to the rigorous discipHne of the camp; their noble bearing in the hour of danger ; their gallant conduct on the battle-field, gave to the army its efliciency and ensured its final triumph. The following is General Taylor's official Report : " HEAOaUARTERS, ArMY OF OCCUPATION, " Agua Nueva, March 6th, 1847. " To THE Hon. Secretary of War : " Sir : — I have the honor to submit a detailed report of the operations of the forces under my command, which resulted in the engagement of Buena Vista, the repulse of the Mexican army, and the reoccupation of this position. " The information which reached me of the advance and concentration of a heavy Mexican force in my front, had assumed such a probable form as to induce a special examination far beyond the reach of our pickets to ascer- tain its correctness. A small party of Texan spies, under Major McCullough, despatched to the hacienda of Encar- nacion, thirty miles from tliis, on the route to San Luis Potosi, had reported a cavalry force of unknown strength l2 126 Taylor's official despatch. at that place. On the 20lh of February, a strong recon- noissance, under Lieutenant-colonel May, was despatched to the hacienda of Hecliondo, while Major McCullough made another examination of Encarnacion. The result of these expeditions left no doubt that the enemy was in large force at Encarnacion, under the orders of General Santa Anna, and that he meditated a forward movement and attack upon our position. " As the camp of Agua Nueva could be turned on either flank, and as the enemy's force was greatly supe- rior to our own, particularly in the arm of cavalry, I de- termined, after much consideration, to take up a position about eleven miles in rear, and there await the attack. The army broke up its camp and marched at noon on the 21st, encamping at the new position a little in front of the hacienda of Buena Vista. With a small force I proceed- ed to Saltillo, to make some necessary arrangements for the defence of the town, leaving Brigadier-General Wool in the immediate command of the troops. " Before these arrangements were completed, on the morning of the 22d, I was advised that the enemy was iu sight, advancing. Upon reaching the ground it was found that his cavalry advance was in our front, having marched from Encarnacion, as we have since learned, at eleven o'clock the day previous, and driving in a mounted force left at Agua Nueva to cover the removal of public stores. Our troops were in position, occupying a line of remark- able strength. The road at this point becomes a narrow defile, the valley on its right being rendered quite imprac- ticable for artillery by a succession of deep and impassa- ble gullies, while on the left a succession of rugged ridges and precipitous ravines extends far back towards the mouii- Taylor's official despatch. 127 tain which bounds the valley. The features of the grouna were such as nearly to paralyze the artillery and cavalry of the enemy, while his infantry could not derive all the advantage of its numerical superiority. In this position we prepared to receive him. Captain Washington's bat- tery (Fourth artillery) was posted to command the road, while the First and Second Illinois regiments, under Colonels Hardin and Bissell, each eight companies, (to the latter of which was attached Captain Conner's com- pany of Texas volunteers,) and the Second Kentucky, under Colonel McKee, occupied the crests of the ridges on the left and in rear. The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments of cavalry, commanded by Colonels Yell and H. Marshall, occupied the extreme left near the base of the mountain, while the Indiana brigade, under Brigadier-General Lane, (composed of the Second and Third regiments, under Colonels Bowles and Lane,) the Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, the squadrons of the First and Second dragoons, under Captain Steene and Lieutenant-colonel May, and the light batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg, Third artillery, were held in reserve. " At eleven o'clock I received from General Santa An- na a summons to surrender at discretion, which, with a copy of my reply, I have already transmitted. The ene- my still forebore his attack, evidently waiting for the arri- val of his rear columns, which could be distinctly seen by our look-outs as they approached the field. A demonstra- tion made on his left caused me to detach the Second Kentucky regiment and a section of artillery to our right, in which position they bivouacked for the night. In the mean time the Mexican light troops had engaged ours on 128 Taylor's official despatch. the extreme left, (composed of parts of the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry dismounted, and a rifle battahon from the Indiana brigade under Major Gorman, the whole command- ed by Colonel Marshall,) and kept up a sharp fire, cHmbing the mountain side, and apparently endeavoring to gain our flank. Three pieces of Captain Washington's battery had been detached to the left, and were supported by the Second Indiana regiment. An occasional shell w^as thrown by the enemy into this part of our line, but without effect. The skirmishing of the hght troops was kept up with tri- fling loss on our part until dark, when I became convinced that no serious attack would be made before the morning, and returned, with the Mississippi regiment and squadron of Second dragoons, to Saltillo. The troops bivouacked without fires, and laid upon their arms. A body of cav- alry, some fifteen hundred strong, had been visible all day in rear of the town, having entered the valley through a narrow pass, east of the city. This cavalry, commanded by General Minon, had evidently been thrown in our rear to break up and harass our retreat, and perhaps make some attempt against the town, if practicable. The city was occupied by four excellent companies of Illinois vol- unteers, under Major Warren, of the First regiment. A field-work, which commanded most of the approaches, was garrisoned by Captain Webster's company. First artillery, and armed with two twenty-four pound how- itzers, while the train and head-quarter camp was guarded by two companies of Mississippi riflemen, under Captain Rogers, and a field-piece, commanded by Captain Shover, Third artillery. Having made these dispositions for the protection of the rear, I proceeded on the morning of the 23d to Buena Vista, ordering forward all the other avail- Taylor's official despatch. 129 able troops. The action had commenced before my arri- val on the field. " During the evening and night of the 22d, the enemv had thrown a body of light troops on the mountain side, with the purpose of oulflanking our left ; and it was here that the action of the 23d commenced at an early hour. Our riflemen, under Colonel Marshall, who had been reinforced by three companies under Major Trail, Second Illinois volunteers, maintained their ground hand- somely against a greatly superior force, holding themselves under cover, and using their weapons with deadly effect. About eight o'clock, a strong demonstration was made against the centre of our position, a heavy column moving , along the road. This force was soon dispersed by a few rapid and well-directed shots from Captain Washington's battery. In the mean time the enemy was concentrating a large force of infantry and cavalry under cover of the ridges, with the obvious intention of forcing our left, which was posted on an extensive plateau. The Second Indiana and Second Illinois regiments formed this part of our line, the former covering three pieces of light artil- lery, under the orders of Captain O'Brien — Brigadier- General Lane being in the immediate command. In order to bring his men within effective range, General Lane ordered the artillery and Second Indiana regiment forward. The artillery advanced within musket-range of a heavy body of Mexican infantry, and was served against it with great effect, but without being able to check its advance. The infantry ordered to its support had fallen back in disorder, being exposed, as well as the battery, not only to a severe fire of small-arms from the front, but also to a murderous cross-fire of grape and canister, from ■J 130 Taylor's official despatch. a Mexican battery on the left. Captain O'Brien found it impossible to retain his position without support, but was only able to withdraw two of his pieces, all the horses and cannoniers of the third piece being killed or disabled. The Second Indiana regiment, which had fallen back as stated, could not be rallied, and took no farther part in the action, except a handful of men, who, under its gallant colonel, Bowles, joined the Mississippi regiment, and did good service, and those fugitives who, at a later period in the day, assisted in defending the train and depot at Buena Vista. This portion of our line having given way, and the enemy appearing in overwhelming force against our left flank, the light troops which had rendered such good ser- vice on the mountain were compelled to withdraw, which they did, for the most part, in good order. Many, how- ever, were not rallied until they reached the depot at Buena Vista, to the defence of which they afterwards con- tributed. " Col. Bissell's regiment, (Second Illinois,) which had been joined by a section of Captain Sherman's battery, had become completely outflanked, and was compelled to fall back, being entirely unsupported. The enemy was now pouring masses of infantry and cavalry along the base of the mountain on our left, and was gaining our rear in great force. At this moment I arrived upon the field. The Mississippi regiment had been directed to the left before reaching the position, and immediately came into action against the Mexican infantry which had turned our flank. The Second Kentucky regiment, and a section of artillery under Captain Bragg, had previously been or- dered from the right to reinforce our left, and arrived at a most opportune moment. That regiment, and a portion Taylor's official despatch. 131 of the First Illinois, under Colonel Hardin, gallantly drove the enemy, and recovered a portion of the ground w^e had lost. The batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg were in position on the plateau, and did much execution, not only in front, but particularly upon the masses which had gained our rear. Discovering that the enemy was heavily pressing upon the Mississippi regiment, the Third In- diana regiment, under Colonel Lane, was despatched to strengthen that part of our line which formed a crotchet perpendicular to the first line of battle. At the same time Lieutenant Kilburn, with a piece of Captain Bragg's bat- tery, was directed to support the infantry there engaged. The action was for a long time warmly sustained at that point — the enemy making several efforts both with in- fantry and cavalry against our line, and being always re- pulsed with heavy loss. I had placed all the regular cavalry and Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse under the orders of Brevet Lieutenant-colonel May, with directions to hold in check the enemy's column, still ad- vancing to the rear along the base of the mountain, which was done in conjunction with the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry, iinder Colonels Marshall and Yell. " In the mean time our left, which was still strongly threatened by a superior force, was farther strengthened by the detachment of Captain Bragg's and a portion of Captain Sherman's batteries to that quarter. The con- centration of artillery-fire upon the masses of the enemy along the base of the mountain, and the determined resist- ance offered by the two regiments opposed to them, had created confusion in their ranks, and some of the corps attempted to effect a retreat upon their main line of battle. The squadron of the First dragoons, under Lieutenant 132 Taylor's official despatch. Rucker, was now ordered up thedeep ravine which these retreating corps were endeavoring to cross, in order to charge and disperse them. The squadron proceeded to the point indicated, but could not accomphsh the object, being exposed to a heavy fire from a battery estabhshed to cover the retreat of those corps. While the squadron was de- tached on this service, a large body of the enemy was ob- served to concentrate on our extreme left, apparently with the view of making a descent upon the hacienda of Buena Vista, where our train and baggage were deposited. Lieutenant-colonel May was ordered to the support of that point, with two pieces of Captain Sherman's battery under Lieutenant Reynolds. In the mean time, the scat- tered forces near the hacienda, composed in part of Majors Trail and Gorman's commands, had been to some extent organized under the advice of Major Munroe, chief of ar- tillery, with the assistance of Major Morrison, volunteer staff, and were posted to defend the position. Before our cavalry had reached the hacienda, that of the enemy had made its attack ; having been handsomely met by the Ken- tucky and Arkansas cavalry under Colonels Marshall and Yell. The Mexican column immediately divided, one portion sweeping by the depot, where it received a de- structive fire from the force which had collected there, and then gaining the mountain opposite, under a fire from Lieutenant Reynolds' section, the remaining portion re- gaining the base of the mountain on our left. Li the charge at Buena Vista, Colonel Yell fell gallantly at the head of his regiment ; we also lost Adjutant Vaughan, of the Kentucky cavalry — a young officer of much promise. Lieutenant-colonel May, who had been rejoined by the squadron of the First dragoons and by portions of the Taylor's official despatch. 133 Arkansas and Indiana troops, under Lieutenant-colonel Roane and Major Gorman, now approached the base of the mountain, holding in check the right flank of the ene- my, upon whose masses, crowded in the narrow gorges and ravines, our artillery was doing fearful execution. " The position of that portion of the Mexican army which had gained our rear was now very critical, and it seemed doubtful whether it could regain the main body. At this moment I received from General Santa Anna a message by a staff officer, desiring to know what I want- ed. I immediately despatched Brigadier-general Wool to the Mexican general-in-chief, and sent orders to cease firing. Upon reaching the Mexican lines, General Wool could not cause the enemy to cease their fire, and accord- ingly returned without having an interview. The extreme right of the enemy continued its retreat along the base of the mountain, and finally, in spite of all our efforts, effect- ed a junction with the remainder of the army. " During the day, the cavalry of General Minon had ascended the elevated plain above Saltillo, and occupied the road from the city to the field of battle, where they intercepted several of our men. Approaching the town, they were fired upon by Captain Webster, from the re- doubt occupied by his company, and then moved off to- wards the eastern side of the valley, and obliquely towards Buena Vista. At this time, Captain Shover moved rapid- ly forward with his piece, supported by a miscellaneous command of mounted volunteers, and fired several shots at the cavalry with great effect. They were driven into the ravines which lead to the lower valley, closely pursued by Captain Shuver, who was farther supported by a piece of Captain Webster's battery, under Lieutenant Donald- M 134 Taylor's official despatch. ♦ son, which had advanced from the redoubt, supported by Captain Wheeler's company of Ilhnois volunteers. The enemy made one or two efforts to charge the artillery, but was finally driven back in a confused mass, and did not again appear upon the plain. " In the mean time, the firing had partially ceased upon the principal field. The enemy seemed to confine his efforts to the protection of his artillery, and I had left the plateau for a moment, when I was recalled thither by a very heavy musketry fire. On regaining that position, 1 discovered that our infantry (Illinois and Second Ken- tucky) had engaged a greatly superior force of the ene- my — evidently his reserve — and that they had been over- whelmed by numbers. The moment was most critical. Captain O'Brien, with two pieces, had sustained this heavy charge to the last, and was finally obliged to leave his guns on the field — his infantry support being entirely routed. Captain Bragg, who had just arrived from the left, was ordered at once into battery. Without any in- fantry to support him, and at the imminent risk of losing his guns, this officer came rapidly into action, the Mexi- can line being but a few yards from the muzzle of his pieces. The first discharge of canister caused the enemy to hesitate ; the second and third drove him back in dis- order and saved the day. The Second Kentucky regi- ment, which had advanced beyond supporting distance in this affair, was driven back and closely pressed by the enemy's cavalry. Taking a ravine which led in the direction of Captain Washington's battery, their pursuers became exposed to his fire, which soon checked and drove them back with loss. In the mean time the rest of our artillery had taken position on the plateau, covered by the •'- ' '— 135 TAYLORS OFFICIAL DESPATCH. Mississippi and Third Indiana regiments, the former of which had reached the ground in time to pour a fire into the right flank of the enemy, and thus contribute to his repulse. " In this last conflict we had the misfortune to sus- tain a very heavy loss. Colonel Hardin, First Illinois, and Colonel McKee and Lieutenant-colonel Clay, Second Kentucky regiment, fell at this time, while gallantly lead- ing their commands. " No farther attempt was made by the enemy to force our position, and the approach of night gave an opportu- nity to pay proper attention to the wounded, and also to refresh the soldiers, who had been exhausted by incessant watchfulness and combat. Though the night was severe- ly cold, the troops were compelled for the most to bivouac without fires, expecting that morning would renew the conflict. During the night the wounded were removed to 8altillo, and every preparation made to receive the enemy, should he again attack our position. Seven fresh com- panies were drawn from the town, and Brigadier-general Marshall, with a reinforcement of Kentucky cavalry and four heavy guns, under Captain Prentiss, First artillery, was near at hand, when it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned his position during the night. Our scouts soon ascertained that he had fallen back upon Agua Nueva. The great disparity of numbers, and the exhaustion of our troops, rendered it inexpedient and hazardous to attempt pursuit. A stafl" ofiicer was despatched to General Santa Anna, to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, which was satisfactorily completed on the following day. Our own dead were collected and buried, and the Mexican wound- ed, of which a large number had been left upon the field, 136 ' TAYLOR S OFFICIAL DESPATCH. were removed to Sal till o, and rendered as connfortable as circunastances would permit. " On the evening of the 26th, a close reconnoissance was made of the enemy's position, which was found to be occupied only by a small body of cavalry, the infantry and artillery having retreated in the direction of San Luis Potosi. On the 27th, our troops resumed their former camp at Agua Nueva, the enemy's rear-guard evacuating the place as we approached, leaving a considerable number of wounded. It was my purpose to beat up his quarters at Encarnacion early the next morning, but upon exami- nation, the weak condition of the cavalry horses rendered it unadvisable to attempt so long a march without water. A command was finally despatched to Encarnacion, on the 1st of March, under Colonel Belknap. Some two hundred wounded, and about sixty Mexican soldiers were found there, the army having passed on in the direction of Matehuala, with greatly reduced numbers, and suf- fering much from hunger. The dead and dying were strewed upon the road and crowded the buildings of the hacienda. " The American force engaged in the action of Buena Vista is shown, by the accompanying field report, to have been three hundred and thirty-four oflicers, and four thou- sand four hundred and twenty-five men, exclusive of the small command left in and near Saltillo. Of this number, two squadrons of cavalry and three batteries of light artil- lery, making not more than four hundred and fifty-three men, composed the only force of regular troops. The strength of the Mexican army is slated by General Santa Anna, in his summons, to be twenty thousand ; and that estimate is confirmed by all the information since obtained. Taylor's official despatch. 137 Our loss is two hundred and sixty-seven killed, four hun- dred and fifty-six wounded, and twenty-three missing. Of the numerous wounded, many did not require removal to the hospital, and it is hoped that a comparatively small number will be permanently disabled. The Mexican loss in killed and wounded may be fairly estimated at one thousand and five hundred, and will probably reach two thousand. At least five hundred of their killed were left upon the field of battle. We have no means of ascertain- ing the number of deserters and dispersed men from their ranks, but it is known to be very great. " Our loss has been especially severe in ofiicers, twen- ty-eight having been killed upon the field. We have to lament the death of Captain George Lincoln, assistant adjutant-general, serving in the staff" of General Wool — a young officer of high bearing and approved gallantry, who fell early in the action. No loss falls more heavily upon the army in the field than that of Colonels Hardin and McKee, and Lieutenant-colonel Clay. Possessing in a remarkable degree the confidence of their commands, and the last two having enjoyed the advantage of a military education, I had looked particularly to them for support in case we met the enemy. I need not say that their zeal in engaging the enemy, and the cool and steadfast courage with which they maintained their positions during the day, fully realized my hopes, and caused me to feel yet more sensibly their untimely loss. " I perform a grateful duty in bringingto the notice of the government the general good conduct of the troops. Exposed for successive nights, without fires, to the se- verity of the weather, they v/ere very prompt and cheer- ful in the discharge of every duty ; and finally displayed m2 138 Taylor's official despatch. conspicuous steadiness and gallantry in repulsing, at great odds, a disciplined foe,' While the brilliant success achieved by their arms releases me from the painful ne- cessity of specifying many cases of bad conduct before the enemy, I feel an increased obligation to mention par- ticular corps and officers, whose skill, coolness, and gal- lantry in trying situations, and under a continued and heavy fire, seem to merit particular notice. " To Brigadier-general Wool my obligations are espe- cially due. The high state of discipline and instruction of several of the volunteer regiments was attained under his command, and to his vigilance and arduous service before the action, and his gallantry and activity on the field, a large share of our success may justly be attribu- ted. During most of the engagement he was in immedi- ate command of the troops thrown back on ©ur left flank. I beg leave to recommend him to the favorable notice of the government. Brigadier-general Lane (slightly wound- ed) was active and zealous throughout the day, and dis- played great coolness and gallantry before the enemy. " The services of the light artillery, always conspicu- ous, were more than usually distinguished. Moving rap- idly over the roughest ground, it was always in action at the right place and the right time, and its well-directed fire dealt destruction in the masses of the enemy. While I recommend to particular favor the gallant conduct and valuable services of Major Munroe, chief of artillery, and Captains Washington, Fourth artillery, and Sherman and Bragg, Third artillery, commanding batteries, I deem it no more than just to mention all the subaltern officers. They were nearly all detached at different times, and in every situation exhibited conspicuous skill and gallantry. « TAYLOR'S OFFICIAL DESPATCH ' 139 Captain O'Brien, Lieutenants Brent, Whiting, and Couch, Fourth artillery, and Bryan, topographical engineers, (slightly wounded,) were attached to Captain Washing- ton's battery. Lieutenants Thomas, Reynolds, and French, Third artillery, (severely wounded,) to that of Captain Sherman ; and Captain Shover and Lieutenant Kilburn, Third artillery, to that of Captain Bragg. Cap- lain Shover, in conjunction with Lieutenant Donaldson, First artillery, rendered gallant and important service in repulsing the cavalry of General Minon. The regular cavalry, under Lieutenant-colonel May, with which was associated Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse, rendered useful service in holding the enemy in check and in covering the batteries at several points. Captain Steene, First dragoons, was severely wounded early in the day, while gallantly endeavoring, with my authority, to rally the troops which were falling to the rear. " The Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, were highly conspicuous for their gallantry and steadiness, and sustained throughout the engagement the reputation of veteran troops. Brought into action against an immensely superior force, they maintained themselves for a long time unsupported and with heavy loss, and held an im- portant part of the field until reinforced. Colonel Davis, though severely wounded, remained in the saddle until the close of the action. His distinguished coolness and gallantry at the head of his regiment on this day, entitle him to the particular notice of the government. The Third Lidiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, and a frag- ment of the Second, under Colonel Bowles, were asso- ciated with the Mississippi regiment during the greater portion of the day, and acquitted themselves creditably 140 Taylor's official despatch. in repulsing ihe attempts of the enenniy to break that por- tion of our Hne. The Kentucky cavalry, under Colonel Marshall, rendered good service dismounted, acting as light troops on our left, and afterwards, with a portion of the Arkansas regiment, in meeting and dispersing the column of cavalry at Buena Vista. The First and Sec- ond Illinois, and the Kentucky regiments, served immedi- ately under my eye, and I bear a willing testimony to their excellent conduct throughout the day. The spirit and gallantry with which the First Illinois and Second Ken- tucky engaged the enemy in the morning, restored confi- dence to that part of the field, while the list of casualties will show how much these three regiments suffered in sustaining the heavy charge of the enemy in the afternoon. Captain Conner's company of Texas volunteers, attached to the Second Illinois regiment, fought bravely, its cap- tain being wounded and two subalterns killed. Colonel Bissell, the only surviving colonel of these regiments, merits notice for his coolness and bravery on this occa- sion. After the fall of the field-officers of the First Illi- nois and Second Kentucky regiments, the command of the former devolved upon Lieutenatit-colonel Weather- ford ; that of the latter, upon Major Fry. " Regimental commanders and others who have ren- dered reports, speak in general terms of the good con- duct of their officers and men, and have specified many names, but the limits of this report forbid a recapitulation of them here. I may, however, mention Lieutenants Rucker and Campbell of the dragoons, and Captain Pike, Arkansas cavalry, commanding squadrons ; Lieutenant- colonel Field, Kentucky cavalry ; Lieutenant-colonel Roane, Arkansas cavalry, upon whom the command de- Taylor's official despatch. 141 volved after the fall of Colonel Yell ; Major Bradford, Captain Sharpe, (severely wounded,) and Adjutant Grif- fith, Mississippi regiment ; Lieutenant-colonel Hadden, Second Indiana regiment, and Lieutenant Robinson, aid- de-camp to General Lane ; Lieutenant-colonel Weather- ford, First Illinois regiment ; Lieutenant-colonel Morrison, Major Trail, and Adjutant Whiteside, (severely wounded,) Second Illinois regiment ; and Major Fry, Second Ken- tucky regiment, as being favorably noticed for gallantry and good conduct. Major McCulloch, quartermaster in the volunteer service, rendered important services before the engagement, in the command of a spy company, and during the affair was associated with the regular cavalry. To Major Warren, First Illinois volunteers, I feel much indebted for his firm and judicious course, while exer- cising command in the city of Saltillo. " The medical staff, under the able direction of Assist- ant-surgeon Hitchcock, were assiduous in attention to the wounded on the field, and' in their careful removal to the rear. Both in these respects, and in the subsequent or- ganization and service of the hospitals, the administration of this department was every thing that could be wished. " Brigadier-general Wool speaks in high terms of the officers of his staff, and I take pleasure in mentioning them here, having witnessed their activity and zeal upon the field. Lieutenant and Aid-de-camp McDowell, Colo- nel Churchill, inspector-general. Captain Chapman, as- sistant-quartermaster. Lieutenant Sitgreaves, topograph- ical engineers, and Captains Howard and Davis, volun- teer service, are conspicuously noticed by the General for their gallantry and good conduct. Messrs. March, Ad- dicks, Potts, Harrison, Burgess, and Dusenbery, attached 142 Taylor's official despatch. in various capacities to General Wool's headquarters, are likewise mentioned for their intelligent alacrity in convey- ing orders to all parts of the field. " In conclusion, I beg leave to speak of my own staff, to whose exertions in rallying troops and communicating orders I feel greatly indebted. Major Bliss, assistant- adjutant-general, Captain J, H. Eaton, and Lieutenant R. S. Garnett, aids-de-camp, served near my person, and were prompt and zealous in the discharge of every duty. Major Munroe, besides rendering valuable service as chief of artillery, was active and instrumental, as were also Colonels Churchill and Belknap, inspectors-general, in rallying troops and disposing them for the defence of the train and baggage. Colonel Whiting, quartermaster- general, and Captain Eaton, chief of the subsistence de- partment, were engaged with the duties of their depart- ments, and also served in my immediate staff on the field. Captain Sibley, assistant-quartermaster, was necessarily left with the headquarter camp near town, where his ser- vices were highly useful. Major Mansfield and Lieuten- ant Benham, engineers, and Captaiii Linnard and Lieu- tenants Pope and Franklin, topographical engineers, were employed before and during the engagement in making reconnoissances, and on the field were very active in bring- ing information and in conveying my orders to distant points. Lieutenant Kingsbury, in addition to his proper duties as ordnance officer, Captain Chilton, assistant- quartermaster, and Majors Dix and Coffee, served also as extra aids-de-camp, and were actively employed in the transmission of orders. Mr. Thomas L. Crittenden, of Kentucky, though not in service, volunteered as my aid- de-camp on this occasion, and served with credit in that SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 143 capacity. Major Craig, chief of ordnance, and Surgeon Craig, medical director, had been detached on duly from headquarters, and did not reach the ground until the morn- ing of the 24lh — too late to participate in the action, but in time to render useful services in their respective de- partments of the staff." In this battle the American arms acquired new glory, and the commanding general w^on imperishable laurels. His cool courage — his presence at every point where duty called him — his self-possession and apparent confidence in the final result, inspired a heroic ardor, and contributed largely to those daring and sustained efforts which finally turned back and overwhelmed the Mexican hosts. We here add Santa Anna's final report : " In my despatch from the battle-field of Angostura, dated the 23d, I promised to give you details of the ac tion of the 23d, so soon as I should effect the 'movement which our entire lack of water and of all supplies made indispensable. In those engagements the army and the nation have restored the lustre of their arms, by over- coming obstacles inconceivable to all save those who wit- nessed them. These arose, not only from the difficulties of this contest, and of our own situation, but also from the rigor of the season, and the exhaustion of the country along an almost desert route of over fifty leagues, that was destitute of good water, and of all save the most lim- ited supplies. " The supreme government was informed by commu- nications made before my leaving San Luis, that the army under my command would not commence its operations till the end of winter, as I knew by experience the severe climate of the region, which was also scant of habitations, 144 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. provisions, shelter, and even of fuel. I therefore resolved to go on organizing, drilling, arming, and clothing the army ; and, in a word, to put into a military shape the forces which had just been assembled. My intentions, however, could not be maturely realized. " The want of pecuniary resources embarrassed all my dispositions. The soldiers, though well disposed to com- bat with the enemy, had been badly supplied for a month, and would soon have been in want even of food, but that the exertions of the commanders of corps prevented that destitution from driving them from their ranks. While those meritorious men were suffering all kinds of priva- tion, certain writers, from ignorance, want of reflection, party spirit, or, perhaps, from mistaken patriotism, were zealously engaged in thwarting the plans which might otherwise have proved successful. This they did by unjust charges against the army and particular individuals, whom they abused for not marching to the conflict, accusing them of want of decision, and asserting that the position of the army at San Luis was more threatening to our lib- erties than to the enemy. In the clubs of that capital they labored with assiduity to make the army the instru- ment of a revolt ; but I frustrated their intrigues by time- ly steps. There was one writer who had the audacity to intimate that I was in collusion with the enemy. Yes, I, to whonii they may attribute errors, but whose whole pre- vious course has shown the most elevated patriotism ! Traitors are they, who seek not only to traduce me, but, by their detraction of the army, to unnerve its vigor for the service of the country. It seems as if a fatality di- rects the destinies of this nation, and interdicts a unanim- ity of the public will for its defence ; and from this fatal SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 145 blindness, the moment when every heart and every aspi' ration should be directed to one object, is the very junc tare when division and distrust are disseminated. Behold me, then, compelled by every circumstance to change my plans. Desertion had already commenced to a shameful extent ; and I was fully persuaded that if the scarcity should continue, the army would be dishonorably frittered away. I therefore resolved that, if annihilated, it should be with glory. Having no supplies, I, to obtain them, compromited my private fortune and the credit of myself and friends. All this procured me the sum of one hun- dred and eighty thousand dollars, with which I was able to furnish the needful supplies to the army for twelve days. I knew well the country we had to cross, and the necessity there would be for canying provisions ; and I sympathized in anticipation with the soldier for what he would endure from the rigor of the season ; but to render good service to the country, and save its honor, I had to overlook all this. " The army moved from San Luis by brigades, so as to render available the scanty resources aflforded by the country we were to cross. The force consisted of thir- teen thousand four hundred and thirty-two infantry, divi- ded into twenty-eight battalions ; four thousand three hundred and thirty-eight cavalry, in thirty-nine squadrons ; and a train of artillery of three twenty-four pounders, three sixteen-pounders, five twelve-pounders, five eight-pound- ers, and a seven-inch howitzer, all served by four hundred and thirteen artillerymen — the total being eighteen thou- sand one hundred and thirty-three men. Of this force there remained behind, the garrison of the works at San Luis, and others which I allotted to the towns on the route ; as N 10 146 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. also two squadrons to escort our small and only reserve of ammunition ; a brigade of infantry, of two battalions, under General Don Ciriaco Vasquez, which remained as a corps of reserve in Matehuala, and of observation upon Tula ; as also a brigade of cavalry, under General Don Jose Urrea. The latter was intended to pass Tula, and move through Tamaulipas to the neighborhood of Monte- rey, so as to call the enemy's attention to that quarter. The pomt of concentration for the brigades ought neces- sarily to be near this place, so that in the region through which they had to move, many troops might not be at once thrown together. I therefore fixed on the hacienda of Encarnacion for that point, it being, as I calculated, the last stage but one of my march. I there held a review of the army, which had already lost a thousand men by sickness and desertion. The former was caused by the scantiness and bad quality of food, and still more of water, which was brackish as well as scarce, as also by snow-storms and the exposure of the troops, who had al- ways to be in bivouac and without fuel. These snow- storms obliged me to suspend the march two days, till the weather became more settled ; for the cold had already caused the death of several men and horses, and I felt bound by every means to diminish the losses we were in- cnrring. These hardships will account for the number of desertions which occurred up to our arrival at Encarna- cion, and which afterwards even increased. It must also be remembered, that almost the whole army had been re- cently formed, and, as is well known, of men taken by vio- lence from their homes. " We had advices that the enemy were fortified in the hacienda of Agua Nueva, with six thousand men and SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 147 thirty pieces, resolved to defend the defiles known by the names of the passes of Canero and Agua Nueva. The Americans did not know the precise point on which our march was directed ; for, though they exchanged some shots with our advance in Encarnacion, and had frequent small skirmishes with us in the above passes, they sup- posed our troops to be scouting-parties of the first brigade of cavalry, under Don Jose V. Minon, whom I had ad- vanced as far as the hacienda of Potosi. These were the impressions when I made my dispositions. " It was my intention to place my forces between the enemy and Saltillo, so as to oblige him to fight under the disadvantage of having his communication cut off, or, if he would not leave his works, to enable me to besiege him in Agua Nueva. The plan might be carried out in three different ways. One was by marching twenty leagues by the direct road ; another by moving to the right by La Hedionda, so as to occupy Buena Vista ; and the third, by moving to the left by La Punta de Santa Elena, so as to occupy the hacienda of La Banqueria, and thereafter the road to Saltillo. The two last movements were at this time impracticable, for they would either of them require three or four days' march, while we were without provis- ions, forage, or water. I therefore resolved to operate by the direct road, force the positions, and, after passing the last defile, make a diversion by the left, and occupy the rancho of Encantada, with the view of obtaining water, none of which was to be had for more than eighteen leagues. All this was favored by the enemy's ignorance of our march ; but misfortune still followed us. A de- serter from the regiment of Coraceros, a native of Saltillo, named Francisco Valdes, passed over from Encarnacion 148 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. to the enemy, and gave him information of the movement. The execrable treason of this infamous wretch frustrated the best combinations. " On the 21st, at noon, I ordered the march to com- mence, the four h'ght battahons, under General Don Pe- dro Ampudia, forming the vanguard. I had not hesitated to allow that general, and other officers who had been court-martialed for the affair of Monterey, to participate in these operations, not only because I did not consider them culpable, but also on account of the zeal they mani- fested. This brigade was followed by one of artillery, of sixleen-pounders, with the regiments of engineers and their train, and those by the park of the regiment of hus- sars. Then came the First division, commanded by Gen- eral Don Manuel Lombardini, with four twelve-pounders and the park. The Second division, under General Don Francisco Pacheco, followed next, with four eight-pound- ers and their park ; after these the whole of the cavalry, under Don Julian Juvera ; and then the remainder of the general park and baggage, the rear being covered by a brigade of cavalry under General Don Manuel Andrade. " In this order of march the troops were ordered to make the first fourteen leagues, between Encenada and a plain called De la Guerra, which is in front of the first de- file called the Pass of the Pinones ; and to pass the night on that plain in the same order of column. The troops having eaten their rations, order was given for carrying water, as none could be met with till the day following, after having overcome the enemy at Agua Nueva, three leagues beyond the aforesaid pass. I, with my staff and the regiment of engineers, occupied the front, a little be- hind the light troops. On arriving at the plain De la SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 149 Guerra, I continued the march in order to pass the defile of Pinones, which was accomplished ; and I ordered the light brigade to take a position in the pass of Carnero, where it had a skirmish with an advance of the enemy. Under these dispositions we passed the night. " At dawn on the 22d the army continued its march, with the idea of carrying by force of arms the pass of Agua Nueva, which 1 supposed would be defended by the enemy ; but I found to my surprise that it had been aban- doned. I tlien concluded that the American forces had retired to their fortifications in the hacienda, to concen- trate their defence under cover of the intrenchments, which I had heard they had there thrown up. Under this idea I continued the march, in order to turn by the right to the rancho of Encantada, which, as I have before men tioned, is on the Saltillo road, being between that city and Agua Nueva, and four or five leagues from each. Till that time no one had appeared to give me information, nor did any one after, except a servant from Agua Nueva, who told me that the enemy had been evacuating his po- sition since the day previous, and falling back towards 8altillo ; and that on that same morning, the hacienda had been wholly abandoned, by the retreat of a small detachment which escorted a large quantity of munitions. By this movement my first plans and dispositions, founded on an expected resistance, were rendered abortive ; but I still did not despair of a successful result, for I had in anticipation directed General Minon, with his cavalry brigade, twelve hundred strong, to occupy, on the morn- ing of the 22d, the hacienda of Buena Vista, distant three short leagues from Saltillo. This force might arrest the enemy's march, or, at least, make a diversion that would ^2 150 SANTA ANNA'S ACCOUNT. give time for the army to come up. I therefore continued my march, without losing more time than would allow the soldiers to drink water on the road. The light brigade came within sight of the enemy's rear-guard, and I order- ed them to charge in conjunction with the hussar regi- ment. I had reason to believe the enemy were making a precipitate retreat, as they left several articles on the road, such as carts, forge implements, extra wheels, and other things, which we gathered while marching. In conse- quence of the different reports I received, I ordered the cavalry to advance ; I thought we would be able to reach their rear-guard, and placed myself at the head of those troops. " On arriving at a place called Angostura, I found the main body of the enemy awaiting me in position. The road from the pass of Pinones to Saltillo runs between two chains of mountains, which form that pass and those of Carnero and Agua Nueva. The ridges open beyond the hacienda and approach each other again at Angostura, where the road turns to the right. At this place there is a succession of ridges, which run out towards the line of our route, and at right angles with it, and between them are ravines which form the drains of the mountains on the right. They are more or less passable, but all very diffi- cult. The enemy's position was in front and in rear of the road, his right and front being covered by ravines that were impassable, even for infantry, and a battery of four pieces being planted on the highest point. His battalions were formed on the heights with two other batteries, one of which was in a low part of the road, between two hills ; and, to my view, their forces appeared to be about eight thousand men, with twenty pieces ; but the prisoners taken SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 151 from them report twenty-six pieces, and upwards of eight thousand combatants. " I reconnoitred the position and situation of the ene- my, and ordered the director of engineers, General Don Ignacio de Mora y Villamil, to do the same. After ascer- taining the force of the invader, it was necessary either to await the infantry, to take position, or to fight, as might seem most advisable. At this interval, I observed that the enemy had neglected to occupy a height on his left flank ; and, without losing a moment, I ordered General Ampudia's light brigade to lake possession of, and hold it at every cost. As the brigade came up, I formed them in two lines on a rising ground that fronted the enemy, there being another eminence between our two positions : the first division of infantry was under the command «f General Lombardini, and the second under the command of General Pacheco. I directed that General Mora y Villamil, in conjunction with the commanding general of artillery, Don Antonio Corona, should find a position for a battery of sixteen-pounders, to be sustained by the regi- ment of engineers. Two other batteries, of twelve and eight-pounders, were located by me. The cavalry, com- manded by General Juvera, were placed on the right of our rear, and on our left flank. The regiment of hussars was also posted in the rear, and on the left flank aforesaid was a height which I ordered the battalion of Leon to oc- cupy. The general park was in the rear, covered by the brigade of General Andrade, and between this park and the lines of battle I took my own position. " The making of these dispositions, as may be sup- posed, occupied some time, for the troops arrived at their positions after a march of more than twenty leagues. It 152 SANTA anna's account. was therefore not an hour for combat, and ihe army lay on its arms. The enemy, however, so soon as he per- ceived that we had occupied the height that flanked his left and our rigfit, despatched two battalions to dislodge us, which led to a warm engagement, that lasted all the afternoon and till after dark, when he was repulsed with a loss of four hundred men, according to the report of the prisoners. Ours was much less, as we had the advantage of the ground. " At dawn on the 23d I mounted my horse ; the enemy had not changed his previous dispositions, and was ready to receive us. I observed but one difference, which was, that on his right, and at some distance from his position, he had formed two bodies of infantry, with a battery of four pieces, as if with the intent of threatening our left flank ; but I at once believed this to be a mere demon- stration, for he would never have left in his rear the diffi- cult ground which gave strength to that position, being the web of impassable ravines before referred to. I, there- fore, gave no attention to this disposition of his forces, and resolved to move mine by the right. With this intention, I advanced the divisions of General Lombardini and Gen- eral Pacheco in that direction. I ordered General Don Manuel Micheltorena to plant the battery of eight-pound- ers on our right flank, so as to rake obliquely the enemy's line, and to remain with the staff, of which he was chief, and await my orders. I directed that General Ampudia, with the light brigade, should charge by our left flank on the enemy's right, and that General Mora y Villamil should form a column of attack composed of the regiment of en- gineers, the 12lh battalion, the Jijo de Mexico, and the ompanies of Puebia and Tampico, commanded by Colonel SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 153 Don Santiago Blanco. At the same time, I directed Gen- eral Corona, commanding the artillery, to place the bat- tery of twelve-pounders in a more commanding position, while the 3d division remained in reserve under Brevet General Don Jose Maria Ortega. " So soon as the enemy perceived our movements, he commenced the action at all points, attacked our troops with intrepidity, and maintained the conflict with great vigor. Our men received them with proper energy, dri- ving back and following up the assailants. At this time my horse was disabled by a grape-shot, and it was some time before I could mount another. As the enemy had yielded ground, I ordered the cavalry to advance and charge, which was done with vigor. Suitable orders had been sent to the generals of division and brigade, among the rest to General Don Angel Guzman ; but, though the officers and troops acted with great resolution, it was im- possible to overcome the difficulties of the ground ; and after a struggle which did them honor, they were obliged to fall back to their positions. After various alternations, the same occurred with the infantry. " The battle, which commenced at seven in the morn- ing, was prolonged for many hours, our loss every moment accumulating. Many officers and soldiers had already been killed, and a number of commanders and distin- guished officers wounded, among whom were General Lombardini, Lieutenant-colonels Brito, Galloso,and others. Among the slain were Lieutenant-colonels Asonos, Berra, and other meritorious officers, whose loss the country will ever lament. The enemy maintained his ground with the utmost obstinacy, insomuch that some of our troops faltered in their attacks, and many of the raw re- 154 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. emits dispersed. This, however, ought to exalt the merit of those whose intrepidity was never paralyzed, and may also be cited to show how hotly contested was the action. " Things were in this situation when I concluded to make the final effort. With this view I ordered that a battery of twenty-four pounders should be mounted ; that the column of attack then posted on our left flank, where it had no object of operation, should be transferred to our right, and there be joined by the remains of the Eleventh regiment, the battalion of Leon, and the reserves, all under the command of Brevet-General Don Francisco Perez. I executed this in person, and afterwards sent for General Mora y Villamil, and made him acquainted with my final disposition. I had already directed Generals Perez and Pacheco, each with his command, to be prepared for an extreme struggle, and had ordered the battery of eight- pounders to advance and take the enemy's line in flank. The charge was made with daring valor, and was resisted with animated vigor, with a fire so heavy and rapid as to cause admiration ; but the Americans could not sustain themselves — they were driven back and overcome, with the loss of three pieces of cannon and as many stands of colors. I sent two of the latter to the government with my last despatch ; the other, which I then omitted to no- tice, will be presented to the honorable congress of the State of San Luis Potosi, as a testimonial of the army's gratitude for the patriotic services they had rendered, and the generous sacrifices they had made for its benefit. We moreover captured a travelling forge, and some smaller articles, which I will not enumerate. Our cavalry, which so bravely executed the order to charge, reached the en emy's rearmost positions ; but, owing to the nature of the SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 155 ground and the fatigue of the men and horses, I did not think it prudent to attempt to dislodge them from those. The battle closed at six in the evening, our troops being then formed on the ground which the Americans had oc- cupied. Our last effort would have been decisive, if Gen- eral Minon had done his part by attacking the enemy in the rear ; but he omitted to do it, and I am under the painful necessity of subjecting his conduct to a court martial, that he may explain it. An action thus contested necessarily involved considerable loss. Ours in killed and wounded amounted to more than fifteen hundred men, and that of the enemy was much greater, for we had time to take a view of the great number of their dead. " The plans of these two actions, and of the route from Agua Nueva to Saltillo, and the reports of the generals of the division and brigade, which I send with this to your excellency, will give the supreme government an idea of such details as I have not dwelt on, without making this report more diffuse ; but this will still serve to attest the bravery of our troops, and the glory acquired by the na- tion during these days of action. " In the order of the day, I expressed, as in duty bound, my satisfaction with the conduct of the officers, command- ers of corps, and generals, and gave them thanks for it in the name of the republic. I could wish to announce in this report the names of many commanding officers, that their memory may be engraved on the gratitude of the nation, not only for their resolute and honorable deport- ment in both actions, but for the constancy with which they have overcome so many privations, sufferings, and fatigues, and given therein an example both of civic and 156 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. military worth. Anxious to do this justice, I adopt as my own the authorship of those eulogies which the generals of brigade and division have bestowed on their subordi- nates. I would, moreover, place in view of the govern- ment, the merit manifested by the director-general of en- gineers, Don Ignacio Mora y Villamil, who fulfilled, to my entire satisfaction, all the duties I assigned to him, for which I consider him worthy of the highest praise, and of such remuneration as the supreme government may be pleased to award to his distinguished services. General Ampudia, to whom, from the favorable opinion which I had of him, I intrusted the command of the four light battalions, acquitted himself with gallantry. General Lombardini, who commanded the First division of in- fantry, conducted himself with valor, and was wounded. General Pacheco, commanding the Second division of infantry, came up to my orders and his duties, and fought to my satisfaction. General Juvera comported himself honorably, and had his horse killed under him. Brevet- General Torrejon received a contusion, and General Guz- man displayed the gallantry for which he was already distinguished, and was wounded. Brevet-General Mi- chellorena, as head of the staff, duly performed all that belonged to his station ; and I also confided to his special charge the battery of eight-pounders, which was the most in advance. General Perez acted as might be expected from his accustomed gallantry, and for this I intrusted to his command the troops I have before mentioned, with which he contributed to disorder the line of the enemy at five in the evening. I would also commend General Or- tega, who commanded the Third division of foot, and performed his duties to my satisfaction, as also Brevet- SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 157 general Uraga, and Generals Parrodi, Portilla, Vasquez, Jauregui, Terres, and Sanchez. " It is entirely due to the commanding general of artil lery, Don Antonio Corona, that I should commend him for carrying out my dispositions, as might be expected from him, and for laboring assiduously at San Luis, in the heaviest duties of his branch of service ; and it is a pleasing duty for me to laud the merit acquired by Colonel Banencli, and Colonel Brito, who was wounded ; Colonel Aldrade, of the hussars, who, to my satisfaction, evinced his usual bravery ; Colonel S. Blanco, who com- manded a column of attack on the left, and acted well, and Colonel M. Blanco— both of the last being of the en- gineers—as also Colonel Obando, of the flying artillery, and Colonel Garay. " The report of the killed and wounded, which I also send, will show what has been our loss. I should be lacking in justice, and not express my own feelings, were I not most earnestly to request that attention be paid, as is by law provided, to the cases of the widows, orphans, and such of the wounded as may be permanently dis- abled. " The formidable position which the enemy occupied, was all that saved him; the victory would otherwise have been decisive, notwithstanding his obstinate resist- ance. Still this triumph will have favorable results to the national cause, as it will show to every one what can be accomplished when all hearts are united, and with one aim. " The army has done more than could be expected un- der the laws of nature. It had just been formed, and as yet had not acquired discipline or military habits ; yet in o 158 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. marching to the combat, it overcame difficulties which might have subdued the stoutest heart. After a march of twenty leagues, sixteen of them without water, and without other food than a single ration, which was dealt out at Encarnacion, it endured the fatigue of combat for two days, and finally triumphed. With all this, its physi- cal powers were exhausted. My knowledge of this, and the duty I felt in attending to such a number of wounded, constrained me, after remaining a few hours on the field of battle, to fall back upon Agua Nueva, for the relief and refreshment of the troops. " From the impression we had made on the enemy, he did not appear before us for three days. The bearer of a flag of truce, however, arrived with a proposition from General Taylor for an exchange of prisoners, and for our sending for the wounded who had remained on the field. He also expressed to me the desire which the Americans felt for the re-establisTiment of peace. I replied, in ord-er that he might say the same to his gen- eral, that we sustained the most sacred of causes — the defence of our territory, and the preservation of our na- tionality and rights ; that we were not the aggressors, and that our government had never offended that of the United States. / observed, that we could say nothing of peace while the Americans were on this side of the Bravo, or occupied, any part of the Mexican territory, or block- aded our ports ; and that we were resolved to perish or vindicate our rights ; that fortune might not be always favorable to the enemy, and their experience of the 22d and 23d should convince them that it could change ; I added, that the Americans waged against us a war of vandalism, whose excesses outraged those sentiments of SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 159 humanity which one civilized nation ought to evince to- wards another ; and that if he would go outside of the apartment he would still see smoking, which was the fact, the dwellings of Agua Nueva, recently a flourishing, though a small settlement ; that the same vestiges of desolation marked the route of his retreat ; and that if he would go a little farther on, to Catana, he would hear the moans of the widows and orphans of innocent victims who had been sacrificed without necessity. " With respect to the wounded, whom I was invited to send for, I replied that there could be none save those who had been too much hurt to rise from the field, or those most in the advance, who had remained in the ravines ; and that as I had not means for their convey- ance, the enemy might take them to Saltillo, under the protection of the laws of nations. As for the prisoners which he offered to exchange, I told him I did not know who they could be, unless it were some of our dispersed troops, or some who, from the fatigue of the two pre- vious days, had remained asleep when we moved. In answer to the courtesy the enemy's general had shown with respect to our wounded, I consented, in the name of the nation, to release all the prisoners we had — those taken both in the battle and at Encarnacion. At the same time I allowed the bearer of the flag, who was a superior ofiicer, of prepossessing appearance and manners, to take the bandage from his eyes, and informed him that it was for him personally that the honor of this concession was meant. I did it also that he might see our camp and our troops. " As I have said in the preceding paragraph, we re- mained at the hacienda three days ; but the only supply 160 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. we could obtain was ninety beeves, and these were con- sumed on the 25lh. The horses were also without for- age, and notwithstanding all the efforts or provisions that I could make, many of the wounded had been but once attended to, and some not at all. From the rigor of the climate, the badness and scantiness of the sustenance, the entire want of bread, and the bad quality of the water used in our former bivouacs, a bowel complaint had bro- ken out in the army, and rendered ineffective at least one-half of it. I knew that a retrograde movement to our former positions had become inevitable ; but though every thing around me proclaimed this necessity, my feelings revolted against it, solely because I foresaw that from ig- norance, malice, or presumption, the countermarch would be condemned, and that those who did not witness our situation would imagine the possibility of the army's con- tinuing its operations. " Six days before, when the troops had not suffered so much, nor fought for two successive days, nor been em- barrassed with sick and wounded, but were still sound in morale and in health, I had not deemed it prudent to augment the labors and difficulties of the army by moving to the right or to the left ; how then would it have been possible to go on operating after all that subsequently occurred ? But let detractors say what they will, the army as Well as myself will always answer by an appeal to our conduct, our wishes, and the notorious impossibil- ity of carrying them out. Notwithstanding my conviction, I wished to hear the opinion of the generals and some of the commanders of corps, and to ascertain if they could point out any resource which had not occurred to me. Without disclosing my own ideas on the subject I life- SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. 161 tened to theirs, and they all unanimously, and each one by his opinion separately expressed, showed and demon- strated in various ways, that however good their will to remain, the countermarch of the army had become in- dispensable, but that this necessity was not forced upon us by the enemy. It was not till I had heard their opinions that I announced my own accordant resolution, and the proceedings of the council being drawn up, I had the honor of remitting them to your excellency on the 25th. ^ " On the 26th, after I had ordered General Minon to follow the movement, the army commenced its retreat with the view of occupying the first peopled localities, where resources might be obtained, such as Vanegas Catorce, El Cadral, and Matehuala, as also Tula ; but I doubt if in those places proper attention can be given to the sick and wounded — or the losses we have sustained in those laborious movements be remedied. " The nation, for which a triumph has been gained at the cost of so many sufferings, will learn that, if we were able to conquer in the midst of so many embar- rassments, there will be no doubt as to our final success in the struggle we sustain, if every spirit but rallies to the one sacred object of common defence. A mere de- termined number of men will not, as many imagine, suf- fice for the prosecution of war : it is indispensable that they be armed, equipped, disciplined, and habituated, and that a systematized support for such an organized force be provided. We must bear in mind that we have to combat in a region deficient of all resources, and that every thing for subsistence has to be carried along with the soldiery : the good-will of a few will not suffice, but o2 11 162 SANTA anna's ACCOUNT. the co-operation of all is needed ; and if we do not cast aside selfish interests, and petty passions, we can expect nothing but disaster. The army, and myself who have led it, have the satisfaction of knowing that we have de- monstrated this truth." ARMY ADVANCES TO LOBOS. ]03 CHAPTER IX. Advance of the Army to Lobos ; thence to Antonio Lizardo. — Siege and Capture of Vera Cruz. — Official Despatches. — March to the Interior. — Battle of Cerro Gordo. — Official Despatches. — Capture of Puebla. General Scott having been joined by the troops from the Upper Rio Grande, halted for a few days at the mouth of the river. Every thing being in readiness, they were taken on board transports, and proceeded to join others who had made their rendezvous at the island of Lobos, about 125 miles north and west of the city of Vera Cruz. The troops being thus collected, the whole armament pro- ceeded to Antonio Lizardo, On the morning of the 7th of March, General Scott, in a steamer, with Commodore Connor, reconnoitred the city, for the purpose of selecting the best landing-place for the army. The spot selected was the shore west of the island of Sacrificios. The anchorage was too narrow for a large number of vessels, and on the morning of the 9th of March the troops were removed from the transports to the ships of war. The fleet then set sail — General Scott in the steamship Massachusetts, leading the van. As he passed through the squadron, his tall form, con- spicuous on the deck, attracted the eyes of soldier and of sailor ; a cheer burst spontaneously forth, and from ves- sel to vessel was echoed, and answered through the line. The voices of veterans, and of new recruits — of those who had been victorious at Monterey, and of those who 164 TROOPS LAND AT SACRIFICIOS. hoped for victories in the future — were mingled in loud acclamation for him, whose character inspired confidence, and whose actions were already embodied in the glorious history of their country ! Near Sacrificios the landing commenced. It must be observed at this point, that every man expected to be met at the landing; for such, in military judgment, should have been tlie course of the enemy, and such would have been the case had the landing been made at the point where the enemy expected it, and where his forces were collected. Preparations were therefore made for any pos- sible contingency. Two steamers and five gunboats, ar- ranged in line, covered the landing. Five thousand five hundred troops embarked in sixty-seven surf-boats. The signal-gun was fired. The seamen bent to their oars, and ill a magnificent semicircle the boats swept rapidly to- wards the beach. Every man is anxious to be first. They plunge into the water before they reach the shore ! they rush through the sand-hills ! and with loud shouts they press forward ! They wave the flag of their country in the land of the Aztecs ! Where are their comrades ? They also soon embark — they hurry through the water — they land in safety — they rejoin their companions — they return shout for shout, to friends in the vessels and friends on shore. Safely, but hurriedly, they then pass through this exciting crisis. In the meanwhile, the sun shines down in the brilliance of his light, the waters are but just ruffled by a breeze, while the deep waves are calm and the sky serene. Full in view lies the city of Vera Cruz, and near is the re- nowned castle of San Juan d'Ulloa ! The harbor is crowd- ed with foreign vessels, and decks and rigging are filled REFLECTIONS ON THE LANDING. 165 with wondering spectators ! Never, says one, shall I for- get the excitement of that scene ! The first division of troops had landed a little before sunset, the second and third followed in succession, and before ten o'clock the whole army (numbering twelve thousand men) was landed, without the slightest accident and without the loss of a single life ! Thus, at the distance of more than three hundred years, was renewed the landing and march of Cortez ! Both were brilliant, and remarkable in history and conduct. The Spanish hero came to encounter and subdue, on un- known shores, the Aztectic-American civilization. The Anglo-American came to meet and prevail against the Spanish-Aztec combination. Both came with inferior numbers, to illustrate the higher order and vastly superior energies of moral power. Both came agents controlled by an invisible spirit, in carrying forward the drama of Divine Providence on earth. In vain do we speculate as to the end ; it will be revealed only when the last curtain is drawn from the deep, mysterious Future. The landing at Vera Cruz, as a military operation, de- serves a credit which is seldom awarded to bloodless achievements. It is common to measure military opera- tions by the current of blood which has flowed. But why ? Is he not the best general who accomplishes the greatest results with the least loss ? Or must we adopt the savage theory, that the greatest inhumanity is the greatest heroism ? Mere animal bravery is a common quality. Why, then, should the exhibition of so common a quality, in an open battle, give distinction, when it is skill only that is valuable, and science only that is un- common? This skill and science were exhibited in a 2lf 2? 33 ■^^-- CASTLE 'J'-' -OF — SAN J^d'ULLOA 38 0' ,«>>'' *^* 21/s i LavandeTa- SIioelLE 33 _^^tC3*? mt OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 167 most, singular and felicitous manner, in the pre-arrano-e- ments, combinations, and success, which attended the landing of the American army under the walls of Vera Cruz. Of this landing, as compared with a similar one by the French at Algiers, the New Orleans Bulletin, of March 27th, makes the following correct and interesting re- marks : " The landing of the American army at Vera Cruz has been accomplished in a manner that reflects the highest credit on all concerned, and the regularity, precision, and promptness with which it was effected, has probably not been surpassed, if it has been equalled in modern war- fare. " The removal of a large body of troops from numer- ous transports into boats in an open sea— their subsequent disembarkation on the sea-beach, on an enemy's coast, through a surf, with all their arms and accoutrements, without a single error or accident, requires great exertion, skill, and sound judgment. "The French expedition against Algiers, in 1830, was said to be the most complete armament in every respect that ever left Europe ; it had been prepared with labor, attention, and experience, and nothing had been omitted to ensure success, and particularly in the means and facilities for landing the troops. This disembarkation took place in a wide bay, which was more favorable than an open beach directly on the ocean, and (as in the pres- ent instance) without any resistance on the part of the enemy — yet, only nine thousand men were landed the first day, and from thirty to forty lives were lost by acci- dents, or upsetting of boats ; whereas, on the present oc- 168 VERA CRUZ INVESTED. casion, twelve thousand men were landed in one day, without, so far as we have heard, the slightest accident or the loss of a single life." No troops of the enemy made direct opposition to the American army on reaching the beach, but the guns of the castle and city kept up a constant firing with round- shot and thirteen-inch shells. The several corps imme- diately occupied the lines of investment to which they had been respectively assigned by General Scott's orders.^ These orders pointed out the most minute particulars, and were based on prior information, obtained by the engi- neer and topographical departments, and carefully ana- lyzed and thoroughly studied, by the commander-in-chief. This information was so accurate, and so well understood by the commander, the engineers, and the chief of the staff, that they made no mistakes. They found all as they anticipated : their arrangements resulted as they in- tended, and the regiments and companies took their re- spective places as quietly and orderly as if they were parading on the green banks of the Potomac ! Parties of the enemy appeared, and skirmishes took place, but noth- ing seriously interrupted the progress of investment. On the 12th instant, the entire army had completely occupied its positions.^ All this was not done without labor, fatigue, and expo- sure of the severest kind. The carts, horses, and mules, except a very few,"* had not yet arrived. Innumerable * General Orders, No. 47. » General Scott's Official Report, dated 12th of March, 1847. ' There had then arrived but fifteen carts and one hundred draught- horses. SIEGE CARRIED ON. 169 hills of loose sand, and almost impassable thickets of chap- paral, covered the ground of operations. Through these, by their own hands, and on their backs, soldiers, both regular and volunteer, dragged their provisions, their equipments, and munitions of war, under the rays of a sun already hot in a tropical climate. The sands of this pecu- liar region are so light, that during the existence of a " norther," (a so-called wind of the Gulf,) if a man would lie down for an hour or two, he would inevitably be buried in the floating drifts ! He m.ust therefore, at this season, seek shelter in chapparals. In such circumstances — un- der the distant fire of the enemy's fortresses, and in the midst of sharp skirmishes — the investment was completed. The lines of siege were five miles in length, and on that whole distance provisions must be carried and commu- nications kept up with depots, and with ships at sea. In this the officers and seamen of the navy co-operated with those of the army in the most gallant and skilful manner. During this part of the siege a " norther" prevailed, which rendered it impossible to land heavy ordnance. On the 17th a pause occurred in the storm, and ten mortars, four twenty-four-pound guns, and some howitzers were landed. On the night of the 18th the trenches were opened, and, the engineers with the sappers and miners leading the way, the army gradually closed in nearer the city. On the 22d of March — seven of the ten-inch mortars being in battery, and other works in progress — General Scott summoned the governor of Vera Cruz to surrender the city. The governor, who was also governor of the castle, chose to consider the summons to surrender that, as well as the city, and rejected the proposition. On the p 170 A TRUCE ASKED FOR. return of the flag, the mortar-battery, at the distance of eight hundred yards from the city, opened its fire on the city, and continued to fire during the day and night. On the 24th the batteries were reinforced with twenty- four-pounders and paixhan guns. On the 25th all the batteries were in " awful activity." Terrible was the scene ! The darkness of night was illuminated with blazing shells circling through the air. The roar of artil- lery and the heavy fall of descending shot were heard through the streets of the besieged city. The roofs of buildings were on fire. The domes of churches rever- berated with fearful explosions. The sea was reddened with the broadsides of ships. The castle of San Juan returned, from its heavy batteries, the fire, the light, the smoke, the noise of battle. Such was the sublime and awfully terrible scene, as beheld from the trenches of the army, from the 22d to the 25th of March, when the accu- mulated science of ages, applied to the military art, had, on the plains of Vera Cruz, aggregated and displayed the fulness of its destructive power. On the evening of the 25th instant, the consuls of Eu- ropean powers residing in Vera Cruz, made application, by memorial, to General Scott for a truce, to enable them and the women and children of the city to retire. To this General Scott replied — that a tt-uce could only be granted on application of General Morales, the governor, with a view to surrender;* that safeguards had already been sent to the foreign consuls, of which they had refu- sed to avail themselves ; that the blockade had been left open to consuls and neutrals to the 22d proximo; and ' Scott's Official Report of March 25, 1847. OVERTURES FOR SURRENDER. 171 that the case of women and cliildren, with their hardships and distresses, had been fully considered before one gun was fired. The memorial represented that the batteries had already a terrible effect on the city — and by this, and other evi- dence, it was now clear that a crisis had arrived. The city must either be surrendered, or it must be consigned to inevitable and most melancholy destruction. Accordingly, early on the morning of the 26th of March, General Landero, on whom the command had been de- volved by General Morales, made overtures of surrender. Arrangements had been made by Scott for carrying the city by assault on that very day. The proposition of the Mexican general made this unnecessary, and Generals Worth and Pillow, with Colonel Totten, that distinguished officer of the engineer corps, who had conducted the siege, were appointed commissioners on the part of the Ameri- can army, to treat with others appointed by the governor of Vera Cruz. Late on the night of the 27th the articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged. On the 29lh of March the official despatch of General Scott announced that the flag of the United States floated over the walls of Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa. The regular siege of the city had continued from the day of investment, the 12th of March, to the day the articles of capitulation were signed, the 27th, making a period o^ fifteen days, in which active, continuous, and vigorous operations were carried on. During this time our army had thrown three thousand ten-inch shells, two hundred howitzer shells, one thousand paixhan shot, and two thousand five hundred round-shot, weighing on the whole about half a million of pounds ! Most effective 172 CITY AND CASTLE SURRENDER. and most terrible was the disaster and destruction they caused within the walls of the city, whose ruins and whose mourning attested both the energy and the sadness of war. By some it was thought strange that the governor of Vera Cruz should have surrendered so soon ; but, oa a full exhibition of the facts of the siege, surprise gives place to admiration at the progress, power, and develop- ment of military science. The thirty years which had elapsed since the fall of Napoleon, had not been idly passed by military men. They had acquired and sys- tematized new arts and new methods in the art of war. Nor were American officers inattentive to this progress. They had shared in it all, and when the siege of Vera Cruz was undertaken, this new power and method were fully displayed. The city was environed with cords of strength, in which all its defences must be folded and crushed. The result was inevitable. The officers of Vera Cruz saw this, and although the castle of San Juan might have held out a few days longer, for what purpose would it have been ? There is no rule of military science which requires fighting when fighting is useless. There is no law of humanity which would not be violated by the wanton exposure of towns and inhabitants when defence was impossible. The surrender was, therefore, alike just to victors and defenders, both of whom had arrived at an inevitable end, — the result of progress in high civilization, and of the highest military skill and accomplishments. By the terms of capitulation, all the arms and munitions of war were given up to the United Stales ; five thousand prisoners surrendered on parole ; near five hundred pieces of fine artillery were taken ; the best port of Mexico cap- lured and possessed ; and the famed castle of San Juan, REFLECTIONS ON THE EVENT. 173 said to be impregnable, and which had been refitted and equipped in the best possible manner, yielded its defences to the .superior skill and energy of the Anglo-Americans. At 10 A. M., on the morning of the 29th, that people, who centuries before had, with a small band, marched through the Aztec empire, and, with the pride of power, supplant- ed its ancient dominion, struck their flags and quietly sub- mitted to another and a newer race, who had come over the Atlantic later than themselves, but who had imbibed other principles, and been impelled by stronger energies, in the colder regions of the north. On the castle of San Juan, on the forts of Santiago and Conception, the banner of the American Union gracefully ascended, and, amidst the shouts and cheers of warriors on sea and shore, bent its folds to the breeze, and looked forth over the Mexican Gulf In this great and successful enterprise, the American arms met with but little loss. Two officers,^ (valuable, however, to their corps and country,) with a few soldiers, were all the deaths. So great a result, obtained with so little loss, may be sought in vain among the best cam- paigns of the best generals of modern times. There are those who think victory brightest when achieved in the carnival of death, and the laurel greenest which is plucked from a crimson tree. But this is not the estimate of the humane, the honorable, or the intelligent. They, in this age of the world, will deem that achievement greatest which costs the least, where skill has been substituted for death, and science for the brave but often wasted energy of bodily force. ' Captains Alburtis and Viutoii, both distinguished officers, were killed, with several private soldiers. p2 174 GEN. scott's despatches. Some incidents of this siege are related, which illus- trate the character of General Scott and the nature of the war. On one occasion, when the general was walking along the trenches, the soldiers would frequently rise up and look over the parapet. The general cried out, " Down — down, men ! — don't expose yourselves." " But, general," said one, '■'■you are exposed." "Oh!" said Scott, '■^generals, now-a-days, can be made out of any- body, but men cannot be had." Something has been severely said, as to the loss of women and children by the bombardment of the city ; but this is unjustly said. Scott, as appears by the official papers, gave ample notice of the danger to consuls, neu- trals, and non-combatants in the city, and ample time for them to remove. That they, or at least many of them, did not avail themselves of that notice, was their own fault ; and, by the laws of war, it was both unnecessary and impossible that the siege should be delayed, or givem up, on account of the inhabitants within, who had long known that the United States army would land there, and who had received from the commander full notice of danger. We add General Scott's official despatches. HBAfxaUARTERS OF THE ArMY Camp Washingtou, before Vera Cruz March 12th, 184 RUZ, > 7. > Sir : — The colors of the United States were triumphantir planted ashore, in full view of this city and castle, and under the distant fire of both, in the afternoon of the 9th inst. Brevet Brigadier-general Worth's brigade of regulars led the descent, quickly followed by the division of United States volunteers under Major-general Patterson, and Brigadier- GEN. scott's despatches. 175 general Twiggs' reserve brigade of regulars. The three lines successively landed in sixty-seven surf-boats, each boat conducted by a naval officer, and rowed by sailors from Com- modore Connor's squadron, whose lighter vessels flanked the boats so as to be ready to protect the operation by their cross- fire. The whole army reached the shore in fine style, and without direct opposition, (on the beach,) accident, or loss, driving the enemy from the ground to be occupied. The line of investment, according to General Orders, No. 47, was partially taken up the same night ; but has only been completed to-day, owing to the most extraordinary difficulties : 1. The environs of the city, outside of the fire of its guns and those of the castle, are broken into innumerable hills of loose sand, from 20 to 250 feet in height, with almost impassable forests of chapporal between ; and, 2. Of all our means of land-transportation — wagons, carts, pack-saddles, horses, and mules, expected to join us from Tampico and the Brazos, weeks Ago — but 15 carts and about 100 draught-horses have yet arrived. Three hundred pack-mules are greatly needed to relieve the troops in taking subsistence alone, along the line of investment of more than five miles, as, at present, our only depot is south of the city. On the cessation of the pres- ent raging Norther, which almost stifles the troops with sand, sweeping away hills and creating new, I hope to establish a second depot north of the city, which will partially relieve the left wing of the army. In extending the line of investment around the city, the troops for three days have performed the heaviest labors in getting over the hills and cutting through the intervening forests — all under the distant fire of the city and castle, and in the midst of many sharp skirmishes with the enemy. In these operations we have lost in killed and wounded several valuable officers and men. Among the killed I have to re- port Brevet Capt. Alburtis, of the United States 2d Infantry, 176 GEN. scott's despatches continued, much distinguished in the Florida war, and a most excellent officer. He fell on the 11th inst. ; and Lieut. Col. Dickenson, of the South Carolina Regiment, was badly wounded in a skirmish the day before. Two privates have been killed in these operations, and four or five wounded. As yet I have not been able to obtain their names. As soon as the subsistence of the troops can be assured, and their positions are well established, I shall, by an or- ganized movement, cause each brigade of regulars and volun- teers to send detachments, with supports, to clear its front, including sub-bourgs, of the enemy's parties, so as to oblige them to confine themselves within the walls of the city. I have heretofore reported that but two-sevenths of the siege-train and ammunition had reached me. The remainder is yet unheard of. We shall commence landing the heavy metal as soon as the storm subsides, and hope that the five- sevenths may be up in time. The city being invested, would, no doubt, early surrender, but for the fear that, if occupied by us, it would immediately be fired upon by the castle. I am not altogether without hope of finding the means of coming to some compromise with the city on this subject. So far, the principal skirmishing has fallen to the lot of Brigadier-general Pillow's and Quitman's brigades. Both old and new volunteer regiments have conducted themselves admirably. Indeed, the whole army is full of zeal and confidence, and cannot fail to acquire distinction in the im- pending operations. To Commodore Connor, the officers and sailors of his squadron, the army is indebted for great and unceasing assistance, promptly and cheerfully rendered. Their co-opera- tion is the constant theme of our gratitude and admiration. A handsome detachment of marines, under Capt. Edson, of that corps, landed with the first line, and is doing duty with the army. GEN. SCOTt's despatches CONTINUED, 177 March 13. — The enemy, at intervals, continues the fire of heavy ordnance, from the city and castle, upon our line of investment, both by day and night, but with little or no effect. The norther has ceased, which has renewed our com- munication with the store-ships at anchor under Sacrificios. We shall immediately commence landing the few pieces of heavy ordnance, with ordnance stores, at hand, and hope soon to have the necessary draught-mules to take them to their positions. Any farther delay in the arrival of those means of transportation will be severely felt in our operations. I have the honor to remam, sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT. Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. HEADaUARTERS OF THE ArMY, 1 Camp Washiugton, before Vera Cruz, > March 23, 1847. ) Sir : — Yesterday, seven of our 10-inch mortars being in battery, and the labors for planting the remainder of our heavy metal being in progress, I addressed, at two o'clock, p. M. a summons to the Governor of Vera Cruz, and within the two hours limited by the bearer of the flag, received the Governor's answer. Copies of the two papers (marked respec- tively A and B) are herewith enclosed. It will be perceived that the Governor, who, it turns out, is the commander of both places, chose, against the plain terms of the summons, to suppose me tO' have demanded the surrender of the castle and of the city ; when in fact, from the non-arrival of our heavy metal — principally mortars — I was in no condition to threaten the former. On the return of the flag with that reply, I at once order- ed the seven mortars, in battery, to open upon the city. In a short time the smaller vessels of Commodore Perry's squadron — two steamers and five schooners — according to 12 178 GEN. scott's despatches continued. previous arrangement with Jiim, approached the city withisi about a mile and an eighth, whence, being partially covered from the castle — an essential condition to their safety — they also opened a brisk fire upon the city. This has been con- tinued uninterruptedly by the mortars, and, only with a few intermissions, by the vessels, up to 9 o'clock this morning, when the Commodore, very properly, called them oft' from a position too daringly assumed. Our three remaining mortars are now (12 o'clock, a. m.) in battery, and the whole ten in activity. To-morrow, early, if the city should continue obstinate, batteries Nos. 4 and 5 will be ready to add their fire : No. 4, consisting of four 24-pounders and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, and No. 5 (naval battery) of three 32-pounders and three 8-inch Paixhans — the guns, offi- cers, and sailors, landed from the squadron — our friends of the navy being unremitting in their zealous co-operation, in every mode and form. So far, we know that our fire upon the city has been highly effective, particularly from the batteries of 10-inch mortars, planted at about 800 yards from the city. In- cluding the preparation and defence of the batteries, from the beginning — now many days — and notwithstanding the heavy fire of the enemy, from city and castle, we have only had four or five men wounded and one officer and one man killed, in or near the trenches. That officer was Captain John R. Vinton, of the United States third artillery, one of the most talented, accomplished, and effective members of the army, and who was highly distinguished in the brilliant operations at Monterey. He fell last evening in the trenches, where he was on duty as field and commanding officer, uni- versally regretted. I have just attended his honored remains to a soldier's grave — in full view of the enemy and within reach of his guns. Thirteen of the long-needed mortars — leaving twenty- GEN. SOOTt's despatches CONTINUED. 179 seven, besides heavy guns, behind — have arrived, and two of them landed. A heavy norther then set in (at meridian) that stopped that operation, 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 until we shall again have a smooth sea. In the mean time I shall leave this report open for journalizing events that may occur up to the departure of the steam ship-of-war, the Princeton, with Com. Connor, who, I learn, expects to leave the an- chorage of Sacrificios, for the United States, the 25th inst. March 24. — The storm having subsided in the night, we commenced this forenoon, as soon as the sea became a little smooth, to land shot, shells, and mortars. The naval battery No. 5, was opened with great activity, under Capt. Aulick, the second in rank of the squadron, at about 10 A. M. His fire was continued to 2 o'clock, p. bi., a little before he was relieved by Capt. Mayo, who landed with a fresh supply of ammunition, Capt. A. having ex- hausted the supply he had brought with him. He lost four sailors, killed, and had one officer, Lieut. Baldwin, slightly hurt. The mortar batteries, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, have fired but lan- guidly during the day for want of shells, which are now go- ing out from the beach. The two reports of Col. Bankhead, chief of artillery, both of this date, copies of which I enclose, give the incidents of those three batteries. Battery No. 4, which will mount four 24-pounders and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, has been much delayed in the hands of the indefatigable engineers by the norther that filled up the work with sand nearly as fast as it could be opened by the half-blinded laborers. It will, however, doubtless be in full activity early to-morrow morning. March 25. — The Princeton being about to start for Phila- delphia, I have but a moment to continue this report. 180 GEN. scott's despatches continuei All the batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are in awful ac- tivity this morning. The effect is, no doubt, very great, and I think the city cannot hold out beyond to-day. To-morrow morning many of the new mortars will be in a position to add their fire, when, or after the delay of some twelve hours, if no proposition to surrender should be received, I shall or- ganize parties for carrying the city by assault. So far the defence has been spirited and obstinate. I enclose a copy of a memorial received last night signed by the consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain, and Prussia, within Vera Cruz, asking me to grant a truce to enable the neutrals, together with Mexican women and children, to with- draw from the scene of havoc about them. I shall reply, the moment that an opportunity may be taken, to say — 1. That a truce can only be granted on the application of Gov. Morales, with a view to surrender. 2. That in sending safeguards to the different consuls, beginning so far back as the 13th inst., I distinctly admonished them — 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 I had already refused to allow any per- son whatsover t^ 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 ships of war up to the 22d instant ; and, 4. I shall enclose to the memorialists a copy of my summons to the Governor, to show that I had fully considered the impending hardships and distresses of the place, including those of women and children, before one gun had been fired in that direction. The intercourse be- tween the neutral sliips of war and the city was stopped at the last-mentioned date by Commodore Perry, with my concur- rence, which I placed on the ground that that intercourse could not fail to give to the enemy moral aid and comfort. It will be seen from the memorial, that our batteries have GEN. SCOTt's despatches CONTINUED. 181 already had a terrible effect on the city, (also known through other sources,) and hence the inference that a surrender must soon be proposed. In haste, I have the honor to remain, sir, with respect, your most obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT. Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. Headquarters of the Army, ) Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847. \ Sir — The flag of the United States of America floats triumphantly over the walls of this city and the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa. Our troops have garrisoned both since 10 o'clock : it is now noon. Brig. Gen. Worth is in command of the two places. Articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged at a late hour night before last. I enclose a copy of the docu- ment. I have heretofore reported the principal incidents of the siege up to the 25th instant. Nothing of striking interest oc- curred till early in the morning of the next day, when I re- ceived overtures from General Landero, on whom General Morales had devolved the principal command. A terrible storm of wind and sand made it difficult to communicate with the city, and impossible to refer to Commodore Perry. I was obliged to entertain the proposition alone, or to continue the fire upon a place that had shown a disposition to surrender ; for th^ loss of a day, or perhaps several, could not be per- mitted. The accompanying papers will show the proceedings and results. Yesterday, after the norther had abated, and the commis- sioners appointed by me early the morning before had again met those appointed by General Landero, Commodore Perry sent ashore his second in command. Captain Aulick, as a commissioner on the part of the navy. Although not included 182 GEN. scott's despatches continued. in my specific arrangement made with the Mexican com- mander, I did not hesitate, with proper courtesy, to desire that Captain Aulick might be duly introduced and allowed to participate in the discussions and acts of the commissioners who had been reciprocally accredited. Hence the preamble to his signature. The 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. I have to add but little more. The remaining details of the siege — the able co-operation of the United States squadron, successively under the command of Commodores Connor and Perry — the admirable conduct of the whole army, regulars and volunteers — I should be happy to dwell upon as they deserve ; but the steamer Princeton, with Commodore Connor on board, is under way, and I have commenced organizing an advance into the interior. This may be delay- ed a few days, waiting the arrival of additional means of transportation. In the mean time, a joint operation, by land and water, will be made upon Alvarado. No lateral expe- dition, however, shair interfere with the grand movement to- wards the capital. In consideration of the great services of Col. 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, I intrust this despatch to his personal care, and beg to commend him to the very favorable consideration of the department. I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, \VINFIELD SCOTT. Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. The following were the terms of capitulation finally agreed upon : — GEN. SCOTt's despatches CONTINUED. 183 Generals W. J. Worth and G. J. Pillow, and Col. J. G. Totten, chief engineer, on the part of Major-general Scott, general-in-chief of the armies of the United States; and Col. Jose Gutierrez de Villanueva, Lieut. Colonel of the engineers, Manuel Robles, and Col. Pedra de Herrera, commissioners appointed by General of brigade Don Jose Juan Landero, commanding in chief, Vera Cruz, the castle of San Juan d'UUoa and their dependencies — for the surrender to the arms of the United States of the said forts, with their armaments, munitions of war, garrisons, and arms. 1. The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to the arms of the United States, as prisoners of war, the 29th inst., at 10 o'clock, a. m. ; the garrisons to be permitted to march out with all the honors of war, and to lay down their arms to such officers as may be appointed by the general-in- chief of the United States, and at a point to be agreed on by the commissioners. 2. Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects, including horse and horse furniture, and to be allowed, regular and irregular officers and also to rank and file, five days to retire to their respective homes, on parole, as herein- after prescribed. 3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in article one, the Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck, saluted by their own batteries ; and, immediately thereafter, forts Santiago and Conception and the castle of San Juan d'UUoa, occupied by the forces of the United States. 4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to be disposed of, after surrender and parole, as their general- in-chief may desire, and the irregular to be permitted to re- turn to their homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and April 19, 1847. > Sm: The plan of attack, sketched in General Orders, No. Ill, forwarded herewith, was finely executed by this gallant army, before two o'clock p. m. yesterday. We are quite em- barrassed with the results of victory — prisoners of war, heavy ordnance, field batteries, small-arms, and accoutrements. About 3,000 men laid down their arms, with the usual GEN. scott's despatches. 197 proportion of field and company officers, besides five generals, several of them of great distinction — Pinson, Jarrero, La Vega, Noriega, and Obando. A sixth general, Vasquez, was killed in defending the battery (tower) in the rear of the whole Mexican army, the capture of which gave us those glorious results. Our loss, though comparatively small in numbers, has been serious. Brigadier-general Shields, a commander of activity, zeal, and talent, is, I fear, if not dead, mortally wounded. He is some five miles from me at the moment. The field of operations covered many miles, broken by mountains and deep chasms, and I have not a report, as yet, from any division or brigade. Twiggs' division, followed by Shields' (now Col. Baker's) brigade, are now at or near Xalapa, and Worth's division is in route thither, all pursuing, with good results, as I learn, that part of the Mexican army — perhaps six or seven thou- sand men — who had fled before our right had carried the tower, and gained the Xalapa road. Pillow's brigade alone, is near me at this depot of wounded, sick, and prisoners ; and I have time only to give from him the names of 1st Lieut. F, B. Nelson, and 2d C. G. Hill, both of the 2d Tennessee foot, (Haskell's regiment,) among the killed, and in the brigade 106, of all ranks, killed or wounded. Among the latter, the gallant Brigadier-general himself has a smart wound in the arm, but not disabled ; and Major R. Farqueson, 2d Tennessee, Captain H. F. Murray, 2d Lieut. G. T. Sutherland, 1st Lieut. W. P. Hale, Adjutant, all of the same regiment, severely, and 1st Lieut. W, Year- wood, mortally wounded. And I know, from personal obser- vation on the ground, that 1st Lieut. Ewell, of the rifles, if not now dead, was mortally wounded in entering, sword in hand, the intrenchments around the captured tower. 2d Lieut. Derbv, topographical engineers, I also saw, at r2 198 GEN. scott's despatches. the same place, severely wounded, and Captain Patten, 2d United States Infantry, lost his right hand. Major Sumner, 2d United States dragoons, was slightly wounded the day be- fore, and Capt. Johnston, topographical engineers, (now Lieut. - colonel of infantry,) was very severely wounded some days earlier while reconnoitring. I must not omit to add that Capt. Mason, and 2d Lieut. Davis, both of the rifles, were among the very severely wounded in storming the same tower. I estimate our total loss, in killed and wounded, may be about 250, and that of the enemy at 350. In the pur- suit towards Xalapa (25 miles hence) I learn we have added much to the enemy's loss in prisoners, killed, and wounded. In fact, I suppose his retreating army to be nearly dis- organized, and hence my haste to follow, in an hour or two, to profit by events. In this hurried and imperfect report I must not omit to say that Brigadier-general Twiggs, in passing the mountain- range beyond Cerro Gordo, crowned with the tower, detached from his division, as I suggested the day before, a strong force to carry that height, which commanded the Xalapa road at the foot, and could not fail, if carried, to cut off the whole, or any part of the enemy's forces, from a retreat in any direction. A portion of the 1st artillery, under the often-distinguish- ed Brevet Colonel Childs, the 3d infantry, under Captain Alexander, the 7th infantry, under Lieut. -colonel Plymton, and the rifles, under Major Loring, all under the temporary command of Colonel Harney, 2d dragoons, during the con- finement to his bed of Brevet Brig. -general P. F. Smith, composed that detachment. The style of execution, which I had the pleasure to witness, was most brilliant and decisive. The brigade ascended the long and difficult slope of Cerro Gordo, without shelter, and under the tremendous fire of GEN. scott's despatches. 199 artillery and musketry with the utmost steadiness, reached the breastworks, drove the enemy from them, planted the colors of the 1st artillery, 3d and 7th infantry — the enemy's flag still flying — and, after some minutes' sharp firing, finish- ed the conquest with the bayonet. It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest praise is due to Harney, Childs, Plymton, Loring, Alexander, their gallant officers and men, for this brilliant service, 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 battalion, to support the assault, but not in time. The general, reaching the tower a few minutes before me, and observing a white flag displayed from the nearest portion of the enemy towards the batteries below, sent out Colonels Harney and Childs to hold a parley. The surrender follow- ed in an hour or two. Major-general Patterson left a sick-bed to share in the dangers and fatigues of the day ; and after the surrender went forward to command the advanced forces towards Xalapa. Brig.-general Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted with great daring the enemy's line of batteries on our left ; and though without success, they contributed much to distract and dismay their immediate opponents. President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalizo and Al- monte, and some six or eight thousand men, escaped towards Xalapa just before Cerro Gordo was carried, and before Twiggs' division reached the National road above. I have determined to parole the prisoners — officers and men — as I have not the means of feeding them here, beyond to-day, and cannot afford to detach a heavy body of horse and foot, with wagons, to accompany them to Vera Cruz. Our baggage train, though increasing, is not half large enough to give an assured progress to this army. 200 ADVANCE FROM CERRO GORDO. Besides, a greater number of prisoners would, probably, escape from the escort in the long and deep sandy road, without subsistence — ten to one — than we shall find again, out of the same body of men, in the ranks opposed to us. Not one of the Vera Cruz prisoners is believed to have been in the lines of Cerro Gordo. Some six of the officers, highest in rank, refuse to give their paroles, except to go to Vera Cruz, and thence, perhaps, to the United States. The small-arms and accoutrements, being of no value to our army here or at home, I have ordered them to be destroy- ed ; for we have not the means of transporting them. I am, also, somewhat embarrassed with the pieces of artillery, all bronze, which we have captured. It would take a brigade, and half the mules of our army, to transport them fifty miles. A field battery I shall take for service with the army ; but the heavy metal must be collected, and left here for the present. We have our own siege-train and the proper carriages with us. Being much occupied with the prisoners, and all the details of a forward movement, besides looking to the supplies which are to follow from Vera Cruz, I have time to add no more — intending to be at Xalapa early to-morrow. We shall not, probably, again meet with serious opposition this side of Perote — certainly not, unless delayed by the want of the means of transportation. I have the honor to remain, sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, WINFIELD SCOTT. Hon. Wm. L. Marcy, Secretary of War. From the field of Cerro Gordo the rout of the Mexi- can army was complete. Jalapa was entered on the 19th. The strong position of La Hoya was abandoned, with its PUEBLA ENTERED. £01 artillery and works ; and on the 22d of April, Worth and his division occupied the strong castle and town of Perote ! Here fifly-four pieces of cannon, and mortars, (both bronze and iron,) eleven thousand cannon-balls, fourteen thou- sand bombs, and five hundred muskets, swelled the vast amount of the munitions of war captured from the army of Mexico ! On the 15th of May, General Worth, after encounterin£r but little resistance, entered the ancient city of Puebla. Thus, in a campaign which extended only from the 12th of March to the 15th of May, the city of Vera Cruz had been besieged and taken, the famed castle of San Juan d'Ulloa had fallen, the battle of Cerro Gordo was fought and won, the city of Jalapa taken, the castle and town of Perote captured, and the fine city of Puebla occu- pied ! Ten thousand men made prisoners of war, sever^ hundred splendid cannon, ten thousand stand of arms, thirty thousand shells and shot, were the spoils of the tri- umphant victories which had attended the American army, in a campaign of only two months ! History has few parallels for such rapid and such brilliant achievements ! But a few months before, an unguarded expression had made Win field Scott the mark of a ribald ridicule I Now, the government journal pronounces his campaign the rival of European splendor in war, eloquence is fervid _in its declamatory praises, and the more just and grateful sentiment bf the people renders back to the commander at Cerro Gordo, the admiration so gloriously won on the memorable plains of Niagara ! CHAPTER X. Entrance of the American Army into Puebla. — Mexican Recount. — American Officers. — Conduct of the Army. — Situation of Puebla. — Character of the Covmtry. — The ancient Chokila. — Strength of the Arniy. — Scott's Proclamation. — Humanity of the Army. — Mission of Trist. — Reasons for remaining in Puebla. — Drilling of the Army. — Raising new Regiments. — New Volunteers. — Attack on the Train of M'lutosh. — Advance of Pierce. — Concentration of the Army. In a morning of the beautiful month of May, and with- in the tropical zone, the American army of the north entered the " City of the Angels ;" in the Spanish tongue, Puebla de los Angelas. They came with the renown, sounding far in advance, of San Juan de Ulloa captured, and the heights of Cerro Gordo victoriously stormed. They had landed on the shores of the Mexican Gulf, intrenched themselves in the wind-driven sands, battered the defences of Vera Cruz, received the surrender of the castle, and marched two hundred miles into the land of the Spanish-Aztec Americans. The National Bridge had been passed, Jalapa had surrendered, Perote made no resistance, and now the bold invaders of Mexico ap- preached a city surrounded by the monuments of ancient civilization, and deemed fit, in the warm imagination of southern climes, for celestial residents. It was natural that such an army, the heralds too of a new^ and ex- traordinary republic, should be received by the inhabitants with mingled feelings of fear, surprise, and curiosity. ARMY ENTERS PUEBLA. 203 Accordingly, the citizens of Puebla crowded the street and filled the balconies on the hne with spectators. Near noon the division of Worth entered the city, the artillery and infantry forming in the square, and the train of wagons extending from the street of Mercadores to the bridge of Nocte Buena.^ The troops were fatigued with their march, and needed both rest and refreshment. This weary aspect, the fact that many of them had been ill, the common gray undress uniform, and the plain truth that they were neither giants nor centaurs, disappointed the vivid imaginations of the Mexicans of Puebla, who had supposed that the conquerors of Cerro Gordo were some- thing marvellous in appearance or superhuman in power. The spectators turned from the scene with surprise, and asked themselves, How have these men become the con- querors of Mexico ? One of the most intelligent of the Mexican citizens, writing from Puebla two days after the entrance of the American army, thus expresses his disappointment at the appearance of that army, and endeavors to solve the prob- lem proposed by its achievements : — *' Nor does their armament seem to me any thing ex- traordinary. In a word, except the draught-horses, which are very good, I assure you, without exaggeration, that these men bring nothing that we have not seen a thou- sand times. Even the immense number of their wagons is not a proof of large stores. The wagons are all empty, and I understood their principal use to be for the trans- port of troops. How, then, have they done what they ' Letter from a native of Puebla, dated May 16th, aud published in the London Times. 204 SURPRISE OF THE MEXICANS. have ? How have they continually beaten our army, which not only surpasses them in appearance — for that is unquestionable — but in my opinion has real and positive advantages over them ? Every one asks this question, to which there is but one reply. Their leaders, and par- ticularly the colonels of regiments, are old gray-haireJ men. Their gray hairs explain the phenomenon. This makes me still rely on our soldiers, and gives me for tlie future some hopes, which we require more than ever."' This solution of the problem was at least partially cor- rect. The officers of the American army have expe- rience, skill, and science. Many of them served in the campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815, against the veteran soldiers of Great Britain ; many of them were bred at the military school at West Point — the, equal, and in some things the superior, of any school of military instruction in the world. All of them have been accustomed to the discipline of their profession, and are perfectly acquainted with the superior energies which the republican habits and intellectual vivacity of their countrymen have devel- oped in war. The army of the United States is not in- trusted to weak or ill-instructed hands ; but to officers skilled in the science and experience of the duties of the military art — a fact as honorable to the legislative sagacity of the republic, as its achievements in arms have proved illustrious in history. The soldiers piled their arms in the public square, and although surrounded by thousands of a hostile popu- lation, lay down to sleep, in perfect confidence that the enemy could not and dare not disturb them. No higher ' Letter of the native of Puebla. DESCRIPTION OF PUEBLA. 205 evidence could be given of that sense of absolute superi- ority and of resistless energy, which is uniformly felt by American troops — the sense that they are predestined to victory, no matter by whom, in what numbers, or in what manner opposed. On the following day they took pos- session of, the hills of Loreto and Guadaloupe, and artil- lery was sent to the hill of San Juan. General Worth paid the compliment of a visit to the Bishop of Puebla, and the bishop, in returning it, was received at the quarters of Worth with the honors paid to a general. Affably and respectfully did the American officers mingle with the people ; and for a time the stern countenance of war seemed to be lighted up with the smiles of beneficence, and its fearful strifes deferred to a peaceful harmony. The city of Puebla is situated on that vast plain which, in its height above the sea and the character of its pro- ductions, is the most singular portion of the earth. This plain is seven thousand feet high, and although wholly within the torrid zone, is called the tierras frias, or the cold grounds. The climate of a country depends as much upon altitude as latitude, and hence these lofty plains are called cold, and really produce the grains and fruits of the most temperate climes.^ Wheat of the finest quality, our Indian corn, barley, and fruits peculiar to this region, constitute the staple productions and elementary food of the inhabitants. Within this tropical but really temperate zone of lofty plains, and encircled by the sub- lime range of the Cordilleras, lies the province of Puebla. Its soil is, scattered over with and partly composed of * Humboldt's Travels in New Spain. 206 FACE OF THE COUNTRY. the volcanic remains of ancient convulsions.^ The lava is strewed over the ground in different varieties, bearing a resemblance to the cinders of an iron-furnace. On the tops of the highest and most magnificent mountains may be found the craters v^^hence in ages past have streamed out these rich but dangerous ingredients of the soil. Yet, with all this, the earth is there garnished with but little of that beauty of foliage and that abundance of vege- table production which so distinguishes the great alluvials of the United States of the north. The cactus, that dis- criminating inhabitant of barren lands, is still frequent, and, except within a few miles of Puebla, the whole road from Vera Cruz to that city presents but a few scrubby bushes, some palms, and this unproductive cactus, called in this country the prickly-pear.^ In the neighborhood of Puebla, cultivated fields and waving grain indicate that husbandry has resumed its occupation, and that man, a resident of cities, has higher demands for food and lux- ury than the natural fruits or natural grasses can supply. He is still, however, the man of two thousand years ago. Time, which has revolutionized empires and established the supremacy of science in other lands, has left the Spanish Aztec, the unchanged image of his ancient fa- thers, in the indolence of his life and the fixedness of his habits. In vain has invention created arts, and genius startled a world with its wonderful achievements. He uses the plough of two thousand years since, employs oxen instead of horses, folds his arms in contemptuous pride, and sees the world, and its exhibitions of power ' Waddy Thompson's Recollections of Mexico, page 17. ' Ibid. ANCIENT CHOLULA. 207 and wonder in science, pass by him, with the frigidity of indolence and the indifference of contempt! In this state was once one of the most numerous populations of the ancient Mexicans, yet it now scarcely contains fifty to a square mile — a number large compared with most of the provinces of Mexico, yet small compared with the popu- lous nations which inhabited here in the time of Cortez.' It was then the seat of the Tlascalans and Cholulans — people who had advanced far in the arts, and whose monuments were among the greatest of the earth. Six miles from the present city of Puebla was the great city of Cholula, which once contained two hundred thousand inhabitants, and where Cortez beheld the towers of four hundred idol temples ! Of this great city not a vestige remains ! Not a brick nor a stone stands upon another ! One monument stands in gloomy and solitary grandeur amidst the vast plain which surrounded it.^ This is the great pyramid, truncated at top, and supposed to have been dedicated to the worship of the gods of the Aztecs. This pyramid is one of the most remarkable among the ruins of ancient nations. It is 1440 feet on the side, at the base, 177 feet in height, and 45,210 square feet on the summit.^ In the midst of these ruins of ancient empires, sur- rounded by these mountains, upon this high plain, looking out upon these lava-covered fields, and through the clear, vivid, brilliant atmosphere of tropical highlands, is the city of Puebla. It now contains about eighty thousand ' Cortez and Bernal Diaz. ^ Waddy Thompson's Recollections of Mexico. ' Description of Humboldt. 208 scott's army reaches puebla. inhabitants. It is a beautiful city, well built, with lofty houses, broad streets, and fine public buildings.^ Here, at two hundred miles from the city of Vera Cruz on the Gulf of Mexico, and ninety from Mexico, the heart of the Aztec empire, the small but brave and glorious army of iScott arrived on the 15lh of May, 1847. With com- plexions sallowed, and disabled by the unwholesome climate of Vera Cruz — in the gray undress uniform of the United States, and wearied with many miles of tedious march, the army entered this Mexican city, to surprise its inhabitants as much by the inferiority of its appearance as it had done by the greatness of its deeds. Were these indeed to be the conquerors of Mexico ? Where were the far-famed heroes of Cerro Gordo ? Time, however, was to convince the Pueblans, in a yet more startling manner, that the energy of the American soldier could be revived to greater actions, and the glory of former battles be ob- scured by the brightness of those to come. The army, as it entered Puebla, was stated by a Mexi- can eye-witness to have numbered four thousand two hundred and ninety effective men, with thirteen pieces of artillery.^ This was the mardiing force at that point. On that day and at that place the number given was very nearly correct. Scott's force at that time capa- ble of marching on Mexico did not exceed /o? ' Letter to the New York Courier. VIEW OF MEXICO. 231 and its checkered domes — its bright reality, and ils former fame — its modern splendor, and its ancient magnificence, was before us ; while around on every side its tliousand lakes seemed like silver stars on a velvet mantle." With this description we may compare another by an English officer, who seems to have been equally en- raptured with the same view. " From an eminence, (says Captain Lyon,) we came suddenly in sight of the great valley of Mexico, with its beautiful city appearing in the centre, surrounded by diverging shady paseos, bright fields, and picturesque haciendas. The great lake Tezcuco lay immediately beyond it, shaded by a low floating cloud of exhalations from its surface, which hid from our view the bases of the volcanoes of Popoca- tapetl and Iztac-cithuatl — while their snowy summits, brightly glowing beneath the direct rays of the sun, which but partially illumined the plains, gave a delight- fully novel appearance to the whole scene before me. I was, li#wever, at this distance, disappointed as to the size of Mexico ; but its lively whiteness and freedom from smoke — the magnitude of the churches, and the extreme regularity of its structure, gave it an ap- pearance which can never be seen in a European city, and declare it unique — perhaps unequalled in its kind.'" Thus suddenly did the army burst upon this extra- ordinary view — a view as remarkable for its historical associations, as for the grandeur of ils natural elements, — a scene too, which must forever connect this army with ' Captain Lyon's Journal of a Residence and Tour in the Republic ol' Mexico 232 DESCRIPTION OF THE VALLEY. the memory of the past, and the developments of the future. I'here must have been some, also, in that martial array, who turned their thoughts from the scenes of war, to contemplate here some of the most singular features of the natural world. The valley of Mexico is one of the most extraordinary regions of the earth. It is a basin enclosed by a wall of porphyrilic mountains. Its length, north and south, is about sixty miles, and its breadth (east and west) about forty miles. ^ It is really formed by a separation (south of the city of Mexico) of the great chain of the Cordilleras into two chains — one bending east and the other west, which again unite north of the city. The result of this conformation is to leave a basin, surrounded by the walls of the mountain. In this basin, " all the water furnished by the sur- rounding Cordilleras is collected. No stream issues from it excepting the brook of Tequisquiac, which joins the Rio de Tula. The lakes rise by stagey in pro- portion to their distance from its centre, or in other words, from the site of the capital. Next to the lake of Tezcuco, Mexico is the least elevated point of the val- ley ; the Plaza Mayor, or Great Square, being only one foot and one inch higher than the mean level of this lake, which is eleven and three-fourths feet lower than that of San Christobal. Zumpongo, which is the most northern, is 29,-Vo'o inches higher than the surface of Tezcuco ; while that of Chalco, at the southern ex- tremity, is only 3yVA ^^^t more elevated then the Great Square of Mexico."'^ '■ See Stealey's Maps of the Roads from Vera Cruz to Mexico. ' Humboldt's New Spain. SITUATION OF THE CITY. 233 In consequence of this peculiarity, the city has, for a long series of ages, been exposed to inundations. Five immense floods have occurred since the Spanish inva- sion. Immense works have been constructed at dif- ferent times to avoid this danger. One of these is the great cut, planned by Enrico Martinez, which connects the Rio de Suautillon with the Rio Tula, and thus carries off the lake of Zumpongo.^ Around the same lake are stone dikes. In the south, dikes and sluices have been formed round Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco, by which they are prevented from overflowing. By means like these, the city of Mexico is prevented from inundation, and is no longer, as it seems to have been in the time of Cortez, an island in a lake. The charac- ter of the country remains unchanged — and it is yet a marshy valley, in a basin of the Cordilleras, spotted with lakes and filled with volcanic remains. On some of the causeways, there is still a continuous body of water for miles from the city — while on others, the ground is marshy, but sometimes cultivated. On the 10th, the division of Twiggs encamped at the base of the mountain,^ and at this, the enemy's scouts began to be seen on all sides. On the 11th, this di- vision reached Ayotla, only fifteen miles by the National Road from Mexico, and waited for the other divisions to come up. At this point, a survey of the valley of Mexico showed * This was thought, by Humboldt, to be one of the most gigantic liydraulie operations executed by man. Its length is 67,537 feet, the greatest depth 197, and its greatest breadth 361. * Letter to the New York Courier. u2 234 VIEW OF THE COUNTRY. the lake of Tezcuco directly in front of the road ; and at the lower end, and about half way to Mexico, (seven miles,) on the left of the road, is El Penon, a fortified mountain. Directly west of that, at the upper end of Lake Xochimilco, and about five miles south of Mexico, is Mexicalcingo, another fortified point. Directly south and west of Ayotla, lies the lake of Chalco, and the lake of Xochimilco. Entirely west of these again, and run- ning from the city of Mexico, nearly at right angles with the National Road, lies the road to Acapulco, leading west from Mexico to the Pacific. On this last road lies-San Augustine, the general depot of the army in its sub- sequent operations. Between San Augustine and the city of Mexico, and on or near the Acapulco road, lie in succession, San Antonia, Contreras, and Churubusco, points where successive engagements took place. Con- treras is about four miles nearly northwest of San Au- gustine, on a road leading through San Angel to the Tacubaya causeway. Churubusco is on the Aca- pulco road, near a canal, at the crossing of which was a tete du pofit, (bridge-head.) A rapid coup d'oeil (birds-eye view) of the topography of the valley, and the position of the army on the 13th of August, will show Twiggs's division at Ayotla, east of Lake Chalco ; Worth's division near the village of Chalco, at the south end of the lake, and the divisions of Pillow and Quitman intermediate. In front, the great lake of Tezcuco, and on the left. Lake Chalco. The city of Mexico lay on the side of Lake Tezcuco, and fifteen miles, by the road from Ayotla, approached through the lakes and marshes by great causeways. An attentive examination shows, that on the south and THE COUNTRY EXAMINED. 235 west, there are three great roads which respectively enter Mexico by causeways. The first, is the Vera Cruz or National Road, on which the army now was, and which passed by El Penon, immediately in front, and for miles on a narrow causeway, built on the shoals of the lake. The second was the Acapulco road, which lay directly across Lake Chalco, from where the army now was, and proceeded through San Augustine and San Antonia, by a causeway to the city. The third was the Toluca road, passing into Mexico by the Tacubaya causeway, still further to the west. The problem now presented to the commander-in- chief was, by which of these roads shall the army at- tempt its passage into the city ? The solution of this question required a close reconnaissance, and an accurate survey, if possible, of the position and defences of the enemy. On the 12th of August, the Rifle regiment, with three companies of cavalry, were pushed forward to recon- noitre El Penon} This work was successfully per- formed, and the work pronounced impracticable, without immense loss, which the commander of the army thought unnecessary to the object. The reconnoitring party (rifles and dragoons) continued their search to the left, in order to find a way of easier approach to the city. At about five miles from Mexico, they were arrested by coming suddenly upon five strong batteries commanding the road. This was the post of Mexicalcingo, before described, at the head of Lake Xochimilco. The party (composed of about four hundred men) soon counter- * Letter of an officer to the New York Courier. 236 EL PENON EXAMINED. marched, and found El Penon, with its bristUng batteries, immediately between them and the camp of General Twiggs. For some unknown reason, they were not at- tacked ; and after a rapid march, arrived in camp about midnight. General Scott pronounced this " the boldest reconnaissance of the war." El Penon, which had been thus reconnoitred, is a rocky hill, which " completely enfilades and commands the National Road, and had been fortified and repaired with the greatest care by Santa Anna. One side was inaccessible by nature, the rest had been made so by art. Batteries, in all mounting fifty-one guns of dif- ferent calibres, had been placed on its sides, and a deep ditch, twenty-four feet wide and ten feet deep, had been cut, connecting the parts already surrounded by marshes."^ From the Penon to the city, was a cause- way, surrounded by water. This position could not be turned, and therefore must be carried by assault. Against this, General Scott decided on grounds of hu- manity. In his report of the 19th of August, 1847, he thus writes : " This mound, close to the National Road, commands the principal approach to the city from the east. No doubt it might have been carried, but at a great and dis- proportionate loss, and I was anxious to spare the lives of this gallant army for a general battle, which I knew we had to win before capturing the city, or obtaining the great object of the campaign — a just and honorable peace." ' Letter to the New York Courier. ARMY TURNS THE PENON. 237 Of the pass, by Mexicalcingo, the general writes, and thus discloses the plan which was ultimately adopted. " It might have been easy (masking the Penon) to force the passage ; but on the other side of the bridge we should have found ourselves, four miles from this road, on a narrow causeway, flanked to the right and left by water, or boggy grounds. These difficulties closely viewed, threw me back upon the project long entertained, of turning the strong eastern defences of the city, by passing around south of Lakes Chalco and Xochitnilco, at the foot of the hills and mountains, so as to reach San Augustine, and hence to manoeuvre on hard, though much broken ground, to the south and southwest of the capital, which had been more or less under our view since the 10th inst."^ El Penon, being on the common and only good road from Puebla to Mexico, and being likewise an almost impregnable position, General Santa Anna had judged correctly and wisely in placing there his principal fortifi- cation. The fortress of Mexicalcingo, being likewise a strong one, and, if taken, leaving the American army on a narrow causeway, easily defensible, the Mexican gen- eral had apparently provided for every possible passage between the Lake Chalco and the Lake Tezcuco. This was the only way in which there was a regular and toler- able road from Puebla to Mexico. On this the American army had advanced, and the vanguard had actually reached Ayotla, several miles in front of the south end of Chalco. The measures of the Mexican general were, 1 General Scott's Official Report, No. 31, dated August 19th. 238 GOES ROUND CHALCO. therefore, judiciously taken, and at this time promised, if any defence could avail, to be successful. The real question in military science at this time was, could the Lake Chalco be turned ? If it could, did the new route present a better or safer way ? The reconnais- sances made, and the information of scouts, determined the fact that a passage existed round the south end of Lake Chalco which might be made practicable, and by which the army would be brought on to the Acapulco road, and advance to the city on a route less defended, and affording greater advantages in fighting. This route, if practicable, Scott had contemplated taking, and now at once put the army in motion for that purpose. The order of march was reversed, and Worth's di- vision, which was in the rear at Chalco, was now in advance, marching round the south end of Lake Chalco, and cutting their way to San Augustine. On the 15th the several divisions took up their line of march, and Worth's corps proceeded steadily on to the fortified posi- tion of San Antonia. " The road lay along the base of a high range of mountains, at times crossing rocky spurs of the mountains, or along the margin of the lake, on very narrow causeways very much cut up. The hills on the left were often precipitous, and a few sharp-shooters might have annoyed us exceedingly by their fire, and a few en- terprising men might have blocked up the road completely by rolhng down rocks, and yet they attempted it but once ; a few shot soon dislodged them, and two or three hours' work cleared the road."^ ^ On the 17th the head of General Worth's division ' Letter from an officer, published in the Washington Union. WORTH REACHES SAN AUGUSTINE. 239 reached San Augustine, and in a few hours after the other divisions were within striking distance. The march round the lake to San Augustine was twenty-seven miles, by a route deemed by the Mexicans impracticable ; and on the 18th all the several corps were in position in the neighborhood of that post.' Twiggs's division left Ayotla on the 16th with the train, the brigade of General Smith forming the rearguard. As the train was passing the little village of Buena Vista a Mexican division appeared in sight, attempting to cross the road and cut the train off. Here a skirmish ensued, which is thus described by an officer : " On our left were large fields of half-grown barley, through which was seen advancing, in splendid order, the enemy's column. It was the most splendid sight I had ever seen. The yellow cloaks, red caps and jackets of the lancers, and the bright blue and white uniforms of the infantry, were most beautifully contrasted with the green of the barley-field. Our line of battle was soon formed, and we deployed through the grain to turn their left and cut them off from the mountains. A few shots, however, from the battery, soon showed them that they were ob- served, and countermarching in haste, they left their dead on the field. Thus ended our fight at Buena Vista. That night we stayed at Chalco."^ The train continued to move on, by roads over which it was almost impossible to drag the wagons. On the 18th it arrived in sight of the main army, which had now taken possession of San Augustine. ' Scott's Official Report, dated the 19th. ' Letter from an ofBcer, in the New York Courier. 240 ARMY IN POSITION. The army was now concentrated, the different divisions in sight of one another, and the arrangements made for final operations. On the 13th it was on the Puebla road on the east side of Lake Chalco, advancing on El Penon. On the 18th it was on the Acapulco road, near San Au- gustine, nine miles from the city of Mexico. The change was made in good order, and the ground to operate on was far better, and the defences in front less. The city of the Spanish-Aztecs was now within the grasp of the arms of the United States, predestined, in the convictions of the people, to be invincible wherever they should be carried. A conviction like this, existing in ages past, alike in the minds of Roman, Mohammedan, and Puritan, often makes the destiny which it affirms and courts. Asserted in the. cause of liberty and justice, it would subdue a world to the civilization of Christianity. In any other cause, its predestined glory may fade before a darker fate. LINES OF DEFENCE. 241 CHAPTER XII. Mexican Line of Defence. — Position of the American and Mexican Ar- mies. — Action of the 19th. — Position in the Hamlet of Contreras. — Po- ' sition of General Scott. — Arrangements for the Battle. — Distribution of the American and Mexican Forces. — Battle of Contreras. — Rout of the Mexicans. — Surrender of Mexican Generals. — Recapture of the Buena Vista Gun.s. — Scott's Arrangements. — Evacuation of San Antonia. — Storm of the Tete du Pont. — Battle of Churubusco. — Defeat of the Mexicans. — Loss. — Truce. The Mexican plan of defence for the city of Mexico seems to have contemplated two lines -of defence — an ex- terior and interior one. The exterior was composed of a line of forts and fortified eminences. The strongest was El Penon, on the National Road, completely command- ing it, near the edge of Lake Tezcuco. This fortress, as we have already stated, was pronounced impracticable without immense loss. It contained fifty-one guns, dis- posed in several different batteries, with infantry breast- works, and the whole surrounded by a deep ditch con- necting the marshes and waters about it. The next fort of this class was at M-exicalcingo, at the upper end of Lake Xochimilco, and commanding a narrow causeway to ihe city. This, also, was defended with batteries and infantry breastworks. The next position was the Bridge OF Churubusco, a tete du pont at the crossing of a canal, armed also with cannon, on the Acapulco road. The next, but to the west, and front of this, was the Hill of Contreras, thoroughly armed with batteries and breast- ^^i'liialpa DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFENCES. 243 works. In the route, and still nearer to the city, was the Hill of Chapultepec, on which was the Military Col- lege. This was at the point where the mountains ap- proached the city. It was a strong position and well armed .^ It is plain, from an examination of the map, that these positions really commanded all the practicable passes to the city on the whole semicircle, extending round from Lake Tezcuco in the east to where the mountains come near the city on the west. These fortifications were armed with near one hundred pieces of cannon, while the ground between them was either marshy, or covered with volcanic remains, sharp and abrupt, rendering it almost impassable even for footmen. Behind this line of exterior defences General Valencia, with 6,000 of the best troops of the Mexican army, was to manoeuvre, and reinforce any point which might be exposed to attack. The interior line seems to have been only the forts, and canals or ditches of the city itself. These, however, were by no means weak. The city was approached only by causeways. Canals and ditches surrounded it in va- rious directions, and at the gateways were garitas, or small forts, constructed at the angles of the streets or en- trances of the causeways, eight in number.^ These de- fences of the city were also mounted with a large number of cannon. This interior line, however, was evidently weaker than the exterior one. These various defences were well calculated to protect the city against any thing less than a large army and protracted siege, had the energy ' This statement corresponds in substance with one made by Captaim Xiee of the engineers. ° See Scott's Official Report. 244 POSITION OF THE ARMY. of the men, or the abihty of their officers, corresponded with the natural strength of the positions. This, however, was not the case. Whether it be a superior strength, in- nate in the natural constitutions of the inhabitants of the northern temperate zone, or whether it be what is more than equivalent to strength, a higher and better education, it is certain that the arms of England and the United States have exhibited a great superiority over those of more southern nations — a superiority, whose final result on the dominion and civilization of the world is yet to be made known by the events of futurity. On the I8lh of August, the position of the armies, at night, was in the order following, viz. : Worth's division had, during the day, advanced from San Augustine in the direction of San Antonia, whose batteries were brought to bear on his troops, and the first shot killed Captain Thornton, a brave but unfortunate officer of the 2d dra- goons.^ The cavalry had been thrown in front to recon- noitre. The village proved to be strongly fortified, and a bold reconnaissance made by Captain Mason of the en- gineers, accompanied by Lieutenants Stevens and Tower, determined that this point could only be approached by the front, over a narrow causeway of great length, flanked with wet ditches of great depth.^ Worth was ordered not to attack, but to threaten and mask the place. On the left of the road here, extending west, was an immense field of volcanic rocks and lava, called pedregal, and on the east it was wet ai\d boggy.^ This pedregal was ' Scott's Official Report. / « Official Report. * Letter of an officer iu the Washington Union. PACE OF THE COUNTRY. 245 thrown up in sharp rocks and broken pieces, in such a nnanner, that the Mexican officers supposed it to be im- passable. It extended to the mountains, five miles to the left. That night Worth made the headquarters of his division at a hacienda on the road, near Antonia, and within reach of the enemy's guns. On the same night the division of Twiggs slept in a little village, in sight of Worth's corps.^ The divisions of Pillow and Quitman were near. On the same evening (the 18th) General Valencia, whose division had previously been held liable to march to any point, and whose troops were called " the flower" of the Mexican army, occupied the fortified intrenchments at the heights of Contreras, about five miles to the north- west of San Augustine.^ At the same time (evening of the 18th) General Rincon took command at Churubusco, whose fortifications were not then completed, but to finish which he immediately addressed himself.^ The garrison of that post appears to have been composed, according to the official report, of the battalions of national guards, called Independencia and 5r«t;o, which were subsequent- ly reinforced (19th and 20th) by different batteries of ar- tillery. At San Antonia was posted another Mexican division, reinforced on the morning of the 19lh, by the battalions of Hidalgo and Victoria. In the neighborhood of Con- treras and San Angel were other divisions of the enemy under Santa Anna. * Letter in the New York Courier and Enquirer. * Official Report of General Salas. ' Official Report of General Riacon. v2 246 scott's plan of battle. This, then, was the situation of the two armies on the night of the 18th August. General Scott's headquarters were at San Augustine. The pass of San Antonia, in front, being strong and on a narrow causeway, the plan of attack adopted seems to have been this — to turn Antonia by taking the fort at Contreras, and thus be able to march round San Antonia ; or rather, to gain Coyhoacan on the San Angel, in the rear of San Antonia, and which was also but one mile from Churubusco. To do this, how- ever, required that a new road should be cut for artillery from San Augustine to Contreras, and that, when there, that position, strongly defended by artillery, should be stormed and taken. This was the plan now devised by the American general, and to be immediately executed by the army. On the morning of the 19th, all was animation in both armies. General Valencia was strongly posted at Con- treras ; Rincon was busy increasing the fortifications of Churubusco ; Santa Anna was reinforcing both Antonia and Contreras, with bodies of troops drawn from the, city ; and General Scott, having made a new reconnaissance to the left by Captain Lee, with Lieutenants Beauregard and Tower,^ now detached Pillow's division on the con- templated route to make a practicable road for heavy ar- tillery.^ Captain Lee of the engineers, having discovered a corps of observation in the direction taken by Pillow's division, Twiggs was advanced in front to cover the party cutting the road.^ This last division had now arrived at • Scott's Official Report, (No. 31,) 19th August, 1847. » Official Report. ' Idem. POSITION OP CONTRERAS, 247 the village of San Juan, and were prepared for the severe labor of the next tw^o days. The men were ordered to put their blankets on their shoulders, their knapsacks in their wagons, and two days' bread and beef in their haver- sacks. At one p. M., they left San Juan, and proceeded forward, dragging with them Magruder's battery and the mountain howitzers.^ At two p. m., General Smith's brigade had arrived at the crest of a hill, from which Va- lencia, in his intrenchments, was plainly visible, and in the distance reinforcements marching to his assistance. These intrenchments of Valencia, at the hill of Contre- ras, had twenty-two pieces of artillery (mostly heavy) mounted in a battery commanding the difficult, broken, i-ocky ground, on which the American troops had to man- oeuvre. With this position the city of Mexico was con- nected, by an excellent road beyond the volcanic field, and by which it received, from time to time, great bodies of cavalry.^ At four p. M., General Scott took position on one of the eminences in front of Contreras, and found the brigades of P. F. Smith and Riley, (Twiggs' division,) supported by those of Pierce and Cadwallader, (Pillow's division,) picking their way over the broken ground in the enemy's front, and extending themselves towards the road which leads to the city. With great difficulty Captain Magru- der's battery of twelve and six pounders, and Lieut. Callen- der's battery of mountain howitzers and rockets, had been advanced to within range of the intrenchments.^ " The ' Letter of an officer in the New York Courier. ' Scott's Official Report. ' Official Report. 248 MANCEUVRING OF THE ARMIES. ground," says an officer, ''was the worst possible for ar- tillery ; covered with rocks, large and small, prickly-pear and cactus ; intersected by ditches filled with water, and lined with maguey plant, itself imperviable to cavalry ; and with patches of corn, which concealed the enemy's skirmishers while it impeded our passage. The artil- lery advanced but slowly, under a most murderous fire of grape, canister, and round shot, until it got into position."^ Our artillerymen could get but three pieces in battery, while the enemy had twenty-two, which, being mostly heavy, rendered our fire nugatory. " For two hours," says the same officer, " our troops stood the storm of iron and lead which hailed upon them, unmoved. At every discharge they laid flat down to avoid the storm, and then sprung up to serve the guns. At the end of that time, two of the guns were dismounted, and we (the rifles) badly hurt ; thirteen of the horses were killed and dis- abled, and fifteen of the cannoniers killed and wounded. The troops were then recalled." In the mean time the Mexican lancers had been repeat- edly repulsed. In another part of the field Riley's brigade sustained the enemy's fire, and were engaged in skirmish- ing. This action lasted for about three hours, during which time our troops maintained themselves under a heavy and severe fire, and successfully resisted tiie charges of large columns of cavalry. The day of the 19th, however, closed without any de- cisive results. The infantry, unsustained by either cav- * Letter of an officer in the New York Courier. CONTRERAS OCCUPIED. 249 airy or artillery, could not charge in column without being mowed down by the Mexican batteries, nor in line, with- out being successfully assailed by the Mexican cavalry.^ To cut off the junction of further reinforcements from the capital (which till now arrived at will) the general-in- ciiief determined to occupy the hamlet and church of Contreras, on the road leading from the capital to Va- lencia's camp. Cadwallader's brigade, already advanced in that direction, had taken position, and needed assist- ance. The 14th regiment of infantry, Colonel Morgan, was then ordered by Scott to occupy the hamlet, and a few minutes later they were followed by the New York and South Carolina volunteers, composing the brigade of General Shields. Tliese troops made their way through a dense forest to the left of the road at Contreras, (east side,) and in the night took post in the hamlet on the road. In the mean time the brigades of Smith and Riley had advanced still further, and taken post in rear and flank of the enemy's post at Contreras. It was determined by Scott to make a diversion in the morning, or earlier, if practicable, in front of Fort Con- treras, while the brigades of Smith and Riley should at- tack, and Shields should cut off the advance of reinforce- ments, or the retreat of the defeated through the hamlet on the road. This purpose was carried out. General Persifer F. Smith of Twiggs' division was first on the ground, and had the merit of making the imme- diate dispositions for the battle of the following morning. They were made with skill and judgment, drawing from ' Scott's Official Report. 250 POSITION OF CONTRERAS, the commander-in-chief the warmest praise, and from the army universal admiration. The close of the 19th was to the troops immediately engaged, neither pleasant nor inspiring. They closed a severe action without decisive results. The rifle regiment, with the 1st artillery and 3d infantry, (engaged in front with the enemy,) marched to their new positions through chapporal and cactus, tired, hungry, and sorrowful.* In the evening they marched into the little hamlet, and there spent the night, with the brigade of Riley in the same road. Shields' brigade was in an orchard near by, and Cadwallader nearer the enemy. The night was cold, wet, and dreary. An officer of the rifles thus describes it ? " As we were within reach of their batteries, which could enfilade the road in which we lay, we built a stone breastwork at either end to conceal ourselves from their view and grape. There we were, completely surrounded by the enemy, cut off" from our communications, ignorant of the ground, without artillery, weary, dispirited, and de- jected — we were a disheartened set. With Santa Anna and Salas' promise of ' no quarter,' a force of four to one against us, and one half defeated already, no succor from Puebla and no news from Scott,^ all seemed dark. Sud- denly the words came whispered along, ' We storm at midnight P Now we were ourselves again. " But what a horrible night ! There we lay — too tired to eat, too wet to sleep — in the middle of that muddy ' Letter from an officer in the New York Courier. " From the same. ' Scott was, till after dark, in a position opposite the enemy's centre. He then retired to San Augustine and wrote the despatch of the day. POSITION OF CONTRERAS, 251 road, officers and men side by side, with a heavy rain pouring down upon us — the officers without blankets or overcoats, (they had lost them in coming across,) and the men worn out with fatigue. About midnight, the rain was so heavy that the streams in the road flooded us ; and there we stood, crowded together, drenched and be- numbed, waiting till daylight." The darkness and heavy rain impeded the troops, and rendered the transmission of orders^ so difficult, that the attack on the enemy which had been planned for the dawn of day did not commence till a later hour. About four o'clock the troops of Riley and Smith, which had occu- pied the hamlet and road during the night, defiled into their position in rear of the enemy, by a ravine covered by orchards and corn-fields. The nature of the ground facihtated this operation. The batteries and intrenched camp of Valencia were on the side of a hill, towards the east or southeast, so as to command the road, it being the great object to defend the roads which led to the city. The volcanic and rocky formation here made several little eminences, with ravines between. In this instance there were other eminences in the rear still higher. The brigade of Riley passed through an orchard into the ravine behind Valencia, so as to be out of sight of Valencia's corps, and yet occupy a position near to him, in his rear. The bri- gade of Smith followed. That of Cadwallader had already taken position in rear of these, as a support, while Shields' was held in reserve — taking the place of Smith's men, in * Scott had sent seven officers out for information that evening, of which not one got through. Captain Lee, alone, with a message from Shields^ was able to get through. 252 POSITION OF CONTRERAS, the village of Conlreras, and undertaking to hold that against the approach of the Mexican main army from the city,' or, in case Valencia was defeated, to cut off his re- treat to the city. He was accompanied also by the 13th regiment under Colonel Morgan. In the mean lime, a diversion (at General Smith's request) had been intended, by the advance in front of one of Worth's brigades and one of Quitman's, leaving San Augustine (the general depot) to be garrisoned by Harney's dragoons. This movement, however, occurred too late to affect the en- gagement.^ These movements were made, and the action ready to begin, at about six a. m. It appears that the march of the American troops in the night, and preparatory to the engagement, was altogether unknown to the Mexicans, whose attention was chiefly directed to an attack in front. The action of the afternoon of the 19th, in which the Americans had made no impression, inspired them with an idea that they might be victorious ; and as the evening had come on leaving the Americans in front, they had the behef that the attack would be in front or along the line of the road. Here we may remark, that the idea of rapid night movements, with a view to turn positions or make surprises by skill and energy, seems not to be at all fa- miliar to the Mexican generals. Had it been, why did they not discover, and endeavor to prevent the execution and use of the new road made round the heights of Cerro Gordo ? Why did they not throw their troops into, and defend the narrow pass, between mountain and water, * See Official Report. » See Scott's Official Report POSITION OF THE ARMIES. 253 round the south end of Lake Chalco ? And why, now, with twenty thousand men in sight, did they not watch and defend the space between Valencia's batteries, and the road and hamlet occupied on the night of the 19th by the brigades of Riley and Smith ? They did not, and lost the battle (stratagetically considered) on that account. Let us now review the exact position of the two armies on the morning of the 20th — and which, all other thing* being equal, decided their fate — as to the position of Con- treras. First, we observe, that the road leading by the heights of Contreras, goes to Mexico through San Angel. At the last place a road branches off, rather southeast, by Coyhoacan, to the San Antonia road at Churubusco. At the last place, and very near the junction of the roads, the San Antonia road crosses a little stream, or canal, called Churubusco River. At this point, covering the crossing, is a regular fortification, called Tete du Pont, or Bridge- head. This is connected with a church or convent, in the hamlet of Churubusco, by defences. Churubusco is approached, then, on the south and west, by two roads only ; one from San Angel, through Coyhoacan ; the other from San Antonia. Now the reader will mark that the Mexican positions were these : \st. Valencia, with the division of the north, composed of about six thousand men, occupied the batteries and hill-side on the height of Contreras. This was a battery mounted with heavy pieces. The object of this defence was to command the road, which was a good one, from here to Mexico. 2d. At about two miles from this work, and parallel with the same road, lay the main body of the Mexican army, un- der Santa Anna, supposed to be about twelve thousand men. A reference to the map of the ground will show w 254 POSITION OF THE ARMIES. that this was a position well adapted to reinforce either Contreras upon one road, or Churubusco on the other. Sd. General Rincon, with the regiments of Bravo and Independencia, occupied the church and tete du pont, at Churubusco.^ 4th. San Antonia, which had first ar- rested the march of Worth's division in this direction, was likewise garrisoned and fortified. In all these positions, taken in the aggregate, the Mexican forces amounted to about twenty-five thousand men. All of them were strong positions when skilfully and energetically defended. It is very evident, however, that if Contreras were taken, San Antonia would be turned and rendered useless. Churubusco then might be attacked without touching Antonia. The enemy must then concentrate his defence at the tete du pont of Churubusco. This actually took place. The American positions we have already detailed The object of Scott was first to force the fortifications ot Contreras, and thus command the read through San An- gel, and then to carry Churubusco, when the main road would be open to the city of Mexico. For this purpose, the brigades under the command of General P. F. Smith were detached to surround, if possible, the height of Con- treras ; Shields to support and hold the road ; Worth to check Antonia and divert in front ; while Quitman gar- risoned the depot of San Augustine. The immediate ar- rangements and command at Contreras devolved upon General Smith, who most ably carried out the views of the commander-in-chief. The nature of the ground and * General Rincon's Official Report. STORMING OF CONTRERAS. 255 the negligence of the Mexicans favored our troops in ta- king their respective places. We have seen that the brigades of Riley, Cadvvallader, and Smith, each took their position in rear of the enemy, with only the crest of a hill between. Shields' position in the hamlet was such, that he was able on one hand to cut off or check rein- forcements, and on the other to intercept the retreat of Valencia. In fact, the Americans had cut the line of the Mexican defence, and were thus able to attack their posts and divisions in detail. This was done. At six A. M. the arrangements for battle were all made. The place and course of Riley's brigade was given by Lieutenant Tower, of the engineers. In the same man- ner, that of Cadwallader was pointed out by Lieutenants Beauregard and Brooks ; while Captain Lee directed the course of the column under Colonel Ransom.* All these officers had reconnoitred the enemy's camp and forces. When the word was given, our men sprung up in rear and on both flanks of the astonished Mexicans, rushed over the crest of the hill, and dashed pell-mell into the intrenchments ! Nothing could resist them : the batteries were taken ; the army of Valencia driven out in utter rout ; and its flying remnants pursued on the road to Mex- ico ! So admirable were the dispositions, and so impul- sively energetic, that the battje was ended almost as soon as begun. The actual conflict lasted but seventeen min- utes ! The pursuit was for hours. The results were gigantic. Of the scene during the battle, and the fierce ardor Scott's Official Report, (No. 32.) 256 STORMING OF CONTRERAS. which impelled the American^ troops, we take a descrip lion from the same graphic writer whom we have before quoted. " At last, just at daylight. General Smith slowly walking up, asked if all was ready. A look answered him. ' Men, forward /' and we did ' forward.' Spring- ing up at once, Riley's brigade opened, when the crack of a hundred rifles started the Mexicans from their astonish- ment, and they opened their fire. Useless fire — for we were so close that they overshot us, and before they could turn their pieces on us we were on them. Then such cheers arose as you never heard. The men rushed forward like demons, yelling and firing the while. The carnage was frightful, and though they fired sharply, it was of no use. The earthen parapet was cleared in an in- stant, and the blows of the stocks could be plainly heard, mingled with the yells and groans around. Just before the charge was made, a large body of lancers came wind- ing up the road, looking most splendidly in their brilliant uniforms. They never got to the work, but turned and fled.^ In an instant all was one mass of confusion, each * The Mexicans uniformly, in their reports and letters, speak of the peo- ple of the United States of the north, as " Americans," although they are themselves just as much " Americans." This settles the question, whether the people of the United States have a name. ' This dastardly conduct of the Mexican cavalry is thus spoken of rrt the Official Report of General Salas, which corresponds in this respect with the above account : " As soon as I observed the dispersion of our forces, I endeavored to check it. Crying ' Victory to Mexico !' and sounding the signal of attack, I succeeded in rallying our troops, and ordered General Anastasia Torre- jon to make a charge with his cavalry ; but this chief, far from obeying my orders, fled like a coward, and the cavalry following his example. STORMING OF CONTRERAS. 257 trying lo be foremost in the flight. The road was literally blocked up, and while many perished by their own guns^ it was almost impossible to fire on the mass from the dan- ger of killing our own men. Some fled up the ravine on. the left, or on the right, and many of these were slain by turning their own guns on them. Towards the city, the rifles and 2d infantry led off the pursuit. Seeing that a large crowd of fugitives were jammed up in a pass in the' road, some of the men ran through the corn-field, and by thus heading them off and firing down upon them, about thirty men took over five hundred prisoners, nearly a hun- dred of them officers."^ In the mean time, the enemy (who previous to the as- sault were ignorant of the American forces in the ravine) had commenced a heavy fire on Shields' brigade in the hamlet. This, however, ceased when the charge was made by Riley. Shields then ordered his brigade, com- posed of the New York and South Carolina regiments, into the road, to cut off the retreat of such of Valencia's corps as passed that way. In this they succeeded. Large parties of the enemy were met by the fire of these regi- ments, and either scattered through the fields or made prisoners. At this point on the road three hundred and sixty-five were taken, of whom twenty-five were officers, and among the latter was General Nicholas Mendoza.^ The victory of Contreras^ was brilliant and decisive. trampled down the infantry in their flight, and completed our defeat." — Salas' Official Report, August 28th, 1847. * Letter of an officer in the New York Courier. " Official Report of General Shields. ' Official Report of General Scott. W 2 17 N 258 RESULTS OF THE VICTORY. The aggregate loss of the enemy was seven hundred killed, about one thousand wounded, eight hundred and thirteen prisoners, of whom eighty-eight were officers, (including four generals,) twenty-two pieces of brass can- non, seven hundred pack-mules, and an immense number '>f small-arms, shot, shells, and ammunition. But the most important loss, to an experienced military eye, was that of one of the strong positions by which the roads to Mexico were commanded, and in consequence of which San Antonia was turned, and Churubusco attacked in flank. It was only two miles from the point where Shields captured Mendoza to San Angel, and but three miles (by good roads) from the last point (by Coyhoacan) to Churubusco. On these roads the American troops rushed in pursuit of the flying enemy, till they united with Worth's corps in the storm of the church and tete du pont at the last place. Among the generals taken, were Salas, Mendoza, Garcia, and Guadalupe. The two former appear to have been men of talent, while of General Valencia, their commander, nothing was then heard ; and he seems to have been either wanting in skill and courage, or to have been so overwhelmed with his misfortune, as to be un- willing to make his appearance.' By a private corre- spondence^ between him and Santa Anna, it seems that the latter had directed him, on the 17th or 18th, (previous to the arrival of the army in front of the fortifications,) to abandon his post at San Angel, (probably the fortification,) ' Official Report of General Salas. ' Private intercepted correspondence between Valencia and Santa Anna, dated the 18th and 19th of August. PLEASING INCIDENT. 259 which Valencia, on the 18th, gave reasons why he should not obey ; and on the 19th Santa Anna yields, but doubts the propriety of Valencia maintaining his post. Both ap- pear to have been wrong in a military point of view. The heights of Contreras were a proper point to defend, but batteries should have been placed on two or three other eminences ; and, above all, the commander should never have allowed a storming party to get into a ravine, within gunshot, without being known. Such a fact argues gross negligence. One of the striking events of the day, was the recap- ture of the identical pieces of artillery taken at Buena Vista by the Mexicans. This circumstance is thus related by the commander-in-chief •} " One of the most pleasing incidents of the victory is the recapture, in the works, by Captain Drum, 4th artil- lery, under Major Gardner, of the two brass six-pounders, taken from another company of the same regiment, though without the loss of honor, at the glorious battle of Buena Vista, about which guns the whole regiment had mourned for so many months. Coming up, a little later, I had the happiness to join in the protracted cheers of the gallant 4th, on the joyous event ; and, indeed, the whole army sympathizes in its just pride and exultation."^ ' General Scott's Official Report. ' In connection with this circumstance, it is proper to say that Captain O'Brienj who commanded the battery to which these guns were attached at Buena Vista, requested a court of inquiry, which was held in March, 1847. The court found the fact, that he was the last man who left the pieces, the others having been all killed and wounded. Their opinion was thus given : 260 STRENGTH OF THE ARMIES. The strength of the two armies in this engagement, may be thus slated. Including the brigade of Shields, placed in the hamlet, and which we have shown to have done most effective service, the American troops amounted to about four thousand five hundred; while the corps of Valencia and Mendoza were seven thousand, and at least twelve thousand were on the same road. If we deduct Shields' brigade, as keeping in check the main body of Mexicans, it is probable the actual battle was fought by three thousand five hundred on our side, against seven thousand Mexicans in fortified intrenchmenis. The dis- crepancy in numbers was not so great as in some other actions ; but, on the other hand, the military dispositions were admirable, and the battle was won before it was fought. We must now follow the army in its bloody march through and over the intrenchments of Churubusco. At 8 A. M., or two hours from its commencement, the fight of Contreras may be said to have been completed ; the OPINION. " The court is unanimously of the opinion that the conduct of Captain O'Brien, during the whole time, was bold and intrepid, and deserving of the highest commendation. The firm stand made by him in the after- noon, by which he sacrificed his whole section, contributed largely to the success of the day, if it did not save us from disaster." II. The proceedings of the court, in the above case, having been sub- mitted to and examined by the commanding general, are by him fully ap- proved. III. The court of inquiry, of which Brevet Colonel W. G. Belknap, 8th infantry, is president, is hereby dissolved. By order of Maj. Gen. Taylor. (Signed) W. W. S. BLISS, Asst. Adjt. Gen. POSITION OF CHURUBUSCO. 261 greater part of the time being occupied in pursuit of the broken and scattered remnants of Valencia's division — Valencia himself having disappeared. Churubusco is really about four miles froai the heights of Conlreras, in a direct line east ; but the road goes northeast to San Angel, and then forks southeast, so that the distance by the road is about six miles. This point was defended by General Rincon, (as we have before said,) with the regiments of Independencia and Bravo — reinforced largely on the morning of the 2()lh.^ The retreating bodies of men, who had occupied An- tonia, and the fragments left from Contreras, were con- centrated in and about Churubusco, where they ar- rived but little before the advancing and attacking regi- ments of Scott. That morning, the commander of artillery, Don Martin Correra, arrived, bringing six pieces of cannon, which were placed in battery on the road to Coyhoacan, and in the centre of a field-work, erected around the liacienda, which was at the com- mencement of the causeway leading to the western gate of the city, and had to be passed before getting on the road. 7'his hacienda consisted of an enclosure of stone walls — inside of which, was a stone building higher than these walls ; and above all, a stone church, higher than the rest. The outside walls were pierced with two ranges of embrasures, and high enough to command the surrounding country, and fire plungingly upon those ap- proaching to the assault.^ The church and the hacienda were surrounded by this outside field-work. About ' General Rincon's Official Despatch, dated August 26th. * Letter of an officer, m the New York Courier. 262 DESCRIPTION Oi' CHURUBUSCO. three hundred yards in the rear, and a little to the east, was the tete du pont, at the intersection of the cause- way, or principal road with a canal or river. By passing along the causeway, the church and field-work would be left a little on the west side, and the troops would be first arrested by the tete du pont. This was the ca^c with Worth's division. On the morning of the 20th, about 8 a.m., when it was fully ascertained that the enemy (now defeated at Co/i- treras) was in full retreat towards the great causeway road from San Antonia to Mexico, the two brigades (ono of Worth's and one of Quitman's) which had been or- dered to make a diversion in front of Contreras, were or- dered back to their respective divisions. Quitman wa.s directed with his remaining brigade (Shields' being now under the direction of General Twiggs, on the road frons San Angel) to garrison San Augustine, the general dcpc/i of the army, and the loss of whicli could not be risked.' The division of Worth was ordered to proceed to ihu attack of San Antonia, and when that was carried, la march on and rejoin the other divisions in the attack of the defences of Churubusco. Accordingly, the brigades of Clarke and Garland (Worth's) proceeded to the at- tack of Antonia. This post, left unsupported by the line of troops, now driven from Contreras, and with com- paratively open ground about it, could be turned. Ac- cordingly, Colonel Clarke's brigade, conducted by Cap- tain Mason of the engineers, and Lieutenant Hardcaslle of the topographical corps, turned the enemy's right, by a sweep to the left, and came out on the high road ' Scott's Official Report, No. 32, August 28th. ATTACK ON CHURUBUSCO, 263 to Mexico. In the mean time, the garrison had retreated, and were now cut in the centre by the advancing column of Clarke. One-half were driven off towards the east, and the other part on the causeway towards Churubusco. The brigade of Garland advancing in front, now oc- cupied the evacuated hamlet — capturing the artillery in its batteries. These brigades were soon united, and rushed on in hot pursuit.^ The grand movement of the day now commenced — the march of the united army (Quitman's 2d brigade ex- cepted) on the fortified post of Churubusco. This was made in two columns — the division of Worth from San Antonia in front, and the divisions of Twiggs and Pillow, with the brigade of Shields from Coyhoacan ; to which point they had pursued the remains of the Mexican army, — routed at Contreras, and followed through San Angel. This naturally resolved the battle into two dis- tinct actions on the same field, and so clearly connected, as to be within half cannon-shot at the centres of contest. These were respectively, the tete du pont, attacked by the first column under Worth, and the fortified church and hacienda, attacked by the column of Twiggs and Pillow. Let us first follow Worth's attack. It had got to be about 1 p. m., when the different di- visions from the south and west were united, not in line, (nor together,) but within the same circuit of attack.^ At the same time, the garrisons of Churubusco, (strongly reinforced,) the brigade of Perez, at Portalis, the broken corps from San Angel, and the principal divisions of ' Scott's Official Report. ^ Letter iu the New York Courier 264 BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. Santa Anna's arnny were all prepared for battle, having concentrated in and about Churubusco. The division of Twiggs had commenced the attack on the fortified church about an hour, amidst an incessant roll of fire, when Worth, with Cadwallader's brigade, (Pillow's di- vision,) commenced manoeuvring on the tete du pont, Tlie other fortification attacked by Twiggs, was just half- gunshot to the left, and but for the attack on it, would have poured a destructive fire on Worth. Both were attacked simultaneously — and thus the fire of Pablo de Churubusco was in a measure diverted. The brigade of Colonel Garland, with Smith's light battalion, moved along a little to the right of the road, directly up to the tete du pont. They advanced under the fire of a long line of infantry. Clarke's brigade marched at the same time, directly on the road; and this again was supported by the 1 llh and 14th regiments, (Cadwallader's,) and the whole moved steadily up under a tremendous discharge of both small-arms and cannon. Most of these corps, advancing perpendicularly, suffered greatly from the fire of batteries at the bridge-head.^ At length, the line in front of Garland's column gave way, and made a rapid retreat to Mexico. Tlie tete du pont was reached by Clarke's — its deep ditch was crossed by the 5th and 8th infantry — the parapets stormed — and one of the most formidable defences of Mexico crowned by its capture^ the third action of the memorable 20th of August. In the meanwhile, a yet more active, bloody, and eventful action took place to the left of Worth's line, in the attack on what may be called the Citadel of Churu- * Scott's Official Report. BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. 265 busco, the fortification at the hacienda, before described. Scott, who on the 19th had been posted on an eminence in front of Contreras, and on that night gave directions for the early storm of Contreras — had this morning given (amidst the trophies of the field) his orders for the forward movement of Worth, and now (in the forenoon) joined General Pillow's division in its march to Coy- hoacan. Here, just one mile west of Churubusco, at a point made convenient by several cross-roads, he made the arrangements for the day. Cadwallader's brigade was detached (as we have seen) to reinforce Worth at Antonia. Twiggs's division was ordered (except the rifles) to attack the citadel, San Pablo, in front. Pierce's brigade first, and soon after Shields', were directed to lake a road which led to the rear of Churubusco, to divert the troops under Santa Anna, and threaten his right and rear ; with a view also, should the attack in front succeed, to cut off the retreat of the Mexican forces to the city. General Shields commanded this corps, which was directed in its course by Captain Lee, of the engineers.^ These dispositions were rapidly made, and as quickly executed. The troops moved regularly and gallantly into their places, and the battle of Churubusco was commenced, which, for three hours was vigorously maintained amidst the raging of all the elements, which mingle their terrible voices and their crimson banners on the battle-field. The veteran regiments of Smith and Riley quailed not amidst the whirlwind of fire, and the storm of balls which rolled from the well-directed guns of San Pablo in front ; while far to the left, the gallant ' Scott's Official Report. 266 BATTLE OF CHCRUBUSCO. volunteers of Carolina and New York, were rapidly filling their untimely, though glorious graves ! Here, the Mexican general, Rincon, ably defended his post. There, the masses of Santa Anna poured themselves on the division of Shields ! A lurid canopy of sulphurous smoke rose over the heads of the combatants, and, far over the ancient plains of Mexico, rolled the roar of cannon and the crash of arms — that awful music, which makes the song of battle, the prelude of death, and the voice of angry nations. One might imagine the fierce spirit of Guatimozin hovering exultant over ^he plain, where the Celt and the Saxon, the enemies of his race, poured out in mortal conflict, (as if in just retribution,) their blood and their lives, over the graves of his fathers. In the centre of the batteries of San Pablo was placed the company of St. Patrick's, formed out of deserters from the American army.^ These men fought desperately and skilfully, causing the deaths of many of the assailants, and delaying the capture of the post. An officer of the rifles thus describes the scene :* " The firing was most tremen- dous ; in fact, one continued roll while the combat lasted. The enemy, from their elevated position, could readily see our men, who were unable to get a clear view from their position. Three of the pieces were manned by the ' de- serters,^ a body of about one hundred who had deserted from the ranks of our army during the war. They were enrolled in two companies, commanded by a deserter,^ ' Report of General Rincon, who says that the battalion of Bravo and the companies of St. Patrick were stationed in the front batteries. * Letter in the New York Courier. ' This man's name is Thomas Riley, a deserter from the 3d infantry. BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. 267 and were better uniformed and disciplined than the rest of the army. These men fought most desperately ; and are said not only to have shot down several of our officer^ whom they knew, but to have pulled down the white flag of surrender no less than three times." It, was now two hours and a half from the commence- ment of the battle by the division of Twiggs, when the tete du pont gave way before the storming parties of Worth. The enemy were driven out at the point of the bayonet, and the larger part of Worth's and Pillow's divis- ions crossed the bridge and followed in vigorous pursuit. Captain Larkin Smith and Lieutenant Snelling of the 8th infantry, however, seized upon a field-piece and fired upon the church, or citadel. The furious battle at that point still continued ; but in half an hour more — ^just three hours from the commencement — the citadel (San Pablo) was entered, sword in hand, by two companies of the 3d infantry under Captains Alexander and J. M. Smith, with Lieutenant Shepler. At the same moment the white flag had been exhibited, and Captain Alexander received the surrender, and hoisted on the balcony the flags of the gallant 3d infantry. A fourth time, in one day, had the eagle of victory perched upon her favorite standard. The bold bird of war seemed to rejoice with exultant flight in the career of the conquering Saxon ! But the dead and the dying were not yet to be left to the stillness of advancing night. Far to the left the tide of waj still rolled its angry waves. The brigades of Pierce and Shields, supported by the rifles, had encoun- tered, to the rear of the works of Churubusco, four thousand Mexican infantry supported by three thousand cavalry. Hotly and furiously did the battle, rage in this 268 RESULTS OF THE BATTLE. quarter. Regiment after regiment, the 9lh, 12t!i, 15lh infantry, with Ransom, Wood, and Morgan, came up to the charge. Here were covered with glory and with blood the chivalry of Carolina, the bold soldiers of New York ! Here Pierce, fainting with pain, was taken from the field ; here the brave Butler fell ; and here, a ffth time on the ' same extraordinary day, the banner of the Anglo-American waved over troops triumphantly victorious ! The Span- ish-Aztecs retreated from the bloody scene of their defeat, ' leaving hundreds of their bravest prisoners, and hundreds more to mingle their dust with the undistinguished dead, to be remembered no more. Over the dead and over the long causeway the fugitives are j)ursued by the gallant dragoons, and it was not till at the very gates of Mexico i that the impulsive Captain Kearney reined in his horse.^ i , In the citadel (church) of Churubusco the brave Gen- erals Rincon and Anaya,^ (provisional president,) with hundreds of others, were taken prisoners. Thus had the army of Scott at Conlreras, Antonia, the Tete du Pont, Churubusco, and in the field, five times in one glorious day, defeated the enemy in sight of the capital of Mexico, in that wonderful valley where, three hundred years before, Cortez had overwhelmed the Aztecs with the invincibles of Spain. History, the Kaleidoscope of humanity, is again exhibiting strange and various and mysterious events. The northman had come from the dark forests of the Danube and the Elbe to overwhelm ' Orders had been dispatclied to recall the dragoons, but they did not receive them ; and Kearney lost his arm, and stopped only at the galea tsf Mexico. * General Anaya has since been elected president. REFLECTIONS UN IHE BATTLE. 269 the Roman in the Enghsh isles ; again he embarks on the waters of the Atlantic and penetrates the woods of the western continent, builds republics, renews the glory of civilization, and now sends the chariots of war to over- whelm in conquest the descendants of those very invinci- bles whom Corlez had victoriously led from the Gulf of Mexico to the palace of the Montezumas, Is there no ministry of retribution in this — no angel of fate unfolding the cycles of providence ? Scott, now at Churubusco, turns with a glad spirit and grateful heart to the troops, and rejoices with them in the martial glory of their country. The old soldiers seize his hand ; there is silence, and the old commander pours forth " in eloquent and patriotic words the commendation of their gallant conduct."^ An officer, who was present, says : " During this thrilling scene, I looked up to a balcony of the church that had been so bravely defended. It was filled by Mexican prisoners. Among ihem General Rincon, a venerable old soldier, was leaning forward, his counte- nance glowing and his eyes sparkling with every mani- festation of delight. I verily believe that the old veteran, with the spirit of a true soldier, upon beholding a victo- rious general so greeted by the brave men he had just led to victory, forgot for a moment his own position, that he was defeated and a prisoner ; and saw and thought only of the enthusiasm by which he was surrounded."^ First. Let us now examine the results of this great day in American military annals. Let us review in brief * Letter in the Journal of Commerce. " Letter in the Journal of Commerce. x2 270 RESULTS OF THE BATTLE. the actions of the day and the defences overcome. 1st. There were, as we have said, five distinct actions, al- though the last three were fought as parts of one great battle. There were, 1, The storm of Contreras ; 2, The capture of Antonia ; 3, The storm of the tete du pont ; 4, The battle and assault of the church and outworks of Churubusco ; 5, The action in the rear of Churubusco with the right wing of Santa Anna's corps. These last three were parts of one drama, but distinct in the skill, the action, and the relative effects. The tete du pont was about four hundred yards from the fortified church of Churubusco ; and the field in which Pierce and Shields were engaged, nearly a mile in rear of both. There is no doubt the fierce attack on the church (citadel) aided the divisions of Worth in their assault on the tete du pont ; and there is no doubt, either, that the fall of the latter determined, in a great measure, the fall of the former. 2d. The next point of interest is the relative proportions of either army in numbers and position. It must be re- membered here, that the American army were in the heart of an enemy's country, and were assailing fortified posi- tions. These facts may be fairly said to have doubled the real strength of the Mexican army. At Contreras the relative numbers, actually in fight, were — Americans, three thousand five hundred — Mexicans, seven thousand : in field, supporting, all counted, four thousand five hundred Americans — nineteen thousand Mexicans : at Churubusco, in all parts of the field, nine thousand Americans — thirty thousand Mexicans. There is no doubt that the actual f garrison of the fortified church, under General Rincon, was comparatively small, and that those who defended the mere batteries of the tete du pont were not very STRENGTH OF THE MEXICANS. 271 numerous ; but behind these, and especially behind the tele du pont, were long lines of infantry and cavalry, amounting, taken in all, to nearly thirty thousand. 3d. The third point is the strength of the batteries and defences. The following is a statement of these •} INFANTRY BATTERIES. GUNS. BREASTWORKS. Contreras 1 22 SanAntonia 7 24 2 Churubusco 2 15 Total 10 61 2 At the tete du pont of Churubusco, a canal, or river, passed behind, over which was a bridge. This was the field-defence of Santa Anna's army, which lay behind ; and certainly any one who will examine the positions and defences of the Mexicans at Churubusco must pronounce them very strong, well chosen, and well defended, in regard to the fortified points. Second. What were the results in respect to the enemy ? These positions, which commanded the main roads to Mexico in that direction, were all taken ; the causeways were laid open to the very gates of the city ; and the vast materiel arrayed for its defence destroyed or captured. At the end of this great day in war, Scott, while the troops were yet pursuing, proceeded on to Tacubaya; but on the way was met with propositions for peace. After ' Taken from a statement made by Captain Lee. 272 THE ARMISTICE. making his reply, he proceeded lo Tacubaya, near the strong castle of Chapuhepec. The guns from the castle were silent, and the headquarters of the American army- were soon safely established in the palace of tlie arch- bishop, a huge pile of buildings, surrounded with beautiful gardens. Before him, in full view, rose the domes and spires of the famed city, environed by beautiful lakes, and the richest natural scenery. He was at the gates of the " Halls of the Monlezumas," with an army flushed with victory, and impatient to be led to the assault. But nei- ther the glory of military renown, nor the rich treasures which have been dug from the mines of Mexico, could dazzle the eye of the patriot soldier, or swerve him from the obligations to humanity. Before the carnage of another battle, he must make one final effort to stay the iron arm of destruction, and reclaim warring nations to the paths of peace. Hence his beau- tiful letter, expressing the Christian sentiment, " Enough blood has been shed in this unnatural war." When the echoes of ihe cannon shall have died away, and the clangor of arms shall have ceased — when the steeled warrior shall have gone to his rest, and the conqueror and the van- quished shall lie down together — Christianity will weave her unfading chaplet for the soldier who has ever been true lo her highest obligations and benign requirements.^ * The following are the results of the battles of the 20th : — American loss — killed, wounded, and missing, 1,053. Mexican loss— 3,500 prisoners ; 1,500 killed, wounded, and missing , 37 pieces artillery captured ; small-arms, ammunition, and equipments for an army. THE ARMISTICE. 273- CHAPTER XIII. Peace Negotiations. — President Polk's Commission.— Mexican Conditions. — American Ultimatum.— Failure of Negotiations.— Scott's Notice to Santa Anna. — Trial and Execution of the Deserters. — Description of Chapultepec— Of Molino del Rey.— Mexican Defences.— March of Worth.— Strength of his Corps.— Battle of Molino del Rey.— Mexican Loss.— Evacuation of Molino del Rey.— Preparations for the Attack of Chapultepec- Erection of Batteries.— Storm of Chapultepec— Ac- tion of the 13th.— Capture of Mexico.— Entrance into the City.— Scott's Address to the Soldiers.— Insurrection of the Leperos.- Appearance of the Cityi In the last chapter we recorded the memorable events of the 20th of August, 1847, in the valley of Mexico,— events unequalled in their extraordinary character and their dramatic interest by any preceding part of the mili- tary history of America. Kearney had hardly been re- called from his adventurous charge to the gates of Mexico, when the shades of evening gathered round the bloody field of Churubusco. The battle had passed, and the vale lay as silent as the lonely bodies of the slain. Passed away are all the rolling thunders of the red artillery, and quenched their fires as the silent and quenched volcanoes of the snow-crowned Popocatapetl, rearing its cold head upon the distant horizon. Nature sleeps, and the dead sleep, and the weary soldier sleeps, while the sentry and the stars keep watch together. But though the fires of volcanoes may sleep, and the artillery may cease to flash, the events of time and providence will never sleep. 18 274 THE ARALISTICE. History moves on. Its recording pen never ceases to write while man is an actor in the drama of providence, and humanity continues to develop its mighty and myste- rious powers. On the morning of the 21st, Scott, en route Xo Coyhoa- can, was met by commissioners from Santa Anna, pro- posing an armistice. The time was not then agreed to, but Scott told them he should sleep that night at Tacu- baya. The commissioners then told him that if he would delay his march a few hours, they would send an order to the fortress of Chapultepec not to fire on him ! The general, however, did not delay his march, but entered Tacubaya early in tlie afternoon, attended by the dragoons alone ; Worth's division did not arrive till late in the eve- ning.^ That night Scott occupied the Archiepiscopal Palace of Mexico. At this time it is unquestionably true that the American general might have entered the plaza of Mexico, or have demolished its splendid edifices by the fire of his bombs. He did not ; but, in conformity with the dictates of humanity, on the following morning re- ceived the propositions of the Mexican commissioners for a truce. This he arranged on his own terras, when the negotiations commenced. To understand this negotiation, we must recur to the events in the order of time. In the first place, we must note the commission of President Polk to Mr. N. P. Trist. It seems that on the 15th day of April, 1847, the Presi- dent gave a formal commission to Mr. Trist, in which he states that he has " invested him, in the fullest and most complete manner, with ample power and authority, in the ' Letter in the Journd of Commerce. MR. trist's mission. 275 name of the United States, to meet and confer with any person or persons, who shall have similar authority from the republic of Mexico, and between them to negotiate and conclude an arrangement of the differences which exist between the two countries — a treaty of peace, ami- ty, and lasting boundaries.'" The President had no power by the Constitution, to constitute a mission to a foreign country, nor would he have power to make a treaty with- out the advice and consent of the Senate. Mr. Trist, then, notwithstanding his commission, was in fact the mere agent of the President, and no more. Accordingly, he carried out with him from the department 'of state a *' project of a treaty" to be presented to the Mexican gov- ernment.^ The inference from this transaction is, lliat the cabinet at Washington supposed that the Mexican people were anxious for peace, and there was nothing for the President of the United States to do but to say on what terms peace should be made. The opposite of this idea appears to have been the state of the Mexican mind, for they met the American agent with instructions to their commissioners that the treaty should be made on the basis that they had triumphed, and as if the war could be pros- ecuted by them with advantage.^ In this spirit met the commissioners. Mr. Trist, the agent of President Polk, at two thousand miles from his principal, tied down to the letter and detail of a treaty drawn up by the Secretary ,of State, without the power to change it ; and the Mexican ' See copy of Mr. Trist's commission. * See official copy of the " Project of a Treaty. ' See conditions for the Mexican commissioners drawn up by Santa Anna, Pacheco, &c., &c. 276 COMMISSIONERS APPOINTED. commissioners meeting him, as if their country was in- tact, and their arms invulnerable to conquest. On the 25th of August, Mr. Trist addressed a note to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations, informing him that he is ready to treat with commissioners on the part of Mexico. On the 26th, Mr. Pacheco replies, that he is engaged in appointing commissioners for that purpose, who would assemble the following evening at the village of Atzcopozalco, an intermediate point between the two armies. The invitation and appointment Mr. Trist accepted in a note of the same date. Among the commissioners appointed by the Mexican secretary was General Herrera, formerly president of the republic. This distinguished man promptly declined the appointment. The grounds on which he declined are worthy of note. He was president in 1845, when the mission of Slidell occurred. He was willing to hear Sli- dell state his terms ; but that person, as we have already stated, had neither the patience nor temper to wait and watch events, but impetuously demanded that he should be immediately received. The downfall of Herrera im- mediately took place ; and Herrera now says : " For the single act of being willing to listen to his propositions, m)' administration- was calumniated in the most atrocious manner, this act alone causing the revolution whicli de- prived me of the command ; and to take part in the same question, at this day, would cause a renewal of the cal- umnies which then assailed me." Mr. Pacheco, however, msisted upon his acceptance, and he finally acted on the commission. The Mexican commission was composed of the following persons : COMMISSIONERS MEET. STT Don Jose Joaquin de Herrera, general of division. Don Bernardo Conto, general of brigade. Don Ignacio Mora y Villamil, general. , Don Miguel Atristain, Don Jose Miguel Arroyo, Secretary. The great points of negotiation were the boundaries to ^oe drawn between Mexico and the United States, one party insisting upon territory to be taken from the other. The boundaries in the " project" of Mr. Trist were chief- ly these : Article 4th of the " project" requires that the boundary line should commence in front of the mouth of the Rio Grande, and should follow the middle of that river to the southern boundary of New Mexico ; thence west with the southern line of New Mexico to the western boundary ; thence north with the river Gila till it empties into the Rio Colorado ; thence down the Colorado and the gulf of Mexico to the Pacific. Article 8th required the free right of way forever over the isthmus of Tehuantepec, An examination of the map will show that our govern- ment demanded, 1st, The cession of the disputed terri- tory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande ; 2d, Of New Mexico ; 3d, Of both Upper and Lower California. The Mexican commissioners presented a counter- project, which contained the following definition of boun- dary : 1st, The dividing line between the two republics shall commence in the bay of Corpus Christi ; thence to the mouth of the Nueces ; thence with the middle of said stream to its source ; thence west to the eastern boundary y 278 TERMS DEMANDED. of New Mexico ; thence north with that boundary to the 37th degree of latitude ; thence west with that parallel to the Pacific. 2d, That the government of Mexico would found no settlement or colony between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, leaving that country as an uninhabited frontier. The map shows that this proposition grants to the Uni- ted States the best part of California, while it proposes to leave the territory in dispute an uninhabited region. Bar- ren by nature, it is not likely to invite inhabitants till the better parts of the continent are settled. In a subsequent oral discussion between Mr. Trist and the Mexican com- missioners, it appears that the former was willing to abandon the claim to Lower California, and to refer the decision on the Nueces territory to the cabinet at Wash- ington.^ As between Mr. Trist and the Mexican com- missioners, the failure of the negotiation turned wholly on the claim of the south part of New Mexico ; for^ above the 37th degree Mexico had conceded every things and Mr. Trist, in the name of the United States, was willing to concede Lower California. New Mexico had never been claimed by the United States at all, previous to this negotiation, nor had we any plausible claim to it except that which President Polk had formally disclaimed, — that of conquest.^ The formal report made by the Mexican commissioners to the secretary for foreign relations, the 7th of Septem- ber, 1847, announced that the discussions had closed and ' The Mexican commissioners' statement to the secretary of foreigiik affairs, dated Sept. 7th, 1847. ' President Polk disclaimed conquest in his messages. NEGOTIATIONS CLOSED. 279 the negotiations failed. In the mean time, various docu- ments had been issued by the Mexican authorities, which disclosed the fact that Mexico was not ready for peace. One was a protest of the representatives of the stales of Mexico, Jahsco, and Zacatecas, signed by Valentin Go- mez Farias and his colleague deputies, declaring that, un- der existing circumstances, " the city of Mexico would not allow the necessary freedom in its discussions and delib- erations, if Congress should assemble in that city, and that it would not comport with the dignity of the republic that its representatives should deliberate there on this matter." They also declared that any arrangement in regard to ex- ternal relations, " without the ratification of Congress," would be null and unconstitutional. They further affirm, that this step is taken with the express view to save the republic " from the ignominy which would inevitably at- tach to a treaty concluded and ratified under the guns of the enemy, and on the day succeeding unlooked-for re- verses."^ At the same time, the secretary of state issued a circular to the states of Puebla and Mexico, calling for a levy en masse, " in order that they may attack and harass the enemy with whatever weapons each may conveniently procure, whether good or bad, by fire and sword, and by every practicable means which it is possible to employ in the annihilating of an invading army." These and other declarations and documents, prove conclusively that, how- ever fairly and sincerely General Herrera and his col- leagues may have conducted the negotiations, yet, in fact, the Mexican population were indisposed to peace. ' There is no evidence that any considerable number of Mexicans have ever been for peace. 280 ARMISTICE TERMINATED. On the 6th of September, Scott had given General Santa Anna notice of certain breaches of the armistice. To this the Mexican chief replied with similar complaints. ^ On the 7th, the failure of the negotiations became known, and General Scott took his measures for the recommence- ment of hostilities. XBefore we proceed, however, to narrate events of new and extraordinary interest in the valley of Mexico, we must turn aside to witness another and a sadder tragedy — one in which no rays of glory light up the darkness of death, but the gloomy curtains of despair and shame are drawn round the unpitied and unhonored crim- inal. Desertion in the face of an enemy, and during the existence of actual war, has been, among all nations and in all time, punished with death. It is treason — dis- loyalty — in its worst, least excusable, and most dangerous form. Of this crime, were " the companies of St. Pat- rick"^ palpably and undeniably guilty. They had fought in the ranks of the Mexican army, at the batteries of Churu- busco ; they had fought longest and hardest against those very colors which they had sworn to defend ; they were deserters, and many of them were taken prisoners. Soon after the battles of the 20ih, and while the negotiations were pending, twenty-nine of these men were tried by a general court-martial, of which Colonel Riley of the 2d infantry was president. The court found these men guilty, (two-thirds of the whole court concurring in each several case,) and sentenced each one of them to hang by the neck till dead. In a general order, dated the 8th of September, General Scott approved the sentence, with ^ See the Report of General Riucon. EXECUTION OF THE DESERTERS. 281 the exception of three, who had deserted previous to the commencement of the war, and two others, who were rec- ommended to favor by the court ; and four, in whose pallia- lion there appeared some mitigating circumstances, i The remainder were executed according to the sentence. Six- teen were executed at San Angel, on the 10th of Septem- ber. Six of the whole number tried were deserters from the 3d infantry, three from the 5th infantry, four from the 7th infantry, two from the 2d infantry. Jive from the 3d ar- tillery, six from the 4th artillery, one from the 1st artillery, and tivo from the 2d dragoons. General Scott, in examin- ing the proceedings of the court, appears to have released every man from the penalty of death, in whose favor any reason or mitigation could be pleaded. Among the three whom he found were not legally subject to the penalty of death, because they had deserted previous to the commence- ment of the war, was the notorious Riley, the commander of the deserters' company. His sentence was commuted, so that he was lashed and branded. The lesson given by this terrible execution was undoubtedly a severe one, but one which war necessarily carries with it, and without which the discipline of the army could not be maintained^ On the 7th September, Scott, having determined to carry the city of Mexico by assault,- accompanied by Gen- eral Worth, made a reconnaissance of the formidable de- fences of the enemy immediately in front of Tacubaya, and commanding the principal causeway and the aqueduct supplying the city with water. This observation deter- mined the general-in-chief to attack what may be called the defences of Chapultepec. These were several, col- laterally supporting one another, and constituting on the whole a very strong jwint d^appui and support for the y2 282 DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC. Mexican army ; the larger part (if not the whole) was now assembled at this point. We must now take a view of these defences to understand the actions which ensued. Early on the same morning, Captain Mason of the engi- neers made a close and daring reconnaissance of the ene- my's line, round and on Chapultepec. The results of this investigation may be thus stated : The little village of Tacubaya, at which General Scott's headquarters had been now established nearly three weeks, is about two miles and a half from the city of Mexico. About twelve hundred yards north of it, just point-blank range for twelve-pounders, is the hill and fortified buildings of Chapultepec. At this point, the causeway branches off to the east, being about two miles in length to the city. The Tacubaya road passed on till, in two miles more, it entered the San Cosme causeway. These causeways are the avenues to the city ; and bombs and cannon of heavy calibre, placed on the hill of Chapultepec, could command them, and the city itself. The knowledge of this fact informs us, at once, why General Scott deemed it necessary to possess this castle, in order to take the city. Once possessed, the city must fall of course. Without it, the avenues to the city, and the city itself, would be exposed to the bombardment of the enemy's batteries. Let Us now examine in detail, the particular points of the defence. Chapultepec is a porphyritic rock, called in the Aztec language, "Grasshopper's Hill." It rose from the former margin of the lake — was the resort of the Aztec princes, and is the real site of the much-sought Halls of the Montezumas. Here are the remains of gardens, groves DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC. 283 and grottoes — the lingering remnants of that magnificence which adorned the ancient city of Mexico. Here also, the Spanish viceroys selected their residence, as the most beautiful spot in the valley of Mexico. And here was now placed the Military college. The cadets of the institution were now among its defenders. The build- ings on the top were well fortified, and the base of the hill was nearly surrounded by a thick stone-wall. On the north, east, and south, this hill was abrupt and stony. On the west only (from the city) it seemed to permit any approach. On this side, down the slope, was a heavy forest. On this side, the American commander determined to assault it ; but here also, were formidable defences. El Molino del Rey is just at the foot of this hill- slope — adjoins the grove of trees, and is a stone building of thick and high walls, with towers at the end. This was strongly garrisoned, and made a sort of depot, and was supposed to have been used as a foundry recently, though really built for mills, and called, "the King's Mill." Casa de Mata is another massive, thick-walled stone building, standing about four hundred yards to the west of Molino del Rey, and in a straight line with that and the castle of Chapultepec. It is also at the foot of a gentle declivity or ridge, descending from the village of Tacubaya. It follows then, from this topographical survey, that Chapultepec is a position commanding all the roads around, and that this position can be approached only on one side, on which is a grove of trees ; and that at the foot of this slope, lie Molino del Rey and Casa de Mata, well defended, so that the first attack must necessarily 284 DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC. be made on Molino del Rey, or Chapultepec could not be taken ; and if not taken, there was no safe passage to the city. The first thing to be done then, was the storming of Molino del Rey. Accordingly, after the reconnaissance of the 7th, Gen- eral Scott ordered General Worth with the 1st division, reinforced by Cadwallader's brigade, and a detachment of dragoons and artillery, to attack and carry the lines and defences of the enemy at the foot of the hill ; capture Molino del Rey ; destroy the supposed materiel there ; and then withdraw again to the village of Ta- cubaya.^ The position of the enemy was well selected to de- fend the naturally strong grounds they had assumed. His left rested upon and occupied the stone building, Molino del Rey ; his right, in the same manner, rested upon the stone building called Casa de Mata. Midway between these was his field-battery, and on each side of it was his lines of infantry.^ The Mexican account of the position of their army does not differ essentially from that given by our oflficers. It states, that the left wing of their army rested on Molino del Rey, close to the forest of Chapul- tepec ; that this point was commanded by General Leon, who had the battalion of Mina, and the battalions of Union and La Patria of Oaxaca, the companies of Puebla, and a body from Queretaro, all composed of National Guards. The right wing rested on the Casa de Mata, and was composed of the brigade of General Perez, fifteen * Official Despatch of General Worth, dated Sept. lOlh, 1847. ' General Worth's Report. ATTACK ON MOLINO DEL REY. 285 hundred of the regular army.' Independent of these strongly-garrisoned fortresses, the Mexican army, to the number of at least ten thousand men, under the command of Santa Anna, were posted as above described, in a line with a field-battery between posts. The corps ordered by General Scott to the attack of this line was composed as follows : 1st division, (General Worth,) . . about 2,000 Cadwallader's brigade, (11th, 14th, and Voltigeurs) 784 Three squadrons of dragoons and company of mounted riflemen, under Major Sumner, . . 270 Drum's battery, (three field-pieces,) i ^^^ Huger's battery, (two 24-pounders,) ) Total corps of General Worth,^ . men 3,154 It must be recollected, however, that when this arrange- ment was made, no one in the American army knew the real strength of the fortified posts occupied by the Mexi- can army. Worth made the most judicious arrangements for the attack. The object in view was to break up, 1 st, the enemy's lines of intrenchments, and, 2dly, to destroy the munitions in MoUno del Rey, after which the troops were to retire. Those defences being completely under . the guns of the castle of Chapultepec, it may be assumed that the commanding-general deemed it unnecessary to retain the troops in that exposed situation, when the ob- ' Extract from the Boletin, Mexican newspaper. » General Worth's Report. 286 ATTACK ON MOLINO DEL REY. ject for which they had gone there had been accotn- phshed. Worth divided his corps into three cohimns, with a reserve, to act respectively against the wings and centre of the enemy. 1st. The right column (opposite the en- emy's left, Molino del Rey) was composed of Garland's brigade, to look at and in time attack El Molino. This column was accompanied by Captain Drum, and two pieces of artillery. To attack with this column, and thus keep in check Chapultepec and its defences. Captain Huger's battery of 24-pounders was placed on the ridge descending from Tacubaya, and at about six hundred yards from El Molino. 2d, A storming party of five hundred picked men was placed to the left of this bat- tery, under the command of Major Wright of the 8th infantry, to assail the enemy's centre, and capture his field-battery. 3d. The second brigade (now under the command of Colonel M'Intosh) was placed higher up the ridge, accompanied by Duncan's battery, to watch the enemy's left, support Major Wright, or assail, as circum- stances might require, Cadwallader's brigade was held in reserve, in a position between the last column ( M'In- tosh' s) and the battering guns, that they might support either column, as they might need. Sumner's dragoons were on the extreme left, guarding that flank. Such were the dispositions made by WortW on the night of the 7th of September. At 3 o'clock on the morning of the 8th, the columns were put in motion, and at daylight they were all in their respective positions. At half-past 4 A, M,, when things could be distinctly seen, the battle See Worth's Official Report. A.TTACK ON MOLINO DEL REY. 287 began by the firing of Huger's battery (24-pounders) on Molino del Rey, which continued till that strong point was sensibly shaken.^ At this time, the storming party under Major Wright rushed forward, under the guidance of Captain Mason of the engineers, and Lieut. Foster. They were received unexpectedly with a tremendous fire of artillery. They still dashed on, drove the artillery- men from their pieces, and had actually taken the bat- tery, when the enemy, perceiving how small was the body of men by whom he was dispossessed, re-rallied, and the infantry of their whole line poured in a destructive fire. Here no less than eleven out of only fourteen officers were either killed or wounded ! The column was driven back for a moment, and the Mexican troops regained possession of the disputed point. They are said to have killed nearly all the wounded left on the field.^ The light bat- talion left to cover Huger's battery, and the right wing of Cadwallader's brigade, under Captain Kirby Smith, were now ordered forward. They came gallantly into ac- tion. The enemy's line was defeated. The contested point was carried, and the two wings of the enemy, Mo- lino del Rey and Casa de Mata, were left isolated. On our right the battle raged with equal fury and with equal success. Garland's brigade, sustained by Drum's artillery, assaulted the left of the enemy at Molino del Rey, and after a hot conflict drove him from that appa- rently impregnable position under the guns of Chapulte- pec. On the left of our army, at Casa de Mata, another fearful and bloody action was maintained. The brigade ' General Worth's Official Report. * Letter from an officer in the New York Courier and Enquirer. 288 ATTACK ON MOLINO DEL REY. of Colonel M'lntosh moved on, till by coming in front of Duncan's battery, that was for a time silent, and the ad- » vancing column assaulted Casa de Mata. Again the en- emy's defences proved stronger than had been anticipated. Instead of field intrenchments, or an old house, it was a strong stone citadel, with bastions and ditches. Within musket range, a deadly fire of musketry was opened upon the advancing column. Still the column rushed on till it reached the very verge of the parapet ! Again did the heroes of Mexico fall within sight of victory. M'lntosh, Scott, Waite, had now fallen, and the column fell back to the left of Duncan's battery, again to rally, and again to charge. Just as this attack was made, a heavy column of cavalry and infantry was seen defiling round the ene- my's right upon our extreme left. Thousands of the Mexican lancers in bright uniform now came to crush apparently the small band who were storming Casa de Mata. Then it was that Duncan's battery, silent by the interposition of our storming column, moved rapidly to the extreme left, supported by the Voltigeurs, under Col- onel Andrews. As the Mexican column came within range of canister-shot, the battery opened an effective fire, which soon scattered its columns. At the same moment, Major Sumner's cavalry, formed on the left, charged and completed the rout. The retreat of our assaulting in- fantry had again opened Casa de Mata to the fire of our artillery. It was opened upon it. The Mexican infantry was already defeated. Their cavalry was already in flight. A few shots more from our artillery, and Casa de Mata was abandoned. All was now done that was at- tempted. Molino del Rey vC^as taken. Casa de Mata was taken. Fourteen thousand of the Mexican army, CASA DE MATA DESTROYED. 289- thus Strongly posted, had been defeated by one-fourth' their numbers. Fifty-two commissioned officers and eight hundred prisoners were captured. Great quantities of arms and ammunition were also taken. Casa de Mata was blown up, and the ammunition and other materiel of war found in Molino del Rey destroyed. When this was accomplished, these places were evacu- ated by the orders of the connnander-in-chief. It is evi- dent to all intelligent minds that they could not be held unless Chapultepec had also been carried ; for that, the corps under Worth were inadequate, and were not de- tached for that purpose. The testimony of General Worth, furnished in his official report, proves that after the most accurate and daring reconnaissance on the part of the engineers, and also by general officers, the impres- sion was left on the minds of all those officers, that the defences of Molino del Rey, and especially of Casa de Mata, were less strong than they really proved to be. They were thought likewise to be more important and valuable to the Mexican army than they really were, as depositories of munitions. General Scott, therefore, had detached an ample force to carry outposts of such a kind as were anticipated, but insufficient to carry, without too much loss, the castle of Chapultepec. The movement was necessary, however, for another and a different reason from those which have been given. Chapultepec must be carried. To do this, the destruction of the defences at the foot of the hill, and covering the Mexican army, was essential to success. The strength of those defences, unknown and impossible to know, was the only cause of the extraordinary loss, which rendered this proportionably the bloodiest battle of the war. One-fourth of Worth's z 19 290 REFLECTIONS ON THE BATTLE. entire force were either killed or wounded ! Nor were the Mexicans less sorely injured. Desperately did they fight. Leon, their bravest general ; Balderez, the gal- lant colonel of the battalion of Mina ; Huerta, Moteos, and other distinguished officers, were lost on that fatal field. Such was the battle of Molino del Rey ; long to be remembered as the scene of extraordinary actions, and long grieved, as that which made the graves of brave and noble men. ■ On the afternoon of the 8th, the corps of Worth, hav- ing accomplished the purpose of the battle, retired to Tacubaya, and the commander-in-chief directed his in- quiries to the defences of Mexico and the modes of over- coming them. On the 9th and 10th, reconnaissances were made in every practicable direction, especially by the engineers Lee, Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower, and also by the commander-in-chief. These reconnaissances were especially directed to the south and west. The San Antonia road (on which lay Antonia and Churubusco) came in on the south. This is the road, the reader will recollect, by which the army had advanced till after the battle of Churubusco. Then it diverged to the north- west, through Coyhoacan, San Angel, and Tacubaya. This road was, in fact, the great Acapulco road, passing southwest from the city of Mexico to the Pacific ocean, and which the army had reached by its bold and success- ful march round the Lake Chalco. The general-in-chief and engineer now sought, whether by this or any other route, they could most successfully approach and enter the city. The observations disclosed these facts, that there were 1^^, Five great roads leading to the city of DESCRIPTION OF MEXICO AND ITS DEFENCES, 291 Mexico, viz. } the road to Vera Cruz, which the army had followed to Ayotla ; the road to Acapulco, by which it advanced to Antonia and Churubusco ; the road to To- luca, on which it now was, at Tacubaya ; the road to Guadalupe, by which Santa Anna finally retreated ; and the road to Tampico, which went northeast round Lake Tezcuco. 2d, These roads terminated in eight gates. Three of these gates were approached by causeways from the Acapulco road, viz. : the San Antonia, Perdido, and Piedad ; two by the Toluca road, by Tacubaya, viz. : Chapultepec and San Cosme. Each of the other three roads had a gate also. These gateways were small forts mounting cannon, which, in time of peace, were used as a sort of custom-houses, the city being unapproachable from any other quarter than these causeways. They were now converted into a sort of bastions for the city, or en- filading forts. Around the greater part of the city, es- pecially where these great roads approached, there was a great ditch, or canal, which it was almost impossible to bridge in face of the enemy's cannon and small-arms. Let the reader now conceive the city and defences of Mexico, as we have described their features. A large, regular, solid-built city, at the very bottom of a large, ob- long valley, surrounded by a lofty range of mountains. These mountains turn the water into the valley below, forming great Jakes, occupying no small part of the entire surface of the valley. The city is partially drained from these inundating waters ; but only par- tially so. Much the greatest part of the land between these lakes is, in the rainy season, a marsh, too wet and * Stealey's map of the environs of Mexico. 292 DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY. boggy for wagons, or horses, or an army to pass. Over these bogs and wet grounds the great causeways are cut, and over them only can the city be approached. The entrances of these causeways are defended by the bas- tioned gateways : and finally, around the city is a canal, or ditch. It was now the wet season, and the ground was marshy and the lakes high. Such was the series of obstacles, natural and artificial, which, on the 9lh of Sep- tember, presented themselves to the experienced eye of General Scott. He saw himself with a small army, re- duced by bloody battles and severe sickness, in the heart of the valley of Mexico. In front, a city of two hundred thousand inhabitants, an army of twenty-five thousand men, and defences, which in other hands would seem im- pregnable ; and finally, with the line of his communica- tion, connecting )he army with the base of its supply, cut off ! This position was one, which can only be equalled in military history by the conquest of Egypt by Bonaparte, when his retreat was cut off by the English victory of Aboukir Bay. The difference is, that Napoleon was foiled, but the American general was not. Mexico had no St. Jean d'Acre for the general who had conquered at Niagara, at San d'Ulloa, at Cerro Gordo, and Churu- busco ! He marched on, and marched victoriously through all the obstacles of nature and of art ! On the 11th of September, Scott had completed all his reconnaissances, made his arrangements, and now had determined on the final assault. The general determined to attack the western, or southwestern gates, by the Cha- pultepec causeway ; but, to deceive the enemy, and econo- mize our own soldiers, he arranged a masked movement against the southern gates, while the real one was on the ATTACK ON THE CITY. 293 Other side. The point of attack was Chapultepec. The mask movement was made by the divisions of Quitman and Pillow, in daylight, on the 11th, marching from Coy- hoacan to manoeuvre and make false attacks on the San Antonia road, before the gates of the south side. In the same manner Twiggs, with Riley's brigade, and Taylor's and Steptoe's batteries, was left in front of the same gates to threaten and act according to circumstances. The for- mer divisions (Pillow's and Quitman's) were to return by night to Tacubaya, while Twiggs still remained on the southern front ; Smith's brigade was posted at San Angel ; Worth's division remained with the general-in-chief, at Tacubaya. This was the position of the several corps on the afternoon of the llth.^ That night, the divisions of Pillow and Quitman moved up to Tacubaya, according to the orders of the general-in-chief, previously given ; Twiggs, with his brigade and batteries alone remaining, to keep up the appearance of attack on the south side. All things were now ready for the full development of the assault. The point d^appui for the enemy was the Castle of Chapultepec, and constituted the point of attack for the American army — commanding with its cannon, the Chapultepec and San Cosmo causeways. We have already described the hill of Chapultepec, a steep, bluff, rocky height, rising one hundred and fifty feet above the surrounding grounds, and defended by a strong castle of thick stone walls. The whole fortress or work of defence, is about nine hundred feet in length ; and the terre-plein and main buildings, about six hundred feet. The following account is given by an officer of the army ' Scott's Official Report, dated SepL 18th, 1847, No. 34. Z2 294 DESCRIPTION OF CHAPULTEPEC. "The Castle is about ten feet high, and the whole structure, including the wings, bastions, parapets, re- doubts, and batteries, is very strongly built, and of the most splendid architecture. A splendid dome decorates the top, rising in great majesty about twenty feet above the whole truly grand and magnificent pile, and near which is the front centre, supported by a stone arch, upon which is painted the coat-of-arms of the republic, where once floated the tri-colored banner, but is now decorated by the glorious stars and stripes of our own happy land. Two very strongly-built stone walls sur- round the whole ; and at the west end, where we storm- ed the works, the outer walls are some ten feet apart, and twelve or fifteen feet high, over which we charged by the help of fascines. It was defended by heavy ar- tillery, manned by the most learned and skilful gunners of their army, including some French artillerists of dis- tinction. The infantry force consisted of the officers and students of the institution, and the national guards, and chosen men of war of the republic — the whole under the command of General Bravo, whom we made prisoner. The whole hill is spotted with forts and outposts, and stone and mud walls, which were filled with their picket or castle guard. A huge high stone-wall extends around the whole frowning craggy mount, and another along the southeast base, midway from the former and the castle. A well-paved road leads up in a triangular form to the main gate, entering the south terre-plein ; and the whole works are ingeniously and beautifully ornamented with Spanish fastidiousness and skill."^ * Letter of Lieut. Sutteu, of the 15th Infantry, in the Union. ATTACK ON CHAPULTEPEC. 295 This was now to be assaulted — and the next step was, on tlie night of the 11th, the erection of batteries which would command the fortress. The ground for these was traced out by Captains Huger and Lee, and they were thus placed : Battery No. 1, mounted two eighteen-pounders, and one eight-inch mortar, and was commanded by Captain Drum. This battery was about six hundred yards from the castle, just to the left of the Tacubaya road. Battery No. 2, mounted one twenty-four pounder, and one eight-inch mortar, and was commanded by Captain Hagner, of the Ordnance. This battery was placed to the front and to the left of Tacubaya, a little further from the castle. Battery No. 3, mounted one eighteen-pounder, and one eight-inch mortar. This was placed half way between Tacubaya and Molino del Rey, and was commanded by Captain Brooks and Lieutenant Anderson, of the 2d ar- tillery, alternately. Battery No. 4, was placed near Molino del Rey — was commanded by Lieutenant Stone, of the Ordnance, and mounted one large mortar. The object of these batteries was to cripple the de- fences of the castle, preparatory to an assault. Ac- cordingly, the next morning, (the 12th,) these batteries being in position, commenced firing at daylight. The air was filled with blazing fuzes and whirling balls. Every ball went through the building, and every shell tore up the ramparts — while from the bastions and bat- teries of Chapultepec, the enemy rained down an in- cessant fire upon the assailants below. Such was the work of the 12th — closed only when daylight disap- 296 STORMING OF THE CASTLE. peared, and left the troops to darkness and to a short repose. The divisions of Pillow and Quitman were in posi- tion on the night of the 11th, waiting for orders. Twiggs was still firing away at the southern gates, to divert and deceive the enemy. On the afternoon of the 12th, Smith's brigade (stationed at San Angel) was moved up to Piedad, a small village two miles from Chapultepec- General Scott had appointed the momentary cessation of fire from our batteries, as a signal of assault. This was to take place in two columns, commanded respectively by Generals Quitman and Pillow, each preceded by a storming party of two hundred and fifty select men ; and the whole supported by Worth's division in reserve. The storming party for Pillow, was furnished from Worth's division, and commanded by Captain McKenzie, of the 2d artillery. The storming party of Quitman's column was furnished by Twiggs' division, and commanded by Captain Casey, of the 2d infantry. At 8 A. M., on the morning of the 13th, the general-in- chief sent word, by his aids, to Pillow and Quitman, that the concerted signal was about to be given. ^ The bri- gade of General Smith had left Piedad, at 6 a. m., and was now arrived on the ground. It was to act with the column of Quitman. The column of Pillow was to ad- vance on. the west side, that of Quitman on the southeast. The reserve under Worth was to turn the castle, and come into the road on the north, there either to assist in the assault or cut off the retreat of the enemy. This entire plan was successfully carried out. Both * General Scott's OfScial Report. STORMING OF THE CASTLE. 297 columns charged with alacrity at 9 a. m. of the ISth. Pillow advanced through an open grove on the west, filled with sharpshooters. These were speedily dislodged, and the column emerged into an opening at the foot of the rocky acclivity. Here General Pillow was wounded, and the command devolved on General Cadwallader.^ The bro- ken acclivity was still to be ascended, and a redoubt half- way up to be carried. Bravely led by gallant officers, bravely did the men advance. Slowly, but surely did they advance ; step by step the ground is gained. Now the first battery is taken ! Now the soldiers march over mines !^ Now the match is lighted to fire them ! The man is shot down, and the assailants are safe, from all but this terrible shower of balls ! Now they reach the ditch, and the stone wall is beyond. The fas- cines-'' are applied — the ditch is bridged. The scaling ladders are applied to that massive wall, and they mount ! they mount ! The castle is carried, and now the flags of these brave regiments fly on its ramparts ! The loud hurrah resounds through the ranks ! But what is doing by the column of the brave Quit- man ? Have they no part ? As bravely, and as actively, and successfully did they storm the rock-built castle of Chapultepec. ' Official Report. ^ General Scott, in his Official Report, says that men in attempting to fire the mines were shot down. General Bravo, who commanded, says that the engineer who had charge of them disappeared, and they could not be fired. Both statements are no doubt true. ' Fascines are bundles of withes, or sticks, tied round and filled up with earth, to fill up ditches. 298 STORMING OF THE CASTLE. Moving over a causeway from Tacubaya, flanked on either side by deep ditches, and cut in several places, Quitman had little room to manoeuvre, while in front was a strong body of the enemy, and two or three small pieces. All these obstacles were overcome, the enemy routed, and the volunteers of Quitman, of New York, of Pennsylva- nia, and of South Carolina, arrived in time to join the storming parties, as they scaled the walls of Chapultepec. Here, too, the " Rifles," so often distinguished, joined the assault, and shared in the bloodiest adventures of the day. An ofiicer of that gallant corps thus^describes the scene : " After about an hour's hard firing, the enemy's fire be- gan to slacken, and the word was given to charge. We rushed forward, and in three minutes we carried the first battery. The rifles entered the battery with the storming party, which was commanded by one of its cap- tains. We followed the fugitives close up to the aque- duct, and, turning to the left, clambered up the steep path to the castle. The enemy were running down in crowds, and the slaughter was tremendous in the road and orchard. Our men were infuriated by the conduct of the Mexicans at Molino del Rey, and took but few prisoners. The castle was completely torn to pieces ; nearly every part was riddled by our shot, while the pavements and fortifi- cations were completely torn up by the shells. In it were crowds of prisoners of every rank and color ; among whom were fifty general officers, and about a hundred cadets of the Mexican military academy. The latter were pretty little fellows, from ten to sixtee*i years of age. Several of them wei'e killed fighting like de- mons, and indeed they showed an example of cour- CHAPULTEPEC TAKEN. 299 age worthy of imitation by some of their superiors in rank."* Thus was Chapultepec taken. Its rocky heights — its strong batteries — its mihtary college — its mines — its suc- coring army — were all in vain. The heroes who had stormed the hill of Contreras, the intrenchments of Chu- rubusco, and the King's Mill, failed not here. Ciiapul- tepec is taken, and the great causeways to Mexico are no longer defended by fortresses. The gates alone remain. Just at this time the general-in-chief arrived at the castle, and took a coup d'ail view of the whole field, as it lay around the city of Mexico. His determination was instantly taken. On the right, the road passed on to the Belen gate ; on the left, it passed to the San Cosmo causeway and gate. Worth had turned the castle during the conflict, passed round to the north centre of Chapul- tepec, and there attacked the right wing of the Mexican army on the road. Now he had already pursued the ene- my, and was marching on the San Cosmo road. Quitman on the other hand was pursuing the enemy by the cause- way to the Belen gate. Scott knew that the San Cosmo gate was easier taken than the Belen, and therefore or- dered Cadvvallader's brigade and other forces up to Worth, intending his to be the main attack. He garrisoned Cha- pultepec with the 15th regiment of infantry, and after sending guns and ammunition to both Worth and Quit- man, and taking care of the ordnance and prisoners, he fol- lowed Worth's division on the San Cosmo road. This corps soon come to a suburb, just in front of the gate of San Qosmo, and there found the enemy again prepared ^ Letter in the New York Courier and Enquirer. 300 ATTACK ON THE CITY. for battle, behind ditches, and on the flat roofs of houses, making the village a fortification, and defending it inch by inch. The pioneers, with picks and crowbars, soon made their way through windows and houses, burrowing their way. The mountain howitzers began to play, and by 8 p. m. the positions were carried, and Worth quietly rested his troops in the suburbs of Mexico. A single gate, unable to make successful resistance now, alone raised its feeble barrier between the northman and the now humbled con- querors of the Aztecs. On the other causeway the scene was yet more remark- able. Quitman, reinforced with Smith's brigade, in the ardor of pursuit had carried an intermediate battery, and actually entered the Belen gate, after a hard battle. The capture of the Belen gate is thus described by an officer of the "^Rifles." " Again we commenced our slow and deadly march, as we gradually approached the garita, or gate of the city, the enemy retreating slowly before us. As soon as they crossed the gate a tremendous fire of artillery opened upon us on both sides of the aqueduct as well as from two flanking batteries on both sides the road. Here our loss was very great. Slowly creeping from arch to arch, we lost many men by the batteries in front, while the fire from flanking batteries coming through the arches killed many who were safe from that in front. About noon we got close up to the garita, and the enemy's fire being partly silenced by our artillery in the road, and thus being driven out of the cross-battery on the left, we once more gave the rifle yell, and charged the garita. Again we were first, and at twenty minutes past one, of the 13lh of September, the regiment entered the city of Mexico. CITV KM'ERED. 301 But our work was not yet ended. Directly in front was still another battery, with flanking batteries as before. Our regiment again went forward, and assisted by some others we occupied a house and some of the arches, and not only kept them off, but repelled four attempts at charges which they made. Meanwhile we had construct- . ed a battery of sand-bags ;it the garita, and kept up a sharp fire in front. Towards dark those in front were recalled, and all retired behind the batteries. That night the battery was completed, and the men slept on their arms in the arches of the aqueduct."^ Thus closed the 13th of September in the valley of Mexico. The morning had found the armies of the North and the South in a yet undecided position. It is true that victory had constantly granted her favors to the army of Scott ; but that army was small, and the columns of the enemy were numerous, and his defences strong. Cha- pultepec looked down from almost impregnable heights. The rays of the risen sun glanced from the plumes and swords and guns of twenty thousand men, Mexico poured out her throng to defend her gates and walls, and ditches and causeways raised their obstacles and embarrassments in the way of the American general. Night had now come, and all these arms, and fortresses, and soldiers, and obstacles had disappeared, as if charmed away by the magician's wand, before the triumphant energy of the northern soldier. The flag of the republic of the North waved in the evening breeze from the rock-built castle of Chapultepec, and now as the clouds of night gather in darkness round its summit, some famished dog may find * Letter in the New York Courier and Enquirer. AA 302 CITY ASKS FOR TERMS. his meal on the cold flesh of its brave but unfortunate .defenders. The clouds will break away, and the stars beam out upon that lonely hill ; but from those cold bodies no cloud will break, no stars beam out on earth for the loved hearts who wait and watch for them.^ The victor rushes on !• ' Batteries are taken, causeways passed, and his cannon thunder and batter at the gates of Mexico. Night has found him too, and the sentinel alone keeps watch round the wearied soldier of America, whp sinks to rest with his garments yet rolled in blood. Neither the glorious drama of such a day, the grandeur of such a scene, nor the strange novelty of such events, can repel the weariness of fatigue, or prevent the necessity of re- pose. He sinks to rest as softly and calmly as the inno- cent child, and welcomes to his aching limbs and drowsy eyes, " Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." Daylight of the 14th of September had scarcely arrived, when the Ayuntamiento (city council) of Mexico waited upon General Scott, informed him that both the Mexican government and army had marched out of the city some hours before, and demanded terms of capitulation.^ The general replied that the city was virtually in his power the night previous, and that the American army would come under no terms not self-imposed. About daylight he gave his orders to Worth and Quitman to advance and occupy the city. The corps of Quitman rushed forward, * Intercepted Mexican letters show that many of the Mexican officers were anxiously awaited by sisters, wives, and mothers. * Scott's Official Despatch. GEN. SCOTT ENTERS THE GRAND PLAZA. 303 and soon the colors of its regiments were planted on the far-famed palace of Mexico. Worth's division had been delayed at the Alameda ; that the men who had entered the Belen gate the night before, might be first in the grand plaza. At 7 a. m., on the 14th of September, 1847, the flag of the American Union was hoisted on the walls of the national palace in the city of Mexico. Soon after this event, at 9 a. m., a " tremendous hurrah broke from the corner of the plaza, and in a few minutes were seen the towering plumes and commanding form of our gallant old hero. General Scott, escorted by the 2d dragoons. The heartfelt welcome that came from our little band was such as Montezumas' Halls had never heard, and must have deeply affected the general."^ Soon after this a firing was heard, and it appeared that the Leperos, or mob of the city, with some liberated con- victs, had made an insurrection. A fire was opened on our men from the flat roofs of houses, from windows and corners of streets, by the vagabonds of the city, liberated convicts, and disbanded soldiers. This was not put down till twenty-four hours had passed, and till many were killed and wounded. The object was as much plunder, as hatred.^ We insert here the official report of the commander- in-chief. General Scott. ' Letter of an officer of the Rifles. " Scott's Official Report. 304 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. Headquarters of the Army, i National Palace of Mexico, Sept. 18, 1847. J Sir : — At the end of another series of arduous and brilHant operations of more than forty-eight hours' continuance, this glorious army hoisted, on the morning of the 14th, the colors of the United States on the Avails of this palace. The victory of the 8th, at the Molino del Rey, was fol- lowed by daring reconnoissances on the part of our distin- guished engineers — Capt. Lee, Lieuts. Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower, — Major Smith, senior, being sick, and Capt. Mason, third in rank, wounded. Their operations were di- rected principally to the 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 is girdled with a ditch in its greater extent — a navigable canal of great breadth and depth — very difficult to bridge in the presence of an enemy, and serving at once for drainage, custom-house purposes, and mili- tary defence ; leaving eight entrances or gates, over arches — each of which we found defended by a system of strong works, that seemed to require nothing but some men and guns to be impregnable. Outside and within the cross-fires of those gates, we found to the south other obstacles but little less formidable. All the approaches near the city are over elevated causeways, cut in many places (to oppose us), and flanked on both sides by ditches, also of vmusual dimensions. The numerous cross- roads are flanked in like manner, having bridges at the inter- sections, recently broken. The meadows thus checkered, are, moreover, in many spots, under water or marshy ; for, it will be remembered, we were in the midst of the wet season, thoufh with less rain than usual, and we could not wait for OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN, SCOTT. 305 the fall of the neighboring lakes and the consequent drainage of the wet grounds at the edge of the city — the lowest in the whole basin. After a close personal survey of the southern gates, covered by Pillow's division and Riley's brigade of Twiggs' — with four times our numbers concentrated in our immediate front — I de- termined on the 11th to avoid that net- work of obstacles, and to seek, by a sudden diversion, to the southwest and west, less unfavorable approaches. To economize the lives of our gallant officers and men, as well as to ensure success, it became indispensable that this res- olution should be long masked from the enemy ; and again, that the new movement, when discovered, should be mistaken for a feint, and the old as indicating our true and ultimate point of attack. Accordingly, on the spot, the 11th, I ordered Quitman's division from Coyoacan, to join 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 Tacubaya, where I was quartered with Worth's di- vision. Twiggs, with Riley's brigade and Captains Taylor's and Steptoe's field batteries — the latter of 12-pounders — was left in front of those gates, to manoeuvre, to threaten, or to make false attacks, in order to occupy and deceive the enemy. Twiggs' other brigade (Smith's) was left at supporting dis- tance, in the rear, at San Angel, till the morning of the 13th, and also to support our general depot at Miscoac. The strata- gem against the south was admirably executed throughout the 12th and down to the afternoon of the 13th, when it was too late for the enemy to recover from the effects of his delusion. The first step in the neAV movement was to carry Chapul tepee, a natural and isolated moimd, of great elevation, strongly for- aa2 20 306 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN, SCOTT. tified at its base, on its acclivities, and heights. Besides a numerous garrison, here was the military college of the re- public, with a large number of sub-lieutenants and other stu- dents. Those works were within direct gun-shot of the village of Tacubaya, and, until carried, we could not approach the city on the west, without making a circuit too wide and too hazardous. In the course of the same night (that of the 11th) heavy batteries, within easy ranges, were established. No. 1, on our right, under the command of Capt. Drum, 4th artillery, (re- lieved late next day, for some hours, by Lieut. Andrews of the 3d,) and No. 2, commanded by Lieut. Hagner, ordnance — both supported by Quitman's division. Nos. 3 and 4 on the opposite side, supported by Pillow's division, were commanded, the former by Capt. Brooks and Lieut. S. S. Anderson, 2d artillery, alternately, and the latter by Lieut. Stone, ordnance. The batteries were traced by Capt. Huger and Capt. Lee, engineer, and constructed by them with the able assistance of the young officers of those corps and the artillery. To prepare for an assault, it was foreseen that the play of the batteries might run into the second day ; but recent cap- tures had not only trebled our siege pieces, but also our ammunition ; and we knew that we should greatly augment both by carrying the place. I was, therefore, in no haste in ordering an assault before the works were well crippled by our missiles. The bombardment and cannonade, under the direction of Capt. Huger, were commenced early in the morning of the 12th. Before nightfall, which necessarily stopped our batteries, we had perceived that a good impi'ession had been made on the castle and its outworks, and that a large body of the enemy had remained outside, towards the city, from an early hour to avoid our fire, and to be at hand on its cessation, in order to \ OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 307 reinforce the garrison aafainst an assault. The same outside force was discovered the next morning, after our batteries had reopened upon the castle, by which we again reduced its gar- rison to the minimum needed for the guns. Pillow and Quitman had been in position since early in the night of the 11th. Major-general Worth was now ordered to hold his division in reserve, near the fomidry, to support Pillow ; and Brigadier-general Smith, of Twiggs' division, had just arrived with his brigade from Piedad, (2 miles,) to sup- port Quitman. Twiggs' guns, before the southern gates, again reminded us, as the day before, that he, with Riley's brigade and Taylor's and Steptoe's batteries, was in activity, threaten- ing the southern gates, and there holding a great part of the Mexican army on the defensive. Worth's di^asion furnished Pillow's attack with an assaulting party of some 250 volunteer officers and men, under Capt. McKenzie, of the 2d artillery ; and Twiggs' division supplied a similar one, commanded by Capt. Casey, 2d infantry, to Quitman. Each of those little columns was furnished with scaling ladders. The signal I had appointed for the attack was the momen- tary cessation of fire on the part of our heavy batteries. About 8 o'clock in the morning of the 13th, judging that the time had arrived by the effect of the missiles we had thrown, I sent an aid-de-camp to Pillow, and another to Quitman, with notice that the concerted signal was about to be given. Both colimins now advanced with an alacrity that gave assurance of prompt success. The batteries, seizing opportimities, threw shots and shells upon the enemy over the heads of our men, with good effoct, particularly at every attempt to reinforce the works from without to meet our assault. Major-general Pillow's approach, on the west side, lay through an open grove, filled with sharp-shooters, who were 308 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. speedily dislodged ; when being up with the front of the at- tack, and emerging into open space, at the foot of a rocky ac- clivity, that gallant leader was struck down by an agonizing wound. The immediate command devolved on Biiijadier- general Cadwallader, in the absence of the senior brigadier (Pierce) of the same division — an invalid since the events of August 19. On a previous call of Pillow, Worth 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 fire of cannon and musketry. The redoubt now yielded to resistless valo", and the shouts that followed announced to the castle the fate that impended. The enemy were steadily diiven from shelter to shelter. The retreat allowed not time to fire a single mine, without the certainty of blowing up friend and foe. Those who at a distance attempted to apply matches to the long trains, were shot down by our men. There was death below, as well as above ground. At length the ditch and wall of the main work were reached ; the scaling ladders were brought up and planted by the storming parties ; some of the daring spirits first in the assault were cast down — killed or wounded ; but a lodgment was soon made ; streams of heroes followed ; all opposition was overcome, and several of our regimental colors flung out from the upper walls, amidst long-continued shouts and cheers, which sent dismay into the capital. No scene could have been more animating or glorious. Major-general Quitman, nobly supported by Brigadier- generals Shields and Smith, (P. F.,) his other officers and men, was up with the part assigned him. Simultaneously with OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 309 the movement on the west, he had gallantly approached the southeast of the same works, over a causeway with cuts and batteries, and defended by an army strongly posted outside, to the e;ist of the works. Those formidable obstacles Quit- man had to face, with but little shelter for his troops or space for manoeuvring. Deep ditches flanking the causeway, made it difficult to cross on either side into the adjoining meadows, and these again were intersected by other ditches. Smith and his biigade had been eai-ly thrown out to make 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. This movement was also in- tended to support Quitman's storming parties, both on the causeway. The first of these, furnished by Twiggs' division, was commanded in succession by Captain Casey, 2d infantry, and Captain Paul, Tth infantry, after Casey had been severely wounded ; and the second, originally under the gallant Major Twiggs, marine corps, killed, and then Captain Miller, 2d Pennsylvania volunteers. The storming party, now com- manded by Captain Paul seconded by Captain Roberts, of the rifles. Lieutenant Stewart, and others of the same regi- ment. Smith's brigade, carried the two batteries in the road, took some guns, with many prisoners, and drove the enemy posted behind in support. The New York and South Caro- lina volunteers (Shields' brigade) and the 2d Pennsylvania volunteers, all on the left of Quitman's line, together with portions of his storming parties, crossed the meadows in front, under a heavy fire, and entered the outer enclosure of Chapul- tepec just in time to join in the final assault from the west. Besides Major-generals Pillow and Quitman, Brigadier- generals Shields, Smith, and Cadwallader, the following are the officers and corps most distinguished in those brilliant 4:)perations : The voltigeur regiment in two detachments, com- 310 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. manded respectively 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 — the former the first to plant a regimental color, and the latter among the first in the assault; the storming party of Worth's division, under Captain McKeozie, 2d artillery, with Lieutenant Seldon, 8th infantry, early on the ladder and badly wounded ; Lieutenant Armistead, 6 th infantry, the first to leap into the ditch to plant a ladder ; Lieutenants Rodgers of the 4th, and J. P. Smith of the 5th infantry — both mortally wounded ; the 9th infantry, under Colonel Ransom, who was killed while gallantly leading that gallant regiment; the 15th infantry, under Lieutenant-colonel Howard and Major Woods, with Captain Chase, whose com- pany gallantly carried the redoubt, midway up the acclivity ; Colonel Clarke's brigade (Worth's division) consisting of the 5 th, 8th, and part of the 6 th regiments of infantry, com- manded respectively by Captain Chapman, Major Mont- gomery, and Lieutenant Edward Johnson — ^the latter specially noticed, with Lieutenants Longstreet, (badly wounded, ad- vancing, colors in hand,) Pickett, and Merchant, the last three of the 8th infantry ; portions of the United States marines. New York, South Carolina, and 2d Pennsylvania volunteers, which, delayed with their division (Quitman's) by the hot en- gagement below, arrived just in time to participate in the assault of the heights — particularly a detachment under Lieu- tenant Reid, New York volunteers, consisting of a company of the same, with one of marines ; and another detachment, a portion of the storming party, (Twiggs' division, serving with Quitman,) under Lieutenant Steele, 2d infantry, after the fall of Lieutenant Gantt, Yth infantry. In this connection, it is but just to recall the decisive effect of the heavy batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, commanded by OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 311 those excellent officers. Captain Drum, 4th artillery, assisted by Lieutenants Benjamin and Porter of his own company ; Captain Brooks and Lieutenant Anderson, 2d artillery, as- sisted by Lieutenant Russell, 4th infantry, a volunteer ; Lieu- tenants Hagner and Stone of the ordnance, and Lieutenant Andrews, 3d artillery ; the whole superintended by Captain Huger, chief of ordnance with this army — an officer dis- tinguished by every kind of merit. The mountain howitzer battery, under Lieutenant Reno, of the ordnance, deserves, also, to be particularly mentioned. Attached to the volti- geurs, it followed the movements of that regiment, and again won applause. In adding to the hst of individuals of conspicuous merit, I must limit myself to a few of the many names which might be enumerated : Captain Hooker, assistant adjutant-general, who won special applause, successively, in the staff of Pillow and Cadwallader ; Lieutenant Lovell, 4th artillery, (wounded,) chief of Quitman's staff; Captain Page, assistant adjutant- general, (wounded,) and Lieutenant Hammond, 3d artillery, both of Shields' staff, and Lieutenant Van Dorn, (7th in- fantry,) aid-de-camp to Brigadier-general Smith. Those operations all occurred on the west, southeast, and heights of Chapullepec. To the north and at the base of the mound, inaccessible on that side, the 11th infantry, under Lieut. Col. Hebert, the 14th, under Col. Trousdale, and Capt. Magruder's field battery, 1st artillery — one section advanced under Lieut. Jackson — all of Pillow's division — had, at the same time, some spirited affairs against superior numbers, driving the enemy from a battery in the road, and capturing a gun. In these, the officers and corps named gained merited praise. Colonel Trousdale, the commander, though twice wounded, continued on duty until the heights were carried. Early uithe morning of the 13th, I repeated the orders of 312 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. the night before to Major-general Worth, to be, with his division at hand, to support the movement of Major-general Pillow from our left. The latter seems soon to have called for that entire division, standing momentarily in reserve, and Worth sent him Col. Clarke's brigade. The call, if not un- necessary, was at least, from the circumstances, unknown to me at the time ; for, soon observing that the very large body of the enemy, in the road in front of Major-general Quitman's right, was receiving reinforcements from the city — ^less than a mile and a half to the east — I sent instructions to Worth, on our opposite flank, to turn Chapultepec with his division, and to proceed, cautiously, by the road at its northern base, in order, if not met by very superior numbers, to threaten or to attack, in rear, that body of the enemy. The movement, it was also believed, could not fail to distract and to intimidate the enemy generally. Worth promptly advanced with his remaining brigade — Colonel Garland's — Lieut. Col. C. F. Smith's light battalion, Lieut. Col. Duncan's field battery — all of his division — and three squadrons of dragoons, under Major Sumner, Avhich I had just ordered up to join in the movement. Having turned the forest on the west, and arriving opposite to the north centre of Chapultepec, Worth came up with the troops in the road, under Col. Trousdale, and aided, by a flank movement of a part of Garland's brigade, in taking the one gun breastwork, then under the fire of Lieut. Jackson's section of Capt. , Magruder's field battery. Continuing to advance, this division passed Chapultepec, attacking the right of the enemy's line, resting on that road, about the moment of the general retreat consequent upon the capture of the formidable castle and its outworks. Arriving some minutes later, and mounting to the top of the castle, the whole field, to the east, lay plainly under my view. OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. 313 There are two routes from Chapultepec to the capital — the one on the right entering the same gate, Belen, with the road from the south, via Piedad ; and the other obhquing to the left, to intersect the great western, or San Cosmo road, in a suburb outside of the gate of San Cosmo. Each of these routes (an elevated causeway) presents a double roadway on the sides of an aqueduct of strong mason- ry and great height, resting on open arches and massive pillars, which together afford fine points both for attack and defence. The sideways of both aqueducts are, moreover, defended by many strong breastworks at the gates, and before reaching them. As we had expected, we found the four tracks unusually dry and solid for the season. Worth and Quitman were prompt in pursuing" the retreating enemy — the former by the San Cosmo aqueduct, and the latter along that of Bclen. 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, I hastened to despatch from Chapultepec — first Clark's brigade, and then Cadwallader's, to the support of Worth, and gave orders that the necessary heavy guns should follow. Pierce's brigade was, at the same time, sent to Quit- man, and, in the course of the afternoon, I caused some additional siege pieces to be added to his train. Then, after designating the 15th infantry, under Lieut. Col. Howard — Morgan, the colonel, had been disabled by a wound at Churu- busco — as the garrison of Chapultepec, and giving directions for the care of the prisoners of war, the captured ordnance and ordnance stores, I proceeded to join the advance of Worth, within the suburb, and beyond the turn at the junction of the aqueduct with the great highway from the west to the gate of San Cosmo. BB 314 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. At this junction of roads, we first passed one of those formidable systems of city defences, spoken of above, and it had not a gun ! — a strong proof, 1. That the enemy had expected us to fail in the attack upon Chapultepec, even if we meant any thing more than a feint ; 2. That, in either case, we designed, in his belief, to return and double our forces against the southern gates — a delusion kept up by the active demonstrations of Twiggs and the forces posted on that side ; and, 3. That advancing rapidly from the reduction of Chapul- tepec, the enemy had not time to shift guns — our previous captures had left him, comparatively, but few — from the southern gates. Within those disgarnished works, I found oiir troops engaged in a street fight against the enemy posted in gardens, at win- dows, and on house-tops — all flat, with parapets. Worth ordered forward the mountain howitzers of Cadwallader's brigade, preceded by skirmishers and pioneers, with pickaxes and crowbars, to force windows and doors, or to burroAV through walls. The assailants were soon in an equality of position fatal to the enemy. By eight o'clock in the evening, Worth had carried two batteries in tliis suburb. According to my instructions, he here posted guards and sentmels, and placed his troops under shelter for the night. There was but one more obstacle — the San Cosmo gate, (custom-house,) be- tween him and 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. I had gone back to the foot of Chapultepec, the point from which the two aqueducts begin to diverge, some hours earlier, in order to be near that new depot, and in easy communication with Quitman and Twiggs, as well as with Worth. From this point I ordered all detachments and stragglers to their respective corps, then in advance ; sent to Quitman ad- OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GKN. SCOTT. 315 ditional siege guns, ammunition, intrenching tools ; directed Twiggs' remaining brigade (Riley's) from Piedad, to support Worth, and Captain Steptoe's field-battery, also at Piedad, to rejoin Quitman's division. I had been, from the first, well aware that the western or San Cosmo, was the less difficult route to the centre, and con- quest of the capital, and therefore intended that Quitman should only manoeuvre and threaten the Belen or southwest- ern gate, in order to favor the main attack by Worth, knowing that the strong defences at the Belen were directly under the guns of the much stronger fortress, called the Citadel, just within. Both of these defences of the enemy were also with- in easy supporting distance from the San Angel (or Nino Per- dido) and San Antonio gates. Hence the greater support, in nxmabers, given to Worth's movement as the main attack. These views I repeatedly, in the course of the day, commu- nicated to Major-general Quitman ; but being in hot pursuit — gallant himself, and ably supported by Brigadier-generals Shields and Smith, Shields badly wounded before Chapulte- pec, and refusing to retire, as well as by all the officers and men of the column — Quitman continued to press forward, under flank and direct fires, carried an intermediate battery of two guns, and then the gate, before two o'clock in the after- noon, but not without proportionate loss, increased by his steady maintenance of that position. Here, of the heavy battery, (4th artillery,) Captain Drum and Lieutenant Benjamin were mortally wounded, and Lieu- tenant Porter, its third in rank, slightly. The loss of those two most distinguished officers the army will long mourn. Lieutenants J. B. Morange and William Canty, of the South Carolina volimteers, also of high merit, fell on the same occa- sion, besides many of our bravest non-commissioned officers and men, particularly in Captain Drum's veteran company. I 316 OFFICIAL DESPATCH OF GEN. SCOTT. cannot, in this place, give names or numbers ; but full Tetums of the killed and wounded, of all corps, in their recent opera- tions, will accompany this report. Quitman within the city — adding several new 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 4 o'clock next morning, (Sept. 14,) a deputation of the ayuntamiento (city council) waited upon me to report that the federal government and the army of Mexico had fled from the capital some three hours before ; and to demand terms of capitulation in favor of the church, the citizens, and the mu- nicipal authorities. I promptly replied, that I would sign no capitulation ; that the city had been virtually in our possession from the time of the lodgments effected by Worth and Quit- man the day before ; that I regretted the silent escape of the Mexican army ; that I should levy upon the city a moderate contribution, for special purposes ; and that the American army should come under no terms not self-imposed : such only as its own honor, the dignity of the United States, and the spirit of the age, should, in my opinion, imperiously de- mand and impose. For the terms, so imposed, I refer the department to subse- quent General Orders, Nos. 287 and 289, (paragraphs 7, 8, and 9 of the latter,) copies of which are herewith enclosed. At the termination of the inter^aew with the city deputation, I communicated, about daylight, orders to Worth and Quit- man to advance slowly and cautiously (to guard against treach- ery) towards the heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger and more commanding points. Quitman proceeded to the great plaza or square, planted guards, and hoisted the colors of the United St