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GENERAL SCOTT. 
 
GENERAL SCOTT 
 
 AND 
 
 HIS STAFF: 
 
 COMPRISING 
 
 MEMOIRS OF GENERALS 
 
 SCOTT, TWIGGS, SMITH, QUITMAN, SHIELDS, 
 PILLOW, LANE, CADWALADER, PAT- 
 TERSON AND PIERCE ; 
 
 COLONELS CHILDS, RILEY, HARNEY, AND BUTLER, 
 
 AND 
 
 OTHER DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS ATTACHED TO GENERAL SCOTT^S ARMYj 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 NOTICES OF GENERAL KEARNY^, COLONEL DONIPHAN, COLONEL 
 
 FREMONT, AND OTHER OFFICERS DISTINGUISHED IN THE 
 
 CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO. 
 
 INTERSPERSED WITH 
 
 NUMEROUS ANECDOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR, 
 
 AND 
 
 PERSONAL ADVENTURES OF THE OFFICERS. 
 
 COMPILED FROM PUBLIC DOCUMENTS AND PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 WITH 
 
 ACCURATE PORTRAITS. AND OTHER BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS, 
 
 PHILADELPfflA: 
 
 GRIGG, ELLIOT & CO. 
 
 No. 14 NORTH FOURTH STREET. 
 
 ^1848. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by 
 
 GRIGG, ELLI OT & CO. 
 
 in the clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 STEREOTYPED BY J. PAGAN. 
 PRINTED BY T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS. 
 
 (2) 
 
PREFACE 
 
 /*.SC%J t^ " 
 
 The present war with Mexico has developed, in 
 a very extraordinary manner, the military resources 
 of this country. It has made the world acquainted 
 with many facts and principles which are worthy of 
 especial attention to every one who feels an interest 
 in our national history, and a desire that the national 
 honour shall always be maintained. It has demon- 
 strated that a people devoted to the arts of peace, 
 and possessing free political institutions, can easily 
 vanquish a military people, governed by military 
 despots. It has shown that fresh volunteers, under 
 the command of intelligent and able officers, can 
 take fortified cities and castles, garrisoned by double 
 the number of the assailants; and gain victories, in 
 pitched battles, over disciplined armies five times as 
 numerous as themselves. These are interesting facts; 
 and particularly interesting to Americans, as they 
 evidently involve the principle, that political freedom 
 
 is the chief element of military success. 
 
 (iii) 
 
iv PREFACE. 
 
 All this has been accomplished by a small army, 
 with a staff of officers nf^er surpassed in valour 
 and ability. To afford the public sketches of the 
 personal history of these officers, and to give details 
 -j-:^^ ;n this w^ar, is the purpose of the 
 
 present work. It is compiled from autneutii 
 terials, consisting of public documents and private 
 correspondence and memoirs, derived in many in- 
 stances from family connections of the officers. 
 The author has endeavoured to give in every in- 
 stance the truth without respect to persons, and he 
 hopes that in this he has been as successful as the 
 nature of the undertaking would permit. 
 
 Philadelphia, Jan. 1, 1848. 
 
 f 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 RicAN Army Page 11 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PILLOW 78 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN 85 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS 106 
 
 GENERAL SMITH 117 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS 125 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANE 129 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER 136 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE 140 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON 145 
 
 COLONEL HARNEY 149 
 
 COLONEL CHILDS 155 
 
 GENERAL GUSHING 159 
 
 COLONEL RILEY 160 
 
 COLONEL BUTLER 161 
 
 MAJOR VINTON 164 
 
 CAPTAIN THORNTON 171 
 
 GENERAL KEARNY 174 
 
 COLONEL DONIPHAN 181 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT 204 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES 215 
 
 LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER CARSON 219 
 
 (5) 
 
^^^q}1m^M 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL SCOTT, 
 
 COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN ARMY. 
 
 Major-General Winfield Scott is a native of Virginia, born 
 near Petersburg, June 13th, 1786. The accounts of his early life 
 are few and meagre. He passed through the Richmond High- 
 School, and afterwards studied law at William and Mary College. 
 His military career began in 1807, on the reception of news con- 
 cerning the Chesapeake, when he became a volunteer member of 
 the Petersburg troop of horse. On the 3d of May, 1808, he was 
 commissioned as captain of light artillery, and has remained in the 
 army ever since. When the war of 1812 commenced, he had al- 
 ready advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. 
 
 At the battle of Q,ueenstown Heights, Scott gave assurance of his 
 future military usefulness. After behaving in the most gallant 
 manner, his command of three hundred men became separated from 
 the main body, and were attacked by thirteen hundred British and 
 Indians. He defended himself for a long while, but was at length 
 taken prisoner, and carried with his troops to Gluebec. While 
 here, he challenged the respect of the British officers, by his inde- 
 pendent and soldier-like bearing. His rescue of the Irish prisoners 
 is well known ; and many other anecdotes are related of him during 
 this confinement. In a little while he was exchanged and sent to 
 Boston. 
 
 In the following year, Scott was engaged in a still more glorious 
 affair at Fort Grey. In the passage of the river, before taking this 
 place, he led the van and rushed up the steep Canadian bank amid 
 a shower of balls, and drove the British into the woods. At the 
 fort, he tore down the flag with his own hands, and afterward pur- 
 sued the enemy until evening. 
 
 (11) 
 
12 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 The summer passed without any attack from the British, and, 
 burning for active operations, Sco^p^^as permitted by General Wilk- 
 inson to resign the command of Fort George, which he then held, 
 to General McClure, and join the main army at Sackett's Harbour ; 
 marching to the mouth of the Genesee river, where the commander- 
 in-chief promised that transports should meet him. In this, how- 
 ever, Scott was disappointed, and he was compelled to advance over 
 roads almost impassable along the whole distance from Niagara to 
 the St. Lawrence. Leaving his column near Utica, under the com- 
 mand of Major Hindman, Scott hastened forward himself, reached 
 the St. Lawrence at Ogdensburg on the 6th November, in time to 
 take part in the descent, and, was appointed to command the ad- 
 vance guard ; and owing to his being in advance, had no part in the 
 indecisive battle of Chrystler's Field, or the events which took 
 place in the rear. He did, however, encounter and overcome se- 
 vere resistance at the Hoophole creek, near Cornwall, where he 
 routed a nearly equal British force under Colonel Dennis — making 
 many prisoners, and pursuing the fugitives till night ; and also at 
 Fort Matilda, erected to guard the narrowest part of the river. He 
 took the fort, its commander, and many of his men. But with vic- 
 tory within his grasp — for there was no force between Scott and 
 Montreal which could have arrested his march six hours, and no 
 garrison in Montreal that could have obstructed his entry — he, as 
 well as the nation, was doomed to disappointment, by the incom- 
 petency and the quarrels of two of its generals — Wilkinson and 
 Wade Hampton : Wilkinson ordering a retreat because Hampton 
 would not join him with his detachment, and Hampton refusing to 
 join, because, as he alleged, provisions were insufficient ; the cam- 
 paign closed in disaster. But it was brilliantly redeemed by that 
 of the following year. 
 
 On the 9th of March, 1814, Colonel Scott was promoted to the 
 rank of brigadier, and immediately joined General Brown, then in 
 full march from French Mills to the Niagara frontier. Brown, who 
 was an able but self-taught commander, perceiving the need of in- 
 struction and discipline, left the camp expressly for the purpose of 
 giving the command to General Scott, and enabling him to carry 
 out a system of instruction and discipline with the troops as they 
 assembled at Buffalo. For more than three months this duty was 
 assiduously and most successfully discharged by General Scott. 
 
BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. 13 
 
 Now it was that the knowledge of the art of war, which he had 
 so sedulously acquired during his year of suspension, came into 
 play. He personally drilled and instructed all the officers, and then 
 in turn superintended them as they instructed the soldiers. By as- 
 siduous labour, he succeeded, at the end of three months, in pre- 
 senting in the field an army skilful in manauvres, and confident alike 
 in their officers and in themselves. When all was ready for action, 
 General Brown resumed the command. The army was crossed 
 over to Canada in two brigades, Scott's and Ripley's, the former 
 below, the latter above Fort Erie, which almost immediately sur- 
 rendered, and then marched to attack the main British army, lyino- 
 behind the Chippewa river, under the command of General Riall. 
 On the morning of the 4th of July — auspicious day ! — Scott's bri- 
 gade, several hours in advance, fell in with the lOOlh regiment, 
 British, commanded by the Marquis of Tweedale, and kept up a 
 running fight with it till it was driven across the Chippewa. Scott 
 encamped for the night behind Street's creek, about two miles from 
 the British camp, behind the Chippewa, with a level plain extend- 
 ing between, skirted on the east by the Niagara river, on the west 
 by woods. 
 
 On the 5th — a bright, hot day — the morning began with skir-- 
 mishing in the woods, between the New York volunteers, under 
 General Porter, and the British irregulars ; and it was not till four 
 o'clock in the afternoon, and just as Scott, despairing of bringino- 
 on an action that day, was drawing out his brigade on the plain for 
 drill, that General Brown, who had been reconnoitring on the left 
 flank, and perceived that the main body of the Britisii army was 
 moving forward, rode up to General Scott, and said, " The enemy is 
 advancing ; you will have a fight :" and without giving any order, 
 such was his reliance upon Scott, proceeded to the rear to bring up 
 Ripley's brigade. Scott immediately prepared for action ; and there, 
 on the plain of Chippewa, with his own brigade only, consisting of 
 the 9th, 11th, and 25th regiments of infantry, with a detachment of 
 
 the 22d, Towson's company of artillery, and Porter's volunteers 
 
 in all, nineteen hundred men — encountered, routed, and ^pursued a 
 superior force of some of the best regiments of the British service 
 — the Royal Scots, the 8th and 100th regiments, a detachment of 
 the 19th dragoons, another of the Royal Artillery, and some Cana- 
 dian militia — in all, twenty-one hundred men. Here it was that the 
 3 B 
 
14 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 discipline so laboriously taught b^^cott, in the camp of instruction, 
 told ; and this it was that enablea him, as at a turning point of the 
 battle he did, in a voice rising above the roar of artillery, to say to 
 McNeil's battalion of the 1 1th infantry : — " The enemy say that we 
 are good at long shot, but cannot stand the cold iron. I call upon 
 the Eleventh instantly to give the lie to the slander. Charge !" 
 And they did charge ; and, aided by Leavenworth's battalion, they 
 quickly put the enemy to rout, before the 21st, of Ripley's brigade, 
 which was hastening to take part in the battle, or any portion of that 
 brigade, could get up. 
 
 Justly, indeed, did General Brown, in his official report of the 
 battle, say : " Brigadier-General Scott is entitled to the highest 
 praise our country can bestow : to him, more than to any other man, 
 am I indebted for the victory of the 5th of July." The fight was 
 fierce and bloody in an unwonted degree, the killed on both sides 
 amounting to eight hundred and thirty, out of about four thousand 
 engaged — more than one in five. This action — which was chiefly 
 valuable for the good effect it produced upon the feelings of the na- 
 tion, by proving that in the open field, and hand to hand, our troops 
 were equal at least, and in this instance had proved themselves su- 
 perior to the best troops of England — was followed in just three 
 weeks by another, yet more decisive of the courage and disciphne 
 of the American army — that at Lundy's Lane. General Riall, un- 
 known to General Brown, had been largely reinforced by General 
 Drummond from below ; and when, on the morning of the 26th of 
 July, General Scott in advance, as usual, was on a march to attack 
 General Riall's forces, he suddenly came upon the British troops, 
 which, reinforced that very day by Drummond, were themselves 
 bent on attack. Scott had with him but four small battalions, com- 
 manded, respectively, by Brady, Jessup, Leavenworth, and McNeil ; 
 and Towson's artillery, with Captain Harris's detachment of regular 
 and irregular cavalry — the whole column not exceeding thirteen 
 hundred men. With this small force, Scott found himself in pre- 
 sence of a superior body. His position was critical, but it was pre- 
 cisely one of those where promptness and decision of action must 
 supply the want of battalions. Despatching officers to the rear to 
 apprise General Brown that the whole British army were before 
 him. General Scott at once engaged the enemy, who all the while 
 beheved they had to do with the whole of General Brown's army, 
 
BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE. 15 
 
 not at all expecting that a mere detachment of it would venture upon 
 the apparently desperate course of encountering such greatly su- 
 perior numbers as the British knew they had in the field. 
 
 The battle began about half an hour before sunset, within the 
 spray, almost, of the everlasting Falls of Niagara, and beneath the 
 halo of its irradiated bow of promise and of hope. It is recorded 
 as a fact, that the head of our advancing column was actually en- 
 circled by this beautiful bow, and all took courage from the omen. 
 The battle raged with unequal fortune and desperate valour, till far 
 into the niorht. When Miller made his famous and decisive charsfe 
 upon the battery of the British, which was the key of their position, 
 darkness covered the earth ; and Scott, who knew the localities, 
 piloted Miller on his way, till the fire from the battery revealed its 
 position completel3^ Scott then resumed the attack in front, while 
 Miller gallantly stormed and carried the battery, and held it against 
 repeated charges from the oft-rallied, but as oft-dispersed, British 
 troops. Twice, mean time, had Scott charged through the British, 
 lines — two horses had been killed under him — he was wounded in 
 the side — and about eleven o'clock at night, on foot and yet fighting, 
 he was finally disabled by a shot, which shattered the left shoulder, 
 and he was borne away about midnight from the battle ; his com- 
 mander, General Brown, having been previously, in like manner, 
 carried away wounded from the field. 
 
 The honours of the battle belonged to the American arms, although, 
 from the want of horses, they could not carry off' the British cannon, 
 captured with so much gallantry by Miller. But the American 
 troops retired to Chippewa, and thence to Fort Erie, where they 
 were soon besieged by General Drummond. Scott was absent, suf- 
 fering under his wounds ; but the spirit and the discipline with 
 which his efforts and his example had inspired the army, failed not, 
 though he was no longer with them ; and after being beleaguered 
 near fifty days, General Brown, who had sufficiently recovered to 
 resume the command, made a sortie, on the 17th of September, in 
 which he defeated the troops in the trenches, captured and destroyed 
 their works, and so effectually overthrew all that it had cost long 
 weeks to accomplish, that the British commander. General Drum- 
 mond, withdrew his troops, and soon after the American army went 
 into winter quarters at Buffalo. 
 
IQ MAJOR-GEISERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 This was virtually, in this region, the end of the war ; for peace 
 was negotiated at Ghent at the cl^^ of 1814, and was. ratified early 
 the ensuing spring. 
 
 Scott, who had been carried to Buffalo, where he was most kindly 
 and cordially received and watched over, as soon as he could bear 
 the motion, was borne in a litter from place to place by the citizens 
 themselves, who would not commit to mercenary hands the care and 
 comfort of a gallant soldier, still disabled by his wounds, until he 
 reached the house of his old friend Nicholas, at Geneva. But his 
 great desire was to reach Philadelphia, in order to avail himself of 
 the eminent skill of Doctors Physick and Chapman ; for the possi- 
 bility of being so crippled, for life, as to be incapable of further ser- 
 vice to his country, was to Scott an intolerable thought, and hence 
 he sought the best surgical aid. He, therefore, by slow progress, 
 reached Philadelphia — everywhere welcomed and honoured on his 
 route as the suffering representative of the army on the Niagara, 
 which had won imperishable laurels for the country and itself. 
 
 At Princeton, where he happened to arrive on the day of the an- 
 nual commencement, the faculty, students, and citizens all insisted 
 on his taking part in the ceremonial ; and pale, emaciated, and weak 
 as he was, that he should be present during a part, at least, of the 
 public performances. He was fain to comply ; and when, at the 
 close of an oration " on the public duties of a good citizen, in peace 
 and in war," the youthful and graceful orator turned to Scott, and 
 made him the personification of the civic and heroic virtues which 
 had just been inculcated, the edifice rang with applause, woman's 
 gentle voice mingling in with the harsher tones of the other sex. 
 The faculty conferred on him the degree of A. M., which his early 
 training and literary pursuits, not less than his public services, ren- 
 dered wholly appropriate. On approaching Philadelphia, he found 
 the governor of the state, Snyder, at the head of a division of militia, 
 with which he had marched out to receive him. 
 
 Baltimore being still menaced by the British, General Scott, at 
 the earnest request of the citizens, consented, wounded as he was, 
 and incapable of exertion, to assume the command of the district ; 
 and in such command the tidings of peace found him. After de- 
 clining the post of Secretary at War, proffered to him by President 
 Madison, and aiding in the painful and dehcate task of reducing the 
 army to a peace establishment, he was sent by the government to 
 
THANKS OF CONGRESS, ETC. 17 
 
 Europe, both for the restoration of his health and professional im- 
 provement. He was, moreover, commissioned to ascertain the views 
 and designs of different courts and prominent public men respecting 
 the revolutionary struggle then commenced in the Spanish American 
 colonies, and especially those of England, respecting the island of 
 Cuba — all at that time subjects of solicitude at Washington. Flow 
 he acquitted himself of these commissions may be inferred from the 
 fact that, by order of President Madison, a special letter of thanks 
 was written to him by the Secretary of State. After two years spent 
 in Europe, where he associated wiih the most distinguished men in 
 all the walks of life, attended courses of public lectures, and visited 
 and inspected the great fortresses and naval establishments, Scott 
 returned to the United States, and was assigned to the command of 
 the seaboard, making New York his head-quarters ; and there, for 
 twenty years, except with occasional absences on duty in the west, 
 he remained. The gratitude of the country for his war services was 
 testified in various shapes. Congress voted him a gold medal, and 
 passed resolutions of thanks, in which he was not only comphment- 
 ed for his skill and gallantry at Chippewa and Niagara, but for his 
 uniform good conduct throughout the war — a compliment paid by 
 Congress to no other officer. The gold medal was presented by 
 President Monroe. Virginia and New York each voted a sword to 
 him ; which, for Virginia, was presented by Governor Pleasants ; 
 for New York, by Governor Tompkins. He was also elected an 
 honorary member of the Cincinnati, and numerous states named 
 new counties after him. 
 
 In the long interval of comparative inaction which followed the 
 close of the war, Scott's services were availed of by the general go- 
 vernment — first, in that most painful task of reducing the army to a 
 peace establishment, which necessarily imposed upon the general 
 the responsibility of deciding between the merits and fitness of 
 many gallant men, who had stood with him unflinching on the red 
 fields of battle. But in the discharge of this, as of every other duty 
 to his country, Scott acted with a single eye to its honour and wel- 
 fare. Neither the relations of general friendship, nor the influences 
 of various sorts, brought to bear from without, were suffered to warp 
 his firm mind. He was there for his country, and in consonance 
 with what he thought its clear interests, was his course throughout. 
 The next important benefit rendered, and which, perhaps, was not 
 3* b3 
 
18 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 the least of all the many he was capable of rendering, was to trans- 
 late from the French, prepare, itfest, and adapt to our service, a 
 complete system of military tactics. In the execution of this trust, 
 his previous military studies gave him great facilities and advan- 
 tages ; and the system thus introduced, carried into effect by those 
 jewels of the nation, the West Point cadets, has recently proved 
 itself at Palo Alto and Fort Brown, Resaca de la Palma, and Mon- 
 terey. 
 
 The frankness of his nature, and his high sense of subordination, 
 and ever-present and active respect for the spirit as well as letter of 
 the Constitution of his country, involved him, about the year 1817, 
 in an unpleasant controversy, first with General Jackson, and second, 
 as a consequence of the first, with De Witt Clinton. The particulars 
 of the controversy have passed from memory, and it is not our pur- 
 pose to revive them. In the lifetime, before the Presidency of 
 General Jackson, a very complete and soldierly reconciliation took 
 place between General Scott and himself. But, we may add, in 
 the way of caution and reprobation, that the whole difficulty arose 
 from the unjustifiable and ungentlemanly repetition of some obser- 
 vations made at a private dinner-table by General Scott. 
 
 Another controversy arose between General Scott and General 
 Gaines, on the subject of brevet rank, on occasion of the appoint- 
 ment of General Macomb to the command of the army, after the 
 death of General Brown. The government did not sustain the views 
 taken by General Scott of the rights of brevet rank, and this officer, 
 in consequence, tendered the resignation of his commission, not from 
 any mere personal feelings, but because lie thought that in his per- 
 son a great military principle was violated. Happily, General 
 Jackson (then become president) would not act upon the proffered 
 resignation; and in order to allow time for reflection, and at the 
 same time to prevent any damage to the service from an open colli- 
 sion on points of duty between General Scott and his official supe- 
 rior, a furlough of one year was sent to him. Scott took advantage 
 of the furlough to revisit Europe ; and on his return, under the 
 earnest advice of his friends, and, as is believed, with the unanimous 
 approval of his brother officers, Scott withdrew his resignation, and 
 reported himself for duty. 
 
 The Secretary of War, Major Eaton, in acknowledging General 
 Scott's letter, frankly and honourably says : 
 
THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 
 
 19 
 
 «' It affords the department much satisfaction to perceive the con- 
 clusion at which you have arrived as to your brevet rights. None 
 will do you the injustice to suppose that the opinions declared by 
 you on the subject are not the result of reflection and conviction ; 
 but since the constituted authorities of the government have, with 
 the best feeUngs entertained, come to conclusions adverse to your 
 own, no other opinions were cherished, or were hoped for, but that 
 on your return to the United Slates you would adopt the course 
 your letter indicates, and with good feehngs resume those duties of 
 which your country has so long had the benefit." 
 
 The general was ordered in conclusion to report himself at once 
 for duty to General Macomb. He was assigned anew to the eastern 
 department, and there remained till called by the Black Hawk war 
 in 1832, to assume command. 
 
 It was in this capacity that Scott had the opportunity of showmg 
 himself a "hero of humanity," as he had before shown himself a 
 "heroin the battle-field." The Asiatic cholera in this year first 
 reached this continent, and, sweeping with rapid but irregular strides 
 from point to point, it manifested itself most fatally on board the fleet 
 of steamboats on Lake Erie, in which General Scott, with a corps 
 of about one thousand regulars, embarked for Chicago. They left 
 Buffalo in the beginning of July. On the 8th, the cholera declared 
 itself on board the steamboat in which General Scott and staff, and 
 two hundred and twenty men were embarked, and in less than six 
 days one officer and fifty-one men died, and eighty were put on 
 shore sick at Chicago. It was amid the gloom and the terror 
 of this attack from a disease, known only by its fatal ap- 
 proaches, that General Scott displayed those attributes of moral 
 courage, of genuine philanthropy, which would weigh so much 
 more In the scale of national gratitude, than the exercise of physical 
 courao-e— that quality common to our race in the battle-field. From 
 cot to°cot of the sick soldiers, their general daily went, soothing the 
 last moments of the dying, sustaining and cheering those who hoped 
 to survive, and for all, disarming the pestilence of that formidable 
 character of contagion which seemed to render its attack inevitable, 
 and almost synonymous with death, by showing in his own person 
 that he feared it not. Of the numbers whom his heroic self-confi- 
 dence and generous example, in such circumstances, saved from 
 death, by dissipating their apprehensions, no estimate has ever been 
 
20 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 made ; but such deeds and such devotion are not unmarked by the 
 eye of Providence, and cannot be4Plthout their reward. 
 
 Of the nine hundred and fifty men that left Buffalo, not more than 
 four hundred survived for active service. On leaving Chicago, with 
 this diminished command, Scott proceeded as rapidly as possible to 
 the Mississippi, and there joined General Atkinson at Prairie du 
 Chien, who, in the battle of the Badaxe, had already scattered the 
 forces of Black Hawk. 
 
 In spite of all the precaution adopted by Scott and Atkinson, the 
 cholera was communicated anew to the army assembled at Rock 
 Island, and great were its ravages. Here, again, as on board the 
 steamboat, when the malady first appeared, Scott's self-sacrificing 
 care and solicitude for his men were unceasing. 
 
 It was late in September before the dread disease was extirpated 
 from the camp, and then commenced the negotiations with the Sacs 
 and Foxes ; this was concluded by Scott with consummate skill, 
 and resulted in the cession, for a valuable consideration, of the fine 
 region which now constitutes the state of Iowa. Another treaty 
 was made on the same terms by him with the Winnebagoes, by 
 which they ceded some five million acres of land east of the Missis- 
 sippi and between the Illinois and Wisconsin, now constituting a 
 valuable portion of the territory of Wisconsin. In reference, as well 
 to his successful negotiations, as to his humane conduct under the 
 calamity of pestilence, the then Secretary of War, General Cass, 
 wrote thus to General Scott : 
 
 "Allow me to congratulate you upon the fortunate consunnmation 
 of your arduous duties, and to express my entire approbation of the 
 whole course of your proceedings, during a series of difficulties re- 
 quiring higher moral courage than the operations of an active cam- 
 paign under ordinary circumstances." 
 
 Scarcely had Scott reached home and his family in New York, 
 when he was detailed by President Jackson to a new, important, 
 and most delicate duty, that of maintaining at home the supremacy 
 of the United States against South Carolina nullification. He inrime- 
 diately proceeded to Washington, and there, in personal interviews 
 with the president and the cabinet, becoming fully possessed of their 
 views, and having expressed to them his own, he was invested 
 with very ample discretionary power to meet the perilous crisis. 
 In no scene of his life, perhaps, has General Scott exhibited more 
 
SCOTT IN FLORIDA. 21 
 
 thorough patriotism — more entire devotion to the laws and constitu- 
 tion of his country — ^more anxious, and skilfully-conducted efforts to 
 arrest that direst of calamities, civil war — more self-command — more 
 tact and talent — than while stationed at Fort Moultrie, in Charleston 
 Harbour, and face to face, as it Avere, with nullification in arms. A 
 single drop of blood shed at that moment might have deluged the 
 nation in blood — and yet the laws of the United States, made in 
 conformity with the constitution, Scott was sworn and commissioned 
 to uphold, defend, and enforce : the point of difficulty was to avert 
 the bloodshed, and yet maintain the laws ; and he came off entirely 
 successful in both — under circumstances that history will do justice 
 to, as those who remember the fearful apprehensions of that day did 
 at the time, and still do. 
 
 His next field of public service was in Florida, where the Semi- 
 noles — in possession of the everglades, and having taken our troops 
 at unawares — owing to the want of adequate preparation by the ad- 
 ministration, although timely warned of the danger by the gallant 
 Clinch — seemed for a time to set the whole efforts of our country 
 at defiance. 
 
 On the 20th January, 1836, General Scott was ordered to the 
 command of the troops in Florida, and he displayed his habitual 
 promptitude in obeying the order. He was apprised of the will of 
 the president at four o'clock in the afternoon, and asked when he 
 could set forth. " This night," was the reply. But a day's delay 
 was required to draw up the requisite instructions, and he left 
 Washington on the 21st. 
 
 We enter not here into an examination of the steps taken and the 
 plans devised by General Scott, to bring to a rapid and sure termi- 
 nation these disastrous and discreditable hostihties, nor into the 
 manner or the motives of his unmilitary recall, and of the subse- 
 quent investigation of his conduct by a court of inquiry ; these are 
 among the historic archives of the nation. Our only concern here 
 with them is to say, that this court unanimously approved his con- 
 duct — pronounced the plan of his Seminole campaign " well devised," 
 and added that it " was prosecuted with energy, steadiness, and 
 ability." With regard to the Creek war, which at the same time 
 fell upon his hands, the court found " that the plan of campaign 
 adopted by Major-General Scott was well calculated to lead to suc- 
 cessful results ; and that it was prosecuted by him, as far as practi- 
 
22 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 cable, with zeal and ability, until he was recalled from the com- 
 mand." ^ 
 
 IMr. Van Buren, who had now become president, approved the 
 finding of the court, and the nation at large ratified the verdict. 
 Public dinners were tendered to General Scott by the citizens of 
 New York, of Richmond, and of other places, all of wbich, how- 
 ever, he declined ; and was in the discharge of the ordinary duties 
 of his station, when the patriot troubles broke out in 1837 on the 
 Canada frontier. For two years these troubles agitated our coun- 
 try, and seriously menaced its peace. To no man in so great a 
 degree as to General Scott is it indebted for the preservation of that 
 peace. His honour and patriotism, his approved mihtary service, 
 his reputation and his bearing as a soldier, gave great effect to his 
 frank and friendly expostulations with the deluded American citi- 
 zens, who supposed they were acting patriotically in taking part 
 with the Canadian revolters ; and by kindness and reason, combined 
 with much skill and assiduity in discovering and tracing the rami- 
 fications of the patriot lodges, he was enabled to prevent any out- 
 break that might compromise our country with Great Britain. His 
 return from the Niagara frontier was greeted with compliments at 
 Albany and elsewhere, and all felt that a great national good had 
 been accomplished by this gallant soldier. 
 
 In 1838, another difficult and painful service was confided to Gene- 
 ral Scott — that of removing the Cherokees from the homes of their 
 fathers, to the region beyond the Mississippi. Here he was as suc- 
 cessful as in all previous pubhc service : tempering humanity with 
 power, and operating more by moral influence than force, he effected 
 this most trying object in a manner that secured the gratitude of those 
 whom he was, acting for liis country, obliged to wrong. It was 
 this service, connected with his subsequent pacific arrangement of 
 the north-eastern boundary difficulties, that drew from the lamented 
 Channing — that apostle of human rights — this fine tribute : 
 
 " To this distinguished man belongs the rare honour of uniting 
 with military energy and daring the spirit of a philanthropist. His 
 exploits in the field, which placed him in the first rank of our sol- 
 diers, have been obscured by the purer and more lasting glory of a 
 pacificator, and of a friend of mankind. In the whole history of the 
 intercourse of civilized with barbarous or half-civilized communities, 
 we doubt whether a brighter page can be found than that which re- 
 
NORTH-EASTERN BOUNDARY QUESTION. 23 
 
 cords his agency in the removal of the Cherokees. As far as the 
 wrongs done to this race can be atoned for, General Scott has made 
 the expiation. 
 
 " In his recent mission to the disturbed borders of our country, 
 he has succeeded, not so much by policy as by the nobleness and 
 generosity of his character, by moral influences, by the earnest con- 
 viction with which he has enforced upon all with whom he has had 
 to do, the obligations of patriotism, justice, humanity, and religion. 
 It would not be easy to find among us a man who has won a purer 
 fame, and I am happy to offer this tribute, because I would do some- 
 thing — no matter how httle — to hasten the time when the spirit of 
 Christian humanity shall be accounted an essential attribute, and the 
 brightest ornament to a public man." 
 
 This is justly said, and most justly applied. 
 
 In 1839, Scott was again deputed by the government to keep the 
 peace, and, soldier as he is, to use all his great influence to prevent 
 the occurrence of war. The dispute respecting the contested boun- 
 dary on the north-eastern frontier had become alarming — Massa- 
 chusetts and Maine on one side, and New Brunswick on the other, 
 had in some degree taken the matter into their own hands, and 
 hostile bands stood facing each other ; a single indiscretion among 
 them might have precipitated war beyond the possibiHty of its being 
 averted. Happily, a friendship formed on the field of battle, in 
 years long past, between General Scott and General Sir John Har- 
 vey, the governor of New Brunswick, contributed to smooth the 
 difficulties between the two nations. General Scott havinor over- 
 come the first great obstacles in soothing the irritated feelings of the 
 American borderers, made overtures to Sir John Harvey for the 
 mutual vv^ithdrawal of troops from the disputed territory ; and Sir 
 John frankly acceded to them, saying in his letter of the 23d March, 
 1839, to General Scott, " My reliance upon you, my dear general, 
 has led me to give my willing assent to the proposition which you 
 have made j^ourself the very acceptable means of conveying to me." 
 
 The menacing position of affairs was now efl^ectually changed into 
 feelings of reciprocal forbearance, and Daniel Webster finally accom- 
 plished, by the treaty at Washington, the good work so satisfactorily 
 comnienced by the pacificator, Scott. 
 
 Soon after the commencement of actual hostilities between ttie 
 United States and Mexico, Scott requested of government permis- 
 
24 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 sion to join General Taylor with a large army, and push forward 
 for the enemy's capital. This \^ denied him, and he remained at 
 Washington until November. Receiving orders to proceed to the 
 seat of war, he embarked from New York, and reached the mouth 
 of the Rio Grande January 1st, 1847. After mustering an army of 
 nearly twelve thousand men, part of them from General Taylor's 
 force, he proceeded against the city and castle of Vera Cruz, the 
 first object of the campaign. The following graphic description of 
 the landing of the troops and siege of the city, is from the pen of 
 an eye-witness : — 
 
 " On the fifth day of March, 1847, while the American squadron 
 was lying at Anton Lizardo, a norther sprang up, and commenced 
 blowing with great violence. The ships rolled and pitched, and 
 tugged at their anchors, as if striving to tear them from their hold, 
 while the sea was white with foam. About noon. General Scott's 
 fleet of transports, destined for the reduction of Vera Cruz, came 
 like a great white cloud bearing down before the storm. The whole 
 eastern horizon looked like a wall of canvass. Vessel after vessel 
 came flying in under reduced sail, until the usually quiet harbour was 
 crowded with them. A perfect wilderness of spars and rigging met 
 the eye at every turn ; and for five days, all was bustle, activity and 
 excitement. Officers of the two services were visiting about from 
 ship to ship; drums were beating, bands of music playing, and 
 every thing told of an approaching conflict. 
 
 " On the 10th, the army were conveyed in huge surf-boats from 
 the transports to the different ships of war, which immediately got 
 under way for Vera Cruz. During the passage down to the city, 
 I was in the fore-top of the United States' sloop-of-vvar 'Albany,' 
 from which place I had a good view of all that occurred. It Was a 
 * sight to see !' The tall ships of war sailing leisurely along under 
 their top-sails, their decks thronged in every part wiih dense masses 
 of troops, whose bright muskets and bayonets were flashing in the 
 sunbeams ; the ginghng of spurs and sabres ; the bands of music 
 playing ; the hum of the muliiiude rising up like the murmur of the 
 distant ocean ; the small steamers plying about, their decks crowded 
 with anxious spectators ; the long lines of surf-boats towing astern 
 of the ships, ready to disembark the troops ; all these tended to 
 tender the scene one of the deepest interest. 
 
 "About three o'clock, P. M., the armada arrived abreast of the 
 
SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ. 25 
 
 iittle desert island of Sacrificio, where the time-worn walls and bat- 
 tlements of Vera Cruz, and the old grim castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, 
 with their ponderous cannon, tier upon tier, basking in the yellow 
 rays of the sun, burst upon our view. It was a most beautiful, nay, 
 a sublime sight, that embarkation, I still retained my position in 
 the fore-top, and was watching every movement with the most 
 anxious interest ; for it was thought by many that the enemy would 
 oppose the landing of our troops. About four o'clock, the huge 
 surf-boats, each capable of conveying one hundred men, were haul- 
 ed to the gang-ways of the different men-of-war, and quickly laden 
 with their ' warlike fraughtage ;' formed in a single Hne, nearly a 
 mile in length ; and at a given signal, commenced slovv'ly moving 
 toward the Mexican shore. It was a grand spectacle ! On, on 
 went the long range of boats, loaded down to the gunwales with 
 brave men, the rays of the slowly-departing sun resting upon their 
 uniforms and bristhng bayonets, and wrapping the far inland and 
 fantastic mountains of Mexico in robes of gold. On they went ; 
 the measured stroke of the countless oars mingling with the hoarse 
 dull roar of the trampling surf upon the sandy beach, and the shriek 
 of the myriads of sea-birds soaring high in air, until the boats struck 
 the shore, and quick as thought our army began to land. At this 
 instant, the American flag was planted, and unrolling its folds, float- 
 ed proudly out upon the evening breeze ; the crews of the men-of- 
 war made the welkin ring with their fierce cheering; and a dozen 
 bands of music, at the same time, and as if actuated by one impulse, 
 struck up 
 
 ' 'T is the star-spangled banner ! O, long may it wave, 
 O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave !' 
 
 " Early the next morning, the old grim castle of San Juan d'Ulloa 
 commenced trying the range of its heavy guns, throwing Paixhan 
 shells at the army, and continued it at intervals for a week ; but 
 with the exception of an occasional skirmish v/itli a party of the 
 enemy's lancers, they had all the fun to themselves. In the mean 
 time our forces went quietly on with their preparations, stationing 
 their pickets, planting their heavy mortars, landing their horses, 
 provisions and munitions of war, constantly annoyed with a cease- 
 less fire from the Mexican batteries, which our troops were as yet 
 too busy to return. 
 
 3 c 
 
26 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 " On the 24th, Lieutenant Oliver Hazard Perry, with a zeal 
 worthy of his illustrious father, '^ hero of Lake Erie,' dismounted 
 one of the waist guns of the 'Albany,' a sixty-eight-pounder, pro- 
 cured a nunnber of volunteers who would willingly have charged 
 up to the muzzles of the Mexican cannon with such a leader, and 
 taking about forty rounds of Paixhan shells, proceeded on shore, 
 "where, after dragging his gun through the sand for three miles, he 
 arrived at a small fortification, which the engineers had constructed 
 of sand-bags for him, and there planted his engine of destruction, 
 in a situation which commanded the whole city of Vera Cruz. 
 Roused by such a gallant example, guns from each of the other 
 ships of the squadron were disembarked, and conveyed to the breast- 
 work, which was as yet concealed from the eyes of the Mexicans, 
 by being in the rear of an almost impervious chapparal, and in a 
 short time a most formidable fortress was completed, which was 
 styled the Naval Battery. 
 
 •At this period. General Scott, having quietly made all his ar- 
 rangements, while a constant shower of shot and shell were thrown 
 at his army by the enemy, sent a flag of truce, with a summons for 
 the immediate surrender of the cily of Vera Cruz, and the castle 
 of San Juan d'Ulloa, and with a full understanding that unless his 
 demand was immediately comphed with, an attack would follow. 
 As a matter of course, the Mexicans, expecting an assault, for which 
 they were well prepared, and not a bombardment, returned an in- 
 dignant refusal, and were told that at four o'clock, P. M., they should 
 hear farther from us. In the mean time, the chapparal had been 
 cut away, disclosing the Naval Battery to the gaze cf the astonished 
 Mexicans, and the mortars and heavy artillery, which had been 
 planted upon the hills overlooking the city, and were ready to vomit 
 forth their fires of death. Every person was now waiting with 
 trembling anxiety the commencement of the fray. 
 
 "About four o'clock, P. M., while the crews of the squadron were 
 all at supper, a sudden and tremendous roar of artillery on shore 
 proclaimed that the battle had begun. The tea-things were left to 
 'take care of themselves,' and pellmell tumbled sick and well up 
 the ladders to the spar-deck. I followed with the human tide, and 
 soon found myself in the fore-top of the 'Albany,' and looking 
 around me, a sublime but terrific sight my elevated perch presented 
 to the view. Some two hundred sail of vessels were lying imme- 
 
SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ. 27 
 
 diately around us, their tops, cross-trees, yards, shrouds — every 
 thing where a foot-hold could be obtained — crowded with human 
 beings, clustered hke swarming bees in mid-summer on the trees, 
 all intently watching the battle. I turned my eyes on shore. Jona- 
 than had at last awakened from his slumber, and had set to work 
 in earnest. Bomb-shells were flying Hke hail-stones into Vera Cruz 
 from every quarter ; sulphurous flashes, clouds of smoke, and the 
 dull boom of the heavy guns arose from the walls of the city in re- 
 turn, while ever and anon a red sheet of flame would leap from the 
 great brass mortars on the ramparts of the grim castle, followed by 
 a report, which fairly niade the earth tremble. The large ships of 
 the squadron could not approach near enough to the shore to parti- 
 cipate in the attack upon the city, without exposing them to the fire 
 of the castle ; but all the gun-boats, small steamers, and every thing 
 that could be brought to bear upon the enemy, v/ere sent in and 
 commenced blazing away ; a steady stream of fire, hke the red 
 glare of a volcano ! This state of things continued until sunset, 
 when the small vessels v>'ere called off'; but the mortars kept throw- 
 inor shells into the devoted tov/n the live-long: nio^ht. I was watch- 
 
 O DO 
 
 inor them until after midnig'ht, and it was one of the most strikino^ 
 displays that I ever beheld. 
 
 *'A huge black cloud of smoke hung like a pall over the American 
 arm}?", completely conceahng it from view ; the Mexicans had ceased 
 firing, in order to prevent our troops from directing their guns by 
 the flashes from the walls; but the bombardiers had obtained the 
 exact range before dark, and kept thundering away, every shell fall- 
 ing directly into the doomed city. Suddenly, a vivid, lightning-hke 
 flash would gleam for an instant upon the black pall of smoke hang- 
 ing over our lines, and then as the roar of the great mortar came 
 borne to our ears, the ponderous shell would be seen to dart upward 
 like a meteor, and after describing a semi-circle in the air, descend 
 with a loud crash upon the house-tops, or into the resounding streets 
 of the fated city. Then, after a brief but awful moment of sus- 
 pense, a lurid glare, illuminating for an instant the w^hite domes and 
 grim fortresses of Vera Cruz, falhng into ruins with the shock, and 
 the echoing crash that came borne to our ears, told that the shell 
 had exploded, and executed its terrible mission ! 
 
 *' Throughout the whole night these fearful missiles were travel- 
 ling into the city in one continued stream ; but the enemy did not 
 
>^ 28 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 return the fire. At day-light, however, the Mexicans again opened 
 their batteries upon our army, wi^the most determined bravery. 
 
 "About eight o'clock, A. M., the gallant Perry and his brave asso- 
 ciates, having finished the mounting of their guns, and completed 
 all their arrangements, opened with a tremendous roar the Naval 
 Battery upon the west side of the city, and were immediately an- 
 swered from four distinct batteries of the enemy. The firm earth 
 trembled beneath the discharge of these ponderous guns, and the 
 shot flew like hail into the town, and were returned with interest 
 by the Mexicans. Their heavy guns were served with wonderful 
 precision ; and almost every shot struck the little fort, burst open 
 the sand-bags of which it was constructed, and covered our brave 
 officers and men with a cloud of dust. Many shot and shell were 
 thrown directly through the embrasures ; and to use the expressions 
 of one of our old tars who had been in several engagements, ' the 
 red-skins handled their long thirty-two's as if they had been rifles'.' 
 Several of our men and one officer had fallen, but the remainder of 
 the brave fellows kept blazing away ; while the forts and ramparts 
 of the city began to crumble to the earth. This state of things con- 
 tinued until the twenty-seventh; the army throwing a constant 
 shower of bombs into the city, and the Naval Battery, (manned 
 daily by fresh officers and men,) beating down the fortifications, and 
 destroying every thing within its range, when a flag of truce was 
 sent out with an offer, which was immediately accepted, of an un- 
 conditional surrender of the city of Vera Cruz and the castle of San 
 ' = Juan d'Ulloa." 
 
 Before the siege commenced. General Scott had sent printed pass- 
 ports to the different consuls, and also requested a surrender of the 
 city, in order to preserve the fives of the non-combatants. These 
 were disregarded at the time ; but when the siege was in full ope- 
 ration, he received a communication from the consuls, requesting 
 that the women and children might be permitted to pass oat. His 
 answer we give in his own words : — 
 
 " 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, to- 
 gether with Mexican women and children, to withdraw from the 
 scene of havoc about them. I shall reply, the moment that an op- 
 portunity may be taken, to say — 1. That a truce can only be granted 
 
TERMS OF THE SURRENDER. 29 
 
 on the application of Governor Morales, with a view to surrender. 
 2. That in sendinof safeguards to the different consuls, bemnnino- as 
 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 al- 
 though at that date I had already refused to allow any person what- 
 soever to pass the line of investment either way, yet the blockade 
 had been left open to the consuls and other neutrals to pass out to 
 their respective ships of war up to the 22d instant ; and 4th : 
 
 "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 in- 
 tercourse between the neutral ships 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 the intercourse could not 
 fail to give to the enemy moral aid and comfort." 
 
 The following were the terms of surrender, finally agreed upon 
 by Generals Worth and Pillow, and Colonel Totten, on the part of 
 the Americans, and Villannuera, Herrera, and Robles, on the part 
 of the Mexicans ! 
 
 " 1. The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to the 
 arms of the United States, as prisoners of war, the 29th instant, at 
 ten o'clock, A. M. ; the garrisons to be permitted to march out with 
 all the honours of war, and to lay down their arms to such officers 
 as may be appointed by the general-in-chief of the United States' 
 armies, and at a point to be agreed upon by the commissioners. 
 
 " 2. Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects, 
 including horses and horse-furniture, and to be allowed, regular and 
 irregular officers, as also the rank and file, five days to retire to their 
 respective homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed. 
 
 "3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in article 1, the 
 Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck, sa- 
 luted by their own batteries ; and, immediately thereafter, Forts 
 Santiago and Conception, and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, oc- 
 cupied 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 
 3* c2 
 
30 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 may desire, and the irregular to be permitted to return to their 
 homes. The officers, in respect4B all arms and descriptions of 
 force, giving- the usual parole, that the said rank and file, as well as 
 themselves, shall not serve again until duly exchanged. 
 
 " 5. All the material of war, and all pubhc property of every 
 description found in the cit}^, the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and 
 their dependencies, to belong to the United States ; but the arma- 
 ment of the same (not injured or destroyed in the further prosecu- 
 tion of the actual war) may be considered as liable to be restored to 
 Mexico by a definite treaty of peace. 
 
 " 6. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in 
 the city, with such medical officers and attendants, and officers of 
 the army as may be necessary to their care and treatment. 
 
 "7. Absolute protection is solemnly guarantied to persons in the 
 city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no private build- 
 ing or property is to be taken or used by the forces of the United 
 States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and for a 
 fair equivalent. 
 
 "8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is 
 solemnly guarantied." 
 
 General Scott remained about two weeks at Vera Cruz, and then 
 set out for the capital. On the ITth of April he arrived at the pass 
 of Sierra Gordo, where General Santa Anna was entrenched with 
 eleven thousand men. On the same day Scott issued the following 
 celebrated order : — 
 
 " The enemy's whole line of entrenchments and batteries will be 
 attacked in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day to- 
 morrow — probably before ten o'clock, A. M. 
 
 " The second (Twiggs's) division of regulars is already advanced 
 within easy turning distance towards the enemy's left. That divi- 
 sion has orders to move forward before daylight to-morrow, and take 
 up position across the National Road to the enemy's rear, so as to 
 cut off a retreat towards Jalapa. It may be reinforced to-day, if 
 imexpectedly attacked in force, by regiments one or two, taken from 
 Shields's brigade of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regi- 
 ments will march for that purpose at dayhght to-morrow morning, 
 under Brigadier-General Shields, who will report to Brigadier-Ge- 
 neral Twiggs on getting up with him, or the genera 1-in-chief, if he 
 be in advance. 
 
SCOTT'S CELEBRATED ORDER. 31 
 
 "The remaining regiment of that volunteer brigade will receive 
 instructions in the course of this day. 
 
 " The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the move- 
 ment against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning. 
 
 "As already arranged, Brigadier-General Pillow's brigade will 
 march at six o'clock to-morrow morning along the route he has care- 
 fully reconnoitred, and stand ready as soon as he hears the report 
 of arms on our right — sooner, if circumstances should favour him 
 — to pierce the enemy's line of batteries at such point — the nearer 
 the river the better — as he may select. Once in the rear of that 
 line, he will turn to the right or left, or both, and attack the batteries 
 in reverse, or if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy with vigour 
 until further orders. 
 
 " Wall's field-battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on 
 the National Road, a little out of view and range of the enemy's 
 batteries. They will take up that position at nine o'clock in the 
 morning. 
 
 " The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divi- 
 sions and corps will pursue with vigour. 
 
 " This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by 
 darkness, or fortified positions towards Jalapa. Consequently, the 
 body of the army will not return to this encampment, but be fol- 
 lowed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next morning, by the bag- 
 gage trains for the several corps. For this purpose, the feebler offi- 
 cers^ and men of each corps will be left to guard its camp and effects, 
 and to load up the latter in the wagons of the corps. 
 
 " As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have been 
 carried, or that the general pursuit has been commenced, one wagon 
 for each regiment, and one for the cavalry, will follow the move- 
 ment, to, receive, under the directions of medical officers, the 
 wounded, who will be brought back to this place for treatment in 
 the general hospital. 
 
 "The surgeon-general will organize this important service and 
 designate that hospital, as well as the medical officers to be left at 
 that place. 
 
 " Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy 
 will take the usual allowance of ammunition, and subsistence for at 
 least two days." 
 
 This document is famous for its exact delineation of every move- 
 
32 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 ment of the battle, with one single exception, the day before the 
 action really took place. This^ shown by the annexed report, 
 I written after the engagement: — 
 
 I "The plan of attack, sketched in General Orders, No. Ill, here- 
 with, was finely executed by this gallant army, before two o'clock, 
 P. M., yesterday. We are quite embarrassed with the results of 
 victory — prisoners of war, heavy ordnance, field batteries, small 
 arms, and accoutrements. About three thousand men laid down 
 their arms with the usual proportion of field and company officers, 
 besides five generals, several of them of great distinction. Pinson, 
 Jarerro, 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 re- 
 sults. 
 
 " Our loss, though comparatively small in numbers, has been se- 
 rious. 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's division, 
 followed by Shields's (now Colonel Baker's) brigade, are now at, or 
 near Jalapa, and Worth's division is en route thither, all pursuing, 
 with good results, as I learn, that part of the Mexican army — per- 
 haps six or seven thousand men, who fled before our right had carried 
 the tower, and gained the Jalapa 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 Lieutenant F. B. Nel- 
 son, and 2d C. G. Gill, both of the 2d Tennessee foot (Haskell's 
 regiment) among the killed, and in the brigade one hundred and six, 
 of all ranks, killed or wounded. Among the latter the gallant bri- 
 gadier-general himself has a smart wound in the arm, but not dis- 
 abled, and Major R. Farqueson, 2d Tennessee ; Captain H. F. 
 Murray, 2d Lieutenant G. T. Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant W. P. 
 Hale, (adjutant,) all of the same regiment, severely; and 1st Lieu- 
 tenant W. Yearwood, mortally wounded. And I know, from per- 
 sonal observation on the ground, that 1st Lieutenant Ewell, of the 
 rifles, if not now dead, was mortally wounded, in entering, sword 
 in hand, the entrenchments around the captured tower. Second 
 Lieutenant Derby, topographical engineers, I also saw, at the same 
 
BATTLE OF SIERRA GORDO. 33 
 
 place, severely wounded ; and Captain Patten, 2d United States' 
 infantry, lost his right hand. 
 
 "Major Sumner, 2d United States' dragoons, was slightly wound- 
 ed the day before, and Captain Johnston, topographical engineers — 
 now lieutenant-colonel of infantry — was very severely wounded some 
 days earlier, while reconnoitring. 
 
 " I must not omit to add that Captain iVIason and 2d Lieutenant 
 Davis, both of the riQes, were among the very severely wounded in 
 storming the same tower. I estimate our total loss, in killed and 
 wounded, may be about two hundred and fifty, and that of the enemy 
 three hundred and fifty. In the pursuit towards Jalapa, (twenty- 
 five 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 disorganized, 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 before, a strong force to carry that height, which 
 commanded the Jalapa 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-dis- 
 tinguished Brevet Colonel Childs, the 3d infantry, under Captain 
 Alexander, the 7th infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Plymton, and 
 the rifles, under Major Loring, all under the temporary command 
 of Colonel Harney, 2d dragoons, during the confinement to his bed 
 of Brevet Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, composed that detach- 
 ment. 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 Sierra Gordo, without shelter, and under the tre- 
 mendous fire of artillery and musketry, wiih the utmost steadiness, 
 reached the breastworks, drove the enemy from them, planted the 
 colours of the 1st ariillery, 3d and 7th infantry — the enemy's flag 
 still flying — and, after some minutes of sharp firing, finished the 
 conquest wiih the bayonet. 
 
 "It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest praise is due 
 to Harney, Childs, Plymton, Loring, Alexander, their gallant ofli- 
 cers and men, for this brilliant service, independent of the great 
 results which soon followed. 
 
34 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 " Worth's division of regulars coming up at this time, he detached 
 Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. ^Smilh, 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 sur- 
 render followed 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 Jalapa. 
 
 " Brigadier-General Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted with 
 great daring the enemy's hne 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 Almonte, 
 and some six or eight thousand men, escaped towards Jalapa just 
 before Sierra 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 in- 
 creasing, is not yet half large enough to give an assured progress to 
 this army. Besides, a greater number of prisoners would, probably, 
 escape from the escort in the long and deep sandy road, without 
 subsistence — ten to one — that 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 beheved to have been in the lines of Sierra 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 their accoutrements, being of no value to 
 our army here or at home, I have ordered them to be destroyed, for 
 we have not ihe means of transporting them. I am also somewhat 
 
 embarrassed with the pieces of artillery — all bronze — which 
 
 we have captured. It will take a brigade, and half the mules of this 
 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 
 

MARCH FOR THE CAPITAL. 35 
 
 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 Jalapa early to-morrow. We shall not, probably, again meet 
 with serious opposition this side of Perote — certainly not, unless 
 delayed by the want of means of transportation. 
 
 " I invite attention to the accompanying letter to President Santa 
 Anna, taken in his carriage yesterday; also to his proclamation, 
 issued on hearing that we had captured Vera Cruz, &c., in which 
 he says : — ' If the enemy advance one step more, the national inde- 
 pendence will be buried in the abyss of the past.' We have taken 
 that step. 
 
 " One of the principal motives for paroling the prisoners of war 
 is, to diminish the resistances of other garrisons in our march." 
 
 After the capture of Puebla by General Worth, [May 15th,] the 
 army remained there until the 7th of August, when it commenced 
 its march for the Mexican capital. An excellent description of this 
 march, and of the great battles- consequent upon it, is given by a 
 participator. 
 
 " We left Puebla on the morning of the 7th, and entered upon a 
 beautiful rolling country of great fertility, supplying with its gar- 
 dens the inhabitants of Puebla with food, and surrounded by lofty 
 mountains, some of which were covered with snow. Our road was 
 gradually ascending, and so good that on looking back from the 
 head of the column our train could be seen for miles in rear, dotting 
 with its snow-white tops the maguey-covered plain. On our left 
 was Popocatapetl and Iscatafetl, the snow on their not distant tops 
 rendering the air quite chilly. General Scott did not leave with us, 
 but came on the next day with Captain Kearny's dragoons. 
 
 "The second day's march was hke the first, gradually ascending, 
 passing through defiles, narrow passes, and over deep chasms, where 
 a more determined enemy might have seriously annoyed us by 
 merely making use of the obstacles Nature everywhere presented. 
 Thick woods of the finest forest-trees w^re abundant, and the rugged 
 nature of the country would readily carry one back to the northern 
 parts of New England, or the passes of the ' Notch.' Here and 
 
36 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 there beautiful little lakes were interspersed in the deep valleys, 
 and the clearness and coldness of^eir waters were almost incredible. 
 
 " The third day we were to encounter the much-vaunted pass of 
 * Rio Frio,^ and also the passage of the mountain which was to lead 
 us to the El Dorado of our hopes, the great plain of Mexico. Our 
 march was to be long and difficult, and three o'clock saw us under 
 way, with heart and hopes full of the prospect before us. The 
 dreaded defile is reached and passed. The mountains which skirt 
 the road on the left here close upon it for about a mile, over- 
 hanging and enfilading it completely, and affording with their crests 
 most excellent coverings for an enemy's marksmen. The newly- 
 cut trees and long range of breastworks thrown up on the crest, 
 showed us that preparations had been made, while numerous para- 
 pets with embrasures in the logs, taught us what might have been 
 done. But no men were there ; the muskets and cannon were 
 gone. Valencia, with six thousand Mexicans, was full a day's 
 march ahead, making for Mexico with a speed which betrayed home- 
 sickness. Rio Frio was found to be a little stream pouring down 
 from the Snow mountain, of icy coldness and crystal purity. After 
 a shght pause for refreshment, we commenced our ascent of the 
 ridge which separates the plains of Puebla and Mexico, the former 
 of which it had hitherto skirted. For several long miles we toiled 
 up the hill, only recompensed for our labour by what we hoped to 
 attain at last. When all were pretty nearly worn out, a sudden 
 turn in the road brought to our view a sight which none can ever 
 forget. The whole vast plain of Mexico was before us. The cold- 
 ness of the air, which was most sensibly felt at this great height, 
 our fatigue and danger were forgotten, and our eyes were the only 
 sense that thought of enjoyment. Mexico, with its lofty steeples 
 and its chequered domes, its bright reality, and its former fame, its 
 modern splendour and its ancient magnificence, was before us ; 
 while around on every side its thousand lakes seemed like silver 
 stars on a velvet mantle. 
 
 " We encamped that night at the base of the mountain, with the 
 enemy's scouts on every side of us. The next day we reached 
 Jjyotla, only fifteen miles from Mexico by the National Road, which 
 we had hitherto been following. Here we halted until Generals 
 Cluitman, Pillow, and Worth, with their divisions, should come up. 
 We were separated from the city by the marshes which surround 
 
DARING RECONNOISSANCE. 37 
 
 Lake Tezcuco, and by the lake itself. The road is a causeway 
 running through the marsh, and is commanded by a steep and lofty 
 hill called El Plnnol. This hill 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 
 guns of different cahbres, had been placed on its sides, and a deep 
 ditch, twenty-four feet wide and ten deep, filled with water, had 
 been cut, connecting the parts already surrounded by marshes. On 
 this side Santa Anna had twenty-five thousand men against our 
 force of a httle over nine thousand, all told. 
 
 " On the 22d we made a reconnoissance of the work, which was 
 pronounced impracticable, as the lives of five thousand men would 
 be lost before the ditch could be crossed. We continued our search, 
 and found another road, which went round on the left, but when 
 within five miles of the city were halted by coming suddenly upon 
 five strong batteries on the hill which commanded this road, at a 
 place called Mexicahingo. We soon countermarched, and then 
 saw our danger. With one regiment, and three companies of ca- 
 valry, in all about four hundred men, we saw that El Pinnol lay 
 directly between us and our camp, distant full fifteen miles. Every 
 eye was fixed on the hill, with the expectation of an approaching 
 column which should drive us back into a Mexican prison, while 
 we stepped off with the speed and endurance of four hundred Cap- 
 tain Barclays ! At about midnight we arrived safely at camp, and 
 General Scott did us the honour of calhng it ' the boldest reconnois- 
 sance of the war.' General Worth was encamped about five miles 
 off — that is, in a straight fine — across the Lake Ckalco, at a place 
 of the same name, but about ten miles by the road. The Mexicans 
 had a foundry in the mountains, at which we were getting some 
 shells made, and on returning from which Lieutenant Schuyler Ha- 
 milton was badly wounded. 
 
 " By means of his scouts, General Worth had found a path round 
 the left of Lake Chalco, which led us to the western gate of the 
 city, and which, up to that time, had not been fortified. On the 
 14th, the other divisions commenced their march, while we brought 
 up the train and the rear. In the morning, the train was sent in 
 advance, while Smith's brigade acted as rear-guard. It was com- 
 posed of the rifles, 1st artillery, and the 3d infantry, with Taylor's 
 4 d2 
 
38 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 battery. As the rear-guard, marching slowly along, reached with 
 the train, word came to General '^iggs that a force of about five 
 thousand men were trying to cross the road between them and the 
 train in order to cut it off. We were then passing through a small 
 village which, by a curious coincidence, was called Buena Vista, 
 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 uni- 
 forms 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 observed ; and, countermarching in 
 haste, they left their dead on the field. Thus ended our fight of 
 Buena Vista. That night we staid at Chalco. The next day we 
 made a long and toilsome march over a horrible road, through 
 which, with the utmost difficulty, we dragged our wagons by the 
 assistance of both men and mules. The next was nearly the same, 
 except that the road was, if possible, worse than before, as the Mexi- 
 cans had blocked it up with large stones, rolled down from the 
 neighbouring hills. This night we encamped at a most beautiful 
 olive grove, of immense size, and accommodating at once both divi- 
 sions. In the town, as well as in Chalco, there are still standing 
 the churches of the Indians, where the fire-worshippers assembled 
 before Cortez had introduced a new religion. They are large and 
 sombre edifices, differing but little from the churches of this country, 
 and, being near the city, are said to have been formerly resorted to 
 by the ancient kings. 
 
 " The next day we arrived in sight of the rest of the army, and 
 heard the guns with which Worth was breaching the walls of San 
 Antonio. That night the news of the death of Captain Thornton, 
 of the 2d dragoons, reached us. He was a brave officer and a tho- 
 rough gentleman, but was always unfortunate in his military career. 
 
 " On the morning of the 19th, we left the little village where we 
 had heard this sad news, and took the road to San Juan, about 
 seven miles to the west, and only about ten miles from the city. 
 When we arrived here we heard the sound of General Worth's 
 guns, who was said to have attacked San *S.ugustine, a village three 
 
 J 
 
SKIRMISH WITH THE ENEMY. 39 
 
 miles nearer the capital, where Santa Anna was said to be with 
 twenty thousand men. When we arrived at San Juan, the men 
 were told to sJing their blankets across their shoulders, put their 
 knapsacks into their wagons, and to put two days' bread and beef 
 in their haversacks. When this order came, all knew that the time 
 had come. The officers arranged their effects, put on their old coats, 
 and filled their haversacks and flasks. Soon we were ready for any 
 thing but a thrashing. We here heard the position of the enemy, 
 which was nearly as follows : Santa Anna, with twenty thousand 
 men, was at San Augustine; Valencia, with ten thousand, was at 
 a hill called Contreros, which commanded, another road parallel to 
 the San Augustine road, but which led into it between the city and 
 Santa Anna. Now, by cutting a road across, if we could whip 
 Valencia, we could follow the road up, and thus get in between 
 Santa Anna and Mexico, and whip him too. General Worth (sup- 
 ported by General Gluitman) was to keep Santa Anna in check, 
 while Twiggs (backed by Pillow) was to try and astonish Valencia, 
 which you will see he did very effectually. Pillow, wdth some of 
 the ten regiments, was to cut the road. 
 
 " We left San Juan about one o'clock, not particularly desiring a 
 fight so late in the day, but still not shunning it in case we could 
 have a respectable chance. About two P. M., as v^^e had crawled 
 to the top of a hill, whither we had been ourselves pulling Magru- 
 der's battery and the mountain howitzers, we suddenly espied Va- 
 lencia fortified on a hiU about two hundred yards off, and strongly 
 reinforced by a column which had just come out of the city. We 
 laid down close to avoid drawing their fire, while the battery moved 
 past at a full gallop. Just then, General Smith's manly voice rung 
 out, ^Forward the rifles — to support the battery.'' On they went 
 till we got about eight hundred yards from the work, when the 
 enemy opened upon them with his long guns, which were after- 
 wards found to be sixteen and eight-inch howitzers. The ground 
 was the worst possible for artillery, 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 own passage. The artillery advanced but 
 slowly under a most tremendous fire, which greatly injured it before 
 it could be got in range, and the thickness of the undergrowth caused 
 
40 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 the skirmishers thrown forward to lose their relative position, as well 
 as the column. About four, thejjfltterv got in position under a most 
 murderous fire of grape, canistS, and round-shot. Here the supe- 
 riority of the enemy's pieces rendered our fire nugatory. We could 
 get but three pieces in battery, while they had twenty-seven^ all ofj 
 them three times the calibre of ours. For two hours our troops stood 
 the storm of iron and lead they 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 badly hurt : thirteen of the horses 
 were killed and disabled, and fifteen of the cannoniers killed and 
 wounded. The regiment was then recalled. The lancers had been 
 repelled in three successive charges. The 3d infantry and 1st artil- 
 lery had also engaged and successfully repelled the enemy's skir- 
 mishers without losing either officers or men. The greatest loss had 
 been at the batteries. Officers looked gloomy for the first day's fight, 
 but the brigade was formed, and General Smith in person took com- 
 mand. All fek revived, and followed him with a yell, as, creeping 
 low to avoid the grape, (which was coming very fast,) we made a 
 circuit in rear of the batteries ; and, passing off to the right, we were 
 soon lost to view in the chapparal and cactus. 
 
 " Passing over the path that we scrambled through, behold us at 
 almost six o'clock in the evening, tired, hungry, and sorrowful, 
 emerging from the chaparral and crossing the road between it and 
 Valencia. Here we found Cadwalader and his brigade already 
 formed, and discovered Riley's brigade skirmishing in rear of the 
 enemy's works. Valencia was ignorant of our approach, and we 
 were as yet safe. In front of us was Valencia, strongly entrenched 
 on a hill-side and surrounded by a regular field-work, concealed from 
 us by an orchard in our rear. Mendoza, with a column of six 
 thousand, was in the road, but thinking us to be friends. On our 
 right was a large range of hills whose continued crest was parallel 
 to the road, and in which were formed in line of battle five thousand 
 of the best Mexican cavalry. On our left we were separated from 
 our own forces by an almost impassable wilderness, and it was now 
 twilight. Even Smith looked round for help. Suddenly a thou- 
 sand vivas came across the hill-side like the yells of prairie wolves 
 in the dead of night, and the squadrons on our right formed for 
 charging. Smith is himself again ! " Face to the rear !" " Wait 
 
BATTLE OF CONTREROS. 41 
 
 till you see their red caps, and then give it to them !" Furiously 
 they came on a few yards, then changed their minds, and, disgusted 
 at our cool reception, retired to their couches. 
 
 On the edge of the road, between us and Valencia, a Mexican 
 hamlet spread out, with its mud huts, large orchards, deep-cut roads, 
 and a strong church ; and through the centre of this hamlet ran a 
 path parallel to the main road, but concealed from it; it is nearly a 
 mile long. In this road Smith's and Riley's brigade bivouacked. 
 Shields, who came up in the night, lay in the orchard, while Cad- 
 vvalader was nearest the enemy's works. As we were within range 
 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 dejected. We were a dis- 
 heartened set. With Santa Anna and Salas's promise of " no quar- 
 ter," a force of four to one against us, and one half defeated already, 
 no succour from Puebla, and no news from General Scott, all seemed 
 dark. Suddenly the words came whispered along, ^^we storm at 
 midnight." Now we are ourselves again ! But what a horrible 
 night ! There we lay, too tired to eat, too wet to sleep, in the mid- 
 dle of that muddy road, officers and men side by side, with a heavy 
 rain pouring down upon us, the officers without blankets or over- 
 coats, (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 benumbed, waiting till daylight. 
 
 At half-past three the welcome word "_/«// in" was passed down, 
 and we commenced our march. The enemy's works were on a 
 hill-side, behind which rose other and slightly higher hills, separated 
 by deep ravines and gullies, and intersected by streams. The 
 whole face of the country was of stiff clay, which rendered it almost 
 impossible to advance. We formed our line about a quarter of a 
 mile from the enemy's works, Riley's brigade on our right. At 
 about four we started, winding through a thick orchard which effec- 
 tually concealed us, even had it not been dark, debouching into a 
 deep ravine which ran within about five hundred yards of the work, 
 and which carried us directly in rear and out of sight of their batte- 
 ries. At dawn of day we reached our place after incredible exer- 
 4* 
 
42 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 tions, and got ready for our charge. The men threw off their wet 
 blankets and looked to their piecfpr while the officers got ready for 
 a rush, and the first smile that lit up our faces for twelve hours boded 
 but httle good for the Mexicans. On the right, and opposite the 
 right of their work, was Riley's brigade of the 2d and 1st infantry 
 and 4th artillery, next the rifles, then the 1st artillery and 3d infan- 
 try. In rear of our left was Cadwalader's brigade, as a support, 
 with Shields's brigade in rear as a reserve — the whole division un- 
 der command of General Smith, in the absence of General Twiggs. 
 They had a smooth place to rush down on the enemy's work, with 
 the brow of the hill to keep under until the word was given. 
 
 "At last, just at daylight, General Smith slowly walking up, asked 
 if all was ready. A look answered him. ' Alen forward T And 
 we did 'forward.' Springing up at once, Riley's brigade opened, 
 when the crack of a hundred rifles startled the Mexicans from their 
 astonishment, 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 
 instant, 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 winding 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 trying to 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 danger 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. To- 
 wards the city the rifles and 2d infantry led off'the pursuit. Seeing 
 that a large crowd of the fugitives were jammed up in a pass in 
 the road, some of our men ran through the cornfield, and by thus 
 heading them ofl'and firing down upon them, about thirty men took 
 over five hundred prisoners, nearly a hundred of them officers. 
 After disarming the prisoners, as the pursuit had ceased, we went 
 back to the fort, where we found our troops in full possession, and 
 the rout complete. 
 
DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY. 43 
 
 " We found that the enemy's position was much stronger than 
 we had supposed, and their artillery much larger and more abun- 
 dant. Our own loss was small, which may be accounted for by 
 their perfect surprise at our charge, as to them we appeared as if 
 rising out of the earth, so unperceived was our approach. Our joss 
 was one officer killed, Captain Hanson of the 7th infantry, and 
 Lieutenant Van Buren of the rifles shot through the leg, and about 
 fifty men killed and wounded. Their force consisted of eight thou- 
 sand men, under Valencia, with a reserve, which had not yet arrived, 
 under Santa Anna. Their loss, as since ascertained, was as follows: 
 Killed and buried since the fight, seven hundred and fifty ; wound- 
 ed, one thousand, and fifteen hundred prisoners, exclusive of officers, 
 including four generals — Salas, Mendoza, Garcia, and Guadalupe — 
 in addition to dozens of colonels, majors, captains, &c. We captured 
 in all on the hill twenty-two pieces of cannon, including five eight- 
 inch howitzers, two long eighteens, three long sixteens, and several 
 of twelve and eight inches, and also the two identical six-pounders 
 captured by the Mexicans at Buena Vista, taken from Captain 
 Washington's battery of the 4th artillery. The first officer who 
 saw them happened to be the officer of the 4th, selected by General 
 Scott to command the new battery of that regiment. Captain Drum. 
 In addition were taken immense quantities of ammunition and mus- 
 kets ; in fact, the way was strewed with muskets, escopets, lances, 
 and flags for miles. Large quantities of horses and mules were also 
 captured, though large numbers were killed. 
 
 " Thus ended the glorious battle of Contreros, in which two thou- 
 sand men, under General P. F. Smith, completely routed and de- 
 stroyed an army of eight thousand men, under General Valencia, 
 with Santa Anna and a force of twenty thousand men, within five 
 miles. Their army was so completely routed that not fifteen hun- 
 dred men rejoined Santa Anna and participated in the second bat- 
 tle. Most people would have thought that a pretty good day's work. 
 Not so. We had only saved ourselves, not conquered Mexico, and 
 men's work was before us yet. 
 
 "At eight A. M. we formed again, and General Twiggs having 
 taken command, we started on the road to Mexico. We had hardly 
 marched a mile before we were sharply fired upon from both sides 
 of the road, and our right was deployed to drive the enemy in. We 
 soon found that we had caught up with the retreating party, from 
 
44 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 the very brisk firing in front, and we drove them through the little 
 town of San Angelo, where they^^d been halting in force. About 
 half a mile from this town we entered the suburbs of another called 
 San Katherina, when a large party in the church-yard fired on the 
 head of the column, and the balls came right among us. Our men 
 kept rushing on their rear and cutting them down, until a discharge 
 of grape-shot from a large piece in front drove them back to the 
 column. In this short space of time five men were killed, ten taken 
 prisoners, and a small colour captured, which was carried the rest 
 of the day. 
 
 *' Meanwhile General Worth had made a demonstration on San 
 Antonio, where the enemy was fortified in a strong hacienda ; but 
 they retired on his approach to Churubusco, where the works were 
 deemed impregnable. They consisted of a fortified hacienda, which 
 was surrounded by a high and thick wall on all sides. Inside the 
 wall was a stone building, the roof of which was flat and higher 
 than the walls. Above all this was a stone church, still higher than 
 the rest, and having a large steeple. The wall was pierced with 
 loop-holes, and so arranged that there were two tiers of men firing 
 at the same time. They thus had four difTerent ranges of men firing 
 at once, and four ranks were formed on each range, and placed at 
 such a height that they could not only overlook all the surrounding 
 country, but at the same time they had a plunging fire upon us. 
 Outside the hacienda, and completely commanding the avenues of 
 approach, was a field-work extending around two sides of the fort, 
 and protected by a deep wet ditch, and armed with seven large 
 pieces. This hacienda is at the commencement of the causeway 
 leading to the western gate of the city, and had to be passed before 
 getting on the road. About three hundred yards in rear of this 
 work another field-work had been built where a cross-road meets 
 the causeway, at a point where it crosses a river, thus forming a 
 bridge head, or tete de pont. This was also very strong, and armed 
 with three large pieces of cannon. The works were surround- 
 ed on every side by large corn-fields, which were filled with the 
 enemy's skirmishers, so that it was difhcult to make a reconnoissance. 
 It was therefore decided to make the attack immediately, as they 
 were full of men, and extended for nearly a mile on the road to the 
 city, completely covering the causeway. The attack commenced 
 about one, P. M. Glcneral Twiggs's division attacked on the side 
 
BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. 45 
 
 towards which they approached the fort ; that is, opposite the city. 
 General Worth's attacked the bridge head, which he took in about 
 an hour and a half; while Generals Pillow and Quitman were on 
 the extreme left, between the causeway and Twiggs's division. The 
 rifles were on the left and. in rear of the work, intrusted by Gene- 
 ral Scott with the task of charging it in case Genera] Pierce 
 gave way. The firing was most tremendous — in fact, one continued 
 roll while the combat lasted. The enemy, from their elevated sta- 
 tion, could readily see our men, who were unable to get a clear 
 view from their position. Three of the pieces were manned by 
 * the Deserters,' 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, and were better uni- 
 formed 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 officers whom they knew, but to have pulled down 
 the white flag of surrender no less than three times. 
 
 "The battle raged most furiously for about three hours, when, 
 both sides having lost a great many, the enemy began to give way. 
 As soon as they commenced retreating, Kearny's squadron passed 
 through the tete cle jjont, and, charging through the retreating co- 
 lumn, pursued them to the very gate of the city. When our men got 
 within about five hundred yards of the gate, they were opened upon 
 with grape and canister, and several officers wounded. Amongst 
 the number was Captain Kearny, 1st dragoons, who lost his left 
 arm above the elbow. Lieutenant Graham, of New York, received 
 a severe flesh-wound in his left arm. Captain McReynolds, ditto. 
 Our loss in this second battle was large. We lost in killed seven 
 officers : Captains Capron, Burke, 1st artillery ; Lieutenants Irons, 
 Johnston, Hoffman, Captain Anderson, Lieutenant Easely, 2d in- 
 fantry ; Captain Hanson, 7th infantry. Lieutenant Irons died on 
 the 28th. Colonel Butler, of South Carolina, and about thirty 
 officers wounded, exclusive of the volunteers. The official returns 
 give our loss in killed and wounded at one thousand one hundred 
 and fifty, besides officers. The Mexican loss is five hundred killed 
 in the second battle, one thousand wounded, and eleven hundred 
 prisoners, exclusive of officers. Three more generals were taken, 
 among them General Rincon and Anaya, the provisional President ; 
 also, ten pieces of cannon and an immense amount of ammunition 
 
46 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 and stores. Santa Anna, in his report, states his loss in killed, 
 wounded, and missing at twel\i^housand. He has only eighteen 
 thousand left out of thirty thousand, which he gives as his force on 
 the 20th in both actions. 
 
 " Thus ended the battle of Churubusco, one of the most furious 
 and deadly, for its length, of any of the war. For reasons which 
 he deemed conclusive. General Scott did not enter the city that 
 night, but encamped on the battle-field, about four miles from the 
 western gate of the city. The next day a flag of truce came out, 
 and propositions were made which resulted in an armistice. 
 
 "Meanwhile, the army is encamped in the villages around the 
 city, recruiting from their fatigue and nursing the sick and vi^ounded. 
 There are but few sick, and the wounded are getting along com- 
 fortably in their hospitals. 
 
 The New Orleans Delta has the following remarks on these 
 battles : 
 
 "Never have there been exhibited in one day so many individual 
 instances of heroic courage, indomitable valour, and determination 
 in overcoming great and apparently insurmountable obstacles. From 
 one end of the army to the other there prevailed but one feeling and 
 one resolve, and that was victory or death. Our officers set noble 
 examples to their men, which were imitated with as much cool de- 
 termination as they were set. There was no faltering, no holding 
 back, and there is no corps or command but acquitted itself with 
 honour to themselves and credit to the country. The regulars 
 added new laurels to those already acquired, and the volunteers 
 have given a repetition of the noble bearing of their countrymen on 
 the bloody field of Buena Vista. South Carolina chivalry and the 
 sons of the Empire State have inscribed their names on the roll of 
 fame, and will return home bright ornaments to the states from 
 whence they came. 
 
 " The Mexicans also fought as they never fought before ; they 
 strongly resisted us at every point, and contested every inch with 
 the strongest determination and even to desperation. They knew 
 that their capital and their all depended upon the issue, and with 
 this knowledge and thus prompted, they threw themselves into the 
 breach as no person ever expected they would — and one of the best 
 evidences of this is the number of killed and wounded on both sides. 
 
 " General Scott, at the head of our army during the engagement, 
 
CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES. 47 
 
 received a slight wound in the leg, and, what is very remarkable, 
 no person whatever except himself was aware of it until after the 
 battle was over. A great deal has been said and written in reference 
 to the ability of General Scott as a military man, but those who have 
 not seen him in command and under fire, cannot form any just con- 
 ception of his abihties. His cool consideration of every thing around 
 him — his quick perception — his firm resolves and immediate exe- 
 cution — equal if they do not surpass those of any of the great gene- 
 rals whose deeds have been made so conspicuous in history." 
 
 After the works at Churubusco had been carried by storm, the 
 dragoons, under their vahant leader. Colonel Harney, were ordered 
 forward to pursue the retreating foe ; and onward they went, hke 
 winged messengers of death, their bright sabres glittering in the 
 sunbeams, amidst the huzzas of the light troops, flushed with the 
 victory over the fort. The horses seemed to partake of the enthu- 
 siasm of their riders, and dashed forward with supernatural strength, 
 and in this spirit and state of feehng they overtook the flying army, 
 and continued to cut them down to the very gates of the city. 
 
 Ayotla is twenty miles from Mexico, on the main road from Vera 
 Cruz to that capital. About midway between Ayotla and JVlexico 
 are the strong fortifications of Penon ; and others at another pass 
 called Mexicalcingo. Mexicalcingo lies to the southward of the 
 Vera Cruz road, at the head of Lake Xochimilco. It is about six 
 miles S. S. E. from Mexico, while Penon is about nine miles E. S. E. 
 The town of Chalco is situated on the eastern border of the lake of 
 the same name, three or four miles south of the Vera Cruz road. 
 The Venta de Chalco, or village of Chalco, is immediately on said 
 road, two or three miles south-east of Ayotln. The route of the 
 army from that point ran along the northern and then the western 
 border of Lake Chalco, between which and Lake Xochimilco on the 
 west there is only half a mile of land. The road around the town 
 passes entirely to the southward of Lake Chalco. 
 
 Contreros, where the first battle was fought, is a fortified position 
 between San Auofustin and San Anwl. Churubusco, the scene of 
 the second great conflict, is about tw'O miles north of San Angel, and 
 perhaps four south of Mexico. 
 
 On the evening of the 20th, General Scott offered a cessation of 
 hostilities to the Mexican authorities, in order to afford an opportu- 
 nity to negotiate a treaty of peace. This was. accepted. Commis- 
 
48 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 sioners were appointed by Santa Anna to confer with those from 
 the American army, named by dWieral Scott. The following terms 
 of a preparatory armistice were concluded by these gentlemen : — 
 
 "Art. 1. Hostilities shall instantly and absolutely cease between 
 the armies of the United States of America and the United Mexican 
 States, within thirty leagues of the capital of the latter states, to 
 allow time to the commissioners appointed by the United States and 
 the commissioners to be appointed by the Mexican republic to ne- 
 gotiate. 
 
 " 2. The armistice shall continue as long as the commissioners 
 of the two governments may be engaged on negotiations, or until 
 the commander of either of the said armies shall give formal notice 
 to the other of the cessation of the armistice, and for forty-eight 
 hours after such notice. 
 
 "3. In the mean time neither army shall, within thirty leagues of 
 the city of Mexico, commence any new fortification or military 
 work of offence or defence, or do anything to enlarge or strengthen 
 any existing work or fortification of that character within the said 
 limits. 
 
 " 4. Neither army shall be reinforced within the same. Any rein- 
 forcements in troops or munitions of war, other than subsistence 
 now approaching either army, shall be stopped at the distance of 
 twenty-eight leagues from the city of Mexico. 
 
 " 5. Neither army or any detachment from it, shall advance be- 
 yond the line it at present occupies. 
 
 " 6. Neither army, nor any detachment or individual of either, 
 shall pass the neutral hmits established by the last article, except 
 under a flag of truce bearing the correspondence between the two 
 armies, or on the business authorized by the next article, and indi- 
 viduals of either army who may chance to straggle within the neu- 
 tral limits shall, by the opposite party, be kindly warned off or sent 
 back to their own armies under flags of truce. 
 
 "7. The American army shall not by violence obstruct the pas- 
 sage, from the open country into the city of Mexico, of the ordinary 
 suppKes of food necessary to the consumption of its inhabitants or 
 the Mexican army within the city ; nor shall the Mexican authori- 
 ties, civil or military, do any act to obstruct the passage of supplies 
 from the city or the country needed by the American army. 
 
 " 8. All American prisoners of war remaining in the hands of the 
 
TERMS OF THE ARMISTICE. 49 
 
 Mexican array, and not heretofore exchanged, shall immediately, or 
 as soon as practicable, be restored to the American army, against a 
 like number, having regard to rank, of Mexican prisoners captured 
 by the American army. 
 
 "9. All American citizens who were established in the city of 
 Mexico prior to the existing war, and who have since been expelled 
 from that city, shall be allowed to return to their respective business 
 or families therein, without delay or molestation. 
 
 " 10. The better to enable the belligerent armies to execute these 
 articles, and to favour the great object of peace, it is further aorreed 
 between the parties, that any courier with despatches that either 
 army shall desire to send along the line from the city of Mexico or 
 its vicinity, to and from Vera Cruz, shall receive a safe conduct from 
 the commander of the opposing army. 
 
 "11. The administration of justice between Mexicans, accordino- 
 to the general and state constitutions and laws, by the local authori- 
 ties of the towns and places occupied by the American forces, shall 
 not be obstructed in any manner. 
 
 " 12. Persons and property shall be respected in the towns and 
 places occupied by the American forces. No person shall be mo- 
 lested in the exercise of his profession ; nor shall the services of any 
 one be required without his consent. In all cases where services 
 are voluntarily rendered a just price shall be paid, and trade remain 
 unmolested. 
 
 " 13. Those wounded prisoners who may desire to remove to 
 some more convenient place, for the purpose of being cured of their 
 wounds, shall be allowed to do so without molestation, they still re- 
 maining prisoners. 
 
 " 14. The Mexican medical officers who may wish to attend the 
 wounded shall have the privilege of doing so if their services be 
 required. 
 
 " 15. For the more perfect execution of this agreement, two com- 
 missioners shall be appointed, one by each party, who in case of 
 disagreement shall appoint a third. 
 
 " 16. This convention shall have no force or effect unless approved 
 by their Excellencies, the commanders respectively of the two 
 armies, within twenty-four hours, reckoning from the 6th hour of 
 the 23d day of August, 1847." 
 
 These articles were signed by Generals Gluitman, P. F, Smith, 
 5 
 
50 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 and Franklin Pierce, on the part of the Americans ; and Ignacio de 
 Maria y Villamil and Benito Q,uiJmo on that of the Mexicans. After- 
 wards the following notes were appended : — 
 
 " Considered, approved, and ratified, with the express understand' 
 ing that the word ' sicpplies,^ as used the second time, without quah- 
 fication in the seventh article of this military convention — American 
 copy — shall be taken to mean (as in both the British and American 
 armies) arms, munitions, clothing, equipments, subsistence (for men,) 
 forage, and in general, all the wants of an army. That word 'sup- 
 plies' in the Mexican copy, is erroneously translated ' viveres' instead 
 of ' recursos.' " 
 
 This was signed by General Scott. Santa Anna replied as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 " Ratified, suppressing the ninth article, and explaining the fourth, 
 to the effect that the temporary peace of this armistice shall be 
 observed in the capital, and twenty-eight leagues around it ; and 
 agreeing that the word supplies shall be translated recursos ; and 
 that it comprehends every thing which the army may need, ex- 
 cept arms and ammunitions." 
 
 This qualification was accepted and ratified by the American 
 general. 
 
 Hopes were now entertained by General Scott and the friends of 
 peace in both nations, that the long-protracted struggle was about to 
 be amicably adjusted. These, however, were disappointed. Mr. 
 Trist, the American envoy, demanded the cession of California and 
 the territory between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers, while the 
 Mexicans refused to yield any portion of Texas. The negotiations 
 accordingly closed. 
 
 On the Gth of September, General Scott accused Santa Anna of 
 violating the armistice, by constructing fortifications within the capi- 
 tal. The Mexican general replied by laying a similar charge to the 
 Americans, and affirming his willingness to recommence hostihties 
 immediately. The subsequent operations are given in General 
 Scott's report, which we annex, omitting the details of General 
 Worth's operations, which have already been given. 
 
 "Negotiations were actively continued with, as was understood 
 some prospect of a successful result up to the 2d instant, when our 
 commissioner handed in his ultimatum (on boundaries), and the ne- 
 gotiators adjourned to meet again on the 6th. 
 
INFRACTIONS OF THE TRUCE. ^ 
 
 « Some infractions of the truce, in respect to our supplies from 
 the city, were earlier committed, followed by apologies, on the part 
 of the enemy. Those vexations I was wilhng to put down to the 
 imbecility of the government, and waived pointed demands of repa- 
 ration while any hope remained of a satisfactory termination of the 
 war. But on the 5th, and more fully on the 6th, I learned that as 
 soon as the ultimatum had been considered in a grand council of 
 ministers and others, President Santa Anna, on the 4th or 5th, with- 
 out giving me the slightest notice, actively recommenced strengthen- 
 ing the military defences of the city, in gross violation of the 3d 
 article of the armistice. 
 
 " On that information, which has since received the fullest verifi- 
 cation, I addressed to him my note of the 6th. His reply, dated the 
 same day, received the next morning, was absolutely and notoriously 
 false, both in recrimination and explanation. * * * * 
 
 " Being delayed by the terms of the armistice more than two 
 weeks, we had now, late on the 7th, to begin to reconnoitre the dif- 
 ferent approaches to the city, within our reach, before I could lay 
 down any definitive plan of attack. 
 
 " The same afternoon, a large body of the enemy was discovered 
 hovering about the Mohnos del Rey, within a mile and a third of 
 this village, (Tacubaya,) where I am quartered with the general 
 staff and Worth's division. 
 
 "It might have been supposed that an attack upon us was in- 
 tended ; but knowing the great value to the enemy of those mills, 
 (Mohnos del Rey,) containing a cannon-foundry, with a large depo- 
 sit of powder in Casa Mata near them ; and having heard, two days 
 before, that many church-bells had been sent out to be cast int*o guns 
 —the enemy's movement was easily understood, and I resolved at 
 once to drive him early the next morning, to seize the powder, and 
 to destroy the foundry. 
 
 "Another motive for this decision — leaving the general plan of 
 attack upon the city for full reconnoissances— was, that we knew our 
 recent captures had left the enemy not a fourth of the guns neces- 
 sary to arm, ail at the same time, the strong works of each of the 
 eight city gates ; and we could not cut the communication between 
 the foundry and the capital without first taking the formidable castle 
 on the heights of Chapultepec, which overlooked both and stood be- 
 
 tween. 
 
52 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 "For this difficult operation we were not entirely ready, and 
 moreover we might altogether^^glect the castle, if, as we then 
 hoped, our reconnoissances should prove that the distant southern 
 approaches to the city were more ehgible than this south-western 
 approach. 
 
 " Hence the decision promptly taken, the execution of which was 
 assigned to Brevet Major-General Worth, whose division was rein- 
 forced with Cadwalader's brigade of Pillow's division, three squad- 
 rons of dragoons under Major Sumner, and some heavy guns of the 
 siege train under Captain Huger of the ordnance, and Captain Drum 
 
 of the 4th artillery — two officers of the highest merit. 
 
 ******** 
 
 "The enemy having several times reinforced his line, and the ac- 
 tion soon becoming much more general than I had expected, I called 
 up, from the distance of three miles, first Major-General Pillow, with 
 his remaining brigade, (Pierce's,) and next Riley's brigade, of 
 Twiggs' division — leaving his other brigade (Smith's) in observa- 
 tion at San Angel. Those corps approached with zeal and rapidity; 
 but the battle was won just as Brigadier-General Pierce reached the 
 ground, and had interposed his corps between Garland's brigade 
 (Worth's division) and the retreating enemy." 
 
 Like General Taylor, after the capture of Monterey, the com- 
 mander-in-chief was destined to experience considerable opposition, 
 respecting his offer of the armistice. In reference to this opposition, 
 the New Orleans Delta has the following pertinent remarks : — 
 
 " The sophist who lectured Hannibal on the art of war doubtless 
 considered himself a supremely wise man, and the conqueror of 
 Scipio but an indifferent general. The race to which he belonged 
 has not passed away, but flourishes in these latter days in all the 
 vigour and bloom of its youth. The present war has furnished 
 ample employment to these military philosophers, and has enabled 
 them at the same time to display the extent of their knowledge and 
 bless mankind with a sun-flood of information. Among the subjects 
 to which they have recently directed their powerful intellects, and 
 upon which they have expended columns of acute disquisition and 
 pathetic declamation, none has afforded a fairer field for their pecu- 
 liar powers than the armistice granted by General Scott after the 
 battles of Contreros and Churubusco. It is needless to say that in 
 the opinion of these sages the general was totally in the wrong ; his 
 
OPINIONS RESPECTING THE ARMISTICE. 53 
 
 conduct was not only foolish, but, in view of the consequences which 
 they ascribe to it, criminal. To him they impute the delay in cap- 
 turing the city, the failure of the negotiations, and the subsequent 
 loss of life in the combats that ensued from the 8th to the 14th of 
 September. Bowing, as we do, with becoming deference to opi- 
 nions so carefully formed, and so fearlessly promulgated, we yet beg 
 leave to suggest, that before General Scott is finally condemned, it 
 would be as well to wait for further information ; and, before he is 
 even arraigned at the bar of public opinion for an alleged offence, 
 it would be no more than fair to examine closely the information 
 which we already possess, 
 
 " In the advance upon Mexico, the ♦ first line of defence' of the 
 city, consisting of the strong posts of El Penon and Mexicalcingo, 
 was avoided by a detour to the left, around the head of Lake Chalco. 
 This movement began on the 15th of August, and, owing to the 
 broken nature of the country and the necessity of cutting a road for 
 many miles, it was a work of great toil and hardship. It was, how- 
 ever, accomplished in two days, and on the 18th our troops were in 
 a position to act against Contreros and Churubusco, forming with 
 the secondary works in their neighbourhood ' the second line of de- 
 fence.' On the 19th, the movement was made against Contreros. 
 Of the prolonged and difficult operations of that day, through dense 
 chapparal, along rocky and precipitous paths, and amid constant 
 combat and peril, it is not necessary to speak, for all will recollect 
 the truthful descriptions which we have already published. To this 
 day of toil and danger succeeded one of the most dismal nights ex- 
 perienced in that climate. The storm is described as terrific. The 
 soldiers might perchance have snatched a morsel of food, but a mo- 
 ment's sleep was impossible. Under these circumstances, Contreros 
 was captured and Valencia's force dispersed early in the morning, 
 and the battle of Churubusco closed, and the second line of defence 
 was carried after the most desperate and bloody engagement of the 
 war at five o'clock in the afternoon. Now the first question that 
 arises is, could General Scott have entered Mexico on the nio^ht of 
 the 20tli ? His soldiers had been watching, marching, fasting, and 
 fighting for more than thirty-six hours ; over a thousand of his 
 small force were killed or disabled, and the heights of Chapultepec 
 and the line of the garitas were still before him, capable, as was 
 afterwards shown, of making a strong defence. How easy soever 
 5* 
 
54 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 the achievement may seem to an editor in his closet, we apprehend 
 that it was a labour not to be ui^rtaken by a general in the field. 
 The Mexican army which defended Churubusco, though defeated, 
 was not destroyed ; it retreated towards the third and strongest line 
 of defence, and was, or could easily have been, rallied behind its 
 batteries. For General Scott to have attempted to enter Mexico on 
 the night of the 20th of August, it appears to us would have been 
 an act of desperation which nothing could have justified but the ex- 
 ceedingly improbable result of success. Had he undertaken it and 
 failed, the warriors of the quill would have been the first to discover 
 and expose the madness of the act. They would have inquired 
 why he could not have waited until morning ; why, with half-fam- 
 ished and exhausted troops, with the wounded calling for assistance, 
 the dead unburied, and the living scarce able to drag one leg after 
 the other, he had marched against strong works and a densely popu- 
 lated city, when one night's rest would have quadrupled the efii- 
 ciency of his force ? And the voice of censure would have been 
 as general as it would probably have been deserved. 
 
 " The conclusion has thus been forced upon us, that General 
 Scott was obliged to pause for breath after the continued operations 
 of the 19th and 20th, which terminated in the terrible slaughter of 
 Churubusco. 
 
 "But that same eveninof he received a flag of truce from the 
 enemy, asking for an armistice and proposing peace. Representa- 
 tions were at the same time made to him by those connected with 
 the British Embassy, that there was every probability that negotia- 
 tions would terminate favourably and honourably to all parties. The 
 American commander was placed in a position of great dehcacy 
 and responsibihty. It was his ardent desire to terminate the war, 
 spare the lives of his soldiers, and avoid the infliction of unneces- 
 sary injury, even upon the foe. He had good reason to believe that 
 by granting the armistice all these objects would be attained ; and 
 he did grant it, making it terminable in forty-eight hours. What 
 would have been said of him had he refused ? He must, in that 
 case, either have taken the city or failed in the attempt. If the 
 former, we would have been precisely in the condition in which we 
 are at present, and General Scott would have been accused of sac- 
 rificing the lives of his countrymen, and unnecessarily prolonging 
 the war, to promote his own ambitious aims, and gratify the perni- 
 
MERITS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. 55 
 
 clous vanity of claiming the conqueror's rank with Cortez. Not 
 one in fifty of those who have now discovered that all negotiation 
 with Mexico was an idle farce, but would have been certain that, 
 had the Mexican proposition been entertained, we should have had 
 an honourable and permanent peace. But in the hazards of war 
 General Scott might have been repulsed on the morning of the 21st, 
 and then imagination can scarcely depict the execrations which 
 would have been poured upon his head. Whatever he might have 
 done, it will thus be seen, he would have exposed himself to ani- 
 madversion and misconstruction ; to the idle comments of the un- 
 thinking, and the malicious remarks of the envious. For our own 
 part, we are wilhng to beheve that Geneml Scott acted as every 
 hero and patriot would have done, placed in his position, and bur- 
 dened with his responsibilities ; at any rate, we must see something 
 stronger than has yet appeared against him, to suspect that he acted 
 with want of judgment or want of zeal." 
 
 The following remarks upon the merits of the negotiations, and 
 their final result, will also be read with interest : — 
 
 " The abortive negotiations which preceded the renewal of the 
 war, are in a high degree instructive, as indicating more conclusively 
 than any other evidence could do, the intentions and confidence of 
 the respective parties. On the side of the United States it was 
 proposed that the boundary-line of the two republics should run up the 
 middle of the Rio Grande, strike off westward on reaching the limits of 
 New Mexico, take the course of the Gila and the lower Colorado, and 
 so through the mouth of the latter river down the middle of the Cali- 
 fornian Gulf, into the Pacific. In other words, this would bring the 
 south-western boundary-line of the United States about ten degrees 
 further south, would deprive Mexico of all Upper and Lower Cali- 
 ''. rnia, as well as of the districts on the Rio Grande, and would 
 leave her with the Gila for her northern boundary, but just above 
 the present frontier of Sonora, which marks her settled territories. 
 Enormous as was this claim, it was not the point upon which the 
 negotiations broke ofT, for the Americans phrased their requirements 
 considerately, and offered a liberal price for the cession they desired. 
 Santa Anna, it is true, was for reserving a certain portion of Cali- 
 fornia, for Mexican expansion, and he suggested the 37th in place 
 of the 82d parallel, as the boundary of the two countries. Yet it 
 is hardly disguised that on the point of cession and sale in this 
 
 F 
 
5G MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 quarter, the Mexican commissioners were amenable to the reasons 
 which Mr. Polk brought, by miifcns, against them, and the tranfer 
 might have been completed but for a comparatively insignificant 
 slice of debateable land. The old Texan boundary-line was again 
 brought under discussion, the one party insisting on the Rio Grande, 
 and the other, as in honour bound, upon the Nueces ; and this httle 
 difference proved incapable of adjustment between parties who had 
 just been judiciously chaffering about ten degrees of territory ! It 
 is thus clear, that from the great object which has been so unhap- 
 pily sought by a war, the Americans are now only separated by an 
 obstacle which that very war has raised. We have before expressed 
 our persuasion that, looking at the natural destinies and necessities 
 of men and states, the vast province of New California would 
 much more reasonably fall to the lot of an expansive and enter- 
 prising peoj)le, ivho might reclaim its wastes and colonize its 
 shores, than remain the nomincd and desolate appanage of a sta- 
 tionary or retrogading race, vjhich could never have either the 
 motives or the means to improve its advantages for commerce, or 
 explore the resources of its soiW'' 
 
 At the risk of some subsequent repetition we insert the admirable 
 report of General Scott, concerning his operations after the battle of 
 Molino del Rey. Its details are more circumstantial and satisfactory 
 than any account that has yet appeared : — 
 
 "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 colours of the United States 
 on the walls of this palace. 
 
 " The victory of the 8th, at the Moiinos del Rey, was followed by 
 daring reconnoissances on the part of our distinguished engineers — 
 Captain Lee, Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower — Major 
 Smith, senior, being sick, and Captain Mason, third in rank, wound- 
 ed. Their operations were directed principally to the south — to- 
 wards the gates of the Piedad, San Angel, (Nino Perdido,) San 
 Antonio, and the Paseo de la Viga. 
 
 "This QAiy 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, cus- 
 tom-house purposes, and military defence ; leaving eight entrances 
 
PREPARATIONS FOR THE ATTACK. 57 
 
 or gates, over arches — each of which we found defended by a sys- 
 tem 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 diiches, also of unusual 
 dimensions. The numerous cross-roads are flanked, in like manner, 
 having bridges at the intersections, 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, though with less rain than usual, and we could, not wait 
 for the fall of the neighbouring 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 Tvv^iggs' — with four times 
 our numbers concentrated in our immediate front— I determined, on 
 the 11th, to avoid that net-work of obstacles, and to seek, by a sudden 
 inversion, to the south-west and west, less unfavourable approaches. 
 
 " To economize the lives of our gallant officers and men, as well 
 as to insure success, it became indispensable that this resolution 
 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 Gluitman'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 division. Twiggs, with Riley's brigade, 
 and Captains Taylor's and Steptoe's field-batteries — the latter of 
 twelve-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 
 distance, in the rear, at San Angel, till the morning of the 13th, and 
 also to support our general depot at Miscoac. The stratagem 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 re- 
 cover from the eflects of his delusion. 
 
58 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 " The first step in the new movement was to carry Chapultepec, 
 a natural and isolated mound of4peat elevation, strongly fortified at 
 its base, on its acclivities and heights. Besides a numerous garrison, 
 there was the military college of the republic, with a-large number 
 of sub-lieutenants and other students. 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 bat- 
 teries, within easy ranges, were established. No. 1, on our right, 
 under the command of Captain Drum, 4th artillery, (relieved late 
 next day, for some hours, by Lieutenant Andrews of the 3d,) and 
 No. 2, commanded by Lieutenant Hagner, ordnance — both support- 
 ed by Quitman's division. Nos. 3 and 4, on the opposite side, sup- 
 ported by Pillow's division, were commanded, the former by Captain 
 Brooks and Lieutenant S. S. Anderson, 2d artillery, alternately, and 
 the latter by Lieutenant Stone, ordnance. The batteries were traced 
 by Captain Huger and Captain Lee, engineers, 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 captures 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 Cap- 
 tain Huger, were commenced early in the morning of the 12th. 
 Before nightfall, which necessarily stopped our batteries, we had 
 perceived that a good impression had been made on the castle and 
 its outworks, and that a large body of the enemy had remained out- 
 side, towards the city, from an early hour, to avoid our fire, and to 
 be at hand on its cessation, in order to reinforce the garrison against 
 an assault. The same outside force was discovered the next morn- 
 ing, after our batteries had re-opened upon the castle, by which we 
 again reduced its garrison to the minimum needed for the guns. 
 
 " Pillow and Gluitman 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 foundry, to support Pillow ; and 
 
STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC. 59 
 
 Brigadier-General Smith, of Twiggs' division, had just arrived with 
 his brigade from Piedad, (two miles,) to support Quitman. Twiggs* 
 guns, before the southern gates, again reminded us, as the day be- 
 fore, that he, with Riley's brigade and Taylor's and Steptoe's bat- 
 teries, was in activity, threatening the southern gates, and there 
 holding a great part of the Mexican army on the defensive. 
 
 " Worth's division furnished Pillow's attack with an assaulting 
 party of some two hundred and fifty volunteer officers and men, 
 under Captain McKenzie, of the 2d artillery ; and Twiggs' division 
 supplied a similar one, commanded by Captain Casey, 2d infantry, 
 to Quitman. Each of those little columns was furnished with scal- 
 ing ladders. 
 
 " The signal I had appointed for the attack was the momentary 
 cessation of fire on the part of our heavy batteries. About eight 
 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, judging that the time had ar- 
 rived, by the effect of the missiles we had thrown, I sent an aid-de- 
 camp to Pillow, and another to duitman, with notice that the con- 
 certed signal was about to be given. Both columns now advanced 
 with an alacrity that gave assurance of prompt success. The bat- 
 teries, seizing opportunities, threw shot and shells upon the enemy 
 over the heads of our men, with good effect, 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 speedily dis- 
 lodged ; when, l>eing up with the front of the attack, and emerging 
 into open space, at the foot of a rocky acclivity, that gallant leader 
 was struck down by an agonizing wound. The immediate com- 
 mand devolved on Brigadier-General Cadwalader, in the absence 
 of the senior brigadier (Pierce) of the same division — an invalid 
 since the events of August 19th. 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 re- 
 doubt, 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 valour, and the shouts that followed 
 announced to the castle the fate that impended. The enemy were 
 steadily driven from shelter to sheker. The retreat allowed not 
 
60 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 time to fire a single mine, without the certainty of blowing up friend 
 and foe. Those who at a distiiRe attempted to apply matches to 
 the long trains, were shot down by our men. There was death be- 
 low as well as above ground. At length the ditch and wall of the 
 main work were reached ; the scahng 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 colours 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 Gluitman, nobly supported by Brigadier-Gene- 
 rals Shields and Smith, [P. F.] his other officers and men, was up 
 with the part assigned him. Simultaneously with the movement on 
 the west, he had gallantly approached the south-east of the same 
 works over a causeway with cuts and batteries, and defended by an 
 army strongly posted outside, to the east of the works. Those for- 
 midable obstacles Quitman had to face, with but little shelter for his 
 troops or space for manoeuvring. Deep ditches, flanking the cause- 
 way, made it difficult to cross on either side into the adjoining mea- 
 dows, and these again were intersected by other ditches. Smith 
 and his brigade had been early 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 intended to support Gluitman'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, 7th 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 commanded 
 by Captain Paul, seconded by Captain Roberts of the rifles. Lieu- 
 tenant Stewart, and others of the same regiment. 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 the South Carolina volunteers, (Shields' brigade,) 
 and the 2d Pennsylvania volunteers, all on the left of Gluitman's 
 line, together with portions of his storming parties, crossed the mea- 
 
OFFICERS AND CORPS DISTINGUISHED. 61 
 
 dows in front, under a heavy fire, and entered the outer enclosure 
 of Chapultepec just in time to join in the final assault from the 
 west. 
 
 " Besides Major-Generals Pillow and Quitman, Brigadier-Gene- 
 rals Shields, Smith and Cadwalader, the following are the officers 
 and corps most distinguished in those brilliant operations : The vol- 
 tigeur regiment, in two detachments, commanded respectively, by 
 Colonel Andrews and Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone — the latter 
 mostly in the lead, accompanied by Major Caldwell, Captains Bar- 
 nard and Biddle, of the same regiment — the former the first to plant 
 a regimental colour, and the latter among the first in the assault ; — 
 the storming party of Worth's division, under Captain McKenzie, 
 2d artillery, with Lieutenant Seldon, 8th infantry, early on the lad- 
 der and badly wounded ; Lieutenant Armistead, 6th 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 regiment ; the 15th infantry under , 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Howard and Major Woods, with Captain Chase, 
 whose company gallantly carried the redoubt, midway up the ac- 
 clivity ; Colonel Clarke's brigade, (Worth's division,) consisting of 
 the 5th, 8th, and part of the 6th regiments of infantry, commanded 
 respectively by Captain Chapman, Major Montgomery, and Lieu- 
 tenant Edward Johnson — the latter specially noticed, with Lieuten- 
 ants Longstreet, (badly wounded — advancing — colours in hand,) 
 Picket, 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 (Quit- 
 man's) by the hot engagement below, arrived just in time to parti- 
 cipate in the assault of the heights — particularly a detachment under 
 Lieutenant 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 Steel, 2d infantry — after the fall of Lieutenant 
 Gantt, 7th 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 those excellent 
 officers — Captain Drum, 4lh artillery, assisted by Lieutenants Ben- 
 jamin and Porter of his own company ; Captain Brooks and Lieu- 
 6 
 
62 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 tenant Anderson, 2d artillery, assisted by Lieutenant Russell, 4th 
 infantry, a volunteer; Lieuten#fts Hagner and Stone, of the ord- 
 nance, and Lieutenant Andrews, 3d artillery — the whole superin- 
 tended by Captain Huger, chief of ordnance with this army — an 
 officer distinguished by every kind of merit. The mountain howitzer 
 battery under Lieutenant Reno, of the ordnance, deserves also to 
 be particularly mentioned. Attached to the voltigeurs, 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 enume- 
 rated : Captain Hooker, assistant adjutant-general, who won special 
 applause, successively, in the staff of Pillow and Cadwalader ; Lieu- 
 tenant Lovell, 4th artillery, (wounded,) chief of Gluitman's staff; 
 Captain Page, assistant adjutant-general, (wounded,) and Lieuten- 
 ant Hammond, 3d artillery, both of Shields' staff, and Lieutenant 
 Van Dorn, (7th infantry,) aid-de-camp to Brigadier-General Smith. 
 
 "Those operations all occurred on the west, south-east, and 
 heights of Chapultepec. To the north, and at the base of the 
 mound, inaccessible on that side, the 11th infantry, under Lieuten- 
 ant Colonel Herbert, the 14th under Colonel Trousdale, and Captain 
 Magruder's field battery, 1st artillery-— one section advanced under 
 Lieutenant Jackson — all of Pillow's division — =had, at the same time, 
 some spirited affiiirs against superior numbers, driving the enemy 
 from a battery on 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 on the morning of the 13th, I repeated the orders of 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 Colonel 
 Clarke's brigade. The call, if not unnecessary, 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, 
 
PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. 6S 
 
 if not met by very superior numbers, to threaten or to attack, 
 in rear, that body of the enemy. The movement, it was also 
 beUeved, could not fail to distract and to intimidate the enemy gene- 
 rally. 
 
 " Worth promptly advanced with his remaining brigade — Colonel 
 Garland's — Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith's hght battalion, Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Duncan's field battery — all of his division— and three 
 squadrons of dragoons under Major Sumner, which I had just or- 
 dered 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 Colonel 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 Lieutenant Jackson's section of Captain 
 Magruder's field battery. Continuing to advance, this division 
 passed Chapultepec, attacking the right of the enemy's fine, 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. 
 
 "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 obliquing to the left, to intersect 
 the great western or San Cosme road, in a suburb outside the gate 
 of San Cosme. 
 
 " Each of these routes (an elevated causeway) presents a double 
 roadway, on the sides of an aqueduct of strong masonry 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 sohd for the season. 
 
 "Worth and Q,uitman were prompt in pursuing the retreating 
 enemy — - the former by the San Cosme aqueduct, and the latter 
 along that of Belen. 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 Clarke's 
 
64 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 brigade, and then Cadwalader's, to the support of Worth, and gave 
 orders that the necessary hea\^guns should follow. Pierce's bri- 
 gade was, at the same time, sent to Quitman, 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 Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Floward — Morgan, the colonel, had been disabled by 
 a wound at Churubusco — as the garrison of Chapultepec, and giv- 
 ing directions for the care of the prisoners of war, the captured ord- 
 nance 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 Cosme. 
 
 " 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 
 Chapultepec, the enemy had not time to shift guns — our previous 
 captures had left him, comparatively, bnt few — from the southern 
 gates. 
 
 " Within those disgarnished works I found our troops engaged in 
 a street-fight against the enemy, posted in gardens, at windows and 
 on house-tops — all flat, with parapets. Worth ordered forward the 
 mountain howitzers of Cadwalader's brigade, preceded by skirmish- 
 ers and pioneers, with pick-axes and crow-bars, to force windows 
 and doors, or to burrow 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 this suburb. Ac- 
 cording to my instructions, he here posted guards and sentinels, and 
 placed his troops under shelter for the night. There was but one 
 more obstacle — the San Cosme gate (custom-house) between 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 
 
AMERICANS ExNTER THE CAPITAL. 65 
 
 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 Gluitman additional siege 
 guns, ammunition, entrenching tools ; directed Twiggs' remaining 
 brigade (Riley's) from Piedad, to support Worth, and Captain Step- 
 toe's field battery, also at Piedad, to rejoin Cluitman's division. 
 
 " 1 had been, from the first, well aware that the western, or San 
 Cosme, was the less difficult route to the centre and conquest of the 
 capital ; and therefore intended that Q,uitman should only manoeuvre 
 and threaten the Belen or southwestern gate, in order to favour the 
 mam 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 within easy supporting distances from the San Angel (or 
 Nino Perdido) and San Antonio gates. Hence the greater support, 
 in numbers, given to Worth's movement as the 7nain attack. 
 
 "Those views I repeatedly, in the course of the day, communi- 
 cated to Major-General Quitman ; but, being in hot pursuit — gallant 
 himself, and ably supported by Brigadier-Generals Shields and 
 Smith — Shields badly wounded before Chapultepec, and refusing to 
 retire — as well as by all thfe officers and men of the column — Quit- 
 man continued to press forward, under flank and direct fires — car- 
 ried an intermediate battery of two guns, and then the gate, before 
 two o'clock in the afternoon, but not without proportionate loss, in- 
 creased by his steady maintenance of that position. 
 
 " Here, of the heavy battery — 4th artillery — Captain Drum and 
 Lieutenant Benjamin were mortally wounded, and Lieutenant 
 Porter, its third in rank, slightly. The loss of those two most dis- 
 tinguished officers the army will long mourn. Lieutenants J. B. 
 Moragne and William Canty, of the South Carolina volunteers, also 
 of high merit, fell on the same occasion — besides many of our 
 bravest non-commissioned officers and men — particularly in Cap- 
 tain Drum's veteran company. I cannot, in this place, give names 
 or numbers, but full returns of the killed and wounded of all corps 
 in their recent operations, 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 
 6 * G 
 
66 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 — now awaited the return of daylight under the guns of the for- 
 midable citadel, yet to be subdi^. 
 
 " At about four o'clock next morning, (September 14,) a deputa- 
 tion of the ayuntamienfo (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 capitu- 
 lation in favour of the church, the citizens, and the municipal au- 
 thorities, I promptly replied that I would sign no capitulation ; 
 that the city had been virtually in our possession from the time of 
 the lodgements effected by Worth and Q,uitman the day before ; 
 that I regretted the silent escape of the Mexican army ; that I should 
 levy a moderate contribution, for special purposes ; and that the 
 American army should come under no terms, not self-imposed- 
 such only as its own honour, the dignity of the United States, and 
 the spirit of the age, should, in my opinion, imperiously demand 
 and impose. 
 ************ 
 
 " At the termination of the interview with the city deputation, I 
 communicated, about daylight, orders to Worth and Gluitman to ad- 
 vance slowly and cautiously (to guard against treachery) towards 
 the heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger and more command- 
 ing points. Gluitman proceeded to the great plaza or square, planted 
 guards, and hoisted the colours of the United States on the national 
 palace — containing the halls of Congress and executive departments 
 of federal Mexico. In this grateful service, Quitman might have 
 been anticipated by Worth, but for my express orders, halting the 
 latter at the head of the Alemeda, (a green park,) within three 
 squares of that goal of general ambition. The capital, however, 
 was not taken by any one or two corps, but by the talent, the science, 
 the gallantry, the prowess of this entire army. In the glorious con- 
 quest, all had contributed — early and powerfully — the killed, the 
 wounded, and the fit for duty — at Vera Cruz, Sierra Gordo, Con- 
 treros, San Antonio, Churubusco, (three battles,) the Molinos del 
 Rey, and Chapultepec — as much as those who fought at the gates 
 of Belen and San Cosme. 
 
 " Soon after we had entered, and were in the act of occupying 
 the city, a fire was opened on us from the flat roofs of the houses, from 
 windows and corners of streets, by some two thousand convicts, 
 liberated the night before by the flaying government — joined by per- 
 
NUMBER IN THE BATTLES. 67 
 
 haps as many Mexican soldiers, who had disbanded themselves and 
 thrown off their uniforms. This unlawful war lasted more than 
 twenty-four hours, in spite of the exertions of the municipal autho- 
 rities, and was not put down until we had lost many men, including 
 several officers, killed or wounded, and had punished the miscreants. 
 Their objects were, to gratify national hatred ; and, in the general 
 alarm and confusion, to plunder the wealthy inhabitants — particularly 
 the deserted houses. But families are now generally returning; 
 business of every kind has been resumed, and the city is already 
 tranquil and cheerful, under the admirable conduct (with exceptions 
 very few and trifling) of our gallant troops. 
 
 " This army has been more disgusted than surprised that, by 
 some sinister process on the part of certain individuals at home, its 
 numbers have been generally almost trebled in our pubhc papers- 
 beginning at Washington. 
 
 "Leaving, as we all feared, inadequate garrisons at Vera Cruz, 
 Perote, and Puebla, with much larger hospitals ; and being obliged, 
 most reluctantly, from the same cause, (general paucity of numbers,) 
 to abandon Jalapa, we marched [August 7-10] from Puebla, with 
 only ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight, rank and file. 
 This number includes the garrison of Jalapa, and the two thousand 
 four hundred and twenty-nine men brought up by Brigadier-Ge- 
 neral Pierce, August 6. 
 
 " At Contreros, Churubusco, &c., [August 20,] we had but eight 
 thousand four hundred and ninety-seven men engaged — after de- 
 ducting the garrison of San Augustin, (our general depot,) the in- 
 termediate sick and the dead ; at the MoHnos del Rey [September 
 8] but three brigades, with some cavalry and artillery — making in 
 all three thousand two hundred and fifty-one men — were in the 
 battle ; in the two days [September 12 and 13] our whole operating 
 force, after deducting, again, the recent killed, wounded, and sick, 
 together with the garrison of Miscoac (the then general depot) and 
 that of Tacubaya, was but seven thousand one hundred and eighty; 
 and, finally, after deducting the new garrison of Chapultepec, with, 
 the killed and wounded of the two days, we took possession, Sep- 
 tember 14, of this great capital, with less than six thousand men ! 
 And I re-assert, upon accumulated and unquestionable evidence, 
 that, in not one of those conflicts, was this army opposed by fewer 
 
68 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 than three and a half times its numbers — in several of them by a 
 still greater excess. 
 
 " I recapitulate our losses sirl^ we arrived in the basin of Mexico. 
 
 " August 19, 20. — Killed^ 137, including 14 officers. Wounded, 
 877, including 62 officers. Missing, (probably killed,) 38 rank and 
 file. Total, 1,052. 
 
 "September 8. — Killed, 116, including 9 officers. JVounded, 
 665, including 49 officers. Missing, 18 rank and file. Total, 862. 
 
 "September 12, 13, 14. — Killed, 130, including 10 officers. 
 Wounded, 703, including 68 officers. Missing, 20 rank and file. 
 Total, 862. 
 
 " Grand total of losses, 2,703, including 383 officers. 
 
 " On the other hand, this small force has beaten on the same oc- 
 casions, in view of their capital, the whole Mexican army, of (at 
 the beginning) thirty-odd thousand men — posted, always, in chosen 
 positions, behind entrenchments, or more formidable defences of na- 
 ture and art ; killed or wounded, of that number, more than seven 
 thousand officers and men ; taken three thousand seven hundred and 
 thirty prisoners, one-seventh officers, including thirteen generals, of 
 whom three had been presidents of this republic ; captured more 
 than twenty colours and standards, seventy-five pieces of ordnance, 
 besides fifty-seven wall pieces, twenty thousand small arms, an im- 
 mense quantity of shot, shells, powder, &c. &c. 
 
 " Of that enemy, once so formidable in numbers, appointments, 
 artillery, &c., twenty-odd thousand have disbanded themselves in 
 despair, leaving, as is known, not more than three fragments, the 
 largest about two thousand five hundred — now wandering in difTer- 
 ent directions, without magazines or a mihtary chest, and hving at 
 free quarters upon their own people. 
 
 " General Santa Anna, himself a fugitive, is believed to be on the 
 point of resigning the chief magistracy, and escaping to neutral 
 Guatemala. A new president, no doubt, will soon be declared, and 
 the federal Congress is expected to re-assemble at Glueretaro, one 
 hundred and twenty-five miles north of this, on the Zacatecas road, 
 some time in October. 1 have seen and given safe conduct through 
 this city, to several of its members. The government will find itself 
 without resources ; no army, no arsenal, no magazines, and but little 
 revenue, internal or external. Still, such is the obstinacy, or rather 
 infatuation, of this people, that it is very doubtful whether the new 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL. 6D 
 
 authorities will dare to sue for peace on terms which, in the recent 
 negotiations, were made known by our Minister. * * * 
 
 *' In conclusion, I beg to enumerate, once more, with due com- 
 ■mendation and thanks, the distinguished staff officers, general and. 
 personal, who, in our last operations in front of the enemy, accom- 
 panied me, and communicated orders to every point and through 
 every danger. Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, acting inspector-gene- 
 ral ; Major TurnbuU and Lieutenant Hardcastle, topographical en- 
 gineers ; Major Kirby, chief paymaster ; Captain Irwin, chief quar- 
 termaster ; Captain Grayson, chief commissary ; Captain H. L. 
 Scott, in the adjutant-general's department ; Lieutenant Williams, 
 aid-de-camp ; Lieutenant Lay, military secretary, and Major J. P. 
 Gaines, Kentucky cavalry, volunteer aid-de-camp. Captain Lee, 
 engineer, so constantly distinguished, also bore important orders 
 from me (September 13) until he fainted from a wound and the loss 
 of two nights' sleep at the batteries. 
 
 "Lieutenants Beauregard, Stephens, and Tower, all wounded, 
 were employed with the divisions, and Lieutenants G. W. Smith 
 and G. B. McClellan with the company of sappers and miners. 
 Those five Heutenants of engineers, like their captain, won the ad- 
 miration of all about them. The ordnance officers. Captain Huger, 
 Lieutenants Hagner, Stone, and Reno, were highly effective, and 
 distinguished at the several batteries ; and I must add that Captaia 
 McKinstry, assistant quartermaster, at the close of the operations, 
 executed several important commissions for me as a special volun- 
 teer. 
 
 " Surgeon-General Lawson, and the medical staff generally, were 
 skilful and untiring in and out of fire in ministering to the numerous 
 wounded." 
 
 The city of Mexico is thus described in Murray's Encyclopedia 
 of Geography ; — ^ 
 
 " The state of Mexico comprises the valley of Mexico, a fine and 
 splendid region, variegated by extensive lakes, and surrounded by 
 some of the loftiest volcanic peaks of the new world. Its circum- 
 ference is about two hundred miles, and it forms the very centre of 
 the great table-land of Anahuac, elevated from six to eight thousand 
 feet above the level of the sea. In the centre of this valley stands 
 the city of Mexico ; the ancient Mexico, or Tenochtitlan, having 
 been built in the middle of a lake, and connected with the continent 
 
70 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SOOTT. 
 
 by extensive causeways or dykes. The new Mexico is three miles 
 from the lake of Tezcuco, and nearly six from that of Chalco ; yet 
 Humboldt considers it certain, from the remains of the ancient 
 teocalli, or temples, that it occupies the identical position of the for- 
 mer city, and that a great part of the waters of the valley have been 
 dried up. Mexico was Jong considered the largest city of America ; 
 but it is now surpassed by New York, perhaps even by Rio Janeiro. 
 Some estimates have raised its population to two hundred thousand ; 
 but it may, on good grounds, be fixed at from one hundred and 
 twenty to one hundred and forty thousand. It is beyond dispute 
 the most splendid. ' Mexico is undoubtedly one of the finest cities 
 built by Europeans in either hemisphere ; with the exception of St. 
 Petersburgh, Berlin, and Philadelphia, and some quarters of West- 
 minster, there does not exist a city of the same extent which can be 
 compared to the capital of New Spain, for the uniform level of the 
 ground on which it stands, for the regularity and breadth of the 
 streets, and the extent of the squares and public places. The archi- 
 tecture is generally of a very pure style, and there are even edifices 
 of a very beautiful structure.' The palace of the late viceroys, the 
 cathedral, built in what is termed the Gothic style, several of the 
 convents, and some private palaces, reared upon plans furnished by 
 the pupils of the Academy of the Fine Arts, are of great extent and 
 magnificence ; yet, upon the whole, it is rather the arrangement, 
 regularity, and general effect of the city which render it so striking. 
 Nothing in particular can be more enchanting than the view of the 
 city and the valley from the surrounding heights. The eye sweeps 
 over a vast extent of cultivated fields to the very base of the colossal 
 mountains, covered with perpetual snow. The city appears as if 
 washed by the waters of the lake of Tezcuco, which, surrounded by 
 villages and hamlets, resembles the most beautiful of the Swiss lakes ; 
 and the rich cultivation of the .vicinity forms a striking contrast with 
 the naked mountains. Among these rise the famous volcano Popo- 
 catepetl and the mountain of Iztaccihuatl, of which the first, an en- 
 ormous cone, burns occasionally, throwing up smoke and ashes in 
 the midst of eternal snows. The police of the city is excellent ; most 
 of the streets are handsomely paved, lighted, and cleansed. The 
 annual consumption in Mexico has been computed at sixteen thou- 
 sand three hundred beeves ; two hundred and seventy-nine thousand 
 sheep ; fifty thousand hogs ; one million six hundred thousand fowls, 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE FORTIFICATIONS. 71 
 
 including ducks and turkeys; two hundred and five thousand pigeons 
 and partridges. The markets are remarkably well supplied with 
 animal and vegetable productions, brought by crowds of canoes along 
 the lake of Chalco, and the canal leading to it. These canoes are 
 often guided by females, who at the same time are weaving cotton 
 in their simple portable looms, or plucking fowls, and throwing the 
 feathers into the water. Most of the flowers and roots have been 
 raised in chinampas, or floating gardens, an invention peculiar to 
 the new world. They consist of rafts formed of reeds, roots, and 
 bushes, and covered with black saline mould, which, being irrigated 
 by the water of the lake, becomes exceedingly fertile. It is a great 
 disadvantage to Mexico, however, that it stands nearly on a level 
 with the surrounding lake ; which, in seasons of heavy rain, over- 
 whelms it with destructive inundations. The construction of a 
 desagtie, or canal, to carry ofT the waters of the lake of Zumpango, 
 and of the principal river by which it is fed, has, since 1629, pre- 
 vented any very desolating flood. The desague, though not conduct- 
 ed with skill and judgment, cost five millions of dollars, and is one 
 of the most stupendous hydraulic works ever executed. Were it 
 filled with water, the largest vessels of war might pass by it through 
 the range of mountains which bound the plain of Mexico. The 
 alarms, however, have been frequent, and cannot well cease, while 
 the level of that lake is twenty feet above that of the great square 
 of Mexico." 
 
 The New Orleans Picayune gives the following description of 
 the fortifications around the Mexican capital : — 
 
 *' Much as has already been said, our people even up to this time 
 have but an imperfect idea of the immense superiority of force 
 General Scott's little army had to contend with in the valley of 
 Mexico. Some weeks since one of the editors of this paper, writing 
 fron the seat of war, attempted to draw a parallel between the deeds 
 of the early Spaniards and those of our own gallant soldiers ; but at 
 the time he did not know the full strength of the Mexican works 
 and fortifications, all completed previous to the noted 13th Septem- 
 ber, and ready to repel the onslaughts of the comparatively insigni- 
 ficant band of invaders. From a statement by Captain Lee, one of 
 the best engineers in the American or any other service, it would 
 seem that the Mexicans had at the 
 
72 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 Penon - - 
 
 - 20 batte 
 
 ries, for 51 
 
 guns, 
 
 and 
 
 15inl 
 
 Mexicalcingo 
 
 - 8 
 
 " ^38 
 24 
 
 
 
 1 " 
 
 San Antonio 
 
 - 7 
 
 
 
 2 " 
 
 Churubusco 
 
 - 2 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 (( 
 
 Contreros 
 
 - 1 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 (( 
 
 Chapultepec 
 
 - 7 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 7 « 
 
 Total, 45 169 25 
 
 "These were the outer works, admirably well situated for de- 
 fence, and presenting a most formidable appearance to those who 
 were compelled to attack them from causeways, marshes, and open, 
 plains. The works at El Molino, including the battery and the lines 
 of infantry intrenchments and strong buildings, are not enumerated 
 in the above. Immediately around the city of Mexico, independent 
 of the innumerable ditches — these ditches filled with water, gene- 
 rally twenty-five feet wide and five feet deep, whose banks formed 
 natural parapets — there were forty-seven additional batteries, pre- 
 pared like the others for one hundred and seventy-seven guns, and 
 with seventeen infantry breastworks. Adding these to the above, 
 and we have on all the lines defending the approaches to the city 
 no less than ninety-two batteries, prepared for three hundred and 
 forty-six guns, and forty-two infantry breastworks ! When it is 
 added that to all these works — and our own engineers were forcibly 
 struck with the admirable style in which all the batteries of the 
 enemy were constructed — that the city of Mexico was naturally de- 
 fended by canals, houses of solid and heavy masonry, mud ditches, 
 water, &c. &c. ; that all the buildings have flat roofs with solid 
 parapets ; that the convents and many other public edifices are but 
 so many fortifications — when all these circumstances are taken into 
 consideration, with the immense numerical superiority of the Mexi- 
 cans, the achievements of the invaders will appear almost incre- 
 dible. 
 
 "The science of engineering is probably as well understood by 
 the Mexicans as by any of the European nations, as an examination 
 of their works will at once prove, while their artillery practice is 
 most effective ; yet all availed them nothing against the bold and 
 steady advance of the Americans. The sanguinary battle of El 
 Molino, costly as it was to General Worth's division, was appallingly 
 disastrous to the enemy, as there his two best infantry regiments, the 
 
INDUSTRY OF THE MEXICANS. 7B 
 
 11th and 12th of the line, were utterly annihilated. From that day 
 until the capital was entered, comparatively speaking, our army 
 suffered but little from the musketry of the enemy, his cannon doing 
 nearly all the execution. General Quitman's advance upon the 
 Garita of Belen, one of the most daring deeds of the war, was 
 through an avenue of blood caused by the grape, canister and round 
 shot of the Mexican cannon ; while the streets of San Cosme, through 
 which the remnant of General Worth's division was compelled to 
 advance, was literally swept by the heavy cannon and wall pieces 
 at the garita of the same name. The infantry firing around the 
 base of Chapultepec was as nothing compared with the incessant tor- 
 nado of bullets which rdttled amid the ranks of our columns as they 
 advanced upon Churubusco and the Molino del Rey. 
 
 "And who constructed the batteries and breastworks around the 
 capital of Mexico? Men, women, and children, as by a common 
 impulse, were busy night and day, and even ladies of the higher 
 class are said to have been liberal in their toil in adding to the com- 
 mon defence. Works complete in every part sprung up, as if by 
 magic ; the morning light would dawn upon some well-barricaded 
 approach, which the night before was apparently open to the ad- 
 vance of armed men. From the outposts of the Americans, at any 
 time between the 8th and 12th September, thousands and thousands 
 of the enemy could be seen, spade and mattock in hand, strengthen- 
 ing old and forming new barriers, and the busy hum of labour 
 reached our sentinels even during the still hours of the night, as 
 fresh guns were placed in position, or new avenues of approach were 
 closed against the invaders. Yet all would not do. The Mexicans 
 had not the stern courage to defend the works they had constructed 
 with such zeal and care, and one after another fell before the un- 
 flinching bravery of men who had but victory or death before 
 them." 
 
 The Hartford Times thus speaks of General Scott's campaign in 
 Mexico : — 
 
 " It seems to us that the merit of General Scott, in gaining the 
 late astounding victories before Mexico, has not as yet received its 
 fitting tribute from the public press. His political opinions must 
 necessarily ever debar him from receiving the suffrages of the Demo- 
 cratic party for the chief magistracy of the Union. But this circum- 
 stance cannot prevent us from seeing that this great soldier has 
 7 
 
74 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 deserved exceedingly well of the Republic, and acquired a very 
 strong title to the fervent gratiui^e of his countrymen. Perhaps, 
 indeed, to a man whose hairs are already silvered in the service of 
 his country, the due appreciation and acknowledgment of that ser- 
 vice may prove a more acceptable reward than the highest office 
 that could be conferred upon him. At all events, the least that can 
 be done is to award just honour and praise, in no stinted or niggardly 
 measure, to those who have no other remuneration to expect for 
 their brave deeds. The battles of Contreros and Churubusco cer- 
 tainly rank among the most brilliant military achievements of the 
 age. A little band of eleven thousand audacious invaders have de- 
 feated, with immense slaughter, an army of thirty thousand troops, 
 drawn up in a position of their own choosing, on their own soil, to 
 defend their altars and hearths, in the very heart of their country. 
 But it was not alone the indomitable valour of our troops which 
 distinguished these battles. They were to an equal degree marked 
 with all the skill, science, and foresight of a masterly strategy. 
 
 " In turning the rocky and almost impregnable passes of Penon 
 and Mexicalcingo, fortified with terrific batteries, upon which the 
 enemy had expended the labour of months. General Scott displayed 
 the most consummate generalship. It was not the mere avoiding 
 or evading these formidable posts which constituted its merit. It 
 was, that his cool and practised eye discerned at a glance that a 
 passage could be cut through dense forests and tangled defiles, and 
 heaps of huge rock, where the enemy never dreamed that such an 
 exploit was conceivable. It was a repetition of the same skilful 
 outflanking manoeuvre by which he had before spared so much va- 
 luable life at Sierra Gordo — a movement which rendered all the 
 laborious preparations and defences of the enemy useless, and which 
 Santa Anna himself pronounced to be masterly and worthy of Napo- 
 leon. It has been the crowning merit of Scott, that, while he has 
 been everywhere victorious, he has also everywhere husbanded his 
 forces. Daring and intrepid to the last degree where those qualities 
 were called for, he has at the same time been careful never wantonly 
 to waste the lives of his troops in unnecessary stormings or reckless 
 assaults. Under almost any other general, his mere handful of 
 troops would long since have melted away from repeated collisions 
 with inert but overwhelming masses. With a humanity not less 
 conspicuous than his bravery, Scott has always abstained from any 
 
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 75 
 
 indiscriminate slaughter even of a sanguinary and merciless foe. 
 * * * It was a great thing to have mastered the renowned for- 
 tress of San Juan de Ulloa — a second Gibraltar — with so trifling a 
 loss of life. The victory over Santa Anna at Sierra Gordo, in the 
 manner as well as in the magnitude of the achievement, was 
 a daring and masterly exploir. It was also a great thing — a sight, 
 in fact, full of moral grandeur — when four thousand two hundred 
 tattered and wayworn soldiers under his command entered the mag- 
 nificent city of Puebla, and, with all the confidence of conquerors, 
 stacked their arms and laid themselves down to sleep in the great 
 square, surrounded by a hostile population of eighty thousand. 
 
 " But, last of all, and more admirable than all, has been the care 
 with which he has nursed and kept together his Httle band of eleven 
 thousand, and the almost fabulous audacity and still more incredible 
 success with which he has pushed them, step by step, to the very 
 heart of a civilized nation of seven millions, and to the gates of a 
 capital of two hundred thousand souls, the renowned seat of a le- 
 gendary and mythic magnificence, and the most ancient and best- 
 built city on the continent. If modern warfare has any parallel for 
 this great feat of arms, we know not where to look for it. 
 
 "The successive triumphs of Vera Cruz, of Sierra Gordo, of 
 Puebla, and of Mexico, undimmed as they have hitherto been by a 
 single reverse, have unquestionably raised the reputation of the 
 commander to a very great height, and placed it, to say the least, 
 fully on a level with that of the greatest generals of his time. Nor 
 is there any denying that those victories have been of such an order 
 that, while they elevate the successful leader, they also, to at least 
 an equal degree, exalt the character and extend the renown of his 
 coantry. Hence we cannot bring ourselves to make any apology 
 for what appears to us a just notice of General Scott, on the score 
 of his being a Whig. A sense of gratitude for his distinguished 
 services in this war would not permit us to say less. The fame of 
 a victorious general cannot justly be held to belong to any party. It 
 is the propert)-- of the whole nation." 
 
 The Baltimore American of October 22d, says : — 
 
 " The records of the gallant achievements of our troops in Mexico 
 add new lustre to the martial history of the Republic. From the 
 landing at Vera Cruz, to the entrance of our army into the city of 
 Mexico, a series of brilliant exploits has marked every step of their 
 
 u 
 
76 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 way. If the retreat of Xenophon, with ten thousand men, from the 
 heart of an enemy's country, i^pegarded with admiration, and men- 
 tioned in history as one of those extraordinary things which genius 
 and enterprise can accomphsh when favoured by fortune, what must 
 be said of the advance of an army httle exceeding ten thousand into 
 the valley of Mexico, into the capital of the enemy's country, three 
 hundred miles from the coast, storming its way as it marched, de- 
 feating armies far exceeding it in numbers, and entrenched in strong 
 fortifications, and holding its position victoriously in a city of one 
 hundred and eighty thousand inhabitants, in the midst of a dense 
 and hostile population around ? 
 
 «' The army which has done this is composed, too, in part of 
 volunteer soldiers who have seen service for the first time — of men 
 who hurried from the peaceful avocations of hfe to encounter the 
 perils and hards*hips of war, with no preparation, no habitual disci- 
 pline, expecting to receive their first lessons in military affairs upon 
 the field of battle. Noble scholars indeed have thej'- proved them- 
 selves to be ! The soldiers of one campaign, they are veterans al- 
 ready, able to cope with the veterans of any service. 
 
 "The masterly generalship of the commander-in-chief has ex- 
 hibited the most admirable combinations of discretion and daring 
 throughout this whole career of bold invasion, of determined per- 
 severance and heroic achievements. The laurels of Chippewa, 
 which crowned the youthful brow of Scott, are renewed and fresh- 
 ened by those plucked from the battle-fields of Mexico. Long may 
 they flourish in the brightness of their verdure ! 
 
 " The forbearance of General Scott when he entered the city of 
 Mexico, as testified to by the letters of resident foreigners who had 
 witnessed the sacking of European cities when entered by an ex- 
 cited and victorious soldiery, is a characteristic of the most exalted 
 kind, reflecting unspeakable honour upon the commander who or- 
 dered, and upon the troops that obeyed such directions of forbear- 
 ance at such a moment. The evidence is direct, that no houses 
 were molested, except those from which shots were fired upon our 
 men. 
 
 "The country has reason to be proud indeed of this brave little 
 army, of its eminent general, of its noble and accomplished officers. 
 Worthily have they sustained the American name ; gloriously have 
 they exalted its martial renown in the eyes of the world. It is now 
 
HIS BRAVERY, SKILL, ETC. 77 
 
 for the country to sustain them, to strengthen that gallant band, to 
 uphold them in that distant and hostile land upon which they have 
 enstamped the impress of American valour, and displayed victory 
 on the folds of the national flag." 
 
 Such has been the career of Major-General Scott up to the pre- 
 sent time. Beginning his military course at Chippewa, he attained, 
 during the late war, a renown for bravery, skill, and generalship, as 
 flattering as it was singular ; and his recent unparalleled campaign 
 in Mexico has confirmed all former opinion of his merits, proven 
 his efficiency in planning and executing a series of protracted ope- 
 rations, and placed him before the world as one of the ablest gene- 
 rals of his age. 
 
 7* 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL PILLOW. 
 
 Major-General Gideon J. Pilloav, although well-tried in the 
 glorious campaign-under Scott, has but recently entered the army. 
 His commission bears date April 13th, 1847, but he assisted in the 
 bombardment of Vera Cruz. He was born in Tennessee, and en- 
 tered the army from that state. 
 
 At Vera Cruz, Pillow was employed in extending the American 
 line, in order completelv to invest the city. He frequently encoun- 
 tered parties of the enemy, with whom he had some slight skir- 
 mishes, in one of which several of his men were wounded. He 
 took an active part in the siege, and was one of the commissioners 
 to negotiate the capitulation. 
 
 At Sierra Gordo, Pillow attacked a fort to the left of the main 
 work, in which was a large Mexican force under General La Vega. 
 He had carefully reconnoitred this station, and led his troops to the 
 assault in the face of a galling fire. La Vega, however, defended 
 himself with an obstinacy worthy of the fame he had acquired on 
 the Rio Grande, and the Americans were obliged to fall back. A 
 second attempt was attended with similar results. While chagrined 
 with this unavoidable repulse, Pillow was gratified to learn that he 
 had held the Mexicans long enough employed to prevent their suc- 
 couring Santa Anna's forces, whose capture had, consequently, been 
 much accelerated. On perceiving that the battle was lost. General 
 La Vega surrendered. 
 
 General Pillow has borne his full share in the recent operations 
 before the capital. His services in the first series of operations are 
 related in the following extracts from his own report : 
 
 " In compliance with the order of the general-in-chief, I moved 
 with my division, consisting of the 9th, 11th, 13th, 14th and 15th 
 (7S) 
 
GENERAL PILLOW. 
 
 Page 78. 
 
OPERATIONS NEAR THE CAPITAL. 79 
 
 infantry, the voltigeur regiment, the field battery of Captain 
 Magruder, and the howitzer battery under Lieutenant Cailender, 
 early on the morning of the 19th instant, and opened the road over 
 the mountain on the route indicated by Captain Lee, of the engineer 
 corps, assisted by Lieutenants Beauregard, Stephens, Tower, Smith, 
 McClelland, and Foster. Brigadier-General Twiggs, with his divi- 
 sion, reported to me for duty, under instructions from the general-in- 
 ch ief, whilst my own division was moving over the mountain. 
 
 " Perceiving that the enemy was in large force on the opposite 
 side of the valley, with heavy batteries of artillery commanding the 
 only road through a vast plain of broken volcanic stone and lava, 
 rent into deep chasms and fissures, effectually preventing any ad- 
 vance except under his direct fire, I resolved to give Wm battle. 
 For this purpose, I ordered General Twiggs to advance with his 
 finely-disciplined division, and with one brigade to assault the ene- 
 my's works in front, and with the other to turn his left flank, and 
 assail it in reverse. Captain Magruder's fine field battery and Lieu- 
 tenant Callender's howitzer battery (both of which constitute part 
 of my division) were placed at the disposal of Brigadier-General 
 Twiggs. 
 
 " This officer, in executing my order of attack, directed Brevet 
 Brigadier-General Smith to move with his brigade upon the enemy's 
 front, whilst Colonel Riley, with his, was ordered to turn his left, 
 and assail him in rear. To sustain these movements, Brigadier- 
 General Cadwalader was ordered to advance with his brigade and 
 support Colonel Riley, and Brigadier-General Pierce, with his com- 
 mand, to support the column moving upon the enemy's front, under 
 Brigadier-General Smith. This last command was soon closely 
 engaged with the enemy, as were also the batteries of Captain Ma- 
 gruder and Lieutenant Cailender. 
 
 " Colonel Riley's command, having now crossed the vast, broken- 
 up plain of lava, passing the village on the right, and whilst in the 
 act of turning the enemy's left, was confronted by several thousand 
 lancers, who advanced to the charge, when a well-directed fire from 
 the brigade twice compelled them to fall back in disorder, under 
 cover of their artillery. About this time Brigadier-General Cad- 
 walader's command had also crossed the plain, when some five or 
 six thousand troops of the enemy were observed moving rapidly 
 from the direction of the capital to the field of action. Colonel 
 
80 MAJOR-GENERAL PILLOW. 
 
 Morgan, with his large and fine regiment, which I had caused to be 
 detached from the rear of Pierc^ brigade, was now ordered to the 
 support of Cadwalader, by direction of the general-in chief, who had 
 now arrived upon the field. 
 
 " The general, having discovered this large force moving upon 
 his right flank and to the rear, with decided military tact and 
 promptitude threw back his right wing and confronted the enemy, 
 with the intention to give him battle, notwithstanding his over- 
 whelming force. 
 
 " This portion of the enemy's force moved steadily forward until 
 a conflict seemed inevitable, when Colonel Morgan's regiment, 
 having reached this part of the field, presented a front so formidable 
 as to induce the enemy to change his purpose, and draw ofl' to the 
 right and rear of his former position. 
 
 " During all this time, the battle raged fiercely between the other 
 portions of the two armies, with a constant and destructive fire of 
 artillery. Magruder's battery, from its prominent position, was much 
 disabled by the heavy shot of the enemy, as were also Callender's 
 howitzers. A part of the enemy's artillery had been turned upon 
 Riley's command, whilst actively engaged with large bodies of 
 lancers ; but even these combined attacks could only delay the pur- 
 pose of the gallant old veteran and his noble brigade. 
 
 "The battle all this day was conducted under my immediate or- 
 ders, and within my view ; a short time before sunset, having pre- 
 viously engaged in the fight aU the forces at my disposal, myself 
 and stafl' started to cross the plain, to join in the terrible struggle on 
 the immediate field of action. 
 
 " The battle being won before the advancing brigades of Worth's 
 and Q,uitman's divisions were in sight, both were ordered back to 
 their late positions — Worth, to attack San Antonio, in front, with 
 his whole force, as soon as approached in the rear by Pillow's and 
 Twiggs' divisions — moving from Contreros, through San Angel and 
 Coyoacan. By carrying San Antonio, we knew that we should open 
 another — a shorter and better road to the capital — for our siege and 
 other trains. 
 
 " On my way thither, I was joined by Brigadier-General Twiggs 
 and stafi'; but the darkness of the night, rendered still more obscure 
 by a heavy rain, caused us to miss our way through the broken-up 
 lava, and to wander to the close neighbourhood of the works of the 
 
OPERATIONS NEAR THE CAPITAL. 81 
 
 enemy ; and it was not until the shrill blasts of his bugles apprized 
 us of our position, that we became satisfied we could not reach, 
 during the night, our destination. We then returned, and reported 
 to the general-in-chief. 
 
 " During the night, Brigadier-General Smith disposed the forces 
 present, to renew the action at daylight, and complete the original 
 order of attack. Before dark, however, the enemy had placed two 
 pieces of artillery on a height nearly west of Cadwalader's position, 
 which had opened with several discharges upon his forces. Briga- 
 dier-General Smith, just before daylight, moved a portion of the 
 forces up the ravine to the rear of the enemy's position, so as to be 
 within easy turning distance of his left flank — leaving Colonel Ran- 
 som with the 9th and 12lh infantry to make a strong diversion in 
 front. The day being sufficiently advanced, the order was given by 
 Brigadier-General Smith for the general assault ; when. General 
 Smith's command upon the left, and Colonel Riley with his brigade 
 upon the right, supported by General Cadwalader, with his com- 
 mand, moved up with the utmost gallantry, under the 'furious fire 
 from the enemy's batteries, which were immediately carried ; a large 
 number of prisoners were taken, including four generals, with twenty- 
 three out of the twenty-eight pieces of artillery, and a large amount 
 of ammunition and public property. 
 
 " The retreating enemy was compelled to pass through a severe 
 fire, both from the assaulting forces and Cadwalader's brigade, as 
 well as Shields' command, who had remained at the position occu- 
 pied by the former general the previous night, with the purpose of 
 covering the movement upon the battery. The forces of the enemy 
 engaged at this place, including the reinforcements of the preceding 
 evening, constituted a force of about sixteen thousand men, five 
 thousand of whom were cavalry ; the whole were under the imme- 
 diate command of General Santa Anna in person, assisted by Gene- 
 rals Valencia, Salas, Blanco, Mendoza, Garcia and others ; the last 
 four mentioned were taken prisoners. 
 
 " Our forces, consisting of my division. Generals Twiggs' and 
 Shields' commands, amounted to about four thousand five hundred 
 men. The loss of the enemy, as nearly as I can ascertain, was be- 
 tween fifteen hundred and two thousand men killed and wounded, 
 and eight hundred prisoners, including the four generals previously 
 
82 MAJOR-GENERAL PILLOW. 
 
 mentioned, four colonels, thirty captains, and many officers of infe- 
 
 j ******** 
 
 nor grades. * dF 
 
 " Having myself crossed the plain and reached this bloody theatre 
 as the last scene of the conflict was closing, as soon as suitable dispo- 
 sitions were made to secure the fruits of the victory, I resolved upon 
 pursuing the discomfited enemy, in vi^hich I found that Brigadier- 
 Generals Twiggs and Smith had already anticipated me by having 
 commenced the movement. At the same time, I apprized the ge- 
 neral-in-chief of my advance, requesting his authority to proceed 
 with all the forces still under my command, sweeping around the 
 valley, attack the strong works of San Antonio in rear; and re- 
 quested the co-operation of General Worth's division, by an assault 
 upon that work in front ; which the general-in-chief readily granted 
 and directed accordingly — having, as I learn, upon being advised of 
 the victory, previously given the order. I had moved rapidly for- 
 ward in execution of this purpose, until I reached the town Coyoacan, 
 where the command was halted to await the arrival of the general- 
 in-chief, who I was informed was close at hand. Upon his arrival, 
 the important fact was ascertained, that the enemy's forces at San 
 Antonio having perceived that the great battery had been lost, and 
 the total defeat and rout of their forces at Contreros, by which their 
 rear was opened to assauk, had abandoned the work at San Antonio, 
 and fallen back upon their strong entrenchments in rear at Churu- 
 busco. 
 
 " Upon the receipt of this information, the general-in-chief imme- 
 diately ordered Brigadier-General Twiggs's division to move forward 
 and attack the work on the enemy's right, and directed me to move 
 with Cadwalader's brigade, and assault the tete du pont on its left. 
 Moving rapidly in execution of this order, I had great difficulty in 
 passing the command over some marshy fields, and wide and deep 
 ditches, filled with mud and water. I was compelled to dismount 
 in order to cross these obstacles, which were gallantly overcome by 
 the troops, when the whole force gained the main causeway ; at 
 which place I met General Worth, with the advance of his division, 
 moving upon the same work. It was then proposed that our united 
 divisions should move on to the assault of the strong tete du pont, 
 which, with its heavy artillery, enfiladed the causeway. This being 
 determined upon, the troops of the two divisions *moved rapidly to 
 attack the work on its left flank, and, notwithstanding the deadly fire 
 
 .% 
 
SKETCH OF HIS EARLY HISTORY. 83 
 
 of grape and round-shot from the work, which swept the roadway 
 with furious violence, on and onward these gallant and noble troops 
 moved with impetuous valour, and terrible and long was the bloody 
 conflict. But the result could not be doubted. At length the loud 
 and enthusiastic cheer of the Anglo-Saxon soldier told that all was 
 well, and the American colours moved in triumph over the bloody 
 scene." General Pillow, as we have seen, was concerned in the 
 storming of Chapultepec. On the 14th, he entered with the army 
 into the Mexican capital.* 
 
 * The General's father, Gideon Pillow, was born in Rockingham County, 
 N. C, September 24th, 1774. He was the second son of John and Ursula 
 Johnson Pillow, who, in 1789, removed from North Carolina to Davidson 
 County, Ten., and settled temporarily with his family at' John Brown's,' a 
 thin frontier station four miles south of Nashville. He was killed in the 
 fall of 1790, leaving William and Gideon to protect six younger brothers 
 and sisters. These young men, one or both of them, went upon almost 
 every excursion sent from Davidson County against the savages from 1789 
 to 1794. In the latter year the Indians discontinued their annoyances. 
 Both fought bravely at Nickojack. William was colonel of a regiment 
 under General Jackson in the late Creek war, and was shot through 
 the body at Talladega, whilst pursuing the enemy. He now resides on 
 his farm in Maury County. Gideon was a farmer and landdealer, but 
 died from home (Madison Co., Ten.), February 26th, 1830, leaving three 
 sons and three daughters. 
 
 The General was born June 10th, 1806, in Williamson County, Ten. He 
 graduated (Oct., 1827) at the University of Nashville, and studied law at 
 Columbia, und^r Judge Kennedy. Admitted to the bar in October, 1829, 
 he became distinguished, and acquired extensive practice. As an advocate 
 he was forcible and eloquent, prompt in action, and indomitable in per- 
 severance. General Pillow was a member of the National Democratic 
 Convention, held in Baltimore in 1844, but has never filled any other pub- 
 lic station, preferring the enjoyment of his ample fortune in the domestic 
 circle to the cares of politics. On the 24th of March, 1831, he married Miss 
 Mary E. Martin, by whom he has seven children; and about the same time 
 was appointed by General Carroll Inspector-General of the State militia. 
 General Pillow is a member of the Presbyterian church. Even on the 
 battle-field, the Bible is constantly found in his tent, and its pages are 
 perused as often as camp duties will permit. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 Major-General John A. GIuitman, like his fellow officer, Pillow, 
 has but recently entered upon active service. He served as a volun- 
 teer at Monterey, and was appointed to the regular army, April 
 14th, 1847, from Mississippi, although New York is his native state. 
 
 The following detailed report is a complete description of the ser- 
 vices of his brigade at Monterey : — 
 
 " Being ordered, on the morning of the 22d, to reheve Colonel 
 Garland's command, which had, during the preceding night, occu- 
 pied the redoubt and fortifications taken on the 21st, my command 
 marched from their encampment about nine o'clock in the morning. 
 Colonel Campbell, of the Tennessee regiment, being indisposed from 
 the fatigue and exposure of the preceding day, the command of his 
 regiment devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson. Both regi- 
 ments were much reduced by the casualties of the twenty-first, 
 and the necessary details for the care of the wounded. The march 
 necessarily exposed the brigade for a short distance to a severe fire 
 of artillery from the works still in possession of the enemy on this 
 side of the city, and from the cross-fire of the citadel. We were 
 not allowed to reach our post without some loss. Private Dubois, 
 of Captain Crump's company of Mississippi riflemen, was killed, 
 and two men of the same company wounded, before entering the 
 works. The redoubt and adjacent works being occupied by my 
 brigade, and Lieutenant Ridgely's battery, a portion of the troops 
 were engaged, under the direction of Lieutenant J. M. Scarritt, of 
 engineers, in strengthening our position on the side next to town. 
 
 "At intervals during the whole day, until nine o'clock at night, 
 
 the enemy kept up from their fortifications, and from the citadel, 
 
 discharges of shell, round shot, and grape. It was in the forenoon 
 
 of this day, that, by the aid of our glasses, we were presented with 
 
 (84) 
 
QUITMAN AT MONTEREY. 85 
 
 a full view of the storming of the Bishop's palace by troops under 
 General Worth on the heights beyond the city. The shout by 
 which our brave volunteers greeted the display of the American 
 flag on the palace, was returned by the enemy from their works 
 near us by a tremendous fire of round shot and grape upon us with- 
 out effect. During the day, plans of assault on the adjacent Mexi- 
 can works were considered of, but in the evening my attention was 
 drawn to a line of about fifteen hundred Mexican infantry at some 
 distance in rear of their works. The presence of this force, amount- 
 ing to nearly three times our effective numbers, and which appeared 
 to be posted for the protection of the works, induced me to give up 
 all idea of forcing the works without reinforcements. During the 
 night several reconnoissances were made with details of Captain 
 Whitfield's company, in the direction of the redoubt ♦ El Diablo.' 
 Frequent signals between the different posts of the enemy during 
 the night kept us on the alert ; and at the first dawn of day on the 
 23d, it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned, or were 
 abandoning, the strong works nearest to us. Colonel Davis, with a 
 portion of his command, supported by Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, 
 with two companies of the Tennessee regiment, was ordered to take 
 possession of the works. This was promptly done. The enemy 
 had withdrawn their artillery during the night, and nothing of value 
 fell into our hands but some prisoners and ammunition. From this 
 work, which commanded a view of the cathedral, and a portion of 
 the great plaza of the city, we perceived another half-moon or tri- 
 angular redoubt in advance of us, and on our right, which appeared 
 to be immediately connected with heavy stone buildings and walls 
 adjoining the block of the city. Having reported my observations 
 to the commanding general, who had approached the field of our 
 operations, I received permission to advance upon the defences of 
 the city in this direction, and, if deemed practicable, to occupy them. 
 It was sufficiently apparent that all the approaches to the city on 
 this side were strongly fortified. Wishing to proceed with caution, 
 under the qualified permission of the commanding general, I sent 
 out a party of riflemen, under Lieutenant Graves, to reconnoitre, 
 supporting them at some distance by a company of Tennessee in- 
 fantry, under Captain McMurray. Some active movements of the 
 enemy in the vicinity induced me to halt this party, and to order out 
 Colonel Davis, with two companies of his command, and two com- 
 8 I 
 
86 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 panies of Tennessee troops, to advance on these works. As the 
 troops advanced, armed men ^re seen flying at their approach. 
 Upon reaching the redoubt vi^mch had attracted our attention, we 
 perceived that it was open, and exposed to the fire of the enemy 
 from the stone buildings and walls in the rear. It was, therefore, 
 necessary to select another position less exposed. Posting the two 
 companies of infantry, in a position to defend the lodgement we had 
 ei?ected, I directed Colonel Davis to post his command as he might 
 deem most advantageous for defence or active operations, intending 
 here to await further orders or reinforcements. In reconnoitring 
 the place, several shots were fired at Colonel Davis by the enemy, 
 and several files of the riflemen who had advanced to the slope of a 
 breastwork, (No. 1,) which had been thrown across the street for 
 the defence of the city, returned the fire. A volley from the enemy 
 succeeded. Our party having been reinforced by additions from 
 the riflemen and infantry, a brisk firing was soon opened on both 
 sides, the enemy from the house-tops and parapets attempting to 
 drive us from the lodgement we had effected. A considerable body 
 of the enemy, securely posted on the top of a large building on our 
 left, which partially overlooked the breastwork. No. 1, continued to 
 pour in their fire, and killed private Tyree, of company K, whose 
 gallant conduct at the breastwork had attracted the attention of both 
 his colonel and myself. From this commencement, in a short time 
 the action became general. The enemy appearing to be in great 
 force, and firing upon our troops from every position of apparent 
 security, I despatched my aid. Lieutenant Nichols, with orders to 
 advance the whole of my brigade which could be spared from the 
 redoubts occupied by us. A portion of the Mississippi regiment, 
 under Major Bradford, advanced to the support of the troops en- 
 gaged, but Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, with a part of the Ten- 
 nessee regiment, was required to remain for the protection of the 
 redoubts in our possession. With this additional force more active 
 operations upon the city were begun. Detachments of our troops 
 advanced, penetrating into buildings and occupying the flat roofs of 
 houses, and by gradual approaches, driving the enemy back. They 
 had been engaged more than an hour, when they were reinforced 
 by a detachment of dismounted Texan rangers, commanded by 
 General Henderson, with whose active and effectual co-operations 
 the attack upon the city was gradually, but successfully prosecuted. 
 
QUITMAN AT MONTEREY. 87 
 
 Buildings, streets, and courts were occupied by our troops without 
 much loss, until, after being engaged for about five hours, having 
 advanced within less than two squares of the great plaza, apprehen- 
 sive that we might fall under the range of our own artillery, which 
 had been brought up to our support, and our ammunition being 
 nearly exhausted, active operations were ordered to cease until the 
 effect of the batteries, which had been brought forward into one of 
 the principal streets, could be seen. 
 
 " It being found that the barricades in the neighbourhood of the 
 plaza were too strong to be battered down by our hght artillery, the 
 commanding general, who had taken position in the city, ordered 
 the troops gradually and slowly to retire to the defences taken in the 
 morning. This was done in good order, the enemy firing occasion- 
 ally upon us, but not venturing to take possession of the part of the 
 town we had occupied. Our forces had scarcely retired from their 
 advanced position in the city, when we heard the commencement 
 of the attack of the division under General Worth on the opposite 
 side of the town. The force under my command had been en- 
 gaged from eight o'clock in the morning to three P. M. It should 
 be recorded, to the credit of the volunteer troops, that the greater 
 portion of them had been without sustenance since the morning of 
 the 22d, and exposed throughout the very inclement and rainy night 
 of the 22d, to severe duty, without blankets or overcoats, and yet 
 not a murmur was heard among them — their alacrity remained un- 
 abated to the last moment. The character of this affair, the troops 
 being necessarily separated into many small parties, gave frequent 
 occasion to the exhibition of individual courage and daring. The 
 instances occurred so frequently, in which both officers and men 
 distinguished themselves, that to recount those which fell under my 
 own observation, or which were brought to my notice by officers, 
 would extend this report to an improper length. It is m}'' duty and 
 pleasure to mention the fact, that the veteran, General Lamar, of 
 Texas, joined my command as a volunteer in the commencement 
 of the attack on the city, and by his counsel and example aided and 
 encouraged the troops. Major E. R. Price, of Natchez, and Cap- 
 tain J. R. Smith, of Louisiana, both from the recently disbanded 
 Louisiana troops, acted with distinguished bravery as volunteers in 
 Colonel Davis's regiment." 
 
 General Quitman performed much laborious service before Vera 
 
88 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 Cruz, but was not in the battle of Sierra Gordo. But his mili- 
 tary fame rests principally ud^ the battles before the Mexican 
 capital. In these he has wrought himself an undying reputation, 
 which has placed him before our people as one of the ablest of 
 their commanders. He accompanied the army in its march from 
 Puebla toward the capital, but was not actively concerned in the 
 battles of the 19th and 20lh of August. He was one of the com- 
 missioners who negotiated the armistice, and on the recommence- 
 ment of hostihties, was in continued action until the fall of the 
 capital. His report is as follows : — 
 
 " The general-in-chief, having concluded to carry the strong for- 
 tress of Chapultepec, and through it advance upon the city, ordered 
 me, on the 11th, to move my division^ after dark, from its position 
 at Coyoacan to Tacubaya. * * * * 
 
 " Two batteries had been erected during the night. My division 
 being intended to support these batteries, and to advance to the 
 attack by the direct road from Tacubaya to the fortress, was placed 
 in position near battery No. 1, early on the morning of the 12th — 
 detachments from its left extending to the support of battery No. 2. 
 At seven o'clock, the guns — two sixteen-pounders and an eight- 
 inch howitzer — were placed in battery No. 1, in position so 
 as to rake the road, sweep the adjoining grounds, and have 
 a direct fire upon the enemy's batteries and the fortress of Chapul- 
 tepec. 
 
 "Our fire was then opened and maintained with good effect 
 throughout the day, under the direction of that excellent and 
 lamented officer, Captain Drum, of the 4lh artillery, zealously aided 
 by Lieutenants Benjamin and Porter, of his company. The fire 
 was briskly returned from the castle with round shot, shells and 
 grape. During the day, I succeeded, under cover of our batteries, 
 in making an important reconnoissance of the grounds and works 
 immediately at the base of the castle, a rough sketch of which was 
 made by my aid. Lieutenant Level, on the ground. This disclosed 
 to us two batteries of the enemy — one on the road in front of us, 
 mounting four guns, and the other a flanking work of one gun, ca- 
 pable also of sweeping the low grounds on the left of the road, and 
 between it and the base of the hill. 
 
 " The supporting party on this reconnoissance was commanded 
 by the late Major Twiggs, of the marines, and sustained during the 
 
STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC. 89 
 
 observation a brisk fire from the batteries and small arms of the 
 enemy, who, when the party were retiring, came out of the works 
 in large numbers ; and although repeatedly checked by the fire of 
 our troops, continued to advance as the supporting party retired, 
 until they were dispersed, with considerable loss, by several dis- 
 charges of canister from the guns of Captain Drum's battery, and a 
 well-directed fire from the right of the 2d Pennsylvania regiment, 
 posted on the flank of the battery for its support. Our loss in this 
 aflfair was seven men wounded ; but. the information gained was of 
 incalculable advantage to the operations of the succeeding day. In 
 the evening, Captain Drum's company was reheved by Lieutenant 
 Andrews' company, 3d artillery, by whom a steady and well-directed 
 fire was kept up from the battery, until the fortress could no longer 
 be seen in the darkness. During the day, my command was rein- 
 forced by a select battalion from General Twiggs' division, intended 
 as a storming party, consisting of thirteen officers and two hundred 
 and fifty men and non-commissioned officers and privates, chosen 
 for this service out of the rifles, 1st and 4th regiments of artillery, 
 and the 2d, 3d, and 7th regiments of infantry — all under the com- 
 mand of Captain Silas Casey, 2d infantry. 
 
 " Having received instructions from the general-in-chief to pre- 
 vent, if possible, reinforcements from being thrown into Chapultepec 
 during the night. Captain Paul of the 7th infantry, with a detach- 
 ment of fifty men, was directed to establish an advanced picket on 
 the road to Chapultepec. During the night a brisk skirmish oc- 
 curred between this detachment and the advanced posts of the 
 enemy, which resulted in driving back the enemy ; but, apprehen- 
 sive that this demonstration was intended to cover the passage of 
 reinforcements into Chapultepec, I ordered Lieutenant Andrews to 
 advance a piece of artillery and rake the road with several discharges 
 of canister. This was promptly executed, and during the remainder 
 of the night there were no appearances of movements in the enemy's 
 lines. During the night, the platforms of battery No. 1 were repaired, 
 under the direction of Lieutenant Tower, of engineers, who had re- 
 ported to me for duty, and a new battery for one gun established in 
 advance of No. 1 a short distance, by Lieutenant Hammond, of 
 General Shields' staflT. 
 
 " The protection of battery No. 2, which was completed on the 
 morning of the 12th, under direction of Captain Huger, was in- 
 8* 1 2 
 
90 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 trusted to .Brigadier-General Shields. This battery, after the guns 
 had been placed, opened an(jpKiaintained a steady fire upon the 
 castle, under the skilful direction of that experienced officer, Lieu- 
 tenant Hagner, of ordnance. 
 
 « At dawn, on the morning of the 13th, the batteries again open- 
 ed an active and effective fire upon the castle, which was returned 
 by the enemy with spirit and some execution, disabling for a time 
 the eighteen-pounder in battery No. 1, and killing one of the men 
 at the guns. 
 
 " During this cannonade, active preparations were made for the 
 assault upon the castle. Ladders, pickaxes, and crows were placed 
 in the hands of a pioneer storming party of select men from the vo- 
 ]unteer division, under command of Captain Reynolds of the marine 
 corps, to accompany the storming party of one hundred and twenty 
 men, which had been selected from all corps of the same division, 
 and placed under the command of Major Twiggs, of the marines. 
 Captain Drum had again relieved Lieutenant Andrews at the guns, 
 retaining from the command of the latter Sergeant Davidson and 
 eight men to man an eight-pounder, which it was intended to carry 
 forward to operate on the enemy's batteries in front of us ; and, to 
 relieve the command from all danger of attack on our right flank 
 from reinforcements which might come from the city, that well-tried 
 and accomplished officer. Brevet Brigadier-General Smith, with his 
 well-disciplined brigade, had reported to me for orders. He was 
 instructed to move in reserve on the right flank of the assauking 
 column, protect it from skirmishers, or more serious attack in that 
 quarter ; and, if possible, on the assault, cross the aqueduct leading 
 to the city, turn the enemy, and cut off his retreat. Those disposi- 
 tions being made, ihe whole command, at the signal preconcerted 
 by the general-in-chief, with enthusiasm and full of confidence ad- 
 vanced to the attack. At the base of the hill, constituting a part of 
 the works of the fortress of Chapultepec, and directly across our hne 
 of advance, were the strong batteries before described, flanked on 
 the right by some strong buildings, and by a heavy stone wall about 
 fifteen feet high, which extended around the base of the hill towards 
 the west. Within two hundred yards of these batteries were some 
 dilapidated buildings, which afforded a partial cover to our advance. 
 Between these and the wall extended a low meadow, the long grass 
 of which concealed a number of wet ditches by which it was inter- 
 
STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC. 91 
 
 sected. To this point the command, partially screened, advanced 
 by a flank, the storming parties in front, under a heavy fire from 
 the fortress, the batteries, and breastworks of the enemy. The ad- 
 vance v;as here halted under the partial cover of the ruins, and upon 
 the arrival of the heads of the South Carolina and New York rem- 
 
 o 
 
 ments, respectively. General Shields was directed to move them 
 obliquely to the left, across the low ground, to the wall at the base 
 of the hill. Encouraged by the gallant general who had led them 
 to victory at Churubusco, and in spite of the obstacles which they 
 had to encounter in wading through several deep ditches, exposed 
 to a severe and gaUing fire from the enemy, these tried regiments 
 promptly executed the movement, and effected a lodgement at the 
 wall. The same order was given to Lieutenant-Colonel Geary, and 
 executed by his regiment with equal alacrity and success. These 
 dispositions, so necessary to the final assault upon the works, were 
 not made without some loss. In directino- the advance, Brioradier- 
 General Shields was severely wounded in the arm. No persuasions, 
 however, could induce that officer to leave his command, or quit the 
 field. The brave Captain Van O'Linden, of the New York regi- 
 ment, was killed at the head of his company. Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Baxter, of the same regiment, a valuable and esteemed officer, while 
 gallantly leading his command, fell mortally wounded near the wall. 
 And Lieutenant-Colonel Geary, 2d Pennsylvania regiment, was for 
 a time disabled from command by a severe contusion from a spent 
 ball. 
 
 " In the mean time, Brigadier-General Smith on our right was 
 driving back skirmishing parties of the enemy ; Lieutenant Benja- 
 min, from battery No. 1, was pouring shot after shot into the fortress 
 and woods on the slope of the hill; and Lieutenant H. J. Hunt, 2d 
 artillery, who had on the advance reported to me with a section of 
 Duncan's battery, had obtained a favourable position in our rear, 
 from which he threw shells and shrapnal shot into the Mexican lines 
 with good effect. Perceiving that all the preliminary dispositions 
 were made, Major Gladden, with his regiment, having passed the 
 wall by breaching it, the New York and Pennsylvania regiments 
 having entered over an abandoned battery on their left, and the bat- 
 talion of marines beinor posted to support the storming parties, I or- 
 dered the assault at all points. 
 
 " The storming parties, led by the gallant officers who had volun- 
 
92 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 teered for this desperate service, rushed forward hke a resistless 
 tide. The Mexicans behind tlmr batteries and breastworks stood 
 with more than usual firmness. For a short time the contest was 
 hand-to-hand ; swords and bayonets were crossed, and rifles clubbed. 
 Resistance, however, was vain against the desperate valour of our 
 brave troops. The batteries and strong works were carried, and the 
 ascent of Chapultepec on that side laid open to an easy conquest. 
 In these works were taken seven pieces of artillery, one thousand 
 muskets, and five hundred and fifty prisoners — of whom one hun- 
 dred were officers — among them, one general and ten colonels, 
 
 " The gallant Captain Casey having been disabled by a severe 
 wound, direcdy before the batteries, the command of the storming 
 party of regulars in the assault devolved on Captain Paul, 7th in- 
 fantry, who distinguished himself for his bravery. In like manner 
 the command of the storming party from the volunteer division de- 
 volved on Captain James Miller, of the 2d Pennsylvania regiment, 
 by the death of its chief, the brave and lamented Major Twiggs, 
 of the marine corps, who fell on the first advance at the head of his 
 command. 
 
 " Simultaneously with these movements on our right, the volun- 
 teer regiments, with equal alacrity and intrepidity, animated by a 
 generous emulation, commenced the ascent of the hill on the south 
 side. Surmounting every obstacle, and fighting their way, they 
 fell in and mingled with their brave brethren in arms, who formed 
 the advance of Major-General Pillow's column. Side by side, 
 amid the storm of battle, the rival colours of the two commands 
 struggled up the steep ascent, entered the fortress, and reached the 
 buildings used as a military college, which crowned its surnmit. 
 Here was a short pause ; but soon the flag of Mexico was lowered, 
 and the stars and stripes of our country floated from the heights of 
 Chapultepec, high above the heads of the brave men who had 
 planted them there. The gallant New York regiment claims for 
 their standard the honour of being the first waved from the batde- 
 ments of Chapultepec. The veteran Mexican general. Bravo, with 
 a number of officers and men, were taken prisoners in the castle. 
 They fell into the hands of Lieutenant Charles Brower, of the New 
 York regiment, who reported them to me. The loss of the enemy 
 was severe, especially on the eastern side, adjoining the batteries 
 taken. It should also be mentioned, that, at the assault upon the 
 
ADVANCE ON THE CAPITAL. 08 
 
 works, Lieutenant Frederick Steele, 2d infantry, with a portion of 
 the storming party, advanced in front of the batteries towards the 
 left, there scaled the outer wall through a breach near the top, made 
 by a cannon-shot, ascended the hill directly in his front, and was 
 among the first upon the battlements. The young and promising 
 Lieutenant Levi Gantt, 7th infantry, was of this part3^ He had. 
 actively participated in almost every battle since the opening of the 
 war, but was destined here to find a soldier's grave. 
 
 "After giving the necessary directions for the safe-keeping of the 
 prisoners taken by my command, and ordering the several corps to 
 form near the aqueduct, I hastily ascended the hill, for the purpose 
 of reconnoitring the positions of the enemy in advance towards the 
 city. I there had the pleasure of meeting Major-General Pillow, 
 who, although seriously wounded, had been carried to the heights 
 to enjoy the triumph in which he and his brave troops had so largely 
 shared. 
 
 " Perceiving large bodies of the enemy at the several batteries on 
 the direct road leading from Chapultepec to the city, by the garita 
 or gate of Belen, my whole command, after being supplied with 
 ammunition, was ordered to be put in readiness to march by that 
 route. When the batteries were taken, the gallant rifle regiment, 
 which had been deployed by General Smith on the right of his bri- 
 gade, formed under the arches of the aqueduct in position to ad- 
 vance by the Chapultepec or Tacubaya road. As the remainder 
 of General Smith's brigade came up from their position in reserve, 
 that officer, with his usual foresight, caused them to level the para- 
 pets and fill the ditches which obstructed the road where the enemy's 
 batteries had been constructed, so as to permit the passage of the 
 heavy artillery, which was ordered up by the general-in-chief im- 
 mediately upon his arrival at the batteries. In the mean time, 
 while General Shields, with the assistance of his and my stafT offi- 
 cers, was causing the deficient ammunition to be supplied, and the 
 troops to be formed for the advance, Captain Drum, supported by 
 the rifle regiment, had taken charge of one of the enemy's pieces, 
 and was advancing towards the first battery occupied by the enemy, 
 on the road towards the city in our front. 
 
 " The Chapultepec road is a broad avenue, flanked with deep 
 ditches and marshy grounds on either side. Along the middle of 
 this avenue runs the aqueduct, supported by arches of heavy ma- 
 
94 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 sonry, through the garita or gate of Belen into the city. The rifles, 
 supported by the South C^roh"i^regiment, and followed by the re- 
 mainder of Smith's brigade, were now advanced, from arch to arch, 
 towards another strong battery which had been thrown across the 
 road, about a mile from Chapultepec, having four embrasures with 
 a redan work on the right. 
 
 " At this point, the enemy in considerable force made an obstinate 
 resistance ; but, with the aid of the effective fire of an eight-inch 
 howitzer, directed by the indefatigable Captain Drum, and the daring 
 bravery of the gallant rifle regiment, it was carried by assault. The 
 column was here reorganized for an attack upon the batteries at the 
 garita of the city. The regiment of riflemen, intermingled with 
 the bayonets of the South Carolina regiment, were placed in the 
 advance — three rifles and three bayonets under each arch. They 
 were supported by the residue of Shields' brigade, the 2d Pennsyl- 
 vania regiment, and the remainder of Smith's brigade, together with 
 a part of the 6th infantry, under Major Bonneville, who had fallen 
 into this road. In this order, the column resolutely advanced from 
 arch to arch of the aqueduct, under a tremendous fire of artillery 
 and small arms from the batteries at the garita, the Paseo, and a 
 large body of the enemy on the Piedad road to the right, extending 
 from the left of the garita. 
 
 "Lieutenant Benjamin having brought up a sixteen-pounder, 
 Captain Drum and his efficient subalterns were pouring a constant 
 and destructive fire into the garita. As the enfilading fire of the 
 enemy from the Piedad road became very annoying to the advance 
 of the column, a few rounds of canister were thrown by our artil- 
 lery in that direction, which effectually dispersed them. The whole 
 column was now under a galling fire, but it continued to move for- 
 ward steadily and firmly. The rifles, well sustained by the South 
 Carolinians, gallantly pushed on to the attack ; and at twenty mi- 
 nutes past one the garita was carried, and the city of Mexico entered 
 at that point. In a few moments the whole command was com- 
 pactly up — a large part of it within the garita. 
 
 " The obstinacy of the defence at the garita may be accounted 
 for by our being opposed at that point by General Santa Anna in 
 person, who is said to have retreated by the Paseo to the San Cosme 
 road, there to try his fortune against General Worth. 
 
 " On our approach to the garita, a body of the enemy who were 
 
GARITA OF BELEN CARRIED. Q§ 
 
 seen on a cross road threatening our left, were dispersed by a brisk 
 fire of artillery from the direction of the San Cosme road. I take 
 pleasure in acknowledging that this seasonable aid came from Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Duncan's battery, which had been kindly advanced 
 from the San Cosme road in that direction by General Worth's 
 orders. 
 
 " Upon the taking of the garita, the riflemen and South Caro- 
 lina regiment rushed forward and occupied the arches of the aque- 
 duct, within a hundred yards of the citadel. The ammunition of 
 our heavy guns having been expended, a captured eight-pounder 
 was turned upon the enemy, and served with good effect until the 
 ammunition taken with it was also expended. The piece, support- 
 ed by our advance, had been run forward in front of the garita. 
 Twice had Major Gladden, of the South Carolina regiment, furnish- 
 ed additional men to work the gun, when the noble and brave Cap- 
 tain Drum, who, with indomitable energy and iron nerve, had di- 
 rected the artillery throughout this trying day, fell mortally wounded 
 by the side of his gun. A few moments afterwards. Lieutenant 
 Benjamin, who had displayed the same cool, decided courage, met 
 a similar fate. 
 
 " The enemy, now perceiving that our heavy ammunition had 
 been expended, redoubled their exertions to drive us out of the 
 lodgement we had effected. A terrible fire of artillery and small 
 arms was opened from the citadel, three hundred yards distant, froni 
 the batteries on the Paseo, and the buildings on our right in front. 
 Amid this iron shower, which swept the road on both sides of the 
 aqueduct, it was impossible to bring forward ammunition for our 
 large guns. While awaiting the darkness to bring up our great 
 guns and place them in battery, the enemy, under cover of their 
 guns, attempted several sallies from the citadel and buildings on the 
 right, but were readily repulsed by the skirmishing parties of rifles 
 and infantry. To prevent our flank from being enfiladed by mus- 
 ketry from the Paseo, Captains Naylor and Looser, 2d Pennsyl- 
 vania regiment, were ordered with their companies to a low sand- 
 bag defence, about a hundred yards in that direction. They gallantly 
 took this position, and held it in the face of a severe fire until the 
 object was attained. 
 
 "At night the fire of the enemy ceased. Lieutenant Tower, of 
 the engineers, who before and at the attack upon the batteries at 
 
96 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 Chapultepec had given important aid, had been seriously wounded. 
 It was therefore fortunate that,^ the commencement of the route 
 to the city, Lieutenant Beauregard, of engineers, joined me. 1 was 
 enabled, during the day, to avail myself of his valuable services; 
 and, although disabled for a time by a wound received during the 
 day, he superintended, during the whole night, the erection of two 
 batteries within the garita for our heavy guns, and a breastwork on 
 our right for infantry, which, with his advice, I had determined to 
 construct. Before the dawn of day, by the persevering exertions 
 of Captains Fairchild and Taylor, of the New York regiment, who 
 directed the working parties, the parapets were completed, and a 
 twenty-four-pounder, and eighteen-pounder, and eight-inch howitzer 
 placed in battery by Captain Steptoe, 3d artillery, who, to my great 
 satisfaction, had rejoined my command in the evening. The heavy 
 labour required to construct these formidable batteries, under the 
 very guns of the citadel, was performed with the utmost cheerful- 
 ness by the gallant men whose strong arms and stout hearts had al- 
 ready been tested in two days of peril and toil. 
 
 " During the night, while at the trenches, Brigadier-General Pierce 
 — one of whose regiments (the 9th infantry) had joined my column 
 during the day — reported to me in person. He was instructed to 
 place that regiment in reserve at the battery in rear, for the protec- 
 tion of Steptoe's hght battery and the ammunition at that point. 
 The general has my thanks for his prompt attention to these orders. 
 
 "At dawn of day on the 14th, when Captain Steptoe was pre- 
 paring his heavy missiles, a white flag came from the citadel, the 
 bearers of which invited me to take possession of this fortress, and 
 gave me the inteUigence that the city had been abandoned by 
 Santa Anna and his army. My whole command was immediately 
 ordered under arms. By their own request, Lieutenants Level I and 
 Beauregard were authorized to go to the citadel, in advance, to as- 
 certain the truth of the information. At a signal from the ramparts, 
 the column, General Smith's brigade in front, and the South Caro- 
 lina regiment left in garrison at the garita, marched into the citadel. 
 Having taken possession of this work, in which we found fifteen 
 pieces of cannon mounted and as many not up, with the extensive 
 military armaments which it contained, the 2d Pennsylvania regi- 
 ment was left to garrison it. Understanding that great depredations 
 were going on in the palace and public buildings, I moved the 
 
APPOINTED MILITARY GOVERNOR. 97 
 
 column in that direction in the same order, followed by Captain 
 Steptoe's light battery, through the principal streets into the great 
 plaza, where it was formed in front of the National Palace. Cap- 
 tain Roberts, of the rifle regiment, who had led the advance com- 
 pany of the storming party at Chapultepec, and had greatly dis- 
 tinguished himself during the preceding day, was detailed by me 
 to plant the star-spangled banner of our country upon the National 
 Palace. The flag, the first strange banner which had ever waved 
 over that palace since the conquest of Cortez, was displayed and 
 saluted with enthusiasm by the whole command. The palace, al- 
 ready crowded with Mexican thieves and robbers, was placed in 
 charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, with his battalion of marines. 
 By his active exertions it was soon cleared and guarded from further 
 spoliation. 
 
 " On our first arrival in the plaza. Lieutenant Beauregard was 
 dispatched to report the facts to the general-in-chief, who was ex- 
 pected to enter the city by the Alameda, with the column under 
 General Worth. About eight o'clock the general-in-chief arrived 
 in the plaza, and was received and greeted with enthusiasm by the 
 troops. The populace, who had begun to be turbulent immediately 
 after our arrival in the plaza, appeared for a time to be checked ; 
 but, in one hour afterwards, as our troops began to disperse for quar- 
 ters, they were fired upon from the tops of houses and windows. 
 This continued that day and the succeeding, until, by the timely 
 and vigorous measures adopted by the general-in-chief, the disturb- 
 ances were quelled." 
 
 Here follows a list of the officers who particularly distinguished 
 themselves. 
 
 After the surrender of the city. General Scott immediately ho- 
 noured Gluitman with the appointment of mihtary governor. His 
 manly, dignified bearing, won the approbation of both friends and 
 enemies, and his plan of administration is said to have been admi- 
 rable. 
 
 In November, General Quitman obtained leave of absence, in 
 order to revisit the United States. His parting on that occasion- 
 with the brave men in Mexico is thus described by an eye-witness : 
 
 "The officers of the division having assembled together, visited 
 General Q,uitman in a body, when Colonel Burnett, ot New York, 
 9 K 
 
98 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 on behalf of himself and brother officers, addressed him in a perti- 
 nent speech, the conclusion o( \ijh.ich. was as follows : 
 
 " ' We, as officers of your division, can only repay you upon your 
 sudden departure with an expression of our feelings. We shall 
 meet you again after the war as fellow-citizens, and our present 
 sentiments written upon our hearts as upon adamant, will lose no- 
 thing by the hand of time — uniting then with a gratified people, your 
 present sacrifices may be somewhat compensated by the only boon 
 of the patriot — the grateful acknowledgments of your country. We 
 shall then have deposited our standards with the authorities of our 
 respective states, but ever ready to rally under our victorious ban- 
 ners as the prestige of success, and ever ready to be directed by our 
 gallant general, whom we now part with as a father and a friend.' 
 
 " This speech was frequently interrupted by the company pre- 
 sent, who expressed their approbation of the sentiments by warm 
 applause. When this had subsided. General Gluitman replied in 
 suljstance as follows : 
 
 " He said that when he looked around him and found himself in 
 the presence of the gallant officers who had participated so largely 
 in the recent brilliant events before the city, and heard himself ad- 
 dressed by the senior officer of the division, yet leaning upon his 
 honourable crutch, in remarks so full of the elegant feeling of the 
 heart, he was overwhelmed with emotion, and felt himself wholly 
 unable to do justice to the occasion. Circumstances had rendered 
 it necessary as a matter of high duty that he should apply to the 
 proper authority for some permanent assignment to duty, where he 
 might be best enabled to serve his country. Had he consulted per- 
 sonal feeling merely, he would have been gratified to remain with 
 the brave associates of his cares, his perils and fortunes in war, but 
 he regarded it the soldier's part to seek the path where duty called 
 him. That path now separated him from the gallant officers and 
 men to whose good conduct and services he took this occasion to 
 say he felt himself wholly indebted for whatever reputation or 
 honour he might have acquired in this campaign. It was theirs, 
 not his. They were entitled to his regard, his esteem and his 
 friendship. He would bear these feelings with him wherever his 
 lot should be cast. 
 
 " In conclusion, he expressed his heartfelt regret at his separation 
 from them, and hoped that they would receive for themselves, and 
 
RECEPTION ON ARRIVING AT NATCHEZ. 99 
 
 bear to the gallant rank and file under their commands, his friendly- 
 farewell. 
 
 "After General Quitman had concluded, Captain Hutton, of the 
 New York regiment, rose and presented Captain G. T. M. Davis 
 an elegant pair of silver spurs, accompanying the gift with a brief 
 but extremely apropos speech. Captain Davis made an appropriate 
 reply." 
 
 The following is a description of the festivities attending his arri- 
 val at Natchez, the place of his family residence : 
 
 " Our Q,uitman is at home and with us ; so excuse any high- 
 flown exhibition of our feelings of intense pleasure, pride, and tri- 
 umph. Oh ! had you been here but yesterday morning, when that 
 veteran cannoneer. Captain James C. Fox, so well known in your 
 
 * city of the Delta' as one of the most accomphshed of the Natchez 
 firemen, let off those loud-mouthed Mexican trophy-cannon, captured 
 at Alvarado, and presented to General Quitman with the permission 
 of the Secretary of the Navy, by Commodore Perry. They are 
 two long twelves, of a most excellent composition, originally in- 
 tended for bow-chasers in the naval service. One was made in 
 Barcelona, old Spain, in 1768, and bears the name of El Sosto, and 
 the other the name of El Orion. There was a sublimity in making 
 these trophy-cannon announce that the hour of welcome to our vic- 
 torious general had come ; and well did Fox instruct them how to 
 roar out a welcome to ' the free* in * the home of the brave.' 
 General Quitman's mansion, called 'Monmouth,' nestles in a beau- 
 tiful grove in the environs of Natchez, only about a mile from the 
 centre of the city. A thrill of joy, precious as love and the idolatry 
 of the affections could make it, must have pervaded the bosoms of 
 his lovely and accomphshed family, as the air vibrated around their 
 home with the cannon-bursts, and the swell of music and the roar 
 of the stirred city broke upon their ears. 
 
 " Doctor Blackburn, a noble-looking and chivalrous Kentuckian, 
 now captain of the 'Natchez Fencibles,' was the chief marshal, 
 assisted by General Smith, Messrs. Andrew McCreery, S. Win- 
 ston, and General R. Stanton. A large and imposing procession 
 of military, led by the renowned 'Kendall's Brass Band,' from 
 
 * Spalding's monster Circus,' now here, the masonic fraternity, sur- 
 vivors of the battle of New Orleans, invited guests, &c., was soon in 
 motion for Monmouth, where they received Major-General Quitman 
 
100 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 and his staff; consisting of Major E. R. Price, of the 2d Mississippi 
 rifles ; Captain Douglass Coqprr, of the 1st Mississippi rifles, and 
 Lieutenant Keiger, of the volunteers. The moment of the move- 
 ment of the procession was announced by Captain R. Fitzpatrick, 
 from a new brass piece of state artillery, named ' Gluitman,' and 
 carried in the procession. It was answered by Captain Fox, from 
 his stationary battery on the Esplanade, who kept up a running 
 cannon-accompaniment during the whole progress to the city. 
 When the procession came proudly down Main street and halted 
 opposite the City Hotel, the coup cVceil was most imposing — ban- 
 ners waved over the street, every balcony and window, and even the 
 roofs were filled with ladies and children, while the street below, 
 far and near, was choked with the plumed soldiery and the dense 
 masses of citizens. The civic welcome to Gluitman, amidst thun- 
 ders of applause, was pronounced by the young and eloquent Mar- 
 tin, the district attorney for this circuit. Colonel A. L. Bingaman 
 had been elected the orator of the day, but his unavoidable absence 
 to New Orleans prevented his acceptance, and Martin, as well as any 
 other orator could have done, supplied his place. Both the address 
 and Quitman's rejoinder were extemporaneous, and thrilled the 
 multitude with the high impulses of the occasion. How wonderful, 
 said Martin, is it that the very city (Natchez) bearing the name of 
 a noble fragment of the Aztec race, who, in some convulsion or 
 other, perhaps to avoid the murderous sword of Cortez, had been 
 expatriated from Mexico, and stood on the bluff where their proud 
 name still remains — how remarkable was it that from the very ashes 
 of their graves there should have risen an avenger of their wrongs, 
 and that our Gluitman, from fair Natchez, had been deputed by 
 Providence * to spoil the spoiler!' I do not attempt to quote his 
 burning language. Quitman's reply was modest, and replete with 
 gratitude to his fellow-citizens ; filled with encomiums upon those 
 great masters in the science of war under whom he had served — 
 Taylor and Scott — naming, with a heart full of affection, not only 
 the officers with whom he had associated, but those who had served 
 under his orders, and in particular the rank and file of the army ; 
 he spoke of the immense mountain of prejudice that had been re- 
 moved from the minds of the regular army entertained against the 
 volunteer service, and trusted that the American name now stood 
 far higher in Europe and all over the world, in consequence of the 
 
RECEPTION ON ARRIVING AT NATCHEZ. 101 
 
 deeds performed in Mexico by both arms of the service — the regu- 
 lar and the voluntary. The collation now invited our whole popu- 
 lation — ladies, gentlemen and children — to a participation; and 
 such a generous, hearty, abundant ' feast of the people' was rarely 
 ever seen. The cross-table at the head of the hall was most luxu- 
 riously spread, and was the table of welcome to General Quitman, 
 his staff, the invited guests, and the distinguished individuals com- 
 posing the committee of arrangements, the civic authorities, &c. 
 Here the vitality of the feast, like the heart in the human body, 
 kept alive the longest ; and when the multitudinous waves of the 
 people had a little subsided, fourteen regular toasts were drunk, in- 
 cluding the President of the United States ; the memory of Wash- 
 ington ; Generals Scott, Taylor, Quitman, Colonel Jefferson Davis, 
 Major Ezra R. Price, Captain Douglass H. Cooper, Lieutenants 
 Keiger and Posey ; our gallant army in Mexico ; the surviving 
 heroes of the war of 1812, and American mothers, wives and 
 daughters. General Felix Boston being absent, sent in the follow- 
 ing volunteer toast : 
 
 " General John A. Quitman — ' Second to none !' Six hours be- 
 fore any other chieftain, he fought his way into the centre of Mon- 
 terey ; near eight hours before any other leader, he had stormed the 
 Garita and entered the city of Mexico ; the first to plant the Stars 
 and the Stripes over the Halls of the Montezumas ! 
 
 " Charles Reynolds, Esq., gave : 
 
 " Natchez — The residence of Major-General John A. Quitman, 
 the first Anglo-Saxon governor of the ' City of the Aztecs !' 
 
 " Captain James C. Fox gave, in allusion to the fact that, a quar- 
 ter of a century ago. General Quitman organized that splendid corps, 
 the Natchez Fencibles, and was their first captain : 
 
 " The First Captain of the Fencibles — When the American 
 cannon and rifle, on the afternoon of September 13th, roared at the 
 Piedad Gate, Mexico cried out, ' Who's dat knocking at de door?* 
 The answer was, John A. Quitman, a Natchez Fencible ! 
 
 "There were many other striking sentiments drunk, among 
 which were — 
 
 " That ' Bevel in the Halls of the Montezumas /' — The dream 
 of General Samuel Houston reahzed by General Quitman. 
 
 " General Quitman' s passage along the Aqueduct from Chapul- 
 9* k2 
 
102 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 tepee to the Garita de Belen, and the Piedad Gate, September 13, 
 1S47 — The bridge of Lodi in American history ! 
 
 " General Gluilman's dinner4R)le response to the sentiment in his 
 honour was most happy. He spoke of his unexpected major-gene- 
 ralship without any adequate command, but was too much of an 
 American ' to give it up so ;' had, temporarily, commanded soldiers 
 from nearly every state in the Union — broken and wasted regiments 
 — fragments — the odds and ends of commands — but he assured the 
 audience that when he commanded such officers as Generals Smith 
 and Shields, and such men as he led to Chapultepec and the Garita 
 de Belen, they were butt-enders, at least ! 
 
 " Among other sentiments, the ' State of Kentucky' w^as toasted. 
 In response, a young and eloquent lawyer, now settled in New Orleans, 
 Thomas H. Holt, Esq., a native of Old Kentucky, made a most 
 eloquent and thrilhng speech, which was received with tumultuous 
 applause. The sentiment which called him out, offered by J. A. 
 Van Hoesen, Esq., was : — 
 
 " Old Kentucky — The battles in Mexico attest the valour of her 
 sons ! 
 
 "No one can conceive the enthusiasm which the eloquent Holt 
 called up. He concluded by relating an anecdote of Madame Quit- 
 man, the wife of the general ; said he : When the brave veteran 
 was bursting open things at Monterey, some neighbouring ladies, 
 thinking that Mrs. Quitman must feel in the depths of sorrow and 
 affliction at such terrible doings, went to condole and sympathize 
 with her — asking her if she had not dreadful feelings at the danger 
 and exposure of her husband among those ' rude-throated engines' 
 of death. She confessed that she had her feelings on the occasion, 
 among which one feeling w^as predomijiant, which was, that she 
 * would rather be the widow of a man who had fallen fighting the 
 battles of his country, than the wife of a living coward !" 
 
 We cannot close this sketch of General Quitman better, than by 
 giving extracts of a letter [October 15th, 1847] in which he gives 
 his opinion concerning the future duly of the United States, with 
 regard to Mexico. However parties may disagree on this important 
 subject, all will respect the fearlessness with which a war-worn vete- 
 ran advocates the measures that he believes right. 
 
 " I wish now, instead of an epistle written in the reception-room 
 of the successors of Cortez, I could only have you by the button for 
 
LETTER OF QUITMAN. 103 
 
 one hour ; I would run over my reflections upon the future. I will 
 not repeat what, no doubt, ere this you have been wearied of read- 
 ing. How this gallant army of nine thousand men descended into 
 this valley, broke through a line of almost impregnable batteries -— 
 in four battles defeated an enemy of thirty-five thousand, took more 
 than one hundred guns, and four thousand prisoners, and erected the 
 * glorious stars and stripes' on this palace, where, since the conquest 
 of Cortez, no stranger banner had ever waved ; but I will be guilty 
 of one egotism — I was among the first to enter the gates of the city, 
 after an obstinate defence, and it was my good fortune that, under 
 my personal orders, our flag was first raised on this palace. With 
 all this you will, however, have been surfeited in these days of 
 heroics. 
 
 " I have an opportunity to write you a line. My thoughts are 
 full of one subject, and I proceed to it in medias res. The Mexican 
 army is disbanded. The whole country, except where we govern 
 it, is in confusion. There appears to be no prospect of the estab- 
 lishment of a new government. If we desire peace, there is no 
 power, nor will there be any legitimate power with which to make 
 peace. What, then, is to be done ? I speak to you boldly, as we 
 spoke when the Texas question arose. I say, hold on to this coun- 
 try. It is its destiny. It is ours. We are compelled to this policy 
 — we cannot avoid it. 
 
 " There are but three modes of prosecuting this war. One is, to 
 increase our force to fifty thousand men, and overrun the whole 
 country, garrison every state capital, and take every considerable 
 city. The second is, to withdraw our armies from the country, and 
 take up the proposed defensive line. The third is to occupy the 
 line, or certain points in it ; and also to hold, not only the fine and 
 the ports, but this capital, preserving an open communication with 
 the gulf. This last appears to me to be the true policy of the coun- 
 try. The first has the objection of being too expensive, without the 
 prospect of any good results. It would, also, demoralize the array, 
 as a war of details always does. The second would be equally ex- 
 pensive, and would protract the war indefinitely. The last appears 
 the only practicable alternative, and it is forced upon us. If we 
 abandon this capital, in thirty days after the army of officers and 
 office-holders, (empleos,) now driven from the hive, will return and 
 re-establish a central military government, whose bond of union 
 
104 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 would be preserved by our presence upon the frontier. They would 
 keep alive this distant war on the frontier from choice, force us into 
 the necessity of keeping up stl^g garrisons from the mouth of the 
 Rio Grande to the Pacific; because, from the centre, they could 
 strike a blow upon any part of the Hne before it could be reinforced. 
 They would move on a semi-diameter, while our operations would 
 be on the circumference. If, on the other hand, the twenty thou- 
 sand disbanded officers, the military aristocracy of the country, should 
 not be able to establish a government, the country would be left in a 
 state of absolute anarchy upon our withdrawal, and would soon be 
 wasted, plundered and depopulated. It would become derelict, and 
 would be seized as a waif by some European power. Think you 
 such a prize as this splendid country is, would be long without some 
 claimant ? England would be ready to throw in an army here to 
 protect her mining interests, or to league with France to establish a 
 monarchy. I do not exaggerate, when I say that it would become 
 derelict ! (that is, utterly forsaken.) It is already prostrated. Five, 
 out of its seven millions of inhabitants, are beasts of burden, with as 
 little of intellect as the asses whose burdens they share. Of the 
 population of this city, one hundred thousand are leperos, with no 
 social tie, no wives, no children, no homes ; Santa Anna was the only 
 man who could even for a time keep together the rotten elements 
 of his corrupt government. Here in this capital we are in the pos- 
 session of all the machinery of that miserable contrivance which was 
 called the government ; out of this capital they cannot establish an- 
 other. No sensible man in this country believes it. Then it follows, 
 that if we abandon this capital, either the official jackals return and 
 set up the old carcase of the state, or reduced to anarchy, the country 
 will be seized upon by some foreign pow.er. 
 
 "On the other hand, with ten thousand men, we can hold this 
 capital and Vera Cruz, and keep open a safe communication be- 
 tween the two points. Possessing the heart, there could be no 
 sufficient force concentrated to annoy us upon the frontier line we 
 might choose to occupy. The expense would be less to hold this 
 point and the frontier line, than to occupy the latter, and leave this 
 as a rallying point for the enemy. I mean to say it would require 
 less men and less money, and would be attended with less difficulty 
 and risk, to keep this capital and the seaports, as a part of the policy 
 of the defensive line, than to adopt the latter exclusively. But by 
 
LETTER OF QUITMAN. 105 
 
 holding on to the seaports and the capital, and by keeping open the 
 communication between them, a large portion of the expenses of this 
 mode of prosecuting the war would be drawn, by very simple means, 
 from the country. The duties on imports into Vera Cruz, during 
 the month of August, with the very restricted internal commerce 
 which then existed, amounted to sixty thousand dollars. I do not 
 hesitate to say it will tlys winter amount to three times that sum per 
 month. If, then, we lay but half the duty on the exportation of 
 bullion and the precious metals, existing under the Mexican govern- 
 ment, we may readily anticipate, from these sources alone, an income 
 of three millions of dollars per annum. 
 
 " Let foreign goods be brought to this capital under our low sys- 
 tem of duties, and we should soon obtain a moral conquest over this 
 country which would bring us peace — unless, indeed, it should pro- 
 duce so violent a friendship for our institutions and government that 
 we would be unable to shake off our amiable neighbours — a contin- 
 gency, I assure you, not unlikely to occur. What then? Why, 
 the ' old hunker' will say, as he has sung since the first new state 
 was admitted — as he said when Louisiana and Florida were pur- 
 chased, and latterly when Texas was annexed, that the Union is in 
 danger, the country will be ruined, &c. &c." * * * 
 
 With a glowing account of the resources of the country, and the 
 advantages of the commercial pass of Tehuantepec, the general 
 boldly strikes out for the policy of holding the country in possession ; 
 and says : — 
 
 " Let us try the policy, and not be alarmed, because, in process 
 of time, it may result in extending our federation to the isthmus." 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 Brigadier-General David E. Twiggs is a native of Georgia. 
 His father, John Twiggs, was a major-general in the Revolution, 
 and by his valuable services obtained the title of " Saviour of Geor- 
 gia." Born in Richmond county in 1790, young Twiggs grew up 
 in the immediate sunset of the revolution, and imbibed the spirit of 
 that glorious period in his earliest teachings. Accordingly, the study 
 of law, which he commenced in Franklin College, and prosecuted 
 under General Thomas Flourney, was abandoned as soon as our 
 difficulties with England gave promise of a war. Through the 
 exertions of his father he received a commission as captain of the 
 8th infantry, March 12th, 1812. He was not entrusted with a se- 
 parate command during the war, but so far distinguished himself 
 as to receive the commendations both of government and his native 
 state. 
 
 Major Twiggs served under Generals Gaines and Jackson in the 
 difficulties with the Spaniards and the Seminole war. At the head 
 of two hundred and fifty men, he totally defeated a large party of 
 Indians, under the celebrated chief Hornetlimed. In 1817, he ac- 
 companied General Jackson in his march toward St. Augustine, and 
 was appointed to take possession of St. Marks. He was subse- 
 quently concerned in the Black Hawk war, stationed at the Augusta 
 arsenal during the national difficulties with South Carolina, and 
 then removed to New Orleans. His services in Florida, like those 
 of most other officers there, were arduous but not brilliant. On the 
 8th of June, 1836, he was appointed colonel of the 2d dragoons. 
 
 When General Taylor approached Point Isabel in his march to 
 the Rio Grande, he discovered it to be on fire. Colonel Twiggs 
 was immediately despatched with two hundred and fifty men, to 
 
 (106) 
 
GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 Page 106. 
 
TWIGGS AT PALO ALTO, ETC. 107 
 
 arrest the conflagration, and succeeded in saving a few of the houses. 
 He found the town evacuated by the authorities and military, who 
 had fled at his approach. 
 
 The dispute between Colonels Twiggs and 'Worth has already 
 been noticed. Twiggs' commission was dated June 8th, 1836, that 
 of Worth, July 7th, 1838 ; but in 1842 the latter had been brevetted 
 brigadier-general. On this circumstance he claimed precedence 
 over Twiggs, who, however, refused to yield his authority as second 
 in command. The matter was referred to General Taylor, who de- 
 cided in favour of Twicrgrs. 
 
 The following extracts are from Twiggs' own account of his ope- 
 rations on the 8th and 9th of May : 
 
 ♦' The enemy, at the distance of about half a mile, opened their 
 batteries on the right, which, being immediately responded to by 
 our two eighteen-pounders, in charge of Lieutenant Churchill, 
 brought on the action of the 8th instant. Major Ringgold's battery 
 was ordered to the right and front of the eighteen-pounders, at a 
 distance of about seven hundred yards from the enemy, when the 
 battery was opened with great efl^ect, as was shown the next day, by 
 the number of the enemy's dead found along his line. The in- 
 fantry, in the mean time, was formed in rear of the artillery, re- 
 ceiving with the greatest possible coolness the enemy's fire, and only 
 anxious for the order to rush in and participate actively in the affair. 
 
 "A regiment of the enemy's lancers was observed to move to our 
 right, apparently to gain possession of our wagon train, a few hun- 
 dred yards in rear. The 5th infantry and two pieces of Major 
 Ringgold's artillery, under the command of Lieutenant R. Ridgely, 
 were ordered to check this movement. Having gained ground to 
 the right, some four or five hundred yards, the 5th was formed in 
 square to receive a charge from the lancers, who advanced to with- 
 in fifty yards, when the opposing side of the square fired into and 
 repulsed them, having received in the mean time several irregular 
 discharges from the enemy. The lancers re-formed, and continued 
 their movement to get in rear of our right flank, when I ordered 
 the 3d to move to the right and rear, around a pond of water, and 
 prevent their progress in that direction. Seeing their movement 
 frustrated in this point, the lancers commenced a retreat in good 
 order, marching apparently by squadrons, when First Lieutenant R. 
 Ridgely, of Major Ringgold's battery, assisted by Brevet Second 
 
108 * BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 Lieutenant French, opened a fire on them, and scattered them in 
 all directions. In this affair,^e enemy lost some twenty-eight or 
 thirty men. This portion o^he right wing served in about this 
 position until the close of the action. In the mean time, Major 
 Ringgold, with the remaining two pieces of his battery, continued 
 to play on the enemy with great success. The gallant major was 
 mortally wounded by a cannon bail towards the close of the action, 
 and his horse shot under him at the same time. The army and the 
 country will long deplore the loss of so brave and accomplished an 
 officer." 
 
 For his bravery in these battles, Twiggs was promoted to the 
 brevet rank of brigadier-general. He commanded the advance at 
 the capture of Matamoras, and was appointed military governor of 
 the city. This station he occupied until the movement of the army 
 toward Monterey. Twiggs was one of the most efficient officers 
 concerned in the storming of Monterey. In the street fight he es- 
 pecially distinguished himself ; and the annexed portions of his re- 
 port will show the trials endured by his command, in the eventful 
 "three days :" 
 
 " On the morning of the 21st instant, my division advanced to- 
 ward the city. Lieutenant-Colonel J. Garland's brigade, composed 
 of the 3d and 4th regiments of regular infantry, and Captain B. 
 Bragg's horse-artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel H. Wilson's brigade, 
 composed of the 1st regiment of regular infantry, and the Wash- 
 ington and Baltimore battalion of volunteers, were ordered to the 
 east and lower end of the city, to make a diversion in favour of 
 Brevet Brigadier-General W. J. Worth's division, which was ope- 
 rating against the west and upper part of the city. It being deemed 
 practicable, an assault was ordered against two of the enemy's ad- 
 vanced works. The regular force of my division was thrown to 
 the right of the two works, with orders to take possession of some 
 houses in the city, on the right and rear of the enemy's advanced 
 position, with a view of annoying him in flank and rear. The 
 Washington and Baltimore battalion was ordered on the road leadinsf 
 directly to the works. Under a most galling and destructive fire 
 from three batteries in front and one on the right, as well as from 
 that of small arms from all the adjacent houses and stone walls, my 
 division advanced as rapidly as the ground and the stern opposition 
 of the enemy would admit of, The 1st, 3d, and 4th regiments of 
 
TWIGGS AT MONTEREY. 109 
 
 infantry gained the position to which they were ordered, and annoyed 
 the enemy in flank and rear, until he was obliged to evacuate his 
 two advanced works, which were holly pressed by General Butler's 
 division of volunteers, and the Washington and Baltimore battalion, 
 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson. 
 
 " The 3d and 4th advanced still further into the city, but finding 
 the streets strongly barricaded by heavy masses of masonry, behind 
 which batteries were placed, and the houses filled with light troops, 
 were obliged to retire to the works first taken by the volunteers. 
 The position of the enemy's batteries, and the arrangement of his 
 defences, in every street and corner, rendered it necessary for the 
 regular troops who advanced into the city to be separated, each com- 
 pany being led by its captain or immediate commander, and for the 
 time acting independently. After a most manly struggle of some 
 six hours, my men succeeded, after various repulses, in driving the 
 enemy from each and every of his positions in the suburbs. The 
 3d infantry, commanded by Major W. W. Lear, and part of the 
 4ih, all under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. Garland, led 
 off towards the right, and in the direction of one of the enemy's 
 strongest works in front of a bridge in the city. Captain B. Bragg's 
 battery accompanied the command, under a destructive fire, which 
 killed and disabled several of his men and horses, until directed to 
 retire beyond the range of small arms. 
 
 * * * * * # * 
 
 "The number of killed and wounded in this assault, shows with 
 what obstinacy each position was defended by the enemy, as well 
 as the gallantry and good conduct displayed by our officers and 
 men. 
 
 " Captain B. Bragg's battery, having suffered severely, after ad- 
 vancing some distance into the city, was obliged to withdraw to a 
 point out of range of the enemy's small arms. Captain R. Ridgely, 
 with one section of his battery, annoyed the enemy's advanced 
 works for some time in the commencement of the assault, but was 
 obliged to retire out of range of their batteries, that were playing on 
 him. Having used a twelve-pounder taken from the first work, 
 against the enemy, till the ammunition gave out, he was sent, with 
 one section of his own battery still further in advance ; but being 
 unable to accomplish much against the enemy's heavy breastworks, 
 returned to, and occupied with his battery, the first work taken from 
 10 
 
110 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 the enemy. Captains R. Ridgely and B. Bragg, and their subal- 
 terns, W. H. Shover, G. H. Thomas, J. F. Reynolds, C. L. Kil- 
 burn, and S. G. French, deseffi the highest praise for their skill 
 and good conduct under the heaviest fire of the enemy, which, when 
 an opportunity offered, was concentrated on them. In the advanced 
 works referred to were taken four officers and sixteen men, prisoners 
 of war, together with five pieces of ordnance, some ammunition and 
 small arms. Having thrown up some slight breastworks, the 1st, 
 3d, and 4th infantry, and Captain R. Ridgely's battery, occupied 
 this position until the morning of the 22d. 
 
 ******** 
 " On the 23d, the advance into the city was resumed — the in- 
 fantry working their way from house to house, supported by Cap- 
 tains R. Ridgely and B. Bragg's battery, driving the enemy before 
 them. When night closed our operations on the 23d, our men had 
 advanced to within two squares of the centre of the city." 
 
 After the surrender of the city, Twiggs occupied it with his di- 
 vision, until ordered to join General Scott on the gulf coast. He 
 assisted at the taking of Vera Cruz, and received from the com- 
 mander the honour of conducting the main attack at Sierra Gordo. 
 The annexed graphic description of the movements of his division, 
 on the night preceding the battle, is from the pen of one of its 
 number : — V 
 
 " The day preceding the battle of Sierra Gordo was one of ex- 
 ceeding beauty, more so than even many of those seen beneath a 
 tropical sun. A gentle breeze, which was wafted across the Tierra 
 Caliente from the ' Blue Gulf,' unfolded upon the summit of the 
 Sierra Gordo the gay ensign of the haughty Mexican, and at the 
 same time fioated the star-spangled banner in its balmy embrace 
 over a handful of Americans who came to battle in their country's 
 cause. Stretched along the heights behind strong fortifications, de- 
 fended by frowning cannon and bristhng bayonets, attired in all the 
 gay paraphernalia of a splendid army, lay the Mexican hosts, ga- 
 thered to defend their country from the ' northern barbarians,' who 
 laid quietly encamped in the small valley of the Plan del Rio, pa- 
 tiently awaiting the order for battle, when they should rush forth 
 upon that proud army and drive them in confusion from their strong- 
 holds. 
 
 "Among the latter party was myself — an humble soldier in the 
 
TWIGGS AT SIERRA GORDO. Ill 
 
 cause — seated in my tent. I thought of the home I had left behind 
 me, and the friends I had forsaken, to struggle amid strangers in a 
 foreign land — the many chances against me in the game of life and 
 death that is for ever going on in the midst of an army. I thought 
 myself dreaming ; but I could not lay that ' flattering unction to my 
 soul.' It was too true — the reality was too plain. I was a soldier, 
 and upon the eve of a battle, with many chances of being victimized 
 by a Mexican bullet. Well, well, thought I, if I am killed, it shall 
 be gloriously in defence of my country's honour; my name, among 
 others, will be handed down to posterity, printed on the page of 
 history, and ' enrolled upon the scroll of fame,' an example to future 
 belligerent young gentlemen that the 'pride and pomp of glorious 
 war,' no matter how imposing, does not counterbalance its ' circum- 
 stance' in the scale of life. 
 
 "I looked out upon the camp : my fellow-soldiers were engaged 
 in various occupations. Some, thinking of the approaching contest, 
 were preparing their arms and ammunition to do bloody work ; 
 others, thinking of their latter end, were writing their wills and fare- 
 well letters to their friends ; others, like Sergeant Dalgetty, thinking 
 of their provant, were cooking ; others, thinking that they were 
 brave, were talking in loud tones of the valorous deeds they intend- 
 ed to perform on the morrow ; others, thinking that battles were 
 dangerous things, were musing on the chances of going through 
 safely ; and others still, thinking of nothing at all, were whistling, 
 singing, and playing cards. I was thinking of all these things, 
 when I was suddenly startled by the sullen booming of a cannon in 
 the direction of Sierra Gordo ; then another and another ; then the 
 rapid roll of musketry and successive cracks of rifles. It was all 
 too plain that the battle had commenced. General Twiggs had been 
 ordered in the morning to take the position assigned his division, 
 and protect the detail engaged in making a road for our artillery, 
 and the enemy had attempted to drive him back. The fight raged 
 with violence for some moments. Those ancient hills shook with 
 the thunder of artillery — the valleys re-echoed the sound of small- 
 arms. I thought of the many souls that took their departure from 
 earth with each discharge — of the mangled limbs and painful looks 
 and cries of the wounded. I had been under fire before ; but some- 
 how this seemed like getting into closer quarters than formerly. I 
 said not a word, but, like Paddy's owl, I kept up ' a thinking.' 
 
 l2 
 
112 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 " Up to this time it had been the impression that our brigade 
 would be held in reserve ; hence the nonchalance manifested by 
 most of the corps ; but this jifasant hallucination was banished by 
 the 'long roll,' beaten by 'old Brown,' the drum-major — a very 
 Paganini on the drum. Our colonel had prevailed on General 
 Scott to order us in the advance to support Twiggs. All thinking 
 now ceased ; he who was cleaning his musket quickly shouldered 
 it ; the letter-writer closed his mournful epistle ; the cook left his 
 supper at the mercy of the fire ; the gasconading youth was silent, 
 and hoped from the bottom of his heart that it was a false alarm ; 
 the silent thinker calmly equipped himself; the musician halted in 
 the middle of a tune ; the card-players threw down their hands, 
 and, instead of shuffling the papers, thought of shuffling off this 
 mortal coil, 
 
 "The drums beat a merry tune as the companies marched into 
 their places. The words, ' Attention — shoulder arms !' from our 
 adjutant, made every man a soldier; and the regiment was formed 
 — as fine a body of men as ever took the field. Our gallant colonel 
 drew his good sword, and, glancing proudly upon us, gave the com- 
 mand, 'By the right flank — right face — forward — march !' And 
 away we went. As we reached the road, I glanced behind me 
 upon our camp. The fires burned with lurid flickering flame ; the 
 camp-kettles, brimming full of good ' bean-soup,' sung a mournful 
 song ; our poor invalids, unable to follow us to the field of glory, 
 gazed with tearful eyes upon their departing comrades, and mourned 
 not so much because they could not go as because we were going. 
 On we went at a smashing pace, and, having three miles to go, just 
 as we were ascending the first hill between our camp and the enemy, 
 we met Sergeant Scott, General Twiggs' orderly, coming at a forced 
 gallop with a prisoner seated upon the crupper of his horse. Scott 
 was a giant in comparison with the diminutive form of the Mexican, 
 who grasped him about the waist and held on, as you have seen a 
 dirty-faced urchin while riding behind his daddy, his ear glued to 
 Scott's back, as if osculating his spine. At every bound of the horse 
 his body flew out in a direct line from that of the sergeant's ; and 
 when he struck the horse again — oh, awful, awful, indeed, was the 
 shock ! Thus had Scott ridden with him for three miles ; and I 
 guess the Mexican did not much admire that kind of transportation. 
 This is the way that Sergeant Scott takes prisoners. It is said that 
 
TWIGGS AT SIERRA GORDO. 113 
 
 he has taken a prisoner in every fight in which his general has par- 
 ticipated. 
 
 "Immediately after Scott, followed a wounded soldier leaning 
 upon his comrade. Never shall I forget the look of that man ; his 
 arm had been shattered by a shot and hung powerless, while a 
 stream of blood poured from a severed artery, flooding his whole 
 side ; yet not a look betrayed the least emotion of pain. He had 
 sacrificed his good right arm in his country's cause, and he rejoiced 
 in the sacrifice. 
 
 "About five o'clock, P. M., we reached the vicinity of Twiggs; 
 as we approached his position we met many of the wounded return- 
 ing from the field ; and immediately in his neighbourhood we came 
 upon the surgeons at their bloody work. To hear the groans of some, 
 and even to witness the fortitude of others of the mangled soldiers, 
 was truly heart-rending : there lay men in the agonies of death, and 
 there lay lifeless bodies, which but a few moments before had moved 
 in the full enjoyment of all their facuhies, now wrapped for ever in 
 the cold embrace of death. 
 
 " We found that the enemy had retired behind his batteries with 
 great loss, leaving Twiggs to bivouack upon his hard-earned field. 
 We were immediately reported to the old veteran, and directed to 
 pile arms and await further orders, which soon came for a detail of 
 one hundred men from each regiment (we having brigaded with the 
 3d Illinois and 1st New York regiments) for the purpose of placing 
 in battery a twenty-four-pounder upon the summit of an immense hill 
 lying between us and the Sierra Gordo. The gun was of immense 
 weight; the hill steep and rugged; but the < suckers' were hitched 
 on, and up that dreadful engine went, tearing down trees and crush- 
 ing huge rocks in its course. 
 
 " This work occupied a great portion of the night ; and when the 
 piece was placed in battery, the men who played horses had the 
 satisfaction of reflecting that the feat they had performed excelled 
 any thing in the annals of warfare. 
 
 ' "This tremendous task performed, pickets were placed, and the 
 army sunk upon the blood-stained rocks to slumber, only to awake 
 on the morrow in order to imbrue their hands once more in the blood 
 of the degenerate sons of the Aztecs. Having no musket, I went in 
 search of one, and upon the bloody battle-field I found it. It was 
 formerly the property, of a regular; its once bright barrel and glist- 
 10* 
 
114 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 ening bayonet were dimmed with human gore. Oh, how loth was 
 I to touch it ; but self-preservation said ' take it ;' and grasping it, I 
 sought a spot clear of rocks ori^hich to stretch my weary hmbs. It 
 was hard to find, and I made no choice, but laid myself cautiously 
 down with my head upon a stone and my gun by my side. I tried 
 to sleep ; but sleep seemed for ever banished : as often as I closed 
 my eyes, a bloody soldier sprang up and seemed to warn me of my 
 fate. A thousand visions flitted across my mind. I saw war in all 
 its hideous forms ; I saw the weeping widows and orphans, and 
 childless parents, when at the village post-office the bulletin of this 
 battle should be read. I heard the loud hurra of the nation over the 
 glorious victory, and saw her mourn for the loss of her sons. I saw 
 red-mouthed cannon belching forth death and destruction upon our 
 little army ; and I saw my companions falhng around me like the 
 withered leaves of autumn." 
 
 Twiggs carried the strong work of Sierra Gordo, the key of the 
 entire position, and after the victory pushed on with rapid marches 
 after the fugitives. Next day he entered Jalapa, of which he took 
 undisputed possession. 
 
 In the march toward the capital, Twiggs' troops encountered 
 hardships more frightful than even those on the battle-field ; and in 
 turning Lake Chalco, near Penon, they were obliged to drag their 
 cannon over rocks and ravines, and rugged lava, where horses were 
 entirely useless. During the battles of the 19th and 20th of August, 
 they fought and marched all day, and at night lay amid drenching 
 rains, with tents without blankets, on bare rocks. Their bearing 
 under these trials elicited the applause of every one, and was no- 
 ticed by General Scott in terms of high commendation. 
 
 Twiggs was not concerned in the attack on MoHno del Rey, al- 
 though one brigade (Riley's) from his division formed the reserve 
 of the assailing force. The following extracts show the part he took 
 in the storming of Chapultepec : — 
 
 " Steptoe's twelve-pounder battery was placed in position during 
 the night of the 11th, and by daylight in the morning was enabled 
 to open on the enemy's batteries, situated at the garita in the San 
 Antonio road ; and between that and the San Angel road the firing 
 was kept up briskly during the day on both sides, with but little 
 loss to us, who were protected by a good temporary breastwork. On 
 the morning of the 13th the firing was renewed with great spirit, 
 
TWIGGS AT CHAPULTEPEC* 115 
 
 which compelled the enemy to withdraw his guns from the garita, 
 within the protection of the city walls. 
 
 " Smith's brigade was now ordered to proceed in the direction of 
 Chapultepec, and support one of the columns of attack, commanded 
 by Major-General Gluitman. With the stormers from my division 
 in front of the road, the attackinor column on the left, and Smith's 
 brigade on the right of it, the force advanced in the face of a well- 
 directed fire from a battery at the base of Chapultepec, near a point 
 where the aqueduct leaves it, and also from musketry she he red by 
 the aqueduct, and by breastworks across and on each side of the 
 road. When within charging distance, the stormers, with the as- 
 sistance of the right of Smith's brigade, which had been thrown for- 
 ward toward the aqueduct, rushed on the enemy's guns, drove off 
 or killed the cannoneei-s, and took possession of this strong point. 
 Smith's brigade having advanced three companies of mounted rifle- 
 men considerably to its right, to protect the right of Gluitman's divi- 
 sion, they were found near the first battery when the stormers were 
 about attacking, and were thus enabled to enter with the advance. 
 The brigade pushed on and captured a second battery in the rear 
 of the first, when several guns and many prisoners were taken ; 
 after some brisk skirmishing, the enemy was finally driven from 
 every point on the east of the hill, and were pursued on the Saft 
 Cosme road some distance by the storming party, under the com- 
 mand of Captain Paul, 7th infantry ; this party having been over- 
 taken by the 1st division, and their specific duties as stormers having 
 been accomplished, were ordered to return and rejoin their respective 
 regiments. 
 
 " Early in the action. Captain Casey, 2d infantry, who command- 
 ed the storming party from my division, was severely wounded, and 
 obhged to retire. The command devolving upon Captain Paul, Tth 
 infantry. Lieutenant Gantt, Tth infantry, with a portion of the party, 
 was ordered to cross the ditch on the left of the road, and proceed 
 further to the left of the base of Chapultepec, and, by scaling the 
 wall, gain admittance to the body of the work. This gallant officer 
 was shot dead at the head of his men ; the command of this party 
 devolving upon Lieutenant Steele, 2d infantry, who led his men on 
 with intrepidity and success. ****** 
 
 " Smith's brigade — the riflemen leading, supported by an eight- 
 inch howitzer, in charge of the late and gallant Captain Drum, 4th 
 
116 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 artillery — carried a battery near the Casa Colorada, half way to the 
 garita on the Chapultepec road. The command was here reorganized 
 by the senior officer, Major-(^neral Quitman, with the mounted 
 riflemen again in the advance, supported by the South Carohna re- 
 giment — the remainder of Smith's brigade being in reserve — and 
 charged the battery at the garita ; the reserve pushing up, arrived 
 at the battery at the same moment with the advance, and entered 
 the city at twenty minutes past one o'clock, P. M. The brigade 
 occupied buildings within the city during the night, and, the enemy 
 having in the mean time abandoned the city, our forces took posses- 
 sion of it on the morning of the 14th. Our national colours were 
 planted on the enemy's palace by a non-commissioned officer of the 
 mounted rifles at seven o'clock, A. M. 
 
 " Until late in the afternoon of the 13th, Riley's brigade, with 
 Steptoe's and Taylor's batteries, were kept in the Piedad road to 
 watch the enemy in that quarter. It formed a junction with the 1st 
 division on the San Cosme road early in the night of the 13th." 
 
 For the remaining operations of Twiggs' command, we refer the 
 reader to the lives of Scott, Quitman and Pillow. Twiggs is now 
 with the commander at the capital. Few officers can boast of more 
 valuable service than he has rendered, and the verdict of his nation 
 has placed him among those whom she delights to honour. 
 
GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 Brevet Brigadier-General Persifor F. Smith has but recently- 
 entered the army, in which he now occupies so honourable a station. 
 He is a native of Pennsylvania, although appointed from Louisiana. 
 His first commission as colonel of mounted rifles, is dated May 27th, 
 1846, and he was brevetted brigadier-general in September of the 
 same year. 
 
 Smith's first services in his new profession were brilliant and use- 
 ful. He formed part of General Worth's division, and was in- 
 trusted by that officer with the storming of the forts near the Bishop's 
 Palace. His troops marched through extensive corn-fields, over 
 rocks and ledges, and through a branch of the San Juan river, while 
 it was plashing and foaming with the Mexican shot. The enthu- 
 siasm with which they attacked the forts, entering them at a perfect 
 rush, was not surpassed by any achievement of that eventful day. 
 For his manner of conducting the attack, and his subsequent ser- 
 vices, General Smith is mentioned by Worth among those whom it 
 was " his pleasing and grateful duty to present to the consideration 
 of the general-in-chief, and through him to the government." After 
 the capitulation, he was appointed to receive the surrender of the 
 citadel, a ceremony which he conducted with forbearance and deli- 
 cacy to the unhappj'' and humiliated foe. 
 
 General Smith was prevented by sickness from participating in 
 the battle of Sierra Gordo, but at Contreros and the succeeding ac- 
 tions, he acted a most conspicuous part. We give extracts from his 
 official account of these victories : — 
 
 "On the 19th instant, my brigade, with the rest of the division, 
 marched from San Augustin to cover the division of General Pil- 
 low opening the road from San Augustin to that which runs through 
 this place to the city, in order to turn the position of San Antonio. 
 
 (117) 
 
118 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 Advancing about one and a half mile, we Were met by the fire of 
 the Mexican batteries opposit^^ us on the San Angel road. Be- 
 tween us was about a half mile of lava rocks, almost impassable for 
 a single footman, then a slope down towards a ravine, on the oppo- 
 site bank of which were the road and the enemy's works, on a 
 height called Contreros. The front faced us, and the left flank 
 swept the road below it, a turn forwards in the road bringing the 
 work directly in the prolongation of the lower part of the road. The 
 work had upwards of twenty large guns, was full of infantry, and 
 large masses of cavalry and infantry were behind it and on its flanks. 
 Magruder's battery was ordered forward to a position in front of the 
 enemy, and partially covered by a ledge of rocks. My brigade was 
 ordered to follow and support it, and cover the advance of the party 
 making the road. We went forward under a very heavy fire, and 
 took a position on the left of Magruder's battery. We found Lieu- 
 tenant Callender's howitzer battery at this point. When we took 
 this direction, Riley's brigade was sent to the right. Magruder's 
 battery and the howitzer battery w^ere soon disabled, and, on ex- 
 amining the ground, it was evident that we were advancing by the 
 only path that crossed the broken bed of lava, and on which the 
 enemy were prepared to receive us, having cleared away all the 
 bushes that obstructed their view. The guns could go no further, 
 and the infantry would, on its march down the slope, be exposed to 
 a terrible fire, without knowing whether the crossing of the ravine 
 below was possible. Being isolated from the division, I determined 
 to try one of the enemy's flanks ; and that on our right being pre- 
 ferable, as it would cut off' his retreat, I determined to move in that 
 direction. Captain Magruder was directed to open his fire as we 
 passed his rear, to occupy the enemy, and mask our movements to 
 the right. This he did most effectua]l3s though suffering from a 
 great loss, especially of officers. 
 
 " To replace this loss, Lieutenant Haskins and twenty men were 
 detached from Major Dimick's regiment, and three companies of the 
 3d infantry were left to support him. With great difficulty we suc- 
 ceeded in crossing the rock for near a mile, and descended towards 
 the village of Encelda, whose church was visible among the trees. 
 As we emerged from the rocks, we saw immense numbers of troops, 
 cavalry and infantry, approaching from Mexico, and forming on the 
 slope on the opposite side of the village. We crossed two small 
 
SMITH AT CONTREROS. 119 
 
 Streams at the bottom of deep and difficult gulleys, and found some 
 of our troops in the village, they proving to be four regiments, 
 chiefly of General Pillow's division, and under command of Gene- 
 ral Cadwalader, who immediately reported to me. The village lay 
 entirely on the other side of the main road, and a small stream ran 
 between them at the bottom of a ravine. On the road, and between 
 it and the stream was a garden and house surrounded by a high and 
 tolerably strong stone wall. The village was intersected by narrow 
 lanes lying between high dikes enclosing gardens full of trees and 
 shrubbery — the lanes affording cover, and the trees concealment for 
 the men. At the centre stood an old stone church. I drew Gene- 
 ral Cadwalader's force up in the outer edge of the village, facing 
 the enemy — placed the 3d infantry and rifles in column by company, 
 left in front, on the right flank — occupied the church with Lieu- 
 tenant Smith's engineer company and Captain Irwin's company of 
 the llth regiment — placed Major Dimick's regiment in the garden 
 on the road, to secure that avenue and our rear. 
 
 " The enemy was now formed opposite to us in two lines — the 
 infantry in front and cavalry in the rear — about ten thousand strong. 
 It was now after sunset, when Colonel Riley's brigade arrived. It 
 had crossed and gone up towards Contreros [entrenched camp] and 
 driven off" strong parties of the enemy. I now ordered an attack 
 on the enemy's right, intending to attack in two columns — Colonel 
 Riley's on the left, and General Cadwalader's on the right of the 
 former — retired in echellon ; but before the troops could be dis- 
 engaged from the thickets, [the officers being without horses,] it 
 was so dark that the enemy's line could not be seen, and the order 
 for attack was countermanded. General Cadwalader took position 
 again in the outer edge of the village ; Riley's brigade parallel to 
 it in a long line inside ; the rifles, under Major Loring, on his right, 
 and the 3d infantry in the church-yard. The troops were without 
 shelter or fire, and it rained all night. At this time Lieutenant 
 Tower reported that he had been at the ravine towards the rear of 
 the enemy's works at Contreros, and thought it practicable for in- 
 fantry, though very difficult. We had now in front and on our left 
 flank, eighteen thousand Mexicans, with between twenty-five and 
 thirty guns — among the troops six or seven thousand cavalry. We 
 were, at most, three thousand three hundred strong, and without ar- 
 tillery or cavalry ; and it was evident we could only maintain our 
 
120 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 position, which was of the utmost importance to the commanding 
 general, by the most prompt and energetic action. I therefore di- 
 rected an attack on the work^t Contreros, [the entrenched camp,] 
 by turning their rear before day ; and Captain Lee, of the engineers, 
 offered to return to General Scott, (a most difficult task,) and inform 
 him of our position, and that I would march out at three o'clock, 
 A. M., so that any diversion that he could make in our favour from 
 that side might be prepared accordingly. 
 
 " At precisely three o'clock in the morning of the 20th, the troops 
 commenced their march. It had rained all night, and the men had 
 lain in the mud, without fire, and suffering from cold. It rained 
 now, and was so dark that an object six feet off could not be seen. 
 The men were ordered to keep within touch of each other, so that 
 the rear could not go astray. Lieutenant Tower, of the engineers, 
 with Lieutenant Brooks, acting assistant adjutant-general of the 2d 
 division, now acting in my staff, had, during the night, reconnoitred 
 the pass, to assure the practicability of the march. The path was 
 narrow, full of rocks and mud, and so difiicult was the march that 
 it was daylight before the head of Cadwalader's brigade got out of 
 the village, where the path descends to the ravine ; and as the 
 march was by a flank, the command was stretched out thrice its 
 length. Having followed up the ravine to a point where it seemed 
 possible to get at the rear of the work, the head was halted, and the 
 rear closed up ; many loads that were wet were drawn, and Riley 
 formed two columns by divisions. 
 
 " He thus advanced further up the ravine, turning to his left, and 
 rising over the bank, stood fronting the rear of the work, but still 
 sheltered from its fire by a slight acclivity before him. Having re- 
 formed his ranks, he ascended the top of the hill, and was in full 
 view of the enemy, who immediately opened a warm fire, not only 
 from the work, but on his right flank. Throwing out his two first 
 divisions as skirmishers, he rushed down the slope to the work. 
 The engineer company and rifles had been thrown across an inter- 
 vening ravine, under the brow of the slope, and from that position 
 swept it in front of his column, and then, inclining towards their left, 
 joined in the attack on the troops outside of the left bank of the fort. 
 In the mean time. General Cadwalader followed the route taken by 
 Riley, and forming his columns as the troops came up, moved on 
 to his (Riley's) support. The first brigade had been ordered to fol- 
 
SMITH AT CONTREROS. 121 
 
 low the same route ; but, while it weis still marching in that direc- 
 tion by its right flank up the ravine, and nearly opposite the work, 
 seeing a large body of the enemy on its left flank, I ordered Major 
 Dimick to face the brigade to the left, and, advancing in line, attack 
 this force in flank. This was done in the finest style, and the 1st 
 artillery and 3d infantry, mounting the bank of the ravine, rushing 
 down the next, and up its opposite bank, met the enemy outside of 
 the work just as Riley's brigade poured into it, and the whole giving 
 way. Cavalry, formed in line for the charge, yielding to the bayo- 
 nets of our foot, the rout was complete, while Riley's brigade cleared 
 the work, and planted their colours on it. The two first pieces cap- 
 tured, which fell into the hands of the 4th artillery, proved to be 
 the pieces lost (but without loss of honour) by a company of that 
 very regiment at Buena Vista. Leaving a force to collect and guard 
 the captured ordnance, the pursuit was continued down the road. 
 
 " This, it will be recollected, passed not more than half a mile 
 off the garden and house occupied by a part of Greneral Shields' 
 brigade, placed there to intercept the retreat of the enemy. This 
 skilful and gallant officer, when we marched, had spread his men 
 over the hne we had occupied, and directed them to make fires to- 
 wards daylight, as though preparing their breakfast. The enemy 
 in front had, during the night, placed batteries along the line, and 
 in the morning moved detachments forward to take in flank the at- 
 tack he saw we were meditating the night before, which he was 
 prepared to meet ; supposing, from the indications he found, that 
 we were still in force in the village. When, after daylight, he saw 
 a column moving on Contreros, [the entrenched camp,]] and already 
 prepared to turn it, he must have supposed we had been strongly 
 reinforced ; for his movements to and fro indicated great perplexity. 
 His doubts were soon resolved, however, by the loss of Contreros, 
 [the camp,] and he immediately commenced a hasty retreat along 
 the top of the hill, inclining towards the San Angel road. Shields' 
 force (five or six hundred men) having, under his skilful direction, 
 thus disposed of one enemy, he turned to the other, who, in their 
 flight, found themselves intercepted at the garden, and, under the 
 sure fire of the South Carohna regiment, broke away over the op- 
 posite fields, and, taking shelter in the ditches and ravines, escaped, 
 many of them, to the rocks. Two squadrons of cavalry, either by 
 chance or a wise design, in a narrow part of the road between the 
 11 
 
122 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 wall and dyke, laid down their arms, and so choked the way, that 
 the pursuit was interrupted for upwards of twenty minutes, which 
 sufficed (we having no caval^ for the safety of many of the fugi- 
 tives. A large body escaped upwards towards the mountains. I 
 did not pursue them, being entirely out of our direction. 
 
 " Accounts from Mexican officers, intercepted since the battle, 
 inform us that there were seven thousand in and about Contreros, 
 [the entrenched camp,] commanded by General Valencia, and up- 
 wards of twelve thousand in front of Encelda, [or the hamlet of 
 Contreros,] in reserve, commanded by General Santa Anna. We 
 killed seven hundred, and took fifteen hundred prisoners, among 
 them s'everal generals. We captured twenty-two pieces of brass 
 ordnance, viz : four Spanish sixteen-pounders, four eight-inch how- 
 itzers, two five and a half-inch howitzers, six six-pounders, and six 
 smaller pieces, with a large amount of shells and other ammunition. 
 We also took seven hundred pack mules and many horses, and an 
 immense number of small-arms, which we destroyed. After direct- 
 ing the prisoners and property to be collected, I directed the pursuit 
 to be continued, and was forming the column, when General Twiggs 
 arrived. He immediately ordered the most vigorous pursuit, and 
 we moved forwards. As we approached San Angel, the rifles were 
 again thrown forward as skirmishers, and entered the town at the 
 heels of the enemy's lancers, capturing an ammunition wagon. 
 Here General Pillow assumed command, and at Coyoacan the 
 commander-in-chief. ******* 
 
 " At this time the tremendous fire from the neighbourhood of the 
 church, showed clearly, not only that there was a strong force sta- 
 tioned there, but that there was also a more considerable work than 
 was at first supposed ; but being all surrounded by very high corn, 
 its form could not be discovered. It afterwards proved that the 
 place was regularly fortified. The church buildings formed a large 
 square ; the lower front towards us was chiefly a wall scafTolded for 
 infantry. Behind it rose a higher building, also covered with infan- 
 try ; behind it the church, and the high steeple on its right flank, 
 also filled with men. In front of the first was a curtain, connecting 
 two salient angles which flanked it, and were continued back to the 
 side walls of the church. It was garrisoned by about two thousand 
 men, and mounted seven pieces. What was supposed the one-gun 
 battery, was the right sahent angle which enfiladed the road from 
 
SMITH AT CHURUBUSCO. 123 
 
 Coyoacan ; so that when the 1st artillery attempted to turn it, they 
 found themselves in front of this curtain, and exposed to all the mus- 
 ketry of the walls beyond. They, however, stood their ground 
 with great loss, getting such cover as the ground afforded, and firinor 
 at the embrasures when opportunity offered. It was now reported 
 that the other brigade (Riley's) was ordered round to the right of 
 the work, and General Pillow's division to its left. I therefore 
 ordered the 2d infantry to be ready, so soon as the fire of these corps 
 began to tell, to advance under the cover of some huts near the 
 right bastion, and, after silencing the fire of its musketry, to assault 
 it. In the mean time, Taylor's battery had continued its fire 
 uninterrupted by the severest shower of grape, canister, mwsketry, 
 round shot and shell, within short musket range, that was ever 
 witnessed. The conduct of Captain Taylor, Lieutenant French, 
 and the men who remained unhurt, was the admiration of all who 
 witnessed it. The pieces were served as though on drill, while 
 two of the officers. Lieutenants Martin and Boynton, and twenty 
 men wounded, and fifteen horses crippled, laid around, and testified 
 to the danger of their position. Hearing now the fire from the 
 other corps, and finding that of the work to be less steady, I directed 
 Captain Alexander (commanding the 3d infantry) to advance to the 
 position indicated, and commence his work. 
 
 "After clearing the ramparts partially of their men, the 3d 
 rushed over the bastion, led by Captain J. M. Smith and Lieu- 
 tenant Shepherd, and their companies, and a part of the 1st artil- 
 ler}'-, over the curtain, when the garrison held out a white flag, and 
 surrendered to Captain Smith, who was fortunate enough to be 
 the first in the work. Many had escaped from the back of the 
 church ; but one hundred and four officers, among them several 
 generals, and eleven hundred and fifty-five men were counted after 
 the surrender. It is proper here to observe, in order to prevent 
 errors hereafter, that after Captain Alexander's command had 
 received the surrender of the garrison, and had gone up into the 
 gallery of the front house with General Rincon, from which he was 
 displaying the colours of his regiment, a staff officer from another 
 division, who had seen the while flag still flying, rode into the 
 work to receive the surrender which had been made some time 
 before to Captain Alexander. Seven pieces of brass cannon, 
 much ammunition and small-arms, the prisoners before mentioned, 
 
 m2 
 
124 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 and an important position, "were the fruits of this victory. I should 
 have mentioned before that Captain Craig had in the morning 
 rejoined the regiment with iW three companies left with Captain 
 Magruder; and those companies of riflemen who had been left 
 in the pedregal, [field of rocks and lava,] had also joined the 
 regiment." 
 
 General Smith was appointed one of the negotiators for the 
 armistice, and took an active part in the subsequent operations be- 
 fore the capital; the detailed accounts of which have been given 
 elsewhere. He is now with the commander-in-chief, at the 
 capital. 
 
GENERAL SHIELDS. 
 
 Page 125. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS. 
 
 Brigadier-General James Shields, though appointed to the 
 army from Illinois, is a native of Ireland. He marched with the 
 Central Division, under General Wool, but left on its arrival at Mon- 
 clova, thus losing an opportunity to participate in the battle of Buena 
 Vista. He was at the siege of Vera Cruz, and in the battle of Sierra 
 Gordo received a musket-ball through the lungs. His recovery 
 from this wound seems almost miraculous. 
 
 The services he performed on the 19th and 20th of August, to- 
 gether with his admirable deception of the enemy during their 
 retreat from Contreros, we give in his own words : 
 
 " Directing my march upon the village near Contreros, the troops 
 had to pass over ground covered with rocks and crags, and filled 
 with chasms, which rendered the road almost impassable. A deep 
 rugged ravine, along the bed of which rolled a rapid stream, was 
 passed, after dark, with great difficulty and exertion ; and to rest 
 the wearied troops after crossing, I directed them to lie upon their 
 arms until midnight. While occupying this position, two strong 
 pickets, thrown out by my orders, discovered, fired upon, and drove 
 back a body of Mexican infantry moving through the fields in a 
 direction from their position towards the city. I have since learned 
 that an attempt had in like manner been made by the enemy to 
 pass the position on the main road occupied by the 1st regiment of 
 artillery, and with a hke want of success. About midnight I again 
 resumed the march, and joined Brigadier-General Smith in the vil- 
 lage already referred to. 
 
 " General Smith, previous to my arrival, had made the most judi- 
 cious arrangement for turning and surprising the Mexican position 
 about daybreak, and with which I could not wish to interfere. This 
 11* (125) 
 
126 BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS. 
 
 cast upon my command the necessity of holding the position to be 
 evacuated by General Smith, and which was threatened by the 
 enemy's artillery and infantr}^n the right, and a large force of his 
 cavalry on the left. About daybreak the enemy opened a brisk fire 
 of grape and round shot upon the church and village in which my 
 brigade was posted, as also upon a part of our own troops displayed 
 to divert him on his right and front — evidently unaware of the 
 movement in progress to turn his position by the left and rear. 
 This continued until Colonel Riley's brigade opened its fire from 
 the rear, which was delivered with such terrible effect, that the 
 whole Mexican force was thrown into the utmost consternation. 
 
 "At this juncture, I ordered the two regiments of my command 
 to throw themselves on the main road, by which the enemy must 
 retire, to intercept and cut off his retreat ; and, although officers 
 and men had suffered severely during the march of the night, and 
 from exposure without shelter or cover to the incessant rain until 
 daybreak, this movement was executed in good order, and with ra- 
 pidity. The Palmetto regiment, crossing a deep ravine, deployed 
 on both sides of the road, and opened a most destructive fire upon the 
 mingled masses of infantry and cavalry ; and the New York regi- 
 ment, brought into line lower down, and on the roadside, delivered 
 its fire with a like effect. At this point many of the enemy were 
 killed and wounded ; some three hundred and sixty-five captured, 
 of which twenty-five w^ere officers, and amongst the latter was 
 General Nicolas Mendoza. 
 
 " In the meanwhile the enemy's cavalry, about three thousand 
 strong, which had been threatening our position during the morning, 
 moved down towards us in good order, and as if to attack. I imme- 
 diately recalled the infantry, to place them in position to meet the 
 threatened movement ; but soon the cavalry changed its direction 
 and retreated toward the capital. I now received an order from 
 General Twiggs to advance by the main road towards Mexico ; and 
 having posted Captain Marshall's company of South Carolina 
 volunteers and Captain Taylor's New York volunteers, in charge 
 of the prisoners and wounded, I moved off with the remainder of 
 my force, and joined the positions of the 2d and 3d divisions, already 
 en route on the main road. On this march we were joined by the 
 general-in-chief, who assumed command of the whole, and the march 
 continued uninterrupted until we arrived before Churubusco. Here 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS. 127 
 
 the enemy was found strongly fortified, and posted with his main 
 
 force — probably twenty-five thousand. 
 
 « * * ****** 
 
 "Leaving Coyoacan by a left-hand road, and advancing about a 
 mile upon it, I moved thence with my command towards the right, 
 through a heavy corn-field, and gained an open but swampy field, 
 in which is situated the hacienda de los Partales. On the edge of this 
 field, beyond the hacienda, I discovered the road by which the ene- 
 my must retire from Churubusco, and found that his reserve of about 
 four thousand infantry already occupied it, just in rear of the town. 
 As my command arrived, I established the right upon a point re- 
 commended by Captain Lee, engineer officer, in whose skill and 
 judgment I had the utmost confidence, and commenced a move- 
 ment to the left to flank the enemy on his right, and throw my troops 
 between him and the city ; but finding his right supported by a 
 heavy body of cavalry of some three thousand strong, and seeing, 
 too, that with his infantry he answered to my movements by a cor- 
 responding one towards his right flank, gaining ground faster than 
 I could, owing to the heavy mud and swamp through which I had 
 to operate, I withdrew the men to the cover of the hacienda, and 
 determined to attack him upon his front. I selected the Palmetto 
 regiment as the base of my line, and this gallant regiment moved 
 forward firmly and rapidly, under a fire of musketry as terrible, 
 perhaps, as any which soldiers ever faced ; the New York, 12th 
 and 15th deployed gallantly on the right, and the 9th on the left, 
 and the whole advanced, opening their fire as they came up, and 
 moving steadily forward. The enemy began to waver, and when 
 my order to charge was given, the men rushed upon and scattered 
 his broken ranks. As we reached the road, the advance of Worth's 
 command appeared, driving the enemy from his stronghold of Chu- 
 rubusco. I took command of the front, and continued in pursuit 
 until passed by Harney with his cavalry, who followed the routed 
 foe into the very gates of the city. 
 
 " In this terrible battle, in which a strongly-fortified enemy fought 
 behind his works, under the walls of his capital, our loss is neces- 
 sarily severe. This loss, I regret to say, has fallen most severely 
 upon my command. In the two regiments of my own brigade, 
 numbering about six hundred in the fight, the loss is reported two 
 hundred and forty in killed and wounded. 
 
128 BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS. 
 
 " In this last engagement my command captured three hundred 
 and eighty prisoners, including six officers. Of this number forty- 
 two had deserted from the i^^erican army during the war, and at 
 their head we found the notorious O'Reilly, who had fought against 
 our troops at Monterey and elsewhere. A particular and detailed 
 report of the loss, as also of the prisoners captured by this command, 
 accompanies this report." 
 
 In the recent glorious battles of Mexico, Shields has exhibited 
 the same reckless daring, the same impetuosity and ability which 
 he evinced at Sierra Gordo. He again received a severe, though 
 not dangerous wound. 
 
 The personal appearance of the general is thus described by a 
 visitor during his recent tour to the United States, where he still 
 remains. 
 
 " In the saloon we saw the gallant General Shields. He is stouter 
 than when we saw him, some two years since, at General Taylor's 
 camp at Camargo. He then, in his undress military uniform, 
 looked like an elegant gentleman. He had not a wrinkle on his 
 brow, and his countenance ever wore a smile. His beard was 
 closely shaven, and his eyes were lighted up with the brilliant fire 
 of hope. And yet, how a short term of service alters a man ? 
 Yesterday he looked hke the hero of many wars. His brow was 
 seamed with the lines of fatigue and suffering, and his upper hp 
 was garnished with a thick moustache. His complexion was 
 bronzed, his arm, from a late wound, hung in a sling; but his eye 
 was still brilliant with martial fire. There were hundreds who 
 flocked around him and sought to grasp his hand, and all were re- 
 ceived by him with the most cordial warmth and friendship. Those 
 around looked upon the gallant hero with feelings of respect and 
 admiration, and there was not one in that broad saloon who went 
 out, without saying in his heart, ' that man is a true soldier.' " 
 
BEIGADIER-GENEEAL LANE. 
 
 Brigadier-General Joseph Lane is a native of North Carolina, 
 but was appointed to the army from Illinois. He entered the army 
 July 1st, 1846, and marched to Mexico as one of General Wool's 
 column. The following is his own account of his operations at 
 Buena Vista : — 
 
 "About nine o'clock I was informed by Colonel Churchill that 
 the enemy were advancing toward my position in great force, shel- 
 tering themselves, in a deep ravine which runs up towards the 
 mountain directly in my front. I immediately put my columns in 
 motion, consisting of those eight battalion companies, and Lieutenant 
 O'Brien's battery, amounting in all to about four hundred men, to 
 meet them. The enemy, when they deployed from the ravine and 
 appeared on the ridge, displayed a force of about four thousand in- 
 fantry, supported by a large body of lancers. The infantry imme- 
 diately opened a most destructive fire, which was returned by my 
 small command, both infantry and artillery, in a most gallant manner 
 for some time. I soon perceived that I was too far from the enemy 
 for my muskets to take that deadly effect which I desired, and im- 
 mediately sent my aid-de-camp to Lieutenant O'Brien, directing him 
 to place his battery in a more advanced position, with the determi- 
 nation of advancing my whole hne. By this movement I should 
 not only be near the enemy, but should also bring the company on 
 my extreme left more completely into action, as the brow of the hill 
 impeded their fire. By this time the enemy's fire of musketry, and 
 the raking fire of ball and grape-shot of their battery posted on my 
 left flank had become terrible, and my infantry instead of advancing 
 as was ordered, I regret to say, retired in some disorder from their 
 position, notwithstanding my own and the severe efforts of my offi- 
 cers to prevent them. About the same time, the riflemen and ca- 
 
 N (129) 
 
130 BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANE. 
 
 valry on the mountains retired to the plain below. The Arkansas 
 cavalry, who had been posted byyour orders in my rear, at the base 
 of the mountain, to act as circufflltances might require, also left their 
 position, the whole making a retreating movement along the plain 
 towards the rear. At the same time one of the Illinois regiments, 
 not under my command, but stationed at some distance in rear of 
 the right of my position, also retired to the rear. These troops, the 
 most of them, were immediately rallied, and fought during the 
 whole day like veterans. A few of them, I regret to say, did not 
 return to the field at all. By this apparent success the enemy were 
 much elated, and poured down along the side of the mountain, on 
 the extreme left of the field, their thousands of infantry and lancers, 
 and formed themselves in good order along the mountain fronting 
 perpendicularly to where our lines had been posted. At this critical 
 juncture, the Mississippi regiment, under the command of Colonel 
 Davis, arrived on the field, and being joined by a part of the 2d 
 Indiana, met the enemy in a most gallant style, and, after a severe 
 and bloody engagement, repulsed them with great loss. In the 
 mean time a large body of lancers, six or eight hundred in num- 
 ber, who had passed down along the left toward our rear, made 
 a most desperate charge upon the Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry, 
 with a view of cutting off and plundering the baggage-train of the 
 army, which was at a rancho near the battle-field. 
 
 "This charge was met and resisted most gallantly by those 
 cavalry, aided by about two hundred infantry who had taken refuge 
 there after they had retired from the field. This repulse discouraged 
 the enemy ; and the Mississippi regiment and part of the 2d Indiana, 
 being joined by the 8d Indiana regiment, commanded by Colonel 
 James H. Lane, now advanced up towards the foot of the mountain 
 for the purpose of dislodging the enemy's force stationed there. In 
 this enterprise I was aided by Captain 's battery of light artil- 
 lery, and it was crowned with complete success, the enemy re- 
 treating in disorder, and with immense loss, back along the side of 
 the mountain to the position which they had occupied in the morn- 
 ing ; some flying in terror up the sides of the mountain, and into the 
 ravines, while a few were taken prisoners. Amongst the last des- 
 perate attempts of the enemy to regain and hold the left of the field, 
 was a charge made by a large body of lancers upon my command. 
 This charge, for gallantry and determined bravery on both sides, 
 
 S 
 
LANE AT HUAMANTLA. 131 
 
 has seldom been equalled. The forces on either side were nearly 
 equal in numbers. Instead of throwing my command into squares 
 to resist the charge, the enemy were received in line of two ranks, 
 my force reserving its fire until the enemy were within about se- 
 venty yards, which was delivered with a deadly aim, and which 
 proved most destructive in its effects — the enemy flying in every 
 direction in disorder, and making a precipitate retreat towards their 
 own lines. About sunset the enemy withdrew from the field, and 
 the battle ceased. In a brief report it is impossible to enter into the 
 details of a day Hke the 23d. The fighting throughout consisted of 
 different engagements in different parts of the field, the whole of 
 them warm and well-contested ; many of them bloody and terrible. 
 The men under my command actually discharged eighty, and some 
 ninety, rounds of cartridges at the enemy during the day. The 2d 
 regiment of my command, which opened the battle on the plain in 
 such gallant style, deserves a passing remark. I shall attempt to 
 make no apology for their retreat ; for it was their duty to stand or 
 die to the last man until they received orders to retire ; but I desire 
 to call your attention to one fact connected with this affair. They 
 remained in their position, in line., receiving the fire of three or 
 four thousand infantry in front, exposed at the same time on the 
 Icftfiank to a most desperate raking fire from the enemy'' s battery, 
 posted within point-blank shot, until they had deliberately dis- 
 charged twenty rounds of cartridges- at the enemy. ''^ 
 
 On the 9th of October, 1847, General Lane fought the battle of 
 Huamantla ; and on the 18th, he bombarded and captured the town 
 of Atlixco. His despatches contain full details of these two affairs : — 
 " After my departure from Vera Cruz, and when near the San 
 Juan river, a party of guerillas was observed near the hacienda of 
 Santa Anna. Captain Lewis's company of mounted volunteers was 
 detached in pursuit; a portion of the command, under Lieutenant 
 Lilley, came upon the enemy, and had a smart skirmish with them. 
 Lieutenant Lilley behaved in the most gallant manner, rallying and 
 encouraging his men under a severe fire. Upon leaving Paso de 
 Ovejas, the rear-guard was fired upon by a small guerilla force, and 
 I regret to have to announce the death of Lieutenant Chne, who was 
 shot in the affair. He is reported to have been a most energetic and 
 efficient young officer, belonging to Captain Lewis's company of 
 Louisiana mounted volunteers, 
 
J 32 BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANE. 
 
 " At various points on the road rumours reached me that a large 
 force was concentrating betweejiPerote and Puebla. These rumours 
 were confirmed on my arrival at the former place, and I also received 
 the additional intelligence that Santa Anna in person commanded 
 them, having about four thousand men and six pieces of artillery. 
 No molestation occurred until my arrival at the hacienda of San 
 Antonio Tamaris, at which place, through the medium of my spies, 
 I learned that the enemy were at the city of Huamantla. My force 
 consisted of Colonel Wynkoop's battalion, (from Perote,) Colonel 
 Gorman's regiment of Indiana volunteers. Captain Heintzelman's 
 battalion of six companies, Major Lally's regiment of four companies 
 of mounted men, under command of Captain Samuel H. Walker, 
 mounted riflemen, and five pieces of artillery under command of 
 Captain George Taylor, 3d artillery, assisted by Lieutenant Field, 
 artillery. On arriving near the city, at about one o'clock P. M., 
 Captain Walker, commanding the advance guard, (of horsemen,) 
 was ordered to move forward ahead of the column, (but within sup- 
 porting distance,) to the entrance of the city, and if the enemy were 
 in force, to await the arrival of the infantry before entering. When 
 within about three miles, parties of horsemen being seen making 
 their way through the fields towards the city, Captain Walker com- 
 manded a gallop. Owing to the thick maguey bushes lining the 
 sides of the road, it was impossible to distinguish his further move- 
 ments. But a short time had elapsed when firing was heard from 
 the city. The firing continuing, the column was pressed forward 
 as rapidly as possible. At this time a body of about two thousand 
 lancers was seen hurrying over the hills towards the city. I directed 
 Colonel Gorman, with his regiment, to advance towards and enter 
 the west side of the city, while Colonel Wynkoop's battalion, with 
 the artillery, moved towards the east side. Captain Heintzelman's 
 moving on his right, and Major Lally's constituting the reserve. 
 
 "Upon arriving at the entrance to the city. Captain Walker dis- 
 covering the main body of the enemy in the plaza, (about five hun- 
 dred in number,) ordered a charge. A hand-to-hand conflict took 
 place between the forces ; but so resolute was the charge, that the 
 enemy were obliged to give way, being driven from their guns. 
 They were pursued by our dragoons for some distance, but the pur- 
 suit was checked by the arrival of their reinforcements. Colonel 
 Gorman's regiment, on arriving at the entrance to the city at about 
 
LANE AT ATLTXCO. 133 
 
 the same time as the reinforcements of the enemy, opened a well- 
 directed fire, which succeeded in routing them. With the left wing 
 of his regiment he proceeded in person towards the upper part of 
 the town, where the enemy still were, and succeeded in dispersing 
 them. Colonel Wynkoop's command, with the batteries, assumed 
 their position; but before they were within range the enemy fled in 
 haste. The same occurred with Captain Heintzelman's command. 
 The enemy entering the town becoming somewhat scattered, Major 
 Lally, with his regiment, proceeded across the fields to cut off his 
 rear and intercept his retreat. This movement not being perceived, 
 I ordered him to advance towards the town ; thus depriving him, 
 unintentionally, of an opportunity of doing good service. Captain 
 Walker's force had been engaged some three-quarters of an hour 
 before the infantry arrived to his support. He succeeded in capturing 
 two pieces of artillery from the enemy, but was not able to use them, 
 owing to the want of priming tubes, although every effort was made. 
 On this occasion every officer and soldier behaved with the utmost 
 coolness, and my warmest thanks are due to them. * * * 
 " The colours of the Indiana regiment were planted on the arsenal 
 the moment the enemy were routed. This victory is saddened by 
 the loss of one of the most chivalric, noble-hearted men that graced 
 the profession of arms — Captain Samuel H. Walker, of the mounted 
 riflemen. Foremost in the advance, he had routed the enemy when 
 he fell mortally wounded. In his death the service has met with a 
 loss which cannot easily be repaired. Our total loss is thirteen killed 
 and eleven wounded. We succeeded in capturing one six-pounder 
 brass gun and one mountain howitzer, both mounted, together with 
 a large quantity of ammunition and wagons, which I was compelled 
 to destroy. The enemy's loss was about one hundred and fifty." 
 The following is his report of the taking of Atlixco : 
 "About four o'clock, P. M., when near Santa Isabella, seven 
 leagues from this place, the advance guard of the enemy was dis- 
 covered. A hak was ordered until the cavalry, which had pre- 
 viously been detached to examine a hacienda, should arrive. The 
 enemy, with his accustomed bravado, came to the foot of the hifl in 
 small parties, firing their escopetas and waving their lances. On 
 the arrival of the cavalry a forward movement was made by the 
 column. A large deep ravine appearing on the left of the road, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, with his Ohio regiment, was ordered to 
 13 n2 
 
134 BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANE. 
 
 flank it, Major Lally with his battalion leading the advance. Our 
 column had scarcely commenced its movement, when signs of con- 
 fusion were visible among th^enemy, in consequence of which, 
 the cavalry was ordered to charge, follow them up, and engage 
 them until the infantry could arrive. Lieutenant Pratt, with his 
 battery, was ordered to follow in rear of the dragoons at a gallop. 
 Had this movement been performed, the whole force would have 
 been ours. But by an order from Major Lally, Lieutenant Pratt 
 was taken from the place assigned him by me, and in consequence 
 detained until a greater portion of the column had passed ; then, 
 owing to the nature of the ground, it was impossible for his battery 
 to proceed with rapidity. 
 
 " The cavalry pursued the retreating enemy for about a mile and 
 a half, skirmishing with them. On arriving at a small hill, they 
 made a stand and fought severely until our infantry appeared, when 
 they took flight. Our artillery fired a few shots as soon as it came 
 up, but without eflfect, as by their rapid retreat they had placed 
 themselves at long range. The dragoons Avere again ordered to 
 follow and keep them engaged. After a running fight of about 
 four miles, and when within a mile and a half of Atlixco, the whole 
 body of the enemy was discovered on a hill side, covered with chap- 
 paral, forming hedges, behind which they had posted themselves. 
 Our cavalry dashed among them, cutting them down in great num- 
 bers. So thick was the chapparal that the dragoons were ordered 
 to dismount and fight them on foot. A most bloody conflict ensued, 
 fatal to the enemy. Our infantry for the last six miles had been 
 straining themselves to the utmost to overtake the enemy, pressing 
 forward most arduously, notwithstanding the forced march of sixteen 
 miles since eleven o'clock. Owing to the nature of the road, al- 
 most entirely destroyed by gullies, the artillery could only advance 
 at a walk. As soon as the infantry again appeared in sight, the 
 enemy again retreated. So worn out were our horses, (the sun 
 having been broiling hot all day,) that they could pursue the enemy 
 no further. The column was pressed forward as rapidly as possible 
 towards the town ; but night had already shut in, giving us, how- 
 ever, the advantage of a fine moonlight. As we approached, several 
 shots were fired at us, and, deeming it unsafe to risk a street fight 
 in an unknown town at night, I ordered the artillery to be posted on 
 a hill near to the town, and overlooking it, and open its fire. Now 
 
LANE AT ATLIXCO. 135 
 
 ensued one of the most beautiful sights conceivable. Every gun 
 was served vi^ith the utmost rapidity ; and the crash of the walls and 
 the roofs of the houses, when struck by our shot and shell, was 
 mingled with the roar of our artillery. The bright light of the 
 moon enabled us to direct our shots to the most thickly populated 
 parts of the town. 
 
 "After firing three-quarters of an hour, and the firing from the 
 town having ceased, I ordered Major Lally and Colonel Brough to 
 advance cautiously with their commands into the town. On enter- 
 ing I was waited upon by the ayuntamiento, desiring that their town 
 might be spared. After searching the next morning for arms and 
 ammunition, and disposing of what was found, I commenced my 
 return. 
 
 " General Rea had two pieces of artillery ; but as soon as he was 
 aware of our approach, he ordered them with haste to Matamoras, 
 a small town eleven leagues beyond. The enemy state their own 
 loss in this action to be two hundred and nineteen killed and three 
 hundred wounded. On our part, we had one man killed and one 
 wounded. Scarcely ever has a more rapid forced march been made 
 than this, and productive of better results. Atlixco has been the 
 head-quarters of guerillas in this section of country, and of late the 
 seat of government of this state. From hence all expeditions have 
 been fitted out against our troops. So much terror has been im- 
 pressed upon them, at thus having war brought to their own homes, 
 that I am inclined to believe they will give us no more trouble." 
 
 The capture of Atlixco has been the last military achievement of 
 General Lane, and he now remains with the army awaiting the 
 course of events. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER. 
 
 Brigadier-General George Cadwalader is a grandson of the 
 illustrious John Cadwalader, of revolutionary memory, and has 
 lately proven himself worthy of his name and family. He acted a 
 conspicuous part in quelling the Philadelphia riots in Kensington 
 and Southwark, in the year 1844, and was appointed to the army 
 in Mexico, March 3d, 1847. 
 
 Soon after his arrival at the seat of war, a small party under 
 Colonel Mcintosh was attacked by a considerable Mexican force, 
 and experienced some loss. In a few days it was joined by Gene- 
 ral Cadwalader with eight hundred men and two howitzers, and the 
 whole command advanced toward the National Bridge. On ap- 
 proaching it, the general occupied some neighbouring heights, from 
 which the enemy had previously fired on a party under Captain 
 Bainbridge. Here he was attacked by a large Mexican force, sta- 
 tioned on the ridges and in the chapparal, and a battle ensued which 
 lasted several hours. During this time several brilliant charges 
 were made, the enemy driven from their positions, and the bridge 
 successfully passed. The troops were then attacked by guerilla 
 bands stationed in the thickets along the road, and fired upon during 
 several miles of their march. The total loss of the Mexicans in 
 this affair was nearly one hundred ; General Cadwalader's about 
 fifty, of whom fifteen were killed. 
 
 In his report of Contreros, General Smith uses the following 
 complimentary language of General Cadwalader, who contributed 
 materially to the fall of that stronghold. 
 
 "Brigadier-General Cadwalader [in the morning] brought his 
 corps up from his intricate bivouack in good order, formed the head 
 of his column to support Riley's, and led it forward in the most 
 (136) 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER. 
 
 Page 136. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADVVALADER. 137 
 
 gallant style under the fire directed at the latter. The first brigade 
 was conducted by Major Dimick, who charged in fine with it on 
 the enemy's left, driving before him the force formed there outside 
 of the works, and putting to rout a far superior force, displaying 
 the skill of the commander as well as the bravery of the soldier. 
 But the opportunity afforded by his position to Colonel Riley was 
 seized by that gallant veteran with all the skill and energy for which 
 he is distinguished. The charge of his noble brigade down the 
 slope, in full view of friend and foe, unchecked even for a moment, 
 until he had planted all his colours upon their farthest works, was 
 a spectacle that animated the army to the boldest deeds." 
 
 During the assault, General Cadwalader was stationed in rear of 
 the fort, to watch the movements of Santa Anna's cavalry ; and in 
 the pursuit of the enemy, subsequent to the victory, he exhibited in- 
 defatigable courage and perseverance. His operations during the 
 remainder of the day are included with those of the generals already 
 noticed. 
 
 The following spirited account of Cadwalader's participation in 
 the storming of Molino del Rey, is from the pen of one in his divi- 
 sion : — 
 
 " General Worth's division was charged with this duty, as it was 
 not supposed that there would be any thing of a fight, and it would 
 not require more than that division to take the mill. However, 
 General Cadwalader's brigade, of the third division, was brought 
 into the field as a supporting column, though it was not expected 
 that it would be necessary to bring it into the fight. Accordingly, 
 the troops marched from Tacubaya, about three o'clock A. M., on 
 the 8th of September, and daylight saw them drawn up in position 
 in front of what was afterwards ascertained to be an extensive forti- 
 fication, or rather a series of fortifications, defended by ten thousand 
 of the picked troops of Mexico, with several pieces of artillery. 
 
 " General Worth's division, numbering some sixteen or eighteen 
 hundred men, was drawn up in a line, about a cannon's shot distance 
 from the fortification ; and General Cadwalader's brigade was in line 
 some distance in Worth's rear. The action commenced just as day 
 began to dawn, by a few shots from Captain Drum's battery, occu- 
 pying a position on the right of Worth's division. This did not 
 continue long; for soon the spectator could observe a movement on 
 the part of our troops, and directly an enthusiastic shout arose from 
 12* 
 
138 BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER. 
 
 Worth's ranks, and they rushed on to the charge. But now the 
 Mexicans opened their batteries on our devoted troops, and ten thou- 
 sand muskets rang their crasMl^ accompaniment. Our men went 
 down by hundreds, and the plain was strewed with their dead and 
 mangled bodies. For a short time nothing could be heard but an 
 incessant roar of artillery and small arms ; and when the smoke 
 arose from the scene, the intensely excited spectator might have seen 
 our troops giving way before the dreadful fire of the enemy. It was 
 an awful moment, and calculated to send a thrill of horror through 
 an American heart. The gallant division of General Worth was 
 forced to give way. Could any troops stand such a fire ? The 4th, 
 6th, and 8th infantry, were compelled to retire before those murder- 
 ous batteries. 
 
 " General Cadwalader, seeing the situation of affairs, moved his 
 brigade forward, to retrieve the fortunes of the day. The voltiguers, 
 the advance regiment, was sent oif to the left, to protect Duncan's 
 light battery, which was playing on the mill, and to keep in check 
 a large force of the enemy, who then occupied a hill near the scene 
 of action. The duly was performed, and the enemy driven back 
 several times. The 11th regiment was ordered to charge the bat- 
 tery, and the 14th, the remaining regiment of the brigade, was held 
 in reserve. The 11th had to charge over the same ground where 
 fell so many of our gallant troops, and every one looked for its an- 
 nihilation. Their gallant leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, sat on 
 his horse in the coolest manner, and gave his commands as collect- 
 edly as when on a parade. They advance steadily ; but now the 
 enemy is vomiting his grape and canister upon them, and they leave 
 a train of dead and dying. Do they falter ? No — their gallant com- 
 mander is waving his sword, and they are now rushing forward in 
 full run. On, on they go ! But, see — do they halt ? They do, 
 but it is for a moment. Do you hear that shout ? Comes it from 
 the Mexican ranks ? No — no ; that is a true Pennsylvania shout, 
 and tells of danger defied, and glory to be won. There they go, 
 onward, right up to the enemy's guns. Huzza for the Old Key- 
 stone ! The Mexicans are giving way before our gallant little band, 
 who are now dealing vengeance and death on the murderers of their 
 slaughtered countrymen. Lieutenant Tippin is the first to spring 
 into the fort ; he mounts one of the guns, and waves his sword for 
 his men to come on. But just then, an unexpected and terrible fire 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER. 139 
 
 salutes him from the top of the building, and he is compelled to re- 
 tire, being grazed by several balls. And see — the enemy are rally- 
 ing again, and returning to the attack. Their success at the com- 
 mencement of the action has given them courage. Will the 11th, 
 that gallant band, be crushed now ? No ! They remain firm and 
 determined. Lieutenant Johnson has just fallen, mortally wounded ; 
 he expires while cheering his men on to victory. Captains Irvin 
 and Guthrie are badly wounded, and yet they are both on the field, 
 animating their respective commands, and leading them on to the 
 attack." 
 
 General Cadwalader entered the capital with his gallant associates 
 in arms, and is now with General Scott at the National Palace. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE, 
 
 Brigadier-General Franklin Pierce was appointed to the army 
 March 3d, 1847. He reached the gulf coast soon after the capture 
 of Vera Cruz. His operations from that time until the conclusion 
 of General Scott's armistice with Santa Anna, are thus detailed by 
 himself in a letter to a friend. The letter, not being intended for 
 publication, contains more personal history than it otherwise would. 
 
 " Since I left Vera Cruz, to this hour, I have had no means of 
 communicating with the states. Although but a few months in the 
 service, I know what is fatigue, anxiety, and exposure. Contrary 
 to my expectations, and contrary to my orders from the department 
 at Washington, I was compelled, for the want of the requisite pro- 
 visions for transportation, to remain for more than three weeks at 
 Vera Cruz, and more than four in Terra Caliente, (the vomito re- 
 gion, as it is called.) I left the dreaded city on the 10th of July, 
 with two thousand five hundred men of all arms, and a train of wa- 
 gons, which, when closed up, extended more than two miles. On 
 the 6th of August I reached Puebla, without the loss of a single 
 wagon, with my command in fine condition. My command was 
 attacked six times on the march, but the enemy's force in each in- 
 stance was easily dispersed, with trifling loss on our side. The 
 National Bridge afforded the enemy great natural advantages, to 
 which they had added breastworks on a high bluff which command- 
 ed the bridge perfectly. Across the main bridge they had also thrown 
 a barricade. I soon discovered that there was no way in which his 
 position could be turned, and that my artillery was ineffective from 
 the most commanding point where it could be placed. I determined, 
 of course, to cross under the plunging fire of the enemy's escopetas. 
 My order to advance was admirably executed. At the moment 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Bonham's battalion rushed forward with a shout, 
 
 (110) 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 141 
 
 the enemy poured down a heavy fire, by which several of my men 
 were severely wounded. Colonel Bonham's horse was shot near 
 me, and a ball passed through the rim of my hat, in very disagree- 
 able proximity to my face. Our men leaped the barricade, followed 
 by Captain Duperu's company of cavalry, and in less than ten mi- 
 nutes the enemy were in flight in every direction, and the American 
 flag waved upon the high bluff" which they had occupied. The 
 Mexican force, as they said afterwards, consisted of five hundred 
 men. Had they possessed courage and skill in the use of arms, our 
 loss must have been very great. You can hardly conceive the 
 strength of the natural defences of the road over which we passed. 
 Rumours came to me almost every night that w^e would be attacked 
 by large forces the next day, but they made nowhere any thing like 
 a brave and stern resistance. 
 
 " The official reports of the great battle of Mexico will probably 
 reach you as soon as this letter, and I shall therefore not attempt to 
 give the minute details. It was fierce and bloody beyond any thing 
 that has occurred in this war. The battle differed in many respects 
 from that at Buena Vista. There General Taylor received the 
 enemy in a strong position selected by himself. Our force on the 
 20th consisted of less than nine thousand men ; the Mexican force, 
 within supporting distance and engaged, undoubtedly exceeded 
 thirty thousand. We attacked him in position, upon ground of his 
 own selection, admirably fortified. You will distinguish, so far as 
 numbers are concerned, between the battle of the morning and that 
 of the afternoon, although spoken of in the official reports as one 
 engagement, under the designation of ' the battle of Mexico.' We 
 took, during the day, thirty-five pieces of artillery, an immense 
 quantity of ammunition, eight hundred mules and horses, and more 
 than two thousand prisoners, among them eight generals and any 
 number of colonels. 
 
 " The Mexican loss in killed and wounded must have been im- 
 mense. Our troops buried five hundred Mexicans upon the field 
 of battle, commenced in the morning at Contreros, and the loss in 
 the afternoon was much greater. Our loss has been heavy. With 
 this small army we could not afl^ord to purchase many such victories 
 at such a price ; one of the regiments of my brigade (the 13th) lost 
 in killed and wounded one-third of its entire force. In killed and 
 wounded we number not less than one thousand, and among them 
 
142 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 
 
 I lament to say an unusual proportion of valuable officers. The 
 New England regiment sufTeipl severely, and behaved throughout 
 in the most gallant manner. My horse, at full speed on the evening 
 of the 19th, when leading my brigade through a perfect shower of 
 round shot and shells, fell under me upon a ledge of rocks, by which 
 I sustained a severe injury by the shock and bruises, but especially 
 by a severe sprain in my left knee, which came under him. At 
 first I was not conscious of any serious injury, but soon became ex- 
 ceedingly faint, when Dr. Ritchie, surgeon of the 12th, (a portion 
 of my command,) who was following the advancing columns closely, 
 overtook me, and administered to me as well as he could under the 
 circumstances. In a few moments I was able to walk with diffi- 
 culty, and pressed forward to Captain McGruder's battery, where I 
 found the horse of poor gallant Lieutenant Johnson, who had just 
 received a mortal wound, of which he died that evening. I was 
 permitted to take him, (my own having been totally disabled,) was 
 helped into the saddle, and continued in it until eleven o'clock that 
 night. It was exceedingly dark, the rain poured in torrents, and, 
 being separated from my servants and baggage, I was without tent 
 or covering ; add to this that, during the afternoon of the 19th, we 
 had gained no advantages over the enemy, who remained firmly 
 entrenched with seven thousand men opposed to about four thou- 
 sand on our side, without the possibility of bringing our artillery to 
 bear, and you will readily conceive that our situation was not the 
 most agreeable. The morning of the 20th was, however, as bril- 
 hant as the night of the 19tli was dark and gloomy. Soon after 
 daylight the enemy's works were carried with the bayonet, and of 
 their seven thousand men, regular troops, under the command of 
 General Valencia, probably four thousand cannot be found to-day. 
 As we passed this field in pursuit of the fugitives, the scene was 
 awful ; the road and adjacent fields everywhere strewed with man- 
 gled bodies of the dead and dying. We continued the pursuit until 
 one o'clock, when our front came up with the enemy's strong works 
 at Churubusco and San Antonio, where the great conflict of the 
 afternoon commenced. At San Angel, dispositions having been 
 made to attack in reverse the enemy's works on the San Augustin 
 road, General Scott ordered me to march my brigade, in concert 
 with that of the intrepid General Shields, across the open country 
 between Santa Catarina and the above-named road, in order to cut 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 143 
 
 off the enemy's retreat. We gained the position sought, and, 
 although the enemy's hne was perfectly formed, and extended as 
 far as the eye could reach in either direction, they were attacked 
 vigorously and successfully. Arriving at a ditch which it was im- 
 possible for my horse to leap, I dismounted and hurried forward, 
 without thinking of my injury, at the head of my brigade, for two 
 or three hundred yards, when, turning suddenly upon my knee, the 
 cartilage of which had been seriously injured, I fainted and fell 
 upon the bank, in the direct range and wiihin perfect reach of the 
 enemy's fire. That I escaped seems to me now providential. 
 The rout and overthrow of the whole Mexican force soon became 
 complete, and we could easily have taken the city ; but General 
 Scott was met with a proposition for an armistice, (after demanding 
 the surrender of the city,) with a view to open negotiations for 
 peace. 
 
 "In my judgment, the army, full of ardour and confidence, was 
 humanely and wisely restrained. Major-General Quitman, General 
 Persifor F. Smith, and myself, were appointed commissioners to 
 meet the Mexican commissioners to settle the terms of the armistice. 
 I had not taken off my spurs or slept an hour for two nights in con- 
 sequence of my engagements and the pain of my knee. I obeyed 
 the summons, was helped into my saddle, and rode two and a half 
 miles to Tacubaya, where the commission assembled at the house 
 of Mr. Mcintosh, the British consul-general. Our conference com- 
 menced late in the afternoon, and at four o'clock the next morning 
 the articles w^ere signed. 
 
 " That I was thoroughly exhausted you will readily imagine. I 
 slept an hour or two that morning at General Worth's quarters, and 
 my sprained knee, which was by far my most serious injury, has 
 been daily improving, and to-day I ride without much inconveni- 
 ence. I have lost several dear friends, although our acquaintance 
 had been of short duration. I visited the hospital yesterday, and 
 saw officers and men with shots in all parts of their persons. Al- 
 though all who were not really dying seemed cheerful, and many 
 who had lost limbs in high spirits, still I sickened at the sight. My 
 general health has been good. I have been either in my saddle or 
 on my feet every rod since 1 left Vera Cruz, which can be said by 
 few officers in my command ; for almost all were obliged, at some 
 
 o3 
 
144 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 
 
 point of the march, in consequence of the change of climate, water, 
 exposure, &c., to avail thertlMves of the ambulance. Colonel 
 Watson, with his marine corps, accompanied me, and has been uni- 
 formly well. He is an excellent agreeable gentleman and admira- 
 ble officer, and I regret that, having been left with General Gluit- 
 man's division at San Auguslin, he had no opportunity to participate 
 in the battles of the 19th and 20th." 
 
 General Pierce was prevented by his wound from participating in 
 the events of September, and he is still an invalid at the Mexican 
 capital. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 Page 145. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 Major-General Robert Patterson was born January 12th, 
 1792, near Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland. His father, one of 
 the actors in the rebelhon of 1798, emigrated to this country on the 
 failure of that ill-starred enterprise, and settled in Delaware county, 
 Pennsylvania. At the age of fourteen, Robert entered the counting- 
 house of Edward Thompson, Esq., who was then the principal 
 American merchant engaged in the East India trade. In October, 
 1811, he removed with his father's family to Tennessee; but after 
 the declaration of war with Great Britain, he returned to Pennsyl- 
 vania, obtained a heutenancy in the army, and after serving for a 
 time on the staff of Brigadier-General Bloomfield, was commis- 
 sioned captain (April 19lh, 1814) in the 32d infantry. When his 
 company was disbanded in consequence of the termination of the 
 war, he embarked in mercantile pursuits, devoting his leisure hours 
 to the study of tactics, and to the discipline and improvement of the 
 volunteers of Philadelphia, with whom he retained his connection 
 till after his appointment as major-general in the United States' army, 
 July 7th, 1846. 
 
 The command of the troops called out to repress the disturbances 
 at Harrisburg in the winter of 1838-9, devolved on him as senior 
 major-general ; he was again employed to quell the riots in Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 During the action at Madeline river, General Patterson brought 
 up a reinforcement of Tennessee volunteers, but declined super- 
 seding Colonel Harney, preferring to fight under that gallant officer, 
 rather than by assuming the command to deprive him of the credit 
 of one of the most brilliant affairs of the war. Posting his Tennes- 
 13 (145) 
 
146 MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 seeans, he ordered them to He down, as they were then exposed to 
 a heavy fire from the enemy without the opportunity of returning 
 it effectively. The order waa#Pbeyed very reluctantly, and some of 
 the men, thinking that the prudence which protected them should 
 be extended to himself, called out : — " Lie down yourself, general, 
 or they will knock you over presently." " No," said he, " my duty 
 calls me where I am, and yours is to remain where you are, until 
 required to expose yourself. The President can make generals, 
 but he cannot make soldiers." 
 
 General Scott, in his general orders subsequent to the battle of 
 Sierra Gordo, says : — 
 
 " Major-General Patterson, rendered for the moment supernume- 
 rary, with this army, will accompany the returning volunteers of his 
 late gallant division, and render them such assistance on the way 
 as he well knows how to give. * * * * This distinguished 
 general officer will please accept the thanks of the general-in-chief, 
 for the gallant, able, and efficient support uniformly received from 
 the second in rank in this army." 
 
 Speaking of this order, a correspondent says : — 
 
 " He leaves us with the regrets of all. We saw him at Vera 
 Cruz, and witnessed, during the whole of that harassing siege and 
 severe cannonade, his thorough devotion to his duties. He was so 
 lame as to be compelled to wear crutches, and could not get up 
 the hills into our positions without aid. I have seen him in ex- 
 posed positions again and again, leaning on his crutches, and ex- 
 amining the enemy's movements, when the shells and round shot 
 were flying around him and passing over him in every direction. 
 At Sierra Gordo, when so ill that it was almost madness to think of 
 leaving his bed, he astonished his command by riding in among 
 them immediately previous to the attack, and was received by a 
 simultaneous shout, from three or four thousand voices, which must 
 have made the enemy shake. At that time he was so weak that 
 he could scarcely manage the animal he rode." 
 
 General Patterson was second in command on the Rio Grande, 
 immediately after the capture of Matamoras, and was entrusted with 
 the control of all the forces on the river during General Taylor's 
 march toward Monterey. He assisted at Vera Cruz, but was pre- 
 vented from taking an active part at Sierra Gordo, in consequence 
 of severe sickness. During Scott's march to the capital, he has 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 147 
 
 been stationed at Vera Cruz, to keep in check the numerous guer- 
 illa parties of that region. In connection with his services in this 
 respect a correspondent writes : — 
 
 " In the afternoon of the same day, Father Ahrouta (or Jarauta), 
 who commands a guerilla party, and has become notorious by his 
 misdeeds on the road from Jalapa to Vera Cruz, sent in a flag of 
 truce by two of his officers, proposing to surrender as a prisoner of 
 war or join the American army, if General Patterson would guaranty 
 the safety of himself and followers, and their property. To this 
 General Patterson replied that he wanted to have no intercourse 
 with the guerilla priest, but would advise him to return to his 
 prayers, and send his band back to their honest employments, if 
 they had any, as no one would molest them then, while, if they 
 continued to infest the road, and he should catch any of them, he 
 would certainly hang them. 
 
 " The name of Pennsylvania operated on the general here like a 
 charm, and in a manner quite gratifying to us. Among the first 
 of his acts on arriving at the bridge, where the 13th regiment and 
 the Baltimore artillery battalion were stationed, was to inquire what 
 amount of provision the garrison had on hand. He was informed, 
 among other things, that Captain Diller had drawn twenty-five hun- 
 dred rations for Colonel Wynkoop's regiment. *What is that 
 for?' said the general, sternly — 'send him tome.' Captain Dil- 
 ler m a few minutes was before the general, who asked him why 
 he had drawn for so many rations. The latter replied, that he had 
 brought but five days' rations with him, as he expected to meet 
 General Patterson's train and obtain more. * It cannot be done, 
 sir,' said General Patterson, ' you must return them.' ' But, gene- 
 ral,' said Captain Diller, * they are in the wagons, and I have given 
 my receipt for them.' * I can't help that,' was the stern reply, ' you 
 ought to have brought more with you.' ' But, general,' again said 
 Captain Diller, imploringly, ' remember the Pennsylvania boys have 
 seen hard service and fought nobly, it will not do to let them starve.' 
 * Ah, yes,' rejoined the general, while his face relaxed into a bene- 
 volent smile, and his eye sparkled with proud recollections, 'they 
 were with me at Vera Cruz and Sierra Gordo — say no more, but 
 keep the rations and start back to the Plan with them the first thing 
 in the morning — the Pennsylvania boys shall not starve !' 
 
 *' On his arrival the next day at the Plan del Rio, General Patter- 
 
148 MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 son was received by the regiment with the utmost enthusiasm, and 
 the joy of the men at seeing him seemed to know no bounds. He 
 was much gratified by this iRnonstration, -and appeared as happy 
 to see us as if we had each and all been of his own family and blood. 
 We left him at the Plan that day (the 5th), and started for this 
 place, where, as I have already said, we arrived yesterday, the 6th. 
 He reached here this afternoon, but the rear-guard of his immense 
 train will not be in until long after midnight."* 
 
 * General Patterson's command on the Rio Grande amounted to nearly 
 eleven thousand men, many of whom having been but recently mustered 
 into service, were destitute both of discipline and subordination. To this 
 difficulty was added the great number of sick, occasioned by the unhealthi- 
 ness of the climate, and the troops' own carelessness. By judicious man- 
 agement, and an occasional resort to energetic measures, the general suc- 
 ceeded in rendering his command fit for active service. 
 
 In December, 1846, orders were issued to the army to prepare for a de- 
 scent upon Tampico. One part of General Patterson's force was sent to 
 General Taylor, another down the Rio Grande, and the remainder under 
 his own direction, crossed the country from Matamoras, by way of Victoria, 
 a distance of about two hundred miles. Notwithstanding many obstacles 
 to this march, the head of the column entered Victoria simultaneously 
 with that of General Taylor from Monterey. From this place General 
 Patterson was ordered to Tampico, where he met General Scott, and pro- 
 ceeded with him to Vera Cruz. 
 
 In October, 1847, the general commenced his march for the capital of 
 Mexico, where he arrived about the latter end of November. 
 
COLONEL HARNEY. 
 
 For intrepidity, perseverance, and impetuosity in battle, no man 
 in the American army is superior to Colonel Harney. His dragoon- 
 fight at Vera Cruz, his charge at Sierra Gordo, and his recent heroic 
 actions before the capital, have rarely been surpassed, and have 
 won for him a reputation as brilliant as it is just. 
 
 The colonel's personal appearance is thus described by one who 
 visited him during his present journey through the United States : 
 
 " Our attention was next arrested by seeing a man of towering 
 height and gigantic frame, with a chest like that of Hercules and 
 an eye hke that of Mars. He was, indeed, to use the language of 
 Hamlet, made ' to threaten and command.' With a smile upon his 
 lips and a sparkle of pleasure in his light blue eyes, he stood the 
 * observed of all observers.' He was the gallant Colonel Harney — 
 one of the most accomplished and heroic soldiers in the army — to 
 whom has been so generally assigned the chief glory of the great 
 victory of Sierra Gordo." 
 
 Colonel William S. Harney was born in Louisiana, and received 
 his first appointment as 2d lieutenant 1st infantry February 13th, 
 1818. He was brevetted colonel December 7th, 1840, and raised 
 to full colonel June 30th, 1846. He served with great credit in the 
 Seminole wars, and when the present war with Mexico opened, 
 joined Wool's Division of the Centre, and was included among the 
 troops despatched for the Gulf coast. His famous dragoon-right, 
 during the bombardment of Vera Cruz, is thus described by a cor- 
 respondent : 
 
 " Information was received in camp this morning that a body of 
 Mexicans were hanging on our rear, intending to force the lines if 
 possible, and make their way into the city with a number of cattle. 
 13* P (149) 
 
150 COLONEL HARNEY. 
 
 Colonel Harney, with one hundred and twenty dragoons, was or- 
 dered out to search them, and report his observations. He dis- 
 covered them, about two thouSmd in number, intrenched at a bridge, 
 and supported by two pieces of artillery, three miles from General 
 Patterson's head-quarters.. Colonel Harney started on his return, 
 intending to prepare properly and attack them the next morning. 
 But the gallant old soldier, knowing that delays are dangerous, 
 could not bear the idea of leaving the enemy after having come in 
 sight of them, without having a brush. Accordingly, he returned 
 to the place, took a position where he could watch their movements, 
 and keep his men secure from the enemy's fire. The Mexicans 
 commenced firing at him, and threw a perfect shower of balls all 
 around him, but without injury. Colonel Harney then despatched 
 a messenger to camp for a small reinforcement, and some artillery to 
 break the breastworks. He was reinforced from General Patter- 
 son's division, by Lieutenant Judd, with two pieces of artillery, 
 about sixty dragoons, dismounted, and six companies of the 1st and 
 2d Tennessee volunteers, under the command of Colonel Haskell, 
 accompanied by General Patterson in person, although he did not 
 take the command from Colonel Harney, but merely participated 
 as any other individual who was engaged. 
 
 "Colonel Harney then formed the Tennesseeans on the right, his 
 dragoons on the left, and advanced slowly, to draw the fire of the 
 Mexicans, until Lieutenant Judd got his artillery in such a position 
 as he desired. The movement succeeded admirably: Lieutenant 
 Judd got his ground within one hundred and fifty yards of the Mexi- 
 cans, and commenced firing — they attempted to return it, but as 
 soon as a slight breach was made in the parapet, Colonel Harney 
 ordered a charge, which was answered by a yell from the dragoons 
 and Tennesseeans. Colonel Haskell, Captain Cheatham, and Cap- 
 tain Foster were the first men to loap over the breastwork, and, as 
 a naval officer remarked, who witnessed the whole affair, the balance 
 went over so much ' like a thousand of brick,' that there was no 
 telling who was first or last. As might have been expected, the 
 Mexicans were unable to stand a charge from * the boys who stood 
 the fire of the Black Fort at Monterey.' A few of the incumbrances 
 were soon thrown out of the way, and Colonel Harney, with his 
 dragoons, leaped the breastwork and gave chase. 
 " He had not proceeded more than a mile before he found the 
 
COLONEL HARNEY. 151 
 
 enemy formed in line to receive him. He immediately deployed, 
 and from the head of the line ordered a charge. When he ap- 
 proached within about twenty yards of the enemy's line, they gave 
 him a fire from their side-arms, but overshot. Then came the test 
 of strength and skill — the dragoon, with sword in hand, met the 
 confiding lancer, with pointed lance, ready to receive him. The 
 contest was but for a short time. In many instances, lances were 
 twisted from their clenched hold ; the Mexicans were unsaddled, 
 and driven helter-skelter in every direction, and pursued by the dra- 
 goons in detachments. 
 
 " Colonel Harney and several of his officers met their men in 
 single combat, but none of them received any injury except Lieu- 
 tenant Neill, adjutant of the regiment, who was wounded severely 
 in two places, from his magnanimity in attempting to capture a 
 Mexican instead of killing him. In full run he overtook the re- 
 treating Mexican, and placing his sword in front of him, commanded 
 him to surrender ; whereupon the Mexican drove his lance into his 
 magnanimous adversary. As the lieutenant wheeled his horse to 
 despatch him, another Mexican charged up and struck him with a 
 lance. However, severely wounded as he was, in two places, he 
 conquered one of his foes, and a corporal came up in time to * settle 
 accounts' with the other. 
 
 "The Mexican force was near two thousand; Colonel Harney's 
 about five hundred." 
 
 In the march from Vera Cruz to Sierra Gordo, Colonel Harney 
 performed excellent service as a scout, and advance guard ; and his 
 brilliant storming of the main work at Sierra Gordo elicited the 
 warmest commendation from the commander-in-chief, even on the 
 battle-field. The annexed description of this affair is from the pen 
 of an eyorwitness :— 
 
 "The storming and capture of the strong works on Sierra Gordo, 
 by the brigade under Colonel Harney, may be looked upon as one 
 of the most brilliant achievements of the Mexican war — the fate of 
 the battle turned upon it, and here the enemy had placed an over- 
 whelming force of his best troops. The hill was steep, and naturally 
 difficult of ascent ; but independent of this, the ground was covered 
 with loose, craggy rocks, an undergrowth of tangled chapparal, be- 
 sides many small trees, the tops of which were cut ofl^some four or 
 five feet from the ground, and turned down the hill, to impede the 
 
152 COLONEL HARNEY. 
 
 progress of the stormers. To climb the height at all, even without 
 arms of any kind, would be ^ undertaking that few would care 
 about essaying ; what then must it have been to men encumbered 
 with muskets and cartridge-boxes, and obliged to dispute every step 
 of the precipitous and rugged ascent ? Murderous showers of grape 
 and canister greeted our men at the onset, and as they toiled unfal- 
 tering through a tempest of iron hail, a heavy fire of musketry 
 opened upon them. Not a man quailed — with loud shouts they still 
 pressed upward and onward. At every step our ranks were thinned ; 
 but forward went the survivors. When within good musket range, 
 but not until then, was the fire of the enemy returned, and then 
 commenced the dreadful carnage of strife. The Mexicans held to 
 their guns with more than their usual bravery, but nothing could 
 resist the fierce onset of the stormers. Over the breastworks, with 
 which the Mexicans had surrounded the crest of the hill, they 
 charged, and shouting, attacked the enemy in their very stronghold. 
 The latter now fled, panic-stricken, but still they were pursued ; and 
 it was not until the affrighted fugitives had reached a point without 
 the extreme range of their own cannon, which had been turned 
 upon them at the onset, that they ceased in their flight. The na- 
 tional colours of our country now supplanted the banner of the 
 enemy ; the different regimental flags were also planted on the crest ; 
 and shouts louder than ever from the victors rose upon the air, strik- 
 ing terror into the very hearts of the enemy in the works still un- 
 taken, for they knew that their strong positions had been turned, and 
 that they were at the mercy of the men they had scoffed at in the 
 morning. Never was victory more complete, although purchased 
 with the blood of some of our best men. Lieutenant Evvell, of the 
 rifles, was among the first within the enemy's breastworks, and it 
 was here that he received his death wound. The interior of the 
 work was covered with the dead of the enemy, among them General 
 Vasquez, Colonel Palacio, and many of their officers, while the 
 hill-side down which they fled was strewn as well. Near two hun- 
 dred men were left dead, while the wounded would swell the number 
 to at least five hundred — some even put it down as high as seven 
 hundred." 
 
 In all the subsequent operations of the war Colonel Harney has 
 been most usefully employed. We give extracts from his report 
 of his duties in August :— 
 
 " The cavalry force being necessarily weakened by detachments 
 
COLONEL HARNEY. 153 
 
 to the different divisions of the army, I found myself on the morning 
 of the 19th instant in the immediate command of nine companies 
 only, consisting of six companies of the 2d dragoons, one company 
 of mounted riflemen, and two companies of mounted volunteers. 
 With this force 1 was ordered b}'- the general-in-chief to report to 
 Brigadier-General Twiggs, who was at this time covering Major- 
 General Pillow's division in an effort to make a road through the 
 ridge of lava which forms the pass of San Antonio. Owing to the 
 nature of the ground I was compelled to halt within range of the 
 enemy's shells, and to remain in this position for several hours — an 
 idle spectator of the action which ensued. After night I returned 
 with my command to San Augustin,, and remained there until the 
 enemy's position at Contreros was carried on the morning of the 
 20th. 
 
 " As soon as the road was ascertained to be opened and practica- 
 ble for cavalry, I was directed by the general-in-chief to proceed 
 with two squadrons and Captain McKinstry's company of volun- 
 teers to the field of battle, and to take charge of the prisoners that 
 had been captured. While in the execution of this order, I received 
 instructions from the general-in-chief to leave one squadron in charge 
 of the prisoners, and to report to him in person with the other three 
 companies. Captain Blake, with his squadron, was directed to per- 
 form this duty ; while Major Sumner and myself, with Captain 
 Ker's squadron, and Captain McKinstry's company of volunteers, 
 joined the commanding general near the field of Churubusco, just 
 after the engagement at that place had commenced. * * * * 
 
 " The three troops of horse brought by me on the field, being or- 
 dered away in different directions, Major Sumner and myself soon 
 found ourselves without commands. I then employed myself with 
 my staff in rallying fugitives and encouraging our troops on the left 
 of the main road. Major Sumner, towards the close of the engage- 
 ment, was placed by the general-in-chief in charge of the last reserve, 
 consisting of the rifle regiment and one company of horse, and or- 
 dered to support the left. This force was moving rapidly to take its 
 position in line of battle, when the enemy broke and fled to the city. 
 At this moment, perceiving that the enemy were retreating in disor- 
 der on one of the main causeways leading to the city of Mexico, I 
 collected all the cavalry within my reach, consisting of parts of Cap- 
 tain Ker's company 2d dragoons. Captain Kearney's company 1st 
 
 p2 
 
154 COLONEL HARNEY. 
 
 dragoons, and Captains McReynolds' and Duperu's companies of 
 the 3d dragoons, and pursued them vigorously until we were halted 
 by the discharge of the batter^ at their gate. Many of the enemy 
 were overtaken in the pursuit, and cut down by our sabres. I can- 
 not speak in terms too complimentary of the manner in which this 
 charge was executed. My only difficulty was in restraining the 
 impetuosity of my men and officers, who seemed to vie with 
 each other to be foremost in the pursuit. Captain Kearney gal- 
 lantly led his squadron into the very entrenchments of the enemy, 
 and had the misfortune to lose an arm from a grape-shot fired from 
 a gun at one of the main gates of the capital. Captain McReynolds 
 and Lieutenant Graham were also wounded, and Lieutenant Ewell 
 had two horses shot under him. ***** 
 
 " In conclusion, I beg leave to state that the dragoons, from the 
 commencement of the march from Puebla, have been engaged on 
 the most active and laborious service. These duties have been the 
 more arduous in consequence of the small force of cavalry, compared 
 with the other arms of service. Small parties being constantly en- 
 gaged in reconnoitring and on picket guards, the utmost vigilance 
 and precaution have been required to prevent surprise and disaster. 
 The gallant Captain Thornton, while reconnoitring the enemy near 
 San Antonio on the 18th instant, was shot through the body by a 
 cannon shot, and instantly killed. His death is much to be regretted. 
 On the 20th, although I had but four companies of my brigade with 
 me on the field, the remainder were actively employed in the per- 
 formance of important and indispensable duties. Captain Hardee, 
 while watching the enemy with his company near San Augustin, 
 was attacked by a band of guerillas ; but the enemy was promptly 
 and handsomely repulsed, and a number of their horses, with arms 
 and accoutrements, captured." 
 
 After the capture of the Mexican capital, Colonel Harney return- 
 ed to the United States, where he still remains [January, 1848.] 
 
COLONEL CHILDS. 
 
 Page 155. 
 
COLONEL CHILDS. 
 
 Colonel Thomas Childs is a native of Massachusetts. He en- 
 tered tlie army as 3d lieutenant, March 11th, 1814; was brevetted 
 colonel. May 9th, 1846 ; raised to the full rank of major, February 
 16th, 1847 ; and soon after raised to his present rank. He greatly 
 distinguished himself at Palo Alto, and on the following day ; and 
 at Monterey he led one of the storming parties in General Worth's 
 division. The general mentions him in his official report with high 
 approbation ; and he was at the same tirn.e recommended by General 
 Taylor to the favourable consideration of the department. He fought 
 side by side at Sierra Gordo with the intrepid Harney, and like him 
 received the highest commendations of the commander-in-chief. 
 After the capture of Jalapa, he was appointed military commander 
 of that place ; and, in about a month after, mihtary governor of 
 Puebla. During the absence of the main army from that place, he 
 was attacked, [September 13th, 1847,] by a large Mexican force, 
 and a siege commenced, which lasted nearly a month, conducted 
 part of the time by Santa Anna himself. The colonel gives a mi- 
 nute account of these transactions in his official report, [dated Octo- 
 ber 13th,] portions of which are subjoined : — 
 
 " I have the honour to report that, after twenty-eight days close 
 investment, the enemy yesterday [October 12th] raised the siege 
 and left for Atlixco. 
 
 *' I will avail myself of this opportunity to submit to the general- 
 in-chief a brief account of the operations of the troops at this point, 
 from the period of my assuming command to the termination of the 
 siege and the arrival of Brigadier-General Lane with reinforce- 
 ments. 
 
 " On entering upon my duties as civil and military governor I found 
 myself in command of Captain Ford's company of cavalry, forty- 
 
 (155) 
 
156 COLONEL CHILDS. 
 
 six strong ; Captains Kendrick's and Miller's companies of artillery, 
 numbering one hundred ; toother with six companies of the 1st 
 Pennsylvania volunteers, conBanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Black 
 — his total efTeciive strength being two hundred and forty-seven — 
 and hospitals filled with one thousand eight hundred sick. 
 
 " With this command, San Jose, the grand depot in this city, 
 Loreto, and Guadalupe were to be garrisoned, and held against the 
 combined efforts of the military and populace. 
 
 " The isolated position selected for the hospitals compelled me to 
 remove them within the protection of San Jose on the first demon- • 
 stration of hostility. This was not long in exhibiting itself, when I 
 put myself, with such means as I had at my disposal, in the best 
 possible state for defence, confining my efforts to the square imme- 
 diately around San Jose ; and from these points the enemy, during 
 the entire siege, were not able to force in (but for a single moment) 
 a sentinel. 
 
 " No open acts of hostility, other than the murdering of straggling 
 soldiers, occurred until the night of the 13th of September, when a 
 fire was opened from some of the streets. On the night of the 14th 
 it recommenced, and from every street, with a violence that knew 
 of no cessation, for twenty-eight days and nights. 
 
 " The enemy, with their numerous cavalry, succeeded in cutting 
 off at once every kind of supply, and vainly attempted to change 
 the current of the stream of water, that we might become a more 
 easy prey. The night, however, before the cattle and sheep disap- 
 peared from this vicinity, two well-directed parties obtained thirty 
 of the former and four hundred of the latter. 
 
 " The various points to be defended for the preservation of San 
 Jose, on which the safety of the other posts depended, demanded 
 the untiring vigilance of every officer and man. 
 
 " The enemy augmented in numbers daily, and daily the firing 
 was increased ; and finally, on the 22d of September, General Santa 
 Anna arrived with large reinforcements from Mexico, much to the 
 delight of the besiegers, on which occasion a general ringing of 
 bells took place, and was only stopped, as it had been several times 
 before, by a discharge of shells and round-shot from Loreto into the 
 heart of the city. 
 
 " On the 25th of September, General Santa Anna demanded my 
 surrender. 
 
COLONEL CHILDS. 157 
 
 " So soon as I had despatched my answer, I supposed not a mo- 
 ment would be lost by the general, who was to attack me at all 
 points with his eight thousand troops. I rode to the different posts, 
 and announced to the troops the demand, the force with which it 
 was backed, and my reply. Their response convinced me that all 
 was safe ; that a hard and bloody battle must be fought ere the great 
 captain of Mexico could overcome my little band. 
 
 " The point of attack was San Jose, commanded by Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Black, with Captain Ford's company of cavalry. Cap- 
 tain Miller's company of 4th artillery, and four companies of his 
 own regiment, and one hospital, the guard of which was in com- 
 mand of Captain Rowe, of the 9th regiment of infantry. 
 
 "A shower of bullets was constantly poured from the streets, the 
 balconies, the house-tops, and churches, upon their devoted heads. 
 Never did troops endure more fatigue by watching night after night, 
 for more than thirty successive nights, nor exhibit more patience, 
 spirit, and gallantry. Not a post of danger could present itself, but 
 the gallant fellows were ready to fill it ; not a sentinel could be shot, 
 but another was anxious and ready to take his place. Officers and 
 soldiers vied with each other to be honoured martyrs in their country's 
 cause. This is the general character of the troops I had the honour 
 to command, and I was confident the crown of victory would perch 
 upon their standard when the last great efl^ort should be made. 
 Their bold and determined front deprived them of what they anx- 
 iously desired. 
 
 " Oil the 30th ultimo, General Santa Anna had established his 
 battery bearing upon San Jose, and opened with much spirit. 
 Having anticipated this movement, I had thrown up a traverse on 
 the plaza, and withdrawn a twelve-pounder from Loreto, by which 
 means 1 was enabled to answer his shot. Towards night his bat- 
 tery ceased, and on the next morning was withdrawn, together with 
 from three to four thousand of the besieging force, to meet the rein- 
 forcements then daily expected at PinaL 
 
 *' On the 2d instant, I availed myself of some reduction of the 
 enemy's numbers to make a sortie against certain barricades and 
 buildings, whose fire had become very annoying. One of the ex- 
 peditions was confided to Captain Small, of the 1st Pennsylvania 
 volunteers. Passing through the walls of an entire square with 
 fifty men, he gained a position opposite the barricade, and drove the 
 14 Q 
 
158 COLONEL CHILDS. 
 
 enemy with great loss, they leaving seventeen dead on the ground. 
 The barricade, consisting of one hundred and fifty bales of cotton, 
 was consumed. In this afiail^aptain Small and his command be- 
 haved with great gallantry, and for twenty-four hours were unceas- 
 ing in their labours in accomplishing the object, when I sent Lieu- 
 tenant Laidley, of the ordnance corps, to blow up a prominent 
 building, which was done by that excellent officer in good style, 
 when the entire party was withdrawn, with few wounded. 
 
 "At the same time, Lieutenant Morgan, of the 14th regiment, 
 with a detachment of marines, and Lieutenant Merrifield, of the 
 15th regiment, with a detachment of rifles, attempted to gain pos- 
 session of certain buildings from which we were receiving a most 
 galling fire. Lieutenant Merrifield entered the buildings ; Lieu- 
 tenant Morgan was not so fortunate. The enemy being present in 
 great force, I directed him to fall back, with the loss of one man 
 killed. On the 5th instant. Captain Herron was detached with his 
 company to take possession of a building from which the enemy 
 had been enfilading the plaza. This he did in a very handsome 
 manner, and to my entire satisfaction, with only a few men wounded. 
 
 "Other minor acts of gallantry and good conduct were exhibited 
 by officers and men at San Jose, and from Guadalupe one or two 
 successful sorties were made upon the enemy when engaged in 
 their daily attacks on San Jose. 
 
 " From Lieutenant-Colonel Black, the immediate commander of 
 San Jose, and his officers, I have received the most cordial support. 
 Colonel Black, for more than thirty days, was untiring in his efforts 
 and zeal for the safety of that point. Officers and men were at 
 their posts night and day, without regarding the pelting storm ; and 
 I cannot say too much in praise of the gallant colonel, his officers 
 and men, before and during the siege." 
 
 Immediately after this gallant defence. General Lane arrived at 
 Puebla ; but ascertaining that Santa Anna had retired to Atlixco, he 
 pushed forward for that place, leaving Colonel Childs still in com- 
 mand of the post he had so ably defended. 
 
GENERAL GUSHING. 
 
 Brigadier-General Caleb Gushing is a native of Newburyport, 
 in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was educated at Har- 
 vard University, where he graduated in the year 1817 with 
 very distinguished honours. He afterwards became a tutor in the 
 University, and was elected a member of the American Academy 
 of Arts and Sciences. During his connection with the University 
 he was one of the ablest of the contributors to the North American 
 Review. Abandoning these purely hterary pursuits, he studied 
 law, and practised in his native town till the year 1835, when he 
 was elected a member of Congress from his native district, on the 
 Whig ticket. He continued to be a member of the House of Rep- 
 resentatives until the year 1843, when he was sent on the mission 
 to China by President Tyler. 
 
 After his return he remained retired from public life until April 
 14th, 1847, when he was appointed brigadier-general in the army. 
 He joined General Taylor during the summer, but was afterwards 
 ordered to Vera Cruz. A number of important duties detained him 
 at this place until after the capture of the Mexican capital, thus pre- 
 venting him from participating in the toils and dangers of our 
 army. His prompt discharge of every known duty, and his ami- 
 ability as an officer and companion, have endeared him to all those 
 with whom the fortune of war has placed him. 
 
 (159) 
 
COLONEL KILEY. 
 
 Colonel Bennet Riley is a native of Maryland, and served 
 with distinction in the war of 1812. From the post of ensign of 
 riflemen, to which he was appointed January 19th, 1813, he has 
 risen by regular gradation to his present rank. At Contreros he led 
 the assaihng party on both days, and finally carried the work with 
 the bayonet, in a style which has rarely been surpassed. During 
 the whole of those eventful days, his brigade endured hardships, 
 and performed actions, worthy of a place beside the wildest re- 
 cords of chivalry. General Smith thus speaks of it ; — 
 
 "The opportunity aflbrded to Colonel Riley by his position 
 was seized by that gallant veteran with all the skill and energy 
 for which he is distinguished. The charge of his noble brigade 
 down the slope, in full view of friend and foe, unchecked even 
 for a moment, until he had planted all his colours upon their 
 farthest works, was a spectacle that animated the army to the bold- 
 est deeds." 
 
 Similar was the conduct of Colonel Riley in the battle along 
 the aqueducts leading to the capital. He stormed some of the 
 enemy's positions, and on the night of December 13th had arrived 
 before the principal gate. He entered Mexico next morning, in 
 company wuth the commander-in-chief, and still remains at the head 
 of his troops in the capital. 
 
 (160) 
 
COLONEL BUTLER. 
 
 Pierce M. Butler was colonel of the South Carolina regiment 
 of volunteers, and highly distinguished himself in the battles of the 
 19th and 20th of August. He had left a sick-bed to share the 
 dangers of battle, and although twice wounded, he continued in. the 
 saddle, animating his men, until struck down before Churubusco. 
 When his fall was announced in his native state, it caused sensa- 
 tions of the deepest sorrow ; friends who knew his worth mourned 
 for him as for a brother, and strangers, acquainted with him only by 
 reputation, felt that a great and good man had been taken from 
 among them. General Shields thus announces his death to the 
 commander-in-chief: — 
 
 *^The noble and gallant colonel of the South Carolina regiment, 
 P. M. Butler, had risen from his sick-bed to share the hardships 
 of the field, and the dangers of the combat, with his devoted regi- 
 ment. He survived the conflict of the morning to lead his command 
 where victory again awaited it. Although wounded himself, and 
 having lost his horse, shot under him, he still continued to press 
 onward near the 'colours of his regiment, until the fatal ball termi- 
 nated his life. 
 
 "A gallant soldier in his youth, he has won in his death upon the 
 field of battle, fame for himself and his regiment, and added another 
 name to the roll of Carolina's departed heroes." 
 
 The New Orleans Delta has the following remarks upon the 
 colonel's death : — 
 
 " The death of this gallant South CaroHnian, the representative 
 on the bloody field of Churubusco of as noble a race of heroes as 
 any country has produced, will create a profound and extended 
 sorrow in this country. He has been for a long time a conspicuous 
 and prominent citizen of South Carolina, and was noted for his great 
 14* ci2 (161) 
 
162 COLONEL BUTLER. 
 
 resolution and indomitable courage. He possessed military quali- 
 ties of the highest order, and gave promise of great success and dis- 
 tinction in a career which, alan terminated at its very commence- 
 ment. Colonel Butler had been very ill for several days previous 
 to the battle, but when he heard that the Palmetto flag was going 
 into the fight, unaccompanied by him to whose special charge it had 
 been committed, he broke loose from his physicians, abandoned his 
 sick couch, and, weak, ghastly, and almost fainting, mounted his 
 charger, and placed himself at the head of his regiment. With such 
 an example, men far less ardent and gallant than the South Caroli- 
 nians would have been prompted to deeds of superhuman daring. 
 But there w^as no such incitement necessary to impel the sons of the 
 * Harry Hotspur of the Union,' as Prentiss once styled the gallant 
 Palmetto State, to the most brilliant and conspicuous display of mili- 
 tary qualities. Colonel Butler, though twice badly wounded, and 
 weighed down by faintness and loss of blood, maintained his position 
 until a third wound caused his death." 
 
 "We lay before our readers," says the Charleston Mercury, "the 
 following interesting correspondence. Its perusal cannot fail to 
 heighten our admiration of the character, and endear more strongly 
 the memory, of that gallant spirit whose heroic aspirations are now 
 quenched in the grave. Though doomed himself, with his brave 
 command, as was supposed, to inglorious inaction, and gloomy and 
 chafed from the disappointment, Colonel Butler could appreciate 
 the yearnings of a brother soldier for a closer participation in the 
 coming fray — ' to be nearer the flashing of the guns' — and lend his 
 friendly aid to secure their gratification. The letter of General 
 Worth is as honourable to himself as to the memory of the gallant 
 Butler. Kindred spirits ! they could appreciate each other ; and 
 gracefully has the survivor wreathed the laurel and cypress over 
 the grave of his friend. A soldier needs no nobler eulogist. 
 
 Letter from Major- General Worth to Hon. Ji. Butler^ [dated 
 Tacuhaya, Mexico, August 26th, 1847.3 
 
 " Sir : I trust a cordial intimacy and friendship of twenty-five 
 years with your late brother, the gallant Colonel Butler, will excuse 
 the trespass of a stranger. Your brother fell most gloriously in the 
 great battle of the 20th, before the gates of Mexico. In that bloody 
 conflict, no man gave higher evidence of valour and patriotism, or 
 
COLONEL BUTLER. 163 
 
 exhibited a brighter example. He fell when it was God's will, 
 precisely as he would have desired to die. His body rests here ; 
 his memory in the hearts of his countrymen ; his spirit, bright and 
 pure as his blade, with his God. 
 
 " The enclosed letter, written the day before the battle, I did not 
 receive until the day after, through the hands of Dickinson ; and it 
 is not because of the kind things said by a friend's partiality, but 
 because it is probably the last letter he penned, that I send it to 
 you ; begging that at some future day it may be returned to me, to 
 be preserved and cherished. 
 
 "The gallant Palmettos, who showed themselves worthy of their 
 state and country, lost nearly one half. This victory will carry joy 
 and sorrow into half the families of South CaroHna. Colonel Dick- 
 inson is getting on well, and will, it is hoped, save his leg. An 
 armistice is concluded, and commissioners meet to-morrow to treat 
 of peace. God speed them. 
 
 Letter from Colonel Butler to General Worth, [elated San JlugiiS' 
 tin, August 19th, 1847.] 
 
 "Dear General: We are here in tribulation ; I can but hope, 
 however, it is but temporary. It is ordered that this division remain 
 as protection to the train. There is gloom on us all : while I am 
 one who believes there will be fighting enough for all. The moral 
 effect is withering. The regiment, though weak in numbers, is up 
 to the full point, and I trust South Carolina may have a place in the 
 picture. 
 
 *' We have been watching you and your division for the last two 
 days with fraternal affection ; but the entire voice of the army, 
 where I have been, or heard, is unbounded confidence in ' Worth.' 
 * So mote it be.' But I have strayed from the principal point or 
 purpose of my note, which is to say, our friend, Colonel Dickinson, 
 more impatient, and not so long a soldier as myself, desires a place 
 nearer the flashing of the guns ; and with good taste, wishes to get 
 near you. If you can make him useful, he will feel much gratified. 
 I am aware you are surrounded by a talented, staff, but a Httle more 
 of a good thing will render it not the less complete or effectual." 
 
MAJOR VINTON. 
 
 The son of a lady of uncommon powers of mind, joined with 
 great worth and influence of character, the elder of four brothers, 
 now distinguished in the church and the army, Vinton was a boy of 
 unusual promise at school, and was celebrated at West Point, where 
 his instructors, in letters written at the time, pronounced him " un- 
 rivalled" in genius, acquirements, and high tone of moral character. 
 He received a commission when scarcely seventeen, was employed 
 for several years on topographical duty on the Atlantic coast and 
 the Canada hne, and yet was so good a tactician, that at an early 
 age he was appointed by General Eustis adjutant at the school of 
 practice, and gave entire satisfaction, in that arduous office, to a fas- 
 tidious commander. While residing at Washington, as aid to Ge- 
 neral Brown, he was employed by the government in several duties 
 of a special nature, and certain papers which he prepared were so 
 generally admired in Congress, that in a leading speech in favour 
 of the Military Academy, Lieutenant Vinton was referred to as an 
 instance of the kind of men the system of that institution could 
 produce. 
 
 By pursuing a course of rigid self-denial and discipline, he 
 was able to perform labours in various departments of art and science, 
 in such a manner as to command the respect of men to whom those 
 pursuits were professional. The works of his pencil are received 
 among artists ; his correspondence upon astronomical subjects was 
 valued by men of science ; his general scholarship procured him a 
 degree of Master of Arts in a leading university ; his edition of the 
 work on military tactics was highly satisfactory to the government 
 and the general-in-chief ; and in the second volume of Mr. Sumner's 
 Reports, the lawyer will find an argument prepared by him in a case 
 in which he wa§ personally interested, depending before Judge 
 (164) 
 
HIS ACQUIREMENTS. 165 
 
 Story, to which that judge paid the best compliment of following, in 
 his decision, the same coarse of reasoning pursued in the argument. 
 
 His letters show him to have been as remarkable for the sound- 
 ness of his views as for his acquisitions. With reference to several 
 political and theological subjects of those times, they show us how 
 a thoughtful man, removed from the strife of parties and the whirl 
 of events, may take the same views at which the actors come to 
 after the retrospection of years. 
 
 But that which most interests us in his character, is the tender- 
 ness and depth of his affections. He had married a lady of distin- 
 guished merit and beauty, who died early, leaving three children, 
 two daughters and a son, who now survive both their parents. In 
 his relations as a father, a husband, a son, and a brother, he was 
 sensitive to every impression, and gave and received exquisite plea- 
 sure in the interchanges of affection and esteem. In one letter we 
 find an earnest plea for the paternal affection, in answer to a sug- 
 gestion that it might interfere with the love and duty we owe to the 
 Most High. He speaks from the heart, and will not permit the na- 
 tural affections to be severed from religion, and set over against the 
 love of God. 
 
 While in Florida, in the prosecution of the war, his mind came 
 under the influence of rehgion far more than ever before. His 
 whole soul was warmed into a new hfe, and for a while, like the 
 bewildered apostles, he seemed to "stand, gazing up into heaven." 
 His journal and letters during this period are of the most intensely 
 interesting character. Nothing, in the famed life of Martyn, more 
 touches the heart, than the humility, self-accusation, and child- 
 like devotedness of this high-minded, heroic man. At a secluded 
 post, in the midst of the interminable pine forests, the solitude and 
 silence of which he describes as awful and almost oppressive, far 
 from his family and friends, his mind and affections ripened into the 
 highest state of Christian experience and discipline. He then 
 turned his thoughts, or rather, they were turned for him, towards 
 the office of the Christian ministry. His letters are full of doubts, 
 hopes, and plannings for taking holy orders. He fears that his 
 health will not enable him to follow a sedentary life ; he doubts his 
 fitness; fears that selfish joaotives, the prospect of being with his 
 family and friends, may combine with others ; and examines him- 
 self in the most thorough and humble nianner. He cannot honour- 
 
166 MAJOR VINTON. 
 
 ably quit the army then in the field, and the prospect of retiring 
 from it was somewhat distant. His pecuniary affairs, too, were 
 hardly such as to warrant hinflHh yielding up all income for three 
 or four years ; and the banks in which his property was invested 
 were embarrassed and in danger. Then, too, he doubts if he is not 
 too old to begin the study of a new profession ; but modestly consi- 
 ders his acquirements in the languages, and avers that he aims at 
 no distinction as a scholar or a preacher, but only at that degree of 
 fitness which the rules of the Church require, to enable him to do 
 his work in some humble part of the vineyard. To lose no time, 
 he sends for books, and in his tent and in the forest, he pores over 
 the Greek and Hebrew, the commentators and sermonizers, and de- 
 voutly uses the best books of meditation and reflection. He pre- 
 pared several outlines of sermons, and in his choice of subjects 
 leaned towards those of a pathetic and personal character, that are 
 more hkely to bring tears into the eyes than to tax the understand- 
 ing. As another preparation, he used to read parts of the service 
 aloud, by himself, in the forest. He says, in his journal : — " It re- 
 quires time and habitude for one to become reconciled to the sound 
 of his own voice. It throws one, at first, into absolute trepidation. 
 In the solitude it is sufficiently appalling. What must it be in an 
 assembly of people, a silent auditory, where a thousand eyes are 
 fixed upon you, a whole congregation of faces' bent upon you, ready 
 to criticise and condemn the slightest fault ?" This, from a man 
 who could stand with firm nerves a three-hours' fire from concealed 
 Indians, scale the heights and walls of Monterey, and face the blaz- 
 ing batteries of Vera Cruz ! 
 
 It was Captain Vinton's fortune to be engaged in one of the few 
 battles of that distasteful war — the action at Lake Munroe. The 
 event, and his own feelings, are faithfully described in his letter of 
 February 12th, 1837 :— 
 
 "Early in the morning of the 8lh instant, half an hour before 
 daylight, we were aroused by the war-cry of the stages, and a fire 
 was poured into our camp on all sides, except that towards the lake. 
 Our men, though recruits, almost without exception, repaired with 
 alacrity to their posts, and returned upon the enemy full volleys of 
 musketry. The morning was rendered still more obscure by a dense 
 fog, which, with the smoke from the fire-arms, nearly concealed the 
 enemy from our sio^ht. But we had the direction with sufficient 
 
SERVICES IN FLORIDA AND RHODE ISLAND. 167 
 
 precision, and poured in our shot with interest. For three hours 
 this conflict continued, with only one or two slight intermissions, our 
 men gaining confidence and enthusiasm every moment. At length 
 the savages began to slacken their fire, and made ofl^, carrying their 
 dead and wounded, but leaving behind many articles which they 
 would never have relinquished but for discomfiture and necessity. 
 They came down upon us with all their force, thinking, perhaps, to 
 take possession of our camp. Their numbers were large, variously 
 estimated at from three to five hundred, and their fire was sustained 
 with a vigour and pertinacity unprecedented." In this action Cap- 
 tain Mellon was killed, and Lieutenant McLaughlin and thirteen 
 privates wounded. One man was struck down at Captain Vinton's 
 side, so near as to cover him with blood. 
 
 The continuance of the war in Florida, and the financial difficul- 
 ties of the country, as well as his uncertain health, obliged him to 
 abandon his cherished hope of the ministry, and he made up his 
 mind to devote the remainder of his life to the duties of his profes- 
 sion, to general studies, and the education of his children. 
 
 Being at Providence during the Dorr insurrection, he entered 
 ardently into the cause of the state, and saw the necessity of mili- 
 tary organization and discipline to save the lives and property of the 
 inhabitants from the recklessness of an armed mob. He hastened to 
 Washington, and asked authority to offer his services to the state. 
 This was not given, and he was told that he must act on his own re- 
 sponsibility. As he was not forbidden, he took the responsibility ; and 
 had he been called to account, would have made any sacrifice for the 
 good of his native state. He knew the risk he ran ; for it was generally 
 feared that if the Dorr movement prevailed in Providence, it would 
 also prevail in Washington. The people of Rhode Island well re- 
 member and appreciate the value of his military counsels in that 
 crisis, of his incessant disciplining of the volunteer companies, and 
 the spirit and intelligence infused into the young citizen soldiers by 
 his course of military lectures. 
 
 While stationed at the arsenal at Augusta, Georgia, he received 
 orders to join the army of General Taylor on its march from the Rio 
 Grande toward the city of Monterey. During this march, he per- 
 formed the duties of a field-officer, often with a separate command, 
 a proof of peculiar confidence in an enemy's country. He was sent 
 
168 MAJOR VINTON. 
 
 to take possession of Mier, which it was thought would be defended, 
 and to act as governor of the place during its occupation. This he 
 did, and remained there until me army passed on, and then rejoined 
 it in season to act a conspicuous part in the battle of Monterey. 
 
 On the night before the battle of Monterey, he writes to his 
 daughter, showing a spirit of preparation for the duties and chances 
 of the morrow, which could not but ensure him success in what- 
 ever might fall to his lot to attempt. 
 
 He was with General Worth's division, and was actively and 
 prominently engaged in the operations of each day. He was with 
 the troops as they passed so long under the fire from the two heights, 
 in the storming of those heights, the capture of the palace, and the 
 penetrating into the town, the digging through walls, and firing from 
 house-tops. He was in five several engagements, in each of which 
 he was exposed to severe fire from the enemy. In the storming of 
 the second hill, he led a battalion on one side of the hill, while Co- 
 lonel Childs commanded on the other ; and after forcing their way 
 up, over rocks and brambles, amid a shower of musket-balls, they 
 drove the enemy from the top, at the point of the bayonet, and 
 forced them to retreat to the stronghold of the Bishop's Palace. 
 
 The part performed by him in the capture of the Bishop's Palace 
 was of so distinguished a character, and attracted such admiration at 
 the time, that it deserves a full recital here. We cannot present a 
 juster description of it than is contained in a letter from Captain 
 Blanchard, who served under him at the time. 
 
 " I found Captain J. R. Vinton in command of the advance, and 
 he then told me that his plan was to try to draw the enemy from 
 their position, in and near the palace, and when they were fairly 
 out, to rise and charge them vigorously, and, if possible, to get 
 possession of the palace. The advance was covered as much as 
 possible behind the rocks, to protect them from the dreadful shower 
 of grape and musketry which the enemy kept up from their de- 
 fences. I asked him if we should advance or fire. He told me 
 that I might advance if I did not expose my men too much, and that 
 he wished me to fall back whenever I saw the enemy coming out, 
 until we were upon his line of ambush, and then to close on him 
 and rush on them. It was a well-conceived plan, and the result 
 showed that it was well executed. The enemy were induced to 
 come out and charge, ^nd as they came up the hill, Captain Vinton 
 
ORDERED TO JOIN SCOTT. 169 
 
 shouted, ' Now, my men, close and drive them !' With one will they 
 closed to centre, dehvered their fire, and with charged bayonets 
 rushed on the Mexicans. They were thunderstruck, and, after a 
 moment's stand, broke and ran. Our men were in the palace and 
 fort before they all escaped, and in ten minutes their own guns were 
 turned upon them. The main body under Colonel Childs came 
 down in solid column, and we were the victors. It was a stirring, 
 thrilling scene, and I cannot do it justice, for it should be seen to be 
 felt. Captain Vinton derived all the credit which his position en- 
 abled him to obtain, and I shall always be of opinion that his plan 
 was an admirable one. I hope he will be promoted, not only for his 
 skilful and gallant conduct on that day, but for his general merito- 
 rious conduct as an officer." 
 
 After some time spent at Monterey and Saltillo, he was ordered 
 with the greater part of the regulars to join General Scott in the 
 attack on Vera Cruz. Here it was that he wrote his last letter, 
 which has already been given to the public. Those who knew him 
 know how truly he speaks of his past life. His country will not 
 forget in what spirit he gave his life to her " in her lime of appeal." 
 " I have hitherto lived mostly for others — but my children will reap 
 some of the fruits of my self-denial, by the means I shall leave them 
 of living independently, and securing a good education. I commit 
 them, in full reliance, to the care of their Heavenly Father, and I 
 hope their trust in him will ever be at least as firm as my own. My 
 confidence in the overruling providence of God is unqualified, so 
 that I go to the field of action assured that whatever may befall me 
 will be for the best. I feel proud to serve my country in her time 
 of appeal ; and should even the worst, death itself, be my lot, I shall 
 meet it cheerfully." 
 
 His habits of order were singularly preserved to the last. On 
 the leaves of a pocket-book he made daily and almost hourly memo- 
 randa in pencil, which he afterwards transferred at leisure to his 
 journal. These notes are carried down, in a clear hand, to within 
 less than an hour of his fall, and being found on his person are now 
 in the possession of his friends. The last entry is as follows : — 
 
 ^^ March 22d. — Ordered to the trenches to command the batteries, 
 early. General Scott sent in a flag for the city to surrender, at 2 
 P. M. ; refused. Seven mortars opened at 4 P. M. Heavy cannon- 
 ading" These were his last words. 
 
 15 R 
 
170 MAJOR VINTON. 
 
 Towards evening of the 22A of March, Major Vinton went out 
 upon an exposed situation, to watch the effect of our shot and the 
 direction of that from the enenlff He remained there for some time, 
 came down, and said to Major Martin Scott, who commanded the 
 covering party, " Tell the officers, major, as you pass the mortars, 
 that our guns are working accurately." He had just returned to 
 his post when a huge shell, striking the top of the parapet, glanced 
 and struck his head, fracturing the skull. He fell instantly dead, 
 lying upon his back, with his arms crossed over his breast ; his face, 
 as an officer writes who was present, " retaining its habitual expres- 
 sion, sedate and earnest, but not harsh." The officers and men 
 rushed to him as he fell, and gathered about him. The shell did 
 not burst, fortunately, for it was found to be charged with a pound 
 of powder and three hundred and twenty musket-balls. Upon his 
 body were found letters from his children, stained with his life-blood, 
 which flowed from a wound in his breast. He was buried in the 
 military coat in which he fell. The funeral was attended by the 
 general-in-chief and all the officers who could be spared from duty, 
 and the service of the church was read over him by a brother officer 
 -—a friend of many years — amid the roar of cannon, the falhng of 
 the enemy's shot, and the whirhng of sand in the fierce Norther — 
 snatched from the victory of the morrow, that his spirit might gain 
 a greater victory over death and the grave. 
 
CAPTAIN THORNTON. 
 
 Captain Seth B. Thornton was a native of Virginia, and served 
 with credit in the late Seminole war. In June, 1836, he was ap- 
 pointed 2d lieutenant in the army ; and in February, 1841, was 
 commissioned captain of the 2d dragoons. He joined the Corps of 
 Observation, at its first organization, and after its arrival at the Rio 
 Grande, was destined to command the first party attacked by the 
 Mexicans, and to begin the war. 
 
 In consequence of the rumoured intentions of the enemy, Captain 
 Thornton was despatched on the 24th of April, 1846, to the crossing, 
 above Fort Brown, and Captain Ker below. Accompanying Thornton 
 were Captain Hardee, Lieutenants Mason and Kane, and sixty-one 
 men. After proceeding about twenty-six miles, they encountered a 
 Mexican, who reported that at a short distance, the enemy were 
 stationed to the number of two thousand, under General Torrejon, 
 Partly from the cowardice of their Mexican guide, and partly from 
 ignorance of the country, they were led into a plantation surrounded 
 by a thick chapparal fence, round which was concealed an ambush 
 of more than ten times their number. Thornton, followed by his 
 command, crossed the plantation to the house, where he eutered into 
 conversation with one of the residents. While thus engaged, the 
 enemy took possession of the gate, and now for the first time, the 
 party perceived that the chapparal was crowded with infantry, sup- 
 ported by cavalry, who were preparing for a charge. This was met 
 with gallantry and success ; but in the struggle Lieutenant Kane 
 was unhorsed, and the captain became separated from his command. 
 The whole Mexican force now poured in a destructive fire upon the 
 few men under Captain Hardee, who, notwithstanding, rallied and 
 endeavoured to retreat by way of the river. This he was unable to 
 
 (171) 
 
172 CAPTAIN THORNTON. 
 
 accomplish, and after having eleven men killed, including a sergeant 
 and two other officers, he consented to surrender, on condition of his 
 men being treated as prisoner^f war, declaring that if this were 
 refused, they would continue the battle at all hazards. This was 
 acceded to, and the captain and twenty-five men were carried into 
 Matamoras. 
 
 The bravery of Captain Thornton deserves notice. As we have 
 stated, he met the charge of the cavalry with success, but was un- 
 able to break the crowded hnes of the infantry by whom they were 
 supported. The chapparal was at this time in one wide blaze of 
 fire, and in rushing toward it, the horse of the captain made a tre- 
 mendous leap, completely clearing the whole enclosure, and alighted 
 in the midst of the enemy. This feat, however, was not performed 
 with impunity; the animal received a severe wound at the very 
 moment of its accomplishment, and was subsequently obliged to 
 carry his intrepid rider through a host of armed men. The captain 
 escaped unwounded, and though both horse and rider subsequently 
 encountered a severe fall, he succeeded in approaching within about 
 five miles of the American camp. But at this place he was inter- 
 cepted by an advance-guard of the enemy, and conveyed prisoner 
 to Matamoras. 
 
 Lieutenant Mason was killed before the chapparal, and Kane 
 shared the fate of Thornton. 
 
 Notwithstanding the disadvantages against which the Americans 
 contended, this affair was a source of unbounded exultation to the 
 enemy. Besides public rejoicing in Matamoras, Arista wrote to 
 General Torrejon in terms of congratulation, which would have 
 been considered extravagant in General Taylor after the battle of 
 Palo Alto. 
 
 Captain Thornton was retained by the Mexicans until after the 
 battle of Resaca de la Palma, when an exchange of prisoners re- 
 stored him to the American army. He was immediately placed 
 under arrest, and a court of inquiry held upon the causes of his 
 capture, which resulted in his honourable acquittal of all blame. He 
 accompanied the army to Monterey, and subsequently joined the 
 commander-in-chief in his march toward central Mexico. The 
 hardships of that terrible journey preyed upon his naturally delicate 
 constitution, and rendered him an invalid before the city of the 
 Montezuma's greeted the army's longing sight. Eager, however, 
 
CAPTAIN THORNTON. 173 
 
 for duty, nothing could prevail on him to be inactive, as soon as 
 prospect of battle was presented. During the reconnoissance near 
 San Antonio, on the evening of the 18tli August, he accompanied 
 the men, assisting personally in the most fatiguing duties. While 
 thus engaged, a discharge from a battery within the fort struck him 
 dead from his horse, and wounded a guide. 
 
 Thornton seemed born to misfortune. He was a passenger in the 
 ill-fated Pulaski, arfH after doing all he could to rescue others, he 
 attempted to save himself by seizing upon a chicken-coop. He 
 picked several out of the water ; but one by one they died and 
 dropped off, and he himself became a half-famished maniac, before 
 he was found. In military affairs he was always unfortunate. He 
 was endowed with a courage which nothing could daunt ; but his 
 spirit was much too ardent and impetuous for his physical structure, 
 he being of a small stature and delicate constitution. 
 
 15* r2 
 
GENERAL KEAENY. 
 
 Brigadier-General Stephen W. Kearny is a native of New 
 Jersey, and entered the army as first lieutenant of the 13th infantry, 
 March 12ih, 1812. He rose by regular gradation to brigadier-gene- 
 ral, April 30th, 1846. 
 
 Kearny was intended by his parents for one of the learned pro- 
 fessions, and being placed at Princeton college, made rapid advances 
 in the various studies pursued there. The outrages perpetrated by 
 Great Britain on our commerce, roused him from a scholar's seclu- 
 sion, and fired his spirit with ambition for distinction in the coming 
 contest. He marched under Captain [now General] Wool to the 
 Canada border, and fought with the army which so gallantly com- 
 pensated for the disgrace of Hull's surrender at Detroit. He was 
 with Wool at Q,ueenstown, and in company with Colonel Scott, was 
 taken prisoner by an overwhelming British force on the Canadian 
 side, and sent to Quebec. In a little while he was exchanged, re- 
 joined the army, and served with distinction and usefulness, until 
 the close of the war. 
 IP From this time, until the commencement of our struggle with 
 
 Mexico, he remained in the arrry, performing various duties, prin- 
 cipally among the Indian tribes and the scattered posts owned by 
 government in the western wilderness. He conducted several ex- 
 peditions to the Rocky Mountains and New Mexico, gaining valu- 
 able information of those territories and their inhabitants, and ac- 
 customing himself to the labours and privations of a western hunter. 
 At the same time he employed all his leisure hours in gaining a 
 knowledge of military tactics, both from books and by means of 
 personal intercourse with distinguished officers. 
 
 On the 30th of June, 1846, by order of government. General 
 (174) 
 
GENERAL KEARNY. 
 
 Page 174, 
 
DESCRIPTION OF SANTA FE. 175 
 
 Kearny marched from Fort Leavenworth with sixteen hundred 
 regulars and volunteers, on an expedition against Santa Fe, the 
 capital of New Mexico. He took possession of this place in Au- 
 gust, having marched in six weeks eight hundred and seventy miles. 
 We annex a rough but lively sketch of the town, from the pen of a 
 volunteer, who wrote since General Kearny's arrival in the United 
 States. 
 
 " On the Cimmerone route to Santa Fe, the scene of Indian de- 
 predations is chiefly between what is called the ' Pawnee Fork' and 
 Cimmerone river, a distance of, say two hundred miles ; yet the 
 road is by no means safe, even until you arrive within the frontier 
 settlements of New Mexico. We travelled most of the way with 
 three companies of the mounted regiment, and attribute our safety 
 through the Indian country to the fact that the mihtary were with 
 us — as from signs frequently seen, there is no doubt the Indians 
 were constantly around, watching for a favourable opportunity to 
 attack us ; but we were always vigilant, and thus escaped. I am 
 glad the government has sent a force to guard the plains. Every 
 thing will depend upon the material of which the command is com- 
 posed. Little need be expected if it is made up of officers' and men 
 who sought the service because they had nothing to do at home to 
 keep them from starving. God knows there are enough such in the 
 service already. * * * * Every cofTee-house in Sante Fe, and 
 their name is legion, was provided with the various implements of 
 gambling, particularly the national game of ' monte.' Intemperance 
 and public disorder — the never-failing attendants of gaming — pre- 
 vailed in the city. 
 
 "By order of the commanding officer, gaming of all kinds was 
 prohibited. Coffee-house keepers were forbidden to sell liquor to 
 soldiers — fandangos were not allowed except on certain conditions 
 and terms. A provost marshal was appointed to enforce these or- 
 ders. As if by magic the whole condition of things was changed. 
 All this has been brought about by the energetic, and at the same 
 time judicious, exertions of Colonel Easton, who has been indus- 
 trious and indefatigable in the discharge of his various duties ; at 
 the same time has kept himself aloof from the temptations which 
 so easily beset every American who comes here, whatever be his 
 rank or station. Thoroughly acquainted with the duties of his 
 mihtary profession, he has exhibited in his daily life and manners 
 
 0,2 
 
176 GENERAL KEARNY. 
 
 the example of a well-bred American gentleman — an example sel- 
 dom seen here, and which has not been lost upon these people. All 
 classes, Mexicans, and others^ivil and military, are loud in their 
 praise of him. I only speak the sentiments of every one here, 
 when I say that no officer since General Kearny left, enjoys so uni- 
 versally the good will and esteem of all classes as does Colonel 
 Easton at the present moment. Yet much which I know he con- 
 templated doing towards redeeming this city, is left undone since he 
 was superseded in command ; but during his brief career as com- 
 manding officer, he has done enough to secure for him a name which 
 will be long remembered here with much honour. The St. Louis 
 battalion is rapidly improving in drill and disciphne — in this last 
 respect it is excellent — while the drill is acknowledged to be supe- 
 rior to any volunteer regiment of last year. * * The battalion is 
 doing well — as an evidence, there are none sick — that is dangerously 
 — in the whole command. They occupy good quarters, barrack- 
 rooms once occupied by the Mexicans, which have since been re- 
 paired and altered, so that they are very convenient, with an excel- 
 lent parade-ground in front. The adjutant, Lieutenant Holmes, is, 
 next to Colonel Easton, the best officer in the battalion. He has 
 been most diligent in his application to his profession, and now ac- 
 quits himself, in a manner that would honour the post of adjutant in 
 any regular regiment. He is highly esteemed by every officer and 
 soldier of the battalion, and by all who know him, as a good officer 
 and unimpeachable gentleman. 
 
 "The Mexicans all seem quiet, and are attending to their regular 
 business ; yet many who pretend to know, say that all this quiet is 
 but the calm which precedes the storm — that a general insurrection 
 is brewing, and may at any moment break out. Others, again, who 
 also pretend to understand the Mexicans here, say there is no danger 
 to be apprehended. I am strongly inclined to the opinion that no- 
 thing serious is at hand. Among these people, there are many who 
 are always ready for a row, upon the slightest pretence, but I be- 
 lieve the majority are alike indifferent whether the Great Mogul or 
 James K. Polk rules over them, provided they can sell their grapes, 
 peaches, corn and red peppers, and smoke their segars in peace. 
 
 "An express, consisting of a captain, lieutenant and fifteen 
 men, started for Washington yesterday. The captain is bearer of 
 despatches from head-quarters here, sent by the commanding officer, 
 
KEARNY MARCHES FOR CALIFORNIA. 177 
 
 Colonel Newby, of the Illinois foot. ***** The Missouri 
 regiment is not in as good a condition as the St. Louis battalion. 
 The appointment of Colonel Price as brigadier-general is by no 
 means popular here. * * * * His command while here was 
 in a constant state of disorganization — no order, no discipline. I 
 could fill a sheet with authentic accounts of the deplorable state, 
 not only of his immediate command, but of the affairs of this post 
 while he was commanding officer, so far as he had the management. 
 One fact will suffice : A private, whom I know, and believe to be a 
 man of truth, told me that at one time there was not an officer or 
 non-commissioned officer of his company on duty ; that they used 
 up their rations, and were obliged to send a private to the colonel to 
 know what to do ; and it was some days, and with great difficulty, 
 before they at last obtained subsistence ! ***** Efforts 
 have been made to have Colonel Easton appointed governor of New 
 Mexico. Petitions have been circulated, and signed by almost all 
 the inhabitants and officers of the various regiments, to have the ap- 
 pointment made; but it is understood that he does not like to be 
 separated from his command ; if it goes south he wishes to go with 
 it. I am inchned to think nothing will be done here until Price ar- 
 rives, unless an outbreak is attempted. The force now here is more 
 than enough to hold this whole country." 
 
 After remaining for some time at Santa Fe, General Kearny 
 marched against the province of California, publishing at the same 
 time a proclamation in which he claimed New Mexico for the 
 United States, and exhorted the inhabitants to submit peaceably to 
 the new government. But on his road he received information 
 that the intended object of his expedition had been already attained 
 by a party under Colonel Fremont. He accordingly sent back the 
 greater part of his force, and with a small troop hurried on to join 
 Colonel Fremont. 
 
 New Mexico had been awed but not completely subdued ; and 
 soon after Kearny's departure the inhabitants rose in vindication 
 of their old government. Disturbances were also taking place in 
 Cahfornia, and several bands of citizens spread themselves over the 
 country and kept up the spirit of opposition. On the 8th of De- 
 cember, 1846, General Kearny encountered one of these under 
 the celebrated Pico, near the Indian town of San Pascual. The 
 following is his own account of this affair ; 
 
178 GENERAL KEARNY. 
 
 " Having learned from Captain Gillespie, of the volunteers, that 
 there was an armed party of^falifornians, with a number of extra 
 horses at San Pascual, three leagues distant, on a road leading to 
 this place, I sent Lieutenant Hammond, 1st dragoons, with a few 
 men to make a reconnoissance of them. 
 
 "He returned at two in the morning of the 6th instant, reporting 
 that he had found the party in the place mentioned, and that he had 
 been seen, though not pursued by them. I then determined that I 
 would march for and attack them by break of day. Arrangements 
 were accordingly made for the purpose. My aid-de-camp. Captain 
 Johnson, (dragoons,) was assigned to the command of the advance- 
 guard of twelve dragoons, mounted on the best horses we had ; then 
 followed about fifty dragoons under Captain Moore, mounted, with 
 but few exceptions, on the tired mules they had ridden from Santa 
 Fe (New Mexico, one thousand and fifty miles), then about twenty 
 volunteers of Captain Gibson's company, under his command, and 
 that of Captain Gillespie ; then followed our two mounted howitzers, 
 with dragoons to manage them, and under the charge of Lieutenant 
 Davidson, of the regiment. 
 
 " The remainder of the dragoons, volunteers, and citizens, em- 
 ployed by the officers of the staff, &c., were placed under the com- 
 mand of Major Swords (quartermaster), wnth orders to follow on 
 our trail with the baggage, and to see to its safety. 
 
 "As the day (December 6) dawned, we approached the enemy 
 at San Pascual, who were already in the saddle, when Captain 
 Johnson made a furious charge upon them with his advance-guard, 
 and was in a short time after supported by the dragoons ; soon after 
 this the enemy gave way, having kept up from the beginning a 
 continued fire upon us. 
 
 " Upon the retreat of the enemy. Captain Moore led off rapidly 
 in pursuit, accompanied by the dragoons mounted on horses, and 
 was followed, though slowly, by the others on their tired mules ; 
 the enemy well-mounted, and among the best horsemen in the world, 
 after retreating about half a mile, and seeing an interval between 
 Captain Moore with his advance, and the dragoons coming to his 
 support, raUied their whole force, charged with their lances, and, on 
 account of their greatly superior numbers, but few of us in front 
 remained untouched ; for five minutes they held the ground from 
 us, when our men coming up, we again drove them, and they fled 
 
BATTLE OF SAN PASCUAL. 179 
 
 from the field, not to return to it, which we occupied and encamped 
 upon. 
 
 "A most melancholy duty now remains for me : — it is to report 
 the death of my aid-de-camp. Captain Johnson, who was shot dead 
 at the commencement of the action, of Captain Moore, who was 
 lanced just previous to the final retreat of the enemy, and of Lieute- 
 nant Hammond, also lanced, and who survived but a few hours. 
 We have also had two sergeants killed, two corporals, and ten privates 
 of the 1st dragoons; one private of the volunteers, and one man, an 
 engage in the topographical department. Among the wounded 
 are myself, (in two places,) Lieutenant Warner, topographical engi- 
 neers, (in three places,) Captains Gillespie and Gibson of the volun- 
 teers, (the former in three places,) one sergeant, one bugleman, and 
 nine privates of the dragoons ; many of these surviving, although 
 having from two to ten lance wounds, most of them when unhorsed 
 and incapable of resistance. 
 
 " Our howitzers were not brought into the action ; but coming to 
 the front at the close of it, before they were turned, so as to admit 
 of being fired upon the retreating enemy, the two mules before one 
 of them got alarmed, and freeing themselves from their drivers, ran 
 off, and among the enemy, and were thus lost to us. 
 
 " The enemy proved to be a party of about one hundred and sixty 
 Californians under Andreas Pico, brother of the late governor ; the 
 number of their dead and wounded must have been considerable, 
 though I have no means of ascertaining how many, as just previous 
 to their final retreat they carried off all excepting six. 
 
 " The great number of our killed and wounded proves that our 
 officers and men have fully sustained the high character and repu- 
 tation of our troops ; and the victory thus gained over more than 
 double our force may assist in forming the wreath of our national 
 glory. 
 
 " I have to return my thanks to many for their gallantry and good 
 conduct on the field, and particularly to Capt? ' r, 1st dra- 
 
 goons, (assistant acting adjutant-general,'^ -..d to i, .^.lant Emory, 
 topographical engineers, who were active in the peru 'mance of their 
 duties, and in conveying orders from me to the comma. ^. 
 
 " On the morning of the 7th, having made ambulanc ^ for our 
 wounded, and interred the dead, we proceeded on our march, vhen 
 the enemy showed himself, occupying the hills iri our front, uut 
 
 s 
 
180 GENERAL KEARNY. 
 
 which they left as we approached ; till reaching San Bernado, a 
 party of them took possessi^ of a hill near to it, and maintained 
 their position until attacked by our advance, who quickly drove 
 them from it, kiUing and wounding five of their number, with no 
 loss on our part. 
 
 "On account of our wounded men, and upon the report of the 
 surgeon that rest was necessary for them, we remained at this place 
 till the morning of the 11th, when Lieutenant Gray, of the navy, in 
 command of a party of sailors and marines, sent out from San Diego 
 by Commodore Stockton, joined us. We proceeded at 10, A. M., 
 the enemy no longer showing himself; and on the 12th (yesterday) 
 we reached this place ; and I have now to offer my thanks to Com- 
 modore Stockton, and all of his gallant command, for the very many 
 kind attentions we have received and continue to receive from 
 them." 
 
 After this battle. General Kearny continued his march, severely 
 harassed by scouting parties of the enemy, until the 8th of January, 
 1847, when he came up with their main army at Puebla de los 
 Angelos. Here, in company with Commodore Stockton, he fought 
 a desultory battle, which lasted two days, and terminated in the over- 
 throw of the Mexicans. The American loss was one killed and 
 thirteen wounded ; that of the enemy rather more. Kearny then 
 took possession of the city without further molestation. 
 
 The operations attending this battle have unfortunately become a 
 matter of serious misunderstanding between General Kearny, Com- 
 modore Stockton, and Colonel Fremont. The commission of the 
 former as governor of California, was given by the President and 
 signed with his signature. To this Stockton objected, on the plea 
 that the province had been captured and placed under mihtary gov- 
 ernment prior to the date of the general's authority. To this Colo- 
 nel Fremont agreed, and refused to obey the orders of Kearny. At 
 that time the general's force was so small that he was obliged to 
 yield to circumstances ; but on receiving reinforcements, he entered 
 upon full command, and seizing Colonel Fremont, sent him under 
 arrest to the United States. His trial for disobedience of orders is 
 still going on, and elicits considerable public attention. 
 
COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 The expedition of Colonel Doniphan is one of the most remark- 
 able in all history. Like those of Kearny and Scott, it will form an 
 example to the world of the almost superhuman exertions of which 
 our soldiery, both regular and volunteer, are capable. The Honour- 
 able Thomas Benton gave the subjoined vivid description of it in an 
 address to the colonel's command on its return home : — 
 
 " Your march and exploits have been among the most wonderful 
 of the age. At the call of your country you marched a thousand 
 miles to the conquest of New Mexico, as part of the force under 
 General Kearny, and achieved that conquest without the loss of a 
 man or the fire of a gun. That work finished, and New Mexico, 
 itself so distant, and so lately the Ultima Thule — the outside boun- 
 dary of speculation and enterprise — so lately a distant point to be 
 attained, becomes itself a point of departure — a beginning point for 
 new and far more extended expeditions. You look across the long 
 and lofty chain — the Cordilleras of North America — which divide 
 the Atlantic from the Pacific waters ; and you see beyond that ridge 
 a savage tribe which had been long in the habit of depredating upon 
 the province v^'hich had just become an American conquest. You, 
 a part only of the subsequent Chihuahua column, under Jackson 
 and Gilpin, march upon them — bring them to terms — and they sign 
 a treaty with Colonel Doniphan, in which they bind themselves to 
 cease their depredations on the Mexicans, and to become the friends 
 of the United States. A novel treaty that! signed on the western 
 confines of New Mexico, between parties who had hardly ever heard 
 each other's names before, and to give peace and protection to Mexi- 
 cans who were hostile to both. This was the meeting and this the 
 parting of the Missouri volunteers, with the numerous and savage 
 tribe of the Navaho Indians, living on the waters of the gulf of Cali- 
 16 (181) 
 
182 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 fornia, and so long the terror and scourge of Sonora, Sinaloa, and 
 New Mexico. 
 
 "This object accomp]ished,^d impatient of inactivity, and with- 
 out orders, (General Kearny having departed for California,) you 
 cast about to carve out some new work for yourselves. Chihuahua, 
 a rich and populous city of nearly thirty thousand souls, the seat of 
 government of the state of that name, and formerly the residence of 
 the captains general of the Internal Provinces under the vice-regal 
 government of New Spain, was the captivating object which fixed 
 your attention. It was a far distant city — about as far from St. Louis 
 as Moscow is from Paris ; and towns, and enemies, and a large river, 
 and defiles, and mountains, and the desert whose ominous name por- 
 tends death to travellers — el Jornada de los muertos — the journey 
 of the dead — all lay between you. It was a perilous enterprise, and 
 a discouraging one for a thousand men, badly equipped, to contem- 
 plate. No matter. Danger and hardship lent it a charm, and the 
 adventurous march was resolved on, and the execution commenced. 
 First, the ominous desert was passed, its character vindicating its 
 title to its mournful appellation — an arid plain of ninety miles, 
 strewed with the bones of animals that had perished of hunger and 
 thirst — little hillocks of stone, and the solitary cross, erected by pious 
 hands, marking the spot where some Christian had fallen victim of 
 the savage, of the robber, or of the desert itself — no water — no ani- 
 mal life — no sign of habitation. There the Texan prisoners, driven 
 by the cruel Salazar, had met their direst sufferings, unrelieved, as 
 in other parts of the country, by the compassionate ministrations (for 
 where is it that woman is not compassionate?) of the pitying women. 
 The desert was passed, and the place for crossing the river approach- 
 ed. A little arm of the river Bracito (in Spanish), made out from 
 its side. There the enemy, in superior numbers, and confident in 
 cavalry and artillery, undertook to bar the way. Vain pretension ! 
 Their discovery, attack, and rout, were about simultaneous opera- 
 tions. A few minutes did the work ! And in this way our Missouri 
 volunteers of the Chihuahua column, spent their Christmas day of 
 the year 1846. 
 
 " The victory of Bracito opened the way to the crossing of the 
 river Del Norte, and to admission into the beautiful little town of 
 the Paso del Norte, where a neat cultivation, a comfortable people, 
 fields, orchards and vineyards, and a hospitable reception, offered 
 
DONIPHAN'S REMARKABLE EXPEDITION. 183 
 
 the rest and refreshment which toils and dangers and victory had 
 won. You rested there till artillery was brought down from Santa 
 Fe ; but the pretty town of the Paso del Norte, with all its enjoy- 
 ments, and they were many, and the greater for the place in which 
 they were found, was not a Capua to the men of Missouri. You 
 moved forward in February, and the battle of the Sacramento, one 
 of the military marvels of the age, cleared the route to Chihuahua, 
 which was entered without further resistance. It had been entered 
 once before by a detachment of American troops ; but under circum- 
 stances how different ! In the year 1807, Lieutenant Pike and his 
 thirty brave men, taken prisoners on the head of the Rio del Norte, 
 had been marched captives into Chihuahua: in the year 1847, 
 Doniphan and his men entered it as conquerors. The paltry triumph 
 of a captain-general over a lieutenant, was effaced in the triumphal 
 entrance of a thousand Missourians into the grand and ancient capi- 
 tal of all the Irdernal Provinces .' and old men, still ahve, could 
 remark the grandeur of the American spirit under both events — the 
 proud and lofty bearing of the captive thirty — the mildness and mo- 
 deration of the conquering thousand. 
 
 "Chihuahua was taken, and responsible duties, more delicate 
 than those of arms, were to be performed. Many American citizens 
 were there, engaged in trade ; much American property was there. 
 All this was to be protected, both hves and property, and by peace- 
 ful arrangement ; for the command was too small to admit of divi- 
 sion, and of leaving a garrison. Conciliation and negotiation were 
 resorted to, and successfully. Every American interest was provided 
 for, and placed under the safeguard, Jirst, of good will, and nextj 
 of guaranties not to be violated with impunity. 
 
 "Chihuahua gained, it became, hke Santa Fe, not the terminating 
 point of a long expedition, but the beginning point of a new one. 
 General Taylor was somewhere — no one knew exactly where — but 
 some seven or eight hundred miles towards the other side of Mexico. 
 You had heard that he had been defeated — that Buena Vista had 
 not been a good prospect to him. Like good Americans, you did 
 not believe a word of it ; but, like good soldiers, you thought it best 
 to go and see. A volunteer party of fourteen, headed by Collins, 
 of Boonville, undertook to penetrate to Saltillo, and bring you infor- 
 mation of his condition. They set out. Amidst innumerable dangers 
 they accomplish their purpose, and return. You march. A van- 
 
 s2 
 
184 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 guard of one hundred men, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell, led 
 the way. Then came the main body, (if the name is not a burlesque 
 on such a handful,) command^by Colonel Doniphan himself. 
 
 "The whole table-land of Mexico, in all its breadth, from west to 
 east, was to be traversed. A numerous and hostile population in 
 towns — treacherous Camanches in the mountains — were to be pass- 
 ed. Every thing was to be self-provided — provisions, transportation, 
 fresh horses for remounts, and even the means of victory — and all 
 without a military chest, or even an empty box, in which govern- 
 ment gold had ever reposed. All was accomplished. Mexican 
 towns were passed, in order and quiet ; plundering Camanches 
 were punislied ; means were obtained from traders to liquidate in- 
 dispensable contributions ; and the wants that could not be supphed 
 were endured like soldiers of veteran service. 
 
 " I say the Camanches were punished. And here presents itself 
 an episode of a novel, extraordinary, and romantic kind — Americans 
 chastising savages for plundering people who they themselves came 
 lo conquer, and forcing the restitution of captives and of plundered 
 property. A strange story this to tell in Europe, where backwoods 
 character, western character, is not yet completely known. But to 
 the facts. In the muskeet forest of the Bolson de Mapimi, and in 
 the sierras around the beautiful town and fertile district of Parras, 
 and in all the open country for hundreds of miles round about, the 
 sa\'uge Camanches have held dominion ever since the usurper Sanoi 
 Anna disarmed the people, and sally forth from their fastnesses to 
 slaughter men, plunder cattle, and carry off women and children. 
 An exploit of this kind had just been performed on the line of the 
 Missourians' march, not far from Parras, and an advanced party 
 chanced to be in that town at the time the news of the depredation 
 arrived there. It was only fifteen strong. Moved by gratitude for 
 the kind attentions of the people, especially the women, to the sick 
 of General Wool's command, necessarily left in Parras, and unwil- 
 ling to be outdone by enemies in generosity, the heroic fifteen, upon 
 the spot, volunteered to go back, hunt out the depredators, and 
 punish them, without regard to numbers. A grateful Mexican be- 
 came their guide. On their way they fell in with fifteen more of 
 their comrades ; and, in a short time, seventeen Camanches killed 
 out of sixty-five, eighteen captives restored to their families, and 
 
iT-nirjDBg ai[i uiojj uo-iyai ojoav i(oitja\ jo U9A0{3 '^{jopjiuc jo sooouT 
 ■ '.'J \3S SuiSui.iq 'Si{Bp 9Ag-/{iaoj ui opcui no.( 'SBJoujcit]i\[ 01 cnq 
 I -enijiqQ uiojj •qojuui puBj luoJi jo sa[jiu pajpunq ouru isuj oqx„ 
 
 •sojiui puusnoq) 
 OA\j 8UI0S iCq U9^-L oqi jo itjqi posoxa y[TA\ putjsnoqj^ auQ aqi Jo 
 jonipodxo aqi uoqi puB t qojuui pUB[ oqi s\j |[oav su aScXoA japjAV 
 oqj 'sja^iutnoA cnqunqiqQ unoss|];\[ aq] jo ^m Suiuioo pun ino SuioS 
 oiji, tu aptqout jjpu 'Xirjaisod puu 'aSc luasajd aqj^ lunoo aqi jo 
 ^lipquAaqi luupe sauniuao y{iuaA\] puu t uoj.tqcg uiojj qojciu aqi stj 
 T{aAv su uag Jp^ig; aqi uo aScioA ai(i paiunoo ^puusnoqx "oji ^MJ, » 
 'isnfun SB |[aAV su S]uopaoaid aqi jsuicSb puu 'uoissiiuo isnfun ub si 
 siqi nig 'qajyui anoyC jo jcipaj aq] ui ii lunoo iCjpjBq noiC 'laiBAV 
 Xq ;(psouj Suiaq siqi ?ng 'lUBisip sajiiu puBsnoqi oa\i ucqi ajoiu 
 j[qs 'aiuofj sp.(BAvoi saoBj .iiaqi ujni oi pnq 'paSSuj aqi puB 'Xpsaj 
 oqj 'qi3noi aqi — sjaoiun|OA iqSnoj-jjaAv puu paqojBtu-2uo| oqi snqj^ 
 •aoiAias pajajyojd oqi auqoap 01 pnq puB j qoieui 01 unq ajqBua 
 p|noAv iBqi spuBsnoqi Xub jo psaq aqi ib lou sbav aq ; uaui puBS 
 -i.oqi XiuaAV] JO pBaq aqi ib jou sbav aj^ -aq o] uiiq papuaiui 'uaaq 
 e .Bq iqSim jBq] '{BjauaS-iuBuainaq aqi iBqi uopipuoo aqi iCjioBxa 
 M 50U SBAV 'b]si^ Buang puB '^ajaiuoj\[ *BaqBj b[ ap BOBsa^X '<^11V 
 0[Bj JO jojanbuoo aqi ^{[TddBqaQ •XpBai j[bd j iBqAV si luqj^ „ 
 
 •aSa[iAijd aqi pa>)SB A\uo puB 'o5 01 auiBO no^ i anjooB 
 iqSiiii ixii\i aoiAjas JO suoiiBJidxa JO 'passBd ajaAV luqi sanSuBj jnoqc 
 '.a]iBui o^Nj •jqSij ||B 'pupi iBq] jo uoisjnoxa ;{lib uodn SuioS sbav ai{ 
 .' -0] puiui B aA^q p|noqs paauaS aqi ^Bqi Xbav ii3qi ui Suiq] Xutj 
 JO ,'SBUinzajuoiy\[ aq] jo S[|i3q , aqi jo 'ST2oaiBOB2 'fso^oj ap sinq uBg 
 uodn qDJBLU n sb qons — ; aoiAjas joj poj^SB noA \ Aiup joj payoj 
 -ai no^ -Avoqs ^[jjoinb ubd j sb 'ipsai putj 'oAiaouoo {[oav ubo aAi 
 SB 'qSnoj puB paS§BJ[ duiuo s^ioj^^bj^ |Bjaua£) ui paAUJB no^ „ 
 
 '■\i JO asjnoo aq) ui sia|qijp 
 
 puB 'aoiAias JO pua aqi ib dum[ aqi ui Xnd uaaAv^aq aoiiajayrp aqi o; 
 
 'sdBqjod 's>[UBq^-L -jojib] ajqBuoiqsBj oqi jo suonBUJJojsuB.q ^ubSojo 
 
 1 f>qi puB 'dsndssnpimjq aq] jo suonBJlsiu}LU oi5bui aqi Jo *jaiBAv puB 
 
 j dcos JO sanuiA aqi O] jaSuBJis n uoaq 'jubisui un joj 'jaAau pBq no^C 
 
 ! 5Bq] asoddns iqSiui auo 'paddmba A[aonjds os 'paji^B R\K\S os 'avou 
 
 ^ n0i{ aas oj ]nq i pnhuqos pjiqi iBqi 01 'auiineqn^ '^pn paAvoqs 
 
 l|B noiC iqnop 0^ -XpBai puB qSnoi sb |[aAv si; — paSSni — paqd 
 
 I -dns SBq uoqipadxa aqi jo [ouojoo aqi ijoujav ii o] uoiiipptj aqj qiiA\ 
 
 "•iBjauaS aq] jo pnhuqos a[qnop aq; o] api] injAVB[ xwoi 'Jiasiuiq 
 
 I 'NVUdlMOa 13M0100 981 
 
*9T 
 
 loj roX JO ip^a 'ai^oipuiA oi uonipuoo ^ ui moqis puu 'diu^o s,io| 
 -X^x pi8U90 UI X^W JO i|it#R aqi UT paAUi^ no^ 'P^V^^^^P '^'^" 
 
 GJ9M 0[d09d pj90B9d pUB 'l9lU ^U 9J9AV S9ia]9U9 pSlUiy 'UOISlBAUl 
 
 puB ls9nbuoo JO u^qi 9ouiJi9AT|9p puB uoipaiojd jo lapmi^qo oqi ui 
 9Jom 9pBUJ SBAY X9J9^uoi\[ 0^ BnLjT^nqiqo mojj ^oiv.m Suoj aqX" 
 
 •ujopu9isiiMO JO uopeJimpB gqi o] dn pi^q gq o) XipJOM puB 'su^a 
 -tiossi^ XlJiqi Xq UOM 'i^M ui pupt a\9U b jo XqdoJi b si siq^ » 
 
 ^I Xiiaqiq puB poQ , „ 
 •m99}S9 paqsmSunsip ;soui Xoj 
 JO aouBinssB aqi qiiM 'ii idaooB o^ noA ^Bjd puB Uuauipuas onqnd 
 Q^^ JO ubSjo 9q? Suiaq m p9anouoq iub j 'Uiaoi^a q^iq P«^ ^P^^V^ 
 -Bjg ai9q] JO uoiss9jdx9 oq^ noX ssaippB oi osjb ajisap Xgqi 'pnpuoo 
 jnoX JO paBAY9i\s9q 9q^ punoj oq ijiM ]nos qqou uavo inoX ui ipqi 
 Aiou:^ Xaqi qSnoqiiB puB t q^IB9q anoX jo ,u9ttiqsqqBiS9-9i Xpods 
 9qi 9iiS9p iiy -sgSBABs JO X^qBiniq puB 9§bj 9q] ^suibSb s^mu. 
 pazqiAO puB suBiisiJqo SuTpu9j9p paAiaoaJ Xou9[i90X9 moH n-uL . 
 punoM'gqi JOj paj |[B qoiqAV uiBd aq] iiqBO pu op 'papunoAV Xg ; ;• 
 asoqi puB n^qmoo oq] ui p9[[i}| suBipuj aqi Jo jiBq oqx 'PIW' -'i^'i 
 -BA aisqi puB SI9I9AII9P snoj9U9§ Jiaqi jo inoABj lu 'aq^Baiq Ajrjn^ 
 UAVO] siqi JO S]UuiiqBqui aqi 1|b qoiqAV '9pninBJ§ puB Xof jo lu? • " ^ 
 XpAq B qiiAV guiMogiOAO s(rios Jiaqi 'siuoujXofua |bioos oi puB 
 
 0} p9J0]S9I 9I9AV S9AndBD U9aiq§19 pUB 'XlJ9doid p9J9punid 
 
 puB sjBUiiuB Amui P9J9A009J uo^ 'aiBjqajao ^b qoiqAv an 
 -pjq oqi JO XqyoAV puB 'XSo]n9 ][e Jo XquoM 'XiaABjq puB 's: .,r.' 
 *Xiii9iao qiiAV 9sijda9iu9 siq] Suiino9xa 'osbj 9qi Xq Suissojn Ji 
 uo*uu9qi iqSg oi 'so^BuipJoqns inoX jo uaaijg qiiAV 'p9iajjo Ii]^^-i- 
 puB X|snoi9U9§ noX 's^unBq iiaq] o; SuimnraJ aJ9Av 'saApdsD i)Ui'r 
 puB 'iuBUi SuqiiJl aaijB 'suBUBqiBq aqi iBqi aopou ;sjg aqi ly,.- 
 
 : sXbs puB 'Xbx\[ jo qigl aq] 'pi9H ui^^'K") - 
 passajppB puB 'sqBJiy oiobuSj aso£ 'pajaid aqi Xq pguSis ^T>r,- 
 jo 5U9m]iBd9a ^qi Jo oinpajgjj aqi xuojj paiBp X[iBioijgo ^ ^ 
 
 •qsijgua UI jjo 11 pB9i ]liA\ I puB 'qsiuBdg Tii-ax. : 
 oq] UI SI II ai9H '^^^ Jo'^buub 9q] ut pupi m9U b jo it --> 
 saimnsuoo puB t suBOixai\[ aq] Jo apmnBjS aqi puB 'pBj aqi jr ' ■ 
 9qi s^saiiB nuauiqoBpp siqi jo japBa^ 'pian uiBidBQ m oo' 
 JO pajaid aqi mojj ^uamnoop p.oigo uy •suboix9i\[ paqsmoi^f. 
 JO spuim aqi uo paja s]i 5noq]iA\ lou sba\ pnpuoo a^qou qor-^;,, 
 
 •aposida opuBuioi puB uappns stqi jo iinJj aip ■--' 
 'siauMO Jiaqi JOJ paiaAOoai ap^Bo jo pBaq Xyg puB paipunq . aq 
 
 981 'NOiiiaadxa aiav^HHVwaH s^NVHaiMoa 
 
BATTLE OF SACRAMENTO. 187 
 
 and Bracito. Your horses, travelling the whole distance without 
 United States' provender, were astonished to find themselves regaled 
 on their arrival on the Rio Grande frontier, with hay, corn, and oats 
 from the States. You marched further than the farthest, fought as 
 well as the best, left order and quiet in your train, and cost less mo- 
 ney than any. 
 
 " You arrive here to-day, absent one year, marching and fighting 
 all the time, bringing trophies of cannon and standards from fields 
 whose names were unknown to you before you set out, and only 
 grieving that you could not have gone further. Ten pieces of can- 
 non, rolled out of Chihuahua to arrest your march, now roll through 
 the streets of St. Louis, to grace your triumphal return. Many 
 standards, all pierced with bullets, while waving over the heads of 
 the enemy at the Sacramento, now wave at the head of your column. 
 The black flag, brought to the Bracito, to indicate the refusal of that 
 quarter which its bearers so soon needed and received, now takes 
 its place among your trophies, and hangs drooping in their nobler 
 presence. To crown the whole — to make public and private hap- 
 piness go together — to spare the cypress where the laurel hangs in 
 clusters — this long and perilous march, with all its accidents of field 
 and camp, presents an incredibly small list of comrades lost. Al- 
 most all return ! and the joy of families resounds, intermingled with 
 the applauses of the State." 
 
 The following is the colonel's account of the great battle of Sacra- 
 mento : — 
 
 " On the evening of the 8th of February, 1847, we left the town 
 of El Paso del Norte, escorting the merchant train or caravan of 
 about three hundred and fifteen wagons for the city of Chihuahua. 
 Our force consisted of nine hundred and twenty-four effective men ; 
 one hundred and seventeen officers and privates of the artillery ; 
 nmety-three of Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell's escort, and the re- 
 mamder the first regiment Missouri mounted riflemen. We pro- 
 gressed in the direction of this place until the 25th, when we were 
 ; .termed by our spies that the enemy, to the number of fifteen 
 I ^ndred men, were at Inseneas, the country-seat of Governor Trias, 
 bout twenty-five miles in advance. 
 
 " When we arrived, on the evening of the 26th, near that point, 
 we found that the force had retreated in the direction of this city. 
 Oa the evening of the 27th we arrived at Sans, and learned from 
 
188 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 our spies that the enemy, in great force, had fortified the pass of the 
 Sacramento river, about fifteen miles in advance, and about thv3 
 same distance from this city.^We were also informed that there 
 was no water between the point we were at and that occupied by 
 the enemy ; we therefore determined to hah until morning. At 
 sunrise on the 28th, the last day of February, we look up the line 
 of march and formed the whole train, consisting of three hundred 
 and fifteen heavy traders' wagons and our commissary and company 
 wagons, into four columns, thus shortening our line so as to make it 
 more easily protected. 
 
 " We placed the artillery and all the command, except two hun- 
 dred cavalry proper, in the intervals between the columns of wagons. 
 We thus fully concealed our force and its position by masking our 
 force with the cavalry. When we arrived within three miles of the 
 enemy, we made a reconnoissance of his position and the arrange- 
 ment of his forces. This we could easily do — the road leading 
 through an open prairie valley between the sterile mountains. 
 The Pass of the Sacramento is formed by a point of the mountains 
 on our right, their left extending into the valley or plain so as to 
 narrow the valley to about one and a half miles. On our left was 
 a deep, dry, sandy channel of a creek, and between these points the 
 plain rises to sixty feet abruptly. This rise is in the form of a 
 crescent, the convex part being to the north of our forces. 
 
 " On the right, from the point of mountains, a narrow part of the 
 plain extends north one and a half miles farther than on the left. 
 The main road passes down the centre of the valley and across the 
 crescent, near the left or dry branch. The Sacramento rises in the 
 mountains on the right, and the road falls on to it about one mile 
 below the battle-field or entrenchment of the enemy. We ascer- 
 tained that the enemy had one battery of four guns, two nine and two 
 six-pounders, on the point of the mountain on our right, (their left,) 
 at a good elevation to sweep the plain, and at the point where the 
 mountains extended farthest into the plain. 
 
 " On our left (their right) they had another battery on an eleva- 
 tion commanding the road, and three entrenchments of two six- 
 pounders, and on the brow of the crescent near the centre another 
 of two six and two four and six culverins, or rampart pieces, mounted 
 on carriages ; and on the crest of the hill or ascent between tho 
 batteries, and the right and left, they had twenty-seven redoubts dug 
 
BATTLE OF SACRAMENTO. 189 
 
 and thrown up, extending at short intervals across the whole ground. 
 In these their infantry were placed, and were entirely protected. 
 Their cavalry was drawn up in front of the redoubts in the intervals 
 four deep, and in front of the redoubts two deep, so as to mask them 
 as far as practicable. 
 
 " When we had arrived within one and a half miles of the en- 
 trenchments along the main road, we advanced the cavalry still 
 farther, and suddenly diverged with the columns to the right, so as 
 to gain the narrow part of the ascent on our right, which the enemy 
 discovering endeavoured to prevent by moving forward with one 
 thousand cavalry and four pieces of cannon in their rear, masked by 
 them. Our movements were so rapid that we gained the elevation 
 with our forces and the advance of our wagons in time to form be- 
 fore they arrived within reach of our guns. The enemy halted, 
 and we advanced the head of our column within twelve hundred 
 yards of them, so as to let our wagons attain the high lands and 
 form as before. 
 
 " We now commenced the action by a brisk fire from our battery, 
 and the enemy unmasked and commenced also ; our fires proved 
 effective at this distance, killing fifteen men, wounding several more, 
 and disabling one of the enemy's guns. We had two men slightly 
 wounded, and several horses and mules killed. The enemy then 
 slowly retreated behind their works in some confusion, and we re- 
 sumed our march in the former order, still diverging more to the 
 ^ight to avoid their battery on our left, (their right,) and their strongest 
 redoubts, which were on the left near where the road passes. After 
 marching as far as we safely could, without coming within range of 
 their heavy battery on our right. Captain. Weightman, of the artil- 
 lery, was ordered to charge with the two twelve-pound howitzers, 
 to be supported by the cavalry under Captains Reid, Parsons and 
 Hudson. 
 
 " The howitzers charged at speed, and were gallantly sustained 
 by Captain Reid ; but, by some misunderstanding, my order was 
 not given to the other two companies. Captain Hudson, anticipat- 
 ing my order, charged in time to give ample support to the howit- 
 zers. Captain Parsons, at the same moment, came to me and asked 
 permission for his company to charge the redoubts immediately to 
 the left of Captain Weightman, which he did very gallantly. The 
 remainder of the two battahons of the 1st regiment were dismount- 
 
190 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 ed during the cavalry charge, and following rapidly on foot, while 
 Major Clarke advanced as fast as practicable with the remainder of 
 the battery, we charged their rwroubts from right to left, with a brisk 
 and deadly fire of riflemen, while Major Clarke opened a rapid and 
 well-directed fire on a column of cavalry attempting to pass to our 
 left so as to attack the wagons and our rear. 
 
 " The fire was so well directed as to force them to fall back ; and 
 our riflemen, with the cavalry and howitzers, cleared the parapets 
 after an obstinate resistance. Our forces advanced to the very 
 brink of their redoubts and attacked the enemy with their sabres. 
 When the redoubts were cleared, and the batteries in the centre 
 and on our left were silenced, the main battery on our right still 
 continued to pour in a constant and heavy fire, as it had done 
 during the heat of the engagement ; but as the whole fate of the 
 battle depended upon carrying the redoubts and centre battery, this 
 one on the right remained unattacked, and the enemy had rallied 
 there five hundred strong. 
 
 " Major Clarke was directed to commence a heavy fire upon it. 
 Lieutenant-Colonels Mitchell and Jackson, commanding the 1st bat- 
 talion, were ordered to remount and charge the battery on the left, 
 while Major Gilpin passed the 2d battahon on foot up the rough 
 ascent of the mountain on the opposite side. The fire of our batter}' 
 was so effective as to completely silence theirs, and the rapid advanc 
 of our column put them to flight over the mountains in great confusion 
 
 " Thus ended the battle of Sacramento. The force of the enem^ 
 was twelve hundred cavalry, from Durango and Chihuahua, will 
 the Vera Cruz dragoons ; twelve hundred infantry from Chihuahua 
 three hundred artillerists, and fourteen hundred and twenty ranche 
 ros, badly armed with lassoes, lances, and machetoes, or corn knives 
 ten pieces of artillery, two nine, two eight, four six, and two fou 
 pounders, and six culverins, or rampart pieces. 
 
 "Their forces were commanded by Major-General Hendea, gen 
 ral of Durango, Chihuahua, Sonora, and New Mexico ; Brigadie 
 General Jastimani, Brigadier-General Garcia Conde, formerly M 
 nister of War for the Repubhc of Mexico, who is a scientific mar 
 and planned this whole field of defence ; General Uguerte and Go 
 vernor Tria, who acted as brigadier-general on the field, and colonel; 
 and other officers without number. 
 
 " Our force was nine hundred and twenty-four effective men ; a 
 
CAPTURE OF CHIHUAHUA. 19X 
 
 least one hundred of whom were engaged in holding horses and 
 driving teams. 
 
 "The loss of the enemy was his entire artillery, ten wagons, 
 masses of beans and pinola, and other Mexican provisions, about 
 three hundred killed and about the same number wounded, many 
 of whom have since died, and forty prisoners. 
 
 " The field was literally covered with the dead and wounded from 
 our artillery and the unerring fire of our riflemen. Night put a 
 stop to the carnage, the battle having commenced about three o'clock. 
 Our loss was one killed, one mortally wounded, and seven so wound- 
 ed as to recover without any loss of limbs. I cannot speak too 
 highly of the coolness, gallantry and bravery of the officers and 
 men under my command. 
 
 "I was ably sustained by field officers Lieutenant-Colonels 
 Mitchell and Jackson of the 1st battalion, and Major Gilpin of the 
 2d battalion ; and Major Clarke and his artillery acted nobly, and 
 did the most effective service in every part of the field. It is abun- 
 dantly shown, in the charge made by Captain Weightman, with the 
 section of howitzers, that they can be used in any charge of cavalry 
 with great effect. Much has been said, and justly said, of the o-al- 
 lantry of our artillery, unlimbering within two hundred and fifty 
 yards of the enemy at Palo Alto ; but how much more darino- was 
 the charge of Captain Weightman, when he unhmbered within fifty 
 yards of the redoubts of the enemy. 
 
 " On the first day of March we took formal possession of the 
 capital of Chihuahua in the name of our government. We were 
 ordered by General Kearny to report to General Wool at this place • 
 smce our arrival, we hear that he is at SaltiUo, surrounded by the 
 enemy. Our present purpose is either to force our way to him or 
 return by Bexar, as our term of service expires on the last day of 
 May next." "^ 
 
 We annex a vivid description, by Edwin Bryant, Esq., of the 
 desert through which Doniphan led his troops. A perusal of it 
 will increase our astonishment at his remarkable expedition 
 
 ^^ Monday, August 3.-I rose from my bivouack this morning at 
 half.past one o'clock. The moon, appearing like a ball of fire, and 
 shining with a dim and baleful light, seemed struggling downwards 
 hrough the thick bank of smoky vapour that overhung and cur- 
 tained the high ridge of mountains to the west of us. This rid^e 
 
192 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 stretching as far to the north and the south as the eye can reach, 
 forms the western wall (if I may so call it) of the desert valley we 
 had crossed yesterday, and is co^)osed of rugged, barren peaks of 
 dark basaltic rock, sometimes exhibiting misshapen outlines, at 
 others towering upwards, and displaying a variety of architectural 
 forms, representing domes, spires, and turreted fortifications. 
 
 " Our encampment was on the slope of the mountain, and the 
 valley lay spread out at our feet, illumined sufficiently by the red 
 glare of the moon, and the more pallid effulgence of the stars, to 
 display imperfectly its broken and frightful barrenness and its solemn 
 desolation. No life, except in the little oasis occupied by our car ^y^' 
 and dampened by the sluggish spring, by excavating which w 
 our hands we had obtained impure water sufficient to quench our 
 own and our animals' thirst, existed as far as the eye could penetrate 
 over mountain and plain. There was no voice of animal, no hum 
 of insect, disturbing the tomb-like solemnity. All was silence and 
 dearth. The atmosphere, chill and frosty, seemed to sympathize 
 with this sepulchral stillness. No wailing or whispering sounds 
 sighed through the chasms of the mountains, or over the gulfy anc 
 waterless ravines of the valley ; no rusthng zephyr swept over the 
 scant dead grass, or disturbed the crumbling leaves of the gnarlec 
 and stunted cedars, which seemed to draw a precarious existence 
 from the small patch of damp earth surrounding us. Like the othei 
 elements sustaining animal and vegetable life, the winds seemed 
 stagnant and paralyzed by the universal dearth around. I contem- 
 plated this scene of dismal and oppressive solitude until the nioon 
 sunk behind the mountain, and object after object became shrouded 
 in its shadow. 
 
 " Rousing Mr. Jacob, who slept soundly, and after him the other 
 members of our small party, (nine in number,) we commenced out 
 preparations for the long and much-dreaded march over the great 
 Salt Desert. Mr. Hudspeth, the gentleman who had kindly con- 
 ducted us thus far from Fort Bridger as our pilot, was to leave us 
 at this point, for the purpose of exploring a route for the emigrant 
 wagons further south. He was accompanied by three gentlemen, 
 Messrs. Ferguson, Kirkwood, and Minler. Consequently, from 
 this time forward, we are without a guide or any reliable index to 
 our destination, except our course westward until we strike Mary's 
 river and the emigrant trail to Cahfornia, which runs parallel with 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. 193 
 
 it, some two or three hundred miles distant. The march across the 
 Salt Plain, without water or grass, was variously estimated by those 
 with whom I conversed at Fort Bridger at from sixty to eighty 
 miles. Captain Walker, an old and experienced mountaineer, who 
 had crossed it at this point, as the guide of Captain Fremont and 
 his party, estimated the distance at seventy-five miles, and we found 
 the estimate to bs correct. 
 
 " We gathered the dead limbs of the cedars which had been cut 
 down by Captain Fremont's party when encamped here last au- 
 tumn, and igniting them they gave us a good light during the pre- 
 paration and discussion of our frugal breakfast, which consisted to- 
 il " of bread and coffee — bacon being interdicted in consequence of 
 it^ ncilement to thirst, a sensalion which at this time we desired to 
 avoid, as we felt uncertain how long it might be before we should 
 be able to gratify the unpleasant craving it produces. 
 
 "Each individual of the party busied himself around the blazing 
 fires, in making his various little but important arrangements, until 
 the first gray of the dawn manifested itself above the vapoury bank 
 overhanging the eastern ridge of mountains, when, the word to 
 saddle up being given, the mules were brought to the camp-fires, 
 and every arm and muscle of the party was actively employed in 
 the business of saddling and packing 'with care' — with unusual 
 care — as a short detention during the day's march, to readjust the 
 packs, might result in an encampment upon the desert for the com- 
 ing night, and all its consequent dangers — the death or loss, by 
 staying in search of water and grass, of our mules, (next to death 
 to us,) not taking into account our own suffering from thirst, which, 
 for the next eighteen or twenty hours, we had made up our minds 
 to endure with philosophical fortitude and resignation. A small 
 lowder-keg, holding about three or four pints of coffee, which had 
 been emptied of its original contents for the purpose, and filled with 
 that beverage made from the brackish spring near our camp, was 
 the only vessel we possessed in which we could transport water, 
 T.nd its contents composed our entire hquid refreshment for the 
 march. Instructions were given to Miller, who had charge of the 
 important and precious burden, to husband it with miserly care, and 
 to make an equitable division whenever it should be called into use. 
 " Every thing being ready, Mr. Fludspeth, who accompanied us 
 to the summit of the mountain, led the way. We passed upwards 
 17 
 
194 • COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 through the Canada, (pronounced kanyeada,) or mountain gorge, at 
 the mouth of which we had encamped, and, by a comparatively easy 
 and smooth ascent, reached th^ummit of the mountain after travel- 
 ling about six miles. Most of us were shivering with cold, until 
 the sun shone broadly upon us, after emerging by a steep acclivity 
 from the gorge through which we had passed, to the top of the 
 ridge. Here we should have had a view of the mountain at the foot 
 of which our day's journey was to terminate, but for the dense 
 smoke which hung over and filled the plain, shutting from the 
 vision all distant objects. 
 
 " Bidding farewell to Mr. Hudspeth and the gentleman with him, 
 (Mr. Ferguson,) we commenced the descent of the mountain. We 
 had scarcely parted from Mr. Hudspeth, when, standing on one of 
 the peaks, he stretched out his long arms, and with a voice and ges- 
 ture as loud and impressive as he could make them, he called to us 
 and exclaimed, ' Now, boys, put spurs to your mules, and ride like 
 h — !' The hint was timely given and well meant, but scarcely 
 necessary, as we all had a pretty just appreciation of the trials and 
 hardships before us. 
 
 " The descent from the mountain on the western side was more 
 difficult than the ascent, but two or three miles by a winding and 
 precipitous path, through some straggling, stunted, and tempest- 
 bound cedars, brought us to the foot and into the valley, where, after 
 some search, we found a blind trail, which we supposed to be that 
 of Captain Fremont, made last year. Our course for the day was 
 nearly due west, and following this trail where it was visible and 
 did not deviate from our course, and putting our mules into a brisk 
 gait, we crossed a valley some eight or ten miles in width, sparely 
 covered with v/ild sage (artimisia) and grease-wood. These shrubs 
 display themselves and maintain a dying existence, a brownish ver- 
 dure, on the most arid and sterile plains and mountains of the desert, 
 where no other vegetation shows itself. After crossing the valley, 
 we rose a ridge of low volcanic hills, thickly strewn with sharp 
 fragments of basaltes and a vitreous gravel, resembling junk-bottle 
 glass. We passed over this ridge through a narrow gap, the walls 
 of which are perpendicular, and composed of the same dark materia! 
 as the debris strewn around. From the western terminus of this 
 ominous-looking passage, we had a view of the vast desert plain 
 before us, which, as far as the eye could penetrate, was of a sno\/y 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. 195 
 
 whiteness, and resembled a scene of wintry frosts and icy desolation. 
 Not a shrub or object of any kind rose above the surface for the eye 
 to rest upon. The hiatus in the animal and vegetable kingdoms 
 was perfect. It was a scene which excited mingled emotions of 
 admiration and apprehension. 
 
 " Passing a little further on, we stood on the brow of a steep pre- 
 cipice, the descent from the ridge of hills, immediately below and 
 beyond which a narrow valley or depression in the surface of the 
 plain, about five miles in width, displayed so perfectly the wavy 
 and frothy appearance of highly-agitated water, that Colonel Russell 
 and myself, who were riding together some distance in advance, 
 both simultaneously exclaimed, * We must have taken a wrong 
 course and struck another arm or bay of the great salt lake.' With 
 deep concern we were looking around, surveying the face of the 
 country to ascertain what remedy there might be for this formidable 
 obstruction to our progress, when the remainder of the party came 
 up. The difficulty was presented to them ; but soon, upon a more 
 calm and scrutinizing inspection, we discovered that what repre- 
 sented so perfectly the ' rushing waters,' was moveless and made 
 no sound. The illusion soon became manifest to all of us, and 
 a hearty laugh at those who were the first to be deceived was the 
 consequence, denying to them the merit of being good pilots or pio- 
 neers, &c. 
 
 " Descending the precipitous elevation upon which we stood, we 
 entered upon the hard, smooth plain we had just been surveying 
 with so much doubt and interest, composed of bluish clay, encrusted 
 in wavy hnes with a white sahne substance, the first representing 
 the body of the water and the last the crest and froth of the mimic 
 waves and surges. Beyond this we crossed what appeared to have 
 been the beds of several small lakes, the waters of which have 
 evaporated, thickly encrusted with salt, and separated from each 
 other by small mound-shaped elevations of a white sandy or ashy 
 earth, so imponderous that it has been driven by the action of the 
 winds into these heaps, which are constantly changing their positions 
 and their shapes. Our mules waded through these ashy undula- 
 tions, sometimes sinking to their knees, at others to their bellies, 
 creating a dust that rose above and hung over us hke a 
 dense fog. 
 
 "From this point, on our right and left, diagonally in our front, 
 
 t2 
 
196 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 at an apparent distance of thirty or forty miles, high isolated moun- 
 tains rise abruptly from the surface of the plain. Those on our left 
 were as white as the snow-lik^ace of the desert, and may be of the 
 same composition, but I am inclined to the belief that they are com- 
 posed of white clay, or clay and sand intermingled. 
 
 " The mirage, a beautiful phenomenon I have frequently men- 
 tioned as exhibiting itself upon our journey, here displayed its won- 
 derful illusions, in a perfection and with a magnificence surpassing 
 any presentation of the kind I had previously seen. Lakes dc^'.cd 
 with islands and bordered by groves of gently-waving timber, whose 
 tranquil and limpid waves reflected their sloping banks and the 
 shady islets in their bosoms, lay spread out before ns, inviting us 
 by their illusory temptations to stray from our path and enjoy their 
 cooling shades and refreshing waters. These fading away as we 
 advanced, beautiful villas, adorned with edifices, decorated with all 
 the ornaments of suburban architecture, and surrounded by gardens, 
 shaded walks, parks, and stately avenues, would succeed them, 
 renewing the alluring invitation to repose, by enticing the vision 
 with more than calypsan enjoyments or elysian pleasures. These 
 melting from our view as those "before, in another place a vast city 
 with countless columned edifices of marble whiteness, and studded 
 with domes, spires, and turreted towers, would rise upon the hori- 
 zon of the plain, astonishing us with its stupendous grandeur and 
 sublime magnificence. But it is in vain to attempt a description of 
 these singular and extraordinary phenomena. Neither prose, noi 
 poetry, nor the pencil of the artist, can adequately portray theii 
 beauties. The whole distant view around, at this point, seemec 
 like the creations of a sublime and gorgeous dream or the effect o: 
 enchantment. I observed that where these appearances were pre • 
 sented in their most varied forms and with the most vivid distinct 
 ness, the surface of the plain was broken, either by chasms hollowe' . 
 out from the action of the winds, or by undulations formed of th- 
 drifting sands. 
 
 "About eleven o'clock we struck a vast white plain, uniforml 
 level, and utterly destitute of vegetation, or any sign that shrub ( 
 plant had ever existed above its snow-like surface. Pausing a fe 
 moments to rest our mules, and moisten our mouths and throats fro 
 the scant supply of beverage in our powder-keg, we entered up( 
 this appaUing field of sullen and hoary desolation. It was a seer 
 
 1 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. 197 
 
 SO entirely new to us, so frightfully forbidding and unearthly in its 
 aspects, that all of us, I believe, though impressed with its sublimity, 
 felt a slight shudder of apprehension. Our mules seemed to sym- 
 pathize with us in the pervading sentiment, and moved forward with 
 reluctance, several of them stubbornly setting their faces for a counter- 
 march. 
 
 " For fifteen miles the surface of this plain is so compact that the 
 feet of our animals, as we hurried them along over it, left but httle 
 if any impression for the guidance of the future traveller. It is 
 covered with a hard crust of saline and alkahne substances com- 
 bined, from one-fourth to one-half of an inch in thickness, beneath 
 which is a stratum of damp whitish sand and clay intermingled. 
 Small fragments of white shell}'- rock, of an inch and a half in 
 thickness, which appear as if they once composed a crust, but had 
 been broken by the action of the atmosphere, or the pressure of 
 water rising from beneath, are strewn over the entire plain and em- 
 bedded in the salt and sand. 
 
 " As we moved onward, a member of our party in the rear called 
 our attention to a gigantic moving object on our left, at an apparent dis- 
 tance of six or eight miles. It is very difficult to determine distances 
 accurately on these plains. Your estimate is based upon the probable 
 dimensions of the object, and unless you know what the object is, 
 and its probable size, you are liable to great deception. The atmo- 
 sphere seems frequently to act as a magnifier, so much so that I have 
 often seen a raven perched upon a low shrub or an undulation of 
 the plain, answering to the outlines of a man on horseback. But 
 this object was so enormously large, considering its apparent dis- 
 tance, and its movement forward, parallel with ours, so distinct, that 
 it greatly excited our wonder and curiosity. Many and various 
 were the conjectures (serious and facetious) of the party, as to what 
 it might be or portend. Some thought it might be Mr. Hudspeth, 
 who had concluded to follow us ; others that it was some cyclopean 
 nondescript animal, lost upon the desert ; others that it was the 
 ghost of a mammoth or megatherium wandering on ' this rendezvous 
 of death ;' others that it was the d — 1 mounted on an ibis, &c. It 
 was the general conclusion, however, that no animal composed of 
 flesh and blood, or even a healthy ghost, could here inhabit. A 
 partner of equal size soon joined it, and for an hour or more they 
 17* 
 
198 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 moved along as before, parallel to us, when they disappeared appa- 
 rently behind the horizon. ^ 
 
 " As we proceeded the plain gradually became softer, and our 
 mules sometimes sunk to their knees in the stiff composition of salt, 
 sand, and clay. The travelling at length became so difficult and 
 fatiguing to our animals that several of the party dismounted, (my- 
 self among the number,) and we consequently slackened our hitherto 
 brisk pace into a walk. About two o'clock, P. M. we discovered 
 through the smoky vapour the dim outhnes of the mountain in front 
 of us, at the foot of which was to terminate our day's march, if we 
 were so fortunate as to reach it. But still we were a long and weary 
 distance from it, and from the 'grass and water' which we expected 
 there to find. A cloud rose from the south soon afterwards, accom- 
 panied by several distant peals of thunder and furious wind, rushing 
 across the plain, and filling the whole atmosphere around us with 
 the fine particles of salt, and drifting it in heaps like the newly- 
 fallen snow. Our eyes became nearly blinded and our throats 
 choked with the saUne matter, and the very air we breathed tasted 
 of salt. 
 
 " During the subsidence of this tempest there appeared upon the 
 plain one of the most extraordinary phenomena, I dare to assert, 
 ever witnessed. As I have before stated, I had dismounted from my 
 mule, and turning it in with the cuhullada, w^as walking several rods 
 in front of the party, in order to lead in a direct course to the point 
 of our destination. Diagonally in front, to the right, our course being 
 west, there appeared the figures of a number of men and horses, some 
 fifteen or twenty. Some of these figures were mounted, and others 
 dismounted, and appeared to be marching in front. Their faces and 
 the heads of their horses were turned towards us, and at first they 
 appeared as if they were rushing down upon us. Their apparent 
 distance, judging from the horizon, was from three to five miles. 
 But their size was not correspondent, for they appeared nearly as 
 large as our own bodies, and consequently were of gigantic stature. 
 At first view I supposed them to be a sniall party of Indians (pro- 
 bably the Utahs) marching from the opposite side of the plain. But 
 this seemed to me scarcely probable, as no hunting or war party 
 would be likely to take this route. I called to some of our party 
 nearest to me to hasten forward, as there were men in front commg 
 toward us. Very soon the fifteen or twenty figures were multipKed 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. 199 
 
 into three or four hundred, and appeared to be marching forward 
 with the greatest action and speed, I then conjectured that they 
 might be Captain Fremont and his party, with others from Cah- 
 fornia, returning to the United States by this route, although they 
 seemed to be too numerous even for this. I spoke to Brown, who 
 was nearest to me, and asked him if he noticed the figures of men 
 and horses in front. He answered that he did, and that he had ob- 
 served the same appearances several times previously, but that they 
 had disappeared, and he beheved them to be optical ihusions similar 
 to the mirage. It was then, for the first time, so perfect was the 
 deception, that I conjectured the probable fact that these figures 
 were the reflection of our own images by the atmosphere, filled as 
 it was with fine particles of crystallized matter, or by the distant 
 horizon, covered by the same substance. This induced a more mi- 
 nute observation of the phenomenon, in order to detect the deception, 
 if such it were. I noticed a single figure, apparently in front in 
 advance of all the others, and was struck with its likeness to my- 
 self. Its motions too I thought were the same as mine. To test 
 the hypothesis above suggested, I wheeled suddenly around, at the 
 same time stretching my arms out to their full length, and turning 
 my face sideways to notice the movements of this figure. It went 
 through precisely the same motions. I then marched deliberately 
 and with long strides several paces, the figure did the same. To 
 test it more thoroughly, I repeated the experiment, and with the 
 same result. The fact then was clear. But it was more fully ve- 
 rified still, for the whole array of this numerous shadowy host in 
 the course of an hour melted entirely away and was no more seen. 
 The phenomenon, however, explained and gave the history of the 
 gigantic spectres which appeared and disappeared so mysteriously 
 at an earher hour of the day. The figures were our own shadows, 
 produced and reproduced by the mirror-hke composition impregnat- 
 ing the atmosphere and covering the plain. I cannot here more 
 particularly explain or refer to the. subject. But this spectral popu- 
 lation, springing out of the ground as it were, and arraying itself 
 before us as w^e traversed this dreary and Heaven-condemned waste, 
 although we were entirely convinced of the cause of the apparition, 
 excited those superstitious emotions so natural to all mankind. 
 
 " About five o'clock, P. M., we reached and passed, leaving it to 
 our left, a small buttei rising solitary from the plain. Around this 
 
200 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 the ground is uneven, and a few scattering shrubs, leafless and with- 
 out verdure, raised themselves above the white sand and saline mat- 
 ter, which seemed recently to^mve drifted, so as nearly to conceal 
 them. Ei^ht miles brought us to the northern end of a short ran^e 
 of mountains, turning the point of which and bending our course to 
 the left, we gradually came upon higher ground, composed of com- 
 pact volcanic gravel. I was here considerably in the rear, having 
 made a detour towards the base of the hutte, and thence toward the 
 centre of the short range of mountains to discover, if such existed, a 
 spring of water. I saw no such joyful presentation, nor any of the 
 usual indications ; and when I reached 'and turned the point, the 
 whole party were several miles ahead of me and out of sight. Con- 
 gratulating myself that I stood once more on terra firma, I urged 
 my tired mule forward with all the life and activity that spur and 
 whip could inspire her with, passing down the range of mountains 
 on my left some four or five miles, and then rising some rocky hills* 
 connecting this with a long and high range of mountains on my 
 ^ght. The distance across these hills is about seven or eight miles. 
 When I had reached the most elevated point of this ridge the sun 
 was setting, and I saw my fellow travellers still far in advance of 
 me, entering again upon a plain or valley of salt, some ten or twelve 
 miles in breadth. On the opposite side of this valley rose abruptly 
 and to a high elevation another mountain, at the foot of which we 
 expected to find the spring of fresh water that was to quench our 
 thirst, and revive and sustain the drooping energies of our faithful 
 beasts. 
 
 " About midway upwards, in a Canada of this mountain, I noticed 
 the smoke of a fire, which apparently had just been kindled, as 
 doubtless it had been, by Indians, who were then there, and had 
 discovered our party on the white plain below, it being the custom 
 of these Indians to make signals by fire and smoke whenever they 
 notice strange objects. Proceeding onward, I overtook an old and 
 favourite pack-mule, which was familiarly called ' Old Jenny.' She 
 carried our meat and flour — all that we possessed in fact as a suste- 
 nance of life. Her pack had turned, and her burden, instead of 
 being on her back, was suspended under her belly. With the good 
 sense and discretion so characteristic of the Mexican pack-mule, be- 
 ing behind and following the party in advance, she had stopped short 
 in the road until some one should come to re-arrange her cargo and 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. 201 
 
 place it on deck instead of under the keel. I dismounted and went 
 through by myself the rather tedious and laborious process of un- 
 packing and repacking. This done, ' Old Jenny' set forward upon 
 a fast gallop to overtake her companions ahead ; and my own mule, 
 as if not to be outdone in the race, followed in the same gait. *01d 
 Jenny,' however, maintained the honours of the race, keeping con- 
 siderably ahead. Both of them, by that instinct or faculty which 
 mules undoubtedly possess, had scented the water on the other side 
 of the valley, and their pangs of extreme thirst urged them forward 
 at this extraordinary speed, after the long and laborious march they 
 had made to obtain it. 
 
 " As I advanced over the plain, which was covered with a thicker 
 crust of salt than that previously described, breaking under the feet 
 of the animals like a crust of frozen snow, the spreading of the fires 
 in the Canada of the mountain appeared with great distinctness. 
 The line of lights was regular like camp-fires, and I was more than 
 half inclined to hope that we should meet and be welcomed by an 
 encampment of civilized men, either hunters or a party from thfe 
 Pacific bound homeward. The moon rose about nine o'clock, dis- 
 playing and illuminating the unnatural, unearthly dreariness of the 
 scenery. 
 
 " ' Old Jenny' for some time had so far beat me in the race as to 
 be out of my sight and I out of the sound of her footsteps. I was 
 entirely alone, and enjoying, as well as a man could with a crust 
 of sak in his nostrils and over his lips, and a husky mouth and 
 throat, the singularity of my situation, when I observed about a 
 quarter of a mile ahead of me a dark stationary object, standing in 
 the midst of the hoary scenery. I supposed it to be ' Old Jenny,' 
 in trouble once more about her pack. But, coming up to a speaking 
 distance, I was challenged in a loud voice with. the usual guard 
 salutation, * Who comes there V Having no countersign, I gave the 
 common response in such cases, ' A friend.' This appeared to be 
 satisfactory ; for I heard no report of pistol or rifle, and no arrow 
 took its soundless flight through my body. I rode up to the object, 
 and discovered it to be Buchanan sitting upon his mule, which had 
 become so much exhausted that it occasionally refused to go along, 
 notwithstanding his industrious application of the usual incentives 
 to progress. He said that he had supposed himself to be the ' last 
 man' before ' Old Jenny' passed, who had given him a surprise, and 
 
202 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 he was quite thunderstruck when an animal, mounted by a man, 
 came charging upon him in |^ half-crippled condition. After a 
 good laugh and some hltle delay and difficulty, we got his mule 
 under way again and rode slowly along together. 
 
 " We left, to us, in our tired condition, the seemingly interminable 
 plain of salt, and entered upon the sagey slope of the mountain 
 about ten o'clock. Hallooing as loudly as we could raise our voices, 
 we obtained by a response the direction of our party who had pre- 
 ceded us, and, after some difficulty in making our way through the 
 sage, grass, and willows, (the last a certain indication of water in 
 the desert,) we came to where they had discovered a faint stream 
 of water, and made their camp. Men and mules, on their first ar- 
 rival, as we learned, had madly rushed into the stream and drank 
 together of its muddy waters, made muddy by their own disturb- 
 ance of its shallow channel and sluggish current. 
 
 " Delay of gratification frequently gives a temporary relief to the 
 cravings of hunger. The same remark is applicable to thirst. Some 
 hours previously I had felt the pangs of thirst with an acuteness 
 almost amounting to an agony. Now, when I had reached the spot 
 where 1 could gratify my desires in this respect, they were greatly 
 diminished. My first care was to unsaddle my mule and lead it to 
 the stream, and my next to take a survey of the position of our en- 
 campment. I then procured a cup of muddy water and drank it 
 off with a good rehsh. The fires before noticed were still blazing 
 brio-htly above us on the side of the mountain, but those who had 
 iio-hted them had given no other signal of their proximity. The 
 moon shone brilliantly, and Jacob, Buchanan, McClary, and my- 
 self, concluded we would trace the small stream of water until we 
 could find the fountain spring. After considerable search among 
 the reeds, willow, and luxuriant green, we discovered a spring. 
 Buchannan was so eager to obtain a draught of cold pure water, 
 that in dipping his cup for this purpose the yielding weeds under 
 him gave way, and he sunk into the basin, from which he was 
 drawn out after a good * ducking' by one of those present. The 
 next morning this basin was sounded to the depth of thirty-five feet, 
 and no bottom found. We named this spring ' Buchanan's Well.' 
 We lighted no fires to-night, and prepared no evening meal. Worn 
 down by the hard day's travel, after relieving our thirst, we spread 
 our blankets upon the ground, and, laying our bodies upon them. 
 
Doniphan's personal appearance. 203 
 
 slept soundly in the bright moonshine. Several of our party had 
 been on the road upwards of seventeen hours, without water or re- 
 freshment of any kind, except a small draught of cold coffee from 
 our powder-keg, made of the salt-sulphur water at our last encamp- 
 ment, and had travelled the distance of seventy-five miles. The Salt 
 Plain has never at this place, so far as I could understand, been 
 crossed but twice previously by civilized men, and in these instances 
 two days were occupied in performing the journey." 
 
 " Colonel Doniphan," says a volunteer who accompanied him in 
 the march, " is in age about forty, and in stature, six feet two inches, 
 of large frame, and with a very intelligent face. His great charm lies 
 in his easy and kind manner. On the march he could not be dis- 
 tinguished from the other soldiers, either by dress or from his con- 
 versation. He ranked high as a lawyer in Missouri." 
 
 u 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel John C. Fremont is a native of South 
 Carolina, and a graduate of the Military Academy at West Point. 
 He was appointed to the army as second lieutenant of the topo- 
 graphical engineers, July 7th, 1838, and in that capacity has several 
 times conducted expeditions across the Rocky Mountains to the Pa- 
 cific. By the instrumentality of his father-in-law, Hon. Thomas 
 H. Benton, he has lately [May 27th, 1846] been appointed to his 
 present station. 
 
 In May, 1845, Fremont received orders from the War Department 
 at Washington, to pursue his explorations in the regions beyond the 
 Rocky Mountains. His force amounted to sixty-two men. One 
 of the objects contemplated, was the discovery of a new and shorter 
 route from the western base of the Rocky Mountains to the mouth 
 of the Columbia river. To accomphsh this it was necessary to 
 journey, for a part of the distance, through the unsettled portions 
 of California, and a small tract of the inhabited region. He ap- 
 proached these settlements in the winter of 1845-6, and halting his 
 command on the frontier, one hundred miles from Monterey, he 
 proceeded alone to that city, to explain the object of his coming, and 
 obtain permission to enter the valley of the San Joaquin. This was 
 granted, but scarcely had he reached the desired spot, than he re- 
 ceived authentic information, that the Mexican general, Castro, was 
 preparing to attack him with a large force of artillery, cavalry and 
 infantry, supposing that, under cover of a scientific mission, Fre- 
 mont was exciting the American settlers to revolt. The captain did. 
 not retreat ; but taking a position on a mountain overlooking Mon- 
 terey at a distance of about thirty miles, he entrenched it, raised the 
 (204) 
 
COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 Pa"e 204. 
 
OPERATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. 205 
 
 flag of the United States, and with his men awaited the approach 
 of the enemy. 
 
 From the 7th to the lOih of March, Lieutenant-Colonel Fre- 
 mont and his little band maintained this position. General Castro 
 did not approach within attacking distance, and Captain Fremont, 
 adhering to his plan of avoiding all collisions, and determined neither 
 to compromit his government, nor the American settlers, ready to 
 join him at all hazards if he had been attacked, abandoned his po- 
 sition, and commenced his march for Oregon, intending by that route 
 to return to the United States. Deeminof all danger from the Mexi- 
 cans to be passed, he yielded to the wishes of some of his men who 
 desired to remain in the country, discharged them from his service, 
 and reftjsed to receive others in their stead, so cautious was he to 
 avoid doing any thing which would compromit the American set- 
 tlers, or give even a colour of offence to the Mexican authorities. 
 He pursued his march slowly and leisurely, as the state of his men 
 and horses required, until the middle of May, and had reached the 
 northern shore of the greater Tlamath lake, within the Hmits of the 
 Oregon Territory, when he found his further progress in that direc- 
 tion obstructed by impassable snowy mountains and hostile Indians, 
 who had been excited against him by General Castro, had killed and 
 wounded four of his men, and left him no repose either in camp or 
 on his march. At the same time, information reached him that 
 General Castro, in addition to his Indian allies, was advancing in 
 person against him, with artillery and cavalry, at the head of four 
 or five hundred men ; that they were passing around the head of 
 the Bay of San Francisco to a rendezvous on the north side of it, 
 and that the American settlers in the valley of the Sacramento were 
 comprehended in the scheme of destruction meditated against his 
 own party. Under these circumstances, he determined to turn upon 
 his Mexican pursuers, and seek safety both for his own party, and 
 the American settlers, not merely in the defeat of Castro, but in the 
 total overthrow of the Mexican authority in California, and the es- 
 tablishment of an independent government in that extensive depart- 
 ment. It was on the 6th of June, and before the commencement 
 of the war between the United States and Mexico could have been 
 known, that this resolu-tion was taken ; and, by the 5th of July, it 
 was carried into effect by a series of rapid attacks by a small body 
 of adventurous men, under the conduct of an intrepid leader, quick 
 18 v2 
 
206 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 to perceive and able to direct the proper measures for accomplish* 
 ing such a daring enterprise. On the 11th of June, a convoy of 
 two hundred horses for Castro'^amp, with an officer and fourteen 
 men, were surprised and captured by twelve of Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Fremont's party. On the 15th, at daybreak, the mihtary post of 
 Sonoma was surprised and taken, with nine brass cannon, two hun- 
 dred and fifty stands of muskets, and several officers, and some men 
 and munitions of war. Leaving a small garrison in Sonoma, Lieu- 
 tenant-Colonel Fremont went to the Sacramento to arouse the Ame- 
 rican settlers : but scarcely had he arrived there, when an express 
 reached him from the garrison of Sonoma, with information that 
 Castro's whole force was crossing the bay to attack that place. This 
 intelHgence was received in the afternoon of the 23d of June, while 
 he was on the American fork of the Sacramento, eighty miles from 
 the little garrison at Sonoma ; and, at two o'clock on the morning 
 of the 25th, he arrived at that place with ninety riflemen from the 
 American settlers in that valley. The enemy had not yet appeared. 
 Scouts were sent out to reconnoitre, and a party of twent}'- fell in 
 with a squadron of seventy dragoons, (all of Castro's force which 
 had crossed the bay,) attacked and defeated it, killing and wounding 
 five, without harm to themselves ; the Mexican commander, De la 
 Torre, barely escaping with the loss of his transport boats, and nine 
 pieces of brass artillery, spiked. 
 
 The country north of the Bay of San Francisco being cleared 
 of the enemy, Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont returned to Sonoma on 
 the evening of the 4th of July, and, on the morning of the 5th, 
 called the people together, explained to them the condition of things 
 in the province, and recommended an immediate declaration of in- 
 dependence. The declaration was made, and he was selected to 
 take the chief direction of affairs. The attack on Castro was the 
 next object. He was at Santa Clara, an intrenched post on the 
 upper or south side of the Bay of San Francisco, with four hundred 
 men and two pieces of field-artillery. A circuit of more than one 
 hundred miles must be traversed to reach him. On the 6lh of July 
 the pursuit was commenced, by a body of one hundred and sixty 
 mounted riflemen, commanded by Colonel Fremont in person, who, 
 in three days, arrived at the American settlements on the Rio de los 
 Americanos. Here he learnt that Castro had abandoned Santa Clara, 
 and was retreatinfr south, towards Ciudad de los Angelos, the seat 
 
LETTER TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 207 
 
 of the governor-general of the Californias, and distant four hundred 
 miles. It was instantly resolved to pursue him to that place. At 
 the moment of departure, the gratifying intelligence was received 
 that war with Mexico had commenced ; that Monterey had been 
 taken by our naval forces, and the flag of the United States there, 
 raised on the 7th of July ; and that the fleet would co-operate with 
 the army against Castro and his forces. The flag of independence 
 was hauled down, and that of the United States hoisted amidst the 
 hearty greetings, and to the great joy of the American settlers and 
 forces under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont. 
 
 The combined pursuit was rapidly continued ; and on the 12th 
 of August, Commodore Stockton and Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont, 
 with a detachment of marines from the squadron, and some rifle- 
 men, entered the City of the Angels without resistance ; the go- 
 vernor-general, Pico, the commandant-general, Castro, and all of 
 the Mexican authorities, having fled and dispersed. Commodore 
 Stockton took possession of the whole country as a conquest of the 
 United States, and appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont governor, 
 under the law of nations ; to assume the functions of that office 
 when he should return to the squadron. 
 
 Unfortunately, Colonel Fremont became involved in the dispute 
 between Commodore Stockton and General Kearny, concerning the 
 supreme command of the conquered territories. As he had served 
 under the Commodore previous to this aflair, he still continued to do 
 so, in violation of the commission from the President held by General 
 Kearny. For awhile the latter submitted ; but on the arrival of re- 
 inforcements he assumed the chief command, arrested Fremont, and 
 sent him as a prisoner to Washington. On his arrival he addressed 
 the following letter [dated September 17th, 1847] to the adjutant- 
 general : — 
 
 *^ To the Adjutant-General : — Sir: According to the orders of 
 Brigadier-General Kearny, I have the honour to report myself to 
 you in person, in a state of arrest, and to make the following 
 requests : 
 
 " 1 . A copy of the charges filed against me by the said general. 
 
 " 2. A copy of the orders under which the said general brought 
 back from California to the United States myself and the topogra- 
 phical party of which I formerly had the command. 
 
 " 3. A copy of the communication from Senator Benton, asking 
 
208 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 for my arrest and trial on the charges made in the newspapers 
 against me, and which applica^ji from him I adopt and make my 
 own. 
 
 "4. That charges and specifications, in addition to those filed by 
 General Kearny, be made out in form against me, on all the news- 
 paper publications which have come, or shall come to the knowledge 
 of the office, and on all other information, oral or written. 
 
 " 5. That I may have a trial as soon as the witnesses now in the 
 United States can be got to Washington ; for, although the testi- 
 mony of the voice of California, through some of its most respectable 
 inhabitants, is^ essential to me, and also that of Commodore Stockton, 
 who has not yet arrived from that province, yet I will not wish the 
 delay of waiting for these far-distant witnesses, and will go into trial 
 on the testimony now in the United States — part of which is in the 
 state of Missouri, and may require thirty days to get it to Washing- 
 ton. I therefore ask for a trial at the end of that time. 
 
 " These requests I have the honour to make, and hope they will 
 be found to be just, and will be granted. I wish a full trial, and a 
 speedy one. The charges against me by Brigadier-General Kearny, 
 and the subsidiary accusations made against me in newspapers, 
 when I was not in this country, impeach me in all the departments 
 of my conduct (military, civil, political, and moral) while in Cali- 
 fornia, and, if true, would subject me to be cashiered and shot under 
 the rules and articles of war, and to infamy in the public opinion. 
 It is my intention to meet these charges and accusations in all their 
 extent ; and for that purpose to ask a trial upon every point of alle- 
 gation or insinuation against me, waiving all objections to forms 
 and technicalities, and allowing the widest range to all possible tes- 
 timony. These charges and accusations are so general and exten- 
 sive as to cover the whole field of my operations in California, both 
 civil and military, from the beginning to the end of hostilities, and 
 as my operations, and those of which I was the subject or object, 
 extend to almost every act and event which occurred in the country 
 during the eventful period of those hostilities, the testimony on my 
 trial will be the history of the conquest of California, and the expo- 
 sition of the policy which has been heretofore pursued there, and 
 the elucidation of that which should be followed hereafter. It will 
 oe the means of giving valuable information to the government, 
 which it might not otherwise be able to obtain, and thus enhghten it 
 
 ti 
 
LETTER TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 209 
 
 both with respect to the past and the future. Being a military 
 subordinate, I can make no report, not even of my own operations ; 
 but my trial may become a report, and bring to the knowledge of 
 the government what it ought to know, not only with respect to the 
 conduct of its officers, but also in regard to the policy observed, or 
 necessary to be observed, with regard to the three-fold population 
 (Spanish-Americans, Anglo-Americans, and aboriginal Americans) 
 which that remote province contains. Viewed under these aspects 
 of public interest, my own personal concern in the trial — already 
 sufficiently grave — acquires an additional and public importance ; 
 and for these high objects, as well as to vindicate my own character 
 from accusations both capital and infamous, it is my intention to re- 
 quire and to promote the most searching examination into every 
 thing that has been done in that quarter. 
 
 " The public mind has become impressed with the belief that 
 great misconduct has prevailed in California ; and, in fact, it would 
 be something rare in the history of remote conquests and govern- 
 ments, where every petty commander might feel himself invested 
 with proconsular authorit}^ and protected by distance from the su- 
 pervision of his government, if nothing wrong or culpable has been 
 done by the public agents of the United States in that remote pro- 
 vince. The public believe it ; and the charges filed against me 
 by Brigadier-General Kearny — the subsidiary publications made 
 against me whilst I was not in this country — my arrest on the fron- 
 tier, and the premonitory rumours of that event — the manner of my 
 being brought home for trial, not in irons, as some newspapers sup- 
 pose, but in chains stronger than iron, and with circumstances of 
 ostentatious and galling degradation — have all combined to present 
 me as the great malefactor, and the sole one. 
 
 " Heretofore I have said nothing, and could have said nothing, in 
 my own defence. I was ignorant of all that was going on against 
 me ; ignorant of the charges sent from California ; ignorant of the 
 intended arrest, and of the subsidiary publications to prejudice the 
 pubhc mind. What was published in the United States in my 
 favour, by my friends, was done upon their own view of things here, 
 and of which I knew nothing. It was only on my arrival at the 
 frontiers of the United States that I became acquainted with these 
 things, which concerned me so nearly. Brought home by General 
 Kearny, and marched in his rear, I did not know of his design to 
 18* 
 
210 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 arrest me until the moment of its execution at Fort Leavenworth. He 
 then informed me that, among the charges which he had preferred, 
 were mutiny, disobedience of orders, assumption of powers, &c. ; 
 and referred me to your office for particulars. Accordingly, I now 
 apply for them, and ask for a full and speedy trial, not only on the 
 charges filed by the said general, but on all accusations contained in 
 the pubUcations against me. 
 
 " The private calamity [the severe illness of his mother] which 
 has this evening obtained for me permission from the department to 
 visit South Carolina, does not create any reason for postponement or 
 delay of the trial, or in any way interfere with the necessary preli- 
 minaries. 
 
 "Hoping, then, sir, that you will obtain and communicate to me 
 an early decision of the proper authorities on these requests, I 
 remain, &c." 
 
 In conformity with the desire of Colonel Fremont, his trial com- 
 menced soon after his arrival at the capital, and is still [January, 
 1848] progressing. 
 
 The following account of the Colonel's celebrated ride in Cali- 
 fornia, will exhibit his capability of enduring fatigue and hardships : — 
 
 " It was at daybreak on the morning of the 22d of March, that 
 the party set out from la Ciudad de los Angelos (the City of the 
 Angels,) in the southern part of California, to proceed in the shortest 
 time to Monterey, on the Pacific Ocean, distant full four hundred 
 miles. The way is over a mountainous country, much of it unin- 
 habited, with no other road than a trace, and many defiles to pass, 
 particularly the maritime defile of El Rincon, or Punto Gordo, fifteen 
 miles in extent, made by the jutting of a precipitous mountain into 
 the sea, which can only be passed when the tide is out and the sea 
 calm, and even then in many places through the waves. The towns 
 of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, and occasional ranchos, 
 are the principal inhabited places on the route. Each of the party 
 had three horses, nine in all, to take their turns under the saddle. 
 The six loose horses ran ahead, without bridle or halter, and required 
 some attention to keep to the track. 
 
 " When wanted for a change, say at distances of twenty miles, 
 they were caught by the lasso, thrown either by Don Jesus Pico, 
 or the servant Jacob, who, though born and raised in Washington, 
 in his long expeditions with Colonel Fremont had become as ex- 
 
Fremont's celebrated ride. 211 
 
 pert as a Mexican with the lasso, as sure as a mountaineer with the 
 rifle, equal to either on horse or foot, and always a lad of courage 
 and'fidelity. None of the horses were shod, that being a practice 
 unknown to the CaHfornians. The most usual gait was a sweeping 
 gallop. The first day they ran one hundred and twenty-five miles, 
 passing the San Fernando mountain, the defile of the Rincon, se- 
 veral other mountains, and slept at the hospitable rancho of Don 
 Tomas Robberis, beyond the town of Santa Barbara. The only 
 fatigue complained of in this day's ride was in Jacob's right arm, 
 made tired by throwing the lasso and using it as a whip to keep 
 the loose horses to the track. 
 
 « The next day they made another one hundred and twenty-five 
 miles, passing the formidable mountain of Santa Barbara, and count- 
 ing upon it the skeletons of some fifty horses, part of near double 
 that number which perished in the crossing of that terrible moun- 
 tain by the California battalion on Christmas day, 1846, amidst a 
 raging tempest, and a deluge of rain and cold more killing than that 
 of ''the Sierra Nevada— the day of severest suffering, say Fremont 
 and his men, that they have ever passed. At sunset, the party 
 stopped to sup with the friendly Captain Dana, and at nine San 
 Luis Obispo was reached, the home of Don Jesus, where an affect- 
 ino- reception awaited Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont, in consequence 
 of\n incident which occurred there, that history will one day re- 
 cord;* and he was detained till eleven o'clock in the morning, re - 
 
 * This affecting incident is thus related by Lieutenant Talbott, who ac- 
 companied Colonel Fremont. Pico had headed an insurrection, and being 
 captured was condemned to death :— 
 
 "There was no time to lose; the hour of twelve, next day, was fixed 
 for the execution. It was eleven o'clock, and I chanced to be m the 
 Colonel's room, when a lady with a group of children, followed by many 
 mher ladies, burst into the room, throwing themselves upon their knees, 
 and crying for mercy for the father and husband. It was the wife and 
 children and friends of Pico. Never did I hear such accents of gnef. 
 Never did I witness such an agonizing scene. I turned my eye, for I coiild 
 not look at it, and soon heard from Colonel Fremont (whose heart was 
 never formed to resist such a scene,) the heavenly word of pardon. 
 
 « Then the tumult of feeling took a different turn. Joy and gratitude 
 broke out, filled the room with benedictions, and spread to those without. 
 To finish the scene, the condemned man was brought in, and then I saw 
 the whole impulsiveness and fire of the Spanish character, when excited 
 
212 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 ceiving the visits of the inhabitants, (mothers and children included,) . 
 taking a breakfast of honour, and waiting for a relief of fresh horses 
 to be brought in from the surrdfmding country. 
 
 "Here the nine horses from Los Angelos were left, and eight 
 others taken in their place, and a Spanish boy added to the party to 
 assist in managing the loose horses. Proceeding at the usual gait 
 till eight at night, and having made some seventy miles, Don Jesus, 
 who had spent the night before with his family and friends, and 
 probably with but little sleep, became fatigued, and proposed a halt 
 for a few hours. It was in the valley of the Salinas, (Salt river, 
 called Buena Ventura in the old maps,) and the haunt of marauding 
 Indians. For safety during their repose, the party turned off the 
 trace, issued through a Canada into a thick wood, and lay down, the 
 horses being put to grass at a short distance, with the Spanish boy 
 in the saddle to watch. Sleep, when commenced, was too sweet to 
 be easily given up, and it was half way between midnight and day 
 when the sleepers were aroused by an estampedo among the horses 
 and the calls of the boy. 
 
 " The cause of the alarm was soon found ; not Indians, but white 
 bears — this valley being their great resort — encountered some hun- 
 dred of them before, killing thirteen upon the ground. The cha- 
 racter of these bears is well known, and the bravest hunters do not 
 like to meet them without the advantage of numbers. On discover- 
 ing the enemy Colonel Fremont felt for his pistols, but Don Jesus 
 desired him to lay still, saying that ' people could scare bears,' and 
 immediately he hallooed at them in Spanish, and they went off. 
 
 by some powerful emotion. He had been calm, composed, quiet, and al- 
 most silent, under his trial and condemnation, but at the word pardon, a 
 storm of impetuous feeling burst forth, and throwing himself at the feet 
 of Colonel Fremont, he swore to him eternal fidelity, and demanded the 
 privilege of going with him and dying for him. 
 
 " But it was not all over yet with Colonel Fremont. His own men re- 
 quired the death of Pico — he had done so much harm, and in fact was 
 the head of the insurrection in that district, and had broken his parole. 
 The Colonel went among them, and calmed the ferment in his own camp. 
 He quieted his own men; but others, who were not there, have since 
 cried out for the execution of Pico, and made his pardon an accusation 
 against Colonel Fremont. The pacified state of the country will answer 
 the accusation, and show that it was a case in which policy and humanity 
 went together." 
 
Fremont's celebrated ride. 213 
 
 Sleep went off also ; and the recovery of the horses frightened by 
 the bears, building a rousing fire, making breakfast from the hospi- 
 table supplies of San Luis Obispo, occupied the party till daybreak, 
 when the journey was resumed. Eighty miles and the afternoon 
 brought the party to Monterey. 
 
 " The next daj, in the afternoon, the party set out on their return ; 
 and the two horses ridden by Colonel Fremont from San Luis Obispo 
 being a present to him from Don Jesus, he (Don Jesus) desired to 
 make an experiment of what one of them could do. They were 
 brothers, one a grass younger than the other, both of the same colour, 
 (cinnamon,) and hence called el canalo or los canalos, (the cinna- 
 mon, or the cinnamons.) The eider brother was taken for the trial ; 
 and the journey commenced upon him at leaving Monterey ; the 
 afternoon well advanced. Thirty miles under the saddle done that 
 evening, and the party stopped for the night. In the morning, the 
 elder canalo was again under the saddle for Colonel Fremont, and 
 for ninety miles he carried him without a change and without ap- 
 parent fatigue. It was still thirty miles to San Luis Obispo, where 
 the night was to be passed ; and Don Jesus insisted that canalo 
 could easily do it, and so said the horse by his looks and action. 
 But Colonel Fremont would not put him to the trial ; and shifting 
 the saddle to the younger brother, the elder was turned loose to run 
 the remaining thirty miles without a rider. 
 
 "He did so, immediately taking the lead and keeping it all the 
 way, and entering San Luis in a sweeping gallop, nostrils distended, 
 snuffing the air, neighing with exultation of his return to his na- 
 tive pastures, his younger brother all the while running at the head 
 of the horses under the saddle, bearing on his bit, and held in by 
 his rider. The whole eight horses made their one hundred and 
 twenty miles each that day, (after thirty the evening before) the 
 elder cinnamon making ninety of his under the saddle that day, be- 
 sides thirty under the saddle the evening before ; nor was there the 
 least doubt that he would have done the whole distance in the same 
 time if he had continued under the saddle. 
 
 " After a hospitable detention of another half day at San Luis 
 Obispo, the party set out for Los Angelos on the same nine horses 
 which they had ridden from that place, and made the ride back in 
 about the same time they had made it up, namely, at the rate of 
 one hundred and twenty-five miles a day. 
 
214 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 " On this ride the grass on the road was the food for the horses. 
 At Monterey they had barley; but those horses, meaning those 
 trained and domesticated, as th^l^analos were, eat almost anything 
 in the way of vegetable food, or even drink, that their master uses, 
 by whom they are petted and caressed, and rarely sold. Bread, 
 fruits, sugar, coffee, and even wine, (Hke the Persian horse,) they 
 take from the hand of their master, and obey with Kke docility his 
 slightest intimation. A tap x)f the whip on the saddle springs them 
 into action ; and the check of a thread rein (on the Spanish bit) 
 would stop them ; and stopped short at speed they do not jostle the 
 rider or throw him forward. They leap at any thing — man, beast, 
 or weapon, on which their master directs them. But this descrip- 
 tion, so far as conduct or behaviour is concerned, of course only ap- 
 plies to the trained and domesticated horse." 
 
I 
 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL JONES. 
 
 Page 215. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES. 
 
 Brevet Brigadier-General Roger Jones, Adjutant-General of 
 the United States' army, is a native of Westmoreland county, Vir- 
 ginia, and brother to the distinguished Commodore Jones. After 
 receiving a good education, he entered the army [January 26th, 
 1809] while quite young, as a heutenant of marines, in which capa- 
 city he was actively employed until July 6th, 1812, when he was 
 appointed a captain of artillery. 
 
 At the opening of the campaign of 1813, Captain Jones joined 
 the regiment of Colonel [General] Macomb, at Greenbush, where 
 was established a camp of instruction. Soon after, the whole army, 
 under Major-General Dearborn, marched to Sackett's Harbour and 
 prepared for a descent upon Upper Canada. Immediately after the 
 capture of York, and in full view of Fort Niagara, Captain Jones 
 received from Brigadier-General Chandler the appointment of 
 major of brigade, a station for which his high reputation as a dis- 
 ciplinarian and an active, zealous officer, eminently qualified him. 
 
 In his new capacity, Captain Jones was actively and efiiciently 
 engaged in the taking of Fort George, May 27th, 1813 ; and eight 
 days afterward [June 5th] he was with Brigadier-General Chandler 
 at the battle of Stony Creek, where, after displaying great bravery, 
 he received a severe wound from a bayonet. On the 13th of Au- 
 gust he was transferred to the stafi'as assistant adjutant-general, with 
 the brevet rank of major. 
 
 In the memorable campaign of 1814 on the Niagara frontier, 
 Major Jones bore a distinguished part. At its commencement he 
 was attached to the stafi" of Major-General Brown, commandino- the 
 left division of the army. He assisted in the crossing of the Nia- 
 gara, and taking of Fort Erie, [July 3d, 1814,] and was in the battle 
 
 v2 (215) 
 
216 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES. 
 
 of Chippewa, July 5th, 1814. In his official report of this event, 
 General Brown says : — 
 
 "Colonel Gardner, Major TOnes," &c., "have been as active, 
 and as much devoted to the cause as any officers of the army. 
 Their conduct merits my warmest acknowledgments ; of Gardner 
 and Jones I shall have occasion again to speak to you." 
 
 For his "distinguished services in the battle of Chippewa," 
 Major Jones received from President Madison the brevet rank of 
 major in the corps of artillery to which he belonged. 
 
 In the great battle of Niagara, [July 25th, 1814,] Major Jones 
 again acted well and honourably his part, and received high com- 
 mendation from Major-Gene ral Brown. He participated in the 
 battle of Fort Erie [August 15th, 18J4] under General Gaines, 
 when that post was assaulted by the British under Lieutenant- 
 General Drummond. In his official report of the battle. General 
 Gaines says : — 
 
 "To Major Jones, assistant adjutant-general. Major Hall," &c., 
 " much credit is due for their constant vigilance and strict attention 
 to every duty previous to the action, and the steady courage, zeal, 
 and activity, which they manifested during the action." 
 
 Major Jones was engaged in the subsequent defence of Fort Erie, 
 and sortie from the works, where " one thousand regulars," says 
 General Brown,." and an equal number of militia, in one hour of 
 close action, blasted the hopes of the enemy, destroyed the fruits 
 of fifty days' labour, and diminished his effective force one thousand 
 men at least." For his conduct in the affair the major received 
 from President Madison the further promotion of brevet lieutenant- 
 colonel. During the whole siege, he performed the duties of adju- 
 tant-general (chief of staff) during the sickness of Colonel Gardner. 
 When General Izard's command arrived, he was transferred to the 
 left division of the army, and continued to exercise the duties of his 
 office until the close of the campaign of 1814, when the Americans 
 retired into winter quarters at Sackett's Harbour. 
 
 In June, 1815, at the solicitation of General Brown, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Jones joined the staff of that officer as aid-de-camp and adju- 
 tant-general. When he left the general's military family, he 
 received from him an elegant sword as a testimonial of his friendship 
 and gratitude ; and a short time previous to the close of the war, 
 Generals Brown, Porter, and Scott each addressed letters to the 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES. 217 
 
 Secretary of War, [Mr. Monroe,] warmly recommending Brevet 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Jones for the full lieutenant-colonelcy of the 
 24th infantry. 
 
 On the 15th of February, 1834, the legislature of Virginia voted 
 swords to Colonel Jones and his brother of the navy, as proofs of 
 esteem for their distinguished services. Owing to accidental causes, 
 this testimonial was not presented to the colonel until February 
 22d, 1841. 
 
 Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Jones remained with his company 
 from December, 1815, until August, 1818, and the admirable con- 
 dition to which he brought it is still remembered in the service. It 
 excelled in all that constitutes a model corps. August 10th, 1818, 
 he was appointed adjutant-general of the Northern Division, with 
 the brevet rank of colonel. He remained in this capacity until 
 1821, when, notwithstanding the reduction of the army, he was 
 retained with his full lineal rank, and assigned to the 3d regiment 
 of artillery. While yet a captain in the line, he was appointed 
 [March 7th, 1825] adjutant-general of the United Stales' army, 
 with the rank of colonel. On the 17th of February, 1827, he was 
 promoted as major of the 2d artillery in the regular line. In 1829 
 he received the brevet of colonel, [ranking from September 17th, 
 1824,] and on June 17th, 1832, he was raised to brevet brigadier- 
 general, which rank he now holds in the military service. 
 
 In October, 1844, Brigadier-General Jones, Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Mason, and Governor Butler, Cherokee Agent, were constituted by 
 the President a commission to the Cherokees, in order to invest and 
 report upon the causes and extent of the discontents and difficulties 
 amono- them. The report which, as president of the commission, 
 General Jones drew up, was able and conclusive, eventuating in the 
 formal pacification of the Indians. 
 
 General Jones has now been adjutant-general of the army for 
 more than twenty years. A glance at the army regulations will 
 show, that his office is one of the principal military bureaus of the 
 war department. Its civil and ministerial relations to the head of 
 the department are numerous, weighty, and often confidential; 
 whilst in all organizations of the general staff of the army, it occu- 
 pies a position, as regards matters purely military, of the first im- 
 portance. As the chief of staff to the commander of the army, the 
 adjutant-general is charged with all orders, military correspondence, 
 19 
 
218 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES. 
 
 &c. And it should be remembered that the amount of business 
 connected with his office, wh^ had been more than quadrupled 
 since the war of 1812, has been vastly augmented during our dis- 
 pute with Mexico. 
 
 How General Jones has sustained the heavy pressure of official 
 business, how faithfully and intelligently he has performed his duty 
 to the army and the country, is well known. No officer stands 
 higher in the estimation of those who are best able to form a correct 
 judgment of his character and services. The successive chief ma- 
 gistrates of the nation, the various secretaries of war and generals- 
 in-chief, and the records of Congress during the last twenty years, 
 have all testified to his official worth and the value of his labours. 
 
 During the Florida war and other Indian outbreaks, together with 
 the troubles on our northern and north-eastern borders, the labours 
 of General Jones have been great ; but the country is especially in- 
 debted to him, for his able, zealous, and unremitting services, during 
 the war with Mexico. The increase of the regular army to more 
 than double its previous number ; the raising, organizing, and send- 
 ing to the field fifty thousand volunteers ; the legislation necessary 
 to meet the change from peace to war, and to place the enlarged 
 mihlary establishment upon the proper basis ; the voluminous and 
 highly important orders and correspondence indispensable to such a 
 state of affairs, has each received due attention at his hands. And 
 no small share of the efficiency of our armies in Mexico results from 
 the skilful administration of Adjutant-General Jones. 
 
LIKUTENANT CHRISTOPHER CARSON. 
 
 Page 219. 
 
LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER CARSON. 
 
 The famous Christopher Carson was born in Kentucky, in 
 1810, but in the following year his father removed, and settled in 
 Missouri. In this wilderness young Carson remained until he ar- 
 rived at the age of fifteen, when he joined a trading party destined 
 for Santa Fe. After roaming over the vast plains beyond the Mis- 
 souri, he reached New Mexico after various adventures, and was 
 employed as teamster in the copper mines of Chihuahua. 
 
 When seventeen years old, he made his first expedition as a 
 trapper. The party proceeded to the Rio Colorado (California), 
 met with numerous hardships and adventures, and had several bat- 
 tles with the Indians. It returned, however, safely to Taos, New 
 Mexico ; and soon after "Kit" joined another party, to visit the head- 
 waters of the Arkansas. After this he passed eight years as a trap- 
 per among the Rocky Mountains and in Oregon. Here he became 
 noted as a successful hunter, an unfailing shot, an unerring guide, 
 and a brave, sagacious, and steady warrior. At one time, with a 
 party of twel e, he tracked a band of nearly sixty Crows, who had 
 stolen some of their horses ; cut loose the animals, which were -tied 
 within ten feet of a strong log fort belonging to the Indians, attacked 
 them and made good his retreat with the horses — a friendly Indian 
 bringing away a Crow scalp as a trophy. In a combat with the 
 Blackfeet Indians, Carson received a rifle-ball in his left shoulder, 
 breaking it ; but excepting this he has escaped the manifold dan- 
 gers to which he has been exposed without serious injury. 
 
 Colonel Fremont owed his good fortune in procuring Carson's 
 services, to an accidental meeting on a steamboat above St. Louis — 
 neither having ever before heard of the other. It was at the com- 
 mencement of Fremont's first expedition. Carson continued with 
 
 (219) 
 
220 , LIEUTENANT CARSON. 
 
 it until, in its return, it had recrossed the mountains. His courage, 
 fidelity, and excellent character, so far conciliated the good will of 
 the commander, that in his ^ffond expedition he gladly availed 
 himself again of Kit's services, on meeting with him, as he chanced 
 to do, on the confines of New Mexico. Kit again left the party 
 after its arrival this side of the mountains — not, however, until Fre- 
 mont had obtained a promise from him to join the third expedition 
 in case one should be organized. Some incidents will be interest- 
 ing, connected with this latter expedition, which was interrupted in 
 its purely scientific character, by the hostility of the Mexican 
 chief (Castro), compelUng Fremont to change his peaceful employ- 
 ment. 
 
 In the interim between Fremont's second and third expeditions, 
 Carson had settled himself near Taos, and had begun to farm, pre- 
 paring to lead a quiet life, when he received a note from Fremont, 
 written at Bent's Fort, reminding him of his promise, and telling 
 him he would there wait for him. In four days from receiving the 
 note, Carson had joined the party, having sold house and farm for 
 less than half the sum he had just expended upon it, and put his 
 family under the protection of his friend, the late Governor Bent, 
 until he should return from a certainly long and dangerous journey. 
 This protection, unfortunately, was taken from them in the late 
 massacre at Taos, when Carson's brother-in-law was also one of the 
 victims to the fury of the Mexicans against all connected with the 
 Americans. Mrs. Carson saved her Hfe by flight, leaving them to 
 rob the house of every thing. 
 
 The route of the third expedition led the party to the southern 
 and western side of the great Salt Lake — a region entirely unex- 
 plored, and filled, according to the superstitions and tales current 
 among the Indians and trappers of the mountains, with all imagina- 
 ble horrors. A vast desert, void of vegetation and fresh water, 
 abounding in quicksands and in brackish pools and rivers, with only 
 subterranean outlets. The southern border of the lake was found 
 to be skirted with a salt plain of about sixty miles in width. Over 
 this, as elsewhere, Carson, in his capacity of scout, was always with 
 the advance party, to search for water and convenient places for 
 camp — the usual signal of the prairies, a fire, serving, by its column 
 of smoke, to point out where the advance were halting. 
 
 When Fremont's party, in May, 1846 (not knowing of the exist- 
 
FIGHT WITH THE TLAMATH INDIANS. 221 
 
 ence of the war with Mexico), retired from Cahfornia, they pro- 
 ceeded north as far as the Tlamath lake, in Oregon, proposing to 
 explore a new route into the Willhameth valley. 
 
 A courier having reached Colonel Fremont there, to say that 
 Mr. Gillespie and five men were endeavouring to overtake him, he 
 took ten men and returned sixty miles with the courier ; makincr 
 all haste in order to reach them before night, and prevent any attack 
 which the Indians might be tempted to make on a small party. 
 The events of that night and the days following illustrate so fully 
 the nightly danger of an Indian country, and the treacherous nature 
 of savages, that they will be given in Carson's own words : 
 
 " This was the only night in all our travels, except the one night 
 on the island in the Salt Lake, that we failed to keep guard ; and as 
 the men were so tired, and we expected no attack now that we had 
 sixteen in the party, the colonel didn't like to ask it of them, but sat 
 up late himself. Owens and I were sleeping together, and we were 
 waked at the same time by the licks of the axe that killed our men. 
 At first, I didn't know it was that ; but I called to Basil, who was 
 that side — ' What 's the matter there ? — what 's that fuss about ?'— - 
 he never answered, for he was dead then, poor fellow, and he never 
 knew what killed him — his head had been cut in, in his sleep ; the 
 other groaned a little as he died. The Delawares (we had four 
 with us) were sleeping at that fire, and they sprang up as the Tla- 
 maths charged them. One of them caught up a gun, which was 
 unloaded ; but, although he could do no execution, he kept them at 
 bay, fighting like a soldier, and didn't give up until he was shot 
 full of arrows — three entering his heart ; he died bravely. As soon 
 as I had called out, 1 saw it was Indians in the camp, and I and 
 Owens together cried out ' Indians.' There were no orders given ; 
 things went on too fast, and the colonel had men with him that 
 didn't need to be told their duty. The colonel and I, Maxwell, 
 Owens, Godey, and Stepp, jumped together, we six, and ran to the 
 assistance of our Delawares. I don't know who fired and who 
 didn't; but I think it was Stepp's shot that killed the Tlamath 
 chief; for it was at the crack of Stepp's gun that he fell. He had 
 an English half axe slung to his wrist by a cord, and there were 
 forty arrows left in his quiver — the most beautiful and warlike ar- 
 rows I ever saw. He must have been the bravest man among 
 them, from the way he was armed, and judging by his cap. When 
 19* w 
 
222 LIEUTENANT CARSON. 
 
 the Tlamaths saw him fall, they ran ; but we lay, every man with 
 his rifle cocked, until daylight^cpecting another attack. 
 
 "In the morning we founa by the tracks that from fifteen to 
 twenty of the Tlamaths had attacked us. They had killed three 
 of our men, and wounded one of the Delawares, who scalped the 
 chief, whom we left where he fell. Our dead men we carried on 
 mules; but, after going about ten miles, we found it impossible to 
 get them any farther through the thick timber, and, finding a secret 
 place, we buried them under logs and chunks, having no way to 
 dig a grave. It was only a few days before this fight that some of 
 these same Indians had come into our camp ; and, although we had 
 only meat for two days, and felt sure that we should have to eat 
 mules for ten or fifteen days to come, the colonel divided with them, 
 and even had a mule unpacked to give them some tobacco and 
 knives." 
 
 The party then retraced its way into Cahfornia, and two days 
 after this rencontre they met a large village of Tlamaths — more than 
 a hundred w^arriors. Carson was ahead with ten men, but one of 
 them having been discovered, he could not follow his orders, which, 
 were to send back word and let Fremont come up with the rest in 
 case they found Indians. But as they had been seen, it only re- 
 mained to charge the village, which they did, killing many, and 
 putting the rest to flight. The women and children, Carson says, 
 we didn't interfere with ; but burnt the village, together with 
 their canoes and fishing-nets. In a subsequent encounter the same 
 day, Carson's hfe was imminently exposed. As they gallopped up, 
 he was rather in advance, when he observed an Indian fixing his 
 arrow to let fly at him. Carson levelled his rifle, but it snapped, 
 and in an instant the arrow would have pierced him, had not Fre- 
 mont, seeing the danger, dashed his horse on the Indian and knocked 
 him down. 
 
 ; The hostile and insulting course of Castro drew Fremont into 
 retaliatory measures ; and, aided by the American settlers, he pur- 
 sued the Mexicans for some time ; but being unable to make them 
 stand and fight, they always flying before him, the flag of indepen- 
 dence was raised at Sonoma, on the 5th of July, 1846. Learning 
 soon after of the existence of the war, the American flag was 
 promptly substituted, and the party proceeded to Monterey, where 
 they found the fleet under Commodore Sloat already in possession. 
 
 I 
 
FURTHER OPERATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. 223 
 
 Castro, with his forces, had retreated before Fremont, and, to pre- 
 vent their escape into Sonora, Colonel Fremont with a hundred and 
 sixty men, was offered tiie sloop of war Cyane to carry them down 
 to San Diego and facilitate the pursuit, as he hoped by that means 
 to intercept Castro at Pueblo de los Angelos. Then Carson, for the 
 first time, saw the blue ocean, and the great vessels that, hke white- 
 winged birds, spread their sails above its waters. The vast prairies, 
 whose immense green surface has been aptly likened to the sea, 
 together with all objects ever seen upon it, were familiar to him; 
 but it proved no preparation for actual salt water, and the pride and 
 strength of the backwoodsmen were soon humbled by the customary 
 tribute to Neptune. The forces were landed, and raised the flag at 
 San Diego, and then they proceeded jointly to the capital, Ciudad 
 de los Angelos, where, although from the detention at sea, Castro 
 had escaped, American authority was also established. 
 
 From this point, on the 1st of September, 1846, Carson, with 
 fifteen men, was despatched by Fremont with an account of the 
 progress and state of affairs in that distant conquest. Carson was to 
 have made the journey from Puebia to Washington city and back 
 in one hundred and forty days. He pushed ahead accordingly, not 
 stopping even for game, but subsisting on his mules, of which they 
 made food as the animals broke down in the rapidity of the journey. 
 He had crossed the wilderness, as he expected, in thirty days, 
 when, meeting with General Kearny's company, within a few days 
 of Santa Fe, he was turned back by that officer, to whose orders he 
 believed himself subject, and with infinite reluctance resigned his 
 despatches to another, and returned to guide Kearny's command 
 into California. 
 
 General Kearny entered CaHfornia without molestation until the 
 fight of San Pascual ; an official account of which has been pub- 
 lished. In the charge made upon the Mexicans, Carson, as usual, 
 was among the foremost, when, as he approached within bullet- 
 range of the enemy, who were drawn up in order of battle, his horse 
 stumbled and fell, pitching him over his head, and breaking his 
 rifle in twain. Seizing a knife, he advanced on foot, until he found 
 a killed dragoon, whose rifle he took, and was pressing on, when he 
 met the mounted men returning from the charge, the Mexicans hav- 
 ing gallopped off. At the instance of Carson, the American party 
 then took possession of a small rocky hill, near the scene of the bat- 
 
224 LIEUTENANT CARSON. 
 
 tie, as the strongest position in reach. Not being in a situation to 
 go forward, they encamped here ; and the enemy collecting in 
 force, they remained in a state o^iege. There was httle of grass 
 or water on the hill, and soon both animals and men began to suffer. 
 The way was so thickly beset with the enemy, that the commander 
 doubted the propriety of attempting to cut a passage through, when, 
 after a four days' siege, Carson and Passed Midshipman Beale, of 
 the navy (who had been sent to meet Kearny, with some thirty 
 men, as a complimentary escort to San Diego), volunteered to go to 
 Commodore Stockton, at that place, and bring a reinforcement. 
 
 Leaving the frontier settlements of California on the 25th of Feb- 
 ruary, Carson arrived in St. Louis about the middle of May — 
 making the journey, notwithstanding the inclemency of the season, 
 and an unavoidable detention of ten days at Santa Fe, in a shorter 
 time than it was ever before accomplished. 
 
 Carson subsequently visited Washington, where he received from 
 President Polk a commission of lieutenant in Fremont's rifle regi- 
 ment, in reward for his numerous services. 
 
 THE END. 
 
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 GOIiDSMITH'S AlVIMATED NATURE. 
 
 In 2 vols. 8vo., beautifully Illustrated with 385 Plates. 
 
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 This is a work that should be in the library of every family, being written by 
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 3 
 
THE WORKS 05 LAURENCi:. STERNE. 
 In 1 vol. 8vo., with a Life of the Author, written by himself, and a Portrait 
 
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 cate turns, &;c. 
 
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 in which the meaning of every word is explained, and the sound of 
 every syllable distinctly shown. To which are prefixed an Abstract of 
 English Pronunciation, and Directions to Foreigners for Acquiring a 
 Knov/ledge of the Use of this Dictionary. By John Walker, author of 
 " Elements of Elocution," '■'■ Rhyming Dictionary,"^&c. &c. Abridged 
 for the use of Schools, by an American Citizen. 
 
 P. S. This is a new edition, on fine paper, and improved in printing and bind- 
 ing. Parents and Teachers will please examine and order Grigg, Elliot & Co.'a 
 Improved Edition. 
 
 An eminent writer, and a good judge of the value of Dictionaries, observes as 
 follows: — 
 
 We have received from the publishers, Messrs. Grigg, Elliot & Co., No. 14 
 North Fourth Street, a copy of their new and handsome edition of Walker's Criti- 
 cal Pronouncing Dictionary for Schools. The present edition is decidedly the 
 best and most convenient we have ever seen, both in regard to the size of the 
 type on which it is printed, and the style and form in which it is issued. It has been 
 ** got up" in a handsome and substantial manner, expressly for schools — has been 
 greatly improved and made better in every respect for teachers and scholars. AH 
 teachers who have any regard for their eyes and the eyes of their scholars, would 
 find it to their advantage to use this edition, printed as it is from new stereotype 
 plates and on clean white paper. The edition is for sale by booksellers and cou:> 
 try merchants generally throughout the United States. 
 7 
 
BOLLES' PHONOGRAPHIC PRONOimCEdG DICTIOBTARY. 
 
 IN ONE VOL. ROYAL 8V0 
 
 This valuable work has met with the most favorable reception from the Ameri- 
 can public. It contains more words than the 8vo. edition of Webster, and has the 
 pronunciation attached according to the best authorities, which is a very import- 
 ant addition, and renders the work much more desirable for general use and 
 reference than of any of the large did^Riaries now in use. No man of business 
 or family should be without this valuable Dictionary. 
 
 ! The same work abridged, in 1 vol. 12mo., we have just published also, which 
 will be found an invaluable class book for academies, seminaries, and higher order 
 of schools, as well as an important companion to the education of every young 
 person. 
 
 BIGLAND'S NATURAL HISTORY 
 
 Of Animals, Birds, Fishes, Reptiles and Insects, illustrated with nume- 
 rous and beautiful engravings. By John Bigland, author of a " View 
 of the World," '' Letters on Universal History," &c. Complete in 1 
 vol. 12mo. 
 
 5:5" This work is particularly adapted for the use of Schools and Families, 
 forming the most elegantly written and complete work on the subject of Natural 
 History ever published, and is worthy of the special attention of the teachers of 
 all our schools and academies. 
 
 BIGLAND'S NATURAL HISTORY OF ANIMALS. 
 Illustrated with 12 beautifully colored engravings. 
 
 BIGLAND'S HISTORY OF BIRDS. 
 Illustrated with 12 beautifully colored engravings. 
 
 By Shoberl, with 12 colored plates. 
 
 These works are got up in a very superior style, and well deserve an introduc- 
 tion to the shelves of every family library, as they are very interesting, and par- 
 ticularly adapted to the j'Uvenile class of readers. 
 
 GRIMSHAW'S POPULAR HISTORIES. 
 
 FOR SCHOOLS AND FAMILY LIBRARIES. 
 
 GRIMSHAW'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 Recently brought up by the author to the present time. 
 Also, Questions adapted to the above History; and a Key, adapted to the 
 Questions, for the use of Teachers and Families. 
 
 GRIMSHAW'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 
 
 Recently brought up by the author to the present time. 
 Also, Questions adapted to the above History; and a Key, adapted to the 
 Questions, for the use of Te'achers and Families. 
 
 GRIMSHAW'S IMPROVED EDITION OF GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY 
 
 OF GREECE, 
 
 With a Vocabulary of the Proper Names contained in the work, and the 
 Prosodial Accents, in conformity with the Pronunciation of Lempriere. 
 
 Also, Questions adapted to the above History; and a Key, adapted to the 
 Questions, for the use of Teachers and Families. 
 8 
 
GRIMSHAW'S IMPROVED EDITION OF GOLDSMITH'S HISTORY 
 
 OF ROME. 
 
 Revised and Corrected; and a Vocabulary of Proper Names appended, 
 
 with Prosodial Marks to assist in their Pronunciation. 
 Also, Questions adapted to the above History; and a Key, adapted to the 
 
 Questions, for the use of Teachers and Families. 
 
 GRIMSHAW'S HISTORY OF FRANCE, with Key and Questions. 
 
 GRIMSHAW'S HISTORY AND LIFE OF NAPOLEON. 
 
 The editor of the North American Review, speaking of these Histories, ob- 
 serves, that — 
 
 Among the Elementary Books of American History, we do not remember to 
 have seen any one more deserving approbation than Mr. Grimshaw's History ot 
 the United States. It is a small volume, and a great deal of matter is brought 
 into a narrow space; but the author has succeeded so well in the construction of 
 his periods, and the arrangement of his materials, that perspicuity is rarely sacri- 
 ficed to brevity. 
 
 The chain of narrative is skilfully preserved; and the author's reflections are 
 frequently such as to make the facts more impressive, and lead the youthful mind ^ 
 to observe causes and consequences which might otherwise have been overlooked. 
 As a school book it may justly be recommended. 
 
 What has been said of this volume will apply generally to his other historical 
 works. They are each nearly of the same size as the one just noticed, and de- 
 signed for the same object, that is, the use of classes in schools. 
 
 The History of England is an original composition ; but the Grecian and Roman 
 Histories are Goldsmith's, improved by Grimshaw, in which he has corrected the 
 typographical errors with which the later editions of Goldsmith's Abridgements 
 BO much abound ; and removed any grossness in language, which, in some few 
 instances, render these valuable compends less useful in the schools to which 
 youth of both sexes resort. He has also added a Vocabulary of Proper Names, 
 accentuated, in order to show their right pronunciation, which is a valuable ap- 
 pendage to the History. 
 
 All these books are accompanied with very full and well-digested Tables of 
 Questions, for the benefit of Pupils, and also with Keys to the sdme, for the con- 
 venience of Teachers. 
 
 GRIMSHAW'S LADIES' LEXICON, 
 
 And Parlor Companion; containing nearly every word in the English 
 language, and exhibiting the plurals of nouns and the participles of 
 verbs; being also particularly adapted to the use of Academies and 
 Schools. By William Grimshaw, Esq. 
 
 In the Nashville Republican, we observe the following notice of this very useful 
 book: — 
 
 In recommending the ** Ladies' Lexicon," therefore, to all our readers, male 
 and female, who have ever experienced the difficulties which it is so admirably 
 calculated to remedy, we but do an ordinary act of justice to the author and pub- 
 lisher. We consider the "Ladies' Lexicon," and recommend it to our readers aa 
 a work that possesses superior claims on their attention and patronage. 
 
 THE GENTLEMEN'S LEXICON. 
 
 Or, Pocket Dictionary: containing nearly every word in the English lan- 
 guage, and exhibiting the plurals of nouns and the participles of verbs; 
 being also particularly adapted to the use of Academies and Schools. 
 By William Grimshaw. 
 
 The public are again indebted to the talents of Mr. Grimshaw, for the very use- 
 ful books which he has called "The Ladies' and Gentlemen's Lexicons." The 
 peculiarity and advantages of these works may be collected from the following 
 portion of the preface : — 
 
 9 
 
They differ from all preceding works of the kind in this, that they exhibit the 
 plurals of all nouns which are not formed by the mere addition of the letters, 
 and also the participles of every verb now generally used, and unless accompa- 
 nied by a particular caution. No word has been admitted which is not now of 
 polite or popular use; and no word has been excluded which is required either in 
 epistolatory composition or convers£^gpa. 
 
 In giving the above extracts we take occasion to say, that teachers will find the 
 "Ladies' and Gentlemen's Lexicons" works admirably adapted to take the place, 
 with advantage to their pupils, of the different works recently put into their hands 
 under the name of Expositors, &c. 
 
 {t5" The above work has been introduced as a Classbook into many of our 
 academies and schools, with great approbation. 
 
 Ruschenberger's First Books of Natural History. 
 
 FOR SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES, COLLEGES, AND FAMILIES. 
 
 Bh. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF ANATOMY AND 
 
 PHYSIOLOGY. 
 For the use of Schools and Families; with 45 illustrations. 1 vol. 12mo. 
 
 This is a most valuable work, by Dr. Ruschenberger: and most admirably are 
 .26 plates, representing all the different parts of the body, done. It is cheap; 
 and every parent should place one in the hands of his children. — N. Y. Herald. 
 
 DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF MAMMALOGY. 
 
 The Natural History of Quadrupeds; for beginners; 75 illustrations. 1 
 vol. 12nfio. 
 
 This number treats of all animals that in infancy feed on the milk of their 
 mothers, from the human being down to the musquito-catching bat. Like the 
 ** First Book," it is divided into Questions and Answers, and a Glossary; and ia 
 illustrated by six plates. It is very cheap ; and contains an abundance of useful 
 information. There are thousands of persons in this country, and millions in 
 Europe, who do not know that whales give milk. — New York Era. 
 
 We do not know a more useful set than this promises to be — and IS. — New York 
 Aurora. 
 
 DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF ORNITHOLOGY. 
 The Natural History of Birds; for beginners; 81 illustrations. 1 vol. 12mo. 
 
 New York, Feb. 9, 1846. 
 
 Sir — I have received your note of the 3d instant, together with the " Elements 
 of Ornithology," prepared for the use of Schools and Colleges, by W. S. W, 
 Ruschenberger, M. D., &c., and have read the work, in compliance with the re- 
 quest of the American Institute, that I should examine and report upon it. 
 
 I have great pleasure in highly recommending it. To say the truth, although I 
 am somewhat blanched by the hand of time, and have many years been a student 
 of Ornithology, I consider the present the very best introduction to that science 
 that I have ever seen; and I might add as full praise to the other works of the 
 series of Ruschenberger's text- books of Natural History, as far as I am acquainted 
 with the subjects they relate to. 
 
 Dr. Ruschenberger has, in giving this series to the public, rendered a benefit to 
 all seekers after science, as both old and young may profit by the well-arranged 
 and valuable information these volumes contain. Your obedient servant. 
 
 To H. Meigs, Esq., JOHTf J. AUDUBON. 
 
 Recording Secretary of the American Institute, New York City. 
 
 We wish we could induce our teachers generally to examine this, as well as the 
 earlier works of Dr. Ruschenberger; they are admirably arranged, and just the 
 very books needed for schools. The work before us, on the Natural History of 
 Birds, is an admirable onej and no teacher should neglect to introduce the series. 
 
 Cincinnati Gazette. 
 
 10 
 
We have much pleasure in commending this series of works — the third of 
 which, now before us, is on Ornithology. It will be found useful in the school- 
 room, or the private study. — U. S. Gazette. 
 
 DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF HERPETOLOGY AND 
 
 ICHTHYOLOGY. 
 
 The Natural History of Reptiles and Fishes j for beginners; 66 illustra- 
 tions. 1 vol*. 12mo. 
 
 Ruschenberger's Series of Books on Natural History are among the most valu- 
 able and useful works, for the use of Schools, that have ever been published. A 
 knowledge of Natural History is not only valuable, but deeply interesting ; and no 
 one's education can, with such facilities as these works afford, be considered com- 
 plete without it. — National Intelligencer. 
 
 DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF CONCHOLOGY. 
 
 The Natural History of Shells and MoUusca; for beginners; 119 illustra- 
 tions. 1 vol. 12mo. 
 
 ** We have no hand-books equal to these ; and we think Dr. R. has conferred 
 an obligation upon teachers and learners by producing them in an English dress, 
 vith ail the advantages of well-engraved illustrations. The whole set cf this 
 work, which is furnished at a low price, will prove an invaluable acquisition to the 
 school library." 
 
 DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF ENTOMOLOGY. 
 The Natural History of Insects ; for beginners ; 9 1 illustrations. 1 vol. 12mo. 
 
 The subjects are well treated; and from the exceeding cheapness and admirable 
 arrangement of these elementary works, they are well fitted for general use in 
 Public Schools, Academies, and in every private library. — New York American. 
 
 DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF BOTANY. 
 
 The Natural History of Plants; for beginners; 194 illustrations. 1 vol. 
 12rao. 
 
 We do not hesitate to say, that this is the best work of the kind and dimensions 
 that has ever fallen under our notice. We hope all will embrace the first oppor- 
 tunity of procuring a copy, as we are sure they will prize it highly. — Botanic 
 Recorder. 
 
 We regard this s«ries as eminently useful, supplying adequately the instruction 
 in Natural History necessary to a proper school education. — North American. 
 
 DR. RUSCHENBERGER'S ELEMENTS OF GEOLOGY. 
 
 The Natural History of the Earth's Structure; for beginners; illustrated 
 with 300 beautiful Wood-cuts, designed to assist the learner in the 
 course of his studies. 1 vol. 12mo. 
 
 " We agree with a competent judge in the opinion, that it is the most complete 
 and beautiful Elementary Treatise on the subject which has been published in this 
 country. The subject of Geology is now attracting a great deal, and will continue 
 to excite still more attention in the United States, as our vast mineral resources 
 are becoming more fully developed; and this work exactly suits the wants of the 
 public, in training up the young for future study in this branch of knowledge." 
 
 The series of books of which this forms a part has been highly and justly com- 
 mended by the ablest judges, as furnishing rare facilities for the acquisition of 
 branches of knowledge, but too much neglected in our schools. We have ex- 
 amined the volumes with much care, and we find them well deserving ail th-" 
 praise bestowed on them. — Godey^s Lady's Book, ^ 
 
" The above series, taken separately or collectively, is considered one of the 
 most valuable contributions to the cause of education which has ever been pub- 
 lished in this country." 
 
 This interesting Series of Books has already met with the most flattering recep- 
 tion from the American press. They have been introduced int«j the public schools 
 of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Olj^, Maine, New York, Tennessee, Alabama, 
 Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, the CaWinas, &c., and many of the first class Semi- 
 naries of Learning in the United States. The moderate price of this series is a 
 great recommendation, being half the price of the common scljool books in use, 
 on the same subject. 
 
 Yale College, Dec. 19, 1845. 
 
 I think this an excellent work — condensed, lucid, exact, and comprehensive — a 
 safe guide for the pupil, and a useful review for the teacher. The illustrations 
 are numerous and exact. B. SILLIMA^. 
 
 Extract of a Report to the American Institute. 
 
 Your committee with much pleasure recommend this highly valuable book to- 
 the attention of those who conduct our Schools, Academies, and Colleges, as a, 
 work excellently calculated to give the first outlines of the very important study 
 of Geology to students. Nor do we hesitate to say, that all men, except learned 
 Geologists alone, will feel, after its perusal, that they have received a great re- 
 ward for a very small expense of time and money. JAMES J. MAPES. 
 
 GRIGG & ELLIOT'S NEW SERIES OF 
 
 COMMON SCHOOL READERS, 
 
 Numbers First, Second, Third and Fourth. 
 
 These books are particularly adapted for an introduction into the Schools gene- 
 rally in the South and West; and Teachers who feel a deep interest in promoting 
 the welfare of their pupils, will, no doubt, after a careful examination, give them 
 the preference over all other Readers now in use. 
 
 Parents and Teachers will please read the following notice of this invaluable 
 series of Elementary School Books. 
 
 We called attention to the above-named series of Common School books several weeks 
 since, ■when publishing an advertisement for the sale of them by some of our merchants. 
 Since that time we have had opportunity to give them a thorough examination, and we 
 feel it due to the community in which we live, and the proprietors of those interesting pub- 
 lications, to notice them more particularly. They certainly contribute a valuable addition 
 to our stock of elementary literature; in their plan and details presenting an intimate 
 acquaintance with the necessities that demanded their production, and developing, in their 
 prosecutiour a wisdom and zeal in adapting the material at hand to the attainment of the 
 object in view, every way worthy of commendation and confidence. 
 
 The First Class reader is exactly such a book as would interest and impress the minds 
 and hearts of little boys and girls. Composed of short and easy words, embodying plea- 
 sant and profitable instruction, it is just the thing for infant learners, who find in it such 
 words as they can readily pronounce, and such ideas as they can easily comprehend. In 
 the Second and Third Class Readers the style increases in the intricacy of diction and the 
 elevation of sentiment, in beautiful consistency with the progress of attentive and studious 
 pupils, in the more advanced stages of primary school education. The Fourth Class 
 Reader is an invaluable compendium of deeply interesting and instructive facts, argu- 
 ments and inferences, drawn from that unfailing repository of truth, the history of the men 
 and manners of by-gone times. It is a reprint of the " Beauties of History," consisting of 
 anecdotes of men and women made illustrious by the splendor of their talents and virtues, 
 or rendered eternally infamous by the vileness of their characters and crimes. It is, there- 
 fore, a fit companion for those who are completing their term of study, preparatory to 
 entering the great arena of life ; inviting and encouraging them by the bright example of 
 the good, to walk in wisdom's narrow path, and warning them, by the wretchedness and 
 ruin of the vicious, from entering the broad road of sin and death. 
 
 After the table of contents of the Second Reader, is a chapter giving directions for the 
 attaimnent of a correct and elegant style of reading, the great importance of which all 
 knowr the value of, but few attain. For the' truth of these remarks, we refer to the books 
 themselves. , 
 
 *#* Public, private and social libraries, and all who purchase to sell again, supplied on 
 the most reasonable terms with every article in the Book and Stationery line; including 
 new novels, and all new works in every department of literature and science. ^ 
 
 lU^ Particular attention will also be paid to all orders, through country merchants, or 
 by mail, for Law, Medical and Miscellaneous Books, for public and private libraries, and 
 tto eifovt will be spared to complete all such orders on the most reasonable terras. 
 
 12 
 

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