PEOPLE'S LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 yfERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR 
 
 r 
 
 WITH 
 
 A BIOGRAPHY 
 
 OF 
 
 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 1- 
 
 ^ jOtl- O /? 
 
 PHILADELP 
 LINDSAY AND BLAKISTON. 
 
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CILBEH) k. Clhl)\ 
 
THE 
 
 PEOPLE'S LIFE 
 
 " 
 
 GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR, 
 
 THE HERO OF 
 
 PALO ALTO, MONTEREY, AND BUENA VISTA. 
 
 WITH NUMEROUS 
 
 EILILiWOTIEAlIIFIE AMIEODOTIESc 
 
 ALSO, A 
 
 BIOGRAPHY 
 
 OF 
 
 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 
 LINDSAY AND BLAKISTON. 
 
 18 48 
 

 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in Ihe year 1847, by 
 
 LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 
 
 in the clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. 
 
 PRINTED BY T. K. AND P. G. COLLIN: 
 
 (2) 
 
PREFACE 
 
 'ENIUS, or great natural capacity, un- 
 aided by experience and unfortified 
 by previous application, may often 
 prove equal to a sudden exigence 
 But the upward flight which challenges ad- 
 miration may in the next moment be followed 
 by a mortifying plunge, which escapes cen- 
 sure only by the intervention of pity. Hence 
 we find that mere genius has needed apologists in 
 the ratio of its admirers ; and that in the relation of 
 the lives of brilliant men, the voice of praise must 
 alternate with pleadings for their deficiencies. Be- 
 tween what they have done well, and what they 
 have committed ill — between what they have per- 
 formed and what they have neglected — a world usu- 
 ally indulgent to the gifted strikes the balance in 
 their favour with an " if," and their account is ren- 
 dered, like a factor's bill, with " errors excepted." 
 
 (iii) 
 
iV PREFACE. 
 
 We wish, in this brief narrative of the public life 
 of General Zachary Taylor, to appear rather as his 
 impartial historian, than as his indiscriminate eulo- 
 gist. But the splendour of the military achievements 
 in which his has been the guiding arm, has caused 
 an enthusiasm which is contagious ; and raised a 
 grateful tempest of praise, which would cover great, 
 faults, if there were any gross faults to conceal in 
 his military character, or in his public life. " Suc- 
 cess," says a quaint old writer, " is a rare paint — it 
 hides all the ugliness." 
 
 But while we confine our remarks to his public 
 life, we beg not to be misunderstood, as intending to 
 leave the inference that his private relations are open 
 to censure. In truth, we know little of him, except 
 as a soldier, and have therefore forborne to attempt 
 any relation of his private history ; nor is such mat- 
 ter necessary to our purpose. Common fame is 
 now one-voiced in his praise as a man and a soldier. 
 Circumstances may subject him to a stricter ordeal 
 by and by ; and while we now temper adulation 
 with the consideration that he is human, and there- 
 fore frail, we must apply more than the same abate- 
 ment to the censure which envy, inseparable from 
 success, may aggravate. Should detraction succeed 
 eulogy, we must take into account the accusers as 
 
PREFACE V 
 
 well as the accused. No man can occupy a respon- 
 sible place, without clashing against the wishes, if 
 not against the interest, of others. 
 
 General Taylor is unquestionably a man of 
 genius — but he is as unquestionably a man of appli- 
 cation. The remarks in our opening paragraph 
 apply to him only by contrast ; and it was for the 
 sake of that contrast that they are introduced. The 
 lesson which his life teaches is one of great practical 
 utility. His military knowledge is the purchase of 
 long experience, and of diligent service. To the 
 great mass of the public he seemed to start forth into 
 fame, as a fabled personage of mythology came into 
 being, the instant creation of a perfect hero. But 
 before the nation was astonished with the feats of 
 our army on the Rio Grande, Zachary Taylor had 
 been for nearly forty years a soldier ; and of this 
 long term the greater part was spent in service which 
 gave little other reward than the consciousness that 
 he was performing his duty. He obtained not fame, 
 but knowledge. 
 
 Reviewing his life, we find the lad quick of parts, 
 yet diligent of application. As " the child is father 
 of the man," the same characteristic has marked his 
 whole course. He has not been content that his 
 superior capacity should put him, with scarce an 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 effort, on a simple equality with those who are com- 
 pelled to labour to perform that which he can effect 
 without. To his aptness he has added industry — 
 a rare combination — and thus has improved his 
 natural powers to a better purpose than that of 
 merely accomplishing with ease what others can 
 only do with effort. He has doubled by application 
 whatever advantages his eminent abilities conferred. 
 We cannot all be soldiers — and it is much to be 
 hoped that the need of men whose profession is arms 
 may every day grow less and less. But we can all 
 act upon the motto that " whatever is worth doing 
 at all is worth doing well," and thus in times of 
 comparative repose be gathering strength and know- 
 ledge for such occasions as demand extraordinary 
 exertions Thus trained, when we conquer — for 
 there are conquests in peace as well as in war — 
 the praise of those who know nothing of our history 
 may be the more clamorous ; but that of those who 
 understand us will be the more judicious — the more 
 sincere — and the more permanent. 
 
 Philadelphia, June 1, 1847. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 introductory Remarks — Birth and Parentage of Zachary Taylor — Character of his 
 Father— Pioneer Life— Zachary 's early associations— Mr. Elisha Ayres— Young 
 Tavlor's character as a Student — His Military bent — Early Enthusiasm, con- 
 trasted with ripe Experience Page 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The affair of the Chesapeake — Investigation into the case of the Deserters — The 
 Chesapeake hailed by the Leopard — Vice Admiral Berkeley's order — Refusal of 
 Commodore Barron to comply— Broadside, and continued firing by the Leopard— 
 The Eritish Commander takes the Deserters — Natural exasperation of the Ame- 
 rican People— Young Taylor solicits and obtains a commission, in the belief that 
 War was impending — Lieutenant Taylor promoted to a Captaincy — Brevetted 
 Major— Meaning of the word " brevet" 19 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Necessary Enmity of the Indians, and its causes — Consequences of admitting In- 
 dians as Allies — Tecumseh and Olliwachica — Character of Tecumseh — Preten- 
 sions of the Prophet — War of 1812 — Captain Taylor at Fort Harrison — Indian 
 Night-Attack— Firing of the Block-house— Gallant and successful Defence ....... 30 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Destitution of the Garrison— Departure of the Indians— Failure to send Despatches 
 —Arrival of Relief— Commendation of Major General Hopkins— Brevet Commis- 
 sion of Major— Avoidance of Ostentation— Amusing Anecdote — Promotion to the 
 rank of Colonel 43 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Florida War — Its wearisome character — Fruitless Heroism of our Troops — 
 Colonel Taylor ordered to the Peninsula — Failure of the Cherokee Mediation — 
 Colonel Taylor receives orders to take Active Measures — Moves in execution of 
 that duty —Events of the March— He reaches the Encampment of the Indian chief 
 Alligators-Preparations for an Engagement 50 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Attack on the camp of the Indians — Fall of Colonel Gentry — Gallant conduct of 
 the fourth and sixth Infantry— Terrible Slaughter of Officers— Flight of the Enemy 
 — Care of the Wounded — Reflections on the scene — Return to Fort Gardner — 
 Colonel Taylor brevetted Brigadier General — Close of his Services in Florida — 
 Relieved by Brigadier General Armistead 64 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 General Taylor ordered to the South-west — Movements of the Army of Occupation 
 —Depot established at Point Isabel— Arrival before Matamoras— Mexican Procla- 
 mation — Mexican newspapers— Arrival of Ampudia at Matamoras— Incitements 
 to Desertion— Deaths of Colonel Cross and Lieutenant Porter— Answer of General 
 Ta„ior to Ampudia's Summons 73 
 
 (vii) 
 
Vlll CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Position of the Americans— Capture of Thornton's Command by the Enemy— Gen- 
 eral Taylor marches to Point Isabel with the main body of the Army— Sets out 
 on his return— Encounters the Enemy at Palo Alto— Brilliant Services of Major 
 Ringgold— Mortal Wound of Captain Page— Close of the day— General Taylor's 
 Despatch g4 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Battle of Resaca de la Palma — Discovery of the Enemy's Position — Lieutenant 
 Ridgely's Battery — Charge of Captain May — Capture of General La Vega — 
 Charge of the Eighth Infantry— Desperate Courage of the Mexicans— Movements 
 of various Regiments — Camp of the Enemy — Total Defeat of the Mexicans — 
 Meeting with the American Troops in the Fort— General Taylor's Despatch. ... 08 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Bombardment of Fort Brown— General Taylor's Orders — Death of Sergeant Wei- 
 gart — Mexican gunsdismounted — Reserve of fire— Precautions against shells and 
 bombs— Death of Major Brown— Message from Arista — Answer of Captain Haw- 
 kins — Continued Bombardment — The guns of Palo Alto heard in the Fort — 
 Resaca de la Palma— Joyful view of the fugitive Mexicans— Pleasing Incidents 
 relating to General La Vega 112 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Burying the Dead— General Taylor and Commodore Conner— Preparations to cross 
 to Matamoras— Armistice refused— Bloodless Capture— Respect to Mexican Per- 
 sonal Rights — General Taylor and the Volunteer— Narrative of one of Captain 
 May's Dragoons 124 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Taylor a Major General— President's Letter— Resolutions of Congress, and of Legis- 
 latures—Plan of the movement against Monterey— March to that City— General 
 Taylor's Report of the Operations against New Leon 141 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Terms of the Capitulation— Remarks upon the Plan of the Advance against Mon- 
 terey—General Worth— Review of his past Services— Character of his operations 
 at Monterey — Heroic Deeds of the 21st — Storming of the Palace Heights on the 
 22d— Operations of the 23d— Interval between the Battles of Monterey and Buena 
 
 Vista 
 
 166 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Official Report of General Taylor— Preparations for Battle— Movements of different 
 bodies— Gallantry of Officers and Men— Loss of Officers and Soldiors 178 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Banta Anna's Summons and General Taylors Reply — Flags of Truce — General 
 Taylor's Indifference to Danger— His Plan of the Engagement— Anecdote— His 
 reception of the news of his Nomination to the Presidency— Conclusion 203 
 
 Biographical Sketch of Millard Fillmore 221 
 
LIFE 
 
 OP 
 
 GENERAL TAYLOK. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Introductory Remarks — Birth and Parentage of Zachary Taylor — Cha- 
 racter of his Father — Pioneer Life — Zachary's early associations — 
 Mr. Elisha Ayres — Young Taylor's character as a Student — His 
 Military bent — Early Enthusiasm, contrasted with ripe Experience. 
 
 T is sometimes said that great occa- 
 sions make great men. It is better, and 
 more consonant with truth and history 
 to say that proper opportunities develop 
 the character of heroes and statesmen ; 
 and be the exigency a great one which calls 
 the eyes of the world upon the heroic deeds 
 of the actors in it, or a scene of equal danger, 
 but less prominence, in which the noble qualities of 
 the man are seen and appreciated only by a dis- 
 cerning few, his manhood and virtue are evident in 
 the one case as in the other. The difference is in 
 the number of the admirers of the man, rather than 
 
 1* (9) 
 
10 L I F E O F 
 
 in his own inherent claim to respect and honour. 
 Zachary Taylor, in 1812, defending successfully a 
 rude fort, with an effective force of only twenty men, 
 against a horde of furious savages, was no less the 
 hero in personal traits, the man of prudence in 
 council, of decision in action, of fortitude and firm- 
 ness in danger, than when, in the few short months 
 of his recent brilliant career, he filled the world with 
 the clamour of praise at the deeds of Palo Alto and 
 Resaca de la Palma, only to exceed his own repu- 
 tation at Monterey and Buena Vista. All honour 
 is due to the subordinates, leaders and men, whose 
 courage and noble conduct secured the victory. 
 But a good commander makes good men. With- 
 out the direction of an able chieftain, courage is 
 wasted in fruitless efforts ; and indecision, which, 
 under proper auspices, rises into bravery, without 
 the bold guidance of a master-mind, sinks into 
 cowardice. 
 
 Zachary Taylor was born in Orange county, in 
 the state of Virginia, in the year 1790. His father, 
 Colonel Richard Taylor, was a descendant of one 
 of the earliest settlers of " the Old Dominion." He 
 was remarkable for the hardy and impetuous cou- 
 rage which are necessary ingredients in the charac- 
 ter of the pioneer of the wilderness, who has to 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 11 
 
 contend not only with wild beasts, but wild men ; 
 and who finds in the inhospitality and hardships of 
 the forest and prairie, but a small part of the trying 
 difficulties of his position. The romantic and 
 deeply interesting annals of Virginia have much to 
 say of the deeds of the men whose character Zach- 
 ary Taylor has inherited, and in whose steps, by 
 education and natural emulation, he has been led. 
 The ruder courage essential in the wilderness and 
 in an infant colony has been softened, in the subject 
 of our biography, by the milder virtues which arise 
 under the influence of civilization and safety. A 
 truly brave man, he is as humane as courageous. 
 Unlike those who love war for its ferocity and car- 
 nage, and who seem to delight in blood for its own 
 sake, Zachary Taylor goes into the field at the call 
 of patriotism and duty only ; and, having vigorously 
 prosecuted the stern demands of war, his heart is 
 open to the calls of humanity ; — striking proofs of 
 which will be presented to the reader in the course 
 of his biography. 
 
 The father of Zachary Taylor was one of the 
 original settlers in Kentucky, where he resided on 
 his estate near Lexington, until his death in 1826. 
 We have spoken of his personal character ; and 
 his adventures will be inferred from the pioneer life 
 
12 L I F E O F 
 
 he led, in the " dark and bloody ground." Such 
 is the signification of the beautiful Indian word, 
 " Kentucky." Renowned for his desperate en- 
 counters with the Indians, he was a prominent man 
 in civil life, holding many offices in the state of his 
 adoption, and serving in several of the national 
 Electoral Colleges. At the fire-side of such a father, 
 with an elder brother who was in the profession of 
 arms before him, the mind of Zachary could not 
 fail to receive a bias toward the pursuit, which lads 
 are often led to consider the only noble one — that 
 of arms. Zachary showed even more than the 
 usual "military enthusiasm" of boyhood; and in 
 his case, it was a practical bent ; for he looked for- 
 ward constantly to the profession of a soldier, as 
 his lot in life. He was early gratified, entering the 
 United States Army as a lieutenant in 1808, at the 
 age of eighteen. In that service he has remained 
 ever since — a period of nearly forty years. His 
 successes, therefore, are the results of patient and 
 laborious experience, added to the advantages of his 
 natural adaptation for the arduous and adventurous 
 life of a soldier. We mention the circumstance 
 more particularly, that our young readers may under- 
 stand, that military excellence, no more than any 
 other, can be acquired without perseverance and 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 33 
 
 application. By military excellence, we do not 
 mean courage and resolution only, though they are 
 the habitual traits of the veteran soldier. We speak 
 of the high qualities as a commander, which the 
 character and deeds of Zachary Taylor will exhibit 
 to the reader, as we proceed in the narrative of his 
 life. 
 
 His early education, and that of his brothers, 
 was conducted by Mr. Elisha Ayres, a native of 
 Norwich, Connecticut, where he is now living, at an 
 advanced age. The thin population and peculiar dis- 
 advantages of a new country, fifty years ago, denied 
 to Zachary the advantages of improvement, which 
 are within the reach of our young readers. Mr. 
 Ayres was the private tutor of the sons of Col. 
 Richard Taylor, and he has had the high gratifica- 
 of watching through a long life the exercise of the 
 abilities which he aided in developing. Particularly 
 has the course of Zachary been a subject of deep 
 interest to him ; for although Gen. Taylor seemed 
 to break at once, in full fame and honour, upon the 
 nation, within the last year, Mr. Ayres, his tutor, 
 and his companions in arms, have long known the 
 qualities which gave earnest of ability to distinguish 
 himself. They have long been familiar with deeds 
 of equal daring, with those which are now cele- 
 
14 L I F E O F 
 
 brated by a nation ; but which, as we remarked at 
 the beginning of the chapter, were less conspicuous, 
 because taking place in a narrower field. 
 
 Mr. Ayres, as will readily be imagined, is fond of 
 speaking of his former pupil ; and takes a natural 
 and proper pride in the character, which he aided 
 in forming. The account he gives of his child- 
 hood, illustrates the truth of the saying, " the child 
 is father of the man" — which means, that the cha- 
 racter the bov forms, will attend him through life. 
 Zachary in youth was quick in learning, and still 
 patient in study. Some lads with ready capacity 
 trust too much to their quickness ; and do things 
 carelessly and in a hurry, because they feel that 
 they have the ability to " catch up " even though 
 they fall behind. But this, we are given to under- 
 stand, was not Zachary's course. He improved the 
 full benefit of his natural abilities, by adding to 
 them the advantage of studious and methodical 
 habits. His temperament was ardent ; and yet he 
 was firm in pursuing what he commenced ; and his 
 careful and thoughtful observation led him fully to 
 determine what he could do, before he undertook 
 it, and then to pursue it to the end. While he 
 dared more than the careful generally do, he effected 
 more than those who are bold without judgment 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR, 
 
 can. Fortitude under reverses, accompanied by 
 perseverance to resist under apparently hopeless 
 circumstances, change defeat into victory ; and it is 
 by such qualities of character, that the boy marked 
 out his own destiny, and the man has caused him- 
 self to be acknowledged among the ablest military 
 commanders of his time. 
 
 Zachary looked forward from his youth, to the 
 army, as his future scene of labour and fame. This 
 was a future which was sure to present itself to the 
 son of Col. Richard Taylor, educated in a border 
 tract, amid the excitement of contiuned Indian 
 forays. In his ears were continually being repeated, 
 anecdotes of stirring adventures ; and as he came 
 forward into youth, while the clouds were gather- 
 ing, which at last broke in the last war with Great 
 Britain, it is not to be wondered that his active and 
 sanguine disposition looked to the profession of 
 arms as the most — perhaps the only honourable one 
 in which a patriot could serve his country. The 
 military spirit was the necessary legacy of the found- 
 ers of this republic to their followers. 
 
 We live in different times. Intending no dis- 
 paragement to those who, like young Taylor, 
 modelled their patriotism upon the classic examples 
 of Greece and Rome, and looked to service in the 
 
16 I, I F E O F 
 
 field, and the risk, and loss, if need were, of life in 
 the battle-field, as the test of their love of country ; 
 we may properly congratulate ourselves, that war 
 is now viewed in a different light from that in which 
 it was regarded, no farther back than in the last 
 century. General Taylor himself, successful as he 
 has been in arms, looks back upon his brilliant 
 battle-fields with a very different feeling from that 
 with which, when marshalling his troop of boys, 
 and leading them on to mimic assaults to conquer 
 imaginary enemies, he looked forward to the military 
 glory of the man. He is doubtless ready to say 
 with another successful commander, that the next 
 great calamity to a military defeat, is a great vic- 
 tory. The advancement of Christian knowledge 
 and civilization, has disseminated the wholesome 
 truth, that war under all circumstances is a great 
 evil ; and that the nation which needlessly or reck- 
 lessly rushes into it, incurs a fearful responsibility. 
 Once it was undertaken upon the most colourless 
 pretexts, being considered chivalric and desirable 
 in itself, and rather to be courted than avoided by 
 nations who would be esteemed great and honour- 
 able. Now it is deemed in itself disastrous, and a 
 great calamity, not to be undertaken on light ground, 
 or engaged in, except at the stern compulsion of 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 17 
 
 necessity. In such a light, we are told, General 
 Taylor regards it. His sound practical sense and 
 judgment, matured by a life of active experience, 
 have placed him among those, who least of all 
 desire war and bloodshed, for the mere purpose of 
 personal fame and aggrandizement. He knows that 
 the price of a country wasted, and the innocent 
 and inactive, suffering with the guilty ; the child 
 fatherless, the mother a widow, the old deprived of 
 support, and the young cut off in their usefulness, is 
 too dear a price to pay for the mere glory of a com- 
 mander, or the self-laudation of a nation. He has 
 heard the shrieks of the dying, and the groans of 
 the wounded. He has seen the suffering: in their 
 extremity, instead of being comforted and relieved, 
 ridden over by the iron heels of clashing hosts. 
 He has seen the image of God disfigured and 
 maimed by the angry passions of man ; and in the 
 ghastly light of the pale moon, he has gone over 
 the field, strewn with the prostrate forms of those 
 who, a few hours before, were wrestling in life and 
 for life, with the furious strength of despair. The 
 silent lips of those pallid faces have told to him 
 their eloquent tale of the wrong and outrage insepar- 
 able from war, however just and inevitable. Gene- 
 ral Zachary Taylor, with the fresh laurels of his 
 
18 L I F E O F 
 
 four last great battles thick upon him, would be the 
 last man to hold out, to the youth of his country, 
 war of itself as a thing to be desired, or military 
 fame as the greatest honour of a Christian people. 
 It is his highest praise that he is, while a great 
 soldier, a good and enlightened citizen. His vision 
 is not restricted to the single arm of his country's 
 service in which he is engaged. And it is highly 
 lo his honour that he is no less remarkable for his 
 efforts to restrain unnecessary violence, and mitigate 
 and relieve the terrors of war, than for his eminent 
 services in the hour of conflict 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 19 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The affair of the Chesapeake. — Investigation into the case of the 
 Deserters. — The Chesapeake hailed by the Leopard. — Vice Admiral 
 Berkeley's order. — Refusal of Commodore Barron to comply. — 
 Broadside, and continued firing by the Leopard. — The British Com- 
 mander takes the Deserters. — Natural exasperation of the American 
 People. — Young Taylor solicits and obtains a commission in the 
 belief that War was impending. — Lieutenant Taylor promoted to a 
 Captaincy. — Brevetted Major. — Meaning of the word " brevet." 
 
 N the year 1807, occurred the memo- 
 rable attack upon the United States 
 frigate Chesapeake, by the British ship 
 Leopard. The irritation of the public 
 mind against Great Britain was so 
 aggravated and increased by this event, 
 added to previous causes of complaint, that 
 it may properly be classed among the causes 
 which led to the war of 1812. Certain deserters 
 from the British navy were known to be on board ; 
 official proceedings having been had in relation 
 to them, before the sailing of the Chesapeake from 
 Norfolk. The men were three in number, and 
 claimed to be American citizens impressed into the 
 
20 L I F E O F 
 
 British service, who only improved the first oppor- 
 tunity to rejoin the flag of their own country. At 
 the representation of the British Minister at Wash- 
 ington, an investigation was made. Two of the 
 men were undoubtedly proved to be what they re- 
 presented themselves ; and though the third did not 
 absolutely establish his pretensions, the American 
 government declined to give up any who appealed 
 as a native to the protection of the American flag. 
 In the latter end of June, 1807, the Chesapeake 
 proceeded to sea from Norfolk, bound to the Medi- 
 terranean, to relieve the Constitution. Hardly was 
 she out of the waters of the United States, when 
 the Leopard, which had stood out to sea before her, 
 from Hampton Roads, keeping the advantage of 
 the weather gage of the Chesapeake, hailed the 
 American frigate, and said she had despatches to 
 send on board. Captain Gordon was in command 
 of the Chesapeake, and the vessel wore also the 
 broad pennant of Commodore Barron. The com- 
 modore answered the hail, and said he would re- 
 ceive a boat. In a few minutes a British Lieutenant 
 came on board, and produced an order from Vice 
 Admiral Berkeley requiring all captains of vessels 
 under his command, should they fall in with the 
 Chesapeake, out of the waters of the United States, 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 21 
 
 to search her for deserters, and offering the same 
 opportunity of search to the Americans. Accom- 
 panying the order was a note from the captain of 
 the Leopard to the commander of the Chesapeake, 
 referring to the instructions, and expressing the hope 
 that every thing in relation to the deserters would 
 be adjusted in a manner to leave " the harmony be- 
 tween the nations undisturbed," &c. &c. 
 
 Commodore Barron, of course, refused that his 
 men should be mustered by a foreign officer, for any 
 such purpose. While the British Lieutenant was 
 on board the Chesapeake, the signal was shown 
 from the Leopard for the return of the boat. As 
 soon as the answer of Commodore Barron was re- 
 ceived by the Leopard, the English ship hailed the 
 Chesapeake again. Commodore Barron answered 
 that he did not understand, and the English ship 
 then fired a shot ahead of the Chesapeake, and in 
 an instant more followed it with a broadside. The 
 firing continued from twelve to fifteen minutes, the 
 Chesapeake unable to answer even a single gun. 
 At length one gun was discharged from the Chesa- 
 peake almost simultaneously with the pulling down 
 of the flag, by the order of Commodore Barron. 
 This one shot from the Chesapeake, which was 
 fired by means of a coal brought from the galley 
 
22 L I F E O F 
 
 or cook's stove, struck the Leopard, but injured no 
 person. On board the Chesapeake three men were 
 killed ; eight were badly, and ten slightly wounded* 
 Among the wounded was the Commodore. 
 
 Commodore Barron instantly sent a boat to the 
 Leopard, stating that his ship was the prize of the 
 English captain. The latter refused to take posses- 
 sion of the Chesapeake, but mustered the men, and 
 picked out the three men previously claimed, and 
 one more. Of these four men, one died, two were 
 returned to the Chesapeake, by order of the British 
 government, but the fourth was hanged by a court- 
 martial, before the orders came from England, under 
 which the other two were restored. Captain 
 Humphreys, the commander of the Leopard, was 
 " shelved," or discontinued from active service, for 
 having exceeded his instructions. 
 
 The Chesapeake was, at the time of the attack 
 by the Leopard, as completely unfit for service as 
 if she had been a merchant-ship, instead of a vessel 
 of war. She was not in any sense, technical or 
 otherwise, " clear for action," and it appeared in 
 testimony before the court-martial by which Com- 
 modore Barron was tried, that even if one broadside 
 could have been fired by her, the second could not 
 have followed it, Such are the facts, and we have 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 23 
 
 not space, nor is it necessary to go into details to 
 show why these things were. The commodore 
 was found guilty, and suspended for five years for 
 his neglect in preparing his vessel, though his per- 
 sonal courage remained undoubted. The attack 
 took place on the day the Chesapeake sailed, and 
 she appears to have left the Roads utterly unpre- 
 pared and in great confusion. Her case has made 
 the discipline of the national marine much more 
 exact and rigid since. 
 
 To understand a man's conduct, and properly to 
 weigh and appreciate his motives, it is necessary to 
 know the temper and spirit of the times in which 
 he lived. This outrage on the American flag — for 
 the disavowal of the act by the British government 
 admits that word, if any such admission be deemed 
 necessary to establish the character of the transac- 
 tion, — filled the land with indignation. War was 
 breathed by the impetuous ; and the clear-sighted 
 began now to count on hostilities with Great Bri- 
 itain as among the probable events of the future. 
 The great contest of the Revolution had been but 
 about twenty years closed, and every person of ma- 
 ture age may be said to have had some recollection 
 of that struggle, or of the immediate consequences 
 of it, in a feeling toward Great Britain, as if, when 
 
24 LIFE OF 
 
 an enemy was spoken of, no other could be meant 
 than her. Young Taylor was now about eighteen 
 years old, an age which supposes that his earliest 
 recollections of the " war talk," which boys delight 
 to hear, must have embraced Great Britain as the 
 natural enemy of his country. The proceedings of 
 Congress, by which British war- vessels were inter- 
 dicted from entering American waters, the imposi- 
 tion of the embargo, the court-martial which tried 
 the officers of the unlucky frigate, all tended to 
 excite the public mind, and all aided to fill the 
 mouths of the nation with the one topic. It was 
 not, therefore, with the view of peace campaigns 
 that Zachary Taylor, at the early age of eighteen, 
 accepted the lieutenancy in the army, which his 
 father and friends procured for him. It was with 
 the expectation of actual service, and with the am- 
 bition to distinguish himself, that, scarcely through 
 with marshalling lads in mock engagements, he en- 
 tered into the actual and regular service of the 
 United States. He eagerly desired the opportunity 
 to distinguish himself ; and his long military life has 
 afforded no incident to show that he misjudged his 
 capacities, or that his friends were wrong in farther- 
 ing his inclinations. 
 
 The blessings of a long peace have happily 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 25 
 
 changed the feelings of Americans and Englishmen 
 toward each other ; and we have introduced the 
 affair of the Chesapeake into our history, that the 
 young reader may have some appreciation of the 
 circumstances under which the subject of this 
 biography assumed the sword as his companion, 
 and chose arms as his profession. We do not wish 
 to be understood that it was from any particular 
 enmity to Great Britian, for his life shows him 
 superior to national prejudices ; but we desire that 
 the young reader should comprehend the fact that 
 forty years ago the idea of two nations being natu- 
 ral and hereditary enemies was almost an universal 
 one. The history of England and France, for cen- 
 turies changing from peace to war and from war to 
 peace, with as little expression of surprise as the 
 rise or fall of the market now occasions, and with 
 apparently as little doubt that war is as natural 
 and proper a condition as peace — had prepared the 
 descendants of Europeans in this country for the 
 same sort of feeling. Though we have no data on 
 which the fact can be asserted, there can be no rea- 
 sonable doubt that when Lieutenant Taylor buckled 
 on his sword, he expected fully that it would soon 
 be unsheathed in a contest with that country to 
 which the young warriors of America were then 
 2 
 
26 LIFE OF 
 
 accustomed to look as the presumed enemy of the 
 United States. And certainly the exasperation of 
 the public mind against Great Britain, increased by 
 an acerbity of party feeling, which has never been 
 equalled in intensity since, would strengthen the 
 impression. 
 
 Lieutenant Taylor's commission attached him to 
 the seventh regiment of United States Infantry. For 
 the first four years, contrary to the expectations with 
 which he had entered the service, no opportunity 
 presented itself for active duty in the field. The 
 public ear, during this period, was full of rumours 
 of war ; for the belligerent attitude of the European 
 nations was continually causing events to take place 
 which affected the rights and the honour of neutrals. 
 Complaints were frequently made, and justly too, 
 against both of the great powers which were at 
 variance. In addition to the fact that there was the 
 greater ground of complaint against Great Britain, 
 the popular sympathy naturally ran in favour of the 
 nation which had been the ally of the United States 
 in their struggle for independence; and the popular 
 feeling as naturally went against that government 
 with which that memorable contest had been so 
 earnestly waged. Success after so long a war, and 
 so much of suffering, could but leave the seeds of 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 27 
 
 future hostility. At length, in 1812, these ripened, 
 under the fomenting causes of which we have been 
 speaking, into an open war with Great Britain. It 
 is one of the misfortunes of war that any issue, 
 whether successful or not, leaves the parties in a 
 state for which no advantage won by force of arms 
 can fully compensate. 
 
 Lieutenant Taylor rose, in the first four years of 
 his service, to the rank of captain. He was ordered 
 for duty in the west, the uneasy movements of the 
 Indian tribes in that part of our extended ter- 
 ritory rendering the presence of a military force 
 necessary. The military establishment of the 
 United States is nearly always disproportioned to 
 the requirements of the field in which the troops are 
 called to act. The proper jealousy of a republic 
 like ours is unfavourable to the support of a large 
 standing army ; and it would sometimes seem that 
 the error of keeping too little force afoot is com- 
 mitted in avoiding the opposite extreme. But 
 officers and men, required to perform what would 
 almost seem impossibilities, are thus inured to acti- 
 vity and hardship, and trained, even in a time of 
 nominal peace, to most active duty. We have no- 
 thing remarkable to record of the period between 
 1808 and 1812. Taylor's evident capacity, his 
 
28 L 1 F E U F 
 
 rigid observance of the requirements of duty, and 
 his superior tact in discipline, caused his investment 
 with the command of Fort Harrison, in Indiana, a 
 small, but important post, situated in the midst of 
 hostile tribes of Indians. Here was obtained his 
 first success, for which President Madison conferred 
 on him the rank of major, by brevet. The particu- 
 lars of that engagement we reserve for another 
 chapter; and will in this give our readers an idea 
 of the meaning of the term " brevet," which will 
 occur more than once again in the life of the gal- 
 lant Taylor. 
 
 The number of officers in the United States' ser- 
 vice is regulated and determined by law. There 
 cannot, therefore, be more than a certain number 
 of regularly commissioned officers. As these die, 
 or are killed, or resign, the vacancies which occur 
 are filled by the regular promotion of subordinates. 
 The word "brevet" is French, and signifies com- 
 mission or appointment. But the brevet major in 
 the United States or British service draws pay and 
 really ranks according to his regular commission, 
 his brevet being a compliment to his courage or 
 qualities, which merit more than the regular routine 
 of service permits should be conferred. In the 
 United States, however, by act of Congress, greater 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 29 
 
 advantages attach to a brevet commission than in 
 any other country ; and since 1818 such commis- 
 sions can only be conferred with the consent of the 
 Senate. Brevet officers in the United States' service, 
 when taking rank according to their brevet com- 
 missions, draw pay and emoluments accordingly; 
 and they take this rank under certain circumstances 
 which it is not necessary to specify. It is sufficient 
 to repeat that the brevet is one of the most gratify- 
 ing tokens which a meritorious officer can receive 
 of the approval of his government. 
 
30 L I F E O F 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Necessary Enmity of the Indians, and its causes — Consequences of 
 admitting Indians as Allies — Tecumseh and Olliwachica — Character 
 of Teeumseh — Pretensions of the Prophet — War of 1812 — Captain 
 Taylor at Fort Harrison — Indian Night-Attack — Firing of the Block- 
 house — Gallant and successful Defence. 
 
 HE aboriginal inhabitants of this con- 
 tinent have always been troublesome 
 neighbours to the European settlers 
 and their descendants. This fact 
 arises in part from the necessity of the case, 
 and in part from the injudicious and improper 
 course of the whites in their intercourse with 
 the red men : — and this charge of imprudence 
 and w 7 rong, while in much it applies to governments, 
 in more is to be urged against individuals. The 
 savage mind is unable to take in the idea of national 
 responsibility, as civilized nations understand it, 
 and cannot separate the character of a nation from 
 that of the individuals with whom they are brought 
 in direct contact. In the very nature of things it 
 has necessarily been the case that the Indians have 
 suffered wrong from bad white borderers. It is un- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 3] 
 
 fortunate that bad men everywhere make more 
 impression than good ; and the venal, corrupt, and 
 licentious among pioneer settlers, have always 
 caused more evil among the Indians than the efforts 
 of the government, or of conscientious and just indi- 
 viduals, could avert or efface. 
 
 A great and prolific source of evil on this con- 
 tinent was sown long ago, when European powers 
 were struggling against each other for the possession 
 of it. The French armed and led the Indian 
 against the English, and the English enlisted the 
 savage against the French. These terrible allies 
 gave to war in this country a most ferocious aspect. 
 Where havoc was cried, and such dogs of war were 
 let loose, neither age nor sex was spared, and bar- 
 barities were committed at the relation of which 
 the very blood is chilled. These cruel proceedings 
 were earnestly expostulated against, and condemned 
 by white teachers — but what availed words of re- 
 monstrance while the pale-face warriors recognised 
 the Indian braves, as brother soldiers, with all their 
 ferocity ? And there was still another adverse cir- 
 cumstance against the humanizing of Indian war- 
 fare. If the savages in the service of one European 
 nation committed atrocities, the other nation per- 
 mitted, if they did not encourage the Indians in 
 
32 LIFE OF 
 
 their pay, to do the same thing by way of retalia- 
 tion. 
 
 As the aborigines were thus instructed by Euro- 
 peans, to take up arms, now against this party and 
 now against that, for the service of foreign intru- 
 ders ; and as in these wars the savages found them- 
 selves in successive years required to recognise one 
 nation, and then another, as their " white brothers," 
 and one king, and then another, as their "great 
 father ;" and as at last the whole of this somewhat 
 involved system of fraternity was thrown into in- 
 extricable confusion, by the letting loose of the 
 savages against the Anglo-American inhabitants, 
 whom the British had always before taught them 
 were their brothers in especial, it is no wonder that 
 native directness drew its own conclusion from these 
 tangled premises. The shrewder among them had 
 always regarded the whites in these divisions as but 
 assisting the Indians against themselves. The 
 savages warred against the whites with their whole 
 hearts, and were always ready to receive the alliance 
 of one part of the common enemy against another. 
 It mattered little, in the main, under whose banner 
 they skulked in the woods to fall upon the border 
 settlements, murder stragglers, and dash out the brains 
 of helpless infants and their mothers ; and while 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 33 
 
 they might act thus under foreign approval against 
 a part, they undoubtedly argued that their savage 
 but deep-rooted ideas of patriotism, would justify 
 them to do on their own account what they had 
 done for others, and carry on war against the 
 whole. 
 
 In the year 1806 two far-seeing and crafty In- 
 dians arose, — men whose talents, had they been 
 placed where their powers could have been deve- 
 loped in civilized diplomacy and statesmanship, 
 would have left their mark upon the age. They 
 were Shawnees, and twin brothers. Their names 
 are undoubtedly familiar to our readers, one being 
 Tecumseh, or " The Crouching Tiger," the other 
 Olliwachica, or " The Loud Voice," generally called 
 the Prophet. These men, fully understanding the 
 character of their race, set about improving native 
 shrewdness, patriotism, ignorance, prejudice, courage 
 and superstition; — for all these traits were made 
 available, to effect a grand rally and union of the 
 divided tribes, against the whites, whom they 
 regarded as the common enemy. 
 
 Tecumseh was bold and sagacious — a tiger 
 
 indeed in the field, and a serpent in the council. 
 
 He knew when to dare, and when to affect 
 
 submission ; and possessed, in fine, all the charac- 
 
 2* c 
 
34 L I F E O F 
 
 teristics of the Indian warrior, with other traits 
 which apparently belong to a more civilized and 
 artificial state of society. As an exemplification 
 of this, he played a part which is exceedingly rare 
 among Indian warriors, who are generally ambitious 
 of individual fame, and jealous of rival distinction, 
 even when the good of the whole is to be consulted 
 by deference to the claims of one. Tecumseh was 
 content to be the herald and missionary of his bro- 
 ther the Prophet, and, with the great ultimate end 
 which he held in view, to make himself but the 
 shadow and messenger of one whom he declared 
 everywhere to be the especial delegate and messen- 
 ger of the Great Spirit. He travelled from tribe to 
 tribe, asserting the wonderful and supernatural quali- 
 ties of his twin brother, and filled the Indian coun- 
 try with the fame of one who in ability for dissimu- 
 lation, and power of fascination over his believers, 
 exceeded even the arch impostor Mahomet. This 
 may at first seem very exaggerated language. But 
 the Arab had comparatively small odds to contend 
 against, and when success commenced, the prestige 
 of former victories carried him forward to greater 
 and greater triumphs ; while the Prophet, with a 
 hopeless cause and invincible opposition matched 
 against him from the beginning, still retained his 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 36 
 
 i followers and his influence, in spite of defeat upon 
 defeat, and discomfiture after discomfiture With 
 the same advantages that Mahomet possessed, 
 Olliwachica would have founded as powerful a 
 dynasty. 
 
 The Prophet was a warrior as well as his brother, 
 and as an orator was his superior. Thus in the 
 triple capacity of warrior, orator, and magician, or 
 medicine-man, with the support of Tecumseh, it 
 will easily be understood how he obtained his im- 
 , mense influence. The powers which he claimed 
 to possess by the direct favour of the Great Spirit 
 were next to infinite. He appealed first to the 
 Indian pride of race, by declaring that he was sent 
 to abolish innovations, and to put away from among 
 the Indians the religion of the whites, which he 
 craftily admitted the Great Spirit approved among 
 the Europeans, but had established another for the 
 Red Men, of which he was the Prophet. He de- 
 claimed against whiskey-drinking and other vices, 
 and urged the Indians as one great family to come 
 into union. All these instructions he supported 
 with incantations and pretended miracles ; the latter 
 , growing in importance, of course, as the relators 
 were farther from their reported scene. His im- 
 mediate followers were said to be living in luxury 
 
36 L I F E O F 
 
 and plenty. He could produce from the earth, in 
 an instant a pumpkin as large as a wigwam, and 
 cause an ear of corn to shoot up, sufficient to feed 
 a dozen men. He could foretell future events — and 
 to crown all declared himself invulnerable to the 
 assaults and shots of his enemies ; he promised 
 the same security to all who would faithfully obey 
 him. Such were his pretensions, and they were 
 credited by an immense number of his countrymen. 
 No matter, if those who visited him did often retire 
 disgusted and perhaps half-starved. There were 
 continual arrivals to supply the places of deserters, 
 and the very deserters themselves, such is the power 
 of superstition over the savage and untutored mind, 
 only went to a distance to have their faith re-esta- 
 blished. Literally true is it in such instances that 
 "distance lends enchantment to the view." 
 
 But incantations were not the only diabolical 
 means to which the brothers resorted to establish 
 their great confederacy. Chiefs who were found to 
 be intractable were removed by their machinations, 
 and it grew to be dangerous for an Indian to oppose 
 the Prophet's friends. Just at this time too, when 
 war was apprehended between the United States - 
 and Great Britain, the "war talk v did not fail to 
 reach the quick ear of the Indian. Nor, if we may 
 
 i 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 37 
 
 credit the admissions of the savages, and the indi- 
 cation of such a fact which often presented them- 
 selves, were the British Indian agents and traders, 
 slow to avail themselves of circumstances which 
 would become of high importance to them, in the 
 case of war between the two countries. The event 
 indeed, may be said to prove the fact ; for when 
 war broke out between England and America, the 
 rumblings which had long been heard exploded in 
 open hostility. 
 
 We shall not pursue the subject of the Indian 
 wars of the west farther than is necessary to the 
 elucidation of the life of Taylor. It was to such a 
 field as we have been describing, and amid such 
 artifices, commotions and alarms as it presented, 
 that he was sent to acquire that knowledge of In- 
 dian warfare and strategy which made him after- 
 ward so efficient a commander in Florida. In 
 June, 1812, war was declared between the United 
 States and Great Britain, and the fall of Detroit 
 in the month of August opened immediately an 
 undisguised border war on the part of the Indians. 
 
 Captain Taylor, while in command at Fort Har- 
 rison, perceived in the beginning of September 
 indications of the approach of the hostile Indians. 
 Two young men, who had been sent a short dis- 
 
38 LIFE OF 
 
 tance from the fort on the 3d of September, failed 
 to return. Guns were heard in the direction in 
 which they were at work. On the 4th a party 
 having been sent out to seek them, discovered their 
 dead bodies, with the scalp removed, as is the uni- 
 versal custom of the Indian warriors. Great pre- 
 cautions had before been taken against surprise, 
 and this circumstance, indicating the certainty that 
 the enemy was lurking near, caused the vigilance 
 of the garrison to be doubled ; and the event proved 
 that the extraordinary measures which had been 
 taken to guard against a surprise were not uncalled 
 
 for. 
 
 The nominal garrison was fifty men, — of whom 
 twenty only were in a condition for duty, and of 
 these several were barely convalescent, the post 
 being an exceedingly unhealthy one. Captain 
 Taylor himself had but just recovered from a severe 
 attack of fever. In addition to the circumstance 
 of the murder of the two men, Captain Taylor had 
 his apprehensions of dangers strengthened by the 
 movements and reports of the professedly friendly 
 Indians, some of whom assured him that the Pro- 
 phet's party were about to commence hostilities. 
 On the evening of the 4th a party of the Prophet's 
 people arrived with a white flag, and threw out such 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 39 
 
 intimations of an intended friendly visit the next 
 morning, as they no doubt hoped would put the 
 garrison off its guard. 
 
 The fort was small, and not very strongly built. 
 The works consisted of an upper and lower block- 
 house, and two bastions. The barracks formed 
 part of the defences, and adjoined the lower block- 
 house. Captain Taylor inspected the men's arms, 
 finding them all in good order, and served out six- 
 teen rounds of cartridges per man. As sentinels 
 could not be posted in sufficient numbers to see 
 every part of the works, the officers of the guard 
 were instructed to walk round on the inner side 
 during the whole night, in order to guard against 
 any attempt at surprise. 
 
 At about eleven o'clock Captain Taylor, who as 
 we have stated was an invalid, was awakened by 
 the gun of oue of the sentinels. Instantly rushing 
 oat, he ordered the men to their posts. In a moment 
 more the cry of fire was raised — and all was terror 
 and confusion. Two of the stoutest men in the 
 garrison, on whom the captain had counted particu- 
 larly, jumped the picket at the first alarm, and fled 
 — and most of the men gave themselves up for lost. 
 The building fired was the lower block-house, in 
 which was stored the property of the contractor, 
 
40 LIFE OF 
 
 including most unfortunately a quantity of whiskey 
 This mischievous enemy, a fit ally for those with- 
 out, took fire and baffled every effort to subdue the 
 conflagration. The raging of the flames, the howl- 
 ing of several hundred Indians, now feeling sure 
 of their prey, the cries of a number of women and 
 children who had taken shelter in the fort, and 
 above all the despondency of the men, made the 
 captain's position one in which he might indeed 
 have been forgiven for want of presence of mind. 
 
 But Zachary Taylor was made of sterner stuff. 
 He took in at a glance all the difficulties of the 
 dilemma, and saw the only hope of safety. The 
 discharges of guns on both sides had, during this 
 time been continual ; but the men who had been 
 ordered to bring water to extinguish the fire, worked, 
 either from debility or hopelessness of success, with 
 neither resolution nor activity. Captain Taylor 
 perceived that by throwing off that part of the 
 roof of the barracks which was connected with the 
 block-house, the row of buildings might be saved 
 on which depended the salvation of the garrison — 
 for the barrack-walls, as before stated, formed a part 
 of the defences. Of this he succeeded in convin- 
 cing the men, and with Dr. Clark at their head, a 
 party ascended the roof, despite a shower of bullets 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 41 
 
 from the enemy, to whom they were exposed by 
 the light of the burning block-house, and in less than 
 a minute, they threw off as much of the roof as was 
 necessary. One man only was killed in performing 
 this feat, and two were wounded. 
 
 Encouraged by this success, and above all in- 
 spired with firmness by perceiving that they had a 
 commander whose self-possession was equal to the 
 emergency, the able-bodied men used such exertions 
 that though the barracks were several times on fire, 
 those buildings were not only saved, but the gap 
 made by the burning of the block-house was, during 
 the night, filled up by the erection of a temporary 
 breastwork, as high as a man's head. Those of the 
 garrison who were unable, from the debility of sick ■ 
 ness, to work in this laborious service, directed a 
 constant fire upon the Indians from the other block- 
 house, and from the bastions. For seven hours the 
 Indians kept up a heavy fire of ball, and showers 
 of arrows ; but only one man was killed beside the 
 man on the roof, and none were wounded except 
 the two injured there. Of the two men who 
 jumped the picket at the beginning of the attack, 
 one was cut to pieces by the Indians before he was 
 two hundred yards from the garrison. The other 
 returned to the fort about an hour before day, and 
 
42 L I P E O F 
 
 begged to be let in at the gate. Captain Taylor 
 did not know his voice, and suspecting a stratagem 
 of the enemy, ordered him to be fired upon ; but 
 Dr. Clark, who happened fortunately to recollect 
 him, directed him to lie down close to the pickets, 
 and after day-light he was admitted, very badly 
 wounded by the Indians, and having fared much 
 worse than if he had remained and performed hif 
 duty. 
 
 The Indians kept up their fire till six o'clock on 
 the morning of the fifth, when they withdrew be- 
 yond the reach of the guns of the fort. The extent 
 of their loss was never ascertained, as they removed 
 all their dead. Their disappointment at failing to 
 carry a place of so little apparent capacity to resist 
 an attack, must have been great ; and they consoled 
 themselves in their vexation by shooting the settlers' 
 horses and hogs in sight of the fort, but out of reach 
 of the guns ; and by driving off the cattle belonging 
 to the army and the citizens. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 
 
 43 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Destitution of the Garrison. — Departure of the Indians. — Failure to 
 send Despatches. — Arrival of Relief. — Commendation of Major 
 General Hopkins. — Brevet commission of Major. — Avoidance of 
 Ostentation. — Amusing Anecdote. — Promotion to the rank of Colonel. 
 
 HE loss of that part of the defences 
 which the block-house had consti- 
 tuted before its destruction, was sup- 
 plied by putting up a strong row of 
 pickets, the materials for which were obtained 
 by taking down the guard-house. But the 
 destruction of the provisions which the block- 
 house contained, and of the cattle driven off 
 by the enemy, could not be easily remedied ; and the 
 garrison were forced to be content with green corn, 
 and such other make-shifts for food as their situa- 
 tion permitted. It was a dreary prospect. The 
 Indians who had been on professedly friendly terms, 
 and in the habit of visiting the garrison, were 
 among the party that assailed the fort. Captain 
 Taylor recognised some familiar voices in the orders 
 given by the enemy during the night; and when 
 
44 LIFE OP 
 
 day-light came, several of the treacherous fellows 
 were seem and recognised among the assailants. 
 
 The Indians remained in sight of the fort through 
 the whole of the day after the first attack ; but 
 they did not a second time attempt it. On the six- 
 teenth of the month there arrived to the relief of 
 the fort, a reinforcement of six hundred mounted 
 men and five hundred infantry — a relief the more 
 gratifying than it was unexpected. For nearly a 
 week after the attack Captain Taylor forbore to 
 attempt to forward despatches, as he was so watched 
 by the Indians that to send with any hope of suc- 
 cess would have too much weakened his small 
 garrison, and he preferred to trust to the arrival of 
 assistance without his inviting it. On the tenth, 
 none having arrived, he attempted to send by the 
 river, at night, but the crafty savages had built a 
 fire on the bank and established a watch, with a 
 canoe ready to pursue and intercept any messenger, 
 and the men were compelled to return. It is diffi- 
 cult to conceive a position of more tantalizing peril 
 and distress than was here presented. A sickly 
 garrison, with the means of bare sustenance only, 
 and those liable at any moment to be cut off; and 
 hordes of savages skulking in readiness perhaps to 
 renew the attack ; while their vigilance effectually 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 45 
 
 prevented any transmission of the news of the 
 danger and distress of the isolated band to those 
 who might relieve it. Bat General Taylor's des- 
 patches in reference to the battle and to his subse- 
 quent wants, show the same modest simplicity and 
 absence both of bravado and of exaggeration of his 
 difficulties which have marked his later papers. 
 For a captain of twenty-two years of age, his pre- 
 sence of mind in danger, and his fortitude under 
 threatening difficulties, were most remarkable. 
 
 The defence of Fort Harrison drew from Major 
 General Hopkins, in his despatch to Governor 
 Shelby, the warmest praise which it was possible 
 for words to convey. "The firm and almost unpar- 
 alleled defence of Fort Harrison by Captain Zachary 
 Taylor has raised for him a fabric of character not 
 to be affected by my eulogy." In the subsequent 
 operations during the war of 18 J 2 the duty of 
 Taylor did not lead him into any scenes where he 
 had opportunity of individually distinguishing him- 
 self before the eyes of the nation. He served under 
 General Hopkins in the movements against the 
 Indians which resulted in the destruction of several 
 of their towns, and in the crippling of their resources 
 and intimidation of their daring. On reporting 
 these operations General Hopkins speaks of Taylor 
 
46 L I F E O F 
 
 as " rendering prompt and efficient aid in every in- 
 stance." The sense which the public entertained 
 of his merits was well expressed by President Madi- 
 son in conferring upon him the rank of major by 
 brevet, dating from the day of the repulse of the 
 Indians at Fort Harrison. 
 
 Although Major Taylor did not, from this date 
 to the time of the Florida war, take the public 
 admiration again by storm, he formed, by his steady 
 improvement, a character for efficiency which has 
 caused the government on many occasions since to 
 prefer him for stations of peculiar difficulty and 
 danger. And in the long interval between the 
 peace of 1812 and the date of his service in Florida 
 in 1837, the character of the man was becoming 
 established by an improvement of the traits which 
 have been mentioned as marking him while yet a 
 boy. Ever avoiding ostentation, he had the rare 
 faculty of admitting all to a proper familiarity with 
 him, without permitting it to degenerate into con- 
 tempt. The sobriquet of "Rough and Ready," 
 conferred upon him by his soldiers, is by no means 
 to be interpreted as indicating any affected disregard 
 for the courtesies of life, or any assumption of the 
 foppery of dishabille. He is plain, but not shabby 
 in his dress and appointments, and seldom appears 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 47 
 
 in uniform, except on occasions of review. In a 
 word, his ideas of discipline are not those of a 
 dandy, but of a soldier; and he adapts his mode of 
 dress and living to the time and to the demand of 
 the service. 
 
 An amusing instance of this is given in a sketch 
 of his life recently published;* and although the 
 anecdote refers to a later period of his career, it 
 may be inserted here. A gentleman formerly in the 
 army, and attached to Taylor's regiment, and per- 
 sonally well acquainted with him, visited Fort Jes- 
 sup in Louisiana, while Taylor was stationed at 
 that post ; but was informed that his friend was a 
 hundred miles distant, attending a court-martial. 
 The gentleman, walking one morning, met in his 
 ramble a dark man jogging along toward the camp 
 on a donkey, with whom, as is the western custom 
 on meeting a stranger, he exchanged salutations. 
 The figure of the rider was so unique that the other 
 was induced to take particular notice of him. 
 He was dressed in a coarse bombazine frock coat, 
 and drab breeches, with the bottoms tucked in at 
 the tops of his boots. He had a black cravat tied 
 loosely round his neck, and his broad coarse straw 
 hat, as the broad rim flapped up and down, showed 
 
 * Life of Major General Taylor, &c. By C. F. Powell. 
 
48 L I F E O F 
 
 a pair of lustrous black eyes, and his hair floating 
 on the breeze. Both rider and animal looked very 
 much jaded, and were covered with the dust and 
 mud of a long journey. On the gentleman's return 
 to camp, he heard of the arrival of the commanding 
 officer, and was not a little astonished to hear that 
 he had passed his old commander Taylor without 
 recognising him. The two friends laughed heartily 
 over the circumstance. 
 
 Ridiculous, however, as this picture seems, it is 
 not such a burlesque as a donkey ride of one hun- 
 dred miles in regimentals would have been. It is 
 the characteristic of a well-balanced mind to accom- 
 modate itself to circumstances, and to pay trifles no 
 attention which can make them interfere with es- 
 sentials. The habit of application and constant 
 industry leads our hero to be inattentive to matters 
 which make up the life of an idle man ; and we can 
 pardon him if, in the self-reliance of a rank which 
 owes nothing to favour and nothing to patronage, 
 but has been fairly earned by hard service, he does 
 take some pride in showing such a contempt for 
 appearances as would be a hazardous experiment 
 in a man of less actual claim to respect. Having 
 the essentials, he can afford to despise the accidents. 
 To this day he neglects the insignia of rank to 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 49 
 
 which he is entitled, and follows, in a natural and 
 unaffected manner, the republican simplicity to 
 which the turn of his mind inclines him. To be 
 anything else than what he is, would be assuming 
 a character, and playing a part. 
 
 Captain Taylor was, in 1832, raised to the regu- 
 lar or lineal rank of colonel. We must now follow 
 him to a new field, in which he showed that al- 
 though for a long time lost to the public eye, his 
 absence from notoriety had been improved in per- 
 fecting the soldier ; and that in the interval of peace 
 he had, by assiduous attention to his profession, 
 prepared himself to justify the high expectations 
 which those who knew him entertained. 
 
50 LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The Florida War. — Its wearisome character. — Fruitless Heroism of 
 our Troops. — Colonel Taylor ordered to the Peninsula. — Failure of 
 the Cherokee Mediation. — Colonel Taylor receives orders to take 
 Active Measures. — Moves in execution of that Duty. — Events of the 
 March. — He reaches the Encampment of the Indian chief Alligator. 
 — Preparations for an Engagement. 
 
 HE next scene of the active services 
 of Colonel Taylor was in Florida. 
 Of all the troublesome contests which 
 the United States have been com- 
 pelled to wage with the Indians, this Flo- 
 rida war was perhaps the most irksome. 
 The nature of the country, while it afforded 
 the best opportunities for the concealment 
 of the enemy, is such as to render military move- 
 ments next to impossible ; and such operations as 
 can be conducted must lack the greater part of the 
 superiority which, on even ground, a disciplined and 
 well-appointed army possesses over a savage foe. 
 Indeed, Florida may be styled the Indian's own 
 battle ground. To-day the enemy would be re- 
 ported subdued and submissive, ready to "come in." 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 1 
 
 and consent to the removal, which it was evident 
 could alone secure peace to the Territory. To- 
 morrow the news would be that some indomitable 
 warrior, with an unpronounceable Indian name with 
 a terrific signification, still held back ; and that with- 
 out his submission all the rest availed nothing:. The 
 public ear was distracted with continual and con- 
 tradictory rumours. Sickness thinned the ranks 
 of the army ; ambush and surprise cut off the gal- 
 lant soldiers ; sudden forays rendered the territory 
 for all the purposes of settlement absolutely useless ; 
 and terrible murders of families under the most in- 
 genious inventions of savage cruelty, filled the ear 
 of the nation with horrors. The gallantry and 
 courage of our noble army seemed to serve no other 
 purpose, than to furnish tragical episodes in the tale 
 of the protracted and wearisome contest. The 
 hammocks and everglades will live in future story 
 as the scenes of desperate heroism, labouring in 
 vain against inevitable destruction. The futile but 
 brilliant exploits of the heroes who met death amid 
 the hammocks and the everglades, will be remem- 
 bered when improvement shall have so changed the 
 face of the peninsula, that it will be hard to realize 
 the fact that there ever was a time when its inte- 
 rior was deemed inaccessible. 
 
62 LIFE l 
 
 To this difficult field Colonel Taylor was trans 
 ierred early in the war ; and to his duties here he 
 applied the results of his long experience in Indian 
 warfare, and the hahits of incessant diligence, cir- 
 cumspectness and prudence which marked his cha- 
 racter as a commanding officer. Our limits do not 
 permit us to follow him in all his movements ; nor 
 would it be an interesting narrative, since it would 
 involve a series of tedious marchings and counter- 
 marchings, made in the vain effort to surround and 
 capture the most artful bands of fugitives who ever 
 eluded pursuit. The perseverance of the Florida 
 Indians in resistance to the measures of the United 
 States government, and the manner in which they 
 succeeded so long in eluding the force sent against 
 them, baffling commander after commander, and 
 starting up, like the heads of hydra, in the very 
 places where it was thought they were effectually 
 cut off, is indeed one of the most remarkable pas- 
 sages of Indian history. But a specimen of its 
 details will suffice for the whole ; and this we will 
 collect from the despatches of Colonel Taylor. 
 
 In 1837-8, hopes were entertained of bringing 
 the war to a close through the mediation of a dele- 
 gation of Cherokees, representing the Indians who 
 had removed west of the Mississippi. These 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 53 
 
 Cherokee ambassadors were brought to Florida in 
 the belief that their observation of the power and 
 resources of the United States, and of the folly of 
 the Indians in contending against such vast odds, 
 together with the report they would make of the 
 comfort of their new location, would induce the 
 Seminoles to forego further efforts to resist, and to 
 surrender themselves, without additional effusion 
 of blood, or expense of treasure. But it seemed as 
 if the introduction of the new agent only produced 
 a new series of baffling manoeuvres. The Semi- 
 noles would promise fair, and make professions 
 with every appearance of sincerity, only to evade 
 the fulfilment of their word when the time arrived 
 to put their professions to the proof. The United 
 States government was mortified to find that all 
 these overtures had only resulted in yielding to the 
 crafty hostiles a respite, under the benefit of which 
 the Florida war, which had been pronounced 
 " ended," would, by the benefit of the rest and reco- 
 very which the Indians had enjoyed, be still further 
 protracted than if no negotiations had been at- 
 tempted. 
 
 At length, on the 19th of December, all hopes 
 through the Cherokee delegation being at an end, 
 Colonel Taylor received orders to proceed without 
 
o4 L I f E o i 
 
 delay against any portion of the enemy he might 
 hear of, within striking distance. The chief Aviaka, 
 or Sam Jones, after dallying and evading direct an- 
 swers, had determined, at the head of the Micasu- 
 kies, to contend to the last ; and was encamped at 
 some point in the interior with all the force he 
 could collect, rallying around him such of the In- 
 dians as could be reached by influence or by inti- 
 midation. 
 
 On the 20th, the next day after receiving his 
 orders, Colonel Taylor was in motion. Leaving 
 an adequate force to defend his depot, he left Fort 
 Gardner, south of the Withlacoochee, with be- 
 tween ten and eleven hundred men, exclusive of 
 officers. Among these were seventy Delaware 
 Indians. Of the Shawnees, another professedly 
 friendly tribe, the greater part who were with Colo- 
 nel Taylor had been detached, and the rest refused 
 to accompany the expedition, some under the plea 
 of sickness, and others that they had no moccasins. 
 In the enlistment of Indians against Indians in the 
 Florida war, the red men were almost invariably 
 very dilatory and inefficient, if not treacherous allies. 
 For their unwillingness to aid, we can certainly not 
 censure them ; and their treachery even, in such a 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 55 
 
 cause, it is hard to condemn without very much 
 palliation. 
 
 Colonel Taylor moved in a south-easterly direc- 
 tion toward the centre of the peninsula, which, in 
 this part of the territory, is divided by the river 
 Kissimme, connecting Lake Okee-Chobee with a 
 smaller lake to the north of it. How little is known 
 of this country may be judged from the fact that the 
 sources of the St. Johns, the largest river in Florida, 
 which takes its rise in the vicinity of these lakes, 
 have not yet been precisely determined. Colonel 
 Taylor moved in this direction because he knew a 
 portion of the hostile Indians lurked there ; and 
 because if General Jessup drove the Micasukies from 
 the eastern side of the peninsula, across the Kis- 
 simme, it would be in his power to intercept them 
 in their retreat. He expected also to meet parties 
 of Indians who had proposed to give themselves up, 
 but were very slow in coming in, willing apparently 
 to wait for the last hope of escaping the alternative. 
 These parties he trusted to overawe, and, indeed, 
 to oblige to surrender at once. And lastly, he de- 
 sired to establish on the Kissimme another post, 
 forty or fifty miles in advance of his head-quarters, 
 in order to open a communication with Colonel 
 Smith, who was operating on the Caloosehatchee. 
 
56 LIFE OF 
 
 It was also of the last importance to obtain and 
 perfect such a knowledge of the country as should 
 put him above dependence on Indian guides. The 
 considerations by which the expedition was planned 
 mark the skilful tactitian, and the activity with 
 which the movement was carried forward, the bold 
 warrior. 
 
 Late in the evening of the first day's march, 
 Colonel Taylor met the Indian chief Jumper and a 
 part of his band, including women, children, and 
 negroes, in all sixty-three souls, conducted by a 
 half-breed Shawnee, Captain Parks. Jumper and 
 his troop were sent on to head-quarters ; and on 
 the next morning, Parks accompanying him, Colo- 
 nel Taylor proceeded on his march. He sent three 
 friendly Seminoles ahead as scouts, to gain intelli- 
 gence. He also detached one battalion of Missouri 
 volunteers under Lieutenant Colonel Price, to pick 
 up any stragglers that might fall in his way, to en- 
 camp three miles in advance, and to give notice of 
 any occurrence important for the commander to 
 know. 
 
 Through these arrangements Colonel Taylor re- 
 ceived information, during the early part of the 
 night, of a camp fifteen miles distant, at which the 
 chief Alligator had been a few days before. This 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 57 
 
 chief had gone from his camp with a part of his 
 family, seeking, as he said, to detach his relations 
 from the Micasukies, in order that they should sur- 
 render with him. But there were remaining at the 
 camp a few families who were ready to give them- 
 selves up, and would wait there until the army came 
 to take them, unless they should in the mean time 
 be forcibly carried off by the Micasukies ; who 
 were reported to be encamped at no great distance 
 from them. 
 
 Colonel Taylor put himself at the head of a 
 detachment of mounled men, and at midnight 
 pushed on for the Indian encampment, directing 
 the infantry to follow early in the morning. Stfeh 
 is his indefatigable pursuance of his duty ; sparing 
 himself no fatigue and no privation where the exi- 
 gencies of the service require promptitude, and 
 delegating to no one such duties as he considers 
 may be best performed by himself. Soon after day- 
 light he took possession of the encampment, which 
 he found had remained undisturbed. It contained 
 one old man and two young ones, and several 
 women and children, amounting in all to twenty- 
 two persons. 
 
 The old Indian gave Colonel Taylor information 
 that the Micasukies were watching for an attack in 
 
58 L I F E O F 
 
 their encampment, near Lake Okee-Chobee, about 
 twenty miles distant, on the other side of the 
 Kissimme. He also said that Alligator was very 
 anxious to separate his people from the Micasukies, 
 and bring them in with him. Colonel Taylor then 
 despatched the old Indian to Alligator, with in- 
 structions to tell him, if he was sincere in his desire 
 to surrender, to join him where the trail in which he 
 was crossed the Kissimme, at which place he should 
 halt for the night. When the infantry arrived, Colo- 
 nel Taylor moved on to the point designated, and 
 halted. 
 
 At a little before midnight the old Indian re- 
 turned, bringing an equivocal and evasive message 
 from Alligator, who seemed to desire to avoid com- 
 pliance with the terms offered. Thus at every step 
 were the commanders in the Florida war balked 
 with the double-dealing of the Indians. The mes- 
 senger professed to have met Alligator by accident, 
 and there can be little doubt that, with the privity 
 of the Indians in the camp, the chief was lurking 
 near, and cognizant of all that transpired. The 
 old man gave the information also that the Mica- 
 sukies were still where they had been for some 
 days, and awaiting the approach of the United States 
 troops. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 69 
 
 These reports, and others which came in after, 
 had very much the air of a challenge. The enemy 
 were evidently disposed, having chosen their 
 ground, to put all upon the hazard of an engage- 
 ment. Colonel Taylor, to use his own language, 
 "determined at once to indulge them as soon as 
 practicable." But before marching he laid out a 
 small stockade, for the protection of a future depot, 
 according to his original intention. In order that 
 he might move with the greater celerity, and dis- 
 appoint any fugitive fancies which the Indians 
 should still entertain, he deposited here his heavy 
 luggage, including artillery ; for in the swamps and 
 everglades it was necessary often to forego the ad- 
 vantages of this arm of the service. 
 
 A suitable guard was left at the depot, together 
 with a number of the sick and disabled infantry. 
 A portion of the friendly Indians who had come 
 thus far, now discovered that they could go no far- 
 ther. The terror of meeting their friends in fight 
 —perhaps shame and a natural hesitancy— deterred 
 them. The old Indian prisoner, though very reluc- * 
 tant to go, was taken along as a guide, and Colonel 
 Taylor crossed the Kissimme. Early the next 
 morning a deserted encampment of Alligator was 
 reached, and afforded evidence that it must have 
 
60 LIFE OP 
 
 been the resting-place of several hundred persons; 
 but Alligator himself and his immediate followers 
 were not to be found. Concealed, however, in a 
 neighbouring hammock, was an encampment con- 
 taining four young men and one old one, who on 
 being discovered raised a white flag as a signal of 
 peace and submission. The men were seized — 
 the women and children made their escape into the 
 swamp, where no steps were taken to pursue them. 
 The men were Seminoles, and claimed to be 
 friendly. As was usually the case when in this 
 stage of the war Indians were caught, they were 
 just on the point of coming in ; and were only 
 waiting to cure some beef which they had recently 
 killed. Colonel Taylor, though with little faith in 
 their promises, released the old man, who engaged 
 to collect the women and children, and conduct 
 them to Captain Munroe, the officer in charge of 
 the post just established on the Kissimme. At this 
 stage of his progress Colonel Taylor had no leisure 
 to pursue the fugitives, nor could he have been 
 encumbered with such prisoners. He also released 
 the other old man who had thus far been their un- 
 willing guide ; and with the four young men just 
 captured, proceeded in the direction of the camp 
 of the Mickasukies. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 61 
 
 Between two and three in the afternoon, Colonel 
 Taylor reached a dense cypress swamp, which it 
 was necessary to cross. Here would have been a 
 place affording the enemy every facility for repulsing 
 the advance ; and the four men who acted as guides 
 warned Colonel Taylor that in this place an attack 
 might be expected. Preparations were made ac- 
 cordingly, but no enemy appeared, and the long 
 day's work was closed by crossing the swamp. Two 
 Indian spies were encountered, one mounted, and 
 the other on foot. The latter was secured, and 
 confirmed the information before received of the 
 position of Sam Jones, with the Micasukies. He 
 also stated that a large body of the Seminoles were 
 encamped near the Micasukies, and that John 
 Cohua, Co-a-coo-chee, Alligator, and no doubt 
 other chiefs, were with them. 
 
 The night must have been an anxious one for 
 Colonel Taylor. Here he was, at last, within a 
 few miles of the renowned Sam Jones and his 
 warriors. Alligator and the other Seminoles, who 
 had so often promised to "come in," that the phrase 
 had become a joke in the ranks, were, from all 
 indications, about to join their force with the Mica- 
 sukies ; if indeed they had not already done so 
 The army had reached this point with incredible 
 
62 LIFE OF 
 
 fatigue, and moved with such expedition as to com- 
 pel the relinquishment of their artillery. That in 
 none of the exposed situations in which they had 
 been placed, they had been attacked, was either an 
 indication that Colonel Taylor's precautions left 
 the Indians no hope of making an impression, or it 
 was an evidence that the enemy was saving and 
 concentrating his strength for a last and desperate 
 struggle. Colonel Taylor must have admired the 
 desperate courage of the foe, thus to summon his 
 forces for a trial of such imminent consequence. 
 He is too good a soldier not to respect courage in 
 a Red Man or Pale Face. With all the savage 
 properties of the Indian, there is a stern sublimity 
 in his resolution; and a thought of sorrow and pity 
 must cross the mind at the melancholy fate of a 
 foe, who, however he may be considered, cannot be 
 despised. 
 
 We have been thus particular in relating the 
 events of this march, in order that our readers may 
 appreciate the difficulties of a Florida campaign. 
 Add to what we have here described the sudden 
 shot from a covert, the frequent death of a straggler 
 in the sight of comrades, unable to resist or inter- 
 cept the unseen foe ; and the sternly presented 
 resistance where the ground afforded cover, though 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 63 
 
 but for an instant— and you have a faint picture of 
 the difficulties, danger and hardships of the Flo- 
 rida war : — a war for which our gallant army has 
 scarcely received that commendation to which 
 their arduous services so justly entitle them, — and 
 which would undoubtedly have been freely bestowed 
 if the same valour and devotion had been exercised 
 on a fair field, in conflict with a civilized opponent. 
 
64 L I F E O F 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Attack on the camp of the Indians — Fall of Colonel Gentry— Gallant 
 conduct of the fourth and sixth Infantry — Terrible Slaughter of Offi- 
 cers — Flight of the Enemy — Care of the Wounded — Reflections on 
 the scene — Return to Fort Gardner — Colonel Taylor brevetted Briga- 
 dier General— Close of his Services in Florida— Relieved by Briga- 
 dier General Armistead. 
 
 T daylight on the next morning the 
 army resumed its march, and reached 
 another cypress swamp, on the bor- 
 ders of which was a deserted en- 
 campment of the Seminoles. It must have 
 been abandoned in great haste, as the fires 
 were still burning, and beef was lying about 
 upon the ground. At this place, as it was 
 but reasonable to apprehend an attack might be 
 intended, the troops were disposed in order of battle, 
 but no enemy appeared, and the army crossed over 
 the swamp at 11 o'clock, A. M. After crossing the 
 swamp, the command captured an Indian warrior, 
 who pointed to a dense hammock, about a mile dis- 
 tant, in which he said the hostile Indians were 
 waiting to give battle to the advancing army. The 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 65 
 
 account of the engagement we present in the Colo- 
 nel's own language. 
 
 "At this place the final disposition was made to 
 attack them, which was in two lines ; the volunteers 
 under Gentry, and Morgan's spies, to form the first 
 line in extended order, who were instructed to enter 
 the hammock, and, in the event of being attacked 
 and hard pressed, were to fall back in rear of the 
 regular troops, out of reach of the enemy's fire ; the 
 second line was composed of the 4th and 6th infan- 
 try, who were instructed to sustain the volunteers, 
 the Jst infantry being held in reserve. 
 
 "Moving on in the direction of the hammock, 
 after proceeding about a quarter of a mile, we 
 reached the swamp which separated us from the 
 enemy, three-quarters of a mile in breadth, being 
 totally impassable for horse, and nearly so for foot, 
 covered with a thick growth of saw-grass five feet 
 high, about knee-deep in mud and water, which 
 extended to the left as far as the eye could reach, 
 and to the right to a part of the swamp and ham- 
 mock we had just crossed, through which ran a 
 deep creek. At the edge of the swamp all the men 
 were dismounted, and the horses and baggage left 
 under a suitable guard. Captain Allen was detached 
 with the two companies of mounted infantry to ex- 
 
66 LIFE OF 
 
 amine the swamp and hammock to the right; and, 
 in case he should not find the enemy in that direc- 
 tion, was to return to the baggage, and, in the event 
 of his hearing a heavy firing, was immediately to 
 join me. 
 
 "After making these arrangements, I crossed the 
 swamp in the order stated. On reaching the bor- 
 ders of the hammock, the volunteers and spies 
 received a heavy fire from the enemy, which was 
 returned by them for a short time, when their gal- 
 lant commander, Colonel Gentry, fell, mortally 
 wounded. They mostly broke, and instead of form- 
 ing in the rear of the regulars, as had been directed, 
 they retired across the swamp to their baggage and 
 horses, nor could they be again brought into action 
 as a boay, although efforts were made repeatedly 
 by my staff to induce them to do so. 
 
 " The enemy, however, were promptly checked 
 and driven back by the 4th and 6th infantry, which 
 in truth might be said to be a moving battery. The 
 weight of the enemy's fire was principally concen- 
 trated on five companies of the 6th infantry, which 
 not only stood firm, but continued to advance until 
 their gallant commander, Lieutenant Colonel 
 Thompson, and his adjutant, Lieutenant Center, 
 were killed ; and every officer, with one exception, 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 67 
 
 as well as most of the non-commissioned officers, 
 including the sergeant-major and four of the orderly 
 sergeants, killed and wounded of those companies; 
 when that portion of the regiment retired to a short 
 distance and were again formed, one of these com- 
 panies having but four members left untouched. 
 
 " Lieutenant Colonel Foster, with six companies, 
 amounting in all to one hundred and sixty men, 
 gained the hammock in good order, where he was 
 joined by Captain Noel, with the two remaining 
 companies of the 6th infantry, and Captain Gillam, 
 of Gentry's volunteers, with a few additional men, 
 and continued to drive the enemy for a considerable 
 time, and by a change of front separated his line, 
 and continued to drive him until he reached the 
 great lake Okee Chobee, which was in the rear of 
 the enemy's position, and on which their encamp- 
 ment extended for more than a mile. As soon as 
 I was informed that Captain Allen was advancing, 
 I ordered the first infantry to move to the left, gain 
 the enemy's right flank and turn it, which order 
 was executed in the promptest manner possible; 
 and as soon as that regiment got in position, the 
 enemy gave one fire and retreated, being pursued 
 by the 1st, 4th, and 6th, and some of the volunteer 
 who had joined them, until near night, and until 
 
68 LIFE OF 
 
 these troops were nearly exhausted, and the enemy 
 driven in all directions. 
 
 " The action was a severe one, and continued 
 from half-past twelve until after three, P. M., a part 
 of the time very close and severe. We suffered 
 much, having twenty-six killed and one hundred 
 and twelve wounded, among whom are some of our 
 most valuable officers. The hostiles probably suf- 
 fered, all things considered, equally with ourselves, 
 they having left ten dead on the ground, besides, 
 doubtless, carrying off many more, as is customary 
 with them when practicable. 
 
 " As soon as the enemy were completely broken, 
 I turned my attention to taking care of the wound- 
 ed, to facilitate their removal to my baggage, where 
 I ordered an encampment to be formed ; I directed 
 Captain Taylor to cross over to the spot, and em- 
 ploy every individual whom he might find there in 
 constructing a small footway across the swamp ; 
 this, with great exertions, was completed in a short 
 time after dark, when all the dead and wounded 
 were carried over in litters made for that purpose, 
 with one exception, a private of the 4th infantry, 
 who was killed and could not be found. 
 
 "And here, I trust I may be permitted to say that 
 I experienced one of the most trying scenes of my 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. (>9 
 
 life, and he who could have looked on it with in- 
 difference, his nerves must have been very differ- 
 ently organized from my own ; besides the killed, 
 there lay one hundred and twelve wounded officers 
 and soldiers, who had accompanied me one hundred 
 and forty-five miles, most of the way through an 
 unexplored wilderness, without guides, who had so 
 gallantly beaten the enemy, under my orders, in his 
 strongest position, and who had to be conveyed 
 back through swamps and hammocks, from whence 
 we set out, without any apparent means of doing 
 so. This service, however, was encountered and 
 overcome, and they have been conveyed thus far,* 
 and proceeded on to Tampa Bay, on rude litters, 
 constructed with the axe and knife alone, with 
 poles and dry hides — the latter being found in great 
 abundance at the encampment of the hostiles. The 
 litters were conveyed on the backs of our weak and 
 tottering horses, aided by the residue of the com- 
 mand, with more ease and comfort to the sufferers 
 than I could have supposed, and with as much as 
 they could have been in ambulances of the most 
 improved and modern construction." 
 
 The day after the battle was occupied in taking 
 
 * The despatch from which this is extracted is dated from 
 Head Quarters, after the return. 
 
70 LIFE OF 
 
 care of the wounded, and burying the dead. On 
 the morning of the 27th December, Colonel Taylor 
 commenced his return, and reached Fort Gardner, 
 whence he had started, on receiving the orders of 
 General Jessup. A summary of the doings of the 
 command of Colonel Taylor is given in his despatch 
 as follows. It will be observed that the six weeks' 
 work, embraces about four previous to the date at 
 which begin our record of Colonel Taylor's move- 
 ment upon Okee-Chobee. 
 
 11 This column, in six weeks, penetrated one 
 hundred and fifty miles into the enemy's country, 
 opened roads, and constructed bridges and cause- 
 ways, when necessary, on the greater portion of the 
 route, established two depots, and the necessary 
 defences for the same, and finally overtook and beat 
 the enemy in his strongest position. The results 
 of which movement and battle have been the cap- 
 ture of thirty of the hostiles, the coming in, and 
 surrendering of more than one hundred and fifty 
 Indians and negroes, mostly the former, including 
 the chiefs Ou-la-too-chee, Tus-ta-nug-gee, and other 
 principal men, the capturing and driving out of the 
 country six hundred head of cattle, upwards of one 
 hundred head of horses, besides obtaining a thorough 
 knowledge of the country through which we ope- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 71 
 
 rated, a greater portion of which was entirely un- 
 known, except to the enemy." 
 
 The remaining part of Colonel Taylor's despatch 
 is devoted to particularising the services of the 
 officers and men. We regret that our limits do 
 not permit that we should here record what is said 
 in honour of the individuals and companies which 
 distinguished themselves in this hard-fought engage- 
 ment. Feeling tributes of praise are paid to Colo- 
 nel Gentry of the Missouri volunteers, who died in 
 a few hours after the battle ; to Lieutenant Colonel 
 A. R. Thompson, who fell instantly dead at the 
 head of his regiment, having previously received 
 two severe wounds, which he disregarded ; and to 
 Captain Van Swearingen, and Lieutenants Brooke 
 and Center, whose lives were also among the price 
 paid for the victory at Okee-Chobee. 
 
 The results of the engagement were most im- 
 portant ; and it may indeed be said that it finished 
 the Florida war. The appreciation of Colonel 
 Taylor's services which the government and people 
 entertained was marked by his brevet appointment 
 of Brigadier General, dating from the battle of 
 Okee-Chobee. After the battle, Colonel Taylor esta- 
 blished himself at Fort Bassinger on the Kissimme ; 
 and in March, a temporary arrangement having 
 
72 L I F E O F 
 
 been made with the Seoiinoles to secure the country 
 throughout the summer, Colonel Taylor was in- 
 vested with the command of the frontier posts. In 
 April, the whole command in Florida was turned 
 over to Brigadier General Taylor, and General 
 Jessup repaired to Washington to resume the duties 
 of Quarter Master General. 
 
 General Taylor — by that title we shall hence- 
 forward designate him — was no less active after the 
 battle of Okee-Chobee than before. Jumper, Alli- 
 gator, and other chiefs and warriors came in at last, 
 and the General skilfully made use of their influence, 
 and of all other means which his active mind and 
 ripe experience suggested, to bring about peace and 
 reconciliation. In this laborious duty he remained 
 until the beginning of the year 1840, when, at his 
 request, he was relieved, and Brigadier General 
 Armistead took his post. He had done well for his 
 country in the arduous years which he spent amid 
 the inhospitalities of a sickly region — and he had 
 done humanity a vast service, in bringing to a close 
 a most destructive and cruel condition of hostilities. 
 Little could he imagine that a career was still before 
 him in which his brilliant exploits would bring out 
 in so strong a light as has been the case, the meri- 
 torious character of his previous life of comparatively 
 obscure fortitude, labour, and self-denial. 
 
GENERAL T A Y L O R 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 General Taylor ordered to the Southwest. — Movements of tha Army 
 of Occupation. — Depot established at Point Isabel. — Arrival before 
 
 Matamoras. — Mexican Proclamation. — Mexican newspapers 
 
 Arrival of Ampudia at Matamoras. — Incitements to Desertion. — 
 Deaths of Colonel Cross and Lieutenant Porter.— Answer of General 
 Taylor to Ampudia's Summons. 
 
 J§ENERAL TAYLOR was now or- 
 [?5™7 dered to the Southern Department, 
 ~7; including the States of Louisiana, 
 Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. 
 Nothing occurred which it is necessary to 
 note, until General Taylor was placed in 
 command of the m " Army of Occupation," 
 and ordered upon the duties which have led 
 to his subsequent series of remarkable military ex- 
 ploits. The causes which occasioned the war with 
 Mexico have been, and still are, the subject of ear- 
 nest discussion among statesmen and politicians ; 
 and it is impossible in a work of this kind to review 
 a long series of events, the commencement of which 
 may be dated from the day when the Mexican state 
 of Texas refused to accede to the revolution which 
 I 
 
74 LIFE OF 
 
 a military few had decreed ; or to submit to a cen- 
 tralization that would destroy that respect for " state 
 rights" which alone can make different common- 
 wealths strong in a confederacy, while each sepa- 
 rate state remains strong in itself. Separation of 
 Texas from Mexico followed, and then annexation 
 to the United States; and with the new state 
 of Texas, this country assumed also her boundary 
 disputes with the Mexicans. Indeed, the United 
 States assumed much more. The Mexican autho- 
 rities have never recognised the independence of 
 Texas, or ceased to speak of it on certain occa- 
 sions as a Mexican province, although iucidental 
 and unguarded recognitions of the separation of 
 Texas from Mexico have been made. 
 
 The first position taken by General Taylor was 
 at Corpus Christi r where he remained from August, 
 1845, to March, 1846 ; with instructions to repel 
 any Mexican invasion of Texan territory. On the 
 11th* of March, General Taylor moved westward, 
 under orders from the government at Washington ; 
 and on the 20th reached the River Colorado, where 
 indications of an intention to resist the movement 
 were apparent on the part of the Mexicans. Gen- 
 eral Taylor was warned, in a formal note from the 
 Mexican commander, that if he should cross the 
 
■GENERAL TAYLOR. 75 
 
 Colorado, such a movement would be considered a 
 declaration of war, and be followed by actual hosti- 
 lities. The American commander made such dis- 
 positions as would enable him to force a passage, 
 should it become necessary, and the passage of the 
 Colorado was made on the 22d. No enemy ap- 
 peared, however, and no obstruction ; although 
 Mexican troops had previously to this date crossed 
 the Rio Grande. They were not met in force until 
 the famous day of Palo Alto. 
 
 On the 24th, with a body of dragoons, General 
 Taylor reached Point Isabel. Here he was met by 
 a flag of truce from General Mejia, bearing a pro- 
 clamation protesting against invasion. General 
 Taylor deferred his reply to the 28th, when he 
 said he would answer General Mejia at a post oppo- 
 site Matamoras. The Mexicans in charge of Point 
 Isabel abdicated that post, first firing the public 
 buildings, and General Taylor took possession of it 
 as his depot, it being the nearest and most eligible 
 position at which supplies could be landed from 
 vessels in the Gulf for the operations of the army. 
 On the 28th, according to his appointment with the 
 Mexicans, General Taylor was opposite Matamoras, 
 and encamped on the eastern bank of the Rio 
 Grande — that river being the boundary claimed by 
 
76 LIFE Q t 
 
 Texas. Oa his way to the river from Point Isabel, 
 it is remarkable that General Taylor designated 
 Resaca de la Palma as a place, the natural features 
 of which indicated its probable selection as a battle- 
 field. On the very day of his arrival, General Tay- 
 lor sent General Worth and staff with despatches 
 to the Mexican commanders, but after much parley 
 and delay the reception of the despatches was 
 refused by the Mexicans ; and an opportunity to con- 
 fer with the American Consul at Matamoras was 
 also refused. We may observe here, that pending 
 the movements which resulted in the occupation of 
 Matamoras by the Americans, the consul was or- 
 dered away from his residence ; to which he 
 returned after the evacuation of Matamoras by the 
 Mexican authorities. 
 
 The eyes of the whole people of the United 
 States were now directed toward the camp of Gen- 
 eral Taylor, opposite Matamoras ; but even up to 
 the \evy hour when the news of the battle of Palo 
 Alto was received, it was a subject of uncertainty 
 what course the Mexicans would pursue in this 
 dilemma. Their threats and proclamations would 
 have left no doubt, had the authors of these tremen- 
 dous missives been any other than Mexican officers. 
 But these same generals had so often in the intes- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 77 
 
 tine wars of their own country used the like fearful 
 language of threatening against each other, and the 
 encounters thus preluded had so generally ended as 
 they began, in words, or in engagements ridiculously 
 disproportioned to the note of preparation, that the 
 people of the United States had learned to regard 
 Mexican threats with a mingled smile of incredulity 
 and pity. 
 
 General Taylor commenced at once erecting 
 defences on the banks of the Rio Grande. General 
 Canales, of the Mexican army, in a despatch to 
 Ampudia, thus noticed the proceedings : " The 
 Yankees are still in front of Matamoras, doing as 
 the monkeys do. If we throw up a fortification, they 
 throw up another." Whether the tone of contempt 
 which the Mexican proclamations have displayed 
 for the Americans be real or affected, it would be 
 sufficiently amusing, only that the farce has been 
 followed by tragedies so fearful. The rhodomon- 
 tade of the Mexican newspapers can be better over- 
 looked, but the result has been such as to make in- 
 flated gasconade like the following appear ridiculous 
 and yet melancholy. After the interview between 
 General Worth, on the American side, and General 
 Vega, on the Mexican, the " Republican Monitor," 
 of Matamoras, says, "The interview being over, the 
 
I. [ft Ol 
 
 Rye was about to be opened by our batteries, this 
 honour being disputed among the valiant soldiers 
 who cover them ; but it was necessary to suspend 
 a proceeding suggested by enthusiasm, inasmuch as, 
 there being a pretty deep river intervening, the 
 bayonets and spears, which are the arms most 
 dreaded by the contemptible enemy in front, these 
 uestionable advantages over him could not be 
 used ; and all that could be done was to exchange 
 cannon-shots leading to a useless effusion of blood. 
 * * * Although the enemy are superior in num- 
 bers, his excellency General Mejia and his soldiers, 
 have shed patriotic tears on seeing the deep river 
 which prevents them from cutting to pieces the per- 
 fidious invader." 
 
 Making all allowance for the peculiar genius of 
 the Spanish language, aud the style of expression 
 which strikes the Anglo-Saxon ear as so ridiculous 
 in the translation, the extract we have given appears 
 sufficiently bomhastic and foolish. It is to be re- 
 gretted that American writers and speakers have not 
 in all instances avoided the error which in the Mexi- 
 cans seem so foolishly absurd ; but the exceptions to a 
 generally magnanimous mode of treating the Mexi- 
 cans are comparatively few. They have certainly 
 shown themselves a most courageous enemy. As 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 79 
 
 to the despatches of General Taylor, they form a 
 collection of papers remarkable for their modesty 
 of language, and a terse brevity that yet leaves the 
 narrative sufficiently perspicuous. 
 
 The Mexicans are no less Americans than the 
 citizens of the United States, but we shall find it 
 necessary to apply the term to our troops for con- 
 venience of expression. It is an event much to be 
 regretted, whatever may have been its origin and 
 causes, that the term American does not unite us 
 all in one brotherhood of friendship, as it defines 
 the geographical site of both countries. To resume 
 our narrative : on the 11th of April, General Am- 
 pudia marched into Matamoras with a reported 
 force of twenty-five hundred men, to reinforce the 
 garrison of that post. Hostile demonstrations had 
 meanwhile been continually proceeding on the side 
 of Matamoras ; and among the machinery used was 
 one old as the practice of war — to wit, attempts to 
 induce desertions from the American Army to the 
 flag of the " magnanimous Mexican nation." A 
 copy of a proclamation addressed to soldiers of 
 foreign birth in the American Army, and signed by 
 General Ampudia, fell into the hands of General 
 Taylor. Its inflated style fell on cold ears; and it 
 was treated with contempt. Some desertions had, 
 
80 L I F E O F 
 
 however, occurred previously to the discovery of 
 this missive ; but a check was put upon those 
 attempts by shooting the deserters, one man being 
 killed by a sentinel after he had crossed the river, 
 and was ascending the opposite bank. The plan 
 of attempting to seduce by proclamations was how- 
 ever again resorted to, once if not oftener during 
 the month of April, by Arista; and the second 
 proclamation was drawn up with much more address 
 and ingenuity than Ampudia's. The American sol- 
 diers are appealed to as men who enlisted in time 
 of peace to serve a specific term, but whose obli- 
 gation did not imply warring with Mexico ! Such 
 is the gist of the argument, and as we have inti- 
 mated, it was very skilfully presented, nowithstand- 
 ing the absurdity it conveys that soldiers, enlisting 
 in time of peace, are released from serving in case 
 the very exigency for which they are supported 
 should happen. 
 
 The day before the arrival of Ampudia, Colonel 
 Cross, the deputy quarter-master general, disap- 
 peared. Every effort was made to ascertain his 
 fate, but it was not discovered until twelve days 
 afterward, when his body was found, where he had 
 been murdered. The Mexican officers attributed 
 the deed, and probably with truth, to an irresponsi- 
 
(J E N E R A I. T A V LOR. 81 
 
 ble band of rancheros. This was the first life lost 
 in the Mexican war. The next were those of 
 Lieutenant Porter and three privates of a recon- 
 noitring party, who were fired upon by the Mexi- 
 cans, on their return to camp on the night of the 
 18th, after having during the day encountered and 
 put to flight a large body of Mexicans. These 
 events indicated the fact that the Mexicans had 
 crossed the Rio Grande ; and hostilities may from 
 this date be considered to have commenced. Be- 
 fore proceeding to the stirring narrative which 
 now awaits us, we shall conclude this chapter with 
 General Taylor's answer to the summons of Ampu- 
 dia to retreat beyond the Nueces within twenty-four 
 hours. General Ampudia's summons was dated on 
 the 12th April; and the answer of General Taylor, 
 from which may be gathered the tenor of Ampudia's 
 note, was immediately returned : 
 
 Head-Quarters Army of Occupation, 7 
 Camp near Matamoras, Texas, Jpril 12, 1846. 3 
 
 Senor : I have had the honour to receive your 
 note of this date, in which you summon me to with- 
 draw the forces under my command from their pre- 
 sent position, and beyond the river Nueces, until 
 the pending question between our governments, 
 relative to the limits of Texas, shall be settled. 
 4 « F 
 
82 L I F E O F 
 
 I need hardly advise you that, charged as I am, 
 in only a military capacity, with the performance 
 of specific duties, I cannot enter into a discussion 
 of the international question involved in the advance 
 of the American army. You will, however, permit 
 me to say that the government of the United States 
 has constantly sought a settlement, by negotiation, 
 of the question of boundary ; that an envoy was 
 despatched to Mexico for that purpose, and that up 
 to the most recent dates said envoy had not been 
 received by the actual Mexican government, if in- 
 deed he has not received his passports and left the 
 republic. In the mean time, I have been ordered 
 to occupy the country up to the left bank of the 
 Rio Grande, until the boundary shall be definitively 
 settled. In carrying out these instructions, I have 
 carefully abstained from all acts of hostility, obey- 
 ing, in this regard, not only the letter of my instruc- 
 tions, but the plain dictates of justice and humanity. 
 
 The instructions under which I am acting will 
 not permit me to retrograde from the position I now 
 occupy. In view of the relations between our re- 
 spective governments, and the individual suffering 
 which may result, I regret the alternative which 
 you offer ; but, at the same time, wish it understood 
 that I shall by no means avoid such alternative, 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 83 
 
 eaving the responsibility with those who rashly 
 commence hostilities. In conclusion, you will per- 
 nit me to give you the assurance that on my part 
 he laws and customs of war among civilized na- 
 ions shall be carefully observed. 
 
 I have the honour to be, very respectfully, your 
 >bedient servant. 
 
 Sr. Gen. D. Pedro de Ampudia. 
 
84 LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Position of the Americans — Capture of Thornton's Command by the 
 Enemy — General Taylor marches to Point Isabel with the main 
 body of the Army — Sets out on his return — Encounters the Enemy, 
 at Palo Alto — Brilliant Services of Major Ringgold — Mortal Wound 
 of Captain Page— Close of the day — General Taylor's Despatch. 
 
 FFAIRS had now reached a most 
 critical point. The armies of the 
 two republics stood committed ; on 
 the Mexican side by repeated threats, 
 and on the American by the orders under 
 which their commander acted. Neither 
 side could retreat from the posture in which 
 it was placed ; and each appeared deter- 
 mined to leave to the other the responsibility of 
 commencing actual hostilities. The following ex- 
 tract of a letter from General Taylor will give the 
 reader an idea of the position of things on the 25th 
 of April : 
 
 " Strong guards of foot and mounted men are 
 established on the margin of the river, and thus 
 efficient means have been adopted on our part to 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 85 
 
 prevent all intercourse. While opposite to us their 
 pickets extend above and below for several miles, 
 we are equally active in keeping up a strong and 
 vigilant guard to prevent surprise, or attacks under 
 disadvantageous circumstances. This is the more 
 necessary, while we are to act on the defensive, and 
 they are at liberty to take the opposite course 
 whenever they think proper to do so. Nor have 
 we been idle in other respects ; we have a field- 
 work under way, besides having erected a strong 
 battery, and a number of buildings for the security 
 of our supplies, in addition to some respectable 
 works for their protection. We have mounted a 
 respectable battery, four pieces of which are long 
 eighteen-pounders, with which we could batter or 
 burn down the city of Matamoras, should it become 
 necessary to do so. When our field-work is com- 
 pleted — which will soon be the case — and mounted 
 with its proper armament, five hundred men could 
 hold it against as many thousand Mexicans. Dur- 
 ing the twenty-seven days since our arrival here, a 
 most singular state of things has prevailed all through 
 the outlines of the two armies, which, to a certain 
 extent, have all the feelings as if there were actual 
 war. 
 
 " Fronting each other, for an extent of more than 
 
86 L I F E O F 
 
 two miles, and within musket range, are batteries 
 shotted, and the officers and men, in many instances, 
 waiting impatiently for orders to apply the matches; 
 yet nothing has been done to provoke the firing of 
 a gun or any act of violence. 
 
 " Matamoras, at the distance we are now from it, 
 appears to cover a large extent of ground, with 
 some handsome buildings, but I would imagine the 
 greater portion of them to be indifferent one-story 
 houses, with roofs of straw, and walls of mud or 
 unburnt brick. During peace the population is 
 said to be five or six thousand, but it is now filled 
 to overflowing with troops. Report says from five 
 to ten thousand of all sorts, regular and militia. 
 The number, I presume, is very much overrated. 
 
 " P. S. — Since writing the above, an engagement 
 has taken place between a detachment of our cav- 
 alry and the Mexicans, in which we are worsted. 
 So the war has actually commenced, and the hard- 
 est must fend off." 
 
 General Arista had now superseded Ampudia in 
 the command of the Mexicans ; and had declared 
 that he considered hostilities already commenced, 
 and should prosecute them. It became certain 
 that the Mexicans had crossed the Rio Grande at 
 some point above Matamoras; and Captains Thorn- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 87 
 
 ton and Hardie, with Lieutenants Kane and Mason, 
 and sixty-one dragoons were sent to reconnoitre the 
 enemy's movements. This party was surprised and 
 surrounded about twenty-six miles from the camp, 
 and Lieutenant Mason and nine men were killed. 
 The whole party subsequently surrendered them- 
 selves prisoners of war ; and it is to this affair that 
 General Taylor alludes in the significant postscript 
 to his letter. 
 
 The intentions of General Arista were now appa- 
 rent. By throwing a considerable body of troops 
 between the camp opposite Matamoras and Point 
 Isabel, he designed to cut off all communication be- 
 tween General Taylor and his depot, and to over- 
 whelm both positions by numbers. The supply of 
 provisions in General Taylor's camp was sufficient 
 only for eight days, and Point Isabel was twenty- 
 seven miles distant. Captain Walker of the Texan 
 Rangers arrived in camp from Point Isabel on the 
 29th, with four men, bringing the intelligence that 
 on the day previous, with a detachment of his Ran- 
 gers, he had encountered a force of between one 
 and two thousand Mexicans, and after a brush with 
 them he had fallen back to Point Isabel. From 
 that place he had volunteered to bring General 
 Taylor information, both of the posture of affairs 
 
88 LIFR OF 
 
 at the depot and of the appearance of the route. 
 Communication by the ordinary methods was now 
 cut off; and General Taylor resolved to set out in 
 person with the greater part of his force, and pro- 
 cure supplies. Leaving the works on the Rio 
 Grande under command of Major Brown, with a 
 regiment of infantry and two of artillery, in all 
 about six hundred men, General Taylor on the 1st 
 of May set out for Point Isabel, where he arrived 
 on the 2d, without having seen a Mexican on the 
 route. 
 
 On the 3d, the noise of cannonading was heard 
 by General Taylor, and Captains May and Walker 
 were sent out by him to gain information. On the 
 6th Captain Walker arrived with intelligence from 
 the camp' that the cannonading by the Mexicans 
 had so far done no damage ; and that Major Brown 
 was reserving his fire and was in a position to main- 
 tain his post. Intelligence was now continually 
 received of the presence of Mexican troops in 
 heavy force. On the evening of the 7th General 
 Taylor, with the main body of the little army of 
 occupation, moved from Point Isabel and bivouacked 
 for the night seven miles distant. 
 
 On the next day the march was resumed, and at 
 noon the Mexican troops were discovered, occupy- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 89 
 
 ing the road in heavy force, at Palo Alto. Gene- 
 ral Taylor halted to refresh his men, and form his 
 line of battle. At two o'clock he took up his line 
 of march in the direction of the enemy who opened 
 the battle with their artillery, as the Americans 
 approached. A heavy force of Mexican artillery 
 occupied the road, forming one end of the line 
 of battle, and infantry and artillery in alternate 
 masses stretched across the plain to the distance 
 of a mile or more. We may here remind the young 
 reader that in military language the word "right" 
 in a march means the head of a column, and when 
 the line is formed for battle the same relative terms 
 of right and left apply to the disposition of the 
 troops. The Mexican " right " in the battle of 
 Palo Alto was composed of the infantry and lighter 
 artillery which stretched over the prairie ; the " left " 
 was formed of the heavy artillery which occupied 
 the road ; and the road, having prairie on one side, 
 had on the other a dense and impassable thicket of 
 chapparal. 
 
 In advancing against the enemy, Ringgold's artil- 
 lery, and the 5th and 3d infantry, two eigh teen- 
 pounders, and the artillery battalion, which formed 
 the " right" of the American army, advanced against 
 the Mexican " left," which, as we have already said, 
 
90 L I F E O F 
 
 was composed of artillery posted in the road The 
 left of the American line was composed of the 4th 
 and 8th infantry, and the light artillery of Captain 
 Duncan. Ringgold's artillery opened a fire which 
 told with terrible execution upon the enemy. An 
 attempt of the Mexican cavalry, making a detour 
 around the chapparal to attack the right flank, was 
 discovered and checked by Lieutenant Ridgely 
 with a detachment of Ringgold's artillery, the 5th 
 infantry, and Captain Walker's volunteers, who 
 received and repulsed the charge with great resolu- 
 tion, and inflicted severe loss upon the assailants. 
 While this movement was going on, Major Ring- 
 gold was left with but two of his pieces, which he 
 continued playing upon the enemy with the accu- 
 racy of a rifle, added to the awful power of a piece 
 of ordnance ; advancing within a hundred yards of 
 the enemy, shifting and retrograding as the nature 
 of the ground required. The infantry, meanwhile, 
 stood firm, impatient for the order to charge, and 
 cheering the terrible success of his battery, while 
 they could take no part in the action, otherwise 
 than by their enthusiastic expressions of sympathy. 
 At length the services of the gallant Major were 
 cut short with his life. A six-pound ball struck 
 him, cutting the flesh from both thighs, and passing 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 91 
 
 through the shoulders of his horse. As he fell, 
 Lieutenant Sherer offered to assist him, but he said: 
 "No sir — let me stay — go on — you have enough to 
 do." Major Ringgold survived his wounds sixty 
 hours ; and received the utmost attention that the 
 nature of the circumstances would admit. The 
 command of his company devolved on Lieutenant 
 Shover, who skilfully managed the batteries during 
 the rest of the day. 
 
 On the left of the American line, Captain Dun- 
 can's battery was doing great execution among the 
 troops composing the enemy's right. With Captain 
 Duncan on the extreme left, Ringgold's artillery on 
 the right, and the heavy eighteen-pounders between 
 them, the fire poured into the Mexican masses was 
 most destructive. All this time the infantry had 
 next to nothing to do, but to stand ready to sustain 
 the batteries ; themselves doing but little in the fray. 
 To rest inactive, while ever and anon a comrade is 
 killed or wounded; to stand without quailing and 
 be shot at, without the excitement of answering the 
 fire, is the very highest exercise of fortitude and 
 heroism. Nor did the Mexican infantry fail to 
 deserve the highest credit for the steadiness witli 
 which they endured the tremendous cannonading. 
 The battle on both sides was almost entirely in the 
 
92 L I F E O P 
 
 hands of the artillery ; and in this particular the 
 action is one of the most remarkable on record. 
 
 The tall grass of the prairie had been fired by the 
 artillery, and the smoke now concealed the two 
 armies from each other and produced a temporary 
 cessation of the action. Several changes now oc- 
 curred. The enemy's artillery retreated from the 
 murderous fire of Ringgold's battery, and the ground 
 was occupied by the eighteen-pounders. The 4th 
 infantry, which was ordered to support the eighteen- 
 pound battery, and Captain May's squadron, suffered 
 severely, and Captain Page, of the infantry, here 
 met the wound which ended his life. He was 
 struck down with such force as to prostrate the 
 three men who stood next behind him. The whole 
 of his lower jaw was shot away ; and although he 
 survived to reach his native country, it was only to 
 yield up his last breath upon her soil. 
 
 In the mean time the battalion of artillery under 
 Lieutenant Colonel Childs had been brought up to 
 support the artillery on our right. A strong demon- 
 stration of cavalry was now made by the enemy 
 against this part of our line, and the column con- 
 tinued to advance under a severe fire from the 
 eighteen-pounders. The battalion was instantly 
 formed in square, and held ready to receive the 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 93 
 
 charge of cavalry ; but when the advanced squad- 
 rons were within close range, a deadly fire of canister 
 from the eighteen-pounders dispersed them. A brisk 
 fire of small-arms was now opened upon the square, 
 by which Lieutenant Luther of the second artillery 
 was slightly wounded; but a well-directed volley 
 from the front of the square silenced all further 
 firing from the enemy in this quarter. It was now 
 nearly dark, and the action was closed on the right 
 of the American line ; the enemy having been com- 
 pletely driven back from his position, and foiled in 
 every attempt against our line. 
 
 While the above was going forward on our 
 right, the enemy had made a serious attempt against 
 the left of our line. Captain Duncan, with his 
 usual quickness of perception, discovered and com- 
 municated to Lieutenant Belknap, commanding 
 the brigade, the fact that the enemy was moving 
 the entire cavalry and infantry force of his right 
 wing upon our train in rear of the left of our line 
 of battle, and that his battery could produce a more 
 destructive effect upon the enemy by taking position 
 further to the left. He was ordered to proceed to 
 the threatened point with all possible despatch, and 
 hold the enemy in check until the eighth infantry 
 could come up to his support. The battery dashed 
 
94 LIFE OF 
 
 back to the left flank in full view of the enemy, 
 and engaged him within point-blank range of his 
 small guns. So sudden and unexpected was this 
 movement to the enemy, who a moment before saw 
 this battery disappear in the opposite direction 
 behind the smoke of the burning prairie, that his 
 whole column of cavalry pulled up to a halt before 
 a shot had been fired or the guns unlimbered. 
 
 A strong body of the enemy's infantry, supported 
 by two squadrons of cavalry, now debouched from 
 the extreme right point of the chaparral, and moved 
 steadily forward to the attack ; one section of the 
 battery opened upon them with round shot, shells, 
 and spherical case, so well directed that the whole 
 advance, horse and foot, fell back in disorder to the 
 bushes ; die other section in the mean time played 
 into the masses of cavalry that had halted at the 
 right of the guns before mentioned. Although 
 these shot were well directed, and each made an 
 opening through an entire squadron, this part of the 
 enemy's line stood unshaken. 
 
 The column of cavalry and infantry driven back 
 in the chaparral by the other section, reformed 
 there, and moved forward a second time to the 
 attack with great regularity. After they advanced 
 about one hundred yards from the chaparral, the 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 95 
 
 section before ordered to drive them back again, 
 opened, and drove them with even greater success 
 than before. They fell back pell-mell to the bushes 
 and commenced their retreat ; their supporting 
 cavalry abandoned them, rushed back upon the 
 head of the columns that had before withstood our 
 shot, and a flight commenced ; squadron after squad- 
 ron took it up, and the entire right wing of the 
 enemy was in full retreat. Both sections were now 
 brought to bear upon the enemy's broken and flying 
 columns, and a brisk and destructive fire kept up 
 till they disappeared in the chaparral, or darkness 
 put an end to the battle. 
 
 This battery, under the skilful management of 
 Captain Duncan, and with the aid of the 8th in- 
 fantry, commanded by Captain Montgomery, and 
 Captain Ker's squadron of dragoons, was of im- 
 mense service, at this peculiar crisis, on our left 
 line, and to the successful result of the battle. They 
 at first gallantly held the enemy at bay, and finally 
 drove him from the field with great loss. This 
 terminated the action, and our army bivouacked on 
 the ground it occupied, while that of the Mexicans 
 retired into the chaparral, in rear of their position. 
 
 We cannot better close this chapter than with 
 the brief and modest despatch of General Taylor : 
 
96 LIFE OF 
 
 Head-Quarters Army of Occupation, ") 
 Camp at Palo Alto, Texas, May 9, 1846. 3 
 
 Sir : I have the honour to report that I was met 
 near this place yesterday, on my march from Point 
 Isabel, by the Mexican forces, and after an action 
 of about five hours, dislodged them from their posi- 
 tion and encamped upon the field. Our artillery, 
 consisting of two eighteen-pounders, and two light 
 batteries, was the arm chiefly engaged, and to the 
 excellent manner in which it was manoeuvred and 
 served, is our success mainly due. 
 
 The strength of the enemy is believed to have 
 been about 6000 men, with seven pieces of ar- 
 tillery, and 800 cavalry. His loss is probably at 
 least one hundred killed. Our strength did not 
 exceed, all told, twenty-three hundred, while our 
 loss was comparatively trifling — four men killed, 
 three officers and thirty-seven men wounded, seve- 
 ral of the latter mortally. I regret to say that 
 Major Ringgold, 2d artillery, and Captain Page, 4th 
 infantry, are severely wounded. Lieutenant Luther, 
 2d artillery, slightly so. 
 
 The enemy has fallen back, and it is believed 
 has repassed the river. I have advanced parties 
 now thrown forward in his direction, and shall 
 move the main body immediately. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. "97 
 
 In the haste of this report, I can only say that 
 the officers and men behaved in the most admirable 
 manner throughout the action. I shall have the 
 pleasure of making a more detailed report when 
 those of the different commanders shall be received. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. TAYLOR, 
 
 Brevet Brigadier- General U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
98 LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Battle of Resaca de la Palma— Discovery of the Enemy's Position — 
 Lieutenant Ridgely's Battery— Charge of Captain May— Capture 
 of General La Vega — Charge of the Eighth Infantry— Desperate 
 Courage of the Mexicans — Movements of various Regiments — Camp 
 of the Enemy — Total Defeat of the Mexicans — Meeting with the 
 American Troops in the Fort — General Taylor's Despatch. 
 
 N the night of the eighth the Ameri- 
 can army, after their hard day's 
 work, bivouacked upon the field 
 which had been so fiercely contest- 
 The Mexicans had shown a steadiness 
 in battle, and a skill in managing artillery, 
 much greater than nad been anticipated ; and 
 the advantage which had been won had been 
 at a sad loss to the Americans in Ringgold and Page, 
 and the number of gallant men killed and wounded, 
 although the enemy suffered much more. The 
 night must have been one of great anxiety to the 
 men, and particularly to the officers. The presence 
 of the Mexicans in such force as they showed ex- 
 cited great fears for the safety of the little garrison 
 opposite Matamoras ; and the knowledge that the 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 99 
 
 enemy could easily be reinforced from Matamoras, 
 while the Americans were cut off from all commu- 
 nication with their friends and all hope of succour, 
 made their case one in which their only hope was 
 in desperate valour. A council of war was held, 
 and different opinions were expressed. Some 
 advocated falling back to Point Isabel, and others 
 intrenching where they were, while a third party, 
 including General Taylor, were in favour of ad- 
 vancing. He, remembering the forlorn condition 
 of the camp, resolved to push forward at all hazards. 
 As he had determined before leaving Point Isabel, 
 if he met the enemy, in whatever force, he would 
 fight him ; he now trusted to finish at any cost the 
 march which he had commenced. He decided, 
 however, upon throwing up a temporary breast- 
 work, and leaving the train of baggage and stores, 
 mounting some of the twelve-pounders for its de- 
 fence, until the road should be clear to the camp. 
 
 On the morning of the 9th, the enemy were per- 
 ceived to be in motion, and the impression was that 
 they were preparing to barricade and occupy the 
 road in force, to dispute the further progress of the 
 Americans. Before the army was in motion this 
 morning, a melancholy event occurred. Lieutenant 
 J. E. Blake, of the topographical corps, who had 
 
100 LIFE O F 
 
 distinguished himself by deeds of cool and remark- 
 able intrepidity the day before, lost the life which 
 battle had spared, by a singular accident. As he 
 threw down his holsters, one of his pistols exploded, 
 causing a wound of which, in a few hours, he died, 
 expressing his regret that he had not lost his life on 
 the battle-field. 
 
 The army was now in order of battle, and com- 
 menced its march forward, weakened not only by 
 its losses, but by the escort under which the 
 wounded had been sent back to Point Isabel, and 
 by the men necessary to defend the baggage. The 
 Americans had now an opportunity to notice the 
 terrible consequences of their previous day's work. 
 The enemy's dead in some places laid in ghostly 
 heaps ; and those who were the day before cheering 
 and shouting in the wild enthusiasm of the deadly 
 strife, now shuddered, aud turned sick at heart while 
 surveying its effects. Nor were the dead alone 
 there to remind the soldier of the terrible execution 
 of his vocation, — the wounded appealed for aid and 
 assistance ; and the American officers ordered out 
 parties to seek for the wounded and attend to their 
 wants; while the soldiers, unprompted, during the 
 morning paid such kind offices to the sufferers as 
 their means admitted. A faithful dog was found 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 101 
 
 watching the dead body of his master; and no 
 temptation could withdraw his attention from the 
 sacred trust. All who saw this incident were deeply 
 touched. What a mystery is man ! The same 
 soldiers whose feelings were thus enlisted in these 
 incidents were, in a few hours more, to be engaged 
 in a more deadly strife than that of the preceding 
 day. But the instinct of self-preservation, had there 
 been no other motive to action, would have left 
 them no choice. 
 
 The enemy were met at last, within three miles 
 of the fortified American camp, posted in and near 
 a ravine called Resaca de la Palma. The position 
 was a well-chosen one, and conferred such advan- 
 tage upon the enemy that nothing but the desperate 
 valour of the American troops, and, in particular, 
 the bold conduct of the dragoons, could have saved 
 the Americans from a ruinous defeat, within hearing 
 of their comrades in the camp. The advance, 
 under Captain G. A. McCall, drew the first fire. 
 Lieutenant Randolph Ridgely was ordered to the 
 front with the light artillery battery, once command- 
 ed by Major Ringgold, and Captain Walker with 
 the Texan Rangers was sent to point out the posi- 
 tion of the enemy. Lieutenant Ridgely moved on 
 in the very teeth of the Mexican battery, and for 
 
L02 LIFE O V 
 
 some time shots were briskly exchanged when the 
 contending parties were only about one hundred 
 yards apart. Whenever the fire of the enemy 
 slackened, Lieutenant Ridgely advanced. But the 
 batteries of the enemy were doing murderous exe- 
 cution ; and while they kept their position in the 
 road, the day remained in their hands. Beside 
 answering the battery in his front, Lieutenant 
 Ridgely had sufficient to do to repel the infantry 
 and cavalry charges which were made upon him. 
 
 While this gallant work was going on in the 
 centre, there was heavy fighting on the left and on 
 the right of the road. From the beginning the 
 American troops steadily advanced, and were gain- 
 ing everywhere except in the centre ; but there, 
 notwithstanding the almost superhuman efforts of 
 Lieutenant Ridgely and the infantry who supported 
 nim, the Mexican fire was kept up with a tenacity 
 which prevented any sensible impression upon the 
 enemy's position. Their artillery was served with 
 a coolness and precision which did the highest 
 honour to the Mexican troops. As it was perceived 
 that the weisht of the battle was here in the centre, 
 and that until the enemy were there dislodged, all 
 other efforts, however brave and brilliant, were but 
 a useless expenditure of the lives of brave men, 
 
• / -.<-v^„- ; - ^ 
 
fiKNERAL TAYLOR. 103 
 
 Colonel May, with his dragoons, was ordered to 
 charge this battery. It is said that General Taylor 
 delivered the order in something like the following 
 words : " Sir, your command has done nothing 
 yet — you must take that battery." "Men," said 
 Captain May, "we must take that battery. Fol- 
 low!" On went the squadron, their leader several 
 yards in advance, sweeping down the ravine. As 
 they passed Lieutenant Ridgely, a word was ex- 
 changed, and he fired a volley to draw the attention 
 of the enemy. The squadron dashed onward, 
 receiving a discharge from the enemy's batteries 
 which killed or disabled full one- third of the 
 squadron. 
 
 A wild hurrah went up as the gallant horsemen 
 cleared the breastwork, and charged entirely through 
 the enemy's battery of seven pieces. When Cap- 
 tain May gained the rising ground in the rear, he 
 could rally but six of his men ; but with these he 
 charged the Mexican gunners, who, swept for a 
 moment by his furious riding over breastwork, guns, 
 and men, had now regained their pieces. The 
 Mexicans were again driven off, and General La 
 Vega, who was found gallantly fighting in person 
 at his battery, surrendered himself a prisoner to 
 Captain May. The dragoons returned through the 
 
104 LIFE OF 
 
 Mexican lines. Lieutenant Ridgely had now pushed 
 up to the edge of the ravine with his battery ; but 
 though he found no cannoneers to encounter, the 
 enemy's infantry poured in upon him a galling fire ; 
 and the cavalry made a dash upon him, coming so 
 near that the Lieutenant struck at the foremost 
 with his sabre. A discharge of canister and shell 
 from one of the pieces thrown among them scat- 
 tered the troop. 
 
 Now was the fiercest struggle — the turning point 
 on which hung the fortunes of the day. The 
 enemy had been driven from their battery, but with 
 the courage and confidence of veterans were rally- 
 ing. The eighth infantry, Captain Montgomery, 
 now came up, and for a short time was hotly en- 
 gaged, but succeeded in securing the battery. The 
 regiment charged upon the ravine, in the face of a 
 sheet of fire from the enemy, and dislodged the 
 column of infantry posted to support the enemy's 
 battery. The Mexicans fiercely maintained their 
 ground, and were driven only after the most terrible 
 slaughter. At last they gave way. The battle 
 became a perfect rout. Duncan's artillery came 
 into the front and under his deadly fire the enemy 
 fell back faster and faster. The side batteries now 
 silenced, the American troops pushed by the eager- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 105 
 
 ness of pursuit in the narrow defile which was until 
 May's charge impassable, rushed forward with loud 
 and exulting shouts of victory ; and the enemy 
 consulted no more any order, except safety in flight. 
 It is impossible in our brief space to detail all 
 the movements of the several regiments; but a 
 general notice may be attempted. During the 
 charge upon the centre battery, the 8th infantry 
 was joined by a part of the 5th under the gallant 
 Captain Martin Scott, who had just been engaged 
 in a hot personal contest with the enemy, from 
 which he was timely relieved by a part of the 8th 
 infantry under Lieutenant Wood ; Lieutenants 
 Ruggles and Crittenden with a small command of 
 the 5th, with the 8th infantry, all under Captain 
 Montgomery, routed the enemy's right wing, carry- 
 ing his right battery, between which and his centre 
 batteries had been posted the celebrated Tampico 
 Regiment, all of which, except some seventeen men, 
 fell in their position, making the most gallant and 
 determined resistance. A part of the 5th infantry 
 — Captains Wood's and Merrill's companies — under 
 Colonel Mcintosh, charged across the enemy's posi- 
 tion, carrying one of his ceutre batteries, and with 
 the 3d and 4th infantry put to rout his left wing, in 
 which gallant charge Colonel Mcintosh fell danger- 
 
106 LIFE OF 
 
 ously wounded. Captain Marcy of the 5th infantry, 
 with a small command of that regiment, had turned 
 the enemy's left flank, and taken a piece which, 
 leaving in the rear, was removed by the enemy, 
 but retaken by Captain Buchanan of the 4th in- 
 fantry. 
 
 The light companies of the 1st brigade, and the 
 3d and 4th regiments of infantry, had been deployed 
 on the right of the road, when at various points 
 they became briskly engaged with the enemy. The 
 4th infantry, under command of Brevet-Major Al- 
 len, advancing, discovered that the enemy were 
 pouring a heavy fire of grape and musketry from a 
 small breastwork just in front, defended by one piece 
 of artillery and about one hundred and fifty infantry. 
 Captain Buchanan was ordered to cross to the right 
 and advance. He had in his command some thirty 
 men of the regiment, together with Lieutenants 
 Hays and Woods. He deployed his men upon the 
 crest of the hill, charged, took the piece, and bore 
 it back to a place of safety. The enemy had a 
 breastwork in Captain Buchanan's rear, and opened 
 a heavy fire on him ; when, with about ten men, he 
 dislodged him and drove him across the road. 
 Lieutenants Hays and Woods first reached the 
 piece of ordnance and captured it, and were at- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. J 07 
 
 tacked in the act of bearing it away by a party of 
 the enemy determined to regain it, which they 
 repulsed. 
 
 The 3d infantry, commanded by Captain Morris, 
 was also deployed in the commencement of the 
 engagement as skirmishers on the right of the road, 
 the left resting on the road. The regiment ad- 
 vanced rapidly to the front, where it became 
 exposed to a cross fire of both armies, but upon 
 changing position joined in the action with service 
 to the successful result. Captain Barbour, with his 
 command, also repulsed a party attempting to retake 
 the piece spoken of. 
 
 The 4th regiment, after taking the battery, 
 pushed forward until it emerged from the thicket 
 into the main camp of the enemy, containing the 
 head-quarters of the commanding general of the 
 Mexican army, their ammunition, some three or 
 four hundred mules, saddles, and every variety of 
 camp equipage, with the commander's official cor- 
 respondence, which they captured. Lieutenant 
 Cochrane fell at the edge of the camp, whilst gal- 
 lantly leading his men into it. 
 
 The camp of the enemy was about two hundred 
 yards in the rear of the battery which had made so 
 determined a resistance. The camp-fires we**e 
 
108 LIFE OF 
 
 lighted, and meat roasting ; everything indeed indi 
 cated that the Mexicans thought of anything els* 
 than being disturbed in their encampment that night 
 On went the Americans like the rush of a might} 
 river. The enemy now and then made a stand, bin 
 it was only for an instant. The American artil- 
 lery which had been posted to defend the baggage, 
 was now brought forward, and the retreating army 
 were driven to the river, where many were drowned 
 in their efforts to cross to Matamoras. As the vic- 
 torious troops passed the lines of the camp opposite 
 Matamoras, three shots from eighteen-pounders 
 went over them, nearly killing some of the men in 
 the very flush of conquest. The horrible idea for 
 an instant appalled them, that their friends had mis- 
 taken them for enemies, and were opening a fire upon 
 them. But the discharge was not repeated, and it 
 w r as afterward ascertained that the shot came from 
 Matamoras. On again went pursuers and pursued ; 
 the former cheered with the furious excitement of a 
 victory unanticipated in its overwhelming complete- 
 ness; the latter goaded with the desperate panic 
 of a defeat as perfect and disastrous as it was un- 
 expected. 
 
 Thus ended the brilliant affair of Resaca de la 
 Palma — an engagement which, for the bravery 
 manifested on both sides, up to the instaut of the 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 109 
 
 defeat of one, has not its parallel in the annals of 
 modern Warfare. In speaking of the meeting of the 
 little garrison in the fortified camp, and their trium- 
 phant friends, a writer from the army says: "You 
 can imagine how we were received /" Words cannot 
 describe the joy of such a meeting; but it was 
 damped with sorrow for the gallant spirits who, in 
 the week of separation, had lost their lives in their 
 country's service. 
 
 We subjoin the despatch of General Taylor, as 
 furnishing a brief review of the engagement, and a 
 summary of its losses and its advantages. 
 
 Head-Quarters Army of Occupation, 
 Camp at Resaca de la Palma, 3 miles from 
 Matamoras, 10 o'clock, P. M, May 9, 1846, 
 
 :} 
 
 Sir : I have the honour to report that I marched 
 with the main body of the army at two o'clock to- 
 day, having previously thrown forward a body of 
 light infantry into the forest which covers the Mata- 
 moras road. When near the spot where I am now 
 encamped, my advance discovered that a ravine 
 crossing the road had been occupied by the enemy 
 with artillery. I immediately ordered a battery of 
 field artillery to sweep the position, flanking and 
 sustaining it by the 3d, 4th, and 5th regiments, 
 deployed as skirmishers to the right and left. A 
 .heavy fire of artillery and of musketry was kept 
 
110 LIFE OF 
 
 up for some time, until finally the enemy's batterLs 
 were carried in succession by a squadron of dra- 
 goons and the regiments of infantry that were on 
 the ground. He was soon driven from his position, 
 and pursued by a squadron of dragoons, battalion 
 of artillery, 3d infantry, and a light battery, to the 
 river. Our victory has been complete. Eight pieces 
 of artillery, with a great quantity of ammunition, 
 three standards, and some one hundred prisoners 
 have been taken ; among the latter, General La 
 Vega, and several other officers. One general is 
 understood to have been killed. The enemy has 
 recrossed the river, and I am sure will not again 
 molest us on this bank. 
 
 The loss of the enemy in killed has been most 
 severe. Our own has been very heavy, and I deeply 
 regret to report that Lieutenant Inge, 2d dragoons, 
 Lieutenant Cochrane, 4th infantry, and Lieutenant 
 Chadbourne, 8th infantry, were killed on the field. 
 Lieutenant Colonel Payne, 4th artillery, Lieutenant 
 Colonel Mcintosh, Lieutenant Dobbins, 3d infantry ; 
 Captain Hooe and Lieutenant Fowler, 5th infantry ; 
 and Captain Montgomery, Lieutenants Gates, Sel- 
 den, McClay, Burbank, and Jordan, 8th infantry, 
 were wounded. The extent of our loss in killed 
 and wounded is not yet ascertained, and is reserved 
 for a more detailed reDort. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. Ill 
 
 The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper 
 supplement to the cannonade of yesterday ; and 
 the two, taken together, exhibit the coolness and 
 gallantry of our officers and men in the most 
 favourable light. All have done their duty, and 
 done it nobly. It will be my pride, in a more cir- 
 cumstantial report of both actions, to dwell upon 
 particular instances of individual distinction. 
 
 It affords me peculiar pleasure to report that the 
 field-work opposite Matamoras has sustained itself 
 handsomely during a cannonade and bombardment 
 of 160 hours. But the pleasure is alloyed with 
 profound regret at the loss of its heroic and indo- 
 mitable commander, Major Brown, who died to-day 
 from the effect of a shell. His loss would be a 
 severe one to the service at any time, but to the 
 army under my orders, it is indeed irreparable. One 
 officer and one non-commissioned officer killed, 
 and ten men wounded, comprise all the casualties 
 incident to this severe bombardment. 
 
 I inadvertently omitted to mention the capture 
 of a large number of pack-mules left in the Mexican 
 camp. I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. TAYLOR, 
 
 Brevet Brigadier-General 17. S. .#., Commanding. 
 
112 LIFE OP 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Bombardment of Fort Brown.— Genera} Taylor's orders.— -Death of 
 Sergeant Weigart — Mexican guns dismounted. — Reserve of fire. — 
 Precautions against shells and Bombs. — Death of Major Brown. — 
 Message from Arista. — Answer of Captain Hawkins.— Continued 
 Bombardment. — The guns of Palo Alto heard in the Fort — Resaca 
 de la Palma. — Joyful view of the fugitive Mexicans. — Pleasing 
 Incidents relating to General La Vega. 
 
 ORT BROWN, as the post opposite 
 Matamoras was now called, in honour 
 of the commander who fell in its 
 defence, had been an uneasy place 
 of shelter since General Taylor left, and 
 more than one officer who had been in 
 the active service of Palo Alto and Resaca 
 de la Palma, declared that he would rather 
 have fought fifty battles than have been shut up in 
 that fort during its bombardment. The orders of 
 General Taylor were to maintain the post at any 
 hazard, but not to risk anything by a sally ; and in 
 case the position should be surrounded to fire signal 
 guns which would notify the General of the fact. 
 The reader remembers that through the gallantry 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 113 
 
 of Captain Walker, intelligence that all was safe 
 at Fort Brown was received by General Taylor on 
 the 6th. 
 
 The garrison left in the fort was composed of 
 the seventh infantry, Captain Hawkins, and two 
 artillery companies, Lieutenant Bragg. On the 3d 
 of May, the Mexicans having learned that General 
 Taylor had marched for Point Isabel, with the 
 principal part of his force, opened a cannonade and 
 bombardment. Commencing at daylight, the fire 
 was kept up until noon. In the first fire from the 
 Mexicans, Sergeant Weigartof Captain Lee's com- 
 pany was killed. He was carried into the hospital 
 and laid upon a bed. Hardly had he been placed 
 there when a shell coming through the canvass of 
 the tent, burst near the place where the body had 
 been deposited, and in its explosion detached the 
 head of the corpse from the body, without injuring 
 any of the living occupants of the tent. While 
 very little damage was done to the garrison, the 
 whole week was one of continual harassing excite- 
 ment and hard labour. An officer in the Fort, from 
 whose narrative written to a friend we collect many 
 incidents, states that while in his tent on the morn- 
 ing of the commencement of the attack, a ball 
 struck his bed, ranged its whole length, passed 
 
114 L I F E O F 
 
 through two other tents, and buried itself in the 
 parapet. It was fortunate for this gentleman that 
 he had been that day at least an early riser. 
 
 In the beginning of the American fire two of the 
 Mexican guns, twelve-pounders, were dismounted, 
 and several of the men who were serving them were 
 killed. The fort in which they were posted was 
 soon after abandoned, but a constant fire was kept 
 up from other points. The cannonade and bom- 
 bardment, with a short cessation at noon, continued 
 briskly until dark, and was even occasionally heard 
 until midnight. But although twelve or fifteen 
 hundred shot were thrown, very little effect was 
 produced, and no life was lost, except that of the 
 sergeant already mentioned. 
 
 To return the fire of the Mexicans would have 
 been a dangerous waste of ammunition ; for the 
 garrison well understood that the Mexicans desired 
 nothing more than to provoke the Americans to an 
 expenditure of their munitions of war. The fort 
 was in hourly expectation, day and night, of being 
 attacked by storm, and the fire was therefore 
 reserved for that last extremity. Meanwhile all 
 possible precautions were taken to shelter the sol- 
 diers against bombs and shells. It was said by one 
 of the letter-writers that when General Taylor 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 115 
 
 entered Fort Brown, he found that its garrison had 
 been literally buried in the earth. Bomb-proof 
 shelters were constructed, by laying barrels of pork 
 together, placing wood across, and heaping sand 
 over the whole. Holes were dug also in the 
 ground, into which the men could plunge upon 
 occasion. When a shell was coming, the men 
 would throw themselves upon the ground ; and at 
 a sign of smoke fall from the parapet, and dive into 
 the shelters provided. The Mexicans had little 
 suspicion that all their waste of ammunition pro- 
 duced such indifferent results ; but, as has been 
 since ascertained, supposed they had killed all, or 
 nearly all the garrison. 
 
 On the morning of the 6th of May, as Major 
 Brown was standing near Captain Mansfield, direct- 
 ing the operation of the corps of engineers, his leg 
 was wounded by the explosion of a shell. Ampu- 
 tation was necessary ; but in the burrow in which 
 the wounded officer was placed, to defend his body 
 from further injury from the explosives which were 
 constantly bursting in the fort, little hope could be 
 entertained of his recovery. He died on Saturday 
 the seventh day of the bombardment, before the cry 
 of victory reached the fort. Major Brown was a 
 veteran, having entered the army as a common sol 
 
116 LIFE OF 
 
 dier, in the year 1812, at the age of twenty-five 
 He was in nearly all the battles on the Niagara in 
 J813 and 1814, and before the close of that war 
 was raised to a lieutenancy. He served through 
 the whole of the Florida war, and reached the rank 
 of Major by regular gradations. As an officer his 
 merit is briefly but strongly expressed in General 
 Taylor's despatch. He was indeed a most efficient 
 officer, uniting to indomitable courage the great 
 advantages of exact military knowledge, the result 
 of long experience. 
 
 After the wound of Major Brown, the command 
 of the fort devolved upon Captain Hawkins, of the 
 7th infantry. Large parties of mounted Mexican 
 infantry were now seen in the rear of the fort, and 
 the impression was that, having cannonaded the 
 fort so long, the enemy were now about to attempt 
 it by assault. These parties were scattered with 
 canister, but a shower of shells followed for an hour 
 or two. A parley was then sounded by the assail- 
 ants, and a white flag displayed. Two Mexican 
 officers advanced, and were received by two Ame- 
 ricans, who bore to Captain Hawkins a communi- 
 cation from General Arista. The Mexican com- 
 mander assured the Americans that General Taylor 
 could not reach them to give them succour; and that 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 117 
 
 in one hour's time, if they did not surrender, they 
 would be put to the sword. He begged them, 
 therefore, for humanity's sake, to surrender. After 
 a brief consultation, at which the officers were una- 
 nimous in their determination to defend the place 
 to the death, the following answer was returned to 
 the summons of Arista : 
 
 Head-Quarters, United States Forces, ") 
 Near Matamoras, May 6, 1846, 3 o'clock, P. M. 3 
 
 Sir: — Your humane communication has just 
 been received, and after the consideration due to 
 its importance, I must respectfully decline to sur- 
 render my forces to you. 
 
 The exact purport of your despatch I cannot feel 
 confident that I understand, as my interpreter is not 
 skilled in your language ; but if I have understood 
 you correctly, you have my reply above. 
 I am, sir, respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 E. S. HAWKINS, 
 
 Commanding U. S. forces opposite Matamoras. 
 General M. Arista, 
 Commanding Division of the North. 
 
 When this reply was received, the Mexicans 
 opened their batteries with a shower of shot and 
 shell which lasted until sunset ; and in the midst 
 
118 LIFE OF 
 
 of the fire the garrison displayed their regimental 
 colours upon different parts of the walls, in token 
 of their absolute determination to maintain the de- 
 fence to the last. The night passed quietly, but in 
 a state of vigilance, and at daylight the next morn- 
 ing the bombardment was resumed. It was kept 
 up during the whole of the 7th, with little intermis- 
 sion, until sunset. After dark, Captain Mansfield, 
 of the engineer corps, went out with one hundred 
 men and levelled a traverse which had been thrown 
 up by General Worth, on the bank of the river, lest 
 the enemy should make use of it to fire into the 
 fort. This duty was accomplished in safety before 
 midnight. 
 
 At that hour a random fire of musketry com- 
 menced in all directions upon the fort, but was not 
 returned ; and at daylight the enemy's batteries 
 again opened. During the day this work was kept 
 up with great activity, and for a portion of the time 
 fire was directed upon the fort from the north, 
 south, and west at the same instant. In a pause 
 of the Mexican batteries, the Americans heard the 
 guns of Palo Alto. Now they knew that General 
 Taylor was approaching — they could distinctly 
 hear the volleys of musketry. Hitherto they had 
 done little more in the fort than to fire often enough 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 119 
 
 to indicate that they were still alive ; now for an 
 hour or two they engaged in a brisk cannonade with 
 their assailants. 
 
 Night closed in, and the firing ceased. The gar- 
 rison were permitted to pass the first night of any- 
 thing like sleep for a week. They could not tell, 
 it is true, what had been the result of the day's 
 work ; but the facts that they were unmolested, that 
 there were no ringings of bells or other demonstra- 
 tions of triumph in Matamoras, and that the noise 
 of the firing at Palo Alto had advanced as it closed, 
 and become more distinct, all augured well ; though 
 from the known disparity of the forces engaged, the 
 garrison could not but have its misgivings. 
 
 At daylight on the ninth, the enemy's batteries 
 opened again on the fort. This day Major Brown 
 died. Soon after his death the thoughts of the 
 garrison were diverted from that event by hearing 
 the guns at Resaca de la Palma. The discharges 
 drew nearer and nearer, until between four and five 
 the garrison saw the flying Mexican cavalry making 
 for the ferry to cross to Matamoras. One of the 
 officers of the garrison sprang upon the wall at the 
 toot of the staff on which the regimental flag was 
 hoisted, and, beckoning for silence, directed three 
 cheers for the stars and stripes ; and three such 
 
120 LIFE OF 
 
 cheers were given as men in their position of deli- 
 verance and triumph only could send up. Every 
 gun from the enemy now ceased its fire ; and in a 
 little time the retreat was beaten, and the siege was 
 raised. After all the expenditure of ammunition 
 which seven days' bombarding and cannonade 
 involved, it is wonderful that only twelve or thir- 
 teen men were wounded, and two killed. 
 
 Now was the time to compare notes and relate 
 adventures. Notwithstanding the fatigue and ex- 
 haustion of all parties, we can readily imagine that 
 officers and men were busily engaged in mutual 
 descriptions. It is certain that though the soldiers 
 on the field had the most excitement, the others 
 had the opportunity for the exercise of quite as 
 much courage, and more endurance. Through the 
 whole week they were engaged in completing and 
 repairing the works which sheltered them ; isolated 
 and cut off as they were from all communication 
 with their friends, they could form no conception 
 of what would be the advantage, if any, of all this 
 exertion and suffering ; nor can we wonder if an 
 occasional doubt occurred to them, that, after all, 
 they were but protracting their resistance, until 
 ferocious in the triumph of victory over their friends, 
 the Mexican thousands would rush over the little 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. ] 2 1 
 
 garrison like an avalanche. But the contest was 
 now over. Their safety was ensured ; and their 
 confidence in old Rough and Ready made such a 
 general, with such soldiers, and with officers worthy 
 both of their chief and of their subordinates, in- 
 vincible, as they have since proved themselves on 
 other well-fought fields. 
 
 Our last two chapters have had in them so 
 much of the cruelty and carnage of war, that we 
 cannot resist the temptation to allude also to some 
 of its courtesies. We derive the narrative from the 
 correspondence of the Baltimore Republican. Gene- 
 ral La Vega, after his capture by Captain May was 
 conducted by order of that officer to Colonel 
 Twiggs. The artillery battalion commanded by 
 Colonel Childs was formed near the chapparal in a 
 square, and Colonel Twiggs sent for its commander 
 to receive the prisoner. 
 
 " Colonel Childs when he came up dismounted in 
 courtesy to General La Vega, who was on foot. 
 He then sent an order to his battalion, that the 
 prisoner should be received with the honour due 
 his rank. As soon as the General issued from the 
 chapparal, the words ' Present Arms ' were given, 
 The square 'presented arms' in perfect silence, 
 and, as he approached, not a smile of gratification, 
 (5 
 
122 LIFE OF 
 
 or a word of exultation, was seen or heard ; (so 
 much for the delicacy of the common soldier, who 
 had, perhaps, the day before, lost his nearest friend 
 by the enemy's cannon-shot.) General La Vega 
 seemed surprised at the salute, courteously and 
 slowly raised his hat, and the square was brought to 
 a shoulder. 
 
 " Colonel Childs then called from his position 
 Captain Magruder, who commanded one of the 
 companies of the square. Captain Magruder had 
 known General La Vega before, and immediately 
 insisted upon his mounting his (Captain M.'s) 
 horse. No sooner was this done, than it became 
 necessary for the battalion to move on, and Captain 
 Magruder was ordered by Colonel Childs to escort 
 the prisoner, in security, with a small command, 
 to General Taylor. Fortunately no rescue was 
 attempted, as his command was very small, and the 
 order was promptly executed, when General La 
 Vega was introduced on the field, by Captain 
 Magruder, to General Taylor. General Taylor 
 shook him warmly by the hand, and addressed to 
 him the following handsome remarks : 
 
 " ' General : I do assure you, I deeply regret that 
 this misfortune has fallen upon you. I regret it sin- 
 cerely, and I take great pleasure in returning you 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 123 
 
 the sword which you have this day worn with so 
 much gallantry,' handing him, at the same time, the 
 sword which General La Vega had yielded to Cap- 
 tain May. General La Vega made a suitable reply 
 in Spanish, and was then taken charge of by Colonel 
 Twiggs, at the Colonel's own request, and enter- 
 tained by him in the most hospitable manner, in his 
 own tent, until his departure for New Orleans." 
 
 In his despatch mentioning the departure of 
 General La Vega and other officers to New Orleans, 
 General Taylor bespeaks for them such provision as 
 may be allowed by law ; and remarks that our own 
 prisoners were treated with great kindness by the 
 Mexican officers — referring of course to Captain 
 Thornton's party, at that time the only prisoners. 
 Courtesies on his personal account were shown by 
 General Taylor to his brave and magnanimous 
 prisoner; nor did General La Vega while in this 
 country find any reason to doubt North American 
 appreciation of courage and patriotism, though in 
 an officer of the enemy. 
 
124 LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Burying the Dead— General Taylor and Commodore Conner— Prepa- 
 rations to cross to Matamoras — Armistice refused — Bloodless Cap- 
 ture — Respect to Mexican Personal Rights — General Taylor and the 
 Volunteer — Narrative of one of Captain May's Dragoons. 
 
 HE day after the battle of Resaca de 
 la Palma, Sunday, May 10th, was 
 devoted by General Taylor to the 
 burial of the dead, — a melancholy 
 &\ duty, and one whose admonitions must ap- 
 M\ peal even to the soldier's heart; suggesting 
 the hope that the day will come when the 
 teachings of the Prince of Peace will be so 
 practically acknowledged that nation shall not lift 
 up sword against nation, neither shall they learn 
 war any more. Solemn thoughts must force them- 
 selves upon those who are called to cover up from 
 the light the work of their own hands ; and there 
 is little doubt that the respect paid to the dead has 
 had a great influence in humanizing modern war- 
 fare. So may we hope that one advance upon 
 another will be made, until war itself, successively 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 125 
 
 redeemed from barbarity after barbarity, will, in a 
 Christian world, be known no more. 
 
 General Taylor sent to Matamoras for Mexican 
 surgeons to attend their own wounded, and for men 
 to bury their own dead. These measures doubtless 
 gave many a poor fellow the opportunity to receive 
 the kind attention of friends and relatives ; and 
 taught the enemy that dreadful in battle as the 
 Americans had shown themselves, they were not 
 unmindful of the dictates of mercy and humanity. 
 The exchange of Captain Thornton and his com- 
 mand was negotiated on the 11th instant; and the 
 army, on that officer's return, were entertained with 
 his account of the confidence of the Mexicans be- 
 fore the late battles that victory would perch upon 
 their banners. Indeed the engagement would seem 
 to have afforded the Americans, from the Mexican 
 superiority of force, so little chance of escape that 
 defeat would have been no disgrace to our arms ; 
 and, therefore, was the victory the more glorious. 
 The army which General Taylor met, particularly 
 after its reinforcement on the 9th, was the best ap- 
 pointed and best disciplined which Mexico had ever 
 sent into the field. To the two thousand "veterans" 
 which came into action at Resaca de la Palma, 
 
126 LIFE OF 
 
 defeat was positively a new thing, for in their intes- 
 tine wars they had always been victorious. 
 
 Measures were now to be taken for the pur- 
 suance of the triumphs so well begun. Acting 
 under orders from his government, General Taylor 
 prepared to take possession of Matamoras. For 
 this purpose he left Fort Brown to hold a commu- 
 nication with Commodore Conner at Point Isabel ; 
 and to bring up his mortars for the bombardment 
 of Matamoras. The interview between the Gene- 
 ral and the Commodore, wittily described by Mr. 
 Thorpe, in his work entitled " Our Army on the 
 Rio Grande," will amuse the reader. 
 
 " The singular simplicity that marks General 
 Taylor's personal appearance and habits, has become 
 a subjecc of universal fame. It is curious that a 
 soldier, so eminent in all the qualities of discipline, 
 should be so citizen-looking in his own appearance. 
 Commodore Conner, on the contrary, is an officer 
 that is hot only strict in his dress, but has an extra 
 nicety about it. He appears in full and splendid 
 uniform on all public occasions, being the exact 
 contrast, in this particular, of General Taylor. 
 
 " At the proper time, Commodore Conner sent 
 word to General Taylor, that he would come on 
 shore to pay him a visit of ceremony. This put 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 127 
 
 old ' Rough and Ready ' into a tremendous excite- 
 ment. If Commodore Conner had quietly come 
 up to his tent, and given him a sailor's grip, and sat 
 down on a camp-chest, and talked over matters in 
 an old-fashioned way, General Taylor would have 
 been prepared ; but, to have the most carefully- 
 dressed officer in our navy, commanding the finest 
 fleet, come in full uniform, surrounded by all the 
 glittering pomp of splendid equipments — to pay a 
 visit of ceremony, was more than General Taylor 
 had, without some effort, nerve to go through with ; 
 but, ever equal to the emergencies, he determined 
 to compliment Commodore Conner, and through 
 him the navy, by appearing in full uniform, a thing 
 his officers, associated with him for years, had never 
 witnessed. 
 
 "In the meanwhile, Commodore Conner was 
 cogitating over the most proper way to compliment 
 General Taylor. Having heard of his peculiar 
 disregard of military dress, he concluded he would 
 make the visit in a manner comporting to General 
 Taylor's habits, and consequently equipped him- 
 self in plain white drilling, and, unattended, came 
 ashore. 
 
 " The moment General Taylor heard that Com- 
 modore Conner had landed, he abandoned some 
 
128 LIFE OF 
 
 heavy work he was personally attending to about 
 the camp, and precipitately rushed into his tent, 
 delved at the bottom of an old chest, and pulled 
 out a uniform coat, that had peacefully slumbered 
 for years in undisturbed quietude, slipped himself 
 into it, in his haste fastening it so that one side of 
 the standing collar was three button-holes above the 
 other, and sat himself down as uncomfortable as 
 can well be imagined. With quiet step, and un- 
 attended, Commodore Conner presented himself at 
 General Taylor's tent. The noble representatives 
 of the army and navy shook hands, both in exceed- 
 ing astonishment at each other's personal appear- 
 ance. 
 
 " The wags of the army say, that the above 
 contains the only authentic account of General 
 Taylor's ever being ■ headed,' and that since that 
 time, he has taken to linen roundabouts, of the 
 largest dimensions, with more pertinacity than 
 ever." 
 
 Something of course must be allowed, in a narra- 
 tive like the preceding, for a little pleasant exagger- 
 ation. But as the personal appearance and manners 
 of a commander like Taylor are subjects of interest, 
 they are entitled to a place in our narrative ; and 
 indeed they constitute no small circumstances in 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 129 
 
 making up an opinion of character. Visits or 
 receptions of ceremony never, in one service, have 
 interfered with duty; and punctilious as Commo- 
 dore Conner is stated to be in the extract above 
 given, he has shown, in the landing of the troops 
 near Vera Cruz, that he can be as exact and 
 methodical in his duty as it is possible for a man 
 to be in toilet or ceremony; and the complete suc- 
 cess, and absence of accident or disaster which 
 attended the disembarkation of the army of invasion 
 under his direction, is one of the most remarkable 
 events of the war with Mexico. 
 
 Leaving nothing undone to complete the posses- 
 sion and occupation of the territory on the east of 
 the Rio Grande, General Taylor organized and 
 despatched a force which took peaceable possession 
 of Barita, a town on the Mexican bank, at which 
 it was said the Mexicans were concentrating their 
 forces for new operations upon the disputed terri- 
 tory. In this bloodless victory a portion of the 
 naval force participated. General Taylor mean- 
 while returned to Fort Brown to prosecute the 
 operations against Matamoras. 
 
 Deficiency of means had delayed any demonstra- 
 tion against the Mexican town. Had General 
 Taylor been provided with a proper ponton train, 
 
130 LIFE OF 
 
 he could instantly have followed the victory of 
 Resaca de la Palma by driving the enemy from 
 Matamoras ; but being deficient in the proper 
 appliances, he was obliged to wait a week to accu- 
 mulate small boats, and to bring up and mount 
 mortars with which to play upon the town from 
 the fort. On the evening of the 16th, all was ready; 
 and the dispositions for the order of march were 
 made. 
 
 On the morning of the 17th, the Mexican com- 
 mander made signals for a parley. His messenger 
 was received, and desired the establishment of an 
 armistice, until the governments should determine 
 the question of boundary. To this General Taylor 
 replied that the time for an armistice was passed. 
 The next request was for a suspension of hostilities ; 
 and this also General Taylor positively refused. 
 With this answer the Mexican officer retired. 
 
 The crossing was the next day effected, above 
 the town, while a diversion was made below, in the 
 direction of Barita, in case any opposition should 
 be offered by the Mexicans. None, however, was 
 attempted. Not even the show of resistance was 
 presented ; and it is said that the Mexicans on the 
 opposite banks even assisted the Americans in 
 landing from the boats. The whole manoeuvre 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 131 
 
 massed as quietly and peaceably as if it were a 
 ransportation of troops in a friendly country. One 
 fficer, a lieutenant, was accidentally drowned in 
 irossing the river; and except this, nothing occurred 
 f a disastrous nature. 
 
 While the troops were forming on the Mexican 
 >ank, he was met by a deputation of officers, 
 vho in the foregone conclusion of a surrender, 
 isked if the government property could be retained 
 >y the Mexicans. To this question, both here and 
 vhen it was repeated at the summons of the citadel 
 :o surrender, the same answer, a denial, was re- 
 urned. The Prefect on behalf of the civil autho- 
 rities, and the commander of the citadel on behalf 
 }f the military, formally surrendered. The Mexican 
 lag was hauled down and the stars and stripes ran 
 jp ; many of the Matamoras citizens joined in the 
 cheering of the American troops ; a sufficient gar- 
 rison was placed in the fort; and the army, after 
 moving through the town, drew off and encamped 
 in the vicinity, without having fired a gun in taking 
 possession. A party of troops was detached to 
 reconnoitre, and overtook a body of the retreating 
 Mexicans, twenty-two of whom they brought back 
 as prisoners. 
 
 On examining the defences, it was discovered 
 
132 LIFE ui 
 
 that General Arista had removed in his retreat all 
 the stores which could be taken away ; and caused 
 the mortars and such munitions as could not be 
 removed in the haste of departure to be thrown 
 into the wells. It was a complete evacuation 
 The precise motives which led to so peaceable a 
 yielding of the ground cannot be determined ; but 
 a leading one was doubtless the fear of risking 
 another engagement, with the troops under his 
 command so completely dispirited. Perhaps the 
 men could not have been brought up to the point 
 of resistance with any effect, and a doubly disas- 
 trous pursuit and slaughter would have occurred. 
 The disposition of the people of Matamoras, too, 
 as evinced in their reception of the American army, 
 and in their subsequent conduct, was anything but 
 favourable to the expectation that they would sub- 
 mit to the enormous sacrifice of personal rights and 
 property which a defence of the place would have 
 involved. 
 
 Perhaps some key to the fact that comparatively 
 little public property was found in Matamoras, is 
 contained in the immense booty taken in the field. 
 The Mexicans would appear from the articles left 
 behind them in their several defeats, to be quite 
 oriental in their notions of the proper camp equipage 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 133 
 
 of their commanders, although the poor privates are 
 far from sumptuously fed or clothed. The spoils 
 of Resaca de la Palma upon removal to Point 
 Isabel, made that post to borrow the language of a 
 letter-writer, quite a Mexican museum. Among 
 the articles found was Ampudia's dinner service of 
 silver. This was however not retained, but sent to 
 the owner ; and a like regard to personal property 
 was generally observed by the Americans. Orders 
 were issued to the army, upon occupying Mata- 
 moras, not to take any article without paying its 
 actual value ; and the citizens of the place were 
 permitted to prosecute their usual employments 
 without let or hindrance ; except that the selling 
 of liquors was interdicted, and as far as possible 
 suppressed. 
 
 General Taylor remained in Matamoras, wait- 
 ing for supplies, reinforcements, and the means of 
 transportation until the 5th of August. During this 
 time the only military operations consisted of the 
 taking possession of several small Mexican towns, 
 without the expenditure of life or ammunition ; 
 and with the great battles which we have yet before 
 us to describe, we cannot take note of all the inci- 
 dents of these three months ; particularly as they 
 possess comparatively no interest The Mexicans 
 
134 LIFE OF 
 
 became accustomed to their new neighbours ; and 
 on the whole derived benefit from them in the 
 market for provisions, at war prices, which the pre- 
 sence of the army created. An American news- 
 paper was established, and other strange innovations 
 were introduced ; but everything moved on in as 
 much quiet as could possibly be expected, though 
 the stringent regulations of the General could not 
 prevent all lawless acts ; and American strayers 
 who wandered in the way of danger sometimes 
 were beaten or killed by desperadoes. It is due to 
 the army, regular and volunteers, to say that their 
 conduct was with very few exceptions most exem- 
 plary. 
 
 The commanding officer appears to have kept 
 up as little form and state in Matamoras, while civil 
 and military dictator, as in his camp. A corres- 
 pondent of the Philadelphia Ledger, a volunteer, 
 relates, that while sitting on the steps waiting for 
 the post-office to open, early on the morning of his 
 arrival, an elderly gentleman, of very plain appear- 
 ance, and in citizen's dress, came up to him and 
 inquired, " to what regiment do you belong V The 
 volunteer did not know the questioner, and merely 
 replied, "to the Baltimore battalion." He rejoined, 
 «■ O, I thought you were a regular, and was about 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 135 
 
 to say that you would miss the morning parade." 
 He then walked away. 
 
 In returning to the encampment about an hour 
 after, the writer continues, I had to pass through 
 the Plaza, and there, under an old tarpaulin awning, 
 shaped like the roof of a house, I saw the same old 
 gentleman, who, seeing that I had newspapers in 
 my hand, called me to him. As I was obeying, the 
 " Orderly" stopped me and said, " No one can go to 
 the General's tent." I replied, " I don't care about 
 going, but that old man called me, and I thought I 
 would see what he wanted." The faithful fellow 
 still refused, when the old man rose up, and coming 
 from under the awning, said, "pass him in, orderly; 
 pass him in." The latter did as he was ordered, 
 remarking to me as he permitted me to pass, " that 
 is the general ; when you get up to him, take off 
 your cap." I was now before General Taylor. He 
 immediately asked, " who is your commanding 
 officer r I replied, " Col. Watson." He added, " I 
 suppose those papers are for him V I answered, 
 " no, general, they are mine." He then asked me 
 the dates, on which I handed them to him, and he 
 remarked, " I should like to read them." I replied, 
 "you can keep them, sir." He then looked over 
 them, and, handing me the weeklies, said, " I will 
 
136 LIFE OF 
 
 return the balance to Colonel Watson for you." I 
 now thought it was time for me to retire, and said, 
 " I did not know that you were the general when I 
 saw you at the post-office this morning, or I cer- 
 tainly — " He interrupted me with, " no matter, 
 my son, no matter about that." The most agree- 
 able part of this little adventure to the volunteer 
 was, that in return for his newspapers the general 
 directed the cook to furnish him with his breakfast. 
 
 At last, after weary waiting, the army was ready 
 to move. The volunteers had, in the mean time, 
 an opportunity to acquire discipline by drilling, 
 though many of them, declining to serve for a year, 
 instead of six months, were discharged and returned. 
 They had also an opportunity to learn something, 
 among men who knew, of the personal details of 
 war and fighting; and to descend from charging in 
 the mass to individual experience. As a graphic 
 picture of what may be one man's share, we copy 
 the following exciting narrative : 
 
 " On the second day, at Resaca de la Palma, our 
 troop stood anxiously waiting for the signal to be 
 given, and never had I looked upon men upon 
 whose countenances were more clearly expressed a 
 fixed determination to win. The lips of some were 
 pale with excitement, and their eyes wore that fixed 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 137 
 
 expression which betokens mischief; others with 
 shut teeth would quietly laugh and catch a tighter 
 grip of the rein, or seat themselves with care and 
 firmness in the saddle, while quiet words of con- 
 fidence and encouragement were passed from each 
 to his neighbour. All at once Captain May rode to 
 the front of his troop — every rein and sabre was 
 tightly grasped. Raising himself and pointing at 
 the battery, he shouted, * Men, follow V There 
 was now a clattering of hoofs and a rattling of 
 sabre sheaths — the fire of the enemy's guns was 
 partly drawn by Lieutenant Ridgely, and the next 
 moment we were sweeping like the wind up the 
 ravine. I was in a squad of about nine men, who 
 were separated by a shower of grape from the 
 battery, and we were in advance, May leading. He 
 turned his horse opposite the breast-work, in front 
 of the guns, and with another shout * to follow/ 
 leaped over them. Several of the horses did follow, 
 but mine, being new and not well trained, refused ; 
 two others balked, and their riders started down the 
 ravine to turn the breast-work where the rest of the 
 troop had entered. I made another attempt to 
 clear the guns with my horse, turning him around — 
 feeling all the time secure at thinking the guns dis- 
 charged — I put his head towards them and gave 
 
138 LIFE OF 
 
 him spur, but he again balked ; so, turning his head 
 down the ravine, I too started to ride round the 
 breast-work. 
 
 " As I came down, a lancer dashed at me with 
 lance in rest. With my sabre I parried his thrust, 
 only receiving a slight flesh-wound from its point 
 in the arm, which felt at the time like the prick of 
 a pin. The lancer turned and fled ; at that moment 
 a ball passed through my horse on the left side and 
 shattered my right leg. The shot killed the horse 
 instantly, and he fell upon my left leg, fastening me 
 by his weight to the earth. There I lay, right in 
 the midst of the action, where carnage was riding 
 riot, and every moment the shot, from our own and 
 the Mexican guns, tearing up the earth around me. 
 I tried to raise my horse so as to extricate my leg, 
 but I had already grown so weak with my wound 
 that I was unable, and, from the mere attempt, I 
 fell back exhausted. To add to my horror, a horse 
 which was careering about, riderless, within a few 
 yards of me, received a wound, and he commenced 
 struggling and rearing with pain. Two or three 
 times he came near falling on me, but at length, 
 with a scream of agony and a bound, he fell dead 
 — his body touching my own fallen steed. What 
 I had been in momentary dread of, now occurred — 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 139 
 
 my wounded limb, which was lying across the horse, 
 received another ball in the ankle. 
 
 " I now felt disposed to give up ; and, exhausted 
 through pain and excitement, a film gathered over 
 my eyes, which I thought was the precursor of dis- 
 solution. From this hopeless state I was aroused 
 by a wounded Mexican, calling out to me, * Bueno 
 Americana' and turning my eyes towards the spot, 
 I saw that he was holding a certificate and calling 
 to me. The tide of action now rolled away from 
 me, and hope again sprang up. The Mexican uni- 
 forms began to disappear from the chapparal, and 
 squadrons of our troops passed in sight, apparently 
 in pursuit. While I was thus nursing the prospect 
 of escape, I beheld, not far from me, a villanous- 
 looking ranchero, armed with an American Ser- 
 jeant's short sword, despatching a wounded Ameri- 
 can soldier, whose body he robbed ; the next he 
 came to was a Mexican, whom he served the same 
 way, and thus I looked on while he murderously 
 slew four. I drew an undischarged pistol from my 
 holsters, and, laying myself along my horse's neck, 
 watched him, expecting to be the next victim ; but 
 something frightened him from his vulture-like busi- 
 ness, and he fled in another direction. I need not 
 say that had he visited me I should have taken one 
 
140 LIFE OF 
 
 more shot at the enemy, and would have died con- 
 tent had I succeeded in making such an assassin 
 bite the dust. Two hours after, I had the pleasure 
 of shaking some of my comrades by the hand, who 
 were picking up the wounded. They lifted my 
 Mexican friend, too, and I am pleased to say he, as 
 well as myself, lives to fight over again the san- 
 guinary fray of Resaca de la Palma." 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 141 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Taylor a Major General. — President's Letter. — Resolutions of Con- 
 gress, and of Legislatures. — Plan of the movement against Monterey 
 — March to that City. — General Taylor's Report of the Operations 
 against New Leon. 
 
 HE appreciation of the people and 
 government of the United States of 
 the high character of the military 
 exploits of the 8th and 9th of May, 
 made known to the army in a letter 
 from the President accompanying a com- 
 mission of Major General by brevet, conferred 
 upon General Taylor. In the letter, after 
 referring to the commission conferred upon the 
 General for his gallant conduct and distinguished 
 services, the President says : 
 
 u It gave me sincere pleasure, immediately upon 
 the receipt of official intelligence from the scene 
 of your achievements, to confer upon you, by and 
 with the advice and consent of the Senate, this 
 testimonial of the estimate which your government 
 places upon your skill and gallantry. To yourself 
 
142 LIFE OF 
 
 and the brave officers and soldiers under your com- 
 mand the gratitude of the country is justly due. 
 Our army have fully sustained their deservedly high 
 reputation, and added another bright page to the 
 history of American valour and patriotism. They 
 have won new laurels for themselves and for their 
 country. My confidence in them never faltered. 
 The battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma 
 rank among our most brilliant victories, and will 
 long be remembered by the American people. 
 When all the details of these battles and of the 
 noble defence of the camp opposite to Matamoras 
 shall have been received, it will be my pleasure, as 
 it will be my grateful duty, to render to the officers 
 and men under your command suitable testimonials 
 for their conduct in the brilliant victories which a 
 superintending Providence has enabled them to 
 achieve for their country. 
 
 " In transmitting to you this commission, and in 
 communicating to the officers and soldiers under 
 your command my profound sense of their meri- 
 torious services, I but respond to the patriotic en- 
 thusiasm manifested by the people in behalf of their 
 brave defenders. Whilst my warmest thanks are 
 tendered to the survivors, the nation mourns the 
 loss of the brave officers and soldiers who fell in 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 143 
 
 defence of their country upon the field of victory. 
 Their names also shall be remembered, and appro- 
 priate honours be paid to their memory by a grateful 
 country. 
 
 " You will cause this communication to be made 
 known to the army under your command." 
 
 Congress passed resolutions, also, of high ap- 
 proval ; and the legislature of Louisiana presented 
 him with a sword ; while other states united in their 
 testimony of praise, or rather responded to the en- 
 thusiastic commendations which were everywhere 
 uttered by the press and people, in many places in 
 meetings called for the purpose. In remembering 
 the services of the general, the army and its officers, 
 regulars and volunteers, have not been passed over; 
 and so far as the praise of a nation is a reward, 
 Taylor and his officers, and the other commands in 
 Mexico, have been well remembered. Geueral 
 Taylor was, in July, appointed a Major General 
 under the act of Congress for increasing the regular 
 army. 
 
 The plan of procedure adopted by General Tay- 
 lor in his further movements, was to make Camargo, 
 on the Rio Grande, the base of his operations in- 
 stead of Matamoras, as the road between Camargo 
 and Monterey, the next place menaced, was shorter 
 
L44 LIFE OF 
 
 and more practicable than the direct route from 
 Matamoras. But he was delayed, first by the non- 
 arrival of the reinforcements on which he counted ; 
 and, next, by the lack of means of transportation. 
 These circumstances giving the Mexicans rest and 
 chance for recovery from their panic, changed what 
 might, perhaps, have been a triumphal march, into 
 a fierce and bloody contest. The arrival of Santa 
 Anna, whose conduct, if not perfidious, has been 
 inexplicable, added, no doubt, resolution to the re- 
 sistance which the Mexicans made against the 
 invading army. 
 
 On the 5th of August, General Taylor moved 
 from Matamoras toward Camargo ; and late in the 
 same month sent General Worth forward to Seralvo 
 to wait the approach of the main body. On the 
 7th of September, General Taylor left Camargo for 
 Seralvo, and from thence pushed on at once for 
 Monterey. The proceedings which resulted in the 
 capture of that city we give in General Taylor's 
 own language. 
 
 Head-Quarters Army of Occupation, "> 
 Camp near Monterey, October 9, 1816. _> 
 
 Sir : I have now the honour to submit a detailed 
 report of the recent operations before Monterey, 
 resulting in the capitulation of that city. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 145 
 
 The information received on the route from 
 Ceralvo, and particularly the continual appearance 
 in our front of the Mexican cavalry, which had a 
 slight skirmish with our advance at the village of 
 Ramas, induced the belief as we approached Mon- 
 terey, that the enemy would defend that place. 
 Upon reaching the neighbourhood of the city on 
 the morning of the 19th of September, this belief 
 was fully confirmed. It was ascertained that he 
 occupied the town in force ; that a large work had 
 been constructed commanding all the northern 
 approaches; and that the Bishop's Palace and 
 some heights in its vicinity near the Saltillo road, 
 had also been fortified and occupied with troops 
 and artillery. It was known from information pre- 
 viously received, that the eastern approaches were 
 commanded by several small works in the lower 
 edge of the city. 
 
 The configuration of the heights and gorges in 
 the direction of the Saltillo road, as visible from the 
 point attained by our advance on the morning of 
 the 19th, led me to suspect that it was practicable 
 to turn all the works in that direction, and thus cut 
 the enemy's line of communication. After esta- 
 blishing my camp at the " Walnut Springs," three 
 miles from Monterey, the nearest suitable position, 
 7 k 
 
146 LIFE OF 
 
 it was, accordingly, my first care to order a close 
 reconnoissance of the ground in question, which 
 was executed on the evening of the 19th by the 
 engineer officers under the direction of Major 
 Mansfield. A reconnoissance of the eastern ap- 
 proaches was at the same time made by C*pt. Wil- 
 liams, topographical engineers. The examination 
 made by Major Mansfield proved the entire practi- 
 cability of throwing forward a column to the Saltillo 
 road, and thus turning the position of the enemy. 
 Deeming this to be an operation of essential im- 
 portance, orders were given to Brevet Brigadier 
 General Worth, commanding the second division, 
 to march with his command on the 20th ; to turn 
 the hill of the Bishop's Palace ; to occupy a position 
 on the Saltillo road ; and to carry the enemy's de- 
 tached works in that quarter, where practicable. 
 The first regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, 
 under command of Colonel Hays, was associated 
 with the second division on this service. Captain 
 Sanders, engineers, and Lieutenant Meade, topo- 
 graphical engineers, were also ordered to report to 
 General Worth for duty with his column. 
 
 At 2 o'clock, P. M., on the 20th, the second 
 division took up its march. It was soon discovered, 
 by officers who were reconnoitring the town, and 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 147 
 
 communicated to General Worth, that its move- 
 ment had been perceived, and that the enemy was 
 throwing reinforcements toward the Bishop's Palace 
 and the height which commands it. To divert his 
 attention as far as practicable, the first division, 
 under Brigadier General Twiggs, and field division 
 of volunteers, under Major General Butler, were 
 displayed in front of the town until dark. Arrange- 
 ments were made at the same time to place in bat- 
 tery during the night, at a suitable distance from 
 the enemy's main work, the citadel, two 24 pounder 
 howirzers, and a 10 inch mortar, with a view to 
 open a fire on the following day, when I proposed 
 to make a diversion in favour of General Worth's 
 movement. The 4th infantry covered this battery 
 during the night. General Worth had in the mean 
 time reached and occupied for the night, a defensive 
 position just without range of a battery above the 
 Bishop's Palace, having made a reconnoissance as 
 far as the Saltillo road. 
 
 Before proceeding to report the operations of the 
 21st and following days, I beg leave to state that I 
 shall mention in detail only those which were con- 
 ducted against the eastern extremity of the city, or 
 elsewhere, under my immediate direction, referring 
 you for the particulars of General Worth's opera- 
 
148 LIFE f 
 
 tions, which were entirely detached, to his own full 
 report transmitted herewith. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 21st, I received a 
 note from General Worth, written at half-past 9 
 o'clock the night before, suggesting what I had al- 
 ready intended, a strong diversion against the centre 
 and left of the town to favour his enterprise against 
 the heights in rear. The infantry and artillery of 
 the first division, and the field division of volun- 
 teers, were ordered under arms and took the direc- 
 tion of the city, leaving one company of each 
 regiment as a camp guard. The 2d dragoons, 
 under Lieutenant Colonel May, and Colonel Wood's 
 regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, under the 
 immediate direction of General Henderson, were 
 directed to the right to support General Worth, if 
 necessary, and to make an impression, if practicable, 
 upon the upper quarter of the city. Upon approach- 
 ing the mortar battery, the 1st and 3d regiments of 
 infantry and battalion of Baltimore and Washing- 
 ton volunteers, with Captain Bragg's field battery — 
 the whole under the command of Lieutenant Colonel 
 Garland — were directed towards the lower part of 
 the town, with orders to make a strong demonstra- 
 tion, and carry one of the enemy's advanced works, 
 if it could be done without too heavy loss. Major 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 149 
 
 Mansfield, engineers, and Captain Williams, and 
 Lieutenant Pope, topographical engineers, accom- 
 panied this column, Major Mansfield being charged 
 with its direction, and the designation of points of 
 attack. In the mean time the mortar, served by 
 Captain Ramsay, of the ordnance, and the howitzer 
 battery under Captain Webster, 1st artillery, had 
 opened their fire upon the citadel, which was deli- 
 berately sustained, and answered from the work. 
 General Butler's division had now taken up a 
 position in rear of this battery, when the discharges 
 of artillery, mingled finally with a rapid fire of 
 small-arms, showed that Lieutenant Garland's com- 
 mand had become warmly engaged. I now deemed 
 it necessary to support this attack, and accordingly 
 ordered the 4th infantry and three regiments of 
 General Butler's division to march at once by the 
 left flank in the direction of the advanced work at 
 the lower extremity of the town, leaving one regi- 
 ment (]st Kentucky) to cover the mortar and 
 howitzer battery. By some mistake, two com- 
 panies of the 4th infantry did not receive this order, 
 and consequently did not join the advance com- 
 panies until some time afterwards. 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Garland's command had 
 approached the town in a direction to the right 
 
1 50 LIFE OF 
 
 of the advanced work (No. 1.) at the north-east- 
 ern angle of the city, and the engineer officer, 
 covered by skirmishers, had succeeded in entering 
 the suburbs and gaining cover. The remainder of 
 this command now advanced and entered the town 
 under a heavy fire of artillery from the citadel and 
 the works on the left, and of musketry from the 
 houses and small works in front. A movement to 
 the right was attempted with a view to gain the 
 rear of No. 1, and carry that work ; but the troops 
 were so much exposed to a fire which they could 
 not effectually return, and had already sustained 
 such severe loss, particularly in officers, that it was 
 deemed best to withdraw them to a more secure 
 position. Captain Backus, 1st infantry, however, 
 and a portion of his own and other companies, had 
 gained the roof of a tannery, which looked directly 
 into the gorge of No. 1, and from which he poured 
 a most destructive fire into that work and upon the 
 strong building in its rear. This fire happily coin- 
 cided in point of time with the advance of a portion 
 of the volunteer division upon No. 1, and contri- 
 buted largely to the fall of that strong and important 
 work. 
 
 The three regiments of the volunteer division 
 under the immediate command of Major General 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 15] 
 
 Butler, had in the mean time advanced in the direc- 
 tion of No. 1. The leading brigade, under Briga- 
 dier General Quitman, continued its advance upon 
 that work, preceded by three companies of the 4th 
 infantry, while General Butler, with the 1st Ohio 
 regiment, entered the town to the right. The 
 companies of the 4th infantry had advanced within 
 short range of the work, when they were received 
 by a fire that almost in one moment struck down 
 one-third of the officers and men, and rendered it 
 necessary to retire and effect a conjunction with 
 the two other companies then advancing. General 
 Quitman's brigade, though suffering most severely, 
 particularly in the Tennessee regiment, continued 
 its advance, and finally carried the work in hand- 
 some style, as well as the strong building in its 
 rear. Five pieces of artillery, a considerable sup- 
 ply of ammunition, and thirty prisoners, including 
 three officers, fell into their hands. Major General 
 Butler, with the 1st Ohio regiment, after entering 
 the edge of the town, discovered that nothing was 
 to be accomplished in his front, and at this point, 
 yielding to the suggestions of several officers, I 
 ordered a retrograde movement; but learning 
 almost immediately from one of my staff that the 
 batterv No. 1 was in our possession, the order was 
 
152 LIFE OF 
 
 countermanded ; and I determined to hold the bat- 
 tery' and defences already gained. General Butler 
 with the ]st Ohio regiment, then entered the town 
 at a point farther to the left, and marched in the 
 direction of the battery No. 2. While making an 
 examination with a view to ascertain the possibility 
 of carrying this second work by storm, the general 
 was wounded and soon after compelled to quit the 
 field. As the strength of No. 2, and the heavy 
 musketry fire flanking the approach, rendered it 
 impossible to carry it without great loss, the 1st 
 Ohio regiment was withdrawn from the town. 
 
 Fragments of the various regiments engaged 
 were now under cover of the captured battery and 
 some buildings in its front, and on the right. The 
 field batteries of Captains Bragg and Ridgely were 
 also partially covered by the battery. An incessant 
 fire was kept up on this position from battery No. 
 2, and other works on its right, and from the citadel 
 on all our approaches. General Twiggs, though 
 quite unwell, joined me at this point, and was in- 
 strumental in causing the artillery captured from 
 the enemy to be placed in battery, and served by 
 Captain Ridgely against No. 2, until the arrival of 
 Captain Webster's howitzer battery, which took 
 its place. In the mean time, I directed such men 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 153 
 
 as could be collected of the 1st, 3d, and 4th regi- 
 ments, and Baltimore battalion, to enter the town, 
 penetrating to the right, and carry the 2d battery 
 ' if possible. This command, under Lieutenant 
 Colonel Garland, advanced beyond the bridge 
 " Purisima," when, finding it impracticable to gain 
 the rear of the 2d battery, a portion of it sustained 
 themselves for some time in that advanced position; 
 but as no permanent impression could be made at 
 that point, and the main object of the general ope- 
 ration had been effected, the command, including a 
 section of Captain Ridgely's battery, which had 
 joined it, was withdrawn to battery No. 1. During 
 the absence of this column, a demonstration of 
 cavalry was reported in the direction of the citadel. 
 Captain Bragg, who was at hand, immediately gal- 
 lopped with his battery to a suitable position, from 
 which a few discharges effectually dispersed the 
 enemy. Captain Miller, 1st infantry, was des- 
 patched with a mixed command, to support the 
 battery on this service. The enemy's lancers had 
 previously charged upon the Ohio and a part of the 
 Mississippi regiment, near some fields at a distance 
 from the edge of the town, and had been repulsed 
 with a considerable loss. A demonstration of cav- 
 alry on the opposite side of the river was also dis 
 
154 LIFE OF 
 
 persed in the course of the afternoon by Captain , 
 Ridgely's battery, and the squadrons returned to 
 the city. At the approach of evening, all the troops 
 that had been engaged were ordered back to camp, 
 except Captain Ridgely's battery, and the regular 
 infantry of the 1st division, who were detailed as a 
 guard for the works during the night, under com- 
 mand of Lieutenant Colonel Garland. One batta- 
 lion of the 1st Kentucky regiment was ordered to 
 reinforce this command. Intrenching tools were 
 procured, and additional strength was given to the 
 works, and protection to the men, by working par- 
 ties during the night, under the direction of Lieu- 
 tenant Scarritt, engineers. 
 
 The main object proposed in the morning had 
 been effected. A powerful diversion had been made 
 to favour the operations of the 2d division, one of 
 the enemy's advanced works had been carried, and 
 we now had a strong foot-hold in the town. But 
 this had not been accomplished without a heavy 
 loss, embracing some of our gallant and promising 
 officers. Captain Williams, topographical engineers, 
 Lieutenants Terrett and Dilworth, 1st infantry, 
 Lieutenant Woods, 2d infantry, Captains Morris 
 and Field, Brevet Major Barbour, Lieutenants 
 Irwin and Hazlitt, 3d infantry, Lieutenant Hos- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 155 
 
 ins, 4th infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Watson, Bal- 
 more battalion, Captain Allen and Lieutenant 
 utnam, Tennessee regiment, and Lieutenant Hett, 
 fhio regiment, were killed, or have since died of 
 
 ounds received in this engagement; while the 
 umber and rank of the officers wounded gives addi- 
 onal proof of the obstinacy of the contest, and 
 le good conduct of our troops. The number of 
 illed and wounded incident to the operations in 
 le lower part of the city on the 21st is 394. 
 
 Early in the morning of this day, (21st,) the ad- 
 ance of the 2d division had encountered the enemy 
 l force, and after a brief but sharp conflict, repulsed 
 im with heavy loss. General Worth, then suc- 
 eeded in gaining a position on the Saltillo road, 
 hus cutting the enemy's line of communication. 
 Prom this position the two heights south of the 
 Saltillo road were carried in succession, and the gun 
 aken in one of them turned upon the Bishop's 
 
 alace. These important successes were fortunately 
 )btained with comparatively small loss; Captain 
 VtcKavett, 8th infantry, being the only officer killed. 
 The 22d day of September passed without any 
 ictive operations in the lower part of the city. The 
 
 itadel and other works continued to fire at parties 
 
 xposed to their range, and at the work now occu- 
 
156 LIFE OF 
 
 pied by our troops. The guard left in it the pre- 
 ceding night, except Captain Ridgely's company, 
 was relieved at mid-day by General Quitman's 
 brigade : Captain Bragg's battery was thrown undei 
 cover in front of the town to repel any demonstra- 
 tion of cavalry in that quarter. At dawn of dayf 
 the height above the Bishop's Palace was carried, 
 and soon after meridian, the Palace itself was taken 
 and its guns turned upon the fugitive garrison. Th 
 object for which the 2d division was detached ha 
 thus been completely accomplished, and I felt con 
 fident that with a strong force occupying the roa 
 and heights in his rear, and a good position belo 
 the city in our possession, the enemy could not pos 
 sibly maintain the town. 
 
 During the night of the 22d, the enemy evacuate 
 nearly all his defences in the lower part of the city 
 This was reported to me early in the morning o 
 the 23d, by General Quitman, who had ahead 
 meditated an assault upon those works. I immedi 
 ately sent instructions to that officer, leaving it t 
 his discretion to enter the city, covering his men by 
 the houses and walls, and advance carefully as far 
 as he might deem prudent. After ordering the re- 
 mainder of the troops as a reserve, under the orders 
 of Brigadier General Twiggs, I repaired to the 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 157 
 
 abandoned works, and discovered that a portion of 
 General Quitman's brigade had entered the town, 
 und were successfully forcing their way towards the 
 principal plaza. I then ordered up the 2d regiment 
 of Texas mounted volunteers, who entered the city, 
 dismounted, and, under the immediate orders of 
 General Henderson, co-operated with General Quit- 
 man's brigade. Captain Bragg's battery was also 
 ordered up, supported by the 3d infantry ; and after 
 firing for some time at the cathedral, a portion of it 
 was likewise thrown into the city. Our troops ad- 
 vanced from house to house, and from square to 
 square, until they reached a street but one square in 
 rear of the principal plaza, in and near which the 
 enemy's force was mainly concentrated. This ad- 
 vance was conducted vigorously, but with due 
 caution, and although destructive to the enemy, was 
 attended with but small loss on our part. Captain 
 Ridgely, in the mean time, had served a captured 
 piece in battery No. 1, against the city, until the 
 advance of our men rendered it imprudent to fire in 
 the direction of the cathedral. I was now satisfied 
 that we could operate successfully in the city, and 
 that the enemy had retired from the lower portion 
 of it to make a stand behind his barricades. As 
 General Quitman's brigade had been on duty the 
 
158 LIFE OF 
 
 previous night, I determined to withdraw the troops 
 to the evacuated works, and concert with General 
 Worth a combined attack upon the town. The 
 troops accordingly fell back deliberately, in good 
 order, and resumed their original positions, General 
 Quitman's brigade being relieved after nightfall by 
 that of General Hamer. On my return to camp, I 
 met an officer with the intelligence that General 
 Worth, induced by the firing in the lower part of 
 the city, was about making an attack at the upper 
 extremity, which had also been evacuated by the 
 enemy to a considerable distance. I regretted that 
 this information had not reached me before leaving 
 the city, but still deemed it inexpedient to change 
 my orders, and accordingly returned to the camp. 
 A note from General Worth, written at 11 o'clock, 
 P. M., informed me that he had advanced to within 
 a short distance of the principal plaza, and that the 
 mortar (which had been sent to his division in the 
 morning) was doing good execution within effective 
 range of the enemy's position. 
 
 Desiring to make no further attempt upon the 
 city without complete concert as to the lines and 
 mode of approach, I instructed that officer to sus- 
 pend his advance until I could have an interview 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 159 
 
 with him on the following morning at his head- 
 quarters. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 24th, I received, 
 through Colonel Moreno, a communication from 
 General Ampudia, proposing to evacuate the town ; 
 which, with the answer, were forwarded with my 
 first despatch. I arranged with Colonel Moreno a 
 cessation of fire until twelve o'clock, at which hour 
 I would receive the answer of the Mexican general 
 at General Worth's head-quarters, to which I soon 
 repaired. In the mean time, General Ampudia had 
 signified to General Worth his desire for a personal 
 interview with me, to which I acceded, and which 
 finally resulted in a capitulation, placing the town 
 and the material of war, with certain exceptions, in 
 our possession. A copy of that capitulation was 
 transmitted with my first despatch. 
 
 Upon occupying the city, it was discovered to 
 be of great strength in itself, and to have its 
 approaches carefully and strongly fortified. The 
 town and works were armed with forty-two pieces 
 of cannon, well supplied with ammunition, and 
 manned with a force of at least 7000 troops of the 
 line, and from 2000 to 3000 irregulars. The force- 
 under my orders before Monterey, as exhibited by 
 the accompanying return, was 425 officers, and 
 
160 LIFE OF 
 
 6220 men. Our artillery consisted of one 10 inch 
 mortar, two 24-pounder howitzers, and four light 
 field batteries of four guns each — the mortar being 
 the only piece suitable to the operations of a siege. 
 
 Our toss is twelve officers and one hundred and 
 eight men killed; thirty-one officers and three hun- 
 dred and thirty-seven men wounded. That of the 
 enemy is not known, but is believed considerably 
 to exceed our own. 
 
 I take pleasure in bringing to the notice of the 
 government the good conduct of the troops, both 
 regulars and volunteers, which has been conspicuous 
 throughout the operations. I am proud to bear 
 testimony to their coolness and constancy in battle, 
 and the cheerfulness with which they have submit- 
 ted to exposure and privation. To the general 
 officers commanding divisions — Major Generals 
 Butler and Henderson, and Brigadier Generals 
 Twiggs and Worth — I must express my obligations 
 for the efficient aid which they have rendered in 
 their respective commands. I was unfortunately 
 deprived, early on the 21st, of the valuable services 
 of Major General Butler, who was disabled by a 
 wound received in the attack on the city. Major 
 General Henderson, commanding the Texan vol- 
 unteers, has given me important aid in the organi- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 161 
 
 zation of the command, and its subsequent opera- 
 tions. Brigadier General Twiggs rendered import- 
 ant services with his division, and as the second in 
 command after Major General Butler was disabled. 
 Brigadier General Worth was intrusted with an 
 important detachment which rendered his opera- 
 tions independent of my own. These operations 
 were conducted with ability, and crowned with 
 complete success. 
 
 I desire also to notice Brigadier Generals Hamer 
 and Quitman, commanding brigades in General 
 Butler's division. Lieutenant Colonels Garland 
 and Wilson, commanding brigades in General 
 Twiggs' division. Colonels Mitchell, Campbell, 
 Davis and Wood, commanding the Ohio, Tennes- 
 see, Mississippi, and 2d Texas regiments, respec- 
 tively, and Majors Lear, Allen, and Abercrombie, 
 commanding the 3d, 4th, and 1st regiments of in- 
 fantry ; all of whom served under my eye, and 
 conducted their commands with coolness and gal- 
 lantry against the enemy. Colonel Mitchell, 
 Lieutenant Colonel McClung, Mississippi regiment, 
 Major Lear, 3d infantry, and Major Alexander, 
 Tennessee regiment, were all severely wounded, as 
 were Captain Lamotte, 1st infantry, Lieutenant 
 Graham, 4th infantry, Adjutant Armstrong, Ohio 
 
162 LIFE OF 
 
 regiment, Lieutenants Seudder and Allen, Tennes- 
 see regiment, and Lieutenant Howard, Mississippi 
 regiment, while leading their men against the ene- 
 my's position, on the 21st and 23d. After the fall 
 of Colonel Mitchell, the command of the 1st Ohio 
 regiment devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel Weller ; 
 that of the 3d infantry, after the fall of Major Lear, 
 devolved in succession upon Captain Bainbridge 
 and Captain Henry, the former being also wound- 
 ed. The following named officers have been 
 favourably noticed by their commanders : Lieute- 
 nant Colonel Anderson, and Adjutant Heiman, 
 Tennessee regiment ; Lieutenant Colonel McClung, 
 Captains Cooper and Downing, Lieutenants Patter- 
 son, Calhoun, Moore, Russell, and Cook, Mississippi 
 regiment ; also Sergeant Major Hearlan, Mississippi 
 regiment, and Major Price, and Captain J. Smith, 
 unattached but serving with it. I beg leave also to 
 call attention to the good conduct of Captain John- 
 ston, Ohio regiment, and Lieutenant Hooker, 1st 
 artillery, serving on the staff of General Hamer, and 
 of Lieutenant Nichols, 2d artillery, on that of Gene- 
 ral Quitman. Captains Bragg and Ridgely served 
 with their batteries during the operations under my 
 own observation, and in part under my immediate 
 orders, and exhibited distinguished skill and gal- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 163 
 
 lantry. Captain Webster, 1st artillery, assisted by 
 Lieutenants Donaldson and Bowen, rendered good 
 service with the howitzer battery, which was much 
 exposed to the enemy's fire on the 2]st. 
 
 From the nature of the operations, the 2d dra- 
 goons were not brought into action, but were use- 
 fully employed under the direction of Lieutenant 
 Colonel May, as escorts, and in keeping open our 
 communications. The 1st Kentucky regiment was 
 also prevented from participating in the action of 
 the 21st, but rendered highly important services 
 under Colonel Ormsby, in covering the mortar bat- 
 tery, and holding in check the enemy's cavalry 
 during the day. 
 
 I have noticed above the officers whose conduct 
 either fell under my immediate eye, or is noticed 
 only in minor reports which are not forwarded. For 
 further mention of individuals, I beg leave to refer 
 to the reports of division commanders, herewith 
 respectfully transmitted. I fully concur in their 
 recommendations, and desire that they be considered 
 as a part of my own report. 
 
 From the officers of my personal staff, and of the 
 engineers, topographical engineers, and ordnance 
 associated with me, I have derived valuable and 
 efficient assistance during the operations. Colonel 
 
164 LIFE OF 
 
 Whiting, assistant quartermaster general, Colonels 
 Croghan and Belknap, inspectors general, Major 
 Bliss, assistant adjutant general, Captain Sibley, 
 assistant quartermaster, Captain Waggaman, com- 
 missary of subsistence, Captain Eaton and Lieute- 
 nant Garnett, aids-de-camp, and Majors Kirby and 
 Van Buren, pay department, served near my person, 
 and were ever prompt, in all situations, in the com- 
 munication of my orders and instructions. I must 
 express my particular obligations to Brevet Major 
 Mansfield and Lieutenant Scarrit, corps of engi- 
 neers. They both rendered most important services 
 in reconnoitring the enemy's positions, conducting 
 troops in attack, and strengthening the works cap- 
 tured from the enemy. Major Mansfield, though 
 wounded on the 21st, remained on duty during that 
 and the following day, until confined by his wound 
 to camp. Captain Williams, topographical engi- 
 neers, to my great regret and the loss of the service, 
 was mortally wounded while fearlessly exposing 
 himself in the attack of the 21st. Lieutenant Pope, 
 of the same corps, was active and zealous through- 
 out the operations. Major Munroe, chief of the 
 artillery, Major Craig and Captain Ramsay, of the 
 ordnance, were assiduous in the performance of 
 their proper duties. The former superintended 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 165 
 
 their mortar service on the 22d, as particularly men- 
 tioned in the report of General Worth, to which I 
 also refer for the services of the engineer and topo- 
 graphical officers detached with the second division. 
 Surgeon Craig, medical director, was actively 
 employed in the important duties of his department, 
 and the medical staff generally were unremitting in 
 their attention to the numerous wounded — their 
 duties with the regular regiments being rendered 
 uncommonly arduous by the small number serving 
 
 in the field. 
 ********* 
 
 Z. TAYLOR, 
 
 Major General U. S. A., Commanding. 
 
 The Adjutant General of the Army, "> 
 Washington, D. C. 3 
 
 The last paragraph of the despatch, which we 
 have omitted, is a reference to certain maps and 
 documents, forwarded with it. 
 
166 LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Terms of the Capitulation. — Remarks upon the Plan of the Advance 
 against Monterey. — General Worth. — Review of his past Services. — 
 Character of his operations at Monterey. — Heroic Deeds of the 
 21st — Storming of the Palace Heights on the 22d. — Operations 
 of the 23d. — Interval between the Battles of Monterey and Buena 
 Vista. 
 
 HE terms of capitulation by which 
 Monterey surrendered to the Ame- 
 rican commander were, briefly, as 
 follows : That the officers should be 
 allowed to march out with their side-arms ; 
 that the cavalry and infantry should be 
 allowed to march out with their arms and 
 accoutrements ; that the artillery should be 
 allowed to march out with one battery of six pieces 
 and twenty-one rounds of ammunition ; that all 
 other munitions of war and supplies should be 
 turned over to a board of American officers appointed 
 to receive them ; that the Mexican army should be 
 allowed seven days to evacuate the city, and that 
 the American troops should not occupy it until 
 evacuated ; that the cathedral fort or citadel should 
 
IgBfc 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 167 
 
 be evacuated at 10 A. M. next day, the 25th. The 
 Mexicans were then to march out, and the Ameri- 
 can garrison to march in. The Mexicans were 
 allowed to salute their flag when hauled down ; 
 that there should be an armistice of eight weeks, 
 during which time neither army should pass a line 
 running from the Rinconada through Linares and 
 San Fernando. 
 
 These terms were the subject of some animad- 
 version, when they were received in the United 
 States ; but the event has proved their wisdom and 
 excellent policy. They saved on the part of the 
 ! Mexicans a great part of the exasperation of defeat, 
 ! and crowned the conquest of arms with the more 
 potent victory of magnanimity. The people were 
 i persuaded to the inference and belief, the procla- 
 ! mations of the authorities to the contrary notwith- 
 standing, that the war was against the government, 
 and not against the nation ; that it was one waged 
 for the establishment of certain rights and principles 
 claimed by the Americans, and not a war against 
 religion, or an incursion for plunder. But above all 
 are the moderate terms upon which the armistice 
 was arranged to be commended, because they saved 
 humanity the horrors of an assault and the sacking 
 of the city. In such an event as the carrying of a 
 
168 LIFE OF 
 
 town by storm, it has ever been the case that the 
 most disgusting horrors of warfare have occurred ; 
 and that the dearest rights and the most sacred 
 duties of human nature, and of Christian obliga- 
 tion, have been outraged. To the high honour of 
 General Taylor and his officers let it be recorded 
 that to the inevitable terrors of war temptations 
 like those of a city carried at the point of the bayo- 
 net were not added ; and that our soldiers took 
 possession of Monterey like men with human feel- 
 ings, instead of rushing in with passions excited by 
 the ardour of resistance, and with their finer feel- 
 ings blunted and forgotten in the triumph of a 
 furious and costly victory, disputed to the last inch, 
 by the desperate terror of a population maddened 
 by despair. 
 
 In the preceding chapter we have given the cool 
 and methodical account of the engagement fur- 
 nished by General Taylor: upon that modest narra- 
 tive we shall in this chapter add some of the most 
 remarkable incidents which are given by others, 
 but could not be included in the grave relation of 
 an official paper. Certain omissions are noticed 
 in that report, for the filling up of which General 
 Taylor refers to other documents. For these 
 entire, we cannot find space ; nor would their 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 169 
 
 necessarily mechanical character of detail interest 
 our readers ; but we have endeavoured to embody 
 all the facts of public importance which ihey con- 
 tain, and all the circumstances for which our plan 
 and limits afford scope. A large book might be 
 prepared out of the material furnished by the single 
 affair of Monterey alone. 
 
 The general plan of the attack appears to have 
 been arranged as follows: The first division of 
 regulars, General Twiggs, and the volunteer division, 
 General Butler, were to approach the eastern side 
 of the town, where batteries had been erected to 
 defend its approaches, and where, as the streets 
 were entered, it was found that every house, if 
 in a practicable situation, was a citadel. To the 
 second division, under General Worth, was com- 
 mitted the difficult and highly important work of 
 taking possession of the Bishop's Palace, the fort 
 and heights which commanded the town on the 
 west. While the army in Texas was a mere army 
 of occupation ; and few in Texas or in the United 
 States deemed that actual hostilities would occur, a 
 point of military pride induced General Worth to 
 send in the resignation of his commission, after 
 rising from the ranks in 1812 to the brevet rank of 
 Brigadier General. He distinguished himself by 
 
170 LIFE OF 
 
 all the qualities which mark the soldier in the war 
 of 1812, and was one of the most efficient and 
 laborious officers in the Florida campaign. Sensi- 
 tive as brave, he resigned his commission, as we 
 have already stated, in 1846. Whatever may be 
 said of the cause of this act, he deeply regretted it 
 when he found that it had debarred him partici- 
 pation in the engagements of Palo Alto and Resaca 
 de la Falrua; and waiving all punctilio, withdrew 
 his resignation, and hurried to Matamoras to share 
 the dangers and the glories of his victorious coun- 
 trymen. In the battle of Monterey, his duty, as it 
 was most responsible, was most difficult ; and it was 
 so performed, that to General Worth and his gal- 
 lant command belongs the high honour of an im- 
 portant share in that engagement. And we may 
 here observe, to his high credit as a conscientious 
 man, that though naturally burning to distinguish 
 himself, after the unfortunate step taken in his 
 resignation, he did not expose his command to 
 unnecessary danger for the vain purpose of cover- 
 ing himself with the eclat of a brilliant operation ; 
 but united to his courage the prudence of a veteran, 
 and made his advances with as much circumspection 
 and care, as if he had been unstung by any inter- 
 ruption in the routine of his service. General 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 171 
 
 Worth the man — outshone General Worth the 
 soldier — for he sacrificed none of his troops to any 
 purpose of personal distinction ; and in this respect 
 he towers above many commanders whose names 
 have long been synonymes for all that is desperate 
 in courage and brilliant in victory. 
 
 On the 20th, General Worth moved toward the 
 Saltillo road, on the west of the town. It was now 
 discovered that two heights west of the Bishop's 
 palace had been occupied and fortified. Beside 
 these two, the eminence on which the palace stands 
 was occupied above that edifice ; adjoining it is a 
 fort ; and the building itself was very strongly de- 
 fended. The day's work of the 21st was to take 
 the two heights first mentioned. In this dashing 
 service, the Texan Rangers and Louisiana volun- 
 teers did efficient service with the regular troops. 
 On taking possession of these heights, the guns on 
 that nearest the palace were immediately turned 
 against their former owners. 
 
 On the 22d, at day-break, a detachment consist- 
 ing of artillery, infantry, and Texans, the whole 
 under command of Colonel Childs, was ordered to 
 take possession of the heights above the palace. 
 The movement was made with such secresy that 
 the assailants were within a hundred yards of the 
 
172 L I f e o F 
 
 breastwork before they were perceived; and tbe 
 tbree first of the storming-party rushing too fast, 
 found themselves in the hands of the Mexicans. 
 They surrendered, but were killed with their own 
 arms. The labour of this assault, climbing in the 
 face of the enemy, was of itself most desperate. To 
 divert the attention of the castle and palace, a 
 movement was made in another direction, by the 
 7th infantry, who had bivouacked on one of the 
 heights taken on the day before. They marched 
 down from the hill with cheers, and drew the fire 
 from the palace, while the command of Colonel 
 Childs, supported by reinforcements, was carrying 
 the hill above them. An officer of the army who 
 was with the division engaged in town, says that at 
 the grey of dawn he witnessed from his position the 
 storming of the heights. The first intimation was 
 the discharge of musketry near the top of the hill. 
 "Each flash looked like an electric spark. The 
 flashes and the white smoke ascended the hill-side 
 as steadily as if worked by machinery. The dark 
 space between the apex of the height and the curl- 
 ing smoke of the musketry grew less and less, 
 until the whole became enveloped in smoke, and 
 we knew that our gallant troops had carried it. It 
 was a glorious sight, and quite warmed our cold and 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 173 
 
 chilled bodies." The reader will imagine how 
 much they needed warmth, when he is reminded 
 that these soldiers had lain all night in the rain 
 upon the ground, all without blankets, and many in 
 their shirt-sleeves. The division under General 
 Worth, whose exploits we have been relating, left 
 the camp with only two days' rations, much of 
 which scanty supply was spoiled by the rain, and 
 climbed and fought for forty-eight hours, many of 
 them without any food except raw corn. A howit- 
 zer was carried — fairly lifted upon the heights 
 above the palace, and opened upon the edifice, 
 which was filled with troops. The Mexicans 
 charged upon it, but were repulsed. It opened a 
 plunging fire upon the palace ; while the fire of 
 musketry was also hotly kept up. 
 
 About noon the Mexican cavalry deployed before 
 the palace, and made an attempt to charge the skir- 
 mishers. Captain Vinton repulsed them with his 
 light troops, and prevented many from re-entering, 
 rushing in themselves at every opening. At the 
 same moment a charge was ordered — and through 
 a breach made by the howitzer the gallant troops 
 rushed in, and in a short time the formidable palace, 
 and the fort adjoining its walls, were clear of every 
 Mexican. In this assault the killed on the side of 
 
174 LIFE OF 
 
 the Americans were seven, and the wounded 
 twelve ; the Mexicans losing thirty killed, at least. 
 
 On the morning of the 23d, General Worth com- 
 menced firing into the city its own ammunition, 
 and a fire was also opened from one of the heights 
 taken on the 21st. A ten-inch mortar had been 
 received from General Taylor, and now General 
 Worth, having driven in the enemy from their outer 
 works, entered the city from the western side. 
 Through this day the division under General 
 Worth were engaged in street skirmishes, forcing 
 their way into the city, every step being disputed, 
 and every house a fortification. At night the 
 Americans took possession of a Plaza or square, 
 occupying the houses on both sides, and playing 
 with bombs upon the enemy. The Mexicans were 
 now driven as far before Worth's division as they 
 could go without falling into the hands of General 
 Taylor, on the other side. All the defensive works 
 were taken except the citadel, near the centre of 
 the place ; and the Mexican troops were now prin- 
 cipally posted in the main Plaza, or square. The 
 Texans and Mississippians worked with pickaxes, 
 opening their path toward the principal position 
 of the enemy. But slight obstructions still remained 
 on the morning of the 24th. Through the night 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 175 
 
 of the 23d these sappers were busy, and by morn- 
 ing had travelled through a whole street ; and had 
 erected a battery, which, upon throwing down the 
 slight walls which concealed it from the Plaza, 
 would have poured into the Mexicans with most 
 terrific effect. At this point proceedings were sus- 
 pended by the conference between Generals Taylor 
 and Ampudia. 
 
 Our limits preclude farther details ; and from the 
 official report of General Taylor and the sketch we 
 have given of the operations of General Worth, 
 the reader will gather how an army of less than 
 seven thousand men, many of them volunteers, took 
 a strong city, defended by at least seven thousand 
 regulars, and nearly as many irregular troops, strongly 
 fortified in their position, and contending for the 
 defence of their country. We should be pleased 
 farther to particularise the instances of individual 
 gallantry ; but must dismiss this part of the subject 
 with the remark that the operations of the besiegers 
 exhibit no instance of any other than gallant con- 
 duct. Defection or cowardice would have ruined 
 the enterprise. The hardihood and patient en- 
 durance of labour and of suffering which our troops 
 displayed, merit the high encomiums which have 
 been paid them by their several officers ; and which 
 
176 LIFE OF 
 
 the verdict of the nation has endorsed. To take 
 such a city, with an inequality of force, and with- 
 out a battering train, is indeed a feat which would 
 give character to a whole war, if there were no 
 other brilliant events in its history. But before it 
 came Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and after 
 it Buena Vista ; to say nothing of the operations 
 of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. 
 
 Between the siege of Monterey and the battle 
 of Buena Vista five months intervened. During 
 that period the main body of General Taylor's 
 force was reduced to a very small number, but was 
 subsequently reinforced by arrivals of volunteers. 
 The " Central Division of the Army of Mexico," 
 organised by General Wool, under orders from the 
 War Department, crossed the Rio Grande at Pre- 
 sidio, and after a march through an unfrequented 
 part of Mexico, marked by no event save the peace- 
 ful capture of Chihuahua, joined the main body 
 under General Taylor, in season for the victory of 
 Buena Vista. 
 
 The troops withdrawn from General Taylor, and 
 ordered to march under command of General Worth 
 toward Vera Cruz, were taken leave of by their 
 gallant commander in a characteristic and feeling 
 address. He then fell back on Monterev, and in 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 177 
 
 February had received accessions to his force, 
 bringing it up to about 6000 men. With these 
 and the accessions received, he still kept command 
 of his points in advance, notwithstanding that he 
 had been recommended to fall back on Monterey. 
 The event proved his skill and sagacity. 
 
 The details of the battle of Buena Vista we leave 
 to the official report of General Taylor, which will 
 be found in the next chapter. 
 
178 LIFE OF 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Official Report of General Taylor — Preparations for Battle — Move- 
 ments of different bodies — Gallantry of Officers and Men— Loss of 
 Officers and Soldiers. 
 
 E could not give a more distinct and 
 satisfactory chart of the movements 
 of the troops during the engage- 
 ment at Buena Vista, nor at the 
 same time a more intelligible general narra- 
 tive, than by quoting the despatch of the 
 General commanding 
 
 Head-Quarters Army of Occupation, ") 
 jdgua Nueva, March 6, 1847. 5 
 
 Sir : I have the honour to submit a detailed re- 
 port of the operations of the forces under my com- 
 mand, which resulted in the engagement of Buena 
 Vista, the repulse of the Mexican army, and the re- 
 occupation of this position. 
 
 The information which reached me of the advance 
 and concentration of a heavy Mexican force in my 
 front, had assumed such a probable form, as to induce 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 179 
 
 special examination far beyond the reach of our 
 ickets, to ascertain its correctness. A small party 
 f Texan spies, under Major McCullough, des- 
 patched to the hacienda of Encarnacion, thirty miles 
 torn this, on the route to San Luis Potosi, had 
 eported a cavalry force of unknown strength at that 
 >lace. On the 20th of February, a strong recon- 
 toissance under Lieutenant Colonel May was des- 
 jatched to the hacienda of Heclionda, while Major 
 VlcCullough made another examination of Encar- 
 lacion. The result of these expeditions left no 
 loubt that the enemy was in large force at Encar- 
 lacion, under the orders of General Santa Anna, 
 ind that he meditated a forward movement and 
 ittack upon our position. 
 
 As the camp of Agua Nueva could be turned on 
 3ither flank, and as the enemy's force was greatly 
 superior to our own, particularly in the arm of 
 cavalry, I determined, after much consideration, to 
 take up a position about eleven miles in rear, and 
 there await the attack. The army broke up its 
 camp and marched at noon on the 21st, encamping 
 at the new position a little in front of the hacienda 
 of Buena Vista. With a small force I proceeded 
 lo Saltillo, to make some necessary arrangements 
 for the defence of the town, leaving Brigadier 
 
180 LIFE OF 
 
 General Wool in the immediate command of the 
 troops. 
 
 Before those arrangements were completed, on 
 the morning of the 22d, I was advised that the 
 enemy was in sight, advancing. Upon reaching 
 the ground it was found that his cavalry advance 
 was in our front, having marched from Encarnacion, 
 as we have since learned, at 11 o'clock on the day 
 previous, and driving in a mounted force left at 
 Agua Nueva to cover the removal of public stores. 
 Our troops were in position, occupying a line of re- 
 markable strength. The road at this point becomes 
 a narrow defile, the valley on its right being ren- 
 dered quite impracticable for artillery by a system 
 of deep and impassable gullies, while on the left a 
 succession of rugged ridges and precipitous ravines 
 extends far back toward the mountain which bounds 
 the valley. The features of the ground were such 
 as nearly to paralyze the artillery and cavalry of 
 the enemy, while his infantry could not derive all 
 the advantage of its numerical superiority. In this 
 position we prepared to receive him. Captain Wash- 
 ington's battery (4th artillery) was posted to com- 
 mand the road, while the 1st and 2d Illinois regi- 
 ments, under Colonels Hardin and Bissell, each 
 eight companies (to the latter of which was attached 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 181 
 
 Captain Conner's company of Texas volunteers), 
 and the 2d Kentucky, under Colonel McKee, occu- 
 pied the crests of the ridges on the left and in rear. 
 The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments of cavalry, 
 commanded by Colonels Yell and H. Marshall, 
 occupied the extreme left near the base of the 
 mountain, while the Indiana brigade, under Briga- 
 dier General Lane (composed of the 2d and 3d 
 regiments, under Colonels Bowles and Lane), the 
 Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, the squad- 
 rons of the 1st and 2d dragoons, under Captain 
 Steen and Lieutenant Colonel May, and the light 
 batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg, 3d ar- 
 tillery, were held in reserve. 
 
 At 11 o'clock, I received from General Santa 
 Anna a summons to surrender at discretion, which, 
 with a copy of my reply, I have already transmitted. 
 The enemy still forbore his attack, evidently wait- 
 ing for the arrival of his rear columns, which could 
 be distinctly seen by our look-outs as they approached 
 the field. A demonstration made on his left caused 
 me to detach the 2d Kentucky regiment and a sec- 
 tion of artillery to our right, in which position they 
 bivouacked for the night. In the mean time the 
 Mexican light troops had engaged ours on the ex- 
 treme left (composed of parts of the Kentucky and 
 
182 LIFE OF 
 
 Arkansas cavalry dismounted, and a rifle battalion 
 from the Indiana brigade, under Major Gorman, the 
 whole commanded by Colonel Marshall), and kept 
 up a sharp fire, climbing the mountain side, and 
 apparently endeavouring to gain our flank. Three 
 pieces of Captain Washington's battery had been 
 detached to the left, and were supported by the 2d 
 Indiana regiment. An occasional shell was thrown 
 by the enemy into this part of our line, but without 
 effect. The skirmishing of the light troops was 
 kept up with trifling loss on our part until dark, 
 when I became convinced that no serious attack 
 would be made before morning, and returned, with 
 the Mississippi regiment and squadron of 2d dra- 
 goons, to Saltillo. The troops bivouacked without 
 fires, and laid uppn their arms. A body of cavalry, 
 some 1500 strong, had been visible all day in rear 
 of the town, having entered the valley through a 
 narrow pass east of the city. This cavalry, com- 
 manded by General Minon, had evidently been 
 thrown in our rear to break up and harass our 
 retreat, and perhaps make some attempt against the 
 town if practicable. The city was occupied by 
 four excellent companies of Illinois volunteers, 
 under Major Warren, of the 1st regiment. A field- 
 work, which commanded most of the approaches, 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 183 
 
 was garrisoned by Captain Webster's company, 1st 
 artillery, and armed with two 24-pound howitzers, 
 while the train and head-quarter camp was guarded 
 by two companies of Mississippi riflemen, under 
 Captain Rogers, and a field-piece commanded by 
 Captain Shover, 3d artillery. Having made these 
 dispositions for the protection of the rear, I pro- 
 ceeded on the morning of the 23d to Buena Vista, 
 ordering forward all the other available troops. 
 The action had commenced before my arrival on 
 the field. 
 
 During the evening and night of the 22d the 
 enemy had thrown a body of light troops on the 
 mountain side, with the purpose of outflanking our 
 left ; and it was here that the action of the 23d 
 commenced at an early hour. Our riflemen, under 
 Colonel Marshall, who had been reinforced by three 
 companies under Major Trail, 2d Illinois volunteers, 
 maintained their ground handsomely against a 
 greatly superior force, holding themselves under 
 cover, and using their weapons with deadly effect. 
 About eight o'clock a strong demonstration was 
 made against the centre of our position, a heavy 
 column moving along the road. This force was 
 soon dispersed by a few rapid and well-directed 
 shots from Captain Washington's battery. In the 
 
184 LIFE OF 
 
 mean time the enemy was concentrating a large 
 force of infantry and cavalry under cover of the 
 ridges, with the obvious intention of forcing our left, 
 which was posted on an extensive plateau. The 2d 
 Indiana and 2d Illinois regiments formed this part 
 of our line, the former covering three pieces of light 
 artillery, under the orders of Captain O'Brien — 
 Brigadier General Lane being in the immediate 
 command. In order to bring his men within effect- 
 ive range, General Lane ordered the artillery and 2d 
 Indiana regiment forward. The artillery advanced 
 within musket range of a heavy body of Mexican 
 infantry, and was served against it with great effect, 
 but without being able to check its advance. The 
 infantry ordered to its support had fallen back in 
 disorder, being exposed, as well as the battery, not 
 only to a severe fire of small-arms from the front, 
 but also to a murderous cross-fire of grape and 
 canister from a Mexican battery on the left. Captain 
 O'Brien found it impossible to retain his position 
 without support, but was only able to withdraw two 
 of his pieces, all the horses and cannoneers of the 
 third piece being killed or disabled. The 2d Indiana 
 regiment, which had fallen back as stated, could 
 not be rallied, and took no farther part in the action, 
 except a handful of men, who, under its gallant 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 185 
 
 colonel, Bowles, joined the Mississippi regiment, 
 and did good service, and those fugitives who, at a 
 later period in the day, assisted in defending the 
 train and depot at Buena Vista. This portion of 
 fbur line having given way, and the enemy appearing 
 in overwhelming force against our left flank, the 
 light troops which had rendered such good service 
 on the mountain were compelled to withdraw, 
 which they did, for the most part, in good order. 
 Many, however, were not rallied until they reached 
 the depot at Buena Vista, to the defence of which 
 they afterward contributed. 
 
 Colonel Bissell's regiment, (2d Illinois,) which 
 had been joined by a section of Captain Sherman's 
 battery, had become completely outflanked, and was 
 compelled to fall back, being entirely unsupported. 
 The enemy was now pouring masses of infantry 
 and cavalry along the base of the mountain on our 
 left, and was gaining our rear in great force. At 
 this moment I arrived upon the field. The Missis- 
 sippi regiment had been directed to the left before 
 reaching the position, and immediately came into 
 action against the Mexican infantry which had 
 turned our flank. The 2d Kentucky regiment and 
 a section of artillery under Captain Bragg, had pre- 
 viously been ordered from the right to reinforce our 
 
18G LIFE OF 
 
 left, and arrived at a most opportune moment. That 
 regiment, and a portion of the 1st Illinois, under 
 Colonel Harden, gallantly drove the enemy, and re- 
 covered a portion of the ground we had lost. The 
 batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg were in 
 position on the plateau, and did much execution, 
 not only in front, but particularly upon the masses 
 which had gained our rear. Discovering that the 
 enemy was heavily pressing upon the Mississippi 
 regiment, the 3d Indiana regiment, under Colonel 
 Lane, was despatched to strengthen that part of our 
 line, which formed a crotchet perpendicular to the 
 first line of battle. At the same time Lieutenant 
 Kilburn, with a piece of Captain Bragg's battery, 
 was directed to support the infantry there engaged. 
 The action was for a long time warmly sustained 
 at that point — the enemy making several efforts 
 both with infantry and cavalry against our line, and 
 being always repulsed with heavy loss. I had 
 placed all the regular cavalry and Captain Pike's 
 squadron of Arkansas horse under the orders of 
 Brevet Lieutenant Colonel May, with directions to 
 hold in check the enemy's column, still advancing 
 to the rear along the base of the mountain, which 
 was done in conjunction with the Kentucky and 
 Arkansas cavalry under Colonels Marshall and Yell. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 187 
 
 In the mean time our left, which was still strongly 
 threatened by a superior force, was farther strength- 
 ened by the detachment of Captain Bragg's and a 
 portion of Captain Sherman's batteries to that quar- 
 ter. The concentration of artillery fire upon the 
 masses of the enemy along the base of the mountain, 
 and the determined resistance offered by the two 
 regiments opposed to them, had created confusion 
 in their ranks, and some of the corps attempted to 
 effect a retreat upon their main line of battle. The 
 squadron of the 1st dragoons, under Lieutenant 
 Rucker, was now ordered up the deep ravine which 
 these retreating corps were endeavouring to cross, 
 in order to charge and disperse them. The squad- 
 ron proceeded to the point indicated, but could not 
 accomplish the object, being exposed to a heavy fire 
 from a battery established to cover the retreat of 
 those corps. While the squadron was detached on 
 this service, a large body of the enemy was observed 
 to concentrate on our extreme left, apparently with 
 the view of making a descent upon the hacienda 
 of Buena Vista, where our train and baggage were 
 deposited. Lieutenant Colonel May was ordered 
 to the support of that point, with two pieces of 
 Captain Sherman's battery under Lieutenant Rey- 
 nolds. In the mean time, the scattered forces near 
 
188 LIFE OF 
 
 the hacienda, composed in part of Majors Trail and 
 Gorman's commands, had been to some extent or- 
 ganized under the advice of Major Monroe, chief 
 of artillery, with the assistance of Major Morrison, 
 volunteer staff, and were posted to defend the posi- 
 tion. Before our cavalry had reached the hacienda, 
 that of the enemy had made its attack; having been 
 handsomely met by the Kentucky and Arkansas 
 cavalry under Colonels Marshall and Yell. The 
 Mexican column immediately divided, one portion 
 sweeping by the depot, where it received a destruc- 
 tive fire from the force which had collected there, 
 and then gaining the mountain opposite, under a 
 fire from Lieutenant Reynold's section, the remain- 
 ing portion regaining the base of the mountain on 
 our left. In the charge at Buena Vista, Colonel 
 Yell fell gallantly at the head of his regiment ; we 
 also lost Adjutant Vaughan, of the Kentucky caval- 
 ry — a young officer of much promise. Lieutenant 
 Colonel May, who had been rejoined by the squad- 
 ron of the 1st dragoons and by portions of the Ark- 
 ansas and Indiana troops, under Lieutenant Colonel 
 Roane and Major Gorman, now approached the 
 base of the mountain, holding in check the right 
 flank of the enemy, upon whose masses, crowded 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 189 
 
 in the narrow gorges and ravines, our artillery was 
 doing fearful execution. 
 
 The position of that portion of the Mexican army 
 which had gained our rear was now very critical, 
 and it seemed doubtful whether it could regain the 
 main body. At this moment I received from Gen- 
 eral Santa Anna a message by a staff officer, desiring 
 to know what I wanted 1 I immediately despatched 
 Brigadier General Wool to the Mexican general-in- 
 chief, and sent orders to cease firing. Upon reach- 
 ing the Mexican lines, General Wool could not 
 cause the enemy to cease their fire, and accordingly 
 returned without having an interview. The ex- 
 treme right of the enemy continued its retreat along 
 the base of the mountain, and finally, in spite of all 
 our efforts, effected a junction with the remainder 
 of the army. 
 
 During the day, the cavalry of General Minon 
 had ascended the elevated plain above Saltillo, and 
 occupied the road from the city to the field of battle, 
 where they intercepted several of our men. Ap- 
 proaching the town, they were fired upon by Cap- 
 tain Webster from the redoubt occupied by his 
 company, and then moved off towards the eastern 
 side of the valley, and obliquely towards Buena 
 Vista. At this time, Captain Shover moved rapidly 
 
190 LIFE OF 
 
 forward with his piece, supported by a miscellaneous 
 command of mounted volunteers, and fired several 
 shots at the cavalry with great effect. They were 
 .a driven into the ravines which lead to the lower val- 
 ley, closely pursued by Captain Shover, who was 
 farther supported by a piece of Captain Webster's 
 battery, under Lieutenant Donaldson, which had 
 advanced from the redoubt, supported by Captain 
 Wheeler's company of Illinois volunteers. The 
 enemy made one or two efforts to charge the artil- 
 lery, but was finally driven back in a confused mass, 
 and did not again appear upon the plain. 
 
 In the mean time, the firing had partially ceased 
 upon the principal field. The enemy seemed to 
 confine his efforts to the protection of his artillery, 
 and I had left the plateau for a moment, when I 
 was recalled thither by a very heavy musketry fire. 
 On regaining that position, I discovered that our 
 infantry (Illinois and 2d Kentucky) had engaged a 
 greatly superior force of the enemy — evidently his 
 reserve — and that they had been overwhelmed by 
 numbers. The moment was most critical. Captain 
 O'Brien, with two pieces, had sustained this heavy 
 charge to the last, and was finally obliged to leave 
 his guns on the field — his infantry support being 
 entirely routed. Captain Bragg, who had just ar- 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 191 
 
 rived from the left, was ordered at once into battery. 
 Without any infantry to support him, and at the 
 imminent risk of losing his guns, this officer came 
 rapidly into action, the Mexican line being but a 
 few yards from the muzzle of his pieces. The first 
 discharge of canister caused the enemy to hesitate, 
 the second and third drove him back in disorder, 
 and saved the day. The 2d Kentucky regiment, 
 which had advanced beyond supporting distance in 
 this affair, was driven back and closely pressed by 
 the enemy's cavalry. Taking a ravine which led 
 in the direction of Captain Washington's battery, 
 their pursuers became exposed to his fire, which 
 soon checked and drove them back with loss. In 
 the mean time the rest of our artillery had taken 
 position on the plateau, covered by the Mississippi 
 and 3d Indiana regiments, the former of which had 
 reached the ground in time to pour a fire into the 
 right flank of the enemy, and thus contribute to his 
 repulse. In this last conflict we had the misfortune 
 to sustain a very heavy loss. Colonel Hardin, 1st 
 Illinois, and Colonel McKee and Lieutenant Colo- 
 nel Clay, 2d Kentucky regiment, fell at this time 
 while gallantly leading their commands. 
 
 No farther attempt was made by the enemy to 
 force our position, and the approach of night gave 
 
192 LIFE OF 
 
 an opportunity to pay proper attention to the 
 wounded, and also to refresh the soldiers, who had 
 been exhausted by incessant watchfulness and com- 
 bat. Though the night was severely cold, the 
 troops were compelled for the most to bivouac with- 
 out fires, expecting that morning would renew the 
 conflict. During the night the wounded were re- 
 moved to Saltillo, and every preparation made to 
 receive the enemy, should he again attack our posi- 
 tion. Seven fresh companies were drawn from the 
 town, and Brigadier General Marshall, with a re- 
 inforcement of Kentucky cavalry and four heavy 
 guns, under Captain Prentiss, 1st artillery, was near 
 at hand, when it was discovered that the enemy 
 had abandoned his position during the night. Our 
 scouts soon ascertained that he had fallen batk 
 upon Agua Nueva. The great disparity of num- 
 bers, and the exhaustion of our troops, rendered it 
 inexpedient and hazardous to attempt pursuit. A 
 staff officer was despatched to General Santa Anna 
 to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, which was 
 satisfactorily completed on the following day. Out- 
 own dead were collected and buried, and the Mexi- 
 can wounded, of which a large number had been 
 left upon the field, were removed to Saltillo, and 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 193 
 
 rendered as comfortable as circumstances would 
 permit. 
 
 On the evening of the 26th, a close recon- 
 uoissance was made of the enemy's position, which 
 was found to be occupied only by a small body of 
 cavalry, the infantry and artillery having retreated 
 in the direction of San LuisPotosi. On the 27th, 
 our troops resumed their former camp at Agua 
 Nueva, the enemy's rear-guard evacuating the place 
 as we approached, leaving a considerable number 
 of wounded. It was my purpose to beat up his 
 quarters at Encarnacion early the next morning, but 
 upon examination, the weak condition of the cavalry 
 horses rendered it unadvisable to attempt so long a 
 march without water. A command was finally des- 
 patched to Encarnacion, on the 1st of March, under 
 Colonel Belknap. Some two hundred wounded, 
 and about sixty Mexican soldiers were found there, 
 the army having passed on in the direction of Mate- 
 huala, with greatly reduced numbers, and suffering 
 much from hunger. The dead and dying were 
 strewed upon the road and crowded the buildings 
 of the hacienda. 
 
 The American force engaged in the action of 
 Bueua Vista is shown, by the accompanying field 
 report, to have been 334 officers, and 4425 men, ex- 
 9 N 
 
194 LIFEOF % 
 
 elusive of the small command left in and near Sal- 
 tillo. Of this number, two squadrons of cavalry and 
 three batteries of light artillery, making not more 
 than 453 men, composed the only force of regular 
 troops. The strength of the Mexican army is stated 
 by General Santa Anna, in his summons, to be 
 20,000 ; and that estimate is confirmed by all the in- 
 formation since obtained. Our loss is 267 killed, 456 
 wounded, and 23 missing. Of the numerous wound- 
 ed, many did not require removal to the hospital, 
 and it is hoped that a comparatively small number 
 will be permanently disabled. The Mexican loss 
 in killed and wounded may be fairly estimated at 
 1500, and will probably reach 2000. At least 500 
 of their killed were left upon the field of battle. 
 We have no means of ascertaining the number of 
 deserters and dispersed men from their ranks, but it 
 is known to be very great. 
 
 Our loss has been especially severe in officers, 
 twenty-eight having been killed upon the field. We 
 have to lament the death of Captain George Lin- 
 coln, Assistant Adjutant General, serving in the staff 
 of General Wool — a young officer of high bearing 
 and approved gallantry, who fell early in the action. 
 No loss falls more heavily upon the army in the 
 field than that of Colonels Hardin and McKee, and 
 
 i 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 196 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel Clay. Possessing in a remark- 
 able degree the confidence of their commands, and 
 the last two having enjoyed the advantage of a mili- 
 tary education, I had looked particularly to them for 
 support in case we met the enemy. I need not say 
 that their zeal in engaging the enemy, and the cool 
 and steadfast courage with which they maintained 
 their positions during the day, fully realized my 
 hopes, and caused me to feel yet more sensibly their 
 untimely loss. 
 
 I perform a grateful duty in bringing to the notice 
 of the government the general good conduct of the 
 troops. Exposed for successive nights, without 
 fires, to the severity of the weather, they were ever 
 prompt and cheerful in the discharge of every duty; 
 and finally displayed conspicuous steadiness and 
 gallantry in repulsing, at great odds, a disciplined 
 foe. While the brilliant success achieved by their 
 arms releases me from the painful necessity of spe- 
 cifying many cases of bad conduct before the enemy, 
 I feel an increased obligation to mention particular 
 corps and officers, whose skill, coolness, and gal- 
 lantry in trying situations, and under a continued 
 and heavy fire, seem to merit particular notice. 
 
 To Brigadier General Wool my obligations are 
 especially due. The high state of discipline and 
 
196 LIFE OF 
 
 instruction of several of the volunteer regiments was 
 attained under his command, and to his vigilance 
 and arduous service before the action, and his gal- 
 lantry and activity on the field, a large share of our 
 success may justly be attributed. During most of 
 the engagement he was in immediate command of 
 the troops thrown back on our left flank. I beg 
 leave to recommend him to the favourable notice 
 of the government. Brigadier General Lane 
 (slightly wounded) was active and zealous through- 
 out the day, and displayed great coolness and gal- 
 lantry before the enemy. 
 
 The services of the light artillery, always conspi- 
 cuous, were more than usually distinguished. Moving 
 rapidly over the roughest ground, it was always in 
 action at the right place and the right time, and its 
 well-directed fire dealt destruction in the masses of 
 the enemy. While I recommend to particular 
 favour the gallant conduct and valuable services of 
 Major Munroe, chief of artillery, and Captains 
 Washington, 4th artillery, and Sherman and Bragg, 
 3d artillery, commanding batteries, I deem it no 
 more than just to mention all the subaltern officers. 
 They were nearly all detached at different times, 
 and in every situation exhibited conspicuous skill 
 and gallantry. Captain O'Brien, Lieutenants Brent, 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 197 
 
 Whiting, and Couch, 4th artillery, and Bryan, 
 Topographical Engineers, (slightly wounded,) were 
 attached to Captain Washington's battery. Lieu- 
 tenants Thomas, Reynolds, and French, 3d artil- 
 lery, (severely wounded,) to that of Captain Sher- 
 man ; and Captain Shover and Lieutenant Kilburn, 
 3d artillery, to that of Captain Bragg. Captain 
 Shover, in conjunction with Lieutenant Donaldson, 
 1st artillery, rendered gallant and important service 
 in repulsing the cavalry of General Minon. The 
 regular cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel May, 
 with which was associated Captain Pike's squadron 
 of Arkansas horse, rendered useful service in holding 
 the enemy in check and in covering the batteries at 
 several points. Captain Steen, 1st dragoons, was 
 severely w T ounded early in the day, while gallantly 
 endeavouring, with my authority, to rally the troops 
 which were falling to the rear. 
 
 The Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, 
 were highly conspicuous for their gallantry and 
 steadiness, and sustained throughout the engage- 
 ment the reputation of veteran troops. Brought 
 into action against an immensely superior force, 
 they maintained themselves for a long time unsup- 
 ported and with heavy loss, and held an important 
 part of the field until reinforced. Colonel Davis, 
 
] 98 LIFE OP 
 
 though severely wounded, remained in the saddle 
 until the close of the action. His distinguished 
 coolness and gallantry at the head of his regiment 
 on this day entitle him to the particular notice of 
 the government. The 3d Indiana regiment, under 
 Colonel Lane, and a fragment of the 2d, under 
 Colonel Bowles, were associated with the Missis- 
 sippi regiment during the greater portion of the 
 day, and acquitted themselves creditably in repuls- 
 ing the attempts of the enemy to break that por- 
 tion of our line. The Kentucky cavalry, under 
 Colonel Marshall, rendered good service dismounted, 
 acting as light troops on our left, and afterward, 
 with a portion of the Arkansas regiment, in meet- 
 ing and dispersing the column of cavalry at Buena 
 Vista. The 1st and 2d Illinois, and the 2d Ken- 
 tucky regiments, served immediately under my eye, 
 and I bear a willing testimony to their excellent 
 conduct throughout the day. The spirit and gal- 
 lantry with which the 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky 
 engaged the enemy in the morning, restored con- 
 fidence to that part of the field, while the list of 
 casualties will show how much these three regi- 
 ments suffered in sustaining the heavy charge of 
 the enemy in the afternoon. Captain Conner's 
 company of Texas volunteers, attached to the 2d 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 199 
 
 Illinois regiment, fought bravely, its captain being 
 wounded and two subalterns killed. Colonel Bis- 
 sell, the only surviving colonel of these regiments, 
 merits notice for his coolness and bravery on this 
 occasion. After the fall of the field-officers of the 
 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky regiments, the com- 
 mand of the former devolved upon Lieutenant 
 Colonel Weatherford ; that of the latter upon 
 Major Fry. 
 
 Regimental commanders and others who have 
 rendered reports, speak in general terms of the good 
 conduct of their officers and men, and have spe- 
 cified many names, but the limits of this report 
 forbid a recapitulation of them here. I may, how- 
 ever, mention Lieutenants Rucker and Campbell 
 of the dragoons, and Captain Pike, Arkansas cavalry, 
 commanding squadrons ; Lieutenant Colonel Field, 
 Kentucky cavalry; Lieutenant Colonel Roane, 
 Arkansas cavalry, upon whom the command devolved 
 after the fall of Colonel Yell ; Major Bradford, Cap- 
 tain Sharpe (severely wounded), and Adjutant 
 Griffith, Mississippi regiment ; Lieutenant Colonel 
 Hadden, 2d Indiana regiment, and Lieutenant 
 Robinson, aid-de-camp to General Lane ; Lieu- 
 tenant Colonel Weatherford, 1st Illinois regiment ; 
 Lieutenant Colonel Morrison, Major Trail, and 
 
200 LIFE OF 
 
 Adjutant Whiteside (severely wounded), 2d Illinois 
 regiment ; and Major Fry, 2d Kentucky regiment, 
 as being favourably noticed for gallantry and good 
 conduct. Major McCulloch, quartermaster in the 
 volunteer service, rendered important services before 
 the engagement, in the command of a spy company, 
 and during the affair was associated with the regu- 
 lar cavalry. To Major Warren, 1st Illinois volun- 
 teers, I feel much indebted for his firm and judicious 
 course, while exercising command in the city of 
 Saltillo. 
 
 The medical staff, under the able direction of 
 Assistant-Surgeon Hitchcock, were assiduous in at- 
 tention to the wounded upon the field, and in their 
 careful removal to the rear. Both in these respects, 
 and in the subsequent organization and service of 
 the hospitals, the administration of this department 
 was everything that could be wished. 
 
 Brigadier General Wool speaks in high terms of 
 the officers of his staff, and I take pleasure in men- 
 tioning them here, having witnessed their activity 
 and zeal upon the field. Lieutenant and Aid-de- 
 camp McDowell, Colonel Churchill, inspector-gen- 
 eral, Captain Chapman, assistant quartermaster, 
 Lieutenant Sitgreaves, Topographical Engineers, 
 and Captains Howard and Davis, volunteer service. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 201 
 
 are conspicuously noticed by the general for their 
 gallantry and good conduct. Messrs. March, Ad- 
 dicks, Potts, Harrison, Burgess, and Dusenbery, 
 attached in various capacities to General Wool's 
 head-quarters, are likewise mentioned for their in- 
 telligent alacrity in conveying orders to all parts of 
 the field. 
 
 In conclusion, I beg leave to speak of my own 
 staff, to whose exertions in rallying troops and com- 
 municating orders I feel greatly indebted. Major 
 Bliss, assistant adjutant general, Captain J.H. Eaton, 
 and Lieutenant R. S. Garnett, aids-de-camp, served 
 near my person, and were prompt and zealous in 
 the discharge of every duty. Major Munroe, beside 
 rendering valuable service as chief of artillery, was 
 active and instrumental, as were also Colonels 
 Churchill and Belknap, inspectors-general, in rally- 
 ing troops and disposing them for the defence of the 
 train and baggage. Colonel Whiting, quartermaster 
 general, and Captain Eaton, chief of the subsistence 
 department, were engaged with the duties of their 
 departments, and also served in my immediate staff 
 on the field. Captain Sibley, assistant quartermas- 
 ter, was necessarily left with the head-quarter camp 
 near town, where his services were highly useful. 
 Major Mansfield and Lieutenant Benham, Engineers, 
 9* 
 
202 LIFE OF 
 
 and Captain Linnard and Lieutenants Pope and 
 Franklin, Topographical Engineers, were employed 
 before and during the engagement in making recon- 
 noissances, and on the field were very active in 
 bringing information and in conveying my orders to 
 distant points. Lieutenant Kingsbury, in addition 
 to his proper duties as ordnance officer, Captain 
 Chilton, assistant quartermaster, and Majors Dix 
 and Coffee, served also as extra aids-de-camp, and 
 were actively employed in the transmission of orders. 
 Mr. Thomas L. Crittenden, of Kentucky, though 
 not in service, volunteered as my aid-de-camp on 
 this occasion, and served with credit in that capa- 
 city. Major Craig, chief of ordnance, and Surgeon 
 Craig, medical director, had been detached on duty 
 from head-quarters, and did not reach the ground 
 until the morning of the 24th — too late to partici- 
 pate in the action, but in time to render useful ser- 
 vices in their respective departments of the staff. 
 
 I respectfully enclose returns of the troops en- 
 gaged, and of casualties incident to the battle. 
 I am, sir, very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. TAYLOR, 
 
 Major General U. S. J., Commanding. 
 The Adjutant General of the Army, ") 
 Washington, D. C. $ 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 203 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Santa Anna's Summons and General Taylor's Reply — Flags of Truce 
 — General Taylor's Indifference to Danger — His plan of the Engage- 
 ment — Anecdote — His reception of the news of his Nomination to 
 the Presidency — Conclusion. 
 
 N General Taylor's despatch he refers 
 to a summons from Santa Anna, to 
 " surrender at discretion." This sum- 
 mons and the reply we subjoin. The 
 first is valuable as asserting the number of 
 troops which the Mexican general had at 
 his command, a statement corroborated by 
 other circumstances, and the acknowledg- 
 ments of prisoners and deserters. The reply of 
 General Taylor is a model for its calm courage and 
 dignified tone ; and as such has been universally 
 admired. It may indeed be pronounced unequalled. 
 The summons of Santa Anna was couched in the 
 following terms : 
 
 " You are surrounded by 20,000 men, and can- 
 not, in any human probability, avoid suffering a 
 rout, and being cut to pieces with your troops ; but 
 
204 LIFE OF 
 
 as you deserve consideration and particular esteem, 
 I wish to save you from a catastrophe, and for that \ 
 purpose give you this notice, in order that you may I 
 surrender at discretion, under the assurance that 
 you will be treated with the consideration belonging 1 
 to the Mexican character, to which end you will be j 
 granted an hour's time to make up your mind, to p 
 commence from the moment when my flag of truce II 
 arrives in your camp. With this view, I assure you i 
 of my particular consideration. 
 
 "God and Liberty. Camp at Encantada, Feb- J 
 ruary 22d, 1847. 
 
 "Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna." 
 
 To this summons the reply of General Taylor i 
 was as follows : 
 
 " Sir : In reply to your note of this date, sum- ■ 
 moning me to surrender my forces at discretion, I "I 
 beg leave to say that I decline acceding to your J 
 request. With high respect, I am, sir, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. Taylor, 
 
 Major General U. S. .#., Commanding. 
 
 Two other white flags passed during the battle. 
 In General Taylor's report, by referring to page 
 189 of this book it will be perceived that General 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 205 
 
 Taylor passes over this occurrence with a mag- 
 nanimity which makes him do more than justice 
 even to an enemy. A portion of the Mexicans 
 were, indeed, in a critical situation. Nothing but 
 respect to the flag on the part of the Americans, — 
 a respect which was not shown by the Mexicans, 
 enabled the separated detachment of Santa Anna's 
 force to rejoin the main body. It was a ruse to 
 gain time ; and was accompanied by treachery most 
 reprehensible. General Taylor does not state what 
 reply he instructed General Wool to make. Ano- 
 ther account says that General Taylor replied that 
 he wanted peace. Major Coffee, the bearer of 
 General Taylor's despatches, gives a very animated 
 account of this interview. The American com- 
 mander was sitting quietly on his white charger 
 watching the movements of the enemy, when the 
 Mexican officer was presented, and in a very cour- 
 teous and graceful manner stated that " he had been 
 sent by his excellency General Santa Anna to in- 
 quire what he (General Taylor) was waiting for Y 9 
 Major Coffee says that General Taylor gave 'he 
 very significant reply " only for General Santa Anna 
 to surrender." In this engagement General Taylor 
 was frequently expostulated with by his staff, for 
 exposing himself; and his horse was objected to, on 
 
206 LIFE OF 
 
 account of his colour (white) as affording too con- 
 spicuous a mark for the enemy. But the General 
 refused to change his charger — alleging that as the 
 horse had missed Monterey, he was resolved that he 
 should have his full share at Buena Vista. At 
 Monterey it is related, there was a bridge to pass, 
 which was so raked by the enemy's fire that the 
 horsemen dashed over one at a time. General 
 Taylor, when he reached the centre, was struck by 
 some movement at a distance, the motive or par- 
 ticulars of which he desired to discover. Pro- 
 ducing his glass, he took a deliberate survey, while 
 those who followed, and were compelled by his 
 exposure to remain in danger themselves, did any- 
 thing but admire his indifference to the enemy's 
 fire. Such a callousness to danger is better than 
 too great caution, certainly ; and General Taylor 
 must be admitted to be the best judge how far it 
 is expedient to impart courage to others by his 
 example. 
 
 The other flag sent on the 22d was despatched 
 by General Taylor to a detached body of Mexican 
 infantry, who were contending, with fierce reso- 
 lution, against a destructive fire. The officer by 
 whom it was sent, Mr. Crittenden, who acted as 
 General Taylor's Aid, was carried, in spite of his 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 207 
 
 remonstrances, to Santa Anna, blind-folded. The 
 Mexican general asked his mission. He replied 
 that he had no message for the commander, but 
 that he was sent to ask a detached force to sur- 
 render, to save the effusion of blood, and as his 
 errand was unsuccessful, he demanded to be sent 
 back to his general. It was then that Santa Anna 
 requested him to tell General Taylor that if he 
 would surrender he would be protected and well 
 cared for. Mr. Crittenden replied that he had no 
 commission to speak with him (Santa Anna) upon 
 that or any other matter. " It is, however," he added, 
 " of no use to send any such message, as General 
 Taylor never surrenders? 
 
 This sentence has passed into a motto. Another, 
 the expression of General Taylor himself, is scarcely 
 less famous. The artillery was in this engagement, 
 from the celerity and skill with which it was han- 
 dled, the salvation of the day more than once ; the 
 Americans may indeed be said to have been on the 
 verge of defeat three times. On one of these occa- 
 sions when the crisis appeared most imminent, 
 General Taylor rode up behind the gallant men, 
 who were working for life, against fearful odds. 
 »» A little more grape, Captain Bragg !" said the 
 General, in as calm a voice as if he were making 
 
208 LIFE OP 
 
 an indifferent suggestion. The cool and collected 
 manner of the commander put new life into the 
 men — and a little more grape, gallantly served, 
 turned the scale, and the Mexicans were driven 
 hack. 
 
 The history of the battle of Buena Vista is full 
 of instances of most daring and gallant conduct. It 
 is to be remembered also that the 4000 troops who 
 engaged the Mexican 20,000 were not veterans — 
 but, with the exception of some five hundred, were 
 volunteers. Nor were they the men who had been 
 with Taylor in his previous victories. A small 
 portion only of them were the heroes of Monterey; 
 and the rest faced an enemy for the first time. The 
 arrangements made by Taylor gave his force the 
 advantage of position. Had he fallen back on 
 Monterey, as recommended, he would there with 
 his small force have been shut up, and could not 
 but have lost all the advantages which the taking 
 of that place conferred. But by maintaining his 
 positions in advance, receding from Agua Nueva 
 where his flanks could be turned, and making a 
 stand at Buena Vista where the nature of the 
 ground gave him protection, he made all the fierce 
 courage of his men, and their abiding resolution, 
 available. In his account of the battle, Santa Anna 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 209 
 
 admits that " by this movement his first plans and 
 dispositions, founded on an expected resistance, 
 (at Agua Nueva,) were rendered abortive." The 
 military skill of General Taylor was shown in his 
 general plan — the courage and patient endurance 
 of commander and of troops crowned the effort 
 with victory, after the day seemed three times to 
 have been lost. The Mexicans were even more 
 advantageously posted in the battle of Kesaca de la 
 Palma, and had beside an enormous disparity of 
 force. Yet how different the result ! 
 
 From the nature of the ground, the battle ap- 
 peared to be not one engagement, but a series of 
 detached encounters. Now the superiority of force 
 was with a party of Americans, and now with a 
 detachment of Mexicans. With what absorbing 
 interest must the commander have watched the 
 movements on various parts of the field, as he des- 
 patched, now in one direction and now in another, 
 orders or reinforcements, thus, by the operations of 
 a controlling mind, giving unity to efforts which 
 appeared divided and partial, while they were in 
 reality working out one great whole ! At one time 
 the 2d Kentucky regiment, which had been ordered 
 to support a column hard pressed by the enemy, 
 were obliged to cross a ravine, and in avoiding 
 
210 LIFE OF 
 
 galleys and obstructions, presented at a distance 
 all the appearance of confusion and disorder. 
 "This will not do," said Taylor, who was watch- 
 ing the field intently, " this is not the way for Ken- 
 tuckians to behave themselves !" Mr. Crittenden, 
 to whom the remark was addressed, could make 
 no reply for mortification ; and both Taylor and 
 Crittenden trembled for the honour of their state. 
 
 But in a few moments the Kentuckians had 
 crossed the uneven places, and were seen ascending 
 the slope of the valley, shoulder to shoulder, and 
 with the firm and regular step of veterans of a hun- 
 dred fields. 'On they moved until they reached the 
 crest of the hill, where they met the enemy before 
 the flush of a temporary advantage had subsided. 
 Here they delivered their fire with such regularity 
 and deadly aim that the decimated phalanx of 
 Mexico gave way and retreated precipitately. As 
 the Kentuckians emerged from the valley, the coun- 
 tenance of the old general, who was regarding them 
 with the intensest interest, gradually relaxed the bit- 
 terness of its expression. A glow of pride supplanted 
 the deep mortification which fixed its muscles, and 
 enthusiasm qualified the fierce glance of his eye. 
 Forward they moved under his riveted gaze, whose 
 feelings became more and more wrought up as they 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 211 
 
 approached the scene of carnage. When they 
 opened their fire, the old general could no longer 
 restrain his admiration, but broke forth with a loud 
 huzza — " Hurrah for old Kentucky !" 
 
 But our limits warn us to a conclusion. We 
 would proudly bear particular testimony to the cou- 
 rage of the brave who fought and fell — but are for- 
 bidden by want of space, and not of inclination. In 
 the language of General Taylor, addressed to Henry 
 Clay upon the death of his son, "A grateful people 
 will do justice to the memory of those who fought 
 and fell on that eventful day ;" and like the kind- 
 hearted veteran, we may truly say that in view of 
 the loss of our countrymen we feel no exultation in 
 a victory so dearly purchased. 
 
 The eyes of a nation are now turned upon 
 Zachary Taylor. It is not our province to predict 
 what will be the result of his services, to himself, or 
 to his country, but to record what he has done. 
 The subject of so much remark and just eulogy, 
 and the nominee of individuals, cities and parties 
 for the Presidency, he cannot of course have failed 
 to hear what has been so widely uttered. In rela- 
 tion to it, his answers, written and verbal, have 
 always been made in the spirit of the following an- 
 swer to a friend at Saltillo : " Captain, I am not 
 
212 LIFE OF 
 
 ambitious of any civil appointment. It will be my 
 aim to whip these Mexicans, and bring this war to 
 an honourable conclusion, after which I expect to 
 resign my commission, and retire to my farm." 
 
 We close our notice of Buena Vista with the 
 following extract from a letter written by a distin- 
 guished officer : 
 
 " At a time when the fortunes of the day seemed 
 extremely problematical — when many on our side 
 even despaired of success — old Rough and Ready, 
 as he is not inaptly styled, whom you must know, 
 by the by, is short, fat and dumpy in person, with 
 remarkably short legs, took his position on a com- 
 manding height, overlooking the two armies. This 
 was about three, or perhaps four o'clock in the 
 afternoon. The enemy, who had succeeded in 
 gaining an advantageous position, made a fierce 
 charge upon our column, and fought with a despe- 
 ration that seemed for a time to ensure success to 
 their arms. The struggle lasted for some time. 
 All the while, General Taylor was a silent spec- 
 tator, his countenance exhibiting the most anxious 
 solicitude, alternating between hope and despond- 
 ency. His staff, perceiving his perilous situation — 
 for he was exposed to the fire of the enemy — ap- 
 proached him and implored him to retire. He 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 213 
 
 heeded them not. His thoughts were intent upon 
 victory or defeat. He knew not at this moment 
 what the result would he. He felt that that engage- 
 ment was to decide his fate. He had given all his 
 orders and selected his position. If the day went 
 against him, he was irretrievably lost ; if for him, 
 he could rejoice, in common with his countrymen, 
 at the triumphant success of our arms. 
 
 " Such seemed to be his thoughts, his determi- 
 nation ; and when he saw the enemy give way and 
 retreat, in the utmost confusion, he gave free vent 
 to his pent-up feelings. His right leg was quickly 
 disengaged from the pommel of the saddle, where 
 it had remained during the whole of the fierce en- 
 counter ; his arms, which were calmly folded over 
 his breast, relaxed their hold, his feet firmly danced 
 in the stirrups, and his whole body was in motion. 
 It was a moment of the most exciting and intense 
 interest. His face was suffused with tears. The 
 day w T as won, the victory complete, his little army 
 saved from defeat and disgrace, and he could not 
 refrain from weeping for joy at what had seemed to 
 so many, but a moment before, as an impossible 
 result. — Long may the noble and kind-hearted old 
 hero live to enjoy the honours of his numerous bril- 
 liant victories, and many other honours that a grate- 
 ful country will ere long bestow upon him !" 
 
214 LIFE OF 
 
 The brilliaut operations of General Taylor at 
 Baena Vista closed the war, so far as that portion 
 of Mexico which he had invaded and conquered is 
 considered. From Vera Cruz to the city of the Aztecs, 
 General Scott marched triumphant; and the Ameri- 
 can army under his command achieved victories 
 which find their parallel only in successes of the forces 
 of General Taylor. The whole war, from the bat- 
 tle of Palo Alto to the siege and capture of the city 
 of Mexico, has furnished a series of events more 
 like the incidents of romance than the actual details 
 of modern warfare. Peace is at last effected, and 
 the two victorious generals are now in their own 
 land again, where they move receiving the plaudits 
 of the people. 
 
 General Taylor had been in various points, and 
 as it were by a simultaneous impulse, without party 
 tactics, nominated to the Presidency : and the Whig 
 Convention, late in session in Philadelphia, sealed 
 the choice thus expressed, by formally presenting his 
 name to the nation as the candidate for the highest 
 office in the gift of the American people. The 
 scattered voices now made to speak in concert, pro- 
 mise a civic triumph to the hero of Palo Alto and 
 Monterey, to the moral grandeur of which no Roman 
 triumph ever approached. Were he a mere man of 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 215 
 
 ferocious courage, delighting in war for its terrible 
 excitement, and living in its horrors as his chosen 
 element, the American people would not thus honour 
 him. But his merciful conduct at Monterey has had 
 its weight — a greater weight than any feat of arms. 
 When he might have made the affair, in a military 
 view, more notable by carrying the city by storm, he 
 chose, instead, the merciful course of granting an 
 armistice and terms of capitulation. The nation 
 seconds the words of a Senator,* in defence of Ge- 
 neral Taylor's course: — "I say, therefore, that from 
 the bottom of my soul, I thank the brave, generous 
 and merciful commander of the American troops. I 
 thank him, sir, not only for his gallantry and skill, 
 his conduct and bravery, but eminently and above 
 all other considerations, as an American Senator, I 
 thank him for his humanity ! I honour him because 
 he thought of, and spared, feeble and unoffending 
 woman in that hour of her utmost peril. I honour 
 him because he spared tottering age and helpless 
 infancy; and I glory that an American general has 
 shown himself thus alive to the best feelings of the 
 human heart." 
 
 And from General Taylor's own lips we have the 
 
 * Hon. John M. Clayton. 
 
216 LIFE OF 
 
 declaration that his desired mode of national rivalry 
 is that in which every true patriot rejoices. In ac- 
 knowledging the compliment paid him on a public 
 occasion, in Louisiana, he said: " He was sure he 
 had done no more than his duty, and no more than 
 would have been done by any patriot who might be 
 placed in similar circumstances. The valour of our 
 troops, said the gallant general, had, under the favour 
 of Providence, crowned his efforts with success; but 
 not to the extent he had hoped for and most ardently 
 desired. The object nearest to his heart had been 
 to bring the war to a speedy termination — to restore 
 peace and amity between two neighbouring republics, 
 who had every motive to cultivate mutual good-will, 
 and whom he would much prefer to see vying with 
 each other in the arts of peace, than contending on 
 the field of battle. He had always hoped and be- 
 lieved that by that spirit of forbearance and mag- 
 nanimity which a great and powerful nation should 
 always practise towards a feeble and prostrate ene- 
 my, peace might be restored on terms consistent 
 with the honour, the rights, and the interests of both 
 nations." 
 
 A few months will show what is to be the result 
 of the peaceful contest in which the great political 
 parties in the United States are now entering. Should 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR. 217 
 
 General Taylor — who *" never surrenders" — here 
 be successful, we look forward to an administration 
 which shall do credit to the hopes of those who 
 know him best. A general who prefers peace to 
 war — being at once jealous of the honour but mind- 
 ful of the true happiness of his country ; and who 
 knowing its horrors, never will countenance such 
 measures as invite them, will prove a more peaceful 
 magistrate than one who has never looked behind 
 the gaud and tinsel and trappings of military splen- 
 dour, to see the frightful wounds and death which 
 nourish the soldier's laurels. From his published 
 speeches, and from his character as developed in his 
 public services, and as described by his friends, we 
 know that Zachary Taylor hopes as fervently as any 
 one of his countrymen that the late war may be 
 The Last. 
 
 * See Frontispiece. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 OP 
 
 MILLARD FILLMOKE 
 
 OP 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 219 
 
MILLARD FILLMORE 
 
 HE history of Millard Fillmore, our 
 candidate for Vice President, affords 
 a useful lesson as showing what may 
 be accomplished in the face of the 
 greatest obstacles, by intellect, aided 
 and controlled by energy, perseverance, and 
 strict integrity, in a public and private capa- 
 city. 
 
 His father, Nathaniel Fillmore, is the son of one 
 of like name, who served in the French war, and 
 was a true Whig of the Revolution, proving his de- 
 votion to his country's cause by gallantly fighting as 
 lieutenant under General Stark, in the battle of Ben- 
 nington. He was born at Bennington, Vermont, in 
 1771, and early in life removed to what is now call- 
 ed Summer Hill, Cayuga county, New York, where 
 
 221 
 
222 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 Millard was born, January 7, 1800. He was a 
 farmer, and soon after lost all his property by a bad 
 title to one of the military lots he had purchased. 
 About the year 1802, he removed to the town of 
 Sempronius, now Niles, and resided there till 1819, 
 when he removed to Erie county, where he still 
 lives, cultivating a small farm with his own hands. 
 
 The narrow means of his father deprived Millard 
 of any advantages of education beyond what were 
 afforded by the imperfect and ill-taught common 
 schools of the county. Books were scarce and 
 dear, and at the age of fifteen, when more favoured 
 youths are far advanced in their classical studies, or 
 enjoying in colleges the benefit of well furnished 
 libraries, young Fillmore had read but little except 
 his common school books and the Bible. At that 
 period he was sent into the then wilds of Livingston 
 county, to learn the clothier's trade. He remained 
 there about four months, and was then placed with 
 another person to pursue the same business and wool- 
 carding in the town where his father lived. A small 
 village library that was formed there soon after, gave 
 him the first means of acquiring general knowledge 
 through books. He improved the opportunity thus 
 offered J the appetite grew by what it fed upon. 
 
 The thirst for knowledge soon became insatiate. 
 
MILLARD FILLMORE. 223 
 
 and every leisure moment was spent in reading. 
 Four years were passed in this way, working at his 
 trade, and storing his mind, during such hours as he 
 could command, with the contents of books of history, 
 biography and travels. At the age of nineteen, he 
 fortunately made an acquaintance with the late 
 Walter Wood, Esq., whom many will remember as 
 one of the most estimable citizens of that county. 
 Judge Wood was a man of wealth and great busi- 
 ness capacity : he had an excellent law library, but 
 did little professional business. He soon saw that 
 under the rude exterior of the clothier's boy, were 
 powers that only required proper development to 
 raise the possessor to high distinction and usefulness, 
 and advised him to quit his trade and study law. In 
 reply to the objection of a lack of education, means 
 and friends to aid him in a course of professional 
 study, Judge Wood kindly offered to give him a 
 place in his office, to advance money to defray his 
 expenses, and wait until success in business should 
 furnish the means of repayment. The offer was ac- 
 cepted. The apprentice boy bought his time; en- 
 tered the office of Judge Wood, and for more than 
 two years applied himself closely to business and 
 study. He read law and general literature, and 
 studied and practised surveying. 
 
224 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 Fearing he should incur too large a debt to his 
 benefactor, he taught school for three months in the 
 year, and acquired the means of partially supporting 
 himself. In the fall of 1821, he removed to the 
 county of Erie, and the next spring entered a law 
 office in Buffalo. .There he sustained himself by 
 teaching school, and continued his legal studies until 
 the spring of 1823, when he was admitted to the 
 Common Pleas, and commenced practice in the vil- 
 lage of Aurora, where he remained until 1830, when 
 he again removed to Buffalo, and has continued to 
 reside there ever since. 
 
 His first entrance into public life was in January 
 ]829, when he took his seat as a member from Erie 
 county, to which office he was re-elected the two 
 following years. 
 
 His talents, integrity and assiduous devotion to 
 public business, soon won for him the confidence of 
 the House in an unexampled degree. It was a com- 
 mon remark among the members, " if Fillmore says 
 it is right, we will vote for it." 
 
 The most important measure of a general nature 
 that came up during his service in the State Legis- 
 lature was, the bill to abolish imprisonment for debt. 
 In behalf of that great and philanthropic measure, 
 Mr. Fillmore took an active part, urging with un- 
 
MILLARD FILLMORE. 225 
 
 answerable arguments its justice and expediency, and 
 as a member of the committee on the subject, aiding 
 to perfect its details. That portion of the bill re- 
 lating to Justices' Courts was drafted by him, the re- 
 mainder being the work of the Hon. John C. Spencer. 
 The bill met with a fierce, unrelenting opposition at 
 every step of its progress, and to Millard Fillmore, 
 as much as to any other man, are we indebted, for 
 expunging from the statute-book that relic of a cruel, 
 barbarous age, imprisonment for debt. 
 
 He was elected to congress in the fall of 1832. 
 In those days the business of the house and debates 
 were led by old and experienced members — new 
 ones, unless they enjoy a wide-spread and almost 
 national reputation, rarely taking an active and con- 
 spicuous part. Little chance, therefore, was afforded 
 him, young and unassuming, of displaying those 
 qualities that so eminently fit him for legislative use- 
 fulness. But the school was one admirably qualified 
 more fully to develope and cultivate those powers 
 which, under more favourable circumstances, have 
 enabled him to render such varied and important 
 services to his country. As he has ever done in all 
 the stations he has filled, he discharged his duty with 
 scrupulous fidelity, never omitting on all proper oc- 
 casions any effort to advance the interest of his con- 
 
 p 
 
226 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 stituents and the country, and winning the respect 
 and confidence of all. 
 
 At the close of his term of service he resumed the 
 practice of his profession, which he pursued with 
 distinguished reputation and success until, yielding 
 ,to the public voice, he consented to become a can- 
 didate, and was re-elected to congress in the fall of 
 1836. In this congress Mr. Fillmore took a more 
 active part than he did during his first term, and on 
 the assembling of the next congress, to which he 
 was re-elected by a largely increased majority. It 
 was in this congress that the famous contested New 
 Jersey case came up. It would swell this brief bio- 
 graphical sketch to too great a length to enter upon 
 the details of that case, and it is the less necessary 
 to do so inasmuch as the circumstances must yet 
 dwell in the recollection of every reader. 
 
 The prominent part which Mr. Fillmore took in 
 that case, his patient investigation of all its compli- 
 cated, minute details, the clear, convincing manner 
 in which he set forth the facts, the lofty and indig- 
 nant eloquence with which he denounced the medi- 
 tated wrong, all strongly directed public attention to 
 him as one of the ablest men of that congress, dis- 
 tinguished as it was by the eminent ability and states- 
 manship of many of its members. 
 
MILLARD FILLMORE. 227 
 
 On the assembling of the next congress, to which 
 Mr. Fillmore was re-elected by a majority larger than 
 was ever before given in his district, he was placed 
 at the head of the committee on Ways and Means. 
 The duties of that station, always arduous and re- 
 sponsible, were at that time peculiarly so. 
 
 After long and severe labours in the committee- 
 room — labours sufficiently arduous to break down 
 any but one of an iron constitution — sustained by a 
 spirit that nothing could conquer, he was required to 
 give his unremitting attention to the business of the 
 house, to make any explanation that might be asked. 
 All this, too, was required to be done with prompt- 
 ness, clearness, dignity and good temper. For the 
 proper performance of these varied duties, few men 
 are more happily qualified than Mr. Fillmore. At 
 that fortunate age, when the physical and intellectual 
 powers are displayed in the highest perfection, and 
 the hasty impulses of youth, without any loss of its 
 vigour, are brought under control of large experience 
 in public affairs, with a mind capable of descending 
 to minute details, as well as conceiving a grand sys- 
 tem of national policy, calm and deliberate in judg- 
 ment, self-possessed and fluent in debate, of dignified 
 presence, never unmindful of the courtesies becom- 
 ing social and public intercourse, and of political 
 
228 MILLARD FILLMORE. 
 
 integrity unimpeachable, he was admirably fitted for 
 the post of leader of the 27th congress. 
 
 In 1844, he was selected as the Whig candidate 
 for Governor in New York, in opposition to the late 
 Silas Wright, who was elected. Confident, how- 
 ever, that he could command the strongest vote in 
 New York, the Whigs again selected him as their 
 candidate for Comptroller, in 1847, and succeeded 
 in electing him by an unprecedented majority. 
 
 Such was the boy, and such is the man whom the 
 Whigs present as their candidate for Vice President. 
 In every station in which he has been placed, he 
 has shown himself "honest, capable, and faithful to 
 the constitution." He is emphatically one of the 
 people. For all that he has and is, he is indebted 
 under God to his own exertions. Born to an in- 
 heritance of comparative poverty, he struggled brave- 
 ly 'with difficulties that would have appalled and 
 crushed a less resolute heart. Nobly has he won 
 his laurels, and long may he live to enjoy them. 
 
 THE END 
 
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 In neat sheep binding, suitable for Reading Books in 
 Schools, or for School Libraries. 
 
 EACH VOLUME CONTAINS EIGHT PLATES, 
 
 ILLUSTRATING IMPORTANT EVENTS, MOSTLY FROM ORIGINAL DESIGNS. 
 
 1. THE LIFE OF GENERAL TAYLOR, the Hero o 
 
 Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buen 
 Vista. 
 
 2. THE LIFE OF GENERAL FRANCIS MAR 
 
 the Patriot of the South. 
 
 3. THE LIFE OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, the Pr 
 
 the Statesman, and the Philosopher. 
 
 4. THE LIFE OF GExNERAL LAFAYETTE, 
 
 Friend of Washington. 
 
 5. THE LIFE OF GENERAL WASHINGTON, 
 
 Father of his Country. 
 
 6. THE LIFE OF NAPOLEON BONA1 ARTE, I 
 
 ror of the French. 
 
 7. THE LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSOI^ the Hero oi 
 
 New Orleans. 4 9* 
 
 8. THE LIFE OF WILLIAM PENN, the Founder 
 
 Pennsylvania. f£) 
 
 SOLD SEPARATELY: OR IN SETS BOUND TO MATCH.